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

[passio]

[ there’s something nice about writing that dextera can’t deny, but when they’re face to face like this and the more exciting aspects of exchanging letters—that is, the waiting and the reception—are both one-sided and diminished, he’d rather use other options available to him.

he does duck his head in a grateful half-bow, however. ]

Thank you, Marthe.

[ there’s a pause, and dextera communicates what he wanted to ask originally, belatedly. ]

…demons?

[ he’s managed to miss that sebastian is himself one, but the commentary was made with such confidence that he at least sounds like an expert. ]

[cutlery]

[ Ah, yes, Marthe. That’s a matter that he’ll have to address sooner rather than later, so he makes a bit of a mental note to discuss that while they’re having a chat. The sooner he can clear up that matter, the better a bit of deception would be taken, he imagines. It’s something that’s at least understandable considering the contentious circumstances of Horos.

But, for now, Sebastian’s attention turns back to the books in front of him, and he nods. ]

Just a bit of light reading for the day. [ It’s said with humor, but all things considered, he does mean it… ] Without fail, I always find myself drawn to matters of the occult when presented a library that has such things in their collection. I find it very entertaining to read, as most of it is imagination.

[passio]

[ demons, as such, are not dextera’s area of expertise. he has vague, factual memories of things he learned growing up, even if personal details are lost among them, but all that covers the somewhat holier side of religion. it’s the archangel, he seems to recall, who was interested in the occult. ]

Isn’t it all imagination?

[ they proved angels aren’t real, so—dextera has to assume demons aren’t, either. it’s extraordinarily easy to forget he’s already technically met a demon himself, when he’s thinking about only the rules of his own world. ]

[cutlery]

Not all, shockingly. There is usually a tiny bit of truth to be had… Perhaps it was no more than an observation idly recorded centuries ago by someone who did manage to meet a demon. But those fragments are also so rare that they would hardly make a compelling pamphlet, much less a book.

[ Sebastian makes a thoughtful noise as he pulls a book closer. He starts to skim through the words of the page, but it doesn’t take long before he makes another noise, this time of recognition. He points to a passage in the book: ]

Forneus is a great marquesse, like unto a monster of the sea, he maketh men woondeffull in rhetorike, he adorneth a man with a good name, and the knowledge of toongs, and maketh one beloved as well of foes as freends: there are under him nine and twentie legions, of the order partlie of thrones, and partlie of angels.

Take this, for example. Forneus does indeed grant those that summon him a silver tongue, at least traditionally. Yet, I would hardly call him a monster of the sea. Nearly every entry is like this, as well. One piece of truth mixed in with some colorful storytelling.

[passio]

[ forneus, a name that feels distantly like something dextera may have read about in a passage once long ago. it obviously hadn’t been important enough to stick, and what’s more, sebastian talks about the figure like it’s someone he knows personally. in a way, that divides dextera’s understanding even further—if he recognizes the name, it should be as something fictional. it would be too much of a coincidence for the same entity to occur as both fantasy and not in two separate worlds…

he supposes. ]

…

[ dextera is quiet, puzzling out his perspective in silence until he comes to a conclusion he’s worried might be a little personal. ]

Have you summoned him?

[cutlery]

[ Sebastian looks a little surprised at Dextera’s immediate guess, but there’s a delight that comes through Communion. It’s a guess that’s a little charming, considering the truth of it. ]

I did not. Technically speaking, I do not know if I could?

[ Which is true! Who knows if a demon could summon another demon…? He’s not sure he’s ever heard of someone trying. But that answer first is just a coy bit of playfulness first. He looks to Dextera as he gives the real one, since of course he wants to see what the precise reaction is. ]

You have it backwards, actually. I am the one that is being summoned.

[passio]

[ dextera is forced to go through a couple jumps in understanding to get to where sebastian wants him to be, and the confusion to comprehension shows on his face until he gets ultimately to mild surprise. ]

By… someone here?

[ or in horos? that’s dextera’s first question, working backwards to the ultimate realization and acknowledgment that sebastian is a demon. ]

[cutlery]

Oh, no. I almost wish that were the case, since it would certainly have eliminated some complication on my part…

[ He does prefer his current situation though, that said. He’ll take the freedom that both the Regent and Yima have granted them, even if it had come with what he perceived as caveats. It’s perfectly logical for them to want a demon in their service and to not want to pay the associated price(s). He’s just not thrilled that they managed to keep him muzzled by taking away some portion of his power. ]

Just as everyone else—or so I assume, at least—I was stolen from my world and brought to this situation. It was there where I was summoned. [ He shrugs, then with a playful little smile, just states it plainly: ] Here, I am simply a demon without a master.

[passio]

[ he really is a demon.

the reality doesn’t shock him too much, once he strings the pieces together in his mind. he’s met a demon before, in the form of makoto—just because they don’t exist in his world doesn’t mean they don’t exist in any, and “marthe” is proof of that. dextera wouldn’t be surprised to find out that this is only a guise, or that his true name is some unpronounceable amalgamation of sounds.

but he’s still kind, and he doesn’t seem to want anything from dextera as of yet. dextera doesn’t have enough self-preservation to pull away from their tentative relationship. ]

…

[ dextera looks quietly at the book, reading over for himself the passage sebastian pointed out earlier, just as a soothing meditation to get his thoughts in order. ]

Is it easier? To have a master?

[cutlery]

[ He hums out a thoughtful noise, since that’s not quite the question he expected… But it’s an interesting one to consider. ]

To be honest, I am not yet sure. Arriving in Horos was the first time that I had come to the mortal realm without any master. Generally, it is not possible.

[ Demon contracts were lucrative, but they were strict. The powers that be simply wouldn’t allow a creature as dangerous as a demon to roam freely in the world, or so he presumed. He had never really questioned it much himself, since it seemed a fair enough decision. ]

It is certainly far freer. I am able to do whatever I wish, which is somewhat novel. [ And not always a good thing for everyone else, as even his whims with names prove, but, ] But I do also like having concrete goals. So it is strange in that respect.

[passio]

[ dextera can understand that. there are things about himself he’s not ready to reveal open-handedly to someone he likes—demon though he may be—but contributing to the conversation with personal experience doesn’t implicate him. he thinks, at least. ]

I think… it would be nice.

[ somehow, his voice gets even smaller. ]

Being told what to do. Knowing exactly what people want from you.

[cutlery]

[ Sebastian nods, but in comparison to how Dextera’s voice has become small, his own stays rather light-hearted. It’s such a simple fact of his existence that he doesn’t think too much about it, in part. But it’s also something that he’s able to toy with, since knowing exactly what people need from him is often to their detriment. ]

Oh, in a way, yes. It makes things delightfully predictable, at least when you have plenty of experience with the various types of things people want. But I do love to be surprised, of course.

[ Another nod, since it would also be terribly boring if things were truly that predictable. ]

Being told what to do, though… That can be mixed results. Why, my previous master was the little king of unreasonable requests. He once made me dig in a landfill all night long to find scraps of paper solely for a petty grudge, you know.

[ …but Sebastian sure did do it, so, ]