Alright, so as some of you know, I'm currently hosting a Werewolf game in the region of 10000 Islands. It's my first time doing Choose Your Own Werewolf over there, and after the Christmas Star-Wars-ripoff game that I did, I decided that I liked sharing the more unusual ones when they have more fleshed out types of stories.
For this game, the voted setting was the Mountains, and the voted genre was Drama. I've actually never done anything in the Drama or even Romantic genre before, so this is sort of a surreal experience having to channel my inner sappiness. The first road I thought of was Soap Opera (which is where the name comes from, it's basically Soap Opera material. But as the story evolved in my head, I thought "Eh, a general Drama series that's produced by Hallmark actually makes sense." So, the game evolved into Hallmark Presents: General Mountain Hospital. Is there a mountain? Yep, it's introduced in the start. Is there a rescue? Ehhh...it'll happen eventually. Like all "good" Hallmark movies, it has to build to that and introduce the drama first. And before you ask: No, it doesn't revolve around the people doing the rescuing, but more about the people that would end up being rescued.
So without further ado, let me introduce the story. And I'll also explain certain things in the scenes that may seem like they have no relevance.

("Barry Wolverton" was a nod to Barry who is a historic WW player in 10KI and also played Werewolf 2 and 3 here in Wintreath)
Scene 1 (Screen Test/Day Phase 1 intro)
The year is 2020, the setting is Mayor Louis' mansion along Mt. Palisades. The Mayor is currently there, enjoying some afternoon drinks with his comrades: Mark Night, Emry Nathaniel Anderson, Senator Gerald King, Governor Henry Tuga, Judge Dorian Rabil, and the mayor of the neighboring town of Tacopolis, Uriel Ventus. His wife Queenie is also there, sitting next to her husband. Watching from the outside are Mayor Louis' bodyguards, Aerso Dolfinson and Martin Grayson. Upstairs away from the crowd currently in their offices or on business calls are the mayor's adult children Ammon, Andy, and Echo.
It's summer time, and it's a sunny day at that to mark such a wonderful gathering of friends, as if the heavens themselves are smiling down on them.Mayor Louis: A Toast to the wonderful engagement of my friend Uriel and his lovely wife Ayuna who couldn't join us this afternoon.
Everyone raises a glassUriel: She sends her regards to everyone from her meeting in Wintropolis.
Mark: And here I thought you were never going to settle down with just one.
Everyone laughsUriel: So what about you Mark, have you found that special lady yet?
Mark: Hardy har Uriel, you know I can't just yet.
Emry: Is it about Felicia, Mark? You know you are allowed to move on, I'm sure she'd want it.
Mark: Yes, well, I'm just not ready yet. Anyways, we're celebrating Uriel's engagement!
Gerald: No no, don't try to change the subject Mark. I know this beauty from the office that has been dying to meet my friend that just happens to be a Nobel Prize winning scientist.
Mark: I'm sure that's the only reason she'd want to meet me.
Gerald: That and I'm sure she liked your picture on your dating profile.
Mark seems confused at this commentMark: What dating profile?
Gerald, Uriel, and Emry glance at each other as their eyes turn to HenryHenry: Well...the fellas and I wanted to help you move back into the dating world, so we might have made you a profile.
Henry pulls out his tablet and shows Mark a profile of him on the popular dating app Lovr. Mark glances at it several times as if trying to understand it, but is more focused on his profile picture: an obviously doctored shirtless picture of himself.Mark: That's not even my body in the picture, I look nothing like that!
Henry: Yes, well you have to embellish a bit to get the girls!
Mark sighs as he sets the tablet downMark: Look guys, I really appreciate it...but I'm just not ready for the dating world yet.
Mark gets up and walks outGerald: I guess now would be a bad time to tell him that I invited her over...
Comments: So like all sappy dramas and many Hallmark movies, there has to be some intro where you meet all the main cast, or they get some nod. In this scene, it's mainly about introducing the people sitting around the table, although if this were an actual show, there'd be a cut to Louis' family upstairs as they'd talk about what's happening on the phone. But in the interest of both keeping the game going and their characters being more "seen" than "heard," they're mainly just acknowledged in their own way for the intro.
Admittedly, the things I think of when I think of a drama is: Characters with sad pasts or the death of a loved one. And it's very not like a drama to not interject that piece of tragedy into a happy occasion (there's always that debbie downer, right?). So the first thought I had was "What's something that would bring down the mood of your engagement? Ah! A friend of yours bringing up his dead wife!" Granted, he wasn't the one to bring it up exactly, but it just doesn't scream "Sappy Hallmark Drama" if the happy occasion was allowed to remain as such when that character exists.
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Scene 2 (Screen Test/Day Phase 1 end, Action Phase/Night Phase 1 begin
Palisades Park, afternoon. Mayor Louis is commemorating a new gazebo that was built in the center of the park, a memorial to the founding mayor, Mayor Shelter. His wife Queenie is standing alongside him as are Ammon, Andy, and Echo who are sitting in their seats on their phones. Also behind him are Henry, Dorian, and Gerald. The others are scattered amongst those in attendance including Mayor Uriel and the two bodyguards Aerso and Martin.
