An Assortment of Happenstance (Random Events Wave 2)

[pumpkinhollow]

Pumpkin Hollow Community Bulletin

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It's been a while since the community board has been redone! The weather hasn't really been permitting long excursions into town square to do up the board, especially since the blizzard, but today is a clear day for once and Yorick is in a hurry to get it all set up for Merrymeet.

He helpfully posts a few announcements.

COMMUNITY GATHERING AT TOWN HALL TONIGHT

A community gathering is scheduled in Town Hall tonight for all new residents ("offworlders") to discuss their recent experience with a mass shared dream event. Locals who are native to Pumpkin Hollow will be present to listen, learn, and help make sense of this strange dream. The intent of the gathering is to ascertain the meaning of the dream and share details to create a bigger picture.

Sweet potato muffins will be provided, courtesy of Cecil. The meeting will officially commence at 6pm. Dress warmly!

MERRYMEET FLOWER QUEEN VOTING

Voting for the Flower Queen of our upcoming Merrymeet celebration is now officially open! Please cast your vote for one of the following candidates from our final pool of nominees:

Dahlia Leeds, town councilwoman and Historical Society leader.
Annabel Lee Whitlock, seamstress and chess extraordinaire.
Mary Dahl, shop employee and freelance theatrical performance artist.
Magne Kikiishi, Oak & Iron employee and Fight Club leader.
Zelda of Hyrule, captain of the Mipha's Grace.
Sally Boyle, chemist/herbalist and proprietor of the Blackberry Apothecary.

Merrymeet will be held on Saturday, Feb. 24th, so all votes must be cast by then. This year's celebration will also feature our first Flower Princess in a while, Bobbin Kaspbrak, escorted by her keeper, Eddie! She is a chicken. (Note: the last Flower Princess was Butter Poe, a cat. She will sadly be unable to pass on her crown in the ceremonial manner due to being a cat, but she wishes Bobbin the best of luck.)

[ Ballot Box ]

BOTTLE COLLECTION NOTICE

ALERT TO ALL CITIZENS: down on Tawny Beach there have been sightings of bottled messages washing ashore that appear to be addressed to various offworld citizens. Please scan the beach or check in with Jack's Marina Port Authority to see if there are any intended for you at your earliest convenience.

[ Those who go to the beach to investigate may find a bottle carrying curled parchment with their name on it. Within, they will find a letter from a loved one from back home. The messages read more like prayers or thoughts about their subjects, often in third person rather than second, but contain important insight about how the writer truly views the recipient that may guide them in this world. They are also obviously written in the handwriting of the person who sent them. It's unclear how they got here, but perhaps they can help. ]

After Yorick has long since walked away, another strange message also appears. Nailed to the bottom of the board haphazardly, a piece of twine with a large tooth tied to it and a piece of parchment. The text is written in a neat but jagged font, ink seeming to almost fray at the edges, outlining agreed upon terms for some manner of agreement. A shot that must be discharged within a lunar cycle, a soul to be taken from this plane by King Eligos, and a mandatory betrayal of trust. It is signed by both Eligos and Vika. A line in the terms is underlined.

For whatever purpose I deem fit.

Beneath the signatures a note is scrawled that reads,

"Never let it be said that syntax doesn't matter. You didn't think I was going to help you kill my own grandchild, did you?"

Those going to Town Hall for the community gathering will see that the Pine Devil skull that Vika had hung there is now shattered, and her notice gone. The Pine Devil is loose once more.

Comments

RESIDENT BULLETINS

[pumpkinhollow]

Residents can post their own bulletins here!

Pinned Below The Ominous Note

[lastofthefirst]

Not sorry that I tried, but the plan was misinformed from the start. The Devil speaks; if it speaks, it thinks. If it thinks, it's a person. So if and when it reads this: I'm ready to talk.

To everyone else, the first person to flash bindings at me is going to need prosthetic legs.

- Vika

A Typewritten Note, Pinned Exceptionally Neatly

[arcanegrasp]

SEEKING PARTICIPANTS FOR ECOLOGICAL STUDY OF LOCKWOOD FOREST

I, Dr. Elias Coldwood, am requesting the assistance of any willing participants to join me in an expedition into Marrow Isle's own Lockwood Forest, known for its perils and difficult terrain. I am seeking a team with skills in navigation, woodsmanship, hunting, gathering, specimen acquisition & preservation, and combat. Those with a strong defense against psychological or other cognitive influences are encouraged to join.

This study will begin in early March, and the finalized date will be determined with all the schedules of those attending in mind. The expedition will last three to four days, and will begin at the Paring River's westward bridge near Eeltooth Lagoon, and will end on the eastward bridge by Knotter's Rock, where we will return to town for a dinner before parting ways. Final numbers will be required at the end of the month so an appropriate amount of camping supplies and provisions can be acquired. Compensation will be provided for all participants' time and efforts.

For any questions, please feel free to contact me directly via post, phone, or a scheduled in-person meeting to discuss. I look forward to any and all who will join me on this mission to broaden our understanding of this isle we call home!

-E.C.

An equally neat note, in fine, small handwriting

[theresalwaystheview]

Dr Coldwood,
I would be delighted to finally be able to join you in an expedition out on a proper study of the forest and its wildlife, particularly in the wake of recent upheavals. I can of course bring pre-existing expertise in information and specimen gathering and observation.

If there is anything specific that you imagine yourself requiring of me, please do let me know and any material that may be necessary, I can provide of my own accord.

-Bart Torgal

Pinned Beneath Bart's Note

[lastofthefirst]

If you think I'm waiting at home wondering if you died or not, think again. I'm going with you.

- Vika

A note written in what is very nearly caligraphy.

[i_ink_therefore_i_ammy]

Dr. Elias Coldwood,

I would be delighted to join. My talents lay in combat, but I am well suited for the forest, being canine. The blessing of Kasugami can guard the mind against threats and calm the soul, and the other Celestial Brush techniques may help with travel. And should we need warmth or light, I am happy to provide both.

• Okami Amaterasu

A note delivered by post

[tisnotthehouse]

Elias,

Let me first apologize for my words at Aster's dinner, and any danger you may have incurred by my actions afterwards. I was not in my right mind. If you are amiable, I would with pleasure contribute my skills to your expedition. I can bring to bear three million years of exobiological studies, as well as some skill in local tracking, trapping, and construction.

If you would prefer to discuss my potential contributions further before agreeing, I can be found at my shop, The Silk Road, during normal business hours, or at the Oak & Iron in the evenings.

In the spirit of scientific inquiry,
Tarantulas

A talon-written note

[maltesefalcon]

Dr. John Watson and Cerrit Agrupnin would like to lend their skills to this expedition. Watson is a medical doctor with military experience, while Cerrit is combat-trained and a keen observer who can watch the backs of those cataloging wildlife.

a handwritten reply in somewhat crabbed script

[graphomaniac]

I should like to come by and help as much as I can.

R' Morgenshtern

[graveling]

I can come if you want. Though I hope you don't need me as a priest, I'm still very much in training.

-Angel

Hand-printed with great care, if inexpertly

[actuallyawolf]

My name is Ylva and I am a druid. Iknow all those things you mentioned but especially the hunting and fighting and knowing about forests. I will come help.

(A map is drawn underneath that indicates the way to the place she's made her home, near farmland but also at the edge of the woods.)

[hyliasblessing]

I will be in attendance, and I may have my partner Jean with me! I look forward to this academic venture.

-Zelda

[restingslasherface]

Agent Jean, confirming.

Hideous handwriting

[skeletonkeay]

hell yeah

MISSED CONNECTION

[somebodychildofanyone]

If a new resident remembers going by the name of Ryja during a recent dream, you are missed, and looked for. Come to Infernal Arms and Armor when you're ready.

- River la Croix (Amy Fisher)

The rest of the paper is taken up with a rough sketch of Ryja's as she appeared in the dream; beneath are the words My Trouble.

a handwritten note in slightly crabbed script | OTA

[graphomaniac]

To the residents of Pumpkin Hollow,

I've not had the occasion to introduce myself properly. I'm called Rabbi Lev Venyaminovitsh or Lyubov Veniyaminovna Morgenshtern, depending (thou'rt welcome to ask "depending on what"); my students and my khavurah have also called me Rov Ari.

If anyone here aside from Reb Cecil Gershwin Palmer knows what kosher salt is actually for, please get in touch. Thou'rt may make contact with me at the Oak & Iron—if thou'd be so good, please leave correspondence addressed to R' Morgenshtern; otherwise feel free to leave a note requesting an in-person appointment.

Further, if thou know'st what a rabbi is and have need of one, I am currently unable to provide a proper bays din, but Reb Cecil Gershwin Palmer has been kind enough to offer his opinion and to add his voice to mine in matters of the Oral Law, and we will do our best to elucidate any matter pertaining to which thou may have questions, until the question is clear or the divergences irreconcilable.

I intend on keeping my side of the contract inscribed on my body, the sign of which I bind upon my arm and as frontlets between mine eyes, which is in my mouth whether I am at home or a sojourning in a foreign land. I trust in the other signatory, Blessed is His Name.

If thou hast no bloody clue what the fuck I'm on about, thou'rt welcome to ask and thou'rt welcome to tea.

My regards to ye all

R' Morgenshtern

[the subtext is clear. they're adrift without their usual routine and they're offering the only service they're capable of and willing to practise again—pastoral care and kibitzing.]

A carefully handwritten announcement for a casual social gathering

[inaurate]

Hello fellow residents--

Do you have any interest in the following games, but are lacking fellow players?

• Chess
• Backgammon
• Checkers
• Go
• Any other games of strategy & skill

Come to the Oak & Iron at the below time and date! Board sets for above mentioned games as well as a few decks of cards will be borrowed from the library, but all are welcome to bring their own games and cards!

Purchase of at least one drink or food dish heavily encouraged as thanks to Oak & Iron for hosting.

Hope to see you there!
-CvR

[for the sake of rp timey-wimey bullshit, the date is not officially set but this is going to be a recurring thing from now on. weekly? at least weekly. nerds, assemble!]

[witheredpeonies]

Annabel Lee shows up with her own chess board and pieces, a sunny smile on her face, all blonde curls and innocence in her pale blue and off-white outfit picked to make her look even more angelic. There's a notebook with a leather cover tucked under one arm, a silver chess queen embossed on the cover.

[somebodychildofanyone]

River will be attending with a particular interest in improving her chess play. She's much better at checkers.

[pineapplesalmon]

César will definitely attend and get a drink. He will not get drunk, yet. But he will socialize and play games.