Something in the air...

[polymods]

✖ 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

Comments

[kyley_b]

"Exactly. Whereas I, my dude, am from a town where the opening of a Whole Foods was an event and considered a mark of us moving up in the world.

"Well, maybe you're not close. It's cool."

[helpdesk_hero]

A Whole Foods? David winced at the very idea of that being the talk of town. But he gives Kyle a smile when the guy gives him an excuse to not talk about his parents.

"We aren't," David agreed quite readily. ""Not all Mutants are."

[kyley_b]

Kyle left out the part that the town collectively begged for that Whole Foods, too.

"Is this like, how a lot of queer kids Betty thrown out? I've read the statistics on that."

[helpdesk_hero]

"Yeah, sorta," David answered. "It's as much parents as communities. We don't always have a place."

At least his parents were probably more accepting of him. He could go home, maybe.

[kyley_b]

"That fucking sucks." He can imagine that the only thing one could do in that situation is band together with other mutants, which it sounds like is exactly what David had done.

"Sorry, this is probably a downer conversation."

[helpdesk_hero]

Banding together sure seems like the best plan he can have. That any of them can have. So he offers a nod.

"A little bit, but it's not your fault, not really. It's just how life is. And frankly, I haven't been home in a long time, between the last set of powers that took me and all I went through back home.

[kyley_b]

Kyle considers patting David on the shoulder, but then he remembers the man's powers. So he settles for patting the air close to him.

"I'm sorry, dude," he says sincerely.

"At least here you get to have good food and it's super nice out? If you don't have allergies, anyway."

[helpdesk_hero]

"You can touch me," David laughed, shaking his head. "I've got enough mental defenses to keep out of your mind unless I want in. I can be free with touch again."

Well, the food is good enough. David laughs at hte allergies comment though.

"I wish I could mix up an anti-histamine."

[kyley_b]

"Okay, cool," he says, and pats David's shoulder with a grin. "I didn't want to assume."

He nods. "Some people are sneezing a lot, I saw. I'm lucky, that's something I don't have to worry about. I don't suppose super fit mutants have allergies?"

[helpdesk_hero]

"Thanks for that. Months back, you'd have sent me into a serious mind sort from a touch. Now..."

He gestured to what he was wearing. Plenty of bare skin. He would be fine.

"I'm certain some super fit mutants have allergies. Mutants like me, we vary too."

Yeah, he's going to deny the super fit thing.

[kyley_b]

"Right, now it's nips out." Look, David, you're a gorgeous man in a deep V-neck, it's going to be noticed.

Case in point: Kyle stares at him. "...I meant you," he says.

[helpdesk_hero]

Nips out? David looks down at himself, notes how the shirt falls, and laughs. Guesses that Kyle isn't exactly wrong.

"I understand the implication, but don't buy the premise. Seems flawed. You're just saying that because Flupper might show up and decide I'm his bride again. Thank you for protecting my honor."

[kyley_b]

Kyle grins. Teasing is one of the ways he knows to relate to people, which can sometimes make it difficult when trying to make friends.

He cackles - it's not a pleasant sound, exactly, but it's very genuine. "Sure, right, like you don't own a mirror. But I will totally protect you from Flupper, promise."

[helpdesk_hero]

"Don't own one here," David countered. "For all I know I'm hideous now."

Not that he believed it.

"Besides, I'm sure you compliment all the people making you dinner. "

[kyley_b]

Kyle snorts. "Don't worry, you're good. And sure, but that's not what I was doing, I was just stating facts."

He inhales deeply. "But damn, that smells awesome so I can compliment you for real if it helps."

[helpdesk_hero]

Stating facts. Objective statement of hotness. Yeah, he's not buying that. It sounds silly. Really silly.

"Wait, those weren't real compliments? I'm wounded. My nips will shrivel away from this slight.

[kyley_b]

Kyle looks at David like maybe he's gone a little soft.

"...do. You not know you're hot?"

[helpdesk_hero]

Really? Don't be silly. He leans over to check the steaming fish.

"Of course I'm aware that some people, objectively, find me attractive."

[kyley_b]

"Okay, good." He sits back and stretches out his legs. "I was speaking very objectively, I'm not hitting on you or anything. I just had a moment of like, 'this guy looks like a fucking model does he seriously not know?' You know?"

[helpdesk_hero]

"From my experience, I'm not the sort of person that gets hit on, except by creepy stalker fans who mostly seem to think we're already married," David pointed out. He'd mentioned his former work, right?

The fish smelled and looked good and so David took it off from over the fire. This would work.

"I haven't scrounged up plates and utensils yet, take a look around? And I'm not a model. I'm just a know-it-all with not enough shirt."

[kyley_b]

"Riiiight, 'cause you were famous."

Smells good enough to cause Kyle to salivate.

"Oh, sure!" He gets up to start methodically searching, finding plates and forks soon enough. He carries these over to David. "I'm sure nobody is gonna complain about how you're dressed," he says dryly.

[helpdesk_hero]

"Kyle? Thanks for the confidence boost," David laughed, before he transferred some fish onto their plates. "Now eat up, flatterer."

He sat down with his own portion.

"Alright, info swapping. What have you found out about the island so far?"

[kyley_b]

Kyle takes the food, smiling brightly.

"Well," he says as he forks off a piece of fish. It's so tender it's basically falling apart. "I feel better since landing here. Like, I was recently involved in an explosion and although a nice girl fixed me up it still hurt, you know? But it feels good now.

"Beyond that, the islanders all say not to go out after dark. They seem pretty freaked out. Also: there's no kids. I haven't seen anybody under thirteen, pretty sure."

[helpdesk_hero]

Feels better. David frowned at that. So he wasn't alone in that, was he? Of course his wasn't fully physical, except for the lack of ache in his neck from...

His fingers almost reach up to touch his neck and he resists. That would be wrong. NOt thinking about it feels better.

"I noticed the no kids thing either. BUt there's also no one old around. Which worries me just as much. You can have a culture of people who don't have kids if people come live there. But the missing old people is..."

IT makes him worried.

[kyley_b]

Kyle snaps his fingers. "Oh, no, I saw an old guy! Or I think he was old - he had white hair, anyway. But he wasn't all like, decrepit. Like he was walking like he was twenty."

He tilts his head to one side. "Hey, are you okay? You had a weird look for a second."