Occams Razor

This event was so amazing, it's hard to pick just a few moments as my favorites. But now that I've had some time to process, and my PEL is almost done, I'll give it a try. Here are some of my favorite moments from this event...

The first few minutes of game. Kelsey started out her event by waking up paralyzed on a table, with the leader of the morlocks/CHUDs walking around her, hurting her, healing her, causing her agony. It was wonderfully, beautifully creepy.

Talking to Ed about it afterwards. Hurt, shaken, down to 1 Vitality and 1 Sanity, Kelsey realized the town was going out to fight and made a decision. "I'm going with you." Ed just said "I know" and offered her what healing he could.

Talking with Billy about why the morlocks were coming. "They're coming because you poked them."
"They poked me first!" Kelsey protested. "Not to sound like I'm five, but they started it." She sighed. "Honestly, this just makes me want to find out more about them."
"Yes," said Billy. "Because that's who you are."

Overhearing Rue and Charlotte's conversation while I was unconscious during the morlock attack on Friday. Rue said something about needing to apologize for the lump on my head when I woke up. "We'll just put her hat over it," Charlotte said. "She'll never notice."

The metal band! I hardly interacted with them but their mere existence is hilarious to me. And they woke up poor Charles Kennigan!

All of the plotting and scheming and theorizing.

The magical girl pep talk. "What do we do by moonlight?"
"Fight evil"
"And what do we do by daylight?"
"Win love?"
"And on whom can you depend?"
"On us!"

The logging mod. The exchanges between Ed and the injured Lou as Ed got him back on his feet. "I'm the worst!"

The first time I got to call "By My Voice, Inflict By Eldritch!" Okay, so every time I got to do that was pretty awesome.

Walking past Sally in the diner, calling, "I'm going to China! I'll be right back!" Having Sally come up to me later, looking around furtively, speaking in a low voice, "Stay away from the Three Squeaks. You're going to China, right? It's a local delicacy made out of mouse fetus - just warning you not to eat it."

That poor, poor archaeologist who took things remarkably well, all things considered.

Isaira's reaction when Kelsey told her that the morlocks could drive Kelsey into a frenzy.

Hearing everyone's reactions to the Vigil demanding that Kelsey be handed over to them. I have never felt more loved. I had three separate people tell me that they were walking by, thinking "Oh, the Vigil - that's none of my business." And then they heard the Vigil demand Kelsey, and all of a sudden, it became their business. "I drew a line," Sally said, "And told them if they came past it I'd take their heads off. They said they'd send their armor - I told them I'd take their armors' heads off, too."

Sally's response to Kelsey asking if he could get her one of the Vigil to talk to. Kelsey's blithe acceptance of his plan to quadruple maim one for her so she could safely speak to them.

Maxwell and Mellie's response to "The Vigil can observe me...from six feet away, while I give them double middle fingers." I <3 you guys.

Telling Connall what was what in Whisper Hill.
"The locals mostly live in blissful ignorance, and we like to keep it that way."
"Well, thanks for that, Kelsey."
"You woke up in a ditch with no memory. I figured you were already one of ours."
"...You have a point."

Sitting around and chatting with everyone while John Henry and Aurora graciously prepared us food.

That conversation with Alice about the Vigil.
"They think we are monsters."
"We are monsters."
And Kelsey's reaction after hearing how the Vigil treated Alice:
"This is how it feels to want to murder someone."

Tracking down and fighting the DRAGON! Contemplating the remote of shame. Herne's reaction to the DRAGON.

Vasilisa and Dimitri, the overly friendly demons. They were so sketchy that at one point Kelsey went "Look, I already have a demon girlfriend. I'm taken."
"Oh, that's alright..."
"Not until I talk to her, it's not!"

That insane field fight on Saturday night against the morlocks/CHUDs. Running through the tunnels, knowing I had to keep going or the fight would never end. Getting Frenzied at the end of the red tunnel, only to be quickly knocked down and then have Ed shake me back awake. "Come on, Kelsey! You can do this!" Almost dying at the end of the green tunnel, and having my unconscious body dragged out into the dark by Mr. Jones. Sneaking around the morlock army back to relative safety. Rue's brilliant strategy and the last surge to take the green tunnel. After so many failed attempts, that last push was so freaking beautiful. Everyone involved rocks.

Project CHUD Princess. I hate you all. (No, not really, but Kelsey hates that name so very much.)

Maxwell and Kelsey transforming during the fight on Sunday. Getting to be badass for a few brief moments. Attempting to be badass again, and getting rescued from my folly by Alice.

The timing of the "Game off!" call. Well played, Marner. Well played.

As always, the various conversations I had with people about their personal plots, character histories, and general development is a huge part of the OR experience for me. While I will sometimes make jokes out of game about being the Camp Counselor on the Island of Misfit Toys, it is a genuinely rewarding experience. We all make some pretty amazing people in this game, and getting to learn more about them is fun for me.

And now, onto the call outs!

-The entire conversation with Kelsey about the CHUDs, and Billy's "I CALLED IT!" moment of triumph. I honestly did not think giving Billy my own personal knowledge of BAD 1960's esoteric scifi would come in handy, but when you need someone to shout "I remember Lemuria!", sometimes things fall into place.

-Dealing with Quebecois military and having them escorted (politely) to the Sheriff's office by Blackstone. Kudos to everyone else who picked up on what is likely a brewing international incident. When we get invaded by the poutine-eating blue caps, just remember that Billy called it.

-"Who is in my graveyard?" This entire mod was awesomely creepy, and perfect for the time of night it rolled out. Stealth mods with special rules are fun!

-Walking through the Crime Scene that was not there. "Just ignore the pools of blood in other dimensions. And please try not to step in them!"

-"Alright, guys, I'm gonna hit it with all I got, then we can jump on it and go!" Two big shots, a withering glare, and a bunch of hits later, we just made it angry. And that's when Billy nope'd out of the range of a potential (but not real) dragon.

-Speaking with Jamie Kennigan, and being the smiling asshole PI that Billy once upon a time started as. It was a fun call back to where Billy started as a character, before having to take on being more of a shaman and less of a PI.

-Jackal telling Sheriff Winters that Billy licked the Avalanche Cannon while performing his shamanic rite honoring it for its service. And Billy being more upset with being accused of licking something without its permission than the weirdness of having done so.

-Awkward Tea Party was not nearly that awkward. Because we are a bunch of faerie monsters, and polite time is polite time.

-Watching other PCs start to do the "supernatural cover up" talks with people passing through Whisper Hill. Watching other PCs gel around the idea that the Cave of Whispers is theirs to protect. Watching the other PCs really start to be a tribe all its own. This is a very satisfying development, and I cannot wait to see where it goes from here.

As always, there's so much more I forgot to mention here. But this is some of the highlights.

So I was a big ball of lame for most of this event, propped up by that Can-Do Lautner attitude, but the highlights include:

*Connell and Chris, Defenders of the Faith against the unending hoard of Morlocks. No joke, these two were tornadoes of terror.

*Sailor Scout Pep Talk. I can recite mid-nineties dubbed anime themesong lyircs, and will.

*Henry Fucking Hellborn Fucking Legionnaire Gondorf, you sneaky, wonderful fucker

*Alex Herne's utter exasperation at his Dragon rasslin

*Jamie Kennigan being informed of Mother's day by Victor

* Dr. Kennigan being informed of Jamie and Victor's plans.

*Dr. Rue's face at the teaparty at her great honor. Such honor. Very great. Wow.

*Dr. Zinc going over Sally's Blood Donation sheet.

*"Your mouth is full of antiques!" Victor Jones, master of sexual innuendo.

*Discussing Victorian things with Charlie Kennigan, late at night

*Heavy Metal Band Barfight Extravaganza.

*The Brass Fucking Balls on Rev. Harkness. This guy watched me go Super Butcher Sally Mode on Friday night. Watched the Vigil 'negotiation' break down at the mention of "the girl Kelsey Graham, who was taken by the under-dwellers..." ... watched that devolve into Sally threatening mass decapitations... before the Gate was even mentioned. He watched all this. Watched Sally stand right next to Marner and ensure further Murder Oaths from the Murder Ghost... and then he gave his even-handed, heartfelt appeal for his Neutral Good stance. Good on him.

*Getting to Finish TriggerWarning: The Plot. Everyone cheering on Liberty during the torture- Lou and Hana being big Damn Heroes. Victor's strategic Sanity service. Everything was great. Derrick and Katie and Ezra's harrowing show. Liberty's Fuck Your Death Attack, Bro. Eden and Herne being on Crazy Murder Man watch.

