he ate my heart

[reddosmod]

AUGUST 2022 EVENT

EXTRA WARNING:

IMAGE DESCRIPTORS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
Prompt One
[Image One: The shore line lit up by some sort of bioluminescent organism. ]
[Image Two: A sunken pirate ship covered in algae, seaweed, and suffering from wood rot. ]

Prompt Two
[Image One: A tentacle wrapping around a persons hand. ]
[Image Two: A close up of someone's shoulder which is turning black and cracked and dripping water. ]

Prompt Three
[Image One: A statue of a human face, split in half, with a golden devil mask between the two halves. ]
[Image Two: A number of golden hands reaching up for a white sphere. ]

[NAVIGATION]

Prompt 1 • Prompt 2 • Prompt 3 • Plotting • Newsletter

[JUMP TO COMMENTS]

WE GLOW SO DIM

WHEN: August
WHERE: The Ocean
CONTENT WARNINGS: Deep diving, possible drowning, possible death

---

Early on in the month, the waves start to have a strange look to them. They seem a little brighter, even at night, and it's then that it hits you: the waves are glowing. It's easy to at first to brush it off as the bioluminescence of certain types of plankton, but the way it moves and sparkles has an other-worldly quality to it that can't be explained by science. Those who look even closer at the glow will notice that it seems to be forming some sort of path into the watery depths.

Those who choose to follow the path despite the angry waves and awful storms that plague the seas this month will find that the ocean seems to be at its calmest along these illuminated, watery roads. Diving down to follow them won't require any equipment, as Sleepers will find that staying within the glowing path allows them to breathe under water when they might normally not have been able to. The pressure changes don't seem to be impacting anyone who follows the light either, allowing them access to deeper depths of the ocean than may have previously been explored.

Continuing to follow the path will lead Sleepers to a series of ship wrecks under the water. These ancient vessels are rotted and covered in seaweed, but anyone who is familiar with the cultures of Earth will notice that they seem to come from all over the world and their styles vary by multiple centuries. But all the ships seem to be covered in this same, strange glow that has brought people here.

Exploring the ships will lead to multiple different discoveries. There are chests filled with ancient artifacts: carvings of squids, statues of various sea creatures that feel a little off somehow, and stones carved with a strange text that is almost impossible to decipher. The artifacts are covered in strange, rust-looking stains that penetrate deep into the materials they're made of. These artifacts can be brought back to shore, and if someone were to try and ask the Trenchies what the writing said, they would only be able to say that these are clearly texts of the Old Ones from long before any recorded history that Trench has in its Archives. When asked about the sea creatures, they'll think it's obvious: these are Mariana's various forms from over the years. The off qualities are her unique takes as a Pthumerian on the creatures of the ocean.

Prolonged exposure to these statues of Mariana will cause people to become more bluntly honest, more open with their emotions, and often much more prone to large outbursts from said emotions, both good and bad. However, Sleepers who keep these statues near them will also find that they are able to keep more control of their blood powers. It's up to each individual if it's a worthy trade off.

If you leave the path, two things can happen: Sleepers will either turn into their squid selves and can continue to swim or they will drown. There will be nothing of interest outside of these paths, just typical ocean creatures, and maybe some of those monsters that have been crawling out of the watery depths as of late.

[JUMP TO TOP] • [JUMP TO COMMENTS]

MONSTER WITHIN

WHEN: August
WHERE: All over
CONTENT WARNINGS: Body horror, mentions of potential cannibalism/vore, possible death, contagious curse

---

Soon after people start to explore the ships, a strange occurrence will start to sweep through the city. Locals start to mutter something about a curse, one that seems to only be impacting Sleepers. The early signs that there's something off is an increase in strength and stamina. For example, Sleepers will find that they might go to pick up a chair or a mug and it shatters in their hands. Some people may find that they are incapable of sleeping. Others might find they're able to move quicker and for longer periods than normal.

If they look themselves over, they will start to find small patches of skin that have started to gray and blacken. These patches will be cracked, almost scaley, and will be consistently damp no matter how hard you try to dry them off. As time passes, this odd rash will start to spread, taking over more and more of the body. The torso might start to swell and distort, making Sleepers feel particularly top heavy. And eventually, suckers will start to form on the arms and legs.

This curse isn't beasthood in its usual forms; instead, it seems to be some sort of malady in of the magical blood that Sleepers have been granted. If the blood of an infected Sleeper is looked at under a microscope, there will be black patches clinging to the cells, similar to the patches that people see on their skin. If it isn't stopped, the person suffering from the curse will ultimately turn into a monstrous form of their squid-selves: these monster forms are large, aggressive, and able to move on land. They will feel a hunger for destruction and some Sleepers may find in these forms that they are only satisfied if they feed on other, uncursed Sleepers.

There are two ways to lift the curse. One is through a thorough blood transfusion with a blood type that is compatible with your own. This becomes more difficult to do the closer to the monstrous form people get, both due to aggression from the curse, and also due to the fact that the black patches of skin are highly difficult to puncture. Once the blood is completely replaced by fresh blood, the skin patches will disappear over 48 hours and the Sleeper will be left feeling thoroughly exhausted.

The second way to lift the curse is through death. While these monster squid forms are difficult to kill, it is not impossible, and they are particularly susceptible to magic over weapons. Once a Sleeper has died, they can be reborn, and their blood will be completely free of the curse.

The blood malady can be spread outside of those who come into contact with the ship wrecks. People who touch a cursed Sleeper, particularly the scaley patches of skin, will also run the risk of being cursed. It takes roughly a week for the signs of the curse to show, and can spread as slowly or as rapidly as players choose.

[JUMP TO TOP] • [JUMP TO COMMENTS]

LAVISH DESIRES

WHEN: August
WHERE: All over
CONTENT WARNINGS: Personality changes, mental manipulation, hoarding, obsessive anxiety, disassociation, depersonalization

---

The high waves seem to just be getting higher at the beginning of the month. Rougher and rougher seas start to cause something anyone who's lived around water will be familiar with: flash floods. These floods are large, powerful, and fill the streets of Trench. First-floors of buildings may get extreme damage, though they can be protected with physical and magical barriers if people are smart about it. The floods happen multiple times throughout the month without warning, so it may be good to get that protection built up sooner rather than later.

The after effects of these floods aren't just structural devastation though. People who get caught up in the water, particularly those who end up swallowing it, will have one word echoing in their mind on a regular basis: More.

More of what? That seems to be different for each individual. Maybe one person wants more and more food, anything from an extra slice of cake after dinner, to wanting to stuff themselves until they just might pop. Or maybe they want to hoard all of their favorite objects or pieces of clothing, filling more and more of the space in their homes until they're ready to burst at the seems. Some might find it's their emotions that come in excess, with over the top anger, or irregular excitement that leaves them unable to sleep for days. Anything and everything can come in excess and it certainly seems to be this month. Some people may get these obsessive needs to such a degree that they start to feel disconnected from themselves, fractured by the overabundance that has taken over their lives.

If people ignore these desires, they'll start to find they're plagued by hallucinations. Strong, life-like visions that riddle them with anxiety and leave them petrified of what might happen if they don't partake in this gluttonous behavior. They'll feel shaken to the core and slowly go mad with need and desire for whatever it is they've been craving. This feeling of madness can make them become violent, lashing out at those around them, even killing those who try and help them out of belief that they're trying to force them to give in to their vices.

The impact of the water will wear off either after one week without re-exposure, or by using a Moon Drop to help to cleanse the mind.

[JUMP TO TOP]

CODING

Comments

[cuddlery]

Chizu!

[She's only in almost up to her knees when Chizuru calls out to her. She looks back casually with a smile and waves a pincer.]

Oh, it'll be fine. If there's anything bad down there, I'll try to stop it, or I'll run away. Either way, it'll be handled. I've got this!

[tealeafs]

[ .. Chizuru won't deny that Scorpia is strong. And cool. If anyone could handle a monster, it'd probably be her. Chizuru is Scorpia's #1 supporter when it comes to this..!!

Except.. she also knows that sometimes the dangers here are too strong for anyone to handle. Even for the most amazing people, like brave, casual Scorpia over here. It makes the girl still stand on the sand for a moment, chewing her lower lip with nerves for the other's fate. ]

I-I..

[ This is a bad idea.

Chizuru knows it's a bad idea, and yet she says it anyway. It's for her friend's sake..! She can't let Scorpia go on her own if it's dangerous! Even if there's not much Chizuru can do, she at least makes for a good meatshield.. ]

I'll come with you..! You shouldn't go by yourself!

[cuddlery]

Oh! You want to join in?

[She sounds eager about the possibility already! What better way to bond with your new roomie after all, then with a mysterious adventure that she's sure they'll both survive?]

Well if you feel sure about that, come right along! The water's nice. This can be like our first adventure together. Isn't that exciting?!

[tealeafs]

.. it's a little scary, honestly..

[ Please. Even though Chizuru is very, very polite, there's still not way she could totally lie about this. She has to at least tell Scorpia this much, even if she sounds kind of awkward admitting to it.

She wouldn't want someone as amazing and brave as Scorpia to think of her as a wuss, after all.

But she's still taking a few steps out into the water. ]

B-But hopefully we'll be alright as long as we're together. [ She adds, trying to talk a little bit of courage into her spirit. ] Maybe we can hold hands as we go in..?

[ .. or, you know, hold.. hand and pinchers?

Oh god, Scorpia wouldn't be offended by the expression holding hands, would she. Help!! ]

[cuddlery]

[Scorpia does look concerned as Chizuru admits to her fear. She is worried about putting her roommate in danger, and she doesn't want to force her into anything...

But ultimately, she has faith that they'll make it through this alright. Especially as Chizuru voices a similar sentiment! So a soft smile comes to her face - and at the mention of holding hands, she brightens up even more.]

Us, holding hands? ...I'd love that! [She immediately moves over closer to Chizuru, so she can gently clasp her hand with a cold pincer.]

Don't worry, Chizu. I'll lead you through this, and it'll be fun!

[tealeafs]

[ Scorpia's pincher is indeed a little cold, but Chizuru doesn't mind it much.. It means very little in the face of the huge relief it also brings to know that she has someone at her side during all of this. Someone who will stick with her, even if things get dangerous. ]

Thank you, M-- [ ACK. Trying to not be formal!! Is so hard!! ] Scorpia.

[ The smile on Chizuru's face isn't fake, though perhaps still a little weak. All of this is a lot..!! ]

Let's go in slowly though, okay? I.. can't really swim, so I don't want to get us into trouble..

[ Even if Scorpia might be able to just pull her along, considering the other's strength, Chizuru still just doesn't want to be a bother. ]

[cuddlery]

[Scorpia giggles at Chizuru's almost slip-up. It's kinda adorable how she has trouble with that!

Now she's excited for adventure, but she'll heed Chizuru's words and take it slow as they make their way into the water.]

Oh! Yeah, then we'll be extra careful then. We'll go slow and steady, and I'll help you every step of the way! And if you feel the need to ride on my back at any point, you have my permission to go for it!

[tealeafs]

.. Scorpia, you let people ride on your back..?

[ Well, Chizuru does realise that Scorpia is rather large. Or maybe that's just in comparison to her, since Chizuru definitely is a pretty compact person. She's pretty sure Scorpia could fit two or three of her on her back..

But just because it's possible doesn't mean it should happen! ]

I wouldn't want to burden you though..

[ She glances ahead of them. She's already waist-deep in the water now. ]

I can imagine it's already hard to move underwater by yourself, let alone with someone on your back..

[cuddlery]

Of course! Why wouldn't I? I love carrying people, in all sorts of ways. Not to brag, but I am strong enough to kinda handle a lot!

[She gives an encouraging smile.]

It won't be bad for me at all. You're a lot smaller than me too, Chizu. You could just cling to my back and it'll be fine!

[Scorpia keeps a gentle grip on her hand as they progress through the water.]

But this will still work fine too. Let's just move carefully, things are getting deeper!

[tealeafs]

[ Considering they are getting closer and closer to the part where they'll be deep into the water, Chizuru can feel her heart starting to pound more rapidly within her chest with nerves. She still wants to do this, it's just.. it's one thing to still be walking through the water, with your head above it, but it's another thing at all to dive right in. ]

R-Right. [ She gulps as she says it. Come on, Chizuru, be brave! Be just as brave as Scorpia, who looks like she has no trouble at all with this..!! ]

I guess we'll be underwater soon.. I hope holding our breath won't be a problem.

[ Because Chizuru doesn't think she could do that for too long.

Even though she's technically a squid. But she's not a squid right now, so who knows!! ]

[cuddlery]

[Scorpia's heart rate is not increasing too. Due to excitement! Here they are, off on their first official adventure since becoming roommates, and it's just about time to take the plunge!

But Chizuru's feelings do not go unnoticed. She's trying to be more attentive about things like this!]

I hope so too. Maybe whatever's happening to the water will make that not a problem. Or we might have to tey squidding it up?

[She then gives her hand a reassuring squeeze.]

But if it really does turn out to be a problem - I got you, Chizu. I'll take us back to shore the second it seems like breathing won't be a thing! I promise.

[tealeafs]

[ Please do notice if it looks like she can't breathe, Scorpia. Don't let this poor girl drown!!!

Chizuru seems to have enough faith in her friend though. She nods, looking like she's at least trying to calm herself down, despite all of this being very, very nerve-inducing. ]

Okay. Let's.. go under then. I can't swim, so if you could pull me along, I'd be really grateful..

[ After she says it, Chizuru is sucking in a deep breath - just in case breathing is going to be a problem. But that means she's ready now, Scorpia! Feel free to pull her along so they can go underwater! ]

[cuddlery]

[Scorpia nods along diligently! And she tried to he reassuring in her demeanor.]

Of course! I'll be your personal tugboat, tugging you all the way to adventure! If things feel wrong, just pull on my ear and I'll come right back up, okay?

Alright... Here we go!

[And with that, she takes a deep breath and goes under, pulling Chizuru down with her! Down into the glowing water... where air seeks as plentiful as the water itself!]

[tealeafs]

[ See, at first Chizuru isn't too sure whether that's the case. So she's still holding her breath as well as she can, while making sure to cling onto Scorpia's hand so she doesn't accidentally get separated from the other. The last thing she'd want is to float around by herself in the water...

But there's no way she can keep up the entire breath holding thing for long. Chizuru may not be human, but she has most of the same capabilities as a human - which don't include holding your breath for too long, really.

But as she realises she has no choice but to open her mouth to try and breathe, she realises that she can breathe underwater.

Does she know how? Of course not. But in this place it's sometimes better to not question these things, she has found. ]

Oh.. Scorpia, it's fine..! It's fine for you too, right?

[ You know, a-asking just in case Scorpia is choking underwater due to the lack of air!! Then they'd have an emergency on their hands! ]

[cuddlery]

[Scorpia was trying to hold her breath as well, all serious and intent about seeing them through this safely! She can last a good while holding her breath, but the question is how long can Chizuru last?

She receives an answer to her question not long afterwards, when Chizuru speaks.]

What's fine? [She answers absentmindedly, before it tries to hit here.] Oh wait, are we talking? ...And... and... hey! I feel fine in the air department too! It's like we're breathing normally too!

[She's excited about this realization! It feels like there's no reason to turn back now.]

[tealeafs]

Yeah!

[ She doesn't seem bothered by Scorpia's delayed realisation at all, chalking it up to the fact that the other must be really good at holding her breath underwater. So good that there's no way she would have realised anywhere remotely close to before Chizuru did.

So instead she just smiles - mostly in relief. ]

I guess that's one thing we won't have to worry about as we go down.. [ And thanks to Scorpia dragging her along, they've got the moving underwater part covered too. ] Now the only thing we have to hope for is that there's nothing dangerous down here.

[ Because, you know, there often is in this place. Danger is always all over Trench. ]

[cuddlery]

[She definitely didn't start breathing without noticing it... Nope, not this scorpion gal!]

Yeah, it's a big relief! This is really turning out to be an even nicer trip than I expected.

[She smiles at Chizuru, while she continues to drag her along through the water.]

Maybe this whole thing will be really nice and easygoing like this! It feels like a good sign at least. Also, how pretty is all this glowiness? [She gestures around them with her free claw.]

[tealeafs]

[ Truthfully.. Chizuru is still a little wary. Maybe it's since it has been hard to find anything in this place that has truly been pleasant on purpose without something bad being involved in some way.

But on the other hand, the girl can't deny the fact that Scorpia is right. This all does seem pretty nice so far. Especially since they're still moving through the water without being attacked by anything, even as they're heading deeper down. ]

It is pretty.. [ She can't disagree with that, nerves or no nerves. ] I don't think I've ever seen anything like it before. I didn't even know things could glow underwater..

[ Granted, Chizuru knows very little about underwater life in any sort of way. ]

[cuddlery]

I know, right? It's great! [The most underwater she's been was that party being thrown by the fake Prince Peekablue, but she was more focused on the inside than the sights outside at the time. So this really is a marvel, seeing everything through the filter of the glowing water.]

The ocean can be really mysterious and pretty. It's nice! I'm glad we can see all this without, y'know, dying.

[She speaks as they get deeper and further, some glowing wrecked ships lurking ahead.]

Ooh, lookit those!

[tealeafs]

Ships..?

[ Maybe if Chizuru was a little bit more occupied with the ocean - either back home or in this place - she might have heard more stories of shipwrecks like this. Of ships sinking to the bottom of the sea, and remaining there.

She's never heard many stories like that before though, which means Chizuru is a little surprised by the sudden sight. Her eyes grow a little wider as they slowly move closer and closer towards the things. ]

What are those doing here? Did they just.. sink here..? [ At least she can think that up by herself, stories or no stories. ] How long have they already been down here..?

[ Without anyone even noticing them! ]

[cuddlery]

[Scorpia's more familiar with stories of sunken ships and treasures and the such.]

Oh yeah, they have to be sunken! There isn't really any other way they can end up here like that. I can't tell how long they've been here, but uh, I'd guess it must have been some really long time!

[As she speaks, the path leads them to the seafloor, where they can just stand and walk. Scorpia will still, of course, keep her grip on Chizuru's hand as she proceeds forward.]

It kinda looks like they might be our destination.

[tealeafs]

[ Hey, Chizuru isn't complaining about being led around like she's some sort of toddler. She's actually kind of grateful for the physical contact, since it's reassuring. Especially all the way down here, with so much water above them. Sure, they can breathe down here and walk around as if they're not underwater at all, but thinking of how close they are to drowning is still definitely more than just a little bit scary..

So the girl keeps her hand in Scorpia's pincher as she's walking, glancing around curiously at the ships ahead of them. ]

Really? But.. why would we be brought down here..?

[ Those ships don't look like a way home, disappointingly enough.

But that means there's got to be something else down here that's important, right? Why else would the water be glowing? ]

Maybe there's something inside of the ships?

[cuddlery]

[It is a very fun tour of the ocean floor, and Scorpia is very happy to lead Chizuru on it! She only wishes there was some way to take pictures of this to commemorate their little adventure together!

In any case, Scorpia remains confident and generally in good spirits as they walk towards the ships. And she picks up her pace a bit, eager to get where they're going!]

Yeah, that's gotta be it! Whatever they're leading us to has to be inside the ships. Maybe it's some kind of cool treasure or something, or a moral about friendship! [All things that sound equally exciting.] Ooh I can't wait to find out! Now see Chizu, this is the excitement of adventure right here!

[tealeafs]

Ah, I'm.. pretty sure it's probably no moral about friendship.. [ Knowing this place.

Still, Chizuru points it out very, very gently. It's not like she wants to dash Scorpia's hopes - or to make the other feel bad in any way! It's just that she also doesn't want Scorpia to get her hopes up a little bit too much about something that will probably not be there..

To make sure there's a good balance though, she also adds while they walk: ]

But a treasure doesn't sound so unlikely!

[ Right? Isn't that what you'd find in shipwrecks like these? Chizuru doesn't think she's giving Scorpia false hopes with that one! ]

What kind of treasure do you think there'd be..?

[cuddlery]

[Scorpia doesn't seem too crestfallen by Chizuru's reminder and accepts it with a nod.]

Well yeah, you have a point. I might have been using a little bit of wishful thinking there! But yeah, treasure? That's a natural part of sunken ships from what I hear! There could be gold and jewels and... I dunno, books of old sailing secrets? Hey, maybe this trip could be educational too!

[It could always help to learn more about Trench! She flashes Chizuru an eager smile as they draw closer to the hull of one ship.]