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.
They sound like someone you are quite fond of. [ Even if it's difficult to get the words out... consider it a deduction based on her own intuition. ] If we meet, I shall let inform him that...
[ A tiny shake of her head — as if to ward off being fond of him. She is, of course, but that's not it. At first she disliked him — disgusted was a word — but now... He was still the man who was willing to hate her face and the one who saved her life. ]
... He's very important to me.
[ Somehow, it's said even more quietly than she has yet — which is remarkable in and of itself.
She freezes only slightly as they turn to introductions; If only because she doesn't dare want to ask the other's name — ]
Gray.
[ No last name. No question of who the other was back at them. It's an unhelpful answer and she knows it, but she knows little else of what to say. ]
[ There it was. Of course, the appearance was too uncanny. A woman who's face mirrored her own. A woman she knew existed as a Servant thanks to her teacher — Someone she would never meet because if she did then that would mean... ]
[ "Gray" would not exist. Right? ]
[ There's no return niceties on her lips, no words to give. The girl's form goes rigid and she feels cold despite the thick cloak she wears. Add is mournfully silent beneath her cloak — a blessing or a curse she couldn't say. ]
[ It's rude not to say anything— increasingly ruder — But what is she supposed to say? To do? This is the person her village had sought. The person the world wanted and needed more than "Gray". But in some ways all she can do is catch her breath. ]
Ah... I'm sorry...
[ For what she doesn't elaborate yet. Her throat as dry as sand paper as she tried again: ] Thank you, for offering to help, but I should... Find teacher on my own.
[ The tremble in her voice is barely there — not quite of fear, but something more indistinguishable. A sound more like a wounded songbird, perhaps. ]
[ Saber... or rather, Artoria, isn't blind to these changes. She'd noted her disposition earlier, the awkwardness and unwillingness to show her face, but she decided not to speak on it. Now there's a stiffness to the way she carries herself, the sudden silence, the small tremble when she finally responds...
All she did was introduce herself... certainly, her identity would come as a shock and she'd expected as much. Surprise and a question to confirm were what usually came here in Avalon.
It was new, as well as concerning. ]
A-Ah, no, my apologies...
[ A pause. An apology for what? She wasn't sure, so she can't continue. ]
[ Surprisingly, the response is sharp and quick — a pitch louder. And for the first time, Gray looks up at the woman from her beneath the hood. And although the hood obscures a grand deal and her hair's gray meets with its darkness, seafoam eyes are a mirror.
She catches herself quickly and ducks her head quickly once more, tilting in the opposite direction. ]
[ Not for the first time the girl doesn't answer. She knows her mistake of looking up, even for a second. It's a form that's difficult to miss by anyone when you see it every time you look in a mirror. A reflection she hates. A reflection she's reminded that she doesn't even remember what she once looked like.
Her fingers twist at the fabric of her sleeves in indecision. If this was her home, such a circumstance would certainly be impossible. After all, they would only need to the summon the soul into the form that was "Gray". If that happened here wouldn't she have disappeared already--? Surely, she would have.
A moment of indecision longer feels like an eternnity. ]
My village... Has always sought that king.
[ Even now she distances herself, despite said king being before her. Too holy, too other, perhaps. Her fingers finally move, finding themselves at the corners of her hood and tugging it down. She only half looks up,half has the desire to return it to its place. ]
That's why... [ She's just a copy, a shell, afterall. ]
[ She bites down on the inside of her lip. Gloved hands return once more to the edges of the hood, pulling it over until her face is obscured once more. ]
This body is the results of their work.
[ The sentence is said evenly, not as quiet as before. A sound more hollow than mournful. She tilts her head upwards -- towards the woman. ]
[ She gets a better view of her face again... indeed, it's like looking in a mirror. Again, someone like Nero is one thing... this was another. It was past resemblance. ]
A village seeking my revival, then...
[ The unknown methods aside, it was easy to piece together. Such a resemblance wasn't natural... such is confirmed with hearing that she didn't always have that face.
Her face. She can scarcely imagine how such a thing was possible, but Gray was right there in front of her. Her eyes narrow, a... complicated expression on her face. A mixture of pity and disapproval of whatever methods were used... and even a little frustration. Not that there was anything she could have done. ]
I see...
[ No wonder she averted her eyes and hid her face, then. ]
[ Gray offered nothing more than a short nod of confirmation. Even being from that village, she couldn't have all the details to explain further. She had been four at the time the transformation had begun, after all. And all she knew was that one day...
... She tries not to think about it. "One day," seemed to be a far away thing in this place if they could stand so close like this. Her mouth warbles into a frown as she turns instead to shake her head. ]
[ Of course, a part of Gray wants to hate the person before her. At the same part, by large, the rest of her can't bring herself to hate the king. ]
[ It was certainly, not her fault that such a position had come to be. ]
[ She doesn't even truly despise her village. If there was anyone, for the longest time, she hated most of all it was herself. It's only recently that things had began to change. ]
I...
[ A beat. ] I cannot despise you. Even so...
... I know it's selfish, but — I can't accept that apology.
[ It's said quietly, too quietly. Either it wasn't the woman's apology to give or even... This is a fate she can no longer escape. An apology felt hollow. ]
[ She truly isn't surprised... in fact, she expected that answer. Hearing it, she nods again. ]
I understand.
[ Because why should she accept it? Even Artoria knew that in the end, even if she apologized as the King they intended to revive, it meant nothing in the end.
It was indeed, hollow. She doubted there was anything she could do to change that. As King, it was only right that she do so anyway... but as one who ironically played just as little of a part...
She'd already accepted that she'd be despised the instant she began to understand. In that sense, hearing that Gray didn't—or rather, couldn't—despise her was a surprise... even if it didn't show on Artoria's face. ]
I apologize, then, for taking your time... [ A beat. ] If your teacher is here, I hope you find them.
[ What more is there to say? Despite what she said, her presence certainly must not be appreciated. As she walks past, she does think... is there anything else she should say? Anything else she should do? She doesn't know... ]
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avalaughs2021-12-01 12:21 am
no subject
They sound like someone you are quite fond of. [ Even if it's difficult to get the words out... consider it a deduction based on her own intuition. ] If we meet, I shall let inform him that...
[ A pause... ]
Ah, forgive me, I never asked your name.
no subject
... He's very important to me.
[ Somehow, it's said even more quietly than she has yet — which is remarkable in and of itself.
She freezes only slightly as they turn to introductions; If only because she doesn't dare want to ask the other's name — ]
Gray.
[ No last name. No question of who the other was back at them. It's an unhelpful answer and she knows it, but she knows little else of what to say. ]
no subject
[ Unfortunately... for Saber, it's common courtesy to introduce yourself in return. ]
My name is Artoria Pendragon, though I also go by 'Saber'.
no subject
[ "Gray" would not exist. Right? ]
[ There's no return niceties on her lips, no words to give. The girl's form goes rigid and she feels cold despite the thick cloak she wears. Add is mournfully silent beneath her cloak — a blessing or a curse she couldn't say. ]
[ It's rude not to say anything— increasingly ruder — But what is she supposed to say? To do? This is the person her village had sought. The person the world wanted and needed more than "Gray". But in some ways all she can do is catch her breath. ]
Ah... I'm sorry...
[ For what she doesn't elaborate yet. Her throat as dry as sand paper as she tried again: ] Thank you, for offering to help, but I should... Find teacher on my own.
[ The tremble in her voice is barely there — not quite of fear, but something more indistinguishable. A sound more like a wounded songbird, perhaps. ]
no subject
All she did was introduce herself... certainly, her identity would come as a shock and she'd expected as much. Surprise and a question to confirm were what usually came here in Avalon.
It was new, as well as concerning. ]
A-Ah, no, my apologies...
[ A pause. An apology for what? She wasn't sure, so she can't continue. ]
no subject
[ Surprisingly, the response is sharp and quick — a pitch louder. And for the first time, Gray looks up at the woman from her beneath the hood. And although the hood obscures a grand deal and her hair's gray meets with its darkness, seafoam eyes are a mirror.
