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

[luciing]

[ His gaze, steely and blue, snaps back to her at once. For a prolonged moment, his lips remained pressed in a thin line; beside him, his hands seem to strain. ]

Goddess.

[ To think, he gifted her his raiment. Such fabric, even that made for a king, is ill-befitting of a goddess. (And, to be sure, he can be skeptical enough to wonder if she truly is one; however, he's heard from sources who have been to others worlds that even gods may be called to these nexuses).

Eye contact with divinity? He should not insult. But he makes sure to keep his gaze leveled north on her body. Somnus speaks through a tight jaw, taking a respectful step back. ] Forgive my familiarity.

[paramounts]

[Oh dear. This happens sometimes. She's met a few motals by now, and it's often a gamble on whether they would believe her divinity or not, and she far preferred the immediate defference over stubborn defiance.

She steps closer when he steps backwards, closing the gap he'd just made.]

There's no need to apologize, darling I am not nearly so volatile as some of my brethren.

[As long as she is not rejected, ahem.]

[luciing]

[ At seeing her take one step forward, he stops his retreat, stiffening.

Aphrodite is not a goddess that exists in his world. There is not even a goddess of love in his world. And while it is said that the Glacian and the Infernian were in love epochs ago, none of the Hexatheon had been celebrated for such... fallible traits. Or rather, traits that would be fallible to humans. A goddess would know how to navigate love without flaw.

But.

"--volatile--"

The threat that she can be is understood. Somnus's jaw tightens. ]

Name what you wish.

[paramounts]

[A small huff of a laugh escapes her at his caution. Truly, he is wise to be that way. That, she can admit. Despite her claims otherwise, she's not without her own moments of capriciousness. It's just how the gods are. Mortals feared and worshiped Poseidon as a god that was as wild and untamable as the seas he presided over, but love was no different and no less wild and ancient, despite the mortals need to wrap doctrine and meaning around the word.

But that is neither here nor there. She's in a good mood here,]

I only want you to relax. [She singsongs, letting a hand move to drape over his shoulder.] I didn't mean to scare you, poor dear. What is your name?

[luciing]

[ His eyes dart to the slender fingers at his shoulder, then snap back to her. At her touch, his skin prickles beneath his overlying robe. ]

Somnus.

[ Before arriving upon he island, he's never seen such a soft pastel accent another's hair, to say nothing of the vivid rose of her eyes. There is an otherworldly spring painted across her visage. In his world, spring is rare, coveted, if only because it has not graced his Star for over a decade.

...She'll find him hard-pressed to relax in her presence, unfortunately. He remains stiff, awaiting her words. ]