TDM #1 - Welcome to the Fae Wild, Winter Edition

[faewildmods]

'You find yourself wandering through a forest of strange colors. The last thing you remember is a strange ring of mushrooms in a riot of shades, singing to you in ethereal tones, tempting you and telling you to step in the midst them to discover riches beyond measure. As you do, a bright white light flashes before your eyes. When your sight returns, the forest of bizarre trees and plants looms before and around you.

As you step forward, laughter—deep and menacing and also light and tinkling—follows your footsteps. Yelling, questioning, gets you nowhere. Only a narrow path of stones allows you to avoid the foliage that seems to want to eat you alive. If you step off of the path, you find vines wrap around your legs, dragging you into the dark interior of the forest, until you wake up later, your body covered in strange symbols that will disappear after a few days. For those wise enough to not tempt fate and stay on the path, soft blue lights—fairies of indeterminate sex—appear, and beckon you to follow them down the path through the trees. A few hours of walking brings you to a village of stone and wooden thatched houses that appear as if they're both brand new and ancient at the same time.

A creature that at once appears to be monstrously beautiful and hideously decrepit steps forward to greet you, holding out a small silver hand mirror with a smile that makes your blood run cold (if you have any sense). "Welcome to the Fae Wild, child. This is the domain of the Handmaiden of the Sidhe Queens. Come with me. The others are waiting. All will be explained once we are gathered." It is then that you see the others spoken of, people that look almost.... normal and just as confused and angry as you are.

Dare you step forward to learn your fate?'

☙ Arrival ☙

So, you’ve survived the trip down the path and made it to the village that is the heart of the Fae Wild. The Handmaiden and her helpers, mostly pixies, brownies and some sylph and dryads, are handing out silver hand mirrors to all of the newcomers. Once you’re all gathered, the Handmaiden will explain that you’ve been brought here with the promise of riches and treasure through the magical fairy rings. While you’re here, you will be expected to assist the fae creatures in the activities the Handmaiden has picked for you to do.

If you agree to it, you will be richly rewarded. If you refuse? Well, how much do you enjoy the thought of being put under a cloche jar for a while? Don’t worry. You’ll be able to breathe in there. It wouldn’t be good to have someone die on their first day after all. After securing your agreement, your mirror will flash five times, and tapping the surface shows a letter-type of message in flowing script, telling you how to reach your new cottage during your stay.

Questions to the fae may or may not be answered, but never fear. They want you alive. For now.



☙ Winter Proofing The Realm ☙

As the first frost strikes the land of the Fae Wild, all the pixies and brownies are running around to make sure that the cottages, huts and communal buildings are ready for the blast of the Winter Queen’s Full Power. The sylphs and dryads are plucking flowers and bringing in as many fruit trees and bushes inside so that they can continue to provide food for the upcoming season.

Hunting parties are being arranged to stock up on meat. Other groups are being formed to fish in the lakes. (Beware of the kelpie. They bite.) You can also offer to chop wood, check all of the buildings for any repairs that need to be done, and preserve some of the more delicate foods. Just because this is a land of magic doesn’t mean that they’re immune to the change in the seasons.

Player characters are highly encouraged by all of the faeries to join in during this time. Anyone who does will find themselves given three times the berries during this particular activity.

☙ Glimpses of the Winter Court ☙

As the Winter Solstice approaches, glimpses of the Winter Sidhe (faeries of the highest order) can be caught as they travel around the whole of the Fae Realm. Frost Trolls that look like walking chunks of ice that only a mother (and maybe the Winter Queen) could love are currently pushing out the remnants of the dryads and sylphs to make room for themselves and their kind. If you look carefully, a tall horned man leading a pack of dogs and being followed by a lot of vicious looking creatures has begun to prowl and the nights are filled with the braying of His Hunting Party as they look for prey.

Asking the normal denizens of the Fae Wild will win you the name of Der Erlking and his Grand Hunting Party. Anyone caught out after dark alone will find themselves picked for the “special honor” of being prey or asked to spend the night as one of His hounds.

Occasionally, a beautiful, pale woman strolls around. She is never alone, as her entourage of grimalkin (large, black cat-like beasts) are always in attendance. Sometimes, she appears melancholic and at others, she is regal, cool and distant. Anyone foolish to try to approach her will find themselves face to face with the largest of the grimalkin who calls himself Cait Sith. And he suffers fools never.

☙ Here Comes Santa Claus ☙

Winter has definitely arrived with the first snow. Plenty of elves in striped stockings and funny shoes with bells on their toes are running around the village, demanding that all the buildings be covered in holly and evergreens. Others are hastily baking as many biscuits and cakes as they can. Player characters are not immune to the assumption of assistance. Anyone caught resisting them will find themselves suddenly about the size of a five year old, wearing the very familiar garb of ‘Santa’s Little Helpers’ and being pushed by one of the elves that calls themself The Taskmaster.

If one asks why the elves are doing this, they will find out that they’re making preparations to keep Santa Claus out of the Handmaiden’s domain. These particular elves are escapees from Santa’s sweatshop in the Winter Court, where he forces them to slave away making toys for human children with no pay, no insurance, and with only gruel to eat for every meal year round. The only way to keep him away from this area—since he’s such an important member of the Winter Queen’s Court—is to decorate it with plants of the season and to leave a gift outside the houses. It can be food, berries or shiny objects, but the Big Man must be appeased.

Of course, should you choose to not help, come the time of the 25th of December, Santa might just come and visit your house.

Welcome to our first Test Drive Meme! We encourage you to please play around and have fun. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask here. (Or elsewhere!)
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Comments

[charmperson]

[Tryst very abruptly has several reactions and emotions simultaneously. First and foremost, he's surprised to hear a familiar voice speaking back to him. Secondly he's relieved by the fact that he's not alone here. And then, well, then as he watches what Rainier is doing, there's that vaguely confused endearment that the artificer tends to inspire in him more often than not.]

I'm not in the mirror, just talking through it. Seems to be enchanted, like a sending stone that sends images as well as words. Clever spellwork, really.

[But that aside.]

More importantly, you're here! Where are you? I'll come find you. And borrow your coat.

[teddybearpicnic]

[ Rainier did a revolution with the mirror before turning it right side up, it was like being on a roller coaster, Tryst would get a few of Rainier's belted leather pants and then right-side up while he peered right back at Tryst, a grin then-- spontaneous and sincere as well. ]

Well I am in a cottage, first thing is first-- but yeah, clever. I am pretty interested in seeing how this works.

[ The mirror that is.. ]

It is the house with a.. wishing well out front? Though I do not know what a house in the fae realm is doing with a wishing well--? Please come and divest me of my coat, especially if it'll make you warmer.

[charmperson]

[Well, that's dizzying. Tryst shuts his eyes for a moment before daring to crack one open when Rainier speaks again.

Ah, okay. Good. No more spinning his view.]

I'm curious about it myself. But I find my own magic... lacking currently.

[Which is alarming, honestly. But he's coping.]

I will be there shortly. For you and for your coat. [A softer sort of smile.] I'm really glad to see a familiar face.

[teddybearpicnic]

If you must know, the cottage has a little pond out front and there are toadstools.

[ He may have chosen this cottage because of the pond, and also because of the toadstools. There is a part of him that may be hoping that the pond has frogs, or if they do not then the toadstools will lure frogs to the pond. He's taking a educated guess, based of course on the fact that the frogs were in the ring of toadstools.

He was good at spotting patterns, but also there had been a bit of thrum that could only come from frogs. ]

I would like to see you, it will be nice to see someone from home.

[ But home was not a place was it, but a group of people. ]

[charmperson]

I must know everything, Rainier. That's my curse.

[A quick flash of a grin, but it's clear Tryst is already on the move. His reflection bounces a little as he trots along, and his breath is visible in the chill of the air.]

This is a frog thing, right?

[He's starting to figure Rainier out a little.]

We're in agreement there. I am glad not to be entirely on my own here.

[Before too long Rainier will get a knock on his door with a shivery looking Trystan hoping to be let in.]

[teddybearpicnic]

[ The moment the knock sounds, Rainier had set down his mirror and then was heading toward the door with sharp and decisive steps. And then he opened the door with a grin; having assumed of course that it would be Tryst. The first thing he noted was that Tryst was shivering and thus he was already motioning for him to enter. ] Come in here right now, Tryst.

[ He stood aside as he reached for the blonde's wrist so as to guide him in. ] I've already lit a fire [ Of course he did.. ] and everything; thankfully there is a comfortable couch in front of it.

[ Needless to say, Rainier had his own coat off but he was already reaching for his own coat hanging up and then effortlessly he drapped it around Tryst's shoulders the other man walked past. ]

[charmperson]

[Seeing Rainier in person has a rush of relief running through Trystan. Not a trick of the Fae. Actually his friend. He is about to thank him for the invitation when his wrist is taken and he's led in.

He can't help a smile, pushing the door shut behind him.]

I'm warmer already.

[And then he has a coat draped around him and that's even better. The currently powerless wizard pulls the coat closer around himself.]

Are you okay, by the way? No unpleasant run ins?

[teddybearpicnic]

I attempted to take the mirror apart.

[ and it's true that his hair seemed a bit more frizzy then usual, this was because he just could not stop himself. ] That did not go quite as well as I had hoped but it did not kill me.

[ Leave it to Rainier to be able to think of the bright side as being 'not dead' and to utter it in quite the nonchalant way. It was true that this man had very little in terms of fear, at least not for his own life. ] But beside that, I can brew some tea for you if you wish.

[ And then with a shrug ] I can also fry up some eggs or something, toast some toast-- that is if you are hungry. This kitchen was stocked when I arrived, so it appears that it was expecting me? Or at the very least, visitors.

[charmperson]

Oh Rainier...

[He reached up to ruffle at the somewhat wilder than usual hair.] Alive is good, I'll give you that. I'd say you should perhaps be a bit more careful next time, but where's the fun in that, mm?

[Tryst perhaps up.]

I would not say no to tea.

[Something warm to drink sounds lovely.] It does seem we've been prepared for. Which I can't decide if that's considerate or ominous. Maybe both.

[teddybearpicnic]

[ Tryst had a point there, Rainier knew that there was no fun in keeping one's experimentation to oneself; however, the jolt had been a cautionary tale to him and he was quite happy to back down on this. (no doubt there would be other such mysteries to dissect. ]

I tried to wet it down, however the hair seems to be resistant to water. [ And then a shrug as he went over to prepare the tea; he was actually pretty okay at cooking. Also with his keen mind, he could mentally countdown the seconds with which the tea bag needed to be in the mug. ] the thing that this place has going for it is that it appears that water heats up pretty fast.

[charmperson]

Just a little magical reminder not to go prying, I guess.

[Another fluff to Rainier's hair with a grin and a shake of his head, before Tryst stepped back and looked around.]

Cozy place you picked though. At least they seem willing to keep us comfortable while we're here. I can appreciate that. I was just getting used to the idea of not sleeping in a cart for a while, after all.

[The longest caravan trip ever. In his life.]

[teddybearpicnic]

[ and it was doubtful as if to if he would follow that advice, but it did appear that a single jolt at the very least shut the door on that curiosity cabinet. His hair was fluffed and somehow he expected it from Tryst, so he just grinned and then puttered around the kitchen.

There was mugs hanging up and he took down two of them, then as the water boiled, he surveyed the rest of the kitchen and took inventory. ]

If you want to scope out the rest of the place, I haven't gotten a chance too yet.

[ That was tacit permission for Tryst to claim his sleeping arrangements first ]

[charmperson]

[Tryst was aware that Rainier was one of the smartest people he'd ever run across, so he would trust the artificer not to get himself killed looking into Fae-enchanted objects. Probably mostly.]

I'll take a peek. So... the plan sticking together? Because I rather think that's what the plan should be. Safety in numbers and all.

[teddybearpicnic]

[ Probably, mostly-- maybe.

What happened, would happen. Though Rainier likely would not be able to put a lid on his naturally inquisitive nature. Introverted though he was, that did not put a damper on his curiosity. Now, as Tryst did suggest they live together-- Rainier could agree on that. ]

I don't think it would be wise, to split up. Well I mean, like on a day to day basis sure, but it would be good to have a base of operations.

[ A home, Rainier-- it was called a home</> ]

[charmperson]

Exactly, yes. No need for walking around everywhere hand in hand -- though I'm not against handholding, if the urge arises -- but good to have a base, yes. A home base.

[Home. Home base. Close enough. This will work.]

I'm very glad you're here. I realize that may sound... more than a bit selfish, but it's a relief to have someone here I know I can trust. It makes it all feel a bit less daunting.

[teddybearpicnic]

[ Rainier has never held hands with anyone except for...

Well that was a completely different situation. He coughed behind his hand, it was a discreet sort of cough; no that was not him feeling lowkey emotional about like the whole found family thing. It was only that he swallowed wrong, yes-- surely that is what it was and not sentimentality. ]

I am glad you are here too, I wish the other ones were here. [ Even, grudgingly, Tremen. He'd already accepted that there was a purpose that Tremen in his life and that was to be an annoying little troll that showed him disembodied dicks and told him garish untruths. ] But, guess we have to stick together.. the more we band together, the less fairy BS we will get into? [ Maybe. ]

[charmperson]

[No, certainly not sentimentality. Not here. Perish the thought.

Tryst dropped himself into a chair while Rainier handled the tea making, sighing.]

So do I, honestly. I miss Agatha. And Ellia. And everyone else. [The Ellia missing would at least be short-lived, so that was positive.] I hope they're all right. Now is not exactly a good time for any of us to disappear.

[If they were lucky it was some Fae time fuckery that would work in their favor.]

But yes, exactly right. Well, hopefully anyway.

[teddybearpicnic]

[ The water came to a boil and then Rainier added tea leaves to the little mesh steel cage and then lowered it into the tea pot-- that was when his keen mind took over in keeping track of the exact minutes that the tea was steeping. ]

Whatever, we will manage. Between our very adept investigative skills, we will be alright.

[ This was not the first time that Rainy and Tryst had tag-teamed on a mystery, and it likely would not be their last . ]

[charmperson]

Good point. If there's something to be figured out, we're unstoppable.

[They were both nerds with a good eye for investigating. That would serve them well here.

However.

He slumped lower in his chair as he added with a wry twist to his lips,]

Let's just hope we don't have to dig a hole.

[They'd both needed a cleric last time they tried.]

[teddybearpicnic]

Listen, I can chop wood.. [ if it was a small amount and he got up a good momentum, and if there was no one near by. Though, he'd never beat Johann in a wood chopping contest and they knew it. ] But holes, eh-- muscle memory right?

[ He'd never once had to dig a hole and also he was rather sure that a hole would be easier to dig with water; really better to just let Jheri handle it. ]

No holes.. none. [ He was adding the tea and then counting down the seconds in his mind. He could cook.. a little-- and by that, toasting bread. If only there was a cleric who could come and save them from their guybris. ]