conversations.from: system
conversations.value: Manchester Ohio is a typical small town in the Midwest, with typical small town pleasures, entertainments, and folks. However, despite a major economic slump locally, dozens of new folks, all young and all seemingly talented in many areas are moving into town for seemingly no reason. There isn't work in Manchester for the common average Joe, let alone for talented people like this.
  
  In fact, these people have a very specific reason why they're here, a reason undreamed of by any of the sociological experts or economic experts either, one that is only seen truly by a mad mind in a nightmare. Can experts, and just the common people of Machester stop the plan in motion before it's too late?
  
  ===========
  
  This story is a strange Bensonioan/Lovecraftian HOrror story that works heavily on paranoia. The bizarre otherworldly monstrocities can easily pass for human and players will have to watch their backs because the monsters are all around them, even in the most public places. 
  
  I'm using the occultpulp horror deck here, but the story takes place in modern day rather than the depression. 
  
  here are a few things to consider for my games before you decide to join or not. 
  
  1. I'm a journey rather than a destination guy, so the ending will probably be a happy one no matter what happens. you shouldn't be afraid of weak outcomes with me. In fact, I've been told multiple times my weak outcomes are often more interesting than my strong ones.
  2. I'm blind and cannot provide art for my custom cards, which will be most of those I use. I don't require art from players for anything. 
  3. I do not believe in word limits and don't have them. I also keep comments private to encourage collaboration and story-building. 
  4. I will create a character in my own game as "quitter insurance" but if I have enough players, (3 or more,) the character will remain in the background and only make minor moves occasionally. Even if said character has to step forward, I never finish my own challenges so the players keep most control. I choose cards I play as a player character by rolling dice so they are random.
  5. I will keep open invitations open until Sunday, August 9, at which point I will start the story if I have attracted 2 or more players, if I haven't the story will be canceled. I will let anyone in unless they have a serious problem in their character design.
  6. I like to go as fast a possible and get on storium several times per day. I would prefer to go fairly fast in this story.
  
  update: forgot one thing I usually say. Feel free to create your own cards and don't feel limited by the pre-made ones.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You’re an expert on antiquities and artifacts, known world-wide for your skills.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: Appraisal
  
  Suggested Weakness: Delicate
conversations.prefix: Antiquarian:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You teach archaeology at a prestigious New England college and are widely published.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: Lore
  
  Suggested Weakness: Slow
conversations.prefix: Archaeology Professor:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You stand at the forefront of “alternative physics”—where science meets mysticism.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: Sciences
  
  Suggested Weakness: Limited
conversations.prefix: Physics Professor:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Your knowledge of the human body and its care is much celebrated.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: Medicine
  
  Suggested Weakness: Oath
conversations.prefix: Medical Doctor:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The human mind is your purview—you understand how it works and when it doesn’t.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: The Mind
  
  Suggested Weakness: Judgmental
conversations.prefix: Psychologist:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You blend archaeological knowledge with wilderness survival and digging techniques.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: Survival
  
  Suggested Weakness: Reckless
conversations.prefix: Field Archaeologist:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You ache to make a mark on the world, to amount to something special.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: Resources
  
  Suggested Weakness: Naive
conversations.prefix: Dilettante:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You’re at the beginning of an exciting career... you hope.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: Vital Youth
  
  Suggested Weakness: Impatient
conversations.prefix: Graduate Student:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Your military training makes you valuable the world over. It’s a dangerous place, this planet.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: Hardy
  
  Suggested Weakness: Heartless
conversations.prefix: Soldier of Fortune:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You’ve studied and written widely on matters of mysticism and folklore. Your fans are many.
  
  ...
  
