realmofstories | Opening Log: Welcome to the Index + Halloween Festival

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Opening Log: Welcome to the Index + Halloween Festival

Opening Intro Log: October 2018—

§ instructions.
Greetings and welcome to the first intro log for Forgotten Tales! There are no hard and fast rules here. Just include your Character, canon, and essence in the subject line and post away! Network prompts are allowed in the intro log, so feel free to put one in.

In terms of timeline, the intro log can span over several days, so don't feel as if everything has to happen all at once. You are also free to post your own logs at any time, and can even take these prompts for them!

For more information, refer to the accompanying Game Notes.

§ greetings from the storyteller.

It's no surprise that everyone who first enters the Realm of Stories will feel disoriented, especially when their soul is basically fused with that of another. Fortunately, there is someone who is more than willing to explain things—just not physically. Once the initial dizziness and confusion passes, be it through the pages of the journal glowing in their hands or through telepathy, the same "voice" who sought them out and pleaded for their aid will speak.

Greetings, Aspect, for that is what you are now. We thank you for your agreement in helping fight against the Story Eater. For those whom we had to bring in for your own safety—forgive us. Once we have enough power we will return you to your worlds should you so choose.

All of you have been gifted with the essence of a powerful character from one of the many stories now lost to the Story Eater. We did not choose it—it chose you. If you touch the medallion hanging on your journal, its name will be revealed to you and you are welcome to browse through the Grand Library to read their stories.

But time is of the essence. Even now we feel the loss of yet another Book and many more will follow. We will contemplate and decide on a Draft to send you to, so in the meantime, please explore the city and learn what you can. You should have been given everything you will need for your temporary stay here in the Index, and the city residents have been informed of your coming.

Keep your journal close—we will reach out to you again.

The message will remain within the first few pages of the journal, and past it are other informative passages that the newly arrived may find useful. Information such as how to use the journal, local maps of the Index, notable businesses, where they may find their own unique residence, even names of other Aspects who have arrived. And despite the seemingly endless blank pages when rifling through, the journal itself remains thin and light when closed.

So for now, all they can do is wait and learn more about themselves and each other.

§ prompts.

¶ I. Getting to Know Your "New Character." Even after being told by the Storyteller about everything, there's still a lot to learn. There's also the satchel and journal to investigate and figuring out where they live. In any case, firsthand experience and experimentation is the best way to figure things out.

A. Brushing Up on the Lore. Perhaps a trip to the Grand Library to read up on the essence's stories wouldn't be such a bad idea. It might help give the Aspect some ideas as to what they can do. But you know, it would be their luck to have a large tome dedicated to their stories way high up on a top shelf. And the ladder is rusty. Might need some help.
B. Magic Journals. For those of the modern era, needing to write is going to be an interesting exercise. But after reading the instructions, maybe they want to reach out, see who else is out there. Or troll people with dumb doodles.
C. Watch What You're Doing! Testing out a new spell or weapon? Great! Just be mindful of the surroundings—this is all new and no one has thought to create a special training area for everyone (yet). And while most of the locals are happy and hopeful about their potential heroes, broken windows or almost burning one of them won't go over too well.

¶ II. A Halloween Festival. Despite the threat of the Story Eater always looming somewhere outside in the Void, the residents are preparing for the Halloween season. With so many stories either fostering or born from the traditions, it's no surprise that survivors of said ghastly, sometimes fun tales are throwing their all to keep the spirit of their stories alive, especially with help now arriving. What better way to meet the residents than participating and helping out? Might learn a few things about their new abilities, too, and can even put on a different costume.

A. Batty Books. A few well meaning young wizards and witches in training had hoped to spice up the Grand Library with a few flying books. Unfortunately, they were a bit overzealous with their wandwork and now there are hoards of flying books overrunning and ransacking the place. Even worse, books of violent content are attacking, spitting out pages or clamping down on hapless victims. Hard covers are the worst, and watch out for all those paper cuts! Help capture these rogue books so the reverse spell can be cast, but be careful! They are still precious books and can't be damaged! If they are, well... There will be more than a few librarians wailing in mourning and will need to be taken care of.
B. Wild Jack o'Lanterns. Can't have Halloween without those scary pumpkins! Or silly ones if that's your preference. However, a few residents have gotten a little overzealous in their creations. From pumpkins bursting with fire like volcanoes to giant golems bumbling through the streets to some sprouting bat wings and flying all over the place dumping their pumpkin innards or candy corn on unsuspecting victims. Things are definitely getting out of hand, so either find some way to turn the pumpkins back to normal or just outright destroy them. Bonus points if the leftover pieces are collected to make pumpkin pie so nothing is wasted!
C. Beyond the Grave...? What's spookier than haunted graveyards? Graves that actually are haunted. Storybook characters of the skeletal and ghoulish nature have opened their neighborhood for a Fright Night Challenge, happy to use their homes to spook those who dare to tread near. And there are a few openings for volunteers for that night's haunting. Perhaps an Aspect could fit in? Or perhaps they'd like to go through the challenge instead. Just remember everyone is supposed to be friendly so try not to hurt them. Of course, some of the nastier residents might take this an opportunity, in which case anyone is free to bury them.
E. A Haunted Feast. During the evening hours, everyone is invited out to one of the larger plazas of the city for a chance to eat delicious meals prepared by a number of different businesses and volunteers. This is the perfect chance to unwind, mingle with everyone...until some sneaky young ghosts pilfer all the good food and desserts. They even have the gall to steal right off the plate! Try to stop them—or maybe one of the Aspects is among the thieves. If not, there may be a food fight on the horizon.

¶ III. Recreate Some Stories. The main reason the Aspects are in the Realm of Stories is to help restore and recreate the lost books. But it would be good if they got a little practice in how they can do that. While there isn't much to restore here in the Index, there are still plenty of opportunities to get the feel of "acting out" certain roles and scenes in the city. And who knows—maybe these little stories and plays will be written down and filed away in the Grand Library.

A. Make Your Own Horror Story. What's more fitting for Halloween then recreating or even creating frightfully scary stories? From nightmareish to silly, there are a number of storybook characters doing their best to relive their lost stories and could use a few volunteers.

» Roles: 1) ghoulish monsters, 2) unfortunate victims, 3) bloody murderers, 4) the last hero.
» Scenes: a) chasing, b) fighting, c) saving, d) the final blow.

It doesn't matter how the combinations work. Monsters could be fighting murderers to save the hero; heroes could be monsters; monsters could be victims; murderers could be the anti-hero; etc. The scenes can also be either be based on actual stories (perhaps the Aspect's) or just something random. Have fun with it!
B. The Adventures of the Little Scarecrow. In one of the many parks, a few older residents are recounting the favorite children's tale, "The Adventures of the Little Scarecrow," a tale of a little boy scarecrow who leaves his cornfield to explore the world beyond. Small puppets are being used, but it looks like they could have some help. These are elderly folk and their hands aren't what they used to be. Just follow their narration, shouldn't be a problem. Or for those feeling a bit more daring, they can act out the roles instead, even mixing with the puppets for stand-ins.

» Roles: 1) the little boy scarecrow, 2) the scary wolf, 3) the friendly crow, 4) the lost pig.
» Scenes: a) a battle of wit with the crow; b) running from the wolf; c) helping the pig (crow aid optional); d) getting lost with pig and crow; e) return of the wolf; f) back home to the fields (did the others survive??)

There are a lot of variations of how the story can go, just keep in mind it's supposed to be kid friendly.

¶ IV. Exploring the Index. The Index is a large, vast city inhabited by a large variety of characters from numerous stories. Because of this there is no uniform style to the city. One street could look like a normal street plucked out of a Victorian, English fairy tale and then the very next is made of candy. It makes for an interesting mishmash of cultures that somehow manages to get along. Most of the time, at least.

A. House Hunting. Among the items found in the satchel is a set of keys. These keys will magically lead their new owner to the house they will be living in for as long as they are in the Realm of Stories. The home will be styled to fit the essence and the location will also be fitting of that essence. It could be within the main city of the Index, outside of town, underwater, in the air—anywhere! Now if only the keys didn't take their own through...interesting, winding routes. Like through a random bakery or down someone's chimney. Have fun!
B. Decoration Wars. There is one particular section of the city that houses many of the more "ghoulish" storybook characters, and for this Halloween festival they've taken to their storybook roots to pull out the creepiest, ghastliest, and sometimes silliest decorations and themes possible. The thing is, they've become so overzealous that some of those decorations aren't just for show. With everyone on the block already high in competitive spirit, it's a bit of a war zone straight from a horror story as hanging skeletons and floating ghosts fight against one another via throwing pumpkins, rotten eggs, toilet paper, and stale candy to prove they have the scariest house. They may even pull one of the Aspects to try and win points.
C. Pumpkin Carriage Rides. All the taxi and transportation carriages have been changed to fit the season, so there are giant pumpkin carriages drawn through the streets. The horses vary from skeletal, ghostly, and even headless, and while some are genuine, others are just painted to look the part. They still enjoy apples, carrots, and a good scratch on the neck as thanks! Now the insides of the pumpkins are usually clean and look almost like a real carriage, but a few may still have raw pumpkin or giant seeds stuck to the inside. And if someone says the phrase, "Bippity Boppity Boo" they run the risk of the carriage shrinking, expanding, or even changing into something else entirely. Of course, how would they even know of such a phra—oh look at that, someone carved the words in small print on the walls...
D. Shopping Around. Everyone is arriving in a new set of clothes, and some may want to buy something more fitting of their own sense of style. Unfortunately they're going to have to wear something still in line with their essence's style, so compromises will need to be made. But hey, better to have multiple sets of clothes instead of wearing the same one all the time, right? It's not like this is a video game or something.
E. To the Edge. Those who wish to venture out of the city to travel to the edge of the world are free to do so. They may even see remnants of the last Segment pathways that once connected the Index to a lost Book, letters of the destination scratched through. And within the Void they will see scattered, torn pages floating in the far distance, some actually disintegrating into the darkness right before their eyes.

¶ V. Wildcard. Make up your own prompt! Especially in regards to the festival, anything can really happen.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[That answered that, mostly.]

Guns are more common than not where I'm from. That? almost looks like something out of a video game.

[Stated more as fact that dismissive of anything, but that was definitely. Something. A.. gun sword? Huh.]

If you need help with it, not like I've got anything else to do until we get thrown in to this war to save stories. Know my way around various weapons.

[Fingers curled as the shadow at his feet started to darken and shift a little oddly, but it looked like that sudden storm was about to cut loose. No sigh of lightning, just thunder.]

"Video game?" [Just kind of words the phrase slowly as he looks at the gunblade curiously before sheathing it again.]

But if you don't mind, it would be appreciated. Uh—[Again looking up at the ominous looking sky and beginning to wonder if he should take cover.] After you're done, that is.

[He's only supposed to be here observing and having idle conversation, not interrupt the guy, after all.]

Time waster and past time of people all over the world back home, even competitions for who is the best. [He was keeping an eye on that storm as he spoke, attention just a little divided from it.

Was fine with him. Multitasking was something he was used to doing.] Games of different types. Some people have fun while others argue over stuff.

[At least he got a circle of shadow sort of swirling around his feet, eyeing it for a moment before staring off towards a line of trees. Aiming just in front of them—]

Sure thing.

[And with that the storm quieted and he.. sort of sunk down into that swirling pool of shadows

only to appear seconds later where he'd been staring, rising out of a shadow pool, shoulders rolling as he looked himself over. Corner of his mouth twitching in to something of a grin. Good, he could manipulate it in to something he was used to. Make working it in to something more normal for him possible. A few black feathers did scatter when the shadow circle vanished, but hey.

It worked. Maybe he could work on the range another time, pulling it off at all was great.]

...Huh. Sounds interesting. [Just a small thoughtful sound. It actually sounded kind of fun, especially the whole competitions part.

But he's also now focused more on Reaper, watching the swirling pool of shadows. With one leg bent beneath him, his hands grip the boulder as he watches carefully and...

Duuuuuuuuuuuuuude.]

Whoa, you really did it! [Totally cool!!] What is that even like?

[Don' mind him patting over clothing and himself, just to make sure everything is there because

teleportation was a Thing.]

You ever fully submerge yourself in a body of cold water without getting used to the water temperature? Something like that, but without feeling cold. [Or any temperature, really.

Walking back to the spot he started at once satisfied he was whole, the whole storm calming down with it. Isolated as the darkening clouds were.]

Interesting. And how do you know where you're going? Or how does it work, I guess.

[Hope you don't mind his questions, because this is really, really cool.]

The way I'm used to it was I could go to anywhere so long as it was in line of sight before going.

[Which was nice, helped make it easy to plot out a course if it was to spring some surprise attack from behind or from above. If it didn't work he just... wraithed away.

Could not do that here, probably. Unless he delved down deep in to pushing whatever magical abilities played with it here.]

Starting from the same concept, and I'll likely see how far I can push it here when I feel I've got a better handle.

Huh...interesting. [Wonder how that would be like in battle...would definitely make for a great challenge. (Yes, of course he'd think about this.)]

So you were at least able to do that much. [Glancing from where the man had been before and to where he is now.] And the whole stormy clouds thing—your doing, I take it?

Became a tactical advantage once I got the hang of it. [Of course he used it for battle, of course.] Figure once I get the hang of whatever all abilities I have here, can apply them the same way.

[Soldier at heart, even with what path he'd taken now—]

Yeah, the 'essence' that attached itself to me can conjure storms, even by just being in the general area.

[So shadows and storms...]

I don't think mine has shown much of any magical inclination. [A light chuckle.] What is your essence, anyway? Probably never heard of it, but if it can let you do this much it must be pretty cool.

Be more surprised if there wasn't anything magical, considering.

[Ah, right.] Owl witch, basically. Being of some old folklore I heard bits and pieces of when I was younger.

What's yours if you ended up with gun swords?

A hunter, apparently. From the story "Little Red Riding Hood." [And then a shrug.] Seems like a pretty straightforward kind of character at least.

But maybe I'll figure out something interesting later once I actually fight something.

Not familiar I take it? Is pretty straightforward though, yeah.

[... Thinking about it, would have to suck to some degree to not be familiar with whatever character decided to attached to those ending up here, huh.]

You might, would hope for whatever edge possible in all of this.

Nah, actually we do have the story in my world. [Or at least some version of it.] Just not what I would have guessed would decide to choose me of all people.

Then again, guess it kind of fits since as a daemon I do like hunting out strong opponents.

[And then a wry grin as he looks at Reaper. DEFINITELY NOT IMPLYING ANYTHING OR ANYTHING....]

[Well, there was a soft chuckle.] Think like some stories these things might take unexpected turns. At least, that's what some good stories do.

[And that? Got a more obvious sort of laugh.]

Hey, if you can put up a good fight? Don't mind going around a bit with you, because I'm a man who can get restless without a fight.

[Well, not exactly. He could get restless if he didn't.. do something, and fighting was something that expelled a lot of restless energy, even if in the shape of a spar or even just practice.]

[Hell yeah.]

If you think you can handle it, old man. [Smiiiirk.] Wouldn't want to accidentally clip your wings.

That's what I like to hear. [Hell, sparring was one quick way to help get used to these new abilities. Probably.

Gotta pull in deep from somewhere.] Hell, if we're all in this together? All the better to learn how each other moves if we end up fighting side-by-side in this mess, too.

Heh, fair enough. After being on my own for a while it's going to take some getting used to working in a team again. [But it really won't be that tough an adjustment. Plus, it's another way to study each other's movements.]

But in that case, I better start on my own training. Can't let an old bird get the better of me. [Cheeky grin is cheeky as he hops down his rocky perch.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Opening Log: Welcome to the Index + Halloween Festival

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