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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!
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Chris absently rubs the sole of one foot against the side of the other, wondering at the strange turn her dream has taken. She was following a glowing white figure through the town, and then felt the sensation of waking up, only to find herself standing in the cold.
|I wonder if I sleepwalked. I've never done that before.|
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Despite himself, his expression shows his dismay. He knows this version of Chris will be sharp enough to see it and yet he can't seem to school his expression as well as he once could.
With one trembling hand, he manages to methodically spell out |I believe what is happening is more serious than sleep walking. We are at my door. Come inside and I will try to explain.|
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She looks around the room that can been seen from the entrance, absently rubbing her feet against either the rug or each other in a bid to warm up some.
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|It seems unfair to leave you in suspense, so forgive my bluntness. I believe you may be dead, and somehow your spirit is visiting this body, which is not your original body|
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What he signs to her, though, she could not have expected. Her eyes go wide, hands rising to momentarily cover her mouth.
And then her eyes narrow a little, suspicious. She signs, |How can you be so sure I'm dead? You never asked my name. It's Chrysanthi, by the way!|
(She finger-spells it out quickly, the sign for 'flower' that she usually adds flashed a bit sloppily, almost an afterthought.)
|Even that silly tiefling Geoff would not pull such a cruel joke!|
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The way she finger-spells her name is the last nail in that coffin. He's looking at her almost as if he could cry.
|I don't mean to be cruel. Chris... I am that Bakers' boy. A boy no longer.|
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Her hands drop. Her eyes close, and she shakes like a leaf in the wind.
It takes quite some time before Chris can collect herself enough to sign: |How long have I been dead?|
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It crushes him to see her shaking like that, and to see his love's body shaking like that, too. He wants to put his arms around her for comfort but... he doesn't know if that would truly be a comfort to her right now.
To answer her question, he spells the current date out slowly, and then does the math for her too. (But this writer is bad with numbers so we'll pretend it's the right date without saying what it is.)
|I'm so sorry, Chris. I wish it were different|
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Chris stops again, takes a breath, then tries again |I don't understand why I'm here. How can I be dead and still here?|
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|They have the ability to channel the spirits of the dead. I think that is how. I do not know why. They had been missing for some time until tonight.|
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She's pensive. Nearly nine years in the future? Knowing that she doesn't live that long? What good will it--
Chris gasps suddenly, and claps both hands over her ears. She can feel/hear a droning hum and it seems to be getting louder or more forceful. She falls to her knees, unable to hear the cry from her own lips... just that awful pressing drone.
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|What?| he signs frantically. |Are you hurt?|
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"What's that sound?"
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|I don't hear it. I'm sorry. I don't know how to help.|
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"Peace, peace, I'm sorry. It wasn't supposed to be you."
Chris is the one who opens their eyes, grabs for Erik's hands, and says hoarsely, "My love. I'm sorry."
End~
"My light, you've come back to me. I've missed you so...so much."