EVENT LOG: ENTER MR SANDMAN (DEFENDERS)

[inthenightmods]

EVENT LOG:
ENTER MR. SANDMAN (DEFENDERS)

characters: those who signed up as defenders for the event
location: all around Beacon
date/time: november 16-29
content: the defenders attempt to drive off a spirit invasion
warnings: lots of horror! body horror, psychological horror, gore, violence, etc.. please cw all threads where appropriate! mods will do the same

in your closet, in your head.

It all happens in a matter of moments. Your friends, your companions, and even some people you aren't all that fond of; everyone who took so much as a bite of the spirits' feast suddenly collapses into a comatose heap. Which is bad enough already, but the worst, by far, is yet to come.

Before anyone can really figure out what's happened to the sleepers, the woods surrounding the town come alive with sound. Rustling, screeching, clicking, howling, and under it all, the characteristic hoots and whistles of the forest spirit tongue. But these aren't the friendly creatures that set up the banquet in the first place, and they aren't the familiar faces (or masks) from around Beacon. As they begin to emerge, bursting forth from the trees, these spirits reveal themselves as a horrifying army of terrors. And sprinkled among them, distinguishable by the emerald glint in their sockets, are the infamous "green eyes", the dangerous spirits that appeared once before.

Attempting to talk to these spirits is a moot point, made obvious by their immediate assault on anyone they get close to. They attack with claws and teeth, with limbs far stronger than they have any right to be, and the green eyes, as they are wont to do, will try to get into your head. Somehow, they seem to know what it is that scares you most, and they don't seem too hesitant to use it. It's not clear what they want— are they here to eradicate you? To frighten you? To send a message?

Whatever the case, one thing is very clear: you and everyone else, sleeping or waking, are in serious danger. Are you ready to defend Beacon?

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Comments

Cao Pi | open/closed prompts

[pure_havoc]

The Onset closed to Jason Grace

[The only reason Cao Pi is not one of the dreamers is a sheer stroke of luck. He came to the feast, mingled a little, and even got a glass of wine, but had not yet partaken of anything when half the partygoers fall on their faces. He hesitates with his glass to his lips and then dashes it away out of automatic prudence; his experience in the Han court makes him quick to react when poison may be suspected. But he doesn't even get the time to stop and check anyone for life signs or investigate, the spirits are already upon them, and the glint of green among the flashing eyes is why his pair of blades are drawn in an instant.]

Stop! Eat nothing, drink nothing, and turn around!

[he yells loud enough that hopefully anyone else lucky enough to have escaped coma will pay attention and defend themselves accordingly. Zihuan backs a few steps toward the nearest limp body and finds himself bumping against none other than Jason. What a good time to find out if the young Roman soldier is as good as his word]

What is this? Have they come to kill us already?

The Invincible Nov 16-21 open

[Ever since his infamous meeting Cao Pi has considered the Invincible to be their primary fallback. It doesn't mean they're safe, though, as the building is dangerously penetrable and there are still many who haven't quite gotten there. His first priority is to get the sleepers there, or at least make sure no one is left in the open, and after that he has to make the rounds, looking for people he knows have a head on their shoulders and can strategize. Fighters as well, even if they're just smart enough to get pointed in a direction wherein they can fight. He takes his turn at the windows on sentry duty, and will rush out to meet an onslaught if he has a good partner to help, but mostly stays on defense and works on coordination.

Is everyone accounted for? Yes? No? Let's go.]

Around and About Nov 17-20 and after an expedition with Quentin, open

[when he's too restless to remain on guard or lacks someone to talk to about refining strategy, Cao Pi takes his turn heading out to make the rounds of Bonfire Square, double- and triple-checking that no one has been left behind and offering himself as bait to draw the bloodthirsty spirits away from the Invincible or the church long enough to allow other people to slip out safely on their own errands. Basically this is a free-for-all that will definitely lead to spirit encounters. If he gets killed at any point then he's probably starting the whole thing over from the church.]

Green-eyed Terror anytime, open

[The green-eyed spirits using their abilities to prey on fears are really no fair. Walls can't stop that spiritual harassment, and even Cao Pi is vulnerable. What does he see? Why, every dark, shadowy figure outside the windows of the Invincible or approaching him while he's outside the building takes the form of a monstrous demonic figure or worse, gigantic horned serpent heads diving at him out of the woods. He keeps telling himself it's just like last time, this isn't real, but it doesn't stop him flinching every time the interplay of light and shadow fuels a hallucination and he thinks he's defending himself against the Hydra all over again.

