This is a pre-game play test before the full scenario, and may become non-canon after the fact. All Stress, changes to Attributes via dropping below 0 Favor, and all favor gained are moot and non-canon. Anyone can opt in or out, edit their characters, and relax until the game starts proper. Get on in here!
The Pendragon is a wonderously huge mansion. Inspired after the ruins of the original castle in the UK, it is one of several within the gated estate grounds. It holds the title of being the choice setting for only the most important family affairs with its grandiose banquet hall and extravagant theater that can house massive gatherings of a myriad of occasions. You have been honored with its upkeep today, what with the more veteran staff of expert maids and butlers running a bit shorthanded as of late due to some unsavory circumstances regarding the unsealing of an ancient vampire during yesterday's burial ceremony. That whole mess is mostly regulated to the family crypt near another mansion, though, so there's not much need to worry. No, there are much more important tasks to be done. Namely: Morning laundry, breakfast for Ma'dam Onmyōji, and all other manner of restocking toiletries and dusting those bloody tapestries.
Where are Sayo and Hikaru? What are they doing this morning?
The Pendragon is a wonderously huge mansion. Inspired after the ruins of the original castle in the UK, it is one of several within the gated estate grounds. It holds the title of being the choice setting for only the most important family affairs with its grandiose banquet hall and extravagant theater that can house massive gatherings of a myriad of occasions. You have been honored with its upkeep today, what with the more veteran staff of expert maids and butlers running a bit shorthanded as of late due to some unsavory circumstances regarding the unsealing of an ancient vampire during yesterday's burial ceremony. That whole mess is mostly regulated to the family crypt near another mansion, though, so there's not much need to worry. No, there are much more important tasks to be done. Namely: Morning laundry, breakfast for Ma'dam Onmyōji, and all other manner of restocking toiletries and dusting those bloody tapestries.
Where are Sayo and Hikaru? What are they doing this morning?
Well she was maiding around of course. Hikaru yawned obtusely. She wasn't used to getting up so early (while she's been interested in maids for some time she had never gotten around to maiding until very recently), but you gotta get up early before the blood sets in. She was sitting there with bucket and brush, but using neither. Her eyes lit up briefly as she applied an intense, crushing pressure with her mind, the congealed blood gently pushing its way out onto the surface with nowhere else to go. She'd used the brush to scrape the remains into the bucket before moving on. Her pail gently tapped against her hip as she walked, before finding a lesser patch of blood a second later and giving it the same squeeze tease technique she had used before. The red would stain for sure, but at least the actual blood was gone, right?
(So do i gotta do a skill roll for cleaning and shit?)
(So do i gotta do a skill roll for cleaning and shit?)
Cleaning shit and blood does require a certain delicate touch to make sure it doesn't stain the carpet.
Roll a skill test to see how this goes. Target: 5
Edit: For future reference, Hiraku has a base skill of 5, and is therefore garunteed a success. No roll is actually needed.
Roll a skill test to see how this goes. Target: 5
Edit: For future reference, Hiraku has a base skill of 5, and is therefore garunteed a success. No roll is actually needed.
(I changed this so many times)
As for Sayo, she was busy placing different silverware, plates, bowls, and the like down onto the dining table in preparation for Ma'dam Onmyōji's arrival. The brief crash course on dining etiquette she had been given was long forgotten, so she just focused on placing the similar-looking objects next to each other to make the arrangement look somewhat organized.
Her finished work brought her no joy to see; it was average work that even a toddler could accomplish. Still, so long as her boss saw it as satisfactory, that was all that mattered. All that was left was to stand near the wall, arms crossed in front of her as she was taught, and wait.
As for Sayo, she was busy placing different silverware, plates, bowls, and the like down onto the dining table in preparation for Ma'dam Onmyōji's arrival. The brief crash course on dining etiquette she had been given was long forgotten, so she just focused on placing the similar-looking objects next to each other to make the arrangement look somewhat organized.
Her finished work brought her no joy to see; it was average work that even a toddler could accomplish. Still, so long as her boss saw it as satisfactory, that was all that mattered. All that was left was to stand near the wall, arms crossed in front of her as she was taught, and wait.
rolled 1d6 and got 4
Rolling for Skill (Sayo's = 2)
(We'll get the hang of this~)
Hiraku, you've wrung the iron stentch off every fabric in the bedroom you were tasked to clean. It smells of only refined aristocracy now.
Your headmaid, an older sort plump with wisdom and pastries, appears at the doorway to check on you. Her eyes light up at the stark difference the room is being left in as opposed to how it was found. "My word! Good work as always Hiruka-chan. I'll make sure to make a note of this for the Ma'dam to see. If she's in a pleasant mood." The corners of her mouth wrinkled just a moment. "The Ma'dam will be waking any minute. Meet her needs in the dining hall, will you? I still need to check on the other juniors."
Sayo, you are at attention for only another twenty minutes before one of your peers waltz in with a massive tray. She sets it down amidst your haphazardly placed tableware, makes a frame with her fingers to see through as to check the breakfast's aesthetic beauty was up to par, and fled. Literaly she got the hell out of there as soon as her job was done as to attend to any manner of other tasks than stay there.
Before any second thoughts cloud be made about also remaining, the lady of the house appeared. Ma'dam Onmyōji was still being fitted as she marched into the dining room. The two young maids struggled to keep up tying knots, deciding which jewelry to slip on the Ma'dam's wrists, and fixing the madness of wild dyed black hair. She was seated by one of these maids, and they too left after being permitted to do so. You are alone with the Ma'dam as she surveys the table before her. She eyes you standing at cool and collected attention conspiratorily, a morning grogginess weighing her sharp inunciation. "You have taken to servitude quite well, haven't you."
(Oof that roll. Fitting for what I'm going for though.)
Hiraku, you've wrung the iron stentch off every fabric in the bedroom you were tasked to clean. It smells of only refined aristocracy now.
Your headmaid, an older sort plump with wisdom and pastries, appears at the doorway to check on you. Her eyes light up at the stark difference the room is being left in as opposed to how it was found. "My word! Good work as always Hiruka-chan. I'll make sure to make a note of this for the Ma'dam to see. If she's in a pleasant mood." The corners of her mouth wrinkled just a moment. "The Ma'dam will be waking any minute. Meet her needs in the dining hall, will you? I still need to check on the other juniors."
Sayo, you are at attention for only another twenty minutes before one of your peers waltz in with a massive tray. She sets it down amidst your haphazardly placed tableware, makes a frame with her fingers to see through as to check the breakfast's aesthetic beauty was up to par, and fled. Literaly she got the hell out of there as soon as her job was done as to attend to any manner of other tasks than stay there.
Before any second thoughts cloud be made about also remaining, the lady of the house appeared. Ma'dam Onmyōji was still being fitted as she marched into the dining room. The two young maids struggled to keep up tying knots, deciding which jewelry to slip on the Ma'dam's wrists, and fixing the madness of wild dyed black hair. She was seated by one of these maids, and they too left after being permitted to do so. You are alone with the Ma'dam as she surveys the table before her. She eyes you standing at cool and collected attention conspiratorily, a morning grogginess weighing her sharp inunciation. "You have taken to servitude quite well, haven't you."
(Oof that roll. Fitting for what I'm going for though.)
rolled 1d6 and got 1
The Ma'dam is impressed. Favor Gained:
HIKARU beamed with her calm, almost blank expression at the woman's compliments. She was fairly new here so she didn't really know how things worked but HIKARU had a feeling that the Ma'dam wasn't the nicest lady. HIKARU had idle thoughts about how this woman might be something like a drill instructor, where she would always find even the slightest nitpick to judge her servants on. HIKARU shook her head, clearing her mind and the slight anxiety building up in her stomach. Hiruka? HIKARU thought about as she quickly disposed of the bucket's insides using her telekinesis to make sure nothing stained the sides, put it under a sink and quickly dashed away towards the dining hall. HIKARU stopped at the entrance, next to the door, hands at her sides with a stiff posture.
"...Yes." Her stiff reply was the result of both parties understanding that she was only partially here by choice, and would gladly leave as soon as she was able. The assassin bit back any further comments and focused on the task at hand. "Good morning ma'am. Please enjoy your meal."
A short, dismissive grunt was what Sayo recieved for her own curt reply. The reviting conversation died with that, the Ma'dam going about indulging in morning tea in peace. She was mid-sip at HIKARU's dashing entrance. She wasn't even paid any mind, though it was difficult to discern whether she was being ignored intentionally.
Nevertheless, the Ma'dam finished her cup with a sigh towards the long dining table fitted for dozens upon dozens of guests. Her wrinkled fingers sort of rubbed idly. She wanted something, but gave no order. Whatever could the Ma'dam require?
Nevertheless, the Ma'dam finished her cup with a sigh towards the long dining table fitted for dozens upon dozens of guests. Her wrinkled fingers sort of rubbed idly. She wanted something, but gave no order. Whatever could the Ma'dam require?
Hikaru was watching the Ma'dam drink, her heels beginning to ache from staying in the same place for such a long time, before the woman appeared what Hikaru perceived to be lonely. The maid swallowed, and glanced at Sayo across the room. The heels of her brown shoes tapped against the floor as she cautiously approached. Her steps were slow and measured, with her hesitance apparent even in the sound of shoes on the dining room floor. She stopped behind Ma'dam Onmyōji, hands in front of her, and she spoke.
"Ma'dam, shall I get you more tea?"
"Ma'dam, shall I get you more tea?"
(Changed up Sayo's backstory to suit this post better. tl;dr She doesn't serve Ota specifically, but instead just serves the family and Ma'dam Onmyōji)
"The young master-" Her outburst was cut off by Hikaru's words, giving her the state of mind to rationalize what she was about to say.
The look on the older woman's face seemed to be one of longing, an expression she herself was more than familiar with due to the absence of her late mother. A pang of pity shot through her chest, and she'd ended up saying the first thing that came to mind. As far as she knew (it was a long-spanning rumor among the newer maids at this point), there apparently existed another Onmyōji in the mansion. A boy who spent most of his time secluded in his room, where none was allowed entry except the more veteran staff for cleaning and other necessities.
'Should I call for the young master?'
Something in the girl's mind associated her loneliness with that of someone who wanted to be with their family, and so she'd spoken without thinking. With the other maid's intervention, however, she remained silent in fear that she'd nearly overstepped some sort of boundary.
"The young master-" Her outburst was cut off by Hikaru's words, giving her the state of mind to rationalize what she was about to say.
The look on the older woman's face seemed to be one of longing, an expression she herself was more than familiar with due to the absence of her late mother. A pang of pity shot through her chest, and she'd ended up saying the first thing that came to mind. As far as she knew (it was a long-spanning rumor among the newer maids at this point), there apparently existed another Onmyōji in the mansion. A boy who spent most of his time secluded in his room, where none was allowed entry except the more veteran staff for cleaning and other necessities.
'Should I call for the young master?'
Something in the girl's mind associated her loneliness with that of someone who wanted to be with their family, and so she'd spoken without thinking. With the other maid's intervention, however, she remained silent in fear that she'd nearly overstepped some sort of boundary.
The wisened, cranky woman waved off the nervous HAKURA's attempt with a curt, "No." She had her eyes closed as she leaned back in her tall dining throne. "What with finding out my Great Great Great Great Great Step Aunt has been sqautting in our family crypt, feeding on my late relatives for generations, without paying due rent, you could say I'm just a bit..." Her fingers rubbed dryly again searching for an eloquent phrasing. "Hungover. I might have had too much wine at the funeral."
She stood having barely eaten. Sayo's outburst was not heard over the older maid, leaving Ma'dam Onmyōji quite perplexed at seeing her mulling over something so intensely. "Are you quite alright? You look like you're about to cry. Please wait until your break to do so. In any case I will be in my Study. Fetch me something to calm my aching so I can focus." She maid off without hurry.
You two are left with a mostly intact breakfast tray and the order to fetch something for the Ma'dam's hang over. What are you plans of action?
She stood having barely eaten. Sayo's outburst was not heard over the older maid, leaving Ma'dam Onmyōji quite perplexed at seeing her mulling over something so intensely. "Are you quite alright? You look like you're about to cry. Please wait until your break to do so. In any case I will be in my Study. Fetch me something to calm my aching so I can focus." She maid off without hurry.
You two are left with a mostly intact breakfast tray and the order to fetch something for the Ma'dam's hang over. What are you plans of action?
Huh? A small smile in amusement adorned her face as the woman explained herself. Hikaru took a step back in apology, silently returning to her place by the doorway. However, when the woman left, she relaxed a bit, a quiet sigh leaving her mouth in relief. Hikaru looked at Sayo, shrugged, and walked away to go get some medicine from the pantry.
She turned on the lights and rummaged around their medicine cabinet, looking at glass, plastic child-safety-capped bottles, cough syrup...
She turned on the lights and rummaged around their medicine cabinet, looking at glass, plastic child-safety-capped bottles, cough syrup...
rolled 1d6 and got a natural 3. After the modifier of +2, got 5
Cunning roll for finding headache pain.
Sayo barely even heard her boss' request, and instead was still reeling after being told about how her expression looked. By the time she had come to her senses, the other maid had already left. Deciding that such a task did not require more than one person, she decided to set about dealing with the barely-touched tray of food sitting on the table.
A twinge of anger made her eye twitch. Sure, she hadn't been the one to make the meal, but this just seemed a little rude. If she wasn't hungry, then she should have said so earlier and saved everyone the trouble of setting up breakfast for her. Never before had she seen such a wasteful display. She wouldn't be surprised if that woman ended up on a list, and she wasn't talking about a party invitation roster.
With a sigh of resignation, she picked up the tray, gathered the utensils, and delivered it all to the kitchen, informing the staff of what happened and how the food would need to be disposed of (she doubted it would be okay for her or anyone else to eat it themselves, even if that was the better option to her). Out of sympathy for the staff's wasted effort, she stayed behind to help with the cleanup.
A twinge of anger made her eye twitch. Sure, she hadn't been the one to make the meal, but this just seemed a little rude. If she wasn't hungry, then she should have said so earlier and saved everyone the trouble of setting up breakfast for her. Never before had she seen such a wasteful display. She wouldn't be surprised if that woman ended up on a list, and she wasn't talking about a party invitation roster.
With a sigh of resignation, she picked up the tray, gathered the utensils, and delivered it all to the kitchen, informing the staff of what happened and how the food would need to be disposed of (she doubted it would be okay for her or anyone else to eat it themselves, even if that was the better option to her). Out of sympathy for the staff's wasted effort, she stayed behind to help with the cleanup.
rolled 1d6 and got 3
Rolling for Skill (Sayo's=2)
Hikaru, you manage to find at the very back of the medicine cabinet an old hidden bottle. The prescription is faded to obscurity, with only the chicken-scratch signet of some doctor and the words "HEAD RELIEF" visible. As you grab it, a lone rattle betrays its contents are near empty with only one pill left.
The kitchen staff were very sullen seeing Sayo return with their hard work wasted, especially the chef. "Again?" He twirled his grey goatee. "My... the old lady is eating less and less these days. Hop to it people! Let's get this cleaned up before lunch."
You helped them dispose of the dishes expertly and without problem, actually earning them more time to work with given the shortage of hands. Before you take leave, the same chef waved you aside. "A moment..." He lifted his large white toque, revealing an exquisite bottle balanced on his bald head. He grabbed it's neck, cradling its bottom like a delicate babe as he turned it over to you. The label is in some other language, but has the year 1902 pristinely legible. "Blut von unschuldigen Waisenkindern. It's her favorite. I'd planned to give it to her myself this evening, if you catch what I'm throwing down. But... it'd be best to raise her spirits sooner rather than later. Oh, and take care the Ma'dam does not to mix it with medication."
(Notes: These mostly common tasks have a threshold of 6.)
Big Notes: Would someone please test spending Favor for a Random Event on the Normal Action or
Dark Event Charts. Romance is obviously not very suitable for this play-test scenario.
The kitchen staff were very sullen seeing Sayo return with their hard work wasted, especially the chef. "Again?" He twirled his grey goatee. "My... the old lady is eating less and less these days. Hop to it people! Let's get this cleaned up before lunch."
You helped them dispose of the dishes expertly and without problem, actually earning them more time to work with given the shortage of hands. Before you take leave, the same chef waved you aside. "A moment..." He lifted his large white toque, revealing an exquisite bottle balanced on his bald head. He grabbed it's neck, cradling its bottom like a delicate babe as he turned it over to you. The label is in some other language, but has the year 1902 pristinely legible. "Blut von unschuldigen Waisenkindern. It's her favorite. I'd planned to give it to her myself this evening, if you catch what I'm throwing down. But... it'd be best to raise her spirits sooner rather than later. Oh, and take care the Ma'dam does not to mix it with medication."
(Notes: These mostly common tasks have a threshold of 6.)
Big Notes: Would someone please test spending Favor for a Random Event on the Normal Action or
Dark Event Charts. Romance is obviously not very suitable for this play-test scenario.
"U-Um..." Sayo could barely comprehend what the older man was saying before a suspiciously-titled bottle was shoved in her hands. Among the many questions raging in her head, she couldn't decide on which one to ask and merely offered him a slight nod of thanks before hurrying out of the room.
She didn't even get two steps before she heard a scream.
She didn't even get two steps before she heard a scream.
rolled 1d6 and got 4
Normal Action Event Tens Place
rolled 1d6 and got 2
Normal Action Event Ones Place
One scream was followed by another, and then another. They came as ghostly wails from the theater, quickly coming into terrified focus as more and more young maids poured out of the double doors. The delicately detailed woodwork waved open and shut until they blasted off their hinges to only be stopped by the opposite wall. The headmaid's slumped form laid underneath the thick boards, inert. A half dozen fleeing maids hide behind corners or at least behind Sayo, most merely apprentices around her age.
Hikaru can very plainly hear what sounds like a horror or action play being preformed in the theater. Nothing of the sort was planned today, which is odd. Could be a rehearsal though?
Hikaru can very plainly hear what sounds like a horror or action play being preformed in the theater. Nothing of the sort was planned today, which is odd. Could be a rehearsal though?
"Oh," Hikaru grabbed the bottle of medicine from the cabinet, surprised at its weight (or lack thereof) and the single content inside. Opening it, the girl stared into the bottom, narrowed her eyes, and looked around. "There's gotta be more, right...?" She was about to go ahead and look before the screams alerted her. She turned around, squinting into the dining room.
Taking a gentle step out, another scream followed, then another. Shoving the headache medicine into one of the pockets on her apron, Hikaru moved quickly down a hall, following the noises of screaming. "I guess I should probably..." She kicked in her psychic abilities, her eyes glowing orange before becoming distorted and disappearing under bright energies. This was one of her special esp-maid abilities: Stalker. By using psychic energy to redirect light beams around her, she can appear invisible! She kicked off her shoes as to not make any sounds and creeped into the room with the missing doors, and the ko'd headmaid.
Huh.
Taking a gentle step out, another scream followed, then another. Shoving the headache medicine into one of the pockets on her apron, Hikaru moved quickly down a hall, following the noises of screaming. "I guess I should probably..." She kicked in her psychic abilities, her eyes glowing orange before becoming distorted and disappearing under bright energies. This was one of her special esp-maid abilities: Stalker. By using psychic energy to redirect light beams around her, she can appear invisible! She kicked off her shoes as to not make any sounds and creeped into the room with the missing doors, and the ko'd headmaid.
Huh.
The scream startled her, but growing up as an assassin taught you to not jump out of your skin when taken by surprise. She'd barely had enough time to make sure the bottle didn't slip from her hands before some of the younger maids came fleeing in her direction. Obviously recognizing a figure of authority (despite many of them being older than her. Must've been the whole assassin thing), they cowered behind her like she was some kind of shield wall that would protect them from whatever threat there seemed to be.
All she could get out of their frightened babbling was 'theater', so she headed over there after instructing her juniors to go find some of the veteran maids and butlers and inform them of what was going on. She considered sending someone to alert the mistress, but decided against such a rash action over what could easily be a misunderstanding or easily-dealt with situation.
As she approached the theater with bottle in hand, she noticed the destruction of the entrance right off the bat. The barely-visible unmoving form of the head maid made it all the more clear to her that something was indeed wrong.
"Senpai? Can you hear me?" When no response was given, the assassin feared the worst. A quick whip of her head revealed that no one was around to help her, so she placed the bottle down nearby, tensed her muscles and prepared for sore arms tomorrow, if she was lucky. If she was unlucky, then the guilt of failure would last much longer than any soreness would.
But hey, they were just two pieces of wood, and she was a 12-year-old girl. Should be easy, right?
(Hope it's okay for me to just go for a roll here)
All she could get out of their frightened babbling was 'theater', so she headed over there after instructing her juniors to go find some of the veteran maids and butlers and inform them of what was going on. She considered sending someone to alert the mistress, but decided against such a rash action over what could easily be a misunderstanding or easily-dealt with situation.
As she approached the theater with bottle in hand, she noticed the destruction of the entrance right off the bat. The barely-visible unmoving form of the head maid made it all the more clear to her that something was indeed wrong.
"Senpai? Can you hear me?" When no response was given, the assassin feared the worst. A quick whip of her head revealed that no one was around to help her, so she placed the bottle down nearby, tensed her muscles and prepared for sore arms tomorrow, if she was lucky. If she was unlucky, then the guilt of failure would last much longer than any soreness would.
But hey, they were just two pieces of wood, and she was a 12-year-old girl. Should be easy, right?
(Hope it's okay for me to just go for a roll here)
rolled 1d6 and got 5
Rolling for Athletics (Sayo = 3)
Sayo easily shifts the wood with expert applied force given her tiny frame. With a heavy thunk the crushing weight fell aside from the headmaid, who was blinking into some form of consciousness. A trickle of blood just thin enough to avoid a higher TV-Audience rating came as she tried to speak. "In... in there..." Hacks and coughs delayed her ragged message. She pointed into the Pen Dragon's theater. "The Exiled... Mistress..." More coughs. Two butlers rushed over and shouldered the heavy set mentor to most present. She offered one last intense breath to warn Sayo: "S-she's... she's fast. Don't underestimate her!"
The spacial anomaly that was Hikaru slipped in without fail passed Sayo and the others. She was the first to see a scantily clad exhibitionist wielding giant scissor blades glaring amidst a scattered ring of fallen maids & butlers in the line of duty. Their noble and proud uniforms were shorn, shredded, decimated! The pristine cotton floated about in a shower around the intruder. The tall girl dug a high-heel into the back of one still conscious maid, knocking the wind out of the girl.
"WHERE IS THAT OLD HAG OF AN UPPITY BITCH!" Her jugs jiggled in her risque modified school uniform as an almost visible sound wave reverberated off the spacious theater's semi-circular walls. "I'LL HAVE HER HEAD FOR WHAT SHE'S DONE!"
Sayo heard this as well. Very clearly.
The spacial anomaly that was Hikaru slipped in without fail passed Sayo and the others. She was the first to see a scantily clad exhibitionist wielding giant scissor blades glaring amidst a scattered ring of fallen maids & butlers in the line of duty. Their noble and proud uniforms were shorn, shredded, decimated! The pristine cotton floated about in a shower around the intruder. The tall girl dug a high-heel into the back of one still conscious maid, knocking the wind out of the girl.
"WHERE IS THAT OLD HAG OF AN UPPITY BITCH!" Her jugs jiggled in her risque modified school uniform as an almost visible sound wave reverberated off the spacious theater's semi-circular walls. "I'LL HAVE HER HEAD FOR WHAT SHE'S DONE!"
Sayo heard this as well. Very clearly.
BOSS: The Exiled Mistress
Athletic - 5
Affection - 1
Skill - ???
Cunning - ???
Will - 3
Maid Power: ... Quickness of some sort?
Threshold would be an 8 for that door, I imagine. Easily blown through with a 15. I forgot Sayo was buff from all that assassin'ing. Hiraku and Sayo might have some things in common with assassin'ing potential... YOU SHOULD TRY ROLEPLAYING TOGETHER.
Athletic - 5
Affection - 1
Skill - ???
Cunning - ???
Will - 3
Maid Power: ... Quickness of some sort?
Threshold would be an 8 for that door, I imagine. Easily blown through with a 15. I forgot Sayo was buff from all that assassin'ing. Hiraku and Sayo might have some things in common with assassin'ing potential... YOU SHOULD TRY ROLEPLAYING TOGETHER.