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buttrinthum2025-01-22 07:21 pm
January 2025 TDM OVERFLOW
Whether it be sleep or death, you feel your eyes close, and as your body begins to let go, you see an inky starry nothingness spread out around you. 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.
Though there is nothing to prove it, you just know you have made a promise, a contract of sorts, with something and someone who remains but a shadow in your memories.
- 💐 Agapanthus flowers dot the garden, their tiny blooms reaching for the sky like stars. Those who touch or pick them, however, may find themselves feeling a little sleepy. They may be prone to napping wherever, on WHOMever, but the effect will only last for a little while. Perhaps the sleepiness is preferred to the deep, bone-aching sorrow they may feel upon touching these blooms.
- 🌸 Snapdragons line the pathways, growing so much taller than they normally would. They seem to echo the purple and silver hues of the crystals that now make up most of Visium, but the odd pink bloom might cause those who touch its petals to be overcome by unending energy, as though driven by a motor deep within their soul. This energy is accompanied by a heartful sense of joy at any little thing, a direct contrast to the Agapanthus found elsewhere in the garden.
No matter your adventures in the garden with its many plants, before long you are found and guided by a dragonkin pair through the garden to the bridge that leads up high to a portal in the sky, rimmed by glowing starlight.
The sun has risen over Somnius again, but the frigid snow remains. Crystal overgrowth still bars anyone from entering areas outside of the town and residences. For newcomers and established Dreamers alike, locals are unfriendly, shunning Dreamers at every turn. It's rough, but dreamers don't seem to have much of a choice but to live with the consequences of Vaeros' passing. There's little hope that things will change any time soon, and Myrta herself is once again missing for the time being. Perhaps putting on such a loud party took a lot out of her? Hopefully she'll reappear again soon, as the Forest Witch is wont to do.
On January 1st, a bridge appears near the cliffs at the edge of town. It swirls into existence with a golden magic that starts at the crystal cliff walls and extends high into the sky over the water. It seems to pierce through any remaining magical barrier, and settles solidly as a warm golden swirl with twinkling lights at the edge. There's a sense of warmth and hope that radiates from the portal itself, and the disenchanted locals urge the Dreamers toward it, eager to be rid of them, or perhaps eager to use them as test subjects for something else new and scary to them.
Passing through the portal, the Dreamer will hear a voice - some may recognize it as Seravo:
Next, the Dreamer will feel it - an overwhelming, all-consuming desire: whatever they want most in the world. There is a bright flash - a vision of a crystal, shimmering and golden. There's a hum of a pure promise, absent the strange magical warbling that seems to thrum from the purple crystal in Somnius.
Life In Somnius
Some locals seem intrigued by the portal, and once enough dreamers go through and do not seem to be torn apart by errant magics, some murmurs begin that they too, will leave. They remember Seravo, at least a little, as their memories clear. Some refuse to leave determined to make a home in the land destroyed by recent events. They're not ready to give up on the land they've called home for so many years. It's a mixed bag, with some locals making the trip alongside dreamers. It's often that the ones that are leaving are the ones sympathetic to dreamers on some level, while the more antagonistic locals stay behind.
Dragonkin have taken up station near the bridge to the portal, and are offering water and food to those who wish to travel through the portal. They're also giving out maps with a land on them that is unfamiliar to anyone, as it is alongside the drawn portion of Visium. These maps are personalized, and cannot be lost no matter what happens to them. Much like the devices that Dreamers are given, these maps will simply reappear or reform if lost or torn.
The Dreamers emerge in the land of Lumindeas, only a carriage ride from the front gates of the Grand City of Stellari. They are free to explore as they will once they make it past the portal settlement and choose where they want to go first.
The land of Lumindeas. It's a magical land with a brighter feel than Visium harbored. Though dangers lurk in certain locations, there are plenty of safe havens to visit for those looking for adventures that are a little less weapon needy. From forests to plains, beaches and lakes, the land is beautiful and green. In the winter a light blanket of snow covers most of the land but the chill is crisp and pleasant to the lungs. The Grand City of Stellari takes up much of the lower third of the land, with the Briar Swamp beyond the city, held at bay by the Royal Guard. To the north are the Crystal Spires and Air Cliffs, as well as the large Lake Termina.
It's all open to explore, but where would you start?
- 🌇 Portal Settlement - On the side of Lumindeas, the portal location is already starting to fill out. With opportunistic merchants looking to sell dreamer and Somnius locals cheap deals, and the Royal Guard facilitating caravans into the city, it's almost as though a little temporary village is starting to form. Those who just arrive from Somnius are given papers to allow them into Stellari, and should Dreamers be hungry there are several little pop up cafes with warm soups and comfort food of the dragonkin for free.
A small purse of the local currency, cords, is offered to each Dreamer and former Somnius local alike, a small stipend to make their transition easier since thier currency here in Lumindeas is separate from the shards Visium inhabitants use. It's encouraged, however, no matter what those who come through the portal do, that they get a move on before night falls. The Portal settlement is safe due to the presence of the Royal Guard, but the land beyond is not quite as safe, and even the popup shops seem to know this. Those who linger might get put to work helping close things up for the night before being encouraged to leave with shop staff.
- 🐮 Farmland - The farmlands are prosperous and plenty, with both farms that focus on livestock and farms that focus on crops. Food and produce from the animals are bountiful and there's no end to work. Those who want to get a jump on earning cords might find themselves welcome at any farm to help out. The cattle are particularly picky about what they eat, and some will only be hand-fed . The farmhands say this makes the meat and eggs sweeter, richer somehow. So they encourage anyone who helps to treat the animals like pets, offering kind words even makes the milk taste better!
The farms that focus on crops are largely self-sufficient, but those who are mechanically inclined could easily find work helping to maintain the wagons and other vehicles used to maintain the farms and spread seed. Magical scythes are used to energize those who harvest, and are given out to volunteers for use should they want to try their hand at picking the winter crops of lettuce and other cold weather foods.
- 🌲 Yhaveh Forest - One of the more dangerous locations, Yhaveh forest is home to all sorts of magical creatures that are hunted for materials but also avoided due to their toxic nature or dangerous magics. It's possible to get lost in the twisted, labyrinth-like growth of trees, and a good fourth of the island is covered by this forest, making it hard to travel through. Getting lost in the forest is only ever temporary, but unless you make it out to the other end with intention you'll likely just get spit back out where you started.
Magical weaponry is rendered useless in this forest somehow like it is some kind of dead zone. It cannot even be drawn or used as normal weaponry. It's therefore highly recommended by the guard to anyone who goes in that they carry mundane supplies with them when exploring the forest to hunt creatures or complete quests. Those who aren't bold enough to enter might find themselves useful by patrolling the southern border on the side of the grand city. Combating flying creatures that try to snipe chickens and other small farm animals is particularly helpful.
- 🏖️ Silver Sleep Beach - Although it's cold out, the beach still offers blue waters and plenty of seasonal activities, such as a small shell collecting contest. Participants are encouraged to find the Best Shell on the Beach and bring it to the judges to have it evaluated, the prize being nothing more than bragging rights. Dreamers may find that the shells scuttle away from them when they get too close, despite having no animal inside. No wonder it's taking so long for people to submit their entries! If that doesn't interest you, there are always sandcastles to build, or perhaps a sunset walk along the shores. Vendors sell hot street foods nearby, and there are even a few booths offering games or souvenirs.
- 🛫 Airship Travel - The airship docks are positioned at the east and west ends of the city, both serving as ports to dock personal and business airships. The ones on the west in particular leave regularly for The Air Cliffs and Crystal Spires. When visiting the former, new Dreamers aren't left to their own devices, instead, they're given a small, little cramped room to sleep in overnight and upon arrival to the Air cliffs are given a riding tour through twisted tree and stone, showing off several mining settlements and encampments for hunting. The tour lasts most of the day and meals are prepared by an encampment of mystical meat and beer at lunch and vegetable soup at night. The trip ends once the ships dock back at Stellari, and little pamphlets to join mining companies are handed out to participants.
In contrast, the trip to the Crystal Spires is a day trip to the hot springs, where both single-gender and all-gender springs are ready for those looking for somewhere to relax. No hanky panky! Anything spicy happening will result in participants getting electrically zapped and banned from the springs for life! It might be best to enjoy the springs for the healing water and those who work at the small resort's amazing massages instead of anything more... personal. In public at least. If you acquire one of the overnight rooms in a hollowed-out crystal spire, no one's stopping you from doing what you want.
The Grand City of Stellari is a large, sprawling city that dwarfs Somnius in size and scope. Perhaps it also seems to eclipse Somnius in creature comforts and to a small extent technology. Magic is used commonly by all residents, making their lives simpler than their less magically inclined relatives from across the sea and within the barrier of dreams. Dragonkin are a clear and present majority, though goblin, gelfling and faerie alike can also be found as native locals. These dragonkin are scaled bipedal versions of their ancient dragon cousins, and boast strong fire magic capabilities and fiery boisterous personalities.
No matter what part of the city Dreamers wander into, it is busy. The night hours provide a quieter atmosphere, with glowing street lamps powered by enchanted dragonfire. Cobblestone roads lead from each district into the next, and overall the faces Dreamers come across are friendly and welcoming. This could change, should Dreamers not put their best face forward, so it may be best to be on your best behavior while exploring what the city has to offer.
- 💀 Vaeros at Rest - A week or so after dreamers have been let to arrive in Lumindeas and Stellari proper, a horn sounds from the Royal Castle and a booming announcement empowered by magic echoes through the sky.
"My brother's funeral will be tonight. Though you may hold your doubts about him, he was once dear to me. His passing is a tragedy for this land and his, one that we are still learning of the ramifications. Join us in the lantern lighting for his memory and the wishes of his people that their land may heal from the crystal scourge."
This evening, starting at the Castle in the Royal Quarter, paper lanterns will be lit and set aloft, the small dragonfire within lifting them high into the sky to twinkle like little stars. Those who participate in the ceremony may find themselves partnered with another to speak a gentle prayer to empower the dragonfire given by priestesses.
- 👑 Royal Quarter - Those who newly arrive in Stellari will find that they are welcome to live here should they choose. With a few small starter homes open for the taking, there are plenty of other examples of living styles. From smaller cottages to mansions that reside on high hills near the golden crystal, there's no end to choices of where to live in this part of the city.
Residents are currently decorating the streetlamps with colored paper in preparation for Vaeros' funeral. Each color evokes a different kind of emotion from those who work together to braid the streetlamps with the paper. Blue envokes sadness, while Red envokes anger. Other colors too evoke different emotions, yellow with happiness, and Purple with nostalgia. Perhaps the most powerful of all is Pink, which evokes romantic love, or White, with the feeling of trust. Luckily these feelings are only evoked when two people work together to decorate the streetlights.
- 🎭 The Greenery - Ah, artistry. It's a little livelier here than normal with an annual paint fight ramping up. Participants are given magical launchers that can be loaded with a special paint that spews out rainbow colors on command. The goal of course, is to color other participants with your unique color combination, and those with the most points at the end of the day get rewarded with a few pieces of unique art for their homes, and a miniature version of the paint gun to use for smaller, personal pranks.
- 💰 Markets - The busiest part of the Grand City by far, the Markets ring around the whole city like the ring of a tree trunk. Anything someone could need can be found here, within the scope and magical abilities of the local people. Shops of every kind line the streets, and more temporary stalls are set up daily. It's possible to get pickpocketed if you aren't careful, or get caught up in a haggling competition, and some merchants are less than fair about prices but others are gems where unique trinkets and foods can be found for a fair price.
The Quest Board can also be found here. It's massive, taller than any one person and wider than several shopfronts. There are ladders on wheels for those who want to climb up to see the top of the postings, and magnifying glasses for the smallest ones. Even small mailmice citizens have their own postings at the very foot of the board. There never seems to be much room for new postings, but somehow everything is readable in some way or another.
- ⛵ Dockyards - Fishmongers make this place their home, but at the moment they seem to be running short on help. Anyone who finds themselves exploring the docks may find themselves handed a pole and a hook and a bucket of bait fish. What are they supposed to do exactly? Get to fishing! Whether they use the pole or not is inconsequential. Should they manage to help out and gather some fish of any variety they might be offered a few cords for their trouble, and a fish or two to take home to roast for dinner. Be careful not to dive into the water as much of the water directly around the docks today is coated in a thin lining of magical residue from a recent spill coming in from one of the ships. This residue may temporarily render someone mute, color their hair strangely or even give them fish scales on parts of their bodies for 48 hours.
- 🔪 Criminal Element - Where there is prosperity there is also crime. In the seedier, darker corners of the city there is a clear criminal element, one that may either beckon dreamers to help with their own tasks or perhaps to rob dreamers blind of their shards. Those who are more inclined to the shadier walks of life may find themselves drawn to bars and smoking dens that litter these areas, offering refuge and rumor from the darker side of Stellari.
Unable to shake the earlier visions while passing through the portal, Dreamers will find themselves drawn to the golden crystal in the middle of the city. It is suspended in the Center of the Royal Quarter, hovering high above an ornate fountain. The crystal is surrounded at all times by apparent priests and priestesses, as well as devout worshippers, all of which wear a golden bracelet on their wrists as they complete complex but joyful rituals they take great pride in.
Rumors say that the bracelets contain the memories of the original wearer and may show dreams or visions of that wearer's world when taken care of in their absence. When this may happen is unclear, but those dreamers who might have in their possession a golden cuff of someone who had once been a visitor to Visium may find in the future they're gifted visions for their trouble. Perhaps, there is even a way for dreamers to earn these cuffs should they eventually gain the trust of this religious sect.
If asked, the worshippers will inform one that wishes can be made at this crystal, granting all manner of rewards. Dreamers will recognize that this system sounds identical to that of the one in Somnius, even going so far as to accept the shards Dreamers collect.
They promise of the crystal's ability to make a grander wish too. Dreamers are encouraged to whisper their greatest desire to the crystal, even if it's different than what they've wished for in the past.
To prove the crystals efficacy, worshippers promise that saying, "I wish to know you," to the crystal will result in a welcome gift, of which there are five possibilities. They encourage visitors to follow the ceremony and will even guide those who ask how to pray the way that they do, down to every little ritual. From lighting incense and the position to pray in, each step to commune with the crystal and its power is carefully choreographed and practiced.
Those who take the time to pray to the crystal may find they're gifted small items as a result.
- a palm-sized pair of golden wings that actually flies
- a dragon-scale bracelet that brings calm
- a pendant which allows a view of the nearby ocean
- a flower for the hair that blooms when the wearer is happy
- a golden, jeweled ring that plays a twinkling version of whatever was last sang to it
Expand to see our Event Summary
Garden of Dreams
Within Somnius
The Land of Lumindeas
Into Starlit Walls
Gilded Wishes
Welcome to our new setting! This is a setting expansion, not a replacement. Visium will remain available to all Dreamers and locals who wish to stay there. Perhaps in the future, there might be a chance to restore the destroyed land. Only time will tell. For now, Dreamers are expected and encouraged to focus on making themselves comfortable in their new available surroundings. Additional information can be found over in our locations and businesses, and it is highly encouraged for players to be creative with the setting so long as what is mentioned and played with aligns with the setting as presented.
Cords are the local currency of Lumindeas, but we will not be tracking this currency. We expect it to be handwaved in a reasonable manner by players. The only currency we will track is now the chiefly ooc currency of shards for rewards. In the future, changing your character's wish can be done at the golden crystal so long as a submission is made to your original application. Upon approval the wish is officially changed.
We politely request that any exhaustive questions about the setting be held back for now and what is currently given is focused on and explored for this month. More about this new land, its people, and the whole setting of Labyrinthum will be explained over time.
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[It was this that trapped him every time he thought of it. The concept of suffering, the necessity of it all.]
Is the pain worth the joy? When there's so much of one with only moments of the other? People come into your life and then leave it, forever, and all those happy memories turn into ash. You're left with nothing regardless.
How do you even move past it?
[He'd stopped braiding now, rolling the paper between his fingertips as he, against his better judgement, listened intently for whatever Alucard's response would be. It shouldn't matter as much as it did in the moment, but for reasons beyond him, it did right now.]
How do any of you move past it?
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and the love. how it comes and goes. and yet. ]
It is never nothing, even as it passes. It remains. And it endures. A moment of love can resist a lifetime of pain. It may be fragile, easily lost, easily gone too soon. But its fingerprints never wash away.
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[He couldn't muster the accusation he so desperately wanted to work into the tone. The truth sat too heavy for that, for him.]
... It's just... supposed to feel like this.
[What was it that was in those words instead? He could barely tell himself, but he could at least almost name the feeling in his chest, blooming when Alucard spoke. So close to sadness, but just beside it. The uncomfortable, painful feeling of knowing.
