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avalonmods ([personal profile] avalonmods) wrote in [community profile] avalaughs2020-10-31 11:42 pm
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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ I



{ QUICK NAV }
Premise ⚔️️ Rules ⚔️️ FAQ ⚔️️ Taken ⚔️️ Reserves ⚔️️ Apply ⚔️️ Locations ⚔️️ Bestiary




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 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. You'll definitely see other new arrivals plopping in. If you can't swim, a red-headed woman known only as the Lady of the Lake will drag you to the shore if she doesn't spot someone else near you helping so no one ends up drowning. She's a little busy casting directive magic to make sure everyone lands safely and playing lifeguard, so if anyone attempts to talk to her, she'll tell them to head up to the Rent-a-Ride. 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.


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 earbuds to everyone before getting them settled in groups into modernized carriages pulled by horses and give them a basic explanation of why and how they've been brought to Avalon: 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 nip bottles. Characters can use their smartphones to connect to Camelot's internet service, [community profile] 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. Because of the volume of new arrivals and vacationers, inn rooms are assigned two-to-a-room. The rooms have two twin beds, a bathroom, a mini-fridge and microwave, and a TV equipped with a couple of entertaining video games and a few free movies.

    If you don't want to relax in the room, try taking a dip in the spring for another chance to meet your fellow travelers. The waters have restorative properties that help horses and travelers recover quickly when drunk. It is known to relieve stress, improve energy levels, and mildly accelerate healing.

    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.



A ⦿ Get Fresh
    Upon arrival in Camelot travelers are ushered to a large set of wash rooms where they can clean up and make themselves presentable for the Welcome Feast. They are informed that once the feast concludes there will be an announcement on where they can seek lodging and how to begin their magic studies.


B ⦿ Be Merry
    After they freshen up, travelers are led into the main dining hall. The decorations range from simplistic to a little more grandiose, it is likely everyone will find something familiar. A modern mash up with a medieval flair. The jester makes his rounds, perhaps he has a joke or two to tell, go ahead, give him a listen or perhaps volunteer to participate in one of the jester's shows, like knife-throwing or hypnotism. Within the crowd of staff there are mummers, a juggler, here and there dabbled through small troupes perform mini skits, perhaps they’ll perform a well known verse from a traveler’s world or tell a tale of fancy from this realm.


C ⦿ Eat Well
    A banquet is prepared with food that while all “rustic” in appearance are usually a version of modern dishes ranging from basic roast chicken and veggies to Korean-Mexican fusion and French patisserie. The drinks are much the same; while served in old fashioned goblets, they are drinks modern travelers will be familiar with.

    Have a seat, meet a new neighbor, find a roommate, maybe a new or old friend? Talk to the person to your left, your right, across from you. Mingle, enjoy the food, the music, it shouldn’t be long before the information promised is provided. Till then take your fill and get to know your fellow travelers.




You've been here a few days now and have gotten a chance to settle in, find a place to stay, and Camelot's citizens have decided that you've been here long enough to start living your life again. Well, your new life.

A group of citizens have decided to give everyone their first quest.

"Hear ye, hear ye!" a man in chain mail with a tablet with his statement typed up on it declares to a crowd from atop a pedestal. There are two other citizens around him with phones to post the video to AOL later to make sure the word gets heard ye all around.

"Those with magic, we beseech thee! Findeth us a grail most holy hidden in the depths of the Brocéliande! This holy grail is known to grant thine wishes three, a most noble quest for noble souls! Great reward will come to those who find it and proclaim at least one of their wishes to find the great Excalibur for King Arthur!"

This is the first you've heard about King Arthur, and it seems curious that he hasn't yet shown his face around town. It also seems strange that this guy is speaking like he's stepped out of a bad period piece, and probably should be the clue that this is more or less an attempt to haze some of the newcomers by sending them into the forest... but no one is telling newcomers this. It's better to get them out there and start praciticing, after all.



A ⦿ Lost, and Lost, and Lost Again
    The Brocéliande is well-known around Camelot for being a forest that's both bountiful and mysterious. Oddities are known to happen that may never happen again to the point that even if something weird happens and you can't prove it, most citizens will assume you're telling the truth.

