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

the past, a moment in time

[aneikonic]

Wren! There you are!

[ It's a bright, beautiful day in the grove. Certainly not Winter, and there definitely is no fleshy mass crawling across it. It's late Spring, early Summer, and everyone is out in force. A new caravan has arrived laden with goods and the commerce is beginning to kick up.

And that is the 1-hour-older Rozenfeld slapping Wren hard on the shoulder to snap him out of whatever daze he's fallen in to, smirking at him. ]

Falling asleep with the dogs?

[ Said hounds wag their tails around them both, Jacob releasing Wren to rub at faces and pat heads. ]

C'mon, I promised Caleb one of those pies he likes but we won't find any left if we wait too long.

[goldenambition]

[ the kennels smell. Any animal pen smells, even those where the animals aren't allowed to soil them. Musky scents of beasts and hay and meat. Wren had been dozing while sitting up on a hay bale, Mama the fat barn cat on his lap, giving Jacob the stink eye for waking her bed. She stretches and walks away as Wren does the same]

Spoilin' him.

[ he stoops to pet the nearest dog as well]

[aneikonic]

No more'an you spoil that cat.

[ He gives Mama a grin as she saunters away. Sorry. He'll lay out a saucer for her later. He waits until Wren is stooping to pet the dog, then tackles him back into the hay to wrestle. Hurry, he said, and then proceeds to goof around. He's trying to get the other into a headlock, pushing dogs away with his foot as he does. ]

Do you - oof, ge'off! - wanna head into the woods today? There's a new trail that popped up! Pixies, I bet!

[goldenambition]

Hey now, Mama works har- ack!!

[ caught by surprise he can't escape, but already the lean dexterity he would be known for as a adult has started to show. He squirms and twists like a mongoose. The dogs bark and jump to try and join in the wrestle]

Yes, yes if you don't choke me out first!

[ said laughing, but looking for a chance to wiggle free]

Up, get 'em!

[ sorry Jake, the dogs have a Commad now]

[aneikonic]

[ All that sword training may be helping build muscle but what's good strength if you can't hold onto your opponent?! Jacob focuses intensely as he tries to get the upper hand-

-only to be cheated on. ]

H-hey!

[ He's instantly overwhelmed with Dogs On a Mission, going down under the pile as he fights off the playing. ]

Stop! Stop! I yield! UGH that's my nose, stop it! Wren! Call them off!

[goldenambition]

[ Wren laughs wildly at the show, until the memory of his mother's disapproval floats in his ear.

" Never sicc a dog on a man you ain't willing to see die. A smart dog might decide he needs killing no matter what you say. And our dogs are the smartest around."

Of course they would never hurt Jacob- they've known him all their lives. But it's enough to cool his hijinks]

Alright! Alright! Let 'em go!

[ freed they are a matching pair- covered in hay and dog stink]

[aneikonic]

[ Hay, dog stink, and now a fair bit of dog spit too.

Jacob sits himself up, wiping his face on his shoulder with a crinkle of his nose. ]

Gross.

[ He's not upset though, far from it, as he climbs to his feet then hauls Wren up as well, then wipes his face with his hand and smacks it into Wrens hair in retaliation, ruffling left over dog drool in. Then grabs his hand with his own to drag him out finally. ]

I'm not buying you a pie for that, you know.

[goldenambition]

Hey!

[ he'd almost call it deserved, but Jacob started the wrestling so clearly it was justified escalation. Or one of those other fancy sayings in his mum's books.]

Like you were gonna buy me one anyways.

[aneikonic]

[ It was CHEATING but Jacob's grinning again so he'll let Wren off. ]

Of course I was! But now you're not getting it!

[ He's a horrible liar. Because the moment they reach the pie cart he buys Calebs, and then one for Wren the two of them can split. He has enough coin for two, after all. ]

All right, tracker. Find Caleb! Find 'em, boy!

[kingincognito]

[ Caleb is not far off, thankfully. Sitting on the short wall outside of the library, he's bent over with a book in one hand and his other supporting his chin, the elbow propped on a thigh that's crossed over top of the other. Not a comfortable-looking position, but it is to him! He does this all the time.

He's thoroughly engrossed in what he's reading, though, only moving to turn a page or push his glasses further up his nose. What do you do? ]

[goldenambition]

[ he doesnt call him out for it since it really was obvious. Tearing into his half without hesitation]

Shoo'up, ashool.

[ even a full mouth can't hide his sailor tongue. A swallow:]

And you know EXACTLY where he is. Doing nerd stuff.

[aneikonic]

[ That'll make him gasp playfully, putting his hand on his chest and adopts the most offended expression. Quite like their schoolmarm. ]

Language, Mister Allaway!

[ And he knows. He sets out while stuffing his half of the pie into his mouth, wiping his hand on his shirt after with zero grace and dignity. And he lights up when he spots Caleb on the wall - near the library. Yeah, figured. ]

Caye'!

[ His mouth is full still and he's chewing aggressively, holding Calebs pie over his head in hello. ]

[kingincognito]

[ Caleb could tell his brother's voice from anywhere. It makes him look up from his book, eyes brightening as he scrambles to find the ribbon to mark his place and then redirect his glasses back into position. He sees that pie he was promised.

Though, as the boys get closer, he also sees all the straw in their hair, and smells the scent of dogs all over them. He laughs, but politely covers his nose with his hand all the same. ]

You both stink, what were you doing?

[ Not that it isn't hard to guess. ]

[goldenambition]

[ Wren blushes and looks away, giving the world's most teenager shrug]

Ya know... dog stuff. Training.

[ sure, buddy]

[aneikonic]

He was nappin' so I kicked his ass awake.

[ Jacobs voice doesn't hold a bit of remorse as he finally manages to swallow his pie, coughing on it a bit, and then handing Calebs over to hop up onto the wall as well, resting his hands there. ]

[kingincognito]

[ Oh, the pie. Caleb gladly takes it, setting his book aside and very neatly taking a small bite. Unlike Jacob and Wren, he tries not to make too much of a mess or scarf down his food, teenage hunger pangs be damned. ]

Which turned into wrestling with the dogs.

[ Hence the smell of dog hair and slobber on both of them. ]

[goldenambition]

[ Wren looks like he was considering pushing Jacob while he was climbing for this betrayal, but in the end just huffs and leans on the wall like a Cool Guy to finish his food]

He started it.

[aneikonic]

Guilty.

[ He puts his foot on Wren's shoulder, also adopting a cool teenager who doesn't give a fuck pose. They're bad. ]

When you finish, wanna go check out that trail? Wren already said yes.

[kingincognito]

I'm not surprised.

[ It's said with a smile, and he takes another bite of his pie. ]

Oh, the new one? [ With his mouth full, but somehow still understandable. He takes small bites. ] Sure. I'm not doing anything.

[goldenambition]

Book that boring?

[ he says while trying to pester Jacob by bonking the side of his head against the elder twin's knee]

[aneikonic]

Books are always boring.

[ He wrinkles his nose to the bonking, pops his finger into his mouth, then sticks it right into Wren's ear in return.

Oh ugh his finger tasted like dog. ]

[kingincognito]

It isn't boring! I've just read it before.

[ And besides, exploring a new trail is always fun. When he has Jacob and Wren with him, anyway. Ignoring the roughhousing from the other two, he laughs, hopping down from his wall perch. ]

We can go now. I can eat while I walk.

[ Which means he's putting the pie between his teeth, so he can tuck his book into the bag hanging off his shoulder. ]

[goldenambition]

[ Wren gives a startled 'ack!!' at the ear defilement, turning to start diggng his knuckle into Jacob's calf in revenge. But when Calab hops down he pushes off the wall to catch up, leaning in on his side all conspiratorly]

Jake is just jealous that he can't read.

[aneikonic]

Ow!

[ He scowls and rubs his calf, but hops down off the wall to follow after them.

UTTERLY OFFENDED. ]

I can READ!

[ He catches up to throw his arms around both of their necks from behind, leaning in between them. ]

[kingincognito]

[ Caleb can't help but laugh. That's just how life goes with these two. ]

You can read when you want to. Remember mom's note not to touch the biscuits?

[ Another bite. Gods, these pies are always so good. ]