erkumods: (Default)
erku mods ([personal profile] erkumods) wrote in [community profile] ercookies2020-10-18 02:33 pm
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TDM 006: SPECTRAL SPECTACLE

TDM 006: SPECTRAL SPECTACLE



00. Arrival





This time, you come out of the water, the Nameless Island's own inherent energy drawing people in. It's like being suspended between realities and abruptly pushed from behind through a rift in dimensions. It may make you sick, or that might be the motion of the ocean, lifting you to the surface and carrying you to shore.

Waterlogged and covered in sand, new arrivals will be greeted by robots who welcome them with towels and bracelet devices. The A5 card is already loaded up. Feel free to explore the Island, though there isn’t much to see. Most of the buildings are abandoned and in dire need of repair, and beyond the city lingers a thick fog that obscures much of the wilderness from view. Wander too far into this fog, and you will find yourself mysteriously looping back to where you began, your memories of what you were doing and how you got there erased.

With that in mind, it may be wise to stake your claim on a rundown apartment, a tent on the beach, or a bed in the “comfortable” new barracks. Your inventory will be found a day later, wrapped up haphazardly and delivered to each person's makeshift home.



I. The Dragon's Matchmaking





Welcome to the Island, cherub dragons! The auspicious actions of your fellow Islanders have foreseen the reintroduction of dragons to the world. Unlike the hulking, possessive creatures of ancient lore (and recent hot springs), these well-meaning little critters love to help. Their small size and roly-poly frames make them unsuited to laborious tasks, but they will be the perfect companion to any residents who endeavor to pick up a small item, wish for their lunch to be delivered to an absolute stranger, or need a fire started from a tiny, flaming sneeze in their drafty homes. If a cherub dragon sees an Islander they perceive in need of their assistance, they will zip right in and refuse to scram until they’ve done the job!

No visible struggles? No problem! The little dragons also love to play matchmaker. Persistent dragons will gleefully nudge together Islanders they believe will have chemistry, and sometimes they aren’t wrong! Of course, even if sparks fail to fly, the dragons’ trilling songs are known to kindle romantic feelings between strangers and long-time lovers alike.



II. Ruins





While the Islanders have been enjoying their autumn relaxation, the ‘bots of Erku have been hard at work clearing the surrounding forests of dangers for their guests’ safe habitation. If you are of deft hand with monster slaying, forestry, or even just hauling debris and weed picking, the robots will gladly exchange credits for help with reconstructing the recently unearthed mountain temple grounds from the rubble that remains there. Just follow the path of gently glowing mushrooms to the site of the temple ruins. Beware of lurking creatures, grabby plants, and falling rocks!




The temple ruins are tall and breathtaking, despite the eerie chill of the fog that lingers just beyond. Or is it the fog that sends a shiver up your spine? After all, this place was very spiritually important to the original inhabitants of the Island, the robots say to anyone curious enough to ask. Although their own programming does not include religious worship, the Augur believes the restoration of this place to be vital to the continued augmentation of Eros energy.

When questioned about the strange shadows that seem to slip from tree to tree, or the unsettling feeling of ghostly hands that seem to nudge volunteers deeper into the grounds, the robots respond with nothing but bafflement. Their sensors detect no unknown organic presence afoot.




III. Ritual





Islanders who chase those mysterious shadows may find themselves particularly drawn to a structure that lay deeper within the ruins, beyond where the robots have made the most progress. Three sets of crumbling, moss-covered stairs join to form a central platform, which - despite the overcast skies - seems to emit a soft glow. Those who step onto the platform may begin to hear a quiet, compelling voice, which urges them to be free of their inhibitions and to offer their energy to the spirits to be multiplied hundredfold. Visions of naked bodies in the throes of carnal worship dance before the eyes. Those who are especially spiritually sensitive - or perhaps, just lucky - may feel as if possessed by a consciousness that is not their own, and that consciousness is filled with a burning sexual desire.

Leaving the platform is an option if alone, but the intense and overwhelming urge to seek companionship will persist until an Auspicious Act is completed. Those who are fortunate to be joined by company within the temple will feel compelled to worship right then and there, no matter the risk of being seen. Within the walls of the temple, Eros energy is enhanced such that any erotic act - big or small - will be enough to break the spell.




