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

[Why doesn't he, indeed?]

What if we made the eyes glow or reflect somehow?

[Not that he really knows how the glow could be achieved, but this world is full of weird stuff he hasn't even begun to explore. There's gotta be something. Either way, He leans back a bit so she has to reach more! Will he lean back far enough or will she managed to get it?! At least they don't have too much of a height difference. Imagine how annoying it'd be to get off of Olberic.]

Edited 2018-10-25 03:32 (UTC)

[ Dammit!

Okay, you know what, she's going to just jump and snatch it off of him. There, she got it! Huff, puff. ]

If you wish for your own mask to modify, I am certain they would gift you one of your own. [ So then he also would not have to steal one for himself. ] Then you can make yours as fearsome as you wish.

Even in a dress. [ Okay, she couldn't help that remark just now. ]

[He can't help but chuckle as she finally gets it, reaching a hand up to run a hand through his hair where the mask disheveled it; it makes almost no difference.]

Nah, jumping out at people isn't really my thing.

Besides - [Therion goes so far as to perform a small curtsy, daintily grasping the sides of his skirt as he does so.] - I wouldn't want to ruin this.

[He's pretty sure it's worth more than all the clothes he has ever worn before in his life combined... not that that's saying much.]

[ She watches him as he performs the curtsy, showing off the motion of the skirt in the process.

Her annoyance quickly forgotten now that she has her fox mask back, she steps back to take a better look at him. She knows that he's just being sarcastic, but there's just something about the way the curtsy goes with the dress that just seems appropriate. ] ...Indeed. [ She says softly. ]

Actually, you wear it too well, Therion. Far better than what I could ever pull off. [ Anyway, time to walk out of the haunted grave path. She'll show him the way out so that they're at least not disturbing anyone else passing through. ]

[What? No, she's not supposed to compliment him on it! Surprise flashes across his face followed by a huff and a faint blush that he rather hopes is lost to the darkness.]

Between you and Cyrus... [He grumbles to himself as he hurries after her for the exit. Louder, he scoffs:]

I doubt that. You've a better figure for it, for one thing.

[ She links her hands behind her back, glancing at him with a small, perhaps even clever, smile. ]

I simply don't have the, ah, ...poise that you do. [ She'll put it lightly. ] Truly, if I hadn't known who you were and you kept up an act of a royal, I'd have been none the wiser.

[ But then again, Ophilia is trusting and gullible regardless of who tries to hoodwink her, so.

Anyway, that's not her point. What her point is: ] That is to say, I am glad that you have such a fine dress. You have been through much, Therion. You deserve something nice like this, I think.

[However ladylike his curtsy may have been, the way he crosses his arms and slouches as he catches up and keeps pace is anything but.]

Riiight, because a pretty dress is absolutely what I've always wanted.

[The thought's nice, but Ophilia's crazier than he thought if she thinks he's happy about the dress. Either that, or she's quite handily turning the fluster tables on him. He's not sure which option he prefers.]

If you think it's so nice, you can have it, as soon as the tailor finishes making me trousers.

[ Okay, she might have been teasing him a little. But it is true that he looks nice in it! ]

Ah, but my essence is not any sort of noblewoman. [ She says kindly, shaking her head. ] But! I will happily donate it to... mm, perhaps some sort of charity here. [ Because of course she would. ]

--Or perhaps we could sell it and donate the proceeds! [ She looks at him, eagerly waiting for his approval of such a generous idea. ]

[Teasing and crazy, then.

Rather than approval, he just sighs and shakes his head.]

If I sold it, I'd donate the proceeds to myself. Noble essence doesn't mean noble's income.

[He gives her a sidelong look again.] Speaking of, what is yours, anyway?

[It's not really a fox, is it?]

My own essence is some sort of exorcist-- an onmyouji--with a specialty in divination. [ She tells him, bringing the mask up to her head. She'll secure the ribbon around her head, but the mask itself will be off to the side. ]

But, his legend states that he is part spirit as well-- a fox-spirit, to be precise.

[ She finds that fascinating, too. ] Which is why I thought this mask fitting to choose, wouldn't you agree? [ She'll turn so that she's walking backwards while facing him, sliding the mask over her face and pointing at its painted red cheeks playfully. ]

[Therion nods along to her explanation. He wonders how real the divination is - and if it is, does it even works in a world of stories? Where the endings are technically already written. When she taps her mask, he lifts his eyebrows.]

I guess. [He shrugs, a bit of a smirk pulling at his lips.] Still not that scary, though.

[ His lips turn into a smile, and hers turn quizzical. ]

W-well. [ She'll turn away from him as she walks. ] How exactly would you go about scaring someone?

[Humming, he shrugs and quickens his pace to walk alongside her.]

Sneak up behind 'em, probably. With a knife or an ax in hand, angled to catch the light.

[ It's like he's done it before.

Because she knows he's done it before.

In more serious circumstances, too. ] I... see...

--Well, you simply must teach me how! [ She suddenly says, looking at him. ] I won't ever get good at scaring someone if I do not learn the proper way to do so!

And volunteering in this graveyard... the whole point of this was to scare someone right at the end!

[ She looks at him earnestly. Please please please can you teach her??? ]

What-

[He stops when she does, staring at her with sidelong confusion and mild alarm. She's like a puppy, just now, begging with a wagging tail, and gods, it's hard to flat out say no to.]

Seriously?

[He heaves a world-weary sigh.]

Why do you want to scare people, anyway? You're one of the least terrifying people I've ever met.

[Usually.]

[ Oof, that last part. Right in the stomach. ] To be better at things like this! [ C'mon, who knows if in the future she'll have to do something similar!

And it would be embarrassing to those who set this up that their volunteer is a poor scarer. ] Are you saying that I cannot learn?

[Therion's never been known to pull his punches.]

Hm. [He considers her again, tempted to say yes - maybe if he makes her mad, he can get out of having to teach things. But ugh she's so hard to say no to when she looks so earnest and hopeful.] Can you scare someone without apologizing for it after?

[ Welllll.... ]

Is that... [ A pause. ] necessary? [ Voice is a pitch higher, worried. ] Not apologizing?

[He doesn't know whether to laugh or sigh; he settles for rolling his eyes.]

Kinda undermines the whole scary thing to apologize after. Especially in something like this where people come in expecting to be scared.

Ah, well. [ An uncertain look from Ophilia. ] ...I would not wish to undermine the purpose of this affair. [ How troubling!

She looks from Therion to the mask and then back to Therion, and when she does her brow is both raised and knitted. She's helpless, and she doesn't know what to do! This is almost like those tricky moral dilemmas she's read about before! ] ...If that's the case, then.

I do not think I can perform my duties as the last scare any longer. [ She says sadly, biting her bottom lip.

WAS THIS YOUR GOAL? TO MAKE HER SAD?? ]

[NO??? It's not his fault she thinks not apologizing for scaring someone is a moral quandary.

As she starts to look sad, Therion just throws his hands up in the air in exasperation, rolling his eyes again as he turns to just leave. He's not going to stick around if she's going to subject him to such doleful looks over something that's entirely within her own control.]

Then don't.

[It's not like she signed a contract or anything, right? ... by the Flame, he hopes she didn't.]

[ Clearly, he doesn't see her dilemma. She'll have to set aside the spooks for now...

But that doesn't mean she'll give up forever. ] ....At least for now. [ She finishes, and takes a few extra steps to catch up with him. ]

But should I ever need to scare someone again, you will be the first I turn to for instructions. [ She leans forward, and then holding up the mask to her face she changes the pitch in her voice-- and speaks in her best "scary" tone. ] And if you don't, I shall curse you!

[Nope, he doesn't get her dilemma in the slightest.

He looks sidelong at her as she uses her "scary tone" and lifts his eyebrows, still not scared. It's an improvement, though, at least.]

That so? Your fox guy do curses as well as divination?

[He's trying to imagine the sort of curse Ophilia might try to give him.]

[ ....Oh no, he's put her own the spot.

Wanting to impress him, she'll try to come up with the best hypothetical curse off the top of her head, still speaking in that tone: ] Yesss! I will curse you so that... all of your liquor turns to broccoli in your mouth!

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