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

[firstsaderesponder]

This time?

[Sougo stops drying his hair, slightly arching a brow. It's always a mistake to listen to Hijikata-san because he never has anything useful to say. Sorry Hijikata, this is not the exact Okita Sougo you're looking for.]

It sounds to me like you were expecting him. Ah, maybe this is the start of some spin-off. But if they wanted to do a Shinsengumi spin-off, why aren't Kondou-san and the rest of the guys here?

[Oil and water indeed, but they're thinking the same thing. Both Hijikata and Sougo know their role in the narrative. This new situation with just the two of them and two other characters they haven't interacted much with...it's strange. Granted, Sougo and Kamui did have their climactic battle. That could be a possibility, but the stage isn't set for it.

He leaves the towel on his head as he goes to grab his coat, when poof! A small weasel pops in front of them. And it's no ordinary weasel. That fact that it was floating through the air might've been a clue, but this weasel also has sharp blades where its paws should be.]

Okita-san! I've been waiting for you!

...Huh? Who's this? Do we got a new mascot or something?

[Sougo grabs the poor weasel's tail, just to see how it'll react. The kamaitachi yelps, pulling away in vain.]

[mayoninofukucho]

Sougo, let it go.

[He heaves a sigh. Exposition time!]

This is your familiar, I guess. Everybody gets one assigned here. Without your familiar bond you're going to be toast, so play nice for once.

[To be fair, "toast" doesn't quite fill in for "sent back to our frozen world", but Archimedes can explain the details... or maybe Hijikata will, but one thing after the other. First of all he needs Sougo to stop hurting his familiar. Leave it to this sadist to end up with a kamaitchi...]

It's not a spin-off, it's another unlicensed crossover. There's a crapton of people from all over the place here - anime, manga, video games, movies, you name it.

[At least with his fellow Gintamas he can blatently break the fourth wall without any considerations.]

This is England before it was England, Britain under King Arthur. Only a modern version.

[Isn't this making perfect sense, Sougo?]

[1/2]

[firstsaderesponder]

[He could listen to Hijikata or he could continue tormenting the poor thing...hmm. He'll go with the second option. Sougo at least caught a little bit of what Hijikata was saying, but listening to the Demon Vice Commander is a bore. On the other hand, the little kamaitachi's protestations are louder and more amusing. So what was it again, Hijikata-san? Something about a familiar, a crossover, and England...]

A familiar? So we each get an annoying mascot?

Hey, lemme go!

[Hijikata could likely see the kamaitachi tensing up to try to pull away from Sougo's grip. Eager to see if there will be any recoil, Sougo decides to obey for once and just...lets him go.

It turns out that yokai familiars don't follow the laws of physics. The kamaitachi grabs his tail and gathers himself up again--before turning on Sougo for revenge. He zips past Sougo's outstretched hand. It is a second later when a cut suddenly appears on that hand.]

[2/2]

[firstsaderesponder]

Oi, you little--

[Sougo makes a grab for the kamaitachi again, but the weasel has learned from his mistakes. Which only encourages Sougo to keep trying to no avail, and so on and so on...]

[mayoninofukucho]

Basically, yes--

[He stops talking as the sadist abruptly lets go of the kamaitachi's tail... the way it nearly does a somersault in the air is super cute, but he suppresses a gush. He is the Demon Vice-Commander after all. His brief moment of endearment quickly dissolves into nothing when the two of them start jumping and slashing at each other.]

Sougo, leave it be!! What part of it being vital to your survival here did you not understand?!

[He tosses the soaked coat back at him.]

Get going now. Up at the top of the cliff you'll meet Archimedes, the man who manages the new arrivals' trip to Camelot where we're all staying. He'll give you a cloak, that'll warm you up.

[Is he just an info-dumping NPC now?! Well, he doesn't seem to hate it.]

[firstsaderesponder]

[Within a minute, Sougo finally catches the weasel in his grasp. Sort of. Sougo pulls one of his familiar's cheeks while said familiar is hacking and slashing at Sougo's hand. As Hijikata should know, a slap on the wrist--in this case, a slash on the hand--is not enough to deter Sougo.

But that wet coat promptly hits Sougo in the face and the kamaitachi uses this brief moment of distraction to disappear again.]

Ah, so we each get an annoying mascot then. Where'd he go?

Is he hiding under the coat?

[Look, Sougo will get to where he's supposed to be eventually. But he'll use this opportunity to get revenge for Hijikata's revenge by twisting his coat and whipping it at Hijikata's head.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[He bends backwards to avoid being hit and lets out an angry snort.]

Stop messing around! Get going already. I'm not coming with you.

[There are plenty more people to fish up from the beach! Also trekking up the cliffside with the last sadist boy nearly gave him a heart attack, so he won't accompany Sougo if he can help it.]

[firstsaderesponder]

[Oh. Hijikata managed to dodge it this time. Good thing Sougo came when he did because we wouldn't want Hijikata to lose these wonderful reflexes he has.]

What're you doing here then?

[From their conversation, Sougo gathered that Hijikata got here first. Sougo doesn't know how long though. He surmised that Hijikata got here a few hours ago. That's how he ended up knowing all the stuff about this place, right?

And he wouldn't admit it, but Sougo's a little curious about what his superior is up to. Kondou's not here, so the next closest ally is Hijikata-san, unfortunately. At least he's a reliable ol' punching bag.]

[mayoninofukucho]

Training. We each get magical powers that get channeled down to us through our bond with our familiar.

[Or that's his understanding of how it works, at least - no familiar, no magic (and also they'd get booted back to their time-frozen homeworlds straight away.]

I'm praying to every god there is that yours is healing magic.

[firstsaderesponder]

We can find out.

[After he puts his jacket back on his shoulder, he lunges towards Hijikata for a one-two punch. You can't test out if you have healing magic if there's no one to heal, right?

Sougo will figure out purpose of the annoying mascot familiar in due time. He doesn't care much for that new piece of information when the opportunity for harming Hijikata is at hand.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[He quickly jumps backwards, broadening his stance and gripping his sword hilt, ready to draw. This sadist got stranded in a land of myth and magic, and the first thing he does after getting the most barebone basics down is go right back to making Hijikata's life harder?! But honestly, there was no precedent that should have made him expect anything else.]

Stop being a pest and get your ass up that cliff already!! The caravan isn't going to wait for you!

[firstsaderesponder]

[This sadist got stranded in a land of myth and magic, and the first thing he does after getting the most barebone basics down is go right back to making Hijikata's life harder?!

Yes.

But Hijikata dodged again...how disappointing. Oh well, they're both stuck here. There will be plenty of more opportunities to kill him. He has to stay alive to remind Sougo of home be target practice. Sougo looks up at the top of the cliff. Intimidating, but the Shinsengumi has had harder tasks. Even if the stairs don't look very safe, it's miles better than having to scale up a mountain.]

A caravan to where? Annoying mascot land?

[Hijikata, he just got here. Do you still want to do all the exposition for the NPCs?]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Don't insult him now, Sougo. He didn't unlearn to dodge your homicidal antics in just one month!]

To Camelot, the capital. The man running the outpost up there will give you all an info dump, so stop asking me about everything. If you don't hurry up there may not be a free cloak left for you.

[We wouldn't want that, now would we?]

[firstsaderesponder]

Got it.

[Sougo actually follows Hijikata's instructions this time and starts to head up the stairs...but not after trying to quickly nab Hijikata's Shinsengumi coat right off his back. If it proves successful, Sougo will take the coat and RUN.]

[mayoninofukucho]

Hey!!

[That's what he gets for not wearing it properly! He immediately sprints after Sougo, but trips on the sand and loses some ground on him.]

Sougo!! Stop! Give it back! You have your own, bastard!

[firstsaderesponder]

[Guess what? You're not getting it back like that, Hijikata-san. Sougo's too far away now to hear exactly what Hijikata is saying, but he can probably guess. That's how it is when he's had Hijikata bitching at him all his life.

Hijikata better get up and catch up quick. Sougo's trying to get up those stairs as fast as possible. Luckily, even with his head start, the cliff is so tall that he hasn't reached the halfway point yet.]

[mayoninofukucho]

You better listen, or you'll regret it!!

[He's gaining ground on you, Sougo!! His legs are longer, and also he's been up and down this goddamn cliff a couple of times already. And he's mad. His anger fuels him and makes him run even faster. By the time Sougo is about 3/4 up the cliff Hijikata catches up with him and makes an aggressive grab for the coat.]

[firstsaderesponder]

[Regretting it, huh....that's funny.

Both of them are used to their little cat and mouse gag, so Sougo shows no surprise on his face as Hijikata catches up. He was expecting it. So he was starting to ball up the coat and--]

Oops.

[As soon as Hijikata reaches out, Sougo hurls it downwards, hopefully down a steep slope.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Should Hijikata have known better? Should he have been more careful? Should he have remembered what happened with Kamui only a month ago? Yes, yes, and yes. But he didn't. So he goes staggering back, right over the cliff edge. He doesn't even manage to scream... and then, before he can plummet too deep, he gets caught in the open palm of the Cliff Beast.]

Ah..!!

[He sits up and looks at where Sougo is presumably peeking down. The massive hand start rising to let him get back to where he was, but he protests and points at the beach below.]

No! Down, I want down!

[The Cliff Beast briefly pauses, then lowers its hand all the way to solid ground and lets Hijikata hop off. He turns back to Sougo once more as the big hand retreats back into the cliffside, and flips his subordinate off (though it's doubtful if he can tell from all the way up there). Screw you, sadist prince!! See how you deal with the rest of the arrival without him! Hijikata will stay here and get some training done (once his legs stop feeling like jelly).]

[firstsaderesponder]

[Falling off a cliff because of two sadist boys sounds like an awful situation, but Hijikata had it coming. Meanwhile Sougo watches with a mildly shocked (and disappointed) expression. He's never seeing something as big as the Cliff Beast, even among Amanto.

Well, at least he got rid of one annoyance. Now to get settled in this new place.]