realmofstories | Chapter 04: Act III

Entry tags:

Chapter 04: Act III

A MIDSUMMER ROSE: ACT III—

As everyone is taken from the second Act into the third and final Act of this story, they will all share the same visions of how the story has proceeded thus far:

Bonny Rose and Puck met and proceeded to blame each other for the donkey curse, but eventually took a moment to realize they needed to work together in order to brew the cure, with Bonny Rose protecting Puck while he gathered ingredients and brewed the potion. (All while bickering and swearing as only fantasy-Scottish redheads can.)

After freeing the town, Bonny Rose was in a much better mood and got along considerably better with her new traveling companion Nick Bottom, developing an amiable friendship until the two were separated by distracting swarms of butterflies and will-o-wisps.

Titania found Nick in the forest and he followed her willingly to her castle, with the queen demonstrating her considerable might defending her new paramour against a serpentine creature. The two indulged in a steamy bath and soothing Titania's wounds.

Surprisingly, Oberon and Carabosse had a scintillating past as lovers and partners on the battlefield, until Carabosse fell too deep into dark magic and Oberon began to fall for Titania. The two of them had a tense but surprisingly civil conversation about the past, the curse and her kidnapping plans, and Titania's mothering skills, and Carabosse promised to alter the curse and divulged that it can be broken with True Love, romantic or platonic.

Oberon managed to coax a particularly sharp Titania to their room, and eventually managed to break the curse on her.

Titania apologized to Nick for her behavior while under the love potions' effects. He accepted her apology, and the two agreed to part ways and for Nick to be left alone from now on.

Meanwhile, Bonny Rose and Tam Lin met in the forest, and the two normally outgoing youths were so stricken with each other that they became shy. They bonded over their shared feelings of being trapped in certain roles, and Tam Lin managed to charm her by introducing her to a wolf pup and taking her on a ride through the forest.

After the lovebirds parted ways, Tam Lin went to Puck for romantic advice. This was a mistake, as apparently fairy romance is much more complicated than Tam Lin thought, all he wanted was to know how to ask out a girl.

Carabosse managed to lure Tam Lin away with a handsome male visage before revealing her true form, offering Tam Lin a chance to join her dark forces. He refused, and she unleashed the (altered) curse on him.

When they awaken, the Aspects will find themselves in the middle of a desolate looking fortress, everything battered and filled with debris. A few bones and broken pieces of armor can be found scattered about, dark clouds constantly looming overhead—and along with the occasional cawing of crows, the loud roars of dragons can be heard followed by large, dark shadows as they fly overhead.

This is the fortress where Tam Lin is held captive and Bonny Rose must rescue him from. Once again those who must fulfil their role will find a path illuminated for them by glowing mushrooms and lead to different doors through which they must pass through before appearing in their designated scene setting. The rest will be tasked to try and clean out the fortress while protecting their safe location as well as helping the dragons roosting in the many towers overhead.

The Aspects will also discover that while they no longer are in their fairy forms, they can turn into something else—dragons.

§ instructions.

The third Act 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.

Fairy forms are no longer at play, but everyone will now have a dragon form they can transform into. It's mostly by their own will, but a few may have some accidents as they get used to it. These transformations can be either partial or full. IMPORTANT! Characters cannot transform into dragons while doing scenes. Only those playing Tam Lin and Bonny Rose in Scene 6 will be able to use their given dragon form to use.

Finally, just to be clear, characters who are in Main Scenes are not immediately dropped in to their location and will have to follow the glowing path of mushrooms to a designated door 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.

§ sub quests.

Everyone is free to participate in the Sub Quests. There are no specific top levels, so you're free to incorporate them however you wish in your own top level.

¶ I. Dungeon Sweep. Another Act, another place to clear out to make it hospitable during their stay.

Safe Zone. The safe zone in this location is a central outdoor plaza, which may not seem all that safe, but that's where they end up. Flowers from Tam Lin's forest can be found sprouting around the area and like before, the pollen can be used to help erect magical barriers to prevent enemies from entering. There are also small storehouses, barracks, and a kitchen nearby that can be used.
Haunted Armor. Aside from the monsters, there is an army of haunted armor patrolling the halls and walls of the fortress, and some will even try to break into the safe zone. Although mostly armor, they are formidable foes, each one carrying the spirit of a strong, powerful knight of ancient times. Even if one were to hack off parts of the armor, they will still be able to move and even reattach themselves. The only way to completely destroy them is by piercing through the center of the chest piece where a stone core rests inside.
Disabling Traps. There are numerous traps within the fortress, ranging from classic spikes from the walls to sudden pitfalls to revolving walls and even a rolling boulder. When venturing through the fortress, take care not to set them off because where there's on trap, there are sure to be more.

¶ I. Dragon Egg Hunt. Many dragons can be seen flying overhead, but they don't really bother the characters all that much. If anything they seem to be focused on dealing with some other problems, and those who venture up to the other towers will discover the reason why—as well as why they're able to transform into dragons.

Egg Thief. There are several dragon nests scattered about the towers, but there are these harpies that keep trying to steal them and fly away with them. Chase after them and return the eggs to earn the dragons' favor.
Protect the Eggs. One would think a dragon wouldn't have trouble protecting its roost, but when it comes to smaller threats such as small basilisks and other large snakes, their large size becomes a disadvantage, especially if they don't want to accidentally crush their own brood. Help fend off these threats to earn the dragons' favor.
Egg Hunt. Now some of these eggs are on the move. Whether taken by something else and hidden somewhere, rolled off on their own, or on their way to hatching with their little legs or wings already breaking through, they need to be found and returned to their nest before something truly terrible happens.

¶ IV. Wildcard. Make up your own prompt!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yeah, I guess so.

[His tail flicked a little as he thought, tapping his fingers on his snout.]

'Course, I'd definitely need help. [He waved a finger, grinning a bit.] And who knows what's waiting out there, eh? If I'm sneaking in, I'm gonna need someone lookin' out.

[He nods.] Of course. [What could be waiting for them...he lowers his hand.] Do you need a lift?

Edited (html!!!!) 2020-04-20 23:04 (UTC)

Well...

[Normally he wouldn't; he was small but he was fast and usually had no problems keeping up with Silly Creatures. But they did have a task to do...

Nodding, he grabbed his hand.]

Sure! Thanks.

Just let me know, if you feel uncomfortable or want to be put back down. [He'll carefully lift him in his hand, moving up to his shoulder for him to sit.]

Is this suppose to be your fae appearance?

[He balanced carefully, tail waving behind him, and he settled in place.]

Yeah, I know the suit's a little loud and it's not what I usually wear, but I guess it works alright for this!

Only a little loud. [He's better off between the two of them.] I may have to change into something else.

But...that's not what I meant.

I dunno, I think the outfit you've got on is fine. A little flashy when it catches the light, but...

[He looked toward him.]

Oh? Then what did you mean, then?

Pardon me for saying this, but I've never seen anything like you before.

Oh! That. Yeah, a lot of people are getting confused by that. I'm a Fraggle. I'm just like any other kinda creature that lives in the world, only Fraggles live underground. [Pause, thought.] And we're apparently magic, which is something I found out not long before coming here.

[Now, about this delivery... It would be better if he got "Nick" to do it, wouldn't it? Not only was he bigger, but he seemed to know what he was doing. He could be a distraction, sure, but he could be the actual deliveryperson too.

Just had to get there and see what they were working with.]

A Fraggle...huh. An underground creature that can talk. [That's a pretty big step up from your typical creatures to him.]

What sort of magic do you mean? [The forest was slowly starting to give way to plants more structured and a visible path. There was a higher concentration of magic as they get closer to the kingdom, though there's still no one in view just yet.]

[He noted that in their surroundings, looking around them. Wouldn't be long now.]

Different sorts, I guess! I've seen and heard of tunnels appearing when we need them for where we need to go, and I've used a couple magic spells, mostly regarding riddles.

Our biggest magic is with our music, though! Getting to share it with other people, even when they've never heard the song before, and any Fraggle worth his radishes can play an instrument, or find it when and where he needs it.

[Which yes, does mean pulling it out of thin air.]

[He's quietly listening as they he keeps an eye out for the guards that are supposedly watching the entrance as they get closer.] Tunnels appearing....

[He stops, shifting toward a tree for cover. There were two tall elven-like figures down the pathway leading up to the entrance. There was also a smaller fae flying around them, like a scout that looked in their direction for a moment before whispering conversation with the elven guards.]

You wouldn't happen to still have those magic abilities here, do you?

Sure do! My Essence is a traveller like me, and doing that with tunnels has proved pretty useful so far.

[He could see that same figure, and considered a moment.]

You thinkin' what I think you're thinking?

[He nods.] Question is...can we "find" a tunnel without being noticed?

[He sure they could sneak passed two of the guards, but that one scout might be tricky.]

We can try! If you can work some magic of your own and either distract or just keep an eye out, I can work mine and find us a tunnel we can use to get in.

[He's never done one for anyone bigger than Fraggle-sized but what better time than now to test the true stretch of his Essence ability?]

I'll see what I can do. [He kneels down, allowing Gobo to set off first.] Give me some kind of signal when you're ready.

[Gobo's size will probably keep him from being noticed, but a tunnel suddenly appearing might. Let me play with them~

"Play". Right. Let's avoid that.

He starts walking to the opposite side of the path, using the cover to get closer to the guards. A shame "Nick" doesn't have his donkey head for this. That would have been a great distraction.]

[He watched, seeing how this would go down. Didn't look like the guards or their guest saw him yet, but that could change at any second, and they definitely needed to get this done. Gobo had gotten him to go along with him, now it was his part.

Just had to find suitable ground to open a tunnel into, and hope he could make one big enough for the both of them. While "Nick" busied himself in one direction, Gobo went to another, looking around them. Wait- That rubble there might just be able to hide something-

Better see how his partner is doing, though. He'd at least been experienced enough with his Essence magic to be able to call it up, and while he gets ready he glances toward where he guessed Kazuma might be. No alarms yet, and he hoped it'd stay that way.]

[Kazuma isn't anywhere in sight, but the elven guards seem to be staring at something to their left. Where was that little scout? The answer becomes clear a moment later when the scout drags Kazuma out by his coat.]

Hey, let go! [This is one strong pixie. Elvish guards raise their spears in his direction.]

Who goes there? State your business.

I will, if you tell your mischievous imp off. [At that, the scout gives him a hard tug.]

Grrk! Look, I just got lost and was trying to get away from a great beast back there. [He gestures back in the direction he came from.] You're the queen's guards, right? Surely you can take care of it!

[The guards both looked at each other and then to their scout, who was shaking their head. They raise their spears at him once more.]

Tch. [Well, he tried.] Right. [He half-expected for that to work, but he always has a backup plan. He pulls something out of his pockets and suddenly the entire area is covered in a smoke cloud.]

What trickery is this?! Oof! [Sounded like a fight had broken out inside the smoke cloud. Hard to tell who was having the upper hand, but the guards were definitely distracted.]

[Gobo, watching anxiously, took half a step forward when the fight began, before pulling himself back. He could handle himself well enough but in bigger stuff like that, he might just wind up a liability. Besides, he had another task to do, so he hurried to that instead.

As he neared to his picked spot, there was definitely a gap that wasn't there a minute ago, of a sort that might be missed unless one were looking for it. He skidded to a stop and looked it over, then turned back toward the noise. What signal, what signal-??

Over the din of the chaos sounded a piercing whistle, a snippet of a tune of his own to catch Kazuma's attention. He repeated it, hoping it would also help locate him, and waited anxiously.]

[With some excellent footwork and dodging skills, Kazuma is taking advantage of the smoke and the confusion to force the guards to fight one another.]

Got him!

You idiot, that's my arm!

[Just a simple push here, a little punch there, and they were at each other. The little sentry could do nothing, but squeak loudly at them both to stop. As he slowly works his way out of the fight, he could hear a faint melody from somewhere. Considering the direction, that had to be coming from Gobo. So he quietly attempts to sneak away, keeping a lookout for Gobo.]

[He was doing the same for Kazuma and once he spotted him, he got to a bit of a higher spot, waving both hand and tail, hoping the flash of color would let him spot him easier.

Once he would be so spotted, he rushed over to the tunnel, waiting just inside the mouth of it for his partner.]

[He sees that tail tuff wagging and follows after it, eventually coming to the tunnel Gobo has uncovered. Small, but still big enough to fit a person like him.] Good work.

[As he joins him down in the tunnel, something sparkles past them. The little pixie scout from before was now blocking their way. It tsk at them, wagging their finger. Kazuma doesn't wait for them to make their move and reaches to grab the scout. They easily dodge his attempt with a chuckle. It knocks him with some pixie dust, which whatever was in it, immobilizes him once inhaled.]

[Oh SHOOT this was bad. Gobo faced the pixie, who seemed to be reaching for another round of the dust. As quick as brains work, he went through his options, of which there weren't much. Either his fists or his music.

Making the decision quickly, he pulled out a simple homemade guitar, that first strum knocking against the pixie like a blow. It didn't make it stagger much, but it did at least distract it off the dust for a moment.

Fingers working quickly, Gobo started playing a melody, quick and fast to catch its attention, then something slower, heavy, as if the notes themselves were falling asleep. Directing the music ~~most~~ toward the pixie, he continued playing determinedly, watching it.

Come on, fall asleep...]

[Kazuma has fallen onto the ground, unable to move thanks to the dust. He could only listen as Gobo tries to put a stop on the pixie. It's too late for the pixie to retaliate as the melody has already reached it's ears. It stifles a yawn, trying to stay in the air, but it's wings starts to feel heavier and heavier. Eventually with a thump, it falls to the lull of the song of sleep.

Unfortunately, Gobo's power of song was just a little too potent. Though it's hard to tell with Kazuma being stunned, he too has also fallen asleep to the melody.]

Hah!

[A victory strum and he turned the guitar around so it rested on his back.]

Looks like we're clear to go, uh-

[That pause was as he turned back to look at Kazuma, noticing him looking awfully still for being so... still. Running over, he came up to his side and grabbed him by the shoulder, shaking him.]

Kazuma? Nick, hey! Wake up!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject