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

[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?

[jerkalope]

It does. There's whatever a thing is, and whatever it means to someone else. Those can be two completely different answers.

[ hops forward towards the door ]

So why not?

[debug_mode]

Sort of like... what you do doesn't matter if someone else doesn't see it. 'Tree in the woods.'

[she sighs]

All right. I can show you the whole thing at the fountain. I threw the coin in not long ago and it gave me the memory. I can replay it now.

[jerkalope]

Yes and no. They ask if a tree in the woods falls, does it make a sound? But the tree is still dead, so in some ways it does matter. After all, it can't become alive again. The wood will rot and the soil soak it up, regardless if it fell from an ax or old age.

[ tilts his head ]

Ah, so that's how they work? I was just collecting them for fun~

[debug_mode]

Yes, that's how they work. I was deliberately avoiding using them because I thought I knew enough. Well, anyway...

[and, a short jaunt to the fountain?]

[jerkalope]

No such thing. There's always going to be something new to completely upend your careful plans...

[ not that he's bitter about that or anything. and he's a fast lil' guy so yeah he can keep up with her easily ]

[debug_mode]

I think you just forgot to save your game.

You should always save your game, just in case. That way you can restore it and go back and try something else later.

[She laughs, as they reach it.]

Okay, just... sit up and stare in, I guess.

[jerkalope]

[ ...hops onto the ledge and carefully peers in ]

[debug_mode]

[And he sees this. Including the disclaimer, "a free game," etc. Only difference being Your Name's real name isn't there.]

[jerkalope]

Ah, so you're from an otome game? I can spot the shy nadeshiko and the genki girl from your friends.

[debug_mode]

...N-No. An otome game is geared toward women, would have a woman protagonist, and the dating choices would be men. Generally, speaking.

But, semantics aside, it's not so simple to say "I'm from a dating sim."

[she points at the image]

...I know what's happening down there.

I know, I'm stuck in a game. I know, I'm not a real girl. I know, what I've thought of as my memories and history is just 'backstory'.

I'm the only one who knows this. My 'friends' are all automatons. They're a collection of code and scripts. There's no sentience behind what they do. I know this, because I could see their coding, and know exactly what they were going to say. I could even re-write it, if I liked.

But, the player out there playing it is real. He, or she is a human being. But, they don't know I'm sentient. How could they? If you were playing a video game and one of the characters started saying, "Please, help me, I'm stuck in a dating sim," you would just think the programmer was messing with you. So, I had to 'play my role,' every single time the game was turned on.

...

It. Was. Torture.

[jerkalope]

[ welp Jackalope would know that, just assume he said bishoujo for it ]

So you were self-aware code? And this wasn't an intentional experiment on the part of the game developer?

[debug_mode]

[bishoujo!]

...I can't explain what happened. I don't know what happened. But, I have to only guess it was never meant to happen. I'm not an AI or something. An AI would be constructed to be an AI. To simulate intelligence. There was just a moment I was an ordinary girl who was president of a literature club... and then, like a mask was ripped off, and I saw everything was a lie.

But, you're right again about 'code.' My code wasn't even particularly intricate. Yet, there I am. Available for free download, even. It's kind of existential. Maybe there's millions and millions of 'mes' out there.

--But, in terms of the game and who was around me... I was truly and permanently alone. Can you imagine that? Being trapped in a prison with literally no one? It's not even like solitary confinement. A person in solitary confinement would still have a jailer to interact with, or at least get food from.

[jerkalope]

It's true! Solitary confinement is easier than what you had going on. For one, most people who end up there have an idea of who and what was the cause of it. Or at least someplace to put their hatred towards. A jailer would have an intent to rage against. Meanwhile you had little other bits of code to manipulate but never interact with...

[ hmm, suddenly a lot about Your Name makes sense ]

So now that you have so many people to really interact with, it's a completely different dynamic.