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
inkedspell: ([natural] 032)

[personal profile] inkedspell 2022-09-01 03:54 am (UTC)(link)
[That works for her. People are more likely to give more blood when she sweet talks them in private. She motions with her hand, face still all smiles because she's getting exactly what she wants.]

Follow me. I have a place we can go. It's clean and I can sterilize everything we use up front.

[The Inkwell would be more than enough and she had parked it not that far away.]
cuddlery: (pose)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-09-01 04:42 am (UTC)(link)
Ooh, that sounds great! Nice and safe and all. [She smiles and stands ready to follow her.]

Well then friend, lead the way!
inkedspell: (Default)

[personal profile] inkedspell 2022-09-03 01:39 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, I will. [And Saeri does. The runestone continues to glow as Scorpia walks near her, a blue-white shimmer. The stone itself is cold. It helps her stay focused on her task instead of her mind running away with some other idea or project.]

My house is over there.

[She points at the Carriage House, parked on the crest of the hill and thankfully out of the sludge from the recent flooding.]
cuddlery: (honky dory)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-09-03 04:43 am (UTC)(link)
Great! Nice rock, by the way!

[And so Scorpia follows along diligently as she's lead onwards towards Sarona's home. Once they near the house, she's quickly impressed.]

Wow, your home has wheels! That's so neat.
inkedspell: (043)

[personal profile] inkedspell 2022-09-05 01:36 am (UTC)(link)
[Saeri chuckles just a bit.]

Thanks. It's a pretty useful rock, too. [Then she opens the door to her house and makes a sweeping motion for Scorpia.]

I have a lot more interesting things inside than just wheels. Come right on in.

[There's some stairs but into the house it's covered in hanging pots and bowls filled with various crystals and tools. There is a counter covered in materials and notes, but it's pretty clean, if cluttered. Saeri went on a scrubbing spree the other day, the itchy need to stay busy making her very productive.]
cuddlery: (chipper)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-09-05 04:04 am (UTC)(link)
It sure looks like it has its uses!

[Magical rocks... almost makes her think of home, except that she's not used to magical stones being handheld.

Scorpia gives an excited grin as Sarei builds up the place, and she follows her right into the home! Scorpia takes in all of the sights with a sense of wonder.]


Wooow. This, yeah, this is some nice stuff you have there! [She has no idea what kind of crystals there are, but they look pretty! She pokes at a pot curiously.]
inkedspell: (055)

[personal profile] inkedspell 2022-09-08 02:45 am (UTC)(link)
Tools of the trade. You never know what you're gonna need. Just be careful not to touch anything that might explode.

[Saeri grabs a bowl off a shelf and a pitcher of water from the counter. She pours water into the bowl and the runes etched around it glow and the water in it starts to steam. Perfect sanitation spell. She sets another bowl on the counter and cleans off the mess into a couple drawers.]

Sit over here on a stool. I've got the station prepped.
cuddlery: (beats me)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-09-08 04:30 am (UTC)(link)
Good- good to know!

[Her pincer does shrink back at the mention of exploding. Once again thinking of Entrapta, she wouldn't be surprised if something around here were a little explosive!

In any case, she meekly smiles and makes her way towards the stool.]


Okay then. I'm... pretty much ready! [She takes her seat, a little nervously.] Is there anything special I have to do?
inkedspell: (057)

[personal profile] inkedspell 2022-09-11 09:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[Saeri's finishing getting what few supplies she needs. Towels, jars, some runestones to stabilize... Yes, perfect.]

Give me your arm.

[She's going to secure the arm in a mini stirrup on the table so she has access to the veins on the bicep. Gotta find the veins consider all that shell-armor blocking most of it.]

Where do you usually blood let from?
cuddlery: (oh gosh)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-09-12 05:21 am (UTC)(link)
[Scorpia sits still aside from presenting her large arm. And she tries to keep herself calm while she lets Saeri do her work!]

Oh, well, it's not something I really do super often. I don't... really have a designated spot set. I just usually pick somewhere on the fleshy part of my arm! [She answers with a light-hearted smile.]
inkedspell: (055)

[personal profile] inkedspell 2022-09-13 03:25 am (UTC)(link)
[That just means Saeri needs to be careful. She runs her fingers over Scorpia's bicep, tracing the light veins and where they bulge the most.]

I'm sure all this muscle just makes it harder, huh.

[Not that it stops Saeri from finding a spot she likes and cleaning the area before getting a container with what looks to be a needle on the tip.]
cuddlery: (hmmmm)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-09-13 06:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[She chuckles a little sheepishly as Saeri comments about her muscle. It's nowhere near as hard as the chitin, but definitely feels tough!]

Just a bit! My pincers can be good at poking some holes, but - one can I say, I'm a tough one.

[Scorpia watches as Saeri readies the process. Just a little nervously at the needle.]

O-oh, is that it? That's the thing? That's what'll... poke me?
inkedspell: (072)

[personal profile] inkedspell 2022-09-14 04:04 am (UTC)(link)
[Saeri nods, not even looking at her.]

Yeah, I designed it myself for drawing out the blood and containing it while it crystalizes. Coldblood turns to ice so fast, right? But you gotta get that density for the good sh-stuff, in my opinion. Now please to keep still it won't take but a minute.

[She's smiling, pleased this has been such an easy task so far. She presses a finger down Scorpia's bicep, reconfirming where she saw that vein right before she stabs the needle into Scorpia's arm and twists the container attached to it, causing a suction so blood can well up. Oh she maybe forgot to warn about the sting, but it's not that painful or anything, she's done it to herself. The suction might feel weird to someone who's not used to it though.]
cuddlery: (wince)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-09-14 05:18 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, that sounds very handy! You really thought through all this blood-collecting stuff... [She didn't even think of all that herself! Scorpia then gulps as the needle time approaches.]

S-sure! I am not moving a muscle!

[She winces, closing her eyes as she awaits the prickling. Nevermind that she has her own stinger, needles are pretty scary! And then, she feels the sting, not bad but it feels Worst to Scorpia because of her imagination. She keeps her eyes closed as the process unfolds.]

Whoa! Is- is it still going...?
inkedspell: ([arm] 017)

[personal profile] inkedspell 2022-09-15 01:21 am (UTC)(link)
Oh yeah, but it'll be done soon, no worries.

[Saeri waits until the jar is mostly filled and pops it off the needle easily, but doesn't try to stop the wound for letting instead taking advantage of the quick freeze to produce a large icy crystal chunk right off the edge. The weight of it breaks off the open cap and hits the table with a glassy clunk.

That's enough, she thinks, and quickly pulls the needle out before putting pressure on the wound with soft cloth, not gauze.]


There! How do you feel? Not too dizzy right?
cuddlery: (oh gosh)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-09-15 04:45 am (UTC)(link)
[She takes a deep breath as the process finishes! And then she lets out a breath slowly, raising the pincer of her other arm up to her head.]

Yeah, no, I feel fine! Now that it's over, it's like the worst is over with. [She looks over at big chunk of ice crystal.] Wow, just wow. It's hard to believe that was in me!
inkedspell: ([natural] 007)

[personal profile] inkedspell 2022-09-16 02:49 am (UTC)(link)
Coldblood has quite a kick to it. Turning it into ink isn't easy, but the end result can be explosive.

[She says that with a laugh.]

You just saved me weeks of barterining.
cuddlery: (totally gets it)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-09-16 02:08 pm (UTC)(link)
[Scorpia waves a pincer at the air in dismissal.]

Aw, it was nothing! Just a favor for a new friend. I- I hope it helps you out! ...And that it isn't, y'know, too explosive!
inkedspell: (055)

[personal profile] inkedspell 2022-09-16 11:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[Saeri finishes patching up Scorpia's wound and steps back to let her get up.]

New friends, definitely. How could we not be friends after I invited you into my home? It's almost like one of those sleepovers.

[She's teasing just a bit and gives a wink.]

Now how about a bit of juice before you leave. For safety's sake.

[She goes through the curtains creating a barrier between the kitchenette and the living room.]
cuddlery: (eh? eh??)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-09-17 04:55 am (UTC)(link)
[Scorpia does look excited just at the mention of a sleepover!]

You're right, and I'm so glad we're friends now and all that - that unpleasantness is behind us. Also, you're joking but know that I would be all for some kind of awesome sleepover! That, that's another solid friendship activity. Usually comes with less blood loss, too!

[She says with a little laugh. And she continues to feel eager, now for juice as well.]

You sure know how to sweeten a deal! I'm not picky, any juice will do!
inkedspell: (056)

[personal profile] inkedspell 2022-09-18 12:21 am (UTC)(link)
You haven't been around the right kind of sleepovers.

[Not that she ever had those besides Kai staying over when Mrs. Halli hasdto stay late. Does having a roommate count as a sleepover? She brings a cup of chilled fruit juice--she's sure it was fruit at least, sometimes she's not sure what kind of fruit--and sets it on the counter. Let Scorpia pick it up with her pincer however it works for her. The cup is metal.]

Sleepover's are a misnomer anyway. Aren't they supposed to be about staying up all night?
cuddlery: (oh gosh)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-09-18 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
[Scorpia chuckles at that little joke. And she excitedly accepts the juice with a quick recitation of gratitude. It is always refreshing to have a metal cup to work with! She's able to grab it with her pincer without being too careful and takes her step.]

I guess so? I mean, it eventually ends in sleep! Just, just not always on the night it starts. Oh, but what if the name means that sleep is over? [A new theory has been formed??]
inkedspell: ([arm] 33)

[personal profile] inkedspell 2022-09-20 03:38 am (UTC)(link)
[Saeri prefers metal because she has a habit of squeezing too tight if she uses her left hand. Too many broken cups that way. Scorpia might even notice the scratches and dips of a cup that's had to be put back to its right shape more than once. She chuckles.]

Maybe. I'm betting someone just made it up for propaganda for some kind of marketing campaign though. Everything is like that.

[When you come from a very corporate friendly world.]
cuddlery: (confident)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-09-20 04:19 am (UTC)(link)
[She's used to seeing cups scratched up, but that's because of her pincers. These marks seem different. Curious.]

Really? I mean, I'm not sure what that means, but... hey! The bottom line is, sleepovers are fun and should happen more often. Really great friendship activity right there!
inkedspell: ([natural] 007)

[personal profile] inkedspell 2022-09-22 01:52 am (UTC)(link)
Can't disagree with that. [Again, she thinks about how cute Scorpia is when she's not treating Saeri like a criminal out to blow up the planet.]

We'll have gather up some girls for a sleepover then one day. Paint nails, tell horror stories of our depressing childhoods as if they are fiction and a game of Never Have I Ever.

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