storyevents ([personal profile] storyevents) wrote in [community profile] realmofstories2020-08-15 03:26 pm

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!


gobetween: (I hope this works...)

[personal profile] gobetween 2020-09-12 07:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[He was both surprised and not to hear her talk. On the one hand, strange creatures speaking wasn't exactly strange down at the Rock; heck, if anyone didn't know any better they might be surprised that he could talk. On the other, this looked like an Outer Space monster, and Sprocket certainly couldn't talk. Damn good at charades, but no speaking.

So when the cat talks, Gobo seems startled a moment, then offers a smile.]


Yeah, kinda. Feeling a little antsy so I was walking it out.

You?
nanoscope: (Bastet: Show them your strength)

[personal profile] nanoscope 2020-09-13 06:01 am (UTC)(link)
I suppose I was also feeling antsy.

[Her tail flicks behind her as she moves to sit down.]

Even if this area is deemed a safe spot, I cannot help but do patrols to make sure that it remains safe. Old habits die hard.
gobetween: (Had somethin' on my mind...)

[personal profile] gobetween 2020-09-16 12:09 am (UTC)(link)
[He nodded at that, in complete understanding.]

Yeah, they really do. Especially when one's a leader and everyone's wellbeing is in your hands.

[Personal experience, that.]
nanoscope: (Bastet: I have you covered)

[personal profile] nanoscope 2020-09-16 09:59 pm (UTC)(link)
That is not an easy burden to bear. Having so many people to look after, you sometimes forget to look after yourself.

[Oh, she knew that well. Did her best to make sure her friends took care of themselves and didn't just run themselves ragged.]

Sometimes it pays to have a friend or two to check up on you, in case you forget to check up on yourself.

[personal profile] gobetween 2020-09-17 03:18 am (UTC)(link)
[He nodded in agreement.]

Yeah, it really does. I know I've had a couple check up on me just while I've been here.

[But then, this story's been difficult for him so far.]
nanoscope: (Bastet: Experience wins in the end)

[personal profile] nanoscope 2020-09-17 04:57 am (UTC)(link)
Is there anything in particular that has been bothering you?
gobetween: (Uncomfortable realization)

[personal profile] gobetween 2020-09-19 03:42 pm (UTC)(link)
With being here? Kinda, yeah.

[He sighed a little, rubbing one arm.]

I'm not used to really... fighting like I have been doing. Fraggles fight, sure, but we don't try to kill anything. [A bit of a dry snort and a mutter, if still audible.] Usually it's the other way around...

[Shaking his head, he looked back up.]


And- this is my Essence's story, too. So I've got a lot on my mind, with trying to fix that, and keep my friends and others safe, and myself safe...

[A beat, and he seemed troubled.]

That was a lot. I'm sorry.
nanoscope: (Bastet: Show them your strength)

[personal profile] nanoscope 2020-09-22 05:02 am (UTC)(link)
That does sound like a lot.

[But rather than be upset with his explanation, she walks over to him and sits down next to him, leaning her small cat body against his arm.]

I cannot imagine the stress you may be feeling, being the one who's Essence is from this story. But I assure you, everyone here is working hard to repair this story and make sure your Essence is well preserved.

[She doesn't know all the specifics of what would happen to someone who's Essence is from the story they are repairing, but she knows that everyone is working hard regardless.]
gobetween: (Bold first steps)

[personal profile] gobetween 2020-09-28 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
[That touch is simple but has a profound effect. The weight is warm and comforting, helping drop a bit of piece into the storm of his mind.]

I appreciate that. I really do. [He smiled, a small one but there was an ember of light from it in his eyes.] Everyone's working so hard... We're all in this together.
nanoscope: (Bastet: Shhh...)

[personal profile] nanoscope 2020-09-29 05:51 am (UTC)(link)
That is right. No war is won with just one soldier; it takes many individuals to come together to make a difference. And sometimes, it's just nice to have some company.

[Ama is no stranger to a battlefield. How many times during her career had lives been saved simply because an ally was nearby? Or because she had been there to provide cover fire? While this world operated on strange rules, it was still a similar concept.]
gobetween: (Little smile)

[personal profile] gobetween 2020-10-07 01:39 am (UTC)(link)
[He nodded at that, and as if in response to that, his tail curled around to rest lightly against her, returning her earlier gesture the way that he knows.]

It sure does. It helps a lot, before having to get back out there.