![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
labyrinmods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
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.
Bonfire
Well, opportunity knocked and Aurora was not a fool.]
You are used to much warmer climates? [She tilted her head.] Snow and cold are common in winter where I am from, there will be thick blankets of it along the forest floor. Though I have heard tales from some of even more intense winters, winters that last half the year.
no subject
Ugh, it's bad enough for a few days, I couldn't imagine half the year! My home, Agrabah, is surrounded by desert constantly. We once invited a guest who iced the entire kingdom, which was fun at first but became miserable to live with.
How do you tolerate such stuff for longer than a week?
no subject
As for the how, fire helps. [She gestured to the large bonfire.] Thick warm clothes with long sleeves from wrist to ankle and many layers.
Where I am from, you must plan for winter, since so many things are dead or asleep. You must stock and store and save all through summer and fall, drying and curing and pickling whatever can keep for months. Some plants still grow in the winter, but many of them are barren and are to be left to the animals. Since things like milk and eggs cannot be stored for very long, they tend to be the things we consume first and then move into the items that have been kept away for storage.
no subject
I suppose when you grow up with it, it's easier to adapt, like Agrabah does with the hot sun. I don't know the exact details, but I've heard that we have to store food too, just so it doesn't ripen too fast before it's needed.
[As she shares this, she visibly loosens her grip on the robe, as if this discussion makes her worry less about the cold now.]
Are there many differences in the seasons, then? We just have our winters rainy and our summers with regular winds.
no subject
Oh, I do not know how well I would manage under extreme heat. Even our summers, while hot, have ample opportunity to cool down.
And there is a very distinct change to our seasons. Snow blankets everything in winter, in spring, there is often rain and budding flowers and it is the time to garden and plant. Then in summer, everything is hot and several fruits begin to ripen. There can be fierce summer storms, though, where the rain is so heavy you can scarcely see more than a few feet ahead of you. And in the fall, all the trees and leaves turn bright orange, yellow, red, and brown, with your bountiful harvest to be reaped, as well as everyone and everything prepares for winter once more.
no subject
Nights cool down some, but the days are quite intense. In Agrabah, it's tolerable with loose-fitting cloths and close buildings to shade the streets...
[She sighs.]
You get used to it, and it makes trade simple... but it must be much more exciting for everything to change more than once a year, with so many new sights each time.
no subject
Exciting yes, I am always fond of the fall colors. Nature puts on a full display of colors within the seasons. Still, I am sure she is not shy with her displays in your home as well.
I wish we could both see each other's homes, if only once.
no subject
[Her face shifts to another excited grin at the wish.] That sounds wonderful! I've travelled a little beyond Agrabah, but there are still so many new places to see, more than I have imagined.
no subject
Well, we are here together, to say the least. Perhaps there is more than what is beyond the labyrinth. In my venture, I found a room filled with adorable puppies and dogs.
no subject
Thank you! If I knew how to get back, I'd extend an invitation to the wedding.
You found puppies in that thing? Aw, I thought the rooms were just inconveniences. [Turning her head, she says more quietly:] Or maybe I just happened to find the stupidest one.
no subject
I did! They were like none I've ever seen before, but simply adorable. They were short and seemed more to waddle than anything.
no subject
(The answer to all of these is no but screw it, one of them has a genie.)] We'll just have to figure out how to write to each other before we go back.I hope we can see them here in the village; I do love puppies. They're not... trapped in the labyrinth, are they?
no subject
Ah... betrothed, yes. [Aurora's face fell, staring into her mug.] I've never met him, is the thing. Our first introduction was supposed to be my birthday... [And then everything went wrong.] I have not a wit on his temperament or appearance, whether he is a kind man or not. I... do not want to marry him, but our marriage will unite to kingdoms.
But even so, I do hope we can live together. Once my curse is lifted I would love to write to you.
They certainly seemed well-fed and quite content. I think perhaps it was just their den.
no subject
[She doesn't follow up on the writing or the puppy den - the topic of unchosen fiancés automatically takes priority here.]
no subject
But yes, it is important to hope for the best. Though I wonder if I'll be under the curse again when I return.
no subject
But if you are... do you know what can break the curse?
no subject
I suppose my aunts can't be the ones to do it since they have been giving me kisses of love and affection my entire life.
no subject
no subject
no subject
How would he even know where to find you, anyway?
no subject
They didn't expect it to come to fruition, I don't know... where they intend to let my body rest.
no subject
Hold on - that sigh she gives reminds her of one she had after her and Aladdin's first date. She wonders...]
You sound as if you yourself have loved someone before.
no subject
I didn't even get his name nor he mine. I don't think I shall ever see him again, I'm afraid...
no subject
She naturally gets a very bright smile on her face; she can't help it. It's just as she thought.
Almost too much as she thought, in certain ways. She looks down and runs her fingers over her robe.]
It's difficult to say, when you're trapped in sleep... but, sometimes fate has a way of leading you to someone.
I once met a peasant boy not unlike yours. He got me out of trouble when I ran away from home and was new to the marketplace, but he... we just clicked immediately. He understood me more than anyone else in my life. Then the guards caught and arrested him, apparently because they thought he kidnapped me... I thought I had sentenced him to death.
Now we're engaged. I never would have dreamed it could happen, but life is very magical sometimes.
no subject
Well, it is a very big if. [She offers with honesty, sighing softly. After all, she must wake up after a dream.]
Still, I'm glad you were able to choose the man you love, Jasmine.
And this seems a good spot to end the thread, if you like <3