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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

[Disorienting as this entire situation is, Balthier feels that perhaps the worst part is these dismal rags he's been made to wear— his belongings, he's been told, are stowed away safely, and it's hardly the first time he's had to recover his things after being tossed somewhere unceremoniously thanks to his casual tour of the inside of Ivalice's finest dungeons, but it's quite difficult to feel himself dressed like this.

First things first. Find what's rightfully his, then he'll decide his next step. Fortunately, there's a map to aid, though looking it over as he walks means that he hears Ashe before he sees her.

He stops in his tracks, going very still. It's been well over a year since he's heard that particular voice, but he would know it anywhere, even muttering under her breath. He raises his eyebrows briefly before putting on that familiar, casual air of his, lowering his map as he turns his gaze towards where she stands.

Rags suit neither of them, it seems.]

Princess— aren't you a sight.

[That seems like an appropriate way to greet someone you haven't seen since dashing off towards almost certain death, he thinks.]

[Ashe's head jerked up at the sound of a familiar voice, the almost teasing note to it, and her eyes widened as she took stock of the man in front of her. Balthier. A dead man? Or one she thought dead,, at any rate.

She straightened, body stiffening slightly as she took a step towards him.]

You!

[She was torn between the desire to hug a friend, and to punch him for leaving her and the others in suspense for a year.

Neither urge wins out, though. The weight of emotion crashed down on her hard and she drew up short as she noted just how bedraggled he looked...and remembered her own sorry state. Her expression shifted from thunderhead to deflated, and she shook her head with a rueful smile.]

...Are a sight yourself. Quite the pair we are, aren't we?

Edited 2023-09-04 15:24 (UTC)

[He braces himself— he knows that tone of hers well by now, and given the fact that the last time he'd seen her, he'd made a very dramatic exit and then never managed to resurface...

Well. Yelling does seem in order. A slap, maybe, if he's lucky; a solid punch seems more likely.

He squares his jaw, bolstering himself— but neither comes, and he has to wonder if it's because in his current state, he must look rather pitiful. Perhaps these rags were good for something, after all.

He gives a rueful smile of his own as he rolls up his map and tucks it aside for now, his lips quirking faintly to one side.]

We are, at that. This isn't exactly how I imagined our next meeting, but I can't say I'm not glad for familiar company. I had hoped to be better dressed, I'll confess.

[She thought about it hard, but he is quite fortunate she's feeling merciful, no doubt.

Her head cants to the side as well and she exhales again, steadying herself with a hand on a nearby bulkhead. She looks pitiful too, no doubt.]

On that we agree. On...all counts. It is good to see you well and in one piece, Balthier.

[She is glad for an island of familiarity in this sea of uncertainty, and as infuriating as the man can be...he is familiar. But there is a small concern...]

I can't feel my magic. Can you?

I feel quite the same. You look well, Your Highness.

[He nods, uncharacteristically somber for a brief moment. It is good to see her, well and whole, even if his own state had been the one in question. News of the princess' well-being had reached him even while he'd remained under the radar, though even as he and Fran had made their way to Rabanastre, he'd been uncertain of whether or not he'd see her face-to-face.

Clearly, whoever had brought them here had other ideas and had made the choice for him.

At her query, however, he lets out a soft tch and gives a shake of his head.]

That said, my magicks also appear to be conspicuously absent— out of reach, perhaps? This far from the mist, I suppose it makes a sort of sense, but that doesn't mean I like it any better.

Likewise. We had feared the worst, but hoped for the best. It has been quite some time, and I hope you'll eventually provide some explanation as to why you've remained in hiding.

[But she won't press him. That much she hopes is clear. He is his own man, and he is a friend...but they are allowed to worry. Penelo had been especially distraught, and Ashe simply hadn't known what to say. She was poor comfort in trying times, and she knew it.]

That being said, it is far, but some of the Mist should still linger. The locals said that our powers could be regained, but that seems a strange thing. Much like their preparedness for our arrival. It feels as though this has been a regular occurrence for them.

[Explanations aren't usually his strong suit, at least not regarding his own behaviors— but in this particular case, he supposes he may owe her that. He would owe it to the lot of them, but especially their Queen. He'd known that when heading to Rabanastre to reclaim his ship, and not wanting to explain himself had been one of the reasons he'd intended to avoid seeing her face-to-face&mdas; so much for that idea.]

I'll explain in time— when we're both better dressed, perhaps.

[He may need the advantage of being at his Most Charming to get through it. His gaze is drawn by another Corsair who passes them in the corridor, one who seems infinitely more sure of where they're going than either of them appear to.]

They do seem awfully ready to take on a great number of new potential 'crewmates.' Suspicious, naturally, though I've yet to come across anything about this situation that isn't. [He looks again to his map, then holds it up in one hand.] Let's reclaim our requisitioned raiments and relics, shall we?

Of course.

[Ashe, likewise, was not in the space to really press anyone for answers. She supposed he had his reasons, and it was not something she could do much about at the moment anyway. They were adrift in a strange sea, on a strange vessel, and that took her focus.]

