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

mewnifestos: (Default)

[personal profile] mewnifestos 2021-05-02 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
[ Well, at least one of those things sounds like something— Though the thought only draws a more amused skepticism from him. ]

Gods who encourage drinking and fancy parties? Clearly the Chantry has misled me all my life.
dothelokimotion: (With all the fear and respect)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-05-02 02:59 am (UTC)(link)
[ loki takes a sip. ]

I'm a God and I've always enjoyed parties. I can't speak for boring gods, however.
mewnifestos: (pic#9433449)

[personal profile] mewnifestos 2021-05-02 03:10 am (UTC)(link)
[ It's probably a good thing Anders isn't taking a sip of his own drink, at that. He might have choked. He also might've been better off chasing more of the locals, after all... ]

You don't say. But I suppose all the boring ones must keep to themselves, hm?
dothelokimotion: (Truth takes us to dangerous places)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-05-02 03:30 am (UTC)(link)
[ loki hums softly at that. ]

That is usually my experience.
mewnifestos: (Default)

[personal profile] mewnifestos 2021-05-02 11:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, who needs them, anyway?

[ Making smalltalk with the probable madman seems safe enough, for now. But Anders is already tilting his head, peering through the slowly milling crowd. ]

If you're going to have some ultimate, unchecked power and just be boring with it, then what's the point?
dothelokimotion: (The exact problem is currently unclear)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-05-03 01:58 am (UTC)(link)
The lack of orgies and gladiatorial fights is odd.

[ granted that might just be the grandmaster and his style of spending power and immortality. ]
mewnifestos: (Default)

[personal profile] mewnifestos 2021-05-03 03:18 am (UTC)(link)
[ Well, that's worth a laugh. Anders glances back at him, wearing a crooked grin. ]

I'll pass on the fights. But this party could use a touch more excitement.
dothelokimotion: (You will never go)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-05-03 05:29 am (UTC)(link)
It does feel rather . . . tame.

[ where were the drugs and the synth music? though at least it wasn't like asgardian parties, all mead, meat and carousing. ]
mewnifestos: (Default)

[personal profile] mewnifestos 2021-05-04 12:26 am (UTC)(link)
You're being too kind. I don't think they could play a drearier song if they tried. Although compared to that last one, I think they're making an effort, anyway.

[ He may never have heard anything quite like it, but he's already quite sure he'll pass. ]

Though I'd expect a god could make his own entertainment.
dothelokimotion: (Here's your cuttlefish card)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-05-04 01:31 am (UTC)(link)
[ a quiet snort. ]

Where would be the fun in that?
mewnifestos: (Default)

[personal profile] mewnifestos 2021-05-05 01:14 am (UTC)(link)
Where wouldn't it be? I'd have thought unlimited power might come with a bit of creativity.

[ It's certainly the case with mages - and their power is hardly so great. ]

But maybe I was mistaken.
dothelokimotion: (Comfort was the answer to all)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-05-05 02:04 am (UTC)(link)
[ loki shrugs once more. ]

It can, but it rarely does. I suppose when you hold power for too long, it dulls your senses.
mewnifestos: (Default)

[personal profile] mewnifestos 2021-05-07 03:44 am (UTC)(link)
Ah, what a shame.

[ With lightly mocking pity, Anders turns a look of amused, saccharine sympathy on him. ]

Is that what happened to you?
dothelokimotion: (There are no trees in the library)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-05-07 04:29 am (UTC)(link)
[ loki merely smiles. the edges could cut a man. ]

Who knows?
mewnifestos: (Default)

[personal profile] mewnifestos 2021-05-09 12:02 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, let me guess, 'it's a secret'?

[ Anders scoffs, undeterred by that sharpness in either his cheer or his sarcasm. Though it's directed at the gathering at large, now. ]

I realize nobility breeds absurdity, but you'd think they threw this whole soiree just to annoy. I'm almost impressed by the level of pettiness in it.
dothelokimotion: (Truth takes us to dangerous places)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-05-09 01:48 am (UTC)(link)
Ours is not to question, but to enjoy.

[ as much as they can. he takes another sip. ]

Or to reveal something that benefits our audience.
mewnifestos: (Default)

[personal profile] mewnifestos 2021-05-11 04:32 am (UTC)(link)
If they wanted me to do any revealing, they should've gotten me drunk before the festivities.

