realmofstories | Chapter 02: Act I

Tale of the Bamboo Cutter: Act I—

§ instructions.

The first Act of our second campaign 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. Finally, it is okay to assume that a base camp of sorts is made in that central location. Like the Sub Quests, there is no specific toplevel for it, but players are free to incorporate it in their own.

As a reminder, characters will find similar information and instruction within their journals so they won't go in blind. Also to note, all characters will have all their belongings within them as well as the additional supplies provided to them by the Storyteller. In addition, they will experience a general wardrobe change upon arriving into the Draft to match the general feudal Japanese aesthetic, but you don't have to be too strict about it. Characters in Main Scenes will have a second wardrobe change while acting the scene. Outfits will be provided in the prompts themselves, and these outfits will only be in affect during the scene. The moment they leave the setting area, they return to their other wardrobe.

Finally, just to be clear, characters who are in Main Scenes are not immediately dropped in to their location and will have to travel to the "setting location" 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. So those on Prince Quests, they can wait a day or two before setting out, and after completing their journey, they can rest another day or two before going with Kaguya to be judged.

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 toplevels, so you're free to incorporate them however you wish in your own top level.

¶ I. Base Camp. Help set up, clear out, and protect the central location so that it can be used for a base camp. No one knows how long they'll be here, but it's going to be a few days, perhaps weeks. Time passes strangely within stories, after all. Although the Storyteller's magic will help offer some basic protection, there are still dangers that lurk outside of the forest and the occasional Blot monster or Eraser may try to harass those waiting behind. There's at least plenty of camping supplies, from tents and tools to food and medicine.

¶ II. Find the Gold Nuggets and Precious Stones. Hidden within the stalks of bamboo are golden nuggets and precious stones. To find them, characters will have to find red lined bamboo to cut down. One would think that would be easy when everything is monochrome in color, but the red lines will also be very dull and subdue and obscured by everything else. As to why they must be found, they are actually used to help plant new bamboo stalks to help regrow the forest and bring back life and color to the world. Thus after finding them, clear a patch and plant them.

Note: each gold nugget will provide some small healing to any injured and will have an additional boost in purifying the ground upon planting. It's all right for characters to hold onto a few gold nuggets, but do not be greedy!

¶ III. Eliminate Threats.As said on the tin, this forest needs a lot of culling. Just beware, the Erasers and Blots are dangerous and draw upon the forms they've taken on—from traditional Japanese demons to wild, dangerous animals. As more threats are cleared, the easier it will be to restore the forest as well. Destroying the Erasers and Blots will automatically revive the portions they had been "haunting" and make it easier to replant the bamboo.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The tease just earns him a wider, cockier grin.]

Please. I can do this blindfolded.

[He turns back to the Erasers, readjusting his grip on the swords.]

Come on!

[That just gets him a laugh as he shifts his own stance.]

They won't know what hit 'em!

[Tag team time? TAG TEAM TIME. Time to show these Erasers and Blots what these two Aspects are truly made of!

Dual-combo attacks, y/y?]

[TAG TEAM TIME! Roxas was all for dual-combo attacks, and when Rokurou rushes in, Roxas rushes in after him.]

[The two are a flurry of spinning blades and slashes, and true to his word Roxas is able to keep up. Sure he didn't have his Light powers like he did back home, but he still swung and slashed at the Erasers with a lethal skill one might not expect of a teen.]

[Surely they're racking up a lot of experience points that will lead to their eventual level up, right??

But after their masterful execution of their enemies, the two are left standing amidst a field of carnage which will eventually dissipate. But despite all the black ~~blood~~ ink everywhere, already they can see some of the withered bamboo clearing up and other areas starting to purify itself.

Twirling his blades to clear off the black ink, he looks around with a grin.]

Nice job! Looks like we really cleared out a large area.

[Enough experience points that would for sure lead to a level up, and maybe a little extra on top.]

[Once the enemies are dispatched, Roxas looks around the field, half-expecting more enemies to show up; he's breathing a little hard, but he's ready to keep going if need be. When no more enemies appear he straightens, his posture growing a little more relaxed as he flicks black ink off of his blades.]

Yeah, looks like it. Thanks for the help.

[Just need to rest somewhere for some bonus modifier—wait wrong franchise.]

Heh, no problem. It's always fun to fight a bunch of enemies. Looks like you got a new weapon since the last time, too.

[Roxas nods and holds up one of his swords for Rokurou to inspect.]

Yeah, I picked them up in the Index before coming here. I don't have a Keyblade and I can't expect to always be near water, right? I'd rather be prepared.

[He leans in to take a good look and grins in approval.]

They look like good blades, too. But you have to be near water for your powers?

Not all of them, no. But I learned how to make weapons out of water, and haven't mastered doing so without being near some yet.

[It was fun learning his new skills, but he could recognize areas that needed developing.]

Whoa, seriously? Weapons out of water? How does that work?

I sort of sing to the water, and use the magic to shape the water into a weapon.

[...trust him it is way cooler than it sounds.]

It's not a real Keyblade, but it's a solid weapon.

So it's an actual solid weapon made out of water. ...I'm definitely going to need to see this.

[Because. What. How?? Ice he could imagine, but solid water??? Guess that's part of the magic.

Also, trying to not comment about the whole "singing to the water" bit—]

Yep. I can show you once we get back to the camp.

[Don't ask about the singing part. It's still weird, even if Roxas admits its usefulness.]

What kind of songs do you have to sing?

[Yeah, no, he couldn't help but ask and with that teasing tone, too.]

[He hears that tone, and it makes Roxas's expression morph more into a Look.]

Whatever comes to mind? I only know a couple of songs, so I've just been using those

Just be glad I'll wait until we get back to camp instead of asking you to throw a performance right now.

Oh, thanks.

[His tone is more sarcastic than grateful, but he's glad he doesn't have to sing right now. He's getting used to humming and singing to himself, but doing so around people was something he still had to get used to. He wasn't Sora, after all.]

Just try not to walk into the river when I do start singing.

Edited 2019-04-08 15:00 (UTC)

Why would I want to walk in the river?

When I sing, people are... drawn to it. One of the villagers heard me and almost walked right into the river when I was first practicing.

...Yeah, that's not creepy at all.

[Yes it is.]

Yeah. It's why I'm more careful when I practice my voice now.

[He knows, Rokurou. He knows.]

Heh, but thanks for the warning.

But what happens if you don't have water around you? Or do you just have to always carry a bottle or something with you all the time?

Well, for the water stuff, yeah, I have to be near water. But I don't need water to use my voice; I've been practicing it in the woods outside my house.

I just don't really know what else it can do, aside from lure people closer.

[He hasn't gained enough EXP to learn a new skill yet.]

Hm... Have you tried it on any monsters? I wonder if you can do similar back when the Erasers were attacking the town. You know, the boxes with the deafening noise?

I know the harpies in my world could charm and distract their prey with their voice, too.

...I don't think I have, no.

[And the way he says it, it's clear it's something he hasn't even considered.]

Think I could do something like that?

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