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Deer Country Mod ([personal profile] reddosmod) wrote in [community profile] deercountry2021-09-08 06:20 pm
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All men must die, but first he must live.

SEPTEMBER 2021 EVENT
IMAGE DESCRIPTORS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE

Prompt One
[Image One: Woman holding skull in bag. ]
[Image Two: Plants sprouting out of earth.]

Prompt Two
[Image One: Woman rocking back and forth in dark.]
[Image Two: Woman rowing down river with corpses on stakes on horizon.]

Prompt Three
[Image One: Beef cake man breaking arrows off of shield with a sword.]
[Image Two: Beefy man slamming axe into troll-like creature, spraying blood.]

GROWING PAINS
WHEN: September
WHERE: Everywhere
CONTENT WARNINGS: Minor blood ritual.


September, for many in Trench, is considered a month of personal sacrifice. It is the month of self-actualization and promise. To grow your future, you must first be willing to sacrifice your past. You cannot walk forwards while walking backward. All throughout Trench, natives can be seen in yards and on plots of land digging small holes and planting a variety of items. Some plant seeds, some drop in a ring, others bury small parts of a body. But the ritual is simple: bury something that represents your past and seal it with a promise for your future.

You can write yourself a note or cut off a lock of your own hair. The ways in which people do this are limitless since it's a largely personal experience. Find a small patch of soil and dig yourself a shallow hole. Bury the item inside, say goodbye to who you used to be, and cover the item up with dirt. Once you are done, you must shed at least one drop of blood onto the sacrifice. It must be your own blood willingly given. Once the blood hits the soil, a small flower will miraculously grow out of the earth within seconds.

A single, powerless flower, but this flower will be completely immortal. You can either keep it on the patch of land or dig it up and bring it home. The flower will be a representation of your progress in Trench: if its petals wilt, you are lingering too much in the past. If it is in full bloom and vibrant, you're on the right path to a better future. If the flower starts to rot, you're heading down a dangerous path.

The flower may not be able to sway you one way or another, but it may serve as a valuable reminder of the kind of life you wish to lead. Some people abandon the flowers entirely and never bother with them. After all, there are no real consequences if you let the flower rot. If a character is dropped, their flower will fleck away like dust. Many believe that the flowers are made of the same stuff omens are made of.

You can dig up other people's flowers and watch their progress (make sure to get player permission) instead. After all, not everyone will care enough about their own flowers to really observe them closely. The flowers can come in any species or size, even fictional flowers, but they will only be replicas. Meaning if your character's flower is typically used for healing, there will be no healing properties in this replica. The flowers cannot be destroyed.

Many natives in Trench will repeat this ritual a few times every couple of years since the ritual is for letting go of the past. After all, the promises you make to yourself now won't be the same promises you make to yourself ten years from now. People change and so too will their flowers. What the characters bury is largely open to interpretation.

RIVER OF REGRET
WHEN: September
WHERE: Some obscure location within Gaze
CONTENT WARNINGS: Mangled corpses of loved ones, birds eating corpses, themes of regret.


You will find raven feathers all over Trench. They may drift through the air, lightly touch you, or you might decide to pick one up. The moment you come into physical contact with a feather, a conspiracy of ravens tears through the air and scoops you up into a whirlwind of feathers and caws. It only lasts a few seconds before you're deposited into a canoe drifting along a still river. Another Sleeper is in the boat with you. You pass beneath massive stone walls carved into the likeness of Never Mind and his ravens.

The world is silent around you. There is no rain here. Instead, sunlight pours through breaks in the clouds. Sunlight dapples across the water and golden-red leaves of nearby trees. It's more serene than most places in Trench.

You turn a corner and smell it before you see it. The picturesque summer day is dampened by the stench of rot. Then you come upon them: corpses. Corpses tied up to posts with barbed wire, corpses put through spikes and suspended in the air. Ravens flutter to and fro, picking at strips of meat. It isn't until you're close enough that you realize you recognize the corpses.

They are the corpses of people you have hurt. And that doesn't just mean people you killed or physically harmed. These are the bodies of people you have deep regrets towards: a lover you wronged, a best friend you lied to, an enemy you wish you had forgiven. Not everything is as black and white as murder, after all, and this grisly graveyard of mangled bodies says as much. Sometimes our regrets haunt us like the dead, and it seems like yours have followed you to Trench. You might even see your own body up on a post or the body of your canoe companions.

You have one of two choices: ignore your regret or face it.

Choosing to ignore your regrets doesn't seem to have any ill consequences at first. You pass by the corpses and continue on your river voyage. But the water grows thicker, and you come across the same corpses only in a worse state. The situation gets progressively worse each time you ignore it, and the river gradually becomes a river of blood and gore. The stench becomes insufferable and you will become increasingly corrupt. Some may even turn into beasts right there on the river.

Facing your regrets means talking about them, even mildly, to your canoe companions. You simply need to acknowledge the corpses, acknowledge the slightest truth to your feelings towards those regrets. When everyone in your canoe has acknowledged their regrets, the ravens will come for you once more. You will be brought back to Trench and awaken in the School of Mutter. Those who faced their regrets will discover that they have been gifted a white gold compass. The compass's needle will always point in the direction of the nearest Lamp Friend no matter the chaos going on in the world. But the compass only works once you have calmed down and focused.

QUICK FACTS

1. Each boat can hold up to 4 people. There can be multiple canoes in the same area.

2. If you try to leave the boat, you will drown in the River of Regret.

3. This does not have to encompass every regret someone's had. It can only represent one or two things. The regret should have to do with another individual or one's self. Something like "I regret not going to college" wouldn't necessarily work within the parameters of the prompt.

4. The river can only be accessed by touching a fallen raven feather. Touching a raven feather attached to the bird or a quill does not count.

5. Characters can engage with this prompt as many times as they touch a raven feather.

6. Characters with no regrets will not see corpses, but they will still be able to interact with characters who do have regrets.
BLOODSPORT
WHEN: During the Blood Moon
WHERE: Everywhere but specifically, The Gate
CONTENT WARNINGS: Violence, fighting, forced aggression/violence, forced fighting.


The Blood Moon invokes religious reverence among Trenchies. September and October are the ultimate months of sacrifice to pay tribute to the gods and the blood that rules this world. An energy begins to swell among Trenchies and you keep hearing the same word whispered excitedly around the city: "Bloodsport."

As the Blood Moon floods the streets in red, you begin to feel antsy, like you don't know what to do with yourself. You're not necessarily angry, you just have an abundance of energy. You don't need to be told what it is: your blood is reacting to the moon. The Blood Moon enhances blood powers significantly and you're simply not used to that yet. You don't feel in control of your own power or maybe even your own mind. At least until you exert some power, some force. Slam a door shut or swing a sword, shoot some electricity or spit some poison and you'll feel at peace with yourself. That nervous energy will ease out.

Only to come back twice as strong. It starts to put you in a real fighting mood and you start to realize why the locals call this Bloodsport. Hunting down beasts and monsters might seem like the fun thing to do right now, but the real attraction for Bloodsport takes place at The Gate. You can hear the roaring crowd blocks away. Hundreds of Trenchies have settled in to watch Sleepers duke it out with each other or with locked-up monsters. Maybe join in the fight. At least you know the other Sleepers there want to be there...Right?

Unfortunately not. Those who resist Bloodsport will find themselves passing out more and more frequently. Eventually, they will be taken by Mysterious Forces to The Gate to be pitted against other Sleepers and monsters. Some Sleepers will be forced into a gladiator-style fight that they either must win or die trying. Most fights at the Gate do end in death, but there are some circumstances where someone surrenders. Of course, that never stops their opponent from killing them anyway...Hopefully, you're fighting someone who is still relatively reasonable. Both parties can be resistant to fighting, but they will feel obligated to fight each other. If they don't, monsters will be unleashed into the arena and your situation will get a whole lot worse.

Bloodsport can greatly enhance a Sleeper's ability and many believe it is a gift from the Pthumerian gods. It is generally considered an advantage to Sleepers during the Season of Blood to prepare them and train them to hone their skills for the Season of Bone. Many believe it is wisest to submit to Bloodsport and let yourself get used to the motions of violence in order to survive the remainder of the year.

QUICK FACTS

1. Casual physical training will alleviate Bloodsport feelings. You could get through the month just by jogging around a lot.

2. Characters forced to the Gate will not remember how or when they arrived - they will just wake up and be thrown into the Gate by some shadowy force.

3. Characters who willingly participate in violence/fighting will feel temporary relief from Bloodsport only for the feeling to increase.

4. Effects of Bloodsport last as long as the Blood Moon shines through September and October.

5. You can treat symptoms of Bloodsport with calming techniques such as aromatherapy, meditation, medications, etc. Can be based on what would ICly help calm your character but it should require a lot of it.

6. You can invent the monsters/beasts that are at the Gate. They should be killable creatures and easily captured for the purpose of the Gate.
CODING
undermoonlight: (125)

[personal profile] undermoonlight 2021-09-28 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
Makoto-chan?!

[New to dating though he may be, Atsushi is quite confident that hitting his girlfriend is wrong. Even in this situation... No, especially in this situation! He'd sooner break every dish in the house than lay a finger on Makoto.

His fists clench at his sides. Logic says that Makoto offering to spar with him should be motivation for him to calm down. His will to fight should be completely sapped by the thought of it. But instead, the irritating itch to fight only rises. It's rising with the frustrating fact that Makoto is willing to go this far to help him, but he can't repay her.]


I-- That's not possible! I'm not going to heal from hitting you! [Was that a selfish outburst? It was honest, in any case.

Her offer scares him, but it also shakes some sense into him. Makoto really doesn't want him wandering off. He's being awful by running.]
I'm sorry... You're right about not running, but I can't do that to you!
thunderingcourage: (Painful truth)

[personal profile] thunderingcourage 2021-10-02 02:18 am (UTC)(link)
I could take it, and you might not even be able to land anything. But I don't want you to hurt, I don't want to see you blame yourself if something happens to someone else either.

[No matter what Atsushi was going to blame himself, and would be in pain. At least if it was Makoto she could share a little of that pain, and assure him that it was alright, that she would be alright. And of all those in Deerington she was pretty sure that she was one of the strongest, plus her blood.]

I wouldn't feel anything.

But if you don't want to I understand but, please, come home.
undermoonlight: (165)

[personal profile] undermoonlight 2021-10-14 07:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[Even if that's so, he can't lash out against Makoto. It isn't a matter of physically hurting her or not; It's about the mental toll of hitting someone that he cares about. In that regard, Atsushi is being absolutely selfish. He recognizes that he isn't thinking about Makoto's feelings, but his own: He can't strike her.

So ultimately, he breaths in deep... and takes a shaky step towards her.]


I don't want to break any of Usagi-chan's nice dishes. I can't control my temper and I keep breaking things... [But he'll come home. He's finally realized that just as hitting Makoto would cause him emotional distress, his running is hurting her.]
thunderingcourage: (Ignoring that)

[personal profile] thunderingcourage 2021-10-15 01:17 am (UTC)(link)
Alright, then we'll just keep you out of the kitchen. And I'll bring you dinner out on a plate it doesn't matter if it gets broken, and there are some pretty durable metal cups I saw.

[She didn't care if it meant having to go out and get an entirely new set of dishes just for this, Makoto would find something to where he wouldn't have to worry about the dishes, or her, or Usagi. Makoto didn't want to scare him though so she stayed where she was, and just offered her hand as he took a step forward.]

And if it gets really bad, maybe you could just split wood or something. It will probably get cold before long, and that would be helpful and let you break something.
undermoonlight: (66)

[personal profile] undermoonlight 2021-10-15 02:49 am (UTC)(link)
[She's so thoughtful. Hearing her think so hard on his behalf almost makes him feel guilty, but something clicks. This is normal. They're a couple and they both want to take care of each other. Atsushi thought that running away would help her, but that wasn't true. Makoto will always come after him. He's allowed to be with her and allowed to want the same.

He smiles weakly. As a physical show of how much he wants to change his mindset, he reaches out to take her hand. Then steps up next to her.]


Splitting wood, huh? I've actually never done that... But this seems like a great time to get started, mm. [He curls his fingers around her hand, almost shy in seeking a returned grasp.] Thank you. I... I love you, Makoto-chan.
thunderingcourage: (Default)

[personal profile] thunderingcourage 2021-10-15 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
[Makoto returned the grasp squeezing his hand and returning his smile, that was what she wanted and what she needed. Just to see him smile, to know that he was still there and they were still on the same side. Holding his hand Makoto managed to refrain from throwing her arms around him when she said that, though tears did come to her eye. She had been so worried, that reassurance though made feel so many things from relief to happiness and just boundless nameless emotions.]

I love you too Atsushi. Thank you, thank you for not leaving.

[For not rejecting her as so many others had.]
undermoonlight: (196)

[personal profile] undermoonlight 2021-10-15 03:09 am (UTC)(link)
[Ah- Tears! He would freak out, but in this context he can understand where they're coming from. Instead he becomes more sheepish and softly addresses them;]

Was I so stubborn that I made you cry? I really... really really need to cut this out, huh? Sorry.

[It took him over a year to realize this enough to verbalize it.]
thunderingcourage: (Beautiful smile)

[personal profile] thunderingcourage 2021-10-15 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
[Without letting go of his hand she wiped away the tears. Since when did she become the cry baby? She smiled though, placing her free hand on his chest.]

I was just worried. And I'm just really glad that you're coming home now. You just want to keep me and Usagi safe, but we want to do the same for you.
undermoonlight: (83)

[personal profile] undermoonlight 2021-10-15 03:38 am (UTC)(link)
... I know.

[Knowing it now makes every instance of self-isolating before feel more stupid and selfish. And shameful. He knows he's been making this mistake for a long time. It's strange to be facing it now.

But it's Makoto that he's addressing it with. So he lets his shoulders slump again and eases himself into honesty. Not to excuse his actions; He's trying to make sense of them.]


They locked me in the basement because of the tiger, didn't they? I knew it was wrong to lock up a child, even if you thought they were bad... but I still started doing it to myself. I'm sorry.
thunderingcourage: (Overload)

[personal profile] thunderingcourage 2021-10-15 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
It's probably why, but even then they could have found a better way to deal with it than to lock you up. Just like now, there's no reason to keep doing something just because it's what you're used to. Not when there's a better way.

[It was always so easy to blame yourself, to sink into that darkness. Makoto had been in danger of it after last October, but she'd fought through it. And she knew that Atsushi could fight through this.]

You don't have to apologize to me, forgive yourself, and don't blame yourself for doing what you were taught. Just know that we're here for you, I'm here for you and will always be by your side.