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.
( Izumi's not sure this place has much say in how they arrive. or much of anything, especially after the last couple of months. whether it was Sakyo's disappearance or the destruction of Celliwig and Lestari, the evidence keeps piling up to make Izumi think maybe Avalon is just winging it like the rest of them.
it's only after she blurts out his name that Izumi wonders if she should have used it. there doesn't seem to be anyone else around, but that announcement did state not to use real names. oh, she hopes she didn't fuck anything up there, but it's Sakyo-san. Sakyo-san whose disappearance made her heart ache, the rock of Mankai for years where even her own family ignored its existence — dad who knows where, mom angry and Izumi unaware of it all.
but relief washes over her, louder than concern over proper behaviour in the land of fae, louder than the fact that he's soaking wet and before Sakyo can object, he's being dragged into a full-force hug. )
[ The last thing he needs is to be dealing with the brunt of anyone's emotions, especially Izumi's, but she's always been that one weakness he just can't seem to figure out how to handle. When she embraces him, for just a moment, it feels a little less cold. Just in his face. But its nothing.
How over sentimental. Its not like she'd never see him again... he'd never let that happen. ]
Don't hug me, idiot. I'm wet. You'll catch a cold.
[ He doesn't really know what to do, especially since he's got his glasses in one hand and the potion bottle in the other. He can't pull her off and he... doesn't know if he wants to hug her back or not. So Sakyo just stands there in awkward silence for a few seconds just to let her get this out of her system before he moves an arm to tap it against her back. ]
I apologize for leaving so suddenly. Now come on, catch me up on whats happened and why we're in the middle of this lake.
me here like "what is time what has happened in the last few months"
( thankfully for Sakyo's sanity, Izumi does pull back pretty promptly, cheeks pink and eternally grateful for the thick coat she put on before leaving as it takes the brunt of how soaked Sakyo is.
but the joy of seeing him again fades at that question. ah. he's missed... well, not a great deal of time, but a lot in both Kaika's personal trials and the overall trials of Avalon.
so, she supposes she'll start with the small stuff; )
Itaru-san disappeared. ( she almost says left but catches herself. Itaru, Yuki, Sakyo, none of them chose to leave any more than anyone chose to arrive here in the first place.
but there's stranger, and more world-shattering things that happened. )
[ His brow furrows at the news. Another one gone. First Yuki, then him... she had to deal with too much. All the kids were probably a wreck too. ]
Bit of a mess then, huh?
[ He already feels like he needs to apologize to her even more, for leaving her to deal with so much without him, but there's no point in that now. ]
They'll recover. You, the troupe here, and those people left over from those places.
[ Sakyo finally removes the cork from the potion and has a swig of it. It tingles as it goes down his throat, the taste not all that great, but he's immediately hit with a sensation of warmth all over. Huh, guess magic has its uses sometimes. He finishes it off then tucks the bottle into his pocket. He's still wet but at least he's not freezing anymore.
He tries putting his glasses back on, pushing damp hair off his forehead. There's a pause. ]
( a little bit of a mess, yes. but Kaika's been making it through, surviving, batting overly familiar conmen away and doing what needs to be done. )
Camelot took in the survivors. ( not that they'll be seeing Camelot for a while, but he should get ready to experience the crush of people that now exist in the city when they return. ) We've been performing a lot for them.
( free shows goes unsaid. street acts. things to improve morale and get Kaika's name out there as they do. )
I'm good! ( the revelations might be heavy, but the smile Izumi manages is genuine. she's been doing things. directing, helping others, playing with Cream Puff. learning how to fight with a sword.
and most importantly... ) Kaika's been waiting for you. ( she's been making sure Kaika keeps its head afloat and remains a place Sakyo would like to return to, now that he's here. )
[ He almost wants to whack her upside the head. Focus on yourself for just a moment, Izumi! But her smile seems genuine enough, and Sakyo knows that when it comes down to it, the theatre is always going to be just as much a part of her as anything else. The answer will have to do for now. ]
It better still be in a manageable state. If you all have made some stupid expenses while I've been gone, there's going to be hell to pay, and that'll come out of all of your paychecks.
