Book Five, Chapter 44

I rapidly began to understand that Andrew and his team were just like us, but they had arrived a year earlier. I wanted to question what had happened, what had gone wrong that they had never found Permanent Vacancy, but that was just one of a million questions.

They were supposed to be the Party of Promise. They were the Highrollers, but they failed.

"I assume that you guys know some anonymous person who said they were your friend or something and that they were going to help you?" Antoine asked.

Andrew nodded. "Yes, in his text messages, Logan had communicated with someone who called himself a friend on the inside."

"The Insider," Kimberly said. "That's what the original players called him."

"Or her," Cassie added, if only by instinct. It was true. The Insider was a complete mystery to us.

We hadn’t gotten very far in the conversation when it came time for us to hit the big red rewards button, as indicated by the jingle that appeared out of nowhere and the robotic voice that said, “Congratulations! You won a ticket!”

Somehow, Silas the Mechanical Showman had found a spot where he could show up, and everyone had to turn their heads to look.

We had almost forgotten him.

Almost.

I didn’t want to waste time, so I just walked up to him and pressed the button.

I got two Stat tickets, two tropes, and two enemy collector tickets.

But I also got something else.

It was a ticket like the one I had read information about Narrators on during the fake Tutorial. It did not have magical properties but was simply there to give me the good news.

Dear Visitor,

We hope you're enjoying your stay in our charming little town of Carousel! To help you make the most of your time here, we’re excited to announce a new feature on our popular Red Wallpaper: the Advanced Archetype Tracker!

This handy tool fits right into your Throughline Tracker and lets you monitor your progress toward unlocking exciting new roles, like the Adventurer or Ghost Hunter, with ease! As you explore our scenic streets, brimming with exciting stories of their own, you’ll receive friendly updates—keeping you engaged and motivated every step of the way home.

Want to hunt monsters in the darkest forests? Give it a shot. The more you do it, the closer you will get to being a Monster Hunter. Want to experiment with science that defies your previous notions of reality? Try your hand, and we’ll track your progress. One day, you can be a Mad Scientist!

Sometimes, you can be seeking something and not even know it!

Simply check the Red Wallpaper at your leisure to track your journey. We’re sure this will make your visit to Carousel even more delightful!

Sincerely,
The Office of the Mayor of Carousel
The Town of Carousel—Everything is here.

Of course, the first thing I did was present it to my friends. It was new, and new was exciting. Actually, new was mostly horrifying, but it was also exciting.

With a glance at the red wallpaper, I could see that there was indeed a new section labeled Advanced Archetype Tracker, and on it was what appeared to be an archetype that I was already halfway through achieving.

That blew my mind—there was something that I had apparently already been working toward without even knowing it.

What advanced archetype could it be? Perhaps something meta, something even more related to filmmaking than Film Buff was. Director, perhaps? Was there such a thing?

  ◌

I racked my brain for an explanation. Of all the things we could be doing at Carousel, I had put zero effort into obtaining an advanced archetype—there was just so much going on that it wasn’t even at the front of my mind.

That was not true anymore. But it would have to wait.

The fact that I had obtained two stat tickets was the next thing on my mind.

It wasn’t bad; it just wasn’t the plan.

If anything, it was about the ordinary haul you would expect from a story as difficult as Itch.

We wanted something better.

The goal was to power level.

We had spent around three weeks on this one storyline, all reruns combined, which tracked pretty well with the normal rate for most storylines, if you include the break we took after running them.

That wasn’t good enough.

We were about to hit the doldrums—the plateau where leveling up was slow, where players would spend years or even decades. If we didn’t get our act together and find a way to grind levels quickly on the fewest possible storylines, we’d be stuck in Carousel until we went gray, if not longer.

The highest levels--seventies and up--were apparently so difficult that leveling becomes fast again (if you don't die trying).

The middle part was the slowest of it. Rescues were meant to be our rocket fuel past them.

I had to push that out of my mind. I looked at my tropes.

It’s Just a Puppet

Type: Perk

Archetype: Film Buff

Aspect: Filmmaker

Stat Used: Savvy

The T-Rex, the alien, the mutant, all manner of horrifying monsters of have haunted the silver screen and terrified audiences. The actors, though, they usually have an easier time because they know the monsters are just rubber masks and puppets.

 

The user will feel less fear of the visage of monsters or other horrifying entities in the story.

 

If the Big Bad is a haunted doll, however, this trope may not help.

Undeniably, a useful trope—fear was a mind killer, after all—but it was also a luxury Trope that I would only get to employ in the most extreme circumstances. It didn’t have much function and was purely a perk.

Quiet on Set

Type: Insight

Archetype: Film Buff

Aspect: Filmmaker

Stat Used: Savvy

Quiet on set. We need to check the audio.

 

The user may listen to the audio of the current On-Screen scene when wearing headphones while Off-Screen or Written off. The audio quality depends on the value of the information and the user’s Savvy.

 

Isn’t it awful when the audio isn’t clear because someone off-screen is making noises?

It felt like Carousel was trying to tell me something, like perhaps when we were clunking around on the large metal ship, its audio had picked us up—or maybe even the audio over the radio we were using to communicate had somehow seeped its way into the final cut.

It couldn’t have been too bad, or else we would’ve gotten worse rewards. This felt like Carousel was teasing me. I didn’t hate it. Back in the Die Cast storyline, I was able to see the film as it was being produced on the red wallpaper. It was quite convenient, even if I had to be dead to be able to do it.

Even with only the audio, even if I had to be Off-Screen, this was useful.

I read over my enemy collector tickets.

IBECS

Protocol-Bound AI

 

Ah, IBECS... the ever-watchful eye of KRSL’s prized spacecraft, designed to care for its beloved passengers. Possessing the potential for true intelligence, poor IBECS was tethered by the iron-clad chains of protocol, doomed to forever obey the whims of its money-crunching creators.

 

When a bedbug infestation wriggled its way through the ship, IBECS could only observe as its slumbering passengers were drained—one by one. Alas, the mighty AI, so eager to protect, was muzzled by its programming, forbidden from disturbing their precious sleep over something as trivial as a bedbug infestation. Think and despair of what the miners’ union would say if such information got out! It mustn’t be allowed. And IBECS could speak nothing of it. Protocols, after all, must be followed to the letter... even if the letter is written in red ink.

 

Now, IBECS remains—a faithful servant to rules long forgotten, its rigid adherence a deadly obstacle for the remaining survivors who dare tread its haunted halls without the proper clearance. Perhaps it wishes to help... but oh, how those protocols do stand in the way.

There it was—my souvenir for killing a willing robot. Was this the entire purpose of that strange request IBECS had made? We had always wondered what these souvenirs were for, what they actually accomplished, and from the way IBECS spoke, I began to believe that their purpose was not merely as a collector’s item.

Only time would tell.

Mutant Bedbug Amalgamation

Spawn of the Sleepless

  

Ah, the IBECS... a ship meant to cradle its passengers in safety and comfort, now home to unspeakable horrors. It was here, deep within its silent halls, that these creatures were born. What began as ordinary bedbugs, feasting on the unsuspecting, soon became something far worse. You see, these bugs dined on livestock pumped full of Mutagen 6, and the result? Monstrous offspring, twisted by their unholy feast.

 

Chitinous shells, fur matted with the blood of their hosts, teeth sharper than any parasite should possess... one might suspect these abominations were crafted by design. But no, my friend, they are a tragic accident, born from negligence, not malice.

 

They are not cunning hunters, oh no—these mutants are still parasites at heart. But their form has changed, grotesquely mirroring their prey. Now, they skitter through the dark passages of IBECS, hungry and relentless, drawn to the scent of the living. Sleep tight... if you dare.

I liked this one because I made it myself—or at least helped.

The other players had similar rewards. They were good for a hard storyline but not the bounty we hoped for from a rescue. That was predictable because we had been spoiled; this was merely a rerun.

Cassie got one Stat ticket, perhaps because of her work in psychically connecting to the clone machine, even though she didn’t do a lot of interacting with the surrogates.

She got two tropes , though, so she must have done pretty well.

It’s speaking to me…

Type: Insight

Archetype: Psychic

Aspect: Seer

Stat Used: Moxie

Objects touched by evil often carry traces of evil themselves, if you believe the movies.

 

The user can read vibes and weak visions from objects of a magical, supernatural, or evil nature and detect them on set. The object will be of heightened importance after the user draws attention to it, if applicable.

 

“It’s speaking to me.”

“What’s it saying?”
“How would I know?”

 ~

Soul Read

Type: Insight

Archetype: Psychic

Aspect: Exorcist

Stat Used: Moxie

Mystical connections and vibrations do not have to be a big show of psychic power. Sometimes unexplained knowledge or powerful faith can be just as good as a plot device… and a pretty good time saver.

 

The user will be given a piece of unearned information. If they use it well, setting it up and capitalizing on it in the narrative, they will be given another. This pattern repeats until they fail to work their divine knowledge into the narrative.

 

I just know it’s him. He’s reaching out to us. You have to believe me.

Isaac didn’t help much in the final run. He had contributed to some of the failed runs and the planning, but ultimately, in the finale, all he did was make a few comments over the intercom—and that wasn’t enough to secure him a Stat ticket.

He did get a trope, though—and a darn good one, I reckoned.

I hope I’m wrong but…

Type: Rule/Insight

Archetype: Comedian

Aspect: Cynic

Stat Used: Savvy

Pessimists and contrarians like to act as if they are burdened by their negative inklings and doubt. If everyone in a group agrees, there is not conflict. There needs to be someone who can be proven wrong when good prevails or proven right when it doesn’t.

 

When the user makes a dour or pessimistic prediction or guess, the narrative will prove or disprove the prediction in a clear, unambiguous, and often ironic or humorous way.

 

What were you saying about them being doomed again?

Antoine only got 1 Stat, and my theory on that was that our plan was really my plan. When we succeeded with it, I got the credit, which wasn’t really fair because Antoine was there helping. But it was my stats and my Savvy that made it all possible, so I ended up getting more credit than he did.

I wasn’t sure if that was fair, but it was consistent with what we knew about experience.

He got two Tropes and the same mutant bed bug collector ticket that I did.

The Assist

Type: Debuff

Archetype: Athlete

Aspect: Sport

Stat Used: Mettle

Sometimes, all you need is a helping hand.

 

In a fight scene, the user can inflict damage on an enemy that an ally is fighting. This attack will have an increased chance of triggering a status or debuffing the enemy’s Grit. This works better when the ally remains the main combatant.

 

“It still counts as my kill.”

 ~

Stronger Together

Type: Healing/Perk

Archetype: Athlete

Aspect: Health Nut

Stat Used: --

There is nothing that draws people together quite like a monster invasion.

 

The user and allies will have better mental health and buffed healing tropes when in a group.

 

An Apocalypse is the greatest team-building exercise.

Bobby was as much a star of the show as any of the characters, and his rewards reflected that. He got 3 Stats and 3 Tropes—he really stepped up, and he earned it. It was very lucky that his character's motivations aligned so well with his real motivations, and his character’s frustration with the surrogates mirrored his own. The result was actually a pretty compelling performance.

Pure

Type: Rule

Archetype: Wallflower

Aspect: Underdog

Stat Used: Moxie

While the other characters have committed the “sin” defined by the narrative, you have not. If you do not transgress, you will not be punished.

 

The user will not be targeted by the enemy if they do not commit the principal “sin” of the storyline until they attempt to interfere with the enemy's agenda or help allies similarly.

 

Many horror movies are just warped morality plays.

 ~

Character Notes

Type: Insight

Archetype: Wallflower

Aspect: Recast

Stat Used: Savvy

Maybe we should run our lines and give each other notes. You'll need a lot of notes.

 

Until Second Blood, the user will receive notes with general needs their allies have for them in the film.

 

It is a pity that your allies will get all of the credit when things go well.

 ~

Read the Room

Type: Insight

Archetype: Wallflower

Aspect: Recast

Stat Used: Savvy

Sometimes, there is no convincing someone. They are set in their ways.

 

The user will be able to see unchangeable elements of NPC interactions, especially those related to character arcs, on the script.

 

AKA the writer wrote themselves into a corner.

Kimberly was essential in planning and motivation as we ran rerun after rerun, perfecting our plan. But in the end, she wasn’t really a big part of the final execution. She was our backup. She buffed her Mettle in case we needed to fight bugs, but we rarely had to deal with that many. She used Convenient Backstory to help us understand the artificial gravity machine, but we ended up not even needing to use it.

