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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
no subject
And that sounds like the right saying to him! Who wouldn't be gleeful upon waking up with a pup?!
This time he's ready for when she throws it, barking as he zooms after it back into the woods with a lot of crashing as he just barrels through shrubbery. Barking, and crashing, grows fainter until silence.
It takes him a little longer this time to find it - or a stick approximating it - but soon he's trotting back out, looking as pleased as ever. He's covered in twigs, leaves, dirt and something he took a moment to sniff and roll in. At least it doesn't smell too bad, so prolly just a pile of decaying flowers or something.
However, the stick is not the only thing he brings back. Look! He brings friend! A (unfamiliar to her but somewhere Elseword is prolly narrowing his eyes) mole is deposited into her hands along with the stick. It seems angry. ]
no subject
When Beat returns, A.B.A. is sitting this time around. Looks like she found the time to whip out her notebook while he was away. Not the netbook, mind you, but her personal book that traveled along with her. As much as she enjoys the netbook, some things are better kept to herself.
She shuts it promptly when he returns, it'd be rude to just ignore him after he worked so hard, but...what's this? Was he hunting on top of fetching? There's a tiny frown as she examines the mole.]
Mole meat is notoriously rancid in taste, I'm afraid there's nothing I can do with this.
[The mole's safety is secured, if only because it's a NASTY, NASTY CREATURE. Unfit for consumption. Away with you, go dig a hole or something.]
no subject
Haha friend you dropped your new friend, but that's okay. He'll find it again later for you. (Threat/promise).
As it seems she's on her journal, he won't demand she throw the stick for him again, but he will sit his butt down beside her, panting happily, tail wagging lightly. Eyes closed as he just takes in sitting with a friend and the come down of a good game of fetch.
His fur is matted. There is a spider crawling up his back. He is one with the world. He smells of dirty dog and dirt. Sorry. ]
no subject
A.B.A. grabs her book again and goes back to what she was doing. Without hesitation, she holds it up to the all too happy dog, as if she expects him to actually appreciate what she has to say. After all, as far as she's concerned, this is just a very regular dog.]
This is you.
[The page she holds open indeed features a way too detailed sketch of Beat, all the way down to his matted fur. He's drawn next to other Grove dogs, such a Rusty, and there are a few notes scribbled in there. Things like "OWNER UNKNOWN" "GRUDGES: NONE" "AVERAGE FETCH SPEED" followed by an estimated number.
You know, normal things someone would write about a dog they just met.]
Once we find your owner, I will make them pay for their mistreatment.
no subject
Words are hard. Thoughts are hard. The Corruption has massaged his brain smooth. Like a chicken breast. Mmm, fried chicken. Wait. Focus. Words. ]
Josh.
[ It comes out much rougher than it should, half a bark, and his tail wags immediately after. He throws his head back in glee though. He said it! ]
no subject
[Blink.]
...Understood, he will die.
[This is the woman married to the talking key, she ain't about to sweat over the talking dog. However, she WILL correct her notes and write down Josh's name as Beat's owner. She's not sure which one that is, but she's sure she'll find him eventually.]
Matted fur leads to painful skin conditions. Are you in pain? ...No, don't answer, animals are known for hiding their pain. I understand, it's necessary for your survival.
no subject
The question distracts him from whacking her knee with his paw over and over, and he pauses. Considers himself. Is he in pain? There's a rock he's sitting on that's poking him in a very delicate part, and he's itchy cause he think he has fleas but.... He doesn't think he's in pain.
So he shakes his head. No pain. Then kicks his ear with his hind foot. Itchy tho! ]
no subject
No hitting!!
[But before this turns into anything violent, the dog is already just sort of scratching himself and it looks like she doesn't have to body slam an animal anytime soon.
But don't think she won't.]
Head gestures are and were perfectly acceptable. [Animals and their lack of basic manners, am I right?] But...very well. His life is spared, if only because of your loyalty.
no subject
He ignores every single word out of her mouth after. A switch is flipped. He side eyes her for a moment, then suddenly goes into a play bow. Slaps the ground with his front paws, chest down, tail wagging wildly.
Then tackles her himself. His tail is still wagging away and he makes sure to sneeze so she knows this is just play but he is going to wrestle her so fucking hard. ]
no subject
A.B.A. is willing to be nice to animals, she even recently received one against everyone's better judgement, but she's never really....kept animals before. How could she, she was always traveling?? So when she finds herself being the one tackled, it throws her for a complete loop.]
What is this...?! Betrayal?!
[Beatrayal, if you would.
Once the surprise wears off, Beat might find that her resistance is...a lot. There is something inhuman about her strength and she will absolutely abuse it to flip him over so she's the one on top.
Still...she makes no effort to actually hurt him. It's hard to tell if she's in on it or not...]
no subject
He yelps dramatically, and wiggles and squirms and whacks her with his paws. Gently, mindful not to scratch with his claws. He grabs at her arms with his mouth but he doesn't bite. It's just light mouthing, mostly slobbering. Pausing briefly, he pants and thumps his tail against the ground, face scrunching up into a smile.
Then he starts to wiggle like a demon has possessed him, trying to get out from under her so he can zoom and then hopefully come in for a clobber. First though, he has to throw her off. ]