Us and "Them" [ congrats winners! ]

[houllow]

Down where the swamps dance among the trees, where waters run from fresh to salt, "They" live. Beneath the murky surface, browned with mud and littered with algae, "They" thrive. In the calls of the animals under the sun, in the silence of the beasts beneath the moon, "They" speak. With each passing of the hours, as day turns to night and back again, "They" draw closer and closer.

It can be smelled in the air. It can be seen in the waters. It can be felt from the ground.

"They" are coming.

We are ready.

We are waiting.

 

[houllow]

We are not unprepared.

We have been told what to do if "They" should ever return.

We have been taught what to do if "They" should ever return.

"They" are coming.

We are ready.

We are waiting.

 

[houllow]

But what have we learned?

What stories were told to Us about "Them"?

What songs were taught to Us about "Them" ?

"They" are coming.

The words are escaping.

We are unsteady.

 

[houllow]

Who are "They" ?

Who are We?

Do you know?

Will you tell Us?

"They" are coming.

Help.

 

[houllow]

[ Welcome ]

Who are We? Why must we stop "Them"? Who are "They"?

That is what I want to know, what I want you to tell me.

What is the superstition that drives this trio of ponies to gather together in fear each night, performing a ritual known only within this tiny and fragile circle?

What fear coats the words they chant as they act, night after night, to stop "Them" from coming.

Can you tell Us? Who are We?

[ Contest ]

Name the pony, give a tiny blurb. Are the oldest of the trio? The youngest? The middle child?

Explain who "They" are.

What is the Ritual the ponies do? What does it involve?

What is the Chant they speak? What were the words they learned?

Is...."They" real, or not? Are the ponies just superstitious and fearful?

This is what I want to know.

Tell me.

[ Rules ]

You may only enter once.
Entries may be edited up until the closing date.
No copying from another entry.
You can work together with someone else to have your entries work together.
Still, don't copy from another entry.
You can ask me if you have any questions.
Have fun.

[ Time ]

9/20 12:00 AM EST - 9/27 12:00 AM EST ENDS 10/4 AT 11 PM EST

 

[houllow]

[ The Ponies ]

[ Mutant Hybrid - Mer/Unicorn w/Reindeer Hoof Morph ]

 

[houllow]

[ The Form ]

[b]Who am "I"?[/b]
[b]Who are "They"?[/b]

[b]What is the Ritual?[/b]
[b]What is our Chant?[/b]

[b]Is it all Real?[/b]

[b]And who...are You?[/b]

 

[AlicornPlayhouse]

Who am "I"? Echo's Of Storms ( Grey ) She/Her
A stoic and angry young pony, the middle of the three siblings, completely convinced these tales of old are true and seeking a vengance against this 'beast' after one of her dearest friends foals had been taken by it. She is always out looking for a reason to scream and fight, having often to be held back by others not to go running to the winds herself in search of fighting this creature. She doesn't seem to have an off switch, and if she's being quiet it's usually regarded as the quiet before the storm.
Who are "They"? The stalker of the winds, a being as swift as the raging waves that comes to ravage their home and steal all that they hold dear. Foals all but turned to dust with nothing left in this creatures tracks. It follows the wind, the sound of the whistling sky and the waters current. You pray to the one who made us all whole that it doesn't make it to your doorstep. You lock your windows tight and tuck your children in, and all you can do is pray it isn't hungry. Pray that it won't get closer.. Nobody knows what it truly looks like, but it's legend to be a large beast, with fangs the size of buildings and eyes so deep and dark even the seas power hides away in fear from its gaze, with hair and markings like the night sky so it hides away from your view. You can't hear it coming. You can't see it coming. By the time you feel it, it's too late.

What is the Ritual? These chosen ponies light lanterns up on the surface on rocks, hidden safe from the raging waves, before swimming in circles around their town, chanting all the while in an attempt to confuse the beast from hearing the howl of the wind, and to disturb the current to keep it away from their home. For if he can follow the wind and ride the currents their lives are all but destroyed. Rumor has it that the beast likes the sound of music and will spare those that sing, so they keep their chant like a melody, though whether that's true or not even the most adamant ponies question.
What is our Chant? 'May the winds blow from the East, and the raging storm calm. May the call of the sea, give back what we lost. May our weary song please you, or let us all rot.' It is usually sang, but it's generally believes chanting it will work as well.

Is it all Real? Not at all.. You see, these ponies are one in a million, a small settlement of poor mers blessed by the sight of not just a hybrid, but one mutated and changed with pearls on their chest and a horn larger than life. This group was highly superstitious, believing these ponies were sent to them to protect them from the unknowns of this world and the scary land above. As they began to mature, and slowly but surely started to show interest in leaving their homes group and starting their own life... the ponies got scared. They thought that they'd displeased whatever saint had sent these obvious protectors, so they set to work, destroying the town through the night and sending off some of their own foals to get lost in the dark sea. The next morning, mothers cried and fathers begged, praying to the young mutants not to leave, for if they did this creature of the night would return and take more of their children and elderly. With nowhere else to go, they agreed to stay and help, whether that be them all agreeing or just one feeling pity and dragging the others along. The ponies created a large tale of this 'creature' and a ritual that must be done every night, convinced this was the will of their savior and they must work to keep their protectors in their grasp, even if it means lying.

And who...are You? AlicornPlayhouse

 

[medigel]

Who am "I"? Duskengloam (they/them, gray/white mercorn)
The oldest, the one who bears the brunt of responsibility. A reluctant soldier who knows better than to deviate from the orders of old.
Who are "They"? The restless sense of guilt manifest. A shadow crawling up your back. The moment when, alone, you hear someone call your name. A creeping sense of deja vu. A heartbeat that delays just a little too long.

You were told they were Awakened, but not wholly what it meant. But you knew the implication: this reality was nothing more than a dream and they had become something more by breaking free of it. And all they want to do is bring you down with them, to stop sleeping beneath a fake celestial tapestry and to seek the truth down below. They want you to open your eyes and join them. To wake up.

What is the Ritual? The ritual is what keeps them asleep. One almost could say they are tucking monsters in every night.

Dinner is served. A simple affair, a small creature is humanely killed, though if it bears any eyes their lids are carefully peeled off. The mers believe that this facsimile of awakening - that is, a beast that can no longer close its eyes to the truth - appeases any that might have stirred between rituals. Tied to a heavy stone, they sink their offering in the middle of the swamp and hope they have not chosen wrong this time...else They might decide to come from the depths and hunt for themselves.

Fireflies are gathered en mass, jars and jars of the creatures brought out and then released over the murky waters. Stars, you remind them. It is late. It is time to go to bed. The lights blink in and out, a hypnotic pattern that can sometimes even soothe their keepers.

A lullaby is sung once the lights are dancing. They must keep their voices soft but strong and never out of tune, and they must be still whether in the water or on land. Excessive movement may wake the Awakened, much like an ornery foal.
What is our Chant? Less a chant and more of a song, it is the most important part of the ritual.

​

Giant sleeps beneath the water​

Breaking fast on false-made dreamer​

O our awakened redeemer​

Filling up from chosen slaughter​

Sleep, for there is time to spare​

Sleep, and hear our prayer​

​

Nothing stirs above you now​

All have gathered here to praise​

Silent, they embrace our ways​

And sleeping ever disavow​

Sleep, for there is time to spare​

Sleep, and hear our prayer​

​

The work has already been done​

Faithful gathered full of patience​

All completed by 3 agents​

That know your grace has already won​

Sleep, then, with fealty we swear​

Sleep, then, without a care​

Is it all Real? If it's been passed down from their parents and their grandparents and so forth...It's real enough. For just because it's in the mind doesn't mean it doesn't matter.

And who...are You? medigel

 

[belloblossom]

Who am "I"? Blood Runs (Tan/red)
Who are "They"? Nightmares, pure and simple. If 'we' are the dreams made real, 'they' are the nightmares that threaten our lives. 'We' who are good and just, must do our part to keep 'them' at bay. Nightmares lurk everywhere and anywhere, in the shadows, in plain sight. 'They' are crafty and they can never be trusted, changing shape and personality as easily as breathing. 'Their' reason for being is yet unknown, but one thing is clear: if you encounter 'them' then destruction of all that is good is soon to follow.

Be warned, for even the purest of dreams can turn into the worst nightmares. If 'we' do not maintain our rituals and chants, 'we' may become apart of 'them' who that have taken so many of our kin from us. It is all 'we' can do to maintain our true purpose. To prevent 'them' from infecting and turning any more of us and saving any other dreams we can in the process.

What is the Ritual? The day prior to the full moon, the trio (and any others they have found to take into their group) paint themselves with a special tincture, crafted by their founder. When applied like body paint, it may glow in varying colors to see if you are still a trustworthy dream or if you have since turned into a nightmare (yellow for dream - bright as the sun that banishes darkness and nightmares, pink for the signs of an infected wound, to show that the pony has been infected, too, by 'them'.) If you are revealed to be a nightmare you are cast out and if you become violent during this time you are deemed a lost cause and more forcefully removed.

After, when the nightmares are banished, the group will chant until the moon begins to rise and upon it's rising they will collectively go to sleep. It is during a full moon that communication with their creator [The Dreamer] may be possible. Sometimes they to have dreams and the following day they will seek to interpret said dreams among the group. If they dreamed of a location - they will send scouts out to go there as their may be a dream that needs their help against a nightmare. If they dream of a pony that has since left their ranks, they may try to seek out this pony in case they have seen the errors of their ways, though such matters are seriously discussed before they leave, etc.
What is our Chant? "We have been dreamed to keep them at bay, by She who has dreamed 'us' for the wish that 'we' stay, to protect all sweet dreams only wishing to play, so we chant and we sing to live another day."

Is it all Real? The origin of their group is long forgotten, but a few skeptics (who have since left the collective 'we' and joined 'them', in the eyes of the 'we' that is the mercorn trio) theorized that this whole thing was caused by the founder having a bad encounter with a changeling. However, the trio and in particular Blood Runs, is absolutely convinced that everything is real. If they cannot trust each other and those who came before them, then what could they possibly trust? They will not allow themselves to become apart of 'them'.

And who...are You? belloblossom

 

[SwordOfTheNagas]

Who am "I"? Flesh N'Blood [he/him -- brown/red]
Who are "They"? 'They' are the monsters of the trench. There is a deep, deep trench that runs the length of the border of their home underwater. 'They' come out once a year, during this time the trio as well as other clans come together to perform a sealing ritual. However...'They' started to get smart. 'They' sent out lackey's to execute the other clans...slowly everyone but the Trio were pulled into the trench. Now...its just... 'Us'....

What is the Ritual? The Ritual is the eldest of the gathering draws a perfect circle, within this circle a eight pointed star is drawn. Each point represents one of the Clans that started this seal to combat 'Them'. In each segments between the points various symbols are drawn. Within the center of the Star they draw a cross and then each season is drawn in various symbols. Within the points of the Star, there is nothing a symbol of a peaceful period...or so they were told. Every youth there is taught these symbols because one day it would be them drawing them. Every year, it is up to the elder of a different Clan. The Clans used to take turns...now...'We' being considered one being due to being triplets, are the ones who draw everything out.

Once drawn out...a bowl containing a piece of each season in placed in the center. While those who are to chant draws their own blood to incite the old magic.
What is our Chant? It used to be that everypony present would gather around the circle and recite these words. Now...'We' stand at the points of a perfect Triangle and recite the words.

Those who lay in wait below.
Let these words around you flow.
So you may never know,
the taste of the blood that flows.

This the seal We recite with dread.
Let the trench forever remain your bed.
May you always know what is said,
As you forever wait for our Deaths.

Is it all Real? Yes...and No. While there are creatures in the Trench, these beings have a long standing feud with the Clans that perform the Ritual. The Seal, is a way for the families to ward themselves from being found. Due to their Unicorn blood, the magic is a bit more potent …sadly the other Clans long ago lost the magic to their words. So... those in the trench were able to find them in their dens. Now, its either a matter of time before the triplets are found or they discover the truth lost to them. The truth...lies inside of an ancestors journal that lays at the bottom of the Trench.

And who...are You? SwordOfTheNagas

 

[Straye]

Who am "I"?
Name: Derecho

Spoiler

A Derecho is a great storm made up of a number of storms that travel back to back along the same path, often for more than 250 miles, and with winds gusting over 60 miles per hour.

The Chosen: The grey storm Mer
Order of Birth:
Eldest

Who are "They"? The Frayed

Spoiler

They will Drain the Existence from any who fall victim to them - leaving behind an empty husk, fraying at the seams, threatening to fall apart if they do not feed.

All memories of the victim fade the more that is drained from them - from acquaintances most recently met, to those in their community, to close friends, then to their closest familial bonds.

Once they become one of the Frayed, all memory of them is gone, and a gap, an emptiness, a loss or longing is left by those who have forgotten.

The emotion left by this emptiness has an aura that calls to others who are Frayed making them prime targets.

The Frayed have been known to wipe out entire villages before going dormant, hibernating for five years at the bottom of swamps, the muds and mucks, and algae keeping their grey bodies together.

What is the Ritual?

Spoiler

The Ritual starts on the Full Moon before their rise – when the sky is full and bright of the resting Sun's Reflection, and the New Moon that follows brings their rise.

First the blossoms of Moonflower, Night Phlox, and the daylily called Moon Frolic are harvested in full bloom, which only happens in the light of the moon.

Bioluminescent Sea Anemone, bioluminescent plankton, biooluminescent coral, and these are crushed and mixed with the bulbs of Fireflies, and the soft fleshy bodies of glowworms finally mixed with a vibrant paste from the pureed flesh of the Foxfire mushrooms.

These are mixed together into a kind of paint at the height of midnight; these actions must be done solely with the power of the Unicorn's Horn, and can never be touched by hoof or muzzle. Then this mixture is combined with preening oil from both ducks and penguins to help prevent washing away.

Then lastly, like any true ritual, it calls for blood of the living, veilfire, protection runes etched into the earth and a chant read by floating veilfire candlelight.

The paint must be applied to the shore's edge, the stones, the trees, and any log or leav encircling the bog where The Frayed rest and this paint must be repainted every night from the full moon, leading up to the night of the New Moon when they rise.

The night that the sky is devoid of the Sun's Mirrored Glow, the light of the moon instilled within the paint is intended to trap them in their watery grave.

What is our Chant?
Ashes to Ashes,
Dust to Dust,

By my Blood,
My Shield is Just.

Bar them entry from Within,
Be once foe, or friend, or missing Kin.

Thrice round the Circle Bound,
Evil remain beneath the Ground,

Black bird soaring guide the path,
So none fall prey to Evil's Wrath.

You will hear no more plaintive cries,
This is my order; you shall not rise,

My word forbades thee,
So mote it be.

This Chant is Uttered by the Power of Three.

Is it all Real? It was, once, and no one dares to let the season pass to test if they still wake. This particular story comes from Fall Harvest in Everychange, Blackmurk Swamp is where the ritual takes place, and Lost Town is where the blight first struck, the town was later burned along with any dead left behind.

Spoiler

Many years ago a plague swept through the land - the first to fall was one of Us. One of the Guardians, the Wardens. We were many once; sentinels, protectors.

A dark creature with Vampiric qualities came upon one of us, weak and in need. Never one to refuse anyone in need, regardless of their origins, our order took them in and helped them regain their strength. One night, they went mad with hunger, attacked their caretaker, and fed deeply. That one who had cared for them was old and full of potent magicks, and when he lay dead at the end, the Vampire thought to go on his merry way; but a bond of magic had been borne between them when the Vampire consumed his life's blood.

The Vampire, afraid of losing his life to unknown magick revived the old one with his blood; what rose was not like him though; no indeed, it was more like a wraith.
That wraith destroyed most of our Order that night.

It became a blight upon the land, and all those it fed from took it's form. The Frayed, we called them, dead, and barely existent, fraying at the seams.

When they first went to ground, we thought that was the end. We did our due diligence to clean up the death and destruction left in their way, but then they rose again five years later, and the blight fed once more.

By the end of the third coming, We three were the last remaining of our Order, the Keepers. We were Wardens trained to fight against the blight of the Frayed as it swept across the lands of Everchange, leaving in its path Discord, Chaos, and Death. We were the Grave Keepers, Time Keepers, Peace Keepers. Keepers of Life. Keepers of Lore. We were the ones who, no matter the loved ones we lost, no matter who fell, Knew the Truth.

That was our curse - to be the only ones who remembered those who were gone.

We devised the protection ritual and the chant countering the darkness and death with fire from the Veil of Purgatory and calling upon the creators for protection. When the fourth wave was expected to rise, we did our ritual and they did not rise!

Oh, they stayed beneath the murk and swamp, yes, but a caravan of travelers fell victim to them during their travels through the bog. We learned then that while we could contain them, we could not truly divert nor prevent their evil.

And who...are You? Straye

 

[houllow]

We know who we are, and we have told you.

We are ready.

We are here.

Whether it is real is for you to believe, @medigel

Whether you can protect is for you to try, @SwordOfTheNagas .

But They are still coming.

We are ready.

CONGRATS TO MEDIGEL AND SWORDOFTHENAGAS!!

Thank you all so much for entering, and look forward to more!