EVENT & TDM 034

[sticksandbonesmods]

WAKE UP

Cleaving across the sky of Aldric’s Grove is a deep black gouge — a rift, an open wound, that blots out the sun and moon in their respective orbits. Looking into the rift so high in the sky yields little; it’s too high up to actually see into it, but on occasion, flashes of the cosmos seem to flit through it.

Then, as the current residents of the Grove might say, people start to fall out of it, tumbling through the skies and painfully through the sky barrier preventing those on the ground from reaching those falling. New arrivals will find themselves careening through the stars and suddenly through a constantly-reforming magic barrier that feels like glass against their skin. Lucky arrivals will be caught on the backs of either a large, rainbow bird, or a golden scaled dragon — Aurora, the Sky Guardian and Sehul, the Sun’s Aide, respectively — before they hit the ground and become a smear in the grass. Unlucky arrivals won’t hit the ground thanks to timely aid from the remaining Guardians, though it’s a tossup which hurts worse: getting caught in a conjured bush made of thorny vines to break the fall thanks to Moder, getting tackled out of the sky by the tiny stone-skinned gargoyle Zahliya and rolling across the grass with him, or being grabbed by a mass of Callan’s tentacles only for him to decide he might deliver to you a “hello” bite.

At least the River Guardian Sinann sees fit to heal your wounds.

The magic here feels thin, everyone notices. New arrivals may find out from the old hats that magic was nigh nonexistent for several months, and the steady trickle of it returning has been akin to running the tap through a snowstorm — a drip, drip, drip, but the pipes still appear to be mostly-frozen regardless.

It’s just as people stop falling from the rift that the pipes finally burst.

PERCEPTION CHECK!

Suddenly, magic in Aldric’s Grove is unfamiliar and foreign. Those of you with existing magic and similar powers may find that your abilities are uncontrollable — that candle you were going to light with your fire magic is suddenly entirely melted and your bedroom is ablaze, or the healing magic you tried to use bursts outward from you so strongly that it saps all of your energy for the rest of the day when all you wanted to do was patch up a scratch. Things like this are a common occurrence, as though you’re a brand-new spellcaster all over again.

In addition to this, the magically-inclined and perfectly benign alike will feel something else brewing beneath the surface: the Grove’s own native magic suddenly becoming your own. This, too, is impossible to control — visions from the Blessing of Foresight plague your mind, the alchemy granted by the Blessing of Life shatters the vials of potions you attempt to make, and the summons from the Blessing of Conjuration do not heed your command. The elemental spells now at your fingertips are far more destructive than you intended them to be. Whether you’re an experienced caster or not, the leylines of the Grove remain wild and untamed, lashing out from months of suppression.

At least when the occasional monster strolls its way into the Grove past the flickering barrier of the fog wall, it’ll be instantly vaporized by you trying to use your abilities on it. Probably. You may just nuke yourself from orbit in the process instead.

-Players should scroll down to the “magic” section on the linked page for the full breadth of their abilities that can be freely played with.
-Magic from each Blessing is available to use up to Tier 3; the Gifts of the Sun & Moon are unavailable.

ROLL FOR INITIATIVE

With the chaos of the Grove being new and different, Ydalir the Trader takes it upon herself to find as many old spellbooks as she possibly can. This native magic has been untapped for eons, and with the sudden influx of random fireballs and ice storms every three and a half seconds, she’s taken it upon herself to dig up the ancient texts.

Unfortunately, they are ancient. Ydalir sits in the centre of the Grove and waves everyone she can see over, you included, before handing out random tomes with discoloured and dusty pages. She’s surrounded by them, towers upon towers of unsorted texts walling her off from most viewing angles. “I think I need help sorting these. And identifying them. And seeing if they’re even in a language that makes sense to people. There are hundreds and I’m stressed.”

She punctuates that with a laugh.

“You can keep any tomes you like or that you think will help you get a handle on things. Ooh, and I’ll give whoever helps sort these dusty old books properly and neatly into the library — no cheating, and don’t lie to me — some candy. I made it yesterday.”

Unfortunately, Ydalir imbues her candy with magic, too, and with it being haywire… you can expect effects, depending on what you eat. Have fun! Or don’t! She’s not your mom!

