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.
[ Avalon sure has a lot of trees for either things to get stuck high up in, or already growing there. The surprise of Sakyo's return aside—Juza's glad, in one way that ignores the fact of being sorta stuck here, again—he finds himself lacking a plan. Surely he can't convince Sakyo to climb up on his shoulders, like Taichi did. Besides, the mental image alone is weird; he's learned not to project that to other people, though. ]
...uh.
[ Not that he needs cognitive magic to help display his apprehension here. Those thorns, man. ]
Sorry, doesn't look like it's a good idea.
[ Be proud, Sakyo, Juza's mostly kept his head out of trouble that way. ]
Of course it's not. That's the whole point of us having to do this in the first place.
[ And also why he's making Juza go first. But even if he's more hardy than the other kids, the tree's still pretty dangerous. The thorns pose the biggest problem here. He remembers the warning they were given. Sakyo's already aware he doesn't have his healing magic and has some weird thing to do with blood instead.
He crosses his arms, trying to think this through. Why do they have to climb to the top? Why not just let them grab any branch? Annoying. ]
...alright, I'll give it a try then, but you owe me big after this. Hear me?
[ Despite what he said, it's not like there's any way to get out of this without doing anything, though, Juza has to consider...... maybe he's more surprised by Sakyo changing his tune just so. Well, Settsu is in name, but he's really Autumn Troupe's leader back home; and the type that doesn't just command but is hands on. ]
Yeah. [ Ain't nothing, if his resolve didn't make Juza react in kind.
He can't just have Sakyo climb on his shoulders, but perhaps boost him up some other way. Although even so that tree's mighty tall, and craning his neck to look up at the top, Juza's not sure that'd make a real difference. It's more so that he's thinking as he tilts his head. Not at all different from his normal, brooding stare but he's adjusted to the ways of this place even while Sakyo was gone. ]
Sakyo-san, [ It's when Juza realizes he didn't find out before he left again, too preoccupied with getting a grip on his own. ] what's your magic?
[ Looking back at him, Juza isn't sure if there's a particular type that'd make this easier, but he has got a grip on the variety at hand in Avalon—without thinking that it'd changed for Sakyo this time around. ]
[ He would say he's not doing this out of concern and more-so the sort of exasperation that forces him to take control whenever the kids in Autumn Troupe (specifically Banri and Juza) start arguing about something. But its only slightly a degree of that. Sakyo knows if anything were to happen to Juza, it'd upset the other members, especially Izumi. He's the adult here, so its his responsibility to take some type of lead. As capable as he knows that Juza can be when he gets the right motivation.
It also might be his opportunity to show him a thing or two. Being in the yakuza gave him more of a position to do things with his words instead of violence, but he can be relied on for other things.
Even, he supposes, stupid errands like these. ]
Ah? What, you can't remember already? Not like I've been gone that long. [ Of course his ire is only joking. ]
I've still got dark magic. Not that it'll help us with these tasks I imagine. At least if that fairy screws us over and doesn't like the branch we get I can curse them or something.
[ Probably not a great idea but he absolutely does NOT want to have to do this again. ]
I don't have healing anymore though. They said its blood magic. Not sure what all that entails. I only had a brief preview of it. [ He'd just tired out a brief prick of the finger, and surprisingly he'd been able to manipulate that single drop of blood enough to turn it into a sharp spike, like the length of a needle. ] Kind of hard to see it in action without blood loss, you know.
[ Juza baulks a little at the harsh reply, gets that Sakyo isn't happy about their case either. At the same time, he remains unwilling to admit that, 'freed' of Settsu's annoying presence for that long, he might be starting to lose his competitive edge. They'd play each other right up that tree, frankly, and Sakyo wouldn't have to move a muscle. It's the first time in months that there's a flicker of anything like missing not just Mankai's other members, but even that jackass Settsu.
Hmph...... not putting enough reflection into the moment, Juza won't say anything though, pride remaining. ]
Blood magic...? [ Sakyo's answer is much easier, much more relevant to pick at. ] I read about that, I think.
[ The look on his face is critical; but what does he remember? It's probably not much more than Sakyo knows already. The other magic types are just a fading subject in all the lessons he takes. ] Y' can sorta move it around, right? [ And there's a risk of bleeding out... not particularly squeamish, it still makes for an odd feeling in the pit of Juza's stomach. But: ]
Do you even understand the logistics of how that'd work? I don't have infinite blood! This tree is huge, I'd pass out half way!
[ There's no way he could manage anything overly complicated, like making steps or putting hooks into the tree to help him up. That'd require way too much blood.
Making it do the work for them, however... could be a reasonable idea. The only issue is Sakyo hasn't tried that aspect of his magic yet. ]
Hm... well, I'd might as well figure it out now instead of later.
[ Sakyo stares at his hand as he tries to think of how much blood he'll need, but he gives a quick glare at Juza before moving over to the tree, deciding he can use one of the thorns to draw blood. ]
If you did this just so you could get out of climbing this tree you're absolutely doing whatever stupid ass task comes after this, if there's another one.
[ He comes across a relatively thin but still very pointy thorn. That should do the trick. ]
At least you're hardy enough to handle watching this. [ Sakyo holds his palm over the thorn jutting out near the base of the tree. After taking a big breath, he drags it over skin, drawing a cut that immediately spills blood. His brow furrows from the pain though he doesn't make a sound, and he waits until he feels it drip down his wrist before he focuses his magic on it.
At the same time as the line of blood seems to begin wriggling up his hand onto the tree bark, beginning to climb up it like a snake, Sakyo's body begins to go cold and stiff. His eyes widen as he yanks his hand away, and he forces the blood flow to stop. ]
What the hell?
[ He watches the little blood snake sort of thing continue slithering up the tree, but his hand feels heavy... almost like stone. ]
[ Hmph... he's right, Juza hadn't thought about the details of it before saying so. Still, it seemed like an idea good enough to consider and after a moment Sakyo himself swings around to it. If with a deal tacked to the end of it. ]
'Kay. [ Sounds fair, after all.
Yet, somehow, relief doesn't find its way, even though Juza is off the hook. He won't go all pale and pass out, but his stomach goes queasy the moment Sakyo puts his hand up to the tree. It's not the thin line of red that appears on his palm, nor the ribbon of it, shiny and wet, climbing up. ]
But the thorns— [ It's something he's too late to speak on already. ]
Sakyo-san! [ Juza catches him under his arms and feels him rigid already. Shit! ]
[ While Sakyo's able to prevent himself from bleeding, the damage has already been done, and he starts to feel the rest of his body stiffen up, rock solid. He's able to give a parting glare at the tree that just screwed him over before giving Juza one parting message. ]
Make sure you get the branch—!
[ The good news is his blood snake is a success, and should be able to climb all the way up the tree to grab the branch they need.
The bad news is you now have a stone dad statue to carry back to the witch as well. ]
[ A death scene in a play couldn't hold more desperation. Then again, Juza's dismay is real the moment Sakyo goes limp— no, the opposite, completely rigid in his arms. The blood snake disperses at the top of the tree as he looks up at it. He manages to catch the branch as it comes floating down a moment later.
At least, he's got the muscle to drag Sakyo back to Thitis. They get back to where they started, to the witch still playing her instrument. ]
Hey...! Help! [ With distance to close yet, the branch on Sakyo's chest where Juza's hands meet around him, he starts shouting. He should'a just climbed the damn tree. The guilty knot in the pit of his stomach 's worse than if Sakyo turned around and got on his ass about ruining his shoes by having dragged him back like so. ]
Please, help! [ Lady, do you even hear him......?! ]
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avalaughs2021-12-01 12:21 am
THREE
...uh.
[ Not that he needs cognitive magic to help display his apprehension here. Those thorns, man. ]
Sorry, doesn't look like it's a good idea.
[ Be proud, Sakyo, Juza's
mostlykept his head out of trouble that way. ]no subject
Of course it's not. That's the whole point of us having to do this in the first place.
[ And also why he's making Juza go first. But even if he's more hardy than the other kids, the tree's still pretty dangerous. The thorns pose the biggest problem here. He remembers the warning they were given. Sakyo's already aware he doesn't have his healing magic and has some weird thing to do with blood instead.
He crosses his arms, trying to think this through. Why do they have to climb to the top? Why not just let them grab any branch? Annoying. ]
...alright, I'll give it a try then, but you owe me big after this. Hear me?
no subject
Yeah. [ Ain't nothing, if his resolve didn't make Juza react in kind.
He can't just have Sakyo climb on his shoulders, but perhaps boost him up some other way. Although even so that tree's mighty tall, and craning his neck to look up at the top, Juza's not sure that'd make a real difference. It's more so that he's thinking as he tilts his head. Not at all different from his normal, brooding stare but he's adjusted to the ways of this place even while Sakyo was gone. ]
Sakyo-san, [ It's when Juza realizes he didn't find out before he left again, too preoccupied with getting a grip on his own. ] what's your magic?
[ Looking back at him, Juza isn't sure if there's a particular type that'd make this easier, but he has got a grip on the variety at hand in Avalon—without thinking that it'd changed for Sakyo this time around. ]
no subject
It also might be his opportunity to show him a thing or two. Being in the yakuza gave him more of a position to do things with his words instead of violence, but he can be relied on for other things.
Even, he supposes, stupid errands like these. ]
Ah? What, you can't remember already? Not like I've been gone that long. [ Of course his ire is only joking. ]
I've still got dark magic. Not that it'll help us with these tasks I imagine. At least if that fairy screws us over and doesn't like the branch we get I can curse them or something.
[ Probably not a great idea but he absolutely does NOT want to have to do this again. ]
I don't have healing anymore though. They said its blood magic. Not sure what all that entails. I only had a brief preview of it. [ He'd just tired out a brief prick of the finger, and surprisingly he'd been able to manipulate that single drop of blood enough to turn it into a sharp spike, like the length of a needle. ] Kind of hard to see it in action without blood loss, you know.
no subject
Hmph...... not putting enough reflection into the moment, Juza won't say anything though, pride remaining. ]
Blood magic...? [ Sakyo's answer is much easier, much more relevant to pick at. ] I read about that, I think.
[ The look on his face is critical; but what does he remember? It's probably not much more than Sakyo knows already. The other magic types are just a fading subject in all the lessons he takes. ] Y' can sorta move it around, right? [ And there's a risk of bleeding out... not particularly squeamish, it still makes for an odd feeling in the pit of Juza's stomach. But: ]
What about usin' that to get up there?
no subject
[ There's no way he could manage anything overly complicated, like making steps or putting hooks into the tree to help him up. That'd require way too much blood.
Making it do the work for them, however... could be a reasonable idea. The only issue is Sakyo hasn't tried that aspect of his magic yet. ]
Hm... well, I'd might as well figure it out now instead of later.
[ Sakyo stares at his hand as he tries to think of how much blood he'll need, but he gives a quick glare at Juza before moving over to the tree, deciding he can use one of the thorns to draw blood. ]
If you did this just so you could get out of climbing this tree you're absolutely doing whatever stupid ass task comes after this, if there's another one.
[ He comes across a relatively thin but still very pointy thorn. That should do the trick. ]
At least you're hardy enough to handle watching this. [ Sakyo holds his palm over the thorn jutting out near the base of the tree. After taking a big breath, he drags it over skin, drawing a cut that immediately spills blood. His brow furrows from the pain though he doesn't make a sound, and he waits until he feels it drip down his wrist before he focuses his magic on it.
At the same time as the line of blood seems to begin wriggling up his hand onto the tree bark, beginning to climb up it like a snake, Sakyo's body begins to go cold and stiff. His eyes widen as he yanks his hand away, and he forces the blood flow to stop. ]
What the hell?
[ He watches the little blood snake sort of thing continue slithering up the tree, but his hand feels heavy... almost like stone. ]
no subject
'Kay. [ Sounds fair, after all.
Yet, somehow, relief doesn't find its way, even though Juza is off the hook. He won't go all pale and pass out, but his stomach goes queasy the moment Sakyo puts his hand up to the tree. It's not the thin line of red that appears on his palm, nor the ribbon of it, shiny and wet, climbing up. ]
But the thorns— [ It's something he's too late to speak on already. ]
Sakyo-san! [ Juza catches him under his arms and feels him rigid already. Shit! ]
no subject
Make sure you get the branch—!
[ The good news is his blood snake is a success, and should be able to climb all the way up the tree to grab the branch they need.
The bad news is you now have a stone dad statue to carry back to the witch as well. ]
no subject
[ A death scene in a play couldn't hold more desperation. Then again, Juza's dismay is real the moment Sakyo goes limp— no, the opposite, completely rigid in his arms. The blood snake disperses at the top of the tree as he looks up at it. He manages to catch the branch as it comes floating down a moment later.
At least, he's got the muscle to drag Sakyo back to Thitis. They get back to where they started, to the witch still playing her instrument. ]
Hey...! Help! [ With distance to close yet, the branch on Sakyo's chest where Juza's hands meet around him, he starts shouting. He should'a just climbed the damn tree. The guilty knot in the pit of his stomach 's worse than if Sakyo turned around and got on his ass about ruining his shoes by having dragged him back like so. ]
Please, help! [ Lady, do you even hear him......?! ]