#npc gameplay

[esotericas-sims]

From the journals of Florence Spectre,

Day 3.

We set out for the ruins first thing this morning. Quite the hike, mostly through jungle. Not easy on the feet - note, purchase flat shoes. Rosales spotted something in the dirt - said the rain had turned it up.

It turned out to just be pottery shards, nothing big enough to be worthwhile. Sanchez told him to keep them. While the other men were investigating the shards, Sanchez pulled me aside to speak. Rough transcript below.

Rodrigo Sanchez: I need you to understand something, Señorita Spectre. Our work here is not just about digging up the past. The things we publish will shape the future. Do you understand? Florence Spectre: Not quite, no. RS: Señor Keene, the American... He represents the museum that's funding the dig, yes? But that means we must do what the museum thinks is best. Many of the men do not want to do what the museum wishes. They ask us to change things, to make different observations. To call these people primitives.

FS: That can't be? Why would they do that? RS: They are Americans! They must be the best. What are they, if they are not?

Playing with  SeveralPerson’s Ultimate Decades Challenge Rules

Started: 1800s

Current decade: 1910s

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[esotericas-sims]

[ This journal entry has been redacted on the request of its author. It is preserved here for historical posterity. ]

[ Contains nudity - click at your own risk. ]

The willingness to cross such a professional line shocked me; I refused at first, but he was very persuasive. We shed the required layers, and swam for some time. The water was miraculously cool on the skin, and cleaner than anything I had seen plumbed in Ollantaytambo.

I could feel his eyes on me as we swam. Or, more correctly, I could feel how he avoided looking at me. Hard to say if it was shame or something else. I certainly did not know in the moment, and I am not sure I know now.

Eventually, he called me out of the water. Hard to make eye contact. The only man I had seen so bare was Jules, and that was when we were children. This was a rather different experience.

He told me a great deal of things that I would blush to put on paper, pertaining to my eyes and hair and figure, and so on.

I do not recall us ever formally discussing it, not the sort of thing one plans in advance, but when I awoke the next morning, it was in his bed.

Playing with  SeveralPerson’s Ultimate Decades Challenge Rules

Started: 1800s

Current decade: 1910s

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[esotericas-sims]

From the journals of Florence Spectre,

Day 4.

Up bright and early this morning. The views were as pleasant as ever. Spoke with Mme. Keene at breakfast; Sunday, so no dig today. She invited me up to her & M. Keene's room to talk.

Polite woman. Rather reserved.

Encountered her daughter Emily there. Little blonde girl - charming, but not very interested in talking. Jules would like her. Should write to him soon...

Then, M. Keene pulled me aside to speak. Transcript below, as usual.

Jonah Keene: Miss Spectre, isn't it? Come sit down, I wanted to speak with you. Florence Spectre: Yes, it's Spectre. Brink-Spectre, but just Spectre is fine. JK: I've seen you speaking with Mister Sanchez. You two seem to get along? FS: I don't know him well enough to say. But I think so, yes.

JK: Has he spoken to you about the VSMH? FS: VSMH? What's that? JK: Oh, he hasn't yet. Good. The VSMH is the V.S. Museum of History. It's the museum I'm representing, in New York. FS: Oh, I see. JK: Well, I'm sure at some point, Mister Sanchez will tell you some things about me, about the museum, that just aren't true. He's a kind man, Mister Sanchez, but he's a scholar, not a businessman. Unfortunately, we live in a world made by businessmen.

FS: What do you mean? JK: Well, what Mister Sanchez wants to publish about these ruins... it just won't sell. And then nobody will ever learn anything about the site, you know? The museum is still up-and-coming. We need something that people will love, or we can't open at all. FS: I don't understand what you mean. ( I understood, of course, based on my conversation with RS. But it seemed sensible not to let on what I knew. ) JK: We can't publish the whole truth, sweetheart. Plain and simple. The things we've been finding here... No self-respecting American wants to see that. Mister Sanchez doesn't understand that we have an audience to consider. I hope you can see my perspective on this, Miss Spectre. FS: Maybe so. JK: Think on it. We'll speak later.

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Started: 1800s

Current decade: 1910s

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[esotericas-sims]

It's time to do some damage control. Ruby casts a modified mind-warp spell on George - not to alter his memories, but simply to shift his judgement of her actions. No longer would he find her infidelity disturbing, or even to be something worthy of note.

Still, there was the family name to think of, and her other children...

Awash with guilt, Ruby sat down to write a letter.

Dear Victoria,

I know it has been many weeks since my last letter, and for that I apologize, but I come to you with an urgent, private request.

I know you have spoken of wanting more children, and of your husband's unwillingness to provide you with more. George and I are unable to care for one of our own, and I hoped you may be willing to take him in, and bring him to live with you in New York. You may disguise the journey as simply a trip to stay with us for the end of the summer, if you wish.

I would owe you a thousand debts.

Your sister, Ruby

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Current decade: 1900s

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[esotericas-sims]

Cozy day on the farm - calm before the baby storm arrives!

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Started: 1800

Current year: 1890

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[esotericas-sims]

I bet you don't feel lighter No, I don't feel lighter 'Cause I did it wrong, did it wrong, did it wrong So there's a little left over?

[ Content Warning: violence below ]

Yeah, there's a lot left over. Though I'm all gone, all gone, all gone I bet you don't feel lighter

Well, no, I don't feel lighter 'Cause I'm all gone.

Mother Mother, All Gone

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Started: 1800s

Current decade: 1910s

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[esotericas-sims]

From the journals of Florence Spectre,

Day 8,

Found M. Keene listening outside my door.

Pretended like he wasn't, when he saw me. But I could tell. There was a smudge on the glass.

Shook my hand, asked if we could speak. I agreed. Had some questions of my own to ask.

Jonah Keene: I've heard through the grapevine about your nuptials, Mrs. Sanchez. But you don't seem to have moved in with him. Why not? Florence Spectre: I prefer my own space, is all. I enjoy living here. JK: I see. Not having second thoughts? I would be, if I were you. FS: No, no second thoughts. Don't speak like that. JK: Alright, alright. All I'm saying is, you could be a good player, Florence. I want you on my team. But you've picked the losing side. There's nothing I can say to change your mind about that? FS: The only thing I want from you is to know the name of V.S.

JK: I can tell you that, but it might cost you. Are you willing to pay the price?

FS: Get your hand away from me, Mister Keene. I have no interest in you, or in your bargains.

FS: If your side was the "right" one, as you claim, you would not feel the need to try to seduce me over to it.

JK: You're making a mistake, young lady. There is more going on here than you could ever understand. I know what Sanchez has done, and listen to me when I tell you, heads will roll. The Lord Straud will not be pleased with him.

I hit him, then. It was not wise, the damage was superficial. But he did leave, at least. And get the message about my allegiances.

Not having second thoughts. No matter my second thoughts, I could never take the side of a man like M. Keene.

I did not realize it until I sat down to write this entry, but I might have found the name I've been looking for.

Straud.

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Started: 1800s

Current decade: 1910s

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[esotericas-sims]

[ Transcript: ARCHAEOLOGIST FINDS ANCIENT MAGIC IN PERU Natives Might Be Less Primitive Than We Thought. In a recent study published by Dr. Rodrigo Sanchez on his findings at his research site in Peru, Dr. S. describes the artefacts he personally uncovered, and their potentially magical properties. "Not only do the [Peruvian] idols stand to teach us much about the nation's past, as historical artefacts, they also may teach us a great deal about our present." Dr. S. describes how he discovered the magical... ]

Playing with  SeveralPerson’s Ultimate Decades Challenge Rules

Started: 1800s

Current decade: 1910s

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