[ Or offered an entirely more fun one. This whole thing, though - far too drab.

He gives his own drink a skeptical look, then takes a swig anyway. ]


All this dancing around the answers, though? Not my idea of a fun party game.
dothelokimotion: (That is the self we imagined we were)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-05-11 08:21 am (UTC)(link)
What would be a "fun" party game then?

[ loki is actually curious. people here hail from many worlds and it doesn't seem like this one comes from earth. what customs and ideas does he bring with him? and how can loki learn and leverage it for his own survival? ]
mewnifestos: (Default)

[personal profile] mewnifestos 2021-05-13 03:40 am (UTC)(link)
[ He might be a bit disappointed if he's expecting any of Anders' answers to be useful. He may tap his chin thoughtfully, but the only real consideration he puts into his response is to how much he can amuse himself with it. ]

Oh, I don't know. How about a nice rousing game of pin the tail on the dwarf? Darts from the parapet? Spin the Joining chalice? ...Well, maybe that last one's only fun if you're a Warden.
dothelokimotion: (Comfort was the answer to all)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-05-13 11:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[ ah, tavern games. that explains a lot. ]

A warden of what?
mewnifestos: (Default)

[personal profile] mewnifestos 2021-05-14 04:14 am (UTC)(link)
Of the Grey variety? I suppose that means nothing to you, though, does it?

[ Not much sense in explaining, either. If there are no Grey Wardens here, there probably aren't any darkspawn, either. Which is a boon, if he's being entirely honest. ]
dothelokimotion: (The exact problem is currently unclear)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-05-15 01:42 am (UTC)(link)
[ loki shakes his head. ]

I'm afraid not.
mewnifestos: (Default)

[personal profile] mewnifestos 2021-05-15 03:09 am (UTC)(link)
Lucky you. No Blight where you're from, either, I'll bet?

[ If he's really lucky, anyway. But on this point, Anders' curiosity is a side more genuine. ]
dothelokimotion: (The curtain is raised a few inches)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2021-05-15 03:33 am (UTC)(link)
No. My . . . ah, home, didn't know sickness or illness.

[ asgard was a bit too advanced for that. ]
mewnifestos: (Default)

[personal profile] mewnifestos 2021-05-15 04:17 am (UTC)(link)
Must have been nice.

[ No sickness? He's not certain he believes that, either, but it is rather interesting. ]

Though, I don't know, I do find healing injuries gets a bit dull, after a while. What's life without a dash of the occasional mysterious illness to spice things up?

(no subject)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion - 2021-05-15 08:30 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] mewnifestos - 2021-05-18 01:20 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion - 2021-05-18 08:48 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] mewnifestos - 2021-05-23 03:05 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion - 2021-05-23 08:54 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] mewnifestos - 2021-05-24 19:47 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion - 2021-05-25 00:19 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] mewnifestos - 2021-05-26 21:49 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion - 2021-05-27 00:27 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] mewnifestos - 2021-05-30 04:10 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion - 2021-05-30 07:48 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] mewnifestos - 2021-06-01 23:20 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion - 2021-06-02 00:21 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] mewnifestos - 2021-06-02 01:35 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion - 2021-06-02 01:43 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] mewnifestos - 2021-06-02 02:32 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion - 2021-06-02 02:34 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] mewnifestos - 2021-06-02 04:24 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion - 2021-06-02 04:53 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] mewnifestos - 2021-06-04 01:44 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion - 2021-06-04 01:49 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] mewnifestos - 2021-06-05 17:08 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion - 2021-06-06 01:14 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] mewnifestos - 2021-06-06 03:13 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion - 2021-06-06 03:15 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] mewnifestos - 2021-06-07 18:15 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion - 2021-06-08 04:41 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] mewnifestos - 2021-06-09 00:30 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion - 2021-06-09 00:32 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] mewnifestos - 2021-06-09 01:08 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion - 2021-06-09 01:46 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] mewnifestos - 2021-06-10 00:29 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion - 2021-06-10 00:40 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] mewnifestos - 2021-06-10 01:21 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion - 2021-06-10 01:33 (UTC) - Expand