  Suggested Strength: Mysticism
  
  Suggested Weakness: Bookish
conversations.prefix: Occult Author:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You’re sharp, perceptive, and quick—capable of appraising situations as well as objects.
conversations.prefix: Appraisal:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Your intellect is formidable and your knowledge spans many cultures and histories.
conversations.prefix: Lore:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You have a calculating mind that prizes reason and calm precision above all.
conversations.prefix: Sciences:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You’re adept at medicine, from saving lives to identifying the telling marks of death.
conversations.prefix: Medicine:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The human mind is a remarkable device and you understand how it works.
conversations.prefix: The Mind:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You’ve survived the wilderness, bandits, and wolves in your search for ancient treasures.
conversations.prefix: Survival:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You’re well equipped with quality tools, society contacts, and funds.
conversations.prefix: Resources:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You’re energetic, athletic, and hale—ready for adventure!
conversations.prefix: Vital Youth:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You’re a rugged, leathery sort. You’re hard to kill and ready to work through pain.
conversations.prefix: Hardy:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You know the ways of folklore and magic, some of it so much hogwash... some of it not.
conversations.prefix: Mysticism:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You’re delicate of touch, of demeanor, and of constitution.
conversations.prefix: Delicate:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Your mind may be sharp but your body is slow to keep up.
conversations.prefix: Slow:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Outside your areas of expertise, you’re easily lost.
conversations.prefix: Limited:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You’ve sworn an oath to save lives, avoid violence, and heal the sick.
conversations.prefix: Oath:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Your judgmental attitude causes you troubles. If only others would try harder to measure up.
conversations.prefix: Judgmental:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You sometimes take chances that put you or others at risk.
conversations.prefix: Reckless:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: A bit gullible and trusting of the wrong sorts, perhaps, but you mean well.
conversations.prefix: Naive:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You don’t wait around well. You want to act first and think about it later maybe.
conversations.prefix: Impatient:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The years have left you wary and callous, unwilling to risk your heart again.
conversations.prefix: Heartless:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You’re no athlete. Maybe you’re doughy or awkward or frail but you’re sure no athlete.
conversations.prefix: Bookish:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Learning is power, whether you share it or not.
conversations.prefix: Learn an Eldritch Secret:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You’ve stalked or been stalked by the most dangerous game. Time for a new challenge.
conversations.prefix: Hunt Something New:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Stop waffling and wondering and find out what you believe to be true about the world.
conversations.prefix: Find Worthy Material for a Dissertation:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: It’s not about inheritance, it’s about respect.
conversations.prefix: Show Your Father You’re Worthy:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Push someone—perhaps yourself!—beyond the limits of reason and then study what happens.
conversations.prefix: Push A Mind Beyond Its Limits:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: It’s not enough anymore to believe you’re right. Show them you’re right.
conversations.prefix: Show Them Your Work is Sound:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: If you can retrieve a never-before-seen treasure, your career will be revitalized.
conversations.prefix: Bring Back A Groundbreaking Artifact:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Maybe this work isn’t worth your life? Just get home alive.
conversations.prefix: Get Home Alive:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Human morals are a human construction. Knowledge of the infinite is more valuable.
conversations.prefix: Nothing Is Forbidden:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Love may be an earthly concern, but it’s real and it matters.
conversations.prefix: Matters of Love:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Read words that have gone unread for generations.
conversations.prefix: Deciphering:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Endure and survive the threats of the wild.
conversations.prefix: Survive the Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Prevent harm from coming to a colleague you admire or cherish.
conversations.prefix: Protect Someone:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Rescue someone in peril, perhaps bringing them back from the brink of death.
conversations.prefix: Save A Life in Danger:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Set foot in a new or ancient place before someone else can despoil it.
conversations.prefix: Be The First:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Protect the dig site from harm.
conversations.prefix: Protect the Dig Site:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Get word out about what’s happening at the dig site.
conversations.prefix: Warn the World:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The best protections against the harsh realities of the world are friendship and allies.
conversations.prefix: Make A Friend:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Get a photo that no one would believe if it weren’t true.
conversations.prefix: Photographic Evidence:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Show someone that you’re not to be trifled with.
conversations.prefix: Right Might:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: A simple matchbook adorned with a blue star and no words.
conversations.prefix: A Matchbook From The Blue Star:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: A collection of newspaper clippings, sketches, and geographical survey maps.
conversations.prefix: Jameson’s Portfolio on the Peru Dig:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: At least $1,000 dollars American in bright green bills.
conversations.prefix: A Stack of Cold, Hard Cash:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: by Brother Francisco Castillo. Contains occult secrets about pre-Columbian South America.
conversations.prefix: The Heavens Below:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: A six-shot snub-nosed pistol.
conversations.prefix: Revolver:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: A long, double-barreled shotgun with a wood stock.
conversations.prefix: Shotgun:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Ammo for a gun.
conversations.prefix: Ammunition:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: One stick of dynamite with a long fuse.
conversations.prefix: Dynamite:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Shovels, brushes, and picks suitable for quick or fine-detail work.
conversations.prefix: Digging Equipment:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: A high-quality camera with tripod.
conversations.prefix: A Fine Camera:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: All dark hardwoods and plush chairs with a penthouse view.
conversations.prefix: Dr. Jameson’s Office:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The sort of place with marble pillars and a hedge maze.
conversations.prefix: The Aveline Estate:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The plane rattles and dips in tough turbulence. It’s more for cargo than passengers.
conversations.prefix: Aboard Butcher’s Plane:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The city’s best-hidden jazz secret is this hole-in-the-wall club, open just twice a week.
conversations.prefix: The Blue Star Nightclub:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The table is buried under layers of maps and sketches and newspaper clippings.
conversations.prefix: Suburban Dining Room:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: A quaint, humid little village on the road leading to the dig site.
conversations.prefix: A Remote Peruvian Village:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: No way a truck could make it across that. Only foot traffic could cross this rickety thing.
conversations.prefix: Swaying Rope Bridge:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The dig site resembles, at first, just an assortment of low, stone walls and carved pits.
conversations.prefix: The Abandoned Dig Site:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: This sort of jungle can swallow up a traveler with ease and never release its secrets.
conversations.prefix: Deep Jungle:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: A circle of sunlight through the well shaft above reveals a vast, finely carved chamber...
conversations.prefix: Far Beneath the Dig:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Avoid embarrassing yourself in flight.
conversations.prefix: Turbulence:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Make a first impression on the locals that won’t get you in trouble later.
conversations.prefix: First Impressions:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Get across the rope bridge with all your equipment intact.
conversations.prefix: Cross the Rope Bridge:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The dig site fills with water and mud. Protect the artifacts!
conversations.prefix: Rains From A Clear Night Sky:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The track through the jungle is perilous and difficult to follow. Don’t lose your way.
conversations.prefix: Find Your Way:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: These strange passages beneath the earth make little sense. Will you ever see the sky again?
conversations.prefix: Lost Beneath:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Who can decipher these ancient markings?
conversations.prefix: Ancient Writings:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Someone from afar is taking shots at you!
conversations.prefix: Gunfire!:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: It is both there and not there, part tentacle and part grasping mouth. Understand it? Or flee?
conversations.prefix: The Impossible Creature:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Are you dreaming or is this real?
conversations.prefix: The Vision:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Dr. Jameson isn’t brave enough to lead expeditions so he funds others’ trips into the unknown.
conversations.prefix: Dr. Jeremiah Jameson:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The widow of Michael Aveline, who was killed on an expedition of Jameson’s. She wants revenge.
conversations.prefix: Diane Aveline:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: One of the world’s great pilots and photographers.
conversations.prefix: Caroline Butcher:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: A soldier of fortune hired to protect Dr. Jameson’s investments.
conversations.prefix: Walter Corrigan:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: A locally renowned jazz musician and expert on folklore of the Americas.
conversations.prefix: Leonard Crenshaw:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: A young driver, fixer, and guide in Peru. He’s been to the dig site Jameson’s curious about.
conversations.prefix: Jorge Quispe:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Tall and shadowy in a fedora and trench coat. Who is this gravel-voiced stranger?
conversations.prefix: Mysterious Interloper:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: This drug-addled cultist is ready to give his life—or yours—to please his monstrous god.
conversations.prefix: Mad Cultist:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Tentacles and feathery antennae probe out from a shadowy mass at the heart of this beast!
conversations.prefix: Tentacular Beast:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Wider-winged than a condor, with a bone-chilling cry and gleaming teeth.
conversations.prefix: Hellish Flying Monstrosity:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You need to find this missing kid who has not arrived home, hopefully he's all right.
conversations.prefix: Seth Tompkins:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: These creaturThese creatures are large and hairy and fast, though you never get a good look at them. They seem to be herding you towards something or away from something.
conversations.prefix: unsettling hairy animals:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: it's a sad day in Manchester, but something isn't normal, perhaps you can find out what.
conversations.prefix: the grieving community?:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: these holes are just like the one that Seth was found in last night, but now they're all over the place. Perhaps a clue to his death or what is going on here can be found there.
conversations.prefix: strange holes:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The guys are all over the place and the prevalence of the color is weird. Is it just chance?
conversations.prefix: folks in yellow:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: arguments are breaking out over the best way to prevent folks from being hurt by the weird phenomena in the town. But nobody can agree. 
conversations.prefix: safety committee.:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: It doesn't matter what you do in life; the small town folk only know you as The Dropout.
conversations.prefix: Dropout:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: When anyone shows up in town or anything happens, you're the first to find out about it.
conversations.prefix: In The Know:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You hesitate to throw yourself into anything that might be dangerous.
conversations.prefix: Fearful:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You are an experienced detective that has spent many years solving cases for the local police department. You may have butted heads with your superiors from time to time, but you more or less have an understanding.
conversations.prefix: Detective:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You're a gun for hire, your allegiance only belonging to the highest bidder.
conversations.prefix: Private assassin:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The recent economic slump has taken a great toll on you, causing you to lose everything.
conversations.prefix: Homeless:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You have a strong will, and are not one to give up on yourself. Keep pushing forward you say!
conversations.prefix: Never Give Up:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: **abstraction**
  [ab-strak-shuh n], *noun*
  
