songerein | { Moon's Haunted }

MOON'S HAUNTED

Elimei, the female winged kirin twin from the Tree of Stories, was suddenly taken by a large, gruesome figure wielding a butcher's knife with a bear at its side. They appeared from a black portal and everyone in the room at the time was unable to move due to a sudden increase in gravity and heavy weight of nightmare energy. The figures disappeared into the black portal leaving behind no trace—except Elimei's feathers tinged with nightmare energy. Using Elimei's feather, researchers in the Observatory were able to pinpoint her location within a foreign moon. By this time, the moon mirror created by the fae has collected into its glass the stories of various moons gathered by Madhuri. Powered by this enchanted mirror and with dreamotion energy, they are able to create a dreamscape-like gateway to this foreign moon.

Unfortunately the power was so great it acted like a dreamshift and sent in everyone. Now everyone finds themselves on the surface of this strange moon, but fortunately they have allies in the form of lunar wolves to help guide them. To help combat against the noctasers, which are an evolved form of Erasers that have consumed great amount of nightmare energy, the special potions that were created back from Halloween and are effective against Erasers will be available. They will work in conjunction with dreamotion energy and other items useful against nightmare energy; perhaps a new solution can be made.

For more details on the event and to ask any questions, please refer to the Game Notes. Reminder that this is forward dated to the end of the month.

I. MOON PHASES

At random intervals, the moon will change between full and new phases. When the moon is full, the moonscape becomes ghostly white; when it is new, it becomes pitch back. There are both advantages and disadvantages for each phase, and everyone needs to be mindful as it will change without warning. Although we have some generic prompts for each phase, the phases and effects carry over through all the prompts, they can be used at will.

A. Darkest of Nights: New Moon. Whenever the moon phase changes to the new moon, it becomes so dark it's almost difficult to see. Light sources will need to be found to help traverse through the moonscape unless one uses dreamotion to help guide them. The new moon phase is also when nightmare energy is at its peak, the ground seemingly seeping with it and noctasers lurking. Some characters might find themselves transforming into some nightmarish creature in response to it. Perhaps into something that reflects their greatest fears or anger; some may even start to relive or have nightmares. Those who are easily influenced by nightmare energy should take caution, but must also remember that nightmare energy can also be harnessed here. For those who want to try and control it, the new moon phase is the best time.

B. Light of the Full Moon. Whenever the moon phase changes to the full moon, it is almost blindingly bright in some places. During this time, dreamotion is at its peak and it'll be easier to fight off the noctasers should they be encountered; of course during this time the noctasers will go into hiding. The black goopy puddles scattered around will be most suspicious, and this is the perfect time to clear them up with dreamotion. Just be careful not to get trapped in them or it'll be like quicksand. Anyone who was transformed during the new moon phase will slowly begin to transform back but will still need assistance; otherwise they'll just remain and continue transformation when it changes back to the new moon phase.

II. LUNAR WOLVES

For those who wish to help the lunar wolves that inhabit this moonscape, they live in a brightly lit temple that is impossible to miss. With a unique "wolf blessing," characters can transform into a wolf to help blend in with the environment as well as gain temporary powers: ability to conjure moonlight to use against noctasers; powerful howl attacks capable of knocking back small objects and creatures; ability to see clearly in the darkness during new moon shifts; increases speed and other heightened senses; ability to see the leftover "moon dust trail" from the moon fragments to track them down. Appearance of the wolf form can be whatever the player or character wishes and while partial transformations are allowed, whole transformations will be stronger. The blessing will last for up to an hour, and characters can willingly change back at any time. However, they'll need another blessing to turn back into a wolf unless they can do so on their own through their own dreamotion ability. The wolves will also be around to help give aid when they can.

A. Defend the Temple. Noctasers are becoming more aggressive as they attack the temple the lunar wolves are based in, aiming for the collection of corrupted moon fragments the lunar wolves have been guarding in hopes of later purifying. Some may even notice the moon fragments depict certain images or have unique characters that may look like the moon from their own world. Maybe that fragment is from their home world. Characters need to use everything they have to help protect these fragments and fight alongside the wolves.

» BONUS: DEFENSE BARRIERS. Shoring up defenses and creating dreamotion barriers to help keep the noctasers at bay will also help. The wolves will inform of special flower that needs wishful based dreamotion energy to make it grow large enough as a shield that can help repel the noctasers.

B. Retrieve Moon Fragments. Some of the noctasers still manage to break in and steal several moon fragments, scattering them all over the forests surrounding the small temple the wolves dwell in. While some have been dropped and can be found a little more easily, others are still in the clutches of the noctasers that must be destroyed, especially if a noctaser consumes it. While safe to handle, the moon fragments must be collected into small glowing jars to ensure their protection.

C. Save the Wolf Cubs. In the chaos, a few wolf cubs got separated from their families and ran into the forest, with some having the bright idea to try and find the moon fragments on their own. This is a disaster waiting to happen, so they need to be brought back quickly! Wolf transformation will be mandatory as the cubs will be wary of anyone else who approaches. They are also clever cubs and will hide in deep thickets and tree hollows. Luring them out with mooncakes will help win them over.

III. ITEM COLLECTION: ELIMEI

Certain items are needed to help defeat the Mutton Man and its Bear steed, as well as to find and heal Elimei. Thankfully they won't be going in blind and Baba Yaga will make an appearance to inform them of what they'll need. Although primarily to be collected and given to those who will go out to find Elimei, all items can also be collected for personal use to be against noctasers and other effects. There's plenty to go around! All items will be found in the swamp area.

A. Follow the Moonflies. In the outskirts of the swamps, there are special fireflies called "moonflies" where they produce pure moonlight from their bulbs. They are attracted to darkness as they will absorb it to produce their light. Gathering these moonflies in special jars will allow those seeking Elimei to help track her down as the moonflies will fly towards the darkest area of the swamp where she is being held. They will also be useful in blinding the enemies as they will fly up to them, attracted by the darkness the nightmare energy brings. They are also great to use as lanterns during the new moon phase.

B. Lunar Honey. The petals of this flower can be crushed up to create a delicious sweet honey that can help soothe any tormented soul. While not a cure all for nightmare energy, they work similar to the Glowing Dawn flowers back in Songerein and will be valuable for those affected by nightmare energy and monster transformations. Although ineffective against the Mutton Man, the Bear may find the sweetness irresistible.

» BONUS: KEEPSAKES. Collect the flowers to eventually bring back to Songerein so they can be used for additional treatment.

C. Moon Crystals. Special crystals which illuminate in the darkness and turn black during the full moon phases. They will absorb nightmare energy and convert them to potent dreamotion energy to a poisonous degree. Thus those afflicted with nightmary energy will be good sources for these crystals but must be handled with care. Anyone who is punctured or cut by a crystal risks becoming crystalized and will need to be taken back to the wolves to be cured. The crystals will serve as the main "weapon" against the Mutton Man and the Bear, and can be deadly against noctasers as well.

D. Swamp Threats. Beware: the swamps are filled with not only noctasers but also hostile moon creatures, mostly of the reptilian side, such as snakes and alligators. At least the latter can be soothed with dreamotion unless they have started to corrupt from nightmare energy. Be careful not to follow the red wisps as they will lead unsuspecting rescuers deep into the swap to black pools where kelpies in them, ready to pose as Elimei and drag them under.

IV. ITEM COLLECTION: KAGUYA

To help get Songerein's moon fragment back, certain items will be needed to help evolve the moon mirror and purify the corrupted Rabbit Kaguya. All items can be used for other purposes and will be found around the bamboo forest.

A. "Holy Hand Grenade." This has a few steps as the "grenade" needs to be made. First, a golden bamboo stalk must be found and cut down. The crystals that pour out of it must be quickly collected in a crystal globe provided by the wolves. Dreamotion must then be channeled into it to melt the crystals and then the globe must be capped off. To use, one must count to three and then throw it at the target. This only has a purification effect, but it's very potent. It should only be used on anyone who is fully corrupted and is either close to or has become a noctaere. Even then care must be given as it will knock them out completely. Using it on someone with only a small amount will cause them to have too much dreamotion energy and make it more of a poison, requiring the excess dreamotion energy to be drawn out or counter balanced with nightmare energy. Handle with caution.

B. Bamboo Slicer. To get through the corrupted bamboo thicket to chase after Kaguya, special tools will need to be made. Cutting silver bamboo stalks well produce various metals to pour out, and with these metals blades can be forged via dreamotion. The blades can be of any shape and form, they just must carry enough fortitude, strength, and tenacity to cut through the stalks. Blades lacking that kind of dreamotion will remain dull and brittle.

C. Mooncakes. One of the easier items to collect, the mooncakes can be found growing off the leaves of the bamboo stalks. The trick is being able to climb high enough to get them; alternative cut or shake down the stalk to reach them. Just beware the lunar bees—they find the mooncakes delicious and will angrily attack anyone who gets in their way.

D. Don't Get Lost. Everyone will be warned to avoid entering the bamboo forest until everything has been gathered and designated groups are set, but should any accidentally further than necessary or get lured in somehow, they will need to find stone lanterns and light them up with dreamotion to help guide their way out. It will be relatively safe during the full moon phase, but during new moon there is higher risk of those trapped to hallucinate their worst nightmares and be lost in them until someone helps them.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The moon phase is somewhere close to the new moon. Leaving the expanse of the moonscape brilliantly beautiful. Flickers of moonlight stretch across the ground and spots of darkness puddle together in the crevasse in the rocks.

With a jar equipped in his hand, Venti reaches up and lets a few moonflies dance around his fingertips. He can almost feel them hungry for the darkness and even as Venti allows anemo to swirl around his hand they suck the darkness up around it up. The little flies are hungry for anything shadow and once they're put into jars will glow like fireflies.]

It might be fun to collect a few, hm?

Edited 2022-06-13 23:37 (UTC)

[ Phantom is unfazed by the darkness - after what happened last month, the nightmare energy in this place doesn't seem as intense to him as before, their whispers no longer pulling at his heart and mind. He walks amidst the shadows with ease, for he has always belonged there. ]

They take away the shadow and bring light in its place.

