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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 16
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A ⦿ Soaking in Your Arrival
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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. |
B ⦿ The Caravan to Camelot
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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. |
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! | |
Those who listened to the Fae Queen last time have made it clear to her who is going to trust her when they are given the chance willingly and who is going to defy her. Was it a fair system that only measured trust and wasn't swayed by peoples' ability to figure out her riddles? No, certainly not. Fairies don't care, nor have they done much to give the impression that they don't care about the trivialities of human subtleties. But there is a new batch coming in, and before she shares the information she promised, she needs to see where upon her line they lie. I beckon thee to wither's tree, Where widows often cry, A poisoned place of death's embrace North selkie's weary eye. You seek the prick whose corpse makes rot, And rot begot those life forgot, 'Fore the questing beast slips by. The riddle is presented to all in the form of a dream with a magical compelling not to forget the words, nor to ignore them. There do seem to be two main parties forming based on clues within the riddle, resulting in different possible adventures and proof-of-completion items. |
A ⦿ The Dragon's Graveyard | |
| Welcome to the Land of Rot! Home of banshees (crying widows!?), where nothing living can really survive except things like zombies, skeleton warriors, and so on. Get past all that to the northernmost area of the Land of Rot (or, where is the northernmost now after the collapse of the Ash Mountain took out part of it) and you'll find The Dragon's Graveyard. It's not a traditional cemetery, but the land seems to have been landscaped into an open pit mine. It's clearly not active, leaving huge bones and fossils of skeletons sticking out of the walls. There's a lot of dried blood dying the dirt a copper-y color, and it's unclear what happened in this portion of the Land of Rot, but it clearly wasn't pleasant. Draconic Wraiths run freely around the Dragon's Graveyard-- the unsettled beasts created from the mass slaughter of dragons during the age of dragon slaying. |
With the world having been rocked by the death of a dragon for the first time in centuries, despite it being within the rules of this world, they are particularly vicious and unwilling to spare any lives. They cannot be touched by physical weapons and can only be fought with magic. However, if they run through your character, they will immediately plunge into a hypothermic state and will need an immediate healer to undo the damage or a siphoner to remove the Wraith's curse and stop the damage from getting worse. Going three days without a healer or siphoner will result in your character dying! What's more, your character will see a vision of their own death in the future upon the moment of contact.
They do seem to be guarding something at the center of the pit: a broken ceremonial sword with dried blood on it. Perhaps this is the "prick" the queen meant? The sword itself seems immensely heavy and impossible to carry on your own, so bring it back as a group effort and decide where it should go. A bit of asking around and someone will be able to identify this as a sword called "Clarent." |
B ⦿ Well, Sssssshit | |
The Forest of the Fisher King seems to be another popular interpretation of the riddle. After all, the "prick whose corpse makes rot" could definitely refer to the Fisher King, whose body is rumored to be buried within the forest. I hear that guy's whole story is that his wife stabbed him in the leg with the holy lance because he cheated on her and she didn't want him to be able to die or have kids ever again- definite prick! |
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Turns out, if you manage to get past the spores and get your friends free of it to go deep enough in, even the ground itself will try to swallow you up! Quick sand only takes moments to try to pull you under. Better hope you came with a friend to pull you out. The more you resist, the more likely it is to kill you! Though, everything in the forest is dead or thriving off of death anyway, and with a stroke of luck you'll see a snake slither right down in (or maybe you stopped by the Archivist before you wandered in single brain cell first). |
For those who are less adventurous, don't worry. There are ways to test their dedication and trust as well. Before the parties leave for their determined destinations, everyone is sent a lock from the fairy queen with a simple note: Slice your sobriquet upon this seal, Secure our sprouting solidarity. Shackle it at the stockade. Sing sayonara to the key. |
A ⦿ Trust Trinkets | |
There's no explanation as to what it will do attached, so it boils down to choosing whether or not to trust the fairy queen. Very, very simple. Well, if you can figure out which stockade it's referring to. As it turns out, in Nicnevin there is a bridge that crosses the shores of its moat that can only be seen by those who have been granted permission by the fairy queen. Etching a name into the lock, be it real or nickname or initials, will automatically transport you to the start of it. It contains myriad locks attached to it, and there are thousands of keys glittering in the water beneath them. The key to the lock is cursed- failure to discard it in the river will result in a curse falling upon your character. Your character broke an agreement with the fairy queen by taking the key with them despite accepting her invitation and instructions by taking the lock to her bridge and now they must pay the price. | |
Now they will find that they are unable to open or enter any door without getting someone else to give them an invitation through it. This curse will remain until they find a siphoner to remove it... so you definitely may have some immediate struggles in this new world! |
B ⦿ Pretty Pleases | |
| Don't know a siphoner? Don't you worry, there's a wizard right there in Nicnevin who can help you out! The half-fairy, half-vampire wizard, Speculoo-- master of the dark, dark, evil artes! An escapee from the fae prison, he'll be approaching anyone who seems to have been cursed by the fairy queen to offer them the deal of a lifetime. Speculoo offers them a potion black as tar and tells them to drink up. Drink the potion and Speculoo will explode into a poof of dust and let out a maniacal cackle-- a pixie! Seriously, you thought you could bamboozle the fairy queen just like that? The pixie's potion will cause you to be unable to resist commands from any person as long as they say "please." Time to teach you some manners!
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Either live with this curse, or offer your name to the fairy queen to have her remove it. Don't trust her and try to skate past her punishment right under her nose and you'll find yourself with little choice but to. |
• 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. |
Alfonse Baelsar | FFXIV | Technomancy + ??? light maybe?
A.
[To say he'd have an eventful overstuffed day would be something of an understatement. The fact that he was even standing, alive and well, as himself would have been enough to shock him, but then there was fae, and magic? familiars? It honestly had blended together in a blur, and he hadn't quite snapped out of his pensive daze until they reached the inn. Inns were normal. He could... handle an inn.
He could be found wandering the area, inspecting this and that. Once he got to the springs though, after a curious peer in, he makes an abrupt turn and retreat. He tried not to leave too hastily, it was merely a spring after all, but it wasn't quite the socialization he was in the mood for. However, his attempt failed and on his way away from the springs he crashed right into someone.]
Ah-! Sorry, I'm sorry. I should have been paying more attention to where I was going.
B.
[It was only a matter of time before he discovered the training grounds, there was a somewhat nice familiarity about it. Sure, this was for learning whatever magic has been pushed upon them, however he was far more content to take his old Garlean handgun out for a bit of target practice.
At the very least he needed to keep his skills sharp, though the events of the day were making it a bit difficult to focus and he found his aim was slightly off. He could be found occasionally heaving a frustrated sigh whenever he missed his mark.]
C.
[After a few hours of exploration, Alfonse had had enough. He retired to the inn room, and just flopped face down on the bed. Whoever was rooming with him would simply find him like that. Might want to give him a few pokes. Can't be easy to breathe like that.]
Red Spring
He’s not feeling well (it comes from not taking care of himself), and so he’s belatedly going to be at the springs.
This trip to the Red Spring is a monthly one. He’s going to soak his worries, aches, and pains away.
But first, time to add on another ache. The crash has him landing on his tailbone with a small shout of pain, a growled curse, and he’s glaring up at the person who ran into him.]
You’re right. You should have-
[He’s moving to get up, very stiff, very aggravated. This was not what he needed today, thanks.]
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Sorry, my mind has been… elsewhere today. Are you unhurt?
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[That would make sense. This person is hard to miss, and Gokudera tends to notice when someone isn’t human. It’s the only reason he isn’t pulling dynamite out right now, actually.]
I’m here because I am hurt, and you made it worse!
[Hmph!]
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[ but ah, of course he plowed right into an injured hyur. His luck. Well, time to try and make it right. He’s no healer, but he could do some basic first aide. Though this one was at least well enough to be walking around. ]
But that’s not important, do you need help? It’s the least I can do if I’ve aggravated your injuries.
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[Gokudera rubs at the small of his back, glowers, then shakes his head.]
Help how? You look like you’d break me if you so much as touch me.
