EVENT & TDM 024

[sticksandbonesmods]

MONSTER MASH

WAKE UP

Where were you last? Do you remember falling asleep, thinking you’d wake up in your own home, your own bed?

When you open your eyes, the room you’re in doesn’t feel like your own. In fact, you’re almost certain you didn’t fall asleep here. You’re given only a short few moments to get your bearings before the door to that room opens, the doorknob jiggling as whoever is on the other side is unlocking it. Is it a library study room you’ve found yourself in, or an inn room that doesn’t belong to you? A home that isn’t yours? A business after-hours?

An unfortunate few of you may find yourself face-to-face with the real owners of these rooms, homes, and businesses — and surely they’re just as confused as you are. The lucky ones might instead find themselves being “rescued” from their sleeping states by a heavily scarred man with dreadlocks and an impossibly sunny demeanour.

“Mornin’, sunshine! Up and at ‘em!” he’ll say, hands on his hips and the door held open in a way that says he expects you to simply come follow him, whoever he is. “You ain’t where you’re supposed to be, but I’ll bail you out before the person who owns this place knocks your teeth out for trespassin’. It’ll be our little secret, ‘kay?”

TRANSPOREMATION

cw: body horror, monster transformations, fungal parasitism

As usual, Aldric’s Grove is something of a hot mess, and that’s especially true lately. Aside from random people popping into existence in various buildings, there’s a bit of a fungus problem lately. A wee little problem with cute little mushrooms. …a major, unignorable, horrendous problem with some very large, purplish-coloured mushrooms, fruiting on still-living trees and the forest floor. They look quite similar to meadow mushrooms, but far, far less harmless. While eating one won’t poison anybody too badly — aside from an episode of horrible stomach pain — stepping on them or touching them at all will cause them to shower you in a spray of spores, all of which suddenly curve around and cling onto you as if they have a mind of their own. Any attempt to remove them, to wash them off, to brush them away from your skin and clothes, only makes the spores cling more stubbornly. Soon, they’ve started to root under your skin, unable to be pulled out.

The resulting transformation is, for what little it’s worth, extremely swift. Perhaps you feel it, perhaps you don’t, but the spores leave you fundamentally changed no matter what.

Your bones lengthen and rearrange, grinding together underneath your muscle tissue. Snapping, creaking, where new joints form over the breaks. Wings rip through your back in a spray of blood and torn flesh, the wounds healing themselves over a short second later. You drop to the ground as your back legs become something foreign and new, toes bursting free of your shoes, claws digging into the soil as you writhe on the ground. Your spine elongates, the muscles in your neck tense and relax as it gets too long. The spores are deciding what to do with you, it seems, as extra eyes rapidly appear and disappear over your body alongside feathers and scales. Within the span of sixty seconds, it seems the mushrooms have come to a decision on what you should be, and the transformations it inflicts on you rapidfire begin evening out.

Whether that leaves you something wolflike, catlike, ghostly, chimeric, or otherwise… that seems to be up to the spores. Regardless, you’re no longer in your own skin. At least you’re still “you”, and at least you haven’t lost much more than your old form… right?

…

Well, not to worry. Try your luck stepping on the mushrooms again! This time, they might be kind enough to revert you back to normal… assuming they don’t turn you into a different type of creature instead.

TIME TREKS ON

For the foreseeable future, many people are “stuck” outside their normal bodies. It doesn’t mean that life in the Grove stops, however, as people flit from building to building — assuming their monster forms didn’t bar them off from entering most of them anyhow — and their daily routines continue. From the Church of the Golden Sun in the north of Aldric’s Grove emanates a lovely, warm light, inviting all who are loyal to the Goddesses within its halls and barring the Corrupted or those loyal to the Fallen Sun from entry. Describing it as a “church” may not entirely be accurate; instead of an altar, there sits a throne that automatically prevents anyone who isn’t the Goddess of the Sun from sitting on it (despite the fact she isn’t currently there). Instead of pews, the first room is a large combat arena, golden weapons hung up on the walls that are free to use if you need to spar. Thankfully, the doors are large enough to accommodate most monsters, though the halls in the back may not be sizeable enough for anyone over eight feet tall.

Within that church, the kilns in the back are fired up, pottery baking while animal spirits resembling lions and dogs mix paint with their paws. It’s difficult, being a little guy — help a critter out? You can paint a selection of finished pottery when you’re done, which they’d tell you if they could speak to you. If they bring you a flower-shaped plate or a vase in the shape of a tulip and a paintbrush, will you figure out what they mean? If you don’t, that’s not a problem, as they’ll nudge you toward the pottery wheels and get you clay to work with. When you make your own thing, they think you’ll be more willing to paint with them. Hope you brought your art hands, assuming you have any at all after those mushrooms got you.

In the opposite wing from the pottery room, the kitchen is going strong, the smells of freshly baked bread wafting down the hall. Here is where Ydalir is, the shadowy woman wearing silks who normally casts magic and sells items, who turns to you and extends a flour-covered palm. Come here! Let’s bake something together — it’s the least she feels she can do, since she can’t exactly eliminate the fungus problem. There’s a host of food sitting in the dining room nearby already, with Heimr and Renard setting the table, Heimr nitpicking the setup while Renard focuses too hard on decorating with garlands and candelabras.

If you can’t fit into the dining room for any reason, one of the three will bring you food. They’d hate to see you go hungry, after all.

IT NEVER ENDS

While the Guardians themselves are immune to the transformations — Moder is, in fact, eating the mushrooms when no one is nearby to get spore’d — it doesn’t mean they’re not enjoying the fact that some of you can now spend more time with them in ways you couldn’t before.

Those of you with wings or flight abilities are invited by Aurora and the newly-resurrected bone dragon Sehul to come flying. Though Sehul won’t land in the Grove (too many buildings too close together for a hundred-foot dragon to feel comfortable, you see), they’ll land on the seaside, and even invite you to race them there. They do have something of a body mass advantage, but when they eventually win, they’ll fairly concede that it doesn’t really count. Aurora, meanwhile, wants desperately to teach you to do a midair flip.

Those of you who find yourselves suddenly aquatic will be literally accosted by Callan, who swims up into the river for once only to wrap his tentacles around you and drag you off toward the lake with a watery laugh. He expects you to do the same to him in return, but the Guardian’s extreme strength might make it difficult. Worry not, because if no one comes to your rescue, Sinann will chide him until he lets go, and show you the nest the baby Seaborn have built at the deepest point in the river. You’re welcome to live with them for a while, if you want. Their pastime is singing, and they’d love to sing with you.

And to the folks with a sudden craving for plants, Moder will gladly show you where the best snacks are — her favourite trees to reach into, the best flowers to eat, a fragrant patch of wild herbs. She’s happy to stroll through the forest with you, calmer than her peers are. If you need a ride on her mossy back, she’ll accommodate, so long as you don’t mind her telling old tales of a world long gone.

The final Guardian, Zahliya, doesn’t seem too keen on playtime, and will simply perch in various locations throughout the Grove to keep watch, as he normally does. Gifts of food given his way are rejected for the time being. He has a job to do; why don’t you go play with everyone?

It’s a beautiful, sunny day. This world isn’t often peaceful and playful. You should take advantage of it before something horrible happens… you and everyone else here know the good mood can’t last too long.

Spark Notes

summary

WAKE UP: Welcome to the Grove! You've found yourself in someone else's home/business/room it seems. Good luck explaining this one, but maybe Renard will be in time to bail you out?
TRANSPOREMATION: The mushrooms in the woods will spray you with spore clouds if you're not careful, and then transform you into something else. After a potentially-painful transformation, you'll find yourself in a new, more monsterlike body for a while.
TIME TREKS ON: Despite the monster mash, Beiwe's church is going strong, providing an opportunity to get creative or cook some dinner. Ydalir, Heimr, and Renard are all happy to see you and invite you to a home-cooked meal. They'd probably appreciate help with the dining room decor, too.
IT NEVER ENDS: Despite the transformations, it seems like the Guardians are all super pumped to spend time with you guys in their own domains. Many of them will invite you and your friends to hang out, some more politely than others. It's peaceful for once, so why not take them up on that?

out of character

Happy May! Here is your usual reminder that TDM threads are game canon. Per our plotting post (linked below) please keep in mind our rules for the monster transformations, and have fun!

updates

Any potential updates, such as characters damaging something important or whatever else, will be put here.

submissions

❖ NPCs List
❖ Questions
❖ May Plotting
❖ Past Life Plotting (Closed to Game Members)
❖ Investigations
❖ TDM NPC Contact

code

Comments

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Oh. That note, it wraps itself around Ryan's heart and holds it so softly, and warmth spreads through his whole face. It hits a specific pitch, like an opera singer shattering glass, but it just sends shivers down his spine.

He fully and truly short circuits. But it's weirder that he's not talking, right? Right?? So he forces himself to stop looking deep into Min-Gi's eyes and chokes out a small laugh.]

O-oh, well. I mean...if you don't think it's weird then it's probably fine?

[Oh no that was so not normal of him. Normal would be teasing him back. Just. Just tease him back just do it--

Ryan leans in a little and smiles, shoving his own flustered feelings down.]

Nuh-uh~. No one has to. It can just be, you know. Nice.

[Then, impulsively, more musical word association than anything else--]

Wouldn't it be nice~?

[wolfetracks]

Then, if it's not too much trouble, I'd gladly accept your offer.

Sidney Wolfe. You?

[untosufferers]

Andoain Agathangelos. [The fanciest name you'll ever hear in your life, maybe probably, spoken with that thick accent of his.] Aside from cooking for the youths outside, what is it you do, if I may ask?

[wolfetracks]

( sidney turns and takes one look at this short woman and knows, somehow, he has run into clara may's reincarnation or something. ... he sincerely hopes she has better taste in men than miss may, did. he's not transformed, at least... )

I'm afraid I might not be the best person to ask- I've only been here a few weeks now. ... Also, I'm not sure how strong your suspension of belief is?

[wolfetracks]

( the youths... hehe. )

I was a police detective. I've been considering a new branch in life, but...

( he shrugs. they aren't home, so there's not a lot he can do but think. and that's... terrifying. )

[notsonewbie]

[Meryl gives the man a once over, brows drawn together as she searches for some kind of threat. Other than the size advantage, she doesn't immediately come up with anything. That doesn't mean he's off the hook, though.]

A few weeks is more than me. [His second question nets an exasperated eye roll.] Trust me, I've handled my share of crazy. Just tell me what you've got, okay?

[wolfetracks]

( even if she could see the gun, it's only for flares. he's just a dude, honestly. )

Fair enough.

From my understanding, we've been kidnapped to a different dimension and our captor is a fallen god. Because those are things that are real and can happen, now.

--Oh! Forgive me, I almost forgot- I have notes from our last info share and from the archives, if you'd like.

iii

[wolfetracks]

( he's not transformed presently, nor is he on the smaller side- but compared to flamebringer as he is right now? he might as well be. and it's telling, perhaps in a good way, that his danger sense doesn't consider the man to be a threat until he- actually doesn't have time to run. the scratches appear in the corner of his eyes, he hears the thud of paws- and then he's knocked right the fuck down with an incredibly undignified yell. )

What the FUCK-

[lupusxylem]

[For what it's worth, Wolfwood feels appropriately guilty that he just...let him fall on him like that, even if he's well aware that he's able to take it no problem. He's unhurt, for a blessing, even if his wings end up semi-crumpled under his own weight.

He will, however, reach out a clawed hand and shove Razlo's head away from his like OW bitch-]

Yeah, m'fine...you didn't have'ta let me land on you. Are YOU okay?

[lupusxylem]

[Oh my god the shrieking. It's...equal parts alarming and setting off every single predator alarm bell he has. The juxtaposition is actually a little bit disorienting, his ears flattening against his head as he struggles to keep Ain pinned down with the way he's flailing all over the place. He very nearly kicks him in the head a few times, dust flying between them. Any onlooker wouldn't be blamed if they thought Wolfwood were actually killing Ain, here.

And like...to be clear, he's not! He isn't going to actually eat him! But...he can't fight these instincts anymore, and the way Ain bleats just makes it all the worse.

...he bites his ass. Not hard enough to bleed, again, but his teeth sink in to satiate that urge, paws holding him down as he gnaws on him gently through his furred rump.]

[eidxiety]

[AAAAA!!!! A A A A AAA A A AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! Ain kicks and flails and doesn't manage to shake Wolfwood off, he's hit, he's bitten, he will perish soon and become one with the soil—

Deer brain says to him: pretend to die, and when he gets up to investigate, then you'll run away.

So Ain suddenly stops screaming and flops his human torso forward in the grass.

He pretends to die.]

[lupusxylem]

[He will sit in chair!! And struggle to finagle his wings and tail around the back of it but it's fine.

He has not forgotten the mannequins, though. Eugh.]

Good. My balls will thank you.

[His furry wolf balls...]

You uh...need any help at all, or...?

[He can't sew, but...]

[lupusxylem]

Wh- hey! Hey!!

[He nearly falls off the fucking roof trying to scramble down, hold on-]

AT LEAST FUCKING CLEAN THE ROOF YOU ASSHOLE!!

[lupusxylem]

[Wolfwood heaves on another beleaguered sigh, even as Angelina looks happily between them with her tongue lolling from her jaws.]

She's happy 'bout everythin'...but Vash is prolly back home at the cabin. He bought one across the river, and now me, him, and Liv live there. If you don't believe me, I can just take you there.

[Of course, there's no guarantee Vash will be home- he might be out doing something- but at least Meryl might be placated by the signs of life there, as well as things left that are very obviously from Vash? Least of which the various feathers he's constantly shedding around their home, these days.]

[outofsynth]

[This whole situation is weird. Most of all that the underlying sense of anxiety he always has even entertaining the kinds of feelings that are being stirred up right now keeps getting quashed. Nothing's happening. He knows that nothing would ever happen between him and Ryan.