[ Clearly what others will need to traverse the landscape. But will the moonflies be willing? ]

[It might be a bit of a journey to get the little moonflies into the jars. Venti doesn't plan on keeping them inside the jars for very long. He intends to play with them a little while before setting them free again. He's never been much for keeping things boxed up.]

It's curious, isn't it! I wonder why they do that. Or if the darkness has a particular taste?

[He tilts his head and gives Phantom a glance. Has the other man been doing alright lately...? He might be more interested in that.]

You seem like you're in your element right now.

Perhaps it is simply their way of changing the world, a little at a time.

[ Is darkness not the absence of light? Is shadow not what souls leave behind as proof of their tangible spirit? Then again, this is a dream world. Things don't necessarily follow the same rules. ]

My place is within the night. [ Venti's right about that one. ] There is no need for a shadow beneath the brightest day.

[ But that's why he's here, isn't it? He's unafraid of the darkness, and it would be much safer for him to navigate the moonscape than someone unfamiliar with the nightmare. ]

How poetic!

[Venti smiles since he enjoys answers like that. He'll have to remember that to write into a song or a poem next time.]

Then you must be just the type to explore this strange place. If you're not careful you might have the moonflies flocking to you in droves.

[Even right now Venti can see a few of them start to take interest in Phantom's person. Floating closer to him and about his head. It makes Venti giggle, as he's unafraid of such things as the dark, and he holds up the jar with a playful wink.]

Care to be our little guinea pig?

[ Phantom seems pleased with Venti's suggestion. It's heartening to work with someone who could understand art in the same way as he did. His manner of speech tends towards the dramatic due to his upbringing in a theater troupe, and most people found his words to be varying levels of incomprehensible. Venti never had that problem. ]

It is rare for any sort of creature to willingly come close to me. I hope they would not come to harm.

[ He holds out a hand, palm facing up, allowing the more adventurous moonflies to land on his arms. ]

[They are, as Venti would say, birds of a feather. Venti very much enjoys theatrics and he's often stuck in his own ways of weaving verses into his own speech as well.]

You do seem like you would be the gentle type with them, Phantom! There's nothing to fear.

[He giggles again. And as he predicts the little moonflies are very attracted to the darkness that seems to be part of Phantom's aura. They dance around his open palm and some of them do land on his fingertips with curious little tickles.]

They're beautiful, aren't they!

[ Phantom has the reflexes and self-restraint of an assassin, and he keeps perfectly still even as the moonflies tickle him a bit. He doesn't feel anything yet, perhaps they have not begun working their magic. ]

Indeed they are. Little jewels of starlight to bring hope in darkness.

[ It's very poetic, and that in itself gives him more hope about their mission. Phantom has never been the hopeful sort, but the darkness here comforts him, and the ability of others to navigate it also counts as a tactical improvement. ]

Would that I could guide them without needing to restrain them... [ They are of the same mind regarding putting them into jars. ]

Or hungry little creatures looking for an easy snack.

[He giggles playfully and only toys with the poetic line given to him because he can.]

Hmm, but you do have a good point, my dear Phantom. What if there is another way to guide them without putting them in a jar?

[He might be looking at Phantom with a glimmer of an idea in his eyes.]

[ He meets Venti's playful gaze and nods. Others would require jars to carry them, for they would only follow a food source. But for him... ]

Perhaps I could charm them into accompanying me.

[ Then he could guide them to where they are needed. It's a much more humane way, he thinks. ]

Precisely!

[He giggles happily and is very pleased that they are on the same page.]

Why don't we try such a thing! That way we never have to confine a single one and can lead them to safety. Be our charm in the darkness, won't you?

[Show him some of that fancy and tasty darkness.]

I shall.

[ He holds out a hand and lets his darkness concentrate into a small orb. Like a beacon, the moonflies start to fly closer to him, and follow him as he takes a few steps forward. A lantern in inverse, he thinks - it's almost poetic. ]

We could seek out those in need of the moonflies' help.

[And Venti watches with pleased fondness. He claps his hands together in applause. The gently bouncing moonflies follow Phantom like moths to a flame, but much less deadly.]

I think that's the best action to take. It looks like you're the most important player today, Phantom.

[Venti will take steps to lead the way back to the encampments to help. This is much better than confining the flies into jars as well.]

It would be my honour.

[ They could ask the moonflies to take away the darkness. Such a thought fills him with a rare, hopeful joy. He'll follow Venti to where the other dreamwalkers are. The monsters in the dreamscape are not kind, and some might have been injured by their darkness. ]

Off we go! Ya-hoo!

[Venti giggles and follows along. He is happy that they've found a way to help without having to trap the poor things inside jars. It wasn't his style from the start. He would rather help people without the use of a trapped creature. So this pleases freedom-sworn Venti's heart.

With that, they get to work on helping the others who are plagued by too much darkness or nightmares before returning the flies to their sky.]

{ Moon's Haunted }

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we can wrap this one up soon? :D

wrapping! 🎀