🏝️ dulces sueños group excursion! 🏝️

[hearthwarming]

🏝️ who: intrepid adventurers (vacationers?) and more!
🏝️ what: ori organized (origanized?) a group trip to the resort! mass memshare ensues.
🏝️ when: fall 9-10
🏝️ where: dulces sueños resort
🏝️ warnings: threads will be marked as needed for memshares.

[ Hopefully everyone had fun on the Arco Lunar! The morning after the boat departs from the docks, a letter arrives to your mailbox: ]

Hello, intrepid adventurer!

I am excited to have you along for a group excursion to the mysterious new island! In two days' time, let us gather in the town square and set off from there! Please be prepared to stay the night. It will be so fulfilling and memorable for everyone to spend a night on an adventure together!

If you have any questions or concerns, please come find me at my flower shop in town or at the forest farm where I live!

Sincerely,
Oriphi

[ If she accidentally delivered it to a few wrong mailboxes, then... Oops!

On the promised day, once everyone (and likely a few surprise tag-alongs) has gathered or been gathered, Ori distributes little paper bags of snacks to everyone. Inside are cookies, oat snacks, and a freshly-picked apple from her and M-21's orchard. Do with them as you please... Just don't let her catch you throwing it into the sea or something. 🥺 ]

Alright. I think we should head out, then! Thanks for coming along, everyone! I hope it'll be a great time. Oh, and please don't forget to drink plenty of water and use this incredible ointment I discovered on this island! It's called "sunscreen!" Tieflings don't really get sunburnt, but you should use it!

[ And with that our intrepid adventurers set off to the mysterious, dangerous, unknowable... resort island! ]

( This is the ill-fated mass extinction memshare event. Please refer to the event for details on the resort and the plotting post for any specific details for characters' memshares! There are toplevels for each area of the resort (and for the memshare). Enjoy! )

Comments

[passthrough]

[As discussed, "Burning Hands" into Druid Grove, 1st person - since Burning Hands seems to be trickier, I will default to whatever is easiest or most fun for you to write between audience and CYOA, I will follow suit!]

[hearthwarming]

[ Valphi's voice, twisted in a way you've never, ever heard before, echoes in your ears. You know it to be your sister's voice, but it's laced at the edges with what feels like an insurmountable bitterness you didn't know she held within her in all this time. You stand in a ruined courtyard of a palace beneath a large tree, surrounded by your friends frantically trying to decide on what to do next, but you never really take part in such discussions. You simply wait until a decision has been made, so you can do what needs to be done.

You replay that encounter in your head in that time.

Valphi stands on the other side of an arcane portal. You can see the Hollow Wilds behind her. Why is she there?

"Valphi, please... Why are you doing this!?" you cry out.

"Why did I do this? No, sister. Why did you do this? This is your fault. If you hadn't left... if you hadn't abandoned me—"

"But I didn't—"

"Shut up! Shut up! You left me. And now you're with them? With him? You're all I had, you know... But don't worry, sister. I'm going to destroy everything and everyone you love."

Your friend's voice, directed at you, snap you out of it. A half-elven man with long, dark hair rests his hand on your shoulder. You know that this is the "him," that Valphi resents. You've always had a soft spot for Colin.

"Ori, are you okay?"

Will you lie, and tell him you're fine, and that you have to focus on the task at hand, or tell him about Valphi? ]

[passthrough]

[Oh. Oh he hates this already. The familiar ache amd confusion of someone loved no longer being who they once were, coupled with a strange and unwelcome guilt...

The break in focus is welcome, though Otegine's gut reaction is to stay silent. But maybe... given the intensity, the subject at hand...

Tell him about Valphi. Colin should probably know at least something. Shouldn't he? Wouldn't that help some of this ache?]

[hearthwarming]

[ You tell him about Valphi, about where you'd seen her, what she'd told you.

Colin draws in a deep breath, and casts his gaze about distantly. Around you, a city smolders.

"Your sister destroyed my city, Ori."

You nod, silently. You know. You know that she did. And it breaks your heart. But before long you say, faintly: ]

I know. I— I'm sorry.

[ But he looks back at you and shakes his head.

"Hey. I know what you're thinking. It's not your fault. You're not the one that summoned a dragon to burn my home down."

But his words do little to soothe the twisting feelings in your heart. How can you ever hope to be able to feel worthy of Colin's friendship, or deign to even hope for more, when your own kin has done this? When, just a few days ago, you learned that he is the prince of this land? How are you ever going to measure up to that? How will he ever look at you and not see your sister, who destroyed his home? Who abducted Princess Alyria - his sister?

You remember having embarked on this quest in the very first place because of Valphi. It has always been about finding Valphi. And now that you've found her, you cannot give up on her. You have to get Valphi back. You must. Even if it means trading your life for hers. Maybe then, you'll have atoned for all of your failings as her older sister, that made her despise you so much, even when it all feels so wrong. Valphi has never before expressed so much hatred towards you.

The rest of your friends have finished conversing with one another, and look like they've reached some kind of decision. However, Colin casts a sidelong glance at you with a wry smile. Is there something else he wants to say? Or are you just hoping that there's more he wants to say to you?

Will you join the others, or continue speaking with Colin? ]

[passthrough]

[It's a line of thinking that's far from new, in most ways. The actions of a loved one, reprehensible or otherwise, didn't change that they were a loved one. And to feel nothing but hatred from them... it makes one feel so small and helpless.

It's the deeper connection, the taking on of guilt like a mountain to the back to fix the actions of another, that stirs confusion in him. He's drilled it too far into his skull to ignore - some things just can't be fixed, and the pain of that had to be endured.

The guilt rides heavy, though. It always has.

He should keep speaking with Colin. He feels he might not get much of a chance otherwise.]

[hearthwarming]

But still...

[ You glance up at Colin meaningfully, and once he catches your gaze, he returns it with the same gravity. Both of you, standing as if there's so much more to be said, yet neither being able to voice it. His hand comes up to rub at the back of his neck as he looks back out at the ruined palace grounds, and you study his face. He doesn't look well - of course he doesn't. He'd been held in captivity for some time, before you and the rest finally found him and rescued him. The time that the two of you had spent apart hanging heavy in the space between, because he was the one who'd distanced himself. He left you, didn't he?

"...I thought about asking you to come with me."

How is it that he always seems to know what's on your mind? Ah. You've always been such an open book, that's why. Your hands tighten around your staff. Why didn't you, then? You want to ask so badly, but you bite down on your lip. You don't deserve to ask. Why didn't you at least tell me? I woke up that morning and you were just gone. You don't deserve to level the words at him. Perhaps you don't matter to him as much as he matters to you. ]

...I understand. It's... alright, Colin.

[ It's not okay. But you wish it was. You would have gotten in the way. You would have made things worse. Knowing that Valphi and the Fangs of the Fox are hunting you down, perhaps you would have only expedited the fate of Duskvale if you'd gone with Colin.

Do you end the conversation and walk away, or do you stay to keep speaking with Colin? ]

[passthrough]

[The mindset is familiar enough to feel the pangs of empathy, but just different enough that he's left frustrated. A self-destructive mind, a self esteem that scrapes and wants but doesn't stand up for themself, with no reason behind it.... or, at least, not one he understands.

He supposes it makes sense. Ori has been nothing but kind in the short time he's known her. That would always have its pros and cons.

...

He listens, trying (and somewhat failing) to understand the situation with Colin. It's complicated, to be caught between two parties this way... almost unfair. But part of this is all in the past. Nothing can be changed about the past, or about focusing on the things that could have happened.

Still. He doesn't know enough. He wants to keep talking. Even if he can ask Colin what he plans to do next... maybe it will get them off the worries of the past.]

[hearthwarming]

[ You keep talking. For a moment, Colin looks at you in a contemplative silence before he responds.

"It's not alright. Maybe I wouldn't have gotten so fucked up if I had you with me, but—" he glances out at the others as they continue to converse and adds, "The others need you more. You and I both know they'd fall apart with you."

You don't even know what to say. After Colin left, and you'd gone to Ocelovu, each of you were made to undergo trials to gain an audience with their queen. They put you through Trial of the Heart, because you seemed to be the "heart of the party." You keep hearing yourself called that in different constellations time and time again. A sort of title that hangs heavy on you, that makes you want to shrink into yourself. How can you be the heart of the party? It's too much. You're not enough.

He grips your shoulder, dipping his head to catch your gaze. You've been staring at the ground for a long moment, you realize. But before you can overthink your words, they seem to just spill out of you. ]

We'll find them, Colin. Valphi, and your sister, too. I promise I'll— I'll make it right. No matter what.

[ "It's not all on you, Ori."

It is. But it is. You don't know how to say it in a way that everyone can understand. The path that Valphi has taken... it makes no sense, but maybe if you hadn't left the Fangs, if you had been there for your sister, maybe none of this would have happened. You offer Colin a bittersweet smile, one that says that you hear what he says, but you don't necessarily agree.

Aerie, a tall elven woman, waves at you both from where she and the others are. It's time to go. You nod, but when you whirl on your heel to make your way back, you feel Colin tug at your arm.

Will you stop and look back at him, or pull away and keep walking? Or perhaps something else? ]

[passthrough]

[He understands, and it hurts, but it isn't her fault. It can't be her fault. To just focus so heavily on the past and obsess over the mistakes made by one's actions... it's overwhelming, suffocating. But she can't be right. She can't be.

He stops to turn back at Colin. Not to talk to him, but to hope he'll say something to change her mind. Anything. Please, don't let her walk away feeling like this. Please, make this crippling self-doubt ease...]

[hearthwarming]

[ You stop the moment you feel Colin's touch on your arm and glance back. He has a pleading look in his eyes.

"Ori... Come here. Can I give you a hug? I hadn't said it earlier, but... It's damn good to see you again."

Something loosens in your chest upon hearing that. Maybe it's all you've wanted to hear from him all along, since you rescued him from the dungeons of his own palace. Silently you nod, and he pulls you into an embrace.

...But you cannot let it last for too long. The others are waiting. You pull away and he doesn't resist, knowing just as well that you must get moving.

...

You and Colin join the others once more.

"We can't reach Philostenes through the Sending Stones. We need to figure out how to get to the Hollow Wilds on our own." Aerie, the tall elven woman with copper hair, says with her arms crossed over her chest.

"I don't have a teleportation spell prepared," says Dae, the elven man with white hair and glasses, "but we were wondering, Mister— Prince? Kaulinor? Sir? If maybe there was a group of wizards here who could teleport us, or—"

"It's Colin. And absolutely not. My people are busy. If you haven't noticed, the entire city is in ruins."

Your grip on your staff tightens even more, knuckles lightening from the pressure. You know of a druid spell that allows you to travel through vast distances through trees. But you have never cast it before. You know it's risky. What if you can't do it, after all? What if you get it wrong? What if you're not strong enough?

Do you try to suggest your spell, or try to help your friends find a different solution? ]

[passthrough]

[... It's brief, but the embrace feels so strange. A momentary comfort, pressure and warmth and the pleasant acknowledgement of one another's company--

He's saddened, a bit, when it ends so abruptly.

...

There's a lot of words being thrown around that he doesn't quite understand, his head starting to ache. But he at least grasps the concept that they need to get from point A to point B, and they need to get there fast.

The knowledge rises up, unfamiliar, with self-doubt that digs and claws. The fear of danger, of disappointment, of wasting time. But they're a team. They have to work together...

He tries to clear his throat a bit. Say something, Ori. Don't sugarcoat the worry. Figure it out together.]

[hearthwarming]

[ Say, something...? Yes, that's right. You need to say something.

You draw in a deep breath and loosen a quivering breath. ]

I can get us there... Through a tree. But I've never... I've never done it, before. I've never cast that spell before. I don't know if it'll work.

[ Your friends exchange glances. Then, Dae speaks up: "I think I know about the spell you're talking about, Miss Ori! I think that's a great idea."

"We don't have a lot of options right now, without Philostenes," Cibark, a statuesque, green-skinned half-orc man (perhaps even taller than Otegine, even!) says.

"How does it work, Ori?" ]

Um... [ You cast your gaze about the courtyard, searching for any... large, live trees. A tall order, when the city's been attacked by a dragon.... ] We just need a tree that's big enough for us to fit through. And... For me to be able to... Um, think of a tree in the Hollow Wilds.

[ "Well, it's a forest. There's no shortage of trees there. Can you get us right through his tower? That's a huge tree, after all. ]

I... I can try.

[ You and your friends eventually find a big enough tree that seems to still be alive. You rest your palm against the trunk of it and close your eyes, focusing all of your energy and thoughts into the spell as you picture Philostenes' tower within the Hollow Wilds - a wizard's home, found within the hollow of an expansive tree. It's the perfect tree to target with this spell...

...

It doesn't work. The tree on the other end must be alive, too. Your heart sinks at what this could mean. But you don't give up. This is the only way... Your heart thunders in your chest at the fear of what's happened, and desperately you try to search for another tree. When the spell finally manages to go through, a portal opens on the trunk of the tree, like a door. You open your eyes and with one look at your friends, you go through the portal one by one, to the Hollow Wilds.

...

The forest has been set ablaze. What was once a lush, verdant land teeming with life and magic has been charred and destroyed, as is Philostenes' tower. Around you, a few fires remain smoldering, old growth wreathed in purple flames. Your friends are quick to get moving, splitting up into various groups. But you stand there with your heart breaking. Valphi did this, too. It's your fault. It's your fault.

What do you do? What can you do?

You can try to do something about the remaining fire, check for survivors, or check the ruins of the tower. ]

[passthrough]

[Ah. So this is why the spell didn't work.

Wielding magic feels unusual, and he's very careful not to fight the flow of it. But it doesn't seem to matter. They walk straight from the remains of one fire, to the fresh embers of a brand new blaze.

Otegine can feel himself freezing up at the size of it, at the vibrant smell of smoke and the sound of crackling wood. It's too hot. It's going to be too hot...

It's guilt that spurs him out of it, shaking limbs forcing themselves to move. He doesn't know of any way he can begin to control this blaze, but maybe Ori does. The fire needs to be contained first, or more might die.]

[hearthwarming]

[ You remember what it was like in Duskvale when it had been wreathed in purple flames. The horror, the heat, the harrowing feeling of it all, and anguish lances through you as you picture the very same happening here. Why? Why? Why is this happening

"Snap out of it, Ori!" Sian, a cloaked figure about your size who wears a mask, grips your shoulder tightly. When you turn your head towards them, they give you a nod before they activate their cloak; they take to the air to survey the damage.

Colin rests a hand against the small of your back, reassuringly.

"Come on. You can do it."

He casts a spell on you, and you feel... inspired, in a way. A common effect of bardic magic. It spurs you onward stretching your arms out at the ruined woods as arcane energy begins to swirl and coalesce at the tip of your staff. Soon, a giant wall of water forms in front of you, and with a pushing gesture of your arms, you send it flowing like a tidal wave over the smoldering woods.

...It takes time, for you to be able to muster enough magic to drown out the flames entirely.

The rest of your friends are surveying the damage, checking for survivors. Dae and Mellon have rushed into the tower, Aerie has found the remains of their animal companion outside, and Cibark is hunched over the body of a man who seems to be barely alive. Colin and Sian remain at your side, having done their own parts and used their own magic to help in their own ways.

What would you like to do? ]