{ battle against the story eater }

[dreamposts]

BATTLE AGAINST THE STORY EATER

The Story Eater has arrived.

More details on everything can be found here. We will request any thread submissions for certain prompts during AC and TDM threads will count. For more information, refer to the Game Notes.

Players who made boss submissions, if you are creating a prompt in your toplevel or wish to create a designated prompt for your boss, please comment here which will be used as a directory.

I. ON THE MOON

Those on the moon will at first feel overwhelmed, possibly even forced to the ground by the sheer enormous force of the nightmare energy that continues to pour out where the Story Eater had once stood. It feels as if they had extremely underestimated its power, and those of a weak mind will already feel the effects of the nightmare latching onto their worst fears. However, a cold air brushes over them and the ground beneath warms as it pulses white. In an instant, the oppressive feeling disappears, clarity returning to them.

It's too early to fall now, little dreamers, a sultry voice whispers in their ears with a laugh as another sighs, the softer voice like a melody. Quick, before the blessing loses its effect. The rest is up to you.

A. Tapir Calvary. The tapirs may have been hanging back for a while, but they will pop in, all eager to feast upon the nightmares that appear. Of course… Like anything, too much is dangerous for them as well. While they are able to withstand the seemingly endless amount of nightmare energy as if they are just swimming through flooded waters, after eating too much they start to wobble and complain of their stomachs hurting. This in turn makes them irritable, and instead of stopping to eat, they start eating more. Stop them before they eat themselves sick. Those that start to exude a dark mist and start turning black need to be quickly taken off the moon or sent into a dream. If they are not… They will disappear to somewhere unknown.

B. Slenderman and Cupid. There are two particularly strong foes that will be working with the Story Eater. "Slenderman" will be just like it was when it first appeared by the castle, feasting on nightmare energy and using shadows to its advantage. It will be a tough foe to kill, but explosive wisps and pure dreamotion light will be effective against it. Cupid will be insane and will try to inflict hatred upon any struck by his arrows. He is more unstable and will be more susceptible to those who try to purify it with love and kindness. (Cupid will most likely move to attack the town so he is available for On the Ground prompts.)

C. Wisped Away. With the amount of monsters and damage caused by the Story Eater directly and its creations, deaths are inevitable. Normally for those who have fully integrated into the world, like the fae and the dragons, this would have been permanent. However, perhaps due to the unusual nature of the Story Eater, they will be "graced" the same fate like the dreamers that inhabit Reverein. Their physical body may disappear, but their "soul" turns into condensed dreamotion energy and takes the form of a wisp. (Characters can and will be turned into wisps if they die so these can also apply to them.)

🛑 Because of the high likelihood of the original body suffering a traumatic event, the wisp will be extremely vulnerable and has a high risk of turning into a noctaere. They will flash red and black and the deeper the color, the closer they are to changing. Find and help purify them via dreamotion.
🚦 Escort vulnerable wisps to the portal so they can be taken to a safehouse and calm down.
💣 Some wisps will not feel negative emotions and instead will want to continue to fight. Although they are still vulnerable, because their dreamotion energy is so condensed they have the ability to explode without any harm to themselves to either inflict damage on the creatures OR to help purify those afflicted with pure dreamotion energy. These wisps will be gold in color.

II. ON THE GROUND

As soon as the Story Eater appeared, those of strong magical prowess had attempted to erect a barrier to protect the town and its surroundings from the brunt of the fallout, but it could not keep up forever, especially as those who try to keep it in place begin to quickly fall as their own nightmares take over. Thus while it's still safer than what's going on on the moon, the same afflictions can still be felt and experienced.

A. Support the Barriers. There are two different barriers currently protecting Reverein and the surrounding areas. Not only must they be defended from attacks, they also need help to stay up.

🧱 The sand walls erected earlier will stand tall and withstand most physical attacks, but eventually they will begin to crumble and create gaps. They must be quickly patched up and defended as the Story Eater's minions, creations, and those turned into noctaere start to push through.
🔮 The magic barrier is fueled with dreamotion and serves to help keep the effects of the nightmare energy lowered so that most of the people inside can withstand it. However, as those who are trying to keep it up fall, replacements are needed. To help, the moles from before bring up crystals that anyone can help channel and use to help as a power source to empower the barrier.