N A V I G A T I O N



devilstongue: (🔮 54)

[personal profile] devilstongue 2020-10-19 04:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Molly tries to... dance away a bit, tail swishing as he attempts to save his boots from dog slobber. This one seems a bit too smart just to be a dog, though, so he's fairly certain it's some kind of familiar. ]

Where's your wizard? Or are you just some dick with a magic spell?
cresture: (a h)

dorte: friendship ended with marianne... now sylvain is my BEST FRIEND

[personal profile] cresture 2020-10-19 04:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[The secret that Sylvain is a horse girl that no one BUT the horses know, apparently. Dorte immediately recognizes Sylvain, since he's like his favorite Blue Lions member (ingrid is his second favorite), and therefore inhales the offered greens. incredible... this is so grand and MUCH better than weeds!! look, Marianne, isn't it nice that he found Sylvain? The best horse girl?

His ears swivel at the mention of 'stables', and after a moment or two of seriously thinking about just running off into the sunset with Sylvain... Dorte affectionately leans on him instead, whinnying softly. that's dorte language for "marianne, hurry up!!"]


-- Dorte?

[and lo and behold, Marianne appearing from behind this tree, her bag of weeds on her shoulder and a very Concerned expression on her face at not having Dorte by her side for those few minutes morphing into one of "oh no, what if Dorte is bothering someone and that person inexplicably does not like horses?" ]

Dorte, you shouldn't... bother... [wait, who is this extremely tall person, he seems very... familiar....] Syl -- Sylvain...?

[marianne is just that BEYONCE?.gif right now, dorte whinnying right after as if to say "it's obvs sylvain, who else loves horses this much"]
draude_sandstorm: (2)

[personal profile] draude_sandstorm 2020-10-19 04:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Way to make a bloke feel wanted. Mediums, am I right?

[He rolls his eyes and Rotom mirrors the expression before zooming after Jasper, hovering around him. Raihan follows, shucking off his jersey and headband, showing off an athletes build and letting his dreads fall loose.

It's been a long time since he's been persued for something other than his celebrity status or even because he was, in his honest opinion, a very attractive man. Being just a convenient hunk of meat for the ghosts of these ruins SHOULD be insulting, but it does nothing to flag his erection.]


Do you care if Rotom hangs around? It's an adult and is kinda... protective.

[Rotom makes a "camera zooming in" whirl. A clear "I'm watching you" statement along with the glare on it's cartoon-y face.]

I can tell it not to record though.
eolja: (WHEN WILL I USE THIS!!!!)

[personal profile] eolja 2020-10-19 04:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[the dragons: sorry what was that tanjiro? please steal your things and leave them in trees?

Seonho, for his part, finally does something beyond wave ineffectually and instead reaches out to snag the most aggressive one by the tail,]


If you really want to help, then why not start a fire? [wait] -- A small fire.

[the dragons considering this and then discussing amongst themselves... "how BIG of a fire?" like tanjiro who can speak to birds won't overhear them,]
spacedisaster: (Helmet | Ready)

Ruins

[personal profile] spacedisaster 2020-10-19 05:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Much like Garrus, Peter has one of his quad blasters pointed at the direction of the sound, but he lowers it once their eyes meet. More or less. Peter's helmet is active, effectively covering his face but not the top of his hair, with the red lens giving him a bit of an eerie look. The thermal vision the lenses provide comes in handy while exploring the ruins. He's also only using the stunt function of the quad blasters for now, just in case one of the creatures that pop up in front of him aren't monsters that needs to be slain. Killing out of the blue isn't really Peter's thing. ]

The concern is appreciated, if unnecessary. [ The Guardian has seen a large around of different aliens after living in space for 30 years, and he isn't surprised at all by Garrus's looks. Tapping the side of the helmet, it retracts into a small device on the back of Peter's ear and the blond man gives his new companion a smile. ] I do this for a living back home. The familiarity almost makes it comforting.
spacedisaster: (In blue)

[personal profile] spacedisaster 2020-10-19 05:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Peter is a bit surprised by the casual reaction but Steve never seemed to be a man easily fazed by the circumstances.

"Just a friendly warning. I imagine that cape of you wouldn't like to be scorched, poor thing." He knows it's sentient, and frankly, it is very cool, but back in the day Peter didn't have time to appreciate these things. "I ended on the shore a few weeks ago, almost a month now. The rest of the guardians aren't here and the only Avenger I've seen is Wanda."

