sticksandbones | EVENT & TDM 024

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EVENT & TDM 024

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She looks between the two speaking heads, settles on the crying head, and then shakes her head in exasperation.]

Sure. Fine. It would probably be the least weird thing I believed in today. [She holds her hand out.] Meryl Stryfe. Nice to meet you without you wielding a gun at me and my friends.

Ah... Yeah. Sorry... Put that behind me, I promise.

[nonetheless, her acquiescence makes his tail swish gently in a wagging motion.]

Yer fresh off the sandsteamer, as it were? Sure Nick 'n Vash're around here somewhere...

Oh, but, uh, y'might wanna avoid the woods unless y'wanna end up with... extra limbs.

Or do! We ain't yer dad!

Not the Steamer, no. [Her eyes grow distant, flicking away as she thinks about the crater of Julai. It only makes the way her eyes light up all the more prominent at the mention of both Wolfwood and Vash.]

They're here? They're okay? [She knew Wolfwood survived the blast, but beyond that? It was hard to say. And Vash...? No one would have blamed her for thinking he was dead.

But right, Razlo is speaking. She glances toward him with narrowed eyes. Under her breath, she mutters:]

I sure hope not.

[figure of speech! he won't press it, though.]

Yeah, yeah, they are. I mean, they got their own -- stuff like this -- to deal with right now, but they're okay.

Don't worry about it, shortstack! I ain't into bein' called daddy, anyway!

[ok, that one crosses a line. livio whirls on razlo, headbutting him in the jaw so that neither of them actually get impaled on one another's horns.]

Don't be s'damn vulgar! What's wrong with you?!

[Oh that's it. They might just be a little too tall for her to kick without the chance of missing, but she has fists for a reason. In the same moment Razlo gets headbutted, Meryl strikes out with her fist, punching straight between their legs.]

Gross!. Who taught you to talk like that to a lady?

[And yet if someone implied they couldn't talk like that in front of her for that same reason, she probably would have done the same.]

[are you ever just a 12 foot tall hydra getting cuntpunched by a spunky journalist? well, lr sure are.

all three heads cry out at once, but it's the shock more than anything that causes them to stumble backward and fall onto their ass. their hide is just as tough as usual, which means it probably hurt meryl more than it did them, but... who the hell just punches a giant monster?!]

Sorry! [and what kind of giant monster just apologizes.] Don't fuckin' apologize fer me! Yer right -- YOU apologize fer you! HELL no!! APOLOGIZE, RAZLO!

[the other head doesn't know whether to cry harder or hiss-laugh.]

[It is... abundantly clear that she's not going to get through to either of these two. She throws her hands up into the air and turns on her heel, stomping off with gritted teeth. Everyone around here is so weird.]

[these two wrestle and argue for a bit longer before the half-a-braincell head nudges at both of them and they realize the three of them are alone. they sit back up on their haunches and -- yep, meryl has just straight up walked away.

after some hesitation (and a little bit more bickering), they follow on four legs, because it's much easier to balance in this form. the eventual distance they call out from is respectable -- livio doesn't want her to feel pursued, or something.]

Um, Miss Stryfe, beg yer pardon -- ?

[should she choose to acknowledge them, livio's head is tucked down sheepishly, and razlo is pouting like a scolded child.]

[She probably hears (and feels) him before he says anything. In fact, she's already turned around, hands on her hips as she prepares for the full breadth of his imposing height. At least they're not arguing with one another. The crying is a bit annoying but... at least the middle head is quiet about it.]

What do you want? [There's a sharpness to her voice, but she isn't entirely trying to chase him off. She's curious. And... maybe a little amused with how Razlo seems to be pouting.] Let me guess, the big freak wants to be insulted again, right? That seems like his thing.

[... if reptiles could blush, razlo might actually right now, be it from humiliation or interest, who knows. instead, he glances sideways at livio, who gives him an expectant look, then back up at meryl.]

... sorry. [he mutters, and then speaks in a normal tone -- for him, at least, which is still a bit loud.] 'n I am a big freak, thanks!

[... livio is just going to sigh and ignore the last bit.] Yeah. Sorry fer the trouble, ma'am.

[Meryl huffs, but it's hard to miss the way her lips quirk up in a bit of a smile.]

