Chapter 02: Act I

[keeperoftales]

Tale of the Bamboo Cutter: Act I—

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§ 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.

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§ 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]

[As one hand grips the cliffside, his other hand was already resting on the hilt of his sword.] Of course not.

[ It's time to play~
He grits his teeth. Flying beasts are definitely not his concern. As lightning strikes, it brightens the dark sky for a moment and revealing shadowy silhouettes of flying creatures hidden in the clouds. Looked like there was just two of them.] Let's at least try to sneak pass them if we can. [Better to conserve their energy for the real challenge at the end.]

[fifthforce]

Sneaking, huh? Well, I guess that'd be for the best.

[ She barely hides her disappointment, but she's still agreeing. After all-- ]

We've got some huge dragon to take out at the end, right? No need to waste our energy on the small fry ...

[ The storm is enough of an energy drain as it is. With that, she nods toward some of the taller rocks littering the road up the mountain. They'd need to be careful about their movements, but if they used rocks like these as cover, they'd probably be okay. ]

[chippedsoul]

[He can see what she's going for and nods.] Hold on. [He pulls a small pouch from his bag. Inside will be small marble shaped objects.]

In case a fight does break out and I turn on you, use these.

[fifthforce]

[ She stops! ... And blinks at the bag, though she does take it and looks inside. ]

... Okay. [ Time to put it away before the bag gets drenched. ] So, what do mean by turning on me? If you've got some sort of weird quirk I should know about, tell me now.

[chippedsoul]

[He sighs. He has to explain, doesn't he?]

My essence is of a doctor who has two personalities. His violent side likes to make his appearance when I'm in a fight. It'll attack anyone, friend or foe, it doesn't matter to that thing.

[fifthforce]

Well now. That's not good!

[ That's putting it lightly. At least she's hearing about this now and not as it's happening, though. Still, this does make things more complicated ... ]

So if you come after me, I throw these marble-things at you? I'd really like to avoid killing my new squire if I can.

[chippedsoul]

[He huffs.] They release a chemical that can knock someone out upon contact. The only thing you have to worry about, is not getting caught in it as well. [He moves up along the path.] Let's keep going.

[fifthforce]

That's really important to know! I'll be careful about it then ...

[ Geez! That could've gone badly if she didn't know! But she does now, and beyond an annoyed pout, she lets out a breath and marches on up the path.

The lesser dragons stick to their patrol routes, and for now aren't noticing them as they move, but if they get anywhere close to one - even if they're entirely out of sight - it will stop and start sniffing around. Lucky for them, the rain makes it a harder for them to be sniffed out, but they'll still need to be careful. ]

[chippedsoul]

[If there's one thing the Disciple is good at outside of a fight, it's keeping quiet. If only he could see the terrain better in this weather-] Ah- [He slips on a loose rock, but manages to keep himself from tumbling to his potential death. A lesser dragon screeches as it flies nearby.]

Move. [Lightning flashes across the sky, revealing their shadows along the mountainside.] In here. [There was an opening into a small cave they could hide in just ahead and hope the dragon flies pass them.]

[fifthforce]

[ Hoo boy does seeing Disciple slip like that startle her. She starts to reach out for him, but he keeps himself together it seems like - good. The dragon's screech makes her automatically reach for her sword, but getting directed toward the cave stops her from actually drawing it. ]

Got it.

[ She hurries along into that little cave, just missing the dragon landing nearby to check around. It doesn't seem like it's realizing where they actually went, and may very well just fly away, but ...

Well, if Disciple looks at her, he'll see Musashi eyeing that dragon like a cat looking for any excuse possible to pounce. Her hand is gripping one of her swords as well. She could totally take this thing! But she should probably save her strength, right? And this was an important mission, not something she should be screwing around on. Ugh. ]

C'mon ... Fly away or get closer already ...!

[chippedsoul]

[He's looking between her and the opening, the storm deafening the dragon's approach. It's outline suddenly appears as it sniffed around, stopping in front of the cave. It remains standing there, looking around. The Disciple raises a his hand, warning her not to do or say anything.

Eventually, for what felt like an eternity, the dragon starts to move on. The Disciple doesn't move though, waiting to see if it'll change it's mind and turn back around.]

[fifthforce]

[ She looks frustrated, but she keeps her mouth shut when Disciple motions to. Once it seems the dragon is out of sight, she lets out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. It doesn't seem like the dragon's coming back, but it will be more wary of potential intruders. They'll need to be more careful. ]

... I think it's gone now.

[ She finally takes her hand off her sword, imprints from the hilt still on her fingers from how hard she was gripping it. ]

Let's try to get through this quickly, okay? It might not give up on us so easily next time.

[chippedsoul]

[He looks to her, nodding. He barely takes a few steps when a dragon's head suddenly pops in from the opening.]

Grk! [He ducks out of the way, drawing out his blade in one motion. Looked like it knew they were there and was just waiting for them to get close enough for it to grab them. It certainly manage to tear a bit of fabric from the Disciple's outfit. It was just big enough to squish itself in, but just barely. So the front half was inside while the back half was stuck outside.]

[fifthforce]

[ Musashi's startled when the dragon suddenly reappears, drawing both of her blades the moment she sees that Disciple is out of the way. ]

Ugh ... Sorry, sorry! I could've sworn it ...

[ She shakes her head, moving into an attack stance. ]

Stupid thing! That's my squire you're chomping on!

[ With that, she all but launches herself at it to attack, wasting no time. Having this huge, barely-fits thing bearing down on them in a small cave like this can easily end poorly. ]

[chippedsoul]

[Were they not threatened to be this dragon's lunch, he would tell her off for apologizing. The dragon snaps at them as the Disciple swings his sword to knock it back. There's a loud clang as steel meets scales. Of course a dragon would have natural armor.]

The belly! [Dragons aren't real, but fictional works usually mention their underbellies are their weak spots. Maybe it applies to these?]

[fifthforce]

[ Having gotten knocked back after her dual blades bounced off the dragon's scales, she quickly nods. ]

On it!

[ Musashi doesn't know the significance of dragons and their weak spots in stories, but Disciple comes across as someone who generally knows what they're talking about, so she decides to trust him on it.

Dodging around a swipe from the beast, Musashi manages to land a neat, horizontal slash right around the start of it's underside. Success - it lets out a loud roar of pain from the strike! ... Unfortunately, she's immediately driven back as it tries to slam it's head down on her. If nothing else, they now know for sure that Disciple's guess was correct. ]

[chippedsoul]

[The Disciple will be there to keep her steady as she moves back. He takes aim and thrust his sword forward, aiming for it's eye while it's head was closer. The attempt ends up being a success, stabbing it in the eye.

It rears it's head back in pain, hitting the ceiling of the small cave and knocking some loose rocks. That wasn't good. If they keep this up in here, they could cause a cave in. I can push it back, we can. He shakes his head. No, there are other means. This was reckless, but it may be enough to push the dragon back. He lunges forward to swipe at it's now exposed belly, attempting to push it further back.]

[fifthforce]

[ A cave in is a worry shared by Musashi, who glances up at the ceiling with a glare. They need to either drive this thing back or kill it right here and now. As Disciple goes in for a swipe, Musashi closes in to follow it up hoping the additional hits serve to back it up even further than it might've otherwise done.

Which does appear to be working in this instance, as the dragon starts pulling itself back. ... Unfortunately, it's not exactly being careful as it does so, smacking the sides and top of the cave as it flails around. ]

[chippedsoul]

[Be nice if the dragon just got itself killed in these cave, but without them still in it. The dragon didn't seem to care of the situation it was putting itself in, enraged at the pesky insects that have wounded it. It's maw start to flicker with light.]

-!! Seriously?! [Not only are they're being threatened to get burned to death, that'll definitely bring down the cave. Come on, let me fight! I'll kick it out of here no problem and we can get a move on! He grits his teeth. He knows full well the strength this monster carries.

Go on...you don't want it to end here, do you?] ...One hit. [He speaks under his breath. The next moment he was laughing quietly, swinging his free arm back, curling his fingers into a fist.] One hit's all I need! [The Disciple lands a clean punch into the dragon, and like a cork, pops the dragon out of the cave, the entrance now open to them once more.] Time to go~! [And not consider that maybe all the commotion might have attracted other dragons nearby.]

[fifthforce]

[ ... You know, she'd be a lot more weirded out by all this if the change didn't come with this guy literally punching out the dragon. She's still stunned by what she just saw, but getting out and not fried up is way higher on her list of things to give a damn about right now. ]

Er, okay ...?!

[ Out she goes, following along! Seeing one of their comrades getting socked out of the way did indeed attract the other dragons attentions, and their roars can be heard all but echoing throughout the mountainside, just barely covered up by the thunder rolling through. While a fight did feel like a good idea earlier, Musashi's kind of cursing this whole idea right about now. One dragon at a time is one thing, but a bunch at once is suicide, and Miyamoto Musashi is Not Interested when they've still got a much bigger target further up the way. She'd try to get away with playing dead if she didn't already know these things would probably just eat her anyway.

She assesses the situation over the course of a few seconds, then start dashing ahead, up the mountain path. ]

Come on, book it and ignore them! We don't have the means to be careful anymore!

[chippedsoul]

[He sees all these dragons and feels the opposite. Wonder how he'd hold up against a bunch of dragons? He could probably take them.] Oh, I suppose we should.

[There's an even bigger dragon to fight at the end right? He catches up with her and grabs her by the arm.] Well keep up then! [He's moving even faster??]

[fifthforce]

[ Maybe if there wasn't a big one up ahead! But yeah Disciple is alone in that camp at the moment. Though she IS confused and alarmed when Switched Disposition Boy suddenly grabs her arm and forces her to speed up even more. ]

Hey, don't grab me so suddenly!

[ She's going to try her best to keep pace with him, but is still lagging behind just slightly. She's fast and has excellent stamina, but Disciple's got the advantage here for now.

As long as they make it up the mountain without slipping or running directly into one the lesser dragons that are currently chasing after them, they'll be just fine. Maybe a small mercy that their new outfits gave them some nice boots to go along with it. ]

[chippedsoul]

Would you rather I carry you? [With how much slower she's going compared to him, he may just do that without her permission anyway. Despite the rough terrain and the weather, it doesn't seem to hinder the Disciple much. It's as if he could actually see through the storm all of the sudden.]

[fifthforce]

What?!

[ She's not sure if she should feel embarrassed or like she's being made fun of-- Oh wait. ]

You know what ... Yeah, sure!

[ But there's no need to yank her off her feet in this situation. She'd nearly forgotten about her small wooden mallet, tied to her waist this whole time. Pulling it out, she lunges towards Disciple, and ...!!

Seemingly disappears entirely.

... Except not really. Musashi is there, now approximately an inch tall, clinging to his arm for dear life and wondering if she really did just make a good choice here. But hey, at least carrying her will be significantly easier now! ]

[chippedsoul]

What? [He was expecting her to refuse, so it throws him off when she doesn't, even more so when she appears to have disappeared.] Hey, where did-- [He stops, turning around with confusion. Even his new vision couldn't see her anywhere, or maybe if he actually looked at his arm he'd realize she was right there.]

Are you invisible?! [Well, he suppose that's one way to avoid the dragons but...]