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

[tempredmental]

[Yeah. He was totally going to do that...]

So you came racing after me by yourself to tell me not to go by myself.

[Have a judging eyebrow raise...]

[ricebird]

[....... Yup, she got carried away again.]

I uh...... thought I'd be able to catch you before we got to the ship... maybe.....?

[That is the only defense she has and it has the strength of wet paper, she knows.]

[tempredmental]

[Keith actually smiled a bit and then shook his head.]

Fine.

For now, though, we can stick together. We still have to look for that pearl.

[He maneuvered around her to look around where they were in the ship.]

Any idea what we should be looking for as a clue on where to find it?

[ricebird]

[A soft, embarrassed nod.]

Okay... Hm... Well... if this is a pirate ship, it might be kept with rest of the treasure? Although... the pearls are also pretty big, so it might be kept in its own special place too.

[tempredmental]

If they're big, then there's a chance it could be in what would have been the captain's quarters, even. I think that's closer, so let's go there, first.

[If his knowledge of pirate movies was correct, the captain's quarters would be in the back of the ship, and up. He headed off that way once he was sure she was able to keep up with him. She was pretty fast, too, considering how quickly she'd been able to dodge some of those skeletons...]

[ricebird]

[That she is, thank you, skipjack powers.]

Right. Let's see if we can sneak around those skeletons, I don't know how many their are...

[tempredmental]

[Keith nodded.]

Avoiding them would be our best bet right now.

[If they were both used to moving like this, it would be a different matter, but Keith wasn't willing to risk that.

So, he was careful, not even really moving his tail much for the time being, and more using the boat to pull himself along so that he didn't make much noise. There was a spot with a set of stairs that headed up towards the deck and the captain's quarters.

He waved for her to follow him, watching as best he could as he made his way up.]

[ricebird]

[Kotori follows as best she can, moving slowly and grabbing things carefully to try and make as little noise as possible. Especially impressive with how much she's shaking.

Eventually, they find themselves in front of a solid door with more ornate scrolling than anything else on the ship.]

I think this is it...

[She reaches for the knob on the door, twists... but can't push it further forward than a millimeter. Locked.]

[tempredmental]

[Keith frowned a bit at the door being locked. It was the most solid piece of wood on the ship, and, as a result, hadn't rotted away like the rest. Keith tried turning the knob hard and shoving against the door with his shoulder, but that was hard to do when he didn't have feet to brace against the ground and give him extra force against it.

He pulled back and looked around.]

Maybe there's a window around the back. [It made sense, right? The big room here... with the large window overlooking the ocean behind them... he'd seen that in a movie.]

1/2

[ricebird]

Maybe... Let's go this way--

2/2

[ricebird]

[Aaand then she realizes she doesn't know how to finish that sentence.]

Ah... sorry, what's your name, by the way?

[tempredmental]

Oh... right. I'm Keith. Sorry about that.

[He managed a weak smile in response. He was terrible at introducing himself.]

[ricebird]

[She shakes her head with a little smile.]

No, it's okay, there was a lot going on. [She forgot too, after all.] I'm Iida Kotori. Ah... welcome to the story, I guess?

[tempredmental]

Thanks... I guess. [He gave her a somewhat crooked smile. After all, her uncertain welcome was understandable in the circumstances and, well, normally a welcome is something to thank someone for, but... circumstances.]

[ricebird]

[Kotori gives a shy smile back before motioning for them to move. Very thankfully, there does appear to be a small window at the back of the ship, juuust wide enough for them to make it through... if they can get it open.]

Okay... now what?

[She's not gonna suggest punching the glass, because NOPE, cuts are Bad. Maybe they can try to pry it open...?]

[tempredmental]

[Keith studied the windows, looking for anything that might be loose. But, naturally, captain's quarters were always made out of the best materials. This window was solid. He frowned in thought for a moment, and then looked around for anything that they could use to break the glass.]

Maybe we could find something to break in with.

[ricebird]

Right, okay... maybe a big rock, or piece of wood...

[She does have her donabe on her, but NOPE, being underwater for this long is enough abuse for the poor thing, she is NOT using it as a glass smasher.

Lets see... down to the sand the ship is resting on is their best bet, so Kotori swims down there, checking to see if Keith is following behind. At least down there they should be able to talk a bit more. It's not like there are skeleton pirates patrolling AROUND the ship too. ... Right?]

Ugh, it's dark down here, isn't it...?

[tempredmental]

[He followed along easily enough, attempting to keep his eyes peeled for any hints of something smash worthy. But she was right. It was darker the deeper they got.]

You'd think we'd be adapted to see in this, right?

[One would think...? But still, it was a bit of an adjustment from the lighter waters above that weren't obscured by a massive sunken ship.

As it darkened, Keith also realized it might be harder to see a potential attack... so, he made sure to stay as alert as possible while still looking for a good 'weapon'.]

[ricebird]

No kidding... or our powers. Mine are pretty much useless down here.

[Says the girl who used porridge as makeshift squid ink to save Shizuo form sharks, but she still can't COOK with it unless she takes it to the surface.]

[tempredmental]

I'm still figuring mine out, so I have no idea.

[There... He found a large stick. Maybe that would work...]

Let's try this.

[He started heading back up to the window.]

[ricebird]

[Right, up they go.]

What is your essence, by the way? If you don't mind me asking.

[tempredmental]

[Keith glanced at her for a second, not sure yet how he felt about his essence, but...]

Little Red Riding Hood...

[And off swimming again.]

What's yours?

[ricebird]

[O-oh no, that's kind of cute. Kotori brings a lightly curled hand up to her mouth and nods into it, trying to keep from laughing in surprise.]

I-I see. That makes some sense...

[Okay phew, the wave of humor is ALMOST past now.]

As for me... I don't suppose you've ever heard of Sweet Porridge, have you?

[tempredmental]

[Makes sense? Keith quirked an eyebrow for a moment, and then shook his head at her question.]

No, I haven't. But, uh... I'm not really all that versed in a lot of fairy tales to begin with.

[That seemed to touch a nerve just a bit, and he looked almost uncomfortable about the topic.]

[ricebird]

[Oh. She just thought the pairing was a bit silly, but now she feels bad for laughing.]

I'm sorry... I-if it helps... the Storyteller's selected people from a lot of different worlds, so a lot of these stories for the first time too. Not to mention mine's a small tale so it's not that well known.