buttrinthum | TDM #7

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TDM #7

Arrival / Enchanted Garden

Whether it be sleep or death, you feel your eyes close, and as your body begins to let go, you see a barn owl that is flying through the darkness, soon sweeping you across the clouded sky. You feel yourself mouth the words, “I wish, I wish..” and utter your deepest and darkest desire.

When you regain consciousness, you’ll find you are in an unfamiliar place with no recognition of how you arrived here. You have the clothes on your back, but nothing else. No weapons and if you had a particular superpower, you’ll notice it is missing. All you have is a satchel with a piece of bread, a vial of water and a potion. The potion could be red, blue or golden. There are no instructions about these potions other than two words: Drink Me.

Will you drink it or not?

There is a parchment, handwritten, and it simply gives you a welcoming:

“Welcome to my Labyrinth. Per our agreement, you have consented to live your life here for an undetermined amount of time. In exchange, I will grant you the wish that you desire the most.”

You’re in a garden, surrounded by flowers and plants– most of which you cannot identify. However, there are a few that you can make out: poinsettias and holly. You’ll soon find out that being around the poinsettias give you an odd sense of joy no matter how confusing the situation may seem and the holly, which is left over from the holiday season, offer different effects - standing too close to blooming holly will encourage a strong desire to be impulsive or try out something they never would have otherwise tried (whether it’s a wild new hobby, or shaving their entire head, or something else).

An Unexpected Blizzard

As harsh temperatures drop across Somnius, the townsfolk seem taken aback by how frigid cold the city is becoming. They expect this year to be chilly, but not exactly this chilly. Seemingly out of nowhere and overnight, a massive blizzard sweeps across the city, piling snow high and trapping Dreamers and townsfolk alike in their dwellings. Perhaps it's not wise to go out -- perhaps it might be better to snuggle up with your housemates instead.

As the day continues, the blizzard roars on, piling more and more snow on top of itself and making the air dense. Those who are adventurous enough to try and leave their dwelling may do so, but it poses as a risk with both high winds and freezing temperatures. Characters who have a fire element from their potion might be suited to be rescuers in this situation. Heat does make the snow melt and keep people warm, after all. They might be someone's only chance for survival, after all.

However, through the dense snow, something is lurking and they are very hard to see. It's the return of the Snow Angels, but because of the intense coldness, appeasing the Snow Angels by offering warmth will not work. Their weapons are drawn and anyone that approaches them at all will be attacked. Unlike last year, heat will NOT hurt the Snow Angels but ironically enough, making snowballs and throwing them at the Snow Angels will ... somehow ward them off. Clobbering Snow Angels with many snowballs will reduce them to just mounds of snow and their sword will vanish into pixie dust.

Any character who gets struck with their sword will risk severe frostbite which can be slowed down and cured by characters with healing abilities.

Trying to Relax

When the blizzard finally subsides, the bitter cold and snow will linger (As will the snow angels, so be careful.) Of course, this means a lot of places will be harder to reach- the path along starlight cliffs, for instance, will be far more treacherous and dangerous to access, and much of Lake Omen will be frozen over.

The path down to the beach, however, is still miraculously clear and easy to traverse- and, more importantly, there's a new path across sheets of ice across the ocean that have frozen over, broken, and refrozen, creating a long ice bridge that leads to a small island. On that island will be found a hot spring, complete with long-abandoned signs of use. This was clearly once an active onsen on this island, and for the most part, the natural warmth of the area has kept the winter cold at bay, meaning the hot springs are still accessible, steamy, and safe for visitors!

There are several springs of varying size and temperature. Anybody who bathes in these springs will find that they’re comforting and relaxing, soothing away the aches and tensions of your muscles and your mind alike. A few people may hear an odd, barely-audible whispering voice or echo on the edge of your hearing while you’re in the water, but don’t worry about that, that’s probably nothing. However, those who bathe in the waters may also notice a few odd side effects:

The most common effect will be uncontrollable emission of steam and bubbles from the bather’s mouth. The steam doesn’t burn them, the bubbles don’t interfere with speech and breathing, but both will be a mildly distracting nuisance until you’ve fully dried off from the spring
Many of the springs will make those who bathe in them feel incredibly refreshed and energized; maybe even too energized. You swear you’re not normally this hyper. Don’t worry, it will wear off after several very productive, very exhausting hours.
Some of the springs will enhance the most dominant personality traits of those who bathe in them. Anxious? Try ‘neurotic wreck.’ Brave? ‘Stupidly reckless.’ Reserved? ‘Completely emotionless.’ You get the idea. On the other hand, others will neutralize those personality traits, returning them to normal or even inverting them entirely. This can last anywhere from a day or two to a couple of weeks.
A few of the springs will induce a unique transformation. Those exposed to it will find that whenever they’re submerged in water, they grow gills and webbed limbs that make them fully amphibious and capable of swimming effortlessly. This transformation doesn’t impair them on dry land, aside from their skin being notably cold and clammy to the touch. Those who are already amphibious or aquatic by nature aren’t visibly affected. This will also last for anywhere from days to weeks.

Those under the effects of any hot spring will find that the mermaids in the unfrozen portions of Lake Omen are no longer as hostile to them. In fact, those affected by the aquatic spring, even those who are otherwise unchanged, will find that the mermaids are quite friendly and very chatty, though an unsettling amount of their conversations seem to revolve around how appetizing your fellow villagers look.

OOC

Welcome to the labyrinthum TDM! Characters will arrive depowered and with only their clothing, and will be given a satchel with a crystal pendant, a communication device, some water and bread and a magic potion. If they drink the potion, they will manifest an elemental, healing or animal transformation ability.

With the exception of Castle Vaeros, characters are free to go as they please, so feel free to place them in any of the locations available on the map. Yes, this includes the Labyrinth - though characters will not be able to clear the maze.

You can find more information about the game here. Any questions regarding the TDM can go under the comment below.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Arrival:
[Arriving in a garden with no real idea on how she'd even gotten here, now that seemed like a familiar predicament for the fit blonde as she didn't seem to be panicking or particular upset about the situation for the moment. She did take note that her things were gone, including her vortex manipulator, not that it had been usable anyway after her last trip. She really did have a awful habit of totaling her methods of travel, didn't she?

She rifles through the satchel that was new to say the least, looking for something useful, reading the parchment and looking through the very slim amount of other things within it.]

Agreement? Well, don't remember doing that. And Drink Me? I'm thinking maybe I shouldn't be drinking something when I don't know what it is.

[She was talking to herself, an old habit that died hard, but since when did she care if anyone heard her, though she did seem awfully chipper about the situation although curious about how this all came about to begin wtih.]

Now let's see...a bit Christmasy around here, isn't it? Can't say I mind though, seems kind of pretty really, but got to keep track. Need to figure out what happened to Noah, and perhaps more about what's actually going on.

[Excuse her, still talking to herself before she sees someone and calls out, waving an arm at them happily.]

Hey you! Over here! Got a moment?

[Blizzard]
[Well, this bites. Literally. Frost bites. Okay, silly joke, but it really wasn't fun when your body who was usually capable of dealing with hot and cold temps like this easier suddenly couldn't. Was this what it was like being fully human? She'd imagine so, but here she was, freezing her butt off after being caught in it. But nope, that couldn't be all of it because she was freezing and running from...what the hell were those anyway? Angels made out of snow?

In an attempt to slow down the attacker, she grabbed snow and rolled it into a ball, throwing it at the being's face to at least blind it for a moment if she was lucky.

....Did it just. Wait a minute, let her throw another one. Yes, it did just start crumbling, and the more she threw the snow balls at it, the more it crumbled and yet.....well, that was anticlimactic....but the problem was she was still freezing! She really needed to find some shelter in all of this, and quickly. She absolutely would be willing to take some aid in figuring out where the hell she could hole up right now.]

[Relax]
[This blond could be found today enjoying those springs. It had been the last stop on her exploration, and a long needed relax time was just what she'd needed.]

Oh yes, that feels so much better. So much more relaxing, and I already feel like I've got my old energy back.

