Chapter 05: Act II

[storyevents]

A TWISTED WONDERLAND: ACT II—

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§ instructions.

The Second 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.

Everyone is still starting from the forest of doors and will have to go through them to their area. Essences are back to normal and bound to their respective Aspect, however those who participate in scenes will have their Essence replaced with one based on the character they're playing (ex, Alice roles will now have Alice Essence at their disposal). This is only limited to the scenes—once they're back out they will have their Essence again. There are various items scattered throughout Wonderland that act as power ups and will grant additional Wonderland character Essence abilities. Example, wearing a top hat will grant bonus Mad Hatter abilities. These power ups are only available for the sub quests.

Finally, just to be clear, characters who are in Main Scenes are not immediately dropped in to their location and will have to pass through the 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.

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§ 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. Courtroom Blitz. One of the doors leads to a giant courtroom that looks more like a combat ring complete with large crowds of spectators and a "judge" presiding over the matches. However, instead of it being cutthroat fighting, most of the locals participating are cards and everyone must fight using random silly props to try to score as many points as possible or knock the opponent off from the platform. Of course, nothing here is normal, and the battle platform will shift and move, large pillars sometimes rising up and random glitter bombs dropping down. The judge may even summon a giant (rubber) gavel to try and smash the fighters. Rather than this accomplishing anything important, it seems as if these bouts are to try and help train the cards to fight the good war in Wonderland as well as bolster confidence. Give them all a good show and help teach them a thing or two about (improv) fighting!


¶ II. The Horsey Moves in an L. Another door leads to a giant chess board and everyone takes the place of a chess piece, taking either the red or white side. Here is where most of the twisted clones are, so it is up to the Aspects to try and deal with them by defeating them on the board. The problem is everyone is limited to the moveset of the piece they replaced. Pawns can only move one space a turn, knights are three and over, bishops diagonal, rooks in a straight line. There are no Kings or Queens, but their roles are completely empty so no one has to worry about protecting them. When Aspects meet an opposing piece, they must defeat them to move on. This can either be through fighting or some other method to knock them off the space. At least they have their Essence abilities to use! If Aspects end up meeting each other, they do not have to fight. In fact they can team up to try and take out a nearby blot or clone, or swap roles to continue progressing through the board.


¶ III. Mirror Clones. Not only do the Aspects have to worry about Twisted Wonderland clones, but they also have to worry about their own clones. A mirror will sometimes rise up on the board and a clone of the Aspects will appear. It will try to take the original's place, sometimes even immediately disappearing to appear somewhere else on the board near another Aspect. The only way to destroy it is by destroying the mirror, but act fast before it fools the others. It is possible to become trapped within the mirror, and in that case the clone must be taken care of first.


¶ IV. Beware the Jabberwocky and the Bandersnatch. They occasionally pop out of nowhere. When one appears, all rules are gone and everyone can rush in to deal with them. Vorpal blades and… dog treats will appear on the battlefield which Aspects can use to hack at the monsters. The Bandersnatch will be surprisingly interested in the treats, but the Jabberwocky doesn't seem to be hungry for anything but Aspect flesh. As if things weren't dangerous enough, the clones might snatch blades to wield against the monsters, the Aspects, just about anyone within snickersnacking range.


¶ V. Wildcard. Make up your own prompt!

Comments

[twilightskey]

Forest of Doors
[A lot has been on Roxas’s mind during this whole campaign, but he tries to not let it get in the way of their work. After all, it’s important to keep his head in the game, work hard and repair the Story Drafts they’re a part of. It’s important to stopping the work of the Story Eater, after all.]

[But despite his efforts, Roxas is still a being with emotions. And right now, he’s feeling at a loss. It hasn’t been very long, and Roxas knows that those who leave can do so of their own free will, but he can’t help but feel the distinct lack of three individuals who meant quite a lot to him. Who still mean a lot to him. And even though he knows they are safely back home, he can’t help but feel a little lonely.]

[When he’s in the Forest of Doors, Roxas will often be off on his own with his own thoughts. He’s not ignoring anyone and will be friendly enough when someone approaches, but it’s not uncommon to see him staring out into the forest and lost in thought.]

Courtroom Blitz
[Ultimately, though, Roxas is going to get back into the fray of assisting with the story. One thing that always helped him to clear his head is some good old fashioned fighting for sport, and fortunately for Roxas it looks like there’s a sub quest just for that.]

[He might look a little silly fighting with an oversized mallet, but he’s having a good match with his current card opponent. He pauses his sparring to nod at them.]

Hey, you’re getting a lot better! You almost had me there. [He glances over at whoever happens to be ] Right? That was a pretty good attack.

[The card seems pleased as punch, but despite his smile there is a definite lack of enthusiasm in Roxas’s expression and actions.]

Mirror Clone
[Later on, some folks may see Roxas out on the giant chessboard. He looks like he’s holding his own, and if he catches sight of you, he’ll turn and wave with a big grin on his face.]

Hey! We’re doing great! Keep it up!

[He’s smiling and looking happy… a little too happy. And he seems to be pretty adamant in keeping people away from his side of the board, where a mirror has been turned face-down on the board. If anyone pushes to look at the mirror, or if they turn their back on him, they may notice how “Roxas” smiles a little sharply, right before taking a wide swing at them.]

[As for the real Roxas? Anyone who gets to the mirror on the ground will find him on the other side, knocking on the glass and yelling soundlessly.]

Wildcard
[Got an option you'd like to try with Roxas? Have at it!]

Forest of Doors

[detectiveforhierophant]

[ Roxas would feel a tap on his shoulder, and when he'd look, he'd see Dojima there, holding out a bowl of soup for him to take. ]

Hey. Hungry?

[twilightskey]

[Roxas blinks in surprise and looks up at Dojima, but smiles softly at the bowl of soup.]

Yeah. Thanks.

[detectiveforhierophant]

[ Dojima would return the smile, handing it to Roxas before taking a seat next to him. ]

... How you holding up?

[ ...Kotori had gone home, and the other two kids Roxas had always hung out with had vanished. That's rough for anyone, let alone a teenager with a past like Roxas. ]

Courtroom Blitz

[kawkaw]

[ After sending an attacking card flying off the platform, Crane glances over when he's addressed. ]

Yeah, that was pretty good. Just try to keep your arms tucked in a bit more, so you have better control over your weapon.

[twilightskey]

[The card soldier in question nods eagerly, an obvious fire in his eyes. Roxas just nods and gets back into the fray, and the fight continues.]

[But it's kind of obvious that Roxas isn't giving his all in the fight, and the crowd goes wild as the card soldier knocks the mallet out of his hand. Roxas accepts his defeat and applauds the card soldier, then turns to watch Crane in his match.]

[kawkaw]

[ Luckily it seems wings and feathers are enough to count as silly enough, since that's all he's in his match against the card soldier. He'll also use his hat on occasion to block, just in case, mostly because he could and it seemed to amuse the crowd.

Eventually though he sends the card soldier flying off the platform, and with a bow to the judge he steps off to let two other soldiers fight to see who his next opponent would be.

With the brief reprieve, he makes his way to where Roxas is. ]

Hey, are you okay?

forest of doors

[daggersedge]

[ When he spots Roxas staring off into the distance, Felix approaches without hesitation. Not because he's particularly concerned — he doesn't know Roxas well enough for that — but because it's been a while since they've spoken. ]

Long time no see.

[ Of course, Felix is wearing a full suit of power armor, including a helmet that slightly distorts his voice. He's probably unidentifiable as the many-tailed fox that Roxas once helped. ]

[twilightskey]

Huh?

[Roxas blinks and jumps a little in surprise at the newcomer, but after a minute of squinting the voice strikes up a memory.]

Felix? Is that you?

[daggersedge]

Ooh, good ears.

[ Felix pulls off his helmet, revealing a man with a rather pointed face, fox-like ears, and orange eyes with vertical pupils.

When he speaks again, he sounds just as he did when they first met. ]

It's been a while. Good to see you again.

Forest of Doors

[forachange]

[Wembley has actually been looking for Roxas - after all, Roxas and Kotori had the same special bond that he and Gobo have. Wembley can't imagine if Gobo went home, even having the reassurance that they have the same home - which Roxas doesn't have about Kotori. He misses her, too, of course. It hurts that she's not there, but he respects that she wanted to go home.

Wembley sits down by Roxas's side once he finds him, and at first, doesn't even say anything. He just leans against him for the moment.]

[twilightskey]

[Roxas blinks in surprise when Wembley moves to sit down beside him, but after a moment he smiles softly.]

Hey.

[Outside of that greeting, Roxas falls silent, just taking in that moment of comfort. It almost reminds him of sitting atop the clock tower with Xion and Axel... which sends a stab of bitersweet emotion through him, since he's reminded that Axel isn't here either.]

