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
umbraportation: (and I feel this life)

[personal profile] umbraportation 2022-08-25 03:12 am (UTC)(link)
[ Oh, there's a bit of surprise on his face when the symbol forms, but it fades quickly. He nods. ]

Sounds like a plan. Let's go be nosy.

[ Time to find a ship to poke around in. ]
threelayers: (Default)

[personal profile] threelayers 2022-08-30 10:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[She nodded with a grin on her face and gave him another thumbs up before starting to wade out and into the water. A quick plunge and she was underneath the waves. They were surprisingly calm, all things considered, which was a definite bonus given that they were going to be diving down.

the whole breathing underwater thing took... uh, a minute or two to get used to. She clearly had to get her head wrapped around it and waved for him to wait for a second while her body was getting used to the experience before finally seeming to relax and nodding, waves of pink and brown hair flowing behind her as she swam further.]
umbraportation: (and you're in ten feet deep)

[personal profile] umbraportation 2022-09-13 01:27 am (UTC)(link)
[ It isn't his first time, so Nico is quicker to adjust - even if it reminds him a little of a bad experience. He waits while she gets her sea lungs, not floating too far away from her in case she panicked and needed help getting to the surface.

When Neapolitan has adjusted, Nico nods in return and starts heading down. He'll let her pick what ship they investigate, if one catches her interest or ends up being familiar. ]


threelayers: (Default)

[personal profile] threelayers 2022-09-13 04:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[Thankfully? Neo wasn't one to panic. She'd had too many near death experiences. It just took her time, and once it was ready, she followed right after him, swimming slowly along and taking in the surreal sights curiously.

She gestured to one of the bigger ships, some distance away, and started to make her way in that direction, eyes still scanning, wanting to make sure there was really no trouble.]
umbraportation: (and I feel this life)

[personal profile] umbraportation 2022-09-17 11:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It's nice to see people here with their heads firmly on their shoulders. Especially when they were heading down into sea monster territory.

He nods when she points, following her down. Nico's eyes are well-adjusted to the dark, searching beyond their glowing waters. ]


Coast is clear. [ He's the sort to expect trouble when they're either inside the ship or on the way back. ]
threelayers: (03)

[personal profile] threelayers 2022-09-20 12:43 pm (UTC)(link)
[Neopolitan was good at keeping her head most days, as long as certain people weren't involved. Today wasn't one of those days, so she was all business and smiles, nodding quickly and making her way down towards the vessel.

The first sign of any trouble, though, wasn't from a squid or jellyfish, or even a shark. It was the door leading into the forecastle of the decrepit old vessel. It didn't budge easily. Corrosion had nearly ruined the handle. She gestured to Nico again, motioning for some help getting this open.]
umbraportation: (but we've survived)

[personal profile] umbraportation 2022-09-22 08:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[ They were in the same boat about that - he's a fairly level-headed individual most of the time. Now they are literally in the boat together as Nico follows her down to her choice of entry.

He stays back while she tries the handle, nodding when Neopolitan motioned him forward. Nice thing about demigods, they're stronger than regular humans. So with a little bit of work, the handle begins to move but he'll keep helping until she can open the door. ]
threelayers: (06)

[personal profile] threelayers 2022-09-24 12:39 am (UTC)(link)
[It definitely took the both of them, but with a muted and muffled creak, the doorway opened into a murky gloom. Crates lined a hold in the distance, occluded by a constant sort of silt dusting that just floated in the water. Nothing moved within, and it had the feel of a space that had never been opened, not since the ship had gone down.

How long had this been down here? It was the air of thousands of years of neglect, forgotten. Eerie. She glanced at him for confirmation before swimming in a little, keeping her omni on like a flashlight, watching for anything.]
umbraportation: (the darkness is high)

[personal profile] umbraportation 2022-10-06 11:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Before Nico goes in, he does a quick scan of the open water just to make sure nothing is about to follow them inside. He exchanges a nod with her, indicating that it's clear. While his companion searches the inside for creatures or danger, Nico closes the door until just a crack is open. This way, it will serve as some kind of barrier, but not lock them in.

He isn't too worried about being trapped in here, there are shadows and he can move them through them. ]


I'll start here. [ Motions to a section of crates to the left. It'll be within sight where ever she starts. ]
threelayers: (12)

[personal profile] threelayers 2022-10-08 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
[She nodded and moved towards another of the crates that was in sight of his. They'd taken more than enough precautions under the circumstances, so she could focus on getting whatever goodies were in these.

But when she managed to wrench one open, she frowned and looked inside and lifted a set of rocks out of the box with a confused look on her face. She held out one where he could see it, her head cocking.

What? No gold?]
umbraportation: (and I feel this life)

[personal profile] umbraportation 2022-10-13 12:35 am (UTC)(link)
[ He pries up a lid and finds nothing of interest in this crate, some supplies that have rotted away from being down. Nico scrunches up his nose as he puts the lid back on.

Seeing her hold up something, he turns to look at properly. ]


Looks kind of squid-like. Cthulhu? [ Does she know who that is? ]
threelayers: (06)

[personal profile] threelayers 2022-10-13 05:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[The look that she gave him said that she did not. Floating over and handing it to him, she took her omni and typed, causing a holographic message to show up.]

Never heard of it.
What is it?
umbraportation: (don't forget me)

[personal profile] umbraportation 2022-10-15 07:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Nico easily takes the figurine, examining more closely while she types on her omni. ]

It's a mythos - a myth of very old beings that are called the Elder Gods. Stories started by a guy named H.P. Lovecraft who wrote about these eldritch deities living in an alternate dimension. Some people see them as fictional pieces of works, while others actually believe they exist.
threelayers: (06)

[personal profile] threelayers 2022-10-17 02:40 am (UTC)(link)
[Frown. Consider. Neopolitan looked like she was thinking about something very carefully as she looked down at the object and squinted. When she typed again, it was a bit more reluctantly.]

Real or not in some worlds? They're probably real here.
That's how it always is in this place, things that shouldn't be real are very real.
umbraportation: (but we've survived)

[personal profile] umbraportation 2022-11-05 08:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He nods as he also looks down at the cthulu-like figurine. ]

If not here, there might be some version of reality where these things exist. Maybe someone actually peered through the veil and caught a look at some of the Pthumerians.
threelayers: (06)

[personal profile] threelayers 2022-11-09 04:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Stuff gets brought from other worlds.
So, that's a possible answer one way or another.
It's hard to say for sure.

Do we bring these back?
umbraportation: (but we've survived)

[personal profile] umbraportation 2022-11-11 12:31 am (UTC)(link)
[ A soft hum at her words, as he goes thoughtful. Wondering what else could end up here from his own world. ]

We could. I've brought other stuff back from down here and nothing bad has happened yet. Some people might be interested in it, if you don't want to keep it.
threelayers: (Default)

[personal profile] threelayers 2022-11-12 02:08 am (UTC)(link)
[She considered for a moment and then nodded, moving to start gathering up a few of the pieces for transportation after messaging back to him.]

I can take one. Might as well.
But we can have the others for folks who want them.
Might even turn a profit.

Ya know.
If folks ever figure money out here.
umbraportation: (and I feel this life)

[personal profile] umbraportation 2022-11-14 11:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Nico only takes a couple, since if he wants more, he knows where to find them. He isn't interested in looking to making a profit. ]

Could always trade them for something you actually want. Maybe some other Sleepers will pay you in blood. It's about as close to currency as we get around here.
threelayers: (Default)

[personal profile] threelayers 2022-11-16 06:26 pm (UTC)(link)
[She nodded, though she looked uncommitted as he mentioned blood. she didn't really love the whole currency system of the region, at least not enough to keep vials of blood preserved around. That just felt weird. Still? An extra or two could be good for trade.]

Thanks for the help with this.
One of these might be useful in the end, or the scholars'll want it.
Maybe the disciples.