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buttrinthum2023-06-30 11:42 am
TDM #4
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. ]
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.
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?
CW: bugs, beetle imageryAlong 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!
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. ]
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.
Re: Arrival
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."
Re: Arrival
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.
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It's something she'll tackle later.
"Vax... Vax is here with me, but it has been us for nearly two months here."
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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?"
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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."
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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?
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However, she's inclined to give the benefit of the doubt, considering where they are. "We're going to get to the root of this, but I want us to leave this place." Her hands reach for the bow strung on her back as her face goes blank. "After you, darling."
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He is a bit wary about turning his back to Vex but he nods and turns, trusting her to keep him safe. His hands itched for one of his weapons, but Vox Machina hadn't been expecting trouble at the wedding and wearing his pepperbox as an ornamental object felt...odd. So the Percy before Vex is dressed in a fine white shirt and dark blue vest, but no overcoat. His boots are formal black and less like the everyday ones he wore during their adventures and his pants are thinner and not made for all weathers.
He starts walking lost in thought as his mind tries to work through all the possibilities that could have caused his memory loss. "Dear....given the potion I received when I arrived...would it be would it be wise to assume this world has magic?"
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She takes in the different clothes and admires the view. "You look wonderful." She can't hide the appreciation she has for him, but she won't let that stop her either, if it turns out to not be her husband.
"Yes, it does, but not quite like that of Exandria. If you've just arrived, you will have received a pouch. In the pouch, there's a potion. Depending on the color, you get a magic from it." She still has her blue potion that she's fairly certain is the one that gives healing powers that she hasn't taken. But...
If something has happened to Percy, what better reason for her to stop being paranoid and stubborn, hm?
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Said pouch is hanging on Percy's belt where his holster normally would have been and he removes the red potion and turns to show it to Vex. "Yes I did....I have not drunk it yet...as I wished to explore its properties before doing so." The gunslinger knows better than to drink a potion that doesn't look familiar, it just didn't occur to him that other things around him could be magical in nature as well.
He smiles at his wife's compliment. "Thank you," he says, "I came here from an important celebration," he says as he tucks the potion back into the pouch. He will elaborate if asked, but given they are both wary at the moment it was wise to keep his cards close to the chest until he needs them. He knows people consider him rather paranoid these days, but he has his reasons and Vex will know what most of them are.
"Might I offer the thought that perhaps...the garden itself is magical in nature as well and may be the reason for my memory loss. I did smell some of the day lilies just now."
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She doesn't respond to the comment about a celebration. She's aware that she and Percy have spoken many times about having a wedding that is more than just Zahra as witness with Keeper Yevvan taking their vows as a spur of the moment decision. However, she does have the wonder, since Pike said that she'd attended their full wedding celebration at Dalen's Closet. She has bits and pieces, but that's all. She'll have answers from him when it's safe. If this is actually Percy.
"Oh, I've already known the garden is magical. It gifted Vax and I a dragon egg." Goldie is with Vax right now and for that she's grateful. And then he continues talking and she groans. "Percival, I love you, but you're an idiot sometimes."
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Percy has the grace to look sheepish. "I am indeed dear," he says, "my mind was rattled I must admit and I made an unwise choice." He was worried about Vex and terrified about Silas and he went toward something that had once brought his mother joy. in the hopes it would bring him peace for a moment.
"What can I do to convince you that I am myself," he asks, "just say the word and I will do as you ask."
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"Fine. Tell me what I carved onto Fenthras and where you learned about it." Since they were the only two there at that time, he'd better fucking know, or she'll have to take him down.
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Percy doesn't even have to think about the answer. He remembers that conversation well and it's one he returns to when he finds himself lost in his own thoughts. "You carved the Elvish word for forgiveness into it," he says softly. "You were inspired by my willingness to forgive Ripley despite everything she'd done to me. You believed that forgiveness was the key to growth and I agreed."
He smiled. "That was the day I kissed you for the first time...a moment I often find my thoughts returning to when I'm having a dark day."
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"You caught me off guard with that move. I didn't know if you really heard what I said after Glintshore." She points a finger in his face, accusatorily. "You were rather tight-lipped about how you felt until then and even after for a while."
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Percy smiles just as warmly. He cannot always put into words how deeply he loves his wife, but he knows he will always love her deeply and truly. "You know dear how deeply into my own head I get," he says, "I had to convince myself to just go for it otherwise I wouldn't do it. And it wasn't until after Raishan that I realized life was too short to hesitate due to fear.Loss is a part of life and I had already lost so much....I could not stand to lose more."
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"Percy, we need to leave this garden. Once we do, we can talk a bit more because you not remembering Vax is far more worrying than you forgetting a few days in the Feywild." Vex holds out her hand for him to take, despite the heat. There's a part of her that's absolutely terrified that if she lets him go for even a second that he will disappear. "Our magic is gone while we are here, so if this memory loss continues after we leave, I'll have to figure something else out."
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Percy takes the offered hand without any hesitation. "Please," he says and there is a note of tension in his voice. He wouldn't admit to being afraid, but the last memory he has of Vex was terrible enough that he needs the contact. He needs to know his wife is safe and close to him. "This place is starting to set my teeth on edge and I'd rather be anywhere but here right now."
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"I can understand that. This is one of the most magical places on Visium that I have found. Aside from the Labyrinth."
She guides them out of the garden, squeezing his hand in hers and her other tapping the pouch tied to her belt. The potion is there. She knows it is. It's her ace in the hole for now. Once they've reached a decent distance from the garden and they're hit by the unbearable heat, she grimaces.
"We should head to the library. I doubt many people will be there at this time of day."
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Percy remains silent as they walk. He is happy to be here...as safe as he could be and yet he is worried, unsure of what to say. What if he's forgotten something else that is important...what if he forgets Vex....he isn't sure he could survive that. She is his rock, his heart, his everything.
The heat hits him and he makes a face. "Is it always this...uncomfortable," he asks suddenly, glad he is wearing lighter clothing even though he feels naked with Cabal's Ruin missing. The mention of a library makes him perk up a bit. He's always felt safest surrounded by his work and his books. 'Anywhere is better than this heat dear."
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And if he does forget her, she'll make him remember her.
His question about the heat has her grimacing. "No, I don't think so. The city before the Labyrinth was attacked lately. After they left, the heat came. The natives believe that we Dreamers are the cause of the heat and have refused all communication with us since we fought the Skeksis."
She notices the way he perks up at the mention of the library and gives him a pained smile. "Try not to get too excited, darling. It's hardly anything to write home about, if the librarian is to be believed. It makes Whitestone's library look like the Cobalt Reserve."
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Percy is distracted from the possibility of books by the mention of a creature of being he does not know. "What pray tell is a Skeksi," he asks, suddenly worried that the twins got into danger without him or the others nearby to help.
He knows they can take care of themselves, they always have been good at that, but he hates the idea of being helpless or those he loves being helpless. "Were you not supposed to fight them what were they doing?"
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And he should know that would have set off her hackles for murder.
"No, it seems that the locals were used to that sort of thing, but with so many hero types being brought here by Vaeros, no one wanted to let it stand. And had they not try to take the dragon hatchling entrusted to mine and Vax's care, I would have had second thoughts about involving myself in the mess, but I don't like thieves."
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Percy takes all this in with a thoughtful expression. Of course the twins would fight..he knows they believe that things must be earned fairly. He only wishes that he had been there to help them. He doesn't like that their host was just sitting back and letting something like that happen. And now everyone was being punished for doing the right thing...that is most definitely not fair at all.
He then hears the world's dragons and hatchlings and he gives her a look. "You and Vax are taking care of dragons....real dragons?"
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"Yes, we hatched a lovely little gold dragon. He's very sweet. Vax drank the gold potion he got and has spent a lot of time as a dragon himself. A bronze, sort of like a much smaller version of D'avossa, but not nearly as cool. It's been a help, with Trinket taken from me."
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