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

Don't worry. If it comes to that, I won't hold back.

[At least not without his permission, but if she needs to, then she'd like to be able to just smack the nightmare energy right out of him. No time to ponder on that though because here comes a noctaser—or two—and they lunge right at Tifa, almost as if they aren't interested in the one already infected with the darkness.

And while she can handle one just fine as she kicks it away from her, she's expended too much of her dreamotion energy today to be able to take out two on her own, so she trusts that Ira will have her back!?]

[With that reassurance, Ira can breathe a little easier, and takes a moment to focus in. The first one is kicked back, and Ira moves forward between the second and Tifa. He rears up, stomping down on the attacker.]

[The noctaser goes down easily enough beneath Ira's hooves, but Tifa knows that they'll need to do more than that to be able to completely destroy them. Dreamotion energy will do the trick, but she has very little of it left, having spent so much of it destroying a single noctaser earlier in the forest.

So for now, they can at least fight their way through to get to safety, where the two of them can heal and rest back at the temple.]

Thanks.

[She turns to him when he knocks the noctaser down.]

I can't fight them all off right now, so... it might be better if we went back, and I can help you there.

[There's a grim satisfaction at having stomped the noctaser down. A feeling that Ira has to shake off. It's a little unbecoming of a keyblade master.]

I would appreciate that. Are we far from the temple?

I seem to have lost my bearings, among other things.

[It's taking a lot not to let the fear rise up in him again.]

Not far, but you'd be better off there than fighting out here. I promise.

[Tifa's right at Ira's side again, and she looks him over, checking for any injuries he might have sustained before her smile fades into something a touch more serious.]

Even closer if I can hitch a ride. Think you can maintain that form for a few more minutes?

I think so. I'm not even sure how the shift occurred but I think I can make it that far.

Though, if you notice anything off, please stop me.

[Having Tifa close might help him at least keep this frame of mind.]

Don't worry.

[She's got his back, but more than that, Tifa is confident that Ira's will is strong enough to make it back if he truly wants to make it. She isn't worried about a thing. But before she hops on his back, she does pause, because is it rude to just... hop on? She doesn't know—]

Do you mind if I...?

Oh, yes. It's fine.

[And he'll even kneel down for her a bit to make it easier.]

[Tifa's only had some experience riding on the back of a horse, but hardly ever without another person present. At least she can trust Ira not to let her fall, so she hops on easily and leans forward so that she can wrap her arms around his neck for something to hold onto. And as she does, she looks up at the sky.]

Don't worry about me. Just move as fast as you can so we can get back before the next phase change.

[Which will be happening soon... They got lucky this time, but who's to say that they will when the new moon comes...]

Hang on then.

[It's a little weird, having Tifa on his back. A weight he's not used to. But he'll adjust. He starts off at a quick canter.]

Keep your eye out for any further noctasers as well.

[She's light, at least, so at least it won't be too bad on his back, but she holds on as he breaks off towards the temple, and already, Tifa can feel her anxiety starting to fade. They only have a few minutes left before the phase shift though, so he'll have to run for it if they want to make it in time.

Thankfully, out here, there isn't too much to look out for as they come up to the temple, and already, she can see the outlines of people and the wolves milling about outside of it, their forms small but visible. Darker and darker it becomes, the shadows rushing as if they're racing the pair to the finish line, and they'll reach the safety of the temple's light as the rest of the moon goes dark.

It's only then that Tifa lets up on her hold on Ira and carefully leaps off.]

How are you feeling?

[As the darkness increases, so does Ira's speed and he's eventually at a full gallop to get them back to the temple. (The echo-y shouts and sounds of battle once again starting to ring in his ears) He's breathing hard as he comes to a stop, shaking his head and trying to get a handle back on his emotions. Fully aware of how quickly he could have lost himself again.]

I...I think I'll be okay. I don't think I'll be venturing out again, however.

Yeah, better that you don't. Here.

[Tifa steps aside to show him through the door of the temple.]

Do you think you could change back? Or is that too difficult right now?

[Some of the wolves, especially the pups, might be a bit wary about the nightmarish presence that's still lingering about him, and... it might be easier to help heal him of it if he wasn't, but at least she knows how to do it now, regardless of his form.]

If I had some time to calm down, I think that I could. The transformation wasn't something I went through voluntarily.

[He takes a deep breath, trying to centre himself.]

Here. There are some rooms that the wolves prepared where you can rest a little.

[She motions to the back of the temple, away from the doors as she tries to offer him her most reassuring smile. They can handle this. He can do this, Tifa is sure of that much.]

Wanna pick one and meet me in there? I'll see about getting you some remedies for the nightmare stuff.

Yes, I think I will do that. Some sort of remedy would be welcome.

[He follows, taking comfort in her smile. He's not alone in this and he needs to keep reminding himself of that. Even if the Darkness continues to work away at it.

He finds a room, taking the time to breathe and focus. And by the time Tifa returns, he may have just resumed his original form.]

[Tifa joins him not long after, and she's carrying a small jar of honey and a bundle of flowers in her hand, as well as a few crystals tucked under the other arm. One of the wolves is there to supervise at the door, its yellow eyes watching him closely. But when she enters, she stops, caught off guard by the man that's suddenly sitting there.]

Oh—!

[She wasn't expecting this, but it's a pleasant, happy surprise. She wanders in and sets all of the items down next to him.]

Welcome back.

[Ira looks up, smiling weakly.]

Thank you. I think I was finally able to calm myself enough.

[He nods respectfully to the wolf before turning his attention to the items Tifa has brought.]

Is this the remedy?

Yeah. It is.

[She takes one of the crystals in her hand—carefully—and holds it out for him to take.]

These should be able to take some of that nightmare energy away. They don't hold much, but it should be enough that you won't have to worry about it. So here. Just be careful... too much, and it'll start taking away the rest of your energy too, I think...

[There's a brief moment of pause, of hesitation. He's worried that he might put too much energy into the crystal, possibly even cause it to break. And there's an even briefer thought that maybe taking away his extra energy would be okay. Maybe it would be better to sleep through the rest of this.

But he shakes the thought off and takes the crystal, turning it over curiously in his hand.]

It should hopefully be enough. Thank you.

There are more if you need them. They can hold a surprising amount, so just—ah.

[And there it goes, already taking the nightmare energy that resided within him. The crystal begins to glow in a dim blue light, pulsing as it fills itself up to the brim. At least they can turn around and use these to fight back against the noctasers that lurk outside the temple... but she's watching it carefully, making sure that it doesn't take too much from him.

As for the honey... she picks up the jar.]

And you should probably eat some of this. It's got a bit of a flowery taste, but it's not so bad.

[There's a slight bit of alarm at how quickly the process started, and how quickly the crystal is filled. But Ira does start to feel lighter.]

I may need another crystal.

Just the honey? Nothing to spread it on?

[He smiles, making a joke. Or at least, attempting.]

[There are plenty more crystals to go around, and she offers him a slightly bigger one this time with a laugh. At least he's back to making jokes, which should help with the nightmare energy a little more, rather than having it sit and stir within him.]

Unfortunately, no toast around here for the honey. Just gonna have to dip a finger in and eat it straight out of the jar. It's pretty good, though. Wouldn't mind a jar for myself just for cooking, to be honest.

I shall have to make do then, but please excuse my manners.

[And he will help himself, as neatly as he can.]

I can see why. Perhaps there's a way to bring a jar back. Certainly some objects from dreams have a way of following us.

I have a feeling you're right. Even if it's just the flowers, we might just end up lucky.

[Don't worry about trying to be neat about it, though. The honey is almost impossible to eat cleanly, so of course some of it will drip back into the jar.]

Anyway. You should probably get some actual rest. You're looking better already, but maybe stick around here a while?

{ Moon's Haunted }

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

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

we can wrap this! 💗

Sounds good!