Who: A bunch of nerds and their helpers.
What: The Sleeper Archive is established in an old spooky ruin to the north of town.
When: Early December
Where: Trenchwood, north of town.
Content Warnings: Tagged in headers as needed.
0. The InviteBack before the cold truly set in, Adaine asked the network for help on an expedition to the far north of town. The previous group had managed to crack open the old temple, but never ventured truly deep inside.
In the first few days of December, when they think they might have a lull in the chaos, Adaine, Jon, and Martin reach out to remind Sleepers of the opportunity. Whether you were lured by the promise of old Deerington lore, the allure of an ancient temple, the need for protection against Beasts of the wilderness, or just a chance to fuck up something that once belonged to Mother Mercy... it's time for the work to begin.
When you arrive, small groups are gathering in the snow to the northern end of town. Some look thoroughly prepared for a trek through the wilderness... and others look like they've never set foot outside a library.
1. The WalkThe weather starts bad and gets worse. Snow begins coming down as the Sleepers make their way through the forest, and the hike grows bitterly cold.
The trees are dark and gnarled, and there's not much of a path. Those with a magical knack for wayfinding may need to help guide the party or light the way through the snow.
Minor Beasts creep through the trees, born from Corrupted animals of the woods. Don't fall behind, or they may see you as a straggler worth targeting.
2. ExcavationThe temple looks like little more than a snowdrift. Those with physical or magical strength will be needed to excavate the dark stone entrance... only to find that August's flooding left frozen, mucky rubble that needs to be cleared. The whole while, minor Beasts watch the group from the forest's edge.
Once inside, the ruin is cold and spartan. It resembles an old bunker, more than anything: a bleak, utilitarian hallway lined with sconces and stone shelves, crates and barrels standing empty. There are signs of a previous struggle.
Those who venture down curving stone hallways, past sealed chambers and collapsed underground rooms, will find a heavy wooden door. It has been decorated with the greasy off-white of ash and the browning red of old blood, but the carving is immaculate: it depicts a figure with an ornate, filigreed body. She stands with her hands together and her crested head bowed, as though praying.
3. Snowed InThe weather gets worse.
The wind whipping through the wood begins to raise an unholy wail from the trees. Visibility drops to nothing: this is a blizzard, and an evening still riddled with Beasts. Sleepers may find it safer to stay awhile in the bunker, huddling for warmth and sharing their provisions by firelight, rather than hike back in the storm.
And there's work to do: orbs to install, furniture to build, ancient shelves to populate with books and notes and artifacts. If this place is going to become a useful base for further exploration and research, it'll need to become a lot more livable.
[ Please feel free to make your own toplevels using the prompts provided here, and direct any questions or plotting over here. Thank you! ]( find me way out there )