TDM # 7

[acatamods]

I ▫ main IV ▫ premise       XI ▫ applications XIV ▫ activity II ▫ logs V ▫ rules VII ▫ bestiary   IX ▫ canon updates XII ▫ taken XV ▫ drop/hiatus III ▫ ooc VI ▫ faq VIII ▫ setting   X ▫ mods XIII ▫ reserves XVI ▫ players test drive meme #7 It happens in the blink of an eye. One moment, you are home. Perhaps you are with your family, perhaps you are at work. It's a completely normal day . . . and then, suddenly, your stomach drops. You are overcome with a sudden sense of vertigo. You cannot see up, or down, or where you are. You fall flat on your face. It takes a few seconds for you to gain composure and catch your breath. You are surrounded by ancient stone buildings, with carvings you do not recognize etched into the stone. There's a sense of nausea, overwhelming and sudden, when you realize you aren't in Kansas anymore. To top it off, something seems to be...wrong with the weather. The seasons seem to be off. And yes, we do mean seasons - all of them. THE TEMPLE OF BEGINNINGS. Welcome to the "Home Base" of Astoria's Circle. What the actual name of the base is called is lost to the ages, and there's no sense of where you could find it, unless you started asking around. At any rate, this is a central hub of the Circle, a place of powerful magic and mysterious energy. It is a scattering of ancient stone buildings and for the most part, it looks abandoned . . . except for what seems to be a few items, some rooms taken, items moved or organized, even a small garden planted. These are just the smallest hints that there are people here that have been here before you arrived. Overall, it's fairly beautiful. However, it is definitely not modern. Upon exploration, you find that the buildings are kept up by some kind of magic. Some of the rooms have items, things from other Circle members already settled, and others appear to be unclaimed. Pick your rooms, explore the grounds, see the beauty and wonder all around you in such a magical place. SPRING. ➜ Spring is in the air! Or a solid quarter of it, more specifically. Flowers are in full bloom, and there is a massive field that stretches from the Temple to the lake that has been reformed into a garden. It offers everything from roses to daisies to hydrangeas to even specimen specific to your home, each and every one terribly vibrant. Before passing through the field, an Unseen servant will provide you with a seed. A sign marks the beginnings of the field. “This is your seed to plant. I recommend that you do it as soon as you can; the flowers grow especially fast today!” You are welcome to choose any vacant spot, and there are watering cans to be found in every corner. But should you do as the sign says, well...the flowers of this field are livelier than you’d expect. It seems as though the flower you’ve planted has a life of its own. It practically resembles an infant, crying and babbling of its own accord as it stretches its leaves out in a plea for comfort. Looks like you’re a parent now…? ➜ Spring is the season of bloom. And with flowers comes pollen. Be careful, for this pollen is more magical than the norm — it might make you blurt out something you don’t mean to say with every sneeze or cough. This can range from secrets, observations, the things you always think but don't actually say, little facts about yourself, embarrassing moments you wish people would forget - there doesn't seem to be a limit to what spews forth with each sneeze or cough. Only that it was definitely something you didn't want to say. These aren't just normal allergies, so good luck! SUMMER. ➜ Venture father off towards the lake and you’ll find that the sun is fiercer than ever. The heat is sweltering, and the glint of the lake is bound to catch your attention. The water is clear and colored a deep, inviting blue; the mermaids are out to play, merrily singing their songs. They’re in a particularly mischievous mood however and invite you to join them in the lake — fortunately, the Unseen servants seem to have laid out a fair share of swimwear for you to wear if you so choose to. Keep your eyes open, as the mermaids may or may not submerge you in the water for a laugh. They aren’t opposed to making new friends, that’s certain. ➜ Nessie isn’t exempt from the summer fun, of course. The monster is prone to choosing particularly random times to emerge and send a tidal wave rippling across...and even over the lake. She may also be a bit more friendly, to those of you who are interested in a bit of swimming, and she may even let you ride her. As long as you can hold on, of course. FALL. ➜ Fall, otherwise known as the season of harvest. Togetherness and new beginnings are abound. There are crops sprouting left and right! The pumpkin patch near the kitchen seems to be thriving, its pumpkins now larger and glowing a bright orange. However, should you turn around...one of these pumpkin’s vines will grow thrice their size and wind around your feet. Maybe it’ll go as far as to lift you up and thrash you around, or it’ll simply let you go and leave you be. It doesn't seem that the pumpkins are too keen on letting you or your friends leave the patch, but there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it. They are aggressive, but range in intensity - are you coming to the rescue? Or needing a hand? ➜ Past the garden, the warm scent of bread and home hangs heavy in the air. They eventually lead you to the kitchen. Spread across the tables are...pies galore! There is a pie of every variety imaginable laid out in the kitchen for your taking. They come with a bit of a twist...each flavor causes a different kind of memory to be triggered. ➜ Blueberry: You’ve remembered something terribly sad — practically sad enough to bring you to tears. ➜ Apple: A burst of comfort...one of your most heartwarming memories, heartwarming enough to long for home. ➜ Cherry: A memory that fills you with glee, perhaps the more mischievous sort. Be careful to not suddenly burst out laughing, now. ➜ Strawberry: Ah, are you blushing? This memory is one of a more...embarrassing sort, perhaps in relation to romance or your dirty laundry. WINTER. ➜ And at last, winter is the season of...snow. Surely, it’s more than that, yes, but the snow is more likely to garner your attention first — because there is plenty of it to be found beyond the Temple and in the Forest. Hills upon hills of white expand across the land, but fortunately for you, winterwear can be found back at the Temple. Unfortunately they are...very distinct. ➜ Snowmen are integral to the spirit of Winter. You may need a bit of help (or simply go at it alone), but the materials necessary to make one surround you. If and when your definition of a snowman stands before you, however...well, it may not be what you expect— it turns out he has quite a bit to say. And feel. And think. The snowmen of this land appear to have fully formed personalities of their own, and can even move around of their own accord...depending on how well you’ve built them. ➜ Approximately every 6 hours, the ground beneath you rumbles. And promptly afterwards, mounds of snow come tumbling through the woods. It turns out you are witness the start of an avalanche. You can opt to run, use your newfound magic to your advantage, or simply get...pulverized? COMMUNICATIONS. Upon arriving, you will notice on whichever is your non-dominant hand, you will have a fairly simply screen. A smart watch, if you will. Upon exploration, you will find that it has a directory of all those here with you at the Temple of Beginnings- names, and access to a direct message to them. The watch also has video, audio, and text capabilities, as well as what looks like a collection of messages sent to everyone who wishes to open them. This is your 'network', and also how Astoria can reach out and communicate with you. There is nothing keeping you from removing and/or losing your watch! But remember that you will not have access to this network without it. OOC: Also feel free to join us and other possible players on our discord server! enjoy! ♥

Comments

[moneytwin]

It really is. At least over here. You know it's snowing on the opposite side, right?

[ Said casually, even as Vex starts rummaging in the bag she brought with her, unslinging it and settling it in front of her on the broom to make the process easier. ]

Faerun was quite lovely. It reminded me of home. Except for the giant problem, we haven't really had a lot of that. But they seem to have that handled.. What things CAN you tell about the temple, that changed I mean, compared to when we left?

[the mention of gifts gets a smile, and a pat for the broom] It was a welcome surprise on my return, certainly. Thank you.

I have something for you too, by the way.

[acatastoria]

[ she seems certainly glad to hear it, but she keeps most of that to herself, seemingly just interested in hearing vex'ahalia talk about faerun... but at the questions, astoria's expression shifts to something a little less enthusiastic, and more puzzled. ]

Oh... nothing really has changed, except for the weather. That is unique... it happened a handful of weeks ago.

[ it coincided with the fourth wall, incidentally. ]

But I am certain it will come to pass, most things seem to, here -- and you have a gift, for me?

[moneytwin]

Hmmm. Do you usually get some sort of warning for a change like that happening? Or does it just, happen?

[ There's a reason for that line of questioning, but first: a grin, before Vex pulls her present, concealed in its own fabric bag. ]

Do you remember a conversation we had, quite some time ago, after I first got here. We talked about your job description. And how you were lacking certain attire normally associated with that type of role.