reddosmod: (Default)
Deer Country Mod ([personal profile] reddosmod) wrote in [community profile] deercountry2021-12-08 02:19 am

I'd go back in time and change it, but I can't

DECEMBER 2021 EVENT
Hello! We are trying a new style of event this December with archival-like entries that characters can ICly find in the Archives. This should allow characters to be able to plan against certain events that occur in-game and do research ahead of time, during the event, or after the fact.

The idea is that these prompts will provide you with all the possibilities characters could theoretically face from the prompt. We hope this leaves more open-ended opportunities for people to engage with. Anything mentioned in the excerpts could be an experience characters encounter. You can always ask for clarification on any prompt on the plotting page.

This is a way to keep all event prompts relevant since new characters would be able to "read up" on these events/excerpts by visiting the Archives or other such resources for information about past events and what they can anticipate from the setting.

We hope this new style makes sense and is fun for players to work with! They will rely on players creating more of the atmosphere than the prompts, but we think that the prompts will provide the perfect guidance as to what the atmosphere should feel like. Enjoy!

IMAGE DESCRIPTORS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE

Prompt One
[Image One: Holiday themed antler decoration.]
[Image Two: White stag with perfect, circular antlers with bits of ice attached.]

Prompt Two
[Image One: Sculpture of white rabbit with neck caught in a snare. Non-graphic.]
[Image Two: Person in red cloak and wolf mask turning around.]

Prompt Three
[Image One: Puppet making bloody snow angel in snow.]
[Image Two: Bloodied hands wrapped in bandages clenching.]

WINTER MOURNING
WHEN: Begins in December and can last until the end of Feb.
WHERE: Everywhere
CONTENT WARNINGS: Spoilers for various canons, survival situations, forced memory share


[A passage from Rituals of Trench: Remembering Our Pasts reads the following:]

"A long-standing tradition to celebrate Bone Season is for Deerians to collect antlers and bones salvaged from natural resources and create decorative home accents. These antler-bone decors are known formally as Winter Mournings and can be found in almost every residential home throughout Deer Country. Winter Mournings can be made to look like wreaths, candle holders, or simply an antler with a bow hung up on a wall.

Winter Mournings is seen as a way to honor one's past tribulations and how one has managed to survive and overcome hardships during their life. Winter Mournings serves as a testament to survival and a willingness to keep surviving even when things look bleak and dismal.

Creating Winter Mournings is considered a blessing to the Pthumerians Dorothea, Remina, and Argonaut. You will know if the blessing was accepted once your Winter Mourning begins to glow like the moon. Touch your Winter Mourning and you will be pulled back in time to a memory of a specific time when you or someone else had to survive something physically or mentally challenging. For some, it is merely a memory that cannot hurt, but for others, you may want to proceed with caution as it has been known to pull people physically back to times of war.

One cannot choose which memory they wind up in if it is their own, a friend's, or a complete stranger's. Winter Mournings was designed to create a sense of union and empathy among residents and is meant to open your mind and heart to those who have suffered around you. It is time you explore your past, or someone else's past, with an open mind and see how the other side has lived through hard times. These memories are known to be from adolescence, adulthood, or sometimes even futures that have not yet happened or timelines you have never known. After all, Remina sees all past and all history. That means they see all of your past and history too.

No memory lasts forever though. Once the memory has been concluded, you shall be brought back to the present by the Winter Mourning Stag: a great white beast with a circle of frozen antlers. It will come to you when the time is ready, and you will return to the present like waking from a dazzling dream.

Experiencing Winter Mournings can stabilize one's mood and provide restful sleep after, even if the memories may be difficult to swallow. It truly is a tribute to honor past horrors and traumas. Some memories are painful to remember, but forgetting them will never do anyone any good either. So hang your Winter Mournings and remember what matters.

Survive another day. You are worth it."

FAQ

1. Winter Mournings can produce new memories every time you touch them or the same memory.

2. Characters cannot choose what the memory is.

3. Characters can arrive in each other's memories regardless of if they already know each other. Multiple people can experience the same memory.

4. You can either experience the memory as a memory you can't touch or experience - or you can physically be in the memory and have to survive the situation as well. If you die in memory, your body will die wherever you had been touching the Winter Mourning.

5. Palebloods are capable of altering memories or how they or others experience memories.

6. Characters can be pulled into memories at random - as long as one of the characters in the memory share is touching a Winter Mourning at first.
RUN, RABBIT, RUN
WHEN: Month of December
WHERE: Everywhere/the woods
CONTENT WARNINGS: Themes of hunting, ghosts, curses, attempts at animal violence, hunting people based on blood types.


[An excerpt from Legends of Trench: Curses and Causations reads the following:]

"One of the most notorious legends of Trench is without a doubt the tale of The Huntress and the Hare. Most Trenchies have been told this tale since they were children, but for those unfamiliar, settle in.

This story begins with a mischievous god and an ambitious huntress. The Pthumerian Dorothea loved to play tricks on hunters trying to survive the Bone Season, setting animals free from traps and remaking the traps to catch the hunters instead. One day, a darkblood Huntress was fed up with Dorothea preventing her from catching food for her family and decided to settle the score. The Huntress began to hunt for Dorothea specifically, but it is no small feat hunting the god of trickery and survival.

The Huntress started to rely on her darkblood powers to alter reality to make the perfect traps. Innocuous trees turned into glue traps that anyone would stick to until they were freed by a darkblood or death took their pain from them. Walking through bushes would snag legs and necks, effectively trapping whatever creatures were unfortunate enough to wander for food. Magical snares and beartraps lock around victims with unrelenting force, leaving people and animals to try for help until they cry no more. While this took many innocent lives in the woods, animals, and people alike, it never seemed to work on Dorothea.

Dorothea continued to outwit the Huntress until she eventually drove the Huntress insane. The Huntress died without ever catching Dorothea, but they say her vengeful spirit awakens in winter and begins to set her traps yet again. The Huntress sends her traps and her dead animals after vilebloods and warmbloods to spite Dorothea and hope to maybe catch the god's attention. But Dorothea is no passive god. Dorothea spurs vilebloods and warmbloods to defend themselves against darkbloods and coldbloods.

Infamously, this has created enormous tension between the blood types during December some years, and it is said that the blood lust has caused the types to begin hunting one another regardless of old friendships and alliances. Beware the Huntress's curse. Some believe darkbloods and coldbloods can still hear her haunting commands and cries from the Trenchwood.

They say there is no ease for the tension between the bloodtypes until December has passed, but some believe palebloods may provide relief if they are willing."

FAQ

1. Characters will increasingly feel the urge to actively hunt one another using traps/etc.

2. The Huntress's curse includes undead animals/beasts chasing after warmbloods and vilebloods and magical traps. Players can invent unique traps for their characters.

3. There will be an innate urge to chase/hide from one another.

4. The curse can be broken by paleblood intervention, character death, or a gradual wearing off by the end of the month.
LOCKJOINT
WHEN: All of Bone Season
WHERE: On Sleeper bodies
CONTENT WARNINGS: Mild body horror, blood magic curses, physical curses, cures through blood ministration/blood letting, possible skin removal, injuries, possible death via starvation/exposure.


[An passage from The Sleeper Condition; Chapter 13: Bodily Aches and More. Found exclusively at the Lumenarium:]

"Generally speaking, Sleeper blood allows Sleepers to navigate this world without the fear of illness and disease. However, no organic body is perfect, and Sleeper blood has its own set of ailments to fret over. Blood Ministers have studied the phenomena of Lockjoint for years now and believe that it is linked to the crystalization found in Sleeper death, though the exact connection remains unknown.

Lockjoint tends to begin and last throughout Bone Season. Some Sleepers may never experience it, but for many, it becomes a reoccurring issue to dread each season. This condition forces blood magic to gather at the joints and effectively lock up. Sleepers find it difficult to move their bodies at the bends, fingers, knees, shoulders, etc without some form of discomfort. Minimal lockjoint can be painful and annoyance, but critical lockjoint can be fatal.

The most severe cases of lockjoint documented have shown Sleepers to have crystalization form over their joints, rendering parts of their bodies completely immobile. Some Sleepers have been found dead in this condition, all their joints crystallized, and it is believed most died from natural causes thereafter.

One can determine they are experiencing lockjoint when the coloration around the joints begins to darken in color, typically looking like a bruise. Calcification may occur rapidly the more magic a Sleeper uses or the more they expose themselves to outside elements. It is imperative that Sleepers remain properly clothed during Bone Season, even if they are coldbloods, and to invest in enchanted clothes that can lock in heat.

A known cure for lockjoint is the art of bloodletting. Puncturing the joints with small incisions seems to allow a release of the built-up magic and can provide immediate relief to the Sleeper. Catching lockjoint early is imperative. Alternative methods are soaking in hot springs and salted water.

Those who are in a more severe state will have to carefully have the crystals removed. This will likely remove the skin as well. Local anesthesia is highly recommended for the procedure. This process is known to leave scarring. The crystals can be saved and used as bloodstones from whoever they were harvested from. If you find a Sleeper dead from lockjoint, make sure to harvest the crystals as they are incredibly valuable.

This curse is believed to stem from Sleeper blood magic congealing within the body in contrast with the atmospheric magic of Bone Season. There is no known prevention for lockjoint. Lockjoint can impact all Sleepers regardless of bloodtype or the material their bodies are made from."

FAQ

1. This impacts characters regardless of blood type or their body - meaning it can impact characters with metal/plastic/plant/wood/etc bodies.

2. Players can choose how rapid or severe this gets and how quickly they can be healed.
CODING
unmelting: (kaeya060)

Winter Mourning v

[personal profile] unmelting 2021-12-24 03:02 am (UTC)(link)
[All right, Lance. Kaeya -- who prides himself on appearing generally unflappable, even if he is secretly quite flappable, thanks -- is currently staring around him at what he doesn't have the words to call a spaceship. He's from a sword and sorcery setting. He's a cavalry captain.

What is this and where he is.]


...where are we? I think I'm more confused than I generally enjoy being. [It's fine this is fine.]
azurestar: (ooooor)

[personal profile] azurestar 2022-01-10 04:16 am (UTC)(link)
[Lance looks over at Kaeya and oh… yeah, being in place with such advanced technology would be a lot for someone from a place that hasn't even invented cars. Or, at least he's pretty sure, there's no cars where Kaeya and Diluc are from.]

Weeellll, don't freak out… but we're in a giant robot lion out in the vast emptiness of space.

[In the back of the Red Lion behind the cockpit, to be precise. He gestures to the cockpit where stars can be seen out the front. Memory!Lance is in the chair and it seems to be a brief lull in the memory where he's just waiting for the next directive.]
unmelting: (Default)

[personal profile] unmelting 2022-01-10 11:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[Yeah this is a lot, Lance. Kaeya, for his most part, keeps his cool at least. Even if those words in that order do not make as much sense as he suspects Lance thinks they do.]

Ah, of course. It's obvious when you put it like that.

[He looks at where Lance gestures, the field of stars he can see.]

This is normal for you?
azurestar: (ukidding)

[personal profile] azurestar 2022-01-14 08:50 am (UTC)(link)
[Lance pats Kaeya's shoulder sympathetically. He does get the sense that he barely understands what was just explained. But the broad strokes concepts are clear, right?]

It used to be, anyway.

[Before Deerington, before Trench. At that point, the Lance in the pilot seat speaks:] Okay, broken massive shield plate. Don’t suppose there’s a quick tutorial video on how to fix this, is there?

[He and Allura, along with the others over comms then start to discus how to proceed. Present Lance stiffens.] Oh… thiiiis might not be good.
unmelting: (kaeya080)

[personal profile] unmelting 2022-01-15 02:23 am (UTC)(link)
Fascinating. ...and terrifying. There is a great deal of darkness and nothing out there.

[And he's from Khaenri'ah, originally, so darkness and nothing are things he knows fairly well. This is overwhelmingly more vast.]

Oh? You recognize the memory, I take it?

[Kaeya frowns.] From my experience, somehow they never seem to be good.
azurestar: (it must be better than i think it is)

[personal profile] azurestar 2022-01-17 06:52 am (UTC)(link)
Well, not nothing. But… mostly nothing, yeah.

[It's pretty immensely overwhelming if you let yourself think about it too long. Lance nods tensely in confirmation, he recognizes it and it makes him nervous for them both being in here.]

Yeah, I do. This one's kiiiind of on the dangerous side. Not sure what's gonna happen to us if we stay stuck in here with memory me.

[In other memory journeys he's taken this month, the memories were able to hurt the memory viewers.]
unmelting: (kaeya080)

[personal profile] unmelting 2022-01-23 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
Lovely. That sounds exciting.

[Kaeya's tone is as deadpan as he can manage it, but he shrugs.]

I suppose we'll have to do our best not to die. I'd prefer not to, if it's possible at least.

[A laugh and he gestures around.] In Mondstadt they say if you die where the wind can't reach you, your soul can't be taken on. Not sure I believe in that mind you, but...

[No winds here.]
azurestar: (i'll do it over again)

[personal profile] azurestar 2022-01-25 01:41 am (UTC)(link)
It totally is. Just think about what might be on the other side of all the nothing.

[Trying to insert a bright side. The side that always drew him to want to go to space and explore. Then he lets out a breath and brings a hand to his chin, looking behind himself at the exit.]

Well, either we take our chances in here and stay, or see if the winter mourning was nice enough to generate some oxygen outside of the ship. [Then Lance looks at Kaeya in concern about that winds problem. Then takes a second to think.] I'm sure it'll be fiiiine, but… I could make some wind for you?

[The conversation Lance is having with the others over the comms has been going and then he is pulled back to it when Allura's voice comes through bright and clear:] Great idea, Lance!

[Memory Lance puffs up.] Aww, thanks, princess. I couldn’t have thought of it without you, though. I mean, really, I think we make a great team. Here we are, working together, just the two of us.

[Lance is leaning around the pilot chair to look at himself gush at Allura and then a hand goes to his head in mild embarrassment.] Maaan, I was so obvious…
unmelting: (kaeya020)

[personal profile] unmelting 2022-01-25 03:48 am (UTC)(link)
...how likely are we to be able to breathe, do you suppose? I'll defer to you on the strategy here, since you know what's coming.

[Kaeya waves a hand absently.] Never been much of a believer myself.

[Granted he's met the Anemo Archon in person now. But he's not sure his soul would merit it anyway. That's another issue for another day. For now?

He'll turn his attention to memory Lance because, honestly? That's kind of adorable.]
Aaah, young love.
azurestar: (valentine)

[personal profile] azurestar 2022-01-30 07:42 am (UTC)(link)
Dunno, I'd say 50/50, probably. Hold on, let me think.

[He brings his hand to his chin as he thinks, nodding in acceptance of Kaeya's dismissal of the wind issue. Gotta focus on preventing them from dying in the first place. And then his thoughts on the matter hit a record scratch when Keaya says that about his clear crush on Allura.]

I-it was just a crush! [No, he was full on madly in love, he knows this. Part of him probably always will be to a degree. The memory continues:

Allura's voice comes ove the comms as she starts moving her lion into position, "Let’s go, Lance."

The lion they are in lurches as memory Lance moves to start moving the pieces of the shield into position for Allura to freeze in place. Lance jerks with the motion, but manages to hold his balance. It's been a while since he's been in this cockpit or on a moving ship, but it's a lot like riding a bike. If Kaeya has trouble keeping his feet, he'll reach out to steady him, but the inertia in the ship is dampened with advanced tech so it shouldn't be too bad.]
unmelting: (kaeya051)

[personal profile] unmelting 2022-02-01 01:15 am (UTC)(link)
I see, just a crush.

[Kaeya nods sympathetically.] I had one of those, once. [And then in a startling little bit of honesty,] Still have, really.

[Ah well. He's distracted by the lurch of the ship. He's quick to reach out a hand to grip Lance's arm to steady himself, but he finds his balance in short order.]

So... braving the nothingness or riding it out here? I'm guessing our clock is ticking away.
azurestar: (srscrs)

[personal profile] azurestar 2022-02-01 08:04 am (UTC)(link)
[Lance's brows go up at the admission. He is absolutely asking about that once they're in the clear because the moment of danger is coming soon. He's thought on it and thinks his solution is quite smart if he does say so himself!]

If we time it right, we can dodge what's coming with a jump. The lion's about to get blasted with a huge electrical blast. If we're not touching any part of it at that exact moment, we'll be fine. Easy peasy.

[He hasn't realized that he hasn't explained that this ship is a lion yet.]
unmelting: (Default)

[personal profile] unmelting 2022-02-07 02:43 am (UTC)(link)
[...Kaeya lifts an eyebrow at that. Time it right at the exact moment.]

Oh yes, simple.

[He has questions about the lion yes, but first surviving.] Did you say you can make wind? Might help keep us suspended a few moments longer... just in case our timing isn't exact.

[Maybe?]
azurestar: (why wont you love me)

[personal profile] azurestar 2022-02-17 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
[Lance blinks at that question about wind.]

Oh, nah, I was just thinking I'd blow on you really hard.

[He says it with a little smirk, like he thinks it's clearly the greatest solution to Kaeya's concerns ever. But also definitely knows it's not and was being a little shit.]

Don't worry, just hang onto me and jump when I do. [He holds out his hand for Kaeya to take.]