TDM #8 - Harvest Havoc! [FINAL 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.

Comments

HERE WE GOOOOO

[ss_buttcrack]

This started out as a perfectly fine, pleasant and uneventful day. He should have known something would come along and ruin it. He just never considered that 'something' could be his extremely estranged ex-boyfriend. With... working eyes?

What?

He should turn around right now. He should walk the hell away. He just got over everything that went on between them. He was done. Finished. Out. And yet, his feet seem to be carrying him closer of their own accord.

"Arthur Lester how the hell did you end up here?"

Re: HERE WE GOOOOO

[lestercraft]

The look in those golden eyes, as they flick with prey-animal abruptness towards Crichton, is immediately obvious: a deer in headlights. How the fuck does this random asshole know his name??

But then he recovers and it turns into an unimpressed glower as he straightens stiffly. "I'd imagine the same way everyone else did. I died."

[ss_buttcrack]

Just the fact that Arthur has actually looked him in face, directly, is unsettling. And yet, hearing that he, too, has arrived with no prior memories is... a complicated kind of grief. If that is even the right word. This could be a fresh start, the second chance he desperately longed for once upon a time, but in his heart he knows that isn't true. He can't make the same mistake again.

"Yes. Sorry, you're right. We all died to get here. Some of us just took a longer way around than others. This is going to sound insane to you, but I've met you before. In a different world."

[lestercraft]

Despite being caught offside - or perhaps because of it - a sharp scoff escapes him at the assessment.

"If you actually know anything about me, surely you'd remember insanity is practically my bread and butter at this point."

But he actually turns to face the man properly, looking less actively belligerent for now. "But moreover I've only recently been informed by a rather persuasive source about the concept of- other universes with other versions of myself. So - I'm sorry. For whatever the bastard fucking did to you."

[ss_buttcrack]

Now it's Crichton's turn to let out a low scoffing laugh. He closes his eyes and sucks in a big breath through his nose. Steady. Steady.

"The other bastard fell in love with me and it ended badly for both of us." He puts up a hand, "Not looking to get tangled like that with you. That's not what this is."

Who ever thought an apology could taste like stale cigarette ash? Well, at least this Arthur seems more willing to self-reflect.

"There's going to be other people here who know our history. Didn't want you walking around unprepared for that. I put you through enough."

[lestercraft]

There's a slight frown, surprised (scandalised) before any other reaction can break through at the word love, but he quickly smothers it again to regard the man evenly.

"Well, I won't ask you to recount all the sordid details for me," he says, trying to pass it off as a joke, but there's just a little too much tension in the awkward smile. "But if other people are going to give me hell for it because they're friends with you, perhaps I at least ought to know what you know about me."

[ss_buttcrack]

Crichton was expecting more denial. His shoulders are as tense as can be already, waiting for an outburst that... doesn't happen.

"Once they realize you aren't the same one, they should drop it. If they don't, you send them to me and I'll tell them to knock it off." He doesn't think it will come to that but the offer is there.

"Arthur... I don't know if you really want me to answer that. I know a lot. But it's staying with me."

[lestercraft]

Well, it wasn't this Arthur, who's finally learned how to tell John he loves him. More surprising is the fact there's a version of him who doesn't hate himself enough to let someone else in.

But Crichton simply gets a supremely unimpressed look. "You've known me how long and you still think I'm going to be satisfied with that as your answer?"

[ss_buttcrack]

"I do know." God help him, he missed that fucking look. Even when it was aimed slightly to the left.

"Just remember you asked me this." Said like a man still expecting a punch to the nose.

...

"I know what happened with Faroe. All of it."

[lestercraft]

And Arthur looks like he's been punched, with the way he gasps under his breath and his eyes go fucking wide, mouth even falling open for a second before he gets himself under control, and breathes out tightly through his nose. Keeps his hands in fists rather than risk showing how they're shaking.

"Does anyone else?" Because he knows himself. Has experienced it himself, that one of the fastest ways to get him to hate a person is to share her name without his fucking say-so. "Who else here knows?"

[ss_buttcrack]

He swallows hard, and can almost feel the hands around his throat again. The last time he answered that question, he died for it.

"Maybe one other person here. But that's because the other you told her himself. The rest of the people who might know you wouldn't know anything more than you had a daughter and she died. Swear it on my life."

[lestercraft]

It's a painful exhale through the tension locking him in place like fucking lightning under his skin, shuddering and shallow. But even through his own veneer of- panic, distress, the ghost of fury - he can see Crichton, and the way he's clearly expecting a negative response.

It's hard, to remind himself he can be better than that. That Faroe would want him to be better than that.

Even with his lighter missing. Hard, but not impossible.

"I believe you," he says quietly, eventually. "Look, maybe we should find somewhere more private to sit and talk about this, if that's not the only thing he told you."

Because telling him about Faroe at all... that's an almost impossible level of trust, that this man had earned with him. And Arthur can think of a lot of other things he'd rather admit to first.

[ss_buttcrack]

Arthur's exhale reminds him to breathe again. He's still braced for violence, right up until the most mystifying words exit Arthur's mouth. I believe you. Now he's the one who has been stun-locked.

"Y-yeah. Sure. Uh. It's not. Sort of figured you'd be able to fill in the blanks." Because it's true, there were other secrets that came before this one. But they all pale in comparison.

"How about the inn? There's a pub in the front. I don't drink anymore but they make a good hot chocolate." Costs twice as much as the beer but it's worth it.

[lestercraft]

Arthur opens his mouth to reply - and then it snaps shut when his stomach makes an ungodly gurgling sound instead.

Christ, when was the last time he just got to sit and enjoy what he was putting in his mouth?

His cheeks are a little pink when he clears his throat. "That sounds- good, y-yeah."

[ss_buttcrack]

Crichton can't help but laugh, because it's so absurdly similar to what he remembers. The first day they met, Crichton fed the guy a chocolate bar that almost put him into a diabetic coma. (Admittedly, he was already halfway there after having so many grievous injuries.)

"Come on," Crichton says good-naturedly in hopes of downplaying the embarrassment, "Let's go grab something to eat. My treat. I'll show you the way there."

[lestercraft]

He huffs softly, but at least for the moment he looks less tense, and he gestures an arm for Crichton to lead the way.

"Thanks. I got- something of a tour earlier, but I must have missed it. A-and I'm not exactly with means right now..."

It's not charity, but it still feels like it.

[ss_buttcrack]

Crichton starts on the short march to the inn, but he can't quite stop himself from turning to look every few paces to make sure Arthur is still there. He's desperately resisting the urge to pinch himself.

"Don't worry too much about the money. New arrivals are taken care of as a general rule. Curious who gave you the tour, though? I can't believe they didn't show you one of the biggest hot spots in town."

[lestercraft]

[Continued in-game!]