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 👆

Scanlan Shorthalt stepped into the garden, proud and tall at 42 inches. A bard known for his quick wit and ability to charm out of any situation. But when he received a note that read, “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,” he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.

He had no memory of agreeing to anything like this, and the thought of being trapped in a labyrinth for an undetermined amount of time was terrifying. But the promise of granting his greatest wish was too great a temptation to resist.

Scanlan knew he had to be careful, though. The note was vague, and he had no idea who had written it or what kind of labyrinth he was about to enter. The unease was foreign to Scanlan, who usually used his quick wit and lute to get himself out of any situation.

"La, La, La, La," He sang as he swung his lute over his head. Little does he know that he is about to be greatly disappointed.

👆 Beach Baby 👆

Scanlan felt the sun beating down on his skin as he walked along the sandy beach, enjoying the warmth. He wore his favorite pair of bathing shorts and had a beach towel over his shoulder. The sound of waves crashing on the shore was soothing, and he felt relaxed and content. As he walked, he noticed other people around him, some in swimsuits, and others in less clothing. He smiled at them, feeling a sense of camaraderie with his fellow beachgoers. He was glad he had decided to come to the beach today and knew he would have a great time.

👆 Suspicious Question 👆
Well... I suppose if I must pick something, it would be leaving my love, the way I did... even if the reason was noble... at the time. Just wanted to add that.

Edited 2023-07-03 00:37 (UTC)

Poppy's made something of a habit of checking the garden for new arrivals each month, always with the hopes of finding someone she recognizes from home. Her hopes, however, have been dashed every time. But at least it's nice for her to see someone shorter than her— a gnome, by the looks of him. His short stature reminds her of her halfling father... as does his seemingly carefree manner.

"Well, you're certainly taking this well."

"Well, Well, Well," The bard gnome drawled saucily at the stranger in his sight line. La, da da da da, da da da da," He croons, stopping right in front of Poppy. "In a strange land, in a strange land, this did not go according to plan," He knows something is wrong, but he doesn't know how to fix it.

"I can talk my way out of almost anything," He spoke in a normal voice, no longer singing. His Lyre now swung back on his back. "Scanlan Shorthalt, at your service," He bows deeply. "And who might you be, my fair maiden?"

Edited 2023-07-04 22:43 (UTC)

Not going to lie, his singing and his general demeanor are both very charming. She always did have a thing for bards.

Poppy smiles beside herself, and returns his bow with a formal, polite one of her own.

"Portentia Poppyfield, student of Divination at the Seminarcane. Much obliged."

[Percy raises an eyebrow not sure if the bard is being truthful or just vague.]

Are you being serious Scalan?

When have you known me not to be serious, Percival Fredrickstein von words, words de Rolo III?

As a matter of fact, why do you care?

Essek could hear the man singing, it was really quite avoidable; the sun was starting to set and he was sitting crosslegged on a blanket a few feet away from waves. As long as he slid lotion over himself, he was very good about not truly burning-- it was his eyes that held the sensitivity and there were shades that blocked out the unforgiving rays-- colouring them shades of idyllic blue.

Out of his periphery, he saw a gaggle of crabs start to run after the halfling.

Like the pied-piper of a fish broil.

Should he call out that Scanlan was about to have company? Or should he just sit here and wait, that was the question here.

Scanlan is very preceptive about certain things and less about other things... He's used to having a following, but as he caught sight of his current following...

"Well, Fuck," He sighed, scowling. "Grab on the sand crab, make a new plan Stan," He crooned but knew it was pointless. "For the love of Everlight, what am I supposed to do without my spells?"

"Are these yours, friend?"

Shades up and glances over them at the halfling troubador and his crustacean following; there was a brief moment where he considers this. Essek Thelyss takes in the aesthetic of the entire tableaux and then he removes the shades and then bites on the end of them.

"Actually, I think that they are here for you to be honest-- it appears that they want autographs. Or perhaps you have attracted yourself a crab rave?"

The crabs did appear to be doing little dance in time with Scanlan's humming.

"Either that or you just have a natural affinity for crabs."

Edited 2023-07-05 00:16 (UTC)

While the ocean of course was lovely, and quite a relief after the days of heat, Willow's attention was currently caught up with the dark-colored sand. She'd actually assumed that it was black at first, until catching it in the right light and seeing the deep blue gleam peppered with the occasional sparkle.

So naturally the obvious course of action with this beautiful sand is to build a sandcastle. It would be really interesting to see how something upright would look in the sunlight.

The Scan Man had seen some really weird shit in his time with Vox Machina, but dark sand? Well, that was new even for him.

Hold up... cool chick building a sand castle? SCORE!

"Do you wanna build a sand castle?" He crooned, plopping down in the sand next to Willow.

By now, Willow doesn't think much of the presence of another figure approaching. So when Scanlan settled in beside her, she glanced at him with a smile.

"Sure," she replied with a nod, not suspecting any ulterior motive to his question. "I wouldn't mind the help."

Another familiar face. Though Caleb knows how these strange places work, that not everyone would share memories of being snatched to another world. So while he's met Scanlan back when he was an abductee of the Fox, it remains to be seen if this version of the bard recognizes him.

That doesn't stop him from approaching. "If you're hoping for a spell, sorry to say you are out of lucky. Whoever brought us here does not seem to allow us access to our magic."

And it sucks. It sucks so much.

"Fuck," He spat out, as if he had eaten a moldy piece of bread. Scanlan turned to look over his shoulder at the voice. "I kind of figured that out, but I was hoping that some charisma and persuasion might get out of this pickle."

"I don't like feeling useless, do I know you"

"I wish it would, but that doesn't seem to be the case. But I also do not like feeling useless, yet here I am."

A wizard without his spells or spellbook. A cranky, grumpy wizard.

He still smiles at the question. "It seems like you do not. But I know you. It is a complicated story. Suffice to say, I am a friend of Vex'ahlia and Vax'ildan."

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bigsbysbard - 2023-07-10 21:00 (UTC) - Expand

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ausgebrannt - 2023-07-11 03:57 (UTC) - Expand

And which love is that? Are we talking about a certain daughter or a cleric of the Everlight?

"Daughter? I don't have a daughter. wait, do I have a daughter?"

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usedhuntersmark - 2023-07-06 17:46 (UTC) - Expand

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bigsbysbard - 2023-07-08 15:18 (UTC) - Expand

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usedhuntersmark - 2023-07-13 03:13 (UTC) - Expand

Pike had been trying to find her own way out of the garden when she stopped, hearing a familiar voice. She knew those dulcet tones anywhere. Part of her wondered if this were all a trick to get her to relax her guard, but the other part prayed to the Everlight that it really was him.

When she rounded the corner behind him, she thanked whoever could hear her that it was him. "Trying to find a way out?"

Scanlan's face morphed into the widest of widest grins. "Pike, my sunflower, fair maiden of my heart. You don't know how glad I am to see you," He spoke with his usual flourish and flair, which belied the anxiety rolling underneath his skin.

"I don't suppose that will work?" He asked hopefully.

Vax has made a habit of flying over the important places here. When he spots familiar colors in a tiny package down below, he changes shape and lets himself fall.

Vax’ildan is the same as ever but missing all the gear that says he is a champion of a god. The wings snap out and the feathers are different, the colors of dusk fading into true night. He grins when he sees Scanlan. “Scanman, well. The party is starting now you’re here.”

Dragon horns stick out of his hair in spirals. He shakes his head and gestures. “Let’s walk. I’ll tell you what the fuck I’ve seen here. Can you show me which color potion you got with your message?”

"Ahhhh," Scanlan jumps about a foot off the ground, holding his chest. He most certainly did not scream like a girl. "Fuck! Vax! Would you stop that!!!" Scanlan glares as he rests his hands on his knees, trying to regain his breath.

"Those are new..." he points to his horns. "Do we have to? It's been a shit day already," Scanlan grumbles, but he does start walking with Vax'ildan the best that he can.

"Its red, but I haven't drank it yet, why?"

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foundpurpose - 2023-07-13 15:57 (UTC) - Expand

That sounds like a sad tale. I am sorry for whatever it was that troubled you, stranger.

It is, but then I know of no one's that's not Sad to a degree. Who are you?

The Doctor is wearing his strange beach attire, he's sitting criss-cross, with a few dragons next to him, playing a tune on the recorder.

Scanlan finds his way to the beach, eventually. The harmonious sounds of music make their way to Scanlan's ears and he can't help the grin that covers his face.

"Well, friend, that is a lovely tune you're turning there," Scanlan doesn't sit, but he is looking down and the gigantic human. "What do you call it?"

Scanlan Shorthalt | Critical Role | New Player

Arrival

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Question

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Beach-Time

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Beach

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Arrival

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Question | Un: Mistress_Vex

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arrival

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Arrival

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Suspicious Question

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Beach Baby

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