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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!]
scrutinies: art: https://www.pixiv.net/member.php?id=4043 (13)

[personal profile] scrutinies 2018-11-25 08:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[The strength she lends him allows him to feel empowered, bold enough to lunge forward and swing, and while the Eraser attempts to attack him, Cyrus manages to interrupt it with a well-time swing at its legs, knocking it off course and sending it flying back, it's tail lashing and narrowly missing Ophilia as she ducks down below.]

My thanks! Any idea as to how we should proceed?!

[That was a lot of words to simply ask her 'What now.']
starseeing: (092)

[personal profile] starseeing 2018-11-25 08:23 pm (UTC)(link)
I have another gift bag here! [ She'll tell him, running up beside him. Now that he's knocked back the Eraser, they have a few more critical seconds to really hit it while it's down. It's a BREAK! ] Steady, now!

[ And it's her turn to rip off the gift bag's ribbon and let it fly. Pumpkins burst from its contents and begin to rain down fiery explosions upon the Eraser, and it screeches in pain. Ophilia takes cover from the onslaught herself by ducking and covering her head, and when the attack is over she peeks out, standing once more and holding her staff tightly to her. ] Is it over...?

[ There's smoke lingering from the explosions, but when it clears... will the beast finally be dead? Or will it make one last attack in an effort to win? ]

[ OOC: u decide! ]
scrutinies: art: <user name=isacoque site=tumblr.com> (12)

BREAK!

[personal profile] scrutinies 2018-11-26 06:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[Cyrus also takes the opportunity to dive behind cover, and while it's a shame that they were unable to save these gift bags for the Story Eater itself, he thinks they'll both agree that this was their best option upon being attacked. He manages to avoid being hit by any of the pumpkins that rain down, but as the bright orange smoke begins to clear, he coughs as he rises to his feet, venturing a few steps forward to see what their efforts have wrought.]

Remain cautious.

[As the smoke dissipates, it will reveal the Eraser sprawled on the rooftop, slain— it no longer draws breath, and so they are safe. Cyrus exhales, relieved, and reaches out to lay a hand against Ophilia's shoulder.]

I believe it is— well done. You're as quick on your feet as I remember!
starseeing: (008)

[personal profile] starseeing 2018-11-26 10:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She brings a hand to her chest as if she could stop her heart from racing within from the adrenaline, leaning a bit into his supportive touch upon her shoulder as she catches her breath. ] Ah-- thank you. But it was your quick thinking that saved us, as always.

[ She'll recover soon enough, straightening and taking a few steps away from Cyrus towards the Eraser. They've faced a great many monsters in their world together, slowly taking on tougher enemies as they traveled. But this fight had felt as if she were only just starting out!

She tears her eyes from the fallen creature, looking back to him in concern. ]
You are unharmed, yes? [ HE CAN BE SURE SHE IS LOOKING OVER HIM FOR ANY INJURIES. ]
scrutinies: art: <user name=isacoque site=tumblr.com> (07)

[personal profile] scrutinies 2018-12-03 08:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[He nods firmly, confirming.]

Yes, yes— I'm fine, I assure you. A little shaken, nothing more.

[No cuts, no bruises— so far. Considering the size of that Eraser, he could have been much worse off.]

I fear we've exhausted our supply of pumpkin bombs, however.
starseeing: (062)

[personal profile] starseeing 2018-12-04 05:59 am (UTC)(link)
[ Her concern for him quickly melts into relief when she learns that he is unharmed. ]

...Indeed. The way we are now-- [ Without many of their abilities. ] We are not at our strongest. Those exploding pumpkins, as silly as that sounds, is our best option.

[ She steps towards the edge of the rooftop, looking out. ] Our best option to find other Erasers would at... [ Hm. ] I suppose at all the different areas with smoke. [ Makes sense that that more destruction = more fire, more smoke = with the Erasers as its cause. ]
scrutinies: art: <user name=isacoque site=tumblr.com> (12)

[personal profile] scrutinies 2018-12-04 06:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Those would be the places to start.

[Almost as if the smoke itself serves as a beacon to guide them to the Erasers' locations.]

Hopefully, we'll be able to find more bombs to use, as well— I confess, I don't much care for not having my magic.
starseeing: (082)

[personal profile] starseeing 2018-12-04 09:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[ There's a pause, and then her eyes widen for a moment. ] Have you... learned any of your new abilities yet? Or perhaps used them to stand-in for your normal magic?
scrutinies: art: <user name=espurrly site=tumblr.com> (08)

[personal profile] scrutinies 2018-12-08 05:47 am (UTC)(link)
Of course I have! For one, I've learned that I'm particularly good at finding things.

[Moreso than usual.]

My powers of observation have become something much more than that.