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

camu: crocotta, pgr

[reinforcing]

▌ENCHANTED GARDEN

MISLETOE? SAY NO MORE.

[ prior to opening eyes, he recalls the sensation of a desperate wish. a wish he's likely made hundreds of times before. one he can only utter in the confines of his own mind— murky and private. but as time passes, it dulls the memory. despite the culmination of anxiety he feels at the pit of his stomach, it feels almost fake or ingenuine, as if it never belonged to him to begin with. though, he deliberates on if this is truly apprehension, or simply a mix of reactions in his own body just mimicking something similar. whatever the case is, when he does truly rouse from his slumber, he's not anywhere he's envisioned before.

it's surreal standing in a place akin to this one. it wasn't space or something contrived. nor was it a simulation as far as he could tell. he looks at his hands to realize, he doesn't have any of his own items, but that doesn't cause him any real pause. no, he couldn't afford to simply wait and see what happens.

naturally, the first thing he notices is the poinsettias and mistletoe. there's a cock of his head and he nearly scoffs. ] What am I supposed to do with this? [ ... and if he means someone's eyes by chance, he starts off aggressively, ignoring the feeling like he ... wants to be incredibly close to the person next to him. ]

You have a problem? [ he says while coming ominously closer. ]

▌SOMNIUS

SNOW ANGELS.

[ if there is anything that easily sets him off (aside from, well, most things), it's definitely being woken up. when he opens his eyes, he sees the snow angel, and of course, it instantly riles up his fight response. even without a weapon, he grabs his pillow and smashes it straight into the angel, before jumping out of his home.

with that he basically grabs anything within reach, including a stick that was probably used to hold up someone's sign. with that, he instantly gets ready for his next attack. when he shouts, almost like on instinct, he recites his usual battle lines; the words coming out more naturally than they should: ] I walk with the dark! [ he corrects himself with all the more vigor. ] NO, I AM THE DARK! [ i'm sorry...

maybe help? judge? help and judge? ]

NOT YOUR TYPICAL MEET CUTE.

[ or maybe, in his fight with the snow angels, he happens to veer to close to a stranger. enough where their swords are not aimed at him, but what they may consider to be his newfound companion. stranger or not, he grits his teeth, before knocking them down to the floor. ]

Watch where you're going. [ says... the guy who has now kabedon'd you to the floor. ]

▌NETWORK / BONFIRE

[ while normal people got chatty in front of the bonfire, he instead...

finds his fingers more vocal. ]

Past or present, I think this world is disgusting. [ does this count as a past story? ]

▌WILDCARD

[ i am always down for anything, so please hit me with your best shot! in reverse, if nothing fits what you're looking for, i am always happy to provide. i love writing personal starters. just put a general theme or vibe or emoji... and i got you. ]

network

[acrobacy]

You sound like you're fun at parties!

[reinforcing]

[ very seriously. ]

I dislike them. Is that an issue?

[acrobacy]

Oh yeah. Can't have party poopers in my DMs.

What's the disgusting part?

[reinforcing]

I'd think that phrase would be outdated.

[ idk just assuming pgr world is past that.

it's like how gen z know how old people are just by the emojis they use. why did i type this. ]

Everything. The virus, Babylonia, humans... They're all filthy.

snow angels

[dadsandals]

[ Camu conveniently leaps out of his home a few feet away from Yamato, who's also trying to ward off his very own snow angel – he's startled by the sudden appearance of This Guy and watches Camu grab a stick. And then he's yelling out something about being the darkness, right in front of this snow angel who seems completely unperturbed. However, the scene is so ridiculous that even the snow angel pursuing Yamato has to stop and observe what's happening. ]

...Uh...

[ It's kind of incredible how this is working out. Yamato's snow angel tilts its head, and Yamato himself can't help but wonder if something Camu said triggered something within it? (No, it is just confused, sorry to say.) So he turns towards it and points at himself, and says with just as much vigor: ]

SAME HERE!

