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avalaughs2022-09-01 11:50 pm
test drive meme ⚔️️ 23 | FINAL
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ARRIVAL
The re-arrival of characters who were previously not here does not occur in the Bay this month. Instead, re-arrivals can appear at any time or place on the map as long as there is water. The Lady of the Lake is busy dealing with the situation in Atlantis (see the QuestBoard), so her magic isn’t very directed right now. Want to show up in the Red Spring? In someone’s shower? Stuck in the well the minotaur pissed in? Go for it! It’s time to get wet and wild. In fact, you could even show up underwater…
DARLING, IT’S BETTER
After the success at Dinas Emrys, the people of the cursed underwater town return to Camelot’s shores to offer a unique opportunity - to visit the town itself. It has only been seen in the distance before and this is the first time in many years that they have opened their gates to strangers, but all the hard work that the otherworlders have been putting in to fix the Calamity had not gone unnoticed even by them.
A few of the merfolk arrive at Camelot and ask people to put up notices for them. The following day they will be waiting for anyone who wants to make the trip down to the town, which they reveal is called Apkallun, and they will utilise the crown used to get everyone to Dinas Emrys to transform them into merfolk.
Merperson (fish bottom) - Merpeople’s singing voices are able to put people and creatures into a trance.
Cecaelia (octopus bottom) - Cecaelia can normally grant vengeance wishes, but per previous events, wish magic is not currently functioning as it should- so their primary features are the ability to ink and use their tentacles as additional controllable appendages.
Naga (serpent or eel bottom) - Naga have advanced strength and can extend their nails as claws.
The trip to the town is fairly uneventful, unless someone decides to wander off and gets stuck in some kelp or kidnapped by mischievous nymphs hiding along the route. Once there, it’s clear that the arrival of outsiders has been much anticipated by the town. They have put on a grand welcoming for their visitors and although many of the townspeople seem nervous to make eye contact with the strangers the atmosphere is not an unwelcoming one. Everyone is told that they may tour the town at their leisure and move about as they wish, and there is plenty to see.
OUTSKIRTS
It isn’t advised to linger around the areas outside the town, where the light of the lanterns quickly fades out through the water and leaves anyone straying wandering about in a murky darkness. For those more intrepid explorers, though, quick investigation of a noticeboard near the centre of the town will reveal a faded ‘dead or alive’ poster for something called The Wispmera, with a reward of twenty lavender pearls. Enquiring about it will draw laughs and puzzled looks from the townspeople, who will inform the enquirer that no one has ever gone after the creature in all the time the notice has been up. Further pressing will reveal, as they grow quiet and avert their gazes, that this beast will swiftly snatch up children who stray too far outside of the town unaccompanied.
However, all is not as it seems…
Hunting down the creature is no easy task and the descriptions of it are vague. It’s described as a barely-mer shaped thing that haunts the area around half a mile outside of town, occasionally drawing close only to be chased off by the town guard. Some people describe it as glowing, or having a massive head, and of being able to paralyse people from several metres away.
Even reaching the area where the creature is usually seen is fraught with dangers, including carnivorous fish and strong water currents, but persistent hunters will eventually come across the ‘beast’. It has the appearance of a huge jellyfish with poison tendrils wafting delicately though the water around it, but a moment of inspection will allow one to note that this creature also has a mer’s tail, and is simply sitting on a rock in the dark. If one can sneak up on it, it would be easy to kill. This first option would be the easy route to getting the reward and no one in town would fail to be grateful. The second, more risky option would be to engage it in combat, however those tendrils are able to paralyse a person within minutes should they hit. Anyone who is stunned by the creature will find themselves on the edge of the town after they black out, as if someone carefully brought them there.
There is a third option, however. Approaching the creature with no weapons will startle it, but it will not attack. This beast is far from the terrible child-stealing monster that those in the town would paint it as. In fact it has never stolen any children at all! All this poor thing desires is to be left alone, having never done any harm to anybody, and all of the stories about it have simply been passed down over time by frightened people who did not know what they were seeing out in the dark. If the hunter agrees to not kill the creature it will give them five pale blue-coloured pearls in thanks, but this will forgo the reward from the town. Unfortunately, no one is going to believe that you saw the creature at all.
