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: (i stretch my arms)

[personal profile] tealeafs 2022-09-28 06:45 am (UTC)(link)
Ah..!

[ Look.

Chizuru, over here? She's trying. She's well and truly trying. She's standing on the opposite side of the statue, not questioning the plan since she really wants to do her part here.. but of course Chizuru can't lift the statue at all. Even as Scorpia is doing most of the work on her side, Chizuru can't even get her side off the ground. She just doesn't possess the kind of strength necessary for this.

(Or any strength at all, really.)

So while Scorpia may be starting to lift it, she may find that it's very heavy and hard, like she's doing basically all of it on her own. Chizuru is trying, but it's.. it's not helping much, I'll tell you that.. ]


I-It's.. it's too much..! [ The exertion - even if it isn't leading to anything on her end - is even audible in her voice as she says that. She really is trying! But she only has tiny matchstick arms!! ]
cuddlery: (confused with tea)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-09-29 01:02 am (UTC)(link)
[It does feel like a lot of effort she's putting into this! Here she expected Chizuru to bust out some previously unseen strength for this statue. But as it is, Scorpia is still able to hold it up. And she tries to assure Chizuru.]

It- it's okay, Chizu! You don't have to push yourself. Just leave it to me. I've got this!

[She tries to look over so Chizuru can see her face around the statue and gives an encouraging statue. At least she can't sweat while they're underwater?]

You can be on lookout. That'll be helpful! Together, we'll get this back to town smoothly.
tealeafs: (i will watch over our encounter)

[personal profile] tealeafs 2022-09-30 06:38 am (UTC)(link)
[ Look at Chizuru's face. She looks noticably disappointed. Not in Scorpia, of course - but in herself! She really should have been better to try and help her friend with carrying it somehow.

Though it mostly just makes the girl look like the human equivalent of a sad puppy. ]


Isn't it too heavy for you?

[ Granted, even as she's saying it, she's already moving back towards the opening of the ship that leads back out to the water.

She doesn't want to make the other stand there and carry it without moving, that's way too heavy! Even if it's just so they can talk for a moment! ]


It's still..

[ Once Chizuru stands outside of the ship again, looking up at the surface, she realises just how far down they've come on the way here.. ]

.. so far away..

[ Her voice definitely trails off at the end of her statement like that because she's so surprised and kind of intimidated by the long way back. ]
cuddlery: (understanding with tea)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-09-30 12:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[Scorpia doesn't like that face. It's a face that makes her feel sad! Chizuru should never feel disappointed. Only... appointed!

She shakes her head, grunting as she moves while carrying the statue!]


No no, it's fine! It's not too heavy. It's just... just enough for me!

[This will definitely be her workout for the idea. Still, she keeps a smile on while moving outside the ship.]

It's just a little bit of a trek! And a swim. But we can manage it, I just know it. Come on, we'll be back on shore before we know it! [Swimming like this might be tricky, but... she'll endure! She hopes.]
tealeafs: (i stretch my arms)

[personal profile] tealeafs 2022-10-01 05:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Yeah, swimming like this sure might be tricky, huh..

Especially for a girl who can't swim. Like Chizuru. It was one thing to get down here together with Scorpia, but what if she supposed to do now the other is busy carrying that statue and swimming?

Chizuru jumps up, like she's hoping some sort of ocean current may catch her and help her up to the surface, but of course it doesn't work that way. She doesn't really get anywhere. ]


.. um, Scorpia.. you may have to go ahead with that statue without me..

[ Until Chizuru just.. spontaneously learns how to swim while standing here on the bottom of the sea. Clearly. ]
cuddlery: (thoughts)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-10-02 12:51 am (UTC)(link)
[In all her eagerness to get this statue to the surface, she had kinda forgotten about Chizuru's little predicament...

But once she brings it up, Scorpia realizes the follow in her plan. And she looks back at her, distraught.]


What? No way, Chizu! I am not leaving you here. We are going to get up there together.

[She offers an encouraging smile... while she tries to think of a solution.]

How about this? Just hang onto my tail! That way when I'm swimming, I'll just tow you along with me. Simple as that!
tealeafs: (shedding your petals graciously)

[personal profile] tealeafs 2022-10-02 05:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Isn't that too much?

[ Not the idea of holding onto Scorpia's tail itself, mind you. If that's what she has to do to get back to the surface, Chizuru is very much willing to do that.

No, as usually, she isn't thinking of herself here. She's thinking of Scorpia. ]


Getting that back up to the surface should already be hard enough. If I'm also holding onto you.. that must be way too heavy. [ Sure, Chizuru may weigh nothing next to that big statue, but still! It's added weight all the same. ] If you really want to help me, then.. um, I could wait down here for you to come down after you bring it up..

[ Even though there's technically no guarantee that Scorpia would be able to come back down here easily. Things never happen easily in Trench, after all.

And while that's a nerve-inducing thought, Chizuru tries to remain strong as she says it. She knows Scorpia will instantly disagree with the plan if Chizuru shows she's nervous, after all. ]
cuddlery: (quiet)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-10-03 01:05 am (UTC)(link)
Th-there's no such thing as too much!

[Scorpia attempts to insist on this arrangement! She accompanies it with the best smile she can muster while holding up the statue.]

Sorry Chizu, but I can't leave you behind like this. It's too risky! What if all this breathey stuff wears off? I- I wouldn't be able to bear that!

[She sighs and sets the statue down.]

I still feel primed to carry you both to the surface. But if it's a choice between the two of you? I'll pick you any day, Chizu. Mariana's gonna have to find some different delivery gals!
tealeafs: (oh heavenly wind)

[personal profile] tealeafs 2022-10-03 05:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It's a tough feeling Chizuru is dealing with right now. It's like there's two entirely different sides to it. On the one hand she's worried and a little guilty, feeling like a burden here. The reason they might not be able to complete this mission. But on the other hand.. she's also touched. Touched to know that Scorpia cares so much about her that she doesn't want to abandon Chizuru in a difficult situation even for a moment.

It's so sweet. Maybe others may expect that of Scorpia, since she's always so nice, but Chizuru still can't help but spend a moment thinking of just how sweet it is. ]


Then..

[ Chizuru pauses. Thinking. She wants to make a good compromise here, because if they just leave all of this behind without doing anything, she'll feel too guilty afterwards. ]

Maybe we can go back up together, and tell some other people that this stuff is down here..? Maybe they'll be able to get it back up better than we could.

[ Because they have special powers, or stuff like that. Powers even more special than Scorpia's crazy strength. ]
cuddlery: (pose)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-10-03 07:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[Scorpia clasps her pincers together and nods.]

You know? That's a good idea! We'll give some other people a heads up, and then our efforts won't be in vain.

[There is still the question of how long this whole thing will last... But Scorpia would rather risk the statue then Chizuru any day. She smiles at her.]

Yep, that'll work fine. See, Chizu? You're always full of bright ideas! It'll all work out. [She then separates her pincers - and as she does so, it seems that she's accidentally frozen a piece of the water. The frozen chunk just starts floating up way above their heads. Not thinking much of it, Scorpia chuckles sheepishly.]
tealeafs: (into the heavens)

[personal profile] tealeafs 2022-10-05 06:33 am (UTC)(link)
[ Wow.

See, the true genius here clearly isn't Chizuru. It's Scorpia, who just.. casually conjured up a solution. Out of nowhere. And Scorpia may look pretty nonchalant about it - because she hasn't figured it out yet, but Chizuru doesn't realise as much.. - but Chizuru's eyes grow wide with amazement as she realises the solution that was right in front of their eyes all along. ]


Scorpia!

[ Just listen to the intensity she says that name with. Chizuru is totally wild about this idea. Her jaw is dropping. ]

That's it! You figured out how we could do this..!

[ Look at Chizuru's GENIUS FRIEND!! ]
cuddlery: (um)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-10-05 12:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[Scorpia looks baffled at Chizuru's reaction. Suddenly her name is being called out so dramatically! Her eyes widen, and a perplexed smile crosses her face.]

I- I did? What do you mean? All I did was talk about your idea. And I made a little bit of ice! That's an accident on my part. My bad!

[She glances upwards.]

Wow, look at that ice go! It's floating right on up to the... sur... face...

[The cogs, they are turning.]
tealeafs: (oh transient flower)

[personal profile] tealeafs 2022-10-06 06:33 am (UTC)(link)
[ .. oh, wait. That wasn't the idea yet on Scorpia's part?

The surprise means that there's a delay before Chizuru explains. And then by the time she's processed the surprise behind that thought, Chizuru notices that the cogs in the other's head are already looking like they're turning - and Chizuru is definitely not the type to ruin someone else's moment of realisation by shouting said realisation over it.

So rather than saying something here, she just nods at Scorpia.

Enthusiastically.

You can do it, girl! You can get there! You're almost there..!! ]
cuddlery: (omg)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-10-06 10:43 am (UTC)(link)
[Sometimes happy accidents happen! And sometimes Scorpia could use some cluing in to her own genius.

An excited smile crosses Scorpia's face as all the dots connect.]


I got it! Check it out, Chizu. This will be really cool!

[With that, she squats down and presses her claws against the ocean floor right by the statue, focusing... and freezing water to form a chunk of ice beneath the statue. She keeps going and going until the ice starts lifting the statue upwards!]

Yes! It - it's working!
tealeafs: (if i feel the most alive)

[personal profile] tealeafs 2022-10-08 06:27 am (UTC)(link)
[ There we go! Chizuru knew Scorpia would catch on if she just got a few more moments, so she's definitely smiling as she watches the other understand the idea enough to carry it out all by herself. And that ice power is pretty impressive, especially since it's enough to make even that heavy statue float up to the surface...

She claps her hands happily once the statue moves like that. ]


Yes, it is really cool!

[ She may still not be super familiar with using that word to describe things.

But she's pretty sure this is it. This is that mystical 'cool' thing that happens. ]


And it's all because of your powers, Scorpia! It's because you're so impressive that we ended up managing this.. [ Chizuru is more than happy to let the other have all the credit, really. Especially when Chizuru really only stood there and watched on. ] Now all we have to do is get back up there ourselves.
cuddlery: (you're so great)

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-10-08 01:04 pm (UTC)(link)
[Scorpia grins proudly as she looks up, watching the ice ascend.]

Aw, it was nothing. And I couldn't have done it without you! But... thanks, Chizu.

[She flashes her a warm smile, and then she reaches for her hand.]

Right. Then we'll be able to figure out getting it back to shore. Now, let me help you all the way up! Back to the Scorpia Express, Chizu!
tealeafs: (not reach you)

we can probably wrap it up here! c:

[personal profile] tealeafs 2022-10-11 06:52 am (UTC)(link)
A-Alright!

[ Thankfully she's a little bit more used to the Scorpia express now, after already coming down all the way like this.. So Chizuru just nods, not putting up a protest now they've found the ultimate solution to their problem.

Instead she just moves to cling to the other, so they can go back up to the surface - and finish up their little adventure. ]
cuddlery: (Default)

Sounds good to me!

[personal profile] cuddlery 2022-10-11 12:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[Scorpia offers her a reassuring smile while Chizuru holds onto her.]

Great! We got this. And now... Away we go!

[And so, off they go! Back to the surface, with a pleasant return swim!]