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

Kaiba is thankfully not alone, and Loki's been out a few times. More than most people probably should, but he's not un-used to weather like this. Bundled up, but he drops his hood as he gets closer to the spring. Even offering a smile when he recognizes who's testing it.

"Hope you're not hoping for privacy. These are usually designed for sharing and won't be a secret to anyone who does brave the cold and trails." But Loki IS glad to see that Kaiba bundled up. Once he's close enough, he's wasting little time and taking gloves and layers off carefully, laying them nearby where they won't get wet but won't take up too much space.

Kaiba blinks and looks up from where he's kneeling, relaxing when he processes and recognizes the voice. Loki's probably the person he trusts most in a situation like this, and it's all right if they're together.

"No, it's...probably safer not to be alone, with how weird things tend to get around here," Kaiba admits softly.

But if Loki thinks it's safe enough, he'll follow. He sets about removing his layers and folding them, gritting his teeth against the cold touch of the ground. Once all that's taken care of, he wades in and pulls his legs up to ensure there's enough room, shoulders and knees poking out of the water.

"Did your group make it through the blizzard all right?"

"We have a fireplace and hearth. Provided Alice does not let herself get overexcited and caught unawares, we're doing fine." Loki wades in as well, though he doesn't quite copy Kaiba; he sits with his legs crossed but under the water. They're both tall enough that as large as the pool is, it's only seating 2 people comfortably.

"That was actually one of the first things I did--testing this wish system. I sought a renovation to the cottage Gamora and Alice have, since they're letting me live there. May as well make myself comfortable as well as test things, y'know?" Because Loki totally hadn't been doing it to be nice. Or say thank you. NOPE.

Kaiba's still feeling a little awkward, hugging his knees, but he'll start to relax as the heat flows through him. Nothing strange seems to be happening to him, so he eases into a more comfortable and open position after a minute or two.

"I had to venture out for firewood once or twice. Had some help escaping the snow angels---but I can handle them now, it's fine," he admits. "And I made sure to stock up before another blizzard kicks up."

"I've been making sure we have enough wood too. Trying to check in on people too, especially if I know they're alone." Allies were important to have, and Loki did care at least a bit more than just as basic allies for a few of those people.

"Your key here will be layering. Lots of layering and conservation of heat. Remember what I said about tapestries and rugs?" With a hint of smirk. "Asgard never suffered as Midgard did, but we visited enough and were versed enough in the various realms to know how to deal with things. This all reminds me of Jotunheim really, just..." A pause, trailing off, blue-green eyes full of secrets. "...more pleasant, in some ways."

"Right. I've been setting up what I can as I gather the shards to afford it," he confirms. The house is already fairly warm and full compared to a few weeks ago.

Those mentions of mysterious lands catch his attention, though. He leans forward a little, curiosity sparked.

"What happened there? Worse than the frostbite angels?"

"Jotunheim is one of the nine realms that are centered around Yggdrasil. That is, the World Tree as it has been conceptualized throughout the ages in Asgard and beyond. The nine realms sit among its branches, although it's more like a great universe in the larger cosmos than an actual tree. At the top of the tree lies Muspelheim, and the very bottom, Niflheim. Realms of primordial fire and ice, that when brought together, formed the universe. Asgard sits near the top, with Vanaheim almost on level with it, and Jotunheim just below. It is home to the frost giants, so you can imagine how cold it might be."

Some of this, or parts of it, Kaiba might remember from Yule if he'd listened at all to Loki's stories. And if not, Loki would happily share again. "In my universe, Midgard--that is, Earth--sits near the middle of the tree. It was one of a few realms they tried to conquer, and the sight of their last great battle in their war over 1000 years ago. Odin, and the army of Einherjar of Asgard helped to fight them back to their own world. He defeated them, though did not kill them, and stole the source of their power."

Kaiba listens intently, finding himself relaxing more as Loki goes on. He'd enjoyed the stories at Yule, so hearing them again is fine by him. Frost giants...mm, that realm would have to be frigid. He's heard stories of eternal winters.

"And what was the source of their power? What happened then?"

"They lived, but remained in Jotunheim. The source of their power, that they wanted to use to try and transform Midgard into a land like their own, was the Casket of Ancient Winters. It was kept in Odin's vaults along with other relics and items of power. Jotunheim however was weakened, and as a realm, could've been easily destroyed. The frost giants are the other ancestral enemies of Asgard--the monsters in their bedtime stories for children."

Loki is careful to keep his storytelling mode on, in his voice and expression. One hand--his left--does move to trace circles in the water aimlessly. It was his left arm, that had first revealed the truth to him from the frost giant's touch and grab.

"A frost giant's touch can cause a freezing burn, even if that sounds like it makes no sense. They are larger than an Asgardian, vanir, or human by a few feet and some bulk, have blue-grey skin with occasional ridge-design patterns at their brows or along their torso. Their eyes are red, and some have bone-like ridges along their forehead. It won't surprise you hopefully to hear that they are masters of ice-based magic."

Seto listens carefully, trying to figure out the layers of the story. As a god, Loki knew more of these things than the average citizen, right? He had to. But he'll behave for now.

"And with that...it'd be fairly simple to imprison a world? Leave it frozen?"

"Trigger a new ice age, which is what they wanted to do to Midgard." Loki agreed, with a small pleased smile that Kaiba had figured it out on his own. "Not entirely unlike the dark elves who wanted to bring the universe back to the state it was before light existed. Smaller scale, however."

Finally he abandoned the water and looked more fully at the other. "You have questions." Although he was glad to see the other relaxing some too.

Seto looked faintly embarrassed at being so obvious. He rested his cheek on his fist as he thought.

