polymods: (Default)
polymods ([personal profile] polymods) wrote in [community profile] polylogs2021-05-01 03:00 pm

Destination: Carcosa

POLYMYTHOS: CARCOSA

Carcosa


Ⅰ. THE TEMPLE
You can read all about your character's arrival in the game lore.
The island's harbour is full of other ships, although not a single one of them seems to actually have a human being aboard. (You could certainly try to steal one, but doing so is an exercise in futility - you will find that even if you set off into the ocean you will wind up right back in the harbour again after spending a few hours lost in the fog.) Beyond the harbour is a glittering city of glass and gold. Curving arches and sharp geometric lines are the hallmarks of the architecture - an art deco paradise that whispers of decadence and hope for the future.

The people who crowd the streets wear suits and hats, drop-waist dresses and furs. Their faces are all blank smiles. It's the roaring twenties, darling, why do you look so concerned?

If it is your first experience of the Endless Isles, you have access to the High Temple. Should you wish, you may also seek out the island's own temple as well, which is located inside the city, in a district mostly forgotten by the residents. Don’t worry - your feet will carry you there.

The building is not large, and it is old and neglected. It has a domed ceiling, with panels of glass crisscrossed with metal painted gold curving upward. Whatever fine pattern may have formed there is lost to time; the glass at the centerpoint of the dome is gone, letting in the smell of the sea.

There are rooms equipped with beds spreading out like a spiderweb from the middle of the building. The temple proper is of course in the exact center, below the broken dome. In the middle of this circular room you will find dead branches gathered together to make a vaguely humanoid shape. This crude figure has been haphazardly painted yellow. A slab of concrete sits in front of it. There is not much to explore here; it is very quiet.

Either temple is a good place to simply rest, or meet some of your fellow Travelers. The High Temple of course has the Temple Chef and its usual Guardians, Flock, and Lantern.

The Island Temple has its own Guardians, which are small, pale humanoids with perfectly blank faces and small antlers like young deer. They will leave you alone unless you try to meddle with the central room. Doing so will result in one of them approaching you, and you will find yourself falling unconscious on the floor.



Ⅱ. THE MASQUERADE
Through happenstance, you find yourself in an enormous ballroom. Low couches are dotted everywhere, and a live band plays somewhere at the end of the massive space. A long bar takes up one side of the room, bottles sparkling under the light cast from the many cut-glass chandeliers hanging overhead. Champagne flows freely, and the scent of gin pervades the air.

All of the attendees are wearing masks.

You're dressed for the occasion, of course - you will find yourself wearing something reminiscent of 1920s America, with a small yellow sigil of some sort pinned to your breast. Ask any of the guests about it and they will tell you, "ah, it's a secret." You too, of course, are wearing a mask. You did not pick this mask, but if you look in the mirror hung over the bar you will find that it nonetheless hints at some aspect of your personality.

Which would be all well and good, except that you can't take the bloody thing off.

Moving around the ballroom, you will discover that a few other people also have the yellow sigil pinned to their clothing. It probably shouldn't surprise you that these people are all other Travelers, equally unable to take their mask off.

No, you can't unmask until you share something with your new-found friend: a secret. A REAL one, the sort you'd never speak aloud.

Of course, you can choose not to share. If you choose that route, however, you'll find that the mask is fusing with your skin. Leave it on past midnight when the cries of "UNMASK! UNMASK!" begin, and it will simply become your new face for the duration of the month.



Ⅲ. THE PLAY
Maybe parties aren't your style. No fear, there's plenty more to do and see in such a wondrous city. There's a theatre - the Meliora Grand as a matter of fact - and perhaps you're just the sort of person who would like to take in the arts.

The theatre has plush seats, and fabulous electric sconces lining the wall. Once you take your seat you'll find yourself looking at the stage, where a blood-red velvet curtain hangs. The theatre doesn't seem to fill up - indeed, it really seems that there's only you and one or two other people there. Curious.


The lights go down and the curtain is drawn open, revealing... well. Not much.

