diceofthegods: (Default)
diceofthegods ([personal profile] diceofthegods) wrote in [community profile] childrenofbahamutlogs2025-02-01 12:10 pm

EVENT #2: BRAIN BOGGLING

A CRASH IN THE NIGHT
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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
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Deathcard Cabin by Jonah Senzel
4:07 / 13:06
▶︎
From the Inscryption OST: A unique and haunting sound paired with a unique and haunting game.

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
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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!

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zodiheart: (pic#16526187)

[personal profile] zodiheart 2025-04-07 12:51 am (UTC)(link)
"Yes, love, I am here." The words are soft, though roughened by the pain in both his head and his heart. He huffs a laugh that is mostly humorless, but tinged still with the ghost of it.

"I killed the creature that was attempting to feed on your memory. It, subsequently, detonated next to us, causing psychic damage as well as dragging my consciousness into some of what I assume are your more vicious memories." Understatement, but still.

Though he looks awful he has strength enough to steady Byleth as he wavers in place. "Be still, please. I have been told that the experience afterwards is extremely disorienting."
perfectteatime: (I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THAT)

[personal profile] perfectteatime 2025-04-08 02:20 am (UTC)(link)
"Mgghh..." Byleth groans, already way ahead of him on the 'be still' thing after the wave of dizziness hit him.

"I'm sorry you had to... to see all of that." No doubt no worse than what Themis had endured himself, this he knows for a fact. That said, he surely doesn't need any more trauma to add to the bucket.

"Please. Try to pay it no mind. As much as you can. It is far in the past now."
zodiheart: (pic#16437296)

[personal profile] zodiheart 2025-04-15 07:26 am (UTC)(link)
"You have naught to be sorry for. The blame lay solely with that creature, and thus, justice has already been dealt." Fingers find their way into Byleth's hair despite his assurances. They card through, comfortingly, seeking to soothe some of the ache.

"I am no stranger to war, and the horrors found therein."
perfectteatime: (goin up your COOOOOTERRRRR)

[personal profile] perfectteatime 2025-04-17 05:52 am (UTC)(link)
Themis' comforting touch does its work for him, but he hardly wants to just sit there and do nothing. Instead he turns and angles himself so he can wrap his arms around the man and stroke his back.

They will, at the very least, be all right. Albeit a bit worse for wear on either end, but mutual support is key.

"Still. I wish it weren't so."
zodiheart: (pic#16525612)

[personal profile] zodiheart 2025-04-21 07:21 am (UTC)(link)
The mutual support is clearly doing wonders for Themis. In the space of a few deep breaths, a line of coiled tension begins to unspool from his spine, his shoulders dropping as it leaves his body. With each heartbeat of the two of them holding one another he grows more steady, strength returning with every pulse. The truth that Byleth is here, is safe, and that he will recover is finally setting in.

"I feel the same for you, dearest one. Would that we could pluck the suffering from one another's histories, but instead we must make do with comfort and care well after all has been done."

A deep inhale comes, followed by a slow, slow exhale.

"But I would not change my own fate. It allowed me to meet with you, after all," spoken with exactly as sappy of a tone as the words would imply, voice less roughened now that he is more stable. "Is there aught I may do for you?"
perfectteatime: (Default)

[personal profile] perfectteatime 2025-04-25 04:26 am (UTC)(link)
Byleth allows himself to relax just a bit more, knowing Themis is calming.

"I agree. I wouldn't be here were it not for everything that has happened to me. Suffering is a hard teacher, but one that eventually becomes a more distant ache. The reminder to not waver." He's not as flowery with his language, and he is fine with that. He will leave the poetry to those it is more suited to.

"Come to bed with me. Just- just to rest. I think we both deserve some... undisturbed rest." He moves to gingerly push himself up, turning to help Themis with him. "Does that sound all right? Just a nice nap, curled up with each other, yes?"
zodiheart: (pic#16525471)

[personal profile] zodiheart 2025-05-07 08:21 am (UTC)(link)
It sounds more than merely nice to Themis, as he gets himself standing and immediately places a hand on Byleth's lower back. For support or comfort, he knows not. Only that the touch is needed.

"I would enjoy having your head upon my chest, yes." Byleth has always enjoyed hearing his heart beat, steady and strong, while he relaxes. And the weight of his beloved has quite a bit of appeal to him right now. He guides them both to Byleth's bedroom and takes a moment to lock and seal all doors and windows.

The vigilance will allow him true rest.

After, he shrugs off his robes and footwear, leaving him only in his podea. He rests his mask upon the pile of clothing as one final act before slipping beneath the blankets. It takes a brief moment of shuffling to find a comfortable position for his wings but afterwards he is able to settle.
perfectteatime: (413 413 413 413)

[personal profile] perfectteatime 2025-05-13 04:51 am (UTC)(link)
Oh what a wonderful, terrifying thing to be known so well. Byleth has no room at all to protest. Themis isn't the only one with a cheat sheet after all. He too braces against the emissary, and they both hold each other stable.

Gratefully, Byleth sheds his own garments until he remains in his smallclothes and crawls into bed, slotting himself into the smaller man despite the extra appendages and horns. It's always been easy to get comfortable with him, hasn't it?

In this world and the last. The added fur and feathers makes it even more so. He goes about to gently trace his claws around Themis' scalp and through his hair. He recalls that he quite likes this too.
zodiheart: (nsfw5)

[personal profile] zodiheart 2025-06-05 06:13 am (UTC)(link)
What is new and unique to this world is the soft sound that starts up once Byleth begins his gentle ministrations. After the first few passes through scalp and hair a sound starts up from somewhere between Themis's chest and throat. It's soft at first, before turning into a rolling sort of thrumming.

Not a purr, not quite. Nor is it quite a rumble.

It's something halfway between the two, and though he does not cease it once he notices, there is a catch in Themis's breathing when he becomes aware of it. He does not tense, no, and it is obvious that his enjoyment of the scratching and petting has been made stronger by his draconic traits.

His cheeks color, and his voice comes as a whisper. "My apologies for the disturbance."