TDM #5

[calderaevents]

ARRIVAL

It happens in an instant. A heavy weight in your gut, a trembling of your limbs, the world spins and you barely have time to register that you're falling before you lose consciousness. And when you awaken, it's not where you were last. Dark, unadorned oak walls surround you in a tiny room, the only furniture the bed you are currently resting upon, and the bedside table with a folded piece of parchment resting atop it that simply reads:

“The Tavernkeeper is awaiting your arrival downstairs.”

As you exit you find others like yourself emerging from the surrounding rooms. You are indeed in a tavern, but there is no hustle and bustle one might think to hear in such a place. The only person down on the main floor is a humanoid figure wiping down the bar, who smiles when they see you. They're familiar, but not, and you can't quite place their face. For some reason, however, their presence is comforting and warm.

“Welcome, Visitor. I'm sure you have a lot of questions.”

And you most certainly do.

Due to popular demand, the starter tavern and the drinks provided are available to in game characters via a portal accessible only to those with a faction gem.

DRINK MENU

FLAMEFRUIT SANGRIA a deep red wine based punch with chunks of softly glowing fruit floating in it. A single serving makes you feel relaxed, social, and maybe even a little flirty.

MOLTEN MEAD Though the thick drink itself is room temperature, it bubbles sluggishly, and feels very warm going down. The bold flavor affects your mood. You feel very bold! Like you could do anything!

BESALT BRANDY a hopefully staple drink for the brewery, this liquor is smooth and rich with a peppery bite. Ironically after consuming it, you kinda want to bite someone! Not hard! Just a little nip and nibble!

THAT ASHY ESPRESSO a single potent shot of dark espresso swirled with a gold-tinged cream. Intense and bitter with a hint of caramelized sugar. You are now very awake, hyper, and excited.

PYROCLAST'S WHISKEYa glossy black whiskey that turns a vibrant glowing orange when swirled. You now breathe fire.

EMBERMARK WINE a rich, velvety, spiced wine that immediately makes one feel mellow and calm.

CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY

As the effects of your drink wear off, the Tavernkeeper speaks once more:

”It is time, my friends, for you to find your new homes.”

You are compelled to walk through the only door leading out of the tavern, finding yourself not outside, but in a deep black, seemingly endless room with five portals arranged in a circle. As the last of you leave and the door closes behind you, gone when you look back again and replaced with nothing but that black void, three of the portals illuminate:

The first portal is surrounded by an almost blinding light, prismatic rainbows shining brightly in the dewy air outside of the tavern. A soft breeze may gently caress you, pulling you toward it. The portal seems to lead to a city in the clouds, airships and winged beings of all sorts soaring through the skies. Of the little bits of visible land, much of it boasts giant waterfalls that look like clouds melting into the land below. The portal calls to those who crave independence and freedom; and especially to anyone that wishes to find the strong bond of a family not forged in blood.

The second portal is encircled by a fairy ring of spotted white capped mushrooms, the faint scent of damp stone and rich earth wafting from within the faint green glow. Peering inside, one can see a sprawling harbor city of gray hewn stone, a melting pot of humanoid beings going about their day, and beyond, rolling green farmland and cottages clustered in small villages. This portal is destined for those who crave stability and solid ground beneath their feet. A simple life, an adventurous one, and everything in between can be found within.

The last portal is adorned with shells and seaweed, the glow of blue around it catching on droplets cascading down the circular opening. Beyond it you see a city housed inside a massive bubble deep under the ocean, spiraling towers encrusted with coral, and a variety of different creatures mingling about the streets. Outside of that bubble, merfolk swim, a massive squid engulfs the view from the portal as it smoothly glides through the water, and schools of fish disperse as it passes. A sanctuary in the sea that calls to those with a hunger for knowledge and a desire to aid those in need. Or perhaps it is the mystery that beckons you - the lure of the unknown in the depths that bids you explore it.

---

Upon following the pull of the breeze through the first portal, you are thrust into the beauty of a lively city that goes by the name of Heaven's Bow. Much of this main city feels exactly as you would expect on a city below, but there are clouds surrounding every direction you look. The walls of buildings are made with light-colored limestone, and buildings are generally built up to heights made even more grandiose by their position in the sky.

The Skyfall Docks are the first thing you notice, boasting hundreds of airships sailing in and out across the clouds with shouts that accompany a typical port city. Just outside is a fantastic market with goods not only from the other regions of Caldera, but from what some shopkeepers claim are other worlds--items sold or left behind by Visitors. Almost anything can be found in the markets if one is willing to look hard enough. Transport to other locations throughout the sky and even to the land or sea can be found here.

If the docks are too lively for you, you may instead find yourself roaming the underbelly of Heaven's Bow and finding brothels and gambling parlors filled with the promise of pleasure and fortune. The guild house for the Sylphs can be found here as well, giving out quests and training to prospective adventurers and guards alike--though none of them seem concerned with the illicit activities that surround them. Perhaps the freedom the Sylphs boast of extends to what others may deem an undesirable activity.

But most curious of all, you find a shimmering opal gemstone in your hand. When placed anywhere on the body, it will transform into a piece of jewelry with the gemstone set in the center.

---

If it was the second portal that called to you, you will find yourself in the busy city of Grey Ward, with its cobblestone streets and sturdy grey stone buildings. You are in the heart of the city, the Glass Market, so named for the colorful stained glass windows of the surrounding buildings. The scent of cooking food and the sound of barkers fills the air; watchful guards keep an eye out for pickpockets and thieves, and citizens go about their day. From here, one can investigate the rest of the city: the Sundown Docks, where both sea and sky faring skips transport people and goods. The Soot Spire, home of inventors and engineers. The Hearthstill, the main residential area. The Downs, a smaller residential area for those with less means.

Outside the city walls, one can explore acres of farmlands to the east and west, or follow Terra’s Pass to the less settled areas, but take care. Past the Skyward Range, out in the smaller burrows and villages, the influence of the city guard diminishes quickly, and you’ll have to keep your wits about you. Bandits along the road are always a risk, and the wildlife are less controlled by regimented hunting.

In your hand is a gemstone, a brilliantly green emerald that, when placed anywhere on the body, will transform into a piece of jewelry with the gemstone set in the center.

---

If the last portal beckoned you through it, you find yourself within that bubble covered city beneath the sea, the city of Salt Spire. Your ears pop with the change in pressure, and the smell of the salty sea fills your nostrils. All around you buildings made of dark stone encrusted with coral and seagrass tower high above your head, the backdrop outside the dome a deep blue, seemingly endless sea filled with fish and merfolk and all other manner of creature swimming through the water. You stand in the heart of it all, surrounded by people with gils on their necks and scales upon their vibrantly colored skin, all of whom seem intrigued by your arrival. You have many options of where to visit in the city under the sea, but where oh where will you go first?

The Salt Spire Library is right before you, an impossibly large building housing thousands upon thousands of books of all genres. Fiction, non-fiction, romance and mystery and all between. You may even find books from your world and others! Oddly enough though, no Calderan history books are to be found, and if you ask for them, the librarians and locals all choose to ignore your questions.

If scholarly pursuits aren't to your interest currently, perhaps a trip to Bluetide Market would be more your style? The marketplace is host to every manner of shop one might ever need: artisans of all varieties, apothecaries and healers in the Shimmer Quarter, the most in fashion undersea clothing shops, food stalls, and all between can be found in Bluetide. There are also the Tideshore and Fogbottom docks on either end of the city. The former allows transport to the surface via large, magical bubbles for those that cannot hold their breath or make the swim themselves yet. The latter allows people to venture further into the sea. Those without their underwater abilities are offered rebreathers for travel that last for four hours before needing to be replaced.

In your hand is a gemstone, a shining sapphire that, when placed anywhere on the body, will transform into a piece of jewelry with the gemstone set in the center.

IGNACIA'S CRADLE/EMBER VEIL

Months ago, a piece of land from Heaven’s Bow fell from the sky and scarred the land below, damaging a part of the city. From that chaos and ruin rose new life, a new ruler, and a new city: Ignacia’s Cradle. Just a short walk from the edge of Grey Ward, the gates of the city are guarded by two massive obsidian golems, and any who did not rise from the lava itself are warned at the entrance that to travel about the city will be most difficult, unless they have obtained a way to mitigate the extreme heat: be that with a charm, an ability, or a potion. The very streets themselves are paved in slabs of volcanic rock, tall spires of buildings constructed and shaped by rapidly cooled lava. The main method of travel are the mine carts, with tracks that wind through the spires ready to take one to almost any location.

Currently, the main feature of Ignacia’s Cradle is the Lava Flats, home of skilled smiths that use the extreme heat of the lava to melt the strongest metals and create unbreakable weapons, glassmakers and jewelers who fashion elaborate headpieces, rings, and amulets. These items are sold at the Ember Market on the outskirts of the Flats.

At the edge of the city lies the Ashfall Terrace, where a small farm using the rich volcanic ash and soil is in its infancy, as well as the Basalt Brewery where clever alchemists are researching ways to use the extreme heat to craft new and unique beverages that they are eager to find folk to test them out on.

---

The hot spring of Ignacia’s Cradle is a breathtaking anomaly located just beyond the Ashfall Terrace, tucked into a secluded crater formed by the celestial impact that gave rise to the city. Here, molten veins from the Lava Flats weave beneath the earth, heating a natural reservoir that bubbled to life amidst the chaos. The spring’s waters shimmer with an ethereal brilliance, hues of deep turquoise blending with molten gold and fiery orange, as though Heaven’s Bow itself left behind a fragment of its essence. Steam rises in curling wisps, carrying the tang of minerals and faint traces of sulfur.

The spring, known to locals as The Ember Veil, is both a sanctuary and a marvel of natural wonder. Its soothing waters are reputed to heal wounds and fortify the spirit, with the temperature kept in perfect balance by an intricate system of naturally formed vents and channels. The edges are lined with intricately carved obsidian benches, where patrons can soak their feet or meditate in the rising steam. Plants resistant to the intense conditions—vivid fire lilies and ash ferns—dot the perimeter, their resilience a symbol of life’s ability to flourish even in the harshest environments.

