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realmofstories2019-02-18 07:01 pm
keeperoftales) wrote in realmofstories2019-02-18 07:01 pm
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Chapter 02: Tale of the Bamboo Cutter
Tale of the Bamboo Cutter—
Sometime after the Tortoise and the Hare Festival, the Aspects received a message from the Storyteller. It was a short message, but it told them of the new story they were about to enter.
For those who needed to acquire supplies or weapons, many of the shopkeepers were informed and gladly provided for whatever they might need. After seeing how long the group had been within the last Draft, the Storyteller was making sure the group was better prepared with more provisions such as food, blankets, camping kits, magical potions and curatives, tools, and other basic traveling supplies were on hand for them. Although things would still change upon entering the Draft, they would at least have additional supplies at their disposal.
Once the appointed time came and everyone had gathered, a white, glowing swirl of letters and characters surrounded the group. In a brilliant flash of light they disappeared, only to reappear outside of the Index and within the vast, black abyss that was the Void, floating within a protective sphere of those shining letters. If they looked, they could see the soft glow of the previously restored Book, A Hollow Christmas Carol, its still brand new Segment shimmering. Other Books remain connected to the Index, but they are very few in number and some looking dark and tattered.
The Book they were heading to no longer existed, at least not in its original form. With the bits and pieces the Storyteller had managed to gather, a new Draft had formed a bit of ways. Rather than having a leather bound appearance like the previous story, the Draft resembled that of an old, traditional manuscript with tattered pages bound by fraying twine. Japanese characters spilled over the paper, the black ink dripping into the Void.
Like before, as the group approached the "cover" flipped open, the torn pages fluttering as they flipped through blank pages. Images flashed before their eyes. Endless forest of bamboo. A beautiful princess. Royal suitors embarking on dangerous quests. A love-struck emperor. An army descending from the moon. The images swirl and blend together as the group entered deeper into the Draft until they finally arrived at the beginning. Words scrolled past, the prologue of the story.
As the final letter passes, the group abruptly landed in the middle of a thick bamboo forest—or what was left of one. Although the bamboo stalks tower over them, almost blocking out the sky, the condition of each varied. A few were thick and strong, but many were wilting, cracked, or outright rotten to the point of breaking or even melting to the ground, black ink-like ooze spilling from within. Shadows could be seen flitting between the stalks, an ominous air and occasional howling and growls heard from the distance. Finally, several paths were marked near from their location, the ground glowing softly in strange characters and each one leading into a direction.
Unlike last time they were all starting together, allowing them to get their bearings first. All color had disappeared, everything appearing in blacks, whites, and grays. Sound itself was also heavily muted so that while they could speak and hear each other, it was hushed, as if cotton was stuffed in their ears. And while they had all of their belongings and supplies, their clothing and appearance had changed slightly to match the setting of the story.
Those who had been chosen to play out certain roles would find their journal glowing and within were instructions to follow. They would need to follow one of the specified paths through the forest to get where they needed to go and experience yet another change when they arrived. But for now at least, they could prepare with another before embarking on their tasks. Those left behind would be tasked to try and heal the withered, broken forest while also culling it of the threats that lurked within.
| Greetings, Aspects, thank you for finding the requested items at the carnival. These items had no real original significance, but they are now imbued with magic that will help you on your next mission. The story I have selected is called Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, a story about a moon princess found by a bamboo cutter and her return to the moon. Unlike the last story, this one is fraught with danger and peril, so please prepare. I will do what I can to offer assistance, but my powers are limited. You will embark on the next full moon, about a week's time. Gather at the Grand Library and like before I will transport you to the Draft. |
 |
For those who needed to acquire supplies or weapons, many of the shopkeepers were informed and gladly provided for whatever they might need. After seeing how long the group had been within the last Draft, the Storyteller was making sure the group was better prepared with more provisions such as food, blankets, camping kits, magical potions and curatives, tools, and other basic traveling supplies were on hand for them. Although things would still change upon entering the Draft, they would at least have additional supplies at their disposal.
Once the appointed time came and everyone had gathered, a white, glowing swirl of letters and characters surrounded the group. In a brilliant flash of light they disappeared, only to reappear outside of the Index and within the vast, black abyss that was the Void, floating within a protective sphere of those shining letters. If they looked, they could see the soft glow of the previously restored Book, A Hollow Christmas Carol, its still brand new Segment shimmering. Other Books remain connected to the Index, but they are very few in number and some looking dark and tattered.
The Book they were heading to no longer existed, at least not in its original form. With the bits and pieces the Storyteller had managed to gather, a new Draft had formed a bit of ways. Rather than having a leather bound appearance like the previous story, the Draft resembled that of an old, traditional manuscript with tattered pages bound by fraying twine. Japanese characters spilled over the paper, the black ink dripping into the Void. Like before, as the group approached the "cover" flipped open, the torn pages fluttering as they flipped through blank pages. Images flashed before their eyes. Endless forest of bamboo. A beautiful princess. Royal suitors embarking on dangerous quests. A love-struck emperor. An army descending from the moon. The images swirl and blend together as the group entered deeper into the Draft until they finally arrived at the beginning. Words scrolled past, the prologue of the story.
Long, long ago there lived a poor, old bamboo cutter. Although he had a loving wife, they had not been blessed with a child and could only make a living from whatever he could make from the bamboo he cut. Until one day he cut a certain stalk of bamboo and a bright flash of light filled the grove. Within the cut bamboo was a tiny young girl, only three inches high. Immediately the bamboo cutter took the child in, and the old couple adopted her as their daughter. Not only would the girl grow up to be a beautiful young woman, but ever since that they every notch of bamboo the old man cut produced small nuggets of gold or precious stones, allowing them to become wealthy and prosperous.
The girl was named Kaguya, and tales of her beauty and wealth spread far and wide. Several princes would vie for her attention and hand in marriage, staying for several seasons just to catch a glimpse of her beauty, but Kaguya was not so easily swayed. It was only out of consideration of her adoptive father that she sent them out on impossible tasks to prove their love.
And that is where our story begins...
As the final letter passes, the group abruptly landed in the middle of a thick bamboo forest—or what was left of one. Although the bamboo stalks tower over them, almost blocking out the sky, the condition of each varied. A few were thick and strong, but many were wilting, cracked, or outright rotten to the point of breaking or even melting to the ground, black ink-like ooze spilling from within. Shadows could be seen flitting between the stalks, an ominous air and occasional howling and growls heard from the distance. Finally, several paths were marked near from their location, the ground glowing softly in strange characters and each one leading into a direction.
Unlike last time they were all starting together, allowing them to get their bearings first. All color had disappeared, everything appearing in blacks, whites, and grays. Sound itself was also heavily muted so that while they could speak and hear each other, it was hushed, as if cotton was stuffed in their ears. And while they had all of their belongings and supplies, their clothing and appearance had changed slightly to match the setting of the story.
Those who had been chosen to play out certain roles would find their journal glowing and within were instructions to follow. They would need to follow one of the specified paths through the forest to get where they needed to go and experience yet another change when they arrived. But for now at least, they could prepare with another before embarking on their tasks. Those left behind would be tasked to try and heal the withered, broken forest while also culling it of the threats that lurked within.