Tales From The Northern Territories #2

[singmod]

TALES FROM THE NORTHERN TERRITORIES #2

Greetings, Interlopers! Welcome to your second 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’s some dates for your diary for this month:

Activity Check — 1st - 5th
Test Drive Meme — 7th - 10th
A Super Secret Thing — 10th
IC/OOC Meme — 15th
Reserves — 15th - 19th
Applications — 20th - Month End


As a reminder, there will be no event this month. Players may still play out from the November event, or create their own open post for more general posts. They can also use TDM prompts in their opens posts, too!

There will also be no CR Meme this month, instead you will get your bi-monthly IC/OOC Meme!

Due to the holiday season, dates for the Test Drive Meme, Reserves and Application round have been shifted slightly earlier in the month.

Finally, there will be no Activity Check for the month of December meaning you will not need to post AC 1st - 5th of January. You will, however, need to Check In — please use the appropriate form on the AC Page! This will not apply to players who need to clear a Strike this month, they must submit AC as normal.

With that all being said, without much further ado, let’s get into things! Here’s your December Tales From The Northern Territories!

NOVEMBER'S EVENT

Whiteout Congratulations on surviving the storm! While the weather continues to be pretty bad as the worst of the winter sets in, with freezing temperatures and blizzards becoming more frequent — there’s nothing quite like the November storm. That’s something, at least.

The Ghost Stag The spectral being will no longer appear in the month of December. Whether it was meat or the fur gift you received, the stag hopes you use them well.

Rest My Weary Bones The hot springs will continue to be a permanent fixture in the game, and free for players to use as a location. The Milton section on the Areas Page will be updated accordingly in due course.

NEW HAPPENINGS IN DECEMBER

As mid-winter approaches, the nights are long and incredibly bitter — with half of the day being complete night, and no actual period of daylight. Instead, the sky is only getting as bright as civil twilight. Blizzards and periods of heavy snowfall are far more frequent, and the temperature can be noted as dropping into double digits in the negative — particularly at night.

Unnaturally decaying or dead flora and fauna can be found around the Outskirts and wilds outside of Milton. Animals will be found with what appears to be burned hides and flesh — although the burns appear to be more like some kind of acid burns than burns caused by flames. Vegetation will look similar in state, as if it has been burned and rotted away. There will also be huge and deep tunnel-like trails through the snow, but it will be difficult to track — and the trails will lead far out into the wilderness.

While it appears the ghosts that first appeared during September have just about completely disappeared by the time December rolls around, with only a handful of faint ones remaining, on Aurora nights during the latter half of the month, there can be a voice heard through the electronics — through TV or radio static, through the hum of lights or computers. Sometimes it sounds as if it hangs in the very air above you. It is not the Voice that Interlopers have been troubled with since arriving, but a woman’s voice. It is difficult to pick out anything she might be saying, but those paying close enough attention might be able to pick up the woman’s voice uttering the names of Interlopers, or the word ‘help’.

Sightings of boar tracks can be found around the Outskirts and town of Milton from around mid-December. However, these tracks seem to be bigger than any boar you’ve ever seen in your life. They’re bigger than any footprint, or of any animal track. These tracks will be impossible to follow.

NPCs

Methuselah Following the storm, Methuselah has left the town once more to return to his usual life. Interlopers can still find him out in the wilderness, should they have ventured out, and he has always been happy to share his fire, food and company with them. He will be anxious about whatever’s killing the plant and animal life, and will share any information of what he has heard and seen with Interlopers: the sound of thunderous grumblings to the north-east, and the sound of something huge moving the snow in the night. He will also be trying to track down something to help the Interlopers.

Once more, close to the middle of the month, he will be returning to town. His sled will be loaded with fresh deer, rabbits and fish he has hunted, along with foragables he has collected. There is less this month, and he is apologetic for it. He will be returning to the Community Hall, and will once again start preparations for the next feast. More Newcomers will be arriving, and he will ask for donations from Interlopers in terms of food or time.

In addition, on the morning of the Winter Solstice, Methuselah will be holding a small ceremony of sorts to welcome in mid-winter and the turning point towards summer. A huge bonfire will be built in the center of town, and set aflame to keep Interlopers warm — and Methuselah will offer a short speech:

“The midwinter is upon us. The darkest time of the year, as if the sun has long forgotten us. A time often of sorrow and feelings of hopelessness, despondency, solitude. It is only too easy to fall to these feelings, when the light seems so very far from us. Here is the silence, the Quiet.

And yet… you are here, around this very fire. Man has long known the cold horror of the long night, and yet persists. You have persisted.

There are forces here that do not wish for your presence here. I, too, have heard it, the voice that speaks to you. Interlopers you may be, but I do not see you as such nor shall ever I treat you thus. I hope, in time, you may finally return home — safe and well.

The darkest time is here, now. But the light comes. Think of that, hold onto it. Do not crawl into the quiet.”

Bring some food along, or perhaps some entertainment and spend a while amongst friends. Perhaps use the occasion to exchange holiday gifts. All will be welcome.

Comments

[ployboy]

Thank you!