[ Did they even put on a single play while he was gone? Probably not. At least they were keeping themselves busy. Performing for refugees builds up a good reputation and is a great method to advertise. Unless those people have no money, then its useless. Sakyo sighs heavily. Thinking about all the work he has to catch up on exhausts him already. ]
So whats the agenda from here? Don't they usually pick up the new arrivals, or did they get fed up with that and decide to leave us to our own devices? I want dry clothes and a strong coffee already before the kids come to hound me once they know I'm back.
( that is a good question... and Izumi's player doesn't have an answer bc they are a human disaster. as for stupid expenses... uh, nothing since Sakyo left? (the hot tub was already there and doesn't count!)
but as for the current events, Izumi can answer that! )
We've been invited to Elphame, the land of fae. ( honestly, now she thinks about it, she wouldn't have expected that new people would also be included in this transportation. ) I... don't know how we get there from here.
So you're telling me two whole cities are gone, the place is up to its neck in homeless people, and we're being invited out on vacation?
[ Talk about priorities, Camelot. Nice. Sakyo finally puts his glasses back on. He starts trying to look around for the woman that gave him the everwarm potion ]
Well I don't want to stand around here all day. I saw someone else around here, maybe she's got answers.
( when you put it that way... but the debate of why they have been brought here at this point in time can wait until they've got out of here. )
Right. There has to be a way out.
( water, land, and... the distinct sound of a waterfall. it doesn't look like there's any way around that doesn't involve them getting wet, but maybe Izumi has an idea for that too.
after all, if a shield made of light can protect from attacks, maybe it can work as a surface to walk on, too? )
[ He's watching his surroundings as well, trying to get the gist of how far they'll have to go and through what sort of obstacles. Its then that Sakyo has the revelation he should probably give some kind of warning in advance. ]
By the way, I should mention I can't heal anymore. So don't go doing anything terribly stupid.
( WHAT DO YOU THINK SHE'S GOING TO DO, SAKYO-SAN? she's even shielded them from getting wet, though... that only functions in as much as they are literally bubbled while wading through the water, rather than allowing them to walk over it.
[ Being away from magic for so long, this is really bizarre to experience all over again, but at least she's being useful. He doesn't need to freeze his ass off again after using up that warming potion. ]
No clue, at least not yet. Usually we find out at the inn, remember? But instead I'm here. I'll have to find out after we finish whatever kind of errand this is.
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avalaughs2021-12-01 12:21 am
best supwise
it's only after she blurts out his name that Izumi wonders if she should have used it. there doesn't seem to be anyone else around, but that announcement did state not to use real names. oh, she hopes she didn't fuck anything up there, but it's Sakyo-san. Sakyo-san whose disappearance made her heart ache, the rock of Mankai for years where even her own family ignored its existence — dad who knows where, mom angry and Izumi unaware of it all.
but relief washes over her, louder than concern over proper behaviour in the land of fae, louder than the fact that he's soaking wet and before Sakyo can object, he's being dragged into a full-force hug. )
They'll be fine. ( a beat. ) I think...
no subject
How over sentimental. Its not like she'd never see him again... he'd never let that happen. ]
Don't hug me, idiot. I'm wet. You'll catch a cold.
[ He doesn't really know what to do, especially since he's got his glasses in one hand and the potion bottle in the other. He can't pull her off and he... doesn't know if he wants to hug her back or not. So Sakyo just stands there in awkward silence for a few seconds just to let her get this out of her system before he moves an arm to tap it against her back. ]
I apologize for leaving so suddenly. Now come on, catch me up on whats happened and why we're in the middle of this lake.
me here like "what is time what has happened in the last few months"
but the joy of seeing him again fades at that question. ah. he's missed... well, not a great deal of time, but a lot in both Kaika's personal trials and the overall trials of Avalon.
so, she supposes she'll start with the small stuff; )
Itaru-san disappeared. ( she almost says left but catches herself. Itaru, Yuki, Sakyo, none of them chose to leave any more than anyone chose to arrive here in the first place.
but there's stranger, and more world-shattering things that happened. )
And, um, Celliwig and Lestari were destroyed.
time is just a concept, theatre is forever
Bit of a mess then, huh?
