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

[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...?

[rokubro]

[Just a dismissive wave of his hand.]

I'll be fine. Most of these should heal up on their own, and I can wait until we get back.

[ricebird]

[Another soft nod, even if she can't open her eyes or stop shivering yet.]

O-okay, if you're sure...

[rokubro]

...Better question is are you okay? If you want to take a break and rest first, we should be fine here.

[ricebird]

I... y-yeah, a break should work.

[Deep breaths, she should be fine in a bit, she just... needs to breathe and not think about cuts or getting cut for a second.]

[rokubro]

Sorry, Kotori, should have realized this would be a lot tougher for you.

[Genuinely apologetic, he guides her to the side of the river the connected between the open ocean and the lagoon. By now it's mostly opened up to the sea, current not too bad as fish swim to and fro past them.]

I can hold onto the pearl for you, too.

[ricebird]

N-no, it's fine! [Geez, now Rokurou's feeling bad, she can't have that.] I'm glad I was able to help. I guess... living things or people being cut is still hard for me. You shouldn't feel bad about that, you were just defending the two of us. Thank you for that...

[rokubro]

...Aaah, because of your knife trauma, right?

[ricebird]

[An embarrassed nod.]

Like I said, it's not your fault. Really...

[rokubro]

Still, that can't be a pleasant experience, so take all the time you need.

[ricebird]

Okay...

[A few more deep breaths, and it only takes a half minute more until Kotori feels something close to settled, not wanting to delay any further and leave them sitting ducks (no offense, Della) for other enemies.]

Ready...

[rokubro]

Need to hold my hand?

[There's a cheeky grin there, but it's a deliberate teasing joke.]