EVENT #2: BRAIN BOGGLING

[diceofthegods]

A CRASH IN THE NIGHT

In the dark hours of a snowy early morning, a sudden BOOM can be heard all across Town. It is swiftly followed by sounds of warping metal and then a screeching crash. Curious, albeit groggy, residents emerge only to find a smoking wreck just a mile outside of Town.

The strange craft appears to be almost nautiloid in shape with wrenched, broken tendrils streaming out the opening.

Much of it is metal although some of it almost seems... organic.

Those who with to get a closer look will be met by Charlie and Dimitri who are already on the job. They request curious onlookers keep their distance since this craft is, without a doubt, tremendously dangerous.

Later in the day, there appears to be an outfit of officials coming from the west to investigate and clean up the wreckage. Thankfully(?), you will all find out soon enough what's going on.

INVESTIGATION & PROTECTION

Deathcard Cabin by Jonah Senzel

4:07 / 13:06

▶︎

Click here to listen.

From the Inscryption OST: A unique and haunting sound paired with a unique and haunting game.

code

Charlie reports to the citizens of Town that an Illithid cargo transport. The pilot did not survive the crash, but they appeared to be transporting some kind of new breed of Intellect Devourers.

"We do not yet know what this new breed is capable of, but..."

Charlie does give everyone a rundown of what an Illithid and what an Intellect Devourer is, what they are capable of, and a keen warning to tread lightly. Many dead ones were discovered in the cargo but several of the enclosures were damaged in the crash and the likelihood of escapees is high.

Charlie reiterates: These creatures are to be killed on sight, or contained until someone can kill it. If you are not confident in your combat abilities, please remain in your homes as much as possible and seal all openings to your dwelling. Those who are capable though are urged to begin patrols of Town alongside Slayd, Dimitri and himself to ensure that Town and the surrounding areas are safe.

Please travel in pairs or groups, do not be alone! Attack from a distance when possible. Hoshiko will offer her assistance as a markswoman as well by picking off any Intellect Devourers from a distance that she can for those that are forced to travel alone. (Don't worry about any jokes she makes of her service not being cheap though. Charlie wouldn't actually let her charge you anything.)

Unfortunately, not even they can predict the blizzard that rolls through Town in the midst of all this. If you happen to see anything skittering through the snow, don't panic too much. It could just be a tiny woodland creature looking for a warm burrow to hide away in!

At least you hope it is.

PROMPT #3

Hybrid intellect devourers are unique from the regular ones in that the goal is not to kill their target, but to gather intelligence and act as a kind of spy network.

They will flee when confronted directly by greater numbers, but will attack a lone target. They do this by jumping at the target's head and wrapping a wet tendril around their neck. They will choke who they've wrapped around if anyone tries to remove it. They are also far more likely to try and attack sleeping target (hence the advice to keep your homes closed!).

These hybrids emit spores that will keep the target asleep during feeding. Their primary goal appears to be infiltrating the targets' minds and absorbing some of their memories. The target will have their mind left mostly intact... though they may suffer short term memory loss, confusion, distress, fatigue and head pain.

Here's where the fun starts!

Once one of these critters has fed on someone, they are onto their next target. When a fed Intellect Devourer feeds from another target, that target may absorb some of the previous target's memories. This can span across multiple victims and be erratic in whose memories taint whose mind. The memories will cross-pollinate in the form of dreams or waking visions and hallucinations.

If one of these creatures is killed, it will explode, releasing a powerful psionic wave and the memories it had absorbed from any recent targets. Anyone within ten (10) yards of the dying creature will be afflicted with extreme head pain in the short term and also witness the memories of it's previous victims.

Enjoy your muddled memories and leggy brain-hunting!

The outfit of people who have come to investigate are from New Svihelen's disaster containment squad and are investigating the hybrid creatures and the possible reason for an Illithid ship to crash here of all places. Right now, the running theory is that interference from the selfsame summoning circle that brought you all here could have caused the interplanar navigation systems of the ship to malfunction but nothing has been determined yet.

Eventually, these creatures will all be rounded up and taken care of. They are persistent and stealthy though in their efforts to survive above all else. Charlie assures that they're doing all they can to make Town safe once and for all but it will take some time.

Notes

⁂ The partner plotting post for this event/quarter is also up!

⁂ Additionally, we have a state of the game post available for people to read about updates, clarifications, and housekeeping items!

⁂ If you have any further questions or feedback about this event specifically, please comment here!

⁂ For even more ambient event music, you can check out this this playlist!

⁂ Full Navigation ⁂

Comments

Popp | Adventure of Dai | OTA

[snapp_crackle]

A, patrol

On one hand the region being invaded by awful little monsters is pretty horrible, on the other hand, Popp has been running menial errands for months when he has a skillset that is mostly for fighting off monsters. Fighting off, not so much hunting down. He starts off patrols eager and bristling, but when it comes down to it, if nothing attacks, this is just walking around in the cold having anxiety for a few hours.

Earlier, he absolutely obliterated something small in a blast of powerful flame, but in hindsight, it might have been a rabbit...?

"I got up early for this and they don't even have the manners to come take a sip?!"

He taps his head, looking extremely put out.

"I should be a delicious feast to these things, right?"

B, recovery

Popp is apparently, as he theorized, super delicious. Maybe it is the wizardly intellect, maybe it is some sort of secret scalp secretion that comes with being a green dragon. Maybe it is that he is reckless and careless and sleeps deeply enough not to notice a brain monster grinching down the chimney.

He's been attacked sleeping in his own home. He's been attacked while on patrol, both by himself and with others. He's been attacked while proudly showing off an ID that he thought was safely paralyzed by his breath weapon.

He's determined not to let it get to him and once he's recovered he's always game to go out there and keep fighting. Once he's recovered being the operative word here. He spends a lot of time this month so scrambled he can't remember how to turn into a human, and on top of that, he's very woozy and uncoordinated.

He's not exactly laid up in bed because his long, serpentine form can barely even fit in his room, so any visitors who come to call on him will find him in the main room of the house, lying about in unruly coils like an oversized garden hose. Try not to trip over him, he's been whiny enough as it is.

C, wildcard

The assorted IDs either get away with their snackies or they don't, and a variety of Popp's semi-recent adventuring experiences show up in dreams and psionic death surges. Some of his fellow dragonsouled may have experienced going to a fantasy department store through his eyes, or seen a memory of his parents that explains a lot about his personal psychology, or seen him outright die, which can't be a great first-person view. Whether they talk to him about it or let that percolate as they go about their business as normal, that information and more is out there, ripe for the absorbing.

(( OOC: The plotting post is here, or just jump right in and have at it!))

a

[orbicularis]

Mithrun is, admittedly, also not thrilled about how their hunt has gone so far - even if it may be hard to discern that displeasure from his usual, passive... everything.

At Popp's complaint, though, he does eye him, his head tilting. "Why would you be? You're young even for a tall-man, aren't you?"

Mithrun you can't just say that.

[snapp_crackle]

"I'm sixteen."

He can't actually argue that he's not that young. He's not even that tall! He's smart enough to gather that this is what Mithrun calls humans. They have very similar expressions right now, although Popp's is distinctly sulkier. He has no poker face.

"Maybe the youngest person around here, actually. Which makes me an easy target."

[orbicularis]

Mithrun nods slowly, apparently taking that information in. Sixteen. That would make him... barely an adult, if he remembers right.

"Hm. That is a good point." Sorry, Popp, your being an appealing target thanks to your supposed vulnerability makes more sense to him than your wealth of magic knowledge being a draw.

In fact, Mithrun stops in place, crossing his arms in thought. "...Maybe we should split up."

[snapp_crackle]

He's also smart enough to catch onto the motivations at work here.

"Seriously?! You want me to be bait?!"

Popp doesn't stomp and screech like that because of any draconic instincts, that's all him. Mithruuuun, that's so cold!

[orbicularis]

Saves Mithrun the trouble of explaining where he's going with this! Though... he supposes he might have to explain himself anyway, with the way Popp is reacting. He stands there, arms still crossed, like he's waiting out a tantrum from...

...Well, from a sixteen-year-old.

"You said it yourself, didn't you? You're an easy target. I, however, am not. If we assume they're capable of gauging such things, my presence may well be why we aren't seeing any."

[snapp_crackle]

In contrast, Popp crunches through the snow, pacing back and forth.

"It's not a bad plan, but you've got a lot of nerve suggesting it!"

It's also kind of flattering that Mithrun isn't trying to protect him because of his age, he must think Popp can handle himself. Which he can!

[orbicularis]

"I'll be nearby," Mithrun answers idly, as though that is in any way a response to Popp's complaint. "We just need one in sight; if I see it before you do, I'll take it out immediately."

Y'know what - yes, Popp, definitely believe that. And, in all fairness, it isn't entirely untrue; he knows that Popp is a mage, and that he's an adult by the standards of his own race. He presumably isn't completely helpless.

It's just that he does also plan to be lying in wait anyway.

[snapp_crackle]

This doesn't actually sound that dangerous for him. Potential side effects aside, but the worst that's happened to him so far is temporary pain and lingering emotional distress.

"Fiiiine, get outta here, then! I'll walk around and try to look extra tasty, and you try not to fall asleep! I don't want those things slurping into my brain again!"

Even in sixteen years, there are plenty of memories he doesn't want stolen or blasted all over Town. Of course now he's thinking about everything that he doesn't want people to know about.

Mithrun seems like the kind of guy who has never done something that got him slapped by an angry girl in his entire life.

B

[parer]

Quite frankly, with everything being in the state that it is, Ignis is reluctant to leave his home too much... especially after what happened to Gladio when they were repairing some blizzard damage. However, after some patrolling himself and speaking with those in charge such as Dimitri, he become aware that they've either killed or captured most of the Devourers that managed to escape.

So that's nice.

It also means that he can step out into the snow for some more mundane necessities as the blizzard fades away in its intensity, and check up on the status of the various others there in town. That would be how he hears about Popp.

By all means, they aren't the most intimate of friends, but, well. There is a sort of sympathy as another green dragon who also got chased around by small fruit lizards who wanted to chew on his tail. So Ignis makes sure everything is set up at his house before prepping something in the kitchen and setting off to where Popp is.

Although really. This is quite a lot of tail to observe as he stands there shutting the door behind him.

"Hello, Popp. I don't suppose you're taking visitors?"

[snapp_crackle]

Friendship is built through shared experiences, both joy and suffering. There sure was a lot of suffering on that day. It truly is a curse to be delicious...

Popp eagerly lifts his head from the general long tangle he's lying in. There's enough neck that in theory he could look Ignis square in the eye, but he gets kind of shaky once it's up that far, and promptly flumps half of it back down.

"Yes, gods yes, you wouldn't believe how bored I am. Even slacking off gets stale when you don't actually want to do it."

[parer]

"Well, that's because there's a difference between slacking off because you're trying to get away from mundane bothersome duties, and when you're stuck as a dragon inside your own house and are sick on top of that," Ignis points out wryly, hopping over another long stretch of scale and muscle.

There really is a lot here.

"It all comes down to choice, in the end." Just follow all the green... And there he is. "I would have brought a book, or something else to keep you occupied, but it seemed as though you would have difficulty with that." And Ignis has three men to take care of, he can't stick around to read a whole book. "However, I did try to bring some things that I hope would alleviate things a touch."

[snapp_crackle]

Popp sighs, which causes a whole ripple effect, as it were, down the length of the dragon.

"It's kind of hard to turn pages if I want there to be any page left when I'm done with it, yeah..."

A clawed foot surfaces from the coils and clumsily bats at the air. His limbs are on the stubby side for his size, while his eyes are very large, and very shiny as they fix on Ignis expectantly.

"What do you have?!"

[parer]

Goodness. Now that is certainly a fair bit of expectations being placed upon him. Ignis supposes he should be sure he won't disappoint. Carefully putting down his things on the nearest available surface, Ignis begins to go through what he's brought.

"Well, first of all, I did bring a few things I made back home, and that I picked up at the bakery." Or, well, he asked the head baker there if he would be able to make something at his own home if the bakery was closed for a while until the IDs could be properly wrangled, and Angeal Hewley is apparently a flexible man. So there's some nice mild sweet breads in there from that area, and then Ignis has made a few things in his own kitchen that he's carefully tried to keep at least a touch warm.

The turkey-asparagus bundles will need to be reheated over a good warm fire regardless, but hopefully it's still fine.

"Additionally, while the blizzard has mostly discouraged traveling, I was fortunate in that someone from Hast had come here to visit, and had a few things I could peruse in her wares. So hopefully this will be at least a bit stimulating." And with that, he carefully takes out a ball and rolls it over to Popp. It's not modern by his standards, not like the unbelievably bouncy balls one could find in a supermarket, but it still has some bounce to it.

Seems as though technology somewhere is making some progress, far as he can tell.

[snapp_crackle]

"Oh, thanks, that's great!"

Popp's nostrils twitch. The head comes up again. He does eat well here, but he's a growing boy... Although hopefully not in this form, it's cramped enough in here as it is. He swats at the ball on pure reflex.

"Hey! What am I, a dog?!"

This is companionable indignant yelling, as opposed to genuinely panicked or aggressive yelling. Ingis has heard the first two forms before, if only in the background of his own troubles as the pitaya incident slowly and sharply escalated.

...The ball! It's moving away. Bouncing away, under the all purpose table where Ignis is. He really wants to go after it. His tail swishes back and forth... If you attached some bristles down the length, you could sweep the floor in no time flat.

[parer]

Well, Ignis wasn't going to call him a dog, but if he insists on bringing it up in the first place...

His gaze idly follows the ball as it rolls on over, in no particular rush even before he finally crouches down to take the toy back into his fingers. "Not a dog, no," he says idly, rolling inbetween his fingers. "It seemed to be a rather popular children's toy from what I could gather." And, you know, being from a modern city. "However, it does appear that I've caused some offense with it. Of course you would not want it. I suppose I shall simply... take it back."

[snapp_crackle]

"W-well, you don't need to be hasty! I'm not rude enough to turn down a thoughtful gift! Even if it is for kids!"

This is actually true. If Ignis has noticed how ugly Popp's belt buckle is, when he has a body that is not shaped like a belt, that is why. His gaze is laser focused on the ball. He knows he's one of the youngest people here, playing with a children's toy isn't going to help his reputation on that front especially with all the crying he's been doing.

And YET. Maybe he can blame his draconic instincts? That's probably fair to do, right?

a

[boarishboy]

Dimitri doesn't mind the early morning rising or the cold; in fact, he seems almost at home with spear in hand and frosty breath. He's assisting where he can and teaming up with others when possible to ensure further coverage.

"...Perhaps you shouldn't taunt them," he points out. "Though I doubt a lack of interest is to be taken personally." It's simply that they just aren't the current targets but that could easily change.

[snapp_crackle]

"I'm taking it personally! I've been attacked by everything from skeletons to dragons; and now monsters are turning up their noses when I actually want them to come at me?!"

Popp's wearing a thick cloak for the sake of the cold, but isn't wrapped up in layers because he wants to move quickly if he needs to. He's stomping around to warm up, and also because he's irritated.

[boarishboy]

In some ways, Dimitri can understand the disappointment of an unsatisfying (or even just absent) clash with an enemy. In others, he'd much rather have nothing happen than something where that was an option. Of course, his experiencing with fighting was born of necessity versus perhaps desire of an adventurer like Popp so- Maybe just doesn't get it?

"It sounds like you led quite the exciting life to have forced so many formidable enemies before." Maybe talking about his previous exploits would be better.

[snapp_crackle]

If nothing is happening, then that gives him time to consider all of the things that could happen.

"Exciting's one word for it! I've come face to face with Dark Commander Hadlar himself three times this year, and it's hard to believe I lived through any of them! I'm stronger every time I see him, but he's stronger every time I see him! How's anyone supposed to beat someone who can recover from wounds so fast you can see the flesh growing back?!"

Contemplating Hadlar is not any better for his nerves, but at least it feels good to get it off his chest and yell about it instead of fretting. Dimitri's a warrior, he's probably had tough fights he can sympathize over.

[boarishboy]

"His healing factor is that enhanced?" While Dimitri has faced many a formidable foe in his short life, he can't say he's experienced anything like that.

"Demonic Beasts are probably the most deadly creatures I've faced back in my world, but the only thing to contend was their heightened defenses." They were extremely sturdy creatures, but not impossible to take down. It just usually took a few battalions at their size.

"By comparison, these Intellect Devourers aren't as intimidating but... They still don't seem to be creatures to be trifled with."

[snapp_crackle]

"It's a blessing from the guy who rules the underworld, so it's not exactly common. It feels unfair on top of how strong he actually is... or was, I hope."

He laughs nervously. He doesn't like to think of himself as paranoid, but also, being more worried about this sort of thing would have saved him a stabbing.

"Plain toughness is no joke either, though! You can usually get something like that by aiming into the mouth, but if it's already coming right at you with its mouth open, you really have to be able to handle things in one hit right away, or else... chk!"

If it's not something he's emotionally invested in, though, it might as well be talking shop. Popp talks with a lot of demonstrative hand gestures when the subject is how one might blow up a dragon at point blank range, or what might happen to your head if you do not.

[boarishboy]

Rules the underworld...? Interesting that there is a known underworld in Popp's reality and that people are blessed by it. Dimitri always imagined it would inflict curses; there again, most of his understanding of life after death come in the form of horrific hallucinations of those he's lost.

It is noted how cavalier the other boy is though about battle. To him, it seems the stakes might be lower. Obviously, there is some sense of danger but not in the grave way that Dimitri and his friends have faced. "Do you have any such blessings?" Dimitri thinks to ask. That might make sense, actually, since he seems so confident.

"For my part, I only have a Crest - a special type of blood - that enhances my strength. I can't always control it though, unfortunately." He breaks weapons a lot unintentionally.

[snapp_crackle]

Nearly losing his head was like, not even in top ten of the worst things that happened to Popp that day. He didn't even lose it; it is even kind of a funny story in hindsight unless he explains the context.

"No, I'm good at magic, but I'm ordinary next to the other disciples... My best friend's got the Dragon Crest, though, yours sounds kind of like that. It's a blood thing, but it shows up and glows whenever he uses it."

He taps the back of his hand.

"Got any good tips I can pass on? Dai's not on good terms with the only other guy who has one."