    Which is what makes it peculiar when you keep passing the exact same locations over and over again, as if you've been traveling in circles or reaching the end of the map in a video game and coming out the other end. You're stuck in a space loop. The only way out is to successfully find the one difference in each loop five times in a row and collect it. Maybe it's a strange frog, a crystal that wasn't there before, a small wooden step that doesn't lead anywhere, or some other singular item, you've got to find what stands out... pick the wrong item, and you'll have to start your five count over again, and again, and again...


B ⦿ Grail, and Grail, and Grail Again!?
    If you either missed the space loop or managed to get out of it, eventually you'll come to find one of... quite a few copies of a grail with holes in the side placed throughout the forest. They look like they might be good for draining noodles, but that's about it. Though they're spread out, it's entirely possible you'll find more than one, but each of them are placed in situations where it's impossible to get to by normal means. You'll have to use magic! It may be hidden in a bird's nest at the top of the tallest tree, inside of a hole in a rock with bars that prevent you from reaching in (perhaps an animal friend could reach it), inside a boiling pond, or inside the body of a bear fir... there are a load of possibilities, and now's a chance for you to try out your brand new magics! Use one of those samples, find something from the bestiary, or come up with your own adventure to get your hands on that less-than-holy grail.


C ⦿ A Quest Completeish
    Or it would be, if you could ever find the guy who announced it... The AOL posts have since been deleted. You may end up spending a lot of time trying to find the guy. At this point, citizens will start telling you that you shouldn't take quests unless they're on the quest board or else you're going to get scammed... that's definitely an olden times themed noodle strainer. If that doesn't make you give up, or perhaps motivates you to find the guy to kick his ass, you'll have to head out to the farmland and chase them through a cornfield. (Be careful not to get lost, it's a maize in there.) If one of the boys are caught, they'll explain they were just testing you-- and hey, you got a free addition to your kitchen! If pressed, they'll apologize and give you a bit of money for your trouble. It's not much, but it'll get you at least a meal.


MOD NOTES:
• All test drive prompts are open to anyone in the game at any time to create your own logs with, but this post should have top-levels by potential new characters only. Current characters may reply to any threads, but should not top-level comment on this post. This is the first one, ignore this note today!
• 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.
• For the first month only, there will not be a quest board. Starting in December, quests will be posted on the 1st of each month for current players. After that point, quests may be used as TDM prompts in addition to the presented TDM prompts. A link will be provided as a bonus prompt option at the end of the post.
• The first "Arrival" prompts are present on every TDM. 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.
reigniter: ([ you were thinking ])

[personal profile] reigniter 2020-11-03 08:26 pm (UTC)(link)
It manages to bring out an amused smile on Ignis' face regardless, especially when combined with Cor's matter-of-fact voice. "It is a fact that cannot be disputed."

Ignis eyes the items on the table and decides that he doesn't need anything else. He's gotten himself a generous serving of his favorite. "It is true. If his Highness is here, Prompto will surely find him faster than any of us." Ignis would call that 'Noct senses'.
mithrarin: (smile)

[personal profile] mithrarin 2020-11-03 09:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"So does your pink, furless skin."

Better to make a joke out of it than get irritated, no matter how tempting the latter was. Dust at least recognized that this whole situation had him very much on edge, the more so since there was nothing here to fight or even hold responsible.
divinereaper: (nope)

Re: Arrival - B

[personal profile] divinereaper 2020-11-03 09:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Well someone was excited about the world hopping. Or it could be denial again. Naoto couldn't guess until she calmed down. ] Uh.. yeah, corn might be here. It'd make sense for food to be here.

[ Naoto crossed his arms, staring at her with a deadpan look. ] Do I look like a fairy to you?
gundhamster: (Get in the robot Jum-P)

Re: Be Merry

[personal profile] gundhamster 2020-11-03 09:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[By the time Taichi came to check on him, Gundham had already perched himself on the railing, leaning against the wall as he sat looking out at the darkened place sprawling out before them.]

Indeed it is. A view that is unlike any I've been allowed to see with my own eyes for close to five years now.

[As he spoke he picked seeds off the plate he still had with him and seemingly was inserting them into his scarf rather than eating them.]

It feels almost... blasphemous. [That last bit he muttered almost in a whisper to himself as his mind struggled to process all the information he'd been given over the course of the day.]
Edited 2020-11-03 21:42 (UTC)
gundhamster: (Truly an evil omen)

[personal profile] gundhamster 2020-11-03 09:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[The mention of a griffin got a skeptical eyebrow raise from Gundham. Of course he was well versed in all manner of legendary beasts, but even thrust into a fantastical world, it was hard to really acknowledge that such creatures could truly exist. As for her question, Gundham just straightens and crosses his arms as best he can with a plate of food in his hand, a smug smirk crossing his face.]

Maga-Z is a demonic beast far beyond the comprehension of mere mortals. That is all you need to know, and I suggest you breech the subject no further lest the abyss consume your fragile mind.
gundhamster: (Not that a mere mortal would understand)

[personal profile] gundhamster 2020-11-03 09:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Gundham narrowed his eyes slightly as he inspected the creature's garb. It definitely looked like Chinese clothing at first glance but there were enough dissimilarities to make it distinct as well, strengthening the claim to be ignorant of where Japan was or where they were.

"That is one thing we have in common then. I know not what trickery was employed to steal me away from my comrades, but they cannot hold me for long..."
hawthrone: (― orchideous)

[personal profile] hawthrone 2020-11-03 10:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Draco paused, looking around in a bit of a panic at hearing a voice that he didn't recognize. He glanced a the idiot bird, an eyebrow raised as if asking if it was the thing that spoke. But then the bird motioned towards the trees. Specifically to the mysterious woman in said trees. Well, that certainly explained some things. Draco placed a hand on his hip, his classic Malfoy sneer on his face. "Please, go ahead. Take him off my hands. This bird has caused me nothing but trouble."

The hippogriff raises his claw at Draco, the blonde jerking back immediately on instinct. Bloody hell. Was he really stuck with this thing? Just why was his luck so awful that he had to be stuck with the creature that nearly killed him when he was a child. ...Okay, well, maybe it didn't really nearly kill him. It was just a scratch. But the embarrassment from that situation still sticks with him thanks to it. He huffs. "And just who are you anyways? The bloody chicken whisperer? Are you the reason I'm stuck here?"
immortalmarshal: (I'm here and paying attention)

[personal profile] immortalmarshal 2020-11-03 11:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah, and there's the familiar complaint about 'unnecessary' formality; even more proof that this really is Noctis and not some crazed illusion that the paranoid part of his brain feared momentarily. "Considering that we're in another kingdom, it wouldn't hurt to have a reminder of your true rank every now and then," he points out aas he strsightens back up. "Still, I'll reserve it for public events, if you so wish. As for how long..." he mulls for a moment. "...it has been a long while since we last spoke. The days were growing unusually shorter, even if it had been the middle of winter instead of early summer..."

The couerl shifts her head to get a better look at this new, glowing creature. She leans down to sniff it a few times, trying to figure out if this is yet another familiar as well.

"Don't bite it," Cor warns the large feline. "I don't need Shiva freezing your tail off just because you wanted a taste of her Messenger." Still, seeing the Carbuncle brings a small smile to his face; he remembers this particular Messenger very well, since a younger Noctis used to babble about their dream adventures. "At least you didn't arrive alone, it seems, Noctis..."
beautifulbeast: (004)

[personal profile] beautifulbeast 2020-11-04 12:02 am (UTC)(link)
[Juno perks right on back up as she speaks. Her ears tilt forward and her expression is open and animated.]

It really was! Not only did I end up just dropped into water but everyone I came across once I got on shore was so strange!

[Emphasis on the strange. She gestures with her glass, the liquid sloshing threateningly within it.]

At least wolves are comfortable in water. Can you imagine if I was a cat?!
hawthrone: (― riddikulus)

[personal profile] hawthrone 2020-11-04 12:35 am (UTC)(link)
Oh Merlin, who was this man? Dumbledore's eccentric uncle? Draco does his best to force a smile and pretend he finds the man's puns funny. Just like how he used to do for Greg when his friend got a little too into singing Hoggy Warty Hogwarts at the beginning of each school term. But thinking about Hogwarts now makes him want to be sick so he just grabs a random goblet and takes a drink. Hopefully, there's enough alcohol in the thing to help him forget.

"Right, I'm guessing you've been pulled into this place as well. How unfortunate for all of us," Draco mumbled the last bit under his breath. Just how did he go from disgraced Malfoy to hanging out with old men in an odd place? His luck couldn't possibly be getting any worse. "And just where are you from, sir? Some place overseas?"
mithrarin: (frown)

[personal profile] mithrarin 2020-11-04 12:51 am (UTC)(link)
"No monsters, either." Outside of a town in Falana, they'd already be under assault. But maybe all the people here were scaring some away? "And enough other people... all that seem to be in our situation."
beautifulbeast: (003)

[personal profile] beautifulbeast 2020-11-04 01:16 am (UTC)(link)
[Haru's companion? It's not until she points that Juno finally notices it, her eyes first flicking up in that direction and then pausing to widen just a touch.

And then she presses her hands into the fluff of her cheeks, eyes bright and tail wagging.]


Ah! It's cute!

[Meanwhile the Yamabiko blinks over in Haru's direction again, the end of a bone stuck out of it's perpetually smiling mouth.]
beautifulbeast: (012)

[personal profile] beautifulbeast 2020-11-04 01:17 am (UTC)(link)
[Juno bears no bones about plopping right down, musing a moment as she fiddles with her chopsticks.]

Mm... well, I don't really know where to begin...
mithrarin: (look away)

[personal profile] mithrarin 2020-11-04 01:30 am (UTC)(link)
If you're physically well, that's a good start. If on the balance you're doing okay mentally, that's also pretty good.

[Might as well start from the basics and work forwards.]
rhiaofdruma: (Amused)

[personal profile] rhiaofdruma 2020-11-04 02:45 am (UTC)(link)
Rhia launched herself out of the tree, carefully managing to not snap so much as a twig. She curled into a ball as she dropped and then landed neatly on her feet beside him. She would have landed on him - had been tempted to do so - but she didn't want to risk hitting the poor animal with her wings.

"You remind me of a tart berry, all the sweetness leeched out. Yech," she told Draco before offering her hands to the hippogriff. "Hello," she told it warmly. "I am Rhianon from the Druma woods. On Fincarya. And who are you?"

She spoke gently as if to not spook the creature, but also as if she expected a response, head tilting as she studied him.
donovan_deegan: (Uh huh)

[personal profile] donovan_deegan 2020-11-04 02:49 am (UTC)(link)
"Well it seas to me like we all were, given the splash we made upon arrival. I'm from Callian, myself." Which was not always a safe thing to mention these days, given the King's hard work to alienate all the other kingdoms, given the reputation of the Knights for being corrupted racist bullies.

But he was a little like his middle son in that he did feel everyone could learn to be better with effort and help, and his youngest boy was just like him in wanting to be optimistic and wanting to change people's views by being a better example. Apologizing for being Callianian would be like saying that all Callianians are as bad as the Knights and the King. Instead he would be the proof that they were not.
bbgun: (sure thing)

horse crimes

[personal profile] bbgun 2020-11-04 02:52 am (UTC)(link)
Hey–

(ellie is a big proponent of talking to horses cuz they're big, and good at listening. they also have this nice smell, kinda earthy, but not like dirt or anything, just a good, animal smell.

s'why she's also not about to tolerate this kind of behavior. also the horse is getting that half eaten bit of apple, after she's nabbed it from the ground and wiped the dirt off of the bitten side of it on her jeans.)


It's only trying to say hello.
souls_of_roles: (Kyoko - Determination)

Re: Arrival - B

[personal profile] souls_of_roles 2020-11-04 02:52 am (UTC)(link)
That actually got her to shut up for a moment as she just stared in silence, then shook his head. "Corn is a fairy," she clarified. And when we were little kids he looked just like a person only prettier, because his wings had been broken. And then when I saw him again..." she flushed and for a moment Kyoko.exe crashed. The girl was standing there, beet red - which did not go well with the bright pink uniform - staring at nothing.
disasdeer: (pic#13591056)

[personal profile] disasdeer 2020-11-04 03:40 am (UTC)(link)
[ He tugs the towel around his hips, and ties the corners together so he doesn't have to hold it up with his hands. He notices that she's avoiding looking at him fully. But, he assumes that covering himself up as much as possible will probably discourage her from avoiding looking directly at him. He tilts his head slightly and takes a couple of steps towards her. ]

What's with the bashful act?

[ Just as he always would tease her, he is now. That's as far as he takes it, though. He doesn't want to push it too hard. ]

I just got here, too. The water is, supposedly, a bit magical.
disasdeer: (pic#13591085)

[personal profile] disasdeer 2020-11-04 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
[ He accepts the seat easily, settling down beside the new face. People, animals, everything about this place has been odd, but for the most part - people have been fairly friendly towards him. He sits down, putting down his plate of food in front of him. He did note that there was a lot of meat up there, and he took no offense to it.

After he sits, he offered his hand to the other. ]


Louis. You are?
disasdeer: (Default)

[personal profile] disasdeer 2020-11-04 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
[ He's... happy to see her. He enjoys Haru's company and something about having her around is a comfort. There's no awkwardness between them, he thinks. And though she doesn't know him as well as Legosi does, there is something nice about seeing her.

He reaches for the dog, and he approaches Louis' hand, glancing up towards him and then towards Haru. ]


They don't talk. They have four legs, too.

[ So enjoy that little factoid, Haru. ]

So you just got here, too?
disasdeer: (pic#13583050)

[personal profile] disasdeer 2020-11-04 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
I expect most people to be faster.

[ Louis is fairly unathletic and aware of his limitations - from his speed, his size, to the fact that he's missing half of his right leg - a fact which he's keeping hidden underneath his pants. Despite that, he doesn't want someone to see him as weak, an the only way he can get better is continuing to test himself. ]

The only way to get better is to race against people who are good.

[ He poised himself, ready to race and figure out what was up his sleeves. ]
disasdeer: (pic#13583047)

[personal profile] disasdeer 2020-11-04 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
[ He takes a cautious step back seeing the beast and a single ear perks up in curiosity. Interesting. This horse is even freakier than the ones who aren't hellbeasts. He doesn't really know which ones he finds stranger. He shifts his attention between Nero and his horse. ]

Two legs.

[ And he doesn't even skip a beat when he adds. ]

One if they're unlucky. Much like you or I.

[ He glanced towards the hellbeast. ]

It's not like he has to like anyone but you. He does like you, right?
cess: (swords of the wanderer.)

[personal profile] cess 2020-11-04 03:50 am (UTC)(link)
Noctis snorts a little bit at the reminder of his rank. Sure, he is technically a king now; but he's a king with no throne, and no way to get it back yet. If there is a king and knights here, too, he's not sure pulling his own rank will get him anywhere.

But that's only a brief series of thoughts, as Cor says it'd been a while, and that the days were growing shorter. Noctis nods, once, before he looks over at the coeurl. Carbuncle, meanwhile, props itself back on its hind legs to meet the sniff, booping its nose against the felines.

"... I mean, I can tell you this one isn't the Messenger," Noctis says at length, after a moment. He knows Shiva's messenger, and this isn't it. "But he's still a Carbuncle, so yeah, don't bite him, kitty." Kitty. Of course Noctis would call a coeurl that.

As for the matter at hand, he looks back to Cor. "Yeah, the nights were growing longer because the starscourge is growing stronger. I - made it to the crystal, in Zegnatus Keep - in Nifelheim. It pulled me in and I spoke to the Draconian, then I ended up here." Noctis' expression is a bit pinched, if only because he remembers the truth of the prophecy.

"But, Cor. When they brought us here, it took away my magic - all of it." He raises his hand, where the ring is still on his finger, but no longer has the glow of the Lucii contained within. "No armiger, no flasks, nothing."
Edited 2020-11-04 03:52 (UTC)
theskyaccepts: (now now)

[personal profile] theskyaccepts 2020-11-04 03:50 am (UTC)(link)
[The prospect of this being an elaborate set up by Reborn is not something that sits well with Tsuna. But then, few things involving Reborn and his training methods do.]

You'd think he would have said something by now if that was the case though.

We should probably figure out who's in charge.