EVENT ★ MAT GATHERING

[futurologists]

The investigations in the sungazing log have lead to a number of discoveries, including trace amounts of solar radiation and seemingly temporary lights in the sky that match no known star charts currently in Chantes. On the 15th, Rick will announce via the verdict over the network: the sun isn’t gone. un: 82736775 Those of you who actually did your job instead of screwing off (and breaking my shit! Yes, I know all about it), congrats. We've made headway on our dumbass situation. The sun isn't gone (obviously). There are radiation levels suggesting that it's still there somewhere, but it's weirdly faint. Concerning item number one. Concerning item number two: there are lights in the sky but they're not native stars. They're red in the west in the morning, and in the east in the evening. This suggests a solar cycle that we just can't observe (with a western sunrise apparently). There are no moons visible; supposedly there should be two. Go figure. The most interesting observations came from the storm, during which the "star" readings went off the charts, dawg. All lit up like Christmas and shit. Hypothesis: the darkness is not because homeboy made anything "vanish with magic," but because he stuck a big "blanket" between the planet and the sky. The "stars" are likely just holes in his dumb bullshit. So let's get this solution rolling so we can get off this godforsaken rock. This is where you losers come in. I need things . . . The mystery of the disappearing sun might be clear, but that doesn’t mean the problem’s solved. Now’s the hard part: creating something that will dispel the darkness. Fortunately, with the right ingredients, science might be able to win the daylight back. All recruits will be encouraged to help with some good, old-fashioned teamwork and fetch quests. SCAVENGER HUNT The list is as follows: Iron ore. Collecting it seems easy enough, but a dangerous serpentine creature capable of breathing electricity known as a Behir lairs nearby. If hungry, it will ambush characters and will not stop unless it succeeds or is slain. Following the rich iron supply, characters will also find a series of winding underground caves and caverns. Inside are items such as glowing cave mushrooms that are likely radioactive. Blue mushrooms maintain their coloring due to a rare solute in the cave water, helpful for optimizing fuel. Green mushrooms are useless and if you collect them you should feel bad. Bat guano. Bats indigenous to the caves also seem to be affected by the contaminated cave water, however -- they’re enormous, blood-sucking, and have developed a mild venom. While one bite won’t kill anyone, the bats have numbers, ultrasonic screeches, and bad tempers. Plutonic rocks. The source of the odd cave life, an ancient scattering of some massive meteorite resides deep inside the cave. They’ve got rich veins and chunks of crystal, the bigger the better. (We’d tell you what these space oddities are for, but we think it’d blow your minds.) Cave Minnows. The fish inside the cave lakes are easy to spot since they’re bioluminescent, but only the small, quick ones metabolize the correct oils for this project. The large ones will simply try to drag you into a death roll the -- surprisingly deep -- waters. Glowworms. See those lights hanging overhead? They’re not bulbs, but bundles of strange, glowing cave worms. Reaching and handling them might be tricky, and keep careful watch of them. They’ll burrow into anything, including your packs, your collected materials, or worst of all, you. Rock salt. Delicious! Potassium nitrate. This one is easier to find in Chantes itself: an old woman in town has a giant jar of it that she uses for pickling. Recruits may attempt to wile her out of a cup, or steal from the elderly. Wildcard. If you don't mind volatile reactions, go ahead and science on your own. Or see anything else that might be useful? Grab it and go. As a side-mission for the cave items, it seems the 15th is also the only day of the year that the night-blooming cereus plants are open around the cavern entrances. These flowers must be handled very delicately or they’ll wither and die, and local insects of all shapes, sizes, and aggressiveness will be drawn to them, so collectors beware. These flowers will have no bearing on the sun solution, but the goblin church will ask outgoing adventurers to bring some back with them. These items may come into play in February depending on IC actions, but otherwise they make for some pretty decorations! And finally, a big thanks to ricksybusiness for submitting their player plot and working with us. You go, Rick Sanchez.

Comments

[respired]

[In order:]

Enslavement.

Run through.

[beyourrock]

But why would they want to enslave you in the first place? No one should have to endure such a hardship.

[respired]

[He doesn't even know what to do with that answer.]

Why does anyone enslave anyone else? To put me to use.

[He shrugs.]

Unfortunately, the world does not turn on such a kind axis.

[beyourrock]

[Pearl looks down at the flower again as she starts walking again.]

I was enslaved as well, but the use they put me too was not what I truly wanted.

[She glances back at him.] So you were brought back to life. Were you returned to slavery then?

[respired]

Hardly surprising.

[He shakes his head as he follows after her--still keeping an eye out for creepy-crawlies.]

You misunderstand. I was free when I was living. Undeath brought the enslavement. I was chained to the overarching will of a being who controlled most of the undead in my world.

[beyourrock]

[Oh, well then... Pearl furrows her brow sadly. So the price of him being alive again was to be enslaved.]

Did you ever think of trying to stop that being? Or anyone else for that matter?

[respired]

[Dryly.]

I was not speaking figuratively. His will was our will. He dominated our minds entirely. We were not slaves through intimidation or fear. Under the Lich King's control, our conscious selves simply ceased to be.

[beyourrock]

While you're here, do you feel more like... yourself here? Without this king's control lingering over you?

[respired]

I was freed long before I came here. We defeated our former master.

[He frowns, gesturing to himself generally.]

But his influence remains.

[beyourrock]

[A shudder runs through her. How terrifying. She think of the Diamond Authority, and how they could possibly still have a hold on her and-- She wrenches her eyes closed tightly, trying to block out the thoughts.]

I'm sorry for... what you had to go through. [Pearl says, looking up at him.] I wouldn't wish that upon anyone.

[respired]

[He laughs, bitterly.]

Nor would I. But enough of that.

[He gestures with his sword.]

The church is not far, now. I thank you for your help.

[beyourrock]

Oh, ah yes! Of course.

[She nods as she looks down at the flower.]

Let's hope they'll put these things to good use! ...Whatever that may be.