songerein | { Moon's Haunted }

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{ 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.

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Huh...?

[Meanwhile, Sora isn't even trying to learn new magic when it comes to the nightmare energy. He's been trying hard enough learning about his own dream magic and working that into his normal skills and magic then to worry about nightmare energy.

But he can't seem to stop the way a dark shroud starts to grow over his skin. His eyes flicker a golden colour when he looks over his shoulder at her.]

Who are... You're the girl from before?

[ Oh, no.

Merisia hesitates. How could he have forgotten her again? She doesn't even have the energy to trust that this might be some kind of joke. Maybe it's the darkness that's causing him to forget? She'll take it over violent hostility, but still... At least there's some recognition, but something about it feels off. ]

Sora, it's me. Merisia. Don't tell me you forgot about me again...

[ She doesn't have Carbuncle backing her up right now. She can only hope she can break through to him and keep things from getting messy... ]

Edited 2022-06-16 23:21 (UTC)

Sorry, I don't know...

[Sora's head is hurting so much from the wisps of darkness that are starting to climb up his legs and take over his arms. The shadows are eating him up and he feels like he's drowning. He has a faint memory of this happening to him once before. Feeling so lost and like he can't find a way back.

But Sora doesn't know her well, he's only spoken to her a handful of times. He can't recall the details well at the moment. It's cloudy.]

What's happening to me?

[ Is this what she was like when the darkness had taken her over? Merisia can't say for sure. Most of the secondhand accounts had been lacking in detail. Not that she blamed anyone. All she knows is that she can't let that happen again. Sora may not remember her, but damn it all, he's still her friend. ]

Darkness. That's what's happening.

[ Working with light is still something she's getting used to. Ironically, it was the other Sora that had helped her warm up to it. And now, she was going to use it to hopefully save him. Merisia manages to conjure a small orb of it in her hand, approaching Sora carefully. There's no telling what he'll do in this state, and she doesn't have Carbuncle with her, so it's best to play it safe. ]

Look, just... Try to focus on me, Sora. Don't let it control you. [ Maybe she can help. Maybe she can't. Only one way to find out. ]

[Sora looks up and his yellow gaze catches the little orb of light that she has.]

Just focus on you? Okay. Heh. It's kind of pretty.

[Sora tries to smile even if he can feel the darkness seeping into him. Like his nightmares are stirring. The light is something warm and comforting but he still has wisps of darkness starting to coil all over his body.]

Where did you learn something like this...?

[ Conjuring up that light was a good idea, after all. Sora's still acting strange as all hells, but it seems like the light is helping him settle down a little. When he asks where it came from, Merisia hesitates, worried that reminding him of memories lost might make things worst. But, well, she can't bring herself to lie to him, either... ]

It's... [ How to put this simply... ] It's a special Light that I've always had. A long time ago, when I met you in that other world, you taught me how to accept it. How to not be afraid of it.

[ And that's when she has an idea.

She lifts it up a little, and pours just a bit more focus and care into it. The orb grows a bit brighter, just a bit larger, before *uncurling* into the shape of what appears to be a Carbuncle, made of pure light. It's still small - probably not much bigger than a nutkin, at most - but the shape is unmistakeable. ]

I taught you not to be afraid of it?

[That certainly sounds like him even if Sora feels that little twinge of guilt in his gut for not remembering the world that she talks about. Maybe it was a memory he lost or maybe it was a time in space where it wasn't really him but a different Sora. But Sora is Sora... He's just him. Right?

He lets out a surprised laugh when the ball shapes into the creature and he reaches out to gently touch a fingertip to it.]

It doesn't look scary, that's for sure.

[The darkness on Sora's body is still there slowly inching up but it seems to be slowing down...]

[ The tiny Light Carbuncle floats gently in the air, drifting towards Sora's fingertip before touching it with his nose. She's quite soft, almost like touching a cloud, and chirps quietly. ]

Yeah. It was...well, I didn't know much about it back then. But there wasn't really anything to be afraid of.

[ It occurs to her that this Sora doesn't know about the Echo. Eventually she'll have to explain that to him all over again, she realizes, but this time it will be without such a somber note. For now, though, she just hope that the Light she was able to conjure will help push back the darkness that threatens to claim her friend. That she formed a small familiar from it was purely done on a whim, but perhaps that's just how dreamotion works best. ]

I think she likes you.

It's nice to meet you. You're really cute.

[Sora smiles at her. The light touching his hands feels like little tickles of warmth. He's not sure what to do with her and he's a little afraid of making one wrong move and hurting her so he just holds her gently as ever.]

I guess this isn't the first time you've met me, though.

[He glances up at Merisia and smiles.]

I dunno what it is but I think it's helping me feel better. Maybe it's because I'm seeing an old friend too.

[ Finally, Merisia manages to crack a tiny smile. It's not much, more like a twitch at the corner of her lip, but it's a break from the tension and worry. ]

Hmm. I guess we've finally come full circle, then.

I lost count of the number of times you helped me feel better. It's high time we did the same for you.

[ "We". Because at this point, she's not sure those new familiars count as being the same as her. Perhaps in the past that's what she thought, but lately she's been starting to wonder. Especially in this case, which has her thinking back to that one day in her apartment when the Light that Sora helped her call forward seemed to act of its own accord. ]

This is the first time I've given it a form like this, but I'm sure she still remembers you.

[There it is again. Merisia talks like she's been here with Sora before. It makes him smile but feels a little displaced about it again. Unsure what to say but feeling grateful all the same.]

I really wish I could remember.

[He looks down with a small smile. She's so sure that they've always helped each other and he has no reason to think it's not true. He just wishes he could remember.]

[ There's a twinge of sorrow in Merisia's heart as she recalls her memories from Verens. The time she first met Sora in person. The time he, knowingly or not, tested her distrust. The time he saved her life when their hearts connected. The time he helped her first give form to the light within her. That Sora-

No. Not "That Sora". There's just Sora.

Merisia steps forward, gently reaching out and placing her hand on Sora's head. ]

...it's fine if you don't. You're still the same ball of sunshine now that you were back then.

[ Perhaps in response to Merisia's sentiment, the little light carbuncle glows a little brighter, a little warmer. It trills happily, waving its tails and nuzzling Sora. ]

[Somehow it feels like a natural comfort to feel her hand patting his head. It makes him look up and his expression soften to a grateful smile. Sora worries that he's forgotten people in his travels and that someday he'll forget even more. So with her being so honest about how she used to know him it felt awful not to remember. This makes him feel like a small weight has been taken of his shoulders for it.]

I hope so, I'm still always the same Sora. Maybe we just have to make some new memories together.

[His smile tilts to a grin and he lets out a laugh when the light carbuncle starts to nuzzle him.]

Ahah! And with you too! I promise!

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{ Moon's Haunted }

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