nature offers a violence

[singmod]

NOVEMBER 2023 EVENT

PROMPT ONE — WHITEOUT: Methuselah makes an unexpected early return to Milton to warn Interlopers of an impending monster storm, and boy does it surely come.

PROMPT TWO — A CHOICE: Following the storm, sightings of a mysterious stag prompts a hunt down in the Basin and out in the Outskirts.

PROMPT THREE — REST MY WEARY BONES: While the storm causes a great deal of mess, it also uncovers some far more pleasant surprises. Hot springs.

WHITEOUT

WHEN: Early to mid-month.
WHERE: Milton.
CONTENT WARNINGS: extreme weather; storms; blizzards; themes of survival; possible character cold-related injuries; possible themes of peril.


In the times that he is no longer occupying the Community Hall in the center of town to help tend to the newcomers, Methuselah is out in the wilds. Despite his growing age, he is a hardened survivor, and has been more than accustomed to life living as a nomad, out in the thickest, deepest parts of nature. Sometimes he can be encountered, sheltered in a cave or out in the woods, huddled by a warm campfire, or busying himself with his latest game catch. He seems to be always on the move, never staying for too long, and never coming into town — unless it’s to begin preparations for the latest batch of new arrivals.

To see him returning to Milton outside of these times is a curious sight, and the grim expression he carries is enough to make anyone wary. Even his voice is grave. The warmth and kindness usually found in his expression is gone, replaced with a deathly seriousness. He doesn’t speak in jest.

"I am long used to this world and its weather, even with the changing times to more bitter nights." he will say. "I have seen the years rise and fall, too many to count. Please, I beg that you hear me with this— a storm is coming. Greater than some of you may have ever known. It is in the air, and we must prepare to see it through. We do not have much time. Three days, perhaps. But no more."

He will tell anyone and everyone; encouraging the word to be spread around. He will instruct on what needs to be done, what needs to be gathered. The storm will be long and hard, and will last for some time. With that, Methuselah will begin to prepare the Community Hall as a place of refuge with a stock of food, fuel and water to get through the storm. Interlopers will be free to join Methuselah and bunker down together, or can choose to bunker down on their own in their own homes, or with others.

You have only three days.

And sure enough, the storm comes. Maybe you can notice the signs too: the sudden updraft, the slow gathering of clouds, the drop in temperature, the changes of pressure in the air.

Halfway through the third day, the storm rolls in: a ferocious snow-storm unlike anything you’ve seen before. Even with the fading amount of daylight as mid-winter approaches, the sky turns as dark as night as will stay like night for the duration. Strong howling winds batter the town, and even the sturdiest of buildings creak and groan under the weight. Trees will be felled, some buildings might not fare the storm.

Relentless snow that falls so hard it’s a complete whiteout, and will be impossible to navigate if one were to step outside. Even then, it isn’t advisable. The temperature is bitter, with a frigid windchill. Going out in this kind of storm would be a death sentence. Staying out in it for longer than a half-hour will certainly kill you.

It would be best to wait it out, to huddle around warm fires in the darkness. It may certainly be a test of patience, depending on your choice of place to stay. The storm will last a full week, a stark reminder of what you are, the words you have heard in your arrival: thrown to Mother Nature’s mercy, the Interloper in her design.

But will you persist?

A CHOICE

WHEN: Mid-month, onwards to end of month.
WHERE: Milton Basin, Milton Outskirts.
CONTENT WARNINGS: survival themes; themes of hunting; possible animal death.


After the storm passes, there’s a certain kind of hush that falls upon Milton and its surrounding areas as Interlopers are left to pick through the wake. While the temperature certainly doesn’t get that much warmer, there’s days and nights of clear, calm weather — short afternoons of weak sunshine and nights of chilly peace, the moon hung high in the starry skies. Winter is drawing ever-closer, but it’s still for a little while.

In the early evenings, before the sun sets, there’s strange sightings of a particular white stag that can be found roaming the area — particularly down in the Milton Basin. It seems quite elusive, but there’s plenty of Interlopers that have been able to capture a glimpse over the coming days. Even Methuselah himself has seen this beast before, remarking there has long been tall tales of a ghostly stag that roams the Northern Territories and is said to bring good fortune to those who manage to hunt it down.

Perhaps you’re a little low on luck. Perhaps you’re feeling lucky. You’re going to find that stag.

Hunting down the stag, however, will take a great deal of patience and time. You might find yourself waiting several hours to wait for it to appear. Building a snow shelter, or hunkering down in some old shack might be needed in order to keep warm. But if you’re patient enough, and able to withstand the cold for long enough — the beast will soon make an appearance.

In the dying light of the day, it is there. It’s unlike any deer you’ve seen before: tall and majestic, with thick, soft fur of brilliant white. It almost looks ghost-like in some angles, it’s an incredibly beautiful creature. But it seems to have also noticed you, just as you have noticed it. It doesn’t dart away, however. Instead it stands before you, waiting for you to act.

You have a choice: slay the creature, or let it go.

It will not move until you make your decision, holding your gaze until you raise your weapon or until you lower it and give up your hunt. But there is a consequence to either action: if you choose to kill the stag, you will be rewarded with a sizeable bounty of venison. Eating said meat will help you feel fuller for longer, and the meat will keep for far longer than any other deer slain.

However, if you choose to spare the stag, the creature will lower its head, as if bowing to you. Then, it will disappear with a swirling of powdered snow. When you return home for the evening and go to sleep, the next morning you will find a gift at the foot of your bed: a pair of deerskin boots, or a deerskin blanket. These boots are supple, tough and waterproof — allowing for a great balance of mobility and warmth. The blanket is incredibly toasty, and will provide a great deal of comfort in the long nights ahead.

REST MY WEARY BONES

WHEN: Mid-month, onwards indefinitely.
WHERE: Milton Outskirts.
CONTENT WARNINGS: n/a.



The storm has blown in plenty of snow to make traversing the area much more difficult, but there’s something else of note that comes with its passing. While the storm has brought much devastation, and some places have been buried in snow drifts, plenty of snow in areas has been blown away, uncovering otherwise lost secrets within Milton. Clouds of what looks like steam can be noted not too far from town, towards the mountains of the north.

If Interlopers head to explore the clouds, they will find old trails leading up towards the mountains. It isn’t a particularly difficult journey, for once, and they will soon discover that the storm has blown away the previously blocked access to a cave. It appears that this is the right place.

The air is warm here, pleasantly so. Warm enough that hats and mittens and coats seem a little unnecessary. One might wonder if someone lives within, and that a great fire is stoked to keep the place warm. But there’s no one in sight, no sounds of life: human, animal or otherwise. If they press on, they will discover that the cave floor is well worn with footfall: plenty of people have come here before, and the reason why is soon revealed.

The air grows even warmer, and more humid. The space opening to reveal small pools of slow-flowing water, warm water. The stone houses a natural hot spring, and following the cave out the other side will lead to another space in the rock open to the air, where there are even larger pools of warm water, perfectly sized and deep enough to bathe in. It seems that this place was frequently used by the people of Milton, where their life of hardship could be forgotten for an hour or two.

The water is pleasantly hot, and incredibly inviting. After so long in the freezing cold without modern appliances and utilities, a natural hot spring sounds like an absolute luxury.

FAQs

WHITEOUT

1. Characters are free to play around with this prompt how they want. Maybe they're dumb enough to go into the cold and get injured or sick. Maybe they're stuck in the Community Hall for the week. Fights might break out as tensions run high whilst everyone's stuck together, or maybe you're actually having a nice time.

2. For those stuck in the Community Hall: there are board games and old school textbooks stored in cupboards. There is also a piano.

3. A floorplan of the Community Hall can be found here.

A CHOICE

1. .... Yes, you can pet the ghost stag.

2. Characters will get one choice only with the ghost stag, meaning they can't keep going back to find it to get extra gifts.

3. If characters can't agree on a course of action, whoever acts first will get their gift. The second character will have a chance to try again another time.

4. If both characters agree on sparing the stag, but players want different gifts (ie. one player wants the boots and one wants the blanket), characters will get the gift the player wants their character to receive.

REST MY WEARY BONES

1. The hot springs will now be a permanent fixture in the Milton Area, enjoy!

PLOTTING POST

Comments

[fidior]

Yes, I think it will be much safer if everyone is in one place together. We can make certain everyone has food, and warmth, and keep order well there. [ He finally manages something that's almost a smile, even if muted. Granted, there is a particular concern with everyone being in one place, should something go... wrong, and Edward has seen such horrors so freshly for himself. He knows what people are capable of when desperate, and hungry. His nightmares are riddled with those things.

Which is why he's determined not to let them happen again. He gives another nod and follows her in so that he can help reach for the girl's items, though he pauses at that, eyes widening slightly. ....Ah. ]

....You have my sympathies, [ the man says after a moment, quietly. There's an empathy there in him, something that bubbles up quickly and wounds his expression a little. His nightmares also routinely feature the friends he has lost. It's an ache that he's not sure what to do with. ]

You use... another weapon? [ He offers, voice still soft. ]

[guidemyway]

...Thanks. She was- Really special. One of a kind.

[Her gaze lingers on the sword briefly, but then closes her eyes and sucks in a breath. Once she's taken a moment she's ready to move on to the matter at hand.

She manages a faint little smile, her voice matches his softness but she turns to show rectangular metallic box hanging from the back of her belt.]

Yeah- It's been acting up a little since I got here, but this folds out into a high impact sniper rifle, or a scythe. The gun portion just isn't working, but it still cuts things up pretty good.

[fidior]

[ He isn't one to pry into one's personal business, especially something potentially very upsetting. He won't ask details on this young woman's loss, but he does take a very severe, solemn moment with it. To lose a special person is a horror. After a moment, Edward gives a soft nod of acknowledgement, and lets his eyes travel to the odd box hanging from her belt. His brows are lifting slowly; he's never seen something like this before, and.... ]

It unfolds? Into a weapon?

[ Is such a thing possible...? A gun and a scythe? (Which he knows best as a farming tool....) Is this.... truly what the future holds with its technological advancements....? And that she has such a thing... ]

Are you.... a soldier?

[guidemyway]

[Ruby lifts her shoulders up in a bit of a shrug, and a sheepsih sort of smile pushes the sadness that she feels for the loss of her friend aside for now. There were more pressing things to deal with.]

Sort of. Where I'm from I'm a Huntress and we run kind of alongside any sort of police force or military. Kind of like mercenaries who focus on hunting monsters and keeping people safe.

It doesn't sound like a lot of the other places people come from have what I do.

[And then that smile brightens up as she sets the box she's carrying down a second and takes hold of the red one on her back. It takes a little bit of work, like the pieces are jammed by something but both unfolds into a large mechanical scythe that she holds up proudly.]

It's called Crescent Rose, and I made it myself a few year ago.

[fidior]

[ A huntress.... hunting monsters, keeping people safe. It's perpetually baffling to him to learn about the existence of "monsters" and such creatures in other people's worlds — he's bumped into a couple of others here speaking of such things — and the man's visibly startled, eyes widening. That expression only grows as the girl unfolds the weapon she'd spoken of and he's taking in the sight of the large item, eyes as wide as saucers. She made it....? Good God, this is all so new....! ]

I— see. It's quite impressive. [ He does mean that, even if he's clearly taken aback by everything. It's a lot for one Victorian to take in.

...Of course, the concept of "monsters" isn't completely foreign to his own experience, either. He never really understood what Tuunbaq was — an undiscovered species? Something like a bear? But one of the men on the ship had mentioned something else, something that Edward could never forget, and found himself deeply disturbed by. A spirit that dresses as an animal. ]

What sort of.... monsters would you fight with such a weapon...? If you don't mind me asking.

[guidemyway]

It is pretty great? Isn't it?

[Ruby's managed to learn that not everyone around here is from a monster infested world. Which is good, but it's dampened her hopes a little at finding more weapons like Crescent Rose out there. She's got a whole different set of first world problems to deal with compared to your average Victorian.]

They're called the Creatures of Grimm, or just Grimm. They come in about every sort of shape and size you can imagine. But they all have black skin, scales, or fur in common. Along with boney armor or claws, and glowing red eyes.

...Oh and the desire to wipe out humans specifically. Most of my world is overrun by them.

[fidior]

[ She's clearly very confident in the weapon, and Edward's nodding, earnest in his praise, although the next words that the young woman shares with him have his eyes growing wide, looking shocked — and then increasingly disturbed.

Can such horrors..... truly exist...? It's almost unbelievable... but again, so much of what he's known as of late would fall into that category, and the man's listening with sincere focus, even if his expression makes him look like he wants nothing more than to exit. This poor girl... came from a world like this? It's too much to process, to imagine. He has to take a moment or two before he finally asks a question, faintly. ]

Are there any that look like... a bear? [ Tuunbaq didn't have black skin, but if the creature truly was some sort of spirit... it may have been able to shapeshift. ]

[guidemyway]

[Ruby she sees the shift in her expression and she feels her own energy falter for a moment. It was harder than she thought it would be to talk about her home with someone that didn't have a frame of reference for the day to day life there.

Then again, a certain amount of her pep was in response to how the creatures there acted too. They were attracted to negative emotions- So a certain sense of cheer in the darkest moments was a useful tool to pull through.

She takes the question in stride. Easier to start off small than build into something else.]

Yeah, actually. We call those ones Ursa, or Ursei. We had them and Beowolves around where I grew up. For the most part.

[fidior]

[ God.... This is a lot. Edward's finally lifting one hand to his mouth, running his fingers down his face for a moment, eyes wide. ]

...I see. I... apologise for the inquiries, it's just that.... before I arrived here, I faced something I could not explain. A sort of... bear-like creature. One that terrorised and slaughtered members of my crew.

[ ...A being capable of an intelligence that far outweighed that of a mere animal. The thought of it still gives him a shudder. And to think that this young woman comes from a world where such things are the norm...? 'Grew up' with them, she says. ]

...I can imagine how horrifying it must have been for you, routinely living amongst such horrors.

[guidemyway]

[Ruby realizes the talk is taking it's toll on the guy. It was probably a lot for anyone to hear who hadn't spent their life in that kind of situation. Ruby knew she had felt the same when she had found out the true nature of the monsters and her own world.

But the fact that he was still looking for answers to what had happened to him back in his own world. He wasn't a stranger to danger either.]

No- Don't mention it. Fighting them is kind of my specialty back where I'm from. ...What do you remember about the creature where you're from. It doesn't sound like what I've fought. But- If you're okay talking about it. I'd like to hear what happened.

[For being a teenager she took the idea of hearing about a slaughter in stride. She had seen her fair share of them herself. But- Pressing forward was generally how she coped with danger.]

It- I'd be lying if I said it was easy by any stretch. But- That's just the life I knew- Or still know. This place isn't exactly the most friendly around either I noticed.

[fidior]

[ Edward pauses, taking a moment to think, process. He hasn't spoken of Tuunbaq to anyone here, not really. It's been something kept locked away within himself; he hasn't had room to think much about the creature. So many... other things happened. Worse things, if one could even imagine it. But it was the horrors that the men had done to each other that were the worst of all.

He gives his head a soft shake, bringing himself out of his thoughts as he addresses Ruby again. ]

It lived in one of the coldest places of my world. Out in the frigid white, where hardly anything lives at all. Only the sparse people native to that region. I believe it was... connected to one of them. A woman who was rumoured to have a bond to it. Nothing was ever proven, but...

[ His words trail off, mouth tugged into a soft frown. ]

When our ships became trapped in the ice, it began to hunt us. But not like an animal, no, it.... it was capable of intelligent thought. Of planning, reasoning.... of cruelty.

[ That was the true horror of it. ]

We tried to fight it back.... but it remained strong even against our weapons. We wounded it a few times, but it remained there. For years, stalking us. I have never known anything like it in my life.

[guidemyway]

[Ruby listens patiently through out his story. And there are bits and pieces of it that remind her of things from her world. The Grimm- In the end they were all connected to Salem in one way or another.

And if they lived long enough they were capable of thinking and planning with more strategy. ...They could be like the hound and be made with a human mind inside of it. Ruby had only encountered the one, but that had been more than enough.

The way it hunted sounded like the Nuckelavee. Each thing was enough to send a shiver down her own spine.]

It doesn't sound like something I would want to run into here or even in my own world.

I don't know whether I'd say you were lucky or not to have survived encounters with it for years after the fact.

But I've come across villages completely destroyed by things that acted similar.