TDM #8

[labyrinevents]

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: purple carnations and generous fields of shamrocks. You’ll soon find out that being around the purple carnations can cause someone to act impulsively, following every whim of their heart to the point of almost being erratic. It might almost feel as though they’re having a hard time keeping track of which way is up and which way is down the way their whims change on a dime. This can cause quite a confusing first interaction, but the fields of shamrocks are no less confusing considering laying about in or spending time walking through these fields will cause the dreamer to feel lighter than air. Literally. Be careful! It’s almost like interacting with the world as though you’re lacking gravity. Jumps are higher, staying on the ground seems a little difficult, (but don't worry you won't float away), and generally being easy to push around are all something you should keep an eye on. Luckily, 30 minutes away from the shamrocks will make the effect go away.

Flower Magic and the Plantening

Though it’s not exactly celebrated every year, and sometimes it’s done more subtly depending on the whims of the land, the locals (Gelfling and Goblin alike) always prepare for the spring. This year the locals can pull out all the stops for the changing of the seasons thanks to a genial past few months (give or, uh, take haha) . As the cold weather starts to warm and the snow drifts thaw and melt away, new life is already growing. It’s the signal that the locals need to prepare for the planting season of their gardens and crops as well as prepare for the magical cleansing meant to bring in good luck and positive magical energies.

Planting gardens and planning for vegetables and herbs of all kinds has a special twist to it, or this wouldn’t be Somnius. It’s a group effort, and not a soul will be allowed to skip participation. So long as the grumpiest plant at least one seed, their participation counts. But it all must be done with flower crowns made by locals and dreamers alike. The locals are happy to teach Dreamers how to weave the crowns together and dust in little bits of magic to make them glow pleasantly once perched atop someone’s head.

Just… one little thing? These flower crowns will enhance emotions, or feelings just a little or a lot. It all depends upon the flower the crown is made of.

Flower Choices

• Amaryllis: The wearer becomes extremely boastful and confident, even when (or perhaps, especially when) they have nothing to show for it.
• Bittersweet: Good luck lying until the crown is removed! The dreamer will feel compelled not only to speak, but to speak only the brutal and honest truth.
• Columbine: The world just became 500% funnier. That random Gelfling sneeze? Adorable and hilarious. The way that Goblin’s hair looks? Absolutely hysterical. The dreamer will be unable to stop giggling until the effects wear off.
• Fennel: It’s time to show your appreciation for everyone. The dreamer wearing this will feel extremely complimentary, and will not hesitate to tell anybody the things they like about them.
• Rose: Love is in the air, but… have you… always felt this way about your friend, or is something strange happening? The dreamer who wears this crown will find themselves absolutely enamored with the next person they meet.
• Tansy: Everything just seems to be striking a nerve with you today. The dreamer will find themselves gripped with an intense bout of anger, and they won’t hesitate to show it. Better tell that Gelfling that just bumped into you who you really are.

Only after you have a flower crown can you then participate in the real labor of spring: planting. Hoeing, watering, fertilizing, it’s all hard work but it’ll be worth it by the time everything starts to grow. Food tastes better when you grow it yourself. Try not to play around too much, but a little horsing around never hurt anyone.

Cleansing for a New Year

It’s not only the fields and flower gardens that need tending to with the turn of the seasons, and the locals are making a party of it. The morning hours are reserved for changing out of “seasonal” decorations and other tidying, while the afternoon and evening hours are reserved for celebration and commerce.

Holly and pine wreaths and garlands are taken down, animals are finally let out from their cozy barns to graze on the new shoots of grass peeking from the chilled soil, homes are being aired out and well traveled roads need to be reblessed. Everyone seems to be doing their part in some way, but it’s still a lot of work to be done by the time things are in full swing for spring! Those dreamers who live to clean will really be living this month. Just make sure to sweep OUT the bad energy. Never in.

The locals encourage (and some even insist) that the ones they share space with pick up a broom, shovel or just get their hands dirty and start working. Animals need feeding and tending to and barn hands are in high demand! Whether it be chickens, ducks, cows, or sheep, the animals need their feed and also need their spaces to be cleaned, too. No one said this was glamorous work, but hey! Maybe you’ll manage to come away with some animal products from a particularly grateful farmer.

