Event & TDM 003

[sticksandbonesmods]

I AM THE WILD

WAKE UP

You open your eyes.

It feels like you’ve been here before, like you’re finally home. Today, the sun shines brightly, brilliantly, on the open forest clearing making up Aldric’s Grove. Vines wrap around old buildings, overgrowth covers ruins of what once were homes and shops, and weeds poke up through the cracks of foundations. Before you stands an inn, a well, and one hundred beautiful flowers peppered throughout the clearing. Be not fooled by their beauty, wanderer; should you stray too close, the flowers are happy to bite.

Fret not, however; should you seek escape from the carnivorous foliage, the inn is plenty safe from attacks. Perhaps you ought to get acquainted with others like you, lounging in the lobby with nowhere to go. Perhaps you should find yourself a room, a place to stay. After all, room and board is completely free of charge! Should you dig through the bedside table of your new room, you’ll find only one thing within: A Polaroid photograph of yourself from years ago. You were younger, then — or, if age doesn’t define you, you were different. Still, you remember posing for this photograph… don’t you?

If the photo is too much for you, a trip to the river might offer respite. The oppressive fog wrapping around the grove and obscuring much of the distant forest some miles out won’t let you wander too far. Luckily, there’s a stretch of river perfect for a round of fishing, playing in, or simply relaxing by. Mushrooms grow along the banks and on the trees, but remember to say “thank you” to the forest if you take them. You wouldn’t like the consequences otherwise.

HEY

cw: madness, hallucinations

You might have had luck avoiding the gnashing fangs of the flowers thus far, but they begin to get restless and aggressive the longer they go without feeding. They can’t quite uproot themselves and chase you down, but they will stretch their stalks as far as they can, unfurl their petals and try to wrap sharp leaves around your legs and anything else within reach. If you aren’t careful, their fangs will pierce your flesh, and they will drink from you until they drain you dry. Shout for help if they latch on. Surely someone will come to your aid.

…just try not to look at them much. The flowers take passive abilities of anyone they feed from, and that means they possess powers of their own. Stare for a moment too long, and you’ll begin to see your nightmares brought to life, feel a crawling down your back like one million insect feet, a grappling at your ankles as something tries to drag you under the metaphorical tides. Black tendrils sweep over your eyes, they grip the facades of buildings, they tear your friends to shreds and eat them whole. Focus. Focus on that voice telling you to snap out of it, on the people around you waving their hands in front of your eyes. It isn’t real. Blink, shake your head, and clear your thoughts.

Or don’t. “Give in,” a sultry voice murmurs, “Let me consume you.”

IT'S ALRIGHT

cw: auditory hallucinations, animal butchery

From the fenced-off, locked-up manor to the northwest of the Grove, a spill of magic begins to leak out from boarded-up windows. It’s gradual at first before it suddenly bursts, and that’s when everything starts to go haywire. The Manor’s heart aches, friend. Something in that house is oh-so-miserable with no way out… and it intends to make you feel its pain.

Every regret you’ve ever had — every word left unspoken, every lie you’ve told, everything you believe you’ve done wrong — those feelings are brought to the surface and magnified. No matter where you look, what you do, or how much you try to distract yourself, those emotions will always bubble to the surface.

You might think wandering into the forest will help you flee from yourself for a time, but as soon as you cross the threshold, the path back to the clearing closes behind you in a rustle of leaves. The only way out is forward, it seems, but the forest won’t play fair. The path will shift unexpectedly, blocking your route, forcing you to backtrack, but never quite allowing escape. All the while, voices fill your mind, chasing after you no matter where you go. They are the murmurs of those you have wronged, the murmurs of a conscience slighted.

Seeking out a companion in the labyrinth will quell them, for a time. Should your heart weigh too heavy, confessing to your labyrinth-partner what you’re grappling with will absolve you of your guilt and leave you feeling clear-headed enough to escape. At that point, the forest, too, seems content to let you solve the maze without interference.

Should you escape fairly, without harming the labyrinth, you’ll be rewarded: A freshly-hunted game animal from your homeland is dropped at your feet just as you step back into the clearing. Enjoy it, for you will not have the opportunity to get another. The forest only allows one round per person.

I'LL TAKE CARE OF YOU

The residents of Aldric’s Grove have had a rough time here, but not everything has to be bad. On the night of the new moon, the Shopkeeper leaves his store for the night, and alongside the Trader — who normally sits outside the inn by her stall and her giant turtle — he constructs a bonfire some distance from the carnivorous plants. Nearby to it are tables with a feast set upon them, free for everyone to enjoy. There’s music playing from… somewhere. Don’t think about it too hard. The wispy, sentient shadows that comprise the Shopkeeper and Trader are happy to dance with you, too, if you ask.

Enjoy your night, friends. You’ve made it to the end of the month, and you deserve a break.

SPARK NOTES

CLICK TO EXPAND!

WAKE UP

Welcome to Aldric's Grove! Watch out for the carnivorous flowers. There's a photograph of you in the inn, by the way. Don't worry about it.

HEY

The carnivorous flowers are now causing visual hallucinations and madness. Try not to look at them too long. Maybe buddy up for the time being, to make sure that the forest's whispering voice doesn't drag you too far down.

IT'S ALRIGHT

A flood of magic hits the Grove. Characters will be subject to reliving and re-experiencing all of their regrets, and should they wander into the forest to escape, they'll be made to play in the forest's maze game. The forest won't play fair, but seems to relent when you confess to a companion what's on your mind. And hey, that makes your heart weigh less heavy, too. At the end of the line, you'll get a reward of fresh meat as long as you didn't try to cheat!

I'LL TAKE CARE OF YOU

The Shopkeeper and Trader are throwing a lighthearted bonfire party. Dance the night away and eat your heart out!

OOC

Welcome to the third TDM & Event Log of Sticks and Bones! This log is game canon. The prompts are meant for all players, current and future, so have fun! Our applications operate on a rolling basis, so applications are open with no end date unless we suddenly cap players. If there are any questions, please direct them to the "questions" header below.

UPDATES

❖ For those who enter the inn in the morning, a breakfast spread of scrambled eggs, bacon, smoked fish, roasted tomatoes on the vine and assorted fruits wait for you.
❖ Several patches of the murderous flowers seem to have been electrocuted, lit on fire or cut.

TDM TOPLEVELS!

TDMS

❖ Shalem (Arknights)
❖ Toge Inumaki (Jujutsu Kaisen)
❖ Jade Leech (Twisted Wonderland)
❖ BB (Fate/ Grand Order
❖ Akki (Original)
❖ Nikaidou Eisuke (Tsurune)
❖ Arthur Pendragon (Saber) (Fate/ Grand Order)

(CODE)

Comments

[cursedwords]

[ He smiles brightly, even if it's not seen anywhere but his eyes and he exclaims excitedly. ] Salmon, salmon.

[ He's enthusiastic about that idea if nothing else. He gestures, waving his hand over the mess. He can clean it up. He made it, after all. ]

[amethystic]

Mm... fine, but let me get you the broom, at least. If only because I know where it is, and you just got here.

( felicity stands back up- nothing's burnt yet, and her magic keeps the bacon cooking properly. the broom is hung up on the wall by the pantry, but it's easy to miss in the big in kitchen. )

It's almost ready, and there's some milk in the fridge. ( its... a very old ice box, but it counts. ) I can also make you some tea if you want.

[cursedwords]

[ He's willing to work for his breakfast, after all and he nods his agreement. While she's doing that and when she makes the suggestion of choice, he calls out for her attention. ] Tuna.

[ As long as she looks at him, Toge will hold up two fingers. He would prefer tea, if that's alright. ]

[amethystic]

( ... weird kid. (she is barely older than him. but she gets the message. so that he can repeat the process, she doesn't look away yet- )

Black tea or chamomile?

[cursedwords]

[ He's honestly delighted it's going so well. He holds up one finger this time. Options, yes and no, those were all pretty easy at least. It's harder to get information from him.

He balances the dustpan by sticking his foot behind it and sweeps. ]

[amethystic]

( what can she say? felicity doesn't fuck around. once she hands over the broom and dustpan, she returns to the stove and takes over from her own magic.... and what do you know! everything is done, perfectly. she removes the frying pan from the active burner and instead reaches for the kettle on the counter to put that on instead. while the water boils, she begins serving up a plate.

scrambled eggs, bacon, smoked fish, and roasted tomatoes on the vine. there's also some fresh fruit as an option. )

If you want seconds, help yourself. Tea's almost ready. ... If you have a way to ask questions, I'll do my best to answer, alright? But first, food.

[cursedwords]

[ He actually manages, it just takes him time and extra steps, but Toge appreciates being able to do it. He doesn't want to be babied, he needs to adapt. He got hurt doing his job and that was always a risk. He's not even the only one, it was a mess. ]

Salmon. [ Another pleased acknowledgement and he will accept the plate and look for somewhere to sit, a stool or something. ]

[amethystic]

( there's a counter top thats been cleared with a stool as a makeshift table for quiet meals alone- though, there's also a door to a large dining room. it might feel too empty, though. it's his choice.

while he decides, she'll serve herself up as well, before stepping out to call to whoever is in the inn that breakfast is ready. )

[cursedwords]

[ It would be weird, since no one's around in there. He's small, he won't take up too much space. He invites himself to sit down there.

Now he unzips the collar and his curse marks are on full display. How else would he eat? He has two circles, like eyes on his cheeks leading to his mouth and a lucky glimpse when he opens it, he has another seal on his tongue.

He starts by pulling the tomatoes off the vine first. ]

[amethystic]

( the little makeshift table? alright. felicity will join him then, setting her plate and two cups of tea down. she's content to add a splash of cream and a decent amount of sugar to hers, but leaves his own alone.

the marks are... hm. that does explain some things, in a sense. )

My name is Felicity, by the way. We're in a place called Aldric's Grove.

( between polite bites of her own meal- )

Time's faker than fake, and nothing about this place makes sense. But we've got a good group of people here, for what it's worth.

[cursedwords]

[ That's alright, he's a heathen, he'll add cream and sugar to his tea too. It's like a treat.

That was really informative. He takes a sip and then pulls his phone out of his pocket.

It's got a notepad app, he's gonna get use out of that. It is vexing to have to write, but he has to. With his mouth uncovered to eat, he can't even chance his rice ball ingredients. ]

I am Toge Inumaki. What are we here for, exactly?

[amethystic]

( toge... well, she'll remember that. felicity hums, chin in hands as she pokes some egg with her fork. )

Mm... to "play". The forest- or whatever's controlling it- plucked us all from our worlds to play with it. And it is a very sore loser. It blinded me for a while whenI didn't want to play cards with it, a while back, for example.

... Sometimes people vanish, but... there's not really any telling where they go. We can't pass through the fog unless it lets us, so... we're at a bit of a loss, a lot of times.

[cursedwords]

[ People can't pass through the fog? He wonders... Toge takes a bite while she's talking, looking like he's thinking it over. It sounds like a veil of some kind, but he'd have to go see it.

Whatever's on the other side however, he couldn't say. That's interesting. Playing with the forest sounds weird too. So is the whole inn thing. He puts his fork down again and holds up his hand a bit pressing it into the air in a few places as though searching for something. Domain expansion? No? Huh. ]

Sounds weird. Someone controlling the forest? I want to look at the fog too.

[ He says to her, after being a total weirdo to an outside observer, probably. ]

[amethystic]

Someone, or something. The power displayed doesn't match most mortal magic users- though, there are always exceptions. The maturity level shifts constantly, hinting at instability or more than one person in control. The Shopkeeper and the Trader don't seem to understand what it is, but they've lived here since before the fog took control.

( she reads the message, and then shrugs. has some bacon. )

Not like you can avoid it, once you step out. Just... be careful of the flowers. We've been trying to dig them up and stuff, but they keep coming back.

[cursedwords]

[ Hm, magic, makes as much sense as anything, although he'll stick with what he knows. If it's nothing to do with curses or cursed energy, then he'll have to think outside the box a little bit. Kind of weird though, to bring a sorcerer here for no particular reason. Games?

Habitually, after taking a bite of eggs he covers his mouth so he can speak albeit very softly. ] Tuna mayo?

[ What flowers, and why were they risky? ]

[amethystic]

... Um-

( okay, he used 'tuna' to get her attention. what is he trying to say here?

after a moment of debate, she reluctantly sighs. )

Not sure what you're trying to ask there, I'm sorry. ... Is... the code or whatever because of those marks on you?

[cursedwords]

[ Right, okay, that one is on him. He should've thought that through. Force of habit. Then again, all he does is talk to his classmates after all, or his teachers.

Back to the phone it is. ]

I have the power of cursed speech. I can compel people to do what I want, so I have to be careful of what I say. Now then, what flowers? What's bad about flowers?

[amethystic]

Ah. Hard to get an order out of different foodstuffs... noted.

( felicity leans back in her chair. )

If you step back outside you'll see them all over the place- the flowers. Some of them are way bigger than they should be, and they'll be attacked to uprooted vines- and they'll move. They seem to be carnivorous and will use the vines and leaves to take hold of you and draw blood. ... And... looking at them lately's been... dangerous. Its like I start seeing things.

[cursedwords]

[ He's tapping lightning fast without thinking about it. ]

That sounds like the start of a

[ Nope, nope, that would not be an appropriate comment to a strange girl so he's just going to erase that. She saw nothing. ]

Carnivorous?

[amethystic]

( sips tea. did she?



she did see nothing. she's on the opposite side of his screen until he shows her. )

Mmmhm. They feed off of blood, and a few nights ago they ate the hell out of some monsters- tore them to pieces and made 'em mulch. ( wait. no that- she probably shouldn't be so casual about that? ) ... But that is- uh. Not the best to talk about over breakfast probably?

[cursedwords]

[ Interesting. Very interesting. He shrugs at her question, and pointedly eats some of his bacon, beckoning her to continue.

Doesn't seem to phase him in the least. His life is drenched in blood and monsters.

It's not going to bother his appetite. ]

[amethystic]

Right. So, the last full moon we were under siege by... werewolves. Or something that was supposed to look like them- they looked patchwork. At the end of the night though, any that were too inured to flee back into the forest got caught by the flowers and... torn to shreds. Mulch, like I said.


They've been more aggressive since then.

[cursedwords]

Like they developed a taste for blood. Sounds like a horror movie.

[ He offers that to her, but genuinely doesn't seem bothered otherwise, he's still eating, just thinking about the situation. Aside from don't get caught by the plants. That's a good idea. ]

[amethystic]

Honestly... the dog- Rusty. He was trying to dig them up but, well. They're everywhere now. Be careful when you go outside, okay?

[cursedwords]

[ A well placed hand again, he's very hyper aware of his power. ] Salmon.

[ He will be careful, but he might go and explore anyway. Running headlong into trouble is just what he does. ]