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buttrinthum2023-01-01 04:59 pm
TDM #1
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?
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).
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.
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.
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When the Doctor begins to speak about being the last of his own kind, Eve's wet eyes may open wide realizing -- his home was one of those planets he had seen burn. She will continue to attentively listen and observe him. Silently realizing he did not believe in himself because-- "Luck only happens when skill meets opportunity," she will say weakly between sobs. He only survived because he made the right choices at the right opportunity. That's what Eve believes the word 'luck' truly means.
Looking back down as she continues to tremble, the only reason she doesn't fight against having his arms around her was -- she could hear two distinct beats. No, more like four distinct beats if she was thinking technically. His chest had more than a single heart? Eve will turn her head, moving closer in between them as she allows its rhythm to lull her. Maybe it's fine to accept his kindness because he wasn't like VOID. He wasn't VOID. He wasn't an evil and corrupt person.
"...what is the name of those you are trying to keep alive?" weakly asked Eve wanting to learn the name of his world or his kind.
CW: for suicidal thoughts and implied genocide
"Gallifrey."
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She'll continue to observe him. It was clear from his deep expression he didn't believe her. He believes otherwise. Most likely believing he should have died alongside them, usual signs of survival's guilt. A feeling she knew all too well. Only issue was -- she wasn't very good at comforting others. How can she help him?
Without thinking it twice, she'll end up returning his hugs by taking hold of him in return. Bringing him close enough to wrap her arms around his shoulders. This was all she could do is mirror his kindness.
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"Thank you." He whispers, this warms his hearts because he was right. She's not all bad. Then he pauses and waits for her to open her eyes, "I promise I'll keep you safe here." He murmurs.
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Just as they made her different promises.
"I promise I'll keep you safe here."
With this one being one of the themes connected to them. Which at the moment, Eve finds to be ironic but alarming all at once. She doesn't need to be protected! It was a sentence she almost wanted to yell at the man before her. All that'll come out of her open mouth was silence and fresh tears.
"Why?" was all she could whisper as her shoulders begin to shake. Why does he want to protect her? She doesn't understand this promise.
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"There's only one..." Taking a moment to find her breathing after that hiccup. "One person I need in this lifetime."
Only one person Eve needs for her life to hold any sort of meaning. They were the only one to bring so much light and color to her world as a child.
"I can't have her," began to explain Eve between sobs, "She's no longer there. No longer part of my world."
And as she thought about Lia, the girl with the golden hair and eyes, the happy, the sad, the frustrating, the last, and final moments will Eve's wails become so much worse.
Ever since then, whoever promises to protect her -- they always meet their end. Always.
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"The thing is - I'm nine-hundred years old. I think it's a safe bet." The Doctor remarks in a silly sort of way but also serious.
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Snapping out of her thoughts is the Doctor's proclamation of being nine-hundred-year-old. It was like a splash of water to her. She'll begin to wonder out loud, "Is it in Earth years or Gallifreyan years?"
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"Look... I need to go. You're welcome to come live with me if you'd like."
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It'll leave Eve slightly dazed and without thinking she'll nod her head,
"..sure. Where do you live?"