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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He, too, lowers his nose to the ground in order to pick up the scent— easy, now that they know exactly where these pups have been thanks to the clear prints left behind. ]

Here— this way, follow me!

[Not that she needs to, since it seems like she and Toby have both caught the scent well enough themselves, but he takes off again at full speed, picking up the sound of running water after he's made some headway into the trees.]

Water up ahead, we're not far!

[This team really nose what they're doing!

The three canines race off towards the source! It almost feels like child's play now. Soon enough, they reach the trail's end at the river. And sure enough, there's a bunch of wolves drinking and playing around.

Toby immediately races over to join them for some roughhousing, but Gina immediately tries to scold them with a howl.]

Oi!! There ya little pups are! Ya shouldn't give us a 'ard time when we're tryin' to find ya! What if none of us managed to sniff ya out, eh?!

[Balthus is hot on her heels, having let Gina pull ahead as they got closer to where the pups have busied themselves, and he angles himself so that the two of them largely block off any escape route on this side of the water while making an effort not to look threatening— they're here to help, after all!]

Yeah, listen to her! You could've gotten really hurt! It's dangerous out there right now, you know?

[While a few of the pups are insistent on continuing to roughhouse, especially with Toby joining the fray, a couple do turn their attention to the larger wolves, one looking quite curious while the other seems almost repentant, bowing its head with its ears drooping slightly.]

Oh, come on, don't sulk... we're here to help you find your way back to safety. Your parents are real worried, kids.

[They're pretty much playing Scolding Parent, Relatively Chill Parent right now. Gina looks quite cross with the pups!]

Yeah, you bet they're worried. I'm sure they got an earful for ya, too. [She's pretty sure that's the kind of things parents do, though she doesn't have the experience to know for sure.]

Come on now, the danger's long passed. We'll get ya all back 'ome safely. ...An' that includes you too, Toby! There'll be plenty o' time for playin' when we're back by their mums and dads!

[She barks to command Toby's attention, while he's in the middle of rolling around with the small pups. He reluctantly complies, though he yips back at her in complaint.]

[It's better this way, really. Balthus would be a terrible Scolding PArent.]

Everyone round up!

[Balthus moves to herd the wolf pups towards Gina, intent on keeping them grouped up so they don't lose track of any in the process of leading them back.]

Let's see, head count— I've got six, how about you?

[He lifts his muzzle, tipping his head towards Gina with a flick of his ear.]

Well, seven, counting your little buddy there!

[Can't forget Toby!]

[Gina's got this. Even without that experience, she's looked after younger orphans on the streets in the past. She looks on proudly as her companion helps round up the pups, and then she extends a paw to playfully pull Toby towards her.]

Look at you now! Lucky number seven, ya are!

[She chuckles and, with the pups assembled, she looks back towards the temple.]

I reckon we got 'em all together. Now you all better follow all the way back wivout a step outta line, or it's yer parents who'll 'ear about it!

That's right, we'll make sure they get a full report!

[He gives Gina a toothy, wolfish grin before canting his head to one side.]

You wanna lead the way? I'll bring up the rear, make sure nobody wanders off. Be a real shame to lose track of them after we came all this way!

[This way, he can scruff them and drop them back into line if need be.]

They better not wander off, if they know wot's got for 'em!

[She utters that warning for the wolf pups, but she's agreeable with his plan.]

Alright, ya 'eard 'im! Let's line up all nice an' neat an' all! [She gives a toothy grin towards the fellow temporarily former human.] You keep a good eye on 'em now, yeah?

Yes, ma’am!

[He follows up with an enthusiastic bark for good measure!]

None of these pups’ll be wandering off on my watch! Never be able to show my face among the Ashen Wolves again if I lost track of any of them.

[Nevermind that his housemates back home aren’t actual wolves, but he’s pretty sure there’s some pride tied up in this— not least of all because he believes in doing a job well if you’re going to do it at all.]

Ready, pups? March!

[That's one way to bark marching orders!]

Now that's wot I like to 'ear! C'mon now, 'ere we go!

[She normally is the opposite of militant, but she knows to take command when looking after young'ns. As they move, shr looks back to make sure the pups and Toby are all moving in an orderly fashion - and shoots them looks to make sure it stays that way. Still, something her new companion says stays on her mind. So as they move, she does inquire.]

Ashen Wolves... That's a great-soundin' name, it is. ...Wait, was you always a wolf? [She assumed he was another transformed human like her... But could she have been dealing with a real wolf all along?]

In name only, but I like to think of the gang back home as a pack!

[They stick together through thick and thin, because nobody understands their circumstances the way they understand each other.]

Nah, I'm huma— but this has been a pretty fun detour, I gotta say. Name's Balthus, by the way.

[With all the fantastical people she's met here so far, she felt like she had to make sure! Okay, this guy really is a human.]

Got it. Just makin' sure. I'm Gina. Good to meet ya, Balthus. Ya ain't bad to work wiv!

[Definitely human! Though he does have some stray dog vibes...]

Hey, you too! You really know how to get stuff done! Can always use people like that around.

Thanks. I ain't 'bout to waste time or nuffin'. [At least not in this situation.]

Wouldn't mind workin' wiv ya again once we're back to bein' ordinary coves again!

Coves? Oh, you mean—

[Context clues, Balthus, context.]

Once we're back to normal! Hell yeah, I'd be all for it!

[She barks a laugh.]

Yeah, I'm just talkin' 'bour ordinary people 'ere! Glad ya agree. I can take on a lot by meself, but it's good to 'ave people wot can lend me a 'and 'ere an' there!

Yeah? What kinda jobs you usually take on? I'm betting it's not all roundin' up lost cubs.

[That seems more like a "once in awhile" thing for anyone.]

I'm usually leaning on muscle, myself.

I'm a detective. I'm all about solvin' crimes an' mysteries, an' findin' wot's been lost. I'm more about wit, really! Thay way ya can out-think wot ya can't out-muscle!

[Of course, that last part has been a part of her life since even before her time as a detective, back when she lived life as a pickpocket.]

Good to have someone like that around, in my experience! Muscle solves a lot of problems, but every now and then, something comes up that needs a little more finesse.

[That's Yuri's job, typically— or Claude's.]

Bet that detective experience comes in real handy here sometimes!

I'm glad ya understand that. Smarts an' speed are important things to 'ave on your side, see?

[A toothy wolf grin.]

It sure 'as 'elped me out 'ere! An' I've been thinkin' of usin' it to 'elp the people 'round here out even more goin' forward!

What, like set up your own detective agency?

[He gives her a wolf-grin of his own; that's probably one of the coolest things he's ever heard!]

That would be pretty awesome! Would help a lot of people, too.

I dunno about me own agency... Sounds a bit big for me. [She's not sure if she's ready for that responsibility... or good enough to pull it off.]

I'll just offer me services 'round town. That should do good enough, I reckon!

[Of course, Balthus has no idea how much work actually goes into something like that— but it sure sounds exciting.]

Hey, great place to start! Bet you'll do a whole lot of good, too. Toby here gonna help you out?

[Toby answers with an affirmative yip, and Gina chuckles.]

'Course! Chief Inspector Toby 'ere is a key part o' me investigations! That nose of 'is can track just about anytin' down!

He sure proved that helpin' us out today! I bet the two of you are gonna do some real good work for folks around here.

[The whole idea is pretty charming, actually. Gina and Toby are probably the kinds of folks that would be sent after him back home, given how many people were always trying to track him down, but it's nice to know he could be on the other side of that equation.]

I ever need somethin' investigated, I'll be sure to look you guys up.

{ Moon's Haunted }

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excellent, love dog puns

takes a bow (wow)

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we can probably wrap soon if you like!

Sounds good to me?

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