reddosmod: (Deer 2)
Deer Country Mod ([personal profile] reddosmod) wrote in [community profile] deercountry2022-08-08 09:32 pm

he ate my heart

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. ]

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.

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.

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.

CODING
martyrofduty: (Default)

[personal profile] martyrofduty 2022-08-12 12:07 am (UTC)(link)
Pyrrha reaches up and offers to take one or more of the jars. The sand is more cushion than rock, but they could still break. The hold looks too precarious for a real conversation. "I was getting ready to go in," Pyrrha answers. "I'm not in any rush." Enough of life is. Her time is hers.

She considers the girl and the jars. "What are you aiming to fill the jars with?" she asks. Not just one, multiple. If the girl knows about the ships, there are any number of better options to transport the finds than jars. Especially jars without a sack or net or other aid. No, it doesn't look like something to bring down to the ship.
melodyofsilence: (the next we're in the night)

[personal profile] melodyofsilence 2022-08-14 10:54 pm (UTC)(link)
There's no move to stop the other from taking a couple of the jars, shifting her own hold on the rest to balance them a little better. She should have brought something to carry them all in, but her welcome bag is holding other items at the moment that Hotaru wants to keep safe. "It's a pretty view, rushing about seems like a shame."

"Some of the glow, I wanted to gift one to the people I care about." If there are more jars than Senshi currently here, Hotaru will keep them as a gift should the others come. It will light up her room until then. And if there's also a compulsion to get as many as she can carry, well... it's not so bad yet.
martyrofduty: (Default)

[personal profile] martyrofduty 2022-08-15 12:19 am (UTC)(link)
Pyrrha takes a few of the jars and guides the way toward the water. The glowing water hasn't threatened her, but other than what sticks to her body when wet, Pyrrha hasn't taken any of it. Mariana is temperamental. So she's unsure how this action will be taken. While she cannot fight the ocean (correction: and win), she can quickly carry this girl away as fast as possible should something happen.

"You have a lot of friends," Pyrrha comments. She crouches to line the jars up in the sand, takes one, and wades into the water to fill it.
melodyofsilence: (take my arms that I might reach you")

[personal profile] melodyofsilence 2022-08-25 12:53 am (UTC)(link)
There are some fierce monsters emerging from the sea since her arrival, even coming on shore had been a struggle. However, Hotaru respects and understands the cycle of life, death, and rebirth for someone who looks so young. So she follows Pyrrha to the shore and sets her jars down at the edge of the water.

"I'm very blessed to know them," said with a smile. She takes a couple of steps into the ocean, and kneels there. With hands folded together in front of her, Hotaru closes her eyes.

Silently, she thanks Mariana for allowing her to come here, to guide her family and friends safely, for future successful rebirths. Once her gratitude is expressed to the sea and the Pthumerian that watches over it, Hotaru gets to her feet, moving back to the jars.
martyrofduty: (Default)

[personal profile] martyrofduty 2022-08-25 03:55 am (UTC)(link)
Pyrrha pauses her actions to observe the prayer in stillness and silence. It's not quite prayer for her, simply respect. Recognition of this force in their lives. Her heart beats slow and steady, and Pyrrha watches Hotaru as she returns to the act of gathering water.

"Are they generally from home or from Trench?" Pyrrha asks. Some people are the only ones from their homes. Others are surrounded by people, those they like and dislike.
melodyofsilence: (I'll be running back to find you)

[personal profile] melodyofsilence 2022-09-17 10:31 pm (UTC)(link)
She has her own goddesses that she'd pray to, the ones who she serves and follows even into the most treacherous paths. So Hotaru cannot give her full devotion to the Patrons here, only her respect and gratitude.

"Three of my friends from home are here. But I've made friends here too." These are mostly for the people that are gone, in hopes that she can one day give it to them. "Do you have any friends from home here?"
martyrofduty: (Default)

[personal profile] martyrofduty 2022-09-18 02:44 am (UTC)(link)
Filling the jars is an easy task. It keeps hands busy (and if one's not careful, butt wet), while allowing for conversation. Boring work can build community, done right.

"A couple," Pyrrha says, "I'm glad to have them and just as glad for those I'm getting to know." She pauses, considering the last world she was on and the large being that weighed on its existence. "Refugees. Immigrants. We come from disparate places but are in the same boat."
melodyofsilence: (hello darkness my old friend)

[personal profile] melodyofsilence 2022-09-18 03:10 am (UTC)(link)
Hotaru will join in filling the jars. Watching the way the water swirls into the glass container.

"It's good to have people you know here. I think I'd be a little lonely without them." While she hasn't really been alone since this life started, Saturn was always the unwanted one. Alone on her planet, even if asleep until it came time to drop the glaive. Meeting new people was okay, but she had a connection to the girls from her universe, one that couldn't be replicated by just anyone. "I'm glad you have them, too."
martyrofduty: (Default)

[personal profile] martyrofduty 2022-09-18 06:38 am (UTC)(link)
Pyrrha looks over at the apparently not lonely compatriot with her tonight. A few people she knows. In one form or another, it speaks to loneliness. Attrition was slow, but Duty knows what it is like only to have a few companions. That was all that had been left. Then that was gone too, and Pyrrha had a new small family to concern herself with. That was all she'd had room for, those precious few and no more.

A few being enough not to be lonely. Not to be lonelier? Pep in her step, a smile, energy in the moment, none of them disprove pain or loneliness. They only reflect a snapshot in time, an accomplishment in the now. Pyrrha nods, "Me too."

They've filled more than three jars. "And the rest of these?" she asks.
melodyofsilence: (and galaxies ignite)

[personal profile] melodyofsilence 2022-09-19 01:58 am (UTC)(link)
Until recently, Saturn had always been the unwanted Senshi. The harbinger of death, the bearer of silence. Alone, only her sleeping within her planet and looked upon with fear and horror. Nothing could stop the swing of her glaive, the destruction of everything and everyone. It was a lonely path to walk as the goddess of death. Yet it was through death that hope could begin anew.

Something the others only began to see recently, allowing their paths to cross - an understanding. They walk the same road for the time being, until one day her steps diverge from theirs and the end comes again. Hotaru and Saturn get to walk alongside them for now, something she loved so much. A gift so precious.

She looks at the other jars, a soft smile upon her face. There's a twinkle in her eye that says she definitely has plans for it, secret plans. "I'm sure I'll think of something. If not, I'll return it to the sea."
martyrofduty: (Default)

[personal profile] martyrofduty 2022-09-19 02:52 am (UTC)(link)
Pyrrha's smile is there in her eyes, a slight twinkle. "Even the Sleepers we don't know are part of the same community," she says. They're interconnected even if they never talk, meet each other's eyes, or come within shouting distance of each other. Trench is a small place, and the Sleepers smaller still.
melodyofsilence: (still remains within the sound of)

[personal profile] melodyofsilence 2022-09-20 02:24 am (UTC)(link)
Hotaru nods at the words, her gaze going out to the endless blue water. "We're all connected now. No matter how far apart we used to be." There's something about her tone that's so much older than her body appears.

"Often I imagine the earth
through the eyes of the atoms we’re made of—
atoms, peculiar
atoms everywhere—
no me, no you, no opinions,
no beginning, no middle, no end,
soaring together like those
ancient Chinese birds
hatched miraculously with only one wing,
helping each other fly home." The poem is spoken with soft words, but ones she feels to be true.