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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She's trying. Trying to practice her new abilities here. Her Light magic and newer Green magic. But as she adores dogs, of course she pauses in her training, in her practice at her new abilities when she spots a puppy! Naturally, she wants to go and give it a pet and make sure the little guy isn't lost or something? She doesn't immediately associate the voice with the dog, because as much as she has come across so many, she's never actually been able to understand them. And the voice certainly wouldn't be what she would expect from the puppy either. So she calls out, making to follow the puppy.]

Ah, wait!

[....as if the puppy would understand and respond. But still. She tries. Cue her tripping in her haste to follow, her huge Protozoan familiar in the doglike state shaking it's head at her. As if anyone would expect anything less than Colette following a puppy to pet it and name it......]

[One day he'll get this damn thing right—

Sensing and hearing the young girl calling out to him, Eustace initially ignores her, mostly because he doesn't want to get involved in weird, potentially uncomfortable matters. Nothing personal against her, just not what he needs at the moment. But when he hears her trip, he stops and turns to see her on the ground.

...Ngh.

This would be a perfect chance for him to escape, but he does feel a tug of concern. She...kind of reminds him Lyria for some reason. He can also feel his familiar just staring at him, as if questioning what he's going to do. With a sigh he turns and walks over to her.]

Are you all right?

[He'll just. Have to explain himself before things get too weird.]

Eh? Who - puppy? You can talk?! Ah, like Nanaki!

[No, Colette. Not quite like Nanaki....

But she does at least eventually figure it's him talking, as she gets herself back up and brushes herself off. At the least, she doesn't seem hurt from tripping over, save perhaps a little grazing at her knees and hands but that's pretty usual for Colette given how often she trips over air.]

I'm okay! I trip over all the time. I'm used to it. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. You weren't lost or something out here, since I couldn't see any others.

[Another dog, other puppies, she means.]

[He's going to have to explain this every time isn't he—

He'll just pad over and inspect those grazed knees and hands. Hmm... .......Must resist urge to lick them. He may be in a dog form, but that doesn't mean he has to behave like one!! (However that is an interesting thing to note so mentally filing that away.)]

...I'm fine. I'm not really a dog, either. I can use animal magic and was practicing, however I've been unable to change out of this form.

E-eh? So. Oh, you're not like Nanaki then? I...I don't have that ability. So I'm not sure how to help you change back. I don't know if you telling me about yourself might help?

[Colette wonders if something like that might work or not. In sort of a reminder of who he really is? She's not sure exactly how it works. But if she can do something to help she does want to? To at least try. Even as she tries to resist the urge to give him pets in this particular form. S-such a cute puppy...!!]

[Yes, he is a very cute puppy. A cute, floofy brown husky puppy with big ears and fluffy tail. Looks like it would be very soft to touch.]

...Talk about myself?

[... ... Seems...odd. Also good luck with that, he's definitely not the type to really talk openly about himself. Not without reason, anyway.]

Y-yes! I mean. I don't know if it might help, if it might work or not but. Remembering who you are? As a...human?

[Or whatever he might be otherwise? At least, if not human, close enough? Given she could understand him? Colette's idea might not work, necessarily. But it's a guess. It's something at least. She gives a shrug, looking almost sheepish and apologetic in not being sure on all this, as she tries to resist the temptation to give him a pet. So floofy and tiny.....!]

[......She really is like Lyria. Unknowingly more of his guard is lowered, and he can tell that she is restraining herself. It's also not too difficult to tell what it is she wants to do. So he sits down next to her, considers her words, and then slowly starts to speak.]

First, I'm not a human but an erune. We look similar but have differences, notably our ears.

Eh? Erune? What's different about your ears?

[She asks, curious. As she relents and tentatively reaches for his head, stroking back and at his ears. As if in this form she would figure the answer. Evidently this isn't what he usually looks like. So it might not be dog ears like this. Maybe his ears were more pointed, like Genis and Raine's. Or maybe his ears might be like a cat's or something for all she knows.]

It varies even within our race, but they're more like animals. Cats, rabbits, foxes... Mine are similar to a canine.

[Like now, just. More adult and less puppy. Speaking of which, he's more or less used to someone petting or scratching his ears, but it feels different in this form somehow. It's still a pleasant feeling, though...so he'll just lean into her hand a little.]

Oh! So yours are like a dog but others can have other animal ears.

[And somehow she just easily takes that in stride. Probably easier for her given she hasn't always been human herself. With the whole Journey of Regeneration and becoming an Angel and all. Part of her might even be a little jealous, almost. At becoming a dog, at having adorable dog ears! But she does give a nod, smiling as she pets his head and scratches at his ears.]

I wish I could do that. I love dogs, they're so cute! And I bet you hear really well with those ears like that.

