conversations.from: system
conversations.value: Outsiders say Lake Melaniya is cursed. Those who call it home know that it's not, as long as you know the rules. Don't go out when the neon green fog rolls in from the lake, listen to the ghost of Melaniya Landenburg if she says it's a *bad* day to go swimming, don't go into the Forest of Doors unless you know which door you're looking for, remember that the 3rd of every month is Purple Day, never *ever* take your pendant off... These are rules that will keep people safe.
  
  You call Lake Melaniya home. You may have been born and raised here or you may have been an outsider who managed to get the town to let you live in it. Weird is part of your every day life, but you wouldn't have it any other way.
  
  **OOC notes**
  
  I prefer if we only have one type of character for the game. One doctor, one teacher, one policeman, one librarian and so on. You don't have to play any of the roles that are suggested in the create character page - if you want to play Joe who works at the local grocery store or the local postal lady, you're more than welcome to. If you want to "get weird" and make an offbeat character, feel free! We have a number of cryptids at the zoo that are humanoid and sentient, even, though they're limited to being zookeepers.
  
  NPCs that are taken: The mayor, town priest, the owner of the most popular bakery/cafe (though you're more than welcome to run a competing restaurant), and the guy who owns the B&B.
  
  The cards are just suggestions - *Please* feel free to make your own if you have an idea you want to play!
  
  Every person has a pendant that shows up at their doorstep when the town decides they're a native. (The *town*, not the people in the town.) This pendant is an indicator of their personality or role in the city. For example, the Mayor's pendant is a cloud with a gavel etched on it.  Please include the design for the pendant in your bio when you submit your character. Do *not* mention what your pendant means in your bio - figuring out the meaning of someone's pendant is something that could be played out in the game for Reasons.
  
