songerein | { Moon's Haunted }

Entry tags:

{ 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

[Given that time is kinda of the essence, Balthus had been hoping that these stalks would be a little easier to spot— however, as Eustace had already noticed himself, the right ones seem to be few and far between.

He lets out a huff of breath, raising a hand to rub at the back of his neck.]

There has to be a way to make this faster, right? Not that I'm impatient, but this is kind of an emergency. The sooner we find them, the better.

[Fortunately, he has an idea. It might a stupid idea, but it's an idea all the same.]

One would think, but unless there's something that can easily locate them we may just have to continue as we are.

[He misses his dogs...they definitely would be able to track them down.

Okay what's the stupid idea—]

Hear me out.

[Now, logically, Balthus could use the fact that his own dreamwalking form has a couple of wolf-like features to help in a situation like this— the ears and fangs are the only visible parts and won't do much, but he's started to notice that his sense of smell is becoming sharper than usual.

However:]

I'm pretty big, right? And these muscles aren't for show. Instead of cutting our way through them one-by-one or trying to pick out the silver stalks in the forest of all the rest, I could, you know, charge through here and knock a whole bunch of them down all at once— it'd clear things right up, we'd be able to see a hell of a lot further!

....

[Just. A long hard stare.]

You're joking.

[That's not a question. That's a demand.]

What if the one we need is hidden among the pile you knock down?

I'm completely serious!

[Because of course he is.]

If we knock it down in the process, it's kind of two birds with one stone, right? We're supposed to be cutting them anyway, but I feel like the ones we're looking for are, uh, sturdy enough that I would catch against them anyway. Don't feel like they'd go down quite so easily.

[He's strong, but he figures they would put up some resistance.]

You got a better idea, pal?

[He just makes a sound of disgruntled discontentment because—]

......Unfortunately, no.

[THIS STILL SOUNDS LIKE A STUPID IDEA and sounds like something someone from back in his world would do. ...But they don't have a lot of time and the really isn't much of a better option since both lack possible other skills, like some kind tracking or special sight ability.

...

.....................................................]

Just don't go overboard.

[SIGH. As much of a green light Balthus is going to get.]

[That is all the green light he needs. Honestly, he probably would have gone ahead even without that much. For now, he gives a victorious bark of laughter and slams his fist into his open palm, rolling a shoulder back in its socket to ready himself.]

Alright! Gonna make short work of these, just you wait. Just stand back a few steps, okay? No idea if some of these are gonna go flying or not.

[He's a big guy and even stronger than he looks— he doesn't even know his own strength sometimes. Regardless, he's excited, if the toothy grin and flicking of his dreamscape-granted wolf ears are to be believed.

Eustace, whether you like it or not, you are this man's enabler.]

[...

Bull. He is now a bull in Eustace's eyes.

In any case, he's going to step a few paces back, arms crossed over his chest as he waits for Balthus to do his demolition work. Despite his criticism, he is a bit curious to see what the man can do.

He just better not get carried away!!]

[He does have a lot of bull energy, doesn't he? What he's about to do won't do a damn thing to change Eustace's new mental image of him, either.

Once Eustace is clear, Balthus takes a step back of his own and lowers his upper half, bending an arm in front of himself as he prepares to use his shoulder as the leading end of what's about to be a human battering ram. The idea of hitting one of the metallic stalks doesn't deter him in the least; he's taken on armored foes with his bare hands and done alright for himself. There's nothing supernatural about his strength, beyond the perks given to him by that otherwise bothersome Crest, but it's impressive regardless, and he's learned to harness it well over the years.]

Alright— here goes!

[He pushes off hard with one foot, charging forward. As predicted, a large number of the bamboo stalks do bend and break, though a bit unevenly, opening up the area they can survey quite a bit. This being a test run, he doesn't go too far, but clears enough of a path by bullying his way through it that once he's through, three silver stalks can be seen— two at the edges of the cleared area, and one that manages to resist him near the end, bringing him to an abrupt stop as he catches his free hand against it.

Nice.]

Not bad, huh?

[.......................................

It's both impressive and concerning at the same time. Just so much waste... If anyone is trying to preserve this forest they'd faint at the sight. That said—]

...I have to admit it's effectiveness.

[It's hard to deny it when they have those stalks now readily seen.]

How difficult is it to break the silver stalk?

[Look, they can explain their methods to the wolves or whomever later on.

Letting out a thoughtful 'hmm,' Balthus heads over to one of the silver stalks and gives it a sound smack. There's some give, indicating he could probably push it over or break it given enough time and effort, but...]

It could be done, but it might be easier to cut through it, even with my strength. With a blade, it would really focus the force to a single point. Could probably cut through pretty cleanly, the way you usually do with bamboo.

[Brawler physics!]

[A small sigh.]

In that case, let me.

[He walks up to the stalk and pulls out his long knife he always carries with him and with two swift strikes the stalk stands there for a moment before the top slides off from the clean cut.

Immediately metallic materials pour out from the opening.]

...I was uncertain as to how this would work...and I'm still not sure how this material will be used, but might as well take whatever we can. Should bring the bamboo, too?

[He taps the silver stalk with his knuckles, a little intrigued by its structure.]

[Wow, Eustace, is this not a joint effort? He can't do everything. Fortunately, sigh or otherwise, it looks like the stalks are no match for Eustace, and Balthus gives a nod of approval as he watches with his arms folded in front of him. Nicely done!]

I'm beginning to think it's probably best not to be too worried about the laws of physics around here. We've been through enough of these dreamscapes now, right? Logic is kind of flexible.

[Which is putting it mildly, honestly.]

Lots of material from one stalk, though— if we cut into the others, we'll have tons. Luckily there's two of us to carry it all back, yeah?

["Luckily."]

I've brought a bag that we can use to collect whatever will fit, and I"m sure with your strength you can carry the bulk of it.

[Is that a small joke or is he seriously going to make Balthus do most of the heavy lifting—]

[Whether or not he's joking, it doesn't seem to matter.]

Just leave it to me!

[Balthus grins, practically beaming as he hefts one of his fists upwards to put his muscles on display. Look, he is always here for an opportunity to show off his strength. Makes him a great workhorse!]

I've got a bag on me, too; we should be able to gather up twice as much.

[ONE FOR EACH HAND.]

[............Balthus please.]

You start here and I'll cut another stalk over there. We'll see how much we manage to fill.

Alright, let’s get to work!

[He’s way too enthusiastic about this. Either way, by the time this is through, they’re going to be bringing back more materials than people know what to do with. Yay, teamwork?]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

{ Moon's Haunted }

iv-a

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

wrapped! 🎀