sticksandbones | EVENT 021

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EVENT 021

Solitary Voyage

The first light of dawn does not come this morning. The moonlight outside continues to cast its muted glow over the Grove, still high in the sky. No matter how long you wait, no matter how many minutes or hours slip by, the darkness remains, and the silvery sentinel refuses to yield to the sun. It also appears bigger than usual, its surface etched with shadows that seem to pulse with a life of their own, and you swear there weren't this many stars peppering the night sky last night.

Despite the oppressive night that looms above, there’s an odd sense of calm. No werewolves prowl the streets, no ominous howls echo through the trees, or other dangers that usually seem to threaten the Grove. In fact, it's not making it more cold than usual, either. The ice on the river, once a solid barrier, begins to chip away, revealing glimmers of water beneath, giving new life to the creatures that call it home. A handful of the baby Seaborn even flop out of the water to explore the world, as if it's entirely new to them and hasn't only been a month since they've been unable to be on solid ground.

The only thing that the perpetual night seems to be affecting is the local wildlife. Disoriented and confused, they flit about in a daze, their natural rhythms thrown into chaos. The diurnal creatures now wander aimlessly with their instincts dulled. Someone should probably feed these poor critters before they forget how to forage for themselves.

The Grove also seems to be sans one sea jelly. Hope no one booked their therapy appointment this month.

The Reef is Immortal

It was the loud creaking that caught your attention first, a sound that reverberated through the ground like the groan of a ship caught in a storm. There's a... tree? Or, wait, no. That can't be right. It's colossal, easily taller than the supposed "limit" of the sky barrier, but it's also... blue? There's a smattering of bioluminescent patches that give a white glow, especially under the pale moonlight. The "branches" swayed unnaturally, each one moving independently, like a thousand skeletal fingers reaching for the heavens.

With the coming of this "tree" also comes something some of you may be familiar with - the Nethersea Brand. It's a blue, web-like membrane that more resembles flesh than what anyone would like to admit. Contact with the membrane is not recommended as it invokes a creeping dread that gnaws at the edges of your mind and locks your muscles and bones. It wears off... eventually, but if you don't get out of it in time it'll continue to chew at your nervous system.

It is not localized like it was last time, either. It spreads and expands to cover all of the Grove more and more with each moment, every hour swallowing more and more land, with just a few exceptions. One, the Inn's lobby, which is protected by the Inquistion's Fireplace inside. And two... surprisingly, the River and its banks, where the Guardians (and the Behemoth) seem to be taking solace from the threat.

The baby Seaborn are not aware of many things, but they are at least cognizant that some of you don't seem to do well in the Brand, with some control over what it covers. If you're by the river, they seem to be able to control the brand just enough to free you, chirping in an innocent manner. You do not know what they are saying, but you can imagine it's something along the lines of "Hi! What doing!" There's less of them in the river currently, but the few that are around are nesting on Moder or following Sinann around. They do not sense the distress. They are just babies.

The Mass of Sorrow

The sensation of being trapped in the web-like brand is suffocating, a foreign sensation of the boundaries that have been blurred between your identity and the collective consciousness of others. Each time you succumb to the nervous impairment, it feels like you’re slipping through a veil, where the lines between your thoughts and those of others dissolve into a swirling mass of emotions and memories.

You can’t shake the feeling of grief that lingers in your chest, a weight that seems to grow heavier with each passing moment. It’s as if you’re mourning something you can’t quite grasp—perhaps the remnants of your own past, or the fragments of lives that are not your own. When you finally come to again, rising up from the brand to attempt to move again, you'll notice you have tear stains against your face you don't remember crying.

It's not easy to escape the brand, either. Between the rough terrain flesh-y webs make and the way it slowly neutralizes your nerves, it's a wonder you can keep moving at all. But more than that, there's this... voice...

"Embrace... Our Warmth..."

In short moments of clarity, you remember... dreaming? Remembering? Commiserating...? Something. Whatever the case, you were in someone's mind. Maybe your own. Maybe someone else's. Maybe even something from the forest - the brand is taking all prisoner, after all.

Best hope We Many doesn't share anything you don't want anyone to see, because it doesn't seem like you get much of a choice.

Elegy of the Outliers

Those holed up inside are not entirely forgotten. While the warmth of the fireplace and the kin of the river may keep the brand at bay, the persistent weight of grief and sadness still reaches those within. It is the curse of an ancient being long gone, a sorrow that lingers like a scar. Yet, this sorrow can be softened by the company of those around you. Distractions, warmth, and togetherness serve as reminders that collaboration is, as always, the answer.

Gazing out at the brand, one will notice shadows moving along the fleshy web—shadows that seem hauntingly familiar. Loved ones move through the Grove as if it has come alive again, as if the threat of an obsessed, fallen deity has vanished, and things have reached some form of normalcy once again.

Upon closer inspection, the observant may discern that these are not true apparitions, but rather the brand's way of storing memories within We Many's consciousness. It is a surreal experience, reliving moments through the Seaborn that drift freely about. This phenomenon is both unsettling and captivating—perhaps it could even make for compelling television while you remain trapped inside. Yet, the sight of a loved one, even as a mere shadow, may also be overwhelming, pulling you away from your current sanctuary.

Be careful out there.

Spark Notes

summary

Solitary Voyage is this moon's journey. The expected dawn fails to arrive, leaving the Grove shrouded in an unusual, persistent moonlight. While the darkness disrupts the local wildlife, causing confusion and disorientation, it also brings life to the river as baby Seaborn venture out.

The Reef is Immortal, bringing forth a colossal, bioluminescent "tree" in the Grove, accompanied by the spreading menace of the Nethersea Brand, a blue, web-like membrane that induces paralysis upon contact. While the Brand expands across the land, the Inn's lobby remains safe, and the baby Seaborn near the river seem to possess a surprising ability to help free those ensnared by the Brand, blissfully unaware of the surrounding danger.

The Mass of Sorrow is the experience of being ensnared in the Nethersea Brand. Personal identity blurs with the collective consciousness, leading to overwhelming grief and confusion as emotions and memories intertwine.

Elegy of the Outliers, or those sheltered from the Nethersea Brand, still feel the Arbor's weight of grief and sadness, a lingering curse that can be eased by the warmth and companionship of others. As shadows resembling loved ones move through the brand, it becomes clear that these are not true apparitions but memories stored within We Many's consciousness.

out of character

This month's event has been written entirely by Rubie! Please be nice and say thank you Rubie! Enjoy your memory shares and your eldritch horrors, and remember that questions asked should be asked in public channels and not DMs if they're related to this month's event. Have fun!

updates

Any potential updates, such as characters damaging something important or whatever else, will be put here.

submissions

❖ Questions
❖ February Plotting
❖ Past Life Plotting (Closed to Game Members)
❖ Investigations

code

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It's a small miracle that Luca rouses almost instantly. His head feels clouded, mind swimming with a dream he can't quite process. Nor does he have the time to, considering Joshua's energy. He's starling upward almost immediately, tearing away from roots before they can draw him back in.]

Joshua, what's -

[He trails off as the memories of before, of getting trapped and tangled, flood back in. He doesn't quite understand the how of it, but at least he knows the what.]

I - I will be fine. But I suspect we need to hurry.

[He's already pushing himself up to his feet.]

[ Oh, thank the Founder. He'd been worried the waking up would be difficult. ]

Right. Here, let me help you.

[ He stands, holding a hand out for Luca to take if he needs it. The faster they get out of this, the better. ]

I don't know how long you've been trapped here, so if your legs are weak, don't be afraid to lean on me. Or, I could fly us out of here, if you prefer.

[Joshua has one thing right — his legs are weak. Moreover, he's still just dazed enough that he doesn't even come close to being flustered at having to lean against the man. He drapes an arm over his shoulders and shifts his weight, making it just that little bit easier to move.

With what little strength he does have, he manifests a small flame within the palm of his hand. He won't be able to do much, but he can damn well try.]

Just keep moving.

[It's hard to say whether or not he's talking to himself.]

Edited 2025-03-03 21:30 (UTC)

[ The flame makes him concerned, but Joshua won't question it. If they need it, he certainly can't do it, so it's good that Luca can.

Instead, he focuses on moving, as Luca said. Just keep moving. Avoiding the brand, he maneuvers them back to a decently clear spot, then stops so that Luca can collect himself. ]

We can stop a moment here, if you need it.

[Part of Luca wants to keep going, eager to leave the dreams he'd had behind. But he's short on breath and half-dizzied, to say nothing of what state Joshua was in. Much as he hates to stop, it's in both of their best interests to do so.

