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buttrinthum2023-02-25 07:43 pm
TDM #2
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: bluebells and daffodils. When characters wander near the bluebells, they will suddenly feel their body shrinking, becoming small enough to fit into a palm. The daffodils offer less dramatic effects - standing too close to blooming daffodils will encourage a strong desire to be impulsive or try out something they never would have otherwise tried (whether it’s a wild new hobby, or shaving their entire head, or something else). It is said that witnessing a daffodil droop is an omen of death, however. Any dreamer that sees one wilt or droop is slated for death. Whether it’s within the next few days, in a few months, or in a few years - nobody knows when. They will be met with pitiful glances when they finally reach the town and will need to live with the knowledge they are cursed.
It looks like there are plenty of others who are just now waking up from their dream-state as well.. why not go ahead and say hello?
[ The arrival aspect of this prompt is reserved for new characters, but anyone can interact with the garden flowers. The effects will last for a few hours or days. For players that choose for their characters to be cursed to die, there will be many opportunities within the game to traumatize and kill off your character, so feel free to play it out when you want to (or not at all). ]
Somnius, with its weathered cottages and rustic shops, was never a sight to behold, but the effects of the blood moon has left the humble town worse for wear. Houses and shops have been torn down, locals and dreamers alike have been injured, and the makeshift relief area in the church is packed full with survivors being frantically tended to by the limited amount of healers and medical personnel available, their agonized groaning echoing through the town as they recover from their injuries. Who can blame them? The direwolves were trying to eat them alive. If it’s any consolation, all characters have been cured and returned to their original forms, and all direwolves have been wiped out. The damage is done, but the danger is over (for now).
The calls for help continue. All hands are needed to clean up and rebuild the town, heal the injured, keep an account for all the residents, and bury the locals who have perished. A mass grave and funeral has been organised and anyone may attend. Anyone with the capacity to sing, dance or entertain (bards, essentially) would be especially valued in this time, given the low morale.
Despite the clear chaos in the street, the Overseer Vaeros is nowhere to be found, almost like he has abandoned his people in their time of need. If asked about him, the people stay devoted, believing wholeheartedly that their ruler must have had more important matters to attend to.
As spring approaches, the ice and snow finally starts to melt away, and some creatures begin to emerge out of hibernation. The most notable (and cutest) would be the mailmice, a group of small creatures - led by their leader Sir Matthew Mousefield - who manage the mail delivery in Somnius. How they do it is through using an intricate system of underground burrows, ranging across the city and feeding into some homes (in classic ‘mouse hole’ fashion). How did the townsfolk manage their mail before these mice emerged from hibernation? The answer is not effectively.
There is one problem, however. Climbing out of the earth only to be met with a giant direwolf is definitely a stressful experience. The mailmice have lost a few of the early risers, and they are terrified, choosing to hide from perceived threats within the bulbs of flowers.
As cute as the image is, they need to be coaxed out to get the postal system working again. There are several ways to do this:
✿ Gentle handling, soothing words and face nuzzles.
✿Telling the mice an interesting riddle or calming story. Reading a book to them helps also.
✿Entertaining them with a performance. They enjoy a duet or lovely waltz between two.
✿Enticing them with a shiny object or food. They can be quite specific about what object or food they want, so several attempts will be needed.
Characters who have been shrunken down by the bluebell’s effects will be even more successful at coaxing the mice, as they are less of a perceived threat. While yanking them out of the flowers is possible, they will squeal and bite. Any cat-like being is also likely to be bitten. Mousebites are slightly poisonous and will compel the victim to be subservient and people-pleasing for a few hours to a few days.
Characters may choose to fill in as mailmen if they wish. Sir Matthew Mousefield will reward them with a generous wheel of cheese and the tiniest thank you letter (with a seal!).
There’s one group of creatures particularly unbothered by all the mayhem. With the weather warming up, the Fireys have started to party within the forest, their carefree song echoing through the trees. While the gelflings have been devastated by the wolf attacks, the Fireys are completely fine. With their immortal bodies and the awful taste to their flesh, the direwolves took no interest in them, and the ones that did learned quickly that trying to eat a Firey is futile (and more of a funny game to them, than anything). The gelflings are not too fond of those party-loving, untroubled creatures, warning any dreamer to avoid them if possible. They would be right. Anyone who stumbles upon their little party will witness first hand the way they pull out their own eyes and eat them, the way they behead themselves and dismember their limbs and kick those body parts around like playing football. It’s all a game, and no one seems to get hurt, until they decide to force any onlookers to join in.
”Hey, your head don’t come off? What’s with that?!” “I know what we gotta do! Take off that head!”
They will chase any unwilling participants through the forest and try to grab for heads, limbs, noses, eyes and whatever they can get their hands on. The interesting part? When touched by a Firey, body parts do come off, much like dismantling the limbs of a doll. For most people, it’s painless, but for the unlucky few, it’s as excruciating as having it cut off. The Fireys, though? They have no concern for the well-being of others. They will run off with their loot, kicking it around and hiding it, forcing that unlucky soul to go on a morbid scavenger hunt.
It gets to a point the Fireys decide it might be a great idea to spread their idea of fun to the rest of the town (as if Somnius hasn’t been hit with enough already). There is no actual way to kill them, but they can be dismembered and trapped somewhere, and they get bored if their victim evades them for too long.
They will get bored and return to the forest after they’ve had their fill, but not before leaving some chaos in their wake, with this person’s eyes being left on the countertop of that person’s home, or that person’s head being left on the tavern mantle.
Welcome to the labyrinthum TDM! All events are game canon. New characters (invited or not) and old characters alike are welcome to play in it. Existing characters can start their own logs or network posts for the event if they wish to.
New 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.
You can find more information about the game here. Any questions regarding the TDM can go under the comment below. There is an ATP/EMP here for those interested.
no subject
Sorry? What are you sorry about?
no subject
That thought was more than enough to motivate her to continue weeping.
How could she hurt her? New power or not; she shouldn't have lost control! Eve should've protected her! Fought against her instincts! Why didn't she do any of it?!
Her grip on the other body will increase as she speaks between hiccups.]
For...hurting you. For betraying you. I'm sorry, I'm really sorry! I never once...thought about hurting you. Never, ever...!
[Could she ever forgive her for taking her life? Isn't she afraid of her? Eve was very close to asking, but instead will opt to stay close to her. To avoid witnessing her expression or else it'll break her into pieces.]
I'm sorry for losing control...I'm so sorry....
[From the very bottom of her heart -- she really is sorry.]
no subject
[Elsa admits, trying to understand and empathize. Of course she can understand losing control. She had done so herself. With Anna, hurting her twice. So she can't blame the other for whatever happened. She simply stays still as the other holds tighter to her. Elsa doesn't want to upset the other any more than she already was but she kind of has to admit she isn't quite following. Isn't sure this might not be a case of mistaken identity.]
no subject
'I've lost control before. Of my powers.'
Those words will be like frigid water being thrown at her. Through her sobs, her mind will begin to try to piece together those words. Did Lia have abilities? Looking through her memories, she only remembered Lia having a weak body, needing a cane to move, and simply being optimistic over her sickness. Those were one of many reasons Eve fell in love with her.
She was scared to face her. A thought in which Eve was surprised to find. She normally didn't feel strong emotions, but. Her body will continue to tremble, fearing what she'll find once she looks at her. Taking a big gulp, a deep breath, and closing her eyes, Eve will pull away.
Taking a few moments to gather her courage, she'll slowly open her eyes to find someone similar to Lia. The hair color and type of braid was right. Everything else, however. Eve will be in a confused daze.]
Who are you?
no subject
[Elsa can't help being concerned. For all that she is getting the obvious impression there was a case of mistaken identity. That the other simply thought she was someone else. Someone she knew. She can't say if she wouldn't potentially mistake someone if they had the same sort of clothing and hair for Anna, at least from behind. So she understands. Or at least is trying to. As she turns, as her hands raise to the other's shoulders in some attempt of reassurance and comfort.]
no subject
[The name Arendelle will leave lost. She didn't recognize the location. Eve's tears won't halt, it'll continue to flow as memories of Lia continue to flash before her eyes. Her chest was squeezing her so tightly, it was almost difficult to breath or even speak.
What should she tell this person? Eve will lower her head in shame, not realizing this wasn't Lia and was putting this Elsa in a difficult position. All she could do was...]
As you said, I made a mistake. You aren't Lia. My very precious Lia.
[A hand will be over her chest, allowing the tears to continue to flow. This was the closest to an apology she could offer. Shaking her head, she'll admit.]
The day she died... [Even though there's pain in her tone, her expression will reflect guilt.] ...I wasn't able to mourn her. Properly. [It was clear she wasn't over it yet.] I was hoping that maybe...she'll find her way here...like I did...
[Another pause, trying to find the right words.]
Welcome, I suppose would be the correct thing to say in this case...
no subject
[Elsa pauses then, as the other's tears keep falling. As she raises a hand to the other's shoulder in some sort of comfort and reassurance when the other lowers her head. There was definitely something there, some history. She listens as the other explains.]
I wasn't really able to mourn my parents. They died while I was still isolating myself, still so scared of hurting everyone. But....yes. I suppose. Welcome is one gesture in all of this. Did you just arrive as well?
no subject
[By which she means, is Anna the younger or older sibling? Elsa was willing to help her search for Lia, then Eve is willing to do the same for her on searching or keeping an eye out for Anna.
Feeling the hand on her shoulder, Eve's shoulder will grow tense, at first, until Elsa began to talk about her own experience. They had more in common than Eve thought.]
You mention having powers before. What were they?
[Using the word 'were' due to them being sealed away now.]
I arrived last month. I've been here for a bit.
no subject
[Olaf and Marshmallow. The Snowgies. But still, if distracting the other by talking about herself, about Anna, might help. She will. She's happy to, given her powers and everything are a lot more open now than they were, prior to her coronation and all where she was trying to hide.]
So you know this place better than I do at least. I just arrived.
no subject
But when she begins to explain about her powers, Eve will freeze (pun not intended) for a moment as she wonders.]
Why are you able to give your creations life with just ice? If you can use ice capabilities, then freeze and maybe burns are expected...
[Even so, Eve believed Elsa over the matter as she didn't seem like the type to lie. Maybe Elsa is able to accomplish such things because she's special?
Nodding her head, Eve will watch her closely.]
I noticed. You're unfamiliar. [With that said, she'll wonder.] Do you have any questions or concerns?
no subject
[She isn't sure how it works in regards to Olaf. Perhaps because she had been feeling so nostalgic for those simpler times with her sister, recreating something from back then, what felt like another lifetime ago before the gates were closed. Still, she isn't one to dwell on it too much, beyond the obvious of wondering why and how she has powers nobody else does.]
As for the questions....I probably have so many I'm not sure where to begin exactly.