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
entreats: (my eyes flew open)

[personal profile] entreats 2022-08-23 06:23 am (UTC)(link)
[ There's a brief pause, like Ange intends to let him think about that question himself for a moment before she helps to answer it. ]

Wouldn't you find it strange if a random stranger on the street asked you that?

[ He's not an extreme extrovert. He ought to understand, Ange thinks. ]
ananym: (All the truth in the universe)

[personal profile] ananym 2022-08-23 08:15 am (UTC)(link)
If I did not make some allowances for strangers, I would have no one.

[ which is a sad thing to admit, but it's no less true. ]
entreats: (that has been calling you)

[personal profile] entreats 2022-08-24 06:56 am (UTC)(link)
...

[ Ange frowns as she stares him.

It's not an angry frown, mind you. It's the 'why did you have to say that and make this awkwardly sad?' sort of frown. It lingers for a moment before it disappears. ]


At this rate you're going to end up accidentally guilting people into hanging around you. [ Especially the nicer people in this place.. ] Even if they might not realise that something's come over you in the first place.
ananym: (I will walk through the darkest valley)

[personal profile] ananym 2022-08-24 07:53 am (UTC)(link)
I can assure you, I am not usually so glib.

[ he has better manners. awareness is so-so like this, unfortunately. like two wolves inside of him. ]
entreats: (you stood for all that's true and honest)

[personal profile] entreats 2022-08-26 06:39 am (UTC)(link)
Right. [ That is the impression she got of him before - so Ange is more than willing to believe that it's a little closer to what Alucard is truly like, while this is probably just.. well, this place being ridiculous.

As ever. She's used to it at this point. ]


But what do you think someone who's going to meet you for the first time while you're like this is going to think?

[ Ange can only imagine. An introvert's nightmare. ]

It's going to get real awkward.

[ Hence her offer to spend a bit of time with him instead. It might keep him from harassing people who'd understand less while he can't control himself. ]
ananym: (Denn die Todten reiten Schnell)

[personal profile] ananym 2022-08-27 01:09 am (UTC)(link)
It can't get any worse.

[ says alucard, fully knowing he has cursed himself into it getting worse. his expression says it all. ]
entreats: (she's not good enough)

[personal profile] entreats 2022-08-29 06:49 am (UTC)(link)
...

[ She totally knows what he's just done to himself too. This is the sort of thing you can't just knock off. ]

If I was a cruel person, I'd tell you to send me a report at the end of the day of everything that happened. [ Because it sure can't be good. ] But I'm pretty sure you'll want to scrub all of that out of your memory entirely at that point.
ananym: (Command the respect of any lunatic)

[personal profile] ananym 2022-08-29 09:28 am (UTC)(link)
[ in a droll tone. ]

You would be quite right.
entreats: (how the person inside survives)

[personal profile] entreats 2022-08-31 06:25 am (UTC)(link)
[ See, Ange knew it. She understands. ]

Fine, then let's go sit somewhere and have a drink. That should satisfy your sudden urge, right?

[ .. at least enough for a little bit, until he might go back to harassing others for company against his will.. ]
ananym: (As one smells in blood)

[personal profile] ananym 2022-09-05 08:07 am (UTC)(link)
[ alucard considers this for a moment. ]

That should suffice. Thank you.
entreats: (just a single drop of tear)

[personal profile] entreats 2022-09-07 06:23 am (UTC)(link)
No problem.

[ Look, if she was forced to hang out with an extrovert? Sure, Ange might mind that.

But Alucard - weird Trench-induced behaviour aside - is chill enough that she can't imagine sitting down with him at a cafe could really hurt. So the girl already turns on her heels to lead him over in the direction of one of the places she frequents. ]


Let's not waste time then. Before this place might decide to somehow make the influence worse. [ Ange sure wouldn't put it past Trench.. ]
ananym: (I will strengthen you and help you)

[personal profile] ananym 2022-09-07 07:45 am (UTC)(link)
What would constitute as "worse"?

[ it feels idiotic to ask but here he was, suffering through some effects he can't diagnose or treat. ]
entreats: (just a cage of rib bones)

[personal profile] entreats 2022-09-09 07:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Technically it's not like Ange knows. Sure, she was hit by an effect here once that made her more extroverted, but this is a different nuance here, with him instead just desperately seeking out company.

But she can guess. ]


I imagine that if you don't get what you want right now, it'll force you to get more desperate about it. [ Again - just a guess, but Ange feels like there's some merit to her guess here. ] Maybe it'll even lead all the way towards you trying to force people to keep you company. And then you get all sorts of.. [ Ange waves her hands in the air, a vague hand gesture as she speaks. ] .. I don't know, I guess maybe ridiculous kidnapping shenanigans. Stuff that's definitely going to be super embarrassing later on, if not actually dangerous on top of it.
ananym: (Denn die Todten reiten Schnell)

[personal profile] ananym 2022-09-10 12:23 am (UTC)(link)
That . . . seems like a bizarre outcome.

[ and he hates the very idea of it. ]
entreats: (drop everything; start it all over)

[personal profile] entreats 2022-09-13 05:52 am (UTC)(link)
Is it really the 'bizarre' part that's bothering you the most?

[ Ange figures that it probably isn't.

But on the other hand, given what Alucard is - or seems to be - you can't be fully sure. Vampires aren't exactly friendly beings in every single world out there, after all, though Alucard has been relatively alright so far. ]
ananym: (Phantoms came to meet him)

[personal profile] ananym 2022-09-13 06:54 am (UTC)(link)
I am used to a certain level of absurdity in my life, but I take issue with changing my preferences for . . . amusement.

[ though who would be laughing at this? everyone? no one? alucard can't imagine who would even deign to care but the gods themselves. ]
entreats: (i heard an unhappy ending)

[personal profile] entreats 2022-09-14 06:36 am (UTC)(link)
That's because this isn't supposed to amuse you.

[ She's pretty sure of that, hence why she can say it so easily. Without having to really think about it, even. ]

We're all just dolls in a grand old doll house. Notice how they placed this.. curse, or whatever it is, on you. Rather than on someone who already loves hanging out with other people all the time. [ She clicks her tongue. ] It's purposeful.
ananym: (Which binds them together)

[personal profile] ananym 2022-09-15 07:30 am (UTC)(link)
What purpose could any being have with me?
entreats: (where is safety)

[personal profile] entreats 2022-09-17 06:18 am (UTC)(link)
Have you never met anyone who thought it was fun to mess for people just for the hell of it? It doesn't even matter who said people are.

[ Granted, it's not like they can be fully sure the Pthumerians are that way.

But Ange likes to think she's pretty sure all the same. ]


My world is full of beings like that. I instantly recognized it when I showed up here.
ananym: (Stand firm in the faith)

[personal profile] ananym 2022-09-20 12:54 am (UTC)(link)
I can't say that I have. That feels like a luxury people cannot afford in my world.

[ what with all the death and vampires running around. there are definitely people like that, but alucard hasn't run into any. ]
entreats: (i heard an unhappy ending)

[personal profile] entreats 2022-09-20 07:43 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She shrugs. ]

When you're powerful enough, you can afford anything.

[ That's just the way the world works, as far as Ange sees it. No matter where you go. The witches back home, the Pthumerians in this place.. All beings powerful enough that they can mess with people without consequence. ]

That's why the Pthumerians are that way. They have too much power, and then it gets to their head. They start seeing people and cities like sandboxes they can just play around in as they please, even if they might hurt people along the way. It's just about what's most interesting to them at any given time.
ananym: (All who you are weary and burdened)

[personal profile] ananym 2022-09-21 12:10 am (UTC)(link)
[ well. that probably tracks for the few powerful beings alucard has encountered. ]

I suppose at least I have the honour of being interesting.
entreats: (she's not good enough)

[personal profile] entreats 2022-09-22 05:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Please tell me that was sarcasm.

[ Look, that can't be the one bright side to find to all of this, okay.

It's just too sad of an idea, even though Ange sounds incredibly deadpan as she's saying this. ]
ananym: (It will be fair weather)

[personal profile] ananym 2022-09-24 01:44 am (UTC)(link)
[ that prompts a chuckle. ]

I should hope so. Otherwise I've painted a bleak picture of myself.
entreats: (and leave it outside)

[personal profile] entreats 2022-09-26 04:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Good.

[ Because that really would be bleak. Even Ange has more self worth than that.

And that's saying something. It's a very low bar. ]


You should never put yourself down when those dumb Pthumerians are involved. It just gives them what they want in the end. [ Sometimes you just have got to have a little bit of self worth out of spite, clearly. ]

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