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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
But only for stardust. When they ask for help... if they'd asked their friends instead of the Universe, would it have turned out the same? If they could do it for stardust, why could they never do it for themselves? How is that fair? He did nothing to earn it, he still hasn't even talked about it, and here they are doing even more work he should be doing! Why do they have to tell his friends to reassure him? Why do they have to listen to all of this, knowing it'll never be them? He thinks Siffrin should be afraid of being alone? What about them?
They hack down another branch despite it not even being in the way, really, they just need to hit something before their anger boils over again and then find another way to make the Fighter upset. They don't want to make him upset. Stay calm, stay in character, remember to breathe...
They've been quiet for too long, but they try to play it off anyway. Stay in character!!]
Aww, how sweet! Stardust is such a lucky guy, you're all so good to each other~ I'm sure he'll feel sooooo much better once you all have a cute little feelings talk. Get it all out in the open!
no subject
Part of it was mostly to reassure Loop. Since they seemed to be concerned with Siffrin enough, that he is in good hands. Even if... their whole party is not all here. But it doesn't magically send away his now growing worries. Even so, he can put aside his own feelings, feelings talk will happen a bit later. When he's had time to think. ]
Right. [ Though... ] All things considered, Sif is really lucky to have had you, too.
[ Of course Isabeau doesn't know the full extent of it. And the curiosity is there, but he figures he'll just leave it at that. ] You said he's told you just about everything, right? I'm glad he had someone to confide in.
no subject
[They swing down again, but the branch doesn't break. Stubborn! Even the trees are trying to get on their nerves! They struggle to pull the knife back out, shaking the loose branch with their other hand.]
They'd get stuck somewhere stupid, too! Wouldn't even beat the King! Just trying the same blinding thing over and over a thous—
[They don't even get the branch off properly, because. There is a frog. Right in front of them, actually, but sitting on their blinded side, probably confused that this idiot star is yapping away while it is clearly looking right at them??? Hello??? You are both terrible at hide & seek????
Anyway, in the next moment it is sitting ontop of Loop, knocking the wind right out of them. Sorry Isabeau but the frog is giving u tongue before Sif ever will get ready]
no subject
"Over a thous.."? His attention is so focused on them, he doesn't see the frog until it's too late either. A sudden shadow cast from it and heavy lift before it pounces on his companion. Oh crab, he should've saved all the chatting for after they were out! Now not only is Loop in a predicament, Isabeau needs to find a way to
slimy? Something wet and slimy shoots out and Isabeau reacts just fast enough to try and block it, but it wraps around his arm and pulls. Isabeau digs his heels into the ground, trying to slow and halt as the frog tries to yank him closer. But rather than panic, he could make use of the situation, trying to think quickly - alright, if it's Isabeau he wants now too, so be it! As soon as he's pulled forward, he clenches his free fist to pull back and WHACK. A solid Rock Craft hit right under its jaw to both loosen the grip has on him, and hopefully add just enough force to tip its balance. ]
Crab, are you alright Loop?!
no subject
But it's fine, because the Fighter punches the stupid frog in its stupid frog jaw, and that's enough to force it a step back. Loop is still stuck, but their arm is free—they swing without even thinking, sinking the knife into the monster's side and twisting.
... well, trying to twist, anyway. It's a bit tougher than they'd like, but it still croaks loudly at the vicious two-pronged counterattack. Prey is not supposed to be this difficult!! It caught them fair and square!!]
I'm fine, keep hitting it! [They're squirming down there, trying to maybe free up a leg to start kicking. Frogwise, there's only so many things a big frog can do to attack people, so if the tongue trick won't work it'll just have to attempt to eat his next punch.]
no subject
If they could stun it long enough, he could just scoop up the star and flee the scene. Better that than risk any more harm to them. But those words ring out and he has no choice but to comply. If he doesn't, it'll likely get the better idea of simply crushing the one it already has trapped before moving onto him. ]
R-Right! [ Well, he tries to strike with a normal hit, clenching those crystal knuckles but half his arm gets snatched into the frog's mouth. Crab crab crab - it's fine, no panicking, he still has his other fist to work with! Bringing it to strike once more again, aiming more for its throat than its jaw this time. Hit the right spot, and it should spat him out before it tries to gobble half of him in its next bite.
This is an awful kiss to have with a frog. ]
cw: blood, rip froge
Cut me some slack! [pressing two fingers into the damned thing's underbelly, Craft tears through the frog's throat. No more croaking for today!! It gapes its mouth uselessly, still stubbornly thrashing its tongue and legs at Isabeau even as it bleeds out all over the forest floor.
and also on Loop, who is going to be drenched in blood by the end of this. At least they don't have clothes to get stained? They continue to jab at the gash with their knife, just to be mean. Don't even care that they're still being a little crushed! Die!!]
ripieces froge
No, he's more concerned about - ] Loop, hold on!
[ Mx. Getting Crushed By A Bleeding Out Frog. He quickly moves behind them, gingerly sliding hands underneath their armpits for a more secured hold to slide them out. Away and putting considerable distance between them and the frog, letting go after once he's sure they're free from anymore danger. Even though one hand rests against their back to keep them steady. ]
Are you hurt? Can you stand?
[ They should get out of here before it revives, right? And more importantly before anything else comes along. If they can't stand, he is ready on standby to carry them if needed. They aren't too far off! ]
no subject
... they relax, marginally, as they realize— it's the Fighter, right, of course it's the Fighter. Their skin feels like it's on fire, buzzing at the maintained contact. They try to remember to breathe, breathe, breathe.
The Fighter is touching them. That's... fine! That's normal! They try very hard not to think about it. Stars, they've been a mess all day, at least try to be a little normal about this.
They still flinch when he touches their back again. They push the arm away, inhaling sharply.]
I'm fine. [Their whole body aches as much as hollow feeling in their chest, but they force themselves to stand on their own. Loop stumbles as they right themselves, taking an intentional step away from the Fighter to lean against a tree instead. The knife dangles loosely from their free hand.]
Eugh. I need a bath... what about you, Fighter? Still alive?
[They look back at him, but only for as long as it takes to confirm he's okay. Then it's back to the path ahead, the faint light of the Grove through the trees. Once the Fighter is somewhere safe they can dunk themselves in the river...]
no subject
S-sorry. [ A quickly muttered apology, on the chance he did hurt them, mostly staying nearby and carefully moving to stand just as they do. The stumble does have both his hands reaching out to catch them just in case, but he doesn't touch them. Especially when Loop steps away and purposely to lean against the tree than him.
Right.. okay. Don't touch them. Got it. Even if he continues to stare at them worriedly, concerned, and almost laughs at that comment. Yeah, them both need a bath with all that blood. The inquiry comes and he blinks a bit, nodding. ]
I'm alive. [ Could be better. Arm caught in the mouth of a large frog means his sleeve has been torn a bit with some blood spotting said sleeve but it's fine. He'll live. Will have to fix his sleeve at a later point. He follows after carefully, close but also giving them their space, watching on the chance that Loop stumbles again or is actually a lot more unsteady on their feet as they claim. ] ..You can lean on me for support if you need it. I wouldn't mind.
no subject
They shouldn't be so chatty, anyway, after getting attacked a second time like that. Loop keeps their gaze locked on the path, treading far more carefully and quietly this time. They don't need the knife as much, this close, when it's easy enough to just push through the thinning fall branches. As long as the dragon doesn't show up next...
Or the bear, which has surely recovered enough to start tracking them again. Maybe it found someone else to chase after for awhile.
They stay quiet for the rest of the walk, until they finally breach the edge of the Grove—trees scattered enough to see the buildings up ahead, the river, the gargoyle perched on the church steeple. They breathe out a sigh, glancing back one more time just to be sure the Fighter followed them all the way there. They turn away again just as quickly.]
Well! [The mask slips back on. Loop pauses to stretch their arms, hearing a few pops and cracks and wondering if they have any bones in there or if it's just another weird thing like breathing.] I'd say that's enough adventuring for today! That big building straight ahead is the inn, and the one next to it is the bathhouse, okay~?
no subject
He doesn't bother responding, and the rest of the way back remains that way. Even despite the situation.. it really feels like he's stepped in something, even though he isn't too sure what yet. He could just be overreacting. Maybe he didn't do that good of a job protecting them.
The edge comes through and his shoulders do relax a bit. Relieved to just take a quick bath, wind down after everything, see about maybe some needlework to repair his sleeve... As soon as Loop starts up again, Isabeau glances over and meets their gaze but they're already looking away. ]
..Right. [ He looks over to the mentions of them, taking note and takes a small breath before. ] Take care of yourself, Loop.