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
tealeafs: (when i live by your side)

[personal profile] tealeafs 2022-08-28 06:12 am (UTC)(link)
... I get that, but..

[ It's a very soft 'but.' It's not like Chizuru wants to make him feel bad here, after all. She thinks it's very noble of him to be alright with it as long as he doesn't get other people hurt, even though it's going to be a major inconvenience for Nico himself until all of this is fixed.

But Chizuru has never fully sat right with people taking everything on their own shoulders like that. It's too hard. Even if this is the only time she's seen Nico do this, she's seen enough people who kept doing it again and again until they crashed and burned.

She doesn't want that to happen to him. Her hands form nervous little fists as she thinks. ]


If you end up having a hard time, or end up needing help.. It's always okay to admit that, you know..?

[ Maybe he knows that already. Or rather - maybe he knows that and lives by it, since most people know it, and it's more just that some people ignore that option.

But it still can't hurt to be told that again, she thinks. ]
umbraportation: (you alone have the power)

[personal profile] umbraportation 2022-09-13 01:20 am (UTC)(link)
[ It wasn't that long ago when Nico lived in the mindset that he could do everything on his own. He is acutely aware that slipping back into it could happen so easily. So he doesn't dismiss someone worrying about him, there may come a time when he seriously needs someone to talk sense into him.

They haven't known each other very long, but Chizuru seems to be someone willing to do that. Maybe it was something that happened with the Shinsengumi, that she couldn't much about. ]


I know. It took me a while to realize that I can't do everything myself. Time and some pretty bad situations.

[ A soft admittance. ]

If it gets worse or I need help, I have someone I can talk to. Can go to if I need it. He's knowledgeable about health and biology things, and I trust him.

[ His fixes a serious gaze on her. ]

And if I ever get stupid about not accepting help, you are always free to point that out to me. Because we're friends.
tealeafs: (making the raging waves)

[personal profile] tealeafs 2022-09-14 06:29 am (UTC)(link)
[ It's good to know that Nico has people he can rely on - and even more so, that he's actually willing to go see them when it's necessary.

But before Chizuru can say a thing about that, or voice her relief in any other way, the other adds that last part.. And that gets a small, yet very surprised sound to slip out of her throat. A moment later the girl starts to blush. ]


O-Oh, I--! [ She sputters a few times before she's able to voice something more coherent while still looking so flustered. ] D-Did it seem like I was thinking you were stupid?!

[ .. that's not what he's saying at all, and yet Chizuru's brain seems to somehow be capable of interpreting it that way all the same, go figure.. She's just so worried about being impolite or hurting other people, even if by accident. ]

I'm so sorry, I didn't mean anything extreme like that! [ She wildly shakes her head. ] I promise..!
umbraportation: (walk among the shadows)

[personal profile] umbraportation 2022-09-17 11:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[ His eyebrows go up when she blushes, but he shakes his head. ]

No, that's not it. I know I can be really stubborn and reckless about my own health and safety. To the point where I am stupid.

[ Nico will readily admit that he has been stupid in the past, and could be again in the future. ]

It's nice that I have people willing to look out for me, because I didn't always have that. Or didn't let myself have that.
tealeafs: (like tree branches)

[personal profile] tealeafs 2022-09-18 08:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Sorry, Nico. This is entirely where Chizuru's surprise comes from. Because she has been surrounded by stupid men, who are stupid about that exact thing, all the time back home.

But they sure never admitted as much out loud.

So to have someone actually doing that is.. new. Not even in a bad way, just a surprising one! ]


Well, I.. never mind helping look out for you.

[ Because Nico has been nice. But, really, Chizuru would have done it either way. She's just naturally helpful like that. ]

If there's anything you need help with, since it's too difficult to do while you're a little too strong.. I can probably help. I'm not strong at all, so I can do anything that requires very little strength! [ What a way to advertise yourself.

And yet the girl still somehow manages to sound a little proud as she says it.. ]
umbraportation: (just a simple broken man)

[personal profile] umbraportation 2022-09-19 02:36 am (UTC)(link)
[ Men are stupidly stubborn creatures, it's true. Nico might still be like that if he hadn't gone up against even more stubborn people who stupidly reached out to him.

Having someone look out for him, it's a nice change from trying to do everything himself. Even if he huffs in response to that kind of treatment, sometimes. ]


Thanks. I'll do the same in return.

[ He isn't entirely used to looking out for someone, but Nico is willing to expand his circle. ]

I'll probably be relying on you to cut any of the squishy foods when we cook. To avoid any more mishaps with them.

[ This extra strength will likely blow over by the end of the month, but until then, a teen still has to eat. ]
tealeafs: (as you bloom again)

[personal profile] tealeafs 2022-09-20 06:20 pm (UTC)(link)
I can do that!

[ In fact, the girl actually sounds kind of cheery as she says that. She's just happy to have something concrete to help him with - and it's also great that, on top of that, it's something she's good at and enjoys doing.

It feels like a perfect match. ]


In fact, I really don't mind doing most of the cooking if you end up having trouble with it and if we happen to be making something together anyway.. If that idea is too much of a bother, you can always repay me later by making me something once you're back to normal!

[ Since.. hopefully he should return to normal? Most effects in this place do seem temporary, Chizuru thinks.

Though you can never know for sure. ]
umbraportation: (to tell you to breathe)

[personal profile] umbraportation 2022-09-22 09:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Somehow, he's not surprised that she sounds so cheery about it. Chizuru was worried, and now there's a way she can help him with the problem. ]

Hopefully, it won't get that bad. I still want to help somehow.

[ Though it isn't a pride thing, Nico just learns better by doing things hands-on. He might forget whatever they're making if she does all the work. ]

I'll be restless if I'm not helping.
tealeafs: (of my destiny bend like a bow)

[personal profile] tealeafs 2022-09-25 06:43 pm (UTC)(link)
[ There's a pause, and then a soft humming noise from the girl. It doesn't actually sound angry or upset, but.. there's something faintly pouty about it. It makes Chizuru sound a little younger than she actually is. ]

You know, you make it really hard for me to make you rest if you say something like that..

[ Please, Chizuru, his entire intention is to let you let him help out.

She just happens to be very, very weak to arguments like these, where it sounds worse to not let him help. ]
umbraportation: (and you know I will be here)

[personal profile] umbraportation 2022-10-07 12:39 am (UTC)(link)
[ Accepting help became harder, yet he tries so it can be something of a balancing act. For him, for the one trying to help. ]

I know, sorry. Just give me potatoes to peel or something.

[ That's something he could do sitting on a stool and hardly moving. Potatoes are harder to squish into mashed ones without cooking them first. ]
tealeafs: (the unbreakable thread)

this seems like a good wrapping point, if that's ok with you! :)

[personal profile] tealeafs 2022-10-09 07:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It's kind of him to say 'sorry', at least, she thinks. Chizuru knows many men who would rather descend further into denial than to actually say sorry, after all.

So she slowly nods. ]


Okay.

[ Hopefully that should be fine. Even if he puts a lot of strength into the hand holding the knife, potatoes should at least be solid enough to keep him from accidentally cutting into his own hand.

Hopefully. ]


Let's do it that way then. [ She's still a tad worried, but Chizuru smiles all the same. ] Don't worry, we'll work it out together.
umbraportation: (few short-lived seconds)

Yes, making room for new threads!

[personal profile] umbraportation 2022-10-13 12:41 am (UTC)(link)
[ Some of them have come a long way, others are stuck back in those days still. ]

Thanks. Let's get out of here and go do some cooking.

[ Time to go to their normal cooking spot. ]