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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
running to!!
M'dame! Sif was telling me you were around somewhere.
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You've seen them already? Good. I'd hate to have you run off in the middle of a conversation to go looking for them.
[ She gives him a knowing smirk, as if she hadn't been a little panicked herself at the thought of Siffrin by himself after everything that happened in Dormont. ]
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[ His head drops, expression akin to a puppy being scolded. For extra effect his hand rests against said chest as if just struck. ]
After everything, you can hardly blame me though, right? [ It's said with a chuckle, but he knows that any one of them would be worried and panicked. But he nods for extra assurance. ] I know Sif is probably downplaying some of what's been going on just so I don't worry so, figured now was a good opportunity to come find you. And of course to see how you're doing!
[ Though, he does look a bit amused given how comfortable she is just there tending to her notes. ] Even if I probably don't have much to worry about with you, huh?
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[ Her expression turns grim for a moment as she looks past him at the door. She's dealt with an exhausting number of monsters already and she hasn't been here even a month. She's not going outside unless she absolutely has to. ]
A certain amount of concern does seem appropriate, given the circumstances. We'll need to be even more cautious now than we were on our last journey.
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That bad, huh? Already heard that Mira has been missing for a while now too? Which I can only hope means she's back in Dormont but. Doesn't feel good knowing we left her and Bonbon behind. [ ... ] Not to mention Sif has already been here by himself for a while now too. --Well, him and Loop both apparently?
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Odile can't take the risk of going out to look for her. She's already learned the hard way that she can't escape the monsters without help and a good bit of luck. She can't let Siffrin go either, not when there's a chance they won't come back. That leaves Isabeau and possibly Loop, and she has yet to observe much in the way of self-preservation instinct from Loop. She won't sent Isabeau on what's possibly a meaningless suicide mission.
And if Mirabelle isn't back in Dormont, what does that mean for Boniface? ]
He seems to have made some friends, at least. And they do seem to value Loop a great deal. But you're right, it's hard not to feel like we've failed them once again.
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Coming to sit beside, his arms cross carefully with an idle tap of his finger over one. He knows it will put Siffrin, put any of them, at ease of mind to just believe she's back with Dormont with Bonnie. It would be better if they could at least have some confirmation of it though. ]
I'm glad he has. It makes me happy to hear they branched out to make some connections. [ And that's a genuine relief. He would hate to think that Siffrin has kept alone, after everything and... it's as Odile has said. The thought of failing them again... it stings. His own curiosity with Loop can wait for now. ] I know Sif struggles with the feelings talk, but I'm hoping he's at least talked with you?
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We've spoken. They've picked up some healing Craft, apparently. Probably some other skills as well. You know I'm not much better at 'feelings talk' than he is.
[ She knows if she starts to push, it will seem like she's interrogating them. That's just who she is. Delicacy has never been her strong suit. ]
no subject
[ It's one thing to study and branch out to learn on your own. After all, isn't their claimed Researcher a good example of that? But it's such a sudden development from what they know. Results from the loops clearly. It's both impressive while also a bit worrying. ]
Hah, I know I know but. I think.. that's also part of why I think they'd feel comfortable enough to talk to you? Because you're both the same in that regard. [ A small sigh. ] ..I just don't want him to bottle everything up.
[ If they don't feel ready to talk to Isabeau who is about all the feelings talk, then Odile would be understanding enough. ... A thought comes to mind, and that earlier nausea settles in. Wanting almost desperately to talk about it but he really should talk to Siffrin first, right? ]
no subject
He "just sort of picked it up".
