I wrote up this playkit inspired by the romantic comedy script I penned some years back, which was also called Bad Timing. The idea of the original material was to come up with a convoluted romantic comedy story which had elements of science fiction. The result was very different but definitely Fiasco-eque in feel.
The cast included: John Michael, played by me.
Mistaken to be the family twin of Michael John, but in truth they the same person with one being the future self of the other.
Michael John, played by Jonas
He is one of Stella's current roommates and they are curious about the guy living next door to them.
Stella, played by Che
She has a relationship with Diego Pavlon, the hot south american idiot who is the horny next door neighbor. She is dying to know who he is sleeping with, and they used to be roommates.
Diego Pavlon, played by Jose
Diego is the great friends/great rivals with Sofia over a watch they had to buy during Black Friday.
Sofia, played by Maanne
She had her first heart break at Greece, at one of the islands there.
She is currently in a relationship with Bert.
Bert, played by Paolo
He is Sofia's first ex-flame and is currently the best friend of John Michael/Michael John.
We used to hang out by an old fountain, but grew apart in time.
It all began in some island in Greece.
What started out as the story of a guy who wanted to have a second chance with a woman he fell in love with, transformed into a tale of tragedy and woe as the tampering with time began to unravel things and complicate the main time stream. John Michael tries to convince his past self to stay at the five star hotel room he rented out in order to handle something in the past. However, Michael John admits he can't. This throws an initial wrench to John Michael's plans of trying to see Stella again.
Bert and Sofia found themselves dealing with the feelings of uncertainty when Bert discovers Sofia's gift to him, a special watch, might have been gained under false pretenses. The accusation of Sofia lying about its history was raised by Diego, whose actions were an attempt to gain the watch for himself and his own plans.
Stella unknowingly finds herself caught in the hilarity of it all when Michael John's future self, John Michael, ends up falling for her and wanting to somehow start a life with her. But his proposal towards Stella goes awry when the ring turns out to be a fake one and Diego's act of sabotage turns out to be because he likes her too. Stella's curiosity towards Diego's sexual adventures was misunderstood by Diego as a mutual interest in each other. But learning he has some sex doll in her likeness freaks her out even more! Soon, Diego reveals he too is aware of the ability to time travel and he almost traps Stella in the time stream. She eventually breaks away when he let's her leave.
When Stella encounters Micheal John, she learns from him that he doesn't think he can handle what's going on and wants to stop being friends. But that's when Stella reveals she actually did like him... but now isn't sure what to do. She ends up at the old fountain, crying in frustration over what happened. Bert emerges, seeing Stella there, and the two talk about everything that has happened. He tries to talk to her about not giving up on her friends, but she only feels they're pressuring her to be okay with everything.
John Michael and Diego now confront each other in the time stream and Diego shows him he is fading away. He disappears. John Michael smiles, and realizes Stella's actions have caused them to cease to be. The future that created them will now never happen. "But one has to wonder, who build the time machine we used? Someone must have..."
And he's gone.
Sofia finally admits to Bert the truth, that she stole the watch she gave him. She tries to explain why she did that and but Bert admits everything that happened started because she lied. He admits they will need to work on things because he wants to make things right.
Years pass, Bert and Sofia pay back the watch issue, and grow old together. Sofia, however, is overwhelmed still by the guilt of what had happened, and at some point builds a time machine in the future to travel back in time to reserve the watch for the younger her. But the act of seeing them young again is too much for her and she dies in the mall, the same old woman who died in the mall the day Sofia stole the watch. The time machine, left in the alleyway, is found by both Michael John in the future, and Diego in the past.
In the end, Diego is reincarnated, as light pours from above. He sees the anxious faces of people as they declare, "It's a boy." Diego's memories quickly fade away.
Stella stands by the old fountain, smoking a cigarette. She is friendless and alone. Then she looks at the guy standing nearby and asks, "Hey stranger. Got a light?" The two smile.
Michael John, haunted by the break-up, realizes he does have feelings for her. But he is overwhelmed with the need to make things right... and some how, he finds a time machine in an alleyway.
Bert is old now and sees the people visit with their grandkids. They play with him. And he smiles.
Sofia is old as well, taking care of the grand children, and she gives the young child a knowing look. She recognizes Diego's rebirth but decides to keep it a secret.
In an attempt to get used to Roll20 more, I've started a campaign with Dungeon World as the game system. As the third incarnation of my "Company" games, here the players are a company of men who are part of the war against the Nation of Sigurd.
The cast is composed of: Brother Fabio, a Lawful Cleric of Zanathar, the God of Knowledge, who was one of the youngest clerics of the order. He was the childhood friend of Zig and desperately desires to unearth more secrets of the world's lost history. Brother Fabio is played by Fabs.
Hollis is a Lawful Cleric of Sona, the God of Nature and Equality. He sees the anguish and pain brought about by the war and hopes to find a way to resolve it sooner than later. Hollis is played by Charles.
Gaius is the Neutral Fighter of the group, who was once a Gladiator Slave of the city of Angerona. His signature weapon is Gardo, a bloody flail (Messy, Forceful, Spikes and Hooks). He is played by JB.
Zig is the Neutral Thief with a mastery of using Serpent's Tear poison. He grew up as a friend of Fabio and had stolen the tiny gem from Hollis' hat. He is played by Jonas.
Liadan, Mage of the Blue Arch
The story begins with the four standing at the shores of the Sea Edge. The war contingent of the Alliance had boarded the ships and were crossing the Inner Sea to take the battle to the shores of Sigurd. The group, on the other hand, was tasked to escort a woman named Liadan to the City of Donir and ensure her safe arrival to the commanding officer, a man named Chaeron. The group learns eventually that Liadan is a Mage of the Blue Arch, one of the Orders of Magic and that she does not know why the company has been tasked to watch over her.
Enroute, the group stumbles upon an ancient standing stone which brims with power. While scouting ahead, Zig uncovers a Snow Witch laying in wait to ambush them! The group fights against the shapeshifter, but the battle takes a deadly turn when the standing stone turns out to be the head of an animated golem that rises from the ground to attack the party.
It takes the group's combined efforts to force the golem down and though no one is grievously injured, the group is now absolutely certain that they're on their own. The only sole happy moment is when Gaius finds an injured Flying Squirrel and take its under his care. Zig, however, suspects the Squirrel might actually be the Witch in disguise.
So Justin, a good friend of mine, opted to have a Hangout On Air about GMing Techniques and I had originally hoped to get there in time to join the fun. But real life does have its responsibilities, so I sadly wasn't able to.
To my surprise, however, Justin seems to have made me part of the talk nonetheless.
It feels a bit.. overwhelming to know how much my approach to gaming has been appreciated by others. And I only hope I can help others explore more options in gaming as well.
The story opens with a letter. Spring has come. The letter is from the Marquese, calling for the presence of Casselanter Steele to attend the Althua of the Marquese of Ledger, Maja Thayl. The Althua is celebrating the Blooding of the Duchess of Tamal, Jessie Jalan. While the Althua is a grandiose party, a simple gift is welcomed. The letter ends with explicit instructions that it be disposed of by the Sagewrite, Ash Jalan. Many parts of the castle stand in ruins due to the lack of staff. In the distance, a volcano rumbles. In the further distance, a group handles trouble as an ork rises from the ground to attack. Almost invisible in the mist further off, a multi-leveled city with tall towers.
