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calderamemes2024-06-02 04:27 pm
calderamods) wrote in calderamemes2024-06-02 04:27 pm
TDM #1: WELCOME VISITORS
TDM #1
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:
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.
SIT, STAY A WHILE
The Tavernkeeper offers more than just answers. This is a tavern after all, and what is a tavern without drinks?
"I know just what you need." They say, giving you little time to reply before some manner of drink (alcoholic or not) is set before you.
DRINK MENU
PEOPLE SKILLS: A deceptively simple looking cocktail that when imbibed makes one feel very social. Time to make friends and influence people!
A SPOT OF COURAGE: a tasty concoction so nice on the tongue it loosens it up. You suddenly want to reveal something about yourself!
SKY HIGH: a fizzy blue drink billowing with white smoke and served with a lemon slice as a garnish. It has been known to make the drinker giggly and sometimes even float a few feet off the ground.
CRYING FROG: a swirling bright green drink that makes you want to cry - or is it something else about this place that just makes you want to tear up…
SHARING IS CARING: a large, delicious frozen concoction that comes with two straws. You can't finish it alone! (No, like, you quite literally can't finish it alone.)
52 PICKUP: It's just whiskey. But for some reason it really puts you in the mood for cards, or a game of mahjong, maybe a couple rounds of checkers
QUICKSAND: The thickest chocolate milkshake you've ever had. The flavour is rich and delicious, but it moves like concrete. Sucking it up the straw takes effort. Makes the drinker mellow and lethargic. It's all good, man. Don't worry, be happy.
BEER: Beer? I thought you said bear! (animal transformation)
SEX ON THE BEACH: literally just sex on the beach, but also an aphrodisiac. Have fun! (The rooms upstairs are still open, for the record…)
A SPOT OF COURAGE: a tasty concoction so nice on the tongue it loosens it up. You suddenly want to reveal something about yourself!
SKY HIGH: a fizzy blue drink billowing with white smoke and served with a lemon slice as a garnish. It has been known to make the drinker giggly and sometimes even float a few feet off the ground.
CRYING FROG: a swirling bright green drink that makes you want to cry - or is it something else about this place that just makes you want to tear up…
SHARING IS CARING: a large, delicious frozen concoction that comes with two straws. You can't finish it alone! (No, like, you quite literally can't finish it alone.)
52 PICKUP: It's just whiskey. But for some reason it really puts you in the mood for cards, or a game of mahjong, maybe a couple rounds of checkers
QUICKSAND: The thickest chocolate milkshake you've ever had. The flavour is rich and delicious, but it moves like concrete. Sucking it up the straw takes effort. Makes the drinker mellow and lethargic. It's all good, man. Don't worry, be happy.
BEER: Beer? I thought you said bear! (animal transformation)
SEX ON THE BEACH: literally just sex on the beach, but also an aphrodisiac. Have fun! (The rooms upstairs are still open, for the record…)
CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY
As the effects of your drink wear off, the Tavernkeeper speaks once more:
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.
A NEW NORMAL
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.
Visitors in all starter cities are offered a standard home with basic necessities provided (your choice in design, etc.) that can house 1-4 people if they so choose. Home upgrades can be purchased via rewards.
THE 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.
OOC
Welcome to Caldera's first 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 them here.
All locations are available to be explored! Please mind that it is an active work in progress and will hopefully be finalized by June 8th.
We are looking at an opening date of July 1st with reserves opening on June 28th and and applications on opening day.
The TDM is game canon and all completed quests can be carried over once accepted into the game.
main navigation
All locations are available to be explored! Please mind that it is an active work in progress and will hopefully be finalized by June 8th.
We are looking at an opening date of July 1st with reserves opening on June 28th and and applications on opening day.
The TDM is game canon and all completed quests can be carried over once accepted into the game.
2
But his brief peek into the sky city aside, the imp came back and saw that Stolas was sobering up and leaving... quietly, he stalked after the owl, slipping into the underwater city portal and tracking him all the way to the library. Tiptoeing around the book shelves, the imp kept a keen eye on the Goetia, peeking and fighting internally over whether or not to actually approach him.
...Especially since he seemed to be happy again instead of miserable.
I'M SO SORRY
Disappearing down one of the many vast shelves, Stolas dragged his talons along the spines of the books as he passed. Their texture felt good beneath his claws and he paused over one that peeked his interest. It was a extremely thick tome, covered in a thin layer of dust. Pulling it out from its spot, the last thing the prince expected to see was a pair of yellow eyes peering through the gap it left.
Stolas let's out a shocked hoot, almost dropping his find onto the floor, but he managed to scramble to keep it in his talons. Wait... those eyes...
"Blitz...." He said in a flat exasperated tone. "Is that you?"
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"Hey, there ya are. Uh. So you're staying in the underwater place? Pretty sick library, perfect for a book nerd," he awkwardly offered.
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"It would appear so, not that it's of any concern of yours." The owl's shoulders shifted away from him. "Don't tell me, you're staying down here too?"
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The hellborn was certainly persistent, he would give him that.
Where was this side of him back when they were actively engaging in their arrangement?There was no telling how long the pair of them would be stranded here and it was such a such of energy to resist him. It was a small world, it would seem. Huffing another large sigh, Stolas composed himself."Blitz." He started, his tone firmer than before. "It would seem that running into you is going to be unavoidable for however long we are bound to this place. I am willing to set aside our differences and can conduct myself in a cordial manner while around you. However..." His owlish head swiveled around unnaturally to stare directly at him. "Don't mistake this as me having forgotten all the things you said to me. Do I make myself clear?"
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"I was just thinking, like, we're the only Hellborn around here really and you never know when some exorcist or capital-E Exorcist might pop up, and just-- I-- uh."
Fuck, that excuse sounded lame even to him.
"A-anyway, c'mon, the sky docks are cool. They've got the perfect pirate vibe! And the place is great, like that one fantasy book you love, all bright and whimsical and shit."
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It took everything the geotia had not to sass back. OooOoh, so now he care with someone's attempt on his life? He thought it wasn't a lowly imp's place to protect, how did he say it? Oh right, a pompous rich asshole like him. Stolas had to swallow his bitter words back down before he carefully spoke.
"I'm not sure if you've noticed since you don't have magic, but I have been stripped of all my powers. I don't know if that includes my geotian resistances. I could be harmed by anyone." Stolas snorts. Wait... in his bitterness, he did bring up a good point. Well... let's not go around playing with fire.
Quickly brushing the thought off, he doubled back around. "I'm surprised you remembered something from my 'silly little' novels. I thought you found them foolish."
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"Well-- yeah, we all like stupid stuff, right? I like that stupid horse cartoon and toys and shit."
Fuck.
"Err, anyway, I just... thought you kinda. Should have a little fun. So when I saw the ships and the flying and the whole vibe, I was like, fuck, this is SO Stolas' scene, he'd like this."
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"Fun? You thought I deserved some fun?" The pitch in his voice raised. "What is your goal here, Blitz? I don't understand why you're acting this way. During all those moons we shared together, you have never once shown such an interest in me. Not even when I reached out to see how your day was or how work was going. What is it that you want from me?"
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For making you cry.
"Look, you should be mad at me. I'm just saying I wanna show you something cool."
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Calming himself down and raised his chin up. "An apology? So was that what you were doing? Funny, all I recall is you saying apologies were for pussies and no one deserves them. The last thing I want from you is your pity, Blitz."
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