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buttrinthum2024-04-30 10:34 pm
TDM #9
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 in scrawling, jagged lettering that seems a bit... ominous:
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: Larkspur and Anemone You’ll soon find out that being around the Larkspur makes you almost overwhelmingly tired, to the point you might even feel sluggish and in desperate need of a comfy place to rest. Why not lie down right in the garden? Or better yet, find someone to snuggle up with and sleep your worries away. The only truly strange part? You don’t seem to dream. At all. Straying too close to the Anemones, meanwhile, grants an entirely different effect. One second you’ll be walking through the garden and then suddenly you’re twenty feet away and facing the wrong direction. Even worse, whatever those flowers have done to you will sometimes make it so you “glitch” through solid objects – your leg might suddenly be lodged in the ground despite it being perfectly solid a moment before, or your arm could be shoved halfway into a wall that… actually, was that wall even there before? Nevermind that. The effects only last for a few minutes at worst, so at least you’re not stuck there forever, right?
Thanks to the combined efforts of dreamers and dragons, Vaeros is asleep. No one knows for how long. The locals aren’t particularly pleased with this turn of events and the village is a mess, but at least the moon is high in the sky again and everything is back to normal… relatively speaking. Things start to change... morph into something more dreamy, more surreal. It's subtle at first but after a few days…
The aftermath of the overgrowth, animal attacks, and the overall chaos of Vaeros' tantrum has left the village a little worse for wear. While most of the damages are cosmetic and could be fixed by the local's efforts alone, maybe a little help would be appreciated? If nothing else, it might help alleviate a little bit of the tension still lingering in the air after the events at the castle.
That, and the locals seem to be acting kind of strange. Leaving them to their own devices might not be the best idea. The Gelfling you are aiding in repairing a half-broken wall has been hammering for what seems like hours and when you look to see what they're doing, they haven't actually made any progress - they're just hitting the same spot over and over again, potentially making the hole even bigger. Did the goblin you just passed have a completely blank face for a moment? Others might walk into things, off of things (Starlight Cliff might be a hazard zone), or suddenly and inexplicably become aggressive toward dreamers, grabbing anything they can get their hands on (kitchenware, vegetables, a goose??) to use as a weapon. It's a very bizarre scene and the villagers don't seem to notice there is anything wrong with the people around them.
It’s not just the locals either. The animals have been acting equally strange. There's a wolf inside the clothing shop trying on suits, a goat standing (or trying to stand) on its hind legs, bleating out random words like a town crier while jingling a bell around its neck to get everyone's attention. Where you should find the local baker, suddenly they're replaced with a deer holding a paddle in its mouth to stir up a batch of brownies.
To top it all off, there's an eerie sense of deja vu no matter where you go or what you do. Didn't you just help that goblin with the wheelbarrow an hour ago? So why is it halfway across town again? You could have sworn you had to go and grab groceries, but your pantry is full like someone already had.
Days pass and the oddities continue to make themselves more and more apparent. The sidewalks seem uneven and wobbly at times, threatening to toss people walking across them to the ground or even fling them into the air with a sudden violent ripple. Walking through the forest sees the leaves of the trees melting into green goo that sticks to your clothes, your hair, and your skin - potentially staining them green and leaving you in dire need of a bath. You can always wash off in the lake, of course, but even that is not free of the strangeness occurring in Visium. The water of Lake Omen has turned to lava, at least in color; although there is no heat radiating from it when one approaches. That, and the locals are still fishing in it without issue, save the fact that they keep pulling up fish with tophats on.
Speaking of fish - they're raining from the sky now (tophats or not) in all sorts of different colors, shapes, and sizes. Good news! They're still edible. Bad news, they're probably trying to sell you something.
If you do decide to try the fish or any other meal in town, especially those served by the locals, you'll find that it doesn't taste like much of anything and most certainly doesn't fill you up, at least not at first. Everything is bland and unappealing until left in the presence of dreamers - and the more you share the meal with, the faster the taste returns.
Even with Vaeros asleep, only a small portion of the labyrinth is still accessible. Those that attempt to explore will find sections made up of pillows and cushions, and no matter what time of day it is elsewhere, this portion of the labyrinth seems to be stuck in perpetual twilight. Explorers will also immediately feel drowsy, then lulled to sleep by the quiet singing whispered through the air like a lullaby. Anyone brave enough to try and rescue those poor souls from their impromptu naps would be wise to plug their noses and cover their ears with earmuffs to block out the sound.
At night, dreamers dream. They will be visited by the same melody heard in the labyrinth, though it is distant. They will also hear a woman telling them to spend more time together, to bond and create things together in order to soothe the effects of Vaeros' magic growing wild in his dreams. Dreamers will also have the ability to visit other's dreams, meeting in a dreamy light liminal space that will not feel so real when they awaken.
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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[ .. not really the most detailed answer in the world, but judging by how alarmed Inigo suddenly sounds, it's not like he's being ominous on purpose. It's more that his mind is more on something else right now than it is on answering Gumshoe's question. His gaze is momentarily trained on the sky, especially as said sky only seems to grow darker and darker..
It seems to take him a lot of effort to tear his gaze away from the sky to look back over at the armoured man again. ]
We-- [ His voice sounds so rushed, and his gaze quickly darts around them, looking at the fields. ] We have to go. We have to get away from here now!
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[Gumshoe continues to be utterly befuddled by this whole situation. The darkness in the sky, Inigo's caginess - none of it sits right with him, and all of it's confusing. He worries for the boy, but he does heed his word and starts moving.]
W-well if we should be going, then let's start moving! But tell me what's going on, too. Where's the fire, pal?!
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[ To explain, of course! Instead Inigo is starting to already move, running through the flowers. It's only after a few steps that he turns around and seems to realise that Gumshoe can't exactly move as effectively as Inigo can, given that Inigo is wearing much, much lighter armour..
And that just makes the young man look even more nervous. Sure, he could run away by himself, but the problem is that he doesn't want to abandon Gumshoe to this situation.
He doesn't want to abandon anyone to it. Inigo, of all people, knows how bad it's about to get. ]
It's-- It's up there..! [ He at least does explain, maybe hoping it somehow magically makes Gumshoe go faster.. And if the man does follow the finger Inigo is pointing up at the sky, he may realise something about the darkness.
It's not just a cloud, or night falling.
It's a shadow. There's something up there that's large enough to cover the entire sky. ]
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Try as he might, Gumshoe continues to lag behind him while moving as fast as he can manage in this armor. He also tries to limit the number of flowers he steps on. But as the shadow looms above, he looks up with shock and fear.]
Wait, what's that?? What's going on, pal?! Don't tell me you fight giants for a living!
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But that's clearly not the problem here. Inigo stops running for a moment, because he just can't leave Gumshoe behind here by himself. Even though Inigo still clearly looks very worried about this situation-- if not more worried, because now it's clear they can't just easily escape. ]
That is Grima.
[ At least the lack of running does give him some time to explain now, even if something very troubled is also slipping into the tone of his voice now. ]
A dragon that has come to destroy this world.
[ Sorry for the ominous talk, Gumshoe, but.. it's also just true. Welcome to Inigo's fun fun reality! ]
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A- a world-destroying dragon?! [The whole world?? Not just a simple village-destroying one?! He really misses when he thought this would be a giant!] That soungs serious, pal! I didn't know you were some kinda big-shot dragon slayer!
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[ Something about the look on Inigo's face falls as he says that. A moment ago it was just plainly worried, but right now he looks sad too on top of it.
This is just a reminder, after all. It seems like he can't even help Gumshoe get away from here quickly enough - then what good is he? Can he save anyone at all from Grima before it's too late?
It's like the place is getting more and more dark around them by the moment - something Gumshoe himself might be noticing too. And at the same time Inigo's shoulders seem to sag more and more as well. ]
I couldn't defeat Grima. I really wished I was strong enough, but I'm not.
no subject
[Gumshoe frowns as he looks towards Inigo. The poor kid. It's clear that this apparent failure to stop this evil dragon is weighing heavily on him. Like the ultimate criminal that got away! And as the sky darkens, Gumshoe wonders if it's due to Inigo's mood as much as the coming dragon. After all, this place does seem to be rooted in Inigo's memory... in his mind.
In any case, he can't let him wallow like this. He just can't allow it.]
Not with that attitude, pal! What are you talking about? Of course you're strong enough! You just gotta tap into your inner strength!
no subject
The look in his eyes isn't exactly great, since he looks very worried and definitely not like he necessarily believes in the man's words.. but at least he isn't completely ignoring them either. (Which is definitely the strategy Inigo usually would employ here.) ]
What do you mean..?
[ His tone, however, is also very much unsure. ]
I don't-- I don't have some sort of inner power. I'm not special.
no subject
What're you talking about, pal? Of course you're special! Where's that self-confidnce you showed back at the beach, when we first met?
[He dramatically points at him!]
You thought that scrawny chest of yours would slay all the ladies on the beach! If you can believe that, pal, then taking on some big stinking lizard has gotta be child's play next to that! You can do this, pal!!
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Of all things he expected the other to bring up, this wasn't one of them.. Then again, it is Inigo's own fault that Gumshoe even knows about it at all, huh. Definitely his fault for hammering on it so mucch in front of the other. ]
C-Come on! [ He sputters.
The darkness overhead is still very much present. ]
That and this are entirely different things! Even if I am very attractive to the ladies [ - a fact Inigo certainly doesn't believe, but also doesn't want to give up the act right now of all times - ] that has very little to do with slaying a world-ending dragon!
no subject
[He supportively raises his spear in the air.]
You can do this! ... Especially because... Don't be alarmed, pal, but I've been having this strange feeling that this is some kinda dream. If it is, you really can do anything you can imagine!
[He keeps trudging forward while speaking... Except then he trips and falls over with an oof. Now he'll end up flailing helplessly on the ground in his armor.]
no subject
[ Oh.
No time to finish that question, because Gumshoe definitely fell over, and Inigo instead lets out a yelp of surprise as he rushes back over towards the other guy's side. Even if Inigo has no idea how he's going the other back up again. Sure, most of his friends wear armour too, but only one of them wears this much of it, and he's never had to help Kjelle back up to her feet.. She probably would have murdered him before allowing him to ever do so. ]
H-Hurry, you need to get up! [ He instead says - sounding desperate, like he's somehow hoping the sound of this will be enough to magically get Gumshoe back up on his feet even with that heavy armour. ] We can't stay here like this! Like I said-- We have to hurry and go, or you will die..!
[ "You" is kind of a weird word to use there, huh.
But it's not like Inigo is figuring he won't die. It's just that he cares way more about Gumshoe dying than about the same thing happening to himself. ]
no subject
Sorry, pal, but I've fallen and I can't get up. [He heaves a heavy sigh. Why's this kid worrying about him at a time like this? Well, he knows the answer to that, of course. It's because he's got a good heart.]
Listen, just forget about me. Go on without me, pal! Or go take on that dragon and slay it!
[Either way, he hopes Inigo can learn something important from this! ...And that if you die in a dream, you don't die in real life!]
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No way, how am I supposed to leave you behind?! [ It doesn't even seem to be an option in Inigo's mind, despite the clear danger involved here and the terrible odds. He moves, grabbing the other's arm to try and help him up, but no matter how much he tugs, it's like the other truly is too heavy for Inigo to even do as much as drag him, let alone actually get him up. ]
Besides, aren't you scared?! Isn't this terribly scary?!
[ Because it sure seems to be to Inigo.
Mostly because Gumshoe is involved. Exactly because Gumshoe's life is on the line. That's terrifying to the young man. It's right there in his gaze as he stares at the other. ]
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Oh of course, pal! This is a horrifying situation! But hey, what're you gonna do?
[He says that very casually and matter-of-factly as Inigo tries to move him. The despair in his eyes is palpable and hits Gumshoe hard.]
But hey. It's hard to be scared when you're around, pal. Because I know that you've got this! [He really hopes that he's got this.]
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The one thing Inigo always wanted to hear more than anything. That he is making a difference. That his efforts aren't useless. It's hard to be scared when you're around.
The young man swallows, and his sight grows a little blurry as his eyes fill themselves with tears. ]
You.. [ His throat feels so tight, making it hard to speak. ] You truly believe that much in me?
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Of course I do, pal! I ain't gonna make something like that up. Even if I give you a hard time sometimes, you still help me out when it counts. Like when my memory was all foggy! So I know you can pull through. Even at a time like this!
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I-- [ Inigo chokes out in the middle of the tears. He's crying hard enough that it's difficult to speak, though he tries. ]
No one has told me that before.
[ That's the first thing he manages to say. Maybe a little bit more honest than he'd necessarily prefer to be, but.. well, it's true. It's so true that it escapes his throat before he's really thought about it, wanting to show the other proper appreciation for how kind Gumshoe is being. ]
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Really? [He responds with surprise.] I don't hear it too often myself.
[He admits, realizing he has a lot in common with this boy. He now finds himself able to get up on his feet and claps his hands on his shoulders.]
See, pal? I think you did a pretty good job of getting rid of that dragon. And all you needed was to believe in yourself!
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.. I'm sorry I got all worked up about the whole-- the whole beach thing.
[ Look, was that long ago? Yes.
But Inigo still feels like he ought to apologize. Especially when Gumshoe is now saying that he doesn't often hear that people believe in him either. ]
I was just worried, and insecure, and I-- I didn't want you to make fun of me, so I said some really dumb things back there. I actually don't think I'm popular with girls at all. [ He offers, now honest. ]
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There there, pal. It's nothing you gotta apologize for! And I wouldn't go that far either... I'm sure you can get plenty of ladies interested in you! And that confidence is a real important step. You gotta be brave and bear your chest on the beach! And I'm sure you'll find you don't really got much you have to worry about.
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[ He nods. Dutifully. Gumshoe, you're officially the Responsible Adult now. Make sure to handle this role with care. ]
If we ever end up on a beach again.. [ Granted, maybe it's not very likely it'll happen. It's been a long while since there has been a beach in the place they're stuck in, right? ] T-Then I promise I'll at least try.
[ Even if he can't promise anything beyond trying.
It's still terrifying, after all. ]
no subject
You can do better than that, pal! A wise puppet once said 'Do or do not. There is no try.'
[He grins and nudges his shoulder.]
But I'm just glad you realized it. This is your dream, and you're the one in control! You can make this place however you like! [His grin grows more coy.]
I should try to get outta here in case you dream up something steamy...! [He is that age after all.]