She catches herself quickly and ducks her head quickly once more, tilting in the opposite direction. ]
It's me who should be apologizing...
To that king after all.
no subject
It was her own, after all.
She’s already met Nero… she’s already aware of the presence of other Servants with a similar face to her own, but… this was different.
Nero had her subtle differences. Putting aside the gray that was her hair…
It was like looking in a mirror. Nero was a strange experience, this was surreal. Her mouth hangs open, silent for a moment until… ]
T-That king…? Wait, your…
no subject
[ Not for the first time the girl doesn't answer. She knows her mistake of looking up, even for a second. It's a form that's difficult to miss by anyone when you see it every time you look in a mirror. A reflection she hates. A reflection she's reminded that she doesn't even remember what she once looked like.
Her fingers twist at the fabric of her sleeves in indecision. If this was her home, such a circumstance would certainly be impossible. After all, they would only need to the summon the soul into the form that was "Gray". If that happened here wouldn't she have disappeared already--? Surely, she would have.
A moment of indecision longer feels like an eternnity. ]
My village... Has always sought that king.
[ Even now she distances herself, despite said king being before her. Too holy, too other, perhaps. Her fingers finally move, finding themselves at the corners of her hood and tugging it down. She only half looks up,half has the desire to return it to its place. ]
That's why... [ She's just a copy, a shell, afterall. ]
no subject
It's not hard to guess that... she herself was likely the king she speaks of. She can't claim to understand anything else, but... ]
A village...
[ All of it happened after her passing, after all, so a village that seeks the return of the King... is new to her. ]
...why your face resembles mine?
[ She says with a stern expression. She doesn't understand, but she has a bad feeling... ]
no subject
This body is the results of their work.
[ The sentence is said evenly, not as quiet as before. A sound more hollow than mournful. She tilts her head upwards -- towards the woman. ]
... I didn't always have this face.
no subject
A village seeking my revival, then...
[ The unknown methods aside, it was easy to piece together. Such a resemblance wasn't natural... such is confirmed with hearing that she didn't always have that face.
Her face. She can scarcely imagine how such a thing was possible, but Gray was right there in front of her. Her eyes narrow, a... complicated expression on her face. A mixture of pity and disapproval of whatever methods were used... and even a little frustration. Not that there was anything she could have done. ]
I see...
[ No wonder she averted her eyes and hid her face, then. ]
no subject
... She tries not to think about it. "One day," seemed to be a far away thing in this place if they could stand so close like this. Her mouth warbles into a frown as she turns instead to shake her head. ]
So... it's me that should apologize.
no subject
No, that's wrong.
[ She places a hand on her chest, taking a deep breath. ]
I am aware this may mean very little, but on behalf of my... [ A pause. What does she call them? ] ...my followers, I deeply apologize.
[ She turns her head down, no longer staring at the face that mirrored her own, and bows her head. ]
I understand if you despise me as well.
no subject
[ It was certainly, not her fault that such a position had come to be. ]
[ She doesn't even truly despise her village. If there was anyone, for the longest time, she hated most of all it was herself. It's only recently that things had began to change. ]
I...
[ A beat. ] I cannot despise you. Even so...
... I know it's selfish, but — I can't accept that apology.
[ It's said quietly, too quietly. Either it wasn't the woman's apology to give or even... This is a fate she can no longer escape. An apology felt hollow. ]
no subject
I understand.
[ Because why should she accept it? Even Artoria knew that in the end, even if she apologized as the King they intended to revive, it meant nothing in the end.
It was indeed, hollow. She doubted there was anything she could do to change that. As King, it was only right that she do so anyway... but as one who ironically played just as little of a part...
She'd already accepted that she'd be despised the instant she began to understand. In that sense, hearing that Gray didn't—or rather, couldn't—despise her was a surprise... even if it didn't show on Artoria's face. ]
I apologize, then, for taking your time... [ A beat. ] If your teacher is here, I hope you find them.
[ What more is there to say? Despite what she said, her presence certainly must not be appreciated. As she walks past, she does think... is there anything else she should say? Anything else she should do? She doesn't know... ]