(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

[deferences]

[that's a completely fair thing, too. as it stands, some sects are a bit of a mess – or were? perhaps it'll be different with the fall of jin guangyao – and avoiding them altogether seems like the safest approach to things at this point, lan sizhui wouldn't judge the daozhang a single bit whatsoever. and besides, how can song lan save the world if he's tied to one spot? he can't!

again, nothing that needs apologizing, seeing as he can only imagine how tiring it might get after a while.]

It does seem proper that you're here to help! If anyone can fight evil, it's certainly you. [and xiao xingchen, of course, but... he's not exactly here at the moment, is he?]

I am, yes, though I'm sure we could all use whatever help we can get here in this strange new world. [sizhui hums faintly, bows his head with gratitude then straightens once more, outright beaming at the other cultivator before him.] The same goes for you, even though I'm well-aware you're more than capable, too.

[snowflicks]

[Sizhui has far too much respect for the daozhang when there's so many dead bodies in his past. So many have fallen around him because of his failures and by his hand. Song Lan does not excuse himself because of what Xue Yang did to him but we all know he'd excuse Xingchen.

Giving a nod of acknowledgement to what Sizhui says, Song Lan thinks that the young Lan is very earnest and well meaning.]

Thank you. I will remember this.

But what brings you out here, young master?

[deferences]

[gosh, daozhang, give yourself a break sometime, too! (but we all also know that would be a miracle of miracles.)

while still giving song lan most of his attention, sizhui momentarily turns back to where the barrier had been, reaches past one of the trees, surprised his hand keeps right on going despite what he's already been told. so odd, he wonders, what made it decide to just move?]

You're welcome, [comes the soft response, his expression brightening once he's reminded:] Oh, I— [sizhui stops, reaches into the sash around his waist and removes a neatly tied bundle of wildflowers.]

I'm collecting flowers for a friend of mine.

[snowflicks]

[Y-You're not his dad! Don't tell him what to do!

He watches Sizhui test the barrier as well, glad it's not just him. It's truly no longer there. When the young Lan explains why he's out here his brows raise slightly, eyes admiring the bundle of flowers Sizhui has picked so far.]

They are very nice.

[... awkwardly he wonders if he should ask what the occasion is for their friend to need them, but instead he'll decide to change topics. It's still very sweet of Sizhui to do what he's doing.]

The barrier was here yesterday. Either it is gone or perhaps it has moved. I mean to find out.

[deferences]

[but it's only a suggestion, not a demand!

perhaps with an absurd amount of quickness, he tugs his hand back, afraid that the barrier might very well snap back up at any moment and take the limb with it. the other hand holding his flowers moves, tucks the little blooms back into his belt, a small smile brightening his features.]

Thank you! She leaves me flowers often, so it feels right to return the favor. [good thing he won't have to ask then, huh? just friends being friends, giving each other flowers!]

It was, that's why it's odd that it suddenly... isn't. [a moment's hesitation] Would you mind if I accompanied you?

[snowflicks]

One kind deed begets another. It is welcome in a place like this.

[When the young Lan asks to accompany him he has to stop himself from brushing the question aside. Truly it would be better to have company. Two pairs of eyes and all that.

It will be strange having someone to travel with again. So long, even before Xingchen... even before that, he had walked alone.]

I do not mind. As long as it will not interrupt your flower picking.