002 - Growing Pains

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Growing Pains State of the World ▲ Locations ▼ Bestiary
OOC ▲ Comments A Light In The Darkness
Light seems to have been especially tricky for the world to comprehend, but it finally, finally seems to have figured things out. Light comes from more than just the sky, and now signs and lamps that were once dark have begun to glow brightly. From the Wall Market's dazzling exhibition of color to the dimmed street lamps of the City of Tears, the whole world has been made bright and lively once more without losing the comfort and tranquility that darkness brings. Even the broken screens of the Hammerlocke Stadium give off a pleasant glow, and the world doesn't seem to care that some lights need electricity to stay on - lights are simply lights, as far as the world seems concerned.

Unfortunately, these new lights are a little too simple. Without any need for a power source, there's no way to turn the lights off - if something is deemed a light source, it will always function as a light source. The only way to stop it is to destroy the object beyond recognition, but that might not be the most practical solution. Covering up the lights is the next best thing, but it's a task that's easier with some sources than others. At least no one needs to sleep yet.

Difficulties aside, now seems like the perfect time to start exploring all those new corners of the world that were previously too dark to navigate. Fire is an easy, safe and portable light source that anyone can use, and it even puts itself out after awhile. Just be careful not to get stuck in the dark by a stray breeze.

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Who's Hungry?
Animals need to eat. People need to eat. These are simple facts that people lost in the strange, changing landscape all seem to be well aware of, yet appear to not apply to this world. That is not to say that people can’t eat or drink, for many people do, but there is no actual need. Eating provides nothing but the knowledge that one has eaten, and anyone might go without food entirely. Lately, some might have found eating has become more satisfying and fulfilling an act, as though food is providing them with a vaguely-defined something they didn’t get before. It doesn’t seem to mean much in the grand scheme of things, but perhaps it allows them some sense of normality.

When hunger sets in, it’s sudden. Every person, whether or not they ever needed to eat in their homeland, is hit with a powerful, overwhelming sense of hunger, to the point it feels that if they do not eat they will soon starve. Those who have never eaten in all their time here might easily find themselves so hungry they can barely even move, and have little choice but to eat. Fortunately, food is plentiful. If it can be put in the mouth, chewed and swallowed, it is food, and thus will give a person temporary relief from their hunger. What goes in does not appear to come out, instead simply becoming part of that person and revitalizing them. How long it takes to feel hungry again seems entirely random, and each time there is no lead up - someone is either fine, or they are starving, without any in-between.

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Starving Mad Beasts
When people suddenly remember hunger, so too do the animals of the world. For some creatures this isn't an issue - the tall-necked beasts continue to graze on the treetops like they always have, and the smaller creatures seem content with snacking on whatever small scraps they can find. Not all creatures are so easily satisfied, however, and the more aggressive ones have turned to attacking other species for food.

The vicious water dragons are quick to clamp their mouths on anything within reach... but, lacking teeth, this doesn't amount to much. Still, they're as persistent as ever, and in a way their inability to viciously devour their prey only makes them more dangerous. These beasts are starving, and for all their skill in chasing down prey they can do little to actually eat their catch, which means they're constantly on the hunt and out to get anything that moves. Perhaps it might even be a good idea to help them out, if feeding the fish might make them a little less aggressive.

The machines are far better equipped for hunting, and all the more dangerous now that they're hungry enough to take a bite out of someone. Death is not a concept the world understands, so it's not like they're doing any permanent harm, but it's still a bit unnerving to see animals limping by with bite-sized chunks taken out of them. They haven't had a taste of people yet, but it doesn't seem like it'll be long before they try.

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Mushroom Hunting
Mushrooms are a new sight within the world, and a perfect snack to satisfy that sudden debilitating hunger! Harvesting them can be a bit of a problem, however. For one, they are massive, and the task of cutting one down and breaking it into edible chunks is made much easier with a group of people than one person working alone. Finding the mushrooms in their dark habitats may also be difficult... although, it is much easier to spot a mushroom the size of an entire person compared to something much smaller.

The real problem with mushroom hunting is where they can grow, which is nearly anywhere indoors. Though light now comes from other sources besides the sky, there are still buildings with dark corners that might suddenly acquire a giant mushroom or two (or three, or four) if left alone. And if those mushrooms are allowed to remain, they may just continue to grow, and grow, and grow...

So, if you don't want giant mushrooms bursting through your roof, it might be a good idea to keep an eye out for them before that happens.

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code bases by tricklet

Comments

[koopacrusher]

I wouldn't say I'm completely fireproof. This should at least hurt. [Bowser waves his hand in front of his face, closely observing it.] I think we already knew this place was crazy, though.

[bridge_princess]

Not going to disagree with you there, big guy. Just a little alarming to see it quite so ... visible. Kind of replaces one of those flashlight things with self immolation as a tactic.

Really... really weird.

[koopacrusher]

[The statement appears to make Bowser realize something.] Huh. Good idea, actually. [Bowser suddenly takes off toward Mt. Silver to see if fire can truly produce light in this dimension.]

[bridge_princess]

[She followed, catching on quick. Grabbing a couple rocks just in case she was right in step with Bowser.]

You're thinking of testing this in the caves, right? See if it at least produces light?

[koopacrusher]

Yeah. [Bowser looks back as he speaks, but keeps walking toward the mountain. He hadn't thought to bring extra rocks, but they could be useful.]

[In time, they arrive at the mountain, where Bowser finds a suitable cave entrance.]

[bridge_princess]

If it does, I'm actually going to need to remember this. Relying on my eyes is a pain in the neck, and I don't like trying so hard to use my powers. One of these days they might work.

[When they got to the entrance, at least it seemed to be shedding light into the depths didn't it?]

[koopacrusher]

[Bowser nods, as he holds his hand in front of him to use it as a torch and walks into the cave.] They'd better eventually work.

Wait, you have powers that let you see in the dark? I thought you said all your powers had to do with envy or something.

[bridge_princess]

[She followed in. Yeah, this torch was about a hundred times better than the faint sparkle of her eyes. But, as if to prove what she was about to say, she attempted to use her powers, failing yet again but having her eyes glow a little bit, giving her face an eerie look.]

Not quite. I have powers that let me control envy. My eyes glow a tiny bit when it happens. It barely covers past my hand, so it's really only good for making me spooky, not seeing well.

...

Torch is much better. My powers don't actually work here. Not right. Or if they do, they only work on me. Which is... sort of pointless. I don't get anything out of making myself more envious right now.

[koopacrusher]

Yeah, you're right. Those aren't really helpful. But... you've still got some hint, of your powers?

Wouldn't count on fire staying like this though. [At least, Bowser hopes fire doesn't stay like this, it's a pretty valuable weapon for him, when he can breathe it and it's actually harmful.

As Bowser walks further into the, the fire illuminates something that catches his attention.]

Were these mushrooms always here?

[Giant mushrooms surround them, and he hasn't seen them in any of them in his previous cave explorations.]

[bridge_princess]

I can still feel them working on myself, if that makes sense, because I can control mine too. It won't extend past the skin. Normally?

[She stared at the giant mushrooms. Wow. Uh. That was... that was...]

That's definitely new. Those things are kind of big. You think if we eat part one of them we'll shrink?

[koopacrusher]

No, not with these types, [Bowser says, probably taking the question about mushrooms far more seriously than how it was meant. Bowser squinted at the mushroom, not recognizing what exact kind it was, which was odd considering he spent so much of his time in the Mushroom Kingdom.] I don't think these are power-ups at all.

[Even so, Bowser tears off a piece of a mushroom with his free hand and eats it.]

[bridge_princess]

That's one way to test if it's poisonous... [Could they even get poisoned? She grabbed a piece of the same one and took a bite. Hmmm... basically mushroom, so very little flavor.]

this place is just weird sometimes, but we know that. Can we get past these?