I've gone forever without saying something here but yeah - I've actually thought that giving the option of grimness could be a nice way to please people who want it for their characters while not necessarily affecting characters whose muns don't want to be affected by the darkness. And I have been wondering ways to implement that without changing the Malnosso's MO.

One potential idea, if it makes sense as a potential thing that could happen, would be to introduce some kind of malfunctioning shifts during events. Something that can be handwaved through a pseudo-sciencey explanation like certain shifts messing up badly on certain physiologies or something. Basically, this can give muns a darker option to play with during events if they so choose. Otherwise, there's also the possibility that more drafts and missions could involve the option of characters getting caught up in those "natural shift" things, which can also be used to set off characters experiencing horror shifts.

Those are just some shift-based options that come to mind. And I do agree with the more village-wide threats. Building up this sense of community among the Lucetians through the type of unity it can inspire is potentially a good way to help solidify the remaining playerbase in light of all the drops. I've loved being here in Luceti largely because it allows for a variety of tones for CR to develop through: through everyday things, through zaniness, through fluff, through action, through drama, through deliberation over moral decisions. It does seem fair that more avenues for darkness are opened, but only if it doesn't come at the cost of the rest of the variety.