[The help up was appreciated, and he won’t say so.]
I was going to bathe. Have you been in the springs, or are you just trying to be a wrecking ball in the walkways?
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CW: Mentions of self-immolation
CW: Mentions of torture
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B <33333
[He doesn't even really intend to meet them now. Not really. But the training grounds are freely available to all, and if nothing else Gaius needs to keep his own skills sharp, keep practicing his strange new magics when he can, and, just maybe, lend a hand or two to those newcomers struggling to figure out the same. And from the sound of things as he arrives, one of those very arrivals probably could use all the help they could get.]
[But when he enters the yard, gunblade resting over his shoulder, and seeks out the source of those frustrated noises...]
[The horns and tail. The golden scales. He knows an Au Ra when he sees one, but the familiar, silver hair...]
[Gaius doesn't even realize when he stops. Doesn't notice how he holds his breath, watching the young man across the grounds line up another failed shot. And there's a long, long moment where he struggles to process the sight, because...that's not him. That couldn't be...]
...keeping that elbow up may help, you'll find.
["Because haven't I always told you to keep your elbow up-"]
This is going to be grand
I am! [He says as he lifts his very-much-not-raised elbow.] You make it look far easier than it is fath-
[Realization dawns on him then, and he turns around. There were so many feelings that his all at once. Relief and joy, fear and guilt, it had him frozen and stumbling over his words.]
Father I- [What to even say? What words could there be? He was gone, should be gone, he never had to live with the consequences of what happened, with his death, at least he wasn't supposed to. But his father had to. His father had to see the sacrifice he had made fall so short of making Garlemald in the image his father had for it. For the good he had done for Werlyt, it hardly felt enough.
He cast his gaze downward, his words barely a whisper. There truly was only one thing to say.]
I'm sorry.
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[It's quiet, but it's sharp. Sharper than intended, maybe, the intensity of that one word seeming to shock him back into movement.]
[He'll say a silent apology to Midas later, for allowing Heirsbane to clatter noisily to the ground as his grip on the weapon goes slack, the sound too loud in the silence between them. He's halfway across the grounds before he feels himself actually moving - then he's standing there, in front of Alfonse, in the span of a heartbeat, pale eyes searching the younger man's own, scarcely daring to believe...]
[He's here.]
[He's here. He's real, as Gaius raises scarred and calloused hands to gently touch Alfonse's face, skin and scales warm and unharmed and solidly here, alive and-]
[And then he's dragging his son into his arms, fingers digging into the boy's back and hair as Gaius holds him in the tightest embrace, pulling in a sharp, shaking breath.]
Don't. You have nothing to apologize for, you foolish boy.
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And the tears began to flow, quiet at first, but within moments they turned to sobs, and it was all he could to do cling to his father and and cry. There was so much, so much went wrong, and for the first time he had to actually stop and feel it all. The loss of his siblings, the abuse they all faced, that he had to let happen. The shame and anger and sorrow of it all came crashing down on him, and it felt as though it would crush him.
But father was here. Father was here and he would be okay.]
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[And all he can do is hold Alfonse through it. Hold him tight and protective, as he makes familiar soothing noises against the boy's horn.]
I'm here, Alfonse. [And he hates it, that strain in his voice. Hates the way his eyes burn and blur, but...he can't. He can't break, not here and not when Alfonse needs him to be the steady rock he's always been. He's been through so much... He and his siblings have suffered, and Alfonse has been through so much, and...] I'm here, and you are safe, I promise you.
[And Gaius hadn't been able to protect them. He hadn't been there. Not for Milisandia. Not for Ricon, nor Rex.]
[Nor for Alfonse. If his grip would get any tighter-]
And I will not leave you again, I swear this.
Alfonse, I am so sorry.
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falls back in super late sob
Friend you are totally fine!
A!
So when she spots the au ra, her ears lift in excitement and she moves over, giving the young man a wave. ]
Hoy there, lad! This way. Don't want to catch cold now, aye?
[ And she'll look around for a familiar- ]
Been a while since a new face from our star's ended up here!
