TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 15

[avalonmods]

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A ⦿ Soaking in Your Arrival  KERPLUNK, SPLASH! Regardless of what you were in the middle of, you and your familiar have been magically pulled into the world of Avalon just above the Bay's chilly waters. After a brief plunge into the Bay, the rush of water filling your ears and soaking up into every creak and crevice of your body, you may need to cough to clear your airways when you rise above the surface. It's paralyzingly cold for a few seconds before you're approached by the Lady of the Lake beneath the water's surface. She puts a vial of a vibrant, glowing red Everwarm* potion to your character's lips.
The icy water doesn't feel so icy once consumed and you'll be able to move your limbs enough to swim to shore on your own. She can't stick around to explain, she's got to get this to all the new arrivals! Many of which you'll see plopping in around you. If you can't swim, a handful of helpful ice turtles will scoop you up from beneath and drop you off at the shore. It's a fast process, though they do take their time as they need to go around hitting the ice that keeps forming on the surface with their shells to keep the surface open for the falling arrivals. If anyone tries to ask the Lady of the Lake for directions, she will direct you to Archimedes at the Rent-a-Ride. If anyone with Animal Magic asks the turtles, they will give the full spiel, but very slowly, and they like to get off topic and gossip about other turtles you've never heard of. The shores themselves are littered with new arrivals complaining their way up a staircase carved into the walls of the White Cliffs. There is no railing, so be careful, but if you do fall, be prepared for a mysterious sand hand to reach out of the side of the cliffs to catch you. The hand will pat you atop the head twice before retreating back into the wall. This is the Cliff Beast; despite the name, he is quite friendly.

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B ⦿ The Caravan to Camelot

Once everyone is wrangled up to the top of the White Cliffs, the handsome owner of the Rent-a-Ride, Archimedes, will distribute smart phones and a pair of ear buds and tell them to "Check the Shit Box." The "Shit Box" refers to wardrobe more formally known as the Wardrobe of Finding, a hammerspace-like wardrobe that opens to each person's items and pets when the person touches the handle. It was recently enchanted by Merlin to prevent people from having to fish their waterlogged possessions and pets out of the water with them. From there, Archimedes directs everyone to settle in groups into modernized carriages pulled by horses and gives them a basic explanation of why and how they've been brought to Avalon: The rest of the universe is frozen in time and your character has been brought here by a familiar that was able to bond with them. They'll have to learn magic to help save their own world from destruction, but first they've got to get them to Camelot. It is here that you have the first opportunity to decide who they will be in their new home. You'll have about an hour to wander around here, meet and greet, and pet the horses before it's time to go.

These carriages use fae technology that combats weight, so your character will be able to get in regardless of whether they're light as a feather or weigh two tons. The carts have air conditioning when it's hot, heating when it's cold, and a mystical shield to protect from bugs. There is also a mini-bar that pops out of the console, with a special feature for warm winter drinks like hot apple toddy and butter beer. Characters can use their smartphones to connect to Camelot's internet service, avalononline (AOL), to chat with other characters, watch dumb videos, learn about the world, contact Camelot Support (they'll answer any questions they can for you, from how to use a smart phone to where to find quests and resources to learn more about your magic). Be careful if you decide to use your phones while in the caravan-- if you don't use those earbuds and start forcing everyone to listen to your nonsense, Archimedes may make you walk.

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C ⦿ The Red Spring

The journey from the White Cliffs to the City of Camelot is a long one, and the first evening you arrive you'll end up spending at the Red Spring, a booming resort town. Newcomers get free inn rooms for their one night stay on the way to Camelot, containing two twin beds, a bathroom, a mini-fridge and microwave, and a TV equipped with a couple of entertaining video games and movies.   Don't want to relax in the room? Take a dip in the communal hot spring. The waters have restorative properties that help horses and travelers recover quickly. It is known to relieve stress, improve energy levels, and mildly accelerate healing. It may be a little chilly when you get out though, so make sure you don't slip rushing back indoors when you get out! The springs are also home to a large training grounds just outside town limits, where there are teachers who will teach basic magic safety and help you discover what kind of magic you have together with other new arrivals. Try target practice, obstacle courses, meditation circles, and other ways to try to figure out just what you can do... if you didn't already have an accidental discovery on the ride there.

 

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Last month, players were invited into the fae territories in Elphame for the first time for the Winter Solstice celebrations while King Arthur and Queen Elphame enter talks regarding the next steps toward saving the multiverse. In the meantime, a special camp hosted King Arthur's knights has been created on the riverbank just inside of the Forest of the Felled to act as a midway point for travelers going between the two points.

 

A ⦿ Snow More Cold
	The Forest Camp is quite a stunning outpost for Camelot. Given the snowy, cold weather, the campsites have been built with the knowledge of some of the snowier fae in mind and have resulted in what some are referring to as "Igloo Glamping." Artfully carved out group rooms, dining halls, and storage for supplies, and more have been carved out of snow to create a surprisingly warm solution to keeping safe as a Forest halfway point. Admittedly, it's not the your standard glamp-- but there are TVs, board games, and long fur-lined beds to keep you and four other people warm cuddled up together at night! There's also a snow port-a-potty that you probably don't want to face, but sometimes we face challenges in life. There are also a number of planned activities to keep people out of trouble while they stay.
...Or if they do get themselves into trouble, they can also end up in snow jail, a special igloo built with extremely tough ice stalagmites that will be hard to break out of until authorities can come pick you up and take you back to Camelot.

 

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B ⦿ The Great Avalon Bake-Off
One of these activities is inspired by a surprising store of buried baking supplies like flour, sugar, butter, yeast, and eggs that was found in the forest. It's been there a long while, but it seems to have been protected through magical preservation, so there's really only one thing to do about it: a bake-off! It's a little tricky out in the snow, so outside of the igloos, a trench has been dug and all contestants have been given a campfire. Alchemists have helped by creating clay ovens in the snow for contestants to bake their culinary creations in. The most impressive confections (not just the top scorer) will earn a copy of (Spell) Thirst. This spell can make someone feel thirsty, even if they aren't.

 

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C ⦿ Ingredient Hunt 2022
	The real trick is finding ingredients to make your confection something to stand out and come up on top of the contest, which you may need to wander into the Forest of the Felled to look for. There are a variety of winter berries able to be found, herbs and flowers buried under the snow if you can find them, and most importantly, a couple of truffle bushes from which chocolate and vanilla truffles can be harvested. There are quite a few tasty flavors to be found throughout the forest, and since it hasn't been repopulated yet due to the harsh winter, it's relatively safe to wander around no matter who you are. If you feel like you need protection though, maybe ask around camp to find someone who can fight for you.
Just be wary as there are a few ingredients you can find in the forest that may cause a few unintended side-effects to your taste-testers: Cider Berries: These berries appear to have a fiery glow coming from within. That is because they will temporary cause anyone who consumes them to breathe fire when they exhale for about 10 minutes straight... definitely a problem when you're living in an igloo. They have a great apple-y smell though! Strangler Figs: These fig trees grow around other plants and strangling them as if they were anacondas around prey. They produce the most brilliant looking and tasting figs, even in the winter time. Unfortunately, having been in Avalon long enough, they have absorbed magic into their roots and are now able to defend their fruit by creeping up anyone who touches them and trapping them in their grip. They cannot move while you are looking at them, so don't blink and hope you can outrun them. Little Leeks: These are very, very small leaks that seem to be hanging out in small vials found about an inch beneath the surface of the snow. They all seem to have different faces painted on the front of the vials, though the vials do seem to be a part of their body. The simple faces match the effect you'll get-- a crying face will result in your character having an uncontrollable sob fest, a happy face may make it seem like nothing phases them, some angry eyebrows on a frown could result in your character wanting to fight everyone in a fit of anger, and so on. The most tragic part is that these will continue effecting you until they are fully digested-- so it could take hours to stop bawling.

 

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Back in Camelot and Elphame, trouble is brewing of a different variety.

 

A ⦿ Calls You Daddy
Strange eggs with even stranger tiny legs have started wandering into the city and making their way into peoples' homes. Inn rooms, houses, apartments, tents, tree trunks, igloos, even townships have found residents waking up with a tiny little egg snuggled up to their side to keep warm in the morning.  These eggs act just like babies too-- they cry when they need to be fed (they'll roll around in the food to absorb it), are extremely picky about their food (and each egg has its own unique palette), need to be cleaned after eating, and they need to be kept warm or they will perish.
One touch of an egg to direct skin will result in a parental instinct being imprinted upon whoever touches them, so you may find yourself wanting to care for this egg as much as it wants you to care for it. Eggs come in a variety of colors and designs and will seek out at least two parents, so you may find yourself in an unlikely relationship for the next week or so until they hatch...

 

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B ⦿ Aurora Bearealis
	After about a week, the eggs all seem to be antsier than before. Many of their legs disappear and their colors start to glow gently at night, as if some kind of strange nightlight. Eventually, the top of the egg will burst open and out of it will hatch a slightly oddly shaped bear creature, which looks almost like a living teddy bear. The bears themselves have strange glowing markings that match the outside of the egg that they used to be in, and when they step out, a mysterious flow of light comes out of them- like an aurora borealis. At this point, there are two real problems that have started: Touching the aurora borealis lights will also make you glow with aurora borealis lights for 48 hours. They are bears and they act like bears and they get into everything and fight everyone like bears, except their perceived parents.

 

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C ⦿ Go on, Git. CW: Mentions of poaching, beheading in last paragraph.
	These fierce little aurora bears are causing destruction and pain in both Elphame and Camelot alike, so a decision has to be made: the bears need to be led by their parents and some fighters out to the nearest forest and set free to live in the wild, as they probably were intended to. Those in Camelot who release their bears there will find a heart-wrenching goodbye interrupted by a rather dramatic battle. The natural predator of aurora bears, the flaming lions known as Fogueria, have come out of the Land of Rot to hunt them down. I hope you brought someone with you to help save both you and your beary good friend from this flaming enemy. Fogueria cannot be defeated without using magic, so you've got your battle set out for you!
For those who have taken to Elphame, they are not faring much better. As it turns out, these little eggs have made quite the impression on some goblin poachers released from prison last month. These goblins are hunting down the newly released bears for capture to sell them as circus side-shows, food, and more to more devilish creatures. They love gold much more than they love anything else, except perhaps the fierce beast that accompanies their party to help them devour anyone who would try to stop them: a gashadokuro, a fierce skeletal demon formed of the bones of fallen travelers. It is known to bite off the heads of travelers and drinks blood. You'll have to defeat the whole party to ensure your newly released bears remain safe.

 

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• All test drive prompts are open to anyone in the game at any time to create your own logs with, as the events within are considered game canon. • This post should have top-levels by potential new characters only. Current characters may reply to any threads and may start their own logs off-post, but should not top-level comment on this post. • If your application is accepted, you may accept TDM threads as game canon as long as both players consent. Characters may begin threading as soon as their journal is accepted to the communities. •If nothing here tickles your fancy, try one of this month's Quests for your TDM prompt. • The first "Arrival" prompts are usually present on every TDM, but contain seasonal tweaks for flavor. All other prompts will change monthly. • Questions about this TDM's content? Comment here! If you have a question about the game at-large, please head over to the FAQ.

 

Comments

[yunxiguang]

[Well, "visions of the future" is certainly one impression to make. Sizhui can't help the way his brows lift a little at that, surprise briefly registering in his expression. A soothsayer of some sort? This place really does take all kinds.]

[The exact tone of his final statement is difficult to parse, though. Is that a good thing? A bad thing? "Scratching at the edges of [his] mind" doesn't sound like a pleasant feeling, but at the same time, Sizhui also remembers grappling with the idea of his own abilities being gone. The feeling of stillness in his chest, where there should be movement and strength, like missing one's own heartbeat.]

[He decides to take a carefully neutral approach until this stranger can process his own feelings.]

They're not gone--just borrowed. The abilities that you had before are still with you, but the energy is being used by this world. You won't be able to access them while you're here, but you'll have access to other abilities instead. New ones. Sometimes very different ones, or... different but in a familiar way. [At least in his case. It's hard to explain, but he's doing his best.]

[sandinmyhair]

[Hearing someone else lay this out in words does push some thoughts through the haze of confusion. Bruno nods, his weary brain fitting the facts into place. And the more facts he pieces together the lighter everything feels.]

I'm... I'm free...

[Even the mention of other kinds of magic doesn't really disabuse him of this notion.]

I don't mind if it's something else--anything's better than seeing the future.

[You say that now, Bruno....]

[yunxiguang]

[I'm free. Sizhui exhales a little with his own relief, his smile coming easier. It's good that this man doesn't seem to be upset, but instead sees it as a reprieve from... whatever it was that he could do before. Divine the future, apparently.]

Were you a fortune-teller where you came from? [He should be helping to instruct in this world's magic, but he can't help but be a little curious. Divining the future isn't unheard of where he's from--some forms were very reputable, even. But it did require some care.]

[sandinmyhair]

[He almost looks loathe to admit it.] Y-you could say that.

[Oh, what's the point in dancing around the subject? Nobody here has even heard of him, much less his reputation. He sighs.]

I mean, I was. It wasn't exactly well-received back home, though. I would have visions, and they weren't ever wrong, but that was part of the problem: people didn't like what the future had in store for them.

[yunxiguang]

[That's a sobering admission, and Sizhui takes a moment to consider how he should respond. The man doesn't sound proud of his ability or the consequences of using it, but Sizhui doesn't feel the same.]

