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

1) It's getting hot

[Shiranui made due with the heat as best he could. What he didn't like was the townsfolk's attitude toward him. And the lack of work. The gnomes were giving him the cold shoulder and wouldn't let him work. He couldn't tell if he had a job or not or if this was a temporary thing. Either way it didn't matter. He would make due. Of course they would blame the outsiders for the heat wave and not the Skeksis.

He used the downtime to be carving some pieces of wood into hair combs and hair sticks. Stuff he was familiar with back at home. He can be seen sitting outside the front of his hill home. Seiryu was near by laying about in the shade finding it too hot to be his usual energetic self.]

Stupid gnomes. Take it out on the outsiders. All we did was try to protect them.

[He grumbled to himself as he carved away.]

2)Beach

[When Shiranui learned there was a beach, he of course had to go and check it out. Some relief from the heat and plus, he had never been to one before. Outside of war purposes. He also felt that Seiryu would enjoy the water and the waves since he loved the lake so much.

It was also a chance to go shirtless and he had cut a pair of his pants so they were short. He had remembered the shorts he had back on the ship. He was not going to wear what was considered appropriate for his time period. No thank you.

Shiranui was also thankful that his hair was short and not long as it had been. Pulling it up in a ponytail wouldn't have been enough. He waded in the water enjoying how refreshing it was.]

Seiryu be mind of the other people. Don't go knocking them down!

[He shouted at at the excited blue dragon. This was nothing like the lake.]

3)Beetles!

[Having found a red beetle and understanding that these bugs meant money, Shiranui decided to spend some time in the bamboo forest hunting them down. He was familiar with bamboo forests as there were plenty at home. He knew how to navigate through them and what to watch out for. It was just a matter of learning how to catch and spot the beetles.]

Alright, how come the red ones are easier to find then the others?

[There had to be a way to find the rarer beetles.]

4) Wildcard!

Feel free to write your own prompt. Or pm me if you want something specific!

[Oh, there's something so, so nice about being in a bamboo grove like this. Maybe it's nostalgia, a feeling of being home again, or just the feeling of tranquility and peace it promotes. It's cool, and shady, and the fresh scent of bamboo is a welcome one, mixed with a light sea-breeze pushing through the massive stalks. Katsuki half wants to cut down a few of the larger ones to have someone make into tableware (he would love bamboo bowls and chopsticks), or dig up the shoots since they're edible...and are absolutely delicious when pickled.

Right now though? He's grinning from ear to ear, holding his net almost triumphantly and watching the golden beetle seem to accept its fate as it stop struggling in the thin mesh. What a prize!! This is the most valuable one, isn't it? Heh heh...figures. Katsuki would go beetle hunting when he was just a brat, and he'd always find the biggest and strongest one. He knew the best places where they'd hide, or where to climb to find them, and it seems that knowledge kicked down the door of his psyche today. He's gently looking over the golden beetle, taking it out of the net with extreme care, playing with it for a second before putting it in a breathable little holster at his hip, lining the box with bamboo leaves, some rocks and dirt, and a piece of bamboo it can hide under.]

Red's the most common, probably why it's the least valuable. You gotta really fucking look for the other ones...and know where to find 'em. [Maaan...he kinda doesn't want to give the beetle up, it's so cool. Would make a nice pet, too. .......If his dragon doesn't try to eat it, which Riot probably would, sigh.]

[Shiranui turned at the other's voice, not really expecting anyone to answer his questions. He noted that the other appeared to be excited by the bamboo forest as well.]

Either way, its easy money for now. I already have a bunch now. How's your hunt going?

[At least Seiryu wasn't with him, because all the money would have been eaten. And he wouldn't be able to get mad at the dragon, because he's used to viewing bugs as food. Not that he needs to eat bugs anymore. But to him they would be a snack.

While hunting for bugs, he made sure to wear long pants and at least a sleeveless shirt. He didn't want to get scratched up or eaten by other bugs during the hunt. On his right arm was a stylized dragon tattoo. He had a bag slung over his other shoulder where he was storing the bugs in a container.]

I do want to cut some of this bamboo down. Can be useful. These forests remind me of home.

Aah? Why would I need to catch more when I've already got the best one?

[Normally, yes, he would catch way fucking more - as many as he could to kill the competition and leave them all in his dust, and katsuki still wants to do that a little bit, but...]

Not a good idea to catch too many - fucks up the ecosystem pretty damn bad, and some of these beetles are already rare overall. Overhunting them is just fucking stupid. ...Plus, I don't know what the people who're gonna take 'em are gonna do with them. If it's gas and pin them for some shitty display...they can eat shit and choke. If it's to breed and release them to increase population density...fine. But until I know what, I'm not catching more than a few.

[He's not hurting for cash, after all. Katsuki know he has skills, too, he can easily work if he really needs extra spending money. This is more for fun. He likes the thrilland especially the competition.]

Aa, I was thinking the same. Quality bamboo dishware is really nice...lasts for fucking ever, too. And I'm like some new chopsticks. Only problem is getting someone to craft anything when the villagers are up their own asses right now...tch.

Edited 2023-07-06 17:44 (UTC)

[Shiranui thought about it for a few seconds and had to agree.]

You do have a point. One always has to becareful of what's around them.

[It made him rethink about the whole bug hunting thing.]

I've been carving various stuff in my spare time. Mainly because it was stuff I was used to using and they didn't have them, like chopsticks. The bamboo would be good to use and be very versatile. I can make baskets, hats, and mats....and more with it over time.

The stupid gnomes won't let me work with them right now because of what happened, so I've been making my own stuff.

[He hums his agreement. He's also a little worried about the beetles getting stressed out, too. While most of these really big ones are pretty damn harmless to people, with so many assholes stomping around and getting grabby...hell knows a lot of the poor things are going to be getting defensive. He really hopes none of them get hurt during this whole ordeal - their shells and horns are pretty hard, but their legs are still pretty thin and spindly...

Honestly, all they can do is hope for the best.]

Hooh? If you can craft shit out of the bamboo, I'd purchase at least some chopstick and rice bowls. I need a good set. [A bamboo mat wouldn't be bad either, so he has a place for people to put their shoes when they come over.]

You from Japan?

[Shiranui asked sensing that everything the other needed were needs he was looking for as well. And this world didn't have a lot of what their country had.]

Yeah, I work with a lot of wood, so bamboo shouldn't be a problem. It will take longer to process. I've made some basic stuff with other wood. If you're interested in those in the mean time. I can keep you posted on the bamboo.

Shiranui Kyo | Hakuouki Shinsnegumi Kitan | Current Player

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