Sometimes, when two or more individuals share the waters, the spring creates a subtle connection between their minds, allowing memories to surface like ripples on its surface. These shared memories appear as glowing, translucent scenes that hover above the water, visible to all within the spring. Participants can relive moments from their lives, experiencing them through each other’s eyes, fostering profound empathy and understanding.

Another of the spring’s mystical properties occurs when bathers who enter the waters feeling drained, injured, or burdened by grief often find their vitality restored. The waters seem to draw out negative energies and emotions, replacing them with a warm, invigorating sensation that spreads through the body. In rare instances, the spring has been known to accelerate physical healing, mending minor injuries and soothing chronic aches, as though the magic itself is stitching the body back together.

A lesser-known but equally fascinating effect happens on particularly clear nights, when the moonlight reflects on the spring’s surface, some bathers report fleeting glimpses of potential futures. These visions are often cryptic, appearing as brief, dream-like flashes, but they have guided many to life-changing decisions. The alchemists of the Basalt Brewery believe this effect stems from residual cosmic energy, and they have begun experimenting with enhancing it through the addition of rare minerals and lunar elixirs.

RADIANT SUN

The day begins like no other, with the skies painted in hues of golden-pink as the Radiant Sun ascends. Its light spills over the world, warm and soft, caressing the land and filling every heart with a sense of peace. Beneath its glow, emotions of love and connection bloom like never before. Strangers exchange heartfelt smiles, old friends embrace as though no time has passed, and lovers find their feelings deepened, their bonds strengthened.

Even the air feels different—lighter, sweeter, as though the universe itself is celebrating. The songs of birds harmonize with the melodies of impromptu musicians who feel inspired by the sun’s radiance. Those with magical abilities sense their powers of healing and creation magnified, as if the sun itself lends its strength to their intentions. Long-held grudges seem to melt away under the sun’s tender gaze, replaced by tears of reconciliation and words of forgiveness.

The Radiant Sun touches every heart differently:

◾A widow finds peace as memories of her late spouse no longer bring sorrow but gratitude for the love they shared.
◾A timid youth finds the courage to confess their feelings to the person they’ve admired for so long.
◾A gruff warrior lets down their guard, laughing freely with their companions for the first time in years.

For a fleeting moment, the world feels as it should be—unified, harmonious, and drenched in love.

But as the day wanes and the Radiant Sun dips below the horizon, an unease begins to settle...

JEALOUS MOON

The golden light gives way to deep purples and silvers as the Jealous Moon rises, its glow pale and cold. Its light pierces the heart, not to warm it, but to expose the insecurities that lie buried within. Where love had flourished during the day, doubt begins to creep in.

Under the Jealous Moon’s influence, emotions twist and darken:

◾A once-reconciled pair of siblings argue over old grievances, as jealousy over perceived favoritism resurfaces.
◾A couple, who had spent the day lost in each other’s arms, now question each other’s loyalty and intentions.
◾A nobleman, inspired to be generous during the day, grows suspicious of those who received his gifts, fearing they may exploit his kindness.

The air grows heavy with tension, and the magic of the Radiant Sun fades, replaced by the sharp sting of distrust. The moon’s pale light seems to follow people like a judgmental gaze, amplifying every fear, insecurity, and lingering resentment.

Worse still, the night seems endless, as though time itself has bent beneath the weight of the Jealous Moon’s envious glow. For three long days and nights, the moon lingers high in the sky, its pale, piercing light casting a shadow over hearts and minds, amplifying discord and despair. Its power sows strife among even the closest bonds, driving some to dangerous extremes. Yet, when all seems lost, the scholars of the three factions unite their wisdom and uncover a glimmer of hope—a means to dispel the moon’s cruel influence. For those who have not yet succumbed to jealousy’s grip, there remains a chance to reclaim harmony, a chance for redemption before the damage becomes irreversible.

The solution lies not in complex rituals or rare relics but in the simplest and most instinctive actions: physical connection. To weaken the moon’s hold, people must embrace one another—offering a hug, a handshake, or even resting a hand on someone’s shoulder. These gestures of closeness disrupt the isolation and mistrust that the moon thrives upon. Sitting side by side or holding hands creates a barrier against its oppressive light, reminding the afflicted that they are not alone. Even small acts, like sharing warmth through proximity or clasping arms in solidarity, build a shield of connection that the moon cannot penetrate.

As these actions ripple through the night, the Jealous Moon’s light begins to dim, its sharp, cold glow softening until it fades from the sky entirely. The tension in the air lifts, replaced by a quiet calm that feels almost foreign after the chaos of the past three days. Slowly, the world seems to exhale, and the darkness that clung so tightly to the hearts of many begins to loosen its grip. People step back from the brink of despair, their minds clearing as if waking from a long, disorienting dream. Relationships strained by the moon’s influence begin to mend as apologies are exchanged, tears are shed, and bonds are reaffirmed.

ALL IS WELL(?)

With the Radiant Sun rising again, its golden-pink hues spilling across the horizon, life begins to return to normal. The birds resume their morning songs, markets reopen, and the hum of daily activity fills the air once more. Though traces of the moon’s influence linger in whispered memories, there is a collective sense of relief and gratitude among the people—gratitude for the light, for connection, and for a second chance to heal.

In the outskirts of Ignacia's Cradle, Aella and Terra, two of the three leaders of the factions, come together to address the gathered crowds. Together they assure the people that this celestial event was a rare anomaly, something never before recorded in the annals of history. They explain that while the Jealous Moon’s influence was unprecedented and deeply unsettling, it was a unique alignment of cosmic forces that is unlikely to occur again in their lifetimes—or ever.

The leaders thank the people for their resilience and compassion, emphasizing how their acts of unity—simple gestures of closeness and connection—proved stronger than the moon’s envy. They commend the scholars for their quick thinking and the Visitors for their role in guiding others through the chaos. Finally, they urge everyone to move forward, not in fear of what has passed, but with the knowledge that even in the darkest moments, their strength lies in the bonds they share.

QUESTBOARD

Settled in? Good. It's time to make your way to the Questboard located in every city in numerous, easy to access locations. That is, if you want to make any kind of impact on the world or just get some Bones for anything you might wish to purchase. Visitors are given a very small stipend in which to survive every month, but all it does is keep you fed and housed. These quests will assure you greater wealth, and they're the main reason you're here: each finished quest helps the Calderans fix their shattering world.

Quests can be accepted at the questboard via magically signed parchment upon the board. Just sign your name to accept and the paper will be whisked away... somewhere. You're not actually sure. Probably nothing to concern yourself with.

Once quests are completed, earned Bones will be dropped off at the character's residence by Bonita, the mysterious artisan who has supposedly handcrafted every Bone circulating in Caldera. Please do not speak to her, she startles easily.

*February will be the last month to complete quests for this rotation. New ones will go up on March 1st.

OOC NOTES

Welcome to Caldera's fifth TDM! All characters awaken in a strange tavern with nothing save the clothes on their backs, all of their powers stripped, and a piece of parchment directing them downstairs to the Tavernkeeper. There is a thread of all questions answered by the Tavernkeeper here, and if you have more, feel free to ask there for what would be offered ICly.

For OOC questions, please direct themhere.

All locations are available to be explored! Ignacia's Cradle and Ember Veil have been added, along with details about the Violet Drop regarding the Cult of Triton.

The TDM is game canon and all completed quests can be carried over once accepted into the game.

Participation in the Radiant Sun/Jealous Moon effects is not mandatory.

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Comments

OOC QUESTIONS

[calderaevents]

Re: OOC QUESTIONS

[badnewsandshitlist]

For the specialized drinks, how difficult is it to get a cask/bottle/ect ect ect to bring home? And how effective are they outside the bar?

IC QUESTIONS - ASK THE TAVERNKEEPER

[calderanpcs]

Standard questions and answers:

Q: Where am I?
A: Caldera, a world split by Land, Sea and Sky.

Q: Why have I been brought here?
A: The world is dying and the leaders have requested outside aid from Visitors like you to help revive it.

Q: Where's all my stuff?
A: Not here. You may get whatever you wish returned if you put forth the effort.

Q: Who are you?
A: The keeper of the tavern.

Q: What if I don't leave the tavern?
A: You have no choice.

Q: What happens if we fail?
A: Caldera falls.

Q: What's in it for us?
A: Power. Glory. The thanks of the rulers.

Q: Can we die here?
A: Yes, but Visitors that make an effort to prove themselves to the rulers will be revived. Those who work against them may not be so lucky.

NEW CHARACTER TOPLEVELS

[calderaevents]

Link your toplevels here!

dimitri alexandre blaiddyd | fire emblem: three houses | dryad

[swordbreaker]

sad bitch hours

Skandranon Rashkae 🦅 Mage Wars Trilogy 🦅 Sylph

[blackgryphon]

i. arrival
Skandranon hasn't, isn't, and will never be of a size consummate to the interior of a dwelling built for human proportions. He's huge, the size of a draft horse even before taking his wingspan into account, and his appearance as he wedges himself through the narrow door and his wings rebound from the tight squeeze is suitably dramatic. His ear-tufts touch the ceiling, his talons are already knocking furniture ahoo, and his tail is a menace.

Anyone who's too close is going to get a mouthful of feathers, and a blessing of wind, if they're lucky. Anyone less lucky will find themselves knocked about: mind the talons, now!

"Ashkhh... SSssorry, I'm not ussually thiss clumssy," He hisses, when he notices it at all. The feathers of Skan's hackles and mane are all puffed up with his confusion and distress, making him seem even larger than usual, and his voice is a hiss of displeasure, "Wherrre iss the dooorrr? Ah. Exsscusse me."

Make way! Or don't. It's your funeral.

ii. tavern
It takes him a while to get across the room, and at some point, someone must have waylaid him. Lying there, sprawled like the combination of bird and lazy cat that he is, and only somewhat approximating being out of the way, is a Gryphon. Someone has helpfully supplied him with a mug— or is that a bucket? It's full of drink, regardless, and he does seem, occasionally, to be drinking from it.

His beak is huge, hooked and sharp, and each curved talon is the length of a finger all by itself, but he seems calm, and friendly enough. Certainly there is a certainly aura of empty chairs nearest-by this enormous black creature, and yet... Not entirely.

Are you feeling brave enough to approach the Black Gryphon?

iii. sylphlands
The very first thing he does upon escaping the tavern is to shake vigorously. Feathers, dander, and dust go flying everywhere, including onto whosoever happens to be standing nearby. Then Skan sits, looking out over the expanse of... well, everything!

"Well, I'll be damned," He says, presently, "What is this place? Ah— Sketi, I don't have time for this, I have to find— oof, sorry."

Watch out there, he didn't mean to knock you over, spreading his wings like that. Need a hand up?

iv. Fountain of Memory
Skandranon likes to know the lay of the land, and anyone who comes across him on the Ember Veil might find him taking a break for some much-needed hydration at a certain fountain. And perhaps, if you wait too long you might start to see—

"Ah. Ahaha. Well. Nobody needssss to see that," Skan musses the surface of the water with his talons, visibly embarrassed. It really is shocking how much froth a creature as large as a gryphon can stir up, isn't it?

v. Radiant Sun
If there's one thing Gryphons love, it's sunbathing. And this particular sun is a particularly warm and lovely bath to have. What Skandranon doesn't seem to understand is that lounging around like he's had a snifter full of catnip is certainly blocking the path. You are an obstruction, sir.

Not that anyone seems too bothered. Indeed, everybody seems to be in a singularly genial and permissive mode, at the moment. Maybe that includes you? Or, maybe you find this whole thing ridiculous— or just want to pet the big fluffy birdcat creature. Well?

🦅. wildcard
Contact me here and let me know if you'd like a custom starter, or want to chat about how our characters might interact!

tavern

[hellrider]

A Gryphon is not a lion, but it's close enough, visually speaking, to catch the eye of this particular tiefling. His first thought is how did that get in here?, not in the sense of concern about a wild animal being indoors, but in the sense that he's now mentally measuring doors and windows and wondering if a wall will have to be opened up to allow him back out.

Sometimes it seems like the faction leaders don't plan at all before they bring people here.

If anyone was going to be bold enough to approach a gryphon, it would be a Hellrider. "Forgive me, I'm terribly curious what you're drinking. I wouldn't have the first clue what to serve a gryphon, so now I have to wonder if they were anticipating you well enough to stock the bar, but not well enough to make space for you in the room."

dimitri alexandre blaiddyd | fire emblem: three houses | dryad

[swordbreaker]

grey ward; glass market;

If Dimitri could take solace in anything, it was that he, at least, had come with all of his armor on. No weapon in hand, his strength seemingly diminished (but nothing to scoff at, still), and no allies at his side. He had grown used to having people around, finally; people helping to keep him on track, to watch his back, and yet here he was once again. Alone, despite the city bustling around him.

The long, fur-lined cloak he wore was perfect for cold weather — thank you Faerghus for preparing him for that — and he strode through the market, eventually ending up at one of the smiths, staring at the offered weapons.

"I do not need a discount, sir. Please, just let me pay fully for the blade." He seemed... mildly stressed while the merchant insisted he take the lance, knowing he was a Visitor. He could pay him back! Dimitri sighed. "I suppose..."

He took the lance in hand, weighed it, and then slotted it onto his back where Areadbhar should have been.

"I do not see why we are stripped of our weapons at all, but it is better than nothing."

ember veil;

Here was the thing about Dimitri — he was always burdened by grief, injured and lacking in vitality. Especially these days, so soon after the war had concluded, he still felt exhausted. So much to do, so many things to fix — and now; now he was here, without anyone, with the knowledge that his kingdom once again needed him and he was not there.

He slipped into the spring, his body a myriad of scars both old and faded and fresh and pink. One, upon his left shoulder, looked as if it had just fully healed. He kept his eyepatch on, blonde hair pulled back into a loose ponytail.

He sank into the water, leaned back, and closed his eyes. He shouldn't be so relaxed — Goddess knows what or who could sneak up on him while he was so vulnerable — but something about the water soothed him into just... accepting it. Enjoying the warmth that spread through him, the aches that always seemed to linger slowly fading.

Until he heard someone approach. Dimitri had chosen a spot far enough away and hidden behind an outcropping of rocks that he had hoped no others would approach. Shit. Uh. Act cool.

quest; the thrill of the chase (nsfw);

( ooc: spoiler, he won't be boning anyone about this and will in fact flee the scene in embarrassment. i just think it would be funny. )

Although not where he would have liked to be with literally any aspect of his arrival, he at least had a weapon in hand and a partner for the quest he had decided to take. He was currently stalking around Heaven's Bow with said partner, peering into every alleyway as they passed, staring at every citizen to assure their doppelganger didn't slip by them.

"They are smart to hide in a city this big." He commented absently. "And their trail is... odd. We may need to try and lure them to us somehow."

quest; oops! all dragons!;

Dimitri stood before the dragon with whoever had been willing to join him, her dying words echoing in his mind. It was not the first time someone had spoken to him in their dying breath — and it seemed he was cursed to always be the one standing there, watching the light die from another's eyes while he could do nothing but accept their fate.

At least this time, the blood wasn't on his hands.

"Rest, sweet creature. Your children will be safe. I promise you." Is this how Rodrigue had felt, vowing as much to his father? Dimitri set a hand atop the dragon's head as her eyes shut for the last time, and bowed his head in silent prayer. He turned to his quest partner after, his voice low.

"Where do we take them?"

wildcard

hmu on discord @ elfwife, or toss me a prompt and I'll roll with it!

ember veil just bc its funnier

[wrathstrikes]

Felix is very grumpy about being stolen from his world and plopped here without his permission or his swords. This hot spring is the only hope of putting him in a good mood, and once he settles in, he actually does begin to relax a bit... Until he gazes around and sees a familiar face on the far end of the pool.

A face he wants to deny- he can't be here.

But there is no way he could ever mistake Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd for anyone else. Blonde hair that looks like it hasn't been washed or cut in years, eyepatch, huge frame, sullen expression.

His initial shock becomes confusion- Dimitri is supposed to be dead, along with all their other classmates. Felix has been trying to avoid thinking of their deaths at all, throwing himself into fighting and training with abandon, but now it's staring him in the face, and he feels all kinds of things he couldn't put words to if he tried.

There is only one way to settle this, and he drifts over to the man.

"Boar. What are you doing here?"

Alastor | Hazbin Hotel | Sylph

[lonelysmiles]

Ember Veil

Quite frankly, everything was reminding Alastor of Hell with all this heat. If nothing else, this would help him stay acclimated to the heat for whenever he might end up being thrown back to Hell.

Right now, he was browsing the markets. Largely the glass sections due to him looking for supplies to be used in the apothecary he and Stolas were planning to run together.

Radiant Sun

Alastor was always rather friendly and enjoyed other people's personal space far too much.

Under the effects of the Radiant Sun, well, your personal space is even more his personal space now.

Sorry in advance.

Jealous Moon

There was something entertaining in watching how the worst of neighbors came out beneath this seemingly-endless night.

Alastor had positioned himself in populated areas, watching the "carnage" with interest.

Look, he never claimed to be a good person.

All Is Well(?)

"First the shadows, now this." Alastor hummed to himself as his own shadow coiled up into 3D space to look over his shoulder. "Interesting."

Wildcard

Don't see something that interests you? Toss something Alastor's way!

as promised | Wildcard?

[youngprince]

It had taken Bambi a long, long time to understand what was happening here. It had taken him even longer to make his way through the portals, to explore his surroundings, and to come to peace with the idea of...

...Well, of people. The Him that Mother and all the other had always warned him about, didn't seem to be here, though sometimes he thought His smell might be everywhere. This was a long, long way from the Forest. But you know, not everything here is completely unfamiliar. There's a certain someone who smells, despite everything, at least a little bit like... maybe... another deer?

"Um... Hullo?" Bambi calls, when he finally sees Alastor, stepping towards him on hesitant hooves. Alastor doesn't look very much like another deer, but the ears are the right shape, and the smell is, sort-of, in the general ballpark. In any case, it's definitely the closest anything has come to being familiar since Bambi got here, "Do you uh... You know where my father is? I don't know how to find... Anywhere."

Simon Lorden | October Daye | Undine (mind the cw in the headers)

[thesunreturns]

Ember Veil
Simon is normally a private person, so he picks odd times to check out the hot springs. But he is becoming a regular, because the effects of the waters feel like the bath equivalent of Aster’s teas back home, and he is really feeling the absence of his family.

Someone who stumbles on Simon might notice a few things. The first is that he has an impressive set of scars on his chest and back, that might explain why even when he’s swimming, he’s in a long-sleeved shirt and trousers. It is why, when someone approaches, he does move to get out of the water, with a mulled apology.

—
[Option A: Wedding Episode]

The vision in the water is of a ballroom, a room carved of redwood that looks like it could be inside one of those great trees. On the dais is a throne, with a pointed-barred woman with hair the black-violet of blackberries, and wearing a jeweled crown and a dress that went from the same color of her hair, to rose, to a pale gold at the hem. Another woman stood near the dias: if the woman on the throne was a faerie queen, this one is a force of nature that has temporarily decided to take humanoid form, wearing a dress that echoes a stormy sea.

You are stranded in mended clothing. A young pointy-eared woman clings to you like you are a lifeline. Her hair and eye colors look like a watercolor version of your own, and the bone-white dress she is wearing accents that. You stroke her hair, a very parental gesture. Her magical signature — roses and sweet smoke — hangs in the air.

The rest of the crowd is reacting to something — perhaps, based on how it is forming, the departure of someone — which you are taking with uneasy relief as you comfort your daughter.

—

[Option B: Where it started to go wrong…]

[CW: mind and emotional control, fantasy racism… look Eira is not a good person]

You are being led up stairs by a woman with rose-colored hair. The architecture feels hostile and imposing, and empty in a way that suggests that for all it should take an army of servants to tend to this place, that proves to be… unnecessary. The scent of roses hangs in the air. You are afraid, but in your heart, you know you are doing this for love…

… Except not entirely. Love was what pushed you into making such a bold attempt, but you also want knowledge. And to be seen as trustworthy of such great secrets as the Firstborn hold.

The woman stops in front of a small door. “My sister sees no sense to keeping to her receiving room when no one is coming. You’ll have to meet her in her private garden≥. I hope that won’t be a difficulty for you.”

You are already drawing out a vial you have concealed as you answer that is not a problem

[Option C is to just enjoy the hotsprings with Simon and have a normal conversation. Or share a different memory, maybe one of yours. Ask me! ]

Jealous Moon
[cw: intrusive thoughts, so much PTSD, mentions of past mind control, a victim blaming himself for the shit that happened to him, Simon needs a hug (and also therapy which he was getting until he was pulled here)]

Simon had been having a good day. He’d felt comfortable enough to spend most of it around other people, and do most of the things that normally take him a bit to work up to. He contacted people and either invited them over or promised to visit in the days to come. Even when he can’t feel the sun set in Salt Spire — even dawn’s effect on his wards is muted under the sea — he senses this one.

He is having a bad time of it. He runs through the exercises taught to him by Dr. Voss to try to reorient himself. Back home, he’d be seeing out Lady Aster for some of the tea she brewed for ‘bruises on the mind and heart’, but he couldn’t replicate her magic enough to brew it himself.

Useless man. He’s made himself as useful as he can, but he’s not even able to take care of himself, let alone others. And asking for help would mean explaining why he needed it. Yes, enough people here had experiences of being controlled, but they generally didn’t walk into the lion’s den to do it. At last back home, the people he loved remembered the man he used to be, and could delude themselves (convince themselves, some part of his brain tried to correct, in a vain hope of stemming this tide) that he was the same person underneath it all. The people here had befriended a mask of a good man, a devoted husband and father. They might want to help the mask, but wouldn’t help the man beneath it.

Simon had completely forgotten that the self buoyed up by sunlight had invited guests over, or had offered to meet them someplace. So he is startled as hell when he is jolted out of his misery spiral by a knock at the door.

Wildcard
[Want something else? Let me know.]

Princess Cadence | My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic | Dryad

[needsexcitement]

Arrival - The Tavern

"Excuse me! Sorry! Sorry! Watch your feet! Sorry! Excuse me!"

A rather disheveled-looking winged unicorn carefully picked her way down the stairs of the tavern and through the crowd. She was a little larger than a pony but still smaller than a full-sized horse with a golden necklace around her neck and a set of golden horseshoes. Unfortunately, this place had clearly been designed for those who walked on two legs like young dragons and the Abyssians. Definitely not equines like herself.

She walked over to the bar. "Um...do you have apple cider? Thank you!"

When the glass was set in front of her, she stared at the glass for a long moment. Then she rolled her eyes up to her horn.

"Guess you really aren't working. No problem."

She sat down on her haunches and picked up the glass carefully in her forehooves to take a sip. There was a startled whinny at the first mouthful before she swallowed.

"Wasn't expecting it to pack a kick! Um...could I get some water, too, please? Thank you."

Arrival - Flight Attempt

Cadance trotted into a more open area of the quaint little town she'd found herself in. The feel of the wind on her flanks and teasing her mane and feathers helped her relax. How long had she been down in the Crystal Caves?

Scratch that. She didn't want to think about it.

She glanced at her sides as she extended her wings. "Okay. Let's see what we have to work with. No magic in my horn, so let's see what's left in my wings."

She looked towards the sky, gathered herself, and jumped, flapping away. She barely made it to the edge of the roof on a one-story building. The best she'd be able to do was a hover like in the old days and it'd likely be worse than that given her wings were much, much bigger now.

She landed. "Okay! So we're back to before Aunt Celestia met me. That's more annoying than the horn." She sighed, wings drooping to brush the ground. "But at least they're long enough to be effective at gliding if need be."

Her tail flicked in irritation as she tucked her wings back against her sides.

Radiant Sun

Cadance smiled as she watched the sun rise, wings slightly mantling to take in its warmth and light. It'd been far too long since she'd last seen one thanks to those horrible caves.

Still, it made her a bit homesick. The sight of the sunrise brought to mind her dear adoptive aunt. She could practically see the large white Alicorn in her mind's eye, the ancient mare's horn glowing yellow as she lifted the sun above the horizon.

She looked to her nearest companion. "Who raises and lowers the sun here? They do a wonderful job!"

Jealous Moon

The sun should have risen by now.

Cadance's heart jackhammered in her chest as she took in the darkened sky and the ominous moon above. It was like how the sun had been late to rise during the last Summer Sun Celebration when Nightmare Moon -- and by extension Princess Luna -- was freed from her prison.

No, this was worse. This brought to mind tales of Princess Luna's fall from grace. While the night hadn't lasted forever as the Nightmare she'd become had vowed it would back a thousand years ago, it looked like it was finally happening in this world as the hours dragged on. It even seemed to be radiating the same jealousy that had birthed Nightmare Moon as she saw people arguing over old grudges pulled to the surface by its cold light.

Her wings mantled slightly as someone bumped into her flank, and she reared to pirouette around to face the potential threat.

"Oh! Sorry. You startled me."

All Is Well(?)

Cadance listened to the words of the obvious leaders of this place. She should have been put at ease. If it were Princess Celestia and Princess Luna giving the speeches, she would have been. However, this was a strange world filled with strange creatures and unknown dangers.

She tried to reach out with her empathic abilities to feel some reassurance from the more experienced residents, ears twitching backwards as she remembered too late that she was currently cut off from them.

"Does this sort of thing happen often?" she asked the closest person to her.

Wildcard

Throw a prompt to Love Horse!

The Tavern

[youknowwhothisis]

The drinks here were great. The keeper never really talked to him much anymore- the entity learned quickly that this little guy ADORED a good yap- so he stuck to having a little sippy on his lonesome to unwind after a good and long week of... everything that happened.

The whiskey was fantastic. No wonder Red liked it. But he's on his second finger of it when there was a lot of shouting, a clip-clop, and apologies.

Lucifer stared at the sight of a candy-colored unicorn... pegasus... thing coming down the steps.

He turned and stared at his whiskey.

Back at the fanciful horse.

Whiskey again.

Nevermind. He gently pushed the drink away.

Maribelle | Fire Emblem : Awakening | Undine

[troubadamsel]

Ember Viel

[ A relaxing hot spring? Just what the doctor - er, healer ordered! Despite the atrocious heat it took to get there, Maribelle feels it was worth every drop of sweat. She's sighing with absolute bliss as she's dipped her feet in, having only just started and feeling much, much better. ]

Mmm, yes... Here I was worried this dreadful place would take my hard-earned beauty, and yet, I finally find salvation! I can feel the wrinkles and worries just melt away...

[ For those who decide to join in, feel free to have a memory exchange or a future glimpsed - and no preference to who shares what, totally okay with mari's past being an open book! ]

Quests

You’ll Never Leave Hardersfield Alive

[ Months ago, Maribelle had traveled down the well to rescue the young lad, and had even helped tried to cover the damn thing up, so something like this wouldn’t happen again. So when word reached her that not only was the well still in use, the entire town had gone either quiet or mad… she made it her personal mission to head over to see what was happening. She hoped beyond hope she was being overly paranoid, still remembering the happy scene of the young boy reunited with his family…

On the outskirts of the town, a chill runs down her spine. She can’t quite put it into words, but things are already terribly off. It wasn’t like this before. ]

… Something’s wrong. This… this town was much livelier when I was here last. Even from here, you could hear the bustle of people. But now...?

No Skin In The Game

[ Anyone who joins or happens to just find Maribelle on the beach may need to restrain her – she seems absolutely furious with what happened to Brienna and may not be content with merely asking for the skin back. As she stomps and storms on the beach, searching Draven, you may hear her muttering about his unfortunate fate if you don’t stop her. ]

That lousy, rotten, revolting man… how dare he do such a thing to a fragile young maiden… when I get my hands on him, not even the gods will be able to help him…!

Bone?!

[ Okay, she thought Bones were made of… bones… during her initial arrival here. So knowing someone went ahead and did it makes her sick to her stomach, but at the same time, she wonders if this could have been avoided if they just named their currency something more pleasant…

But that’s neither here nor there. She stands before the cemetery she plans to investigate, looking rather ill about the whole affair. ]

Gods above, there are truly some terrible people in this realm… I almost don’t want to know HOW those dreadful things are made.

Wildcard
[ Make your own prompt! Feel free to plot with me at melcat33 for both plurk/discord ]

Bone?!

[holdshisown]

[Maedhros himself looked quite disturbed by the whole thing. Desecrating the dead like this did not sitt well with him. Using animal bones was one thing, but using human bone? That was just... wrong.]

There are, unfortunately, such opportunistic snakes such as these to find in every realm. Though I'll admit this is the first time I've had to deal with anyone engaging in this particular... distasteful practice.

Felix Fraldarius | Fire Emblem 3 Houses | New character | undecided

[wrathstrikes]

Arrival

Felix is used to waking up in taverns just like this, travelling through Fodlan from job to job, battle to battle. However, this one is different from the one he fell asleep in, definitely. That’s enough to begrudgingly ask the tavernkeeper, who reminds him a lot of Sylvain, a slew of angry questions. He is unsatisfied with the answers: in fact, he’s fuming. A lot of sharp what? Why?’s can be heard. They took his swords away and want him to be a hero in this place he’s never even heard of? Foolish. He orders a drink and glowers in the corner with his arms crossed, glaring at nothing in particular.

Perhaps you are bold enough to approach him at this point, but if not, the red wine he ordered seems to calm him after a few minutes, loosen him. He starts to look around, catching the eyes of other Visitors, with a curious look in his own. Maybe this version of Felix will be easier to talk to… Maybe.

Grey Ward- Glass Market

Well, the first order of business in this ridiculous world is to buy new swords, obviously. The problem is, he was only given a small amount of money and it’s supposed to cover everything for the month- rent, food, clothing, weapons. Well, he’ll just have to pinch pennies on life essential’s, because he is not going without a decent sword.

He’s haggling with a vendor, arguing about the quality of a sword and claiming it’s not worth what he’s really asking for it.

“Don’t you agree?” He suddenly turns to you with the sword, his tone insistent, rubbing his thumb on the edge. “It’s dull and poorly crafted. Surely it can’t be worth that.”

Hot Spring

Felix is interested in all the lava, in this fiery-hot city. It’s cool, if you ask him, although it seems like Aillel in that it’s not really pleasant to be there, especially for a Faerghan man who’s built for the cold. But a hot spring- that’s enticing.

He seems more relaxed than usual, which still isn’t very relaxed, as he settles into the steaming pool. His lithe, pale body is absolutely covered in scars.

But then suddenly, there’s some kind of weird magic that’s projecting an image in the middle of the pool, and it’s one he recognizes…

Memory A

The memory is… Sort of regular. Two boys in academy uniform, one shorter and grumpy looking with long, black hair, the other tall and redheaded with an easy, charming grin. They’re bickering about something or other, or rather, Felix is bickering, and the other boy is laughing it off, cracking jokes, and otherwise deflecting criticism. Felix pushes him, but it’s playful, and then the two sit down to eat a meal together in a stone building. Felix scowls the whole time, except for one moment when the redhead isn’t looking, when a tiny smile creeps on his face.

Current-day Felix, who looks pretty much the same but with shorter hair, stares at the memory, stunned, his mouth agape and his amber eyes wide. As it ends, he seems frozen for a moment, then furrows his brow, looking down and away to try to hide his expression.

Memory B

In this memory, Felix is younger, maybe twelve, and is attending a large funeral which seems to be for a King and Queen. He’s dressed formally, but downcast and quiet, his face splotchy from earlier crying, but stone-faced at the procession. He doesn’t leave the side of an older Knight with black hair who shares enough of his features that one could easily presume it’s his father. At one point, Felix looks up at the man, who is receiving condolences from others.

“I’m so sorry about your son, Duke Rodrigue. What a tragedy. He was a hero for protecting the King and the Prince.”

“Thank you,” Rodrigue answers. “Yes, it comforts me to know that Glenn died like a true Knight, with honour.”

At this point, Felix’s features shift to anger, and he storms out of the church. His father at first doesn’t notice, but then runs out after Felix. As the memory ends, the expression on current Felix’s face is much the same as it was in the memory. Bitterness, anger.


Network prompt during the Jealous Moon, username swordmaster

Alright, who’s the strongest person here? I need to fight someone.

Wildcard

[Hi I’m Drew! If you’d like to plot something different, catch me at decimalplaces or drewey.decimal on discord!]

@ogreslayer

[likeiron]

When and where?

Imoen | Baldur's Gate 2 | Sylph

[buffleheaded]

Fountain of Memory
Imoen has been quick to set boots and socks aside, in favor of settling on a bench and dipping bare feet into the water. She can see how there's a reputation for lightened burdens here, as she thinks the water and the flowers are beautiful. For a time, she's simply perched there, hands on the edge of her seat and wiggling toes in the water as she gazes about.

But when she does look down...there's something there. Perhaps it is when she was arrested by magic police or the woman in Spellhold. Maybe it's a girl who refuses to be left behind.

Maybe it's a bare glimpse at a possible future, Imoen stalking out shadow with golden light shining in her eyes, wearing a brooch of a skull with a ring of tears. The bhaalspawn in the image raises a bone dagger with a smile, and slices, blood seeming to splash into the water -

Imoen sits on the bench, frozen, staring down at the water.]

[dreamflowers]

With Imoen, Jade didn't have any reservations about sharing the waters. She had already seen her scars, and as such didn't dwell too deeply upon kicking off her boots and socks to have a moment together.

Things started off amicably. Jade would start with the usual small talk, a mask of a smile, a visage of normalcy. She heard some things said about these springs, but didn't put much stock into them.

Until flashes of an asylum flicker in her mind. A place called 'Spellhold', that doesn't exist anywhere on Vyn.

And maybe Imoen would see something of hers as well. Jade flinches, ripping her feet out of the water before clutching her forehead.

"Shit. That... wasn't one of mine," she stammers out. Visions of memories not her own were hardly new to Jade -- after all, she was the Prophetess. But this felt different. Personal.

Whirl | Transformers IDW | idek.

[whirlybird_of_prey]

ARRIVAL
Yeah, okay, sure. Kidnapped off the Lost Light, waking up in a Land Of Squishies with his t-cog missing (RUDE!) and all of his guns disarmed (everyone here is The Wooooooorst). The only thing that really torqued him off was that they took his hardlight hologram of Verity. He liked being Verity. And he would fit in better here if they thought he was a cute girl, instead of a gangly robot with a giant lamp for a face. But. He could handle it. He'd dealt with Ultra Magnus correcting his punctuation for the last 3 megacycles. This surely couldn't be worse.

Like: Okay, good start. A bar. Sure, it wasn't Swerve's and didn't have cocktails made by a former metallurgist, but you can't have everything.

He straddled one of the bar stools with his gangly legs, and clacks his claw at the barkeep. "Hit me." He would be okay with that being taken entirely literally, too. You want a brawl? He's got the face you want to punch. And many have tried.

EMBER VEIL

Sometimes a copter's just gotta soak his troubles away. The heat doesn't bother him getting up here. Feels downright cozy.

If anyone approached, he might sink down under the water, so that only his helm finials showed. Stealthy! Or he might just stretch out his arms along the back of the spring, putting on his sultriest (spoiler: it's not at all) voice and say, "come on in, hot stuff."

EMBER VEIL

[lettersfrombel]

Some kind of metal construct is in the hot spring? Some kind of construct is maybe flirting with him? Sure, why not.

"Don't mind if I do," Bel said, settling into the water. "This might be worth the volcano appearing last month."

Maedhros | the Silmarillion | Dryad

[holdshisown]

Ember Veil

It really isn't any wonder why Maedhros has gravitated towards the hot springs here. The heat of the water works wonders on the aches and pains that comes with old wounds and knotted scar tissue. Both of which he apparently has an abundance of. His face may be mostly unmarked but out of his clothes it's quite obvious the rest of him is not so lucky, which is why he does not even attempt to hide it. He simply sits, leaned back against the edge of the pool with his eyes half-closed as he enjoys the pleasant heat of the water.

He should, of course, have known anything this good would likely come with some sort of complication.

___
Memory A

The memory is a fairly pleasant one, if a tad bit chaotic. It is of some sort of family gathering, though a fairly extravagant one, for most of the people there do seem to share some familial resemblance to one another. A pair of redheaded twins are being chased after by an older red faced boy as they run, one of them clutching an obviously stolen book as they tear through the hall. Two boys sit in a corner struming away at their respective harps, though whether they are competing with one another or simply playing together is a bit hard to tell. And a much younger, far more carefreee, Maedhros is dancing joyfully together with a dark haired boy with golden ribbons braided into his hair.

___
Memory B

[TW: Torture]

This memory is of a far less pleasant sort. Maedhros is older and far less carefree, in fact he seems quite distressed at the moment even though it is something he is doing his best to hide. But it is hard to keep your composure as you are a beaten, bloody mess chained to a wall as Morgoth's lieutenant is huming jauntily as he tries to decide which impliment of pain he want's to try out next.

Picking up one after another to scrutinize it before placing it back in it's place and picking up another. Until he picks up a white hot branding iron that's been heating up in one of the braziers in the room.

"I've always been rather partial to fire," the lieutenant says with a wide smile. "How about you, little king? I heard your father was a rather fiery individual himself. So much so that he caught flame when his spirit exited his body. A true shame I was not there to witness it. But I'm sure you'll give me enough entertainment to make up for the loss, won't you Maitimo?" And with that same wide smile the lieutenant pressess the brand into the soft flesh of his belly. The screams it tears from his victims throat only makes the smile grow wider.

The Children Yearn For the Mines

After having helped free the children from that wretched spider creature Maedhros could not in good conscience simply walk away. And so he has quite willingly volonteered himself to help clear out whatever other abominations might still lurk there as they search for whatever evidence they may find to figure out who or what may have made them.

Ember Veil - Memory A

[makingmyway]

It's a bit more difficult to enjoy the hot springs with the development of potentially seeing people's memories. There were a few that Dorian would prefer to keep to himself, and he can only imagine others were the same.

So when he comes across Maedhros and sees the shimmering vision over the water, he gently clears his throat, not wanting to startle him but at least warn him of what was being shown.

It at least didn't seem like an unpleasant memory, at least.

mel medarda | arcane | undecided

[opposed]

ember veil.
[ It's been a strange arrival to this place for Mel, who has spent her days mostly observing, taking in both the information she's given and what she can gleam from the natives who live in Caldera without asking too much information. And while it might be wiser to hang back from this new city that's grown from the rupture, she still finds her feet carrying here there to take in the sights, the market, the glistening stone that looks like dark glass.

It is only when it is closer to the end of day, when the sun hangs low in the sky, that she finds the Ember Veil and the promise of respite. It's here she goes to sit on one of the benches so she can soak her feet, inwardly chastising herself for needing the moment, the break.

Her spirit feels fragile beneath the hardened enamel that is the gold that laces over her shoulders and body, protective and warm but a barrier. She takes some time to herself, to watch the low hanging sun and the veins of lava, to gather her thoughts.

But if others are there, she at least tries to strike up friendlier conversation. ] I can't tell if the lava flow became so perfect in a natural fashion or if artisans are responsible for the craftsmanship here. [ To make perfect vents and channels for flow, heat, and steam. ] This entire place feels...fantastical.


jealous moon.
[ By light of day, there's been a lift to her spirits, and Mel has spent much of her time soaking in what seems to be joy wherever she goes. Though she knows no one, it's an infectious thing, and she clings to it long into the nighttime. All that's happened in Piltover rests on her mind, too much strife and struggle, things left unsaid... And she wants to cling to the hope that things will get better even on her return home one day.

But as the night drags on, things become tense and difficult, again and again. A walk in the evening feels fraught as people argue; a woman on the street starts accusing her lover of infidelity. Mel escapes into a nearby tavern and even as things begin quieter, soon enough there's a fight between the bartender and a patron. One that draws out weapons. ]

Stop!

[ It's said with a hand that goes out, like she's expecting something to happen--

But all that happens is the bartender's fist connecting with the patron's jaw. Mel stares, dumbfounded, waiting...realizing nothing's happened, that she's just as powerless as she was before. All that strength, gone in a moment. She looks around, briefly frantic, before she stands and goes to put herself between the bartender and the man now on the ground. ]

Stop, you don't need to do that-- I'm certain this was an honest mistake.

[ Someone should probably help. Or at least pull her out of the way. ]


baby it's cold outside.
[ Plant finding is...not usually in the wheelhouse of a councilor, specifically not one from a city like Piltover. But work needs doing and if she's to get any stronger again, she needs to obtain Bones. (Morbid...) So finding flowers and plants isn't the most eventful thing in the world, frankly, but it also means she has the chance to meet others - and to get a better grasp on the world she's entered.

Mel is bundled up out in the field, fingers covered by gloves, and she's at least been warned about the effects of the plants. And two of them need to be found at night - the Frostbloom and Snowshoe fern. So here she is, in the dark, in the cold.

With company.

She pushes out a long breath, wisps of white appearing in the air. ]

I suppose we'll need to wait for the moon to rise and then we'll be able to find both in one go. [ One is best found in the dark; the other needs to be found under the full moon.

The snow crunches quietly beneath her feet as she walks, her eyes scanning the area. Mel is no real hunter, not like her mother, but she is still the wolf - if she cannot help in battle, she can at least help to watch for trouble. ] Have you been this far out into the forest before?


wildcard.
[ Open to Radiant Sun options or any other silliness people would be interested in! This is partially a voicetest and partially a TDM prompt so I'm game for whatever. ]

Let's quest! :D

[thecodexabides]

[Gadriel has done this quest before and has decidedly unfond memories of it. And then fond memories of it. And then he killed the woman responsible for both.

Look his life is complicated.
But he's got all of his Astartes abilities back now and It. Will. Be. Different.

He came on this quest because she looked new, and alone, and there were those who would take advantage of both, and Gadriel was neither. He was, however, VERY warm blooded. ]

I have been here before. I think they did not inform you of all you needed to know.

Abby 'Absinthe' Summers | Vampire OC | Dryad

[cotyledon]

Arrival

The timing is heinously inconvenient. She's arrived fresh from an event that required her to be in costume, so when she wanders down into the tavern area, she's a bit of a sight. Long dark brown hair in loose curls, with little fake moths made from feathers tucked into every loop. Dark makeup--smokey eyes, black lipstick, grey powder in the hollows of her cheeks. Her dress is grey, artfully tattered and deliberately stained with coffee and dye, and there are fake cobwebs draped around her hips.

"I...uh, don't really drink...wine?" As soon as the words she just said escape her mouth, she winces at herself and curls her hands at the edge of the tavern counter to keep from facepalming. Real subtle. Good. Great. At least there's a chance no one here has ever seen Bela Lugosi speak a similar line, it looks like cinema isn't a thing at all yet.

"What about just some mint tea? I could go for something calming."

Network Post, text @ absintheS

Okay first of all these bird things are super cute, I want ten. I think mine is a shrike, what did everyone else get?

More important: is there like a place around where I can buy a chance of clothes real quick? I was LARPing when I got dragged here and I'm in a crinoline and a corset and it's already killing me. Just, thank god I have decent shoes on.

Radiant Sun

It's pretty, so pretty, but she doesn't dare venture out into the full light. Early in the morning, she's able to slip out and buy a parasol, but even at that rate she seems shy of the bright light. Catch her standing under an awning, studying cut flowers for sale, or tucked into a bookshop a safe distance from the window. She has a smile for everyone, though!

Jealous Moon

A long night is safer in a lot of ways. After the sun sets, she wanders more freely, looking for farms, butcher shops, places where she can get something to eat that doesn't require negotiation or outright assault. Her luck is good, at least; she's able to convince a few people that she needs animal blood to make bloodmeal for fertilizer. How long she can pull that off without suspicion remains to be seen, but it's a start.

As the night wears on, though, it becomes increasingly tempting to just...take. Never in her life has she killed anyone for food. She hasn't even attacked a live animal since she was first turned. It's weird, this urge to hunt, which occurs in the absence of her usual heightened senses. She might not even be quick enough to take down an animal right now; she's not even sure she's hungry, but the draw to hurt something, taste a little of the life she's lost on her tongue, is strong.

She hates it. But you may see her in the street, pale under the moon, looking at you in a way that's just a little unsettling.

((ooc: also open to any SFW quests! I am on discord at WugglyUmp, or feel free to PM me here if you want to plot anything.))

Hewwo. Jealous Moon

[thecodexabides]

Precisely zero people to date have referred to Gadriel as a whole ass snacc. However, he does have a lot of blood in him. Very expensive and probably delicious blood.

Because one problem Gadriel runs into here is that everyone sleeps too much. Astartes need four hours of sleep per night. So he often walks, and lately, his walks have been more like patrols, looking for further signs of the intrusion of Chaos into this place.

He stops, feeling watched, and turns, tracing it to its source. It feels like a predator's gaze, but that was no predator. He approaches cautiously. "Are you in need of assistance?"

The Iron Bull | Dragon Age: Inquisition | Dryad

[getsyourbloodgoing]

TAVERN
The Iron Bull didn't need sangria to feel flirty, he was flirty about eighty percent of the time. That was probably why he was testing another drink, the glossy black whiskey that inflicted a familiar burn in the back of his throat. It was no Maraas-lok but it was still good.

At least until he felt a strange rumble pitching from his chest and he opened his mouth on the end of a cough only for a small burst of flame to escape him. It stung the whole inside of his mouth but the very large Qunari, a strange grayish looking 'man' with large horns, looked delighted.

"Aha! Look at that! I'm a fucking dragon!" He crowed happily, letting out another burst of flame up high.

OOPS! ALL DRAGONS!
Bull was rather intrigued by the rather simplistic note on the quest board. Getting summoned somewhere with no explanation was interesting and worth checking out.

That was how he came to find himself standing outside the cave with a contemplative look on his face. After a moment, he started inwards, glancing this way and that while listening to the muted sounds around him. He noticed someone walking ahead of him, so he called out. "Hey you, any idea what's going on in here?"

TAVERN

[lettersfrombel]

Does Bel know what a qunari is? Not a clue. Does he care? Also no.

The flames do get a impressed look, but he does return his eyes to eye level. Which, given their relative heights is not the Iron Bull's eyes. Bel does then deliberately incline his head -- look, a man can admire the view and affirm that the person he's sitting with is a person.

"So you are. What does a fucking dragon like to drink? I'll get the next round."

Touya "Dabi" Todoroki | MHA Pumpkin Hollow CRAU | Undine

[iamthepyre]

Arrival
One minute Touya is curled around a certain little ice fox resting and relaxing, ready to start the next day and probably get another round of healing done, the next he's waking up in an unfamiliar space. This definitely isn't his room, nor is this tavern his and Cesar's house.

"Magne! Cesar? Natsu, here boy..." Touya rushes out the door and is looking up and down the halls for a familiar face. Not seeing one he'll head toward the stairs, eyes narrowed as he stops his way through. At least this time when he showed up in some random place he has all his piercings...though he feels...colder than usual.


Drink on Me
Touya is angry. Hell the man would probably be smoking right about now if he had his flame. Right. He doesn't have that familiar heat any more. It's a weird feeling, being colder and not having that ever present burning running through his veins. No instead he's cold and alone. Magne isn't there, neither is Cesar....and he doesn't dare hope to find anyone else. Instead he looks at the drink he's ordered, something weird because why the fuck not.

Apparently some sort of mead that makes you bolder? Like he has any problems with that. Still he downs it and...well there's at least a somewhat familiar warmth. Licking the mead from his lips Touya looks at the person next to him.

"Hey, whatya got there?"


Choose your own Adventure
Whatever else you might be interested in!!! Any of the prompts or the quests, just hit me up!

Drink on me

[wrathstrikes]

Felix ordered whiskey and doesn't know of its effects. He takes a sip, and it burns going down, but then, all whiskey does. Some guy next to him is talking to him, and looking over, Felix blinks for a second at his appearance. It's... Something.

"It's--" As he speaks, small flames blow from his lips, and he startles, grabbing the back of his own chair and stiffening like a frightened cat.

night sky | original | dryad | in game

[wildwarden]

ember veil; (closed to lulu)

Night Sky hadn't gone into the volcano itself for good reason — grass types were weak to fire — it was just too hot, too dangerous, too likely she'd drag someone down and she would not risk burning alive. But a new city suggested fun new adventures, and when she heard of the hot spring, she had had to go.

After the... simulacrum incident, she was clingy, for fairly good reason, to the lovers she had. Lulu, being amongst them, was not immune to this even if he did not live with her and the others. She had gone directly to his house, invited him, and here they were, strolling toward the springs; the dryad was sweating even as she clung to his arm.

"This had better be the nicest hot spring ever." She murmured. "Think we can find a spot to be alone?" For... reasons. A few reasons.

jealous moon; (ota)

Oh. This was... bad. Very bad. Night Sky, somehow unaffected by the moon and its strange magics, had been told of the resolution and had a concept of a plan for how to execute it. Talking to others might not work while they were so blindly lost in their fury and jealousy and insecurity, but you know what might work?

Just straight up hugging them.

So, if you are one of the people affected by the moon, there may suddenly be an elven woman, antlers atop her head, half naked despite the chill still in the air, grabbing your hand or wrapping her arms around you. "Hi. Sorry. You need to trust me, okay?"

wildcard

she's sluttin around. toss me a prompt.

[youknowwhothisis]

He'd been nothing short of a complete fussbucket after that god-awful day. Did they need anything? Were they hungry? Would they like a song? If it allowed them to rest, to recuperate from the harrowing experience, he could go on as many supply runs, fix as many extra-fluffy souffle pancakes or recall as many songs as he could muster.

He was overjoyed to see them out and about again. He didn't have a single doubt! They were super tough cookies. But even the toughest cookies needed a hand now and again. The invitation was honestly unusual- grass-types were indeed weak to fire- but talk of hot springs connected the dots. He hadn't done anything like those in a LONG, long time.

Ignacia's Cradle was hot. His own nature as a demon helped to mitigate, but he was foolish if he ever said it wasn't still a touch uncomfortable. He conjured a fan in his palm and did what he could to help, as if fanning a noblewoman who'd quickly filled her dance card.

"Yeah! We can try. The place is at the edge of town, thankfully... I can only imagine how many bathers would be dropping like flies if they stuck the sucker right in the thick of the city."

Fortunately either knowledge of this place among outsiders still being so early in its infancy, or arriving as a pair and Lulu asking for extra space, was to be the ticket. Helpful intel: Co-ed baths. They just needed to split up the change.

Well. He needed to change, anyway. He had a hell of a lot of clothing to stow away.

But something felt a little uneasy in him. He couldn't pin why, but he chalked it up to being a really fucked-up week.

grace, the last muse | stray gods | undecided

[lostinasong]

arrival ; pyroclasts's whiskey

Hermes fucked up the door. That was the only explanation Grace could come up with. How else does one go from the Underworld to...whatever this is. Her makeup was still smudged from tears as she made her way to the bar and sat down, just...staring at the bartender with her lips parted in numb shock. It took her a moment to realize he...she...they??...had set a drink down in front of her.

"Uh...thanks," she mumbled, picking up the glass and tipping it this way and that, watching with fascination as it glowed orange. "Whoa. Cool!" She took a sip, enjoying the flavor of the whiskey, smooth and smoky. At least, until she exhaled, and a stream of fire shot from her dark painted lips. With a sound of alarm, she clapped both hands over her mouth, eyes darting around her in a kind of Did anyone see that manner. Hesitantly, very slowly, she moved her hands, angled her chin and blew a stream of air--except it was another thin stream of fire. "Shit, okay," she muttered, trying to breathe as little as possible. "That's...cool. And...terrifying! In a building made of wood. Anyone have any water?"

ember veil; a muse's memories

Should've known the free spa day had a catch! Grace had stripped down to her bra and panties, the ends of her hair floating on the surface of the steaming water as she lounged, her pale skin flushed pink from the warmth. She was trying to relax a little after a very taxing and weird week that had only gotten weirder, when the steam started to take shape of a...something. Something that wasn't Grace. She squinted at it, trying to figure out what was going on, sudden realization crossing her features as she realized it was a cluster of three women in togas, playing various instruments she'd only seen in movies--she was pretty sure one was a lyre, but as to the other two, she had no clue. "...Calliope?" she breathed, reaching out to touch the scene, which vanished in a swirl of mist the moment her fingertips brushed it. "Uh. Heh! Weird, huh?" she remarked to whoever was sharing the pool with, sinking down in the water up to her earlobes.

the radiant sun ; the jealous moon

A muse's work was never done, huh? Grace couldn't help herself, everyone was being so open and happy and kind with each other, and she was eating it up. Occasionally, her eyes would glow a soft gold, and while she couldn't seem to make a big musical number break out--darnit, because that would've been sweet--she nudged people towards eloquent declarations of affection wherever she could.

Shame it all went to shit when the sun went down. The diminished power of the last muse couldn't touch the feeling of ire and doom that seemed to settle over the previously bright, relaxed, happy mood. It stressed her out for reasons she couldn't put her finger on, like the eidolon in her chest was upset. She tried to intervene in some conflicts, but after she almost got thanked by an elbow to the face, she gave up. Find her sitting on a bench in the dark, slumped shoulders and pained expression, looking a bit defeated. She needed a hug. :(

baby it's cold outside ;

"I really can't stay...I've got to go away...this evening has been...so very nice..." Grace's voice faded into humming as her footsteps crunched through the snow, absently swinging a borrowed messenger bag as she scanned the scenery for the flowers she was supposed to be picking. Spotting someone in the distance, she started to call out and wave a hand, but stopped herself, realizing she might not want to draw too much attention to them in the dark, scary, snowy woods? "The woods are lovely, dark and deep," she muttered to herself as she headed in their direction instead, clearing her throat politely when she was in ear shot. "Hey there--are those, uh...." She turned her hand, squinting at the smudge ink where she'd written the info on the plants she was meant to becollecting on her palm, like a high schooler. Look, don't judge her. "...Snowshoe ferns?"

jealous moon

[swordbreaker]

Dimitri had been grateful that whatever was happening around town had not gotten to him. Some kind of strange illness spread about? He really could not say. He too had tried to intervene, physically pulling people apart and taking the brunt of their ire in a way he was all too used to handling, even without the boons of his crest to amplify it. Unfortunately, that did not do much for anyone save stave off a few blows for a time.

So, equally defeated by the chaos around them, Dimitri sat on the other side of the bench, leaned forward with his elbows on his knees.

"Apologies for the intrusion." He murmured. "This seemed the only quiet place to rest." Then, he really looked at the woman. "Are you all right?"

Halsin 🍃 Baldur's Gate 3 🍃 Dryad

[pokeabear]

🍃 EMBER'S VEIL 🍃
Of course, Halsin had been drawn by the rumors of the springs. After arriving, he stood to the side for a while to watch people, hovering like a familiar shadow to some but without the usual jovial smile on his face. The events of the last couple of weeks had weighed on him and he was shamed that not even a week with his Heart had fully chased the shadows from his mind or soul.

Eventually, he did strip down enough to go into the waters when he found a quiet spot to himself. Not completely out of view of any others lingering around but he was still sitting by himself, sinking down enough that he was only visible from his broad shoulders up. His hair which was normally half pulled back was hanging free and shielding his face as he dropped his chin, his eyes drifting closed as he let the water soothe him. Whatever aches he had seem to be fading, at least the physical ones were.

🍃 RADIANT SUN ; JEALOUS MOON 🍃
The radiant sun set against the golden-pink sky seemed to lift Halsin's spirits as he stood in a quiet field to watch the sunrise. For the first time in a little while, he felt like he could breathe as he drew some air into his lungs and enjoyed the warmth spreading over him. His smile came a bit quicker now, giving a hint of the old Halsin.

But it only seemed to last until the jealous moon rose and chased those good feelings away. Once again, he was tense though he held back the most potent surge of emotions or tried. He didn't like to spill his anger or frustrations over onto others, so he was tempted to turn into a beast and hide deep in the forest. Maybe someone could distract him before he did just that.

🍃 QUESTS 🍃
[ Let me know if you want Halsin for a quest! ]

ember veil;

[wildwarden]

They hadn't come together, but surely it was no surprise that Night Sky had found him anyway, tucked away in the hot springs. Hopefully he had managed to relax, even a little, in the warm waters.

The dryad slipped up behind him. "Halsin." Called just loud enough to assure he knew she was coming before she slid her arms around him from behind, kneeling on the flat stone above the spring, and gently pressing herself into him for a tight embrace.

"Hi, love. How's the water?"

annette hallowedhelm | original | undecided

[lighten]

arrival; (flamefruit sangria)

Oh this was... not good. Annette had meandered down the stairs, hesitantly taken a seat at the bar, and absently grasped the glass that had been offered to her while she stared around the room at the other Visitors. The ones that looked just as confused as she felt did nothing to quell her nerves, and the ones that came in with seemingly more knowledge than the rest of them even less so. This was... familiar. Terrifyingly so, and she half expected to be accosted by a beast the second she stepped out of line. Wherever that line was.

Thankfully, whatever was in that drink had helped calm her nerves, perhaps too much so. She smiled at the next person that sat beside her, "Come here often?" Ew. What? What the fuck was that? "Sorry — I. I am not sure why I said that." Guess who cannot flirt to save her life even with the aid of a drink! This girl!

NONE OF YOU ARE FREE FROM SIN (ember veil)

Father be fucking blessed it was hotter than sin in that city! Thankfully, it was... slightly cooler near the springs, and Annette was glad for that. Except for the part where she could not find something suitable to cover herself with if she wished to venture into the water. So she was just sort of standing there near the fringes, fully clothed, shielding her eyes or averting them up and away from anyone that spoke to her.

"Is there — do we have to be naked to use them?" Help.

wildcard

open to quests! hmu because im STILL elfwife on discord LOL.

arrival

[cotyledon]

The woman next to her has a cup of mint tea, because she refused to drink anything else, and she appears to be carefully picking moths out of her hair. No, not actual moths; more like hair ornaments made of feathers, painted to look like insects. She glances over at the flirt, looks surprised, and then breaks into a grin.

She doesn't go home with people. Almost never flirts. But she does spend a lot of time at clubs back home, so it's not like it's the first time she's heard a dumb pickup line over a drink. "Never before in my life," she answers. "I just got here."

"What're you drinking? It smells nice." She'd drink the hell out of a fruity sangria but she knows she'd pay for it later. Being curled up and in severe gastrointestinal distress isn't a good way to adjust to a new place.

Zevlor | Baldur's Gate 3 | Dryad

[hellrider]

The Ember Veil

A)
Funny how many ways this place can find to coax people into wandering about in their underwear. Or in the nude, but Zevlor isn't entirely sure of the etiquette of a spring like this and he would rather err on the side of modesty. In any case, it's easy to talk him into hot water, and early evening finds him waist deep in the spring, breathing in the steam peacefully.

His tail is mostly relaxed, curled around his legs, but the tip twitches and churns the water slightly, and in the sparkling wake of it there's the image of a bed, covered in a hand-stitched counterpane, and piled with tiefling children. The oldest, a girl with cherry red skin and limp golden hair, seems to be narrating to the others: and then they came upon a lake that was so deep the water was purple, and there were stars at the bottom. How do we cross? The knight wondered, but the wizard said--

I could conjure a boat! There are three other children, all boys, and the one that suggests this seems to be the youngest.

What's your boat-summoning spell, then? The one that asks this question has ruddy skin, light brown hair in a dozen little braids, and long spiky horns. This is Zevlor, as a child of less than nine years old. His hands are full, holding several toys in a semicircle around a purple square on the quilt. One of them is a lion carved of wood, with green glass eyes and a mane made of rabbit fur.

Heeeeeeeere boat boat boat boat! the other boy, who must be the middle brother between Zevlor and the wizard, sings out his suggestion at the top of his lungs, and the girl breaks into giggles, reaching to pull his hair.

Ssh, shh, don't wake daddy up! He needs sleep. She says, but it doesn't do much to quell the children's laughter.

B)
The ground is the color of ash. The trees around him are skeletal, stained dark as if with old blood. The air is terribly, terribly still.

He's shaking all the way down to the tip of his tail, but moving forward, slowly, painfully, and there's a heavy rock in his arms. It, like the trees, is stained black, but there's a glimmer of mica along some of the edges. He stumbles, falling painfully onto one knee at the foot of a cairn, similar rocks stacked and pressed together in a dome. This appears to be the last, and with a groan he rises again and rolls it to the top of the stack.

And then he slumps over the cairn, lays his head on stone, and closes his eyes, shivering.

In the distance, on the horizon, there's a fitful gleam of rosy light. The first hint of dawn to look upon this place in many years. Zevlor doesn't move as the fingers of golden light creep across the landscape, breath shallow and ragged as if he's trying to pretend he's just as dead as whoever lies under the cairn he's made.

But the light finds its way to him, gentle and relentless, and when it creeps across his eyes he twitches, stirs, and pushes himself to stand.

((ooc: feel free to hit me up with other prompts! I'm open to anything aside from smut, he's monogamous and engaged))

[shuffled]

Shocking to absolutely no one, Anthem was not far from him in the water, slid down to rest her head against the edge of the pool, eyes half-lidded and staring skyward. It was an odd thing, sitting in comfortable silence one moment, and then hearing the laughter of children the next. She blinked herself back to reality, paused, and then shifted upright, head tilted to watch the shapes of little tiefling children giggling on their shared bed.

"Zevlor?" She asked softly, although one had to wonder if it was directly at the little, rippling vision on the water, or to the man himself that stood before it.

Finnick Odair | The Hunger Games | Undine

[odare]

Love Bites (NSFW warning because… Gestures vaguely at Finnick)

He loves these fun little tavern drinks, and there are new ones this time, and Finnick wants to try them without knowing what effects they have, because… He’s Like That (stupid). He orders the brandy, because it’s strong. People-watching the other patrons, they all look so… Delicious. Maybe it’s cute aggression, but he just wants to eat them up. He starts fantasizing about biting that guy’s tree-trunk, veiny neck… Or her ass… Or…

If you see him, he definitely looks enraptured and is maybe crossing his legs… And biting his own knuckle. He doesn’t notice you until you’re right there, and then he snaps out of it momentarily.

“Oh! Hi, hi. Hi.” He’s still grinning and a bit too excited.

Ember Veil

This lava city is awesome, and Finnick is heat resistant now thanks to Terra, but he’s still too traumatized by his recent foray into the volcano to explore the city just yet. Still, he can’t resist the hot spring. That’s exactly his kind of shit. He’s wearing very, very little, which shows the still-red burn scars that now adorn his right shoulder and hand, as well as some smaller faded splotchy little circles here and there, and other small random scars. He still seems quite confident and comfortable in his body; if anything, he likes the scars, because he never got to keep his scars in the past. The Capitol would erase them.

Maybe you’re just hanging out with Finnick here, maybe you’re on a little date with him, or maybe you see one of his memories:

A translucent picture bubbles to the water’s surface, and shows a small Finnick Odair, no older than fourteen, with the same golden hair and more innocent sea-blue eyes. He's kneeling on the floor with a small older lady, probably in her 70’s. She is carefully teaching him how to weave a net out of grass, in some kind of cold looking facility. He looks incredibly focused, learning quickly, hands moving deftly. She smiles with pride.

His attention is then snapped away by someone throwing an axe at a training dummy and screaming, a sharp battle cry. His eyes widen, and he looks back at the woman, unable to hide his fear.

“It’s okay to be afraid, dearie,” she says. “But don’t let them see it.” She smiles at him, squeezes his shoulder. “Besides, you’ll be stiff competition, even for them.”

Finnick nods, schooling his expression to one of determination as he goes back to the netting.

As the memory ends, present-day Finnick blinks tears from his eyes.

Network post: Cult of Triton stuff, username odaring

Hey all. I really should have made this post months ago. I kept getting caught up with other stuff, I’m sorry. I know you’ve all probably seen it on the quest board, but PLEASE be wary and come prepared if you’re going in or on the water, especially near Violet Drop. I think myself and some others have taken care of most of the cultists now who were doing human sacrifices, but their victims have now become weird crystal zombies on the ocean floor. If you see one, DO NOT go near it. If they touch you, message me right away or come to my beach house, or see another healer of any kind.

If anyone’s ever doing a water quest and unsure how to navigate it, or new to Caldera’s ocean, please let me know, I would be happy to help you out.

[ooc note: Finnick will (as always) be out on/in the water a lot, often in the form of a sea creture, so if your character was attacked by a zombie or any other sea atrocity, feel free to also use this prompt as an action wildcard for that- Finnick can find them and help them out. Or use this as a jumping off point for an ocean quest, go wild. Speaking of wild–]

Wildcard

[Hi I’m Drew! If you’d like to plot something different, catch me at decimalplaces or drewey.decimal on discord! I couldn’t think of open prompts for the sun and moon stuff, but if you’d like to do one of those with Finnick, let me know and we can plot it!]

Love Bites

[lettersfrombel]

One of the virtues of Bel's upbringing is that he can be a bit paranoid about what he is drinking, so he usually sticks to beer or wine. Anyway, unless he is in a bad place emotionally, he likes to flirt with people while still mostly sober.

He is going to stop by Finnick's table for a bit. He's definitely observed that Finnick has had something, though it could just be booze. "Having a good night?"

John Rambo | First Blood/RAMBO Films | Dryad

[theydrewfirstblood]

Tavern {Embermark Wine}, OTA

John…is really glad he came to the tavern today.

Delmar is actually at home for once—he’s taken a serious shine to Buddy, and if not for the solid hour every day he spends draped around John’s shoulders, he might even be a tiny bit jealous. No, today John is at the tavern, he’s got a glass of some strange looking wine—a drink that, thanks to his time with Finnick and with Halsin, he’s brave enough to actually take a sip of before he has to put it aside—and he feels…

It’s not like being with Halsin. It stops far short, but man is it nice. He could nap or meditate, or both he feels so loose and calm and good. He feels so tranquil at one point he even risks another sip.

Then another. Then another…

He doesn’t go back for seconds, but John finishes his first full drink that isn’t a shot of hard liquor, in public, without being sick, for the first time in three years—and when he’s done, he ends up all but lounging at a table, using his knife to idly work on a bone fragment he’s been trying to carve into an odd, bulbous shape.

And he’s incredibly approachable. Hell, if he catches your eye, he might even wave you over just to say hi.

Jealous Moon (CW: severe touch starvation)

John can’t move. He can hardly breathe.

He’s…somewhere. He can’t quite remember where because he’s in so much pain. He’s not wounded or injured, he just…hurts. All over, in his bones. He’s not cold but he’s shaking and he can’t stop.

It will never happen again.

That’s the thing that grips him in the dark, after the day of blissful connection and community and affection that came before the night. That he will never find it again, not Finnick’s callused fingers pinching his cheek or Halsin’s big bear hugs or the lean, firm grip of Maedhros’s hand on his shoulder in passing at the house.

He knows, in his soul, that he will never feel those again…because why should he? He knows what he is, who he is, and no one truly wants to have to handle that every hour of every day. Those connections, those touches…they are fleeting.

Knowing makes him ache for them, makes him more certain they are lost to him, makes him ache more—the spiral feeds itself until he collapses under it, inert and mute and quaking under the weight of it. Tears run down his face, but he can’t call out. He’s in pain, and he can’t scream. He needs, and he know he cannot, can never have.

This half catatonic mess of commando, tucked into the fetal position, shaking and silently weeping, could use some of that human contact cure right about now.

Wildcard

Choose your own Rambo!

[lostinasong]

Trying to reach out to people suffering from...whatever was happening hadn't worked out well for Grace thus far, but seeing someone on the ground, curled up and in pain--neither Grace, nor the eidolon in her chest could see that, and not try to do something.

Still, she approached him a bit like one might approach a wounded animal, scuffed combat boots crunching softly in the dirt and loose rocks with her hesitant tread. "Hey," she called softly, "Hey, it's okay. It's gonna be okay." Not knowing what else to do, she reached into her for the tiny sliver of her diminished power as a muse, and hummed softly, soothingly, some melody she didn't think she'd ever heard before, but that sounded faintly like something that might've touched the hallowed halls of a goddess's temple, in another lifetime. She crouched down, and hesitantly reached out, lightly touching the man's shoulder. "Hey, Hey, it's okay. What's your name? I'm Grace."

Gadriel | Warhammer/Space Marine II | OTA

[thecodexabides]

Ember Veil [ooc all the cool kids are doing it .___. ]

Quick recap of Gadriel's last week: had glucose with a friend, murdered that same friend because she was possessed, had everyone yell at him when just wanted someone to help him use his love language, which was physical violence to cope with the grief of the first two.

Theoretical: this place is some athanean trick of a Thousand Sons sorcerer meant to harvest the negative energy of his life always being one small step away from disaster. Maybe that was the real trick: their use here was not their biomass but their drama.

Sky had made fun of him about bathing, and then made fun of him about doing it wrong, because mortals have about seven hundred different unspoken rules about how to do just about everything, and bathing in ice water wasn't one of the approved things.

So here he was. Look. Not ice water. Nice and warm. Maybe it would make him feel better. Also he's naked because what even is modesty.

[Ooc: since Gadriel's a walking trigger warning, we can entirely skip the memory share or I can pick something benign but still Warhammery tho just no death.]

Radiant Sun

The sun is shining, birds are chirping, you're in a chipper-ass mood and then you see it, a cybertruck Space Marine. He does not do happy well. He is NOT doing happy well, at the current moment, looking vaguely queasy. Has everyone around him lost their minds? Have they forgotten about the sorcery? The daemonic possession?

Happiness is heresy. Be happy near him and he will have Questions.

Moody Moon

Gadriel had told people this place had altogether too much free time. Astartes on combat ships were given fifteen minutes a day of personal time. This was...too much free time, and maybe it was all just hitting him. There is altogether too much light, too much space, and he cannot remember seeing a servo-skull since he's been here.

He was homesick. He was sitting outside, sword across his knees, whetstone and oil in his hands, and just...pauses, eyes distant, looking on the verge of tears.

Quests
[ooc: he loves quests. Pick a SFW quest and let's go!]

ember veil

[wantadistraction]

Lydia had arrived on her own to check out what all the fuss was about and she was surprised to see a familiar, large form already in the water. Arching a brow with an amused look, she made her way around to the side where he was, silently studying his expression until she was practically behind him.

Coming up on his side then, she studied the water for a second before focusing on him again. "How's the water?"