[ Please...he's desperate. Help. ]

[reinforcing]

[ what he doesn't expect is this stranger to tote along... yet another enemy. somehow this reminds him a lot of their missions. the never ending stream of corrupted, and the thought instantly gets him riled up. he becomes that much more enraged in the heat of smashing his snow angel down with a stick. eventually jumping upwards and also aiming for yamato's— who in its befuddled state goes down quite easily. thanks for the distraction, yamato!

he breaks them down almost with practiced ease, but the stick he carries it likely no real replacement for a greatsword. he isn't sure if that's the reason, but the snow creatures reform themselves rather quickly. which gets a quiet groan from him.

great. ] So where is it!? [ where is your darkness, yamatokun... ]

[dadsandals]

[ Oh, good, this guy can actually fight. He's not just yelling nonsense, he's potentially saving his live. Yamato's thoroughly impressed, but he doesn't have much time to marvel, because the angels are already starting to reform.

And then Camu actually takes him seriously. Hm, that isn't good. He'll be sorely disappointed when he realizes Yamato does not actually know how to use darkness-based abilities. In fact, he has no abilities at all. He's bullshitting his way through this entire fever dream and he knows it. ]

Where's what? You just said you were the darkness, and I've got a lot of it myself.

[ He pats his chest. He has a tainted heart......... I apologize. ]

Anyway, we should leave. Let's go.

snow angels, i hate this

[rappaccini]

[ how bold—or that's what her response would be had she not just swallowed a handful of snow when she fell to the ground. it's been a while since she's been manhandled like this, and while she's usually dealt with it gracefully, this person on top of her is not graceful at all.

her eyes narrow, lips pulling to a thin line, as she reels from his accusation. if she were back in the novel, she would've shanked him. but as it stands, she'll have to pretend to be grateful.

at least for a while.

or maybe not, as her eyes flicker to the sword that clattered to the ground next to them from the attack. her hand darts quickly, seemingly touching him, but she grabs the fallen weapon and stabs the snow angel looming over them through the small gap between his arm and his waist. ]

Perhaps you should be the one watching out.

[ sorry if she accidentally cuts you, bae ]

[reinforcing]

[ reflexively, he stiffens at the sudden tone; almost entirely caught off guard if simply because he wasn't accustomed to those who spoke so freely to him. that said, that isn't the only thing that shocks him. initially, he was only focused on staving off the attack, and yet...

there's something precise about the manner in which she sliced at the snow angel. which is now just dissolving, likely to only be rebirthed anew. but, placing that temporarily aside, his gaze levels with hers. ] I don't want to hear that from... [ he notices the slightly tear of material on his forearm.

the person who almost stabbed him???? he realizes almost a second too late, but that doesn't stop him from trying to get up, even as the snow angels body has basically crumbled onto his back. the cold is enough where he winces. it's a cold he can't say he's experienced before, or even thought himself capable of. ]

Get up. [ he says still looming... ]

[rappaccini]

[ thank you, roxana?? for saving me?? from that walking snowman??

but of course, there are no words of gratitude from the guy. after all, he quite resembles deon with jeremy's personality and there's only so much kind words she can expect from that combination of persons. even the way he commands her is very reminiscent of her brothers.

no matter, there are more important things they need to deal with. such as the wound on his arm, which she smiles at like a child caught with a prank. ]

Pull me up.

[ she lifts a pale eyebrow expectantly as she drops the sword back to the ground, shaking the flecks of ice sticking to her glove and holding a hand out to him. ]

Or do you simply leave the ladies you push down on the ground on their own after you've had your fun with them?

network; un: noct.gar

[illustro]

it could've been worse

[reinforcing]

Yeah? How do you figure that?

If this is just misguided optimism, save it.

[illustro]

they could've told us we were dead
it could've been permanent darkness with demons
we could've died 5 times by now without our powers
the list goes on
the most suspicious things were the bottles and it turned out they are just powers
sure there's more to come
but at least we have time to brace for that

bonfire!!

[dmg]

[ bro…

this is about to become a public callout post, and fast. there's something a little irritating about camu trying to hide his feelings behind a screen, not that lee is personally any better at expressing his. that's his niche, man. ]

And yet you've chosen to protect it anyway.

