TDM #8 - Harvest Havoc! [REPRINT]

[pumpkinhollow]

Pumpkin Hollow Gazette: October Issue

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Pumpkin Hollow Gazette

9/19/24 | TDM #9 - Harvest Havoc! [Reprint]
Weather Forecast: Detailed report within!

WELCOME TO PUMPKIN HOLLOW

By Yorick Aberdeen

The crop for which the town is named.

TOWNWIDE - Hello and welcome, one and all! As time marches on and the ferry continues bringing newcomers to our fair land, we start our newest edition of the Pumpkin Hollow Gazette with a warm welcome to anyone who has just made landfall in our accursed but cozy little town. It’s autumn, which means you’ll be just in time to join us for festive fall affairs such as Pumpkinfest and the Dance of Celestine! And we are predicting with 87% certainty that they will not go horrifically wrong in psychologically traumatic ways, per the recent numbers provided by the Pumpkin Hollow Board of Safety.

We invite you, as with all those who came before you, to enjoy your stay at the Oak & Iron tavern inn while you settle in. Please stop by Town Hall to discuss opportunities for work and more permanent housing! All newcomers get 100 Brass in their pocket upon arrival as well, so we encourage you to take advantage of this as well. Reach out to your neighbors for help if you need it, and don’t forget to pick up your copy of the Pumpkin Hollow Gazette whenever you need the local news!

WHO’S HUNGRY? AUTUMN HARVEST SEASON BEGINS!

By Timothy Stoker

A brief glimpse into the orchards of Starr Farms.

NORTHWEST HOLLOW (Farmlands) - Each season has its own unique charms, but few will argue the fact that fall is, without a doubt, the best season for food. And that’s never more true than when you’re living in a town with home-grown feasts finding their way from a local farm right to your table. Over the course of this year, Pumpkin Hollow’s farmers have been hard at work to provide for the town, and these next couple of months are when we’ll be seeing the payoff of their efforts here in town.

Due to high demand, it’s recommended you get your pumpkins early! They’re in no short supply, of course, being Pumpkin Hollow’s most iconic and abundant crop, but trust us when we say you’ll want to beat the rush for Pumpkinfest. There is a fantastic selection of pumpkins for carving and for cooking available at the market.

Last but not least, Pumpkin Hollow now has its very own u-pick apple orchard! The Mr. Mime of the former owners of Starr Farms, who were called back to the ferry some months prior, has turned their apple orchard into a lovely community feature with some help from friends and neighbors. For a small donation of wild berries for the little guy running the place, you can get yourself a hefty bag of fresh apples picked right from the tree by your own hands, including the first crop of “ghost apples” developed specially by the orchard. These pure white apples are said to be super sweet, great for eating raw or for juicing, and might even make you feel a little spooky.

Check the community bulletin or the information boards by the farm for apple schedules. Great as an outing with friends, as a date, or just as a way to get yourself some pie ingredients!

OCTOBER WEATHER FORECAST

By Phil Connors

A calm night after a long day's storm.

MARROW ISLE - We're finally getting a break from the heat waves, folks! The temperature is beginning to drop. Expect some chilly, foggy mornings, especially further into the season. That's when we could even start seeing frost on the ground. Don't put those umbrellas away just yet: the thunder might be done, but the rain isn't, and it can come on fast. Don't let it into your house. It just wants to sell you something.

SPECTRAL VISITORS RETURN WITH PLUS-ONES

By Cecil Gershwin Palmer

Strange, easily-befriendable creatures of all shapes and sizes!

LOCKWOOD FOREST - Making their repeat visit from their ghostly homelands, the spirits that visited us this time last year from Lockwood Forest--- the very same that have become near and dear friends to so many people in our town--- have returned! During this new stay in our forests, however, they've decided to bring along companions of their own. These new creatures, though distinctly more tangible, are not only just as mischievous as their counterparts, but are more emboldened to cause mild to moderate havoc in town, including thievery from our force of intrepid reporters. The little gem-eyed rascal that pilfered this reporter’s preferred pen remains at large.