Mayor Louis: Today, we mark the completion of this Gazebo to honor the first mayor of what is now known as Palisades, when this town and Tacopolis were once the one town of Taco Peaks. We’re honoring a man who brought many of us much joy because of his kind demeanor and was a great friend to much of the people in this town.
Everyone, including Ammon, Andy, and Echo who have looked up from their phones with curiosity, show a bit of a small, genuinely warm smile as Mayor Louis is speaking.
Mayor: Because even though Tacopolis and Palisades are now two of their own independent cities, we still have a deep appreciation and love toward each other because of where we came from. Much of that was Mayor Shelter, who instilled those values in us. Taco Peaks was his family, and even though we may have split apart into two smaller cities, we’ll never forget where we came from. And this Gazebo with this beautiful memorial statue of our first mayor next to it---
Mayor Louis gestures over to a fine looking statue of bronze of Mayor Shelter with smile on his face, along with a plaque that gives some info about the former mayor.
Mayor Louis: --is a promise to never forget that.
The audience, as well as those near the gazebo burst into applause as Mayor Louis cuts the ribbon on the gazebo.
Comments: So this scene actually almost made me tear up a little writing it, specifically because of the fact that outside of the "Taco Peaks/Tacopolis/Palisades" town talk, I was actually talking about a real person that was a part of 10KI in the past. Whereas Wintreath has the Amalya Quarter to memorialize Amalya (who is still alive I believe), 10KI has the Mayor Shelter Political Party (and at one point their fun & games forum (aka Taco Island) was called Mayor Shelter's Taco Island) to memorialize an exceptional member and former Mayor (basically moderator of that section) known as Shelter in the Storm. As I said in the dialogue, he really was a very warm and friendly member, and always had great jokes/quips that he made in the threads. Unfortunately, he passed away some years ago, which was pretty rough all around since he made such a big impact. Since Louisistan, playing Mayor Louis, is the actual
current Mayor of Taco Island, (and since the game is a modern-day Hallmark drama) I thought it'd be really fitting to pay a small in game tribute to the first Mayor of Taco Island that I was lucky enough to get to virtually meet before he passed.
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Scene 3 (Action Phase 1 End - Lead (aka Adventurer) Scenario results
The Fox Hole Bar in downtown Palisades, evening. Henry, Gerald, Mark, Louis, and Uriel are all out there to take Mark out for pool to get his mind off of things. Mark is completely unaware that his friends have set him up on an impromptu meet with Gerald's female coworker. The teams for pool are Mark and Louis versus Henry and Gerald, as Uriel decides to keep score.
Uriel: Alright gents, let's have a good game now, eh? Mark, you're up first pal.
Mark steps up and prepares his cue, aiming at the cue ball. He hits it hard as it breaks the row of balls perfectly, sinking the #2 ball into a nearby pocket. The friends cheer thunderously as Mark seems to be enjoying himself.
Mark: Alright boys, looks like Louis and I are solids.
Gerald: So Mark...I know that you said you weren't ready to date yet, but I thought you might want to meet that coworker of mine that I was talking about.
Mark sighs and sits down.
Mark: Look, I really appreciate that you guys are trying to help me out, I really do. It's just that...when Felicia died, it's like part of me died with her. She was soulmate, my whole being...and I'm just not ready to really give my heart to anyone else right now, it's just too painful.
The others look at each other for a moment as they acknowledge defeat.
Uriel: It's fine Mark, we get it. We shouldn't have pushed as much as--
Uriel is bumped on the shoulder by Henry, who subtly motions for him to look ahead. Sitting at the bar in a beautiful red top and casual black jeans is Gerald's coworker Nancy.
Uriel: A-as much as we did. Whispering to Henry what do we do now? She's looking at us like she's waiting for a signal!
Henry shrugs his shoulders. Coincidentally, Mark decides to leave for the moment to use the restroom.
Mark: I'll be back guys, and gal. He says gesturing politely to Uriel. Nature calls.
Mark leaves. The friends gesture for Nancy to come over, which she does.
Nancy: So what's going on? Am I still going to meet Mark?
Henry: There's been a slight change. He's still broken up over his fiance that passed away in that fire and he's saying he's not ready yet.
Nancy: Oh my god, you didn't tell me that she died! She says this to Gerald directly
Gerald: Yes, well I was hoping that he was moving on since it was years ago. But apparently he's still struggling with it...I think he feels guilty since he was at work when it happened.
Nancy: Poor guy...
Gerald: But hey, the boys and I had an idea to where it's not a total loss. Maybe you should join us and you'll warm up to each other?
Nancy: What, be like one of the boys until he's ready to move on?
Henry: Basically, yeah.
Nancy: It's a little weird, but sure. Let me grab my drink.
Director: Cuuuuuut! I SAID CUT! What the hell was that?! That wasn't part of the original script!
Screenwriter: Yes, well the lead insisted on this change.
