buttrinthum | TDM #10 OVERFLOW

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TDM #10 OVERFLOW

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. 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: Sunflowers and Hibiscus. You’ll soon find out that being around the Sunflower makes it difficult to pass through the already disorienting garden, even with the light guiding you. Where patches of them grow, even if only waist-high, you cannot pass through them, over them, or even destroy them to get them out of your way. In each grouping that blocks your path, there is one that has a key-shaped opening in the middle of the flower. Maybe the key is nearby? (Spoiler: it's probably under a rock nearby that you forgot to check!) The hibiscus offers an entirely different effect - inhaling the pollen grants you the temporary ability to shoot fireballs out of your hands. But be careful, those fireballs are difficult to control and seem to bounce in random directions no matter how hard you try to aim (cannot be used to destroy the sunflowers). The effect ends once you step out of the garden.

It's Dangerous to go Alone! Take This.

Somnius is once again recovering from a devastating blow. Buildings need to be restored to their former glory and the emotional turmoil of the previous weeks surely needs to be alleviated. What better way to lighten the mood than a little fun for the whole family? A new arcade has appeared in town, beckoning residents with its stone doors set wide open.

With multiple levels, a variety of games and even a snackbar, Appl3 Pi Arcade is sure to be a hit!

Of course, as with everything that ever happens in Somnius, the arcades appearance is not without some complications. For one, playing the games inside might see characters teleported into the machine itself, perfectly pixelated to fit the game they're in. Hope you weren't about to fight the final boss, because now you might be fighting for your life! The good news is, if you die in the game... you don't die in real life and are just popped back out into the arcade again.

Strange things happen outside the arcade too. Walking down the road you might suddenly see a healthbar pop up above someone's head. Are you supposed to fight them? Are they going to fight you? Best to be cautious and reach for any trusty weapons you have just in case. Weapons that have become pixelated and can be pulled seemingly out of nowhere like some kind of hammerspace. They are also prone to breaking and shattering into glimmering pixel pieces (your normal weapons are still intact, don't worry).

Boxes and pots around Somnius are somehow more breakable than usual, smashed open with a single swing of those pixel weapons and producing gold coins! What a shame gold coins aren't the currency here. But if you don't want to destroy more things around Somnius, why not try fishing instead? That seems safe - if not suddenly more difficult with the fishing minigame that popped up in front of you. Quick! Keep the fish icon in the green bar or you'll lose it!

All things considered? It's all relatively harmless fun up until-

But Enough Talk, Have At You!

Vaeros wakes up. For those new to town, this means nothing. For those that were here for the castle raid? They can rest assured that they're in for a surprise. The Overlord of Visium has finally awoken from his Hyalily induced coma and he is furious. A shout echoes from the castle:

"Did you think you had won, dear Dreamers? Did you think you had bested me? Go, play your games, but know that there is only one winner here, and it is me."

A wave of magical energy sweeps through the town, shaking it to the very core. Miraculously, the destroyed buildings and any remnants of the forest onslaught are gone and returned to their usual state. Perhaps Vaeros shouting was just another tantrum, an empty threat?

Not quite.

The town has been restored, but the locals? They are nowhere to be seen - cowering in their homes and fleeing to the sanctity of the Church of the Moon in hopes of staying out of sight of Vaeros and Dreamers both. The once tame video game effects are now far more intense - monsters from within those games are now rampaging through the town. They seem to shift through buildings, but if they run face first into a Dreamer, they will find them very corporeal and very deadly.

Not only that, but the lines are starting to blur between reality and fiction again, the healthbar above your head flickering in and out, the monsters turning from pixel beasts to real, live animals that roam Somnius - both feral and not. One second you are walking through town, and the next you are stepping onto a platform that starts to break under your weight, demanding you jump to the next platform before you plummet into an odd, multicolored abyss.

And strangest of all is that music coming from the labyrinth, growing louder when you approach and fading out when you move away.

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.

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[ dolph shoots him a flat look. ]

I'm not sure how big of an act getting a lost person to a town is. Unless you rather stay here?

Does it really matter how 'big' of an... act? [Yes, he absolutely tries to lace the sentence with innuendo.] You're still doing something without wanting anything in return. Giving your time.

It's simply interesting. That's all.

Please, lead the way. [His tail flicks as he motions vaguely in just about any direction.]

[ dryly, since he's 6'5. ]

It's not something I think about. Since I'm big enough.

[ and he meant that too. with innuendo. ]

[Vere is a demure 5'10 and he certainly isn't about to complain when the man returns his flirtatious teasing, tail flicking as the corner of his lips curls further in amusement.]

I'm sure you are.

Now, were you going to show me out of here? My big, strong hero. [He smirks.]

[ he grimaces. he's never cared for that. ]

No need to lay it on so thick. Who are you performing for?

[Vere almost seems to delight in the man's display of distaste.]

Why you, of course. There's no one here but us.

