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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
A
[Hello, welcome back from the brainfog, there is a person with a glowing star for a head accusing him of Social Crimes. They steeple their hands, smiling with only their eyes from the spot behind him.]
Is this your first time?
Re: A
My first time in a line? No, but it might be the first time someone's made me go blind in one! AUGH! MY EYES!!! THEY'RE BURNING!!!!!
[He shields his eyes, but it's all for show. If they were actually so bright they blinded him, it would have been the first thing he did.
He also, notably, does not go to the back of the line! His spot now, sucker.]
no subject
What if I was a vengeful cosmic being? I could smite you for that~ [they cannot smite him, but like. what IF??]
no subject
Stan peeks at them between his fingers and rethinks this options here. If they could smite him they probably would've already, right? Plus he's taken on a dream demon before, a cosmic entity can't be that different, right?
So, he makes a 180 degree pivot and leans hard into the flattery. Let's see how that goes!]
Yeah, well. How was I supposed to see there was a whole line with you shining, Bright Eyes? I just had to come see all of, uh. This? [Gestures vaguely at them.] --for myself!
[Nailed it!]
no subject
the least convincing segue they have ever heard, but okay! Sure! They can still work with that.]
Oh my, a fan of the Universe, are you? I suppose I could let you bask in my presence for a little while... if you know the magic words.
no subject
..."Gimmee!" With two E's!
[If he tries it enough times, it's gotta be the right magic word eventually!]
no subject
Isn't there a better word you could use? Stars aren't so different from people, but we're serious about our rituals! You gotta ask the right way!
no subject
...Pabracadabra?
[He ignores the fact that this makes no sense to anyone but him, but at least he moves on.]
C'mon, you can't give an old guy like me a hint? I've never wooed a star before!
[Honestly that's usually Ford's deal, but he'd be all "sincere" and "in awe." Gross.]
no subject
[They sigh, pausing thoughtfully to consider his request for a hint. Well, since he seems to be struggling with basic manners...]
Hmm, let me think... you're actually pretty close! It does have two Es, and you got the first letter right on your second try! You've almost got it! I believe in you!
no subject
[Stan spreads his arms wide and it's so hard to tell if this is still the bit or if he's actually proud of himself here.]
PROFITEERING!
no subject
Yeah, okay. That's close enough!
Now, say it with me: may I profiteering stand next to you, o wonderful and helpful and brilliant Loop?
no subject
May I, Stan Pines, profiteering stand next to you, o wonderful and helpful and brilliant Loop? For better or worse, until we get to the end of the Free Stuff line?
no subject
[They take a half-step back, resting one hand over the star on their chest and gesturing grandly with the other... which is mostly pointless, since he is? Already standing in front of them? And has been the whole time??
But the flourish is important, so they do it anyway. They are just radiating that drama club theatre kid energy. Your spot, good sir.]
no subject
[The flourish does seem pretty important, and better than sealing this not-marriage with a kiss to a being that doesn't seem to have a mouth? So Stan takes a half step back too and mirrors the gesture - he even lets the hand he gestures with burn with bright blue flames, for an extra bit of pizazz!
(Later, he will not be telling Dipper or Ford that he sealed a pretend line-cutting marriage with his flames, because they will probably
rightfullylose their minds at him. But whatever, he's not with them right now and this is kind of fun!)]Ha! Not too shabby. I knew this was a good spot!
[He's full of shit - he was out of it when he took it in the first place; he's just glad he wasn't kicked out of it.]
no subject
The Universe leads, I suppose. [less "full of shit" and more "guided by fate", in their opinion, but they believe most things are predetermined like that.]
So! [clap! back to their original question,] Is this your first time? Not in a line, just here in general.
no subject
He puts the fire out though and grins like they're old friends, because obviously they are now!]
Yeah, I just turned up in the woods outta nowhere! I mean, it's not my first time getting hauled off to a different dimension or whatever this it, but I'm pretty sure I'm new in town. What about you? You been here long? You seem like someone who's been around the block - or like the block orbits around you!
[Get it?? 'Cause they're a star???]
no subject
A few months, I think? Time can be a bit fuzzy here. [and also, they've gotten kind of bad at keeping track? timeloops will do that to you.] Sounds like this is already routine for you, though! Any tips for besting a vengeful fallen god?
1/2
2/2
Sure, I've got tips! You outsmart them and then when they're not ready for it you beat the living daylights out of them!
no subject
They take the recovery in stride, sorry your life keeps being like this, probably.]
Very straightforward! I don't know if anyone's tried that yet, but it's tricky when the thing encompasses an entire forest most of the time. [where are you supposed to punch???] Also when it can incinerate people up close... do be careful about that, if you decide to give it a go! I'd give the experience a zero-star review, and I'm all star.
no subject
Oof, good to know. I mean, I'm fire-proof now, but a lot of reckless people I know aren't, and somebody's gotta wrangle them.
[Plus only some of his clothes are fireproof, but that's an everyone else problem.]
So is that what the deal is here though? Vengeful fallen gods, spooky forest?
no subject
[and also... the reincarnation thing... they pause, wondering if they should mention this. It's kind of a big deal? But also, they are not equipped to dump that on anyone, and they've been doing a good job of not thinking about it themselves, so.]
If you want a history lesson, I'm sure someone else could give you the full lecture! Not really my thing, though. I like to live in the moment!
no subject
Yeah, yeah, I'll go get the full story somewhere when my brain itches a little less. Nothing wrong with dealing with the here and now!
[Plus it's enough to know the obvious - he can't just take off and try to find the nearest ocean without pissing off a god in the process. Great.]
Speaking of, you know what kinda free junk we're all lining up for? Anything good?
no subject
It's the Trader, so... probably magic junk? It'll be interesting if nothing else.
no subject
Interesting or dangerous? [He hums thoughtfully.] ...Actually, knowing magic junk it'll probably be both.
[He doesn't seem all that bothered in either case though!]
Better question - you think it's actually free? Or is it gonna be the kind of magic junk that comes with a ~dark and hORRIble prIIIIce~?
[As he says this he twiddles his fingers like a cartoon villain. He even lights them on fire, just so the gesture looks extra spooky and evil!]