TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 4

[avalonmods]

{ QUICK NAV } Premise ⚔️️ Rules ⚔️️ FAQ ⚔️️ Taken ⚔️️ Reserves ⚔️️ Apply ⚔️️ Locations ⚔️️ Bestiary ⚔️️ Top-Levels Only ⚔️️ 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 Sprites can be found in and around Avalon, and thankfully so. The first task is to obtain a small can of magic dust from a sprite's wings. Now an adventurer may think to capture and take this by force, but be wary: sprites always travel in packs and will be so inclined to curse any would-be attackers dance till they drop, literally. Sprites are mischievous sorts with a wry sense of humor and can be quite fond a flower which grows near the Red Springs called the Cinnabar Paper Bush. Bring them a bouquet and beg for their cooperation, but be cautious of breathing in the flower's pollen-- the sprites will not warn your character that it's a potent ingredient in probability spells, so breathing it in may cause sudden repeated visions of 15 seconds of a potential future based on every choice your character could make in a particular situation. Getting out of the pollen's effects takes a full day of going through visions of parallel possibilities if there's no one to help you, and the sprites will be long gone by then. You'll need another adventurer to use their magic to get you out of this or prevent the pollen from spreading... good luck. B ⦿ Ingredient Two: Deez Nuts Within the Brocéliande there grows a certain tree. Even in winter, this tree produces tiny star shaped nuts that when ground into a powder are a key ingredient in many healing tinctures. However, the nuts are coveted by the wildlife for they taste quite sweet when eaten straight from the tree. Adventurers are tasked with entering the woods and retrieving baskets full of these tiny nuts. A warning was given to not go unarmed, those animals can be very protective of their food supply and they are rumored to be coveted by the Bear Fir, who won't hesitate to come for you. A warning to the wise: do not eat them yourself. They can be quite tempting. A tiny call will induce the desire to devour all of them, burrowing deep within your conscious. Not only would an adventurer fail their task but they would fall gravely ill for a period of two days. With these obstacles in mind, it may be best to team up and go at this task together to make sure everyone comes out alive and well. 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.

Comments

[reemerge]

[ king arthur... that sounds stupid, but tracks. moving on. ]

And who is the enemy?

[ and how does he kill it as quickly as possible? ]

[birdflipping]

Some group called the Knights of the New World. They stole Excalibur and threw it in a magic blender, and I guess it has powers like the Yamato, because now it's at risk of tearing all the worlds apart.

[Nero relays this with a shrug.] It's all same old shit I've seen before, different day. Dunno who the knights are or how to find them, but fetching Excalibur should fix part of the problem.

[reemerge]

[ a power akin to the yamato. he frowns, a hand drifting to the sheathed blade beside him. the yamato has had all power of it stripped. another sword having the same properties interests him... no. it could never replace what the yamato means to him, no matter the power. he will put a pin in this line of thought for now. ]

So we are subservient to this king, made into his subjects? [ the words are distasteful in his mouth, almost angry. ] Are the denizens of his realm so weak that they cannot fight these knights on their own?

[birdflipping]

Aww, you don't play nice with fellow royalty, mister Demon King? [Nero scoffs.] We have a goal in common, so I figure it's in our best interests to work together for now.

[reemerge]

[ he grits his teeth, annoyed with how casual nero is about the matter. it's far too reminiscent of dante for his taste, and yet the boy is his son? yet the thought of being ordered, commanded as a soldier, is what lights a fire in him the most. that and, unbeknownst to him, the liquid he just drank. ]

I have been forced into servitude once before, commanded into obedience. I will not simply stand for it to happen again. You should question the motivations of this king more.

[birdflipping]

[Nero doesn't know anything about Vergil's past, but he does have to bite his tongue to avoid pointing out that Urizen had forced Trish and Lady into servitude. Who the hell is he to whine about being asked to help some king?

He grabs another shot and downs it, if only to keep himself busy before he says something he regrets.]

Well, I used to be a knight serving the Order of the Sword. Never was thrilled about it, but it was the best way I could protect her, so I stuck around. This is just the same. If it saves our world, I'll do it.

