Crop Circles
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A time after most of the digging is done, Jerrick wanders off, as if intent to do something before night falls, and the dreams must fight again.
He is not seen for an unspecified amount of time (Need Acme's input on that) and leaves word that he'll be back, and not to do anything drastic til he returns, or you get a message from him. He waits for no replies, but shapeshifts and bounds off.
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Returning from his one night trip to the glen to sleep under a bush, Jerrick goes to help Z and the crew with the crops.
Again, as in the silver valley, Jerrick digs as a barkskinned direwolf most of the time, and the rest of the time is a quiet worker, brow furrowed with annoyance or concentration, though the annoyance seems to be of a general sort, and not related to the task, which he diligently keeps at.
((PM to Acme forthcoming))
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@064f7a7ac4=Speedy_Z_:
@064f7a7ac4=Speedy_Z_:
@064f7a7ac4=acmefalls:
It is then that Z's farm one night is visited by the aurroa of color maelstrom. A swirling tornado of the dazzling lights leaving behind one, two three crop circles….one extra...bringing the glowing fungal blight to Z's crops along with the mag bot flies...and barren wooden vines, resembling leafless kudzu or wild morning glory vines. Harmless seeming enough until anyone tries to trudge past them amidst the flies and usual resulting thorny hedge of wild weeds and slimy, creeping vermin. The additional wooden vines literally jump from the plants they seem to be growing around and attack the would be interlopers, feeding woody tendrils into an orifice it find or create to apparently feed on the blood of its victim. They can rescued by hacking the attacking vine to bits and pieces, however, it seems in teh end this only produces heavier growth of the predatory wooden vines around the a newly afflicted fields as ANY piece whatsoever that finds warm flesh or wet soil grows into a whole new plant.
Upon arriving home, Z nods his head slowly and lets out a long, deep sigh followed, unexpectedly, by a very slight chuckle.
Heh, 'twas to be expected…
*He whispers a silent prayer and then turns towards the house.
"Have faith," he is heard saying to himself as he heads inside to rest and prepare for, yet another, ritual...*
The next morning, rather than performing the "Crop Blight Ritual" on his own crops, Z is spotted with a group of Norwick farmers heading towards the Silver Valley…
Z returns from the Silver Valley, VERY early the next morning and looks exhausted. He (and anyone from his team, Norwick, and/or the Silver Valley who is willing to help) immediately begins preparing the "Crop Blight Ritual" for his farm.
Time is of the essence. I believe these crop circles are the source of the creature's power and by eliminating all of them we will severely weaken, if not end, its influence in our region and our dreams.
Chauntea, grant me strength…((Note: The aggressive wooden vines will be taken care of first (no holds barred - manually, magically, elementals, whatever it takes), to ensure the safety of the ritual participants.))
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Z smiles slightly and chuckles a bit as he slowly shakes his head.
Guess she'll get ta do some smashin' after all…
He bows his head and continues to pray. His focus seems to be on simply keeping the Norwick farmers and their families safe.
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One of the nights Telli swoops in near the circle smashing some flies to black powder as she looks to Z with a wink and a grin from ear to ear.
Giddup spike…!
Telli thrusts her heels into the unicorn sending it horn first into a cluster of flies sending powder in her wake on her way towards the slimy fleshball a familiar war cry echoing the dreamscape.
Whoohoooooooosss....
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_A few nights later Telli reappears on on a winged mount and wielding a mace that gleams with its own light. Flying with her ar e regiment of winged calvary of various fantasitc beasts from wiinged unicorns to briillaintly colored hippogriffs. The knights atop these winged steeds are indeed Fey, Seelie sidhe. With their help Telli gets the opportunity to get a few good whacks in on the giant slimy, maggot-ridden fleshball with the mace. The macroscopic flies in their way are all easily turn to black powder dust with strike of her borrowed mace. On the dream embodiment of the Lord of Creeping Crawl the mace leaves satisfying if putrid and scorched wounds.
The battle proves to be in a full three dimensions and the slimy ball has an entire ocean of maggots to draw new flies from to run interference. Though he retreats from the winged calvary that follows Telli around bringing their own attacks, the Lord's macroscopic flies remain numerous enough to harry the airborne regiment, keeping the Seelie allies from swarming the slimy ball of maggot-infest flesh. It's game of cat and mouse…with the Lord of Creeping Crawl keeping a running battle in circles and diverging loops around the huddled group Telli was pried from only a few nights ago. The good news, the macroscopic flies now have their attention divided between the regiment of winged calvary of sidhe knights and the original circle of dreamers._
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Telli waddles alongside Z heading to the Silver valley whispering in his ear (Pm coming.)
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@d6ae13185f=Speedy_Z_:
@d6ae13185f=acmefalls:
It is then that Z's farm one night is visited by the aurroa of color maelstrom. A swirling tornado of the dazzling lights leaving behind one, two three crop circles….one extra...bringing the glowing fungal blight to Z's crops along with the mag bot flies...and barren wooden vines, resembling leafless kudzu or wild morning glory vines. Harmless seeming enough until anyone tries to trudge past them amidst the flies and usual resulting thorny hedge of wild weeds and slimy, creeping vermin. The additional wooden vines literally jump from the plants they seem to be growing around and attack the would be interlopers, feeding woody tendrils into an orifice it find or create to apparently feed on the blood of its victim. They can rescued by hacking the attacking vine to bits and pieces, however, it seems in teh end this only produces heavier growth of the predatory wooden vines around the a newly afflicted fields as ANY piece whatsoever that finds warm flesh or wet soil grows into a whole new plant.
Upon arriving home, Z nods his head slowly and lets out a long, deep sigh followed, unexpectedly, by a very slight chuckle.
Heh, 'twas to be expected…
*He whispers a silent prayer and then turns towards the house.
"Have faith," he is heard saying to himself as he heads inside to rest and prepare for, yet another, ritual...*
The next morning, rather than performing the "Crop Blight Ritual" on his own crops, Z is spotted with a group of Norwick farmers heading towards the Silver Valley…
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The first few nights Telli wakes is a harsh jumble to her cognitive ability. Her motor skills slowed and she can be seen clutching the bridge of her nose with a stumpy finger and thumb. Gag reflexes take effect and she swears she's going to hurl.….
Unnnghhhh...bleah. Telli not feel so goods.
sipping from her canteen she lays back in the grass for a good hour each morning regaining her barings a small smile creeping across her lips...
Least Telli finally gottedededs ta puts a mace inta sometings.
After an hour or so its back to the daily grind, the look of exhaustion coming and going each day the effects of her dreams a little different. A Morning prayer and greater restoration to clear hear body she looks to find Diet to find out more about the trinket he so willfully gave her.
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_One night, Telli falls out of the circle and is carried off toward the maggot sea below and yet… she disappears from the shared dream when the fly carrying her bursts into a black powdery cloud..She never got anywhere near the open waiting maw the fly was headed toward.
The stalemate remains for everyone else,,,the flies hit by the lighhtnes directly spray a smoldering smoky spray of bug guts over the circle. The glow may protect them from the touch of guts but not the acrid smell._
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@5f1ee8fbd8=acmefalls:
_Jerrick will the first to find solace of sorts from the dream..in an unsettling dreamless sleep beneath a certain vine and bush.
Protected from fear and perfecting their control of their floating circle within the collective dream, the macroscopic flies explode against the almost blinding holy aura that permeates the circle of dreamers.
Those that do not explode in gore and guts bond off and hover at bay through and among the surrounding clouds. Down below the giant, slimy ball of maggot-ridden flesh belows anrgily below them eachnight unable to touch them._
Z seems satisfied, almost pleased, with the stalemate…for now.
My first priority was with y'all in the community and keepin' you safe. And, by us workin' together and the grace of the Earthmother, we been able to do that. I realize we're still havin' the bad dreams, but they end on a much more positive note and I know we're all sleepin' a little better each night.
They brought the blight to our crops and we stood together and beat 'em.
They invaded our dreams and we stood together and beat 'em.
It's only a matter of time before we figure out how to beat this thing, once and for all. Until then, continue to pray, plant your crops, help each other, and stand together as a community. But most of all...have faith.
@5f1ee8fbd8=acmefalls:
_It is then that Z's farm one night is visited by the aurroa of color maelstrom. A swirling tornado of the dazzling lights leaving behind one, two three crop circles….one extra...bringing the glowing fungal blight to Z's crops along with the mag bot flies...and barren wooden vines, resembling leafless kudzu or wild morning glory vines. Harmless seeming enough until anyone tries to trudge past them amidst the flies and usual resulting thorny hedge of wild weeds and slimy, creeping vermin. The additional wooden vines literally jump from the plants they seem to be growing around and attack the would be interlopers, feeding woody tendrils into an orifice it find or create to apparently feed on the blood of its victim. They can rescued by hacking the attacking vine to bits and pieces, however, it seems in teh end this only produces heavier growth of the predatory wooden vines around the a newly afflicted fields as ANY piece whatsoever that finds warm flesh or wet soil grows into a whole new plant.
Meanwihle the communal dream continues, the dreamer still having to gather together to keep from being plucked away._
Upon arriving home, Z nods his head slowly and lets out a long, deep sigh followed, unexpectedly, by a very slight chuckle.
Heh, 'twas to be expected…
*He whispers a silent prayer and then turns towards the house.
"Have faith," he is heard saying to himself as he heads inside to rest and prepare for, yet another, ritual...*
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Miea Floating in the middle of said circle not only concentrates on floating but calling lightning as per the spell, but does not need to cast it using the power of dreams alone, to cause flashes of lightning to attack the slimy thing and it’s minions, also is very careful not to strike the circle or disrupt it in anyway.
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_Jerrick will the first to find solace of sorts from the dream..in an unsettling dreamless sleep beneath a certain vine and bush.
Protected from fear and perfecting their control of their floating circle within the collective dream, the macroscopic flies explode against the almost blinding holy aura that permeates the circle of dreamers.
Those that do not explode in gore and guts bond off and hover at bay through and among the surrounding clouds. Down below the giant, slimy ball of maggot-ridden flesh belows anrgily below them eachnight unable to touch them.
It is then that Z's farm one night is visited by the aurroa of color maelstrom. A swirling tornado of the dazzling lights leaving behind one, two three crop circles….one extra...bringing the glowing fungal blight to Z's crops along with the mag bot flies...and barren wooden vines, resembling leafless kudzu or wild morning glory vines. Harmless seeming enough until anyone tries to trudge past them amidst the flies and usual resulting thorny hedge of wild weeds and slimy, creeping vermin. The additional wooden vines literally jump from the plants they seem to be growing around and attack the would be interlopers, feeding woody tendrils into an orifice it find or create to apparently feed on the blood of its victim. They can rescued by hacking the attacking vine to bits and pieces, however, it seems in teh end this only produces heavier growth of the predatory wooden vines around the a newly afflicted fields as ANY piece whatsoever that finds warm flesh or wet soil grows into a whole new plant.
Meanwihle the communal dream continues, the dreamer still having to gather together to keep from being plucked away._
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@d3223d7d88=Tigrelily:
After a week when the dreams start to shift slightly Telli's encouraged by Z's actions and she offers one little bit of counsel.
"Mr Z… mebbe we can choose ones a dese nights ta gaders as a group....and wid Chauntea's helps... we asks her ta removes all da fear in ALL a us ((Group blessing Remove Fear))... and den we joins dis big pile a puss fer one lasts nights worth a dreams... Cause I nots knows abouts yuhs buh Telli's getting purdy pissed fighting sometings she can't puts a blade inta."
Aye, I like the remove fear idea. Let's do that.
Yes, I understand that you are frustrated about not bein' able to just pick up a blade and deal with this problem in a simple, direct manner. It's always worked for you and it's your way.
However, we ain't just dealin' with a big gobbo here. This is somethin' different and we gotta solve the problem in a different way.
The Earthmother teaches us patience and, just like growin' crops, it will take time.
Have faith.
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@e70ddfc2e0=acmefalls:
The night the dreamers attain their envisioned haven the the clouds, the nightmare changes true course.
*As Z looks around to the others, it is obvious that the lack of sound sleep is taking its toll on everyone. He, himself, is constantly yawning and rubbing his tired, blood-shot eyes.
That said, he is encouraged by the progress he has seen and he uses that to motivate the others and help them keep the faith.*
We can, control these dreams and we're gettin' better at it. We can and we will fight back…
Right now we're still takin' baby steps in controlin' the dreams, but we will get better the more we do it, if we keep it simple, and if we work together.
@e70ddfc2e0=acmefalls:
No longer does anyone disappear down into the vortex in the maggot sea each night. Instead macroscopic flies rise up out of the squirming, brown sea of maggots. The slimy monster drifts up after them into the clouds up at altitude it belches forth more macroscopic flies. Thick clouds of them come to black out the skies around the dreamers, the buzzing of the giant flies' wings deafening. They harry the group, picking off and carrying away anyone who can be isolated from the edges.
In the next dream, Z too, will make some changes.
First, we're gonna hold hands and form a circle ((actually, this was kind of how I was picturing it in the first place, but didn't specify. :()). That way, when the flies come, they will not be able to pick off the people on the edges.
Second, as you begin to float up, I want you to concentrate on the holy light of Chauntea that burns deep within all of our hearts. I want you to let it shine out of your body in all directions. This bright, holy light will surround you and those close to you. As you float up, it will protect you and it will destroy the flies (or any other vermin the beast sends at us). By the Earthmother's grace, it will keep us safe from harm.
Now, the Beast will probably try to blot out our light with some sort of magical darkness or something, but it won't work. The beast is no match for the Earthmother and nothin' can blot out our holy light, nothin'. It come from within and it's brighter and more powerful than even the sun.
Once we reach the safety of clouds we will sing, pray, give thanks, and praise to the Earthmother. We will continue to concentrate on the light comin' from our hearts and souls and it will increase in brightness and expand. This bright, holy light will shoot out in all directions and keep the beast and all its vermin far away from us. Not only will the light keep it away, but the sound of our singing and prayer will also serve to keep the beast at bay. ((Basically, a giant sphere of protective, holy light to keep the Slime Lord and all his vermin away.))
During the dream, Z will be giving instructions and encouragement all along to keep people focused on the plan and strong. The mantra "Have faith" is still an important part of this ritual.
((If they choose (it's their dream after all), non-Chauntea followers (Norwick Militia, Dwin, Mord, etc. - even the Banite if he wants ;)) who were part of the blight ritual and having these dreams will be in the center of the protective light. Thus, giving the followers even more strength and determination by serving as protectors of the protectors. For many of people, their strength and courage is multiplied tenfold (or more) when they are protecting someone or something that cannot defend itself. That's the plan anyway. :)))
((PM will be sent with a few more details that are not known to the general public…
))
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@7a867daf17=acmefalls:
_When Tristina checks the dreamers out, nothing special sticks out. They all appear in in perfect , normal health. The only anomaly might be found is the dim remnants of magic in those who in the dream were swallowed down into the vortex in the dream. Tristina says there's no detectable school either. A few of the children Z casts Remove Curse on, who claim to have seen "the monster eat them" after going down the vortex in the shared nightmare, show no such dim remnants of magic.
Such remnants can be the result of anything though left behind by any exposure to MOST any magic (Even Z's cleansing spells)…some just linger around longer than others._
*To be safe, anyone going down the vortex in the dream gets a remove curse and a dispel magic the next morning.
Z will discuss the experience with any adults that go down the vortex and ask if they remember anything after the vortex.*
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Jerrick listens to the ideas, and one night, decides to sleep under a certain bush and vine in the glen, to see what happens.
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Miea has been ignoring the iching easily having slept in trees most of her life, and waking up with bugs or ichy bites all over her, the dreams however annoy her no end though she hasn't been loseing as much sleep as the others, she still is.
@b33ae68085:
Once everyone has joined hands, we will concentrate, as one, on the thought of floating upward to the clouds. That's it. Concentrate on floatin' up to the clouds and will it to happen.
They give us rain, they give us life. We will float high above the creature, which is very large, and the ocean of maggots that it will spill out of its mouth.
clouds give us lightning too sleepy grin consentrating on floating and calling a few bolts shouldn't be hard. Lets see if it likes getting a shock
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*Telli's countenance becomes an irritable demeanor over the next week as sleep crawls to non-existent. With war plans, and now fighting in her dreams, the girls facial features look more tattered and worn with each day. She tries to bolster spirits as well as she can, but for once its certain she's the one needing encouraging. With constant itching she now has scratch marks encompassing her body. Daily she's often seen spending an extra hour devoted to prayer and some keen observers might even note the stout warrior sniffle every now and again, the constant battle not only physical but mental now seems to parallel tempered steel about to break. The question on everyones mind is just how close Telli is to snapping.
After a week when the dreams start to shift slightly Telli's encouraged by Z's actions and she offers one little bit of counsel.*
"Mr Z… mebbe we can choose ones a dese nights ta gaders as a group....and wid Chauntea's helps... we asks her ta removes all da fear in ALL a us ((Group blessing Remove Fear))... and den we joins dis big pile a puss fer one lasts nights worth a dreams... Cause I nots knows abouts yuhs buh Telli's getting purdy pissed fighting sometings she can't puts a blade inta."
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@e02719515b=Speedy_Z_:
Instead trying to fight the slime ball by conventional means in the dream (which hasn't worked anyway), Z will try to convince everyone to fight as one, in the dream.
The Dreamfey do hold sway in the dream world, but they don't control it…not totally. Likewise, we can, to some extent, control our dreams, as well. It's a dream. If you focus, concentrate, and will it hard enough, you can control what happens in the dream world, as well.
Even if we don't succeed the first time or the second time or the tenth time, just by tryin' to fight back we'll be sendin' a strong message to them Dreamfey that we're on to them, we're organized, and we're ALL gonna fight back as hard as we can. And each time we try to fight back, we'll get that much better at controllin' our dreams and that much stronger. Maybe, in time, they'll just back off and move on to easier pickin's…maybe.
So, if the remove curse and the other ideas for stoppin' these nightmares don't work, then we're gonna have to come up with a simple plan of attack to use in our dreams. I'm not sure what it is, yet. But that's what I'll be workin' on.
In the meantime, this is what I want you to do when we meet in the dream world tonight…
In the dream we are going to remain as calm as possible - it's only a dream. Adults, the little ones'll be lookin' to you for protection, you need to show strength and courage for them. I've seen some bad things in my life and I've had my share of nightmares - this one takes the cake. But we MUST be strong.
Our mantra will be, "Have faith." Whenever you feel fear and panic grip your heart, focus on the mantra and repeat it to yourself. If you notice another one of our flock struggling with fear, boldly shout their name and the mantra to them and help bolster their spirit. Others will join you and together we will stand.
When the big slimy ball appears in our dream, we will have to act quickly and the directions will be simple so that we can act as one. We will join hands ((I'm not sure how many people are involved in the dream, but I was thinking around 100 NPCs and PCs were at the ritual - let me know)) and I will lead us in short prayer to the goddess Chauntea; the one who delivered us from the blight and the one who protects us.
Once everyone has joined hands, we will concentrate, as one, on the thought of floating upward to the clouds. That's it. Concentrate on floatin' up to the clouds and will it to happen.
They give us rain, they give us life. We will float high above the creature, which is very large, and the ocean of maggots that it will spill out of its mouth.
Once we reach the safety of the clouds, the creature will be nothing but a little dot and the horrible nightmare will become a pleasant dream of friends and family holding hands and floatin' in the clouds under the watchful eye of Chauntea.
This creature is very powerful, no doubt. However, it's no match for Chauntea; not even close. If your faith can win over your fear, we will win the battle and, maybe, the war. Have faith…
((I know I wrote a lot. So, to summarize…
The previous post talks about our first line of defense (the remove curse, the "mini-ritual", etc.) to stop the nightmares from happening in the first place. Please let me know if they work or not.
(Note: I added the "mini-ritual" idea after the original post - in bold print)
This "Dream Plan" is to keep people safe (and sane) while we figure out how to stop the nightmares and/or beat this thing. It will be implemented from the first night, as well. Regardless, of the outcome of the remove curse idea.))
_The dream plan shows little promise at first. The first couple nights quite discouraging even. The maggot-encrusted, slimy ball of flesh laughs at their first attempts, a sickening sound more akin to nails screeching across glass than mirth. The nightmare plays out as normal those first nights.
As their teamwork progresses, however, the slim ball of flesh is forced to add in gale force winds to whip the sea of maggots in a furious storm with waves and swells great enough to snare down the dreamers out of their nascent attempts to float together above the scene.
Each night after, they manage to float a little higher despite the buffeting winds, its a good two and half weeks of weathering these nightmares before they attain heights sufficient to be out of reach of the stormy maggot sea. each of those nights a few always end up unlucky and back in the sea to be swallowed in the draining vortex.
The night the dreamers attain their envisioned haven the the clouds, the nightmare changes true course. No longer does anyone disappear down into the vortex in the maggot sea each night. Instead macroscopic flies rise up out of the squirming, brown sea of maggots. The slimy monster drifts up after them into the clouds up at altitude it belches forth more macroscopic flies. Thick clouds of them come to black out the skies around the dreamers, the buzzing of the giant flies' wings deafening. They harry the group, picking off and carrying away anyone who can be isolated from the edges._
