TEST DRIVE MEME | #01

[triumvirmod]

Test-Drive-Meme #01

Welcome to our first ever TDM! This is open to all players looking to join our game or simply have some fun. Play on this TDM does not equate to intent or obligation to apply to join. Players on this TDM should follow all game rules and Characters should meet all game suitability standards per our FAQ. TDM threads are considered game canon for characters who join! The Moon Pact is in power for the full duration of this TDM, putting Sun Pact characters as in service. Moon Pact bindings are presently glittering silver and Sun Pact bindings are unpolished brass. Pact and Class can both be freely player assigned and swapped at will for the purpose of the TDM.

Overseer, Awaken and Conquer

CW: Descriptions of dubiously consensual touch, choking, hallucinations, falling.

The Hands that Grasp

Consciousness wanes. From calm oblivion reaches a pair of elegant hands. Fingertips caress, trailing physical form, mapping curves and divots. Some dark or desperate compulsion leans into the comfort of this touch. The hands dig in. Clasping tight at the neck and pull downward. Down and down, through unclear space, through unclear time. Your character awakens with a start. Where they last felt those hands grasping into them, a collar now rests. Prying does not budge the solid metal, which is either of silver or of brass. Before their eyes is a pane of stained glass. Inscribed in a language all can read are the words Overseer, Awaken and Conquer.

The Glass Coffins

Overseers awaken, contained within a coffin of ornate, metal framework and glass. For some, a light push will cause the lid to swing open. For others, the enclosure may stick or prove too heavy to budge. Breaking free is an option, though mysteriously, the glass fully repairs itself within minutes of sustaining damage. Other Overseers may be present throughout the hallways, willing and able to aid in opening stubborn coffins. That is, should their unlucky inhabitants be able to get their attention through the sound dampening barrier. Overseers continually awaken, either individually or in batches, throughout the month. This will last until the day of the upcoming solstice.

The Gilded Cradle

Innumerable rows of glass coffins line the interior of a grand cathedral tower. Somehow, the name of this stained glass spire is imprinted in the mind of all Overseers. This is known as the Gilded Cradle within Absentia. Where or what is Absentia? How did they arrive here? Why are they here? The answers to such questions remain unknown. These names are as far as the foreign memory serves Overseers. The foggy corridors spiral downward, a staircase connecting floor after floor of largely unopened coffins. Many have glass too hazy to see within. The hallways are heavy with the scent of lavender tinged magic and lightning storm ozone, made visible as a thick haze in the air. Through this fog, Overseers may notice one another or they may see phantoms running by. People familiar to them. Chasing after these figments is a foolish endeavor, they will pick up speed into the thick of the fog. There, they will disappear. This can leave unsuspecting Overseers teetering on the topmost edge of a stairwell or allow their momentum to throw them over the central railing. A fall to the Cradle's ground floor isn't enough to kill an Overseer turns out, but it will injure. Beginning your journey battered is merely an added misfortune.

The Castle Constructs

When Overseers leave the Gilded Cradle, they find they're trapped within an abandoned castle. While exploring they find no other living creatures other than fellow Overseers. Throughout the halls and rooms of the castle rest Constructs. These figures are shells of either iron or brass, with a variety of gargoyle-like appearances. They stand with their wings tucked around their bodies. Littered throughout the location, their placements can often clue in to their former duties as the Castle attendants. These Constructs remain completely inert until two Overseers of the same Pact pass by. Iron Constructs react to pairs of Moon Pact members, while Brass Constructs come alive near pairs of Sun Pact members. When awakened, they unfurl and stand to a height ranging from around three-to-six foot tall. The Constructs promptly begin to carry out butler-like duties, as if they were long ago set to a schedule of operation. When presented with a task they can no longer seem to accomplish, they merely pantomime the action before moving onward. (These NPCs can be player controlled and are non-hostile unless attacked first.)

Locked In

CW: Survival themes, food insecurity, exchanging sex for goods and services.

The Kitchen

The kitchen of Absentia is vast, meant to accommodate for a castle population in the hundreds. Long abandoned, any food reserves have turned to dust or rot. All that remains are a series of strange machines, humming with dull magic. Only operable by the castles resident Constructs, hungry Overseers would be advantaged to activate the inactive Constructs scattered nearby. Once occupying the kitchen, Constructs are more likely to provide a meager serving of food to Overseers who have used magic recently or who hold Influence. (Characters playing this TDM with no canon powers may presume they hold (1) Influence for this and subsequent prompts.)