Salting the roads not only helps keep still receding ice from being as slick but it also brings in good luck and good energies. Be careful to spread the salt given out through the streets, but don’t spill any in the dirt or where things grow. Salted earth or plants will doom Dreamers with bad luck if they make this grave mistake! The effect will last for a week or so, so it’s best avoided.

When the warmest part of the day hits, that’s when the working gloves come off. The centermost part of town has been turned into a festival area complete with a may pole, potluck pot the size of a small boulder the size of a large boulder, tables of roasted food, and a variety of drinks. There are also a few games, including cheese rolling in which dreamers can either roll cheese or be turned into cheese to be rolled (maybe that’s just a joke? Hmm). Lively music played by one of the least terrible most popular goblin bands fills the air.

Contributing to the potluck pot will give participants a little joyful boost, there’s a little more pep in their step, a little less fatigue from working all day, and some may find that their dirtied clothes are woven into clean, springy attire for the celebration that lasts well into the night to wear at the Night Bazaar.

Nightlife Bazaar

cw: spiders

Coming along with the other festivities is a convention of sorts, for all things magical! Witches and all kinds of magical practitioners are here to show off their skills and sell their wares to anyone interested - locals and Dreamers alike. Take a look around, there might be something that catches your eye that a hag or so will be willing to part with…for a decent price.. Be warned though, not every witch and warlock at this bazaar are totally honest. Phonies will try to peddle basic goods and magical objects for far more than they’re worth. Keep your wits about you, Dreamers, otherwise not only will you lose your shards and come away with nothing but junk, but you may find some items that are more trouble than they’re worth.

Just a FEW of the Booths...

• Fortune Telling: A hag that is DEFINITELY not three kobolds in a trenchcoat is offering fortune telling services (tarot, palm reading, crystal ball, etc. Go nuts). Dreamers get their fortunes told! Can be about love, luck, other stuff.

• Brooms: Want to take a ride on a broomstick? Well, look no further! A dandy young witch is offering (insert pun about brooms/horse here) rides for anyone looking for a fun time soaring through the moonlight! Pay a fee and get a ride for you and maybe another person, if they’re bold enough to hang on tight… The moon is looking lovely tonight, so why not take a spin over the treetops? Just don’t try and go too far - these cleaning utensils are magicked to fly back to their “pens” after a certain amount of time. Also if you crash it, you cash it. So don’t.

• Brews and Tonics: That shifty-looking wizard there is offering up “brews” for an outrageous price, so clearly they must be potent, right? He seems very eager for people to try and even offers up a couple of sample sippers. Looking for teeth whitening? He’s got that. A growth potion for you shortstacks? Obviously, it’s right here. Can’t get senpai to notice you? Well, he’s got a brew that’ll make them never take their eyes off you! And with a smile as wide and toothy as his, surely nothing will go wrong, right? [[Note: They will ALL go wrong. How, is up to the player!]]

• Familiar Petting Zoo: Careful, some of them do bite, but that’s only the more exotic ones. Black cats of all shapes and sizes, corvids that will tell you to shove it if you ask them about Lenore, and toads that may or may not have hypnotic powers if you stare into their unblinking eyes a little too long - all manner of fun and interesting creatures are here to pet and play with for a small fee. Just do try not to poke and prod at them too much, will you? They only have a meager amount of fortitude and tend to, ahem…combust if under enough pressure. But not into flames! Goodness, what do you take us for?! No, Dreamers will find that once a familiar combusts, their hands and clothes will be stained with a glow-in-the-dark “secretion” that might cause them to sparkle under the moonlight. ....It also attracts spiders. En masse.

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.

Comments

The Fourteenth Doctor | OTA

[familyalien]

Garden, Fair Grounds, Wildcard

The Doctor is enjoying the view for the moment, he's more concerned about finding where Donna is.

"Donna! Donna! Blimey where did she go?"

There's also a lingering fear that he's stepped further into The Toymakers domain and where he wants to enjoy the garden he can't help but shout.

"Oi! Excuse me! Can you tell me where I am?"

At the Fair Grounds, The Doctor is eyeing in particular for the Toymaker and checks at the Fortune Teller for Donna.

"Where are you? No, sorry. Not interested in having my fortune told. Friend of mine might be don't s'uppose you've seen her? Tall, loud and red head?"

"What a game we are playing...."

cw spiders mention

[dedoink]

A deep voice pipes up from behind the Doctor, at the fortune teller's table.

