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

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Comments

[alphacraft]

[ She hums thoughtfully as she considers the creature, though with a swan neck the sound is more of a muted growl. It's hard to say if it understands her, but it certainly doesn't seem able to speak. Is it possible that it could be wild? It seems unlikely, considering the circumstances. And there's something about that blue fire... ]

...Stop that.

[ She needs to get closer, but she doesn't want to scare it away, either. She takes a diagonal towards the shore, maintaining their distance as she swims. As she leaves the water she stays as low as she can. She's pretty huge herself, she knows, and most of her furred half was hidden underwater. It emerges now, sleek black fur and short legs, followed by a thick furry tail. ]

[charlastan]

[The dog freezes and stares, because that's not any sort of swan it's ever seen before. Is it more dangerous than a normal one? ...Leeeess dangerous? It can't really tell, but less dangerous seems like a stupid thing to assume when everything is obviously dangerous everywhere right now.

Still, it seems to understand on a basic level what is being said. Slowly, it opens its mouth and lets go of its paw, and lays its head down. Grass is burning beneath it, but it doesn't seem to be spreading anywhere. If she gets closer, she'll see the paw isn't burning or smoking like the rest of its body is. The dog extinguished it in the river, but didn't know it would sting so much.

If she gets a little too close though, or reaches out to touch, the dog will scramble backward to put another foot or so of distance between them and BARK. That's close enough to really get a good look at its eyes though - too many of them, all clustered together and scared, but all lit up with the same blue flames. It's as if the creature is burning from the inside out.]

[alphacraft]

[ She stops a respectable distance away, but can't keep herself from stretching her neck out a bit to look closer. Does it produce the fire itself, or is it more like a torch? Maybe what it really needs is a bit of kindling for that paw. Poor thing. ]

...I'm Odile. Do you know me?

[ Maybe a simple question will get a clearer answer. ]

[charlastan]

[It's difficult to tell from the outside. All of the fire, the actual blue flames, seem to be burning inside this creature without any sign of stopping. It's the origin of the flame, but it's burned so much that the rest of the dog has been burned up and charred by it, smoking like hot coals in lieu of real fur.

The truly odd thing is that it tried to put its paw in the water at all - why would a creature normally made of fire try and put itself out?

She gives her name and the dog's ears perk up and twitch, sending little wafts of smoke into the air. It looks at her, really trying to puzzle it out and really see her through its fire eyes...but ultimately lays its head down and lets out a whine. She's familiar, enough that it isn't running away anymore, but its memory is an ever-burning building right now.]

[alphacraft]

[ That was clearly a response to her name, which isn't a concept a wild animal would grasp to begin with.

Her head tilts curiously. She has so much more neck now that what would normally be small movements end up exaggerated. ]

You can't speak, can you. And you don't seem aware enough to nod or shake your head... Curious.

[ Something about blue fire. What was it? She hasn't seen much fire here aside from the hearth in winter. When did she see...

...oh. She remembers. ]

...Stanley?

[charlastan]

[She's correct on all accounts, but he does follow her movements with his many eyes, and tilts his head when she does. He can't do it as exaggerated as her, but he's still mirroring her. He doesn't have the same awareness a human would have, no.

But some things still catch his attention - like hearing his own name. His real name, not a shortened version or an alias. Stanley.

There's something very, very deep in those burning fires that almost knows that name. Stanley...is bad. Not just bad though, no, it's not safe to be Stanley.

The dog reacts to the name, but the reaction is odd. It isn't a yes or a no - it's a frightened whine. He stumbles back, but he's not sure he can outrun a monster swan otter goose thing, so instead he sinks low to the ground again. Smoky ears lay almost flat against his head, and he buries his face in his paws, injured paw on top. All of his eyes shut tight, but the lack of ventilation makes the sigil on his back burn more aggressively, with larger flames.

If he can't see her, she can't see him. Right? That logic tracks for a 12ft fire dog that literally can't hide anywhere, right?]

[alphacraft]

[ She doesn't understand the reaction, but she's sure she's correct. She would be frowning if she could. Something is very, very wrong, and she doesn't know what it is or how she can help. Maybe...

She takes a few steps back and flattens herself to the ground as much as she can. That's how you calm a dog down, isn't it? She tries to speak gently. ]

It's alright. I don't know how much you understand right now, but I won't speak of you to anyone without your permission. You don't need to be afraid.

[charlastan]

[Alright, so maybe she can still see him. But...she's not attacking. He moves a paw and peeks at her warily. This immediately makes the larger flames on his back die down, as they travel back to his eyes.

She's not moving to chase him. She's not honking at him anymore. She's just...laying low. Waiting.

You don't need to be afraid.

He's not sure about that. It feels like he does, because fear lets you keep yourself safe. If you're ready for the worst it won't hit you as hard. But...she's not attacking. Maybe she's got reinforcements somewhere, but he can probably just keep an ear open for that.

So, hesitantly and without taking his eyes off of her, he moves his other paw, face completely unhidden. He doesn't move closer though. Instead he starts licking at his sore paw. Some harmless ashes flake into the grass, but after a moment or two he rubs one of his eyes on it and it ignites. He seems aware enough that leaving it that way will burn the whole grove down though, so he breathes on it to blow it out, leaving it smoldering just like the rest of his body.]

[alphacraft]

[ She would smile if she could, seeing his paw catch fire again. It's so strange. He doesn't seem to have succumbed entirely to animal instincts, but they do seem to have overpowered him. ]

That's better than using your teeth, now, isn't it? I'm sure you're very confused, but it's important to take care of yourself.

[charlastan]

[Even as a gigantic fiery hellhound, Stan gives her a Look that is so like his human self. He huffs a dramatic sigh and pointedly adjusts his head so he's not looking directly at her, exasperated that he's being told what to do. Yeah, yeah, self care, whatever.

But at least he's not barking! At least a look like that seems a little more like his actual self!]

[alphacraft]

[ She honks a quiet laugh. It's Stan alright. ]

What are you doing out here? Wouldn't it be easier to stay near your family? Even if you can't go inside, this is far from the Pines house.

[charlastan]

[He flicks his eyes back at her while she talks, but...if he understands, there isn't any indication of it. It's just sort of nice to hear her talk, and to not be scolded.

He's pretty sure it's obvious why he's out here - there's food out here, and he can't fit inside buildings! But the rest is harder to parse. Family? He just...tilts his head at her again.]

[alphacraft]

[ Hmm. No reaction to 'Pines' either. He understands less than she'd hoped. Maybe she should keep an eye on him until his family comes to collect him...

Her neck is starting to ache a bit from being laid out on the ground like this. Slowly, carefully, she raises her head to a more comfortable position. ]

Very well then. So long as you don't try swim, I suppose this is as safe a place as any.

[charlastan]

[...Safe? Safe a place?

He looks around again, just to be sure. For the moment it's just the two of them by the water, with no other signs of danger anywhere around. Once he does though, he eases for the first time in what feels like a long time. His ears are still perked up and listening, but the rest of him is less tense. He adjusts to make himself more comfortable on the ground and tentatively wags his tail, which makes a plume of extra smoke billow up behind him.

He barks again, but it's different - a more friendly sort of boof!]