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Forgotten Tales Mods ([personal profile] keeperoftales) wrote in [community profile] realmofstories2018-11-02 08:01 am

Nightmare on Index Street

Nightmare on Index Street—





After the final hours of Halloween are coming to an end and everyone is slowly beginning to gather their things and return to their homes to prepare for the clean-up to come in the later days, a strange, eerie silence falls throughout the Index along with a mysterious gray fog. It seeps over the ground like a veil dragged behind an invisible bride and soon engulfs the entire city. The sound of hooves clattering over the cobbled streets echo over every street like an army followed by a chorus of loud, high maniacal laughter. In the next instant everything turns pitch black, as if the light of the world had been shut off.

And then just as suddenly, the light returns. But the sight that greets those who bear witness sends chills down every spine. Pumpkins lay smashed along the streets, cobwebs cover almost every window and doorway, and scarecrows swing from nooses tied to various branches. A cold, black frost covers the ground, steam rising from the thin, icy sheet before a new sound echoes around.

Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.

Big, heavy footfalls and then—
VRRRRRMMMMMM WHEEEEEEENNNNN

An ear-splitting roar of motor and metal as sparks fly from a giant chainsaw. The thing wielding it? A giant skeleton several stories tall, its mouth open wide as another shrieking laugh erupts, its eyes glowing fire. As it laughs, those closest to the abomination scream in terror before it suddenly swings its weapon out, cleaving everything and everyone in its path.

YOU THINK YOU CAN DESTROY ME, OUTSIDERS? YOU THINK YOU CAN BECOME HEROES? I'VE EATEN THEM ALL, DEVOURED THEIR SOULS AND TAKEN THEIR POWER. NOW I WILL TAKE YOU AND YOUR WORLDS! I WILL CONSUME EVERYTHING!!


From its open mouth a black vortex appears, growing larger and larger until it hurls outward to smash onto the street in front of it. At first nothing happens—only a gaping, black hole exists. But then the first claw reaches out, the first tendril, wing, tail, head. Black, hellish creatures rise up and locals scream the words,

"Erasers! It's the Story Eater's minions run for your lives!!"

By now the journals of each Aspect will have begun to burn, a loud buzz drumming in their ears as the Storyteller reaches each and every one of them.



Aspects! The Story Eater has sensed of your arrival and has breached the barrier of this world. It must be repelled, but there are only so few of you and it has grown so strong. We fear you will not survive if you face it now. But with the aid of the one known as the Father of Christmas, you may be able to weaken it enough. Quickly, find his gifts, use your powers, and weaken him until I can write a new barrier to expel him.

Please, hurry!





§ prompts.


¶ I. Unwrap Those Presents! So what are our would be heroes to do? The Storyteller is utilizing the essence of—if you haven't guessed already—Santa Claus to create special presents that will help damage and delay the Story Eater. Again, it won't be enough to defeat it, but it will give the Aspects that extra oomph and time to chip away at that giant HP bar for the Storyteller to do its magic to reconstruct the shield and expel the Story Eater.

There are four types of presents:

  1. Big Red. Big red presents will summon giant snowmen that will fall either on top of or around the Story Eater. They can't really attack, but they will create a lot of ice and snow in attempt to freeze the Story Eater place. It will also help make parts of the Story Eater a bit more brittle, so those who do try to do direct attacks can deal some damage and chip away some of that bone structure. Nothing massive, but at least some cuts and small bones can be hacked off.

  2. Polka Dot Blue. Blue, polka dotted presents come in various shapes and sizes, but they all do the same thing when unwrapped and opened—create a lot of noise. Technically they're choirs singing various Christmas Carols, but doesn't really sound like it up close. Fortunately, they also come with special ear muffs and a small note saying, "Cover your ears before opening," but if disregarded then those who hear it will find themselves stunned and a little hard of hearing for a good while. Closing the flaps will silence the noise. What needs to be done is to direct the opening of the present towards the Story Eater. The "music" will amplify and stun it, giving a few precious seconds of vulnerability.

  3. Orange Gift Bags. Large gift bags with black ribbons tying them close will unleash an explosion of pumpkins once opened. These pumpkins will rise into the air laughing before raining down in a wide area and explode on impact. So be careful! These will need to be brought over near the Story Eater to deal damage.

  4. Black Envelopes in Black Stockings. These gifts are a bit harder to find, but it's also easy to notice a giant sock hanging from somewhere and a black envelope sticking out of it. They're up high, so some climbing or flying will be required. But once reached, opening the envelope will produce one of two cards. A card that is labeled "TRICK" can be used and thrown at the Story Eater. The card will expand in size and turn into steel to slice at the Story Eater, dealing a lot of damage. A card that is labeled "TREAT" can be used to help heal or boost those fighting, even allowing characters to immediately learn abilities that could help with the fight.

And around all these presents will be Erasers trying to reach and destroy them first. Some will be easy, but some may require a bit of fighting, so be prepared!


¶ II. Erase the Erasers. Erase the Erasers. The Erasers are pouring out of the black vortex and it seems as if there's an endless army of them. They are going after the citizens, so try to intercept them and defend the populace. They come in all shapes and forms, some even looking like creatures straight out of the lost stories themselves. Alternatively, try to see if you can plug up that massive hole. Perhaps a few well placed snowmen and pumpkin bombs? The gifts will also be effective against the Erasers, although it might be a little overkill.



¶ III. Help the Injured.The site where the Story Eater’s avatar landed has been reduced to rubble, and the monster is bent on more destruction as it plows through the city, any citizens caught in its wake bursting into torn pieces of ink and paper. Not everyone’s essence or heart is geared for offense, and there’s more than one way to help save the day. Those who still wish to help can try to save those who haven't been lost, or perhaps heal them if they have the knowledge or power at their disposal. Don't forget there are magical healing potions that everyone received on their first day, and it's not too difficult to find more, possibly buried underneath the rubble. Finally there are the "TREAT" cards that could also be used to help heal the injured.


¶ V. Wildcard. Make up your own prompt! Especially in regards to the festival, anything can really happen.


[Mod note: Refer to the accompanying Game Notes for more information!]
rokubro: (‡ 244)

[personal profile] rokubro 2018-11-16 03:05 am (UTC)(link)
[—Did he just say...?? Okay, there's another laugh as he shatters another.]

I've never seen someone that happy to smash a monster with a broom.

[Unless he counted himself in a hypothetical scenario. But hah, this guy is definitely a riot.]

We should team up more often!
scrutinies: art: <user name=isacoque site=tumblr.com> (07)

[personal profile] scrutinies 2018-11-16 11:56 pm (UTC)(link)
That seems a shame— I can now say wholeheartedly that anyone who's yet to have the opportunity should absolutely give it a go!

[That's a lot of words to say that 'everyone should try this.' The next Eraser that goes down ends up knocking the brush-head off of the broom, but Cyrus doesn't seem deterred by that in the least. He laughs, tucking an arm behind his back and adjusting his grip to hold the broom handle like a fencing epee.]

En guarde!

[He thrusts into the chest of the next frozen Eraser, and though it takes a couple of well-aimed thrusts for this one to fall to pieces, shatter it does.]

I quite agree— we make an excellent team!
rokubro: (‡ 059)

[personal profile] rokubro 2018-11-17 12:04 am (UTC)(link)
[Cyrus you are a piece of work—but it's great. Usually it's Rokurou who's the weird fun one of the group (okay, there's also Magilou, but Magilou's brand of "weird fun" is....really weird). He can handle this.]

Haha, granted we are kind of just smashing ice statues. How much of a fighter are you really? [Since Rokurou was the one who did most of the fighting earlier when Cyrus grabbed the box.

Anyway, Cyrus's high spirits is contagious as and Rokurou will be slicing through the next with a little bit more energy and flair than previously. Oooh, should he try carving one into another shape first? no...no he shouldn't just end the poor thing's life]
scrutinies: art: https://www.pixiv.net/member.php?id=4043 (15)

[personal profile] scrutinies 2018-11-22 05:36 am (UTC)(link)
[Cyrus will gladly borrow that title from him for the time being, thank you!]

More of a mage, to be perfectly honest, though my magic seems to have left me here— but I do have some experience with the sword and the lance!

[Many thanks to Sir Olberic the Unbending Blade for those lessons. He started to pick up a few other trades and talents from his other companions, as well, but none quite so useful in the moment as the ability to wield something mightier than a book or a staff.]

I was also quite good at fencing during my years as a student.

[Another iced-over Eraser shatters as he demonstrates with a thrust and a flourish, looking quite pleased with himself.]

Perhaps there's little challenge to be had here, but there is some sense of accomplishment.
rokubro: (‡ 102)

[personal profile] rokubro 2018-11-25 07:33 am (UTC)(link)
You definitely have some skill, but if you ever need a refresher, I'd be happy to help.

[He is definitely going to be slicing up these Erasers a bit more than he needs to. So much so that he actually makes a cube out of it. Poor Eraser.]

But you're completely without magic? Not even anything from your essence? Man, I have no idea what I would do if I wasn't able to fight with swords.
scrutinies: art: <user name=yoshinowataru site=twitter.com> (02)

[personal profile] scrutinies 2018-11-25 07:43 pm (UTC)(link)
How kind of you to offer! I should very much like to see if sparring with a man of your caliber might be enough to improve my skills!

[Though there's every chance that Cyrus himself will just get thrashed in the process. A risk he's willing to take, clearly.]

There's nothing that I've discovered so far, unfortunately, though I suppose that doesn't mean there aren't abilities I've yet to uncover. Time will tell, I imagine!

[Another Eraser shatters— they've nearly cleared this square out already.]
rokubro: (‡ 132)

[personal profile] rokubro 2018-11-26 07:30 am (UTC)(link)
Might be enough? [Wow. WOW. Just a snort.] Hope you're ready to get your ass kicked. [Rokurou, you're supposed to help teach him—

But speaking of nearly cleared, Rokurou is going for double finesse by striking two at once. That should leave at least one left for Cyrus and they'll be done, so he'll sheathe his swords with his side finished.]
scrutinies: art: https://www.pixiv.net/member.php?id=1241621 (06)

[personal profile] scrutinies 2018-11-26 06:01 pm (UTC)(link)
No slight against you, of course! While I firmly that all men can grow their minds, I'm not so sure about my own combat skills— unlike the mind, there are some physical limitations!

[He's not exactly swole. Even so, he lunges towards the last standing Eraser, breaking it to pieces with another pointed thrust and a flourish— what he lacks in strength, perhaps he can make up for in style?]

Well done! I believe that's the last of them— we cleaned up nicely, I think.
rokubro: (‡ 120)

[personal profile] rokubro 2018-11-27 05:18 am (UTC)(link)
All right—just the way you said it sounded like you were doubting my own skills. [But he's saying it in jest.

With everything clear he makes his way over to him.]


And even though it's not quite as fun as fighting them when they're alive, I have to admit it was kind of entertaining just smashing things. [A slight chuckle.] Too bad we can't take Mr. Snowman with us. Guess we'll have to find another present.
scrutinies: art: <user name=espurrly site=tumblr.com> (08)

[personal profile] scrutinies 2018-12-04 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
It's not often a fighter finds himself met with so little resistance. While it might seem a hollow victory for some, I, for one, found it refreshing.

[These things are everywhere, after all, and it's not as though they won't have the chance to fight more.]

Fortunately, finding things is what I do best these days.
rokubro: (‡ 120)

[personal profile] rokubro 2018-12-04 07:02 am (UTC)(link)
Then let's put those skills to work. Lead the way.