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

[beautyrest]

[she tilts her head as Katsuki continues at such a fast pace. She makes a soft noise and presses crushed another mistletoe berry under her heel before merely adjusting her own gait. After all, she was only an inch shorter than him. It was just that Aurora always walked at a leisurely pace, in no need to rush to anywhere, her life was one of eventually getting wherever she needed whenever she did.

You missed things in life when all you did was focus on where your feet were taking you. She wasn't sure it was wise for Katsuki to be walking so quickly with the wound he has.

She clasps her hands behind her as she maintains pace beside him.]

It seems there's very little you can't do.

[xploud]

[Old habits die hard. The whole "walk behind me" nature he had a few years ago doesn't just vanish overnight, despite the growth of his character. Besides that, Katsuki has a lot on his mind...and he is in a bit of a hurry to treat his wounds then start gathering information and trying to figure a way out of this place. There's too many unknowns, too many factors to consider, too many "worst case scenarios" playing out in his head. He wants to have faith in his friends and classmates, all the other Heroes on the battlefield, but with the overpowering force of who they were up against...it's hard to hold onto that hope.

So yes, his pace is quick, even if it strains his body. He's not exactly focused on just himself right now.]

Mm? Tch, that goes for anyone if they have the fu--...fortitude to work hard. You got a goal? [He kicks a stone lazily with the toe of his boot.] Then fight for it. No one's gonna just hand it to you. And if they try, then it's not worth it. It's not something you earned. Goes for anything - work, studies, skills, talents...

[beautyrest]

[Aurora watches both Katsuki and the labyrinth around them, at his question, she is about to answer his question about whether she has a goal but then gives a soft 'oh' as she realizes he was not, in fact, asking her, it was rhetorical. She closes her mouth again and lets him continue, he's getting heated.

Clearly, this topic is something he's quite passionate about. Although, she has a sense he's passionate about everything. When he trails off, she looks over to him, waiting to see if he is going to say more. She's very good at silence, at stillness. She can spend an entire day being completely and utterly still, like a proper being of the forest, more creature sometimes than a girl.]

And what is your goal?

[xploud]

[He is indeed - the entire reason they're here is for a granted wish, isn't it? Katsuki spoke his desires and he feels guilty for it, the desperation of the moment and the want to live long enough to reach his intended goal, to achieve his dream. He was, in his eyes, kidnapped again because of that slip, that weakness, and he has no one else to blame but himself. Wishing anf praying is one thing - everyone fucking does it - but he never once expected some jackass goblin king or whatever the fuck to wave their magic wand and grant it just like that. It's never been what he's wanted. It's never been the sort of person he is, despite how talented he is. All of what Katsuki's done for himself...he's done for himself. Maybe quicker, and more easier than others, but it was still all him.

He believe is wishes being achieve by one's own strength and resolve, not some fairytale magic. Perhaps that's why he was also so hard on Aurora at first, too - his own bias towards what she represents.]

To be the world's greatest Hero. [It's practically automatic at this point. How many times has he barked out that sentence? He's lost count. However, after a breath, Katsuki continues.] ...It's different from what you may think it is. Being a Hero, I mean...the gist is the same, but it's--

[He clicks his tongue, curling his lips slightly. Hahaha...what even is it? Can he really be the one to say what makes a Hero? Should he? Does he really have the right?]

...S'hard to explain.

[beautyrest]

It's a very noble desire, to be the world's greatest hero. Even if I don't understand it, I do understand that you are trying to protect and save others. Unless hero means something else entirely. [She offered with a smile.]

You have a noble heart. [For whatever her words are worth to him.] Was there something that made you wish to be a hero, especially the hero of the whole world?

[xploud]

No. It's mostly that.

[That's the gist of it anyway, like he said. Winning and saving...that goddamn speech All Might gave him and Deku that one time, months ago, after they beat the snot out of each other one night in the training grounds. He'd always taken those words to heart - how could he not - but never truly put them into real practice until maybe very recently. Maybe just moments before even waking up in this dumb place...

With a sideways glance at Aurora, Katsuki just grunts. Noble...hah. What a joke. Her next question makes him tense up, because the answer just seems so frail when he really thinks about it. Maybe there's more to it than just "I wanted to be the best, the strongest" but it simply doesn't seem that way. Not when he's in his own head.]

...I admired a great Hero like that. I want to surpass him. That's all. [It's not. Not even close.] Keep moving, I think I see buildings in the distance.

[beautyrest]

[She made a soft noise of acknowledgment. It was not her place to judge anyone's motivations for something. Maleficent cursed her because her parents did not invite her to something. Why should "I want to surpass someone I admire" be any more or less of a reason than anything else in life?

No reason at all was just as valid, she supposed. She saw the tops of buildings and a tree nearby. She set down the berries, and, careful of her gown, climbed up the tree into higher branches. If she could, she would merely ask the animals for help but their voices were... silent to her, it was unsettling.]

It is indeed several buildings. [She called down to him.] We should try to veer left if we are able. [She jumped down from the tree, dusting her hands as she did and looking at him.] How is the pain?

I think we can wrap here!! ♥

[xploud]

[There's more to be said in silence, in not knowing, than to just write a dissertation about your life to someone you just met. Katsuki knows this girl's story, because that's what it is - a story - but he's not ready to reveal his own. Nor will he spoil the ending of hers. It's not his place, and he's not the kind of person to do so. But he is relieved he doesn't have to explain himself. After living with a bunch of nosy, gossipy fuckers...someone who just respects that he doesn't want to talk about it is a weight off his aching shoulders.

Watching her climb up, the young man spots the woman lest she fall or a branch snaps under her weight. He says nothing about her capabilities, he can see she's done this before, but accidents happen, and he's still a Hero. If she does fall, he'll catch her.]

Mm...saw a path through the maze that veered in that direction, but we'll need to double back a little. And it's manageable. I don't think I popped the stitches, but it'll need addressing when we get to a place we can. [Because walking around is still causing him discomfort - Katsuki just should not be moving, period, but it's better that they're going a leisurely pace.] Let's move.