logsinthenight | EVENT LOG: ENTER MR SANDMAN (DEFENDERS)

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EVENT LOG: ENTER MR SANDMAN (DEFENDERS)

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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The creatures in the forest? Yes. I've spoke to some of the friendlier ones - they're intelligent enough to understand us, but they have a much different language. We were given instruments to communicate, but I haven't tried them.

If you mean the larger, green-eyed creatures that are attacking - I've seen them but I don't know just how intelligent they are. Even if they are animals, in a pack they are smarter than on their own.

[He reads those last two paragraphs a few more times. His need to protect literally everyone has gone into major overdrive the past few weeks and while he's exhausted, he can't let up.]

I can assist with that. Where are you? When do you wish to leave?

I tried the ocarina, but. It didn't work? It just made the spirits curious? I haven't tried it during the attack. Maybe I should.

I haven't seen the green eyed ones in packs, only the other ones. The green eyed ones, they. Seem to attack differently? I've been having a lot of really fucking strange thoughts when they're around.

I'm at the Invincible? By the front door, almost. You can't miss me, since I'll be the one wearing a-- you'll see. But I'll be leaving in about two hours. I can carry some of what I need, but. The water alone would slow me down too much.

Thank you.

The green-eyed ones do seem to be behind some of the stranger occurrences here. I'm unsure how long you've been here, but recently we were hallucinating - seeing hands puppeting everyone and hearing screams and voices of those back home. A few speculated it was caused by those creatures.

If they can manipulate our minds while attacking we're at a distinct disadvantage.

I'm on my way. I'm upstairs trying to maintain some of the barriers without going outside.

[He's been shooting balls of ice at the walls he created near some of the windows in an attempt to keep them frozen. When he comes downstairs he hopefully doesn't look as exhausted as he feels (he probably does), because there's still a whole lot of fighting ahead of him. Dressed in leather and metal armor, he's fiddling with one of his gauntlets while he tries to figure out which one of these people is who he was talking to.]

[Quentin is down by the front doors, as expected and promised. He's getting Eliot ready, strapping him back in to the travois and loading it with water and a few cans of food. Bundling him up against the cold with a blanket.

He's getting ready, struggling in to a too-large coat that he found and tying the quiver or arrows to his back when Kuai Liang comes down the stairs. Not that Quentin has any clue about who he's looking at or looking for, but he tries to remember the faces of everyone here. Just in case.

He tuts his way through the small spells needed to make this work even slightly, and busies himself packing up his bag with water, granola bars and more ribbed sheets for bandages. A bottle of vodka for wounds.]

[That looks about right, someone getting ready for traveling and packing up someone unconscious for the journey. He doesn't recognize Quentin at all, but Eliot he vaguely remembers from one of Cao Pi's town hall meetings about protecting themselves. He'd had some suggestions - unfortunate it looks like he can't act on any of them.]

Are you the one going to the armory? I am Grandmaster Kuai Liang.

Hi? Uh, yeah. I'm Quentin-- [a tiny pause before he gives a wry smile] I'm Super nerd on the network.

[He's almost done, the task of loading everything up isn't the hard part. The hard part is taking that first step away from the perceived safety in the Invincible. The crowd of people, that makes it seem like he isn't alone in this.

Frowning at the door, before he snaps his head back around to look at Liang.]

You said you'd help? Are you still-- do you still want to do that? Because I have more stuff, more things I'd like to take with me and I'm-- I can't really carry anything else.

If you're set on doing this, I'll assist you.

[He doesn't want to see anyone die unnecessarily, his need to save everyone has kicked into intense overdrive.]

How are you on water and rations? The armory doesn't have any on supply if I remember correctly. The defenses may be better than here, the door is sturdier - but there won't be as much to barricade with. Do you plan to set up in the lower target area?

I, uh, I have a little? About three bottles on me and only a few cans of food. If I put on this, it's just going to be that much harder to pull it.

[He glances down at the travois. It's already not an easy thing to drag through the forest, while still being able to either shot his bow or throw spells.]

I really just planned to get out there and see? I know there are other people there, and maybe. Yeah, make barricades and keep everyone safe.

[It's a crap plan, born mostly because there's no way Quentin is staying locked up with Crowley and because having all the eggs in one basket seems like too big of a risk to take.]

[He is questioning the viability of this plan.]

I see. If you plan to stand siege you'll need more than that. Once you are situated I can bring you some supplies from the store or here, I have made a few runs already.

[But he said he'd help, so help he will, gathering up what supplies he can for this little venture.]

Are you a fighter?

I'm not not a fighter?

[What kind of question is that? And Quentin glaces at his bow with a raised eyebrow.]

I can shot? But also, I have magic? I mean, I'm not a battle magician or anything, it's just that I've had to learn battle magic. For. Reasons. And it's helped me so far.

[Maybe it's reassuring, or maybe it's gibberish, but he's doing this and any help is so entirely welcome that Quentin sighs, shoulders slumping, and replies with all honesty.]

I could probably defend myself pretty easy, yeah. That's not the issue? The issue is keeping him safe, too [he points back at Eliot, all snugged up like a bug.] And pulling this thing.

[That's not really answering his question. Or well, it is but in a round about way that now he's not sure if this is Quentin asking him to be his bodyguard on this little excursion. ]

Battle magic is a start. We will see how far we can stretch it.

[He figures that if he were some sorcerer who could summon armies of undead warriors or shoot explosive souls, he wouldn't be asking for assistance. Kuai glances at Eliot, passed out and hopefully having a far more peaceful time than the rest of them. If only there was a way to wake them up.]

It will have to do. Let's get this over with, and get you both secured before another attack occurs. Once we're out they'll need to re-barricade the door here, so best to do it now when nothing else is trying to get in.

[No time like the present.]

Uh, right. Okay, so. If you could get those bottles of water? And the canned food? I got it from the general store, and I'm really not taking much.

[It's still heavy. It's still more things weighing him down and making the trip longer and that much harder. Having someone there, someone else who could fight. Or, well. Quentin hoped he could fight.]

I'm all ready to go.

[He could move some of the barricades with magic, but he might need it later. So, it's by hand and with a sharp nod to the people standing guard at the door. The unspoken of signal to let them through and to watch for spirits while they get to the street.

Dragging the sleeper and the few provisions he can, Quentin gets out and stops just outside, listening.]

I think it's okay? It's all quiet.

[Kuai grabs the indicated items, stuffing them in the pack he'd been using during the expeditions he'd been on. It was worn and battered, but it would do, he needed to keep his hands free if he wanted to be of any use fighting.

He inclined his head to one of them guarding the door, looking around before heading out. There's a loud shuffling sound behind them as the door is barricaded and then they're on their own.]

Probably plotting a better way to get at us. Repeated attacks in the same spots may wear us down but aren't going to be effective long term.

[No eyes are peering at them from the forest, which is a relief but also suspicious. Maybe they're already somewhere else tearing it apart: the armory or the village or the general store.]

Come, let's head out before they realize we're doing this. I don't know if they have to see us or if they'll smell that there's people outside.

Or hear us.

[Quentin whispers back, clipped words and he's going to stick with short sentences just in case, because there's no reason to sneak around if they're going to alert the whole town by being loud.

The travois rustles as Quentin drags it through the street, the bonfire is as bright as ever and there's nothing to hear but their own breathing and the crackling from the fire. Maybe there's a wind blowing through the trees, but every new sound still makes Quentin fist his hands together, tut ready and the spell on the tip of his tongue.]

If they wanted to kill us all, all they'd have to do is do nothing for a day and then hit us when we think we're safe.

[Relentless attacks are far better, at least they can take turns and rest a little. With no action, every time, the pace slows and the adrenaline runs out, leaving nothing but exhaustion behind.]

[That's one of the first things that Quentin has said that Kuai completely agrees with. If they had any battle tactics they'd cease the assault and wait for them to all pass out as exhaustion caught up with them. ]

We are fortunate they do not seem to be competent strategists.

[His eyes keep darting to Eliot, slumbering away as they drag him along.]

At least those who are asleep seem to be stable, and not starving while in a coma.

[It would have been a nightmare if they had to try and feed a bunch of unconscious people to keep them hydrated and fed. He's about to say something else when there's a rustling off to the left. Immediately he manifests an ice axe in his hand, peering into the forest for the green eyes that he expects. Nothing yet, but it's only a matter of time.]

[Quentin snorts softly and whispers back,]

You mean, we're lucky they're idiots? Well, yeah.

[Like the handful of them could have stood even a fighting chance if these things could think. Or, if they could think past must maim these things. They were outnumbered to a ridiculous degree. They didn't have maps, not accurate ones, and they were practically blind as soon as they stepped outside.

Yeah, lucky. Real lucky.]

Come on, this way. The bridge closest? Overrun. But we can double back and take the other one.

[It makes the time on the road a little longer, a little more dangerous in a non-specific way, but it really beats walking in to a pile of spirits, all just salivating at the thought of them. Or, so Quentin imagines. He's not even sure if the forest spirits can salivate. Maybe they're more like flies.

Ew.]

You don't know that. They could start dying from starvation tomorrow.

I'll take whatever luck we can get. There's a difference between being pragmatic and being pessimistic. The latter will lead people to becoming apathetic and that is the last thing we need.

[Or Kuai is somewhat of an optimist, though in times like this he's having trouble bringing that part of himself out. It all feels pretty hopeless.]

They may starve, but they haven't yet.

[Idly he flips the axe in his hand, waiting for something to charge them.]

We used to have several more medics, that would be helpful right about now.

[There's not much to say to that, because Kuai Liang is right. It is dangerous to get too pessimistic about things in a place like this, pessimism is the loss of hope and losing hope in the dark? Leads to bad things. It leads to hasty plans and foolish risk-taking.

So, he nods and eyes the path carefully as they walk away from the bonfire and the light, away from most of the town. And he snaps out;]

Who's life are you betting on that being true? I'm not taking that chance.

[With some of the others, maybe. Maybe he could look at the sleeping faces of people he doesn't even know, and in most cases, doesn't even know the names of, and see if their lights are growing dimmer. But not Eliot.]

Here? There used to be more doctors here?

Don't mistake my meaning as not caring. I don't want anyone to die, I'm only saying that as of yet they seem to be stable.

[Since they can't wake them up in any of the ways people have tried he's not sure what they can do other than hope they remain that way.]

Gene. Wade. There was a huge attack a few weeks after we all arrived when some ventured into the woods to hook Robin up to the network. Half the spirits attacked, the other half were somewhat catatonic.

Similar to this actually, but brought on by the foghorn in the lighthouse.

Yeah, everything always seems stable until they die. Again. We don't even know if they could back, if they die like this.

[Or, if they'd come back whole. None of the hasty spells Quentin had dared throw at Eliot back in the cabin, and the few ones he thought of at the Inn had had any effect at all. None of the detection spells worked either, and it was killing him.

What if the sleepers were never waking up? What if the rest of them were going to have to take care of this many people, every day, until the next reset came or the World Eaters ate them all.]

The foghorn made them attack? That's-- that's actually pretty useful information.

You're creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you think the worst, it is bound to happen.

[He knows. He's been there.]

It seemed to. Robin claimed she was trying to get them to stop, but they didn't attack until after the foghorn sounded. At the time we didn't know the spirits communicated by sounds like music, we didn't know what was happening.

There wasn't any foghorn this time.

[Quentin points out, helpful as always. And he does have hope, he wouldn't be out here, trying to get sleepers and supplies to the armory if he didn't have hope.

It's just, hope comes in different shapes and sizes, and right now, most of his is tied up in find a place to hole up and find a counter-spell for whatever is making the sleepers sleep.

Maybe it's a curse? Maybe they just need more water?]

You'd rather be caught by surprise than plan for the worst? Suit yourself. But my experience tells me, that whatever fucked up thing you think is going to happen? It's going to get way worse before it gets better.

I plan months in advance, it's how I stayed alive as long as I did. But you cannot predict everything, it will likely be worse than you could imagine.

The amount of times I've been caught by surprise is minuscule. What I am saying is that without some amount of hope, a bit of optimism, then you are simply suffering. Don't make yourself miserable without good cause.

[He nods to Eliot all bundled up.]

When he wakes up he probably won't want to see you in a constant state of panic.

It always is.

[Quentin hisses back, before he shakes his head and just--]

No, listen. Listen, things can get bad and they can get worse, but we need something better than just hope. We need to plan for this happening again. We need to plan for what's happening right now.

[He walks a little faster, getting close to Kuai Liang so he doesn't have to raise his voice.]

We can fight. There's a lot of us, who can fight, and we're all still just-- just jerking each other off and not doing anything. We're barely surviving. And that's today. What about next week? Next month?

I have hope, but I need more.

If you want to go into the forest to bring the fight to them and strike preemptively, you will find that there are many who would assist you. There are countless people who are itching for a battle without thoughts of the repercussions. If that's what you seek it would be easy enough to accomplish.

Have you been to the lighthouse? Tried to sail on the lake? Explored down the river to where it forks? There's plenty to do and many are doing it.

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