spaceshipit: (dripping)
The Mod Journal ([personal profile] spaceshipit) wrote in [community profile] driftfleet_ooc2019-03-10 01:47 pm

march star system

Every cryptid hunter’s dream come true.





CALENDAR:
→ The fleet will be in this star system from 3/11 to 4/5.

Lodges, Lakes, and Locals.

After almost two weeks of drifting after Calibrations, the Marsiva comes in range of a new system Drisdim-3. This one is a bit rockier than normal, but the autopilot programs on each ship can navigate them with ease (aside from some… bouncing tiny rocks on occasion). However, most of the planets in this system are too small and rocky to support life-- all except one moderately-sized planet that slowly orbits the bright white sun.



This is B'lire, a world that has spots of dry shrubland bordering pine forests as tall as skyscrapers. The majority of the planet has a sort of hot-or-cold climate aside from the poles, which are typical snowy tundra analogous to Earth. The people are fairly average, pioneering and hardy, and hunting is big; pretty much every house is a log cabin of some kind, and there are lodges set up like hotels for travelers along the major trade routes.



There is one major stonework city, but it appears to have been here for a few generations beforehand-- as if the residents only started exploring their world recently. If asked about the general history of the world, citizens will tell of a time when their forefathers came to terraform the land and reap its rewards, but the atmosphere was too full of debris and dust to stray too far from cities. The planetary dust storms settled at some point, and so they left the cities to start anew.



The real draw to this region, however, is the folklore. You see-- they tell stories about things that go bump in the night, and they hold hunts for these legendary creatures, but no one's ever really caught one or even seen one in person.

Until now...



I WANT TO BELIEVE


What's this about big feet?
These strange supernatural creatures have all sorts of origins, and they live in many areas. Each creature has a certain 'territory', and the biggest town in that area will be happy to talk your ear off about the various unsubstantiated sightings of the creatures throughout history. Though they probably don't exist, it's a source of town pride. There might be feasts or 'scavenger hunts' dedicated to the creature, even!

But it soon becomes clear when passengers arrive that they do, in fact, exist. And they live closer than you'd think. Though the names have changed, what is clearly a nine foot tall shaggy ape can be seen shambling through the woods next to your ship. Or maybe you're out fishing when you see the long serpentine neck of a reptile pop out of the lake and stare you down. Whatever the case, it seems like the locals just can't see them...

But they are very real, and elusive, and this fact might just send some Passengers on a real wild goose chase.

The Monster Mash.
For those seeking proof of the unprovable, here is a handy list of local legends and the best place to hunt them. Any resident is happy to assist with directions. The fact that there are off-brand Earth cryptids may not escape some notice, but there appear to be recycled legends from other worlds, too. That's right-- you can incorporate any cryptid-like thing from your character's world if you like! Examples include: Excalibur from Soul Eater, Old Gods from Dragon Age, etc.

(content warning: some pictures might be disturbing!)

  • Woods Ape - A nine foot tall fuzzy upright gorilla who wanders through the forest and mountains, and leaves very large tracks.
  • Man-Moth - A figure with huge dusty wings and red eyes who appears at night in forested and urban areas.
  • Lake Rex - A lake-dwelling finned reptile the size of a boat, always found in lakes.
  • Pines Demon - A goat-faced creature with wings and claws that lets out a scream when people approach. Always found in the woods.
  • Slim Jim - A humanoid figure in a black and white suit with long, spindly limbs. He tends to haunt areas around the biggest towns.
  • Dead Man's Hands - A giant octopus-like creature that swallows ships on the sea. You will definitely need a boat for this one.
  • Cow-licker - Not as kinky as it sounds. This demon bears some resemblance to the Pines Demon, but prefers attacking livestock in the shrublands and leaving them mangled.
  • Lightningbeaks - Imagine a vulture with a twenty foot wingspan. Now imagine this vulture coming out at dusk and flying over camp. Mostly seen over woods and shrublands. (Don't google teratorms.)
  • Purple-eyed Kids - Seen along the loneliest abandoned roads, these children look normal at first glance, but their eyes turn purple-- including the sclera-- and they are said to curse and/or stalk those who travel alone.
  • Bowel Crocodile - Said to be found in the sewers beneath major towns, but has also occasionally been seen in rivers nearby.
  • Weeping Woman - A ghost of a woman who lost her children by the river. Her crying supposedly lures people in, and then they drown. Found anywhere there's a river.
  • Snowy Kong - A cousin of the Woods Ape, this shaggy upright creature is said to have fearsome teeth and a snowy fur coat like a polar bear. Only found near the poles in the arctic tundra.

    Surely there are some incredibly skilled hunters among the Fleet now. However, this chase can only end one of two ways (much to the frustration of the Passengers):
  • Characters retrieve a shred of evidence or;
  • The cryptid eludes capture and gets away.

    Whether it's vanishing into thin air, being unnaturally fast, or some crazy stealth check, these cryptids can't be captured, killed, or interrogated. If they suffer a hit, they will flee faster. This is not a system made for conquering these creatures, and perhaps it's better for that-- thrill of the chase and all.

    Evidence brought to the authorities might earn a reward or two, however (more details below). Some ideas for evidence: footprints (a picture or a cast), a shred of fur, a piece of chipped horn, a tooth, a recording. All of this, while hokey as heck, is welcome entertainment for the locals.

    POINTS OF INTEREST.
    Gossiping Pines Lodge
    Located in the vicinity of two crossing rivers, a lake, and a huge pine forest, this lodge is a huge attraction in itself. Embalmed glassy-eyed trophies adorn the walls as well as some… less-skilled taxidermy. It's also home to some seasoned cryptid hunters who believe even if they can't see a darned thing. Some of them are good at actually hunting, too, and they're happy to give some tips.



    There's an attached museum of sorts where bits of evidence and anecdotes are collected for public consumption. Bringing your own evidence and stories to add to this museum's collection will earn lucky Passengers an award of credits and free admission. The more 'undeniable' the proof, the bigger the cash reward. Get creative! Or make some stuff up and try to swindle someone. It's pretty much the same thing.

    The Undersewers
    Though the majority of this world seems like it's only been touched in the past few generations, these structures seem much older. These are stone aqueducts that have been in use for over a hundred years, and they are expansive. Said to be home to sewer crocs, this also seems to be a great place to poke around for no real reason at all. Ghostly moans and eerie noises echo throughout the tunnels, seemingly for vengeance… Or maybe it's because there's dripping water everywhere and old rusty metal gates everywhere. Who knows.



    The aqueducts are connected to a labyrinthine undercity that saw extensive use while conditions were less than perfect above ground. Now it's simply a monument to dust. There doesn't seem to be any particular catastrophe that led people to abandon this part of the city, but rather, the air cleared and the settlers were able to properly settle the outside. There's ancient musty furniture and the occasional old book, but nothing of real value left behind. It seems to have already been combed over by scavengers.



    Jobs
    There are a few things to keep Fleeters busy as they stretch their legs! Even if you're not interested in hunting the local legends, there's plenty of other things to do.

    Cryptid hunter. The most glamorous option, evidence can be given to the people at the Gossiping Pines Lodge for a reward of credits, or can be donated to any of the other hole-in-the-wall weird stops you find on your travels.
    Big game hunting. Cryptids aren’t the only things to hunt if you’re looking for that fresh meal to replace some Fleet issue gels and solids or some extra credits from local residents that need some food or want the pelts for clothes and coats. Animals that look like deer, moose, antelope, but also not quite the same roam the fields and forests of this planet. Perfect opportunities.
    Lodge employees. As people expand into the wilderness, expeditions from their safe towns and homes are popular. Wilderness lodge getaways need staff to work the lodges and make the guests comfortable. Jobs like cook, housekeeping, front desk, etc. are needed to keep things moving smoothly.
    Local help. Couriers, saloons, farming, ranch hands… and of course, construction and clean up. There is expansion, and a lot of land to clear for that purpose. As people develop their neighborhoods, they’re looking to clean up remnants of dust and find both land to build on and land to turn into farms and ranches. Homesteaders could always use an extra few bodies to build a new cabin or barn, keep the sheep (we think they’re sheep...) in order, or harvest some crops.

    Recreation
    As is befitting a frontier sort of setting, most of the leisure activities that B'lire has to offer are related to the outdoors. The most popular (and obvious) is hunting. You don't need a permit to do this and the game is plentiful, if not a bit hard to catch. But that's what makes it fun, right? Game animals range from small quail-like birds to big bull-like animals with multiple sets of antlers that will ram a shuttle-- and possibly win.

    For more fun and slightly less murder, this is prime opportunity for fishing, and many streams are good for fly fishing as well. Grab your waders! Kayakking is also fairly popular. Hiking up the mountains or through the miles and miles of untamed forest is a no-brainer.

    The existence of the undersewers isn't a secret. Adventurous types can find information on the best entrances (always the shadiest places in town, obviously) and organize their own expedition down there, or just go it alone. There isn't anything that will attack, but there is a greater chance of finding a cryptid down there when it's nighttime. In addition to the undersewers, there's a natural network of caves within the mountains as well as near the biggest lakes. These have nothing magical about these water-carved caves, but they might satisfy that spelunking itch.

    Shopping
    Though not as technologically advanced as some planets the Fleet has visited, B'lire still has a modest assortment of trade goods, food, and weapons for the Fleeters to peruse. You can barter/trade for what you want or convert credits to the local coin-- they're both equally valuable here. Weapons are basic steel from swords to axes, and firearms are reminiscent of muskets.



    Any other questions? Leave us a comment below! And as always, you are free to use this post for plotting purposes if you so wish. The mods will not be posting any mingles this month, so feel free to post them on your own.

    Go forth, and have some Fun, dear Fleet!
  • appletart: (Default)

    [personal profile] appletart 2019-03-10 09:35 pm (UTC)(link)
    A question!!

    Escha can synthesize an alchemical dowsing rod that helps her find relics and other weird items in the field in her world. Can she put that to use toward tracking down some beasties here?

    I'm not intending to outright track the beast itself with the item, that feels like cheating~ but maybe it can start pinging if there's a footprint nearby? Or a weird feather/claw left behind?
    worn_wings: (Default)

    [personal profile] worn_wings 2019-03-10 11:50 pm (UTC)(link)
    HE TOLD YOU ALL THE CHUPACABRA WAS REAL
    goldenglasses: Maker on LJ (brb - loling)

    [personal profile] goldenglasses 2019-03-11 10:07 am (UTC)(link)
    Pretty sure the answer is no, but just in case!

    Any information that Vash can get on the terraformer equipment that the past generations used? Did they use that strange gumball stuff? Ribbons? Or particularly if they sounds like the Plants of his home world. Or if he describes the Plants does anyone know what he's talking about? (Yes he'll do this every time terraforming is mentioned. It happens when you're a descendant of a terraformer.)
    sinistral: (Default)

    [personal profile] sinistral 2019-03-11 05:29 pm (UTC)(link)
    How likely is it for characters to be able to purchase combat knives (this, or an equivalent)? Bucky is the kind of person who knows what he wants and would be able to evaluate craftsmanship versus how he'd use it, so trying to figure out if this system is a little too technologically primitive in terms of metalworking.

    Thanks in advance!
    sinistral: (Default)

    [personal profile] sinistral 2019-03-26 05:41 pm (UTC)(link)
    Perfect! Just enough to frustrate him that he can't get exactly what he wants and has to settle, I wouldn't have it any other way. Thanks a ton!!
    passingthrough: (Considering)

    Question

    [personal profile] passingthrough 2019-03-13 02:05 am (UTC)(link)
    I'm assuming since they have metal weapons characters could commission metal work? (Like an earring or bracelet, not asking for any weapons.) Additionally are there other old timey things that could theoretically be commissioned like glass blowing or candle making or woven goods etc.? And do they have electricity here or is this more of an oil lamps kind of place?
    ecclesiophobic: (Default)

    [personal profile] ecclesiophobic 2019-03-14 03:07 pm (UTC)(link)
    So, given Kurt looks like a cryptid, what kind of reception can he expect from the locals?
    sweetlies: (Default)

    [personal profile] sweetlies 2019-03-15 07:33 am (UTC)(link)
    Few questions!

    Ciel is planning on going hunting for money (since he's so new) but meanwhile! Or after, I suppose? I know you said that there's a modest assortment of trade goods but would he be able to find some cute, modest, dresses for Lizzie?

    Also could he be able find cozy blankets/pillows/sheets/stuff while there?

    Just want to be totally sure before I do something Ciel and I shouldn't do.
    sweetlies: (Default)

    [personal profile] sweetlies 2019-03-26 06:11 am (UTC)(link)
    As long as it's soft and warm and he can find things in blue, he's happy. For himself, anyway.
    itsyagirl: (Default)

    [personal profile] itsyagirl 2019-03-21 05:51 pm (UTC)(link)
    What kind of animals/pets could someone theoretically adopt? Any chance at a baby cryptid?