[reemerge]

[ order of the sword? it rings a familiar bell, somewhere in the haze of his memories from long ago. worshippers of sparda separated from the rest of the world on a remote island. he went there once, but the name of it rests on the tip of his tongue without forming. but he goes over nero's words and something else stands out. ]

Protect who?

[birdflipping]

Kyrie. Best thing that ever happened to me.

[His expression softens and he smiles in a way he never would when thinking of anyone else.] She's not here... She's still back home. Her older brother's around, though. His name is Credo.

[It's a surprisingly frank answer, and now he's wondering if maybe there was something to those shots after all.]

I'll do whatever it takes to save them both.

[reemerge]

[ vergil turns quiet, even in the stillness of his expression, at the admission. those names mean nothing to him, but he can tell from the look of nero's face, the way he speaks, that they mean everything. vergil has no such people (a lie, one he willingly tells himself), but he understands nero's desire even so. the need for the power to do all that you can, no matter what forces try to stop you.

he breathes out a quiet 'tsk' ]

You're so soft-hearted. [ spoken with no bite, it's more exasperated. ] How can you be of my blood?

[birdflipping]

Don't give me that shit. V already told me everything I need to know about you.

[That, more than anything, Vergil had just wanted to be protected and loved, too. Things that Nero was and is able to have.]

And far be it for me to lecture you about your own blood, but neither of us would be here if Sparda didn't have someone he loved.

[reemerge]

Someone he loved, but did not protect. [ he spits back, incensed. ] Not that he tried. Only our mother was there when Mundus attacked us, and I could do nothing to stop it.

[ the matter of his parents is a fraught topic but, in a way he would ordinarily never, he is compelled to retort back. too little too late, it clicks in vergil's mind what he just said. the soft music playing in the background silences, the peace in the moment broken and swept up in cold nothing. ]

...This is a waste of time.

[birdflipping]

[Nero might have been sympathetic, but hearing Vergil criticising his own father for not being there is like a stab to the gut. Does he really have such little self-awareness?]

That's rich, coming from you. [He mutters under his breath, barely audible, and gets to his feet to leave.] Fine. I'm sorry for being so damn soft, and I'm sorry for wasting your precious fucking time.

[He goes to leave -- or would, but as soon as he reaches for the tent flap, his hand is blocked by a flash of light indicating a magical seal.]

--What the hell?

[reemerge]

[ vergil neither says nor does anything to stop nero as he goes to leave, deciding it for the best in the moment. but his attention is snapped back when he sees the flash of light from the entrance. he stands and walks up beside nero, reaching out to the flap the same way. instead his hand settles upon a barrier. ]

Hrm. It seems we're locked in. Perhaps to ensure we proceed with the spell.

[ but he's not satisfied with that. he steps back and pulls on the handle of his blade, a faint click sounding off as he unsheathes the yamato in a smooth motion. it can no longer open portals, which would make this issue nonexistent, but it is still a blade of sparda. he draws himself back, gripping the handle with both hands, and takes a strong step forward to jab. the tip hits the barrier, but cannot pierce as the force of the spell pushes back. ]

--Damn! [ he spits, pulling the sword and himself back a step to offset the light recoil. ] No good.

[birdflipping]

[Nero takes a step back to give him some space as he draws the Yamato, and the results are... entirely unsurprising. He lets out a noise of frustration. So much for dramatically storming off to fume somewhere.]

Ugh. Guess we're just gonna have to wait until the seal wears off, then.

[Assuming it does at all, otherwise someone outside is going to have to come lift it. Now entirely determined to give Vergil the silent treatment, he goes to sit back down and pulls out his phone.]

[reemerge]

[ he watches nero walk back, surprised at how quickly he gives in to the situation. they hardly know each other, but vergil knows good and well that isn't like him. ]

Throwing in the towel so soon? Who knows how long the wait could be.

[birdflipping]

[just leave him alone to sulk!! ugh. Since it's literally impossible to be left alone right now, though, he shoots him an exasperated look.]

You know the fastest way to get out of here would just be to try the damn spell, right? But you'd rather be a fucking asshole, so that's not gonna happen.

