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

[Oblivion strikes true and the bear falls with a heavy thud on the ground. After a moment, it starts to dissolve in a hazy dust.]

Well done, Roxas. And thank you.

[Oblivion returns to his hand, and he lowers it to his side before nodding to Ira.]

No problem. Are you okay?

Yes. Fine now. I suppose a little shaken, but otherwise uninjured.

And you?

I'm okay. I just saw you needed some help and came over.

[He dismisses his Keyblades, but looks over Ira, taking in his state.]

Everything okay?

[Ira opens his mouth to dismiss it as nothing, but thinks better of it.]

Things. Could be better.

This world hasn't exactly been a fun experience. And I think I should head back to the temple before the Darkness falls once again.

[Roxas makes a small noise, nodding slowly.]

Yeah... there's a lot of Darkness around. Do you want me to walk with you?

[Both to help offer protection, as well as to talk some more.]

[Oh good, Roxas gets it.]

I would, very much appreciate that. Let us head back.

Right.

[Roxas is glad that Ira's letting him walk with him. He walks alongside him as they head back, though after a moment he glances up at Ira.]

Do you want to talk about it? What's on your mind?

[There's hesitation, before Ira responds. They've talked around the subject before, but he's reluctant to fully bring it up. These new wielders have been burdened with enough, he thinks. But not saying anything is obviously affecting him.]

It's...well, the shadows on the moon here have a way of drawing out Darkness. And I suppose I am more aware than ever that Darkness has found a way into my Heart.

[Roxas looks over at Ira as he speaks, keeping quiet to give the old master time to formulate his thoughts. When he finally does admit it, Roxas makes a small noise of consideration.]

But... I thought all hearts have some Darkness in them. I thought only a small number of hearts are pure light.

Ah, yes, you are correct about that. More Darkness than there should be, I guess I should say.

Enough that it weighs heavily, at least.

Oh..?

[Roxas frowns at that. He knows the power of Darkness and how dangerous it can be. How easy it can be to corrupt someone. But as a Nobody, his relationship with Darkness wasn't as black-and-white as some of the other Keyblade wielders. For him, Darkness was just a tool to use, like the Dark Corridors. But it looks like, for Ira, that's not something that's easily acceptable.]

Well... It's not all that bad. I mean, just because you have Darkness in you, that doesn't make you bad.

[He pauses, considering, before speaking again.]

Some of my friends... they make use of their Darkness. I've even used Darkness myself. Just because it's in you, doesn't mean it has to define you... right?

[A brief expression of concern flashes across Ira's face as he considers this. Using Darkness? It's difficult to even fathom, especially having seen the Darklings.

It's more questions on top of everything else.]

I suppose that's what I'm afraid of. It defining me.

I fear that lack of control.

You? Losing control?

[Roxas has to give Ira a look.]

But you're a Master. I thought Masters are strong enough to either fight against or control the Darkness.

[Ira smiles, a little sadly.]

That is true, and normally that would be the case, but I'm also human. And this place has brought a lot of doubts forward.

Huh...

[That made sense, and Roxas nods a little slowly. This place was pretty different from what they were all used to.]

Well... have you ever had any training in controlling the Darkness, or using it at all?

Some. Though, mostly it was our responsibility in containing it. Not letting it control us.

Hmm...

[That's a lot different than Roxas's experience with the Darkness. He knows you have to be careful with Darkness, but he also never shied away from it.]

Well... maybe it's that fear holding you back? Because I know it's possible to use Darkness while remaining in the Light. I know someone who does, even if he's not here right now.

Truly? I'd be curious to see that in action.

It's hard to conceptualize such a thing.

Well... Riku's not here, but I can still use some of my skills. Do you want to see sometime?

[His power was in the element of Light, but he still knows how to use Darkness for a few things.]

And I bet if you asked, Vanitas might be able to show you some of his skills. [A beat.] Well, if you asked when he was in a good mood.

I would. Very much.

[As, intimidating as that sounds. Using Darkness like that. It's still boggling, how much things have changed.]

I suppose I should understand the concept first.

Alright. Then I'll show you.

[A beat.]

Maybe after we get back, though.

That would be preferred, yes. I don't think such experiments should be conducted in a place like this.

[Not when the chance of nightmares is high.]

Alright. Next time, then.

[It's a promise!]

{ Moon's Haunted }

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