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

[emancipating]

Shh, don't be so loud. They'll figure it out.

[ sometimes, he can have good ideas. but anyway, when hypnos looks outside, he may see cerberus tromping around in the forest and having a good time. or sitting near the entrance and doing what he does best. guarding and stuff. more importantly, ]

It seems there's you, me and Than, so far. Cerberus. I've ran into Lady Aphrodite, but no one else from home or Olympus, save for some shades.

[ he can understand the four of them, but aphrodite was not one he was expecting? but then again, given what he's seen so far of this place, maybe it's not so surprising. ]

What about you?

[chthonicfatigue]

[Hmm, what a selection-- although admittedly, Hypnos is the most surprised about his own presence up here on the surface, considering how, ah, often he leaves the House. Mortals keep talking to him, Zag, and he doesn't know what to do with them except write down random details!!

It's so stressful. He should have gone down for a nap hours ago.]

Oh, just me, my brother, and you! And Cerberus, now, I guess! Do you think mom— [oop] Mother Nyx is around here, maybe? She wouldn't hide out somewhere and not say anything to you, right?

[Or Than, for that matter, but the point is, where is mommy... Hypnos knows she would lowkey not seek him out, but you know, he's dealing!!]

[emancipating]

[ hypnos is well on his way to getting his three-sizes list. once the nyx bros get their apartment it's sleep time for the rest of his time here. ]

If Nyx really was here, I'm sure Than at least would've known and said something, too. [ they all know who the real mama's boy is. ] I'm hoping whoever brought us here hasn't decided to bring the entire House along.

[ like, zag being trapped here is one thing, the house wouldn't fall apart without him. but with than, hypnos, and cerberus gone? wild. his father is probably throwing a fit. ]

[chthonicfatigue]

[They are all just three mama's boys in different hats... Anyway, bold of Zag to think Hypnos being gone merits a response from Hades besides a resigned sigh.]

Well, you know my brother, he's always got a hundred things on his mind! [work things, that dweeb] But anyway, do you really think that's possible? My list hasn't said anything!

[Because... surely a shade from the House's gossip circles would have been clubbed down by now, is the implication here... Mortals be like that.]