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

[....

He just looks at her for a moment before he closes his eyes.]

My home village...and my family.

Oh...

[ She can tell just from his demeanor and the nature of this forest that what he'd seen about his home and his family were not a happy sight to behold.

After another moment of contemplation, she reaches out and tugs on his hand. She would want nothing more than to hear him out, but to do it here and during this moon phase could spell the end for them. ]

We should get out of here before we start to see anything else. We can talk more once we're in the clear... okay?

[He's a little surprised by the hand tug, but he'll allow it. And he'll just give a low hum of agreement before they start heading out, Eustace conjuring a few lightning orbs to help light the way.]

How deep are we?

[ Maybe, subconsciously, it was a grounding gesture to remind him that she's here, and not some kind of apparition or hallucination made by the forest - but no matter, as she's let go of his hand when they start walking. For her part, she conjures a few floating motes of light, hovering around them almost like fireflies. ]

Not too deep, but we're not close the edge of the forest, either... Ugh, if my spells worked in here, I could cast something to guide us out of here easily or fly us out...

Tell me if you start to see something again, okay? I'll remind you that it's not real.

[Although it's faint, he can feel that nightmare energy crawling along along his skin and he keeps focus on the person next to him.]

...I'll have to take you up on that offer, sorry.

[He doesn't like how this is effecting him more than it should be.]

But I had made some marks earlier...there.

[One of his light orbs flies out to illuminate a bamboo shoot that has some telltale marks on it as well as on the ground beneath it.]

We should turn left.

It's alright. You helped me get out of that cage at the Flower Festival, remember? Not that I think friendship should be transactional, but... Now you could call us even.

[ Her tone suggests that she's trying to do her part to keep things lighthearted. She sincerely would help him, regardless of what their "score" is, after all.

When he indicates the marks, she hums thoughtfully, and looks genuinely impressed. ]

Oh, I see... Good thinking, Eustace. That's always a good tactic especially when you don't have magic to fall back on. Let's go left, then.

[ And left she goes! ]

[Following down the path~ At least it's fairly straight here.]

Hmm... Don't you owe me for another time still?

[And he'll continue her little lighthearted attempt with the "scores."]

Huh?

[ She looks over at him with a worried look. ]

Am I forgetting something...? [ Then, it hits her. ] Oh, right. That time in my dreams! But then what about the time I helped you find Tifa?

When? From Romeo and Juliet?

I have a feeling that you're going to tell me that didn't count...

[ She sighs, exaggeratedly so, once again just trying to keep things light as they walk through this dark, creepy forest. ]

[Bingo.]

It doesn't.

Of course not. Because you let me try to help you find her as if you weren't already basically in love with her before you were even cast in those roles.

[ She's never going to let this go!! ]

You were insistent about it and it seemed less of a hassle to have you help.

[lol get madder]

...

[ What's this? A random tree root coming up from the ground out of nowhere right before Eustace's feet? A bona fide tripping hazard, now where did that come from all of a sudden? How strange! ]

[Wow how mature?? He stumbles, but he won't fall because he has good reflexes. He will, however, shoot Ori a look... And will be equally mature by having a nearby bamboo branch leaf thwap her against the cheek when she passes by.]

[ She smiles when she sees him trip out the corner of her eye, but then she's immediately served a branch whacking her in the face, which has her immediately stopping and turning to Eustace. ]

Okay, that was childish of me.

[ And then she turns and starts walking again. ]

I still got you, though!

[And he just smirks in return.]

And I you, so we can call this even.

Fine...

[ She tries to sound exasperated as she says it, but in the end she simply sounds relieved.

Luckily, they're not too far from the edge of the forest by now. Ori hopes that means that they'll be out of the woods metaphorically speaking, too, because she really does want to ask him about what he'd seen. Not because she feels that she deserves an explanation, but... Because she knows this place and its dreamscapes have an unnerving ability to bring out one's worst fears or memories... She just wants to make sure he's going to be okay. ]

Where should we head to, once we're out of here?

Hmm, if it's still the new moon, we could either set up a "camp" to wait it out and deal with any noctasers that might appear, or we can try to make our way back to the temple.

Alternatively we wait near the entrance of the forest. Although there is the risk of another hallucination, noctasers don't appear within here for whatever reason.

[ She hums as she considers the options he's laid out. ]

To be honest, I'd rather fight noctasers than deal with any more possible hallucinations.

[ Especially since he's coming fresh off the heels of one and nearly burnt down part of the forest in the process? ]

If you're up for it, I think we can make it back to the temple.

[A small nod.]

I did manage to collect a few things, so might as well take the opportunity to turn it in.

[And he soon sees the marks indicating that they are nearing the entrance.]

Turn right up here.

{ Moon's Haunted }

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