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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



paramounts: (daira_goricheva_01)

[personal profile] paramounts 2020-10-31 08:12 pm (UTC)(link)
[She turns, folding her hands in front of her, a perfect, pink, manicured nail tapping on her elbow and there's almost a predatory glint in her eyes when she regards him now. She'll address the 'borrowed' jacket later.]

Is it so hard for you to believe that you are standing in the presence of a goddess that you've resorted to calling me a liar? There is only one of those in this tent, and it is not myself, Dear.
marmoron: by request of the icon creator, pls do not take (resting bitchface #5)

[personal profile] marmoron 2020-11-02 07:06 am (UTC)(link)
[ He notes that sharper look in her eye, but remains recalcitrant and stands his ground without looking away. ]

It's a lot to ask someone to believe without offering any proof to go along with it.

[ Not that he sees a clear incentive for her to lie about her identity, but it's really the patronizing attitude that goes along with it -- like he ought to simply accept that they're on different levels despite both of them being equally trapped here. ]

Would have thought a deity ought to be powerful enough not to get caught up in this. You weren't exactly brought here by choice.

[ He assumes, anyway. But it's a safe assumption. ]
paramounts: (lokhelle_01)

[personal profile] paramounts 2020-11-02 10:28 pm (UTC)(link)
The gods are subject to the whims of the Fates just like anyone else. Even Lord Zeus’ brother is trapped to an eternity in the underworld.

[Or maybe Hades just really enjoys doing all of that paperwork. It seems like a real step down from life on Olympus, if you ask her.]

And I do not require your belief, although I’m curious to know how would you suggest I prove it to you? [She stalks closer to him, crossing the distance between them in just a few steps. So, so close now, she loops her arms over his shoulders.] Would you like for me to make you fall in love with me?
marmoron: marmoron (not pouting at all)

[personal profile] marmoron 2020-11-03 06:22 am (UTC)(link)
[ Keith will resist the immediate urge to duck out from under her arms because this is clearly about asserting dominance and he's not backing down, damn it. Nonetheless, his body language has gotten tense, his arms shifting to settle defiantly on his hips. ]

Yeah, that's not gonna happen.

[ Such confidence. Why is he being so rude, good grief. ]

And I'm not sure how being subject to the same whims of fate makes you any different from the rest of us then.
paramounts: (lowlighter_02)

1/2

[personal profile] paramounts 2020-11-05 01:13 am (UTC)(link)
[She doesn't stop him from slipping out of her grasp, although he might notice she's, in general, corralling him back towards the exit of her tent. All the better to give him a swift boot once she's finished playing. Which is rapidly approaching the more he disrespects her.]

This superiority complex you've invented for me is most unflattering. I am not the one that came barging in with problems that you've invented for me to have, that you then set upon yourself to solve.

[She likes being naked.]
paramounts: (lowkighter_01)

2/2

[personal profile] paramounts 2020-11-05 01:22 am (UTC)(link)
And then to persist with this accusation that I am not who I say I am...

[There's an edge to her voice as she brings a hand up to slide against his chest. It would almost seem inviting if not for the fact she's advancing on him, pushing him back until the tent flaps part around him.]

If it is a good first impression you seek, I recommend you reconsider and try again in the morning.

[And with a shove, sends him out onto the sand, closing the flaps of her tent between them with a flourish.]
Edited 2020-11-05 01:28 (UTC)
marmoron: marmoron (fists up motherfucker)

[personal profile] marmoron 2020-11-05 01:34 am (UTC)(link)
Hey!

[ The hard shove sends him stumbling out of her tent, but now that he's mad, it doesn't stop him from trying to barge right back in. ]

The hell is your problem, lady?
paramounts: (anninosart_01)

[personal profile] paramounts 2020-11-05 01:45 am (UTC)(link)
[Before he can get in the tent, there's an ominous, glowing pink circle that appears on the floor just outside her door. Standing on top of it will make him briefly endeared - and he will find himself turning right around to leave her be, the effect fading once he's outside of the circles influence. The message is clear: No visitors.]