♥ November (Malom) Event Log

[hugtopiamods]

November (Malom) Event Log

Though the apparitions from the labyrinthine tunnels have been contained and sent past the once-sealed door, the question of what else lies beyond it still remains. Throughout the early days of a brisk late fall month, the native researchers work tirelessly to decipher the mysteries of what the portal might lead to.

And, perhaps more importantly, what to do about it.

---

❥ PROMPT I: Time For Some Eggsploring

Residents may notice that throughout the early part of the month, researchers diligently monitor the tunnels and previously-sealed door. Day and night, they labor at deciphering the mystery that is the portal, combing through old, archival texts and corrupted, digital files alike. It is not in vain, for by mid-month they make two breakthroughs! By their observations, the researchers conclude that this is the entrance to the mysterious Crawling One's realm, and both the candles and the spirits that pass through the veil are heading towards something, perhaps the Crawling One itself. The second discovery is that there is now a proper way into realm! How, one might ask? By wearing a modified exosuit that's embellished with an excessive number of conduits! In order to traverse the Crawling One's Realm, they will need to wear this modified exosuit that protects them from the effects of the realm. Much like wandering beyond the barrier, coming in contact with the mysterious, dark environment will rapidly deplete one's vitality, so be careful! If you're feeling creative, or maybe need to lighten the mood of that gloomy zone, it is encouraged that explorers build or purchase masks for themselves, to add a bit of flavour and colour to their suits. Representing their temple animals, or something from home to remind you of what you're fighting for… it might build morale, or even protect your identity from whatever is down there. Who knows, it could save your life later. Whose face will you wear?

What lies beyond is, unfortunately, something of a maze. Miles and miles of weaving tunnels, paths going up, down, back, forward, any direction one can conceive. They cross into each other, sometimes they cross through each other, which ought to be impossible, except the nature of this realm is completely unknown. Explorers who cross through such tunnels might hear echoes of those who are on the other path- footsteps, voices, crunching stone. If you listen very closely, you might even be able to share a conversation and pass notes about what you've found.

And what can you find? Well, a few things.

There are no fiends found within this realm, only Apparitions– all of which are oddly tamed and docile, at that. Follow their solemn progression deep into the cold, dark void. Maybe they'll lead you somewhere useful- towards a new path, a useful shortcut, or in the case of some poor, lost explorers, a way towards help or home.
Many, many crisscrossing tunnels, including a few that cut in and out of each other as mentioned above. There are occasional folds in the fabric of that internal space, which can be pushed through (some gently, others with more force). Going through these veils can cause someone to be teleported elsewhere in the tunnel. Use this method to find shortcuts! …Or get hopelessly lost. It's a gamble you may or may not want to take.
Animals! …Wait, animals? What are they doing here? It turns out, once the tunnels were properly opened, a bunch of the familiars from every temple scurried, scampered, and flew right down to it. (Those in the mineshaft can enjoy the visual of ravens carrying mice, dragons carrying cats. You're welcome.) They'll be sniffing around, clawing at doorways and specific directions, searching for… something. Sometimes their instincts are good, and they seem to know where they're going. Other times, they're as lost as you are. If you come across some of the familiars that seem distressed or confused, maybe give them some support: feed them, pet them, give them a little cuddle or a ride on your shoulder to let them rest their little feet and wings. Who knows, that little bit of R&R might help them recharge enough to guide you better on the next fork in the road.
There seem to be an awful lot of bones in this catacomb. Ha ha, weird, right? For this spooky tunnel full of ghosts to have bones? Actually, what is weird about it is that a bunch of the skeletons found are elongated, like that of snakes or the worms encountered in town. They shouldn't have bones, yet here they are.

The ultimate goal is to fully map out the tunnels, at least to the extent that you find out what exactly is going on down here- what happened, or what is happening, that caused the tunnels to be closed off? Why is it full of ghosts? How can whatever is going on here be stopped? Maybe whatever lies at the end of these weaving pathways will provide an answer.

❥ PROMPT II: Now For a Swift Eggs-it

By month end, the tunnels should be thoroughly mapped enough that a route to their ultimate destination has been forged: at last, the lair of the Crawling One has been found. Explorers can venture a little ways into the lair before they are discovered, but do be careful. Your safety cannot be guaranteed when you go too far and awaken the beast within.

The Crawling One is an enormous worm, much, much bigger than any of the worms that had invaded Havenwell before, and is festering with dark energy, rancid with the scent of decay. Despite the vibe of its lair or the smell, however, it doesn't look sick or dying. Its movements are lethargic, but aside from all the gloomy magic in this place, it looks healthy enough. That's great in concept, but maybe not so great for those invading its home. It is curled up in a tightly wound ball, pillbug style, around its horde, which upon closer inspection appears to be an underground mountain of bones. Animals, humanoids, and even the dried-out husks of plants and trees act as a cushion for its body. Something lies in the center, but it is too dark and covered by the worm's body to be especially visible. Brave souls who come close enough to examine the horde properly and shine some light in the idea will be able to discover that it is guarding… an egg. And as soon as the egg is discovered, a few of the animal familiars rush past, one from each temple, and curl up against the egg, protective and needy as a mother to her child (though which is which in this combination, it is difficult to tell). Unfortunately, as soon as they're in place, the creatures turn to stone, forced to join the Crawling One's grim horde. Hopefully through their sacrifice, you get the message loud and clear: this egg is your target. You need to save it- and maybe save them. All of them.

The downside of this revelation is that the Crawling One will immediately become aware of your presence, and it is not happy to see you here. Anyone who ventures too close to the horde, or the egg, will be attacked without mercy. It will bite, smash, and devour those unlucky enough to be caught by the wild swings of the worm's head and tail. It seems incredibly powerful… but so are those who were brought here, of course. So how do you wish to steal that which you came here for? There are a few ways…

Explorers can try to talk with, or negotiate with, the Crawling One. It is angry and defensive, very old and set in its ways, but it is still sentient and capable of speech for those who care to try. If you stay out of range of its attacks, it will refuse to leave the horde, so you can safely speak with it and see where it gets you. Who knows, maybe it can be convinced by the right person, or the right argument. If you wish to try speaking with the Crawling One, it can be spoken with here!
Steal the egg. The Crawling One is fierce, but it's not omnipotent. It will surely need to sleep at some point, or could be distracted. Someone capable of a clever bait-and-switch could trade the egg with something else, magic could put the beast to sleep (for a… short time), teleportation magic might do the trick… there are plenty of ways to steal something.
Restrain it. Whether through forceful or magical means, the Crawling One could in theory be restrained or chained down long enough to snatch the egg from its clutches. It won't be trapped permanently, and you'll have to deal with the aftermath, but it's a less grim method than the 4th, which is…
Kill the Crawling One. Not an easy method by any means, but considering the powers of those in town, it might be the easiest. Who knows, it may even be a relief to the Havenwell residents to have the presumed source of all the ghosts, and the poison, and the decay of their world at last vanquished. There is a story that blames this ancient god for all the woes of Aellyn, after all.
Something else…? If you have a different idea, please share it in the plotting comments! We'll be happy to add it to the list.

It goes without saying that any option besides 1 and 4 will very likely result in an incredibly angry god of death chasing the thieves through the tunnels, trying to kill the invaders and take back its treasure. The rest of its horde doesn't matter at all, so it will at last leave the lair and do as much damage as necessary to recapture the egg. You might not manage to get it outside of the tunnel on the first try, and those who fail may die, or barely escape with their lives. Make use of the mapped tunnels, any shortcuts you might have learned, and all the power and wit you possess to flee. Also, once everyone is out again, it is recommended that the door either be re-sealed, or that those waiting outside should brace for one hell of a boss fight. The Crawling One won't be happy to lose its most precious possession, and it's very likely that if it makes it through the door, only its death will grant the city any peace.

❥ PROMPT III: Eggcellent Work, Everyone

With the Egg safely brought from the Crawling One's realm to Havenwell, a team of researchers and temple clerics call for the Egg to be placed within the central plaza, adjacent to the fountain. There, with the statues of their four deities looking over it, the people hope that the Egg will be protected. Except, alone on its pedestal in the plaza, one thing remains missing…

Obviously the Egg needs two very important things: nurturing, and a nest!

