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buttrinthum2023-09-01 08:21 am
TDM#5
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: morning glory and gladiolus. Time spent too close to the morning glory flowers invokes a state of intense obsession. Obsession over an event, a person, or things/objects are all possible, but the victim’s drive to be involved with their obsession is intense and all-consuming. Be careful, not all obsessions are peaceful ones. Pollen from the gladiolus flowers will find their strength increased tenfold. It might make day-to-day interactions a little difficult especially when gripping a pen or a cup winds up in a broken utensil or shattered mug. Of course, no amount of strength can affect the labyrinth walls, however…
CW: mood altering substances
It is time. Everyone knows it, and there is no denying it. It is time for the dragons to leave. No effort to keep the dragons from leaving will work, the dragons themselves inexplicably compelled to leave. It’s both a happy and a sad time for the pairs who have helped raise these dragons, but even the parents know somehow that it is time.
Dreamers and their dragons have one last night on Starlight Cliff before the dragon’s departure. It’s a simple gathering, put together by those who cared for the dragons and those who favored them. Picnic fare and simple decorations with glowing lanterns and soft blankets decorate the grassy flat portion of the cliffs. As the dragons leave, they leave a gift— one each for their adoptive parents. Gold dragons leave behind an item that reminds their parents of a loved one, red dragons leave behind an item that reminds their parents of their childhood, and blue dragons leave behind an item that reminds their parents of the wish they made when they found their way here.
It’s important to note that all are welcome to this celebration and departure. Some dragon parents have commissioned the townsfolk to create gift pouches for attendees. Each pouch has several packages of colored dust that when thrown into the air creates shimmering lights and effects similar to fireworks. However, if misused, like when thrown on others it can cause hair color changes, temporary sparks glittering from fingertips that can cause things to smolder, or even dye clothes that will all then affect the mood of the wearer. Red can cause tempers to flare, blue can create a morose mood, green will inflict an amorous feeling, and yellow will induce generosity. Luckily, washing off the dust will remove all of these effects immediately. Maybe throwing a glass of water on someone might help?
[ In the interest of fairness, each character who helped raise a dragon will get only ONE gift from them, even if they have helped raise more than one. In the case of multiple colors, it is up to player choice which gift they receive.
Items received from the dragons must be mundane in nature; magically powered or mystical items are not allowed. Weapons are allowed if they are likewise mundane and could have been received based on the 50 shard reward.
Dragon parents who received a magical tattoo will find that their tattoo persists even after the dragons' departure. ]
CW: spiders, tentacles
It happens in the middle of the night, a rumbling and tearing of earth that ricochets shaking throughout the land. Nothing is damaged, but even the air is awash with a new scent like something old has reappeared. Those who investigate the origin of the disturbance will find a small portion of the island has risen up out of the sea. It's land damp, still dripping with saltwater and half covered in seaweed, at first glance there’s little remarkable about this new piece of land. That is until wandering past craggy rock and slick ground lands the most daring explorers right in front of a large cave entrance.
The environment inside changes almost immediately. Gray crumbling stone gives way to more surfaces giving way to shiny dark obsidian the deeper inside you go. It’s hard to see, the lighting nearly pitch black past the entrance. As the cave twists and turns, something ahead seems to glow. As pools of salt water in the grotto appear, so too does the glow increase. Water that shimmers like a starry night blots a patchy, swampy chamber, crystals of deep watery hues jut from the walls and ground, reflecting glowing light that seems to zigzag across plant life that grows from every corner. Pools of dark tar-like substances are a hazard, creating a mess and potentially trapping explorers who aren’t watching their footing. Webbing that looks crystalized decorates the darkest corners, and those who wander too close might disturb crystalline spiders that will defend their nests with a vengeance.
The deeper the explorers get, the more dangerous the cave seems to become, like it is a trial that must be passed in order to see what is in its deepest reaches. Mist and fog hide deeper pools that house mysterious creatures who will reach out with large suckered tentacles in an attempt to pull in stray creatures no matter their size, almost as if they’re looking to sate a driven hunger. Those who make it past these creatures will find traps laid out that when sprung will loop adventurers into rope and twine cages, netting, and loops. Unfortunately, these traps only seem to be able to be cut by the sharp edges of crystal growing in the cave. Hopefully, travelers have considered picking some up on their way…
But those who are sensitive to magic and will might sense an urge to press forward, guided by an unseen force to see their exploration through until they come across a spiraling staircase to the exit. Just watch out for that slick stone, which could send you all the way back down to the bottom, luckily any falls will be softened by glittering moss surrounding the base of the staircase.
CW: potential death, emetophobia, body horror
Past the Mystic Grotto, beyond the carved exit and dangerously thin path that stretches along a cliffside that drops straight down into the waters below, is a small outcropping suspiciously connected to the Labyrinth itself. Those who look closer will notice that the outcropping is home to an entrance into the labyrinth. Unfortunately, thorough investigation reveals that this older, more run-down section of the labyrinth does not connect to the one that is more familiar, almost as if it was cut off purposefully. Those who want to get to this portion of the labyrinth only have one option, and they will need to tread along the cliff path carefully, Falling from this path will only end in death.
Twists and turns will eventually lead to the main chamber of this section, wildly overgrown with greenery and inhabited by fireflies of different shapes and sizes all with a pleasant, soothing glow. Most important is the tall stone fountain, still somehow functional despite the apparent overgrowth and decay. Perhaps it is because the fountain is encased in something clear and glass-like, preventing anyone from actually touching or entering the pool of water. From each of the 5 spouts different colors of water pour down into the main pool to converge in an almost oil slick like appearance where the colors blend and mix together in places. Next to the fountain, a stone and wood contraption sits, levers still intact. Should a visitor decide to investigate the device, they’ll find that it is magically enchanted. Any attempt to harm the device will result in the character being blown back with force, enough to shove them off their feet or send them airborne into the walls of the room.
Pulling the lever, however, activates a groaning sound, and the exposed gears of the machine clamber into life as the sound of something opening and clattering echoes through what must be an empty stone chamber. Eventually, a small potion bottle filled with one of five colors (Purple, Brown, Teal, Chartreuse, Navy) rolls out of the ground and toward the operator’s feet. The colors seem misty inside, sparkly but dull, almost as if their mixture is incorrect or incomplete somehow. Upon opening the bottles, the scent that wafts out is foul: overly sweet but spoiled. But perhaps this is the way these potions are meant to be? Those brave (or stupid) enough to drink the potions they receive will struggle with stomach cramps moments later, others might feel the need to regurgitate the potion forcefully. Characters’ sight may blur and they may feel dizzy or ill at ease, but should they hold the potion down one of several things may occur.
⚗️ Teal potion drinkers will find themselves crying, unable to stop no matter how hard they try. Their tears will not stop flowing, and the fireflies in the area seem oddly attracted to the tears that drop from their eyes. It makes catching these creatures easy, but also an annoying hindrance to anyone who is subjected to crying their eyes out.
⚗️ Navy potion drinkers will find themselves feeling lighter than air. Though the effect is slow in the beginning, the longer they are in this part of the blocked-off labyrinth, the more they are affected. At first, it’s like walking on the moon, then they slowly find they have a harder time landing… until they wind up floating up slowly, up and up and up. But instead of winding up in the heavens, or seeing anything useful of the main labyrinth, they find themselves mysteriously floating back toward the garden. Once there they find they stop moving but will need to hold hands with others who are affected in order to land safely onto the ground again.
⚗️ Purple potion drinkers will find themselves consumed by hiccups that cause bubbles to float out of their mouths. These bubbles, when popped by anyone other than the owner, will release a secret said in the character’s voice.
⚗️ Brown potion drinkers will grow the sickest initially, but will also feel better the fastest. However, they may find that as they walk, mushrooms and other fungi grow in the wake of their steps, the kinds varied and assorted and not at all safe to eat or touch. It might be best for those who didn't drink this potion to avoid eating, touching, or spreading this fungal growth.
⚗️ Chartreuse potion drinkers will find that much like some species of frog they have become incredibly sticky. Not only do they stick to other characters, but their skin will stick to anything they touch. It’s best to be careful when under this effect unless you want to become a living katamari ball!
Perhaps it might be best to investigate what this fountain actually is and leave it alone for now, instead? By the time afflicted and nonafflicted explorers make their way back to the mouth of the grotto, they will find the effects of the potions drunk by characters have weakened to nothing.
[ Anyone who tries to take a potion with them will find the potions mysteriously absent the moment they leave the fountain chamber, their containers dry and void of any liquid that may have been inside. ]
On the morning of the 1st, some dreamers will receive a message from an unknown user.
What is it that you are most thankful for?
They will feel compelled to respond with a truthful answer, as if their brains had gone into a trance, and before they know it, their response will be there for everyone to see. It cannot be deleted or changed. The user will not respond personally, but you get the sense they are definitely reading.
[ This is an additional network option for characters to interact with. Feel free to add a network prompt into any of your top levels. If you do not want to interact with this prompt, simply assume your character did not get the message. All threads are public unless actively privated by characters. We generally encourage threadjacking and engagement, so feel free to mention if threadjacking is fine with you so that others are aware. Note that the NPC will not be actively responding. ]
Welcome to the labyrinthum TDM! All events are game canon. New characters (invited or not) and old characters alike are welcome to play in it. Existing characters can start their own logs or network posts for the event if they wish to.
New and Old characters are welcome to top level on the TDM. Please state in the header if you are a new or old player! Also, new characters may link their top levels under the new character comment so they are easier to find. Thanks for your cooperation!
New 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.
You can find more information about the game here. Any questions regarding the TDM can go under the comment below.
arrival
LOUIELOUIELOUIELOUIELOUIELOUIELOOOOOOUUUUUIIIIIEEEEEEE!
[ Just a tad more.
Anyway, it's really all the warning he gets before his crazy not!sister full on tackles him on the ground with enough force for the two of them to roll around a bit as she clings to him hysterically. ]
YOU'REFINALLYHEREARETHEOTHERSHEREISUNCLESCROOGEHERELENAISHEREANDALIVEALSOIMAYBEMISSINGMMEMORIESOYMYGOSHIMISSEDYOUSOMUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCH!
no subject
...Wait, Webby?
[Fortunately, once he gets over the shock and realizes he's being hugged by family, not attacked by something, he doesn't need to worry about fighting anyone off.
Uh. Probably. She's not letting go. Or, you know, being at all coherent.]
Webs, I can't-- What's going on? [A beat.] Can I get up, please?
no subject
Ahhh, I'm sorry! I'm just... overwhelmed! I never thought I'd be happy to see you! I mean, I'm always happy to see you, you're one of my closest friends, but, of course, after all this time, I was worried I'd forget what you would look like! But there it is - those cunning, gleaning eyes full of greed and loopholes, how I missed them so!
[ Webby's ideas of compliments are. Weird. ]
no subject
[This doesn't feel like a case of "Webby woke up before him and was panicked for a few minutes." That just doesn't add up. First of all, as intense as Webby is, she doesn't get that kind of dramatic - the serious, sad kind - that quickly over things like that. ...Well, not generally. If the person who'd slept too long here was Lena, that would be a different story.
The second oddity is that it's weird to think that Webby would've done anything but get right into exploring and figuring things out. It wouldn't even be weird to hear she'd directly jumped to an attempt to dismantle whatever fae court they've ended up entangled with here.]
Webby, have you- Were you already here?
[It makes no sense at all - he just saw her at dinner back home - but it's the only thing that adds up to him.]
no subject
[ She trails off as the obvious becomes clear. This wasn't the big, heroic, awesome, butt-kicking mission to save the missing duck girls. This was... another fish caught in the net. And Louie, oof - while he has the brains to figure out criminals, he's not exactly muscle when it comes to warding off zombies and demons and skesis.
This is gunna be rough. She finally lets him go with a big sigh. ]
... Oookay. This is gunna be a lot. Like, a lot alot. And keep in mind all we've done together so far, so when I say a lot? I mean SUPER HUGE.
If you need a moment to brace yourself, I'll let you have it. But make it quick.
no subject
No, go ahead, just tell me. You're starting to get me all freaked out.
no subject
To start with... given the fact you aren't as elated to see me as I am you, that tells me that you saw me recently. But I haven't seen you guys a while.
... I've been here for about half a year.
[ For anyone else, this is where she'd give the whole 'time could move differently for all we know since this a different world' spiel, but A) he'd already know and B) he needs his own time to adjust. ]
no subject
Yikes.
I mean, uh... H'boy.
[He doesn't think of himself as a comforting person. He's perhaps a little too blunt for that; not good with emotional stuff. But maybe he can kind of psych her up?]
I bet you've kicked a lot of fairy butt in that time, right? ...Are we dealing with fairies here, that's what I'm guessing.
no subject
... Unfortunately, his best isn't hitting the mark. ]
... I wish I knew. Your guess is as good as mine. But the leader of this place won't talk to us, won't meet us - I can't even get close to his castle. No one who actually lives in this world will tell us anything. Even after all this time... I don't have any answers.
[ At that, she deflates even more - she hadn't wanted to admit it to anyone, but there's no point in hiding from someone who cons for a living... Not to mention she's more comfortable revealing this sort of thing to someone very close to her.
She's a failure at being a true explorer, a real adventurer. ]
... And it gets worse, if you can believe it.
no subject
Worse? Yeah, I believe it. [Sounds about right at this point, really.] What else?
no subject
... I don't know if it's related to my wish, or the way this place works. But Lena is here too. And according to her, I've... I've lost some memories.
Of how she got back from the shadow world, of more adventures with all of you, and who knows what else? She was talking about things and people I'd never heard of, and she was stunned I was clueless.
[ She's been trying to prep herself to talk more openly about it to everyone here. Maybe this is a good test run. If Louie handles it well, surely so will everyone else! ]
no subject
[On the one hand, that's confirmation of her missing memories, right? On the other, it's confirmation that Lena is indeed okay and back from the shadow world.
And maybe there's the angle he wants to play up here.]
But hey... At least she's here, right? Having memories missing is definitely bad, but you guys are together. All that... best friends stuff, you know? The bracelets and everything?
[He is trying. He's trying so hard. ...And then a very uncomfortable thing occurs to him.]
Has it just been you and Lena from back home?
[Louie's lost count of how many crazy adventures he's been on by now, but if his fears are true, this is the first time he's done it without at least one of his brothers along for the ride, or at worst, just a shout for help away. It's not that Webby doesn't count! She counts for a whole lot. But his brothers are always there for him. Even on that one nightmarish Only Child Day, they'd somehow come through... Now they- They maybe can't.]
no subject
... Except, well. It's not quite right. One relief is that Webby no longer looks distraught and agonized.
... But it's not exactly a happy expression she's wearing either. She hesitates, grasping at the air for the right words. ]
Uhhhh. Well. You see... yes and no? I guess now that most of the bad news is out of the way, we can reach the middle point with "weird news". There is a Scrooge McDuck here, yes... but not our Scrooge McDuck. It's... him from an alternate world.
no subject
[But not his brothers at all, huh? He sighs.]
This is a weird one, though. I gotta admit.
no subject
[ Shrug? She's got no explanation for that one, that's for sure. ]
At least I can finally move onto the good news... He's still more than happy to help me out whenever I need it. In fact, all the people here are really nice! I've been making friends almost every single day!
[ Yes, because EVERYONE here is so kind and wonderful, and it's not Webby's naivety and desperate need for affection blinding her at all! ]
no subject
[The whole thing sounds pretty strange, honestly. Less so that Webby's found the company here agreeable. It's hard to offend her socially, so Louie's still a little uneasy after hearing that.]
When you say "really nice"... I mean, what kind of nice are we talking here?
[Asked like this is a reasonable question for a twelve year old to ask and not at all cynical.]
no subject
[ See? All kinds of wonderful sorts! ]
no subject
[On the one hand, Webby with a sword and dark magic is a terrifying concept, not that he thinks she'll intentionally use them for bad reasons. It's just... What tends to happen, really. On the other hand, it absolutely sounds like those are genuinely ways to show someone like Webby kindness. So that part is... Promising? Maybe?
He still doesn't love that she has a sword and promises of dark magic lessons.]
Uh, that's good, I guess... I mean, having a place to stay is definitely good.
no subject
[ She loves you, Dismal Downs, but you could do with a little less. Of. Everything. ]
no subject
[Louie perks up at that mention. Sure, he's still shaken by the idea that neither of his brothers nor any of the adults are here, but for now he can focus on that tasty little bit of information. It's a lot easier.]
Webby, I imagine that every day of my life.