avalaughs | TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 6

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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 6

Check out the OOC intro meme for this month to say hi to new players/characters!

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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 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 still chilly, but not enough that you can't manage on your own. The Lady of the Lake is swimming around under the water, but seems to be focusing on coordinating a band of mossatees to help rescue any wayward new arrivals. Mossatees are a special Avalonian manatee that is green in color and has what appears to be a patches of grass or other short plant life growing on its back. While some are fully green, many sport blooming flowers or fairy circles of mushrooms.

If anyone tries to ask the Lady of the Lake for directions, she will direct you to Archimedes at the Rent-a-Ride. Those with animal magic may get their info from the manatees, though may notice that they're really overly friendly and have zero concept of personal boundaries. Everyone may notice they have no concept of personal space, as they will happily run right into someone's belly for a snoot squishing. 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.

*Reminder: Your character's familiar may or may not be with your character in their initial plunge. If the familiar isn't partial to water, it may meet your character on the beach or sit atop their head while they swim. Or if they are, they might splash about and swim alongside your character. Familiars have different personalities and body specs and we leave those up to the players.

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 animal-themed ponchos 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. Which given the fact that it's pouring down rain in April? Not ideal. You were only given ponchos, not rain boots.

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.

Unfortunately, due to a bee infestation and massive amounts of rain, the hot springs of the Red Springs are not available this month! Instead, an underground salt cave is offered as a way to relax and unwind. Gather around in the rejuvenating, dimly lit caves and breathe in the relaxing effects of salt crystals. Feel the sand between your toes, or if you don't like sand, try one of the many pools with tiny garra rufa for a fish pedicure. Or, lie down in a recliner and stare up at the "stars"-- magic sparkles in the ceiling that move to spell out single-word concepts you may be experiencing. (Maybe you're relaxed? You might get something like "Chill." Find your relaxation buddy hot? Just be careful to look away before the stars spell "Thirsty" to the whole room.)

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 it turns out, a mythical land that's been around for a few centuries has a few things in common with many modern worlds. It's got the internet, and games have evolved a little bit past hoop trundling and draughts. April, being the traditional month of mirth and games and lots of rain making it hard to have fun outdoors, is the time for Camelot City Gaming Convention, affectionately shortened to CameCon. Come into the large convention center located in the south part of town, get dry, and check out some of the awesome things to do.

A ⦿ Couchless Co-Op

Fighting games

NASTAR Racing Game

rhythm dance game

Grand Theft Automation

really

B ⦿ Arthurian RP in your Arthurian RP

LARP as their favorite Knight of the Round Table

rock-paper-scissors-magic

dress-up

props that will magically give you sword skills

picnic on the concrete floor

C ⦿ It Figures...

A convention isn't a convention without a little shopping. Come check out what cool games are upcoming in the exhibit hall, buy figurines of your favorite game characters (or.. new ones you've never heard of since this is a new world, but are still cute and/or kick-ass), and most importantly, check out the cool magic you can apply to them. A spell available for purchase in the convention hall that's popular this year is Recipe: Figure Anima, which makes your figures move in place and say popular lines as if they're an actual, miniature version of the character. It's recommended you practice while you're in the convention hall though so figure experts can help if things go.. awry. People have been known to have their own emotions influence the spell, and sometimes toys have started taking on the attitude of the caster. There's nothing quite as tragic as your favorite angelic game character telling you they're gonna kick your ass because you were in a fighting mood. So OOC. Maybe you can find someone who's a little better at magic to fix the problem?

Of course, when the rain breaks through and floods the exhibition room, there's a lot of mass hysteria as people scream and climb up onto tables, trying to protect their merch above all else. Hurry, help someone else up onto your table before their ent dakimakura they just purchased gets wet! Only you can save the gamers from water! ..Or that's what you thought, until a second later the electricity goes out and you're left in a total electricity blackout in the convention hall. It may be a good idea to use some magic to try to light the way and find a way out of the flooded hall...

A ⦿ Keep Your Vines to Yourselves

overgrowth of prehensile, very friendly vines

destructive magic

without

tickle the person the vines have captured

B ⦿ Selfies with Selkies

very, very large flower

Take a trip up to the Archivist

Cereus de Anima

the Silent Shore

shirtless selkie

take a selfie

eventually

a cottage on the other side of the Pure of Heart Bridge

old man that Morganna tried to kill and save in a quest a couple of months ago

C ⦿ The Answer is No

Back in Camelot City, it seems that anyone who's been touched by the vines has been replaced by a doppelganger in their lives. They're just barely off from the original- they have all the memories, but may be slightly more skilled at things they didn't used to be, or may seem to make less ethical choices than they might otherwise. There's just something slightly off. But when people start using AOL to contact their friends and let them know they've been gone.. well, it may seem like the jig is up, or at least in question.

