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

[Unlike Eustace, Diluc is entirely dependent on the wolf's blessing to transform. His wolf form is that of a red wolf with crimson eyes, the blessing not entirely able to diminish Diluc's distinctive coloration.

Since he's unable to change back and forth at will, he remains a wolf when Eustace returns to his usual form and directs him to where some moon fragments are. There's something of an unspoken agreement between the two of them that Diluc is acting more as pack-wolf (pun intended) and rear guard as Eustace gathers, since between them they're able to carry twice as many jars as Eustace would be able to alone.

At the warning, Diluc looks around the perimeter of the clearing they're in. The shadows are growing longer, and here that can only mean one thing.]

Be quick about it, then. I'll keep an eye on the outskirts.

[It was an unexpected partnership, but one that has worked well between them. Now with a true challenge ahead, they'll be tested to see how well they really can work together.

Hand on his weapon, Eustace glances at Diluc.]

Priority is returning the moon fragments. If things go awry, you need to take them back to the temple.

[Unexpected, certainly, but so far Diluc has had few complaints. He and Eustace function similarly, he's learning, and that's making this partnership easier.

Of course, the first true test is going to be combat. They've avoided it so far, but it's only a matter of time before their luck runs out. The moonshift begins in earnest, and the light is quickly fading around them.]

I will.

[Not without a fight first, of course, but Diluc is well aware that the mission supersedes his pride. If it looks unwinnable, his job is to get out of there and hope that Eustace can buy enough time to give him the head start he'll need.

There's movement in the darkness not far from where they stand, and he growls in response as he turns to face whatever it is.]

[When the moon shifts to new, Eustace's own ears are pricked forward, all his senses heightened as he searches for any signs of the noctasers that are bound to come out. Small orbs of light sparking with electricity appear around them to help illuminate their immediate area so they aren't completely lost in the dark. And upon hearing the sound, he immediately draws his weapon to point at the movement, one arm moving forward to reveal...!]

...A wolf pup?

[With a moon fragment in its mouth, too. It's quivering in fear at the sight of the two of them, but it also looks relieved as it whines. Lowering his weapon, Eustace immediately drops down to one knee to try and coax it to them.]

...This is going to complicate things.

[That sure is a wolf pup standing there, holding a moon fragment and clearly terrified. Diluc shifts his weight awkwardly. He's not great at relating to children in the best of circumstances, even when he tries to, and this situation is far from calm and low stakes. At least it doesn't immediately bolt off, figuring it's better to take its chances with them than to be alone in the darkness. With luck, they can leverage that and keep the pup with them.

Diluc approaches slowly, dipping his head low and silently hoping that it's a disarming gesture for wolves because he actually has no idea what he's doing. The pup seems a bit confused, but inches closer to sniff at his nose.

After sniffing for a few moments, it immediately darts off to Eustace. Well, that's not entirely unexpected.]

It does, although I'm glad we've found him before the noctasers.

We should head back. Continuing to gather with a pup is a liability to both us and to him.

[Eustace had actually expected the pup to go to Diluc given that he actually is in wolf form, so he had waited quietly so as not to spook it. So he's actually surprised when the pup runs to him instead, and he immediately crouches down to offer his hand before trying to scoop the pup up in his arms. Since it seems to accept, he'll take the moon fragment from it as well, giving it a gentle rub over its head for a job well done.]

Agreed. ...I'd change into a wolf, but that might startle him.

[Especially since the pup seems so comfortable in his arms.]

I'll just have to rely on you in case we encounter any.

[Hoping not but now the clock is really ticking as he turns around to make their way back.]

[Diluc's just that awkward with kids, and the pup must have sensed more of a kinship with Eustace as a result. Don't worry about it too much.

No longer trying to overthink and guess at appropriate wolf behavior, Diluc gives Eustace a nod of acknowledgement.]

Let's go, then.

[The sooner they get moving, the more likely they'll be lucky enough to avoid a confrontation. Not that he's especially optimistic.

They start to make their way back toward the temple, Diluc's entire body on edge as he keeps his eyes, ears, and nose on high alert for any disturbance that might be a threat as the new moon finally descends. A rustle in the distance causes him to stop his advance, growling lowly in warning.]

[Despite being in his usual form, Eustace can keep up with Diluc well enough. Of course if he were to bolt ahead then there would be a gap, but they're making good pace...

But of course, it's not good enough. Hearing that growl followed by the pup's own whine, Eustace frowns as he teaks several jumps back to create a bit of distance. Immediately he conjures up several orbs of lightning that not only illuminate the area, but will serve as initial defense.

This is definitely ideal, and he'll need to set the pup down before he can pull out his weapon. However the noctaser doesn't let them wait, suddenly leaping out with a hiss.]

{ Moon's Haunted }

ii. b.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject