EldritchMon

<img src = "https://64.media.tumblr.com/fd18c78a358313c5879f98ecd61af701/2639e7372270714d-a1/s1280x1920/a7415d40bc8de104b26bb01e43bcd79e4baf8785.pnj"> Hermit: “Welcome to the world of Eldritch Monsters! The power-hungry raise them to fight battles while the lonely keep them as companions; I study them in secret.” “Any family? Alcoholic single mom? Good! No one’s searching if ya disappear. Take this egg. [[Have a grand adventure!|Adventure]]"

<img src= "https://64.media.tumblr.com/6b70b12edefbb814e2d468fb28defcda/f2585bbc32a83ada-de/s1280x1920/29d8a4f6862062c5134c86edc75fbe94d50507e5.pnj"> Lady: “Go back, child. Deorca Forest is full of dangerous EldritchMon. Beware of the King of the Forest, the Roaring.” [[Scare|Scare]] [[Listen|Listen]] [[Sneak|Sneak]]

<img src= "https://64.media.tumblr.com/0830a61c522c33ecab029b0235276760/602d557b594af72c-31/s1280x1920/e7dc862185278af60564f09bf7e1412478dc3f21.pnj"> You reveal the egg. She turns gravely pale and bolts. You [[continue|Forest]].

<img src= "https://64.media.tumblr.com/0830a61c522c33ecab029b0235276760/602d557b594af72c-31/s1280x1920/e7dc862185278af60564f09bf7e1412478dc3f21.pnj"> Lady: I do understand, but your father… he’s gone- You [[push pass her|Forest]].

<img src = "https://64.media.tumblr.com/cf3dec658f720c190639a0d0eb62e0b9/630eeceae5c1e767-da/s1280x1920/91697f9b85c9dd957640636e7101bbb0f5d843ab.pnj"> While travelling, you feel someone following you. Suddenly, you’re submerged in a slime EldritchMon! Your egg explodes into a jelly-like creature. It extends a needle-like, wriggling cord that lodges into your chest. It’s strangely painless; instead, your heart pounds with energy. <img src = "https://64.media.tumblr.com/0948c1d081f789fc045f983511bbee70/630eeceae5c1e767-e9/s1280x1920/eec1c5592d8a1af0fe73c5f18fbbcaf6a578115c.pnj"> You and this creature are forever one. You’d say something, but inconveniently, a slime is eating you. [[Fight|Fight]] [[Talk|Talk]] [[Think|Think]]

<img src= "https://64.media.tumblr.com/a7e6c02b418f615d20d7be9dda9b9c1e/630eeceae5c1e767-13/s1280x1920/edb1bb20faff2d0fdd92f18f38b639d6f7b58ae1.pnj"> Your EldritchMon slurps the slime like a wet noodle. [[Then, it slumps over and burps.|Enrichment]]

<img src= "https://64.media.tumblr.com/04883cbe2cb84c2c952e40f93865d575/630eeceae5c1e767-ea/s1280x1920/1ba294766da59e048e8f3035e20eecc030346d1b.pnj"> Slime engulfs you. Sludge invades your lungs, and your vision stings. [[As your monster drags you out, it trembles, laughing.|Enrichment]]

<img src= "https://64.media.tumblr.com/35336f9298c38cc595c81b7124ad075c/630eeceae5c1e767-87/s1280x1920/a6fe02a2e7b91cfe939ee5b165fc315059e824f8.pnj"> Yellow-speckled mushrooms are poisonous. You dunk one inside the slime. [[Slime collapses into reddish-purple ooze.|Enrichment]]

<img src= "https://64.media.tumblr.com/6a2095595ee0278edbe9b5c46721ee1b/0819949d4ae40dce-4d/s1280x1920/7d3d5a8f9de0eb21feae49b92ff89c72cacd4bfb.pnj"> (set: $pikichi to (prompt: "Nickname your EldritchMon!","")) You’ve been wandering for days, but you aren’t hungry. While walking, you spot $pikichi swallow a leaf or a bug, and your belly fills. Weirder, when $pikichi bumps onto a low-hanging branch, a bruise appears on your forehead. It looks lonely. Alright, let’s raise $pikichi! [[Train|Train]] [[Play|Play]] [[Feed|Feed]]

<img src= "https://64.media.tumblr.com/a2194d12e681522f98c06a6570d7d03c/0819949d4ae40dce-82/s1280x1920/dab70e94fef179bed45d86e63f8d32ae7fad85e8.pnj"> You watch $pikichi hunt small mammals. [[$pikichi gnaws on a tailbone happily.|Night]]

<img src= "https://64.media.tumblr.com/a2194d12e681522f98c06a6570d7d03c/0819949d4ae40dce-82/s1280x1920/dab70e94fef179bed45d86e63f8d32ae7fad85e8.pnj"> You go through rounds of fetch, races, and hide-and-seek. [[$pikichi is tired but satisfied.|Night]]

<img src= "https://64.media.tumblr.com/a2194d12e681522f98c06a6570d7d03c/0819949d4ae40dce-82/s1280x1920/dab70e94fef179bed45d86e63f8d32ae7fad85e8.pnj"> Dad would say, “Treat your pets with care.” You and $pikichi fish with a makeshift rod. [[$pikichi swallows your catch before you can react.|Night]]

At night, you approach a warm glow in the distance. You see hooded figures surround a campfire. <img src = "https://64.media.tumblr.com/b2df85096ab376d60131d0dc5cf6430d/630eeceae5c1e767-4b/s1280x1920/2b14c9fa961cdbf5cb9ff37b38cb93eb1e289166.pnj"> Your heart lurches. Servants of EldritchMon. You must [[leave|Servants]].

//Crack!// A branch breaks. Several pairs of eyes snap onto you and $pikichi. You two are hauled into the centre, by the fire. Silence. Then, shrieking. <img src= "https://64.media.tumblr.com/e38654c377d45f501a78faf429585140/630eeceae5c1e767-a0/s1280x1920/8341505cfc31d3ab8e292f6738eef13f712838c0.pnj"> Their shrill screams nearly split your eardrums- you take a moment to register that these are cheers. ''“PRAISE OUR ELDRITCH GODS!” “THE MESSIAH HAS ARRIVED!” “A DIVINE MIRACLE!”'' Hands from all directions worm and twist you around like fresh fruit. $pikichi clings onto your shirt. You huddle into a ball and squeeze your eyes shut. Amidst the chaos, you focus on [[the sounds of the campfire|Fire]].

<img src = "https://64.media.tumblr.com/85a23a7585105d72f8c87e7c75dfdc91/630eeceae5c1e767-17/s1280x1920/c288c522a78231aabf0bfb88b6d144e1668b2925.pnj"> The yelling fades. Only the roar of fire intensifies, as if it’s inches away from your skin. But the fire doesn’t hurt you. Rather, it whispers. “//Keep your eyes closed, it’s bedtime... You’ve had a long day. Let the grownups handle things.//” Between the oddly familiar voice, crackling of fire and the sweet scent of cooked meat, you fall asleep.