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

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Comments

OTA prompts

[vulnstacked]

i. duetting solo

The cold reminds him of a few places he's experienced in the past, though none come so close to the awful chill of Garlemald. This is true even now; despite all of the snow, it's just familiar territory for someone whose home was once the Skatay Range. Hunting through it is a second instinct, even if the quarry is certainly different than usual.

"It's going to be a blanket of white if this snow keeps up," Fray warns in a soft growl.

"Then it's a good thing I'm never alone when I've got you," Obsidian muses, cracking a fanged smile. "I know you've got my back, aye?"

A soft huff from his esteem. "I suppose you won't get that many people who know this kind of land as you and I do."

"That's the spirit." There's a pause from Obsidian, and his ears twitch, swiveling in your direction before the Warrior of Light is glancing your way. "It's dangerous to be out here by yourself. Are you all right?"

After all, Obsidian isn't technically alone, so it's fine. It's cool.


ii. memoria

In the end, the Warrior of Light's strength will always come from his truest comrades. To venture alone is a fool's errand, even with Fray ever at his side. Eventually, out in the worst of the blizzard and defying the odds, he gets unlucky. An Intellect Devourer does manage to sink its grasp onto him, causing Obsidian to collapse in the snow.

"Shite," Fray hisses, black mist rising from his form, his blade disintegrating from his hand. The echoing sound of chains rattle as he begins to lose his corporeal appearance, draining away as Obsidian goes unconscious.

So he stumbles toward you, calling out: "Help him."

When you do, the resulting memory begins in blinding Light.


iii. wildcard & notes

[Please feel free to make your own prompt! On prompt II, unless you have a specific memory you would like, I will randomize the memory you receive from Obsidian.]

i

[orbicularis]

Working with other people can be at least some help for Mithrun's atrocious navigational skills - but that only takes him so far. Once separated, there's little chance of him tracing his steps back to his companion - to say nothing of tracking them down if they've moved.

And that's without the weather obscuring his vision.

At least, as Mithrun wanders in a randomly-picked direction, Obsidian's hair color and his and Fray's choices of fashion make them relatively easy to pick out in the white static surrounding them both.

Mithrun nods, his wings flicking reflexively to knock the gathered snow off of them. He does no such thing about what's collected on his shoulders and in his hair. "I'm fine. Have you found anything?"

[vulnstacked]

Huh. It's a bit strange to see Mithrun without Angeal, at least it seems odd to Obsidian. That whole relationship chart is too complicated for his himbo mind. In any case, he is genuinely glad to see the elf is safe. "Just a couple of stray ones. Didn't think they'd end up looking like that, brains on legs. Wish I could say it was the most disturbing thing I've seen."

Fray shrugs. "Difficult to see much in this weather, and it's bound to get worse. You should know better than to be on your own, Mithrun."

[orbicularis]

"Mm-hm. They don't resemble anything I know of in my world, either."

The "I know of" is important. For all he knows, some dungeon lord somewhere had a labyrinth absolutely packed with legged brains.

His gaze shifts to Fray, flat as ever. "I wasn't, until recently. Poor visibility will do that."

He's gathered the man(?) has some kind of problem with him, but he still isn't sure what it is... or whether Fray just has a problem with everyone, by default. That seems possible.

At least, no matter the case, Mithrun himself isn't too bothered. "If it's of such concern, I can work with you two until we find someone."

Or he loses track of them, too. One of those.

ii. memoria

[zodiheart]

A swell of molten rage pulses through his veins the instant Themis turns the corner and beholds the situation. Obsidian, his friend, one he loves - and, hells, Fray. If the sight alone were not enough, Fray's pleading would have undone him.

And so it is with no thought to himself that Themis leaps forward and cleaves the Intellect Devourer in half with with his sword. Before the memory overtakes him, he reaches for Obsidian with hands and wings.

Feathers and fingers just barely brush skin before the light consumes him.

[vulnstacked]

This section of Living Memory is still lit and full of deceptive life, citizens milling about and enjoying themselves. Living Memory doesn't smell like anything, doesn't taste like anything. It just is, and all of it uncomfortable. A reminder of what Obsidian himself had once attempted what feels like long ago, so privately.

Obsidian settles into the gondola across from G'raha Tia, and somehow Elidibus manages to be in the boat with them as well, even if Obsidian doesn't react to him right away.

It is a beautiful sight to see, this part of Living Memory. Even if it still unsettles him to his core, there is something bittersweet about seeing the couple he helped reunite waving to him. With a faint smile, Obsidian raises a hand while G'raha waves on fully.

"Do you remember what I said to you before all this?" G'raha asks softly, lowering his arm before looking at Obsidian. "That life is a series of journeys. That you must be true to yourself, for indeed, there's no telling what awaits."

He remembers. Of course he does. Obsidian puts forth everything in trying to remember what his beloved friends say to him.

Glancing to the golden colors of the digital horizon, G'raha continues, "I don't know about you, but I certainly didn't expect to behold such sights. The future is as fluid as the water beneath us, truly." The smile fades. "Tell me, my friend. Have you ever wished to be reunited with someone who passed away?"

Of course he does. He still does. After all this time, to the point that it was so painful that his soul stone broke in two. That the grief he created looked like a meld of Ysayle and Haurchefant. That the being he made tried to do the very thing that Sphene is doing now. But the words don't rise to Obsidian's throat; instead, he looks tense, unable to answer.

Everyone thinks so highly of him. Everyone thinks he could do no wrong. How could he say it? And to know how much he, alas, relates to Sphene so much?

He says nothing, as he usually does, simply listening. Unable to share the burden of his heart and soul.

[zodiheart]

Much like Obsidian, Themis watches.

This place is akin to a perverse attempt at replicating an eternal Aetherial Sea, one that is powered by the yet-living energies of those who may yet live. A desperate attempt to hold fast to those who have been lost. Themis would not wish for his memory to remain at the expense of others. He would rather live on in the memories of others, in those he loved, than be extracted and held in this place. He would rather fade in time, and be reborn anew.

He watches as G'raha Tia speaks to Obsidian. As he asks a painful question that any with perception already knows the answer to - but that is just it. If any know the answer to that question, it is G'raha Tia, and if any possess the same answer, it, too, would be him. Through time and space he had traveled, after all, to do such a thing. He knows.

Themis does not have eyes for anyone else now but Obsidian. Unable to help himself, he tries to reach out and hold fast to his hand.

I thought about it and decided memoria was the dumbest possible way for them to meet

[aisandfyr]

As a native Ul'dahn, Aisthota's never been a fan of snow. With that in mind, going out in a blizzard like this is definitely among the stupidest things she's ever done. She can practically hear the other Scions giving her an earful for the reckless heroism. Look, it's fine, her instincts are telling her she should be out here and they have never--they have rarely steered her wrong.

The new voice in her head thinks that's absolute nonsense, but Aisthota's ignoring it.

And the spooky disappearing cry for help just further confirms for her that listening to her instincts was the right thing to do! Her aim with her chakrams is true enough that she can dispatch the intellect devourer without any worry of harming the viera that it's munching on, but she's not prepared for what follows.

don't worry i will make it stupider

[vulnstacked]

"Welcome to Rhon Ron's, traveler! I have wares to empty your purse and fill your belly! Take your time! Stare and sniff before you choose! But no drooling on the merchandise, yes?"

It is a familiar merchant's town that Aisthota should be familiar with; the old red bricks and humble bustling of Mord Souq. Before Obsidian is one of the mord, Rhon Ron himself ready to peddle his food.

And Obsidian is terrible about knowing when to quit, like any good Warrior of Light.

Everything is a bit unconventional in terms of snacks, but that's never deterred his curiosity. Tilting his head, Obsidian looks down at the pile of marbled red meat.

"That's my Everburning Bounty, made with the best parts of the lizard. Cured with special spicy spices! Some find the smell... challenging, but it'll warm you up on chilly desert nights!"

Obsidian folds his arms. "That one, then."

"Ah yes! Put some spice in your step! You won't feel the cold this night... and probably not the next one either! You have the gold...?"

With a nod, the viera hands over the coin.

"And done!" Rhon Ron cheers. "One Voeburtite honor buys you ten sides of lizard meat!"

Ten sides. Obsidian has had hearty meals before, but ten sides. Closing his eyes a moment, he steels himself before he takes in a breath.

He won't be defeated by food.

So he gets to eating.

[aisandfyr]

Aisthota thinks it's her own memory at first. It's certainly close enough to one. And gods know she could absolutely go for ten servings of everburning bounty right now. But the details don't quite match up and when the memory passes, she's just left feeling confused. And hungry. And cold.

But no matter how much she would rather be in Ahm Araeng right now, that's not the point! Somebody's hurt! So despite her pounding headache, she gets back to her feet and trudges through the snow to the fallen viera.

"Hey! Are you alright?"

I

[firsteditionbfs]

One could raise many questions about the fact that Obsidian isn't Technically (tm) alone, and Angeal certainly will as he takes in the two figures standing off in the snow. Around him, that same snow melts slightly, only to turn to ice immediately in the trail he makes as the blizzard reclaims the temperature once more. Being a gold dragon with such a natural heater does have its perks, but he'll feel a bit bad when things calm down a bit. Ice is no joke, especially hidden under the snow.

Later, for now, he's... starting to recognize the figure at Obsidian's side, one eyebrow raised. "I'll be fine, apparently Hoshiko is watching over me while I make a quick run to some one."

...Fuck it. Angeal does a sharp little swipe-down point to Fray. "Valentine?"

i

[abyssalflames]

There is danger in what Lahabrea is doing, that he cannot deny. But compared to the Final Days he is not particularly worried. He yet has full control over his magic, and though the falling snow is frustrating, it's not like he doesn't have more than his share of experience in dealing with dangerous monsters. Even if he is not particularly familiar with these monsters.

"You need not fear for my sake."

He can defend himself more than well enough, if need be.