avalaughs | TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 4

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tdm

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

It exists somewhere. Besides, if that mattered then we wouldn't be talking about it at all--or about anything else regarding the places we're from. And people clearly to want to do that!

[Judging by how many questions others have been asking about other worlds...]

[Her hand drops from her hip so she can start trying to paint the marks on her own self, too.]

And if you're going to insist that it's different, then you should be able to tell me how.

I could, but I don’t want to.

[This is not a side of Kaede many people get to see - it’s a side he tries to keep pushed deep, deep down.

Unfortunately, Klaudia.]

Can we just get this over with?

[She stares at him a moment, her lips pursing a little.]

Fine! Whatever.

[She was just curious. It wasn't like it was anything important. He probably doesn't even know what he's talking about. It's not like he's some kind of authority on magic, so his opinion has less than zero weight to her. He can be just a very silly man who is being a stand in partner for the time being.]

[She finishes applying the paint to herself, then sets the bowl down to the side and moves to her place in the circle.]

Ready when you are.

[He sighs, but... Might as well get it over with.

The spell goes... Horribly. He's not sure why - he's doing the movements like he's supposed to, he's got the paint, but their shadows don't come to life and dance and it's so frustrating.

It's probably his fault. He did something wrong, was too stupid and too much of a failure to get things right - he's not good for anything and he already knew that, and this is just salt on the wound.]

Right, well. This isn't happening.

[So time to make like a tree and leave.

...Except the tent doesn't seem to want to open.]

[He's not the only one disappointed. She had a lot of hopes for learning this magic, and for some reason it's not working. If only she knew what he was thinking--she'd probably agree. It's probably his fault.]

[She just huffs irritably when he goes to leave, and goes to get herself a towel or something to rub the paint off. What an awful magic partner.]

[It's only when she hears him fussing with the tent that she turns to look at what he's doing.]

...You are seriously reaching new levels of incompetency. Just pull it open and go already.

[Were it not for the laws of this land and his anxiety, he would strike you down, Klaudia. He shoots her a frown, before tugging on the flap of the tent.]

If it was that easy, I'd be gone already.

[Let him be free!!]

[She exhales a beleaguered sigh and walks over to yank on the tent flap.]

...

[And then she yanks on it again. And again. Her tail lashes with annoyance. This can not be happening... She glowers at the tent wall, but addresses Kaede.]

...Do you have a knife?

I don’t make a habit of carrying around weapons.

[What do you think he is, Klaudia? A rogue???

He grimaces, crossing his arms over his chest.]

It’s probably magic keeping it shut, anyways.

[Not being a rogue is no excuse not to have a knife.]

That sounds like an assumption that is better tested with a knife.

[Sure, it's possible for it to be magic; but that doesn't mean that it is. And it doesn't make it a good excuse to not try other methods. So excuse Klaudia while she goes back to the table and breaks that paint bowl with a crash. With a jagged piece of that pottery in hand, she goes back to the tent and tries to slash through the fabric...]

[And she might as well be slashing at the fabric with a feather. She tosses the bowl shard aside with a huff.]

Great. Now what?

Why are you asking me?

[He sneers, leaning back against the table.]

Aren't you the one who knows sooooo much about how magic works?

Don't be obtuse. Knowing about magic doesn't mean that I know every magic spell or effect in the whole world. I just know how it works.

[She walks away from him, then turns and gestures back at the tent.]

Magic has an effect, a duration, and sometimes a trigger that unbinds it--especially if it also has a trigger that acts as a catalyst. So provided this magic has a trigger that we accidentally engaged, then there should be a means to release it. Unless this village is negligent enough to put dangerous irreversible magicks out in the middle of their populace with no warning.

[Which... it's possible. She doesn't know anything about this place, but she's not going to assume that they're complete imbeciles until proven otherwise.]

[He's not even going to bother hiding the roll of his eyes. What a know-it-all?]

Isn't it obvious? This is a spell that's supposed to be two people working together, in sync, and we failed at it. That was the catalyst - doing the spell improperly.

[He sighs, running a hand through his hair.]

So it's probably a punishment for doing it wrong, either from the spell itself or Morganna.

[Isn't it obvious-- She absolutely does not need this person telling her what is and isn't obvious.]