B. Aid Relief. Those who have been injured and brought back from the moon or from around town will be ushered into designated locations set up for healing. Be it physical or mental, they will be treated and protected by those who remain on defense. However, as the battle goes on and more people are afflicted, supplies and personnel will wear out, so additional aid will be needed. This may even require venturing out to get much needed herbs or supplies unless someone can dreamotion them up.

III. SPECIAL MONSTERS & BOSSES

The Story Eater is using its powers to take on the forms of an individual's worst nightmare or enemy. This could be anything. Below is the full list of special bosses and mob monsters that were submitted by players and can be encountered both on the moon and on the ground. Refer to the original links for more information. Players are still free to create and use anything that is not on the list, especially f their character's worst nightmare is something else. IMPORTANT! While any of these are capable of killing, those marked with the red flag (🚩) indicate that these are more likely to perform kills or destroy the individual to turn them into wisps.

A. Monster Mobs. Typical monster/mob creatures that while numerous are the weakest and easier to defeat. Physical attacks will be enough, but dreamotion or using Aspect abilities will inflict more damage.

🍆 Sinner Demons. They take on any form based on the type of sin they committed. Could take on the form based on the person they face.
😱 Devils. Takes on forms based on the fears of people.
🚨 Garlean K-9 Soldiers and hunting dogs. These soldiers aren't here to help and will be targeting anyone they come across.
👻 Cursed Spirits. Spiritual beings manifested from cursed energy as a result of the negative emotions that flow out of humans. They cause harm to humans and seek humans out to harm them.
💨 Redead. Emits a scream that immobilizes temporarily, moves towards target and jumps on back to deal damage.
🐍 Nagas. Breathe and spew toxic miasma and prolonged exposure to it can cause weaker beings to transform into nagas themselves. Archnaga's venom is corrosive in both liquid and gas forms. Can also swallow large objects. 🚩
🕶 Shadows. Shadow-like blobs and tables and headless dancers and things. Fairly weak.
💎 Zeugles. Aggressive genetically enhanced animals; must destroy the core inside to completely destroy them.
🤺 Sword Retrograde Army. Sword tsukumogami summoned for a cause to change history. Generally stronger than normal humans with some spiritual powers.
👹 Demons. Can hide their horns and wings to appear more human, otherwise their true form is more monstrous. They range from committing harmless silly pranks to more violent and murderous. 🚩
🎭 Four Masks. Drains one's sanity until they go berserk with potential to summon Atman (boss).
🔊 Noise. Affect people with weaker willpower and play on their negative emotions or nightmares.
📰 Xeroms. Monsters capable of attacking, infesting and draining emotions dry leaving the victim an empty husk.

B. Solo Bosses. Some nightmares manifest into one singular entity with greater powers and considered a higher leveled "boss." They do not appear as often or in number as the monster mobs and some may be controlled by players.

🍬 Gumball Waterson. Cartoon character turned creepy due to nightmare energy, but still on the sillier side. Body parts morphing or separating from him, getting into weird places, driving invisible cars, surviving crazy falls; basically whatever might be funny at that moment.
👂 Parrah & Nayo. Twin puppets that are not physically strong, but they're very annoying and are the "like to break people by talking" type of antagonist.
🙍‍♂️ Takaya Sakaki. Charismatic but otherwise a weaker enemy capable of standard Persona based magical and physical attacks and capable of summoning nightmare based Personas.
🐀 Rasputin. Can summon minions, destroy things, conceal nightmares within illusions.
🔥 Firelord Ozai. Can bend/generate fire and lightning, strong physical abilities.
🦋 Valentino. A charismatic moth demon capable of controlling smoke and has pheromones that can attract those to him.
🧝‍♀️ Gaea. Goddess of the Earth. Stronger when tethered to Earth. Powers include geokinesis, chlorokinesis (control of plants), creation of sentient life forms, atmokinesis (weather), control of animals, transformation.
🌱 Omega Flowey. Can grow vines, venus flytraps, plant stems that shoot, lots of plant based attacks.
🍐 Sephiroth. Sword fighting proficiency, shapeshifting, ability to cause hallucinations, telekinesis of medium sized objects, minor manipulation abilities, materia magic. Potential lethal backstabs. (Prompts available within FFVII toplevels). 🚩
⚡ Raiden Shogun. Scary lady with lightning based attacks, illusions, large-range attacks.
🤖 Shouki no Kami. Divine Automaton that uses lightning based attacks.
💃 Stella. Vile woman who thrives off mentally and physically tormenting.
👑 Paimon . Stolas' father, a powerful demon capable of shapeshifting, teleportation, grimoire manipulation, projection.
🧣 Ardyn Izunia. Has thirteen weapons at his disposal; can cast powerful magic such as striking down lightning, summoning blizzards, fiery explosions; has the power to heal; and is resilient to physical pain.
⏳ Kronos. God-like strength, specializes in sword combat, tough to take down. Has several types of kinesis magic.
💀 Nyx. Only has one main ability: cast death. However it's a slow windup so can be beaten beforehand. 🚩
😾 Wakaba Isshiki. Large sphynx with a woman's head. Heavy wind, almighty, and physical attacks. There can be riddles that are pertinent to those who engage it.
👮‍♀️ Makima. A woman who looks normal but is actually a Devil of immense strength, enhanced smell, domination, and can force manipulation that can damage weak targets by simply staring at them.
🖤 Atman. A very creepy giant mask that will disappear but then reappear after being defeated.
🤸‍♂️ Vholran. Fights with a waterblade. Acrobatic swordsman, mastery over water-elemental astral energy and can cast high power artes.
🎨 Creed Graphite. A Will Artist (spellcaster) capable of casting spells and summoning and controlling Xeroms.
🎼 Ganon. Hate and hunger for power in physical form. Can corrupt anything with darkness, will only be able to corrupt non-PCs unless players want to do something with that.
🌋 Calamity Ganon. Capable of creating Malice (poison substance that can cause other monsters or bosses to go aggro) and raising other monsters from the dead. Can be destroyed by any type of sealing dreamotion magic.
💔 Xehanorts (multiple). Control darkness and use darkness as a weapon; controlling people to his will by turning them into versions of himself, otherwise known as getting "norted" where victim gains yellow eyes and is controlled to his whims and the darkness in their heart/they will follow their darker side. Darkness meteorites can also be a thing.
➕ Emperor Demitrius (final boss form). Basically heal himself back up to full mid-fight so it will take a few rounds to defeat him.

C. Megabosses. Extremely powerful entities that may not even be defeated by conventional means and instead have powers that affect everyone instead. High chance of death. 🚩🚩🚩

🤖 Diaspora. Half the size of Dragon Island and up in the sky, it can disassemble dreamotion energy and knock someone out into wisp form without dying with a beam of blue goop. Has high regeneration, but will be vulnerable to prolonged attacks.
🐲 Dragons (Voids). Faces of dragons that coalesce in from the sky when they decide to attack with high concentrations of nightmare energy. Zhaitan will be capable of turning those who turned into wisps into noctaere in the form of Void Risen. Mordremoth will just descend and smash into small areas to inflict damage. Kralkatorrik will fire a giant beam of crystal fire breath that will encase anyone and anything in its path into purple crystal, and they must be freed before they turn into noctaere.

Comments

[gentryofhermitage]

[Ah. So therein lies the crux of Ken's struggles. Zhongli shouldn't be surprised, given Ken's combat experience and his mentioning several times about fighting monsters, but it's still a bit shocking to hear that a kid as young as him has faced the reality of a death that he could not prevent. But trauma did not often pay much heed to the age of those it afflicted.]

[Zhongli closes his eyes for a brief moment, letting out a small breath. When he opens his eyes again, he looks down at Ken.]

...yes. Even when someone's life was involved. In life, there will be times when you will lose those who you care for. If you pursue the path of conflict and war, there will be times when there are those you could not save, no matter how hard you tried.

[He pauses, considering for a moment, before glancing away and continuing to speak.]

...there was an old friend of mine that I knew quite well. Together, she and I were able to do many great things, and were able to lay the foundations of what would later become a great civilization. With my strength and her cunning intellect, we were a formidable match. When the Archon War came, however... she was overcome and killed. There was nothing I could do to save her.

[He closes his eyes as he allows the memories to surface. Even still, he has Guizhong's dumbbell, the Memory of Dust, kept away for safekeeping. He still hasn't been able to open it, even after centuries of possessing it.]

There were others, as well; countless lives lost in battles against gods, monsters and men. Though many battles were won in our favour, these victories felt bittersweet in the wake of such loss.

[It wasn't just Guizhong who was lost. Marchosias's true form, Havria, Sky Bracer, four of the Five Yakshas, as well as countless other adepti and younger yakshas... But after a moment, he then opens his eyes and turns back to Ken.]

You may possess all the power of the gods at your fingertips, and yet still be powerless to help someone. It is not an easy burden to bear for one who is grown into their prime, much less a child. [He doesn't mean it insultingly, but sympathetically. If full-grown adults... nay, if seasoned gods felt the weight of grief, he could only imagine how a mortal child must feel.]

Still... you can honour their sacrifice. Make peace with what had happened, and forgive yourself; especially if there was truly nothing you could do to change the outcome. Forgive yourself, and use the memory of those who are no longer with us to give you courage and strength, so that the next person who requires your aid may be spared that same fate.

[whatsamada]

[The more that Ken listened, the more he lowered his guard. Zhongli was right, there was only so much someone could do even with all the powers in the world. He should know. Not after how their leader sacrificed his life to save all of humanity and even then. He wasn't able to live for that long even if he wanted to see his friends so badly. All Ken could do was look down as he heard Zhongli's story.

Again, he didn't know Zhongli's history but he already had a feeling he wasn't completely saying the truth to him. What was this war he was talking about? He shook his head. He couldn't think about that right now. He had more important things to ponder...]

You make it sound so easy. I have been growing stronger, I haven't let my leader's death go unnoticed. I have been thinking about him everyday so I won't let his sacrifice be for nothing. I just want to make him proud knowing that I can continue on living!

[But that wasn't what he was talking about, was he? Gripping his spear tighter, he was trying not to let his emotions get the better of him. But it was difficult when they keep threatening to spill out of him.]

...But when I let someone to their death, it's just so hard to forgive myself for letting that happen! I want to let Shinjiro-san know I've been getting stronger and I have! But sometimes, when I see him, I can't let myself but think what would have happened...

[gentryofhermitage]

Do I?

[A rueful smile forms on his lips as Ken says those words.]

Perhaps I make it appear simple only because I have had decades to sit with this grief. Only time can heal a wound on the soul, and even then there are some scars that never truly fade.

[Ken sounds like he's trying so hard. Zhongli doesn't know the details about his leader, or about this Shinjiro-san he speaks of, but it's clear they weigh heavily on his young heart. Zhongli keeps his hand on Ken's shoulder, trying to offer him some comfort. It's very obvious that the young man's emotions are threatening to spill, and so long as the nightmares are kept at bay, it may be better to let them run their course.]

Is this Shinjiro-san one of the ones here who's waking self has passed on? [He's met a few like that already; Trahearne and Leo come to mind.] It is difficult to allow yourself to forgive yourself for a transgression, especially if you feel responsible for it. But you have a rare opportunity before you, do you not? Not many have the chance to reconcile with the one they've lost, or show them how much you've grown.

[Zhongli pauses, searching for the right words to say. When he speaks again, it's with a softer tone.]

Young man, I can see that this is a wound which runs deep within you. But if you do not heal the cut which marks your body, you run the risk of bleeding upon that which wishes to help heal you. Will it do your body good to keep a bleeding wound open?

[whatsamada]

[What was that supposed to mean ‘decades’? He didn’t even look much older than 30! That did confirm what Ken already knew, he was a supernatural entity. Again, he couldn’t think much about it as he fidgets around. He really didn’t know how to respond as he crossed between looking the other way and then back at the older man.

There was a slight wince as he asked about Shinjiro. He'll just...ignore that part for right now.]

I think I have shown Shinjiro-san how much I have grown. I promised myself I wouldn’t run away anymore and he knows it. Sometimes, I wonder if he’s trying to run away from me as I keep trying to talk to him…

[Was he rambling? Indeed, he was. Shaking his head, he had to stay focused.]

But I know the both of us wants another chance. We’ve been trying to figure out how to move on, we don’t want to keep living in the past.

[Well, more like Shinjiro has no choice considering what happened. Again, Ken kept on moving his weight side to side.]

A wound like this will take time to heal. And I think it will take a really really long time before it gets better.

[gentryofhermitage]

[Ken can ramble all he wants. Honestly, Zhongli could see how much Ken is trying. And really, Zhongli has respect for the kid. He's trying so hard to heal from what seems like a traumatic event. Zhongli nods to Ken, giving his shoulder another squeeze.]

You are a mature young man. Your scars will take time to heal, make no mistake. But I believe you will find a way to heal and grow from this pain. The fact you are trying so hard to do so speaks volumes about it. Remember to give yourself the grace to heal, and do not rush yourself to muscle through pain.

[Zhongli has no doubt that Ken would have a Vision, were he from Teyvat. It's quite clear by his resolve. He moves to stand, giving Ken one more pat before lowering his hand.]

You have been given a rare opportunity to grow and heal, and seek closure with Mr. Shinjirou-san. If it's another chance you both wish for, I see no reason for either of you to be denied such a request.

[whatsamada]

[It hurt. It hurts a lot just thinking about it. As he looked down, he felt as if he shouldn't be looking up at Zhongli. Not when he knew that he was a supernatural entity of sorts. He had no right to look at someone who was as strong as he was.]

I hope that he is willing to move on as much as I will. I don't want him to keep being hurt every time he sees me. We both hurt one another a lot but...

[He took in a deep sigh. He knows it was an accident, Shinjiro really didn't do anything wrong when he never intended to hurt anyone. It was just so complicated....]

I wonder how long it will take for the both of us.

[gentryofhermitage]

You have a good heart, wanting to spare him suffering. I've no doubt you both can find closure to this pain you share. Just remember that you are still young, and you have many years to heal. Just allow yourself the opportunity to do so. Whether it takes days or years, healing is healing.

[It would be nice to talk to this Shinjiro to get his side, but... well, he has an idea of things from Ken. He feels like there's no true ill will between the two, just a lot of guilt over mistakes. That kind of thing just needs time to heal.]

And between the two of us, I can tell you that sometimes, the best healer is time. Time, and a willingness to heal. Both of which you have an abundance of.

[whatsamada]

As weird as this world is, you are right. It does give me as much as time as we want. As long as he is here, we'll just have to wait and see.

[Which, he had to admit, as patient as he was? There is this inner part of him that wants to get this over with and move on. He can't hide from his past and all the resentment he built up would take a long time to heal. It already made a promise to himself he won't run away anymore.

With a long sigh, he finally looked up at Zhongli.]

...Thank you, I think I really needed that. And for not judging me too for what happened.

[gentryofhermitage]

[Zhongli offers Ken a nod of understanding.]

I am glad that I was able to assist in some way. I find that talking about one's problems can often help one come to terms with them. As for passing judgment... well, my speciality was never in the act of judging others. Unless it involved the act of violating a contract, that is.

[He was the God of Contracts, not Judgment. That was Furina's domain, not his.]

Besides, I find that if repentance is truly sought for, both in action and deed, it is only fair to offer forgiveness in return.

[whatsamada]

[Contracts? What contracts? That just made him all the more worried should he ever make Zhongli mad. Whatever he was, Ken just knew that he was grateful. He reminded him so much of his leader in so many ways...]

Hopefully whatever life brings me will be enough. I know there's that saying whatever goes around, comes around right?

[He said with a sigh before looking at the various monsters before them.]

I think we managed to get everything cleared. Do you want to see where might need our help?

Good to wrap here?

[gentryofhermitage]

[Perhaps when they're not in the middle of a warzone they can discuss the whole 'god of contracts' bit. For now, Zhongli nods and looks out at the hordes before them.]

I think you have a good idea, young man. Let's go and see where our aid is required. I'll be here to help offer support how I can.