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

[exhound]

[That odd sense of familiarity offered by matching Aspects is still something Vander hasn’t quite gotten used to, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing. In a place like this, where they’re all displaced from everyone and everything they’ve ever known, a little comforting catalyst like that is a welcome one, in his opinion.

Vander had nearly gone that same route, sticking with an old, familiar—and normal—drink. But what was the point of going out of his way to an odd little place like this if he just played it safe? If he truly wanted a distraction, why not go all the way? He picks up his own glass, tilts it just slightly as he gives it an appraising look.]

Think the bartender described this one as ‘serenity in a glass.’ [Vander laughs, a short and amused thing, and gives a slight shake of his head.] Don’t think I’ve ever felt serene in my life.

[baltimores]

[ Take good company where you can get it, right? Amos is a fairly detached person overall, able to absorb the loss of loved ones and move on. It's made adjusting to another world little more than a bump in the road for him — but good company is good company, and there's a certain appreciation to go with that.

But they're both Exalts, so Amos would figure that's as intuitive to Vander as it is for him — even if they apparently differ as far as drink choices go.

Amos' eyebrows go up at Vander's answer, cocking his head slightly at the drink in his hand. ]

Think I've been serene more often than not. [ Serene — that'd be one word for the emptiness he usually feels, a defence mechanism to prevent him from feeling anything worse. A beat, and, a little quieter, ] Might not be a bad thing, getting it artificially, if that's what it really does. Y'know. If you need it.

[exhound]

You might be right about that. [He raises the glass and gives it a slight tilt toward Amos in a ‘cheers’ gesture, then gives it a sip. It’s got a fruity sort of flavor to it—not something Vander typically went for, but it wasn’t half bad. He keeps his gaze on the glass, thumb idly tapping against it as he considers it.]

Never really been one to feel like I’m in over my head, but waking up in an entirely new world just might do it.

[He laughs, clearly intending it as something of a joke, but there’s a sincerity lingering there just beneath the surface. There is a reason he had gone after this particular drink, after all, even if he thought the whole prospect of emotion-lending drinks somewhat dubious. If he could just let himself relax for a bit, maybe the prospect of a dead world—and his own death, apparently—might be easier to contend with.]

[baltimores]

[ Amos lifts his own glass back in turn — cheers — before tipping it back in time with Vander. His is standard. He's already about half done, malty and perfectly normal to his tongue. Enjoyable for what it is, but since he already knows what to expect with his, it gives him the chance to eye Vander's reaction. Feel a bit of it for himself, maybe.

Though he hadn't been expecting those words. And even with the laugh, it's the kind of thing he would've taken at face value, anyway. ]

First time? [ It's a perfectly sincere question. ] Yeah, I dunno if it's the kind of thing you can get used to if you can't roll with the punches right out of the gate. I mean, I was fine with it, but no shame in being a little lost, I figure. So long as you're able to get back on your feet. Or if not, as long as you've got people. Maybe a little more difficult if you're in a whole new world, but.

[ A shrug, a pause as he tips back some more of his own drink. ]

I had to find new people the first time something like this happened to me. Worked out alright.

[ Sure, everyone from his original universe is dead as far as he knows, but these things happen. People die, so you go find new ones. That's all. ]

[exhound]

[The question gets a nod and a raised eyebrow, but he listens intently as Amos continues. People were important—he certainly agrees on that point. The problem for Vander is he’s always been far too sentimental about it. As much as he likes to think of it as a virtue, it’s meant no end of trouble for him in the long run. Not that he would ever go back and change his tune on it.]

That’s a good way of looking at it. Lot easier to get through just about anything with the right folks at your side. [Vander certainly learned that first-hand, even before ending up here—even the harsh lesson of finding new people to help him take his life in another direction.]

Funnily enough, I’m not the only one from my home that ended up in this place. Guess I got a little head-start on that here, but it's got its ups and downs.

[He pauses to take a sip from his own drink. Maybe it’s all in his head or maybe there really is something to this drink, but suddenly, thinking about that very messy fact is a lot less daunting than it has been these last few days. When he continues, he sounds a lot more nonchalant than he rightly should be.]

Thing is, whatever powers that be that brought us here didn’t see fit to pluck us from the same point in time.

[baltimores]

[ Amos hums around his drink in agreement at Vander's assessment — sure, this is probably why they share an aspect, but he's pretty sure he likes this guy. He may be devoid of sentiment himself, but things are a lot easier with your people.

And Vander's admission that he has some of his draws raised eyebrows. Amos sets his drink back down on the bartop before he rests his arm alongside it, cocking his head in his direction. ]

That a good thing or a bad thing?

[ That he already knows some people here; that they apparently come from different points in times. It's weird to think about — a little difficult — so he kinda just. Doesn't. Maybe it's kind of like what Vander seems to be feeling now, the way he seems more relaxed the more of his drink he consumes. Amos' eyes flick to it — maybe it does work, maybe he should try one himself, see what it feels like — but first... ]

Like, do the ups cancel out the downs? Or is it all just kinda — [ he waves his hand in a vague sort of gesture — ] something that's happening, and now you got your own personal mindfuck to work through?

[ And if there's alcohol that maybe lets you work through it that much easier, maybe everything is actually alright? ]

[exhound]

[Vander laughs. That’s not quite how he would have put it, but…] Think that sums it up pretty well.

[Another sip of the drink, another moment to consider the question. It really is a lot easier to think about now than it had been. Seems he made the right call in giving this place a shot, outlandish as it seemed.]

But the ups probably outweigh the downs. Hate the thought of all the time I missed out on with them, but… [He sighs, gives a shrug of one shoulder.] At least they’re here, right? One less thing to worry about with the whole situation back home.

["Situation," as if that was an adequate word for the supposed destruction of their worlds. He sets his drink down, idly drums his fingers on the bartop beside it as he fixes his focus back on Amos again.]

Suppose I can’t complain when I’m luckier than most, there. You been through this more than once? Hell of a thing.

[His earlier words seemed to imply it, at least. Must be pretty damn stalwart to navigate all this twice and be so nonchalant about it.]

[baltimores]

Couple of times now. [ Amos holds up a hand, ticking off his fingers one by one. ] First, I was on Earth when it got hit by a bunch of rocks, so that was a whole apocalyptic kind of thing. I had a couple of my people with me then, but then I found out the universe died, so it just kinda seemed like the next thing that was gonna happen. [ The shrug is in his voice; a planet died and then a universe died, so whatever at that point, right? ] And then that universe I was in died, and now I'm here.

[ Alone, technically, but it isn't really something he's thinking about. Amos sits up a little straighter as he lets his hand fall back down to the bartop. ]

Kinda used to it at this point. I mean, not like I'm rushing to go through this again, but I figure if I do, then not like I got any control over it. If I don't, then either things finally settled, or I'm dead. Which, I mean... not like I got any control over it then, either.

[ Which isn't the best thought, but, eh. He leans a little more towards Vander, mostly sober, natural feelings on full, earnest display. ]

Only so much you can do, right? It's like you said. Sure, you missed out on time with your people, but you got 'em here now. Better to focus on that instead of pining for something you can't change.

[ Amos sits up a little straighter again, mostly so he can take another drink. Starting to run a little low, but that's fine by him. ]

Only thing any of us really do have control over is whether we keep putting one foot in front of the other, so that's what I'm gonna do.

[exhound]

[Vander lets out a low whistle, gives a shake of his head. If he’d heard that sort of tale back home, he’d laugh at the outlandishness of it, maybe raise a glass to a uniquely spun tale. Here, though? After everything he’s seen, everything he’s been through? There’s no doubt in his mind that every word of it might be true.]

Well, let’s just hope that luck doesn’t follow you out to this universe, eh?

[He laughs, gives a brief flash of a good natured grin.]

But you’ve got it right, I think. Lived my whole life making the best of being dealt a bad hand, and this really is just more of the same, isn’t it? Might be on a bigger scale, but— [He shrugs.] Just gotta keep moving forward.

[It had seemed like a daunting prospect at first, softened slightly by the immediate sight of a familiar—if older than he’d last seen—face down in those tunnels beneath the tree. Everything gone, a whole new world to adapt to, to find his place in? But what choice did any of them have in it? Better to accept it and move forward instead. And whether it’s mostly the conversation or this serenity-inducing drink to thank for helping him realize it much quicker, he’s glad for it either way.

Speaking of drinks—Vander notes the way Amos’s glass is dipping more toward empty and motions to it when he sets it back down.]

You up for another? I’ll order us another round, my treat.

[baltimores]

[ Amos joins in with Vander's laugh, in genuinely good spirits. Yeah, sometimes shit goes really sideways and a lot of people end up catching strays from it, but why not laugh if you live through it, right? You lived through it; you get to do what you want.

Though he does sober a bit at the idea of being dealt a bad hand, smile fading into something more thoughtful. Drums his fingers against his glass, once, then meets Vander's gaze head on. ]

Think if you get dealt a bad enough hand, it makes things easier to come to terms with later on, especially when it's that big a scale. [ Talking about himself without explicitly talking about himself, though Vander can probably pick up on it. ] Toughens you up, in some ways. Not like you should've had to live through it in the first place, but since you did, might as well take the survival skills it gave you along the way, right? At least you get something out of it.

[ As if that makes up for things — but hey. Keep moving forward. They're on the same page there; one that lets Amos slip a small smile back on his face again, especially at the offer of another drink. ]

Sure. [ He tilts his glass towards Vander before throwing back the rest of it. ] You getting more of the same? Think I'm picking up on some of those feelings it put in you. Seems nice; I'd be willing to go for it.

[ Not that he needs the help in mellowing out, but when with good company... why not, right? ]

[exhound]

[Vander is nodding in agreement as Amos talks about making the best of a bad situation. There’s something comforting about having the chance to be frank about such topics—with someone who’s also dealt with his own share of tough shit in life from the sound of it, no less. Sometimes, you just need to accept that things don’t always go your way, but the experiences are no less valuable for it. Make the best of what you’ve got.

He gives Amos a nod and then waves the bartender over to order them more drinks. He picks up his own glass, eyeing the remainder of the orange drink within it as he speaks.]

It’s not my typical sort of drink, but it ain’t half bad. And I can’t complain about feeling serene either. [He laughs.] Definitely worth a try.

[Speaking of picking up on each other’s feelings—]

You know, I’ve always prided myself on being able to read people pretty well. [It certainly came in handy when he took up bartending back home.] But this empathy thing we’ve got going on is on a whole ‘nother level.

[baltimores]

Yeah, what the hell, I'll try it. [ Amos' smile widens at the encouragement; as Vander waves the bartender back over. ] Looks like it tastes good, too. No real downside, right?

[ Or maybe there's such a thing as being too mellow — but this is as good a place as any to find out. Springstar is fine; open, friendly, pretty standard. If he's going to slip into like, a blissed out, overly chill kind of coma, there are worse places.

It's with that in mind that Amos stretches one arm across the bartop, making himself comfortable as he meets Vander's eyes. Still in good spirits, but yeah, that's a hell of a topic of discussion, isn't it. ]

Always been a tossup for me if I could get a good read on people. Sometimes I'm dead on; other times I'm blind. [ He shrugs his free shoulder. ] So yeah, the whole empathy thing kinda fucks with me if I think about it too much. I'm not exactly a big feelings guy, so experiencing other people's... it sure is something.

[ Is it bad? Good? Neutral? Hell if Amos knows; depends on the situation. ]

A lot easier with good company, though.

[ Thanks for being a good and companionable guy, Vander. ]

[exhound]

[Vander gestures to wordlessly order them another round once the bartender makes his way over, listening as Amos continues.

The empathy thing really is kind of an odd thing to handle. He can’t decide if it’s really good or bad to be getting so close a look at the hearts of other people. There’s no doubt it probably has its uses… but it sure does feel a bit cumbersome when it’s so new like this. Maybe that had been part of what enticed him to come to this bar in particular today. Get a little handle on what it’s like being hit with emotions outside his own.]

It’ll definitely take some getting used to. [And of course, the mention of good company has him grinning.] But you’re right about that. Turning out to be a mighty fine evening here.

[And then a look like he’s just remembered something, and he holds a hand out toward Amos.] Name’s Vander, by the way.

[baltimores]

[ He sits up straighter at that gesture to the bartender, at the promise of more alcohol to come. Man, this stuff has really worked its magic on Vander, hasn't it? He almost wonders what that'll be like, once he gets some of it in him — the way his own mood will be altered; the way he'll continue to pick up on Vander's; the way Vander will pick up on his.

It sure sounds relaxing as fuck, and turns out that's kinda something to look forward to.

He takes Vander's hand, gives him a good, firm shake while he's still got the capacity to. ] Amos.

[ And, releasing it, decides to soak up some more of his feelings while watching the bartender prep their next round. His smile is lazy, content. ]

Sure could do worse. [ When it comes to feeling others' feelings; when it comes to present company. ] If I can get the hang of it, though, then anybody can. You got nothing to worry about.