polymods: (Default)
polymods ([personal profile] polymods) wrote in [community profile] polylogs2021-07-02 03:00 pm

Something in the air...

POLYMYTHOS: THE ISLE THAT BLOOMS

The Isle That Blooms


Ⅰ. ARRIVAL
You can read all about your character's arrival in the game lore.
This is the first isle you can smell before you see it rising on the island. It starts with the faint hint of growing things that blossoms into a floral scent that teases you with the combination of familiarity and the unknown. The next breeze seems to carry you closer even as it coats everything in a delicate wash of golden pollen that only the Ferryman seems to be able to avoid.

Do you like your lips to taste the gritty sweetness? Or are you already starting to sniffle? Either way, the island starts as a smudge then turns into a riot of color as it reveals itself.

The Isle that Blooms lives up to its name as flowers vie in a silent war of roots and strangling vines to cover every viable surface with sprays of color and vibrant pulsing life. There are signs of human life in the form of a village built on stilts and full of little anachronisms like a glowing neon sign that hint that the island sees a large number of Travelers come through this place.

And who wouldn’t be drawn to the abundant flora, brightly painted houses, and lively locals?

Everyone seems to be glowing with health as the locals gather near the dock to welcome the latest set of tourists. They come with arms full of flower wreaths and friendly smiles, clearly in control of their faculties and interested in trade. Their clothing is as bright as the paintings on their buildings, as the flowers that surround them, and perfect for the warmth of the day.

Do you notice, though, the absence of any babies or prepubescent children? Or that while there are old people, no one shows signs of the infirmities that come with age? It might be easy to miss, especially as the Isle starts to affect you, too.

The ache in your back from that terrible fall, the craving for that next drink, the trauma that’s too close to the surface, all the petty hurts the build up in a lifetime start to fade as you, too, start to bloom.

Notes:
1. NO GUNS are allowed on this island. The Ferryman will keep them safe for you.

2. These residents of the island are normal humans. Killing them is possible and may affect the color of your Scrywatch.

3. Any type of flower could exist on the island, blooming somewhere, regardless of its real world requirements. Rare ones are difficult to find and magical ones need a check in with the mods.

4. There is nothing preadolescent of any animal species on the entire island, including insects.

5. The island’s ability leaves people as the healthiest, most energetic version of their current selves. Examples: A blind person in otherwise good mental and emotional health would notice minimal changes. A person with a disorder would find themselves having a string of good days. A 50 year old probably hasn’t felt this good since their thirties.



Ⅱ. THE TEMPLE
Orchids in shades of yellow and pink so bright they glow have been trained to grow along the walkways and bridges of the elevated village to guide Travelers to this island’s Temple. The building stands alone at the edge of the Village, extending out in the ocean of flowers that fill most of the isle.


The temple is made of simple stout wood that has been carved and painted in patterns ornate and lovely in a way that speaks of hundreds of hours of creation and maintenance. The same orchids that guided you here gild building and act as camouflage the sleeping porches ring the outside. They are kept private and safe from insects by fine netting, and you will find the bedding soft and fine.

This Temple’s Guardians are a pair of lazing cats with strange spots and scaly wings that regard you with affectionate disinterest as you explore the facilities. There are toilets and sinks, but no baths or showers. The pantries are stocked with edible flowers and fresh fish and the space and tools to cook. If you are brave enough, the Guardians will probably give you practical advice on how to use those supplies. There are new clothes and sandals better suited to the heat, and even practical machetes.

Notes:
1. The Main Temple is still open to those who are brand new to PM.

2. There are paints and carving tools if you want to add to the temple decorations. (Maybe mention it during the Oracle Event if you do.)

3. All fabric items are ridiculously bright and vaguely tie dyed.

4. The marker orchids have a distinctly strong smell of vanilla with a hint of lime.



Ⅲ. THE LOTUS BATHS
CW: fantasy setting drugs.
There’s only so long a person can stand to be covered in pollen, and when you ask the locals, they grin. Oh, you want a bath? There’s a path back to the ground and through the tall flowers to a natural spring. Make sure to head out early, they warn.

It’s always better to be in the village before nightfall, and you are clearly going to take a while.

As you walk the winding path to the baths, the everpresent flowers seem to thin out and even disappear as ground warms and rock rises from rich soil. You can smell the mineral richness of the bright blue pools that form waterfalls over a series of rising ledges. There is life, though, even here, in the form of delicate lily pads that float in rafts around vivid lotus flowers.

If you test the water, you’ll find it’s warm enough to melt the knots out of muscles and make it easy to understand why the few bathers seem to be so languid and relaxed. If you sink all the way in, well, not only will you manage to get clean, but you might find yourself mellowing out even more. So mellow you’ll hardly notice when the pleasant hallucinations start.

You’ll find yourself drawn into visions of your most private joys and of the pleasures you keep to yourself. Maybe it’s a matter of shame or maybe it’s because they’re too precious. There’s one small problem, though. If someone else gets in the same pool, not only will they start to share the same vision, but you’ll start to see theirs too.

Will the fantasies become a nightmare or will you manage to navigate them together? Will you ever be able to look at each other the same way again?
Notes:
1. The hallucinations will end when you leave the water, but only once you and your bathing partner are both out.

2. The flowers are magical and will affect everyone, even robots or super powered people.



Ⅳ. NIGHTBLOOMING
CW: abduction, violence.
You are warned to stay in the elevated village at night. The flower fields are safe enough during the day, but things happen at night. It’s hard to imagine during the day when stingless bees that glitter in jewel colors bumble along and hummingbirds the size of chihuahuas feed from the abundant flowers while squeaking their strong opinions at each other.

But as the moon rises, and most of the flowers close, there’s rustling sounds that make it clear that there are big things moving through that growth. Things that make the hair rise up on the back of a person’s neck. It would take a big prize to make it worth finding out what makes those sounds. A big prize or a reason to face your fears.

There’s a scream in the night. You can ignore it, of course. Not everyone is meant to run towards the scream. It might not even change the color of your ScryWatch.

But if you go to the source of the sound you’ll find a mother weeping openly while other locals gather around to comfort her. It seems her teenager decided that the best way to woo their lover was with glowing flowers that only open under a full moon. The teen has been gone for hours, and the grim expressions on the people around you say his chances aren’t good.

You have a choice to make. Will you go into the dark to face the unknown dangers? Will you offer some other form of comfort? Or will you go back to hide in the safety of the Temple?

Notes:
1. The danger in the flowers consists of six foot tall nocturnal orchid mantises who have the teen pinned in a tree. They are currently singing a human language lullaby to the kid to get them to go to sleep and fall out of the tree.

2. The mantises have a hive mind and will retreat if one of their number is killed, but can also be talked to and negotiated with. They will be willing to trade a regular supply of fish for no longer hunting people.



Ⅴ. SPECIAL EVENT: THE FLOWER ORACLE
In the center of the village, there is a giant flower bud that is bigger than a man is tall. The villagers tell you that you are lucky. You will be here when the Flower Oracle blooms. You will have a chance to speak directly to the Ancient One through the Oracle, and She even answers. All it takes is a little sacrifice.

Notes:
1. During the week of July 12-18, there will be a special event post where characters can choose to interact with the Flower Oracle for a chance to be rewarded, get an answer, get silence, or get punished by the Ancient.

2. Any starter posted during this window will be honored, specifics to come.

3. This event is optional!

Bonus: music to watch the flowers bloom to.


Network · Logs · OOC · Memes · Plurk

speed_of_snark: (ohoho)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-07 10:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Jean-Paul's perfect eyebrows arch up. "A handsome young man like you? Hn. Well. I can understand being too busy, I spent much of my life too busy to date, myself."

He inspects his nails and buffs them quickly on his shirt. "I'd say apps exist, except now we're on fucking magic islands so it's not like it matters."
extrasensory_problems: (up_smile)

[personal profile] extrasensory_problems 2021-07-07 11:14 pm (UTC)(link)
"I've had a few girlfriends in the past but not for a while." He says, smiling at how den motherly Jean-Paul sounds when he says 'a handsome young man like you', a thing that he's sure not to point out.

"But yeah somehow I don't think Tinder works on these islands, which...whatever, it sucks anyways." He pauses and raises his own eyebrow up in an echo of Jean-Paul's, maybe that's where he gets it from?

"What about you? Did you ever get to go on a date with the frosty the dweeb?"
Edited 2021-07-07 23:15 (UTC)
speed_of_snark: (actual smile)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-07 11:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Jean-Paul has become a lot more dad like over the years. It's the time spent teaching, really.

Jean-Paul blinks, then laughs. "Non, non. Although he DID come out a few years ago, so at least I wasn't completely off. Non, actually, I'm married."
extrasensory_problems: (baseball_smile)

[personal profile] extrasensory_problems 2021-07-07 11:32 pm (UTC)(link)
"He came out? Wow, way to go ice dink." He says with just a hint of sarcasm but then his faces lights up with genuine joy.

"You got married?! Woaaah, whoever they are they must be pretty awesome to be able to tie down the great Jean-Paul."
speed_of_snark: (actual smile)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-07 11:43 pm (UTC)(link)
"He did. Seems so much happier for it."

Jean-Paul beams. "I did, ouais. His name is Kyle, and he's... so amazing. My sister hired him as my event manager, so we spent a lot of time together and eventually I realised he's gorgeous and smart and grounded. So. My human husband on mutant island."
extrasensory_problems: (sunshine)

[personal profile] extrasensory_problems 2021-07-07 11:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Carter's smile grows even more, "You married a human? That's cool! What was your wedding like? Was it epic? I bet it was huge!"
speed_of_snark: (actual smile)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-08 12:10 am (UTC)(link)
"I did, ouais. Chrisse, I wish I had a photo..."

He nods. "It was pretty epic. Rocky road to get there: I proposed and he said no, because I was being an asshole. See, I told you you'd like him." His smile fades. "I'd have invited you, you know. I had no address for your mother."
extrasensory_problems: (not sure)

[personal profile] extrasensory_problems 2021-07-08 12:26 am (UTC)(link)
He laughs at the idea of Jean-Paul's husband making him ask more than once, it seems accurate and true to form.

"He sounds really cool."

He pauses and gives Jean-Paul's hand a brief squeeze, "I know you would have. It's okay, I...kind of got lost in the shuffle of foster homes, and before you ask they weren't all bad. I mean most of them were yeah, but you would have liked my one foster family the Larusso's. The dad, Daniel, he's the one who got me into martial arts and meditation."
speed_of_snark: (uh huuuuh)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-08 05:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"He is."

Jean-Paul has a flash of genuine pain in his eyes - there and gone - because if there's a sure way to his heart, it's orphans. He's a bit like Batman that way, just less creepy.

"Which helped, you say. How old were you, then?"
extrasensory_problems: (punchy)

[personal profile] extrasensory_problems 2021-07-08 06:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Less creepy and way more stylish, if Batman was more like Jean-Paul then maybe Nightwing could have avoided his awful mullet stage...

"I was sixteen when I moved in with them." He says, "I was really struggling with school and...well everything but Mr.Larusso really helped me. He was really good at explaining things to me in a way that didn't sound condescending and when he started to teach me martial arts something just kind of clicked into place. It was like I finally had an outlet for all my energy, both emotional and psychic."
speed_of_snark: (han)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-08 08:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Considering Jean-Paul's own mullet phase, that's unlikely.

"Hn." He picks over his responses. "That's not uncommon - a physical outlet helping with mental help, and even teaching telepaths some measure of control. Some. Not nearly enough, but it's a start."
extrasensory_problems: (Default)

[personal profile] extrasensory_problems 2021-07-08 08:51 pm (UTC)(link)
At least neither of them had Gambit's clip in ponytail....

"Anyways, they were a cool family but eventually I had to move out because their grandmother needed home care." He says, once again choosing to ignore Jean-Paul's comment about control.

"Did you and your husband get to go somewhere cool for your honeymoon?" He asks, changing the subject.
speed_of_snark: (qu'est-ce que c'est?)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-09 05:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Better get used to ignoring them, Carter, because they're not going to stop.

"Mm, Paris. He speaks French quite fluently, thank god." Jean-Paul is still studying Carter with that cool blue gaze. "You're just as stubborn as her, too, aren't you?"
extrasensory_problems: (smirk)

[personal profile] extrasensory_problems 2021-07-09 05:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Carter's mouth slants up into a smirk and he nods, "Of course I am. You didn't think the only thing I got from mom was her good looks did you?"
speed_of_snark: (yeeeees)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-09 05:34 pm (UTC)(link)
"Non," he sighs, but he's hiding a smile. "Also, you're young. Young people think they know everything."
extrasensory_problems: (bw_laugh)

[personal profile] extrasensory_problems 2021-07-09 05:45 pm (UTC)(link)
He laughs and nods, "Well yeah that's part of growing up isn't it? Realizing how little you know and how dumb you are?"

He motions at the area around them, "Speaking of how little you know...how are you finding all this? Do you find it as weird as I do or are you so used to superhero stuff that this is a walk in the park for you?"
speed_of_snark: (into it)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-09 07:00 pm (UTC)(link)
"So we agree you're dumb?" He's teasing. Mostly.

"Actually, it reminds me a little of Krakoa. All the plant life." He wonders if Krakoa exists where Carter is from, as it seems very likely that there is some divergence considering his age. Still, one never knows. If it does, it begs the question why Carter hasn't moved there.
extrasensory_problems: (smirk)

[personal profile] extrasensory_problems 2021-07-09 07:11 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh totally, but luckily not in any damaging ways."

He reaches out and touches some of the bright blossoms on the bush near them, "It reminds me of that movie with the big blue cat people...pretty different compared to the last island which was more like New York in the twenties." He glances down at his shorts and tie dyed shirt.

"I miss the clothes from that place, on this island I look like I'm from a 90's rollerblading movie...."
speed_of_snark: (possibly amused)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-09 07:18 pm (UTC)(link)
"Avatar," Jean-Paul says, still watching Carter carefully for any recognition. There doesn't appear to be any. Interesting.

"Didn't you pack any with you? As I understand it, if you can fit it in the pack they give you you may keep it. Granted, you'd sweat to death here."
extrasensory_problems: (punchy)

[personal profile] extrasensory_problems 2021-07-09 08:37 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah I packed the suit I found but it's uh, kind of dirty." He says, "Me and my friend Kyle got into a fight with some gangsters right before we left and I haven't gotten a chance to clean it yet."
speed_of_snark: (uh huuuuh)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-09 09:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Up got those perfect brows again.

"Gangsters." Jean-Paul sounds faintly disbelieving. "You got in a fight with some gangsters. Carter, did you start this fight, or...?"
extrasensory_problems: (whuuu)

[personal profile] extrasensory_problems 2021-07-10 12:09 am (UTC)(link)
"I didn't start it!" He says, shocked that Jean-Paul would even think such a thing. "They mistook me for some guy named Jimmy and dragged us into a back room, we kept telling them they were wrong but they didn't care."

He frowns, "I was going to try and calm them down but Kyle kind of...uh...made it worse by taking their chihuahua hostage. He's kind of impulsive."
speed_of_snark: (praise me)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-11 01:10 am (UTC)(link)
Jean-Paul's eyebrows stay up. "I'm hearing you have terrible taste in friends, but considering Logan and I go back almost twenty years I guess I can't fault you that."

He sighs and shakes his head. "But now I am here, to guide you and watch out for you!"
extrasensory_problems: (up_smile)

[personal profile] extrasensory_problems 2021-07-11 01:33 am (UTC)(link)
"He's not terrible, he's actually really cool." He says and then pauses, thinking about Kyle. "Well maybe not like cool by other people's standards but I like him, he's fine with me being a mutant and he makes me laugh."

He realizes that the more he explains his friendship with Kyle the more they sound like boyfriends so he stops.

"I'm glad you're here Jean-Paul, even if it means you got taken away from your husband for a bit."
speed_of_snark: (actual smile)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-11 05:29 am (UTC)(link)
Jean-Paul's expression implies he's already halfway to believing that that's the case.

He blinks, smiling softly. "I'll find my way home to him," he says. "It won't be the first time. And I am very glad to see you again."

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