TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 19
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A ⦿ Soaking in Your Arrival
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palm-sized baby octopi working together to try to heave a single person out of the water. No matter which you get, they all seem to have unique personalities, but animal mages may note that as a species, they all seem to think of the otherworlders as fun little playthings. These little otherworlders are so funny. | |
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. 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 and rain. There is also a mini-bar that pops out of the console. 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! |
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The people have spoken! This means that brave Otherworlders will be heading into the Bermuda Station-- an underwater train station that passes to other worlds. Currently frozen in time, a train half in Avalon and half in another world, it's an extremely unstable location so certain preparations will need to be made... including how to get past the Falak, a humongous sleeping snake whose side is blocking the entrance. That's definitely something the newbies can be enlisted to help with though! |
A ⦿ Get Lost | |
| The first thing to do is to budge the sleeping snake, and for that we need strength. The kind of strength not even ten siphoners could manage because this snake is buried deep underground, sleeping, and titanic. And so, the Elphame Traders have brought with them to Camelot their greatest alchemist to hold workshops on how to brew the most excellent strength potion... the only thing is, you have to fetch the secret ingredients first, so everyone should be out gathering those to make these potions! It requires a super rare ingredient that's coincidentally only available during the month of May. Enter the Edge of the Dusklight Wood and seek out the Shadlins. Though their eyes are haunting and you won't forget about them soon, those brave enough to chase after them will find themselves utterly lost in an endless forest so dense that you cant see the ground or the sky for |
the treetops and foliage. Don't try to find your way out, just keep walking, listening, watching and following whatever direction you see the eyes of the Shadlins next. Travel with another as the silence of the forest can be deafening and has been known to drive people to talk to themselves, hear voices that will attempt to coax them into doing harmful things to anyone else they run into, or even attract ear wyrms-- a tiny draconic creature that curls around a person's ear and gruffly (they are wyrms) sings the last song they hear endlessly on repeat until they hear a new one-- and doesn't let go unless someone else whispers a song into their ear... at which point, it will switch to theirs. Good luck tricking someone else into trading ear wyrms! | |
B ⦿ Fountain of Yewth | |
Eventually, you will come upon what appears to be some kind of toxic, tar pit, at which point, you have reached the sacred bathing pit of the Tree People, a type of plant fae that are known for trading fertile land potion to Camelot to keep their crops lively no matter. It turns out, they are extremely territorial and not at all peaceful when they are not on diplomatic trade missions. They will attempt to sneak up on you and whoever you're with, capture, and roast you over an open fire for dinner. Elemental mages will have the best chance against them, but be careful- the gases from the tar are flammable, so you will have to defeat them without using fire magic. (Green mages will be great boons as well, but secondary magic is definitely a lot harder for new arrivals than it is for practiced magicians!) You'll need to escape once captured and scoop up some of that toxic tar carefully, in a container so you don't get it on your skin. It's very potent and in its base form, will temporarily grant super-strength | |
but will deplete your character's body and cause rapid aging (as in, a good 30 years in a day's time). May is the time when the tree people sprout flowers and thus their pollen is contained within the tar, which is the secret ingredient we need! Just don't get killed in the process. | |
C ⦿ Unseen Path | |
| Following the eyes is the way that got you there, but following your heart is the way that will get you out. As you may have noticed, the forest is dense and dizzying and somehow, everything looks the same. There's quite literally no way to find your way out with your eyes-- and quite intentionally. Magic prevents anyone who can see from finding their way out of the forest. To this end, characters will need to blindfold themselves and a partner, then tie an enchanted cloth (be sure to pick one up from the alchemist before leaving on your journey!) around both of your waists. It's best if you do it side-to-side if you don't want any awkward contact (though it may be easier to walk spooned together if you're comfortable) especially since to activate the enchantment, you both have to compliment the other person every 10 minutes after putting it on. This will cause the binding to tighten and then behind your closed eyes, you will be able to see the binding glow, and both of your footsteps from the day will illuminate in your |
mind. Follow the footsteps you can only see with your eyes closed and you will find yourself back where you started outside of the forest. Hopefully you get along with your partner-- it's a long walk home when you can't see. | |
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The strength to budge the strength obtained, an even more valuable item is needed to counteract the magical energy crackling in and out of frozen time: a rare collection of hourglass coins. Rumor has it that they are actually in Camelot, held by an Arcane Mage embedded deep within an organized crime family. The rumor, of course, is true- and was put out by the family themselves. The end of the world is nigh, which is why they have released the information. Call it civic duty! But they aren't going to lose such a valuable asset for free. Which is why the rumor contains the following information: An underground casino is holding a gambling tournament. High-rollers will be given a special card that will give them access to an illegal auction, at which the coins are being auctioned off. Queen Elphame, pleased that the otherworlders have decided to entrust her with the Fisher King, sends this information in an encrypted text to all otherworlders, along with a warning that the auction will not be dependent on money, but that Elphame is happy to pay participants for bidding. As long as you don't piss anyone off, it should be safe for anyone to help. |
A ⦿ Safe Bets | |
Once you find the delicious Sichuan-style restaurant that acts as a front for the casino and say you're "here for more heat than the peppers," you'll be led down to a literally underground casino. Blackjack, poker, roulette, craps-- there aren't any slot machines, all the games are monitored and in groups, so you won't be left wanting for opponents. Pick a game and play your way to the top! If you play for long enough and do well enough, you'll be escorted to yet another secret room in the back and asked to change into something more appropriate for high rollers from their selection of suits and dresses (per your preference). Just be wary not to get caught if you try to use your magic to cheat- there are bouncers around, and they're more than happy to drag |
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you out crying and screaming. The only way you're getting back in if you're caught cheating is with a very good disguise-- and only once. Then you go to magic casino jail, where they have a cognitive master magician trap you in the world of Mr. Dollaman, a fictional golden coin with a fedora who runs a slot machine from inside the game like a hardened blood-thirsty businessman, Wreck-It Ralph style. Good luck getting out- The only way is to get past Mr. Dollaman by admitting what you're most greedy for, then rushing to pull Mr. Dollaman's slot machine plug while he revels in your admission of guilt and gives a villainous monologue. | |
B ⦿ Bidding Wars | |
| Now you're dressed to the nines, you're invited into a large lounge-type room. There are little tables, cocktails being served-- and 100% alcoholic ones, this is an illegal establishment, they don't care to enchant for proper drinking ages (but from an OOC standpoint: please content warn for underaged drinking and use common sense/be responsible- little kids drinking is inappropriate af, but high schoolers without supervision isn't something we're going to pretend doesn't happen. Just don't be skeezy about it.) It's a good place to network and mingle ahead of the auction, and once the auction starts, it's good to have someone you trust to sit with. After all, it's not your mother's auction. The auction begins and despite expectations, money isn't the only thing you're allowed to bid. There are fae involved, and the black market. You can bid organs, services, hot dates, control of your name, all kinds of things! Outside of the the grand prize of the hourglass coins, a glimmering set of coins forged from frosted glass that are able to filter and stabilize time magic on a small- |
scale, but extremely breakable that is necessary for the success of the Bermuda Station mission later this month, there are other prizes you can win, such as:
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C ⦿ Knot a Problem | |
It's important to relax before you get involved in something stressful. A healthy way to clear your head involves taking up a hobby, and as such, a small section of Camelot has put together the Avalon Craft Fair. With such a daunting task ahead of everyone, now seems like the perfect time to lower peoples' stress anxiety with a healthy outlet. There are plenty of booths selling crafting materials, art, paintings, and more... but there seems to be a theme this time, and there are a lot of knot-centered booths:
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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. |















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... or that would be the case, were Gilgamesh ever one to succumb to any sort of reduction. as it is, he views all of this world as merely another challenge. indeed, in Ereshkigal's own domain, her Authority and powers are absolute, such that she had made a mockery and a miniature of Ishtar with only a few gates. here no such absolute domain exists for her.
it is also true, for that matter, that Gilgamesh has only recently entered this world, and the magic with which he had grown accustomed to as a Caster -- and, more significantly, the excessive powers of his vault (even if it was not so powerful as it had been during his prime: nonetheless, the Gate of Babylon was a supreme storehouse) -- are absent, replaced by new forms of magic with which he has, at this moment, limited experience. this necessarily puts him at something of a disadvantage.
but, wherever he goes, or whatever circumstances there may be... he is still the King of Heroes, is he not? his title and, moreover, his nature as a supreme King, transcend physical trappings. heroism is inherent within him. thus, as to Ereshkigal's question -- ]
Hmph... the universe is frozen in time and our world is on the brink of destruction. Is that not what we were told?
[ y'know, assuming that mongrel Archimedes was telling the truth. ]
Thus, is it not natural that I should rise to such an occasion? I have already faced one world-ending calamity in the name of safeguarding my kingdom! [ and he only died... once. well, actually twice. but his comeback had been grand, so w/ev. ] Facing another... what of it?
[ and he does not sound too displeased by the thought of the potential end of the world. it's more exciting than being bound to his chair reading tablets all day. now that had been his least favorite death. at least this is potentially Glorious... ]
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I am surprised. I would have imagined you leaving those lesser missions to others only to enter the battlefield for the finale.
[ Not an accusation of him not doing his part— The final boss was always the toughest bit, after all. And she could have easily imagined him coming in as people were failing to get the threat down only to save the day. It would have mirrored the events they were both familiar with, after all.
... ... ...
What now? Whenever she had met Gilgamesh, there had been other people around and big things happening. But right now it was just the two of them. With no monster or threat around. Only an awkward silence settling in. Oh goodness, would she have to try and do small talk with him?
Oh no no. Okay, she simply needed to treat this as a vital mission. As if the fate of the underworld depended on this. What would she do then, asides from panicking? She closed her eyes and paused for a moment, before: ]
I-I have no problems with you- [Asides from the aforementioned parties, but in all fairness that was a long time ago.] So I propose we join force for this mission. We will be more effective together, thus ensuring the safe completion of our objective.
sorry for late! life happens so much. should be able to get faster now though.
but, as to her words -- ]
Aha, you are correct. [ he folds his arms and nods. in fact, Gilgamesh is actually rather pleased that she has a good understanding of how he operates. ] Under ordinary circumstances, that is the course of action I would prefer. Yet, this is not Uruk, and I am without my treasury.
[ and his Servant powers in general, for that matter. and he is not the leader of a kingdom here, up on a throne, able to send out Ritsuka and Mash and then later, the goddesses of the alliance, while waiting for the opportune moment to involve himself. ]
This world presents a new adventure, and I would rather face its challenges than sit idly by... even if that should mean facing some obstacles that are lesser than others, hmph.
[ ... but, for that matter, Gilgamesh has no especial issue with Ereshkigal either... well, aside from her unfortunate relations, but that is not truly within her control. as goddesses go, she is not so intolerable. as least she has a dutiful soul. ]
... hm. Very well. I do not habitually take on companions... yet, it is true that even I must concede to pragmatic concerns when I find myself without powers.
[ he can be reasonable. kind of. sometimes. maybe just when he literally has no other choice, at least.
he gives an idle look around. ]
We should begin by finding our way through this forest, of course.
it's okay, i've been pretty slow too!
And why, she even had an occasion to show just how well-prepared and serious she was when he mentioned navigating the forest! She smiled triumphantly and place a hand on her hip. ]
I didn't come unprepared. I downloaded a map of this place. So long as we follow it, we should be fine.
[ She pulled out her communication device and as she tried turning it on, only a blue screen greeted her. She frowned and pushed some buttons to try and get it to work... But it made a weird noise. Like electricity, static? Then screen went dark and the device started fuming as if its insides had imploded.
She stared at it as if the world had just ended. Why was it every time she tried to look cool and charismatic something went wrong?! ]
Wha...? [She blinked in quick succession, shaking the device as if somehow that would reverse what had just happened.] That-that's impossible...! I got this one only two days ago!
[ It may be hard to believe, but she's going through phones faster than anyone else. Clearly technology disagrees with an ancient goddess. ]
lmaooo she's so cute
... when Ereshkigal pulls out the device, the King of Heroes raises an eyebrow, initially thinking she had come well-prepared.
-- then that happens, and he is forced to drag his hand down his face at the sight. honestly, it seemed as though Ishtar was not the only useless goddess around!! a remark of that nature almost leaves his mouth, but he manages ever-so-slightly to restrain himself: after all, a comparison would still be unduly harsh. at least this one tried.
... though, it turned out that Ereshkigal was still rather useless, herself. ]
If you cannot handle that device, then let me look over it as well. Perhaps my magic might have some affect upon it.
[ to think, she got the Blue Screen O'Death. O Hapless One.
Gilgamesh has no idea whether the magic he has attained in this world might be of any use for electronic devices, but he has always been one for the tried and true method of Trying Random Shit and Seeing What Sticks. failing magic, additionally, there is the other option of pressing random buttons. or shaking it. or other such tactics. etc. ]
she's trying so hard
She desperately pushes some more buttons but the situation doesn't get any better. ]
Unggh...!
[ Was he judging her? As if he wasn't relic from the old world, too! She'd like to see him try to download maps on those things. In fact, she immediately handed her device over to him. ]
I doubt you will succeed where I failed... But let us see it...!
[ The device she handed over to him was quite literally smoking. It's kinda impressive how she managed to break it so bad that it had imploded. She couldn't help but wonder if those magic didn't so happen to be sentient and broke on purpose.
Regardless, even with magic, there is no salvaging that. ]
trying to MacGyver it with chewing gum and sticks, or some such thing
looking over the smoldering device that he has been handed and thinking upon the matter somewhat, however, an idea does occur to him. it is precarious at best, but --
the King of Heroes turns away from the Goddess of Kur, busying himself with his hands, almost as though he were manipulating gaming consoles. he struggles in mostly silence (with some abbreviated grunts and the occasional huff) before turning back to her. ]
It would seem that your device is indeed beyond repair. [ the communication device he holds up is his own. ] However, using mine as a sort of template to work off, I was able to repair the structure of your memory card just enough to transplant a small amount of data.
[ most of the insides were fried, but the card had not taken absolute damage. even so, it probably would've been useless had he not been able to use his own as a sort of blueprint for what to repair. and the repairs were partial at best, sufficient only for him to take a few of her most recent downloads and very minimal data. ]
That said, I should be unsurprised were you to tell me you also do not know how to read the map ...
no subject
Among the most recent downloads were the map, of course. There were also two files she had downloaded from AOL. How To Be More Charismatic (In 10 Steps) and Tips & Tricks To Grow Flowers On An Infertile Soil. And a glitched-out video of her practicing a scary introduction of herself as the goddess of death. Thank goodness, she doesn't even suspect those things are now on his device!
What she does know though is that he is implying she didn't properly prepare for this mission. That or he implies she is quite simply stupid and useless. Neither of those are acceptable! ]
W-What are you trying to imply?!
[ She pointed an accusatory finger at him. ]
I did not just download the map, I also studied how to use them...! If we are to continue together on this endeavor, I demand you cease disrespecting me with your fallacious insinuations!
[ Should he persist, she won't hesitate to unleash on Avalon all the juicy and hot gossip about Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes! The downside of throwing all those loud parties is that your neighbors are going to accidentally hear things that can later be used as a weapon. Not to mention all the things Enkidu may have told her when he'd gone to the Underworld on that one occasion.
She doesn't like that, but her honor as a goddess is on the line here! ]
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if he abstains from any attempt to investigate further, it is not due to a lack of interest, but rather that the immediacy of the current task puts certain demands upon his focus. also sneaking into a goddess's private technology seems rather more of an Assassin-type trait than something befitting royalty, but asking her outright might show too much interest, thus demeaning his station.
so Ereshkigal is spared the worst of Gilgamesh's fascinations, but only due to those fortunate (for her) circumstances. maybe if Merlin were here, he would even create visuals for Ereshkigal's try-out video and add some effects via magic... ah, but now the King of Heroes is losing focus. ]
Very well, then.
[ he passes along his own device. ]
Shall you point us in the correct direction or begin our journey, then?
[ not that he is off-loading work or anything... she did essentially volunteer. Ereshkigal wants to show how competent she is. so show it!! besides, Gilgamesh can still send someone else to do something and seem effortful and Important while doing it. all part of his Authority. yanno, even if that technically does not apply here. it's the spirit. ]