[ Hopefully she doesn't have to spell out for him the implications of that. How many loops must it have taken, how many healings must Mirabelle have Crafted, for them to learn to heal from observation alone? One or both of those numbers must have been alarmingly high. ]
I am keeping an eye on them, and I haven't noticed any especially worrying behavior as of yet. Have you?
no subject
...Not exactly. I mean, nothing yet with how he's acting. He.. actually seems to be in a really good mood. Happy, even. [ Which makes Isabeau happy to see, would make him smile if he wasn't think about something else. ]
I just... heard something. I'm still trying to process it all, but I do want to try talking to Sif about it . [ If he can't see about getting him to open up about it, maybe tell them both about it themselves but. Either way, it is something that needs to be brought up sooner rather than later. Isabeau can't let it stay swept under a rug and forgotten. ] I'll come see you about it later, M'dame.
no subject
Please do.
I'm keeping an eye on Loop, as well. I haven't learned much of anything about them, but they seem less... confident, here, than they were in Dormont.
no subject
They were helping Sif through the loops, right? Maybe like Sif they're trying to adjust going back to whatever they were doing before.
[ Whatever a Star person.. could be doing before?? But like Odile, it isn't as if he knows them any better. ] ...And um. Loop. How have your.. conversations with them been?
no subject
[ That would imply that it was a return to normalcy, though. What is normal for Loop? She doesn't even know what they are, really. 'A star' is not a helpful descriptor. If they're so uncomfortable sleeping in a bed in the inn, it's possible that 'normal' is something very different than they imagine. ]
They've been... strange. Loop is very defensive, and evasive. They're either far more shy than we realized, or hiding something very important to them.
no subject
[ As if for some reason he did something wrong. Which, granted how protective Loop gives off over Siffrin, maybe it's just that! His own perception is pretty high but he doesn't want to just assume. Even now he starts to try and play it off. ]
But I'm a pretty sensitive guy so I could just be imagining it, haha!
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They tried to escape what was, for them, our first meeting face to face. There's clearly something more going on.
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[ Trying to escape a conversation - it didn't feel that way too much with him but.. he can see how they could come off as shy if they did. ] Whatever it is, Sif might know.
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[ It's one way to get answers, sure, but she's seen how protective Siffrin can be of Loop. And beyond that... ]
I don't want to put him in a difficult position. However much either of them are dealing with, it's clear that they're depending on each other for support.
no subject
Wouldn't want to force them in a tough situation, you're right. Well, we can always take the time to get to know Loop. Not to mention we're all from the same place so, only makes sense we should stick together!
no subject
True enough. We should certainly keep trying, if only for Siffrin's sake.
[ She's not sure Loop would agree with that sentiment, though. They seem to be a bit of a loner... but so is Siffrin, in a way. Self-isolating to the point of being self-destructive.
But Loop has that connection to the group that makes it impossible for them to escape without breaking their connection to Siffrin. They're in this together, whether Loop likes it or not. ]
It may be difficult to pin them down for a conversation, at the moment. They don't seem to like being indoors.
[ She adds bitterly: ] Or on the ground.
no subject
Not that Isabeau would want them to, either. Technically, they're all from the same world, right? It would feel unfair to leave Loop out and not to mention lonely. Pinning for a conversation... he least managed to get something before Loop realized it was something he hadn't known yet but. He can't mention that, not yet. ]
..The ground? [ Like.. camping in a tent? ] Well, we did meet them at the Favor Tree, so them preferring outside makes sense. But.. when the weather starts to take a turn, it'll be much warmer and safer to be inside.
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It's safer inside right now. It's a miracle they've gone as long as they have without problems, sleeping outdoors.
no subject
[ Taps a finger against his own arm, thinking. ] ..Though, now that I think about it, it doesn't look like they're wearing clothes? Do Stars get sick?? I hope they don't get sick. Maybe we really should see about convincing them to get a room here. Though not sure they'd listen to us... so maybe Sif can?
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Siffrin has tried, as have others. It became public knowledge not too long ago.
A room at the inn might not be the best option. But I'm sure I can think of a suitable compromise.
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[ Options are pretty limited! Though, he supposes... ] If Loop can be fine with at least us, what about finding a place for all of us to stay together? The four of us. Not sure how doable that is but... it's something?
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