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: (a smile)

The Temple

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-11 01:07 am (UTC)(link)
"Well, well, well. If it's isn't Arts and Crafts with the Wolverine."

Leaning in a doorway, dressed in the shortest shorts he could find on the island in a wash of blues and white, arms crossed over his chest, expression puckish.

"Allo, old friend."
howlett: (disney princess)

[personal profile] howlett 2021-07-11 04:07 am (UTC)(link)
The voice is familiar enough even without turning towards it. Any other time and place that kind of cocky introduction would be more than enough to spark something playfully competitive in him, but this place has a way of mellowing the old man out.

"If I turn around and you're wearin' tie dye, you better start puttin' your foot in your mouth now bub," he chuckles and dusts the little shavings of wood from his lap.

"Good to see you, Beaubier. Maybe. Come to think of it. I ain't actually sure if it's a good think how many mutants have turned up here or not."
speed_of_snark: (a smile)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-11 05:36 am (UTC)(link)
"Everyone's wearing tie-dye," Jean-Paul points out. "Or a cultist robe."

He walks over to Logan and takes a seat beside him. "Apparently Deadpool is here, too," he says dryly. "So THAT'S a disaster. I suppose I should ask when you're from. Mutant Fuck Island?"
howlett: (disney princess)

[personal profile] howlett 2021-07-11 11:10 pm (UTC)(link)
"Back home there was a time, everyone wore those foamy shoes with the holes in 'em, but I don't think you'd be caught dead in'em." He smiles. It was more of a question of fashion than practicality, but he could suppose even Jean-Paul is willing to give one up for the other sometimes.

"I heard that, but I ain't bumped into him yet," he says dusting his hands and offering Jean-Paul a glass to go with this pitcher of fruits and herbs Logan himself seems to be nursing. "I figured that meant he might not know I'm here. Who'd give up peace and quiet like that willingly?"

JP's question is the first time he's considered that the man who knew him instantly might well be different enough to come from some here other than home. Luckily, he seems to know it. "That's the one. You too I take it?"
speed_of_snark: (homo superior)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-12 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
Jean-Paul wrinkles his nose and looks faintly ill. "Chrisse, no. Some things you just can't excuse."

He takes the glass and raises it slightly in thanks. "Possibly. And ouais, me too. Super annoyed to be here and not home in bed, I don't mind telling you."
howlett: (howlett relax)

[personal profile] howlett 2021-07-12 07:21 am (UTC)(link)
"See now I know yer the Jean-Paul I know," he smirks.

"Yeaaah," he sighs. "A man's only gotta wake up in a strange place a couple of times before he gets tired of being conscripted to someone elses' experiment." While he can always commiserate, the sense of que sera about him, even in the face of such a personal misery as that, is positively palpable.

"Hey, word to the wise. When the boatman says it's time to go, might as well pick up and go with him."
speed_of_snark: (homo superior)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-12 11:06 pm (UTC)(link)
It's that 'well, fuck it, sure,' aura that Jean-Paul is so grateful that Logan has. It keeps him from getting anxious, from fearing another Nate Grey situation.

"Oh? It ends poorly if I don't, hn? I can only imagine how you found that out, Logan." A smirk. "What, were you hanging on like grim death in some bar or something?"
howlett: (wiley)

[personal profile] howlett 2021-07-13 02:01 am (UTC)(link)
"It ends. That's the main thing," he chuckles.

"You know me. Just testin' the limits," the way he grins is probably all the evidence Jean-Paul needs to know his guess is more accurate than Logan lets on.

"If you pack your shit and come along quietly, you get to take it all with you. If you don't well..." he sips his drink. "They hit the reset button on you. Lucky for me I didn't exactly start a stamp collection or some shit."
speed_of_snark: (homo superior)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-13 03:39 am (UTC)(link)
Jean-Paul snorts again, grinning in spite of himself. "Chrisse, you always were a stubborn asshole," he says. Sitting, he looks more carefully at what Logan has been carving.

"Hn, you're not a stamp guy, non. More of a wood block print person. Or pornographic magnets. Just stick them to yourself for fun."
howlett: (zen)

[personal profile] howlett 2021-07-14 02:10 am (UTC)(link)
"Hey, pot, kettle, something something," he mutters, but the lazy grin doesn't leave his face for a moment. This place is peaceful and he's going to miss it when it goes like the other one did.

"I don't get the feelin' they'll give us enough time any place to start that kind of collection— blocks, I mean. Not sexy magnets," he glowers, just in case Jean-Paul feels like being smart again. "No sense gettin'too comfortable I guess." In some ways that's not so different from how he's always lived.

"You doin' ok? Windin' up here I mean."
speed_of_snark: (look up)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-14 05:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Peace is hard to come by, and even if Jean-Paul is discontent with being uprooted from his life, he can't help but enjoy that.

Jean-Paul smirks but for a wonder adds no other sarcastic remarks. "I guess. And I'm... pissed, really. Between you and me, Logan? I feel like it's my fault for finally letting my guard down again. After the whole... alternate reality fuck-police debacle, I was a touch paranoid."

As usual, he glosses over his feelings pretty quickly.

"But Krakoa was good, you know? Things were about as stable as they've ever been, for me. And now I'm here. Thank god your kid is with my sister, at least I know someone will look out for her."
howlett: (pensive1)

[personal profile] howlett 2021-07-26 08:40 pm (UTC)(link)
"You would," he snorts. "Even I'm not self-loathing enough to blame universe problems on letting my guard down." It's half truth at best, but he does tend to keep his distance from issues of the multi-verse. "Takes a certain kind of ego," he winks.

"Yeah. Krakoa was all right," he nods. It's simultaneously an understatement and tinged with a kind of regret for having left it so soon. "How's that goin' anyway? Not... too weird for anybody I hope. I ain't spoken to either of'em about and frankly I ain't got any plans to."
speed_of_snark: (homo superior)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-27 02:53 am (UTC)(link)
Jean-Paul makes a face like he's bitten into something sour. Which means, of course, that Logan is completely right.

He favours Logan with a knowing look. "Mm, I BET you haven't. It's actually going very well. I was a prepared to knock him into next week, but he's been a gentleman. Clearly doesn't get that from YOU." His tone is lightly teasing.
howlett: (pensive1)

[personal profile] howlett 2021-07-27 04:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"contrary to popular belief, I don't go lookin' for trouble," he smiles and Jean-Paul's remark drags a chuckle out of him.

"Takes after his mother," he assures.

"Thank you though. For makin' room for him over there. While he figures some things out."
speed_of_snark: (aaaaand no)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-28 05:02 am (UTC)(link)
"Mm, good. I don't want it to get weird."

Jean-Paul waves this off. "He does take after you in one way: he's good at what he does. And I don't know, having a hot shirtless guy roaming around isn't usually something I object to as a general rules."

He sighs. "Chrisse, I've left Kyle all alone with them. I'm the worst husband."