The House Always Wins

[reddosmod]

MARCH 2023 EVENT

Due to the UNIQUE NATURE of the Moss King, previous March events are NOT available during this month's event. Please keep that in mind.

IMAGE DESCRIPTORS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
Prompt One
[Image One: Fanged, smiling carnivorous plant from little shop of horrors ]
[Image Two: House overgrown by roots.]

Prompt Two
[Image One: Person covered in glistening film that seems to be suffocating.]
[Image Two: Woman's face splattered in blood. ]

Prompt Three
[Image One: Poker chip with an anime girl's face on it. ]
[Image Two: Dogs Gambling Painting, but it's famous horror monster villains instead of dogs. ]

[NAVIGATION]

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

[JUMP TO COMMENTS]

TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING

WHEN: March 8-31
WHERE: The City of Trench and surrounding regions
CONTENT WARNINGS: Plant-Based Peril, Isolation, Entrapment, Carnivorous Plants, possible but unlikely death.

---

The plentiful and bountiful harvest of plants that started to blossom towards the beginning of the month has continued, and if anything? It's getting more and more troublesome. The old saying goes that too much of a good thing is too much, and this is definitely the proof of that pudding. Plants are literally growing everywhere. Trenchies can be seen cutting branches out of impossible locations, and vegetation is beginning to grow inside of established businesses and homes. There is an ever increasing market for vileblood based defoliation options that are being offered by entrepreneurial Trenchies, but the fact that more than a few of those selling the stuff have gone missing under strange circumstances calls into question their efficacy.

For Sleepers, this means that the possibility of encountering enlarged and potentially dangerous plants such as those seen in the earliest parts of the months grows ever more real. A human-sized venus flytrap might very well try to snatch one up, with all of the peril that entails. However, while it is possible for any exotic plant to carry with it potentially lethal threat, most of these are able to be dealt with by even the untrained with a machete. The real problem is the root systems and the plants that ones that talk. The former are the most likely to be encountered. Root systems grow over entire buildings during the mid to late month, choking over light sources and blocking windows to dim houses. They clench their grip over doors, making getting out of one's house an act of willpower and muscle that may have to be repeaated over and over again. Worst of all is the fact that many of these root systems almost seem to be intentionally creating barriers around the Lantern Network! The little moaners are safe, but their sphere of protection becomes a dome of wood, shielding and keeping them away from those naughty sleepers trying to hack their way to a teleport.

The talking ones, though, are downright disturbing. They're not very large, at first they do indeed seem to whisper and beg to be fed. Naturally, only blood will do, and the longer that they're fed the larger and more dangerous that they can become. But, so long as one doesn't feed them, they're harmless, right? Wrong. True, they can bite and it's easy enough to avoid them. However, it's what they start to say when they're denied their food that becomes disturbing. “There is a consequence of your actions, you know.” “Do not think that you are immune.” “Saving the Moss Brat seems wise now, but have a long memory.” Things like that. The voices they take on are eerie, unnatural and do not match the plants' normal begging voices. They never clear up who is speaking or what they're speaking about, but surely it's not a big issue, right?

By the end of the month, the plants wither away and break off of the various homes and businesses, leaving no visible damage behind, as if whatever caused them has faded entirely.

[JUMP TO TOP] • [JUMP TO COMMENTS]

THE LEECH

WHEN: Second Half of March
WHERE: Anywhere in Trench, but not the Outpost.
CONTENT WARNINGS: Magically Cursed Ailment, Severe weakness, Anemia

---

You didn't think it would be that easy, did you? From the moment that the first talking plants appeared in Trench, there has been another ominous presence. Unbeknownst to the people of Trench, but the Moss King is recovering from Riteior's attack and, while they are safe and slowly getting back to their normal self, this has allowed for Riteior to offer a little payback in an effort to cause trouble to those seeking to stop his attacks on the Pthumerians of Trench. In the night, while characters are sleeping, the plants strike. They wake to find a thin film over them, but otherwise it appears harmless. The next full day, there's nothing wrong and they feel hail and hearty. In fact, those pesky little talking plants are gone from their house. Of course, the next day the horror begins to settle in.

Within 48 hours, Sleepers will find themselves weak and lethargic in the extreme. The condition is not fatal, but it is problematic and irritating. They will find that no amount of food, water and rest quite gets rid of the malaise that they are experiencing, a strange drowsiness and lack of energy plaguing their every moment. The longer it persists, the more dangerous it becomes. However, there appears to be no obvious cause, at least until they visit someone capable of treating their condition, be they a Blood Minister or trained physician. Victims of this curse appear to be suffering from a severe, but not life-threatening anemia. There is no obvious cause, but the Ministers are certain that it is not natural and is likely a result of a curse of some kind. They can offer stimulants and high energy food, which will help the person experiencing the condition, but the real danger comes if they try to use their blood for a blood ritual of any kind. The insidious reason becomes obvious. Someone is attempting to stop them from safely having enough blood to perform the rituals to seal them away!

Victims are “fine” in the sense that they could get through the month safely without risk of death and just be weaker. However, if they attempt any form of blood ritual or blood letting, they risk running out of blood, which would indeed be a life threatening concern. The only solution, then, is a blood transfusion of another type. The Blood Ministers are willing to provide blood from their banks, but caution that it is better if a fresh supply is used. Do you have a friend willing to lend a hand? Or, do you miss one of the deadlines this month for fighting back Riteior?

FAQ:

This condition strikes after the mid-month, when the latest batch of rituals further weakens Riteior, and ensures the Moss King's safety.

This condition is not life threatening, unless a person attempts to use blood for a ritual or other purpose without first receiving a transfusion.

If a person attempts to perform a blood ritual before getting a transfusion, their anemia can become life threatening very quickly.

It is possible to completely avoid this prompt by not being targeted by Riteior. His cursed targeting is not that precise and he is clearly becoming desperate.

When a transfusion is given, both participants will be lightly anemic for another 24 hours, but the condition will fade afterwards completely.

It is suspected strongly by some of the Blood Ministers and Arcane Scholars that this is a curse brought about by a brief moment of control over the Moss King by Riteior. This can be learned easily in conversation with members of the orders in Trench.

[JUMP TO TOP] • [JUMP TO COMMENTS]

HIGH STAKES

WHEN: Second Half of March
WHERE: Goat Turning in The Cellar Door
CONTENT WARNINGS: Gambling, Possible Coersion, lowered inhibitions, Risk of Character Death

---

The Moss King appears to be 'on the mend' by the latter part of the month, or at least he seems to be his usual self. A flyer advertising a special for all Sleepers and residents of Trench at the Goat Turning, his personal gambling hall, circulates throughout town. The doors of the Goat Turning will be open to absolutely everyone, and nobody will be turned away for an event that will last the last two weeks of the month! Anyone who comes will be given a complementary set of chips for free, along with a very special commemorative poker chip embossed with their own face on it which they are assured they can keep afterwards, assuming they don't lose it betting! In fact, that commemorative chip is the only way that a person can return to the Goat Turning during this period, and has to be shown to get admittance, though you don't need to bet it even if it appears to be worth quite a lot! Every night, a new allotment of chips is offered to gamblers. It isn't much, and if they're willing to trade a few goods to get more, they can supplement their stash. What could be more fun than a friendly game?

The drinks and food are free for those attending, and even better? They don't seem to have a lot of strange effects. The drinks seem to ease the symptoms of corruption, in fact, and make a person more relaxed and at ease, along with lessening their inhibitions. The food is filling and pleasant, but salty, making one crave the drinks more. But, honestly, compared to Generosity's botched and spoiled food in January it's almost heavenly, even if it does make it easier to want to keep gambling and gambling. After all, those prizes for the big winners of the night are certainly something to behold, and the kinds of luxuries that Trenchies drool over.

The Big Prizes: (Maximum 1 big prize per character for the month)

A Lunar Orb

A Vial of Pthumerian Blood that can leave a person feeling sickly and weak if they come in contact with it

A Genuine Lantern, enabling a second teleportation location to be placed!

A Blood Enchanted Weapon or Armor.

An Item from Home that a character might not normally find washing up on shore

The Lesser Prizes:
Players are encouraged to use their imagination on lesser prizes that could be won. Food. Supplies. Furnishings. Weapons. Tools. Clothing. Any number of valuable could be won throughout the month.

So, what's the catch? There's always a catch. Well, like any gambling hall, the saying goes that the House Always Wins. This isn't true universally. You could have a hot streak at the Craps table, or you might just win on your lucky number in Roulette. It is very possible to walk away with enough chips to win a big prize all in one night, or build up over time to claim such a lofty goal. But the trick is that commemorative chip. It's the admission, and it's also the only way you can leave the gambling den each night. The chip must be presented both at entry and leaving, and only then does the reality become clear. That chip is so valuable because it represents your life! You might literally be betting with your life here! Should you lose your chip and not have it at the end of the night, the impressive and powerful bouncers at the door will bar you from exit, and once the hall closes there is nowhere to go but the basement. Anyone who enters the basement after hours will find that their life is indeed forfeit, and their debt is called. They will die down below. How will they die? Well, considering the fighting pits down below, any of a thousand deaths, some more gruesome than others, are possible. And, if another player holds their chip, they will be given a special pass to remain below, to demand their price themselves.

So, if you lose your chip is it still possible to get it back? Absolutely! It is a gambling hall, after all. Someone just has to be willing to give it back, or to win it back from another player or the house. What could be simpler? Of course, because there are no compulsions in the commemorative chip, and no rules about how it is to be used or transferred other than that it must be won from the house in a fair game, it is almost as if the Moss King is testing his own guests to see just how far they will go, and what they will do if their life or the life of a friend is on the line.

FAQ:

Players are limited to one grand prize per character. Please record this prize on the prompt below.

Characters that die because of this event may die in any reasonable fashion in the basement. Tools are provided. This may be handwaved.

Because this event involves the potential of players bargaining for their lives and death, we remind players to be mindful and communicative with others regarding permissions and preferences during this event. Do not break permissions.

Lesser prizes can be won in quantity, but we ask that you be reasonable about this.

The Commemorative Chip is non-magical and there is no compulsion to gamble with it. It is simply worth a lot more.

The Event is not age restricted, so underage gambling is possible.

[JUMP TO TOP]

CODING

Comments

[imaglyphwitch]

"Oh, now I get what you're saying. I think I was misunderstanding what you meant. Besides, in a way, we are all very different from each other, aren't we? The thing that pulls us all together is that we were all brought here to begin with."

Luz nodded. There were SOME Pthumerians that even she was slightly wary of. Doorway, of course, continued to be someone Luz was both awed and mystified by.

"I still have my glyphs, at least. But it is feeling like a lot to concentrate on them because of whatever 'this' is."

[onerthes]

"Yes, precisely." She nodded, glad that it was clearer there. She hadn't wanted to criticize. "And I think you're right. We have our own little community around here. Almost a found family after a fashion."

"They're something, but you're weak. So am I. We don't want to have to strain that, so hopefully we won't need to call on our abilities. I might load an explosive shell... just in case." But, with sharona out and about, they weren't likely to need it. Hopefully.

[imaglyphwitch]

Luz would never have thought that of Vira! But she was right, of course. Luz had felt very much at home with the people here, and she wanted to do everything that she could to try and make sure they were still free to do the things they wanted to do.

"Good...good idea. I'm trying to put on a brave face, but this feeling really sucks. I feel like I'm moving underwater in all my movements, and NOT doing that makes my body hurt."

She nodded. Explosives. That was fine by her. As long as they were able to fix this.

[onerthes]

"It always makes it hard to maintain your confidence and your emotions when you're tired all of the time. I understand completely." She reached over to rub her friend at the top of the head affectionately, taking some solace in her companionship. "Nothing is ever permanent, but it's lasted a couple days. It really starts to wear on you."

She snorted. "If it really is Riteior, he's a very sore loser."

[imaglyphwitch]

"You said it," Luz said, groaning a little at the lurching feeling in her head. "Been weak the last few days. I could use a little break from it. Any way that we can speed it up? We don't want to miss the deadline."

Luz pouted. "You really think it isn't him?"

[onerthes]

"You could bring your broom. I think that would be the only way for the two of us to get there faster without risk," she said, pondering it a bit. It would definitely speed things up. "And I'm not willing to settle on one possibility or another unless I have proof. He seems the most likely culprit, but we'll probably never know for sure unless he gloats. And he seems to lack Mother Superior's weakness for gloating."

Probably because he actually perceived them as a personal threat, where she did not.

[imaglyphwitch]

"Staff. But yes, that's a good idea. I'm at least strong enough to get us there, even if it has to be slowly. Just so we don't fall off the path by mistake."

She made a face.

"And at least Riteior doesn't come into my nightmares. She scared the crud out of me and Varian that one time she haunted that house."

[onerthes]

"Alright. And if you start to feel the strain, we can descend and finish the rest of the way on foot," she said, pausing and waiting for Luz to pull it out so they could take advantage of it.

"And yes. fortunately? They don't have that power at all. Dreams are safe from them."

[imaglyphwitch]

"I'll be all right."

Luz looked determined to get them where they needed to be: hopefully, they'd find out how they could recover soon. She whistled, and Owlbert arrived, flying over her head a moment and giving her an affectionate nip on the ear before becoming immobile and dropping into Luz's hands.

"Okay." Luz straddled the staff. "Come on. We're doing this."

[onerthes]

Vira-Lorr watched Owlbert's approach and a trail of smoke approached her, flowing back into her person as Sharona returned to her being. She slipped onto the staff along with Luz and nodded over at her. "I'll call Sharona out if we have to land. Go ahead." She gripped tightly to let her friend take over from here, ready to get a little progress under them, since walking was definitely slow.

[imaglyphwitch]

Luz was lucky: weak as she was feeling, flying to her felt like second nature now, and though they moved slowly, Luz still kept them at a steady pace, not even wobbling slightly!

Well, maybe once or twice, but not enough for anyone to really notice!

"And here we are!" Luz announced, attempting to slide off the staff like usual but instead sort of rolling off in a heap.

"I meant to do that."

[onerthes]

Vira-Lorr wasn't going to comment even if she did notice a tiny bit here and there. She was just glad they were away from the plants as they floated and flew along, her hands gripping to it to keep herself steady. When they were finally at the end of the short trek, Vira-lorr just... unceremoniously flopped onto the ground. She didn't even try.

"Hah. And I as well, and I won't hear anything otherwise," she said, getting slowly and unsteadily to her feet. "But we're here. And much faster than on foot. Thank you."

[imaglyphwitch]

But they survived and didn't crash, and that was the important part! As far as anyone knows, it was successful!

Boy, she really hoped she had some answers though. This feeling was really doing a number on her.

"Pain is garbage," she groaned, lurching to her feet, "even if it does remind you how happy you are to be alive. Uwah. I think I left the last of my muscles in a puddle down there."

She smiled weakly. "Any time!"

[onerthes]

Vira-Lorr stretched some once they were both on their feet, making her way towards the Luminarium's entry, speaking momentarily to one of the staff there. they nodded and motioned for the two to go to one of the rooms nearby. Looking back, she sighed softly and nodded. "We should have our answers soon. One way or another, they know what they're doing here." And as long as they were together? They were less likely to do experiments, so win win!

[imaglyphwitch]

Luz got to her feet shakily and followed suit, trying to look as brave as she could muster. When Vira briefly spoke to the staff presiding, she held onto Eda's staff, and Tempest was at her feet, urging her on.

"Right," Luz said, giving a weak smile. "Uh, think they'll be separating us?"

[onerthes]

Vira-Lorr shook her head firmly, motioning for her to stick close. "I made clear that we're not going to be separated. The blood ministers are trustworthy to a point, but their ways aren't always ours, and I like for people I know to have a companion when they're here." No way in hell was she letting them poke her friend with needles if she wasn't around.

[imaglyphwitch]

"Good. I know people can sometimes ignore when a kid ask for something because they think they know better."

Most of the time people tended not to do this, but people in charge had a way of surprising you. The last thing Luz wanted or needed was getting separated from Vira Lorr during all of this. As if to capitalize this point, Luz casually took Vira's hand.

"And the last thing I want is to be taken away from you right now. I won't look anywhere near as brave if I'm not leaning on you to stop me from flopping over."

[onerthes]

"I think a lot of us get disabused of that notion after a while here, but you're not wrong." Honestly, she 'got it' but people had to grow up pretty young where she came from, so yeah.... either way, she took hold of her friend's hand and kept her close while they went into one of the offices.

"Mmmm, let's just hope we don't need transfusions. You don't need to be dealing with watching them try yet again to figure out how to do that with me." Bad news there, sport.

[imaglyphwitch]

"As a precaution, you usually have to assume that no one is taking you seriously if they're old and really set in their ways."

Sad but true. Luckily, this in no way applied to Vira.

"I'm hoping it doesn't, but I won't be surprised if it's what we need to do. Blood is pretty much the answer to a lot of stuff here. If it'll help you though, I'll gladly do it!"

[onerthes]

She snickered. "Well, if I'm good for one thing, it's not being set in my ways." Well, that was partially true at least. She could definitely be a creature of bad habits very easily. She did sigh at the thought, though she had to admit the possibility of it being a transfusion was a very real one. It worried her, but they knew how. In theory.

"Well, we both need it, if we need it, so we can just be there for each other, right?"

[imaglyphwitch]

"Trust me, I noticed!"

Luz considered Vira one of her closest and dearest friends. That she was still here even after Deerington was not lost on Luz, and she knew there was still a long and varied history that she likely still thought about from time to time.

"Yeah! Guess that means we'll be doing each other a favor.

[onerthes]

"Exactly. We'll be helping each other one way or another," she said, nodding before one of the assistants stepped into the room. They coughed and apologized, walking up to check Vira-Lorr, looking her over and testing her pulse, frowning and then moving towards Luz. The whole process continued for just a little while, until they finally nodded.

'It seems the two of you will need a transfusion.' That got a sigh from Vira-Lorr. 'We are aware of your issues, so this will be a moment to make preparations.' And with that, as perfunctory as ever, they were on their way, the door closed.

"Lovely. Well, at least it's not complicated. We're just anemic."

[imaglyphwitch]

Luz nodded, and then waited as the two assistants came into the room. Tempest let out a warning growl when they inspected Luz, but she held up a hand to let the omen know she was OK.

Once they got the diagnosis, Luz turned to Vira.

"That could have been worse! Remind me what being anemic is?"

[onerthes]

"It means you don't have enough blood," she said, relaxing a bit and breathing out. "It sounds like we're not the only ones. That definitely makes me think it's Riteior. We need blood to do rituals, so this is a way to slow us down. Drain it out of us somehow."

A grunt followed and she shrugged. "We probably just need enough to keep us going."

[imaglyphwitch]

"He's making sure that we can't continue the ritual! That's...pretty smart, in a jerky kind of way! So we just have to, what, get a transfusion, right?"

Luz didn't love being in a hospital setting, but for right now it couldn't be helped.