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

III

[lupusxylem]

[What place is Wolfwood taking in this memory? Who knows honestly, though it really doesn't matter. He doesn't look like any Terran anyone would know, though he could just be a Liberi with features that aren't super obvious. Or Aegir, maybe. Either way, he's here, meaning that it's seamless. He "belongs" here, as far as himself or anyone a part of this memory knows, and Wolfwood is overhearing a conversation in progress.

Now normally he wouldn't call himself much of an eavesdropper, but...he sure is eavesdropping now.]

[ezellotry]

[ It's not like there's a shortage of places to hide. This is just at the doorway of the greenhouse, so... Ezell will probably acknowledge Wolfwood after the memory ends, but for now it's hard not to focus on Flamebringer. And not because Ezell thinks he's incredibly attractive or wants to kiss his face. He keeps glancing down to Flamebringer's blades, his own hands clenching the leather strap of his shotgun, like he's about to pull it up at the first sign of anything strange.

Ezell is... afraid. ]

A Sankta, huh? Out for revenge? If it's a fight you want, you've got one. We'll take it outside. But step aside first. Wait until I water my flowers.

[ Ezell frowns, loosening the grip on his strap and putting his hands down. He didn't... mean to come off as aggressive. ]

Plenty of executors and others at the Notarial Hall say it's a pretty bad idea to fight alone when encountering certain targets on the wanted list. Also, this is Rhodes Island... so I will abide by the rules here.

Yeah? Suit yourself then.

...Uh, Flamebringer, sir... Would you mind if I asked you a few questions?

About what? What are you hoping to get out of me? [ Flamebringer doesn't seem to care about Ezell's presence anymore. Rather, he's just watering his plants like Ezell doesn't really matter to him anymore. This is not lost on Ezell, either. ]

There are a few things I'd like to ask you about Kazdel. I want to know what the reality of the situation is there, like the size of the nearby towns and what kind of people are entering and leaving... I would really appreciate it if gave me some guidance.

You're going to Kazdel?

Yes.

If you've got a death wish, then go for it.

[ Ezell steps forward, hands against his chest to very passionately express himself. This isn't for him, after all. He's doing this for a very important little girl. He needs help, and he knows he does... ] It's not a death wish. I have my own reasons for needing to go to Kazdel. But I'm fully aware that given the current circumstances, setting out right now without making any preparations is tantamount to suicide. And I'm not about to do that, which is one of the reasons I've come to Rhodes Island.

Uh huh. Don't block the light.

[ ...Ezell deflates, just a bit. Is Flamebringer... bored? ] ...Acting recklessly, putting the lives of others and yourself at risk, is not bravery. It's just irresponsible. If I can learn as much as possible about the actual situation on the ground before I go, I'll be able to plan ahead and prepare accordingly. Even though some degree of risk is inevitable, I'd at least like to avoid as much of it as possible.

You don't have to talk so much. Your story's got nothing to do with me, and I'm not interested in your philosophizing.

...Ugh, out of water... Also should get around to pruning these branches and leaves...

...It looks like it's only lush on one side, probably due to uneven light exposure. Rather than trimming off the unbalanced parts yourself, it might be better to rotate and let the other side get some sunlight.

Cut off the excess branches and leaves, and the flowers will bloom better. The more options you have, the more likely you are to miss the point. That's how it is with plants.

But... who gets to decide what the "point" of growth is for another living being?

Who? The strong get to decide.

I'm afraid we'll have to agree to disagree on that one, Flamebringer. While it's true that this plant, after being pruned, might be more beautiful in appearance and grow more of its eagerly-awaited flowers... I believe that a living being with a consciousness should be free to decide how it wishes to grow.

Huh?

[ Flamebringer's absent-minded boredom doesn't leave, even now, but Wolfwood will catch glint of the blade Flamebringer used to prune the plant swinging around and stabbing it into the wall behind Ezell, pinning him against the wall. Ezell grunts as his back is slammed into the wall. ]

A silver tongue's not gonna save you. What about now? Do you still have a reason to go?

[lupusxylem]

[Wolfwood is definitely hiding amongst the plants, sequestered in a place he wouldn't easily be noticed even if the pair were looking for someone. Not that he's too worried about being seen, at this point...they both sound pretty well occupied. He can just barely see them through the leaves of this massive pothos he's behind too, so he very much sees it when Flamebringer suddenly plunges his sword into the wall behind Ezell.

Given how their conversation has been going, he half expects Flamebringer to just take Ezell's head off right here and now. Wolfwood, who is currently probably just armed with a gun or something, has his hand resting on the holster just in case his hand is forced.

He doesn't say anything, nor does he make a sound. Assuming Flamebringer doesn't turn Ezell into a smear on the floor, Wolfwood is going to wait and watch this play out.]

[ezellotry]

[ At the very least, Wolfwood knows that Ezell doesn't die here. Considering this is in the past, anyway. But... he certainly seems to think that he might. In fact, Ezell is shaking like a leaf, but perhaps having a blade cut into your side and an arm locking against your neck to press you to a wall would have anyone shaking. Ezell coughs, struggling to breathe properly. ]

Please-! Let go...!!!

Why don't you shoot me in the gut? Is this all the resistance you can muster? You want to go to Kazdel with that toy gun of yours? Who do you think is gonna be convinced by your high-minded ideas? If you want info, you can talk to the Vampire doctor, or maybe that Kal'tsit woman. If you have time to play Twenty Questions here, why not directly ask your superiors? How many of Laterano's missions do you think revolve around Kazdel anyway? How many Sankta souls do you think this blade has gorged on?

I... [ Cough, cough. ] I appreciate the warning... But I still hope... to hear the truth about Kazdel i-in your words.

You should understand by now. I had my blade speak for me.

[ Flamebringer lets him go, and Ezell falls to the ground against the floor, gasping for air. His side is bleeding, indicating that the blade did, in fact, cut into him. It's not a lot, at least. ]

W- [ Cough, cough. ] wait!

You don't get to ask me to wait, boy.

Why... didn't you kill me?

Life won't flourish without the right nutrients. The same's true for plants and people alike. Now scram, boy. You don't water flowers with blood.

[ Despite telling Ezell to scram, Flamebringer's the one to walk away, leaving Ezell on the floor. ]

[lupusxylem]

[He keeps waiting, deciding to let Flamebringer leave before he makes his presence known. He sees that Ezell is bleeding, but he doubts the Sarkaz cut him deeply enough for it to be serious. He does wonder how acts of violence like this between Operators are handled here, though...assuming Ezell actually speaks of this encounter to anyone.

Unfortunately, there's one person he won't be able to hide it from as Wolfwood emerges from the plants, kneeling down to where Ezell is on the floor.]

Here. Lemme see.

[ezellotry]

[ Ezell uses the wall to prop himself back up and stand on his feet, a bit surprised when he hears a voice. There's a small, sheepish laugh... ]

I'm okay. Just a little shaken - this is nothing, I promise.

[lupusxylem]

You're bleedin'. That ain't nothin'.

[Wolfwood grumbles, rummaging in his blazer pockets until he finds a clean handkerchief he can pass to Ezell to press to the wound until he can get to an actual medic.]

What exactly did you say there to piss him off that badly?

[ezellotry]

It's not a deep wound. I just need to get it cleaned up.

As for him... Your guess is as good as mine... I don't think I said anything that off-color, but... it might be just because I'm a Sankta. The other Sarkaz I spoke with prior were also a bit defensive when I spoke with them, too.

[lupusxylem]

Mmm...and if Kazdel is as bad as he's sayin' it is, why the hell do you wanna get there so badly? Now I'm startin' to get why he asked if you got a death wish.

[ezellotry]

It's the... little girl that I came here with. Cecelia. She's 8 years old, and her mother has just died. She's hardly old enough to even grasp the concept of death, and yet...

...

Her father, however, is a Kazdelian Sarkaz. Which is why he wasn't with her at the time - Sarkaz are not allowed in Laterano. But now that her mother is gone, she's all alone, and I... I can't allow that. She deserves a family. She's the sweetest little girl in the world.