*Team Rude Demon Murders. JD's plan to lure the demons out with the promises of drugs and parties and then murder them right away

*Hannah Winters's Covert Light Bulb Adventure- the sheer ridiculousness and effectiveness there.

*Rafe the Vampire's 'this is all fucking bullshit!' attitude and acceptance of his situation

*The return of Jackal! Discussions of infidelity, incest, virginity, Southern Gentlemanly Manners, Antiques in Sally's mouth, and Nole's reactions to these.

*Talking with Kelsey about What Happens When Your Mind is No Longer Yours.

*Malcolm Hunt, Insurgent. Every damn time.

*Getting summoned to see the White Lady and Saying My Name, with Team Wyld all around. That was quite cool.

*Saying goodbye to Amarok. Lou's goodbye. Amarok's glance at once possible future for Sally.

*Smogggggggggggggg

*The Voting Cartel that Ness ran like a true gangster

*People trying to talk Sally down from Butchertown

*Surprises to Eden (Birthday Cake from Bartlett!), Surprises from Eden (Stun!)

Getting my guitar signed by Old gods of Thul.

Thinking of ducking out at 2am in my flannel pajammies for something left in the car and seeing a reaper slowly pacing down main street. "Don't worry... They won't bother us if we don't bother them... we can just wait for it to pass." Cue the Reeper slowly turning towards her and Erlend and coming their way. "Uh, how do you feel about the buildings wards?! I feel good about these wards... let's uh, go back inside!" ((we got to the cars in the morning))

Getting two whole pages of 'Atlantean runes' to translate and becoming a go-to person for it. It feels SO fun to start sight-reading ancient stuff! I can see why Doc Raven rocks it.

Masada the genteel golemn!

The giant "I TOLD YOU SO" moment when the Vigil showed up to start a war after everyone told Casidhe that they weren't willing to attack pre-emptively and start the war.

LILY is in the internet, LILY is in the internet la la la la la! Life is gonna get so interesting. This will be the Best Pinocchio story ever.

Yes.

Several talks with several people on several porches while Alice tried to sort out her feelings about the storm that was coming. Lou on the back porch, Jackal on the front porch, and Harkness out on the porch of her house.

Maxwell's "Alice, you're a hill I'm willing to die on." I've never been so touched by such an awkward phrase.

Amelia getting frostbite for me <3 <3 <3

Later talks with Amelia out on the porch of the Community Center. Two people on very very different lines of a thing examining the other's stance.

Jackal's return to Whisper Hill. "ALICE! I have something VERY IMPORTANT to talk to you about!!! I heard you got a GIRLFRIEND!" "... Um. Yes, I suppose so." "How the fuck does that work?" "Would you like a diagram?" "Yes." ".... No."

Spending hours sitting in one spot watching the road for when the Vigil came. There was something peaceful about sitting in the calm before the storm waiting for the rain to start.

Amarok's tearful goodbye. He called me a spitfire ;.;

Henry Gondrof, sneakiest motherfucker.

Ellie Kennigan checking in.

Oversharing with Eli.

Hannah Winter's Arts and Crafts. "Soooo I've been fucking around in my dad's garage and I may have inscribed arcane sigils Marner taught me into the inside of lightbulbs...."

"Those are bad books. Don't look at those books." "Is she okay?" "It's a psychic thing."

Early morning breakfast chats with Billy St. Francis. "People have been... talking about Ellie and I are... sort of dating..." "... Oh.... Um... Are you?" "... Kinda, I guess." Fetch and Damaged relationship talks are the best talks.

"Alice White. You stand against us. My arms are broken, my shepherd is dead, the monsters behind you would devour me. Kill me." "Deathstrike 1. I'm so sorry. Deathstrike 2. May God Have Mercy On Your Soul. Deathstrike 3." brb crying 6ever

Being one of, if not the only, PC that John's boss sought to personally attempt to deathstrike in that fight.

Edited to add: Every time Herne went "YOU READY?!" in earshot of Alice. What followed was murdertimes.

While this was arguaby the most satisfying OR event to date for me I'm finding it hard to create a Top Ten

I usually go at a Top List with a focus on what made me enjoy the event - but in this instance my joy is equally balanced by regret

My first regret is that the Typewriter story is over. I am utterly satisfied with its conclusion, that needs to be clear, but I regret that we won't be interacting with it any longer. This story has been one that I consistently look forward to and has provided a guaranteed interesting/exciting/engaging experience each event. So, its conclusion was unquestionably the top of my tops for the event but I'm still sad to see it end

My second regret also pertains to the Typewriter encounter - in that I was so immersed in it that I think I missed *most of it*. Its great because it gripped me and shook me like a terrier with a toy - but when you are that toy you only see the terrier's mouth and a blur of scenery that doesn't resolve into any cohesive reality. I truly hope that the others that were there were as engaged as I was - that the conclusion of it was as satisfying for them and also that they, thrust a little more into the observer role, were as consumed by what played out as I was.

My joys/high points will be less wordy:
* When Eden came to the conclusion that she is the Self-Sacrifice Concierge - in the genre of survival story she's that sole survivor that walks into the new world alone
* Aurora's Dramatic Moment<s>
* Sally in full frothing Penance mode
* Being huntin' dawg to Mr Henry's hunter as we flushed an ecoterrorist around a building on Sunday. It was a little tiny moment but very much reflective of character to the point that this is a stand-out moment (weird)
* Bidding on an antique - I usually HATE that kind of thing (competition gives me anxiety attacks), but it was a little thing that set me right into character
* Being told Lib's a mom. Telling other people and the reactions. All the reactions, which were varied and awesome and all peppered with DaF*ck?
* A LOT - so much - from the typewriter story conclusion:
- Being escorted to death on Friday night and the conversation with Sally during it
- Honestly, that moment when everyone started counting with me during The Scene. Sniffles
- And the reactions of people when I came back from Death including puppy head butts from Gabby and a gigantic crushing hug from Henry G
- on a purely character/development slant - The Choice (which I was afforded the opportunity to make and am utterly grateful for)

*The gut check of watching Liberty Blue sacrifice herself to end the typewriters rain of terror
*I got hit by a bus.
*The look on peoples faces when Liberty mentioned that she was a mom.
*The look on Liberty's face when she discovered she was a mom.
*Getting to see the inside of the System and go all Matrix...without the tired techno-music.
*Discovering what a boss fight can be when there are NO CRUNCHIES TO UNLEASH.
*Realizing with great dismay that Henry Gondorf is not above saying "I told you so."
*Discovering that some stories are best kept to oneself.
*Making new friends and influencing pains in the ass. Seriously, Elon, you brought an army to wrest the control of an artifact that is not yours from a native people. Did you really think that honesty was in the cards at that moment?
*The Metal Heads. So many bad ideas running through my head on how to take the metal out their stride.
*Finding a that one spot where Henry can collect his thoughts...only for the town to suddenly appear. Gees is this what parenthood is really like?
*Nothing to see here, just a bloody smear in the road where once a person stood.
*The improvised Whisper Hill's Mortar Pad. Best Quote "OK, everyone get down mortar incoming-Oh shi....* Gabriel moments before a disaster is avoided.
*Gondorf Nightwatch Services.
*Discovering Whisper Hill's now has the most authentic Chinese Take Out in the Nation.
Even comes with a free Struggling College Student surviving on Ramen Noodles.
*The News Paper never get old.
*Getting a free shot on Lou.
*Helping Algernon in the tunnels. Seeing that pillar go down made me wonder when the "by my voice" calls would come.
*Psychic Underground. That is just the start of good times.
*Gun Safety with Mel.

Meal service as presented by John Henry and Eden Jones. You folks are Sainted within the halls of that Kitchen. It really cannot be said enough how much bonding happens in those moments. And the Sacrifice is not unnoticed. Anytime you want to step away please, leave a few simple directions tap someone on the shoulder (I volunteer as tribute) and go punch a bad guy in the dick.

And a special thanks goes out to Amelia, Aurora, Sleet, Gabby, JD, Sally, Malcom, Kelsey, Eden, Dr. Zinc, Rue, Nessa, Alice, Victor, Liberty Blue, Prof Challenger, Dr. Jakob, Davenport, John Henry and the late-great Booker for dealing with Gondorf's labyrinthine Metaphors.