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realmofstories2020-11-01 04:00 pm
storyevents) wrote in realmofstories2020-11-01 04:00 pm
Chapter 06: Act I
FRANKENHYDE: ACT I—
§ instructions.
Frankenhyde Act I 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.
A few reminders. The city's setting is steampunk themed, so while for the most part it follows ye old Victorian England style, you have a lot of Industrial accents and odd machines about, including small airships. There is a river, so ports and docks are available but although this place may seem large, it's actually a finite space. Sailing down the river will be an endless loop back to the start with fog being the only visible "boundary." Passing through this fog will them back to where they were. There are also numerous research labs and other buildings, but many of them are locked or sealed behind an invisible barrier so no one can enter. The "locals" are all blots, so they are more like living puppets that will have minimum response to anyone who tries to interact with them. Most are neutral, but will attack if provoked. There are also some that are immediately hostile, and are differentiated by the sparks of electricity they generate around their bodies. The "safe zone" for this campaign will be a designated apartment building. Everyone can either bunk together or choose their own room.
Finally, just to be clear, characters who are assigned roles will know beforehand and can either communicate with their partner beforehand or just wait until they're in the scene. To get to their scene, characters must enter a specially marked door in the apartment building to be transported into their scene. They will automatically return upon completion (or if something goes horribly horribly wrong). 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. Help the Scientists. A lot of work needs to be done to help the research experiments be a success, some of it a bit more unsavory than the rest.
¶ II. Help the Locals. Like most damaged stories, the local townspeople are not real but Blots taking the form of the original residents. Most are friendly and continue about their lives without paying much attention to the Aspect and providing basic assistance or keeping out of their way. They do not speak but seem to understand if communicated to.
¶ III. Trick-or-Treat! It seems everyone came in time for Halloween. Although not quite as festive as current day, the children still participate in some lighthearted trick-or-treating. The Aspects are free to participate either in wearing costumes, doling out candy, or playing tricks, but they will want to keep an eye out. Some of these costumes appear too good, and some unfortunate accidents and incidents will reveal odd mutant experiments have escaped and mingled with the crowds. Most are not hostile and just cause accidents and disturbances, so they can be gathered and returned to the various research labs. Others may prove a bit more "bite-y" so more force may be necessary to subdue them.
¶ IV. Wildcard. Make up your own prompt!
§ instructions.
Frankenhyde Act I 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.
A few reminders. The city's setting is steampunk themed, so while for the most part it follows ye old Victorian England style, you have a lot of Industrial accents and odd machines about, including small airships. There is a river, so ports and docks are available but although this place may seem large, it's actually a finite space. Sailing down the river will be an endless loop back to the start with fog being the only visible "boundary." Passing through this fog will them back to where they were. There are also numerous research labs and other buildings, but many of them are locked or sealed behind an invisible barrier so no one can enter. The "locals" are all blots, so they are more like living puppets that will have minimum response to anyone who tries to interact with them. Most are neutral, but will attack if provoked. There are also some that are immediately hostile, and are differentiated by the sparks of electricity they generate around their bodies. The "safe zone" for this campaign will be a designated apartment building. Everyone can either bunk together or choose their own room.
Finally, just to be clear, characters who are assigned roles will know beforehand and can either communicate with their partner beforehand or just wait until they're in the scene. To get to their scene, characters must enter a specially marked door in the apartment building to be transported into their scene. They will automatically return upon completion (or if something goes horribly horribly wrong). 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. Help the Scientists. A lot of work needs to be done to help the research experiments be a success, some of it a bit more unsavory than the rest.- Gather Ingredients.There are a lot of things that go into creating life, so cue the fetch quest. Items range from organs from wildlife to various plants and herbs to tools such as thread, needles, and large bolts. These items can be found throughout the town and outside of the forest and can be left at either of the buildings that is set for Frankenstein's and Jekyll's laboratories. Do note that no one except those who are cast for the scenes can go inside (there is an impenetrable barrier that will shock anyone who tries to enter).
- Bzzzzt. The scientists also need to generate a lot of electricity. Outside each laboratory are various generators used to harness and conduct electricity: lightning rods that can be attached anywhere, strange boxes that need to be powered, and even an odd looking metal ball that can be opened to physically capture lightning. Just be careful to not get shocked!
¶ II. Help the Locals. Like most damaged stories, the local townspeople are not real but Blots taking the form of the original residents. Most are friendly and continue about their lives without paying much attention to the Aspect and providing basic assistance or keeping out of their way. They do not speak but seem to understand if communicated to.- Science Fair. There is a local science fair being held that anyone can participate in! Rewards...aren't that great, but it's the experience that matters. But as expected, things don't go smoothly as various experiments and projects go awry. With the technology as it is, this can be even more dangerous as more than one is dealing with explosive fuel or have way out-of-the-box inventions such as flying motorized bikes or small automaton of some kind.
- Dangerous Blots. There are some blots who are badly damaged by Erasers and are more prone to attack. Those that have small electric sparks around them will have jerky movements and must be subdued or destroyed. There are also real Erasers lurking about, taking the form of unidentifiable homunculus and small chimera.
¶ III. Trick-or-Treat! It seems everyone came in time for Halloween. Although not quite as festive as current day, the children still participate in some lighthearted trick-or-treating. The Aspects are free to participate either in wearing costumes, doling out candy, or playing tricks, but they will want to keep an eye out. Some of these costumes appear too good, and some unfortunate accidents and incidents will reveal odd mutant experiments have escaped and mingled with the crowds. Most are not hostile and just cause accidents and disturbances, so they can be gathered and returned to the various research labs. Others may prove a bit more "bite-y" so more force may be necessary to subdue them. ¶ IV. Wildcard. Make up your own prompt!
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[He had seen 76's temper flare faster than his own, but perhaps that was only when Reaper himself was around. There was a lot to unpack between them, a lot of old wounds that never healed right.
He snorted a growling sound.]
For you, tolerance is practically an invitation. People will drag you growling and howling into friendship, and you'll allow it.
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There was a low growl in his throat, lips twitching, the sound more warning than anything else.]
Must be assuming crap again, only just tolerating you at the moment.
[No.]
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He knew the truth, no matter how much 76 might deny it.]
It can't be just assumptions when I watch you from the shadows. Deny it all you want, but you're forming attachments whether you like it or not. Lonely old goat.
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[He didn't get attached to people, all it had ever caused him in the past was pain. A liability. One he couldn't afford to have, not anymore.]
And you should know as well as I do, at most they're temporary allies to have.
[76 could work with others if he so chose to, tolerate them enough and find the ones he could work well with. That could be reliable amongst a lot of kids.
A hand rested there on the table, claws pressed just against the surface.]
If anything I'd say a certain house is more telling of loneliness, ragged old feather duster.
no subject
[This place was different from their world after all, and the stakes, the missions, and the people were all rather different. It opened other doors when it came to becoming compromised.]
Temporary, perhaps, but no doubt in time, it will hurt when you have to leave them behind. Or they die.
[He could easily tell that he was pushing 76, that he was one of the few that could earn such a reaction so quickly. He was usually the one to give 76 the bad and most difficult news.]
It's not my fault the house runs around abducting people. It seems to enjoy the company no matter where it comes from. That has nothing to do with me.
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[A huff, finally cutting in to his stack and taking a bite with an added growl and showing of teeth. Wasn't just going to let the flapjacks go cold just because of the apparent asshole that wanted to twitter along in to an ear.
Then a snort once that bite was down.]
I plan on leaving this all behind, and everyone here, once there's no longer a danger of this shit interfering with the mission.
[Likely the reason Reaper was still here as well.]
It's linked, connected, to you whether you like it or not. Has everything to do with you.
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[He definitely wasn't going to stop 76 from eating, and if anything, it would give the younger man something to do. And maybe something more to chew on than impotent anger for the time being.
They all, no doubt, planned on that. It was a waste to state the obvious, but here they were.]
Even Ana and myself. That's cold, Jack. Even for you.
[Now he was just poking the bear. It was entertaining, but it was also a good way to find out where 76 was sitting mentally and emotionally.]
You like to think so, but it's just a house on legs. It carries around my things because that's its job. That it kidnaps people is its own tick.
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Only thing 76 did was slowly chew another bite of that stack, free hand still rested there on that tables surface. Those odd blue eyes of his focused far more intensely thanks to the inhuman look of them; surpassed that stare some never wanted to be under with the Strike Commander.
This was different, of course. No act of intimidation or attempt at one as he simply looked at the masked ghost of a man that was likely far more solid than he'd be back home. Pupils even narrowed in his focus-]
You've got an interesting delusion you're living in yourself, feather bag.
no subject
[Just another little barb aimed at 76, since he knew that there would always be exceptions. After all, he could remember the sheer devastation that old Strike Commander Morrison had experienced when Ana 'died', how the man's guilt had ate him to keep up the search.
Old soldiers like them might have been hard to kill, but the reality had been very real back then. Only with little bread crumbs of revelations over the years would make it to the wool was pulled back from their eyes.
He met 76's cold stare without a hint of backing down in his body language. He was still just leaning on the door frame of the kitchen and watching 76 shovel food into that delusional mouth.]
Hello pot, I've got kettle on the phone needing to give you a reality check.
no subject
No. 76 simply reached over and picked up his mug, taking and long and slow sip of what was left of the coffee held within. Eyes never moving-]
I could sit here, eating my flapjacks and drinking my coffee, and you'd keep putting together this little story all inside of your head.
[Setting the mug down, and finally he let his gaze fall from Reaper. Didn't let his guard down, remained very aware of where he was, but there was almost something dismissive about it.]
Some things never change.
no subject
[He could tell those blue eyes were throwing daggers his way as he kept his physical distance and watched. It wasn't as if he made a habit of eating while not an owl; it was easier to dissociate that way.
And Jack trying to peck at him back was normal at this point. They were always digging at each other, since their opportunities to do so without having to answer to anyone - read: Talon - made it far easier to have a go at one another.]
That's because you're old and routine is comfortable.
no subject
[Dryly spoken after a few more bites of his flapjack, working well in to that stack now that he appeared to be ignoring Reaper was there outside of a little dry comment.
Not that he really was, but he had perfected the act of it. Pretending to be a homeless person on the streets at times gave him more than enough practice; how to seem unaware of the world but keeping track of something. Had been a good way to gain a footing again in the world.
Grow more weapon than man, letting it happen for the mission.]
And you're older.
no subject
The fact of the matter was that he didn't care. He could act however he wanted to give a certain impression. A lot of his attitude was to put forward a certain reputation.
So honestly 76's decision to ignore him with a sort of sticks-and-stones attitude was more amusing than upsetting. After all, in the end, 76 would have to cross the boundary and leave through the door he was leaning in.]
And?
no subject
[Fork set on an empty plate, picking it up as he stood, mug in the other hand so he could give it all a quick wash. Everything else he'd used was already clean, mask hooked to to his belt just at the side.
Door wasn't how he got in to the kitchen.]
no subject
[It seemed that 76 had finished eating, which might put the other man in a better mood. He doubted it as long as they were prodding at each other.
He remained where he was while 76 cleaned up, eyeing the windows to determine which of them the younger man could crawl out of rather than have to pass so close to him. Knowing 76, there would be an outside ascent along the walls.]
no subject
76 shook water from his hands, standing straight as he grabbed for his mask to pull it back on. Snugly.]
Very.
no subject
He slowly tilted his head as if making it clear he was observing the younger man.]
Well then, off you go scampering to bed. We wouldn't want too many young ones screaming because they saw Krampus.
no subject
[Clear enough that 76 meant Krampus. He paid attention to the names listed in the journals, and it was quite the motely crew of characters that had been taken on, really.
With his mask fixed in place, he went behind the counter and picked up that backpack bag of his, hoisting it over a shoulder easily.]
Done with you, not with what I was doing.
no subject
[He also kept a close eye on the names and who people had been subbed in as, not that he knew a lot of those people personally. He was more the observation type at this point, since he didn't have his usual network behind him. Slow and steady won the race when it came to intelligence gathering.
He still hadn't moved, waiting to see which path 76 decided to take.]
Oh, well since you're done with me, we have no reason to associate and I won't have you sniffing at me, now will I?
no subject
His head kept still, visor hiding eyes perfectly once again and the fact he did eye the windows for a moment. Briefly weighing the options of one of them going through a window at this point.]
I doubt it will stop you, or your house, from sniffing at me and the continued stalking.
no subject
[He snorted softly behind his own mask, even if he kept his gaze on 76 the whole time. He knew that the pair of them could flip a switch in a moment's notice, and it was curious how long 76 would bother to hold out now that the purpose of being here was done.]
It seems I'm not your own stalker. Good to know.
no subject
[His name wasn't listed in the journals either, just a number and the Essence that attached to him. Shoulders rolled as he spoke, actually stepping up closer to Reaper.
Even while hunched a bit, 76 was well taller than he once was; a head or more at that. Head tilted to make to look like he had to in order to make that very pointed look at Reaper.]
Tell me I'm wrong then, Reyes.
no subject
[And that was true at least. Neither of them gave out their old names to anyone, and seeing that happen on the network had made him suspicious himself. The assumption he had come to was that they weren't alone on one of the many occasions they were having a physical altercation.
He wasn't at all intimidated by the fact that 76 had a few inches on him. He'd beat up others taller than him after all.]
You've been followed, that's all I know.
no subject
76 snorted-]
Someone overheard us.
[He knew who of course, and that statement with the one before was all he needed to know that Reaper did as well.]
Right place at the wrong time, not stalking.
no subject
[He had figured out who it was based on the post as well, and he had done some backtracking. At this point, he was curious to meet the other one of that world: Adachi. It seemed like an interesting person.]
He nearly let your name slip. He doesn't have much discretion.
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