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Aug. 15th, 2018 06:47 pmTable of Contents—
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forgottentales_ooc § realmofstories § forgottentales
forgottentales_ooc § realmofstories § forgottentales| § general info ※ Premise ※ Rules ※ Game Info ※ World Info ※ Storyteller's Library |
§ registration ※ Workshop ※ Test Drive ※ Claims ※ Registration ※ Profile Sheet ※ Invite Code  |
§ upkeep ※ Character Roster ※ Player Roster ※ Essence List ※ Hiatus & Drop ※ Canon & Essence Update ※ The Catalogue ※ Quest Board ※ CR Chart (optional) |
§ mod stuff ※ Mod Contact ※ Discord ※ |
Instead of formal applications, we require all interested players to participate in our 
Unfortunately the heroes of many stories have already fallen and The Storyteller cannot combat the Story Eater. But they can produce a 
As to the physical body, not to worry. It will remain in the world and the Storyteller will have written a "copy" of the original's soul into it so that it can still function and at least help deal with what's going on in their world. It may not be the best copy, but it'll do. Cut the Storyteller some slack, they only had a few minutes to whip up something.
They will also find a 
What a character's temporary "home" will look like will depend on the Essence they are holding. Little Mermaid characters will have a nautical, underwater theme; Cinderella can expect pumpkins or raggedy cellars; etc. It's completely up to the player as to how it will actually look, so have fun with it. In terms of amenities, they will have all basic furniture and appliances available to them. The technology is more "rustic, medieval," but thanks to magic it's really not too difficult to make do. The coins they received will be more than enough to get them started, and they will be paid for their services in restoring the stories as well as any jobs they may take up on their own. All kinds of food is available, and magic potions are used for support, restorative, and offensive purposes. Better stock on some of those before heading out.
Storybook character essences, or "Essences" for short, are common concepts and themes of that character that have carried on throughout the various renditions and versions that have been produced over the ages. The range of Essences is huge. Fairy tales, folklore, legends, fables, or popular classics like Frankenstein are all fair game. You can even throw nursery rhymes like Mother Goose if you feel up to it. Popular fictional characters such as Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny are also acceptable. It would be best to stick with stories whose origins are from pre-1960s (sorry, not allowing Shrek and Sparkly Edward Essences at this time, but some early modern classics like Dr. Seuss and Winnie-the-Pooh are fair game), but players may draw on modern adaptations of certain Essences as inspiration for their character's new changes. (Ex. Little Red Riding Hood might be a werewolf akin to Once Upon a Time's version.) Although our examples are from the more common Western stories, country of origin also does not matter. If you want to pull from a Middle Eastern or Asian story, that's totally fine.
Alternatively, characters could keep their normal form and undergo partial or full transformations as part of their Essence's abilities. So someone with the Big Bad Wolf or Beast Essence would only transform into a wolf or beast when using an ability. Or perhaps only their arm transforms into a huge claw. Other quick examples are wings sprouting when using magic or flight, mermaids legs transforming to tails only when in water, etc.
But not to worry! All Essences will grant the characters new powers based on their stories—and you can be very creative. You can tailor the abilities to basically replace the original ones, even do a mirror copy if possible. This is also how characters can kind of "regain" their weapons. It's very possible for characters to be able to re-form their original weapons by using the power of the Essence, with maybe a few tweaks. Even better, while they can use standard sheathes to carry the weapon around, they can also magically summon the weapon instead to free up that burden.
The game is running on a kind of "campaign cycle" system where during a period of time everyone is focused on a specific story to try and restore. The campaign can last from 1-3 months depending on how active things are, may be split up into different Acts, and time can always be shortened or extended. You can think of it like extremely long event periods. ICly, the time limit is explained by the Storyteller's ability to maintain the setting for a set time. If things aren't progressing or there is some other reason, then Storyteller must close the story and leave it as is until they can return to it.
After each campaign, there will be a lengthy break for characters to return to the Index and kind of chill and recharge, even willingly leave the Realm of Stories of they so choose. These can last from a month or longer, so it's also an opportunity for players to zone out or focus on ongoing threads. We will have a Commission Board for some random jobs to do and an occasional mini event if appropriate to help tide things over. Smaller breaks will be available between Acts to allow players to catch up and get ready for the next Act.
When restoring a story or working on a scene, characters will be locked to a designated blank book world or section called a Draft. This is where they must work to fill in the pages and restore the stories through their actions. At first the world setting around them will be just grim, broken foundations that have bare resemblance of the original story. Evil forests with half of it burned to the ground, castles crumbling into the abyss. Everything is monochromatic with muted sounds. Setting details will be provided, but players will also be free to make up whatever their characters might find. 
There are dangers that will exist and try to impede characters' efforts. The Story Eater's minions, the Erasers will be around trying to destroy everything, and some may interfere or set back already finished tasks. They may take form of native creatures or retain their original forms. There are also other monsters and creatures native to the story themselves. If a dragon is supposed to exist in the story, then a twisted version of one is lurking about, maybe more. Finally, there are entities known as Blots that will also appear. Black, humanoid creatures that are remnants of original inhabitants of the stories, many are filled with sorrow and hatred for what has become of their homes, but there are some that are not hostile and help instead.
Once a story is fully restored, it is now a Book. The Storyteller and the Realm itself will gain more power. The worlds generate magical power within its pages, and characters can also benefit by receiving power-ups and other advantages. It's also the source of power that will allow the Storyteller to send characters back into their world. More importantly, this power will be necessary to combat against the Story Eater. The more stories restored, the weaker the Story Eater will become. And also angrier, but that's a given.
The journals are all leather bound and can look however you'd like it so long as it matches the theme of the storybook character and has a medallion of some design attached to the straps. Inside the pages are all blank. There are a few tabbed sections, but for the most part, characters can write whatever they want in the journal. Notes, stories, poems, letters, doodles. Somehow, it seems to never fill up and always has enough pages to spare without ever increasing in size. Additionally, unless a page is torn out, nothing disappears from the journal so it can serve as a cool record of a character's stay.
The "journal network" community is 
By story. Sometimes a death scene is required, and unlike the romance scenes, these scenes have to be real. Or shit happens and a character dies from something else within the story. If it's by anything but the Story Eater and its minions, then good news, death is temporary. When this happens, the character's corpse will remain for several minutes, long enough for tragic mourning scene, before it goes through the JRPG death visual by bursting into tiny scraps of paper and ink before it all disappears and the character is sent back to the designated safe zone.
By Blot. If a character is killed while fighting Blots and the Blot isn't killed before the body disintegrates, then the Blot will actually possess the corpse. Fun, right? Players will be able to play out the possession, and others will need to kill the character to exorcise them of the Blot. Once exorcised they will "respawn" in the designated safe zone if in a story, otherwise it will be their place of residence in the Index. The character may feel more disoriented and have fragmented memories of the possession. 
By Story Eater and/or Erasers. Now the more gruesome death is this one, and it's also the more punishing. If a character is attacked and consumed by either, their soul is gone. The only way to restore it is for the characters to destroy a certain number of Erasers and the Storyteller will be able to rewrite the character's story and return it to the real world.
The Realm of Stories can be described as similar to the universe with each story being its own planet. That "outer space" is known as the Void and is black as ink. When a story disappears, it's like crumbling into a black hole. Once in the Void, it's gone; there's no way to retrieve it as it was. However, it is possible to pull out remnants and rebuild it. While it may not be the exact same as before, the core of the story will exist again and that's really the most important part.
The story worlds themselves are called "Books" and that is because that is exactly how they look like from the outside. When referring to the actual title of the world, it goes like "Book of Cinderella" or "Book of Wonderland" or "Book of Jack and the Beanstalk" which is sometimes shortened to "Book of Jack" or "Book of Beanstalk." Kind of weird sometimes but gets the idea across. Whenever someone looks beyond the boundaries of the world, they'll see giant books floating around. Sometimes they're open, sometimes closed. Those that are still alive and thriving are colorful, while those that are being destroyed or fading away are gray and tattered. Of course once inside the actual world, it looks like any other place and you cannot see any sign of the book visuals. Note: the terms "Book" and "World" are used interchangeably.
Stories being worked on are called "Drafts" and they are basically mirrored remnants of the original story world before it crumbled into the Void. The Storyteller was able to pull out what they could and rewrite just enough so that the world is mostly intact. However it is unstable, so it will be up to the characters to help rebuild portions of it so they can continue forward.
One of the busiest areas in the city is the Trader Jack's marketplace. Set up around a large plaza with a grand fountain in the center, it's filled with numerous merchant stalls that vary from fresh meats and produce to various tableware, supplies, and odd trinkets. Some stalls are owned by local residents while others are temporary, coming and going by the season or even by the week as they travel from Books beyond the Index. In addition, there are popular clothing stores, books, jewelry, and restaurants line the streets with their windows on full display. Because of the constant bustle, the marketplace will sometimes draw musicians and other performance artists to add to the lively atmosphere. For those looking into weapons, there are numerous weaponsmiths and other artisans who are able to craft a variety of different weapons, from the pure physical to magically enhanced.
Each story has a boundary, and from the boundary one is able to see out into the Void and glimpses of the other stories floating within. Between each story is a faint, white 
No one knows who or what the Storyteller really is. No one has seen them or even heard their voice. They only know the Storyteller exists from the letters and words that appear, and the magic that clearly exists. Some speculate that the Storyteller may be an entity born from past writers, and who knows, maybe it's true. What is certain is that the Storyteller serves as the maintainer and gatekeeper to the Realm of Stories, writing and rewriting where they can.
Some believe it is a creation from the Void itself, tearing into existing stories to plunge them into the Void. Some say it is a creation of the lost souls of forgotten stories out to seek vengeance. Others believe it to be a creature from an unknown story, a world seeking to dominate the Realm. Some even think the Storyteller created it on purpose so that they could rewrite the realm. 
Nestled deep in a valley rested the small settlement of Lowry Town. To this town the young, aspiring teacher Ebegeeser Ichascrooge was sent. As he was more well-educated than the local townsfolk, Ebegeeser thought himself deserving a better lifestyle and wealth than the poor circumstances he had now, staying from house to house or living in barnlofts.
With the Past, he recalled his days as a teacher and how he first fell in love with Beltrina. With Present, he realized how there were others less fortunate than him and how much of his pride had consumed him. He then caught a glimpse of the Christmas party hosted by Beltrina's father, but for a moment almost lost himself to his initial dark thoughts. Although the Horseman talked him out of it, he witnessed an accident in his attempt to propose to Beltrina. Through a twist of fate, she fell out of the window...and Ebegeeser found himself in a crypt with the Horseman of Christmas Past.
Setting: The place was pretty dull and blank at first with very little life or color, like waking up inside a monochromatic silent movie. There was a basic, empty town and fields, but not much in terms of notable structures. There were places Aspects could claim as refuge or just camp out. A river ran just outside of town with some very spooky, mist filled forests beyond, and sometimes one could hear the clattering of hooves and the neigh of horses somewhere deep within it. The Aspects needed to find certain items which would "unlock" and create the required setting piece for their scene as well as for future Acts. However, there were certain presents out there that if opened would release various effects. There weren't too many Erasers roaming around, but there were Blots taking form of random townsfolk. For the most part they were harmless, but if provoked or looked at wrong, they would attack. As time went on and more things were found and completed, more life and color would return to the place.
They moved on then to a bit further into Ebegeeser's (Cyrus) life. By now things have been hard on him, until the fair Beltrina van Cratchit (Pearl) entered his school to help offer music lessons and teach the violin. Enamored by her beauty, skill, and wealth, Ebegeeser proceeds to try and impress her...with varied results.
Setting: Most of the scenes were set during the van Cratchit's Christmas party at the manor. It was filled with the traditional Christmas decorations, including a large Christmas tree, presents, music, and a buffet. Everyone found themselves in costume to fit the occasion. Those of the main cast looked their part while everyone else were in plainer clothing (just fitting for random side characters). Although the focal point was inside the manor, the rest of the story world was still accessible, so anyone was free to leave to do something else.
Although he already knows the answer, Ebegeeser (Shizuo) makes one last attempt and proposes to Beltrina (Kazuma). She rejects him, but Ebegeeser takes it in stride. She then asks if he could help loosen her bodice as it had grown too tight for her. However, given his apparent inexperience, Ebegeeser accidentally tightens the garment instead, constricting the poor young woman's chest even further to the point that she struggles against him. In his attempt to help her, they both stumble instead, tripping over the carpet and she staggers toward the window...
Setting: The church cemetery, the bridge, and the woods were the main locations. By now the world was filled with more color and life, but due to the nighttime and heavy fog everywhere, it was difficult to notice. There was also a heavy sense of ominous dread, shadows flitting in and out of the fog.
The Horseman of Christmas Future (Finn) told Ebegeeser (9S) that murder was bad and he should feel bad. Ebegeeser cursed the evils of the bodice and vowed to make amends by teaching people about practical clothing. Beltrina's ghost (Edna) rose up to haunt Ebegeeser (Cyrus) and try to drag him to death with her. The Headless Horseman (Disciple) appeared, chasing Ebegeeser (Ophilia) down the length of road. Egebeeser nearly escaped, but the Headless Horseman knocked him down at the last stretch. The ghost nearly killed the schoolmaster, but at the last minute left him alive, but just barely.
The girl was named Kaguya, and tales of her beauty and wealth spread far and wide. Several princes would vie for her attention and hand in marriage, staying for several seasons just to catch a glimpse of her beauty, but Kaguya was not so easily swayed. It was only out of consideration of her adoptive father that she sent them out on impossible tasks to prove their love.
Setting: Everyone started in a giant bamboo forest with trails that led to individual scenes. However, everything was monochrome in color and sounds were heavily dulled and muted. The forest itself was also distorted. Some stalks seemed healthy and strong, but others were broken, cracked, or shriveled up rotting. There were a lot of threats ranging from Erasers taking on wild animal forms to hostile Blots in the form of traditional Japanese demons and ghosts. In addition, everyone found themselves in some new wardrobe. Everyone else was styled in traditional Japanese garb.
She grows into a beautiful but discerning young woman, pursued by a number of suitors. In order to dissuade them, she sends four of the princes (Eizen, Musashi, Velvet, Cyrus) on seemingly impossible tasks to collect rare items. All four of the princes decided to go after the true items instead of stooping to forgeries, with two princes taking their trusty squires and two princes even teaming up to acquire their two items. To Kaguya's (Rokurou) surprise, most of her suitors actually succeeded in obtaining their items from their fearsome guardians.
Setting: Everyone appeared within the palace walls where Kaguya lived. Everything within the palace was safe, including the Blot servants, nobles, and guards that milled about like shadows. They could not talk or respond too much, but would oblige to any task given to them and provided for whatever needed. Finally, everyone was once again changed into a wardrobe to fit the setting, ranging from fine noble wear to guard uniforms to servant attire.
While one of the princes (Musashi) battled against one of the Moon Knights (Disciple), another Moon Knight (Alfyn) directly approached Kaguya (Rokurou). Opting not to fight him herself, the two engaged in a drinking contest instead, where the winner was...dubious as they both got pretty drunk (but they had a pretty good time). The prince was unable to defeat the other Knight, and in anger of the other fleeing, the Knight (Disciple) found Kaguya (Rokurou) and trashed her room. For the most part Kaguya was too drunk to care or do anything—until the Knight almost damaged her sword.
However, the youngest of the Sea King's daughters had a fascination for the humans who dwelled in the lands above. Because the princesses were forbidden from going to the surface until the age of fifteen, she must wait each year, listening to the stories of her elder sisters before it was finally her turn. After passing the trial set by her grandmother, the little mermaid rose up to the surface only to find herself witness to a terrible shipwreck. With determination and some help from a whale friend, however, she was able to bring a handsome prince safely to shore, bonding as the two struggled together against the sea's hazards.
However, that was far from the end of their trials. A jealous priestess—a princess in her own right and the one who retrieved the prince from the beach—believed she was more deserving of the prince's heart than some sea creature. Not only did she convince the prince's father that the merpeople had kidnapped the prince thus sparking an assault from the Royal Navy and launching a fierce battle, she sought out the sea witch to prevent the little mermaid from ever setting foot on land again. The bargain was struck...at the unwitting cost of the priestess's humanity, transforming her into a mermaid.
Setting: Set mostly underwater, the waters were dark, murky, and hard to see past a few tens of feet. The creatures that swam through it resembled more of creatures from the deeper depths. The underwater palace was at least a bit more lit up and seemed to be in better shape, but it, too, was crumbling a bit. There were other merfolk swimming around, most of them passive and non-hostile. However, they despised anything human. Above waters and on the nearby shore was not much better. Trash everywhere, storm clouds always hanging over, and the prince's castle was in a similar state of the underwater palace. And like the blot merfolk, the blot people despised anything merfolk. In addition, Aspects could take on a merform while underwater.
Surviving both the rough seas and a band of man-eating mermaids by working together, the two were finally able to catch the attention of a friendly humpback whale by singing together. The whale granted them a ride to shore, and the prince fell asleep as he vowed to thank the mermaid for the rescue. The prince (Nanaki) woke up to find himself washed up onto the shore, and was quickly found by a lovely priestess (Elma). Together, the two of them began the treacherous climb from the beach up to the castle.
Setting: The Prince's Castle appeared a bit more spooky than grand. Although there was more color around in general, it was still worn down with hanging cobwebs serving as tapestry and drapes, the lights constantly flickering and chandeliers looking as if they might crash at any moment. Many of the rooms were just as run down, with only the ballroom the only "room" within the castle structurally sound. The castle was filled with non-hostile blots who looked and served as filler servants and nobles. Outside of the castle were the royal gardens that included the traditional hedge maze—although it was more like a labyrinth and could use a lot of pruning. The beach outside was litered with trash, monster sea creatures, and pirates. Aspects within the castle grounds had their attire automatically changed to one of the following styles: noble, servant, musician. They could still use their merform if going into the ocean.
While getting fresh air, the prince (Keith) heard a voice calling out to him: the very same mermaid who saved him (Rosella). The two of them made their way through the ice along the shore and found each other through singing with relative ease, despite the prince's shyness. As they spoke, the mermaid made it clear that despite her desire for the prince to join her, his desires and choice were most important, even if it meant not choosing her or the priestess.
The prince (Hunk) returned to the beach to speak with the mermaid (Bridge), still hesitant about the choice ahead of him and worried about how it would affect both his kingdom and the mermaid. The mermaid spoke honestly about how he could possibly go back and forth between the worlds with the sea witch's help, but not without a price. She again stressed that what he wanted was important, regardless of what he chose or why. In the end, the prince chose to go with the mermaid and took the potion.
Setting: Back in the ocean, Aspects found themselves either as merfolk or members of the royal Navy with a war between the two races going on. Humans would attack the merfolk, and merfolk would attack the humans. Various platforms and safe zones were set up along the surface and ships sailed over the surface.
Now a mermaid, the Priestess (Rosella) found the Prince (Bridge) to try and persuade him to return to the surface. Knowing his decision would hurt the Priestess, he apologized but stood by his decision to stay with the Mermaid. Although she couldn’t find herself to be mad at the Prince and came to an understanding, the Priestess was still furious at the mermaid. She parted from him to seek her out. The Priestess (Eustace) tried to get the drop on the Mermaid (Elma), but the mermaid was quick to counterattack. The ladies engaged in a fierce, unrelenting fight with tails and steel and words over the prince's fate and his right to choose. In the end their fight was disrupted when a stray cannonball plunged into the water, allowing the Mermaid to escape to find the Prince.
The Prince (Rosella) and Mermaid (Disciple) ran the gauntlet of a frantic battlefield in order to reach their parents, the Prince using quick thinking to increase their speed by generating a jet stream and pulling the Mermaid along in his wake. The two eventually managed to summon the humpback whale from when they first met, and with great haste they managed to reach the kings, the Prince and Mermaid each begging the other’s father for an audience.
Setting: Set within the royal castle ruled by the Fairy King and Queen, Oberon and Titania. There were a lot of fae running and flying around, but other than the occasional prank, it was a peaceful gathering. It was also a festive one as everyone was celebrating the birth of the fairy prince. As expected of the fairy folk, there was a lot of nature growing within and outside the castle, however like all stories, everything past the main chamber was bleak. The colors were dull, plantlife wilting and even rotting in places. There were more poisonous and carnivorous plants than peaceful posies. In addition, Aspects had fairy forms instead of their original form.
While Oberon (Dojima) was hesitant to trust his son with Puck (Mordred), the rebellious fairy argued that being rough around the edges meant he could better handle a crisis. So the king set Puck the test of retrieving a flower from a dangerous locale and returning with the flower intact, lending the sprite a priceless dagger for protection and a further test of trust.
Puck (Junpei) raised Tam Lin (Bridge) more as a younger brother than a son and they formed a strong bond. While Tam Lin took after Puck in being easygoing and playful, they still had a love and protectiveness for the forest they called home. The two would often use Puck's ability to shapeshift and communicate with animals and Tam Lin magically gifted skill with music to soothe and heal injured animals they came across and to protect the forest from any outside threats.
Setting: Tam Lin's forest was the primary location. It was more or less peaceful with color and music already springing to life, but it can still use some help. There were many weak and injured animals and danger lurks within the darkest areas, especially near the boundaries. Erasers were kept at bay thanks to the barrier, but some manage to slip through. While in the forest, everyone had their fairy forms from before.
After freeing the town, Bonny Rose (Gobo Fraggle) was in a much better mood and got along considerably better with her new traveling companion Nick Bottom (Keith), developing an amiable friendship until the two were separated by distracting swarms of butterflies and will-o-wisps.
Surprisingly, Oberon (Rokurou) and Carabosse (Naomi) had a scintillating past as lovers and partners on the battlefield, until Carabosse fell too deep into dark magic and Oberon began to fall for Titania. The two of them had a tense but surprisingly civil conversation about the past, the curse and her kidnapping plans, and Titania's mothering skills, and Carabosse promised to alter the curse and divulged that it can be broken with True Love, romantic or platonic.
Meanwhile, Bonny Rose (Kotori) and Tam Lin (Eustace) met in the forest, and the two normally outgoing youths were so stricken with each other that they became shy. They bonded over their shared feelings of being trapped in certain roles, and Tam Lin managed to charm her by introducing her to a wolf pup and taking her on a ride through the forest.
Setting: Set in a dreary dungeon fortress filled with numerous towers and dragons flying overhead. It was bleak, thunder always rolling overhead and lightning striking here and there. Strange green flames erupted in random places, the fires hot to the touch, but rather than be burned they make anyone exposed to their fumes for too long irritable and distant. Soulless suits of armor patrol the halls, ready to attack anyone and anything in their sights, and other ghastly creatures and monsters lurk within the dark halls. Aspects had the ability to transform into dragons and could help the ones that nested in the towers.
Bonny Rose (Kazuma) finally found Tam Lin (Eizen) asleep, and woke him up with the power of… strong alcohol? Shortly after reviving (and drinking), however, Tam Lin began to transform into a fearsome black dragon. Still, Bonny Rose held on tight to him, confessing her desire to stay with him no matter what form he took. Unfortunately, her words failed to transform Tam Lin back to normal, and he toppled the tower onto her. Still she tried to cling to him, but the dragon managed to dislodge her and flew away.
With Carabosse’s aid, Bonny Rose (Rosalia) flew swiftly on her dragon steed and caught up to Tam Lin (Karkat)… just in time to see him plummet to the ground. Using the flower’s magic, she took on the curse and uses her new wings and the steed’s aid to save Tam Lin from crashing to his death. Tam Lin began to curse his ill luck, but Bonny Rose gave him sincere support and concern, which began to soothe his nerves, and the two shared a tender embrace together. This allowed the flower to awaken Tam Lin’s true power as the prince of fairies, and he was able to break the curse on him and Bonny Rose.
The Book of Wonderland was an odd adventure for the Aspects as it wasn't one determined by the Storyteller. After everyone gets horrible visions of the White Rabbit’s death, the Aspects suddenly fall into Wonderland instead of being summoned there normally. Alice appears before them as a black shadow and explains she forcibly brought them here in a desperate effort to save her story before it’s too late. She acted without informing the Story Teller, so it took them a little longer to properly reach out.
Setting: Wonderland is looking a lot more colorful and interesting thanks to everyone's efforts in the Forest of Doors. The remaining residents who have not evacuated are helping to keep invading Eraser's at bay as well helping to maintain the repaired locations. The Forest of Doors is still the central "safe zone" for the Aspects, but some of the local residents will bring in some fresh supplies.
Alice (Keith) and the Cheshire Cat (Jean), meanwhile, had a much lighter conversion that was the driest pun-off ever conceived regarding stores and plans. Even the flowers began to doze off watching them.
Henry Jekyll and Victor Frankenstein are two budding rival scientists who spent their careers researching the ways to create life. Both are successful, but the "Creatures" they create are opposite one another. Jekyll's creation, Hyde, is a reckless creature committing crimes, but Jekyll finds this as an interesting research point. He thus takes this opportunity to study what a truly unhinged man can do if left unchecked. Frankenstein's creation is born from a stroke of lightning on a dark, stormy night. The resulting Creature recognizes their creator as their father, a role which Frankenstein is more than happy to fill to the best of his ability.
Setting: Centered in the industrial city of Londeva. Set in the 1800s, the Industrial Revolution is in full swing with some steampunk fantasy flair to it. Flying airships and dirigibles in the sky, unusual vehicles and inventions on the streets. There are also lightning rods and numerous electricity generators all over, and due to the constant rain and overcast skies, they are charged rather frequently. It's also very dark and monochromatic in color. Science and progress is what most everyone is interested in and there are some odd looking fellows walking about. Everyone's attire fits the setting with the "safe zone" a designated apartment building with characters able to choose their rooms to lodge in. 
In the present day, Doctors Frankenstein and Jeykll have decided to collaborate on the most ambitious project ever seen: creating life itself. Of course, this is still academia and while they're happy to share notes, they're each doing their own thing; it seems that Victor has chosen to focus on plantlife first, while it is unknown what Jekyll is doing. This is when Victor (Sherlock Holmes) is visited by his friend Henry Clerval (Crane). During the visit, Victor excitedly shows off his latest creation, Audrey Two, a plant capable of speech...and being very silent on the matter of what happened to Audrey One.
Later that week, Jekyll (Ren Amamiya) runs into his lawyer and friend Gabriel Utterson (Kazuma Asougi) and they take the chance to catch up on the most recent goings on. Utterson also mentions the odd character that Lanyon does, and, as they walk, they hear of a young girl that Jekyll feels obligated to help. Despite Utterson nearly terrifying the girl, they're able to help and learn that she was trampled by someone outside Jekyll's place. Jekyll, oddly, doesn't seem too concerned by that and insists on pressing forward as if nothing happened.
That same night, a storm rolls in and just so happens to strike Victor's (Helios) lab with a powerful bolt of lightning, providing him with enough power to finally, finally bring his Creation (Lena Sabrewing) to life. The Creation recognizes that Victor is their father, and Victor, delighted, tours the lab and house so he can teach the Creation about everything he possibly can. Although there are a couple of hiccups, Victor is able to form something like a familiar bond with his Creation and begins to treat them more like his child.
Setting: The setting remains the same as the first Act, but the town will seem both livelier and wary due to the advancements from Act I. Crime rates and even murders are on the rise so anyone who looks different will be treated a little more suspiciously. This makes the current Christmas festivities a little more difficult to celebrate and the atmosphere a bit more subdued, but perhaps a little cheer could be inspired with enough motivation.
That night, as the young Danvers (Ken Amada) is out walking, Hyde (Makoto Yuki) decides it would be a wonderful idea to kill an innocent man in cold blood. A few hours later, Stixen (Ragna) finds Hyde (Jean Kirstein) in an alleyway covered in Danvers's blood. Tired of trying to play nice with the "normal" humans, Hyde points out that the two of them will never be accepted for what they are, so he and Stixen should just kill them all. Stixen admits it's a solution, but is not entirely convinced. The two part ways.
The next day, Stixen (Zidane Tribal) is wandering around and thinking about what Hyde suggested. He runs into the young Agatha de Lacy (Karkat Vantas), who is trying to get her cat down from a tree and is very clearly annoyed. Stixen, still wanting to help people, climbs up the tree in an impressive display of acrobatics and rescues the girl's cat. Agatha is impressed and the two start to form a very tentative friendship before parting ways. Unfortunately for them both, Hyde was watching.
Setting: Although still maintaining a dreary atmosphere, the world itself looks more normal and although the populace is on edge due to the plotline, they are definitely livelier. It really feels more like living in a bustling city than one that's just making the motions. However, this all changes when visible cracks appear throughout the city, from the city to the ground to the sky: small tears and fractures that are impossible to not notice. Strange creatures roam the streets, Blots randomly disappearing or even transforming into these abominations, and the number of Erasers increases. On top of it all, the Aspects themselves will have their own behavioral issues. 
After his father never returned, Stixen(Makoto) sets out to find Victor. He runs into a disgruntled Clerval (Adachi), who for his protection has dressed up as a bishop and who only decides to help the creation reach Jeykll's house only after much begging and pleading. There, the two find Victor's body, and Stixen is overcome with grief. Clerval, in a moment of bitterness, makes a comment and Stixen very nearly attacks the man for daring to disrespect the dead. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately for Clerval), the body quickly turns into the escaped Audrey II. Stixen grabs Clerval and runs, not in the mood to deal with a murderous house plant.
Londeva continues to deteriorate as a blizzard rolls in. There, outside the city, Hyde (Kazuma) awaits the arrival of Stixen (Shizuo), who has tracked him down after receiving the oddest message. The two have it out, a fight between titans that leaves Stixen on the ground as Hyde limps away. A bolt of lighting strikes the ground, and Stixen begins to move.