DOWNTOWN
In downtown, around something that looks like it used to be a fountain, a bustling market has been set up with various stands and stalls selling local produce and items. Even the native townsfolk seem to be excited about this as it isn’t a regular occurrence and was thrown together in quite the rush after it was announced that strangers from the land would be coming to visit.
The stalls are offering food and drink, as well as handmade wares. The food is mostly fish-based, but some care has been taken to make choices available for those people who don’t eat fish (though that selection is somewhat limited). Locally made items are made mostly of shells, stones and driftwood as well as glass, and the stall-runners will eagerly push things into people’s hands if they show the slightest interest.
There is one large stall supplying most of the drinks on offer. Rather than being in glasses or bottles, they come in small magical bubbles that you pop into your mouth and break with your teeth and boast a variety of interesting and ‘enlightening’ effects.
- BLUE - a cool flavour almost like plain water, but uniquely fresh. Consuming it will cause the person’s skin to glow faintly for several hours.
- RED - tart with a faintly spicy kick. Drinking this will make you hiccup multi-coloured bubbles when you try to speak and lasts for around ten minutes.
- PURPLE - unexpectedly citrus-flavoured. This one causes the water being ‘exhaled’ from the gills as the person breathes to be dyed several different colours and will last for half an hour.
- ORANGE - tastes like honey and ginger. This one will cause the drinker to speak in rhyming couplets for around an hour.
- GREEN - tastes very much like absinthe. Also acts very much like absinthe. This will just get you very drunk very fast. Good luck.
UPTOWN
Part of the town is clearly far more… ‘polished’ than the rest. The homes are fronted with shining opals and nacre, and although the people there seem friendly enough there is a certain aloofness to them that isn’t found in the bustling marketplace or the streets around it.
But no matter, that isn’t why people have been directed there. The reason for any outsider to be shown the way to this area (unless they found their own way there) is to attend a concert being put on at the theatre in honour of their esteemed guests. There is a buzz about this show, with the performer clearly being someone of some note, and though there are no posters or pictures on the front of the building everyone is urged that they ‘wouldn’t want to miss it’.
The lights go up, and the performer is an ethereal oceanid of exceptional beauty who has been living in the town since she was brought to Avalon as an outsider herself many years ago. Though she doesn’t sing in a language anyone would be able to comprehend the emotion that she sings with could be enough to drive those in the audience to tears. Indeed, several people are seen to be leaving before the show is even finished and once it is over the entire room erupts into raucous applause.
Those otherworlders who attended the performance will be able to see beauty in everything and may find their emotions to be somewhat off-balance, making them more prone to outbursts and also to blurting out the truth to those around them. This effect should wear off after a few days, but any dreams that they have in the meantime will feature the oceanid’s singing in the background.
—-----------
THE RING OF DISP(HELL)
Part 1: Hot in Herre
As the otherworlders passed the test of nobility, the dragons reveal the location of the ring: it is hidden deep in a volcano. They are able to provide a map, but not much information about what can be expected once people get there.
The volcano itself is not one that the otherworlders would be entirely unfamiliar with, but it is not one that many would have had reason to approach before: the northernmost Ash Mountain, a volcano with plume-hidden bluffs nestled between Mab’s Cavern and the Perilous Desert. Though the Elphame traders are not around to offer much in the way of gear or protection this time around the dragons themselves offer to teach people a special spell (Spell: Dragonscale) which they say will protect from the heat and fumes that will need to be dealt with to reach the ring.
It’s recommended to give this spell some practice due to how valuable it will be when going up towards the volcano’s summit and for the trials beyond, but be warned that overuse can cause stiff joints, inability to regulate body temperature, and chronic burping that makes it feel like you just ate a dozen ghost peppers.
