ic Ren Faire: Town Square (IC)

[Thevshi]

Fair Grounds (near Ocean Heights Amusement Park)

Port Regal, Freedom City, New Jersey

Friday September 27, 2024. 3:00 PM

 
As had been the case for well over a decade, the last full week of September had the fairgrounds near Ocean Heights Amusement Park was host to the Freedom City Renaissance Faire. The faire was spread out across the grounds, with various areas each offering a different experience.

 

At the heart of the faire was the town square, an open courtyard like area with side streets that led to the other areas of the faire. Several seating areas for guests were set up in sections of the square. From time-to-time various performers moved about the open spaces entertaining small groups of guests. Off to one side of the square was a small stage, which was the site for several scheduled performances throughout the day.

 

With the faire soon to wrap up at the end of the weekend, Claremont Academy had arranged for students that wished to attend to be excused from their last class of the day and had provided buses to transport the students to the fairgrounds. After the buses arrived at the parking area, the students were free to go where they wished for the next several hours.

[Dracostern]

Cerebellum

 

Daniel was out and about....by himself! The twins had decided to split up this time, seeing as they had developed a mental connection, it was easier for them to do to emotionally. There would always be a way for one twin to tell that the other twin was in danger and come to their aid. So Daniel felt a bit more at easy now. He was currently wandering the Town Square, mostly because he was curious about the different performances that was going on here. He was someone who was interested in the performing arts, he had even picked up acting. 

 

So he was curiously watching one of these street performers with great interest!

[Tiffany Korta]

Mz Grue

 

Daphne loved all forms of entertainment, including live-action -  though she rarely got to go often, so this was her chance to get her fill of everything this fair had to offer!

 

She was bouncing along happily "dressed" in a yellow mini-skirted uniform of that old popular science fiction franchise, she'd always wanted to do the whole "visiting an ancient world" schtick ever since she'd read about it online. Whilst green skin or pointed ears would have been super simple, she'd settled for a simple human with a quite impressive, she'd thought, beehive updo!

 

But what to do? She was happily trying to take everything in before deciding what to start with first!

[Supercape]

Spore

 

Spore walked by Mz Grue's side, in her own rather less flamboyant outfit: A medieval farmer, complete with (fake) scythe. 

 

She regretted the papermache scythe. It was light, but cumbersome. And she had too much to do with taking photographs. 

 

"Smile, Daphne! Now growl! Now fire your phaser!"

 

Daphne was making excellent photographs, and was, in Harper's mind, sure to win the best outfit of Claremont competition that Harper had decided would feature in the school magazine. Alongside her photographs. 

 

"Damn, you really do look amazing..." she muttered, studying the latest photograph on her digital camera. "I mean, how do you do it? It's like you walked off the set of the show... just... better than the show, to be honest. Like a real alien!"

 

She gave a knowing wink. There were too many people around in the crowds to speak openly (or at least, loudly) of superheroics, magic and aliens. And so many fantastic costumes on display. Snap - snap - snap. More excellent photographs!

 

"Now all we need is a medieval roast pig with an apple stuffed in its mouth!" she said, licking her lips. "Roasted in honey, or something. Anyone see anything exotic to eat?"

[Dracostern]

Cerebellum

 

More people huh? Students hopefully. 

 

Daniel's eyes were torn away from the preformance that he was watching and he spotted Mz Grue and Spore. As soon as he saw their amazing outfits he suddenly felt really underdressed...still he would make his way over to the other young heroes before speaking. "Happy to see some different faces haha. I'm Daniel in case we haven't met yet. Can I just say that you two have amazing costumes!"

Edited September 22 by Dracostern

[Tiffany Korta]

Mz Grue

 

She had been pretty proud of the Phaser it had taken a few tries as Baby had misunderstood and made an actual functioning weapon, which probably would have gone down badly at the Ren Fair! This one just glowed appropriately and made the noises. Her Tricorder was a smidge chunkier as to contain Mother Unit inside, who was currently sulking at such indignities.

 

"You could say my costume is out of this world!" she grinned at her own personal in-joke, "I think most of the food is elsewhere, though there might be some on offers where the travelling players are!" her attention was then drawn away to Daniel

 

"Hi, and thank you!" she gave a little curtsy "I'm Daphne and this is Harper! As I recall we met briefly the first day I arrived at school. How's your sister?"