At least he's not mistaking any of you for Orochi but he is awfully jumpy.]

Wildcard

[literally anything else I haven't already prepped for, especially good for if he gets killed and respawns in the church before the end or uh god I literally have no idea what else might happen so let's call that a wildcard]

[OOC: barring any unexpected deaths at the hands of the spirits, Cao Pi's general timeline is:
onset to the 21st - evacuating people to the Invincible, which may include time both inside the building and outside escorting evacuations
21-22 - going with Quentin to check on the Armory
22-end - returning to the Invincible to defend until the end, which may include going outside again to escort refugees.
Planned teamups your thread or mine, whoever tags first. Unplanned/wildcard tags, hit me here!]

green-eyed terror;

[mellowyellow]

[Masaomi approaches The Invincible with arms full of blankets. He can barely see around all that thick fabric, and so the last thing he should be doing is stopping before he makes it to the relative safety behind the inn's walls. That's exactly what he does though, when he spots a familiar figure also outside in the open.

Cao Pi does indeed look rather jumpy, and since his focus is in the opposite direction of Masaomi, the teen decides maybe he should say something before sliding up next to him.]

Woah, dude. What're you staring at?

[pure_havoc]

[Cao Pi still startles, though when he whirls around it's not with the intent to immediately stab whoever spoke. Masaomi's distance is smart, it saves him just in time]

Don't sneak up on an armed man like that!

[valid question though...] Spirits. If there are spirits. They're nothing to trifle with, if you need to get back to the tavern then hurry, don't wait around here for one to attack you.

[never mind that right now there's actually none to be seen, only his own perceptions of what form the shadows might take]

[mellowyellow]

[With each word out of Cao Pi's mouth, one skeptical brow rises higher and higher up Masaomi's forehead. Sure, he'd been keeping as quiet as possible in hopes that he'd go unnoticed by those monsters, but he's not sneaking up on anyone unbalanced as he is by a tower of blankets. There's also the matter of this dude telling him to hurry and get back inside while he stands around glaring off into space.]

You mean kinda like you're doing, huh?

[pure_havoc]

[yes exactly...wait. Frowning.]

I am armed, you are not. Unless you have some sort of clever plan for defeating murderous spirits with blankets?

[mellowyellow]

Well... I could always toss the blankets over their heads.

["Is that a thing?" Masaomi's expression silently screams, his desperate interest suddenly more focused. Would that work with even a single one of these disgustingly twisted monster movie horrors? Could he be any more of a comedic relief character right now???]

[pure_havoc]

[MASAOMI NO

Cao Pi has no reason to get all protective but he sort of does, for a moment. Blame the nerves.]

Don't. Just...get inside! We need the supplies, that was a good idea, but you shouldn't remain out here where they can get at you. Have you seen them? They are horrible...

[mellowyellow]

[Masaomi cannot argue with any of that. Those monsters are genuinely horrifying. There is an enormous difference between seeing a homicidal ghost on a television screen and experiencing the real thing with all five senses on hyper alert. He would be better off somewhere safe where he won't get in the way of the real warriors.

Knowing that doesn't silence the screaming in his head that demands he take action.

Rather than say that, Masaomi takes up a defiant, sulky glower.]

Why don't you escort me in, and we'll call it even? I'm safer next to you then anywhere else anyway.

[pure_havoc]

[can't argue with that kind of logic, even if it does mean someone else has managed to convince him to get inside rather than stand around staring at phantoms. Cao Pi uses his sword to gesture toward the tavern, still darting his eyes around at every little flicker of movement both real and imagined]

Go. I have your back.

[and he will, as soon as Masaomi moves he'll be a step behind, sliding along with his blade angled in defense]

Green Eyed Terror

[song_of_ice]

Easy!

[One of his hands go up to show he's not a threat, slightly undercut with his drawn sword in the other hand. As much as he wanted to put Cao Pi at ease, he wasn't going to sheath Longclaw and risk being caught unarmed by one of those green eyed spirits. He had his fill, the images they brought enough to haunt him for several nights.

And clearly he wasn't the only one who was rattled by them.]

You saw them too? The green eyed spirits?

[pure_havoc]

[ordinarily the sword would be a hell of an alarm signal, but in the present climate, it's actually a relief. The spirits attack with teeth and claws, like the demons he knows, but a weapon means a human and therefore not a threat. Cao Pi lowers his blade swiftly but likewise doesn't sheathe it - smart, Jon]

Ah. Yes, I did. They're everywhere. But I'm not certain that's the only thing I've seen.

[song_of_ice]

[Coming from a place of war, a sword unsheathed could be seen as a threat. Now, it was a sign of survival and intelligence. Two swords out against this threat meant a better likely hood to survive.]

There are others, less difficult than the green eyed creatures. Unless you mean some other beast?

[Gods, please not something bigger.]

We're stronger in groups, better not to go too far on your own.

[pure_havoc]

No, you have it right. They're dangerous, but I can still say less so than the ones with the green eyes.

[it says a lot, but he's only heard rumors that the green-eyed ones are the ones visiting hallucinations on them. How does anyone verify that fact, especially at a time like this? Best just to think them all a threat to be eliminated]

You're right, no one should...and yet... [yeah oops apparently Lord No One Go Out Without a Buddy went out without a buddy. Cao Pi rubs at his eyes with his free hand] I must have lost track of where I was going.

[song_of_ice]

Have they ever given you the visions?

[He wished that he knew what they were facing, what sort of threat this was and the level of torment they could inflict. It might be masochistic of him (and there were those who'd claim he was a fool for suffering), but it was better than not knowing.

Like so much else, he was approaching this blind.]

I lost my partner as well. He went off to the armory. [He nodded at Cao Pi's blade.] Did you already come from there? Maybe you were going back to whatever safe haven you made for yourself? Some people have reinforced buildings and are taking turns with patrol.

[Obviously not Lord Commander Loner]

[pure_havoc]

It is those, then? You're certain?

[just great. All the more reason to kill them if they can, but they don't seem the kind that are going to go down easy. Wonderful.

Cao Pi follows his gaze and shakes his head.] Pure Havoc is mine. I have been staying near the Invincible, but people continue to need escorts - for supplies, or out of some noble need to go and check on their friends elsewhere. [which he realizes after it's already out of his mouth that...he just described Jon, oops.]

...do you need a companion to go and hunt for him?

[song_of_ice]

As much as I can be without inviting them to attack me to know.

[He'd been lucky so far, but he had seen how others were responding after an attack. The madness, the horror of it, he wasn't going to chase after whatever it was they were seeing.

It's not an inaccurate description. He's always been a fool when it comes to these situations.] They're keeping away from the sleepers for the most part. I'm not as frantic to keep close to my friend.

No, I think he's going his own way now, otherwise he'd look for me too. [A pause.] You?

[pure_havoc]

[All the more reason to avoid any green pinpoints of light in the darkness. There's still no way to know how far away they have to be in order to still affect the minds of their victims.

Still, good to know, and he's going to be far less keen on jumping after every one of those shadowy snake-demons he sees that aren't really there.]

As long as I'm not needed to escort, I will stay close. I don't trust my vision right now.

I am so sorry -- I thought I replied to this and then apparently forgot!

[notthatjason]

There was the sound of several thumps and Jason looked up from his spot on the edge of the feast. He frowned as he processed what he was seeing. Several people who had been enjoying the festivities moments ago were now, well, down for the count it seemed. Jason pushed away from the tree, his hand twitching at the empty spot at his waist. Why had he left his sword in his room again?

Right, because so far nothing had come attacking and this seemed like the kind of place where weapons would be frowned upon. It was a feast from the spirits, right?

Jason felt a sinking sensation in his stomach. Something was wrong and every part of his demigod instincts and training was telling him to get out of there. A second later he hears Cao Pi's shout and a rustling in the trees caught his attention. Jason’s grip on his lantern tightened and while he doesn't have a weapon, he's quickly scoping the scene for something to use. Although, he did have his powers.

"I don't know, but we're in trouble with all of these people down for the count."

s'all good!

[pure_havoc]

Getting out would not be possible unless they abandoned the helpless, and even with his usual attitude problem, that was not Cao Pi's way. He barely threw a glance at the table before focusing almost entirely on the glowing eyes materializing in the trees all around them. "We're in trouble either way, but if we can't rouse them..."

For a fleeting moment, he hoped the lurking spirits wouldn't attack, at least long enough to allow those still standing to group themselves. But, no, of course not. Something flew at his head and then past him as he ducked. "Are you armed?" he demanded of Jason. "We need to stand firm. Get the others out of here before they become victims..."

[notthatjason]

Jason's eyes flash to follow the movement, his hands buzzing with unseen electricity. The first spirit misses, but that doesn't mean they're in the clear. Far from it actually.

"No. Didn't think I'd need it for a feast," he considers the last feast he attended -- the one in Ithica. Perhaps he should reconsider his policy about weapons and banquets, but back home they weren't supposed to bring weapons to places like that.

New place, new rules, and he just hoped he lived long enough to learn that lesson.

"I have my powers though...maybe I can use that to keep them back."

In response, the winds started to pick up a bit. If nothing else, this meant he could free his hands to carry one or maybe even two people, but he'd have to rely on Cao Pi's swords to take care of everything else.

[pure_havoc]

"Whatever you have." It's a borderline demand, beggars really can't be choosers right now and he will literally work with whatever Jason's got. The wind tugs at his long hair, enough to make him glance to verify that it's coming from his comrade and not just nature. Good? Good.

The first rush comes on, smaller and faster spirits clamoring to charge en masse. Cao Pi spins his swords on his wrists, plants his feet, and starts swinging, slashing at anything that comes within reach and subtly diverting them to one side or the other so they don't get at the people at the table immediately behind him. It doesn't take long to notice that they actually seem to be beelining for him, not the unconscious folks, which is...concerning. Especially since there are still larger coming on - larger and green-eyed.

[notthatjason]

It's definitely Jason. As the wind picks up it also pushes outward, forming a calm center around them and starting to whip and tug at spirits as they approach. He doesn't want to go too hard on the miniature cyclone he's summoning to encircle them -- after all there are still sleeping people nearby -- but he wants to push the spirits back as well and this seems like an efficient way to do it.

It does the trick and sends a few of the smaller, faster, and 'bitier' spirits flying back into the trees. However there are still the larger ones to worry about. By that point though Jason has also picked up on the fact that the spirits are not necessarily going towards the more vulnerable individuals around the table. Jason bends down and picks up one of the collapsed figures, hefting him without much trouble.

A spirit comes skittering across the table and Jason sends a stronger gust of wind at it, slamming it into another.

"Is it just me or are they leaving the bodies alone?"

[pure_havoc]

As much as he usually doesn't give sorcery proper credit, Cao Pi has to admit this is pretty handy. Watching the smaller, weaker spirits get flung back into the trees is delightfully satisfying, and lets him focus on the larger shadows lurking just beyond the cyclone. This whole thing is about to get very messy and it's not a good idea for anyone unarmed - or unconscious - to remain out here at the table.

"You're right," he says over his shoulder, not taking his eyes off the glint of green off to the left. "I suppose those of us still standing pose enough of a threat. That might give us a chance. Move, and I'll cover you. Get them to the tavern."

He shuffles over even while speaking, putting his back to Jason and preparing to serve as a pointy wall to stop anything that comes in for the attack.

[notthatjason]

Jason finds it interesting and later he'll have time to wonder about it. It goes against the laws of nature he's familiar with. Usually an enemy or a predator is going to attempt to go for the more obvious weaker target. Their fallen companions were sitting ducks and yet Jason caught a glimpse of one spirit purposefully skittering around someone further down, slumped over a plate.

It made no sense, but there was a lot about this that didn't and Jason was just determined to ensure they made it in one piece.

Jason bent down and hefted the nearest person onto his back. He was strong and possibly could have carried a second person, but he also had to move and if they were leaving people alone anyway then maybe it would be okay. His stomach twisted at the idea, but he didn't have a lot of choice. Especially with another spirit wave coming. Jason took a deep breath and increased the wall of wind in front of them. If Cao Pi was going to cover the rear, then he would handle the front and blow their way through.

[pure_havoc]

He's got the rear, all right, and for every step Jason takes forward with the wind, Cao Pi matches him, backing along at the same pace and slicing briskly at anything that leaps into his path. And there are quite a few of them, some dropping down from the trees into the eye of the cyclone, others big enough to press their way in. It's difficult to fight while backing away, but Cao Pi isn't going down easily. He alternates between using his blades separately and joining them into the single version, whatever he needs to be able to combat whatever comes at his face.

It's as if the sight of someone actually fighting back is their signal to attack, more and more start swarming. It's not far to the Invincible but if they're going to have to do this multiple times, well. Time to spend a little more energy in the hopes it'll hold them off longer. Splitting Pure Havoc into two swords again, he jams the tips into the ground and concentrates. It takes a few seconds for something to happen but then it does, ice crystals erupting from the earth several meters away and ripping into the foremost line of spirits. He's not going to be able to do that again for a while but it's a satisfying way to buy them a brief period of breathing room.