Musica Universalis Part Two - Revision history

Lisa at 03:21, 19 August 2021

2021-08-19T03:21:36Z

Lisa at 03:20, 19 August 2021

2021-08-19T03:20:52Z

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	* Sariel / Larry Reese, a PC fallen angel who played the piano in the tavern.		* Sariel / Larry Reese, a PC fallen angel who played the piano in the tavern.

	Zadkiel played the piece that Amod had decided he simply must play [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJQGkX7Hsww \| "Devil's Dream"] Then, Franklin played and sang "Last Resort". Now, you can hear the original [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2Wwt6a5zjw \| here]; however, this is NOT what it sounded like when Derek played it on the guitar. Derek played it like a man from decades earlier who was pouring every ounce of soul and passion into a ballad because his soul, his friends' souls, and, oh yes, the fate of the world were all on the line.		Zadkiel played the piece that Amod had decided he simply must play [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJQGkX7Hsww \| "Devil's Dream"] Then, Franklin played and sang "Last Resort". Now, you can hear the original [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2Wwt6a5zjw \| here] (or at least, at one point you could); however, this is NOT what it sounded like when Derek played it on the guitar. Derek played it like a man from decades earlier who was pouring every ounce of soul and passion into a ballad because his soul, his friends' souls, and, oh yes, the fate of the world were all on the line.

Lisa at 03:19, 19 August 2021

2021-08-19T03:19:00Z

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	* Fosse Grim, played by Josh, who would be more naturally inclined to favor the fiddle, but this was all right. He was the only NPC judge and probably the only one naturally inclined to favor the devil, and someone really ought to among the judges.		* Fosse Grim, played by Josh, who would be more naturally inclined to favor the fiddle, but this was all right. He was the only NPC judge and probably the only one naturally inclined to favor the devil, and someone really ought to among the judges.

	* Leland Barnes, who had recently lost his memory, and so everything was new to him. (Turns out he wasn't human by now, having been turned into a water spirit, but Josh and I didn't realize that, and I'm not sure whether Amod or Derek did either.)		* Leland Barnes, who had recently lost his memory, and so everything was new to him. (Turns out he wasn't human by now, having been turned into a water spirit, but Josh and I didn't realize that, and I'm not sure whether Amod or Derek did either.)
			* Sariel / Larry Reese, a PC fallen angel who played the piano in the tavern.

	* Sariel / ~~Larry Reese~~, a ~~PC fallen angel~~ who ~~played~~ the ~~piano in~~ the ~~tavern~~.		Zadkiel played the piece that Amod had decided he simply must play [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJQGkX7Hsww \| "Devil's Dream"] Then, Franklin played and sang "Last Resort". Now, you can hear the original [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2Wwt6a5zjw \| here]; however, this is NOT what it sounded like when Derek played it on the guitar. Derek played it like a man from decades earlier who was pouring every ounce of soul and passion into a ballad because his soul, his friends' souls, and, oh yes, the fate of the world were all on the line.

Lisa at 03:17, 19 August 2021

2021-08-19T03:17:11Z

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	Folks got together and headed to the crossroads. Now, in theory, Robert Colvin, whose player, like Amod, plays the fiddle, should have been the one to challenge Zadkiel, but the player had retired for the evening and his hand was hurting. In theory, Nathaniel could do it, as Nathaniel also played the fiddle, but in practice, Franklin, who played guitar, agreed to be the one to challenge the devil at the crossroads.		Folks got together and headed to the crossroads. Now, in theory, Robert Colvin, whose player, like Amod, plays the fiddle, should have been the one to challenge Zadkiel, but the player had retired for the evening and his hand was hurting. In theory, Nathaniel could do it, as Nathaniel also played the fiddle, but in practice, Franklin, who played guitar, agreed to be the one to challenge the devil at the crossroads.

			We learned all of this en route, and I started trying to get ahead of the main group to give Amod a heads up. When I got as far as Caitlin, I explained the situation, and she ran ahead and explained it to Amod. GMs are, in general, a lot better at rolling with unexpected twists if they get even the tiniest bit of a heads up.

			The crossroads scene pretty much encapsulates everything that I larp for. Okay, we drove several hours for a top bunk bed in the New Hampshire woods where I need to spray tick repellant and use a flashlight at night, but we walked to a crossroads and the devil was there waiting.

			And Zadkiel and Franklin had a quiet conversation. They weren't whispering, of course--everyone needed to hear--but no one was shouting.

			Franklin: I want what's mine, what's hers [Leonora's], and your token.

			Zadkiel: Yes. (long pause) Yes, you do.

			What was Franklin's was his soul, sold to both Zadkiel and Samael. What was Leonora's was a film reel of Camille, which somehow contained the actress's soul. And of course, the token was needed for the retuning ritual.

			And Franklin was, or at least seemed, pretty confident.

			Franklin: I'm going to win because I'm better than you.

			Zadkiel: How many songs shall we play?

			Franklin: I only need one.

			This exchange was a blast to watch. There was also the question of what Franklin would be staking on his part. Now, traditionally, Franklin should have staked his own soul on the contest, but Zadkiel already had his soul. Franklin tried to argue that he could still totally stake it. Why, just this very day, he'd bought himself a Destiny--he was destined to invent something that would change the world! Surely that would make his soul shinier, something to really boast about having on one's mantel?

			Sadly, no. Zadkiel wasn't looking for the prettiest soul. They were looking to collect souls. And Franklin was asking for three things. So, three of his friends would have to stake their souls on this, and no, Franklin and Leonora could not stake their own souls, those being part of what was on the table.

			Franklin quickly had two takers, one of whom asked if this meant he'd have to shake the devil's hand. Zadkiel said yes, everyone making this deal with them would have to. So, Franklin just needed one more person.

			Nathaniel: Franklin, how sure are you that you're going to win this?

			Someone noted that, given that on tomorrow's agenda was the retuning of the entire universe, if Nathaniel didn't have faith in Franklin for this, folks might as well give up now.

			Nathaniel: You'd better win this. If you don't, my mother-in-law will haul you out of Hell so she can kill you.

			Someone noted that Franklin had improved Nathaniel's relationship with his mother-in-law. This did not sweeten Nathaniel's mood.

			Nathaniel: You'd better f*cking win this, Franklin.

			Judges would be decided on by mutual consent of the two contestants, and none of the judges could be a directly interested party.

			Me / Gwen: Make sure it's an odd number of judges.

			Three was the number agreed upon, and Zadkiel suggested Fosse Grim as one, which Josh had been expected. Final decisions would be made back at the tavern. For now, all parties involved shook hands with Zadkiel, some more reluctantly than others.

			Now, I had heard Amod play on his fiddle. He's good. I'd heard Derek, aka Franklin's player, play on his guitar. He's good. But, neither of them had heard the other. Heck, Derek didn't even know Amod played.

			He was thinking that Franklin had this in the bag. This staffer probably couldn't even play a lick. Why, he didn't even see a violin--the staffer probably didn't even have one.

			In Franklin's defense, I note that it was very dark at the crossroads. He didn't see the violin case until Zadkiel bent and picked it up.

			None of us saw Franklin sweating or batting an eye, and we certainly didn't see his little thought balloon, which had the equivalent of "big uh-oh" however he chose to gloss it. Yep, the devil could, and would, play the fiddle.

			Three judges were chosen:

			* Fosse Grim, played by Josh, who would be more naturally inclined to favor the fiddle, but this was all right. He was the only NPC judge and probably the only one naturally inclined to favor the devil, and someone really ought to among the judges.

			* Leland Barnes, who had recently lost his memory, and so everything was new to him. (Turns out he wasn't human by now, having been turned into a water spirit, but Josh and I didn't realize that, and I'm not sure whether Amod or Derek did either.)

			* Sariel / Larry Reese, a PC fallen angel who played the piano in the tavern.

Lisa at 03:16, 19 August 2021

2021-08-19T03:16:23Z

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	So, the Mississippi wasn't going to shake hands with anyone or make any official deals. He knew what Sam and the others had said they'd do. And he gave Sam his token.		So, the Mississippi wasn't going to shake hands with anyone or make any official deals. He knew what Sam and the others had said they'd do. And he gave Sam his token.

			This meant that no one had promised specifically to blow the Hoover Dam. One person had promised to do "whatever it takes" to free one or more of the prisoners, but the PCs had wiggle room and agency, which was critical. And now, Old Man River wanted to go back to sleep.

			And we returned to Monster Camp and changed, except for Josh, who just had to collect his fiddle. He wasn't going to be playing it, but he wanted to remind folks that Fosse Grim played the fiddle and thus might be called on for advice or as a judge.

			For it was midnight, and thus, Zadkiel would be at the crossroads, should anyone want to challenge them to a fiddle contest. Zadkiel was also Belial, which is, I think, unfair, as I don't believe they ever lied. Along with Samael/Lucifer and Camael/Azazel, they were from a place we liked to call, ah, Downstairs.

			First, Zadkiel's player had to be extracted from a mod that was running late. This was Amod Lele, who used to write for A&E. He'd just been running a trip to Hell mod, along with the player of NPC Gabriel, who apologized profusely for that running late. We assured her that it wasn't a problem or even her doing -- everything had been running a bit late because the House of the Rising Sun had run late, so it was more like this mod was the fifth airplane in line that got nudged off its timing.

			In theory, Samael was supposed to be the hook for this, but Alex, who played the NPC Samael, was also the main staffer in charge and was running himself ragged trying to be in several places at once. But, Amod's wife, Caitlin, who'd played Lilith and other roles, had made sure she could be free to watch the fiddle contest, and we all agreed she could be the hook, which meant we didn't need to hunt for Alex.

			So, Amod went to the crossroads, and we went to the tavern.

			Caitlin as Random Townie: Um... there's this guy with wings down at the crossroads. Could someone make him go away? This is above my pay grade!

			Folks got together and headed to the crossroads. Now, in theory, Robert Colvin, whose player, like Amod, plays the fiddle, should have been the one to challenge Zadkiel, but the player had retired for the evening and his hand was hurting. In theory, Nathaniel could do it, as Nathaniel also played the fiddle, but in practice, Franklin, who played guitar, agreed to be the one to challenge the devil at the crossroads.

Lisa at 03:15, 19 August 2021

2021-08-19T03:15:50Z

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	* Similarly, the Canadian and Platt wanted to be able to flow. Bridges were fine, but dams were a problem.		* Similarly, the Canadian and Platt wanted to be able to flow. Bridges were fine, but dams were a problem.
	* Someone--not Sam--made a deal with one of the rivers, promising to do "whatever it takes" to free either the miners, the Colorado, or both (I forget which).		* Someone--not Sam--made a deal with one of the rivers, promising to do "whatever it takes" to free either the miners, the Colorado, or both (I forget which).
			* I think a politician made a deal with the Republican River, a woman from Texas. Certainly, she liked the idea that a friendly river (like the Red River) might flow in such a way as to get her an extra bit of vote in an election.

			After all deals were struck, the Mississippi told Sam that he really didn't care about humans. He didn't even care enough about them to hate them. But, was he a treacherous river? No, he was not. He was, however, a river with a long memory and a lot of power, quite capable of being vengeful and deadly.

			So, the Mississippi wasn't going to shake hands with anyone or make any official deals. He knew what Sam and the others had said they'd do. And he gave Sam his token.

Lisa at 03:59, 18 August 2021

2021-08-18T03:59:57Z

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	* The Republican saying that, well, she didn't like humans, but maybe not all humans deserved to be killed, maybe not even all humans not in the room. They'd been very understanding when she was under the control of La Llorona, figuring out that if they didn't attack the Republican River, she'd just yell at them, but if they did, she'd do a lot of damage to them. What she wanted was not to be cut up and dammed by the humans.		* The Republican saying that, well, she didn't like humans, but maybe not all humans deserved to be killed, maybe not even all humans not in the room. They'd been very understanding when she was under the control of La Llorona, figuring out that if they didn't attack the Republican River, she'd just yell at them, but if they did, she'd do a lot of damage to them. What she wanted was not to be cut up and dammed by the humans.
	* Similarly, the Canadian and Platt wanted to be able to flow. Bridges were fine, but dams were a problem.		* Similarly, the Canadian and Platt wanted to be able to flow. Bridges were fine, but dams were a problem.
			* Someone--not Sam--made a deal with one of the rivers, promising to do "whatever it takes" to free either the miners, the Colorado, or both (I forget which).

Lisa at 03:59, 18 August 2021

2021-08-18T03:59:09Z

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	* The Red River saying that he rather liked humans, and if he were _asked_ if, maybe, he could bend a bit this way or flow more smoothly over there, why, he might well just do that for the humans--if they _asked_ him.		* The Red River saying that he rather liked humans, and if he were _asked_ if, maybe, he could bend a bit this way or flow more smoothly over there, why, he might well just do that for the humans--if they _asked_ him.
			* The Republican saying that, well, she didn't like humans, but maybe not all humans deserved to be killed, maybe not even all humans not in the room. They'd been very understanding when she was under the control of La Llorona, figuring out that if they didn't attack the Republican River, she'd just yell at them, but if they did, she'd do a lot of damage to them. What she wanted was not to be cut up and dammed by the humans.
			* Similarly, the Canadian and Platt wanted to be able to flow. Bridges were fine, but dams were a problem.

Lisa at 03:58, 18 August 2021

2021-08-18T03:58:13Z

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	Then, the Mississippi turned back to Other Business, aka these humans here, and invited each river to talk with the humans in turn and make whatever deal they liked, which got a lot of people in on the action. I don't recall all of the deals but I remember:		Then, the Mississippi turned back to Other Business, aka these humans here, and invited each river to talk with the humans in turn and make whatever deal they liked, which got a lot of people in on the action. I don't recall all of the deals but I remember:

			* The Red River saying that he rather liked humans, and if he were _asked_ if, maybe, he could bend a bit this way or flow more smoothly over there, why, he might well just do that for the humans--if they _asked_ him.

Lisa at 03:57, 18 August 2021

2021-08-18T03:57:44Z

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	Now, despite the title, the Republican wasn't actually on trial. This was more of a "what happened and where do we go from here?" The Republican was a bit subdued, having realized how much La Llorona had used her and the Canadian, and told the story, possibly with input from others.		Now, despite the title, the Republican wasn't actually on trial. This was more of a "what happened and where do we go from here?" The Republican was a bit subdued, having realized how much La Llorona had used her and the Canadian, and told the story, possibly with input from others.

			Then, the Mississippi turned back to Other Business, aka these humans here, and invited each river to talk with the humans in turn and make whatever deal they liked, which got a lot of people in on the action. I don't recall all of the deals but I remember: