EVENT 021

[sticksandbonesmods]

Feeding from the Ocean

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

Comments

[ezellotry]

They don't know better. To them, this is just as "outside" as the rest of the world is, rather than a gardening plot. But I'm more than happy to get them out of your hair, in that case.

Some of them are unfortunately really harmful to the environment, but... there's also a few in there I'd like to take to the school. I think they'd enjoy seeing these painted ladies grow up, for example.

And, yes, I'm not wearing my white robes today. It's something a little more casual. Sorry, I know that white is blinding and harsh on the eyes sometimes.

[thebladebringstheflame]

[Oooh he's STUPID. Perfect—

Asher leans forward against the railing, which is maybe two feet off the ground on the deck here. There's a balcony hanging overhead the garden on the side of the house, where the shadow casts over Ezell and his collection of caterpillars.]

Not what I meant. I don't have a problem looking at you in anything you're wearing. [He takes a drag off the cigarette and exhales a ring. Do you think he's sexy Ezell—] Hell, I'd actually like to see what those robes look like on my bedroom floor.

[ezellotry]

...Probably the same, but wrinkled? [ ???? Are you offering to do his laundry?? ] Smoking like that is bound to cause health issues, Mister Asher. And I mean more for you than the plants.

[thebladebringstheflame]

[Come closer he wants to rizz you harder—]

Yeah, I know, but you're gonna have to stop Nick and me from doing it. It's harder than it looks, trust me. I keep telling the kids not to be like me... least Lena doesn't do it.

[ezellotry]

I've already gotten onto him prior. Nick's at least stopped smoking around the church, though. That's helpful.

[ He holds up the caterpillars. ]

I found about 8 of them, and I also trimmed some leaves that looked like they had eggs on them. Is that alright?

[thebladebringstheflame]

Yeah, it's probably fine. [Asher is a little less touchy about his garden than Flamebringer is.] They needed to be snipped anyway before they get unruly and choke each other.

[Hums.]

Nick and I are thinking about getting chickens to keep it under control. Looks like you like these dudes though, don't you?

[ezellotry]

I’m sure the fine farmers we have wouldn’t mind if you brought them to them, if y’didn’t wanna raise them yourselves.

[ Oh, excited smiles here for sure. He’s practically beaming now. ]

But yes, I do. Insects are quite fascinating, so I find myself collecting them when I have the chance. You should come see my bee hive when you have a chance.

[thebladebringstheflame]

[Yeah baby he'd LOVE to see your beehive :) ]

Yeah? I like bees, but that's probably obvious. [Considering...] You know, more than the bees, I'm more interested in the man who keeps them.

[ezellotry]

Oh! Like you want to keep bees? You know, I could show you~! I do have some spare stuff. And I could make a starter hive! I could get you a queen no problem!!!

[ He's so excited!!! ]

I'll go home and bring you stuff. Just wait here a minute!

[ He's turning around to leave the Garden- ]

[thebladebringstheflame]

[.............

I hate watching you go but I love watching you leave etc.

Asher will let Ezell wander off because he's too busy zoning out into his ass as he retreats.]

1/2

[ezellotry]

[ Great, past Asher absolutely would've gotten a queen bee and a little place for a hive, courtesy of the local priest later, then. Sorry. But for now... ]

2/2

[ezellotry]

[ Aaaaand then Ezell wakes up in the brand, his senses coming to him slowly. And, y'know, instead of being reasonable and trying to help himself and Flamebringer out, he just... ]

Was that supposed to be this "you" flirting, Flamebringer? Seriously???

[thebladebringstheflame]

[You can always count on Flamebringer to pry himself out of this shit, at least. God his brain feels full. He wonders how long he's been lying here... long enough to find out he and Wolfwood were MARRIED HE SUPPOSES he's going to maim the guy later.]

Not my fault you were oblivious to it.

[ezellotry]

...I'm sorry I ran out here. I thought I saw...

[ Unsurprising that Flamebringer chased him out into the brand. Sigh. ]

Ugh, I can't feel my arms still. Can you get up?

[thebladebringstheflame]

Kinda.

[And he groans, because it does fucking hurt, but there are gaps between where he can briefly stand in on his knees long enough to try yanking Ezell out.]

Gotta get back to the inn. Then I can flirt with you more.

[Flamebringer, from the bottom of my heart, those were Terrible attempts at flirting.]

[ezellotry]

[ He tries to lift his arm, but it does not seem to be working out for him. He does manage to sit up, though, using mostly his shoulders and back. ]

…I didn’t call you Flamebringer in that… vision. I called you… “Mister Asher”.

…

Is that your name, Flamebringer…?

[thebladebringstheflame]

[Until such point where Hypergryph tells me I'm wrong (coping) it is—]

...yeah. Asher Kariv. It's my birth name.

[He frowns, gaze flicking off to the side, before he tugs on Ezell again and tries to lift him up this time. His legs don't entirely want to work with him, but he's real intent on getting Ezell inside before the Brand takes their minds again.]

[ezellotry]

[ Ezell’s legs are working, at least. So he’s able to stand up and hobble with Flamebringer back to the Inn. ]

…Can I ask why you’ve never told me?

[thebladebringstheflame]

...look. A lot of Sarkaz ditch our original names. It's one of those cultural things. A lot of us pick new names, things we're good at or that matter to us, a summary of our personalities or skills, whatever. W's changed her name at least six times, and that's only one example.

It's not personal, so don't take it personally. We attach our identities to a new name that we choose, because sometimes the name we were born with isn't really "us".

[ezellotry]

[ At least the door was still left open, so they don't have to try and fight the brand to get inside. Once within the warmth of the Iberian fireplace, though, Ezell immediately slumps against the wall. ]

I... wasn't taking it personally, Flamebringer. I was just surprised, that's all. It's a very lovely name. [ He doubts... Flamebringer remembers his parents much. It feels wrong to ask about it. He only wishes his childhood was just a little easier on him... ]

...We have similar things, but from the sounds of it, it might go the opposite way. [ This sounds more like dissociation, or a protection of innocence to the person they are now? Ezell doesn't want to make too many assumptions, though. ] We call them Rebirthing Rituals. A renewal of the self and mind, usually for Laterans who are overburdened with an emotion of some kind - so it's not... common, really. Some of them even take on new names.

[thebladebringstheflame]

Huh. I've never heard of them. [But that's not shocking, he keeps his nose out of Laterano for uh. Obvious Reasons.] I guess it's similar, though.

...

I didn't mean to assume. Names are just touchy for me, and a lot of people are gonna know my birth name now. I can't say I love that thought.

[ezellotry]

I'm sure if you just let them know that you want to be called Flamebringer, no one is going to challenge you about it. I'm... I'm sorry that I had to find out that way. If you didn't want me to know, then I really shouldn't know. W-we can both pretend that didn't happen...??

[thebladebringstheflame]

...nah, just... don't go saying it to people or whatever. 'S'fine.

[ezellotry]

[ Now that Ezell has proper feelings in his arms, he's gonna get a hug. ]

I won't. You know I won't... [ Beat. ] It is nice to know... even while here, the two of us were close.

[thebladebringstheflame]

...

Did you really think my flirting was bad?

[girl c'mon]