TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ I

[avalonmods]

{ 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, 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.

Comments

[deliveryhawk]

"Huh? A magical what?" He turns at the sound of the voice, recognizing her immediately. He is the exact opposite and just assumes everyone he sees from Lunatia here is the same person he knew there. It is both relief and a bit of sadness when it lends to the worry about the people he left behind.

Like the very man, she thinks of his housewarming party where they first met.

"Rin? Please tell me you know how to get out of this." Yeah, he does not assume she might be as turned around as him. Since she seems to know what she is talking about he is going to be happy and hope this is his rescue in sight now.

[excalibeam]

[ Her expression turns somewhat downcast at that last part. ]

No... though I haven't seen it yet, I do not feel like this is the Avalon where I am said to rest.

[ It's mostly a gut feeling, as well as how she appeared suddenly in the ocean and almost drowned. Her Plate Armor certainly didn't help in this regard. ]

They speak of "King Arthur". However, it does not seem like I am the king they are speaking of. [ She looks down at herself. ] It also seems that while my sword came with me here... my abilities as a Servant have not.

[greedyvixen]

"Magical loop-- things like time loop, space loop, Hell loop and so on. They're places where you're stuck with no way out until you figure it out... Assuming a way like that even exists."

Oh boy, it's so easy to see (and hear) how they are opposites with the different worlds but same people thing. Hearing Takao saying her name surprises Rin just a bit, not what she's expecting to hear but a welcome surprise either way. Okay, so he rememberes Lunatia too. Good, good. Or maybe it's bad depending how different this world ends up being, but only time would tell that. So far it's been nice.

"So, we meet again... I have some ideas but the real question is what do I get for sharing them with you?" There is a hint of smirk in her smile after that. It's not like she'll help anyone just because she can or because she's so nice and helpful, she leaves that kind of helping to other people. "Anything is an acceptable answer too."

[theskyaccepts]

[Tsuna looks a bit alarmed at the suggestion, but the quiet peeps give a bit of confidence. It doesn't look like it's going to bite him.]

Uh...you're sure? She's not going to like, attack or anything?

[theskyaccepts]

[That is. A lot of information. and Tsuna is still parsing out a lot of the details.]

It's good to know it's not just us then, so hopefully we'll be able to come together for information...

But I think I'd like to find a place to stay first. Or at least set up base. It's been a lot already.

[theskyaccepts]

Ah, his name's Reborn.

He's kind of short, and usually wears a suit, but sometimes he's in a weird disguise. If he shows up here I wouldn't be surprised if there was a disguise.

[Just going to. Not mention that he's a hitman for the mafia. Or a literal baby.]

Sounds like a lot.

[reproducing]

[Seeing her action with her words makes him start wondering what she's going through and how she's feeling. It's confusing enough for him, but it must be on another level for her.]

Then maybe this means it isn't your time yet. [There must be a meaning to all of this. To deny her rest, her peace, there must be a good reason. Saber's given up and fought so hard and long. Yet a small part of him is glad they're here together like this. Is it wrong of him to think that?] Whatever the reason, we'll figure this out.

[Another King Arthur? He had a feeling but the confirmation makes it more concrete. He wonders how similar they could be. If this King Arthur is anything like the one he knows, then they must be fair and just.

He looks down at his own hands for a brief moment and then back at her. Looking at swords doesn't give him the same feeling as it used to. They feel so... hollow. He can't read them like he used to.] I haven't been able to preform any magecraft here, too. [But that's not going to stop him.] We might not have our powers here, but we still have each other.

[excalibeam]

[ Her good mood returns. There most definitely has to be a reason for being brought here. ]

Indeed. Though I may not be a Servant here, I will continue to be your sword, Shirou. [ It feels almost nostalgic to say that. ]

I do wish to speak to this other "King Arthur" once we find a chance. I wish to see for myself what this world's King of Knights is like.

[phoenixwiz]

(Okay, who thought it was a good idea to name one’s kid Reborn? Still, he wasn’t going to comment on that since many wizards in his world had unusual names for normal Muggles to say properly.)

His name is Reborn? And he is also short and dresses sharply most of the time. Must be a man of style, I guess.

Yeah, I had a really weird life back home and there is a lot to unpack and go through. It’s a long story and I don’t think this is the right time to tell most of them to anyone right now.

[tsukky]

[ "It's not going to do harm." it's not going to do harm

Those words will be echoing round in somebody's head after this.

She studies those tiny bottles for a moment, not really pinpointing a fat lot of difference between the two so she just ends up selecting one at random. ]

Which country is that?