That's a silly thing to punish. Half the people attempting this magic are probably going to fail it, so it's not my fault that you're a terrible partner.

[Yes, because that's the problem here. Clearly.]

[She huffs out a breath, folding her arms over her chest. She really doesn't want to wait around here for someone to find them and let them out. She has far too much pride to stand around and wait to be rescued by strangers--and not nearly enough trust to assume that will happen in the first place.]

But fine! If you think you're so smart, then what's the trigger to unbind it?

It’s magic about synchronicity and trust and you can’t accept that, perhaps, the blame doesn’t fully fall on my shoulders alone?

[He scoffs.]

It’s no wonder we failed!

[Why did he have to get dragged into this bu a miserable little know-it-all?]

Considering what this place is like, we probably need to establish some trust between us and find a way to successfully do the spell, but I think that’s rather impossible by now!

[Trust. Really. Her brow furrows at the thought, her shoulders hiking and tensing her posture.]

Oh, like it wasn't impossible to begin with? You weren't going to trust me anyway, and I certainly don't have any reason to trust you.

[This is awful. Both the fact that she's stuck here, and the fact that he's probably right. What an awful, terrible situation to be in. She turns away from him, pacing impatiently around the tent. Usually the pacing helps her think, but right now it's only barely keeping her temper and her panic in check.]

Fine! [She throws her hands up in the air.] I guess we'll just die in here, then. The least they could have done was leave us shovels for digging our graves.

[He raises an eyebrow at the comment that he wouldn't trust her anyways, giving her a look like she's truly stupid.

Regardless, he doesn't have the patience for her dramatics.]

Don't act like such a child. [He says, like he has any experience with children,] If you want to give up, fine, but I'm not going to let you drag me down with you.

[He sighs, scrubbing a hand over his face. How do people learn to trust each other...? The only person he's ever trusted with Ace, and what set Ace apart from everyone else...?

Hm.]

...Maybe we should talk instead of giving up immediately? The solution is probably something like that. You trust people you know, right?

[HE'S NOT. HELPING.]

You're the one that said it was impossible. [Rude. Calling her a child just because she was agreeing with him. It was just about the only sensible thing he's said.]

[At least he's trying to offer suggestions, but her hackles are still raised, and she gives him a flat look for his efforts.] No, I don't. I mean, just because I know someone doesn't mean that I trust them. I know plenty of people. I also know that people say a lot of things that they don't mean. How do I know you're not one of those people? And for that matter, how do you know I'm not?

It’s impossible because you’re refusing to cooperate!

[Ugh.

He looks over at her, before his gaze goes back to the tent wall. After a moment, he shrugs.]

The only people I know are the people I’ve met here, so I can’t say I know what people are like when things aren’t so outside of the norm. If you want to assume whatever you want of me, so be it.

I'm not assuming anything of you. It's the exact opposite! I'm saying I can't assume anything of you because... because I don't know anything about you. I can't assume that you're telling the truth, and I can't assume that you're lying. [It... really doesn't work like that, but she looks flustered. And maybe a little bit of that stress is creeping in, now. She just wants out of this tent. It's making her antsy.]

I don't know what you mean by that, anyway. You have to know people outside of this place. Wherever you're from?

That doesn’t make any sense.

[What are you even saying, Klaudia...]

Hm... I suppose it depends on your definition of “know”, but I don’t think you know someone if you don’t know they’re name at the very least.

[She doesn't know what she's saying, please don't ask her.]

You're the one not making any sense. Are you trying to tell me you didn't know anyone's names? At all? There was no one from your entire world that you were on an any-name basis with?

That’s... Exactly what I’m saying, yes? Why is that so hard to understand?

[What’s so weird about that!!!]

[For a moment, she just stares at him. It's almost enough to make her forget about the situation that they're in.]

You have to know someone's name. How do you-- What do you call people? If you have to talk to someone, you have to use a name, don't you?

I... Never said I talked to people, though?

[Gosh, Klaudia, don’t assume things!]

So... Yeah.

[That visibly throws her, and it takes her a few long seconds to process that. That's... That's messed up, if true. Her brow furrows, and she gives him a suspicious look, like she's not sure if he's spinning a lie for her right now.]

Like, never never? ...How do you know how to talk, then?

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