Moon Cycle 72: 6/29 - 7/05

[somarium_lords]

❖ MOON CYCLE 72 ❂ 06/29/11 - 07/05/11

Phase: Three-fourths waning. The strange shadow that had been over the full moon seems to be sticking around.

Weather: A little chilly, but it looks like it will be warming up a bit near the end of the phase week. Expect a few showers and a lot of cloud.

Wed
Thurs
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tues
29
72/62°F
☁☁

30
76/65°F
☁☀

01
70/64°F
☂☁

02
69/60°F
☂

03
77/68°F
☀☁

04
76/67°F
☀≈

05
79/69°F
☀☀

Legend:
☀ - Sunny/Clear | ☁ ☀ - Sunny but cloudy | ☁ - Overcast | ≈ - Windy | ☂ - Rainy | ☂☂ - Stormy | + any other combination

Effects: Some of those dark, water based dreams may linger, but many will find their dreams a little brighter. No specific theme; just a general "light" mood.

Notes:

• Activity Check. Don't forget the Activity Check and to check the Danger List! It ends Thursday, June 30 11:59 CST.
  
  
• Event finale. As stated in the previous Moon Cycle, this event is going to end with style. Well, sort of, anyway. By dawn, the flood waters will burst through the barrier and empty out down into the sink hole out in the desert. Yep, you read that right. It's going out into the desert with the sink hole acting as the drain. More details will be in the signal post. It will be posted immediately after this goes up. Just keep in mind that it's basically set at dawn. Just going ahead and posting it early so it doesn't come up too late.
  
  
• Giant whirlpool. Even though the water went down the sink hole, it left behind a giant whirlpool that spans the whole of the sink hole. The statue that used to be on top of the sink hole can be found hovering directly above it and perfectly centered. Characters are free to investigate, but be careful. The monsters from before are still in there, and there are even more than before. In a previous Halloween event, characters were taken to the very center of the world. Could the water be draining down into that? As a side note and heads up, characters will be unable to actually go down the whirlpool. However, this will change in the future. Characters who could attempt such a feat are still free to do so! They would just be repelled back by some strong force of energy.
  
  
• Weakened barrier. Because the water basically broke through the barrier, once again there's going to be an open tear. It will actually be in the same spot as when the yeti broke through. Maybe it was still weak from that? However, that's not the only weak spot. The barrier as a whole has taken a toll from the water damage and will actually be visible throughout the week. Usually the barrier is invisible so that most people forget it's even around. But for at least this week, residents will be able to see the shimmering magical glyphs that make up the huge dome. If they didn't feel like they were living in some kind of protective snow globe dome before, they certainly will now.
  
  Characters will still be able to traverse through the barrier like usual. However, they may feel an odd "glitch" or "tingle" when passing through it.
  
  
• NPCs, animals, and sleep coma'd characters are back. By Thursday, June 30, all the NPCs, animals, and anyone who was in a sleep coma will have returned. The NPCs will be very confused, and even look very groggy-as if they had been asleep for a very long time. The last thing they remember was the unusual rain, and if questioned, they will look frustrated as they can't seem to remember what happened. The only thing they will be able to say is on the night before the flood, they all saw a strange white light and the sound of water hitting a shore. Like an ocean. Any further inquiries will only result in shrugged shoulders and apologetic shakes of the head. They were just as clueless, but unlike the characters, they don't seem too worried about it. They will be quick to set to work in rebuilding the city just like the other times.
  
  
• The creepy ghosts. Seem to have disappeared? They won't be found anywhere no matter how hard one looks. And the evil one was so cute, too...
  
  
• Increased monster attacks. The barrier will still be a protective shield for the city. But just like when the barrier was weakened last time, some monsters will be able to sneak through. However, they aren't your typical desert monsters. They will look rather similar to the creatures that came through during the flood:
  
  Nycteren. These creatures now have an official name, "Nycteren." For those who know their vocabulary, it is based of the term "nycterent", which means "someone who hunts by night." It could also be thought similar to "nycterine" for nocturnal. If anything, the "nyct-" may make characters relate it to "night", so they would be able to connect the dots. The following information will uploaded to the In-Game Records and all characters will have access to it:
  Nycteren. Related to the noctaere, these creatures are more aggressive and grow in power during the new moon. Unlike the noctaere, they are purely nocturnal creatures and do not rely on shadows for their movements. They come in may forms and sizes: air, land, and water. Some say they are considered more dangerous and "nightmareish" because of their behavior and their nature.
  
  Their tell-tale mark is the purple crystal usually located on their foreheads, though some have been seen to be hidden elsewhere on the body. This crystal is their weakest point. Give it a hard strike and the nycteren will fall and turn to ash. However, this tactic comes at a price. The striker will suffer and witness their worst nightmare for a few seconds. The dying creature will transform into some form representing that nightmare. Only the striker will see this vision.
  
  All other methods of execution will not result in such a terrible experience. If confronted with a nycteren, use any other means possible. It is like any other creature, and they are weak to light. Destroying the crystal should be the last resort.
  
  Fortunately for your characters, only a few will ever manage to slink through the barrier. Just do not be surprised if suddenly tries to attack. All three forms will be out and slinking about. However, the water ones will only exist out in Lake Meridian. If a character is attacked in the lake, Nessie will try to help protect and fight them off. Those who have the ability to sense auras and the presence of other creatures will be able to pick up on the nycteren. They will also feel a "dark", but not evil, aura from the creature.
  
  These can be godmodded in any way you like, and they are completely optional. It is very possible for characters to never even encounter one. In addition to helping clean up and rebuild, the NPCs will help with patrols and try and rid of the monsters. Apparently they don't seem to mind using the quick way to get rid of them, or at least they don't seem to be as affected by it. Just remember they only come out night.
  
  As a final note for clarification, the monsters do turn to ash when they die, no matter what method is used.
  
  
• Experiments. For characters who may want to try and learn something from this, here are some notes:
  • Black water. The composition of the black water is identical to normal water, but there's a mysterious element attached to it. It won't be one that any character will recognize, but it might be the reason why the water is the way it is. Those who are sensitive to energy and aura will also recognize a faint trace of "darkness". Not necessarily evil, just "dark". Consumption of the water is not recommended. If one does drink it, starting from today they will have some kind of nightmare. How bad the nightmare will depend on how much they drink. If it's just a little sip, then it will be nothing than a really bizarre dream. If it's a lot however...
    
    
  • Nycterin. Some may try to capture and tame/experiment on a nycteren. It will be difficult but it can be done. Just run it by us first so we can give you the details. In general, their bodies are very similar to normal animals. However, the crystal will not be able to examined due to the fact that it will shatter and turn to dust the moment it is detached from the nycteren's body, which will also turn to ash. Characters can still collect the dust and ash to try and study it, but for the moment it won't be anything they are familiar with. Again, those who are sensitive to energies and auras will feel a sort of "darkness" with the creature, but not necessarily evil.
    
    In terms of taming, it will be very difficult. Only those who possess the talent to control animals will be able to do so. Also, these creatures are not friendly. It will be impossible to befriend these creatures. However, it is possible to fend them off and make them at least impassive and go away.
  Have fun with them!
  
  
• Camping out. Unfortunately, most homes and buildings will need a lot of fixing, if not a complete rebuild. Soon after their return, the NPCs will be quick to set up temporary homes, but most will find themselves needing to camp out.
  
  
• Limited food and power. Somehow, not all of the power went out during the flood, but most of it was knocked out. Likewise, while some food was spared, a lot of it was ruined by the flood waters. Characters will have to continue to rough it and make do with what they have for a while. Generators will be distributed, but it will only be barely enough.
  
  
• Restoration ETA. It's going to take a while to clean everything up, but the NPCs will assure everyone that it should only take most of the month. They also keep saying to dream happy dreams and something about the dreams helping boost morale and energy. What the heck are they talking about? Maybe it'll become clearer in the upcoming weeks.
  
  
• Backtagging. COMPLETELY ALLOWED! If you need to make any backdated logs or threads, go for it! Just make sure it's clearly marked so everyone knows what's going on.

If you have any questions or concerns, just comment to this post.