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

unkindled_madness: (confused)

I

[personal profile] unkindled_madness 2021-07-03 06:56 pm (UTC)(link)
They haven't really met in person, so Sephiroth isn't aware that this... person doesn't always look so dispropotionate. He's like some sort of goblin... A deformed goblin.

He isn't particularly interested in associating with the goblin, especially amid all the sneezing, but he does make that one observation that Sephiroth hadn't. He takes another look at the welcoming crowd even as he fends off someone with a flower wreath. No children... Is that odd?

"Perhaps they don't come to the dock."

It would make sense, wouldn't it? Not to bring your children to greet a group of unfamiliar and potentially dangerous individuals?
what_fourth_wall: (???)

[personal profile] what_fourth_wall 2021-07-03 07:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Deadpool glances over, and up...and up and up...at Sephiroth. Something about the guy strikes him as familiar. All of his nerd senses were tingling. Okay, so on one level he knew exactly who this guy was, what fan of gaming and nerd culture wouldn't, but he had to at least maintain the pretense of not for the fun RP sake.

But there was definitely an interesting theme song going through his head.

"What, kiddos? NOT want to see boats? ALL kids love boats. I feel perfectly okay in generalizing that way. All kids also love the ocean and beaches."

He's silent for a few moments. It is taking all of meta-Deadpool's self control to not just shout-sing Sephiroth's name at him.

unkindled_madness: (unimpressed)

[personal profile] unkindled_madness 2021-07-03 07:51 pm (UTC)(link)
...do they? Sephiroth has no idea. He never saw the ocean as a child. Surely none of it is so fascinating if you grow up with it on your doorstep.

"I mean that, even if they want to be here, their caregivers may have forbidden it."
what_fourth_wall: (Did I say that out loud?)

[personal profile] what_fourth_wall 2021-07-04 05:59 am (UTC)(link)
"SEPH-IR-OTH!!!!"

Deadpool clamps two baby hands over his adult mouth. "Oops. Sorry. I just...I don't know where that came from. It's like your name just has to be sung, even if I'm not supposed to actually know it."

To Seph's actual commentary though, he just shrugs. "Maybe. But if all the caregivers have that much authority to prevent all the kiddos from rushing to greet the new boatload of guinea pigs, then that might say something important, too."
unkindled_madness: (irritated)

[personal profile] unkindled_madness 2021-07-04 03:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Sephiroth gives a slight start at the sudden exclamation, and then his eyes narrow. It's not implausible that a stranger could learn his name (he's easy to point out), but that specific manner of address?

"...you're that 'Deadpool,' aren't you?" It does seem appropriate that he's a goblin.

He's not going to respond to the further commentary about children. Partly because his knowledge about normal childhood is clearly lacking, and partly because, well, the goblin says a lot of unreliable things. He doesn't know if there's any real significance here or not.
what_fourth_wall: (Default)

[personal profile] what_fourth_wall 2021-07-04 05:44 pm (UTC)(link)
An unreliable narrator?! Deadpool?! NEVER!!! How very dare, Sephiroth narration. Why, he is spitting wisdom at you and you don't know it!!

(Of course, that's pretty on brand. Any wisdom we have is pretty well obfuscated by our asinine insanity.)

"Oh yeah, that's me. OH YEAH! We chatted on these little Scrywatch things." He holds his up, the color virtually bleeding red. "Man, you are WAY taller in person. Or...well, yeah, I'm way shorter than I should be. Please excuse the baby body. I got blown up."
unkindled_madness: (skeptical)

[personal profile] unkindled_madness 2021-07-04 05:53 pm (UTC)(link)
'Warning red,' is it? He ought to come with some sort of warning, that's for certain. (Sephiroth's is only yellow but he is not mediocre, thank you.)

"Again?" Sephiroth's skepticism is almost palpable. "You have a strange habit of claiming explosions."
what_fourth_wall: (Eh!)

[personal profile] what_fourth_wall 2021-07-04 05:58 pm (UTC)(link)
He really should. This Scrywatch is serving as the best invention with regards to alerting anyone near him that he was horrible.

(It's okay, Sephie. Can we call you that? Sephie? But you don't need to be as hardcore as Deadpool to be cool!)

"Oh Jesus, parenthesis, that was brutal." He shrugs at Sephiroth. "Yeah, this one was my fault. I got drunk and stuck a burning rag in a car's gas hole to blow up some gangsters. I just...didn't exactly run away after that. And also may have killed some civvies by accident too. Hence..." He taps his Scrywatch.

"But you know, I had to accessorize. Red and black are my colors, just like white and silver and music that shouts your name are yours!"
unkindled_madness: (talking)

[personal profile] unkindled_madness 2021-07-04 06:11 pm (UTC)(link)
(He would hate to be called Sephie, but it's definitely what his mun named their first ever gold chocobo.)

Deadpool continues not to make a lot of sense, and of the sense he does make, Sephiroth isn't sure he can believe even every other word. However... the implied color change bears some investigation. It would be the first he's heard of.

"I don't suppose there was anyone else present to witness your actions...?"
what_fourth_wall: (Default)

[personal profile] what_fourth_wall 2021-07-04 09:47 pm (UTC)(link)
(D'awwww, that's adorobo!!!)

"Oh yeah, for sure. My new buddy Kyle. He carried my head to the Temple so I could start to regrow my body. He's a good dude. Please don't cut him in half with your giant Compensation Katana."

Hey, Sephiroth was from an rpg. It was not entirely outside the realm of possibility that he could have a sword named exactly that if he were on the side of the heroes leveling and gearing up.
unkindled_madness: (arms folded)

[personal profile] unkindled_madness 2021-07-04 09:54 pm (UTC)(link)
"...I have no katana"--though he wishes he did--"and I have no intention at the moment of cutting anyone in half. Assuming he isn't simply a figment of your imagination."

'At the moment' may not be especially comforting, coming from him, but he has gone a solid two months without killing anyone.
what_fourth_wall: (its like omg)

[personal profile] what_fourth_wall 2021-07-05 05:35 pm (UTC)(link)
"Sephie with no katana? Who are you? What have the islands done to you? To us all????" Deadpool falls to his knees and wails. "OH THE HUMANITY!!!"

Then he glances back at Sephiroth. "Oh Kyle is totally real. I think. Most likely. But now you have me wondering..."
unkindled_madness: (irritated)

[personal profile] unkindled_madness 2021-07-05 05:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Sephiroth grimaces, both at the nickname and the unnecessary melodrama. "It's Sephiroth."

Would he actually prefer the shout-singing? Hard to say.

"I have seen a Kyle on the network, though your grasp on reality seems... marginal." He could very well still have imagined the interaction.
what_fourth_wall: (Hmmmmm...)

[personal profile] what_fourth_wall 2021-07-05 06:24 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah yeah, I know Sephie. I've heard it sung! But Sephiroth is a mouthful. Also, it sounds kind of pretentious, if I'm being honest. We gotta work on your image, bring you down to earth here."

He holds up a finger. "Hey now! My grasp on reality isn't marginal. I just grasp all of reality, and that kinda fucks a guy up if he isn't a Watcher." Deadpool pauses and frowns. "But now I'm wondering if you're real...hold on."

For a moment, he appraises Sephiroth, although what he's really looking at is Sephie's hair. Then, not having learned a damn thing from Maleficent, he scampers over and reaches out to run his tiny hands through that luxurious main of white hair.

"Ooooooh, okay, I've touched Sephiroth's hair. AWESOME. You can be real now."
unkindled_madness: (dangerous)

[personal profile] unkindled_madness 2021-07-05 06:48 pm (UTC)(link)
"It's my name." It isn't as though he chose it, but surely he has the right to choose how it's said.

As if that weren't enough... touching the hair is always a mistake. If there were a HUD available, it might read 'Sephiroth disliked that,' or perhaps 'This action will have consequences.'

Said consequences being almost immediate. Sephiroth bristles at the audacity of this goblin sticking his grubby little hands in his hair, and then he swiftly grabs Deadpool by the neck and hurls him as far as he can into the ocean behind them.
what_fourth_wall: (oh shit)

[personal profile] what_fourth_wall 2021-07-06 12:35 am (UTC)(link)
"Is it? Or is it somebody else's copyright?" His head tilts a little as he asks it. This is a question he's thought about himself at some length in his off moments.

"Oh shiiiiit...I just had a straight up Bioware moment where I swear I just read about you disliking-"

He doesn't get the chance to finish his sentence before he's hurtling through the air, his tiny body rotating around his spinning head over and over until he hits the water with a great splash.

"Gah! It's hard to swim like this!" He treads water as fast as he possibly can, just managing to keep his mouth above the water. "You really are strong! No wonder it takes so long to beat you in Kingdom Hearts!"

Of course, he doesn't notice the shark fins approaching behind him. Naturally, the waters around the islands would contain as many hidden and not-so-hidden dangers as the islands themselves.
unkindled_madness: (arms folded)

[personal profile] unkindled_madness 2021-07-06 02:03 am (UTC)(link)
Bioware? Kingdom Hearts? It's basically impossible for him to stop spewing nonsense, isn't it?

Maybe if his head goes under? Sephiroth is absolutely not going to help in any way. He's just going to fold his arms and watch. Will sharks eat goblins? He doesn't know, but maybe he'll find out.
what_fourth_wall: (Ow.)

[personal profile] what_fourth_wall 2021-07-06 05:35 pm (UTC)(link)
"Glarglefargleppthh"

He continues to flail about until he sees the fins. Then he really flails about. Of course, it really makes no difference as one shoots through the water and swallows him whole.

The other fins start to move away. Several moments go by, and then the shark that swallowed Deadpool forcefully regurgitates him so hard he flies towards shore. That fin is a little wobbly as it move back out to sea, as if it was recovering from eating something truly terrible.