Dintiradan
Alright, I'm gonna roll our setup dice. At this point, colour doesn't matter.
Dintiradan
Anyone want to start us off? If not, I can.
Lilith
I think you've got the most experience, so go for it.
Nalyd
we all roll 4 dice yeah?
Lilith
Also the person with the smallest hometown is meant to go first, right? And uh I'm from a city of 4 million people so probably not me. :v
Nalyd
mine is like 200,000
Dintiradan
I've rolled already. Hopefully not destroying Duck's spreadsheet in the process.
Nalyd
i don't see any rolls?
Dintiradan
Well, I'm ~60K, unless we count metro Edmonton, so I'm still first. :P
Dintiradan
Rolls are in the centre?
Dintiradan
And we select dice from a central pool for the setup; you're not limited to your own.
Dintiradan
So I'm player one. By random assignment, Nalyd is player two, Lilith is player three.
Lilith
that should say 6 scenes remaining in act one, right?
Dintiradan
Hmm, he probably has that set up for the five player game.
Lilith
the count seems to be set up to assume 5 player--yeah, that
Lilith
am i supposed to have edit access because right now i'm view only
Dintiradan
I had to refresh to get edit access.
Dintiradan
If that doesn't work, I'll bug Duck again.
Dintiradan
Actually, to make things easier I'm going to move the dice to the side, and order them.
Dintiradan
A solitary 1, so we're still able to have "The Happy Couple" as a relationship category.
Dintiradan
Do we want to have the bride in this game, or do you think it will be more fun without her?
Nalyd
i think better without?
Dintiradan
(I mean, bride will still be a character, just not an NPC.)
Lilith
hmm. yeah maybe. like, given the small number of players and the fairly prescribed role of the bride at a wedding i feel like making them a focus character could make things a bit predictable
Dintiradan
(Ooh, I don't think we went over this, but you're not forced to have scenes between two PCs, thought that's typically the case. You can have someone play an NPC.)
Dintiradan
Nalyd: want "The Bride's Side" as our relationship?
Dintiradan
Okay, your turn now.
Nalyd
what happens if these relationships seem mutually exclusive? :P
Dintiradan
We get creative. :P
Lilith
i mean, complicated and absurd relationships are not necessarily a problem in this game :v
Lilith
well, they're a problem, but a good kind of problem
Nalyd
mnkay. dinti and lilith, how does "the help" sound for you two
Dintiradan
Rerolling or otherwise bending/breaking the rules is a possibility. This is a GM-less game after all. But dealing with restrictions is also fun.
Lilith
ok, so does this mean i gotta pick a thing now?
Dintiradan
Specify an existing relationship, pick a general category between you and Nalyd, or start defining relationship details.
Lilith
ok Nalyd, how do you feel about being in The Inner Circle with me?
Lilith
ok, that means i delete a 4 off the dice list, right?
Dintiradan
Yep. And plunk a four down on the card between you and nalyd.
Dintiradan
Okay, back to me...
Dintiradan
"The Help - Officiant and outspoken fringe religion devotee" looks like fun, but that's our last three.
Nalyd
i like the DJ one more, personally :P
Lilith
wait, it is? i see three 3s
Dintiradan
Neeeeeevermind.
Dintiradan
I is the dumb.
Dintiradan
DJ could be fun too.
Lilith
I kinda had my eye on the officiant/devotee one too. Seems like it'd have Potential to go wrong in entertaining ways, which is kind of what we're here for. :P
Lilith
'Course, it's up to you. :P
Dintiradan
Then that's what we're doing.
Nalyd
mnkay. Dinti, you and me are the mother of the bride and her dealer
Lilith
OK, I'm up next, right?
Lilith
I think "5- Member of the bridal party and mysterious stranger" fits best with the relationships we've already got -- what do you guys think?
Lilith
Good enough for me.
Dintiradan
We're smart, we should be able to make anything work. :P
Dintiradan
(I just increased my column size when I ran into that problem. :P )
Nalyd
noooo the geometric perfection
Nalyd
so now we start the need/object/moments?
Dintiradan
So at this point we could start hashing out who is who, though nothing needs to be finalized until the end of the setup.
Nalyd
dealer and mysterious stranger work well together :P
Dintiradan
And yep, now each relationship needs a detail that's central to it. With three players, we have to have one need, one object, and one moment.
Dintiradan
Should we figure out who's who first, or just start blindly handing out details and having fun with the mess later?
Lilith
Yeah, sure, let's hand out details and see what emerges
Dintiradan
Hmm, now we've gotta deal with number shortage.
Dintiradan
Well, can't go wrong with "To get the girl hitched" for the mother of the bride, right?
Dintiradan
Hmm, unless we want to keep the focus off Regina herself. Still, should be possible even then.
Lilith
Thinking about what dice we have left, probably that'll either end up with either a 3 or a 5 for the subcategory, which both seem entertaining.
Dintiradan
Okay, done. Nalyd's turn.
Dintiradan
Though remember, the final die for the setup is wild, so we're not _entirely_ constrained.
Dintiradan
afk for a minute or so
Nalyd
you two share a dangerous object, i think
Nalyd
so i guess ours has to be a moment, lilith
Dintiradan
(that was a long minute)
Lilith
Gathering of the Clans and The Ceremony both seem like they have good potential.
Lilith
You leaning in a particular direction, Nalyd?
Nalyd
i'm liking gathering of the clans
Dintiradan
Same here. Seems like the best drama potential.
Dintiradan
So, going by the remaining options... the options for Object: Dangerous that I like best are the ones we can't pick, so I want to leave that last so we can wild die it.
Nalyd
street gang is clearly the best option there :P
Dintiradan
"To get the girl hitched before anyone figures out exactly what's going on" is nice but vague.
Lilith
Vague can be good, as long as you have an idea in mind. :P
Dintiradan
The other two are more specific but might be tougher to work in. Any preference?
Nalyd
dealer/buyer is sort of a business relationship
Lilith
I mean, if you want ideas I've got 'em. :P
Nalyd
before anyone figures out is good
Nalyd
i have a few ideas for it
Nalyd
lilith, you and me need to talk about the money
Lilith
If you hadn't picked that one I woulda
Dintiradan
That was my favourite one too.
Lilith
OK, let's see. That leaves me to pick the dangerous object, right?
Nalyd
so this one is te wild die, yeah
Lilith
I sort of love the idea of a street gang affiliated with a fringe religion, so yeah, let's go with street gang for that one?
Dintiradan
Our crazy fanatic could have fun with a lot of these options.
Nalyd
the scorpion is also good
Nalyd
but street gang, obviously best
Dintiradan
I kinda like social media, because blackmail is fun, but can't go wrong with street gang either.
Lilith
So now we decide who's whom, right?
Dintiradan
So for me, I have to be either the mother of the bride or her dealer, and either the officiant or the fanatic.
Lilith
I see potential in pretty much all the possible combinations here
Dintiradan
Establishing who's the stranger is probably the best first step.
Lilith
Yeah, "fringe religious devotee" and "dealer" both work well for the stranger, I think
Lilith
Depending on whether it's me or Nalyd
Nalyd
an officiant nobody's met or an estranged mother could also work
Nalyd
i kind of like estranged mother
Lilith
I'm seeing potential in "we accidentally picked a cult leader as the officiant" too :v
Lilith
Dammit, too many good ideas is almost as bad as too few :P
Dintiradan
Yep. So, is there anyone who really really wants to play a particular combination?
Nalyd
i think i want to be the stranger. i dunno about mother or dealer
Dintiradan
Mysterious stranger needs money from someone in the bridal party, if that helps.
Lilith
I'm easy. Bridal party/fringe religious devotee works for me if Dinti's okay with being the officiant
Dintiradan
Sure. Drug dealing officiant makes more sense than officiant who is also an estranged mother.
Lilith
So does the fact that there's a "bridal party member and mysterious stranger" relationship connection between me and Nalyd's character mean she's a stranger to me or a stranger to everyone else? :P
Nalyd
well, i'm not a stranger to dinti
Nalyd
it could be either one
Dintiradan
I'd say we're free to interpret things however we want.
Nalyd
i am going to say that nobody but dinti knows who i am
Lilith
OK, that works for me. Although apparently one of us is going after the other for money.
Dintiradan
You're not just estranged. You're _advanced_ estranged.
Nalyd
mmmmn. i could be in your cult, lilith. and you don't know why i'm at this wedding, but i need to pay my dues.
Lilith
Maybe I'm the bride's younger sister and you walked out when I was just a baby so I don't know you, but now you're trying to squeeze money out of the family to pay your dealer? Maybe that's why you're reuniting with the family after all this time, because we have money
Dintiradan
Is my officiant in the cult as well?
Dintiradan
Kinda want to say no.
Dintiradan
Lilith's bridesmaid used to be in my church. I'm trying to bring her back into the fold.
Nalyd
maybe i'm in your cult, and i somehow heard my estranged daughter was getting married, and i really wanted to see it, but i'm in your cult and have to stay in the compound. so i convinced you they have a lot of money that i need to help you fleece them for so i could go.
Nalyd
but they do not in fact have lots of money
Nalyd
so we nee to talk about that
Dintiradan
And let's say I only know Nalyd's character as one of my customers. That she's mother of the bride and in the cult will be news to me. Though that won't work if you're stuck on the compound, hmm.
Nalyd
not stuck on the compound, then, just not allowed to see family
Nalyd
does any of that sound good, lilith?
Dintiradan
Right, this wedding's just full of suppressive persons.
Lilith
Hmm. That could work, I think. I'm kinda trying to fit everything together in my head.
Dintiradan
(back) We also have to hammer out what "To get the girl hitched before anyone figures out..." means.
Lilith
So to kinda put together all our ideas, I'm coincidentally in the same cult as the mother of the bride without initially knowing that's who she is and we're trying to get money for the cult that doesn't actually exist, the mother of the bride is buying drugs from the officiant and they're both trying to make sure the marriage happens for some reason, and the officiant is trying to get me out of the cult and also there's a street gang involved somehow?
Dintiradan
As for my character, do either of you want me to be part of a specific religion or denomination? I could just be a justice of the peace or whatever, but then I don't get to proselytize to LilithCharacter.
Dintiradan
The street gang could _be_ the cult, but maybe that's too easy.
Dintiradan
Or maybe officiant thinks the cult is nothing more than a street gang.
Dintiradan
Hmm, though whatever story we tell, we're limited to twelve scenes, so maybe simpler is better.
Nalyd
either the dealer or the cult might have a street gang
Lilith
They could be, like, hired muscle for the cult who have managed to worm their way into being guests at the wedding. Keeping an eye on me to make sure I don't stray.
Lilith
Although the officiant's supposed to have a connection to them too. Maybe you recognise them because you've ministered to some of them?
Lilith
I could see a priest doing like anti-gang outreach stuff
Dintiradan
I'm thinking that a good portion of those attending are in the cult/gang, and a good portion are my customers. It's gonna be a messed up ceremony. :P
Lilith
Oh yeah, you're also a dealer. That would be another reason to have a connection to a street gang. :P
Nalyd
i'm in the cult, and i'm the one that procures our sacred substances from dinti. so he knows me for buying in bulk. he's the reason i found out my estranged daughter was getting married, so i convinced my Level 0.6 Astrogator or w/e that the family would love to make a generous contribution to the cult if i would attend the wedding. however, there is no real money, and a street gang that buys from dinti and is currently hired as muscle by lilith is on standby to do something crazy if anything goes sour. me and dinti both need to get the wedding over with before lilith realizes that there is no money and starts shouting about soul valence.
Dintiradan
Okay, that covers our need and is simpler than what I was proposing.
Lilith
OK, so I'm Nalyd's character's senior in the cult and trying to push you into getting money out of the family for us while you two are just trying to get the wedding over with without the bride and groom finding out about all the lunacy going on behind the scenes? That works
Nalyd
and you two both have some degree of influence over the street gang
Nalyd
so there might be some push and pull there
Lilith
I should probably nail down what my connection to the bride is. Close enough to be in the bridal party but far enough that you have a better chance of getting money out of her than I do
Lilith
Or at least, that I THINK you do. since there's no money
Dintiradan
BFFs from high school that have drifted apart since? She's only having you in the bridal party for old time's sake.
Lilith
Yeah, yeah, that works. We haven't seen much of each other since I joined the cult, so she's pretty much in the dark about all that stuff
Dintiradan
What kind of drug goes best with weddings?
Lilith
I think in general playing up the bride and groom as lovely, comically oblivious people who aren't really paying attention to anything except each other might be a good angle to take in any scenes they appear in
Nalyd
acid's a winner in every occasion
Nalyd
nice and culty, too
Lilith
That does seem to have potential.
Nalyd
and dinti, you need to get things over with because if word gets out that you're both a man of the cloth and a drug dealer, at least one of those lives is going down in flames :P
Dintiradan
So long as you promise me that hallucinogenics will end up in the reception punch at some point. :P
Nalyd
yeah, maybe you just need to be sure that nobody remembers anything :P
Nalyd
is tthat what we're going with, then?
Lilith
Sure, works for me.
Lilith
Do we want to, like, come up with some names for characters?
Dintiradan
Ayup. And yes.
Dintiradan
What kind of congregation am I dealing with here?
Nalyd
Well. My slave name was Marjory. My soul name is Galatea
Dintiradan
Just some no-name evangelical, or something more specific?
Nalyd
the stuffier you are, the better the contrast. catholic? :P
Dintiradan
Works for me, though I've never been to a Catholic wedding.
Dintiradan
Let's go with Anglican, so I can use the Book of Common Prayer.
Dintiradan
It's Catholic-lite.
Lilith
I was born Laura, but now I'm Persephone Shahada Karma.
Lilith
The bride and groom are... okay, someone think of some more really boring whitebread names. :P
Nalyd
well, it's regina and. . . reginald. yeah. :P
Lilith
Ahaha I was thinking Roger but that's even better
Dintiradan
I was thinking Richard, but as long as it starts with an 'R' I'm happy.
Lilith
I like how we all had basically the same idea on that one
Lilith
And also how we're already dumping on these poor NPCs who probably deserve to be happy way more than we do :P
Nalyd
dinti, what's your name?
Dintiradan
Jacob Daniels. I'm filling out a quick bio on the spreadsheet.
Dintiradan
I'm open to suggestions though.
Dintiradan
Does our dangerous gang have a name?
Nalyd
kingstreet crew, the hands of tyr for a biker gang, don siglia's family for a mafia thing,
Dintiradan
I'm fine with Sharks, it's nice and West Side Story-ish. And so far my only connection to them is that I deal with a lot of them.
Nalyd
a priest is more likely to be involved with the mafia than another kind, aren't they?
Lilith
A mafia thing would give Jacob opportunities to argue the fine points of Anglican vs. Catholic doctrine with them :v
Nalyd
street sharks is good though :P
Dintiradan
Lilith, don't make me do actual research for this character. :P
Nalyd
i must say though, it's a reference to an old cartoon where a gang literally turns into weresharks and does 90s cartoon stuff
Nalyd
biker gang means we could have a "knocks over all the motorcycles" scene :P
Nalyd
do we need anything else?
Lilith
uh hmm. probably not?
Dintiradan
I think we're good. To clarify: I know Marjory is mother of the bride and in the cult, but I only know Laura is friend of the bride and not in the cult?
Nalyd
i think so. though you might find out from the sharks
Dintiradan
Heck, I don't even need to know Marjory is in the cult if you prefer it that way. You just buy a ridiculous amount of LSD from me and I don't ask questions.
Dintiradan
Obviously I'm gonna find things out as the game goes along.
Nalyd
Let's say you don't know
Lilith
So as of the start you probably know the gang is at the wedding but not why, then?
Dintiradan
Sure. There has to be something we hash out in gameplay, after all.
Lilith
Sounds we're ready to start.
Dintiradan
Yup, unless anyone has anything else they want to clarify or add.
Dintiradan
I'm willing to start unless someone else wants to go first.
Dintiradan
Also worth mentioning that there's a rule variant where turn order is reversed after the Tilt. We could do that if we wanted to. But no need to decide now.
Lilith
*makes the "i dunno" noise*
Lilith
oh huh, i guess i have to escape out asterisks somehow if i want them to appear in text
Dintiradan
Especially since I was just about to do this:
Dintiradan
*ACT ONE, SCENE ONE*
Dintiradan
I'm going to Establish a scene with Laura/Persephone. It's the day before the wedding, just before the rehearsal (trying to keep the timeline nice and constrained). Let's say early afternoon. He's approaching this person whom he only knew as a rabble rouser in her teens, trying to extract a promise from her that she won't cause a fuss. And also 'subtly' guilt trip her because she left the church.
Dintiradan
(Any objections or other suggestions?)
Lilith
Hmm. Yeah, that works, I can do something with that. So Nalyd and I get to decide if it goes well for you or not, right?
Dintiradan
(Late afternoon or early evening might make more sense, if neither of you have wedding eve plans.)
Dintiradan
Yup. Lilith and I RP it out (or just describe what happens if you'd prefer no RPing), and at some point you two decide if I get a green die (positive outcome for Jacob) or red die (negative outcome for Jacob). Then, since it's Act 1, I give the die to one of you two.
Nalyd
and we keep that die just for the very end, right?
Nalyd
it's not used for anything else?
Dintiradan
Yup. You use your die for the Tilt, and again for the Aftermath. So for Act 1 you give out dice based on who you want to control the Tilt, and in Act 2 you
Dintiradan
you're trying to collect dice to ensure your character gets a good Aftermath.
Dintiradan
Yeah, making things go entertainingly terrible for your character is also fine. :P
Dintiradan
(Ready to go, Lilith?)
Dintiradan
Okay. Here goes.
Dintiradan
The setting is Jacob's church. People are in the sanctuary setting up for the rehearsal. He's milling about, greeting people, when he spots Laura. He goes up to greet her. "Laura. A pleasant surprise. It's been a long time, hasn't it. Good to have you back."
Lilith
I put on my best thousand-watt smile. "It's Persephone Shahada Karma. You're Jacob, right? You're the one marrying my dear, dear friend Regina to... what's his name, Rupert, Roger, oh, whatever. I'm sure their union will bring blessings on us all, although of course if she'd followed my advice and had the wedding at our eco-retreat we'd have been able to ensure no negative spiritual influences disrupted the ceremony. But never mind that. I'm sure you'll do a fine job. Is there anything in particular on your mind?"
Dintiradan
(Crap, forgetting the groom's name was going to be _my_ character's thing. :P )
Dintiradan
(Guess we all have to do it now.)
Lilith
(We can all do it. It can be-- yeah. :P)
Lilith
(I was actually hoping other people would pick up on it and make it a running gag. :P)
Dintiradan
My placid smile flickers. "Persephone Shaha- oh. Oh, my child. Are you still lost to that nonsense?"
Lilith
"I assure you, sir, it's not nonsense. Being a part of the Seekers of Light has brought many wonderful rewards into my life. In fact, I expect my faith to bring me more blessings very soon, perhaps even at this very wedding."
Dintiradan
"Ah. Still lost, I see. But no matter." I put renewed effort into my smile. "One of Regina's bridesmaids, I see. She at least still has hope for you. I hope for her sake you'll choose to refrain from your usual... _outbursts_ during the rehearsal. Or, at the very least, the wedding itself."
Lilith
I dial the smile up to two thousand watts. "I have absolutely no intention to disrupt the ceremony. As a matter of fact, I've taken it upon myself to help arrange security for the wedding to make sure that nothing goes wrong."
Lilith
(What exactly counts as a positive outcome for Jacob here? Does it have to involve specifically achieving the goals he set out for in the scene or just things going well for him? The distinction seems like it might be significant.)
Lilith
(Like, at this point, having noticed all the gang members hanging around, Jacob might put two and two together and realise Persephone is Up To No Good. But I'm not sure if that counts as a positive outcome for him.)
Dintiradan
(From what I've read, people interpret it a bunch of ways. Someone getting what they want when what they want is terrible for them could be positive but would probably be better as negative. In this case, what Jacob wants is for Laura/Persephone to commit to being nice and quiet and on her best behaviour.)
Dintiradan
(Ultimately, up to you two. And yes, either way he'll notice the 'security.
Lilith
Nalyd, you get a say in this too. Which one of us do you want to win this battle of passive aggression? :P
Nalyd
(speaking of the security, i want one of them to walk by and give Jacob one of those fanciful handshakes in the middle of his conversation) :P
Nalyd
which one do i want to win? probably laura
Dintiradan
My smile drops. "Security? No. No no no. You're not going to be causing any trouble her, _Laura_. Regina is a lovely young woman. Her father is a... respected member of my congregation. For their sake, please, don't cause any fuss."
Dintiradan
(Probably best to keep scenes short and sweet. Describing characters and adding flavour is good, but everything has to exist to answer the scenes question. In this case, I'd say a negative result means that Laura/Persephone commits to being overtly culty. But again, the decision of what happens and what that means is up to you two.)
Lilith
(Yeah, I think it's about time to decide on a resolution here. I'm thinking negative resolution: Persephone basically brushes off Jacob's concerns. Nalyd, that work for you?)
Nalyd
NEgative resolution, sure
Dintiradan
(Alright, then wrap the scene up with a response from P.)
Lilith
"I told you, it's Persephone Shahada Karma, and I told you I've got everything under control. If that's not enough for you, I don't know what to tell you." I start to look very interested in the contents of my handbag.
Dintiradan
Alright, not much point in going further, so end scene. Annnd let's give the red die to Lilith.
Dintiradan
*ACT ONE, SCENE TWO*
Dintiradan
Action to you, Nalyd. Establish or Resolve?
Lilith
(At this rate we might want to take a break around the end of Act 1. I mean I've got all day, but it must be getting late for you guys.)
Dintiradan
(I was planning on calling a quick break between acts, yeah. Probably a good idea regardless.)
Nalyd
This is after the rehearsal, involving Marjory, Laura, and Jacob. Marjory and Laura watched the rehearsal from the back, and now Marjory's trying to convince Laura to delay any contact with her daughter until after the wedding. Jacob, nearby, just now notices that the two are together.
Dintiradan
(No need to involve me, unless you really want Jacob to be in the scene. The main characters are L and M, because the scene's question will be answered by them.)
Nalyd
(that's fine, just, you notice them together)
Dintiradan
(Ah, gotcha. So I know something's afoot.)
Nalyd
Marjory's eyes are turned down and her voice is quavery. "No, no, Astrogator, I can't talk to her now, it's too early. She might not believe me, or she might talk to someone else about it. There are so many that might lead her from the path to the light. It's best to wait until after the marriage, when she will absolutely have access to Ronal. . . Reggie. . . the groom's family's money."
Lilith
"Galatea, I understand completely how you feel. We are all family here in the Seekers of Light, after all: your family is our family too. But as a member of our family, you mustn't forget your obligations to us. There are many people who have worked very hard to allow you to be at this wedding, and who don't want to have to wait to be repaid for their help. You haven't forgotten our agreement, have you?"
Nalyd
"No, Astrogator, no, of course not, no, no. I'm not going to let the Seekers down, not ever. Regina will be more than happy to help our noble cause, once I show her the truth. She is my daughter, she'd love nothing more than to help her family. But it should wait, just another day, or two. Or one. I'll start talking to her tomorrow. After the ceremony. Or before. After." Marjory is slowly wilting.
Dintiradan
(Definitely red die. Let's make this conflict happen!)
Lilith
(Oh, cool. I was actually going to be okay with a positive resolution for this one, but if you think so, then let's go with that.)
Dintiradan
(I mean, we can't say no to the entire plot, now can we?)
Nalyd
(A red die would mean that Marjory fails to put off talking to Regina, so yeah, I'm for it :p)
Dintiradan
(Well, we could, but then the conflict wouldn't happen during the wedding, and I want this wedding to go horribly wrong.)
Lilith
"You should tell her before the ceremony. It's only fair to her that she goes into the most important moment of her life knowing who her true family is, and where her loyalties should lie. Don't you think so, Galatea?"
Nalyd
"I. . . I. . ." Marjory's eyes are watering. "Yes, yes, Persephone, of course, you're right, of course, yes you know what's best for our family."
Lilith
OK, you decide who gets the red die.
Nalyd
This goes to you, lilith
Lilith
I sorta figured. :P
Dintiradan
*ACT ONE, SCENE THREE*
Dintiradan
(Now it's official. :P )
Lilith
Okay. Hmm, I've kinda had scenes with both of you already. I think I'll Resolve: let's see what kind of further trouble you two can think to get me into.
Dintiradan
(You could also Establish a scene with one of us playing an NPC.)
Dintiradan
(With three players, we might have to use that option a bit more than usual.)
Lilith
(Yeah, I could do that. If neither of you have good ideas for scenes I could establish one of me assuring the gang members that they're getting paid for showing up today.)
Nalyd
Laura discussing what's going to happen in a worst case with the street shark captain?
Lilith
Yeah, that works. Does it have to be one-on-one or can I bring both of you in on it? Because if I can I might as well.
Dintiradan
(Hmm, I don't _think_ it has to be one-on-one. But that's typically all I've seen in the (limited) number of playthroughs I've read/watched.)
Dintiradan
(Something like this could easily involve us both. Make us some goons, L!)
Lilith
(Yeah, that's what I'm thinking.)
Lilith
Persephone is in a side street outside the church, walking back to her BMW. It's getting dark. She's been approached by a couple of the Sharks members who were hanging out at the wedding rehearsal. She's trying to assure them that the money they're owed will be paid and secure their help in bringing Regina and her husband into the cult.
Lilith
"Listen, I've talked to the mother. The mother won't be a problem: she'll explain everything and we'll get our money. And once we get our money, you get your money. I just need you to keep doing your jobs."
Nalyd
Jerry looks at her over his sunglasses, leaning with theatrical casualness on a nearby signpost. "Look, babe, anyone can promise anyting in the world. What I need is some assurance. This wasn't no high-class wedding. My ma got married at this church. Where's this money coming from? How's it getting from there" he gestures at the church "to here?" he pats his chest and leans back further.
Dintiradan
Jimmy fidgets and nods. "Money from the groom to the bride, from the bride to the ma, from the ma to you, from you to us? Too complicated. Better if we just shake them down ourselves."
Lilith
"It's just like I've told you already, this Rudager guy's family is loaded. Once they're married, well, what's his is hers, and then once her long-lost mother comes to her with a sob story about needing a couple of hundred grand, it's ours. And this way, they walk away happy with themselves for having helped, and we can milk them for more later. If we can get them to join the Seekers of Light, they'll give us all they've got with big smiles on their faces as they do it. Isn't that better than making a big mess?"
Nalyd
Jerry sighs. "I'll see this through. Free food tomorrow, at least. And it's a hoot seeing Jake all prim and proper. But you just know that we'll be getting what you psychos have promised us one way or another. "
Dintiradan
Jimmy looks at Jerry and shrugs. "Sure, fine. We wait. But not long. I wanna see that old hag bawling her eyes out tomorrow."
Lilith
I grin. "Hey, if she doesn't want to go through with it, you make sure she does. That's what I'm paying you for."
Lilith
(End scene, I guess?)
Nalyd
Jerry flips up his jacket collar and slouches off.
Lilith
Hmm. Are there any rules on how I decide who to give the green die to? :P
Dintiradan
Jimmy scratches himself nervously and follows after.
Lilith
(Also I was totally expecting you guys to steal my car as collateral. :P)
Nalyd
(that is a good idea that we should have done)
Dintiradan
(As for assigning dice, once people have more of a collection there's more choice. Right now you're choosing between two empties, so do what I did and pick randomly. :P )
Lilith
Hmm. I'll give the green die to Jacob, because considering how that scene went I can't see "Galatea" and "success" in the same sentence right now. :P
Dintiradan
Alrighty then, second pass.
Dintiradan
*ACT ONE, SCENE FOUR*
Dintiradan
(Before I start, I've gotta confirm something. Does Jacob know that Galatea/Marjory is part of the same cult as Persephone?)
Nalyd
you have a strong suspicion, at least
Dintiradan
Actually, for what I'm planning it doesn't matter too much one way or the other.
Dintiradan
So let's establish. As Persephone/Laura is on one side of the church talking to the Sharks, Jacob is on the other side grilling Galatea/Marjory. He wants to protect his status as respectable priest, so he's making sure that Marjory hasn't spilled the beans yet, and isn't going to spill the beans tonight or tomorrow.
Dintiradan
Alright. Jacob's got Marjory cornered, and his pleasant facade has been dropped. "I saw you talking to that Laura. What'd you tell her? What? I told you about this thing out of the goodness of my heart, and if you repay me by outing me, I swear, I will make you regret it."
Nalyd
Marjory is looking all around and clutching at her sides. "I- I haven't sai- said a thing, Mr. Daniels, I swear it. Nothing here's about you, okay? Persephone just wants some - some help from the family, is all." She starts wringing her hands.
Dintiradan
I shake my head in disgust. "'Persephone'. Christ. That one hated me as a teenager, and she'd just love to see me go down. Alright, look. It's enough of a miracle that you can string one word after another, with all that fucking acid you drop, so I'm going to make this very simple and not push my luck. Listen. Carefully. You've never met me until today. You just know me as Regina's priest. And you don't bring me up in any conversation. Especially with 'Persephone'. We clear?"
Nalyd
"Y-yeah, yes, sure, yes, Mr. Daniels. You don't have to worry about me. I'm just your best customer. All business. I don't know any Father Daniels, no. Don't know about anything. And neither does Persephone!"
Nalyd
(i think this is a green
Lilith
(Yeah, I think so.)
Dintiradan
"Good. Good." I shake my head. "One of my customers sitting in my pews. What a mess."
Dintiradan
Hmm. The most gamey thing for me to do is give the green die to Lilith. So let's be a jerk and do that.
Lilith
i mean not that I'm exactly rooting for Persephone to win, because she's awful :P
Nalyd
Alright. I think I'm going to Resolve for this scene.
Dintiradan
*ACT ONE, SCENE FIVE*
Dintiradan
(For those who care, Duck's group just wrapped up Act One, and they'll be finishing Act Two another day.)
Dintiradan
(And that's a possibility for us as well.)
Nalyd
that seems liek a good plan. i'm sleepy.
Lilith
Yeah, sounds good.
Lilith
So, what kind of trouble do we want to get Marjory into?
Dintiradan
(Okay, two more scenes, then the Tilt if we feel up to it.)
Dintiradan
Hmm. Where does Marjory go at nights? Back to the compound?
Dintiradan
Unless you've got another scene with Persephone ready, I say we have her meet up with moar cultists.
Dintiradan
That, or we advance the time to the day of the wedding.
Dintiradan
Oh! A scene where she's begging for money is needed at some point.
Nalyd
yes, that is plot-integral
Lilith
Yeah, good point. She did say she was gonna do that before the wedding, so if we jump to the morning of the wedding, that gives us time to start dealing with the fallout of whatever happens before the ceremony, which I think is the obvious place to put the Tilt.
Lilith
So, do we want the scene to just be Regina and Marjory?
Dintiradan
Yep, tilt hitting just as the ceremony does is lovely. So early morning or late after the rehearsal. Who should she be talking to? Regina? Regina's dad? Someone from the groom's side?
Lilith
I definitely think Regina should be there, at least.
Dintiradan
(An aside, not saying we need to do this now, but in Fiasco it's totally fine for a scene to break chronology, or be a flashback, or whatever. You're not constrained to a rigid timeline.)
Lilith
(Oh, cool. Good to know.)
Dintiradan
(Yeah, anything goes, really. Apparently very possible for someone to die early on and still be able to 'participate'.)
Dintiradan
So... morning of the wedding, everyone's rushing around, Regina's getting her hair done... and Marjory picks this wonderful moment to ask for money. Sound good? Want to have all three of us again?
Nalyd
I imagine Laura would be watching this
Lilith
Yeah, that makes sense. I'm watching, I've let Marjory know I'll be watching, but I probably won't actually intervene unless something goes very wrong.
Nalyd
not only ask for money, but be all hey! i'm your mom! it's been years. :P
Lilith
(I've had a little more spotlight time so far than you two anyway, I think, so I'm fine with being a little quiet.)
Dintiradan
Oh, duh, right, you're in the bridal party.
Dintiradan
So I guess I'm dear sweet Regina. Yay!
Nalyd
Alright. So, Marjory awkwardly creeps into the room and sits, like, in the same seat as Regina. Places one arm around her, one arm on her hand. Her smile is best described as 'brittle' "Oh, Regina, sweetie, you look so lovely!"
Dintiradan
Regina's smile is perfectly described as 'beatific'. "Thank you, mom! It's so wonderful that you were able to make it!"
Nalyd
"Well, you know, I've been real busy at the Light Center, sweetheart. My shokratic leylines are all wrapped up. I'm sorry it's been so long, but it takes time to deal with these things. Time, and. . . Oh, you look so lovely, darling!" Marjory strokes the side of Regina's face and gets a little wide-eyed.
Dintiradan
"Well, uh- oh, thank you, mom!" _Yes. Just nod and say thank you. No need to go into that whole 'cult' business. Poor mom._
Nalyd
"And, um, well, I know I haven't met R. . . Ragoula, but I'm sure you two will be a lovely couple. He can. . . provide for a family, right? What's his line of work? It must be well-paying, my Regina deserves nothing less!" More smile. More.
Dintiradan
Regina briefly wonders why no one ever seems to get her fiancé's name correct. It's a simple enough name. "Yes, mom, he does fine for himself. We'll be fine, don't you worry. And we're going to be so happy together. That's what's important, right?"
Nalyd
"Of course, of course. I'm sure, since he does so well, you wouldn't mind asking him for a bit of. . . help? On behalf of your mom? The, the, the Light Center is doing so much good for me, Regina, and they say if I just overture my dominus alignment to 0.08, we can really start making some progress. . ."
Dintiradan
"Oh. I, uh... look, mom, this is a bad time. Well, actually, it's a great time, a wonderful time! Just not the time for this. How about we talk about this again when I'm back from the honeymoon? I'm sure we'll be able to sort things out."
Lilith
(I'm seeing this as a red. Even if Regina was willing to help, we've established she doesn't actually have access to the kind of money Marjory wants. Dinti, what say you?)
Dintiradan
(Works for me, and the fact that Persephone witnesses this failure is a bonus.)
Dintiradan
(Actually wait!)
Dintiradan
(Nalyd is resolving.)
Dintiradan
(So NalydChoice.)
Nalyd
Yes, this is a red.
Lilith
(Oh yeah, good point.)
Lilith
(Sorry, I forgot we set up this scene. :P)
Nalyd
"Right! Yes, of course, after the honeymoon. That would be a great time to do this. Right?. . ." Marjory looks at Laura with genuine hope, and upon seeing what I assume is open disapproval, turns back to Regina and says "Right! So nice to see you, sweetheart!" and quickly shuffles out of the room.
Dintiradan
(I mean, we could find a way to spin this as a green if you want. Don't feel constrained to red.)
Nalyd
Actually, it might be a green
Nalyd
marjory kiiiind of avoided forcing the issue
Nalyd
for, you know, five mroe minutes :P
Lilith
I'm pretty sure next scene's gonna be a Persephone/Marjory one either way. :P
Dintiradan
Yep. Another possibility is getting a vague promise from Regina, enough to satisfy Persephone.
Nalyd
Which I will give. . . to Lilith.
Lilith
I'm sensing people want things to go badly for Persephone. :P
Dintiradan
The more misery, the better.
Lilith
So, any more to wrap up in that scene or is it my turn now?
Dintiradan
Is that end scene?
Dintiradan
*ACT ONE, SCENE SIX*
Dintiradan
bam. last one. make it count.
Lilith
Hmm. You know what, I think I'll choose to Resolve too.
Dintiradan
Yep. As the game goes on, having power over how a scene ends is better. Of course, that comes with giving up narrative control. What terrible situation shall we put Persephone in, Nalyd?
Nalyd
hm. i think the obvious next scene is a marjory vs laura
Dintiradan
That is the obvious one, yes. Also the only one I can think of off the top of my head. Lilith is clearly taking advantage of our lack of creativity. :P
Dintiradan
But seriously, a confrontation between you two makes for a good act one finale.
Nalyd
but the street sharks could make a scene in front of laura, or jacob might try and get the sharks to intimidate her into keeping things quiet. marjory might tell the street sharks about their chances of getting any money, and they drag her to confront laura.
Nalyd
we could just be obvious. :P
Dintiradan
Well, it's your character's fate at stake, so you decide.
Nalyd
street shark w/marjory confront laura, i think is more interesting
Nalyd
So, Laura's still among the bridal party, when Jimmy barges in, towing Marjory by the bicep, and starts shouting. "You said she wouldn't be a problem! Well what's this about waiting for a honeymoon, huh?"
Nalyd
and i guess dinti should be jimmy
Nalyd
Marjory's in tears, btw. :P
Dintiradan
Yeah, Jimmy's pissed. You have any idea how much he owes his dealer? He needs this windfall.
Lilith
I look at Jimmy, then at Marjory, then back at Jimmy, trying to decide who I most urgently need to appeal to in order to salvage this situation for myself. I quickly decide to address the larger and more dangerous-looking person first. "It's not my fault, okay? I'm not the one who decided it'd be a bright idea to come out and tell her the money was for us."
Lilith
I soften my voice and turn to address Marjory. "Regina's not one of us yet, Galatea. She doesn't understand. But we urgently need her support. There's no sin in doing what you have to do for the sake of your family. Come up with something better. Tell her -- tell her you didn't want her to worry but you actually have cancer and you need the money for experimental treatment. Collapse in the middle of the ceremony if that's what it takes. You're a resourceful woman, you can come up with something. And if you can't... we'll have to improvise."
Nalyd
(i should note, this is all still among the bridal party, yeh?)
Lilith
(Well, you're the ones setting the scene. I assumed we were off in a corner at least. We don't have to make a scene juuust yet. :P)
Nalyd
Marjory wails "She just deserves a nice wedding! My baby girl!"
Dintiradan
(I'm okay with this being in a corner, where the party can't hear our every word. Just so long as there are plenty of witness who saw an angry stranger dragging the mother of the bride around.)
Dintiradan
"'Improvise'? 'Improvise' just means you don't have an actual plan! I'm telling you: too complicated."
Lilith
"Oh, Galatea. How many times have I told you that everything happens for a reason? This is what's best for all of us, Regina included: she will be blessed for her part in helping us pursue the light. And Jimmy, I promise you this will all be resolved and the money will be in your hands before the bride and groom leave for their honeymoon. You just wait and see."
Lilith
(I think I'm gonna go green for this, if people don't mind me wrapping up the scene now. We can really blow things up once the wedding starts. :P)
Dintiradan
(Sure, that gives us a direction.)
Dintiradan
I sneer at Marjory. "So, we're all depending on her acting skills? Great. Just great. We'll give you one more chance. But if we don't have the money by this evening, heads will roll."
Lilith
And just to make things interesting, I'm giving the green die to Galatea.
Lilith
OK. So the other group set up the Tilt but saved actually playing through it until next time. Do we want to do the same?
Dintiradan
That works for me. Ultimately up to Nalyd, because it's latest for him.
Lilith
Okay. So I roll 2d6-2d6 and you two roll 1d6 each, right?
Dintiradan
Okay. Replacing each 'x' with a =roll() should do the work for us.
Nalyd
my computer has decided to behave as if the ctrl button were always pressed down, so probably someone else should mess with the spreadsheet :P
Dintiradan
Alright, one second.
Dintiradan
I've got the most positive value at 4, Nalyd's got the most negative value at 1.
Dintiradan
The Central Limit Theorem is a harsh mistress, isn't it Lilith.
Lilith
It felt mean to give Nalyd no chance to influence things. :P
Lilith
And sure, Persephone's mean, but I'm not. :P
Dintiradan
Okay, so I've rolled the dice in the centre. From those six dice, we use four to choose tilt elements, just like we did in the setup.
Lilith
Although actually given how the roll turned out I guess it wouldn't have made a difference. :P
Dintiradan
(Keeping in mind that once we reset for act two, we need two green and four red.)
Dintiradan
Hmm, not sure if giving Nalyd the die helped or hurt his changes. It kept us the most even for the aftermath, though.
Dintiradan
I've gone first for setup and scenes, so Nalyd, you pick first for the tilt. Choose a general category.
Dintiradan
And, fittingly enough, I'm picking Innocence (3).
Dintiradan
So now pick either 1, 3, or 5 from Innocence.
Nalyd
wrong guy gets busted
Dintiradan
"A visit from the (perhaps unofficial) authorities" and "Someone panics" sounds like things that would happen anyway.
Dintiradan
So I'm going with "Somebody develops a conscience".
Lilith
I kinda figured things might be going in that direction. :P
Dintiradan
Also the most fun.
Dintiradan
Just because Nalyd and I picked these options doesn't mean they're limited to our characters. Anyone can incorporate them into their scenes.
Dintiradan
Anyway. I've had a fantastic time so far, hopefully it's been fun for you two as well.
Lilith
Yeah. I've already got some ideas for next time.
Dintiradan
This could go any number of ways, all of them horrible.
Nalyd
anyways i'm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62wgqdCbQp8 so i'mma slep now
Nalyd
thanks pal thanks lil
Lilith
no problem. noblem.
Dintiradan
We'll probably do another WhenIsGood on SW.
Dintiradan
I'll check if Duck wants the next session to be on the same day. Doesn't have to be, but if we do we could compare stories with the other group afterwards.
Dintiradan
HA TECHNICALLY NOT LATE
Lilith
i mean, really, you're not late unless you're the last person to arrive, right?
Dintiradan
Hmm. I see dice results don't persist.
Dintiradan
Good thing they're only needed for setup, tilt, and aftermath.
Dintiradan
Okay, just did a quick skim. Do you two want more time to reread, or are we ready to go?
Nalyd
we were just about to do the tilt, right?
Dintiradan
We finished the tilt, the elements are at the top of the spreadsheet.
Dintiradan
So, at some point during Act Two, anyone can incorporate "Someone develops a conscience" or "The wrong guy gets busted" into their scenes.
Dintiradan
Other things to keep in mind: during Act Two, at the end of your scenes you keep your dice, rather than give them away. At the end of Act Two you'll roll them and take the difference between the red and green dice. If you want things to go well for your character, you'll want a high score -- the closer to zero, the worse things will end up for you. Of course, deliberately going for both colours because you like to see your character suffer is also fine. :P
Lilith
i do like how the combination of Tilt elements here implies that somebody is probably gonna try to do the right thing and completely botch it :P
Dintiradan
Yup. And, as will pretty much everything else in this game, these things are flexible and open to interpretation. "The wrong guy gets busted" doesn't _have_ to involve the police. Or a guy, of course.
Dintiradan
Another rules thing to bring up: under the original rules as written, the scenes would go Dintiradan-Nalyd-Lilith-Dintiradan-Nalyd-Lilith, just like in Act One. The companion has variant rules; if we want we can start with a different person, or go counterclockwise, or both.
Lilith
does anyone have a strong preference?
Dintiradan
Probably not as big of a deal with a three person game, but if anyone doesn't want to follow the same person as last time, there's that option.
Dintiradan
And I don't have a preference either.
Dintiradan
Well, since no one cares one way or another, I'm fine with starting and continuing play in the same direction.
Dintiradan
This does mean that everyone's favourite scheming cultist gets the last say in matters. :P
Dintiradan
Ooh! One last rules thing! The last die in the act is wild in terms of colour when it comes to resolving a scene, though not in terms of calculating aftermath. This means you can have things go poorly for your character during the final scene, even when there's only green dice left.
Lilith
But I still get a green die if that happens?
Dintiradan
Or vice versa. Of course, that's not the case during the penultimate scene.
Dintiradan
Arguably, we could make it totally wild, even for the aftermath, since we're not playing with physical dice.
Dintiradan
But unless people have strong feelings about it I'll stick to the rules as written.
Dintiradan
*ACT TWO, SCENE ONE*
Dintiradan
And since only boring scenes are coming to mind, I'll choose to Resolve this scene. Establish something for me, you two.
Lilith
Hmm. We're pretty much up to the ceremony, so I guess anything going wrong at the ceremony would sort of necessarily involve you. :P
Nalyd
well, if the wrong guy is getting busted, it could very well be the wrong person responsible for the drugs at this wedding :P
Nalyd
so maybe there's some discovery or suspicion regarding those
Lilith
(That's kind of what I'm thinking as well. Maybe someone got dosed somehow and starts making a scene in the middle of the ceremony?)
Dintiradan
(Memory fail: what drugs are at the wedding? Or would this be some new element you're introducing?)
Lilith
(Well, apparently the cult has access to a bunch of LSD via you, so it's not implausible that either you, I or Marjory would have some around.)
Lilith
(Plus, it seems like the kind of drug guaranteed to liven up a wedding one way or another, so that's a plus.)
Dintiradan
(Okay, cool, I just couldn't remember if we previously established drugs as being part of the cult's plot at the wedding.)
Lilith
(Hmm. I already have a motivation for wanting Marjory to disrupt the wedding by appearing to be seriously ill, so it'd make sense for me to try and slip her something just before the wedding, maybe dab at her lips with a dosed handkerchief under the guise of fixing a lipstick smear, and for it to start to take effect during the ceremony. Nalyd, what do you think?)
Lilith
(Cool. This'll mostly be you two's scene, then, I guess.)
Dintiradan
(Sounds fun to me.)
Dintiradan
(So, Marjory's there, so's Laura as part of the bridal party. Anyone else I should worry about? Some of the Sharks?)
Lilith
(The Sharks are probably watching from the background, at least, since they're ostensibly security.)
Lilith
(Which could make things interesting if anything actually happens that would justify the intervention of security.)
Dintiradan
Alright. Here goes. It's the ceremony itself. When he walked into the sanctuary through his door near the pulpit, Jacob was startled to find a few familiar faces in the back pews. Sharks, here? Why? But whatever the reason, they haven't caused a scene yet, and so far no one seems to be paying them much mind. It seems the congregation only has eyes for the bride, and the bride only has eyes for ol' what's-his-face. The opening songs end, and Jacob launches into the solemnization, easing into a comfortable drone. Maybe he'll be able to get through today with his reputation intact.
Lilith
I watch events unfold from my position among the bridesmaids, sneaking glances at Galatea every so often.
Nalyd
Marjory is antsily watching the proceedings, trying to enjoy the wedding and shake the feeling of impending doom. Is it normal for priests to melt when they do weddings? It must be. But should her hands have quite so many other, smaller hands coming out of them? Maybe she should ask. "Am I supposed to have this many hands?" She loudly slurs to the person next to her.
Nalyd
And holds her hands up to their face, leaning into them.
Dintiradan
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of God..." Laura seems to be quiet. That's good. Jacob was worried about her causing a scene. Sharks seem to be content just watching. As for Marjory... oh dear.
Nalyd
"No, really! There's. . . there's so many. What's wrong with your face?!"
Lilith
(Mind if I play the Sharks for this scene, since Laura is deliberately going to be doing as little as possible at this point?)
Nalyd
Marjory stands up from her place in the front row. "I. . . I think my chronotuboids are miscalibrated. Did you all have chicked heads when this started?"
Lilith
Jimmy, seated at the back of the wedding, stares worriedly at Marjory. He's seen enough people under the influence to know what it looks like. And he's supposed to be security here, or at least that's his cover story: are people gonna actually expect him to do something if she makes trouble? He hasn't even been paid yet and his job just keeps gettin' more complicated.
Nalyd
She shakily wanders towards Jacob. "This is like. . . your stuff. Isn't it? Did you do all this?"
Dintiradan
"... mystical union that is between Christ and his Church ..." Okay, Jacob. Damage control. She needs to leave the sanctuary before she- too late.
Dintiradan
"Dear Regina, it seems your mother is unwell." Think fast, can't leave the junkie with her family, she'd spill the beans. Or the bridal party, especially that Laura. Or any congregation member, really. Maybe...
Nalyd
She's pointing at Jacob now. "I think that you. . . shouldn't marry my daughter. Not when you do things like-" and she trips over the edge of the dais
Lilith
(Oh man, I can't even decide whether I'd rather have Dinti pick a red or a green die for this one. :P)
Dintiradan
"One moment, dearly beloved." Jacob steps down from the pulpit, strides to Marjory, and grips her arm firmly. "Don't worry, my dear, I know a place you can rest. Get your bearings."
Dintiradan
I stride down the aisle, squeezing her arm tightly whenever she starts to open her mouth. I make my way to Jimmy. "Sir, would you mind escorting the mother of the bride to my office? Just down the hall there." Then, under my breath. "Just do it, Jimmy, I'll make it worth your while."
Dintiradan
(I'm assuming that a green die means that I keep my reputation intact... for now. And that's what I'll be picking. Leaving Marjory with Jimmy might not be Jacob's brightest move in the long run, but he's the only person he sees in the room whom he (thinks) he can trust with his secrets.)
Lilith
Jimmy grunts in annoyance, rolls his eyes, takes Marjory by the arm and firmly escorts her away.
Nalyd
"Rumbling. . . pinstriped. . . moiety blue?"
Dintiradan
Jacob returns to the pulpit. "Weddings. Such an exciting and trying day for all of us. Now, where was I..."
Lilith
(Oh jeez, we all have like a ton of failures coming now. This is gonna be fun. :P)
Dintiradan
Shit is going to hit everyone's fans.
Dintiradan
(If Nalyd chooses to Resolve, and goes green, it's nothing but failure for the three scenes after that. Which I'm hoping turns out fun.)
Lilith
(The way the dice have shaken out, that's his least-worst chance for a happy ending for Marjory, too. :P)
Nalyd
I think I am going to Resolve. Whether I want Marjory to have a happy ending is another matter :P
Dintiradan
*ACT TWO, SCENE TWO*
Lilith
(Hmm. Marjory and Regina talking after the wedding once she's recovered, maybe? Unless we think the Sharks would decide not to let that happen)
Dintiradan
Lilith, want to set the scene to happen right after mine, or do you want to wait until after the ceremony?
Dintiradan
Marjory and Regina would be fun. Marjory and Laura/Persephone could also be neat. Trying to convince a drug-addled Marjory to ask for money again? Or coaching her on acting sick, so she gets the money sooner?
Lilith
(Either sounds fun. I feel like I kinda took the lead in setting the last scene, so if you have a preference I'm happy to go with it.)
Dintiradan
(I don't mind. I think it would be neat having more Laura vs. Marjory time, but having the scene with Regina or the Sharks would also work. Nalyd, any preferences?)
Nalyd
(I think the Sharks might be best)
Dintiradan
(Ooh, rereading one of our old scenes, and Jimmy really really wants her to be asking for the money as soon as possible. So he's taking advantage of his time alone with her, and threatening her, wants her to bug Regina as soon as possible.)
Lilith
(Makes sense. Plus it's a perfect chance for someone to grow a conscience at the worst possible time. :P)
Dintiradan
(Wanna include both Jimmy and Jerry so we can all be in this one?)
Dintiradan
(Any preference which one? We've both played Jimmy.)
Lilith
(I'm fine with being Jerry this time around.)
Dintiradan
(Alright. Take us away, Nalyd.)
Nalyd
Alright. Marjory is still in Jacob's office, but more or less recovered from her being drugged. She has a wet towel or something on her forehead. And Jerry and Jimmy walk in and right up to her. ". . . Hello. Gentlemen."
Dintiradan
"She was freakin' out in the service, Jerry. What do we do?"
Lilith
"Dammit. We still need her to get the money that the dumb broad with the fancy set of wheels promised us. So we gotta find a way to make this work for us, right?"
Lilith
"Hey. Lady. Yeah, you. What the hell was all that about in there, huh?"
Nalyd
"Oh, you boys don't need to worry about that. Just a little mix-up with the bionians, I'm sure. Persephone will know just what it meant, and how I displeased the Subatoids. She's so wise, did you know?"
Dintiradan
"I don't give a shit about your altoids. How's this supposed to help us get the money?"
Nalyd
"Oh. Um. Are you sure you shouldn't be talking with Persephone about that?" Marjory smiles fragilely.
Lilith
"Why'd we get involved with a bunch of crazies? Jeez. Listen, you know what you gotta do, right? Either you shake down the happy couple for all they've got or else we do it ourselves. And if we do it, it gets a lot messier for everyone. Understand?"
Nalyd
"Money? I don't think that Reg. . .i. . . caufman has that much money. And I know my daughter doesn't. I'm sure there wouldn't be much point to you doing that."
Nalyd
"Probably the only person here with lots of money is Persephone. She gives me plenty to buy our sacred oils with sometimes. More money than my daughter has, to be sure."
Dintiradan
Jimmy's fidgeting stops. Flatly: "What."
Lilith
(I feel like we're about at the point where how we react to that is gonna depend on what colour die you're taking. :P)
Nalyd
(I think I will in fact take a green die :P)
Dintiradan
(Hmm. I see the die as deciding whether or not we act directly against the family. And it looks like we won't. :P )
Lilith
I frown a little. "The old lady's got a point. That broad's plan was a shitshow from the start, and she's obviously got money to throw around."
Lilith
"So why not forget the whole wedding deal and just get what we're owed from her directly?"
Dintiradan
"Fine, fine. So what do we do?" Jimmy turn back to Marjory. "You able to clean out your cult for us, or are we gonna have to do this the messy way?"
Nalyd
"Oh, I'm not allowed to touch any money. Persephone handles all of that. Her soul valence is so much more in tune with the ether, you know?"
Dintiradan
"Messy way it is. You're coming with us when we chat with Persephone after this wedding's over."
Lilith
(I am in SO MUCH trouble.)
Dintiradan
Okay, die awarded. Nothing but red from here on out. Wheeeee!
Lilith
I, uh. I guess that means I don't really get anything by choosing to Resolve rather than Establish, do I. :P
Dintiradan
(Seems a bit weird that someone would have no choice on the first pass, having only three players probably has something to do with it. If we had more, there would probably still be options at this point.)
Lilith
(Well, since the last die is wild I effectively get a choice at the end anyway, so it all balances out more or less.)
Lilith
Establish it is, then, although the next move here is pretty obvious. After the wedding's over, Jimmy, Jerry and Galatea confront Persephone outside the church as she's getting ready to head to the reception. Persephone does her best to look pleasantly confused as she sees the three of them approaching. "What's wrong, you three? Shouldn't you be looking for Regina about now instead of me?"
Dintiradan
(I play the Js, I take it?)
Dintiradan
Jerry looks at Marjory. "Well? Tell her what you told us."
Nalyd
"Tell you? I don't know what you mean. I just said how blessed Persephone is. She's who you want to talk to, definitely." Marjory is edging away from everyone.
Dintiradan
Jerry rolls his eyes. "She's says there's no money. Bride doesn't have money, groom doesn't have money. We've got a problem here."
Dintiradan
(afk for a couple minutes)
Lilith
Persephone's face falls as it finally begins to click in her mind that events are spiralling out of her control. "I... I thought we all had an understanding here. We were going to feed Regina a sob story, get her to milk Ronaldo for the money and we'd all make out like bandits. It was all going to be so simple." Persephone's voice is becoming increasingly fast and panicky, as if she's barely paying attention to her own words as they come out of her mouth. "This -- this isn't my fault! It's Galatea! She's the one who promised me they were loaded in the first place! That's why I let her come to this -- oh. Oh, shit."
Lilith
Persephone stares straight at Galatea. Her pleasant demeanour has collapsed completely. "You knew all along, didn't you. You fucking knew. You knew there was no money and you played me. Do you have any idea what this is going to mean for both of us? The only question is who's gonna kill me first!"
Nalyd
Marjory runs away across the parking lot, towards the church.
Nalyd
She's not very fast, but she's doing it. :P
Dintiradan
Jerry sighs. "Jimmy, would you be so kind..."
Lilith
"Look, we can -- we can work something out. I've got money. I've got friends with money. We can make this right. Nobody has to get hurt."
Dintiradan
As Jimmy collects Marjory, Jerry turns back to Persephone. "Shh, shh, calm down," he says with an unnerving smile. "We'll make this all work out." He wraps an arm around her shoulder tightly. "You and I, we're gonna be close friends this evening. That's right. Not gonna let you out of my sight. We're gonna take what we can from these lovely folks here. Then... we'll talk some more, I suppose."
Nalyd
"I just want to see my daughter's wedding!" Marjory screeches from fifty feet away.
Nalyd
Dodging around a bench with Jimmy
Dintiradan
"Forget saving the wedding, if you want to save your daughter, shut up. Now!" Jimmy snarls.
Lilith
Persephone silently cringes, trying to work out how the hell she's going to get out of this one.
Nalyd
Marjory wails and crawls into a bush.
Dintiradan
(Works for me.)
Dintiradan
(I think I like the Sharks better than my actual character. :P )
Dintiradan
Die is awarded. Aaand action to me, I guess.
Dintiradan
*ACT TWO, SCENE FOUR*
Dintiradan
Establishing. I guess the simplest thing to do is have Lilith's scene head straight into mine. The ceremony's done, Jacob just finished his last handshake in the receiving line, and now he's searching for Marjory, trying to find her before her family does. Eventually he hears shouting and arrives on the scene, just as Marjory is getting hauled out of the bush by Jimmy.
Dintiradan
Lilith, since you established last scene, how public is this spectacle?
Lilith
(I'm thinking it's basically happening in the parking lot out the front of the church, so pretty public)
Dintiradan
Goody. Jacob's goal at this point is to get rid of all of you in whatever way possible, just go, just leave, stop ruining things. And we all know he's gonna fail...
Dintiradan
Jacob bursts through the crowd of onlookers that formed after Marjory started wailing at the top of her lungs. Thankfully, no one from the wedding party aside from that Laura. So far. But still, this is bad. Bad bad bad. "Jimmy? What the f- what on earth are you doing?"
Dintiradan
(I guess both of you have to do double duty.)
Lilith
Persephone looks at Jacob with genuine relief. "Jacob! I'm so glad you're here! We were just, uh..." She tries to think of something to say that won't make things worse. "He was... congratulating me. For, uh, for the wedding going so well." Persephone takes the opportunity to try and slip out of Jimmy's grasp.
Lilith
(Wait, Jerry was the one with me.)
Lilith
(OK, yeah, correct that.)
Nalyd
Marjory's got leaves and twigs sticking out of her hair. "I just want to see my daughter's wedding!"
Lilith
(Nalyd, I guess probably it makes sense for you to be Jerry and me to be Jimmy so we can kinda mess with each other's characters. :P)
Dintiradan
"Laura? Je-" Jacob stops and calms himself down with visible effort. "Ladies, gentlemen, please, today of all days -- now is not the time for settling whatever disputes you might have. Please, allow me to mediate. Come to my office and we can talk in private. Please?"
Nalyd
Jerry doesn't let go of Persephone. "JD. This isn't your problem. These two just owe us a little consideration."
Lilith
Jimmy turns away from Marjory and sees Jacob. "Nothin' to see here. She was just freakin' out a little again and I was tryin' to calm her down and get her outta that bush. Isn't that right, lady?"
Nalyd
Marjory is crying incoherently.
Dintiradan
"Gentlemen, you are at a house of God today. It is important to act in a Christian manner while you are here. Like, say, the forgiveness of debts." Jacob glances at Jimmy meaningfully. "I am always prepared to forgive those who are in my debt. Now, please, won't you leave these two women so they can enjoy the rest of the day?"
Lilith
Persephone, seeing that Jerry's not letting her go, decides that the best move is to do whatever it takes to get the hell outta here while there are still witnesses around. She lifts her foot and slams her heel down on Jerry's instep as hard as she can.
Nalyd
Jerry yelps and jumps away, hopping on his other foot.
Lilith
Persephone makes a mad dash for her car.
Lilith
She gets in and guns it out of the parking lot as fast as she can, nearly running over a guest and knocking off a couple of car mirrors along the way.
Nalyd
Jerry limps after her. "Jimmy, forget the loud one, she's getting away!"
Lilith
"What the fuck, Jerry? I thought you could handle her! Hey, Jacob, I'm not finished with you either. If I find out you knew ANYTHING about this bullshit you're finished, you got it?" Jimmy gets into his car and takes off in hot pursuit of Persephone, causing more havoc and damage in the parking lot in the process.
Dintiradan
"Well," Jacob quietly says to himself as they drive off, looking at the wailing Marjory and feeling the inquisitive eyes of dozens on his back. "That could have gone better."
Nalyd
Jerry awkwardly jumps onto the hood of Persephone's BMW as she starts to peel out.
Dintiradan
(I'm done, but if you want to add more stuff regarding the chase, that's cool.)
Lilith
(Well, I think that officially counts as ruining the wedding. The car chase can be my next scene. :P)
Lilith
(Nalyd, you're up next.)
Dintiradan
(Yeah, now's the best time for the wedding to be ruined. It's the final pass.)
Dintiradan
*ACT TWO, SCENE FIVE*
Dintiradan
(Die awarded.)
Nalyd
Okay, so Regina and Reginald and the rest of the wedding party are entering the parking lot as a car chase and a lot of wailing are going down. Lilith, I guess you're Regina. Street Sharks are milling around, wedding guests are milling around, and Marjory's just now exiting the bush.
Lilith
Regina claps her hands over her mouth in dismay. "Oh my goodness! What's going on here?"
Nalyd
Marjory runs up to Regina "Oh, my baby! They're finally gone! I- I didn't miss the wedding, did I?" she claps her hands over her mouth. "That damn Jacob! He drugged me!"
Dintiradan
(I figured as much. :P )
Lilith
Regina looks at Jacob with her usual expression, complete bewilderment. "Jacob, why would you do such a thing?"
Nalyd
(hey, wrong guy getting fingered, here)
Dintiradan
Jacob's mutely staring at the wake of damage left by the departing cars. Marjory's comment jars him out of his stupor, though. "Wait, what? Marjory, what on earth are you talking about? You're still unwell, aren't you."
Lilith
"She's my mother! She wouldn't lie to me!"
Nalyd
"Yes, it was just the same as when Persephone gives us the sacred oils I buy from him!"
Dintiradan
Jacob sighs and shakes his head. "Dear Regina. I'm sure you love your mother very much. Of course you do. But she's strayed from the fold for far too long, wandered out of the safety of the faith and been influenced by the worst the world has to offer."
Lilith
"Mother, what are you saying? Is Father Jacob involved with these Seeker people too? And selling..." Regina lowers her voice, like a child daring to swear for the first time. "...drugs?"
Nalyd
"Yes! And because of him, I missed your wedding!"
Dintiradan
"I don't know quite what your mother thinks, child. What delusions she has. All I know is that she has found herself ensnared by the same forces that have ensnared your friend Laura. And... well..." I look meaningfully at the trail of wreckage.
Nalyd
"Regina! You know better than to trust this liar over your own mother, right?"
Nalyd
Several leaves fall out of Marjory's hair as she turns from one to the other.
Dintiradan
"I have given you -- this whole congregation, in fact -- all the guidance they have ever needed," Jacob says, sweeping a hand to include the crowd. "But when you needed your mother the most, where was she?"
Lilith
"M-maybe this is all just a misunderstanding. But if there's a crime going on, the right thing to do is report it to the police. We should all go there together and explain ourselves and I'm sure everything will be sorted out." I call out to the nearby guests who haven't had the good sense to leave yet. "Hello! Hello, did anyone else see what happened here earlier?"
Dintiradan
"Not just today, but your whole life. Abandoning you and living on the street, running with some... cult." Jacob shakes his head. "Inviting your mother to join you on the biggest day of your life was a wonderfully sweet thing to do, child, but I'm afraid it was ultimately misguided."
Nalyd
Marjory just gapes at Jacob.
Dintiradan
(Just a reminder: This will ultimately end with a red die for Marjory. Of course, a negative result for Jacob and the onlookers is also possible, but whatever Marjory's trying to accomplish in this scene will fail.)
Lilith
(What IS Marjory trying to accomplish at this point? :P)
Nalyd
(To get Regina to blame someone else for Marjory's conduct :p)
Nalyd
Marjory just gapes at Jacob.
Lilith
"Mother, I know we've only just reunited. But we're still family, and family have to be honest with each other. Whatever happened here, even if you've done something wrong, it's better to tell the whole truth. It's just the right thing to do."
Nalyd
"I. . . I. . . I just wanted to see my daughter's wedding! They wouldn't let me come unless there was money!"
Lilith
"You mean... the Seekers of Light? They wanted money? Is that what this is all about? But from who?"
Lilith
"Are you saying -- but Mother, I can't believe you... you'd..." Regina falls into her new husband's arms, sobbing.
Nalyd
"I. . . I. . . But they're gone now! We can. . ."
Nalyd
Marjory starts to cry. Again.
Lilith
(Yeah. That's... pretty much a bad outcome for everyone involved.)
Dintiradan
(That was great. I mean, it was terrible, really really terrible. But you know what I mean.)
Lilith
Okay, I'm up next, right? And if I Resolve, I can choose whether it's a positive or negative outcome but I get a red die either way?
Lilith
Yeah, I'm gonna Resolve. :P
Dintiradan
(Red die awarded to Nalyd.)
Dintiradan
*ACT TWO, SCENE SIX*
Nalyd
(Let's see. This should be during the chase, I guess?)
Dintiradan
(We really can't say no to the chase scene, can we. Just too much fun.)
Dintiradan
(Any twists we want to add? More Sharks join the chase, or maybe the police?)
Nalyd
(Jerry clinging to the hood of the car, Jimmy in pursuit behind.)
Nalyd
(There could be a crash?)
Dintiradan
(We could establish the scene immediately after the crash.)
Nalyd
(So, is it after a crash or during the chase?)
Dintiradan
(I say after a crash. Cut right to the chase. Er, you know what I mean.)
Dintiradan
It's a relatively major throughfare, still in the city. Jimmy has been closing in on Persephone, trying to nudge her off the road. Eventually, she clips a hatchback, spins into Jimmy's car, and they both skid over the sidewalk until a telephone pole stops them. Jerry's getting up slowly while Persephone and Jimmy are both trying to extract themselves from their cars. Sounds good?
Dintiradan
Totally up for changing any element.
Nalyd
(I'm up for that. Unless, like, Jerry is dead or something. :P)
Dintiradan
You can decide the extent of Jerry's injuries.
Dintiradan
Jimmy groans as he tries to get his glove compartment open.
Nalyd
Jerry's on his knees, leaning against the side of the front of the car, one hand clutched to his side, breathing heavily.
Lilith
Persephone tries the stoved-in driver side door, finds it too warped to force open and clambers over to the passenger side to get out.
Lilith
She gets out and takes a moment to look over her ruined BMW, shaking her head in disgust. "Look what you did, you idiots!" Then she remembers they probably want her dead at this point and looks around frantically for an escape route.
Nalyd
As she opens the door, Jerry pulls a bowie knife out of his jacket and woozily stands up.
Nalyd
And promptly falls straight backwards.
Dintiradan
Jimmy finally works the dented glove compartment open, pulls out a handgun, then begins to work on getting his door open. "Don't let her get away, Jerry!"
Nalyd
"I'm. . . I'm tryin', Jimmy."
Lilith
The last thing Persephone wants to be alone with these thugs -- her best chance is to stay around people in a place where she can get away. She looks down the road and runs straight for the nearest bus stop. Passing cars brake urgently and honk at her as she sprints in front of them and across the street.
Nalyd
Jerry gets on his hand and knees and stand up again, leaning on the car, waving the knife vaguely after Persephone.
Nalyd
Eventually, he starts to stumble after her.
Dintiradan
Unable to get the door open, Jimmy shoots open his window. "You try to run, bitch, we'll follow you! We'll find where you fucking crazies live! Margie'll tell us!"
Nalyd
Jerry's shoving pedestrians over as he starts to pick up speed.
Dintiradan
Then he starts crawling through the window of his ruined car. He's even mostly successful at avoiding getting scraped by the shards of broken glass.
Lilith
Okay, I'm gonna call it green now.
Lilith
A stray bullet from Jimmy's attempts to break out of his car wings Persephone in the arm as she runs. She hardly even feels it. It's not too bad, she thinks. (She hopes.) Operating on pure adrenaline, she gets to the stop just in time to catch a bus heading into the outskirts of town, crams a small wad of bills from her purse into the driver's hand and collapses into a seat as the doors close.
Dintiradan
Figured as much. Once Jimmy gets out, he's unable to get a clear shot. He starts ranting about tracking her down, tracking all you crazies down, as the bus pulls away.
Nalyd
Jerry tries to stab the bus as it drives away.
Lilith
So now we roll for the Aftermath, right?
Dintiradan
Right! Replace all 'x's with =roll(), and calculate the aftermath.
Lilith
oh my god everyone is completely fucked
Nalyd
lilith gets the best out of all of us :P
Dintiradan
+1 +4 -4 = +1 for me.
Dintiradan
+1 +2 -4 = -1 for Nalyd.
Dintiradan
+2 +4 -3 -2 -1 -2 = -2 for Lilith.
Dintiradan
Okay, Aftermath results in turn order:
Dintiradan
For Jacob Daniels:
Green One: Dreadful: You are certainly dead, probably from a self-inflicted wound. People you care about are also probably dead, maybe through your own stupid, ugly failure. To say that you fucked up is an insult to fucked-upedness. You have redefined the term.
Dintiradan
For Marjory/Galatea:
Red One: Horrible: You are probably dead. Other people, probably innocent people, are as well. There is no justice, there is no mercy, everything is utterly, painfully screwed and it is all -- all of it -- your fault.
Dintiradan
For Laura/Persephone:
Red Two: Brutal: Wounds that will never heal, for starters; stuff sawed off, blown off, or burned off on your way to grand, ignominious failure. Kiss whatever you care about goodbye. You may die, but you may not.
Dintiradan
Isn't that lovely.
Nalyd
I'm thinking Branch Davidians? :P
Dintiradan
Yep. Things end horribly for the cult, I'm guessing that some Sharks will make an appearance for our favourite man of the cloth as well. Maybe at the wedding reception, maybe later.
Dintiradan
At this point, we tell our characters' epilogues. Go around in turn order and tell a one or two sentence bit about how things are going for your character.
Dintiradan
If we were playing face to face, we'd hold up one of our dice and say "This is my character ..."
Dintiradan
The night of the reception, Jacob is desperately trying to save face, but he knows it's a futile effort. People hush up whenever he draws near, only to return to speaking rapidly once he leaves. All the while, Regina sobs at her head table.
Nalyd
Marjory flees from the wedding in tears. She has to walk back to the Seekers of Light compound, with no ride and no money for a bus.
Lilith
Persephone somehow makes it back to the Seekers of Light compound. She's hurt way worse than she thought: her arm won't stop bleeding and it's not moving right. The cult leaders don't look happy to see her in this state, either.
Dintiradan
Jacob tried to pass off the whole affair as a street ministry gone wrong, but he doesn't think the diocese bought it. They've started prying into things, and are sure to involve the police at some point. Business has dried up too, the Sharks and the Seekers were his two biggest customers.
Nalyd
(So we get as many turns as we have dice?)
Dintiradan
(I think the rational is that if someone ended up with a lot of dice in Act One, they're probably an interesting character who needs more of an epilogue!)
Nalyd
When she finally gets back to the compound, Marjory is greeted by the cult leader's personal disapproval. She is confined to her quarters and it's heavily implied that she won't be welcome with the Seekers for much longer.
Lilith
Persephone prevaricates and makes excuses to the cult leaders about why they're not getting the money, but she's too exhausted to keep her story straight and only manages to convey just how badly she's fucked up and that everyone knows about it. The leaders tell her to get some rest, lock her in one of the compound's dormitories, carefully burn any documents that incriminate anyone but her, and then call the police.
Dintiradan
Jacob flicks the air out of the needle before realizing how futile the action was. He can't stop laughing.
Nalyd
Facing her total failure with both her adoptive and biological families, Marjory makes do as best she can with the tools available in her cell. That night, a fire breaks out in one of the Seekers of Light's dormitories, killing Marjory and a dozen other hapless cult members.
Lilith
Persephone is arrested and taken away before the cult leaders have a chance to find a way to pin the fire on her too, but they would have if they could have. She's kept under guard in hospital while she's treated for her injuries and awaiting her trial: the doctors tell her she shouldn't expect to ever have full use of her left arm again.
Lilith
(So you two are done and I get three more now?)
Dintiradan
(I think so? If I'm reading the rules correctly.)
Dintiradan
(Just go until you run out of ideas. :P )
Lilith
Anything the cult can shift blame to her for, they do. With no money in her own name and no friends left in the world, Persephone is sentenced to fifteen years in prison for fraud, drug trafficking, conspiracy to commit assault, you name it.
Lilith
Persephone writes a tell-all book in prison about her time with the Seekers of Light, but by the time she gets out the cult has long since broken up and it's old news. She prints a thousand copies through a vanity publisher. No bookstores want to carry it and nobody wants to buy it.
Lilith
The book may not have made an impression, but there are still former members out there who didn't appreciate Persephone spilling their secrets. A month after publishing it, she's stabbed to death in her shitty apartment. The killer is never found.
Lilith
*blows party whistle* everyone dies. the end
Dintiradan
Well, you two, it's been a privilege and an honour completely fucking over these fictional lives with you.
Lilith
The funny thing is I actually had around a 50/50 chance of landing on my feet in the aftermath. I just... didn't. :P
Dintiradan
Yeah, that was brutal all around.
Nalyd
hey, longer life than the rest of us :P
Lilith
I mean, she's definitely the person in that story who least deserved to be happy. :P
Lilith
At least Persephone died the way she lived: scrambling desperately to make the best of a situation she never realised was hopeless from the start. :P
Lilith
She was fun to play. She's such a weasel.
Nalyd
It was fun to be a total wreck. :P
Dintiradan
I still have no idea why Jacob thought being both a priest and a drug dealer was a good idea. :P