[Supercape]

Spore

 

It was becoming almost a reflex - Harper was taking photographs of everything! Up went the camera, down went the finger, and she had clicked off three pictures of Daniel before she was even aware she was doing it. 

 

She forced herself to put the digital camera down. Thank God its digital!

 

How many pictures had she taken already? More than old fashioned film could manage, that was for sure. 

 

"The Twins, right?" she added. "Psychic twins?"

 

Do they share a connection? I heard they are never seen apart?

 

[Dracostern]

Cerebellum

 

"Oh yes! We did meet briefly, I do apologise Daphne. Things have gotten quite chaotic in Claremont as I'm sure you're aware haha! It's great to see you again!" He was grinning at the two of them before questions about Iris were mouthed and he rubbed the back of his head. Spore's thoughts were correct. Normally Iris and Daniel were aways together. So the fact that they weren't was a bit of an anomaly, still everything seemed alright. "Oh! You're talking about Iris! She's doing just fine. Thought we would try and split up for once it's...a little nerve wracking haha."

 

The young man's attention was taken by Spore as she takes pohotos of him, she seemed quite into it, he would not have noticed either had the camera not been pointed at him more then once. He turned to her and nodded his head. "Yes that's us. The Psychic twins! I'm Daniel and my sister is Iris." Spore might recognise that name from the girl's dormroom meetings when she first arrived. "It's nice to meet you!"

[Tiffany Korta]

Mz Grue

 

Daphne felt a little pang of guilt, he wasn't showing it but she knew what it was like to always be compared to another person. She as quickly as she could tried to change the subject to matters pertaining to the Fair.

 

"Though I've watched a lot of stuff online, this is my first time actually going to a Ren Fair!" she almost squeed in excitement

 

"Have you had a chance to wander around the area? Do they have any player or the such worth watching?" 

 

She had to purposely take a breath, something she didn't really need to do so as not to bombard everyone with even more questions.

[Dracostern]

Cerebellum

 

"Oh?! It's that popular? This is the first time I've heard of it haha...I come from Emerald City you see...well regardless I'm still having fun!" Daniel would speak to Mz Grue. "As for entertainment...well I saw a magic show just now but it seems to be over unnfortunately." 

 

The young man would smile at her then look over at Spore as well, feeling a bit bad for leaving her out. "How about we all stick together for a bit? See some sights?"

[Supercape]

Spore

 

With a twitch of effort, Harper put down the camera, leaving in dangle around her neck. 

 

"Yes. See. Dang, think I got so caught up in the photographing that I actually forgot to use my eyes and soak in the sights. And the smells, for that matter!"

 

She tapped her nose. 

 

"Mushroom nose! I can smell real good," she said. "Which is not always a good thing. But! makes me a good cook. I think... or maybe it just makes me appreciate good cooking."

 

She gave a little laugh. 

 

"Anyway, its a great idea. Lets stick together, see the sights, and if you see any roasted pigs then let me know! I want some medieval food!"

[FlyingFresh]

Gookgak

 

Some kind of display or show is getting started. A very convincing-looking goblin rides in on what must be a large horse dressed up to look like a gigantic wolf. The goblin has a too-large crown on his head, just barely kept on at a demented angle by the length of its pointy ears. There is also a convincingly terrified looking man tied up with a preponderance of that cheap plastic pennant garland you see all over the place at functions like this and made to look as if he is being held up by the jaws of the horse/wolf.

 

The goblin is standing on the horse/wolf's back, and magnanimously throwing out fake jewels and gold-covered chocolate coins. He crows at the top of his voice: "Hear ye, hear ye! Behold, miserable peasants! I Gookgak the mighty, have deposed the wicked King of Ren Faire, that has ruled over you so cruelly with a fist of iron these many long years! With these riches I fling, find respite from your pointless lives of misery - which mostly consist of spreading your own night soil on your fields, eating disgusting vegetable soup, and attempting to forget your sorrows by consuming an abundance of watered-down beer! For lo - that these jewels may appear to be mere plastic fakes, and these dubloons only waxy, low-quality chocolate, I have it on very good authority that, in this place, they can be whatever you imagine them to be. Rejoice!"

 

The character does a little dance of joy atop his mount, then continues. "And now that wicked King of Ren Faire is cast down, shall Gookgak be your new king?" The little speaker makes a show of modesty and blushes. "Why, only if you want it, my good people. I would never force myself upon you. For, I am a Good Guy!"

 

And the little monster beams inanely.

