realmofstories | Character Introduction Log: October 2020

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Character Introduction Log: October 2020

Intro Log: October 2020—

§ instructions.

Greetings and welcome to the intro log for Forgotten Tales! There are no hard and fast rules here. Just include your Character, canon, and essence in the subject line and post away! Network prompts are allowed in the intro log, so feel free to put one in.

In terms of timeline, the intro log can span over several days, so don't feel as if everything has to happen all at once. You are also free to post your own logs at any time, and can even take these prompts for them! Reminder: certain threads from the Test Drive can be used and carried over into the intro log! So you are free to port over and continue threads from the TDM if you'd like.

For more information or to ask any questions, refer to the accompanying Game Notes.

§ prompts.

¶ I. Adjusting to a New Life. Even after being told by the Storyteller about everything, there's still a lot to learn. There's also the satchel and journal to investigate and figuring out where they live. The Index itself is a large, vast city inhabited by a large variety of characters from numerous stories. Because of this, there is no uniform style to the city. One street could look like a normal street plucked out of a Victorian, English fairy tale and then the very next is made of candy. It makes for an interesting mishmash of cultures that somehow manages to get along. Most of the time, at least.

A. Brushing Up on the Lore. Perhaps a trip to the Grand Library to read up on the essence's stories wouldn't be such a bad idea. It might help give the Aspect some ideas as to what they can do. But you know, it would be their luck to have a large tome dedicated to their stories way high up on a top shelf. And the ladder is rusty. Might need some help.
B. Magic Journals. For those of the modern era, needing to write is going to be an interesting exercise. But after reading the instructions, maybe they want to reach out, see who else is out there. Or troll people with dumb doodles.
C. Test Those Skills. Testing out a new spell or weapon? Great! Just be mindful of the surroundings—this is all new and no one has thought to create a special training area for everyone (yet). And while most of the locals are happy and hopeful about their potential heroes, broken windows or almost burning one of them won't go over too well. For those who feel ready to try and take on a few jobs and earn some cash, the Commission Board will have a few jobs waiting. They may want a partner, however.
D. House Hunting. Among the items found in the satchel is a set of keys. These keys will magically lead their new owner to the house they will be living in for as long as they are in the Realm of Stories. The home will be styled to fit the essence and the location will also be fitting of that essence. It could be within the main city of the Index, outside of town, underwater, in the air—anywhere! Now if only the keys didn't take their own through...interesting, winding routes. Like through a random bakery or down someone's chimney. Who knows, maybe they will want to come back and visit the stores for clothing and other housewares.

¶ II. Festival Fun. It's been two years since the Aspects first arrived and efforts to push back against the Story Eater have proven successful. To celebrate, all the worlds are throwing a giant party in Index, and since it's entering the spooky season of Halloween, many are using it as an excuse to set up decorations and celebrate early. It's all fun and games, but of course mishaps and trouble are also around. Still, when a world made of stories throws a party, they really go all out!

A. Parade Panic. After all the hard work in preparing the floats for the parade, everything goes off without a hitch...at first. Around midway through the route, something strange happens—a burst of electricity flashes through the area and immediately after the floats either suddenly break down, the props and decorations malfunction, or the float runs completely off course. The runaway floats are the most worrisome as the driver has no control over the vehicle. Some drivers are even ejected from the controls! Help stop the floats before someone is injured. (Reference for the individual floats can be found on the Test Drive.)
B. Festive Activities. Scattered throughout the Index are numerous games and activities that anyone is free to participate in. From standard carnival games like fairy ring toss and bobbing for golden apples, there are a few themed after the story worlds restored so far:
1. Match the Pumpkin Head. Out in the fields, there are numerous scarecrows dressed as key characters from the various restored stories. However, they're currently missing their heads! The goal of the game is to not only find a pre-made pumpkin head in the neighboring pumpkin patch, but to also match it with the proper character. Fortunately there are some labels and clues to help those not familiar, and both the pumpkin and the scarecrow are obvious in designs. What makes it even trickier is that the scarecrows have a tendency to move around—they're still on the clock to shoo away pesky crows, after all!
2. Present Delivery Dash. Using a special pumpkin carriage, teams of 1 to 2 people must race against each other to deliver the most presents down a specific route. Each team has access to an assortment of various "tricks" they can use to try and slow down their opponents, from gooey marshmallow sprays to expandable candy corn barricades.
3. Bamboo Carver. With a special carving knife, participants must carve and create something with bamboo. They can use more than one and use other materials to fasten pieces together, but it must otherwise be made primarily of bamboo. However, some pixies decide to play a bit mischief and enchant the creations to come to life. Depending on what was made, these can be harmless or annoying. Either way, they must be collected before they escape the area!
4. Underwater Treasure Hunt. Located in the nearby lake, the mermaids have dispersed various treasures along the floor. Hidden in clams, treasure chests, coral, and some even guarded by specially trained eel, participants will be granted the power to transform into a merfolk for 30 minutes and must collect as many treasures as they can. Once the time is up, they will lose their transformation and be encased in a protective bubble that will send them back up to the surface. Participants can work together or separately.
5. Rose Maze. A classic for any festival, a special rose maze has been erected in one of the city's parks. However, the twist to this particular maze is that instead of dead ends, there are magic doors that participants must pass through. These doors will teleport individuals to another section of the maze that will either allow them to continue towards the exit or get even more lost.
C. Food. Similar to the games, there is an assortment of food available throughout the city and some with a rather unique flair to them. The Flaming Pumpkin Spice in a Pumpkin Head glass will have anyone breathing ghostly fire for a few minutes. Some of the Christmas themed cookies will cause one to recall happy or sad memories, maybe perhaps a glimpse of the immediate future. Mystery Mooncakes have a random filling inside, some delicious others not so. Some other foods may cause random story themed effects, such as drifting to sleep, feeling generous, burst of bravery, have seaweed for hair.
1. Special Tea Party. Near the Rose Maze an outdoor tea party has been set up for anyone to come sit down, relax, and have some tea either with friends or strangers. However, the tea will cause the drinker to be a bit more open and honest with those around them. Of course no one will be forced to say anything they don't wish to, but telling lies will be difficult.
However, some people might feel a little strange after eating some food. Symptoms are minor, from sudden fatigue to suddenly wanting to nap to upset stomachs.

¶ III. Party Crashers. There's always a fear that something will go wrong, or worse—the Story Eater might appear again. However, a more local threat has decided to try and ruin the festival. In addition to the mayhem alluded to in the Test Drive (Section II prompts), more problems are rearing their ugly heads as things escalate.

A. Mechanical Golems. From seemingly out of nowhere, strange mechanical creatures appear and disrupt the festival. These giant golems charge at the festival booths and scare innocent festival goers. Although none have shown to be aggressive towards people yet, several have started to throw things and it's only a matter of time before someone is hurt. As they are mechanical and large, they are going to need a bit of force and magic to be taken down. Water will work well against them, as well as overcharging them with lightning and electricity. If they are active too long, smoke starts to appear, suggesting that overheating them is another method. Just be careful—some might self destruct if not taken down properly.
B. Lightning Storms. Weather can be an unpredictable thing in the Index, but the sudden lightning storms are highly unusual. Especially when the lightning bolts specifically target inanimate objects such as chairs, light posts, and even carriages and "shock" them to life, causing the object to go on a pranking spree. From throwing mud to tripping people to adding hot sauce to food to outright jumping out to scare hapless bystanders, they are becoming a menace! Unless someone is a master at weather manipulation, the only thing that can be done is to take cover, take down the moving objects, and help repair any damage.
C. Pumpkin Chunkin Sabotage. Ever wondered what it would be like to build a catapult and launch a giant pumpkin with it? Teams are formed to quickly try and construct a workable catapult using bamboo and then fire a pumpkin as far as they can. However, things are not going as planned. No matter how well built the catapult, they keep turning towards the nearby buildings right as the pumpkins are launched. Even worse, some of the pumpkins used have also been tampered to become flaming pumpkins, which only increases the danger. Help douse the flames and figure out why the catapults are moving. (Answer: giant magnets are pulling the ones using any types of metal and can be found set along the roofs of buildings.)

¶ IV. Wildcard. Make up your own prompt! Especially in regards to the festival, anything can really happen.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Kazuma stood out in the crowd easily as he towered over everyone and had some rather distinct features about him. He enters the scene just as Edelgard jumps in to literally put a stop to one of the rogue floats. Mooncakes were now flying everywhere. Convenient since he was in need of a snack before continuing to help out.] Impressive work.

[He catches a few of the mooncakes for himself.]

Thank you, I—

[While learning to adapt to the unusual here should not surprise her his appearance definitely catches Edelgard off guard. That black sclera reminds her too much of the people who held power over her. Who were responsible for the political upset and blood experiments on her family.

Her already pale skin loses what little color it has, and she openly stares at him. It also doesn't help she's generally a short person and his height makes him loom quite easily over here.]

Who are you?

[In her surprise she cannot manage to school the suspicion out of her voice.]

[Kazuma is no stranger to the stares and fear he incites by his presence. Somewhere deep down, he's probably pleased by it. Everyone is beneath me. Shaking those thoughts off, he'll give Edelgard some space for now, ensuring he means no harm.]

It's Kazuma. [His voice was deep and had a growl to it. He eats one of the mooncakes, revealing sharp teeth. Having those probably gave it that growl aspect.] We can talk after. [He gestures to the people on the ground around the float. Some had been sent flying off the float due to the force from the sudden stop.]

[The young girl inside her that's still afraid of her uncle and his associates tempts Edelgard to ditch it all and leave him to it. However her sense of justice and her stubbornness to not sure any extra vulnerability wins out.

Nodding at his statement, Edelgard decides to wait until after to introduce herself. There is no reason to think an Agarthan would be so willing to help. With that in mind she will assist those who were flown from the float to make sure they do not need any sort of medical care. Diligently she'll work with Kazuma to handle damage control, and the only 'aversion' she seems to display is occasional suspicious looks in his direction. Though Edelgard does her best to make those few and far between. ]

[Kazuma's focus is to tend to the civilians, so he wasn't too concern over her suspicious glances in his direction at this moment. With the help of his essence, he is able to help identify those in need of immediate medical attention.]

Take these people to that first aid station. [He'll help carry a few at a time to the station as well. At one point, another spectacle occurs as he partially lifts the float itself without any help, allowing one of the workers to go under to check on the mechanism. Once the people and workers have all been attended to, Kazuma will come looking for Edelgard, carrying a few more mooncakes in his arms.] Finished on your end?

[In time Edelgard finds herself so preoccupied with helping others (injured people can be quite a handful; literally, if you take it upon yourself to carry them - which Edelgard will do if the particular citizen is not so much taller than her that she'd be dragging their feet) that he will cease to receive those sidelong glances. Instead her tunnel vision takes over to the point that momentarily she forgets that they were going to speak after clean up.

When he finds her she'll have a few hairs loose from her elaborate braids, and her clothes a bit dirty and disheveled. At least the work gives a healthy flush to her skin rather than leaving it ghostly pale. Edelgard wipes her brow with the back of her wrist before dipping into a shallow bow.]

Yes, I suppose so. Thank you for the assistance with cleaning the mess, Kazuma. My name is Edelgard von Hresvelg.

[Standing next to her once more, felt like he was next to a child. Her name gives off the sense that she is of nobility. At least in his world it would be. He offers her a mooncake.]

A pleasure. I apologize if I startled you before.

[Edelgard accepts his offer. The pastry is unfamiliar to her, yet for some reason she feels drawn to it...

More importantly, however, is how inconvenient speaking to her new acquaintance is! The man is so large she has to crane her neck and lean back some to look him in the eye. Even if looking him in the eye sends a chill down her spine. At least this time she doesn't show it outwardly.]

No need for apology. I used to know a group of individuals who shared some similar features, and I was quick to assume.

...You're not the first to say that to me. [Sensing this was probably not the best way to be communicating, he'll take a seat on the sidewalk. He's got mooncake to chow down on anyway.]

This is just a part of my essence. I do not normally look this way. [He gives her a glance.] And I don't believe I've seen you around before. [He assumes anyway. Most veterans know about him and Hyde's history of causing mayhem in the past.]

[To avoid any accidental moments of "mouth too full of mooncake to talk" she simply holds onto the snack instead of partaking in it.

She'll follow him to the sidewalk, but opt to stand. She recognizes his kindness, even if it's wordless. Perhaps that is because if she ever shows any lenience that's how she prefers to do so.]

I see. Well, you would be correct. I am quite new to all of this, and as such I am still adjusting. Perhaps if I was more acquainted with this place I would not have gawked so openly at you, Mr. Kazuma.

[He doesn't respond right away, because he didn't choose to wait to eat. Normally, he would in this situation, but he's scarfing down food as if he hadn't eaten for days.]

Mmf. It's all right. [He'll finally stop stuffing himself, feeling his stomach isn't going to complain for a while.] There are still things that surprise even those who have been here for some time. Was that strength you displayed before part of your essence?

Not at all!

[With her hand full of mooncake she rests her wrist on her hips instead of her hand as her chest puffs out not too unlike a proud bird ready to preen.]

My strength is my own. I have not yet researched much on my essence, but that is on my to-do list.

Heh, I see. [He can tell she's very proud of that fact.]

I take it you're normally a combatant then.

Your assumption is correct. While coming here has seemed to reduce my strength somewhat, I am still able to function mostly as usual.

[Just no crest to spur immediately healing of wounds or sudden boosts of power.]

What I am most familiar with is fighting as a heavily armored unit wielding an ax while commanding a battalion.

A battalion. [Curious. So it's not just for show. It sounds like this noble has seen combat often.]

I'm sure in due time, you'll eventually gather armor and weapon here that suits your style. I may even ask for a proper spar from you. [He's never fought a heavy armor unit she's describing before. So naturally, he's interested. There may even be an excited glint in his eyes.]

Such confidence in me. I hope to meet your expectations when the time comes.

[Or blow them out of the water. He does not need to know she's used to fighting monsters even double his size or more. Though perhaps her capabilities to pull off such feats have decreased with the way they're manifested here.]

Do you proposition everyone like this?

Hm, only if I'm certain I won't give them an unfair fight. [Such arrogance.]

...I still need to learn to control the strength that comes from my essence. So fighting different opponents helps me. [But also the one person who can match his strength, prefers not to fight. He rather not press him after all the trouble Hyde had caused him.]

Very well. I look forward to the day I can be a decent match for you. After all I would not wish for my own skills to get rusty. Speaking of— do you know of any training grounds or workout facilities?

[The man seems to be well versed in this place, so might as well take advantage of his knowledge and insight.]

I'm familiar with a few. [He scratches his chin thoughtfully as he list some places for her.]

If you ever felt like changing up the routine, I manage an Underground arena myself.

I see... What kind of of opponents would one find in this Underground Arena? Are the matches for prize, prowess, or glory?

[If it's organized it has to be one of the three. Prowess being simple of honing skill with others, but if it's outside of a typical training grounds then there must be something else to it.]

Anyone and anything. Hyde even caught a few monsters for the arena. [...He probably has to catch some more, now that he thinks about it.]

Hyde simply created the place just to find suitable opponents to fight himself. So there weren't really any real rules. Sometimes there's money involved, sometimes it's just a good brawl out.

So... this Mr. Hyde prefers the arena and you manage it for him?

[And others can partake, but it's mostly for the enjoyment and benefit of this "Hyde". The absence of rules make her wary. She knows all too well the type to take advantage of that... because she's worked with that kind of person before.]

He established it when he had control over me. While I rather not have anything associated with him, I must admit that the Underground still has it's uses.

[There's a pause as he wonders how to proceed to explain, as he doubts the questions will not form about Hyde. He not proud of it, and he still doesn't truly believe an essence can really reflect a person, but he has to live with it while in the Index. He looks to Edelgard, gesturing to himself.] The story behind my essence is a tale about the good and evil inside a person. Hyde, this form he usually takes, is suppose to represent that darkness.

If only it were always that convenient to know people's darkness by a separate form.

[But even with Kazuma it's not that simple, is it? After all he sits before her in this form with his large stature and his unsettling eyes.

Edelgard is not sure what else to say, so she takes this time to bite into a mooncake.]

[But it's a mystery flavor! And unfortunately for her this one is so sour it almost burns her tongue. Edelgard doubles over as she tries turning away from Kazuma to cough and cover her mouth.]

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