This month's intro features a recently discovered object, the Monolith and the new crew members asleep within it.
New crew members enter the game asleep in a deep immersion dream after hearing a song in their heads. This dream, while beautiful and captivating, has a more sinister purpose. With their bodies trapped within the Monolith, they must not only be rescued mentally but physically as well. They won't, however, make it easy.
Old crew members, meanwhile, have a lot on their plate. The planet's song will sing them a lullaby, causing some crew members to fall into a deep sleep. There is no special selection process; you can have your character fall asleep or not. Those that are asleep are in a prime position to save the dreamers, while those awake will need to travel to the Monolith to rescue them in another way.
DREAM PROJECTION CLIFFNOTES
As for the cliffnotes, the dreamscape is a place that can be accessed while asleep. Characters here are capable of interacting with other sleeping crew members (and sea life!) through their dream projections. It's a beautiful, surreal place that feels warm and alive to anyone within it. Nothing manmade exists in the dreamscape, so no Aurora, no URSULA, no base, nothing but the sea and it's creatures. These creatures can communicate and even 'talk' in the dreams as well. They will have roughly the personalities you would expect given their descriptions in the Biomes page. Any bonds you make or break with those creatures will be remembered in the waking world. Any damage done to projections in the dream will definitely hurt but won't cause any death or injuries and will not carry over to the waking world.
There are more details here, and you can ask any questions on the question section of this post as well.
DREAMERS
New characters will wake in the dream world as if they're supposed to be there. It will feel that way, at least. It can connect to their memories however you would like, whether this is part of it or not. This deep immersion dreaming is different from the dreaming experienced by other characters through the previously month. New arrivals will find themselves in a beautiful, surreal landscape that makes them feel a strong sense of self-worth, belonging, love, purpose and other positive emotions that would be extremely difficult for them to shake.
To add to this, these dreamers will find the landscape trying its best to meet their needs in a way it didn't last month. Places of comfort and happiness will form as long as the dreamer has a desire for it. Even the ghostly whispers of friends or family soothing them with words they want to hear will tempt them to stay. Their dreams will try to make them resistant towards rescue attempts.
Those characters that feel resistant toward rescue attempts will be able to weaponize the dreamscape for either active or passive resistance against their rescuers. For example, manifesting friends of their to fight for them and being able to direct them or versions of themselves that can fight better based on what they would like to fight like. Other ways to weaponize it are possible, such as calling for other dreamers to help them, including sleeping sealife, or more creative ways of using the pliant dreamscape to capture or stop a rescuer. However, they can also fight more insiduously. Out of their subconscious they can even manifest things that might try to convince the rescuers to stay in the dreamscape with them.
DREAM TEAM
"Oh, no, why was I sleep mode...? More importantly why are you all so troubled? Signs show many of you just suddenly went to sleep. It's usually not healthy to drop suddenly into sleep. Please keep your health intact."
Old crew members in the dream world, meanwhile, will need to shake the new arrivals from their dreams. Though not literally; you can try of course but it won't work aside from irritating the person in question probably. How do they know they need to wake them though? Upon falling asleep, a shadowy figure will warn them the dreamers must wake up, with two hints. "BRING THEM BACK." and "WAKE THEM."
Talking them out of it is an option, though a difficult one. The easier way is to bring them to the dream world monolith where they will be able to sense their bodies and understand this is only a dream. In extreme cases, it may take humming or singing the song that brought the old characters to the dream world to wake them. However, using the song will cause the dreamer to become extremely obedient to the singer's every suggestion for the dream, and for some time after. This consequence should be discussed between players before use.
A general harsh shock to their mind will help wake them, so great creative and have fun!
EVACUATION TEAM
"I also have an important alert. It's very weak, so I can't be sure, but life signals seem to be coming from that strange monolith. It would be wise to retrieve them immediately. I'm not sure if they're out of range or in danger. I do also sense a single Reaper Leviathan patrolling that area. One against so many should be more than a fair fight if needed but your priority is rescue of any living crew members. Please take care."
Meanwhile, URSULA will urge the characters who remain awake to travel to the Monolith to rescue the dreamers while she monitors the sleeping crew. She will give them enough breathers and devices for the amount of life signals she detects.
The entrance into the Monolith is at the very bottom of the structure, a seemingly recently made hole that was created by something large. Luckily the inside hasn't been flooded.
The inside of the Monolith contains a large room similar to the deck of a space ship with three branching pathways down into rooms lined with sleep pods in an upright position. Most of them are empty. Some, however, contain the new arrivals. New characters will be asleep inside of them. Each pod has a monitor set up beside it, with characters' vitals displayed, showing that they are slowly dropping. All characters will have vitals in safe ranges at first, however it is clear this deep immersion dreaming is taking a toll on their bodies.
A Reaper Leviathan is on patrol around the Monolith to deter rescue and aid attempts. This Reaper Leviathan can be killed. As many people can sign up to fight it as want to fight it. For this reason, the fight itself will be handwaved this time. The killing blow will given randomly from those that sign up for the fight. Killing it will clear the path and make it easy to lead the new arrivals back home.
This section of the Monolith can also be explored at this point if anyone likes. New arrivals will also find their belongings tucked away in different storage units throughout the small area.
AFTER EFFECTS (there is usually a post-arrival mingle post, so don't worry about playing out the first week here!)
Once dreaming mind and body have been reunited though whatever means, the effects of the deep dreaming will become evident with a number of symptoms including grogginess, dizziness, fever chills and restlessness. All dreamers will have the almost overwhelming need to return to the ocean and will have strong impulses to swim through the ocean to nowhere in particular for a week. Great care will need to be taken to watch over them. Many will remain sleepy and dream of the song. Any who heard it sung in their dreams will remain prone to suggestion for the week. Babysitting duty and care to their conditions will be vital.
After seven days, the song will fade from their dreams and the dream world will become temporarily inaccessible to anyone except for the distant sense in dreams that something more is there.
OOC Organization
Below, we have threads for QUESTIONS, REAPER BATTLE SIGN-UPS (to roll for the killing blow), and PLOTTING, so that everyone can get things into order if they want! You are also welcome to use the monthly OOC post for plotting purposes but we felt having it all in one place would make it easier to plot out wake ups.
[ Oh. Where is he now? Loki surveys the view, which is quite nice, but not really the kind of thing he'd be interested in looking at until the end of days. People really do have different ideas of paradise...
Loki looks up at the youth addressing him. ]
"Eternity" is stretching it, don't you think? Wouldn't you like to change the view up every once in a while?
Just to quiet Walter's grumbling. In any case, be it ever so humble, there's no place like home. But I've gotten a bit ahead of myself. My name is Jonathan.
[ He can't help it; there's an incredulous note in his voice. This is a pretty European-looking place?! But okay. It's no use arguing. Maybe he can use this to his advantage. Hmm hmm. ]
I see... Well then, I have a request. Recently, a huge, evil-feeling mass showed up nearby. It's worrying. Could you check it out for me?
[ Not the most elaborate of stories, but practical enough... If this guy could willingly go to the Monolith without Loki having to drag him, that would be great. ]
[Well... it was true that Jonathan had lived the pampered life of a Luxuror. And he was about 100% fluffier than a normal person, hairlistically speaking.]
I would be glad to look into this apparition for you -- only lead the way. Be it human or demon, I'll brook no menace to the people of this kingdom!
[ Loki halted his descent to stare at the creature suddenly barring their path. And puzzled. Usually, identifying mythological creatures was his specialty, but this one felt subtly different -- a natural result, perhaps, of this subtly different dream world.
Even so, he wasn't afraid. Demons like this were his bread and butter, so to speak. He could defend himself if necessary, but he held back, glancing at his companion's outburst. ]
[ Way to put him on the spot?! Unfortunately, he wasn't in the habit of keeping things in his pockets. He didn't have a speck of interest in shiny stones, much less the subconscious desire to manifest one dreamwise. But he was, despite everything, still a god, so he might as well abuse his power...
He dug into his pocket. A careful observer might have noticed the tiny poof within before he withdrew his hand, revealing a pristine gem almost over-the-top in its perfection and sparkliness. It wasn't a real stone grounded in reality (even dream reality), but it only needed to last long enough for them to get past the creature. He held it out for the demon's inspection. ]
[ The questions were almost starting to get cute. Like they were coming from an overgrown kid...
He tilted his head to better hear Jonathan's advice, then nodded quietly. This diplomatic way of handling a demon was new to him, but a bit entertaining as well. Most he came across liked to attack first and chat never. And as a matter of fact, occasionally snacking on one of those demons was not beyond him.
He smiled at the demon, an old bravado falling naturally into place. ]
Aye, many before. The last of note was the demon Uriel, but he made for a poor meal.
[Jonathan gave a bit of a start at the namedrop. Nonetheless, he had no time to react further as the demon similarly drew back a little in shock. ]
YOU EAT DEMONS? THEN ME EAT YOU!
[It lunged for them. In the cramped stairway, it was difficult to avoid the blow; Jonathan felt a line of fire rake across his calf as the creature's talons barely missed him. Welp. The jig was up.]
I've encountered this type of demon before. It's weak against Zan abilities!
[Hopefully that meant something to his companion, because Jonathan's Plan B was Zandyne. A powerful burst of wind took hold, buffeting into the demon and snapping its wings back. Of course, these close quarters made it none too comfortable, even for the caster. The demon roared, filling the stairwell with the sound of its anger. ]
[ He jammed himself against the wall of the stairway to avoid the demon's lunge, minding the steps. ]
Zan abilities...?
[ That meant nothing to this companion. But he watched Jonathan work his magic (samurai knew magic??), and compartmentalized his surprise for later; for now, the clear force of Jonathan's attack was enough of a cue for Loki to follow. He materialized his staff, a child-sized thing with a large crescent at its head. ]
Ahh, whatever. I'll follow your lead!
[ He hopped forward and thrust his staff before him. A great repelling force of wind, dense enough to be a shield (and it usually was), erupted violently in the demon's face, snapping Loki's coattails briskly back. But the magic dissipated quickly, leaving an easy opening for Jonathan to follow up on, should he feel inclined. ]
[It looked as though that wasn't going to be necessary. The demon backed off, appalled at the sudden force of this assault. Jonathan was right about one thing, at least -- it did respect power.]
WHAT? NO ONE MAKE ME BLEED OWN BLOOD. YOU, MAKE ROOM!
[What the hell did that mean, one might ask. What it meant was that there was a slightly wounded Anzu now following them around. It moved out of their way, of course, and Jonathan seemed to be resigned to the idea of having a new friend.........
It was blocking all the sunlight.]
...Where did you say this menacing object appeared, again?
[ Make?? Room?? He didn't understand. He didn't understand at all...
But. The fighting seemed to be over, so Loki lowered his staff and stared for a puzzled moment at the suddenly docile demon. But when Jonathan moved, Loki hurried to follow. They had other things to do. Right... ]
Uh... Let's see... It should be a few miles north of here. It looks like a big, black mass of ill feeling.
[ It was hard to describe an existential scar sometimes. ]
But hold on. What's with that? [ He pointed at Anzu behind them. ] You don't seem very surprised at his sudden change of heart.
Ah. He has chosen to join our party -- that happens sometimes, although I have also known demons to fight to the bitter end, refusing to relent until either they or their opponent is dead.
I don't claim to understand their reasoning.
[They were demons, after all. Jonathan frowned a little. Now that he thought of it, wasn't it a good time to bring back something he'd noticed earlier?]
You mentioned earlier a demon called Uriel. The name of one of God's angels...
[ Loki smiled. It had been a long time since he'd come across a human who believed in demons, truly and practically. There were some who believed in the concept of demons, or who thought they were real but a world away. He had to say that this was a bit refreshing, talking to someone else grounded in the reality of the demon world. ]
It's as I said. He was annoying me, so I ate him.
[ And then he winked, as if sharing a private joke. ]
Of course, he was a corruption, masquerading as something divine to prey on the weak. An angel in name and nothing more.
[ Not that he'd ever met any of that singular God's ilk. They seemed to exist on an entirely different plane of existence, if they existed at all. ]
[ Ugh. Wait. How did it go downhill so quickly? He hadn't even told any lies this time. Life could be so unfair. Also, calling him a demon? How rude. He was way higher than an ordinary demon.
He let his staff dematerialize and held his hands up disarmingly. ]
This is just how I am. I can't choose how I look, you know? [ Partially untrue. ] I really do want you to check out that bothersome mass of evil. It's my civic duty to notify the proper authorities about stuff like this.
[Yes, life was so unfair. Insert story about a genius surgeon dying in a car accident.]
You will pardon me if I don't believe you. What does a demon know of civic duty?
HEY. [Interjected the Anzu, seeming nonplussed.] THAT OFFENSIVE.
All the same, I suppose it would be shortsighted to let the two of you free to roam in the Castle as you pleased. You have been very insistent that I accompany you. I shall continue to do so for the present.
Loki sighed, a tad bit exasperated, but if Jonathan was willing to play along then he supposed he couldn't complain (too much). He was starting to feel a bit of camaraderie with the demon behind them...
He turned and continued to make his way down the steps, baring his back to Jonathan in a show of good faith. Though some might think it hubris as well. ]
Thanks. So what's your policy on demons? Guilty until proven innocent?
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subnautica2016-06-30 07:35 pm
dreaming
Loki looks up at the youth addressing him. ]
"Eternity" is stretching it, don't you think? Wouldn't you like to change the view up every once in a while?
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NO.Perhaps every now and then.
[he said, smiling at this newcomer.]
Just to quiet Walter's grumbling. In any case, be it ever so humble, there's no place like home. But I've gotten a bit ahead of myself. My name is Jonathan.
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[ He raises a hand in greeting. Yo. ]
This is your home, huh? Are you a prince or knight or something?
[ His style of dress implies something important, anyway. ]
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Ah, you refer to my clothing. No, I am a Samurai.
[A samurai who dressed like an RPG knight. Everything's fine.......]
It is my duty to enforce this peace, and protect the people. ...Of course, I am a prentice. So perhaps I get a bit ahead of myself.
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[ He can't help it; there's an incredulous note in his voice. This is a pretty European-looking place?! But okay. It's no use arguing. Maybe he can use this to his advantage. Hmm hmm. ]
I see... Well then, I have a request. Recently, a huge, evil-feeling mass showed up nearby. It's worrying. Could you check it out for me?
[ Not the most elaborate of stories, but practical enough... If this guy could willingly go to the Monolith without Loki having to drag him, that would be great. ]
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[Well... it was true that Jonathan had lived the pampered life of a Luxuror. And he was about 100% fluffier than a normal person, hairlistically speaking.]
I would be glad to look into this apparition for you -- only lead the way. Be it human or demon, I'll brook no menace to the people of this kingdom!
[Well, that was surprisingly easy...]
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[ Bless lawful types for being predictable. He begins to descend the steps of the tower, hoping that he'll be able to find the exit okay... ]
I'll admit I haven't met many samurai myself, but my expectation is usually... older? Not as stylish?
[ Jonathan's outfit really is quite trim. Loki has to approve. ]
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[Grizzled veterans, tried and true...! That was the real stuff!
As he descended, Jonathan felt a kind of uneasiness settle over him. He wasn't certain why, exactly, but...]
Wait. Don't you feel it? That pressure in the air, like...
[There was a lion-headed creature at the bottom of the stairs, many-winged, with the torso and arms of a man. Birds' talons made up its feet.]
Ah...! No, not here!
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Even so, he wasn't afraid. Demons like this were his bread and butter, so to speak. He could defend himself if necessary, but he held back, glancing at his companion's outburst. ]
Jonathan?
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[Jonathan took a moment to recover himself. Perhaps this was a stray demon, escaped from Naraku. No more and no less. ]
What is your business here, demon? Why are you outside Naraku?
YOU WANT MOVE? [said the demon, lips curling away from its long fangs.] TOO BAD. YOU MAKE MOVE.
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There's no need to be difficult. Can you just let us squeeze by? You don't even have to move, really...
[ An attempt at reason before conflict... ]
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[Jonathan put his hands up as if to soothe the lion-headed beast. Maybe it could be persuaded to come along nicely?]
Wait one moment! We mean no offense. And of course we wouldn't ask this favor without offering anything in return...
[He started rummaging through his pockets for something to give it, uh oh]
YOU GIVE SHINY STONE! [it demanded, staring fixedly at Loki.]
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[ Way to put him on the spot?! Unfortunately, he wasn't in the habit of keeping things in his pockets. He didn't have a speck of interest in shiny stones, much less the subconscious desire to manifest one dreamwise. But he was, despite everything, still a god, so he might as well abuse his power...
He dug into his pocket. A careful observer might have noticed the tiny poof within before he withdrew his hand, revealing a pristine gem almost over-the-top in its perfection and sparkliness. It wasn't a real stone grounded in reality (even dream reality), but it only needed to last long enough for them to get past the creature. He held it out for the demon's inspection. ]
How's this? Shiny enough for you?
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[Well, it wasn't exactly what the demon had wanted, but it seemed to satisfy him. For like half a second. ]
YOU EAT DEMON BEFORE?
[Had Jonathan eaten a demon before? Certainly not, as far as he knew. He lowered his voice to speak with Loki. ]
I have not, but perhaps we should say 'yes'. This demon seems like it would respect physical might.
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He tilted his head to better hear Jonathan's advice, then nodded quietly. This diplomatic way of handling a demon was new to him, but a bit entertaining as well. Most he came across liked to attack first and chat never. And as a matter of fact, occasionally snacking on one of those demons was not beyond him.
He smiled at the demon, an old bravado falling naturally into place. ]
Aye, many before. The last of note was the demon Uriel, but he made for a poor meal.
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YOU EAT DEMONS? THEN ME EAT YOU!
[It lunged for them. In the cramped stairway, it was difficult to avoid the blow; Jonathan felt a line of fire rake across his calf as the creature's talons barely missed him. Welp. The jig was up.]
I've encountered this type of demon before. It's weak against Zan abilities!
[Hopefully that meant something to his companion, because Jonathan's Plan B was Zandyne. A powerful burst of wind took hold, buffeting into the demon and snapping its wings back. Of course, these close quarters made it none too comfortable, even for the caster. The demon roared, filling the stairwell with the sound of its anger. ]
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Zan abilities...?
[ That meant nothing to this companion. But he watched Jonathan work his magic (samurai knew magic??), and compartmentalized his surprise for later; for now, the clear force of Jonathan's attack was enough of a cue for Loki to follow. He materialized his staff, a child-sized thing with a large crescent at its head. ]
Ahh, whatever. I'll follow your lead!
[ He hopped forward and thrust his staff before him. A great repelling force of wind, dense enough to be a shield (and it usually was), erupted violently in the demon's face, snapping Loki's coattails briskly back. But the magic dissipated quickly, leaving an easy opening for Jonathan to follow up on, should he feel inclined. ]
no subject
WHAT? NO ONE MAKE ME BLEED OWN BLOOD. YOU, MAKE ROOM!
[What the hell did that mean, one might ask. What it meant was that there was a slightly wounded Anzu now following them around. It moved out of their way, of course, and Jonathan seemed to be resigned to the idea of having a new friend.........
It was blocking all the sunlight.]
...Where did you say this menacing object appeared, again?
no subject
But. The fighting seemed to be over, so Loki lowered his staff and stared for a puzzled moment at the suddenly docile demon. But when Jonathan moved, Loki hurried to follow. They had other things to do. Right... ]
Uh... Let's see... It should be a few miles north of here. It looks like a big, black mass of ill feeling.
[ It was hard to describe an existential scar sometimes. ]
But hold on. What's with that? [ He pointed at Anzu behind them. ] You don't seem very surprised at his sudden change of heart.
no subject
I don't claim to understand their reasoning.
[They were demons, after all. Jonathan frowned a little. Now that he thought of it, wasn't it a good time to bring back something he'd noticed earlier?]
You mentioned earlier a demon called Uriel. The name of one of God's angels...
no subject
It's as I said. He was annoying me, so I ate him.
[ And then he winked, as if sharing a private joke. ]
Of course, he was a corruption, masquerading as something divine to prey on the weak. An angel in name and nothing more.
[ Not that he'd ever met any of that singular God's ilk. They seemed to exist on an entirely different plane of existence, if they existed at all. ]
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[Jonathan looked horrified. Was this the reason for the stranger's surprising grasp of magic?]
I thought your name to be mere coincidence. To think that I was so eager to rush to the aid of a demon...
[He backed away from Loki carefully.]
You have done well to disguise yourself in the form of a child, I'll give you that. What is your true aim?
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He let his staff dematerialize and held his hands up disarmingly. ]
This is just how I am. I can't choose how I look, you know? [ Partially untrue. ] I really do want you to check out that bothersome mass of evil. It's my civic duty to notify the proper authorities about stuff like this.
no subject
You will pardon me if I don't believe you. What does a demon know of civic duty?
HEY. [Interjected the Anzu, seeming nonplussed.] THAT OFFENSIVE.
All the same, I suppose it would be shortsighted to let the two of you free to roam in the Castle as you pleased. You have been very insistent that I accompany you. I shall continue to do so for the present.
no subject
Loki sighed, a tad bit exasperated, but if Jonathan was willing to play along then he supposed he couldn't complain (too much). He was starting to feel a bit of camaraderie with the demon behind them...
He turned and continued to make his way down the steps, baring his back to Jonathan in a show of good faith. Though some might think it hubris as well. ]
Thanks. So what's your policy on demons? Guilty until proven innocent?
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