buttrinthum | TDM #8

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TDM #8

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Jenny actually raises a brow at his expression more than anything. “Right. Hide and seek in another labyrinth. Well, if it helps any, this place is sort of like its pocket dimension. People from different worlds and times. From what I’ve gathered from others, when you go back, you at least go back to the point in time you came from.” She frowns a little. “I have a friend that needs help back home too, dad. His name’s Noah. So we both have people back home back to. What do you say we at least try to figure out a solution out of here so we can do that.”

The Doctor stares, non-blinking, what Jenny is saying about a pocket dimension he can grasp. That also tells him, that others just don't just leave.

"Oi! It was a very serious game of hide and seek, Jenny. The being that was in charge of it comes from beyond our reality and can add 'play' to the mix of dancing chaos and harmony. And trust me when I say - this being just loves to play. And wants to win but will be forever bound by the rules of play."

The Doctor beams that Jenny has a friend, "How did you meet Noah?"

"Oi, didn't say I didn't believe you. Just saying it'll still be there when we get out of here."

Look Doctor, your daughter still has that attitude of hers.

At the mention of Noah though, Jenny smiles. "Well, that's a bit of story, but to keep it short for now, I may have tried to steal his ship. To be fair, I thought it was empty, and someone else basically stole it first....sort of...through a scam. Noah was in suspended hibernation aboard. He doesn't really remember anything from before I found him. He's clever though. Joined up with me after that."

"The Toymakers the sort that isn't bound by limitations of a universe." The Doctor remarks firmly.

"He's completely capable of creating his own pocket dimensions."

The Doctor beams because he is glad Jenny has a friend and is able to travel around, "That sounds brillant!"
Not too soon after takes a short stumble but catches himself. He regenerated and hasn't exactly done the needed napping part, yet and now, his base line is human. He's completely fine and not tired.

"Except I've been here for a couple months now and there's been no Toymaker. Just the Overseer, Vaeros. Aren't you going to give me some manner of trust that I have an idea what's going on here at least, dad?" Just saying, because he was a little stuck on this Toymaker thing of his.

She notices his stumble and frowns. "Right, should probably mention we're as good as human here at the moment. You're probably going to tire out faster."

"Give me the rundown what's happened here in the last couple months." The Doctor is stubborn and in some state of denial and refuses the moment of weakness.

"Wut do you mean by human?"

"Exactly what I said. No time lord biological help and all that. You can't feel time, can you?" Just an example.

Once she'd answered that much, she moves on. "Let's see, that's a lot of territory to cover." She pauses before starting. "There were flowers affecting emotions when I arrived, then there was a blizzard right after I showed up, and these snow angels that were trying to attack everyone who was out there. Never thought I'd ever be freezing, but I was during that. Then when it melted we got a hot spring. Labyrinth opened up and I went with a couple friends to check it out. Put us into a photo studio of all things. Locked in there until we dressed in costume and took photos and that was the only way out, though I've heard there are other things that can happen. Both good and bad."

He doesn't like the question, its not something he should be questioning. However, he feels - nothing and looks alarmed because he can't feel time at all. If anything he feels like complete rubbish but he was checking it off because he is going slower now and still hasn't taken his regeneration nap and knows how important that is.

"Interesting... And which way is out of this garden?"

He didn't need to say it. Jenny could see it on his face. "See, that's what I mean. Nothing."

She then motions in a direction. "The Castle is that way. I think your room is still there from when you or the you from before was here last. Plenty of rooms, so haven't really changed much in all honesty. You're welcome to stay."

She doesn't wait for his response, turning and heading off in that direction. She's not so oblivious that she can't notice that he looks like he's about to pass out on his feet.

The Doctor makes a clear, he doesn't like this face.

"Thanks but I'm not planning on sticking around long."

The Doctor follows behind and notices that he's going slower but he's bold and determined to get to the Castle and then pass out. He doesn't like showing weakness. His stupid pride and he also doesn't want his daughter to be concerned about him.

She turns to glance at him at that. "Right. Planning to leave me here when you go then?" He might have wanted to consider what he'd just said and how he'd said it. Might have been a while for him, but it had only been a few years for her. Sure, she moved on, but it didn't make things like that hurt any less at times. Especially since the last time she'd met him, he'd been even younger then he'd been when she'd been created. That one had had her wondering if her father really would ever come around.

"Just about everyone else here wants to leave too, dad. We've just made the best of it until we can figure it out, which we're all trying to do. Personally, I didn't think I'd be sticking around this long either, but here I am."

"No. I'd love to take you with me so you could travel with me." That did his hearts so good. He's been longingly to say that for such a long time at this point. He wants to spend time with his daughter and to get to know her.

"Thar you are, indeed." The Doctor remarks flatly and does his best to keep pace with her, even if he is falling behind a bit. He needs a nap and he doesn't know how long being passed out means, here. And even if there's something different about him, he knows in his hearts he skipped his regeneration nap and feast.

The frown that had started to form on her face where he couldn't see it seemed to be turning up at that, and she looked back at him again. "Really? You really mean that this time?" She just had to be sure. She had been left last time after all. Though, she'd have to help Noah first.

She'd noticed him falling behind. "You going to make it? You look like you're dead on your feet." Leave it to her to be the blunt one here.

"Jenny.... I meant it the first time. I thought. Well - I thought you died on me." He still remembers the raw pain and anger at the one leader that shot her because she took that for The Doctor. Even if that had been lives ago, and it was this face of him too. The Doctor slowly touches his face, "Why this face?"

Before remarking with enthusiastically.

"And look at you! How alive you are!"

Then more plainly;

"I'll make it. I have too, don't I?" He just might be a bit slower than usual.

That gets a smile out of her. "For a few years now as far as I'm aware. I've had my own adventures. Just figured I'd run into you again when it was time to do so, and looks like now is it."

She looks him up and down for a second. "You do if you don't want me to drag you around because you've passed out, though I'd admit moving you would be a lot easier with a horse."

The Doctor beams with a big old grin. Even if it would have been nice to know that for many lives, that Jenny actually hadn't been dead. He could have tried to find her sooner but here they are now in some sort of pocket universe because he's stuck here with her.

"Looks like we'll finally have our adventures somewhere."

Then runs his fingers though his hair, "I'll make it, even if I would like to know. How much further to this castle?"

"Yeah, starting with this place." Jenny replies, grinning back at him.

"Not too much farther. It's faster to fly, but I doubt you have wings. Which potion did yet get anyway? You should have gotten one when you arrived. Blue, Gold, or Red."

"Red. What does that mean?"

"It means if you drink it, it'll give you elemental powers while you're here at the very least. The potions are fairly harmless once, but the powers can be a bit tricky to get the hang of. Not uncommon for people to have quite a few accidents while learning to use them." She hadn't been much better. She'd just been determined to figure it out. Even now, she still had issues on occassion.

"Yeah, I'm not so certain I want elemental abilities. What potion did you get?"

"Gold. Transformation. I can turn into a falcon."

"I'd like to see that." The Doctor remarks finding that a bit amusing. He isn't sure what he makes of the rule of this pocket dimension just yet. He's holding onto there's science here and not just the rule of play.

She grins back at him before stopping. "Right now or later?"

"Sure. Why not right now?" The Doctor remarks to Jenny in something of a challenging tone of make a believer out of him.

Oh, he was gonna be like that was he? Well, time for him to watch and learn. Good thing she'd been practicing a lot. She rolls her shoulders for a moment before giving him a very familiar smile "Watch and learn, dad."

Before he knew it, she was transforming, and he'd find a falcon there instead of his daughter that flapped its wings and landed on his shoulder before giving a screech. Believe her now?

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