text | un: younghuman

[terriblepurpose]

[content warnings: thalassophobia, prophecies of doom]

Citizen-Sleepers of Trench

My name is Paul Atreides. Some of you know me. I am a paleblood disciple of the Pthumerian mysteries, a fellow Sleeper, and I have been granted a warning.



I have seen a leviathan, an immense blood-corrupted marine beast, bound for the shores near the city. It arrives in one lunar month, and when it does, I've seen some of you fall in its path.

I have no evidence for this claim except my word, and I have no intention of using grim portents or tidings of doom to frighten anyone into belief. What I see is in flux, changeable, and if you choose to deny this warning, you're not wrong to do so. This is not a prophecy, and I won't ask you to take what I say on faith.

What do I ask, of those who believe me, is that we kill it first.

The Leviathan

I have observed the beast's approach and its attacks, and these are my preliminary findings and theories on what it is, and how it dies.

• The beast is a shapeshifter, altering its form to attack and defend. It seems to rely only on aquatic and amphibious life as the sources of its abilities and shape. My current theory is that it exists across multiple states simultaneously, and manifests different parts of itself as adaptation to threats and its environment.


• I believe it has some ability to perceive the future, or to react so quickly that it appears to. Through observation, I've determined that this has limits, and these are the limits we will exploit.


• The nature of the beast makes further description difficult, but I estimate its size to range between 60 to 120 meters depending on which aspects of itself are active.


• Sufficient concentration and variety of attacks against it prevent the leviathan from adapting out of harm's way. Accomplishing this will require, at minimum, several coordinated teams of combatants.


• Killing the beast will be possible through cumulative effort. Despite a larger than usual capacity to absorb damage, the beast remains a corporal living organism. In brief: if enough of it bleeds, it dies.

What We Need

Taking on a beast of this size and complexity will require advance planning and preparation. The following is a list of what I believe should be organized for that purpose.

• Logistics: The first step will be establishing the base camp for the operation on the beach, at a remove from where the beast will emerge. After the camp is built, it will require regular supply and maintenance.


• Divination and reconnaissance: Intelligence gathering on the beast. Due to the difficulties of reaching the open ocean, I believe we will have to rely largely on blood magic and other forms of non-mechanical surveillance.


• Medical corps: Injuries are inevitable, and will exist across a wide spectrum of possibilities, so a diversity of medical and healing approaches will be needed


• Combatants: This will be a dangerous battle. Consider that before you volunteer yourself for it.


• Command and signal: Central command will coordinate the above efforts, create our strategic, operational, and tactical plans, and run communications through base camp.


What We Do

This vision came to me, but this isn't my fight to lead. I know that together, you have overcome worse threats than this, and I have no doubt you will do so again. I have no intention of disrupting your methods or insisting that my own be followed over them.

What we will do is no more and no less than what you all already have done every day since your arrival here: work together as a people to protect your city, your allies, and yourselves. Before us lies a challenge, but it's nothing that can't be overcome. If I ask only one more thing of you, it's that you do believe that.

A wise man once said that dreams make for good stories, but everything important happens while we're awake. They may call us Sleepers, but this is the Waking World, and while we may have to fight and bleed for the fate we choose, we will choose it.

The Next Steps

I invite you to ask me any questions you have. I'll answer what I can, beginning with the first I anticipate: those I've seen in the dream, I am warning personally.

Otherwise, prepare yourself as you best see fit if you intend to join this hunt. Construction of the camp will begin shortly on the Farther Shores. If you want to speak with me in person, that's where you'll find me.

[This is the kick off post for the Fated Leviathan player plot. You don't have to have commented over there to participate, although you're welcome to do so if you'd like to. (Additional people being added to the visions is also still on the table, whether seen by Paul or others.) Feel free to thread with other characters about the plot here as well - consider it an open forum for discussion.

Timeline wise, this post goes up shortly before Paul sends out the individual warning messages, and all individual warning messages are private and locked.

I can be reached at terriblepurpose or via terriblepurpose#0419 on Discord, as well as through PMing this journal, if you have any questions/concerns/plot ideas.]

Comments

to un: bad.apple

[terriblepurpose]

Do you remember when we talked about fixed vs unfixed predictions? This one is unfixed.

[laniidae]

And are you putting yourself in the center of this one, or standing just to the right of it?

to un: lothrat

[terriblepurpose]

This isn't how I prefer to meet people.

Text

[ezra_of_lothal]

What, prompted by vision? These things happen.

You're Paul, right? I'm Ezra.

to un: scifo

[terriblepurpose]

1. Has your blood shifted back yet?

2. We could use you in central command. I want you to think about that.

text; un:scifo

[thinkfirst]

[ This is so much to take in. Flynn reads it several times with the intensity he'd read any briefing from Ioder, takes scrawling notes at the little desk tucked into the corner of their room with a frown stuck hard on his face. He needs to gather his thoughts about all of this before responding. It takes a bit. ]

1. It has not yet shifted back, no, and there's something you should know about that, in light of all this.

2. Anywhere I am needed, you have my sword and my support. Are you alright? I do not know if your visions work anything like mine, but this cannot have been easy to watch or to coordinate. You say we have a month? Do we know if the city has ever faced anything like this? I can look in the archives for any sort of past evidence.

to un: merlinus

[terriblepurpose]

Have you seen any signs? I've tried asking some of the others, but they've been predictably vague.

[unsheathedfromreality]

One fish for each day until the creature arrives, each more deformed than the last. I mislike reading an omen like that alone but it confirms what you've already seen.

Examining them in more detail might yield more but I'll need a witness or two with me.

to un: deku

[terriblepurpose]

Before you do anything: do you trust me?

[wannasmash]

...Why are you asking that?

[ Crap. He was doing something. He was putting on his jacket, picking up his Omni, and wondering what was the best way to ask where Paul is at the moment. ]

to un: tabris

[terriblepurpose]

I see what you meant about your soul.

[peripheries]

...huh?

to un: portopia1983

[terriblepurpose]

I apologize for introducing myself to you this way.

[forwantofahorse]

Let's see. Precognition, a kaiju attack, and the general tone of regret.

I'm guessing I'm in danger?

to un: r.becket

[terriblepurpose]

Are you a soldier?

[righthemisphere]

[A loaded question and he considers himself retired but in the face of all this he doesn't split hairs. He was. He can be, again.]

Yes. What's the plan?

to un: clickclickboom

[terriblepurpose]

Forgive my presumption, but are you the Ruby Rose of the safehouses?

Text UN: ClickClickBloom

[onekindsoul]

Forgiven for what ever that is.
But that's me. The one and only- I think.

Is this about the huge monster you mentioned on the network.
Because oh my GOSH that sounds amazing!

Please tell you're looking for help. Please tell me you're looking for help!

to un: countrymouse

[terriblepurpose]

I know this may sound strange, but can you affect the weather?

[yuordevil]

why.

to un: charon

[terriblepurpose]

Lysithea, we'll need supplies as much as anything else. Consider that before you decide what you do.

[notimeforfailure]

This is our ironic fate for having a nice conversation about not being bound to wars and conflict, isn't it?

[There is no reason not to believe Paul. If she appears in his vision, it is because she would feel duty-bound to fight off an abomination that attacked the town - and it would hardly be surprising if she were to fall in the assault.]

I'll tap my suppliers at the docks. Trade is trade, whether it's for cinnamon and nutmeg or weaponry and lumber. I suppose I'll be in the red this month.

You say we have a month? How certain are you regarding the timing?

to un: stiles

[terriblepurpose]

What sort of symbol is this?

[Attached: a pencil sketch of a star-shaped emblem.]

[kingofsarcasm]

[Well this is… a lot to take in.]

It's a sheriff's badge.

I'm guessing you saw it in your vision, but how'd you know to ask me? We've never met.

to un: sharpshooter

[terriblepurpose]

Do you know anything about the ocean, by chance?

[azurestar]

[He just finished watching Paul's announcement. The fact that this text follows gives him pause.]

i know a thing or two. she's nice to talk to sometimes, for one thing.

i'm lance, by the way.

sent via mouse to aki hayakawa

[terriblepurpose]

[A long-legged hopping mouse tracks Aki down, eventually, and drops a tiny folded note at his feet, then waits for his answer.]

Hello. My name is Paul. Do you have access to DeerNet? I ask you to read it, if so.

sent via trench citizen to a sea captain

[terriblepurpose]

[Mercifully, this letter - while still sent on paper, sealed with wax, and immaculately written - is brief. The hand copied contents of the DeerNet post folded over it are not.]

To the captain of the Lonely Island, from Paul, navigator,

I share this with you in light of our conversation about the nature of this ocean, not as a portent.

text; un: lowell

[vibing]

thats a big monster
count me in

paul from the ice paul? this is yuri. good to see you didnt go back to the sea yet

[terriblepurpose]

[This is, as the locals say, fine.]

This is Paul from the ice. It's good to speak with you again, Yuri. I should have reached out to you sooner.

[But he had been busy tormenting Flynn.]

So you have experience with a thing like this as well?

to un: boneadept

[terriblepurpose]

Reverend Daughter Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Ninth Saint of the King Undying, I apologize for my intrusion on your peace. I must speak with you about this vision, but first, I will assure you personally that I will see to it no harm comes to you or any member of your House.

[necrosaint]

You are certainly forgiven.

The Ninth offers appreciation for its regard, and support where needed. I cannot speak for First or Sixth but do not doubt that they would lend aid if needed.

to un: zing zang

[terriblepurpose]

Is it a real bird?

[spiritwalks]

A spiritual representation of a real bird, by the sound of it.

So basically...yeah. He's called Cloudpiercer.

to un: darkness

[terriblepurpose]

What kind of weapons are these?

[Attached: a sketch of glowing weapons, one red, one black, illustrated with fascinated attention to detail.]

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul is surprised to see his lightsabers drawn there with so much attention to detail that even their hilts, unique to each person who makes their own lightsaber, have been done correctly.]

Those are my lightsabers, a pair of weapons that came from my universe of origin. How do you know of them?

text | un: zhongli

[brokebitchmountain]

I have fought such a beast before to protect my land and my people. You will have my strength in fending off and defeating this beast.

text | un: younghuman

[terriblepurpose]

Thank you. Where do you think you'd best serve?

to un: goldenflowers

[terriblepurpose]

[This is slightly better than the beans. Slightly.]

The ones I saw were more of a yellow than gold. Are you a botanist?

[the_obedient_servant]

You'll have to guess again. Yellow flowers doesn't have the same poetic ring to it.

This is related to the creature you're gearing up to fight, isn't it?

text; un: honeylover092381

[sideeffect]

[ wow. riz feels way, way out of his element, here, just reading this - you don't fight giant leviathan back home (carnivores, maybe, but then, he'd be one of them). this sure does suck - and that's trench for you. ]

I could try to help with medical.

text; un: younghuman

[terriblepurpose]

We'd welcome it. What experience do you have, and what should I call you?

to un: figaro

[terriblepurpose]

What type of device is this?

[Attached: a sketch of an orb surrounded by orbiting rings.]

text;

[extinctive]

That's my magical artifact. A beauty, isn't it?

It's accurately drawn for someone who's only caught a glimpse of it in a vision. Well done.

[ he's reading the post as he speaks, hiiiii. ]

text; un r.hansen

[bombrun]

[ chuck's still a girl so no video for u. ]

Oi. Ray said something about building a jaeger and you having kaiju visions?

text; un: younghuman

[terriblepurpose]

That's right. I'm Paul Atreides. You must be Chuck Hansen, engineer and pilot. Is there anything you need or want facilitated for your project?

[Video or no video, Paul's happy to see that name come up.]

un: AskMalice

[slayerskiss]

I'm not really much of a planner, but I am a superpowered monster slayer, so if you want I can help with the combat end of things?

text; un: younghuman

[terriblepurpose]

We can use all of that we can get. What do you specialize in, and what should I call you?