Shorlixa/PGSessionTwo
Back to Performer's Game
To Session One
§töryteller says:
When we last joined our intrepid heroes, Chiming Bell and Golden Needles had just learned some disturbing things about the town, and dragged an unfortunate soul back to the caravan for some healing. On the other hand, Gelderon and Okihana have just come out of the forest after an interesting encounter with the local forest spirit. Now would be the best time to hold their little council.
The kids hanging around the performing troupe are enjoying the light show, playing at grabbing the lights and dancing with the pretty swirls. They’ll definitely be around for tonight’s promised puppet show. In fact, there had better be a puppet show.
Gelderon says:
Gelderon bypasses the crowd, he must checl on Kelthaka before he confers with the others. Polar Bears need close care.
§töryteller says:
Kelthaka seems perfectly fine in the short time Gelderon has been away, even though the weather is too hot for his liking.
Okihana says:
Hana heads for the front of the caravan, watching the light show next to Bell.
"Guys, we've got a pretty serious situation with a bullied forest spirit here," she sums up the situation quietly.
Needles says:
Needles blinks. "Um. Er. Forest spirit?"
The lights flicker for a moment, threatening to go out, but recover and continue to dance around, this time randomly changing colors.
Chiming Bell says:
Bell doesn't look terribly surprised. "We have some unpleasent news of our own that might explain the bullied spirit."
Gelderon says:
Gelderon joins them promptly, seeing as Kelthaka needed little caring.
Okihana says:
"She spoke of things such as 'taint', 'spreading death' and... 'sacrifices'. Care to clue us in?"
Needles says:
"Pointy ears."
Gelderon says:
"Faeries?"
Chiming Bell says:
"Rather. The town's an absolute nightmare
§töryteller says:
A few kids seem to overhear Gelderon's words and look at him.
Okihana says:
"Can't say the forest is much better."
Gelderon says:
Gelderon glares at the gawking kids with his cold dark eyes.
Needles says:
Needles winces and starts muttering things about the value of being subtle.
Okihana says:
Hana whispers something about 'candies' and 'distracting little kiddies' to Bell.
§töryteller says:
Some kids glare right back and a few stick out their tongues.
Chiming Bell says:
Bells grins at the children. "Don't worry. We'll still have a show tonight. Just working on our plot, you don't want it to be COMPLETELY improvised do you? Now scat! We'll have more goodies for you if you manage to rustle us up a large audience!"
Gelderon says:
"The point is we need to take care of this faery-demon problem. We need to find this thing and we need to kill it.....a lot"
§töryteller says:
Some of the kids scatter off to town, but a few other curious ones still remain behind.
§töryteller says:
With further glares from Gelderon, the remaining kids all stick out their tongue at him and run to the village.
Needles says:
Needles makes little "Why me?" gestures, tapping Gelderon with a light and disappearing them.
Chiming Bell says:
"Thank you Gelderon. Let's compare notes. Apparently, another troupe of essence users recently passed through. They were BEAUTIFUL. And now the town has gone insane... they are killing each other, brawling.. it's awful. What did you find?"
Gelderon says:
"I missed a brawl?"
Okihana says:
Hana sighs. "Well, we didn't get the brawl.. or training we were hoping for, plus there's a section of the forest that's... dead. That the forest spirit for some reason needs to feed on people who enter the forest, and that vines are very, very, very, irritating."
Chiming Bell says:
Bell frowns. "Perhaps I ought to go have a talk with the forest?"
Okihana says:
"The forest made it clear it was not of her own free will she was doing so."
Chiming Bell says:
"Can it give any information as to who or what is doing this?"
Gelderon says:
"Plus it has little energy left, all it had was from human victims"
Chiming Bell says:
"Well, if we find this Raksha... we might feed IT to the forest instead."
Needles says:
"That miiiiight not be such a good idea. We don't want a Wyld-tainted forest."
Gelderon says:
"By the Hellfire...no....I visited a forest like that once......not a nice place"
Chiming Bell says:
"Of course that would be bad... but if the Raksha has stolen the forest's lifeforce... we should try to find some way to get it back."
Needles says:
"If I had access to my library I might be able to think of something...well, there's most likely a faerie running around, our security's compromised, let's find it and capture it fast. Any ideas?"
Okihana says:
"Um, well, we rushed back kinda hoping you two would have some."
Chiming Bell says:
"Needles... do you think the current problems in the town are because the Raksha is there, or are they aftereffects?"
Needles says:
"Could be either. The faerie could be actively draining them, or it could have left and this is the result of draining. There's a way to tell. It involves waiting two weeks."
Chiming Bell says:
"Well... if it's still here, then would interfering with it's feeding by manipulating the emotions of the town draw it into the open?"
Needles says:
"Um...we'd have to drain the town of all emotions, and be the only ones with any."
Chiming Bell says:
"Or, could we force calm on the town?"
Needles says:
"That might work, but they'd have to be really, really calm."
Chiming Bell says: "It's possible I could do that. I don't know if it would WORK, but I certainly could calm them down for a little."
Gelderon says:
"The creature won't be immaterial will it?"
§töryteller says:
At this point, the busy bees have finished their work and say so. The show will be expected in the hour and people will begin to stream in from their daily work to enjoy themselves any time now.
Needles says:
"Well, I'm going to check on the puppets. You know where to find me."
Chiming Bell says:
"While you're doing that, do you think you could scrounge some iron? Make some arrowheads... daggers?"
Okihana says:
Hana's eyes light up at the word "daggers".
Needles says:
"I'll see what I can do."
Chiming Bell says:
"Also, some advice. Should we try to make them feel one uniform emotion strongly, or calm them for an hour or two.?"
Needles says:
Needles blinks. "Wait, cold iron. Er. Iron ore. I can make cold iron very easily, but I need iron ore."
§töryteller says:
(There's a convenient Guild caravan nearby.)
Gelderon says:
"so calm the crowd and kill the beast? Was that the plan? I need to know if killing demons enters into the show today."
Needles says:
"If you do the former, the faerie may attack the crowd. If you calm them, it'll attack you...if it's hungry. The first draws it out faster, but the audience will be less safe."
Chiming Bell says:
"Yes, if we can kill it, or at least convince it to leave, that's a win. And it will hardly attack us first. That would be extremely unlucky for it." Bell taps his forehead where his castemark would normally be.
Needles says:
"Assuming it's around, if you make them feel one thing strongly, it's very likely to appear. Calming them only means that the ambient rate at which it feeds drops, and it may attack you to restore that low-level constant source of food."
Chiming Bell says:
"So. Votes? Which way should we go?"
Okihana says:
"I would much rather not become fae food."
Gelderon says: "Not going to happen. Draw it out and I'll slay it"
Needles says:
Needles shrugs. "I suggest the former option - it shouldn't harm them too much, since you're good enough to amplify emotions."
Pause.
"I hope."
Chiming Bell says:
"I hope so too. Joy sounds good. Shall we go for Joy in tonight's performance? Have the crowd lose themselves in a celebration and festival of joy?"
Needles says:
"Um. I'm not sure what this particular type of faerie likes to eat. Some of them prefer different sorts..."
Needles says:
"I think it feeds on self-control."
Chiming Bell says:
"Ah, so guilt, then. Make them feel guilty for their excesses."
Needles says:
"That would work."
Needles says:
"So...one of your morality plays, then?"
Chiming Bell says:
"Oh, no. I was thinking quite the opposite. Punch and Judy, but play up the violence and horror of Punch's actions."
Chiming Bell says:
"Make them laugh, but at the same time, rethink what they've been doing lately, and how close they have come to what Punch represents."
Needles says:
"Ew. On that happy note, I'm going to make stabby things. Any preferences? Swords, clubs, daggers, arrows..."
Okihana says:
"I'd be happy with anything with enough grip to be thrown."
Chiming Bell says:
"Arrows. And swords, or daggers
Gelderon says:
"So no Bear show tonight? just my axe?"
Chiming Bell says:
"First the puppets, then we'll see. It may be that's enough. If not, we'll continue the show as normal and I'll try a different trick."
Gelderon says:
"Right, well I'll get them ready at any rate"
Needles says:
"Would you prefer an iron axe?"
Gelderon says:
Gelderon sighs."yes"
Chiming Bell says:
"Excellent. Well, what are we waiting for? It's SHOWTIME!"
Needles says:
Needles goes off to pilfer the Guild caravan for iron ore.
Okihana says:
Hana wanders off with Needles.
Gelderon says:
Gelderon scouts out the grounds looking for possible thing to smash enemies into, things to jump on, and things to hide behind...etc
Chiming Bell says:
Bell does some vocal exercises and stretches, then lays out the puppets and prepares for the show. The other, unexalted performers are rehearsing. The puppet show is just the opening number for the night.
§töryteller says:
The Guild caravan has been busy and has already set up the market. But there are only a few buyers from the town. When they see Needles and Hana, they don't say much, just waving at them and going back to looking bored and waiting for business.
Gelderon stalks around and finds what looks to be an altar. But it's quite overgrown with leaves and other greenery.
As Bell practices, the audience begins streaming in. A lot of children come, some quite literally dragging others in.
Needles says:
"If you could, ah, obtain some of the iron ore for me? It should be in the third wagon, on the left."
Okihana says:
Hana nods, and proceeds to Stealthily approach said wagon.
§töryteller says:
And she pulls it off with that simply maneuver as no one is really watching. Entering the wagon to look for iron ore, she'll notice there's not that much, but she can carry some away in her pockets. Enough for some arrow heads, a few daggers and maybe even Gelderon's axe.
§töryteller says:
As she moves out of the wagon, a bored guard spots her and ambles over. "What are you doing here?" He asks, not really suspecting anything, but curious.
Okihana says:
"Oh, you know, wandering around so I can get -inspiration- for the upcoming performance! You know us artist-types, it's either sit under an apple tree and wait for an apple to fall, or wander around looking for one!" She flashes a smile at him.
§töryteller says:
The guard nods understandingly. "I see. I look forward to your performance tonight." He tells her with a smile that indicates he would love to see much more. But he lets her pass nonetheless.
Needles says:
Needles points towards the medical tent where he also does most of his crafting, and heads into it.
Okihana says:
Hana winks at the guard, then turns and strolls along into the medical tent.
Needles says:
"How much did you manage to get?"
Okihana says:
She turns out her pockets, quite literally.
Needles says:
"...hm." He snatches it away.
Needles says:
Needles spreads the raw ore out on a low table in front of him, tapping each rock and listening to its sound. He sweeps an arm across the table and lifts it, allowing the ore to cascade...
...his other hand snaps out, pulling entire arrows out of stones, fusing rocks together and twisting them into daggerlike shapes...an entire bar of iron flickers into existence for all of five seconds, before distorting to suggest the impression of an axe.
Weapons clatter down onto the table, followed by a rain of dust.
Gelderon says:
Gelderon peers over his shoulder, "I like that trick"
Chiming Bell says:
Bell smiles, and crouches behind the puppet theatre. He turns to a pair of bongos, and begins drumming, softly at first, but then with rising power and intensity until the whole field is echoing with the hypnotic rhythm. The final crescendo works up to a the roar of dragons… and is suddenly cut off without a trace. The silence is deafening.
Needles says:
"Thank you. Here's your new axe. I suggest you don't use it against anything other than faeries, it's a bit soft."
Chiming Bell says:
Slowly, cautiously, a small puppet of a mouse raises it’s head over the ledge of the theatre. It looks around at the audience timidly, and then, begins to speak in a high, squeaky voice.
“My lords and ladies, I welcome you one and all to our humble show. It is far too simple for grand nobles like yourselves, but we hope you will overlook our shortcomings.
Chiming Bell says:
Tonight, we present to you an epic of betrayal, murder, revenge, and horror. We hope you enjoy.”
Chiming Bell says:
The mouse gives a tiny little bow, but before it can disappear again, a large, male puppet with an enormous club smashes it on it’s head and eats it. The show gets progressively more violent, as the man, Punch, beats and abuses his child and wife, ultimately killing them both. He is arrested, and brought before a magistrate, whom he also kills.
Chiming Bell says:
He kills the Wyld Hunt, he kills the Scarlet Empress, and when Mask of Winters comes up personally to collect him, Punch beats Mask of Winters to a pulp as well.
Chiming Bell says:
It is all delivered with dialogue that is so outrageous, and puppets that are so patently ridiculous that the audience is rolling in the aisles with laughter… but beneath that, there is a solid layer of guilt that they had been behaving no better than Punch, and with no better reason.
§töryteller says:
The puppet show immediately catches the audience attention. At first, there is a lot of laughter. Over time, discomfort begins to show on the audience's faces as they realize there's something rather wrong about enjoying all this. Even though they're still laughing and really enjoying the show.
Gelderon says:
Gelderon studies the area intently.
Needles says:
The weapons are, for some reason, extremely pretty and etched with runes, which may or may not mean anything, but look extremely aesthetically appealing. The weapons would sell for ridiculous amounts if they ever wanted to sell them.
Chiming Bell says:
As the audience laughs, a bit uncomfortably, Bells peeks out through the gauzy curtains, studying the audience for any who seem to be reacting oddly to the performance.
Needles says:
Needles, who has just finished crafting, goes over to peek at the audience. In particular, any audience member who's particularly striking - not just pretty, but the other extreme too - who seems to be actively exulting in the performance. Not just appreciative, laughing, and enjoying it, but not uncomfortable at all and disturbingly pleased with what's going on.
Okihana says:
Hana eyes the audience from a position near Needles, fiddling with the pretty daggers.
§töryteller says:
As each of the Solars watch the audience, they all notice that the children seem least affected by the play. They're all just enjoying themselves. Hana spots one little boy who's practically smirking at the whole play and seems to know what's going on.
Okihana says:
Hana does not lose sight of the boy, keeping her eyes on him as she nudges Needles. "Boy in the third row. Near the far end, with that... smirk -plastered- on his face. D'you think something's up with him?"
Chiming Bell says:
Bell decides that flamethrowering the children might be a bit of an over-reaction and steps out to take a bow instead, ushering in a pair of jugglers. He walks over to Needles and Hana.
Needles says:
Needles blinks, and takes a closer look. "Um." Lotus, Lotus, are you listening? Do you remember when you told me about your trips into the Wyld to get some rare substance and met those faeries? What do you make of him?
Needles says:
And no, please don't say, 'if only you'd take the time to listen to me when
Needles says:
I'm trying to teach you ancient occult spells', we've had that discussion before.
§töryteller says:
As Needles watches the boy, there's that snickering in his head. "Certainly he's touched by the Fae at the very least." Comes that soft mental whisper.
Gelderon says:
Gelderon takes notice of the group
Gelderon says:
he motions at the boy, "him?"
Chiming Bell says:
"So is he one? Should we call him up for a magic trick and buff that we're going to ram cold iron into his eye?"
Okihana says:
"Now, before we all stare him down, I think I'll go scurry off in a bit and watch from behind the curtains as the busy bees come on..."
Hana quickly takes her leave.
Gelderon says:
"what if he's just possessed, I don't want to hurt an actual child"
Needles says:
"Descended from faeries, at the very least."
Chiming Bell says:
"I said bluff. I'm not going to stab a raksha in the eye on stage either. But to see his reaction. Or... not. What should we do?"
Needles says:
"Get him behind the stage, to prepare for a magic trick?"
§töryteller says:
The jugglers keep the audience well entertained for now.
Needles says:
"I mean, same as above, except the polar bear dances for us and we interrogate the kid."
Chiming Bell says:
"Alright then, shall I collect him then?"
Needles says:
Needles nods, and heads for the back.
Gelderon says:
"Kelthaka doesn't dance" Gelderon states as he follows Needles.
Needles says:
"...he could learn?"
Chiming Bell says:
Bell slips off the side of the stage and sneaks into the audience. He goes up to the little boy, and smiles charmingly. "I noticed you were enjoying our show very much. We have a magic trick we'd like to do, and we need a volunteer! Would you be interested in helping us?"
§töryteller says:
The boy sneers a little, but is perfectly willing to go along with Bell. He doesn't believe he will be harmed.
Chiming Bell says:
Bell leads him backstage, where the others are waiting. He turns to the boy and says "Magic is an old and very secretive profession, and we need to be sure that you won't betray our secrets. So I need you to swear on your own blood like this, that you won't betray our secrets or bring harm upon us. Ever." Bell picks up one of the knives and cuts his palm shallowly, then hands the knife to the boy, and sticks out his hand, inviting him to shake it.
§töryteller says:
"I won't betray your secrets. But you have to swear you won't harm me either. Ever." The boy retorts.
Needles says:
Needles nods at Bell, behind the kid's back, concealing a smirk.
Chiming Bell says:
Bell smiles a little grimly. "Very well. I promise I won't harm you or betray your secrets either. Now cut your hand, and let us swear in blood."
§töryteller says:
The boy takes the knife and immediately drops it, shrieking loudly. "Murderers! Murderers!" He screams and is guaranteed to draw a reaction from outside.
Chiming Bell says:
"And what happened to your promise not to harm us, little man?"
Gelderon says:
Gelderon puts his hand over his mouth quickly.
§töryteller says:
"You hurt me first! Murderers! Murderers!"
Gelderon says:
grabbing him deftly he also twists his arm behind his back
Chiming Bell says:
"How on earth did I hurt you? Have I laid a finger on you? Or do you simply not like the touch of metal to your skin?"
§töryteller says:
He is silenced by Gelderon, so it's not like he can answer, but the harm has been done as several kids rush backstage. Seeing Gelderon brings more shrieks. And more attention.
Needles says:
Needles swears slightly, then pops up on stage. "Ladies and Gentlemen! You may have heard screams! For our next trick, we will do the impossible...bringing back the dead!" He flicks his arms out, and a light show erupts, creating a very dramatic illusion of the underworld. "Our courageous volunteer has agreed to face DEATH itself with us and return, bringing back mystical artifacts of unknown potency! And I - I will remain behind, to open the way, and to show you their journeys!"
§töryteller says:
The audience is not convinced. Several kids do rush in. And it's going to get really messy as they start shrieking too.
Gelderon says:
Gelderon whispers in the faerie child's ear, "cooperate or I introduce you to my axe. My axe made of cold iron"
Needles says:
And backstage again, "Damnit I'm a doctor not a performer. Bell! Do something about this!"
Chiming Bell says:
"Children, you see this blood on my hand? It is mine. We were sanctifying a holy pact to not break the sacred silence that all performers must keep. Unfortunately," Bell's voice becomes a bit amused with a faint tinge of contempt. "Our brave volunteer was startled by the sight of blood. It is no shame mind you! But still, I'm rather surprised at the poor boy's reaction. He went into hysterics, waving the knife about. My colleague here needed to restrain him before he seriously injured someone, or himself!"
§töryteller says:
The boy wriggling in Gelderon's arms begs to differ.
§töryteller says:
"Let him go! You're hurting him!" One of them shouts.
Chiming Bell says:
"Are you calm? Are you going to try to stab me again, or make ridiculous accusations?"
§töryteller says:
The boy glares at Bell. At this point adults are running backstage too.
§töryteller says:
The kids believe him. The adults believe him. But that doesn't stop them from insisting one thing. "Please let the boy go. He appears to have calmed down and is obviously not suited to do whatever magic trick you wish."
Okihana says:
Hana attempts to blend into the background.
Gelderon says:
Gelderon smiles. "of course, just didn't want him hurting himself" lets the kid go.
§töryteller says:
The boy kicks Gelderon in the shin before running away. "I hate them!" He shouts as he runs. The kids follow after him while the adults look apologetic before they too leave.
Needles says:
Needles walks up to the boy. "If you don't mind....? I'm a docto - ...oh, well."
Needles says:
"Well, that worked well."
Chiming Bell says:
"Hana... keep an eye on him?"
Okihana says:
"Got it." She attempts to sneak after him, blending into the crowd of townspeople.
Gelderon says:
Gelderon shakes his head, and tries to seem generally friendly, a difficult task for him indeed. He hates dealing with peasant mobs.
§töryteller says:
The crowd seems somewhat confused by what has happened. The adults who went backstage calm them down with various words. Most of the kids seem to file away when the boy leaves. It's apparent he's kind of the gang leader.
Hana is busy trying to keep track of the boy as he flees with his gang trailing after him. But while the group is big, the group is also pretty obvious and its easy to follow him as he runs around in town.
Okihana says:
Hana grips the hilt of her cold iron dagger as she keeps the boy in her sight. She's already used to his speed, and can guess the timing at which he turns each corner as well as the angle at which it is most convenient to shoot at just as he rounds it. She maintains her speed and waits for the next corner.
This is it, she tells herself, focusing as her arm flows with the momentum of the Mist on Water attack.
§töryteller says:
The boy runs through town and the iron dagger buries itself into his body. He crumples to the ground in silence and allows enough time for Hana to get away. But she's not running for long before the screams of the children are heard and the cries of "Murderer" rings in the streets.