But the fact Min isn't freaking out at the mere notion? Yeah. That's kind of odd. It would bother him more if he didn't keep getting pulled back into the pleasant fogginess he's started to feel when he's around Ryan lately.]

If we were older?

[Min's tail flicks idly behind him, though it's gentle enough this time the splash doesn't reach Ryan. He knows him well enough to know the song has more to do with the words rather than the song itself, but that doesn't stop him giving Ryan a teasing look.]

I think that only makes you worry more.

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Min-Gi isn't wrong, but Ryan isn't about to admit it. Not when they're teasing each other and definitely not when they're having this nice moment, so he casually brushes it aside.]

Pfft. Whaaaaat? No way, man. I've never been worried before, ever.

[This is a huge lie. Min-Gi has seen him worried, and he's even seen it recently enough that it happened in the Grove. But that's not going to stop him from looking him in the face and denying it. He'll even stick his tongue out, as if that makes it more convincing somehow.]

But, you don't have to be worried either, or be worried about not worrying.

[He looks thoughtful for a moment and his wings flutter.]

...or be worried about worrying about not worrying.

[livlaughlove]

[ohhh, wolfwood is so goddamn lucky razlo chooses to hiss and bare his teeth rather than outright bite him. he is THIS close.

on the other hand, livio is chipper as all hell that wolfwood doesn't seem injured.]

'course I did! I can take it! [razlo is lashing their tail like an angry cat. despite that, livio glances between nick and the church doors.]

... Hey, though, while yer down here, can ya do me a favor?

[rabbithearted]

[oh, taur-till is much more intimidating face to face. val doesn't bother hiding the way he jumps back; even if he did, his own fur standing on end would give him away still.

just as quick, he recalls the drone, so he can hold it in his arm. protecc the baby.]

That wasn't -- the original intent, no. You just happened to be stomping through the stuff I wanted to investigate, so... why wouldn't I just wait and see what came of it?

[incredibly, there is no sarcasm here. he is genuine. genuinely apathetic to till's plight.]

[notsonewbie]

Fallen... god? [She tries not to immediately laugh in Sidney's face. It's not entirely out of the realm of possibility, but it does seem to be a little out there for her.

Anyway, she holds out her hand.]

If you don't mind, I'd like to take a look.

[notsonewbie]

Uh, of course we do. They basically power everything. It's the only way we can survive.

[They're about to go in circles about their definitions of plants, aren't they.]

The Undertaker. [A beat.] He probably calls himself Wolfwood here. Yeah, I know. Real original of him.

[notsonewbie]

She probably has about as many brain cells as you and Vash combined, huh?

[Translation, not many. No offense, Angelina, but you weren't exactly raised by the smartest people she knows.]

Lead the way. And quickly. You and I both know how slippery he is.

[unheiring]

That's a good thing. I'm glad you don't.

[Luca's smile is small and a little nervous, but it is genuine. Feeling out of control is terrifying. Luca knew first hand just how dangerous flame could be. The last thing he wants is to let anyone come to harm. Especially when his sibling was currently even more vulnerable to it than ever.

Thankfully, Till provides a distraction before he can go down that particular trail. It was bound to cause another flare up, if he wasn't careful.]

Sketch... me? [He shies back a little, cheeks warming as a blush bloomed over his cheeks.] Are you sure?

[outofsynth]

[Arguing would only risk ruining the moment, but that doesn't mean Min-Gi can hold his skepticism back completely. He arches a brow, making it very clear he knows he's talking nonsense.]

Uh-huh.

[Whatever you say, Ryan. He totally believes you, Ryan.

For whatever reason, the pull isn't quite as strong as it was now even if he can still feel the lingering effects. He's not self-conscious exactly, but he can feel the effort it's been taking to hold himself up this high out of the water. He lowers himself back down, flopping backwards into the water. Swimming comes naturally to him in this form, but it's still a little awkward to spin himself around while he's on his back like this. It's worth it to end up with his face still directly below Ryan's though if he chooses to look over the edge of the rocks. Even if it does disturb the Seaborn who are lingering.]

I'm not that worried. [Not until he really starts thinking about it.] Just... you know how much I'd be freaking out normally.

[So why isn't he?]

B

[diplomaticimmewnity]

With all due respect, Sesa, that sounds like a horrible idea.

i

[ezellotry]

A... [ He had thought for a moment he was hallucinating. But then he so casually asks him the sort of food he likes, which is so very... like him. He's getting a headache now thinking about how casually he'd mentioned he was getting crepes while walking through the very city that wanted his head on a spear. He shudders a bit, unsure what the horrid cocktail of emotions were that were gripping his throat, but... he has to say something. He can't just stand there like an idiot. ]

Andoain?!