  Also, please be aware that you proooooobably don't ever want your character to take their pendant off.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Tanya is the latest in a long line of cemetery caretakers. Her duty is to make sure the dead rest peacefully and that the grave worms don't dig up their remains.
conversations.prefix: Tanya Rasmussen:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The Ocampo women have been running this nursery for generations and it's the best one in town. Their prices are inexpensive and their plants are extremely hardy. Every building in town has *at least* one or two plants or trees that started out in the Ocampo nursery, either as decoration inside or as landscaping.
conversations.prefix: Ocampo Hardin:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Head of the LMHS cheerleading squad. Gone missing the day after Founder's Day.
conversations.prefix: Suzette Vanderhoff:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: What lore and truths to change the world can you uncover from this place? What secrets can you discover?    
conversations.prefix: Learn the Truth:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Artemisia mansion used to be the mayoral mansion, but after the third mayor was found murdered, it was abandoned. Now dilapidated, it's rumored to be cursed. The gardens are overgrown, but rare herbs like Deathbloom and Coldbane can be found in it.
conversations.prefix: Artemisia Mansion:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You want to protect the town from the darker sides of Lake Melaniya.
conversations.prefix: Protect the Town:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You're able to come up with unique and unusual ideas and to put them into play.
conversations.prefix: Creative:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You know things that ordinary folk don’t know, be it magic or science, and that gives you power.    
conversations.prefix: Educated:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You're one of the faithful, and you find peace in your belief that a God is watching over you.
conversations.prefix: Faith:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: All the animals in and out of town find that you make them feel safe and have a knack of knowing exactly what they need.
conversations.prefix: Friend of Animals:
conversations.from: human
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: gpt
conversations.value: You’re perceptive, perhaps from years of watching and observing. Nothing gets past you.    
conversations.prefix: Perceptive:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You're one of the "athletes" in town and keep yourself healthy and active.
conversations.prefix: Physical Prowess:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You have a brilliance that comes from experience and intuition more than study or memory. 
conversations.prefix: Wise:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Your mouth is sometimes quicker than your mind but you’re a master of making that work for you. 
conversations.prefix: Witty:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Maybe you’re doughy or awkward or frail but you’re sure no athlete.  You prefer the comfort of books over the football stadium.
conversations.prefix: Bookish:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Every town has to have someone who's always grumpy and rude. You're Lake Melaena's local grumpypants. 
conversations.prefix: Churlish:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Your mind is like a blunted blade: effective but imprecise.  
conversations.prefix: Dull-witted:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Something you did gnaws at your heart and screams nightmares at you when you sleep. It’s holding you back.
conversations.prefix: Guilty:
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: Your judgmental attitude causes you troubles. If only others would try harder to measure up.    
conversations.prefix: Judgmental:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Outside your areas of expertise, you’re easily lost.
conversations.prefix: Limited Knowledge:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You think you know how things work. You think people are basically good. You’re wrong.    
conversations.prefix: Naïve:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You have many insecurities, occasionally complicating or creating problems due to a mix of overactive imagination, over-thinking and negativity.    
conversations.prefix: Neurotic:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You don't deal with people very well. Whether you're constantly tripping over your words or saying the wrong thing, you just can't figure out how to deal with social situations.
conversations.prefix: Socially Awkward:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You really, *really* dislike breaking the town's rules. It sometimes makes you a party-pooper.
conversations.prefix: Stickler for Rules:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Are you sure you’re right or are you just unwilling to admit when you’re wrong? Either way: stubborn.    
conversations.prefix: Stubborn:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You're considered a native, but Lake Melaena doesn't quite feel like home for you yet. You want it to change that.
conversations.prefix: Build a home:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You want to create something that will change people's lives and inspire them.
conversations.prefix: Create something amazing:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: All you ever wanted was for them to love and respect you for who you are, instead of for who they want you to be.
conversations.prefix: Earn your parents' respect:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You want to explore every strange nook and cranny of Lake Melaena, regardless of the danger.
conversations.prefix: Explore!:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Your heart bears a wound that might heal if you could only stop meddling with the scars.    
conversations.prefix: Heal the hurt:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: A professor at the local community college, you're an expert in whatever you teach. You enjoy your job and you're good at it.
conversations.prefix: Professor:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: By far the most popular café in town, Cassandra's has the best coffee and baked goods.
conversations.prefix: Cassandra's Café and Bakery:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Happy Village was established in the early 1900s and remained a very popular tourist attraction until a swarm of Devil Monkeys moved in and made the park their home. The owners of the amusement park were unsuccessful in getting rid of the monsters and the park was closed in the 1990s. Of course, as soon as it was closed, the great majority of Devil Monkeys moved on, leaving only a handful in the park. But a handful is enough to make the park a dangerous place to be.
conversations.prefix: Happy Village:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: This building is shared by the courts, police station, and the people who work for the town government. All important town business takes place here. It sits on the west corner of the town square. The Mayor lives one of the wings.
conversations.prefix: Municipal Building:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Natsumi's store is *the* store to go to for anything that could be called "pagan". She has the best magical supplies in town and she goes out of her way to stock a wide range of books and divination supplies. Her store is dark and cozy, with lots of overstuffed chairs for people to curl up in while they do their research. Both Natsumi and Akemi, the store cat, are fond of sashimi. In fact, rumor has it that, if you can figure out Natsumi's favorite sashimi, she'll give you a lifetime 2.5% discount. As of right now, though, nobody's figured it out. 
conversations.prefix: Natsumi's Pagan Store:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Suheb's Bed and Breakfast is the place everyone goes if they need a bit of a vacation. The beds are always warm and snuggly, and the meals are always delicious and filling.
conversations.prefix: Suheb's Bed and Breakfast:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You run one of the local cafes or restaurants. People love to come and get some grub and you love feeding them and making sure they're entertained. 
conversations.prefix: Restaurateur:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The local swamp by the edge of the lake, slightly outside town limits. Rumor has it there's a way to find your way out. But, so far, it's only a rumor.
conversations.prefix: Swamp of No Return:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: In the center of town lies a zoo. Unlike normal zoos, this one is full of cryptids. Nobody knows how the cryptids get to town - some think they show up because of Chompers, the local lake monster. From the Ayia Napa sea monster to a Yeti, they're kept in comfort and people can visit them if they want to. 
conversations.prefix: The Cryptid Zoo:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: A dark, quiet forest. Random trees have doors in them, which lead to random places and times.
conversations.prefix: The Forest of Doors:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: This is where Valerie makes her broadcasts from. The equipment may be old and a bit outdated, but it still works and newer equipment fails rather spectacularly after a while.
conversations.prefix: The Radio Station:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Though not everyone in town is religious, the town church is a popular place for people to go if they just need some peace and quiet for a bit.
conversations.prefix: Town Church:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The town library is where everyone goes when they want to do some research or just study. 
conversations.prefix: Town Library:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The center of town is a park surrounded by cafes, stores, restaurants, and other points of entertainment. This is where important meetings and town celebrations are held.
conversations.prefix: Town Square:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Cassandra owns Cassandra's Café and Bakery. She knows everyone and what their favorite drinks and baked goods are.
  
  Cassandra's pendant is an anthropomorphized muffin that appears to be dancing. 
conversations.prefix: Cassandra Devon:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Father Rodriquez is a quiet man, there for anyone who needs spiritual guidance. He also helps out with exorcisms and other esoteric duties.
  
