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

reappears 5 days later with coffee. hi.

[sailingfor]

[...okay. The suspicions are immediately cleared despite his better judgement; Brant reminds him heavily of Elysium, and that little note clears up any suspicion he might've had. Whew.

Also, crew?]

I'm afraid you're far from the sea, amigo. It would be an impressive prank if they managed to carry you three days from the shoreline to my bedroom.

[shineinthelimelight]

[Oh! Well... That's even more concerning!

His smile drops for a moment, though it returns a second later — just less. Less smile.]

Either I must've been a lot drunker than I had anticipated or there's something strange going on. I'm sorry to bother you, my friend. But where might I find myself?

[And look at him being so rude and not introducing himself. He clears his throat and removes his hat, placing it over his heart.]

Ah! My name is Brant! Captain of the Troupe of Fools, at your service.

[A sweeping bow and the hat is placed on his head again. There. Now he's not being rude anymore.]

[sailingfor]

[Ah, yeah, he thought so. Well, Thorns will take his own hat off his back and copy the gesture himself, although formalities are sort of not his thing.]

Captain Isidor of the Darling's Cradle — or "Thorns", if you prefer a codename.

[And the hat goes back to where it was.]

I've only somewhat-recently arrived myself, but... this is Aldric's Grove, a settlement in the woods. The seaside is three days to the east of here, as I said — I was at sea myself when I was "pulled" to this location.

[shineinthelimelight]

[Well, this certainly keeps getting interesting.

Another Captain, a mysterious Grove that pulls unsuspecting people, and there's him, waking up in some man's room.

That usually only happens when he's drunk and the Troupe is celebrating something special.]

Ah, well...

[He crosses his arms over his chest, his smile finally falling into a thoughtful frown.]

Do you happen to know what's going on, then? And if my suspicion is correct, I assume we can't just ... leave.

[sailingfor]

So-so. This place pulls people to it — the reasons why are beyond me — and yes, prevents us from leaving. I woke up here without my own crew.

[He leans against the nearby wall, metal arm folded over his chest and the opposite propped up against it. His wrist flicks as he speaks, almost dismissive were it not for the dire straits they're in.]

Aside from that, the forest is dangerous, and so is the entity keeping us here. I may or may not have attempted to speak with it at one point — trust me when I say you shouldn't bother trying.

[shineinthelimelight]

[So, an entity is keeping them here? He has to wonder if it's the power of some Sentinel, or more so a Threnodian. That's the only thing he could think of that had enough power to do something like this.

Then again, it might be something entirely different!

He had to admit, he was both fascinated by this whole ordeal and also a bit concerned.]

Well, that's good to know. You've piqued my curiosity as to why, though.

[sailingfor]

[Turns out it's a Fallen God so uhh—]

The rumour mill says the entity killed a contingent of... near twenty people who went to kill it. All very powerful people, mind you, including some of the Gods here that are on our side. Not all twenty died, but all twenty were injured, including some people I personally know who were here before I was. [SilverAsh being the biggest one. They've been coworkers for about five years now.] I think going alone is a fool's endeavour.

That, and there's... this. [Slowly, Thorns pries the glove off his flesh-and-blood hand, rolls his sleeve up, and holds it out for Brant to observe. His skin from fingertip to elbow is a deep black, and black tree bark has started to grow in patches over his skin.] If you touch the black plants in the forest, they belong to the entity, and you'll get this condition. It's akin to a disease, but I haven't had long enough to research it.

...ah, there's a cure, but again: research. I'm actively avoiding getting said cure right n ow.

[shineinthelimelight]

[There was a comment about how he's known to be a fool on the top of his tongue that he had to bite back. Instead, Brant leaned forward to examine Thorns arm without crowding him.]

That is of some concern... Does it hurt?

[sailingfor]

A lot, yes. The people here call it "Corruption". Aside from general arm pain, it's caused a great deal of headaches, too, and sometimes I hear the entity's voice in my head. Again, it's a solvable issue, but I'm trying to study it more concretely...

All of this is to say, don't touch the black plants in the forest. I'd hate to see someone else fall to this. Mine was intentional, and I'm happy to confirm it sucks.

[Thanks, Thorns.]

[shineinthelimelight]

[He was definitely a curious one. Both literally and figuratively. He couldn't imagine purposely touching something that would infect him in such a way, but then again, he'd probably do it by accident anyway.]

Noted, friend. I appreciate the advice.

[sailingfor]

[Oh yeah, that wink... definitely Elysium. Sorry to compare you to his boyfriend Brant but Also.]

I wish I had more to give. I'm not much of an advice guy. That said, if you ever need something "dealt with" or find yourself in danger... come find me. I'm quite proficient in combat.

[shineinthelimelight]

[He laughs, and it's such a happy sound for such a terrible situation that he finds himself in. Always looking at the bright side of tragedy, as they say!]

I appreciate that. I am quite proficient in combat as well, but I tend to excel in other things. If you need healing, for example!

[Or an anchor dropped on someone. Or a shield.]

[sailingfor]

...we're going to have to sit down and compare similarities. I know a bit of healing Arts myself, though I can't say it's my greatest proficiency.

[Hm. Brant, follow him downstairs to flop out on the couch there and talk similarities, because Thorns is getting "we're the same guy" vibes.]

How do you feel about swords?

[shineinthelimelight]

[He will happily follow after Thorns, settling on one side of the couch and holding his hand out so a Cutlass materializes in his hand, the blade shimmering in blues and purples like rippling water.]

Never go anywhere without her.

[He also has a gun that doubles as a grappling hook, but they aren't talking about guns right now.]

[sailingfor]

[Okay, neat. Thorns' own sword is at his hip, and he gestures to it with a flat hand as he flops down onto the couch and rests his elbows up on the back of it, legs crossed.]

Do you use poisons? Neurotoxins?

[shineinthelimelight]

That I don't.

[He lets the sword disappear, leaning back against the couch with one leg propped on his knee.]

My particular flare is a sword and gun combo, though my gun does have a grappling hook that I used to swing around. Oh! And fire.

[He snaps his finger and a magenta like flame flutters on his palm, and if one were to look at his chest the mark there seems to almost move like sound waves as the flame dances on his palm.

He was not going to mention the anchor.

Not now anyway..]

[sailingfor]

[Brant may not be about to mention the anchor, but Thorns sure fucking is.]

Sorry— I thought that mark on your chest was Oripathy. Why did it warp like that?

[Yes, he is a man who stares at the breasts of other men, what do you want from him.]

[shineinthelimelight]

[He has no idea what Oripathy is!]

Oh, this?

[He slides his hand over the mark as the flames dissipate.]

It's my tacet mark. Do you not have one?

[He moved his shirt out of the way more, not that he needed to, his chest is clearly in view. But he's so generous, letting Thorns have a good look at the mark. Only the mark, obviously, nothing else to see there.]

[sailingfor]

[God Thorns wishes that was him, not knowing what Oripathy is... and also yeah no his gay ass is Looking. He's been given permission and he's Not hiding it.]

No. [translator's note: "no" is spanish for "no". Hope this helps!] Is it painful? Does it usually warp like that when you use your Arts?

[Aka his magic... hi, the pirates are from different worlds.]

[shineinthelimelight]

[These are terms he's not familiar with, but he's able to pick up on the meaning fairly easily. Different regions may have different dialects for things! Who knows!]

No, it doesn't hurt. [He leans back, his arms now resting on the top of the couch. This does nothing to hide his chest. His chest is always exposed.] After getting it, I mean. Now it's just there.

To answer your other question, though, yes! The more I use, the more it warps and moves until I've built up too much energy.

[And then the anchor comes out. Dwbi]

[sailingfor]

[...

Sorry Brant, he's leaning over to poke the mark. He wants to see if it's a hole or if it does anything. Lads is it gay to put your fingers on another man's chest?]

Fascinating. No, I don't have anything like this. My Arts are mostly centered in my metal arm here. [you know the one he's poking your boob with]

[shineinthelimelight]

[He absolutely does not stop this from happening.]

Was that part of your Awakening?

[Is it rude to ask a man you just met who is fondling your breast if his metal arm is Just Like That or did he Obtain it?]

i know YOU don't need the hover text translations but *i* do.

[sailingfor]

[Completely misunderstanding what Brant means:]

Unfortunately, the metal arm has very little to do with my homosexual awakening, gracias por preguntar.

the snort that I just made

[shineinthelimelight]

[He just stares at him for a moment, then he laughs. He's not laughing AT him, promise.]

I do think we are talking about two different things, though that's good to hear!