EVENT 30

[sticksandbonesmods]

I CALL MYSELF A SHELL

A USED UP BULLET CASING

The air is cold, the sky dreary. Ever since your return to Aldric’s Grove, the chill in the air is as bitter and sharp as a knife. The scent of stew from the General Store’s windows is comforting, almost as much as the teas Ydalir is handing out if you pass by her tent. Nene puts baskets of her fresh produce on every doorstep or before the doors of people’s rooms in the inn, and Evan and Rillian join her sometimes, the two also handing out sweaters or cloaks. It’s not going to be as bad as last year, but a bitter winter is coming. It’s best to be prepared, isn’t it?

As the winter approaches, plantimals busy themselves to prepare as best they can, too. Pinecone squirrels harvest away nuts while one by one birds move as close to warmth as they can — and that may well just be Sehul and Aurora’s domains. The river water is clear as ever and even colder, with only the blessed trees and bushes still flowering and bearing fruit.

Yet nothing prepares anyone for the green mist, knee-high at the lowest, waist-high at the highest. It smells earthy and grassy, almost floral like a garden,and it pours out of the research hall.

There’s a chill in the air. Something… strange is happening, yet again.

THE AFTERMATH OF SOMETHING LETHAL

The mist is not the only thing that follows. In your homes, walking around the slowly rebuilding town, resting in the inn — all over, there are ghosts, and they all look painfully familiar. After all… it's not every day you get to see your face without a mirror.

Ghosts of the former residents of the Grove have followed where the mist flows, fragments of history that are part of you given form. Some look pristine, like they’d simply gotten up and got dressed like any normal day. Others look bloodied and wounded, clearly killed and still persisting. None seem bothered by their state — if anything, the lot are curious about the changes that have been made to the Grove, or about you.

Of course they know you. They know your pains, the life you’ve lived, they’re part of you after all… though some ghosts know the full extent better than others. You must have something you want to say, don’t you? Or… maybe you’re approached by the ghost of another soul, with something else in mind.

AN ECHO OF INFLICTED EVIL

cw: a brief instance of animal death

Within the heart of it all stands a woman almost eight feet tall, maybe more. There is an unearthly glow to her green eyes, and she wears a black gown that looks like it’s meant for a funeral and a garden party in the same day. Draped in her arm is a basket as she talks to various blooms, and occasionally she may… pluck at a passing by animal, placing a silvery light within the basket as the animal comes to a stop and finds its final rest.

She looks at each resident of the Grove as she walks, poking and pulling at things that cannot be seen — from the air, from the buildings, from you-

And then she keeps on walking, pausing only at the fog barrier.

“... What a troubling scene this sets. And the rot in the roots… beastly, isn’t it? What a shame that I cannot be here in full to set this straight.” She hums thoughtfully, before finally she stops and sits down.

“Come along now, then. I’m sure you all have questions.”

So, will you talk to Morrigan the Lady Death?

... SO COMES SNOW AFTER FIRE ...

With talking to Morrigan comes a task: close the door once more. Once this is done, the Grove settles again, a blanket of quiet settling over the little village finally. Time passes, and once the first snow starts to fall, Heimr calls everyone to the inn. White snowdrops are painted along the banisters, the door frames and windows, and warm spices and savory smells waft through the air.

Renard is dishing up different plates as you come in, and he smiles radiantly with a wave. Later on he might show off some of his creations, or hand you an instrument.

Music flows through the dining room as Ydalir feeds the fire, and some of Callisto’s meads and wines — flavored or simple honey — eventually turn up on the table. It’s nice not to be alone, right?

Unfortunately it might be ruined when Heimr sets out what looks to be a deck for UNO. And a stack of other board games. But UNO is the killer, here. UNO may just ruin your carefully-crafted friendships with everyone here. …please don’t let it do that. You’ve already been through so much together, and there’s so much more to come.

Spark Notes

summary

A USED UP BULLET CASING Fall is here and winter is fast approaching. The residents of the Grove are trying to help take care of player characters after the past two months of hardships... but one night, a green mist spills out of the Research Hall.
THE AFTERMATH OF SOMETHING LETHAL All throughout the Grove, the ghosts of your past lives linger waiting to speak to you- or to the ones you love. They know your life, though the intimate details may vary, and can be touched. And linger they will! They're very curious, you know.
THE ECHO OF INFLICTED EVIL Morrigan the Death wanders the town, poking and prodding at the magics in play. Whatever she's found, however, they have decided can wait. After all, you probably have questions, don't you?
... SO COMES SNOW AFTER FIRE ... After the Door to the Afterlife has been closed- presumably by you, someone's got to do it- and Morrigan has presumably also left, Heimr decides it's time for another community meal. And this time, he brought board games! Please do not kill each other over Monopoly.

out of character

Welcome to November! Thank you very much to Jami for allowing us to use their past life plotting and location for this event, and to Aspen for helping facilitate it ICly!. This has been a long time coming, and now you get to meet another force of nature: Death!

AC will be check-in for November and December before resuming regularly. September and October are the last TDM of the year, and we encourage you to reuse them as desired if current players wish to test new characters, or if new players want to break the ice! We check the TDMs regularly.

updates

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

submissions

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

code

Comments

i

[ancientlight]

( It's subtle movement, yet movement all the same. Pure Vanilla was only passing by when he catches sight of the statue-like ex-cookie moving. He turns towards the knight, gold and blue eyes opening in a rare sight of slight surprise. )

Good afternoon. Are you waiting for someone?

[yourtomb]

[Recognition flares across Silent Salt's features, hidden though they are. Through the other beasts, and through White Lily's own souljam, he's seen this cookie before — would never once mistake Pure Vanilla Cookie for any other. What that says about the world in which they've found themselves, Silent Salt does not yet know. Still, he finds himself intrigued.]

I am not. [His tone is low and calm, not at all betraying his recognition.] I have recently arrived, and wished to observe both my surroundings and the local denizens. It seems my efforts have borne fruit.

[ancientlight]

( Someone new, then.... He understands the feeling well enough where he can't even call it deja vu. He had only just arrived a short while ago, after all. )

I see... I am grateful that I have come this way during my stroll, then. I only just arrived a short while ago, but I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

[yourtomb]

I see.

[Metal rattles as Silent Salt shifts, turning to face the other cookie fully. He wonders what Pure Vanilla knows, how far his memory happens to span. So far, he cannot tell if it's recognition that's stopped the other man, or if it's familiarity.

Well. Better to dispel with pretense then. He pins the weight of his full gaze on Pure Vanilla.]

I have but only one question, at present. What is the last thing you remember of Earthbread, Pure Vanilla Cookie?

[ancientlight]

( Pure Vanilla falls silent then, mouth agape with surprise. A cookie...? Had they met before on Earthbread, then? If he had only just arrived, then... it wasn't a gap in his memory from here, but...

It feels like there's so much missing. )

I...

My apologies... Have we-- met before...?

[yourtomb]

[On its own, this is not surprising information. Though Pure Vanilla might be aware of his existence, it is only in a vague sense. After all, their virtues were not aligned, and it was not he who ventured to find him. That task was left to another.]

I suspect not. It is not your souljam which called to me, after all.

[He wonders how long he should keep up the facade. Pure Vanilla had already proven himself against his opposition. Really, it would be better for them both if he let down his guard and spoke plainly. But though he had observed, he had not had the chance to take the Ancient cookie's measure for himself. He is curious as to how Pure Vanilla might choose to hold himself.]

[ancientlight]

( Confusion changes to realization, and Pure Vanilla feels empathy for what White Lily might be feeling right now. After all, who else could he mean? White Lily was the only other cookie here who held a souljam. )

... I see. I assume that you and White Lily Cookie have met?

( He doesn't have the same feeling that he had when he had met Shadow Milk Cookie. There's no sense of dread, nor does he feel overwhelmed. Is it because this is not his other half? Or--

Are the beasts simply that different from one another? )

[yourtomb]

[Behind his helmet, Silent Salt's gaze flicks toward where White Lily seemed to call to him. He considers his answer, before finally shaking his head.]

Not yet. Not in this place, at least.

[He does not say aloud that he feels unworthy to stand in her presence. He had pledged himself to her when they had something to fight for together. In this place, however, he cannot feel Dark Enchantress's malevolence. Thus, he cannot be certain that White Lily will want anything to do with him.

So until then...]

What can you tell me of this place?

[ancientlight]

( Not yet... He wonders if White Lily can feel the same pull that Silent Salt does. They are two sides of the same coin, after all. This beast seems... far less malicious than how Shadow Milk Cookie was when they had first met. It's more than enough to help him relax.

He keeps silent for a moment before shaking his head lightly. )

I am afraid that I am still rather new here, but I can tell you what I do know.

You have been brought to the Grove. And the Goddess that rules over this place is one that others speak of as angry. Though it is unknown as to why and the world can appear rather ominous--

There are many here who have been brought from other worlds, just as we have. I am certain that you will also find help with them.

[yourtomb]

[In fact, it's only a matter of time until Lily appens to pull on that tether, reining him in like an animal on a leash. For now, though, it exists solely as gentle pull in the back of his mind. Like calls to like, after all.]

A wrathful enemy is not one we are unfamiliar with. [Strange how he speaks as if they are on the same side.] Still, to know that this deity yet exists, despite the presence of not one, but two wielders of the soul jam tells me its strength is something to be rivaled with.

It seems we will have our work cut out for us.

[ancientlight]

( He falls silent for a moment at those words. He had told the others what his plan was, and there was no reason to hide it now. )

I had hopes to speak with the Goddess myself. I believe that a peaceful solution would be best before resorting to force.

[yourtomb]

[There is silence from the Beast. Many, many years ago, the Salt of Solidarity might have sought a similar path. Now, he almost reviles it. The only reason he does not speak that loathing into existence is out of respect for White Lily. She cares for this Cookie, and it would not do him any good to create strife between himself and the other ancient cookie.

Still, he cannot help the way his tone sounds stiff as he speaks:]

And what Truth do you suspect that conversation will reveal?

[ancientlight]

I wish to know the root of her anger.

( He says it quietly, yet there's determination all the same. He already knows how much it has alarmed the other cookies. It's partly why he's taking some caution before attempting to go forward with everything. He's never been one to want to worry others -- and he's never been one to step forward recklessly. )

Perhaps, if we can soothe her wrath... we will be able to solve the mysteries of this place.

[yourtomb]

A noble cause, some would say.

[A foolish one, thinks Silent Salt. The only reason he holds his tongue is out of respect for what he's seen Pure Vanilla accomplish before. That, and his continued need to remain in White Lily's good graces, regardless of whether or not she was even aware of his presence.]

I do not know enough to say whether or not your cause is a worthwhile one. I will not pass judgement.

[Out loud, at least. Attempts at a peaceful solution had failed in the past. Trying to exist in solidarity with something so hellbent on spreading their vices had only resulted in pain. He suspects this will only end in the same tragedy.

How frustrating, to know that in a way, his own efforts had bred this outcome.]

Know this, though, Pure Vanilla Cookie. You may believe your cause to be a just one, but there are forces who only care for their own wrath. You would be wise to accept this now, before learning such cruelty first hand.

[ancientlight]

( He thinks of Dark Enchantress Cookie -- someone who seemed so enraged by what she had wanted to change, that she resorted to bringing harm to countless cookies in Earthbread. He thinks of how he had used force to stop her. It's something he regrets, partly because of the consequences that it brought. He doesn't regret stopping the war, but...

Perhaps there could have been another way. Another solution. )

... I have experienced cruelty such as that before. The solution that I had was... not ideal.

If there is another solution to calming her anger, then I wish to find it.

[yourtomb]

[Yes, he supposes that of all Cookies, Pure Vanilla would know that first hand. Perhaps once, the Salt of Solidarity would have mourned for his suffering. But that cookie is long gone.]

You will have no help in such efforts. But so long as you do not endanger anyone, I will support you.

[ancientlight]

( He stiffens a little at that, expression falling. A hand moves to his chest, and there's no indication that he'd ever intend otherwise with his next words: )

I would never do anything to endanger anyone.

Even so, I am grateful to have your support. Knowing that is motivation enough to be more cautious than I had first intended.