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

[aneikonic]

[ He will take the water with another thanks, then watch her disappear off again, amusement in his eyes. He's utterly baffled over her still - she seems like a Beastman but everything about her says human - but her kind heart is obvious.

And by the time she's back, he's managed to rid himself of his outer leathers. Leaving him in a white undershirt and his pants. Color has come back to him as well, no longer frost pale, and he's stopped shivering. It seems the fire and her care have done wonders.

The fact she found anything is impressive. He quickly moves over to take the items from her so she's not carrying them around for him. ]

I appreciate it. Truly. But you needn't have gone out of your way. The fire has done well to warm and dry me.

[beckonsbliss]

Nonsense. It wouldn't do to have you catch sick, or worse... and, admittedly, having something to do helps. And as hospitality is part of my trade... I may as well embrace the role, since this inn has no keeper, no?

It's a strange place, this little town.

( as he takes the things, she gracefully swipes back a towel and moves to set his armors on it instead. )

I am... ( ... ) I am Tingyun. I'd say I wish it were better circumstances, but I'm rather grateful for the opportunity to help you escape the cold.

[aneikonic]

[ Well, that's certainly a mouthful of a name. He's never heard something like it. ]

Clive.

[ He will let her take back a towel for his armor, using the other to begin drying off what's left of the dampness. It's mostly in his hair, so he focuses there, scrubbing briskly after setting the clothes aside.

The black mop gets messier. ]

I'm quite grateful as well. I fear any longer out there and I would have made a very impressive ice sculpture.

[ Now that the immediate danger is over, his humor is returning. Picking up the dry shirt, he turns his back to her to pull his other off, setting it aside close to the fire so it can dry better. He's not body shy, but it's just polite. And on goes the other shirt. ]

[beckonsbliss]

( she'll also turn away to give him more privacy while tending to what she can. )

Oh, certainly! But it would be such a tragic sight... and I feel like winter has enough tragedy as is. This one, especially.

( sacrifice, sacrifice...

... none of the people who were here before that she's spoken to know what that's about. )

[aneikonic]

There'll be no more tragedy. Not if I can help it. So I suppose I won't ice statue anytime soon.

[ He's so tired of death, and that's the only thing he can think of for "sacrifice". What the elements might demand, or what the God that controls the elements might demand.

Now that he's changed he'll turn back around, thoughtful. ]

You say you spoke with others? Are they around the Inn?

[beckonsbliss]

Take your time with your plans, at least. There's still much to discover, and you won't be doing it alone.

( as she's finished tending to his gear for now, she sits down properly, or as much as she can in chairs not built for tails, owies. )

I have, yes- a woman with white hair trying to get to the laboratory, and a young girl with purple hair who'd been checking on the fires before returning to her home. There's also a tall woman made of shadows. There's others here at the inn, too.

It has no keeper, but is still maintained and supplied as this is the main living quarters before people are able to build their own. The girl was able to confirm that she and many others here woke up in the forest and this town despite not being from here as well.

[aneikonic]

[ A woman with white hair, and a younger lady with purple hair. The lady of shadows makes him blink, hard. Forgive him his disbelief there. Perhaps the Beastwoman means someone who seems like she was made of shadows?

Or maybe it was an Akashic...

He's politely quiet as she speaks, listening with an intense look (sorry Tingyun, one of Clives default faces is smoldering intensity) as she says there's others. And they all awoke here, despite this not being their home. ]

If I may ask, have you explored your world thoroughly? Or, to say, have others? Do you have maps?

[beckonsbliss]

My world... ... You could say that. I am from the Xianzhou Luofu, one of the six flagships of the Xianzhou Alliance. It is a fleet of starships that support cities inside them. More specifically, I am am amicassador- a merchant who travels to planets and other colonies to establish trade alliances and bonds.

( ...

she does not expect him to believe her. )

[aneikonic]

[ And here comes Clives second default expression: a soft confused look more at home on a puppy whose trying his hardest to understand. Because there are a lot of words there Clive's never heard before. ]

I'm... sorry? I don't recognize most of what you're saying.

[ Flagship is easy, they have flagships. Starships.... stars are in the sky, which is air. Could she mean Airships? Planets? Colonies is understandable. He rubs the bridge of his nose with his thumb and finger. Could she be one of the Fallen...?

However deep is confusion, it's obvious he doesn't disbelieve her, however. ]

By starships, do you mean Airships? Great magical technology that soars through the sky?

[beckonsbliss]

I feared as much... No, though I've been in one before. Starships are similar, but they travel the cosmos.

[aneikonic]

In the cosmos.

[ There's only a bit of disbelief there, as he wars with what he's seen of Origin and what she's telling him. Is it truly possible? ]

Well. Who am I to deny your world. I may not understand it, but there's much of my own I don't understand. And I take it you've never heard of a place called Valisthea.

[beckonsbliss]

In the cosmos! You won't get any better views of the stars~.

( and her home country is six of them. a fleet. her smile takes on a more rueful shade, though. )

I'm afraid not, though. And I do know quite a few different worlds...

[aneikonic]

[ That makes him sigh but not in a tone that says whatever but more in a I don't think I'll ever understand manner. His confusion is still apparent but he offers the tiniest hint of a smile, crooked. Like he's really not sure how to smile more than that. ]

It matters not. I thank you anyways, for all you've done, and the information you've given me.

[beckonsbliss]

( oh, he conceded... ... god, she's an honest merchant and he should be grateful for that, because she can see how more shady people would try with him. )

All I ask in turn is you try and stay safe in this unusual storm. ... But judging from your equipment, you're an adventurer of sorts?

[aneikonic]

[ Thankfully he has more of a nose for shady people. Or so he likes to think. The request makes him laugh, a soft huff of a noise as if he's not sure how do that either. ]

I'll try. And of sorts, yes.

[ Outlaw, technically a sword for hire... Vessel and God-killer. Huh. Yeah, of sorts works. ]

[beckonsbliss]

How exciting. I've taken to wandering as of late myself, but I wouldn't consider myself to be on par with most... ... But I figure you'll be restless, with those creatures outside, yes?

If you do decide to go out, do let me know. I can impart a blessing of fire.

[aneikonic]

Please, don't.

[ The words tumble out before he has time to explain and he winces. ]

Forgive me, that was abrupt. I merely mean you should conserve your strength. The fires we call don't seem to be working as they should.

[ And if she curses herself simply to grant him aid, he would never let the guilt fade away. ]

[beckonsbliss]

( oh, telling~. but she won't pry. not yet.

instead she gives a sympathetic smile. )

That is one thing I've noticed, yet it's all I can offer. But as you wish.

[aneikonic]

[ And that makes him shake his head, though he relaxes when she concedes to hold it back. Good. ]

You've offered me quite enough as it is. Without your aid, I would not be standing here. My own fires burn yet, weakened as they are, and they should see me safely.

[ He glances towards a window. He hasn't heard his voice hiss at him to sacrifice something for a while, the amulet melted away. ]

Besides, there may yet be others caught in the same manner who need your blessing far more than I. I thank you, though.

[beckonsbliss]

I can only hope it will be enough. I've... no desire to see what this 'sacrifice' may be.

[aneikonic]

There's usually only one thing it is, when it's demanded as these Spirits are demanding.

[ Death. ]