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

archangel | baroque | harbringer

[impiety]

i. sticky awakening - bearing fruit

[ After breaking free, the Archangel rubs his hand across his face -- acknowledging the sap that is against his face. He pauses for a second before sticking the contents in his mouth, sucking on his index finger in an absent-minded way as he looks about to the other people popping up like daisies. ]

At least, it's a little sweet.

ii. moral hazards [ closed: dextera, amos, hythlodaeus ]

[ So, this is how we meet again.

His expression is surprisingly pleasant as he gazes upon Dextera. On the inside, however, he feels a sickening ache devouring his sanity. However, he cannot indulge such things -- not yet. There is the matter that there is poison in the air and a sacrifice must be made.

He gazes between the two others in the makeshift locked room. His chin lifts as he tries to gauge their personalities, their weaknesses. It is so odd to see people after so long. Saliva bathes the back of his teeth but he swallows it down. Instead, he shows a compassionate, patient expression.

Rather than walk to Dextera, rather than attempt to appeal to the bearded man, he crosses the distance to the beauty. They look soft; they look easy to mold to his decisions, his will. His smile softens in turn as he draws in close. Let's decide together who to sacrifice. Which one of you will fall for my survival?

Because he refuses to give up any piece of himself to something playing god. ]

Let's not be too hasty with our decision. I know that time is against us, but we do not wish to make a choice that we will regret. [ He directs his words around to everyone, glancing about to everyone yet not letting his gaze linger for long, but already coming to stand before the lovely stranger. Dextera will die. I just need enough votes to bring it to reality.

Let it never be said he is not a petty man. He cannot give me what I want and should suffer for his sins against me. ]

iii. wildcard

[ I am but one bean! Message me on Discord (marvelouscheer#4580) if ya wanna check about anything or plot something out. ]

i.

[joyfully]

Right! It's super tasty!

[The chipper voice belongs to a girl who's seated cross-legged on the ground, covered in dirt and sap that signifies that she clearly only just dug herself out as well.]

Imagine if we were covered in gross-tasting sap. That'd be so... so rude!

[impiety]

Yes, it's the best thing I've tasted in awhile.

[ He offers a brief little smile to the girl seated opposite of him. It has been awhile since he spoke to anyone, too, and he feels himself still reeling from the knowledge of the ruin of his world.

His eye twitches before his expression settles. ]

It would be quite rude if we suffered such an injustice. But since we have not, shall we take the moment to thank whatever grace has befallen us?

[joyfully]

[... the best?? This is the best???]

I mean... it's pretty good, but it's not that good. You should try some of the better delicacies of life! Likeeee... bear meat!

[nailed it.

Anyway it's fine.]

But I guess we can thank the grace, or whatever it is you said. Wanna say a prayer to Naga?

[impiety]

Bear meat? If there is any around, I will try it.

[ If it is bloody, that would be even better. Maybe. ]

Naga? [ He tilts his head. ] Who is that?

[ Archangel pauses to pull his wings up from the dirt. It seems like they have gotten stuck; his glorious attachments that look like real wings. He spreads them out -- and he probably would look much more divine if everything was not covered in dirt and sap.

Oh well. ]

1 - Awakening

[lachtara]

[ He had descended into the underground for a reason. There is someone specific who may be reborn today - and he must find them no matter what. As his gaze wanders over the few arrivals it settles on one particular one nearby. His face twists in disgust. ]

....Ugh. You emerged from that.

[impiety]

So, I did.

[ His head turns slightly to look around at the others that are starting to pop out of the ground. He takes in a deep breath before he fixes his gaze on the man -- it seems like he is, what, some caretaker? ]

Are you curious about the taste, as well? [ And he holds his hand up. ]

[lachtara]

[ Emet-Selch actually leans back and away from the offering. ]

Once again, you emerged from that. The only thing I'm curious about is how you would arrive at the idea that it would be good to consume.

[ He makes a noise. ]

You are obviously a new arrival. I'm certain the manor would be willing to provide you with something much more appetizing.

[impiety]

[ Archangel cannot help but smile a little at how repulsed the man is. He chuckles a little to himself as he curls his fingers back before he draws his hand back to his own body. ]

Because it is the first thing I could taste in a long while. I didn't care if it would be good or bad to eat.

[ Anyway. ]

Manor? What do you mean "the manor?"

ii

[passio]

[ dextera is ready to fight for what he believes is the best decision. amos should die—no one should be forced to sacrifice anything to rescue one person who doesn’t deserve it.

truthfully, he doesn’t entirely recall what about amos makes him so mad. the details don’t feel tangible in his mind; there’s a mix of frustration and pity, and of course, dextera remembers attacking him in broad daylight with the same frustration he feels now. the only thing that’s stopping him from tackling amos to the ground is the fact that he’s in a group, being watched. ]

…

[ watched by the archangel, no less. any drama in their reunion has been cut short by this demanding predicament they’ve been placed in, and part of dextera’s desire to make it out alive is to ensure that he can cling to the archangel in the ways he needs.

eyes dark, he turns to make his appeal to both the archangel and hythlodaeus, even if he doesn’t know the latter. he points with urgency at amos, a punctuated jab of his arm as if to say look!

this is who we want to get rid of!

dextera may not always see his own worth, but in a case like this, he has knowledge to offer with these two. they don’t know amos. dextera barely does either, but he trusts his own gut reactions. ]

[baltimores]

[ All he wanted to do was help people, and now here he is.

Amos is pretty lost, as far as these things go — trees haven't ever really been a thing in his life. Ones that can talk, poison, and imprison people even less so. The game itself makes far more sense to him, albeit not in a way he's happy with. Like it's getting off on tormenting them, and he's got a real problem with that — and apparently no way out but to play along.

He's eyeing the weird face in the roots first; shifts his gaze to the Archangel when he speaks, eyes brightening in recognition, attention. That makes sense. Everything he's saying makes sense—

Movement catches the corner of his eye, and Amos turns to stare at Dextera, incredulous. ]

Are you fucking pointing at me?

[ He knows Dextera not by name, but by the fact that he has some weird kind of problem with him for reasons that have never been entirely clear to Amos. To the point of... attacking him in broad daylight. And now jabbing in his direction with intent.

Oh, no. Fuck this. For as little a problem as Amos has had on his end of things, Dextera is maybe now succeeding in getting his attention. In a bad way.

He turns back to the Archangel and Hythlodaeus, arms spread slightly in bewilderment, palms up. They're new here, he's pretty sure — so they're the ones he should be trying to help. Not Dextera. ]

I don't know what his problem is.

[ Technically the truth. ]

[ktizo]

[Hythlodaeus can only watch the three strangers, arms folded. He's chewing the inside of his lip with an unamused expression, though his dimly glowing eyes do flick to the Archangel as he approaches. At which point, after watching Dextera and Amos and noting the tension between them, he sighs and shrugs. He doesn't like this, not one bit. What kind of terrible situation have they all gotten themselves into?]

No, let us not be hasty... there's surely a way out of here for all of us. I realise that time is not on our side, but there are four of us- we can surely come to a reasonable conclusion.

[His stance is clear- he doesn't want anyone to die. Though that doesn't mean he can't be persuaded that it's for the benefit of the others that one of them should die...]

[impiety]

[ Oh?

It is mildly surprising to see Dextera actually want to kill someone that isn't a Meta-Being. But it seems like the man in question doesn't understand why he's being singled out. Even more interesting, but I'm afraid I'm not of the mind to care at the moment. ]

I'm afraid I'm also at a loss as to why he would want you to die. But I am the Archangel and will do what I can for everyone here.

[ As always, he speaks in an understanding tone. His head bows as he closes his eyes. ] What the man here has said is correct. We should think of a reasonable conclusion for things. [ The most reasonable to allow us all to live would be to offer to cut something off, but I refuse. How to turn things to death? He lets out a single sigh. ]

However, I don't believe we will be allowed to get out of here without some blood shed. Isn't that right? [ He pauses to turn towards Dextera. ] You don't want him to survive? [ A beat, like he is humoring it, but he says instead. ] Unfortunately, Dextera... you are the greatest sinner of us here.

[ His expression is sorrowful and filled with regret. ] Did you think you could hide that from us?

i

[youngprodigy]

[The look Cid gives the man at him tasting the sap is one that's equal parts bewilderment and disgust.]

...Did you really do that?

[impiety]

Do what?

[ He glances back with a mildly bemused expression. ]

[youngprodigy]

Uh, eat the sap?

[He looks vaguely weirded out by the whole thing.]

You just emerged out of that.

[impiety]

Well...

[ He gives a small shrug of his shoulders. ]

... I merely was curious what it tasted like. [ And he offers a small smile to the stranger. ] Life has been very strange these past few years.

i.

[subsist]

( ooc. i wasn't sure if you're keeping AT memories, but if not, you're welcome to have archangel look at kaeya all funny... mistaken identity. )

[ Well. This isn't the first time Archangel did something Strange, but tasting one's sap is certainly... a new one. ]

Is it just as tasty as the one from the shrine?

[ You know, 'cause they were sticky when they crawled out of their crystal prison too. ]

[impiety]

[ ooc: i obliterate them all for a fresh start for a toxic man ]

The one from the shrine?

[ He blinks owlishly at the man, not following his question at all. ]

What shrine might that be?

[subsist]

( ooc. excellent. 👁 )

[ There's a split-second where Kaeya looks confused, and then he's laughing sheepishly. ]

I must apologize— you look similar to someone I once knew. [ A swift recovery. ] You needn't worry about it.

[ anyway ]

Does its sweetness remind you of anything?

[impiety]

It's all right.

[ Voice filled with compassion and understanding, he holds his hand out -- sap covered as it is -- to take the man's in consolation. ]

It reminds me of honey. Though, I may be misremembering. It has been quite a few years since I tasted anything. [ Archangel gives a little shrug of his shoulders. ] My memory says it is this, but is that right? [ And he pauses to pull his wings up from the dirt so he can stand. ]

Have you tried it? The sweetness that we were born from?

i

[regression]

[ i see we can be reunited ruri

Joonghyuk is here at the tree, though he isn't one of the naked handfuls being birthed by its branches. His dark gaze searches... As if hoping he'll find someone familiar, but no. He has to watch this newcomer Do This. ]

What are you doing?

[ Disgusting. ]

we're back together baaaaabyyyyyy

[impiety]

[ He speaks in a matter-of-fact manner as he runs his tongue along another of his fingers. ]

Enjoying my first meal in a long time.

sudden!!! 2/2

[impiety]

[ He tilts his head. ]

What are you doing?

sheds tear

[regression]

This is hardly a meal.

[ Joonghyuk is lowkey offended that this newly born man would consider sap from some strange tree a meal, but that isn't important. He crosses his arms and watches him carefully. ]

Searching.

[ Well, greeting, but he's searching. ]