[ She's not a Warrior of Light, so she has no idea he's Gaius' son- even though Gaius has spoken of him! ]
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M-me? [He shook his head. He was making a right fool of himself was what he was doing.] Our star? What do you mean?
[Of course he understood the implication, but it seemed so far fetched. Surely one couldn't tell simply by looking at him where he was from. He may not have seen any of his kind thus far, but surely there had to be some, just as seeing a Miquo'te was hardly unusual.
Also, he admittedly zoned out several times during explanations. That was certainly not helping.]
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She reaches out and gives him a towel, ears flicking as she watches him curiously. ]
Here you go. Dry up and let's go get you settled in. You're a ways from where you started. What's your name, lad?
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[One one hand, throwing along the Baelsar name among those from home was probably unwise. On the other hand he was far too proud to even consider acting like it was anything but the highest of honors. The only shame to be had was his low rank attached to it.
He even stood yup a little taller as he took the towel.]
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-aan Baelsar.
Her ears spring up in surprise, and while her expression changes to shock, it's not in displeasure at the revelation. Rather, she brightens a bit! ]
Hold- say that again? Alphonse- Gaius' Alphonse?!
[ She looks him over- he'd described his children, and her memory is sharp enough, before she moves her hands under her face as she stares in wonder. ]
Bloody hells! How are you feeling? Not hurt anywhere? Ah!! I should let him know- wh-what do you remember, from before you ended up in the lake?
M-my phone actually autocorrected his name to the wrong spelling lmfao
tbf I can never remember his name's spelling even when it's right tHERE thanks FMA... ur good..
I’m going to blame FMA for my autocorrect.
autocorrect... our friend... our enemy...
Our… frenemy
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smooshes his cheeks '3'
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B - oh no Alfonse
[ Says a gentle voice from behind, a smile face and clear blue eyes. ]
You're squeezin' that trigger as if it wronged you and your mum. A light hand and looser muscles should help your aim some, in my humble opinion.
Generally a good reaction to Alfonse
Really made him painfully aware how tense he’d gotten. He heaved a sigh and shook his head.]
I’m not usually so- [no, that already sounds pathetic.] It’s been a long day. I think the tension might be here to stay a while, like it or not.
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[ He, or anyone really, is in no position to judge him for the tension racking his bones. Noah might be smiling but lord only knows what kind of thoughts are swirling in his chest. ]
Go on then, lets see that form.
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As he inhaled, he took the proper form his father had taught him for a long shot, balancing the barrel on his forearm as he took aim, and exhaling as he pulled the trigger.
Better, the center of the target was missed, but it was close. He still looks disappointed, it was unsatisfactory to him.]
Father always made it look easy...
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Much better than earlier though so don't be too hard on yourself. I'm LeClair, by the way.
[ He says with an outstretched hand. ] Pleasure.
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B
She's been off to the side, quickly crafting arrows to use for practice, though it's quickly forgotten when she hears the first gunshot. After that, she simply watches with rapt attention from the sidelines. Her focus is less on whether he hits or misses and more on the weapon he uses. It's like a firespitter or machine cannon, but much smaller. It's interesting, and she finds herself curious.
Aloy waits until it seems like a good time to approach, sure to make her footsteps audible so as not to startle him, in case he hadn't realized she was there. ]
What is that?
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With the gun unloaded he held it out flat for the woman to see properly.]
A gunblade. I'm hardly the marksman as my father though, so please forgive my poor form.
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It seems versatile. [ The mention of his father catches her attention, and she can't help but think of her own father figure, Rost. She can relate. ] Fathers...can leave some pretty big shoes to fill, but I'm sure he taught you well. You seem skilled.
[ She hadn't paid much mind to how often he hit his mark, of course, but his stance had been solid given how the gunblade seems to work. ]
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[So, effectively, a piece of junk, but he was a pilot first and foremost so he hadn't bothered acquiring anything better. Never thought he'd live to see that mistake bite him in the ass.]
I'm merely trained is all. I'm a primarily a pilot, so it wasn't something I got much practice in, what I do know is merely a benefit of having a father rather renowned in the art. It was a way to spend time together.
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