![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
- ! event log,
- a discovery of witches: kit marlowe,
- detroit: become human: chloe,
- detroit: become human: connor,
- final fantasy: sephiroth,
- locked tomb: harrowhark nonagesimus,
- marvel: jennifer walters,
- marvel: loki odinson,
- marvel: thor odinson,
- my hero academia: takami keigo,
- oc: elenore evans,
- prodigal son: malcolm bright
Something in the air...
✖ 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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
Bonus: music to watch the flowers bloom to.
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!
no subject
Kyle manages to keep his face mostly neutral, but the guilt radiating off of him is nearly palpable to a telepath.
"I did not get off on it. And that time it was a lot of people." He sighs and looks Quentin in the eye. "I got Canada bombed, okay? People died and it was my fault."
no subject
It's clear Quentin was waiting for something more disturbing. More intimately grizzly. More deserving of a hard R. But at least the guy has some inkling of decency. As evidenced by the way the way he tamps down his laugh to just a touch of a scoff. And then tries to sweep that under the rug too.
"Yeah ok. Bombing places is bad and you probably shouldn't do it. But like. At least Canada's mostly empty?" That's consolation, right? "It doesn't sound like you did it on purpose though so. It's probably not the worst thing to have done."
no subject
The fact that Quentin seems a little less down is, for whatever reason, annoying and embarrassing. Kyle's cheeks go pick again.
"Toronto isn't empty. Or Calgary or Vancouver or... fucking Hamilton, I don't know. And intent doesn't matter for shit when people are dead." He hunches in on himself.
"If you're trying to make me feel better, thanks. If you're just being super unimpressed I don't know what to do about that, you want some other story about how I killed someone?"
no subject
Incorrect as he may be, Quentin makes the assumption that Kyle's just being glib and doesn't have another story about killing someone.
"Can't both be true?" he shrugs a little. "What do you want! I was expecting like a story about a dismembered family. Or. Something with some teeth. Yes, ok, bombing places is pretty terrible. And frankly, I don't know how you ended up in that situation when you're not exactly Seal Team 6 over here. But also like, it sounds kind of accidental and you already SEEM to regret it so it's not like you're Genghis Khan! I dunno. I just meant, on a scale of one to warlord, you don't exactly seem deserving of a yellow. It was practically a compliment."
no subject
"I don't want anything, I just wanted to fucking relax!" Kyle pinches the bridge of his nose and closes his eyes tight.
"Okay. Okay. Thank you for the compliment. And I don't like thinking about things with 'teeth' okay? It's all in the past and none of it matters so why think about it?"
no subject
"I'm not saying I care? It just matters to this situation!" he gestures dramatically to the space around them and then jangles his ScryWatch at Kyle. "The past is literally the only thing that seems to have picked these colors for us. I'm not judging you or whatever, but sure. Fine. No more fun stories. Have a boring bath like a boring guy then." Sulk.
no subject
Kyle sighs. "Look... I'm sorry. And boring isn't BAD. It's... I dunno. Safe." He doesn't feel entirely convinced of that fact.
no subject
"Nothing is safe. Safety's an illusion. Have a good time. Have fun. Enjoy yourself," he shrugs shrinking deeper into the warm water. "I let you mind age a bit ago you know? I didn't tell you because you though you were safe from thinking about scary things and mind made it happen because you're enjoying yourself."
no subject
"Okay." He lets his body relax a little bit. "And I'm not scared of shit, it's not like I'm a pussy. I just wanted a nice night, you know? So. Thanks. But if more fucked up hallucinations start I'm getting the fuck out."
no subject
He doesn't actually know if Kyle can keep it up without him, but for the time being he isn't so far out of reach that he couldn't nudge the guy back on track of something starts creeping up on him.
"For what it's worth, you don't strike me as easily afraid. Maybe you should be, being a human and all. But you're not. Which is more than a lot of people so. Kudos I guess."
no subject
Mostly.
"You don't have a very high opinion of humans, do you?"
no subject
"Do you?"
no subject
He shrugs. "I mean... yes and no. But I don't really think we're better or worse than any other sentient species I've met."
no subject
"Maybe you need to see more of the universe," he says, snidely.
no subject
Kyle scowls. "I've seen lots of the universe!"
no subject
Questions arising from their colour coding aside, he slumps in his seat again. "Anyway. Not for nothing but it sounds like whatever universe you were dragged here from it's kind of a volatile place. Maybe one of those low-probability dimensions."
no subject
Gently, he plucks Quentin's wrist from the water and studies it a second before letting go. "Well, I don't think the colour coding is entirely morality based. Maybe you're emotionally constipated or something."
He lets go. "I'll have to take your word for it. I've only seen one other dimension, pretty sure."
no subject
"Oh interesting," he says rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "You think it's less of a scale and more of an algorithm huh? Nobody's come at me with that idea yet. What makes you suspect as much?"
"And this one! I'm pretty sure this is a different dimension. At least from mine."
no subject
"Yeah, exactly." He leans forward just a little, because he just loves to explain his thoughts. "Okay, so here's why I'm thinking that: some of us have very similar home worlds, but others sure do not. I've met people with the same colour designation as me, but from a moral standpoint we're pretty far apart. Like, okay, an example: my friend Carter. He's like the nicest guy ever, like I'm pretty sure he'd help little old ladies across the street and shit. But he's got yellow. Why? Like unless he's secretly a serial killer, it seems weird to put him in the same category as someone who got a country bombed."
He holds up a finger. "BUT. He's clearly got some deep psychological shit happening. We've hung out and yeah, he totally does, I think stuff to do with his mom and how he grew up and shit. So, I'm thinking this whole thing is like... group therapy from hell meets self deterministic moral inventory."
He sits back again, smiling. "At least, that's my working theory for the moment. And yeah, okay, this one. And the evil twin dimension but I didn't GO there."
no subject
"That makes sense. It's logical enough evidence at least that whatever metric by which we're being measured isn't linear. I just want to know what they get out of it. Them. Whoever's running the show around here. Like what do the care about my self esteem and past transgressions unless there's something they intend on doing with me? They'd have a better time getting me to cooperate if they let me in on it."
He takes a longer look at Kyle when he smiles. He actually looks relaxed in that moment and Quentin has to wonder if he's figured out how to keep his anxious thoughts at bay or if this little chat has just distracted him from them. "Hey, look at you. Less boring by the minute. I have that effect on people," he smiles.
no subject
"Well, as stupid as this is gonna sound, maybe what the boat dude claim is true: somehow we're being used as a metric for whether or not existence should continue as it should. While we might improve, it's not actually altruistic, it's like a shitty test for humanity. Like... okay."
He shifts and leans forward a little bit again, like a sunflower chasing the light of Quentin's attention. "When I was a kid, an alien gangster showed up wanting to hide a bunch of space money. And the intergalactic police showed up after that and were like, hey did you see this guy, and my best friend's dad convinced everyone to say no so they could all split the space money. But the whole thing was all a fake out - a way to see if humanity was ready to enter this galactic federation or whatever. And we fucking failed hardcore.
"This might be like that but slightly less stupid because space cash? For seriously? God, my friend's dad is so stupid."
no subject
A slow smile crosses Quentin's face as he watched Kyle over the top rim of his glasses. Not only is it a good story, but the more he shuts up and lets Kyle ramble the more of these bizarre accounts start coming to the surface. It begins to paint a picture of a guy, and a universe, Quentin could really find entertaining. At least as much as his own.
"His name wasn't Cosair was it? Or Kubark? I went to school with Kubark he's kind of extra."
no subject
Kyle shakes his head. "Dunno, I missed pretty much all of it. My super best friend told me, because it was his dipshit dad who caused all the trouble in the first place. But none of the other aliens I've ever met were named either of those, either."
no subject
"Oh well. probably not missing much. I've never met any aliens I'm crazy about. They're fine mostly. Just nothing to become a Scientologist over." He narrows his eyes at Kyle. "Why the fuck do you keep saying super best friend like that's something."
no subject
Kyle nods. "Yeah, ditto." But then he flushes bright red. "Because it is? I've known him since I was four."
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)