saltburnmods: (Default)
π–˜π–†π–‘π–™π–‡π–šπ–—π–“π–™ π–’π–”π–‰π–˜. ([personal profile] saltburnmods) wrote in [community profile] draino2024-11-09 08:00 am
Entry tags:

ππ‹πˆπ’π’, ππ‹πˆπ’π’, ππ‹πˆπ’π’ β–£ NOV TDM





NOVEMBER 2024 TDM: RENAISSANCE


Welcome to SALTBURNT, a panfandom smut/thriller game based off the film Saltburn, where characters are encouraged to indulge their deepest desires. The money never runs out and the liquor never stops pouring, so you may as well indulge from the bounty. Of course, things are rarely what they seem, and the manor itself seems to have a consciousness of its own. Throw parties, trash the house, engage in youthful merriment, but remember β€” dangers come out at night, and no one, no matter how rich you are, is safe from demons lurking in the shadows.

Threads can be considered game canon, provided the players agree. Players can also start fresh upon acceptance into the game. In game characters can post to the TDM directly, using Β« NEW CHARACTER/IN GAMEΒ» in the header. There will be a spot below for new characters to link their toplevels for easy access. Alternatively, prompts on the Test Drive can be used for in game logs.







WELCOME TO SALTBURNT


It's the hangover more than the light streaming in through half drawn curtains that wakes you up, your brain rattling in your skull, your mouth dry and cottony, your stomach churning with whatever it is you drank last night. If self preservation is your strong suit, you might turn over in bed and see a few painkillers laid out for you on a silver dish, accompanied by a glass of water. If it isn’t, stay in bed and wallow β€” eventually a maid will be in to tear your curtains open, saying, "Breakfast is served," and scurrying out quietly, invisibly. Breakfast? Maybe it’s normal for you. Maybe it isn’t.

You're drawn from the room, either by the mystery, or an undefinable urge that could be supernatural in origin, or could be your hunger catching up to you. It's almost nostalgic, the walk to the dining room β€” have you been here before? Were you drawn up to this estate in a car? Haven’t you done all this already? Maybe you mosey around a library, maybe you run into your suite mate in your adjoining bathroom. Regardless, seemingly all hallways, covered in priceless artworks and ancient relics from times long past, lead to the dining room, where a comically long table houses the Balfours and their many guests, some who seem just as disgruntled and confused as you. No matter. "Breakfast will be out in a minute," they say. What's that?

EDIT SEPTEMBER 2024: For those who have attended breakfast with the Balfours before, a change in routine might come as a shock, given how rarely they stray from form. However, as of September, CARMY BERZATTO has taken over Head Chef position, alongside his cousin RICHIE JERIMOVICH and always the bridesmaid never the bride, SANJI. In place of the self-serve style breakfast, there is an elevated menu, including: a self-serve juice bar, with pitchers of various juiced fruit and vegetables, shaved ice, coconut water, green and black tea syrups, potted microherbs, sliced whole berries, and finger limes. There is also, naturally, liquor and champagne available. Guests can make their own drinks, or ask the allocated staff member to serve them one of the "specials" if they're feeling adventurous.

That said, these are world class chefs, so the gold is really in the menu:
THE EGGS

𝐓𝐇𝐄 π‰πŽππ“π˜: one runny boiled egg shelled and recoated in edible gold leaf, seated on a throne of fried bread soldiers, plated with whipped butter and italian parsley.
𝐄𝐆𝐆𝐒 ππ„ππ„πƒπˆπ‚π“: vinegar poached eggs with hollandaise foam on a bed of toasted freekah and baby spinach.
𝐄𝐆𝐆𝐒 π’π‡π€πŠπ€π’π‡πŽπ”πŠπ€: two eggs poached in a ramekin of pureed tomato, served with a crispy grilled cheese cut to dip.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 π’π˜πƒππ„π˜: french omelette with a light cheese filling, topped with crushed potato chips and chives.
πŽπ„π”π…π’ ππ‘πŽπ”πˆπ‹π‹π„π’: fluffy scrambled eggs in brown butter, served on sourdough.
π’ππ€ππˆπ’π‡ 𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓: mini-quiche made with caramelized red onions and jamon pata negra ham.
𝐄𝐆𝐆 πŒπ‚π’π€ππƒπ–πˆπ‚π‡: bacon, egg, cheese and sausage breakfast muffin that tastes weirdly like it was made at a popular chain with golden arches.

THE SWEETS

❖ momofuku's "cereal milk" ❖
❖ fette biscottate with a sour cherry jam and peanut floss ❖
❖ a warm cinnamon bun served with a shot of espresso coffee for dipping ❖
❖ a macadamia-marzipan croissant with a wattleseed and burnt-honey filling ❖
❖ poffertjes with a liquid nutella injection ❖


If you want to leave, you’ll have to tell Giles, the housekeeper, who will arrange a car for you that mysteriously, or perhaps suspiciously, never arrives. Unfortunately, confronting Giles about it is near impossible, as he’s as good at being invisible as the rest of the house staff. Of course, there’s no reason why you can’t just walk out. The front gates are easy enough to jump over, even if the walk towards them gives you a strange sense of foreboding, or just outright discomfort, as if the ground itself doesn’t want you to leave. Those more sensitive or fragile might find they can’t make the jump, no matter how physically able, or desperately wanting. Still, a strong person could continue on, over the fence and into the lush English countryside. The feeling doesn’t dissipate, though β€” this sense of wrongness, almost sickness, like a weight on your back. Walk into the evergreen, carry on, but the strongest will make it perhaps a mile or so before the weight of dread and paranoia brings you to your knees, and then to your face, flat in the middle of a dirt road. What were you thinking? Is this really better?

Wake up with a hangover, in a bed, the curtains drawn, the maid saying, "Breakfast is served," before scurrying out. The painkillers are there, just like you remember. In fact, it’s all exactly how you remember, as if you never left an imprint the first time, or any mess you made was cleared away while your back was turned. Walk to the dining room, find everyone there eating away at their breakfast.

"We dress for dinner," says Portia, with a kind, if discerning smile. "Black tie."




2 GIRLS 1 CUP

CONTENT WARNINGS: nudity, potential for nsfw.

Over the past few days, a bit of construction has taken place on the grounds of the Saltburnt estate, and while it's difficult to piece together what exactly is being built, it's clear to see: whatever it is, it's massive, taking up a huge percentage of the grounds with multiple included structures. On the outside it seems almost like a neighborhood is being sprung up β€”Β new houses for people to live in, maybe? New shops, disconnected from the manor at large? All is revealed on opening day, when upon entry all are greeted with cheery hellos from jauntily clad persons shouting, "Huzzah!" and "Hail and well met!" For the more medieval and fantasy inclined among you, it might feel like stepping somewhere familiar and homey. To the rest, you know β€” you've just walked into a Ren Faire. Costumes are expected.

Not sure what to wear? Those born between SEPTEMBER to FEBRUARY are dubbed part of the Unseelie Court, which is associated with darkness and decay, generally dressed in deep, dark colors. Those born between MARCH to AUGUST are part of the Seelie Court, which is associated with stars and sky, in lighter, brighter colors.

On either side of the split path, you're assaulted by the scents, sights, and sounds of any ordinary Ren Faire. Vendors pawn off garlicky mushrooms and full turkey legs, or flower crowns and juggling sticks in exchange for a kiss, a secret, a lock of hair, or something of equal nonsensical value. Step inside a shop and see sellers offering crude jewelry and satchels of loose leaf tea, fudge sold by the ounce and porcelain ocarinas. Essentially, if it's kitschy and thematic, you can find it here, being sold to you by people in costume who refuse to break character.

Shopping not quite your style? Fear not! If you're lucky in your wanderings, your might spot the Unseelie Queen ALICENT HIGHTOWER or her counterpart and opposed Seelie Queen LAURALAE carried on palanquins towards the very back of the faire, where the real heart of the show takes place in a small stadium for entertainment purposes β€”Β a tourney for distinguishing yourself as the best among your peers in the manor. Prior to the tourney, all characters are given a favor of some kind ( an embroidered handkerchief, ribbon, garland, or piece of jewelry ) to give to a person of their choosing, be they a competitor or not, to show their support. Strangely, this favor seems to link them through an empathetic, sensation-based bond, so they feel everything their chosen competitor experiences. Mutual favors result in a mutual bond.

The challenges are set: ARCHERY/KNIFE THROWING, SWORDFIGHTING/HAND-TO-HAND, and a BARD'S TOURNEY. In addition to the more ye olde flavor of competition, there are also challenges for COUPLE TENNIS, HORSE POLO, and CHESS. And, in true Saltburnt fashion, there is also a somewhat lewd display of voyeuristic NUDE WRESTLING, where the first person to have an orgasm loses. (You can sign up for these competitions HERE.) To every challenge there is dubbed a winner, who in the old Westerosi tradition gets to crown a chosen "maiden" with the title THE QUEEN OR KING OF LOVE AND BEAUTY and an extravagant wreath of flowers, their victory dedicated to the lucky lord or lady. These wreaths are both fashionable and functional β€” while wearing them, no one can resist following whatever queenly command your character gives. Additionally, winners will receive prizes courtesy of Saltburnt, all to be determined upon victory.

Whichever queen has the most winners at the end of the tourney is crowned HIGH QUEEN OF THE FAE. The Queen is paraded around and celebrated by all, and while tribute is not necessary, it certainly is appreciated!






RING AROUND THE ROSEY


CONTENT WARNINGS: potential for nsfw.

The Ren Faire fixture runs adjacent to the tree line of the forest, which one can enter through a booth manned by THE GREAT WIZARD ARCHIBALD, who warns you to be prepared to enter the Realm of the Fae beyond his backdrop curtain, before handing you a flower and a pair of antlers (or a head piece from your fauna choice) for your journey to the beyond. Upon entering, you are greeted by a forest that bears no resemblance to the woods you've grown to expect in your time at the manor, everything more exaggeratedly lush than it had been even a day or so prior. Plump fruits with slightly glimmering skins grow fat on the vine, every leaf on every tree vibrant and healthy despite the changing of seasons, gone orange and red with the cold. Despite that, it's surprisingly balmy in the forest, everything illuminated by glimmering fairy lights and strung up lanterns. Flowers bloom under your feet, alongside perfect little red mushrooms, everything so idealistic it almost borders on discomfort.

Despite any reservations, there is a wild compulsion to everyone who enters the forest. The flower the wizard gave you is pungent enough to dizzy your head, leading you to the instinct of frolicking β€” or if you're not the type to frolick, then wandering β€”Β through the woods, to find some counterpart to your particular flower in a very innocent (or not so innocent) game of cat and mouse. Once you find them, a simple kiss will serve as enough to claim your prize and ease the compulsion. Unless, of course, you want to give a little more. It couldn't hurt, right?

Wander further through the seemingly never ending woods, drawn on of the beauty of faerie, and find yourself at a somewhat rundown chapel surrounded by foliage, the roof and walls broken down with age, invaded by exploring plant life that crawls and vines through every crack and opening. While the stone altar of indeterminate denomination seems like it hasn't been seen for hundreds of years, let alone cleaned, there's the distinct impression you are walking on hallowed, sacred ground when you move to inspect it. Those clever among you might note different runes etched on what appears to be a wooden tabernacle on an ancient pillar at the back of the chapel. Looking into it, there's a word from an unknown language carved inside, complimented with a cheat sheet bit of yellowing paper which reads F. M. K., with further explanation: FRIENDS, MARRY, KINK.

What could it mean? Well. You and whoever you entered the chapel with, or whoever enters next, are stuck until further notice unless you complete one of the proffered options. FRIENDS, it's time you bury the hatchet, let bygones be bygones and accept our faults moving forward, together, to the future. MARRY, let's seal our bonded union with the trees as our witness, in a church of our own making. KINK, if the altar can't be used for the former, it can certainly be used for the latter. Nothing vanilla will do β€”Β kink up or shut up.

Once completed, you're free to leave and roam around the forest at your leisure. If you wander far enough you might hear a distant, organic sound whirring and clicking from the trees, but don't worry. Whatever is watching you probably doesn't bite.




DIRECTORY


onlyvibes: (pic#16985433)

[personal profile] onlyvibes 2024-11-09 11:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's actually kind of a comical thing to say, from Gideon's perspective. He wonders if Aegon would say the same about mermaids and satyrs.]

That's just what they want you to think.

[He's kidding. Partially. Maybe.

He raises his eyebrows at the question about what he's buying, though.]


It's not clay. It's fudge. Chocolate.
beneficiary: (85)

[personal profile] beneficiary 2024-11-09 11:27 pm (UTC)(link)
( Aegon would absolutely say mermaids and satyr don't exist, whilst simultaneously extolling the virtues of being a dragon rider. Such is the hypocrisy of the world. )

Then their secret is a terrible one, if it were to exist.

( If they wanted people to not believe, then having it as an emblem is kind of counter productive in Aegon's mind. But he's also not going to lose sleep over it, opting to finish his mead and looking over his shoulder at the contents of the stall. The owner has already given up on trying to shoo Aegon away, only giving an exasperated look in the young King's direction. )

I have heard of neither those things. Should I have?
onlyvibes: (pic#16982222)

[personal profile] onlyvibes 2024-11-09 11:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Is it? It seems to work for them.

[He doesn't know a lot about the Fae, really, but he knows they like their games and their trickery, especially when it comes to humans. The stories are full of them fucking with foolish mortals.

He shrugs at the next question, just as the vendor hands his fudge over to him.]


I guess it depends on where you're from.

[He knows by now not every world has the same food options. Aemond didn't know what coffee was at first, either.]

Does this stall smell like clay or dirt to you?

[Chocolate and sugar tend to smell a little sweeter and more pleasant than your average lump of clay.]
beneficiary: (85)

[personal profile] beneficiary 2024-11-10 09:22 am (UTC)(link)
( It seems to work for them. That's enough to have Aegon truly thinking about it as he stares into the distance. Something that existed, hiding by making others believe they did not exist....

Aegon shakes his head. This is too much thinking at a time that is supposed to be festivities and instead he peers back at the items on the stall, properly paying attention as he gives a tentative sniff. Sweet, almost akin to that of honeycakes filters through for the first time and Aegon's eyes widen a little in surprise.
)

I saw no reason to get close enough. ( He's never going to admit being wrong, but Aegon can at least concede when a point is truly good enough and the discovered scent of fudge and chocolate is soothing any frayed pride for now. ) The presentation leaves little to be desired. It is edible then?
onlyvibes: (pic#17004884)

[personal profile] onlyvibes 2024-11-10 12:13 pm (UTC)(link)
[You know what, Gideon can't really argue with that. Fudge is generally not trying to be pretty. It's more about texture and taste than presentation.]

Yes, it's a kind of dessert.

[He breaks off a piece from the chunk of fudge he was just handed and offers it to Aegon.]
beneficiary: (16)

[personal profile] beneficiary 2024-11-10 07:08 pm (UTC)(link)
( Desserts were meant to look fanciful and Aegon vaguely wonders if such things here will set the tone for the rest of the stay. Breakfast had looked fine, so perhaps it is the stall owner not understanding that most ate with their eyes first.

The offered piece of fudge gets a blank look, blue eyes moving from the dessert to the owner as Aegon wonders what the ploy is. No-one gave things away for free, back home such things were done to curry favour and the young king raises an eyebrow as he makes no move to take the fudge.
)

I am not sharing any of my hair if that is what you are wishing for in return.
onlyvibes: (pic#17362757)

[personal profile] onlyvibes 2024-11-10 07:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[Gideon blinks at him, vaguely amused.]

I have my own hair.

[So he has no need for Aegon's. He'll take the offered bite of fudge and eat it himself, unbothered by the apparent refusal.]

I wasn't trying to barter, I just thought you might want to sample it, so you could form your own opinion.

[It's fair to be wary, though. He can't really blame him.]
beneficiary: (37)

[personal profile] beneficiary 2024-11-11 09:38 am (UTC)(link)
That's what they have been asking for here. Locks of hair or secrets, neither of which I wish to share.

( Aegon's posture slightly relaxes as he realises Gideon isn't trying to get something from him. Someone wasn't trying to barter, or give something in exchange for something else? He's so used to people wanting something that the blond isn't even sure what to do with this information. )

Such things normally walk hand in hand with a request for something else. This food is from your world then?
onlyvibes: (pic#16988266)

[personal profile] onlyvibes 2024-11-11 05:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, I admit the economy is a little odd.

[This is coming from someone who, himself, is also a little odd. He gives an affirmative hum at the question.]

That's right. My world is a lot like the world of the manor. [He pauses a moment to reflect in that because he realizes it's not entirely accurate.] Or...I guess I should say the world of the manor is what my world was like about fifteen years ago or so.
beneficiary: (34)

[personal profile] beneficiary 2024-11-12 01:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Your world sounds strange then. I am not used to a lot of things they have shown in the manor, many of them would be considered stories if anything back home. But if anything, most of it appears to be convenient.

( Like the devices, being able to send messages without the use of birds and the likes is something Aegon is pretty sure he'll never stop being impressed at. That, and coffee which has taken the edge off his hangover better than any Maester could have. )

This faire is more akin to my world, though severely lacking in dragons.
onlyvibes: (pic#17002814)

[personal profile] onlyvibes 2024-11-13 11:43 pm (UTC)(link)
It is.

[He can't deny that his world is a strange one. But then, Gideon would guess that most worlds are strange in some way or another. He's sure he'd find things strange if he ended up in Aegon's world, as well.]

But yes, I think technology has advanced as much as it has because people like convenience.

[A beat and then:]

I suppose I can't blame you for being disappointed by the lack of dragons, though.
beneficiary: (pic#17488684)

[personal profile] beneficiary 2024-11-16 12:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Technology. Another one of those strange words this place seems to enjoy.

( He's mostly certain it means the objects used to send letters to others without the need of ravens. But sometimes the word is used in other contexts and Aegon is loathe to ask each and every time. )

Everyperson present should be disappointed by the lack of dragons. Only my family, the Targaryens, become dragon riders. My own dragon, Sunfyre, is the greatest one. Scales of gold, wings of pearl and even when raining dragonfire upon our enemies the flames burn brightest.

( Aegon misses his dragon. This place sucks. )
onlyvibes: (pic#17004884)

[personal profile] onlyvibes 2024-11-17 12:02 am (UTC)(link)
Well, the words do have meaning here, so I suppose so.

[When new stuff gets invented you need to come up with words for them, right? It makes sense.

Anyway, Gideon takes another bite of fudge and listens to Aegon talk about his dragon. He knows about the Targaryens, of course, because he knows Aemond. And Alicent. But mostly Aemond at this point. His brows draw together in thought, though, and after a moment he says:]


But what about Vhagar? She's bigger, right? And older.
beneficiary: (120)

[personal profile] beneficiary 2024-11-21 12:09 pm (UTC)(link)
What about Vhagar?

( Immediately that catches Aegon's full attention. This person has obviously been talking to someone from the family if they know the name, and considering size is immediately mentioned then the chances are this person has been talking with Aemond.

Aegon folds his arms and gives a small huff, almost looking put out by the questioning.
)

Vhagar is bigger and older yes, but that doesn't mean they're the better dragon. That title is reserved for Sunfyre. Now where did you hear that name I wonder?
onlyvibes: (pic#17523057)

[personal profile] onlyvibes 2024-11-23 02:47 am (UTC)(link)
[Gideon gets the impression that probably every Targaryen will think their own dragon is the best dragon, so this isn't the sort of thing that can be argued about. They're all going to be biased.]

I'm a friend of Aemond's.

[Is it presumptuous to call himself the friend of a prince? Maybe, but he's not terribly worried about it. What he doesn't mention, though, is that he hasn't just heard about Vhagar. He has seen her in Aemond's dreams. So her size isn't theoretical to him. He's seen it for himself, and it's impressive.]
beneficiary: (16)

[personal profile] beneficiary 2024-11-26 09:32 am (UTC)(link)
( It's true, each Targaryen will think their dragon the best as they all have their own bonds with them. Aegon would die on the hill that Sunfyre is the best boy of the dragons. Twice.

A friend?

Blond eyebrows rise at that statement as Aegon is unable to keep the surprise from his face. Aemond? Friends? He could perhaps believe it had Aemond spoken the words, but the fact someone else speaks them means the friendship goes both ways.

His brother has made friends? What strange days have been thrust upon them?
)

And does my valonqar's friend have a name?
onlyvibes: (pic#16988266)

[personal profile] onlyvibes 2024-11-30 05:26 am (UTC)(link)
[He's not familiar with the word Aegon uses, but he can read the context clues well enough not to question it. He just looks vaguely amused by the question.]

It would be a little weird if I didn't, don't you think? [Even mermaids name their kids.] Gideon Drake.