"I'm not trying to pry. I guess...I don't know, I keep thinking about how you fit into all this. What it must be like to have this long history...but it's no big deal. I just like the stories."

"Fit in, in what way?" Loki asked, chuckling softly at Kaiba's expense. Not meanly though, but he knew the other hated being more easily read in his expressions.

"If you're curious, I'm 1,053 years old."

That felt so...incomprehensible. Seto didn't exactly like to think about human mortality, but he had to on occasion. He exhaled softly.

"So you live long enough to see slow changes in the world over time, in a way humans never will. We build on the past with old stories and history books from our predecessors and distort the picture with each new generation."

They had data archiving now, but not even he could archive everything.

"Did you have a lot of interaction with mortals back there?"

"We'd visit occasionally, impress or terrify them. Why do you think they thought us gods?" With a slight smirk there, wondering if Kaiba would pick up on something. Namely, that Loki had just let himself imply that no--they weren't really 'gods' as some people thought of deities.

"Sometimes our bets would involve us coming here as well. Asgard started out as conquerors, then eventually moved into more of the keep order and protect role of the nine realms. Mostly because Asgardians were the strongest of the people in the realms."

They thought they were gods? Hm. Strange. Seto thought this over for a few more moments, then listened some more.

"Hm. Well, from what I know of us humans...we tend to resent being lower on the food chain than we'd like to be. There's always some primitive part of us that wants to express domination through strength. No wonder the scaring worked."

A little breath. "Is it strange to be stranded with a group of mortals?"

"There is an unfortunate truth to 'might makes right', in that the more might you have, the more you can decide what is 'right'. Humans have always understood that, and it holds true for many races in the universe." Loki mused a bit, but he could also tell Kaiba was thinking. Good.

"Yes, but it's not the strangest thing that's happened. And certainly not compared to much of the strangeness here."

"Hm..." Seto pondered, leaning back against the ledge and closing his eyes. In and out. He finally felt warm and comfortable, so this line of thought didn't bother him too much.

"But I interrupted you. Was there more to the story about the great frost?"

"Depends on if you want to hear more." Loki said, glad to see the other relaxing some too. "There was a long held...not truce exactly but close to, for the millenia. On what was to be Thor's coronation day however, 3 frost giants attempted to steal the Casket from the vaults. Despite being forbidden by Odin, Thor, the Warriors 3, Sif, and myself all traveled to Jotunheim to investigate. We would've made it home safely again too if Thor's pride hadn't have gotten the better of him with a taunt from one of the frost giants. Laufey, their king, was willing to let us go."

"Breaking the rules to follow your own sense of justice..." Seto smiled. He could relate to that. And still, Loki had ended up in a bind through no fault of his own.

"I've worked alongside people like that. Kind, caring...easily provoked." Said the pot, talking about the kettle.

Loki snorted and not quite doubled over in laughter. "Oh Thor was not kind or caring per se. He was arrogant as anything, and eager for battle. Most younger Asgardians are a bit bloodthirsty but he was...unfit to be king, in many ways."

Thor had changed though. It had taken humbling on Earth, and adventures besides that--and more pain than either of the brothers probably cared for really. Once Loki calmed back down he studied Kaiba.

"He cared less about justice than about reminding the frost giants who was in charge. We're alive because I warned a guard before we left, and Odin saved us."

Oh...oh, he misread that. Seto blinked, waiting for Loki to explain what really went on.

"Oh. My apologies. People who are the least suitable for power are usually the ones to seek it out," Seto murmured. Again, pot, meet kettle. He shook his head. "Things must have been awkward after that."

"Awkward is understating it." Loki sighed, before meeting Kaiba's gaze. "Time for a story then, that most have never heard. Much as I want you to think well of me, I find...I want to tell you all of it. No lying." Then he let his gaze drift.

"Odin told us, when we were young, as he recounted the battle and showed us the casket--that only one of us could have the throne, but we were both born to be kings." He'd mentioned that to Kaiba before. "Thor is the elder, so it was always expected he'd take it over at some point. He grew up as the crown prince you'd expect of a warrior people. Arrogant, eager for battle and glory, admired for his strength. Popular with other warriors, including 3 of his closest friends. Also popular with the ladies, especially Sif though she was also a highly skilled warrior."

Loki moved to let his hands drift once more on the water's surface. Oddly calm about all of this, despite the telling of it. "I was...not like the others. Never as strong, and my talents not suited to be a warrior like they were. I had magic, which mother taught me. But trickery and illusions are not seen as honorable or fitting for a warrior though I was trained as a prince ought to be. Using magic weapons, that was for warriors--or Odin, as the allfather was an exception to many rules. Using magic itself was not."

"How narrow-minded of them," Kaiba admitted. "As much as I resented magic for interfering with my life before...it's just as valid a method for battle. And other uses. The advantages should be obvious."

But that wasn't really the point of the story, so he nodded and allowed Loki to continue.

"It's more it was...often seen as a woman's domain." Loki was phrasing it that way deliberately. His mother had taught and trained him though, and often pointed out that ultimately in battle the goal was to come back alive. Therefore however you did that, was valid and honorable.

"I was the tag-along little brother, never really trusted or admired." Not that Loki had, at times, done much to help that impression. Thor had adored him for some reason, pranks and all, but the others...

"In any case...Heimdall is the guard of the bifrost, and Asgard's borders. He's known as all-seeing and all-hearing. Getting 3 frost giants into Asgard without him putting a stop to it was not easy." Waiting to see if Kaiba would pick up what Loki'd just admitted to, or if he'd assume it was just part of the story telling.

Hot Springs (No transformation, just resting and a bit chaotically energetic ;) )

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