avalaughs | TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 4

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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 4

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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 chilly 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. It's paralyzingly cold for a few seconds before you're approached by the Lady of the Lake beneath the water's surface. She puts a vial of a vibrant, glowing red Everwarm* potion to your character's lips. The icy water doesn't feel so icy once consumed and you'll be able to move your limbs enough to swim to shore on your own. She can't stick around to explain, she's got to get this to all the new arrivals! Many of which you'll see plopping in around you.

If you can't swim, a handful of helpful ice turtles will scoop you up from beneath and drop you off at the shore. It's a fast process, as they no longer have to collect possessions and pets from drowning in the waters, so they're only needing to go around hitting the ice that keeps forming on the surface with their shells to keep the surface open for the falling arrivals. If anyone tries to ask the Lady of the Lake for directions, she will direct you to Archimedes at the Rent-a-Ride. If anyone with Animal Magic asks the turtles, they will give the full spiel, but very slowly, and they like to get off topic and gossip about other turtles you've never heard of. 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, a pair of earbuds, and a winter cloak** and tell them to "Check the Shit Box." The "Shit Box" refers to wardrobe more formally known as the Wardrobe of Finding, a hammerspace-like wardrobe that opens to each person's items and pets when the person touches the handle. It was recently enchanted by Merlin to prevent people from having to fish their waterlogged possessions and pets out of the water with them. From there, Archimedes directs everyone to settle in groups into modernized carriages pulled by horses and gives them a basic explanation of why and how they've been brought to Avalon: The rest of the universe is frozen in time and your character has been brought here by a familiar that was able to bond with them. They'll have to learn magic to help save their own world from destruction, but first they've got to get them to Camelot. It is here that you have the first opportunity to decide who they will be in their new home. You'll have about an hour to wander around here, meet and greet, and pet the horses before it's time to go.

These carriages use fae technology that combats weight, so your character will be able to get in regardless of whether they're light as a feather or weigh two tons. The carts have air conditioning when it's hot, heating when it's cold, and a mystical shield to protect from bugs. 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. For the month of February: there are complimentary chocolates placed on the pillows that make you feel warm and fuzzy when you eat them, all the rooms have been temporarily redecorated after hearing about Valentine's Day after an announcement about an upcoming Valentine's concert to be held by the off-worlders. They wanted to celebrate love too, and help the newcomers feel welcome! Unfortunately, this means that the two-person bedrooms only have one bed this month... maybe you can get a roll-away?

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. It may be a little chilly when you get out though, so make sure you don't slip rushing back indoors when you get out!

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.

As the snows give way to rain and the cold persists across Avalon, it may seem as if some of the local businesses are suddenly short-staffed. A favorite spot might have shorter hours, longer wait times. Whatever it is, it seems that there are fewer Avalonians as the days go on. It is not long before there are signs posted outside local businesses and every clinic, there is an illness striking the populace and adventurers seem to be immune. While the healers can cure this malady, they are short on supplies and some of them are not easy to obtain. All are urged to take up a task and gather these ingredients. Anyone who does obtain one or more of the required ingredients will be given a Fairy-blessed Tincture of Wellbeing from one of the faeries who stayed behind after the tournament. It is said to bring healing no matter where you are when you sprinkle it on the ground in front of you. (Note: The tincture will teleport the nearest healing mage to your location. This information is not included with the tincture... surprise!)

A ⦿ Ingredient One: A Can of Sprite

obtain a small can of magic dust from a sprite's wings

sudden repeated visions of 15 seconds of a potential future based on every choice your character could make

B ⦿ Ingredient Two: Deez Nuts

retrieving baskets full of these tiny nuts

the Bear Fir, who won't hesitate to come for you

C ⦿ Ingredient Three: Wait, isn't that a Pokémon?

The hills to the south-east of the Red Spring are home to the elusive Hill Trolls, who never leave their hills, but like to engage with any traveler who does come through. Most try to avoid them as they are extremely rude in every way. However, for this particular remedy, there is special bluegrass known as poliwag grass, so named because the seer who discovered this unique grass had seen the creatures it is named for in an alternate world and found them endearing. The catch? Only the Hill Trolls know now wherein the hills the small patches of this grass can be found. Adventurers are tasked with entering the hills, engaging the Trolls, and requesting a guide to the grass. Avalonians will advise doing anything the troll asks of you, it’s the only way to appease them and get the prize. Characters will be set about various household and yard chores by the Hill Trolls, who will lead them to believe that this grass will take several days journey to reach and they simply can not leave their home and yard in such a state when on a long trip like that.

Make sure to complete all your tasks, though, try not to be too angry when once their yard and home are spotless the Hill Troll produces a satchel of poliwag grass straight from their cupboard. They didn’t say you had to go on the trip with them and they will need to replenish their supply after, so they're not apologizing for anything.

A video is sent to everyone's devices, a strong magic spell making certain that it opens. Morganna's face appears. Morganna, after all, is to be listened to when she speaks. She seems to be looking at her nails as the recording starts, not looking at her captive audience.

”"As infamous as Arthur and Merlin are, there are many magics they are unfamiliar with. They live in the realm of basic magics, the ones you all have touched and trifled with. But there are skills you will need in the future that require something a little stronger. Now if you came to me seeking spells, I would ask a fair price, dears... but it is my universe you are all saving too, so I will offer you a taste."

She finally looks directly into the screen. Despite that it's just a recording, it looks as if she's looking directly into your soul. She sees you even without you responding. Her lips curl up in a little smile, friendly and yet mischievious.

"Magic is stronger when more than one person performs it. Where you would be able to toss fire, you could create a fire tornado or rip the earth until it spits the fires of hell up as lava. To perform this kind of magic, you must be entirely in sync with your partners. Of one mind, of one movement. Open the attachment and it will place a memory of how to perform Synchronic Magic with a partner into your mind. It will still take practice, of course. Baby steps."

Magic-infused technology is a hell of a thing-- those who listen after the video ends and open up the attachment will find themselves rapidly flooded with what amounts to an instructional video and a visual sample of witches moving exactly in sync. After a little finger painting on each other's face and collar bones and some deep meditation while performing the spell, the caster of the spell will have complete control over the movements of the person the spell is cast upon. For the duration of the spell, the person who the spell was cast upon will mentally reside in the caster's head outside of their body. Their body will do anything the caster's does. For this particular version of the spell to work, it requires the consent of the person it's being cast upon, though there are other forms of the spell that do not that are not. With that knowledge, get practicing.

A ⦿ We Succeed Together

When a goddess gives instructions to learn something, you learn it, and so some of the locals have set up meditation tents at one of Camelot City's parks. The tents are filled with incense, steam, and have a spell cast on them to provide relaxing sounds-- babbling brook, yoga music, rain on the ocean, a crackling fireplace, the cries of your enemies, the relaxing sound of change falling from your favorite plinko machine... It will respond to your emotions and find the sound that's most relaxing to you to help you clear your mind. If you trust the person you're with, the spell will go smoothly and you'll be able to perform the much simpler practice spell provided in the tent: a shadow dance. Follow the dance steps around the circle on the floor of the tent; shadows will begin dancing along the walls of the tent outside of their light source. Your shadows will be able to separate from your feet and travel without you once the dance is completed. It will return after completing whatever task you need from it. If you need some help developing your trust in the other person, try playing a game of twenty questions or partaking in some of the sparkling ginger shots in front of you-- they've got a heated kick to them that's sure to warm you up and make you fire out a secret to the person you're sharing the tent with.

B ⦿ We Fail Apart

If you aren't perfectly in sync with your partner to cast Synchronic Magic, all kinds of things can go wrong. People who do not trust each other may end up accidentally sealing the tents shut and trapping themselves inside until they tell each other a secret they've told no one else, thus forcing them to trust each other. People believe the exact opposite at their core could end up temporarily body swapping with their partner until they wipe off the body paint and break the spell. And of course, even if you're completely on the same page and the person controlling both bodies has two left feet, a mistake in the shadow dance could cause the shadows to enter your eyes, turning both of your vision to complete darkness until you've been in sunlight for about 15 minutes straight. I hope you weren't practicing at night.

C ⦿ Loss and Gain

After performing the Synchronic Magic, magicians of all kinds are going to feel a little strange. It's a magic outside of their field of expertise used to perform further magics, after all, and they've shared their essence with another person to perform it. There's a chance that characters are going to feel very alone after being separated from the synchronic magic. Alone, tired, and wanting to feel connected again even if you're normally the lone wolf type. Synchronic magic makes you feel connected to others in a way that's hard to do otherwise, and without it it leaves a sense of loss and disconnect. It's not a side-effect that was discussed ahead of time, but the citizens of Camelot have prepared for it for anyone who wishes to stick around after their spellcasting.

After the magic is done, at the center of the tented area, everyone is invited to gather around a huge, prismatic bonfire taking place in the center of the park that the tents had been set up in. The bonfire is filled with flames of all colors, like a prism reflecting light and warmth, and acts as a beacon for casters' shadows to find their owners and reconnect with them. It also is enchanted to encourage affectionate feelings. This may inspire people to be more... touch-friendly than normal, wanting to hug and hold onto or simple be shoulder-to-shoulder with the people around them. These feelings can easily be fought even if they're present, but fulfilling them will help to eliminate the sense of loss from the synchronic spell ending. At the end of the night, little rainbow fireflies will begin to fly away from the flames, having been hatched within them, and fly off into the night as the flames turn to embers, and then to charcoal. It is said that if you catch a rainbow firefly, you can make a wish on it, and when let go they will take those wishes to the heavens with them. Some wishes may actually be granted, so if your character has a wish, submit it here.

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.
• 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.
• If nothing here tickles your fancy, try one of this month's Quests for your TDM prompt.
• The first "Arrival" prompts are present on every TDM, but contain seasonal tweaks for flavor. All other prompts will change monthly. (This month, please check updated method of inventory collection at the Rent-a-Ride and the "February Special" rooms at the Red Spring.)
• The Shadow Dance Ritual is a form of advanced dark magic; this means that yes, after significant practice, a dark magic user may be able to do this on their own with only their own shadow. Even if your character isn't a dark mage, they can do a ritual to perform out-of-discipline magic. More information on rituals and how to unlock them will come in the future!
• Please comment with wishes regardless of new/current member status if you want to participate! :)
• Questions about this TDM's content? Comment here! If you have a question about the game at-large, please head over to the FAQ.

*This Everwarm does not count toward your potion collection for those who wish to take up potion brewing. You must obtain Everwarm from the Elphame Trader's to count.
**Jackets come in a variety of neutral colors, enchanted with a fit-adjustment spell that will adjust to your character's size.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He's been here for a month. That probably means it's about time he works on actually practicing some of this world's magic. After some less-than-gentle nudging from his unicorn familiar, Corwin makes his way into the meditation tent. The kind of sorcery he is used to didn't make use of the art of meditation, so he is unaccustomed to its practice, outside of vague knowledge of theory.

So he's wandering around the tent looking a little lost. He sees a young woman sat at a desk, feverishly poring through the pages of a book, and thinks, "Ah. Someone who clearly knows more than I do about all this."

Little does he know that she's even more new here than he is. ]

Excuse me miss, I was wondering if you could direct me to any... introductory texts on meditation?

[carefully and calmly -- two traits she's had to really work at, being quite an impulsive, emotional girl growing up -- that's the way Cecelia takes in the sight of the man who enters. her first order of business is confirming he bears no arms or posture meaning to do harm, which is quickly obvious. second, though...

have i met this man before?

being thrust spontaneously into a new world means there is the very real likelihood she could meet old friends and foes!

this person, however, doesn't ring any bells. she can't really say if that's a relief or a pity, and now's not the time to ponder.]

Well. [she sits up straight, setting the open book down on the desk and smoothing the pages.] Let me preface that I am no librarian, nor did I coordinate this exercise. That said... [she'll tap the communication device she was given, left idle beside the book.] Have you one of these already?

[ Thankfully for Cecelia, he's left his sword, Grayswandir, back in his quarters today. He has no intention of starting any fights, and is relying on his innate fighting ability to be able to stop any that might catch him by surprise.

At her preface, Corwin raises an apologetic hand. ] My mistake. You look so self-assured and comfortable in this scholarly environment; I'm afraid I assumed...

[ Ah, but she's motioning to the computer phone they were all given. Two things that Corwin is aware of from his time spent on the shadow Earth, but that he had never seen put together in such a small package before his arrival here. ]

I do. [ He retrieves his smartphone from the back pocket of his trousers. ] What do you suggest I do with it? Call a reference librarian?

[her mouth quirks briefly, settling into a mild, amused smile.] No, that would be rude. I'm not dismissing you, I'm guiding you. [really, library staff should pay her.

pointing at the device.] I received the outlines and basic instructionals from a recorded message. They populated quite quickly after I viewed it. I could show you where to look, perhaps, though I'm still learning the ins and outs of the device myself.

Even better.

[ He helps himself to a seat across the table from her, holding out his phone for her to poke and prod at to pull up the instructional message. ]

I'd say I could help you in kind, but I'm afraid I'm not too much more experienced with it as you are. I'm used to phones, but not wireless ones, and certainly not any this flat.

[absently, more focused on the device:] Mm. It's been a very long time since I've had to fiddle with this sort of...mm? No, not that. [she trails off, leaving the conversation on hold while she searches around until--] Ah--that. This should-- [well, the recording is starting already, so she shrugs and turns it around so he can properly observe it, sitting back and combing some hair behind an ear while it plays out.

when it's done, she gives a faint gesture, nodding:] You'll see all those new things pop up? Those are it. They're not going anywhere, so don't feel threatened to pore over them straightaway.

[ As she turns the phone around, he takes it, watching and listening intently until the message is over. Then he smiles, sticking the phone back in the pocket from whence it came and turning as if to stand. ]

Fantastic. Thank you so much for your help, Miss...?

[ This would be the space where a name goes. ]

[agreeably:] Ardenbury. That will do for now, sir...?

[oh how the turntables.]

Miss Ardenbury. A pleasure.

[ He reaches out for her hand and, ever the gentleman, if she allows it he will place a brief brush of his lips over her knuckles. ]

Corwin of Amber. Welcome to this strangest of Avalons.

A proper welcome at last. [her smile is almost a smirk.] It only took all of three days to hear it, but I suppose it could be worse. [she'll oblige the gesture after rising to her feet and bowing her head, because it's only proper, and by gods did she miss some familiar etiquette.]

I'll say you're a welcome acquaintance for the moment, though your mention of being here a month-in doesn't bring much comfort. [when her hand is freed, she withdraws it to smooth her gown before sitting back down. she gestures he's welcome to sit if that's what he wishes, though...he did rise as if meaning to take his information and run.]

[ It's been a bit since Corwin was able (or willing) to show propriety when greeting a lady, so who would he be if he declined her offer of company?

Not a prince of Amber, that's for sure.

He lowers himself back into the seat, slouching comfortably in that annoying way that all self important men do. ]

There are others among us who have been here months longer. With the number of new "offworlders" they keep bringing in, I get the impression this problem of theirs won't be easily remedied.

"Offworlder." [she says it like it tastes bad to say, shaking her head a little.] I've heard worse terms for unexpected company, but even so...it does set a tone, doesn't it.

A friend coined the term. [ At least, he'd like to call Claire a friend. They haven't spoken very much, but the more friends one can have in a strange place, the better. ]

Do you have much previous experience with those from other worlds?

[she hesitates, pursing her lips. it's not wise to show so much of her hand right at the onset, no matter how inviting good manners may be. without knowing the full scope of her plight, without knowing him, she isn't safe.

a compromise, then:] I'm very well-read. [that's not a lie.] Part of my studies included the accounts of wizards and sorcerers who found themselves estranged thanks to a spellcasting mishap or such. It's not common, mind, but...it's also not as rare as one might think.

[ Wizards and sorcerers traveling between worlds? Corwin's first assumption is that these accounts were really tales of his relations, the royal blood of Amber, traversing through Shadow and using their superior knowledge and power to position themselves into seats of power as wise sages-- as they are wont to do.

Lord knows, he did the same thing in the true Avalon, so many years ago. ]

It really isn't, is it? Still, having at least a theoretical concept of different realities gives you an upper hand compared to many of those who find themselves here. I take it you're no stranger to magic, either?

[ Given the casual way she speaks of "wizards and sorcerers." ]

[she offers a thin-lipped, grim smile to that.] Indeed not. Magic is a healthy facet of my homeland, and many others besides -- again, well-read. [oops. whew.]

I'm told members of this estranged little...well, it's not a community, but, you know. [she shrugs slightly.] I'm told many are stripped of powers and the like upon waking here. Is that actually true?

[ If her smile is grim, then his nod is even more so. ]

Not only the people, but their belongings, too. Any enchantment placed on the items we came with has been nullified. A magic sword? Is now just a sword.

[ Not that Grayswandir's enchantments were of any use anywhere outside of Tir-na Nog'th. Corwin's more upset that none of his trumps are working. But then, if the rest of the multiverse truly is frozen in time, then that explains their ineffectiveness. ]

Dreadful. [that's the damn truth. but...she's going to take comfort knowing she isn't the only one stripped of her strongest utilities. petty comfort, but y'know. it does level some of the playing field in a way...while making it grossly mismatched in another.

after all, now she's just...a simple woman. no titles, no spells, no contingencies to rely on... naked to threats she's still yet to discover.

it's been a long time since she felt this endangered, and she doesn't like it a bit.

her hand goes to the cover of a leather-bound journal on the desk. her journal and field notes -- the only possession that crudely-named "shit box" had for her to claim. not even the wanderer's staff was waiting for her...]

That would mean there's little to offer in exchange for such hospitality, wouldn't it? And yet, despite the wretched arrival, I find many go out of their way to accommodate. How can that be? [and why? what's she expected to do?]

[ Corwin raises an arm to gesture around them at the meditation tent, with its pleasing sounds and relaxing air. ]

We're meant to learn their magic, to build up our skills as adventurers in the name of King Arthur. So that, in helping him, we can save our homes. If we are to be their heroes, wouldn't you think that the locals would be accommodating?

Hm. [is that the gist? she folds her arms, sitting back and looking askance in thought.

a beat.] ...I see. Indentured labor. Well, I suppose that makes some bit of sense, doesn't it? [with a bit of a scoff:] Save our homes, indeed. From what, may I ask? [is there something going on with her home realm that she doesn't know?? she's a bit too arrogant to believe that much.]

From... Whatever magical mayhem they're saying has got the rest of the worlds frozen in time, I suppose. [ He waves a hand in a vague gesture, leaning back in his chair, posture entirely too relaxed for someone discussing a multiversal calamity. ]

Speaking personally, I only just finished saving all of reality from one disaster. I'm not exactly eager to throw myself full tilt into solving the next one.

[ Can a guy catch a break? Please? ]

[she quirks an eyebrow at that, filing that one away for later inspection.]

...And...have you seen this calamity in progress? Has the source been pinpointed? Or is it as you said -- hearsay.

[ A dejected shrug. ] Hard to get an eyewitness account when those of us who would have had the means to travel between worlds have been, as you said, "stripped of our powers and the like."

[ The use of the first person is intentional, in this case. ]

[flatly:] Convenient, that. [her brow knits as she thinks on this, idly drumming her fingers on the cover of the journal before she retracts them, folding her arms.]

I'll admit, Corwin of Amber, that I'm of the mind that the burden of proof lay within the hands of those who make these claims. Barring that...I can only imagine what other reasons could be behind the scope of this venture.

I will say many a country would be delighted to have willing and eager magical adepts to follow their whims.

A pity, then, that you got here when you did. Just last month, King Arthur himself hosted an... [ How exactly does one describe an "AMA?" ] ...online forum of sorts where he opened himself up for questions from us Offworlders-- again, my term, not his. As far as I can recall no one directly asked him to provide proof of his claims. A missed opportunity, if you ask me.

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