I have a feeling we'll meet others like ourselves, though I should not hold to hope that they will be familiar faces. [As nice as it would be to have the others around, she imagines it could easily be unfriendly faces as well.]

Are yours on the ship as well?

Much as I would be grateful to see any one of our companions, I think you have the right of it— we may not be this fortunate again, though I'd welcome being pleasantly surprised.

[He tends to assume things aren't going to go his way— it's always safer that way, when you can plan for the worst but welcome the best should it occur. That he'd run into the princess herself entirely by chance was wholly unexpected, but indeed a welcome surprise, despite how long he had dithered over whether or not to make an appearance while in Rabanastre reclaiming his ship.

He lowers his map, giving a single nod.]

I believe they are— so I've been told, at any rate. I'm eager to be reunited with them, nonetheless. I'll feel much better about being at sea on a strange vessel once I'm armed.

Then we should reclaim them. If mine are in the bilges, where might yours be? I would prefer to stay together till we're both armed.

[And not entirely because of safety concerns, though that is a factor. She doesn't want to lose a companion again to happenstance. Not in a place so unfamiliar and alien.

She inhales and steps closer, clearly meaning to stick close. The situation does have her feeling more vulnerable than she likes, but she trusts him to have the good sense not to comment on that. ]

Likewise, I believe— even if not, I would quite agree. Strength in numbers.

[Even if that number is but two— they are a formidable two by any standard, something he has not forgotten despite keeping his distance this past year.

He does, indeed, have the good sense not to draw attention to her apparent vulnerability, nor does he remark on the fact that she moves closer, though he certainly takes note of it. Giving her a more subdued smile than is usually his wont, he gives her a nod of confirmation before casting another glance at his map and gesturing to the corridor ahead of them.]

Shall we?

[He doesn't hesitate any further before beginning to walk, but as they go, he supposes he ought to address the elephant in the room.]

I was intending to make it to your coronation, had everything gone according to plan. Needless to say, I was not counting on this.

[Ashe steps clear so that he can move around her and falls into step beside him. It's easy and familiar, and his presence is a comfort. She's still processing that he is alive and well at all...a fact that is incredibly relieving to her...but his comment about her coronation breaks through some of that.

She laughs. It's faint, it's weak, but it is a laugh.]

Certainly not. I cannot fault you for not considering a situation this absurd into your plans. And I'm certain you'd have made a grand entrance to surprise us all by slipping into the audience as casually as a cat, but alas it shall not come to pass.

[It all sounds so absurd, but she could see it happening as clear as she might see herself in a mirror.]

I hope that Basch does not worry too much at my absence, though I know that to be a vain one. The whole kingdom will doubtless be frantic.

[He has to smile at her conjecture; she's not far from the mark, in truth, though he'd been debating whether or not to reveal himself at all. Regardless, he certainly would have been there— neither he nor Fran would have wanted to miss it.]

Something like that. I do like to make a statement— you might begin to think me dull otherwise.

[It's easier to tease, to keep things light, to avoid thinking too hard about their current predicament or the fact that he will, eventually, have to explain why he kept his distance for so very long. He's more than happy to embrace levity as they make their way towards the bilges.]

No doubt you will be missed. [That, he cannot tease about; the concern of how her absence will impact her kingdom is very real.] Such a disappearance is bound to cause quite a panic. Of course, being able to send word would be far too easy.

[He scowls, just for a moment— his disappearance will only be noted by a single other person, but Ashe's could cause real trouble.]

Yes. I can hope only that cooler heads prevail.

[Marquis Ondore and Al-Cid certainly would push for peace, and Larsa would be just as worried by her disappearance as anyone. The world was in at least some semblance of good order once again.]

Little can be gained by worrying about what cannot be changed though. Survival and return home should be our primary aim, and we've a proven record of being difficult to kill.

[She smiles faintly, a distant thing. She's not feeling the most mirthful just now, but there is some satisfaction to be found in being a veteran of much, much bleaker situations.]

That we do— separately and together, as it turns out.

[They've both taken their turns when it comes to defying death and persisting against the odds. They're fast approaching where their things are said to be stored now, and passing crew member gives them a nod and gestures further down the corridor to assure them they're headed in the right direction. As they walk, Balthier gives her a sideling glance, and at last says:]

I realize it's been some time since we talked. Near a year, for me.

The...same for me, actually.

[It has been a while. There's a lot to discuss, so much so that her head swims a bit. Still, she has at least one big thing she needs to say.]

I never got the chance to thank you. Not truly. You truly went above and beyond for Dalmasca.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

« test sail »

STARTER SHIPS: ORIENTATION

ELTRUT: FIRST GLIMPSE

QUESTS

Stormbringer!

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In a Deeply Annoying Twist, I didn't get any of these notifications! I'm sorry!

dreamwidth has been really misbehaving the last several days :c

It has.

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sorry, was out of town as you know!

💖

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