erkumods: (Default)
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



halforc: (79)

[personal profile] halforc 2020-10-21 08:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Munching on pocket-goose, he reads for a while then gives up and sits with his hands behind his head. Darkvision shows him a glint of eyes in the dark, which makes everything a little more awkward.

No one is asleep or paying attention to the window in this room.






Some pocket-goose hits the bed. ]
devilstongue: (🔮 129)

[personal profile] devilstongue 2020-10-21 08:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Mollymauk sits up as he hears the 'plap' of the meat piece on the covers, blinking a bit before he picks it up and turns to look at Fjord. ]

...hey.

[ Yes, wonderful, how very eloquent. Very loudly Molly there, out and proud and shameless. ]
halforc: (54)

[personal profile] halforc 2020-10-21 08:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He tenses as Molly sits up, not expecting that. Oops. Didn't think this through: Molly isn't Beau who appreciates and eats whatever snack he tosses in front of her without wanting a conversation. ]

... Hey. Not tired?
devilstongue: (🔮 81)

[personal profile] devilstongue 2020-10-21 08:47 pm (UTC)(link)
No.

[ He's still going to eat it, but with a lot less enthusiasm and grunts than Beau. ]

I guess I'm concerned what will happen if this shit strikes again. If people here have sex even if they don't want to. How the fuck would you know?

[ Molly feels like an idiot, for having been a kind of excited about Fucksville and the Augur stuff. But this thing with Fjord very quickly proved that consent wasn't always on the menu. ]

What am I going to do if you throw yourself on me like that? What would you want me to do?
halforc: (08)

[personal profile] halforc 2020-10-21 08:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[ That's a loaded question when he thought he was going to get something along the lines of "did you throw goose at me". ]

... If I didn't know what I was doing, I'd want my friend to snap me out of it as fast as possible. However they had to. I wouldn't hate them for it.
Edited 2020-10-21 20:51 (UTC)
devilstongue: (🔮 136)

[personal profile] devilstongue 2020-10-21 09:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Okay. There's... difference between whatever made you really need a wank right then and... whatever the fuck made me feel like I would die if I didn't have sex and killed every rational thought in my head. What if there's something even stronger?

[ There's a pause. ]

...you know I don't hate you, right? I really enjoyed it. You're a great kisser.
Edited 2020-10-21 21:09 (UTC)
halforc: (84)

[personal profile] halforc 2020-10-21 09:16 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't need a — what? [ Why did wanking suddenly come up (hah). ] If there's something stronger then I trust you, that's all there is to it.

... And, thank you.

[ Peeking over his blanket in the chair. ]
devilstongue: (🔮 111)

[personal profile] devilstongue 2020-10-21 09:23 pm (UTC)(link)
I meant the thing from the other day, not right now!

[ He chuckles a little, then reaching to untangle a twisted chain on his horn. ]

...and I know I'm a liar and a bullshitter, but that one was true.

[ It's all making him feel a lot better, too. Knowing that they were fine, and that they had some kind of plan, no matter how loose. ]
halforc: (21)

[personal profile] halforc 2020-10-21 09:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh. Right. I was trying to forget that ever happened too.

[ Yellow eyes blink across the room at Molly as Fjord's brain starts to reach the limits of what he can deal with. It's been A Day.

His voice heightens, a bit wonky. ]


Yeah, I don't really know what to do with the knowledge you like kissing me. These are some ... deep seas I'm sailing right now.
devilstongue: (🔮 143)

[personal profile] devilstongue 2020-10-21 09:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, you can do with that what you will. Mollymauk-approved smooches.

[ There's another slight laugh from the tiefling, before he lies down again, putting a somewhat dusty pillow under his neck for some more serious sleep attempts. ]

Goodnight, seaman.
halforc: (04)

[personal profile] halforc 2020-10-21 09:35 pm (UTC)(link)
[ I'm scared of what we'll be made to do. What I might do to you. What you might hate me for letting you do to me. I don't trust myself because I liked kissing you too and you're my friend and that's so fucking complex I'm too anxious to admit any of that. ]

... Night, Molls.