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

[amo]

[ Vash had caught a glimpse of something out in the snow, but just as quickly as he'd seen it, he'd lost sight of it again. Between the dark and the unrelenting snow obscuring his vision with nothing but dim whiteness, it's hard to make out much of anything. Still, he persists. He thinks he might have seen a hint of red and his first thought is that his other self might be out there. (A likely scenario when they're cut from the same cloth.)

Much to his dismay, he can't see it again though and so he's left trudging through the snow in what he thinks is the direction that he saw it in. His attention is caught and diverted from his path when, just barely, he can hear a voice above the fierce howling of the wind.

He turns his head to see there's blurry motion a little further away and he doesn't hesitate waving back to signal to whoever it is that they've been seen. Immediately he's changing course to walk towards them, calling out as soon as he gets within earshot. ]

Are you alright?

[guidemyway]

[Ruby sees the wave and starts to trudge in the snow in his direction. She's got less in the height department and it's turning out to be more work than she's used to. There was a lot about being here that was more than she was really used to. The danger, even the snow were things she a handle on, but she was used to being more up to the task herself.

She considers the question briefly and then asks.]

I think so- A little cold. A little turned around. I think I'll figure things out though.

You?

[amo]

[ There is a slight advantage to his long limbs when it comes to trudging through the snow, but a lot of it is negated when his legs sink down into the layers of freshly fallen snow. It's not that Vash underestimated the storm, not quite. It's more that the only point of reference he has is a sandstorm and this... is vastly different, to say the least. Even with his fluffy hood up, a drawn-up scarf, and his goggles thoroughly covering his face, the biting chill of the ferocious winds still seem to find every millimeter of uncovered skin to slice into. In that aspect, it's not too unlike the cutting sands. It's the walking that's more difficult. Like trying to navigate in a sandstorm while wading through quicksand. It's a challenge, but not one he shies away from. (Even if his brother is going to be furious with him for going out in this weather.)

At least he manages to meet his fellow wanderer (with a great taste in clothing!) halfway, drawing to a stop in front of the figure and pretending like the wind isn't doing it's level best to topple him over. The answer feels rather understated and is likely downplayed given the circumstances, but he plays along without missing a beat. ]

Just a little frozen, too.

[ But at least he's not turned around yet. Or so he thinks. He still has a sense of where the church is and using that as his North Star, he should be able to get by. Hopefully enough to be helpful anyway. ]

Where are you trying to get to? The community center?

[guidemyway]

[The answer might be a understated but Ruby was always the type to laugh off or play down any sense of danger. It helped lighten the mood or alleviate the worries that others might have, or well they might just think she was crazy.

She manages a smile hearing Vash say that, it might not be fully visible thanks to layers and blowing snow but she was trying.]

We sure did pick a brisk day for a walk, huh?

[She may be having trouble trudging through the snow but she sees the number the wind is doing on him and offers a hand to help him. The both of them fighting against the wind was better than doing it on their own, right?]

That was the idea, but I'd go just about anywhere now. Can't be too picky, right?

[amo]

[ Although it's not entirely visible, Vash still picks up on the smile if only through her lighthearted tone and blasé comment. Often dealing with situations in a very similar manner, Vash is quick to play along. ]

Sure did! Guess we should mind the weather forecast more next time.

[ Never mind that he totally knew what was coming and how dangerous it actually is to be outside — Methuselah had been quite incessant on the point — but here he is anyway. But for exactly the reason that stands before him: the chance of finding people stuck out in the storm.

When she offers her hand, he takes it gratefully, mindful to use his intact arm since his prosthetic is far colder to the touch no matter how much he wraps the steel up. He'd hate for that biting cold to seep through their gloves. Rather, he uses his left hand to point over his shoulder as he speaks. ]

That way leads to the church where I'm staying with some family, but anyone is welcome at any time. The community hall should be...

[ There's a pause in which he squints into the distance, hand turning and hovering uncertainly — something that will surely inspire confidence — before he seems to make up his mind and Vash points in a different direction. ]

This way. I've walked between the church and the hall so often, I could probably do it in my sleep!

[guidemyway]

Back where I'm from you could never rely on the weather report- Apparently Old Man News Network is way more reliable.

[Probably not the most polite way to refer to Methuselah, but he wasn't around to judge at the moment. While she notes she has to step to the other side of him when she takes his right hand, she certainly can't put together why at first. Her sister has a prosthetic arm and she will totally think it's cool when she finds out about Vash's

She glances between the two and considers her options for a second.]

I was staying at the community center- But maybe we should stop by the church first? I don't want to pull you too far out of your way.

...Dying in the cold doesn't seem like a fun time for anyone.

[amo]

He's sure got his mysterious ways.

[ It's said in cheerful agreement. Although Vash is sure they would find ways to survive and make it on their own — people always do, humans are so resourceful and resilient — having Methuselah around has certainly been a boon. The old man might be cryptic and not talk much, but he always seems to come through when it matters most. His warning probably should have been heeded more, but oh well.

Vash drops his arm back to his side, letting her take the time to make up her mind. ]

I don't mind! I'll walk you back either way, but we can certainly go make a stop at the church to warm up first if you want. Freezing out here would indeed be a terrible way to go.

[ He's been out here for a while so he could use a little thawing before continuing. If that's the case for her as well, he's happy to oblige and lead the way to the closest thing he's got to a home in this place.

Going back to the church does mean Knives is going to chew him out for leaving in the first place, but maybe bringing company with him will help in his favor... (Who is he kidding, his brother is not going to care, he'll throttle Vash in front of an audience. He's a dead man walking.) ]