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sticksandbones2024-09-06 11:16 am
sticksandbonesmods) wrote in sticksandbones2024-09-06 11:16 am
EVENT & TDM 016
A CREEPING FURY SETTING IN
WAKE UP
You don’t recall how you got here. Hell, you’re barely sure “why” you’re here in the first place. But the fact is, by the time you come to your senses, you’re already standing in line out in front of a tent with a big sign on it: FREE STUFF! FIRST COME FIRST SERVE!
Others who have been here longer are aware of you, of course. They watched you ambling around on autopilot for two hours before the sign went up, and then you suddenly hopped into the queue (and maybe even cut in line! the horror!) before the brain fog cleared. Where are you? Why are you in line? Do you even want free stuff? All of these questions can only be answered when you see what the free stuff is.
…it’s random junk. Random magical junk, mind, but when a woman made of solid shadows hands you a wand that apparently summons a small amount of pigeons “per day, until it breaks”, you take it. Or, perhaps, the item was a crystal ball that only shows you made-up scenes from a book. Or it’s a hand-fan that blows only warm air, or a pen that writes all of your letters backwards despite the fact you yourself aren’t doing that… anything quirky and stupid is within the realm of possibility, and Ydalir is trying so hard to get rid of her failed magical experiments. Please. Please take these. Her tent is overstocked and she needs to start anew.
And to those of you who are new here, she’ll offer a friendly greeting and wave, and ask you how your head is feeling after that strange wandering session earlier. Don’t feel pressured to answer; the line needs to keep moving, after all.
Others who have been here longer are aware of you, of course. They watched you ambling around on autopilot for two hours before the sign went up, and then you suddenly hopped into the queue (and maybe even cut in line! the horror!) before the brain fog cleared. Where are you? Why are you in line? Do you even want free stuff? All of these questions can only be answered when you see what the free stuff is.
…it’s random junk. Random magical junk, mind, but when a woman made of solid shadows hands you a wand that apparently summons a small amount of pigeons “per day, until it breaks”, you take it. Or, perhaps, the item was a crystal ball that only shows you made-up scenes from a book. Or it’s a hand-fan that blows only warm air, or a pen that writes all of your letters backwards despite the fact you yourself aren’t doing that… anything quirky and stupid is within the realm of possibility, and Ydalir is trying so hard to get rid of her failed magical experiments. Please. Please take these. Her tent is overstocked and she needs to start anew.
And to those of you who are new here, she’ll offer a friendly greeting and wave, and ask you how your head is feeling after that strange wandering session earlier. Don’t feel pressured to answer; the line needs to keep moving, after all.
HOUNDS ON YOUR HEELS
At some point as the summer fades into autumn, something in the air changes. The surrounding woods and its foggy walls have felt tenser than usual, like something is waiting for you to slip and fall into jaws just waiting to snap shut around your flesh — but nothing happens. Not initially, at least. But keen eyes will soon see a plethora of fairies, long sleeves dangling over razor-sharp claws like a praying mantis’s arms, hair tied back in loose buns, all wearing masks with a single watchful eye painted upon them. As your gazes meet, they giggle and disperse.
And then there are more. And as more gather, watching the paths you take, the houses and buildings erected, the way you move through the gardens, they begin to screech like cicadas. Like alarms.
It could be the lumbering, moss-covered frog that leaps towards you from the lake, large enough to match a car. It could be the wood and stone-crusted bear, spears and arrows collected in its haunches like decoration and not the injuries they clearly are, standing taller than anything you’ve ever seen. It could be the long, winding dragon with lichen dripping off of it, coiling through the trees. Regardless, the fairies are calling to your location and one of them is going to answer.
They chase with an almost single-minded perseverance, with claws and sticky tongues and fangs — stealth is the key, so long as the fairies don’t rat you out again. Though they can be fought, they cannot die in a way that matters — just as easily as flesh tears, it will stitch itself back together and hold a grudge.
Every broken twig is a signal to your location. Every brush of wind in the trees and the grass could be the monsters stalking after you.
It’s time to play: Hide and Seek.
And then there are more. And as more gather, watching the paths you take, the houses and buildings erected, the way you move through the gardens, they begin to screech like cicadas. Like alarms.
It could be the lumbering, moss-covered frog that leaps towards you from the lake, large enough to match a car. It could be the wood and stone-crusted bear, spears and arrows collected in its haunches like decoration and not the injuries they clearly are, standing taller than anything you’ve ever seen. It could be the long, winding dragon with lichen dripping off of it, coiling through the trees. Regardless, the fairies are calling to your location and one of them is going to answer.
They chase with an almost single-minded perseverance, with claws and sticky tongues and fangs — stealth is the key, so long as the fairies don’t rat you out again. Though they can be fought, they cannot die in a way that matters — just as easily as flesh tears, it will stitch itself back together and hold a grudge.
Every broken twig is a signal to your location. Every brush of wind in the trees and the grass could be the monsters stalking after you.
It’s time to play: Hide and Seek.
‘TIL THERE’S NOTHING LEFT
cw: supernatural parasitism & energy/life-force draining
… And where do those captured go, when all is said and done? None of the Seekers actually kill them after all — they may carry their unfortunate victims within their mouths if they are large enough to do so, but as soon as one is captured, they leave.
Though it’s risky to try and track them through the woods, those who try or stay awake during their capture will find themselves taken down a winding path in the fog. One can also bribe a fairy or two to help — or at least not rat you out. A shiny object or food — berries, honey, the fresh-killed heart of that songbird on the branch, all work fine to win its favor for a time. Eventually, they’ll find themselves up a path to a gargantuan tree covered in glowing boils — it’s something that manages to dwarf even the whale-sized moose that may wander by wordlessly, impassive to your plights as moose are wont to do.
Sickly motes of light waft through the air and gently-glowing flowers bloom all around the land, moss glistens against the bark and dirt and perhaps if this place was not so warped by evil, it could have been beautiful once. Coiled around the tree is a vine where the captured are tied to, and they will feel…
Tired. Compliant. Don’t you wish to sleep? The tree needs you. Don’t struggle. Don’t resist. Sleep, and dream no more…
Keen eyes will see the skeletons of former victims further up the vines. As the tree feeds on its captives’ life force, fairies and the Seekers stand guard, only going out to fetch more victims. Do you make the attempt? Or will you come back with reinforcements?
… And where do those captured go, when all is said and done? None of the Seekers actually kill them after all — they may carry their unfortunate victims within their mouths if they are large enough to do so, but as soon as one is captured, they leave.
Though it’s risky to try and track them through the woods, those who try or stay awake during their capture will find themselves taken down a winding path in the fog. One can also bribe a fairy or two to help — or at least not rat you out. A shiny object or food — berries, honey, the fresh-killed heart of that songbird on the branch, all work fine to win its favor for a time. Eventually, they’ll find themselves up a path to a gargantuan tree covered in glowing boils — it’s something that manages to dwarf even the whale-sized moose that may wander by wordlessly, impassive to your plights as moose are wont to do.
Sickly motes of light waft through the air and gently-glowing flowers bloom all around the land, moss glistens against the bark and dirt and perhaps if this place was not so warped by evil, it could have been beautiful once. Coiled around the tree is a vine where the captured are tied to, and they will feel…
Tired. Compliant. Don’t you wish to sleep? The tree needs you. Don’t struggle. Don’t resist. Sleep, and dream no more…
Keen eyes will see the skeletons of former victims further up the vines. As the tree feeds on its captives’ life force, fairies and the Seekers stand guard, only going out to fetch more victims. Do you make the attempt? Or will you come back with reinforcements?
DON’T LOOK BACK
… But regardless of the hostility from the forest, the game must come to an end eventually. And in return for surviving, upon whatever throne he sits upon, the Black Sun offers the world a bit of power as the victims recover — those who perish to the monsters will awaken within their beds, unable to remember anything for a total 24 hours and with floral growths blooming around their scars — but after the initial panic, those who can will confirm that there is no Corruption in these wounds. They may fade, or they may not. Those who survive the month will only carry whatever injuries and weariness they gained over time.
Come morning light, the area of the river will give off a bright glow. Investigation will yield a lot of pain in the eyes, like looking directly at the sun, but eventually it dies down and residents of the Grove can properly have a look at the river again. Those that do may find themselves pleasantly surprised. While clouds shield the skies most of the time, over the river there is a gentle, warm sunlight and blue skies. The abundance of riverside foliage has grown, with new species available for those who can recognize such things — and the water, crisp and clearer than ever, holds more types of fish and amphibians as well. Besides the apple tree — Sinann’s gift for freedom long ago, and Moder’s blackberry bush — new is fruit available. The apple tree is flanked by a peach tree and an orange tree, while the other side of the riverbank houses… …A durian tree.
Some Guardians are grateful. Callan is Callan.
Perhaps best of all though is that Sinann itself has grown in size and in power: in fact, as you approach, it floats above the water to give a greeting.
“Thank you once more for your help.”
Come morning light, the area of the river will give off a bright glow. Investigation will yield a lot of pain in the eyes, like looking directly at the sun, but eventually it dies down and residents of the Grove can properly have a look at the river again. Those that do may find themselves pleasantly surprised. While clouds shield the skies most of the time, over the river there is a gentle, warm sunlight and blue skies. The abundance of riverside foliage has grown, with new species available for those who can recognize such things — and the water, crisp and clearer than ever, holds more types of fish and amphibians as well. Besides the apple tree — Sinann’s gift for freedom long ago, and Moder’s blackberry bush — new is fruit available. The apple tree is flanked by a peach tree and an orange tree, while the other side of the riverbank houses… …A durian tree.
Some Guardians are grateful. Callan is Callan.
Perhaps best of all though is that Sinann itself has grown in size and in power: in fact, as you approach, it floats above the water to give a greeting.
“Thank you once more for your help.”
SPARK NOTES
CLICK TO EXPAND!
WAKE UP
Welcome to Aldric's Grove! New and old residents alike are being gifted free, joke magic items from Ydalir's tent while she does her autumn cleaning. Please take these, she's desperate.
HOUNDS ON YOUR HEELS
Little insect-faeries watch your every move. Suddenly, from the barrier, you're being attacked by various monsters trying to capture you and drag you off. Better run. Better hide.
‘TIL THERE’S NOTHING LEFT
If you're caught, you'll be dragged to become food for a large tree that drains your life force directly. If you aren't rescued in time, you'll die slowly and peacefully.
DON’T LOOK BACK
Those of you who die will come back the next day with temporary amnesia lasting 24 hours. It'll clear up after, and all of your memories will come back as if with magic. But, in the end, you've won the game, and that means ample rewards: More fruit trees, and the River Guardian growing more powerful after all this time.
OOC
Welcome to September's TDM! Reminder that all TDMs are game canon. OOC Plotting Lives Here if you'd like to plot anything out! We have several toplevel comments below for randomizing any result you want this month, including the magic items from Ydalir if you're having a hard time making something up.
UPDATES
❖ None yet!
SUBMISSIONS
i. wake up
The source of the voice is a frail-looking young woman in a green dress, a giant lily staff in one hand and a little green rabbit that looks like it's made out of a dollop of cream in the other. She offers a reassuring smile, but- well, it's hard to be reassured in a place like this, isn't it?
"We can also move to the inn or to Passenger's cafe if you'd like to sit for a spell."
no subject
He holds a finger to his lips and winks. "Don't tell anyone."
She's willing to give him information though and he glances around at the unfamiliar. "Sure, we can have a seat."
no subject
It's an easy walk, even with the gradually chilling weather that comes with fall, and White Lily greets the employees with an easy wave before guiding the newcomer to a seat- with those wings, something with more space behind him would be best, she thinks, so the cushions will be best.
For Hawks' convenience, there's even a menu!
"As I'm sure you've realized, you've come to here in the Grove with little recollection as to how you got here, yes...?"
no subject
The cushions are indeed a good choice and while he tucks his wings in as flat against his back as he can, he sits on his cushion crosslegged.
"Yeah, that sounds about right." Hawks says. He looks at the menu and he'll pick out a the coffee with the sugar. He looks over the food, but opts not to select anything.