Hm... They're not that better compared to a humans, particularly with proper training, but we can be more sensitive to sounds.

[It is true that he can detect sounds faster than most, but that's mostly due to his training and need to compensate for his weakness. But there are certain frequencies that he's also more sensitive to compared to a human, so there is that.

...Wait, maybe he should also make this point clear:]

...We don't transform into the animals.

Oh! So this is something you can do here? That's amazing though! I wish I could become a dog! They're so cute and fluffy!

[Colette seems all the more impressed and disappointed all at once that she missed out on such an ability here. And that he couldn't normally do this if he gets cute dog ears normally, just to complete the look and all. Still, it is a relief if he can at least still talk like this. As she continues to idly pet him in stroking near his ears.]

Mm... They call it animal magic. I have potential for elemental magic as well.

[The more she pets, the more relaxed he unknowingly becomes, his eyes closing as he just idly thinks about what meaning there could be for him to have this kind of magic. ]

What about you?

Oh, there's one for animals? I wish I had something like that! But ah, I'm....mm, Light magic. I have that and I can help plants and flowers grow!

[She brightens at saying that, given the situation back home at Sylvarant. The way the mana supply was declining and the crops were dying and suffering as a result. It was kind of amazing for her to figure this particular power here as a result. She can't help but to smile at it, but she doesn't offer a demonstration just yet. Because clearly the pets are more important!]

Light magic..that's where you manipulate light, correct? [When he first heard about it he thought it was similar to the holy and healing magic back in his world, but it seems to be slightly different. He's not going to ask for a demonstration outright now, but he does notice that smile.] You seem pleased to have both, anyway.

Yes. And I am! Well, especially the plants. Back home, they aren't doing so well, because of our lower Mana supply. So to be able to help them grow here is pretty amazing!

[She says with a smile, giving a nod as she explains and confirms about his question. There were reasons she was so glad on getting the Green magic type. Even if she was still definitely adjusting in learning both of them. In figuring more control and how to use them, exactly.]

Lower Mana supply?

Yes. Mana is like....hm. A life force? Without it our crops and plants won't grow so the environment, we suffer because of it. That's why I have to do what I can back home to fix things. Why I'm so happy here to be able to help plants grow!

[She tries to answer and explain at least, as she idly keeps petting him and stroking at his ears in habit around dogs. Colette can't help but to be thrilled about it. Even if she doesn't have such abilities back home at least here she could help the flowers and crops and trees grow. As if this makes up for everything back home somehow, or something. But this was nice, peaceful, sitting here chatting with him like this.]

[His head tilts slightly to look at the young girl enjoying herself. It's a little strange feeling, but not an unpleasant one, and seeing her smile and resolve once again reminds him of someone similar back in his world.

...]

I hope for your success.

Thank you. I hope so too.

[Still. Maybe it's weird. To be told people hope for her success given what said success means for her in the end. But she's used to it. Everyone tells her that. And at the same time she wants that too, if it means things would be better for everyone. For Lloyd. She keeps telling herself that. But she tries not to dwell on that, to keep smiling as she pets him.]

[If Eustace ever hears the truth he'll be very very not happy. But for now he's oblivious and just continues to enjoy the headpats...

...

Until suddenly he's no longer a puppy and pops back out back to normal. Now Colette doesn't have her hand on the head of a puppy, but a full grown adult man who is sprawled on the ground next to her.

...

Well there are worst ways. And he still has the fluffy ears??]

Huh? Ah!

[Colette definitely, obviously, notices the change. The change from the smaller head, the fur to the head of hair instead. She starts in not having necessarily expected it right then and there but she is still relieved he seems to be back to normal? Or mostly? He said his people weren't entirely human exactly, their ears. So maybe that's normal for him. She hopes. She shifts, removing her hand as he changes back.]

You're back to normal now, right? You did it! You changed back!

[....even if she has Emerald she will still miss petting him. What a cute puppy he was!]

[Eustace slowly raises his hands as if to test and ensure that he doesn't have any random paws or anything else.]

...Yes, it would seem so.

[He then slowly sits up and looks over at her.]

Sorry if I startled you, but just to be clear, this is my real form. [Yes, including the ears that look as fluffy and pettable as ever.] I'm not sure how I changed back, however. I can only assume some of my energy had restored enough to do so.

[Which is...a bit unsettling as he'd rather more control over it. But he's back to normal so he'll take it.]

A-ah! It's...you still have the ears.

[Well. He'd said as much. Colette just hadn't actually seen anyone with animal ears like that, is all. So it's a curious and kind of adorable sight. At least, it was to her anyway. She does give a nod at the confirmation this was what he usually looked like. That was good to know as well. Even if she would never say no to encountering him in dog form again. He did make a very cute puppy!]

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