A sharp nod is given, before he lets himself slide to the ground. A heavy breath is exhaled before he looks to Joshua.]

You... were caught as well. Are you alright?

[ Joshua simply shakes his head. ]

I'm all right. I'll be fine.

[ Just a little bit shaky. But it's nothing he hasn't pushed through before. Now that they're resting, he closes his eyes, focusing on breathing, on flexing the numbness out of his fingers. ]

It isn't the first time I've been caught in it.

I hope you know that is not near the comfort you think it is.

[He feels a little guilty for snapping but... he's had a long, hard day.

Which... speaking of.]

I felt like I saw you while I was... trapped. Only fragments, but... [He closes his eyes. Dread wells up as he thinks of the most prominent dream he'd had.] Did you see something in there?

At least I am used to it?

[ It's said as a joke, even though he doesn't smile. He doesn't have the energy to spare for it at the moment, not while both he and Luca are recovering.

But the question makes him pause. His eyes turn to the ground, thoughtful. ]

I... spoke to your Phoenix again.

[Luca only grimaces at the attempted joke. The grimace turns into an outright scowl at Joshua's confession, though. It isn't that he's angry at the man, though — he isn't so foolish as to think that Joshua had any control in this situation. He's just frustrated with the Phoenix's continued presence within his mind.

As if responding to his thoughts, the Phoenix seems to bristle. Through their bond, Luca can tell that it feels more touchy than usual.]

And what did it have to say this time? [Luca speaks through partially gritted teeth, trying to radiate his annoyance back through that shared bond.]

[ Luca's bristling gets a raised eyebrow, but Joshua doesn't question it otherwise. The Phoenix, ruffled from having spoken, perhaps? Or Luca, still off-mood from having been stuck in the brand? It's hard to say. ]

Not a lot, admittedly. There wasn't much time.

[ He turns his head, glancing out away from where they stand. Idly wondering how far the brand truly stretches.]

It said something that made me wonder if it has been weakened, somehow.

[Luca follows Joshua's gaze, as if it might avail answers. When none come, he finds himself leaning forward. Much as he doesn't give a damn about the bird, curiosity gets the better of him.]

Weakened? [He feels the Phoenix balk, then writhe. It's almost as if the movement dislodges a memory. Nothing concrete, but he recalls heat and pain, neither of which are his own.] What makes you say that?

[ Founder, he hopes this won't have any negative side effects on Luca. He clenches his fists just slightly, glancing back to the other. ]

I asked to know why your Beasts fight each other. It gave me a vague answer, that nothing is permanent, and that power can be both given and taken. When I asked for clarification as to whether or not its own power had been taken, it seemed to dodge truly giving me an answer.

[Unfortunately, that's the Phoenix's MO. The good news is that it's too exhausted to be deliberate about any of it? It's the small comforts.]

Stubborn and not giving out answers? That certainly sounds like the Phoenix I know. [He sounds absolutely exhausted by the concept.] But... I suppose it is answer enough.

Did it give any indication as to how it happened?

[ To that, Joshua shakes his head, sighing softly. It's frustrating, but no more frustrating than untangling the web of mystery that surrounded Ultima. A welcome challenge. ]

No. Just that.

[ He tucks his wings close to his back, frowning at the ground and tapping his fingers to his chin. ]

There had been a woman before that seemed intent on attacking it, but by the time I was able to interact, she was gone and the bird was wounded. I'm not sure if that has anything to do with it or not.

[Luca focuses on the movement of those wings, albeit somewhat warily. He knows he can trust Joshua, but the faint resemblance to those of the Phoenix still serves as a point of discomfort.]

A woman? [He tries to sift through the hazy memories, but feels a sharp pang within his head. Someone wasn't having any of it.]

I wish I could say I knew what that meant.

It was... a woman with hair like yours.

[ He has no idea if that will give any hints. He couldn't get a good read on the situation at all, not knowing much about Luca. He looks up, considering Luca for a moment, thoughtful. ]

She was pleading for help for someone. Someone sickly? If that rings any bells.

An Aurelius, then.

[Luca's expression is both thoughtful and troubled. The last Aurelius woman would have been his grandmother, who had passed long before Luca's birth. His uncle bore no children, so there would be nothing to be found there, either. Stranger still was the fact that any Aurelius would seek to attack the Phoenix. As far as Luca knew, he was the only one to feel such revulsion for his patron.

Still, the familiarity with the woman's situation, whoever she was, leaves him feeling uneasy. He shakes his head, though he doesn't meet Joshua's eyes. His gaze remains locked on the ground as he tries once again to sift through the fog in his mind.]

I am afraid it doesn't. But beyond my father, I never met another member of my family. They had all passed before I was born.

[ Hmm... A true mystery, then. If even Luca is unfamiliar, just how long ago had the memory been? They may never know. ]

Just another tidbit of information for the pile, then, I suppose. And I doubt your Phoenix will be regaling us with the details any time soon, from the sound of it.

[ Joshua presses his lips together, frowning again in thought. What does it all mean? ]

It hasn't retaliated against you, has it? For my seeing that memory?

Oh, most certainly not.

[Luca almost wishes he could give Joshua a better answer. Unfortunately, he can only heave a single shoulder in a loose shrug.]

Nothing terrible, so long as I do not attempt to pry. If I do, it makes sure I have nothing more than a headache for my efforts.

[He doesn't sound anywhere near surprised by this, at least.]

It prefers to keep its secrets. So be it.

[ Well, that's good, at least. Joshua had been concerned about it, but as long as a headache is all that there is... He hates to think that a headache is inconsequential, but in the long run, it truly is. ]

As Beasts are wont to do, I'm sure. I doubt the others would be any more forthcoming.

[ Beasts sound more like gods than Eikons. There is sentience there, more so than the Eikons' fight or flight control to anything that may overwhelm their Dominants. That is instinctual. But Luca's Phoenix could speak, think, articulate. ]

So long as it does not truly bring harm to you, I am content to let it keep them. But as a Phoenix myself, I have thus far not been very impressed by the way that it does things.

You are right, though I doubt anyone chatters quite as much as the Phoenix. Most of them have too many charges to tend to.

[And he doubts the exceedingly picky Leviathan is making any idle chatter, either. Truly he true the short end of the stick.

A wave of indignation, one not his own, rolls over Luca. He can't tell if it's the result of his own thoughts or Joshua's words, but either way, Luca can't help a satisfied grin.]

It does not seem to be our biggest fans at the moment, either. Which tells me you ought to keep the insults coming.

Ah. Lucky you, then, I suppose.

[ It's sarcasm, plain and simple, and said with a gentle grin. When you only have one to focus on...

But the fact that the Phoenix is so obviously ruffled by his words makes him laugh, a soft and short breathy sound behind his hand. If there's one thing he knows he's good at, it's being a thorn in the side of divinity. Or, at least, he thought he was, shortly before coming here. ]

Well, if you insist... I do not think that your Phoenix is particularly good at being a Phoenix. I treat my Blessed with far more kindness, for one.

[ Nevermind that his is the brother that he adores like nothing else. That surely has nothing to do with it. ]

[Within Luca's mind, the Phoenix balks. This boy clearly knows nothing about being a Phoenix. As far as the Beast is concerned, he is a pretender to the throne, nothing more. All of which only serves to make Luca smirk.]

You know, I think it might even agree with you.

[Disgusted, the Phoenix sends yet another pang through Luca's head. It cuts off the sharp laugh he'd been in the process of letting out rather quickly. As he rubs at his temple, the grin shifts into a grimace.]

Or, perhaps not.

[ well phoenix if a "pretender" is doing a better job than you maybe that means you should get good ]

Oh?

[ Joshua nearly laughs again, though the wince on Luca's face pauses that. Ah. The Phoenix again, he takes it. He shakes his head just slightly, kneeling down before Luca to press his fingertips against a pulse point near his temple. ]

Rub here. Small and concentrated circles, both sides, with two fingertips. It will help, in most cases. And, if not, press directly into the base of your head, where your neck meets.

[ Something he picked up from the Undying, while pain medicines were scarce. ]

[Luca watches Joshua's attempts with a tilted head. When he finishes, he lifts his own hands, repeating the gesture with a furrowed brow. To his surprise, the lingering effects of the headache do diminish. Oh, he can't help but feel a bit smug at that.]

That's two miracles you've worked today. Would you like to go for a third before we return to the grove?

[His smile is wry, but his eyes convey every bit of gratitude that he doesn't outright vocalize.]

Thank you, Joshua. For everything.

EVENT 021

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