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polymods ([personal profile] polymods) wrote in [community profile] polylogs2021-08-02 02:05 pm

Eternal Summer

POLYMYTHOS: THE ISLE THAT BLOOMS

The Isle That Blooms


Ⅰ. ALWAYS BLOOMING, NEVER HARVEST
July flowers bring, well, August flowers.

Another month has come and gone, and you may have noticed things haven’t changed much. Everything is still beautiful. There are still no signs of babies or prepubescent children or young animals.

In fact, if you’re paying close enough attention, you may have noticed there are no fruits or grains or vegetables that have come from the constant riot of color and pollen. Only flowers, always flowers.

You still have access to the city’s temple and the baths. The High Temple’s doors are open to everyone.

Some of you may still be dealing with the unpleasant side effects of the Ancient’s now dead and gone Flower Oracle, but it should wind down before the end of the month. Or maybe you already faced your demons.

Hiding out in the Temples for the rest of the month is always an option, but be careful not to get too stagnant. It would be a shame if your ScryWatch stays stuck on the same color forever because you, too, decided to stop growing.



Ⅱ. FLOWER MARKET FESTIVAL
CW: Optional Alcohol/Drug Consumption.
You didn’t think the celebrations would be over just because the Flower Oracle came and went, did you? There’s always a new event, a new thing to do, a new way to make some benefit off the Travelers who pass in and out of the Isle looking to take something away from this place.

This month it’s the Flower Market!

During the days, stalls bloom beneath the elevated buildings and in the empty center where the Flower Oracle once stood. There are flowers, of course, in buckets, arrangements, wreaths, crowns, growing in tiny little pots, made into cakes, salsas, and snacks! Artists will find pigments, paints, inks, dyes, and papers. There are perfumes, lotions, oils, soaps, and more. Spices and herbs are abundant; you’ve certainly never seen saffron this cheap. If you haven’t gotten enough tie-dye from the temple, you’ll find beautiful batik clothing, purses, and even jewelry. Everything is bright, everything is for sale.

At night, the stalls are all folded away and instruments come out. Little stalls sell flowery alcoholic drinks and did you know or remember that cannabis is a flowering plant? The locals certainly remembered to make the edibles. Careful, though, drink or imbibe and you’ll find yourself talking about the things you need that you cannot buy. The things you are aching for.

And you won’t stop until someone acknowledges it.

Notes:
1. If you want it and it’s made of flowers, it’s here. No drugs or alcohol during daylight hours.

2. The Temple gives a small amount of spending money daily. Save up and get fancy, or buy a little bit of everything.

3. There is a tiny group of unknown Travelers that show up for the market. They don’t seem to have access to the same network as PCs, but their watches flash green, blue, or purple. They seem to be avoiding PC Travelers and disappear into parts of the Temples that don’t seem to be open to our group yet whenever they get too close.



Ⅲ. POISON GARDEN
CW: Poisons, narcotics, ect.
As you wander the now familiar village, you will notice a new pathway has opened at the edge of the village. It leads to an area with a high stone fence and a heavy gate. A skull and crossbones are painted on the gate in bright white paint, but there’s nothing actually stopping you from opening the gate and walking in.

The garden is beautiful, but surprisingly formal after the chaotic abundance of the rest of the Isle. The paths are wide and there’s space between the plants. Each one is meticulously labeled with a stake in the ground.

Do you read the labels? How long does it take you to realize everything in the garden is toxic or poisonous? There are so many options from hemlock and oleander to aconitum and angel’s trumpet and beyond.

Welcome to a study on how not everything that's natural is good for you as you continue to wander the fractal paths. Of course, not everything that's poisonous has no purpose. By the opium poppies there’s a sign that tells you that you can choose to wander the deadly garden until it kills you or you can own up to a toxic habit or behavior that you need to deal with.

Notes:
1. In theory, a character could wander forever without touching or consuming any of the poisons. For plot/fun reasons, feel free to make it a little more difficult. And remember, some of your characters can be poisoned to death.

2. Acknowledging bad habits or a need for change in an honest way is very likely to result in a shift in a ScryWatch color. Remember, the Ancient is looking for growth and improvement, not moral perfection.

3. Characters can collect poisonous or medicinal plants but will be at risk while doing so.



Ⅳ. FLOWERY FIELDS FOREVER
Maybe you need to get away from the fuss at the market or just want to stretch your legs, but it’s time to explore the flowering landscape around the village. The villagers have baskets waiting at each of the outbound trails with the request that you come back with the basket full in trade for the picnic lunch they provide.

Wander the rolling hills and you’ll find a surprising amount of wildlife for an island without offspring. There are hummingbirds the size of chihuahuas, tiny pollinating bats, nectar eating possums, giant stingless bees, and more butterflies than you can shake a stick at. All of them seem entirely unafraid of humans despite being wild animals. If you get bitten or pecked, it’s your own fault.

As you fill your basket, you’ll notice patterns in what blooms. All kinds of plants bloom outside of reason and season and traditional need because the land is trying to talk to you through flowers. What did you need to hear? The villagers can help you translate when you come back from your adventure.

Notes:
1. The giant orchid mantises are still there! Thank Gideon and Harrow for negotiating a truce, so they probably won’t eat you. A mantis might even have a conversation with you if you ask nicely, (Quentin managed somehow,) and they have their own knowledge and worship of the Ancient.

2. Feel free to use any reference for plant/flower meaning. Here’s one to get started!

3. Don’t get too attached to any of the critters, they will stay here at the end of the month.

Bonus: music to watch the flowers bloom to.


Network · Logs · OOC · Memes · Plurk

queenking: ([neutral] ew no why)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-09-10 03:30 am (UTC)(link)
Becaaaause, you're gettin' some on the gettin' some island! [She beams delightedly, then suddenly frowns.] It wasn't Sephie, right? Pretty sure he's got a boyfriend. Or three.
kyley_b: https://mcnuggyy.tumblr.com/ (gah!)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-09-10 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
No! I'm not a homewrecker!

[His cheeks are so pink.] Uhm. His name is Quentin.
queenking: ([neutral] ew no why)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-09-12 12:39 am (UTC)(link)
Hey, listen, live your bliss, man. All his boyfriends are imaginary anyways.

[Saxsice steeples her fingers for a moment, thoughtfully.] That...sure is a name. [Like she has ANY room to talk.]
kyley_b: https://fmdinisio.tumblr.com/ (yup)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-09-12 01:27 am (UTC)(link)
What do you mean?

Uh, have you heard YOURS? And it suits him. He's a huge pain in the ass and he's a genius but he's SUCH a prick about it.
queenking: ([up] laughing at u)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-09-13 03:10 am (UTC)(link)
Well, they only existed at that weird bath thing, so. Probably not real.

Yeah, mine makes sense. [Still, Saxsice can't resist covering her heart with one hand and gasping softly.] Awwww, you liiiiiike him.
kyley_b: (RL comfy sweater)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-09-13 04:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, god, the hallucinations. He imagined a bunch of exes? Poor dude.

[He's so red.] I mean, whatever, we're friends. It's no big deal, people do it all the time. [People might. He doesn't.]
queenking: ([up] scarlett o'hara vibes)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-09-15 01:50 am (UTC)(link)
At LEAST one of them. [Who he referred to as "one of his men" and Saxsice just...ran with that phrase.]

Uh-huh, sure, I make sweet sweet love to all my friends by the light of the mantis moon.
kyley_b: (RL comfy sweater)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-09-15 02:28 am (UTC)(link)
Damn. What did YOU see, then?

[Still looking like a tomato, here.] Well, NO, I meant... UGGHHH fine, maybe I like him, I don't know. Probably won't happen again so whatever.
queenking: ([up] double eyebrow arch)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-09-19 12:25 am (UTC)(link)
My kid. [She huffs out a sigh, grabbing another flower to shred to bits.] Definitely much more serious and sad than a secret boyfriend.

Do you...want it to happen again?
kyley_b: https://burquillos.tumblr.com/ (ugggh)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-09-19 12:48 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, jeez. Yeah, yeah that's much worse. I'm sorry.

[You're killing him, here.] Of course I do. Ugh. I suck.
queenking: ([down] pensively staring)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-09-19 02:11 am (UTC)(link)
It's fine. [She tosses the mushed up flower bits into the wind.] It was kinda nice, gettin' to see him. Even if it wasn't real.

Awww, punkin. [Now she's going to reach out and gently pet his hair.] You got it bad.
kyley_b: (RL outside thinkin)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-09-19 04:11 am (UTC)(link)
Dude, you're a really good mom. And I know about moms.

[He wishes the earth would swallow him. It doesn't.] Do I?
queenking: ([up] sunlit babe)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-09-22 03:22 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah? [Saxsice smiles a little in spite of herself, sitting a bit straighter.] Even with, uhhh, all the cussin' and stuff?

Mmm-hm. Ain't no shame in that, though.
kyley_b: (RL muppet)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-09-22 04:19 am (UTC)(link)
Hey, swearing is NOT a big deal. I can say from personal experience that trying to combat that sort of harmless shit actually leads to way BIGGER problems. You focus on what really matters.

Kinda is, but thanks I think.
queenking: ([up] double eyebrow arch)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-09-25 11:14 pm (UTC)(link)
You say that now, but then I get concerned letters from teachers for my kid saying "fuck" after failin' a math test.

[She clicks her tongue, reaching out to pet at his hair.] Love stinks, man. Or, uh, infatuation or whatever.
kyley_b: (RL muppet)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-09-26 07:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Kyle snickers. "I have seen way, WAY worse than that happen. Like people getting outfitted with chips that give you an electric shock if you swear."

[He allows it. This time. His poor curls really could use some conditioner.] I kinda hope it won't this time.
queenking: ([neutral] can't lie to this face)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-09-27 04:13 am (UTC)(link)
[Saxsice grimaces dramatically.] Kinda glad we're from different worlds, man, cause yours is a trip.

Yeah? [Fluff, fluff, fluff the curls.] You wanna make the hit-it-and-quit-it a commit-it?
kyley_b: https://mcnuggyy.tumblr.com/ ('fro)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-09-27 04:32 am (UTC)(link)
You turn into a WOLF! That's weird, too!

[They just get poofier and poofier.]

Maybe. Ugh.
queenking: ([neutral] i mean u said it not me)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-09-27 04:51 am (UTC)(link)
Well, it's only weird if it's in a certain context. [DUH, Kyle.

She clicks her tongue, shaking her head.
] Wellll, seems to me like you can either keep quiet and hope your boy's got mind-readin' powers orrrr you can say somethin'.
kyley_b: (RL_KB_down)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-09-27 05:28 am (UTC)(link)
What? No it isn't!

[He hides his burning face in his hands.] He does.
queenking: ([neutral] i mean u said it not me)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-09-30 12:40 am (UTC)(link)
It is cause I said so. Older n' wiser.

[Saxsice is a kind, sympathetic friend, so she just snorts once in amusement.] Well, there you go. Stand next to him and think boner-y thoughts.
kyley_b: https://burquillos.tumblr.com/ (ugggh)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-09-30 03:22 am (UTC)(link)
The 'wiser' is debatable.

[Kyle groans and wishes he were dead.] I can't he'll get all SMUG and it's so ANNOYING and cute.

Ugh. Whatever. [He pushes his hands through his disaster hair.] Fine, maybe you're right. Fine. Okay. Thanks. I think.
Edited 2021-09-30 03:23 (UTC)