realmofstories | Chapter 05: Act II

A TWISTED WONDERLAND: ACT II—

§ 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.

§ 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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hmmm... How about... IIIt's a small world aaafter aaall!~

[He makes a face as soon as the words have left his mouth. As a Disney character, that was the first song to come to mind, oops.] No, no. That's lame. Maybe... [He hangs his head back for a moment, then sits up straight again.]

I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts,
There they are a'standing in a rooow!~

[Is that a drinking song? Is it anything?]

[Chuckling.]

While that song's hilarious, it's not a drinking song. It's a song you sing when you're drunk. There's a difference.

[Steelbeak is under the firm impression that a drinking song and a song you sing when drunk are one and the same. He takes another gulp from his spiked tea before responding.]

Well, what've you got?

[Sometimes they are, but anything about coconuts and their sizes is strictly a drunk song.

Eizen hums, thinking for a moment.

And then he starts actually humming a suggestion.]

[Does he know this song? It doesn't sound familiar to him. ... Time to just make some lyrics up! It's up to the Mad Hatter to pull the songs out of his, err, hat.]

Here we sit, drinkin' tea! In a Wonderland place!
And we're gettin' as drunk as can beee!~
Don't care much about Blots, or Erasers or things,
We're just out here downing shots!~

[Is that anything? He's pretty proud of it.]

[Ow his ears. They're doomed.

He does start tapping out a rhythm, though, since they kinda need that.]

Shots of tea
...and booze, but still tea!
But I thought birds could sing
Coulda fooled me~

[Augh that's terrible Eizen, what the hell.]

[Squawky Jason Mantzoukas absolutely cannot sing, it's true. His inability to do things has never stopped him before, though. He claps a fist down on the table to add to the rhythm.]

Birds can sing? Don't be lame! Not all birds aaare the same!~
Oughta feed you to the Bandersnatch!
But this Mad Hatter's busy, so don't get in a tizzy,
if a tune I can't quite hatch!~

[A couple of mirror clones emerge from the nearby woods. They're keeping their distance for now, as if assessing whether this song is acceptable enough to keep the peace or downright bad enough to attack.]

[Eizen's hoping maybe the badmouthing will be entertaining? It works on pirate ships, sometimes.]

You sound like a squeaky rock
And trust me, I would know
Still, I guess it could be worse
You could always be a crow~

[The clones are cautiously optimistic about the comedy aspect, that's for sure. One of them is even smiling. As for Steelbeak, he's refilling his tea for another round.]

Sounds like you're one to talk, is that a song or a howl?
I may be a bird, but I'm not the only one who sounds foul!~ [Haha. Foul. Fowl.]
Heard nicer screeches from a cat, and your tune's really flat,
So to you I tip my hat!~

[Sure enough, he does just that.]

[Eizen gives a sort of mocking bow.]

'Least I haven't punned,
They're crimes against humanity!
The only ones who resort to puns
Just lack an actual personality!

[Excuse you, Eizen. How dare you mock the art of punnery?]

Hah, you're just jealous 'cause you can't think of some!~
True genius is where a pun comes from.
If you wanna commit to this, don't do it half-hearted,
'cause quips are what get this partea started!~

If by "party" you mean "murder",
Then sure, go on ahead
Just don't come cryin' to me
When the Blots just kill you dead~

[He's not sure if the doubles like puns, buuuuut....]

[Wow, this song took a turn fast- Who said anything about murder or Blots? Steelbeak finally looks up to notice the mirror doubles surrounding them. They're still looking passive for now, but he knows that can change.]

...

[He should probably keep the song going huh.]

You think some Blots can kill me dead? What kinda newb do you thiiink I am?~
Any enemies had better take the high road and scram!
This steel beak's not just for show, just sooo you know,
it can either jab or land a real mean blow!~

[Look, it's Eizen. He does that.]

Peck them to death? Did I hear that right?
You really think that'll work?
You wanna get your face that close, then fine
Personally, I'd use a dirk.

[Lame rhyme but hey.]

[How does a tiny little dagger keep them any more at bay than a- gghh nevermind.]

Getting real close is just fine for guys who've got a spine,
that's why I always kick butt ooon the front line!~
Don't know about you, but I'm itching for a fight,
'cause this rooster's not about to take fliiight!

[The song's quality sure seems to be hitting that sort of 'ironic comedy' that's keeping the mirror clones interested and amused, so at least there's that. It's Wonderland; we're all a little mad here.]

[It rhymes, okay, shut up.

Eizen smirks at the talk of a fight though. Is that what they wanna do? Are they gonna beat the crap out of the clones or each other for amusement?]

How many could you take--
Because I'm always down for fight.
First I get you with my left.

[And here he cracks his knuckles.]

And then I'll get you with the right.

Chapter 05: Act II

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