reddosmod: (Default)
Deer Country Mod ([personal profile] reddosmod) wrote in [community profile] deercountry2023-02-08 06:25 pm

and my heart went 'boom!'

FEBRUARY 2023 EVENT
Due to the cyclical nature of Trench, prompts from the PREVIOUS FEBRUARY are available for use again. Please note when you are using this years prompts vs last years prompts when plotting or writing top-levels to avoid confusion.

IMAGE DESCRIPTORS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE

Prompt One
[Image One: A broken mirror with a woman looking into it, pressing her fingers against the glass. ]
[Image Two: A rose lit up like embers. ]

Prompt Two
[Image One: Neon hearts glowing on a wall. ]
[Image Two: A pocket watch on top of a book page. ]

Prompt Three
[Image One: A young woman with dark hair standing in the snow with red flowers. ]
[Image Two: Footprints in the snow. ]

BAD LUCK OF THE EARLY WORM
WHEN: February
WHERE: All around the city
CONTENT WARNINGS: Curses, violence, danger, misfortune


Everyone has their own streak of bad times. There are some days or weeks whre it feels like nothing is going right. Most people would try and tell say that it's just the tendency to focus on the negative. That it can be relieved by writing down all the good things that happen in our lives, because we have a tendency to only ever focus on the bad. And maybe most of the time, people are right! Maybe the idea of luck really is just perspective.

But not in Trench. Not this month.

No matter what way it's looked at, bad luck seems to be clinging to some people. It might start out small, with simple things like knocking over a favorite drink or snack, or ruining a project that had hours invested into it. Then it might become bigger. A person might start to trip over things and injuring themselves, they might get lost in a blizzard and nearly freeze before finding their way home or to someone they know. Eventually, it could even become undeniably dangerous. The person impacted by bad luck could start to notice corruption levels rising quickly, they could start to turn into a beast at random, they could start to attract violent beasts to them and put themselves or others at risk with heavy battles. The possibilities seem to be endless and none of them are good. Did someone break a mirror? Or twenty?

It will be easy to see that this isn't just impacting one person. Sleepers and Trenchies alike seem to be being plagued by streaks of bad luck across the board. Luckily, the locals seem to know what to do about it. Bad luck pops up from time to time, and of course there would be a ritual to help cleanse it.

Small vendors will start to pop up through the city selling wooden carvings that they promise will absorb all the bad luck that's been going around and dispell it with a simple ritual. A drop of blood from the person impacted and a drop of blood from someone they are close should be placed upon the carving. The blood types of the persons involved should not match (i.e. Coldblood/Coldblood would not work, but Coldblood/Warmblood would). It must be left to soak into the wood overnight, leaving behind deep red stains. The carving must then be placed with a fully bloomed rose and burned in the entrance doorway to the home of the inflicted. The ashes should then be placed into a container and kept somewhere in the home for the duration of February, to make sure that the bad luck stays away.

It seems like it really works! The tricky part is making sure that the bad luck following doesn't get in the way of the ritual while the blood is soaking over night. It may be best for both parties involved to hunker down together until morning, just in case. Time to break out the small talk. Or the deep, meaningful conversations that can sometimes happen in the middle of the night.

GETTING TO KNOW ALL ABOUT YOU
WHEN: February
WHERE: A magic room in the city.
CONTENT WARNINGS: Reference to mild shocks. Forced honesty. Embarrassment. Lots and lots of embarrassment.


Honestly, after being in Trench for so long, people should be used to not ending up in the destination they initially intended for. This month, it seems like the city is trying to encourage people to social, to form new bonds, whether they're romantic, platonic, familial, or any other option one could think of. The bright idea this month for that sort of thing?

Speed dating.

It's not traditional speed dating, necessarily. No one is here to exclusively seek romantic partners, although there are certainly options for it. And it's not something people are signing up for out of their own free will. Instead, people seem to simply show up at the event, with no real recollection of how they got there. Maybe they just woke up on one of the comfy couches and found a "Hi, my name is..." sticker slapped on them. Or maybe they were wandering in the snow and got lost, ending up finding shelter in this strange place, and are now forced to participate until the blizzard passes. All in all, it's harmless fun, isn't it? Who doesn't need a few new friends.

Each person will have a small information blurb given about them that can't be seen by the naked eye, but will appear as soon as someone looks at the other party through their omni. What the blurb says is unique to each person, but it might become clear pretty quickly that they didn't write it themselves... Deerington survivors may find themselves having flashbacks to the days of DeerlyBeloved.

Pairings are completely random. People will be given a series of random questions they can ask one another or they can always feel free to make up their own. Anyone who tries to lie or avoid answering a question might feel a small shock from the chair they're sitting in, one that gets stronger with every lie they tell. The after effects of the shock seem to encourage the need to answer the question with full transparency. It's important to tell the truth when getting to know someone, after all.

After five minutes, both parties can either press a button beside their chair to continue talking to the person they're paired with, or they can move on to the next pairing. Both parties have to press the button in order to stay where they are.

Have fun and remember to always be honest!

LONELY HEARTS CLUB
WHEN: February
WHERE: Trenchwood and throughout the city.
CONTENT WARNINGS: Violence, abuse of power, jealousy, possession, supernatural events, possible death from elemental exposure


There's a tale that comes up around this time of year, one that seems to be an old favorite in Trench. Long ago, in the heart of a blizzard, a young woman was found wandering in Trenchwood. She wore only thin fabrics to keep herself warm and had no shoes. Her skin felt cold as ice. The Hunters who found her quickly brought her into town, giving her shelter in a local in to try and get her warm. She stayed for many nights and it didn't take long for the inn keeper to fall in love with her. But she did not seem to return to his feelings and so he was heartbroken and jealous of all the other men who gave her attention. He demanded she offer him something in trade for her stay and when she could offer nothing, he threw her back out into the snow. The woman went back to the woods and some could hear her howling in anguish, carried through on the strong winds of the blizzard. The Hunters tried to find her, following her cries, but they were unable to, and had to return home before they too might freeze to death. The innkeeper was shunned from the town and forced to leave the city for his cruelty, but nothing stopped the howls of the snow woman.

Throughout the month of February, people will start to hear that the sound of the wind blowing strongly through the streets is starting to sound a little more human-like. The woman's cries will be heard in empty alleys, will be loudest near the edge of the woods, and can even penetrate into dreams. The cries might sometimes sound like cries for help, begging for someone to help save her from the cold. There will be a compulsion that sets deep into the bones of some and many will find it hard to resist her call. Eventually, they may even go looking for her in the woods, trying to brave the winter storms to help the lost snow woman.

Those who give in to that temptation will eventually find the snow woman, but she will not be friendly when found. Her skin has turned a pale white, her lips blue, her eyes glowing a bright red, her long hair blowing every which way in the wind. She will rush at whoever she sees, but instead of giving a physical blow to guard against, she will go through any solid objects and latch on to the soul of her target, possessing their bodies. Male or female, it doesn't seem to matter, she simply wants a chance at life again.

Those who are possessed by the snow woman will not realize they are possessed. They will forget why it was they came out into the woods looking for and will return to the city in a daze. As time passes, they will find that they become irritated by any signs of affection, will become physically aggressive towards couples they see around them, and will attack those who care about them most. The spirit does not necessarily hate love: instead, they see affection as a possible risk for all those who love others. Jealousy kills and she wants to save everyone around her from it, as well as keeping herself safe from losing this new chance at life.

Signs of possession outside of the aggression can be noticed by others. The possessed person will have: ice cold skin, blue-tinged lips, they might shiver even when inside where it's warm, and an aversion to fire or warm/hot water.

Information on how to banish the snow woman from another's body can be found in a book of local legends. This book is sold in stores or can be found in the Archives. To save someone from the snow woman, people must tell the possessed person the things they love most about them. It will cause the possessed person to react violently, so it is suggested that they be restrained during the process. The longer they are forced to hear the positive messages about love, the feelings that they can stir up in another (whether platonic or romantic), and the safety that can be found in that love, the more weakened the hold from the snow woman will be. When the possessed person eventually stops struggling, a cut must be made on the back of their neck, before a cloth soaked in warm rose water must be placed on top of the wound. Their skin will begin to steam before a large gust of snow will pour from their mouth, swirling around the room, and smash through the window. It's suggested to leave it open if you'd like to save the glass.

CODING
aetherweaver: (eh?)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2023-03-16 11:52 pm (UTC)(link)
"I don't mind teaching. I've taught a little bit before... it's a simple enough concept on the base level. ... Though maybe less simple for other people who aren't from my world."

He probably shouldn't expect everyone to grasp it as fast.
imaglyphwitch: (I'm gonna do it!)

[personal profile] imaglyphwitch 2023-03-17 06:36 am (UTC)(link)
"If it's hard for me, I'll do my best to suit and parse it out! I learned how to cast spells with barely any instruction at first, I'm sure I can figure your concepts out!"

Luz would make double sure of it now that she knew it was hard.
aetherweaver: (Default)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2023-03-19 02:15 am (UTC)(link)
"That's the spirit." He grinned and held out a hand for a fistbump.

(Look, he's trying to get better at Earth culture. He's doing his best.)
imaglyphwitch: (super smug)

[personal profile] imaglyphwitch 2023-03-19 07:05 am (UTC)(link)
Luz met the fist bump with her own hand and mimicked a small explosion.

"When did we want to do this?"
aetherweaver: (smile)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2023-03-19 08:31 pm (UTC)(link)
"Hm... whenever you'd like. Most of my nights are spent patrolling and my days get split between sleeping and exploring, so I can move my schedule around whenever."

He's not exactly busy most of the time.
imaglyphwitch: (can't quite place it)

[personal profile] imaglyphwitch 2023-03-20 06:07 am (UTC)(link)
"Ok! I'll say, um, two times a month? The second week on a Friday, and the next time, the last week of Friday?"

Luz was doing her best to "guesstimate" the times that would be least hectic.
aetherweaver: (smirk)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2023-03-21 12:35 am (UTC)(link)
"That sounds good to me. If I can't make it I can let you know. We can meet wherever's most convenient for you. I'm out in Feed so I don't know if you want to brave the forest, but I can easily come into town." He nods to her, smiling slightly.
imaglyphwitch: (Holy balls!)

[personal profile] imaglyphwitch 2023-03-21 05:57 am (UTC)(link)
Luz chuckled. "My omen is a Timberwolf who doesn't take junk from anyone. I'm totally fie with meeting up with you in Feed. It'll be nice to get out of my comfort zone anyway."

Granted, Luz had been in various forests the last few months, either sleuthing or running for her life. So she was at least starting to get used to that.
aetherweaver: (eh?)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2023-03-22 02:52 pm (UTC)(link)
"That's good. The path is usually safe anyway, though... not always." He's had the injuries to prove that. "My omen is... less fierce."

The little lesser panda isn't any less of a companion, just... not really a combat master. "And I have a big yard where we can blow things up if we want. ... As long as I warn Gaia."
imaglyphwitch: (soft smile)

[personal profile] imaglyphwitch 2023-03-22 05:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Luz nodded. "Things happen. I hear you. But I'll be sure to seek you out and find you."

She smiled. She loved all animals, so even if her omen had been a tiny bug, she would have loved it all the same.

"Good to know! Gaia is YOUR omen, right?"
aetherweaver: (smirk)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2023-03-22 05:39 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh, no!" He laughs a little bit, imagining her annoyed face. "Gaia's my friend and housemate. We're from the same -"

Well, not the same world, but... "Universe? Same universe, that works."
imaglyphwitch: (Cloak!)

[personal profile] imaglyphwitch 2023-03-22 07:23 pm (UTC)(link)
"My apologies! When you said the name, I just thought-"

Well, everyone made mistakes!

"Same universe? That's a pretty big distinction. Is she very far from where you are?"
aetherweaver: (concerned)

Shadowbringers spoilers

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2023-03-24 06:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"No, it's okay. And... her world is a reflection of mine, made when the world was shattered. Life went on for a long time there, before a flood of elemental Light nearly engulfed the world."

He's getting to the point where he might as well make a post about his cosmology so people can ask questions all at once.
imaglyphwitch: (This should make sense and yet...)

Luz's brain breaks!

[personal profile] imaglyphwitch 2023-03-24 11:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Luz raised an eyebrow.

"Hm. That is some world lore that I did NOT know about. I'll have to make sure to remember that if it ever comes up."

Sometimes it was rough to get everyone's story right.

"Light, you say? How was the world stopped from being, uh, engulfed?"
aetherweaver: (uh oh)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2023-03-26 01:01 am (UTC)(link)
"It's okay. It's confusing to a lot of people which is why I don't really advertise it."

Plus it means his soul isn't as big or complete as some people's, he guesses. And people can get weird about souls.

"... A friend of mine who had been summoned to the side of what was basically a god... she sacrificed herself along with some others to freeze the Light in place. Where it's already done its damage is called the Empty, because nothing can grow there. ... Though we are trying."
imaglyphwitch: (HUH?)

She's talking about "The Neverending Story" haha

[personal profile] imaglyphwitch 2023-03-26 06:15 am (UTC)(link)
"It's always hard to keep track sometimes, because some worlds are totally different from the ones we're from. The place where I learned magic is actually different from my world, and just kind of leaked into mine. That was how I got there to begin with."

There was more to the story than that actually, but Luz could wait to get to that.

"The empty? Whoa. I watched an old movie like that once, where there was a kind of unmaking power that plagued the world. Now I wish I was paying a little more attention. You friend sounds pretty brave."
aetherweaver: (concerned)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2023-03-28 03:39 pm (UTC)(link)
"Huh, that's interesting." He's always curious about other worlds, including other-other worlds.

A movie? Huh. He thinks about that, but nods his head. "She's... she was an amazing person. She helped found the organization that I was a part of at home. She had some of the same gifts that I do, but she... I know she was afraid, but she did what she had to do."
imaglyphwitch: (This should make sense and yet...)

[personal profile] imaglyphwitch 2023-03-28 06:19 pm (UTC)(link)
He'd find even more interesting the reason of why Luz reached the world to begin with. Lacking the foresight to actually understand her mother's motivations, Luz ditched the normalizing camp she was supposed to go to and wound up on the Boiling Isles, then made the decision to stay.

There were a lot of complications that day.

"That sounds big, to have that weigh on someone. I know if I had to deal with that, some of it would probably be pretty hard!"

Luz is pointedly ignoring some of the sacrifices she had to make herself, including but not limited to burning cannibals alive, destroying her means of going back home in the Boiling isles, and having to use lethal force yet AGAIN to save her friend from dangerous Zealots. Slowly, it would dawn on Luz that everyone made sacrifices, big and small, in their own life.
aetherweaver: (turn away)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2023-03-28 11:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah... most of that world's Warriors of Light sacrificed themselves, too. I had to help hunt down what their souls had lingering around the world, but... I'm glad I helped put them to rest. They needed it."

Hm... he frowns a little bit at Luz. "I'm sure you've made your own sacrifices. You speak like a person who's been there."
imaglyphwitch: (small not small fears)

[personal profile] imaglyphwitch 2023-03-29 12:34 am (UTC)(link)
"Wait, their souls? What happens to it when they aren't put to rest? Are they just ghosts?"

She had a crash course in THOSE, thanks to her Paleblood.

"You could say that," Luz said, wincing slightly. "Deerington was not a happy place."

And sometimes you had to do things you didn't really want to so you made sure your friends were safe.
aetherweaver: (Default)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2023-03-29 03:17 pm (UTC)(link)
"A lot of them tend to end up as something like that. Though in this case it was mostly their regrets powered by the crystal they held. But they're off to the Lifestream now, to be broken down and reborn as new souls."

He puts a hand on hers and squeezes it gently. "I'm sorry. You deserve better."
imaglyphwitch: (squinty eyed)

[personal profile] imaglyphwitch 2023-03-29 05:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Yup, that sounded like something she was going to have to find out more about later. What Nara'a said just confused Luz, with lifestreams and regrets sounding like something she needed to break down later.

"It's all right. You could chalk it up to me trying to make the best out of a bad situation. For most of us, I think it's like that."
aetherweaver: (smile)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2023-03-30 02:53 am (UTC)(link)
"I think so, but... you're doing very well. You're trying your best, and I think it's important to recognize that."

He nods firmly and smiles. Luz is doing really well, all things considered.
imaglyphwitch: (staff magic)

[personal profile] imaglyphwitch 2023-03-30 06:11 am (UTC)(link)
"You make do with what you can," Luz said, "and try not to go crazy. That's kinda key."

It sounded simple, even though it was much harder than it seemed.

"Luckily, I learned how to do that! I'm assuming you probably did too."
aetherweaver: (serious)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2023-03-30 06:16 pm (UTC)(link)
"I have. It's a little bit... difficult to deal with sometimes."

He sighs and rubs at his nose. "But I'm just sorry you had to learn that at a younger age than most."

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