Season of Change . . .

It is again time for the Hidden Council's Annual Ball. Everyone is very excited. Recently, there have been several Mortal Watchers murdered. As we all know, the Watcher's are very important to the Immortals. They stand between us, and the discovery of our existence by the mortal world. The Watchers ensured all tales of the Immortals became Fairy Tales or Mythology. We all know that if the mortals were to discover our existence, there would be widespread panic and "Witch Hunts". We must discover who is threatening our existence and put an end to it. A Spectral Inquisitor will be attending, to help us discover who is behind these murders. Those that cannot attend will receive a personal visit from the Inquisitor for interrogation. We think most would prefer to handle this meeting with a crowd around!

Join us in an exciting and odd and wonderfully weird performance of the Taiwan Interactive Theatre Society set for 9 April 2016, beginning at 2:30 p.m. in the Phillips residence (once you are cast, feel free to email or call for details if you don't know the location - make sure you have your role cast early so you can prepare your character, costumes, and any props needed). Those who wish to stay after the game for the Post-Game Party Debrief Dinner are very welcome to do so (we typically order pizza or the like). Please plan on bringing snacks or munchies such as chips or popcorn as well as drinks or soda and refreshments and the like to the game as it's really helpful. Please note, we must have a minimum of ten players registered by March 3 for the game to move forward so if you wish to play, it is to your advantage to register early.

NEW PLAYERS WELCOME!

The Taiwan Interactive Theatre Society is the premiere scenario-based theatre-style live action role playing costume game troupe in Taiwan . . . we are always happy to make new friends and welcome new enthusiasts to the hobby so new members are very very welcome! Actually, they are needed . . . big time! So come on in and join us! We're ready, willing, and eager to have some fun! Fun with YOU!

If you are unfamiliar with interactive dramas, they are a hybrid between scenario-based improvisational theatre and live action cosplay role playing game. See the archives at http://www.interactivedramas.info for a lot of background and information.

The scenario for our playing pleasure will be The Immortal Murders, a supernatural fantasy murder mystery whodunit interactive drama freeform live action roleplaying scenario. If you're not sure what "supernatural fantasy murder mystery whodunit" means, don't worry about it, that's just a way of showing that this is a multi-genre scenario that doesn't fit into one story type . . . suffice it to say that this is really just a simple scenario similar in nature to the scenarios we're already familiar with. While it's set in a world of supernatural and horrifying and fairie creatures (for fun), it certainly won't be beyond the abilities of any of our players.

Once Brian has definite casting information on who will be playing, he will put the publicly available character lists and scenario descriptions on the web page. As usual, this theatre-style live roleplaying event will be held in the Phillips residence (email or call for details if you're not sure of the venue).

The cast list for the scenario is both robust and flexible but there are certain characters who are absolutely essential and others that must be played by male or female players so those places will tend to be cast first on a first-come-first-served basis. We absolutely MUST have at least ten players for the scenario and can accommodate up to thirty players and a slew of others if need-be, although we can continue casting new roles as long as there are folks to take them. Minimum: TEN PLAYERS required (honestly, it's a lot more fun with twelve or more players so be sure to encourage as many of YOUR FRIENDS to join the fun and play as well).

If the slots fill and you still want to play, we can accommodate additional last minute characters (miscellaneous supernatural creatures and the like) who can play and fill in atmosphere but whose characters will probably not be very well developed or deeply involved in the major plots nor are they likely to be all that well written either -- Brian is happy to whip up additional characters for players as long as he has time to do so). Caveat: We need a minimum of ten core characters for the event to proceed (fewer than that just doesn't work as this professionally produced scenario was written to accommodate troupes of ten or more and work in terms of keeping things interesting and busy -- Brian's not up to that kind of uber-hassle as the scenario is written specifically for a comfortable range of ten to as many as thirty players.).

Players will receive general character type and descriptions within a week of reserving a slot in the cast so that they can begin working on costume or props (feel free to be as simple or as complex as you like, but we do ask that participants at least give it a proper go . . . there will be a Best Costume award in addition to Best Roleplayer, Best Sleuth, and Richest Character awards. Keep in mind that this scenario is a costume affair . . .so please come prepared to be Your Character in Costume rather than as yourself. . . for instance, someone might come as the player performing as Merlin the Wizard dresses or as a Cross-Dressing Lolipop Sucking Cheerleader Vampire Slayer, depending upon your character.

For costumes, think of the musical Cats or the animals in the Wizard of Oz or the various races of Lord of the Rings, or Myth or well pretty much anything you like really as it's an anything goes sort of costume situation. Have a LOT of fun with this!

Complete personal character descriptions will be emailed at least a week and a half prior to play but hints will be provided on this page to help you get oriented and set up.

If you wish to join us, you need to let Brian know A.S.A.P. to reserve a character (actually, he needs to write the thing so you'd best let him know earlier rather than later to get a "good" character -- that is well-written rather than thrown together at the last minute albeit a few rare characters will actually be morally upstanding individuals).

If you're going to play and you want a character, please let Brian know ASAP! Regular cast and newcomers, it would be very helpful if you could let the Director know whether you wish to play before March 3 or earlier (seriously, an immediate reply now would also be appreciated so HIT THAT MAILTO LINK NOW!). The earlier we have casting set, the earlier you can get a passable costume ready and can track down props (some characters have required props they must have).

Secret Sessions in the Sanctuary . . .

It is whispered that there will be a special meeting of the Hidden Council at this year’s Annual Ball to address the recent Watcher murders. Watchers are important to the Immortals and help keep their existence hidden from humanity. The Immortals, in turn, have sworn to protect the Watchers for their service.

Part of the premise of the scenario is a Murder Mystery Whodunit in which players take on the roles of suspects in a murder (this is not all there is to it as there are also several subplots that you'll be involved in as each character will have his or her own personal goals to accomplish during the scenario run). You will be given character briefings that have information about yourself and others. In the course of the game, you will ask questions of others and be asked questions. Unlike other games of this type, while the "Murderer" may lie, all others DO NOT HAVE TO TELL THE TRUTH either. Yes, it's just like real life in that anyone you speak with could be lying (albeit they will be doing it in character).

During an investigation, a detective must answer three questions in order to catch a murderer:

• MOTIVE - Who had a reason to kill the victim? Does any particular person benefit - for example, financially or romantically - from the victim's death?

• MEANS - Who had access to the murder weapon? Does any particular person have the unique knowledge, skill, or physical ability necessary to use the murder weapon?

• OPPORTUNITY - Who had a chance to kill the victim? Is any particular person unaccounted for (has no alibi) during the time the victim was killed? Obviously, you will want to check the ALIBI of suspects as well.

Your challenge is to use these three elements to form a hypothesis about the murder, which will result in an accusation. Keep these questions in mind as you pursue your investigation. So, sharpen your Critical Thinking tools and . . . Good Luck!

The nature of the scenario is modular so character assignments will be made on a first-come-first-served approach based upon plot priority. There is an absolute minimum number of characters required for the game to go forward with additional character assignments possible after the minimum has been made (basically, new plots and relationships are threaded in with dynamic changes). If we don't have enough for the minimum, then the performance gets shelved. Do note that additional characters will be slotted in so there is no actual maximum for this scenario. So, get out there and recruit some bodies to play!

Sorry, for this scenario, it is not possible for folks to choose their own characters due to this modular nature. However, the following cast list will give you an idea of the range of characters within the scenario. Casting assignments will begin soon. Descriptions here are one-liners of what sort of person the character appears to be to others, many characters have secret attributes and some may even be very different from who they appear to be . . . at least one is a murderer, possibly more. The descriptions may seem mundane to some, but keep in mind that the scenario takes place during a supernatural Halloween costume party with players taking on the roles of beloved supernatural characters of story book, myth, and fairy tale . . . with a very sinister twist.

Once characters are cast, it is okay for players to trade roles (before the character packets are sent out, that is). Both folks must email or message the director with their desire to change their role assignments and if it is possible to make the change the director will do so. You may NOT change roles after March Third.

Please note, this particular scenario has fixed gender and is a bit less flexible than some other scenarios we play. However, certain roles are absolutely required so some characters may have their gender flipped for the event. We will change the casting name and gender accordingly (so if we have to change Bob into Bobbina we will do so) but the character packets for players will have the original name (folks will receive notice on changes so they don't get confused).

If you have not contacted the Director by emailing brian@briandavidphillips.com with a request for a character assignment, then please do so now! Minimum age for membership in the troupe is eighteen - like many troupes of this type, actual player age range is very very wide from university students to career professionals and well beyond . . . we are all brought together through our common enjoyment of the activity.

If you have not yet joined the troupe's Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/taiwaninteractivedrama do it now. Also, be sure to mark yourself as Attending on the scenario event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/909801102406879 although that alone is not enough, you still need to contact the Director as soon as possible for a character assignment. Remember to Invite Your Friends!

Sunny News . . .

We have been informed that the Watcher, Professor Jackson, has just invented a sunscreen that will allow the Vampyr to be out in sunlight for short periods. We are sure the Vampyr are thrilled by this discovery. It was the Professor's father who found the cure for the Were's severe allergy to silver, and his grandfather invented Vamp Juice, a blood substitute that has most of the nutrients of human blood. Vampyr can survive for a week on this juice before they need only a small amount of human sustenance. They no longer have to take lives to survive. We are very grateful to Professor Jackson and his ancestors.

As noted above, in general, costumes can be fairly simple . . . contemporary clothing can easily be adapted to our needs with a bit of this or that stuck onto it . . . be playful and have fun with your character type and costume . . . adding a playful supernatural twist here and there and perhaps some makeup fun.

You are encouraged to choose a costume that fits the character. Be original and have fun. So, someone playing Merlin really could come dressed in a traditional Wizard costume or – since this is a contemporary piece – in a three-piece suit with magickal amulet and wizard’s hat. Obviously, you can feel free to adapt your costume as you see fit in terms of items you can get readily as long as it captures the mood of the character. Although this is a fantasy piece most folks shouldn't have too much of a problem finding something to capture the essence of the character.

Those who might feel weird walking the streets of Taipei in their costumes should feel welcome to bring their outfits in unmarked brown paper bags and change at the venue prior to the start of game play.

Once more, if you're not on this list of players/characters and you would still like to join the game, please email the Director (that's me, Brian David Phillips) at brian@briandavidphillips.com (the sooner, the better so I can write the character into the plots). Feel free to consult the troupe web page at http://www.interactivedramas.info/taiwan.htm for more information and future updates.

Gossip Girlthyng . . .

We all have to wonder if we will see a repeat of last year's brawl between Nineve and Morganna. They had an altercation and were escorted from the ball. Here is the story, for the few who might not know: Merlin, who is Morganna's husband, and Nineve, fell in love centuries ago. In a desperate act, Nineve lulled Merlin to sleep, carried him off, and kept him prisoner in a cave under her lake. When Lancelot, Merlin and Morganna's eldest son, became old enough, he stormed the cave. He carried with him Excalibur, a spelled sword that he had created. He was able to breach Nineve's spells and rescue his father. Lancelot died mysteriously two years later. The Inquisitor determined that no spells had been used in his death, and the Professor's ancestor ruled out poison. By custom, Lancelot's fiancé, Guinevere, was forced to marry his younger brother, Arthur. This leaves Arthur as the Heir Apparent. We all wish Morganna a very long, long existence! Morganna was a wise ruler during Merlin's absence.

More information to come as we have a better idea of who will be playing and as Brian makes it up.

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台灣互動式戲劇學會
Taiwan Interactive Theatre Society
實境RPG (角色扮演遊戲真人版)

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