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

Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd | Fire Emblem: Three Houses | The Harbinger

[hauntedking]

I. Awake

[ At first, it is simply the blessedly dreamless sleep that has managed to stay with him after the war. Those moments of empty oblivion. Then it turns to something sharper; more painful. Something with more dread and fear than anything else. The world crumbles around Dimitri as everything seems to be stripped away - piece by piece, bit by bit - and then he is clawing his way through and past branches sticky with sap as he comes to the surface to gasp for air. He is lost and alone, his good eye wide as he tries to scramble to his feet.

He must still be dreaming, surely? ]

What is this? Who's done this?

[ He is staggered. But determined for all that. ]

II. Warm Up

[ In Highstorm Dimitri finds shades of familiar things. Bits and pieces that remind him a bit of home. The baths are one of those places. Warm and inviting and open to the public for a small fee, they're a place to go to relax and find a bit of peace. Even if Dimitri doesn't much feel like he's at peace. Funny - he'd just started to find his footing again and then the world fell apart. Literally.

Despite that, he's trying to maintain his focus and a visit to the baths sound like something will help him immensely. The moisture and heat will help chase away the headache that threatens and relax tired, tense muscles. Maybe he'll even spot a familiar face. Or a new one.

It's one such bathing room that he peers into, towel wrapped around his middle, his good eye glancing around the steamy chamber. ]

Ah. It's not too crowded in here already, is it?

III. Greenery

[ The great gardens draw his attention as well. He has no skill for gardening, or so he thinks, but he enjoys growing things. Perhaps especially because his home has trouble with growing so much of it. He is reminded of working with Dedue at Garreg Mach, especially, or others of his class. It takes him back to a simpler time, even if the plants are more exotic than he's used to. He spends time there, walking amongst them, taking it all in.

He cannot quite believe everything is gone.

But he does know he will do everything he can to bring it all back, if he can. ]
Can this really be all that's left of... so many different worlds? [ The question is more to himself than directed at anyone. But it's still spoken aloud. ]

It seems impossible.

IV. Wildcard!

[ Come up with something! Or ping me. ]

I

[leicesters]

[There's movement in the soil not far from Dimitri, and who emerges next is a familiar face, spluttering and shaking dirt out of his hair with a disgruntled noise.]

Ugh. [Claude doesn't notice Dimitri right away, distracted by the Shard gleaming in the palm of his hand, shaped like a golden crescent moon. He remembers it. One by one, his memories of Horos are filtering back through, and he pushes himself out of the soil and to sit up properly, a little unsteady.] Guess we're back, huh...

[He's about to give his Shard (himself) a mental little pep talk, but he looks around, which is when he spots who's down here with him, and startles.]

Whoa-- Dimitri?

[hauntedking]

[ Dimitri can feel something hard and strange behind his eyepatch, but he doesn't dare to try and examine that in the here and now. Instead he tries to focus on that familiar voice and familiar face. This seems... not impossible. Claude is alive, he knows, but he left Fodland, didn't he? He starts trying to get to his feet. ]

Claude...? What are you doing here?

[ There's a pause. ]

Where... ever here is.

[leicesters]

[Claude replaces the Shard on the back of his neck, but he at least tries to do it subtly, like he's just rubbing the back of his neck. Nothing to see here.]

I could ask you the same question. And for the record, I don't want to fight.

[He's painfully conscious of the fact he has nowhere to run, if Dimitri decided to lunge for him right now.]

[hauntedking]

...why would I want to fight you now?

[ Dimitri frowns, dusting himself off. ]

I'm not - well. I'm not mad.

iii.

[joyfully]

[Morgan's just bouncing from place to place, unfocused wanderings to get the lay of the land and see everything there is to see in equal measure. So eventually she finds herself in the gardens as well, and... well!

His question probably isn't meant for her, but she's nosy enough to respond anyway.]

"Impossible"... mm, probably not! But definitely very, very unlikely. Anyway, that's the sort of thing we have to decide for ourselves, right?

[hauntedking]

[ Oh. There's someone new. Dimitri pauses and glances at the young woman, trying to get himself reoriented. He hadn't quite thought anyone would say anything, after all. ]

...it is. It feels - I don't know. Wrong, somehow. After everything that's happened, that my home and all of my friends should be reduced to... flowers in a garden.

[joyfully]

[She only considers that for a brief moment before she nods firmly.]

Then... let's think that they're not! If your friends are too great and awesome to have that happen to them, then I completely believe in them too.

[hauntedking]

[ That does earn a little smile from him. Something fond. That optimism is touching, even if he's not sure he believes in it himself. ]

That's very kind of you to say. And... if you'll believe in that, then I will as well. It's decided.

ii

[galdorleod]

[ This particular bathhouse is not far from Yima's manor, making it a popular choice for Shard-Bearers based on location alone. Nevertheless, its baths are spacious and beautifully presented. Dim lights illuminate the space above the water's steamy surface, allowing bathers to enjoy the intricate, multicolored mosaics on the surrounding walls.

There are only a handful of people in this particular pool today. A few linger in small groups at the far end and are too absorbed in their own leisure to spare a glance at Dimitri. But there is one man leaning back with arms spread against the rim of the pool closest to the entryway. His head of blond hair turns to look in the direction of the voice with pale blue eyes. ]

Not at all. There's plenty of space, assuming you're not too shy to bathe with strangers. Ah, but I suppose you wouldn't be here if you were.

[hauntedking]

[ The blond hair, at least, seems familiar - much like his own, honestly. He glances at Howl for a moment, taking him in, and then his features split in a soft smile. Something that's a little unsure or as if he's not quite used to getting friendly reactions, at least at first. ]

Not at all saunas and communal bathing are a part of life.

[ He takes a slow step down into the water with a nod. ]

I just wouldn't want to intrude. I-

[ A pause. ]

I'm Dimitri.

[galdorleod]

[ Howl gives him a cordial nod in return and lifts one hand, palm up, from its resting point along the rim of the pool, in a sort of "please help yourself" gesture. The wizard had just started wondering if he should get out of this pool and find another, livelier one where he might find someone to talk to, so Dimitri's entrance is welcomed by both his boredom and his laziness. ]

Is this your first visit to this establishment? I don't believe I've seen you here before.

[hauntedking]

It is. Although I have only been in this world for... a few days at most. I have not yet counted the days.

[ He breathes out in a slow exhale and then descends into the water, his muscled frame sliding into the water as he tries to relax. There's too much going on for him to really relax. But at least he can try. ]

How long have you been here?

iii

[settingup]

[ When he still had a planet, Atsumu never really took the time to literally stop and enjoy the flowers. He was so focused on his goals and honing his skills in areas that mattered to him that he didn't pay much attention to the little things.

It's funny in a painful and not at all hilarious way how this kind of thing hits a guy when it's too late. He's been zoning out staring at the plants, with no idea at all which ones might have come from his world or a world like it (though having a good idea about some of the ones that definitely didn't), when he hears someone musing out loud.

He debates not saying anything, but he hates quietly sitting with his own misery for too long. ]

Ain't it more impressive that there's anything left at all?

[hauntedking]

...perhaps.

[ It takes him a moment to respond, a little startled and a bit sheepish that someone has spoken and responded to his idle thoughts. He shakes his head after a moment of thought. ]

I suppose I ought to be grateful. But it is hard to feel that when so many people and places are simply... gone. They feel more like painful reminders than anything else.

[settingup]

[ Atsumu's frown deepens as he looks at the plant life all around them. Yeah, it probably would for someone who actually recognized the ones from their home world, wouldn't it? It's not like time away dulls the pain as much as you'd like either. ]

Just look at the ones that you don't know then. There's gotta be plenty of those.

[ Those are most of them for him... ]

iii

[expiera]

That seems to depend on who you're asking. I don't recommend the Highstorm locals though, they tend to immediately look down on you the moment you sound like you're thinking about the possibility.

[A woman's voice pipes up from the entrance to this particular greenery enclosure behind him, she almost sounds like she's joking.]

What would you like to believe, mister?

[hauntedking]

...I would like to believe this is a dream. That everything I know and love is still there.

[ He seems a touch sheepish. ]

But... what else can explain what's happened to all of us?

[expiera]

Given how drastic the change of scenery has been for most of us, you can hardly be blamed. That said, have you been to Springstar yet? The people living there do believe that you can return to where you used to be, it's a core belief of the Meridian.

[With her hands folded at her back, she takes a few more leisurely steps into the garden and idly looks around.]

But even if this was a dream, things haven't been too bad here, I think.

[At that, she glances his way. Has he experienced otherwise?]

III

[superbshot]

[Caitlyn was also out in the gardens, taking in the strange, almost ethereal scenery as she might in Piltover. For the moment, she's allowing herself respite, forcing herself to try and not think of duty and what needs to be done, as well as the decision facing her...facing all of them.

She's mostly ignored the other people in the garden, content to keep to herself, but his question draws her attention, and she can't help but reply.]

It seemed that to me once, as well. But I think they may be telling the truth.

[hauntedking]

...I don't disbelieve them.

[ He replies after a moment of silence. ]

But it's hard to grapple with. thinking that everything - everyone - is simply gone. [ He glances at the woman next to him with a frown. ]

I wish I knew what we could do. Or that there was anything possible to do.

[superbshot]

Yes. It is unfortunately difficult, I agree.

[She glances back, expression softening a little. He doesn't seem like someone unused to hardships, but having been in the thick of things herself for as long as she was, it is easy to feel some sympathy for a newcomer.]

Yima and Cyrus claim to have answers, and I don't doubt that they may have them, but the question I've been struggling with is how they plan to carry out those goals.

[She exhales, offering her hand.]

My name is Caitlyn, Caitlyn Kiramman. May I know your name, as a fellow shard-bearer?

ii.

[subsist]

[ Kaeya figured visiting the bath house would be good after the last few harrowing days. Mondstadt didn't exactly partake in this type of thing, but he's always wanted to try it after learning about them from all the Fatui members stationed in the city. Besides, he promised Yima that he would learn all he can, and what better way to expand one's knowledge than to partake in what Zenites do for rest and relaxation?

He currently has a small towel covering his eyes while he is seated at the furthest corner of the room. It's the perfect position to be directly spotted by anyone coming and vice versa: he'll know right away if someone steps foot in this area too.

When Dimitri's voice filters through the hiss of steam, Kaeya removes the towel to get a look at the guy. Oh? Another one with an eyepatch, same eye as him too. ]

Not at all. There's more than enough space for both of us, so by all means.

[ He gestures at the room for Dimitri to pick his spot. ]

The temperature is absolutely divine. You picked the perfect time to come in.

[hauntedking]

[ Dimitri's motives are perhaps a bit more selfish. He just wants to forget for a little while or ease his headache or just... try to unwind. There's not much learning for him here. Still, he forges on as best he can. He pauses, peering at Kaeya and he's slightly startled to find that the other man has an eyepatch as well. He almost wants to ask about it.

But, well, that's just rude.

So he settles for replying. ]

Well... I'm glad to hear that.

[ He takes a few steps in and carefully begins to sink into the water with a long exhale. He gives Kaeya another look, as if he's trying to think of something, and then he finally says: ]

...are you one of the newcomers? Or a native of this place?

[subsist]

[ Now that Kaeya can get a better look at the other man, he can't help but feel as though he's seen him somewhere before. Their eyes meet for a split-second, and he keeps that easygoing smile plastered on his face the entire time. It seems he isn't the only one who is curious. ]

One of the newcomers— although I didn't wake up under that possessive tree.

[ His head tilts. ]

Is there something on your mind? Or on my face?

[ Because he did notice the man Looking. ]