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Welcome to the first Test Drive Meme for

escordvi! Anyone can participate in the test drive, regardless of invite eligibility. Just keep in mind that only those who have received invitations from the mods can actually reserve on August 25th and apply on September 1st. Our Interest Check can be found here.

For your toplevel, please include the following: Character Name | Canon | Armada Choice. If undecided, put "Undecided" for the Armada.

For everyone's convenience, TDM threads can be carried over in game if you wish! If you are still unsure which armada to place your character, you can play it a bit loose and vague in the TDM and make retroactive changes if you carryover the threads. We'll have more armada focused prompts in the opening log in September. The log itself is set to cover the next two weeks, until the end of the month. Characters will appear at random intervals during this time rather than all at once, so players have some more flexibility on how much more adjusted they are for someone else.

IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR MAGIC USERS!! All magic abilities will be "sealed" until characters get their tattoo from the Inkwave parlor in Eltrut. That means no magic on the starter ships before docking.

We do require TDM threads for samples for our application!

If you have any question about the TDM, comment here. If you have questions about the game in general, please comment to the Game Info.

TOPLEVEL DIRECTORY (Updated August 28)

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

There are two ships that serve as starting ships for each armada: Stormbringer for the Corsairs, and Royal Fortune for the Paladins. There are various ways new arrivals—or riftfarers as they will be called, among other creative names—will appear on or by these ships.

🚪 Random room. It could be empty, filled with crates or supplies; down in the hull where the livestock are kept; have the luck to awaken in a bed...or the misfortune of that bed already occupied; somewhere in the kitchens; in the bathroom—any room! Now let's hope the doors can open or someone may have to try and ask for help. Or jump through the porthole if there is one and it's above water.
⛵ On deck. If not in the ship itself, another possible spot to wake up to is somewhere on the maindeck. If they're lucky, they're on the deck itself. More unfortunate souls may find themselves caught in the sails or netting, the crow's nest, or on the top of the masts. Someone should be able to help, right? Or catch.
🌊 In the water. The most unlucky sods will find themselves appearing in mid-air just past the ship and plummeting straight into the water. Good news, there's always someone on the look out for such a thing and calls for help to throw a lifesaver get the rowboat will be made. Are there sharks? Well... ...Are there?

However the new riftfarers arrive, they will be poorly clothed, practically rags or loose uniforms depending on the ship. Fortunately, veteran crewmates will guide them, escorting them to a room with a strange typewriter in it. After typing their name, the typewriter will magically continue and type by itself at a fast pace until it dings and rolls out the paper. This paper will have the following information:

• Name and Shellphone ID (journalname)
• Armada (Corsair or Paladin, will match the starter ship)
• Cabin Number for their personal cabin on the starter ship
• Apartment Address for their personal address at their base armada location
• A basic map of the starting locations in Eltrut, including written directions (continued in the Eltrut section)
• A basic map of where they can find a chest with their original clothes and belongings (this will be different for every person and will be anywhere either on the starter ship or on Eltrut—players can be creative here).

After that, the crewmate will do their best to explain the basics of how they got here, what's going on, and what they'll need to do to live in Escordvi while they are here, giving them a small leather pouch with money. They will be reaching Eltrut soon, so the crewmate will suggest they look around, meet the others who have arrived. Even from their distance, they will be able to see the giant sea turtle that serves as Eltrut's leviathan.

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

After reaching the port of Eltrut, several birdfolk will appear and happily greet all the new arrivals from both starter ships. Here it doesn't matter which side they are affiliated with, as long as they keep those swords and weapons sheathed and not pointed at each other's throats. The birdfolk will even act as guides, showing them the main places they should visit and give them a visitor's map to help guide them.

🐚 Microshell. The first stop that is encouraged will be Microshell, the main store to acquire their own personal Shellphone. The paper they received on their starter ship will have their ID and the staff at the store will set them up, explaining how the device and the network works.
✒️ Inkwave, Tattoo Parlor. The next stop is Inkwave, a tattoo parlor run by a very burly but friendly octopus, Knistej. Here everyone receives their own unique magic tattoo, allowing anyone to cast specific single element spells and other magic. Note: tattoos are required before anyone will be able to use their original magical abilities.
📜 MANTA office. The final stop is the MANTA office, where all the request, mission, and task notices are posted. Each armada has their own branch office for armada specific notices as well. A great place to find jobs to earn some cash so they don't stay a hobo forever.

It's a lot to take in for sure, with the port city bustling with all walks of life. Not only do they have both armadas mingling with each other, there are different races and species from all over Escordvi gathered here. It's not just humans, which many riftfarers always seem to be surprised about. There are also plenty of veteran riftfarers who will gladly give some advice and even share stories of their world. Maybe some are familiar.

After finding their belongings, exploring the town, and meeting other people, being able to just sit back and enjoy a drink and warm meal will be in order. While there are plenty of places to choose from, the Minstrel and Cask will be the top recommended tavern for all newcomers to visit at least once. Great drinks, great food, and can learn a lot from the patrons or meet more people.

Of course, as expected of a highly popular tavern, it's not always peaceful. A man will ask travelers what they want to do with their life. Clearly drunk, he only accepts answers that hint at wanting to find riches. If told this he will give out a treasure map. But if told anything else, he'll put up a fight, hoping to deliver a black eye. Those who do receive the map will be sorely disappointed—it will lead them down a long, winding, circuitous path around town and end at a random outhouse, likely occupied and certainly stinking to high heavens. There's likely some kind of moral here, but at some point, others who have been duped will return to the tavern to sling their fists around.

Looks like another tavern brawl for the night.

QUESTS

For those who want to try their hand at some quests, there are a few that would do well for newcomers. Teaming up is of course encouraged, no matter what the affiliation. You can assume they acquired some kind of ship for the quests out at sea, either the starter ship or some other ship heading out there.

Spicy Squid Eating Challenge

Eltrut Port

There is a traveling food ship (think food truck but on the water) that has been going around challenging ships to their extraordinary Hornswaggle's Spicy Squid Eating Challenge. If participants can scarf down a prepared three-pound bowl of exceptionally spicy ghost pepper squid and rice, they will win their meal for free as well as a crate of dried spicy squid for their ship's stores. If participants fail, they will have to pay for the meal and the crate.

...Careful, are some of the squid tentacles still moving?

Coral Reef Snacks

Eltrut

Rumour has it that certain types of coral reefs contain unique properties that can make you more alluring to the one you desire, but no one is sure what the side effects are. Test this out by trying to crunch into chunks of coral reef pieces to see if there are any added effects on your body. Hopefully, they don't ruin your teeth in the meantime.

Oh, and you have to find the correct coral reef too! Red chunks seem to make you more affectionate towards others, while blue chunks seem to make you more volatile towards others. Eaters, beware!

Giant Sea Slugs

Starter Ships

Giant sea slugs tend to only attack ships if they feel threatened but are otherwise peaceful creatures. They're about the size of a large wild cat. They also secrete a slime that contains strong disinfectant properties. This thick slime is highly sought after for its ability to heal wounds cleanly, so kill them and collect as much slime as possible.

Killer Sharkgulls

Eltrut port and ships

Seagulls can be a pain to most ships. Yet, seagulls that have evolved to be violently carnivorous can be even worse. These new birds, effectively named sharkgulls, have been seen attacking ships and ports alike. They are big enough to eat small children in one gulp or will do their best to eat full-grown humans after they've ripped them to bite-sized shreds. Beware and kill them before they can kill you!

Siren's Serenade

Out at Sea

A merchant's ship has crashed upon an outcropping of rocks after being lured in by a group of rogue sirens. These captivating creatures possess the power to ensnare their prey with their enchanting voices, luring unsuspecting souls into the depths to meet the grim fate of drowning.

Search for the missing ship and help rescue the captive sailors before it's too late! You will be supplied with special earplugs to muffle out the siren's voices so be careful to keep your ears effectively plugged. You don't want to succumb to the siren's bloodlust yourself.

Any sailors or rescuers affected by the siren's song can be treated with a harpy's potion that can reverse the song's effect. Or tie up the afflicted for twenty-four hours to wait out the effects.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Now that was a way to make an exit. He'd be asking some questions about that later, to be sure, if nothing else because gosh he'd sure love to be able to do that how mysterious.

He'd be upon the beach later, bringing along his tottering, sodden giant to do the digging. If the man didn't have one hand on the shovel and the other partially out to ensure he didn't topple over, both of them might have been on the drow by the look of it. Or rather, by the looks Jarlaxle was getting, god knows what the elf promised him. Something was mumbled by the man when he spotted Reaper, 'who's this' made the most sense though it came out more like 'oo's 'is'. The question was waved off as Jarlaxle gestured towards the beach.]

Just a guide, don't be so jealous.

[His attention was turned back to Reaper just as soon as he said that of course-]

We should be looking for loose sand, I would imagine? It shouldn't have been buried for very long, hardly enough time for things to settle.

[No one to be jealous of at all.

His head had perked when he heard footsteps, and finally turn around with a nice swish of coattails. That same mask, but it looked as if someone had certainly given himself an on-theme dramatic 'glow-up' just to make some enjoyment out of it.

Arms crossed over his chest as his hips cocked a little to one side, the little gold detailing here and there glittering nicely. Hood up as always. Leather and fabric, a black and red sash about his waist, and those thigh-high boots certainly looked as if they could well break someone's neck if something else didn't—]

Depending on how close to the tide when it was buried, yes. Map?

[Even his gloves had changed to something that went further along arms, hidden a little by the jacket sleeves, but those sharp metal claws were still there. Hand held out for said map.]

[Oh a costume change! Very dramatic, Jarlaxle didn't even attempt to hide the obvious approval on his face. Good enough that their hired digger here was too busy being Totally Not Jealous to notice his 'date' openly eying the man. Jarlaxle handed over the map promptly, doing well enough to mind the edges on the other man's glove.]

Hopefully it was buried well enough away from the high tide line, I'd hate to think that my things are sodden and tarnished.

Where ever did you have this outfit hiding?

