etrayamemes | TDM 006

TDM 006

⏵ arrival ⏴
Arrival is absolutely not normal this month. Instead of a hospital bed, you wake in a tunnel with a large group of other people. These are the residents. A woman’s voice in an earpiece hurriedly clues you in with an apology.

I apologize; I had not planned to introduce you this way, but we are low on time. Please proceed down the hallway.

An image of a shattered pearl pops up on your personal HUD and rotates.

I am Aurora. You are joining many others on Etraya in order to save your world from destruction by completing missions. Your current mission is to find the pieces of this object that have become scattered in the library ahead of you.

For everyone else, coming in is much the same. The instruction goes out to head to designated areas immediately, where companion bots will escort the residents of Etraya down into the depths, the area beneath where much the same is explained.

⏵ disrobing ⏴

The tunnel eventually opens directly into the foreroom of an expansive library, painted in marvelous hues and patterns with skylights far above. There are wizards milling about, bearded and holding tomes, quietly chatting amongst themselves.

The reception area of the library has tall ceilings with equally tall doors Before you get too caught up in the scenery, a voice directs you forward. A gentleman, hunched and bespeckled craws out.

"Make a line! Make a line, everyone! You cannot enter the library dressed as you are... Come forward and give me your name."

The receptionist asks your given name and then hands over a box from underneath his counter. You can give him any name you want, he doesn’t seem to mind. It is tied with a tagged ribbon- labeling it accordingly. “The _____ robe of _______.”

	(First Letter of Given Name)				(Last Letter of Given Name)
A	Controlling	N	Helpful	A	Melodies	N	Light
B	Glimmering	O	Floating	B	Discretion	O	Mind-Reading
C	Wet	P	Handsome	C	Growth	P	Climbing
D	Gruesome	Q	Gullible	D	Grasping	Q	Jumping
E	Observant	R	Ratty	E	Flying	R	Hurting
F	Powerful	S	Adhesive	F	Reading	S	Guiding
G	Psychedelic	T	Sweltering	G	Dancing	T	Bug-Speaking
H	Swift	U	Cheerful	H	Shouting	U	Exploding
I	Voracious	V	Anxious	I	Extracting	V	Complaining
J	Soft	W	Likeable	J	Punishing	W	Dividing
K	Keen	X	Ruthless	K	Creeping	X	Slapping
L	Fabulous	Y	Dramatic	L	Walking	Y	Charming
M	Fair	Z	Demonic	M	Listening	Z	Combustion

As you read what the contents of the box may be, they form inside- Looking and behaving as your character expects them to. After all, magic is all in the wielder’s mind.

Don your robes and enter the library.

⏵ unfamiliar familiars ⏴

For those without a familiar (like one hatched from an egg not too long ago) you may borrow one from the library counter. They all have strengths and weaknesses, but they will all assist in the very important mission. As you roam the library, they will make little indications that you are closer or further from finding a piece of the pearl.


Pro	• Hardworking • Gives correct directions 75% of time • Won’t run away from you	• Very affectionate • Gives correct directions only when paired with another rat, toad, or personal pet.	• Gives correct directions 90% of the time
Con	• Must feed bookworms	• Will run away if too close to a cat	• Does not care for you • Sleepy • Will run ahead • Gets distracted by rats

⏵ the task at hand ⏴

With robes donned and creature in hand, you must now complete your mission. Find the pieces of the shattered pearl. As you enter the library, you may notice that it’s all very dim. There’s oil lamps around the place that may be moved with you to assist in your journey if your robes do not already emit light.

Break off and search the library. There is a directory at the front to point guests to all the different sections.

	Wings of the Library
A	General Works	B	Music
C	Philosophy, Religion	D	Fine Arts
E	History, Auxiliary Sciences	F	Language and Literature
G	Magic, General	H	Science
J	Geography, Anthopology	K	Medicine
M	Agriculture	N	Hobbies, Recreation
P	Social Science	Q	Military
R	Political Science	S	Practical Arts
T	Law	W	People
X	Education	Y	Spiders

Each section looks enough like the last, though the books within have immense power. Pick up the wrong book, and you might conjure a dragon or a historical figure! You must persist and avoid making too much noise or breaking too many things.

Or else the Librarian, a tall mass of knotted fabric will confiscate your robe and usher you back outside. Your name will be struck from the list, and you must pick a new one to re-enter the library to continue the search.

You can try to fight back against him- he may be set alight with the lamp. But should you be starting fires in here?

⏵ NOTES ⏴

Any thread with 15 comments between you and another may be submitted to find a piece of the pearl. There are 20 pieces altogether, and we will determine if the mission was successful by March 28th. A post will go live on the OOC comm for this!

This mission occurs out of time, similar to how the spaceship had. Meaning, those currently in game can experience these events any time between now, and March 14th.

Please direct all questions to our mod queries comment!

⏵FULL NAVIGATION⏴

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[ ...that's a good question. How secretive do we have to be? Gorgug looks from the desk to himself, though his thoughts are going back to previous missions, as well. ]

We had to keep it secret once, but... when I showed up on the spaceship, I wasn't keeping it a secret I came from somewhere else. [ Well. ] I didn't know about Etraya or Aurora then, but- I think Aurora would've said, if we were supposed to be quiet.

[ He looks back at Kaeya, admitting: ] I don't actually know where this is.

[ As in: they could be anywhere. ]

[Archons. He takes a breath. For a moment he looks concerned. Then he releases his breath of air.] I imagine that’s pretty common with these missions. Alright.

If anyone asks us about it. I’m from ‘far away’ is always a good play.

[He’s used it for years and years, it hasn’t failed him yet. He tucks the ice sculpture into Gorgug’s hand as they reach the head of the line. It still shows no signs of melting. His smile is dazzling as he walks up to the receptionist.] Kaeya Alberich.

[The aged receptionist takes a pair of boxes from under the counter. One is tagged ‘the keen robe of melodies’. Kaeya takes the box as the receptionist studies him. ‘You don’t have a familiar.’ Kaeya glances at Gorgug and says,]

I do not. I’ve been a bit busy of late.

[ Whoa... he's getting advice!

Which Gorgug latches onto, even if all he does is nod with a curious look in his eye. But also, he now has an ice sculpture in his hand, which he looks down at and...keeps there, a little chilly on his palm but not immediately sinking through the firm skin. He follows after his companion, letting him speak first; catching his gaze, and-- nodding after it. ]

Really busy. We're busy. [ ... ] I'm from far away.

[ The receptionist quirks a brow at him, and asks, 'And you are?' ]

Uh-- Gorgug...Thistlespring.

[ They make a small sound, and grab another box from somewhere under the counter: The Psychedelic Robes of Dancing. ]

[The receptionist picks up a couple cages and sets them on the counter. Toads, rats, and behind him are some uninterested looking cats.

Kaeya hums and tucks the box under his arm.] And these are for?

‘Finding what you seek.’

[He raises an eyebrow. Did they know? He looks again at the familiars. A pity there are no birds or turtles.] I’ll borrow a toad. Do they have names?

I'll have a toad, too? [ Gorgug slips in, if not very confidently. The receptionist opens the top door to the toad cage, and brings two out with a sniff. ]

'Names don't matter. They'll do their job if you do yours.'

[ They have an off-putting manner of speaking that makes Gorgug undecided about asking their original question, glancing at Kaeya and then back. ]

Do you know why we're here?

[ They look at the pair again, unimpressed in their gaze. ]

'Yes. And asking questions won't help you.'

[Kaeya straightens, some of his casual attitude gone. He knows this sort. They are somewhat unpleasant and won’t tell you fuck all.] Understood.

I imagine you have quite a bit of work ahead of you. We won’t keep you.

Where do we change into these?
[The receptionist sniffs again, pointing to the changing area. Kaeya looks at Gorgug and with a slight nod to the receptionist, walks away. His toad rides on his shoulder. Once Gorgug joins him he says in a low voice.]

Now that was an interesting response. Useful information.

[ Gorgug watches the receptionist with still a quizzical look, though a realisation does start to dawn on him somewhere at the tail end. It doesn't take long for Gorgug to follow over, box in one hand and his toad in his other.

He looks at Kaeya when he speaks, looks up in a quick thought, before he looks back and nods his head. In a low voice back: ]

They feel threatened. They can sense I'm a wizard too. [ He's nodding, this time to himself. ] They're jealous.

[ It's so obvious! ]

They also know our mission, possibly submitted it to Aurora themselves. They likely know us as operatives of Aurora or our being from various worlds. Or both.

[He unbuckles his belt, offering a gem like broach with an snowflake at the center to the toad. The toad holds it in his mouth as Kaeya opens up the box.

A glowing robe that looks like winter made manifest waits inside. He unfolds it and pulls it on. He buckles his belt over it.] They know about our goal and likely what it is for or does. But we don’t have enough trust or rank to get an answer.

[The broach goes on his belt. He pats the toad.] They might talk to us more after the mission. They might not. Or they might get more jealous. A world traveling wizard is a mighty title.

[He flashes a smile and adjusts how the robe sits on his shoulders. Not bad. Fits over his usual clothes just fine.]

[ Huh, that does make him wonder (and maybe he's wondered before) about how Aurora received the mission. Was it submitted? Was there a signal sent out of sometime? It's interesting to think about.

But first: clothing. Gorgug puts the box down first, needing to loosen his backpack from his shoulders, before he can then look at what the box reads. 'Psychedelic Robes of Dance', it reads, and Gorgug furrows his brain as he thinks about that. It sounds trippy. Would something like that be up even Fabian's alley?

Still, he opens it up and--wow, that's definitely trippy. Psychedelic patterns that give a real reason for Gorgug's eyes, and he does end up removing his hoodie so he can better fit it over himself. At least it's a decent length, too... ]

You wanna try Aurora? Aurora might answer-- sometimes she can, but sometimes she can't. She tries to answer when she can.

[ He keeps his own robe together by tying his hoodie around his waist on the outside, the arms pinching it closed at the front. And he wants to say something about being a world travelling wizard (he is, thank you), but instead, with his robe and each time he looks at it...making his eyes funny, and making his body feel too (it wants to put a tap into his feed), it's nicer to look at Kaeya. ]

Your robe's-- nicer than mine. You look like a soft lightbulb.

Really? I think yours is quite fascinating. [It does hurt to look at a bit but that's part of the fun. He clips a broach-like device to his belt. Best to let his Vision hang in the open. In case of others from home.]

You can definitely keep the focus of anything we run into on you and possibly a number of artists. I wonder how these robes work. Melody suggests a song, but this is a library.

[His toad climbs from his shoulder into a pocket on the inside of his robe. He adjusts the robe a little more. Best his new friend be comfortable.]

I haven't risked the wrath of a librarian in two weeks.

[ Gorgug sees the object, like a charm--and not as clearly technological to garner Gorgug asking about it in the meantime. The remark about his robes gets him to look back down at them again. ...to his dismay.

He squeezes his eyes, picks back up his toad back onto his hands, and while he tries to direct it to his shoulder ... it sits there, unphased by his suggestion. It is chilling. It will not be moved. ]

Is that a record for you? [ But it doesn't distract Gorgug from what Kaeya is saying. It just means he's got a bit of a pouty lip that makes his tusks more apparent. Toadddddd, where can he put you!! ]

Not my personal best. In my defense, we were quite busy. The book slipped my mind. [He rubs his wrist. His toad croaks an inquiry. He tilts his head and pats him.]

You look like a Charles. [Newly named Charles the Toad closes his eyes. Kaeya hums and his robe echoes it. He stops, fingers hovering over the toad. The robe stops echoing his humming. He straightens,]

A bit like a tuning fork.

Edited 2025-02-16 15:56 (UTC)

[ Gorgug looks at the toad and its naming, and wonders: does it look like a Charles? He can't really say, but he's fascinated by the naming convention. He's never named much in his life, and his mind thinks names like Boggy suits a toad, or frog, more--mainly because that's what his friend called her familiar frog.

He looks from Kaeya's to his own, pondering this thinking...while receiving not much but a toad butt, considering it isn't looking at him. Hmm... Toddy, maybe?

It's not a long-lived thought, the noise making his look away, back to the other's robe. It's so sensitive, and he doesn't quite look at his own, but he thinks about it, brow tight with the thought, the uncertainty of: ]

...mine's the Psychedelic Robe of Dancing.

[ It's a statement, but also, an unspoken question, aided by the way he looks at Kaeya: Do they really want to test out that power? Do they want to potentially...boogie? ]

[He nods, sweeping his hand out.] It would be a good idea to see how that works.

[He is down to dance. This is a fun thing before they really get down to the job itself.]

[ Does Gorgug know how it works? Considering every time he looks at it, his feet want to start up a jig, so... he continues to make a face, but he's going to start doing it: He is going to do an old man jig.

And this is your punishment Kaeya: because watching Gorgug dance will slam you with the need to dance too. Those arms will start moving, those hips doing a funky sway, and those feet? You bet they're shuffling on the spot!

Even the toads will join in, or try. We're in some real dance mimicry territory, here. Feel the sway. ]

[Sometimes he has regrets for his curiousity. This isn’t one of those. Kaeya has danced in many places and he is quite good at it.

There is a distinctive non-modern tone to it, but it is a festive anyone at a festival kind of dance. The poor toads try their hardest to dance too. Helpful croaks to the beat while Kaeya spins in place, moving to the beat that Gorgug has set.

He laughs, light and airy. This is a fun kind of magic.]

[ Does Gorgug feel somewhat embarrassed? Yes. But the way Kaeya laughs and it seems to be more fond than at Gorgug does ease that fragile ego that comes with his dancing abilities. It even lets him think:

Wow, maybe I am good at dancing?

He stops after a while, the hypnotic swirls of his robe slowing down to what they were. There's some soft colouring to his green skin on his face, but more important: ]

The robe gave me moves.

[ It said with awe. It is also not the case (but let him believe). ]

Yes it did. [He grins, his eye bright with glee. This is a bright spot. He will take those when he finds them.]

It was strong magic too. I had to dance with you. We don’t need to battle anything! We can make them dance then have a fun chat.

[And get answers. He thinks about it, nods to himself.] Shall I test mine? I promise to sing something tasteful.

[ They don't need to battle anything? Are they going to have to battle something in the library? ... Gorgug won't dismiss the idea, and he's kinda thinking about the robes in a new light as he actually voluntarily looks down at them.

(They still give him a headache.)

But he does look back at Kaeya at the offer. Just touching it lightly made a sound, so.. ]

Okay. [ He's nodding, very seriously. ] Sing me your pipes.

[ It's your turn, Kaeya! ]

[He considers his music and takes a step, humming to himself. Pale light swirls around his fingers and forms an instrument.

He sings without words, his voice a soothing counterpart to the notes flowing through the air. It brings to mind stillness and serenity as dawn breaks. It brushes the soul with a measure of energy for the day to come.

For one moment in time wrapped in the song, one knows they are exactly where they intended to be. There is a warmth to the song that is at odds with the soothing colors of his robe. But he plays on, fingers dancing on glowing strings with expertise.]

[ Whoa.

Nevermind whatever the hell is going on with Gorgug's own robe--look at what Kaeya's is doing. Or listen to it, the way his voice creates music, his fingers playing an instrument called forward, and both allow the song to touch as deeply as music can. It might not be Gorgug's favourite genre, but who can deny how inspiration it feels in the moment?

He doesn't interrupt--only once Kaeya stops, does he say with awe in his voice: ]

You're an instant bard.

[ Beautiful. ]

...These robes...I wonder how they work? I didn't expect that. [He drags a finger across the edge of the lyre. The lyre seems made of ice and light. It vanishes into a fine mist as the music ends.]

But it's nice to know I still have it.

[ It might make his eyes funny, but Gorgug lifts one of his sleeves, bringing it close enough to keep his focus on one space. Touches the fabric and threading with a finger, though the act doesn't impart on him anything. Just reminds him of similar clothing of different fashions. Or books on such subjects. ]

You played music before? [ They should get to the task, but also, there's no rush in Gorgug's mind. They'll get there soon enough. But there's plenty of people around, and if they don't find a pearl, someone will. ]

I did. I grew up with some musical people. [He isn’t in a hurry to get moving either. He watches people as they pass and scans around with small glances.]

Our nation’s god is a bard. Everyone there knows something about music. Even if it’s just the words of a song. Or how to clap to a tune.

[He snags a bit of the fine mist but it dissipates before he can see if it has any elemental traces.] I can’t see this magic. Curious. Any ice I make should have a trace in the air.

Is it because it's a difference magic? You can't read the signature--? [ Hm-- he finds the musical stuff interesting, honestly, coming from... parents who like music (and hey, he knows about music too), but Kaeya mentions this curiosity, and so Gorgug tries to focus on it.

Even though he's not the most magically knowledgeable. Even as a great wizard. ]

But I bet it's still triggering something from you. Maybe they-- they know different people are coming from here, so, the robes could be more sensitive. But the magic is-- it's still a different kind.

[ He's thinking more than he's saying, but he points between them both. ]

If I wore it, I bet it wouldn't be icy. I wouldn't make an icy lyre.

[ Magic is magic, but magic is so varied. The fact the robes might be capable of attuning to people so specifically is actually cool magic, probably. Right? ]

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shadowsincryo - 2025-03-06 18:49 (UTC) - Expand

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