[Dracostern]

Cerebellum

 

Daniel smiles at Spore and nods his head. Sometimes one could get too focused on things and not notice what happened around them....though in this case it was hard to ignore. The young man turned around at the rather loud noises Gookgak made with his...mount? Then that proclaimation...the young man just blinked for a moment and called out to the little guy.

 

"Ummm....I'm sorry what's happening?" Confused was all over his face. 

[Tiffany Korta]

Mz Grue

 

"And, as I am an honest Puck, If we have unearned luck Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue, We will make amends ere long..." she put on a cod British accent as she quoted from the Bard "I saw this one play being broadcast once, or twice... As the plays the thing it seems, let's play along and see what happens!"

 

Stepping forward she gave a little curtsy, the short uniform dress helped in the situation!

 

"Oh, kind sir can we assume you are a hob-goblin?"

[Supercape]

Spore

 

The appearance of a wolf, and a goblin, made Spore spin round and start clicking her digital camera like crazy. 

 

That! Was! An! Entrance!

 

Googkak the Goblin. Well, he certainly was a strange creature. One that made an impression and certainly one that had done so in Claremont. Out here, in public... well, he would fit in. She had a pang of sorrow for the weirder mutants in Claremont who, perhaps for psychological reasons related to their appearances, didn't go out incognito in public. Like that idiot Gamma Buzz. What a immature fool he was!

 

But Googkak seemed cooler somehow. The right type of fool. 

 

"Go go go!" she screamed at Googkak. "Everyone loves a knight in shining armour!"

[FlyingFresh]

Gookgak

 

"Um, yes, I am a hobgoblin," Gookgak lied, "it's good you noticed that! And a very powerful and wise one too! That's how I was able to defeat Evil King of Ren Faire. Me notice that Evil King of Ren Faire was looking sleepy, so me crumble up little bit of Uncle Hogwarm's sleeping pill in Evil King's cola! Him sleep like a baby so much, him not even notice when Gookgak tie him up and summon warg to parade him around town square in shame! Ha! Him so stupid!"

 

The gobbelyn laughs until he chokes and coughs, green snot leaking from one nostril. "Ha! Him looked real scared now, right?"

[Tiffany Korta]

Mz Grue

 

And I'm an empath and can tell a half-truth from a lie! her friendly demeanour didn't waver even telepathically And long as it's all in the spirit of the thing, no harm and no fowl! And don't worry I've not read your mind!

 

Without missing a beat she was back to her cheerful self

 

"Please brave Goblin regale us with your tales of victory against this wicked King!"

[Thevshi]

GM

 

When Gookgak made his appearance in the town square on Smaurg, the reaction from much of the crowd had initially been surprised, but impressed by what appeared to be good makeup and special effects. However, at his pronouncement of usurping the kingship, many started to have looks of confusion as they seemed uncertain what was going on. Indeed many of the staff in the area appeared concerned, knowing this was not some scheduled event. A few even made district calls to security to come investigate.

 

Despite Harper and Daphne's attempts to play along, many in the crowed seemed to grow more and more uneasy, many backing away from Gookgak and a few even starting to make for other parts of the faire.

 

But that came to a halt when a sudden wave of distorted air seemed to wash over the entire town square, freezing people in their tracks. As the distortion passed, a man stepped into view, looking over at Gookgak and the bound man behind him. He was dressed in black tight jeans and a brightly colored silk shirt with colored patterns across it. Around his neck were several chains with various symbols hanging from them and he had short brown hair that was styled up with hair gel, red tinted glasses completing his look.

 

"Down with all monarchs, symbols of the Man and the patriarchy!" The man yelled out to the frozen crowd. "Why celebrate this time of oppression! Thankfully, the Counter-Clock Culture is here to set you free man!"

 

As he spoke, around the square, several individuals came into view. They appeared to be young men and women, dressed in tie-dye T-shirts, bell-bottom jeans, with various beads, headbands and jewelry. They began spreading out around the edge of the town square, smashing displays and other faire elements as they went….
 

[Dracostern]

Cerebellum

 

Daniel was taken aback by Gookgak's entrance, hence why he had been so quiet until now. He was taking everything in, that was until everyone began to freeze! He would just manage to look over at the newcomers in shock as this all happend! Just what on earth was going on?!

[Supercape]

Spore

 

Spore had every reason to be a "woke" radical, and, perhaps, she was not so far from that position as some may have thought. But - 

 

-but every group had its small percentage of idiots and tyrants. And lashing out with vapid phrases lacking any nuance or understanding of the complexities behind the was a good indicator of being in that small percentage. 

 

"Kings and Patriachy? Aren't you, like, a couple of centuries late?" she asked. "And, like, in the wrong place?"

 

As far as she could recall there had never been any kings of America. Well, maybe the Aztecs or Mayans? But that was a thousand years ago, wasn't it?

 

She resolved to look the matter up at Claremont library. It was no good to shout back unless one knew what one was talking about. 

 

And in any case, it looked like she needed to do more than shout back.

 

Suddenly it felt as the whole world was turning to treacle, and not in a good way...

 

"Whoooooaaaaaaaahhhhhhh......" she said, every second turned to an hour (or so it seemed). 

Edited November 13 by Supercape

[FlyingFresh]

Gookgak

 

Gookgak was enjoying the attention he was getting - like, really enjoying it. Wow! Things seem to have really turned around for Gookgak since coming to Earth! Me king now! And these fools actually believe it. Ha!

 

But all good things come to an end.

 

As the increasingly familiar feel of a paralyzation effect washed over Gookgak, he immediately began to feel sorry for himself. What? Again? More gods?

 

Although Smaurg below him appeared frozen, Gookgak noted that he was not. Hmm. Must have made saving throw. That means it's not gods. Wizards. 

 

Gookgak hated fighting wizards. But still, better than gods.

 

The wizard seemed pretty chaotic neutral, at least. He was decrying kings and rulers, and Gookgak found himself really getting behind what he was saying and agreeing with the speech.

 

Then he remembered that he was a king now. "Hmm. That not so good."

 

The wizard cast a summoning spell and conjured what looked to be around 3d8 tribal warriors, although, oddly, unarmed.

 

Well, maybe chaotic evil. It hard to tell.

 

"Um, hey, mister, uh wild magic sorceror, me a little bit confused. First you say down with the man, then you say set you free man. Who is the man? Is the man down or free? Gookgak is not even a man at all . . . "

[Thevshi]

GM

 

The wave of time distortion froze all the bystanders in the area, stopping them fully in time. Daniel had just a moment to consider that what he was observing was similar to what he had seen of Lawrence's powers before the temporal wave struck him and froze him in time as well. Gookgak's great dire wolf was similarly frozen in time, while the small Gobbelyn himself managed to shake off the effect.

 

Harper and Daphne were not quite as lucky, feeling some effect from the time distortion that slowed their movements and made them feel sluggish.

The man looked over to Gookgak and Harper, a wide smile on his face. "Time is a prison created by The Man to control you. This whole event is a celebration of an oppressive social construct that was part of that control. It is to distract you from your current oppression. Set yourself free!"

 

While he spoke, the men and women that had appeared shortly after him continued to spread out, smashing things around the area…
 

[Supercape]

Spore

 

"Oh come on!" said Harper, rolling her eyes. 

 

She was young, but she knew an obnoxious idealogue when she saw one. Everyone she admired took a more balanced, nuanced view of politics. As Betrand Russel said - 

 

The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts....

 

Yeah. This man was a fool and a fanatic rolled into one. 

 

"Oppression is imposing your will on somebody elses!" she shouted back. "Remind you of anyone?"

 

Not that it would make this man actually think for more than one picosecond. 

 

So - action spoke louder than words. And poison spit was more poisonous than words, too. She took a breath in, and lobbed a globule of mycotoxin at the mans face!

 

 

[FlyingFresh]

Gookgak

 

Yup. This guy drew from the Deck of Many Things one too many times and fried his pan.

 

Having briefly studied gobbelyn shamanism in the Warren, Gookgak was all too familiar with the negative psychological effects of too much spellcasting.

 

This guy is mad as a flumph.

 

Maybe me can talk crazy back to him, and buy my friends time to make their saving throws.

 

"Your perception of conflict with this quasi-historical pageant is, like, an illusion, man, based on your failure to transcend the fractious and accept the one true whole, brother." Hopping off Smaurg, Gookgak cast his Mischied Shadow spell, hoping to deprive these rampagers sight of the faire, as well as deprive them of enthusiasm.

 

"You say time is a prison, man. You know what else is a prison? Um . . . . Hmmm . . .. Oh, me know! Pants! Yeah, that's right, pants are a prison too, brother. Liberate yourself from your hypocrisy now, man, by taking off your pants!"

 

Wow, me sure hope friends shake off spell soon. Talking to this guy is exhausting!