[ He already feels like he needs to apologize to her even more, for leaving her to deal with so much without him, but there's no point in that now. ]
They'll recover. You, the troupe here, and those people left over from those places.
[ Sakyo finally removes the cork from the potion and has a swig of it. It tingles as it goes down his throat, the taste not all that great, but he's immediately hit with a sensation of warmth all over. Huh, guess magic has its uses sometimes. He finishes it off then tucks the bottle into his pocket. He's still wet but at least he's not freezing anymore.
He tries putting his glasses back on, pushing damp hair off his forehead. There's a pause. ]
How've you been doing?
and curry, don't forget the eternal curry!
batting overly familiar conmen awayand doing what needs to be done. )Camelot took in the survivors. ( not that they'll be seeing Camelot for a while, but he should get ready to experience the crush of people that now exist in the city when they return. ) We've been performing a lot for them.
( free shows goes unsaid. street acts. things to improve morale and get Kaika's name out there as they do. )
I'm good! ( the revelations might be heavy, but the smile Izumi manages is genuine. she's been doing things. directing, helping others, playing with Cream Puff. learning how to fight with a sword.
and most importantly... ) Kaika's been waiting for you. ( she's been making sure Kaika keeps its head afloat and remains a place Sakyo would like to return to, now that he's here. )
if only curry was temporary 😫
It better still be in a manageable state. If you all have made some stupid expenses while I've been gone, there's going to be hell to pay, and that'll come out of all of your paychecks.
[ Did they even put on a single play while he was gone? Probably not. At least they were keeping themselves busy. Performing for refugees builds up a good reputation and is a great method to advertise. Unless those people have no money, then its useless. Sakyo sighs heavily. Thinking about all the work he has to catch up on exhausts him already. ]
So whats the agenda from here? Don't they usually pick up the new arrivals, or did they get fed up with that and decide to leave us to our own devices? I want dry clothes and a strong coffee already before the kids come to hound me once they know I'm back.
no subject
and Izumi's player doesn't have an answer bc they are a human disaster. as for stupid expenses... uh, nothing since Sakyo left? (the hot tub was already there and doesn't count!)but as for the current events, Izumi can answer that! )
We've been invited to Elphame, the land of fae. ( honestly, now she thinks about it, she wouldn't have expected that new people would also be included in this transportation. ) I... don't know how we get there from here.
( maybe they should get moving and find out? )
no subject
So you're telling me two whole cities are gone, the place is up to its neck in homeless people, and we're being invited out on vacation?
[ Talk about priorities, Camelot. Nice. Sakyo finally puts his glasses back on. He starts trying to look around for the woman that gave him the everwarm potion ]
Well I don't want to stand around here all day. I saw someone else around here, maybe she's got answers.
no subject
Right. There has to be a way out.
( water, land, and... the distinct sound of a waterfall. it doesn't look like there's any way around that doesn't involve them getting wet, but maybe Izumi has an idea for that too.
after all, if a shield made of light can protect from attacks, maybe it can work as a surface to walk on, too? )
no subject
By the way, I should mention I can't heal anymore. So don't go doing anything terribly stupid.
no subject
( WHAT DO YOU THINK SHE'S GOING TO DO, SAKYO-SAN? she's even shielded them from getting wet, though... that only functions in as much as they are literally bubbled while wading through the water, rather than allowing them to walk over it.
don't go too far or you'll be wet again. )
Do you know what you have instead?
( any chance it might be useful here? )
no subject
No clue, at least not yet. Usually we find out at the inn, remember? But instead I'm here. I'll have to find out after we finish whatever kind of errand this is.
no subject
( no inn means no tutors. that's a problem, huh.
but as they keep walking, they come across a sight that has Izumi gasping: bright, colourful rocks glimmering in the water, and pixies dancing. )
W-wow!
( that's a first. they won't mind if she interrupts their dance, right? )
Excuse me...! Can you help us get out of here?