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

kyley_b: (RL summertime)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-13 05:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Figures. Man, whoever wrote these rules sucks.

I didn't actually go as a kid, although I was in Scouts, which was sort of lame to be honest. But as a camp counselor? Yeah, actually, I liked it. It was my best friend's idea because his girlfriend was doing it, so I kinda got dragged along. It worked out well, though, I got to teach kids how to swim and canoe and crap. I like kids.
queenking: ([up] double eyebrow arch)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-07-15 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
I blame the creepy boat guy, personally. [She lets out a huff, blowing her hair out of her face.] He seems like a stickler for rules.

[Then she snorts, elbowing him gently.] You realized your life's callin', showin' little kids how to make friendship bracelets and what poison ivy looks like? That's adorable.
kyley_b: (RL chillin)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-15 05:47 pm (UTC)(link)
You ever wonder what's under the robes? ...that sounded gay, but I mean his face.

[He blushes a bit and shrugs.] I mean, I liked it. But that's not what I went to university for. I'm supposed to start law school in the fall. Which will be okay, I guess. ...if I ever get back. Oh, god, this is going to fuck up my semester ,hardcore.
queenking: ([neutral] i mean u said it not me)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-07-16 02:11 am (UTC)(link)
I wonder in both an academic and a gay way. [Then she blinks a couple times, shakes her head.] I mean a straight way. A, uh, dirty way? Whatever.

Don't think about it. [That's her policy!] Besides, you're too busy tryin' to not die to worry about school. But why law school?
kyley_b: (RL chillin)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-16 02:35 am (UTC)(link)
[That cracks Kyle up again.] Hey, no judgement. People like whatever they like, and if that happens to be weird boat dudes for you...

Yeah, okay, true. I guess. Oh, uhm. My dad's a lawyer, it was always just kinda assumed I would be, too. Or a doctor, if my mom had her way, but I hate hospitals.
queenking: ([up] sunlit babe)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-07-18 03:53 am (UTC)(link)
Noooo, no, no, see, if I agree to that I'll get a reputation as the lady with the boat fetish. [Saxsice snorts, reaching to pluck another flower off a bush and stick it in her hair.] Hey, what color's this by the way?

[Then she frowns, hands on her hips.] Soooo you're doin' it for your folks? Not cause you wanna?
kyley_b: (RL superior)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-18 04:18 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, it's like hot pink. Looks really pretty with your skin, actually.

[Kyle shakes his head.] I mean, not JUST because of that... I'll be good at it. If I go into civil rights stuff I can help people. You know?
queenking: ([neutral] ...anyways)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-07-18 05:06 am (UTC)(link)
Oh nice! I'm a fashionista now. [A colorblind fashionista.

Saxsice still looks skeptical, both eyebrows arched now.
] Well, yeah, that's super noble and all, but...is it gonna make you happy?
kyley_b: (RL comfy sweater)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-18 05:12 am (UTC)(link)
I mean, you might not wanna take MY word for anything fashion related.

[Kyle shrugs.] Probably? I hate how unfair the world is, so at least I'd be doing something to change that. I guess... I dunno. I worry it won't be enough? Like okay, great, I'll get these degrees and a job and then is that okay? Or am I gonna have to get a wife and kids and crap? I dunno. How do you even tell what makes you happy, you know?
queenking: ([neutral] how fascinating)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-07-19 07:33 am (UTC)(link)
Shhh, be nice to yourself. [Saxsice plucks another flower, tucking it into his riotously curly hair.] I've seen way worse fashion disasters than you.

[That gets a shrug, as she hops up onto a wall bordering another cluster of flower bushes and swings her feet above the ground.] I dunno, man. I've tried lots of stuff to make myself happy and some'a it worked for a while, but...I think people aren't born to be content? Maybe?
kyley_b: (RL superior)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-19 06:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Only because we all have the same clothing options. [He looks pleased though.] My super best friend says I'm 'butch.'

[He climbs up beside her easily.] Yeah, you're right. Happiness is not a constant state. I guess the best you can hope for is to be content like, 75% of the time. What's the stupidest thing you tried to make you happy?
queenking: ([neutral] i mean u said it not me)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-07-20 02:46 am (UTC)(link)
[Saxsice is definitely not laughing at him. Not a bit.] Do they? That's...well, I guess that's a word for it. "Butch".

[It takes her a moment to think, because she's crammed a whole lot of stupid shit into less than 30 years.] Yoga was pretty dumb. I kept fallin' asleep durin' class. And I dated a guy who said he was gonna marry me, which was even dumber.
kyley_b: (RL sweet boi)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-20 03:02 am (UTC)(link)
I think he just means I don't care about fashion.

How did you fall asleep? The marrying thing I can actually understand.
queenking: ([down] pensively staring)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-07-21 03:10 am (UTC)(link)
Is that what that means now? [She's definitely behind the times.] I think you're more of a, uhhhh whatsitcalled. Twink? Twink.

Yoga's really relaxin'. Some of the positions are like...actually super comfortable. [Saxsice rolls her eyes, swinging her feet back and forth.] It was a dumb idea. He was a dumb guy.
kyley_b: (RL hairflip)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-21 04:09 am (UTC)(link)
Really? I always felt like you had to be like, pouty and pretty for that. I guess I'm just a dork.

Ohh, so you just conked out. Nobody should get mad about that.

[He raises his eyebrows.] Why dumb?
queenking: ([up] double eyebrow arch)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-07-23 02:06 am (UTC)(link)
Nah, it's a state of mind Kylie. [Cue vague hand gestures.] Mindset of the twink.

Yeah, and it was some awesome sleep. Nothin' like a little stretch to getcha all relaxed. [She grimaces, sticking her tongue out.] Well, he was already married, for one.
kyley_b: (RL hair grab)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-23 05:22 am (UTC)(link)
Okay, then that's not me. I don't think so, anyway.

...oh. Oh, wow, okay, yeah. I mean, hey, no judgement. I understand the whole like... oh, you want em, but they're with someone else. I think everybody's been in that situation before.
queenking: ([neutral] i see your point)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-07-25 01:36 am (UTC)(link)
Not a twink. I'll make sure everyone knows.

[She rolls her eyes again, hard, grabbing a handful of leaves to shred.] For a common problem, it's a real shitty one, innit? Sorry you've been there, man. It's the worst feelin' in the world, realizin' your emotions kinda fucked you over.
kyley_b: (RL comfy sweater)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-25 02:35 am (UTC)(link)
Oh god, no. Don't be telling anybody anything either way.

Yeah. Honestly, it kind of makes me wonder if we're all just like... stupid? Or terrible at communicating.
queenking: ([up] oh hey there)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-07-26 05:37 am (UTC)(link)
Kyle, do you want me to keep your twink status a secret or not? [She's speaking very seriously, but she is 100% just giving him shit. Push her off the wall, Kyle.]

Definitely stupid. [Have an emphatic nod.] That's how ya know you're human.
kyley_b: (RL comfy sweater)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-26 06:14 am (UTC)(link)
Don't be telling people I have a status at all! I'm not like... on the market or whatever. [He is absolutely crimson.]

That's so not comforting.
queenking: ([up] /sips tea)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-07-29 12:26 am (UTC)(link)
Whaaaat, are you married? [She looks shocked, resting a hand over her heart, eyes wide.] And to think I was nakedin front'a you!

It should be. If you're feelin' dumb, you're in good company.
kyley_b: https://mcnuggyy.tumblr.com/ (gah!)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-29 12:32 am (UTC)(link)
No! [If he gets any redder he might actually keel over dead from blood rushing to the head.] God, no! Nothing like that!

...okay, when you put it like that...
queenking: ([up] smirky face)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-07-29 01:47 am (UTC)(link)
A secret marriage. [She nods gravely, miming locking her mouth.] Gotcha. Won't say a word.

When I say it like that, you're in good company, Kyley.
kyley_b: (RL hairflip)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-29 02:13 am (UTC)(link)
I, no! I don't really date is what I mean.

You're really gonna call me Kyley?

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