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

Well, they're going to be made into a cure, so the more the better, right?

[Thankful, he shares some of his flowers with Chongyun until they both have an equal amount.]

...Here, I think we can carry them back now.

You do have a point there...

[More flowers did mean more cures could be made. Still, it does take a little while to divvy up the flowers. But soon enough they're equally distributed!]

Right. Do you mind leading the way?

Sure! Follow me!

[Carefully, Aether starts heading back through the swamp. It's dark in here, but walking with glowing Chongyun holding a bunch of glowing flowers it feels like he's leading a lantern.]

You know, those flowers seem to fit you.

[Chongyun nods and follows after Aether, who is pretty easy to follow; even without the glowing flowers, Aether's bright gold aesthetic makes him easy to spot in the dark landscape. But he blinks in surprise at the comment.]

Huh? How so?

[He laughs softly, good-natured.]

They glow just like you.

[It's kind of amazing to finally see Chongyun's yang energy in a more visual representation.]

They..? Oh...

[Chongyun blinks at the flowers, and at himself. He... really is glowing a lot, huh? Oh boy.]

Ah... I suppose you are right. I apologize if this is a bit too bright for you. I am trying to keep things under control, but...

[Aether continues to smile, shaking his head.]

No, don't worry at all. I don't see any problem with it.

[It can be actually useful!]

This way I'll be always able to find you too.

Ah... you are very kind, Traveler.

[Chongyun has to remind himself that he can't rub at the back of his head like he wants to, or else he'll drop all the flowers he's carrying.]

I suppose it is rather interesting. My pure-yang spirit has manifested in strange ways since arriving here.

Not at all. I'm really just saying what I think.

[It's simple like that. Aether considers himself pretty honest... when he wants to be. He turns his head to Chongyun, curiosity sparkling in his eyes.]

Really? How else did it manifest?

Well, when I first arrived, I would keep getting strange reactions, like... random bursts of colour around me, or unexplained gusts of wind. And there was a task that opted for us to fill crystals with positive energy, but I kept shattering them. I think I was overfilling them...

[He sounds embarrassed to admit it.]

I have tried my meditation mantras to keep my spirit under control, but I have also found that sometimes, doing so leaves my room covered in ice and snow.

[Aether lets a soft "hm" noise at that, wondering if there's anything he can do to help his friend.]

Sadly, I'm no expert in this, but... I think you have nothing to be embarrassed about. That is also a part of you, even if you can't quite control it. Not yet at least. [He adds at the end, a positive note in his tone.]

I know it gives you trouble sometimes, but I want you to remember that no matter how crazy your energy is, it doesn't change anything. You're still a good friend to me.

You think so?

[Chongyun pauses as he regards Aether, before looking off to the side. A bashful look crosses his face.]

Thank you, Aether... you know, you're not the only one who said I should try to embrace my pure-yang spirit. Truthfully, I had never considered doing so...

[Aether's expression is nothing but understanding.]

I know you're worried... but maybe you could consider it. Who knows, maybe embracing your pure-yang spirit would be the key to controlling it.

[Chongyun rubs the back of his head, a light chuckle escaping him.]

You know... my friend Xingqiu said something similar to me. That instead of suppressing my pure-yang spirit, I should instead seek out spirits strong enough to withstand it. So with what everyone is saying... perhaps you're right. Maybe I should try to embrace it more.

...though, I'm not quite sure how to.

[Aether can definitely see Xingqiu saying something like that. He smiles softly at his friend.]

Maybe first you could... learn to relax. You always seem very serious about everything.

[It's not a bad thing, but Chongyun looks like he may need some more fun in his life.

...Or to learn how to have fun.]

I remember you said that you train a lot, right?

Hmm... relax? Is it truly as simple as that?

[Relax? That is something he really doesn't know how to do, given how he spends almost all of his time training. If it wasn't for Aether, Xingqiu or Xiangling dragging him somewhere, he'd probably never have fun at all.]

Hmm? Yes, I do... I spent much of my exorcism career focusing much of my time around training.

It's a first step!

[He nods when Chongyun confirms his suspicions.]

See... you don't do much just for "fun", right? And having fun is part of relaxing. Once we get help out solve this crisis... I'm going to think of something fun to do and I'll make sure to drag you away from your training for that.

[He laughs a little, tone light.]

Edited 2022-08-01 15:46 (UTC)

Ah... well...

[Chongyun scratches the back of his head, but smiles softly. It's kind of like how his friends back home would drag him on an adventure to break up his training.]

Well, if you don't mind, then... I would appreciate it.

I won't mind at all.

[He grins happily.]

I'm looking forward to all our adventures together.

{ Moon's Haunted }

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