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

nanban: (bright)

temple

[personal profile] nanban 2021-07-03 04:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Hawks has been hanging out in the temple a bit for want of something better to do. He doesn't mind the weather, but the pollen sticks to his feathers and he'd rather not become a walking (or flying) allergy attack for anyone else.

He has his own brightly coloured clothes in green and yellow that clash with his red wings. But any port in a storm, right?

He follows the scent of baking to the kitchens and lingers in the doorway. ]


Oh, man, I hope you made enough to share of whatever smells so nice.
neverwither: (A happy curious girl)

[personal profile] neverwither 2021-07-03 06:24 pm (UTC)(link)
( Another winged individual. Perhaps another fae? The time spent with other Travelers thus far has made these quirks seem much more commonplace. Whether getting used to all of this is a good thing or not is anyone's guess.

Greeting him with a bright smile and an eager nod, Chloe is already reaching for a bowl so she can serve up a portion. )


Of course! Just hold on one moment...

( One of the ready apples is carefully placed into the bowl. The jam filling spills out of the top invitingly, releasing yet more fruity aromas. Not content with that, Chloe artistically places a few of the candied flowers on top. Only when it looks like something reproduced from a magazine spread is she satisfied. One eats with the eyes first and all.

A spoon and a knife are balanced neatly within the bowl and then she hands it to him. )


I hope you enjoy. Though please do be honest - one should always strive for improvement.
nanban: (enjoyment)

[personal profile] nanban 2021-07-04 07:46 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Hawks finds it weird to be around people who don't have some kind of power, since his world is full of people who do. Sure, some of them are useless powers, but still.

The whole meeting people from other universes thing is fascinating, but also a lot to take in, even for someone as generally easygoing as Hawks.

He watches her ready the food with anticipation. He hadn't been all that hungry, but that smells and looks delicious. ]


Man. I almost hate to eat this because it's so pretty.

[ Hawks is a goes-for-takeout-too-much type himself. He can cook passably, but why bother, when other people can do it so much better? But he recognises that there's a lot of skill in this food.

Despite his words, though, he's absolutely going to dig in to this, going for the jam with a flower first. ]


Mmm, that tastes as good as it looks. It's a good combo, that fruit with the flowers.

[ He grins at her between bites. ]

I'm Hawks, by the way.
neverwither: (Smile for the cameras)

[personal profile] neverwither 2021-07-04 08:41 pm (UTC)(link)
( While he takes his first few bites, Chloe awaits the news of her culinary fate. It should be a tasty morsel. All palates differ, obviously, but she knows how to balance flavours and to create dishes to suit sophisticated diners (or diners who may like to brand themselves sophisticated). Even so, she doesn't assume success.

When he gives a positive assessment, her face lights up. Since arriving on the islands, she has changed her personal lexicon from being pleasing to humans to being pleasing to organic beings to better encompass the diversity she is experiencing. Human, fae, those from another planet and everything else in between are all on the same level for her by virtue of them being real and therefore to receive praise is her treat. )


Wonderful! I'm so glad you like it. It really isn't that complicated to put together, and such beautiful flowers can easily pretty up anything.

( Because it's important to remain modest. She can't help but keep smiling, though. )

Delighted to meet you, Hawks. I'm Chloe. Is there anything else I can get for you? Things do seem rather fish and flower heavy but I'm sure we could get creative.

( Maybe it's the island but Chloe is full of the joys of spring. )
nanban: (haha yeah)

[personal profile] nanban 2021-07-07 06:03 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He laughs a little. ]

Maybe, but I sure as hell don't have the skill to make anything look this pretty. There's probably at least a learning curve.

[ He keeps digging into the food, but has manners enough not to talk with his mouth full. ]

You don't have to go out of your way. I'm good with this
for now. Did you like to cook back home too?
neverwither: (It’ll be alright (or I could be sneaky))

[personal profile] neverwither 2021-07-08 03:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, it really isn't any trouble. It's something I enjoy a lot so really, you'd be doing me a favour by asking for every dish under the sun.

( Her smile echoes her sentiment as she would be perfectly content to cook all day long. She's contributing something to her fellow Travelers, even if it's just filling their stomachs and (hopefully) tantalising their tastebuds.

As for a learning curve, she wouldn't know much about that. She's programmed to do and so Chloe does. As far as she's concerned, there's no real skill in it. People learn skills. Androids acquire them. Nothing special about it. )


Though you might have more skills than you think. You're more than welcome to have a go at putting something together, if you'd like? I'd be happy to guide you.
nanban: (enjoyment)

[personal profile] nanban 2021-07-20 04:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He just grins. ]

Well, my fave is fried chicken.

[ He’s aware there’s some level of irony, considering the wings and all. He’s heard the jokes before. But he’s still a human, not a bird or related to a bird or any of that. ]

All there is here is fish, though, so I’ll take what I can get.

[ He has enough sense, for now, not to talk with his mouth full. Mostly. But he’s still digging in to the dish she gave him. ]

I can feed myself, but you make it look pretty. Did you go to school for it or something? I’m a fast learner, I guess.

[ He sets his plate down, though he’s absolutely not going to leave it unfinished. Perish the thought. ]

Sure, show me how you dress it up like that. Don’t judge me too hard if it looks like a wreck, though.
neverwither: (All smiles all the time)

[personal profile] neverwither 2021-07-21 03:13 pm (UTC)(link)
( She gives a nod and smile. ) Fried chicken. Duly noted. That may not be likely here but I will certainly be keeping it in mind.

( No remarks about birds or wings are made because it would be very rude to do so. Besides, as far as she can tell, such remarks would be inaccurate anyway. )

Oh, no, I didn't go to school for it. It's just something I'm able to do, I suppose. And there's absolutely no judgement here.

( The bright smile indicates that she's just keen to share and pleased that he seems on board. She sets another baked apple onto a plate rather than a bowl so there's more space to work with. The candied flowers are brought closer so Hawks has everything to hand. )

Now... Just let yourself be creative. There's no real right or wrong to it. ( Sure, she could rattle on about balance and colour but that would take the fun out of it. ) My secret is to always think that a dish is telling the person receiving it that they're special. Even if it would be for yourself.