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

speed_of_snark: (qu'est-ce que c'est?)

iii. nightblooming

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-05 04:00 am (UTC)(link)
[Jean-Paul stands some distance away, arms crossed over his chest.]

I don't know, do you promise not to eat the kid or something?

[Not that he actually thinks Loki's a cannibal. He just thinks that he looks an awful lot like, well. Loki. A different one, sure, but you don't soon forget someone who nearly tricked you into thinking you were half a fucking elf. And you never, ever, trust a trickster more than once.

He sighs and tosses his hands up.]


Right. One distraction.

[The next second he's on the far side, hovering in the air and glowing as bright as a spotlight. The mantis, like most bugs, looks to the sudden source of light.

And so does another. And another. And another. Oh, dear.]


Move a little faster, please, these things look very hungry. [And there's a lot more of them than they'd thought - several are creeping behind Loki as well.]
dothelokimotion: (The stars at night are a fictional sight)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-07-05 04:10 am (UTC)(link)
[ okay. a bit odd, but loki can roll with it. loki doesn't waste any time. he creates a duplicate illusion of the boy on the branch before bringing the boy down into his arms with a little telekinesis. with that settled, he gives a curt nod to jean-paul.

he eyes the insects coming closer. with a child in his arms, there's very little he can do. the best thing is a swift exist.]


We better make a run for it.

speed_of_snark: (hwuh?)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-05 04:47 am (UTC)(link)
What, you don't like squishing bugs?

[They're awfully big bugs, though. Jean-Paul is idly contemplating how you'd actually kill one without some sort of weaponry when one of them gets tired of waiting and lunges for Loki and the kid. At the same moment, half a dozen others swarm at Jean-Paul.

Mantises can fly, after all.]
dothelokimotion: (We've said so much)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-07-05 11:13 am (UTC)(link)
No, it's messy.

[ loki doesn't have a problem with killing. but he hates making a mess and would much rather prefer not killing. only dullards need to kill to get things done. he hisses in annoyance as he waves his hand, covering jean-paul under an illusion. ]
speed_of_snark: (zap)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-05 05:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[Unaware that he's under an illusion at all, Jean-Paul is beside Loki in a half second, trying to unload the kid.]

Fend for yourself for a moment, I'll be right back for you.

[He supposes. Just in case he actually needs a hand. Once he has the kid, he's off - not at full speed, that would kill the young man, but as fast as is safe for a human passenger. Moments later, he is indeed back with Loki, half expecting to see a lot of exploded insects.]
dothelokimotion: (A thing which exists to be not known)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-07-06 02:09 am (UTC)(link)
[ not quite. though it would be tempting, loki just sends a couple of magical blasts, keeping the creatures at bay. it would be tempting to simply teleport away, an option he was considering until jean-paul shows up again. the mantis click their mandibles menacingly, but loki simply looks bored. ]

Ah. Time to go, I believe.
speed_of_snark: https://sissybars.dreamwidth.org (wellllll)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-06 05:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[The mantises are making strange noises that almost sound like human speech; they may be capable of human language, considering they were singing in it. Jean-Paul has no interest in this fact, but he's always been a bit of a hit-first-ask-questions-later sort of man.

He nods and moves to pick Loki up, bridal style. How romantic.]
dothelokimotion: (The more productive cousin of fear)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-07-07 12:22 am (UTC)(link)
[ loki splutters as he's picked up unceremoniously. ]

What do you think you're doing?!
speed_of_snark: (ur wrong)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-07 05:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Saving you. Dashingly. [The next instant he's moving, faster than any earthly vehicle. Since he's still not entirely certain than Loki is who he thinks he is, he still errs on the side of caution and doesn't hit 'oh, you can't breathe?' speeds. Safely back at the village on stilts, he sets Loki down.]

You're welcome. I believe I know you. Or a version of you.
dothelokimotion: (No mask will help you)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-07-08 12:21 am (UTC)(link)
[ loki steadies himself, looking incredibly flustered and pats down his hair, straightening it. ]

Well, I'm afraid I have no such recollection.
speed_of_snark: (elfin)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-08 05:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Probably different you. I hate multiverses. It is Loki, right? Super annoying god with hilarious green and yellow costume? [Jean-Paul is either entirely lacking in self preservation skills, or just truly doesn't care.]
dothelokimotion: (Settles in as the gentle present)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-07-09 01:13 am (UTC)(link)
I'm starting to see why a Loki might want little to do with you.

[ he brushes his clothes for dust briefly before fixing a look upon jean-paul. ]

But yes, I am Loki of Asgard.
speed_of_snark: (into it)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-09 05:13 pm (UTC)(link)
On the contrary, actually.

I'd say you dress better than the other one, but we're all stuck in stupid tie-dye, so. Jean-Paul Beaubier. I confess to being a little surprised to see you rescuing someone.
dothelokimotion: (It’s not other people that hurt us)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-07-09 11:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[ loki purses his lips, not keen on explaining himself or his motives. ]

I doubt I'll make a habit out of it.
speed_of_snark: (welp)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-11 01:01 am (UTC)(link)
So what was different this time? [Some people always have an ulterior motive, and it often pays to know what they are.]
dothelokimotion: (It was an alien carcass)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-07-11 01:04 am (UTC)(link)
Why does it matter? The boy is saved, is he not?
speed_of_snark: (wine)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-11 01:16 am (UTC)(link)
Call me curious.
dothelokimotion: (What more is there to say?)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-07-11 01:17 am (UTC)(link)
[ his eyes narrow briefly, not amused but his response is truthful, albeit flat in tone. ]

He had a mother.
speed_of_snark: (consideration)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-11 05:21 am (UTC)(link)
[Well, that shuts him up. His expression softens minutely.]

I see.

You drink?
dothelokimotion: (Comfort was the answer to all)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-07-11 05:26 am (UTC)(link)
[ loki looks bemused. ]

I am a Viking God. What do you think?
speed_of_snark: (wine)

[personal profile] speed_of_snark 2021-07-11 08:27 pm (UTC)(link)
That it's amazing you're not hammered already. Come on, let's have some floral cocktails and see if they affect gods and superhuman metabolisms.
dothelokimotion: (Guns don’t kill people)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-07-12 01:19 am (UTC)(link)
[ he blinks, baffled by the offer before giving a slow nod. [

All right.