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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

directrix: (distance:  unbelievable)

[personal profile] directrix 2021-05-13 02:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She has to agree. Zelda doesn't spend much time out either, but she has been around others, mortals. And there's a degree of falseness to the people in the streets that goes beyond the typical.

The focus seems to be on the temples, yet the rest of the city seems not to even remember, or realize, they exist. ]


Intention usually depends on the individual.

[ But Zelda isn't even entirely sure this is magic cast by an individual. The place feels steeped in it. ]

Sometimes it's meant to protect. That doesn't discount it being used to punish.
neverwither: (Shy away)

[personal profile] neverwither 2021-05-13 02:51 pm (UTC)(link)
"Thank you. That’s very kind of you." The understanding might not be entirely necessary, given how the masks have been foisted upon them, but it doesn’t matter to Chloe any less. Maybe the fact an apology isn’t strictly needed explains the woman’s apparent surprise. Or maybe there’s more to it than that. Either way, Chloe decides to just stick with being grateful, for now.

Her posture eases a little while not becoming too relaxed. The woman’s demeanour inspires respect and so it wouldn’t do to be too casual. Chloe’s locking in on herself is completely to do with her and her own perceptions of how she should be; her new companion doesn’t frighten or trouble her. Even though she seems to regard looking upon her as a reason for those feelings, as far as Chloe’s concerned there’s nothing the woman has done that should make her feel those things at all. And she is one of the last to be judging anyone on what they may be rather than who.

"I hope I haven’t offended you?" It’s practically an automatic response. Another apology. It’s a common trait with her that only seems to have been brought more to the fore with the hideous mask smothered over her face. So much is lost in not being able to see another’s features.

"I think... That it can be hard for people to see outside of themselves. As a collective. When I say close-minded what I mean is more that it can be hard for it not to be if your experiences have been quite closed." There’s a small shake of her head, aware she’s rambling and probably not making much sense. People are generally used to people. It isn’t their fault to be threatened by the other, not really.

"Oh, I have, actually. Not that you could probably tell by my sparkling conversation." Her tone is brighter, aware of her own awkwardness and content to make light of it. She should be much better in these sorts of situations. Even if this particular situation is hardly usual. And it’s been some time since she was out being the belle of the ball. Though those ingrained social skills should be far more present than they seem to be.

Speaking of, she hasn’t gotten around to introductions. "I’m Chloe, by the way. I’m happy to keep you company, if you’d like?"
directrix: (neutral:  drinking)

[personal profile] directrix 2021-05-13 02:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Maybe it says something that Zelda doesn't even notice it's a strange thing to say. She takes the glass, tipping it his direction in turn before lifting it to her lips, taking a drink before speaking again.

"They smile too much. It's unsettling," is her incredibly helpful observation.
neverwither: (I think of things I wish I didn’t)

[personal profile] neverwither 2021-05-13 02:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Connor might not regard her as being offensive but it’s certainly how she feels right now. Like she should have walked away and not spoken to him at all. Like her very presence adds another disturbing layer to an already confusing, troubling situation.

Finally she gives in and diverts her gaze. But at least it’s to look around the room rather than fix her focus down at the floor. There’s no need to make it all worse by making it seem like there’s something wrong. Well, something other than what’s inherently wrong about the circumstances. ]


Yes. Of course. I didn’t mean to imply that ideas shouldn’t be tested. I was only trying to help.

[ Because that’s what she does, doesn’t she? Help. Oh yes, Chloe is so very helpful. Whatever you need, it doesn’t matter. Chloe is right there to assist.

Whatever it is.

Still, she looks out to the crowd, calming herself. There’s no sense in getting more wound up than she already is. So she answers him in a soft voice. ]


You aren’t troubling me.

[ The pause is palpable. If she’s going to have to lay her cards on the table at some point, may as well do it out in the open. Social protocol should hopefully mitigate reactions to some extent. ]

I’m a deviant.

[ Not strictly in the way the Deviant Hunter is familiar with, but that doesn’t make it any less true. And saying it aloud… It’s disgusting. She was given everything and this is what she has become. This… thing was never the intended design. It’s shameful. So shameful.

She feels the mask give. For a moment or two, she lets it stay in place. Maybe it would have been better to be seen as that than to be seen for what she really is.

Too late now.

Slipping off the mask, she turns her head to give Connor a sidelong look. While there’s a flicker of fear in her eyes, there’s also acceptance. Not of herself, not by a long shot, but of whatever the confession’s consequences might be. ]
Edited 2021-05-13 20:13 (UTC)
shapeshistory: <user name=bungalows> (Chanel)

[personal profile] shapeshistory 2021-05-13 03:05 pm (UTC)(link)
A wheel of cheese, right in front of the mice. [ aka yeah, that makes sense. Jack scrunches his nose up, staring at the mask. He should touch it, probably. Pick it up. It's right there, after all. He leans down so he's eye level with it, frown poking at the corners of his chin. ]

Hoping we'll steal it? [ He's thinking about doing that, at least. He glances around him, casting one last look around for anyone else but him and the woman in this place. ]
shapeshistory: <user name=bungalows> (Burberry)

[personal profile] shapeshistory 2021-05-13 03:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Jack glances over at the other, his gaze previously fixed on the crowd--there's a flicker of something in the other's face, though the smile slides on easily. Interesting. The term gilded cage is ringing in his ears, and he smiles back, looking far more cunning than he usually does courtesy of his fox mask. ]

Mr. Bridgerton. Had enough of the high life, then? [ It must be hard, Jack thinks, attending fetes and balls while people like Jack are out there barely being able to eat some days. ]
neverwither: (Uh oh)

[personal profile] neverwither 2021-05-13 03:21 pm (UTC)(link)
"Highly," is the quick answer. Which does prompt the concern that if she's not careful enough, Chloe herself might go up in flames. And her creator isn't there to save her. If anything happened to her, that could very well be it. It's quite the thought to swallow in the second she spends on contemplating it.

Releasing the tubing from the pinch, she directs the thirium's flow onto the sand. A blue line appears in front of them, as much as it can be seen through the fog. Just to be sure, she slowly swings her arm from side to side to make sure there's a decent amount both in front and to the side of them. Internal systems flash their warnings.

It's okay. There's thirium at the temple.

She clasps the end of the tube again, ready to add more if it's needed. "Enough?"
cryptsleeper: (impale with great prejudice)

[personal profile] cryptsleeper 2021-05-13 03:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[Intent. Magic is always just intent, Sypha said that ages ago. That it is a constant here helps, but only so far.]

And what it's meant to protect and what prompts punishment depends entirely on an individual that we have no information about at present.

[There's silence. Glancing around the room hoping for clues to present themselves isn't going to happen either, and so all the dhampir can do right now is take a few steps back.]

I imagine that if there is more information, it is hidden in the city's frivolities. Not here.
kyley_b: https://burquillos.tumblr.com/ (ugggh)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-05-13 03:39 pm (UTC)(link)
"A short, hairy guy who can benchpress a riding mower," Kyle replies.

He puts both of his hands to his temples and squeezes as if maybe he can pop his brain out and brush it off or something. His cheeks are red with embarrassment.

"Oh, wow," he says. "I'm so sorry. I saw... I guess it's obvious what I saw."
shapeshistory: <user name=bungalows> (Cartier)

[personal profile] shapeshistory 2021-05-13 03:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Anne's right. They're on the same page at least--they always will be--and he exhales, standing straight and taking his thumb and forefinger to the middle of his forehead, smoothing his brows as he stares at the boat. He's always been a fairly practical person, but this situation is beyond what he's used to, though his confidence in himself hasn't waned a bit. ]

I'd rather the water than this eyesore. [ His hand drops, looking pointedly at the city. Too gaudy. It doesn't matter that had Jack not come to this place on his own terms, he would have loved it. He clears his throat, moment over, and nods at Anne. ]

Shall we?

[ There's a perfect boat right next to them, after all. Small enough for two. Without waiting for an answer, Jack slips onto the deck of one, adjusting his weight easily so as not to tip it over. ]
kyley_b: https://fmdinisio.tumblr.com/ (yup)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-05-13 03:46 pm (UTC)(link)
The common denominator of the crankiness might be Deadpool. Just a thought.

"It's totally possible we'll avoid further stupidity by just being rational and cautious," Kyle says. He honestly believes he is both of those things.

"Uh, I'm Kyle Broflovski. Thanks again for not letting me get eaten."
howlett: (hmph2)

[personal profile] howlett 2021-05-13 04:04 pm (UTC)(link)
"Damn right," he mutters. You can see the uncomfortable tension in his shoulders drop.

"You might wanna go easy on whatever they're servin' at that bar if this is what it does to you," he says. Always full of very helpful advice.
shapeshistory: <user name=bungalows> (Dior)

[personal profile] shapeshistory 2021-05-13 04:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He's not unfamiliar with places like that, though he doesn't quite understand the depths of the other's words--not fully--he can empathize with having to be very, very careful. The stranger thinks he's fun, though. That's a nice boost to his ego, if the quirk of his mouth is anything to go by. ]

The fact that it's easy bothers me. [ It's casual, but the intent is there: Jack had been eyeing the boats for exactly the same reason as the other, all jokes aside. ] As tempting as it is, to be so certain the good Lord had delivered unto me a foolproof means of escape by simply allowing me to saunter in the vague direction of the docks sits rather poorly with me. On the other hand, gift horse, mouth, ectetera.

You've not sailed before?
shapeshistory: <user name=bungalows> (Cartier)

[personal profile] shapeshistory 2021-05-13 04:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[ There's only so much one can take, even if one is a social butterfly. Mingling is something he's never had a problem with, let alone mingling with riches, but after a while the crowd starts to feel as suffocating as his mask. He chalks it up to there not being proper rum, though he has a sinking feeling it has everything to do with the fact that all of this is entirely overwhelming. The temple, the clothes, the scenery, the people--this fucking mask, which the stranger who'd cleared his throat (politely?) immediately comments on.

Great, that's the thing he's most annoyed with, cheers for pointing it out. Jack's scowl is visible even underneath the fox's pointed nose. At least the stranger seems equally annoyed. He leans against a wall, facing the horizon where he can see the harbour in the distance. It's comforting to him in a way he can't quite describe, and his gaze turns on it as he talks. ]


Fox, I think. Or a weasel. Pretty damning, if it's truly supposed to represent some sort of aspect of me. [ A quick glance over at the stranger's mask, arms crossed. ] Though I suppose I could be some sort of demon.
kyley_b: https://burquillos.tumblr.com/ (ugggh)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-05-13 04:58 pm (UTC)(link)
"I wasn't drinking," Kyle says. He sits on the edge of the stage. "I almost never do. It happened when I touched that mask." He gestures back at it before turning to look at Logan again.

"Uhm. I'm Kyle. Thanks for talking me down. It's so weird, you even SOUNDED like him."
tearsinajar: backchat (102)

[personal profile] tearsinajar 2021-05-13 07:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[ In the dimly lit area it still works to be able to make out his expressions, any gesturing. She watches, waits, patience not as bottomless as it once used to be. Times were different now, weren’t they? ]

Right. A brother. [ A scoff. ] Who just so happened to be conveniently out of the picture the entire time we’ve known each other. Who just so happens to conveniently show up now. A brother you thought was dead.

Well, Nate, that’s great for you, I suppose. Two brothers reunited. Congratulations. You two clearly have so much to catch up on.

[ Does she sound sarcastic, bitter? Yeah, she still has good reason. And right now Elena chugs back two long sips of her drink while hating on the tightness that squeezes at her chest and makes it hard to swallow down her drink. Hates that her eyes are beginning to sting, yet she’s grateful for the mask, for the partial darkness they’ve moved themselves to.

Hates him for how she’s feeling right in this moment.
]

I don’t— Nathan, I don’t get you. You lied about him. You lied about where you were going, why you were doing what you were doing. To me.

I thought we were done with that.
what_fourth_wall: (Angryface)

[personal profile] what_fourth_wall 2021-05-13 07:15 pm (UTC)(link)
(Oh it was.)

"HEY!!! I see you over there ganging up on me, Kyle narration and parenthesis!!! My monster buds LOVED me!!!"

(If you define love loosely.)

"Hmph. Well, hi Kyle! I think I've seen a cartoon documentary of your childhood exploits." He absolutely has, but it's just polite to put it in the "think" framing. "You can be as rational and cautious as you want, but I know islands that are meant to fuck with me when I see them. They want me to learn things. I'll show them. Deadpool doesn't learn anything, EVER!"

There is probably some kind of psychology behind his defiance to learning lessons here. It is probably an opportunity for character growth throughout the course of the game. This is probably a foundation for....something.
kyley_b: https://fmdinisio.tumblr.com/ (yup)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-05-13 08:40 pm (UTC)(link)
The narration would never.

Kyle stares at Wade with an expression of someone who has heard outlandish claims so often that he can't even work up enough emotion to be disbelieving. This is what happens when you regularly receive phonecalls at 2 AM about made-up cryptids and have spent a lifetime watching every adult around you act like a particularly stupid lemming.

"...right. Okay. Well. I guess we'll see." he holds up his wrist, displaying the Scrywatch. "You know, if this thing is monitoring us or whatever, it would show you."
darkdetective: (pic#14645330)

[personal profile] darkdetective 2021-05-13 11:14 pm (UTC)(link)
You'll think I'm crazy, but given the circumstances we're in, you'd be smart to listen.

[ he pauses, bracing to try and cliffnote some of the insanity of his own world. ]

Other worlds, universes? They exist. We're probably in one right now, pulled here by someone or something capable of the kind of power you might consider to be god-like. Or it could be a collective dream... one so real that none of us can distinguish between what's real and what isn't. I'm leaning towards the former, but not even I can be sure yet.
darkdetective: (pic#14867979)

[personal profile] darkdetective 2021-05-13 11:21 pm (UTC)(link)
I know. Roles reversed? He feels the same way about himself, you know. We're both so alike that... he knows.

[ he listens to her speak, smiling softly. it's all of his own concerns coming from her mouth, ones that he's suspected she felt, even though he chased her across the globe demanding answers in his agony at her absence, but he still knew the truth. it's just nice to hear her feel comfortable enough to tell him. he reaches up and easily plucks off her mask, having no doubt that it would come off without restraint. ]

And don't worry, he's terrified of holidays with the Kents, too.
darkdetective: (pic#14647617)

[personal profile] darkdetective 2021-05-13 11:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[ bruce sighs, thoughtfully rubbing at the scruff on his chin. ]

It's weird being on the other side of this conversation, you know. Want to elaborate?
darkdetective: (pic#14867990)

[personal profile] darkdetective 2021-05-13 11:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[ bruce grabs a drink from the tray of a passing waiter, taking a long sip. whisky on the rocks. the sting in his throat helps as an opener to his admission. ]

I'm broke and dead. In that order specifically.
darkdetective: (pic#14647618)

[personal profile] darkdetective 2021-05-13 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Bruce Wayne. And I've been told that before, thanks.

[ bruce lifts her up a little bit against himself so that she's not dragging her feet in the sand, thinking seriously through their idle conversation that it would be better to get off this beach sooner rather than later. ]

What about you, delinquent?
Edited (iconnnn) 2021-05-13 23:29 (UTC)
darkdetective: (pic#14647577)

[personal profile] darkdetective 2021-05-13 11:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Tell you what...

[ he starts backing up, eyeing her from the side. he knows that sort of stubborn determination when he sees it. she won't leave, and if what she says is true, he thinks it would be a bigger mistake to try and force her. ]

You keep your little problem under control, and you've got yourself a deal.
evocation: (LM25turtleduck)

[personal profile] evocation 2021-05-13 11:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Hey, I never said anything about you being old.

[She says it playfully, head tilting. If she can put off coming up with her own secret for a little while longer, why not? Absently, she clinks her glass against his.]

I think I'm like, required as a New Yorker to give you shit about being from Boston.

[Does she actually care? Nope. Is teasing people fun? Absolutely.]