weed cheat sheet

[debug_mode]

WHO: the weeds
WHERE: the weeds clubhouse, of course!
WHEN: Day 80, idk, sometime after the mingle but not too late in the day.

[There was a ritual that was terrifying, so that called for a meeting.]

Okay, everyone! There was a ritual yesterday, which was actually rather terrifying. Only myself and Apple were present, so it's no surprise if you didn't know about it.

[a little bit of a sigh and nervous shrug.]

That said, I can see we've got a few new faces and maybe some old who don't know the patterns. You may not know what to expect if you appear at, or are otherwise summoned to a ritual and are expected to participate. So, listen to me. I've been around for a while. I can help you prepare.

[she clears her throat!]

Rituals for weeds split up into several types. The first type is "we weeds are separate and apart from the sheep, the sheep are doing the work." The second type is "we weeds are placed in the same situation as the sheep, we share in their situation and possibly their punishment." The second type was practically unheard of until after every flock needed to travel into the mist to save a hostage. However, it does exist. These can be 'fun' and harmless, or very dangerous. The harmless ones are more social in nature, and are usually a free-for-all. For example, a ritual where everyone was a bartender and we were given the chance to judge every flock for their talents at mixing drinks.

Let's split these up further. In the case of the first type, there are two other types of rituals. "Those we passively watch as spectators," and "those we can actively influence." They're both equally common. The first usually includes some sort of predicting or 'betting' element, where if we predict what the sheep are going to do, we get a reward. But, ones where we simply watch all the way through are possible, too. As for the second, it can be a universal "we can change things to be more difficult, or possibly easier, for the sheep," or a limited "you can choose to give the sheep an obstacle."

You may have noticed the sheep that 'win' get rewarded after the ritual is over, even if it is just 'everyone revives and is no longer injured.' With us, we tend to get a 'participation' award no matter what we do. There have been exceptions, and they're generally speaking rewards for being more... 'active'.

[She lets that hang there.]

At any rate, I don't think the sheep realized at first what, or who, was altering rituals, or if it was even happening. But, they're aware weeds have their own roles in rituals now. So, if you're in a situation where you know you hold a great amount of power, possibly over life and death, and that you're anonymous, and that therefore there's absolutely no consequences for how you use it... try to be responsible? Ahaha...

[she said, guiltily.]

...Anyway! I hope that helps you understand more about weeds roles in rituals. If you take away anything, it should maybe be this: be glad you're not a sheep, because you're a lot less likely to die or be maimed.

Oh, and that our consolation prizes are usually alcohol. Which you can use, or trade as you see fit.

Thanks for the listen. Good luck, and let's be careful out there. It's a dangerous world.

[General post for weeds! Feel free to ignore Your Name's speech and have your own thread, at whatever time or place around the clubhouse.]

Comments

[jerkalope]

Yeah, I don't know the specific details but there was an unsuccessful attempt at exploring the ocean a couple weeks ago. I assume a more successful one may have triggered your pirate roleplay. Or it could be a completely random punishment, who knows!

[debug_mode]

That would make a lot of sense... 'the sea getting its revenge,' and the weeds are its custodians, trying to keep the sheep from summoning a sea monster in their search for treasure.

[...]

The pasture sometimes scares me.

[jerkalope]

Heh, only sometimes?

Anyway, I'm happy enough to stay on dry land. Jackalopes are not amphibious cryptids. But I'll also keep an ear out if anybody did something exceedingly reckless on the same level of, oh, grave robbing and grand theft auto.

[debug_mode]

All the time.

It'd be really scary if cars were an earnable item. I'd predict Thistle riding off into the mist.

[jerkalope]

I'm still dreading the day when one of them gets it into their heads to ask for motor scooters. Those things are much easier to build and much more annoying for people to ride around on.

[debug_mode]

That sounds like enough of a public nuisance that the sheep would take care of it themselves. The phrase 'noise pollution' comes to mind.

[jerkalope]

Three of the flocks can get upgrades with the right noise pollution, so it would all be a matter of optics. Still, if they start anything I suppose a few kudzu mounds might be a good road obstacle.

[debug_mode]

...Wait, what? Upgrades?

I'm... not as well versed in flock powers as I could be. Could you elaborate?

[jerkalope]

If enough of the flock acts like a functional team they can get rewarded with things like improvements to their living spaces or whatever. Clover just had that party for Sonata as a two-fer, a surprise for her and something they all contributed to, so that means a nicer living room to crash at!

Most of the flock rites can be party themed. Daffodil is nothing but parties, Rose thrives on drama, Clover on surprises. I think Peony is another that gets benefits from being loud and outgoing, which is why their living quarters are barebones because they're nothing but introverts.

[debug_mode]

Oh. [relaxed sigh] So each flock has their own theme of herd mentality. I didn't know that. I thought it was random.

Poor Peony, though...

[jerkalope]

You pay attention to the specifics of their gatherings and you can sort it out. Although I haven't seen each flock participate. Like Peony, hehe! Maybe if it was a video game tournament they'd participate.

[debug_mode]

That would be pretty noisy. Maybe it's to motivate them to change...

But then, Rose doesn't need help to be dramatic.

[jerkalope]

Rose is dramatic on its own, the rewards are an afterthought. But it does make them good sources of gossip. And Apple is very fond of Belle, so they have an in with the Weeds.

[ he says, opting to not mention his own ]

[debug_mode]

Belle is very charming an individual... but I'm guessing you mean something else.

[jerkalope]

Oh, he is. The most approachable of them all. I was mostly referring to how Belle and Apple have the most connections here. At least seven go to the same school, and three are shepherds.

[debug_mode]

[and her jaw just... drops]

What!?

[jerkalope]

What, you didn't know? Levi and Belle on Rose, then Levi's brother was flipping about somewhere, a couple of Daffodil brats, and the blue haired Brothers on Peony...

1/2

[debug_mode]

No, I didn't know that! This is terrible news!

Even if they hate each other, of course they're going to talk!

[debug_mode]

[her eyes go wider, now panicking]

Oh, God, what have I been doing!? How could I be so stupid as to think "Of course, I can present a different face to everyone for all eternity!" "Of course, I can hide what I'm really thinking!" It's not like the sheep are so close to each other they can do a simple thing like talk honestly amongst themselves. "There's never going to be a walk-through of how to deal with me."

[epiphany]

...What have I been doing... I've been acting like I'm still in the game all this time... like everyone is just a new player to talk to...

[jerkalope]

Seriously? This didn't occur to you?

[ his ears quirk at "in the game" and he taps his paw in consideration ]

This isn't some otome game. Of course, people are used to hiding their true faces to the rest of the world, but there's usually some consistency to it. I thought you routinely played up the helpless act to everybody.

[debug_mode]

...It doesn't matter.

[she wasn't listening to his questions anymore]

What do you know about otome games...?

[jerkalope]

Dating simulators for humans who can't properly interact in the real world. I've had a few subordinates play them for "research"...hah, but I never bothered myself. Do-overs don't happen in real life.

[debug_mode]

...Harsh.

[jerkalope]

Ah, but not entirely wrong either! But why don't you give me your expert opinion on them.

[ he doesn't sound sarcastic this time, genuinely interested in getting her POV ]

[debug_mode]

Dating sims, huh...? I... kind of had all of my attention drawn on one, a while back. Before I came here. Part of me has wanted to talk to other people about them, but so many people barely know what a computer is beyond 'that thing with the sheep websites.'

But, maybe I'm interested in knowing your opinion on my opinion. --If that makes sense.

Do you have time for a walk to the fountain?