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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.
Arrival
What he didn't expect to hear was a familiar voice. One that stops him dead in his tracks.
His first impulse is to run into the clearing and call for her - but last time he did that, it bit him in the ass. He was told to back off, let her live her own life. And he knew he should.
But if she's here, she should at least know she's not alone... right?
Or maybe he's just hearing things; he's not used to affirming identity without his heightened senses. Whatever the outcome, it can't hurt to check.
With a firm swallow, he blinks and steps out into the open space, and once it looks like his instinct was correct, he gently, tentatively, reaches out in a soft voice:] Buffy?
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Inside, her heart, mind and body are screaming, but her face is lit up like a child on Christmas day.] Angel?
What are... [There's still a lot of the sadness, anger, bitterness, and guilt that she felt as she stabbed him, but, well, she has those in her dreams too. Only she doesn't have this manic feeling taking over as she does now.]
What are you doing here?
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...The poinsettias. He felt unusually carefree when he fell into them last, maybe- or was that just the euphoria of rejuvenating daylight...?
Angel, you're overthinking this, just smile back and answer the question.]
Same reason as you, I suspect.
[Er.]
N-not, the exact same! Sure, but, I mean...
...You got the parchment?
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But he'd gotten his soul back.
And she'd still done it anyway. Because her love life was less important than saving the world.]
Parchment? Are you leaving creepy pictures again? Because I did not appreciate that and really wish you'd just stop. It's bad enough you broke my heart but then you had to go and torture me and my friends because I wouldn't play your game after I gave you everything and I...
[And despite the straining smile on her face, tears are definitely forming and she's shaking a bit. Holding herself together never works when he's around. She should know that by now.]
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[That was not the reaction he expected, why would she assume him? Did she find out what happened in Rome? But that wasn't cruel, that was just stupid and possibly arrogant, he definitely hasn't tortured anybody, only-
A wave of dread flows over him. Did Angelus run into her somehow when the team released his soul? That can't be right, why would no one tell him? But it had to have been recent, she sounds like this just happened...
And then he sees her tears and all internal thoughts disappear. No point in questioning everything right now, Buffy is upset, and she has reason to believe he was involved. Immediately, he holds his hands in front and approaches slowly, trying to look the least threatening possible, his eyes expressing nothing short of concern.]
I don't know what I did to make you afraid, but I promise I'm not going to hurt you now. Whatever the reason, this Overseer guy brought us both here, and he stripped away my powers - you probably feel it, too. Now, everyone he takes gets left with a letter on parchment, a potion, and some food - did you see any of those things when you arrived?
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[She doesn't care that he was Angelus at the time, that's still crazy and creepy and scary. He hurt her because he wanted to. And she'd heard about what he did to that poor girl in Romania that led to his curse. And he himself told her what he did to Drusilla before he finally made her a vampire.
And, sure, it's been months since that happened, but the pain is still raw. She still misses him every day, still wishes she could go back and do something differently. She's not sure what they could have done, but anything.
And then his words start to sink in through the pain and she turns her head in confusion.]
Who's the Overseer? And no, I did- [But she pats the little pouch she found and pulls it out.] This?
[She's not sure why she trusts him, even know, but she does. It's weird, but so is her life. Why should meeting Angel again be any different?]
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[...Wait, it has been six years ago, why does it sound so fresh to her? Oh uh, right, the pouch, focus.]
Y-yes. Read the letter, I've been told that's the Overseer. He promises wishes if we take a retreat in this dimension of his. [There is an air of skepticism in the statement, but only a little bit; he doesn't believe the wishes will be granted - or at least not without an invisible catch - but he can't say he doesn't appreciate some of the perks here either.]
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Six years ago? What are you talking about? It was only three months ago that I had to...to send you to Hell.
[Not the first time she's thought it, but it's the first time she's said it out loud. Even Willow and Xander didn't know everything about the last fight they had.
She just looks at him like he's crazy before she pulls out the letter.]
What agreement? I just got back to Sunnydale. [And then she gets to the last part.] Oh. That dream was real? I just thought... [She lets out a bit of a laugh.] And just when I thought I was used to the weird stuff in my life.
1/5 probably
2/5
3/5
4/5
Okay I'm done don't mind me
[That's it. She doesn't need any more from him, not now. Considering her freshest memory, he's the last person who should be giving her more bullshit.
Again, focus on the now, for both of them.] Yeah, me too. Both the dream part and the... weird stuff part. Don't know this guy's deal yet, and judging by how long they've been here, neither does anybody else.
Are you sure? Because I could use another picture of David Boreanaz's face
[She's used to him being quiet and not telling her everything. Even when he was... Even Angelus wasn't very forthcoming with what he wanted with her. Why should he be any different after Hell?]
There are others here? How many? Do they have a leader? Is there someone we can talk to to figure out what they do know? Should I be looking for a way to get us back home? Is it a demon? I mean, there's got to be a pretty demon once in a while, right?
Maybe when I get more icons
Not now. He'll wait for her to ask the questions, and she's asking a lot of them already.]
Okay, slow down. Over a hundred abductees, I think, maybe 120? No leader, there's a "council", but it's more a committee than a government body, I think there was a meeting last month to info-gather, but I... didn't go. Still getting used to this place, and the whole being... almost... human-like... thing.
[This sounds a lot more pathetic out loud. That's what Buffy does, she makes him second-guess every decision. He actually missed it, it's been so long... oh right, the other questions.]
I-I've talked to some! Some have been sent back home, but no one knows how to do it themselves. And Mr. Overseer only shows up when he wants to - I mean, you saw the maze, it's not really a welcome mat.
...Don't think he's a demon. If the rumors that he's fae are true, that's the opposite of a demon. [
So yes, probably pretty.]I know that I need *so many more*
But, then he starts to answer her about the world they're currently in and she's alert.]
Whoa. Hold up, mister. Almost human-like? Come again?
[But the hits just keep on coming.]
Wait. We've been kidnapped by a fairy? [She starts to check herself for injuries.] Did I hit my head when fighting those zombies? That's gotta be the reason for this... weird dream.
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[If not for the blood diet still intact, it'd almost feel like a dream come true. Except... well, the soul curse is probably still there. He's not going to take any chances to find out, especially with a Buffy fresh out of that- Angel, focus-]
No, it's not a dream. Well, some do call us "Dreamers", but I think that's because we dreamed before arriving here, which is allegedly where our contracts came from. [This doesn't stop him from glancing over Buffy as well, on the off chance she is hurt anyway. Some instincts never die off.] ...But, there is a clinic, if you need it.
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But there's something about it that makes her stop. She goes over to one of the nearby bushes and grabs a big branch. And yanks.....
Nothing happens, except for some skin scrapping from her palms. When she pulls her hands back, she notices that she's bleeding. But the bush is intact, aside from a few leaves being bent.]
Whaaaaaaat?
[Her head is fine, but now her hands are shredded. She feels lost and scared, and maybe acting a little princess-y in her panic.]
Angel? What's going on?