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.

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Night Sky sat a few feet away in the same pool, naked and leaning back with her arms up along the edge. She had clocked Lehna almost immediately (and who wouldn't?) but did not have the chance to even offer a greeting before the woman was dunking herself under the water and, uh, drowning? At least for a moment, it seemed.

The dryad had gotten closer in those few seconds, brows furrowed. "Holy shit. Are you okay?"

She coughed some more, trying to force a smile onto her face but finding it difficult to the steam and bubbles. "I am," she said, discovering that she could speak despite... everything that was happening. "I... am not quite used to the way things are here." Would it be strange to tell this beautiful woman that she wasn't stupid, she used to be able to breathe underwater?

Lehna didn't care, actually. "Before I came here, I could breathe underwater. It seems that, too, was taken from me." She slid back into the pool, shoulders slumped only slightly. "I'm Lehna, by the way." She flicked her ears without thinking, water splashing gently off of them as she did so.

"Oh, yeah. Being without your abilities sucks for a while." Night Sky replied, eyes flickering up to the ears atop Lehna's head. Cute. "Night Sky. Don't worry- you can earn them all back by socializing - weird system, but it works. I got all my shit back pretty fast."

Lehna raised a brow, then leaned back and draped her arm across a few rocks, mostly ignoring whatever was going on--likely due to the water. Annoying, but tolerable. Instead she decided to take in Night Sky, the burning in her throat from nearly drowning almost entirely gone now.

"I'm good at socializing," she said with a small smile. Lehna closed her eyes and then leaned her head back. "What I'm not good at, however, is sitting still." She opened her eyes again and leaned forward. "That blizzard and this cold weather haven't given me much of a chance to explore since I've arrived. Do you live nearby?"

A prying question, perhaps, but if Night Sky had been transported here, too, Lehna wanted to learn as much as she could from her.

"Hopefully the snow will clear soon." She said, a hint of annoyance in her tone. The blizzard and the subsequent chill had not put her in the best of moods - but she had plenty of ways to deal with it.

She hummed. "Yeah, my castle isn't far. You can join me over there later, if you want. Once we finish soaking." She offered.

"Not a fan of snow?" Lehna looked up at the sky, wondering what other sorts of annoying weather patterns plagued this strange world.

"Castle?" That piqued her interest. Lehna slid closer to Night Sky, not giving a damn about either of their lack of clothing. "You are much more interesting than I would have first thought." Then she smiled and laughed, unknowingly showing off the small fangs in her mouth.

Lehna backed off just a bit, much more casual despite the excitement thrumming through her veins now that they were beginning to thaw. "It's been so long since I've arrived somewhere new and wasn't immediately attacked by something--well, not counting the blizzard." And she didn't. "Sorry if I seem a bit... excitable?"

"Not really. I'm more a nice spring day and sunshine girl." She was also more of a forest girl, but whatever.

Night Sky quirked a brow up at the comment. Given their now close proximity, her hand lingered close to Lehna's shoulder, and nearly brushed it when she shifted. "Did you think I was boring before? Fuck. I need to start really laying it on thick then." Like she didn't already.

"It's fine. I take it you missed the snow angels then. They were attacking people plenty in the blizzard. Probably for the best- they sucked." She shrugged. "You travel to different worlds a lot?"

She raised an eyebrow, grateful to have not been attacked by the Snow Angels while she did not have a weapon or her powers. Lehna was completely helpless, she realized with a frown.

"Not boring, exactly," Lehna said with an apologetic smile. "Everyone becomes more interesting the more you get to know them." And she could already tell she wanted to get to know Night Sky.

Lehna sat back, wondering how much she should tell Night Sky. It wasn't exactly a secret, even in her own world, so... "I have traveled to a few, though all of them were at least related to my own, unlike whatever this place is..."

She suddenly stood and stretched, turning around so her back was to Night Sky as whatever red potion she'd drunk earlier granted her skin just enough heat to dry without a towel. Lehna twirled a lock of sopping wet blue hair around her finger and frowned. Apparently whatever the potion had done still had its limits. "I was going to ask if you could show me around, but this is going to take forever to dry and I don't envy walking around in these cold temperatures with a wet head."

"I can tell you I'm very easy to get to know." Emphasis on easy.

She nodded in... vague understanding. The worlds all being connected was new, but she didn't seem overly surprised. "I was in another world before like this one - well, not exactly like this. But the overlord bringing people in for a means of entertainment is more or less the same. Only Vaeros isn't watching us fuck all the time." That said, she kind of missed the Feywilds sometimes.

She chuckled. "You can come back to the castle with me. My paramour keeps it nice and toasty - you'll be dry in no time. Then I can show you around."

Lehna smiled, pulling on her clothes as Night Sky spoke. Though the idea of being watched... she'd said Vaeros wasn't watching, but the thought of being watched sent a shiver down her spine all the same. "Your paramour?" She asked, tilting her head to the side. "Did they come with you, or did you meet them here?"

The real question she was asking: Am I going to suffer alone here forever?

But she would not show that thought on her face, instead choosing to put her clothes on and offer a hand to Night Sky. "Either way, I would love to see whatever it is you wish to show."

"I met them here, along with my girlfriend... and my two boyfriends." Hey. Listen. She's been busy.

Night Sky stood up to dry off and dress as well, all freckled golden skin and a very prominent bite mark upon the left side of her neck. "The castle isn't far, and the garden is nice - I made it myself, and it's currently free of snow."

And once they were both prepared to do so, Night Sky would lead the way. "I've been here a while. Do you have any questions?"

Lehna was no stranger to relationships like Night Sky's, though she'd never done anything of the sort herself. "So... there are many people here, then." People willing to make friends, to date, to build lives in this strange place... A curious thought. Lehna noted the bite mark and felt a rush of desire, but... better not to assume anything about Night Sky just yet. Even if they had already seen each other naked.

Her ears perked up at the idea of seeing a beautiful garden, though she quietly followed Night Sky for a moment as she tried to gather her thoughts and figure out what sort of things she should even consider asking. "I woke up with a note saying I'd wished for something. Is that true for everyone here? And... what is the point of being here at all?"

Though more and more questions bubbled up to the front of her mind, she only asked one more for the time being. "Has anyone made it back home yet?" Would they even want to?

"It is." Night Sky confirmed. "We've all wished for something and signed a contract with the big guy in charge - Vaeros." She motioned vaguely to the labyrinth and the castle in the distance. "Don't expect to see him though- we never do, but he's always watching. We're here because he wants us here, though his reasons are," she see-sawed her hands, "questionable."

She had a lot of feelings about the whole thing.

"And yeah, actually. A lot of people have vanished - but recently, a woman named Tayrey went home and actually came back. Her first wish was granted, and then she made another one." She hummed. "Really put me on the side of 'maybe Vaeros isn't a total dick,' but who knows how long that will last."

Lehna frowned as she listened to Night Sky, thoughts running through her head that she couldn't quite put words to just yet. "That is... both encouraging in discouraging, if that is at all possible." She paused. "I would like to speak with Tayrey if she is willing. Do you know her well?"

Lehna had never been the smart one to figure things out for everyone else--always more brains instead of brawn--but despite Night Sky's kindness, Lehna felt at least somewhat alone in this strange world and would continue to feel that way until something changed. "Has anyone spoken directly with Vaeros?"

"Fairly well. I can get a hold of her, if you want? Or you can call her with the device you were given." She pulls out her Oracle to show her. "I'm sure she wouldn't mind talking to you. She seemed open to questions about it all."

She shrugged. "Like face to face? I don't think so, but don't quote me on it. He'll reply on the network though, especially when Sleepr comes around, but it's usually not anything useful."

“Hmmm.” Lehna frowned, thinking. She followed Night Sky’s lead and pulled out her own Oracle, blinking at it. “This is like the tomestones we have back home. Kind of.” She glanced over to her companion. “I would love to be introduced to her—and anyone else for that matter. More friends is never a bad thing.” She paused. “Thank you, by the way—it’s nice to have met someone so… accommodating.” And gorgeous, but Lehna could convey that with her eyes instead of her words.

"I know a lot of people here. Just say you're friends with me and you'll probably be good with most of them." So far as she knew she hadn't made any enemies either. Hopefully.

She took a turn into the castle district. Many of the buildings seemed in disrepair, where others stood tall and with clear signs of life. Night Sky lead her to Castle Emberglow, where a sign for the Flame and Claw forge also hung from one side. "No problem. I have a weakness for pretty things. Can't say no to em." She winked. "By the way, if you need a weapon, Red Son makes the best in the forge here."

"A weapon?" Night Sky knew everyone--everything. "I will certainly be requesting his services." Though her Longinus Zeta would be missed, its powers were likely inaccessible here anyway. "Fang and Claw forge?" Lehna laughed--the name of one of her powerful dragoon stances. A good sign.

And she did not miss Night Sky's flirting. "I must find a way to repay you for all your help." Her voice was a bit more sultry, deeper, and she flashed a smile showing off her fangs.

"Figured. A lot of people do - and it's better to be prepared, if any weird shit happens." And plenty did in the world, unfortunately.

Night Sky smirked. "Well, good news, we're in a perfect spot to get nice and cozy, and I do often take payment for my services in physical favors." If you pick up what shes putting down.

Lehna had a hard time ever turning down a beautiful woman-and this time would be no different. Everything else could wait, she thought—she would likely be stuck in this place for a while anyway. “That works out perfectly. Physical favors are my favorite form of currency.”

Cozy or not, it did not matter to Lehna. She was alone with a beautiful new friend (or so she hoped) and she was not about to let an opportunity slip through her fingers. Her ears flicked back in satisfaction, eyes raking up and down Night Sky. “The question then becomes what you would like.”

Well. Seemed like they were indeed on the same page. Night Sky lead her down further into the castle, to a room that was essentially a nest of pillows and blankets, dimly lit and adorned with hanging flowers and vines that obstructed the windows that weren't covered with thick green curtains.

She turned back to her, head cocking slightly. "You can sit on my face. That's always a good place to start." Subtle.

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TDM #7

hot spring

Re: hot spring

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