It must take a lot of courage to tell them regardless. The truth can sometimes be difficult to hear, but that doesn't mean that it should be hidden. It was your duty to be honest.

[That's how he sees it, anyway. A heavy burden to carry, but a noble one. ...But probably not a pleasant one to talk about nonetheless. He's said his piece, so he'll offer a smile and a change of topic, if the man is inclined to take it.]

Have you felt anything unusual around you since you arrived here? Abilities usually manifest as very small things at first. Elemental energies, lights, or healing; or something even more subtle.

[sandinmyhair]

[A sad smile crosses his features.]

Sounds like something my sobrina Mirabel would say. Somehow she always has the right words. You're right, though. It was.

[It's not the most comfortable of subjects for Bruno, either, and when the track of the conversation changes his sad expression shifts to a thoughtful one.]

Hm. Not... really? Though I'll be honest, I've avoided any thought of magic up until now.

[He falls silent and a look of concentration knits his brow slightly. Maybe it's a trick of the light but it almost seems as though emerald green light flickers in his brown eyes before a much brighter light of the same hue forms a quivering shape before him. He gasps, startled, and it vanishes.]

[yunxiguang]

[Sizhui is about to suggest that he give it a try, when the man seems to take that step on his own; so he'll observe patiently instead--watching and waiting to catch any hint of magic. Though it doesn't seem that he'll need to wait long. He notices that spark of light in the man's eyes, and the flash of light that follows, however brief, garners a wide smile from the boy.]

That was good! Not many can produce an effect on their first try. Why don't you try it again, but slower this time? If it helps, you can hold your hands out like this-- [He cups his hands into a small bowl in front of him.] --and imagine that you're focusing the energy into your hands.

[sandinmyhair]

[Bruno is so relieved that whatever this magic is doesn't involve the future that he doesn't stop to wonder how creating lights could be at all useful. He's sure he'll come up with something.

In the meantime he takes the advice, cupping his hands. He closes his eyes and takes a deep, calming breath to focus. This time a glow forms in his hands and becomes steady, a sphere about the size of an orange. His eyes open, now glowing the same hue, and a smile crosses his face.]

Hey, it's working!

[yunxiguang]

[Sizhui observes again, just as quietly and patiently as before. The magic of this world is complex, and each person's discovery of their abilities is their own journey to make. He can't help them traverse it, but he can offer direction if it's needed.]

You're a natural. [And Sizhui is genuinely happy to see that the man is making his way easily enough.] I can't conjure lights like this myself, but I know others who can. It's a very useful ability. My senior specializes in hard light--making physical projections and shields. Another uses light to make realistic illusions.

[sandinmyhair]

[He is listening, even if he's also making the sphere bounce from one hand to the other.]

Solid light. Huh. I like that. [He chuckles.] Anybody for a game of lightball?

[It glows brighter and he's a little confused as to why. Meanwhile there are assorted gasps and yelps that he completely misses as he's staring at it. An enormous, terrifying black dog with glowing eyes of the same green colour and trailing a scent like a campfire walks right up to him. Bruno stares at it, wide-eyed. It regards him for a moment, then gives a soft 'wuff' and sits.]

Bwuh... I uh... what's... what's-what's going on?

[For an answer it licks his face, then sits back again, tongue lolling out between its knifelike teeth.]

[yunxiguang]

[Sizhui is... very used to fidgety people, and as such looks almost a little amused by the way this man is tossing the light orb back and forth. He seems to take to the magic quickly, and that's encouraging. Whatever misgivings had he a few minutes ago, Sizhui is certain that he'll be alright now.]

How do you play--

[Sizhui starts to ask about whatever game (that might have been invented just now), but he cuts his question short at the sound of the yelps. He quickly stands from his crouched position, prepared to assess the situation--when he sees the dog. He too stares at it wide-eyed as it approaches, his hand on a sword that he always keeps at his side, but he refrains from drawing the weapon just yet. It doesn't seem hostile? He thinks? There's certainly a very tense moment as he watches it come right up to this man and plop down on its haunches.]

...It seems to know you. Do you recognize it? [Now that he thinks about it... He hasn't seen this man's familiar yet. All of the new arrivals should have theirs nearby, so could this be...?]

[sandinmyhair]

[He and the dog stare at one another. It wuffles and he blinks, realisation slowly crossing his face.]

Uh... I do now, I guess. He says he's my familiar.

[The hellhound thumps its tail against the ground and pushes its head under Bruno's hand until he pets it, scritching the sleek fur and ruffling its pointed ears. After a moment, he grins.]

Hi, there.

[There's an affronted-sounding squeak from the rat who'd been napping in Bruno's hood. He gives a quiet laugh.] Don't be jealous, Elizabeta, I still love you just as much.

[yunxiguang]

[Sizhui visibly relaxes at the confirmation that the dog is only a familiar, his grip easing on his sword. If that's the case, then he shouldn't pose any harm... and he seems to be the opposite of unfriendly as far as his new owner is concerned.]

[Carefully, he crouches down again to get a better look at the familiar, only to give a startled expression at the squeak the emits from the man's hood. He has another creature in there? Sizhui didn't even notice...]

Do you have an affinity for animals too? [A latent animal mage as well? Or just naturally good with animals? He knows someone else like that, and the thought makes him smile wider.] They at least have an affinity for you.

[sandinmyhair]

[He chuckles at that.] Oh, you should see my sobrino Antonio. That's his gift--he can speak with animals. He's always surrounded by birds and beasts.

No, Elizabeta [he gestures to the rat,] came with me from home. I just know her sounds. And I think this big fellow here can communicate with me because he's my familiar? Seems that way.

[yunxiguang]

[A man who can see the future, and a boy who can speak with animals. Those are certainly some talents that Sizhui is impressed with--and a little curious of. Are there more like them in his world? He hasn't met many people here that have talents like that back home.]

[The logic of communicating with his familiar gets a nod from Sizhui, affirming that it makes sense to him.]

Familiars are like that, I think you're right. [His hand goes to the pouch at hip, ever so carefully pulling the opening a little wider and holding his hand next to it. Slowly, a small butterfly creeps out shyly, stepping onto his hand with wings upright and dusted in ashen white on the outside. It holds completely still as he moves his hand in front of him, holding it where the other man can see.]

This is Xiao Ming, my familiar. [The butterfly shifts a little, crawling backwards towards Sizhui, which makes him give a small sympathetic smile. He was shy once, too.] Go on... Say hello. [A small bounce of his hand, and the butterfly flaps it's wings, revealing a flash of deep orange on the inside, bordered in black. It takes flight a moment later, fluttering erratically for a moment before settling on the man's shoulder. On contact, he'll hear a quiet boyish voice pipe up in his thoughts with a Hello...]

[sandinmyhair]

[The butterfly brings a fond smile to Bruno's face. He's not seen one with colouration like that, and he's fascinated by it. He and the dog watch as the little insect flutters toward him and he blinks with surprise when the small voice speaks in his mind.]

[A little bewildered,] Hola, little mariposa.

[The giant dog gives an almost amused-sounding huff and flops onto the ground next to Bruno.]

This is new. Gotta say, I'm not used to anyone talking to my mind. [His grin makes it clear that it doesn't bother him, though.]

[yunxiguang]

[The butterfly bats its wings slowly, turning in a quarter circle so it can observe the large dog too. Really? No one at all? it responds, sounding surprised, some of the shyness ebbing away for the sake of curiosity. I've never talked any other way. As if that part wasn't obvious... Sizhui looks likewise amused, but he cuts in to explain:]

Our familiars lend us their power, so it's not uncommon for them to be capable of the same things we are. [Which is to say that Sizhui could also speak into his thoughts if he wanted, but he tries to refrain from anything too invasive if he doesn't need to. Speaking aloud is working just fine for him.]

You should also have another specialization, other than making lights. You could try asking your familiar if they know what it is? Not all of them do, but it's worth a try. [Sizhui knows that the secondary magics can sometimes be... tricky to identify, except under particular circumstances. The training grounds doesn't have dangerous things on hand to test out things like controlling the dead, breaking curses, or making deals with other creatures. It took him nearly a month to figure out what his own was, and his familiar was no help to him there.]

[sandinmyhair]

Well, not in words, anyway, Casita communicates kind of implicitly and we just... understand it. I... never got a chance to ask Antonio if he hears words from animals. [For a moment he looks a little sad, then remembers no time will have passed back home while he's here. Then he shrugs.] Heh, Maybe I'll remember to do that when I get back home.

[That sure is some optimism there, Bruno.]

[He looks down at the dog, who rolls onto its back, paws curled and tongue lolling, panting. It's far too large and spectral to pull off this 'cute doggy' act, but it tries.] How 'bout it, huh? Anything you wanna tell me?

[whiiiiine. This makes Bruno grin.] A name first, huh? Hm. How about Fuego? ['wuff!' The dog wriggles, then rolls back onto its feet and licks Bruno's face again. He chortles.] Okay. We'll take this slow.

[He looks up.] That works. I don't wanna get overwhelmed.