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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
Lehna found him with a piece of his bread in hand, just as he swallowed a bite.
"Nay," he said, shaking his head. "Had I found you first, I would've asked the same question."
Re: Arrival
He was acting... strangely, she thought. Lehna frowned up at him, then poked him hard in the chest. "Where is everyone else?" She crossed her arms, eyes scanning everywhere around them in an attempt to find the rest of the Scions. "I suppose your lance is gone as well, then?"
no subject
"Everyone else..? Are you a Scion? Begging your pardon, I've not much of a memory for passing faces."
no subject
"Passing faces?" She nearly spat the words, venom laced in every syllable. Instinctively, she reached for a lance that was not there--and then, frustrated, glared up at the elezen once more. "I would have thought killing Nidhogg and saving your arse would have left at least a vague recollection, but what do I know?"
If a brief thought that this, perhaps, might not be the Estinien she knew, passed through her mind--she ignored it and instead decided to take her annoyance at the situation on whoever the Seven Hells this was.
no subject
"I would think I know the faces of those who saved me, and you are not among them. Alphinaud and Drakyr didn't risk their lives for mine just for someone else to claim credit for their deeds."
He leaned in a little closer. "Now, who in the hells are you?"
ffxiv endwalker spoilers!
"I risked my ass for a man named Estinien. I share the power of Nidhogg's eye with my aibou. I won't let someone else claim credit for my deeds, either. You may know this Drakyr or whoever--but do not question what I have done for my friends."
Her only hope that whoever this was did not have his own powers, either. A ferocity burned in her eyes. "I am Lehna Jacaan, the Warrior of Light and an Azure Dragoon. I felled Hydaelyn with my bare hands and I will not hesitate to do the same to you."
no subject
"Drakyr is also the Warrior of Light and Azure Dragoon. And the one I call aibou," Estinien began, the previous edge to his voice faded. He shook his head. "If I had to guess, we're from different versions of the same world. Or something to that effect."
Not that that was a subject he was well-versed in.
"If you really are another Warrior of Light, if another version of me calls you aibou...I suppose I can give you the benefit of the doubt. For now."
no subject
"Either way," she said suddenly, "I know you are competent, and I assume your Warrior of Light is at least as competent as I am. It would be wise for us to stick together and learn more about this place--especially if there is the possibility of Ascian or Primal involvement." Thus far there had not been a hint of such things, but... It was wise to keep a lookout for the time being.
no subject
He knew what happened when the Scions were summoned to the First - at least, the basics of it.
"I am content to follow your lead from here, Lehna." A small smile tugged at his lips just so. There was something about saying Lehna's name - it was almost familiar.