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
givetheslip: walk walk fashion templar (bloodlines > walking)

[personal profile] givetheslip 2022-08-18 03:36 am (UTC)(link)
It's lovely. I can't help but wonder why it's appeared so suddenly, though...and where it may be leading us.

[And why they're walking underwater with hardly a care in the world. Even if they can breathe, it hardly seems wise to count on that continuing to be the case. And yet, she feels compelled to walk on.]

Assuming it's leading anywhere and not just sending us on a merry but fruitless chase.
cuddlery: (understanding with tea)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-08-18 05:14 am (UTC)(link)
[Breathing underwater just adds to the effect for Scorpia! She feels like a true creature of the sea, and she loves it!]

I'm sure this has to be leading somewhere! You'll see. Things like this don't just appear for no reason.

[Something is visible ahead, on the horizon. Right where the path seems to be leading towards... a set of glowing sunken ships.]
givetheslip: (ac2 > hooded)

[personal profile] givetheslip 2022-08-19 01:17 am (UTC)(link)
In my experience, things like this don't appear at all.

[But her experience is not terribly relevant to their circumstances, clearly.]

...oh. I suppose that could be it?

[It's unlikely that a cluster of sunken ships are there by coincidence.]
cuddlery: (happy scorp)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-08-19 05:24 am (UTC)(link)
[Her eyes widen as she looks ahead to the ships.]

Wow. Yeah, that - those ships sure like like top contenders for where we're going alright! They even got the same glow to them too.

[Excited, she starts moving faster.]

Come on, let's check one out!
givetheslip: (pb >attention)

[personal profile] givetheslip 2022-08-23 02:04 am (UTC)(link)
[Maria is right there with her. This is something she never would have imagined doing, but the excitement of exploring the heretofore unreachable grips her tightly.]

That large one — there, with the smashed-in hull.

[It must have held something interesting.]
cuddlery: (pose)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-08-23 04:19 am (UTC)(link)
[She snaps a pincer and smiles.]

Good choice! I will trust your instincts on the matter. Now let's head over for a closer look. Here it is, the adventure we were promised!

[Scorpia excitedly starts moving through the water towards that particular ship!]
givetheslip: lol afterglow (ac2 > lying down)

[personal profile] givetheslip 2022-09-02 03:09 am (UTC)(link)
[Scorpia's enthusiasm is contagious, but Maria doesn't let it carry her away, instead focusing on what's before them — the water itself may pose no danger, but it could contain a great deal of things that would. Her hand goes automatically to her waist as they draw near the entrance to the ship, but she forces it down. Drawing her sword would do no good here.

It's dim inside, and dirty, for all that the water seems like it should have washed everything clean. Plenty of cargo, but it all seems to be different shapes and sizes of chests. Could be treasure, could be nothing much.]


What do you think these might hold?

[Gold seems a little too obvious.]
cuddlery: (biting lip)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-09-02 04:26 am (UTC)(link)
[Scorpia keeps a little bit of caution in her steps as they enter the sunken ship. Just a little bit, as a treat. But mostly, she's overcome with a sense of wonder as she soaks in the sight. It might not be glamorous, but that adds to the adventurous feel. And it looks like some kind of treasure chests! How exciting. Scorpia starts to saunter towards one, curiously.]

Ooh! Well I mean, it's gotta be treasure, right? I mean, that's the sunken ship thing! You don't sink a ship if you don't have treasure. Maybe it'll be... a bunch of jewels, or gold coins. Possibly of a magical nature! We can't rule that out.
givetheslip: (bloodlines > explain)

[personal profile] givetheslip 2022-09-05 05:20 am (UTC)(link)
Maybe. There's the question of why no one came after it once it had sunk, though, if its contents are so valuable.

[Then again, perhaps it would be much more difficult to do without the benefit of water-breathing magic. Maria tries to get a good grip on the closest chest, but barnacles have grown over it, keeping it stuck tight. She glances over her shoulder at Scorpia, then down to her...claw-like armor pieces she wears over her hands. (That has to be what they are, right?) Hmm.]

Do you mind giving this a try...?
cuddlery: (pose)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-09-05 04:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Wellll, maybe these ships just couldn't be found until now! Or maybe there's a curse? ...Okay, hopefully not that one!

[She gives a nervous little chuckle as they proceed onwards, and then she approaches the indicated chest. She's used to acting as the muscle, so she doesn't seem bothered in the slightest that this was asked of her.]

Sure! Let me give this a good crack.

[With that, she puts her pincers to work! She cracks some of the barnacles apart, and then with a little more effort, she pries that chest right open!]
givetheslip: (ac2 > smile)

[personal profile] givetheslip 2022-09-06 01:47 am (UTC)(link)
Let's very much hope not.

[Maria watches carefully as Scorpia goes to work, offering nothing more than moral support but doing so very sincerely. She's not at all sure that it will work, but then there's a series of cracks and it's open.

Very, very impressive. She has to smile.]


Thank you. [Reaching inside, she finds...] A statue?
cuddlery: (eh? eh??)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-09-06 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
[She leans over beside Maria, brimming with excitement as the chest's item is extracted!]

Ooh, nice! That - that counts as treasure in my book! It looks like it was well made. And creative, too! I think that... I feel like sharks don't usually have that many fins? [She muses after leaning closer to get a better look at it.] Then again, I have yet to meet one in person, so I am fully prepared to stand corrected!
givetheslip: (bloodlines > explain)

[personal profile] givetheslip 2022-09-07 01:26 am (UTC)(link)
It's nothing like any sea creature I've seen. But I haven't seen many.

[So, they've established that Maria's insights are worth exactly what Scorpia paid for them. She runs her thumb over the piece, then tilts her head to get a better look inside.]

Look, there's more. Not all the same, but they share a certain aesthetic sense, don't they?

[That being 'strangely unsettling beast from below.']
cuddlery: (happy scorp)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-09-07 03:39 am (UTC)(link)
Maybe we could look for some out in the water when we're done here!

[She suggests in a very chipper way, though it might be best not to run into sharks out there...

She looks over the other statues with a strong curiosity!]


Ooh yeah, there sure are a bunch! They do have that similar kinda feel to them... maybe it's like the artist's style?

[Her eyes widen as she reaches in and picks up one modeled after a scorpion.]

Aw, a scorpion! [Scorpia holds it up next to her face for the sake of comparison.] Look at us, like a regular pair of cousin species!
givetheslip: (pb > neutral)

[personal profile] givetheslip 2022-09-07 06:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[Oh so it's...the claw-shaped gloves she wears aren't...ah. Ahem. Maria smiles weakly.]

Better that you're not so easily locked away in a chest.

[Though, perhaps it would be possible for Scorpia to claw her own way out, as an inanimate object could not.]

I wonder if whoever they were meant for had a strong interest in art, or if they had some other purpose.
cuddlery: (pondering)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-09-07 08:53 pm (UTC)(link)
[Yep, Scorpia is... Scorpia! She offers a bright grin at Maria's response! Indeed, she's not so easily contained.

But at her pondering, Scorpia sets the statue down as she looks them over thoughtfully.]


You know, that's a good point. I wonder what they were for? If it's not just art... Maybe it's a worship kinda thing? Statues do get used for that kinda thing a lot? I just don't remember anyone worshipping sea creatures...

[But then it's like a light bulb goes off in her head as she thinks back on her studies.]

...Oh right! There is Mariana! I hear that she is sea creatures a lot of the time!
givetheslip: hnnnggggghsigh (bloodlines > reflect)

[personal profile] givetheslip 2022-09-13 04:05 pm (UTC)(link)
That could be it. I don't know a great deal about pagan religions, but that seems to fit...

[Look, she only fought in a holy war. That doesn't mean she's actually up on the details of such things — but she's distracted from such thoughts by Scorpia's addition.]

Perhaps they were meant as offerings then? To gain her favor. [She glances around.] Which would be somewhat ironic, seeing how things turned out.
cuddlery: (confident)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-09-13 07:03 pm (UTC)(link)
[She's not even sure what pagans are, but she's come across her fair share of odd religions during her time in these Deer places, so she gets what she means.]

I guess everyone's a critic? [She offers a shrug.] All I can do is guess really, but who knows. Maybe she blessed them in some way. Maybe they made it off the ship! Just... without their stuff. [She gathers up some more of the statues as she looks them over.] Maybe someone back in town will know more about these?
givetheslip: Do Not (pb > glower)

[personal profile] givetheslip 2022-09-15 12:45 am (UTC)(link)
[Maria shrugs back, but she doesn't disagree, actually. She's known too many men who offer nothing but criticism and complaints.]

Maybe we could bring a few back. Not all of them — there's no way we could. But an amount we can carry in our arms.
cuddlery: (speaking)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-09-15 04:18 am (UTC)(link)
[Scorpia nods along.]

Right. It's only fair to leave some behind too. I doubt we're the only ones who will find this ship! Now let's see... [She scoops up a few in her arms, including the scorpion one.]

There! I think I'm set.
givetheslip: (lineart > smile down)

[personal profile] givetheslip 2022-09-20 03:27 am (UTC)(link)
That's sensible of you.

[And fair enough. Maria gathers a few, enough to be worth the trip but not so many that she'll be over-encumbered should something go wrong on the way back.]

There, let's be off.
cuddlery: (salute)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-09-20 04:17 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks!

[She chuckles.]

Great. Now, I guess it's time for the great sea adventure: return voyage!

[With that, she starts going back the way they came!]
givetheslip: (pb >attention)

[personal profile] givetheslip 2022-09-20 03:32 pm (UTC)(link)
The most important part of any voyage, according to the captains I've met.

[And they're off, bounty of dubious provenance in hand. If nothing else, it's at least been an interesting jaunt. Surely these statues will not have any strange effects whatsoever.]