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Deer Country Mod ([personal profile] reddosmod) wrote in [community profile] deercountry2022-09-09 09:25 pm

all i know is i don't know nothing

SEPTEMBER 2022 EVENT
A SPECIAL NOTE NOW THAT THE GAME HAS BEEN OPEN FOR A YEAR: Due to the cyclical nature of the world, during certain months, prompts from the previous year may be available to use. You can see September 2021's prompts here. Please make sure to note if you are using a prompt from last year, so that others will know where to look for the original content.

IMAGE DESCRIPTORS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE

Prompt One
[Image One: Black birds flying in front of a church shrouded in heavy fog. ]
[Image Two: Red tinted clouds with a flash of red lightning piercing through them. ]

Prompt Two
[Image One: A stack of leather bound books. ]
[Image Two: A close up on the detailed arches of a Gothic/Neo-Gothic building. ]

Prompt Three
[Image One: A path in the woods with fallen leaves and bare trees. ]
[Image Two: Two swords covered in blood laying across one another in an X pattern. ]

Leap of Faith
WHEN: September
WHERE: Alternate Dimension
CONTENT WARNINGS: Parallel worlds, violence, possible death, religious cults


Throughout the month, people seem to just be... disappearing. It starts off as just a few locals here and there: maybe it's a butcher that's become a staple in the community, or a textile merchant that some Sleepers have come to rely upon in their time here. These disappearances seem to vary in how long they last. Some people are only gone a few days, others may never be seen again. The ones who return refuse to talk about where they've been or what has happened to them and will adamantly shut down any attempts to find out information. Rumors spread around the city at what could be going on and there's the occasional bit of conversation that mentions the possibility of reality bending Pthumerians being behind the ordeal.

It doesn't take long before it's Sleepers who start to disappear as well. It can happen at what appears to be any moment: sometimes during the middle of the night, a bed will simply swallow them up. Others might be walking along a path or road and suddenly drop through the ground, even when there's no hole to fall into. If a Sleeper with the ability to see invisible supernatural forces sees this in action, they will notice what looks like black, charred hands reaching up out of the earth and latching on to their victim before dragging them into black mist.

Sleepers who have been grabbed will find they've been yanked into a pocket dimension, a version of Trench that seems to be even more corrupt, even more polluted, and covered in dark fog that is difficult to see through. There's a heavy humidity in the air, the sound of constantly rolling thunder, and the occasional flashes of lightning across the sky. Bright bolts occasionally crash down through the fog and hit the earth, cracking it open and creating deep caverns filled with tar that is hot enough to melt a human being. Beasts larger and even more dangerous than those regularly seen back in Trench roam the streets, ready to tear apart and devour anything in their path.

The buildings are also crumbling to pieces and many of the staple locations of the city of Trench have been completely turned to rubble in this alternate world. Only religious buildings seem to be left standing and they have become crowded by locals who have yet to escape this new world. Sleepers will find that these religious buildings are the only ones that are completely safe from the beasts in the streets, offering themselves as Sanctuary from the out of control corrupted forces of this new world.

The locals in this place aren't here to make Sleepers feel safe and cozy while they wait to get out of this dimension. They're here to convert and it becomes obvious quickly. They claim this universe is the True World, the world that the Old Ones had wanted Sodder to create, one that they think the Nightmare could have evolved into if Sodder had been given the proper guidance. They believe that a Pthumerian by Riteoir brought about the perfect world that punishes those who have done wrong swiftly and spares those who are righteous and dedicated to a just path. This cult has elevated Riteoir to a God-like status in their eyes and they will do their best to try and convince all who gather in the buildings for safety that they are protected here because of their faith and dedicated to Riteoir's ideals.

They also become highly violent towards anyone who dares to insult Riteoir or who questions their beliefs in any way. Killing the non-believers is a perfectly justified reaction to these worshippers, convinced that any doubt in Riteoir's power to protect them will cause their safety net to collapse. They justify brutal murders of those they deem unrighteous as being necessary to keep the peace they have found for themselves in an otherwise clearly bleak world.

Playing along might be the best bet, but isn't required for people who would rather fight monsters over people. Sleepers may run in to other locals who also chose to get away from the cult madness out on the roads and these locals are more than willing to share the knowledge they've found while exploring this dimension. There's only one means of escape: finding a weak spot in the veil between worlds and performing a ritual to break it open.

Two Sleepers of differing blood types must find and gather together the claw of a large beast, a silver bowl, a piece of rubble, and a single red rose. Roses are hard to come by in this alternate world, but there is a small garden that grows in one of the churches. It requires sneaking around the cult members in order to obtain and they will attack anyone they find trying to cut the rose from the bushes. Once these object are found, the Sleepers must bring them to the area that would have been known as Sleepytown in the original Trench. Here, it is now a vast, open wasteland, with smoke rising from the crack in the ground, and a never ending fire burning beneath the ground. The faint sounds of screaming can be heard under the ground, but there isn't any way to determine if they're real or simply echoes from the past.

The claw can be ground down with the piece of rubble inside the silver bowl. The rose petals should be carefully plucked and placed on top of the claw. Finally, each Sleeper must cut themselves, and add equal amounts of blood until it begins to thicken. It doesn't take much, the magic working quickly to turn the mixture into a substance almost like slime. Each Sleeper must dip their hands in the slime and spread it onto the chest of the other, right above where the heart would be located. If the Sleeper has their heart located in a different area of their body than normal, then the slime must be spread there instead. Once this is complete, it will feel like acid burning against the skin, before it glows brightly. The lights will join together, forming a laser like beam that will then slice a hole in the air in front of them.

This hole will show the original Trench on the other side. It will only remain open for a few moments before closing up again. Sleepers must jump through the hole together in order to return to Trench. If the ritual fails, they will have to wait three days to try again, and will have to find a way to continue to survive in this alternate world. If it succeeds, the Sleepers will find themselves in the original Sleepytown, and will be able to return to Trench from there.

Bringing up the alternate universe, the ritual, or even Riteoir will put the locals on edge and they will quickly close the door of their shop or turn their backs on anyone who tries. Apparently this is a touchy subject that they'd rather ignore.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
WHEN: September
WHERE: The Gaze
CONTENT WARNINGS: N/A


The Never Mind believes in knowledge and learning above all else. He can be found beckoning many towards the Gaze, encouraging them to attend the School of Mutter or visit the Archives to expand their knowledge. His ravens will try to guide people here as well and many Sleepers will start to feel a compulsion to follow.

There's talk of a prize being given by the Never Mind himself for those who learn something new while inside the Gaze. A bracelet shaped like golden wheat that can rid a small patch of land (roughly 4 square feet) completely of pollution, allowing the area to properly grow a small amount of plants. In Trench, this is almost as priceless as the gold itself, and so many are quick to encourage anyone to go and get one for themselves.

People can't just learn anything, though. When Sleepers arrive in the Gaze to claim their prize, they will be given a specific task: get to know someone new. There's no wiggle room for interpretation in the words. The only way to obtain the bracelet is for a Sleeper to talk to another person that they have never spoken to before. Casual small talk won't earn them this prize either. Sleepers must dive into a deep conversation that forces them to truly learn about the other person. It can be about their feelings, their past, their hopes and dreams... So long as it's something that they truly learn about the other and should, ideally, no longer make them feel like a stranger.

Bracelets will appear magically on the writs of each Sleeper once their conversation ends, so long as the criteria is met. Happy gardening!

THE GREAT HUNT
WHEN: Mid-to-Late September
WHERE: Trenchwood
CONTENT WARNINGS: Hunting themes, possible death, large beasts, descriptions of gore.


An excerpt from Ancient Notable Beasts:
The story goes that as the Blood Moon rises and the farmers begin to hope for a bountiful harvest, Trenchwood begins to hear the growls of the Bugge through the trees. One of the largest beasts to ever roam the lands, it seems to only plague the woods in the autumn months, just before the leaves begin to change their color. Legend has it that the blood shed by the Bugge falls onto the green leaves from summer and poisons them, changing their colors, and slowly killing them until they fall to the ground. The Bugge hunts and feeds on any who enter the forest, but particularly enjoys to devour those who have let corruption touch their souls.

Hunters try to bring down the Bugge every year, many losing their lives in the process. The creature stands as tall as the old pine trees, covered in gray fur, and has claws said to be sharp enough to slice through diamonds. Drool pours from its mouth, matting the fur along its jaw and chest, and dying it a deep, rusty brown. Looking into the eyes of the Bugge can make a person paralyzed with fear, forcing them to relive their worst fears, and some say even freezing them into solid ice if they do not break free quickly enough. It is said that it is most important to track the beast as quickly as possible, for if you do not hunt the Bugge first, than the Bugge will find its way behind you and hunt you instead.

No one has ever managed to truly put an end to the Bugge. Even when it is slain, the shrieks of the creature are heard again mere hours later, and more who go into the woods unprepared end up never returning. Despite the danger, the farmers do no wish to be rid of the Bugge as the Hunters do. The blood spilled by both the Bugge and the Hunters who attempt to slay it does not seem to pollute the ground as it does other times of year: instead, the Blood Moon shines brighter, and the crops for the September harvest become richer than they were before. The farmers see the Bugge not just as a necessary evil for good crops, but as a blessing, a reward for all their hard work during the year.

Sleepers who go near Trenchwood will hear the Bugge from the trees. Getting too close to the woods will cause the cycle of needing to track the Bugge to begin. It does not matter if the Sleeper leaves the woods after, the Bugge will be willing to stalk them into the city, and kill them in the streets if it is not found first. Killing the Bugge is the quickest and easiest option, but the Bugge can be healed by those willing to put in the work. If a Sleeper has the ability to see souls, they will notice that the beast seems to holds a presence similar to that of a fairly large bear. However, if healed, it will run off before the Sleepers can see its true form.

Unfortunately, those who choose to heal the Bugge will find that there are consequences. Where killing the Bugge brings about a more bountiful harvest, healing the Bugge causes the crops and other plants in the farming district to suffer and wilt. The local farmers will be furious if they find out who has chosen to heal over kill and will deny any further trade with the individual in the future, seeing them as a weak link in the natural balance of this world.

Those who choose to shed blood through September, whether the Bugge's or others, will find that the legend is honest about its impact on the earth during a blood moon: while it won't rid the ground of pollution, it seems to make life around it stronger and more durable. This includes not only the harvest but all life forms, including Sleepers.

CODING
siriusly: (those are sugar-free gummi bears)

[personal profile] siriusly 2022-10-16 06:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[while Manabu doesn't fuss or argue on the way down, the second Vi's got her feet back on stable ground:] Y-you can put me down already. I can walk! We're walking now, right? [and not running for their lives?]

Where...where are we, anyway-? [he turns his head so his seeing-eye can...y'know. see.]
slayerskiss: (well you could lock me up in your heart)

[personal profile] slayerskiss 2022-10-21 12:43 am (UTC)(link)
[The bunker is a large open room, dark except for the candles everywhere. There's about nine people here, to the edges of the walls, all wrapped up in blankets, though there's little else but the most basic of furnishings. One steel bed and a bunch of mattresses on the floor, and one large dining table.

There's a bunch of weapons and food on the table, stuff Faith's managed to scavenge or steal in the day or so she's been here.]


Hmm, maybe next time. [She drops the crossbow on the table.]

Bunker. [She says idly to Manubu.] It's where I've been taking trenchies while we figure shit out.

Hungry? There's still a fuckin' load of mushrooms even in dark Trench. [And because Faith is always hungry, she takes several raw mushrooms from a burlap sack and pops one in her mouth.]
Edited 2022-10-21 00:44 (UTC)
faceblocks: (pic#15923733)

[personal profile] faceblocks 2022-10-21 11:43 pm (UTC)(link)
[she shouldn't be hungry. of course she's hungry. and as boring and staple and functional as the dried mushrooms are, vi has no argument with them - as the refrain goes: better than prison food. so she grabs up a handful which she idly chews as she looks over what else is on the table. nothing crazy, but sometimes any weapon is good. this is one of those times.

she takes a second handful of mushrooms and offers them to manabu, who is on the ground and free to move as he likes.]
Maybe it'll help if you get something back in there. [a little point toward his stomach, but she doesn't poke. what she does is gently pat his shoulder if he'll allow it.

she's not sure when it started - maybe with faith's appearance, or shortly after, but her whole attitude about this - despite being omenless and very worried about disappearing on her sister - has started to improve. she's not happy by any means, but she can see them getting to the bottom of this. getting out of this. it doesn't feel impossible. so her expression's concerned, but not as grim when she addresses her.]


So you've been here a while. That's good. That you've gotten them out of all that shit up there. You said one of them talked about a ritual? My new "friends" were kinda vague, but that tracks. I felt like I was about to be part of something in a way I never wanted to be. There was a cup, and an open fire and a bunch of dead plants they wanted me to wear as a hat. I bailed on that, but maybe someone here knows more?
siriusly: (whoa what wait hang on)

[personal profile] siriusly 2022-10-23 12:00 am (UTC)(link)
[eugh...mushrooms. Manabu may accept them, but he's not going to even pretend he's happy to have them. there are more important things to focus on anyway. he shifts where he stands, moving to get a wall behind him for support. adrenaline's drained out, leaving an uneasy tingling in his body - the kind of sensation that makes him worried that he won't be ready when another hazard drops on them.

his omen pads around the space, sniffing at everyone's shoes and the furniture around, doing the inspection work his person would do in a better state of mind.

talk of rituals makes Manabu's brow furrow.]


A ritual for what, though? For who?
slayerskiss: (now i can fend for myself)

[personal profile] slayerskiss 2022-10-25 02:34 am (UTC)(link)
[She looks at Manabu a bit baffled, but well, he's clearly having a rough day, so she'll be nicer than what immediately springs to mind.]

To get out of here? Open up a gate and all that crap.

The ingredients - far as I understand it are the claw of a beast, which is why I was up there. [She goes through the pockets of her dark leather coat, and withdraws a claw that's been hastily wrapped up in claw to stop it from dripping beast blood into her pockets.] Silver bowl, a piece of rubble - don't know if it gets more specific than that, and a red rose.

Don't suppose the cult you were almost roped into was big on silver and roses?

[She expected a silver bowl to be relatively easy to find in Trench - god knows there's some fancy shit in the real city. But... this place only has so many livable areas that aren't crawling with beasts.]