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

red inn!

[cess]

The thing he doesn't expect to hear, upon peeking his head into this room, is the loud growl of a coeurl. Reflexes have him freezing, in case he's wandered into one of their traps, Carbuncle giving a curious chirp from his shoulder as he stops.

His hand is still on the door handle as Cor looks over his shoulder and speaks, and that commands his attention instantly as well. Considering he's the only other person in here and he's not freaking out, the coeurl must be his familiar. So, Noctis focuses on him instead; even if it's not a friendly coeurl, you can't really be any safer than with Cor.

"Marshal?" He asks, expression confused. "You're here too?" That's not a bad thing - if anything, it's a comfort. Cor has never needed magic to be a terrifying force.

Nooooct <3

[immortalmarshal]

Cor freezes as he sees that famiar fClace, even for just a brief moment. He had been worried about the lack of a royal presence, especially given his earlier meeting with Prompto. But then he relaxes as he turns to face him directly.

"It is...your Majesty." He gives the young royal a small, yet respectful bow. "It's been some time since I last saw you and..." A smile threatens to grow on his face. "...to be honest, it is a relief to see you again."

[cess]

It almost made sense, that he was pulled here. He'd been worried about everyone else once he realized he had been yanked out of the Crystal. He couldn't turn down the request for help, of course, but it was easier, having seen Prompto. Seeing Lunafreya and his father had been... interesting, at least. If he's honest, he was hoping to be able to drop off to bed to process that.

But, here's Cor. Which is both good, and also more responsibility. Noctis raises a hand to rub the back of his head, as Carbuncle jumps from his shoulder, trotting over to tilt its head at the coeurl.

"You don't have to be so formal," he mutters, before he clears his throat. "Yeah, I don't think I've seen you since before we went to Altissia." And then everything literally exploded in their face. He'd only spoken to him over the phone since then.

Hell, had he even had a chance to tell Cor about the Keep?

[immortalmarshal]

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..."

[cess]

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."

[immortalmarshal]

King or no, he's still of a high-ranked noble line. From Cor's personal experience, that can still count in certain situations. Whether that would count in another world remains to be seen, but the older man's willing to give it a try if his king is.

The couerl purr-growls in a pleased manner at the touching of noses. Her tail slowly waves contently as she gives Noctis a Look before nodding in agreement. And then she moves to give the small creature a friendly grooming lick on top of its head.

Cor's face turns thoughtful as he sinks into one of the two chairs in the room, gesturing for Noct to join him in the other chair. "...so you are the one we've been waiting for, all these years," he murmurs. "I had my suspicions, but..." A bemused huff as he shakes his head. "Nice to know that they're right." Which means that there's yet Hope for their world, now that he knows for sure that Noct's the King of the Prophecy.

He then grows more serious at those last revelations. It at least explains the lack of the Armiger continuing despite Noctis' presence. "Regarding your magic, however, I do wonder if it's because being on another world makes it too far to remain connected with the Crystal. Or maybe it's because of this time magic shit impacting the entire universe..."

[cess]

The Carbuncle gives a noise that can only be called a laugh, given its tone. Once the other familiar seems to accept it, it hops up onto the bed, sitting next to it.

Noctis moves to sit in the chair that Cor gestures to, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees, his fingers laced together under his chin. His expression is serious, and thoughtful, listening to the Marshal.

"Yeah, it's me, the Chosen King." Noctis doesn't exactly sound excited about it - he hasn't spent ten years under Bahamut's influence to come to terms with it - and instead focuses on the thing that's affecting them in the immediate.

"Yeah, I can't feel my magic at all, or the Crystal. So it could be space, or the time magic. I mean..." He looks off to the side, taking a deep breath. "I ran into Dad, earlier. And Lady Lunafreya." Of the two, Cor would most certainly know that Regis was dead. "If it can pull them in..."

[immortalmarshal]

That sounds very much like the Noctis Cor knows rather well still. However, he can tell that the younger man sounds more resigned and lacking the sarcasm from his teenage days. Hopefully, a mark of improvement, maybe, in the Marshal's eyes.

"At least not all hope is lost, even if we somehow lose all daylight while you're gathering the Crystal's light into you. Granted, the task before you is greater than any of us have ever, nor will ever experience - and the stakes couldn't be higher. Know, though, that I'll do all I can to aid you when the time comes - as well as your retinue." Assuming, of course, that Cor survives to see such a day. After all, there were times in his life where he kind of wondered if he would live long enough to see Noctis grow up, much less have him as his third king to serve under.

The very mention of Regis, however, has an immediate effect on the older man. Eyes grew very wide in shock at the idea that his old king - nay, his old friend is actually here. Alive, and not just some monster masquerading with the face of his dear brother-in-arms. "...how?" He finally inquires in disbelief. "The reports were very definitive regarding his death...as was your group's own reports regarding Her Highness' passing."

Lunafreya, he could chalk up to the Astrals needing her to remain alive long enough to help Noctis - Shiva especially. And that could also be taken as another sign of Hope for their world's survival. Regis, however...he was just yet another king, a protector of the Crystal, like the hundred-plus kings and queens before him. Cor honestly believes that most of the Astrals hadn't care enough to even think of saving Regis, much less bring him back from the dead.... As much as he clearly wanted his old friend back, he's not sure if he could handle such a ruse tearing that old wound open again in his heart...

[cess]

Cor's statement gets Noctis looking at him - and he gives him a thin, tired smile in response. He still doesn't look comfortable carrying the weight, yet, but the King he will be, one day, is there in his shoulders.

"I know. You've always done what you can to help me... I hate to ask for more, but I have to. It's not just on me, after all." And that was what he clung to. He wouldn't have made it this far without everyone around him and the sacrifices he made. It was what made the bitter pill easier to swallow.

Either way, his focus shifts onto Cor's reaction. He doesn't blame the Marshal; it'd been about his reaction as well, along with some ugly crying once he'd accepted it.

Noctis ends up having to give a small shrug. "I don't know. Maybe whatever pulls us here can pull people from different times. But it was definitely dad. He... said he was grateful he could see me again."

Lunafreya, he can confirm when she was brought from. But for once, Noctis doesn't want to focus on what his needs are. For once he can actually try to help someone else, and so he focuses on what he needs to tell Cor to convince him.

[immortalmarshal]

And that gives Cor even more hope, to hear Noctis asking for help despite his own reluctance to do so. This young king already understands the importance of giving and receiving aid better than most other leaders Cor has known. And in the older man's mind, it'll help make him a good king when the time comes. Thus, he finds himself nodding in full agreement. "Of course, Noctis; whatever you need of me, you only need to ask. Just remember the usual risks of asking for my honest opinion, though." The Marshal is still notorious, of course, for his blunt honesty when he thinks it should count.

Cor isn't quite at the stage of crying, ugly or not. Not yet, at least. And he really dislikes showing this kind of vulnerability still around the younger generation. But he couldn't hide the conflict on his face, as his wary mind wars with his yearning heart. "...of course he was. Of course he...is...Gods..." He runs a hand down his face as he takes a deep, shuddering breath to keep his emotions in check. "Did he...say anything else? What did he look like? Is he--"

He hesitates, just for a few seconds, before shaking his head as if to silence that annoying paranoid whisper in the back of his head before looking away. "My apologies...I shouldn't let my personal issues overrule our current priorities." Even if he really wants to see Regis again. Even hearing his voice would be enough, just one simple phone call... But Cor hates that he's this emotional over something that might not even be really Regis - or so that paranoid whisper claims.

[cess]

"You can't be any worse than Ignis or Gladio," Noctis pointed out with a dry tone. Ignis did his best to be honest with Noctis, even if he was sometimes a little gentle about it. Gladio, of course, could be counted on to give his full opinion no matter what, but was not as good about speaking up before he blew up. Between them, Noctis managed okay.

Noctis knows Cor would probably rather not have this conversation. Although Cor is someone he includes as family, the man has never been easy with his emotions. At Cor's words, though, he smiles sadly.

"I wasn't the only one who lost people that day," he points out, careful. "He looked... like he did the last time I saw him. Thin and grey, but he was alive and in one piece. Would have thought I was hallucinating if I hadn't hugged him."

[immortalmarshal]

Cor couldn't deny that fact. He has grieved with Iris over the loss of her and Gladio's father, his other brother-in-arms, at one point or another. But it's hard to express grief fully when he's been trained from early teenhood that Warriors Don't Cry when they have Duties to fulfill...

Still, despite that, he couldn't stop himself getting misty-eyed over hearing Noct's description. It wasn't just the idea of Regis still wewring his rainments that made the first tear roll down his cheek. No...it was the hug, for he knows all-too-well how much of a father Regis has tried to be with his son.

"...shit." Coe wipes the tear away with his sleeve, trying to keep himself together still. "It must be him, then... No faker would go for that, the hug...or say those words, from before..." He takes several moments of controlled breathing to quiet his heart enough to focus more on the other important revelation. "And...her Highness? I assume you can confirm that...that it's truly her as well?"

[cess]

Noctis isn't uncomfortable, per se, with the fact that Cor is visibly moved. It's actually almost touching, for someone who is well known for being stoic. Then again, Noctis knew that stoic didn't mean Unfeeling; he'd grown up around Cor, after all. But he hesitates to offer comfort because he also knows how Cor is with expressing it.

After a moment, he reaches out, resting a hand on his knee and giving it a squeeze, and Cor a small smile, before he withdraws his hand. There, no words for Cor to have to respond to, but something to know he's not alone.

He also knows it's Regis in his heart, because even Ardyn could never fake his father's face to fool him. He focuses on Lunafreya, though, looking at the familiars sitting on the bed.

"I did. There's only things she could know, after all. Not even that bastard Ardyn had access to it," he says. Their diary had always been carefully guarded by the Messengers, and that information couldn't be faked. "She was from Altissia - during the fight with Leviathan, but before she died."

There's a moment's hesitance over the last word; he's still quite in the process of grieving her. His father, too, but that wound is a little older by comparison.