reddosmod: (Default)
Deer Country Mod ([personal profile] reddosmod) wrote in [community profile] deercountry2022-01-08 12:48 am

Gain the weight of you then lose it

JANUARY 2022 EVENT
IMAGE DESCRIPTORS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE

Prompt One
[Image One: Woman in an elaborate blue dress with high collar staring at camera while people dance in background.]
[Image Two: Woman in pink dress touching chest and smiling at camera while people dance in background.]

Prompt Two
[Image One: Explicit gif of snake shedding its skin and a new viperlike snake coming out of the old skin.]
[Image Two: Gif of eyes gazing at camera and right eye turning yellow.]

Prompt Three
[Image One: Image of rock snake with fire glowing in its mouth.]
[Image Two: Gif of a snake made entirely out of flames hissing.]

SNAKE DEN
WHEN: Evenings throughout January
WHERE: The Red, Cellar Door
CONTENT WARNINGS: Alcohol/Drugs, possible NSFW scenarios, forced honesty, mood altering substances.


Around Trench, Sleepers will find a gold-edged flyer pinned to most doors, lamps, and posted around stores and throughout the market. Some may even find the flyer pinned to their front door:

MADAM GENEROSITY INVITES YOU TO THE SNAKE DEN
Hello darling and dearest Sleepers! Do not let the cold dampen your spirit or weaken your hope. Do not allow our differences to divide us; do not let the frigid drive you to isolation; do not hurt your soul by forgetting one another. They say snakes cannot thrive in the cold, yet here I am, defying it, thriving despite it. You can too. We must persist. We shall persist. Not with violence and bloodshed, not with pollution and corruption, but with unity! With compassion and fun.

I invite you all to join me at The Red every odd evening of January! Welcome to the Snake Den! A little Talent Show I throw occasionally to remind Sleepers of their profound potential for greatness and awe! Come be flashy on stage or to support your friends. After the Talent Show is our famed Fashion Show. Do you have eccentric outfits you would like to show off? Now is truly your time to shine!

The evening will be filled with plenty of food and drink for all. We shall dance, we shall show off, we shall persist and defy corruption together. Let my lovely Night Walkers shine and keep you company for the evening. Find some new friends, have an illicit affair, or just come so you don't have to be alone for a night. You are all welcome...And don't worry, I've enchanted the Red so that none of your powers can cause any damage while inside the building. Feel free to really make a light show with your fire! It won't hurt anyone.

I so look forward to seeing all of you there.

With Love,
Madam Generosity
The Red has been elaborately decorated for the Snake Den spectacle. Enormous golden statues of snakes have been placed throughout. Golden lights glitter above. Servers carry about golden flutes of champagne, soda, and sparkling water. You can order other drinks at the bar. While the invite has gone out to Sleepers, there are some regular Trenchies who have come to show their support. To perform in the Talent Show portion, one simply needs to go backstage to prepare with the rest.

A female Trenchie named Dorothea seems to be directing the acts. People can perform multiple times. Talents performed can include music, comedy, dance routines, or little skits. After the Talent Show concludes, a Fashion Show will be put on, and everyone is encouraged to join. You can get your hair and make-up done elaborately backstage and find eccentric outfits to try on if you're not so happy with the one you showed up in.

Going to the Snake Den at this time will cause incredible stress relief. Even those who are typically shy or introverted will find themselves soothed at the Snake Den. Giant pillows have been thrown about so people can puddle in together and snuggle up. Private rooms have been created out of silks for some private conversations or interactions.

There must be something in the drinks or the snacks going around because it becomes easy to become a much more outgoing version of yourself at the party. It may increase friendliness or touchiness and relax people's usual reservations. Who knows? It might encourage you to go up on stage and show off a bit or talk to that handsome stranger who has been eying you the whole night. Regular intoxication from alcohol/drugs is possible as well which means some people might not need the additional encouragement.

Regular dancing occurs after the Fashion Shows with various musicians performing on stage to fill the night up with plenty of mood melodies. As the evening prolongs, the lights dim and things become quiet and soothing. Since paleblood magic is exceptionally strong this month with honesty, attendants of the party may find themselves being more open and honest about themselves. Hopefully, you don't confess anything too vulnerable about yourself...

FAQ:
1. Characters with mental abilities may be able to resist the honesty sway if they consciously realize it is happening.

2. Any talent can be performed on the stage.

3. The flyer is magically enchanted so that people who touch it will feel unusually excited to go to the Snake Den.
THE SHEDDING CEREMONY
WHEN: Begins in January - Effects may be permanent. Players choose when the effects wear off.
WHERE: Everywhere
CONTENT WARNINGS: Forced modification of body, possible themes of body dysmorphia, shedding/peeling skin, burning/eating dead skin, alternate versions of characters, possible genderswapping, possible alteration of personality/memories.


[A passage from Rituals and Reality; Chapter 2: The Shedding Ceremony. Found exclusively in Gaze:]

"Worshippers of Madam Generosity believed that the shedding of snakeskin was symbolic to the shedding of an old life and the acceptance of a new life. The skin left behind was a reminder of past trials and tribulations, and the skin you walk away with is evidence of all that you have learned and experienced. In ancient times, Sleepers would ritualistically select one of their own to sacrifice to Madam Generosity. Eventually, Sleepers would come to learn that Madam Generosity did not appreciate blood sacrifices. Due to her gentle nature, she encouraged Sleepers to pay tribute to her in other ways.

Thus came the Shedding Ceremony. Sleepers would rub away chapped skin and set it afire in a bowl. They would reflect on lives left behind and the new life they had been given in Trench. Over time, this created a powerful magical experience that persisted beyond the original ceremony. The Shedding Ceremony is both a ritual and an enchantment.

As January begins, Sleepers may find that their skin has become dry and brittle. The generous application of lotions and oils may soothe the skin, but neglected skin can begin to peel off. Although it is a painless experience, it can be rather gross to look at and a bit itchy. Then one day, you simply fall asleep and when you awaken, you are an entirely different version of yourself. You will find a nearly perfect replica of your old self in a shed skin nearby. Your new body may be stronger, faster, more powerful. Old scars may be healed, lost limps replaced...Or you might be an entirely new gender. Some have even experienced becoming a different species. Some awaken as an older or younger variation of themselves while others find that they have become an alternate version of themselves.

These effects have been known to last for a few days up to months at a time. In some scenarios, the effects have become permanent. Some believe it to be a curse while others believe it is a gift. It may happen multiple times and take a few sheds to return to your original body. It is believed that ingesting your old skin or burning it alleviates the changes and brings you back to your original body faster. Generous application of lotion and oils can prevent the Shedding Ceremony altogether for some - or at the very least, slow it down."

FAQ

1. Characters can avoid this prompt altogether via the application of lotion.

2. If you decide to permanently change your character in a big way (ie; changing their species/gender/age) then we do ask that you update your character on the taken page to reflect that they are now an Alternate Version of a character. This would open up the original character to be applicable to new players.

3. This can change blood types for those interested in trying on a new blood type. You can either temporarily change a blood type or permanently. If you permanently change a blood type, let us know on the Blood Type page and update your information on the taken page.

4. You can play out the transformation as explicitly or non-explicitly as you want. Maybe characters see the changes happening under their peeling skin or just wake up in their new body. The peeling does not need to be any more graphic than what you would typically see on dry skin.

5. You can alter a character's gender, species, age, blood type, or switch to a general alternate version of a character (ie; Coffee Shop AU, an AU of your character but with different powers, an AU of your character if they came from a different canon or timeline.) Please have fun with this and explore the possibilities for as long as you like!

Unsnakely
WHEN: All of Bone Season
WHERE: Anywhere outside
CONTENT WARNINGS: Possible injuries or death from burns/fire.


[A journal entry from the Wayward Watcher that can be found in the Archaic Archives reads:]

"Do not trust the naked snake trails of January. They exist to trick you into a sense of Madam Generosity's comfort. The Good Pthumerian leaves snow tracks in her wake, but the Unsnakely leaves melted trails of snow. This creature has spent centuries cloaking itself to rope in those who devotedly follow Madam Generosity. The kind people of Trench look to snakes as a trustworthy, compassionate symbol filled with good intention.

There are many ways to anticipate the Unsnakely's presence. Besides its melted trails (that eventually turn to ice in the cold), you may notice pockets of comfortable heat. While many believe greenery is a good sign, do not be fooled by the melted patches of grass you find. These are not symbols of an early spring. They are symbols of incoming destruction.

The Unsnakely is not of blood or soul; it is a blood curse of the earth, a product of Blood Pollution. It's a creature made out of rock, with no pulse, no soul, no mind. Molten lava pours through its body. It moves in and out of the earth without disturbing the surface, transforming from rock into small beasts or a snake the size of your home. It looks to spill blood to freshen its own magic and its choice of weapon is its size and the fire it breathes. A furious Unsnakely will light up in flames and can bring great destruction to its surroundings. People have lost their homes to the Unsnakely and of course, people have lost their lives.

The Unsnakely, no matter the size it takes, is as fast and lethal as a typical snake. It cannot truly die, as it is a curse of the earth, but it can be physically destroyed by immense blunt strength or coldblood abilities whether fire or ice. Typical ice abilities will not work against the snake - they must come from a coldblood source. Enchanted coldblood items will be effective against the Unsnakely.

The Unsnakely can spit fire like venom and boil the air around it. It can be difficult to get physically close enough to land a blow due to the suffocatingly hot temperature rolling off its body. It traditionally hunts in the streets and in the woods, by the beach and among the cliffs. Once someone has slain the beast, it returns to the earth where it rebuilds itself over a period of 2-3 days. It primarily hunts during Bone Season, preferring to use the cloak of Madam Generosity to its advantage.

Since this is not a traditional snake, it has no desire to "eat" anyone. It will simply roast you alive - which is arguably worse for some. Its fire burns hotter and brighter than regular fire, and it is a slow, agonizing death that has caused absolute madness in some. People have claimed to see strange visions in the smoke that pours off of the Unsnakely, causing distortion in battle. Do not inhale too much of the Unsnakely's smoke as it will cause intense vertigo. Remember: this is a creature of deception.

Lastly, it would be beneficial to know that the Unsnakely cannot hear or see. It responds to the vibration around it. Some who stay still may get the upper hand, but the creature can feel the vibrations of your heartbeat if your pulse is unusually elevated. Good luck, fellow Hunters. Treat burns by the Unsnakely with vileblood. I know it sounds mad, but the vileblood seems to attack whatever cursed heat comes with burns from the Unsnakely.

Take care of yourself,
- The Wayward Watcher"

FAQ
1. Characters who can manipulate earth can contort/stop/fight against the Unsnakely's natural body. It will take great control to fully control or dismantle the body.

2. Coldbloods with fire abilities can similarly control the fire of the Unsnakely with great control.
CODING
onerthes: (Default)

[personal profile] onerthes 2022-01-23 12:40 am (UTC)(link)
"And it might just be more of that, something that happens to everyone here. More of a symptom of what we are here, than some sort of real deep and abiding change to myself." Well, other than her blood type changing because that was a thing. She sighed and shook her head.

"Hopefully you don't deal with something quite so ... drastic."
imaglyphwitch: (somethings fishy)

[personal profile] imaglyphwitch 2022-01-23 12:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"There really should be some kind of manual for this place, because we're all pretty much just flying by the seat of our pants with this stuff! At least with Deerington there was this whole bunch of helpful information by that Peter guy, but here? It's just one crazy thing after another!"

She just hated that it was happening to Vira, who was supposed to finally be getting some well-deserved rest, not having some strange new change in power!

"I mean, yes. I think I've had enough of that happen already, I don't need more."
onerthes: (Default)

[personal profile] onerthes 2022-01-24 07:07 pm (UTC)(link)
"We should actually work out and build one properly so that people are better prepared for what comes. I fear I might not be the best choice to write it. I tend to be a little... wordy." And that confused people. Still, talking like this seemed to be helping some. It had her focused. Her body gradually began to relax, little by little.

"Agreed. The less of the drastic things you deal with, the better."
imaglyphwitch: (Deep in the books)

[personal profile] imaglyphwitch 2022-01-24 07:42 pm (UTC)(link)
"That's not a bad thing to me, but I guess other people might feel differently. Hmm. Maybe I could ask Dipper, that definitely seems to be his thing. I could maybe provide some notes or something, just little things I observe. Heck, now that I think about it, a whole sorta break down of the places in Trench would be a good idea, just so people know what they might run into!"

Luz is just blabbing at this moment but is starting to think that maybe having the staff AND the hat that turned her into a bird might be fortuitous. Still, she'd think about that later. Vira was still reeling about her whole blood change.

"Anyway, it's still been a lot, and nothing like I thought it'd be. We haven't even been here a year. Has your, uh, Pthumerian's 'month' come yet?"
onerthes: (Commission: Pls Ask first) (17)

[personal profile] onerthes 2022-01-25 03:34 am (UTC)(link)
"Mmmm? Doorway's month is next month. I'm not entirely sure why she is concerned over me, but that seems to be mine. Why do you ask?" She said, after nodding in time to the other. It seemed like an interesting idea. Certainly Dipper was a good choice, as was Luz.

"You should do that, by the way. Work with him about the places. It's a good starting list."
imaglyphwitch: (hmm. I'm definitely listening)

[personal profile] imaglyphwitch 2022-01-25 01:59 pm (UTC)(link)
"There always seems to be something crazy going down that is related to the Pthumerians. I have no idea what Doorway will have in store for next month though. Madam Generosity I sort of understand, at least in regard to this theme? But Doorway, that could be anything."

Which was not to say that Luz wasn't very curious.

"I think I will! I've missed him anyway, and I know this kind of thing will be right up his alley. He did put up that spell with the possession on the network before."
onerthes: (Default)

[personal profile] onerthes 2022-01-25 05:55 pm (UTC)(link)
"Something to do with doorways, or relationships most likely," she murmured, sighing softly. "I'm hoping that she doesn't do something that would be too onerous and troublesome for those in relationships, but what she thinks is helpful... well, you can see what Generosity thinks helps us."
imaglyphwitch: (talking it out)

[personal profile] imaglyphwitch 2022-01-25 07:47 pm (UTC)(link)
"Honestly, I was pretty happy with Generosity minus the snakening," Luz said. "After the stuff with Varian becoming corrupted and Fern dying, I needed to relax in a pretty bad way. So this month not being super-duper crazy helped me. Before this, I was on my way to getting corrupt myself."

She definitely remembered the fangs and the ears and furriness courtesy of the farms and had done her best to keep them down. She knew had really been a hair's breadth away from turning, and has a hunch that Doorway had played a part in preventing it.

"Oh and my birthday is next month too! The fourteenth!"

onerthes: (05)

[personal profile] onerthes 2022-01-26 12:40 am (UTC)(link)
"Aside from today, it's been... relaxed. We've had time to recuperate a little from November, and from some of the other problems. Is Varian doing alright?" she said, wanting very much to focus on things not herself. "And is it? We're definitely going to need to make sure to celebrate that somehow. Birthdays are wonderful things, after all, and that one's close to when people give out chocolates isn't it?"

She wasn't going to insult valentine's day, not with her girlfriend. Other holidays sure, because Earth holidays were weird, but not that one.
imaglyphwitch: (bright eyes)

[personal profile] imaglyphwitch 2022-01-26 03:19 am (UTC)(link)
Luz nodded, glad that they didn't have to deal with anything huge in December, although she had certainly learned a few stories about other people that made her think twice about some of her own struggles.

"Varian's recovering, and that's as good to ask for as anything, honestly. I'm fine with that for him AND Fern. Heh, yeah, it's honestly really weird that my birthday would be the same as Valentine's Day."

Luz had a hunch that Minako would never shrug off that holiday.
onerthes: (03)

[personal profile] onerthes 2022-01-27 12:12 am (UTC)(link)
"Good. I'm glad to hear it. They need some rest after the latest ordeal that they had. People do not simply recover from beasthood or corruption as easily around here as they did in the dream. Some damage requires more time." She sighed a little, looking at her hands. the more that they talked, the easier it felt to cope with it. Maybe Luz was just good at calming her down a little. She seemed to be in general.

"It's not a bad time for it, at the least. One of these days you'll have a gift to go with that fits the holiday I imagine."
imaglyphwitch: (...with a dark side!)

[personal profile] imaglyphwitch 2022-01-27 02:47 pm (UTC)(link)
"I didn't even know that people had to deal with corruption in the dream. Maybe I just never got around to seeing that. I had a blood minister look over me while he was helping with Varian though, since the truth is that at least half the house was dealing with some kind of corruption."

Varian unfortunately just got the worse of it, and his descent was enough to scare everyone else into not trying to shoulder it on their own. In any case, Luz was glad to help Vira a little, and put her hand in the older woman's.

"Maybe one day! I mean, who knows? A dress, maybe, or an actual Valentine! That would be, well, nice."

Not that she had any idea who'd fit the bill there.

onerthes: (Default)

[personal profile] onerthes 2022-01-28 01:05 am (UTC)(link)
"Well, in the dream there were curses. They never lasted longer than a month generally. Events, specific nightmares. This corruption lingers far more." She shook her head. "It is its own long-standing thing to deal with."

She giggled. "An actual valentine would be nice. I will keep up the hope for it for you."
imaglyphwitch: (He's got the hots!)

[personal profile] imaglyphwitch 2022-01-28 04:22 am (UTC)(link)
"Who would have thought something from Trench is worse than something from Deerington?"

Give it time Luz, and please say nothing you'll regret later. Luz is just grateful there aren't any nightmares come to life here.

Luz chuckled. "Stranger things have happened!"

onerthes: (03)

[personal profile] onerthes 2022-01-29 03:51 am (UTC)(link)
"It's amazing, but there's always something that seems to make things worse. But I will get through it one way or another." She sighed. "But overall... it is better here. And I have hope for you in the future."
imaglyphwitch: (my girl)

[personal profile] imaglyphwitch 2022-01-29 01:57 pm (UTC)(link)
"Sure you will! You're one of the strongest people I know! And even if you had trouble, there are people who will give you some of their strength, like me!"

Honestly, as bad as things were here, Luz thought she still preferred it over Deerington. There at least seemed to be more freedom here, and while she missed the family she had in Deerington, the one in Trench was very different and amazing and awesome all on its own!

"Thanks! Who knows, maybe Amity will show up one day! It's not like anything could hold a girl like her back, you know!"
onerthes: (09)

[personal profile] onerthes 2022-01-31 02:02 am (UTC)(link)
"You know, I kind of hope she does arrive, not only so you can see her? But also because I'd like to meet her myself. Anyone that important to you, I'd like to meet." She certainly liked the thought of her friend being happy.

"And thank you, Luz. I mean it. I needed this talk."
imaglyphwitch: (Got it bad)

YAY I get to use one of Luz's crush icons!

[personal profile] imaglyphwitch 2022-01-31 02:32 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, you HAVE to meet her! She's like, one of those types who seems to be all about her school stuff, you know, honor student and all of that, so she's all bristly and what not. But then you see that she's actually sweet and smart and a little awkward sometimes. But the best thing? She's all frowny, but then she smiles, and its like the sun coming in after the sky has been cloudy for a long time."

Don't let Luz get started on the way she LAUGHS, which is like bells softly ringing and reminding Luz that there are always things worth fighting for. You might even notice a slightly dreamy look on Luz's face, because even worlds apart, Luz had to admit she had a bit of a bad crush there.

"I'm glad I could help, Vira. You've been there for me plenty of times. I would pay you back a hundredfold if I could!"
onerthes: (Commission: Pls Ask first) (22)

^_^

[personal profile] onerthes 2022-01-31 08:41 pm (UTC)(link)
"What I think I really need to see now is the two of you together. Heh. She sounds delightful." Look, Ange was a friend and she actually tried to socialize with Chara, so prickly ones were just fine by her. "And that's just the give and take of a good friendship. We're there for each other. No need to count who owes who. We just are friends, and I'm glad you're mine."
imaglyphwitch: (soft smile)

Re: ^_^

[personal profile] imaglyphwitch 2022-01-31 08:51 pm (UTC)(link)
"She's pretty great! I don't know if I'll ever see her here, but if she did show up I'd have to have everyone see how great she is!"

She knew there would be a very big downside, of course: Varian knew full well who Amity Blight was and had flat out told Luz she would never hear the end of his needling her for her very apparent crush.

"That is true, but I always remember when someone helps me by just being there to talk. Sometimes that really makes all the difference. Thank you for getting me through some really bad situations."
onerthes: (02)

[personal profile] onerthes 2022-02-01 03:58 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm going to look forward to it if it does happen. For now, though... I should probably rest. I think that's what I need after all of this. You can stay here, but I'm going to rest my head until Dr. Winters gets hree," she said, relaxing back. "I need to let my mind settle a little bit. I think we both do."
imaglyphwitch: (accidental cute)

[personal profile] imaglyphwitch 2022-02-01 12:44 pm (UTC)(link)
"So would I!"

Luz wasn't going to get her hopes up, of course. It had been a long time since Eda, and the idea anyone from that world would be here seemed far and away. It was a sad thought, but there were plenty of distractions and other people in general to care about in Trench anyway.

"If you're sure, ok. I'll come by again later, and maybe we can have some tea and talk about how things turned out then?"
onerthes: (Default)

[personal profile] onerthes 2022-02-02 12:35 am (UTC)(link)
"That sounds nice. Come by in a few hours, after I've rested. I won't be going anywhere until this evening at the very least. Thank you, Luz," she said, patting her friend on the back of the hand gratefully. Gods but it had already been a long day.
imaglyphwitch: (we're tops)

[personal profile] imaglyphwitch 2022-02-02 04:24 am (UTC)(link)
"Sure, of course. Just drop me a line if you need anything, ok? I'm only a staff ride away, ok?"

Luz reached over and gave her friend a hug. "You'll get through this!"
onerthes: (07)

[personal profile] onerthes 2022-02-03 01:02 am (UTC)(link)
She returned the hug and nodded. "I will. And I will see you soon. Thank you again," she whispered softly, smiling at her while she leaned back to try and finally relax.

(no subject)

[personal profile] imaglyphwitch - 2022-02-03 02:23 (UTC) - Expand