singillatim | nature offers a violence

nature offers a violence

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Honestly Ruby had been thrilled that Max had agreed to come with her. She seemed like good people from what Ruby had experienced so far, and that was more than enough reason for her.

She also didn't get a lot of chances to just hang out with people close to her age that weren't locked into a never ending battle. And as bad as this place could be she would gladly take any chance at respite.

What she doesn't quite see coming is that look and the comment that follows. She glances down at the browning to black splotches and arms a little sheepishly and gives a shrug.]

I guess I overdid it, huh? It's okay though. I'm used to working this hard. And I'm sure I'm not the only one.

[ This place, despite the bitter cold, does seem exactly that, a respite. And Max feels oddly at peace in some respects. ]

[ But it's true. Even back home, she got to hang out with kids her own age, but...something usually went down. She had also pushed away from them for months before she ended up in a situation and now in Milton. ]

[ While this lasts, she's going to enjoy it. ]

You did. Pretty sure you are the only one. [ Max isn't entirely serious about that, though. ]

[Ruby knows a thing or two about pushing people away. She had a rough patch before she arrived here and had done a good job pushing people she cared about away, she was on the mend and for the most part things were forgiven, but it was still something that weighed on her.

Except then she gets this call out and the first thing she does is give Max a look before she splashes her. Except there is a bit of a wince because wow. Now that her arms are warming up does she feel that one.]

What? That's not even remotely true. There's that Little guy out there too. He looked like he was going pretty hard.

[Maybe they both could use this for a respite and second chance. A way to remember how to find their way back, or to learn how not to push when things reached that point.]

[The splash gets a chuckle out of Max, like she remembers for a second she's a teenager, and she can have fun, still. She splashes Ruby in return. Then she points at Ruby when she winces.]

See? Proof right there. I'm right and you should ask for help a bit more.

[She shrugs.] So? Just because someone else was going like they have something to prove doesn't mean you need to tear yourself apart. Not when you have friends to rely on.

[She takes the splash like a champ and does her best to look more offended than she is at the call out.]

Ugh- Fine. But I don't have to like it either.

[And there's a little pause.]

Look. I'm okay. Plus- I don't know. It's just always been my responsibility to look out for people, do what I can to support the people around me. It's not exactly an easy habit to just drop.

[Max just smiles back. A win is a win, even one she's "bullied" someone into.]

[She at least looks more serious about the rest of what Ruby has to say, though.]

I'm not saying you have to drop it. But maybe you can get help. Backup. From a friend.

[It was such a fierce bullying too. She should be ashamed.

Either way Ruby looks a little curious at the suggestion.]

Okay. Well I guess I'm going to need one of those friend things.

You don't happen to know anyone, do you? I'm kinda new in town.

[There's a little bit of a wink here. Like she has a feeling Max is the friend she's referring to.]

[Zero shame about this one!]

[Max laughs a little, then replies in a, 'it's so obvious tone.']

There's me, for a start.

[See- That's about what Ruby was expecting.]

Okay, okay! I didn't want to jump to any conclusions but friends it is!

You better be ready for everything that comes with that. Hard labor, hanging out late at night, all around shenanigans.

[Max grins to Ruby's words.]

It's not jumping to conclusions if it's mutual.

[Max rolls her eyes at one thing, though.] Hard labor? There better be some fun bonfires in there, then.

Good point, good point.

[Honestly she hadn't counted Max out. It was just nice to hear it out loud. She just put a lot of pressure down on herself and depression was a bad habit to break.

She taps her chin in thought.]

Well we can't have fun bonfires without marshmallows to roast, right?

We might have to raid the store to see if we can find any.

[Then leave it to Max to say it. She gives Ruby an earnest smile.]

Good point. We'll need marshmallows.

If we can't find marshmallows this really is the middle of no where. [It makes Hawkins look downright busy.]

[Ruby let's out a groan.]

We can't give up hope. There have to be mashmallow's here somewhere. I've already been stuck in a town with nothing but baked beans. I'm not doing that again.

[Max thinks that over.]

Well, we know the community hall has tea and coffee, right? I guess marshmallows are not entirely out of the question.

Yeah- That's at least something there!

I've heard there's a ransacked store too. It might be worth rooting around in too?

[Max perks up to that. They need more than just marshmallows, after all.]

Where? Because, yeah, we should.

[They most certainly did.]

Some guy, Levi showed me. It wasn't too far from the community center. It's mostly cleaned out but taking another look around couldn't hurt.

When we finish up here, I'll show you.

Well, I'm ready.

[As nice as soaking in the heat was, Max is revved up at the idea of searching around and finding marshmallows.] I'm going to my clothes back on and I'll be ready to go when you are.

Jeez- And someone was just telling me to slow down.

[Not that even that would actually get Ruby to slow down.]

Let's do this.

[She waits for Max to get out and go toward her clothes before Ruby pulls herself out with a little wince and makes her way over to the other side of the cave where she had stashed her stuff. She was relaxed enough that her aches and pains had lessoned, but there was a sort of dull throb to them.

That being said it takes her a little longer than normal to get ready but once she is she'll shout out to the other side of the cave.]

Alright- Ready when you are!

We already did slow down. Now it's time for marshmallows. And anything else we can find.

[Max sounds pretty stoked as she says that, dries herself off, then gets dressed pretty quickly. She runs her fingers through her hair, not wanting to soak a pony tail holder with it just yet. She doesn't miss how gingerly Ruby first moved, but she doesn't say anything, this time.]

I'm ready. Are you ready?

See- That is logic I can get behind.

[Ruby on a good day was generally ruled by her stomach, and marshmallows did sound awfully good right about now. Once she's dressed she'll give her hair one more shake just to make sure it's as dry as can be before she puts her hat back on.]

Are you kidding? I'm always ready.

[Don't mind her as she gives Max a playful little push as she moves to lead the way back out of the cave they had found.]

My logic is good for something!

[One thing Max really appreciates about Ruby? The fact she can be herself, even if that person is a little abrasive, sometimes. Ruby pushes, and Max gives her a light shove in return, just as playful. Max laughs about it all the way out.]

[She stretches once outside.] That wasn't as boring as I thought it would be.

We just have to get the rest of the town on board with it.

[Ruby could deal with abrasive. One of her best friends was known as the Ice Queen for a reason. Being a little prickly just made things more interesting. Ruby takes the shove and grins. This must be how her big sister felt most of the time.

Ruby looks over curiously at the next remark.]

Really? You thought hanging out with me was going to be boring? Wow. Talk about rude.

Well, you can convince them. You're good at that. [ It's not entirely a serious suggestion, as show by Max's smirk. She's never had a sister before, and her experience with a big brother was nothing like this, but it was closer to her fantasy of having a sibling. ]

[ She laughs. ]

You never know until you try, right? [ Max teases right back, not thrown by Ruby calling her rude. ]

You're giving me way too much credit there. Have you ever tried talking to a crowd before? Most awkward thing in the world.

[Ruby wasn't the best when it came to that- It's why she prerecorded the most important message she'd ever send. She would have frozen up for sure.

She's also being dramatic but she's pretty good at that.]

I guess- Jeez though. You are just asking to get buried in the snow! Pretty sure no one find you. You know that, right?

[Just playfully threatening her friend with her life. No biggie here.]

nature offers a violence

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wrap for the new event and girls' nigth?

For sure!