darkness brings evil things

[singmod]

THE DARKWALKER COMES

The Darkwalker comes to Milton, devouring two long-standing Interlopers. But its presence lingers in the wake of the deaths — signalling to Interlopers another change to the world, the ending of all things.

WHEN: January 28th.
WHERE: Milton.
CONTENT WARNINGS: death of playable characters; supernatural death; mention of dead bodies; themes of death; supernatural beings; themes of terror; themes of peril; heightened states / states of mania.

DARKNESS BRINGS EVIL THINGS

The sun was meant to rise in mid-January. It did not, and so Interlopers exist in the perpetual polar night — with only brief hours of twilight and the moon and stars to guide them in the long, endless days of their permanent winter. In the dark, the snow continues to fall and the blizzards rage on, with temperatures continuing to stay dangerously low. The world is a restless thing, and the winter rages on.

On the night of January 28th, the night is a rare, calm one. The skies are clear, the new moon has barely just begun. Stars litter the inky black, brightly twinkling. It’s beautiful to admire from the safety of the indoors where it is warm — the air is too biting and bitter to be outside for long.

Slowly, one by one, the stars begin to go out.

In the night, a guttural ancient call — low and furious and hungry.

It has been some time since the Darkwalker struck so directly, so intimately. Now, out of nowhere, it comes. A green gloom descends upon the world, and the night is dark and terrible. A cold wave of fear washes over you, and everything feels wrong. There is a need to hide, a need to flee. Something ancient and primal: that quiet part of your mind that feels like prey — trapped, cornered and close to death. You need to make yourself small, insignificant.

You hide. Under beds, in closets, in whatever space you can cram yourself in. You gather those close to you and hide yourself away — desperate for safety, to be spared. The fear is irrational, unable to be overcome — even by the bravest or most stoic of Interlopers.

For some, for those touched by the Darkwalker, it is more like a jolt of electricity — something hot and sweet and wanting. You feel as if your bones are alight, your minds are ablaze and a desperate hunger sets in. You have never felt more alive in your entire life. No substance, no experience can compare. You are not afraid, you are giddy enough it makes you sick, it makes you dangerous.

In the distance, like the booms of cannon fire — the steady beat of footsteps. It comes from the East, punctuated by the unnatural roars and moans of the being, unable to be likened to anything else. It draws nearer and nearer. It is coming for Milton.

You cannot do anything to stop it. You cry, you whimper, you cling. Or you fall to your knees, overcome by your mania and hunger — laughing into the night.

It seems to go on forever, building into a crescendo. Your heart beats so hard you fear it may burst from your chest, as if you might die from it — from horror or ecstacy.

A faint wail, a sob. It echoes in the distance. Pained. Enola.

Then there is silence. The Darkwalker’s immediate presence is gone, and its effect on you slowly begins to subside. You can breathe, you can move. But the green gloom lingers, and the stars do not return. The world remains in its fraught darkness.

And now what remains: finding who the Darkwalker has devoured.

Chloe Frazer will be found in the Farmhouse, her mangled and lifeless body curled and contorted upon the floorboards of her living room. She had waited patiently to meet the Darkwalker; this was one thing she could not control, one puzzle she could not solve. And yet, she had made her peace with it. It lifted her from her feet, twisted her bones and left her a crumpled heap — an expression frozen in fear.

Randvi can be found outside her home, her body in the same manner as Chloe. She had gone to face the Darkwalker head on, out in the open. She had left her belongings behind meticulously, ensured whatever she could pass on to others would be left for them to find. She had met the Darkwalker with Ulfrùn at her side. The wolf-dog had been afraid, but after the Darkwalker had devoured the Interloper — she had returned to her master’s side, barking into the night to alert others.

Around her, her footsteps that brought her to this spot. Strange 'waves' in the snow, too. Hard to define as to what exactly made them. And... faint glimmers of green, intangible. Almost like a residue — which will vanish in the coming hours. The same residue will be found around Chloe, too. Her home will not appear disturbed. No open doors, the Darkwalker has no use of them.

Preparations must be made, Interlopers must be mourned and laid to rest.

And the Interlopers are left with the same chilling reminder: this is the ending of all things.

FAQs

1. Essentially, a 'party post' for reactions to the Darkwalker's attack, the immediate aftermath, and any funerary preparations. Have... fun???

2. Information on the Darkwalker's attack can be found here.

3. An OOC Rundown for the original Darkwalker's attack, which includes some FAQs can be found here.

4. Notes about the characters:

Chloe: Valuables up for grabs: Chloe's residence of the farmhouse/greenhouse, which has hot running water; a cattle prod; a Ganesh figure.

Randvi: Valuables up for grabs: An enchanted spear, crafted with Young Bill during The Hunted arc; Old Bear claw; a hidden blade; a walkman with metal music tapes. Randvi's dog Ulfrùn will also now be ownerless, but Tess has said that perhaps Maelle can take her in.