You and your familiar have been magically pulled into the world of Avalon... a ways away from the normal arrival bay. This time, you'replunged into a small lake within a gorge formed by waterfalls on one side and land on the other. Within the lake, an even smaller island within it that contains what appears to be some kind of statue encrusted with moldavite. You'll likely find that around the same time, current characters start appearing who are using their Land of Maidens Totems provided to them by the Fairy Queen.
The Lady of the Lake is still around to help people get out of the water and onto the little island, but even she seems a little perplexed at where everyone is supposed to go from here. At the very least, she will be providing shots of Everwarm potion to save people from freezing in the cold winter waters, and will tell new arrivals topartner up with some of the mages appearing on that middle islandto get an explanationabout where they are and what's happening.
B ⦿Searching for Direction
Further exploration will reveal that though the end opposite the waterfalls is deep enough for a dive, the end closer to the waterfalls is shallow enough that you canwade through it at about waist height. There are small rocks visible underneath the water surface that sparkle with a holographic shine. Prismatic rainbows dance across the surface of the water and there are a variety of pixie-like fairies dancing across the surface of the water in celebration. Speaking to them will reveal that a spirit that goes around purifying stones that gather natural energy throughout the year has just visited. The holo will fade after about a week, but it's truly a sight to see! Ask them where you're supposed to go next, however, and you'll get a lot of giggles and statements that you'll find your way if you keep your head down!
If you interpret that to mean you need to go deeper, swimming down beneath the surface will unveil to you what appears to be an underwater park. At this point, the pixies will tease you by casting a variety of enchantments on you that will last for the next hour, including:
Reverse Speak: Say the opposite of everything you intend to say. (Yes comes out as no, hello comes out as goodbye, "I love you" comes out as "I hate you," etc.)
Messy Magic: Causes something to go awry based on your primary magic type:
Kinetic:items follow you around at a respectful 2 feet behind
Elemental:everything you touches will freeze
Animal: all animals (including people) will be afraid to get within 10 feet of you
Alchemy: anything you touch falls apart (non-living)
Healing: reopen any visible wounds/scars when you touch someone with one
Dark: the lights going off every time you walk in a room, including candles and lanterns- outdoors, within 20 feet
Cognitive: send all of your thoughts to anyone within 20 feet, uncontrolled
Synchronized Swimming: Every time you get into the water, you find yourself making strange poses.
C ⦿Off-Track
Keeping your head down can mean to avoid drawing attention to yourself too, so perhaps you instead are choosing to look for places to hide around the area. Be careful! You'll likely find skeletons from wayward travelers lying around outside of the water... it may be best to stick to where most people are right now, or at least find someone to teach you some basic magic skills to give you a chance at defending yourself against the fearsome creatures that lives near this gorge: the aqrabuamelu, a species of fierce warriors created to wage war against younger gods in their original lands. They are 8 to 9 feet tall, with the torso, head, and arms of a man and the body of a scorpion, including both claws and a poisonous tail. A sting from them will render victims blind, they are super strong, and if that wasn't enough they are also excellent archers. It will take a party to get out of a battle with these warriors and back to safety, so you may consider helping out your fellow new mages by trying out your magic todefend each other.
A ⦿Keep Your Head Down
Those who aren't afraid to get wet may head toward the waterfall itself and the pixie's hint might become a little more apparent:keep your head down and walk through the waterfall itself. On the other side, you seem to be on another land entirely. A floating land, actually. Three islands, floating in the sky above the clouds and connected by a wooden suspension bridge from the first to the middle and a second from the middle to the last island.
The first island you arrive upon seems to be host to not much-- old statues, shaped like beasts are scattered among ancient, gargantuan trees whose roots are likely bigger than you are and leaves are shades of blue and turquoise throughout. There are a variety of small birds fluttering around, squirrels, deer, rabbits, a friendly skunk- the basic Disney package. One particularly notable thing is that the animals are reactive to music, so if you start to sing, they will follow you around. The birds will sing with you, the animals may start participating in whatever it is you are doing.
Across the first bridge lies an island with an old-looking castle with tall towers, covered in vines and flowers, surrounded by a moat, with a gazebo in an overgrown rose garden. Despite that it seems the plant life is unkempt, the building itself looks intact and clean.