[She often spoke quickly but this time, it felt like she couldn't stop while she seemed to swim and swim and swim within the hot spring as if she had boundless energy and couldn't stop moving for even a moment. Just what an already energetic person needed. More energy.]

Edited 2024-01-02 22:23 (UTC)

[It just so happens that Stolas was taking another one of his usual walk through the gardens when he hears a voice call out to him. He pauses and turns towards the voice. Hopefully they won't be started by a lanky owl demon heading their way.]

I think I can spare a few to answer your questions.

[He smiles a little. Obviously, this wasn't an uncommon occurrence for the bird prince.]

[Having come from a planet with fish people, she doesn't seemed bothered by his appearance at all and runs to catch up to him quickly.]

Yeah, sorry, but are you a local here?

[Since she doesn't know much about the place currently, she figured it was better to ask rather then assume.]

Sorry, no. I arrived here just the same as everyone else that's woken up in this very garden.

[He shrugs a little and as he slows down his pace enough for her to walk beside him easier.]

But, if there are any questions I can answer, I will be happy to do so.

[She catches up quickly enough.]

Oh, I have loads of questions. Thanks! Not everyday you wake up not remembering how you got somewhere, though I'm not sure how I feel about it when it happens.

So, this isn't the first time someone has shown up here like I have then? This happen a lot? People showing up with a note about some agreement they've made without remembering it, I mean? Where is this place anyway? What's it called? I got that bit about it being a labyrinth, but it must have a name?

[Talk about quick fire questions.]

Edited 2024-01-03 01:27 (UTC)

[Usually when he agrees to help the newer arrivals out, they are less asking the bigger picture questions and instead more concerned with the deal and the potions. To say he's a little surprised by her questions is...

Well. It's surprising. Stolas studies her a moment before smiling a little.]

You know, most people that show up here are more confused than curious. I'm also guessing you've woken up in strange places before? At least, that's what I'm gathering from your various questions.

[As for answer answers, he slides his hands into the pockets of his warm coat and glances up at the sky for a moment.]

As for your questions, this place is called Somnius. Yes people showing up after making a strange dream like deal is normal. No, I am not related to the owl that made the deal with you.

Well, I'm not most people. I prefer to see and try to figure out the big picture, and yeah, you could say that. Just call it the risk of my profession.

[Now to the rest.]

Now then. Somnius. Never heard of the place, but there are a lot of places I haven't been yet. So, is that the name of a city....or planet? Just wondering since I'm not really sure where Somnius is supposed to be exactly.

Oh? And what profession is that?

[Call him curious.]

Actually, I'm not sure. This place seems to be its own realm of some kind. All anyone can figure out is that we're here at the invitation of our gracious deal making host and that there isn't a known way to escape.

Oh, you know, traveling, saving worlds, that sort of thing. Runs in the family.

[She brushes it off as not the most important detail here.]

Now moving on from that, you're saying it's own realm, so do you mean it's separate from the rest of the universe? From time and space? Well, there has to be more then that involved, and I have to leave. I have a friend who needs my help so I can't stay here, though I imagine he'd have a hard time tracking me down here at the moment, but we've thought that before about the Colt-5000. Seemed like she was always able to find us no matter where we went so if she could find me here, Noah probably would too, or if she couldn't, then probably not.

[She seemed to be mostly talking to herself by the end of that. Don't mind her, she does that a lot when she gets to thinking.]

Has anyone arrived here who wasn't invited by our host as you called him?

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[Loki had been out and about. Checking on people on occasion, getting supplies. Bundled up for the weather but this wasn't nearly as bad as some places he'd been. Jotunheim came to mind as the closest comparison, and he'd been...alright there. Sort of. note to self: try and regain that armor--that was when things started to go badly for him, but it also was useful armor that wasn't what he was most known for too. It'd be especially useful right now, but he was making do with warm clothes and layers.

Hood up, he'd been on his way over to help whoever this was with a snow angel, when they managed on their own. They certainly weren't dressed for this weather at all. Long strides and he kept his hands where they could be seen.]

I'm guessing you're new, or you're trouble and someone kicked you out without you being prepared.

