TDM 006: SPECTRAL SPECTACLE

[erkumods]

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

Comments

[sanc]

[ Relena puts her hand to the back of her neck, looking puzzled. Maybe that was it. They have scaley, cold little limbs, don't they? Maybe one just brushed past here. They've been pretty grabby, as far as she's seen.

She nods, frowning as she rubs her hand against her skin, unable to shake the chill. ]

I guess that could be it. It felt like someone put an ice pack to my neck...

[chamilia]

[Ilia's brow furrows when she said that, because Ilia knows not everything is normal around here. She looks around herself, eyes more discerning this time. But there's nothing. It's just the two of them here. She can hear some people in the distance, probably working on another area of the ruins, but not close enough to touch them.

Probably.]

It doesn't look like anyone is around, but...be careful. Sometimes there's more out here than we know about. And who knows, maybe it's some idiot playing a prank who can turn invisible.

[sanc]

Turn invisible?

[ That's right. She's been here at least long enough to realize there are multiple residents who aren't your average, everyday human. It's a lot to process, but she's tried to be open-minded and not show shock on her face.

Still, the idea that someone would use it to mess with her. That doesn't sit so well. ]

I'll try to pay closer attention, I guess. It's just unnerving... we know so little about this place...

[chamilia]

The more we learn the less we know around here. [Ilia gives one last hard tug on her rope, pulling the stone she'd been trying to lift upright. It turns out to be some kind of statue...but the face is so degraded she doesn't know exactly what it was meant to be.]

So far the only certain thing is that the people really liked sex. [She's been here long enough though that she says it rather casually. She points toward the weeds.] Do you need help with that?

[sanc]

Not so promising... But I suppose we just deal with the cards we're dealt for now. [ It wouldn't be the first time she'd lived in a disadvantaged position. It's going to take a little bit to get a good feel for this place. If she builds her knowledge, she'll have more tools in her belt.

She lets out a sigh, trying not to look embarrassed, but the pink tinging her ears betrays her calm face. ] That... that much, at least, is apparent. You're right.

[ She looks to the weeds then back towards Ilia, smiling amicably. ] Sure. It'll go faster with two pairs of hands.

[chamilia]

[Ilia likes earning money for the Just-in-Case situations around here, but she also happens to like helping out cute girls when she can, too. This girl doesn't look like she's used to this kind of labor, so Ilia does respect that she's gotten right to it. She gives a half smile before untying the rope she used, just in case she still needs it later.

She makes her way over and starts pulling out the weeds.]

Name's Ilia. What's yours?

[sanc]

[ Relena will be the first to admit she was more than a bit spoiled a few years ago, lonely and not yet understanding how much what she had then mattered. Now, she can't be assed to be that way. If there's work to do, she should do it. Diplomacy and fancy talk won't do her any good here. ]

My name is Relena. It's nice to meet you, Ilia.

[chamilia]

Same. I'd say welcome, but it's an ironic thing to say when you end up in a place like this. [Ilia digs in deep to rip out the roots of a thick weed she's pulling. She keeps ripping out weeds with only a few inches separating her and Relena from where they kneel on the ground.

It is not long before she suddenly feels the strange, tingling sensation of fingers gliding up her back. She flinches, spinning around.

But no one is there.]

[sanc]

It's fine. I understand completely. [ Really, how do you greet a newcomer in this situation? No matter what, it sounds insincere.

She keeps digging her thin hands into the dirt, unable to yank things out as well as Ilia, but her presence makes her want to keep up.

She stops when she sees her new weeding partner jump. ]

What happened? Did you hurt yourself on something?

[chamilia]

I... [Ilia's hand twitches toward the weapon at her side.] Something is here.

[Ilia isn't going to assume that was a phantom touch when nothing is there. Not after Relena also felt something earlier. Something is out there with them, but the question is...what is it?]