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

[ it sounds like a good thing to talk about, in falco’s opinion. if they have snacks and they have punch, now all that awaits is a good chat. falco finds a vacant spot and sits himself down on one of the cushions. ]

Where’s Grom?

[ he also indulged in a big, juice bite of his roll. oh, god that so good ]

[Luz was totally in a mood for a chat, honestly. A lot happened, so she could use a bit of a break and just have some talking time].

It's not a where so much as it's a who, though even I thought it was a "what" at first. Grom is basically a dance that takes place around someone being chosen to fight Gromethus, a fear demon that turns into the Grom queen's worst nightmare, and they're supposed to fight and defeat Grom in front of everyone.

[She took a bite of her roll, taking a moment to be in bliss].

I had some help fighting Grom, actually. I was sort of filled with guilt at the time.

[ —that sounds like a nightmare. falco, at least, tries not to let it spoil the shine on his face after trying one of the best sweets in existence, he deems. another bite, for good measure: ]

How did you get chosen?

Well um.

[Luz nibbled at her sweet, and a slow blush came to her face].

Someone I care about was picked, and she was pretty down about it. I knew she had a rough time when it came to some stuff she already has to deal with, so I volunteered to take up the fight instead. I didn't think it was fair for her to have to do it.

Which SOUNDS noble but it turns out even I was a little over my head, and in the end, she got involved and the two of us wound up defeating Grom together.

[ creeping at the back of falco’s mind is: but how did they get chosen?, but you know? it’s probably some magical criteria that most don’t understand to begin with. he’ll take this.

he’s a wee thing, very young, but he’s also such a hopeless romantic that he can recognize rosy cheeks and meekness in the fog. he’s interested, and carefully draws his legs into a cross. ]

So that made you both the Queens—?

[ is he getting that right? ]

[Don't ask Luz: they just randomly seemed to choose Amity, and Luz hated seeing how anxious it made her, so of course she volunteered to take her place without thinking.

Ok, saying it was "without thinking" was being a bit generous].

Well, yeah. We both got crowns and everything. It was honestly pretty cool: we did this awesome dance where we combined our magics and it burrowed through Grometheus and turned into this cool tree! If I hadn't been so down about my mom that day, I would have loved every minute.

[And maybe she might have noticed that Amity had wanted to ask her SPECIFICALLY to Grom in the first place, but Luz was choosing not to dwell on her obliviousness right now].

[ it sounded cool, at least! there’s enough out of the imagery to appreciate. ]

So it worked out— And well. [ crowns and everything! he ends up asking, though, holding his dirty fingers out while reaching for a napkin: ] Was your mom okay?

[There had been plenty of cool stuff that night, and seeing Amity enjoying herself had certainly been on the top of the list, right along with having a dance party with friends she actually cared about].

It did, mostly!

Well, no. My mom still doesn't know I'm in the Boiling Isles. I can't even imagine what she's thinking now. She has probably no idea where I am.

. . . Oh, [ falco’s voice falters softly, ] my mom— she didn’t know where I was, either. Back home.

[ and that worries them sick, for sure. ]

When I ended up in the other places, back home— people didn’t realize we were gone. It was like if time stopped right where you left it. [ he knows it’s only a possibility until proven, but . . . hope can do a good deal. ] Maybe it’s the same in Trench.

I hope that's the case for you.

Where I was, in the Boiling Isles, time passed by the regular way. The only reason my mom didn't know I was missing is that she thinks she's sent me off to a summer camp. At the time, it wasn't so bad because I had access to the portal, so I could eventually go back, but...that portal is gone now.

And after that happened, I wound up in Deerington, then Trench. I don't know how much time is passing from where I was. I hope you're right though.

[ at home time certainly passed for falco— but not south sister, not santa rosita. it was an odd pattern that . . . he can’t help but to feel the same way. he remembers how worried he was back home with his own parents. his hands are still a little sticky, but he’s using his palm to meet luz’s shoulder. ]

You’ll go back to her. I will, too.

[ it wasn’t a promise, but . . . a certain thought. a consideration that carried weight. ]

I don't...hate it here, not with where I am, and the people I know. They make everything bearable. But I do miss her. A lot.

[She had a picture, but a picture could only do so much, and it wasn't the same, especially when she at least had Eda around, and she was like having a second, somewhat cooler mom].

You miss yours too.

Um, [ there’s only a pause of hesitation, and not because he wasn’t sure of the answer. ] yeah.

[ of course he missed his mother and father; to be frank, he’d already come to terms with the possibility that they weren’t alive, he’s cried terribly over that already— but he still needed to confirm. that, and, there were others, others that he’s spent more time with. ]

I miss my friends. I’m used to being far away from my parents— but not Gabi.

[Huh. Maybe she guessed wrong? That was some hesitation].

I miss mine too. It's not just my mom. I made friends in a different world, but it was still sort of on top of my own. Now I have friends here, but it doesn't mean I don't miss the ones I made back there.

[Luz would have given anything to see Willow or Gus or King. Obviously, Eda and her mom were always on top of the list, and Amity...those were just weird new feelings she didn't know what to do with yet].

I know how that feels . . . [ falco adds a small smile of his own while taking some punch for himself; luz was right. he really had to wash down that sugar after! ] I’m always remembering the people I met in South Sister and Santa Rosita— and even here. We got close.

[ it’s strange and it hurts to even think about goodbyes. which is why, he won’t! not right now. ]

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve seen, Luz? It can be from Deerington.

[Luz nodded, taking a bite and then a drink herself].

Wherever you go, it's always sad to see friendships you make get left behind.

[Good plan, Falco].

The weirdest thing? Hmm. I don't know if I've seen that many things I can consider weird anymore, unless you count that horrible worm thing that came out of the ground that was the biggest thing I'd ever seen? I was lucky I never had to fight THAT.

[ he’s all ears and not letting that one go! after a moment and once his hands are free, he rests them close to his feet, in his lap, and leans forward to listen: ]

Horrible worm thing?

I probably shouldn't even describe it as a "worm" thing because it's really only shaped like a worm. It really looks more like a monstrous alien thing that would rip you apart and eat you alive. It was HUGE, and it was strong.

That sounds— scary.

[ more scary than weird, even! falco taps his fingers against the edge of his shoes in quick thought. it’s his turn. ]

The weirdest thing I’ve seen is . . . Robbies.

[ he nods to confirm for himself. he considers zombies or the dolls— but there’s nothing he’s seen yet that gives off the same vibe as robbies do. ]

Oh, it was terrifying. You see something like that rising out of the ground, you start to realize how small you are and how terrifying monsters can be.

[Deerington 101: never forget that just about everything is out to get you].

What's a "robbie?" Sounds like a cute word for a cop.

[ ah, the concept of a Robbie. ]

Robbies are kind of like people? They look like them, and talk and everything, but . . . It’s like they’re being controlled. They smile really wide and act like everything is perfect, even when it isn’t.

[ like, all the time. ]

Some of us would be like them for a while if we did something wrong in Santa Rosita.

Ugh. Sound like the Betties in Deerington. I never met them myself, but they were described to be a lot like that.

[Why were thrown into such horrific worlds]??

That is actually super scary. So you'd be walking around with a creepy smile and acting like everything is fine? I'd be terrified to ever do something wrong!

[Luz was a girl that prized, above all else, individuality].

[ robbies, betties?? ]

They even sound the same . . . [ creepy! ] We'd talk strange too, like . . . "Heya, sport! Boy golly!" [ which sounds even weirder, coming from falco. that type of slang is nonexistant from his era. there's just something he has to disagree, though, but it's done gently. ] If we didn't investigate, we'd never get home— something was really wrong back there, so . . . I don't regret it. And I'd keep doing it.

Right?! It's a little creepy!

Heh, no way! Very fifties, just like Deerington! [Not exactly her favorite decade either].

Oh, right, well, of course. I figure investigating counts as "something wrong."

You wouldn’t—?

[ falco soon realizes what questioning that may entail, and quickly lifts his hands to ease any discomfort. ]

It’s alright if not. Being a Robbie is . . . Weird. [ “scary”, and he understands the fear of being put under like that. ] I’m just asking.

[ to know her better. ]

Gain the weight of you then lose it

she eats in spirit

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