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
tempredmental: (You're Supporting Me?)

[personal profile] tempredmental 2022-08-21 12:40 am (UTC)(link)
If anything, Kosmo was glad to be a distraction to Magnet and get the dog to back off from Keith at the moment. Keith was, too, honestly. He liked dogs, but... Well... He started a little at Manabu's voice, looking away from the two canines then, but looked almost... hurt? Maybe? At the comment.

"Ah... um..." He frowned, lowering his gaze. "Did you not want me to?"
siriusly: (what no wait--)

[personal profile] siriusly 2022-08-22 12:52 am (UTC)(link)
"A--that's not what I meant!" Manabu quickly amends, holding out a pacifying hand. "It was more that--mmh. Well...you seemed pretty busted-up about it. And...from having been around that block before, I...wouldn't have really blamed you for not having it in you to show up."

He shrugs, smiling crookedly.

"Means you're a bit tougher than I'd have pegged you for is all. That's on me, not you, Keith."
tempredmental: (I'm Not So Sure About This)

[personal profile] tempredmental 2022-08-28 06:45 am (UTC)(link)
Keith nodded, taking a breath to settle his nerves a bit more. "Right." Tough. Right now, Keith felt anything but that, but, deep down, he knew he was. He'd been through a lot in his life. Coming out the other side was kind of a point of pride, really. As much as he didn't want to most of the time, he just had trouble giving up. He was stubborn.

"Well, it's the right thing to do... making things right for what happened, even if I wasn't in control."
siriusly: (oh my God please don't hit me)

[personal profile] siriusly 2022-08-29 12:15 am (UTC)(link)
"I don't know if it helps much, but..." Manabu's mouth twitches. "But I didn't really recognize you? And unless you had said something, I wouldn't have even put two and two together, eh...eheh..."

...Yeah that doesn't change what happened, does it? He sighs.

"Well, either way. Whether it's to clear your conscience or not, I still do need some help out here, so I won't refuse it, you know?"
tempredmental: (Holy Crow)

[personal profile] tempredmental 2022-08-29 07:55 am (UTC)(link)
It didn't change what happened, but it did give Keith a moment to pause and think. Honestly, no one had really responded to actually take him up on his offer to let them have revenge. Maybe that had been the case all over. No one really knew which rampaging monster he might have been, so maybe they didn't know he was the one they might have been angry at.

"You... didn't?" He stood there surprised for a moment, and then shook his head. "I mean... I guess." He still wanted to make things right, though, and Keith vaguely remembered some sort of fight between them. He nodded at the next part and then looked around.

"Okay... so... where do you want me to start?"
siriusly: (trust me i got this)

[personal profile] siriusly 2022-08-29 01:14 pm (UTC)(link)
"With a quick gofer run, if that's okay." He nods. "I needed to go out to Willful Machine and trade up these--" He gestures to some empty glass bottles in a small milk crate. "--for some dry towels so I can try and soak up more of what's still lingering in the cellar. That okay?

"Magnet knows which vendor I was talking to, so he can help you find the way." Bark.
tempredmental: (What Are You Doing?)

[personal profile] tempredmental 2022-08-30 07:16 am (UTC)(link)
Right. The dog. But it was an Omen, so... Okay. Keith nodded.

"Okay. Yeah. I can do that."

He moved over to pick up the crate in question. Kosmo waited patiently at the door.
siriusly: (item get)

[personal profile] siriusly 2022-09-02 03:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Magnet barks an eager note, head held high as he takes on his duty. Like his person, having a role to fill is something that makes him happy. He trots over and gives Kosmo a sniff and a tail wag before ducking under his legs to get outside and lead the way!

He makes a bee line for the nearest teleporting lantern, waiting expectantly for Keith to come over and make the move to Willful Machine. What - Magnet's not gonna walk the whole way to an entirely different district when fast travel's an option!

Once there, it's as Manabu said: Magnet trots along toward a shop facing the canals. He might be mugging it a bit for the attention of passers-by who rightly acknowledge his cuteness (unlike Manabu, Magnet is far more blatant in his hunger for praise - that's the perks of being a dog!), but he never slows or wanders off-course. The vendor there understands the ask once the Roost is mentioned, and soon Keith will be able to exchange the bottles for a stack of towels.

When Keith and his canine crew make it back, Manabu's gotten a bunch of crates moved up from the cellar - the ones he could, he has moved on their sides to air out the bottoms in hopes of avoiding mold buildup. At Magnet's call, he reappears, sweaty and frizzy-haired.

"Uoh, hey. Any trouble along the way?"
tempredmental: (Apologies Long Overdue)

[personal profile] tempredmental 2022-09-04 07:56 am (UTC)(link)
[Kosmo made a confused whine, and looked to Keith, but Keith just gave a weak smile to his wolf before following the Omen out and towards the lamp. Right. Willful Machine. Keith nodded his head, and Kosmo pressed close to Keith's leg so they could teleport together while he had his hands full of crate.

Bringing the towels back was simple enough. Even easier, honestly. The merchant had tied them into something akin to a hay bale, and Keith was able to hold it by the bindings when he used the lamp to go back.

So, definitely easy enough. Though, the biggest hold up in the trip was Magnet taking a lot of the attention. Or trying to. Kosmo got his fair share, as well. Sorry, Magnet, but you weren't the only canine on the trip.

He stepped back inside the Roost and shook his head.]


No, the guy knew exactly what I was talking about. Your dog, though... he's kind of an attention hog.

[Keith's attempt at making a joke...]
siriusly: (ahahaha......what............)

[personal profile] siriusly 2022-09-05 03:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[with a sigh:] Yeah...yeah, he is. Sorry about that. [Magnet sure isn't, giving an indignant sniff with his head held high.]

Let's put these towels to good work and see if we can't get the cellar floor in better shape.
tempredmental: Kosmo (Resolving Differences)

[personal profile] tempredmental 2022-09-11 04:00 am (UTC)(link)
[Keith nodded a bit.]

It's fine. Honestly, I'm kind of used to it now. Kosmo certainly draws his share of attention, too.

[He moved towards the basement stairs, towels in hand.] Do you have like uh... a mop or broom or something?
siriusly: (i think he's dead.)

[personal profile] siriusly 2022-09-11 05:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Both, yeah. Down here. Put something on your face though, since the smell's pretty gross. [please do not add to the nasty down here by getting sick thank you.

editor, please slap in the boring clean-up montage 🎬]
tempredmental: (You're Cute When You're Flustered)

Care to fade out here?

[personal profile] tempredmental 2022-09-16 05:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Right, yeah...

[He'd just grab the maroon bandana from his belt pouch. Cleaning montage is go!]