Chapter 03: Act I

[storyevents]

The Little Mermaid: Act I—

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§ instructions.

The first Act of our third campaign is underway! This is the designated log for all Main Scenes. Others are free to create their own toplevels for the Sub Quests, which are detailed below. Each Main Scene has their own unique toplevel and those cast into the roles are to thread their scene under each. All scene instructions are provided in the toplevels. There are also toplevels for each Sub Quest this time around, but players are more than welcome to create their own individual toplevel if they have something else in mind they would like to do.

As a reminder, characters will find similar information and instructions within their journals so they won't go in blind. Also to note, all characters will have all their belongings within them as well as the additional supplies provided to them by the Storyteller. As you know, everyone has undergone a special "mermaid" transformation upon arriving into the Book, but do note: characters in Main Scenes will have a second wardrobe change while acting the scene. Their merform will stay the same, but they'll have additional bits to add to their role. Outfits will be provided in the prompts themselves, and these outfits will only be in affect during the scene. The moment they leave the setting area, they return to their other wardrobe.

Finally, just to be clear, characters who are in Main Scenes are not immediately dropped in to their location and will have to travel to the "setting location" and then return. Threading all of that isn't necessary, but it's to help give a better idea that characters can take a break between scenes or wait a bit to help with other things like the Sub Quests.

Feel free to refer to the Game Notes for more detailed info as well as ask questions or clarifications.

Comments

[ricebird]

Ghh-! W-why would you say that?!

[rokubro]

[He's just teasing but—]

Might want to make a good meal out of it. After all we've been stuck with just seafood, right?

[ricebird]

[... ......... Oh no she's thinking about it.]

I... W-well, we'd have to find a way too cook it first; raw poultry isn't the same as raw fish, and even Nabe-chan's not much use underwater. Not to mention who knows how well it'll keep under there.

[You know. Strictly hypothetically speaking.]

[rokubro]

There's only swans around, so could just make a fire and roast a few, maybe even set up something here for the others. Could also use those bubble containers to store them.

But the real question would be if these are actual swans or, you know. Blots.

[ricebird]

[............... Darnit.]

We go for the pearl first. You only kill swans that really attack us first. And if there ARE any real swans among them, we cook everything you kill; it'd be wasteful otherwise.

[She has a good feeling that being the Huntsman's given Rokurou a healthy code of respect for his prey, but she makes it VERY clear if he doesn't listen to her, she'll be VERY disappointed.]

[rokubro]

[Oh, looks and sounds like she's serious. There's just a bit of an amused grin before he raises a hand in mock salute.]

Aye aye, Chef.

[Okay, a little teasing before he really does consider their options.]

But "we" and "us," huh? You sure you want to come with me and not wait on the sides for an opening? Could get dangerous once I start fighting.

[Not "if."]

[ricebird]

[He's very lucky that Kotori's been pretty darn frustrated about not being able to cook or use her powers or even MOVE normally in this setting.

But the term "chef" actually makes her pause a moment, not quite sure what to make of it (proud, flustered, in denial) before that little fact of his cuts through the ire and determination and... oh... yeah...]

Ah... Haha... Y-yeah... yeah, that'd probably work better. Thanks, Rokurou-san...

[rokubro]

[He may be teasing her, but he is also looking out for her. She's one of the few, if not only... ...Yeah, okay, she's the only one here that's not a real combatant.]

So in that case... How about you try and stick to the reeds and I'll lure them out. [He holds up a hand.] I'll still only attack the ones that really go after me, but I should be able to give you an opening to swim in and get the pearl.

[ricebird]

[Nod nod.]

Right, I can do that.

[I mean, she WILL tail Yagi and Tsumugi with some semblance of stealth, but that's still in her future.]

[rokubro]

Sounds like a plan. And if one of them manages to sniff you out, just summon your giant pot and smack it.

[ricebird]

[Rokurou, most birds CAN'T smell, and swans aren't one of the few exceptions to the rule. Not that Kotori knows that, so she can't correct him. Instead she gives him a serious nod.]

Do your best.

[And with that she swims into the reeds, waiting for Rokurou to do his thing. ...... Which hopefully she'll get BEFORE he cuts any of the birds.]

[rokubro]

[It's a figure of speech!!!

But he'll give Kotori a chance before he makes his way towards the swans. He'll keep a low profile, staying underwater until like a swordfish piercing its prey (or probably more like a shark), he grins and bursts out of the water, his blade glinting in the sunlight as it slices through fowl. Up close he can now see that they really are blots, so alas. No fried chicken for them. But hey, means he can go on a rampage and it'll be fine!

Unless there's a monster swan boss waiting somewhere.

In any case, he'll just cut down the one to garner there attraction and then shout out—]

How do you like being hunted by fish!?

[—before diving back into the water to lure them away.]

[ricebird]

[THEY FEEL AMBIVALENT ABOUT HIS FISHINESS, SWANS MOSTLY EAT PLANT MATTER AND THE OCCASIONAL INSECTS AND AMPHIBIANS!

Still, they ARE mad, and definitely chase after them. Hopefully Rokurou can keep their attention. Kotori waits until she's sure all the birds are going after them that she begins to slowly make her way through the water, trying hard not to move too fast or splash around. VERY gratefully, she reaches the outcropping without incident. Now she just... needs to... THERE, hoist herself up, so she can reach for the pearl.

Piece of cake~]

[rokubro]

[NUANCE.

Rokurou is doing a pretty good job keeping their attention—and culling their numbers. With them being blots, he sees no reason to hold back, so whenever one is close, he strikes out to cut it down. A few do manage to peck and bite at him, but he pays no mind as he continues to fight.

At some point he'll chance a glance to see how Kotori is faring, and it looks like she's gotten to the pearl with no sign of any other swan around. So time to really keep them busy!]

[ricebird]

[Alright, pearl in hand, now she just needs to... gingerly... giiingerly push herself down off the ro--]

WAH!

[Oops, she slipped, and with a good-sized splash into the water too.]

[rokubro]

[THINGS WERE GOING SWIMMINGLY until that splash. It catches the attention of the swans farthest away from him, and upon seeing both Kotori and the pearl missing, the birds let out a monstrous SQUAWK and fly over to her.]

Dammit—Kotori!

[He tries to shout a warning before he has to suddenly fend himself from the attacking birds. Shit. This is going to get a little crazy.]

[ricebird]

[Ohhhhhh sugar honey ice tea--]

AH!!!

[And with that graceful yelp, Kotori does the only thing she can THINK to do and dives dives dives. She can't remember if swans dive or not (spoilers: they do) but right now all she can think to do is SWIM DOWN.]

[rokubro]

[Definitely a good idea because after taking care of the ones closest to him, Rokurou is switching out his usual blades to the gunblades he had been "gifted" from his essence. She'll be hearing several loud bangs and even flashes of fire and steam as a few fire elemental bullets strike the swans closest to her, burning feathers immediately extinguished.

After one last shot to some of the farther swans, he tosses the blades up into the air for them to disappear and switch back to his regular ones. He'd rather not risk them getting soaked. With his original weapons in hand, he dives back down and tries to catch up to her—which will be a little easier thanks to being part swordfish.]

[ricebird]

[Damn. Eat your heart out, Cloud Strife.

Still, even though that display is VERY effective, there’s one swan that manages to escape the onslaught, having already dived down after the fishy that stole its not-egg! Kotori has speed on her side at least as she keeps going down, clutching the pearl tightly, but that foul fowl is DOGGED in its pursuit, and Kotori’s praying that Blot swans need air too.]

[rokubro]

[Bad swan, don't stalk pretty fish girls!

Seeing the swan chasing after her, Rokurou kicks his tail into high gear to try and close the gap until he can take one last lunge to thrust his blade into the swan.]

[ricebird]

[The blade strike deep into the heart, and the swan lets out a strangled honk before dissolving into ink that filters through the water like blood.

Kotori's still swimming, but she looks around at the cry... and then has to look away again, flinching at the sight of something getting cut, even if it's just a shadow of a living being made of ink.]

[rokubro]

[Because of the momentum Rokurou is sent past a small distance still, but he's able to swerve and come to a halt. He wasn't breathing hard before, but he is now with that burst of speed he had to use.

With the threat cleared, he looks over at Kotori.]

You all right?

[ricebird]

[It takes a few deep breaths before Kotori nods, slowly lowering her hands from her head and opening her eyes, even as they stay lowered.]

Yeah... Yeah, I think so. Are you okay, Rokurou-san?

[rokubro]

Yeah I'm fine. Just have a few cuts here and there, but nothing too bad.

[Talons and beaks hurt.]

[ricebird]

[For a second she's frozen stiff at the mention of cuts and the faint puffs of blood, then closes her eyes again to gulp and nod. Okay, girl, stay calm and breathe.]

Th-that still doesn't look good. Do you need to heal, or...?