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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[... Weird. Still, he did pick one of the cubs back up and let the dreamotion ones take up the others. All the better that they were more eager to keep more still about all of this with the running—]

Keeping on you.

[Keeping up with Eustace in that run for the temple, the dreamotion wolves returning to acting as light sources as well. This time he wasn't pulling up extra lights, just to be on the safe side of not... pushing his luck, as it were.]

[Eustace will help with the lighting once more, and fortunately they'll be able to get to the temple without further incident. Once there, they can drop off the cubs, though...they little ones seem reluctant to part, even after Eustace changes back to his original form.]

...Guess they like us now.

[Giving them affection ear scritches.]

[He did manage to shake off some of the 'oddities' of his appearance once actually in the temple, letting the dreamotion wolves dissolve- well, mostly. One remained, even after 76 shifted back and sort of took a moment to let himself sit there. Dreamotion wolf pressed to his back, ruffling fur between one of the pup's ears a bit as they settled against a leg, paws set against his knee.]

Seems like it, huh? Not a bad thing at all, helped get them here quicker in the end.

[Oh, if only they knew....]

Would have been easier from the start...but I suppose we can also consider it as one less threat to them to worry about.

[There are still more out there, but the one faced in particular had been concerning.

And speaking of concerning.

He looks over at 76 as he continues to give some of the pups that had branched to him attention, eventually making his way to sit by 76.]

...You should lay low for a bit. You were using nightmare energy out there, weren't you?

Kids'll be kids, especially the youngest ones, no matter the species it seems. Rambunctious- and yeah. Hopefully there aren't more like that thing.

[That was enough to give someone nightmares, and that was also probably the point given what was behind the existence of the noctasers in the first place. Ugh.

He glance up, letting out a breath while he let a hand prop up behind him. Keep him seated somewhat comfortably there on the ground. Wouldn't do any good for anyone to lie about this one-]

Yeah, figured out pretty quick how to tap in to it with the changing moons here. Emergencies the only time I have been. [Mostly out of the awareness of the corruption still there, just under his skin.]

[He just continues to watch him before he looks back towards the pups nudging them.]

I haven't tried—not sure I'm ready to risk it just yet. How difficult was it?

[May or may not be gathering information for his own interests—]

[A hand kept on one of the pups, letting the others do as they pleased in tis little gathering they'd probably tired themselves out soon enough.]

Once the darkness of the new moon hit? It was easier than it should be, and I don't doubt that's partially due to something with my condition as well. [That lingering corruption. The clawing itch he could still feel.

It was starting to fade now at least.]

It's like pulling on fear, those awful thoughts, everything you feel like a nightmare would be for yourself. Hard for some people to do I imagine- felt cold enough it actually burned.

Pulling on fear...

[A quiet murmur repeating those words.]

Rather than let the fear take over, you use it as a kind of strength instead.

Fear isn't a weakness after all- it can be if you let it, but to instead turn it around and add to your strength. That's the power alright.

[It still wasn't great despite the amount of power, the strength it had given behind what he was doing, could still feel that want of something else for it to over come him. The whispering doubts and laughter, the burn of ice and claws under his skin.

Pushed too much, for too long, and he didn't doubt that Noctaere would take over again.]

Just have to be mindful that it doesn't start taking over, because once you slip even a little I don't doubt it'd spread quickly.

[A small nod in understanding.]

It makes sense.

[Unconsciously his hand goes to his shoulder, feeling a small chill before it dissipates.]

Were you already practicing since before? I know we have more capability here...but I'm not so sure I'd risk it.

[He lifted a hand, and there was a peek at black skin between glove and jacket sleeve-]

Mentioned my problem before, yeah? Think I was accidentally pushing a bit of nightmare energy when I was first practicing with dreamotion.

[Mostly due to the fact he'd already been dealing with a bit on corruption from his first encounter with a Noctaere. Had it there, just under his skin.]

[He eyes the black skin with furrowed brows before nodding slowly in understanding.]

...I see. So you already had to deal with it since the beginning.

[A small pause before he murmurs quietly to himself but loud enough for 76 to catch.]

Living with it instead of locking it away, huh...

Every time I pushed too hard, the more corruption was able to take hold, advancing it little by little- or more drastic, depending on how much I drew from it.

[It didn't do enough good to benefit from that sort of risk, and by the time he realized exactly what was going on? It had advanced enough he couldn't get rid of it like at first.

A constant attempt and wariness on trying to find some balance.

76 was leaning back on both hands, keeping himself propped as he sat, some of the pups at least finally curled up to sleep around them.]

Reason I'm sinking as much time as I am in to the Glowing Dawn, that place they grow, in hopes that the few in on it can help... find something to combine them with, to help others manage it. Maybe even find a way to flush infecting nightmare energy out enough to not corrupt them if they encounter a Noctaere of any sort, or anything else.

[He listens carefully, and will commit it all to his memory as he believes he may end up needing it as reference for himself one day.]

It makes sense. Do you think using the items here in this place would help it be more effective? It seems the flowers here seem to hold similar properties at least.

Worth a shot to see if you ask me.

[Anything that could help? Yeah, if they could do something similar, or even boost something just- Yes. He could shoulder a lot, the pain he could feel from over-taxing ad keeping a damn Noctaere under his skin at bay.

But if he could use himself to even help find out if it could work, to apply for others? Man could be all in.]

If only we could bring them back... Guess we'll find out one way or another.

[Things do seem to appear after dreamscape so not completely unlikely. It would be better for everyone if something carried over.

Eventually the pups hear their parents calling for them, and as they leave Eustace also starts to rise.]

Since the phase hasn't shifted yet, I'm going to check around here, see if there's anything that can be done.

Yeah, other things have been 'brought back' in a way after these things. Usually.

[76? Well he sort of, let himself lay down fully, right there on the ground and on his back. Gloved hands dragged down the lower half of his face, mussing up thick facial hair a bit.

At least the pups were safe, completely.]

Think I'm going to hang back for a bit, make sure I'm fully in control still.

[Let himself have a breather, for once.]

[A small nod in understanding.]

If you need anything, let me know.

[And with that, Eustace will head out, his thoughts filled with what they just discussed.]

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{ Moon's Haunted }

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