The Hall of Overseers

To the west of the Gilded Cradle there lies a long, rectangular housing structure, framing a vast courtyard. Rain from the storm overhead patters down constantly. Rooms for Overseers line the open air hallways overlooking the nature within the central outdoor space. At this time, those of the Moon Pact enjoy the lower floors of the indoor sections, with luxurious accommodations. These include private rooms with a fireplace, claw foot baths with clean running water, a variety of furniture, and a plush bed. The upper level indoor rooms are for the Overseers presently in service, the Sun Pact. These rooms are all shared and scarcely furnished. Hammocks and bunk beds are provided to house three or four Overseers per cramped room. These upper location hallways have shared bathroom spaces and no private amenities provided. Overseer names are engraved upon the door frame of their assigned rooms. There is no access given to rooms without this engraving. Overseers need to be invited in to rooms they do not own or share. (Rooms are fully self assigned by Players and can change freely between threads. Pact is likewise self assigned, but should match the room type described above. Moon Pact characters are free to invite Sun Pact characters into their rooms, and visa-versa.)

The Hands that Feed

As Overseers settle in, they find resources are thin and accessible castle space highly limited. There is no exit from the castle at this time. Trying to fly out over the top of Hall of Overseers courtyard results in perpetually being turned around by the Storm until exhausted. Overseers who try to smash windows or break through the architecture find their magic or strength immediately drained. Teleportation leads back to where one attempted to leave from. The trap feels inescapable. This inevitably creates an air of frustration and futility within the awakened Overseer ranks. All there is to do is to make do.

➤Attentive characters will discover quickly that Constructs bring extra rations as room service to those in Power. This at first appears exclusive to the Moon Pact within the Hall of Overseers. The Constructs do this when Overseers have sex in the luxury of the lower floor rooms. However, the Constructs range of understanding is a bit impaired, so fucking in the courtyard also works to call food and drink, regardless of Pact alignment.

➤For those seeking a more direct approach to acquiring extra rations, there's always robbery. The Constructs are not highly fortified. Their routes from the kitchen to the Hall of Overseers are easy enough to intercept. They do resist Overseers who attempt to steal from them, defending the food if attacked. Overseers who damage Constructs find they simply curl back into their wings, where they become both immobile and invulnerable from further damage. They will repair themselves in time and do not... appear... to hold a grudge. The Overseers whose meals were hijacked might, though.

The Courtyard

The courtyard at the center of the Hall of Overseers is a public space with five distinct sections. At the center, there is an ornate fountain that serves as the most reliable, public spot for clean drinking water. The fountain depicts the three Classes, though all of them are partially destroyed. The Ruler has their hands broken off, the Dragon is missing its head, and the pegasus shaped Herald has a hole in its chest. Grimly, the water flows from each of these missing pieces into the pool below. This space is open and visible to all, especially from the higher rooms of the Hall. This central location serves well as a social hub and meet up point for Overseers to congregate, though it is perpetually raining here.

➤Heralds and Dragons experience their first urge to transform within the Courtyard. They are able to resist it, if their willpower is sufficiently high, but the compulsion is strong. Dragons feel a need to shed their skin, to fly and be free. There is not much room for multiple, large dragons to do either of these things. Mind your wings! Heralds begin to feel territorial, wishing to reinvigorate the long dead space. Heralds are able to terraform within the confines of garden planters as they see fit, but they may find them destroyed by Dragons or usurped by other Heralds. Miniature territory disputes may serve as practice for times ahead. Rulers can hear mysterious whispers throughout the Courtyard, but especially nearby the fountain. If they acknowledge these whispers aloud, they will get a response. Those Rulers who listen closely can hear the mocking words "you're not leaving this time."

The other four quadrants surrounding the central fountain are overgrown and wild, contrasting the initially desolate central area. These spaces are each themed to a different season; spring, summer, fall, and winter. Once Overseers enter one of the gated in spaces, the area within appears larger than the outside barrier suggests. The temperature varies wildly between each, though the Storm over head remains consistent. Each contains a singular hideaway which the Constructs will bring food to. These shield Overseers from outside view, but may turn out to be in hot demand. Mind yourselves if trying to sneak into one of these spots for privacy, they may already be taken! (Each hideaway may be customized at player discretion to suit their threads. A single piece of furniture for leisure may be present, like a lounge or hammock. Some ideas for natural spaces would be hidden behind a waterfall, beneath a canopy of trees, a frosty cave, or an alcove hidden by fallen leaves.)

Grief Hath Mates

Class Scenarios

Note: The following prompts are available for all Players, though abilities should always match up with a character's present Class! Class for characters on the TDM can change between threads, but should not change mid-thread. This fully locks down upon acceptance to the game. Characters are presently "unstable" in their Pact and Class assignments, so all threads can remain canon, even if they contradict Pact or Class assigned later on. Any changes made to shared setting environments below are temporary, so feel free to play with destructive and creation powers as specified.

RULERS

➤Rulers who attempt to speak to the Constructs will find they are reacted to in a way the Dragons and Heralds are not. Constructs do not speak back, but they are more attentive towards Rulers regardless of their Influence level. If asked where something is, Constructs will dutifully guide the Ruler to the location in question if it exists. Sometimes, Constructs will open up previously locked doors. None of these lead outside, but they offer some new clues to how the castle once operated in the past. Rulers can open up additional rooms to explore such as a drawing room, a music room, a wine cellar, and a smoking room. These rooms all have basic supplies for their given activity, including aged wine and cigars in the latter two respectively. Rulers with clever tongues or manipulative sensibilities can convince the Constructs to leave them “in charge” of a room. This grants the Ruler a key to the door they can leverage as they please. (Players can play their Ruler as if they hold exclusive control of a room, but this is not imposed TDM-wide. Multiple Rulers can each claim the same type room, no player actually holds full IC/OOC control.)

DRAGONS

➤Dragons are going to be the first to snap under such cramped conditions. Their natural urges are to spread out and fly, not be stuck within a castle. The more volatile Dragons will find their natural instinct is to go Berserk. Berserk mode can be engaged in either their humanoid or Dragon form, though Dragons can only transform at this time within the confines of the Courtyard. If Dragons are causing trouble in the Courtyard, luring or forcing them out of the Courtyard at large forces a Dragon to return to their humanoid form. Getting in fights may not be productive, but it might provide some enrichment to Overseers wishing to challenge each other or keep the peace. (Reminder: Dragons, regardless of form, are especially durable and may prove difficult to subdue! Rulers are best suited to this task, given they have a natural advantage over Dragons. Heralds can make their own attempts, it is simply more risky for them given how fragile they are.) Dragons of more even temperaments can make themselves productive by using relevant elemental magic around the castle. The castle interior is lit only by the dull glow of the sun or moon, which are often dulled by the cloud cover overhead. Providing temperature control or lighting could be a great ease to their own mental state, as well as benefit their fellow Overseers.

HERALDS

➤While cooked rice, dried meat, and pickled vegetables are largely what is being provided, there is a distinct lack of fruit or alcohol coming out of the kitchen. Heralds may find themselves especially desperate for these. Within the courtyard only, they can flex their newly found Class abilities to rapidly influence nature. Heralds may find themselves having vivid daydreams about their favorite fresh fruits from home. These fantasies manifest, growing the imagined fruits from nearby vines, bushes, and trees. This can happen deliberately or entirely by accident. However, due to the imperfect nature of both memory and imagination, these fruits are never fully accurate recreations. The taste and quality of the fruit end up heavily influenced by a Herald’s own subjective experience and are prone to exaggeration. Any fruit from any world is allowed, these simply cannot cause any magical effects. Devious Heralds which imagine poisonous fruits can injure, but not kill fellow Overseers. Such produce can be used to make alcohol by those with the knowledge and wherewithal to do so. Any manner of food is in demand and Heralds have this to provide. Replenishing energy though sex is always an option to help produce more or better resources of this kind.

OOC Info

What happens next?

On the 21st of June, the Pacts will turn over. For the IC duration of the TDM, the Moon Pact are in power. Those assigned to the Sun Pact will start the game off proper as the faction in power. Characters who are accepted into the game will be freed from the confines of the castle. The game will greet new players with a Mingle Event and Network Introduction Post, once all applications are processed. The storm will pull back at the start of July, allowing even further world exploration and Territory claims. Our first plot event will focus on discovering the threat that the Lost Souls of this world can present.

Can I reserve my character before applying?

If you want to claim a character spot in advance of applications opening, our Reserves Page opens on the 10th of June, through to the 15th. This is not required for application, but highly recommended even for original or obscure characters. Reserving provides an instant-pass through 1st month game Activity Check! It also provides Moderation with an idea of incoming player numbers!

How do I apply to join the game?

Head over to our Application Page. These open up on June 15th and close on the 20th. The game officially opens on the 21st of June, barring any unexpected delays.

Is there an OOC space I can discuss potential plans?

Take a look at our Enable-me-Please for OOC discussions and plotting!

(CODE)

Comments

Ilphyl | OC (D&D Forgotten Realms) | Herald, Moon Pact

[spacetogrow]

Caging a Druid
Having something metal around their neck is what occupies Ilphyl first, and their fingers dig in to try to get the metal collar off. Feeling the first hint of pain as their fingernails scratch at their throat and they don’t find a clasp or hinge forces them to deliberately start slowing their breathing and calming the fuck down.

That means they notice the coffin. Which is another problem. Ilphyl moves slowly, letting their investigations to find where to push keep pace with their breathing. Sometimes slow is fast, and it’s more important to not panic than to break out immediately.

It does mean as soon as Ilphyl is free, they vault over the coffin’s sides and crouch by the floor, looking around like someone will show up to shove them back inside. Just… maybe give them a moment. They are totally calm. They haven’t even wild shaped yet.

Wanton Property Destruction
Once Ilphyl is feeling less like immediate peril is on its way, they come to the conclusion that other people are also stuck in the coffins. Also they would really like to break some shit by whoever set up this ‘Gilded Cradle’; even if the name suggests their intentions were good, Ilphyl doesn’t care about their intentions at the moment.

So if you aren’t immediately opening your coffin, you might feel a tap on the lid. A slate-colored elf in a silver collar and a few mushrooms stuck in their hair is waving at you. Ilphyl motions for you to get back; they are going to try to open the lid first, but punching the glass might be a second tactic.

Kitchen
Freedom acquired, the next step is to acquire food and water. Since this is a castle, Ilphyl tries the kitchen first and is disappointed that apparently the place has been abandoned long enough that even food stores are no longer edible. “Tomorrow I got to make better spell choices.” It wouldn’t be nearly enough for everyone, though.

“Do you think the constructs here know where other storerooms exist?” It was an idea. Their other idea was to hope the castle gardens had actual edible plants, rather than just the decorative kind. There is some overlap, but not nearly enough.

Courtyard

Clerics and druids are noted among spell casters for being particularly strong of will. Ilphyl is normally not an exception. But at the moment the urge of transformation is working with Ilphyl’s decision that the gardens are needed because supplies are limited. So almost immediately as they step outside, their body starts transforming into a whole new shape (rather than Ilphyl’s normal wild shape forms) — a creature that looks like it was carved out of wood, with a veiled mushroom cap instead of hair, and fingers and toes that trail mycelia fibers, a vision of a dryad that would be born to the Underdark instead of the surface. They kick off their shoes, and make a beeline for the planters. Their thoughts are of food, and so several of the planters are starting to sprout vegetables… except for one that is sprouting some very exotic looking fungi that do not normally grow under the sky.

Anyone, but especially another Herald will get a sharp look up and a “Mine!” in a voice that sounds more reedy than Ilphyl’s normal one.

Experimenting
Ilphyl has figured out that the Constructs will feed them after they perform spells (they may or may not know about the sex bit), which is good because their magic is going to be useful. After the events of the first day, they have a better handle on the urge to transform in the courtyard, and are not going to start fights over who gets to use the planters.

They’ve found a bush and are focusing on berries. Berries are a nice staple, and easy to push magic into to be extra sustaining. But they’ve gotten sidetracked by a different problem. “These are strawberries. Last time, I got blueberries. But this is a rosebush, I should be getting rose hips.”

The rose obediently starts producing a rose hip.

Ilphyl gives a mild glare at it, then sighs. They don’t know if it’s the crappy food, the new powers, or just the whole being kidnapped situation, but they are far more tired than they should be burning through magic, so their thoughts are drifting more than normal.

[OOC Note: Ilphyl is a little wary of ‘sex with strangers’, but won’t be offended if asked, so feel free. They’ll generally run on vibes and having a conversation that gives them a chance to feel out a person is more likely to get a yes/continued interest.]

Wanton Property Destruction

[andromedaunchained]

The person within the coffin is an older man, somewhat on the smaller side and wearing a long-sleeved shirt, black cargo pants, a leather harness that's clearly missing some sort of weapon that ought to be strapped into a connected holster, and a heavy jacket.

While not one of the strangest people to wake up to, that's certainly a stranger tap-tapping directly on the glass above Perseus' face. He jolts, blinking rapidly as he looks around. This is about as on the back foot as he's ever felt, and that's not a pleasant sensation. He remembers the hands, the touch-

There's a collar around his neck, a chain. 'Not my idea of kinky,' is the first thought that jumps to mind before the more sensible 'Where even am I...?'

Where presents itself immediately as 'the Gilded Cradle,' but how he knows that and why is set aside almost immediately because the person who'd been tapping is now pulling at the lid of the glass case he seems to be in. Perseus pulls himself together enough to try to help, placing his hands on the lid and shoving. His brows furrow and his arms strain as the lid stays firmly fixed.

"It's not moving," he calls to the stranger. His voice booms back at him, echoing in a way that tells him this thing is very well sealed. "Is there a lock?" Perseus does his best to look up and around, but even with the casing being glass, he doesn't have enough room to twist properly or get a good angle to look at the outside.

Re: Wanton Property Destruction

[spacetogrow]

Ilphyl nodded. "I might have better luck from my side." They make sure their face is facing the trapped man's, so even if the sound doesn't carry, he might be able to lip-read. They are going to try to shove the lid off first. Thankfully, while Ilphyl is under five feet tall, they are in good physical shape so it's more a question if normal human (elf) muscle is enough.

(They really would like to just punch through the glass, but that is not actually a smart thing to do bare-handed. They'll think of something if it comes to that.)

[andromedaunchained]

The words are extremely muffled, but Perseus gets the gist when the stranger moves to the side and sets their hands on the lid to push. Straight up hadn't worked for him, but as the other person shoves, he hears the screech of rusted metal, and then a louder metallic pop. The lid swings free, and Perseus resists the urge to sit up immediately. All the better not to ram directly into his rescuer.

"Well, that... hah. Not the wake-up I prefer. Thank you." He pushes himself up once he's sure he won't hit the stranger, hands grasping the edge of the casing. Its shape means nothing to him; burials and ceremony mean little in the City where the ferrymen come to collect a body in minutes or hours. His dark brown eyes cast about the Gilded Cradle--this is the Gilded Cradle--and his hands touch the collar around his neck again. He can't see it, but the other person appears to be wearing something similar. There are a lot of other cases here, one notably open, and no one else about.

"But at least it's a fine face I'm waking to." Perseus offers a crooked smile as he pulls himself up and out of the coffin. He feels the collar pulling at him and spies an attached silver chain leading from the coffin that puts something like cold anger into his gut. Is this someone's idea of a sick joke? Chain the leader of the Unchained? This person clearly seems to be in a similar situation, though, so probably nothing so pointed. "I fear you've picked the wrong box if you're looking for someone in here with a notion to what's happening, friend."

[spacetogrow]

Ilphyl flinches slightly as the human touches the collar; Ilphyl has not been here long enough to realize other people are not necessarily from Toril, and they know their people have a reputation for being slavers.

So they are thrown back by getting a compliment on their looks, and being called 'friend'. They had been braced for an attack, even if only a verbal one, so not getting it was enough to fluster them. "Ah, no. I just figured that if I could help people not be trapped, I should be doing that first. I figured everyone was in the same situation. I don't know what's going on either."

[andromedaunchained]

A kind soul, or perhaps just an uncertain one, if their verbal stumble is anything to go by. Either way, useful, and he is grateful for the assistance. "A good first instinct, to be sure." Perseus tugs at the chain, then takes a few steps to test the length. He's expecting to be stopped at some point, but once he's a foot or two away, the chain vanishes.

The question of how his companion escaped their own chain dies on his lips as confusion settles in its place. Illusions? Hyper-realistic ones, if they are. He's seen portable holographic generators, but nothing like this. This whole place is bizarre, in fact. From the fog hanging in the air--not poisonous, at least, but smelling of some foreign scent--to the rumble of what sounds like a temperamental machine outside. Outside. He turns toward one of the enormous windows and watches as storm clouds roll by, thick and menacing.

He needs words for the person standing with him, not this wide-eyed wonder. "A second good instinct may be to sort out if there's anyone who was awake before us. Come. There are more cases here than we could open in more than a day. We..." There's that rumble again. Is it a machine? He has no idea what else it could be. "I think we both have too many questions for people who won't have answers."

[spacetogrow]

The look at the clouds might not register consciously to Ilphyl, but they might be able to recognize it; Ilphyl hadn't seen stormclouds or heard thunder until they were an adult. It's just not an expression they expect on a human face; humans hadn't yet needed enough space to build into stone the way dwarves, gnomes or the Underdark peoples did.

"I tried some of the others, but the ones that you can't see people inside don't open that easily." And Ilphyl might be willing to smash something to free a person who is awake and wants out, but they aren't fucking with unknown magic without a better plan than 'there might be someone trapped inside'.

"At least if we can free everyone we can, that's more people to figure out what's going on." If everyone works together. Which is a big if. A bunch of kidnapped people without a clear captor might turn on each other. But they weren't going to leave people trapped because they might be problems. That was... well, offensive.

[andromedaunchained]

Perseus holds up a hand for his very eager new companion. "Eh... I'd like to do a bit of reconnaissance before we wake people into an unknown and dangerous situation. These collars were not put there by friends." He tugs briefly at it to emphasize that point. "My name is Perseus, and I do know how to fight, but that may not be true for everyone here." The likelihood seems high it isn't, in fact. He has his doubts about the person in front of him, in fact. They have what look to be enough body modifications to be the child of a very wealthy and well-kept family in the upper levels. Though, their attitude is far more earnest than he might expect of that sort.

"I think we should check which of these glass boxes we can see into while we look for a door and any guards that might be minding it." Asking for stealth seems superfluous when they've already made a racket with opening the case. "Mark which ones we need to return to while we go, but let's make sure we're not about to pull unprepared people into something that might turn violent."

[spacetogrow]

Ironically Ilphyl's background is well-off... but also actively rejected. "I'm Ilphyl. I can fight as well. And you're right. The last time I was staging a rescue, it was more important to quickly get people out, but the circumstances are different here."

"We'd need to see if there is an unguarded way out, among other things."

[andromedaunchained]

The name is as strange to Perseus' ears as Ilphyl's looks are to his eyes. How curious. But names aren't something he's particularly interested in questioning at the moment. There are more pressing matters. He inclines his head, happy they're on the same page. "This fog makes scouting harder. I'll take the rows down that way to look, you stay on this one. If I raise my hand like so"--he gestures, raising his hand with his fingers spread wide--"it means I see something that may be dangerous. If I close my fist"--again, he demonstrates--"it's danger enough we need to regroup. I'll keep an eye out for you to do the same."

Once Ilphyl indicates they understand, Perseus nods and moves off to take up position several rows off. He makes sure to lock eyes with his new companion and gesture forward with two fingers before he starts moving, counting the cases as he goes, mentally assigning 'clear' to the ones where he can see the bodies of other people. Men, women, some he's not sure about. They're dressed in all manner of clothing, some sensible, some very much not. But they all have one thing in common apart from their collars: Perseus hasn't seen a single weapon on any of them.

As that thought crosses his mind, he catches sight of movement in the fog ahead of him. His hand goes up as he hones in on the shade. It resolves only briefly into broad shoulders and familiar tactical gear. "Dictys?"

Perseus closes his fist as he watches what looks like Dictys move swiftly away, becoming nothing more than a shadow. It's not someone he's sad to see, certainly, but the way the other man moves isn't quite right. Something is off.

[spacetogrow]

Ilphyl is completing the same survey. It would be nice if they had something to mark the coffins, but the only thing they can think of is to tear strips off their tunic, and that is a stupid idea when they don't know what outside conditions are. They don't even have a knife to try and scratch marks into the surroundings.

Ilphyl had been living in a human-majority port-city for a decade, and even they are finding that some of the people look strange to their eyes. Not even fashion, but they are certain some of these people have never had kin who walked the streets of Waterdeep.

They are keeping an eye on Perseus for signals as they go. They don't hear what he says, but he does say something, and they see the closed fist.

They could try to use their magic to shortcut down the central shaft, but that seems like a waste when there might be danger. Their feet are fast enough if they run. "What is it?"

Asking the mods if Overseers see each others' phantoms!

[andromedaunchained]

"Movement in the fog. There." Perseus keeps his voice low as he points into the thick mists. "Do you see that?" Dictys' large frame moves past, just beyond the line of Perseus' clear vision. The form moves quickly, almost darting away. It takes some significant amount of restraint not to call out or race after the other man, but Perseus has had a death grip on his impulses for years now. Dictys is one of the people who'd taught him that control.

He wants to verify that Ilphyl sees the other man, though. As a practicing chemist, himself, Perseus knows all too well what dangers something like this fog could bring. Perhaps not death or burning, but tricks of the mind are equally hazardous.

Courtyard

[cloversandcranes]

[Makoto in his ascended form flinches back in shock at the tone, his hands flying up in a peace making gesture. The kirin body below his torso nervously paces in place as he flusters.]

I-I didn't mean to intrude!

[The hydrangea on his antlers turn blue in regret as he blushes in shame.]

Re: Courtyard

[spacetogrow]

[Ilphyl hasn't run into a kirin before, but they can pick up the reaction, and it helps them get a bit more of a handle on themselves. Yes, they still get the sense that the places they claimed are theirs, but a good ecosystem has other creatures in it. Even if Ilphyl has heard of plenty of farmers complain about deer in their vegetables (whatever Makoto is, it looks very cervine), they can be reasoned with.

[They take a few calming breaths]

You can pass through peacefully.

[A shame that Ilphyl's terraforming has resulted in the appearance of the plants they want, but they aren't progressing to harvest, like the planters responded to the idea of a vegetable garden but now need real time to grow until harvest. Deer come to people's gardens because they are hungry.]
[
They focus on a plant at random, thinking about food... which they haven't had much of yet. Blackberries sound very good right now. Obediently, the plant -- which had been a carrot -- started putting out a cluster of the berries.

Wait... that was new. Ilphly reaches for them, picks them... but realizes that it is actually cruel to eat something in front of a hungry person. ]

Are you hungry?

[They'll notice the slight drop of energy later. After they start overdoing themselves. ]

[cloversandcranes]

[Makoto relaxes at their words, his anxious pacing reducing to shifting every so often. Offering a small smile, he turns to continue his exploring when he notices the sudden emergence of the black berry cluster. Letting out a gasp, he stares at the plant in surprise before looking back at Ilphyl in awe.]

Did you do that?

[Turning back to the newly grown blackberries, he inches closer for a better look. He stares at the bundle curiously before being startled from his thoughts at Ilphyl's words. He blinks in surprise for a moment before opening his mouth to answer. Just then his stomach loudly growls, making him jolt in surprise. His face flushes in shame as he stammers, his arms waving widely in embarrassment.]

A-Ah! D-Don't worry about me, I'm fine! M-Maybe a little peckish but nothing I can't handle! I don't want to overstep or anything!

[spacetogrow]

[Oh, no. Ilphyl can't tell if Makoto's panic is about some kind of social thing about not wanting to accept food from a stranger when everyone was hungry, or worry that accepting food from an obviously-supernatural and powerful creature was creating an obligation. And Ilphyl is suspecting that whatever influence pushed them to get so snappish about territory wants the obligation.

They take some more deep breaths. They aren't sure they can transform back into their normal self yet, but they are closer. Anyway, a clear head is better than not looking like a fae or 'myconid, but, like, sexy myconid'.]

I offer this food to you as a gift, freely given, and you incur no obligation towards me if you accept it.

[Druids deal with the fae; it's good to know how to set down expectations. The speech sounds formal.]

But, I mean, if you really don't want it, I'll eat them myself. I was only going to give you half. I didn't really know I could do that without a spell.

[cloversandcranes]

[Makoto's flails halt at Ilphyl's words, looking at them with a slightly flushed face. After a moment of hesitation, Makoto carefully lays down beside the cluster and plucks a branch from it. He stares at it for a moment before looking back at the druid.]

Are you sure I can eat this? You grew this yourself, after all...

[And with some kind of magic! Is it really okay to eat something so precious? And what of the others? Surely they need it more? Still, at their words, he picks up one of the berries with his fingers and plops it in his mouth. A taste he hasn't experience since The Tragedy fills his mouth making him nearly gasp, his eyes watering slightly before looking back at the rest of the berries in his hands. Quickly eating some more, he turns to Ilphyl and beams at them with stars and tears in his eyes.]

They taste great! A little different from what I remember but still good! I can't believe I'm having these again! It's been so long!

[Rambling in his excitement, he closes his eyes in bliss as he munches, making small noises of contentment as he fully relaxes.]

[spacetogrow]

I did, but I didn't know I could.

[It doesn't help that while Ilphyl has gotten used to seasonal fruit, they developed their palate in an entirely different ecosystem, so their experience of blackberries are different.]

[But they get the feeling of tasting something that you haven't had in a while. When Ilphyl first arrived in Waterdeep, which had actual access to the Underdark, they ate more fungus than they had in years (and spent more money than they probably should have on specialty foods).]

I'm Ilphyl, by the way. I... I don't normally look like this.

[But focusing on normal interactions rather than getting twitchy about the land and intruders is helping them focus. ]

[cloversandcranes]

[Makoto opens his eyes at Ilphyl's voice talking to him, beaming at him warmly as he chewed and quickly swallowed.]

I'm Naegi Makoto! It's wonderful to meet you Ilphyl-san!

[He takes a glance at their form curiously but nods in agreement, taking another bite of berry before answering.]

I don't usually look like this either, honestly. I was a normal human back at my home. No antlers or scaled deer body at all!

[He looks at his kirin centaur half and frowns slightly, his tail flicking in agitation.]

My poor pants...That transformation didn't spare them at all.

[Feeling embarrassed, he shifts his lower body a little in discomfort. He is glad the transformation wasn't painful. ...And at least he isn't completely naked! His dress shirt and jacket is still on him!]

[spacetogrow]

Huh. You'd think the magic would handle that.

[Ilphyl is starting to think they lucked out with a humanoid alternate form that is roughly the same size as their normal body, if... well, a dryad was a slightly different shape than an elf with typically-male anatomy.

But... yeah, humans don't generally walk around without pants, even if Ilphyl is pretty sure centaurs or something wouldn't care about the lack of pants.]

It's fine, though. The fur is doing a lot of the same job as pants, and I can promise not to look below your waist!

[That might be making it more awkward. ]

I'm normally an elf, but you can really only tell because of the pointed ears.

[cloversandcranes]

[Makoto frowns slightly at the ground in agreement, taking another bite as he pouts. It is just rude that this clothes didn't magically disappear with the transformation when so many things here are magical. Letting out a sigh, he sulks as he munches before looking looking back up at Ilphyl. For a moment he just stares before flushing bright red as he takes in the words. Looking away in embarrassment, he manages a nod at the offer, appreciating Ilphyl's words even with how awkward they are.

Despite his fluster, he peeks at them curiously.]

An elf?

[Like Santa Claus elf or fantasy style elf?]

[spacetogrow]

Yeah... I think I'm calm enough to untransform. Thanks.

[They are hoping it doesn't disrupt things too much, but they can revert to something closer to their normal appearance, still spotting a few mushrooms and patches of lichen. ]

kitchen

[breadmuffs]

Tomorrow I got to make better spell choices is definitely a phrase that pulls Caleb's attention a bit! It's a sentiment that resonates with him, at least. (Not for this particular circumstance, but on the whole...)

"I think it's worth asking, at least."

And luckily, one such construct happens to lumber into the kitchen. Caleb glances over at Ilphyl and then back to the construct before walking over.

"Excuse me. Do you know where we can find more food?"

The construct doesn't answer with language, but it does...start moving over to one of the nearby machines? Caleb watches curiously as the construct begins to do something to it.

Re: kitchen

[spacetogrow]

Ilphyl watches. They know some of the Constructs will try to do tasks without the proper equipment, acting like they are holding a broom or whatever, but this one seems to be doing something real.

"Any idea what that is?" the ask the human.

Caging a druid

[thedarkheir]

An... elf? Soma was surprised that he was surprised, he'd though his life was weird enough not to be surprised. But he knows the feeling of waking up in a strange place.

He was certainly going to try to be more helpful than Arikado was for him his first time in such a situation. "Hey, you all right?" The pale human called out, briefly wondering if they could even speak the same language.

"Yeah, guess we're in the same boat."