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



chthonicfatigue: (33)

[personal profile] chthonicfatigue 2020-10-21 09:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Just my brother, Thanatos!

[One can practically see the good vibes radiating from him at the very mention... twinsies... love that grouch!!!]

He's kind of a workaholic, so, you know, he already hates it here. [lol sucks for him] My best friend and his dog are somewhere, too, so that's lucky! How about you? Family, friends, coworkers to nod at and keep far, far away from?
devilstongue: (🔮 13)

[personal profile] devilstongue 2020-10-22 03:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, that's nice. That he's here, I mean, not that he's suffering. Sounds like he needs to learn how to relax.

[ Blood relatives have no meaning at all to Molly, but family? Very much so. The Mighty Nein was on the edge of becoming a new one before he got here, after all. ]

Yes, one of the members of our group is here, even if he seems a lot different from what I remember. Great guy, he's green so you can't miss him.
chthonicfatigue: (28)

[personal profile] chthonicfatigue 2020-10-23 02:41 am (UTC)(link)
[Dear brother is great but yeah, he could use a vacation! He'll never believe it. Hypnos shrugs, like, true...]

Green, huh? [is... HE a shade] Wow, okay! I'll keep an eye out for, uh, green mortals.

Say, do you think we should, like, get away from the water, maybe?

[Somewhere, a robot is clanking dutifully back with that towel, and here they've failed step two: actually leave the area...]
devilstongue: (🔮 13)

[personal profile] devilstongue 2020-10-23 08:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, that's right.

[ He had completely forgotten everything about the robot thing and the towel. Amused, he gestures for Hypnos to lead. ]

Let's get out of here, hmm?
chthonicfatigue: (1)

[personal profile] chthonicfatigue 2020-10-23 10:08 pm (UTC)(link)
[Oh, he has to lead? Dang, he's just an ideas guy, but okay...]

Huh? [like he didn't just say--] Okay then, let's go... that way?

[He sort of... twists, floating as he still is, and points in A Direction. What's over there, who knows! Something wild or more robots, probably.]

I don't really get to go up to the surface, like, at all, so you'll have to let me know what I'm supposed to be interested in up here! What do you say?
devilstongue: (🔮 54)

[personal profile] devilstongue 2020-10-26 12:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Molly doesn't mind a random direction, because it just meant more to explore... and maybe less nosy automatons. He's very intrigued by the way Hypnos floats, even if it isn't completely unheard of at home. ]

The surface?

[ He hadn't been paying attention, eyes rising to look at the man's face instead. ]
chthonicfatigue: (67)

that icon... lmao

[personal profile] chthonicfatigue 2020-10-26 12:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, yeah!

[He- swivels around, more or less, like yes? Is that strange?]

That is where we are, right? It's reeeally bright, so, you know, I was just assuming! Am I wrong?
devilstongue: (🔮 136)

i have so many dumb ones XD

[personal profile] devilstongue 2020-10-26 12:26 pm (UTC)(link)
I mean... I certainly think so? There's a sky, after all.

[ So this guy was like... living in a cave system or something? He looked so fancy, though! Molly's quite confused. ]
chthonicfatigue: (34)

what we all aspire to tbh

[personal profile] chthonicfatigue 2020-10-26 12:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[Hell is wild, bud!! And dark.]

Yeah, I can see that! Pretty big!

[He looks up, squinting, with the distinct expression of someone surveying an object that is, hmm, less than satisfactory? Bright but not even pretty... sucks.]

Honestly, this is all pretty exhausting.
devilstongue: (🔮 145)

[personal profile] devilstongue 2020-10-26 12:38 pm (UTC)(link)
It's gigantic. Just wait until you see it at night.

[ For someone who doesn't know shit, it's almost nice to find someone who knows less... at least about one subject. ]

Do you need to go sit down somewhere?

[ Not that he isn't... floating. ]
chthonicfatigue: (62)

[personal profile] chthonicfatigue 2020-10-26 12:43 pm (UTC)(link)
[He flaps a hand, which would be dismissive if he didn't immediately perk up at the mention of night.

But yes let's float in the direction of some driftwood or something to sit on, sure, why not.]


I know all about night! My mom— Mother Nyx, I mean, she is the night! You have to have heard of her, right? Me, I'm not surprised, me and my mom are on totally different levels, so if there's one...

[Yes? Perhaps? Heard of mom? 👀]