The only residents of this island are 9 sorceresses, and they will welcome you with open arms and graciousness. There is an anti-violence spell placed upon the castle grounds. Any attempts to start fights, hurt anyone, or cause trouble, will result in the immediate transformation of that person into swine. You'll need to either speak to the sorceress, and one of the maidens upon the island named Circe, to beg for your fellow travelers returned to normal.. or find a siphoner to remove the curse for you. In the meantime, everyone is welcome to stay in the unoccupied rooms and explore the castle and the islands of the Land of Maidens while they stay. Get comfy, perhaps find a roommate (there are a lot of people coming in and there may not be enough rooms). You may also want to find your own food source over eating anything in the kitchen. Maybe hit up some of the older otherworlders who were warned ahead of time about eating fairy foods... or risk getting stuck in Elphame until you find a solution.
Within the castle, there are 6 occupied bedrooms-- visiting each will allow you to meet the sorceresses who live in the Land of Maidens.
B ⦿ The Maidens' Tasks
Each maiden will provide you with a different task to complete upon meeting. Once enough people complete their tasks, they will show everyone how to get off of the island and fast-travel to the capitol of the Fae lands, Nicnevin, for the Winter Solstice. In the meantime, everyone is welcome to stay in the spare bedrooms within their castle or camp outside where they please.
Eight of the nine witches are present and their tasks are as follows:
Thitis: A woman who plays a cither with expertise, she is able to change the moods and emotions with the power of her music, as well as lull people into slumber. She requests that you climb to the tallest tree on the first island and get her a branch from the top with which to make a new neck when this one runs out. Do not harm the tree in the process, and watch out for the thorns, which are known to turn creatures to stone if they draw blood. It is a gift for her sister, Thiton, so please deliver it to her.
Thiton: Thiton is more interested in modern music, and asks that you perform your favorite song with her. She can play any instrument, but you must perform to whichever one you choose to play with her. She will transform wood brought from Thitis's task to whichever instrument you choose and you must find at least one other person to perform with you. Sounds created from her instruments will create sonic damage as well as give your character synaesthesia for the rest of the day.
Circe:Casts a curse upon every person who entersher room. This curse causes the person to have one part of themselves transform into a wolf every five minutes.Break your curse or become one of her pets. This curse is immune to siphoning and can only be broken by finding the character's clothes, which have been transported onto one of the statues on the first island, and throwing it over the cursed individual.
Mazoe: A very motherly figure, her room looks like a nursery for a baby. In fact, upon entry, you and whoever you enter with will be tasked with taking care of her child while she runs some errands. Her child is a giant baby with superpowers. It doesn't seem like she's coming back for a while. Good luck, new parents.
Moronoe and Tyronoe: This room is the scene of an argument between the two witches. They cannot decide on a mural for the accent wall in this room. They seem to decide that the truest art is one that fate decides for you, and you and whoever you came in with (or wandered by in the hallway and got pulled in) should work together to paint them a new mural. Be wary, as any creature painted on the wall will come to life and mess with the rest of the mural as you go. You cannot leave the room until the painting is complete.
Gliten and Glitonea: These two share a room filled with threads and needlework projects and equipment, and a cauldron they will not let you near. They lament that you missed their sister, but she runs off on her own from time to time and only comes back to the island when it's her turn to stir the cauldron- though neither of them seem to need to right now. They seem to speak in turns, often finishing each other's sentences. Something about them looks familiar, as if you've seen their sister before. The sisters three's (two's?) task is to cross the bridge to the third island wearing a blindfold. The bridge itself is called the "Whisper Bridge" and you will hear voices of people you care about trying to draw you off the bridge, saying anything they can think of to get you to turn off the bridge. There are no railings on the second bridge.
A ⦿ Whisper Bridge
Attempting to cross the bridge without a blindfold will prove to be much more challenging, as the bridge seems to be under siege by sky orcas. These beautiful creatures, colored with galaxy patterns that seem to move as they swim, occupy the skies surrounding the islands. They make a show of flying through the air and are peaceful everywhere around the islands except for at the Whisper Bridge.
Those who see them while crossing the bridge will be hunted as dinner, and they're particularly terrifying ethereal beings who can touch you, but turn to clouds when you touch them. They will not attack anyone who cannot see them-- so Gliten and Glitonea's task, or an impossible fight, will get you to the third island.
B ⦿ The Island of Dreams
The final island is a place where the imagination rules. If you can imagine it, it will come into being on the Island of Dreams... sometimes whether it's on accident or on purpose, so be careful what you get caught in your head. This illusionary island will make anything real, and is a way to conceal some very real features that it is protecting.
Remember that anything you create on Dream Island must stay on Dream Island or it will die, and anything that you create on Dream Island can cause real damage to the real people on it. This is a place where dreams become real. You cannot control the other people on it, but you can create illusionary versions of people you know to interact with as well. (Please get player permission before doing anything with in-game characters.)
The exit to the islands is also located on Dream Island, in the form of a huge, green dragon. You have to be brave and walk into the dragon's mouth, and you'll come right back out the waterfall you came in through. It's hard to tell if this dragon is real or not... but it will get you back on Avalon's grounds.
• All test drive prompts are open to anyone in the game at any time to create your own logs with, as the events within are considered game canon. • This post should have top-levels by potential new characters only. Current characters may reply to any threads and may start their own logs off-post, but should not top-level comment on this post. • If your application is accepted, you may accept TDM threads as game canon as long as both players consent. Characters may begin threading as soon as their journal is accepted to the communities. •If nothing here tickles your fancy, try one of this month's Quests for your TDM prompt. • Normal "Arrival" prompts are usually present on every TDM, but December's has different prompts as it is in a different location than normal. • Questions about this TDM's content? Comment here! If you have a question about the game at-large, please head over to the FAQ.
We'll have a moment to look for it after you've gotten yourself warmed up, milady.
[ As far as Gareth could tell, this girl was still in shock from the whole arrival ordeal. Most were. She certainly didn't take it very well, herself, despite being used to that on some level. Heroic Spirits had to deal with that kind of thing, right?
Regardless, Gareth wasn't about to leave her to look for whatever 'something' was, not yet. So instead, she turned away to let out a sharp whistle. It wasn't a moment later before a flash of lightning struck the island, a dire wolf alight in sparkling electric brilliance standing in the wake of the initial burst of light. ]
Stoirm! This girl may have dropped something where she came in!
[ The wolf, who seemed to understand Gareth, nodded, the sparks from her fur fading to reveal a more natural blonde color beneath, all before she started to run out into the deep, diving beneath the water. ]
If you allow it, milady, I'm willing to pick you up and carry you the rest of the way... my familiar will take care of the rest, alright?
[ Gray bobs another fierce shake of her head 'no' -- but words die in her throat. It's not like she can tell a stranger of Add's importance. Her mouth drying, she feels as lost as she is useless. ]
[ There's a dog -- spirit? something -- flying through the air and it catches her attention, if only briefly as her teeth dig into lower lip. ]
I can swim... but I can't leave him behind.
[ "It" became "him" too easily, but she ignored it. The other is right, they need to get out of the water, but her attention stills to water and creature for a moment longer. A familiar -- the person was a mage? ]
This isn't my village.
[ Not it at all. Is this where everyone else had disappeared to, too? ]
[ She didn't miss that "him", either. At that point, she really did hope Stoirm found something within the further depths of the lake, but Gareth had a few doubts she would. After all, it was very rare anyone showed up with a companion, even if Mash had arrived with Fou... ]
Stoirm is a better swimmer than either of us, nor does she have to worry about the lack of air. I know it's asking a lot, but please put some faith in her, as I have.
[ And as for her other remark... ]
This isn't your village, no. Nor is it my own, or really any of ours. Just as I am, you are not a natural part of this world...
[ Gareth hadn't gotten permission so she just opted to help guide Gray out of the water, bit by bit. But it was in that moment she got a much closer look at the girl and couldn't help a pause. There was... something about her...
