realmofstories | Chapter 03: Act I

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Chapter 03: Act I

The Little Mermaid: Act I—

§ 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Basically the native enemies of this place. The Erasers are the Story Eater's minions and the ones who cause real damage to the stories. The blots are... I guess you could say leftovers of the stories. Not all of them are hostile, but going to assume any out here are, like those undead pirates earlier. Pretty sure those were blots. I treat them all the same, personally.

[Rokurou explains as he keeps his eyes trained on the door before looking around, his daemon eye softly gleaming as it begins to point out the weaknesses of the structure. It won't be too much longer now.

But to lure it out...

He looks around to the side of the room and notices a few notable cracks. There are more in other places, including the ceiling above them.]

There are a few weak points we can use. This wall over here leads to the outside, I think, so if it really is strong enough to break through that wall, we can try and make it slam into this one, too. I might be the best one for that since my current form allows me to swim fast. Plus I can take a big hit if necessary.

[Does he want to? Not really, but again. Must protect the Red.]

[Keith looked... concerned. He took in the information about the Erasers and the Blots, mentally filing that away for later, and then considered the area, looking around at things, too.

He moved to the other side, checking the indicated wall. He could see through it a bit, and it did indeed look like open water past it.]

That could work. [He pressed his hands against the wood, giving a little push to check for any give.] It looks like this is an outer wall. [He frowned a bit, though.]

I'm not exactly slow, you know. [Keith was used to being one of the faster, more agile members of his team, and, the longer he spent like this, the more he got used to it. Brute strength wasn't something he could do, but he knew how to fight and compensate for that against stronger enemies.

He moved, positioning himself next to Roku, but also putting the wall crack between them.]

If we let it come for us, we can split to each side once it charges. Hopefully, the distraction of having two targets split up will confuse it enough to crash through the wall.

[Rokurou eyes Keith for a moment...but then he grins. His essence may not like the idea, but daemon actually approves of the younger man's response.]

Sounds like a good enough plan to me. [He then extends his hand and one of his short swords appears.

By now more strained creaks could be heard as the door continues to push in towards them, more of that black ooze seeping out.]

Now... How about we help it out a bit? [That grin turns a bit more dangerous as he twirls his blade in his hand, fully intending to throw it at a weak point on the door.] Ready?

[Keith braced himself, ready to push off for some extra speed, and then nodded.

He was ready.]

[Honestly Rokurou actually wished he could use his gunblade instead—easier to fire a bullet than having to throw his whole sword out. But bullets don't exactly work well here, and he can retrieve it later.

So once he gets the signal, he throws the short blade right into the weakest point of the door. Having to adjust to the water, he had to use a bit more oomph in it to make sure it actually traveled fast and strong enough through it, and it does. It breaks through the rotted wood, which was weaker than he initially perceived, and actually stabs the creature behind it. There's a warbled shriek before dark black tentacles finally pierce through, the entire wall breaking apart as a black squid like creature appears. It's not the world's largest, but it easily fills at least half of the room.

Seeing the two of them, it propels its entire body towards them, so if Keith better move because here it comes! Rokurou will dash to the side, narrowly avoiding a tentacle.]

[Woah... Keith almost bolted too soon at the sight of those tentacles, but he held his ground for just long enough before kicking off the side of the hull and propelling himself away in the opposite direction as Rokurou.]

[Good thing they're going to try and deal with it outside, eh? And outside it goes as it crashes right through the side of the ship as planned. It's also a good thing the ship itself is lodged on the rocks because the structure shudders and even moves a bit from the violent force.

Yet despite its "boss level" size, Rokurou is just grinning fiercely, his blades already in his hands (he'll pick up the one he threw later).]

Finally, something worth my time.

[If Keith didn't get the vibe that this guy likes to fight—;he will now.

And without saying another word, he instantly swims out to engage the large, black squid, his blade already quick to slice through one of the tentacles.]

Edited 2019-08-24 20:55 (UTC)

[Right... Well, then.

He glanced over at the thrown blade, then back at the fight. Might as well... He swam over quick to grab the sword, pulling it free from where it had embedded itself in the wood of the ship, and then went into the fray, not afraid to take this thing out.

Keith didn't necessarily like to fight, but he was good at it, and he often found himself in situations where it was needed, so... here he was, doing what he could to take out this Blot.

He was certainly no stranger to a blade, and he was getting used to maneuvering underwater with a tail.]

[And into the fray they go! Out in the open ocean, the squid is able to fully stretch out its body, making it appear even larger than it had been inside the ship. It truly poses as a formidable threat, especially with its barbed tentacles and giant beak. And despite it's large size, it's actually very agile through the water.

Rokurou will first work on cutting down some of those annoying tentacles. Doing so will give Keith a few openings as the squid will be distracted by the daemon's blades. But eventually it'll turn its attention to Keith and it'll be Rokuru's turn. He also has to be quick on his reflexes. He's hit once or twice and sent "flying" out, but despite the initial stun he'll shake it off to come back in with a vengeance.

All in all, he'll be swinging his blades like a machine, slashing and tearing into the squid while also being mindful of Keith. If he can he'll try and help defend or cover him if necessary, but Rokurou won't be crowding around him. The kid seems like he can hold his own, and he's interested to see how well he does.]

[Keith noticed a bit that Rokurou was helping him out, and he was honestly okay with it. Though, again, that was likely due to their essences being a match like this. Not that Keith ever wasn't okay when people helped him out or watched his back. He appreciated his team back home for that exact reason. But, still, he was used to doing things on his own, and, without his regular team here, it was nice to know he wasn't completely alone.

Either way, the two of them were making quick work of the giant squid blot. The tentacles were tricky, but cutting them off was definitely helping. He worked on that as well as needed, in addition to attempting closer shots in on the body. With only the one blade for now, he didn't dare try throwing it as he didn't want to potentially lose it (not that he wasn't good at that, but being without a weapon against those tentacles would be problematic). Plus, it wasn't his. Yet, he found that it was actually not so bad being able to fight in three dimensions instead of just two. Instead of jumping for an attack, he swam up and then dove.

Easy, and the extra push from his tail made up for buoyancy.

And there it was... the opening... Keith spotted a good clear shot for a kill strike, and went for it, the blade slicing deep into the rubbery skin. The creature thrashed in response, knocking him loose, but he managed to pull the blade free as he was pushed back, preventing it from sinking to the bottom with the dying squid.

He could feel a few hits on himself as well, and checked to make sure he wasn't bleeding. It would bad to attract a shark right now... but he was good. Looked like it was just going to be some bruises... He looked back at Rokurou.]

Well... that actually worked. You hurt at all?

[It was clear the monster was wearing down from their double assault, and when Rokurou sees Keith going in for the final strike, he continues to keep it distracted before pulling back as it thrashes and sinks.

With an approving grin, Rokurou turns to look over, his blades twirling in his hands before disappearing.]

Nice work, you did good. And I just have a few bruises here and there, nothing I'm not used to.

[He then swims over and nods to the borrowed blade in the other's hands.]

You can hold onto that if you want.

[Keith nodded, glad to hear neither of them were hurt.

He glanced back down at the blade as Rokurou said to keep it.]

You sure?

I didn't really notice you having much of a weapon earlier, and who knows what else we may end up running into. It's clear you know how to use a blade well, so I don't mind.

Plus I have a few spares, including its twin, so I'll be fine. [He only needed one gunblade, and he could always take one of the "rifle" versions if he needed two.] You can give it back after this, unless you need it for until we get back into town.

Oh, but you should probably know that's not a normal blade. It has a firing mechanism—but it doesn't really work well underwater, so you don't really have to worry about it.

Firing mechanisms?

[Huh... look at that. It was half-gun, half-blade. Welp.]

I probably won't use the gun part much. I'm a better swordsman than marksman.

[Lance was the sharpshooter of the team.]

But... thanks. I didn't arrive with my own blade, so I've been kind of just grabbing what I can when I've needed to. I don't know what we have in store, but... if I need it again, I can always just come find you, right?

[He honestly felt a little bad hanging on to it. He didn't like giving up his own blades, either.]

[Hm... Rokurou considers the situation for a moment before just shrugging.]

Sure, I don't mind. But if that's the case, just keep it for now. You never know when these things could appear, and I think my essence would rest easier if you had it on you.

[Though even without his essence, Rokurou would have been fine in letting Keith borrow the weapon for as long as they were in this story.]

Edited (iconnnn) 2019-08-28 05:02 (UTC)

[Keith nodded with a relieved smile.]

Thanks.

[But then... there was the whole reason they fought that thing off in the first place. Keith looked back at the ship, still wedged where it was, thankfully, despite the rough treatment it had just gotten from that Blot.]

Let's check that room. The sooner we find that pearl, the faster we can move this story along.

[With a quick flourish of his tail, he was off again back towards the room they'd just opened to see what was inside.]

Sounds good to me.

[And with that he swims after Keith, his gaze drifting towards the rest of the ship. He knows there are more of those undead pirates lurking around, but once inside he can't sense anything in their immediate vicinity. Even so, he starts to swim past Keith to take the lead when they reach the door.]

Hm... Maybe I should I go in first.

[There's more of that bio-luminescent algae that helps illuminate the way a bit, but it's otherwise very dark. Who knows what else could lay waiting.]

[Keith didn't even really noticed that there might be a reason for Roku to move in front of him like that, but then he said that. He quirked an eyebrow.]

I'm not scared.

[In fact, now he kind of thought Rokurou was weird... so he made his move to head into the room first... care to stop him?]

It's not that—

[Annnd there he goes. Well not that he can't blame the guy, but his dumb essence is making him feel more overprotective than usual.

Calm down, Huntsman, Red here isn't a little girl.]

Just be careful.

[Well, they definitely found A Room. There were things all over the place inside. Finding a decent size oyster with a pearl should be interesting.

Though... huh... Red's essence was suddenly distracted by some pretty jewels in the corner. Keith started to move towards them, not completely used to the idea of having these weird impulses...]

[Since there doesn't seem to be any immediate threats, the nerves that had been involuntarily raised settle and he relaxes a bit more as he swims into the room and looks around. He's a bit curious himself, but he gets that weird nagging feeling to check on Keith.

Essence.

Has to be the Essence.

After checking around a table, he turns to find Keith being drawn towards some jewels. Huh.]

Something catch your eye?

[He doesn't think anything odd about the younger man's movements at the moment, thinking Keith might just be curious or noticed something. Or maybe the oyster itself!]

Hm?

[Keith glanced back over his shoulder when he was addressed, and then back at the gems in question.]

Oh, uh... sort of. They looked nice. [Keith looked confused for a bit.] I don't really know why that brought me over here, but yeah. I feel like someone would want these.

[Just... there was no Granny to bring them to.]

So you're not actually interested in gems or jewels like that? Or do you mean maybe a girlfriend?

[Just a teasing grin as he swims over since he found nothing where he had been.]

No?

[Keith might have sounded a little defensive there.]

I don't know. It was like... they were pretty, so... I don't know.

[He crossed his arms as he thought about it.]

Just how much influence do the essences have over us?

[He could tease the poor guy more, but he won't. ...For now.]

It kind of varies, and I can't speak for everyone. But for example me...even though I would naturally help you out in a fight, my essence is basically putting me in full protect mode around you. We also have the "Big Bad Wolf" who is actually someone I know from my world, but sometimes I get this feeling of animosity towards her.

So I wouldn't say it's to the point of some kind of possession, but there's definitely a bit of influence.

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