To hear the feeling in someone else's voice, and to know, and to quietly grieve as they did, because they did. It's fingerprints never wash away, and a brief, guttering surge of sympathetic anger was drowned beneath heavy, deep blue sorrow.
He dropped the paper.]
I think I need to take a walk.
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[ maybe, in another life, alucard would have followed through. but he's far older now. and time has given him the longer view.
things will work out. or they don't. ]
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... You're not just going to stay here, are you?
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[ and his task is not done. he will see it through. ]
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[The insistence left him at a crossroads, yes. It'd be embarrassing to ask a stranger to walk with him because he couldn't see where he was going.
It'd be even more embarrassing to say the truth, and that the idea of walking away and being alone, leaving the stranger alone, after that conversation felt almost repulsive to him.
If he could hardly stand to be alone in his own thoughts right now, surely, no one else would want to be either, right?]
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If you like.
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Whatever happened while he held that paper had adhered itself to his brain like a barnacle, its sharp edges digging into parts of him he'd just as soon pretend didn't exist anymore. If he needed a break, why wouldn't anyone else?]
I would. Something's off.
[Take a walk away from all this, wait for a time.]
... That wasn't supposed to happen.
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[ alucard glances back at the paper. ah. he sees now. ]
Magic must have come into play.
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They're so fucking lucky I don't have anything on me anymore or-
[Ah, yes that's right. He didn't have anything anymore, so any knee jerk poorly thought out plans of vengeance would have to be regulated to fantasy only. He makes a disgusted sound in the back of his throat.]
And you're just... fine with that idea?
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[ it's just not worth it. it's probably what they (?) want. why else would you seed magic into paper? at any rate, alucard yardstick for a reaction is much higher. he's too old to truly get worked out about little things. ]
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No he wasn't going to throw a tantrum, he wasn't. He wasn't! This isn't a tantrum! He's just the right amount of mad! He is not going to make himself look stupid, goddamnit.]
So you're just going to pretend it didn't happen? So they'll think you're a pushover and they'll keep fucking with you?
[His logic is great actually and he is not paranoid.]
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[ he is alucard, son of dracula. his name is historic. his real name, buried in time. let people think what they like. what does it matter to him? they'll all be dust eventually. only alucard will remain. ]
What are you really upset about?
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[A lot of the best defense sat on reputation, was what he'd learned. Coming across as easy to fuck with could mean life or death depending on where one was. It was just a shame he couldn't quite nail that last part down.
That was fine, surely the usual protocol for dealing with strangers will work out just fine for him.]
What do you mean? How is that-
[He gestures at the offending paper pointedly]
Not upsetting? It's bad enough I have these things to begin with, now I have to worry about touching something and getting an emotion bomb to the face. I don't need that kind of stress, I have enough of it already.
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[ it is manipulative. alucard would not dismiss that. he despises these kinds of petty tricks and sleights of hand. but he takes the longer view. he cannot be incensed over every little setback and deception.
otherwise. otherwise. ]
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[It was how suddenly they came on, how unwelcome it all was. Sadness like a needle to the heart, old grief like a bone that never healed right. It was always his, but-]
Just because they're mine doesn't mean I wanted them. They shouldn't be allowed to do that, feelings- something internal like that shouldn't be able to just sneak up on you. How any of you people live with this is absolutely beyond me.
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"You people"?
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[He gestures at Alucard now]
Suppose you'd just call it normal, I don't think they have a specific name for 'living thing with a soul'. I don't know how it works where you're from, but as far as I know, having a soul means having all the baggage that comes with it.
And now I have to figure out how to be alive with that. I have no idea how all of you aren't completely insane.
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Somehow we seem to manage.
What you need to learn is emotional regulation. It is taught and nurtured at a young age.
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[It's a cynical statement that nevertheless has an unfortunate grain of sincerity in it. Please tell him there's a way he can deal with this, he'll take anything at this point.]
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[ trevor has done it. alucard has done it. the bottle of a glass is still a bottom. you will always reach it. ]
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[He's had eons to try it, but Hell doesn't offer many ideal healing opportunities.
Granted, this place wasn't Hell, but that rut he dug for himself is as always ever present.]
How do you do it then?
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I remember. The sweetness of love, the freshness of a new day. The touch of the dawn. The press of lips.
Why chain myself to loss when I have so much left to love?
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Then I guess I'm all out of luck.
[Bitter, sullen, the hint of jealousy in every syllable.]
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