[sorry for the delay! health happened ;; ]
"That's the same for many of us. As strange as it may sound... almost all of us are from a different universe. Our captor has pulled us here to the remains of a town it once tormented, so that it may relive it's fun once more. They say it was once a god, before it was felled by the Goddesses, but I will put no more stock in it's name, personally," she explains softly...
Which is to say, it is a god. A powerful one at that, despite having been weakened for so long. But she will not fan the fires for any tyrant.
No worries!
"Can't say I've ever been to a different universe before, but I'm also kind of out in the middle of nowhere here which I usually am not."
He doesn't believe in gods, so he's not really considering what that could mean.
no subject
She sighs a bit, shaking her head.
"We're like toys to it."
no subject
"Horrors huh?" He asks, maintaining a neutral looking smile.
He's used to operating alone. That's been pretty standard for his life, so he's not worried about that. The commentary about toys makes him snort lightly. So. An ordinary day then.
no subject
"The month before this, everyone within the Grove was under emotional control- as if everything in our hearts went haywire. My husband's adopted child had to isolate herself for the safety of everyone, I could barely think and when I could all I felt was misery, our most loving people turned apathetic and even hateful..."
She barely remembers anything between the haze. But it was wrong.
"Before that, we were trapped under the sea, surrounded by great leviathans that would try and attack us. And I've heard more stories yet- people turning to ice and breaking before waking up again in their beds, monster attacks... Others could tell you more, I'm sure."
no subject
"Under the sea sounds like a nightmare. Not really someone who swims." He points out. He prefers being airborne.
no subject
... That's a normal thing to say, yes. She folds her hands across the table, contemplating what else she could say that wouldn't completely overwhelm the man across from her.
"... For what it's worth, while we have a colorful bunch of people here- they are good people. The natives do their best to help- a man named Heimr, the shadow woman, and a young girl with flowers growing from her hair, Nene. Residency at the inn is free, and you can trade items to Heimr for goods and produce."
no subject
"That's good, although I don't have anything I'd be willing to trade at the moment. I need all of my gear as it is." Hawks smiles a little bit, tilting his head.
no subject
She hums a bit before she realizes- "I'm sorry. I haven't introduced myself yet! I am White Lily Cookie. Though, the people here seem to prefer calling me Lily."
no subject
He adds that because she doesn't seem to know him.
no subject
As in, a hero by trade? By hire?
Wizards, that would have been nice when she was a younger cookie, still adventuring with the others. All of the hassles of payment... Not every person could afford repayment for their deeds, and sometimes they'd be short on coin for their stays at the inn. Was it like the guilds, perhaps?
"I feel a little nostalgic! I used to be an adventurer, you see. We weren't affiliated with any guild, though..."
no subject
"An adventurer?" Hawks blinks for a moment, as though he's thinking about what she said.
"Oh, not like that. More like the kind of hero that deals with crime in his city. Which is what I do. Arrest villains, do good deeds, that kind of thing."
(i just want to say im enjoying your hawks Very much!!)
Yeah, she's from a fantasy realm. This is what he's going to get... but White Lily Cookie seems happy, at least.
"I'm sure the others will be happy to hear, as well. We do look out for each other, but we have some children here and that worries us. Is there anything you have to ask...?"
(Aw, thanks!)
Sort of. It's sort of similar.
Does he have questions to ask? Many. Where he is, and how he got there are questions that she already said she didn't have the answers to. Peppering her with questions about the residents was likely to be too suspicious, especially when it comes to children. He relaxes his shoulders intentionally and offers a most charming flash of a grin.
"I should probably ask you for the grand tour then, maybe I'll have more questions then." The layout is a question, and he wants to get a good bird's eye view, but it would be nice to know what he's looking at.
no subject
"Yes, I can do that. One moment, I can go pay for the coffee."
With that, she moves to go to the counter, leaving Hawks alone with his thoughts for a moment. It's a small group, he'll know just from that line earlier. The youngest seem to be teens.
Eventually she returns, offering a hand to help him stand once more.
"Shall we?"
no subject
He smiles and accepts her hand, grasping it gently as he hoists himself up to his feet, leaning down only to pick up the coffee and finish it off. He sets the cup back down and carefully presses his wings against his back as best he can, following her out.
"I really appreciate it."