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

[Were this the Capell before he joined the Liberation Force, he wouldn't have trusted someone enough to do that; using himself as a decoy. Actually, he wouldn't have been much help at all. But now, he had stood there the entire time, after tossing himself into the fray, and remained unflinching even as the situation looked dire. He didn't move an inch. Not to say he wasn't a little panicked, he's still human, but he's a far cry from the person he was. Even if he doesn't notice it all the time.

When that giant pumpkin comes crashing down beside him, missing him by a hair, he cracks his eyes open, and looks down at it in astonishment. This guy seriously managed to cause that much damage in one move? Wow. Consider him a fan.]

That was amazing! And a little close. I'm really relieved you were able to pull that off.

[Never underestimate the power of dual wielding greatswords.

Although to be fair, most of it is thanks to hitting a weak point and Capell had struck it exactly where it was needed. He just finished it off.

Rokurou takes a breath as he straightens, but not relaxing quite yet.]

Heh, I'll be honest and say I wasn't sure myself. [And as he suspects, the Pumpkinator is down—but not quite out. Its belly face may be smashed and large chunks of pumpkin splatter the streets, but it pushes up against one arm as if trying to stand.] But it's not over yet!

[He jumps back a little at the warning.]

I can't believe it survived that fall!

[Then he readies his blade. You would think such a heavy fall from that height might have smashed the rest of its pumpkin body, but you'd be wrong. Because, for whatever reason, this persistent pumpkin giant just really wants to ruin their day. It hasn't been a long fight, but it sure feels like it has.

He looks it over for a good place to strike as it tries to lift itself up. At least it can't do much with a busted leg.]

Where do you think the weak point is on this thing?

[If they could find it, strike it, then this will be over quick. But considering this thing is lacking the normal insides that actual living creatures do, that's a little tough to figure out.]

[At least it's in the red in terms of health, so it won't take too much more to finish it off completely. But a weak spot...weak spot...

...!]

There, on its side! See that giant crack? If we should be able to break it apart from there!

[An excellent suggestion! Now why the hell he has such confidence in that particular spot will be a question for later. But it's at least a reasonable one and good strategy as any for now.]

[He narrows his gaze in the indicated direction and notices the crack. He sounds so sure of that spot though, so he has no reason to question it. The guy knows what he's doing, and he's clearly the more skilled of both of them.]

All right. Should we both strike it at once?

[His eyes remain focused on the target as he shifts his position slightly.]

Best way to make sure it stays down. [And then he shoots Capell a fierce grin.] Let's smash this pumpkin for good!

Ready when you are!

[Said with a determined smile.

Eyes locking onto the weak spot, he grips his sword, readying to sprint off and strike the second this guy does. It is his battle, so he should get the first shot.]

[Eh, he wouldn't mind the tag teaming at this point. But all right, LET'S DO THIS.

Rokurou will charge in, hands gripping the hilts of both greatswords. Just as the Pumpkinator starts to rise, he let's out a cry as he first strikes with an upward slash followed by a horizontal one, creating something like a cross-shape.]

Finish it!

[He'll yell at Capell as he jumps away, the wound now gaping wide and the area around it already fracturing. One last hit should shatter it completely and who knows maybe the thing will explode.]

[Capell rushes in quickly, spotting the opening. He slashes downward, then drags the blade upward, diagonally, causing the weakened area to split completely. And he stands beside the eerily silent giant pumpkin as it goes completely still, slumping over as orange sludge oozes out of the large wound.

He takes a couple of steps back, and turns, about to say something to his partner, when it suddenly just... explodes. Like one final act of spite. The guts go everywhere, stringy orange insides hang all over everything, the sludge thickly coating anyone who had the misfortune of being nearby, and the seeds, buried within the sludge, are probably seeping into places no one wants them.

Happy Halloween.]

[After everything it had thrown at them, he probably should have been more wary. But seeing it finally dead was just a huge relief and he was actually raising a hand to give his impromptu teammate a high five—

When it exploded.

WELL THEN.]

...Should have seen that coming.

[And there's one last smushy splat of pumpkin guts on his head as if to give one last bit of spite.]

[Pumpkins don't typically explode where he's from so... he really hadn't anticipated that ever happening. Even after everything he's seen. He stands completely still after that explosion of guts, just feeling it all ooze down onto and into his clothes. Like he is too dumbfounded to speak.

Then he slowly uses his forearm to wipe the oozing mess from his face. And sighs oh so heavily. Least the other guy sounds just as put out as he does.]

I've got seeds and pumpkin guts in unmentionable places.

[Hopefully those keys lead to some place where he can get properly cleaned up.]

Yeeeah, I'm not going to think where all of this is going.

[HE FEELS IT, TOO, BRO. HE FEELS IT, TOO, AND HE DOESN'T WANT TO.

He's just going sigh and at least swing his blades free of the gunk before sheathing them.]

Well aside from the mess, thanks for the help.

[Yeah, he's pretty sure he's never going to unfeel it. Ugh. He gently shakes his blade free of the guts, glad that they don't seem to be as stuck onto it as it is to him. He only just purchased this sword.]

No problem. I'm glad I could be of service.

[Introductions are in order too, so he offers first.]

My name's Capell.

[And yours?]

Rokurou. [Wiping off some of the sludge...even if there's a crap ton more, ugh.] Are you also an Aspect?

I am! But I... [he looks a bit embarrassed] haven't gotten around to getting much information on him, yet.

[The last person was shocked to hear that, no doubt that should have been his first priority. But, well...

Though doing so might help distract him further. Maybe he'll get around to it today, or tomorrow.]

Oh yeah? I haven't really looked into mine either. He's called the "Huntsman" and I'm sort of familiar with the story so I figure it couldn't be too complicated.

[It's okay, Capell, no judgment here!]

And, well— [He holds up a sticky arm, watching the pumpkin sludge slowly extend and drip down.] Even if I did plan on hitting the books, it's not happening now.

[Oh good, he appreciates the lack of judgement. Sure, he sees the value in arming oneself with information, and he's going to need whatever music this particular flute plays, but everyone just got here, it seems, and are settling in...

Either way, he feels less foolish.]

Least I'm not the only one. The only thing I want right now is a good soak in some hot water. And a change of clothes would be nice.

[And to never see another pumpkin again.]

Same. Guess it's time I go try and figure where these keys lead to.

...After buying some new clothes, probably. At least they gave us something to use.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Opening Log: Welcome to the Index + Halloween Festival

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