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text post; un: peerless_hobo

[backdated to Jan 25 because time isn't real]

With February almost upon us, I wanted to share some of the information I've gathered from other Sleepers, so that hopefully everyone will have more forewarning about the coming weirdness than they did last year. If the information contained in this post doesn't match up with your own experiences, or if you have more information to offer, please don't hesitate to leave a comment below! The books in the Archive might help, but ultimately our most reliable source of information on dealing with Trench is each other.

So! Last February a male humanoid of variable appearance (one correspondent described him as "massive like an elephant") appeared in Trench, offering chocolates of a magical nature in exchange for drops of Sleeper blood. These chocolates are reported to have unpredictably mutagenic or psychoactive effects; one correspondent reported that the chocolate they received caused them to painfully grow a set of antlers, while another stated that some of the chocolates could drive the ones who ate them into an involuntary murder spree.

It is further reported that this person or entity is able to exert a psychic influence on Sleepers, compelling them to make the trade for its wares. At this time there is no known way to resist this compulsion, so I must once again ask that anyone who has successfully done so, or has an actionable theories for how it may be accomplished, to please write into the comments below. I will of course be updated this post with new information as it arrives.

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[well that's a reason to pencil "staying inside" for the rest of the month. or at least use lamps as much as possible, don't take walks for relaxation or rumination, avoid strangers (particularly male humanoid strangers) and stick to work and home. that's it. that's his input and he knows it isn't helpful, but he'll be following any suggestions that seem reasonable.]

A giant magical creature giving out chocolates that have unpredictable properties? That seems like something we should get ahead of and stop before it happens. Maybe start a patrol or have people not travel alone.

Agreed. Even if the patrol falls under the distributor's influence, they will hopefully be able to provide more information about the chocolates and their effects, which may assist others in avoiding it altogether.

[Did he just volunteer himself? Whelp it looks like he volunteered himself!]

The first step, of course, is to assemble a squad of volunteers. Interested?

If they're in pairs there is a chance that it may only be able to affect one individual at a time. And someone else would be able to keep them from consuming it as well.

[Caitlyn hadn't thought about it really, but then she didn't have much else going on. And it was work she was familiar with.]

Sure. My name is Caitlyn Kiramman, where should I report?

True, although depending on how many people are interested in helping it might be beneficial to try approaching the chocolate distributor ourselves, in order to make a proper record of his abilities and the effects of his wares.

Not saying we should run out and find him right now, of course, just that it's something to consider. Anyway, I appreciate your enthusiasm, Ms Kiramman. You can call me Shen Yuan. To begin with, why don't you IM me a copy of your weekly schedule and a brief summary of your combat abilities, and I'll work out a patrol schedule?

[The next part of his message @'s everyone participating in the thread:]

If everyone willing to pick up patrol hours could send me a copy of their weekly schedule and a summary of their combat abilities, that would be great.

[ooc: No need to actually do that, it's just the kind of phrasing Shen Yuan would use. I'm down to jump straight into an action thread after this where they meet up at the Sanctuary or something similar, if you're up for it <3]

Creating a catalog of effects and sharing would be helpful, especially if not all of them are harmful or disruptive. And perhaps approaching him we could resolve a peaceful a solution.

[Shortly after she'll send a breakdown of her schedule which was pretty open at the time, as well as a full resume of her training and time as an enforcer for Piltover; making special note of her marksmanship.]

I agree with you! I think everyone should buddy up in case something awful happens.

( of all usernames, had to pick that one, huh? uuuughhhh.)

Edited 2023-02-01 18:47 (UTC)

(It was the first to come to her head)

It's always good to have someone you can trust to watch your back. Who can go get help if you need it. Or talk you down.

[just jumping in with both feet, for a multitude of reasons.]

You down for a patrol partner? That's me seconding the idea, by the way. I'll always take an extra patrol.

[that username. well. so much for the times she tells herself that maybe it didn't matter - maybe she was making more of it than there was. she's unable to stop the flood to her cheeks - and if she weren't blood bonded to her sister, maybe that wouldn't be so frustrating.]

That's some user name you've got there.

(don't get angry, don't get angry.

because if she expresses any hint of anger, her sister will know she saw this. but unforuntely, jinx isn't the master of masking her feelings. so vi will get a sudden spark of rage but it quickly washes off elsewhere. like a sudden breeze hitting someone's face after stepping out of their home. and similar to the wind, it dies down after it waves through the plants and trees. will the gust pick up again or subside?)

If you think it would be alright. I still think we seemed to work pretty well together.

[The username was all she could think of in the dark hours after arriving. She wasn't really sure what she had left, but Viktor had told that Vi was there, as was Jinx. Being a part of Piltover's finest wouldn't have much bearing, and anything with Kiramman was out of the question for the time being.]

Really? Someone told it was fitting, because I'm so sweet.

How have you been?

I think it'll work just fine. We will. [wait, wait.] As a patrol team. Having each other's backs and all that. You know.

[is she a little flustered? yes. but she reels that in, rolls it back and clamps down on it hard. she can do this. she can be chill, she's done it before.]

Oh, really? That someone must've been really good at naming people, 'cause I think they were onto something.

That's a ...good question. Do I gotta answer it? [she has a few versions she can give. but she'll deflect.] What about you, I could ask the same thing, you know. And I could also ask you another thing.

[but not here.]

[Did Vi still have doubts, were they still oil and water to her? In a way she can't help but let the disappoint through in her voice just a bit.]

Yes, a patrol team. Of course.

You don't have to answer if you don't want to. Though choosing not to answer is kind of telling. I'm getting my feet, luckily a friend of a friend has offered me a place to stay for a bit. We've never really been close but Victor is a good guy and his work with Jayce has been amazing.

What else could you ask? [About Jinx, about the council?]

[vi has concerns, but they're not the ones caitlyn might think she has. and that disappointment cuts in - she's glad this is voice, not video. she can keep her cool vocally, even if she's (always) a bit spun around.]

Maybe I don't wanna answer because I've been doing so great I can't put it into words? [that just sounds like bullshit, but hey, it's humor with a side of bullshit. (or the other way around)] Viktor's great for that, for helping someone find their footing. For helping in general.

Hmm. I. Maybe... not out in the open, because it's personal.

private

It's ...about Jinx.

[if she's going to be a straight shooter with jinx, she owes the same to cait.]

I know that she's here already.

[She luckily hadn't come across the other, so she wasn't sure if Jynx was aware that Caitlyn was there. But given the lack of threats so far, she assumed that was the case.]

Or is there something else?

oh, i remember him

i ran into him last year. his candy made me really paranoid. it also made me start singing. i ended up getting corrupted enough to turn into a beast from it.

i don't know how you'd resist, though

Thanks for writing in. Just for the record, did you have more than one piece of chocolate, and if so how many? Do you remember what they tasted like?

Sorry you went through that. The whole beasthood thing...it just sounds awful.

i had a whole lot, i don't know how many because after a few my memory started getting really bad, too. i think my body changed some, too? but i don't know if that was the corruption setting in or the chocolate

it was. i was just glad i'd formed a bond with someone so they could pull me back

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