TDM #1

[labyrinmods]

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: poinsettias and mistletoe. You’ll soon find out that being around the poinsettias give you an odd sense of joy no matter how confusing the situation may seem and the mistletoe, which is left over from the holiday season, gives you the desire to kiss or hold hands with the nearest person to you. 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?

Somnius / Snow Angels

With the influx of new life, the humble town a barkeep tells you is called Somnius seems to come alive as well, with new faces to join that of the resident fairies, goblins and other townfolk. There’s bustling energy to the land that the townfolk will tell you wasn’t quite there before, and some suspect that the presence of the new arrivals might be powering the world around them in some way - but that’s a question to be answered on another day. The quaint town of Somnius needs a little bit of care, that rustic feel to the mushroom houses, old shops and weathered castles too evident at first glance, but it’s not a bad place to live, as the locals will tell you. It almost seems like everything will be okay…

But of course, things are never so simple.

Whether you have been wandering around to get your bearings, talking to the locals or exploring your new humble (very humble) abode, you can expect to find mysterious ice sculptures - fashioned in the shape of snow angels, with blades in their hands - appearing in random places around the town. There are some that manifest in the middle of the street, some that sit quietly at the edge of an inn, and even some that appear right beside your bed, staring at you as you wake up. It’s unclear how these sculptures even got here, but close proximity to them will conjure up feelings of unrest, like you should not step any closer.

It’s smart to trust your gut in these situations. Step too close to a snow angel and it will come to life, moving with the grace of flowing water. They make a vague request and will spare only those able to heed it.

“Cold … so cold … Even the days of Visium are so cold. Have you any warmth to spare us?”

Some angels will accept an article of clothing as warmth. Others are greedy and keep demanding more, wanting to take everything that you have on your body. Heed their requests and they will spare you. Resist even just a little, and that’s when they draw their swords.

It’s not too easy to defeat an angel with brute force given that they reform themselves immediately. Running away or blasting them with fire could do the trick. Be careful not to get cut by their blades, however…

Characters who get cut by their blades will experience an inconsolable sense of chill and emptiness, right down to their bones. They will find themselves desiring ‘warmth’ from others in different ways - whether through physical contact, or affectionate words and gestures. There might be the few who go feverish in their desire for warmth. For those characters – the open fireplace is looking like a very tantalizing place to sit in right now (Yes, sit in, not by). They might even feel compelled to pull a friend in with them. That can’t be good for anyone…

The effects will only subside if the condition of receiving ‘warmth’ is met. This can be in the literal sense (physical warmth and intimacy) or figurative (feelings of love, acceptance and happiness).

Bonfire

When night falls, the temperatures only drop further, which does no favours for the poor souls who had to give up their clothing. The locals want to welcome the new arrivals and give everyone an opportunity to unwind from a busy and chaotic day of being hunted by snow sculptures. That’s why they’ve set up a gathering in the middle of town square. Food and alcohol is being generously supplied by The Cask & Anvil, and marketplace vendors have set up pop up stands to try and cajole the new arrivals into purchasing some fancy new clothes or a pretty gemstone they claim will ward off danger (claims not verified).

At the center of it all is a large bonfire that’s warming up the square. Everyone is encouraged to warm themselves by it after a long day, eat, and make merry. In fact, there’s a certain sense of enchantment to the crackling fire that seems to draw even the shiest wallflower in, pushing them to sit with others and make conversation. As the night goes on, the newly arrived dreamers will find themselves settling easily into the warm and bustling mood, any stresses and anxieties melting away. With time, they’ll start to find themselves without a filter, more than happy to talk about themselves and the life they had led prior to coming to Visium. In fact, they will feel compelled to share a story from their past - one that might be joyous, comedic, thrilling, or tragic. Whatever sorts of feelings come attached to their story, it will be one of emotional significance.

In the back of their minds, they might get the sense someone else is listening.

OOC

Welcome to the labyrinthum TDM! 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. Yes, this includes the Labyrinth - though characters will not be able to clear the maze. Please comment here to request an outcome for your character's labyrinth exploration and a moderator will get to you shortly. (The longest a character can stay in the Labyrinth is 3 days.)

You can find more information about the game here. Any questions regarding the TDM can go under the comment below.

Comments

[historicallyloaded]

Certainly, such power would lend itself a propensity to abuse...

It's really remarkable, incredible— I had no idea such powerful resources existed.

[ He falls a little quiet, thoughtful, brow furrowed. His gaze diverts from Sonic for a moment, the next words out of his mouth a lie he's telling himself with a bitter-sweet smile. ]

I suppose... it is for the best then, that such powerful artifacts are sequestered away for safe keeping.

[historicallyloaded]

Quite! [ Inventive! He completely ignores or does not notice her expression. ]

Windmills and hydropower... [ He parrots. ] Those are technologies mostly utilized other continents and foreign cities that benefit from their different geologic and climatological circumstances. Doskvol is a port city. [ So, he's aware of them but not personally familiar with them. Doskvol definitely focuses on its ghost and demon juice. It's clear though that the other word catches his interest far more with a gleam in his eye. ]

Arcane as in... demonic-spectral energy? Raw arcane energy? [ Sorry Poppy. He doesn't know anything else other than gothic-horror. ]

[bladeofconquest]

Corrin glances down at the note in her hand again. "According to this, we're the ones who want something from him." She muses, then cocks her head in curiosity. "You sound like you've met people like him before."

Seven Deserts? Corrin didn't know there were that many to begin with. "I...think it must be." She admits. "I've never heard of that region, though I don't really know a lot about the lands beyond the seas." That's one possibility, though Corrin finds herself a bit relieved that Jasmine's ignorance of her homeland means she won't also know of its reputation.

[bladeofconquest]

Corrin perks up as Kate describes the world from which she comes. "That's...rather amazing." Unusual abilities weren't unheard of in her world, even Corrin's dragon blood gives her the ability to manipulate Dragon Veins, but only the royal families of Nohr and Hoshido carry that power. "And these awakenings are commonplace?" If they named an entire age after it.

In response to her offer, Corrin folds her legs, putting down her mug so she can listen. "Yes, I think I'd like that. Tell me about them."

She gets the impression Kate might have picked up on her earlier unease and is trying to lift her spirits, and Corrin finds she's not going to argue with that. Lift away, Kate, lift away.

[bladeofconquest]

Corrin helps Gumshoe drape the coat over the angel's shoulders. With the cape she already gave, it must be feeling pretty toasty by now. She steps back once its done and smiles.

The angel slowly, turns to Gumshoe, and opens its mouth.

"More."

Corrin's smile falters somewhat. "I don't really think we have anything else to offer...I'm sorry you're still cold, but there's really a limit, you know?"

"MORE!." The yell causes her to jump back in surprise. The sword comes up. "I cannot bear this cold...give me MORE!"

i am still sad about this apple juice headcanon.

[kuroned]

[ keith's expression goes sour and sullen, making no attempt to mask the extent of his contempt for what shiro has laid out. thing is? the bulk of what they've been through of late deserves that reaction. accepting bitter truths, adapting and moving forward anyway is what the war with the galra has done to all of them.

stupid. because shiro should know his best friend better. keith uncorks his vial, and shiro's eyes go wide, disbelief and horror turning blood to ice as he watches the defiant little shit chug his mystery brew.

shiro ought to move and slap the glass out of his hands, but instead his jaw drops in exactly the same impotent way it did when watching his jeep accelerate off school grounds.

there could almost beautiful about how utterly outmaneuvered he's been in the moment, but shiro's head is full ringing static as keith directs a supernova flare at him. ]

Keith....

[ shocked, shiro doesn't manage any other feeling. why is he even surprised? keith's capacity for self destruction has always been there, always been something shiro's done his best to walk him down from and now.... exasperation goes off like a bomb. ]

Keith! Keith, why would you gamble with your life like that?!

[ two quick steps closer and shiro grabs keith by both shoulders. ]

This isn't a game.

[historicallyloaded]

That, ah— t-that sounds like them. [ Mettaton sounds positively comfortable and even dare he say chumly with vampires... though he supposed a robot body lacking blood might have something to do with the confidence. On top of all the other natural confidence.

As for the question, yes, he's got all kinds of opinions. ]

Selfishly, I find the technology behind Hulls incredible and fascinating and their work invaluable—imagine a creation capable of levitation or lightning fast reflexes or built with sensors capable of seeing through walls and recording audio that can be heard again and again later. The potentiality of that is amazing, especially augmented with human care and direction!

And I do agree it feels like a far more humane way of utilizing a ghost instead of regulating it to fuel... though I think that might depend entirely on the ghost's lucidity. Does it remember what it is or was? Is it aware it's in a machine? Is it happy with renewed purpose? Would it prefer oblivion instead of a life of servitude?

[ He opens his mouth but closes it, almost tripping over himself to answer his own questions. It's a complicated set of ethics for circumstances that can't afford to be very ethical in the first place. ]

I must admit, with some regret, these are questions I myself didn't feel comfortable ever asking until somewhat recently.

[historicallyloaded]

[ He can't help but yelp; a high pitched shriek of panic when he feels the very ground shake behind them until Freyja's leadership and speed helps put some distance between them again. ]

Maybe that's it's ah—maybe their mother!?

[ He didn't think dogs worked like that but his brain is mostly scrambling to keep up with his feet right now. Definitely time to abandon rescue pup mission and follow through with rescue themselves mission.

And so they ran, they ran so far awaaaaaaayyy. Brickston does his very best but eventually that lack of stamina starts to catch up. By the devil, it feels like his heart is going to burst right out of his chest! ]

I can't... I can't— [ He can't hear the dog anymore but starts to flag and falter, hunching over as his running slows. ] Let me perish miss Freyja, I'm out of breath.

[ The exit is RIGHT THERE. ]

[thefifthchild]

[Damian's first thought when he recognizes that he's being grabbed hold of is to shoot a frankly dangerous glare at the boy he's dragging along - the kind of feral rage that might be expected of a wild animal, or an instinctual killer. The tension in his body doesn't leave as he listens, though he can tell that the boy isn't actually planning on attacking him or keeping him from moving, and he's sure he could get free by simply breaking his arm.

He doesn't though.

To his credit, he does listen. Damian's never had to worry about money. His father is in the top fifty richest men in the world - or rather was, and his mother was the princess of an empire built on murder, worship and theft. R'as Al Ghul had a dragon's hoard of wealth that he had stolen from those he viewed as corrupt influences on humanity. So yes, he's realizing that maybe some privilege motivated his disgust. He's not going to say it out loud but he does realize it. But his stance doesn't change.]

What a longwinded way of demonstrating how little you understand anything I said or what commercializing even means. [He snatches his cape away, careful not to accidentally activate the electric mechanism that would knock him clean out.] And if you touch me like that again and I'll break your arm.

[And then he walks off, fast, to not let him get another word in. He has a lot of opinions on what a hero is and what a vigilante is. He was a criminal first - a terrorist prince who was told from a very young age that the world was his and that he would conquer the ivory towers of the same humanity that doomed the world and corrupted the green, and he would paint the polished stones of their palaces red with their blood.

He's disavowed the League. He understands that they were no better. But he doesn't believe there's anything heroic about serving the governments of the world as a loyal soldier, when they're often the most despicable villains of all. The Court of Owls, the entire concept of the Suicide Squad, Lex Luthor, Bendix, Waller, the puppet Batman appointed by the police that haunted the future.

He returns after a minute, with the supplies needed, and he drops it on the table before sighing and preparing to continue.]

Do you honestly believe that all cops, doctors and investigators sign up out of the goodness of their hearts? Turning heroism into an industry with designated schools all connected through a greater institution designed for profit isn't about providing people with fair pay. Heroes are paid in my world. [Often by his father or Green Arrow, or through the sizeable donations that the Justice League gets. Heroes who don't join any teams don't tend to get paid, though. Damian certainly doesn't. He's technically been homeless for the past three months.]

Where I'm from, being a hero is about changing the world for the better. Not serving a status quo for money.

[Not strictly speaking... true. The superhero community has been divided over whether to comply with government restrictions or not in the past, with his father often being the one most against it and Superman being more prone to following along - more carefully aware of much they fear him. But Damian's never exactly held much respect for anyone outside of his family or his friends. He's aware other heroes serve at the whims of Amanda Waller, or LexCorp, or the Police. But he considers them less heroes and more military police in fancy dress.]

And I made my own costume, for your information. [With stolen tech, but yes.]

[frogmarched]

What a very ominous thing to say about a library. Then again, given the last experience with a book shop, maybe it wasn't that weird.... but it was pretty weird.

He finishes cleaning up Tama's face, before aggressively patting off his sleeves from... most of the dirt. Some of the dirt. And finally-- futilely-- brushes some of Tama's hair out of his face. And he was going to call the frog dirty, on account of it being a frog.

"You think Frog Man stole your hallucinations? That sounds... stupid. Wouldn't he stop existing without your ability to see him?"

[frogmarched]

[Hidden, maybe, but it was still obviously an injury, and this was also starting to get embarrassing instead of in any way entertaining.]

Oh, for crying...

[He scoffs, stepping forward with reckless disregard for the angel anyway, and grabbing onto the jacket that was now stuck on Arrakis' wing. He gives it a yank, maybe a bit too rough if the guy had hollow bones in his wings, but-- it was probably better to ruffle some feathers than keep getting stabbed by an angel??]

Take the damn jacket already, you cretin.. [And he very gracefully throws it at the angel's face, once it's free of Arrakis' wing.]

[frogmarched]

Maybe if you're five years old. [Sounds like something Tamamori would say. If, again, he were five.]

That's an even more boring answer... You don't have any preferences, as long as someone can make it interesting? Sounds like a load of bullshit.

[frogmarched]

[Unfortunately for everyone else involved, Eiichi's good moods usually involve... y'know, messing with people. So Alisa's hit the nail on the head, but it still makes him grin, sharp like a knife.]

Maybe? Who can be sure...?

[He can, theoretically, but he doesn't know what's going on with this dream stuff anyway.]

How much do you think your soul is worth, then?

[trenchdoting]

Gumshoe takes a concerned step back as the angel's demands intensify.

"Wh-what do you mean more?! That coat's gotta be enough, it's kept me warm through countless winters!"

But then the sword comes up, and Gumshoe looks up in alarm.

"Is- is this a stick-up?? But all we got left is stuff we need! If you just... give us a little time, we can find more for you..."

The angel doesn't seem to be in a listening mood.

[xploud]

[Katsuki is going to lose his goddamn mind. So there's...basically an emergency medic but no actual doctors in this chick's world, and they rely heavily on those with healing quirks. He sees so many red flags and flaws with this method of thinking that he wants to explode, but 1.) he can't anymore, 2.) probably not a great idea when he's injured as much as he is, 3.) his brain feels like it just did a factory reset.

So he's just...gonna not focus on...all that and instead drag a hand down his face. Get him out of here, holy shit. If this is going to be his future - and by god it won't be for long, if he can help it - then he's better off rolling over now.]

Tch...not well enough. [He grunts, wiping his brow with the back of a hand. Right, right...gotta find a--what'd she call it? Apothecary?? Fucking hell.] Wouldn't have even been a fight if I had my quirk. How come you've got one, haah? Or is that your magic?

[He makes a face at the word, but...well. A quirk would be the same thing to anyone not in his world, all things considered.]

[takumina]

( oh, this is going to be a Time (™ ), isn't it? which means he should probably tone down the trolling to a minimum if he wants there to be any chance at all that akira ends up taking him seriously.

he doesn't honestly want to make a bad first impression, but ah, sir … that just happens to be who you are as a person, doesn't it? never intentional, but people tend to think you're an absolute moron in passing until they get a chance to see you taking things seriously.

he huffs quietly under his breath, tucks the glasses away and leaves the blindfold where it falls to hang around his neck, ultimately shoving both hands into his pockets for a lack of knowing what to do with them.

which means he's just standing there with his hair falling into his eyes like some unintentional nineties heartthrob. whoopsiedoodle. )

It isn't that I have a problem with my eyes. ( he says calmly. ) It's more that my inherent technique is heavily reliant on perceiving everything around me, time and space, mass, that sort of thing. Covering my eyes enhances it. ( he pauses, and his mouth turns down a bit at one corner. ) Though I suppose since I don't have access to any of my jujutsu … it's kind of a moot point, isn't it? I don't need them! ( another pause, longer than the one before it. )

Still feels strange. Guess I'll have to get used to it.

look at this THIS IS MORE PAIN

[shrove]

[ they're always going to be each other's effective weakness, that one spot that they can never truly eradicate, the singular bond that they can never erase. it is satoru's love that kept suguru alive until that fateful day, a curse that only satoru gojo can carry -- and it is love that has suguru worrying about him now, of all things, because some things don't change.

some things will never change, even if suguru was the one that walked away.

he sees right through him and his flippant response, right to his kindness and his understanding and yet -- don't say it like that, a gentle correction that suguru takes without a word because it's satoru, because underneath all of this he must be struggling, too. ]

You might've gotten rusty.

[ suguru muses, clearly teasing him. it's an alien feeling, this odd sense of lightness, this desire to be close, and he squeezes his hand again. how strange, that it feels like they're closer than ever, that they could be connecting once again, without powers getting in the way. just like this, satoru doesn't have to be separated from him, going on more and more missions, becoming even stronger while suguru fell farther and farther away --

-- he takes a breath. ]

I'm more concerned that you'll say something that people will want to punch you for.

[ because he does that. they do that. they're both insufferable motherfuckers with terrible personalities who are, at their core, kind. ]

[mrfuckwit]

_{[ There’s really no reason for those eyes to be that pretty!! And that hair to be so silky looking! Akira can’t help but look at him for awhile before saying anything, but soon, that feisty behavior returns because he’s mad he was caught staring. His nose scrunches up. ]}

That sounds like a bunch of horseshit.

_{[ But, he’s quick to believe what Gojo is saying even if his initial response is that. His expression eases slightly, arms folding over his chest. ]}

But I guess it isn’t the most farfetched thing I’ve heard of.

_{[ after all, he talks so casually about his demon powers and how his world is on the brink of a demonic apocalypse. ]}

Don’t talk like that. I’ll fight as much as I need to do I can get my powers back— so we will do the same thing for you. Something took our powers away, so something should be able to give them back.

[itstillhurt]

Surely that's to your benefit, it means other targets will be prioritized instead of you.

[She doesn't even sound offended by the notion, she says it the way one might observe the state of the weather.]

[shadowkate]

I meant the town, but the wine's good too.

[She's not against this!]

Never left the forest? Is your family home out in the country again?

[nagano]

[ Instinctively, Meowsworth also leans in, pawing idly at her palm.

Oh. The revelation is... interesting. As if furthering a comedy bit, he also lowers his voice to conspiratory levels. ]

I think I can relate, though on my end it's a rather recent decision, nya. I told you about Ryujin. The Eastern seas are his domain, and thus all creatures living within are his subjects.

That's a lot of fish and the like, nya'know? Before I learned this, I adored seafood dishes. Now it feels somewhat... unethical to do so. Like, what kind of prince should be eating his own people, right?

[ Kaito finally separates—to stand on his hind legs and give Kokomi a... headpat? Headpaw?

He's back down and batting at her hand after the gesture. ]

It's a little different, but I get it regardless. I'll make sure that any gifts to you will be free of ocean life, okay?

i missed my chance to meta about it... but someday.

[spaceassassin]

[ keith doesn’t fold this time. this time, when shiro comes at him exasperated and disapproving, keith lifts his chin in defiance and holds gaze. he squares his shoulders too… right before shiro grabs him by both. he’s half expecting a hard shake and when he doesn’t get it, some sick part of him is disappointed that he, apparently, hasn’t riled shiro up enough to make him lose it. ]

Oh, it’s not?

[ he scoffs, tempted to steal shiro’s earlier line. you really think i don’t know that? he’s being uncharitable. shiro’s already given his reason for drinking the potion in the first place and it isn’t unreasonable given the circumstances, whereas keith’s reason? unjustifiable. it feels odd to not only be angry at shiro, but to openly talk back to him. shiro’s been through so much and keith, always mindful of that, often backseats his own needs in favor of becoming whatever it is shiro needs him to be in the moment: a best friend, a soldier, a leader.

but keith can only stomach it for so long. it's grating, this bad habit of shiro’s to be flippant with his own mortality and then, to shut out anyone who dares to care too much about that. so know what? if keith can’t make a big deal out of shiro’s potion consumption, then shiro can’t worry about keith’s. ]

You didn’t seem to care all that much about this potion when it was your life at stake.

[emyoji]

New experiences, hm?

[ Reluctantly he has to admit she has a point about that. If every death was a new beginning, he can't say that person wasn't granted endless experiences. In fact, each experience would be unique, wouldn't it? Because every new life would be something they'd never had before.

What a mess.

Seimei sighs, shaking his head. ]

I suppose a tragedy is meant to find an audience. Otherwise, it can't truly live either.

[emyoji]

[It had been a long time since he'd worn the robes of a minister, but Seimei had never really stopped being an onmyouji. No matter how many years passed or how things changed, his mission remained the same. A piece of him was still the Mikado's chosen advisor, picked out to uphold the balance of the world.

He was much less distinguished looking now, but he could carry the dramatic flair over into any century. When Arrakis eye reopened, Seimei laughed and touched the top of his beak.]

Ah, well. Maybe it just needs time to wear off. But now you can get around much easier! Really, I'm jealous. You can get a grand view of everything without any effort.

I am once again so sorry that she's the *worst*

[itstillhurt]

That sounds perfect, you go ahead and do that.

[Yeah, the relative faith level is clearly mutual here. Without any further farewell, she's just going to hop across to the next wall and start heading off.]