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
faceblocks: (explain)

[personal profile] faceblocks 2022-08-12 09:31 pm (UTC)(link)
"...not a problem," she says, through the ohs and the troubles, and well, at least now she remembers more of the words. It's less of a problem after she's thanked for her input, so Vi feels obligated to at least clarify.

The poem is a useless bit of rhyme she had come across when trying to figure out her Omni (and Trench), and her tone says as much, "I thought it was a riddle when I first read it, but I don't think it's anything. It's short. Here goes."

A small brief exhale as yes, she is really doing this and she recites it without stopping to think (or somehow laugh), "My name is squid, I am not fish, I might be sick, so I'm in dish, the doctor touch, it give me shock, I do not trust, so I am rock. That's it, that's the end. I memorized it while I was trying to ...solve it."
offinventory: (mood; observant)

[personal profile] offinventory 2022-08-12 10:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Murderbot records the riddle/poem, separating the musical track from the voice audio and further scrubbing the background sounds around them. It won't call the clip a masterpiece, but

My name is squid
I am not a fish
I might be sick
so I'm in a dish
the doctor touch
it give me shock
I do not trust
so I am rock


was never going to win any awards. It doesn't matter. It isn't trying to watch 'good' media. It's about relaxing. About not dealing with all the squiddy business outside. It sounds like something that would be a clue in one of the archaeological shows Murderbot has seen, the ones not based on actual history.

"You solved it as meaningless," Murderbot suggests. Except perhaps the meaning to exist. If that's the point, good job, 10/10. It's outliving a lot of poor poetry. "Local artist?" To properly tag it.
faceblocks: (curious)

[personal profile] faceblocks 2022-08-12 11:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Vi laughs at this assessment, because the stranger is right. Riddle solved, and can now be filed under 'Not a Clue About Trench', or 'Meaningless, But Living Rent Free In My Head Forever'.

"I don't know. There was no name, just a picture of a little squid. So... anonymous, I guess? What's this for, anyway?"
offinventory: (Default)

[personal profile] offinventory 2022-08-13 12:26 am (UTC)(link)
Despite the abrupt requests, Murderbot is on a one second delay for its replies. That saves it from answering I need all the media. and somehow (?) demanding to get it further out of this human—so breakable, humans. It already went on an attempted killing spree as a giant squid this month. One a month is enough.

Instead, it manages, "The Entertainment Feed. In Cellar Door. Media feeds require media." It pauses and looks at the omni. "With better quality than these relics."
faceblocks: (ohhh)

[personal profile] faceblocks 2022-08-13 03:40 am (UTC)(link)
"The Entertainment Feed? Never heard of it." Vi pauses, making doubly sure, but it sounds like the kind of place she would have noticed in passing - even poked her head inside of.

"Hey, I live in Cellar Door, so if you want songs for a playlist I can send you a shit ton. I just need to find out what they are." Shrugging, she adds, "I can do that, easy. Where do I send them to?"

The idea of a better quality source of collected ...media is incredibly interesting. Surely there are more songs - an infinite amount, really - than what she's heard here. So many Sleepers from so many worlds. The broadness hits her and her eyes widen a little, mouth dropping open as if to speak, but she holds up a finger before she does, and another and another with each title as she recalls them. "Baddest by K/DA, and Pop Stars, um, Villain and ...oh, yeah, More. Those are all K/DA."
offinventory: (mood; proud)

[personal profile] offinventory 2022-08-13 08:49 pm (UTC)(link)
"It's... new," Murderbot answers, a little defensive. "Needs more media." Not that it cannot access the network, but media isn't exactly like reviewing security footage. Queries, scans, they only go so far. It isn't going to sit in the cubicle for ages simply watching media. That sounded good a little while ago, but the need for more, not simply rewatching ART's favorite show... is probably for the best. SecUnits are the best at wallowing, with little else available to them. Most of the time.

Contact info, usually already floating there in the feed. Needing to exchange them is awkward. An additional step that could be avoided in smarter places. "Send them to [personal profile] rin," it answers. "If they're on DeerNet, I can take them from there." It adds the K/DA songs to its digital to do list.

"If they're not," it waves one hand. "The Entertainment Feed is in Cellar Door. I can see what I can do or whether it required proprietary tech to transfer." A pain in the ass, but it knows where to go for USB cable transfers.
faceblocks: (yeah yeah)

[personal profile] faceblocks 2022-08-14 08:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Vi catches that defensiveness and responds with a super casual nod, a nod that is at odds with the keen interest in her eyes, "I hope it gets a lot more. There's places for music already, but they're bars mostly. And there's a huge library, but it's not," a shrug. "...it's more academic, I think." It's not, wholly - she's in the wrong, because she has never actually been there.

"Omni, give me user ...rin. Oh. There you are. Is that what I call you? Rin? I'm Vi, by the way. Username ...Vi." And she hold out her hand for shaking as she makes a mental list of anyone else she thinks might have "the goods". Shoyo, for sure. He'll have music at least. Saeri? For sure, probably books. But she's betting music, too. Rose? Yeah, likely both. Palamedes? Oh, he knows so much stuff. She bets the cute lady with the music knows more music, too.
offinventory: (mood; oooooooooooh)

[personal profile] offinventory 2022-08-14 11:48 pm (UTC)(link)
It nods. "Live music can be enjoyable, but it's not for everyone," it says. Especially not in the noisy performance halls filled with alcohol. They aren't nearly so orderly as the festival on Preservation, but giant beasts also don't attack people in town on the regular there either. Everything is slapdash and rebuilt for the umpteenth time here. Murderbot probably isn't even the first to do this.

"I see you're as creative with usernames as I am," Murderbot answers. It smiles, which is mostly a smirk, and nods. "Yes, I'm Rin aka ~rin. Nice to meet you Vi aka ~vi." Deadpan snark. It gives Vi a thumbs up, avoiding the hand. "Always accepting recommendations. I'm working on finding good copies on DeerNet, but anything people will use sooner can go to the front of the queue."
faceblocks: (wink wink)

[personal profile] faceblocks 2022-08-15 09:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Vi turns her outstretched hand from awkwardly hanging there to a thumbs up that she looks as if she meant to give it the whole time. Hell, Rin can have another thumbs up with the other hand while she's at it. Some people aren't handshakers just like they're not huggers. (Good call, Vi's hands are probably a little dirty anyway.)

The snark is much appreciated, and this is one of the more pleasant random encounters in the last few days. No broken bones, no being poked or prodded, and also not Silco. That last one is worth a hundred thumbs ups. "No worries, I am working on a way to help you with that," she says, and begins to type on her device. "You can thank me later." she adds with a wink.
offinventory: (Default)

[personal profile] offinventory 2022-08-16 12:56 am (UTC)(link)
Murderbot keeps most of its relief to itself, but its posture relaxes slightly at the lack of protracted invasion of its personal space. It's easier when they are attacks, but then there's the whole violence and injury and leaking that it would rather not do again for an extremely long time. Like, a whole month even.

It stands there long enough to watch the clock tick up to the next minute. With a bit of a smirk, Murderbot says, "Thank you." It pauses, long enough for social niceties before making an escape, if allowed. It would anyway, but Vi is helping.
faceblocks: (hi)

[personal profile] faceblocks 2022-08-16 03:31 pm (UTC)(link)
If Rin (aka ~rin) wants to take their leave, Vi won't be the one to stop them. She's not going to be That Person today. But the pause is a little ...odd, but not odd enough to remark on.

This is the kind of thing she is finding that she likes helping with: it's not Killing Something, or any kind of crisis - at least not to her. She's oblivious so far to the urgent greediness seeping into Trench: maybe she's finally caught a small break. Maybe this month has Done Enough, and her patron has shielded her from the rest of it?

But she's suddenly thanked after that long pause, and oh, hey, that's a bit of a smirk on the no-longer-a-stranger's face? Cool, cool. She sends a post to DeerNet as she watches them go, and then seemingly stop again to speak with another Sleeper. Vi hoped that one's able to provide a ready answer, and more media than she had.