  Father Rodriquez's pendant is a Bible with a chalice etched onto it. 
conversations.prefix: Father Marcus Rodriquez:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: It's not just the town that has secrets. You want to keep yours locked tight and put away.
conversations.prefix: Keep Your Secrets:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The lake. It's not always the safest place. Chompers, the local lake monster, is friendly, but the fosse grim are not. If you hear their violins, *RUN*. And if Melaniya Landenburg shows up and tells you it's a bad day for swimming, *LISTEN TO HER*.
conversations.prefix: Lake Melaniya:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The cemetery where every townie's been buried, since Melaniya Landenburg's death. Rumor has it that the people buried there don't always rest in peace.
conversations.prefix: Lake Melaniya  Cemetary:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Poltergeists don’t just crack headstones and throw rocks. They bend flesh and break bones. 
conversations.prefix: Angry Ghosts:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Where are you? How did you get here? *How do you get home?*
  
conversations.prefix: Find your way:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The fog coming off the lake compels powerful visions. What do you see?  How do you help those who are having violent or horrific visions?
conversations.prefix: Hallucinogenic Fog:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: One of the children of the town took a dare to go into the Forest of Doors and hasn't been seen since. Your task is to find a way to navigate the Forest of Doors and to find him. 
conversations.prefix: Lost Child:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You spend your time creating art of one form or another, whether you're an artist or an author.
conversations.prefix: Creator:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You help run all the computer systems in town. It's a unique and quite strange system, but it works, so you don't worry too much about turning it into a "normal" system.
conversations.prefix: I.T. Manager:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You're just one of the locals who lives here and don't hold a special position. You might be a store clerk, a postal worker, a zookeeper, a student at the community college... This has, by far, the widest range of possibilities.
conversations.prefix: Just a local:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You work at the local library, making sure that people can get the books they're allowed to access. You know a little bit of everything.
conversations.prefix: Librarian:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: For whatever reason, you're one of the famous people in town. Maybe you're a popular TV host or maybe you're a daredevil who goes to explore places that other townsfolk are wary about, but everyone knows your name.
conversations.prefix: Local Celebrity:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You're one of the medical professionals in town. Whether you're a general care doctor, a specialist, or even just a nurse, you apply your medical skills to keep the people who live in Lake Melaena healthy.
conversations.prefix: Medical Professional:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You ensure that the town of Lake Melaena is a safe town for everyone who lives here.
conversations.prefix: Policeman:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You own one of the small Mom-and-Pop stores in Lake Melaena. Whether your store is one that's been in Lake Melaena for generations or one that's just opened up, the local townspeople are loyal to you. 
conversations.prefix: Store owner:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You grant licenses, collect taxes, review business proposals, make sure all the proper rituals are performed before elections, and make the weekly visit to the lake to feed Chompers, amongst other things.
conversations.prefix: Town Clerk:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You take care of the creatures in the Cryptid Zoo. You also spend a lot of time researching the cryptids in the zoo. It's not always the safest job, but someone has to do it. 
conversations.prefix: Zookeeper:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Everyone in town knows your name and is generally happy to help you.
conversations.prefix: Celebrity:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: With that smile, backed up by your silver tongue, it’s hard not to like you.    
conversations.prefix: Charming:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: If someone has a problem with their computer or cell phone, you're the first person they come to. You have an in-depth knowledge of computers and other communications devices and can sort out most problems. 
conversations.prefix: Computer Geek:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The mayor is the ultimate authority in town. She’s been “The Mayor” for 70 years ago and hasn't aged a single day since she took office and looks to be in her early 40s.
   
  The Mayor only leaves the municipal building to meet with the Landenburgs. 
   
  She is a kind person who will go out of her way to help her town in any way she can. 
  
  The Mayor's pendant is a cloud with a gavel etched on it.
conversations.prefix: The Mayor:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Local radio host and historian. She's cheerful, though it’s clear she has her secrets. She loves to explore gothic and punk fashion, with her favorite type of clothing being cyberpunk, romantic goth, and steampunk.
  
  (Note: Valerie can ONLY be played by the narrator.)
conversations.prefix: Valerie Schmidt:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Suheb moved to Lake Melaniya 10 years ago when the previous owner of the Bed and Breakfast died. He quickly acclimated to the town and, because of his gentle, comforting nature, many people in town end up going to him if they need someone to talk to.
  