Those who find out they've been replaced may want to return to Camelot quickly to try to reclaim their lives. Doppelgangers will attempt to kill their original if they come into contact with them when they aren't around other people, so you may need to flee for your life if you haven't gotten good enough at magic to defend yourself yet. Around other people, the doppelgangers will do their best to try to prove themselves the real person and since they were made from the original, will have the same memories as the original character so asking questions that "only ___ would know" may not work. Eventually it will come out that the doppelgangers have occasionally wriggling vines instead of spines underneath their clothing, if you're willing to check that to see who's real, but that won't be common knowledge.

What can be found out from the old man at the Pure of Heart bridge if you choose to leave your doppelganger alone is that Cereus de anima doppelgangers can only live for a month without killing their original and absorbing the rest of their essence. However, if the original plant isn't taken care of with a special venom you can only obtain from certain creatures in the Forest of the Fisher King, the problem will just keep happening over and over until the city is overrun and becomes nothing but a breeding ground for the flower and its replicas.

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.
• You can have any animal-style poncho you want! They are themed, not made from actual animals. No animals have been harmed in the making of these ponchos!!
• TIMELINE: The resolution to the third prompt will be in April's event! The first two prompt sets will be during the first week of the month. The doppelganger problem and obnoxious traveling and research will be occurring for the second and third weeks of the month.
• People with green magic may be able to fill something off about the doppelgangers, but may not be able to identify what it is right away. Blood mages will be able to feel that their blood feels the same as the original as they are essentially copies. Cognitive people will be able to use their magic normally except for hypnotic suggestion- the doppelgangers are immune to it, so while you may be able to find other ways to out them, hypnotizing people to tell the truth won't work this time. Doppelgangers are made from the essence of the person, so they will be able to access their phones and accounts. Note that the Cereus de Anima and doppelgangers are not fairies and cannot be contracted with. If a Death Mage attempts to possess a doppelganger, it will technically come in contact with the doppelganger's vine and may end up with more than one doppelganger depending on how many times they try it. Siphon magic can be used to destroy a doppelganger easily, however, the essence that was stolen from the original's soul may be destroyed in the process so it is not recommended as the original may start to feel as though they are no longer a whole person.
• 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. Make sure to read the Red Spring section on this month's even if you're normally familiar-- the springs are closed this month, check out the alternate prompts!
• Questions about this TDM's content? Comment here! If you have a question about the game at-large, please head over to the FAQ.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

I've had plenty of names thrown my way. Being called a circus performer wouldn't be the worst.

He didn't exactly trust this guy to actually tell him, even if he's not 'one of' the first and not 'the first' but only because they just met.

"Then I think 'improvement' is about all I can promise you. There's still a certain amount of control you don't have at first; it's easy to startle an effect out of someone by accident if they're just reacting as fast as they can with whatever they can." Ironically, that meant those who had been trying to hone their combat skills were likely the most affected by 'accidents' compared to those reacted slowly to things regardless.

I look forward to seeing you then with a more proper introduction.

Especially to the person who managed to make Thanatos socialize.

That's no fun.

I'm a fan of powers. They're convenient.

I like convenience.

You mean you can find some good wine.

[ Good luck, buddy. ]

[ The second Zagreus is down, Hypnos climbs right on his back shamelessly. He doesn't care at all as long as he's not the one making the hike up those stairs. So if the offers there, he's taking it.

Zagreus might be just be one of the few people that Hypnos would be willing to do favors for. ]

Next time? Well, as long as you don't ask me to open up a door that I shouldn't.

Moved~!

What—

[ If he were in any better condition, Eustace would have been met with a terse "No". As if weakened in more than just a physical way, he skids to a stop, the earth and soil rolling up his boots as he instinctively lets the man go. He was at the breaking point between stopping to fight or get desperate with his own magic via wind bursts, so the assertive command of his temporary load throws him off.

Best hurry, least your words sink in and he snaps out of it to refuse, Eustace.

Spoilers. He thinks he isn't gonna like it either. What happens in the ~~Forest of Evil~~ woods, stays in the woods. ]

[ Blocked after this exchange with Weiss. One less bitch to worry about, as far as Blake's concerned. If Raven wants to get in touch with her in the future, she'll have to circumvent the block with some hacking or use somebody else's account. ]

( note: HOPE THIS IS OKAY, i thought it could make for some fun future drama -- lmk if you want me to retcon this and i'll delete )

Oh it's for sure both, though generally in terms of usefulness Wei Wuxian has not historically been able to be replaced by a few sturdy bits of latticework, so this barely even counts.