Director: Well I hate it. The point of this show is to give ample screentime to a select few. We can't just be adding more characters to it! The whole scenario was supposed to be that the guys explain the situation and she leave in anger. This would have given the main cast more screentime which means better ratings. Throwing in new people just to "ease things" isn't what good drama is about! Do it again, and do it right! Gah! Let's hurry and move to the next scene!
Comments: So this was one of those difficult ones to write specifically because the outcome could be different depending on what the Lead (or the Adventurer in the usual games) had chosen in their scenario. At the start, I knew that I wanted this chosen outcome to be a neutral choice that affected everyone, and I wanted it to be a negative affect that would basically turn the game into a "Someone must be booted during each day phase." But how would I write up the scenario to where it'd make sense?
And then, boom. The director getting upset because it was a script change. That was just like a light-bulb moment. The point of what I've seen from a Hallmark Drama normally is to introduce the characters early on that would be the focal point, and anyone else just takes away from the possible leads. Since the game already has the Lead and Secondary Lead roles, it makes no sense for some random character named Nancy (who isn't any of the people playing) to get the screentime, so of course it'd make sense for the Director to get angry at this change. There was also an added bit of the consequence, but I removed it from this since it was only put in there to give the players the idea of what that consequence of the Lead's scenario choice was.
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Scene 4 (Action Phase 1 End - Producers' removal choice/Screen Test 2 begin)
Gerald is in his room packing his suitcase as there's a knock on the door.
Gerald: Enter.
The door opens, it's Mark
Mark: What's going on? Are you going somewhere?
Gerald: Unfortunately it seems I'm needed back in DC. They just called all of the Senators back for some kind of emergency.
Mark: When will you be back?
Gerald: I don't know, it could be a while.
Mark: Well, we'll miss you old friend.
Gerald: I'll miss you guys too.
Gerald grabs his suitcase to leave.
Mark: Hey Gerald?
Gerald turns around
Gerald: Yeah?
Mark: I really appreciate what you guys tried to do for me. I know I've been moping a lot and you guys really tried to bring me out of that funk, even if I wasn't ready to come out of it yet. But the fact that you guys have always been there for me to care that much, I'm really lucky to have friends like you.
Gerald: Mark...I know that it was really hard when you lost Felicia. I look back every day and wish there was something I could have done to save her. If I had only been there moments earlier, she might have still been alive, and I'll always feel that regret for as long as I live. But I just want you to be happy, I know it's what Felicia would have wanted.
Mark: I know, and you know I could never blame you for not being there in time. You were always one of our best friends and were basically like a brother to her, and I'll never forget that.
Gerald smiles as he tries to hide a tear, but fails. Him and Mark share a hug for a moment as they break away. Gerald grabs his suitcase again and walks toward the door.
Gerald: Well...goodbye.
Gerald leaves.
Comment: This was a completely unintended but happy coincidence for this scene. From the beginning scene, I had planned on Mark and Gerald having some kind of closer friendship (no, not romantic). Mark has baggage and Gerald ended up being the driving force to getting back into dating...it only made sense to me that Gerald would have been Mark's closest friend.
It was also an unexpected way to end since, if you played the Taco Islands/Wintreath's Got Talent games and remember PMing me your ending scenarios, I had players do the same thing here (but said that they'd have to be "dramatic" and basically something you'd see in a Hallmark movie for when characters are sent offscreen for good). Gerald's player, Grea Kriopia actually never sent me a scene, so this was something that I ended up writing entirely myself.
Considering they're both such good friends, the first thing that came to mind was "Who would show up at Gerald's door to say goodbye? Mark. Maybe he wants to say something about his wife and Gerald's attempt to get him back into dating. Maybe he's upset that they won't leave him alone about it, or maybe he feels appreciative." And that's how that scene ended up going. Mark already talked about the death of his wife and how she died, so Gerald almost breaking down because he feels guilty just felt natural and right. I hadn't even intended Gerald to have any part in that whole bit, it just sort of came out when I wrote that bit. But it was nice because it made him leaving much more heartfelt and genuine to me to where Mark even says he doesn't blame him and tells him how much his wife basically adored him as a brother. It was just a bit that I enjoyed writing in a feel-good-drama kind of way.
I'm actually really eager to see where this goes not just in the game-play perspective, but also the story perspective. It's odd to say the least, but I'm actually getting invested in learning what happens to these characters. Not knowing who will get booted next makes it so much more suspenseful when it comes to how the story will unfold. Despite really having nothing in common with Mark myself (As I've never had such a terrible thing happen with someone I loved, and have never had someone that I loved that much), I'm really finding myself attached to him as a character even though he hasn't even been developed a lot. I dunno, maybe once this game is over, I'll turn this into a full fledged short drama story.
However, I'll most likely change some small things, such as the careers of some of the characters (who don't currently talk as if they'd have those types of careers).
But that's it for now, and I'll continue to post more scenes whenever the game updates. To save on posting too often, I'll keep it to posting one Action Phase Starting scene, one Action Phase End - Lead Scenario and one Action Phase End - Producers' Results together for each post.