Tales From The Northern Territories #10

[singmod]

TALES FROM THE NORTHERN TERRITORIES #10

Greetings, Interlopers! Welcome to another of your bi-monthly updates, known as Tales From The Northern Territories! The purpose of these little ‘newsletters’, is to touch base with players on how things are going within the game and the fallout of the event of the previous month. In addition, these updates will also provide some extra information on NPCs, along with any additional happenings that might be going on within the game — which may be hints towards the upcoming Test Drive Meme!

Before we jump into things, here are some dates for your diary for this month:

Activity Check — 1st - 5th
Test Drive Meme — 5th - 7th
Special NPC Interaction Event — 10th
CR Meme — 15th
Reserves — 15th - 19th
Applications — 20th - 30th


First up: some announcements / housekeeping:

CONTENT: April is a non-event month but there will be a Test Drive Meme this month, meaning that there will be an application round! There will also be a special NPC Interaction Event with Young Bill! Please read below for more information.

We hope you enjoyed your Playlist Meme last month! This month, players will have their bi-monthly CR Meme.

HOUSEKEEPING: I realise I'm releasing this early and it's still March, so just a reminder to submit your Aurora Feat choice here. It must be done by 11.59pm BST on March 31st!!

A reminder for players that we have both a Character Location Tracker for players to use to show where their characters are each month. I will link it here, but it can be found on the Areas Page. In addition, we have a Character Impressions Sheet for players to put down first impressions/basic general knowledge of characters that was created by one of our former players! While linked here, this can be otherwise found on the Navigation pages.

MARCH’S EVENT

THE AURORA, : After March, the opportunity to gain a new ability comes to an end. Enola goes quiet, perhaps caused by the Darkwalker’s interference with one of her attempts to encroach on her help. Nevertheless, she has done her best to help Interlopers in facing this harsh and unforgiving world as best as she can.

THE HUNTED, PART TWO: While Interlopers have a way of making a stand against Old Bear and managing to keep the creature at bay, its attacks on Interlopers will continue into April. Young Bill will continue to help Interlopers any way he can, with making spears for them and joining any groups out in the Lakeside area to help defend against Old Bear.

DON’T SLEEP: As the month of April begins, the creature that has been haunting and attacking Interlopers will cease its activities — meaning Interlopers can go back to their regular sleeping schedules. Or can they? Hopefully nothing got awkward.

AND NOW... THE WEATHER

DAYLIGHT: Midsummer approaches. There are no periods of night, with the skies only getting as dark as Astronomical Twilight for around five hours. Most of the day is spent in daylight. This becomes an increasingly difficult time for certain Interlopers with their new ability. By mid-May, there will be no Twilight and the world is bathed in daylight a full twenty-four hours each day.

WEATHER: There is a calm in the weather, generally. April and May will see less storms and blizzards, but snowfall will still very much feature in early ‘Spring’. The nights remain bitter, but days are less so. There are often periods of fog, so Interlopers should take care when navigating the world — you never know what might be lurking out there.

AURORAS: Middling frequency, which becomes low and the month of April draws to an end and the month of May sees a very low amount. When the Midnight Sun is upon the Northern Terrtories, one can perhaps hear the Aurora and see its effects on the world, even if they can’t see the Aurora itself.

NEW HAPPENINGS IN APRIL

WILDLIFE: Interlopers may note a surprising number of crows around Milton and other settlements where Interlopers live. The birds are not easily scared off and appear to be watching Interlopers with interest.

NEW AFFLICTION: Some days, Interlopers may feel as if they’re not quite themselves. It’s hard to really put this into words, but even Interlopers who feel the most certain about themselves and their identity and self will feel like something is off. You just… don’t feel like you.

SEISMIC ACTIVITY: Interlopers who have been in this place for some time have experienced this before, but plenty will have seen the effects of seismic activity in the Northern Territories. While things have been settled for some time, it appears that there’s a growing appearance of activity once again. Tremors can be felt intermittently. While not enough to cause serious damage to buildings, the ground is uncertain to walk upon at times, ice on lakes, streams, and ponds will crack and break unexpectedly. Interlopers may wake in the middle of the night due to the quakes, causing panic and uncertainty. Unsecured items will fall/topple over. The frequency and strength is low from around mid-April, but will grow as the month goes on and continue into May.

NPCs

METHUSELAH: Can be found out in the wilds of Milton. Young Bill has gifted him one of the spears to protect him against Old Bear, but Methuselah has been avoiding Lakeside for the most part. He’s an old man, after all.

He will return to Milton a little before mid-April. More new Interlopers are coming. He is still quite perturbed by the situation, and a little dismayed that more and more are being brought to this place again. Feast preparations will begin, and sure enough… more Interlopers will find themselves arriving into Milton.

YOUNG BILL: Continues to assist Interlopers with Old Bear. He will frequently be found at the Maintenance Yard, helping Interlopers craft new spears and teaching Interlopers with how to work the forge and general forging. When not at the Maintenance Yard, he will also accompany Interlopers in Lakeside on hunting trips or travelling in case Old Bear makes an appearance. He isn’t the chattiest of people, but he’s a helpful ally.

ENOLA: Enola has gone quiet. Even on Aurora Nights, she cannot be heard. Interlopers with Aurora Call cannot even reach her in terms of conversation, but they do get a sense of pain from her — like a low buzzing of static.

NPC INTERACTION: YOUNG BILL

There will be a new NPC Interaction with Young Bill in April, entitled ‘The Hunted, Part Three’ involving a stand-off/fight with Old Bear. A hunting party in Lakeside with Young Bill for company ends up being cornered by Old Bear, a deadly game of cat and mouse within a caving system and a fight ensues. Interlopers run a high risk of being injured in this event. This will be the final part of The Old Bear's arc in Singillatim's story.

There will also be a special item that can be obtained at the end of the mini-event. This item will grant Interlopers a new ability.

This will be a limited interaction, with only five spots available.

The following characters have been selected by RNG wheel:

Benton Fraser
Levi Ackerman
Rorschach
Levi Jordan
Randvi

Comments

QUESTIONS

[singmod]

Ask them here.

Re: QUESTIONS

[load_aim_shoot]

"There will also be a special item that can be obtained at the end of the mini-event. This item will grant Interlopers a new ability.

This will be a limited interaction, with only five spots available. "

Does this mean only the 5 characters who play out that mini-event will get that ability?

[singmod]

Sorry, thought I was logged in.

Yes!

Re: QUESTIONS

[satanicpanics]

can the crows be befriended...

MY PHONE KEEPS LOGGING ME OUT ON DREAMWIDTH

[singmod]

No, they cannot. Whole watching Interloper's with interest, the crows are keeping their distance.

(Sorry.)

[satanicpanics]

alas...thank u and may ur phone be kinder

Re: QUESTIONS

[wingbound]

Does/can the bear feat mitigate any of the likelihood of getting (more) injured in the bear standoff?

[singmod]

Basically, as it says in the mechanics guide: Interlopers with the Old Bear's Blessing Feat will be able to hold their own much better against Old Bear from Mid-March onwards and will be much more likely to survive a mauling/come out of a mauling less critically injured compared to others, or be able to fight Old Bear off from another Interloper being mauled.

Re: QUESTIONS

[wingbound]

Also: any foreboding omens or other unexpected consequences if someone tries to hunt and eat one of them not easily scared crows... hypothetically?

[singmod]

They Will Remember That.

[wingbound]

Which part of April (beginning/mid/toward the end) would the Young Bill interaction take place (ICly)? Thanks!

[singmod]

Towards the end of the month!

YOUNG BILL INTERACTION / THE HUNTED, PART THREE SIGN UP

[singmod]

Please fill out the following and reply to this comment:

<b>Player Name:</b> <b>Character Name:</b> <b>Contact:</b>

Re: YOUNG BILL INTERACTION / THE HUNTED, PART THREE SIGN UP

[dies_irate]

Player Name: Danii
Character Name: John Doe
Contact: yarnzipan @ plurk / disco

[solitarysoul]

Player Name: Cirape
Character Name: Levi
Contact: connectivetrick or nvrknwsbst @ discord

[lightschampion]

Player Name: Relika
Character Name: Alan Wake
Contact: Relika @ plurk and discord

[meadqueen]

Player Name: Tess
Character Name: Randvi
Contact: nonhoration, nonhoration on discord

[northerndragon]

Player Name: Elizabeth
Character Name: Jon Snow
Contact: detectivefiction @ discord/plurk

[friendsfordinner]

Player Name: Kates
Character Name: Cornelius Hickey
Contact: allikateor @ plurk/discord

[pursuitspecial]

Player Name: Priestly
Character Name: Max Rockatansky
Contact: Atompunk / PM / Discord (upon request)

[gildedlife]

Player Name: Ami
Character Name: James Fitzjames
Contact: amiasha, amiasha @ discord

[maintiensledroit]

Player Name: Lorna
Character Name: Benton Fraser
Contact: repeatandfade

[wingbound]

Player Name: Dem
Character Name: Levi Ackerman
Contact: jigglyballs, PM or melodyspectrum @ discord

[moralabsolutism]

Player Name: Shade
Character Name: Rorschach
Contact: Light_shade or .lightshade

[pythianwoman]

Player Name: Bri
Character Name: Zoey Westen
Contact: ThriceWiddershins

CHARACTER UPDATES

[singmod]

Did something happen lately that may have an impact on the game/community at large? Something that involved multiple characters? A fight? Maybe a building got set on fire? A character has gone out onto a new business venture? The Northern Territories are vast, but the number of people are small. Word'll get around fast.

Here's your section to mention it! This is entirely optional! Just fill out the form below!

