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
howtheworldwas: (downcast)

[personal profile] howtheworldwas 2022-01-09 05:46 am (UTC)(link)
[ Eurydice barely notices the man at first, and oh, that's another failure, isn't it? What she's searching for is right in front of her, and she's too focused on the particulars of her task to notice.

She's prepared to walk right past him, and nearly does so. That song, however, stops her dead in her tracks. She hasn't heard it since -- she doesn't deserve to hear it -- it's not possible. He's not here, he's down there, she should know. Eurydice saw Hades take him back, remembers reaching out for him and feeling nothing but air.

But the song continues, rough and raw and real. And, despite herself -- despite everything -- Eurydice listens. She listens, and he pulls down his hood, and offers her a flower, and for one terrible moment, it's all too much. She can't accept it, has no right to accept it. A poet gave a hungry young girl a flower, years and years ago. But that girl grew up, and the woman is so afraid she'll crush it in her desperation.

Still, Eurydice knows that if she doesn't grab hold of him now, she could lose him again. She could lose him forever. So she swallows, as if steeling herself, and takes the flower, bringing it close to her chest. ]


It's you.

[ Her voice cracks on the word, soft and reverent and disbelieving. ]
themuseabandonsyou: (flower)

[personal profile] themuseabandonsyou 2022-01-09 06:20 am (UTC)(link)
It's me.

[ Bits and pieces are coming back to him now, falling into place one after another, and it's not just memory but awareness of the world around him. She's like a beacon in the night, lighting up everything around her, making him take notice. There's sky above him, green around him, people smiling and laughing. His eyes grow wide, losing that look of hollowed-out exhaustion as it dawns on him what's happening. He's free. He's free.

And here she is in the center of all of it.

He steps closer, reaching out to try to hold her but not touching her, not yet. It's a question, not a demand, a request for permission. A lifetime ago he came to her as a near-stranger and asked her to dance, just like this, and now he struggles with himself, trying to remember her name. Like a melody.
]

Eurydice.
howtheworldwas: (pensive)

[personal profile] howtheworldwas 2022-01-12 03:37 am (UTC)(link)
[ He pronounces her name like a song, but that's wrong, all wrong. That doesn't fit anymore. If she ever was a song, it's been choked out of her, ground down by years of grief and failure. He shouldn't sing for her. She doesn't deserve it.

But. It would be another kind of failure to turn him away, wouldn't it? She'd just be abandoning him again. So she takes his hand, and for the first time in years, allows herself to feel real warmth again.

It all happens fast after that: she pulls him close, intending to never let him go. ]


Orpheus.

[ She's no singer. Her voice breaks on the name. ]

How did you -- I didn't know if I'd find you again, I took so long the first time, I -- I -- [ she takes a deep breath, swallows. ] -- I'm sorry.
themuseabandonsyou: (flower)

[personal profile] themuseabandonsyou 2022-01-12 04:09 am (UTC)(link)
[ Orpheus shakes his head, wrapping his arms around her waist in a tight embrace. He still smells like the factory, smoke and grease and sweat, but he doesn't think to worry about that now. ]

I don't know. [ It doesn't matter what the end of that question was. He has no idea how any of this is happening. Up until a moment ago he was barely even aware of where he was, head empty of any thoughts but writing a song without even being able to remember why he was writing it. But none of that matters, now. What does matter is that Eurydice's upset, and he can't stand to see it.

He raises a hand to her face, caressing her cheek gently. A long time ago, his hands were smooth and slender, callused only at the fingertips from a lifetime of playing string instruments. Now they're marked from years of work, burned and toughened and broken and healed over and over again. Still, he's as delicate as anything when he touches her, pulling away slightly to look her in the eyes.
]

Don't apologize. I'm here. You're here. It's okay.
howtheworldwas: (pensive)

[personal profile] howtheworldwas 2022-01-21 03:32 am (UTC)(link)
[ He could smell like anything, and Eurydice wouldn't care. She drinks it all in: the sound of his voice, the warmth of his body, everything. It's almost too much. He shouldn't be this gentle with her; she has no right. But she has always been a coward, at her core. That's what running away is, after all: cowardice. She's always run away, and that's what scared people do.

Eurydice blinks, screws her eyes shut, but that doesn't keep her from crying. She cups her hand over Orpheus's, as if that could keep the tears off it. In all likelihood, that doesn't work. ]


But I left you. Twice. And look at you, you've been gone so long, I figured -- you would have thought I'd abandoned you. I practically did. Hades gave me one instruction, and I couldn't fucking follow it.
themuseabandonsyou: (smile)

[personal profile] themuseabandonsyou 2022-01-21 05:27 am (UTC)(link)
[ Orpheus just shakes his head, blinking back tears himself. He's free, and he's here standing in the sunlight, however muted it is by the winter clouds overhead, and Eurydice is here and he's so overwhelmed by it all, beaming through it all. ]

None of that matters? You came for me. You found me, and I found you. [ He kisses her forehead, then leans in to rest his against hers. ] You were just trying to protect me.

[ He remembers now - Eurydice stepping in front of him, against the one directive they'd been given, and him being whisked back to the Underworld mere inches from daylight. He remembers feeling confused, crushed, bereaved - but not betrayed. Never betrayed. ]

What could I have to complain about? That I'd been too well-loved?
howtheworldwas: (downcast)

[personal profile] howtheworldwas 2022-01-29 05:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[ None of that matters Orpheus says, like it's the easiest thing in the world. Like he believes it. Eurydice wants to believe with him. After all this time, after everything he's been through, he's still willing to see the good in her. Good that Eurydice had forgotten existed. She searches for it, tries to remember.

Orpheus kisses her forehead, and she thinks she does, just a little. Eurydice laughs, a tiny, wet, relieved sound. She's awfully out of practice, and she doesn't care. ]


Oh, I don't know. You could have complained about his mines. It's awful down there.
themuseabandonsyou: (smile)

[personal profile] themuseabandonsyou 2022-01-30 03:02 am (UTC)(link)
[ Orpheus laughs, too, despite being unsure that he remembered how. It's been so long. Hadestown wasn't an entirely joyless place - Lady Persephone had tried to sneak him little gifts, now and then. The sound of the wind, the smell of wildflowers, the sensation of lying in cool grass. But those small wonders had always come tinged with the knowledge of the loss. They'd never been anything to laugh about. ]

I could. They are awful. So are the factory lines. [ he says. ] But I'm not there, now. I'm here, in your arms, and you - you never stopped looking for me. I couldn't possibly ask more of you.

[ And in a way, it breaks his heart a little, to know that she never moved on, that his leaving for the Underworld for the chance to perform for Hades broke her so, when it was all for her and her happiness and safety to begin with. But a selfish part of him is glad for it, moved beyond words that anyone could be so dedicated to him, of all people. ]

I'm sorry, too. For leaving. I thought I could fix things if I had the chance, but... [ She saw how that went. How bad must things have gotten, on the surface, before she came along and reminded him of why he was writing the song in the first place? ]