There will be plenty of time to gather supplies and kit, though some of the more unscrupulous merchants in Avalon are taking advantage of the rush as well as the lack of traders from Elphame, and are raising their prices. Some of the gear being sold may not quite be up to the task, either…
Part 2: Feeling Magmanimous
Arriving at the volcano is a trial in itself. The dragons will take those willing to go most of the way, but will drop them near the foot of the mountain to let them make their way up on foot. Their reasoning for this, they say, is to ensure that everyone is able to acclimate to the environment on their way up… but it might just be that they have better things to be doing.
With everyone loaded up it doesn’t take long for things to start becoming difficult. The heat rises swiftly around the travelers and there is very little movement in the air to offset it. Foul-smelling gasses rise up from vents and deep, narrow chasms along the edges of what appears to be a lightly-trodden path, if one could say it is a path at all, between slow-moving lava flows. What vegetation there is at the base of the volcano quickly gives way to the occasional tuft of dry grass and sickly-looking tree that has dared try to grow in this location. There is the constant, unsettling sensation of being watched despite the land around them appearing utterly bereft of any fauna.
Going too near to the edge of the path, woefully under-marked as it is, will put all but the most sure-footed in danger of slipping on the loose, shale-like ground beyond and sliding off down towards one of the oozing rivers of molten rock snaking their way down the side of the volcano. ‘Dragonscale’ won’t be enough to keep anyone from injury if they hit it, so watch out for each other!
A half day’s journey is what it takes to reach a mark on the map which seems to show the entrance to a large tunnel system, and though the entrance itself will be a tight squeeze for some it opens up initially into a spacious cavern that is somehow several degrees cooler than outside.
No doubt a few people will want to make up a camp and get some rest here. That’s probably a good idea. Beyond the cavern itself are several dark tunnels, shown on the map as Labrinth y Brenin, and some preparation is advised before heading into those passageways…
Part 3: Turnkey Toasted
When everyone is prepared, the final and most vital part of the expedition can begin. It is advised to take some kind of light source into the tunnels, as once the glow of the base camp is left behind the darkness is almost absolute. It quickly becomes hot and stuffy as progress is made through the winding passages and anyone who decides to lean on one of the walls to take a breather will quickly realize why - the tunnel walls are warm, almost hot, as if molten rock flows not too far behind them.
Occasionally the tunnel opens into small open spaces, like pockets in the mountain, where lava flows slowly in lazy rivers below the path as it precariously bridges over and edges around it. It might be tempting to linger in these spaces, where the pressing sensation of several hundred feet of rock above and around you is not so keen, but lingering for too long will have an unpleasant side-effect.
The fumes rising from the lava in these small caverns can cause powerful hallucinations, driving people to see their worst fears - real or perceived. It will be up to those who remain unaffected to make sure that their companions make it to safer ground, where the effects will wear off after a few minutes. Until then, it will be up to friends and strangers alike to make sure that those who are under the influence of the toxic gasses don’t cause harm to themselves or others.
Finally, hopefully without too much incident, the final cavern is arrived at. This is a large space, refreshingly cool despite several waterfalls of molten rock rolling slowly down the walls, and the ceiling glitters with geode clusters. In the centre of the cavern is a transparent, locked box inside which a simple ring can be seen. Underneath the box is an inscription.
You cannot prove, but you always know:
The apple falls, the wasp stings, a friend comes, the keys turn.
But what does this mean? The number of lava-falls in the cavern match the number of required keys to open the box, but surely the instructions can’t mean what they seem to?
Close examination of the falls will reveal the faint glint of gold behind them - the pieces are indeed behind the molten rock. Though it seems impossible, those who put their hands through the lava with faith that they will not be harmed will find that rather than burning, they only feel a pleasant warmth as the lava-fall parts around their hand and arm and allows them to pluck the key piece from behind it. Without faith… well, why would you stick your hand in lava if you really think your hand will melt off?
Once all the pieces are gathered by the faithful (and brave), the box can be opened and the simple ring is no longer quite so simple-looking. It can be taken without further trial, and the only task that remains is to make it back to base camp without accidentally falling off a bridge.
With the final item retrieved those who ventured out are free to return to Camelot, where they will need to hand the ring over to Merlin so the final preparations can be made to end the Calamity once and for all.
• This is the final "test drive meme," to welcome returning characters and wrap up the journey to get Lancelot's Ring of Dispell. |
Homura | Senran Kagura
[It had been about a year since Homura went missing. Truthfully, she had no idea where she was all this time. One minute, she was testing out the new outfit she painstakingly formed by herself. The next, she was gone, and now, suddenly back in the water. Seconds passed before she slowly opened her eyes…and they hurt. She shouted, the soap now getting into her mouth.
From within someone’s filled up bathtub, Homura raised her head, shouting obscenities while spitting out whatever soap was being used. Smelled really good, but the taste and burning in her eyes was definitely not worth it.]
Fucking hell, what dumbass stuffed the damn pool with soap!? [She paused. Wait. She had footing. The lake wasn’t that shallow. As her sight began to return, this seemed more like a bathroom…
….
………
…………….
Yeah, she was now looking at the other person awkwardly, her face red.]
….I swear, my mom didn’t make me do this.
2 .Reunion - locked to Caster
This was the path she chose now, having to hide her identity from others. Not because of her embarrassing entrance, though she made sure such news would NEVER see the light of day. Rather, it was all to avoid one of the few people who knew about her. With so many people coming back here, Homura didn’t believe her time here was permanent. How could she when this world was falling apart? Best to just do what she can to help from the shadows and take care of the stone giant while here. It was better if Medea didn’t know her daughter returned, just to have her vanish again.
So while traveling with the group of people, she wore a cloak to cover her outfit, remaining silent mostly throughout. There were many groups of people here though, and Homura had thought her mom simply stayed home. Didn’t make sense to her why Caster would suddenly showed up.
And then the Servant did appear, the two crossing paths near a pathway on the mountainside. All Homura wanted was to take some time for herself, and seeing her mother, she froze up. The wind pushed back her hood at the worst time possible too, revealing the all too familiar hairstyle and tanned face.
Her secret was out, and all Medea had to do was turn her head to see a certain young girl again in shock, trying very hard not to cry and run back to the woman who adopted her.
3. Camping/Reunion with Friends/Actual Intro:
After her identity was out in the open, Homura ended up joining Caster’s team. One could easily find her sitting down, meditating…or trying to, since her face was red, and even with her eyes closed, there was a noticeable twitch. One of two things could happen:
If she didn’t know you, she’d remain silent unless prodded. Albeit looking awkward and grumpy still, as if waiting for something.
If she did know you, upon being approached, she would suddenly open up and exclaim: “Look, I’m sorry I put up a disguise! It was stupid, my idea was dumb as hell too, so just…just yell at me and get it over with already!”
She looked more embarrassed than mad. Still, at the same time, also a bit apologetic, considering her earlier attitude to others.
4. Lava Touching
The task involved sticking your hand in lava to get the item, that’s all she needed to know. Some of her companions seem to hesitate on it, or at least build up the courage. Understandable, it was lava after all. Yet Homura just suddenly stuck her hand in and pulled out the pieces with little effort. Already being good with fire, she assumed out of everyone there, she stood the best chance and should just stop dancing around the issue. Instead, the heat was oddly pleasant.
She turned around to a likely bewildered group, and blinked in response. “...What? I got impatient. Not my first time around lava anyway.”
She expected many questions about all of this.
[ooc: also feel free to hit me up with ideas if none of these work for ya.]
Reunion - lmk if this works?
Whilst she spotted the other cloaked figure on the mountainside nearby, she didn't recognise her, not at first.
But the wind was getting more and more intense, making her own hooded cloak billow around uncontrollably- and then she looked back. Even with her hair blowing in her face and eyes, Medea recognised the girl immediately.
Her precious daughter.
Medea's hurried, desperate steps forward weren't careful- please, please let Homura remember her, anything else would be too cruel!- and as light as she was and as much as her cloak caught the wind, she found herself staggering. Her ankle twisting just as that bit of loose rock at the side of the path fell aware beneath her.
"A-ah...!"
1/2
Hearing Medea's reaction though snapped her out of it. An even worse situation appearing before her now, one she hadn't even considered, brought the ninja back to reality. She raced forward, using kinetic and wind to push her as fast as possible. Just as quickly, she grabbed a sword from her back, and her familiar in another. The snake instantly knew the plan, coiling around Homura's arm and biting down the handle. In one quick motion, she stabbed it and stretched out, desperately reach out to grab her mom in time.
