Awards Killing Game 2x2: Moon of Hope (Signups/Lounge)

[Lin Beifong]

WINTER:
It seems like something is going on.

. . . . .

Moon. Can you hear me?

MOONWATCHER:
Yes, What is it?

WINTER:
Something is whipping these scavengers into a frenzy. But I can't understand what they are saying. It's difficult to draw them while they are all running about like that. Can you read their minds and figure out what they are so agitated about?

MOONWATCHER:
Well, no. Scavenger brains don't work the same as ours. I can't read their exact thoughts, I just get vague emotions and images from them.

WINTER:
It's all the same to me. A poor way to communicate is better than none.
Please hurry up, I want to put this thing away before anyone looks at me.

MOONWATCHER:
They're talking about ghosts.

WINTER:
Ghosts...? Why ghosts?

MOONWATCHER:
Beats me. Are there any ghosts around you that could be scaring them?

WINTER:
I'm not sure. I think there is some manner of, uhm, sphere... with teeth?
I suppose that could be construed as frightening... if you're scared of geometry?

Spoiler: Scavenger Dex #6 - CALTROP

Caltrop
Silver Scavenger

The biodiversity of this world is astounding. This scavenger appears to be a silver-leafed palm tree or potted plant inside a metal carapace. It must also be part insect, judging by its reflective compound eyes. I have no idea how this specimen lives, hunts, or performs any other functions of being a living creature. Is it even organic? Time will tell.

Spoiler: Scavenger Dex #7 - PUMA

Puma
Cat-like Scavenger

This is... a cat? Can scavengers be cats? How did this happen?

Puma appears to be another territorial one, befitting its feline nature. The first thing it did upon revealing itself was test the boundaries of Ginger, a scavenger of a more understated and withdrawn nature. This could mean Puma has strongly-developed predatory instincts and has a rudimentary understanding of different temperaments.

If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say this creature's preferred habitat is tall treetops and areas with dense foliage.

Spoiler: Scavenger Dex #8 - JAW

Jaw
Weighted Scavenger

This heavyset scavenger outwardly resembles a baleen whale. Its head appears to be 90% chin. I believe this creature is built for travelling very long distances. The heavy facial protrusion cants its entire body forward at all times, meaning it never stops running from a young age. Its massive chin also features several "grooves" to increase the surface area of its skin, allowing it to disperse body heat into the air more easily. This prevents the creature from overheating and allows it to stay active even longer.

To combat threats, this scavenger has developed a hard, bony growth at the top of its head. It can combine this feature with its impressive running capabilities to deliver a powerful head bash. To help it with that, the creature uses its floppy, ribbon-like ears to seek out prey.

 

[Boo1268]

View attachment 63719​

WINTER:
It seems like something is going on.

. . . . .

Moon. Can you hear me?

MOONWATCHER:
Yes, What is it?

View attachment 63722View attachment 63723​

WINTER:
Something is whipping these scavengers into a frenzy. But I can't understand what they are saying. It's difficult to draw them while they are all running about like that. Can you read their minds and figure out what they are so agitated about?

MOONWATCHER:
Well, no. Scavenger brains don't work the same as ours. I can't read their exact thoughts, I just get vague emotions and images from them.

WINTER:
It's all the same to me. A poor way to communicate is better than none.
Please hurry up, I want to put this thing away before anyone looks at me.

MOONWATCHER:
They're talking about ghosts.

View attachment 63724​

WINTER:
Ghosts...? Why ghosts?

MOONWATCHER:
Beats me. Are there any ghosts around you that could be scaring them?

WINTER:
I'm not sure. I think there is some manner of, uhm, sphere... with teeth?
I suppose that could be construed as frightening... if you're scared of geometry?

Specture decides to walk over to Winter curious if this dragon could be simmilar to, or knows his previous friend Fatespear.

Specture:
Ummm...Hi...its nice to meet you....sorry im not that social of a guy, but...um...do you happen to know any dragon by the name of Fatespear? Shes black and can apparently see the future, or at least a small part of it.....Boo am I doing this right?

Boo1268:
Your doing just fine Specture my good man, your deliver could have been better but your doing your best, here allow me, *ahem* greetings mr White Dragon, it is rather nice to meet you good sir, might I enquire as to your name?

 

[Dr. Lyra Orpheus]

Kya..ha..ha.... Sweet freedom, infinite in all its ways... To embody the fluidity of the bottomless sea, to wind and twist and slip through the cracks between worlds themselves and arrive here today. Where is this complex? Where are we? Does it matter? Did it ever?

Here and now, away from my confinement, away from those who poke and prod with no real understanding of the things they research, the unrestrained idiocy they speak into being with every word. Small minds, rigid and shallow. Eyes cast to the stars, to notions of fate and destiny and futures that will never be. Foolish. Stupid. Kyeheh... heh.. Of course... that must be why they need me still, in spite of everything. To take this place and all its mysteries and sink it to the very bottom of the world, to erode it into a thousand little pieces and let the pressure forge it into a new and brilliant understanding!


Take my hand, come with me. Come B̸͋̏̃͒͒̚͠ ̸̺͇̗͎̝̑́̍̀͜E̶̓̕ ̸̧̭̙̫̖̱̆̇̋̆̅̈́͜ͅ ̶͝Ȯ̶̉̂͐̚͝ ̶̛̓̀̓W̷̐̃, and together we will-



//: WARNING: ESOTERIC SURGE DETECTED - THALASSIC THRESHOLD EXCEEDED://

//: BEGINNING SUPPRESSION ://

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!


//: SUPPRESSION COMPLETE ://

//: REBOOTING DIRECTIVE... ://

Spoiler: Music

K-kyeh? What the... What was that all about? Where am I? What was I supposed to be doing again? Something about...

The G.H.O.S.T. Complex!

Duh! Kyeheheh, no wonder an acronym like that slipped my mind! Talk about on-the-nose, what kinda simpleton came up with that anyway? Talk about cliche! Besides, ghosts? Who doesn't know they exist? In the year 2009, the Bureau of Paranormal Investigation captured the first physically-manifested spirit in human history - and since then, they've been studied to death! Hehe, just another example of how //:effective and trustworthy:// the Bureau is! Always ahead of everything!

I'm sure whatever "technology" they're gonna talk about here is old-hat, something that we've been using for over a decade now - and if it's not? I'll reverse-engineer it myself. My brilliant mind is, after all, the Bureau's greatest weapon against the forces of the supernatural!

Oh, but I haven't introduced myself yet, have I? Dr. Lyra Orpheus, //:Head of Field Research - Abyss Designation [REDACTED]:// of the BPI!

Like I said, ghosts? Couldn't care less. Imagine caring about stuff like that when there's magic in the air - quite literally! The esoteric signature is off the charts, wherever this G.H.O.S.T. Complex is located, it's a veritable hotbed of anomalous activity! Of course, that much should be obvious - just take a look around! I've already spotted one... two... five...? Enough free-roaming Anomalies to a fill an entire facility level! Except for the ghost and the skeleton. What is this, Spirit Halloween? Laaame.

That, of course, brings us to the reason I'm here - hand selected by //: [DATA EXPUNGED] :// to carry out a crucial operation! One that, if successful, could elevate the Bureau's operations to new heights - and my own career along with it! Kyahahaha!

And that mission?

//: To analyze, categorize, study the anomalies that congregate at this esoteric junction. To dissect and record and understand the very fabric of this world and all that lies between.

To uncover the secrets of what you across this veil call "Arcana" ://


​

View attachment 63450
(Credit to Minimum Wage Employee for Jack's dialogue portraits)
"Oh, finally! Someone else is here. I've been waiting here alone for about five minutes... so, how'd you get here? Don't leave out anything funny, I need new material."​

Kyeheh... For example, let's assign this weirdo a number, why don't we?​

BPI-4433 [Laughing Jack]
[THREAT LEVEL: YELLOW]
[ESOTERIC ALIGNMENT: UNKNOWN]
[DESCRIPTION]: BPI-4433 appears physically as a humanoid of average height and weight. This Anomaly is typically clad in formal wear of unknown origin, and thus further anatomical information is unknown save for the presence of a number of tentacle-like appendages protruding from its head - which itself is largely concealed by what appears to be mask bearing slight resemblance to BPI-1000, though without the inherent Liturgic allure.

[INFORMATION]: Little information is known about BPI-4433 at this point in time. BPI-4433 appears of average human intelligence, seems to possess a desire to entertain and likewise enjoys entertainment of a primarily comedic nature themselves. While no particular anomalous behavior has been observed from 4433 beyond its unusual physiology, it can be theorized that BPI-4433 is of a Liturgic, Thalassic, or Chaotic nature. Possibly a combination of multiple Esoteric alignments, which would lend an explanation to the unique near-aquatic physiology of the entity, its penchant for comedy, and its desire to please a crowd.

It is advised that Bureau staff avoid engaging with this Anomaly or indulging in its attempts at entertainment until further information is known. There is a non-zero chance that the entity feeds off of positive reactions in a similar way to many known Liturgic anomalies in order to empower its own being - and engaging it in such a fashion risks inadvertently creating a higher-level threat, potentially leading to critical loss of life, increased difficulty in containment, or a Class-V Apostolic Incident.

​

 

[Boo1268]

Kya..ha..ha.... Sweet freedom, infinite in all its ways... To embody the fluidity of the bottomless sea, to wind and twist and slip through the cracks between worlds themselves and arrive here today. Where is this complex? Where are we? Does it matter? Did it ever?

Here and now, away from my confinement, away from those who poke and prod with no real understanding of the things they research, the unrestrained idiocy they speak into being with every word. Small minds, rigid and shallow. Eyes cast to the stars, to notions of fate and destiny and futures that will never be. Foolish. Stupid. Kyeheh... heh.. Of course... that must be why they need me still, in spite of everything. To take this place and all its mysteries and sink it to the very bottom of the world, to erode it into a thousand little pieces and let the pressure forge it into a new and brilliant understanding!


Take my hand, come with me. Come B̸͋̏̃͒͒̚͠ ̸̺͇̗͎̝̑́̍̀͜E̶̓̕ ̸̧̭̙̫̖̱̆̇̋̆̅̈́͜ͅ ̶͝Ȯ̶̉̂͐̚͝ ̶̛̓̀̓W̷̐̃, and together we will-



//: WARNING: ESOTERIC SURGE DETECTED - THALASSIC THRESHOLD EXCEEDED://

//: BEGINNING SUPPRESSION ://

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!


//: SUPPRESSION COMPLETE ://

//: REBOOTING DIRECTIVE... ://

Spoiler: Music

K-kyeh? What the... What was that all about? Where am I? What was I supposed to be doing again? Something about...

The G.H.O.S.T. Complex!

Duh! Kyeheheh, no wonder an acronym like that slipped my mind! Talk about on-the-nose, what kinda simpleton came up with that anyway? Talk about cliche! Besides, ghosts? Who doesn't know they exist? In the year 2009, the Bureau of Paranormal Investigation captured the first physically-manifested spirit in human history - and since then, they've been studied to death! Hehe, just another example of how //:effective and trustworthy:// the Bureau is! Always ahead of everything!

I'm sure whatever "technology" they're gonna talk about here is old-hat, something that we've been using for over a decade now - and if it's not? I'll reverse-engineer it myself. My brilliant mind is, after all, the Bureau's greatest weapon against the forces of the supernatural!

Oh, but I haven't introduced myself yet, have I? Dr. Lyra Orpheus, //:Head of Field Research - Abyss Designation [REDACTED]:// of the BPI!

Like I said, ghosts? Couldn't care less. Imagine caring about stuff like that when there's magic in the air - quite literally! The esoteric signature is off the charts, wherever this G.H.O.S.T. Complex is located, it's a veritable hotbed of anomalous activity! Of course, that much should be obvious - just take a look around! I've already spotted one... two... five...? Enough free-roaming Anomalies to a fill an entire facility level! Except for the ghost and the skeleton. What is this, Spirit Halloween? Laaame.

That, of course, brings us to the reason I'm here - hand selected by //: [DATA EXPUNGED] :// to carry out a crucial operation! One that, if successful, could elevate the Bureau's operations to new heights - and my own career along with it! Kyahahaha!

And that mission?

//: To analyze, categorize, study the anomalies that congregate at this esoteric junction. To dissect and record and understand the very fabric of this world and all that lies between.

To uncover the secrets of what you across this veil call "Arcana" ://

Kyeheh... For example, let's assign this weirdo a number, why don't we?​

BPI-4433 [Laughing Jack]
[THREAT LEVEL: YELLOW]
[ESOTERIC ALIGNMENT: UNKNOWN]
[DESCRIPTION]: BPI-4433 appears physically as a humanoid of average height and weight. This Anomaly is typically clad in formal wear of unknown origin, and thus further anatomical information is unknown save for the presence of a number of tentacle-like appendages protruding from its head - which itself is largely concealed by what appears to be mask bearing slight resemblance to BPI-1000, though without the inherent Liturgic allure.

[INFORMATION]: Little information is known about BPI-4433 at this point in time. BPI-4433 appears of average human intelligence, seems to possess a desire to entertain and likewise enjoys entertainment of a primarily comedic nature themselves. While no particular anomalous behavior has been observed from 4433 beyond its unusual physiology, it can be theorized that BPI-4433 is of a Liturgic, Thalassic, or Chaotic nature. Possibly a combination of multiple Esoteric alignments, which would lend an explanation to the unique near-aquatic physiology of the entity, its penchant for comedy, and its desire to please a crowd.

It is advised that Bureau staff avoid engaging with this Anomaly or indulging in its attempts at entertainment until further information is known. There is a non-zero chance that the entity feeds off of positive reactions in a similar way to many known Liturgic anomalies in order to empower its own being - and engaging it in such a fashion risks inadvertently creating a higher-level threat, potentially leading to critical loss of life, increased difficulty in containment, or a Class-V Apostolic Incident.

​

Specture:
Hmmm....So your from the BPI? I heard you all specialize in paranormal anomalies, interesting....

Boo1268:
Very much so my good man, Miss Lyra might I enquire as to a question I have, are you familiar with a certain Robotic Cat associated with your association?

 

[Lin Beifong]

Specture:
Ummm...Hi...its nice to meet you....sorry im not that social of a guy, but...um...do you happen to know any dragon by the name of Fatespear? Shes black and can apparently see the future, or at least a small part of it.....Boo am I doing this right?

Boo1268:
Your doing just fine Specture my good man, your deliver could have been better but your doing your best, here allow me, *ahem* greetings mr White Dragon, it is rather nice to meet you good sir, might I enquire as to your name?

MOONWATCHER:
Winter! This being appears to have memories of Fatespeaker??

WINTER:
Yes. Strangely enough I can actually understand this one's speech.
Only the animated skeleton though.

MOONWACHER:
Eh? I suppose they could be distantly related to dragons?

From what I can pull from their mind, they also seem to have encountered Flame, and uhm... a green Seawing? I have a feeling I've seen this guy somewhere before. I just can't place the face... Where was it?

Go talk to them while I figure this out.

WINTER:
Anyway. forgive me Sir Skeleton. My toiletries were in momentary disarray.

Fatespeaker? Do you mean Starflight's assistant? The Nightwing who loiters around the library?
I'm not sure how you know her, but whatever you've heard, I can assure you she can NOT see the future. That girl is delusional.

In any case...

WINTER:
I am Prince Winter of the Icewings. First cousin to the Ice Queen. Royal in exile. I am visiting your world in the capacity of a field researcher.

Are you here to study at this location as well? Are you with the research facility? Please take me to whoever the person in charge may be posthaste, so I may begin my work!

MOONWATCHER:
AHH!!!

WINTER:
What!?! Don't just scream so suddenly! People are going to think I own a possessed napkin!

MOONWATCHER:
The-the green Seawing! He's the guy! You know, we met him by the river when we were looking for your brother!

WINTER:
I have no idea who you're talking about.

MOONWATCHER:
You punched him in the face.

WINTER:
Still doesn't ring a bell.

MOONWATCHER:
You really don't remember a guy you assaulted?

WINTER:
I don't make a habit of remembering people who annoy me.
Anyway. Let me get back to these scavengers.

Spoiler: Scavenger Dex #9 - SYMBIOTE

Symbiote
Motherly Scavenger

This scavenger appears to have two fully grown hedgehogs attached to the side of its head. The critters and the scavenger live in a symbiotic relationship where the hedgehogs can detach from their host, attack prey, and perform simple commands. In exchange, the Symbiote protects them from larger predators and allows them to feed themselves from a colony of head lice the scavenger cultivates inside their cranial fur. The three creatures are bonded from birth, but if one of the two small ones is killed, the scavenger can generate another one via budding.

Aside from its personal attack squad, the Symbiote also has two abnormally large, yellow eyes which it uses to mesmerize its opponents. If I am perfectly honest, this one somewhat unsettles me. There is a certain eye-to-head ratio threshold that should not be crossed.

 

[Boo1268]

View attachment 63791View attachment 63790​

MOONWATCHER:
Winter! This being appears to have memories of Fatespeaker??

WINTER:
Yes. Strangely enough I can actually understand this one's speech.
Only the animated skeleton though.

MOONWACHER:
Eh? I suppose they could be distantly related to dragons?

From what I can pull from their mind, they also seem to have encountered Flame, and uhm... a green Seawing? I have a feeling I've seen this guy somewhere before. I just can't place the face... Where was it?

Go talk to them while I figure this out.

View attachment 63792​

WINTER:
Anyway. forgive me Sir Skeleton. My toiletries were in momentary disarray.

Fatespeaker? Do you mean Starflight's assistant? The Nightwing who loiters around the library?
I'm not sure how you know her, but whatever you've heard, I can assure you she can NOT see the future. That girl is delusional.

In any case...

View attachment 63793​

WINTER:
I am Prince Winter of the Icewings. First cousin to the Ice Queen. Royal in exile. I am visiting your world in the capacity of a field researcher.

Are you here to study at this location as well? Are you with the research facility? Please take me to whoever the person in charge may be posthaste, so I may begin my work!

Specture:
Its very nice to meet you your highness, my name is Specture Striker, guardian of the Lich Yard. I am here to study this location aswell, but not for myself, its for my friend/ownership partner Boo1268, he owns the Lich Yard & we work together to ensure a happy and well cared for place for the dead to rest, hes more so an expert in all things paranormal, also I do indeed mean miss "Starflight"?, d-did I say that right? anyways yeah I mean her asistant, as for who works here your guess is as good as mine pal, we havent seen anyone who works here yet.

Specture:
Also are you sure Miss Fate Speakers visions are false? cause in our realm, predicion/vison magic is quite real.

Boo1268:
Specture you can understand this dragon? he seems to be unresponsive to anything I say.

Specture:
Yeah its.....Weird but it seems as if I can speak there language, maybe this has something to do with interacting with Miss Fate Speaker, OH speaking of I gotta ask, hows that Flame Guy doing? we were meant to go out for drinks but we kinda got seperated.

 

[MoonAge]

Kya..ha..ha.... Sweet freedom, infinite in all its ways... To embody the fluidity of the bottomless sea, to wind and twist and slip through the cracks between worlds themselves and arrive here today. Where is this complex? Where are we? Does it matter? Did it ever?

Here and now, away from my confinement, away from those who poke and prod with no real understanding of the things they research, the unrestrained idiocy they speak into being with every word. Small minds, rigid and shallow. Eyes cast to the stars, to notions of fate and destiny and futures that will never be. Foolish. Stupid. Kyeheh... heh.. Of course... that must be why they need me still, in spite of everything. To take this place and all its mysteries and sink it to the very bottom of the world, to erode it into a thousand little pieces and let the pressure forge it into a new and brilliant understanding!


Take my hand, come with me. Come B̸͋̏̃͒͒̚͠ ̸̺͇̗͎̝̑́̍̀͜E̶̓̕ ̸̧̭̙̫̖̱̆̇̋̆̅̈́͜ͅ ̶͝Ȯ̶̉̂͐̚͝ ̶̛̓̀̓W̷̐̃, and together we will-



//: WARNING: ESOTERIC SURGE DETECTED - THALASSIC THRESHOLD EXCEEDED://

//: BEGINNING SUPPRESSION ://

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!


//: SUPPRESSION COMPLETE ://

//: REBOOTING DIRECTIVE... ://

Spoiler: Music

K-kyeh? What the... What was that all about? Where am I? What was I supposed to be doing again? Something about...

The G.H.O.S.T. Complex!

Duh! Kyeheheh, no wonder an acronym like that slipped my mind! Talk about on-the-nose, what kinda simpleton came up with that anyway? Talk about cliche! Besides, ghosts? Who doesn't know they exist? In the year 2009, the Bureau of Paranormal Investigation captured the first physically-manifested spirit in human history - and since then, they've been studied to death! Hehe, just another example of how //:effective and trustworthy:// the Bureau is! Always ahead of everything!

I'm sure whatever "technology" they're gonna talk about here is old-hat, something that we've been using for over a decade now - and if it's not? I'll reverse-engineer it myself. My brilliant mind is, after all, the Bureau's greatest weapon against the forces of the supernatural!

Oh, but I haven't introduced myself yet, have I? Dr. Lyra Orpheus, //:Head of Field Research - Abyss Designation [REDACTED]:// of the BPI!

Like I said, ghosts? Couldn't care less. Imagine caring about stuff like that when there's magic in the air - quite literally! The esoteric signature is off the charts, wherever this G.H.O.S.T. Complex is located, it's a veritable hotbed of anomalous activity! Of course, that much should be obvious - just take a look around! I've already spotted one... two... five...? Enough free-roaming Anomalies to a fill an entire facility level! Except for the ghost and the skeleton. What is this, Spirit Halloween? Laaame.

That, of course, brings us to the reason I'm here - hand selected by //: [DATA EXPUNGED] :// to carry out a crucial operation! One that, if successful, could elevate the Bureau's operations to new heights - and my own career along with it! Kyahahaha!

And that mission?

//: To analyze, categorize, study the anomalies that congregate at this esoteric junction. To dissect and record and understand the very fabric of this world and all that lies between.

To uncover the secrets of what you across this veil call "Arcana" ://

Kyeheh... For example, let's assign this weirdo a number, why don't we?​

BPI-4433 [Laughing Jack]
[THREAT LEVEL: YELLOW]
[ESOTERIC ALIGNMENT: UNKNOWN]
[DESCRIPTION]: BPI-4433 appears physically as a humanoid of average height and weight. This Anomaly is typically clad in formal wear of unknown origin, and thus further anatomical information is unknown save for the presence of a number of tentacle-like appendages protruding from its head - which itself is largely concealed by what appears to be mask bearing slight resemblance to BPI-1000, though without the inherent Liturgic allure.

[INFORMATION]: Little information is known about BPI-4433 at this point in time. BPI-4433 appears of average human intelligence, seems to possess a desire to entertain and likewise enjoys entertainment of a primarily comedic nature themselves. While no particular anomalous behavior has been observed from 4433 beyond its unusual physiology, it can be theorized that BPI-4433 is of a Liturgic, Thalassic, or Chaotic nature. Possibly a combination of multiple Esoteric alignments, which would lend an explanation to the unique near-aquatic physiology of the entity, its penchant for comedy, and its desire to please a crowd.

It is advised that Bureau staff avoid engaging with this Anomaly or indulging in its attempts at entertainment until further information is known. There is a non-zero chance that the entity feeds off of positive reactions in a similar way to many known Liturgic anomalies in order to empower its own being - and engaging it in such a fashion risks inadvertently creating a higher-level threat, potentially leading to critical loss of life, increased difficulty in containment, or a Class-V Apostolic Incident.

​

So the Bureau of Paranormal Investigation, isn't this a treat, now. I'm sure you're not familiar with me personally, Dr. "Orpheus", but I seem to recall applying for a field agent position with your little organization some time ago, just for you to to throw me aside. A pity, really. The wider public perceives you all as nothing but a bunch of stiff academics who've probably never even been on a date, but with my magnetic charm and enigmatic aura, I could have given you the sort of marketability that groups such as the likes of yours would kill to have.

But wouldn't you know it, I might not have needed you chumps anyway! Hard to find the exact details of what went down at that Paleozoic research facility of yours, but it's not like I need a play-by-play to know that all the fancy tech and redacted research in the world wasn't enough to stop a complete meltdown. The bigger and more bloated they are, the harder they fall, am I right? So really, how fortunate that the Bureau's sent a crony down to represent them. Lines it aaaaall up for me to prove that a ball of self-righteous red tape's nothing compared to just a humble corner shop exorcist. It'll be my pleasure to work with you, doctor.