undyingcourt | january tdm/event post

JANUARY TDM - WINTER DREAMS

Welcome to the Undying Court's January Test Drive Meme! This post also functions as the January Event for existing characters, and continues the Winter Season, led by the Blue Court.

New characters may handwave or backdate the previous season's arrival prompt should they wish to, but you may otherwise assume they've been here the whole time! Additionally, all TDM threads can be taken as in-game canon if desired. And remember that apps open February 3-7, with invites opening on January 28, and reserves not long after!

Note that this post will contain: violence, enthrallment, torture, slavery, horror and potentially sexual content. Dreams come in many forms, after all.

This event also features another chance for characters to submit Regains, so make sure to submit after you've posted your top-level or reply to someone else's dream. For characters both new and old, feel free to brush up on the Premise, Vampire Powers, and head over to the FAQ/Game Info page if you have any questions!

Note that this event will be occurring throughout the month of January and into February, so characters are free to forward-date as desired!
For new characters please format your Top-level in this format: Character Name | Canon | Court | Youngblood/Novice | TDM
For existing characters please format your Top-level in this format: Character Name | Court | Youngblood/Novice
If you have any questions specific to the event, ask them in the Plotting Post Q&A section!

Top-Level Directory:

ONCE UPON A DREAM

A quiet falls over the Castle as a new day begins to break. As with every morning, this is a time when vampires must retreat to avoid the rays of the sun, pulling heavy curtains around their beds and windows to block out any light. However, this particular morning is abnormally quiet as the whole of the Castle seems to fall asleep all at once, and all together. After this enchanted sleep, and for the the next thirty days, the Castle's residents will start to experience strange phenomena within their dreams.

During this period, dreams become more vivid, so realistic it feels like the dreamer is awake. Dreamers can pass into each other's dreams without meaning to. Some of these dreams are in fact memories--either those from the lives the characters have lived in the Castle and the outlying lands, or the strange memories they've begun to gain back.

But be careful! For what starts as a regular memory might start to warp into something new. If you're lucky, it'll be something positive, like a dream of a home you've always wanted. But if you're unlucky, the memory might twist and turn into a nightmare, catching you in it and turning your worst fears against you.

Each nightfall, everyone will wake and return to normal. Or at least, most people will.

[Note: Any current characters who participate in the dream event by creating a top level or tagging someone else at least once in this prompt may be rewarded with a free impactful memory, which may be used in the dreamscape. Don't forget to submit for your Regains!]

A NIGHTMARISH CURSE

It turns out that not everyone wakes up. Those who stay in nightmares for too long may find themselves cursed, and unable to wake up. At first, the curse appears no different from regular sleep. But a few hours in the victim will start screaming uncontrollably. No touch will wake them, no amount of calling their name will break the spell. After too long, the victim will start to bleed, slowly at first, and then more and more as they remain afflicted. A victim left unattended will bleed out and die.

The Council works quickly to step in. Kashire (who is looking rather frayed this season) delivers the news that there's no need to panic, but everyone will need to do their part in locating and curing victims. In fact, the youngbloods seem to be taking this as the perfect opportunity for a teaching moment, and students are expected to try and find a cure with the skills that match their Court. Novices and youngbloods alike are encouraged to try and help lift the curse from anyone they can. (Get creative! Blood heals many wounds...) Any victims that have progressed too far will need to be seen to by Revar.

The nightmare curse, however, can spread quickly. Anyone who enters the nightmare of a victim will fall victim to the curse. Additionally, any attempt to reach out to the mind of a curse victim will also spread the curse. With the combined efforts of the students and teachers, the curse can be completely put out. But it will take time and care to ensure everyone is found in time, and cured safely.

ANYWAY, WINTER GAMES!

But a few curses aren't going to stop the Blue Court from making sure everyone has a good time. The days might be short, and weighed down by the threats of nightmares, but winter has hit Castle Courtsheart in full force, and the long nights and snow-covered grounds make for an excellent backdrop to the Inter-Court Winter Games!

There isn't really a reward for the winning house besides bragging rights and maybe a trophy that doubles as a chalice, but youngbloods and novices alike are invited to join in the festivities and compete against one another in the spirit of glory and the chance to lord over your Court's superiority. Even Council members and mature vampires of each court seem to enjoy cheering on their respective teams from the stands. Everything is fine! Forget your troubles and go play in the snow.

What kind of sports do vampires play? Feel free to get creative, but here are some examples:

Thrall-Curling: Since vampiric strength proves to be a little too much for this sport otherwise, teams of novices (or youngbloods) of the same Court can team up to gently compel their thralls to play the thrilling sport of curling. Coax that stone across the ice with care, and take out the opposing team! Or, well, the thralls will do that, assuming they're guided well. Try not to break them. (The thralls, that is.)

Figure skating: Practicing your pirouettes? For a vampire, a quadruple-axel is hardly worth breaking a sweat over. Favored for its beauty and almost seductive grace, the figure skating competition will be scored and judged by a multi-court panel. Participants might get extra points for incorporating bladework and masking into their sets, so these performances are sure to wow the judges.

Ice Hockey: Yes, the high-contact sport transcends time and space, but vampires don't need silly things like helmets or padded safety gear. Don your court's colors and hit the ice to toss the puck around and score as many points against the opposing team as you can before the time runs out. Violence is encouraged! Everyone likes to see a bit of blood on the ice this time of year. (Shadowstepping is considered cheating, but only if you get caught.)

And more! Snowball fighting may not be a sport, but there's no better time to enjoy the outdoors and stretch those growing fangs and muscles than the dead of winter. So whether you're cheering on your Court or watching from the sidelines, there's something here for everyone. Just because the castle is full of the the undead doesn't mean they can't have a little winter fun.

CLASS NOTES

Other notable happenings for the early winter season include:

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and maybe it's time to find or make gifts for that special blood claim in your life. This season blood jewelry is the hot ticket item. These are pieces made from precious metal and glass, which hold the blood of a vampire in them. Carry a lover's blood to show how much you love them, or carry your own to force down the throat of your enemies so you can influence them.

Whispers around school start to say that Black Court lost a novice this month. Not murder this time! He simply unmade himself trying to mistwalk. Eh, these things happen.

As a result of a tie in last month's pumpkin carving contest, members of the Black and Red Courts will find small packages outside their doors. They are gifted silver letter openers, with the handle inlaid with pumpkins and leaves, and a note from Revar with a little drawing of a pumpkin and their signature. How nice!

Lady Whisperfangs is quiet for now, but her time is yet to come... This month's check-in will have a field to submit gossip about your characters! Vampires do so love their drama.

Once again, characters are free to talk to the NPCs as well: Revar & Kashire. For any questions regarding this month's prompts, please comment in the Plotting Post. For general game questions, please check the FAQ/Game Info. In the meantime, remember to submit your Regains for this month's free reward, and keep an eye out for our AC Check-in next week, starting on January 25-31.

The new year has brought us plenty of thirsty vampires, so we're glad you're here to share them with you!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He is quite cold. Nothing untoward about companionably sitting by one another! ]

You flatter me.

[ He smiles. Look, he grew up among nobles, he knows how to play nice. ]

I hail from across the sea. I was born there, and studied under the Brothers of the Blade, who is my Lord and patron. Myself and my brothers arrived upon these lands in order to provide aid to the needy. Though you can imagine that my plans did not include becoming a vampire -- I hardly believed such beings existed, until very recently.

[ He's putting this as nicely as he can, because again, Astarion is his teacher and they share a court. He's not going to pick a fight. ]

Oh, you're religious.

[ He's heard of the Brothers of the Blade, of course. They showed up from time to time in vampiric poetry and, of course, sometimes he read things written by humans. Astarion cared for knowledge; he didn't care to limit himself.

But there is undoubtedly a touch of excitement to his voice. If he wanted to see how he could play with this new novice before, there's even more reason to now. ]

Did you get caught up in a Finding, then?

I am.

[ Wyll smiles with pride. He knows that most in this land don't share his beliefs, but he would never shy away from admitting his own. He completely misses that excitement, because he's innocent and assumes innocent from those he meets -- even vampires. Well, mostly, vampires who have yet to do him any harm.

It's why he's here in the first place. ]

And I did, rather unfortunately. I was out of my element, to say the least.

[ Subconsciously, he brings a hand up to scratch one of the many scars upon his face. The eye he'd lost before, that's not recent. But the claw marks are still a month fresh, even with half a season's worth of blood in him. ]

Were you harmed, on your way here?

[ Blue Court liked to rough the foundlings up sometimes, it wasn't exactly uncommon. ]

Not on my way, no. Though the time I spent before was somewhat harrowing.

[ He can joke about it now, but there's the slightest pained edge to it. He'd rather not go into details... but he's too polite to say so outright. ]

[ Astarion reaches over (quite without asking permission) to run his fingers along one of those scars. ]

They'll heal, when you get enough vampire blood inside of you. But they do make for a statement for now.

[ is his hand still on Wyll's face? Why yes. ]

[ Well, this is unexpected. Wyll isn't exactly... bothered by the touch? But also it's rather strange to simply have his face examined. Some part of him wonders if he is allowed to pull back, when Astarion is technically his senior.

Just in case, Wyll holds himself very still. He doesn't want to startle the vampire. ]

I'm not sure if that's as reassuring as you believe. But all the same, thank you.

[ He's stupid!!! He sees a hot man and his brain says dumb things. ]

Oh, you're one of those types.

[ The kind that don't want to be vampires. Who think is is all terrible, a horrific end for anyone to meet. Righteous and self-important. Bitterly human until the end. He's seen them plenty of times.

He slides his hand from the scars down to Wyll's chin, and then uses his hold to turn his head so he can get a better look at them. Like he's assessing the quality of an animal. If Wyll wants to paint such a clear line between their kind, he's happy to play the part. ]

When did you lose your eye?

[ Bitterly human is right. Wyll certainly doesn't love the idea of becoming a monster, but it's his lot now, so it's what he'll do. He isn't surprised that his attitude rankles with Astarion, though. He expects that, to be quite honest. ]

It seems I am.

[ But Wyll will do many, many things before he ever thinks to lie. And that includes letting Astarion examine him -- it hasn't escaped his notice that Astarion's attitude took a bit of a turn at his own admission. ]

I was but a boy. I've had many years to grow accustomed to it.

[ He's surprised Astarion is just asking, but in a way he prefers that to the people who stare or act like they don't notice. Better to know where you stand, especially with a vampire. ]

[ Astarion holds onto him for a moment longer but then he's running out of excuses and he lets go, turning his attention back towards the competition. Or at least he seems to, but after a moment he remarks: ]

I imagine he'll have fun with you.

[ Raphael's attention is not finite, this is not a competition. And yet, it feels like it is. Wyll is young and impressionable and undeniably handsome. ]

[ Wyll keeps his gaze steady, unflinching in the eyes of the man and monster before him. Astarion doesn't seem the type to get violent. He's obviously good at he seduction aspect of the Red Court.

Wyll has to make sure to keep his guard up around him, for all that he wants to believe in the best of people.

Though Astarion's remark makes him blink. ]

I'm sorry, who?

Edited 2024-02-03 05:58 (UTC)

Raphael. He's your maker, isn't he?

[ Astarion is Red Court, too, after all. ]

Oh, yes. He keeps to himself for the most part, though.

[ Wyll's still in his first season, after all. There's not much reason to see his maker, unless Raphael were to take a special interest in him. But he's given Wyll space for now, which he appreciates.

Was Astarion jealous? It couldn't be. Must be a warning, then. ]

Is there more about him I should know?

Edited (must be. ) 2024-02-03 06:11 (UTC)

[ Oh, he's jealous. He just hides it well. ]

It's bad form to ask someone to speak ill of their maker, you know.

[ there's a beat and then ]

Not that I would have anything unkind to say of him, anyway.

[ Does he hide it all that well, though? Wyll has his suspicions, but then he's the novice. He doesn't know jack, he's happy to learn. ]

My apologies. I meant no offense.

[ He really hadn't. Though he does note that Astarion jumped straight to the conclusion that Wyll wanted to hear something bad. ]

That is good to hear. I truly wasn't asking for you to speak ill of him. Merely I thought that if you had any insight on what I might expect in the next few months, it'd be appreciated.

[ Wyll has the gall to smile. He can tell something has made Astarion very prickly, but as he has done nothing to warrant it, he feels not a lick of guilt. ]

january tdm/event post

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