Except she missed. Her fingers had barely even grazed her mom's before she fell out of reach.
She had nothing but pure horror and guilt on her face. There was no way she mastered her magic enough to fly reliably, let alone at an altitude at this level. Again the doubt plagued her mind, her mother seemingly falling in slow motion. She was letting someone else get hurt, if not outright die, thanks to her own actions. Every failure flashed before her mind, as if to remind Homura of her own efforts gone wrong.
Her friends, nearly losing their lives thanks to the greed she was too blind to see.
A friend who sacrificed herself, all because of her inability to react in time.
A young boy nearly cut down by her own doppelganger.
And now, her own mother, all because she pushed her away.
Tears formed, all as fire flickered around her body, anger suddenly rising in place of fear and self-pity. And for the briefest of moments, even her hair burned with flames bearing the color of blood.
"I won't..." The flames raged again, her hand letting go of Tsumuji. "I'm not some sniveling weakling!" She darted off from the edge like a bullet, her hand suddenly coming to another sword, the nodachi she could never draw since coming to this world.
"I am...I am....!"
2/2
In a single motion, the Nodachi drew from its sheathe with the utmost of ease. As she headed towards Caster, her body was consumed by the very crimson flames that once sparked but a few seconds ago. By the time they faded, her hair color reflected the very fire cocooning her. Even with her face, she might have seemed like a different person. To her, she felt different. This fear, this doubt, it wasn't her! She wouldn't let it rule her life or get anyone else hurt!
She grabbed Medea, nearly appearing instantly. Arm around her mother's waist, she forced herself around to facing the ledge, before the magic propelled them easily back to safety. Despite the long distance and her needing to refine said magic again, this form seemed to grant a better sense of control, if not outright power.
The duo found land again. Homura kneeling down to let her mother back to safety, far away from any ledges this time. She turned around again, a wave of her hand causing the sword she stabbed into the ground to suddenly fly and return to her sheathe. This would have made her more proud, her soul feeling like it returned.
But there was still disappointment, Homura hanging her head just as she sheathed Engetsuka, the crimson glow and hair fading away.
"...I'm sorry."
no subject
And, as Homura's hand slipped on her's, her mind went blank.
She felt fire. Fire that burned before her and all around her- that was normally something she controlled, wasn't it? Medea reached for it. Her flames...no, her daughter's flames. Somehow, a sense of calm returned to her, gripping tight onto Homura as she caught her. That sword- soon enough, she'd remember the significance of that sword.
But for now, as she found herself on solid ground again, and with Homura's magic starting to fade that she just threw her arms around her and burst into tears.
"Homura...this is real, isn't it?? You truly came back?? I, I have a mind to curse you for disappearing for so long...!"
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"I'm sorry, so goddamn sorry!" she practically shouted, not caring if others saw her as this blubbering mess. "I, I wanted to tell you, b-but I was s-scared I was just gonna vanish again a-and hurt you. But then this shit happens and...I'm sorry!"
She was practically shivering, almost like in the dream they both shared, when Homura finally broke down. Hard not to now, given the circumstances.
no subject
It was only after a few moments that she waved a free hand in the air, calling upon the shadows to shroud them. Even if her daughter didn't care who saw them, it was no one's business but their's. She wouldn't share that with anyone. And with her spell cast, she moved her hand back to gently stroke Homura's hair.
"You intended...you fully intended to vanish without seeing me once- I missed you terribly, you must know that...!" Another sob made her voice crack. Medea knew she was being unreasonable, deep down, but rational though would come later.
"...You aren't hurt, are you?"
no subject
She clung to Medea, not moving anything but her head as she nodded. "It was stupid! I realize it now and I just...I didn't know what to else to do!"
She cried again, cursing herself openly. Only when drawing Engetsuka earlier did her mind finally come together for once in this world.
She sniffles, pressing herself into her mom's shoulder. "I should be asking you that. You're the one who slipped and fell because of me."