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

[onerthes]

She smiled over at Lexi and winked. "Don't worry. I'll be fine, but like you said? We have ourselves some very naughty flora to deal with, do we not? We could backtrack and see about getting some fire," she considered before holding up her rapier and gesturing to her gun. "Or perhaps an explosive round or two. What do you think? Wade in? I'm pretty sure this one can't do much if we can just get in behind it."

[thisislife]

Lexi grins back. "All right, good. And it sure seems like it, it's like something out of a weird Star Trek episode. And I'm going to vote for the explosive round. I can't exactly do anything all that lethal since, you know. Darkblood. I mean, I could float them, but eventually I'd have to let go of the hold on them." And Lexi considered a moment. "And I guess wade in and hope for the best?"

[onerthes]

"Wait, you have a sort of telekinesis? That might work. If you can keep the plant from moving or limit it, I can come in behind and cut the stalk. That... should work for this plant. And after, we can go see about getting some explosive rounds. What do you say?" Because a darkblood would be really helpful right about now if they're able to lift the thing or maneuver it. "As long as it's not slicing at me, that's all I need."

[thisislife]

"Yeah, comes with being a Darkblood. I didn't used to be any good at it, but I've been working on it hard. I'm much better now, way more stable. And, you think it would work? I'd be glad to help." Because Lexi knows that the time for sitting on the sidelines is over. With all that's going on, she can't do that in good conscience. Lexi nods, saying "That, I can do. So let's go for it."

And she lifts the plant telekinetically, trying to arrange it so it's no threat to Vira-Lorr, getting it into place.

[onerthes]

Vira-Lorr nodded. "It's certainly worth a shot," she said as she moved to slip around from behind. It was going to take just a moment for her to get there, but with the telekinetic force keeping the scythe blades of the thing from lashing out, she didn't have anything to fear this time around.

Her rapier darted, the cutting edge not as long as in many blades but long enough if she had the time to set things up right. First one of the heads, and then the other, fell to the ground. They twitched and lashed initially, but very soon the mantis sprout was immobile and she was breathing a sigh of relief. "Thank you. We don't need that thing lashing out at others."

(CW: underage alcohol)

[thisislife]

And Lexi kept concentrated on the plant, sure to make certain that none of its blades could get anywhere near Vira-Lorr. It was kind of a rush in a good way how the telekinesis felt. Better than any cheap liquor at whatever party she'd ever been to. She could hardly believe that silent observer Lexi Howard could be an actual participant here.

It was amazing to watch Vira-Lorr wield her rapier, the skill clearly coming as easy as breathing. And once the plant was disarmed, Lexi breathed a sigh of relief, settling the pot back down now that it was not a threat anymore.

And Lexi built up her courage and asked, "Could you, uh? Teach me how to do that? You know, with the rapier."

[onerthes]

Vira-Lorr was looking at her arm. Good. It had clotted up, so there wasn't anymore of the acidic blood dripping down. Sheathing her blade, she walked up and smirked at the girl, nodding with a pleased look in her eyes. "Glad to see someone appreciates a little sword work. I still keep in practice, so I'd be happy to train you now and again. Rapier, or normal blade work. I'm good with those and with staves if that's more your style." She was also not a crack shot by any imagining, but she could finally shoot a gun steadily, not that she added that. It was by far not her favorite weapon.

"Everyone here should really be able to defend themselves, just in case."

[thisislife]

It was all Lexi could do to not gush. "Are you kidding? That was amazing! You're like Westley in the Princess Bride!" Okay, a little gushing was all right.

"And I'd love to! I mean, it can't hurt, having as many skills up my sleeve as I can? I've been studying martial arts with Sasuke almost since I came here, but I know that there are a lot of people who are better than me. Obviously, people will be better than me at swordplay, too, but yeah. My world...really didn't prep me for this one." Which was surely the biggest understatement in the world.

[onerthes]

She laughed. "I am not nearly that good, but thank you," she said. Yeah, there were people in the nightmare who mainlined films like that. "But I've been fighting with swords for a very long time, so it helps. And if you're already studying with Sasuke, that should be a good starting point. I'll try to build off of what he studies." She might focus on a slashing blade, rather than the puncture of a rapier. It would suit the style better.

[thisislife]

"All right, if you say so," Lexi said in a tone of voice that she still agreed with herself. And Lexi had been thrilled to find the backlog of movies available. "Okay, that works for me. I don't know if or when there's going to be another tournament, but this time I'd like to participate. I know I'm getting stronger...I just need to prove it to myself, I guess."

[onerthes]

"It never hurts to be prepared one way or another, so I'll be all too happy to help out," she said, grinning as she did so. She liked the thought of having a pupil in the blade at the very least. It had been a while.

[thisislife]

"Thanks, that's really great of you," Lexi grinned. "Any other plants which need to be disarmed?"

[onerthes]

"Right here? No. I think we're safe for the moment, though have you seen many of the others?" she said as she stepped over its twitching, dead frame and made her way out of range in case there was a death spasm. "If you see one that looks like a bulbous head with a noxious gas? You want to be careful. It's quite hazardous, that gas, not to mention combustible."

[thisislife]

It's a sign of how long Lexi's been here when she takes that news with a sigh and a mere 'are you kidding me' glance as opposed to an 'are you fucking kidding me' one. "Okay, that sounds like fun. A real laugh a minute when compared with the usual standards of Trench. Which are a real laugh every minute and fifteen seconds," she says wryly.

[onerthes]

"To be very honest? One thing I love about Trench compared to the old days? The monsters almost seem predictably understandable to me. Like they might actually be native creatures of some other world." Pause. Wait a minute. "Sometimes, anyway. And then we get those times when it's utterly outlandish. Thankfully this is not one of those times."

"It's just strange plants trying to kill us in self defense or eat us. Easy to understand, yes?" Yeah, she'd been here too long.

[thisislife]

Lexi looked sheepish. "Yeah, I probably shouldn't have been bitching. Everything I hear about the old days sounds horrific. Like, all of it. When compared to some of it, like here."

"Yeah. I mean, that's the whole plot of 'Little Shop of Horrors,' even though the good guys win. But the original ending was really dark and probably better."

[onerthes]

She laughed with a twinkle in her eyes. "Please. They're still monsters. There's absolutely always something to bitch about. And we never had the zealots in the nightmare. THAT problem is entirely Trench." She shook her head, sighing a bit. "Don't feel bad."

She cocked her head and glanced over at Lexi. "So... what was the original ending out of curiosity?"

[thisislife]

"Okay, okay, I'll admit that the zealots are an enormous pain in the ass and I wish they'd go away yesterday," Lexi conceded with a laugh.

"Well, in the original, Audrey dies and wants to be fed to Audrey II. So, Seymour does it. And I think he dies and gets eaten, too, I'm always fuzzy on that part, but the gist is that rocks fall, everyone gets fed to carnivorous plants which multiply like, really fast and were raring to eat everyone else. So, yeah. Dark and creepy."

[onerthes]

"Almost everyone does." She actually knew two who were ... neutral to them, though not truly positive. "And that sounds... that sounds exactly like how one of the horror stories around here would end, doesn't it? Rocks fall, carnivorous plants take over the planet?"

[thisislife]

"I'd feel a lot better if the answer was 'all of us,' but I'll take almost," Lexi said in a half-teasing, half-serious voice. "It does, doesn't it? But not today, plants!"

[onerthes]

"We do have a few interesting souls." Chara and Wesker definitely qualified. Still, she laughed. "And no, we're definitely not giving into the plants this time around. We can handle these threats one way or another."

(CW: mental illness)

[thisislife]

"I think that's a requirement of being here. Like those old carnival rides, must be this tall to ride the ride. Only here, it's more like 'must be this interesting and/or psychologically damaged to be here.'" Lexi said with a wry smile.

She didn't consider herself outside of that requirement, far from it. But it was strange, to feel more at home and more accepted in Trench than she did back home.

[onerthes]

"Yes. It seems nobody who is truly 'boring' ever washes up on these shores, no matter how they protest to the contrary," which was a statement that she couldn't help but continue to smile over. It really was a testimony. "And the few who are a bit drab aren't for very long. This place gives trauma out like candy."

[thisislife]

"I sure protested when I got here. I mean, my world doesn't have supernatural stuff at all, until I realized that East Highland High qualified me for the 'damaged' clause." And Lexi chuckled in agreement. "Yeah, only it's like those old scary stories where the razor is in the candy apple."

[onerthes]

"I've heard those stories. I daresay, why anyone would actually do such a thing is beyond me." Pause. "Besides monsters in the nightmare anyway."