[ Yeah, yeah. Wine, small talk. She studies the contents of that tiny bottle and it bears repeating, it really is just a shots worth. The alcohol content alone isn't even that high either.

She takes a sip and it really is down in one.

It's hard to pinpoint what exactly but it's as though something shifts or snaps in her in that moment. Something ominous.

Tsukuyo hiccups.

Then holds out her hand. ]

Pass me another.

[ Her tone of voice sounds different, lower. ]

[casaposa]

[ALL ACCORDING TO KEIKAKU.

Except for the part where he barely gets through his first sip of the bitter liquid in his hand before she asks for another with a hiccup. One that implies she's had, maybe, more than a few before he found this carriage. There's no way she's having that reaction after one small drink.

He tries to ignore the muffled do do do do coming from his pocket and moves to hand her another.]

Italy-I don't suppose you've ever been there?

[dvine]

Difficult to communicate with? Wait- Kurokocchi can speak to animals!? That's kind of freaking cool, Kise won't lie. But- it seems it doesn't work all the time. Kise himself is not moving much, maybe enough so he's a bit in front of Kuroko, in case he needs to conjure a shield to defend them from the goose lashing out.

"Uhh... I dunno. What can distract a goose?!" He's never been in a situation like this before. His familiar giggles though, but doesn't provide any help. She's too amused by the situation.

"I'm also kind of new at this, I don't know if it will work."

<3

[dvine]

Back in Lunatia, Kise had magic as well, to warm things up. But that was the extent of it. This time it was more, well, real. Today he even managed to conjure a shield. It lasted for ten seconds but he still succeeded! It was very cool!

It's also very draining which is why he is on verge of dozing off. The door opening and a very familiar voice, however, snap him out of his daydreaming. Finally, he peers past his familiar, still not paying attention that she's, well, half-naked and his eyes light up when he sees Takao.

"Takaocchi!" He doesn't even know if this is THE Takao he knows but- Takao! It's Takao! He gives him a happy wave with both of his hands. "Come on in!"
The woman, half-turned Takao's way, gives him a gentle, mischevious smile, but makes no move to leave or get dressed or anything. Just shifts ever so slightly to the left to make some space for Takao to get into the pool.

<3

[deliveryhawk]

Takao never did a lot with his magic on Lunatia, maybe zapped someone softly as a joke or charged a phone to see if he could. For the most part, when Iris was not making him weird, he tried to live as normal of a life as possible. Finding Kise and seeing his friend's enthusiasm for their new skills may help him go for it and throw his caution to the wind.

He is stuck in place, staring at that woman, then he hears Kise. Wait, Kise?! He blinks once, head-clearing as he leans around her, and his face lights up just as much.

"Kise!" Wait, why is Kise in a bath with a half-naked woman and acting as if it is no big deal. Oh god, that smile, why did she do that, why is she so comfortable here?!

Oh, no way, he is not getting in that pool near her, nope, excuse him while he slides around to the other side, watching her cautiously till he gets close to Kise. Sliding in, he sidles right up against the other player's side, not in the least bit shy about wrapping a hand around his arm and leaning in to whisper.

"What am I walking into?" Is he interrupting? He has no idea, but of the two people in this bath at the moment, Kise feels the safest to him, so excuse him while he stays right there beside him.

[deliveryhawk]

"Seriously? I'd almost rather be back in twisted alien sexland." The point guard throws his hands up in frustration. However, the addition of a familiar face who seems to have some knowledge is welcome.

Takao may not have enjoyed Lunatia as freely as some others or at least some aspects of it if he did not, but he was still happy there if confused at times about what he wanted. One thing Avalon will give him, more freedom of choice without a moon poking at his feelings.

Of course, he snickers there is a price, and at this point, he will pay it because he wants out of here. Not that he has much to bargain with, depending on what she is wanting. He showed up with almost the same items that came from home with him, save the addition of his fish he and Midorima had picked out for the pond. "I'll cook for you for a week, every meal? Or name your price; I'm bordering on desperate here; he needs that Holy Grail thing if it's good luck or worth a wish."

He was a decent cook, to begin with; thanks to Kagami, he has gotten even better; maybe that will work?

[disasdeer]

Same.

[ Depending on who you ask, of course. For some, magic is simply a continued survival. But part of him gets it, but this is the least strange thing he's encountered so far. ]

Yeah, this isn't too weird. Parties and entertaining aren't particularly weird.

[ A tilt of his head. ]

The attendees on the other hand --

[ Hmm, he considers his words. ]

Are entirely different.

[tsukky]

[ There's no way she could have such a reaction after one small drink? CHALLENGE ACCEPTED, ZEPPELI. There's no other empty bottles dotted around the carriage or anything, unless she lobbed them all out at some point before all of this.

She takes the offered second bottle, yes, yes, booze = good, keep it coming ]

Nope~ Never been.

[ She can still hear the muffled seductive tune of baby shark leaving his person and she narrows her violet eyes. ]

Y'know, if you're tryin' to get in my pants ya gotta pick better music. [ HICCUP. ]

Don't reveal ya weird love of Baby Shark on the first go round. [ How does someone from the Edo period know what baby shark is? Never question Gintama logic. Anyway, she hums along a little before downing the second bottle in all of the two gulps the tiny bottle actually contains. ]

[prismatically]

Pfft–! Oh, jeez!

[ Stella laughs, though it's not all too unkindly and she swipes a couple of napkins to hand off to him. Don't die, blonde dude! ]

Here, clean yourself up with this! You okay?

A

[prismatically]

While not ejected from her own carriage, Stella has, perhaps foolishly, chosen to walk as well. Everything's a bit overwhelming right now and she needs the time to herself to get her head around it. The air's fresh and crisp and each breath of it makes her feel a bit more steady and present. Things probably would be all quiet and pastoral and stuff, but here's another girl walking along, with a song spilling out of her phone speakers. Something about the girl's humming catches Stella's ear and without really thinking about it, she picks up the pace so she can fall into step with her.

"Ooh, so there's music on these?" she says, in lieu of a greeting or an introduction. Classy Stella. "Phew! Dunno how I'd keep my head together if I didn't have anything to listen to."

[apockatherry]

[Nodding like a bobblehead, Alfyn takes the offered napkins, wipes his face, blows his nose, pauses, and then bursts out laughing at himself.]

Cripes! What a sight, huh? Sure wasn't expecting it to be so... fizzy.

[He dabs at his eyes one more time and shows the goblet to his new friend, grinning.]

You ever see anything like this?

Training grounds

[apockatherry]

Whoa!

[Alfyn whirls when a screaming maiden all but trips into him, backing away from--what in the world?]

Is that a--?! [It is.] Uh, don't worry, miss, I got it!

[Acting on pure instinct, he pulls his arm back, steps in front of her, and lets fly--the stick he's been throwing for his own familiar. It sails past the little dragon. Golly, it really is a real dragon, isn't it? He'd never mistake one again.]

Go fetch!

[cess]

Noctis gets the feeling the familiar could have been anything - but, he's delighted when Prompto picks up a chocobo chick in his arms. If there's anything that fits Prompto to a T (or a C, in this case), it would be a chocobo.

"Couldn't help bringing a little bit of home with you?" He asks, teasing, as he moves closer, reaching out a hand to pet behind her head.

"She's cute, and she fits you. And - yeah, I'm glad I'm not stuck in that crystal for now." After a moment, though, Noctis glances at Prompto.

"When we, uh, help everyone with this, and I hope they send us back - I don't know how long I'm gonna be in the Crystal, Prom. Bahamut said I needed to absorb the light."

[cess]

It's confirmation that his father had kept the truth from him; that hurts a little bit, the fact that this was a secret overriding the fact that Noctis knows no parent would want to tell their child they were destined to die. Noctis' own expression is a mix of that hurt and the fact that he's still relieved his father is here. His breadth of forgiveness is apparently much larger for that.

After a moment, he sighs. In that moment he resembles his father much more than he intends to, before he squares his shoulders.

"There's not much I can do. Ardyn will destroy the world if I don't fulfill the prophecy. As much as I don't want to die - I won't live when it'll cost my friends and everyone else their lives. For the time being I'll help here, and then go home to finish it."

me, oocly: YOUR GODS ARE A BAG OF DICKS NOCTIS

[cess]

oh they don't eat each other, i just mean that if they can defeat the draconian, they must be pretty powerful. ours are pretty good though, they've always kept us safe. they even fought another who wanted to kill us.

also, you're gonna have to learn how to play with fire to control it, right? wish i could help, but my magic isn't the same here anymore.

hahaha well, the one back home only showed up in my dreams.

[birdflipping]

Weird? You think so? Where I'm from, it's normal to pet dogs. Man's best friend and all that.

[Since the familiar is allowing it, anyway, Nero reaches forwards and pets him on the head, then scratches behind his ears. See? It's not so bad.]