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 stubborn)

i. arrival

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-03 06:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[She might not actually knock down the approaching local, but she does smack one gangly ginger right in the nipple when she throws her arms wide.]

Owwww! Damn, Saxsice! [Kyle rubs his chest as she slams her face into the flowers. Still, she's not wrong - the island is a gorgeous riot of colour and scents.]

I bet there's mutant bees here. Or huge venus flytraps. Something.
queenking: ([up] laughing at u)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-07-04 06:07 am (UTC)(link)
[Pour one out for Kyle's nips, because Saxsice doesn't even notice she's smacked him. She just straightens up with flower petals in her hair, bounding back over to him in unbridled delight.]

Oh man, you're right, I bet there're those nasty bigass flowers that smell like meat, too!! [If you're trying to dampen her enthusiasm, Kyle, you're gonna have to try harder, she's having the best time.]
kyley_b: (RL stubborn)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-04 06:38 am (UTC)(link)
[Kyke wrinkles his nose and looks dour.]

That's not what I'd consider a plus. You'd be able to smell that, right? With your, uh. Special senses?

...it's too pretty. Something MUST be up. [Somebody get this boy a Xanax.]
queenking: ([neutral] i see your point)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-07-06 06:19 am (UTC)(link)
Ohhhh, yeah. [Saxsice looks momentarily stupefied, as if she'd forgotten that she has wolf senses. Then she reaches up and ruffles her hair with both hands, sending a cascade of loose petals down onto both of them.] Well, if I smell it, I'll tell ya, deal?

[Then she snorts in delight, flicking more petals at Kyle.] Awww, are you worried you're gonna get eaten by a big mean flower or somethin'?
kyley_b: (RL sure dude)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-06 05:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[That makes Kyle snort, and then start picking petals out of his curls.] Deal.

Last island I nearly got eaten by zombies, and I got shot at twice, and thrown by an exploding car. And unlike what seems like everybody else here I don't have magic powers or a healing gene or whatever. So, yes. I am absolutely worried I'm going to get eaten by a big mean flower or a giant wasp or something.
queenking: ([up] zomg)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-07-07 01:25 am (UTC)(link)
[Saxsice has to stifle a bit of a snort, clearing her throat and reaching out to pat his shoulder gently.] I think maybe you should stay indoors more, buddy. Sounds like you're a magnet for, y'know...death.
kyley_b: (RL superior)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-07 03:55 am (UTC)(link)
[He scowls.] No way, that's so boring. If we're gonna be on all these weird islands, I wanna SEE them. I'm not gonna be all locked inside like the kid in The Secret Garden.

I'll just, you know. Be careful. And I'm with you right now, you haven't gotten me in trouble!
queenking: ([up] scarlett o'hara vibes)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-07-07 04:25 am (UTC)(link)
Nahhhh, that kid had a creepy British accent, you're already doin' waaaaay better than him. [Have a reassuring pat on the shoulder, which sends up a big gust of pollen. Saxsice waves it away with a little sneeze.]

Well, duh, I turn into a kickass wolf. Ain't nobody gonna mess with me.
kyley_b: (RL sweet boi)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-07 04:35 am (UTC)(link)
Damn right. [He waves at the pollen uselessly.]

Exactly! And, you know, you're cool. Has anybody freaked out on you about it? The werewolf thing.
queenking: ([neutral] ew no why)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-07-11 09:08 am (UTC)(link)
What, like in my life? Or just here? [Saxsice looks thoughtful for a moment, pausing to pull her hair up out of her face. The humidity has it curling wildly, all over her shoulders.] Noooot really, no? Plenty of people here are weird in their own ways.
kyley_b: (RL sure dude)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-11 09:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Just here. I assumed in your life the answer would be yes. [Oh, the humidity is paying merry hell on Kyle's already ridiculous curls. He looks like a mangy poodle.]

I noticed that too. Lots of people with powers and shit. Kind of makes you wonder if there's a reason for so many of you being selected for this. [He considers, then shakes his head.] Or maybe it's just that if you lead a weird life you're more prone to being super fucked up.

Yeah, that's probably it.

Not that I'm trying to insult you or anything.
queenking: ([up] smirky face)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-07-12 05:20 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, yeah, nah, here everyone's been pretty chill. [Granted, she hasn't really given them much of a chance to freak out, usually bounding off to do wolf stuff once she's transformed.

This next comment has her wheezing in laughter a little, not even remotely offended -- cause hey, he ain't wrong.
] I think you're onto somethin' there, bud. It isn't about powers as much as it is bein' really fucked up.
kyley_b: (RL grass is great)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-12 05:44 am (UTC)(link)
[He relaxes once he realises she's not going to yell at him.]

That's our common denominator! Did you have a really fucked up childhood? Come from a cult or an alien war or a government testing site? Then visit... the Eeeeeeeeeeeeendless Iiiiiiiiiiiiisles! Where there's a million ways to injure your dumb ass and you can humiliate yourself in front of hot strangers!
queenking: ([up] scarlett o'hara vibes)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-07-12 06:00 am (UTC)(link)
[On the contrary, she's cracking up now, flicking her crazy-curly hair out of her voice and affecting a deep, resonant voice:] Feel like havin' all your childhood trauma translated into bein' literally attacked by zombies and hallucinations? Wanna eat crappy temple food and sleep on the hardest goddamn beds in creation? We have flowers! And prohibition!
kyley_b: (RL sweet boi)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-12 06:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[Kyle cackles like a hyena. No, really, his laugh is so stupid.] Did you go to summer camp and absolutely loathethe team building exercises? Well that's ALLLLLLLLLLLLLL this is! Over and over!

[He wipes his eyes a little.] Oh, man. I worked at a summer camp, maybe this is my payback.
queenking: ([neutral] i mean u said it not me)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-07-13 05:01 am (UTC)(link)
Karmic summer camp retribution. [Saxsice nods gravely, hands on her hips.] If you aren't a magical creature or a literal superhero, you're automatically a former disaffected camp counselor. Bet it says that in the rules.

I never went to camp. Was it any fun?
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?

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