[ "it" may be tenuous and in reference to something else… but he has enough "grace" not to make it seem that way. ]

[reinforcing]

[ ah...


it isn't that camu is uncomfortable with the prospect of being picked out in the crowd, but there's an obvious furrow of his brow at the prospect of lee responding in person rather than through message. all the more so when he seems to bring up the very contrary concept that despite all his pent up rage (and hate), that he's somehow contributing to earth's revival. but, despite his kneejerk reaction, he keeps his gaze leveled. ... if lee notices, he is wet and definitely worse for wear when he speaks. ]

It's temporary. [ he corrects. a rather weak... argument.

but, he'd like to think maybe he could escape from this place one day. except, even when they've all temporarily "escaped," he can't say they're any better. but, he decisively opts on not expressing that. ] Why are you here? [ aren't you supposed to be with the commandant, he wants to say, but decisively doesn't. ]

mistletoe pwease

[orobashi]

( An aggressive stranger. It's not such an unusual reaction, if he's in a similar situation to her own. And she's quick to fall into her role as "leader" and respond with practiced words and formal posture, a gloved hand lowering from the mistletoe she'd been reaching up to touch with curiosity.

The strangest thing, she notices, is that she doesn't mind him moving closer. Despite his rude words, it doesn't feel like a threat. If anything, it's almost as if she wants to invite it. )

Mm, no, I have no problem with you at all. My only problem is my mysterious arrival in this place. ( Her gloved hand extends in a rare hope for a shake. She's giving into this urge ever so slightly. It's a harmless one, even if she's aware of potential threats. )

Might you have the same problem? If so, I believe it might be in our best interests to cooperate with one another.

hehehe

[reinforcing]

[ her reply is calm. even her gestures show a level of collectedness he didn't often see even amongst other constructs. in some ways it remind him of someone else, who always seems to take his responses with a grain of salt. he isn't sure if he likes it or not, but decides it doesn't really matter.

while normally he would have balked at the idea of shaking hands with someone; viewing as little more than an oudated and burdensome gesture— he wasn't here to get to know anyone, okay!! yet, before he knows it, his desires end up winning out and his hand reaches for hers.

.... and for some reason, he doesn't seem to let go. uh....


almost to forgo that part, he clears his throat, before speaking. ] Best interests? How? [ ... ] I don't know what you think, but I'm not having any issues. [ denial... is always a great approach. ]

[orobashi]

( Hm. So it is as nice to have contact as she felt like it might be. Should she chase that? Avoid it? She’s running all the possibilities through her mind, but as long as he’s not letting go, she supposes she might as well do the same. A small slide of her thumb against his palm is effortless and the only thing reminding them of the “shake”.

She smiles. )

Then you must be from this place. A local?

( No issues?? :) )

network, un: ROBINV

[thefifthchild]

Elaborate.

[reinforcing]

On what? How much I hate the world?

[thefifthchild]

This world or your own world? What do you mean by past?

It's a pretty basic request.

not your typical meet cute (i'm sorry)

[illuminos]

[ well, isn't this something?

kakashi has spotted these strange sculptures around and up until now, has made sure to give them a wide berth until he has enough information on what he's dealing with and how to neutralise them. of course, even the best laid plans can go very much awry when one pops up all of a sudden, sparking an impromptu skirmish with his newfound companion.

of course, the next thing he knows, he finds himself pinned to the floor, looking up into an unfamiliar (if handsome) face.

right.

unfortunately, they don't have the luxury of time. kakashi's eye flickers to the angel advancing swiftly above him, an unnerving, awful thing, grabbing a hold of the young man's shoulders to roll him right over, narrowly missing the downward stab of that sword. ]

We probably shouldn't meet like this next time.

don't be, i love it

[reinforcing]

[ if it wasn't awkward enough meeting eyes in a situation like this, it isn't any less so when he's turned right over. while he's positive this was a testament to the stranger's own capability and fine-tuned reaction time, he can't say he's especially impressed by the aftermath. even more so at his words. his immediate reaction is to lift an arm, pressing his hand against the man's chest; attempting to create enough space so he can see what's happening.

he in no way shies away at the prospect of appearing absolutely irritated. the only thing that curbs this even slightly is the fact that they just barely evaded a sword. ] That's my line. You didn't need to help me.

[ that said, when the snow angel recovers and is readying its blade once more. in a quick effort to separate himself, which he decides is the best course of action for the two of them, he lifts a leg and presses his knee against the man's body. ... sorry kakashi. ]

[illuminos]

[ kakashi moves when he presses that hand on his chest -- acutely aware of their situation and the man's desire to separate. right now, however, they need to survive this encounter first.

he moves off of him swiftly, taking the hint, but he's reaching down to grasp his wrist on the way up, working to pull him to his feet as well. they need to go, and quickly. ]

I didn't. [ he agrees, his attention still on the snow angel who's a heartbeat away from charging towards them. ] But now we have to run.