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

[yourtomb]

[Admittedly, he doesn't know what about his gesture had been so amusing. Before he can find it in himself to be offended, though, Joshua moves on. Whatever had been the cause, it's clear, at least, that no offense was meant by it.

And well, more than anything, he's a touch... flustered for having neglected to offer his name in kind. He bows his head in acknowledgement, hoping that the metal of his helm obscures the way he huffs.]

Silent Salt Cookie. It is an honor.

[kingincognito]

[ The moment he hears that name, Joshua's eyebrows raise. Not because of the recognition of the name, but rather the Cookie portion of it. Another one, then. ]

Ah. You are a Cookie, then. We have quite the population here. I work alongside Lady White Lily Cookie at the clinic.

[ Which is probably obvious, considering how he'd introduced himself earlier. ]

[yourtomb]

I am not surprised that you are familiar with my kind.

[He's managed to piece together the names of the cookies that have come to call this place home. In a town as small as this, it's no surprise that Joshua has come to meet at least one of them. Good. It saves having to explain it all.]

White Lily Cookie has mentioned her role as a caretaker in the clinic. You will find none more talented than she. [Ah, but that's... a little much. He clears his throat.] I am glad to know she is joined by such capable minds.

[kingincognito]

Indeed. She has made considerable efforts toward curing a disease from another world. I have witnessed her capability firsthand, and I am forever grateful to have her expertise at my disposal.

[ He presses a hand against his chest, genuinely thankful for it. If she hadn't been here, when Pure Vanilla had left, he'd have been left to fend for himself in the clinic. Not that he would have faltered, of course, but having her here makes it all easier. ]

It sounds as though you know her well. Were you acquainted in your home world?

[yourtomb]

So I have heard. Though her methods concern me, she has proven to be a true embodiment of solidarity.

[He bows his head in a show of respect, before lifting it once more. There is a moment of silence on the other side, the cookie weighing whether or not to elaborate on their relationship. The truth of it would surely only serve to taint Lily's own legacy. But if he were to deny it, it would just as easily wound the relationship between the two of them.

Eventually, a sigh leaves him.]

The relationship between White Lily Cookie and myself is a complicated one. She exists as my better half, the embodiment of unrealized ideals and failed ambition on my own part.

[kingincognito]

[ What Silent Salt says makes sense, though. Joshua understands - or, at least, it's a situation that sounds familiar. He's silent for a moment, contemplating the words, rolling them around in his mind until he settles that it is reasonable to ask. ]

Forgive me for asking, and you do not have to answer, as I know it is none of my business and some subjects are difficult to speak of. But is it perhaps something similar to the relationship between Shadow Milk Cookie and Pure Vanilla Cookie?

[ It's the "better half" comment that has sold him on asking, really. He'd heard something similar between the other two cookies, and he is nothing if not curious. ]

[yourtomb]

[Perhaps he shouldn't be surprised, to know that this young man seems privy to so many details regarding cookiekind. He is a healer, so it would only make sense to need to know more intimate details. Not that he thinks linked soul jam would have any physical impact.

Still, he can't help but feel mildly irked at being compared to Shadow Milk in any capacity. His shoulders seem to stiffen, then rise — as if armor could puff up like a cat.]

It is... simplifying the matter. What White Lily and I have is far less - [He was going to say volatile but alas. He did try to set her on fire.] We have made our peace. Unlike the others of my... ilk, White Lily and I have found that our goals are in line with one another.

[kingincognito]

[ That's all he needs to know. Joshua nods, firmly, noting the subtle shifts in Silent Salt's stance. He won't ask further, but it's good to know that it isn't an isolated incident. Curiosity does have him wanting to ask if all cookies seem to have some sort of other half, but he will refrain. It might be a question better asked to White Lily. ]

I understand. You do not need to explain further if it makes you uncomfortable. I simply asked to obtain a better understanding of the situation, as I know that Shadow Milk Cookie and Pure Vanilla Cookie mentioned being... similarly linked.

[ And seemed to be getting along fairly well, at that. But he isn't certain if that dynamic still stands, and it isn't his to speak of. ]

I am glad that you and Lady White Lily Cookie have found a common ground. She has been through much, and I am happy to know she has a kindred spirit to talk to.

[yourtomb]

[It is good that he does not press. He has seen where knowledge can easily turn to deceit. Joshua has put forth a trustworthy front thus far, but Silent Salt knew that things could change. Time could change even the most stalwart of allies into the greatest of enemies.]

I am well-aware of all of her suffering. [The words might sound pointed, but his tone is not. It is simply a fact to him.] Or, I was. Now, I feel as if I barely understand it. Much has occurred since arriving here. Yet she remembers little of me.

[Does he sound a little forlorn there? It's hard to say. Some part of him does think it better that she doesn't remember.]

It is clear that she has been in well-meaning hands here, at least. Perhaps I should be grateful for you rather than the reverse.