A. Help build the nest along with the locals using twigs and sticks from around Havenwell (available with the flora now properly cycling into its autumn and winter months), or donate pillows, blankets, and other plush items for the cause. Note that by the end of the week, the entire plaza will be turned into one giant nest (or pillow fort, if your character is so inclined), with the Egg located in the center.

B. Nurture the Egg by holding it with a partner! This appears to have the greatest effect on the Egg, as its iridescent, golden shell may shimmer in response to being nurtured and cuddled, pulsing every so often with a warm, gentle aura in response. And what's this? It may even appear to grow as if in response to the contact. What's even stranger is that when two people come in comforting contact with the Egg, they will be shown a vision of an area of their homeworlds, that of the last place they were at before being bought to Havenwell.

If neither of these at-home options appeal to those not exploring the tunnels, there is one more thing you can help with. Plenty of negotiating, bargaining, and a bit of begging on their body-related plight has netted some sympathy from Shoremere, and the sister city has at last generated a list of residents willing to donate some of their DNA to researching ways of growing new bodies for those bereft in Havenwell. There's still a ton of work to be done at the towers themselves, especially with samples rolling in, so anyone who is willing to assist will be given some kits and a list of names, both of which they can take down to Shoremere and track down those very generous individuals. Get a couple of cheek swabs, spit in a cup, and be sure to thank them profusely! And hopefully the names and locations of said individuals are accurate. It sure would be awkward if you walked up to some poor soul asking for their DNA and it was the wrong person.

Samples should be returned to the research towers post-haste so they can begin working on, hopefully, a way to regain their bodies after so very long without hope. You're contributing so much to the growth of this world, and there is finally light at the end of the tunnel.

---

This event will run from November 15th to November 31st. 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. You can also use the Havenwell Status page to give you other ideas for original prompts!

Comments

Mod Questions

[hugtopiamods]

[Please also refer any other potential plans/ideas/approaches regarding the Crawling One here, if you should have them!]

NPC THREAD - THE CRAWLING ONE

[hugtopiamods]

[If one (or several) should be particularly brave, here is where the attempts at direct communication should go!]

[honestgirl]

[So as it would turn out -- and maybe this would have been obvious to anyone that hadn't just arrived and then proceeded to spend most of her time on the floor of her home flipping between being overwhelmed and sleeping, but here we are -- the "big bad" of this quest was some giant monster worm and not a dude in armor that should be impractical but somehow gave him magic powers. Fascinating. And you know what? It's a relief! As...long as she stays waaaay over here, out of range. Clutching her book tight to her chest with one arm, Ryder lifts the other in an awkward wave.

...Can giant worms see awkward waving? She hopes not. That would make this even less daunting.]

Uhhh. Hello? Crawling One? ...I-is that like a name, or a title, or...? Um, what do I, um, call you, I mean?

[havenpc]

[Her call is met by silence initially, a void of sound that is both palpable and foreboding, here in this dark space. Something stirs in the corner, coils of encircled flesh curling tighter around itself. The corner absorbs light and consumes it like an angry sponge, leaving only the silhouette of something enormous. The quiet lingers just long enough for it to appear like no answer at all will come.

Then: a laugh, echoing and humourless, from an unseen mouth. The voice that follows is grating, slow, as if unused for far too long.]

The little one... came... all this way... for a name?

[honestgirl]

[Silence seems about right. She's pretty good with silence, and takes the opportunity to slowly breathe in and let her mind settle a little bit -- bring that silence inside. Not...entirely successfully, but that's fine since all the progress would have gone to waste when that laugh sends shivers down her spine.

Is that a crack about my height? Ryder almost asks reflexively, but nah. To big monster worm, they are all "little ones".]

Um... I mean, no, but... S'hard? Like, um. [She frowns to herself, wondering how stupid this sounds.] If I'm gonna talk to -- you, then I should sorta... I-I don't wanna get off on the wrong -- ah, shit, fuck, do you have the saying "get off on the wrong foot" in your, uh, kingdom or whatever? Fuck, I'm fucking this up, um, just -- hello, my name is Ryder, and I am not good at m-m-meeting others.

[kingkingcxiii]

[Regis is just about to address the giant worm when one of Ainea's mice rushes forward along with the familiars of the other gods they've come to know. Seeing them turn to stone so quickly causes him to take an involuntary step back.

Not that being this close to a GIANT GOD WORM doesn't make him doubt this decision he's come to, but watching the innocent little familiars die to send some kind of message just drives home how serious this whole thing is. He takes a deep breath to steady himself and then turns his attention to the deity in front of him. He talks to important beings all the time. Surely, this is no different.

Actually, it is. The worms that crawl into the Citadel on a regular basis are a lot less harmful than this being is. Even the ones from Niflheim.]

Greetings, O Crawling One. My name is Regis Lucis Caelum CXIII and I was hoping I could speak with you. There is so little knowledge of you and your companion remaining on the surface and I would like to see remedied.

[havenpc]

[The coils shift, slowly turning over on each other, winding around the egg in its burrow. Its response is slow, the sound of it reverberating through the room.]

What do... you seek...? We are not... [It pauses, then dissolves into a rumble that might have been humourous, if not for the situation and the source from which it derived.] ...Hospitable.

[kingkingcxiii]

[Regis knows how it feels to be inhospitable sometimes. There have been many days when he's wanted to just hide in his bed instead of deal with the realities of being king and running a kingdom. Still, he's pulled himself from his cozy little burrow for the good of his kingdom and people. For the sake of this world, the Crawling One must do the same right now.]

Would you have your lack of hospitality lead to the end of your world and the erasure of your and your compatriot's story?

[pinkmin]

[Why...... Was Vianca here.

Did she get caught up with the familiars from Ohma's temple? Did it feel like it was Correct to follow them down into the depths despite the depths being entirely out of her league? Yes and also probably yes, and probably she would receive quite the scolding. Wholly deserved, considering the amount of twists and turns she had followed and the sheer pressure that filled the cavern at the end.

It was ancient here. A place out of time, far older than anything a small pikmin could comprehend. Her role should not have been anything more than joining those that came before. ... What a lonely place this was.

She stood there at the farthest edge, summoning all her courage to raise her voice as loud as it could be.]

Hello.

[... That was it. Just hello.]

[havenpc]

[There is silence, prolonged, eerie. The air is cold, the coiled shape in the dark unmoving.

Then, quietly, an odd series of huffs, almost like wheezing laugher.]

...Hello... little ghost.

[pinkmin]

[Little ghost. That was strangely comforting, a memory of a friend long gone.]

Would you mind if I visited with you?

hhhhhh i know this is way late but this idea somehow didn't dawn on me until a couple days ago

[nyakama]

[It was scary. Of course it was scary. Dark and ominous and pretty much the opposite of anything Hummy enjoyed. However, she had sat in on many discussions among the Ainea temple attendants while sunbathing on the steps. She had even gone out of her way to read the text about the Lost Gods. (Hummy! Reading!! Imagine that!!) She couldn't help but think... it was all rather sad. It reminded her in a way, of Noise.

... Maybe she could help here, too.

And so, decked out in a custom-made little cat exosuit with a heart-shaped mask decorated with gold and 'gems', she made her way into the depths of the tunnels, her tiny (slightly shaking) body dwarfed by the colossal worm.]

A-are you... the Crawling One, nya?

[havenpc]

[The dark shifts only slightly in the corner, coils curving inward. No face appears.]

Some... have named us such. For what is... the little one... here?

[nyakama]

I…

[Why was she here, huh?]

I’m here for you, nya! Um. To keep you company for a bit. And to be your friend! … if you’d like.

Ryder Morris | OC

[honestgirl]

[ SCORPION SLUT. ]

[There's a woman in a mask seated on the ground, a rug beneath her like she's a stereotypical mysterious figure in Middle Eastern tales. Of course, she's not Middle Eastern, and upon closer inspection, the rug is actually just a window curtain she's taken from her home, but what's important is the vibes! The set dressing, for this particular play she's putting on. The young woman gestures widely to the crafting materials around her.]

