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

[patchricide]

[Come on, Cecelia, be real. An entire universe? One (1) entire expanse of space and time? How would you even display the physical representation as a reality? As a big string floating with others in a region outside of existence itself? That's so silly. Who would do something like that? Season 8 never happened.]

[It's a big question, though, isn't it? What is the best way to talk to people you already know, despite them suddenly being so different from how you thought you knew them?]

I would say the best place to start is... well, simply talking through it with them, while keeping an open mind about what may be different. Start with some of the things you shared with them, that you cherished. And remember why they're important to you, regardless of all else.

[sighsheavily]

...Mm. [is that sensible? despite all efforts to train herself otherwise, Cecelia still takes things very hard, especially things closest to her. of course, she can't expect the same sensibilities from Allura herself -- gods, Cecelia used to think she was lacking in all flaws save for artistry, didn't she? there's a lot of old, childish jealousies in those memories -- so she can only assume what's at face-value. for now.

for now, Cecelia nods slightly, closing her eyes and folding her arms.]

I suppose...should all other bridges have been broken, that would be wiser than simply...burning the remains, hm?

sorry about that wait, I think my brain is firing on all cylinders again

[patchricide]

... yes? If you think it's worth salvaging, of course...

[Okay. Something is clearly going on here. There's far too much melodrama in her voice to chalk it all up to hypotheticals. But what?]

[They don't know each other. Allura feels quite certain of that fact. So why does it feel so directed at her?]

[The best that she can guess is that she looks very similar to someone this woman once knew. It's far from unheard of — after all, there are some visible similarities between them. The ears, the texture of the hair. Perhaps it even is another Allura, and she has some mixed heritage to hide her other distinctive Altean traits. Possibly a relation of Coran's, really, with that hair color...]

[But that's all speculative. And as much as she tries to study her face, Allura already knows that the answers won't be found there.]

[So... let's build some bridges, shall we? Even if it's from scratch.]

You know, in all this confusion about who knows who — I believe I forgot to ask you for your name.

welcome back cylinders

[sighsheavily]

Ah--right. [her mouth twitches, then slowly pulls into a slight smile, one she tries to warm by crinkling her eyes a bit, her brow pinched in some show of apology. amicable, yes? this'll do.

with a slight bend at the knees and bow of the head:] Cecelia Ardenbury. Miss Ardenbury is fine -- it's what most call me. Though...whether this is a place any of one of us is meant to linger in will determine whether that's...necessary, I suppose. Hm. [her head tilts slightly.]

Though, I don't know if you've been lingering much at all, do I? I'm just assuming, based on my own untimely arrival...

[patchricide]

No, I can't say I have. After I arrived, I quickly found out how necessary it is to earn gold here. Mayb enot to survive, but... to thrive, certainly. And since then, I've been so deeply engaged in questing that I've had little time left to linger.

[That. That is what you meant. Isn't it?]

Actually, I had to force myself to come to the springs for a break today.

[sighsheavily]

Mm.

[right. that's not a shocker -- having to quickly move to integrate to stay afloat. she's not...thrilled about that? but it's nothing new. Cecelia just wishes...she'd had time to mentally prepare for this.

ah, well.]

Questing, you say. That's how you're...earning your keep, so to speak?

[patchricide]

It is! See here, there's an app on the phone...

[She pulls her own device out, navigates to QuestBoard, and then turns it around so that Cecelia can see the screen.]

Besides being a good source of gold, they've proven to be valuable training for magic.

[sighsheavily]

[keeping her hands to herself, Cecelia dares a careful lean-in to peer at the app in question. she's still acclimating to these little devices again -- it's been a long time! -- but the layout, while odd at first, looks more clearly a kind of tiny bounty board and checklist.

her eyebrow arches as she straightens and looks up at Allura once more.] You mean...that resource that seems to be in rather dire straits here? Or did I not hear the whole scope of the situation after being...scooped out of the briny sea.

[patchricide]

No, that's roughly correct. However, it might not be useful to think of it as a standard resource. It's not a finite supply, that we need to conserve and use sparingly...

[That was where her own thoughts had gone at first, comparing it as a parallel to quintessence.]

It's more like a skill that we need to cultivate, or a muscle we need to train. The more we use it, the more that will be generated.

[sighsheavily]

Mm.

[it's a flat, displeased note from her nose, her expression going a shade sullen. now, she's not opposed to adding to her repertoire of skills, but...not at the complete loss of her old ones! which seems to be the case here, as any attempts to conjure power from within as she normally does has been very disappointing.]

So we are not here by mere chance. We're...utilities. I see. [how irritating.]

[patchricide]

Yes, you could say that. Have you seen the people they've brought here? There's some randomness in the process, but it's all quite clustered around people from a similar space and time from Avalon itself.

[Honestly, if that was just some random, naturally occuring process? They should all be worried, since it would seem as if this reality was somehow sucking in its neighboring realities.]

But considering all timelines are frozen, it's actually refreshing to be able to do something about it, isn't it? Besides, this cross-section of realities presents an incredible opportunity for all of us to learn from each other.

[It's somewhat similar to an attitude that a different Allura had in a different multiverse hub.]

[sighsheavily]

[if all timelines are frozen, Cecelia makes an aggressive internal note of that. something to investigate with a finer toothed comb and a countenance harsher than the one she's showing Allura right now. right now is...cautiously optimistic. naïve. presumptuous.

...ha. she's always presumptuous, so that part won't be hard. the optimism part, though...? ehhhhhhhhhh.]

I...I see... [optimism. optimism....uhh...ugh. but there's no PROOF time has stopped and--UGH--] Well! [she smiles. o p t i m i s m. fake it to make it, baby.] I'll hope everyone is as kindly as you are, then -- because if so, it may be as fortuitous an adventure as you allude to!

[patchricide]

From my experience, most of them are. There are a few who are more trouble than they're worth...

[Darin. More than anyone else, she's talking about Darin.]

... but even they can prove to be capable allies. We all have more reason to work together than not!

[sighsheavily]

[of course Darin. honestly, Cecelia can't help but wonder if perhaps Allura remembers him, considering the bond. she can forgive being forgotten herself -- it's for the best, really -- but knowing those two and how they were...?

engh. she's not sure how much she wants to think about that right now.]

Of course. [she nods agreeably, despite the souring of her stomach. collaboration is all well and good when she plans for it, sure. not like this.] Perhaps I have less to fear than I first thought... [lies.]

[patchricide]

[sorry Cecelia, they're back to fighting like toddlers]

[Allura takes pause at the mention of 'fear'...] Does it bother you, working so closely with strangers?

[sighsheavily]

[time and history are a circle. a spiral. a toilet. everyone...being flushed...]

Is it really so strange? [she offers a small, pained smile.] Not knowing others' motives, not knowing their strengths, their penchant to use or abuse... A woman alone in such a state of unknowns is pretty vulnerable, I'd think!

[patchricide]

I suppose I never thought about it like that...

[One of those quieter differences between Altean society and others. Of course she doesn't feel vulnerable. She's more prepared to throw down at a moment's notice than most of the men here. ... perhaps she should be giving other women here self-defense classes.]

Still, it's a fairly close-knit society. It would be hard for anyone to harm someone else and not be discovered. [And it's not like everyone could be bad, right?]

[sighsheavily]

Perhaps, [her eyes wince.] but I'm not keen to be one of the first discoveries -- or any, if I can so help it. And especially since you mentioned there are some less...cooperative sorts... [Darin] I imagine I'll have to be on guard.