[reemerge]

[ how was he-- his patience (already stretched thin, only stretched so far because it was nero) is gone. ]

Me? You're the one who spoke of things you don't understand! [ he smirks, hatefully, gripping the hilt of his blade tighter. his voice is tight, clinging to control even as anger begins to seep in. ] Or did you really think that vessel could tell you who I am? He was but one part of me. You don't know me, Nero.

[birdflipping]

[Nero's eyes go to the blade, and and while he's not about to move and go on the defensive, he also wouldn't put it past Vergil to draw it on him.]

So everything V told me... Everything we went through together... It didn't matter? You're just gonna brush it off like it's nothing? Real convenient, Father.

[reemerge]

[ silence falls again in the tent, vergil not so quick with a response this time. his grip tightens again, a faint sore sensation aching in his hand, and he lifts the sword - only to sheath it back. this is hardly the space for their rematch, or the time, even as his demonic nature demands retaliation. ]

We wouldn't be speaking if it didn't.

[ there would only be violence. though he doesn't expect nero to understand, not the way dante would at least. perhaps that's why he feels strangely off-balance, a handicap of sorts. his brother would simply trade blows and they would go back in forth, locked in the struggle. but nero... hm. he steps forward and goes back to his seat. ]

Tell me more about this Kyrie.

[birdflipping]

[While Nero loves a good fight as much as either of them, he definitely doesn't understand it on the level the twins do. If he's fighting someone he cares about, it's because it's a means to an end, not the end goal on its own -- that part is something Nero finds about their sibling rivalry both incomprehensible and impossible to accept.

Plus, fighting his father in here in a damn tent would be stupid.

So he's relieved when Vergil stands down, even feels his anger abate a little when he actually asks about him instead of dismissing him again as a waste of time. He's still on edge, but he'll answer the question.]

...We've been together a long time. Her parents took me in when we were kids.

[reemerge]

So they raised you.

[ it's difficult to imagine nero as a child. he did not even conceive of the possibility that the boy was his son until dante brought it up. perhaps that was naive of him given the stark white hair they share, but his memories of his past are in a haze now from... ]

Was it -- good? [ a beat, and feeling like he has to clarify- ] Your childhood?

[birdflipping]

[Nero looks momentarily startled. Even Dante had never asked this much, preferring to keep Nero at arm's length as his mentor-slash-business partner. And while Dante obviously had his reasons in hindsight, it does help give Nero an inkling that maybe Vergil gives a damn after all.

He hesitates, wondering where to begin. Aside from with Nico, who he already has plenty in common with, he's never really talked about his past before.]

Not always. At first I grew up in an orphanage. Everyone looked down on me because no one knew who my parents were, and I got into fights with other kids all the time. [In Fortuna, being as conservative and hyperreligious as it is, something as scandalous as all that was a Big Deal.] But then Kyrie and Credo's parents took me in. They were the kindest people I've ever met... I felt really lucky.

[reemerge]

[ there's a strange release of tension when nero shares, a weight lifted off knowing the boy was taken care of in the end. he couldn't say why his mother left him behind, and feels unable to speculate on the motives of a woman he doesn't recollect. it's enough information to content him. he is no parent, now and more so in his youth, and to even be called father irritates him. but he rather not set off another fuse by telling nero it was a good thing someone else raised him. ]

Did they ever suspect your lineage? That you were a half-demon?

[birdflipping]

Nope. They just thought my white hair was a blessing from God or some shit. Can you believe that?

[He can only laugh about it now. Not at them -- he respects their memory way too much for that -- but at the irony of the situation. Knowing everything that he does now, the seeming superstition about white hair was based on fact after all. Maybe it was knowledge handed down from all the centuries ago when Sparda had lived in Fortuna himself.]

I always thought I was human, right up until my arm changed. Even then... I wasn't sure.

[reemerge]

[ he wonders if he should be more surprised at what nero tells him, but he isn't. in the midst of their worship of the invisible, many will miss what is apparent in front of them. however, he can't help but feel it was better that way for nero. ]

It would have only caused you problems if they discovered it. [ either they would burn him or praise him, and vergil can't be sure which. ] Your upbringing sounds... very normal.

[ and in his tone, he hopes to convey that isn't a bad thing. in fact, it's almost certainly better that way. ]