Potential: Group One Game Thread

[thinkslogically]

"Um. Okay sure. Lead the way. Hey, have you noticed some glowing? Very peculiar. I have this odd feeling that the now glowing people do not really exist. It feels weird."

Nix frowns and looks over her shoulder. She replies in a hushed voice:

"Yes, but I don't think we should talk here. Come on."

[Theis2]

Theis notice the rest of the glowing people in the bar are heading out and weighing his option between staying in the bar or follow the real people. On one side the bar maid was the same and seemed really distressed and he didn't want to seem pushy so going with the others and try to figure out just what had happened would likely be the best. They could always inform her afterwards.

With this decision he ends up following the others out the door, surprised to see there are even more people glowing.

[nikohl]

Lindsey

Downstairs in the Cellar

The patchwork cat tenses in sudden anger as Lindsey arrives down the cellar steps, his hackles raising. He eyeballs her over his shoulder for a few long seconds while she chats to him, seeming to sense something innately different about his long-term companion. After a moment or two of suspicious surveying, he flicks his tail and goes back to lapping at the wine that drips through the floorboards into a puddle in front of him, suddenly calm, as if to say "Eh, okay, whatever, we're good."

Aside from the cat - and an old box with a hairy, grubby blanket inside it, clearly where he was asleep before the prospect of tasty wine propelled him into motion - the cellar contains numerous barrels and crates of drinks, such as you would expect to find underneath a tavern. It's not full to bursting, nor is there anything exotic or expensive to drink down here, because the village is small and rarely has visitors, and none of the locals would care to spend their hard-earned coin on such frippery. In the far corner there are some small sacks of potatoes and other root vegetables: the base for the hearty stew which is always on the menu, and quite likely the staples of Ungar's personal food supply as well.

--

Everyone Else!

Inside the Tavern:

Ungar begins to mop up the spilled drinks as Parke, Jornen and Theis bid him goodbye and leave. A lone and rather drunk fisherman sups his beer in the corner - whether he even noticed the thunder or the kerfuffle with the spilled drinks is debatable, but he certainly hasn't noticed that Ungar is tidying up by himself or that a few of his neighbours seemed to be acting funny.

Outside the Tavern:

The little girl seems happy enough to do what she's told. She unties her skipping rope from the well and rolls it up into a bundle, then spends a moment brushing dust off her skirt and adjusting it until it is neat and tidy, ready to go home to her mother. She looks up at Nix and Ryan. "O-kay, Naya, I gotta go anyway cos it's time for me to go. Look after Roule cos he gotta help me make a new doll tomorrow, he said he would cos mine fell in the water and he gotta do it even if he's in trouble for sayin' bad words because he said! Hey, you got stuff in your hair, didjoo know? Ha! Okay bye!" She trots away down the path to the left, towards a collection of houses there, just as Brooklin arrives.

After a short discussion, the three set off towards Roule's home, which is to the right, in the opposite direction that the little girl went. Within a few moments, they are joined by Parke and Jornen, and soon after by Theis, as those three opted to follow the other "confused and glowing" people. They hurry to catch up, and then all six walk together as a group.

As the group troops down the street to Roule's place, the three remaining womenfolk who had been chatting and tidying up that end of the village rather than getting back home stop and look on in mild surprise. It was not that they thought the five locals did not get along, but they rarely had business all together. Book often paid Parke for repairs to his tent or boots, Naya and Tirill socialised in the tavern after work as much as any of the other workers or farmers, and Roule was everybody's friend... but what could all five have to discuss that couldn't have been said in the comfort of the tavern? And which needed the presence of a traveling minstrel at that? As Roule had been leading the way, perhaps it was some odd little plan of his - maybe a surprise for the children. The three women gather together and whisper their theories to each other, not all that subtly - although they refrain from pointing and staring.

It takes all of thirty seconds of meandering for the group to reach where Roule lives, with Ryan leading the way from memory. He holds open the door and the six of them file inside. What he neglected to mention in all the confusion was that his home could barely be considered more than a lean-to, and was constructed off the outside of a larger and more sturdily built house. It appeared that the main house's occupant was not in, or at least was not standing at their window, as no-one looked out at them as they all went inside.

Inside Roule's Home

Now everyone is inside, Ryan shuts the door behind them. It is particularly cramped with six adults in here, and everyone is standing uncomfortably close together to avoid knocking stuff over. The space contains only a low bed with a straw mattress and old but well-repaired sheets and blankets, a single chair and tiny table (upon which a full pitcher of water and an empty wooden bowl sit), and a small cupboard. It seems that Roule's home has been cobbled together out of leftovers and hand-me-downs, but everything has been well taken care of and loved, and there are "home-y" touches here and there. The only window has curtains made out of a particularly horrible orange fabric, but on the windowsill there is a hand-painted mug (which says "ROULE" in childish letters) with a freshly picked daffodil in it, and the cupboard is old and worn, but of high quality with beautiful leaf pattern carvings. A pair of stinky boots are airing underneath the window, and a big furry hat and an overcoat are hanging on hooks on the back of the door.

--

[lingrem]

Lindsey/Leonie doesn't give up that quickly on the cat.

"Look. You're almost all I remember, ok? A little love wouldn't hurt! I... really feel like you were more loving than that... or were those cats grey? Did you have some grey cat friends?" She says to the cat, still crouching down.

She reaches her hand out and makes the sort of clicking noises people often use to call cats over. "Can you come here? I'm not going to hurt you, I'm pretty sure I love you even if you are a bit on the mean side sometimes! But that's ok, we all can be a bit grumpy."

When the cat comes over, she gives him a good scratch and rub. "Thanks! See, it's not so bad... even if I am not quite myself, whichever well, me that I am. Mind if I take you up to my room with me? Could use the company..."

Lindsey/Leonie picks up the cat and takes him up to her room. She puts him down on the bed with another good pet, including a gentle headbutt as that just seems natural... whether it's natural for him or not she doesn't know.

Then she proceeds to search everywhere in the room to see if she has anything else than the money and travel clothes she remembers, including trying to see if there are any boards that are pliable or any other hiding places: it just seems like something she'd do. Whether it's something Lindsey would do, or Leonie, she doesn't know. Although she also checks all the pockets to see if she's stashed anything in it.

"You know cat, I do hope I've got a journal or book or SOMETHING hidden in this room to remind me more about myself!"

► Show Spoiler

Again, I discussed the cat's reactions with nikohl!

[Arch Lich Burns]

"Um...H-hi? I uh...well I do not think other people see the glow? They didn't mention it or take notice. I feel like I should know you guys already, but...I don't recognize you, I am sorry. My name is Brooklin, I mean Bri, no Book. ...I think.

Um...Have you seen a sketch pad? i think I lost it. I know it's not in ...my? room. And it's not on me. ...or did I even have one to at all? I remember having so many drawings I made with ...odd quills? Anyways I can't find it i need it to keep me calm. Or any blank piece of paper."

► Show Spoiler

i cant really sit still and do nothing. I mostly play on the pc but...when i am at breaks and forgot my phone i need something to draw on.

[Theis2]

"Are you confused about your name too? To me it all seems like a giant blur with holes here and there.. I'm pretty sure I've got some conflicting memories and feelings regarding certain things.. Oh my name is Theis but I think people used to call me Tiril? It might be easier to figure out once this headache dissipates!"

[WearsHats]

"This has got to be the weirdest dream I've ever had. I'm feeling the same thing, but I've never dreamed that I was in a dream with other people who were dreaming before. At least, not that I remember. And I usually don't dream about actually walking places. I just skip ahead, you know? Is this a shared dream between us? You guys look somehow more real to me than the others. But I don't believe in that sort of thing. I don't know what to make of this.

But, you know what? Never mind. I'm Paul. Or Parke. My dream self is Parke. But when I'm awake I'm Paul. And this place is a little cramped for all of us to be squeezing together. No offense. I'm sure it's just fine for a smaller group. But I'm pretty sure my place, out on the edge of town, is bigger. Might be more comfortable. I think I can find it. I know the general direction. I think. And I should recognize it when I see it. Right?

This is all so confusing. But what do you say? That kid said you owe her a doll. I've got some crafting skills. I can help you with that, if you like. Gather up what you need, and we can head over to my place. We can even say, loudly enough to be heard, that we were just coming here to pick up what you needed.

Or we could stay here. Talk for a bit and then go our separate ways for the night. I don't know. I'm not sure what to do. Which is even weirder, because when I'm dreaming I usually know what needs to happen..."

[thinkslogically]

Nix sighs as she notices the women gossiping. Oh well. Whatever is going on will be found out soon enough most likely... Hopefully there'll be time enough to work out how to deal with it before too many people get too suspicious.

Once they're all in the hut:

"I'm Nix. I was... am... a sailor. I think. Or a fisherman. I'm not entirely sure. I have a vague feeling that I used to be a scholar or an explorer or something, but I think I worked on boats. Fuck. The only thing I remember clearly is a clap of thunder and feeling like my head was going to explode and then I was here. Everything else is just... woolly. I feel like I know this town, and I'm sure I recognise your faces, but it's just a feeling. It's like a dream... The harder I look at my memories of this place, the less I see. I know that this isn't my face or my body. I mean it is, but it's also not. Shit. None of this makes any sense..."

Nix looks around the small room, as if trying to find something - ANYTHING - to latch on to that will remind her of what she's doing here. She ignores Book's question about his drawing pad. She can't even remember who she is properly right now, without trying to remember where other people might have left their possessions.

"Do any of you remember anything more about this place? Or who these people are in the village? Do you know me? Do we... Do I... have... anybody I've forgotten here? A family?"

[WearsHats]

"Sorry. I can't help you. My memory is just a bunch of confused fragments. My life in the waking world, well, there isn't much to tell. Here... I'm a handyman. I do odd jobs. And, when the need calls, I'm the militia. Or part of it. I think there's more. At least one other, but... I can't remember. Can't remember if I'm responsible for anything else, either. And, no, I don't know you. I can barely remember that I had a wife, but she's about the only one I know, and I think she's... gone."

[Arch Lich Burns]

"I have some stuff at a room in the tavern...i will probably stay there tonight. I think I am a hunter? Or is it artist that worked at afood market? I have no idea....it is all so confusing."

[askstoomuch]

Nice prank this. Is guys come and show yourself it stopped being funny ages ago, this some kinda fucked up tv show, why the heck am I feeling so attached to this place

[Jibjib]

Having been silent up to this point, Jornen feels the need to speak:

"I agree with you Tiril, this might all be easier once we've got a good night's sleep and the headache's disappeared. And no, it's just me... at least in this me's world. A lot of this seems familiar though, like it's happened before... meeting you people? Ah, it might be that you've seen me sing in town? It's sort of what I do. In fact it's the only thing I'm sure that I do...".

[thinkslogically]

"I don't think this is a dream... I mean, it's weird here and everything, but... it's different, isn't it? I mean it doesn't feel real, but it's also so... mundane! When was the last time you dreamed about walking from a tavern to a crappy hut in a tiny village. ... No offence Rouley. If this was a dream, we'd have gone straight from the Inn to here, and my knees wouldn't be cold from wearing this dress. Saying that, I can't think of a better word to describe what this is right now. Unless this is what going mad feels like and we've all lost our senses! Hah! That would be quite a coincidence wouldn't it."

Nix sits down on Rouley's bed and leans her elbows on her knees. She thinks for a little while and seems to struggle to say her next thought.

"The last memory I have from before the headache was... falling... into the sea... I guess an alternative is that I'm dead... We're dead... and this is... whatever comes next..."

She sighs and rubs her face, snorting as she manages to make herself even stickier. The peach-juice problem seems to help her reach some kind of decision.

"I need to wash this peach crap out of my hair and then I'm going to figure out what the hell's happened to me. We don't know what this place is or how it works, or what our place in it is and I intend to figure it out. The person who used to live in this body was a sailor and an explorer. I think I was something similar. So I'm going to figure this out. It's only mid-afternoon by my accounting and it seems like most of the village is closing up for the rest of the day. Rest if you need to, but I'm going to use the time to scope out the town and the surrounding area while things are quiet."

"Maybe we should meet later for dinner? In the tavern maybe, or at Paul's bit. Then we could discuss what we learn this afternoon at least and maybe have a few more answers."

[askstoomuch]

We are dead ?
I was eating second breakfast... dont think thst is so dangerous

Fine I guess, this place feels like home maby this is some dreamscape where we got stuck obviously we are either dreaming or we are in some kind of movie or cartoon
Only one way to find out he says as he pinches nix in the arm

[thinkslogically]

"OW!"

Nix retaliates by thumping Rouley hard in the shoulder.

"What the hell are you talking about anyway? How would cartons and moves help anyone?!"

[askstoomuch]

Wel this a classic plotline , bunch of nobodies, face it we are not exactly the cool kids. Get send to a far away land to fight some big bad evil or something. Once we defeat the boss the story is told and we go home. We are obviously in some fictional earth like place stuck in an eterna medieval phase

(Ignore this post in case we do not longer remember tv and such )

[WearsHats]

"If it is a dream, and I know it's a dream, then I should have some control over it. But if the rest of you are real... Huh, I don't know. It's too weird. I don't think we're dead, though. The last thing I remember is going to sleep.

Well, let's try an experiment. If this is a dream, then I should be able to change it if I concentrate. You're looking for a book. You need to make a doll. I know how to make dolls. So... I'm going to concentrate. I'm going to think really hard about making a doll. I'm going to see if I can make one appear in my hands. If that doesn't work, I'm going to concentrate on your book. I'm going to think really hard about knowing where it is. We'll see if I can find it, or at least get an image in my head of where it is. "

He closes his eyes. Takes a slow, deep breath. He holds his hands out before him. They move slowly as he speaks. "I'm making a doll. I've gathered the fabric. I've shaped it. I've embroidered a face on it. I've sewed a seam around the edges. I've stuffed it with straw. I've closed the seam. I've added hair. I've sewed it a dress. It has taken shape in my hands. I can feel its weight. It is here. It is ready... "

He opens his eyes.

[thinkslogically]

"It's probably worth trying, but it won't necessarily tell you if you're dreaming or not... Don't bother pinching yourself though, that just hurts. But think about it - how many dreams have you had when you were trying to run away but couldn't move? So maybe it won't work, but that's because you're dreaming. And if it does work, maybe you're just a wizard!"

Nix chuckles and then frowns at how normal the really weird thing she just said sounds.

"I don't think we know enough to figure this out yet..."

[WearsHats]

(Edited in a paragraph in my last post, making the attempt, just as Thinks was posting. Going to wait to see what Nikohl does with it.)

[Theis2]

"I agree that it certainly feels dreamy and out of reality, but I doubt it's a dream. I've never had a dream that distorted who I am by giving me mixed emotions. I've got a feeling that I should head back to the farms and do some work now that the celebration stopped, at least for us. But at the same time I can't imagine myself working on a farm.. the closest would be to scold farmers for.. pestering the ground or something?.. My head doesn't make a lot of sense since the thunder."

Theis run a hand through his hair hoping to dull the headache with his touch. It relieves for a slight moment before returning.

"So Nix, how do you intend to figure out what happened? Do you think someone from the village might be behind it?

[thinkslogically]

Nix decides to wait until Paul has finished trying to summon a doll before she leaves. Meanwhile, she keeps talking.

"So Nix, how do you intend to figure out what happened? Do you think someone from the village might be behind it?

with SCIENCE! "I'm not sure to be honest. But whatever's happened to us, we should be able to figure it out. This is way too much of a coincidence to have happened by accident, but who or what is behind this? I don't know. My plan for now is to start collecting as much information about this place and my new self as I can and see what I can learn."

[nikohl]

Paul:

As Paul closes his eyes and concentrates, the remnants of his thunder-headache regroup and reassert themselves as a sharp pain in his temples, not so intense as to distract him, but certainly noticeable. He visualises himself working on the doll, moving his hands through the air as if quickly stitching together a figure about the size of his palm.

His imagination works particularly well; with his eyes closed and his mind focused, even with that niggling pain, he can picture the hut around him as if he were still looking at it, and visualise the doll in incredible detail. He takes around a minute to work through the creation process in his head, starting with the basics of shaping material, but the longer he concentrates on his "work", giving her a body and face and hair, the more the little fabric lady comes into focus in his mind's eye. She begins standing out from his mental image of the drab hut, furniture, and floor and starting to take on the same ultra-real, saturated quality as his own hands - albeit without their golden outline.

As he mimes adding clothes and the few final touches, and turning the completed doll over in his hands, trying to really perceive her texture and heft, he sees her tiny stitched-on eyes blink up at him.

Sadly, when he opens his own eyes with a mixture of shock and hope, she is not there.

[WearsHats]

"Huh. I felt... something. I was sure I'd done it. Did you guys see anything?" He looks around, disappointed and confused.

"I've had dreams before where I was aware that I was dreaming, but living another life. With things I needed to do. A spy adventure or something. And I always remember fragments of who I am in the dream. Once I become aware of the dream, if I focus, I can usually make something happen. Make the scene change. Fly. Something. But flying only works if it makes sense and if I really believe in it. All of this, though... it fits my dreams. Except that I've never had anyone else in the dream talk to me like we are, aware of having the same feelings. And, no, I don't usually dream the parts where we walk from place to place. I don't know.

"I'm going to try for your sketch pad, Book. Sometimes it works better if I focus on knowledge rather than physical changes. And I've never tried making something appear out of nowhere while others watched me do it. But maybe I can find the book. I definitely felt something when I tried for the doll. Maybe this will work. Can you describe it for me? I'm going to focus on visualizing your sketch pad and see if I can sense where it is."

[Arch Lich Burns]

"I think i had multiple of them because I remember having a black hardback sketch book with...something carved in it, a soft back sketch book with rings to hold it together, and a soft back white sketch book held together by...glue?"

[Theis2]

"I'm not sure to be honest. But whatever's happened to us, we should be able to figure it out. This is way too much of a coincidence to have happened by accident, but who or what is behind this? I don't know. My plan for now is to start collecting as much information about this place and my new self as I can and see what I can learn."

"That's at least a start, though I think I'm somewhat limited on that front. I got the feeling like I've been in this village for long enough to be recognised by people here but I don't think I've been staying here long enough for more than that.. There were this girl working in the tavern that got the same golden outline about her as we and she seemed eager to just get away from us as quickly as possible. She might just be more scared of it than we are or it could be because of something else.."

Theis eyes Parke as he attempts to conjure a doll really sure what to think about his attempts