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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
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Things to consider for later. ]
To yours as well, I should think. Or is this just a drop in the bucket for you? I'm afraid I don't know what exactly it is stars do.
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[They twirl the pigeon wand in their hands, something distracting so they don't start looking for worse habits to fall back on. Maybe they should just change the topic. They don't want to think about the loops right now.]
Did you get anything fun from the Trader?
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I'm not answering that unless you come down here.
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You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, Researcher. I'm just making conversation! Wouldn't want to take all your secrets from you.
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[ She stretches her neck in first one direction, then the other. She can wait to explain how Loop saved all of their lives if she has to. And in the mean time she can find Siffrin and find out why they didn't explain it themselves. ]
1/2
[... they do feel a little guilty, making her deal with them like this. They... consider, for a second, that it might not be so bad. They've missed Odile's company. Her sharp wit, her discreet kindness. Distant, but not as closed off as she thinks. Prying, but also considerate. If they were Siffrin, they wouldn't be so afraid of talking to her.
They stamp those feelings down, standing up from their spot to give their legs a stretch. Their collection of pigeons scatters at the movement, settling at further edges of the rooftop with a round of coos.]
Maybe another time! I'm sure you've got better things to do than—
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The next thing they know is they're dangling from the edge of the roof by one hand, wondering why they ever thought this was a good idea. They've died how many times from a banana peel, and they think it's a good idea to stand on a roof surrounded by wild birds?? Why did they do this??
And they still make an embarrassing sound! Of course!!]
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Please be careful...
[ Probably not the most helpful advice at the moment, but Gems, what else can she say? ]
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...
But they'd feel awful, awful if they made Odile watch someone die, even if that someone is just a stranger like them. So they don't really want to break their neck today. They should be careful.
They... try to kick towards the side of the building, to maybe find a foothold? It's looking more and more like they'll have to jump, though. Ugh.]
You should stand back, Researcher! Wouldn't want to get in the way of a falling star~ [and they are NOT going to let go until she DOES do not make them repeat themselves or stars above they are going to scream
Assuming that she does, they whisper a hasty little prayer to themselves (please don't break anything), repeat it thrice and swing forward, letting go... sticking the landing, somehow, tucking into a roll at the end, it would almost look cool if they hadn't slipped off the roof five seconds earlier. They end it in a crouch, spikes fizzling along their shoulders as they catch their breath.]
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She cautiously opens her eyes again, and heaves a sigh of relief. ]
I would appreciate if you never did that again.
[ Was it their fault? No. Does she care? Also no. ]
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You wanted me to come down, didn't you~? [yeah, like it isn't super obvious all of that was an accident
...
Well, they are here now, unfortunately. So they don't have an excuse not to talk to her. They sigh, folding their arms loosely.]
What did you want to talk about, Researcher?
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[ If they did that on purpose, it was actually much dumber. She'll give them the benefit of a doubt. She also said she would tell them what she got if they came down. Better get that out of the way first.
She pulls the fan out a coat pocket to show them. ]
Here.
[ She opens the fan and waves it at them a few times, blowing a gentle gust of warm air at their face. ]
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ugh. They could make a REALLY good pun here, but they can't. Tragic. Maybe they'll tell Siffrin later, before he bumps into Odile... they just laugh a little instead, trying to play off the weird pause.]
Neat! That one's kind of nice. A lot more useful than a wand that summons birds.
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Not entirely useless, no. I'd still have preferred not to wait in line for it.
[ Or if she had to, she would at least have liked to actually question that shadow person.
Second order of business: ]
But getting back to our previous discussion...
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[ They might be as forgetful as Siffrin, or they might just need it laid out for them. Either way, it doesn't feel right to thank them without explaining what it's for. ]
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Nope! Not at all! The Housemaiden told me about it, though. You needed a guide through the House, right?
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To find Siffrin, yes. Without your help I don't know that we would have been able to reach him in time. That rock trap would most likely have killed at least one of us, too. I'd call that a lot more than just "repeating lines".
[ She tries not to think about it much deeper than that. It's too easy to imagine some of the things that Siffrin might have gone through. ]
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They think of a flash at the peak of a distant House, their stardust next to them.
...]
Consider it... an apology, of sorts.
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She raises an eyebrow. ]
To Siffrin, you mean?
[ She was under the impression that Loop was as worried about him as the rest of them were. ]
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So! You don't have to thank me for it. I'm just making things right!
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[ That's not actually a 'yes'. Whatever Loop thinks they've done, she supposes helping to save Siffrin's life probably makes them even. She grins wryly. ]
No, I'm afraid you're stuck with my gratitude. You'll just have to live with it.
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[All that for literally nothing. Story of their life, really.]
Any other burning questions on your mind?
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[ She is so very generous! This is certainly not a warning that she is on to any and all shenanigans. Nope. ]
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[... it does feel a little too easy. They know what she's like. She doesn't typically leave things alone when there's still something worth learning. Are they... not interesting enough?
Haha, no, they're not gonna think about that. Don't make the vibes weird!!]
Well, I guess you do know how to reach me. Try not to startle Siffrin when you find him, he's still a little jumpy around here! I'm sure he'll be thrilled to see you.
(no subject)
(no subject)