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sticksandbones2024-07-05 09:23 am
sticksandbonesmods) wrote in sticksandbones2024-07-05 09:23 am
Entry tags:
- !event,
- !tdm,
- arknights: flamebringer,
- arknights: gnosis,
- arknights: mizuki,
- arknights: passenger,
- arknights: sesa,
- cookie run: clotted cream cookie,
- cookie run: pure vanilla cookie,
- cookie run: sparkling cookie,
- cookie run: timekeeper cookie,
- cookie run: white lily cookie,
- elsword: ain,
- ensemble stars!!: mayoi ayase,
- gravity falls: dipper pines,
- in stars and time: loop,
- in stars and time: siffrin,
- isat: siffrin,
- original: felicity morais,
- original: kiera canorus,
- original: luca aurelius,
- project sekai: shizuku hinomori,
- the owl house: hunter,
- the world ends with you: beat,
- the world ends with you: joshua,
- trigun: vash,
- trigun: wolfwood,
- twisted wonderland: jade leech
EVENT & TDM 014
THE OCEAN IS ONLY SCARY IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT
WAKE UP
You open your eyes to a peaceful, beautiful forest. Whatever you were dreaming about — be it something happy, something sad, or something nightmarish — seems secondary to the bright wash of greenery and the comforting, cooling breeze that washes over you. It rustles the leaves of the canopy overhead, disturbing a small nest of two-headed birds who chirp as the sticks for their nests are blown away. A hop, hop, hop later, and they return to continue their building, unbothered by your gaze.
As you walk around, you will find that Aldric’s Grove feels… empty. You pop your head into the inn only to find a fine layer of dust on the furniture, and an ever-burning fireplace refusing to be put out. The General Store is unmanned, the door locked, and the lights inside completely out. The house to the south is abandoned, and a building labelled as a clinic sports no patients. The most life you’ll find lies in the church, where the pigeons see you and swarm at your feet, cooing and asking for breadcrumbs.
Flowers bloom, a deer with a halo of horns skips through the clearing, and a small lizard shaped like a leaf climbs the well. You spend several hours alone… and then from the woods to the east comes a giant capybara and a monstrous moose two stories tall. Upon each of them, they carry a hoard of people coming back from what is clearly a summer vacation, if the inner tubes, swimwear, and overwhelming stench of sunscreen are anything to go by.
Maybe the people dismounting the two animals will be nice enough to greet you and tour you around. It’s the least they can do, since you were excluded from the vacation activities.
As you walk around, you will find that Aldric’s Grove feels… empty. You pop your head into the inn only to find a fine layer of dust on the furniture, and an ever-burning fireplace refusing to be put out. The General Store is unmanned, the door locked, and the lights inside completely out. The house to the south is abandoned, and a building labelled as a clinic sports no patients. The most life you’ll find lies in the church, where the pigeons see you and swarm at your feet, cooing and asking for breadcrumbs.
Flowers bloom, a deer with a halo of horns skips through the clearing, and a small lizard shaped like a leaf climbs the well. You spend several hours alone… and then from the woods to the east comes a giant capybara and a monstrous moose two stories tall. Upon each of them, they carry a hoard of people coming back from what is clearly a summer vacation, if the inner tubes, swimwear, and overwhelming stench of sunscreen are anything to go by.
Maybe the people dismounting the two animals will be nice enough to greet you and tour you around. It’s the least they can do, since you were excluded from the vacation activities.
NOT A MOMENT OF PEACE
It’s still early in the month when a cacophony occurs; an enormous crocodile with too many eyes, known simply as “The Behemoth” suddenly rushes out of the river in a panic as some kind of blue, veinlike latticework covers the surface of it, nearly trapping her within it. It spreads across the entire length of the river from east to west, creeping onto the shoreline up to the church and across the back of the home to the south. When touched, it stings bad enough to paralyse the nervous system, and after making contact for too long while you’re unable to move? Death is imminent, unless someone saves you.
The Behemoth certainly doesn’t try to, too occupied plonking around on land to look for something to do while she can’t go into the water. She won’t attack anyone, but she’s normally searching for a meal, if you don’t mind sharing a snack. As for the other supernatural creatures in the Grove…
Ever since that latticework covered the river, the moose monster — Moder — and the gargoyle that sits on the church’s roof — Zahliya — have only stared and scrutinized. One wrong move, one fight with another resident of the Grove, means either of them are getting up to deal with the problem. It seems that they’re waiting for someone here to show the wrong hand, suspicious of everyone — including those who have been here for over a year at this point. And the second one toe is out of line? Either of them are willing and ready to kill.
Though the suspicion of the Guardians doesn’t wear off and won’t any time soon, the blue gunk covering the river disappears at the end of the first week of July, and it’s anyone’s guess what’ll happen for the rest of the month.
The Behemoth certainly doesn’t try to, too occupied plonking around on land to look for something to do while she can’t go into the water. She won’t attack anyone, but she’s normally searching for a meal, if you don’t mind sharing a snack. As for the other supernatural creatures in the Grove…
Ever since that latticework covered the river, the moose monster — Moder — and the gargoyle that sits on the church’s roof — Zahliya — have only stared and scrutinized. One wrong move, one fight with another resident of the Grove, means either of them are getting up to deal with the problem. It seems that they’re waiting for someone here to show the wrong hand, suspicious of everyone — including those who have been here for over a year at this point. And the second one toe is out of line? Either of them are willing and ready to kill.
Though the suspicion of the Guardians doesn’t wear off and won’t any time soon, the blue gunk covering the river disappears at the end of the first week of July, and it’s anyone’s guess what’ll happen for the rest of the month.
UNDER THE SEA
cw: thalassophobia
What happens is pretty simple if you don’t think about it: Another week passes in peace, and then a disembodied voice somewhere in the woods says, “You guys still smell like seawater and sand, and it’s putting me off of my lunch,” and if you’re new and haven’t gone to the beach yet and have no idea what the voice is talking about… too bad, you’re being lumped in with the crowd. Being lumped in also includes, well… a burst of magic, the sound of fingers snapping, and a loud splash of water. When you next open your eyes…
You’re underwater in some kind of reinforced metal base, one thousand meters under the sea, and something is slamming against the outside of it in an attempt to get in and — presumably — eat you alive. If anyone finds the on-board torpedoes in the command room in time, you might be able to kill the creature before it breaks through the hull and kills everyone inside. And with that hopefully taken care of…
Welcome to your new home for the next two weeks. Your only objective is to survive. There are several rooms here dedicated to underwater research, a bedroom with enough uncomfortable single-person beds for everyone (sadly glued to the floor, too), and a “cafeteria” type room that you can eat in. While the seabase comes equipped with supplies — torpedoes, enough rations to last for everyone but not enough for big eaters to eat big, diving suits and oxygen tanks, and underwater planter boxes growing strange fruits — it may take some effort on your part to ensure that survival is guaranteed. After all, the hungry leviathans know exactly where you are, whether you go outside of the base or not. Water, of course, may pose an issue; there’s no way to filter the seawater here, so the bottled water you have is all you’ll get.
Should you venture out, make sure you’re equipped with the proper gear first. Those of you who cannot swim should probably stay indoors, as there are no fancy vehicles to take you anywhere. Those of you capable of going out may consider braving the danger in search of additional supplies… or perhaps you’re just curious about the ecosystem. You’ll be here for two weeks, after all, there must be something to do. Travel far enough from the base and you’ll find the skeletal remains of something far larger than the Grove itself… and if you’re not careful, a monstrous, snakelike thing who wants you for dinner.
Try not to lead it back to the base for the others to deal with. Who knows how kindly people will take to that?
What happens is pretty simple if you don’t think about it: Another week passes in peace, and then a disembodied voice somewhere in the woods says, “You guys still smell like seawater and sand, and it’s putting me off of my lunch,” and if you’re new and haven’t gone to the beach yet and have no idea what the voice is talking about… too bad, you’re being lumped in with the crowd. Being lumped in also includes, well… a burst of magic, the sound of fingers snapping, and a loud splash of water. When you next open your eyes…
You’re underwater in some kind of reinforced metal base, one thousand meters under the sea, and something is slamming against the outside of it in an attempt to get in and — presumably — eat you alive. If anyone finds the on-board torpedoes in the command room in time, you might be able to kill the creature before it breaks through the hull and kills everyone inside. And with that hopefully taken care of…
Welcome to your new home for the next two weeks. Your only objective is to survive. There are several rooms here dedicated to underwater research, a bedroom with enough uncomfortable single-person beds for everyone (sadly glued to the floor, too), and a “cafeteria” type room that you can eat in. While the seabase comes equipped with supplies — torpedoes, enough rations to last for everyone but not enough for big eaters to eat big, diving suits and oxygen tanks, and underwater planter boxes growing strange fruits — it may take some effort on your part to ensure that survival is guaranteed. After all, the hungry leviathans know exactly where you are, whether you go outside of the base or not. Water, of course, may pose an issue; there’s no way to filter the seawater here, so the bottled water you have is all you’ll get.
Should you venture out, make sure you’re equipped with the proper gear first. Those of you who cannot swim should probably stay indoors, as there are no fancy vehicles to take you anywhere. Those of you capable of going out may consider braving the danger in search of additional supplies… or perhaps you’re just curious about the ecosystem. You’ll be here for two weeks, after all, there must be something to do. Travel far enough from the base and you’ll find the skeletal remains of something far larger than the Grove itself… and if you’re not careful, a monstrous, snakelike thing who wants you for dinner.
Try not to lead it back to the base for the others to deal with. Who knows how kindly people will take to that?
AN OMINOUS RETURN
As always, when one of the Forest’s “games” ends and you’re returned to the surface when the magic wears off, there’s a reward waiting for you. This reward isn’t as obvious, however. The fog wall is, for the most part, rolled pretty far back. The folks that have been here before may expect to see it revealing more of the trees, or showing off some new area that hasn’t been accessible yet, but the Grove remains quiet upon return. The Guardians, too, have little to say. Normally, they’d be a little more overjoyed at your return… alas.
No, the “reward” for surviving — or blowing up the base immediately and dying, either way — is that the fog wall obscuring the lake ever so slowly rolls back. From within it, something jumps out, a dark black shape, and disappears into the forest.
…
Perhaps you’ll see whatever it is another time.
No, the “reward” for surviving — or blowing up the base immediately and dying, either way — is that the fog wall obscuring the lake ever so slowly rolls back. From within it, something jumps out, a dark black shape, and disappears into the forest.
…
Perhaps you’ll see whatever it is another time.
SPARK NOTES
CLICK TO EXPAND!
WAKE UP
Welcome to the empty Aldric's Grove! ...oh, here come the people, back from summer vacation! Hey hello.
NOT A MOMENT OF PEACE
The river and shoreline near it are messed up for a week. The Guardians are suspicious of everyone here. The Behemoth is taking big steppies around the Grove asking nicely for food. A week passes, and the Guardians are still suspicious of everyone. Yaaaay.
UNDER THE SEA
And then, everyone was trapped underwater in a seabase, made to survive the horrors of the open deep sea. Watch out for leviathans! And try not to eat and drink all of the rations immediately; that's all you'll get.
AN OMINOUS RETURN
Your reward for playing in yet another of the Forest's games is the fog wall over the lake rolling back. Of course, what jumped out of it and ran off into the woods could either be your greatest boon, or your biggest nuisance. It all depends on you.
OOC
Happy summer! This is a reminder that TDMs are considered game canon. For your threads, feel free to make up your own leviathans/weird fish/whatever you want for spice, or just steal from Subnautica, it's all good. OOC Plotting Lives Here if you'd like to plot anything out!
UPDATES
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SUBMISSIONS
no subject
It is a deal.
[so he takes great care in aiming himself for the stranger's arms, and jumps lightly from the high branch to land in them. he doesn't even close his eyes as he falls. he has faith enough that craig will catch him.
he looks up at his face for a moment after he does, and then sets his feet on the ground.]
You are as strong and trustworthy as you promised. Now let us gather some sticks!
no subject
[and to his own credit, craig doesn't budge an inch. brick wall. the non-scarred corner of his mouth quirks up in amusement as daeshim gets to his feet without any more fuss.]
Sticks. Right. For the nest?
no subject
[the fae stops and looks up, the wind stirring some of that unruly purple hair of his. he tuts after a moment and bends to start collecting.]
I cannot tell, but if we were in the Ruinwood, I would know for sure! [daeshim glances over at the other man.] Are you familiar with these woods? Or did you also find yourself here upon waking?
no subject
Nah, this place is brand new to me, too. [though that brings up a good question...] How do you figure we ended up here?
no subject
Magic. A curse, perhaps. It is not uncommon for my kind to steal humans away, but that does not explain why I am also here.
