storyevents: (pic#13311336)
storyevents ([personal profile] storyevents) wrote in [community profile] realmofstories2021-01-03 01:43 pm

Chapter 06: Act III

Frankenhyde: ACT III—





With such an unpleasant ending to the last act, the mood in Londeva has changed further. The weariness and silence felt in the evenings continues and the bright splashes of color from before have taken on a more garish contrast, no longer seeming quite as cheery as they had before. Still, life and the story must go on, so the quill is once again put to paper in order to deliver the events of the scenes to the Aspects once more.

Some time after we last saw Hyde and the illustrious Dr. Jekyll, Hyde approaches the doctor to demand some sort of recompense for being the doctor's experiment; after all, Hyde pointed out, they can't get good data on an "unhinged man" if Hyde's limited in what he can actually do. Though Hyde threatens him, Jekyll is able to keep calm and compromise with his test subject on the matter of pay. He once again warns Hyde to avoid drawing too much attention to himself. Hyde assures him that he knows what he's doing.

A few days later, Mister Utterson is called to Jekyll's house to discuss some personal matters. The old friends take a few moments to clear the air between them, to allow Utterson a moment to vent to his old friend, before the settle down to the business Jekyll called his solicitor for in the first place: adjusting his will to leave everything to one Mister Hyde. Utterson is appalled at the very idea, but Jekyll eventually confesses that he and Victor Frankenstein were working on creating life and that Hyde is a vital part of these experiments. It only makes sense to leave all of his money and property to a known criminal who would probably kill you as soon as look at you.

Perfect sense.

That night, as the young Danvers is out walking, Hyde decides it would be a wonderful idea to kill an innocent man in cold blood. A few hours later, Stixen finds Hyde in an alleyway covered in Danvers's blood. Tired of trying to play nice with the "normal" humans, Hyde points out that the two of them will never be accepted for what they are, so he and Stixen should just kill them all. Stixen admits it's a solution, but is not entirely convinced. The two part ways.

As Hyde returns home to Jekyll, Jekyll has had enough. He realizes what happened last night when he sees Hyde covered in blood, and that is a line too far. Jekyll demands Hyde stop. Hyde decides that he doesn't want to stop, but instead take over Jekyll's life. The two fight, and Jekyll is locked in his cellar, leaving Hyde free to do whatever it is he wants.

The next day, Stixen is wandering around and thinking about what Hyde suggested. He runs into the young Agatha de Lacy, who is trying to get her cat down from a tree and is very clearly annoyed. Stixen, still wanting to help people, climbs up the tree in an impressive display of acrobatics and rescues the girl's cat. Agatha is impressed and the two start to form a very tentative friendship before parting ways. Unfortunately for them both, Hyde was watching.

As Stixen was saving kittens from trees, Utterson rushes to Jekyll's house to report Danvers's murder and ask him to come look over the body. He's distraught to find the poor man having a panic attack in his cellar and hurriedly gets him out of there. Jekyll hates what science has become since his younger days, though Utterson does point out that it was always a little unsettling, and things are about to get a lot worse. Upon inspecting the body, Jekyll realizes that this was the man Hyde had killed.

That night, disgusted at what he had seen earlier that day, Hyde tracks down the de Lacy house and sets it on fire. Agatha flees the scene; Hyde gives chase. Eventually, the poor girl is torn limb from limb by the now monstrous Edward Hyde. When the girl's body is discovered, a mob forms outside of Victor's lab, demanding that Stixen face justice. Victor knows that the girl's death was not Stixen's fault, and so the two try to calm the people down to no avail. Eventually, they resort to looking around the lab for something to use to force them to calm down, allowing Victor to escape and get help.

Victor eventually finds Jekyll and begs him for help. Jekyll, of course, agrees, but he first insists that Victor join him at his home and all but forces Victor to follow. As they get closer to Jekyll's home, Victor realizes that it is not Jekyll at all but Hyde and tries to get away. He fails and, realizing that there is no hope for him, is gentle and almost calm about it all. Hyde, in one more act of brutal violence, stabs Victor through the heart.

Unlike before, when everyone awakens they will not feel refreshed and ready to tackle the day. Instead, there's a feeling of lethargy and unpleasantness, as if they experienced a restless night with unpleasant dreams. That feeling of past and possible potential dread will be hard to shake given that the city still seems as dreary as before. Still, life goes on as the citizens of Londeva continue to go about their daily routines. If anything, the city seems livelier than it was before, almost as if people are trying their best to make it a better brighter place in defiance of recent events.

But all is definitely not well in Londeva. With all the residents being busier and livelier, that means the blots and Erasers are more active as well. And as the Act goes on, the city itself seems to become more active with entire blocks disappearing and transforming seemingly at random. Additionally, cracks begin to appear in the city, ground, and sky as well as if the story itself is having trouble holding itself together. Hopefully everything will work out in the end, but it looks like getting there may be a bit of a challenge.

Still, the Storyteller has faith that the Aspects will be able to see things through, even if some of their behavior during this story gives room for pause.






§ instructions.

The third 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.

As stated in the flavor text above, all sorts of craziness is happening this act. There’s some additional information in the game notes, but things to keep in mind and possibly play with are as follows:

  • there’s a pervasive feeling that something bad is going to happen
  • cracks will begin to appear in the city and sky as the act progresses
  • the amount of Erasers and rogue blots in the city will increase as the act progresses
  • the city’s layout will appear and disappear, and change throughout the act (see the book repair subquest for more information)
  • Aspects could be susceptible to behavioral changes (see the pick a side subquest for more information)
  • During scenes where Victor's body is involved, the body will appear as his plant creation from before. Will it be dead, alive, friendly or hostile is up the players.

Costumes are also provided for this Act, although there's something...odd about the choices this time around:
Finally, just to be clear, characters who are in Main Scenes are not immediately dropped into their location and will have to go through specially marked doors and then return. Characters will also be aware of their roles and partner prior to entering the scene, so it's possible for them to meet and coordinate beforehand or meet within the scene for the first time. 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. Pick a side, any side. Early on, everyone will start feeling not quite themselves throughout most of the act. It can range from mild to severe and last for varying lengths of time, but the effects will always be temporary. Characters will either take on a "Hyde" personality or a "Stixen" (Frankenstein's Monster) personality.

  • "Hyde" side. Will have erratic, immoral, and violent tendencies. Those who have non-human Essences can become more monstrous and transform at will, even capable of hiding their transformed self while still able to use some of those powers.
  • "Stixen" side. Will be the opposite with a more curious, polite, and generous disposition. Those who have non-human Essences will more often be stuck in their transformation; alternatively they will only transform when enraged and become more violent in this time.

Should any of the two meet each other, they will be immediately hostile with "Hyde" personalities taunting and trying to coax the "Stixens" to be more like them. It is possible for a "Stixen" to switch to a "Hyde." It is also possible for anyone not affected to try and snap the other out of it, or at least convince those who are under "Hyde" influence to focus their violence on other problems instead of each other. A solid hit to the head will work wonders.

¶ II. Creepy Crawlers. There is an abundance of abominations roaming through the city—failed creations that will attack anyone on sight. The robotic reindeer are still around and will try to aid in clearing them out, but some will actually be consumed and mutate instead.

  • There's another reason to destroy the abominations: any not killed will be captured by an Eraser and loaded into one of the many airships to fly towards a darkened space in the sky. For what reason is unclear, but it's best not to wait and find out. Stopping the Erasers and destroying the airships will be paramount.


¶ III. Emergency Book Repair. The very book itself is starting to tear apart and it worsens after the final battle scene. Buildings starting to crumble, Blots disintegrating, even the very ground ripping open. If this keeps up the story will be destroyed. Fortunately, the Aspects aren't left helpless. Ribbons made of white light and runic symbols appear here and there as if trying to help "stitch" things together. Using their Essences, Aspects can find these "ribbons" and gather them to spread over other places. Use of Essence abilities will also help with patching things up, as if the use of them is reaffirming the story’s existence itself. Buildings will start to be repaired, cracks in the earth sealed over, and possibly blots restored, though some of the construction work may be a little patchy. That building wasn’t always partially made of straw or gingerbread, but it might be now!


¶ IV. Wildcard. Make up your own prompt!




meowbel: (Beautiful Killer)

[personal profile] meowbel 2021-01-04 11:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[With that, she wasted no time in trying to patch up the holes with the ribbons. As she does so, she looked back at him with a worried look.]

You're telling me, this place is scared to scare me.

[Pause] And I do mean really really scare me.
allegedprisoner: Paramore: Decode (For I knew that I'd have him)

[personal profile] allegedprisoner 2021-01-05 02:35 am (UTC)(link)
Heh... [ He's patching up a part of a wall as he speaks. ] If that's really the case, consider yourself lucky. Things seem to have been going downhill since... Erm... For a while now, I mean.

[ How long have they been here? There's some light at the end of the tunnel, but... ]

I wonder why that is?
meowbel: (Thriller)

[personal profile] meowbel 2021-01-05 02:21 pm (UTC)(link)
I’m not sure but it is making me worried about what’s going to happen to everyone here.

[She said all the while fixing the hole with the ribbon. As it continues to glow, the girl couldn’t help but pout a little]

This storyteller better get it together, I don’t need to go back home with dimensional tears! It’ll rip apart the fabric of time and space!!
allegedprisoner: (that still kept immaculate time)

[personal profile] allegedprisoner 2021-01-05 10:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He pauses to think... ]

... We should be fine. I hope. But I'm not sure if we should be blaming that Storyteller for this... Whatever it is. Didn't he say a third party was responsible for destroying the stories in the first place?
meowbel: (Cinderella)

[personal profile] meowbel 2021-01-05 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
I think so but at this point, I don't really trust them. With everything going on, how do I not know they won't secretly turn on me and send us into some intergalactic world travel again?

[She said narrowing her eyes a little]

allegedprisoner: Paramore: Decode (I tell you that clockwork's a powerful t)

[personal profile] allegedprisoner 2021-01-07 12:38 am (UTC)(link)
. . .

[ He regards her with a slightly nervous look in his eyes. ]

That's a bit of a stretch, don't you think?
meowbel: (Cinderella)

[personal profile] meowbel 2021-01-07 01:46 pm (UTC)(link)
You never know! All the weird space and time travel can really mess with you! I'm not even sure if what I'm seeing is real anymore!

[She gave a pout before crossing her arms]

Between you and me, I'm starting to be convinced this is a fever dream!
allegedprisoner: (But you think that I can't see)

[personal profile] allegedprisoner 2021-01-07 04:01 pm (UTC)(link)
... Hm. [ He goes to finish patching up the crack he was working on as he tries to think...

Ignore the weird metal patch in the wall as he turns to face her. ]
Wouldn't you be able to tell if this was a dream?
meowbel: (Starlight Moonlight)

[personal profile] meowbel 2021-01-07 11:38 pm (UTC)(link)
I guess based on how much I hurt but I just don't know anymore.

[She said with a sigh before looking around to see if there is another crack.]

You ever get the feeling what you're seeing isn't real or you're just worried you're losing your mind? I'm starting to understand why time or world traveling really gets to you.
allegedprisoner: (And know it was me)

[personal profile] allegedprisoner 2021-01-08 06:17 am (UTC)(link)
[ May as follow her... ]

Well... I've never doubted my senses, but sometimes-- One moment!

[ Treasure senses are tingling, excuse him so he can run off to pick them up.

At least he returns quickly with a handful of glowy ribbons. ]


Right... What were you asking about again? Something about going mad?
meowbel: (Bet You Wanna)

[personal profile] meowbel 2021-01-08 10:48 am (UTC)(link)
Well don’t mind if I do!

[She said before attempting to pick one of the ribbons before attempting to twirl it around!]

But anyway, it feels like I’m going mad here! I nearly tried to kill someone and then when I stepped out the scene? Everyone’s just as equally cray-cray here! It feels like I’m the weird one.
allegedprisoner: (On my own)

[personal profile] allegedprisoner 2021-01-08 07:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He... Slowly nods. ]

I can't say I know why people are losing control of themselves out here, but... I think the Hyde role makes people act horrible during the scene? At least that's what someone who played Hyde wrote in the journal some time back.
meowbel: (Without You)

[personal profile] meowbel 2021-01-09 01:26 am (UTC)(link)
Oh trust me, I know. I was Hyde and I was not a happy camper about that! And whatever is going on, it's also making people equally all Hyde like too!

[She said before attempting to twirl around the ribbon furiously to show off how mad she was!]

It's making me wonder why I'm not Hyde like now! I'm not losing my mind that I'm being normal here, right?
allegedprisoner: (and I looked up and smiled)

[personal profile] allegedprisoner 2021-01-09 02:12 am (UTC)(link)
. . . If it's any consolation, I'm almost completely sure I'm in my right mind at the moment.

[ Almost, because you're making him question his own sanity. ]

I'm sure things will be alright once we finish with the scenes and patching things up.
meowbel: (Dress Up)

[personal profile] meowbel 2021-01-09 11:00 am (UTC)(link)
I hope so because I don't want to lose my mind here! I've seen it happen to my Grunkle and I'm not having any of that!

[She said before twirling said ribbon around Luca]

And that goes for you too, mister!
allegedprisoner: (Who his downfall was planned by)

[personal profile] allegedprisoner 2021-01-09 02:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Aaand a distressed 12 year old has captured him with a glowy ribbon. Okay, uh. This may as well happen, considering everything else. ]

Heh heh heh... Don't worry, I've got everything under control!
meowbel: (Volume Up)

[personal profile] meowbel 2021-01-09 09:51 pm (UTC)(link)
You sure? Because you sure don't have control over this!

[She said as she continue to twirl said ribbon around him!]
allegedprisoner: Paramore: Decode (With hands good as any)

[personal profile] allegedprisoner 2021-01-09 10:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He can't help but laugh at her antics. ]

I said it's fine~! Hehehe!
meowbel: (Ring Ding Dong)

[personal profile] meowbel 2021-01-09 11:41 pm (UTC)(link)
You are?

[She couldn't help but giggle along] Because I don't think you are for someone who is laughing a lot!
allegedprisoner: Paramore: Decode (Took a shine to a timepiece)

[personal profile] allegedprisoner 2021-01-10 06:46 am (UTC)(link)
Hah! Says the girl who's making me laugh!
meowbel: (Sour Candy)

[personal profile] meowbel 2021-01-10 11:05 am (UTC)(link)
And there's nothing wrong with that! Looks like you definitely know how to unwind and relax once in a while too here!
allegedprisoner: (he would forget to check)

[personal profile] allegedprisoner 2021-01-10 05:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Heh heh... Yeah... Guess I do.

[ Whelp. Perhaps laughter is the best medicine. He's in better spirits now, at least. ]
meowbel: (Beautiful Killer)

[personal profile] meowbel 2021-01-10 09:45 pm (UTC)(link)
See, I knew you could do it!

[As she gotten the ribbon off of him, that's when she started to fix whatever cracks were around]

But I'm just glad we're able to start laughing at everything. I was worried we couldn't.
allegedprisoner: (I can't win your losing fight)

[personal profile] allegedprisoner 2021-01-11 01:55 am (UTC)(link)
[ Awww... Such a sweet girl she is. ]

Heh heh... I told you we'd be fine, didn't I?

[ Oh, right. He was going to repair more things. Let's use these glowing ribbons on... That crack over there, yes. ]
meowbel: (Magic Drag)

[personal profile] meowbel 2021-01-11 10:29 am (UTC)(link)
[For a moment, Mabel looked at Luca and then back at the ribbon. She didn't really know if she should believe him but if they going to be stuck here? She sighed before attempting to fix a few more cracks.]

Yeah, I think so. [That being said, she gave her hand out to him.] By the way, thanks for listening to me. Seems like the both of us could have used it.

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