Chapter 01: Act I - The Horseman of Christmas Past

[keeperoftales]

A Hollow Christmas Carol: Act I—

§ instructions.
This is the designated log for all the main scenes for Act I: The Horseman of Christmas Past. All sub quests and nonrelated threads are to be made in their own posts. The scenes are listed below along with the assigned cast. Organization wise, the threads can happen in any order so you don't have to wait for one group to post before you do. Just start when you're ready! But to help, include in the subject line the scene header (ex. Scene 1, Scene 2, etc.) You can fluff it up a little to make it more specific like including the main characters or even scene title. Just be sure to have the number so we know which is which!

As a reminder, characters will have the necessary information within their journals. Those who are selected to play a scene will find their journal flashing red, so hard to miss. Aside from a few aesthetic changes (costumes, makeup, etc., think stage effects), all characters will be unchanged and won't gain any new powers or properties (ie. "Ghosts" are still tangible). The information they have is roughly the same as what is written OOCly.

Although there are certain characters set for a scene, it's not impossible for those not directly involved to make an appearance as random side characters or helpers. Characters can either just happen to be there or those cast as the role can make a "call out" through the journals. Any items and locations found through the main scenes are also free to be used by others for fun. There are also Bonus scenes that are basically extra prompts for people to have fun with if they'd like.

If you have any questions, post them to the Game Notes.

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§ main scenes.

¶ Scene 1: Ebegeeser and Horseman of Christmas Past. The Horseman is supposed to show Ebegeeser how he was as a teacher and he was (supposedly) a decent guy. So the best way to showcase that is give Ebegeeser a classroom to teach. The two will need to recreate the Schoolhouse, take care of some pranks, and deal with animated straw children. The "children" can behave however players want them to. Angels or devils, throwing things at Ebegeeser. Even the Horseman can be a brat and play along if they want. The Horseman will also have their pony to deal with and yes—must ride it at some point. Note: If it's pre-planned to not find the Schoolhouse here, let us know so that it's noted in other scenes involving it.

• Find the gift with the Schoolhouse to kick things off. [It's a big green box with a piece of a chalk on top so it should be be pretty obvious]
  
  
• Disarm three pranks set up within the Schoolhouse. [Pranks can be whatever you guys want]
  
  
• Ebegeeser "teach" a class of "children" and the Horseman.

Cast: Ebegeezer - Kazuma Asougi; Horseman - 9S

¶ Scene 2: Ebegeeser's first meeting with Beltrina. Set in the Schoolhouse, Ebegeeser first meets the beautiful Beltrina...and starts thinking about her wealth. Beltrina herself is practicing the violin and is already in a relationship with Bromfred. But could Ebegeeser worm his way into her heart!? Time for Ebeneeser to get his flirt on...and the Horseman might sit on the side and watch. MUSICAL NUMBER ♫ Note: If the Schoolhouse is pre-planned to not be found in the other scene, then they will need to find the box. Otherwise, the scene is set in a random building.

• Beltrina plays or uses the violin. [Can be meshed with the musical]
  
  
• Ebegeeser tries to flirt with Beltrina through song. [♫]
  
  
• Mention Bromfred.
  
  
• Bonus: Horseman of Christmas Past makes an appearance to speak with Ebegeeser [Can have a separate thread]

Cast: Ebegeezer - Cyrus Albright; Beltrina - Pearl; Horseman - Therion

¶ Scene 3: Bromfred's arrogance and Ebegeeser's jealousy. After learning about Beltrina's relationship with Bromfred and Bromfred constantly messing with him, Ebegeeser is brimming with hatred and jealousy. Bromfred's feelings are far simpler—he just finds the guy dumb and an easy target (no one said Bromfred was nice). So they are at each other's throats and will showcase their dislike through the magic of rap. The characters will have to find microphones, make a stage, and then dish out insults at each other a la "Drop the Mic." Who will be the victor? Will Ebegeeser let slip his murderous thoughts!? MUSICAL NUMBER ♫

• Find the gift containing two microphones. [Small yellow triangular box up in a tree]
  
  
• Make a stage. [There will be planks of wood and a toolset available nearby]
  
  
• Rap at each other. [♫]
  
  
• Bonus: Horseman appears to warn Ebegeeser through rap. [♫; can have separate threads]

Cast: Ebegeeser - Edna; Bromfred - Therion; Horseman - Ib

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[Mod note: Refer to the accompanying Game Notes for more information. If you wish to switch out of your current role, let us know!]

Comments

b at long last

[trustfallen]

[Was there meant to be more? Well, whether there was meant to be more or not, Therion is making there be more because he can't just continue to sit on his horse and keep watching without any commentary. It had been an absolute struggle to keep a straight face throughout the entirety of the scene - both for respect of the theater and his role and because he wouldn't put it past 'Beltrina' to brandish a sword at him again.

But now? Now there's room in the script for a bit of improvisation. He's meant to guide Cyr-- Ebegeezer through whatever he's meant to have learned from revisting memories, but there were no actual lines about it, so...

Regardless, Therion has not often had the luxury of a horse pony to ride, so he means to make full use of it,and he enters the stage with the fat pony kicking in the schoolhouse doors and trotting in. Therion sits straight and tall and pretends this is a noble and imposing steed as he crosses his arms and smirks at Cyrus.]

Honestly, if that's the best you can do, no wonder you lost the girl.

[No one said the Horseman couldn't be an asshole...]

[scrutinies]

[Cyrus jolts upwards, sitting up straight in his seat as Therion enters on his steed— really, oughtn't he had left that out of doors?]

It's not often you see a pony in a schoolhouse.

[They don't typically make very good students. Cyrus sighs, followed by an easy smile— perhaps he's meant to be crankier than this given his role, but that's a touch difficult for him even on some of his worst days.]

Now, now. I may have lost the battle, but I've not yet lost the war. These things take time.

[trustfallen]

Sometimes even majestic steeds want to learn, you know.

[Therion leans forward to pat the pony on the neck. There, there - she's a horse in his heart!]

Anyway, I dunno. At the rate you're going, it seems pretty hopeless.

[With a final scratch, he settles back in the saddle and regards Cyrus more seriously.]

Maybe the past you should have let her go to concentrate on less... musical pursuits. Other poorly tuned fish in the sea, and all.

[scrutinies]

Is it not possible that this musical meeting of ours may have impacted her in some subtle but meaningful way?

[He poured his heart into that song! And as Ebegeeser, he supposes he's not meant to agree with the Horseman— his motives are meant to be selfish, after all.]

Perhaps there are other fish, but none so rich and worth having as this one.

[He feels some sort of inner recoil just saying that, even if he's only acting.]

[trustfallen]

[Therion shakes his head.]

... if it's just money you're after, who cares about her then? [He knows that's not meant to be the takeaway Ebegeeser is supposed to get from this, but it's too tempting not to make the suggestion anyway. Smirking, he gives Cyrus a sly look.] If you can find out where her family stores their wealth, I can help you get that instead during the party later.

[If asked about it later, he can say he was improvising a test of character. Or something.]

[scrutinies]

[Of course Therion would make such a suggestion, even while playing another role!]

And lower myself to being a common thief? There is more to it than money, sir, but the prestige of being attached to a good family name!

[Or so he assumes. Marital politics had always bored Cyrus, personally.]

Besides, the lady has other qualities that speak to me.

[Probably.]