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buttrinthum2025-05-01 10:11 am
May 2025 TDM
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.
- 💐 Blood Weed is a sharp as razorblades. It grows waist high on a 6'0" tall person in places, but never less than 5" tall overall. Small paths wind through the grass, and those who find themselves waking up near the blood weed will have to carefully navigate through the paths in order to come out without being cut. The cuts themselves are painful, the sensation of pins and needles is accompanied with a burning that reaches deep to the bone. It's not debilitating, not completely, but it will make it harder to escape and more likely a victim will bleed to feed.... the blood weed.
- 🌸 Witch Hair is a strange plant, soft to the touch and with the scent of marshmallows. If eaten plain it can soothe the ache of blood weed cuts temporarily, but it is far more effective as a medicine when brewed into a potion. The strangest thing about Witch hair is that it only grows at the water's edge, and then weaves over the ground through the blood weed. It's almost as if it is encouraging a sacrifice to save someone else. A cut for a cure. The one side effect of eating the weed raw is that it can give those who ingest it a temporary ability to affect the weather in a small radius around them. Perhaps this too, could be a boon? The effect only lasts a few hours, 48 at most. Maybe there's a way to have fun with it in the meantime?
No matter your adventures in the garden with its many plants, before long you are found by a gaggle of inhabitants from both the City of Stellari and Somnius. They seem excited in general, and excited to see whoever it is they stumble upon without pause. They approach with handkerchiefs of varied colors and wave them about as they take new Dreamer's hands.
The chaos from last month has settled, leaving a celebration behind in its wake. Officials from Stellari explain that, every year, the city holds a massive event, meant to honor the spirit of competition. This year, they've decided to include Somnius in the competition as well. The crystal-clearing efforts have been fruitful, and slowly but surely, more of Visium is starting to become accessible.
To that end, Dreamers find both Stellari and Somnius transformed, dressed head-to-toe in festival stalls and decorations of red, blue, green, and yellow. Dreamers themselves are all divided into one of four color teams. They are selected automatically, and by traits inherent to their being.
A handkerchief of their team's color is magically fastened to every participant, and can only be removed when a game necessitates it, such as capture the flag. It's an important way of identifying who is on what team. You'll want to know who your teammates are, because teammates gain special benefits when interacting, such as increased strength and magical ability. As well as that, people can also communicate telepathically with others from their team for the duration of the event.
- Red team candidates are either extremely good, in a moral sense, or extremely bad.
- Blue team candidates are either extremely emotional or show very little emotion whatsoever.
- Yellow team candidates are either extremely powerful or extremely weak.
- Green team candidates are either extremely average or exceptionally special.
By the same token, however, being in close proximity with others who aren't on one's team cause negative effects. Different teams have different effects, depending on their color.
This is all, of course, in the interest of making the competition more interesting. Each team will also have a home base to work from, with team red's being the Amphitheater of the Mind, team blue's being Lake Termina, team yellow's being the (old) Church of the Moon, and team green's being The Stone Dragon.
- Red team members destabilize the emotions of opponents around them.
- Blue team members bring confusion and disorientation to opponents around them.
- Yellow team members destabilize magic/abilities of the opponents around them.
- Green team members bring bad luck to opponents around them.
For the duration of the festival, teams will meet to face off in various games and challenges, all earning points for their color team. The points are displayed on large scoreboards, stationed over the crystals in both Somnius and Stellari. Ribbons, medals, and trophies are offered as rewards during the celebrations and ceremonies that occur every night for the duration of the event. More than anything, though, the spirit of competition drives everyone, compelling them to dive headfirst into the games and give it their absolute best.
Some of the events are as follows, though pretty much any sport you can think of is offered - even ones one may recognize only from their own worlds.- 🤾Dodgeball
- 🚩 Capture the Flag
- 🏃♀️ Relay Races
- 🏊 A Triathlon
- 🙈 Hide & Seek
- 🫱 Tag
- 🪢 Tug-o-war
- 🥇 Obstacle Courses
- 🔴 Kickball
- ❓ Etc.
So, get out there and start battling it out - just not to the death this time!
Perhaps the largest event of all is a scavenger hunt in which the items are other Dreamers. Competitors are given a scroll with a list of descriptions, and are asked to seek out other Dreamers who fit those descriptions, and get a signature from them.
The list is as follows:
- 🔎 1. someone who can fly
- 🔎 2. someone who has never killed anyone
- 🔎 3. someone who has killed more than ten people
- 🔎 4. someone who can turn into something other than an animal
- 🔎 5. someone who betrayed someone they love
- 🔎 6. someone who saved the world
- 🔎 7. someone who wants to leave this place
- 🔎 8. someone who never wants to leave this place
- 🔎 9. someone who sacrificed their powers to Vaeros
- 🔎 10. someone who arrived after Vaeros' death
- 🔎 11. someone older than 30
- 🔎 12. someone younger than 15
- 🔎 13. someone who didn't drink their gold/blue/red potion
- 🔎 14. someone who has drunk more than one gold/blue/red potion
- 🔎 15. someone who has returned to their world, then returned to this place
Dreamers then sign their name next to the descriptor on the competitor's scroll. Magic compels them to be honest when confronted, and to give their signature even if they're unhappy to do so.
There is also a variation of this game, though much smaller in scale. Dreamers draw slips of paper with descriptions written on them, then pass them off to others who match that description. Some of them include:
- 💖 Someone you admire.
- ❌ Someone you hate.
- 😱 Someone you're afraid of.
- 🫂 Someone you trust.
- 😳 Someone you wish to know better.
- 😖 Someone you need to apologize to.
- 😊 Someone you're glad you met here.
- 😡 Someone you're angry at.
- 😨 Someone you're worried about.
- 🤕 Someone who hurt you.
Dreamers feel compelled to respond honestly, and genuinely give their slip of paper to whoever they think of first, even if it's something they wouldn't normally confess.
Both games last the duration of the festival, the Scavenger Hunt promising a massive amount of cords for anyone who can complete the entire list, as well as a medal.
Competitions can't be competitions all the time. Players need rest, the crowds need sustenance. But even though breaks are needed, parties never have to stop. Throughout the month-long Games, there's a Celebration along with it. Both Lumindeas and Stellari as well as Somnius are partaking in the celebration. No matter where dreamers wind up during this celebration, there's not a single location where Natives aren't doing their best to partake in a party that never ends.
The feeling and goodwill that comes with the games and camaraderie is infectious, and even the locals from Somnius are feeling more forgiving of Dreamers than they have in months. They visit Stellari while those who live in Stellari visit Somnius. It's the mingling and shared celebration that simply seems to warm up the town that has so long been alienated by crystal. With the glowing feeling of camaraderie in the air and the collaborative efforts to revive the land of Visium, everywhere seems to be in good spirits.
- 🪩 Dancing and Singing
There's music in the air and lights that shine on dance floors. It's hard to mistake the purpose of these portions of the celebrations, but everything is a game, even between the organized events. Every dance floor is a setup for a partnered dance competition. The genre is different in each location: romantic slow dancing, upbeat country music for line dancing, pop type music that thunders through the air and vibrates through the floor. The possibilities are endless, but the competition is stiff. Locals are paired with other locals, and dreamers with dreamers and everyone gets into the spirit, sweating and swaying to the music.
For more organized events there happens to be a cake walk, where dreamers and locals alike are encouraged to participate and win one of the many fruit flavored cakes. Be careful to not land on the same space as a competitor, or you'll both be eliminated and recieve a pie to the face! Don't worry though, towels and a change of clothes MIGHT be offered as consolation prizes.
For those that don't really feel the dancing beat, there's another way to compete for a little fun. Open mic is provided in some of these dancing locations, with magically powered instruments provided by Seravo himself. A simple request, a song title, and the instruments know the song to be played. Or perhaps in some cases a little poetry might be more someone's speed. In any case, the microphone is ready, the band primed to play.
🍔 Food and Socalizing
It's a bit of a task to get nourishment as well. There are food stalls installed in both cities, though every one comes with a bit of a game or competition in order to get your delicious sustenance. Those who approach the stalls of different kinds of food will be asked to win a compliment war with the guest next to them before their order will be fulfilled. Offer a compliment before the timer is up to win the competition against your chosen competitor. Each round you only get a certain amount of time to think up a compliment, with each round decreasing until no time is left. It might take several rounds before the attendant of the food stall feels inclined to hand over their delicious creations. Of course, once the game is over a plate or drink will be offered. If you want seconds, however, you're going to have to fork over another win.
Other ways of getting your tummies filled include participating in eating contests, several of which are set up throughout various locations. Burger eating, hotdog eating, even ice cream and cake or drinks themselves, the varieties of things offered are endless. Lucky dreamers might even find foods that are unique to where they come from. ...if a bit off. Its hard to make things exactly the same when the ingredients might be scarce.
If you're looking for a spot to relax while eating, there are tables and chairs aplenty. There is one catch, though. In order to sit and eat, one must play. Play what, you ask? Musical chairs. Both Dreamers and locals alike are encouraged to participate in a game of musical chairs with their tablemates, while eating of course. The winner will be given a small ribbon to remember the game by.
Well, perhaps even celebration can all be a competition after all.
Expand to see our Event Summary
Garden of Dreams
The Spirit of Competition
Living Scavenger Hunt
The Gametime Jubilations
A note that teams are ICly selected automatically for characters, but OOCly, we will not be assigning teams. Simply choose whichever team you think suits your character best.
Feel free to ask questions underneath the correct header! We also request of current players that most playing with the event happen on the event post so that those looking to TDM have a chance to play in all of the varied games and competitions we have provided! Overflows will be provided when and if needed.
no subject
[ Flat stares at Hermes in genuine disbelief, clearly not expecting to hear such an answer. as a mage, he was not ignorant of methods to prolong ones life, but centuries? ]
No way, how did you do it?! Are you a vampire, perhaps? Or maybe you’re jumping between bodies?
no subject
Nothing of the sort, I assure you. It is … simply how I am. All peoples upon my star age thus.
no subject
[ slow down? as if! if anything, flat looks like he’s about to speed up. ]
So does that mean that everyone in your planet is the same species? Do the animals also live long life spans? Is this natural? Or did you guys somehow make a breakthrough and found the secret of immortality?! I mean, I don’t have much interest in becoming immortal, but it’s so cool to know that there’s a species that has evolved so much that they have a super long life span!
[ practically vibrating with excitement, he extends his hand out. ]
You can call me Flat Escardos! I’m a mage, but not here at the moment! It’s nice to meet you!
no subject
I, ah. I am Hermes. Chief Overseer of Elpis.
[ He takes the offered hand and shakes it, a little uncertainly. ]
My people found no secret of immortality. We may die by mishap. Or, when the time comes … we may choose to return to the star.
[ He says the last part blandly, but there's an slight edge of bitterness to his words. ]
i don't know ffxiv lore im so sorry
[ ...
...
... OH. ]
YOU'D BURY YOURSELF ALIVE?! IS THAT HOW THINGS WORK THERE?!
[ there seems to be a huge misunderstanding here. ]
i'm howling 🤣
[ More hand-waving! Slow down, slow down! ]
Pray, there has been a misunderstanding.
no subject
[ okay. okay! it seems like flat does know how to slow down. once he's told that he misunderstood, he pauses, and sighs in relief. ]
So uh... what does that mean?
no subject
[ Just to make that clear! ]
When one chooses to return to the star, one is choosing to pass on. To die. The body dissipates, and the aether, the soul, all that makes a person flows back into the star from which we came.
'Tis a choice made by those who have lived their lives to the fullest, and fulfilled their purpose. Many consider it to be beautiful.