<b>Player Name:</b> <b>Character Name:</b> <b>Content Warnings:</b> Are there any applicable content warnings related to this? <b>When:</b> When it happened. Is it still ongoing? <b>Where:</b> Where it happened. <b>Summary:</b> Summarize what happened! Provide links of threads, etc. for other players to be nosy at! <b>Future Plans:</b> Is there anything further going forward in regards to what's happened? Are you looking for other people to get involved? Let us know here!

Sansa Stark | Clothes and Mending

[clothed]

Player Name: Anna
Character Name: Sansa Stark
Content Warnings: none!

When: Throughout April
Where: Happening at the Community Hall

Summary: Quick note on the Milton Message Board; Sansa's offering her skills in needlework to mend or make clothes in trade for goods or salvaged cloth or thread. She can make Ye Olde Fashions to simpler, modern-esque clothes; very adept at winter-proofing all manner of clothes. Just let her know what's needed.

Future Plans: Hopefully making this a recurring thing going forward!

[brushoff]

Player Name: Kates
Character Name: Dorian Gray
Content Warnings: murder, corpses

When: middle of March to further onwards
Where: the church

Summary:
previously in Sing: Dorian murdered Roberto Robert via his lovely new darkwalker blessing, obtained his aurora call, and then proceeded to mentally monologue at everyone for the next three days. His bad?

currently in Sing: Dorian has put up a notice saying that hey, feel free to use the cellar in the basement of the church for body storage until the ground thaws. And hey, there's already a body there: poor, dead Roberto. If questioned, Dorian will say that he's got no idea what killed the man but he's guessing a stroke or something? He'll also say that Roberto's friend brought him over, but provide an annoyingly vague description of said friend.

This is just an update that hey, a guy died in a weird way, feel free to have your characters hear rumors/gossip about it—I'm also up for threading if any investigative types want to poke around a bit more!

Future Plans: As the details about how the Darkwalker's Revenge can be used for straight up murder aren't ICly known yet and Dorian himself will also be lying through his teeth, please no metagaming and figuring out that he killed this guy! He absolutely will be dealing with those quencies down the line and I don't plan for him to get off scott-free in the end.

No matter what, the 'church as the morgue' status is definitely going to continue through the future. Feel free to drop off your murdered NPCs here, Dorian will absolutely not ask questions.

General Store

[flambeaux]

Player Name: Tea
Character Name: Louis de Pointe du Lac

When: after winter
Where: General Store

Summary: After limited hours in the winter due to vampire SAD and It's Fucking Cold, Louis is maintaining regular (nighttime) hours at the General Store (Marché du Lac) again.

Future Plans: Nope, just an FYI from me

john irving & BIBLE STUDY

[extramuralise]

Player Name: gabbie
Character Name: John Irving
Content Warnings: religion, but not in any way that requires actual threading out! (unless people want to)

When: Saturdays & Sundays at noon.
Where: Milton Church

Summary: As advertised some time ago; this is still a thing...! I have yet to make an actual mingle for it because I wasn't sure if there would be interest (not necessarily in threading the religious discussion, but mingling with anyone else who might be there) but if there is then I am happy to do so! Otherwise it's mostly been handwaved.

Future Plans: As mentioned above, happy to make a mingle log (or recurring ones) if this is something people would like to engage with! If only to build CR in a lowkey-ish setting. I would probably provide each log with ~the subject~ of that weekend's discussion(s), which characters would be welcome to engage with (or not) however much they'd like to in threads, just to give things a bit of structure.

Re: john irving & BIBLE STUDY

[brushoff]

Dorian will donate snacks for Bible Study! He....probably won't attend regularly because he's a creature of darkness now and being up at noon sucks, but he'll at least donate whatever snacks he might have on hand.

[extramuralise]

awww THANK YOU DORIAN that is so helpful and surprisingly generous of you!! maybe they gotta figure out how to work an occasional night session into the rotation...

[brushoff]

ignore the fact that it's totally because he wants to build a good reputation so people don't ask too many questions about the body storage in the basement, he's just a good guy!!! a good, nice guy!!!

Wynonna Earp & Holland March | Saloon Opening

[pacificator]

Player Name: Lorna & Chase
Character Name: Wynonna Earp & Holland March
Content Warnings: Alcohol usage and general bad interior design decisions

When: March & ongoing
Where: The Post Office

Summary: Holland March and Wynonna have taken over the erstwhile Post Office in the middle of town and turned it into a saloon. The front area will be stripped of PO accoutrements and filled with small tables and chairs, with some cozy armchairs and a couch or two where people can hang out. Decor is townie bar meets wild west: shabby but cozy and heavily featuring items like antlers and woven rugs. You might get the feeling there would be neon if they could manage it.

The back area is now the de facto brewery/distillery/winery where March and Wynonna are making hillbilly wine and moonshine and storing any liquor or alcohol they come across.

Future Plans: Looking for people to help make stuff to drink! Mead, gin, wine, beer... help them build a still or drop off some home-brewing equipment or ingredients for flavoring or mixers. Also wanted: anyone interested in providing victuals for the new establishment. If you have other ideas, contact Lorna or Chase!