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sticksandbones2024-01-05 07:59 am
sticksandbonesmods) wrote in sticksandbones2024-01-05 07:59 am
Entry tags:
EVENT & TDM 008
LET IT GO
WAKE UP
It’s strange, how as the dawn of a new day finally arrives, coinciding with the howling winds dying out, classic, adorable snowmen seem to have popped up all over the Grove overnight. The fog wall has yet to surround the barren remains of a town that once was, but it’s visible once more in the great distance.
Not that you can see it immediately. Something covers your eyes, and you can feel something heavy and frigid wrapped all around you. As you struggle more and more, the crunch of snow echoes through your ears as you step free- and when you turn back to examine their prison, you’ll realize one of the snowmen was you.
Meanwhile, old residents will get to deal with more and more people popping out of snowmen like daisies, and must remember that this is just their life now. It’s just another day in Aldric’s Grove.
Though, maybe you ought to help them before frostbite sets in.
Not that you can see it immediately. Something covers your eyes, and you can feel something heavy and frigid wrapped all around you. As you struggle more and more, the crunch of snow echoes through your ears as you step free- and when you turn back to examine their prison, you’ll realize one of the snowmen was you.
Meanwhile, old residents will get to deal with more and more people popping out of snowmen like daisies, and must remember that this is just their life now. It’s just another day in Aldric’s Grove.
Though, maybe you ought to help them before frostbite sets in.
MIRROR, MIRROR
The quiet couldn’t last forever. You should have known that something would happen, especially with the fog beginning to make itself known again. And this time, it’s something quiet. As you wake up one morning, there is a mirror on your nightstand — it’s silver and round, able to fit comfortably in your hand and wreathed in crystalline snowflakes.
And as you look into it, your reflection twists into something still undeniably you, but… have you a temper problem? Too many lies? A sadistic sense of humor? All of your worst traits are dragged out and reflected on the mirror, and no matter what, it keeps ending up wherever you are — and whoever else looks into the mirror will see this awful, terrible you, too. All of your worst characteristics, all the things you try to hide, unable to be hidden.
Maybe you keep trying to hide it. Maybe you let it stay wherever it keeps turning up, following you like a particularly terrible walking salesman, or maybe you break it. Regardless, nothing seems to happen… for now.
And as you look into it, your reflection twists into something still undeniably you, but… have you a temper problem? Too many lies? A sadistic sense of humor? All of your worst traits are dragged out and reflected on the mirror, and no matter what, it keeps ending up wherever you are — and whoever else looks into the mirror will see this awful, terrible you, too. All of your worst characteristics, all the things you try to hide, unable to be hidden.
Maybe you keep trying to hide it. Maybe you let it stay wherever it keeps turning up, following you like a particularly terrible walking salesman, or maybe you break it. Regardless, nothing seems to happen… for now.
WITH SHARDS OF ICE
“For now”.
Late into the night, everyone wakes up to a sudden, terrible chill. When you open your eyes, you’ll find that you aren’t in your inn room or home, but instead within a giant castle made of ice. It must be a ballroom of some sort, a grand hall glittering in the moonlight — but looking out the window shows that the world beyond the castle is but a frozen wasteland of more blizzards and nothing else. Though you’ve been granted some of your gear — weapons and some supplies, and coats if you’re lucky — you’ll find that the temperature is dropping steadily, while something approaches…
Peek out the door to the main hall and you’ll see what’s coming so noisily. An army’s worth of hallowed ice knights with all sorts of weapons are marching to the door, intent on slaying the intruders. Should they get close, they’ll attack; should they land the killing blow, you’ll instantly freeze into a solid block and shatter.
And if you broke the mirror that haunted you? On top of all of this, you can feel yourself gradually growing colder, physically and emotionally, and your magic, if you have it, takes on an icy flair that you may find difficult to control. Maybe it's your feet that start to turn to ice first — maybe it's your fingertips. But as the night goes on, you’ll steadily freeze solid, and like any fairy tale, only an act of true love could possibly save you. Good luck figuring out what that actually means. True love’s kiss? A genuine compliment? A hug? What could possibly save you from your fate?
Those of you who survive until morning, who don’t become solid statues of ice or die within the castle’s walls, will be lucky enough to witness the sun coming up through narrow windows the size of your forearm. All around you, the castle starts to melt, dripping freezing water onto your head. For as much as you try to run before you, presumably, drown terribly…
…your eyes will close, and you’ll wake up in your bed, drenched.
Late into the night, everyone wakes up to a sudden, terrible chill. When you open your eyes, you’ll find that you aren’t in your inn room or home, but instead within a giant castle made of ice. It must be a ballroom of some sort, a grand hall glittering in the moonlight — but looking out the window shows that the world beyond the castle is but a frozen wasteland of more blizzards and nothing else. Though you’ve been granted some of your gear — weapons and some supplies, and coats if you’re lucky — you’ll find that the temperature is dropping steadily, while something approaches…
Peek out the door to the main hall and you’ll see what’s coming so noisily. An army’s worth of hallowed ice knights with all sorts of weapons are marching to the door, intent on slaying the intruders. Should they get close, they’ll attack; should they land the killing blow, you’ll instantly freeze into a solid block and shatter.
And if you broke the mirror that haunted you? On top of all of this, you can feel yourself gradually growing colder, physically and emotionally, and your magic, if you have it, takes on an icy flair that you may find difficult to control. Maybe it's your feet that start to turn to ice first — maybe it's your fingertips. But as the night goes on, you’ll steadily freeze solid, and like any fairy tale, only an act of true love could possibly save you. Good luck figuring out what that actually means. True love’s kiss? A genuine compliment? A hug? What could possibly save you from your fate?
Those of you who survive until morning, who don’t become solid statues of ice or die within the castle’s walls, will be lucky enough to witness the sun coming up through narrow windows the size of your forearm. All around you, the castle starts to melt, dripping freezing water onto your head. For as much as you try to run before you, presumably, drown terribly…
…your eyes will close, and you’ll wake up in your bed, drenched.
FOOTPRINTS IN THE FRESH SNOW
The morning after that dreadful night, things… settle, again. Aldric’s Grove is quiet, and clear sunlight glistens across the snowy plaza and radiates off of frosted trees. Even now, the apple tree and blackberry bushes are unfazed by the cold, though the fruit may taste crisper and chillier than usual. Those that died within the castle return to life, feeling colder than normal for the rest of the day, but there seems to be no lasting damage. And, everyone who participated in the castle “game” receives a mysterious gift: A wooden coin with a sigil on it, resembling a clock with backwards hands behind a shield, attached to frosted pinecones, red berries and sprigs of mistletoe. It feels warm and protective.
You go outside. It’s been some time since anyone’s seen anything from the woods, let alone something that doesn’t want them dead — so imagine one’s surprise when a small family of deer can be seen walking amongst the trees. Birds alight to the branches on rare moments, and it’s surely a sign of something, that life has begun to return to the forest despite the deep snow and deeper chill.
Never mind that one of the deer has an extra set of antlers and another has three eyes. Never mind that the birds sound like people. Never mind that the rabbits have blood on their maws.
It’s just another day in Aldric’s Grove.
You go outside. It’s been some time since anyone’s seen anything from the woods, let alone something that doesn’t want them dead — so imagine one’s surprise when a small family of deer can be seen walking amongst the trees. Birds alight to the branches on rare moments, and it’s surely a sign of something, that life has begun to return to the forest despite the deep snow and deeper chill.
Never mind that one of the deer has an extra set of antlers and another has three eyes. Never mind that the birds sound like people. Never mind that the rabbits have blood on their maws.
It’s just another day in Aldric’s Grove.
SPARK NOTES
CLICK TO EXPAND!
WAKE UP
Good day, new arrivals! You are now a snowman. Hopefully people who have been here a bit longer are willing to give you a blanket or ten.
MIRROR, MIRROR
A mirror appears and starts following you around, reflecting what you think are your worst traits or worst version of yourself is. Other people can look into it and see the awful you, too. You can break it and it'll leave you alone, or you can let it stalk you all month.
WITH SHARDS OF ICE
Welcome to the ice castle! It's cold, but you have your stuff with you, and it's not unlivable. Well, until the frozen army of knights starts marching in with the intent to kill everyone inside, anyway. One lethal hit from them will make you shatter into pieces. For those of you who broke your mirrors, you'll gradually grow colder both physically & emotionally, and eventually start to freeze solid. Don't worry, though, you can be saved through the power of love.
FOOTPRINTS IN THE FRESH SNOW
Dawn rises on the Grove and the dead come back to life. Everyone who participated in the castle game receives a magical charm, though they don't know what it does so far. Animals come back to the Grove as well! ...why do they look like that?
OOC
Happy January! TDMs are game canon as a reminder, and if you'd like to plot with people for this event, head over to OOC plotting. While it is not known to player characters at this time, the charms granted as a reward for the ice castle can undo one future negative effect (i.e. a major death). They are a one-time use item. As for how characters discover this information... idk, we'll see how y'all decide to utilize those. :)
UPDATES
❖ None yet!
no subject
From what I've been told...there are times when residents here go missing. Whether it's due to them wandering into the Forest and running afoul of something dangerous, or them seeming to vanish into thin air...whatever the case, they aren't "here" any longer. Sometimes they do return in a place beyond the Grove known as the garden, but...
[He frowns, looking down into the snow.]
It's never a guarantee.
[Irene was the first he's experienced to befall this fate. He just has to hope there won't be more any time soon. Or, if they are, leaving at least means going home.]
...and no, I am afraid. The Doctor isn't here with us.
no subject
...In retrospect, the mirror was the least of his troubles.
GIVE UP, LUCIAN, the VOICE whispered in his head, chillingly, as his mirror teleported even nearer to where he was currently standing near Sesa. It shows an empty stage, eerie in both its emptiness and splendour, although there was what seemed to be faint singing coming from somewhere. Thankfully, Phantom still didn't - wouldn't - budge. ]
...That means you and me, we can disappear anytime, too. Whether it's...death or we were sent elsewhere... [ Elsewhere...where? To the forest? Even the mere thought of it made him visibly shudder. There was something deeply and terribly wrong with the forest surrounding this settlement, even without Sesa warning him earlier that it's dangerous. ] ...It's never a guarantee.
[ He echoes, this realisation settles within him like a heavy stone. Or perhaps it was just his heart, sinking. Even further with the other operator's confirmation that their commander isn't here with them. ]
I see. I'd guessed as much. I would not pretend that this fact sets me at ease. [ Although he was aware that he should. He sighs. ] Is there no means by which to traverse the forest? Has any of you tried to organise an operation, for example— either an expeditionary one, a scouting one, or even a covert one, aimed to find an escape path through the woods?
no subject
Fortunately, it hasn't gotten that bad just yet. Yet being the operative term.]
Fret not, for I am certain most of the rest of us feel the same. It would feel a lot less...aimless, were the Doctor here to guide us.
[They're all used to the Doctor making the calls. So, not having that? It's tough.]
Many times, in fact. I've gone myself, as have others, but...the fact is that the wall of Fog that surrounds the Grove keeps us effectively trapped within it. It's too dangerous to try to breach the wall, lest you become corrupted by its influence.
One of our number...a young Sankta named Elsword has already fallen ill because of it.
[He is not a Sankta. He looks like one, but he isn't one actually.]
no subject
...It's still warmer around him, and Phantom was aware that Vouivres have a higher body temperature than the rest of them in general, but...still, the feeling persists.
Yet, he said nothing about it, feeling that it wasn't his place, since they didn't know each other well enough. Phantom merely nodded at his interlocutor's next set of words. ]
...Yes, although it's a...little more than that.
[ For him, that is, although he refused to elaborate further. He felt reluctant to admitting that The Doctor wasn't only his superior, but also his anchor and...emotional support. The other one being Miss Christine, and she wasn't here, either. He recalled being alone in the mist, after he gave chase to her when she suddenly jumped and ran off, and then...there were voices, whispers he could quite make out, but unfortunately couldn't quite recall the contents of.
They only receded when he took an amulet that was hanging from one of the branches. But after that...it was a blank. All he knew was that he woke up in the middle of the Grove soon afterwards. He sighed, a long one, trying to direct his attention back to Sesa and the conversation that was still going on. The Doctor wouldn't have wanted him to give up.
Not yet. Not today. ]
A Sankta, here? Fallen ill...? [ He blinks, suppressing the urge to massage his temple, or to simply just...give up and curl into a ball. Everything he heard felt more hopeless than the last. It was like being trapped inside the old castle again. ] I see. It is as you said, then. 'We are effectively trapped'. This is a cage. But for what purpose are we trapped here? ...My apologies, that is likely a pointless question. I assume you did not know more than I do. This is...truly quite the predicament.
[ Could he hope that The Doctor would save him - them - like the last time, from the grasp of the Troupe? Probably not. It's different this time. ]
We should perhaps get your hand treated. It would not do to have a teammate hurt, or worse.
no subject
[Why am I here? How did I get here? What am I supposed to do now?
None he has answers for, or at least satisfactory answers, but there it is nonetheless.]
My only guess is the "purpose" is to watch us struggle. You may be inclined to ask "who is watching?" And that...I cannot say. We only know it as a faceless entity that seems to command all that happens here, existing as the very Forest itself.
[And Phantom probably knows a lot about faceless entities, after all.
When the Feline points out his injuries, Sesa barely shifts to look at his hands, merely flexing his claws once more at his sides. The bleeding seems to have mostly stopped, but that doesn't mean the cuts aren't still present from the glass. Not enough to be severe or lasting- they probably won't even scar- but that doesn't mean it's comfortable.]
...mm. You're probably right. I...there is a clinic here where we have a man who knows medicine that should be able to easily patch this up. [Sesa inclines his head towards Phantom.] I know you mentioned straying from the Inn due to its lack of an attic, but...being out here for too long isn't wise either. At the very least, you may want to go inside to warm up, eventually.
cw: implication(s) of child abuse, I suppose? just to be safe. plus one for hallucinations too.
[ And if he looked at it that way - if he put it in that manner - that means he was definitely still sane. Awake, himself — for the most part. Although the dread that always haunted him, coiled up in the bottom of his stomach at moments like this always asked: for how much longer. The VOICE didn't need to drive it home in a coldly mocking manner, either - which is what it was currently doing now in his mind - since he would never be able to forget.
Never allowed to forget, not only of the fact that he is living on borrowed time, but also of the fact that he was constantly on the run...from himself. ]
A faceless entity. [ Yes, that one...is something that he was deeply familiar with, although it was different from being knowledgeable. He felt as if he was still in the dark about the Troupe Leader for the most part, after all, and at the mention of the Forest being a faceless entity, another shudder went through the Feline's body, more noticeable than the previous one. All of a sudden, he felt as if he was but a little boy again, deceived and afraid. ] Deeply unfortunate. Terribly, inevitably so. We must be careful...not to let it become fond of us in any shape or manner. Or for it to consider you special in any way. You should be boring and tedious, although you should never, ever be uncooperative...
[ That last bit was spoken in a tone that was softer by a notch, almost boyish in a way, and unexpectedly, he moves closer and touched Sesa's arm. It was a soft touch at first, hesitant and afraid, more like a boy's than a grown man, but then he started clutching it tightly. His eyes had became unfocused, distant — haunted by the ghosts of his past. Is he still here? If the wound had stopped bleeding, why did he still hear the dripping of blood? Who is talking? ]
Who...is singing? [ Sesa's next set of words apparently barely registered. Is he speaking about the faint singing coming from the silver mirror, or the song that was always playing in the back of his mind? Had he started seeing things again? ] A medicine...I could use one, too. Do they have one to cure the pain of heartbreak? The attic is a great place to hide. Warmth...mm, it's a bit cold here. Quick, you should light a few more candles.
[ The words are still vaguely related to the things the other operator was saying, but it was a bunch of gibberish at the same time. And...he was still clutching Sesa's arm. His grip grew tighter still, likely enough for it to cause some pain for the Vouivre. ]
...Please don't let them take me away.
no subject
Yet, before Sesa can say anything else, the Feline suddenly reaches out and grabs his arm, and were he a more flighty man, he thinks he might have jerked away. Instead, he stays put where he is, his brow furrowing as the grip goes from a light touch to near-frantic clutching, prompting him to look up and around.]
I'm sorry...? Singing?
[It doesn't take long for him to catch the sound coming from the mirror, but he's far less focused on that than he is the way Phantom is behaving. He can tell that the man is disturbed, suddenly, but it's difficult to tell if it's due to the mirror, or something else.
Yet...knowing how Elliot is, and knowing how he perceives the world, leaves Sesa inclined to be gentle with him here. He doesn't want to misstep and do or say the wrong thing, but even so...he doesn't shy away from that tight grip, no matter how it hurts. He could tear into him with his claws and he would still remain stationary, even if he can feel that low hum of coldness from breaking his own mirror still simmering beneath the surface. He isn't entirely that far gone yet.]
...It is going to be alright. Come with me, let's get inside away from the noise. I'll bring you to one of the empty inn rooms, so you will have a space to yourself.
you have my permission to knock him out cold if it comes to that
Alas, it was as the man himself had said: They aren't here.
On the bright side, however, it seems like he was reverting back into a younger version of him - something that Sesa apparently thankfully already knew how to deal with, due to his experience with Passenger - judging from his mannerisms and the look on his visage, instead of his other self, the calamity that had been sealed off after his rescue.
Even if only temporarily and imperfectly so, because the VOICE is the one who commands that self, and it continues to wage war against Phantom's sanity until this very day, continuing to erode on his mental defences day by day by day.
At the very least, he seems to understood Sesa's words, despite whatever it was he saw in his mind. ]
...The empty...inn rooms? [ Fearful, he is ever so fearful, gaze flickering between the Vouivre before him, whose arm he was still clutching ever so tightly, and whatever invisible thing that he was seeing in his mind. The phantoms of his past, very likely so. Forgetful, he is ever so forgetful, too — he forgot he already occupied one of the rooms in the inn. Not one of the locked ones, especially not one of them in particular. ] Is everything really...? You are not going to lock the door, aren't you...?
...Leaving me there to rOt.
[ The change of tone is very slight, yet noticeable, and for a moment, the look on his face shifted. It was a good thing that his special suppressor was still working as it should. ]
Where is my mask? Where is it?
no subject
Listen to me. I am not going to hurt you. Or lock you away.
[He tries to pull his arm free, his gaze narrowing.]
I will not force you to do anything you wish not to do. If you would rather stay out here, then that is your right. But please, I suggest it for your health. That is all.