calderamemes | TDM #1: WELCOME VISITORS

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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:

“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.

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…)

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.

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.

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

((Paragraphs preferred, but I'll match.))
i. Tavern (open)

Aymeric awoke with a start, shocked to wake up somewhere other than the home he'd made in Ellipsa. It would seem that, like some of the acquaintances he'd had there, he was due to travel to several other strange worlds before returning to his own. That wouldn't bother him so much if he weren't worried about being separated from his wife, Night Sky.

As Aymeric looked over the assembling crowd in the main floor of the tavern, he didn't see her characteristic antlers out and about. But from the looks of things, they were still people coming downstairs - and that he was among some of the first to be brought here to boot. There was still hope of finding Night Sky. His first instinct was to wait near the stairs for her - but if he truly was to arrive before her, perhaps he could work on establishing himself in this world, so she could join in on a more solid foundation.
And thus, Aymeric made his way through the room, aided in loosening up his worries and his tongue by the drink that the Tavern Keeper was happy to provide. His eyes, however, often returned to the stairs...

ii. Tavern/Portals (closed to

wildwarden)

For a mercy, Aymeric was not left without his wife for long. Just as he was eyeing the way to the portals, he saw her antlers, her wild thick hair, her glowing green eyes, through the crowd. His drink finished and forgotten, he stood and made his way to her, never looking away as he navigated through chairs and other bodies.

"Night Sky! Night Sky, my love. I am here," he said to her, reverence and relief in his voice.

iii. Quest: Farmer's Market Friction

This one didn't seem so bad - keeping the peace wasn't so far off from his duties as a Temple Knight. His sword's presence would be missed at his hip, but ideally he wouldn't have need of a weapon, anyway. Having signed up for all five days of the market, Aymeric arrived for peacekeeping duty bright and early, assuming he was ready for anything.

Unfortunately, he was not ready for a Gourdmill grandmother.

A sweet little old lady turned into a furious warrior when she heard someone refer to Mount Gourd by another name. She began chasing the offending young man down the street, swinging her purse at his head and screaming profanities.

"Madam, madam! Please!" Aymeric cried as he began chasing after her.

He wasn't too far behind, but given the old woman's Righteous Fury, maybe he still shouldn't face Granny Gourdmill alone.

iv. Counting Sheep (closed to

squidzure)

Despite the fact that they'd all been sucked into yet another new world, Aymeric was pleased that he, his wife, and his best friend were still all together. Silver linings, and all that. A small smile tugged his lips when he wasn't paying attention.

With Estinien's lingering familiarity with livestock, the two of them decided to tackle the "Counting Sheep" quest. They stood at the edge of the field, watching a few of the beasts mill about. How they managed to move with such a bulk of fleece growing about them, Aymeric couldn't fathom.

"Is there one that catches your eye?" he asked quietly.

v. Wildcard

(Have another idea? Put it forward and we'll see where we get.)

Night Sky had awoken in the world sometime after Aymeric, surprisingly unpanicked by the revelation that she was alone and without the familiar warmth of her beloved. Odd things happened to Night Sky - and even after spending over a year in Ellipsa where less weird things happened, she could not bring herself to freak out over it. Yet.

By the time she came downstairs and truly realized she was not amongst any familiar faces, however, the fear was finally starting to swell in her chest. Wherever she was now - he was not here. Was he still in Ellipsa? Had he gone back home? She could not say which was worse and the more she thought about it, the more frantic she became. What if she forgot while she was in this strange world? Her magic was clearly gone already, ripped away while she slept. Her memories could go next-

- oh. Nevermind. Night Sky perked up at the sound of his voice, waiting for him to part the crowd to her so they didn't end up colliding. Whatever worries she had were whisked away with the familiar sight of him, even if his eyes were clearly full of worry for her.

"Of course you are, sweetness." She murmured, not quite loud enough for him to hear. "You would never leave me." And she reached out, ready to leap up into his arms. Crowd be damned.

By the time she leapt into his arms, the concern furrowing his features brightened into a smile. Relief, joy, love - all of that and more radiated from him as he caught Night Sky.

Crowd be damned, indeed.

Aymeric clung to her - hard enough to squish her some. Oops. But hopefully she wouldn't mind.

"I am so gladdened that we have come here together, Starlight. I couldn't help but start to worry..." He touched his forehead to hers. "'Twould seem a new adventure awaits us."

She didn't mind. Being squished in the mighty arms of her beloved Aymeric was exactly what she wanted to be doing in that moment. She clung to him just as tightly, closed her eyes and breathed him in as their foreheads connected.

"I guess so. I don't assume you have your weapon on hand? Because it seems like my magic is gone..."

"I'm afraid not. Naegling did not follow me, nor any of the abilities I'd gained in Ellipsa. I am but my humble self."

He paused for a moment, holding her up with one arm while the other stroked her cheek. "And yet I can't help but feel as though I have enough."

"Annoying..." she muttered. All that hard work learning their seasonal powers and, poof, gone in an instant.

Not that she could be upset about it for long. Night Sky opened her eyes again, smiling as she leaned in to kiss him softly on the lips. "I'm certainly not lacking the most important part of me, my heart." Although inconvenienced by her lack of magical abilities, she couldn't say she was too torn while Aymeric was there.

"Should we see what this world has planned for us?"

He kissed her again, holding it for a moment before pulling back and nodding. "Aye. Let us take the first steps of our next adventure together."

Unfortunately, that meant putting Night Sky down - but there would be time again to hold her later.

Aymeric walked hand-in-hand with her to the portals. The three that lit up were wondrous and amazing, but he found his gaze always came back to the second portal, with its mushroom ring and scent of rich earth.

"Do you feel anything?" he asked, his gaze not on her but the portal.

It was no surprise that the earthen portal called to her - grey stone and greenery abounding, it looked exactly like a place she would choose to venture to first. She seemed surprised when Aymeric's gaze fell upon to too.

"I feel like I want to jump right into that one." She said, having barely glimpsed the other two. Sky and Sea did not ever call to her much, even before now. "What about you?"

"As do I."

Aymeric tore his gaze from the portal to look to Night Sky. He squeezed her hand and smiled softly.

"'Twould seem we are aligned. All the better. Let us away, then, my love."

And so he walked towards the Land portal with Night Sky, the scent of petrichor and green and ground tugging them along.

Aymeric de Borel || Final Fantasy XIV || Seasons CRAU || Dryad

The hole made for me

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tavern

YSAAAAAYLE! <3

sheepies

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farmers market friction

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