EVENT & TDM 020

[sticksandbonesmods]

BITTER WINDS HOWLING

WAKES AND AWAKENINGS

Are you one to find yourself plagued with nightmares? Do you dream at all? Well, worry not, because tonight you find yourself in a somewhat alarming peace. You’re asleep. You’re aware of this. Yet, you feel incredibly lucid, all the same.

You hear the sound of water, like you’re under the ocean waves. You don’t see anything, but it’s almost as if you can feel others around you, despite not touching anything at all. They’re your… family? No. Friends? No. You don’t seem to be able to find a word to describe them. They’re important to you! …You think. Who are they, again?

You think they’re trying to speak to you, but all you can hear is the sound of gentle currents and air bubbles. Or maybe this is what they’re saying to you? You don’t know. Dreams are weird, aren’t they? But then they sing. It’s the prettiest sound you’ve heard. It’s the most haunting sound you’ve heard. It encourages you to move, at last. You didn’t realize you could. There’s a light that filters through the surface of the water…

…and you wake up. You feel strangely refreshed, like that’s the best sleep you’ve gotten in ages! You also feel… distantly sad, like you’ve just remembered something horrible that happened a long time ago.

It’s probably nothing.

For the rest of the month, you find sleep comes easy, and dreams are soothing. How uncharacteristically nice! Maybe don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

A BITTER ARRIVAL

You wake up to bitter cold. It's dark, the winds howling and whipping through the air, snow battering anything not sturdy enough to stand tall against it... and even the trees seem like one more push could knock them over. This isn't a forest you know, yet it seems like home. If you're not prepared for the cold, the warm lights of a small town will guide you, call to you, and your heart yearns for warmth. As you stumble through the heavy snow and harsh winds, something heavy hangs from your neck and the winds begin to form words with your own voice- SACRIFICE... END THIS WINTER WITH SACRIFICE.

As more voices join the wretched wails, your eyes feel heavier. You're almost to the town, though. Is it one of the houses that you wind up knocking on? Or do you manage to get to the inn, big and tall and radiating more warmth than anything you've ever felt? Regardless, you are no longer alone, but the cold still aches and clings, and something with your voice still calls it's omens outside. Only when you melt the heavy snowflake-shaped amulet hanging around your neck in the fires does the cold abate and the foreign copy of your voice fall silent.

A COLD RECEPTION

In the forest of the lost, the worst winter you've ever seen has finally set in full. The lake and river are both frozen over completely, and even the most hardy of beasts have hidden away from the cruel blizzard. The sky is dark, the winds are sharp and the freezing temperatures permeate most buildings, creeping in like a thief ready to steal the breath from your lungs if you aren't careful. Even fires seem to bend to this cold, save for the ever-burning, ever-blinding light of the fireplace in the inn- though she's long since gone, it seems one woman's faith still protects those in the Grove. Shadows haunt the clearing and amongst the winds and even the deafest ears can hear the voices howling alongside the storm, always demanding the same thing: a sacrifice.

When shadows flicker across the window, that is when you know you aren't alone. Ghastly wraiths of frost and ragged sleet fly through the air, and it's hard to tell if they are commanding the winter winds or if they are working in tandem. Regardless, the cold seems to be enhanced by their presence and if they catch you alone outside, they curse you with a frost so deep it pierces the heart and spreads. To some, it may be familiar, like turning to ice from within. To others it may be entirely new. But it spreads slowly and with agony while the wraiths make their demand once more and then vanish. Thankfully, a bit of kindness can melt the ice, but the winter wraiths are always willing to inflict the curse again...

... But you are not powerless. So long as you don't go alone, so long as you have a weapon, you can fend these things off, for a time. But they will be back.

They must have their sacrifice, after all.

BEACONS

Not everyone can fight though. Not everyone should. The only peace that can be found is in the sleep that follows that odd dream... but eventually the large shadow woman known as the Trader, Ydalir, makes her way through the snow to find you. With a warm furry blanket and a cup of tea, she gives you a small kit.

"Build these lanterns and hang them in the window. Be a light in the dark, loves." Is what she says.

The lanterns consist of wood, paper and a little cup for a candle. They can be in any shape and color, and when you hang them in the window the candle sparks into light. As frost clings on the other side of the window and the snow shrouds the outside world and veils what lies beyond, you can see other lights. Other lanterns, shining brightly. It may not be much, but it is still a sign. A reminder. You are not alone in this blizzard.

Spark Notes

summary

wakes and awakenings will bring you into a strange dream of being with many being, important ones, and a haunting song. Despite the melancholy feeling, it also brings a month of restful sleep no matter what.

a bitter arrival is how our new arrivals find themselves: lost in the woods in the middle of a terrible blizzard with only the faint lights of the Grove to guide you to safety. While you wear the snowflake amulet, the winter wraiths can use a mimicry of your voice to make their demands and curse you with a lingering freeze- only melting the amulets in a fire will set you free and silence the copy of your voice in the cacophony.

a cold reception shows just how bad the winter's gotten, with impenetrable ice freezing both the lake and the river solid. the wraiths curse whoever they see with turning to ice from within, but a genuine act of kindness or love will save their victims. the wraiths can be fought, but only with a companion or two, and definitely not with your bare hands. ... they will return though, again and again.

beacons grants perhaps a bit of hope in this dark winter- ydalir brings people supplies as best she can since the cold doesn't affect her shadowy body and there is nothing for the wraith to freeze, and she also brings a gift- a lantern to craft and hang in the window to show the others in town that you're all still here, cutting through the darkness.

out of character

Welcome to the first TDM of 2025! Regular AC resumes this month and as you can see, we're changing things up a little. TDMers are welcome and encouraged to reach out on our plotting post linked below. We're so excited to start the new year with everyone, and may the horrors stay in writing... because they are resuming now.

updates

❖ AFFOGATO COOKIE has used a magical artifact as a sacrifice. This has resulted in the blizzard lessening but still being present and the wraiths being banished from the grove, but still haunting the forest. There are further effects but they will come in to play during a player plot. ... Get your sacrifices in still though.
❖ MAYOI'S prayer to Ourania the day of the fight with Suri invoked a blessing: an aurora shines through the sky, and anyone in it's lights will be gradually healed and soothed.

submissions

❖ Questions
❖ January Plotting (Open to TDMers)
❖ Sacrifices (Plot relevant, open to all)
❖ Past Life Plotting (Closed to Game Members)
❖ Investigations

code

Comments

[bajamutblast]

[Irritation briefly floods him, the woman's stubbornness rubbing all the raw spots within. Quick as it rises up, however, Dion finds himself distracted by something less. He turns his head, glancing around as if expecting to see said monsters right away.]

I have faced monsters. [He speaks without looking at her.] If the risk is as you say, all the more reason for you to lead yourself to a safer locale.

[ichoosefight]

I'm not the one limping. Look, you're heading for town, right? If you're not actively bleeding out, I can still help you get there.

[bajamutblast]

[Dion is silent for a moment as he regards the woman anew. He is... unused to such kindness. Save for Kihel and her ministrations, there are few back home who would look upon him and offer mercy.]

I do not deserve it. [It's spoken under his breath, and punctuated by a sigh. Louder now, he says:] If you are sure that town was already your destination, then we can journey together.

[It's as close to acceptance as he's going to get.]

[ichoosefight]

[ She's just a little too slow to read his lips, or she would argue that point. Instead she steps into range of his weapon. ]

Where are you hurt? I'm stronger than I look, if you need a crutch.

[bajamutblast]

[The good news is that Steph seems to have taken Dion by enough surprise that he doesn't attempt to ward her off. Not that he had any intention of attempting to attack her. Stubborn though she might be, she didn't deserve a lance in her gut.

That doesn't mean he's exactly eager to be helped. He shifts back just a touch, body going stiff briefly, before Dion finds himself wincing just as quick.]

I - have a crutch. [He takes a step back, still leaning on the lance.] But if your strength is truly so admirable, then surely you will not mind watching for these monsters as we make our way. Two pairs of eyes will serve us better, would you not agree?

[ichoosefight]

Sure.

[ She quirks a half-smile. At least he's accepting help now.

...But she has to ask. ]

Didn't you think that might have been a problem if you were attacked by, like, a mountain lion?

[ She nods in the direction of town. He was mostly on course, really, but she doesn't want him collapsing before he gets there. ]

[bajamutblast]

A mountain lion?

[He can't say he's familiar with the name, though it does prompt something of an itch in the back of his mind. A half smile curls over his lips.]

If you mean a Coeurl, I think you would find that I am well-equipped to handle such a beast, even in this state.

[Though even as he says it, he can't say he knows that to be true. Though he'd been able to summon Bahamut's power at its fullest, he can't say if he was still in possession of his magic, or if it would even come to him in such a state.]

[ichoosefight]

Uh... nevermind.

[ He's so sensitive, she doesn't seem like the right time to explain mountain lions to him. ]

I'm Steph, by the way. Stephanie Brown.

[bajamutblast]

Lady Brown. [He gives a short nod, tucking this much into his memory.]

My name is Pr- [He stops, wincing visibly. Before she can ask, he plays the movement off as merely a sore spot, rather than something internal.] Dion Lesage.

Would that I could say our meeting is a pleasure. Alas, the circumstances are less than desirable, as I am sure you have surmised.

[ichoosefight]

[ Being called 'Lady Brown' is so weird, but it's... probably not that different from being called 'Miss', right? She can't say she likes the Victorian Lady vibe she gets from this place now and then.

She snorts a laugh. ]

You don't know the half of it. Wherever you were before, you're very, very far from there now.

[ If he doesn't know the woods are full of monsters, he's definitely new to the Grove. ]

[bajamutblast]

I admit that I had already surmised as much, if I am being honest. My home has not seen snow in some time.

[Though naturally, he doesn't know the half of how far he's been spirited away.]

Why, then, are you out wandering in monster strewn woods. You say you are strong, but I see no weapons on you. Would that not put you in danger?

[ichoosefight]

[ Now that she thinks about it, she's a lot further into the woods than she had realized. She kept thinking, "just a little more", and she kept not getting attacked... ]

...Yeah, probably. It's safer closer to town. I guess I sort of lost track of where I was? I'm supposed to be looking for plants for the clinic. But it's also safer with two people. Most wild animals will avoid humans if they can, so it's good to make a lot of noise.

And if monsters are the opposite, I dunno, I'll improvise.

[bajamutblast]

[Is there a faint sense of amusement radiating off of Dion? The ghost of a laugh in the way he exhales? Probably.]

I suppose, then, I should apologize for distracting you from your task. Should you require to stop and collect something, please say so. [That mirth does fade in the slightest as Steph continues.] Though you would be surprised at how noise tends to draw in beasts. Smaller creatures may well choose to avoid you, but those that are hungry, or territorial will be less inclined to do so.

[ichoosefight]

[ Yeah that sounds like her luck. On the other hand, she's pretty sure she can at least buy time with a bigger monster. ]

The closer we get to town the lower that risk will be. And I should head in anyway. I've been out here for hours already, I'm starting to get sore.

[bajamutblast]

Town is safe then. [It's less a comment to her, and more a simple observation. He gives a nod, mostly thinking to himself. He expects there will be a guard stationed somewhere. Perhaps they might have more information for him.

And if nothing else, he'll at least have something to do.]

Rest would do you well then. Overwork lends itself to no one, after all.

[He would know that best.]

[ichoosefight]

Yep. [ Just a simple confirmation.

His advice makes her actually laugh. ]

Thanks, but I'm not really the kind of person you have to remind to take it easy. This is important, that's all. And something I'm not used to. I'm from a big city, we mostly leave the plants alone.

[bajamutblast]

I see.

[Well, that puts his mind at ease a little. It's one less good, kind soul to worry about.]

You and I seem to be from familiar circumstances then. Many of my years were spent behind the walls of cities. Little grows there.

[He doesn't add that what does grow within the city are often painful reminders of his role in the world. Or that when he is out in the field, there is little wild plant life to be found. The flames of war and the boots of soldiers had long since destroyed that.]

[ichoosefight]

[ Well, he called her 'Lady' for one, and he mentioned city walls? So she's willing to bet things are pretty different. ]

Maybe a bit. But where I'm from the cities don't have walls.

[bajamutblast]

No? How lucky for you.

[There's a wry little smile there.]

The land I come from is a cruel one, I am afraid. I am well acquainted with monsters lurking in the woods, and all other manner of frights.

[ichoosefight]

[ The small smile she shoots back is sad. ]

So's mine. Gotham isn't a nice place to live. The monsters I'm used to are all human.

[bajamutblast]

[Ah. He doesn't quite wince, but there's certainly pain to be found in his expression before it shifts to sympathy.]

Would that I could say I was not familiar.

[Thanks Anabella. Thanks a lot.]

[ichoosefight]

It might be a long time before you can go back. People here are really nice, overall, but... we're still trapped.

[bajamutblast]

Well, as I have nothing to go back to, I suppose I cannot complain about the circumstance.

[ichoosefight]

I'm sorry to hear it. The Grove is definitely a step up from living on the streets... at least so far.

[bajamutblast]

In the streets? [His chest tightens. He thinks of home, of a young girl, before pulling himself back.]

I am... sorry to hear of that.