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

[oomfies]

[ If it makes him feel any better, Lottie is also peeking at the people in front of them between their talking. It's purely just to see if she can find that barista in the middle of making someone's soul into a delicious, consumable, drink. She wonders if he does latte art, is about to ramble the thought into existence when he mentions coffee.

Or, specifically, coffeehouses. This guy's vocabulary is already so prim and proper, it makes her wonder if he's some kind of professional caffeine connoisseur.. It'd make sense!! And it makes her head swivel back to him, something like curiosity on her expression. ]

Really? What were they like?

[ Nevermind magic infused coffee, this is infinitely more important!! ]

The coffee maker I had at home was pretty good at brewing something quick and easy, but I always wondered if it was fancier at the more expensive places..

[cutlery]

Oh, exceptionally lively. There was a coffeehouse I liked to frequent near Oxford that was certainly a “penny university”, since all the scholars would come to debate and speak of news after their studies were done for the day. The coffee was secondary, honestly.

[ Sebastian laughs gently and fondly, as if recalling an interesting memory, but he doesn’t elaborate on it. His prim and proper speech is also probably a bit more striking in this context, since he’s really starting to sound like he’s from a period drama. It’s not unfair, since he’s from the 19th century, but he’s also speaking of his recollections from the 17th century… ]

It was always very bitter, but I suppose that helped to nurse it throughout the stay… I always found to be much better when prepared by a Turk instead of something learned second or thirdhand by and Englishman, to be honest.

[oomfies]

[ What the.. What the heck? What does any of this mean.. It definitely sounds like he knows what he's talking about, but Lottie is so thrown out of left field she's scrambling to fill in the blanks (to be fair there isn't a lot she has to replace, but she introduced the coffee topic and now she has to seem just as smart? Is a penny expensive where he was at?? Does bitter equal fancy??? She guesses sometimes..).

At least his laugh is nice?! Oh god, what if he laughs at whatever she says. What is she going to say?

All of this happens inside her mind, and more, when he comes to a stop. ]

Wow.. That's very interesting. [ Nailing it. ] That doesn't sound very different from the regular coffee shops I've been to? But coffee isn't usually bitter unless you want it to be..

[ The line moves up one more person and she shifts as she speaks, ]

Was that your favorite place to visit??

[cutlery]

[ Sebastian makes a thoughtful noise at her response (or really, just that coffee isn’t very bitter by her taste), since he’s wondering if it is supposed to be sweeter… Since he doesn’t have the same sense of taste as humans, he briefly wonders if he had been incorrect. But, no, he had heard similar before, so it may be a difference of time. He nods as he steps forward, and he brings a gloved hand to his chest elegantly as a small gesture of apology. ]

Ah, do pardon me… It is easy to forget how time does play a different role in Kenos. [ Conversationally, at least. It’s easy to remember when he’s watching a process of coffee preparation that’s very different, but. ] It was the year 1889 before I was plucked away, so perhaps coffee has gotten a bit sweeter since! I would not be surprised since it is certainly an acquired taste.

[ Not one he disliked, though. More bitter tastes tended to be his preference anyways, if he had to eat human food. ]

I would not call that particular place a favorite, though, simply one most convenient, as I visited England frequently… At least in my time, the best coffee comes from the taḥmīskhāne of the Ottoman Empire. My favorite was one adorned in turquoise tile in Constantinople. If it had a name, I do not know it, since I do not even remember seeing a sign, in truth!

[oomfies]

[ Wow, people have red eyes in the 1800s? Is it a disease.. Lottie mentally tries to recall all the vaccinations she had in the very short time he gives to explain a portion of his fantastic time having coffee in the olden times. In the end, she virtually remembers nothing, too distracted with Sebastian's big words and even bigger location names.

This is the most humblest of humble brags she's even seen, and she is completely taken by it. The Ottoman Empire.. Constantinople? England???? ]

It must've taken forever to travel to all those places!!

[ Truly!! Lottie looks bewildered at the thought, having no real understand of maps or distance, but enough to gather that all those places are definitely far. Far from each other, too, she suspects. He looks so nonchalant about it?! ]

You're making me feel bad for all the road trips I've taken for granted.. Suddenly a car with busted AC doesn't seem so bad after all.

[cutlery]

Oh, not so bad? Railways have made things very efficient! London to Constantinople is only a few days by the Orient Express, and it is an exceptional ride. You will scarcely see more beautiful vistas than by the land that the rail cuts through.

[ Granted… Some portion of his travels took no time at all, since they were simply being able to be a globetrotter by virtue of demon summoning, but. He laughs genially and holds up a hand as if to assure her by the gesture. ]

But do forgive me for causing you distress, miss. If it is any comfort, my travels are only for my work. And truly, I far prefer travel by train than travel by ship.

[ unsurprising considering he was on the totally-not-the-Titanic, but no need to tell that story because it’s also insane ]

[oomfies]

[ Fuck, that's right. Trains! How could she forget? The 1800s weren't that medieval, she should've known. She almost slams her hand into her forehead at the lack of pure thinking she's doing before she zeroes in on one specific phrase he says. One that immediately distracts her from that distress, ]

..Wow, same!! I traveled a lot for my work, too.

[ Something they have in common. Outside of, you know, the shard she's getting out of her purse (she wonders what his looks like, idly) when there's only two more people in front of them. ]

What did you do?

[cutlery]

Ah, if you will pardon my leaps in logic if I am incorrect, through the United States, I assume? Simply based on your accent, and since that country is amazingly vast!

[ His response is sunny and warm since honestly, he’s thinking not dissimilarly to her. He likes to find common ground in a conversation since it makes it much better (in his opinion), and even if it’s an ocean away, travel is still an interesting thing to share. And besides, his interest is genuine with what he adds: ]

I have only been to the United States once, as a matter of fact. My work does not often take me across the seas, but luckily it at least sent me there once.

[ It also leads into answering her question well! He brings a hand to his chest elegantly, and though it’s not the full bow he might give to be a bit showy (there simply isn't room when standing in line), he does dip just enough to give her one that’s still incredibly formal. ]

I was a butler. [ He straightens again and reflexively smooths out the slightest of wrinkles that appeared at his waist. ] I managed the household of the young Earl Phantomhive of England.

[oomfies]

[ Oh, so he was working for a rich family? A British rich family?? In England??? In the 1800s???? The bow comes off as more regal when she puts those pieces together, far more endearing and pleasing to her eyes than if it was some random dude doing it. Her eyes dart down to the hands that smooth out the creases, minuscule as they are, on his jacket.

She's impressed. ]

The whole house? That's crazy.

[ Lottie can barely even manage to clean her own!!! Or function really, but, details. She clears her throat, more for herself, before introducing her own occupation with mild fanfare (a smile, a hand to her chest, no bowing but she does tilt her head up in pride). ]

I was a fashion blogger, [ decidedly the less cringy™ thing to say about her occupation ] I made content every day for my fans to enjoy. A lot of it included going to new places that opened up, partnerships with brands, advice columns, interviews, and fashion. My traveling was around the United States, but also to other places.. Like your neck of the woods!

[cutlery]

[ Luckily, Lottie is saved from Sebastian complaining about his incompetent (now former) coworkers, since her own job genuinely interests him! There’s a fair amount of it that’s a bit beyond him considering the year he’s from, but he can pick up enough in context to apply it to what he does know. That, and luckily his former master was also rather on the cutting edge of marketing because of his ruthless business acumen… ]

Oh, how interesting. It sounds a bit similar to an advertising venture my master had tried out… It was a bit cutting-edge for our time, so I suppose he was on the right track after all.

[ He laughs gently at the thought as if it were nostalgic. Which, sort of. The whole affair of helping out Ms. Diaz to replace Ciel’s horrible mascot character had been funny since it was really Sebastian’s idea, but. ]

I admit, I do not know much of that kind of work. Did you enjoy it?