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buttrinthum2024-01-01 05:31 am
TDM #7
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).
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.
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.
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.
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What about those snow angels? Those new as well, or were they already here? Not that they were difficult to take down what with it only taking a snowball or four.
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What have you been told so far, about your situation here?
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[She starts ticking off information on her fingers as she thinks.]
Let's see, aside from the usual note and such, this place is called Somnius. People are currently stuck here. I've heard about our gracious host of course. Something about I've made an agreement that I personally can't' remember making, that people apparently people can get pulled out of any time or place and also disappear, assuming back to their worlds or realities. That there seem to be a multitude of species here. That all of my things are gone, and that I'm basically the equivalent of a human with odd genetics here. That I've made a wish which our gracious host apparently intends to grant but have to stay here and there is no current way to get back, not so happy about that part. Something about a wide-spread invasion that happens every few months or so as well. Think that about sums it up so far.
[Okay, now that she's not cold, she babbled that off awfully fast. Hope you managed to catch all of that.]
no subject
Regardless of however you usually are physically, you're brought down to 'human' here and must regain any abilities or powers you had otherwise. A very few here remember making the contract, as most of us do not. Our host is very seldom seen or communicates to us rarely. No one is able to get to his castle which lies in the heart or end of the Labyrinth, which no one has been able to navigate through.
Native species here include the Gelflings and Goblins, along with rumored fairies in the woods. Possibly some others, but if you find a humanoid who's not a Gelfling or Goblin while in town, it's a good chance it's one of us transplants. Many call us 'Dreamers' though the reasons why vary.
[Loki followed her just fine, although his own words were spoken more evenly and less like a babble.]
Other questions?
no subject
Well, I've only heard about the invasion, but yeah, I got all that too, though nobody explained the potion. Never got around to it I suppose with all my questions about the location, and figured out the communicator bit on my own. A bit primitive but that also means it's not very complicated to figure out.
Figured out the human bit too. The cold was a dead giveaway. [Plus a few other things, but whatever.]
Plenty, but none of which I'm gathering anyone can answer for the moment. That would rely on our host's answers instead it seems which means trying to figure out his Labyrinth would be a priority at this point if he doesn't want to talk much. Seems I'll be very busy here.
no subject
From what I've gathered, we can't get into the labyrinth or to his castle unless our host allows us too. I haven't explored the Labyrinth yet myself, so I am eager to see what it's like. To my knowledge, we also have not been in his castle before until very recently when we were 'invited' to a grand ball and feast that also laid several enchantments on us. Considering our host did not appear at this event, it makes me wonder 'why'.
As much as you'll be busy, you will also have to just 'live' here. Housing is apparently free in a basic form, but does not electricity or running water at first. The local 'currency' is based in shards--you should have a crystal pendent in your satchel from when you arrived. That stores up 'shards' and you press it to another's to transfer between them. If you seek employment, this is how you are paid and how you 'pay' for things from others. Shards also have a different use, but seem to be of a slightly different type, in that you can also go to the big crystal in town and try to 'wish' for things. Depending on what you want, the cost varies. Somethings also simply won't be granted.
no subject
For the rest, good to know about the shards. Didn't know that, but I may have gotten the gist about the electricity and running water. I normally wouldn't mind all that and could manage, but a blizzard does make it a bit more difficult without those things.
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Well, still got all my knowledge intact, so at least I know how to hold myself in a fight still. Strategize. I've got a good head for technology, and figuring things out. That all seems to still be there. I could handle a weapon, though I usually try my best to avoid it. Makes it a little harder to remember not to go straight for a kill.
no subject
[Well she wasn't entirely a pacifist apparently, but Loki was noting that about her preference to not kill.]
Do you possess no other skills, with your knowledge?
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Both, and many. It's what I was made for. Fighting. A bit hard to forget it when it's uploaded into your head.
[No, not entirely, but she does try.]
Oh, plenty of them, but I'm a bit limited here, aren't I? I might be able to get something built in time provided I could locate the right materials, though I'm already figuring those materials are rather hard to find here, aren't they? And I've doubt you've got a ship around for me to fly, yeah? I did spend 3 months in the Old West as a dangerous outlaw if that helps any? You know, Wanted Dead or Alive and all that, and I'm a quick study. If there's something I don't know, I can learn about it, and still am. That's why I've been traveling. Seeing the universe, new worlds, people, civilizations. There's a lot to explore out there.
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You are, as the time period here is also limited to around the 14th-16th century western medieval period from all I can determine. Albeit with magic, including magical running water and electricity being possible for your housing. It costs 25 shards, which you gain by interacting with people.
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[She didn't feel that interacting with people would be a problem.]
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[At least she didn't sound TOO much like a skeptic.]