beleos: (Default)
beleos ([personal profile] beleos) wrote in [community profile] kenoslogs2022-10-14 03:08 pm

TDM + GAME OPENING 🎉

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
    epiprocta: (84)

    [personal profile] epiprocta 2022-10-27 12:22 am (UTC)(link)
    [ He'd already known that Misa isn't quite normal, and that she's gutsier (or, as he'd thought during his less charitable moments, stupider) than she seems. But even so ... a small part of him has to admire the way Misa manages to touch the knife to her hand without so much as balking. Even the faint tremor in her words and the clear hitch in her breathing isn't enough to negate the grit it must take to actually go through with this, by her own hands, so.

    So -- even as his stomach twists at the sight of Misa recoiling, the sour taste of bile rising in the back of his throat when he notices the squirm of vines swallowing up the severed finger, he knows ... backing out isn't an option. Not any more. Maybe it wasn't one in the first place. After all, he can't let himself be seen backing out like a coward when a girl actually went through with this, right?

    His breaths are coming in shallow, wheezing rasps by the time Kaeya approaches him with the bloodied knife in hand, and Gen's face is flecked with sweat from more than physical exertion. He feels dizzy; something's wrenching tight in his chest. Shadows eat away at the fringes of his field of vision, and his thoughts keep flickering towards other moments in time, the faint iron stench of blood nudging his frazzled mind towards further-back memories. (A kitchen knife clutched in his hands back when they were smaller, his fingers sticky with blood. A different knife lying on tatami flooring, its blade gleaming wet and red. A sword lying on the pavement, accompanied by the sight of his arm freshly severed halfway down the shoulder.) ]


    ... fuck.

    [ God, he hates knives.

    He's silent for far too long save that low mutter under his breath. And while it might look for a moment like Gen really can't go through with this -- he abruptly shudders, blinking a bead of sweat off his lashes. Clenches his eyes shut and keeps closed as he grits his teeth in thought. Then, finally: ]


    -- my foot. [ Gen speaks uncharacteristically softly, painfully tense within his confines as he keeps his eyes closed, willing that darkness to force him calm. ] L -- right. [ A brief pause as he shakes his head. Which side would be better? Should he distribute the damage, make it opposite where his arm's missing? No, it doesn't seem wise. ] -- no, left. The small toe on my left foot.

    [ It takes him one, two hapless tries to take his next breath with how choked his throat feels, but he manages in the end, followed by a humorless laugh. His face is terribly pale, but at least he's managed to level his voice to something flat and grim when he adds wanly, ]

    It's an honor, y'know. Every bit counts when you're already down a limb. An' I'm giving one up to you. [ Too bad all the bravado in the world can't hide the way his hand is clenched to a pale-knuckled fist, shaking slightly. ] So -- let me out of here. I'll do it. No funny business.
    baltimores: (027)

    [personal profile] baltimores 2022-10-27 01:46 am (UTC)(link)
    [ He feeds off of Gen and Misa's anger at first. Nevermind how much of it is directed at him and how much at the dryad; Amos feels all of it, rushing up to meet his own, and he practically gulps it down, a man dying in the desert. Or a man slowly dying of poison, a man who if he could just break free of these binds everything will be okay—

    (Yeah; if the dryad had grabbed Misa next, he would have tried to kill her, too. He has no way of knowing what's going through Kaeya's had at the moment, just that there are worse things than dying, and he's living it right now. That can be his only priority right now — put Kaeya out of his misery, and if it ends up with all of them dead, then it ends up with all of them dead. It'd be worth it.)

    Amos continues to struggle at the vines that hold him firmly in place, grunting through gritted teeth, muscles growing increasingly sore with the futile effort — and too focused on that than to offer up any retorts to Gen or Misa, who have made up their minds, whatever it might mean for Kaeya. He's not going to win any arguments here; if he could, then he would've just killed himself from the beginning and none of this would have ever happened. They'd have all been better off.

    But he can't just singlehandedly rip through them — and when Misa says she'll never forgive them, Amos stops.

    His body stills as he watches Misa cut off her finger, heart sinking at the sight of it. For her — for the inevitable he's starting to feel, that creeping sensation along the nape of his neck, the cold chill that washes over him. And as the vines tighten further around him, he feels like he can't breathe. There's no struggle left to be had here; all there is is to go limp and take it.

    Amos isn't one for crying — hasn't been for decades — but pinpricks of tears form at the corners of his eyes, and stay there. That's as far as he'll ever get.

    He's so fucking helpless. The way Kaeya says we. The way Gen has to offer up a body part to him, picking a part of himself to lose while completely at the mercy of something that has none. He watches them through dead eyes as he starts to retreat back into himself, feeling absolutely nothing, an empty vessel for someone who's barely even a person and nothing more.

    He's done. ]
    subsist: (pic#15697814)

    [personal profile] subsist 2022-10-29 02:10 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Maybe if Kaeya was kinder to himself, he would have stopped trying to keep track of how everyone's doing, but because he was at fault, he did this, he makes sure that he's well aware of everything. The pinpricks of tears at the corners of Amos' eyes. The way Gen is crowing in the face of something he doesn't want to do. These are costly reminders of a choice he took selfishly, and he doesn't want to let any of them slip.

    He won't let himself forget even after all of this is over.

    When Gen finally decides what he's giving up, the dryad shows no obvious signs of listening to him. The vines remain firmly wrapped around his person, perhaps some parts tightening as if to say it isn't about to take a chance. It will get what it's owed and that will be the end of it — no one is being let go until the price has been paid in full. So it forces Kaeya to move, lowering himself on one knee right in front of Gen. There's a brief moment where Gen might catch Kaeya looking at him but it's all gone by the time the roots around Gen's left leg unfurl completely.

    Just enough for Kaeya to unbuckle the fastenings on his boot before slowly, gradually, slipping it off.

    Deft fingers curl around the sole of Gen's foot, and then with one quick and precise movement, the knife cuts the chosen toe cleanly. It drops on the floor where it is quickly swallowed by the vines, just like what happened with Misa's finger. No further acknowledgement of what just happened is given beyond the continued slithering of vines moving back into place.

    Kaeya is brought to stand soon after, wordlessly ambling towards where Amos is at. He's still holding onto the knife pretty tightly. ]


    Pick...

    [ One more to go, and then it'll be his turn soon enough. ]
    baltimores: (028)

    [personal profile] baltimores 2022-10-29 07:57 am (UTC)(link)
    [ He is and isn't registering what's going on.

    Amos stares blankly as Gen loses a toe, as whatever it is in Kaeya's body puppets him into mutilation. He has no reaction to offer up; absolutely nothing to give. Is it a horrific sight, Kaeya's body clearly not his own, something inhuman under his skin having taken complete control? Seeing two of those he's closest to give up parts of themselves, only to be swallowed by this thing that's co-opted another of his people? Sure — but the dryad has also made it clear that this is inevitable, so what kind of reaction should he give? What is it even expecting?

    Objectively, he knows what it's expecting — but finding a way to answer is like trying to see through a heavy fog, and it's all Amos can do but dully watch Kaeya's body as it makes its way towards him, knife in hand, demanding something of him, and his reaction is instinctual.

    Amos goes limp in the vines' grasp, because the sooner he just takes it, the sooner it'll be over with; the less resistance he offers up, the gentler it might be. His mouth doesn't even try to form words, his eyes seeing without really seeing. This is wrong, and I can't do anything about it, so he won't do anything. He won't pick.

    He's only really present in body; anyone inside of him — anyone at home — has long since retreated to curl up in the darkest recesses of his mind, where maybe it won't hurt, where maybe he can shield himself from the worst of it.

    He's been defeated. Just do whatever. It doesn't matter; it never did. ]