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
faithfulson: (Looking out)

[personal profile] faithfulson 2022-09-25 10:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Luke nodded at that, a small smile coming to his face.

"My mother and father, as well as my first mentor, and two of my nephews," he explained. Look, he knew him and Kylo didn't exactly have the best relationship, but he was still his nephew. It wasn't like he would just toss him aside, just because he wanted to stab him; if he did that to every family member that ever wanted to do that, he wouldn't have tried so hard to save his father.

"You may know my father; he's been around for a long time," he said. "Does the name 'Anakin' ring a bell?"
siriusly: (oh no he thinks he's funny)

[personal profile] siriusly 2022-09-26 01:35 am (UTC)(link)
Manabu's eyes widen as Luke lists them off. That...that's so many! So many immediate family members, too! He knows a lot of people who have siblings or close friends or lovers from home here, but a whole side of a family tree...?! How does something like that happen?

"Eh?" He has to double blink to stay on track. "Anakin...?"

It...does sound familiar, but in a distant, hearsay kind of way. Manabu folds his arms and frowns, looking skyward as he thinks, trying to put the name in a few sentences in his head.

"I feel like...I heard it before...but I can't figure out where... Maybe offhand on the network? For some reason or another..."
faithfulson: (I know what you mean.)

[personal profile] faithfulson 2022-10-01 12:54 am (UTC)(link)
Luke let out a small snort at that.

"Yeah, I think he's been on or called out on the network a number of times," he replied mildly. "He... tends to get into trouble frequently. Whether he started it or not."

Luke shook his head, trying to not look bitter about his father and the emotional torture he was putting him through at the moment.
siriusly: (ahahaha......what............)

[personal profile] siriusly 2022-10-01 12:56 am (UTC)(link)
"Ehehe..."

Manabu's expression pinches into something sympathetic, despite the laugh.

"That sounds backward, doesn't it? It's usually the kids being the ones causing trouble..."
faithfulson: (Not willing to accept this.)

[personal profile] faithfulson 2022-10-01 01:05 am (UTC)(link)
"You have no idea," Luke replied, a bit of a lopsided smile coming to his face. "But I'm still glad he's here."

Even if he was cantankerous and stubborn and annoying and irritable and...
siriusly: (item get)

[personal profile] siriusly 2022-10-01 01:08 am (UTC)(link)
He exhales a soft sound.

"It...it's better to have them close, right? Even when things get scary here."

Maybe especially when things get scary.
faithfulson: (Why are you breathing my air?)

[personal profile] faithfulson 2022-10-01 01:30 am (UTC)(link)
"Yes, it is," Luke replied. Though, he couldn't help but add mentally, So I can keep him from hurting anyone else.

"How about you, though?" he asked after a moment, shifting slightly to peer up at him. "Has anyone you know appeared here too?"
siriusly: (i wonder what george costanza would do)

[personal profile] siriusly 2022-10-01 01:59 am (UTC)(link)
"A--" He hesitates, then exhales with a sheepish laugh, shaking his head and looking elsewhere. "No. No, nobody...not anyone I know from before, no. Just people who also got sucked into the nightmare before."

There's no need for extrasensory powers to tell that the isolation from family and the familiar bothers him, even after so long; humans are inherently social, familial creatures, after all.

"Most of them are gone now, too." And that sting is fresher, more consistent.
faithfulson: (I'm just pretending to listen)

[personal profile] faithfulson 2022-10-01 02:11 am (UTC)(link)
Luke's expression softened, understanding how he felt. Sure, he may have had most of his family here, but... they weren't people he really knew, not like he knew Leia and Han. Hell, if Wedge or Lando showed up he would be over the moon to see people he was friends with and knew well.

And especially Lando, who would probably help with his romantic issues better than anyone else.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, scooting back a little and motioning for him to have a seat behind him -- the least he could do was offer some companionship that he was lacking in.
siriusly: (ahahaha......what............)

[personal profile] siriusly 2022-10-01 02:20 am (UTC)(link)
Manabu hesitates, but a quick glance back and a little happy grunt from Magnet, still chilling on Luke's lap, prompts him to move, sitting down as directed. Back to back feels weird only for a moment, but it feels better since he can at least double up on guard duty this way, covering this view.

"I-it's okay," he adds belatedly. "I mean--I think so right now, at least. I wouldn't want my mom out here in such a scary place, after all..."

The mini heart attacks he'd have of her just walking a common street down in Willful Machine for groceries...!
faithfulson: (...okay maybe not)

[personal profile] faithfulson 2022-10-01 03:31 am (UTC)(link)
Luke let out a faint noise, understanding exactly how he felt. He may have barely known his mother, but that didn't keep him from feeling protective of her. Hell, if Aunt Beru suddenly showed up as well, he would be an Absolute Mess of anxiety over the both of them, despite knowing how good of a shot his aunt was with a blaster.

"Sometimes not being in the same place as loved ones is a blessing in disguise," he agreed faintly.
siriusly: (:\ um this is uncomfortable)

[personal profile] siriusly 2022-10-02 12:16 am (UTC)(link)
"For a little while anyway, yeah."

Manabu hesitates, than sighs. He's not sure he wants to drag Luke through the unhappy train of thought such things can take him on - he didn't sign up for that! Better to turn the tables, as it were.

"Your family, though-- Are they adjusting okay?"
faithfulson: (Something familiar...)

[personal profile] faithfulson 2022-10-09 11:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Luke knew exactly how he felt, even if he didn't continue that thought. He offered him a small, friendly smile, before he let out a sigh himself. Oh boy, how to explain the constant train wreck that was his family? Was there even a way to explain that disaster?

"Most of them are doing well," he replied, settling for a vague answer instead of something more specific. "My one nephew seems better off than most, which is impressive, considering all this."
siriusly: (confused puppy noise)

[personal profile] siriusly 2022-10-09 11:44 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ehhh...?"

Manabu breathes out an incredulous sound while his good eye scans the horizon ahead of him.

"You have a nephew running around this place? But you're a young guy, aren't you? Your sister must be a lot older, huh..."
faithfulson: (Why are you breathing my air?)

[personal profile] faithfulson 2022-11-01 12:52 am (UTC)(link)
"Two nephews," Luke corrected gently, before he turned to Manabu, a bit of a devious spark in his eyes, as it to say he was about to rock the other man's whole world. "And my sister and I are twins."
siriusly: (you equipped bees?)

[personal profile] siriusly 2022-11-01 01:20 am (UTC)(link)
Another sound of disbelief passes unchecked out of Manabu as he turns his head to gawk.

"Wait, so, so you're way older than I thought...!" What do they put in the water where he's from???
faithfulson: (Soft and simple)

[personal profile] faithfulson 2022-11-01 01:25 am (UTC)(link)
Luke let out a curious noise, that mischievous look never leaving his face.

"How old do you think I am?"
siriusly: (those are sugar-free gummi bears)

[personal profile] siriusly 2022-11-01 01:32 am (UTC)(link)
"Er, uh..."

His eye winces.

"Well, how...how old are your nephews?"
faithfulson: (What're you doing?)

[personal profile] faithfulson 2022-11-01 01:55 am (UTC)(link)
Luke paused a moment. Well... consider that something he never thought to ask Anakin. And Kylo... well, they hadn't exactly had much of a conversation, now had they?

"Hm... I think the oldest is closer to thirty, maybe?" he replied.
siriusly: (i--wait. huh??)

[personal profile] siriusly 2022-11-01 04:20 pm (UTC)(link)
"Thirty?" Manabu echoes, eyebrows shooting up. "That--that'd make you near fifty, wouldn't it? Holy smokes..."
faithfulson: (Suuuuuuuure)

[personal profile] faithfulson 2022-11-05 11:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Luke probably should have mentioned that timelines didn't seem to matter in this place, but he hadn't had the opportunity to really troll someone since before Bespin, when being part of a squadron was like being part of the boys; flying for freedom and fighting the Empire. Getting a chance to grab that again... it wasn't very Jedi like, but where was the harm?

"Hey, don't act like that," he replied, feigning being wounded by his words. "Fifty is young in my galaxy; some people live to nine hundred!"

Granted, some of those people were whatever species Yoda had been, but he didn't need to know that.
siriusly: (santa IS real!)

[personal profile] siriusly 2022-11-07 08:21 pm (UTC)(link)
The trick works, and Manabu sits forward, face flushing with embarrassment as he turns himself partly back Luke's way to better talk and apologize.

"That-! I wasn't meaning to be insulting! It just sounds like a lot to me."