♥ October Event Log

[hugtopiamods]

October (Lasohm) Event Log
The last breath of summer leaves along with the month of Ohnir, and now fall has come to Havenwell with Lasohm. The leaves on the trees in the conservatories and botanical gardens are changing, the days are no longer hot but seasonably warm and the nights bring a cool relief. The air turns crisp and sharp and the daylight hours are starting to lose out to the evening dark. Thankfully, Havenwell is well lit even at night, and the dark gloom is chased away now that the city's colors are (mostly) restored to their original glory. Here and there, patches of gray still exist, but thanks to everyone's efforts, things are back to normal.

Hopefully those dreams didn't plague you too much, offworlders. The citizens certainly didn't seem to notice...

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❥ PROMPT I: The Havenwell Archives

Lasohm is another month that belongs to Ohma and as such, a small group of citizens decide that it might be great for the offworlders to help with something that might please the feline god. These citizens are marked with a sash with the sign of a quill on it, a decidedly antique symbol considering how technologically advanced the people are. They hand out fliers to any who will take them, offering a small amount of Dora in compensation to any who will help the Havenwell Archives repair and restore their books. The Archives is a large building in the south and its doors, which have been sealed shut until now, are slightly ajar, allowing people entry.

Head to the Archives and you'll be greeted by one of a handful of robotic citizens, all wearing that quill-emblazoned sash, and directed to a small room where you and other offworlders are put to the task of reassembling history texts that have fallen into disrepair. Most of the writing is illegible, but it seems that these books are important to the Archives for more than just the information contained within. As you work, you might notice that talking and sharing information about yourself or engaging in physical contact near these books with the other people in your room makes the text on your pages a little more legible, a little easier to read and understand....

OOC: Those who choose this prompt, please comment to the Mod thread on the OOC Plotting Post. You will be randomized to receive a small blurb that your character will be given to transcribe. This is limited to one blurb per player.

❥ PROMPT II: Chase the Rabbit

Those plagued by the dreams with their strange, indistinct figure will find that they haven't gone away even as the month changes to Lasohm. Not everyone is dreaming about this stranger and they don't come every night, but that might be a small comfort to those who see the figure lurking in their dreams, watching silently. They no longer flit away when you look at them though and instead, start holding their unnaturally long arms out to you. Their outline is like a shadow and it feels like you might fall into their arms if you keep looking at them. It's almost tempting, but the way the figure beckons and approaches without actually moving its legs seems unnatural. Every time you blink, it grows closer and larger and its arms are opened wide for you. You get the distinct feeling that, should you embrace it, it would be like dropping into an endless, dark void, which is wen a sense of vertigo seizes you and wakes you up.

The vertigo plagues you even into the waking hours and out of the corner of your eye, you can see that figure from your dreams, arms outstretched and waiting. The only way to rid yourself of this phantom is to let another character hold you tight, in the same way that figure seems to want to do. Letting another character hug you dispels the dreams entirely this time - the phantom figure dissipates, the dreams stop, and it seems like everything is back to normal for you.

Those who accept the phantom's hug, however....? Well. Let's just say they have very different dreams that night.

❥ PROMPT III: Catch the Rabbit

Those who accept the phantom's hug also see it vanish from the daylight and it seems like everything is fine. It's gone, just like everyone else has said, and there's nothing lurking in the shadows anymore. You go to sleep that night and that's when it hits you. That sense of vertigo is awful and the dreams? They're back, but this time, they're a little different.

The White Rabbit: You're not alone in this space. Whether it's by accident or by some bond of fate, someone else is here with you. All around you, the world is empty and pure white, stretching into eternity and blank, like it's waiting for something - and it is. It's waiting for you. Once you recognize one another, the world reforms to take on the appearance of a dream you've had before, or a memory from long ago. The other person in your dream is conscious of this not being real, but you? Well...maybe you're aware and maybe you're not. Whatever the case may be, it seems the dream can end naturally as it's meant to, or your companion can try to wake you up. Because it's not just the two of your in this dream - that long-armed phantom is back and it's getting closer.

The Black Rabbit: The dreams are pitch black. You're floating in the darkness with nothing to tether you, whispers in foreign tongues all around you, words you can't understand. If you linger too long, the whispers grow louder, the sound of claws raking down metal approaching from behind and you know: you need to run. The dream seems to go forever, with you tumbling through the darkness, running on nothing, running to nothing, but definitely running from something. And then suddenly, there's someone with you, also fleeing the unseen horrors. As soon as you see them, the dream shifts and now you're experiencing each other's worst nightmares. Fend the terrors off by working together, holding one another, comforting each other as needed, but don't let them catch you.

Whichever dream you have, it ends when you see a figure suddenly appearing in front of you. The phantom that haunted you in your waking hours is back and you know that it sees you as well. Rather than come after you, however, the figure points to the side causing the walls of Havenwell to appear out of the dark, a bright beacon in the gloom. Then the figure opens a gaping, toothless mouth and wails, a bone deep sadness filling the air until the white walls of Havenwell begin to crumble like dust. You awaken with a jolt, the vision fading but the memories remaining.

❥ PROMPT IV: It Warned You

Toward the end of the month starting from October 28th, offworlders and natives alike will start hearing noises. A deep, quiet scratching, the sound of something dragging heavily against stone, or a leaden thump that seems to reverberate through the floors. Then a slow rhythmic banging starts up and for the first time, the offworlders will see the natives truly scared. They start retreating from the public, sealing themselves up into their homes or taking to the temples to pray. During this time, all other festivities start to close, the VR cafe still boasting bright advertisements for the Harvest Festival games are deserted, the businesses and streets barely have anyone in them. The only activity to be seen is that of the wall guards and the police who start patrolling the streets, trying to locate the source of the noise, stopping anyone they see to interrogate them.

This continues until noon on October 30th when a loud crack, like glass being broken, splits the quiet across the city. Those outside can look up and see a long spider web of breaks snake out along the blue sky. The crack splits and splinters the sky until it hits the wall to the north where it stops for a brief moment, and then the wall itself cracks. The banging intensifies and the plaster flakes, cracks, and with a horrific boom, it breaks and a thick hairy hand the size of a car reaches in, pulling the stone away to widen it into a hole through which a steady stream of small black spider-like creatures start to spill into the city. An alarm rings shrill and the guard and police take to action, but it's clear they're not prepared for this. Help if you can, offworlders, your home is under attack!

What to do: Fight the monsters that are breaking into the city. Most of them are relatively small, black spider-like creatures that have very basic melee attacks, using their fangs and their sharp legs to bite and claw at people. On occasion a rarer monster might appear that will take more than one person to kill - these might resemble strange versions of monsters from your respective worlds, though nothing larger than a horse is present. The giant hand that punched its way through the wall is gone and won't come back. Clear the city of monsters and find a way to seal the breach. This event will ICly run from October 30-31st with the breach being sealed late on the 31st.

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This event will run from 09 October to 31 October. Click on each prompt's title to see the text. If you have any questions, feel free to direct them to the FAQ or to the Mod Question thread here.

Comments

[kingkingcxiii]

[The sleep that Regis climbs out of is deep and long. Part of him expects to still be cold--freezing honestly--because that is always what happens when he drains himself of energy so thoroughly. He's surprised, though, when he realizes he's warm, very comfortably so. It would be very easy to fall back to sleep like this considering how bone deep his exhaustion is, but when he realizes he is hearing Will talking, he knows he needs to wake up. Even for just a short time. It takes some time for him to pull himself far enough into wakefulness to actually make out what Will is saying, but once he does, he can't help but chuckle, arms slowly pulling themselves free of the blanket he's been tucked under.]

...as one who is going to tickle you silly in about three...two...one...

[twistedempathy]

[If Regis knew much about Flareon, he wouldn't wonder over how warm he is; Arche is fluffed up to twice her normal size to help vent the residual body heat from all the fire she's been breathing. Will keeps going until he hears Regis' laughter, then sucks in a stage gasp to cut himself off, as dramatic as he has the energy to be through the way his head is screaming.]

What's this? A zombie or restless spirit?

[kingkingcxiii]

Neither. I am a...tickle ghost!

[Regis mock lunges toward Will, but it's a weak attempt as he doesn't have much energy and doesn't want to disturb Arche now that he knows she is there. His fingers just brush Will's sides before dropping back to the bed.]

Astrals, being a tickle ghost is exhausting.

[twistedempathy]

[Arche lifts her head from her paws as Regis moves under her, mouth stretching wide in a tremendous yawn before turning to lick his face. Which is worse, the dog breath or the smoky smell that almost overpowers it? Will just huffs a little half-laugh at the aborted attempt, shaking his head.]

That's what happens when you try to be a noble, self-sacrificing hero first. You use up all your energy so you're too tired to be a tickle ghost when you get there.

[kingkingcxiii]

[Regis turns his head back and forth trying to 'escape' Arche's tongue, but he's obviously not too upset since his hands never leave the bed.]

Will, how can you scold me when she is trying to drown me?

[Ick! That was nearly a tongue in the mouth. Maybe he should just pout until Will saves him instead.]

[twistedempathy]

She was worried about you too, you know. We all were.

[Oh, very well. Will scoops Arche up with shaking hands, pulling her into his lap. She whimpers in protest at that, squirming. How can she make sure Regis is okay from all the way over here?]

[kingkingcxiii]

[Will may have made a mistake pulling Arche away because as tired as Regis is, he doesn't miss how the young man's hand shake. Immediately, the tiredness and good humor slip from his face and are replaced by concern.]

Are you all right?

[The question is barely out of his mouth when he finds himself huffing. Of course, he's not all right. All right young men do not shake like that.]

Come here. How long has it been since you've rested?

[twistedempathy]

I'm fine, I'm resting right now. Someone had to keep an eye on you while Cor is out, so you wouldn't try to sneak back off.

[Will is pretty sure there's no way Cor would allow him back on the battlefield right now, either, even if he's regained enough control over himself to put on a good face again. So he may as well actually be useful for once, guarding Reggie while he recovers, right? Their power isn't entirely spent. If he and his team are forced to fight again, they can.

Still, he obligingly slides off Reggie to sit next to the man instead, burying his hands into Arche's fur to pet her. It's easier to keep her where she is this way, than just trying to hold her where she is.....]

[kingkingcxiii]

Keeping me out of trouble is not resting. Cor, of all people, should know that.

[It's a bit of a struggle, but Regis manages to pull himself into something resembling a sitting position. He then reaches out and puts his arm around Will's shoulders. If allowed, he will pull the young man down to rest next to him, Arche snuggled between them.]

Is it the fighting?

[Regis swears he learns something new about Will's powers every day and yet he still feels like he knows nothing about them. Still, if they had been able to share emotion with him that night at the house, it stands to reason that all the emotion from the battle would be able to force its way into his mind as well.

[twistedempathy]

Cor's got it harder, I just have to keep you in bed. Easy as pie!

[He'll allow himself to get tugged down without protest; it means Reggie will lay back down too, after all.]

Yeah. I was able to help a little, but--it wasn't a good idea to stick around, in the end.

[kingkingcxiii]

[Regis sighs at the evasive answer as they settle back into the bed. Yes, it does answer the question, but it's not really the answer he was going for and Will surely knows it.]

How can I help?

[So help him if you answer 'just rest' Will...]

[twistedempathy]

Let's see..... you can stay put so Cor doesn't tear his hair out over me not taking good care of you?

[He didn't say "just rest" in exactly those words, so it's Fine, right? Just like technically answering the question is Fine.]

[kingkingcxiii]

[Will...]

You do realize you are a lot more open to a successful tickle attack now, right? If I ask nicely enough, Arche might even help me. Isn't that right, girl? You'll help me won't you?

[twistedempathy]

[Yeeeeees~? ♥]

I thought you said you were too tired to be a tickle ghost?

[Arche's ears perk up alertly at the question, tail wagging faster; Will makes a face at them both.]

Really? You traitor.....

[kingkingcxiii]

[Regis gives her a scratch behind the ears. Such a good girl!]

If I have such a valiant assistant, I can find the energy. I simply mustn't let her down.

[Especially if it helps Will rest.]

[twistedempathy]

[Arche purrs and pushes her head into Regis' hand. She's the best girl, of course! Will makes a halfhearted swatting motion at them both, too tired for much more than that.]

I'm sure she'd be just as happy to use you as a bed.

[kingkingcxiii]

I will happily allow her to reclaim her royal throne if she helps me with this very important task.

[She is warm and stasis chill still clings stubbornly to him. He won't mind it one bit.]

[twistedempathy]

Or you could ju--!

[Will cuts himself off with a splutter of protest. Arche has made her choice, time for all the puppy kisses!]

[kingkingcxiii]

[Regis dissolves into a fit of laughter, giving Arche scratches behind the ears even as he does.]

I'm sorry, what was that? I'm afraid I couldn't hear you over the sound of all that slobber.

[twistedempathy]

You're supposed to be on my side.....

[Such betrayal! Will tries to get a hand between Arche and his face; that, too, is promptly slobbered all over, tail wagging happily as Arche earns her scratching.]

[kingkingcxiii]

[She certainly is earning those ear scratches! And that is exactly why they keep coming even though Regis is having to dodge that very waggy tail.]

If it is any comfort, I suspect as soon as I run out of energy to scratch her ears it will be my turn again.

[twistedempathy]

Better to drown together than apart, I guess?

[Will just laughs defeatedly and lowers his hand. Yup, he's too tired to fight back, just gonna surrender to the slobber.]

[kingkingcxiii]

Indeed. Everything is better in good company.

[Regis lets his arm drop away from the flareon then.]

Alas fair Arche, my energy is spent. I can no longer scratch your ears. I await my inevitable drowning!

[twistedempathy]

[Just as expected, the bribery was the only thing keeping Arche from fussing at him. Arche turns right back to licking Reggie's face, tail wagging just as eagerly as before--right in Will's face, this time. He groans in protest and moves to sit back up, scrubbing at his face with his sleeve. He appreciates the sentiment, but ugh.....]

[kingkingcxiii]

[What, you mean slobber and fur aren't ingredients for the next best selling facial product?

Regis chuckles as the predicted 'attack' comes, but now that he's not being 'attacked' himself, Will might feel that exhaustion is hanging heavy on the air again. As much as he has tried to put on a brave front, Regis is slowly starting to lose the battle with his body to stay awake.]