Task Given Beneath the Moon
Dive Prompt: You hear tinkling beside you as a Courser’s chanfron tumbles – no, *scuttles* across the cave floor. Upon further inspection it is being used as a shell by a massive crustacean. How do you react?
Event Prompt: Legend says that the Harvester is more likely to come out during the full moon that bears his name. Do you wish to meet him under the Harvest Moon? Or do you shelter somewhere to stay clear of its blood-red beams?
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Light from the harvest moon lit the field as if it were day, turning the sea of grass red. A slight breeze caused the grass to ripple like a sea of blood; calm, waiting to swallow any who dared to enter the expanse beneath the blood red sky.
A soft little creature left the safety of the trees and let herself bathe beneath the harvest moon, her soft pelt taking on a red hue and the flower upon her hindquarters took on the appearance of a rose. Little tail wiggling happily she only had eyes for the red hue, imagining the rippling grass as a large sheet of silk flowing in the breeze. It was beautiful.
“A creature of taste, I see!”
Merildis spun to face the crackly voice.
A large jack-o-lantern walking upon two armor clad legs and in their armor clad hands was a scythe with a blade of gold and adornment resembling vertebrae approached the courser who stood in the middle of the field, admiring the beauty the moon brought upon the land.
“It’s hard not to admire such a beautiful color,” the puck agreed.
“Since you have decided to join me tonight, maybe I could offer you a task. Help bring the souls of the dungeons to me so that I may reap before the harvest season ends?”
Merildis thought about it. Wondering if maybe this task may lead her to find this color in a form she could transform into a fabric for her craft. Taking this task is what brought her to the dungeon for the first time. Leaving the light of the moon behind she entered a jungle hidden beneath the surface of the world.
Clatter clatter jingle jangle…
Merildis was not sure what to expect as she pushed aside the large leaves growing over the path before her. Trotting deeper into the dungeon the sound of metal had been out of place with the leafy green surroundings and brought the puck to a halt.
“Hello?” she called out.
The only reply was the light clattering of metal followed by the rustling of leaves. It was growing closer. Leaves nearby began to move. Whatever it was, it was nearly upon her. Debating whether to run or face it she froze in place until it was too late. The chanfron scuttled out from the bushes, scurrying right towards her. All she could do was jump back and out of the way. Her movement caused the chanfron to freeze. A dread washed over her as it began to turn towards her, standing in the center of the path. Beady eyes peered out at her as the crustacean seemed to analyze her.
Clap clap!
It clapped its claws together before turning back towards the direction it had been traveling. Without another look at the courser the crustacean scuttled into the bushes and away, leaving a very confused puck behind to wonder about what she had just seen.
“Breathe… not everything is out to get you,” she said to herself.
Taking a deep breath to soothe her beating heart, she continued down the path once more, diving deeper into the Overgrown Caverns and their mysteries.