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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.
snow angels - b
which is why romelle winds up wandering close by to where somnus has stationed himself, a little too close to a torch for her liking. ]
...Are you trying to put that torch out with your mind? Because I don't think it's working.
no subject
Fire beckons one through the cold. The ice angels are cruel, indeed.
[ The curse makes it so the flames seem as sweet as honey. He's doing all he can to resist it. ]
no subject
tentatively, she ventures closer, even daring to lift a hand as if to reach out for him. ]
You seem unwell. Why don't I take you inside, er, away from the fire and the ice angels and all that?
no subject
Somnus' eyes slowly shift from the flame to where his fingers grip her wrist, and for an uncomfortable, tense moment, he says nothing. Snow continues to fall around them, and the freezing air stifles all sound. Then-- finally-- he releases her, fingers peeling away as if they had been stuck to her skin like tar.
His arm quivers before it disappears beneath his cloak, and he draws a quick breath. Resisting this curse is taking more effort than anticipated. ] Very well. Show me.
no subject
and so she goes still, eyes wide, and waits quietly until he seems to get a hold of himself. she hastens to smother that flare of fear in her chest, annoyed by it. he needs help, that much is clear. she's supposed to be helping him. ]
Follow me. It's not too far.
[ "it" being a small, cozy tavern just a little down the block. nestled between two other buildings, with a large fireplace tucked into a corner. romelle positions herself so she's on that side of his as she steers him towards the bar, just in case. ]
How about something warm to drink?
no subject
Entering the bar, although blocked from the chill of the air, is like being thrown a single glove after plunging into an ice river. Nothing catches his attention except for the large fireplace at the side of the tavern, but at her insistence, his head turns in the direction of the bar.
Either he wants to dip his head into the flames itself or to grab her wrist again. Between the two options, he grapples with both. The result of this internal struggle is him standing there, still as a statue, with an expression like marble and arms crossed over his chest, until at last he manages to speak again: ]
At once, maiden. I shall repay you later. [ His jaw is clenched, probably meant to stop his teeth from chattering. ]
no subject
But don't worry about that for now. Here, have a seat—
[ she reaches for his arm again, unthinking, steering him towards a barstool as she flags down the barkeep to ask for their "hottest, drinkiest liquid, please and thank you." ]
no subject
...But it must be working, because it is becoming less difficult to withstand the touch, or at least, to withstand craving to grasp back in some desperate bid for warmth in return. She will be able to lead him to the fire without protest on his part. ]
Call me... Somnus. [ --He manages to speak, and he takes back his arm, palm going to where her hand had been, rubbing over the area. Strange, how it feels less icy now. He murmurs aloud, ] Perhaps contact is the answer.