[It's said quietly, voice fading as panic sinks into her bones but didn't fully disappear. She was "here". Wherever here was-- without Add or the others. Not entirely, she knows, but it's difficult not to sink into the lonesome feeling once more (even accompanied by the other).]
[She should apologize more, but the words don't come. She follows, though, determined to cause no more trouble than she has already. 'A natural part of this world,' Gareth says and her confusion mounts -- was it something between worlds like the train was...?]
[No maybe, not. Coming up from the water she notices the other staring at her. With a move that's far too practiced, she placed the hood back over her head. It clings to hair, skin, and drips cold water but it's far preferable. ]
... I don't understand. [A less than helpful question.]
[ Less than helpful, but completely expected. Plus Gareth understood well what that pulling of her hood meant, and chastised herself silently for staring at all. This girl was cold, frightened, confused, and didn't need someone peering at them as if measuring them up for something.
She let out a soft sigh, finally reaching the shore proper and guiding Gray to seat herself on a beached log, reaching into her satchel to pull out one of the warming potions she'd carried with her and hand it to Gray. ]
Here... this should help warm your blood, and ease you physically, at least...
As for the rest, well... In a word, this land is known as Avalon.
[ Her fingers shake but otherwise Gray does her best to keep her composure. Her teeth pulling at the inside of her lip as she glanced back to the water. It'd be too easy to hope that Add would be bobbing among the waves.
She doesn't sit even when the woman hands her a potion. Her hands clutch the potion a moment like a lifeline -- glancing up from beneath the hood as she spoke. ]
[ Uncapping it, she put it to her lips to drink and almost spit it out in the same second. ]
Avalon as in...?
[ The statement goes unfinished, but the question is an obvious one. That one. WIth King Arthur.
She turns away quickly as she gulps down the drink, uncertain of what to do or say about that information. ]
You know it, then? This place? Or, at least that name?
[ She doesn't want to press too hard. Gray seemed shaken enough. But she needed to know, all the same, as... well. What came next was usually a lot harder to deal with. ]
[ Said quietly, but there's no hesitation this time. Even if the name feels like cotton being lodged in her throat, as if it's not a name she cares very much to say at all. ]
[ Hm... Gareth let that sit for a moment before slowly nodded. ]
Where I come from, Avalon was the realm where my King was said to rest... a place on the Reverse Side of the World, the twin to Albion, so dense with mana that a normal human could scarcely breathe there without perishing...
[ "My King"... ]
This... is not that Avalon, though. Nor is it the Avalon you're thinking of, either, if it differs from my own. But it's not... completely dissimilar, I suppose.
It exists outside of the time and space of our own worlds, protected from what calamity shattered our own and scattered us to the currents of the heavens...
[ Gareth sat herself down, watching out in the water as Stoirm continued to dive and search for anything at all in the remarkably clear waters... ]
The basic idea is that we are here to help this Arthur reverse that calamity, to turn back the void that allegedly consumes our homes.
[ There are words that Gareth speaks that are familiar. It earns the slight cant of her head, though she hardly looks up, and an uncertain wobble of her mouth. She'd like to claim she understood everything said, but she doesn't. ]
[ She understands enough. Somewhere between worlds — like the train, in its own way, but separate — her brow furrows at the rest, however. Alarm mixed with confusion as she asks:]
[ For a moment, she remained silent. Processing the statement and her own confusion — Even trying it doesn't make much sense. There's too much in it to believe, but next thing's next: ]
... I think they made a mistake. Someone like me wouldn't be of much help...
[ Gareth paused a moment, before a smile appeared on her face, warm as a morning sun, the sort that might be just as effective as that elixir at pushing away the chill of the lake. ]
Speak not so ill of yourself, milady. Whether you have such esteem for yourself, everyone, great or small, has some strength they can lend in the aid of another. I truly believe that.
[ The girl bowed her head, the only outward side of her disagreement. For much of her life she's been someone that was only wanted for the form she took — her transformation. The value of "Gray" had always been less than that of that Hero, after all... Even if these days... ]
[ She shakes it off. Fingers turning against gloved hands as she plundered out, quietly and veering subject: ]
[ At first the quiet exclamation is one of alarm. In modern times, people didn't drop to one knee as a form of introductory. Or perhaps it's a kneejerk from reaction because in her village it hadn't been uncommon when she was very little, just after her transformation. It's a form of greeting that isn't comforting to her. ]
[ THough the other, Sir Gareth, smiles she turns widened eyes away as she shakes her head rapidly: ]
Please... Someone with a title like that is far too important...
[ She doesn't fully elaborate, but perhaps her meaning could easily be surmised given the way she flounders her hands: Far too important to bow to her. ]
My title grants me not importance, but responsibility, my lady. Whether it is my king, or a commoner, Chivalry guides me to aid all, regardless.
[ But she understood Gray's reaction, at least a little. It wasn't the first time someone seemed overwhelmed by all of that... She righted herself again, this time extending her hand for a shake. ]
Either way, it would honor me to have my lady's name, as well.
[ Gray gave a shake of her head, but doesn't say more. How can she explain she knows the importance of that legend all too well? Well, given the land she was born in, that wasn't unexpected... But even still, she released a breath of her own and glanced up from the damp hood. ]
My name is... [ A beat, only mildly so, as she reached for the offered hand. ] Gray.
[ It certainly feels lackluster against such titles. ]
[ Gareth's first instinct was to take Gray's hand and go through the whole formal kneeling and kissing the back of her knuckles thing, but... after how she'd reacted to the other formalities she'd shown, she had a feeling Gray would... very much not appreciate it, much less feel any more relaxed in Gareth's presence.
So she just... shook her hand, smile softening. ]
I am grateful to have been granted this small favor, my lady.
[ And in that moment, Stoirm popped back up from the water, shaking it all off, but sadly having nothing to show for the time she'd spent searching the lake... ]
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avalaughs2021-12-01 12:21 am
no subject
[ As far as Gareth could tell, this girl was still in shock from the whole arrival ordeal. Most were. She certainly didn't take it very well, herself, despite being used to that on some level. Heroic Spirits had to deal with that kind of thing, right?
Regardless, Gareth wasn't about to leave her to look for whatever 'something' was, not yet. So instead, she turned away to let out a sharp whistle. It wasn't a moment later before a flash of lightning struck the island, a dire wolf alight in sparkling electric brilliance standing in the wake of the initial burst of light. ]
Stoirm! This girl may have dropped something where she came in!
[ The wolf, who seemed to understand Gareth, nodded, the sparks from her fur fading to reveal a more natural blonde color beneath, all before she started to run out into the deep, diving beneath the water. ]
If you allow it, milady, I'm willing to pick you up and carry you the rest of the way... my familiar will take care of the rest, alright?
no subject
[ There's a dog -- spirit? something -- flying through the air and it catches her attention, if only briefly as her teeth dig into lower lip. ]
I can swim... but I can't leave him behind.
[ "It" became "him" too easily, but she ignored it. The other is right, they need to get out of the water, but her attention stills to water and creature for a moment longer. A familiar -- the person was a mage? ]
This isn't my village.
[ Not it at all. Is this where everyone else had disappeared to, too? ]
no subject
Stoirm is a better swimmer than either of us, nor does she have to worry about the lack of air. I know it's asking a lot, but please put some faith in her, as I have.
[ And as for her other remark... ]
This isn't your village, no. Nor is it my own, or really any of ours. Just as I am, you are not a natural part of this world...
[ Gareth hadn't gotten permission so she just opted to help guide Gray out of the water, bit by bit. But it was in that moment she got a much closer look at the girl and couldn't help a pause. There was... something about her...
Why did she feel familiar? ]
no subject
[It's said quietly, voice fading as panic sinks into her bones but didn't fully disappear. She was "here". Wherever here was-- without Add or the others. Not entirely, she knows, but it's difficult not to sink into the lonesome feeling once more (even accompanied by the other).]
[She should apologize more, but the words don't come. She follows, though, determined to cause no more trouble than she has already. 'A natural part of this world,' Gareth says and her confusion mounts -- was it something between worlds like the train was...?]
[No maybe, not. Coming up from the water she notices the other staring at her. With a move that's far too practiced, she placed the hood back over her head. It clings to hair, skin, and drips cold water but it's far preferable. ]
... I don't understand. [A less than helpful question.]
no subject
She let out a soft sigh, finally reaching the shore proper and guiding Gray to seat herself on a beached log, reaching into her satchel to pull out one of the warming potions she'd carried with her and hand it to Gray. ]
Here... this should help warm your blood, and ease you physically, at least...
As for the rest, well... In a word, this land is known as Avalon.
no subject
She doesn't sit even when the woman hands her a potion. Her hands clutch the potion a moment like a lifeline -- glancing up from beneath the hood as she spoke. ]
[ Uncapping it, she put it to her lips to drink and almost spit it out in the same second. ]
Avalon as in...?
[ The statement goes unfinished, but the question is an obvious one. That one. WIth King Arthur.
She turns away quickly as she gulps down the drink, uncertain of what to do or say about that information. ]
no subject
[ She doesn't want to press too hard. Gray seemed shaken enough. But she needed to know, all the same, as... well. What came next was usually a lot harder to deal with. ]
no subject
[ Said quietly, but there's no hesitation this time. Even if the name feels like cotton being lodged in her throat, as if it's not a name she cares very much to say at all. ]
no subject
Where I come from, Avalon was the realm where my King was said to rest... a place on the Reverse Side of the World, the twin to Albion, so dense with mana that a normal human could scarcely breathe there without perishing...
[ "My King"... ]
This... is not that Avalon, though. Nor is it the Avalon you're thinking of, either, if it differs from my own. But it's not... completely dissimilar, I suppose.
It exists outside of the time and space of our own worlds, protected from what calamity shattered our own and scattered us to the currents of the heavens...
[ Gareth sat herself down, watching out in the water as Stoirm continued to dive and search for anything at all in the remarkably clear waters... ]
The basic idea is that we are here to help this Arthur reverse that calamity, to turn back the void that allegedly consumes our homes.
no subject
[ She understands enough. Somewhere between worlds — like the train, in its own way, but separate — her brow furrows at the rest, however. Alarm mixed with confusion as she asks:]
If that's so... What happens to those not here?
no subject
[ And she'd thought a lot about it, too. Worried. About Gawain, about Mordred, about everyone else back in Chaldea... ]
All the more reason to see this calamity turned back.
no subject
[ For a moment, she remained silent. Processing the statement and her own confusion — Even trying it doesn't make much sense. There's too much in it to believe, but next thing's next: ]
... I think they made a mistake. Someone like me wouldn't be of much help...
no subject
Speak not so ill of yourself, milady. Whether you have such esteem for yourself, everyone, great or small, has some strength they can lend in the aid of another. I truly believe that.
no subject
[ She shakes it off. Fingers turning against gloved hands as she plundered out, quietly and veering subject: ]
May I ask... What is your name?
no subject
Sir Gareth of Orkney, Knight of the Round Table, in Service of His Majesty Arthur, King of Britain.
[ She raised her head after that, once more that smile, shining like the brilliance of dawn... ]
At your service, my lady.
no subject
[ At first the quiet exclamation is one of alarm. In modern times, people didn't drop to one knee as a form of introductory. Or perhaps it's a kneejerk from reaction because in her village it hadn't been uncommon when she was very little, just after her transformation. It's a form of greeting that isn't comforting to her. ]
[ THough the other, Sir Gareth, smiles she turns widened eyes away as she shakes her head rapidly: ]
Please... Someone with a title like that is far too important...
[ She doesn't fully elaborate, but perhaps her meaning could easily be surmised given the way she flounders her hands: Far too important to bow to her. ]
no subject
[ But she understood Gray's reaction, at least a little. It wasn't the first time someone seemed overwhelmed by all of that... She righted herself again, this time extending her hand for a shake. ]
Either way, it would honor me to have my lady's name, as well.
no subject
My name is... [ A beat, only mildly so, as she reached for the offered hand. ] Gray.
[ It certainly feels lackluster against such titles. ]
no subject
So she just... shook her hand, smile softening. ]
I am grateful to have been granted this small favor, my lady.
[ And in that moment, Stoirm popped back up from the water, shaking it all off, but sadly having nothing to show for the time she'd spent searching the lake... ]