"I wouldn't trust that soothsayer farther'n I could throw 'em. An' I could throw 'em pretty far."

Grog marches up with a glare, covered in glowing, sparkling stains all over his hands and chest.

"They told me I'd be getting a familiar soon, only when I tried ta take one from over there..." He gestures back towards the petting zoo. "...It exploded all over me! An' now the only animals what wanna be near me 're spiders!"

Re: cw spiders mention

[familyalien]

"Yeah. No. Don't believe in fortune telling, me. My friend I'm looking for on the other hand...."

The Doctor pauses as he turns to eye where the voice is coming from. He doesn't know what to think anymore, outside of he's playing some 'fun game' now.

"Yes, hi. Hallo, I'm The Doctor. Right, sorry. So, sorry." The Doctor awkwardly rubs his neck.

"Spiders are so bad, now are they? Nah. But don't go blaming yourself on why those creatures exploded. I'm sowwwy you are?"

Garden

[justabitunlikely]

Jenny always did find herself in the Garden during this time, always looking around to see what newcomers might arrive. Though her ears did perk at a familiar voice calling out for a familiar name. No, it couldn't be. Could it?

His voice had been coming from behind her and so he wouldn't have been able to see her face until she turned around, putting on a familiar grin. Still, she had to wait and see if he even knew who she was first. Once she knew, then they could hopefully catch up.

"You're in Somnius. Hello."

Re: Garden

[familyalien]

"Jenny!" The Doctor beams, "Oh, blimey, it's brillant to see you!"

[purrsonality]

No, I didn't see anyone like that.

[ or she did. izutsumi doesn't pay attention to people. ]

[familyalien]

Right, sorry. Can I help somehow?

Garden!

[sensitiveapple]

Misa comes out every morning, after her shift at the clinic. She's humming to herself, the black and orange lothcat chasing things in and out of the undergrowth. Both stop when they hear the call for someone to know where they are. She knows that voice.

"Doctor?" She stops, seeing him. Her face lights up and she runs up and attempts to hug him. "Doctor! You've returned!" But then she steps back, something about him not feeling right. He feels different. "But... you've never been here have you?" She asks, disappointed.

Re: Garden!

[familyalien]

The Doctor takes her embrace with confusion, it is him. Misa will feel those two heartbeats, and confusion of;

"I'm sorrwy whut?"

Then an awkward remark of;
"Yeah, sorry. Haven't been here before. So sorry."

Reaching out his hand for the creature to smell his scent, "And blimey! Who's this?" The Doctor remarks with warmth

Fair Grounds

[fallendragon]

Arrakis's glowing eyes flashed with a sharp, uneasy glow as he quickly walked away from the Fortune Teller's tent before he piqued the fortune teller's interest. Knowing his future had given him nothing but heartache. He froze when he heard a familiar voice and he raced back towards the tent without a second thought.

"Doctor?"

The sharp glow in his eyes softened with a surprised flash when he saw him. He was too overjoyed to notice the subtle differences between the Doctor who stood before him and his dear friend. His eyes shone brighter as his disbelief turned into a radiant smile.

"You're back!"

Re: Fair Grounds

[familyalien]

The Doctor awkwardly rubs his hair and then his five o'clock, "Yeah, been getting a lot of that today. Sorry, so, so, sorry that think you know me. But you're right. I am The Doctor."

In the Fairground

[quantumphaysicist]

He might nearly walk into a tall, slender young personage in a 1920s-style suit (a bit dusty and the cuffs of his sleeves stained with ink) who was heading into a tarot card reader's tent.

"Tall, loud and red-headed? I'm afraid I haven't," the youngster says, in a soft, slightly husky voice, a hint of genuine sympathy in his intense, strikingly blue eyes. With a soft, disarming cough of a laugh in his throat, he adds, "She sounds like the sort who'd stand out in a crowd and make an impression at first glance."

Re: In the Fairground

[familyalien]

"Oh yes!" The Doctor remarks enthusiastically, "She'd win a fight with a werewolf." The Doctor teases.
Then a side comment to himself sounding cross, "I told her to stay in the Tardis..."

Fairground

[capj_harkness]

Jack just sort of pops up out of the crowd.

"I thought I heard a familiar voice," he says. "...Though.... I guess we got our timelines crossed?"

Re: Fairground

[familyalien]

The Doctor beams at the familiar voice but as always, like with River Song, its about when.

"Jack." The Doctor teases and on a bit more serious remark, "Oh, you know us."

[amongfriends]

She's missed him. He'd been her first friend. Before Loki, the Doctor was the one pushing her to live again. They shared a dragon child. The history while brief is meaningful to Gamora. She thinks first of how to help him before bothering to address that he was ever gone, to begin with.

"Who is Donna? I can't help you without a description."

[familyalien]

The Doctor can't help but sorta stare at Gamora for a quick moment, because even being older he hasn't seen anything quite like her. And looks at her like she's beautiful.

"Blimey. Look at you." The Doctor remarks in an astonished tone.

"Right. Donna! She's a bit large. Tall as me and lots of red hair."

Gamora might notice that someone has a five o'clock and looks either more aged or distinguished.

[toph_luck]

A perhaps familiar face steps out from the side of the garden. Hands on her hips and wincing.

"I'm right here, you don't need to shout." She isn't even facing him. "You're back in Somnium, the Labyrinth."

[familyalien]

"Yeah, if I'm shouty its for a good reason." He does notice that the other isn't facing him, and ruffles his hair, "So, I've been told that."

"But why don't I remember?!" The Doctor shouts because he knows that this means that most likely his Tenth face that is being remembered and for this face, for this Doctor, that was so very long ago and brings up painful memories of missing, Rose, Jack, Martha and Donna. They were all important.

Fairgrounds

[whose_son_am_i]

"Personally I'd wonder if the fortune teller could help you find your friend." An amused voice chimes in. So the Doctor had also returned, much like Tayrey. Does this mean he'd gotten his wish?

"What game are you playing?" Definite curiosity there from the tall man with dark hair and blue-green eyes. Dressed like he blends in, but certainly not part of the fair or its staff.

Re: Fairgrounds

[familyalien]

The Doctor stares for a moment in brown, blue pin-stripe vest and pants and long green coat.

"She enjoys this sort of stuff." The Doctor remarks about the last time Donna spent time with a fortune teller and right after that, "BAD WOLF" appeared everywhere.

"Can't say I buy into it."

The Doctor is tired looking and old. He has a five o'clock but what really ages him are his eyes, they don't look as young as his face.

"I'm not playing any game." The Doctor remarks dryly, he isn't in the mood and given how the ToyMaker forced The Doctor into a game, he's definitely not in the mood.

(Not tall or loud, but does have a head full of red hair ^_^)

[magusrobin]

[Having just wandered past the fortune teller's tent, she caught the tail end of someone's sentence - asking about a 'red head.'] "Huh?" [Turning, looking around for the source then... maybe thinking otherwise. Had people already started talking about her? Though Chise didn't really recall doing anything to gain that sort of negative attention... but hearing the man's inquiry, she realized he was searching for a friend.]

[Slightly concerned, she figured the least she could do was try and help, even if she had no idea where this friend of his was.] "I haven't seen them, but you could check the Potluck?"[There had been a lot of people there, so many that she hadn't been able to properly distinguish everyone. And individuals naturally gravitated towards large gathering places or food - especially when they are hungry.] "Is... there any other descriptors you can remember? Of your friend, I mean. It might help..."

[familyalien]

The Potluck. Oh, that's brilliant! [The Doctor enthusiastically and then rubs a hand in his hair] Which ways the potluck?

Yeah... I'm not so good with describing her more I'm afraid. Human's sorta - all the same to me.

Garden

[darkestfairy]

Returning to the fairy gardens had become something of a routine hadn't it? At least, it gave Maleficent time to wander and poke at the pesky flowers that seemed to sprout here year-round. If they held any magic, she had yet to crack just what could be gained from them.

Too bad for her, the gardens were often filled with other residents, and every so often the random batch of new dreamers picking themselves off the grass. Sometimes they were curious. Other times, they panicked. This, it would seem, was one of the latter.

"Is it not simple? You are..." Maleficent stopped. Her flippant response petering off once she actually looked at who hailed her for answers. It's been some time, but she remembers a face from the network, among other places.

"Doctor?"

Re: Garden

[familyalien]

"Yes. Hello, hi. If things were simple, I wouldn't have spend lives traveling the universe and discovering the corners of it. And more importantly understanding it."