Rio Balan stares at her bloodsword, Memories surge back on when she first received it from her mother, Nia Jalan. The sword used to belong to Seran Thorne. She was instructed never to give it back. And even through two veilings, she had kept it. The blade has become a part of Rio, who carries it without concern or fear. She recalls one of her mentors, Maya Adrente, who helps teach her how to use the blade. Maya explains the importance of the blade, more so back when she was still young. In a show of how the Wolves master the blade, she tosses the blade up and catches it with the palm of her hand. The blade never cuts Maya's skin. "Some says the Blades themselves have learned to respect the Wolves in the last few years." Rio asks how is it possible, and in response, Maya teaches her to discipline it. The blade screams, shadows dancing on its surface. But when Rio tries, blood is still drawn. "In time, the wolf within you shall tame the blade," Maya reassures her. Arrangements have been made to maneuver Rio to be under Cassalanter's service as her Master Swordswoman. Rio, it seems, is intended to fulfill a grander scheme.
In another chamber, the Subtlewater, Gillian Burghe stares at the note from her liege, Casselanter who informs her she has nothing but Herbs to use for the Season. The lack of a swamp is complicating things for them. She considers creating Narcotics with the Herbs instead. Before she could leave, whoever, she sees someone at the door. The silhouetted figure ignores her call for its name. Gillian notices, however, the cobweb-pattern on the cloak. The figure leaves a vial on the ground for her, then pulls away. By the time Gillian catches up, the woman is gone. The vial seems to be a gift of Poison. She calls out to the Whispers moving through the corridor, asking if they saw the person by her door. Alas, none have. She identifies the Poison to be Hemlock.
In a large structure showing the different Olivanna, rock cracks and breaks. The sigil of the Bear is brought down from the collection. A man approves of the removal. "We will need to balance what has been removed," Dalvinosh Steele affirms.
In the uninhabited wing with the art gallery, where canvasses hang from the walls with cobwebs all over, the messenger finds Ash Jalan inside telling the new arrival to avoid breaking the circle. The messenger tells him Cassalanter wishes his presence, and he finds the interruption an annoyance. "How will we make her great if we keep getting interrupted from our duties." He tells the messenger to inform the Lady he will be with her shortly. The spirit that he had trapped in the circle remains locked in place. He dismisses the spectre, at least for now then breaks the circle. As he moves to leave, he notices a single painting now uncovered. The painting seems to have been vandalized with a bloody feather on it. Not being interested in art, Ash walks off, but notices as he leaves the room the painting has been covered up again.
The visitor was found by the Murmurs and is presented before Cassalanter. The Murmur admits he sensed the danger of the man's intent, so he took the liberty to disable him. She asks if he fought back and inquires who fought first. The Murmur admits he was trained to sense such things. He drags into the chamber the Bloodsword of the "visitor" given it seems the Ruk no longer are able to lift the artifact weapons. She decides to meet with this visitor with her other vassals. She realizes the Sword suggests the visitor is a Wolf. Or worse, it might not be one. "What sort of ven with a Bloodsword would be disarmed by a Ruk?"
Rio remembers the day she and Jessie found James Adrente's fallen body. The anger and tears that marked Jessie's face erupt outwards as a scream. Finding the closest thing to be a pile of white webbing, she charges at it and rips what she can away as she demands answers on who the Suaven is and why her brother was here. Rio offers the Lady her Bloodsword. Before Jessie can accept it, they both suddenly hear James let out a gasp for air. He is alive! Jessie tells Rio she needs her help to cast a Ritual, one intended to save James' life. The act Jessie needed from Rio was for her to slice off one of Jessie's own arm. Jessie tells Rio she needs her to watch over James and stay over him. They even make arrangements with Maja Thayl to make sure Rio is always with James. And to keep him safe. And that they will not remember making this plan.
Ash is given the letter sent to Cassalanter and finds it odd he be assigned to dispose of it. Hearing from Gillian about the intruder that gave her the Poison, the group makes their way to meet with the "Visitor". Ash unlocks a memory of a woman reminding him to burn the letter, triggered upon inhaling the scent upon the paper. Ash recognizes the make of the vial of the poison as Gillian pulls it away from the others. Ash recognizes it to be one of Jessie Jallan's.
The group arrives to discover the Visitor turns out to be a half naked man. In nothing but his boots and pants, the man seems to have been disabled with his own clothes. Clearly physically built and handsome, the man asks if Cassalanter liked the sword. "I'd bow, but clearly I'm already on the floor." Gillian exclaims he's not the intruder. That she saw someone else. "Uvanla Yvarai," the man introduces himself - and the group remembers the old word to mean 'The Right Moment of Opportunity to Kill'. More interestingly, he claims to be the son of the late Count Kether. When Cassalanter orders Rio to untie him from his own clothes, she instead uses her own Bloodsword to slice away the shirt. Uvanla laments the loss of eight Seasons worth of work. He claims the sword is Taltos and was offering it as a gift since his father was supposedly close friends with the owner of the blade. He stresses that her mother, Galeo Silja, was supposedly insistent in keeping the sword away from her - so it seemed best that she take the blade back. Cassalanter invites them inside and when he raises he's not dressed to be a proper guest, she gives him a hat to wear. Uvanla has heard much of Rio's Prowess and her one-blade fabled night in an Opera house, of an Opera that is to never be done again. And of a book never to be opened again. He knows how while the rest of those present were screaming in fear, Rio stood ready to act. Uvanla does not recognize Gillian and is surprised she is a Bear given the state of Shanri. She admits she is Rio's sister and that they share a common father. Ash directly asks what brings Uvanla here, given the Roadmen sensed his suspicious intent. Uvanla admits he finds fascination among the Ruk. He had to see how far the man would go to hurt him. He commended the Ruk's skills. They do tell Uvanla in the future perhaps he could simply send a messenger.
Cassalanter tries to communicate with her Vassals using The Invisible Tongue to ask if any of them can secure the place with the Rose Ritual, but sadly it seems none of them have learned it. Rio stresses how unsecured the Castle is. He hopes to be of service to her Castle, and in return he hopes to share the purpose of his visitor. Cassalanter is not certain about Uvanla's sincerity given he claims to be landless yet wears high quality goods. Gillian peers using Sorcery and finds Uvanla seems to reek of Sorcerer power. He shares how Miralia Yvarai stripped him of his father's land and places her own name upon the lands. He did this as an act of revenge of Zsanos Yvarai having taken from her her own name. He was hoping for an airship to try and fulfill his father's final wishes and he gained information from a Spider that Cassalanter might be able to help. He was also hoping to find Lukas Q'n to fulfill a promise he made to his father. Supposedly Count Kether promised to Lukas to do all he can to reunite him with his love, Seran Thorne. Count Kether, Uvanla claims, did not slip into Solace. He was murdered by the four brothers (Miralia's children) and Uvanla arrived too late to save him. Cassalanter admits she does not know of any Ritual to create Airships, and that she never knew of her mother. "There is talk that you still speak with her," Uvanla admits. They send him away to try asking elsewhere. He heads instead to Infinitum, the next door Province currently held by the Marquese Nerea Silja, the renamed sister of Galeo.
Ash Jalan gathers any of the blood from the spear of the Roadman, and pockets it. He returns to his chambers and smells the parchment, remembering a long locked memory that if he ever smelled the same scent, he will know to burn the parchment to receive the message. He burns it in a bronze bowl and from the dark smoke, a figure emerges. He sees the Patron. Ash bows hand on heart. "If my message has reached you, then know I am near. An Althua is coming. Your presence will be required. But know I will ensure your attendance."
When Cassalanter studies the sword, they feel... a presence upon it. A mere touch awakens a flood of memories of a red-haired woman and of crumbling castles. When Galeo asks her mother if this is her sword, she replies, "You have always been my weapon." Galeo tells Cassalanter that she, being an Elk, is the best weapon to strike at the Senate to change it from within. When she tells her mother the sword is Taltos, Galeo panics, however, and tells her to get rid of it. And to never touch it. "Don't let it know you are here. It will hunt you down." Cassalanter admits its too late for that. Galeo's words fail her. Galeo asks Ash to dispose of Taltos if possible. Maybe melt it down if possible. Rio arrives and reports Uvanla has gone to her Aunt, and that the other intruder is still in the castle. Gillian arrives to check if Cassalanter needs wine. Cassalanter then tells them all to stop and makes sense of the intruder, who in their discussion might be a Spider. Cassalanter has Rio increase the Personal Guard, "Good... logical guards." She also finally realizes there's need for Staff. "People who can be everywhere and are ready for everything." Finally, she gives Rio, her Swordsman, a Spymaster's job to investigate the intruder who instead of killing Gillian, snuck into the castle to give her a poison to use. They consider their options for a gift and Ash suggests they give her a story. Cassalanter opts to give Herbs in the Althua instead. Given the need for Metal, Cassalanter has them inspect the Apex for what resources may be found there (thus raising the Mountain Rank to 2).
The Althua is not a cheerful event. The castle has been decorated to look like winter. The grass is covered with salt. The windows had been frosted over. They are handed coats to wear. The castle is cool inside. Instead of bright colors, there is nothing but grays, whites and blues. The seneschal comes up to the group and he ends ups speaking frankly to Cassalanter. Turns out he used to serve under Galeo Silja and remembers Cassalanter when she was still a child. He was the youngest among them then. The years have been hard on the Ruk, without a doubt. He gives his condolences for both Galeo and Hero, and admits they still both pray to them. "Oh my mother was very strident, everyone can hear her," Cassalanter sighs. He shares the host of the house has instructed them not to require any presents. He was, however, instructed to escort the Court Scholar to the Waiting Chamber. Ash heads off to obey the Marquess' instructions. In the fake snow, there are strange intertwined bodies. Rio separates from the group to follow Ash. Gillian does not think they are from the Orks she is familiar with, but they are definitely not Ven. From across the room, Maja Thayl, the Marquess of Ledger sees her and calls out to her. She approaches them. She still known everyone, and every party is still her party, and she knows how to hurt others, but she has fading memories. She talks about how when Cassalanter was young, people were not even sure if she was male or female. She motions to the ice sculpture and asks if Cass likes it, given Jessie and Galeo had their moments. It was to be a fitting tribute of sorts. Maja however seems to have another lapse as she talks about Jessie feeling guilty for Cass' mother being brought before the Senate for killing a Serpent. She mistakes Cass to be the daughter of Seran Thorne. Cass corrects her. Maja realizes her error and continues to talk about how the sculpture was to make up for the one Jaric requested of Galeo from way back. Gillian watches those who drink and live, and takes wine only from such bottles.
A hand darts in and pulls the glasses away as Gillian gathers wine. The man has a disarming gaze, scruffy beard and foreign clothes. She notices the man's clothing has ork patterns in its design and distracted more of that than the man himself. He admits he came to offer to carry the glasses. He apologizes and moves away, but she asks him to stay to ask about the stitching. She mentions the different Ork tribes and asks if he knows of them. He identifies her as one of the daughters of Duke Nia Jalan, and he admits he does not know of her personally. He has heard she has wonderful daughters. Zvali Rhu is his name and he is the son of a woman whose name is not permitted to be spoken aloud: Dranna Ru. He asks Gillian is willing to carry a letter for him to Cassalanter.
Rio and Ash find themselves secreted away from the rest. To their surprise, they are brought to the Duchess Jessie Jalan who implores on them to partake a mission for her. She asks them to search the castle for any signs of the Quill, a terrible Artifact from the old years once held by the Other Ven. There is a familiarity between Jessie towards Rio and Ash that seems there.
But even as Maja continues to ramble, Cassalanter has noticed something that has stolen her focus and attention. It is Galeo. She is showing off her fantastic gown, showing a chandelier above her head. The shoulder blades show the wings of the opera house. The chest area are the opera stage itself. Maja asks if it is alright that she is present. "Of course that's not really your mother, but I needed someone to represent her." As it turns out, Maja had invited Cherno to portray Galeo in her memory. Cassalanter approaches "Galeo" and is even corrected in how she curtsey's. "That can so better be done." When they talk about Galeo's daughter, she asks to hold Galeo's hand in genuine pain. Galeo asks if Cassalanter has talents in art and hopes she does not give up on it.
Gillian's view is blocked by a massive hat, and she overhears the woman in front of her complain about being stolen the spotlight of the night. The woman is Nerea Sijla, Galeo's sister. Galeo however sees the woman and snarls at Cassalanter that the woman was the reason she lost her son. She asks Cassalanter what title she holds and upon learning she is a Baroness, mentions she needs to find two others with title. She seems to be cornered and anxious to find a Bloodsword. Nerea is panicked, wondering how Galeo can be here if she is already in Solace.
Jessie explains the importance of the Quill to the others. Rio feels however that like many things in ancient history, the Quill should best be left unused. Jessie however admits she was warned that certain actors are seeking it out, so they must act to conceal it before the others find it. Ash asks why Cassalanter would be key to this, and Jessie admits Cassalanter's mother used to own it. They tried to communicate to Galeo herself but to no avail. Ash notices Jessie has one arm that looks masculine rather than feminine. Wonders what sorcery she used on herself. Jessie recommends the Ritual of the Eye be learned to find the Quill. Jessie warns them the castle is not secure either. She sent her own Spymaster, a Spider, to sneak in and she succeeded. A bell rings in the distance. "Your mistress has probably now seen her mother," Jessie admits, "Like I said, we tried to glean information from her." They exit the room.
Galeo and Nerea confront each other. Cassalanter tries to dismiss the scene as merely amusing but the two clearly are not backing away from the confrontation. Galeo yells about her son dying from Nerea's prank. Nerea is shocked that she knows. Cassalanter talks to the Galeo in her head and they discuss how the simulacrum looks pathetic. She tells Galeo this is Maja's party after all. Galeo declares a demand for Revenge for the death of her son and demands it through a Duel - or she will call for this in the next hearing. Nerea counts that Galeo has neither title nor recognition. "I can shoot down your claims for Revenge." Cassalanter tries to remind them to let the cooler names prevail. Suspecting Galeo is a tulpa, she suggests things might look better in the morning. Both agree to her suggestion to wait til the next day. Everyone around the vicinity agrees that it would be better in the morning so tonight can be devoted to celebration. "Maybe in the morrow then, with proper dueling implements," Nerea.
Maja blows upon a small yellow rod tied to a chain around her neck. Galeo vanishes and Cherno is now who stands in her place. Dressed in yellow and looking dumbfounded, the man stumbles away. Cassalanter is amused to see her mother's greatest rival - but Maja interrupts her to correct her that Cherno is actually Galeo's greatest admirer. He admired her so much that he QUIT creating art when he heard of her slipping into Solace. And now he relives her grandeur, each night becoming Galeo longer and longer. Maja is amazed however that he has her art. "It is almost like she lives through him."
Jessie Jalan and the others arrive now, and Maja greets them as they arrive. Zhivali shares to Gillian how he was named after the fortune deck of cards. He hands Gillian the completed letter and remarks how disgusting that the Marquese would insult Cassalanter's mother in such a manner and have that man dress as her. "Among the Wu Tribes, they would have torn her head off and thrown it around." He admits she-who-cannot-be-named raised him among the Ork tribes. Gillian is amused and shares she too was raised in a similar manner. He invites her to go down below if she is ever free. Maja calls out to him to do his service, and Gillian realizes he turns out to be Staff under Maja. As Cassalanter and her troupe of vassals regather, she shares with them a summary of the events concerning her mother.
"There you are, Cassalanter..." an old man on a floating orichalcum chair calls out as he approaches. "I did not survive the destruction of two Shanri's to have a woman stand in my way. Now come on, move over..." The group stares at the old and venerated Dalvinosh Steele. The Earl of the House Elk. He motions her to come closer, citing his fading vision from an old poison that sought to kill him, and as he touches her face, Cassalanter realizes the motions are an Invisible Tongue. He asks her secretly if the Quill is safe with her. He offers her more wine. She admits the wine's providence is "unknown" and that she would not know of anyone else who can get it. He admits her answers, like her mother's, befuddle him. He struggles and unclasps a chain from his arm, which has a single figurine left. "My last Olivanna. A Falcon. If you ever feel the need to send me anything."
He senses the others nearby and asks to have Gillian Burghe come closer to him. He cups her head, fixes her hair, and calls her lovely. "I smell you are an Apothecarist. Hemlock recently touches your hands... You. I will remember you."
He hopes they choose to stay for the entire Althua. It has been a while since he attended one that lasted five days long. Maja calls out for everyone's attention as they are to begin the first activity! And the winner gets to keep any artifact they find in the Puzzle House!
In the distance, Dalvinosh Steele rubs his fingers together, and stares at the single strand of hair he was able to pluck. The old one smiles.
I will confess. I truly love Danger 5's gonzo wackiness and while Season 2 has taken a whole new creative direction, my love for the first season of the show demanded I express it somehow. So here are the creations born from that admiration. May I present to you all new Heroes you can use in your Fortune and Glory games inspired by the main cast of Danger 5!
Thankfully the reception of these creations has been pretty positive. All I need to do now is learn how to post them on Board Game Geek so others can actually print them out and play using them. I doubt they're properly balanced, given this is just a fan moment 24 hours in the making, but I do like what my partner and I came up with to represent the group.
And yes, maybe if there is enough response, we might just do this guy too:
"But Tobie, Colonel Chestbridge isn't part of-"
SHUT UP CLAIRE.
Now where was I? Yes, here you go! Share them and hope you guys like them,
Took part in another Gaming Mastering Seminar at Makati B&B and this time, my topic was Not Pathetic Caricatures, which explores the techniques and tricks that I've learned to use in approaching NPCs in games. This time, I admit I was determined to stay within the time limit, so I tried to keep things as summarized as possible.
Thankfully, the reception was pretty nice and people seemed to like the ideas presented. I just hope I've at least helped people come up with new ideas to try in approaching their own games.
You can check out the slideshow I presented by visiting The Garapata Repository and hopefully I can edit this post soon to include the video capture of the talk so those who weren't present can watch it and get a bit more on the topic. (Let's face it, we always try to add a bit more anecdotes into our talks, not to mention the video would explain the point of the.... blue screen moment).
The other topics covered included:
Superhero Gaming
Facilitated by Alex, know about where comic books and RPGs intersect and how you can set up your own comic book inspired RPG game!
Secrets of top GMs revealed
Led by our veteran GM Mon learn secrets that he has observed from top GMs throughout his long years in the hobby.
Using Consequences in Gaming
Featuring Jay, this talk is about how the choices players make shape the game they experience.
Girl Gamer Q&A They're not many, but they do play! Ask your questions to our panel of girl gamers. If you are a girl gamer, speak up and share your experiences at the table with the rest of us! On board are Che and Christine to share their views.
*Last names and photos removed for now since I'm not quite sure how they feel about having their pictures and full names online.
Very happy to have been permitted to be part of the Seminar once more. And I can't wait to hear from any gamers who've found ways to make their own games even more fun! I'll update this post once Fabs and Mira, who have been super awesome, have the video captures of the talks ready and online.
Thank you to Raf for the photo. (Please ignore my big belly)
EDIT: 5/4/2014
Here's the link to the video of the talks and panels held for the third Gaming Seminar. Check them out and feel free to go share them around!
At long last, I finally got a chance to run the game Ryuutama, the Oregon Trail-Final Fantasy Tactics-Ghibli game. Created by Atsuhiro Okada, the game is finally in English and I finally got Rocky, Urim and Che to try it out.
“At one point in their lives, everyone embarks upon an exciting journey…”
TRISTAN, a Trader played by Urim
16 year old with ginger hair, glasses, dressed simply. Always has his favorite abacus while computing things. Has an animal companion named Twinkle, a bad brown baby squirrel monkey who hangs on his shoulder and at times pantomimes that he's the leader of the travelling group. As well as Finn, a pack donkey who was a gift from his parents.
PITER, a Container-Maker played by Rocky
Heavy-set build, in his late 20s with red hair and pale green/gray eyes. Always carries a crafting hammer. And tends to get into playful arguments with Twinkle.
AYA, a Musician played by Che
In her early twenties, with a dynamite body, and honey blonde hair. She always carries her pearl-encrusted hand-mirror, which was a gift from her mentor. Great with daggers and a lyre.
The group is traveling through the grassland, on a journey to reach the town of Ifa, in hopes of finding new things to trade and sell. The town was known for having a lot of cute products, which the group felt might hold opportunities to make more coin. Although the way, the chance upon a Dragon Statue and Tristan takes the walking stick in its hands. For him, it felt like a moment that confirmed they were finally adventurers.
They did not know, however, that they had gained the attentions of Ka Riu, a seven-foot long Ao Ryuu, an Azure Dragon of fascinated with Love, Youth, Heartwarming tales, and the Human Heart. The Ryuujin resides in a library inside a burning star and watches over the three travelers with rapt fascination. He wants to write about tales of friendships being born. To share stores of kindness, of happiness, and of the hearth.
Tristan starts the day feeling sluggish, not having slept well the night before. Piter feels annoyed that they are walking on the grassland, however, feeling exhausted as they trudge along. The group laughs about how Piter insisted they bring his bathtub with them rather than get pack horses. Along the way, the meet a Weather Reader on the road. The young man warns them he sees four days of rain coming soon. He introduces himself as Joshua, and admits he had companions earlier but they seem to have left him behind along with his donkey. Piter asks if he was sure he was not traveling with bandits. "Of course not! They said they were traveling bandit hunters, in their black clothes and masks."They talk about the Konekogoblins, a race of cat-like goblins, who now reside in Ifa.
They soon reach a clearing ahead where people are already camped. The companions Joshua had turn out to be the people already set in camp. Aya asks if the men are willing to share the campsite with them. Joshua recognizes the heavy set man who he calls Billy. The men all have black grease-painted masks on their faces and are all dressed in black. A thin man comes forward, named Bob, and stands beside Billy, and they ask Joshua who the newcomers are. Piter insists they allow Joshua to be reunited with his donkey and their things. Two more guys step out, also in black outfits and with grease masks. Piter wonders if they are a performing troupe. They claim to be mercenaries keeping the roads clear of bandits. "Now, I would like to see my donkey Amberdeluxie." Tristan whispers to Aya and Piter that he thinks they are smelling Amberdeluxie now. A delicious aroma of roasting meat permeates from the fire. They make a deal to be friends for now. Joshua, oblivious to the nature of the earlier men, simply seems excited to eat the roast. They set up camp for the night. While the group was tempted to confront Billy and Bob's group about Joshua's missing donkey, the group ends up liking the donkey roast too much that they fall nicely asleep from eating too much. Aya, still awake, ends up bonding with one of the bandits, Franco, who seems to be trying to learn to read. She opts to spend an hour talking to him and teaching him how to read more. As Aya returns to get some sleep, she finds Joshua asleep in her sleeping back. With the rain starting outside, she opts to shove him to the side to share the sleeping bag.
The next morning, Aya finds herself feeling a tad exhausted having not slept well. Piter and Tristan, on the other hand, seem to have slept pretty well. The other group is now dressed in blue outfits. The masks had been washed off their faces. The two are busy juggling. Piter realizes they are actually a performing troupe. Billy, using his immense strength, grabs the whole tents with one hand and tangles it into a pack which he slings over his back. The group mentions they were headed west, to Islengton for a show. Joshua shares how bad he feels that Amberdeluxie has disappeared and how the bandits probably have taken him and the gold chest away. Piter questions Billy and Bob if they know anything about that. Tristan, however, comforts Joshua telling him that he probably should be happy to know Amberdeluxie is now "part of him" forever. Of the twins, Franco and Freddy practice their juggling. When Franco fails to catch the juggling pin, Freddy accuses Aya of distracting him with her feminine wiles and questions his brother wasting time with reading. "Who ever made their life better thanks to reading a book? Tell me!" Aya stresses many of the mayors are where they are because they were educated. Freddy insists they got to power only because of popularity. Or nobility.
The group opts to move with the troupe and Aya starts playing the song Of A Thousand Kisses, raising the spirits of the group as they walk. The rain is light and the grassland ahead offers an easier journey. Soon they reach another suitable camp site as they reach a massive tree at the center of the road. The rain begins to get heavier and heavier, and the group opt to stay under its shade. There, they find themselves encountering a Konekogoblin who seems depressed for some reason. Joining him under the tree, they learn that the Konekogoblin is named Kene, which is short for his full name Kotaro Kenemokabakamabebe. He laments having lost the fishbone earring his sister had given him, and wonders if he would ever find it, given he was worried how his sister would react once she discovers he had lost the gift. Bob warns Piter that Konekogoblins are bad luck. "They are always after their own happiness."
As night looms deeper, the group finds themselves assailed by Wandering Eggs, which burst out of the rain. The group quickly dispatches the Wandering Eggs, with Piter even realizing the eggs can fetch a good price if gathered properly. They do, however, finds the fishbone earring in the goop left behind by the Wandering Egg and consider when to return it. Kene, however, is thankful enough that he offers to show the group around Ifa when they arrive, given he actually lives there.
And in the shadows of the trees, something watches them and waits. Fireflies dance and vanish in the light rain.
March 29, 2015:
Older people begin to fall asleep. At first it targets only adults. But as time passes, the weird sleep-sickness starts hitting the eldest, and move closer towards the youngest. Oddly, people being to realize the bodies are not dying. It is almost as if they were falling into a self-sustaining comatose state.
2015-2017:
The eldest among the children remaining pool their skills and strength to begin the creation of places called Gardens, where all those who are asleep are moved to for safe keeping. While the bodies do not die.
It is around this time, as well, people notice an incoming comet which suddenly comes to a full stop in the atmosphere. The meteor becomes the focal point of panic and fear. The popular term for it becomes "Wormwood."
2018:
All makeshift governments are now run by the children. Nationalism (or at least a twisted sense of it) becomes a rallying point for many. Race becomes a reason to distrust others. Violence and desperation rise in frequency as some struggle to maintain a sense of order, while others embrace the supposed freedom they now have. Reports have come in, of the likeness of these aliens, and of how beautiful they look. They talk of golden skin, of beautiful faces, of perfect bodies.
They whisper of how those who had fallen asleep have slipped into Bliss. That was the word. The sleepers, they said, were happy. The sleepers were safe. And there was no denying that all who slept had somehow become... immortal. They did not need to eat. They did not suffer pain (or at least showed no sign of it). They lived on, longer than life expectancies. They ceased suffering from their illnesses. They just... lived on. In Bliss.
2019:
Then the drones came. Great mechanical devices that hunted any of the humans that remained awake. Their appearances varied. Some were machines that resembled vehicles. Others appeared in humanoid shapes. And others, bestial. But with their appearance, the tenuous order and systems that the children have formed fall apart. Survival becomes the point of existence. Not order. Not unity.
Survival.
Many dive into the darkness, hiding into the depths of cities to find sanctuary from the drones. Those that do not... die.
2020:
The sole surviving awake adult with the help of a group of children succeed in the impossible: they had successfully brought down one of the remote drones. It was the first victory against the aliens that lived only in the world of dreams. And the aliens were now called the Rakshaka. 2021:
From the debris and scavenged technology, the group succeeds in a breakthrough: adapting the technology to work with a teenager's physiological and psychological makeup. The device, after initially having disastrous consequences, eventually successfully allows its teenage pilots to project a presence into the dream world. The call this an ANIMa.
The fight against the Rakshaka is now possible.
2022:
The dreamworld begins to leak into the real world. In places where there are water, solid light images of those already in Bliss can sometimes be seen. At times, one can see glimpses of those in the Bliss happily living wonderful lives in some other place. At other times, more terrifyingly, there would be doppelgangers who would call out to loved ones, "Come here. Join us." And those who would touch them would Bliss out.
Now, deep beneath Akihabara Station in Japan, the same resistance group has now gathered dozens of other survivors and created a sanctuary for what may just be the last remaining bastion of mankind. In this final outpost, a council has been set up to maintain some semblance of civilization. Solar panels and water-turbine generators are set up to gather energy whenever possible. Food supplies are increased through hydroponic farming and the successful creation of underground animal farms. And the original group of children, now trained to use the Creches, prepare for what they know is to come.
The final fight for survival has begun.
The Authority Figure: Chris
Painfully keeps himself awake somehow, but he has yet to show anyone what he does.
Seemingly always dehydrated. Now 51 years old and the last still awake adult in the world.
The Children:Takeshi, the Veteran (17y). Callsign: Darkwing.
Anchored by Krishelle (15y), who is tempestuous.
Christine, the Hedonist (16y). Callsign: Animus One
Anchored by Miranda (12y), who is Saavy.
Katie (13y), the Innocent Sweetheart. Callsign: Unicorn
Anchored by Jake (16y), who is Kind.
Kyle, the Rising Hero. Callsign: Archer
Anchored by Gerard (16y), who is Comforting.
The Players:
Marc plays both Takeshi and Jake.
Meloy plays both Christine and Krishelle
Che plays both Katie and Gerard.
Rocky plays Kyle and Miranda.
The Supporting Cast:
Mary Anne (16y) who handles one of the hydroponic farms. Chipper personality.
Jude (15y) who works at Medical and tends to be pretty smart.
Pickles (11y) who is Christine's younger brother and tends to act crazy.
Kouki (14y) who is Takeshi's brother, and its a mecha otaku obsessed with technology.
The group's Hopes:
(Winning the War)
Defeat the Alien Leader
(Understand the World)
What's up with the Bliss
(Future of Humanity)
Better Civilization
The windup siren blares. The four pilots hear the siren and rush to the Creches. The base is threatened by Rakshaka scoutships closing in and the pilots hurry to launch and shut them down before they get too close. Chris tells them that Archer succeded in an earlier mission and has brought back intel from the enemy, but they've noticed his escape. Darkwing, Archer, Unicorn and Animus One launch immediately and set out to bring down all the scouts before any broadcast signals can be released pinpointing their sanctuary. There are four incoming patrols of aliens and each pilot is assigned a compass point to bring down. With the Creche's activated, elevator music plays to help calm down the pilots.
Each pilot quickly dispatches their set of incoming Rakshaka scoutships, save for Christine who falls into some complications.
Darkwing's ANIMa is a black figure with violet details. An extra pair of legs of satyr-like appearance grant him added mobility. A gigantic eye with veins and two antenna flanking it serves as his sensor array. And his main weapon is a spear of longinus, with intricate detailing. Darkwing closes in on the four targets, and Krishelle constantly throws instructions on what Takeshi should do, like some backseat pilot. With the weaponized spear forged from his relationship with his brother, Kouki, Darkwing yells at her to shut up and let him fight. The scouts emit a low humming sound as they approach, with these laser scanner sensors swiping over the area. Darkwing ducks under the beams and starts taking them down one by one. "That was close, Takeshi. Good thing you listened to me," Krishelle remarks. She forcibly disengages the mobility array, despite Darkwing's protests. Thankfully, that does not hinder him from completing the mission.
Unicorn's ANIMa is a pink and white figure with silver starts. A pair of rose-colored sunglasses adorns her headpiece as a sensor array. A magic wand like weapon topped with a star and globe is her main weapon, which fires out laser breams when engaged. Unicorn faces two incoming scouts. She fires lasers from her Magic Star Wand born from her feelings for Kyle. She leaps and twirls with each strike, disabling the scouts with ease. Jake fawns over her success, and already is thinking of how to celebrate her success. She, however, finds herself thinking of a moment of curiosity of what it may feel like to be scanned. Jake disengages the sensory array, telling her she doesn't need it against enemies this close. "You can do it!" The mission succeeds. Jake congratulates her for the win and Unicorn thanks him and says, "You are like the daddy I never had!" Jake feels a single teardrop fall from his eye.
Animus One has a burgandy ANIMa that reminds her of fine wine. Her main weapon is a bow and arrow that launches heart-shaped tips. The scouts close in her direction, and Miranda reminds her that she cannot afford to miss. Animus One admits it is hard not to gyrate while anticipating an attack. Some past trauma, however, makes it harder for her synch with the ANIMa properly. The arrows are launched, and hit each scout ship, then ricochet to hit the others as well. But before they could relish the success, Miranda notices that one of the scout ships was transmitting that very moment it was destroyed. "Oh. Well, you've handled this wave pretty well. You should be readily for the next one," Miranda casually says. Animus One feels a brush of Terror as a heavier reinforcement comes into view: a larger vessel emerging from a sudden mirror window. Miranda quickly asks Chris what the vessel is. He turns to look and tells her, "Pull her back. We will have to have Takeshi to fix this problem. Tell her she's aborted." Miranda tells Animus One to pull back but she insists she has a huge ass arrow aimed already. But Animus One instead "accidentally" launches the arrow and it thankfully strikes the heavy scout. The scout fires its own short range Medium lasers. The blast strikes Animus One, and the strike causes a feedback loop in the Creche. Animus One's Terror intensifies and she almost loses cohesion in her ANIMa! But the heavy scout crashes into the ground. Animus One presses the abort button. Miranda is already trying to slide her out of the Creche. Animus One's ANIMa nearly broke!
Archer pilots a white ANIMa with blue and red accents. A cape formed by ribbons trail behind him. His main weapon is a nested crossbow cannon which assembles out of his forearm when needed. "You can do this, Rockstar," Gerard tells Archer as he updates him on the readings. The scouts close in, swooping close in a low position parallel to each other. Archer banks left and takes out the first one on the left. The second one closes in and slows down to maneuver. It seems to be receiving a transmission. Gerard calls for Chris for guidance but he tells him he's busy and they have Animus One to thank for that. A mirror window appears, and the scout is about to jump through! Knowing he can't let it get through, Archer opens fire at the thing. Believing he can do this blind, Gerard cheers him on. Archer feels a Stress build on his relationships to Gerard and Kouki. The scout is destroyed halfway through the mirror window. The other half tears into being in the real world and hits the ground outside. A zoom in reveals the scout ship's tech could be salvaged for an additional Creche.
Scanners show all clear.
Interludes: Takeshi's Trust Building with Krishelle
Takeshi flares up at Krishelle, telling her he needs a new Anchor. She watches him walk away, but schemes to make things work out between them again. He senses this wasn't the first time she's done this. He feels he could be much better if he was not weighed down by a deadbeat Anchor. Krishelle goes to Kouki instead, convincing him to work on Christine's ANIMa in order to misdirect Takeshi's frustrations to focus on his brother instead. She then begins telling the other Anchors to stay away from Takeshi ("Give him some room.") and prepares to step in at the moment he's alone. Takeshi realizes she's the main torso of his ANIMa and while he doesn't like what she is doing, he knows he is stuck with her for now. He thought she would be a rock, which was why he chose her in the first place. He visits Mary Anne and learns she's working on a new strain. She grabs a nearby basket, and swings Takeshi an apple. "Talk to you later. Don't forget to close the door."
He visits Chris and tells him how he feels his Anchor is holding him back. He stresses that no one understands that when one is out there, he has to trust his instincts. Chris explains the fact she's not afraid of him is why she was chosen to work with him. "The crap she throws at you is probably what has helped you stay alive longer than you realize. Just think about it."
Eventually Takeshi and Krishelle have a moment drinking beer as they watch the colony from a ledge.
Interludes: Christine's Trauma Relief
The Terror fades as she exists the Creche, turning into Trauma that she has to deal with. Hoping to let go of the Trauma, she showers away the blue goop and finds Kouki at the locker room. He looks way in panic realizing she's in a towel. But she encourages him to show them... quite directly. She leans against the young boy as he shows his sketched ideas. She invites him to go to her room and show the artwork there instead. Having cuddled before, Christine changes quickly, having long mastered the art of doing so in a quick slick move.
At her room, the two pour over the sketches he has created for the ANIMa improvements. "Maybe you're right about the bow and arrow.." Christine tells Kouki as she cuddles against him and this causes him to panic and rush to the restroom. For Christine, however, she feels satisfied with the sense of domination and control.
Interludes: Katie's Intimacy Building
Katie and Jake celebrate, spraying goop around as they laugh about their success. She tells Jake that she got this recipe from Christine of brownies that are made with grass and invites him to try it with her. She runs off, still in her ANIMa suit, for her dorm. He chases after her.
As she cooks, he asks her if she really sees him as a dad. She tells him she does because he is so nice to her and always takes care of her. She admits she does not remember her dad but imagines what Jake does is probably what her father would do. Katie doesn't notice that Jake doesn't really taste the brownies. Katie stuffs them into her mouth and eats them with a smile. The moment is bittersweet for Jake, as this isn't quite what he wants, but at least they are having a moment.
Interludes: Kyle's Stress Relief
Gerard congratulates Kyle and asks if he wants some Joes (And I mean, coffee). Kyle, however admits he feels the need to find Kouki instead. He discovers the young boy isn't in his dorm, so he hits the noodle shop to check if he's there, but nope. Almost giving up, Kyle ends up seeing Kouki on the walk back to the dorm. He asks Kouki if he's had a chance to look at the Scout, but Kouki admits Chris hasn't given them the go signal to do so. Kouki shifts the conversation to girls and asks if they are like that. Kyle admits probably just Christine. Kyle steers Kouki to focus on the Scouts and he stares what he can about them; about the two possible modes, scan or transmit. Striking quickly might be best to shut them down when not sure. He admits most scouts only have Light lasers and are not as dangerous as others. When the discussion shifts back to Christine, Kouki wonders if she was getting close to him only because she liked his brother. But Kyle counters that Christine probably is just really "nice" to everyone.
"Isn't that what you call a slut?" Kouki wonders. "I don't think that is how it works," Kyle counters, "So maybe not."
Days Later
Chris calls them all. The Pilots and Anchors gather to hear his update. They gathered the ruins and reveals to them that they were able to recover a map. He pulls a whiteboard over to show them the map, but farm animals have been added to the bottom. "Pickles!" Chris hollers and the young boy emerges from the shadows, laughing. Waving at his sister as he runs out, Pickles runs smack into the door. The others just opt to ignore him, even as slinks away embarrassed. Chris tells them the scout ship was transmitting to this location, and Mary Anne explains that there used to be a Museum there. Being close to a man-made bay that has long dried up. There are times, after rainfall, when the basin is filled with water though.
Nothing has triggered the colony's defense systems in the last few days. Chris, however, suspects that the Rakshaka are still probably trying to triangulate where the colony is based on the scout ships. Chris needs two pilots to investigate the place, and two others to remain and protect the colony if need be. The Mission is to be a quick Reconnaissance Mission: Fly In, Gather Information, Get Out. The Mission is meant to last only fifteen minutes, tops. Chris thinks Takeshi should stay for base defense, and when he insists he's done such a mission before, Krishelle weighs in that Chris is right given how Takeshi has been reckless and disorganized lately. Kyle is assigned the Mission and he admits he feels he was to blame for the scouts tracking them in the first place. Chris asks if Takeshi really wants to do this, and he reminds him he's the most qualified pilot. Krishelle counters that qualified does not mean capable. Gerard reminds Krishelle not to push him too hard. Chris admits Katie can't handle a Mission this stealthy. "I can't have you in danger," Chris then tells Christine. Christine shrugs (although deep inside feels thrilled Chris does care for her above the others).
Takeshi makes one thing clear. He tells Krishelle that his instincts have kept him alive this long. "I'll follow whatever reasonable thing you say, but when it comes down to the fight, I will go with my gut." Krishelle however knows deep down when it comes to that, she will deactivate what she feels she must.
Katie and Christine then are introduced to two newcomers. A muscular jock steps in with a brooding woman. Christine looks at the guy and wonders if she had slept with him before. But then she realizes she knows him because he was the guy who used to be scrawny and short years back. The girl, on the other hand, has thick glasses, a pony-tail, and seems shy. Chris admits they don't have a fifth Creche yet, but the two will have to train in case any of them get decommissioned. "This does mean while the others are in the mission, I'll need the two of you to alternate with them in the Creche. Katie is upset. Kouki asks which one is the pilot. Katie thinks its the girl. Christine thinks its the guy and tells her the bet is up. "We don't know yet," the brooding girl admits, "We just sort of figured we should try." Katie tells them she knows they will do well.
Chris tells them the two dreamt they were piloting an ANIMa. "They just met today, but they saw each other in their dream." Takeshi wonders if they were near any bodies of water. The guy admits his father used to work in the Navy. The girl admits she doesn't like water. "I see things in water and they always disturb me."
As the meeting comes to a close, Chris has another fit. He hits the ground, convulsing, and Christine rushes to help him. He coughs against Christine's shoulder and calms down and tells them he will be fine. But Christine notices there's a small splotch of blood on her shoulder. The jock as Jake if Chris and Christine are an item. Jake admits its hard to say, since she's friendly with a lot of guys. "Girls are like that," the jock admits. "Not all girls," Jake counters.
"That's why I gave up on girls," the jock admits.
"I've heard of her," the girl with glasses mutters, "I hate her. She's only friendly until she doesn't need you anymore. Then she breaks your heart and makes sure you never forget."
"Oh great," Miranda mutters, "Another cheerful person."
The girl looks back at Miranda and hisses, "Whoopie."
"So Takeshi," the jock asks Katie, "He's the Veteran?" Katie admits that he is. "Then that would make Kyle... the cute one," he concludes. Katie feels Mister Lazlo is cuter though, and she shows him her teddybear. The jock smiles.
Outside
The retrieval team sees something outside, in the horizon, and hurries back to the base to inform the Council that the Missions have to be cancelled. "There are storm clouds coming. Heavy rain is coming."
For this coming Tabletop Day, I'm running for my fellow Whovians a game of Companions. I've been wanting to run such a game for quite some time now and I feel excited at the chance to finally do so. Even better, this is another game I can add to my 12 new games for the year.
What is Companions?
So yeah, in many ways this kinda touches on my dream of a new spin-off series called Panic Moons (which is an anagram too, like Torchwood was!) and since this is an International Tabletop Day thingie, I'm giving it a little twist. What twist? Can't spoil it this early can I...
That's clue enough I guess.
Anyway, our place ain't no gaming cafe or shop so we don't really have the ability to host huge events and the like. But given our love for gaming (and the fact Rocky still has to go to work that night), here's hoping people appreciate the tiny Dr. Who celebration of gaming we're gonna throw this Friday!
Saturday, on the other hand is another dive at Ben Lehman's Bliss Stage. So it's gonna be our second romp on teenagers attempting to save the world with weaponized love.
And Sunday is most likely a dive back into our old favorite, Houses of the Blooded. Who knows? Maybe the whole game ends that day too. You never know, after all, with Houses.
So, there you have it, another weekend filled with gaming.
As part of my 12 new games for the year, I decided to take a dive into EvilHat's Don't Rest Your Head. The game plays sort of like a cross between Silent Hill and the Dark City movie, with system quite light and focused on helping create the foreboding and tense-filled atmosphere that suits the setting. For this session, I was able to get four players to try it out.
Alex Brown, the Creative Director of an Ad Agency. Played by Jovan.
She has been having nightmares of running away from something, and this has progressed into a sleep disorder for her. She is commanding and intimidating, although she does enjoys the night life and works out during the day. Her childhood memories, however, are locked due to some form of trauma.
Her Exhaustion power is Running. Her Madness power is the Knife.
Path: Stop the nightmares
Andrew Andres, Head Legal for the Ad Agency. Played by Fabs.
Sometime during his legal career, Andrew was able to frame a childhood bully, Kyle Wick, and get him imprisoned for life. He is hot tempered, charming and lean but having been bullied as a child, he has a tendency to think of himself as weak.
His Exhaustion power is Endurance. His Madness power is the Ninja.
Path: Reduce sentence of bully
Amanda Bridgerton is Alex Brown's Personal Assistant. Played by Che.
Her father raised her to steal things, but was arrested and due to complications in the arrest is now in death row. Though she wants to leave the shadow Charles Bridgerton casts over her, she still hopes to raise the money needed to find some means to legally turn over the decision. She tends to act like a goody-two-shoes whenever she resists the urge to "borrow" things.
Her Exhaustion power is Stealth. Her Madness power is Telekinesis.
Path: Find a way to free her father.
Joshua Arevalo is the Human Resources manager of the Ad Agency. Played by Jonas.
Joshua is an insomniac, and has been taking medication to manage it. He tends to be a loner, showing a poker face to the world. He feels distant from his father, who was a distinguished detective. Christian Arevalo, however, was murdered before he could see his son even show interest in investigative work.
His Exhaustion power is Detecting Lies. His Madness power is the Jungle.
Path: Solve the Father's Murder
The four are preparing for an upcoming team building seminar. The company had plans to get this place by a lake for an overnight event. Amanda gets a text from a frustrated Alex (who had woken up from another nightmare) not to forget to set an appointment for later that day. Joshua wonders about the murder surrounding the death of his father, and having uncovered it happened at this lake house cabin where he had run to since his bouts of paranoia, Joshua had successfully set the company outing to be held in the same place. He had hoped to try and investigate a bit to see any clues to his father's murder. Andrew, on the other hand, opts to take a wee hour morning jog to try and shake off this odd feeling about the actions he had done in the past. He chances upon a bus driver who turns out to be someone who knows him from the past. Knows him enough to ask how Kyle Wick was doing. The question bothered him greatly.
The four make their way to the team building location, with all of them promptly falling asleep enroute. What they do not realize is that during the trip, they all find themselves slipping into the fringes of the Mad City. The location is a quaint place, with multiple cottages to house the employees and a jog-friendly area along the lake shore. The locale was deep inside the wilderness enough that cellular phone signals were wonky. And to Amanda's panic, the land line in the venue was out of order. It is later in the evening, after the basic team building activities have ended, each return to their own cabin to take a respite from it all.
Alex and Andrew opt to step out for a jog. Joshua begins to dig around the cabin, searching for clues. Amanda worries over the appointment she had not set, and stays in Alex' cabin to prep some of the paperwork. None would anticipate the first brushes with the Mad City. While jogging, Alex and Andrew notice a man in the distance dressed like some English Beefeater at the beach. The two ignore the figure for now, same with the sound of barking somewhere in the darkness.
Joshua starts finding an old journal talking about the madness that overwhelmed his father. The pages ramble about someone called the Wax King, of the Tacks Men, and of the Thirteenth Hour. He puzzles over the pages and trying to make sense of the contents. He seems many instances of his father writing about not falling asleep. That sleeping means death. Joshua starts to hear the barking outside and it catches his curiosity.
Amanda on the other hand tries to distract herself by watching television, although the black and white show makes her feel uneasy. It wasn't until she suddenly heard of something in the bathroom that she worries about the fact she might not be alone in the room! She begins to approach the door when a voice issues from under the floor boards, begging her to get away. To run.
Alex keeps jogging, ignoring the world. But Andrew stops, and hears the barking dogs get louder. He sees in the distance what looks like a dog skinned of fur, but upon blinking his eyes, the horror is gone. He then hears a splash in the water, and thinking it was Alex, he rushes to go and help. But what he finds, is a melted humanoid form. A mannequin. A wax figure the size of a man. Alex sees Andrew fetching the body out of the water. Joshua had stepped out to search for the sound of the barking, and finds Alex and Andrew with the wax figure. They then see the terrible skinned dogs and the officer in the distance. Fear breaks into her hearts when they realize the mannequin man is somehow alive yet not.
They run for the nearest cabin, which turns out to be the one beside the one Amanda is in!
Amanda opens the door to find some kind of man made up of newspapers inside rambling about running away and hiding from the Wax King. In panic, she tries to keep the door locked shut. But the voice keeps telling her about having to escape before the thirteenth hour hits. And when the others begin to rush into the cabin next door, she hears the commotion and tries to see what is going on. The voice tells her that it can help them escape, but that they must before time runs out. The other cabin gets surrounded by the skinned dogs, and the man in the beefeater uniform turns out to be some kind of clockwork figure that claims to be there to take back the Queen. Somehow, her sneaking around successfully gets her to slip past the dogs and join the others in the cabin where she finds the others panicking over what is going on.
Amanda finds a ring on the floor, which she ends up slipping on. The ring somehow gives her some kind of link to the Mad City, allowing her to hear the ticking of the clock leading to the thirteenth hour. Andrew and Joshua consider confronting the officer, who calls himself Officer Tock, to ask why they were chasing after them. Tock claims they had kidnapped the Queen, and to Alex' horror, the man claims she is the supposed Queen of the Wax King. The term puzzles Joshua, who remembers the madness his father sank into.
The source of the voice is soon discovered to be a wax boy named Ivan, who offers to show Amanda and Alex the way out. Andrew and Joshua, on the other hand, take the more violent path and attack Officer Tock and his skinless dogs. Andrew begins pulling shadow ninjas out of nowhere, while Joshua taps into some Jungle in his mind and emerges with bestial traits. The group gets separated to two groups for a moment, with Alex and Amanda taking the tunnel beneath the cabin to find their way out while the two guys tear Officer Tock apart, and consider leaving via the van. Realizing the women have gone underground, the two opt to follow.
Down below, however, after nearly falling victim to the presence of even more wax guardians, Amanda and Alex eventually reach what can only be believed to be a door leading back to the world they remember. Ivan warns them that he cannot go further, having sacrificed far too much to help Alex escape before. Their bid for freedom, however, is not without a price. Though Alex slips away from the Tacks Man, the guardian between the two worlds, Amanda is not as lucky. Andrew and Joshua, however, do force their way through and what seems to be an impossible nightmare abruptly ends with each of them waking up in the real world.
Alex realizes her traumatic past has to do with having run away from what can only be described as an impossible place of madness. Joshua realizes his father's insanity was grounded in fact, and now he takes the mantle left for him to learn more of the truth behind the Mad City and its inhabitants. Andrew learns that the man he had wrongly imprisoned deserved to be punished as he had actually raped a fellow schoolmate - one whom he had now bumped into upon waking at the bus station. His conscience feels lighter, knowing the man's suffering was well deserved.
And finally, Amanda is forever doomed to serve the Tacks Man. As it turns out, the "ring" she had worn was a Fastener that the Tacks Man had originally assigned to some man who was digging too much for truth about the Mad City. (That man, of course, was Joshua's father.) But now that she wore the ring, she was duly embraced as a new member of the Collectors under the Tacks Man.
The Mad City continues to welcome newcomers who slip through its doors. And Alex learns that the only way to keep running is to never rest her head.
Ever again.
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