'Underneath my outside face
There's a face that none can see.'

We h-have many faces. Shall I help you find one of yours? A you of the past, a -- you that's more you? Or m-maybe someone else is what you s-seek.

[Let this stranger, who most definitely is not and never has been Ryder, help make your mask!! It's...just about the only way she can think to contribute to these efforts. Maybe if she put on a different mask, she'd find it easier to go deep into the tunnels... No, she can think about that later. For now, she'll just play the part.]

[ ROCKS ROCK. ]

[Her demeanor is different when the day is saved and she's let the anxiety pushing her to act has fallen away. Now they just wait, right? So it's okay for her to be Ryder, especially when the one she's supposed to be around isn't another "person" so much as an egg. She can deal with eggs! Eggs don't mind when you're quiet and trying to disappear from everyone's view, huddling down with a blank book and a little stuffed bunny.]

I don't know what kind of stories you're s'posed to read to kids... I don't remember the order to 'If You Give a Mouse a Cookie'. We could do poetry? What do you think, Egg?

[ WILDCARD. ]

[Ignore my prompt titles, I'm too brainfoggy to think of actual ones, so we get some dumb references to a podcast. hmu at goblinhood if u gotta.]

slut it up i guess

[necromanswers]

[This isn't the first time she's seen the use of masks for the sake of adventuring - though the last time had been witnessed through an umbrella, which is awkward but just par for the course in her life - so she at first hadn't paid it much mind. The callout makes her pause and lift a brow.]

Alright, I'll bite. What's the vibe you're pulling for me?

heck yeah heck yeah

[honestgirl]

[Ooh, a customer! Well, was it a customer when she wasn't getting paid? Maybe a mark was more accurate? It's not exactly a con, even though she's...not being truthful about who she is or what she's about. Right?

Ryder pushes the thoughts aside, burying them under the mask's decorations so she can pull out a cheerful, confident smile more fitting of the part. Her head tilts, considering Lup, sure, but mostly so she can imagine a shimmer effect from catching light differently.]

One who expects everything and nothing... Des-s-spite your better knowledge, y-your best interests, you're curious to see what I can offer.

[Ryder takes a base for a new mask and small, malleable plastic circles that were a bit like stickers, but sturdier. She applies them around the eye holes to mimic a wide-eyed, eager expression. Bright colors would be good, too, but maybe she should be looking to make those accent colors instead...]

...But maybe that sounds childish. Would you deny it, of those were what I claimed your "vibes" to be?

Closed to noctis

[iustaegis]

[ She's in a mood.

A great mood.

Noctis has returned from his excursion with his family from the depths of the Crawling One's lair, and the Egg is nestled in the central plaza. This is progress, isn't it? This is good for this world, one step closer to--...

...To returning home. ]

This is the most extensive pillow fort I've ever seen. [ Pyra keeps her smile bright as she looks from the egg to Noctis, who is resting with her on the plush, soft mattress-made-of-pillows. Nestled between them is the Egg. Chuckling softly, she asks: ] Are we sure we need all this?

[carbungle]

Hmm. Would you rather we go?

[His tone is playful, comfortably snuggled close, and very content to be here, though this is Noctis and therefore someone who could nap practically anywhere. It has been an exhausting run around trying to find the damn thing, so he can't help feeling very curious about what it's for and what this is supposed to accomplish.]

[iustaegis]

[ She watches him fondly for a few moments, admiring his gentle, relaxed expression. Why is he so darn handsome, even while he sleeps? ]

No... No. We have to keep it warm. We're like-- [ mmmm ] two mother hens in a coop! Nesting is probably going to be the easy part.

Shinji Ikari | ota

[hedgehogsdilemma]

I
So it's an egg that's been retrieved from the tunnels, coaxed from the possession of... a god, possibly? Not that strange, unbelievably wild things haven't happened before in Havenwell, truly anything is possible here, but Shinji himself knew that he'd be no real help in exploring the tunnels, and what he's left is is whatever treasures or stories are brought out of them.

Like this egg. This egg that's now at a place of honor in the central plaza, an egg that is probably very, very important.

Helping keep the egg cozy and cared for is something that Shinji can do. There's no shortage of comfortable blankets and pillows in his home, offering one or two of them for the egg isn't going to put too much of a dent in their supply of warm, cozy things. On the other hand, will one or two things make that much of a difference when there are already so many other soft things piled up around the egg? Or maybe it's just the act of contributing something that could help...? Mysteries upon mysteries, but as he wraps the blanket he's brought with him carefully around the egg, he gently, carefully puts his hand on top of it as to help secure it.

"Ah... it's so warm."


Wildcard
[Want something else? Hit me with whatever u want or plot over on sandshrew huhu]

AAAARE YOUUUU READAAAYYYYY

[honestgirl]

Ryder has been reluctant to abandon the egg for long each day, but regrettably she is a living being (again) with basic biological needs and desire to acquire books. Staying out of conversational range wasn't too bad of an idea, either. As such, she's returning from a particularly long break, hair half-frozen from still having been drying when she set out and a little bounce to her step, when she stumbles upon "her" egg being attended to by...someone else.

'Please do not be a territorial freak,' she mentally begs herself when she feels herself bristling. First of all, that would do absolutely nothing good for her or her egg child. Secondly, it's literally not even her egg child that needs to get hatched -- she's gotta let it go someday so she can get back home to her mom! She just...feels protective over it. 'Happens when you die for something, maybe. But, like, for real, calm your shit.'

She will...try, inner voice. As long as this person isn't doing anything wrong! Since he added a blanket to the odd nest that had been growing by the day, he doesn't fail right out the gates. Still, Ryder's approach has a defensive edge to it, and she appraises Shinji with an expression bordering on hostile. It's just her face.

"...Hey." Clearing her throat, she steps close again and squats down next to the egg and shifts her gaze over to it. That's easier than looking at another person. "Yeah, it, um. It does that. When you touch it and stuff. But -- it still needs -- this shit, so bringing more isn't bad. The-the blankets. And stuff. ...I think."

https://hedgehogsdilemma.dreamwidth.org/file/22766.gif

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Surely, nobody would really be able to hold it against Ryder for her protective streak. Not to fret, though, there's no real danger to be found here with Shinji, as when she makes her presence known, he startles lightly and pulls his hand away from the egg, like he's been caught doing something wrong. That look on Ryder's face sure doesn't make him feel like he's not in trouble somehow, but as she squats down, he can't help but read this as more of a... nervous gesture, maybe? An awkward movement? His nerves settle a little, and his focus falls back to the egg itself.

"If everyone else has been bringing them, I figure it couldn't hurt," he answers softly. "But an egg still probably needs warmth from something living, right?"

Its parent, he'd think, but if the story of its origin that's been floating around is to be believed, he's not sure he'd be surprised if it doesn't really work the same way.

straggles in here at last

[daikonrose]

A part of Kyoko might have regretted that she couldn't play any part in the grand adventures that had brought this mysterious egg out of the earth, but the larger, more sensible part of her had prevailed over any urges to descend into the caves with ?a machete?. Truly, what would she have been able to do? Would she even have made it halfway there? Or would she have simply lost all her memories and then died, and incited Kaito to follow her to a similar doom in the process?

Sometimes, a girl just had to be honest with herself.

She was well-equipped for the after-adventure, at least. Arms full of blankets of her own, Kyoko peered over Shinji's shoulder as he laid down his contribution. "Ohh--for real? Can you feel something moving?"

hoots and hollers!

[hedgehogsdilemma]

This part, at least, is far more uncomplicated than adventuring down to unknown and potentially dangerous depths. Less frightening, too, for a trio that's recently dealt with a lot of stress. A good, nurturing task.

"Not really," he says, though beckons her to come closer and see for herself. "It's just... really warm." As it ?should be? It probably should be warm. Egg and all. This is a good thing, he's sure.