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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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[He shrugged again. He wasn't lying. He really was human. Just... unlucky maybe? or lucky depending on perspective.]
Did you have to grow up again, too? I had to go from being a baby to full grown again the long way. But I know someone else who just got to be full-grown and super OP out the gate.
[Yes, that does imply he was aware of his previous life while living as a toddler.]
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So... something like -
[The Doctor stops because he's not sure what to refer Jack as but there is a non-verbal look of fondness while thinking of the other man. That was, after all, a rather good snog, in his last face.]
Someone I care deeply for. He's human, he can't die anymore either. Don't know if he starts over again completely...
[The Doctor mumbles]
Wonder when I'll meet up with him again...
[Then in his normal volume.]
No. My body changed and I just kept going.
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I'm almost to immortality. Or I would be if my core hadn't been sealed. I can't feel it at all, so whatever did it, they must be really powerful. Probably an immortal themselves. But it's cool that you didn't have to suffer through being a kid again. Zero stars, do not recommend.
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Well, that's what's so amazing about you humans! Your strive for immortality and the different ways that happens!
Like Charles Dickens and his books or Walt Disney and his films.
[The Doctor smiles very fondly]
And that's what makes you human. Wanting that. But it's not the time that matters. It's the person. Some do more in twenty years than others do in eighty
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He let out another sigh and this time fell backward with a whine.]
Ugh! Don't remind me! Two lifetimes and I've practically done nothing with them! I won't even be remembered if I die again... Not that I was likely remembered the first time, either... Let's talk about something else. Something fun.
What's your dream guy like? If you could have any man, ever, what would he be like?
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[The Doctor goes for more marshmallows but decides against it]
I like these teeth. And I'm keeping these teeth.
[And offers some to Shang Qinghua]
Ummmm.....
[The Doctor ruffles his hair.]
You see the thing is - I don't care what form my friends or - emotionally more invested look like. I'm more into personality and intellect.
Charles Dickens.
[There's a very smudge/suggestive look on The Doctor's face]
But thar are two individuals, I am very fond of. But thar genders don't have anything to do with it.
You?
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[He insisted very primly before grinning a big dopey grin and going all love-faced.]
Ah, my perfect man already exists. "Eyes deep as night, nose straight and high, full of heroic spirit, icily arrogant beyond compare~"
[If he sounded like he was reciting a litany, he practically was. Those sixteen words had defined the love of his life long before the man was real.]
He's exactly as I wrote him. So cool~ So perfect~
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Someone who can have a good, thoughtful, insightful conversation with me. Remind me to be human. Make me laugh. Oh yes!.. Someone who can light the darkness. Who isn't afraid to stand up for what is right. And maybe - get into a bit of trouble with me. [The Doctor teaseful remarks] And - holds my hand.
[Then an after thought]
And doesn't mind - if my face should change. Not that it should. I love this face, me. Why would I change?
Oh! Oh! Blimey! That was beautiful!
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[He brings his hands up to his cheeks and rolls back and forth, heart going doki doki just thinking about holding his King's hand. Yes they were married. Yes they kissed often. Yes they had great sex. But holding hands!]
When one hand is held at the perfect angle to rub your thumb over their knuckles and the quiet, earnest affection it conveys sends shivers up your spine and curls your toes and makes your cheeks warm up as you can't help the smile that blooms~
Ah~ Sweet! Sweet! So very sweet~!
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Oh yes!
[The Doctor remarks enthusiastically that comes with a boner in his pants. His instincts kick in to keep that down.]
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Did you sign a contract? Or consenting to being here? Do you remember doing it?
[the question is a little left of center to their discussion, but also entirely relevant.]
Was it your choice?
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No.
[Then a hard swallow and his voice sounds more normal]
I'm going to guess it wasn't your choice either?
Do you do that often, just look up at the stars?
[The Doctor follows his gaze]
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No. Not really. I'm usually too busy inside. My office. My home. In the underground city where my King's palace is. Junshang's underground palace...
I don't have a lot of opportunities to, actually. Or I guess.. I haven't given myself them? Which is a real shame. I live half the year in a polar desert. It's all night for months at a time. Stars and aurora borealis abound.
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Well, if I had my Tardis, we could go to those... But blimey, they bother me. None of them look familiar...At all. And mind you, that's saying something...
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[He goes quiet for a bit, enjoying the relative silence. But since he could never keep that for long (even when alone), he asked:]
...what's a Tardis?
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My ship. I travel in time and space with her.
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Oh. That's nice. A ship is probably a lot more comfortable than other methods. You can even bring your stuff with you and not have to pack light!
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