Topic

The Joy of the Firefly and the Pain of the Yellow Goo

The friendship we share grows amidst the craggy rock pond; reeds of water spray fireflies scented with bonfires. - Bradley Chicho

I can think of no better description for life in the swamps then the quote above. Those of us who live there revel in its peaceful serenity. Many of us came from other areas - the treehouses of the forests, the cute bungalows in the meadows, and the spacious mansions of Alakol are all lovely, but for us, home is in our well worn and well loved fire bog houses. One of our greatest joys is our ability to care for and maintain swarms of fireflies - both in the wild and in our homes.

It's become an art, really. One resident, acreditando, has spent hours making his home a welcome retreat for the little twinklers. Every room of his house is home to a swarm or two and visitors have the joy of walking through a haze of fireflies.

I, on the other hand, focused my attention on my basement yard and growing my swarm across the ceiling from one side to the other. Hundreds of fireflies twinkling away. Watching them move to and fro was mesmerizing - and far more relaxing than any focusing orb could hope to be. 

Here's a lovely photo of me, dressed in a holiday costume, caring for the swarm

Then, tragedy struck the flickering firefly. An unknown disease spread by something called an Update took over the swarms resulting in what is best described as Yellow Goo. This disease does not appear to affect swarms in the wild in the same manor, but swarms inside are all at risk. It seems to strike upon opening a jar - something I had the misfortune of doing last night.

Here is a photo of the Yellow Goo, but beware, it may be distressing. 

After many attempts at spreading the swarm, I enlisted the help of acreditando. Together we worked tirelessly (and to the death!) to try and spread the swarm. But, no matter what we tried, the little buggers would gravitate to a single darkened corner of the basement to join in mass with the others... in a big ball of Yellow Goo.

So please, dear firefly lovers, care for your large swarms but be sure to never open another jar in your home (that was the trigger for mine). And please, dear devs, help us combat this terrible plague. The Giants couldn't be so evil to have imagined this, could they?

Posted 13 months ago by Vera Strange Subscriber! | Permalink

Replies

  • I am with you - I live in a bog home, and I don't really need my swarm to cluster like this.  I liked it when their movements were more lifelike.
    Posted 13 months ago by Jewel Stoned Subscriber! | Permalink
  • You are so right Vera! I feel like we lost the enchanted, wonderful, therapeutic, special, lovely, powerfull fireflies :(

    That is so sad, like a part of my soul that I'll never rescue. Luckily I still have some at home, so I did a picture for those who can't understand what we've just lost. This is a decor that nobody will ever be able to do again.

    Please TS, bring our happiness back!
    Posted 13 months ago by acreditando Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Beautifully written.  So sorry :(
    Posted 13 months ago by ennuienta Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Vera, I am so sorry to hear about... The Goo. Thank you for taking the time to spread the word, so others may be protected from this virulent predator. 

    TS: Could we have sparkly yellow/white ribbons to wear on our avatars for this cause?

    Disclaimer: The second paragraph presented in this comment should be considered amusing (unless otherwise noted) and may not be folded, spindled, or mutilated. Do not read while operating heavy machinery or blenders.

    Edited to correct "Information" to "The second paragraph".
    Posted 13 months ago by Wynella Subscriber! | Permalink
  • A sad situation indeed. But how beautifully written!
    Posted 13 months ago by Aya Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Oh so sorry to hear this. I hope this gets fixed quickly for you. I was considering moving to a bog home for just this reason . ;(
    Posted 13 months ago by serenitycat Subscriber! | Permalink
  • huh I have been in a firebog  since before launch and I didn't even know you could have more than one firefly swarm.   I usually collect them daily to make crystals and bricks so they never get huge.

    I have noticed in the last week it is increasingly harder to get them together to get 7 in  a jar like I used to.  I usually end up getting 4-5 and end up using them for bricks.   It may be the result of me harvesting them more or perhaps some change but my problem is the opposite of yours.   
    Posted 13 months ago by Treesa Subscriber! | Permalink
  • The photos of the happy glitchen tending the fireflies is lovely.

    Is there not a dev online to address this tragedy? The sadness is not to be borne.
    Posted 13 months ago by Tibbi Subscriber! | Permalink
  • +1
    here's my vote for the return of the old behavior.
    I would much rather have fireflies all over the house rather than just in one clump of goo...
    Posted 13 months ago by ixaeon Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Agreed, please bring back the fireflys' ability to flitter all over the house.
    Posted 13 months ago by Jolycan Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Didn't notice anyone mention the pictures - they're hilarious and illustrate the post very well. +1 for sheer amusement value.
    Posted 13 months ago by Xev Subscriber! | Permalink
  • sad sad sad - that is one of the best features of a swamp house. I hope this is restored.
    Posted 13 months ago by The Cat Face Subscriber! | Permalink
  • All over the house would be delightful if it's still possible somehow. 
    Posted 13 months ago by Aleph Zero Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I didn't know you could keep a swarm in your bog house!   Super envious now!
    Posted 13 months ago by Wintera Woodswitch Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Thanks for the various compliments! *blush* It was a fun post to write & snapshottery is my favorite skill in the game for the fun factor :)

    @Wintera most of the bog houses come with a swarm that regenerates like the ones in the wild, but you cannot add em to the ones that don't. I know one of the 5k styles lacks fireflies, but it has a peat bog and fantastic rocky back yard. It's my favorite, but is a bit small and, well, no fireflies. That yard, though, it's very very nice!
    Posted 13 months ago by Vera Strange Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Hmm, never knew you could even move 'em around like that.  Most of the time I have been whistling them into the many jars I keep handy so they never even get a chance to grow into much of a population.
    Posted 13 months ago by Warrender Subscriber! | Permalink
  • +1 on that one!
    Posted 13 months ago by Lexi Smart Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Treesa: the last week was tough for firefly gatherers as the Zille-o-ween lanterns drove up demand and led to a shortage in public areas. I've been out again in the last couple of days and it's a lot better than it was.

    On the subject of the balls of Yellow Goo, there was a log entry about a change to firefly behaviour, and in public streets the adorable little critters do seem to clump together more, which makes harvesting easier. Hopefully it can be changed back for houses, though.
    Posted 13 months ago by blech Subscriber! | Permalink
  • In the past 2 or so days, I've actually found it easier to get 7 in a jar, and much more quickly than before, which I accredit to the changes posted on the feed 2 days ago.

    It is sad that this is happening for those who spread their fireflies about their houses. I didn't know you could spread them outside that spot in the basement.
    Posted 13 months ago by Little Miss Giggles Subscriber! | Permalink
  • A little off topic, but have they since disabled reopening of the jar once you've filled it? I'd like to release the fireflies in my bog house, but I can't open the jar anywhere. Or am I missing a skill?
    Posted 13 months ago by Tealquoise Subscriber! | Permalink
  • OK, now I'm beginning to notice the yellow goo.  Its not nice.   
    Posted 13 months ago by Treesa Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Tealquoise -- You need to be near a firefly in order to open a jar. I just tried it and it worked just fine if I was near another firefly, but if I moved too far away, the "open" option was disabled/grayed out. 

    @Blech -- interesting that they clump more because the update says they're supposed to do that less. "Fireflies are being taught to behave. They wont float through walls or ceilings, & will be less inclined to glom into larger swarms." Which was why I was so excited, initially. I thought it meant it'd be easier to spread the swarm in my basement, not more difficult (or, well, impossible).
    Posted 13 months ago by Vera Strange Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Vera Strange: But that only works to let your fireflies out into an already existing swarm and then puts more back into the flask.
    I want to know how to get the fireflies in my house.
    Posted 13 months ago by Tealquoise Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @tealquoise If there isn't an existing swarm in your house already, you won't be able to release any jar of fireflies there. Firefly swarms are a feature of some bog houses.
    Posted 13 months ago by Millie Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Luckily I don't live in the bog right now, but when those new bog mansions open up, I'll be hot footing it right over! I hope the devs can fix this before that happens.
    Posted 13 months ago by IxÆoN Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I am devastated!  I had read about the firefly "fixes" and was surprised as I never thought there was a problem.  I liked visiting homes that had fireflies all over and rising through the floors.  I lived, for a very short time, in Kalavana and had a swarm in my cellar which I loved to watch.  I don't think I would care to have them melded into a gooey mess on the ceiling.

    Please Devs, "Put 'em back the way they was"!
    Posted 13 months ago by Brib Annie Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Just curious. Did the goo problem get fixed?
    Posted 13 months ago by Tibbi Subscriber! | Permalink
  • me too, am curious .. ??
    Posted 13 months ago by serenitycat Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Nope. Not that I know of, anyway. :(
    Posted 13 months ago by Vera Strange Subscriber! | Permalink
  • oh so sad vera ;(
    Posted 13 months ago by serenitycat Subscriber! | Permalink
  • It's happening outside, too. I wonder what they are up to?
    Posted 13 months ago by Lilleh Subscriber! | Permalink