Forgotten Tales Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
keeperoftales) wrote2018-08-15 12:42 pm
keeperoftales) wrote2018-08-15 12:42 pm
{ the storyteller's library }
The Storyteller's Library—
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.
There was also much singing.
Storyline:
Astride his stalwart pony, the Horseman of Christmas Past (9S) appears before Ebegeeser (Disciple). Together they journey to his past, to his early days of being a schoolteacher. Ebegeeser proved to be a good teacher despite one student (Rokurou) being a nuisance and pranking him constantly, with Ophilia being a bright, encouraging, and critically thinking student, and the Horseman of Christmas Past even seeing him comfort an injured student. Although the Horseman's pony sometimes got into mischief during their journey—it's very fond of chalk—the two got a solid glimpse of who he used to be.
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.
But with Beltrina already engaged to Bromfred (Therion), a man who is quite possessive of his would-be bride, Ebegeeser (Edna) would have a long, uphill battle should he decide to try and break the marriage to win Beltrina for himself. Could he really manage? And how? They threw down a few words but with neither coming out as the victor.
Despite the challenges, Ebegeeser is, if anything, a stubborn, determined man. The holiday party at the van Cratchit's fast approaches, and now the Horseman of Christmas Past leaves to make way for their cousin, the Horseman of Christmas Present.
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.
Storyline:
In a sleigh pulled by a strong, heavy horse, the Horseman of Christmas Present (Aya) pulls Ebegeeser (Capell) through the town of Lowry. The Horseman tries to instill into Ebegeeser the lesson of generosity, and as they pass through the streets and come across poor families, the man is slowly moved to pity. He offers money, but it's the clothes off his own back that bring true joy and comfort to the people. Seeing this, Ebegeeser's heart begins to change and he vows to try and find a way to help them further.
After arriving at the party, Ebegeeser lives through the possible "what if" of the day. He (Alfyn) shares a dance with Beltrina (Shad), awkward though it is. One might think she could be charmed, but Bromfred's love for the woman may be genuine. Despite the harrowing and terrifying tale of the Headless Horseman Bromfred (Rokurou) shares wherein he describes barely escaping with his life, he (Finn) treats Beltrina (Kotori) with care and charm before sharing a dance with her.
Seeing this, Ebegeeser (9S) is once again driven to consider his plans, even debating if he should actually kill Bromfred. But the Horseman of Christmas Present (Alfyn) intervenes and manages to talk him out of executing such a nefarious plot. Thus already resigned to his fate, Ebegeeser asks Beltrina to meet him in private, a room on the second floor.
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.
Storyline:
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.
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.
Storyline:
The kind bamboo cutter (Eizen) and "baby" Kaguya (Prince Lotor) work well together in guiding her out of the bamboo.
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.
It has been decided that the princes who successfully returned with the requested items would be rejected, anyway. However, she has allowed them to stay as her "harem" of sorts, mostly as servants if they want to continue to prove their worth in battle (but she really doesn't care for any of them). Those who failed were executed.
Okay, no, they could leave if they wished.
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.
Storyline:
Our Princess Kaguya (Kotori) seemed to have a bit of a soft spot for the Emperor (Roxas)—who knew he could be such a charmer?—and had at least not completely rebuffed him like she did with the princes. However, the Moon Kingdom arrived to take back their princess.
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.
Although not an epic battle, some blows were exchanged before the Knight passed out. But now Kaguya was on a war rampage, until one of the other princes (Eizen), who—plot twist—was actually her father, came and tried to knock her out, taking opportunity when she dropped down to mourn over a broken sword. She would later get help from the very same Moon Knight she had the drinking contest with (Alfyn).
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.
Storyline:
The Little Mermaid (Kotori) had to swim through a dark cave and convince oysters to clamp themselves onto her tail as part of her coming of age ceremony, with some tough-love encouragement from her grandmother (Eizen) and her Stick of Doom. Once on the surface, the little mermaid (Eustace) watched a party aboard a ship...only for it to be crashed by a violent storm. The prince aboard the ship (Dojima) dove into the water for safety, barely staying conscious as the little mermaid pulled him to safety.
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.
Meanwhile, the little mermaid (Velvet) couldn’t stop thinking about her prince, and wished for a way to be with him despite the barriers between them. She traveled to the sea witch (Naomi) to ask for a spell that would allow her to join the prince on land. However, after being told of the high costs of going onto land—including never seeing her family again, or never remembering them even if she did—the little mermaid decided to stay underwater...and bring the prince to HER, at the cost of half her lifespan. The deal set, the two of them brewed a potion that would bring the prince to the sea.
However, there would be more challenges awaiting for the mermaid princess. In the following days, the priestess is revealed to be a princess of a nearby kingdom. Delighted by the news, the prince's parents—the king and queen—host a grand ball in her honor. There is also hope that their son may fancy the princess, as a marriage between the two would be beneficial indeed. The princess already has interest in the prince, though be it romantic or something else is still unclear.
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.
Storyline:
Very grateful for the return of their son, the king and queen through a grand ball in the priestess's honor... and to arrange a match between her and the prince, since the priestess was also a princess. Though the priestess (Rokurou) "saved" his life, the prince (Dojima) found himself put off by her pushy demeanor. (Not to mention her laughter…) Throughout their dance and their walk through the castle gardens, his thoughts drifted back to the mermaid who brought him to shore.
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 priestess (Elma) caught wind of the mermaid (Roxas) speaking with the prince, however, and went down to the beach to confront the sea dweller. She argued that the mermaid didn't belong on land or with the prince, and that bringing the worlds together would be a mistake, but the mermaid responded that it was her choice and the prince's whether they wanted to pursue their love. Neither lady would back down from her stance.
The mermaid's (Dojima, Roxas) frequent visits ashore did not go unnoticed by her family, but her two elder sisters were curious (Della) and supportive (Sora) of her romance with the prince.
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.
Unbeknownst to them, however, the priestess (Elma) tried to take matters into her own hands. She rowed out onto the ocean to summon the sea witch (Naomi) and ask for a deal to keep the mermaid away from the land forever. The sea witch supplied her with a potion, which the priestess drank without questions of the bottle's contents or about the price of the deal. Both questions were answered shortly, however: the priestess had imbibed in the life essence the mermaid had sacrificed before, and by taking it had traded her humanity in exchange for having to guard the mermaid from land herself, cursed with the form of the creatures she despised.
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.
Storyline:
Together at last underwater, the Mermaid (Pidge) and the Prince (Godzilla) enjoyed a little swim through the waters. While the Prince was a bit awkward and misunderstood the Mermaid at first, the two of them had a good time playfully racing and chasing each other under the waves.
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.
Meanwhile, the Prince (Keith) met with the Sea Witch (Eizen) to request the ability to travel between the sea and the land. However, the Sea Witch asked for the Prince to give up his crown, something he balked at due to it negating his desire to go back to land, and leaving his country with a potential succession crisis. The Prince decided that the needs of his people were more important than his own happiness and turned down the deal, but the Sea Witch, impressed by his selflessness, conceded and allowed him a potion to travel both worlds at will, no price required.
The Sea King (Eizen) and the Land King (Rokurou)- who turned out to be former lovers in their own youth- met to try and make heads or tails of the situation… aaaand devolved into arguing about beetles, their families, and insulting each other's competence in bed. The war escalated at that point.
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.
Despite everything, the Sea King (Della) was more concerned about his daughter, the Mermaid, than waging a war against his ex-lover. So when the Prince (Dojima) told the king of his rescue and how he'd truly fallen in love with her, the Sea King accepted the Prince. Meanwhile, the little Mermaid (Naomi) made quite the entrance by swimming up to the Land King (Hunk) and demanding to talk. The King, cowed by her bold, blunt words, immediately agreed, and they began a civil discussion about how best to end the war and how the mermaid could travel between land and sea as well.
Both the Prince and the Mermaid are able to traverse between land and sea. The Prince will be able to take the potion offered to him, while the Mermaid must sacrifice the rest of her immortality to live the rest of her days with the average lifespan of a human. With this, the two kingdoms will finally be able to see peace. It will be tough at first, and there will be many difficulties the young couple will still face, but it is a positive step forward. Meanwhile, the Priestess will remain confined to the ocean and banished to the dark depths far, far away from the two kingdoms. What will become of her fate, only the future knows.
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.
Storyline:
The two queens fought fiercely with sharp words and powerful magic, but in the end Titania (Magica) surrendered and muttered “just curse the brat.” Carabosse (Elma) did indeed curse Tam Lin to prick his finger on a spindle and fall into a deep slumber… as well as give the child an invitation to join her dark forces should he ever decide to forsake his family. (Fairy moralities are… weird…)
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 (Yosuke) trusted little Tam Lin (Rosalia) to hold the magical flower while the sprite carried the babe, eventually stumbling upon a convenient baby carriage. The two then enjoyed the beauty of the wild forest on their trek.
While still in pain from parting with their son and previous hurts in their relationship, Oberon (Crane) and Titania (Della) reaffirmed their love and trust in each other as they set out to destroy the spindles.
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.
Carabosse (Souji) did her best (and loudest) to intimidate Nick Bottom (Kokichi) into telling her Tam Lin’s location, but the playwright parried her at every turn and even accused her of being a yaoi fangirl. Eventually the evil fairy’s temper reached its zenith, prompting the soon-to-be donkey to challenge her to a children’s card game. (Alas, said card game was Crazy Eights, with no motorcycles in sight.) Bottom won through the use of sleight-of-hand, but Carabosse caught the cheater, and for his insolence turned him and all the town into donkeys.
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.
The second location was the cursed village. There was a direct road that connects the forest to the village, and it was there that most of the danger ran rampant. From erasers taking on the form of demons to hostile blots cursed to be donkeys, those who entered the village must be wary—especially since transformed into any mythical hooved creature. Fortunately this "curse" was lifted upon leaving the village.
Storyline:
Bonny Rose (Felix) and Puck (Lea) met and proceeded to blame each other for the donkey curse, but eventually took a moment to realize they needed to work together in order to brew the cure, with Bonny Rose protecting Puck while he gathered ingredients and brewed the potion. (All while bickering and swearing as only fantasy-Scottish redheads can.)
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.
Titania (Kazuma) found Nick (Kaiba) in the forest and he followed her willingly to her castle, with the queen demonstrating her considerable might defending her new paramour against a serpentine creature. The two indulged in a steamy bath and soothing Titania's wounds.
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.
Oberon (Souji) managed to coax a particularly sharp Titania (Elma) to their room, and eventually managed to break the curse on her.
Titania apologized to Nick for her behavior while under the love potions' effects. He accepted her apology, and the two agreed to part ways and for Nick to be left alone from now on.
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.
After the lovebirds parted ways, Tam Lin (Isa) went to Puck (Kakrat) for romantic advice. This was a mistake, as apparently fairy romance is much more complicated than Tam Lin thought, all he wanted was to know how to ask out a girl.
Carabosse (Souji) managed to lure Tam Lin (Junpei) away with a handsome male visage before revealing her true form, offering Tam Lin a chance to join her dark forces. He refused, and she unleashed the (altered) curse on him.
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.
Storyline:
Oberon (Keith) confronted Titania (Magica) about the letters, and the queen admitted right away that she did so out of jealousy, fearing that Oberon’s heart was wandering back to Carabosse, even apologizing after some (read: a lot of) coaxing. Oberon assured Titania of his love and devotion to her, and the two of them promised to be more honest and trusting with each other.
Shortly after, however, Titania (Felix) went out to confront Carabosse (Soldier: 76)… because apparently she was jealous for Carabosse’s affections as well. So after some banter, the two of them agree to start a “relationship” of their own.
Meanwhile, Puck (Master Crane) did his best to guide and console a very worried Bonny Rose (Wembley) on the way to Tam Lin, fighting treacherous gusts and sharp rocks, arriving at the tower a bit battered.
After helping Bonny Rose, Puck (Gobo) sought out Nick Bottom (Kazuma) to help him distract Carabosse and her forces. The two of them snuck into the Castle via a tunnel magicked by Puck, but were stopped by a group of guards who were JUST smart enough not to believe their story of escaping a monster, but thankfully not smart enough to beat a smoke bomb, or for Puck’s sleep-inducing song. Unfortunately, mortal Nick was somehow corrupted by the castle’s dark energies, and began to fight everything in his path, including Puck.
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.
Carabosse (Mordred) set three challenges before Bonny Rose (Kaiba). First, the heroine had to solve a block puzzle to recreate Tam Lin’s dragon form, which she did with decent ease. Second, Bonny Rose had to navigate a path laden with dangerous traps, which she navigated at a steady, careful pace. For the final task, Bonny faced one of Carabosse’s enchanted suits of armor in single combat armed with only a spear, and while outmatched in raw power, Bonny fought with wit and precision to defeat the construct and pass the final challenge.
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.
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.
Storyline:
Alice (Mordred) finally catches up to the White Rabbit (Ragna) and the two immediately start trash talking each other, nearly coming to blows but agreeing that they should work together to navigate the tunnels. They soon ran into an imposter of the White Rabbit, however, and it threatened to punish them for tardiness only for the real Rabbit to send it flying mid-sentence. This only angered the doppelganger further, though, and it began to grow into a frightening beast. Despite the initial animosity, the White Rabbit gallantly stepped in to protect the little girl from the big scary monster.
After being confounded by the very shapely Caterpillar (Naomi), Alice (Junpei) actually began by asking some deep questions about death and grief, unburdening her heavier thoughts to an impartial ear.
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.
The Mad Hatter (Steelbeak) dragged Alice (Eizen) into a rowdy tea party, and the little girl brought a song to the celebration. Soon enough, however, the shanty devolved into a wondrously drunken bragging session, with the two of them taking teapot shots at each other every verse.
Despite the Queen of Hearts (Kaiba) having a rather embarrassing start, Alice (Yu) managed to overcome equipment malfunctions with some clever McGyvering! Unfortunately, the pretender Queen didn't take kindly to this and sicced her card soldiers after them, with the fake Alice jumping directly into the fray. Soon the croquet match turned into an all-out brawl, with hissy snakes, equally hissy flamingos, and carrots swung around on both sides. And coconuts. So many coconuts, and no limes to put in them.
The Fawn (Minako) agreed to lead Alice (Minato) through the forest, but the two soon found themselves in a dense, eerie fog that robbed them of their memories. Shadows began to appear from the fog, testing their deepest doubts and convictions, even as their minds were blank, but eventually Alice and the Fawn reached out to each other, and helped each other remember who they were, banishing the fog and the specters.
Meanwhile, while all this nonsense was going on, the Lion (Dojima) and the Unicorn (Kazuma) tried to command their armies to put Humpty Dumpty together better, but the horses' hoofs were useless at picking up the pieces and the "humans" were equally inept at reassembling the gathered pieces. Eventually they decided to put differences aside and worked together to piece the eggman back together.
Setting: TBD
Storyline:
TBD
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.
Storyline:
We open on a Londeva that is bustling with excitement over its Annual Faire for the Sciences, years before it all will go swiftly to hell... Victor Frankenstein (Luca Balsa) and Henry Jekyll (Skull Kid) are the two most promising contestants, competing for the top prize with some Electrical Nonsense and a very glittery volcano, respectively. Jekyll, ever a helpful soul, tries to help Victor with his project when it seems he's struggling, only to get told off as it reminds Victor of his former mentor, who he no longer cares for. The Faire ends in a tie, the judges too impressed with both entries to pick just one winner.
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.
As the two old friends chat, Audrey Two occasionally comments on the stench of some of Victor's latest test subjects, comments Victor is quick to brush aside and play off as the plant having a very odd sense of humor. Clerval leaves very, very disturbed.
Meanwhile, across town, Hastie Lanyon (Eizen) stops in to visit his colleague Doctor Jekyll (Jean Kirstein). There's been a rash of robberies that seem to be targeting scientists such as Lanyon and Jekyll, and it's only right that Jekyll be warned. While visiting, Jekyll insists that he hasn't been robbed and has in fact been far too busy to even hear about the gossip, a claim that Lanyon doubts as the lab is remarkably quiet and oddly clean. Jekyll insists, and as there's no real reason to argue, Lanyon drops it.
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.
Eventually Clerval (Yu Narukami), still concerned about Victor's odd behavior, gets a hold of Utterson (Eugene Fitzherbert) to come help him investigate the lab, especially since Victor's plant was very concerning. No sooner do they reach the lab when Clerval's concerns are validated, as they hear a scream and turn the corner to see Audrey Two, somehow free of its pot, carrying off a human by the leg. Between the two they are able to free the man, and although Utterson was momentarily caught, after Clerval frees him they devise a plan using Utterson's background as a magician. With a fortuitous storm, they use Utterson's mirrors to reflect lightning bolts to strike down the monstrous plant in a disgusting explosion. However, no one notices something burrowing underground to slither away…
Late one night, Jekyll (Goro Akechi) is heard lecturing an "Edward Hyde" (Ren Amamiya) on his behavior. His recklessness is putting them both in danger...which is precisely what Jekyll does not want, as how can he get his data if Hyde gets captured? Jekyll's plan, it seems, has shifted from "create artificial life" to "see what a truly unhinged man will do if given the space to do it", and Edward Hyde is how he plans to do that. In hopes of getting everyone off their tail, Jekyll suggests that Hyde get a new look, to which Hyde agrees.
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.
However, there's a knock on the door as Hyde (Yosuke Hanamura) has come to pay a call to Victor (Kurt Frank) while pretending to be Jekyll. Victor, excited and not terribly observant for some reason, falls for this and lets his "friend" in to see his Creation. Hyde is both amazed and excited upon seeing it, already curious to see how it might behave in town while also warning Victor that it might not be well received. However it is clear he has keen interest in Victor's Creation.
On his second visit, Hyde (Xion), learns that Victor in all his infinite wisdom did not bother to name the Creation (Ken Amada), and so decides to name them himself: Stixen. They soon decide to leave the lab to experience life, witnessing a robbery. Victor's Creation, or Stixen as they now call themselves, immediately rushes in to try and help but Hyde stops them. Stixen is confused by this and this difference between the two Creations will continue...
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.
Storyline:
Some time after we last saw Hyde (Mordred) and the illustrious Dr. Jekyll (Reaper), Hyde approaches the doctor to demand some sort of recompense for being the doctor's experiment; after all, Hyde pointed out, they can't get good data on an "unhinged man" if Hyde's limited in what he can actually do. Though Hyde threatens him, Jekyll is able to keep calm and compromise with his test subject on the matter of pay. He once again warns Hyde to avoid drawing too much attention to himself. Hyde assures him that he knows what he's doing.
A few days later, Mister Utterson (Ren Amamiya) is called to Jekyll's house (Ryotaro Dojima) to discuss some personal matters. The old friends take a few moments to clear the air between them, to allow Utterson a moment to vent to his old friend, before the settle down to the business Jekyll called his solicitor for in the first place: adjusting his will to leave everything to one Mister Hyde. Utterson is appalled at the very idea, but Jekyll eventually confesses that he and Victor Frankenstein were working on creating life and that Hyde is a vital part of these experiments. It only makes sense to leave all of his money and property to a known criminal who would probably kill you as soon as look at you.
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.
As Hyde (Yu Narukami) returns home to Jekyll (Tohru Adachi), Jekyll has had enough. He realizes what happened last night when he sees the Hyde covered in blood, and that is a line too far. Jekyll demands Hyde stop. Hyde decides that he doesn't want to stop, but instead take over Jekyll's life. The two fight, and Jekyll is locked in his cellar, leaving Hyde free to do whatever it is he wants.
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.
As Stixen was saving kittens from trees, Utterson (Crane) rushes to Jekyll's (Luca Balsa) house to report Danvers's murder and ask him to come look over the body. He's distraught to find the poor man having a panic attack in his cellar and hurriedly gets him out of there. Jekyll hates what science has become since his younger days, though Utterson does point out that it was always a little unsettling, and things are about to get a lot worse. Upon inspecting the body, Jekyll realizes that this was the man Hyde had killed.
That night, disgusted at what he had seen earlier that day, Hyde (Eizen) tracks down the de Lacy house and sets it on fire. Agatha (Rokurou) flees the scene; Hyde gives chase. Eventually, the poor girl is torn limb from limb by the now monstrous Edward Hyde. When the girl's body is discovered, a mob forms outside of Victor's (Minako Arisato) lab, demanding that Stixen (Ren Amamiya) face justice. Victor knows that the girl's death was not Stixen's fault, and so the two try to calm the people down to no avail. Eventually, they resort to rooting around the lab for something to use to force them to calm down, allowing Victor to escape and get help.
Victor (Naomi Kimishima) eventually finds Jekyll and begs him for help. Jekyll, of course, agrees, but he first insists that Victor join him at his home and all but forces Victor to follow. As they get closer to Jekyll's home, Victor realizes that it is not Jekyll at all but Hyde (Kazuma Asougi) and tries to get away. He fails and, realizing that there is no hope for him, is gentle and almost calm. Hyde, in one more act of brutal violence, stabs Victor through the heart.
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.
Storyline:
Londeva is gripped by fear. Victor Frankenstein is dead, murdered by one Edward Hyde. Stixen has been blamed for all manner of evils. And poor Doctor Jekyll is having a time.
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.
Some time later, Utterson (Luca) and Jekyll (Naomi) return to Jekyll's labs. In a fit of grief and perhaps madness, the doctor very nearly destroys his lab, a weak penance for all he has wrought. Utterson stops this, assuring him that it would do more harm than good, and Jekyll decides that, as Hyde's creator, he should be able to make something to kill him more easily. The two head further into the lab to do just that. They are later joined by Stixen (Steelbeak), who begs the doctor to revive Victor.
Jekyll (Master Crane) is torn by this, as while he feels guilty that Stixen's father was murdered by Hyde, the thought of reviving the dead leaves him uneasy. Rather than turn the creature down outright, however, he instead chooses to purposefully do it incorrectly. Stixen is none the wiser, and is thankful for the attempt all the same.
The next day, Clerval (Ren) and Utterson (Rosalia) set out to find Hyde in hopes of putting an end to all of this. Unfortunately, it seems the city itself has lost its grip on reality, as the buildings start to crumble and dead ends are around every corner. The two men agree it's a lost cause and quickly make plans to leave the city themselves.
Meanwhile, Hyde (Mabel) finally tracks Jekyll (Junpei) down with the intent to kill. However, the odd goings on in the city seem to be affecting more than just the buildings, as no matter what Hyde does he cannot land a killing blow on Jekyll. He eventually flees, leaving Jekyll to whatever fate awaits him.
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.
"...we never did learn how, exactly, it all went so horribly wrong so quickly. All we know is that Mister Hyde went on a murderous rampage and that Londeva was never quite the same. I've heard no more of either Hyde or the Creation, though rumors do reach me now and again of odd sprees of murder here and there. The latest I believe was in France.
This letter is now several pages long. I can picture the look you must have made upon receiving it; if you are expecting an apology, you will be sorely disappointed. You know how I get when I feel compelled to write, rather like how you get when you feel compelled to fret and fuss. But I shall end my letter here, hopeful it found you well and that the baby is healthy.
Forever your brother,
Captain Robert Walton
Setting: TBA
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Setting: TBA
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Setting: TBA
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(longer entries will scroll; note: scroll bar is invisible on mobile and some browsers and will require user to tap on the content and drag it to see the rest)
INTRODUCTION
HOLLOW
KAGUYA
MERMAID
ROSE
ALICE
FRANKENHYDE
SUGAR PLUM BEAST
ABOUT THE LIBRARY
This is a collection of the stories that have been predominantly used within the game. The campaigns are listed individually with a short summary of the story on the main page, then summaries of each act, followed by a "cast list" listing out the different roles played by the characters. After a story is finished, the Book is opened up to the public for later visits.
There is also a list of other stories that served as either mini adventures in the past or were used as themes for game events.
There is also a list of other stories that served as either mini adventures in the past or were used as themes for game events.
OTHER STORIES
Below are some smaller stories we've used either as separate mini adventures or as an event focus. They are usually short stories, nursery rhymes, short myths and fables—basically anything that can be handled as a single log prompt. All of them can be revisited or used for a player's purpose at any time.
- Hansel and Gretel
- The Gingerbread Man
- The Princess and the Pea
- Momotarō
- Hickory Dickory Dock
- Atalanta
- The Tortoise and the Hare
A HOLLOW CHRISTMAS CAROL: SUMMARY
Original stories: Sleepy Hollow and A Christmas Carol.
Campaign Period: November 12, 2018 - December 23, 2018
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.
So he set his eyes on the beautiful Beltrina von Cratchit, daughter of the richest man in town. However, she was already engaged to the local "hero," Bromfred, a strong but arrogant man. Not to be deterred, Ebegeeser began to devise a plan to steal Beltrina's heart on Christmas Day, by whatever means necessary.
On Christmas Eve, three ghosts would visit Ebegeeser to warn him of the folly and danger of his plans. First would be the Horseman of Christmas Past to bring Ebegeeser back through time to try and remind him of the man he used to be before his heart filled with greed, ambition, and jealousy.
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.
In this time Ebegeeser encountered Beltrina's ghost who transformed into the Headless Horseman. He was chased down the icy roads from the church to Lowry Bridge where the pumpkin head was thrown and knocked him down. It was then that Ebegeeser awakened to discover it was all truly just a dream and that he had a chance to prevent the events from happening.
Notable Reward:
• Journal upgrade to have it use the Aspect's name for the ID instead of just the Essence
Relevant Links:
entry tag | Game Notes #03 (Act I) | Game Notes #04 (Act II) | Game Notes #05 (Act III) | full story
Campaign Period: November 12, 2018 - December 23, 2018
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.So he set his eyes on the beautiful Beltrina von Cratchit, daughter of the richest man in town. However, she was already engaged to the local "hero," Bromfred, a strong but arrogant man. Not to be deterred, Ebegeeser began to devise a plan to steal Beltrina's heart on Christmas Day, by whatever means necessary.
On Christmas Eve, three ghosts would visit Ebegeeser to warn him of the folly and danger of his plans. First would be the Horseman of Christmas Past to bring Ebegeeser back through time to try and remind him of the man he used to be before his heart filled with greed, ambition, and jealousy.
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.In this time Ebegeeser encountered Beltrina's ghost who transformed into the Headless Horseman. He was chased down the icy roads from the church to Lowry Bridge where the pumpkin head was thrown and knocked him down. It was then that Ebegeeser awakened to discover it was all truly just a dream and that he had a chance to prevent the events from happening.
Notable Reward:
• Journal upgrade to have it use the Aspect's name for the ID instead of just the Essence
Relevant Links:
entry tag | Game Notes #03 (Act I) | Game Notes #04 (Act II) | Game Notes #05 (Act III) | full story
A HOLLOW CHRISTMAS CAROL: ACT 1
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.There was also much singing.
Storyline:
Astride his stalwart pony, the Horseman of Christmas Past (9S) appears before Ebegeeser (Disciple). Together they journey to his past, to his early days of being a schoolteacher. Ebegeeser proved to be a good teacher despite one student (Rokurou) being a nuisance and pranking him constantly, with Ophilia being a bright, encouraging, and critically thinking student, and the Horseman of Christmas Past even seeing him comfort an injured student. Although the Horseman's pony sometimes got into mischief during their journey—it's very fond of chalk—the two got a solid glimpse of who he used to be.
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.But with Beltrina already engaged to Bromfred (Therion), a man who is quite possessive of his would-be bride, Ebegeeser (Edna) would have a long, uphill battle should he decide to try and break the marriage to win Beltrina for himself. Could he really manage? And how? They threw down a few words but with neither coming out as the victor.
Despite the challenges, Ebegeeser is, if anything, a stubborn, determined man. The holiday party at the van Cratchit's fast approaches, and now the Horseman of Christmas Past leaves to make way for their cousin, the Horseman of Christmas Present.
A HOLLOW CHRISTMAS CAROL: ACT 2
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.Storyline:
In a sleigh pulled by a strong, heavy horse, the Horseman of Christmas Present (Aya) pulls Ebegeeser (Capell) through the town of Lowry. The Horseman tries to instill into Ebegeeser the lesson of generosity, and as they pass through the streets and come across poor families, the man is slowly moved to pity. He offers money, but it's the clothes off his own back that bring true joy and comfort to the people. Seeing this, Ebegeeser's heart begins to change and he vows to try and find a way to help them further.
After arriving at the party, Ebegeeser lives through the possible "what if" of the day. He (Alfyn) shares a dance with Beltrina (Shad), awkward though it is. One might think she could be charmed, but Bromfred's love for the woman may be genuine. Despite the harrowing and terrifying tale of the Headless Horseman Bromfred (Rokurou) shares wherein he describes barely escaping with his life, he (Finn) treats Beltrina (Kotori) with care and charm before sharing a dance with her.
Seeing this, Ebegeeser (9S) is once again driven to consider his plans, even debating if he should actually kill Bromfred. But the Horseman of Christmas Present (Alfyn) intervenes and manages to talk him out of executing such a nefarious plot. Thus already resigned to his fate, Ebegeeser asks Beltrina to meet him in private, a room on the second floor.
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...
A HOLLOW CHRISTMAS CAROL: ACT 3
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.Storyline:
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.
A HOLLOW CHRISTMAS CAROL: CAST
Ebegeeser Ichascrooge: Kazuma Asougi (Disciple), Cyrus Albright, Therion, Capell, 9S, Shad, Shizuo Heiwajima, Ophilia Clement
Beltrina: Pearl, Alfyn, Kotori Iida, Kazuma Asougi (Disciple), Edna
Bromfred: Edna, Therion, Rokurou Rangetsu, Finn Mertens
Horseman of Christmas Past: 9S, Therion
Horseman of Christmas Present: Aya, Alfyn
Horseman of Christmas Future: Finn Mertens
Headless Horseman: Kazuma Asougi
Beltrina: Pearl, Alfyn, Kotori Iida, Kazuma Asougi (Disciple), Edna
Bromfred: Edna, Therion, Rokurou Rangetsu, Finn Mertens
Horseman of Christmas Past: 9S, Therion
Horseman of Christmas Present: Aya, Alfyn
Horseman of Christmas Future: Finn Mertens
Headless Horseman: Kazuma Asougi
THE LEGEND OF PRINCESS KAGUYA: SUMMARY
Original story: The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter
Campaign Period: February 16th, 2019 - April 30th, 2019
Long, long ago there lived a poor, old bamboo cutter. Although he had a loving wife, they had not been blessed with a child and could only make a living from whatever he could make from the bamboo he cut. Until one day he cut a certain stalk of bamboo and a bright flash of light filled the grove. Within the cut bamboo was a tiny young girl, only three inches high. Immediately the bamboo cutter took the child in, and the old couple adopted her as their daughter. Not only would the girl grow up to be a beautiful young woman, but ever since that they every notch of bamboo the old man cut produced small nuggets of gold or precious stones, allowing them to become wealthy and prosperous.
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.
In the end, she rejected them all and had actually hoped they wouldn't return. She preferred living her own life independent of anyone else... until the Emperor himself came to court her. With the help of a sumptuous picnic by the river and heartfelt words, the Emperor managed what others could not and began to stir Kaguya's heart. However, soon the Moon Kingdom descended, claiming Kaguya as their princess. Instead of going with them, she fought them instead, revealing her true nature as a warrior princess. The battles ended after the key players got drunk and something like an alliance was formed between the Moon Kingdom and Earth instead.
Notable Rewards:
• One house upgrade of player's choice
• Magical bamboo shoot that can produce one type of food item, as well as be useful material
Relevant Links:
entry tag | Game Notes #10 (Act I) | Game Notes #12 (Act II)
Campaign Period: February 16th, 2019 - April 30th, 2019
Long, long ago there lived a poor, old bamboo cutter. Although he had a loving wife, they had not been blessed with a child and could only make a living from whatever he could make from the bamboo he cut. Until one day he cut a certain stalk of bamboo and a bright flash of light filled the grove. Within the cut bamboo was a tiny young girl, only three inches high. Immediately the bamboo cutter took the child in, and the old couple adopted her as their daughter. Not only would the girl grow up to be a beautiful young woman, but ever since that they every notch of bamboo the old man cut produced small nuggets of gold or precious stones, allowing them to become wealthy and prosperous.
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.In the end, she rejected them all and had actually hoped they wouldn't return. She preferred living her own life independent of anyone else... until the Emperor himself came to court her. With the help of a sumptuous picnic by the river and heartfelt words, the Emperor managed what others could not and began to stir Kaguya's heart. However, soon the Moon Kingdom descended, claiming Kaguya as their princess. Instead of going with them, she fought them instead, revealing her true nature as a warrior princess. The battles ended after the key players got drunk and something like an alliance was formed between the Moon Kingdom and Earth instead.
Notable Rewards:
• One house upgrade of player's choice
• Magical bamboo shoot that can produce one type of food item, as well as be useful material
Relevant Links:
entry tag | Game Notes #10 (Act I) | Game Notes #12 (Act II)
THE LEGEND OF PRINCESS KAGUYA: ACT 1
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.Storyline:
The kind bamboo cutter (Eizen) and "baby" Kaguya (Prince Lotor) work well together in guiding her out of the bamboo.
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.It has been decided that the princes who successfully returned with the requested items would be rejected, anyway. However, she has allowed them to stay as her "harem" of sorts, mostly as servants if they want to continue to prove their worth in battle (but she really doesn't care for any of them). Those who failed were executed.
Okay, no, they could leave if they wished.
THE LEGEND OF PRINCESS KAGUYA: ACT 2
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.Storyline:
Our Princess Kaguya (Kotori) seemed to have a bit of a soft spot for the Emperor (Roxas)—who knew he could be such a charmer?—and had at least not completely rebuffed him like she did with the princes. However, the Moon Kingdom arrived to take back their princess.
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.Although not an epic battle, some blows were exchanged before the Knight passed out. But now Kaguya was on a war rampage, until one of the other princes (Eizen), who—plot twist—was actually her father, came and tried to knock her out, taking opportunity when she dropped down to mourn over a broken sword. She would later get help from the very same Moon Knight she had the drinking contest with (Alfyn).
THE LEGEND OF PRINCESS KAGUYA: CAST
Kaguya: Rokurou Rangetsu, Kotori Iida, Prince Lotor
Squire: Shizuo Heiwajima, Kazuma Asougi (Disciple)
Prince: Cyrus Albright, Eizen, Velvet Crowe, Miyamoto Musashi
Emperor: Roxas
Bamboo Cutter: Eizen
Moon Knight: Kazuma Asougi (Disciple), Alfyn Greengrass
Squire: Shizuo Heiwajima, Kazuma Asougi (Disciple)
Prince: Cyrus Albright, Eizen, Velvet Crowe, Miyamoto Musashi
Emperor: Roxas
Bamboo Cutter: Eizen
Moon Knight: Kazuma Asougi (Disciple), Alfyn Greengrass
THE LITTLE MERMAID: SUMMARY
Original story: The Little Mermaid
Campaign Period: July 14th, 2019 - October 6th 2019
Far, far out in the oceans, with waters the deepest of blues and clearer than any crystal, dwells a kingdom of special beings called the 'merfolk.' Led by the Sea King, these people of the sea lived within a castle of sea crystal, coral, and pearls. Blessed with peace they could frolic and play to their heart's content.
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.
Even after they parted, the two were unable to stop thinking of each other. Desperate, the little mermaid traded half her lifespan to the sea witch in exchange for a potion that would change the prince into a merman. She made her way to the beach outside the prince's castle and miraculously found the prince again, who had slipped away from the party celebrating his return. After the little mermaid explained her plan and offered him a choice, the prince agreed, and the two were finally united underwater.
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.
The priestess failed to convince the prince to return to the land and be by her side, and her attacks on the mermaid proved fruitless and were interrupted by the quickly-growing battlefield above and below water. Eventually, though, the lovers were able to reach their parents and convince them to end the fighting and allow them to marry. With the sea witch's aid, the little mermaid and the prince could transform and travel freely between land and sea, allowing them to live in both worlds rather than sacrifice one for the other. In this way they lived to foster peace between the two kingdoms and unite the two races as one.
Notable Rewards:
• Journal upgrade where journals gain a little personality reflecting the Aspect's Essence.
• One house upgrade of the player's choosing.
• Fish bowl already filled with water and three items. The marimo ball is just cute, but it can emit a soft glow when it is dark. The oyster will provide a large pearl once every two weeks. The toy treasure chest keeps the oyster and marimo ball happy. Everything is easy to maintain, but they will perish if neglected. Or eaten.
Relevant Links:
entry tag | Game Notes #17 (Act I) | Game Notes #18 (Act II) | Game Notes #19 (Act III)
Campaign Period: July 14th, 2019 - October 6th 2019
Far, far out in the oceans, with waters the deepest of blues and clearer than any crystal, dwells a kingdom of special beings called the 'merfolk.' Led by the Sea King, these people of the sea lived within a castle of sea crystal, coral, and pearls. Blessed with peace they could frolic and play to their heart's content.
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.Even after they parted, the two were unable to stop thinking of each other. Desperate, the little mermaid traded half her lifespan to the sea witch in exchange for a potion that would change the prince into a merman. She made her way to the beach outside the prince's castle and miraculously found the prince again, who had slipped away from the party celebrating his return. After the little mermaid explained her plan and offered him a choice, the prince agreed, and the two were finally united underwater.
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.The priestess failed to convince the prince to return to the land and be by her side, and her attacks on the mermaid proved fruitless and were interrupted by the quickly-growing battlefield above and below water. Eventually, though, the lovers were able to reach their parents and convince them to end the fighting and allow them to marry. With the sea witch's aid, the little mermaid and the prince could transform and travel freely between land and sea, allowing them to live in both worlds rather than sacrifice one for the other. In this way they lived to foster peace between the two kingdoms and unite the two races as one.
Notable Rewards:
• Journal upgrade where journals gain a little personality reflecting the Aspect's Essence.
• One house upgrade of the player's choosing.
• Fish bowl already filled with water and three items. The marimo ball is just cute, but it can emit a soft glow when it is dark. The oyster will provide a large pearl once every two weeks. The toy treasure chest keeps the oyster and marimo ball happy. Everything is easy to maintain, but they will perish if neglected. Or eaten.
Relevant Links:
entry tag | Game Notes #17 (Act I) | Game Notes #18 (Act II) | Game Notes #19 (Act III)
THE LITTLE MERMAID: ACT 1
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.Storyline:
The Little Mermaid (Kotori) had to swim through a dark cave and convince oysters to clamp themselves onto her tail as part of her coming of age ceremony, with some tough-love encouragement from her grandmother (Eizen) and her Stick of Doom. Once on the surface, the little mermaid (Eustace) watched a party aboard a ship...only for it to be crashed by a violent storm. The prince aboard the ship (Dojima) dove into the water for safety, barely staying conscious as the little mermaid pulled him to safety.
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.Meanwhile, the little mermaid (Velvet) couldn’t stop thinking about her prince, and wished for a way to be with him despite the barriers between them. She traveled to the sea witch (Naomi) to ask for a spell that would allow her to join the prince on land. However, after being told of the high costs of going onto land—including never seeing her family again, or never remembering them even if she did—the little mermaid decided to stay underwater...and bring the prince to HER, at the cost of half her lifespan. The deal set, the two of them brewed a potion that would bring the prince to the sea.
However, there would be more challenges awaiting for the mermaid princess. In the following days, the priestess is revealed to be a princess of a nearby kingdom. Delighted by the news, the prince's parents—the king and queen—host a grand ball in her honor. There is also hope that their son may fancy the princess, as a marriage between the two would be beneficial indeed. The princess already has interest in the prince, though be it romantic or something else is still unclear.
THE LITTLE MERMAID: ACT 2
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.Storyline:
Very grateful for the return of their son, the king and queen through a grand ball in the priestess's honor... and to arrange a match between her and the prince, since the priestess was also a princess. Though the priestess (Rokurou) "saved" his life, the prince (Dojima) found himself put off by her pushy demeanor. (Not to mention her laughter…) Throughout their dance and their walk through the castle gardens, his thoughts drifted back to the mermaid who brought him to shore.
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 priestess (Elma) caught wind of the mermaid (Roxas) speaking with the prince, however, and went down to the beach to confront the sea dweller. She argued that the mermaid didn't belong on land or with the prince, and that bringing the worlds together would be a mistake, but the mermaid responded that it was her choice and the prince's whether they wanted to pursue their love. Neither lady would back down from her stance.
The mermaid's (Dojima, Roxas) frequent visits ashore did not go unnoticed by her family, but her two elder sisters were curious (Della) and supportive (Sora) of her romance with the prince.
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.Unbeknownst to them, however, the priestess (Elma) tried to take matters into her own hands. She rowed out onto the ocean to summon the sea witch (Naomi) and ask for a deal to keep the mermaid away from the land forever. The sea witch supplied her with a potion, which the priestess drank without questions of the bottle's contents or about the price of the deal. Both questions were answered shortly, however: the priestess had imbibed in the life essence the mermaid had sacrificed before, and by taking it had traded her humanity in exchange for having to guard the mermaid from land herself, cursed with the form of the creatures she despised.
THE LITTLE MERMAID: ACT 3
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.Storyline:
Together at last underwater, the Mermaid (Pidge) and the Prince (Godzilla) enjoyed a little swim through the waters. While the Prince was a bit awkward and misunderstood the Mermaid at first, the two of them had a good time playfully racing and chasing each other under the waves.
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.Meanwhile, the Prince (Keith) met with the Sea Witch (Eizen) to request the ability to travel between the sea and the land. However, the Sea Witch asked for the Prince to give up his crown, something he balked at due to it negating his desire to go back to land, and leaving his country with a potential succession crisis. The Prince decided that the needs of his people were more important than his own happiness and turned down the deal, but the Sea Witch, impressed by his selflessness, conceded and allowed him a potion to travel both worlds at will, no price required.
The Sea King (Eizen) and the Land King (Rokurou)- who turned out to be former lovers in their own youth- met to try and make heads or tails of the situation… aaaand devolved into arguing about beetles, their families, and insulting each other's competence in bed. The war escalated at that point.
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.Despite everything, the Sea King (Della) was more concerned about his daughter, the Mermaid, than waging a war against his ex-lover. So when the Prince (Dojima) told the king of his rescue and how he'd truly fallen in love with her, the Sea King accepted the Prince. Meanwhile, the little Mermaid (Naomi) made quite the entrance by swimming up to the Land King (Hunk) and demanding to talk. The King, cowed by her bold, blunt words, immediately agreed, and they began a civil discussion about how best to end the war and how the mermaid could travel between land and sea as well.
Both the Prince and the Mermaid are able to traverse between land and sea. The Prince will be able to take the potion offered to him, while the Mermaid must sacrifice the rest of her immortality to live the rest of her days with the average lifespan of a human. With this, the two kingdoms will finally be able to see peace. It will be tough at first, and there will be many difficulties the young couple will still face, but it is a positive step forward. Meanwhile, the Priestess will remain confined to the ocean and banished to the dark depths far, far away from the two kingdoms. What will become of her fate, only the future knows.
THE LITTLE MERMAID: CAST
Little Mermaid: Kotori Iida, Velvet Crowe, Eustace, Princess Rosella, Roxas, Katie "Pidge" Holt, Bridge Nocturne, Kazuma Asougi (Disicple), Naomi Kimishima, Elma, Korwa, Ryotaro Dojima
Priestess: Rokurou Rangetsu, Eustace, Princess Rosella, Elma
Sea Witch: Naomi Kimishima, Eizen
Prince: Hunk, Red XIII, Ryotaro Dojima, Keith, Godzilla, Bridge Nocturne, Princess Rosella
Land King: Rokurou Rangetsu, Hunk
Sea King: Shizuo Heiwajima, Della Duck, Eizen
Grandmother: Eizen
Sisters: Sora, Della Duck
Priestess: Rokurou Rangetsu, Eustace, Princess Rosella, Elma
Sea Witch: Naomi Kimishima, Eizen
Prince: Hunk, Red XIII, Ryotaro Dojima, Keith, Godzilla, Bridge Nocturne, Princess Rosella
Land King: Rokurou Rangetsu, Hunk
Sea King: Shizuo Heiwajima, Della Duck, Eizen
Grandmother: Eizen
Sisters: Sora, Della Duck
A MIDSUMMER ROSE: SUMMARY
Original stories: Sleeping Beauty, Tam Lin, A Midsummer Night's Dream
Campaign Period: January 25th, 2020 - May 9th, 2020
Long ago and deep, deep in the heart of the forest, there was a kingdom. But not an ordinary kingdom formed of humans. This one was formed by the fae. From the tiniest, most mischievous pixies, to the largest, brashest trolls, to the most elegant and cunning elves, all of them called the fields and forests and rivers away from prying mortal eyes their home. And ruling over them all were an ancient and powerful couple: King Oberon and Queen Titania. Together, they ruled their land with fairness, benevolence, and they brought prosperity and harmony to their wild lands… or, well, as much as those traits can be found among the fair folk. Their logic and morals were their own, and too much structure would make them too much like humans, after all.
Eventually, after many, many years of hoping and wishing, the king and queen were blessed with a child: a son they named Tam Lin. Fairies from all over the kingdom and even from different lands and times were invited to come and celebrate the birth of the new prince with a massive feast to last for days! However, there was one fairy who was not invited. And the powerful and wicked Carabosse had a nasty punishment in mind for this insult.
Notable Rewards:
• A special egg that will hatch into one of the following three: a) a cute plant-like fairy familiar; b) baby dragon that can vary in type and size, but the maximum they can ever grow is as big as a horse; c) Fabergé egg that when opened produces a random, small gemstone once every few days.
Relevant Links:
entry tag | Game Notes #24 (Act I) | Game Notes #25 (Act II) | Game Notes #26 (Act III)
Campaign Period: January 25th, 2020 - May 9th, 2020
Long ago and deep, deep in the heart of the forest, there was a kingdom. But not an ordinary kingdom formed of humans. This one was formed by the fae. From the tiniest, most mischievous pixies, to the largest, brashest trolls, to the most elegant and cunning elves, all of them called the fields and forests and rivers away from prying mortal eyes their home. And ruling over them all were an ancient and powerful couple: King Oberon and Queen Titania. Together, they ruled their land with fairness, benevolence, and they brought prosperity and harmony to their wild lands… or, well, as much as those traits can be found among the fair folk. Their logic and morals were their own, and too much structure would make them too much like humans, after all.
Eventually, after many, many years of hoping and wishing, the king and queen were blessed with a child: a son they named Tam Lin. Fairies from all over the kingdom and even from different lands and times were invited to come and celebrate the birth of the new prince with a massive feast to last for days! However, there was one fairy who was not invited. And the powerful and wicked Carabosse had a nasty punishment in mind for this insult.
Notable Rewards:
• A special egg that will hatch into one of the following three: a) a cute plant-like fairy familiar; b) baby dragon that can vary in type and size, but the maximum they can ever grow is as big as a horse; c) Fabergé egg that when opened produces a random, small gemstone once every few days.
Relevant Links:
entry tag | Game Notes #24 (Act I) | Game Notes #25 (Act II) | Game Notes #26 (Act III)
A MIDSUMMER ROSE: ACT 1
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.Storyline:
The two queens fought fiercely with sharp words and powerful magic, but in the end Titania (Magica) surrendered and muttered “just curse the brat.” Carabosse (Elma) did indeed curse Tam Lin to prick his finger on a spindle and fall into a deep slumber… as well as give the child an invitation to join her dark forces should he ever decide to forsake his family. (Fairy moralities are… weird…)
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 (Yosuke) trusted little Tam Lin (Rosalia) to hold the magical flower while the sprite carried the babe, eventually stumbling upon a convenient baby carriage. The two then enjoyed the beauty of the wild forest on their trek.
While still in pain from parting with their son and previous hurts in their relationship, Oberon (Crane) and Titania (Della) reaffirmed their love and trust in each other as they set out to destroy the spindles.
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.Carabosse (Souji) did her best (and loudest) to intimidate Nick Bottom (Kokichi) into telling her Tam Lin’s location, but the playwright parried her at every turn and even accused her of being a yaoi fangirl. Eventually the evil fairy’s temper reached its zenith, prompting the soon-to-be donkey to challenge her to a children’s card game. (Alas, said card game was Crazy Eights, with no motorcycles in sight.) Bottom won through the use of sleight-of-hand, but Carabosse caught the cheater, and for his insolence turned him and all the town into donkeys.
A MIDSUMMER ROSE: ACT 2
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.The second location was the cursed village. There was a direct road that connects the forest to the village, and it was there that most of the danger ran rampant. From erasers taking on the form of demons to hostile blots cursed to be donkeys, those who entered the village must be wary—especially since transformed into any mythical hooved creature. Fortunately this "curse" was lifted upon leaving the village.
Storyline:
Bonny Rose (Felix) and Puck (Lea) met and proceeded to blame each other for the donkey curse, but eventually took a moment to realize they needed to work together in order to brew the cure, with Bonny Rose protecting Puck while he gathered ingredients and brewed the potion. (All while bickering and swearing as only fantasy-Scottish redheads can.)
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.Titania (Kazuma) found Nick (Kaiba) in the forest and he followed her willingly to her castle, with the queen demonstrating her considerable might defending her new paramour against a serpentine creature. The two indulged in a steamy bath and soothing Titania's wounds.
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.Oberon (Souji) managed to coax a particularly sharp Titania (Elma) to their room, and eventually managed to break the curse on her.
Titania apologized to Nick for her behavior while under the love potions' effects. He accepted her apology, and the two agreed to part ways and for Nick to be left alone from now on.
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.After the lovebirds parted ways, Tam Lin (Isa) went to Puck (Kakrat) for romantic advice. This was a mistake, as apparently fairy romance is much more complicated than Tam Lin thought, all he wanted was to know how to ask out a girl.
Carabosse (Souji) managed to lure Tam Lin (Junpei) away with a handsome male visage before revealing her true form, offering Tam Lin a chance to join her dark forces. He refused, and she unleashed the (altered) curse on him.
A MIDSUMMER ROSE: ACT 3
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.Storyline:
Oberon (Keith) confronted Titania (Magica) about the letters, and the queen admitted right away that she did so out of jealousy, fearing that Oberon’s heart was wandering back to Carabosse, even apologizing after some (read: a lot of) coaxing. Oberon assured Titania of his love and devotion to her, and the two of them promised to be more honest and trusting with each other.
Shortly after, however, Titania (Felix) went out to confront Carabosse (Soldier: 76)… because apparently she was jealous for Carabosse’s affections as well. So after some banter, the two of them agree to start a “relationship” of their own.
Meanwhile, Puck (Master Crane) did his best to guide and console a very worried Bonny Rose (Wembley) on the way to Tam Lin, fighting treacherous gusts and sharp rocks, arriving at the tower a bit battered.
After helping Bonny Rose, Puck (Gobo) sought out Nick Bottom (Kazuma) to help him distract Carabosse and her forces. The two of them snuck into the Castle via a tunnel magicked by Puck, but were stopped by a group of guards who were JUST smart enough not to believe their story of escaping a monster, but thankfully not smart enough to beat a smoke bomb, or for Puck’s sleep-inducing song. Unfortunately, mortal Nick was somehow corrupted by the castle’s dark energies, and began to fight everything in his path, including Puck.
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.Carabosse (Mordred) set three challenges before Bonny Rose (Kaiba). First, the heroine had to solve a block puzzle to recreate Tam Lin’s dragon form, which she did with decent ease. Second, Bonny Rose had to navigate a path laden with dangerous traps, which she navigated at a steady, careful pace. For the final task, Bonny faced one of Carabosse’s enchanted suits of armor in single combat armed with only a spear, and while outmatched in raw power, Bonny fought with wit and precision to defeat the construct and pass the final challenge.
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.
A MIDSUMMER ROSE: CAST
Tam Lin: Rosalia Rossellini, Bridge Nocturne, Eustace, Junpei Iori, Isa, Eizen, Karkat Vantas
Bonny Rose: Isaac "Felix" Gates, Gobo Fraggle, Kotori Iida, Wembley Fraggle, Kazuma Asougi, Seto Kaiba, Rosalia Rossellini
Queen Titania: Magica De Spell, Della Duck, Kazuma Asougi, Elma, Fuuka Yamagishi, Isaac "Felix" Gates
Carabosse: Elma, Souji Seta/Yu Narukami, Naomi Kimishima, Soldier 76, Mordred
King Oberon: Ryotaro Dojima, Master Crane, Rokurou Rangetsu, Souji Seta/Yu Narukami, Keith
Puck: Mordred, Yosuke Hanamura, Junpei Iori, Lea, Karkat Vantas, Master Crane, Gobo Fraggle
Nick Bottom: Kokichi Oma, Keith, Seto Kaiba, Oswald, Kazuma Asougi
Bonny Rose: Isaac "Felix" Gates, Gobo Fraggle, Kotori Iida, Wembley Fraggle, Kazuma Asougi, Seto Kaiba, Rosalia Rossellini
Queen Titania: Magica De Spell, Della Duck, Kazuma Asougi, Elma, Fuuka Yamagishi, Isaac "Felix" Gates
Carabosse: Elma, Souji Seta/Yu Narukami, Naomi Kimishima, Soldier 76, Mordred
King Oberon: Ryotaro Dojima, Master Crane, Rokurou Rangetsu, Souji Seta/Yu Narukami, Keith
Puck: Mordred, Yosuke Hanamura, Junpei Iori, Lea, Karkat Vantas, Master Crane, Gobo Fraggle
Nick Bottom: Kokichi Oma, Keith, Seto Kaiba, Oswald, Kazuma Asougi
ALICE IN WONDERLAND: SUMMARY
Original story: Alice in Wonderland, The Looking Glass
Campaign Period: July 1st, 2020 - September 8th, 2020
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.
In the meantime, Aspects had to go through various doors in the Forest of Doors and help strengthen important locations in various ways. Through one door, Aspects participated in a literal caucus race that resembled Mario Kart more than anything else. Another door led to a mansion with impossible geometries, and Aspects had to either solve puzzles or deal with evil automatons to find the keys needed to fix things. Beyond another door Aspects attempted to hold tea parties while everything was floating around all willy-nilly, and the last door involved facing off against the Queen of Hearts in a croquet themed hedge maze.
As the Aspects went about completing these tasks, their Essences somehow got unbound every time they went through a door. This caused them to get swapped around with each other, adding to the general chaos. At least the Essences returned to their proper owners while the Aspects were in the Forest of Doors.
After everything was stabilized (or as stable as a place like Wonderland can be), the story proper could begin. This of course has its own twists and turns, including dopplegangers of the original Wonderland characters appear to fight back. But they are able to navigate through the scenes and help save the story before it met destruction.
Notable Rewards:
• Wonderland Plush. Have an option to choose ONE of the following three plush types: 1) Cheshire Cat (capable of teleporting people a short distance); 2) Jabberwocky (will occasionally fly around, screech like a bat, and transform into a life-sized version that can be used as a training dummy); 3) Bandersnatch (can be activated to transform into a life-sized version that can be used as a training dummy)
• Pocket Watch. A fancy gold watch that is capable of either slowing or speeding up objects
• Deck of Card Familiars. A full deck of cards that can be used to summon a life-sized card of varying stats to aid either in combat or mundane activities.
Relevant Links:
Entry tag | Game Notes #28 (Event Act) | Game Notes #29 (Act II)
Campaign Period: July 1st, 2020 - September 8th, 2020
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.In the meantime, Aspects had to go through various doors in the Forest of Doors and help strengthen important locations in various ways. Through one door, Aspects participated in a literal caucus race that resembled Mario Kart more than anything else. Another door led to a mansion with impossible geometries, and Aspects had to either solve puzzles or deal with evil automatons to find the keys needed to fix things. Beyond another door Aspects attempted to hold tea parties while everything was floating around all willy-nilly, and the last door involved facing off against the Queen of Hearts in a croquet themed hedge maze.
As the Aspects went about completing these tasks, their Essences somehow got unbound every time they went through a door. This caused them to get swapped around with each other, adding to the general chaos. At least the Essences returned to their proper owners while the Aspects were in the Forest of Doors.
After everything was stabilized (or as stable as a place like Wonderland can be), the story proper could begin. This of course has its own twists and turns, including dopplegangers of the original Wonderland characters appear to fight back. But they are able to navigate through the scenes and help save the story before it met destruction.
Notable Rewards:
• Wonderland Plush. Have an option to choose ONE of the following three plush types: 1) Cheshire Cat (capable of teleporting people a short distance); 2) Jabberwocky (will occasionally fly around, screech like a bat, and transform into a life-sized version that can be used as a training dummy); 3) Bandersnatch (can be activated to transform into a life-sized version that can be used as a training dummy)
• Pocket Watch. A fancy gold watch that is capable of either slowing or speeding up objects
• Deck of Card Familiars. A full deck of cards that can be used to summon a life-sized card of varying stats to aid either in combat or mundane activities.
Relevant Links:
Entry tag | Game Notes #28 (Event Act) | Game Notes #29 (Act II)
ALICE IN WONDERLAND: ACT 1
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.Storyline:
Alice (Mordred) finally catches up to the White Rabbit (Ragna) and the two immediately start trash talking each other, nearly coming to blows but agreeing that they should work together to navigate the tunnels. They soon ran into an imposter of the White Rabbit, however, and it threatened to punish them for tardiness only for the real Rabbit to send it flying mid-sentence. This only angered the doppelganger further, though, and it began to grow into a frightening beast. Despite the initial animosity, the White Rabbit gallantly stepped in to protect the little girl from the big scary monster.
After being confounded by the very shapely Caterpillar (Naomi), Alice (Junpei) actually began by asking some deep questions about death and grief, unburdening her heavier thoughts to an impartial ear.
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.The Mad Hatter (Steelbeak) dragged Alice (Eizen) into a rowdy tea party, and the little girl brought a song to the celebration. Soon enough, however, the shanty devolved into a wondrously drunken bragging session, with the two of them taking teapot shots at each other every verse.
Despite the Queen of Hearts (Kaiba) having a rather embarrassing start, Alice (Yu) managed to overcome equipment malfunctions with some clever McGyvering! Unfortunately, the pretender Queen didn't take kindly to this and sicced her card soldiers after them, with the fake Alice jumping directly into the fray. Soon the croquet match turned into an all-out brawl, with hissy snakes, equally hissy flamingos, and carrots swung around on both sides. And coconuts. So many coconuts, and no limes to put in them.
The Fawn (Minako) agreed to lead Alice (Minato) through the forest, but the two soon found themselves in a dense, eerie fog that robbed them of their memories. Shadows began to appear from the fog, testing their deepest doubts and convictions, even as their minds were blank, but eventually Alice and the Fawn reached out to each other, and helped each other remember who they were, banishing the fog and the specters.
Meanwhile, while all this nonsense was going on, the Lion (Dojima) and the Unicorn (Kazuma) tried to command their armies to put Humpty Dumpty together better, but the horses' hoofs were useless at picking up the pieces and the "humans" were equally inept at reassembling the gathered pieces. Eventually they decided to put differences aside and worked together to piece the eggman back together.
ALICE IN WONDERLAND: ACT 2
Storyline:
TBD
ALICE IN WONDERLAND: CAST
Alice: Mordred, Junpei Iori, Keith, Eizen, Yu Narukami, Minato Arisato
White Rabbit: Ragna the Bloodedge
Caterpillar: Naomi Kimishima
Cheshire Cat: Jean Kirstein
Mad Hatter: Steelbeak
Queen of Hearts: Seto Kaiba
Fawn: Minako Arisato
Lion: Ryotaro Dojima
Unicorn: Kazuma Asougi
White Rabbit: Ragna the Bloodedge
Caterpillar: Naomi Kimishima
Cheshire Cat: Jean Kirstein
Mad Hatter: Steelbeak
Queen of Hearts: Seto Kaiba
Fawn: Minako Arisato
Lion: Ryotaro Dojima
Unicorn: Kazuma Asougi
FRANKENHYDE: SUMMARY
Original stories:
Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Frankenstein, The Modern Prometheus
Campaign Period: November 1st, 2020 - January 24th, 2021
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.
Upon hearing of Frankenstein’s success, Hyde disguises himself as Jekyll and pays him a visit. Fooled by the facade, Frankenstein lets him in and Hyde soon manages to spend some time alone with the creature. He ends up naming Frankenstein's creation “Stixen.” With that settled, Hyde takes Stixen out to expose him to the crime life but Stixen is hesitant to join in. Stixen would later find Hyde covered in blood after murdering someone and rejects Hyde's idea to kill everyone. Jekyll would also confront Hyde and the two fight until Hyde imprisons Jekyll in the cellar and assumes his creator's identity. Gabriel Utterson, a friend who had been wary of Jekyll's "study," seeks Jekyll to study the murder victim's body only to find Jekyll in the cellar and frees him.
Meanwhile, Stixen makes his first friend with a young girl named Agatha de Lacy. However Hyde witnesses the whole thing and would later burn down the girl's house and kill her. This sparks an angry mob targeting Stixen and Frankenstein. Through the use of a special smoke agent, they are able to pacify the mob long enough for Frankenstein to find help. He runs into Jekyll, but it turns out to be Hyde in disguise and Frankenstein is murdered by Hyde.
When Frankenstein doesn't return, Stixen seeks out a family friend, Henry Clerval, for help. They would find Frankenstien's body in Jekyll's home, and as Stixen is carrying Frankenstein's body out, Jekyll and Utterson arrive. Stixen begs Jekyll to bring their father back to life, and although Jekyll is against the idea, he makes the attempt and fails on purpose.
Stixen would then seek out Hyde, who failed to kill his own creator, and the two would engage in a monstrous fight in the middle of the blizzard. The resulting battle leaves Sixten battered and beaten on the ground as Hyde limps away, presuming them dead. Then a bolt of lighting strikes the ground, and Sixen begins to move...
Notable Rewards:
• Choice of one of the following man-made creations: Audrey Jr (small plant); robo-reindeer (small robot reindeer); clockwork servant (automaton ready to serve)
• Electric sphere with unlimited low voltage energy
• Alter ego potion with 3 uses to boost Essence abilities
Relevant Links:
entry tag | Game Notes #32 (Act I) | Game Notes #33 (Act II) | Game Notes #35 (Act III)
Campaign Period: November 1st, 2020 - January 24th, 2021
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.Upon hearing of Frankenstein’s success, Hyde disguises himself as Jekyll and pays him a visit. Fooled by the facade, Frankenstein lets him in and Hyde soon manages to spend some time alone with the creature. He ends up naming Frankenstein's creation “Stixen.” With that settled, Hyde takes Stixen out to expose him to the crime life but Stixen is hesitant to join in. Stixen would later find Hyde covered in blood after murdering someone and rejects Hyde's idea to kill everyone. Jekyll would also confront Hyde and the two fight until Hyde imprisons Jekyll in the cellar and assumes his creator's identity. Gabriel Utterson, a friend who had been wary of Jekyll's "study," seeks Jekyll to study the murder victim's body only to find Jekyll in the cellar and frees him.
Meanwhile, Stixen makes his first friend with a young girl named Agatha de Lacy. However Hyde witnesses the whole thing and would later burn down the girl's house and kill her. This sparks an angry mob targeting Stixen and Frankenstein. Through the use of a special smoke agent, they are able to pacify the mob long enough for Frankenstein to find help. He runs into Jekyll, but it turns out to be Hyde in disguise and Frankenstein is murdered by Hyde.
When Frankenstein doesn't return, Stixen seeks out a family friend, Henry Clerval, for help. They would find Frankenstien's body in Jekyll's home, and as Stixen is carrying Frankenstein's body out, Jekyll and Utterson arrive. Stixen begs Jekyll to bring their father back to life, and although Jekyll is against the idea, he makes the attempt and fails on purpose.
Stixen would then seek out Hyde, who failed to kill his own creator, and the two would engage in a monstrous fight in the middle of the blizzard. The resulting battle leaves Sixten battered and beaten on the ground as Hyde limps away, presuming them dead. Then a bolt of lighting strikes the ground, and Sixen begins to move...
Notable Rewards:
• Choice of one of the following man-made creations: Audrey Jr (small plant); robo-reindeer (small robot reindeer); clockwork servant (automaton ready to serve)
• Electric sphere with unlimited low voltage energy
• Alter ego potion with 3 uses to boost Essence abilities
Relevant Links:
entry tag | Game Notes #32 (Act I) | Game Notes #33 (Act II) | Game Notes #35 (Act III)
FRANKENHYDE: ACT 1
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. Storyline:
We open on a Londeva that is bustling with excitement over its Annual Faire for the Sciences, years before it all will go swiftly to hell... Victor Frankenstein (Luca Balsa) and Henry Jekyll (Skull Kid) are the two most promising contestants, competing for the top prize with some Electrical Nonsense and a very glittery volcano, respectively. Jekyll, ever a helpful soul, tries to help Victor with his project when it seems he's struggling, only to get told off as it reminds Victor of his former mentor, who he no longer cares for. The Faire ends in a tie, the judges too impressed with both entries to pick just one winner.
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.As the two old friends chat, Audrey Two occasionally comments on the stench of some of Victor's latest test subjects, comments Victor is quick to brush aside and play off as the plant having a very odd sense of humor. Clerval leaves very, very disturbed.
Meanwhile, across town, Hastie Lanyon (Eizen) stops in to visit his colleague Doctor Jekyll (Jean Kirstein). There's been a rash of robberies that seem to be targeting scientists such as Lanyon and Jekyll, and it's only right that Jekyll be warned. While visiting, Jekyll insists that he hasn't been robbed and has in fact been far too busy to even hear about the gossip, a claim that Lanyon doubts as the lab is remarkably quiet and oddly clean. Jekyll insists, and as there's no real reason to argue, Lanyon drops it.
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.Eventually Clerval (Yu Narukami), still concerned about Victor's odd behavior, gets a hold of Utterson (Eugene Fitzherbert) to come help him investigate the lab, especially since Victor's plant was very concerning. No sooner do they reach the lab when Clerval's concerns are validated, as they hear a scream and turn the corner to see Audrey Two, somehow free of its pot, carrying off a human by the leg. Between the two they are able to free the man, and although Utterson was momentarily caught, after Clerval frees him they devise a plan using Utterson's background as a magician. With a fortuitous storm, they use Utterson's mirrors to reflect lightning bolts to strike down the monstrous plant in a disgusting explosion. However, no one notices something burrowing underground to slither away…
Late one night, Jekyll (Goro Akechi) is heard lecturing an "Edward Hyde" (Ren Amamiya) on his behavior. His recklessness is putting them both in danger...which is precisely what Jekyll does not want, as how can he get his data if Hyde gets captured? Jekyll's plan, it seems, has shifted from "create artificial life" to "see what a truly unhinged man will do if given the space to do it", and Edward Hyde is how he plans to do that. In hopes of getting everyone off their tail, Jekyll suggests that Hyde get a new look, to which Hyde agrees.
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.However, there's a knock on the door as Hyde (Yosuke Hanamura) has come to pay a call to Victor (Kurt Frank) while pretending to be Jekyll. Victor, excited and not terribly observant for some reason, falls for this and lets his "friend" in to see his Creation. Hyde is both amazed and excited upon seeing it, already curious to see how it might behave in town while also warning Victor that it might not be well received. However it is clear he has keen interest in Victor's Creation.
On his second visit, Hyde (Xion), learns that Victor in all his infinite wisdom did not bother to name the Creation (Ken Amada), and so decides to name them himself: Stixen. They soon decide to leave the lab to experience life, witnessing a robbery. Victor's Creation, or Stixen as they now call themselves, immediately rushes in to try and help but Hyde stops them. Stixen is confused by this and this difference between the two Creations will continue...
FRANKENHYDE: ACT 2
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.Storyline:
Some time after we last saw Hyde (Mordred) and the illustrious Dr. Jekyll (Reaper), Hyde approaches the doctor to demand some sort of recompense for being the doctor's experiment; after all, Hyde pointed out, they can't get good data on an "unhinged man" if Hyde's limited in what he can actually do. Though Hyde threatens him, Jekyll is able to keep calm and compromise with his test subject on the matter of pay. He once again warns Hyde to avoid drawing too much attention to himself. Hyde assures him that he knows what he's doing.
A few days later, Mister Utterson (Ren Amamiya) is called to Jekyll's house (Ryotaro Dojima) to discuss some personal matters. The old friends take a few moments to clear the air between them, to allow Utterson a moment to vent to his old friend, before the settle down to the business Jekyll called his solicitor for in the first place: adjusting his will to leave everything to one Mister Hyde. Utterson is appalled at the very idea, but Jekyll eventually confesses that he and Victor Frankenstein were working on creating life and that Hyde is a vital part of these experiments. It only makes sense to leave all of his money and property to a known criminal who would probably kill you as soon as look at you.
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.As Hyde (Yu Narukami) returns home to Jekyll (Tohru Adachi), Jekyll has had enough. He realizes what happened last night when he sees the Hyde covered in blood, and that is a line too far. Jekyll demands Hyde stop. Hyde decides that he doesn't want to stop, but instead take over Jekyll's life. The two fight, and Jekyll is locked in his cellar, leaving Hyde free to do whatever it is he wants.
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.As Stixen was saving kittens from trees, Utterson (Crane) rushes to Jekyll's (Luca Balsa) house to report Danvers's murder and ask him to come look over the body. He's distraught to find the poor man having a panic attack in his cellar and hurriedly gets him out of there. Jekyll hates what science has become since his younger days, though Utterson does point out that it was always a little unsettling, and things are about to get a lot worse. Upon inspecting the body, Jekyll realizes that this was the man Hyde had killed.
That night, disgusted at what he had seen earlier that day, Hyde (Eizen) tracks down the de Lacy house and sets it on fire. Agatha (Rokurou) flees the scene; Hyde gives chase. Eventually, the poor girl is torn limb from limb by the now monstrous Edward Hyde. When the girl's body is discovered, a mob forms outside of Victor's (Minako Arisato) lab, demanding that Stixen (Ren Amamiya) face justice. Victor knows that the girl's death was not Stixen's fault, and so the two try to calm the people down to no avail. Eventually, they resort to rooting around the lab for something to use to force them to calm down, allowing Victor to escape and get help.
Victor (Naomi Kimishima) eventually finds Jekyll and begs him for help. Jekyll, of course, agrees, but he first insists that Victor join him at his home and all but forces Victor to follow. As they get closer to Jekyll's home, Victor realizes that it is not Jekyll at all but Hyde (Kazuma Asougi) and tries to get away. He fails and, realizing that there is no hope for him, is gentle and almost calm. Hyde, in one more act of brutal violence, stabs Victor through the heart.
FRANKENHYDE: ACT 3
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. Storyline:
Londeva is gripped by fear. Victor Frankenstein is dead, murdered by one Edward Hyde. Stixen has been blamed for all manner of evils. And poor Doctor Jekyll is having a time.
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.Some time later, Utterson (Luca) and Jekyll (Naomi) return to Jekyll's labs. In a fit of grief and perhaps madness, the doctor very nearly destroys his lab, a weak penance for all he has wrought. Utterson stops this, assuring him that it would do more harm than good, and Jekyll decides that, as Hyde's creator, he should be able to make something to kill him more easily. The two head further into the lab to do just that. They are later joined by Stixen (Steelbeak), who begs the doctor to revive Victor.
Jekyll (Master Crane) is torn by this, as while he feels guilty that Stixen's father was murdered by Hyde, the thought of reviving the dead leaves him uneasy. Rather than turn the creature down outright, however, he instead chooses to purposefully do it incorrectly. Stixen is none the wiser, and is thankful for the attempt all the same.
The next day, Clerval (Ren) and Utterson (Rosalia) set out to find Hyde in hopes of putting an end to all of this. Unfortunately, it seems the city itself has lost its grip on reality, as the buildings start to crumble and dead ends are around every corner. The two men agree it's a lost cause and quickly make plans to leave the city themselves.
Meanwhile, Hyde (Mabel) finally tracks Jekyll (Junpei) down with the intent to kill. However, the odd goings on in the city seem to be affecting more than just the buildings, as no matter what Hyde does he cannot land a killing blow on Jekyll. He eventually flees, leaving Jekyll to whatever fate awaits him.
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."...we never did learn how, exactly, it all went so horribly wrong so quickly. All we know is that Mister Hyde went on a murderous rampage and that Londeva was never quite the same. I've heard no more of either Hyde or the Creation, though rumors do reach me now and again of odd sprees of murder here and there. The latest I believe was in France.
This letter is now several pages long. I can picture the look you must have made upon receiving it; if you are expecting an apology, you will be sorely disappointed. You know how I get when I feel compelled to write, rather like how you get when you feel compelled to fret and fuss. But I shall end my letter here, hopeful it found you well and that the baby is healthy.
Forever your brother,
Captain Robert Walton
FRANKENHYDE: CAST
Victor Frankenstein: Luca Balsa, Sherlock Holmes, Helios, Kurt Frank, Minako Arisato, Naomi Kimishima
Frankenstein's Monster: Ken Amada, Lena Sabrewing, Ragna the Bloodedge, Zidane Tribal, Ren Amamiya, Makoto Yuki, Steelbeak, Shizuo Heiwajima
Henry Jekyll: Skull Kid, Jean Kirstein, Ren Amamiya, Goro Akechi, Reaper, Ryotaro Dojima, Tohru Adachi, Luca Balsa, Naomi Kimishima, Master Crane, Junpei Iori
Edward Hyde: Yosuke Hanamura, Ren Amamiya, Xion, Mordred, Makoto Yuki, Jean Kirstein, Eizen, Yu Narukami, Kazuma Asougi, Mabel Pines
Gabriel Utterson: Kazuma Asougi, Eugene Fitzherbert, Ren Amamiya, Master Crane, Rosalia Rossellini, Luca Balsa
Henry Clerval: Master Crane, Yu Narukami, Tohru Adachi, Ren Amamiya
Hastie Lanyon: Eizen
Agatha De Lacy: Karkat Vantas, Rokurou Rangetsu
Danvers: Ken Amada
Frankenstein's Monster: Ken Amada, Lena Sabrewing, Ragna the Bloodedge, Zidane Tribal, Ren Amamiya, Makoto Yuki, Steelbeak, Shizuo Heiwajima
Henry Jekyll: Skull Kid, Jean Kirstein, Ren Amamiya, Goro Akechi, Reaper, Ryotaro Dojima, Tohru Adachi, Luca Balsa, Naomi Kimishima, Master Crane, Junpei Iori
Edward Hyde: Yosuke Hanamura, Ren Amamiya, Xion, Mordred, Makoto Yuki, Jean Kirstein, Eizen, Yu Narukami, Kazuma Asougi, Mabel Pines
Gabriel Utterson: Kazuma Asougi, Eugene Fitzherbert, Ren Amamiya, Master Crane, Rosalia Rossellini, Luca Balsa
Henry Clerval: Master Crane, Yu Narukami, Tohru Adachi, Ren Amamiya
Hastie Lanyon: Eizen
Agatha De Lacy: Karkat Vantas, Rokurou Rangetsu
Danvers: Ken Amada
SUGAR PLUM BEAST: SUMMARY
Original stories:
Beauty and the Beast, The Nutcracker
Campaign Period: April 17th, 2021 - July 4th, 2021
TBA
Notable Rewards:
•
•
•
Relevant Links:
entry tag | Game Notes #39 (Act I) | Game Notes #40 (Act II) | Game Notes #41 (Act III)
TBA
Notable Rewards:
•
•
•
Relevant Links:
entry tag | Game Notes #39 (Act I) | Game Notes #40 (Act II) | Game Notes #41 (Act III)
SUGAR PLUM BEAST: ACT 1
Setting: TBAStoryline:
TBA
SUGAR PLUM BEAST: ACT 2
Setting: TBAStoryline:
TBA
FRANKENHYDE: ACT 3
Setting: TBA Storyline:
TBA
SUGAR PLUM BEAST: CAST
Prince/Beast:
Clarabelle:
Sugar Plum Fairy:
Mouse King:
Drosselmeyer::
Toy Representative::
Toy Traitor:
Alpaca Maid Toy:
Clarabelle:
Sugar Plum Fairy:
Mouse King:
Drosselmeyer::
Toy Representative::
Toy Traitor:
Alpaca Maid Toy: