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

A: because Emotional Support Idiots have to do their jobs.(Though the Grail would be funny too XD)

[deliveryhawk]

[Water, it's always frigging water. At least, he came out of this water feeling like himself, with yosuzume following him. Takao is not entirely sure how he feels about the small night sparrow that only he seems to be able to hear. Also, could this not happen? He's not saying he enjoyed the last place.

But if he has to go world-hopping, he couldn't, you know, go home? Either way, when he gets to his feet, shakes his hair out, and heaves a sigh, he notices one thing, down by his feet.

A familiar pair of glasses. Which means, somewhere in the vicinity is Midorima, he grabs the glasses, searches through his pockets and finds a slightly damp cloth that is specifically for these glasses, and starts cleaning them as he walks.]

Okay, the guy you're looking for has green hair; I don't know chirp if you see him.

[He is rolling with the punches after his last arrival in a strange place that is saying something. Of course, finding his friend's glasses and knowing he was here without them gives him a bit more focus.

Finally, he sees him, walking up Takao snickers.]

You should use one of the bands that keep them on your head.

[And like the smart ass he is, he leans down, slides Midorima's glasses on his face, flashing that smart ass grin of his.]

[accurately]

[ Midorima tenses when he feels someone close to his face, but then feels the familiar texture of his glasses sliding along over his ears and sees Takao's face. ]

Why is the first thing I see in another world your face?

[ What, did Takao think he was going to get a thanking? ]

[deliveryhawk]

Because you'd miss me if it wasn't.

[Nope, had he gotten a thank you, he may have thought this was an imposter. His smirk and the hand he sticks out to offer the shooter a hand up says it all, no skin off his nose.

He already knows Midorima would rather have him around in a strange world than not. No one including the shooter has to tell him that.]

Didn't you get one of these guys?

[He gestures at the dark feathered bird on his shoulder.]

[accurately]

You must have hit your head upon arrival if you think that.

[ Takao is right, but Midorima is definitely not going to admit it. Takao is supposed to follow him wherever he goes. It's just a fact, and it wasn't right in Prismatica for so long. Once they finally got it right, Takao had better follow him to whatever other worlds he ended up in.

With his glasses back on his face, he adjusts them briefly and stands up from where he had been sat. ]

He went to look for my glasses. I'll call him back.

[ At the very least, they established that he could call the.. whatever it was. Midorima literally hasn't seen it yet.

A few seconds later, the tanuki seems to somersault out of thin air, landing on its butt next to Midorima's foot.

Midorima is staring at it quietly for a moment, then... ]

This makes sense. Tanuki are very lucky.

[ He's cool with it. ]

[deliveryhawk]

Nope, did almost get a lung full of water though, that was fun.

[He knows he is right, it may have taken him a year to show up in Lunatia, but now it seems like whatever force is taking them from one world to the next understands now, he's meant to be wherever Midorima is.

Takao would not argue it; if he has his say in it, he'll be following along the rest of his life by the looks of it.]

No way, you can call them? [He has not done much but listen to his sing softly in his head. Once he found those glasses, Takao did not think much of his situation to begin with. He may want to do some of that, like trying to get to know his familiar.

Takao is amused easily on a good or bad day. This comedic moment brought to you by a somersaulting Tanuki and stonefaced Midorima. Oh, it is gold, and he immediately dissolves into the sputter, right into laughter, bending slightly as he holds his stomach from how much it amuses him.]

You ...of course, you did, you know how ridiculous this is, right?

[Takao will end up more and more convinced in luck and lucky items the longer he is around Midorima. It seems no matter the world, the shooter will have some connection to it.]

[accurately]

You and water...

[ At this point, even Midorima's started to notice a very strange pattern. Though a moment later he realizes that Takao may have no idea what he means by that.

Midorima pushes up his glasses, perfectly serious. ]

Tanuki are an important part of Japanese lore. There's nothing ridiculous about it.

[deliveryhawk]

Me and water, just when I thought it was getting better.

[Considering he had made it quite some time without any major water incidents that constituted weird or embarrassing at least. But, he absolutely knows the pattern and he snickers on it now because what else can he do.

As he stares into Midorima's serious face Takao tries to be serious too, it lasts all of five seconds, his mouth twitches and his shooter knows it's coming, pfft, pfft, sputter and again laughing.]

You two are perfect for each other! But even you have to admit, you and Tanuki are a thing almost as much as me and water.

[accurately]

Considering your miserable experiences were all from you denying what you wanted from the beginning, it's your fault more than the water's.

[ Clearly Midorima never had that problem, it was 100% Takao who had the wanting problem. :') Don't worry about it. Regardless, Midorima is heading toward the staircase now that he can.. actually see it. ]

Come, Tanuki, Takao.

[ Takao is second in the list on purpose. ]

[deliveryhawk]

Yeah, it was all me, not anyone else.

[He is snickering. Of course, it will be phrased as being only him, lucky for Takao's feelings, he knows better, and even before he is told to come, he is already following along behind the shooter anyway. Where else is he going to go?]

Pfft, oh I've been thoroughly reprimanded now.

[Yeah, still snickering as he follows, he is so put in his place Midorima by the tanuki being called first. Not.]

[accurately]

It's good you know your faults.

[ He knows the snicker means Takao sees right through him, and yet he's doubling down on it. Midorima would suggest they jog up the stairs but since there's no railing, he would really rather not.

The tanuki runs ahead of them though, his big ol' balls slapping the steps in front of them... ]

[deliveryhawk]

Well, we know the world jumping didn't scramble your brains. You're as stubborn as ever.

[He is walking up those steps behind Midorima, that is till those balls get to going and Takao stops, that laugh of his starting and not stopping.

If Midorima looks back, he will find the point guard holding his stomach, shoulders shaking with joy as he sputters.]

He needs a jockstrap Shin-chan.

[accurately]

Clearly. You're as noisy as ever.

[ GOD THIS IS SO EMBARRASSING. HE NEEDS TO GIVE HIM A DIAPER OR SOMETHING, HE DOESN'T KNOW... ANYTHING!! ]

I don't see a place to buy him one!

[ Or god knows he would've already... with. Nothing, he has no money. He doesn't know. This tanuki doesn't seem bothered to be free-balling it, though. ]

[deliveryhawk]

You expect me to change now?

[He teases because Midorima should know better, Takao is going to be Takao. Same as Midorima is going to be Midorima, they just work that way.

Those balls can't be ignored and more than unbothered to Takao at least, the Tanuki seems quite proud as they flap there like too large melons. The other's yelling only makes him laugh harder, holding his stomach as they go.]

Ha-ha pfft, we could use an old tee-shirt, till we get some money?

[Because yeah, broke as broke can be here right now, which reminds Takao, he is going to have to find a job. Fun.]

[accurately]

[ He chooses not to answer that question, as they both already know the answer. Midorima is a rock, and Takao is a hard place. They make a great team. ]

Do you have an old t-shirt with you?

[ Midorima only has the clothes he's wearing. ]

He may have to wait until we assure our finances.

[deliveryhawk]

[That they do and he does not need an answer. It's one of his better qualities, he is not easily ruffled or put off by Midorima. In fact, he is the exact opposite. It's why he is trotting along behind the shooter because there is no second thought to sticking together.]

Okay, point taken.

[Takao is soaking wet and in the only clothes he has. Maybe they can fashion something out of some leaves. Or you know, just let the thing freeball as he seems to be enjoying it.]

How does he not trip over those things.

[accurately]

[ The tanuki doesn't seem to give two fucks. In fact, when he gets a little too far ahead of them, he plops them down like he's sitting on an exercise ball while he waits for them. ]

I imagine he has a lot of practice walking with them.

[ Considering they're a part of his body. It doesn't stop Midorima from looking embarrassed about it. ]

[deliveryhawk]

[How is he ever supposed to keep a straight face again, that Tanuki is going to get Takao in trouble by merely being, because the moment he sits on them like an exercise ball the point guard is doubled over again.

He can't take this, that snicker is just bubbling out over and over again.]

Do you think he was born with them that big?

[It just does not seem natural. Takao is not helping the embarrassment, because oh god help him this is too funny.]

[accurately]

[ Midorima's reaching over and giving Takao a light smack to the head for that one. ]

Don't you dare ask him.

[ If Takao offends his tanuki, who seems to be taking a sip of sake while he waits for them to catch up, and it leaves, Midorima's gonna be mad. ]

[deliveryhawk]

Oi! I didn't say I was going to ask him, I don't want him to turn me into a toad.

[He bats at that smacking hand out of reflex more than anything. Raising an eyebrow at the drinking Tanuki.

Boy this is going to be interesting to say the least.]

[accurately]

Do you think he can do that?

[ Though Midorima would keep him as a toad too. He likes frogs and toads..

They finally get to the top though and can see the horses and people and everything.. ]

[deliveryhawk]

I mean, he's a drunk Tanuki with magic, I wouldn't doubt it.

[Aw he does care if he says he'd like Takao better as a frog or toad he's getting whapped for it.

Takao stops and just stares, horses, this place is for real some kind of something isn't.]

They go all out huh? There's a lot of us.

[accurately]

They had to go out and find us in Prismatica. This seems much more concerted.

[ Like it's intentional... Midorima doesn't like that. The tanuki bristles proudly as if he takes that as a compliment, then gets up and waddles off toward the crowd to try to lead them there so they can get the fuller explanation. ]

[deliveryhawk]

It's like they planned for us.

[The Tanuki's reaction only feels more ominous. But Takao is going to keep following Midorima and his familiar.]

That would mean they brought us on purpose, we've really been abducted this time.

[accurately]

If that's the case, we're walking toward our captors.

[ And yet, it seems like they're largely free-ish. It's hard to tell what manner of kidnapping it is this time. ]

[deliveryhawk]

That's comforting..

[There is only one way to find out, follow the crowd and see what they are told.]

Well, nothing to do but go find out what it is they want from us this time.