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

Yeah! More for the sheep!

[ Said sheep are indeed very busy eating the grass and slowly wandering away from the young lad, who ohs!! and moves to catch up with them again so he can herd them back. ]

Hello, White Lily Cookie! Is this an un-uneggpected place?

[ He knows that word, thank you, it's just a very big word to say and he is a very small Cookie. ]

( she laughs softly and it feels foreign in her heart. )

That's right. I'm not sure how I wound up here, but surprises lead to good things, most of the time. Like... I got to meet a sweet little shepherd! And this is your flock, yes?

I'm sweet cause I'm Vanilla! Are lilies sweet? I've never eaten one before! But you smell really nice!

[ The lack of stranger danger and filter is strong. She knows he only barely gets better in Academy too. ]

Yea! I take them out every day! That one's Buttercream, that one's Frosty, that ones Cream Cheese!

[ He points to each Sheep as he names them, then holds up the wayward lamb. ]

And this one's Meringue! The other babies are playing and I don't get to name them til they're older but this one's always getting into trouble so I gotta call it something for it to come back!

[ INHALE. ]

Edited 2025-02-09 06:56 (UTC)

Lilies... hm. Flowers can be sweet or bitter, but they have a subtle taste. But only specific Cookies can eat lilies, or it will make you very sick. Chamomile, honeysuckle, and several other flowers are safe to eat though.

( she's just going to have fun with this. it's- it's not the same, not in the least. but it reminds her of innocent times, before she ever once had jam on her hands, but she had a best friend.

she nods and greets every sheep as it's introduced. )

They must be happy to be in good hands like yours.

Oh!! We have honeysuckle!! All the time! It's really good!

[ He beams up at her and then mashes his face into the baby cream sheeps wool because it's soft and fluffy, and it feels good to do so. The lamb takes it with a tiny 'meh!' that makes him giggle.

He speaks from there. Cause he's a goober. ]

I hope so! I wanna become a really good herder! I love my sheep and I love it here!

[ He lifts his face and there's cream wool stuck to it. ]

What do you wanna be! Or are you gonna keep traveling forever? See everything? Will you see the big oceans? I heard there's boats! Will you see boats?!

( something cinches in her chest and she remembers what truthless recluse said the day of his homecoming- )

I'm sure you will. I'm sure with that kind heart of yours, you'll be the best possible shepherd for them.

( ... )

... I'm looking... for my husband. He went missing some time ago. And from there, that depends on what he wants. But I've seen big oceans, and ridden on boats, and I even went to the valley of dragons, once! I've seen big mountains and forests, too.

[ Something about what she says makes him sad, briefly. But mostly because she looks sad saying it.

So he puts his cream lamb down and then reaches up to take her hand. ]

I'll help you find him, White Lily Cookie! I don't think he's around here, it's just been me and my sheep, but he might be!

[ And then shock and AWE on his tiny cookie face to the idea of dragons. ]

Whoa!! Did you see dragons?! The others say its just a myth there's NO dragons! But I hear them talking with outsiders sometimes!! About [ He drops his voice, conspiratorially because that's how the adult cookies say it. ] dragon raids [ then back to normal ] and I wanna see! A dragon! What if they just wanna be friends and don't know how to do it? I wanna give one a hug and say its okay!!

[ He's beginning to lead her confidently somewhere, the sheep moving with them, little bells ringing. Where are they going? Who knows! To find a husband! ]

I don't think he is here either... but I think he was here a very long time ago. ... Maybe this is where he grew up.

( maybe it's where he should have stayed.

...

she lets him lead her along, laughing softly. )

Dragons live across the sea, in a hot canyon. They're honorable, in their own way, but they are also prideful and eager to show off their strength. If they see you as an equal, they will treat you as such... so I think, if anyone could befriend a dragon, it would be you. Hollyberry Cookie could introduce you! She's my friend who lives around there, too.

We'll be DETECTIVE COOKIES! If he was here, we'll find clues!! Then we can follow!

[ Very Long Time Ago doesn't parse in his tiny baby Cookie brain. That's like, a few days, right? He marches with purpose! Towards! That hill over there! ]

Wao-! I'm not powerful though! And thats okay! I don't wanna be! It's a lot of responbibility. [ BIG WORDS ARE HARD OKAY. ] I'm too young for that! I just wanna be with my sheep! Maybe travel when I'm older, that sounds fun! But I wanna come home!

[ He's swinging her hand back and forth now, attention wandering... ]

Power isn't much use without kindness and wisdom. Just like wisdom without the power to act and the kindness to apply it isn't much, and kindness without wisdom and power can't stand on it's own. All three need each other to be strong and healthy.

You're still very little, but you're very kind. And I hope that you can keep that kindness with you, no matter what.

( she smiles still as he talks, leading her along. a hill, hm? ...

just a shepherd. coming home...

...

maybe... this was a mistake. )

You also don't have to be anything you don't want to. Just remember to be kind enough to offer friendship, strong enough to defend who you love, and wise enough to take care of them... and live the life you want to.

[ Wow those are a lot of words. Once they reach the top of the hill he will stop leading her around and the sheep will plop down and get comfy. He stares at her wide eyed as she tells him a lot of things that sound very important, sitting down as well, tiny legs sticking straight out.

Give him a moment, he is a baby, and that is a lot.

Finally: ]

Okay! You remember it too!

[ He doesn't know why but it sounds very important to say to her. ]

Cause you're kind too! And you're really nice! You came all the way here to look for your husband! I bet he'll be really happy when you find him! It's not fun being lost! You get really sad and it's really scary! And then you get found and you're not lost and alone anymore!

( lily huffs a little laugh and crouches, petting his hair. )

That's what I'm hoping. ... It's lovely here, isn't it, Pure Vanilla Cookie?

Yeah!! It's always really nice and quiet! This is my favorite spot, you can see everywhere from here!

[ Everywhere being not too far, but he is small and it is large. Meringue comes over and curls up by his side and he pets the little lamb. ]

White Lily Cookie? Will you come back here after you find your husband?

... I'd like to. I think he'd like it here, too.

Okay! Find him fast all right? You can see if you can see him from here!

[ He stands again, a little bundle of energy, and puts his hands over his eyes to shield them from the sun and look around.

Meringue is looking at Lily. ]

( oh, honey.

lily laughs softly, before taking in the view... up until she gives a sidelong glance at meringue. white butterflies flutter around. to a little boy, they're just pretty bugs on a nice day.

but two in the valley know what they are. )

[ The sudden butterflies surprise him out of his search and he holds his hands out to them. ]

White Lily Cookie! Look! Butterflies!

[ While the little Cookies attention is grabbed, Meringue 'glitches' a sketchy grin appearing over it's face.

You don't scare him here, Guardian.

Then the lamb goes back to laying down as Pure Vanilla tries to gently catch a butterfly. ]

( oh, shadow milk cookie. she was never the one you needed to fear, even if she will not let herself die until you're gone.

no, your death is pink and raspberry scented, waiting to know you need to die to begin with.

but lily is the one who's here, and as such she's the one who gently hoists the child up to see the butterflies, keeping his attention elsewhere. )

[ Oh he's being lifted! He giggles and puts his arms around her neck, much more interesting in hugging than the butterflies.

And he hugs! A big squishy hug! The best his tiny arms can do. ]

Oh-! Hehe. Why, thank you.

( butterflies settle into the grass or on flowers, one might be forgiven for assuming she's relaxed, especially with the child in her arms.

it'd be wrong, but still. )

What a lovely view. Thank you for bringing me here.

Thank you for visiting! I know you're looking for your husband but I'm glad you stopped to talk to me! I love my sheep but sometimes it gets lonely! Adults don't often stop by! Unless it's time to come in!

[ He kicks his feet gently, hanging off her neck, a happy child. ]

... I think... if it gets lonely, you're allowed to say so. And I've loved our time together. You're very sweet!

Okay! But you gotta say it too okay? I know adults like to hide that! Which is silly! And you're kind! So I EXTRA know you won't say it!

[ He beams at being sweet, of course he is. ]

I'm vanilla!!

[ As if that answers it all. ]

--Oh, you extra know?

( he's right but still!!

... pfftehehehe- )

You are, aren't you? I'll tell you a secret though. Vanilla's my favorite.

[ :O ]

Noway! Then you should stay here! We have a lot of vanilla around! They're in beans!!

[ He rests his head on her shoulder, closes his eyes. ]

My favorite is lily!!

EVENT 021

the tiniest little crumble

hes but little...

a gust of wind will blow him away

noooo my baby

floating away on a breeze

nooooo! he is too small! he'll never make it!

he is gone /pensive a little vanilla puff

CATCHES HIM

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