⇨ HOME AGAIN

[ringleaders]

Who: Anyone!
When: Day 68 - Day 72
Where: Carnival grounds.
What: Everyone makes it back to the carnival after their adventure in hell. The Ringmaster makes a new lake to celebrate, apparently.
Warnings: A notable absence of torture.

TO HELL AND BACK↴ The rescuers and the liberated captives will emerge from the portal like bats out of hell. Much like their previous return, this arrival will be met with a flurry of medical activity as everyone gets their injuries seen to, particularly those that had been held prisoner within Morningstar's hell fortress. It will still be night when they arrive, and the rest of Day 68 will be clouded over completely, for the benefit of the new vampires as they get settled in. After the immediate panic is dealt with, the Ringmaster will disappear into the forest until the morning of Day 69. It will be raining off and on during her absence. ► RECOVERY: Unlike the last time, the Ringmaster will be supplying the carnival workers with some healing potions from her private hoard, given that most of the healers are already wounded or spent. Damage caused by iron poisoning will not be cured by healing magic or healing items though, unfortunately, and those who have spent a lot of time in contact with iron will take at least a week to fully recover. However, regular healing remedies like bandages and herbs may help speed things along if the patient is suited to them. ► A BRAND NEW LAKE: On the morning of Day 69, the Ringmaster will return the forest to announce that she's built a new lake into the carnival grounds, only a short trail's distance from the backyard. Unlike most of the forest, this area won't just lead you in circles when explored, meaning that it can actually be modified and developed as the workers see fit. The water is always clean and just the right temperature for swimming, though it gets a bit cooler the deeper you swim. At the far side of the lake, there is a warm, stone pathway leading up the side of the mountain, that will eventually take you to some bangin' hot springs. Brought to you mostly because the Ringmaster doesn't know how to say sorry with actual words. At least it gives you something to play with while you try to shake off the trauma. ► FRUITS OF VICTORY: On Day 70, all the workers who came to hell for the rescue mission will be given a gift from the Ringmaster. Each of them will receive a bright green, glowing seed, about the size of your thumbnail. She will tell you that, when planted, the seeds will swiftly grow into a small citrus tree, which will grow fruits with regenerative properties. More details about these plants will be written up in a separate post, but for now your characters can ogle them and decide if they are going to plant them or not. ► TAKE ME TO CHURCH: Staring on Day 71, the Ringmaster will be starting to work on removing the vampirism from those infected with it, which apparently involves a lot of... meditation? She will take the newbie vampires out into a shady area of the forest and encourage them to look inside themselves and attempt to separate themselves spiritually from their demonic beasts. How well you character masters her teachings over time will determine whether or not she is ultimately capable of stripping out your demon soul and returning you to life. Of course, not all demons are made equal, and some will be more difficult to separate than others...

Comments

Recalibrate

[fragileandsoft]

Now that the kitchen staff is back, there hasn't been any need for Greg to stick around, but he made a habit to pop in and see if they needed any help while those who'd gotten captured stayed in recovery. There wasn't much else he was helpful for in the aftermath.

"Oh! Ahh, sure--what can I help you with?"

Seeing Koel back in the kitchen is a minor surprise and a major relief. She's no spring chicken, after all, so Greg wasn't sure how long it would take for her to get back on her feet.

[cuckooed]

Well, Greg was right about one thing, she's no chicken. She's still been better. So, so much better

"Oh." She can't help but smile at his presence. If rumor was correct, he'd held down the fort while she'd been gone. For that, she was grateful. "Well. I'm trying to pin down meals for the next few weeks. Perhaps you can help me."

She quietly turned a page, revealing what looks like a very delicious-looking tikka masala plate - albeit, with a much darker, redder sauce, and the dark meat looking not at all like chicken or seafood. On the other side of the page was a dark meat post roast - again, with an au jus sauce that looked decidedly red.

"Which do you think would be more...palatable in general? Be honest. I truly can't decide which to have cooked first."

[fragileandsoft]

"Uhhhh."

Greg stares at the dishes, a bit unnerved. The implications are not lost on him, but all things considered it's a logical step to take with so many people on a new and unfortunate diet. Even from a simple culinary standpoint, however, he's fairly inexperienced.

"The... roast, maybe?" That looks more like something he'd order in a restaurant, anyway. If he knew what the meat was. Greg itches at an antler, glancing up at Koel. "I-I dunno. I guess an extra rare burger just won't cut it, huh?"