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

The Doctor is very focused with stirring the soup, he has to try about his Tardis. Even if she didn't dematerialize. She is still home.

"Not the first time she's been stuck somewhere."

"Oh, oh, Jenny. I'm not saying you're not clever. It's just - I have so many stories that I haven't shared."

"Yeah, as long as she's with you I suppose, yeah?" Jenny replied with a grin.

"Well, we've got plenty of time to trade stories, don't we? But you know, we get out of here, the first thing I have to do is fix my friend, Noah. We may have messed up a bit, and he got turned into a cyborg, so I have to make sure I fix that first I think. I can't leave him like that."

"Yes. Only thing left of Gallifrey now..." The Doctor pauses and tests the soup, "Now that is soup." He proceeds to fill up some bowls and wonders if this is what his life will be now.

The Doctor is quiet because he doesn't like hearing that her friend Noah has been turned into a cyborg, with a serious quiet remark, "In all my travels that's something I don't know... But who knows maybe you'll find something out I never did."

The Doctor proceeds to sit down and sip on the soup.

She takes one of the bowls, and grabs a seat at the table to eat. This whole having to eat regularly thing could get a bit annoying at times.

"Perhaps. I need to fully figure out how it even happened. We went back and made some changes, but it shouldn't have been anything damaging to the timeline. I told Noah to leave some things alone. That it wasn't a good idea and I had a feeling it shouldn't be messed with, but I think something happened. Something changed that shouldn't have and Noah got wrapped up in it somehow. So when I went forward, I also somehow missed bringing Noah with me, and next thing I know, he'd become the Colt-5000 cyborg. I just....have to figure out what was changed."

There is obviously a story there.

There is a story here and The Doctor scratches his five o clock at Colt-5000 cyborg. The Doctor has rarely seen other robots that weren't Cybermen. Maybe... Just maybe there's a chance.

"Sounds like you have a tale to tell." The Doctor finds himself grinning on her hijinks.

“Oh, I’ve got so many tales to tell you. Meeting Noah, Foiling a god who wasn’t really a god at all, zero space, getting chased around by the original Colt-5000 bounty hunter cyborg, the Maldovarium and getting to fly a TARDIS, dealing with Cybermen, getting stuck in the old west, the Prism, so many adventures.”

She really had been busy, but from that grin she’d obviously been enjoying her adventures.

"I'm sorry. What? What? What?! Maldovarium and thar being a Tardis thar? What?!"

The Doctor is confused and completely intrigued. Clearly she's been busy without her father.

“Yeah, Dorium had a bar on it and we ended up there because we’d heard he was auctioning off a TARDIS so of course we had to check it out and try to keep it out of the wrong hands. Turned out to be a trap and the TARDIS was well hidden anyway. Chameleon circuit was disguising it as the planet the bar was on.”

She really had found a TARDIS.

“She was old and tired. She was ready to rest when we got to her so I flew her out and then let her go like she wanted. She wasn’t mine to keep, you know? So that TARDIS is gone now. Sorry.”

The Doctor is quiet because a part of him wanted Jenny to have a Tardis. Specifically since Jenny would take care of a Tardis and he can't help but think of that one Tardis graveyard, that he found.

"You should have kept that." The Doctor remarks simply. "But if that is what the Tardis asked of you...."

Edited 2024-04-04 23:37 (UTC)

“I couldn’t. She didn’t want to be kept, dad. It wouldn’t have been right for me to keep her under the circumstances.” Jenny explained.

“It’s alright though, I’ve usually got a vortex manipulator to get around at the very least and that’s fine by me. Works well enough.”

He's quiet, goodness does he hate sentient requests sometimes. "Not a proper way to get around." The Doctor remarks. He also can't help but think of Captain Jack Harkness and their last meeting and wonders how the Time Agent is doing and strokes his five o clock shadow in thought.

"Well, I'm off to go look for my Tardis."

"I've had ships too. The vortex manipulator is just the most recent and quickest mode of transportation, and it's a perfectly proper way to get around." When it's working right. But she wasn't going to say that part out loud. The amount of time she's had to fix and recalibrate that thing, well, let's just say she wouldn't want to count it.

"Of course you are. Want a hand looking then?"

He gives a disgruntle, "It's painful that is. Being exposed to the time vortex like that."

Then a casual, "If you want. Looking for a blue Police Box." The Doctor doesn't wait up now that he's rested and his belly is full, he's off! And feels anxious because it's a nagging thing in the back of his brain that his Tardis might not be here and The Doctor wouldn't blame her. On the flipside since he's no longer a telepathic he can't tell if she's here or not without actually looking. Maybe just by chance she got pulled into this - sorta Toy Maker pocket universe. The Doctor can't believe there's another being out there, that is sorta like The ToyMaker. And that was his wish because he didn't know how to defeat play in a universe of logic. When play makes logic, illogical.

She's not going to comment on that, pain probably should bother her far more then it did, but then again, he knew what she was created for, so pain obviously wasn't one of her biggest concerns.

"The one you showed up on Messa with, yeah?" She confirms, heading off after him to help him look for a TARDIS they were very unlikely to find. While they searched, she could at least give him a little tour of the place.

"Yes." The Doctor remarks simply, "Blimey, that was lifetimes ago at this point for me." And yet up till now, The Doctor has had all the pain and rage of having seen his daughter killed.

"What do you like about here?"

"Only a few years ago for me though. I still remember everything, even the stories Donna told while we were running." That was a good time even if the end wasn't ideal.

"I like the meeting people from different universes honestly. Learning about them. I like having a mystery to solve too and people to try and solve it with. I've made friends here, but I still want to continue my travels at some point when everything gets worked out again. Not the first time I've been stuck somewhere, but that was different. I went back in time that round and had to take the slow route to catch up with Noah."

"Oh, you should have heard them from Rose. From Amy. Clara. Yaz." The Doctor finds himself making himself sad. "They were all brillant." He grows silent because he misses them all deeply.

"The slow route. I've had few times when I thought I was in the slow route. Always managed to find The Tardis. Me and the slow route. Blimey, me and the slow route can you see me on the slow route?"

"I've met Rose, but she wasn't here for much longer after my arrival so I didn't get to hear many stories from her." She didn't recognize the names of the other companions but she imagined they would have had amazing stories too.

"My vortex manipulator was malfunctioning at the time so I went back but it took time to fix it so had to wait it out until I ran into Noah again, and somehow avoid running into myself at the same time. But you, on the slow route, I think you would have done worse then me. I conformed with the locals as best I could, but things weren't exactly easy that round. Lots of bad luck."

Rose was here? He's beginning to wonder if it was her and him during one of their adventures, just popping in here.

"I don't know I can be on the slow route with being here. I ran into Donna again, and we got separated in a labyrinth. How has here been working for you?"

"It's been good. There's still adventure, but then it has its quiet times too. I've spent a lot of time being chased by the Colt-5000 so it's nice to not have to worry about it on my tail for a bit. Doesn't mean I don't want to leave eventually though.

You know, maybe having a break might do you good too, dad."

"Colt-5000? I'm sorry, what? Whut? Wut? I've been all over and never heard of that."

Then he puffs his cheeks, "Oh, I don't know. I already did that on The Town of Christmas. Don't think I need doing that again till I die."

"Bounty Hunter Cyborg. Been chasing us....well....mostly me, for quite a while. She stays on heels all the time no matter where we go. Always managing to track us down."

She laughs. "Oh no, I'm starting to think you do. Take the break for what it is, dad."

"Why? Why are you being chased in the stars?" Don't mind the defensive father, Jenny. He's concerned.

"I'm not guarding a crack in the universe or something of the sort. Why are you thinking that?"

"I don't really know. Someone put bounty on my head apparently. I don't know who." But she does no why. Look left out the actually to the why.

"Have you been listening to yourself, dad? You keep asking 'why this face?' and unlike the last time we saw each other, you sound tired. Like you need a break. I don't everything that happened, but there's nothing wrong with taking one. Not always having the responsibilities you usually do on your shoulders. You know, take care of you rather then everyone else."

The Doctor looks alarmed that his daughter for some reason has a bounty on her head.

The Doctor pauses and remarks to Jenny, "It's unusual for me to repeat a face. I don't understand why... I just fought for the whole of the universe again." The Doctor remarks with a worn out look and voice.

"Oh, I don't think I can't not take care of anyone."

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