[lupusxylem]

...ah. Right...

[Suddenly, Wolfwood's gruff demeanor visibly softens a bit. The fact this is for a kid changes things, for sure.

...he pauses, suddenly.]

Hang on. You ain't taken her to Kazdel, are you?

[ezellotry]

...That's sort of why I'm trying to make an informed decision, or maybe find a guide or... I don't know. I really don't know anything about Kazdel, aside from what Cecelia and the Sarkaz here have told me. The plan was to take her, because that's what she wants, and who am I to tell her no...?

It's just... like I'd told Flamebringer, if I know what I'm getting into, I can do this properly, so Cecelia doesn't get hurt. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if that happened.

[lupusxylem]

Right, I get that. S'just...it sounds like this place is too dangerous for even adults to be in, much less children. And I get her dad's supposed to be there and all, but...how can you even be sure he's gonna be there when you two show up?

[He asks, looking from the cut on Ezell's side back up to his face.]

[ezellotry]

...I can't. But I also can't tell her that she cannot look for him, either. Do you honestly think that's fair?

[lupusxylem]

Yeah...yeah. I get why you're doin' this.

[And it makes sense why he's asking around for intel, instead of just walking into Kazdel like hi is this guy here?]

You might be better off talkin' to other Sarkaz. I don't think Flamebringer wants to hear it either way.

[ezellotry]

Yeah I… I got that impression. But he’s also a true Kazdelian Sarkaz. All of the others I’ve spoken with this far have said they don’t know much about it, since they’ve left at the earlier possible time they could.

Which I guess paints a pretty bleak picture, I know. But…

[lupusxylem]

[It sure does, buddy!!]

...well. If you're goin' to do this, you can't just roll over and take that shit. Cause if he was actually gonna kill you, he woulda' done it right then and there.

[Like please do not be letting yourself get killed over this Ezell, it's nice what you're doing but it's also not worth dying over it.]

[ezellotry]

...I don't think he was going to, though. Flamebringer doesn't seem the sort of person who cares about the rules, right? So what does he care about not hurting another Operator?

I think... I think it's because he does care, in a really roundabout sort of way. A way likely forged by the life he's lived... That's the impression I got there.

[lupusxylem]

Mm. A lotta confidence to put in a guy who literally just knifed you.

[But Ezell is also a nicer person than Wolfwood is. He would have just started throwing punches, which. Like. Honestly may have given him a better impression anyway, come to think of it.]

[ezellotry]

...Do you disagree?

[lupusxylem]

[...]

Didn't say that. But I also don't know 'im that well.

[Well, not in THIS memory you don't.]

[ezellotry]

...I only know what I've read about in the wanted section of Notarial Hall. I know he's extremely dangerous, and I have seen that. But also... I feel like the Flamebringer on those Wanted posters and the Operator Flamebringer might be different people. Not in a literal sense, but I just mean... I don't think he's the same.

...

I guess it doesn't really matter, though. I doubt I'll ever see him again. I imagine he'll probably want to avoid me, knowing I'm a field executor.

[lupusxylem]

Mm...don't sound like the talk of somebody who really wants t'get to Kazdel and out in one piece. Didn't you say yourself he was prolly your best option to get info?

[Like yeah, Wolfwood originally was like "maybe you should talk to other Sarkaz", but Ezell's counterpoint is hard to deny. If there was anyone to talk to in this case...it would be Flamebringer.]

[ezellotry]

I do want to. It's why I'm trying to get information. I know it's not going to be easy, but telling me "don't go" or "it's bad" or "the people there will kill you" is unhelpful. What can I expect? How do I prepare? What options are there?? I don't know! Because no one is telling me.

[lupusxylem]

[Wolfwood sighs, lifting a hand to rub the side of his face.]

I dunno...I dunno what to tell you either. It's a fuckin' shitty situation with no easy solution. Maybe...

[...]

Just keep askin' around. And if you run into that guy again...assumin' he doesn't just kill you, ask him again. Be a god damn thorn in his side if you have to, I dunno.