[they didn't want him the first time, why now?]
I am Daeshim. I have told you my name, now it is safe to tell me yours.
no subject
Craig. Strider. What, are you fae or something? [somebody really read into fairytales as a kid.]
no subject
[and if he sounds strangely pleased that craig knew that, well, he has also noticed how each new generation of humans knows less and less of fae. fewer of them carry iron, fewer of them turn their clothing inside-out.
daeshim holds a small bundle of sticks when he turns to face him.]
What is it that you do in your world, Craig Strider? Have you left many things behind?
no subject
On paper, I'm a bounty hunter. [when he next straightens up with his own handful of twigs, he stands in a way that exposes a small hole in his cuirass.] Don't think any unfinished business really matters at this point, seeing as last thing I remember's getting shot.
What about you?
no subject
...It is a dangerous profession that you have. [his eyes go from craig's face to the hole in his armor and back again. as for the last thing that he remembers-] I was shucking corn for dinner. My life is not so exciting. I heard a voice, and then I had a dream. [the fae steps closer, holding his hand out for the twigs.] Another strange event. I have not dreamed for a very long time, if ever.
no subject
Sure is. Nothing wrong with an unexciting life, though. [he hands over the nesting material and tilts his head like a curious dog.] You don't dream? That a fae thing, or just a you thing?
no subject
[daeshim admits, while arranging all the sticks carefully in his hand. he returns to the tree and begins to climb, settling himself on the branch near the birds. he doesn't even need to actually do anything to the nest. they take the twigs from his palm and handle the repairs themselves.]
Perhaps you must have a soul to dream. I've heard humans talk about their souls before. They sound like precious things. I've often wondered if fae have them...we are so old.
[the emptiness that he sometimes feels is probably just lonliness, but he can't dismiss the possibility that it's something more.]
Perhaps you can share some of yours with me, Craig Strider, while we figure out what e should do next.
no subject
Some of my soul? Or my dreams? [he gives one short, quiet laugh.]
no subject
You are clever to have asked that. [daeshim wasn't trying to lay claim to craig's soul, but an argument could've been made with even such a small slip-up.
this time he leaps from the limb without warming, trusting that the other will hold his arms out.]
Maybe too clever to have really received a mortal wound.
no subject
and of course, of course he catches him again!]
Aw! I appreciate the flattery, but cleverness has got nothing to do with it.
no subject
[after hopping out of his arms for a second time, daeshim starts to walk, waving for craig to follow.]
Come, our two-headed friends should be okay now. It's time we worried more for ourselves, don't you think? You can tell me why cleverness has nothing to do with it.
no subject
Where to, then, boss?
You could say I got a thing for putting myself in harm's way, even if it's a stupid move.
no subject
[what their actual destination will be, he doesn't know. and maybe he should be feeling a different kind of way, being the one taken this time, taken away from the safety and familiarity of his forest. but he's also been taken away from the solitude of it as well. craig is pleasant company.
his legs are short but his steps are quick. he stops after a few so that they can walk side by side.]
Why do you do that? Human lives are so fragile and short even under the best of circumstances...
[the fae's voice is softer as he notes it, with a touch of sadness in it.]</small Like a flower that blooms one spring but not the next.
no subject
as craig ponders daeshim's words, and falls into step, he tilts his head up a bit and clicks his tongue. his reply comes a few seconds into his thoughts.]
You're not wrong. Thing is, I'd prefer to use my own life as a shield for someone else's wherever possible. And I'm not under the impression that that makes me invincible, either.
no subject
How do you know if you are shielding someone who is worthy of your sacrifice? [he frowns as he looks up at him.] I have met humans who are full of joy and innocence. I have also met humans who deserved to be cursed nine times nine. How do you know?
no subject
I don't know for certain. But it doesn't really matter to me.
If you're not comfortable, though, we don't have to talk about something like this.
no subject
[daeshim stops walking. there's a leaf and a small twig in his hair from all the tree-climbing, but it doesn't seem to bother him.]
It matters to me! Clearly, you need someone to watch over you and make sure you don't do any more foolish things. [the fae takes a deep breath, some of that sudden anger dissipating along with it.] Very well. I accept this task. Yes, it will be more difficult without the boundary of my Ruinwood. But it does not matter, I have made up my mind on the matter!
[good luck, craig.]