DAY 023

[allthekeys]

|| THREAT DOWN

|| DAY 023: GENERAL The chimes of the clock can be heard through the ruins, calling daybreak. The day dawns bright and clear, warm with not even a breeze to disturb the air. Belongings remain missing, and the guards continue to keep everyone from the Castle. The fog grows thicker in the forests outside the ruins; strange shapes seem to flicker through it, both the nightmarish stalkers that appear within the ruins and other shapes, twisted reflections of monsters real and fictional from an observer's world. || THE RUINS There seems to be a thin, barely visible layer of fog along the ground in the clear areas of the ruins, occasionally forming hazy patches in areas that see less traffic. Anywhere the fog has collected, anyone passing nearby will see figures lurking in the fog as if following them, watching; turning to look at them will find what appears to be figures from nightmares and fears - lost loved ones and feared threats, watching before turning to retreat back into the fog if watched. The apparitions continue to appear, as if following, the brief retreats only a false tactic to throw off suspicions. Mirrors and reflective surfaces of any kind show reflections of other possibilities, always as though something had gone horribly wrong; either apparitions of possible horrible deaths the individual may have avoided, or mockeries of themselves that have turned against everything they hold dear. With the emergence of daylight, the hunters dive back down into the depths of the river. Their shadowy forms can occasionally be glimpsed far below the surface, but they do not resurface again. In the Trading Post, Gilly is around, but is often elusive, wedging under the bed in the accessible room, in cabinets in the kitchen, and rarely behind shelves in the basement. The Jester sits in the study, still and seemingly unresponsive, without even a sign of life; his skin is pale and clammy, eyes glassy. He does not respond to anything said, and may attack anyone coming too close. As the day deepens those lost in the ruin will find themselves periodically growing tired, their heads beginning to nod as they slip into sleep; but sleep does not seem to be their only problem. What they dream seems to follow them out. Snatches of nightmares remain around them as they rouse. At first for only breaths, but as the day wanes, the figments of their sleeping minds seem to gain substance and form. Shadowy rats slip through the wreckage, never holding still for anyone to approach, but they can often be seen perched on high places, watching as though passing judgment. There will be a Nightmare Event in the second half of the Day; the OOC info post will be going up shortly for planning! After the nightmare event characters will get their belongings back.