Call of Christmas

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* GL
* TW

## **Main Background**

Abandoned Laboratory

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**Call of Christmas** is a Spectre quest released for the GL Christmas 2020 event for the Global version of Crash Fever.

At some point after the events of Ascending Gods, Cthulhu is at work inside her laboratory. She makes some breakthrough in something that she refers to as "C2", and says that in their transition to being digital lifeforms they had lost things that she thought they wouldn't be able to get back. Cthulhu proudly states that that is no longer the case, and she will be able help humanity evolve again. She laughs, and says that she can't contain this sense of cheer.

Shortly afterwards, at Dream Kingdom headquarters, Nodens tells the group that has gathered that they all know why they are there. Necronomicon explains that Cthulhu seems to be back at her experiments again, and has a new virus this time. Tsathoggua sighs and says that she wished that they could've talked some sense into Cthulhu, but instead she keeps trying to mess with forces that she doesn't understand. Tsathoggua then pleads them to not think of Cthulhu as evil, as she is only doing what she thinks is right. Zehirete remarks that it is hard to be sympathetic when Cthulhu keeps messing around with the same thing. Eibon laments that everyone is fighting again, despite it being Christmas.

R'lyeh states that they need to get going instead of just arguing here. Nodens mentions that he will contact Hastur, since they seem to have some understanding with each other and might be able to get her to understand. Algol declares that she is coming with them, and mutters under her breath that she really will kill Cthulhu this time.

At Cthulhu Labs, the group arrives at the doors, and Necronomicon tells Cthulhu to open up. Cthulhu excitedly greets them, and invites them to open the unlocked doors to come inside. Confused, the members of Dream Kingdom go inside, and see the entire place has been decorated for Christmas. Eibon looks in wonder, while Tsathoggua asks what came over Cthulhu. The door behind them loudly opens, and Ghatanothoa arrives. Ghatanothoa asks where Azathoth is, while Atlach-Nacha arrives behind Ghatanothoa. She mentions that, since she sensed a gathering of Elders, it would be a good opportunity for them to play a video game like Crash Party.

Cthulhu happily greets them all in, and says the more the merrier. Tsathoggua remarks that she has never heard her speak like this, and asks if it has something to do with the new virus she was working on. Cthulhu asks what they mean by "virus", and Necronomicon says that they all know about the virus she has been working on called "C2". Cthulhu says that there has been a misunderstanding, and that C2 isn't a virus - it's short for "Christmas Cheer". She explains that she has made it her mission to spread the Christmas cheer as much as possible, and even got all of them presents.

Excited, Ghatanothoa asks for hers first. Cthulhu nods, and tells Azathoth to come out. Azathoth groggily comes out of her chamber, and asks when was she wearing these Christmas clothes again. Cthulhu asks Ghatanothoa if she liked her present, and Ghatanothoa happily goes over to fawn over Azathoth. Azathoth mentions that she is hungry, so Cthulhu says that she can have her present next. Cthulhu points to a big, human-shaped present in the corner. Disgusted, Algol says that better not be what she thinks it is. Azathoth opens up the present, revealing it to be a statue-sized chocolate Santa. Azathoth mentions that she would have preferred something a bit fleshier, but this will do. She takes a big bite out of the chocolate Santa.

Cthulhu starts giving out presents to some of the others there, and since they all seemed good intentioned, they accept them, albeit a bit confused. There is suddenly a knock on the door, and a voice announces that he came as soon as he could. Nodens mentions that it must be Hastur, and says that he might be able to figure out what is going on. Cthulhu greets Hastur, and says that she has a special present for him. She asks him to come a little closer, and while he does so he mentions that he had heard that she had made a new discovery, and he wanted to discuss it with her.

Cthulhu tells him that there is no need for so many words right now, and points to the plant that is above her while telling Hastur to come closer. As Hastur does so, she mentions that it is mistletoe, and that when two people stand under it they have to kiss. She quickly kisses him on the cheek. Hastur laughs and calls it a silly, meaningless tradition, while he pulls down his hood. He remarks that it was a waste of time to come, and asks what happened to her. Eibon asks Hastur why he put his hood up, and he responds that it was for no particular reason and a bit cold inside. Eibon goes up to him and looks under his hood, and asks why his face is so red, though he just remains silent.

Cthulhu announces that it is time for the last present, and gives one to Atlach-Nacha. Atlach-Nacha thanks her, but upon unwrapping the present she remains silent. Cthulhu explains that it is one of those video games that Atlach-Nacha likes, modelled on something from outside. Atlach-Nacha holds the box up, and says that it isn't a video game. She angrily points out that it is an LED bowling game, and absolutely not what she asked for. Tsathoggua asks if she is OK, but Atlach-Nacha furiously says that she isn't. She yells that she had asked for a Gamegirl, and that Cthulhu doesn't understand her at all. She jumps to attack Cthulhu, while the others try to break up the fight.

After trying to calm her down for a bit, Hypnos suddenly appears and greets the group. He ponders how they entered "her" dream, but decides that it is of no consequence. He remarks that it is all fun and games, but when she awakens, she will be his puppet. He admits that she had a stronger mind than he had anticipated, but they all aren't prepared. After saying he's out of time, he disappears, and no one even acknowledges that he was there. Meanwhile, Atlach-Nacha's demeanor had completely changed to a much happier and open one excited about Christmas. She is a bit confused as to why people are attacking her, and the situation deescalates.

Atlach-Nacha apologizes for her behavior, and says that she must have been reminded of a time when her parents had gotten her a bad LED game instead of what she had asked for, since they had thought that she was a stupid kid that wouldn't know any better. Cthulhu says to not worry about it, and to continue with the Christmas celebrations. A bell rings, and Cthulhu mentions that the Christmas cookies are done. Tsathoggua says that it is good that Atlach-Nacha is back to normal, but now they need to figure out what is happening with Cthulhu. Algol asks if they really need to do that, as she prefers her like this where she isn't ruining the lives of others. Necronomicon says that something definitely seems off, and walks closer to Cthulhu to examine her. Cthulhu points out that Necronomicon is standing under the mistletoe, and gives her a kiss. The dream abruptly ends after that.

Hypnos then appears to speak with the adapter, and asks if they were happy with the trite little ending that was forced there. Hypnos remarks that Christmas time is such a rich opportunity to easily twist feelings of avarice and fake niceties, though he warns that there will be many more opportunities, as everyone must sleep. He explains that everyone spends a third of their life in his domain, as when they sleep he is the one in charge. He states that the sleeping mind is very malleable, and that dreams don't need to follow logic so long as the emotions inside are real. He remarks that the emotions and memories don't even need to be that of the dreamer, so long as they resonate, and as such can be used to manipulate even the strongest waking minds.

Hypnos warns that, make no mistake, he will be back. He wishes the adapter a happy holidays, and sweet dreams.

## Counter Units

The Regional Festival event counter unit to this quest is the Christmas version of Cthulhu.

## Trivia

* The name of the quest, "Call of Christmas", is a reference to the H.P. Lovecraft story *The Call of Cthulhu*.
* The game Atlach-Nacha mentioned that they could play, Crash Party, is a reference to the popular video game party series *Mario Party*.
* Atlach-Nacha saying how she wanted a Gamegirl for Christmas is a reference to the Nintendo gaming handheld, the Game Boy.

 **Hatcher Units** | Azathoth (Christmas ver.)

 **Hatcher Units** | Gemini Sisters (Christmas ver.)

 **Hatcher Units** | Lucia • Nicholas • Lovecraft (Christmas ver.)