phantasmemes | TEST DRIVE 004

Hello and welcome to the fourth test drive for Phantasmal Rift!

Test drive threads are assumed to be game canon for accepted characters unless otherwise noted, so don't feel like you'll have to introduce yourself a second time to everyone you meet! As an added bonus, participation in the test drive comes with the chance to earn up to two items of loot for your trouble! Characters who are accepted can earn one item for having a top level, and one for tagging out to someone else's top level! Your SWEET LOOT will be included with your acceptance notice.

Additionally, characters currently in game can earn themselves a piece of bonus loot for the dungeon by tagging people's top-levels on the test drive! Existing characters get their bonus loot along with the rest of their loot at the conclusion of the dungeon.

This test drive takes place in Keystone Reef, a water-influenced Fissure to the northeast of the station. It is home to numerous fish and coral species, as well as a very interesting magical effect...

OPTION ONE: FINNY FUN

Under the water is where you woke up, and under the water is where you might be stuck for a while. The magic is lodged in you and has changed your form -- maybe a little, maybe a lot. Perhaps you only have gills, but you may also have a full set of changes, fins and no feet to speak of. Don't panic, you'll surely be fine if you just keep swimming...

Aside from the strange changes, it's a pretty cool place to be. If you've ever dreamed about scuba diving on a coral reef, the place that you've found yourself is perfect for that (minus the needing to scuba part). Curious fish swim up and then dart away into rock crevices, coral growths, and even down to bury themselves in the layer of sand at the bottom. The water is also fairly shallow, allowing you to surface if you so desire.

Even the sharks are friendly and just want to have as much a look at you as you want to look at them. Don't harass the glowing eels tucked into cracks between the rocks, though, they bite and don't particularly let go.

OPTION TWO: WORLD'S SMALLEST JUNGLE

This must certainly be an oceanside jungle - in spite of the humidity, the smell of salt on the air is strong. Brilliant greens and the occasional bright flowers, accompanied by island birdsong... It could be a nice place to spend an afternoon. There's not even that many bugs that want to drink your blood (though bugs in general are, well, quite plentiful).

Eventually, though, however far you go, you'll reach the beach and be met with the expanse of the ocean - blue, uncaring, and real big. While one side of the little island thankfully has land visible in the distance, the outer side just overlooks a near-endless expanse of blue. If you're a very good swimmer, you could probably make your way to land past the rocks of the reef itself... Otherwise, though, you might be just a bit stuck on your jungle island paradise.

At least until someone brings a boat.

OPTION THREE: SHIPWRECK

Both above and below the waterline are the remains of ships crashed upon the rocks, just waiting to be explored. Even though it has clearly been an incredibly long time, the chunks of wood and metal are still in fairly good condition, and the chance of finding something nice tucked in with them among the rocks is surely tempting to anyone with an adventurous spirit.

The wrecks beneath the waves also grow coral and seaweed, and provide havens for larger fish, dragon eels, and sharks. Those along the rocks above the waterline, on the other hand, provide a home for seabirds of all varieties. Most notable is the hulking shell of a shipping craft in the distance, looking very much modern if ruined by some centuries of exposure...

For right now, though, you'd best contend with the flotsam a bit closer to you, and the wildlife that might not take too kindly to your exploring. Below the waterline, the dragon eels found in a few places don't take kindly to being disturbed; above, you might run afoul of some overprotective seabirds protecting their nests. Maybe even an invisible seagull (normal sized) - how ridiculous would that be?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Elize... has a pretty good idea of why Teepo stayed the same. But she'd prefer not to give that too much thought.]

He's just... special. That's all.

I don't wanna become a fish!

...Why is everyone changing?

Generally? The Rift planes have weird instabilities like that.

Specifically? Can't tell you. Hopefully we find out soon.

That's... a little scary.

Eh, kinda? But I haven't met anything that's seriously out of my encounter level range yet, so, it's been fine so far!

Thankfully. And I'm not alone in terms of being highly-capable. So just... Keep with people, and we'll keep you safe.

Especially if you're good at keeping us safe too, obviously.

Oh... O-Okay, I will! I'll do my best to help out.

You can count on us to kick butt!

Hmm. What kind of powers do you have, if I might ask?

So that I don't get caught by surprise, is all. I'm a Bard, so magic music and I'm good with a blade.

Um, well... I can use shadow artes and healing artes... And Teepo's very strong, too.

I like to chow down on monsters!

Oh, good! We'll need to see your specific strength level in practice, but it sounds like you're good!

Healing, especially, will be good to know we have more around. Doctor Zeigler will be especially happy, I think.

I'm... I'm alright.

Don't listen to that. Elize is definitely the strongest!

[She blushes a little at that...]

Oh. A doctor...? Do... people get hurt a lot...?

Not too badly, usually, I don't think? A lot of that's that we have some preventative work going, too, though, so that helps.

Oh, that's a relief. I'm glad. I can heal people when it's needed, but it's better when no one gets hurt at all.

Yeah. Can't argue there. The more of us are at our best, the faster we get home...

...I hope it's soon.

Everyone else is just hopeless without us there!

I agree, Elize.

... And maybe, Teepo?

Especially Alvin! He's a mess if we're not there to keep him honest! He-- mfmmmfm!

[Yep, Elize is just going to hold his mouth shut again.]

Don't be mean. They'll be fine.

... Teepo doesn't have much of a filter, huh?

Mhm-hm. Sometimes he talks too much.

[Elize blushes a little bit there.]

Eh, it's okay. He seems like he's a big help to you, so...

He is. He helps me with spirit channeling and fighting. And, um...

He was my very first friend.

... Oh.

[Pidonus just. Pauses. A couple pieces of the puzzle click together, but...]

I don't have a lot of friends myself. Kinda ironic given... Well, we can talk about that later maybe.

I'll work to keep both of you safe.

You don't?

[She knows what it's like, not to have many friends. So hearing that is a little sad. Which might be why she gives a determined nod.]

We'll... We'll keep you safe, too.

You can count on us!