buttrinthum | TDM #4

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!tdm

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

Aren't traps from someone you trusted in themselves heartbreaking? [She's... intrigued by the phrasing in this answer.]

I suppose they would be, but I don't know that she had anything to do with it.

If she had, I would be heartbroken, but she doesn't seem the type to do that sort of thing.

If she had nothing to do with it, then why do you think her invitation was a trap?

I don't think the invitation was a trap. That was poorly worded. The cabin itself appeared to be empty but as soon as I entered, I remember being attacked.

So you think someone else knew about it and set up a trap. If so, they must have inside knowledge, remarkable power, or both.

Do you know of any reason someone would want to attack you... 'not-Samson'?

I am a prince, so it's not unheard of. But since I was in the kingdom of a friendly nation, I can't really imagine there was someone I should be wary off with that much power.

Except one.

But I can't imagine someone like that would take much notice of me.

A prince! No, not unheard of at all. Our kingdom has good relations with its neighbours, yet you won't believe the number of times I've been taken for leverage.

Who is that one exception, Prince Not-Samson?

You're also of royal blood, milady? Forgive me. My name is Prince Phillip. Might have I have your name in kind?

As for the exception... She is the powerful fairy, Maleficent. She has a grudge against King Stephan and has placed his daughter under a curse. King Stephan and my father are good friends.

That's right, I'm Princess Jasmine. It's a pleasure to speak with you, Prince Phil

[Hold on, she recognises that name. Aurora said that her betrothed went by the name of Phillip and-]

[Oh. Oh no. That's not right. Well, maybe it's a different Phillip, that's surely a common na-]

["She is the powerful fairy, Maleficent."

"has a grudge against King Stephan and has placed his daughter under a curse."

"King Stephan and my father are good friends."]

Edited (NUMBERS) 2023-07-19 07:10 (UTC)

[Okay. Don't panic, Jasmine, Aurora doesn't need to know just yet. Neither does Not-Sams- er, Phillip. Just continue the conversation like nothing's wrong and then tell Aurora, and then she'll have room to breathe before needing to address him at all.]

That... Maleficent might explain some things, yes. If she cursed the daughter of your father's friend, then who's to say she wouldn't do the same to you if she thought she had good reason?

May I ask what curse befell on the princess?

The pleasure is all mine, Princess Jasmine.

I can't fathom why she'd wish to curse me. She felt slighted by King Stephan and so cursed his daughter to prick her finger before she turned sixteen and die, but if I remember correctly, another fairy changed it to fall into sleep until she's kissed by her true love.

[He's pretty certain that's not him, so he's not talking about the betrothal.]

[Weeeell, if there was any doubt that this could be a different Phillip who happens to also know Maleficent, it has all but crumbled into dust.

She can at least be half-honest.] That's horrible. King Stephan and his wife must be absolutely distraught over such a fate.

How old is she now? How... much longer does she have before this curse will happen?

[You got him. It's true. He's the infamous Phillip. Welp.]

I vaguely remember the scene. I was six at the time of the princess's christening. It was pandemonium for a while.

And, I believe it's by sunset on the day of her sixteenth birthday. My father dragged me to King Stephan's country to formalize the betrothal right after sunset.

[He's at least five years older than her. Could be worse for an arranged marriage, but thinking about it makes this situation all the more uncomfortable for her, and Aurora doesn't even know yet.]

Yes, I can only imagine how many changes must have been made to keep her safe. [Like pulling her away from her parents, withholding her status from her, and leaving her to think that she can fall in love with whoever she wants when this guy is betrothed to her.

And he was going to see another woman at her house, the disloyal, self-righteous- no, no, she's jumping to conclusions, she must stay calm and leave this for Aurora to decide.]

And the preparations must be even greater, if the curse is about to be lifted.

[He can feel the judgment through the device. As if he was asked about any of this himself. It's a betrothal, not a proposal.]

I suppose so. I haven't met her since that day. The kingdom was in a rush to get things in order for her return from where she was in exile.

I'll admit that I wasn't pleased with my father's insistence on marrying Aurora. I don't know her and I told my father that I didn't want an arranged marriage, no matter with whom he had in mind.

[That... was a more noble response than she expected. He doesn't want his life set up for him and he wants fairness; she couldn't agree more with this circumstance.

On the other hand, he got to know about the arrangement and Aurora didn't. He has the chance to say no and try to change his father's mind while she got to be left in the dark for years, only to have it thrust upon her on the same day they celebrate her return-

Did anyone think about how much pressure that is on her? How can she possibly have room to complain when everyone is so happy to see her? She'd keep all her concerns inside, because she doesn't want to disappoint anybody-

Why didn't her aunts just explain everything to her in the first place?-

Okay, unfair or otherwise, it's not Phillip's fault. He's been set up, too, just not as blindly as Aurora - so it's time for her to take the helm for once.]

It's very wise of you to make that request. No one should have to marry someone they don't love, no matter the suitor. I hope your father will understand before you're both placed in an unhappy union.

I have to go, but I suspect we'll meet in person soon, Prince Phillip. Thank you for the [alarming] insightful discussion.

He knows me well enough that me telling him I found a woman that I wanted to marry that wasn't Aurora meant that he'd have to tell King Stefan that the arrangement with Aurora wasn't going to happen. And, well, he's a good father, even if he is a bit pushy.

[It's where Phillip got it from, honestly.]

I look forward to meeting you, Princess Jasmine.

As do I. [That's not even a lie, he seems genuinely sweet and considerate. Aurora could marry worse men, but such a marriage would be wrong if he's not the man she truly loves.

...However, his efforts to make this right are genuinely admirable. So, after a few minutes of thought, she leaves him with one final message.]

Back home, the law once dictated that I must marry a prince. I tried to talk my father out of it, but he would not budge on the matter. Then I met a wonderful man at the marketplace who ultimately saved us from a takeover by our vizier... which finally convinced my father to amend that law, so that I could marry whomever I deemed worthy.

Our fathers sound rather alike, so I'm confident he can see reason and change his mind. Don't ever lose hope of being with the love of your life.

Thank you for your kind words. I will take them to heart.

Although, should my father prove to be too stubborn, I suppose I'll have to abdicate and become a commoner so that I can marry whom I wish.

Let's hope it won't come to that, and your father won't need a threat on the kingdom to accept your choice. [Or Aurora's peasant boy will have to fight off Maleficent and wake her up with the true love's kiss... what is she thinking, that is entirely possible considering her friend's circumstances back home.

Speaking of Aurora, she's finally leaving this conversation at that so she can find her roommate - the sooner she knows who's here, the better.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TDM #4

Text; un:AllThatJas

text ⛨ un: not-samson

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1/idk 6??

2/6?

3/6

4/6

5/6

6/6 Finally done I'm so sorry

No, you're not. Don't lie to me. <3

Okay you got me I'm only 45% sorry

I thought so!

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