buttrinthum | TDM #9

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TDM #9

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 in scrawling, jagged lettering that seems a bit... ominous:

“Welcome to my LABYRINTH where your wish, you wish you wish youwishyouwish– Your CONTRACT is SEALED.”

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?

Liminal Spaces and Worn Out Faces

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.

Up is Down, In is Out

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.

Dream Within a Dream Within a Dream Within a Dream Within

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.

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

Well no, normally YOU decide what the Palisman looks like, unless you're adopting one. But when I carved mine, I wanted them to have that choice. That was why I carved an egg. That way when it hatched, it would know what it wanted to be.

You and me both! It was a really surprising to see that it was possible those things were true.

[There was bound to be a lot of feeling things out, what worked, what you could do and what was a lot harder. In the end though, you'd figure out where you wanted your progress to go].

Ballet would probably help a lot with balance and breathing, wouldn't it? I'm not a ballet dancer myself, but I've seen people who are. It does take a lot of discipline, and I can see how that would mesh with what you guys are probably capable of.

Oh. I think I get it. That's pretty neat. Clever.

[Not that both of them weren't. Miles was usually more creative in the art sense, not necessarily in the way Luz was in her problem solving like that, the way she thinks things through? And Gwen has more experience with the superhero stuff but is still young herself and still has her moments she makes mistakes from not necessarily being aware or thinking things through more.

Still, Luz gets a nod from Gwen about the ballet.]

Right. Maybe if I'm able to visit more, I can teach this guy.

Like nothing I have in my world, but the great thing is that she will still be herself if I wound up there tomorrow, whereas my magic wouldn't be.

[And why THAT was was another explanation, one that she was sure that they would likely not want to hear about, but Luz did think about all the time. How exactly did the Titan still exist if he was dead]?

You guys could definitely teach each other! If you're both superheroes from different worlds, you probably have a lot to learn from how different your styles are, right? And even better, when you learn how they work you can combine what you know and be even stronger!

What about your magic? But ah, wait?

[Miles hadn't necessarily expected that offer, that suggestion to teach him, that he learns ballet. He glances between the two girls as they talked about dancing. He could maybe kinda see how it might help with balance, with coordination that they might need to figure fighting and all.]

Oh, technically my magic is powered by this big magical titan, so it's kind of its own thing. If you learned ballet though, it would probably help you as a fighter, right? It would help to keep you balanced and probably come in handy when you have to do something that requires a lot of concentration!

I....guess? But I thought I'd been doing fine? Without dance lessons?

[Without ballet? Still. Of course he is torn on that if only because. If it means more time with Gwen. Seeing her more. That had to be a positive, right? He's missed her. A lot. So much. He glances between Luz and Gwen, just imagining Gwen's amused expression under the mask at this. Teasing him.]

I mean, you say that now, but I have the feeling you probably will regret it if you don't. Being a hero always work that never ends, right?

[Luz: bad at seeing her own love life, but others? She can pick up on some things, and she could gleam impressions from other people. In this case, she was pretty sure there was something between these two, and it just needed a slight nudge].

It doesn't end. No. Which sometimes I wish I could at least get a break during the times that I would be in class.

[Miles says with a shrug, Gwen definitely smirking under the mask as she glances between Luz and him. He is still just starting, still only a couple of years into all this. Still learning to balance it. Figuring it out mostly on his own beyond that initial few days she and the others had been here.

But, well. Luz isn't wrong. There's definitely chemistry between them. Gwen knows how he feels. But she also knows things didn't end up do well between other dimensions version of their Gwen, their Spider-Man.]

Trust me, once you're here, you'll be a little overwhelmed, but at least there are breaks.

[If everything was crazy all of the time, Luz was pretty sure she'd have lost it a little bit. It came in waves, so there was at least that.

As for these two? Luz knew that was going to have to find its own pace. There's no way you could account for everything, and she knew enough from her own experience that things might need to be slightly nudged].

If you're someone that fights, it never does really feel like that ever ends, and so you have to gets stronger, when you have the chance to do it.

Breaks are good. But yeah. That's true. I'm stronger, better than I was. She can attest that I was literally just starting out when she found me.

[Miles gestures to Gwen. He shifts, balancing on one foot for a moment.]

It's just about time. Experience, right? Like anything. [He just figures the same for dancing, for boxing, for art. Music. Practice makes perfect.]

I think you'll find some like minded company here. They all had to start somewhere, right?

[A part of Luz is so extremely sad she can't see how he did this, watching him go from fledgling hero to someone who was more accomplished, who got stronger through hard work and perseverance.

Familiar story, sure, but Luz could appreciate the journey of getting to a place where you could make a difference. For obvious reasons].

Pretty much. And not getting frustrated when you're not instantly good at it. People forget that part.

Something like that? I guess. Yeah. I mean. I know I'm not alone.

[He smiles at that, under the mask. That's been reassuring, a hope and reminder ever since he started. That he can do this. That Gwen and the others were out there dealing with the same thing in their dimension.]

I know things take practice. My art has. But I've gotten better over time.

You'll catch on soon as you meet other people, trust me.

[Luz had wondered when she first got here if she was the only one who had her particular situation. She would learn that everyone here had their own story, some better, some worse].

No way?! That's actually something you and I have in common then!

Yeah? You like art too? I usually design stickers or um. Wall art. That sort of thing. Doodles in my books for ideas.

[She probably knew what he meant by that sort of thing? Probably. Miles was also generally smart, enjoying music. Wanting to maybe focus on studying science to be able to help figure the situation of visiting the other dimensions, safely. Without dealing with the glitching. The risk there.]

I do! I paint in my spare time, but I tend to draw and sketch more. I started out pretty rudimentary, but I have gotten much better!

[Of course she did! He was not the only one that had a sketch book, and she could totally relate! Heck, she had to finally break down and ask for a record player because she wanted to hear some tunes, and now she did have a few that she could call her own!

That part she could understand...heck, she'd even tried to create a portal of her own, with mixed results].

Painting, huh? Yeah, I usually go with spray paints more than like. Oils or acrylics. But then, there's also art classes I guess.

[Which. Wasn't quite as much his speed, but he still does well at in school. He's just figuring balancing class and attendance amid the whole Spider thing. Duty. Responsibility. It is making him miss some classes because he is busy helping with this or that. But he is passionate about his art. He is talented. If he did want to pursue something with that.]

Nice! I've always liked the color palates those give you, and people really under appreciate graffiti art. I've gone with my mom through Queens once, and there are some really great wall art spots, not that I need to tell you that!

[Luz loved art in most forms (even Dada, strange as it was), so she couldn't help gush a little bit there].

There aren't any here...well, no, not true, there probably are, but I'm not going to school here. I work on the farm, and when I'm not doing that, I'm practicing my own craft.

Oh? Yeah, Queens is pretty good for some nice street art. Main thing I found was trying to figure places where it was more secluded, that the cops wouldn't find me. Or if there was a specific space they let us throw up some art.

[Maybe mentioning his father is a cop might be a little telling but. Saying that much is probably okay? Right? Miles isn't hurting anyone with art on the walls. So this is fine? To admit even as Spider-Man? Probably. Hopefully.]

Honestly, if the place is secluded, why would anyone bother you about using it at all? That just seem like people trying to suppress creativity because it's not conventional art! That's just bias!

[Listen, she'll get to "father is a cop" later. She's focused on the arrrrrt].

Right? It's almost like a game. Seeing where you can find that nobody will catch you. I guess that's a lot easier now than it was.

[Given he can get to so many different, higher spaces now. With the whole Spider-Man thing. There is that. Not that he had that advantage until more recently but still. He's agreeing with her that it is a shame, given the potential if they allowed street art to be more widely acknowledged and accepted.]

Heh, yeah, it is, isn't it! Like those ones where you have to have stealth and not get caught by an antagonist, with a little bit of mobile playaction for some fun!

[Is someone a little bit of a nerd about these kinds of things? Absolutely].

But if you WERE allowed, think of all the cool stuff you could imagine! The colors!

I have so many designs and sketches in my books. I haven't thrown them all up on a wall but the odd one here and there I've managed.

[He admits. Not going into specifics but there was obviously the one he did with Aaron near the trains. And the other one in tribute to his uncle. So he has done the odd wall art here and there. More often he likes to get his stickers out there since he knows his father can't find all of those so easily.]

Now I'm really curious then! You think once you wake up, you can find me and let me see some, and I can show you some of my paintings?

[It had been some time since Luz had found a kindred creative spirit, so naturally she'd want to see a little more of their work]!

Well. Actually, I can show you one of them. That is, if you can keep up with us.

[He and Gwen swinging, her on her broom as she had found them while flying, using that initially. Miles can at least offer that much. Since they were already in his dimension anyway. She could see the mural they had done for his uncle or perhaps the one he did near the train station.]

[It was a staff, but that was an easy mistake to make. Normally you would see someone like Luz flying around and think she had a broom. But yes, she absolutely COULD keep up, and was!

She didn't almost place high in the Glan Prix back on the isles for nothing]!

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