Peter's not going to lie, witnessing Dr. Strange playing with the roly-poly dragon is kind of adorable. He almost gets distracted. "I don't suppose your portals can get us out of here? I have a ship but I can't get it out of the planet, something blocks the communicator and make the navigator system to crazy. I almost crashed once."
lockedon: (b022)

[personal profile] lockedon 2020-10-19 05:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He squints, following the line of her fingers through the shirtholes. Is she talking about the holes? He can't see anything else out of the ordinary with the garment, and it's not exactly as though Erunes are popular around these parts.

(If he's at all bothered by her open staring - he isn't - he doesn't show it.) ]


That's how it's supposed to look. [ Don't judge him. ] Do you not have clothes of your own?

[ Is that why she's resorted to wearing stolen outfits? ]
lockedon: (b009)

i'm going to read it now and judge its spice level for myself

[personal profile] lockedon 2020-10-19 05:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[ touken ranbu has told us that catboys only wield swords but i am here to prove them WRONG!!

Eustace is not here to prove anything though, only to check out this random temple in the middle of nowhere because that's just what he does. It's better than spending his days banging, at least, even though he's quickly beginning to suspect that banging was the whole reason this place was built.

When will he be free.

But clearly someone else here is suffering more than he is, and now that they're both steady, he lets Seonho go, stepping back to eye the temple critically. 'Do it', that's cute. ]


Not that I've seen, but this place likes to reveal new secrets every so often. I wouldn't be surprised if we're both supposed to go up there and worship [ note the heavy sarcasm in his voice ] now that we're here.

[ What a great welcome! And somehow he doesn't seem troubled by this at all?? His gaze slides back to Seonho. ]

Does that bother you?

[ This guy looks hella bothered, ngl. ]
spacedisaster: (Ey baby listen)

ruin time + doggo

[personal profile] spacedisaster 2020-10-19 05:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Peter was only walking by after doing his own monster-slaying, helmet on and blaster strapped to his thighs, but his attention is immediately caught. Slip inside while he's distracted? Nah, what about gushing over the giant dog with three heads? The more dog, the more places to pet. ]

Oh, he looks awesome! Or is it They? [ It probably helps that Peter has seen all sorts of unusual aliens and creatures while growing up in space. After 30 years, a man with skulls on his shoulders and fire on his feet doesn't cause a reaction from him.

But dogs? Dogs are always great.

The Guardian taps the side of his helmet and it retreats in a second, showing Peters' face. There's a huge grin on his face. ]


Could I pet him?
halforc: (Default)

2.

[personal profile] halforc 2020-10-19 06:01 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm down to fight ghosts, let's go.

[ Fjord strides ahead down the path with the confidence of someone who has little to lose and is glad not to currently be bothered with his sex bingo requirements, glancing over a shoulder at Molly. ]

You want to earn some money, don't you?
mortidinally: (grudging)

[personal profile] mortidinally 2020-10-19 06:10 pm (UTC)(link)
[Sorry Raihan, when he's not half here, half elsewhere he'll be far more appreciative. Even with the spirits insistence that they should stop talking and get on with it, though, Jasper takes a moment to just watch the way the other man moves. Oh the fact that he's a very attractive man sure as hell factored into this, don't worry Raihan.

Until the other man brings his attention to Rotom, though, Jasper had hardly paid it any mind. Now his gaze flickers over to it, to the way it glares at him and he just glares back, baring his teeth and legitimately growling at the little thing.]


Tch... some glasswalker gadget. Whatever.

[A shrug, rolling his eyes dismissively before moving to snag Raihan's arm, tugging him in close. As soon as the other man steps onto the platform proper there's a strange sort of charge on the air and that alone is enough to make Jasper groan softly.]

Wait... fuck, what's your name?

[Okay he's not quite that bad.]
devilstongue: (🔮 15)

[personal profile] devilstongue 2020-10-19 06:32 pm (UTC)(link)
What are we gonna do, punch them to death? We're not Beau!
halforc: (63)

[personal profile] halforc 2020-10-19 06:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[ What a big baby. ]

I may not have any powers right now but I'm still a Paladin of the Wildmother and we're in a forest, so that has to count for something.
devilstongue: (🔮 4)

[personal profile] devilstongue 2020-10-19 06:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Maybe less nettle stings, not ghosts!

[ He's going, he's going. Molly just has to complain about it. ]

I can't even feel these ones. Which is fucking weird.
halforc: (77)

[personal profile] halforc 2020-10-19 06:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Can't feel the nettles or the ghosts?

[ He's just going to be a shit the whole way up the path to the ruins. ]
devilstongue: (🔮 130)

[personal profile] devilstongue 2020-10-19 06:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Molly rolls his eyes at that and just kicks some leaves Fjord's way. At least the glowing mushroom were pretty, but the fog... not so much. He gets his first nudge a few more steps in and swears. ]

I'm already walking!

[ He gives Fjord a look. ]

If we're eaten by ghosts I'm going to haunt your ass.
Edited 2020-10-19 18:45 (UTC)
halforc: (12)

[personal profile] halforc 2020-10-19 06:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He resists the urge to fire back "you literally wouldn't" and watches as Molly stumbles, offering a steadying hand. ]

Do you want me to say something to them?

[ Who the fuck knows if it'll work, but yeet. ]
devilstongue: (🔮 13)

[personal profile] devilstongue 2020-10-19 06:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He's grateful for the hand, at least. Fjord's offer makes Molly smirk, however, immediately curious about what he could possibly say to persuade the ghosts to not be rude assholes. ]

Sure. I want to see this.
halforc: (35)

[personal profile] halforc 2020-10-19 06:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Hey, ghosts!

[ What was Molly really expecting? ]

Listen, I know it's really tempting to shove him ass over teakettle into a bush, but can you maybe not haunt us on our way to the ruins? That would be super great, thank you! Love what you've done with the place. Please don't float on our peripheral vision, that's really unnerving. Forests aren't cool spooky hangouts, you know? They're for the beasts and birds, let the flora be. Allow the wild winds to flow through the trees, yeah?

[ To Molly, ]

I think they appreciated being acknowle —ugh!

[ Pushed forcefully at Molly, he stumbles wide-eyed and snags an arm around him for stability. Oh. ]
jetsetwitch: (Oops)

[personal profile] jetsetwitch 2020-10-19 07:05 pm (UTC)(link)
I was talking to Kenny, actually.

[But Akane switched her attention from Kenny to Osomatsu, since he might be flirting with her.]

But you think so, hm?
devilstongue: (🔮 121)

[personal profile] devilstongue 2020-10-19 07:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He has no idea what he was expecting but this is even better. Fjord's 'speech' makes him laugh, showing that even if the half-orc had changed so much, he was still the fool Molly had yelled bloody murder with in a hospital while crawling on his knees.

About to praise him for the amazing ghost-talking abilities, he suddenly has a paladin around him. It's almost enough to have him go down with Fjord, but he manages to stabilize them both despite his only average strength.

It's probably good that Fjord isn't the plate armor-wearing holy man.

Nose a few inches from an ear, Molly smirks. ]


Hello. Terribly sad, they seem to not acknowledge a paladin of Melora.
blossomingviolet: (✧ just a belle at the ball)

iii

[personal profile] blossomingviolet 2020-10-19 07:12 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Curiosity had pushed her to come along and do what she could to help, noting some new faces among those here and it was enough to have her exploring around and making her way deeper in. She's only just recently entered into the temple itself and about to check that center platform before realizing that there's an older boy in here with her, sitting off to the side a ways but it doesn't stop her from worrying one bit. ]

Oh! Really? Thank you for telling me.

[ There's a persistent nagging on her mind now but she pushed it aside for the time being. How long that lasted depended on a number of things, however. ]

Are you going to be alright??
halforc: (21)

[personal profile] halforc 2020-10-19 07:13 pm (UTC)(link)
That's pretty fucking rude of them, then.

[ It's easier to keep an arm slung around Molly's shoulders as they walk and, honestly, Fjord doesn't want to hike alone anymore. His confidence may have been misplaced. There are shadows flitting through the trees as if amused. ]

What's at these ruins, anyway? Do you know?
devilstongue: (🔮 132)

[personal profile] devilstongue 2020-10-19 07:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Molly, always the hoe for physical connection, absolutely does not mind the slightest. ]

Hmm, I think they said a temple? So probably something religious... and seeing what this place likes, it's probably a lot of naked statues.
zutsuki: do not use. ((ʏᴏᴜʀ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ's))

[personal profile] zutsuki 2020-10-19 07:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[Listen.]

[His expression goes briefly slack at that, and he looks Osomatsu over-- he looks... older. Maybe a little taller? Stinkier. It's the first time he's run into someone he knows being... Not actually who he knows, but he remembers hearing about it happening sometimes. He raises his good hand in apology, smiling.]


Oh! I'm sorry, I knew... I guess, the easiest way to put it is a version of you? In another place.

[He stands up and dusts himself off as much as he can when he's covered in sand, and then ducks into a shallow bow.]

I'm Tanjiro! It's nice to meet you. [Again.]