There are two chairs on the stage, a table between them. On the table lays a pallid face: a mask. Just a mask. Why not go on up and take a closer look?

Should you choose to touch the mask, you will feel a deep urge to speak to whoever else is in the theatre. You will, in fact, feel the desire to act out some sort of emotional trauma with them. Perhaps they suddenly look like your mother, your father, a lover who left you. Why don't you tell them how you really feel?

Naturally, you can both just sit in awkward silence instead. You'll be waiting until the morning to be let out, if that's the case.



Ⅳ. LOST CARCOSA
CW: the undead.
You find yourself walking along the beach at night. Along the shore the cloud-waves break, and black stars rise above you.

You can't quite pinpoint when you realise you are no longer alone. Maybe there is only one other person on the beach with you, or perhaps a few; you move as one down the expanse of sand until you realise there is something laying up ahead of you.

There is a heap of yellow cloth there, dry and tattered with age. It smells faintly of spices. Nestled among it is a jewel-encrusted human skull. Its empty sockets compel you to sit down in the cool, bone-white sand, to sit and speak to those around you about loss.

Everyone has lost something important to them. A person, a thing, a place, an aspect of the self. Something that's gone and you're never getting back. The skull grins endlessly, endlessly, encouraging you to speak about something you may not have laid to rest.

You can resist this compulsion. Maybe you were never good at sharing. Refuse the skull's silent request and you may continue down along the beach, or perhaps head back the way you came. As you walk, however, you will notice that there is a fog rolling in. It comes in off the sea/sky, obscuring the beach until you can barely see.

It's a terribly handy cover for the corpses that are shambling out of the surf. Wet, bloated, with eyes that glow a dim gold, they head for you silently. They wish to drag you back with them, into the depths. Better hope you can outrun or outfight them.

Bonus: What's that? You want a Carcosa playlist? You've got it, babes!


Network · Logs · OOC · Memes · Plurk

queenking: ([neutral] angelic)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-05-06 04:29 am (UTC)(link)
Hey! [Saxsice scowls after the bottle for a moment, but she had consumed about a third of it before finding him, so she's mellowed out enough not to be genuinely mad. She takes the offered hand, making a face up at him.] Party pooper. You're like my mother.

[She sways a little once she's up, stepping out of her heels and wiggling her toes in the sand.] Where we goin', mister?
queenking: ([up] he said WHAT)

[personal profile] queenking 2021-05-06 04:33 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you. [Take that, dead guy, the nice British man's on her side. Saxsice kicks a little sand towards the skull, a silent "take that" before swiveling on her toes to look up at the stranger.]

Yeah, I'm not a fan. I'd like my deep dark secrets to stay secret. Don't think folks here would think very highly of me if I went spillin' all the wretched, wanton things I've done. [She's being hyperbolic, but only just.] What kinda secret's a straight-laced fella like you gotta worry about, huh?
hostile_encounter: (72)

[personal profile] hostile_encounter 2021-05-06 04:50 am (UTC)(link)
He's serious. She can tell he's serious because of the expression on his face and the way he's going through the experience. But also? It's a total load of bullshit. The having to drink the piss, anyway. Who the hell knows about the wave of pee at this point? But is it even reasonable to say something about that to the person who clearly has some trauma around it? Not anywhere near as reasonable as downing the rest of her drink.
kyley_b: https://mcnuggyy.tumblr.com/ (hey)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-05-06 04:53 am (UTC)(link)
"You don't have to be fat to get diabetes," Kyle points out. "I dunno, I just had bad luck, I guess. I had a kidney transplant when I was nine." He's not about to add that said kidney was donated by someone through trickery.

He actually smiles a little bit. It does wonders for his face, softening its edges enough that he no longer looks like an angry little rooster. "Nah, I should be okay, I'm pretty used to monitoring it by now. But thanks."
kyley_b: (RL_KB_1)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-05-06 05:00 am (UTC)(link)
"I really do. Paid attention in history class," he replies with a grin. "And no, nothing here looks remotely like that. This is just weird."

Kyle looks at her, eyebrows raised. "So. You're a werewolf. That at least makes the moon cult make sense... Okay. Okay, I guess I can accept that." He hums thoughtfully. "Are all werewolves moon worshippers?"
grayshulk: (pic#12958694)

[personal profile] grayshulk 2021-05-06 05:05 am (UTC)(link)
[Hard to blame him. The flash of yellow doesn't say much.]

Not everyone here has the squiggle. Or the watch.

They're kind of...flat.
dothelokimotion: (There are no trees in the library)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-05-06 05:07 am (UTC)(link)
Clearly they need design expertise.
grayshulk: (pic#12958754)

[personal profile] grayshulk 2021-05-06 05:10 am (UTC)(link)
Ever hear of the Hulk? [It's a long shot, but it would be nice to have some shorthand given the sense of impending doom.]
kyley_b: (RL_KB_06)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-05-06 05:11 am (UTC)(link)
Kyle watches this reaction with utter dismay.

"...you think I'm some kind of piss freak, don't you?" he laments.
Edited 2021-05-06 05:11 (UTC)
darkdetective: (pic#14867990)

[personal profile] darkdetective 2021-05-06 05:12 am (UTC)(link)
Let me guess: you can turn into an old, beached boat?

[ he passes a look. no, he's never heard of the hulk before. ]
extrasensory_problems: (over shoulder)

[personal profile] extrasensory_problems 2021-05-06 05:16 am (UTC)(link)
"Be careful." Carter gasps, pulling at his stuck foot. "I don't want a broken ankle."

With Kyle's help he manages to get it half out but then the tide drifts in and tries to suck it back down. He throws a glance up and sees the sea zombie is getting dangerously close to Kyle, it's twisted and moldy fingers reaching out.

"Fuck off!" He yells at it, his eyes narrowing as he concentrates and suddenly the zombie is being flung backwards.
kyley_b: https://twitter.com/dachacha052/ (hit you)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-05-06 05:28 am (UTC)(link)
At least the writer didn't actively picked someone from the series to play.

That's an awfully lot of information to dump on someone at once, but Kyle's a smart boy. What really sticks out is the comment that regeneration doesn't do anything to dull physical pain. He's not going to forget that.

Lacking a long range weapon, Kyle has to rely on pure ginger savagery and a lifetime spent in a town where death is an ever looming presence. He is nowhere near as fast as Deadpool, but he's determined, and so he bludgeons in a few skulls in his attempt to escape.

There's a break in the line of the undead and he runs for it, only to reverse direction to grab Wade by the shoulder. "Come on, come on!" he shouts. No man left behind.
kyley_b: (RL_KB_02)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-05-06 05:34 am (UTC)(link)
Kyle turns his head, watching as the rotting body is thrown back to the depths from which it came.

"Dude," he says.

He resumes hauling Carter up. His suit, he thinks, is totally ruined between the sea water and the sand and the sweat. "Come on, muscle boy, help me out," he mutters.
quire: (king quire)

[personal profile] quire 2021-05-06 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
"No, but scrawny diabetics are definitely in the minority." He gets a couple of drinks and a dirty look from the bartender but it's hard to tell if Quentin notices these things or merely doesn't care. "Here, gin and tonic."

"So wait. Do you need insulin?" he asks after a sizeable gulp of his vodka. "Is that like.. a thing this place doled out for you?"
Edited 2021-05-06 05:40 (UTC)
kyley_b: https://mcnuggyy.tumblr.com/ (hey)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-05-06 05:59 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm not scrawny," he protests. "I'm... lanky." He considers pointing out that he has a decidedly unscrawny ass, but decides that is inappropriate.

Kyle sips his gin and tonic. It tastes a little like pine needles, he decides. But not unpleasant. "I do," he says. "And yeah. The, uh, High Temple? They had a kit for me there." He sips his drink again. "This is nice," he says. "Thank you. I really only ever have beer back home."
extrasensory_problems: (tank)

[personal profile] extrasensory_problems 2021-05-06 06:44 am (UTC)(link)
Finally his foot is released from the sink hole, coming out with an almost comical pop. Carter teeters but thankfully doesn't fall over thanks to Kyle, he looks down and sees that the hole has stolen his shoe and his leg is covered in thick mud up to his shin.

Back up on his feet and able to run he grabs Kyle's hand.

"Let's shake a leg, skinny."
bonnylass: (pic#14716450)

[personal profile] bonnylass 2021-05-06 06:54 am (UTC)(link)
[ Cheerfulness of any kind, especially when she's in a state of distress, already has the tendency to set Anne on edge, but her instinctual hatred and fascination for effortlessly feminine women also sparks like a pistol shot at the friendly greeting. The stranger gets a similar scan from Anne, but it's a quick one. ]

...You smashed your face against the bar?

[ She eyes her like she thinks she might be a bit mad, but the look passes. The moment the bartender is occupied elsewhere, Anne hoists herself up and reaches across the space to snatch whatever bottle of brown spirits is closest. She doesn't bother with a glass. ]

You all there? Or just drunk?
bonnylass: (pic#14716448)

[personal profile] bonnylass 2021-05-06 07:01 am (UTC)(link)
[ Her eyes flick between his face and the bread, but most of her face is still hidden by her hat. ]

And how d'you know that?

[ Anne knows she isn't the cleverest person around, and despite her compulsive distrust for people, is always tempted to listen to someone who says they know what's going on. ]
darkdetective: (pic#14647620)

[personal profile] darkdetective 2021-05-06 07:09 am (UTC)(link)
I know, I know. I've been told I'm a real downer.

[ his response is dry, but it's true; self-aware humor was always his saving grace. he leans down to pluck her heels from the sand and starts to guide her away from the waves that are starting wet the sand at their feet. ]

We'll go somewhere there aren't grinning skulls as after party company, alright?
darkdetective: (pic#14860939)

[personal profile] darkdetective 2021-05-06 07:13 am (UTC)(link)
This kind of crap happens a lot where I'm from.

[ he tears off a crusty piece with his teeth, chewing. ]

And to your credit, you might even be right. A collective dream, maybe an illusion... that's not entirely out of the realm of possibility, but I don't think that's the case here.
bonnylass: (pic#14716447)

[personal profile] bonnylass 2021-05-06 07:37 am (UTC)(link)
[ It's a good thing he doesn't laugh because Anne has tried to kill people while in a better mood for less. Even his easy and unbothered manner is something that feels targetted at her now since everything and everyone is more irritating to her when she's upset. It isn't rational, sure, but not too much about the way Anne comports herself around others is. ]

Tell you what?

[ She manages to make the question sound like an accusation. Since who the fuck are you? is implied, she skips that line of inquiry altogether. ]

I ain't tellin' you shit. [ But she's just unsure of herself enough that after spitting that out, she gives him a sideways look and snatches the offered drink when it arrives. ] What d'you mean?
aviate: (( gl ) the thing is...)

[personal profile] aviate 2021-05-06 10:17 am (UTC)(link)
As long as it's a worthy cause.

Which okay, this admittedly isn't.
dothelokimotion: (Its very possibility feels constricting)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-05-06 10:22 am (UTC)(link)
[ loki sighs in frustration. fine. fine!. ]

We can leave.
aviate: (( hj ) concern)

[personal profile] aviate 2021-05-06 10:24 am (UTC)(link)
[Mildly:]

So how far off are you?

[He's not blind.]
omertae: (• spending time with my family)

temple

[personal profile] omertae 2021-05-06 11:01 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, definitely.

[ Angelo has food too, a chunk of bread that he's picking the fluffy innards out of, leaving the crust well alone. If he's seriously worried about being poisoned, then he's doing a good job of hiding it, as he shoves a lump of bread in his mouth, chews and swallows. ]

That makes sense. Bring us all the way here just to give us poison food.