(september catch-all) NOW WITH BIGGER, BETTER WAYS TO DIE

[vestigemods]

SEPTEMBER CATCH-ALL

► THIS SHITHOLE JUST GOT BETTER

The morning of the 10th feels just like any other. It arrives without fanfare, no itch at the back of your mind telling you something is different. If you're a homebody, you might very well go about much of your day without growing any the wiser... At least until you go outside.

The island is the first sign that something's amiss. Stepping out your front door and spotting the brand new tree-covered patch of land smack dab in the middle of your lake may not face some of you, but it's certainly not a thing that has happened before. Those who dealt with the hatch and the tunnel beyond in August might notice that the island very distinctly covers where that very hatch used to be, sealing off that tunnel system once and for all.

Those who live along the northern end of the lake will also hear the distinct sound of rushing water, a sharp contrast to the quiet atmosphere of the still lake you fell asleep to. Sure enough, a river now pours into the lake from the north, a whole ass river coming into existence overnight.

But the island and river aren't the only changes - they're just the most obvious. It may be today, tomorrow, or a week from now, but the next time someone makes their way to the north or east barriers in any shape or form, they'll find that the barrier no longer seems to exist. The trees are marked quite clearly, white spray paint on a trunk one per fifteen or so feet but you find that they're able to walk right through the area it's supposed to be. And walk, and walk, and walk. Is this a mishap with the barrier, or was it on purpose? Have the Technicians... set you free?

Maybe it's time to tell the others.

► LET'S SEE WHAT YOU'VE WON!

Those who make their way across the new and improved containment zone can encounter a fairly wide variety of things. Following the main road like a rational human being puts you on the direct route to town. Should you get curious along the way, you might detour off the asphalt to explore a stretch of farmland, with smooth rolling hills that may once have been idyllic before they fell into disrepair. If you're hungry, a grove of apple trees sit alongside the river, their branches heavy with fruits ripe for the picking. Consider sparing some for the horses fenced in the western field - they're too skittish to let you approach, but if you leave the apples inside their fence, they're certain to grab them as soon as you've backed away.

Conversely, heading due east from your cabin like the impulsive goblin you are will likely lead you smack dab into the swamp. It's dismal. It's disgusting. Use the damn road next time, and you won't be slopping your way through nearly knee-deep muck... And that's before you discover the alligators. (Are discovered by the alligators? Who discovers whom is just a matter of perspective, really.)

Whether you take the smart route or the soggy route, you'll (hopefully) end up in much the same place: the town. It's dirty and run-down and the alleys and back roads host a whole species roulette of strays, and you intermittently feel the distinct sensation of being watched or even followed, but it's not all bad. There's Foodland, which compared to the gas station pickings may as well be a five-star buffet. There's also a rec center with a functional bowling alley, if you know how to play - and across the street from that rec center sits an apartment complex, complete with nine mostly-clean apartments with fully-functional electricity and plumbing. I'm not saying the swamp-waders should hijack an apartment shower, buuuut that's definitely not not an option.

Finally, to the north, there's a bit of a mountain that I'm fairly sure that nobody is going to fuck with just yet, unless they happen to be some sort of overachiever who wants nothing more than to get a bird's-eye view of the landscape below. Mind the mountain goats. They like to shove.

► MOD NOTES

• This log is an introduction to the new expanded containment zone, but it also functions as the September catch-all log for all non-event starters.
  
• Refer to the Locations page for actual information on the various new areas and points of interest - the above flavortext is only meant to supplement the Locations page info.
  
• Also check out the September Infopost (most relevantly, the bottom two drop-downs) for more September-specific info to potentially include in your prompts.
  
• Because this is a catch-all for everywhere + all month, try to remember to label your top-levels with the date and location of each prompt (whether in the subject or in the prompt title within the comment)!
  
• Any questions (on the new setting or anything else) can be directed to this top-level or, for a quicker response, to Trace on discord/plurk. Additionally, if you catch any errors (incorrect links, etc) in the Locations post, please let Trace know!
  

Comments

>] excellent, hurts him right in his dad feelings

[seaboard]

[ She slows her breath to remain silent, as she approaches. She had no wish or want to scare the horses, instead, she focuses in, lets the sea fill her mind and glides silently, walking the small distance between them so she could go to begin to lay out the apples. ]

Have they responded to you so far?

[ Horses - are crucial. Not for this year, but for the one after. They will horses to pull ploughs, for a good harvest to be brought in, in a timely manner. ]

Alas he's too early for the dad feelings

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ That is ... a strangely quiet gait. Otherworldly, almost. And ... does she smell like the sea? It has to be her, because the only body of water here is a lake (and a river, from out of nowhere), and that smells completely different. How interesting.

He raises his eyebrows slightly, his expression curious as he watches her move. ]

Could get closer to them than yesterday.

[ They seem to recognise him, so now he just needs to convince them he's not dangerous. Which will be more difficult for him, considering that to animals, witchers are just wrong. ]

we're all safe

[seaboard]

[ She eyes the horses, then looks back to him - in something more contemplative. Pressing her lips together as she gnaws on the corner of her lips. ]

Perhaps I could help? You need to catch one, don't you?

idk if I'd call it safe

[coolmotivestillevil]

Eventually. Doesn't seem like they've had outside company for a long time.

[ So it will simply have to take however long it takes. ]

i can't wait for him to be confused about not being shouted at by noble ppl

[seaboard]

[ She slides her gaze out over the horses, and then back to him. Perhaps she was being like Jiang Wanyin said, too peaceful? Not... Not direct enough. ]

What - I mean to say sir, is I think I could catch one for you? To help you... re... redomesticate it?

He's already been confused about how no one gives him the stink-eye

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ He raises an eyebrow. Theoretically he could catch one now too, he just had to use Axii, but that's not a guarantee that it will stay tame. ]

How?

a magical time for Geralt

[seaboard]

[ She hums, looking at the horses. ]

By catching one of course, so you can go about taming it. Is that not usual to how it is done?

[ It has been often the way to the horse trainers she has seen. How they catch the wild ones on the far end of the Island, and bring them in with soft and kind gestures. ]

It's weird

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ Catching one? He shakes his head. ]

Rather they come to me. It takes time for animals to accept me.

[seaboard]

[ She tilts, wondering only if she has misstepped. ]

Why ever so? You have a fair hand, so says the patience you show in waiting this long.

[coolmotivestillevil]

I'm not human and they can tell.

[seaboard]

[ Her confusion only mounts. ]

But you look human?

[coolmotivestillevil]

Sure. I was born human.

[ Could he explain further? Absolutely. Will he? No.

Not in detail, anyway. ]

[seaboard]

[ Instead of being confused. Instead, her eyes go wide, big and bright. Excitedly, picking up all through her body. ]

Oh. Are you bound as well?

[ Someone! Who might! Be from home! ]

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ The confused frown he sends her is probably more than enough of a response. Is he what now? ]

No.

[seaboard]

[ And with it, her face falls just as suddenly as it lifted. ]

Oh... I see. That... that is fine then. I meant nothing by it, only, that, I dearly wish to see anyone from home, even if I did not know them myself.

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ Oh no. Should he ... do something about that? No. Better leave it be so he doesn't make it worse. ]

I'm sorry.

[ He can at least offer that much. ]

[seaboard]

[ She shakes her head. ]

It is I that is sorry, I am a woman of foolish hopes, so my mother says, I do it often and too freely, it is not fault of yours.

[coolmotivestillevil]

Hm.

[ It's soft, an exhale rather than a grunt, as he slowly starts moving backwards, further away from the horses. They haven't moved yet, still watching them warily, so it's probably best to give them more space.

He could say something about how her mother is probably right, but decides not to. Not for fear of hurting her feelings or anything, but simply because ... words are tiring. ]

[seaboard]

[ She retreats with him. Slow measured steps back, as to not startle all his good work with the horses so far. ]

Hopefully, in time, we can bring one back to us. This land will need to be turned for crops. We shall need horses for the harvest.

[coolmotivestillevil]

Hm. You a farmer?

[ Because he definitely has no idea how to work land. ]

[seaboard]

[ She shakes her head, lifting her feet in longer strides - she is not a short woman, not by any means, so it is not so hard to keep up with him. The long unkept grass that crunches under their feet as they stride. ]

No, I am not, sir. My people are sailors and fishermen, first and foremost. Our farming is... limited, for our workable land is small as much of it is rocky and cold. But as the Second-Child it is my business to know what can be done with what space we have to do it, so I might better help them survive the years.

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ Wait ... ]

Your people?

[ Not so much asking for information about them but asking what exactly she is. ]

[seaboard]

[ She pauses. There are many things that could mean -

- And she just doesn't think of herself as all that important, so errs on what she thinks is actually what he wants to know, rather than anything about herself. ]

The Isle of St. Loe. We are often called the Sons and Daughters of the Sea. The Children of the Great Sea Spirit, to which we are bound in childhood. Whom guards the depths and the manner of beings who call it home.

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ Clearly he wasn't clear enough. She dresses like one, but ... ]

You a lady? Or a princess?

[seaboard]

[ She laughs, shaking her head.]

Not quite. We don't use titles such as that on my island. Formally speaking, I am Gilia St. Loe, of the Isle St. Loe, Second Child and First Daughter, Daughter Sea and She Who Sings the Sea to Prosperity.

Which on another island, perhaps you might call me Queen.