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

[spacedisaster]

[ The galaxy is endless and no matter how many years Peter had lived there, he always ends meeting new species and finding surprising technology. It's been fascinating from the start and one of the reasons why he loves space so much. Now that he's stranded on a planet with no way out, he feels somewhat trapped and frustrated at times but at least there's still the chance of meeting new people. So he jumps on it. ]

Not quite, I work from free plenty of times. My name's Peter Quill but out there in space they know me as Star-Lord, a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy. My team and I travel across the stars, helping people in need, taking care of interplanetary threats, doing odd jobs...these sorts of things. Sometimes you end fighting monsters and covered in goo. Hazards of the job. [ The man shrugs as if to say 'shit happens'. ] What about yourself? New here, I take it?

[ He thinks he would have noticed Garrus before if he weren't a new addition to the city: the place isn't that big and people stick to populated areas because it's easier to find food or get close and personal with others that way. ]

[dextroaminos]

For free? That's your loss, then.

[ A laugh threatens to bubble up at 'Star-Lord', but Garrus swallows it down, keeps as much of a stony composure as he can manage. If there were anyone free wheeling around the galaxy known as Star-Lord, he thinks he would have heard about it; if only to laugh about. All of that side, he can't deny he's interested in the 'interplanetary threats' line of discussion. That's right up his alley. ]

Yeah, got here a few days ago. [ He shrugs it off as though it were nothing, forcing himself to seem as adaptive as possible. Not that he isn't, but this place is already pushing him to his limits. ] My name's Garrus. Not really the galactic odd job sort-- [ At least, not without sufficient prodding from those he respects. ] But I hear you on the galactic traveling. Didn't think I'd find anything familiar with it here.

[spacedisaster]

We're trying to be heroes, man. [ Peter doesn't hold himself back and laughs at that reply. ] But yeah, pretty much depends on the job. We all need to eat and keep our ship and equipment in good condition, we need to work on jobs that pay.

[ It would hardly be the first time someone mocks Peter about his nickname but it's polite of Garrus to keep his opinion to himself. No amount of laughing is ever going to stop Peter from using it anyway, since he does it to keep the memory of his mother alive. ]

How's the planet treating you? The first week for me was the craziest but then you get used to this place's oddities pretty quickly. Nice to meet you, Garrus. You'd be surprised how often people like us end here. I know another Captain of a huge ship and his first officer, and another man who also used to travel the galaxy. Can I ask where are you from? I don't think I've ever met your species before. I'm human....mostly...and I came from Terra. Ah, Earth. But I didn't live there for long.