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ph_memes2023-06-07 02:56 pm
TDM #1 - The Vengeful Forest
Pumpkin Hollow Gazette
6/7/23 | TDM #1: "The Vengeful Forest"
Content Warnings: body horror mentioned, article 2
A typical view from Jack's Marina
FIRST NEW ARRIVALS IN HALF-DECADE: MORE TO FOLLOW?
By Yorick Aberdeen
TAWNY BEACH - Big news at Jack’s Marina--- for the first time in roughly five years, the Marrow Isle Port Authority has reported a new arrival by ferry. And it’s not just one person.
Since the advent of the Barrier that has plagued our fair island for the past 5 years, no transport vessels have been logged for departure or arrival by the Port Authority. And for good reason! Any boat that attempted to make the journey beyond the blackened waters surrounding the island has met with a terrible fate ranging from property destruction to untimely demise. While said casualties don’t quite carry the sting they used to, the situation has obviously proven less than ideal for those looking to leave and ultimately halted the mass exodus from Pumpkin Hollow indefinitely.
Today, for the first time since the formation of the Barrier, we are seeing brand new faces arrive at the docks. All of them have been somewhat disoriented and some have claimed to be from locations that do not exist in our world. We approached one of these new arrivals, Milo Fields, for comment on his experience.
“A lady in an office told me I was dead and then I woke up on a boat,” Fields, 26, was quoted as stating on the matter. Succinct and fascinating, indeed! It would seem that for once, our island’s propensity for supernatural oddities has brought us something that we can be hopeful about. More on this as it develops.
‘CREEPY LITTLE TREES’ SEEN IN TOWN
By Yorick Aberdeen
Artist rendition of a "Brutok".
NORTHWEST HOLLOW (Prague Mills) - This morning Town Hall received a report from the road by the lumber mill, which leads out to Crane’s Ridge, that there have been more sightings of the “tiny tree people” that have been appearing around Lockwood Forest. Over the past few weeks there have been multiple sightings of short-statured creatures with gnarled limbs, bark complexions, and leaf-shaped masks moving about among the trees. There have also been several reports claiming that they have been in town. These reports are particularly prominent in areas toward the outskirts of the forest such as the aforementioned Prague Mills.
However, movement is not the only activity people claim to have seen. Many of these sightings detail more insidious behaviors such as mean-spirited practical jokes, theft, and attempted kidnapping.
The Pumpkin Hollow Gazette reached out to local historian and town council member Dahlia Leeds for any insight on these creatures from her research.
“These creatures appear to be Brutoks,” Leeds, 23, concluded in her interview with us on Tuesday evening. “They’re angry woodland spirits known to appear in cursed forests, much like our own.”
Ms. Leeds went on to issue a number of safety warnings for residents. According to her research, these Brutoks often move in groups and will lock on to woodland travelers who make eye contact with them. Their eyes are not visible so this can be done by accident quite easily if one spends too much time staring into trees. If Brutoks attach themselves to you, they will follow you home, proceeding to destroy your property, hide your personal items, attempt to cause you bodily harm, tear up your garden, and eventually spirit you away to the woods. Victims of these kidnappings will be “planted” in the woods by the Brutoks and spend the next several hours enduring the deeply unpleasant process of being turned into a tree, ultimately killing the individual. A gruesome affair.
There are several ways to dispel a Brutok invasion before it escalates to kidnapping. Ms. Leeds recommends observing their behavior for clues and keeping an eye out for puzzles set by the creatures while outside, though there may be other solutions. If you are unable to dispel them, it is possible to fight them off with brute force. Those walking in or near the woods are advised to keep their eyes on the trail but listen carefully for sounds of distress and be prepared to intervene. Should you encounter any trees that look like people, Ms. Leeds has also cited the unfortunate need to burn the unsettling foliage in order to release the spirit of the victim so that they can regenerate as usual.
As always, the sharing of information and community vigilance are imperative in warding off this new threat. Please share any information you have on the message boards at town hall or with your neighbors, and consider reaching out to Ms. Leeds or any other respected community figure if you find yourself in a bind. Keep your lanterns lit, Pumpkin Hollow. We’re in for quite the summer.
CUCUMBER FESTIVAL CANCELED DUE TO UNFORTUNATE TURNIP HEX; REPLACED WITH POTLUCK
By Yorick Aberdeen
They haunt my dinner plate and my dreams.
DOWNTOWN (Temple of Sacred Roots) - In lighter news, a solution has been found to the much-loathed Turnip Hex debacle.
As most residents of Pumpkin Hollow are aware, earlier in spring a crop hex was placed on the island by an unidentified witch that turned all ground crops sown at the time into turnips. While this is not as bad as it could be, it has resulted in mounds upon mounds of turnips and a complete lack of other crops until later harvests. The witch who cast this hex is still at large.
An unfortunate side effect of the hex has been that the beloved and highly anticipated Cucumber Festival, which normally takes place in early June, had to be canceled due to a lack of cucumbers. This has earned the ire of a great many residents who have cited the festival as “their last source of a modicum of joy on this goddess-forsaken island”, among other more colorful statements.
Reverend Degas Clayton of the Temple of Sacred Roots of our Four Earthly Mothers has proposed an alternative to the festival. While not nearly as exciting, Clayton, 57, believes that a turnip potluck is still a great community-building exercise and excuse for a social gathering. He encourages attendees to find the most inventive ways they can think of to cook up excess turnips and present their dishes on the temple lawn during the party. “The sooner we eat the blasted things, the sooner we’ll no longer have to look at them anymore,” said Mayor Poe in her endorsement of the event. It would appear she plans to be in attendance.
To participate, please bring an appropriate dish to the Temple of Sacred Roots on Friday at noon. The party will run until sundown and wine will be provided, which may improve the taste of the turnips. New residents are encouraged to attend even if they are not able to provide a dish so that they can meet their local community and learn more about the church.
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"And the sooner we ingeniously dispose of these tubers the better." Not that the current crop of other foodstuffs is anything to be proud of, but turnips! Four Mothers...at least it isn't turnips!
"Crops aside, yours is a new face around here. How are you finding our fair little isle?" There's a shade of irony in the question, knowing full well the current state of affairs here.
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He gives a dark smirk. "I don't think too much of it with these tree monsters running around. But if we can get rid of those, maybe open some more businesses, this could be a right pleasant place."
He figures on doing what he does best, trying to commandeer the town, make it more profitable, and get the people to be very appreciative of him. Of course, with this town being what it is, he may have questionable success on all fronts. But he's got to try. He doesn't really know any other approach.
He's not sure how he'll start gathering money yet. He's lived the life of a riverboat gambler at some points, but he's not sure gambling is allowed. He's trying to figure out how to quietly find out.
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There's a quiet chuckle at the suggestion, not because it was a silly one. No, far from it, but it brings up fond memories. "Yes, those...Brutoks, I believe. Ms. Leeds is far more an expert than I, but believe it or not nigh on five years ago this was quite the bustling little town. It could very well be again, especially with you newcomers arriving on our shores."
He pauses, fingers steepling together. "The Mayor would be glad to hear any business venture you would put forth, I think. If you've the inclination. But I am getting ahead of myself. Degas Clayton, at your service."
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"It was, huh? What happened? Is that when all this supernatural stuff started going down?"
His eyes glint at this. "Glad to hear it. I'm Snakes Tolliver. I'm a ... pretty prominent businessman back home." And an explosives expert, which is ... probably not something to bring up in polite company.
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Other things have become impossible, too. Staying dead, for instance. But what sort of warm welcome would sharing that news be? His brow furrows briefly before he continues.
"Mr. Tolliver, then. A business man, you say? Well no doubt you are very welcome indeed, downtown could use a breath of fresh air as far as industry goes. It's been just as long since a new business has opened its doors at all."
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He perks up at this news. "Then it sounds like I showed up just in time," he smiles. "What kinds of businesses are you most greatly in need of?" He has some knowledge of several different kinds.
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Day by day, some new horror gets inflicted on the town, ebbing and flowing without rhyme or reason. Or so it feels.
"Hmm, now that I can tell you straight away. We've empty cafes that could use a new owner, a lovely little paper store near the Temple with no one to stock it. There used to be a few tailor shops and seamstresses. I recall a curio shop tucked away on one of the side streets and a workshop that made the most exquisite writing pens. And many more that left while they could. This and more. Those that remain lack...motivation, if you will. We've been whittle down by strange happenstance after strange happenstance so you can probably imagine that leaves us with little in the way of direction at times.
And yet, we persist. Fresh ideas and vigor may be the key to our revival, but you may have your work cut out for you. We're a bit wary after these trials, it may take time for those tradesmen and women who remain to warm up to you in order to establish a new venture. And the mayor would like to know who can best handle a new business before awarding them the chance." Another pause, a gentle smile that crinkles the corners of his eyes. "I doubt it's a trouble you can't overcome in time, Mr. Tolliver. What sort of business did you have a hand in where you're from?"
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"I've had my finger in more than a few pies," he drawls. "Import and export ... but that'd be out. Gambling houses.... If you need anything blown up, I'm real good at that."
Might as well throw it out there after all if work will be hard to come by at first. There are legitimate uses for such skills, after all....
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The last bit does raise an eyebrow. "Explosives? Now that is curious, but useful in certain...restricted applications. You'll have to ask the mayor but I do believe mining makes use of it. It's hard work, but steady. A good way to start out, none the less."
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"Is there anything else I should know?"
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"Three things, to start with. Although two, I should hope you've already heard. Stay put of the forest and mind your step outside at night. We hardly know when the next curse begins and that should keep you out of the worst trouble. But thirdly, that it would be good to see you at Temple on Sunday morning."
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"The Scared Roots of Our Four Earthly Mothers. It espouses the bonds of fellowship, which have been sorely needed and tested these past few years. Mindfulness, community, family, and the changing of one season of our lives to the next. I know these are often weighty topics, but I do try to keep services as light as I can."
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"Those sound like good things to teach," he admits. "I might have a look."
If for no other reason than to try to get a feel for how things are here. He needs to understand the people if he hopes to someday lead this town as he has others.
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"I'll definitely be there," he promises.
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"Very good, Mr. Tolliver. I'll hold you to that." he brings his hands up and together in a muted clap. "Is there anything else I can do for you now?"
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