Chocolate Hearts	You turn invisible for 10 minutes, but your invisible form is surrounded by floating pops of heart-shaped fireworks.
Rootbeer Bottle Candies	You are completely immune to the effects of alcohol for 4 hours. When the immunity wears off, you immediately experience a type of drunkness that can only be described as "4 hours of drinking at the New Year's Eve party".
Cat-Shaped Sugar Candies	Wherever you go for the next 15 minutes, you do so by sprinting, leaping, and swatting at things uncontrollably. AKA: you have the zoomies.
Spiral Jawbreakers	You are instantly teleported to a different location in the Grove, forest, or beach. Anyone next to you is also teleported to that same location.
Gummy Pasta	Your hair grows uncontrollably long for 1 hour. Chopping it off only makes it regrow. After 1 hour, it will automatically return to the length it was previously.
Spicy Cinnamon Candies	Every time you exhale for 30 minutes, a small burst of flame comes from your throat. A harder exhale will let you breathe fire that smells like cinnamon.

SHORT REST

The month drags on and on. Every morning someone casts Fireball. Every night, someone’s summon bursts through a window, steals your food, and runs. Luckily, the chaos starts to slow as the magic flowing through the leylines is finally used up, and the Grove’s natural magic — and your own native abilities — start to listen to you again. It makes resting easier, at the very least. No longer do you have to wait for your window to automatically repair itself after something smashes it.

You know, unless someone wants to start throwing completely mundane stones at it.

With everything settling back into a sense of normalcy again, Ydalir is… still doing things. She never apologised for her candies setting off a chain reaction of chaos, but this time, she’s not feeding you. Kind of. “If you want to stay connected to the leylines here and maintain some of the magic native to this place, here’s a spellbook for you to write your spells in, and—” she slams a leather-bound journal into your lap, a quill on top of it next to a small crystal that looks like it’s made of quartz. “A star shard! You’ll need to eat that to anchor yourself to the magic here. It’ll taste like sugar, uh… and it won’t do anything weird to you this time, I’m so sorry. Anyway, you should go out and practice with your peers! It’ll make all of this easier.”

If you head out, it looks like you aren’t the only person who’s been snagged for a bit of a magic lesson. It might be worth asking the more experienced spellcasters to help you with whatever new school of magic you picked up, or you could grab a study-buddy that’s on your tier… or you could just rawdog it and see what happens. Surely it won’t be as catastrophic as when you tried to do that throughout the month.

-New characters that app while this TDM is good (March + April) & existing characters already in the game will be grandfathered into the magic system, automatically gaining one Tier One Blessing of their choice without the initial 10-thread buy-in. The rules on the page must still be followed.
-Existing characters with ties to Beiwe & Ourania are free to pick up Gifts of the Sun & Moon at this point, instead of a Blessing.

Spark Notes (Click to Expand)

summary

WAKE UP: New arrivals to the Grove are falling out of the sky! They will be caught by the Guardians, but they'll be injured. Please help them.
PERCEPTION CHECK!: Everyone's magic goes out of control, and new magic starts to spring up and be freely used. No one asked for this but you sure do have it!
ROLL FOR INITIATIVE: Ydalir needs your help sorting through these magic tomes. You're free to read them and try to make sense of anything in them as well as claim one for yourself if you find it useful. When you help her, you will receive candy that has Effects™ in it. Whoops!
SHORT REST: Magic levels start to equalize, and no longer is life a struggle magic-wise. Ydalir will give you a star shard if you'd like to anchor yourself to the Grove's magic and keep some of what you've learnt.

out of character

It's March! Reminder that TDMs are game canon. Don't mind my notes on the prompts this time (but do mind them because I need you to follow the rules also). Questions about the magic system should ideally be directed on the magic page itself. Also does someone know how to get anchor/jump links to work on my magic page because no matter what I did it wasn't registering my div id tags and I'm starting to go insane... please let me know thanks-

updates

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

submissions

❖ Questions
❖ March Plotting
❖ Past Life Plotting (Closed to Game Members)
❖ Investigations

code

Comments

Stardust Cookie | Cookie Run: Kingdom | old player, new character

[galaxyfarer]

1) WAKE UP

[Stardust Cookie is not immune to falling through space. he's done it before. the thing is, this time, he cannot get a handle on his flying ability to stop himself. he lands against a barrier of some sort, bam, then a squeak as he slips down it like fingers streaking against glass. then he's falling again.

eventually, he will realize he has a different body, for some reason. no longer dough and jam, but flesh and bones. so it really hurts when he keeps hitting the barrier. someone? something? helps him down, but, oh, he looks worse for the wear. there may be a broken bone, or two. he lies on the ground for a long time, staring up at the sky.

what just happened? wasn't he on the Dream Express before this?]

...........

2) PERCEPTION CHECK

[so. Stardust is now in an unfamiliar place. but he's healed and is trying to get a handle on his powers. every so often, he will transform into a powerful birdlike creature without meaning to, attack something, then change back into his new human body]

Ah--! I'm sorry! That was an accident!

[he didn't mean to take out that entire tree, really. sorry he is so destructive]

3) ROLL AND REST

[it seems wise to assist in organizing tomes. Stardust Cookie may not be Blueberry Pie Cookie, but he thinks he can manage. at the very least he can pluck out tomes that are in a language he can read. eventually, he is rewarded for his efforts, receiving little cat-shaped candies.

he does not hesitate before ingesting. they're good! as good as Star Candies.......

perhaps, later, you'll see him batting at some dangling streamers, or running and sliding across the town square. hm. zoomies. completely unlike him.

later on, he obtains a Star Shard. he's a bit more hesitant to eat this one, even after Ydalir apologizes to him. he'll... hold onto it for a while. but you may also see him around this time trying to play with electricity. don't touch him, or you'll get a rough static shock]

4) WILDCARD

[this is June! and this is Stardust Cookie. he is human now, as with the other Cookies. anything else you want to play, hmu here]

1.

[lovelyredthread]

[ Pavlova Cookie wasn't exactly doing too great. Grappling with his situation and bonds in the Grove being established under an unintended lie and whatever that might mean going forward was bad enough but now it seemed like the Grove was being pelted with ??? People??

The night sky lit up with new arrivals falling from the tear in space and varying degrees of screaming that jarred the young man to his feet. Sehul swooped to catch some, Aurora others. It seemed their guardians were doing their best but there were so many falling at once-

Pavlova spotted one smack hard into the barrier and fall limply near him but the other guardians were over towards the bulk of them. He's not sure if they noticed the straggler on the side, but his wings stretched and brought him into the air before he thought too hard on it.

They aren't familiar to him at all, and they aren't responding, but the warmth of their skin implied they were still alive. Pavlova cookie held onto them tight as he lowered them back down onto the roof of the Research Hall. At least it didn't seem like any damage had been done this time.

He glanced down at the stranger and settled them on the tiles, testing his magic and seeing if it would cooperate for him. His healing spells aren't that advanced, but he'd be able to heal enough to make the pain bearable. ]

Are you alive? Hey.

let's do this

[galaxyfarer]

[he hears a voice. alive, yes. Stardust thinks he is alive. he's in pain, pain he's not felt before. he'd been injured in a fight all of once, and now he feels like there are different places hurting him. that, alone, must mean he's still living.

he opens his eyes as the pain subsides. soon, he does not feel like curling up into a ball. his eyes are a clear blue, like the sky itself. but the way he feels doesn't match that brightness. he's concerned because he doesn't know how he got to this point. did the train crash?

he sees wings, and then he focuses on a face. an angel? has he... no, he couldn't be. he's not that weak, he wouldn't just crumble because of a little fall (it was a big fall)]

--I believe I am alive, thanks to you.

[lovelyredthread]

[ There's a little relief as the other person stirs, then speaks. He'd thought some people had pretty bad first impressions of this place, like the nightmare circus or the literal town from hell, but nearly dying on arrival from a free fall has to be pretty high up there. He let out a little sigh and settles down beside them, brushing some of his curls out of his face. He has to do the welcome spiel now, doesn't he? ]

That doesn't usually happen... Welcome to Aldric's Grove.

[ He's both a little too frazzled to conjure a good overview of the situation, and thinks that maybe throwing all the information at someone who fell out of the sky might be too much, so he pivots instead. ]

You probably have questions, so I can try to answer them.

[galaxyfarer]

[hang on. he's still... recovering. slowly, Stardust begins to sit up]

Aldric's Grove, is it? I don't know if I am supposed to be here.

[he pulls out a ticket stub from his pocket. the destination is... surprisingly blank? he stares at it. it wasn't blank before]

What happened?

[lovelyredthread]

[ The idea of "supposed to be here" is kind of laughable to him, but there's no context for that yet, so he holds his tongue for now. Instead he lets the other puzzle over the blank ticket until he asks a question.

What happened... Well, that's a bit involved, isn't it. ]

Long story short, you were summoned here because in a previous life, you used to live here. There's an entity in this forest that dragged all of us back here.

[ Overly simplified, but it would do for now. ]

There's going to be a lot of stuff here that's weird, because a lot of us came from completely different universes and worlds.

[galaxyfarer]

[this answer only makes Stardust more confused. past lives, different universes. he's not... entirely weirded out, only because he's been to many different galaxies by now. but!]

...There must be some mistake. I don't remember this place at all.

[who's going to tell him that he doesn't necessarily have to have memories of his past life to have had one?]

[lovelyredthread]

None of us do when we get here. It's fine if you don't believe me.

[ Witches know he's used to that. He isn't going to take it personallt because he didn't believe it either until literal ghosts were all over and talking to him about things he doesn't remember. ]

Some people remember parts of their lives here eventually and some don't, but that's why we're here.

[galaxyfarer]

[well, when the Angel puts it like that..........]

It's not that I do not believe you. I was just worried I'd hit my head too hard and was hearing things.

[Stardust leans forward and rubs his forehead. it doesn't hurt, which is probably this guy's doing. the Angel also caught him when he was falling, so Stardust believes he's a good person! he probably isn't outright lying to him]

2

[loansharpedo]

[Good Arceus it's a good thing he was paying attention.

Corbeau was standing nearby just as Stardust abruptly transformed and exploded a tree nearby, managing to duck quickly to one side before he became part of that. Scolipede is here as well, kindof half standing around Corbeau and growling lowly until he places a hand on the side of the Pokemon's neck, assuring him he's fine.

Then, he'll turn his attention to Stardust. He's well aware now of the rampant, uncontrollable magic being unleashed every-which-way...but some has been more concerning than others, to say the least.]

My. That is some power you have there.

[galaxyfarer]

[just think of Stardust as a cosmic Altaria..... wait, no, don't do that]

Y-yes. I cannot seem to keep it under control.

[he turns to the other man and the very large bug, nodding his head apologetically. he doesn't think he hurt him, but that's not the point. the point is that Stardust took out an entire tree]

[loansharpedo]

I see. That must be pretty alarming...

[But Stardust is one of many, so it's not like Corbeau can be too mad. It wouldn't be fair, would it?]

At least it was just a tree and nothing more. Are you hurt at all?

[galaxyfarer]

[huh? Stardust shakes his head, looking a little stunned. he wasn't expecting that question]

No! I'm alright. Thank you. But, what about you?

[loansharpedo]

I'm just fine. Scolipede and I happened to be approaching when we saw the tree fall, so we weren't anywhere near it.

[Fortunately!]

If you're worried about your magic getting out of control again, I'd advise finding someplace a little more open for a bit to calm down. Trees can grow back, but buildings are a bit trickier.

[galaxyfarer]

[he's right, Stardust should probably get ... away from people while he's practicing. or just not use magic altogether until things are sorted out. he keeps his distance for now, not entirely wanting to hide himself away just yet]

Yes, you're right. I certainly would not want to hurt you, or your friend.

[the big buggy creature. obviously, it's a friend, and not a pet]

[loansharpedo]

Oh no, he would be fine, I assure you. He takes stronger attacks on a regular basis.

[Scolipede kindof puffs out his chest proudly at this like !!! Look at me I am so strong.]

[galaxyfarer]

[but what about you, Corbeau]

Stronger attacks? Goodness! Is he used to fighting, then?

2

[ancientlight]

( Pure Vanilla had luckily set up a shield just in time!! It's a relief to have his magic back -- and it seems as though it's come back at a fortunate time.

Ah, the poor tree, though... )

It is quite alright! Are you okay, though? I am certain that took you by surprise as well...

( Considering that it was a complete accident!! )

[galaxyfarer]

[Stardust winces a bit, but he looks unscathed. rather, he's surprised that it happened at all]

Yes, I suppose I'm alright. It's difficult not being able to handle my powers.

[he looks at the singed tree sadly]

[ancientlight]

Rest assured, this is not a common occurrence. However, magic was not available here until very recently. I believe our abilities being returned to us have lead things to be far more potent than they normally are.

( At least… Pure Vanilla doesn’t recognize this person. )

Did you recently awaken in this world?

[galaxyfarer]

[this is what he's been told, about the magic. he rubs the back of his neck, ashamed, then makes a little "oh" face at the question]

That's right. I am called Stardust Cookie. Though, it would seem that I am no longer a Cookie.

[ancientlight]

( -- Ah! His face lights up a bit at that. This place is rather dangerous, but he's glad he found him! Being in a new body can be rather tricky. )

I did not know that more cookies had arrived! My name is Pure Vanilla Cookie. I'm glad to meet you, Stardust Cookie!

If you have any questions about this world, please do not hesitate to ask!

[galaxyfarer]

[oh..............]

You... are Pure Vanilla Cookie?

[his eyes light up. who in the dessert world hasn't heard of Pure Vanilla Cookie?]

[ancientlight]

( He's aware that he's well-known in Earthbread, but he were asked, he wouldn't hesitate to admit that anything he's known for is because of his dear friends. He was simply there to aid them and others as much as he could.

He's cheek flush just the slightest bit at that. )

Ah, so you have heard of me. Though, there are others from Earthbread, as well!

If you know my name, then perhaps you know White Lily Cookie, as well.

[galaxyfarer]

[he nods slowly]

I have heard of White Lily Cookie, yes, as well as the other Ancient Heroes of Earthbread. However, most of what I know I've only heard through stories second-hand.