King's Mulligan [Interactive Project]

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Hey there! Been a bit since we’ve talked, I know you’ve been pretty active with your new job. I mean… I guess you were preparing for this your entire life though. I know it’s been rough the last few years between work and taking care of your aunt and we haven’t talked as much as we’d like but I figured you could use a little more fun in your life with all the traveling being hard on you.

You remember those old witchy tabletops you used to play in town? This is kinda like that! I included a friend to help you through this, make sure to give him a name. Something nice if you can, please.


There should be a device included too as well as a helping of local soda. I know the formulas different out where you are and you’re picky so…. Enjoy! Sadly I couldn't get it shipped in the glass bottles you liked so much but hopefully this is a good pick me up.

Anyway, call me or send a letter or something yeah? I miss you.. Next time you’re in town we need to catch up proper. Folks here miss you… make sure your aunt or whoever she is is safe too.  You stay safe okay? Send me a souvenir…

Your old Partner In Crime,
              Sanguine Blanc

P.S.,

Don’t introduce yourself to him with your real name. Think of a pseudonym for yourself.


You already started getting to work on the soda, leaving your cap on the table as you’ve taken a big gulp or two.

You can’t help but appreciate Sang still looking out for you… lord knows you need it with how hectic things get.

A little LCD device and a figure of an odd rat. He’s cute in a scrappy way. Your little buddy. Your new wingman from your old partner in crime. You set the letter to the side to get a good look at him. Hmm..


What’s a good name for him? What do you want him to call you? How does this all even work...

[Shifter55]

Anura? And what's obviously fake but specific enough, the soda brand?

[knux400]

Whatever we name ourselves and the little guy, they should be matching in some way seeing as how we're seemingly going to be partners.

What about Pop for ourselves and Fizz for the rat?

[Guest]

The rat reminds me of a marching band captain - maybe his name could be Tempo?
As for our nickname, I second naming ourself after the soda, or a close approximation.

[Ignispark]

What about replacing the first letter in the name of the soda with some other letter for one, and the other one is some anagram of the soda's name. bepsi and sipep

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

 You wing it.

“Anura… Tempo? Anura Tempo…”

Suddenly just as you’ve barely settled on something, you find the little electronic toy included flickering and making little chirps.

You reach over and press the button at the center of the pad.

Your mousey friend appears on screen.
 

Compressed audio comes out of the device.

Anura: Anura…. Anura…. Ahn-oor-rah...

Utters every syllable to himself with the feeling one would ramble about their favorite dessert.

Anura: I rather like that actually. Anura Tempo will do! And uh… Ms..?

“Miss is fine.”

Anura: Your name? Assuming you’ve read the rules but reminder to keep some anonymity.

You look at the label bottle of drink you were handed frantically. Uh….

                          Cpt. CoLita: One Liter of Cola Mastery

“Kolita.”

Anura: That’ll work just fine. Would you like to play a game today? Assuming you have the time of course, no rush!

Kolita: I’d love to, I have tonight off…

Anura: Excellent! So before we proceed we should get you started on a few details.

Kolita: Sure...

Anura: You are allowed to back out and take a break whenever. You’re allowed to talk to your game master. You CAN metagame but you’ll receive the appropriate reaction from those in the narrative.

Kolita: Will.. will that matter? Is that fine?

Anura: Maybe and absolutely. This game’s designed to accommodate. Plus I get the vibe you've encountered this sort of thing before.

Kolita: Little more than I'd like.

Anura: Ah... well hopefully you're okay for this.

Kolita: Long as it's just a game and nothing more.

Anura: Mm, of course. Um… Your info is confidential, that’s a big one.

Kolita: You won’t rat on me?

Anura: Please no…

Kolita: Couldn’t help. Reckon it was worth trying.

Anura: I love puns but not like that… Anyway… let's start prep. This’ll take just a little before we dive in. Look down at the table
 

A card has seemingly found its way there.. A segmented figure of sorts is portrayed in the art.

Kolita: What’s this?

Anura: we’re going to make sure you start with a good opening hand. This card is a blank slate for you to sculpt. I need you to provide a Major Arcana, Moon Phase, a False Persona, a True Persona, and details for each segment. Formatted like this.

Major Arcana:

Favorite Food:

False Persona: (The False Body’s Personality)

True Persona: (The Real Personality)

Additional Questions and comments:


Kolita: Okay… what’s that last part?

Anura: You’re allowed to ask me anything you want… I uh… like to know a bit about the player I suppose? As a game designer at heart, I like to play to the audience here and there… plus I want to make friends! Of course if you’d like to keep it strictly to the game you don’t have to…. 

[King-Clod]

Major Arcana: Wheel of Fortune

Favorite food: Scrambled eggs

False persona: Nothing but hubris. Nothing but hubris. This card is gonna be sooo sure of themself. Not in a like, covering up their insecurities sort of way, either. They've just never had a reality check and genuinely don't think they can die.

True Persona: It's a little oblivious, I think. On its limits, the limits of others, and especially what it's feeling at any given point. If it's not putting on an act it doesn't know what it is underneath. It tries it's best to be conscientious of the limits and boundaries of others, but is still not great at that regard.

Quick question: You mentioned a moon phase, but that wasn't one of the questions. When does that come in?

[Lilium Mortem]

Major Arcana: the tower

Favorite Food: Mac and cheese

False Persona: indifferent

True Persona: hopeful

[Ignispark]

Major Arcana: The Tower, because great upheaval often shows up in adventures, whether before it begins and thus causing the adventure, or what is required to oust corruption.

Favorite Food: Bread, because it's always a solid choice.

False Persona: A bit of a showoff, capable of boundless snark.

True Persona: Calm, reserved, and decisive.

Additional Questions and comments: The Full moon is pretty cool and provides plenty of light to guide one through the night. The New moon is a solid contender as well though, with pitch darkness to provide solitude from all but the stars.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

 You think for a bit and feel like you’ve got something.

Kolita: For  Major Arcana, I’d go with the Tower. Something about the imagery grabs me..

Anura: Really? Any reason?

Kolita: I don’t know just.. Overcoming that sort of loss and struggle is a big deal I guess.

Anura: That’d be scary for many.

Kolita: Mm… anyway..
 
Kolita: for Favorite Food, mac and cheese.

Anura: Big into comfort food?

Kolita: Absolutely. Used to know a place locally that made that with a bit of tomato sauce and just… wow. I had to get my hands on that recipe for myself, paid a pretty big ticket for it. The melty parm, the nice little breaded crust… to die for.

Anura: You’ve got me craving now…

Kolita: Sorry!

Anura: If you happen to make some at some point, could you do me the favor of bringing me a little?

Kolita: Mouse likes cheese?

Anura: Yes please.

Kolita: Can do. Maybe I’ll take a break at some point to make some tonight..

Anura: Bless you...

 Kolita: Continuing though, for the False Persona... someone full of themselves to the point of being maybe a bit out of reality? Very much the type to pretend not to care when things don’t go their way, comes across indifferent.

 
Kolita: True Persona, a little oblivious where they don’t get people’s boundaries. Might be playfully rude with people in a way they don’t realize aren’t that comfortable with them yet.

Anura: Alright, that should be good! Here’s a preview…
 

Anura: You’ll have your results full soon enough but not just yet

Kolita: I don't get to see the whole thing right away?

Anura: No… but soon!

Kolita: What about the moon phase stuff? That’s coming up… I’m thinking full or noon. That’d be hell cool..

Anura: You’ll pick when the time comes! You have a bigger choice to make right now anyway.

Kolita: Oh?

Anura: Gonna introduce you to your characters. You’re going to pick one to take the lead for you.

Kolita: We’re not making a character?

Anura: Not in the way most people think no.. I’m guessing this isn’t your first tabletop by the way?

Kolita: Nope, I had friends who I did that sort of thing back when I was a kid. Got me through a lot.

Anura: Same… a lot of similar ideas will apply. Um… you ready to proceed?

Kolita: Always ready, you don’t gotta even ask.

Anura: Noted, so... Introducing number one.


THE EXECUTIONER

AGE: 27
Pronouns: She/Her

Fighting Style: Recordkeeper (Can create books filled with records of pieces and places to harness their abilities and essence.)

Starting Tome: Retribution’s Cookbook

Anura: A very knightly type in the classic sense. Her guild and family met a rather heavy fate after the monarch of this world forced everyone to either step down, dedicated their loyalty to the kingdom, or well… die.

Anura: She carries a lot of weight being one of the last opposing knights left. Bit of a silver tongue, very good at navigating through conversation with plenty. Gets flustered hard if you compliment her just right though.

Anura: Moving on to our next friend…


THE STARMAN
 

AGE: 30

Pronouns: They/Them

Fighting Style: Fibersmith (Is Capable of crafting organic and magical materials through threads and cloth for a variety of purposes such as armor and familiars.)

Starting Gear: Moonman’s Needler.

Anura: Has an older energy to them, had to grow up early thanks to their good for nothing parents. Took care of their siblings, their neighbors, and now their comrades. Bit of a tough love type sometimes but a lot of folks think of them as family.

Anura: Can feel underappreciated from time to time but seeing others smile despite the upcoming war makes it worth it. Very capable of making the hardest and coldest choices. Folks aren’t sure whether to respect them or fear them when it happens.

Anura: Anyway, finally we have….

THE COMEDIAN

AGE: 26

Pronouns: He/Him but doesn’t mind anything else.

Fighting Style: Dealer (Through a contract, has gained the ability to summon an evolving manifestation of inner self called a “Proxy”.)

Starting Proxy: Deadman’s Armory

Anura: A scholar at heart and an expert on all things occult. His wanderlust has put him in all sorts of trouble. Nobody’s entirely sure where he came from but word is he’s a street orphan on the verge of execution. Course, nobody can find any records these days. Might’ve made a deal with a devil.

Anura: He plays into this sort of reputation all the time, probably coping a little. How he survives though. All his roommates say he cries himself to sleep. Still, he pushes through because he’s a bit of a hopeless romantic. Believes in true loves and happy endings, wants to see that in the end I think.


Kolita: So… I just pick one?

Anura: Well… I’d say pick two.

Kolita: What do you mean two?

Anura: One you want to be and one you’d want to be friends with. Starting a game with a party of one is never all that fun.

Kolita: So a player character and a partner?

Anura: Mmhmm.

Kolita: What happens to the third one?

Anura: They’ll be fine, they’ll just gotta do their part their way but we’ll see them often enough. Now choose? Feel free to ask anything by the way...

Despite the intimidating name, you feel you can trust THE EXECUTIONER....

THE STARMAN reminds you of some folks in your life growing up, not in a bad way...

THE COMEDIAN looks familiar, like you've seen those eyes somewhere...

Kolita: I'll bring it up if I need anything.

Player Character:

Partner Character:

[aeshihowl]

Starman as player character and comedian as partner character!

[Clockwork Citrus]

Starman as our character

[Ignispark]

Voting Executioner for player character and Comedian for partner character.

[King-Clod]

Player Character: Executioner

Partner Character: Comedian

[Lilium Mortem]

Player Character; THE EXECUTIONER
partner character: THE COMIDIAN

[Pichi2214]

Player Character: Executioner

Partner Character: Comedian

[knux400]

Starman as player and Excecutioner as partner!

[Guest]

Player Character: Executioner
Partner Character: Comedian

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

 
Kolita: I want to be the Executioner.

Anura:  I’m not entirely surprised but I was also somewhat expecting Starman.

Kolita: I mean it was close honestly but… I dunno. She clicks with me in a weird way.

Anura: I could very much see it. As for your partner?

Kolita: The Comedian.

Anura: Interesting choice there.

Kolita: How so?

Anura: It’s red and blue, the classic.

Kolita: More of a fan of purple myself.

Anura: I can tell, suits you though.  From here on the game will start soon but I need to tell you a few things in advance.

Kolita: Sure.

Anura: One, this might be a bit on the immersive side so I’m asking you to take breaks every once in a while. Don’t want you getting so invested that you lose touch with reality.

Kolita: Sounds pretty cursed. Like a bad horror piece.

Anura: That’s because you’re in one.

Kolita: Really?

Anura: No, though that’d be a fun game for a future session maybe.

Kolita: Got me excited for a moment.
 

Anura: Would you have preferred that? I could add a spookier touch to our session…

Kolita: Nah, you’re fine.

Anura: Hopefully the little fake out there provided something...

Kolita: Trust me, it was appreciated. Continue though

Anura: Right. Two, you’re allowed to talk to your DM anytime if you would like some advice or company. Just use the prompt “Out of Character:” and I will arrive to answer.

Kolita: Okay.

Anura: Three, please don’t be cruel for cruelty’s sake? This story will certainly have its hardships, more than enough on its own. Do not make it strenuous for my poor rat heart.

Kolita: I won’t bully anyone too hard.

Anura: With that all said, are you ready for now?

Kolita: Think so…

Anura: Excellent, on your marks then.

Anura: Three…

Anura: Two…

Anura: One..

Anura: Go!


You lay in your bed though you’re far from well rested.

Your familiar sheets and pillows contrasts with the many aches and pains all over your body.

You feel your memory fuzzy. You know you were just recently in some sort of fight but you can’t remember the full details.

You’re pretty sure you lost.

Despite not being sure of its nature, you know that you’re lucky to be alive right now.

You stir around for awhile.

You can hear a couple of voices in the background.

One a little more tired and weary but still carrying its own kindness. The voice one who’s used to taking care of others.

The other is optimistic but with its underlying sadness.

You hear someone walk out of the room.


The latter voice is closer. You can make it out better.

“See you bustling about there, starting to come to your senses there?

You murmur in response.”

“Good good. Can you give me a sign that you understand me?”

You nod your head weakly. You try opening your eyes but can’t make out anything.

“Progress. Friends and I were worried when we found you. Saw a few of the king’s headhunters drag you into the streets to leave for dead… didn’t even bother to confiscate your stuff, just scattered it across the floor.”

You open your eyes, just enough to make out a face.
 

“We managed to get you to a safe house though… someone recognized you as a knight? Your mark is not of the crown though, bit of a scarcity. Anyway how are you doing? Talk to me so I know you can hear me.”

(You may now act.  Various recommended actions for now include:

Talking and asking questions.

Using your observation skills to scan the area.

Talking to Anura out of character for advice or clarification.)

[Lilium Mortem]

Look around the room, where are you?

"Hi hello, testing one two three."