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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
beforetheverse: (pic#14751300)

[personal profile] beforetheverse 2021-10-10 01:14 am (UTC)(link)
Maybe it would be smart to draw some in blood ahead of time. On paper.

If we have them folded in our pockets or wallets or whatever, we could defend ourselves a lot faster if angels showed up who weren't very happy with — um. Some people.

[... A few thousand miles, though. That would be a pretty good amount of space. Well, unless the angel can just 'fly' back or whatever they do. Honestly, the other Castiel used to scare the crap out of him every time he appeared. More like a ghost than an angel, or at least any angel he used to daydream about.

Biting his lip, he considers the sigil very carefully, as if he's planning to memorize it here and now. Knowing how studious and sharp Sammy is, maybe he very well might. He's not sure if he should ask, but... but it would be good to know. Just in case.]


... Does it work against Lucifer, too?
foolintherain: (evc46 look down neutral high drink)

sorry for the delay! busy month ;;

[personal profile] foolintherain 2021-10-19 03:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Drawing the sigils and carrying them around isn't something Cas had ever considered. Angels aren't exactly a problem where he comes from, and before that... Well, everything was different then. It's a stroke of genius, he thinks, and tells Sam as much. ]

That's a very clever idea, actually.

[ The question about Lucifer isn't wholly unexpected, considering Sam's relationship with that particular angel. Cas still feels guilty about letting that cat out of the bag, so if he can help Sam feel protected at all from that grim future, it's the least Cas can do for him. ]

That little bit of magic works against angels of all rankings, including archangels. So... fingers crossed, it should work on the Big Guy.

[ Just like the Colt should have been able to kill him. But that was a human-made weapon, not angelic. Maybe the sigil stands a better chance. ]
beforetheverse: (pic#14909750)

it's all good!!! im a slowpoke too rn!

[personal profile] beforetheverse 2021-10-22 05:02 am (UTC)(link)
[It's hard not to look a little pleased by the compliment, and he smiles to himself as he rubs behind Bones' ears. He didn't really get a lot of that kind of talk from his dad (or brother, really, though Dean was always better at it than his dad ever was); compliments that make him feel like he's on the right track in something, anyway. It always feels like he's got one foot in hunting and one foot in school, and it makes both a source of criticism.]

Thanks.

I just... don't want anything to happen because I'm not prepared. If I had any choice in hunting before, I definitely don't here. So I figure the more I know, the better I'll be when things get crazy.

So if I can defend us against whatever supernatural beings there might be, it'll be worth the time and effort.
foolintherain: (evc20 smile confident sass quiet)

perfect. high five, slowbro

[personal profile] foolintherain 2021-10-26 08:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[ That smile of Sam's is so genuine, and so rare, that Cas can't help feeling a bit lighter for being the cause of it, and smiling softly back as he nods away the thanks. The smile fades, though, at the reminder of their purpose and Sam's words, as always, too brave and full of responsibility for a boy his age. It stirs bad memories, and Cas feels compelled to remind him. ]

As long as you don't get caught up in doing it all alone.
beforetheverse: (pic#14909717)

[personal profile] beforetheverse 2021-10-27 04:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[He glances up, gives a firm nod of his head.]

I know. I've got you and Dean, and — me.

[His expression goes deadpan, the exasperation at the situation reflected in the quirk of his eyebrow.]

... It's really weird to have another me, but it's nice anyway. Even if I feel like I can't really measure up to the other Sam. He's the good one who gets more done.
foolintherain: (evc4 neutral listen talk)

[personal profile] foolintherain 2021-10-29 07:46 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He has them, yes. Especially Dean. That's the important part, and Cas nods to hear it. The rest of it, though... Cas listens, curious at first, because he understands the feeling and is happy enough not to have met his angelic counterpart. "Can't measure up" wouldn't begin to cover it. But "the good one" ? Cas frowns. He could share a few stories about how "good" that version of Sam is, but that would be making the same mistake twice, and that's what he's trying to avoid here, for both of them. So instead, Cas' voice lilts as he goes a little abstract. ]

That reminds me of a story I heard once a long, long time ago. There was a young dog that left home, crossed a river, and went deep into the woods to find a prize to bring home to its human family. The dog managed to catch a wild duck, and delighted by its accomplishment and eager to please its family, the dog began to run home. But, when it came to the river it had easily crossed before, it saw another dog reflected back at it, holding its prize in its mouth. The dog growled, and barked, and snapped at the dog in the river it saw as its competition, and as it barked and barked... a nearby fox overheard the commotion, snuck up, and stole the duck out from under the dog's nose. When the dog realized what had happened, it was forced to return home empty-handed.
beforetheverse: (pic#14911541)

[personal profile] beforetheverse 2021-11-02 03:21 am (UTC)(link)
[Sam squints oh-so-skeptically at him.]

... Usually, the adults in my life say things pretty bluntly.

You're saying if I focus too much on what someone else is capable of, I'll miss out on the things I'm capable of as me. But did the guy who made that story consider the same people from crazy-different universes?
foolintherain: (evc42 look down talk neutral)

[personal profile] foolintherain 2021-11-09 07:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[ At being accused of being an adult, and being different from the rest, Cas just shrugs. There's a "blunt" joke to be made, but considering Sam's age.... He skips it and waits for Sam to come to his conclusion about the fable. ]

The guy from that story considered talking animals capable of moral crises. If anything, I think your life is simpler.

[ Not really, and they both know it. So, Cas continues, in a softer, more genuine tone. ]

There are an infinite number of universes out there. The one we're from, that I told you about— that's not our universe is. Just by escaping our world, we've started a new story. You don't need to "measure up" to the other Sam. You've already escaped The Devil and a very bad ending, just by being who you are right now.
beforetheverse: (pic#14909773)

[personal profile] beforetheverse 2021-11-10 05:02 am (UTC)(link)
[Should've gone for the joke, Cas. Teenaged Dean woulda.

He makes such a face at 'simpler', and if Cas weren't keen on continuing to talk, Sam would've listed each and every reason his life is far from simple. But... after listening, his expression does smooth into something more neutral as he contemplates that very point. Escaped from the Devil, huh? Escaped from that bad ending.

Then, with little love for the man he used to be, he gives a scathing review:]


... I don't think you should give the me from before the spell very much credit, Cas.

He was a monster who got a lot of people killed.

[He pets Bones as he speaks with the most matter-of-fact tone.]

... But maybe you're right. New story, and all that. I could be — better than him. Better than I used to be? I don't even know how to put it.