  His locket is a prayer rug on top of what looks like a breakfast tray. 
conversations.prefix: Suheb Almadhi:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You find yourself called to find the restless spirits of the town and put them to rest. 
conversations.prefix: Put the Unresting to Rest:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Living alone is hardly living. You need allies to watch your back. You need friends to fight for.  You need people to love.
conversations.prefix: Something worth having:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You’ve been picked for the annual 3-legged race! This town tradition is rumored to usher in good luck and safety for the next year.    
conversations.prefix: Three-Legged Race:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Natsumi's grandparents fled to Lake Melaniya to escape being sent to an internment camp during WWII. The people of Lake Melaena hid the family and the Mayor gave his life to save the rest of their family. Ever since then, the Kagomes have been amazingly loyal to and protective of the town. 
  
  Natsumi's pendant is a cat curled up around a cherry blossom twig in flower.
conversations.prefix: Natsumi Kagome:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The latest in a long line of witches who have chosen to watch and guard over the dead of Lake Melaniya, Tanya takes her duty seriously. She's in her mid 20s and attends online classes from the local community college, where she studies English literature.
  
  She's socially phobic and prefers dealing with ghosts over dealing with living people.
conversations.prefix: Tanya Rasmussen:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: (This scene takes place at multiple places in the village.) 
conversations.prefix: Around the Village:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The mountains that surround Lake Melaniya. 
conversations.prefix: Border Mountains:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Central Park rests (of course) in the center of Town Square. This wide swath of meadow has a playground, soccer field, basketball court, and a picnicking area with public barbeques. There's also an outdoor pool, though it's only opened sporadically because the water sprites just *will not* understand that a swimming pool is a lot less healthy for them than the lake is. 
conversations.prefix: Central Park:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Teddy runs the best farmer's market in town, going out of his way to accommodate those with special dietary restrictions. His specially blessed greenhouses ensure that the town of Lake Melaniya have fresh fruits and vegetables year-round.
conversations.prefix: Teddy's Farm Fresh Produce:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Captain of Retrievals for the LMPD.
conversations.prefix: Captain Philippe "Pip" Brandywine:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: There's a time anomaly wandering around town. Hopefully, you can avoid getting stuck in it.
conversations.prefix: Time Anomaly:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You're the one going out and writing the stories about things happening around town.  Particularly, you're an *investigative* journalist.  Lots of snooping around is involved, and you love it.
conversations.prefix: Journalist:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: There's being self-assured, then there's being arrogant.  You're definitely an overconfident risk-taker at times.
conversations.prefix: Cocky:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: A self proclaimed town historian. You chair the town's historic commission and own an antique shop. If it's old or allegedly happened, you probably know a thing or two about it. 
conversations.prefix: Amateur Historian:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Despite being downright unpleasant at times you are dedicated to teaching those young'uns –meaning everyone– their history. 
conversations.prefix: Educate The Town:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Let's face it, at the end of the day, everything is pretty much yours.
conversations.prefix: Selfish:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You don't know what you have to live for. There must be something out there to become your passion.
conversations.prefix: Find a Purpose:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You work at the local library, making sure that people can get the books they're allowed to access. You know a little bit of everything.
conversations.prefix: Librarian:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You’re perceptive, perhaps from years of watching and observing. Nothing gets past you.    
conversations.prefix: Perceptive:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Your judgmental attitude causes you troubles. If only others would try harder to measure up.    
conversations.prefix: Judgmental:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: What lore and truths to change the world can you uncover from this place? What secrets can you discover?    
conversations.prefix: Learn the Truth:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You're just one of the locals who lives here and don't hold a special position. You might be a store clerk, a postal worker, a zookeeper, a student at the community college... This has, by far, the widest range of possibilities.
conversations.prefix: Just a local:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: If someone has a problem with their computer or cell phone, you're the first person they come to. You have an in-depth knowledge of computers and other communications devices and can sort out most problems. 
conversations.prefix: Computer Geek:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You think you know how things work. You think people are basically good. You’re wrong.    
conversations.prefix: Naïve:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Living alone is hardly living. You need allies to watch your back. You need friends to fight for.  You need people to love.
conversations.prefix: Something worth having:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Happiest man in town, and the worst at parking.
conversations.prefix: Garbage Collector:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Keen sense of smell, sometimes downright intuitive.
conversations.prefix: Tell by the Smell:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: You know garbage collecting, meerschaum pipes, and classic literature.  Beyond that, it isn't worth knowing.
conversations.prefix: Limited Knowledge:
conversations.from: human
conversations.prefix: Wild:
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Plans for, and concerns about retirement take up a lot of your mental space.
conversations.prefix: Retirement Plans: