slowly lurching towards your favorite city

[reddosmod]

NOVEMBER 2022 EVENT

Due to the cyclical nature of Trench, PROMPTS FROM LAST NOVEMBER are available to be used this year as well! Please be sure to note that you are using prompts from the last event when making your starters so people are aware.

IMAGE DESCRIPTORS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
Prompt One
[Image One: A still from Dali's A World of Nonsense, showing overly large, melting eyes filling a ceiling. ]
[Image Two: A hand covered in lady bugs. ]

Prompt Two
[Image One: Mushrooms inside of a tree. ]
[Image Two: A person kneeling in a cloak. ]

Prompt Three
[Image One: A text that says "Imma email the squad about the cult we're starting, brb." ]
[Image Two: The IT Crowd. ]

[NAVIGATION]

Prompt 1 • Prompt 2 • Prompt 3 • Plotting • Newsletter

[JUMP TO COMMENTS]

A World of Nonsense

WHEN: November
WHERE: Throughout Trench
CONTENT WARNINGS: Eye trauma/gore, bugs crawling out of skin, hallucinations, paranoia, violence, self-injury.

---

The city is a mess. Streets don't seem to go where they used to, building warping constantly, architecture seemingly melting in on itself... There's something clearly off, something that is even making the Trenchies nervous. The Blood Crazed Zealots this November seem to be even more desperate to find sacrifices, convinced that it will somehow make the city right again.

It's not just the city that's starting to act strangely, though. As the month goes on, Sleepers will start to be plagued with odd hallucinations, ones that become more persistent and realistic with every passing hour or day. It starts off with hearing the sound of a child's laughter, maybe hearing them running through the hall, or the quiet singing of a children's lullaby running through the air. Sometimes, Sleepers may even think they get a glimpse of the child going around a corner, or standing in a crowd just... watching. A young girl with dark hair, who seems achingly familiar somehow, but who disappears before a connection can be placed.

The hallucinations start to advance rapidly from there. People will start to see images of random attacks. A woman getting her eye slit open in broad daylight, but the victim vanishes within seconds before she can even be gotten to. They may see a friend clutch their heads, screaming as bugs pour from their skin, only to have that friend be standing upright and looking at them funny when they've rushed to their side. Sleepers may even look down and see holes like a beehive in their arms, with large, winged insects crawling in and out of their skin. Blink and it's gone, with not even a hint of scarring left behind.

These visions will start to make people question reality. They will be unsure whether the pain they see another suffering is real or just in their heads and it begins to make them terrified of everyone and everything around them. It may start to feel like too much, like it would be better if things were over. Some people may start to react violently, trying to claw at their own eyes to get the visions to end, or attacking others who get too close in fear of it triggering another attack.

And just when it seems like too much, a clarifying thought will enter their mind, whispered in their ear in that familiar child-like voice: The Tower is weakening and soon shall fall. Say it out loud, spread the word, and the visions will clear up as quickly as they came.

To help others who could possibly be suffering from hallucinations, those who have had the clarifying thought themselves will be able to tell it to the sufferer in order to save them from the hallucinations getting worse. This will only work if told by someone who already suffered from these hallucinations, and the other person must truly accept it and start to tell others as well.

[JUMP TO TOP] • [JUMP TO COMMENTS]

WILL YOU BE A FRIEND OF MINE

WHEN: Mid-November
WHERE: Outside Trench
CONTENT WARNINGS: Themes dealing with disease

---

Anyone who tries to get in touch with the Tower will realize quickly that there's no use in trying to ask him directly what it is that's going on. His thoughts and words are steadily more incoherent, and while he can tell something is wrong, he doesn't quite know what. Those who see him in person will notice that his appearance is not as well put together as it usually is. His clothes are a little shabby at the edges and his attempt at a humanoid face is slightly off now, with his lips drooping and his eyes not quite evenly centered. It's almost like looking at an early cubist painting.

Never Mind is worried. Worried enough to start to reach out to Sleepers and ask for their help. It's strange to see from the Pthumerian who always has the answers, but for once, he seems to not know what is wrong with his lover. The only thing he knows is there is something that can help ease the symptoms, give the Tower some clarity, maybe in hopes that it will give them hints of where or how the Tower may have picked up this illness that is plaguing him. Or maybe just because he doesn't want to see him suffer the way he clearly is.

Those who respond to Never Mind's call for help will give them what one can only call a quest. He tells them of a mushroom that grows on the outskirts of Trench, deep in the woods, hidden inside a hole in an oak tree. It's a very rare, very small mushroom that blends in to the bark around it, making it difficult to see. The Pthumerian would normally go and try and get it himself, but the fibers of the mushroom are too delicate, and Pthumerians who have tried to pick it themselves have found that it crumbles to pieces in their hands. In order for it to help the Tower, it has to be used whole in the ritual that will help ease the Tower's symptoms.

Never Mind understands that it's a great deal to ask. Getting to the wood where the mushroom grows can take days for even the fastest runners and it's far enough outside of Trench that beast attacks are frequent. They even begin to attack in packs, making it highly likely that the Sleepers could be injured or killed. He also recognizes that many of the Sleepers are bitter with the Pthumerians at best, and outright blame them for their circumstances at worst. He will try to reassure them that they are not enemies, but it may be something some Sleepers will agree to disagree on.

If a Sleeper chooses to go to get the mushroom, it's recommended they go in groups for safety. He will also suggest those who obtained the compass last month use it to make sure they don't get lost, as well as to help strengthen the gem inside of it. Never Mind will also provide them with a small, silver ring on a chain, one that glows when the moonlight hits it. The ring will help to lessen how easily beasts can detect the person wearing it and help to give them a chance to run away rather than fight if they need to. He will provide enough rings so that each member of the group gets one.

Because Pthumerians can't touch the mushroom, he will also provide Sleepers with a single pouch, one that will fit and protect the mushroom from harm on the journey back. Be careful when picking it, as human hands can also destroy the fibers if it is handled too roughly. Never Mind will be eternally grateful to those who help the Tower and any who do will find that from now on, ravens are more likely to try and protect them from harm around the city.

[JUMP TO TOP] • [JUMP TO COMMENTS]

NOT GONNA REACH MY TELEPHONE

WHEN: November
WHERE: The Network
CONTENT WARNINGS: None.

---

With the rest of the town falling apart, why wouldn't the technology do the same? Throughout the month, the network, particularly the omnis, seem to be malfunctioning at random. There's no rhyme or reason to when or how it breaks and it doesn't seem like there's any quick fix to it.

Types of malfunctions include randomly changing usernames, misfired texts, voice-to-text failures with awkward typos or completely altering what was trying to be said, glitching videos, sudden audio playing without prompting, and completely shutting down. Anything and everything seems to be breaking when it comes to the omnis and no hard reset will work to fix it.

Omens can still be used to avoid the errors, though there's no guarantee their connection to the network might also end up malfunctioning. It seems to be entirely up in the air. If you want to guarantee not being impacted, maybe stick to face to face interactions this month.

[JUMP TO TOP]

CODING

Comments

Jun Ushiro | Bokurano

[icanhearscreams]

Not Gonna Reach My Telephone

[Jun doesn't use his omni much, but it does take a few misfires for him to realize it's got a problem. Which... is a problem for him, as his omen is helping him heal.]

1. Are you coming over tonight? I don't think I can make it over there.
2. The lesson's tomorrow, right? I'll try to make it. Don't wait up on me.
3. No, that's stupid. Fish are way better than birds.


A World of Nonsense cw: (other) hallucinations, PTSD flashbacks

Jun isn't out too much after his encounter with the zealots in the Farm. When he does go out it's for short trips, mostly to help build his strength back up. He's near the Archives when he stops, staring at someone. She's being swarmed by thousands of bugs, dissolving into a puddle while screaming. Jun moves forward to help her but he can't -

She's gone. She's gone and people are staring at him. He hustles along, trying to get to the safety of the Archives and -

A knife suddenly embeds itself into the neck of someone in front of him, bugs crawling out of the wound and Jun stops. He can't - he can't... he's shaking, leaning against the nearest building to try to steady himself. His legs are starting to give out and he falls to his knees. He sees Kako's wound in front of his eyes - he'd stayed quiet at the time but he was as horrified as the others.

All he can see is the cockpit of Zearth, floating chairs almost taunting him. Look at the lives you've seen cut short it says, and he tries to will himself to move but... he can't. He's looking at something, but to anyone near him he looks like he's looking at nothing.


Mushabooming

He's being as careful as he can, but Jun is out collecting mushrooms - sometimes alone, sometimes with other people. He can't do much else... he starts picking a few of the ones he's seen through a guide, careful to avoid the poisonous and stranger ones. Maybe some of these aren't quite as good for dealing with corruption, but at least it's something.

"Mushroom stew, maybe?" He wonders aloud, watching the people around him to make sure they're not eying the same mushroom. "This might have been... not the best idea." He's a little afraid, carefully checking for any zealots. Hopefuly he'll e okay...

But maybe you've come along as protection?


Wildcard

[Got another idea? Grab me at atrypical, Matt#6266, the plotting post, or a PM!]

telephone | 3

[fogsong]

[ she absolutely know this is a misfire at this point but she's gotta know ]

You got anything to back that statement up?

un: sadglasses

[icanhearscreams]

Not all birds fly. All fish swim.

And there's the fact that most fish came first and haven't had to evolve to fit with the planet. They were already perfect.

[fogsong]

That's an interesting argument.

I raise the fact that there are birds that can talk. Some can mimic any sound they hear. You can cuddle a bird and take it with you places. I don't know if you can befriend a fish.

[icanhearscreams]

You can take fish places if you're underwater.

Also you can absolutely befriend a fish. It's just that most people are jerks to fish.

[fogsong]

But I'm never underwater. I guess I could carry a tank around with me but that's a lot of work and I doubt it'd be good for the fish.

How do you befriend a fish? Do they form attachments?

[icanhearscreams]

Feed it, spend time around it... don't pester it, just watch. It'll eventually get comfortable with you and come to you for food or just to check you out because it's curious.

[fogsong]

You friends with a lot of fish?

[icanhearscreams]

Unfortunately no. The fish here are kind of... creepy.

[fogsong]

Does that mean birds are better than fish in Trench?

[icanhearscreams]

... Maybe here.

But not everywhere.

[fogsong]

Yeah, but that still means birds are better than fish, even if it's only here!

Also, I don't know if you've caught on, but your omni messaged the wrong person. I'm definitely not the person you started this conversation with. Sorry.

[icanhearscreams]

I figured. He wouldn’t argue so hard about something so stupid.

Mushabooming

[survivalthroughhate]

Maul is out in the woods. His brother and he, as an alien species, can eat most types of food but they only gain the nutrients they need from meat since they're obligate carnivores. So while he can still be affected by the special mushrooms, the ordinary ones don't do anything for satiating their appetites.

Still, he knows that the mushrooms can be traded in the city for other food or things that they need, so it's prudent to go hunting for them. He's walking through when he hears someone talking. Coming out from behind a tree with a wide trunk, he looks over towards Jun. "Planning on using them to poison people with?" He asks.

[icanhearscreams]

He looks over at the alien with a bit of surprise in his eyes - but he recognizes the voice. The person he accidentally called. He relaxes slightly, though he's... honestly curious about how the other looks. He shakes his head at the question and holds up the bag.

"No. Just for trading and cooking. I'm staying away from the poisonous ones - I'd need a second bag and probably gloves." He has some gloves but... well, he's not sure if they'd be thick enough to prevent some kind of poison. "Also I don't have a weapon to put the poison on." And the people he's cooking for are the last people he'd want to poison.

[survivalthroughhate]

"What a pity I've mostly stopped with killing people. It's been a long time since I poisoned anyone to death." He's not even joking there. Maul killed a lot of people back in the day and sometimes he had to get creative with the methods of how to get away with murder.

He knows that look Jun is giving him. After almost three years of people being surprised or taken aback the first time they meet him, it's very easy to spot those who come from worlds where there usually aren't multiple sentient species. So he keeps the conversation still slightly off-balance. "I take it you have never seen a Zabrak before?"

[icanhearscreams]

"Good. I can't imagine it's a pleasant way to go." Probably painful as your body shuts down... he doesn't want to go that way. No thanks.

Busted. He glances to the side a moment before looking back at him and nods. "It's... less weird now that I've been here a bit, but my world only has humans." And whatever the hell Dung Beetle is. But he was human once - allegedly. "I didn't mean to stare."

[survivalthroughhate]

"Some are. Others kill you so fast that you're dead by the time it actually hits your stomach." Those were never any fun for Maul even if they were useful in his trade as an assassin. He liked to watch his victims suffer.

"I've gotten used to the stares after being here so long." Most everyone, even those who come from places with other non-human species, stop to stare at Maul for a moment whenever they first see him. He is distinctive looking after all. "I come from a galaxy with twenty million sapient species, so you can imagine it's a bit easier to blend in there."

[icanhearscreams]

"Wonderful." He does not sound thrilled. "Either way I'd like to avoid it. My friends would likely freak out if I died."

He huffs in amusement. He's not weirded out, just a little surprised. "I can imagine. It's pretty human-centric here. I don't really care what species anyone is, as long as they're not a dick." If they are, they're a dick. Doesn't matter what species they are.

[survivalthroughhate]

"I would like to be comforting and say you will come back....but that is not always so." Something Maul learned the hard way before, a lesson that still has an impact on him to this day.

Maul chuckles briefly for a moment, a deep, amused sound in the back of his throat. "And what have you decided about me thus far?" Because quite a number of people in town would testify that Maul can indeed be a grade-A dick when he wants to be.

[icanhearscreams]

"There's always a risk with that." He shrugs, unconcerned. It's not like he expected to find a second life after death.

That chuckle's a little disconcerting, but he doesn't say anything about it. "That you don't seem like an idiot so far and that you at least aren't all that innocent given that you don't talk about death with any sort of fear in your voice."

[survivalthroughhate]

"Well put on both accounts." Of course, there was a certain catboy and those like him in Trench that would argue Maul is indeed an idiot, but he doesn't listen to what they have to say. The fact he's still alive means Maul is at least smart enough to survive this hellish place.

"You don't seem much to fear death either," Maul observes. He recognizes Jun from one of the Omni glitches that have been going around.

[icanhearscreams]

He's an observant kid at least, so he doesn't really think that Maul is dangerous... yet.

"No. Like I said, I've died before. I suppose it was more of a peaceful death, but I've... been faced with the concept of nothingness forever so it's less scary now."

[survivalthroughhate]

"There is something a little comforting in knowing we shall come right back to this place after death," Maul said, going a little philosophical now. "But I do think too many people take that for granted, thinking that 'Oh well, the person I loved most is in the ocean but they'll soon be back with me'. I've known of at least a couple of people who died and didn't come back afterwards."

Knowing that had left Maul on edge about the whole process. The Pthumerians had given them a great gift but it wasn't one that was perfect by far.

[icanhearscreams]

"That's true. But I've seen a lot of people die. It's... less scary now." Shocking, sometimes. But not scary. Not that bone-deep realization of your own mortality. He's dealt with that already. He's faced that feeling over and over and over until it doesn't hurt as much anymore.