buttrinthum | 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

Phillip! Good morrow!

EILONWY! HOW NICE TO SEE YOU'RE STILL HERE!

[Capslock is no one's friend.]

Uh, well, I'm not sure how that happened, but I am glad to see that you're still here. How have you fared since we last spoke?

[It's true!]

Likewise, I'm glad to see you back! I've.. I've fared well enough, I handled myself through the seasons and helped my friends where I was able! I've also gotten a new sword, and I have plans to learn a new language. How have you fared?

[Every royal needs to have a mishap with all this technology floating around, even if it's laced with magic.]

You've been busy in the short amount of time I've been gone. That's good to hear though. Have you found a practice partner to keep your skills up?

As for how I am, I'm confused. One moment I was here and the next I was back in the garden with time having passed.

I haven't been actively looking for one, actually. Especially now with the weather- but I might when spring properly lands.

Oh.. yes, that would have been very confusing. Do you need help leaving the garden? Or anything else?

I suppose that it would be pretty difficult with the weather as brutal as it appears to be right now to find someone willing to spend time outside to exercise. Although, I've trained in worse weather than what I've seen around the town.

I am no longer in the garden, luckily. Samson and I have found shelter in another cottage in town. It was abandoned and rather easy to get into. It will do while the storm rages and the snow creatures are attacking, I suppose.

It seems to be coming and going in cycles, for all that I've seen. But I'm not surprised to hear that you've trained in worse!

Did anyone tell you how to defeat the snow angels? Though if you and Samson can outrun them, that's probably the easiest way to avoid them.

I'm pretty sure that I've heard someone say that life is nothing but a cycle of cycles, if that makes sense. However, training in rough weather is just as important and training on good days. When it is very cold, getting up and moving around helps keep you warm.

And to answer your question, yes, Jasmine showed up and assisted Samson and I. It was an interesting experience.

It makes enough sense, yes. ..That's true. When it evens out so I don't risk dropping my sword by accident, I'll resume it, then. Or at least start to plan to do it.

Did they chase you? I've never seen snowmen move, much less move quickly.

I think training in the heat of summer is harder, honestly. Getting hot and sweaty when you're hot and sweaty is a new kind of torture that you can't escape. However, I think if we can get enough padding and the like, or maybe a training grounds with indoor spaces, we should be fine for practice year-round.

[Just wait until you're kidnapped by an evil fairy, lover boy. Then complain about fighting/training in bad weather.]

They did, but I was on horseback, so it was a bit better. Samson and I distracted the foes while Jasmine threw snowballs at them. I hadn't thought to use a child's game against angels made of snow, if I'm perfectly honest.

That's true, even if you remember to bring water to drink it's still difficult in the summer.

No, it doesn't seem like it would make sense, considering they're made of snow! But I'm glad you and Samson were able to get away. Speaking of, how is Samson handling the weather?

Exactly, but such is the way of things. I can't imagine not training, regardless.

I mean, I've seen the damage that someone with malicious intent can do if they put a little ice in a snowball, but they're usually kept from enjoying any other sort of winter games if that's the case.

And Samson is handling the weather just fine. Aurora and Jasmine seem to have forgotten me for him.

No, I share that viewpoint easily.

Oh? I've never seen that, but.. I'll take your word that the damage must be great if they're barred as a result of it!

It's good you both have such good company, at least.

I figured that if there was anyone who would agree with me about sword training, it would be you, Eilonwy.

[He's teasing, but only just.]

One of the squires lost an eye during a "friendly game" that way. The knight-captain still hasn't forgiven the one responsible for half-blinding his nephew.

As for the company, I fear I must fend for myself while the ladies attend to my horse. I suppose Adam and Aladdin might keep me company while I lament my ill luck, hm?

My reputation has traveled far!

[She jokes right back with him]

Oh! That must have been awful for everyone involved.

I recognize Aladdin's name, but I'm afraid I don't know anyone here with the name Adam?

Well, it's a good reputation, but I don't know how far it's gone when it's only reached me.

[Like, he's not a big deal or anything.]

And, honestly, it's not great for those of us who witnessed it either. It's why we take winter games a bit more carefully now.

Adam is also called Beast, but he's a prince and deserves to be called by his birth name, regardless of how he appears.

Not so far, but that's all right.

[Eilonwy thinks for a moment and then types again as she recognizes the name Beast] Ah! Yes, I know who you mean! He's very nice.

Well, we've time yet to get your reputation to reach more ears and hearts.

[He'll help her do it too.]

Yes, I think that Adam is very nice, despite the scary exterior. I'm glad that more people are willing to look past it to give him a chance.

TDM #7

un: waterdeer

1/2

2/2

the laugh i laughed

I troll the boy, it's true

he'll live, he's got true love on his side!

But he'd like a break, please?

a whole mood, phillip

Right? Just let him live, life....

Life- [laughs in the distance]

Ugh, yeah, sounds about right.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject