TEST DRIVE 004

[phantasmods]

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?

Comments

[motherfucking_ghost]

Mm, don't get political with me, mister.

[burninglight]

I like to think of it as using my particular skillset to get you to see reason on rare occasions.

[motherfucking_ghost]

Hey, I can totally be reasonable!

[burninglight]

Sometimes. Other times you yell first and think later.

But that's fine. No one said we had to be perfect.

[motherfucking_ghost]

I think this is a reasonable time to yell first and think later, excuse you.

[burninglight]

...Perhaps a little, yes. It is suitable that's my brother's first impression of you.

[motherfucking_ghost]

Yeah, it's a good way to introduce myself to the inkshitter.

I take it he knew exactly who I was despite never having met me. Since he called you up.

[burninglight]

...We've managed a few civil conversations. Your name came up, and I still have the camera in the Armiger.

[motherfucking_ghost]

Thank god you still can use it. There's no limitations on anything you can do?

[burninglight]

None. I've made sure to check and double-check everything several times by now. Elemental magic works fine, you and the others are all linked without a problem, and I don't even seem to be missing anything I was carrying at home.

[motherfucking_ghost]

So it's all...fine. It's all fine for now except for bullshit transforming magic. Is what you're saying.

[burninglight]

More or less, that's the idea of it. We're okay, for now.

[motherfucking_ghost]

Better that we stick together. Protect each other, like before. I'm not losing you again.

[burninglight]

You won't. [He ran a hand through Church's hair, pressing a kiss to his forehead.] Promise. You'll never lose me, and I'll protect all of you.

[motherfucking_ghost]

You don't have to. Is kinda the point. Of a Glaive, I mean.

[burninglight]

I also don't have to be the king all the time, and you don't have to be a Glaive every waking second. For right now, I just want to look after my stupid, wonderful husband who I missed dearly.

[motherfucking_ghost]

...Okay. Who am I to deny you that, huh?

[burninglight]

You would have to be terribly stupid.

I missed you. I missed this so much.

[motherfucking_ghost]

I'm not gonna miss fishiness, if it goes away.

[burninglight]

Really? [He raised a tentacle to flick at the tip of Church's nose, smirking.] You don't want to think of creative ways to utilize this?

[motherfucking_ghost]

[His tail gives an undignified slap in the water.] Ugh! Like what, multitasking because now you have eight more arms? I mean, sure, that's useful, but then you're gonna be wet and drippy and slimy everywhere, and I'm not cleaning that up.

[burninglight]

You are no fun whatsoever sometimes.

[motherfucking_ghost]

Maybe if we get you an aquarium. And if you're doing things that are supposed to be wet. And--

Oh. Really?

[burninglight]

I am shocked and disappointed it took you that long to get the point.

[motherfucking_ghost]

My day has only started and it's already been a very long day.