deercountry | Gain the weight of you then lose it

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.]

[NAVIGATION]

Prompt 1 • Prompt 2 • Prompt 3 • Plotting • Newsletter

[JUMP TO COMMENTS]

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Oh! It's wiggling! And growing more skin!

This demon is not remotely socially developed enough to feel sympathy, or remorse. It also doesn't really understand what's going on well enough to feel sadism, though? Largely, it thinks this is kinda funny! It projects an image of Fern flailing at Fern, overlaid with a heavy aura of amusement, and then follows up with a questioning image of the redwood bark. What's that stuff?

Also it's definitely still drifting closer to see if it can poke.]

[Oh Glob maybe this was a bad idea. Fern looks intensely confused and embarrassed at the projection (since when can Michael do that?? And why's he gotta show him something so embarrassing??), and takes a small step backwards.

This time, when a tentacle gets too close he's going to smack it away.]

It's tree bark, dingus. I'm really flammable, and I just got back from being dead, I don't wanna die again.

[It still hasn't really gathered the whole point of the noises, but it can generally pick up on the fact that this thing is - probably? - alarmed. It doesn't necessarily care! But if this thing runs away, it's not really gonna get to find out more about it unless it chases, and chasing hasn't had generally favorable results.

The squid idly does a barrel-roll, projecting a general air of confusion. And also - oh, it burned down something in the market that looked like that! (It was a wooden sign, rip.)]

[Fern can at least pick up on the confusion and he sighs, dropping his hands. Cool, he's got no idea what's going on, and apparently Michael doesn't either. They're in the same boat.]

Man, what is going on with you? [The bark flakes off of his hands, before he runs one through his hair.] What happened to the old man get-up and the - the bowties?

[He's gesturing, trying to make the rough shape of Michael's human disguise in the air, though he isn't sure if he's getting his point across.]

[That definitely gets a reaction! The squid recoils, and flashes several images: that human body, being trapped inside that body, finally ripping its way out and shooting it with fire. Oh, fuck that thing, man! You know what that was?]

[Oh wow, Fern isn't expecting Michael to recoil. Not at all. He had always been way more comfortable with his human appearance than his squid one, so this whole sudden reverse is totally bizarre.

He quickly drops his hands, looking concerned.]

Dude, are you okay?

[What's that? Concern? A completely foreign concept! The demon is young enough that it would probably leap eagerly on any sign of friendliness from another of its kind, but it doesn't even know what this thing is.

It projects a hearty dose of suspicion. Why do you wanna know?]

[Fern would very much like to grab Michael and shake him. But, you know, the whole fire thing.]

We're friends. I think we're friends. And friends get worried about each other when one of 'em is acting weird.

[That's a big and complicated concept. Frankly, a lot of it sounds fake. The squid turns a slow, thoughtful roll in the air, lazily dragging a tentacle through the sand to leave a stripe of gleaming smoky glass.

Friends?]

[Fern doesn't speak squid, so he isn't totally sure what that means, but since it isn't any kind of angry reaction he continues on in this same vein.]

Yeah. Don't you remember last time we - uh, we, talked? I didn't think you were into being all squid-y around people.

[Fern gets just. An entire psychic blast about how gross and gooey and weird the squid thought that other shape was. If that's its other option, then it is absolutely going to stay like this, thanks!]

[Ohhh geez, he is not prepared for that. Stumbling suddenly, he grabs his head. Invasions of foreign feelings is never pleasant for him, especially with all the issues he's had with accepting Grass Demon, and he yelps.]

Dude, chill out!

[The onslaught does not, in fact, stop immediately. But once the demon realizes the effect it's having, it does stop - more out of surprise than anything else, but still.

It blinks and reaches out to poke Fern again. This time, though, it hesitates on its own before it gets too close. Now, on one tentacle, it still sort of wants to know what'll happen. On the other, it's sort of starting to learn that these things will run away if it does that too much, and they're sort of interesting to watch?

The creature contemplates, then projects a general curiosity. Hey, are you gonna do something interesting?]

[At least it eventually stops. Fern tries to focus on his own thoughts - at least, the ones he's sure are his - rather than anything else, and when it dies down he lets out a noise like a sigh. Glob, he wishes squids had proper mouths.

Eventually he drops his hands, looking back up at Michael. He isn't quite touching him, which is progress.]

Sorry man, I'm not really good with junk coming into my head.

[The squid lets its tentacle drop and replies with a general sense of confusion and skepticism. That's stupid. If you aren't going to do that, how are you going to talk to anybody?]

[Michael's disappointment, at the very least, is clear, and Fern makes a noise like a sigh.]

Look, if you don't wanna do charades we could try a pen and paper. Orrrr - [He digs around in his pocket and pulls out his omni, holding up the rock.] Typing?

[Oh, a rock! It knows rocks! The squid reaches out a tentacle for it.]

[Fern shifts his grip, carefully holding the omni out. He'll type a few letters onto it, so Michael can see.]

See? Way better than creepy telepathy.

[The squid looks at this, utterly fails to recognize what letters are, and relays an image of rocks flying through space. You want it to like, throw that rock into space?]

[Fern winces at the mental image and shakes his head, trying to clear it.]

Dude, do you not know how to read?

?????

[It fully doesn't know what reading even is. It sort of wants to throw the rock, though. Can it throw something out of the orbit of this big rock?

The squid snaps off a chunk of glass from the nearest spire and throws it very very hard into the sky!]

[Fern stares, turning a bit so he can watch the bit of glass go sailing into the sky.

Then he puts his omni away, because there's no way he wants it being sent into orbit.]

Oookay, we'll try charades. Maybe pictures.

[The squid keeps a few eyes up to watch the glass. Up, up, up......aaaah, and it's coming back down.

It communicates a general disdain for the concept of gravity, especially as applied to it and things it touches.]

[Fern notices where some of Michael's eyes are aimed, and oh shit - right, that could hurt someone -

He panics a little, whipping a hand out into a vine to stretch up and catch the glass before it can brain someone. It cuts him a little, but thankfully a vine suffering come cuts is nothing compared to a regular human hand.

He retracts the vine back into a normal limb, sighing.]

Dude! If that had hit someone you would've gotten into a ton of trouble.

??????

[literally why would it matter if that hit anybody

also give it its big glass chunk back]

Gain the weight of you then lose it

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