buttrinthum | TDM #4

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TDM #4

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, 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: honeysuckles & day lilies Time spent too close to the day lily invokes a state of forgetfulnesss. The longer characters stay in the garden, especially if they are close to the day lilies, they will begin to forget important things about themselves. What they forget is up to the player, but longer time spent in the garden can reduce them to a completely amnesic state. Better hurry out and try to find the way out while you can! Honeysuckles will have no effect on characters unless they decide to drink the sap from them. The honeysuckle nectar will give characters a temporary power boost. This applies to characters who have drank their potion or have regained their powers. This might be useful to salvage for later, especially considering the chaos that goes on in Somnius!

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. ]

It's Getting Hot in Here

Speaking of chaos, the current state of Somnius is.. not great. It's not by any other means than a natural disaster that is completely a coincidence and not because Dreamers rebelled against the Skeksis and didn't heed to townsfolk warnings, right? Right.

As the weather gets hotter and hotter, the obvious side effects become clear - most notably, the townspeople are closing up shop until the weather settles down. The usual markets don’t open in the wee hours of the morning and even the blacksmith has laid down his hammer during the midpoint of the days, trying to avoid the peak of the warm rush. Anyone trying to speak to the townsfolk about the sudden change in weather will find them oddly standoffish and almost rude - it’s obvious who they’re blaming for their predicament.

Another clearly dissatisfied group of society are the mermaids of Lake Omen, who may be spotted more regularly than usual across the span of the boiling hot heat. While still a rare sight, the warmth of the water encouraged a few more angry and bitter of their kind to poke their heads out and try and find the source of their woes - hand in hand with their usual siren call. It may be possible to have them leave you be if you offer them something a little on the cooler side, but with the weather as it is… It might end up being more of a challenge than anticipated.

The days go by and it doesn’t seem as though the heat is ebbing in the least, the sun blazing in the sky and the shops still kept under tight lock and key. Even some of the town staples - the bakery and the inn - have their doors close to strangers, trying to find some means of keeping cool. As the days go by, characters that have affinity to fire (or any kind of fire power!) may find that their powers are a little… Out of control.

With the sun high in the sky and blazing hot, some fire seems to be going a little haywire across Visium and not acting as it should. Be it burning a little hotter than intended, blazing out of control or simply refusing to work whatsoever, fire powers are acting with a mind of their own. Characters who have fire-related powers, be it their own or through potions, may experience the same hazards, on a scale of disobedience to refusal to work.

Finally, the heat does seem to die down and the townsfolk release themselves from their self-inflicted isolation, but they’re still not completely at ease with the strangers and keep them at an arms length: some things are not easily forgotten, and the damage seems to have been done when it comes to the skeksis. They may speak to characters once the heatwave is over, but will consistently refuse to talk about the Skeksis, the attack or anything to do with the taxes. You had your chance, you blew it.

So Take Off All Your Clothes

Somnius has, from everyone's knowledge, always been nestled around a giant labyrinth built by The Almighty Lord Vaeros, as some townsfolk say. What's so good about a lord who seems to leave a town in shambles and doesn't seem to help? He's sus. Everything about this is sus.

However, one morning during the heatwave, both townsfolk and Dreamers alike will hear a crumble and a crash.. almost as if a wall is broken. The labyrinth has always been indestructible, but as Dreamers investigate, they will find a hole broken through the labyrinth, opening up to a new era. Should you go through the hole, Dreamers will see an area they haven't ever seen before...

Welcome to the New Location: Indigo Sand Grove. As the name implies, the sand here isn't white or.. well.. sandy colored, but instead a beautiful dark blue with the occasional glitter grains. It almost appears black if the scorching sun isn't hitting it just right. Any other foliage or trees seen here will be typical of Earthly tropical beaches with the occasional unidentifiable vegetation. All in all, Indigo Sand Grove and its beaches seem welcoming and not harmful at all. In fact, there are bamboo garden chairs sitting out, enticing people to have a beach party and sun bathe! As soon as characters touch their feet into the indigo sands, their clothing will change into a swimsuit from their home. The swimsuit is for keeps! Enjoy!

The sea is safe to swim in, filled with typical fish that would come from Earth and crystal clear waters. Characters will feel a sense of joy on the beach. It's not a forceful kind of magic, but something about this place really wants you to have a good time, so why not take advantage of that?

I am Gettin So Hot, I Wanna... Hunt Beetles!

CW: bugs, beetle imagery

Along with a swimsuit, characters will find a bamboo net, designed for hunting beetles. You may see that there is a bamboo forest neighboring the sandy beach where characters will find insects to capture with their net. If capturing beetles isn't your forte, maybe just go up to the person you have a close bond with and hit them over the head with your net. The choice is yours.

Among the typical insects, there are three types of horned beetles. Anyone familiar with beetle fighting may see this as an opportunity to find their new pet, but those with money on the mind may find out that the townsfolk will purchase beetles for bonus shards. Here are the types of beetles and their values:

CLICK FOR BEETLES!

Horned Dynastid (Red): 5 bonus shards.

Horned Atlas (Black): 10 bonus shards.

Horned Hercules (Gold): 15 bonus shards.

There will be a ruined down, old sign on the main path in the bamboo forest that lists these types of beetles and their price. Team up together and enter the forest to find a fortune!

Suspicious Message #2

On the morning of the 1st, some dreamers will receive a message from an unknown user.

Who or what has broken your heart before?

They will feel compelled to respond with a truthful answer, as if their brains had gone into a trance, and before they know it, their response will be there for everyone to see. It cannot be deleted or changed. The user will not respond personally, but you get the sense they are definitely reading. Characters who are disinterested in romance can also mention familial or platonic heartbreak. It can also be a devastating event or anything else.

[ This is an additional network option for characters to interact with. Feel free to add a network prompt into any of your top levels. If you do not want to interact with this prompt, simply assume your character did not get the message. All threads are public unless actively privated by characters. We generally encourage threadjacking and engagement, so feel free to mention if threadjacking is fine with you so that others are aware. Note that the NPC will not be actively responding. ]

OOC

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 and Old characters are welcome to top level on the TDM. Please state in the header if you are a new or old player! Also, new characters may link their top levels under the new character comment so they are easier to find. Thanks for your cooperation!

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.

Unique to this TDM, we have a beetle hunting event. Be sure to comment under the RNG Beetle Hunt to see which beetle your character finds in order to exchange later for bonus shards! One RNG per character, please.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Arrival

Percy wandered the garden looking as if he stepped out a steampunk pirate novel. His white hair gleams in the sunlight and he is studying the red potion he was given with a puzzled but curious. After a while he tucks it in his coat pocket and walks over to study the flowers. He spots a day lily and smiles as he remembers it being his mother's favorite. He leans over and takes in the scent.

Anyone who was watching will notice the tension in the young man's back will ease and he appears to relax as if the flower helped him let go of something he'd been holding on to. He stands back up and looks around. "Well this place is interesting isn't it," he says sounding both amused and cheerful at the same time.

Beetle Hunt

Percy has always enjoyed a challenge and while nature wasn't his strong suit, he'd picked up enough from watching the twins that he felt he could find a bug or two to study. He wandered the forest having removed his coat and rolled up his sleeves to help with the heat. He is currently bent over as he hunts and examining the plants around him.

A Message

Percy hears the message and he doesn't even need to think about it. "I did," he says his voice carrying a weight that no one his age should have. "I made deals with things that almost got my friends hurt..nearly got my sister killed and released something into my world that no one should have...I don't remember a time when my heart was not broken."

Vex'ahlia finds herself in the garden again, heart full of pain and longing for all of Vox Machina. While she loves being with Vax'ildan, it feels a bit empty and lonely without the love of her life beside her. The garden, however, makes her think of the gardens around Whitestone Castle and Greyskull Keep. She misses them so much while she's here, but this particular place gives her a bit of peace.

As she walks in, she sees a familiar shock of hair. Her hands fly to her mouth and she tries to swallow a sob, but she's not sure that she's successful at all. "Percy? Please be real."

Percy was thinking much the same thing about the garden's when he heard the familiar voice of a certain beloved half elf. He turns around and his face lights up. " Vex'ahlia," he says and he hurries over to her. He feels a deep sense of relief on seeing her as they have been parted too many times to be comfortable and the last time he saw his Vex was one of the worst of his life. "Are you alright...where are we?"

"Percy," she says on an exhale that leads to tears spilling over before she throws her arms around her husband. "You're here. Of course I'm alright, darling."

She tucks her head into his jacket, taking in the familiar smell of gunpowder, grease, and cologne that clings to his coat. Gods, how she's missed this. His arms, his warmth, his voice, she's longed for him from the second they were parted. It takes her a few minutes to get herself together before she can pull away from him, reluctantly.

"As to where we are, this is the world of Visium. To be more specific, this is the Enchanted Garden near the city of Somnius. It's ruled by Vaeros, the Overseer, whose castle lays beyond the labyrinth. Nowhere near Whitestone or Exandria, I fear."

Percy feels more of the tension within him, though not much. He isn't sure how time works here yet and with the return of a certain someone he hates the idea of staying here isn't ideal. But he has Vex in his arms again and with her by his side he can do anything.

"Are you here alone," he asks, "are any of the others here..." The fact that his wife is crying makes him think she has been here alone and he hates that. He hates seeing her upset.

If only he knew that this was not her first time being stolen from Exandria. Even still, that doesn't stop her from reaching a hand up to rest against his cheek. She's worried, so very worried. When he joined her in Folkmore, they'd only been together for a short while and she'd had to deal with the fact that she was much further along in the timeline than he was. Besides, now they're married. She can't imagine spending her life with anyone else, for him to not know that she cannot live without him.

It's something she'll tackle later.

"Vax... Vax is here with me, but it has been us for nearly two months here."

Percy leans into the touch amazed all over again how this amazing, beautiful woman chose him, loves him all the good parts and the broken ones. He blesses every day they have together and if he can do anything to keep those tears from her eyes he'll do it.

He looks at her just drinking her in and then he realizes she's mentioning someone else is here with her...someone who is clearly important to her, but the name means nothing to Percy. "I'm sorry who is that," he says puzzled, "should I know them?"

As he leans into her hand, she gives him a smile so filled with love that those that don't know her really would think her incapable of it. Looking up at his eyes makes her heart swell that her tears begin again.

But they stop suddenly and she takes a step back when he speaks again. "What in the Nine Hells are you talking about, Percival? Vax'ildan. My twin."

Percy knows quickly something is very wrong. Personal space isn't something he and Vex have had since they married and the fact that she has stepped back and is staring at him like she doesn't know him is worrying. "I think....I think something is wrong," he says, "I don't know that name or the fact that you have a twin and it's clear from your face dear that I should."

What could have done something like this? What if he forgets something else...Vesper, rest of Vox Machina....what if he forgets Vex? The idea has him stepping back in horror. Is this his traumatic life catching up to him...or something worse?

Percy De Rolo | Critical Role | ota

Arrival

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Beetle hunt

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