I forgive you. [And to Livio, she shakes her head.] You don't have to apologize. Sounds like you haven't gotten much rest, huh? Considering... that.

[A nod to Razlo.]

[razlo looks just about ready to snap back, but livio beats him to the punch.]

Ah, he ain't so bad... Can even be a real good friend, if y'can look past the prickles.

[... yeah, okay, razlo is at a loss for words and just joins the third head in silence, either observing or pretending not to be involved. who knows.]

... So, it's... a bituva learnin' curve, landin' here. Y'need anything?

[Meryl lifts her brows, pinning Razlo's head down with a skeptical look. She makes it all of five seconds before cracking a smirk.]

You would know.

[To Livio's question, Meryl shakes her head.]

You don't need to worry about me. I've dealt with worse back home. At least people here are actually friendly. And don't reach for a gun when I enter the bar.

Hah! Yeah... Sometimes we got minor issues, but on the whole we try to stick together, best we can. Only chance we got, really...

[he joins the other heads in falling, once more, and his voice quiets further.]

I -- don't mean to patronize, or argue, but... this thing's way worse than No Man's Land. Even Knives. It's...

A god. [razlo's bluntness makes livio flinch. the smirk is gone from razlo's face, as well, denoting the seriousness of the matter.] Strong enough t'kill even him. 'n it did.

[Meryl's head snaps back to Livio's. Her eyes narrow, lips pressing into a thin line. She rolls his words over in her head, before finally speaking her own.]

What do you mean, killed Knives. He was already dead.

[there's a soft hiss from raz as meryl questions livio, despite the guy trying to soften the blow for her. razlo'd rather she snap at him, but livio shakes his head to dismiss him.]

I don't know how things go where you're from, but... even if he was, it don't matter. Death don't stop it. Or I -- we wouldn't be here, either.

[razlo clearly has his own feelings on the matter, and looks ready to start another argument, but thinks better of it. for now, anyway.]

[Compelling counterargument, considering she did in fact see Livio die.]

So... whatever's out there is worse than that? [Terrifying, thanks.] How do you pull something like that off? Is he a Plant too?

... Yeah. A lot worse.

[he hems and haws for a moment. it's a lot to explain...]

It was a god, once. Whole thing about multiple apocalypses 'n bein' sealed away fer time untold. But -- we also got nice gods 'n demigods on our side. We're all workin' together to come out on top, but it's been... hard.

What Liv's tryin' to say is be careful. 'n he knows it sounds crazy, but we got three fuckin' heads.

[... yep. livio just nods.]

Yeah, no crazy than all of... [A vague motion.] That.

[It's... a lot to take in. Knives was one thing, but someone worse than him? They'd barely survived it. Vash hadn't survived it, at least as far as she knew. Which... reminds her.]

You said Vash was... alive? He's okay?

[both of them perk back up at the mention of vash, adoration plenty obvious in their eyes.]

Yeah, he is. He's -- been through hell 'n back, but... ain't we all? 'sides, he may be a sap, but he's damn tough too!

[🌈❓]

Yeah, that sounds like him.

[She trails off, a touch lost in thought, before blinking. She pulls herself back, placing her hands on her hips as she leans forward.]

Sounds like you're awful fond of him. You better be careful! He's a real pain. He'll soften you up, and then there goes your lunch to that sad, pouting face!

Oh, I'll tell ya how fond I am of -- [livio once again uppercuts razlo, who ends up snarling because it made him bite his tongue.] -- makin' lunch for 'im on purpose! His appetite sure helped me improve my cookin' skills quick!

[Hey, at least this time Meryl actually laughs. Just for a split second, and she quickly pretends otherwise but... someone is amused by these shenanigans.]

You know he barely ate when we first met. He got all upset about something and didn't touch his food for a week. Glad to see he's dropped that habit, at the very least.

Ah... he still gets like that sometimes.

Yeah, so d'you.

[... don't fucking call him out like that.]

... Anyway, I can show ya where we live, so if y'need anything, y'can find us. Dunno if anyone's home, but still.

[Oops, she can't help but smile. She doesn't even try to hide it.]

Sounds like you make a good team with him. Or... more than that, huh?

EVENT & TDM 024

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