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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Seth Rim | Original Character

[unbridledtiger]

[ooc: Information about Seth is located here. Those with magic sensitivity will immediately notice that he exudes magic and some might even know that his body is made of magic as he is a spirit of dreams.]

'Treasure,' Seth mused silently, a hint of sarcasm echoed within his inner monologue. "Sure" His hands slipped into the pockets of his jeans and he began to make his way down the charted path towards the courts helpers. He was handed a mirror and accepted it without complaint. This would was familiar in its unfamiliarity but Seth could feel his body in a way that proved that this wasn't a dream.

"Interesting." He breathed the word under his breath and continued onward with a confident smirk lifting the corner of his mouth.

☙ Winter Proofing The Realm ☙

[Forever a spectator, it's unusual to be coaxed into the daily preparations of Winter but Seth doesn't mind. His life has been a constant series of new experiences and this is merely another memory to add to the hazy count. Then again, there are some things that do not change and a concept of cold appears to be just that. He supposes that no matter where he goes he won't find warm snow a second time.

He helps where he can but Seth isn't a physically strong creature. He's tall but slender and resembles a zipper if he were to stick out his tongue. After listening to the list of tasks that require to be completed, Seth chooses to help fish. It's the first time he's done so with a proper fishing rod. He'd never required food to live but if he's here he'll help.

It's a rather boring task but Seth is patient and is able to wait for the hook to catch it's prey. The line pulls taught and the struggle between twig and fish begins. It's a quick tug of war before the fish jumps out of the water towards the shore. Reflectively Seth reaches out with his hand like it's a paw and only notices his mistake with the scales of the fish cut rivets into his palm.] Oh, right. [Seth drops the fish with the others and then proceeds to ignore the cut and continue his task.]

☙ Glimpses of the Winter Court ☙
[ooc: I wrote this as a general open prompt as it can be used to start a few different scenario's and how Seth might react at the beginning.]

[While preferring to watch there are instances when Seth can't sit by and do nothing. Should someone be caught as 'prey' Seth will step forward and take that role, though he'll humbly ask the hunt to change him into a cat as his magic has been dulled upon his arrival to this world.

Whatever the outcome, it doesn't matter. Seth is used to being hunted and he has yet to get caught.

The only problem is that he doesn't feel comfortable being turned into a dog... He's always been more of a cat person.]

☙ Here Comes Santa Claus ☙

[Seth's already helped and yet the humanoids of this world continue to pressure him into doing more. He is resistant to their calls, wanting to rest. He's never felt tired before but this world is different. His limbs ache and he wants nothing more than to slip into dreams to restore his strength but he isn't granted such grace.

He turns to leave and with each step he feels the distance between his strides shrink. It's only then that he glances at his palms which are now the size of a child's] This is how you use your magic? What a waste. [Seth turns towards his new taskmaster and stands as confidently as ever.] Children are weaker than adults. How could this form possibly help you?

[He knows that he won't get an answer to his question but be forced to help. At least as a child he feels a little more energetic. He's never felt like this before. If only his appearance wasn't so cherubic.]

☙ Wild Card☙

[ooc: I'm up for any interaction. Just post and I'll reply.]

Santa Claus

[rosepaean]

[ Well, it appeared that Kris was given a new helper. The taller elven man (six foot two inches) looks down, if there was surprise and watching just some guy being shrunk down to a minature version, he did not say anything whatsoever however he does manage a wry smile as to that question. ]

Well, did you know that small children are said to, in many cultures, typify enthusiasm so I am sure the elves are hoping to generate some holiday zeal, perhaps they fuel their own energy.

[ He takes out a mint leaf and then gives it a proper chew; it tastes like wintergreen and also dying snowmen, but whatever. Then he reaches over for a red jingle-belled hat and places it on the top of Seth's head. ]

There, the aesthetic is complete now.. yeah?

[unbridledtiger]

[Seth's round cheeks puff in what is supposed to be an intimidating scowl but ends up akin to a cute pout due to his current diminished frame.] They picked the wrong person... [His voice softens into that of a wistful sigh.] I've never been a child before. [It doesn't make him sad, it's just a fact.

He's protected children throughout his existence but he's never known what it's been like to have that endless wonder.] At least your explanation makes sense. [Seth's always envied outlook of children.]

[After this thoughtful pause he's finally ready to help but his thoughts blank when the soft weight of a hat rests upon his head. His little hand reaches up and gently paws at bell like a cat caught in a sudden curious wonder at the shiny dangling object. 'Shit' Seth shakes his head as if to physically force his thoughts into the present.]

Alight. What are we supposed to be doing? [Maybe if he helps he can return to a form that's able to reach tall shelves.]

[rosepaean]

If you've never been a child before, then are you not the least bit curious to see what it is like? [ Kris said as he looked down at the puffed cheeks and the slight indignance to those sparkling eyes, the fists that look like they could conquer, at the very least a pretty sizeable pillow fort. ] In that case, I think you may have been given a rather nice boon, it'll let you see what the fuss is about.

[ At the question, he does glance around at where they are being ushered. A table with a bunch of pine cones gathered about.

There are art supplies laying all about, vials of red and green glitter; little glass vials filled with what he can only determine is glue, pipe cleaners and perhaps a few other artsy craftsy things. Off to the side is a plate of warm cookies and also two glasses of milk. ]

It looks like they may want us to decorate those pine cones.

[unbridledtiger]

[He's uncertain if taking the form of a child would bless him with the mind of a child but there is always a chance. This is an unusual realm with usual magic. Perhaps such a thing would be possible. It's like a dream or perhaps a nightmare. Seth hasn't entirely made up his mind yet.

He walks slowly towards the table, nothing about his demeanor has changed with his dwarfed form, and he continues to take his sweet time to get to the table littered with pinecones.]

Decorate? [Seth glances at the cookies and frowns before refocusing on the pinecones.] Are we supposed to turn this into something happy? [He looks at the decorations spread out over to table and while there is a great deal of red and greens, every color is represented.] That doesn't seem to hard.

[He takes a seat and is instantly annoyed that he can't reach the far side of the table without uncomfortably stretching his arm.] Can you hand me the yellow ribbon? [Seth points to a ribbon that resembles the pale yellow that matches his eyes.]

[rosepaean]

I would imagine that yeah, that is the general idea-- to make them, what the elves stated as 'full of seasonal spirit'. But at the very least everything is provided to us.

[ He took a seat, scooted the cookies closer to the edge of the table, partly for him and then partly in case Seth wanted one, and then he was reaching for all of the notions-- including the yellow ribbon. He was rather glad there were colours other than green and, while he loved all-- they were not his favorite. He was reaching for the rose petal pink and a few bottles of shimmery iridescent glitter. ]

I also hope they will allow us to keep whatever we make, do you think they will? [ He could see turning his into the part of a bird feeder maybe, or something to be hung up from a tree in the snow. ]