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

dothelokimotion: (The sky behind the lights)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-07-15 11:12 am (UTC)(link)
Not particularly. I think I threw it at some zombies.

[ he knew a tricky situation when he saw it. a way for this place to get to him. at her question, his expression flickers. ]

I don't know. I don't have one anymore.
neverwither: (Uh oh)

[personal profile] neverwither 2021-07-15 11:27 am (UTC)(link)
Hmm. Neither did I, and I also encountered the zombies. That's what made me consider the idea of a trigger - you can choose not to face what's buried but the demons rise regardless.

( Though she accepts she might be reading far, far too much into it all. Her own expression softens in response and she gently places a hand on his shoulder, if only for a moment. )

I'm so sorry. May I ask what happened...? You don't have to say, of course. But I'm happy to listen, if you need it.
dothelokimotion: (I can’t find a trace of you anywhere)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-07-15 11:29 am (UTC)(link)
[ loki seems a bit confused by the physical contact. his eyes flit over it briefly before pretending it's not there. ]

There isn't much to say. It was destroyed.
neverwither: (I think of things I wish I didn’t)

[personal profile] neverwither 2021-07-15 11:49 am (UTC)(link)
( Lacing her hands together, Chloe is quiet for a moment. )

I can't imagine how that feels.
dothelokimotion: (Here's your cuttlefish card)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-07-15 11:50 am (UTC)(link)
[ wryly. ]

It is a unique experience. I don't recommend it.
neverwither: (Not the happiest camper)

[personal profile] neverwither 2021-07-15 11:59 am (UTC)(link)
( Looking down, she shakes her head. )

No, no, of course not. I don't mean to be insensitive.
dothelokimotion: (You are indistinguishable from a fire)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-07-15 12:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[ he shakes his head. ]

You were not. And I've had time to process it.

[ more or less. it's a gaping loss, an aching wound. but loki tends to collect those anyway. what's one more? ]
neverwither: (When you stare into the abyss)

[personal profile] neverwither 2021-07-15 02:28 pm (UTC)(link)
( She looks back up and to him, considering for a moment. )

If you don't mind me saying so, that sort of strength is admirable.
dothelokimotion: (The sound of Night Vale fighting back)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-07-16 12:29 am (UTC)(link)
[ loki blinks, perplexed. ]

I'd hardly call it strength.
neverwither: (Time to tread carefully)

[personal profile] neverwither 2021-07-16 02:23 pm (UTC)(link)
( Chloe appears equally perplexed. )

What would you call it?
neverwither: (It killed the cat)

[personal profile] neverwither 2021-07-17 10:31 am (UTC)(link)
I don’t mean this to sound facetious but is there much distinction between the two?
dothelokimotion: (We were only a series of selves)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-07-17 10:36 am (UTC)(link)
Survival is a general demand of the living. Strength is rising beyond it.
neverwither: (Time to tread carefully)

[personal profile] neverwither 2021-07-18 09:40 am (UTC)(link)
Hmm. Yes. I do see your point. I suppose my thinking was that survival requires a certain degree of fortitude. To go beyond merely existing.
dothelokimotion: (It was an alien carcass)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-07-18 10:31 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, certainly but it is still a demand. It is not easily ceded, not to any power.
neverwither: (Default)

[personal profile] neverwither 2021-07-18 07:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Though some may not be able to or may not choose to meet that demand. I think the fact you see it as not easily ceded speaks volumes. You may be selling yourself far too short.
dothelokimotion: (We pretend that we do know)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-07-19 12:36 am (UTC)(link)
[ a wry chuckle. ]

I highly doubt that.
neverwither: (Shy away)

[personal profile] neverwither 2021-07-21 02:19 pm (UTC)(link)
( Which gets a little smile. )

Maybe it's the incorrect perspective of an outsider but that's how I'd see it, at least.
dothelokimotion: (You are indistinguishable from a fire)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-07-22 01:08 am (UTC)(link)
[ loki gives a little huff. ]

I suppose you're welcome to it.
neverwither: (When you stare into the abyss)

[personal profile] neverwither 2021-07-22 12:50 pm (UTC)(link)
I apologise if I’ve caused any offence. It certainly isn’t my intention.
dothelokimotion: (He had lived for the future)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-07-22 01:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[ he blinks. ]

I'm hardly offended.
neverwither: (Shy away)

[personal profile] neverwither 2021-07-22 01:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh. That's good. I mean... An unsolicited opinion can seem like a positive but that doesn't necessarily mean it is.
dothelokimotion: (That is the self we imagined we were)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-07-23 02:10 am (UTC)(link)
If I found issue with it, rest assured you would know it first-hand.

I merely found it curious, that's all.
neverwither: (Default)

[personal profile] neverwither 2021-07-27 04:15 pm (UTC)(link)
( That gets another perplexed look. )

Curious? How so?
dothelokimotion: (Those who see it avert their eyes)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-07-28 03:40 am (UTC)(link)
[ loki hesitates. ]

I suppose I'm not used to hearing . . . positive indicators of my personality.

(no subject)

[personal profile] neverwither - 2021-07-28 18:47 (UTC) - Expand

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[personal profile] dothelokimotion - 2021-07-29 00:54 (UTC) - Expand

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[personal profile] neverwither - 2021-08-01 15:47 (UTC) - Expand

end there?

[personal profile] dothelokimotion - 2021-08-02 01:00 (UTC) - Expand

<33 it's rough for him

[personal profile] dothelokimotion - 2021-08-02 12:46 (UTC) - Expand