  an impractical idea; something visionary and unrealistic.
  
  absent-mindedness; inattention; mental absorption.
  
  ---
  
  While this pretty much sums up this surprisingly charming ~~hobo~~ traveling musician, and accounts for much of his bizarre behavior, the illogical leaps his mind naturally expands upon have saved his life on many occasions.
  
  Maybe they'll even save yours, if things start to get a little too hot in this strange little town he's decided to hang out in for a while.
conversations.prefix: Abstractional Thought Processes:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Back in the day, they used to call people like you bards. Suffice to say, they don't do that anymore—mostly they call you "tramp" and "bum," and sometimes drive the insult home with a kick.
conversations.prefix: Wandering Musician:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You tend to believe that there's a little kernel of good in every soul, and so you treat people accordingly, even when you *really*, * **really** * shouldn't.
  
  This also means you're fairly easily to manipulate, although it's a little harder to trick you—you're something of a trickster yourself.
  
  But if, for instance, someone is to tell you a credible story, excuse, or plan, you'll swallow it hook, line, and sinker, no questions asked.
conversations.prefix: Trusting:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You thrive on information!
  
  There's stories to be had in every town you come to, and mysteries to solve in every city, town, or village you decide to dwell in for any length of time—and a lot of the time, you're able to solve these mysteries, which doesn't bode so well for your reputation with local law enforcement.
  
  Oh well, who cares? There's something *obviously* going on in this town, and you want to sniff out what it is and how to fix it so that people are happy and not so worried again.
conversations.prefix: Be as Absolutely Nosy as You Can Be:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You are strait up hammered and getting a little testy.   Time to call it a night . . .
conversations.prefix: Getting a little punchy . . . :
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Having, or at least having had a family has given you good caring family values.
conversations.prefix: Family Oriented:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You're not dumb, but sometimes you lack focus or focus on the wrong thing.
conversations.prefix: distractible:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Every once in a while, you actually get that spark . .  that dusty instinct that got you into this line of work in the first place.
conversations.prefix: Investigative Instincts:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Drunk again? Yes...yes I am. 
  
conversations.prefix: Drunk:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: No matter what weapon you're using, you know how to kill, wound, or startle as you need too.
conversations.prefix: Deadly:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The title says it all.
  
conversations.prefix: Concussed and hung over:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: There are times that Roger is so self centered he is a borderline sociopath.    Although he puts on a mask of empathy when necessary,  he approaches many situation with callous indifference.
conversations.prefix: Cold Hearted:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Being homeless, you've gotten to know the town well, possibly better than others. You probably notice the little things others don't.
conversations.prefix: Streetwise:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You're a big softy inside, and that makes it easy for others to impose on you.
conversations.prefix: Bleeding Heart:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You want none of this to be real and are telling yourself it isn't whenever you can. 
conversations.prefix: This Can't be Happening:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Occult Knowledge:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Use what you've got to get what you need. 
conversations.prefix: Resourceful:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Observant :
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: you are willing to get things done and you have strong determination.
conversations.prefix: Strong-willed:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Bad shit is going down in town.
conversations.prefix: A Healthy Distrust:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Teens will be teens. 
conversations.prefix: Angst:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Teens will be teens.
conversations.prefix: Angsty: