Chapter 02: Act I

[keeperoftales]

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.

Comments

[chippedsoul]

Eh? [He stops, his head tilting in the darkness.] But it's not even that dark in here. [Yes it is.]

Your eyesight must be terrible. Mine adjusted just fine.

[fifthforce]

[ She turns toward him, frowning and whispering more harshly. ]

My eyesight is just fine ...! [ ... sigh. She starts patting her outfit, hoping it came with a set of matches or something. Which it does not. ] Ugh ... I guess it'd be awkward to hold a match and a sword at the same time. So in that case ...!

[ She stops patting herself and points at Disciple. ]

You take the lead.

[chippedsoul]

[He crosses his arm, pondering at the suggestion.] Hehe, if you say so.

[He hums a tune as he approaches her.] How about I give you a lift while we're at it too? [He plans to carry her over his shoulder if she doesn't stop him.]

[fifthforce]

[ Seeing him approach makes her take a step back before holding her ground with a glare. ]

Are you just looking for excuses to touch me? I'll stick to walking.

[chippedsoul]

[It might be hard to tell he's smiling in the darkness.] Then you best watch your step, or I'll be sure to catch you if you fall.

[That should be a kind gesture, but when it's coming from Hyde...he walks on ahead of her. He'll "lead" the way, and that's the most he'll do, not even bothering to tell her there might be a skeleton she could trip over and such. Also he's not doing a great job keeping close within her vision. Best not to lose sight of him.]

[fifthforce]

How sweet.

[ She doesn't sound impressed, and fully doubts the sincerity of it, coming from him. While her eyes are starting to adjust a little more to the darkness, she does stumble a little from time to time over rocks or remains here and there, but manages to keep her balance for the most part. The only real hint to when she's starting to lag behind will be a frustrated grumble, but for the most part she's keeping up decently enough.

It's a bit distant, but there's the sound of something very large moving around up ahead. Musashi's already moving a hand to one of her sword hilts, though they still have a little ways to go before they reach the source. ]

[chippedsoul]

[Decently, or were her eyes playing tricks on her?] Behind you~ [Hyde's voice whispers into her ear as he goes to grip her shoulders from behind.]

[fifthforce]

[ BOY WHY ]

--?!

[ Musashi freezes on the spot, then glares over her shoulder at him. This guy was really getting on her last nerve ... If she wasn't focused on not messing up this story or making this trip harder on herself, she'd consider killing him even more seriously than she already is. ]

... You're not my type, you know. Your flirting does nothing for me.

[ She sincerely doubts he's flirting but joking around is the only way to stop her from considering a team kill here.

Just need him to help her with this dragon ... or get into a well-lit area. Either one will do, then she'll nail him with one of those marble things for sure. ]

[chippedsoul]

[Because it's amusing to this creep. He's going invade her personal space even more by pressing his head against hers.]

Oooh, I do enjoy the hard to get ones. [One his hands slides down along her body. It's as if he's trying to find something. Hope she hid those marbles really well.] I just need a little something from you, that's all.

[fifthforce]

[ Thankfully for her, she did. It's hiding right between her breasts underneath her shirt, so as long as he doesn't decide to tear her damn shirt off, he's not about to find anything.

Musashi's not about to let him keep feeling her up either, especially not with him saying something like that. There's only one thing he could be talking about, and with how creepy he's been, she does NOT want him getting his hands on it.

She's very roughly trying to tear herself away from him. ]

The only thing you need is my skills as a swordsman, idiot! Now, we have a dragon to face, so focus ...!

[chippedsoul]

[Her attempts to free herself are met with an iron grip.]

Oh, yes of course! Just give me what I want and we'll get going. Simple, right? [There was an edge to the playfulness in his voice. Now his arms were wrapped around her, with all the arrogance and confidence that he could overpower her easily if she rejects him again. Forget the dragon, he's having fun right now.]

[fifthforce]

Tch ...!

[ This guy is way too strong. He's got too much of an advantage while she's like this, and with how gross he's being ... she figures it's a matter of time before he goes for her chest. She needs to get out of here, now.

She's still struggling against him, all the while sliding her hand toward the mallet tied at her waist. Though her struggling might not even be necessary as a distraction from what she's actually trying to do - that "something large" she heard moving up ahead? It's starting to get closer, and louder.

Seems they may be making too much noise here. ]

[chippedsoul]

[The man is practically breathing down her neck when he heard the noise. There's a pause as he listens. He still can't see the beast, not yet.]

...Tch. [He finally relents his hold on her, taking a few steps ahead of her to see if he could find their uninvited guest.] What a pain. I guess it's too much to ask for a little privacy. [And he was just enjoying himself.]

[fifthforce]

[ Musashi has never been so glad for a huge monster lumbering it's way toward them. Not only because she's finally been let go, but because BOY OH BOY does she have some steam to release right about now.

She makes a disgusted noise, wanting SO BADLY to use those marbles on him right now, but that'd do nothing but screw her over. Just a little longer, just need to bear him a bit longer ...

The dragon sure is taking it's sweet time heading their way, though in a minute or so, it should start becoming visible - though Hyde will likely be able to see it sooner than that. ]

[chippedsoul]

[He sure does spot it and....that is a big dragon. The ground would shake with every step it took. Even he's not too sure he could fend off a dragon this big. And there, wrapped around it's neck was that jewel they were supposed to take. Of course.]

Oi, over here. [He whispers as he moves towards the cave wall. There's a large rock they could hide themselves behind to their left along the cave wall.]

[fifthforce]

[ She doesn't want to follow! ... But it's better than a giant dragon roasting her on the spot, so with a quick second of hesitation, she follows along to hide as well. ]

Now what ...?

[ Well, she can think of at least one thing - using most of the marbles on the dragon to knock it out - but she'd rather not draw Disciple's attention back to her and them again. Keeping her mouth closed and her ideas to herself for now. ]

[chippedsoul]

[He hums quietly. Beat the shit out of the dragon obviously, but...he's got his head straight enough to know he's got a limit. If he just had a little bit more strength...] I can't tempt you to go small again, can I?

[She could probably get the jewel loose from it's neck. While he waits for an answer, he picks up a piece of bone laying nearby and with a good throw, manages to toss it somewhere behind the dragon. Maybe that's enough to turn it's attention away.]

[fifthforce]

[ She narrows her eyes at him, then looks back at the dragon as it turns it's attention away from them. It may still be dark, but she can clearly see the gem around it's neck.

If she's quick enough while small, she could force it loose with a decisive strike. And there's only one person who'd be able to throw her tiny self over ... Ugh. ]

... Fine. I don't like it but I'll do it.

[ She holds onto the rock, then after gripping her mallet, instantly changes to her 3 centimeter high size. Currently standing on a small nook in the rock face, she glares up at him. ]

Throw me at it's neck. Don't miss.

[chippedsoul]

[Oh, she actually listened. His smile widens.] Of course. ❤

[He gives her a few finger pats on the head, before wrapping his fingers around her. He's clearly too excited about this. The dragon's attention was still somewhere behind it. Betting it'll keep it's head turn, he takes aim and gives her a good toss. She should be within range of it's neck, maybe not close enough to the jewel, but not too far off.]

[fifthforce]

[ Gross ... He's enjoying this too much and she hates everything about this.

Thanks to the accurate throw, Musashi's nice and close to where the jewel is now - or at least, within sight of it. Drawing one sword, she stares right at it, waiting for a pause in the dragon's movement. And once it does ...

There's a weird feeling in the air. As if what comes next is the only possible result there could be, and every other possibility has been suddenly removed. Musashi very suddenly launches herself at the jewel, taking a oddly perfect strike right where the jewel connects to the dragon's neck, instantly dislodging it. As she and the jewel fall away from it's neck, Musashi restores her size and, if Disciple's paying attention, he may notice that her normally grey eyes seem to be glowing an odd purple-ish blue for a quick moment there.

She's likely to hit the ground pretty hard as a result of her actions, and will need to scramble the hell out real quick if she doesn't want that dragon immediately retaliating, but she does have the jewel in her hand at least. ]

[chippedsoul]

[It's a good thing the Disciple is no slouch and was keeping a watch on the situation while Musashi was away. The dragon doesn't seem to have very good eyesight in the darkness, but it could probably smell they were there. It agitates it enough for it to realize too late when the jewel is detached from it's neck.

As it looks to where it's precious had fallen, that's when Hyde jumps into action. He doubts he'll be able to be effective knocking it in the scales, so he aims a punch right into it's eye. That was enough to cause the dragon to reel back in pain, knocking it's head against the cave walls and causing some lose rocks to fall.

All this and still managing to catch dear Musashi in his arms.] Hey there. Nice work getting the prize.

[fifthforce]

[ Being too wrapped up in using her Mystic Eyes on the dragon to make damn sure her ridiculous leaping slash would actually be successful even if she's not actually aware she was using them, Musashi doesn't actually realize Disciple was rushing over to do his own assist as well until she sees the dragon suddenly jerk it's head away.

Of course she landed right in his arms. She's some amount of grateful for not having to deal with getting slammed into the rocks for her actions, but ... Ugh. UGH. If he weren't so ... HIM, she'd be impressed and flattered he took the time to catch her, but alas.

Instead, she grips the jewel and forces a smirk. ]

Of course. If I intend to do something, I do it.

[ There's an awkward pause. She's expecting him to put her down. ]

[chippedsoul]

[Nope. He intends to carry her towards the exit. It's faster this way, right? That dragon isn't going to remain stunned forever afterall. At least he's not reaching for any weird places, yet.]

It was certainly something else! [It's hard to see what her tiny self was doing, but that odd glint in her eyes when she returned to normal size was something interesting there.]

[fifthforce]

Yep. Sure was ... You got a good hit in too.

[ ... ... ... Welp. She's just going to get carried right on out then, huh. For right now, she's allowing it. He's the one who can see in the dark between the two of them, and he moves a lot faster too. Anything that'll get them away from the dragon faster. While he runs, she'll be putting the jewel away into a satchel tied to her waist.

... And after that, casually settling a hand on her mallet. Just in case. ]

[chippedsoul]

Heh, dragons may be made of tough stuff, but it's not impervious to harm everywhere. [The dragon roars angrily on cue.]

Oooops, sounds like I really pissed it off. [He laughs at his own handiwork as they finally reach the exit.] Better hold on tight, my dear~ [Is he going to jump down the mountain? He's totally planning to jump down this mountain.]