TDM + GAME OPENING 🎉

[beleos]

Who: Shard-Bearers, new and old
What: Seeds take root
Where: The Tree of Life, Highstorm, Springstar
When: October 14th and onwards
Warnings: Potential for (mild) body horror, death, dismemberment

I. BEARING FRUIT (new characters only)

It starts out as a pleasant dream. You’re in your favorite place, with your favorite people. It’s a moment of idyllic comfort.

And then, it goes wrong.

The sky turns dark above, and as you look up, you see the black expanse of space spotted with faraway pinprick lights of stars. Yet, they’re not stars. You’re certain. They’re watching you. A billion eyes all looking down, and they spill forth as if sky itself was a dam holding back those dark waters. You reach back to the people you’re with, but they’re frozen in place. Their eyes are black, reflecting only the expanse of dark eyes.

So you run, even though you know you won’t escape it. You glance back and see it not overtaking, but consuming. The landscape around you is being devoured, and you can see it cracking apart. The world itself is breaking, and it cracks under your feet. You fall, and the billion eyes chase after you until the darkness swallows you whole. There’s agony as if you’re being ripped apart, and then—

You cannot see. You cannot feel. You simply are. Yet even so, impossibly, a woman’s voice speaks gently.

I’m sorry it couldn’t be saved. But, come, it’s time to wake.

You wake with a start, cradled by soft, velvety plants, and sticky with a sap that smells faintly of honey and iron. You can see the veins of the leaves that hold you, lit warmly and gently by what looks like a crystal embedded above you. Yet, it’s odd, because that crystal calls to you. When you reach out to touch it, it’s warm. Familiar. Important. You don’t know why, but you know you must hold onto this, because now it feels wrong for it to be suspended in these leaves. So, you pull it out.

The light starts to fade, but only in time to see as the leaves cradling you immediately start to soften and crumble, and with it comes a torrent of dirt. Soft, loamy soil starts to fill the space around you in the dark as you’re buried. Or, rather, you already were. You reach out through the dirt desperately, and your hands finds a root, so you pull while you clutch that precious crystal so close that it almost feels like it sinks into you (in your panic, you don’t notice that it does). You reach out again, and this time, your hand hits open air and plenty of sturdy roots around to grab.

From a seed you’re born, and like a sprout, you make your way out of the ground.

And once you’ve clawed your way out of the soft earth and the roots, nearby, you see the soil shift. Another hand comes up to grasp desperately for something, anything, just as you had been.

II. MORAL HAZARD

There are new Shard-Bearers at the Tree of Life, and Yima has asked that the earlier arrivals go to greet them and help them. These aren’t people from Horos, after all, so they’ll have many, many questions. As Yima explains, the roots of the tree rise up to create caverns underneath, and it’s there you’ll find the new Shard-Bearers. And indeed, with careful steps to not slip on the mossy roots, down you go. Perhaps Communion will help you find the new Shard-Bearers, but it might be a confusing process for them.

The roots all start to look the same, to the point that you’re sure that you’ve already been through this passage. You turn around, and most of the people you had come here with are gone, if not all of them. It’s confusing and unsettling, and strangest of all.. You’re starting to feel ill, even if that wasn’t something normally possible for you. But continuing forward, you do eventually find an unfamiliar face of a new Shard-Bearer. They look no better than you feel.

Before introductions, however, roots around you shift suddenly until you’re enclosed in a room together. From the roots, a face forms in the wall. It speaks in a creaking, uneven tone, as if it weren’t used to speaking at all.

Give to take. A sacrifice. To live.

---

LET'S PLAY A GAME...

As the Dryad will explain, characters are now trapped in a room and have been poisoned by the spores that the lichens underfoot release. An antidote lays beyond the roots the dryad has curled around you, but to access it, you must make a sacrifice.

Characters can pick one of the following options, but the decision must be made unanimously. If one character takes a drastic action (such as murdering another), it’s counted as a failure for the group.

• Each of you must offer up a personal/treasured memory. The memory will be shared in Communion with all characters assembled, and then will be destroyed. No character will retain the memory or memory of its Communion.
• Each of you must offer up something physical. A finger, a toe, an ear, it’s your choice. The dryad will offer a knife if this is chosen that will sever the body part of choice cleanly and immediately stop any bleeding.
• Offer up another. Kill one person in the room.
• Refusing is also a valid option. Characters will get more ill as they debate until they start to find it difficult to breathe, and they’ll die quickly after.

The following is OOC knowledge that will not be known IC: The consequences of this game are about intent, and thus are not real. When characters are freed from the tree’s thrall, they’ll have their memories/body parts/life intact.

This can be done in groups of 2 to 4 players, and Loremasters recommend three if you can swing it! It’s more fun when you get in philosophical debates, right? Regardless, when your group comes to a decision, please record it here. These don’t have to be fully threaded out to be recorded, so the conclusion can be discussed OOC if you prefer. Actions can be submitted until October 21st, after which groups will be informed of what comes of their choice…

When a group receives the antidote, they'll be released from the tree's thrall... But will have a hard time waking up. It feels like something has grabbed onto their spine.

III. DREAMING OF HOME

You may wake with a start from your deliberations (or arguments) with a jolt of pain from the base of your spine as something is pulled away rapidly. A dark-haired man who looks to be in his thirties or so holds you carefully, but as soon as you start to regain your senses, he sets you back and holds up his hands.

Woah— Woah there, it’s fine! The tree was, uh, trying to take you back is all. You’re fine now.

As long as you’re not going to attack him, he offers a friendly smile and a hand to shake.

Name’s Cyrus. Sorry about the rude awakening. Let’s get your friend here unhooked too.

And indeed, glancing over, you can see the person you met in that room laying nearby, and it looks like a vine has snaked underneath them to exactly where something had just been pulled from you… Best not to think about it, maybe. Or if you've been unlucky enough to be one of the last people rescued, you might find vines and roots starting to grow into your skin. It's fine!

---

CYRUS, THE TRIBUNE

Cyrus is the NPC heading up the Meridian Faction, and is available to thread with under this header. Cyrus has come to the Tree of Life to help rescue the Shard-Bearer’s from the Tree, so he’s not going to be inclined to explain too much right away, since he’s on a mission, but he’ll stick around once everyone is successfully freed from Prompt 2 to speak with anyone that wants to. The following is just an OOC summary of information in case you do not need to thread with Cyrus:

Cyrus will gladly introduce himself to everyone, and will further explain his position in Meridian and Springstar (see the NPC Page) and the goals of Meridian itself (see the Faction Page, save for the italicized section). But most importantly, he’ll explain that he knows it sounds like something overly optimistic. It’s fair to be skeptical. He’ll produce a small glass bead from a bag he’s carrying. It looks like the necklace he wears, though not lit up. He’ll explain that the force of Meridian is a gift and can be a tether to your home, if you let it. As his fingertips light up, the energy is infused into the bead, which he’ll hand to you.

Taking the bead into your hands, you’ll take a bird’s eye view of your home world as if your consciousness is split, since you’ll still perceive standing in front of Cyrus at the tree. Rather than a vision, the view of your world is absolutely real, you’re certain. It’s a glimpse at the world that you thought destroyed, and if you focus on a particular place or a particular person, you’ll find the view shifting rapidly to it. No one you watch is aware of your presence, but simply continues about their daily life, whatever that is. But after about a minute, the view will fade as the light in the bead also fades.

That’s an iliachtida, a sunbeam, and when infused with Meridian’s light, allows someone Harmonized to it to check in on their world, he explains. It also acts as an anchor that tethers their soul to their world in the Timestream. With it, their world can’t entirely disappear, so eventually, they can go home. It’s a gift he’ll allow anyone that wants it to keep it, but indeed, they’ll be unable to use it again without first Harmonizing to Meridian.

To help manage threadload for the Loremasters playing Cyrus, we ask that you only tag him with the character you are most likely to app. Similarly, new tag-ins will not be accepted after Monday, October 17th.

III. SPRINGSTAR, αιώνιος ήλιος

After your ordeals at the Tree of Life, perhaps you’re drawn to Springstar, the city of eternal sun and the seat of Meridian.

It’s currently (and fittingly) Spring in Springstar, and the bustling city is coming back to life after finishing up winter. It’s not as if the winters are especially harsh here, but you’ll quickly get the sense that the people of Springstar are vivacious and happy to celebrate. You’ll find the Entertainment District to be the liveliest, whether it’s at a rowdy bar or a brothel, but no matter what, you’re welcome with open arms and without question.

Of course, if you’d just like to use the chance to explore the city alongside your fellow Shard-Bearers, that’s fine too. It’s easy to get lost in the crowds of Springstar and see all the city has to offer.

IV. HIGHSTORM, луны-близнецы

Or maybe Highstorm, the city of twin moons and the seat of Zenith is more to your liking. It’s certainly the quieter of the two cities and is a relaxing, meditative place if that’s what you prefer. The chill in the air is constant, since it’s Autumn in Highstorm and the eternal night doesn’t help keep things warm, exactly. Snow isn’t out of the question at this time of the year, but it’s beautiful in the moonlight.

Because of the cooler weather than Highstorm is prone to, you’ll find many of its delights inside rather than outside. Libraries and museums are popular in the more introspective city, though it’s easy enough to find something that might please you. For example, the indoor hot baths are popular at this time of the year too. You’ll find the people are kind, if cool-tempered, though if you mention the fact that you’re a Shard-Bearer or allied with Zenith, they’re more likely to warm up.

Though much like Springstar, it may just be more interesting to explore the city with a fellow Shard-Bearer. And as a resident may warn you, it’s best to stay in the city. Wandering out into the marshes and forests isn’t advised. Of course, if you do, just contact a Loremaster to find out why. ♥

NOTES

Welcome to Kenos! As a reminder, all players are required to fill out an application, which are now open. This does include characters/players from Aion Teleos, so please don’t forget to fill one out! Any character/player that does not submit an application will be swept from the communities and the Discord after applications close.

Activity Check is optional this month, but is highly recommend so Christy can check her fancy program so that you can earn Activity Reward Tokens! Activity will be able to be submitted shortly after applications close. You can find more about how we do AC here.

This log is Game Canon. Any characters who are not apped to the game will disappear. If Cyrus or Yima are asked, they’ll explain that this happens sometimes, since not every soul has a strong tether to Kenos and sometimes return to the Timestream. They’re fine and may even return to Kenos one day, but for now weren’t able to make the full journey.

As a reminder, your character has a Shard somewhere on their body that encompasses their soul, so keep note of where you're sticking it on their person for reference! Additionally, they have a tattoo of their Aspect somewhere on their body. Please be mindful this Aspect will be assigned to you upon approval and whatever you choose for the TDM may be temporary (for new characters)!

For the Highstorm and Springstar prompts, both cities will be fully open and accessible to all characters once they are saved from their rather harrowing ordeal at the Tree of Life. For prompt ideas and any general information about the cities and what you can find there, please see the Navigation page and check out the locations!

FOR NEW PLAYERS:

New players are welcome to join our Discord Server if you haven't already!

When they emerge from their cocoon/the ground, characters may be wearing their normal clothes, or they might be nude. Up to you!

At some point in the days after leaving the Tree of Life, new Shard-Bearers will have a dream, even if they're usually not capable of sleeping. All new players should read this post, since this details how they'll learn about both factions and their goals and should help them make a decision in which Faction they'd be drawn to.

New characters will not have access to any canon abilities on the TDM.

Your character will be offered temporary housing either at the Heliopolis district or Yima's manor for the first few weeks after their arrival. They will also be given a stipend for basic supplies like clothing and personal effects, and food is served in the cantina (Heliopolis) and at regular meal times in the Dining Room (Yima's manor). Once they Harmonize, they will get personal permanent chambers and a fancy retainer in their Faction's city. Wow! 🌈

FOR OLD PLAYERS:

Characters may be Harmonized to their Faction (if that makes sense for the character, of course!) by the time of this log. This is more for IC reference, and just wait until application acceptance to do the OOC paperwork!

General reminder that your character won't have access to their powers until they have Harmonized.

CODING

Comments

Alphinaud Leveilleur | Final Fantasy XIV | Harbinger

[diplobrat]

I. Bearing Fruit

[ It feels real and dreamlike at the same time; that sense of terror, of being chased and overcome by something encroaches. Something that comes rushing toward him like an unstoppable force and he is falling, falling, falling, his mind and body feeling as if they are coming apart at the seams and then-

Then he is clawing his way to the surface with a gasp, as if he's emerging from a deep pool of water and then there's the loam and dirt and roots and a crystal that he clings to as if his life depends on it. And despite the tears that threaten and a thousand questions that go tumbling through his mind, he feels as if he can stand this. He must be able to. He did before, when he was pulled away from his world. He can do it again, no matter how strange this place feels and seems. He steadies himself, on hands and knees as he tries to take in the roots and plants and the movement of others out in the dim light. ]

Alisae? Alisae, are you here?

[ Is she here with him? Or is she crouched over his form in Garlemald? Or is he truly alone this time? ]

Can you hear me?

II. Moral Hazards

[ New faces, but a sickeningly familiar game. One of them - all of them - are going to have to give something up. He's barely had a chance to get his bearings and now he's expected to simply work with this? Alphinaud is not a fan. His gaze goes from the others to the dryad, his expression a touch stony. ]

...I am not about to play this particular game, I think. There must be another solution. Giving up parts of ourselves is... well. It reminds me too much of something else.

[ Although quietly he is resolving to perhaps give up something of his own, at the end of the day... ]

III. Highstorm

[ The idea of getting something back, of recovering what was lost, appeals to Alphinaud - if only because he cannot believe that his world is well and truly gone. This must be some sort of trick, some sort of misunderstanding. He's only just saved the First from oblivion. How could it have been consumed with barely a whisper? Without the Warrior of Light or the Scions noticing even a thing? Cyrus' words ring in his head and so it is in Highstorm that Alphinaud can be found as he tries to dig into what exactly is going on here. What exactly is happening to him in this strange, strange place. He is, of course, in the Tomes, digging through books and scrolls, trying to find something he can read or interpret. And if you're there, you're likely to find him as well. ]

...is that a step-ladder over there? Could you pass it to me? [ There's a high shelf he wants to look at!

After his investigation, there's a stop at the local cafe - one that provides him the most delicious of drinks. It's a small miracle, he thinks, but he can be found in a corner seat, taking notes and flipping through a book he's checked out. Something to do with dimensions in all liklihood. He's happy to say hello, though. Although... as his drink drains he pauses as he glances at the bottom of his cup. ]

...does it do that for everyone?

[ And of course there's the market. Objects he's never seen before or even dreamed of. But buried among it all is something else - a bauble or staff that looks to him like something from home. An object that might have answers. Alphinaud is, unfortunately, frustrated by the "NO TALKING" sign. His brow furrows, his voice just a touch irritated. ]

Come now, surely you can tell me a little about how this got here...?

[ But he may not have much luck - and he's broke! ]

i

[humainity]

I can hear you.

[ Though of course, it's not as though the voice who responds is going to be the one he wants to respond to him. Especially because said voice then clarifies, as this redhead trots closer, shedding dirt from the vigor of her movements alone-- ]

I am not Alisaie, unfortunately. My name is Sophia, humanity's companion.

[diplobrat]

[ Well, at least he's not alone. Even if he is completely lost. And his connection to the aether - well. That just feels wrong. Practically non-existent when he tries to reach out and touch it. He starts dusting himself off with a groan. ]

Well, as disappointed as I am, it's still very nice to meet you, Sophia. I'm Alphinaud... do you have any idea where we are?

[humainity]

Hello, Alphinaud! [ with a little dip of her head. ]

It's a pleasure to meet you, disappointing as I am. [ She doesn't seem offended, at least. ]

But no. I have no idea where we are. I was somewhere else entirely, before... all of this. And I remember that this time, so I guess I didn't lose my memory again.

[diplobrat]

Lose your memory again? Oh, dear. That sounds very troublesome.

[ He manages a smile, despite that. He's trying to be reassuring - both for her sake and his own. He's been in worse spots before, surely? ]

I have to say, I was... well, not dead, but no longer existing for a little while at one point. So I'm relieved to find that I've woken up in one piece. Where are you from, if I may ask? That might help us narrow it down.

iii, the market

[ktizo]

It's a passing familiar face that Hythlodaeus' gaze settles upon, someone he knows he's met before- if only for a brief time. Moving away from a selection of crystals, he looks down at Alphinaud with a small smile before pressing a finger to his lips.

The implication is clear: shhh! He then nods to the exit, so that they may talk. He's hardly a stickler for rules but he's never really been one for breaking them so outright, either. Especially not in a place so foreign to him, where he doesn't feel quite comfortable.

[diplobrat]

Oh.

Alphinaud finds himself looking at a face he's seen once before, although very briefly. He's certainly heard a lot about this particular person, too. He blinks, startled, about to exclaim - and then the gesture registers and he nods sheepishly, ushering himself outside hastily.

Once they're free and clear he turns on him with that energy of his.

"Hythlodaeus, aren't you? I've heard so much about you from the Warrior of Light - and you've ended up here as well!"

[ktizo]

"Oh you have, have you?" He grins, before nodding. "Aye, you may call me Hythlodaeus. Alas, I fear I was never given your name."

He never really had a chance to talk to the Warrior of Light about their friends. By the time he realised they weren't simply a familiar, they were all looking into the Final Days.

"Passing strange that we're both here, isn't it? I shan't complain about a familiar face, however!"

[diplobrat]

"Well, yes, they told us about their very strange journey into... what to us.. was the past. And then of course there was our meeting in Meteion's nest, where you and Emet-Selch helped bring us all back..."

He does have to suppress a bit of a shiver there. Being... gone... had been very strange. Not something he feels like he wants to rrepeat.

"No complaints from myself either, although this does make me wonder about the truth of this place..."

I

[youngprodigy]

[Though the person struggling free of the seed doesn't respond, someone nearby does. It's been a few years since he and Cid fought off the Ixal while the Warrior contended with Garuda, and since Cid help the pair flee to Ishgard, but it's not a voice he would forget easily.]

Alphinaud? Is that you?

[diplobrat]

Cid?

[ Not who he expected, in all honesty. He blinks, trying to clear dirt out of his eyes. He sways to his feet, bracing against a root. ]

Is that you? The last person I expected to find...

[youngprodigy]

[Cid offers the boy a tight smile.]

You're one of the first familiar faces I've seen in a long time.

[Not the first, but he hasn't seen many others at all.]

[diplobrat]

Truly? But weren't you...?

[ He certainly remembers Cid being... around. But perhaps his memory is playing tricks. ]

No matter. Do you have any idea where we are?

iii

[cutlery]

[ The curious shop and its equally curious shopkeeper had caught Sebastian’s attention, so naturally, he had to peruse. The sign was noted, and politely, he had nodded to give his understanding and was… ignored completely. Rude?

But it at least doesn’t matter all that much to him. He’s here alone, just looking through the various objects collected as if he were in a museum more than a store. They’re curiosities of all kinds, and while none ring as overly familiar enough to truly catch his interest, there are definitely those that are more alien to him. Those are curious.

He hears Alphinaud speak and looks over with partial interest, since he does wonder how the shopkeep will respond. Equally rudely, as it turns out. He breathes out a partial laugh, but curiously, he instead reaches out to Alphinaud with the unique psychic bond of Communion instead. There’s no telling if he’s another Shard-Bearer or not, but if he is, well, this gets around the sign handily, doesn’t it? So a voice rings out lightly in Alphinaud’s mind, a polite, cool and English accent. ]

You will not get anything out of him, I am afraid. He barely even acknowledged me when I came in.

[diplobrat]

[ Oh, that's very unusual. A bit like linkpearl, but... very much in his own head. He starts and glances around, as if looking for the unseen speaker, not quite sure where it's coming from just yet. He frowns and tries to reach out in reply. ]

It seems you're correct. He's rather strict about his no-speaking rule, isn't he? Ah... where are you, if I may ask? You can clearly see me.

[cutlery]

[ Sebastian watches with a little twinkle of amusement in his eye as he turns, but it doesn't take more than a moment for their eyes to meet. Sebastian is down one of the aisles of the store, just currently looking his way. When their eyes meet, he reaches up to give a little wave. ]

My apologies, if this is your first brush with Communion. It is a bit odd the first time around.

[ ...Actually, this is better than his own first experience with it, but. ]

Luckily, we are able to step around the rules a tad.

[diplobrat]

[ He starts and then lifts his hand in a little wave in return, nodding as he tries to process all of this. ]

No apologies needed. I'm adjusting as best I can. And while it might not be in the spirit, I think we're following the letter of his rules. I wonder why he's so reluctant to say anything?

iii

[settingup]

[ Atsumu likes to hang around the market. He rarely buys things here, but he tends to stick around Highstorm where Yima is more often than he ventures over to the more bustling and appealing city of Springstar, so sometimes you have to go where the people actually are.

This particular antique store is of particular interest to him, because the goods it carries sure are wide ranging, though there's nothing that has ever jumped out to Atsumu as a must have from his world. There are also few items in his world he's dying to get back, but he has definitely noticed some familiar things that he hasn't seen anywhere else in either city so far.

So he can appreciate the guy desperately trying to ask the shopkeeper what's up here. At the same time-- ]

It's no use. He ain't gonna tell you anything no matter how many times you ask.

[diplobrat]

[ The shopkeeper tries to hush this other, noisy person as well. Alphinaud seems not to mind, though - although he perhaps ought to be a bit more aware of his wishes. He turns to Atsumu with a sigh, lowering his voice. ]

So I am gathering. I take it you've tried with him before?

[ He gestures. ]

Perhaps we should step outside.

[settingup]

[ For all his earnest attempts to keep these boys quiet, all the shopkeeper gets is a contemptuous look from Atsumu. Knowing the rules of this place or not, it's not like he cares much for being shushed.

It hardly matters that he was pretty infamous for demanding people be quiet when he wanted it back on his now dead world. ]

If you wanna talk without this guy gettin' fussy.

[ So he'll nod towards the door and head out, making sure to start talking again before he's fully cleared the shop. ]

And sorta. I asked him all kindsa questions at first, but he never answers any of them.

[diplobrat]

[ Alphinaud sighs as they step outside. He'll need to apologize later, probably. Or at least find a way to get more information. ]

Unfortunate. I wonder if it's a matter of principle with him or if he simply doesn't enjoy speaking. I take it you are also recently arrived?

III

[superbshot]

[Caitlyn has also been digging, moving through the stacks and taking out books on local history primarly, seeking to learn as much as she can about this place. She's tall enough that very little seems out of reach for her, and when a young man calls out, asking for a step ladder she smiles slightly.]

Of course.

[Sliding it down, she starts poking at another shelf nearby.]

What are you researching?

[diplobrat]

Everything I can honestly.

[ He replies with a little smile as he clambers up onto the stool to start examining the next shelf up. ]

The history of this place, their magic, their stories... if we're going to be here for the forseeable future, learning what we can seems to be the most prudent thing to do.

[superbshot]

It does. I've been focusing on the histories and folklore, myself. Magic is something I'm not terribly familiar with.

[She gestures back at her table.]

I'd be happy to share my notes, if you like.

[diplobrat]

That would be wonderful! If we combine our efforts, I'm sure we'll be able to come up with a better idea of what it is we're dealing with here!

[ He's incredibly eager to get going, it seems. ]