![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
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 |
uh oh, stinky??
How you do this?
[ Without any concern for his personal bubble, she catches the waving hand by the wrist and pulls it in to inspect the flame. Jaylah looks over the back of his hand as well and, once satisfied to discover that the flame is real, releases him.
There may be some cleverly concealed technology at work here, or this man before her is capable of some type of elemental control. Either way, she likes it; her grin is unfettered. ]
You make an interesting man, with fire like this. I trust that you can be very loud, if we do not surprise. It is a good plan.
8)
Magic. Which might sound like bullshit, but believe me, if I get to play distraction you'll believe in it.
[ some people even back home doubted the king's magic was real, and he was living proof otherwise. he lets the flame fall back when she releases his hand, looking back down. ]
Looks like something got dragged through here. [ he points down to some tracks; if he didn't suspect better, he'd think it was a marlboro. ] Might be big and dangerous.
no subject
[ She's not calling bullshit, but she does still come from a very science-oriented universe. Magic is not something she can wrap her head around very clearly at present, though she is curious to see more of it for herself all the same. ]
I am tempted to make sure you play distraction, to see more of your fire and magic.
[ At least she's being upfront about wanting it, but she wouldn't actually pull through with endangering either of them needlessly. Not with something as big as what they're hunting. She doesn't need him to read the tracks to tell that much, broken branches and deep indents in the ground telling the story for her. ]
It is big, yes, and let us assume dangerous, too. [ In the same breath as she says that, Jaylah's moving forward again, following the trail after it. ] Come now.
no subject
[ at the very least, she knows he won't mind if she does decide to make him play bait. but either way, he follows after her, letting her take point in tracking the creature.
whatever it is, it's not light on it's feet, which means it probably has little to fear from the surrounding fauna. but the further they track it, the more the land begins to turn damp, like a swamp. and then the smell of it starts to tickle his nose as they come upon a small watering hole. ]
I think I know what this is, actually -
[ the sound of splashing nearby has him reaching out, tugging jaylah behind a tree as something squelches and rumbles. when he turns to peer around the tree, it locomotes along the bank, head swiveling along. ]
- yep, fucking Six, that's a Marlboro.
no subject
You know of this creature.
[ Obviously, he does, so Jaylah doesn't waste their time making him repeat himself by making that a question. Recognising it gives them an advantage, assuming he knows anything useful about it. She adjusts her grip on her rifle, squeezes beside him to get a good look at the passing creature. ]
Do you also know of its weaknesses? I can shoot it if we should attack from afar, but it will help to know where to aim.
[ Going for the head doesn't seem a viable option, with this marlboro, when that's usually a safe bet of how to take someone down quick. ]
also *malboro, i keep adding an extra r
[ she doesn't make it a question, so he just assures her that he does. he lets her look around, as it passes around the rim of the swamp, his expression pinched. ]
It's weak to fire, which I can handle. Your gun will do the job too, especially if you can get a shot into its mouth. But. [ he holds up one finger. ] When it does open its mouth, it's usually about to spit out the vilest liquid you've ever smelled. If it doesn't just rattle your brain around, it'll usually poison you, too. So don't get near it when you see it suck in air.
Other than that, just aim for the tentacles on top of its head. It uses those to sense movement.
maybe marlboro is the horny island version of a malboro
Yes, I can make the shot into its mouth. And... I do not enjoy being spit on even when it is not poison, I will not let that happen.
[ She's got her holo-projection units tucked away, but gets the impression they might prove useless against such a foe. Jaylah asks anyhow, readying herself to spring out once it seems he's got himself sorted to do the same. ]
Will illusions work on this?
this is hellaciously late so lmk if you'd like to handwave
[ being spit on, by this thing or otherwise. when she asks if illusions will work on it, he tilts his head, frowning. ]
They should, as far as I know, though it works more on sound and vibrations. You got that kind of magic?
i'm here for this no matter how late
[ With one hand she pulls out a projection unit — a small disc with blue lights. Once she is certain he's gotten a look at it, enough to identify it should Jaylah choose to use them in battle, she tucks it back with the others. ]
They can project shape and sounds, but hold no form. There will be no vibration to confuse this creature in that way.