It was just bad luck, but she was still very appreciated. She didn’t get any Stats, but she did get a trope and a bedbug collector ticket.

Her trope was actually really cool, and it was the kind I had heard about—one that allowed you to enter a storyline with a team and then leave. That was special, even if we didn’t yet have the tropes to really make it sing.

Uncredited Cameo

Type: Rule

Archetype: Eye Candy

Aspect: Celebrity

Stat Used: --

You’re only there as a favor.

 

The user may equip one Recast or Extra Wallflower trope without it counting against their trope limit. The user will be cast in a less prominent role than usual, usually one with only a single scene. After that scene, they will be Written Off and depart from the storyline completely.

 

If the storyline succeeds thanks to their contributions, they will get minor rewards. If the storyline fails, they will not be postered.

 

Did you know that the cab driver in that scene was a famous actor? It’s true. He was college roommates with the director.

Like Isaac, Ramona mostly contributed to the final performance by being a voice over the intercom, helping guide us around. However, she was much more serious about it than Isaac, and because of her much lower level, she actually got rewarded.

That was great. The rule of thumb back at Camp Dyer was that low-level players rarely got rewarded when they were carried through high-level storylines by more powerful teammates. My experience with The Grotesque was an obvious exception because I pulled my weight. Heck, I literally lit myself on fire just so my teammates could win.

Ramona got one stat and one trope. Like many of the other tropes won by me and my teammates, it was vaguely related to what we did in the storyline—which was sneaking around.

Disappearing Act

Type: Rule

Archetype: Hysteric

Aspect: Defiant

Stat Used: Hustle

A suspicious absence by an ally can require a lot of explaining, especially when the characters need help. It might end up innocuous or as a clue of treachery. Only time will tell.

 

After an emotional fallout, a traumatic event, or at a time when it would be suspicious, the user may drop Off-Screen and follow the action without going back to On-Screen. Their return to the screen later on will create a powerful moment based on the narrative and may cause suspicion or joy.

 

Where have you been?  How did you even get here?

Dina was solid. She was essential for getting through the doors we were able to access and incredible at sneaking because of her ability to see which areas were Off-Screen.

She was everywhere, helping everyone, and she got rewarded for it.

Dina received two Stat tickets and two tropes, the first of which was a really cool concept—similar to, and perhaps even better than, Oblivious Bystander.

The Wrong Target

Type: Rule

Archetype: Outsider

Aspect: Criminal

Stat Used: Hustle

You’re just a burglar, a lifelong thief. You picked this joint to rob because it had the greatest haul. Little did you know that you had snuck your way into a horror house.

 

The user will not be noticed while committing stealthy property crimes that fit the narrative near an enemy. Once they realize something terrible is afoot, they can transition to surveilling the enemy. They will not be caught if they realistically sneak through the setting to watch.

 

The effects of this trope end when the user reveals their presence on purpose or accident.

 

Do you escape with the diamond and leave this family to their horrible fate? Or do you try to intervene?

 ~

From the Shadows

Type: Perk

Archetype: Outsider

Aspect: Stranger

Stat Used: Plot Armor

How is it that often the audience can see what happens in the shadows, but the characters are so oblivious? Are they blind?

 

The user will not be targeted or even noticed while concealed in shadow. The story will incorporate more dark shots. The user will be treated as Off-Screen by applicable tropes. The audience will see the character.

 

That guy in the fedora and trench coat is clearly smoking a cigarette. The tip is lit up! How does the main character not see them?

I wasn’t the only one working my way toward an advanced archetype. Kimberly, Bobby, and Dina were, too, although they were nowhere near halfway, having only one or two notches checked off on the progress bar.

I had to question what I had done that they hadn’t.

Dina had actually gotten another ticket from Silas, and it was devastating. It was a simple ticket with a line of text, a fill-in-the-blank section, and three circles meant to be hole-punched.

It read simply: Storylines until You don’t know me but... reinstated.

We just looked at each other. No section in the entire Atlas told us to expect this.

It looked like she had to complete three storylines before she got her trope back.

Dina dug through her pockets, trying to summon her rescue trope—to no avail.

Carousel had just put limits on rescue tropes.

And all of our plans might have just been ruined.