[He leans back against Wembley, just a bit.]

[forachange]

[While it sometimes gets him in over his head, Wembley loves to help others. It just feels right. So when Roxas leans back against him, he smiles a little, too.]

Hi. I'm sorry.

Forest of Doors

[gobetween]

[Maybe it was that Gobo himself was so often staring off in thought around here that Roxas caught his attention when he saw him doing much the same. He worried a moment, then approached and leaned around to look at him.]

You alright?

[twilightskey]

[Roxas blinks in surprise as Gobo peeks over, and it draws a small smile to his face. Though, the smile doesn't last long, and he lets out a sigh.]

I'll be alright. Just... it's been a rough time.

[gobetween]

[Oh man, he felt that, watching Roxas' expression. How much had his own done that same thing, just out here...?]

Yeah, no kidding. [He sighed a bit.] I didn't even get up the nerve to do anything until a little while ago.

III. Mirror Clone

[cookingmechanic]

[Fuuka had played chess some, and while it helped her understand what moves she could do as a bishop, she found her knowledge of the game didn't help much in this circumstance. She did her best using her wind abilities to knock the other side off their spaces, nearly falling over herself.]

[What was the hardest though, was trying to figure out what was up with her teammate, Roxas. He had seemed like himself at the beginning of the match but now...well, he seemed...off? When he turned to her with a broad grin, she almost jumped.]

"Y-yeah..! You too!"

[Her eyes shifted to the mirror beside him--had that always been there?]

[twilightskey]

["Roxas" smiles sweetly at her, hefting up the comical mallet he's been wielding for a while onto his shoulder.]

I've got this spot here. You can try to take the space over there. [He motions to the other side of the board.]

[The mirror shifts a bit on its own, but "Roxas" carefully puts his foot over it to keep it still.]

[cookingmechanic]

[That mirror definitely moved. Definitely. Right? She nodded slowly, glancing where he was pointing. It was kind of out of the way.]

"Are you sure? You'd be alone over here...we'd be better together, right?"

[She didn't want to move and him get hurt. And, if she was being honest, she wasn't confident how much she could do on her own. Not to mention that mirror kept catching her eye.]

Mirror Clone

[chippedsoul]

[Hyde, not being an chess expert, nor in the best of moods was smashing through anyone and anything that got in his way. He's trying, keyword trying not to actually beat up an Aspect, but it's not their fault if they get in his way. The one time he was able to freely participate in a campaign, and the rules of this story ruined his moment. What a pain.]

Eh? [Meanwhile, Roxas' overly encouraging words and happiness towards him, the guy who tried to kill him once, catches him off guard.] The hell are you going on about? [As he punches an incoming ink blot out of existence-]

[twilightskey]

That punch! It was great!

["Roxas" doesn't seem to find this weird! He grins and rests the oversized mallet he's wielding on his shoulders.]

I think there's some pieces on the other end of the board you could go for next!

[chippedsoul]

... [He's going to do the opposite of that and get closer to "Roxas".]

What's with the nice talk? Trying to hide something from me? [Very suspicious as he looms over Roxas, not at all scared of his large mallet. When did he get that anyway...?]

Courtroom Blitz

[no_reload]

[Reaper had been watching the proceedings because it was an opportunity to fight, but this was just... well, he couldn't say it was unexpected. This place made everything weird and a little vanilla. He wouldn't have thought that fighting cards was any kind of big deal.

It also wasn't something to be handing compliments over.]

If you count 'amateur' as getting better, I suppose. Too much telegraphing moves before they happen.

[As for the weapon he had been 'graced' with? It was a ball of lime green yarn. It looked soft. He was currently busying himself hand knitting a bunch of it into plaits. He had several beside him. Those plaits would soon be plaited together. It wouldn't be the first or last time he turned yarn into a garrote.]

[twilightskey]

[The card soldier looks first shocked, then a little hurt by the comment. It's enough to draw Roxas from his own thoughts and look up at the masked man, a frown forming on his face.]

Well, it was better than before. Cut them some slack.

[no_reload]

[Reaper didn't even look up from his activities, his fingers moving as if they were well practiced at this. If he was going to fight, he would do so with his advantages.]

If they want to improve, they need to face criticism and adapt to it. So do you. You telegraph, and someone very skilled would own you.

[Of course, a mallet that big made it difficult not to telegraph.]