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pumpkinhollow) wrote2000-02-08 08:52 pm
TDM #4 - Aurora Borealis Bust? [REPRINT]
[Find our plain text version here!]
Pumpkin Hollow Gazette
2/8/24 | TDM #4 - AURORA BOREALIS BLITZ BUST?
Content Warnings: "Further Details" section has independent CW labels.
Forecast: SEVERE BLIZZARD WARNING
REBUILDING HELP REQUESTED
By Cecil Gershwin Palmer
A photo taken of the damage.
ACROSS PUMPKIN HOLLOW - City government is requesting aid with repairs to public buildings and local fixtures after the recent earthquakes on Tuesday, January 8th. While there was minimal damage to Town Hall itself, several important buildings sustained damage, including the Magpie National Bank, the South Train Station and the Clock Tower, which is now stuck with hands at 8pm.
Regarding the cause of the earthquake, local biologist Dr. Elias Coldwood was heard to say “There's never been seismic activity here.” And he’s a scientist, so he would know! But clearly this is no longer the case. Perhaps Pumpkin Hollow has a mysterious tiny civilization underground worshiping a destroyer god, planning to attack through the bowling alley, the moment we create a bowling alley. Perhaps not. More on this story as it unfolds, faithful readers.
In the meantime, volunteers to help with the damage to city buildings are invited to meet with Mayor Hellen Poe for assignments.
AURORA TURNS VIOLENT - MYSTERIOUS BLIZZARD INTERRUPTS CHAOS
By Yorick Aberdeen
An artist's rendition of last year's view.
ABOVE MARROW ISLE - Despite our earlier report, it turns out that this year's annual aurora borealis season did not turn out to be a pleasant or romantic viewing experience. Instead, starry monsters based off of classic constellations have been attacking the town each time the aurora is in the sky! However, due to some extreme blizzards that have been occurring most nights each month since late January, the aurora has been interrupted more nights than not and the monsters intercepted. Still, the Pumpkin Hollow Safety Board would like to remind everyone to take appropriate precautions during inclement weather, and to tread carefully on clear nights as monsters may still be attacking until late February!
HOROSCOPES
By Cecil Gershwin Palmer
What do the stars say about you today?
Capricorn: Do you feel as if you’ve lost something? If not, it’s wise to double-check. Perhaps it’s not something like a button or a key, but your sense of wonder or your self-confidence. Remember, things tend to be in the last place you look.
Aquarius: Something about the year ending made you feel lighter, like taking off a heavy wool coat. Ride this burst of energy as far as it will take you, because the shiny of a fresh beginning tends to wear off quickly.
Pisces: Don’t worry, I don’t believe what everyone says behind your back. You’re not too sensitive or too naive. They’re just jealous. Really, most of the time when they’re whispering, it’s not even about you.
Aries: You’re the sort of warm individual that babies and animals are drawn to. Unfortunately, this may include hungry wolves and swarms of insects. But don’t let that bring you down! We need that sort of personality around here.
Taurus: There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be the best, until you work to stop others from also being the best. That’s called cheating and may lead to you being disqualified from competitions. If you get caught, that is.
Gemini: You know those riddles about the two guards, one who always tells the truth and one who always lies? Well, everyone hates those riddles with a passion. You’ll see for yourself, soon.
Cancer: Wouldn’t you like to know?
Leo: Your incandescent personality often makes you the center of attention. However, that’s not the only thing about you that glows. Moths may flock to you in the dark this week, and so might children afraid to sleep with the lights out.
Virgo: Be careful with your words–they aren’t just the precursors to your deeds, but the manifestation of your will. This is not a week for idioms and metaphors, not for you. Even something like bemoaning a lack of spoons may make eating cereal harder.
Libra: You are, inevitably, the first one heard to say a situation isn’t fair. And it’s not, nor will it ever be. Instead of getting upset, have you ever considered getting revenge? That’s usually more satisfying in the long run.
Scorpio: Ugh, Scorpios. The position of Venus means your usually volatile emotions will be in the doldrums instead. Enjoy this while it lasts I guess. Who knows if you’ll ever experience such peace again, given, well. You’re kind of an emotional mess and no one likes you.
Sagittarius: There will never be another day like today. You must strive to make the day everything you want it to be. No mistakes, now! Consider your choices very carefully. Consider your choice to consider, very carefully.
SUNFIRE'S HEARTH
By Yorick Aberdeen
A photo of Mayor Poe's cats, Toffee and Butter, enjoying the view.
ASSORTED LOCATIONS - As the coldest part of the year settles over our fair isle, it is time for Sunfire’s Hearth--- an informal celebration of bonfires and hearth flames, for those unfamiliar! For the months of January and February, a raised platform for bonfires will be lit on weekends, and restaurants and taverns across town will keep their fireplaces lit. Unlike many of our other festivities, there is no structured celebration--- simply make some time during this time to bask in the warmth of a fire! You can even celebrate at home.
An additional benefit of this time of year is that Merrymeet is well on its way. So take this time and get snuggly in front of a fire with your special person to get in the mood for romance! (Or they could be platonic snuggles. Whatever suits you best.)
LOCAL ALCHEMIST REPORTS MISSING POTION
By Yorick Aberdeen
Some of Mx. Sallek's usual stock. Could stand to have better labels./p>
LOCATION UNCERTAIN - Early Monday morning, local alchemist Aeryn Sallek reported that a large container of magical potion has been swapped with another, and it would seem that the mistaken jug has been sent out for delivery. According to Mx. Sallek, they sent a number of jugs out for delivery in a case with our local delivery extraordinaire, Sam Porter Bridges. The jugs were meant to contain a harmless, potable freeze-resistance potion for our town’s various water sources, in the interest of keeping water reserves drinkable in sub-freezing winter weather. However, when they returned to the shop, one of these potions remained on their counter while a love potion they’d been working on went missing.
“‘Love potion’ is kind of a misnomer, honestly,” Mx. Sallek is quoted to have said on the matter. “But ‘emotional acuity’ potion doesn’t quite roll off the tongue. Basically what it actually does is enhance existing romantic desire and embolden the user to be emotionally open. But Yorick should already know all this, since he’s the one who ordered it.” [Editing note: don’t forget to cut the last part of that comment before publishing. Cecil, you don’t need to include personal statements directed at reporters from these interviews!]
It’s unclear which area of town this particular potion ended up being injected into the water source, but according to Mx. Sallek, the potion was not particularly intense to begin with. It should be significantly diluted as to be harmless. Still, if you notice any strange symptoms such as butterflies in your stomach, a desire to burst into song, or inexplicable yearning, please file a report with the Safety Board at your earliest convenience.
FOOD SHORTAGES PUT STRAIN ON ISLAND ECONOMY
By Yorick Aberdeen
MARKET DISTRICT - While there are many things to celebrate this time of year, Marrow Isle is not without its adversity. Over these past months, many new members of our community have arrived by ferry after our numbers remained small and stagnant for many years. And the presence of our newfound neighbors has been a boon to all of us. Many artisans have opened useful businesses, medical professionals have expanded our access to healthcare, and a new fishing vessel has taken to the seas. However, despite a few additions, our farming community remains quite modest and planting was not planned with such incredible new growth in mind.
The unfortunate result of this is that food reserves on the island this year are uncharacteristically low. As such, Town Council has made the difficult decision to allow for the temporary inflation of food prices and the rationing of food staples.
“We understand the hardship this will place on the residents of Pumpkin Hollow,” said Mayor Poe in a statement after this decision was made. “But please know that we are all in this together. We hope to be able to offer a better incentive package for those interested in farming in the coming springtime.”
Page 1
Aurora
The dead of winter sheds all colors of the trees and flowers across Marrow Isle, but tonight, there are no stark whites and grays and browns.
Tonight, in the sky sprawling with stars above the dreary town, there are lights.
Sprawling trails of violet and green twist and wave through the sky, brightening the earth below and the sea beyond Jack's Marina in magical colors. The return of the borealis is something many Pumpkin Hollowites look forward to, and their reactions are very clear: people scurry down to the shores to watch with wide eyes, many retrieve telescopes, and some even borrow the decks of ships, abandoned for the night at the docks, to watch the sights.
It doesn't take long for this to change, however; the sea nor land are safe from the curse, and it's made quickly apparent that the sky is no exception.
At first, the sight seems like none more than an illusion, perhaps someone blinking and missing a strange shift of the lights. A glimmering outline forms around a cluster of stars, only slightly harder than any of the lines that define the aurora's rays. Several of these shapes form, each array of stars different from the last, some larger, some smaller.
And then, the stars begin to fall.
Seeming to peel off the painted sky, the ebbing colors surrounding the starlight drop, crashing to the world below. Some fall to the streets and beaches, while others fall into the forest, leaving view, or drop into the sea, leaving splashes and waves in their wake that ensure any watching knows full and well that this is not a trick of the light. At first, these shapes are unmoving, glowing masses of aurora-light with stars shining brightly within them. Most townsfolk are uneasy, but this seems to pale in severity to the other disasters, even if they lack any idea of what it could mean for them.
That is, of course, until the masses begin to move.
Each one is as varied as the constellation it stole from the sky: stars form suggestions of skeletal structures, and their "flesh", only consisting of swimming lights and liquid sky that steals any lights around them. Two identical glowing shapes rise to a face finally taking form, and slowly, moving more like gel than animal as it rises to freshly-formed legs, it settles on the closest living thing it can find.
There is no calculation in it, nor what seems to be a glimmer of thought.
It simply lunges with intent to kill.
Cecil’s disconcerting horoscopes have the following effects for the next few days:Horoscopes
[CW: Altered emotional states ]
(Don’t know your character’s sign? Feel free to just decide on one!)
The effects are not particularly intense. However, anyone who drinks any of the tavern’s housemade ale or cider, drinks the coffee, or eats any food that might require water to cook will experience symptoms of “emotional acuity”. This involves feeling more emotionally open, more receptive to positive feelings about others, a strong desire for physical or verbal affection, and the intensification of romantic or sexual attraction that you might already be experiencing. It will last about half a day. Just in time to help potentially land you a date for Merrymeet, a flower and fertility festival in early spring!Love Potion
[CW: Altered Emotional States ]
Unbeknownst to the townsfolk, the “love” potion ended up in the water supply of the Oak & Iron. As promised by Aeryn, it is thoroughly diluted, as its recipients believed it to be a normal freeze-resistance potion to be mixed with their water.
Food rationing and inflation will have the following impact: Grocery budgets for apped-in characters will be reduced in their efficacy. Bonuses and Discounts associated with the Farmer and Fisherman jobs are also reduced. Oak & Iron Residents will only be able to receive bland, repetitive meals with their food vouchers consisting of simple broth, plain bread, bland potato dishes, and the like. It is enough to be fed and comfortable but it is incredibly unsatisfying. (This includes all new characters that are not apped-in.) Drinks, however, are still plentiful. Characters who do not eat will find that their respective sources of fuel will be reduced to just barely enough to keep them functional, provided that they ration carefully. (Ex. Transformers may want to be less active. Vampires will find that victims cannot handle excessive blood loss without fainting and generally prefer to stay home.) Characters who were present to fight the Mother Crab back in late summer and chose to can some of their crab can use it now! Hunting, foraging, and fishing can help reduce the impact of these reductions, and people can share their food. You can absolutely die of starvation. After Merrymeet in February, food will return to normal.Famine
[CW: Starvation and food scarcity ]
Basic groceries will be only the most minimal of staples. You will likely go hungry if you do not find a way to supplement this.
Bountiful groceries will be reduced to the amount of food normally contained in basic.
Lavish groceries will not be available at all.
Your grocery choices from Activity Check are not able to be modified for this month unless otherwise stated.
Level 1 bonuses will be reduced to standard, which is to say how they would function for a non-Farmer/Fisherman character during a normal, pre-famine month. (ex. Whereas normally a Level 1 Farmer would get free Basic groceries, they will now have to pay the 50 Brass, but do not have the efficacy of Basic groceries reduced as described above.)
Level 2 bonuses will be reduced to that of a Level 1 Farmer/Fisherman. (ex. Whereas a Level 2 Fisherman would normally be able to have Bountiful groceries discounted to 50 Brass, they now must pay full price for Bountiful groceries. However, they can still get Basic groceries for free and don’t suffer from the famine induced efficacy reduction for either budget.)
To See the Night Sky
Something not enough like a weasel, nearly the size of a horse, barrels ahead of the churning pollution, streaking straight at the star-creature. Its paws end in rusty iron claws; its wiry fur, copper-colored and already wet, is parted by crooked smokestacks that billow colored smog into the air. Its eyes, however, are oddly human, a cloudy blue color and full of fury.
It hits the star-elk that is advancing on Valdis full in the flank and opens a jaw full of hollow needles, crawling with mold and rust, which it uses to pierce the beast. Its gel-like flesh is rapidly sucked away from the bones of its constellation, and as it shrieks in agony, the smokestacks expel a night sky.
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Valdis watches the elk die, nothing except pure curiosity in her eyes. Her past and present warring with each other regarding the rusted weasel-like machine. She watches it destroy the elk, unfazed or concerned by the strange carnage before her.
She doesn't have much time to spare as another of the star beasts touches the ground. The shift comes quickly and the Hellhound launches itself at the lion now standing in the grass. She's not sure if her teeth will damage it, but it's worth a try and she's certainly not about to be upstaged or rescued by someone else.
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But more are coming, and more, and more...
Alarms sound from the town, where the local levy has been preparing its defense. The weasel's head snaps that direction, icy calculation radiating from it. It watches as Valdis tears apart the lion, snaps its gaze up at the sky. Decisions, decisions.
Decision made. It slinks closer, low to the ground, panting. It yips once to get Valdis's attention, then again, before turning its sinuous body towards the Marina.
A look back. A high yip. And then looking towards the Marina again.
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Her lip curls to show her teeth, but the weasel is an ally and knows what is going on. The desire for death lacks the strength necessary for her to turn away, so with a huff, she drops her head, padding toward the construct-looking creature with living eyes and a soul.
Very well, she says. Lead the way.
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It looks around again and notes, with satisfaction, that the local levy is doing an admirable job of luring the star-creatures into its defenses. Loud noises to draw them in, and then the barricades, bolt-throwers, and foreign heroes to fight them off. Good. It streaks in the direction of the Marina, trying its best to weave away from and around star-beasts, sticking to the deeper drifts of snow and, where possible, the treeline.
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She stays close, keeping pace easily in this form. The Marina comes into view and the din of battle fades a bit. Part of her wants to go back, but this isn't home and the others seem to have it well in hand.
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You ever meet someone who has a face like someone you fucking hate and even though you know this isn't that person you still feel angry that they exist in your sightline? That's how this weasel feels looking at this crab.
It's racing into the fray, but it could probably use some backup, or a distraction. That is not a small crab.
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It's burrowing inside, heart full of a protective hate. This is her place, she's not going to let it be destroyed again, not again, she's had enough -
The creature is shrieking in agony. The sound is decidedly not crablike.
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The man who had been sheltering opens the door cautiously, pistol in hand, and looks around. He is relieved to see the weasel. "Ma'am?" he calls out; he spares a glance to the Hellhound, but the emotional reaction there isn't fear - he looks back at the weasel immediately after, and he trusts it, implicitly.
Bones crack under the creature's skin, and it slowly, violently shifts into a vaguely demonic woman; ashen-skinned, pointy of teeth and nails, dressed in a white suit and a gold-threaded cloth face mask. She cracks her neck and dons a top hat that was in her hand before she starts to walk towards her employee, sparing Valdis a grateful nod and smile.
"James," the woman says pleasantly.
"...Ma'am?"
"You fell asleep on my clock again, didn't you James?"
"........Yes ma'am."
The woman puts a hand on her employee's shoulder. "You can stay the night in my guest room on the condition that you explain to your mother in the morning that she raised a damn fool."
"Yes ma'am."
James goes to run off, though he stops to offer Valdis a sloppy bow and his mumbled thanks; he's heading towards the central office.
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If you have a change of clothes, she says to her potential friend. I believe it would be more prudent to speak in my human form.
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The mental voice is new, but Deirdre's surprise is only internal. She beckons, also heading for the central office; her apartment is upstairs, and unlocked. James didn't turn on the lights, praise be to the Mothers, which gives Deirdre the chance to close the rather heavy curtains and Valdis the chance to look around.
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Just something to cover up until I get home.
She really should have planned better, or at least borrowed a sword before wandering off into the fields.
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With the curtains closed, Deirdre chances lighting a fireplace; only then does she vanish into her bedroom. The tiefling returns with a white silk nightgown, which she drapes over the sofa before very pointedly starting to prepare tea and therefore Not Look At Valdis.
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"I can always turn back into a Hound before heading home. Those creatures may be bold, but my house is in town and I'm really not concerned about them."
Not that she's refusing the hospitality, but she doesn't want to impose on a total stranger. Even a nice one.
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"I supposed I could be bribed." She takes a seat, clearly unconcerned about the woman's appearance. "I'd say it's less bravery and more that I'm used to being the bigger predator." Though the metal weasel wasn't exactly a smaller one. "My name is Valdis."
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Oh, yes, the tea. There's other things to get out for it. Cream, honey, the actual, say, cups. Deirdre bustles that direction; she's very tired. "Is it terribly rude of me to ask if you're human? You certainly look the part, but one mustn't assume."
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She watches the woman rush about, gathering necessities for tea. If she knew where things were, she might be tempted to help, but this place is still new and this is their first meeting.
"No, I'm not human," She sighs. "My kind simply look like them because we were created in the image of the same god. In my world at least, I can't speak to the origin stories of other realms."
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"I will not deny being of more than one nature. In a manner of speaking I am part angel, and part demon. To some in my world that makes me an abomination, but I have learned to be more than what I am, or what I was recreated to be."
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"From what I hear, there are many demons in these parts, though what I've heard of them is mostly bad."
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She needs to know, to connect, but she's also afraid of overstepping. But neither of Deirdre's mothers raised a coward.
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I Think We're Walking To A Wrap, Yeah?
Yes :)