But I was being facetious, big boy. Teasing you. [He gives him a pat on arm.] Don't read too much into it.

You'd think to tailor it towards something I like then.

[ he figured, it's just heavy handed. ]

[His curling smile remains in place but the amusement leaves his eyes.]

Indeed. If that's the game I need to play. [His tone is less playful.] But I thought you said you didn't want anything.

Ideally, I can be myself and you can take it or leave it.

I don't. It seems like something you put on for protection. I'm not even sure how much you want it.

[ he shrugs. ]

Be yourself then.

It's not like I'm being anything else.

[Vere just gives him a sly, humorless smile.]

It's been a very long time since I've been this powerless. Can you blame me for trying to ensure your help?

[He glances at the stranger, eyebrow arching.] You're not sure how much I want it? Want what? Your protection? ... You? [The coy smirk is back.]

[ a pause. ]

No. I wouldn't blame you for that.

[ he'd be the last person to do that. ]

I meant the act. I don't think that highly of myself.

Hmm, I don't mind it nearly as much as you seem to.

[It's second nature at this point and flirting is always pretty enjoyable.]

I am curious about one thing... Well -[He chuckles quietly, giving the man another suggestive glance.]- maybe a few things. But those can wait until later.

How long have you been here? And what could someone like you possibly have to wish for?

[ he doesn't mind flirting, but he is a straightforward person. makes it easier to grasp where others are coming from.

his brow furrows, perplexed. ]

I've been here for a couple of months. What do you mean, someone like me?

Oh, you know: Tall, strong, handsome, able to fire energy from your body. [The usual.

His keen eyes train on him.] Makes a person wonder what you might've wished for.

[His tail teasingly brushes his arm before he shrugs nonchalantly.]

[ ah. those things. he's not the most self-conscious person but it's weird to have it all laid out like that. rubbing the back of his neck idly, dolph manages a response. ]

It's not for getting laid, I can tell you that much.

Everyone's got something they can't quite find.

[His tail swishes as he smirks, laughing softly and revealing sharp canines.] Then we have something in common.

[He seems satisfied with the non-answer, happy, in fact. The fact that the man had enough sense not to answer him is incredibly reassuring.]

I'm Vere.

[ hm. he's not the best at flirting, but he can look appreciatively. ]

Dolph. Dolph Laserhawk.

[While being flirted back to is fun, the attention and appreciative looks are more than enough. For the moment, at least.]

Dolph. [He echoes his name with a nod before continuing in a low, smokey purr.] It's a pleasure, Dolph.

[His ears prick suddenly and he stills, flirtatious expression shifting to neutrally attentive. Tilting his head slightly, he sniffs the air delicately.] I smell blood. It smells like death. [He glances around but doesn't spot anything.] There's something else here. Hunting us. [He steps closer, fingers brushing the cold metal of Dolph's arm, voice low and cautious.] Be ready.

[ hm. impressive to sense anything without powers. dolph isn't too worried though. he earned back all of his abilities now. it would be hard for any creature to gain the advantage.

still. no need to take risks. ]

I'll be fine. Get behind me.

[Vere's keen sense of smell is hardly a power and is simply his inhuman anatomy. Unfortunately, it isn't all that helpful in this situation aside from alerting him that something is there with them.

Whatever this thing is, it's different from the trolls and orcs from before. They'd been direct. This thing is keeping out of view, likely trying to avoid the man's arm canon.

He doesn't quite get behind Dolph, but he does stay close, his shoulder brushing against him, tail bristling.

He hates this. Hates the feeling of vulnerability.

Suddenly, something goes flying by them, close enough that he feels the wind from it on his ear. Snapping his attention in the direction it'd flown, he sees a dagger embedded in the ground, but when he turns back to see where it could have come from, he sees no one. Ears pinned back against his head, he growls softly in the back of his throat, still sticking close to Dolph.]

[ daggers. really? someone thinks they're fancy. dolph activates the visor in his head, letting it scan the trees. nothing, nothing, nothing.

— and there. it pings off his radar and dolph lines the shot with ease, aiming straight at the attacker. ]

Fuck off.

[ and shoots. ]

[Vere's ears are pinned back as he ducks down slightly, both to avoid more daggers and stay out of the way if Dolph starts firing.

And he's certainly glad he does as Dolph seems to lock on to something, or someone, and fires.]

Are they dead?

[ he can hear a satisfying thump. his visor detects no life signs. he sighs, switching his arm back. he hates this kind of work, but it is his best skill. ]

Yeah. The cannon's plasma. Tears through flesh like nothing else.

[Vere hears it too, his lips curling into an almost wicked smile.]

It's odd... I seem to find myself -how should I put this?- lacking my usual abilities.

[He glances in the direction of the body.] I'm usually above this, but you wouldn't mind if we had a look to see what they had on them, would you?

You'll have to earn them back. And that takes time.

[ he glances back to where the body must be, his expression tight. ]

What for?

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