[Hey, this was bad timing for a blizzard for her, okay? She looked up at him, her arms hugging and rubbling herself warm as best she could.]

New. And usually, the cold doesn't bother me so much.

[Now that she wasn't running from a freaking angel, it was starting to get cold fast again and she was shivering. Her...shivering....well that was new.]

Wouldn't happen to have a place to go for some shelter for the moment, would you? Bit chilly out here.

[It was honestly through pure force of will that she wasn't shivering yet. Stubborn girl.]

[Well, she at least wasn't treating him as hostile. Good sign that. As Loki came closer he's already unwrapping the long scarf from around himself. By the time he was close enough, it's shoved at her.]

Yes, but you're not going to do well making it there without some relief.

[Loki was debating for all of a moment before slipping out of the hooded coat and passing that over.]

Actually, use the coat. I'll take the scarf, and we'll both manage. This way.

[He was fairly bundled up--but the truth was the cold didn't bother him so much. Apparently that whole wish-system had worked, and his status as a frost giant had been restored. Loki just wasn't keen to let on that secret easily, so better to make a show of things.]

[No, she didn't tend to treat people like hostile unless they tried to be hostile first.]

Well, I don't know, I'm more stubborn then I look. Still, you're probably right about that. Still not used to having to bundle up like this.

[And ok, now she has a scarf...and then doesn't and has a coat instead. She actually laughed despite the cold temps, keeping in high spirits despite the shivering.]

I'm going to make an assumption you don't need it? Or are you planning to be the one to freeze instead?

[Not that she's not pulling it on right about now. She really could use some better cover. She really wasn't dressed for this kind of weather right now, but then again, she'd never needed to be before.]

Thanks. I'm Jenny by the way. And you are?

[Introductions seemed like a good plan. Though probably not the best place for it either and she seems to realize that.]

Oh wait, probably not the best place for introductions is it. Best find some cover first.

[As upbeat as she was about all this, he'd start hearing her teeth beginning to chatter with that last sentence. Oh yeah, she wasn't liking this whole getting cold thing much.]

[Fortunately, from his height compared to hers, the coat swims on her. And has a hood. And pockets. Please make use of all of those things. Loki talks while wrapping the scarf around his head and neck mostly, before starting to walk.]

Bit more used to it, clearly more bundled up even without the coat, and planning to walk briskly so we don't freeze.

[Easiest ways to explain it without saying too much, and all entirely true.]

Tavern's a walk, but as long as we don't run into more of those angels we can make good time. I'd say well-met, except that you're not prepared for the weather. The trading of words and wit, is appreciated though.

[Look, she is. See? Hood going up, wrapping coat all the way around her, and hands going into pockets.]

Right. Well, we best get a move on then. Lead on! Don't worry, I'll keep up.

[She'll follow his lead since she has no idea where that is yet.]

As for the angels, apparently throwing snow balls at them is the trick, and that's easy enough. Didn't even think that would work. I was just trying to blind them. Glad it was a better result then that though.

Also, I think I'd be perfectly prepared for the weather if it hadn't just started while I was out here. Then again, still figuring the place out. Had a bit more on my mind then a possible blizzard starting up.

[The coat was at least keeping her warmer then she'd been, but she was still shivering because let's be honest, it's really not enough layers. Warmer was still better though. Although, boy could she talk even though it was freezing. Then again, helped take her mind off the cold a bit more.]

So, I know I said probably not the place for introductions, but seeing as you said it's a walk and all. You got a name or am I just calling "Hey you" for this whole journey? Obviously your not planning to give me the cold shoulder at least.

[That was an awful joke, but hey, she obviously thought she was quite funny despite it. Then again, freezing probably wasn't helping her jokes be any better then they usually were.]

Careful or I'll take the coat back and leave you here to freeze.

[Loki might've been teasing. Maybe. His tone was fairly serious, so the joke might've annoyed him.]

I knew that about the angels, was actually on my way over to help but you took care of it quickly. You must've just come from the Garden then with rotten timing.

[As they walked, blue-green eyes slanted over to study her a bit.]

Loki, of Asgard.

Jenny || Doctor Who || New Character/Player

Arrival

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