[ "Many." Not him. ]
no subject
[ the more that flat thinks about it, the more confusing that it is for him. and how wouldn't it be? for someone as curious as flat, who takes delight in every new thing that the world has to offer him, he's not sure that he could ever say that he has finished living his life. he's not even sure if he has fulfilled his purpose yet.
and if he were really speaking of purposes then... death would be the antithesis of that. ]
I mean... if you want to turn to die once you think you're done then I guess that's fine, but what if you're turning to dying and disappearing and, as you're disappearing you realize that you never got to try that one ice cream flavor from the store that was always sold out? I'd be pretty bummed out about that, if you asked me.
[ yes, he's aware that this guy is hundreds of years old. he doesn't care. ]
cw voluntary death talk? not suicidal but slapping a warning jic
Aye, I feel quite similarly. 'Tis a practice with which I do not agree. I cannot understand why someone who may have so much left to do would choose to end it, instead.
Yet … that is the way of things, where I am from. We live until we choose to die, or some tragedy takes us.
cw death talk still... also im so sorry for my huge grammar fail. i look away
[ flat hums, a soft smile on his face. clearly, something's on his mind. though whatever it is, he doesn't want to say. ]
Well, I think what matters the most is that you're living the life you wanna live, right? And with a lifespan as long as that, if you mess up, then you'll definitely be able to choose a new path. I think that's a great way to look at things... who knows? Maybe you'll inspire other people from your world to choose to live a little longer instead of calling it quits too early!
[ is 'hundreds of years' too early? in flat's eyes, yes. with an indefinite lifespan such as the one that this man seems to have, flat can't imagine growing bored of life. there will always be a new advancement, a new thing to see. it would be lonely, sure, but flat's used to loneliness. he knows how to manage. ]
Oh, um, if you have anything you'd want me to sign, I'll do it for you!
i didn't even notice, you're good <3
I am afraid I am no inspiration… Yet I thank you for the thought.
[ Distracted by the conversation as he is, it takes him a second to parse what's meant by 'signing.' Then he remembers the scroll that he is literally holding in his hand. ]
Here, [ he says, offering it. ] May I sign yours as well, should you need it?
no subject
[ he quickly scribbles his name over 2 and 10. there's some hesitation over signing 7...but ultimately he doesn't. strangely enough, he doesn't sign 8 either. ]
Heeere you go!
[ he'll hand hermes back his paper, along with his own. ]
I think you're totally inspirational! I mean, after living for so long, I don't see why you wouldn't be. If I were one of your kind, I'd definitely see you as someone to follow!
no subject
That slightly pained look grows more pronounced at Flat's words. They tread close to a conflict in his heart: the question of whether or not to represent mankind. ]
I know not if I am fit to be an inspiration. But I thank you.
[ Said as he hands Flat's paper back. ]
no subject
he takes the paper back, eyeing it over until his eyes spot something that make his eyes go wide. ]
Wow, you know how to fly?! And turn into something that isn't an animal!? You're so cool!
no subject
Ah… Aye, I can, though not at present. It is an ability I lost upon my arrival here.
[ One he hasn't yet regained. ]
no subject
[ flat's eyes are practically glittering with curiosity at this point. it's incredible the type of people that one can find if you just shove a piece of paper at them! ]
Is this a normal thing for your kind? Or is it like magecra-- I mean, magic?
no subject
The magic it utilizes is natural to my people. Each person has their own talents, but all are taught from a young age.
However, the ability to transform is a rarer skill… My own transformation is unique to me. I know not if others can fly.
no subject
[ flat is wowed even by the short explanation alone, his eyes practically sparkling, unaware of any discomfort that he may be causing the other man. ]
Can you show me what you can transform into?
no subject
[ He doesn't know how long it might take, but he can keep a promise for a long time! ]
no subject
[ flat bounces in place, clearly excited just by the thought of being able to see it in the future. he can't wait for the day to come! ]
I'll make sure to find a way to repay you, sir! I promise!
no subject
… Albeit a little nervously. Because wow. So much excitement!!! ]
There shall be no need of payment, I assure you.
i think we can wrap this up!
Alright, sir! I hope we can continue being friends from here on out!
sounds good! 🎀
I should like that.