He's not so caught up in vines he doesn't notice that hesitation, because he's an inveterate multitasker, but really, who isn't missing one or several people at basically all times? Isn't that just called existing? It's a little much, to be in vines and emotions at the same time, when neither are his. There's not much for it, but he can hold his arms up and be a better trellis, sure. "I can do that. I can make wine, too. It's been awhile, though, so no promises it'll be what you're thinking of. But isn't being wine enough?"

Edited 2021-04-18 15:42 (UTC)

Caesar shrugs. It could be that and he won't deny it. No point to until he turns up something proving it ultimately one way or another, right?

"I was just leaving to get the True Fire Rune back from those ruins," Caesar answers what he feels is the much more pertinent question right now. "But that, apparently, doesn't match up with what Chris last recalls, so I may be a little behind from where everyone else is from."

[Oh wow, he really does have a witty quip for everything, huh? Ochako laughs again and nods, making a mental note about how different pros act and interact with others. It's really kind of cool how some of them are so into the role of being a hero and others, like Aizawa-sensei, prefer to do work outside of the public eye. Different strokes and all that, probably... Ochako herself doubts she could ever handle a bunch of media attention, once she really becomes a Pro.

But that's a thought for the far, far future. Back home, in her world. She can't be thinking about that now, as she works to lead an evacuation of people and personal items outside as quickly as possible. Ochako has to be completely focused on her task, otherwise her control on the magic may falter... It's not tied to touch, but to her thoughts, after all... If she doesn't maintain a sharp focus and a deep concentration on what she's doing...all those things and people will drop.

Thankfully, once she's 'In The Zone' so to speak, Ochako does her due diligence to the best of her abilities. She may only be a first year trainee, but she has enough experience and training to know at least the very basics in a rescue situation like this. It's not overly difficult, but could escalate if not monitored, so timing is the real key element here. Everyone out and to safety as quickly as possible. It takes time all things considered, there are quite a few people in this convention hall alone, but others step up to the task at hand, guiding people out, helping those who are less able bodied, and assisting to carry out goods as well. A particularly kindhearted centaur and minotaur actually load themselves up with a good chuck of items, and make their way out to assist the efforts.

It seems the actions of the two heroes are bolstering others to do their part, and things go slowly at first, but begin to pick up pace...but Ochako looks pretty beat, as she has to stop and take a rest, wiping her brow a little bit. Woof, it may not be as physical a strain as when she uses her quirk, but the mental strain of her kinetic magic use over and over again is very real. She's exhausted, and there's a dull, building throb at the base of her head. Going to need a good rest after this, for sure.]

Good work, everyone!! We almost have everyone out, I think!! Darkwing-san, h-how are you holding up?

[In response, Ken just gave a sigh.]

I suppose you would run into him sooner or later. But the important thing is that you're not hurt.

[Then he gave a pause] But I suppose it's a good thing that he doesn't have his Persona either.

The idea that anyone is letting him be silly as opposed to just getting hauled along for the ride? Hilarious. But he appreciates Klaudia's impressive degree of commitment to the bit, and with barely any coaxing or goading from him, even, that's pretty rare. It is hard to keep a straight face, so why bother trying? Decorum is just another word for not making so many faces it becomes impossible to play a flute.

But the requirements of formality have technically been met, so he can offer the very ornate stick of a sword with Wei Wuxian typical insistence and disregard for caution--they're friends now, and he's eager for his newest friend to get on with the inscrutable platform project. There has to be some silver lining in having to give up his lounging and not getting to see any lizard-esque wall climbing. "Yes, how fortunate we both are. But mainly you. I'll be keeping an eye out for sticks, from now on."

I’ll simply trust your judgement then, Gaius. [He’s always been an honest guy, so Machias trusted that he’d be led to a good place.] Forgive me if I’ve already asked this, but how long have you been here?

The suggestion of this being the afterlife takes Lan Wangji by surprise and he scans the area more intensely, with wide eyes as if looking for something, some sort of confirmation. Could it be...? But he does not remember dying, and that is something spirits are usually capable of recalling when he has cause to ask them.

And the rest of what she's saying is no less strange. He looks back over to her. "The world was ending?" The world is a big place, but he thinks he would have noticed if that had been the case.

He could return to ignoring her existing a few steps away just fine; that seems like a personal problem. One she's choosing to make his problem at this point.

Being addressed completely incorrectly is a little vexing and his brows crease briefly at it; he isn't used to someone not knowing how to address him. But her apparently subpar upbringing can be overlooked on account of the fact that he doesn't particularly want to talk to her.

Her silence is regrettably short-lived. And what a question she chose to prolong their non-conversation. How would one quantify 'interesting'? Is 'interesting' a positive attribute? Where he's from is as chaotic and tranquil as anywhere, as beautiful and messy as nature and people are wont to be. And it is currently frozen and unreachable, the people in some peril, if the horse-lender by the cliffs is to be believed. The hand on his sword tightens though he keeps walking at an even pace.

On second thought, correcting her may be called for. "It is Lan Zhan Wangji," he says slowly, stressing his courtesy name as if that clears anything up.

If anything, the look on his face is...weary. He hunches a bit, conscious of the scar he'll forever wear on his back where she'd...well, killed him, for lack of a better word. Had it not been for Katara...

He sighs, shaking his head and looking back up at Zuko.

"Zuko, if I'm honest...I don't know if she can change, not really. I mean, I'd hope, but..." He pauses, collecting his thoughts. "Time and place can change people, I accept that readily - but with Azula...I'd need to see it. Really see it."

He pointedly doesn't answer the last question - mainly because Zuko can probably read the answer on his face. He's from further down the line, as it were - and things do not get better.

[He follows her gesture up to the weapon and recognizes the problem. It should be almost no effort at all to send his own sword flying up there to cut it down, but not even that is within his capabilities anymore.

He glares at the vine, then follows it along to where it's sprouting through some branches a little closer to the ground. With a running start, he leaps off a tree stump and slices through it, just barely managing the jump without the boost from his spiritual energy. But who needs that when you have frustration and determination.]

"Ah yes, just when I made my dramatic entrance," he says, in over inflected tones Nadir would probably appreciate. His timing throughout the Fire Bringer War hadn't been perfect, but at least he got the intel about the ceremonial site in time.

"But you're right. I remember leaving the ruins. And the Grasslands altogether."

He hadn't gotten much past Caleria, but his mission was over, as far as Nash was concerned. What could the discrepancy in the timeline mean? More importantly—

"Chris is here?"

Hearing that did help him relax a bit. At least felt better about how overwhelmed he felt. “It’s a lot on your own. I can’t help but worry how my friends and family are doing.” From what he understood, they were frozen in time, but he still wondered.

Funny thing is, he was used to that, even if it’s been a few months. Maybe not exactly like that, but they probably would have a lot to talk about if it was brought up.

It does help, hearing that. Even if that wasn’t exactly his main worry. At the mention of his familiar, he gave a small nod, with a small frown. “Yeah, though…” He glanced back at the clearing. “I don’t know.” He gives a small shrug. “I’m not really sure how to think about them.” Or how they thought of him, but he felt that would be silly to share.

It's called making small talk. Because some people don't just walk directly out of an awkward situation like it didn't happen. Also she's far too curious about people in general to simply leave things as they are, even on the best of days.

But the fact that when he does respond, it's only to correct her manner of address, she blinks and frowns at him. One might think he's said something unreasonable.

"Like, the whole thing?" The question is hesitant and a little incredulous, and she follows it up with another: "Do you not have a nickname or something shorter? Everyone just goes around calling you Lan Zhan Wangji all the time? And that doesn't get to be a mouthful for them?"

The airbender's response takes the wind out from Zuko's sails just by the first look. He feels his heart clench and drop into his stomach at the following words, as a dark expression sets in over his face. He'd gotten the same response from Iroh. Has he been a fool under her thumb all this time? Had he deluded himself into thinking he was being wise to be kindhearted, when he was being just as thick as usual, Azula four steps ahead as usual? He looks weary, himself.

"I understand," he says softly, eyes downcast in his lap. "I wish I could explain— I know what you're saying, what you must feel... And I can't prove anything for her. But— it was you and Uncle who taught me to believe in the power of second chances. Third chances. Even Azula deserves redemption; she's a person, not a monster... But I know that's hard to believe for anyone who doesn't know her that closely. Even for Uncle. It used to be even for me. It's just— it's different, being spirited away. What's there to fight over here, away from everything else that matters? It's just us now, just us as people..."

This was the most honest case he's made in her favor so far. He'd been convicted in defending her against their uncle, feeling more gusto there, leaning on family ties. But Aang? There was nothing but Zuko's honesty to defend Azula.

"Zuko, I'd hope that were true, it's just..." How to explain things he wasn't there for? It wasn't even that she'd be enacting some evil scheme, just that the last time he met her - well after Zuko's timeframe, it seemed - she was...well. It had likely been better when she was categorically insane.

Who knew what waters she had found on the other side of seeing their mother again?

"I want to believe that, Zuko. I really do. But after all the times I've dealt with Azula..."

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TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 6

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