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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
[ Varian isn't being fair, but it is perhaps a bit too familiar. That look. Those words. It makes his stomach churn to remember the last person who expressed that sentiment.
Kazuya isn't that person. He brings himself back to the present, shaking his head. He knows better than to start passing judgment on strangers. ]
But if you don't remember doing anything like that, then it must have been something like a game. [ He doesn't sound entirely satisfied with the conclusion, but it's only a moment more before he finishes collecting himself and settles on agreement, ] There are games like that, aren't there? Like that game where you have a werewolf and the the villagers. That's kind of the point of them.
no subject
... Honestly, Apparently I've lost some memories from this place, so maybe it is possible that I've hurt someone and don't remember.
[Maybe he has, and doesn't know. But he really, really can't understand the how or why of it.]
And if I did do something like that, it must have been for a very good reason, I hope. So... I'm going to hope that it just means that I did it in a card game or something like the game you mentioned.
no subject
There's a difference between willful ignorance and losing one's memory. There's a difference between not caring enough to remember and having no choice but to forget. The latter he tucks away as something to muddle over later. ]
You lost your memories? I'd ask how that happened, but you probably don't remember that either, right?
no subject
[He feels bad for them. He doesn't know if he could handle that sort of thing if the situation were reversed. Someone he cares about losing memories of him...
It just seems terrible.]
no subject
Varian can imagine it. He can imagine how horrible it would be to be forgotten by someone he cared for. But the thought of forgetting he cares for, the idea of inflicting that sort of pain on them, is just as crushing. ]
That's terrible...
[ His frown deepens. ]
I don't know if I could handle knowing that I'd lost that much.
no subject
[He won't stop until he's finally gotten his memories back. And then he'll apologize to everyone he's forgotten here. Everyone who he got close to, who was wiped from his mind, perfectly erased.]
I guess it's easier if you don't know exactly how much you've forgotten.
no subject
Maybe... But you're going to get them back, right? Then this, [ He makes a sweeping gesture, ] Will all be in the past too.
[ Just an addition to those previous memories, albeit perhaps not a pleasant set. He cants his head, shifting his focus a bit, ]
Do you know how you're going to get them back? I mean, you are going to get them back, right?
[ The answer is obvious, but he asks regardless. ]
no subject
[He doesn't know.
But-]
I don't have any other choice but to try, at least. Maybe I just need to wish for them back with shards.
[He says, slowly. As if that realization is in fact dawning on him. He's heard that they're the currency for wishes, so... What is the cost of a memory, anyway? Of a dozen? It's hard to say, but at least there's a plan now. Something to work toward.]
no subject
But he's not satisfied with leaving it at that. ]
Well, if that doesn't work, maybe I can help.
[ A beat. ]
Your memories are still right up here, [ He taps his temple, ] So it's just a matter of figuring out how to restore them.
no subject
[He's not about to say no to something like that, especially if it's someone who is a stranger offering to help him with such a precious thing.
... Maybe he shouldn't be so trusting, but this guy seems pretty honest, at least?]
no subject
Of course! Whatever your problem, I, the great Varian, can solve it!
[ He's melodramatic about it, complete with placing his hand over his heart and then his hips and puffing his chest out even more for good measure. It's incredibly childish, but despite that, he's already rolling around and computing likelihoods on possible options.
For better or worse, this actually is a kid who has the capacity to erase the memories of an entire kingdom and also can find a way to restore them. But by God's grace right now he is also a simple and honest kid who just wants to use science to help people and make their lives better. ]
Even if the first time doesn't work, [ Which it might not, ] I'm sure the second time will, and if not that, [ Which it might not, ] Well, third time's the charm! I've never had to do more than three times on a project, so this will be no different!
[ And just for good measure, he's going to get up and knock on some wood here - specifically, the nearest building, which is also going to lead to a yelp as he raps on his knuckles on it exactly twice before somehow missing the third time and losing his balance. Thank the lord he can catch it with that most confident grin because he's got this. ]
no subject
The yelp, perhaps, does not inspire as much confidence as Varian might have otherwise held had he not lost his balance.
Or maybe he should be more confident in him? The genius types always tend to be eccentric, after all. Just look at Atsuro. And Naoya.]
Well, I'll leave my memories in your capable hands, if the shard method doesn't work out. I'm very grateful for your kindness in offering.
[He says, ducking his head politely in a bow, because even if it comes to be nothing, he really is grateful that the offer is even there to begin with.]
no subject
Well of course! I won't let you down.
[ He stutters just a bit, but that's nerves more than anything - he doesn't get to interact with people around his own age often, after all, and most would rather not deal with him at all. It's a little embarrassing to be treated to politely, and he's not quite sure how to respond, and so what comes is a grin that's just a bit softer than what he's shown until now. ]
If-If you do get them back though, let me know, okay? My username on the network is just my name, so it should be easy.
[ Because either way it tells them something, right? And as long as Kazuya gets his memories back, the how doesn't matter all that much. ]
Or if you have any other problems, I an help you with those! There's no problem that alchemy can't solve!
no subject
I'll definitely let you know. I don't want anyone wasting their time on something I've already solved. And I'll definitely let you know if anything else comes up that I need help with.
[Friendly, and with a small laugh, he reaches out, patting Varian's head in a reflexive manner. The earnestness is charming, and so is how reliable he's making himself seem. The gesture doesn't last too long, though.]
My network username is just three cat emojis. Not sure why I picked it, but I've got pretty good taste, I think.
no subject
... Maybe because you like cats? Or maybe you are one and you just don't know it?
[ It's just a little joke. ]
no subject
[Still crazy to him! Still insanely insane! He likes being him the most. Dragons are scary...]
It's pretty hard to move around like that, though, and... Also I don't fit indoors. It's better off if I don't use that sort of power.
no subject
[ That's a bit of a surprise. Dragons are scary. They're not cute like cats either. They're more like beasts that will swallow you whole or set you on fire or both, or at least that's how it is in stories. Jury's still out on whether or not real ones are cool. ]
Yeah... I think you're better off just staying the way that you are. My dad's not a dragon, but he's pretty tall, [ Varian lifts his hand far above his head and flattens his fingers to demonstrate how tall he is, ] So he has a hard time fitting into smalls paces too. He usually has to duck to get through the door.
looks away w/ how tall i am...
[It's scary! He was so freaked out that he accidentally broke part of his fence tripping over his own four feet.]
I didn't realize how rough it'd be to be so big like that until it'd happened. Maybe I would have been able to deal with it better if it had been something I knew how to control at the time, but... Well, it's not easy having your body change so suddenly.
yak who knows the struggle...
You couldn't control it?
[ His shoulders lift slightly. ]
I'd, um, I mean, I'd like to get a little taller, but not that big, and not all at once.... And I think I want to stay human.
[ He drags out the word and a bit, because that really does all sound like a lot, enough that he has a hard time wrapping his head around the idea. ]
Did you drink one of those potions?
[ He lifts his hands, his index finger and thumb just a couple inches apart, making a little shaking motion as though holding a bottle between it. He heard those can let people transform. ]
theres an overhang at my other house going down the stairs ask me how many times ive cracked me head
[He shakes his head as he replies, because he doesn't want him to get the wrong idea, that it's dangerous or something when he turns into a dragon. He's just... Tested it a few times, to make sure that he can understand how to change back and forth, because he doesn't want to break something because he doesn't know how to move his own body.]
And yeah, I guess I did. It's the only explanation for me being able to turn into something like a dragon to begin with. I definitely didn't have any abilities like that back home.
rubs ur head... the world so mean to talls. mean to yak.
[ He's including himself in that list, because he tested them after making them. ]
Besides, uh, I don't think I'm ready for anything that's being offered here. I'd love to study them though.
;_;
[And he doesn't seem like the kind of person who would take advantage of his state, nor the kind of person who might push him into doing something he doesn't really want to do.]
It can be repayment, if I do need to ask for your help... Or just an IOU, if I don't.
no subject
Y-yeah, that'd be great. I'd love the chance to study the effects of it. I was able to make a kind of transformation potion, but it was more of a growth potion. And it only works on plants and small animals. And it caused some behavioral issues.
[ There's a second or two delay between each point as he recalls them, curling his fingers before extending them one at a time before seeming to realize how bad all of this sounds. He lifts his hands up and waves them a couple times. ]
Oh, but it's completely safe! I mean, it's just temporary, and there's no lasting effects! And, uh, well, it's just a work in progress.
[ He stammers a bit at the start, just a little bit panicked as he tries to defend his actions and prove that he's not engaging in any kind of animal cruelty, before growing more sheepish as he nears the end. He punctuates the lecture with a nervous laugh, and then, embarrassed, tries to shift the subject back to the original point - ]
Anyway! This is different, but uh - I think we can learn something, [ His voice drops a bit, a little hesitant, a little hopeful, because his only real collaborator is a raccoon - ] If we work together.
do u wanna wrap this buns :3
I think you're right. It's better if we work together, whether or not this gets my memories back or doesn't.
[Just so there isn't any pressure either way.]
I'm excited to see what you're capable of either way, honestly. Sounds like you're pretty knowledgeable about a lot of things.