[There's an offended sounding grumble from the sailor, responded to with a gentle hushing from the drow. Don't be jealous.]

[Reaper unrolled the map, looking it over and matching it with details he had noticed during his exploration of the beaches here given the time he'd managed to get before this run-in. A few solid natural markers and he had a pretty good guess to the area they'd find the other man's things.]

May be in some luck at least, which I'd think quite a few of us were owed in winding up here in the first place.

[For now? He would keep hold of the map, better to check that way as he made the small gesture for them to follow, the long tails of that red-lined black coat fluttering with his movements.]

This? Something I threw together, better to blend in while still holding up my own personal aesthetic; finished the last touch before heading out here. Come along then.

[The man made it.]

[He was nothing if not patient, waiting quietly as the shovel man hovered around him, trying to mumble things occasionally to the drow. Enough attention was given to him to at least soothe whatever animosity might have been starting to bubble up given Reaper's introduction to the whole affair, Jarlaxle knew better than to keep blowing the other man off. Hell, he even brought along something to keep the sailor's attention, the gentle pop of a cork out of a bottle indicating as much.

Well, he needed him good and plastered, or else the man might be far too conscious and aware by the time that damn hole was dug.]

A little bit of luck would be far preferable to the majority of the luck we've experienced thus far.

[He followed, beckoning the sailor along.]

A man of many talents I see. Well, should independent contractor work ever fail to make ends meet, you could have a rewarding career in costuming.

['Independent contractor', because you don't just outright state a mercenary's business, that's rude.]

[He was more than happy to leave placating the labor to Jarlaxle, giving their surroundings and the map itself the majority of his attention. Some still there, given Reaper's habit of keeping up his guard even when he looked at his most relaxed. Walking along the sand as he kept rested a hand near his sash where only one of those large shotguns of his and a knife were secured.

No show of threat, just an easy place to rest his hand as the other was keeping good hold of the map.]

Not all bad, at the very least.

[Already new he was going to make the best of the situation- even if that meant raising trouble to make his being stuck here anyone else's problem if the want arose.]

Been told that once before, and at the very least I can amuse myself with it- or offer a hand of thread to those that know the use of hidden pockets.

[Guess who could well help make someone a far more secure walking arsenal, could do so for himself as well.]

[He kept close, and the sailor closer still, though the latter might mostly be due to the poor man's terrible sense of balance, that one big hand clapped on the drow's shoulder was just as much out of lust as it was out of a desire to not pitch forward into the sand.]

I'll admit, I'm tempted to commission you for more than just a little beach side sight-seeing now. I've quite a love of fashionable utility after all, and you seem to have a keen eye in regards to it.

[And hell, he could pay. Why not spoil himself a little bit?]

Once we're more settled in -even if that only takes a day or two- I'll likely have the time to slot you in for something. Still making tweaks to this after all to work with as I go.

[Yet that outfit Reaper wore certainly looked very much like a complete outfit- even more so with the visible details here and there. Even had gone so far as to embroider a few designs along the edges of fabric to make sure it all tied together; reason it had taken him so long while blending in the sort of 'armor' he was used to.

Man took pride in what he bothered putting together.

Counting steps along as they walked, once passing the most familiar landmarks there on that map. A metal claw tapping lightly against the side of his mask after a moment, metal on metal-]

Not too much further.

Perfectly fine, that ought to give me plenty of time to think of an idea worthy of your hand.

[The sailor grunted, apparently cluing in on the touch of flirtation that was starting to color Jarlaxle's language here. Once more, the drow went to idly console him, not stopping to do so but hey, he was being mindful of his feelings. You know, to an extent. As far as he needed to.

At Reaper's words, he took a moment to glance about, scanning the sand for any hints of disturbance. He'd only but arrived that day, if his things were buried far enough away from the water, the place where they were should be fairly clear...]

I do hope they're properly protected, I'd rather not have to wash and dry them...

Easy enough to get in contact here as well, given the communication device we've access to.

[He eyed a few hermit grabs scuttling along with shells -a few in a line to exchange ones too large or too small- as he moved a little more inland before he was rolling the map up as he walked.]

It will all at least be in a chest, so there'll be that much.

[No footprints, but there did look to be a mound of sand that didn't quite match the area around it.]

Might be right up here.

[There we are. He gestured to his staggering friend, and with a belch and a lurch that was equal parts eager as it was inelegant, the sailor went forth to start clumsily shoveling at the mound. Jarlaxle of course hung back with Reaper to oversee it. Had to have a supervisor after all, safety first!!!]

Wonderful. Maybe I'll only have to pick out an exceptionally intrepid crab or two then. I'd promised you a payment as well, as I recall. I've some coin from this place to spare, I doubt you'll want what I have from home.

[The map was held back over for Jarlaxle to take, weight rested more on one foot than the other as his head tipped. He didn't plan on sticking around for the entirety of this retrieval—]

I'll take the coin, since it will come in handy around here- and while you likely have quite a few things from home on you when you last remember, never know in this place. May need all of that which you have.

[He'd been watching an awful lot more than he gave off.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

« test sail »

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

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