songerein | { summer beach episode 2023 }

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{ summer beach episode 2023 }

SUMMER BEACH EPISODE

Thanks to the Dreamsortium's aggressive advertising in town and around the Wildlands, the Forever Dreams resort's grand opening is a bustling and lively one with both dreamers and local fae alike coming by. Even the dragons from Dragefjell are coming down to enjoy luxurious sunbathing.

Just remember, only the first night is free! After that, one must either pay or help fulfill some "odd jobs" around the resort for the Dreamsortium.

More details on everything can be found here.

I. FOREVER DREAMS RESORT

A. Resort Amenities. Everyone will have a room to stay in, though there are also camping options for those who might want to stay outdoors.

🧑‍🍳Outdoor Dining. There are outdoor kitchen patios that are available for guests who would like to prepare their own food, however while the resort will provide with some ingredients, guests will have to bring their own. Perfect for those who try their hand at fishing and want to enjoy their catch. Just beware of the sea gulls that will try to pilfer anything left unattended.
♨️Spa and Massage. Need a break? Relax those sore muscles? The resort boasts only the best and have a special spa for those who can gather and relax with a drink and snack. They have also hired friendly dragons and orcs who specialize in providing the best massage possible.
🦀 Crab Shuffleboard. There are some shuffleboard courts setup that are said to be more unusual than normal, which is quickly revealed by the usual round "discs" used for play. The discs work well enough regardless…until at some point legs appear to reveal they are strange little crabs! They are sturdy little ones so some consider their traveling as part of the game, but others might want to catch them. (Note, they are not normal crabs and are Karka hatchlings.)

B. Animal Control. Unfortunately the construction agitated and displaced a few of the local creatures in the area, and while most have just moved on, others are less willing to leave their original habitats. Some are making it work, while others are hostile. Perhaps creating a newer, better habitat will make them more willing? Or figure out ways to coexist.

🐍Sea Snakes. Completely harmless, these aquatic snakes would nest in the tall seaweed that grows near the beach by the resort. Most of them were able to be relocated in other places, but there are some patches that haven't been moved because of their nests. By now the eggs have hatched, but the babies are still hiding out. Help move them to a safer location!
🦦Seaweed Otters. The otters prefer the clams that can be found in the shallows which is why they can be found lounging about. They're cute and friendly, but also mischievous, stealing other food and toys from beach goers. Although relatively harmless, it's dangerous for them. Good news, the same types of clams can be found further down. Catch the otters and guide them towards the new location. Alternatively, have them try different foods from other areas of the beach to encourage them to move elsewhere.
🦉Pineapple Owls. Pineapples are popular to serve, but harvesting them has been difficult. There are some owls that are dive bombing those who try. It doesn't help their eggs look like small pineapples! Help locate the affected trees to mark them and find empty trees to safely harvest from.
🦀Karka. KARKA ROOOOOLLL. Appearing by the coves on the edge of the Wasteland, these giant, monstrous creatures have a tough outer shell that is difficult to penetrate and requires using a special acidic solvent that somehow the Dreamsortium are able to prepare quickly. They appear to be very agitated and while they mostly stay where they are, some will come close to the resort to attack. Maybe returning some of those "little crabs" from the shuffleboard courts would help…

C. Beach Fun. There are some casual fun beachside activities that everyone can partake in! For those who didn't bring their own, towels and beach chairs are available to rent.

🤿Snorkeling. Grab your gear and do some snorkeling in the clear shallows around the resort! Might make a new finny friend or two.
🐚 Shell Collecting. There are a number of beautiful shells, and they say the large conch shells will whisper a dreamy tune that could help one sleep. There are also contests and requests to collect certain shells.
🏐 Games. Various games are set up, such as beach volleyball, watermelon smashing, water balloons and water guns, and the return of the fruit slicer, where one must slice a barrage of fruit with only dreamotion.
🍈Melon Dodgeball. A new game that's becoming an explosive hit is a dodgeball game using special melons. These melons are sensitive to the temperament and dreamotion of the players, so the more tense and energetic they are, the more likely they will explode and splatter their target instead. Still counts as out!
🐢 Boating. The turtle shell boats are back! Toting large clams shells big enough for two people, these giant sea turtles will happily pull people for either a relaxing cruise, or a fast paced ride through the water. Small sailboats are also available to rent.

D. Special Businesses. Some of the local businesses are putting up stalls on the beach!

🍷 At Day's End.Two days a week during the month of July, At Day's End will have a booth available at the beach resort! The bar and winery's offerings include a number of fine drinks and cocktails designed with summer in mind, such as: the Champagne-like Dew of the Ether; the luck-changing, naturally cold Azure Omen; the floral and sweet Divine Retribution, available with or without alcohol; and the minty and light fruit punch, Dawn in the Wildlands. Other drinks will also be available at the beach stall, though in limited quantities compared to the town's location.

Much like the services provided to patrons of the establishment proper, van Zieks will be available to provide cooling through his personal dreamotion abilities, though in exchange for passing out pamphlets or helping him serve drinks. He can't do anything about sunburns, though, you're on your own there.

🌸Wild Harvest. There is nothing unusual about the Wild Harvest's stall, and at a glance, it is exactly as you'd expect. There are flowers for the taking, set decoratively inside a vase beside a stack of fliers for any new dreamers who don't know about the establishment yet. A list of names that seems to be a sign-up for something called You Be the Chef also sits in front of whichever staff member may be running the booth, and if asked, they'll happily speak about the contest.

There is a grill set up with sticks of freshly grilled kebabs, also for the taking to sample, and nearby, a wooden-looking slide of sorts has been set up. Those who have visited the Harvest in recent weeks will know this is for the nagashi somen, or flowing noodles, for anyone who'd like to "catch" them. Chopsticks are provided, as well as the complementary dipping sauce.

In addition, as a dessert, there is also a station set up with cups of shaved ice for passersby to create their own Summer Dreams. Various toppings, condensed milk, slices of fruit and fruity syrups are provided. Even emoji-fruit with positive emotions are used! And if patrons are unable to infuse their sample with their own positive dreamotion, the staff is more than happy to assist.

II. ATLANTIS

At some point during the grand opening, some merfolk will surface and wave at the beachgoers. With reassurance from the Dreamsortium, anyone who wishes to visit the underwater city Atlantis may do so and will be given a special potion that will allow them to transform into some kind of merfolk or aquatic creature. They can last for several hours and will automatically bring them back to the surface before it wears out. Enjoy~ And beware the sirens.

A. Around Atlantis. The city is vast at the bottom of the ocean with so many things to see and do, with numerous shops opening their doors and the locals curious to meet their land based neighbors. So much so, perhaps another visit will be in order. For now, here are some highlights, and for those less inclined to try the potion, they could try and figure out a different way down there. Surely someone with enough dreamotion talents can come up with an idea?

🎣 Jellyfish Hunting. A favorite game of the Atlantians, there are special schools of jellyfish that swim around the city that come in a total of five different colors: blue, pink, yellow, green, and orange. If one catches at least one of each jellyfish, a small chest of jewels will be given as a prize. The jellyfish are friendly and harmless, though they might still try to sting out of defense.
🍴 Look at this Stuff. A young mermaid has been watching the "landdwellers" for a while now and has started to create her own collection of items only found on land. She asks any visitor she encounters whether they have or could find some trinket to add to her collection.
✨ Glowing Coral. The city is filled with beautiful, large coral patches and large reef gardens, especially just outside the city. Of particular note are special coral that sing, and one particular group of merfolk request some help in harvesting these to be used for everyday purposes in the city. Visitors are welcome to gather some for themselves—with careful moderation of course. As long as they are cut properly and kept in sea water, the coral will continue to thrive and potentially grow.

B. Temple of Saudade and Hiraeth. An ancient temple that is partially submerged just outside of Atlantis, and there is an indiscernible melody or song that can be heard faintly throughout the temple. The merfolk are still excavating it to find what all is within it, but it's a difficult endeavor due to the effects of the temple. It has a large amount of dreamotion energy and there are certain areas where people can become trapped in an illusory vision of a memory or unrealized dream with a very strong emotional tie to the individual. This will make the individual more emotionally reactive and must be calmed and talked out of their illusion. If the emotion is strong enough, whatever the character is seeing or wishing to be real will form.

C. Sirens. While not targeting the visitors swimming through Atlantis, there are sirens and other hostile fae that dwell in the ocean depths that don't take too kindly to the visitors. Stray too far from the safety of Atlantis or drift too deep into the shadows and they may appear to either harass or downright attack. Their songs are not as effective while someone is in merfolk/aquatic creature form, but they do have some effect to at least try and lure them for attention. Those who are afflicted with nightmares or have more nightmare energy will also be more susceptible.

❄️ Christmas Carols!? One siren in particular may be familiar to those from around Christmas. Called "Sirenia Caviary," she is one of the more "friendlier" sirens, but her voice wails through the waters as she is suffering from writer's block. Help her come up with new Christmas songs and the sirens may look more favorably on everyone.
🍌 Treasured Bananas. One reason why the sirens are hostile towards outsiders is due to a recent "plunder" of their precious chest of bananas. Seasalted Bananas are a delicacy and hard to come by since bananas are not found underwater. Bring some bananas to the sirens and their mood may improve.
♻️ Underwater Cleanup. Another reason for the sirens' hostility is the amount of trash and litter that has accrued both during the construction of the resort and the large influx of visitors thanks to it. While it wouldn't be enough to make them as friendly as their Atlantian cousins, clearing out some of that trash would at least make them less inclined to attack and chase upon sight. The collector in Atlantis might also find some use out of the items.

D. Thieves. There are some suspicious individuals (pirates) that appear around Atlantis trying to steal various treasures and items from the city and from the temple. Try to stop and catch them–but even if they are caught, they somehow escape. There is always an odd "click" and "buzz" sound before they disappear in black smoke that has a hint of nightmare energy in them…

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Nico was wandering the temple. The music reminds him of Apollo a little. Which reminds him of Will. He saw the illusion of his friend, but saw it for what it was.

He saw other illusions. His sister Bianca, which was hard to look away from.

It's then he sees Maedhros.]

Hey.

[He lifts a hand in greeting, watching him, wondering how to break him from the illusion.]

[Maedhros tenses at the sound of anothers voice and he has to remind himself that this is not Doriath before he does something unwise.

Exhaling a shuddering breath he hadn't even been aware he was holding he awnsers Nico without turning his eyes away from the terrible vision before him.]

...Greetings.

[The illusion of the two little boys recoil at the sound of his voice.]

[Nico knows grief better than any other emotion. So he knows it when Maedhros looked up at him.]

Who do you see?

[Nico's voice is soft and gentle.]

[The silence that passes stretches on long enough that one might start to wonder if he's even going to awnser the question at all.]

Eluréd and Elurín. The twin sons of the king of Doriath.

[He swallows down a wave of grief before it completely pulls him under.]

My brothers men... they put them out into the forest to die. I hope Tyelko didn't give the order but... I don't know. I hadn't understood my brother for a long time before his death and now he can't even awnser me anymore.

I looked for them when I heard what they'd done. For days... but I couldn't even find a trace of them.

[He hoped Tyelko's followers thought it was an action worth dying for, for they had found no mercy from him once he'd returned empty handed.]

[Nico pads over to him and stands next to him.]

I see my sister here. But it's just an illusion. She died... And I never got to say goodbye.

[Gently, he touched the elf's arm.]

We should leave. This place isn't healthy.

[It might be one of the hardest things he's ever done in his life, but that is enough to make him turn his eyes from the phantoms of his past sins.]

I'm sorry. I know... I know it is not real. [Logicaly, at least, he knows it is not real. But emotions are so much easier to fool than cold hard intelect.] They were so young... they died all alone in that forest.

[He shudders and make an effort to wipe the tears out of his eyes. Nico is right, this place is not good for him or anhyone else most likely. Best be off before it decides to bring more horrors from his past to the surface.]

You're right... this place is not a good one to be in.

The world is cruel to children.

[Nico gently tugs on his sleeve. Maedhros is so tall he feels like a little child.]

You can tell me about them when we get out of here if you think it'll help and you want.

[Grief is never easy, but Nico's familiar with it; he can listen. Sometimes that's all someone needs.]

Too cruel...

[If he wasn't so lost in his own pain he wouldn't let himself be led away like a lost child, but as it is he goes where he is led without resistance.]

I didn't know them. Just that they were small and alone and in danger.

[And that it was ultimately his fault that they were lost.]

You're a good person.

[Nico hums to show he's listening.]

We're almost there.

[And finally, they're out. Nico feels better the moment they hit fresh air.]

Not really...

[There was plenty of blood on his hand, just because he hadn't killed those children didn't mean he wasn't a murderer a thousand times over.]

Good, anymore time here and I might actually forget when and where I am.

[It feels like a heavy weight he didn't know he was carrying is lifted once they step outside.]

Let me be the judge of that.

[Nico's not the best person either. He too has blood on his hands. Not much in the way human blood, but he had killed other demigods in war.

And of course there was what he did to Bryce Lawerence.

And then they were out. He took a breath of fresh air.]

[Maedhros makes a non-committal noise at that, neither agreeing or disagreeing to that. There isn't much that will change how he sees himself by this point but he doesn't really want to burden anyone else with it either.

Once outside it is all he can do to keep himself from collapsing.]

I wonder what this temple was for... I can't imagining anyone wishing to revisit their memories in this way.

Dunno. But it's not the first temple I visited that's like that. One of the my father's temples will summon the spirits of your loved ones to test your resolve.

Test your resolve for what purpose?

If you're worthy, you have to earn your answers.

Some answers are hard, and not for the weak willed.

[He can't say he completely approve of the methods but he can see the logic behind them.]

And some knowledge needs be gurded, I guess. It is an effective deterrent...

It is.

[He let out a sigh.]

The gods aren't mortal, so they can't think like mortals. That's something you have to remember with them.

[He nods slowly in understanding.]

More like the Valar in thinking, perhaps? Being such vast entities their way of looking at things can be... alien to say the least.

Yeah...

[He looks up at the elf.]

I imagine you think differently than humans, too, for similar reasons.

[He blinks slowly, he'd never really thought about it much before. Humans being so very new in his eyes he'd simply put their oddities down to being young.]

Yes... that is probably true. The ones I knew certainly seemed to find us strange and intimidating in a way, and we in turn could not entirely understand them.

[Nico's quiet for a bit.]

Humans are strange. I'm half human, and yet I feel so distanced from them sometimes. Some demigods, those whos parents are further away from point of creation or not very powerful, they can experince more human lives than those off born to the elder Olympian brothers.

They are, they all seem to be in such a hurry most of the time... I fostered two half-elves once, I loved them more than I can say but I would be lying if I said I completely understood them. It must be hard to be torn between two different natures...

Because they only have so much time. And they are too aware of it.

Being two different natures, you straddle a line, looking into two different worlds, and yet...

And yet you don't belong to either. You're a tool at best or a freak.

Time... it is felt differently by my people, it is hard to keep up with everything changing around you in the blink of an eye.

It is an unfair thing to put on a child.

The twins got to chose in the end... which people they wanted to belong to, I mean. Part of me find it cruel to put that on them as well, at least while they were still so young.

I knew. The moment I found out about the choice I already knew what they would chose, and I mourned the eventual loss of one I had come to love as a son and even more for the fact that their choice would sunder them from one another in time.

[Nico goes quiet again.]

Yeah. I feel like that too. I'm not immortal, but I was plucked from one time and into another. Seventy years. And I don't remember much of it.

It hurts. I know that for me, it's better that I missed those decades. But my memory yearns for what was.

{ summer beach episode 2023 }

Temple of Saudade and Hiraeth

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