Nemesis Heart - R3

[idolpro]

[The first time you try to open your eyes, there is nothing but red.]




[Questions bubble up, voiceless:

What will you keep?

What will you change?

What will you do?]





[And then your eyes open.]

Comments

MECHANICS & STUFF TO KEEP IN MIND

[idolpro]

Challenge resolution (when I remember it) will be done Lasers & Feelings-style.

Choose a number from 2 to 5. High numbers mean you are better at VIGOR (fighting, physical feats, etc). Lower numbers mean you are better at SPIRIT (intuition, diplomacy, willpower, magic/tk, etc.)

When you act, roll 1d6 to see how it turns out. +1d if you're prepared, +1d if you're an expert (DM will tell you). You can also gain dice with some special items.
+ If you're using VIGOR (physical actions), you want to roll UNDER your number.
+ If you're using SPIRIT (mental/spiritual actions), you want to roll OVER your number.

Once you roll your d6, compare them to your number.
If 0 dice succeed, it goes wrong.
If 1 die succeeds, you barely manage it. Some complication, harm, or cost could be inflicted.
If 2 dice succeed, you do it well. Good job!
If 3 dice succeed, you get a critical success! You'll get some extra effect or advantage.
* If you roll your number exactly you can define the outcome of the challenge (within reason).
* If you want to help someone else, describe how you try to help and make a roll. If you make it, they get +1 die.

Feel free to give out-there things a shot. You may have more power within Nem's heart than you'd expect...

Re: MECHANICS & STUFF TO KEEP IN MIND

[protectshisown]

3

Re: MECHANICS & STUFF TO KEEP IN MIND

[stakesthesame]

4 baybeeeeee

Re: MECHANICS & STUFF TO KEEP IN MIND

[nohalation]

2!

Re: MECHANICS & STUFF TO KEEP IN MIND

[theyregooddogs]

2

DISNEYLAND?

[idolpro]

[The place is called Main Street or Home Town or Discovery Square, or some kind of hokey generic-aspirational name like that; maybe not quite your bag but the layout is impressive enough, especially for this place. It's a large quadrangle lined with shops and storefronts and cleverly disguised bathrooms, all done up in faux Americana brass and wood and mother-of-pearl inlays.

At one end of the quad is a massive power suit--without even looking at it you are certain it is one of the most badass things you will ever see. At the other, Cinderella Castle, and there's no suit there, though you keep thinking there should be. Inbetween are immaculate green lawns and gardens overflowing with colorful flowers crisscrossed by scenic stone paths.

A few of these paths make a crossroads here at the midpoint, and at the center of all that is a tall clock, a face pointing each direction. Instead of telling the time it steadily counts down. Four hours--well, less now. The castle is the rendezvous point, of course, but there's no need to head there now. You've got time.

Peppy music wafts through the air, accompanied by the pumped scents of coffee and dark chocolate and sukiyaki. Above that, the sky is a cloudless, slightly gold-tinged blue.]

Re: DISNEYLAND?

[nohalation]

[She's gonna be a 2.]

WOWEE.

Re: DISNEYLAND?

[we_meet_again]

[H-hmm. The clock ticking down seems ominous.]

[First things first, though. Time to oogle this badass power suit.]

Re: DISNEYLAND?

[protectshisown]

[He hasn't really gotten to see the theme park thing yet, but WOW, this is a weird sort of town, but also kind of cool???]

[...excuse him, there is a power suit and it is indeed the most badass thing he's seen, so he's gonna go take a look at that thing.]

Re: DISNEYLAND?

[stakesthesame]

-- uhhh this is new.

[ a pause.

... then going to investigate the suit. that looks kind of familiar. ]

Re: DISNEYLAND?

[theyregooddogs]

[. . . okay, um, power suit should be quick and easy]

NEMESIS

[idolpro]

[It is hard to miss the massive power suit positioned at the south end of the mall--but why would you want to?

Nemesis--or at least its 1:1 model--rises majestically from the short pedestal it's placed on, crimson and gold armor gleaming in the sunlight. One wheeled foot crushes what looks like a lump of obsidian, and its left arm is brandished forward, the holo projection of its plasma axe looking almost like the real thing.

On its shoulders are its full artillery loadout: chaff and IR grenades and flash-bangs and both the mid- and long-range heat-seeking missiles, even though all that ordinance at once would overload the suit's encumbrance limit and it'd never be able to keep up with the rest of its team. That doesn't make it any less rad.

You were right--it is one of the most badass things you have ever seen. You kinda wish you had one.]

Re: NEMESIS

[protectshisown]

[Oh my gods.]

[Yes. Yes he does, because it's SO COOL and BADASS and he's gonna try to get closer to see if he can see more of how it functions and what it has and if its just display or maybe there are mechanics to see.]

[Engineering nerd.]

Re: NEMESIS

[we_meet_again]

[WHOOOOOA he kinda wishes he had one.]

[But also, he has seen this suit before in memories.]

[He pats himself down, looking for his phone so he can take a picture.]

Re: NEMESIS

[stakesthesame]

...

[ looking around, calling out loudly: ]

Yo! Kitty! You here?!

ADVENTURELAND

[idolpro]

[It's a beautiful day, and the winding paths through the park, while empty, are dotted with flowers and the odd animatronic mascot. The rides are running and the shops and stands are all open for business as if it were packed with people instead of specially open just for you.

It's nice to have a break after so long, isn't it?

How do you want to enjoy it?]

OTHER STUFF

[idolpro]

[There's a running track, covered in leftover confetti, the ribbons and trophies all given out. It seems abandoned.]

[A picnic area, still covered in food--mouse-shaped steamed buns, and hot dogs, and golden apples, some with a bite or two missing. But perhaps they'll be right back. It's probably not worth worrying about.]

[Something--some things--impossibly black with far too many limbs jutting at far too many angles is slumped in front of the bridge; a few more spill over the edge and into the moat, giving the water an oily black sheen.

A polite sign states that the Jungle Cruise is closed for maintenance.]

CINDERELLA CASTLE

[idolpro]

[The castle is impressive--smooth, polished stone, graceful crenelated walkways and towers and pennants of tyrian and gold. The plaza in front does not have any parts of any power suits present, on the off chance you were expecting any. It's just empty space and engraved tile and the surprisingly thick walls.

In fact, you'd swear that from the rest of the park, castle hadn't seemed quite as intimidating as it does from here; the walls thicker and rougher, the windows looking infinitely farther away than one would expect from some tricks of perspective. The portcullis looks heavy, its thick metal bars worn and scraped with age.

...Either way, you're pretty sure you heard the ride here was closed years ago, so no point in poking around these walls anyway!]

Re: CINDERELLA CASTLE

[stakesthesame]

[ time to poke around, you mean

floating up to a window to try to peek through ]

SOMETHING IS HAPPENING,

[idolpro]

[You're aware of a sound--you feel it more than hear it, the ground rumbling beneath your feet from the pressure. It's like a stampede of horses--like a million wings flapping. It's like trumpets--like every trumpet, all at once, playing a different tune.

You think, perhaps, you should leave.]

Re: SOMETHING IS HAPPENING,

[protectshisown]

[So armed, that's good to know. Go go regularly carrying shit like a vacation dad, just pointy.]

[Apples are familiar, so probably, yeah. At least it doesn't taste rotten.]

[So, sword. Fire knife and fuel. Small crossbow, which he's already pulling out of his bag and starting to strap to his arm. He was looking over the moat, seeing what was usable, what would mean not engaging directly if at all avoidable-]

[Except that is happening and wow, he's alone, and he's got beetles already-]

[Okay]

[Okay, he's gonna RETREAT back for now and look for Cobalt, he needs to better plan-]

AVANTE EN DORM

[idolpro]

[The Avante common room is even more bustling than usual after a decent game. Ace is gently pumping Ben and Raijuu for a play-by-play while Lance, Kirin, and Harpy are in the middle of an animated debate about sword techniques. Cardinal, Amaranth, and Shrike add pertinent asides to both conversations from their sedate chat on the couch. Nero drops a kiss on Shrike's forehead before handing her a cup of tea, narrowly avoiding the scampering kittens both chasing after and chased by Tsukasa, Leo, and Kestrel. Nitro, Kohime, and Cap make snarky comments from the safety of the kitchen while enjoying Gold's latest kitchen masterpiece.

Everyone's having a nice time, and goodness knows that happens rarely enough. You shouldn't bother them. Luckily you're fairly certain you can slip past unnoticed.

There's plenty to look at nevertheless. The door to the wine cellar is cracked open, though no one seems bothered by the draft. There are a few things spread on the far table, out of the way of stray kits. And of course there's nothing stopping you from just going to your room, or leaving the dorm altogether, if you wanted.]

Re: AVANTE EN DORM

[nohalation]

[She smiles when she sees everyone together, she wouldn't want to bother them anyway.

It is a warmth she understands that is very special after all.

Where is Nemesis room!!!! She's gonna try and find Nem nem nem nem.]

A DORM ROOM

[idolpro]

[Nemesis's room is plain (for an Avante room, anyway), no visible modifications save for the window and bath they all have.

The space is surprisingly tidy; no personal items set out; bed slightly rumpled but obviously unslept in.

You may not have noticed that part yet, as a very fluffy black dog is barking at you...friend??? Pets? Yes???]

1/5

[nohalation]

[Listen, please understand. There are no dogs in FIN's home. It is a cat, chicken, dragon, sheep space, but not one single dog.]

WINE CELLAR

[idolpro]

[You're in a wine cellar, not unlike the one in Asmodeus's house. Shelves of barrels line the dimly lit space. The stone floor echoes oddly with your steps, and the room is just a shade warmer than unpleasantly cool.

There are a few glasses and a bottle set out, untouched.

Behind you, the room stretches further into darkness; to the side, a few shut doors. Ahead is another gate, this one wooden and unlocked and apparently lit down the path. The hum of conversation wafts from down a flight of stairs next to it.]

Re: WINE CELLAR

[stakesthesame]

[ bursts through the door--

... and slows, catching her breath. She wanders closer to the stairs to see if she can't recognize the voices talking... ]

THE BASEMENT

[idolpro]

Oops.

REQ

[idolpro]

[The room is a little too bright; the glare burns your uncovered skin, and the bones and muscles of your back ripple, itchy under your skin.

You recognize the girl at the other side of the room, all thick glasses and wild hair and attitude that doesn't really mask her fear at all. You can smell it, thick in the room--practically taste the pulse pounding under her skin.

You're so hungry...]

[Roll Spirit.]

IBARAKI HOUSE

[idolpro]

[Down the side street, behind the Yonekawas' lot, the house sits; two storeys of tan stucco and brown storm shutters and somewhat loose ceramic roof tiles, a sliver of outdoor space mostly taken up by old construction equipment and tackle boxes and motorcycle parts. The motorcycle parked on the concrete parking slab is equally old but obviously given more attention, the chrome shiny and the toolbox tucked under the corrugated tin shed against the wall. In front of that are two smaller bicycles, one shiny pink and decorated with ribbons, one looking like it barely survived a wreck, the paint (and fenders, and basket, and wheels...) chipped and flaking.

Light shines from the windows, and the faint sound of voices streams from the open windows and door.

You wonder if they expect you.]

Re: IBARAKI HOUSE

[we_meet_again]

[Uh

Wh



uh????????????

he, what?

He should have listened to those tiles.


...I guess he... knocks on the door?]

INSIDE

[idolpro]

[The house looks the same lived-in cozy-cramped-shabby inside, smelling of new air freshener over cigarettes and old papers and furniture that could use a good airing-out. The tatami was up for replacement maybe five years ago, and the electric carpet covering it is speckled with faint, not-quite-removed stains, but it still works.

There's one tube blown out in the light fixture over the kotatsu, still set up despite it being out of season. There's shelves of books and records and a largish, older-model TV. There's an old, overly soft-looking couch, and a massage chair that looks like it was salvaged from a dumpster. There's three pairs of shoes at the entranceway, decreasing in size, though only one name on the certificates and awards and kids' drawings pinned to whatever free space is left on the walls.

There's a shrine in the corner, and a dining/kitchen area at the other end of the room, where the voices are]

Re: INSIDE

[we_meet_again]

Hello?

Please excuse the interruption..!

[ojamashimasu]

[As he slips off his shoes, he looks at the shrine.]

KABUKICHO

[idolpro]

[It is evening when you step out into the main drag. Bright signs and twinkling lights vie for your attention to step into one of a million different shops and bars and clubs and grimy alleys. It's bustling with people--salarymen off for one last drink before heading home, college students just starting out the night, lion-headed and angel-winged demons taking a break from their near-constant TV watching, teens and tourists chattering in front of some of the more adult establishments, daring each other to enter.

However, something about it gives you a buzz of energy--maybe it's the way you got here; maybe it's just that you're out of the eye of the camera for once. Maybe it's that here in Liar Hell, there's an actual crowd to get lost in--here, you are not alone.

The street is lined with bars and shops; may as well check some out.]

Re: KABUKICHO

[stakesthesame]

[ wh

WHAT

stares for a long moment before immediately spinning on her heel and TRYING TO GO BACK?! ]