As everything winds to a close, the atmosphere within the town of Londeva seems a
little more cheery with a bit of muted color now filling in here and there. But as night comes and all the lights dim down, a strange weariness and silence overcomes everyone until they fall asleep wherever they are. The sound of a quill tip scratching paper echoes in the distance the following words and brief depictions of the scenes flow through everyone's minds.
We open on a Londeva that is bustling with excitement over its Annual Faire for the Sciences, years before it all will go swiftly to hell.. Victor Frankenstein and Henry Jekyll are the two most promising contestants, competing for the top prize with some Electrical Nonsense and a very glittery volcano, respectively. Jekyll, ever a helpful soul, tries to help Victor with his project when it seems he's struggling, only to get told off as it reminds Victor of his former mentor, who he no longer cares for. The Faire ends in a tie, the judges too impressed with both entries to pick just one winner.
In the present day, Doctors Frankenstein and Jeykll have decided to collaborate on the most ambitious project ever seen: creating life itself. Of course, this is still academia and while they're happy to share notes, they're each doing their own thing; it seems that Victor has chosen to focus on plantlife first, while it is unknown what Jekyll is doing. This is when Victor is visited by his friend Henry Clerval. During the visit, Victor excitedly shows off his latest creation, Audrey Two, a plant capable of speech...and being very silent on the matter of what happened to Audrey One.
It's surely nothing.
As the two old friends chat, Audrey Two occasionally comments on the stench of some of Victor's latest test subjects, comments Victor is quick to brush aside and play off as the plant having a very odd sense of humor. Clerval leaves very, very disturbed.
Meanwhile, across town, Hastie Lanyon stops in to visit his colleague Doctor Jekyll. There's been a rash of robberies that seem to be targeting scientists such as Lanyon and Jekyll, and it's only right that Jekyll be warned. While visiting, Jekyll insists that he hasn't been robbed and has in fact been far too busy to even hear about the gossip, a claim that Lanyon doubts as the lab is remarkably quiet and oddly clean. Jekyll insists, and as there's no real reason to argue, Lanyon drops it.
Later that week, Jekyll runs into his lawyer and good friend Gabriel Utterson and they take the chance to catch up on the most recent goings on. Utterson also mentions the odd character that Lanyon does, and, as they walk, they hear of a young girl that Jekyll feels obligated to help. Despite Utterson nearly terrifying the girl, they're able to help and learn that she was trampled by someone outside Jekyll's place. Jekyll, oddly, doesn't seem too concerned by that and insists on pressing forward as if nothing happened.
Eventually Clerval, still concerned about Victor's odd behavior, gets a hold of Utterson to come help him investigate the lab, especially since Victor's plant was very concerning. No sooner do they reach the lab when Clerval's concerns are validated, as they hear a scream and turn the corner to see Audrey Two, somehow free of its pot, carrying off a human by the leg. Between the two they are able to free the man, and although Utterson was momentarily caught, after Clerval frees him they devise a plan using Utterson's background as a magician. With a fortuitous storm, they use Utterson's mirrors to reflect a lightning bolts to strike down the monstrous plant in a disgusting explosion. However, no one notices something burrowing underground to slither away…
Late one night, Jekyll is heard lecturing an "Edward Hyde" on his behavior. His recklessness is putting them both in danger...which is precisely what Jekyll does not want, as how can he get his data if Hyde gets captured? Jekyll's plan, it seems, has shifted from "create artificial life" to "see what a truly unhinged man will do if given the space to do it", and Edward Hyde is how he plans to do that. In hopes of getting everyone off their tail, Jekyll suggests that Hyde get a new look, to which Hyde agrees.
That same night, a storm rolls in and just so happens to strike Victor's lab with a powerful bolt of lightning, providing him with enough power to finally, finally bring his Creation to life. The Creation recognizes that Victor is their father, and Victor, delighted, tours the lab and house so he can teach the Creation about everything he possibly can. Although there are a couple of hiccups, Victor is able to form something like a familiar bond with his Creation and begins to treat them more like his child.
However, there's a knock on the door as Hyde has come to pay a call to Victor while pretending to be Jekyll. Victor, excited and not terribly observant for some reason, falls for this and lets his "friend" in to see his Creation. Hyde is both amazed and excited upon seeing it, already curious to see how it might behave in town while also warning Victor that it might not be well received. However it is clear he has keen interest in Victor's Creation.
On his second visit, Hyde, learns that Victor in all his infinite wisdom did not bother to name the Creation, and so decides to name them himself: Stixen. They soon decide to leave the lab to experience life, witnessing a robbery. Victor's Creation, or Stixen as they now call themselves, immediately rushes in to try and help but Hyde stops them. Stixen is confused by this and this difference between the two Creations will continue...
When everyone awakens, they will feel refreshed and a bit more invigorated than they had previously, and when they look out the window
snow will be falling and everywhere is now covered with
Christmas decorations. It might feel strange since just the night before Halloween was still around. It's as if they skipped an entire season.
Yet despite the appearance of festive cheer, newspapers headline the rise in crime and attacks upon the locals with no sign of catching the culprit in sight. Suspicion mounts amongst the populace, and although they are Blots they cast wary glances not only at each other but at the Aspects as well. The ones who were friendlier in the beginning are now more neutral or even hostile, sometimes ignoring or threatening the Aspects.
There are also strange
creature sightings in the parts of town that are still dark and deteriorated, as if fear has clung to its corners to prevent it from being restored. Or perhaps it's just a reflection of the story itself? But these creatures appear mutant and could either be Erasers mixed in or creatures born from the story's development. Whatever the case, they are hostile and are prone to attacking. Although most keep to the darkest and unsavory parts of town, some do lurk to the more populated areas, so some "creature control" may be needed.
With all the tension, it's difficult for the city to feel any kind of Christmas cheer, but perhaps that cheer is exactly what is needed to help combat the gloominess. But with how things may end up towards the end of the Act...perhaps this is only the beginning of what's to come.
The second Act 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.
A reminder that
all Hyde roles will have a forced influence to act out their inner dark personality. This is basically a "personality switch," so they will not be aware of it at the time. They will return to normal upon leaving the scene and will remember what transpired afterwards. By now everyone should be aware of this occurring, but it should also be noted that the influence is stronger with potential to get more violent than usual in the later scenes. Another quick reminder that
Frankenstein's Monster is referred to as
Stixen, so be sure to use the proper name while threading! And finally, if you have a scene that is reliant on the outcomes of previous scenes, be sure to check what they are. We have quick notes on the scene prompts, but the sign-ups may have more details for you to work with or you can contact the players if needed.
And this time around, we've got
costumes for everyone! Please see the list below for reference:
-
Hyde-
Jekyll (either of the plaid outfits)
-
Utterson-
Danvers (either of the plaid outfits)
-
Frankenstein's Monster-
Agatha (either dress)
-
VictorFinally, just to be clear, characters who are in Main Scenes are not immediately dropped in to their location and will have to
go through specially marked doors and then return. Characters will also be
aware of their roles and partner prior to entering the scene, so it's possible for them to meet and coordinate beforehand or meet within the scene for the first time. This may be more useful for those involved with the death/fighting scenes. 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.
Feel free to refer to the
Game Notes for more detailed info as well as ask questions or clarifications.