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

I admit, this does seem a little excessive. Are hearts just kind of a thing here?

[The young man does seem to be taking it more in stride than Izuku. He's also looking curiously inside the room.]

But there's also candy so that's usually a good thing? Unless that's bad where you're from?

[Izuku is still very nervously standing near the doorway. He peeks into the room with a bit of an anxious laugh.]

Aha... It is. I think it might be because it looks like Valentine's Day...?

[Which is why it's so pink and red.]

Chocolates aren't bad, no- I guess it's a good touch... But isn't it strange that they only have paired rooms?

I'm not sure what Valentine's Day is, but in any inn I've been to, there's usually more than one bed.

[And now that he's not leaning over to peer in the room, Gaius stands up at about 6 feet. Despite looking almost like an adult, he's wearing what appears to be some kind of school uniform. He gives a gentle smile.]

I guess we're both new here, hunh?

[Izuku on the other hand is about the size an average sixteen-year-old high school boy would be. And he's about as awkward as one would be too.]

Right- Other worlds... I'm still trying to get used to that. Valentine's day is a special day for lovers ... in my world...

[Which is why this is all so familiar and weird!!]

I'm new too- Ah. I'm Izuku Midoriya.

Gaius Worzel. Don't worry, this is a lot for me too.

[Even if he doesn't show it, since he looks fairly calm at the moment. He takes another look at the room, as though sizing up the situation.]

Well, I don't think the chocolate should go to waste. We can share the room and just divide up all the blankets. I can sleep on the floor, you can have the bed and that should solve the problem, right?

Nice to meet you.

[He flusters awkwardly.]

I couldn't make someone sleep on the floor...! I- I can. I'll sleep on the floor! You can have the bed. Please!

[It's what a hero would do, right?]

Well you found the room first, so you would have first call on the bed...

[Okay, this isn't getting them anywhere. Izuku's heroic instinct is now at war with Gaius' big brother tendencies to always keep in mind those younger than he is.]

Hmmm. The only fair way to do it is to flip a coin. Do you have one?

[... Actually, that's a great idea. If this big brother type is so insistent! Izuku's not quite used to that.]

Okay- Let's flip a coin for it. Even if I really don't mind...

[He digs in his pocket and pulls out a single yen he somehow still had.]

Will this be okay?

Okay, sure. I'll pick heads...oh, it doesn't have one.

[It makes sense that coins would look different depending on where you're from. So he tries again.]

I'll pick the side that has the tree or branch on it?

[Izuku looks slightly amused but he nods quickly.]

That works. I'll take the side with the number. Here- I'll toss the coin now!

[Flip!!! Catch! And the coin shows the side with the tree branch on it!]

Okay, if that means I won, I get to choose so that means you get the bed.

[Pleased with how that turned out, he did snag one blanket to make a blanket nest on a couch.]

However, they did leave us chocolate and I think that's only fair to split evenly.

Ah- I guess that's right...

[He still feels bad???? But Izuku decides to relent to the game of chance and call his odds done. He sits down on the edge of the bed and takes the box of chocolates.]

If that's the case you better take your first choice of chocolates, at least. I think that's fair?

All right. They certainly go all out for this type of holiday, don't they?

[Fortunately there appeared to be an even number of chocolates, so Gaius grabs half of them, but picks them from random spots so as to be surprised.]

It's strange though, I know I should be tired, considered where I came from and everything that's happened, but I feel wide awake.

[It's possible that he might still be coping. His teachers would call that shock. His pleasant expression diminishes just a bit as he contemplates this future and he rolls his shoulders.

Because it's so tiny, Izuku might finally see the tiny hummingbird resting on Gaius' shoulder.]

I'm thinking it's probably because it has something to do with Valentine's day... But it is really a big loud welcome.

[He laughs a little sheepishly. He glances at the little birdy familiar on Gaius' shoulder and Izuku feels a pang from being overwhelmed too. His own familiar is nowhere to be seen at the moment. That little goat seems to wander off a lot.]

All of this happening... Winding up in another world? I don't really know what to make of it all. I'm just trying to take it a moment at a time.

[Having someone else vocalize Gaius' misgivings allows him to take a deep breath and then let go the tension that'd been building in his chest.]

That's a good point. This is like being thrown by myself in a field study with zero information.

If that's the case, we can't do anything about where we were thrown, but we can take a little comfort in a few things. We're alive, we have someplace safe to sleep for one night and we don't have to worry about food.

And as for information, we can always learn more, especially if we work together. We can also take stock of what we have. Did you happen to come to this world with anything?

[Izuku looks down.]

It seems like an easy enough task for all of us to do. Learn magic in this world and hopefully, we can return to our own... I don't mind the idea of getting to learn about this world and the city. Or even the magic. I'm just worried about what it could all really mean too.

[He's muttering softly.]

I didn't come here with much on me. Just my hero costume and a gift from someone before I came here. Ah... What about you?

A...hero costume? You mean like armor?

But let me see what I have, because I think I just took my things without really looking.

[Gaius actually has a few more things than just his school uniform. There's a set of armor in the form of chest protection and leg protection, a giant spear with a bladed cross guard and three smaller things. One looks like a ring that he slips on a finger. The second appears to be some kind of medal that he looks at with a sigh before putting in his pocket. The last one appears to be a deck of cards, but not like any deck Izuku would have been used to.

This one makes him smile.]

I don't have a lot, but I do have these so it's not all bad. I can teach you a game that's easy to learn in thanks for letting me share the room with you tonight.

[Well then that spear must be a sight to see. Izuku blinks...]

Ah- Yes... It's like my armour...

[He nods!]

You don't need to thank me but a card game might be a good way to pass some time. I might not be any good at card games though. Is that okay?

Oh that's fine. I understand that some places have a standard deck with different faces and suits. This deck is only for one type of game and it's not hard to pick up.

It's called Blade.

[Gaius starts shuffling the deck and explaining how the game works a little bit.]

Don't worry if it takes a couple of tries before you get the hang of it. Sometimes you can just have a bad hand dealt to you. Just remember, the idea is to try to end the hand with the higher score, Bolt cards remove the last card your opponent plays and Mirror switches hands.

[Okay now... Izuku is going to perk up. He looks at the unique deck of cards and instantly the little nerd inside of him is analyzing every single card he notices. This looks like a sort of magic card game and he might just be into it.]

Ah- I see. I think I've seen a few anime card games like this before.

[It looks intersting.]

So, it's just a game of trying to eliminate cards with the higher number?

Right, but you have to eventually use all of your cards, so sometimes aiming for a draw to start over is a good strategy. So is switching hands with Mirror and hurting with Bolt. The 1 card with the wand is really only useful because you can reverse the effect of a Bolt with it.

But if you're really good with numbers and thinking ahead, you might really like the game. I think I win because I get lucky, but we'll see...

[He might have just created a Blade master. Only time will tell.]

[He might just have created a new fan, indeed. Izuku likes games but he also likes puzzles and thinking over-analytical things. So a game like this is actually right up his alley.]

I see... Could I try a few practice rounds?

Oh, sure. We can play the cards all face up a few times so you get the idea.

[There's a lot that could have gone wrong today, ending up in a new world. But maybe, sitting here and playing Blade with someone that could be a friend someday? Proof that Gaius might still have the blessing of Aidios and the winds that he always prays to.

Time would tell.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 4

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