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ph_memes2024-10-12 03:11 pm
TDM #8 - Harvest Havoc! [REPRINT]
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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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!
no subject
Chris keeps a firm hold on Lev/Lyubov and takes a few more steps. There's no outward sign that they do feel the cold -- at least, no hesitation or flinch from Chris. But the exposed skin does seem rather red and flushed.
"To save thee the worry, however, we'll make for home. Freeman's home, to be clear, as I know not which of these houses is thine."
no subject
Lev/Lyubov peers at Chris with renewed worry. Their whole manner is different. Forceful — not that Chris is weak or yielding, but Chris is subtle and tactful, and careful. They have to be, Lev/Lyubov muses, as a medical professional. Much like Anzu has to. They'd always thought Chris and Anzu shared something subtle but key in common, as far as their attitudes went.
But this strange autumn twilight Chris, standing barefoot on the frozen ground still clearly gives a shit about others, fundamentally, enough to take stock of Lev/Lyubov's condition, enough to insist on help. So whoever their friend's turned into (or whoever is borrowing their friend's limbs and tongue), they can't be that dangerous.
"Um, sure?" they say. "I mind not. I've visited Chris before, I'm sure that like, they'd mind not none, neither. But ..." they pause, and cock their head to one side, studying not-Chris-in-Chris's-body with wary curiosity. "Know'st thou who I am? Nu, mind thee, I ask from sheer nosiness. I shall take not no offence, if thou know'st me not from a hole in the ground."
They let themself be guided onwards, holding on to Chris's arm for steadiness. Having to speak, having to stop and think has revealed to them just how tired they really are.
no subject
The two walk on a few more paces.
"As for thy name, Freeman has spoke to me of friends made here. Art thou Lev? As Freeman explained it, a man ought address thee as a man, and use that name. Do I understand correctly?"
no subject
"Order? Nu like, I suppose the Law is orderly," Lev admits, following not!Chris. "And like ... yes, thou recall'st correctly, and Chris relayed my wishes faithfully. And thou'rt definitely not Chris, then, not even like, a Chris with amnesia or under some illusion. Since like, they're definitely not a man."
He pauses, and when he finally speaks, he speaks quickly, as though trying to get ahead of his own second-guessing.
"So like, who art thou? I can't imagine Chris like, getting so sloppy as to let some rando posses them. So thou must be someone they trust. Or like. Or maybe like, both."
no subject
Chris Freeman's little house comes into view -- windows dark, though two little red eyes watch the street (the Phantump, Rowan, waiting anxiously within).
"I am Ahri'ahn, once a prince of ancient Atlantis, and I have lived for over a hundred thousand years. Sorcery is my birthright and the main subject of study I indulge in. If my name is a difficulty for thy tongue, 'Arion' comes close enough and seems simpler for most to say."
Lev/Lyubov may recall, back in July, that Chris mentioned trying to get in contact with 'an old sage' who lived during what they called 'the Ninth Age of Magic' and how difficult it was given the barrier. The issue in contacting said old sage has been, it seems, somewhat resolved -- since here is Lord Arion occupying Chris's body on this side of the barrier.
(He's here to have a look and offer up some advice... the magics Lord Arion could wield in life will not be accessible to him while within Chris's body. For one thing, different world. For another, Lord Arion is dead. For a third, Atlantean magics require Atlantean ancestry to access, and Chris isn't of that blood.)
no subject
Lev does recall the name, but the answer still startles him. Not so much that he doesn't follow Arion into the house, but enough to — however briefly — unsettle him. Oh sure, he's been around dread immortal figures of legend, but unlike Anzu, he's never quite gotten used to it all.
"So the barrier permits the dead of other places?" he says, without thinking. Then his brain catches up to his tongue and he clarifies, sheepishly, "as in like, not those of Mortanne's choosing. By ... invitation? Or made'st thou a separate agreement?"
Not that it matters, maybe, but he's always been nosy.
"Expect'st thou to find aught in specific or like, is this ... uh," he casts about for the expression, before settling on, "er, just like, a friendly, informal visit?"
no subject
The front door is unlocked, as they both can see when Arion tries the doorknob. Arion ushers Lev inside and then closes the door behind them both.
"Our expectations lowered each time by the sheer number of failed attempts between us, and so this visit is both unexpected and informal. I shall write down that which I observed before releasing this body and returning to our world, so that Freeman will have at hand what information I was able to glean." He glances down at his feet, and wriggles the flushed, stiff toes that have been so poorly used on this cold night.
"I find myself uncertain as to the purpose for their bare feet, but if thou insisted upon my speculation, I wouldst call it a measure to preserve some awareness of their physical body on their part. Or perhaps to ground themself to this reality by contact with the literal ground." Arion-in-Chris gives a sigh. "I feel not as keenly in this borrowed flesh, but I ought not treat their body unkindly. Let us build up a fire to warm ourselves, before either ventures out into the night again."