The Gazette reminds residents that while these little guys are exceedingly cute, just so very cute, we do recommend an abundance of caution, an awareness of one's surroundings, and a keen eye on anything that you would like to have continued ownership of. They have also been known to cause collateral damage to their surroundings and to each other, via setting things on fire. Or crushing them under rocks. Or freezing them in ice. Or hurling shadowy orbs at them. Or shooting leaves at them. Or casting psychic spells.

RESIDENTS WARNED AGAINST WOODLAND TRAVEL AFTER REPORTS OF WOLF ATTACKS

By Yorick Aberdeen

A photograph of the animals taken in prior years.

LOCKWOOD FOREST - Though there are many delightful visitors in our midst during these fall months, the changing of the seasons hasn't come without the anticipated perils. This year, it seems as though the wolf population of Marrow Island has increased dramatically - not only that, but they've become quite aggressive, and have begun seeking out those who go deep enough into Lockwood Forest. First-hand reports have mentioned that the wolf population this year is not only larger in number, but also in size, and have a few somewhat-odd mannerisms, but seem to be otherwise entirely normal wolves.

For the time being, Town Hall has advised for most of our townsfolk to steer clear from any forest strolls beyond the edge of the woods, and for the farmers of Northwest Hollow to exercise caution on the forested edge of their land. Additionally, Town Hall would like to request the assistance of any adventurers to attempt to push back the wolves. Adventuring parties who are successful in doing so will be rewarded with free food and drink during this year's Pumpkinfest as thanks for their tireless work to keep our community safe!

DISCOUNT DRINKS FOR OPEN MIC NIGHT: NOW WITH REAL MICS!

By Timothy Stoker

The lovely interior of the Empty Pockets Music Lounge.

DOWNTOWN HOLLOW (Empty Pockets Music Lounge) - After a great deal of confusion between locals and newcomers about the use of the phrase “open mic” to describe their “volunteer performer nights” at the local music lounge, Empty Pockets is pleased to announce the addition of new equipment for their stage! Through a collaboration with offworlders to create drawings of what a “microphone” ought to look like and a commission project with local engineers, we have now officially reinvented the microphone for use in Pumpkin Hollow. The local music scene is a flurry of excitement about this development--- local luthier Juniper Sweetwater already has expressed an interest in electric guitars and amplifiers. Seems like music and electricity will be getting a big boom here in town!

In the meantime, owner Dottie Siward has announced that drinks will be 30% off during open mic nights in celebration for a limited time! Check out the Empty Pockets Music Lounge any Friday or Saturday evening during the fall to take advantage of a little liquid courage, and hey, maybe put yourself out there. Could you be Pumpkin Hollow’s next big thing? You never know!

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Further Details...

Pokémon

Befriendable Pokemon make their semi-annual return! For the fall season, we will be seeing Dark and Ghost type Pokemon (with the exception of legendary Pokemon) in the forest that can be befriended up until this TDM leaves circulation in early December. Any character can have up to six Pokemon friends, and pre-evolutions of Dark and Ghost types that don’t have the correct type yet are also obtainable. (ex. Sprigatito, who can later evolve into a Dark/Grass Meowscarada.) We do not have Pokeballs in Pumpkin Hollow, but enough snacks or attention should be enough to get one to follow you home! Any Pokemon that have not chosen a friend to stay with will leave the island at the end of November.

Wolves

The wolves mentioned by Yorick are, contrary to his assertions, not normal wolves. They are actually monstrous creatures from another world known as Balverines, who were once people. The Wiki entry for Balverines can be found here, but we'll summarize them down below as well! While werewolf-like in many respects, there are several key differences. Balverines can change at any time, night or day, regardless of the status of the moon. Commonly when first turned, a person will become a “lesser” Balverine who will transform by force every night after dark and lose all sense of self to the urge for bloodlust. However, with training and practice, that person can eventually become a “greater” Balverine, capable of controlling their transformations and retaining their faculties. This “greater” status can also be achieved automatically if the person is changed within the hour of midnight. Additionally, if the victim is infected at midnight during a full moon, they can become an exceptionally powerful White Balverine, marked by a pallid coat of wiry fur. Infection occurs when a person is bitten by a Balverine while still alive. Dying to a Balverine bite or being struck with claws, which are more likely to happen during an encounter, do not cause a transformation. Existing greater Balverines do not intend to make many conversions to their fold, and lesser Balverines will generally only do this by accident, so actually acquiring the infection is quite rare. However, if this does happen, it can be cured by having silver placed inside the body, either via insertion (like with a weapon) or ingestion (such as swallowing silver shavings). Doing so is exceptionally painful and may result in death, but dying to any other means will not rid you of the curse. However, you may wish to stay a Balverine once the greater status is achieved, as Balverines are exceptionally powerful creatures. Things to consider! As previously mentioned, Balverines primarily fight with their strong arms and long claws with the occasional bite or lunge. They are also capable of jumping so high in the air that they remain airborne for several seconds and often use this ability to travel quickly or get behind enemies. They have incredibly thick skin and are challenging to kill without silver. They also tend to hide until they can lure prey into an ambush unless pushed to defend themselves. On very infrequent occasions, they may come into town to terrorize folks, but they will largely be attempting to get the jump on people who have gone into the woods. They prefer to keep their presence subtle and are also not necessarily accosting everyone who gets near. Good luck if you plan to fight them!

Open Mic Night

Drinks at Empty Pockets can be handwaved for costs--- existing players can consider it part of their grocery budget, and test driving characters can just not worry about it. This prompt is just for funsies.

In addition to all of the above, feel free to mine last year's Pumpkinfest post for prompts! Have a happy harvest, and may your lanterns ever be bright!

Comments

[misbegottendreamer]

"Personally, muthsera, I am rather unsettled when someone makes contact with me without my asking. I would offer you the courtesy I would ask."

Melanie feels a hand gently close around hers. It seems to have... claws? Or are those just really long nails? The flesh feels odd, too, like warm putty formed over lumpy marble.

[ghostbullet]

The claw feeling doesn't surprise her much—she had to help Daisy to her feet after a fall or a panic attack sometimes in the early days after the coffin—but the unusual feeling of the structure does cause a small flash of tension. Nothing all that noticeable, but she can't help but think of the mannequins with their stapled on flesh over plastic.

"Yeah, uh— same, same. Even before the blind thing." She will not be responsible for her actions if anyone does grab her without asking now she can't even see them coming.

[misbegottendreamer]

"I have not had any trouble with that here. The people are, for the most part, considerate. Now... do you know where the Oak and Iron is?"

[ghostbullet]

"Sort of? I've been there, but I haven't actually memorised the way... back, or anything. Not properly."

She's really got to try and pay more attention to things like that.

[misbegottendreamer]

“Let me guide you, then.”

And she does, with as much patience and gentleness as is required, giving Melanie a clear idea of where they are and where they’re going, as well as stopping at useful landmarks for orienting oneself.

[ghostbullet]

Melanie does her best to absorb it, though it's still a kind of spatial awareness she's not used to having to cultivate. But it's a start, and she appreciates that.

"You really don't realise how many basic tenets of navigation you're taking for granted until you stop having eyes, apparently."

[misbegottendreamer]

“Seeing is something most people don’t stop to think about. But hearing is something we do just as automatically, muthsera, and like sight, hearing can be honed and sharpened in a way that isn’t as immediately apparent.”

She gently raises Melanie’s hand, as if helping her point to something.

“Listen. In that direction. Do you hear that creaking, that soft knocking sound? There’s a hanging sign on an off-balance beam. Feel the road underfoot, and when you feel the road about to give way, turn sharply to the right. That takes you to the Oak and Iron.”

[ghostbullet]

Melanie strains a bit to listen, until she does pick up the faint noise in the distance—if only faint, still, not used to listening through the background radiation.

"Oh, geez, alright. I think I can hear it. Sort of."

[misbegottendreamer]

“Be gentle with yourself, sera. It will take some practice with listening before you can hear. Let me guide you. Listen as you move, and let yourself learn. I will make certain you do not fall.”

Drelasa gives off the impression that this isn’t her first time being a guiding figure.

[ghostbullet]

"Right, okay." For all that she's bristly by nature, she is doing her absolute damnedest to take the guidance in the spirit it's intended. Even if she is still a little tense. "Listening, then."

[misbegottendreamer]

Her grip is gentle as they make their way to the inn, every footstep accompanied by the sound of bells. Occasionally, Drelasa will warn of tripping hazards- a tree root bulging under the road, a small pothole, a crack in the paving. It's not especially fast going, but it's much less nerve-wracking having someone else to give some kind of context.

[ghostbullet]

And Melanie does her best to both listen to her surroundings and start categorising what she can feel with the cane on the ground, what she hears, what hazards she actually has to be aware of now in a way she wasn't before. She starts to think she might be able to get the hang of it after a while, but it is still very much a relief when they actually make it back to the O&I.

[misbegottendreamer]

"Here, sit."

Drelasa audibly pulls out a chair, and knocks on it with her knuckles to give a clear idea of where it is.

"Would you like me to fetch you a drink, muthsera?"

[ghostbullet]

"Thanks," Melanie says as she gets herself sat down, tucking her cane away between her knees. "Uh— sure, just a ginger beer? If you say its for Melanie you won't have to pay I don't think, since I'm, y'know, still not working."

[misbegottendreamer]

"Of course!" she says, going to the bar, and returning shortly with a ginger beer.

"Now, might you tell me a little more about yourself, muthsera?"

[ghostbullet]

Melanie thanks her as she accepts the drink then huffs air, like where to I even start. "Well uh— my world is one that's mostly humans with a side of supernatural creatures that are really just there to cause trouble. And I used to be a paranormal investigator before I even got tangled up in all that stuff. So, lots of spook stories in my life, I guess."

[misbegottendreamer]

"I see. When you say supernatural creatures... are you referring to spirits? Ghosts?"

[ghostbullet]

"I mean, some of them, yeah. Ghosts used to be my speciality but there's a lot more than that out there, more than I can reasonably summarise. Monsters, usually."

[misbegottendreamer]

"Oh! Did you do any work in the upkeep of ancestral tombs? It's unusual for men-kind to perform such a duty, considering such tombs are closely guarded by merish families, but I suppose it's not unheard of!"

[ghostbullet]

"Oh, no, nothing that— uh, respected. I was a paranormal investigator. Ghost hunting. Trying to prove whether they existed or not, since most people in my world are more skeptical about it."

Which is grimly funny in hindsight of just how real all the supernatural is...

[misbegottendreamer]

"It's strange to imagine such a world. Were you successful, in finding your ghosts, muthsera?"

[ghostbullet]

Melanie laughs. It's not an entirely humorous sound. "Unfortunately! They weren't very nice ghosts."

[misbegottendreamer]

"Now, that does sound more like my world. The dead don't generally like being intruded upon, unless you're very careful in how you present yourself."

[ghostbullet]

"Yeah, I'm not sure there's a way to present to ours without pissing them off." A slight exaggeration, there's a lot of recorded phenomenon in the 'safe' ghost hunting locations that might be real ghosts that aren't as automatically hostile as others, but... she's not holding her breath. "War ghosts especially. They didn't take kindly to me being there."

[misbegottendreamer]

“Oh, yes. I’ve come into contact with those, only they’re not merely ghosts. They had their mummified bodies at their disposal, and they were rather displeased to find anyone in their catacombs.”