DiscoDude: ---BEGIN SESSION---
DiscoDude: Session logging commenced
GM: The judges convene to discuss the results of each category. Since Dovelia failed to produce a second dish, she receives the Failed to Meet Requirements {??} demerit.
(I'm ruling that while not getting the optional objective done gets a single bad invoke against you, failing the basic requirements should be a double.)
GM: (Sound fair?)
Dovelia: (sure)
GM: (In fact, I'm not using either against your dish, because it wouldn't actually knock you out of the running; it'll just throw Cocoa's hat in with a tie. Therefore, I'm saving it. Therefore...)
However, in spite of this, after reviewing their opinions of the first course, the judges came to the (hidden) conclusion of...
GM: FIRST COURSE WINNER...
GM: DOVELIA BRISE
GM: The Chairwoman isn't happy about being unanimously outvoted on that course, even if her own reasoning was just on principle. The second of the two courses is much more straightforward; it seems that a certain chef's gambit came close to being pulled off perfectly, if that one chef had just lumped their bigger dish in the second course along with everyone else.
(This is even to the GM's surprise!)
Dovelia: looks a little surprised herself that she won this round, but quickly turns her surprised expression into one of sheer "well, of course I won" confidence.
GM: FINAL COURSE WINNER...
GM: (Again, you don't know the individual round results.)
GM: (These announcements are for the sake of the players only.)
GM: FINAL COURSE WINNER...
Dovelia: (oh! XD)
GM: FINAL COURSE WINNER...
GM: GRETO SLEEWA
GM: Finally, they go over the footage of the fight with Nasby Pike itself. Several chefs seemed to do a number on the great beast, but while arguments are made in several directions, it's hard to argue against the point of "who made the killing blow..."
GM: SECONDARY OBJECTIVE (HUNT) WINNER...
GM: RACHELLE RICHARDSON
GM: The judges call the chefs forward to announce their findings.
"There are several chefs that performed admirably!" says Dr. Durian. "And ah... some that didn't do quite so well. First, we'd like to call the former forward."
GM: "Dovelia Brise." The Chairwoman stands up. "Out of all the dishes presented for the first course, yours was the only one that even approached note. You certainly outpaced the rest in that category. However! The fact that you had nothing to show for your second course is rather glaring. Were it not for the quality of your grilled tailfin, you would very likely be on the Chopping Block. What do you have to say in your defense? Why do you deserve to win, despite the points stated?"
GM: (<@!Dovelia>, that's your cue.)
Dovelia: takes a deep breath, and calls on her deepest reserves of bullshit.
GM: (Going sneaky, I assume?)
Dovelia: (oh, do I roll for this?)
GM: (Yes; it's the final face-off.)
Dovelia: (i was going to have her deliver a speech as well, but sure, i'll roll once i've delivered it XD)
Dovelia: (i suppose "sneaky" might be appropriate for her trying to weasel around the fact that she failed to deliver a second dish XD)
Reality Glitch: ((You did say “deepest reserves of bull[pucky]”.))
Dovelia: "My dear judges. Today was more than just a cooking competition for the ages. Today was the end of a remarkable - nay, majestic - creature, the likes of which this planet - this galaxy - may never see again. Nasby Pike was a legend, the sort of creature myths are written about; the sort which, in a more superstitious age, might have been regarded as a god of the sea itself. To this end I would argue..." She casually pulls out the golden statuette of Nasby Pike, as if to reinforce her statement that greater things are at stake than culinary glory. "...that the greatest respect would not be to prepare his remains in a lavish, gaudy display of culinary excess" - the words almost stick in her throat, as lavish, gaudy culinary excess is her stock in trade - "but as those for whom Nasby Pike was, in fact, a god might have done: a simple preparation, the kind of dish the seafarers of yore might return home to, enjoyed around the cookfire as they trade tales of the wonders lurking in the deep." Once more, she proffers the statuette; she has no idea if it truly is an idol or not, but hopefully the image is set in the judges' minds.
Dovelia: !f 2 (Sneaky)
DiscoDude: <@Dovelia> rolled 4dF+2 for 3 [4dF = [ ][+][-][+]]
GM: (What are you invoking? Keep in mind the other two have yet to roll.)
Dovelia: (uh. is this where the popularity aspects come into play?)
GM: (Yes, among others. On that note, I am absolutely invoking Failed to Meet Requirements {??} against you.)
Reality Glitch: ((Pretty sure they get to invoke after we’re all done rolling.))
GM: (Fair enough. Since I'm basically automatically chucking in that negative invoke pair, I'll mark in <@!Dovelia>'s current roll as -1.)
GM: "Greto Sleewa..." Dr. Durian gets up. "Although there were several chefs with very impressive second courses," he says, notably glancing towards Cocoa, Ratatoskr, and Norstar, "we've determined that your tureen is what reigns supreme in that category; out of all of them, that tower blend of fish, rice, and sprout, with the plum to tie their flavors together - it was simply the most complete dish we've had served to us today." He adjusts his glasses. "However... after reviewing the footage, we noticed that out of all the chefs, you never even approached Nasby Pike until after it was already dead. Knowing this, we'd like to hear it from you; why should you win this round?"
Reality Glitch: ((I already got a couple puns ready for Rachelle’s response.))
GM: Greto clears his throat, and takes a moment to formulate a response - it would be a simple matter to work Dovelia in, but he must also consider the unknown factor that is a possible third candidate. If there was one, then the metric that brought them forward would be... Ah, of course. Now he was ready, regardless of who that third candidate was.
GM: !f 2 (Clever)
DiscoDude: <@GM> rolled 4dF+2 for 5 [4dF = [+][+][ ][+]]
Ratatoskr: (Goddamnit, Greeto doesn't deserve that 5 >:[)
Reality Glitch: ((Rivals for a reason.))
GM: "I'm not sure what to say," he says, "since you've done most of the arguing for me. If I heard correctly, my final course dish was better than Dovelia's 'tribute;' and I didn't even need to give up on my other dish to pull it off, haha... So if my performance outdid the rest, how can there be any discourse? I admit that I shied away from the challenge that was attacking a still-living Nasby Pike, but I reasoned that if my own meager abilities in combat weren't anywhere near enough to have a shot at victory there... Well, what I'm getting at is; why waste time on something you can't possibly deliver? And in the end, aren't we here to cook? I see those secondary metrics as just that; secondary."
GM: "Now do call them up; let's see if their story about their whaling adventure is enough to make up for their lack of presence on the plate."
(Yeah, a +++ on Clever is certainly enough for him to (in flavor-text) tear down Dovelia's efforts and preemptively set up an uphill battle for whoever won the secondary objective in one stroke.)
GM: "I'd... appreciate it if you didn't refer to Nasby's death so flippantly," says Araza Mangosteen. "Chef Richardson, could you come up and do just that? I'll admit that Greto beat me to the punch on a few things; while your credit for Nasby's death is undeniable, we found your dishes to be... not all that memorable. Please, do tell me; why do you think you should win this round?"
Reality Glitch: Rachelle puts on a comedian's grin and just tears into it. "Whale, whale, whale; that was Nasby ordeel. I was nerve-wrecked to the point that I really shouldn't have been able to Poach the Problematic Porpoise; yet, I managed to not only succeed where Ahab failed, but also make excellent trophies of my victory (which now sit in your stomachs). All that while scared ****less! Surely, that alone is a feat worthy of the high seas." She ends with a Shakespearean pose to punctuate that last statement.
Reality Glitch: ((Which action does this count as? It matters for my stunts.))
Dovelia: (that was amazing)
GM: (How did Rachelle know about Ahab... Nah, never mind, I'm sure it got around.)
Dovelia: stares as if Rachelle has gone absolutely insane.
GM: (Oh, wait, she said "Ahab," not "Ajax.")
Reality Glitch: ((She's read the book; obviously.))
Dovelia: (i mean...Rachelle's from Earth; Moby Dick's not exactly obscure knowledge)
GM: (Sorry, I was being dumb and thought she talked about the actual captain on this planet right now.)
GM: (Anyways, you're using Quick, right? As long as the approach isn't blatantly misaligned with what you're doing, you get no penalty.)
Reality Glitch: ((Still, is this a Create an Advantage action? If so, I get to add her "Dad Jokes" stunt to the roll. (And would be the first time she's actually used it this campaign.)))
GM: (Technically, this is an Overcome against Dovelia and Greto, not a Create Advantage.)
Reality Glitch: ((Very well.))
Ratatoskr: Ratatoskr is not even looking, that punstorm is shameful to even hear....at least that's what the left head does, Righty is looking in utter disbelief.
Reality Glitch: !f 3 (Quickly Overcome)
DiscoDude: <@Reality Glitch> rolled 4dF+3 for 4 [4dF = [ ][ ][ ][+]]
GM: (Alright, it's invoking time! Right now it's:
DOVELIA: -1
GRETO: 5
RACHELLE: 4
Dovelia is the only one who had any negative invokes to spend against; know that they already have.)
GM: (With all of Greto's popularity invokes, he jumps to 11!)
GM: (<@!Dovelia>, <@Reality Glitch>, what do you invoke?)
Dovelia: (what are my options?)
Dovelia: (can i just...invoke everything?)
Reality Glitch: ((Rachelle gets to 12 from popularity alone. What other aspects are there to invoke for her?))
GM: (Yep! That would bring you to 7!)
GM: (DOVELIA: 7; GRETO; 11; RACHELLE; 12.)
Reality Glitch: ((<@!GM>?))
GM: (Waiting to see if anyone had anything else.)
GM: (I take it nobody has any objections?)
Reality Glitch: ((I never got a definitive answer to my question.))
GM: (Nothing unless you've got FATE.)
GM: After some deliberation: "With great consideration to your, ah... arguments on your merits." The Chairwoman shudders. "We have decided, with great hesitation, to grant the victory of the last episode before the first milemarker reprieve..."
GM: ...
GM: "... to Chef Richardson!"
Reality Glitch: Rachelle nearly collapses from relief, but manages to catch herself on the countertop of one of the stations.
GM: "Yeah, ultimately..." says Dr. Twopetal, "dat burger wasn't bad, per say! And da defeatin' of Nasby Pike's the only thing that really really can't be debated. Yer right in dat takin' him down is right impressive!"
GM: (Since there's gonna be a rest episode before the next "real" one, and conditions can be more easily dismissed, do <@&492818331418755092> want to skip any shot of being on the chopping block? (Trust me, there are three chefs that can easily belong there ahead of you for very obvious reasons, regardless of how poorly you did.))
Ratatoskr: (Blobert is gonna get Chopper'd xD)
GM: (Plus, Ratatoskr, Cocoa, and Norstar all made fairly good dishes for the final course; them ending up there ahead of ANY of the three I'm thinking of would be kinda ridiculous.)
GM: (<@&492818331418755092>, you cool with this?)
Dovelia: (whoopsie, was AFK for a bit)
Dovelia: (i'm fine with whatever you wanna do)
Ratatoskr: (I''l admit i wanna see who gets chopped, but its fine if we skip it too.)
Dovelia: politely claps for Rachelle. The student is becoming the master. Perhaps too quickly...
Reality Glitch: ((I'd like to see it.))
GM: (The chopping block? Or a PC/Rival getting on there?)
Reality Glitch: ((The chopping block.))
GM: (Oh, yeah, absolutely. It'll be briefer than usual though; again, for an obvious reason.)
GM: "Now then," says Dr. Durian. "It saddens me to say that one of you will be joining two of your compatriots sat out after the quick-fire. We will call you in turn, and you will... tell us why you shouldn't be on the chopping block."
Everyone is questioned, but it's brief - almost like it was a foregone conclusion who would end up on the chopping block...
GM: The shuttle returns. Carmine exits in a huff and joins the others; the other two are made to step forward.
GM: "Chef Lyzalba. Chef Hali." The Chairwoman seems to talk down to the two of them. "And..." She shifts her gaze to their number 3, or rather, what's left of him. "Chef Blobert." She exhales through her nose. "Unlike the previous planets, there is one single issue underpinning the three of you. I'm sure everyone has been made aware of what that is?"
GM: (Anyone want to bite?)
Reality Glitch: ((I want to say “They’re all purple, but you made Blobert Orange.))
GM: (Actually, Gwystan is green, Mimi is sky-colored.)
Reality Glitch: ((I thought Mini was Purple; huh.))
GM: (I think I already corrected that once before, actually?)
GM: Carmine raises her hand after an awkward pause. "Zey 'ave served nossing, like a bunch of dummkopfs."
GM: "Correct. Thank you Chef Heilzer," says the Chairwoman. "Honestly, I should expel all three of you from the competition for just the sheer level of synchronized incompetence." She drops the stony façade, just a smidge. "Unfortunately, we're bound by contract for all the planets we promised to visit, and no stakes in a competition show makes for bad television. That is why we will settle for just one. The other two should very much count their blessings."
Dovelia: (Blobert deserves a pity vote, 'cause he physically couldn't compete ^_^; )
GM: Araza Mangosteen stands up, at Dr. Durian's nudging. "Ah- I think we should start with Blobert. As your... circumstances are considerably more extenuating, you would be considered safe." The Chairwoman scoffs at this. "Erm... However, that all hinges on one question..."
GM: "Are you still able to compete?"
GM: Blobert seems to mull this over (as much as one can tell in his crippled state).
"I... I... I-I-i-I have a lOt of mem-memories m-m-m-m-missing... So-Some of thEM being... I'm ppppppppretty sure are a bunch o-bunch o-bunch of cOOKing lesson-on-ons. I th... I think I CAN stILL c-c-c-cook, but... Com-Compared to thEse guys, I... Not on their l-level annnnnnnymORE..."
Ratatoskr: (OH BOY...)
Dovelia: "There's nothing that can be done?" Dovelia says, almost uncharacteristically concerned. There's a hint of horror in her voice at the idea that so much of...him could be simply poured away.
Reality Glitch: Rachelle is dumbstruck at the display of .... incompleteness.
GM: "Yeah, it gets perty rough when a gelulin amalgamate loses dat much mass," says Dr. Twopetal. "Ah'm guessin' since his main core is still here controllin' all dis, dat means the rest of him dat got separated can't hold the shape of its neurons anymore. Even if they're reunited... dat compooter drive-like mass is still wiped as all heck. Real shame..."
Ratatoskr: Ratatoskr just looks at Blobert, there ZERO reasons NOT to vote him out, How the hell did he even get this hurt? He even said he can't cook like a Pro anymore...he just sighs at Dr.Twopetal's remark.
Dovelia: resists the urge to try and console him. She just...stands there, looking horrified at his condition.
GM: "If there's nothing that can be done," says Dr. Durian, "then I suppose that makes our course clear, unfortunately." He stands up. "Chef Blobert, you are officially retired from the competition, and you are entitled to the compensation this manner of discharge entails. May the starlord be with you in your recovery."
The "eliminated" drum-cue plays as medical staff come forward to escort Blobert.
GM: Mimi quivers and mumbles out an apology despite not being at fault. Gwystan's eyes are closed, and his head is hung at a respectful level, but other than that, he maintains his poker face. After watching Blobert disappear into the shuttle, Zicks is completely still for the first time on-camera, too stunned to even grunt.
Dovelia: can barely speak the obvious question: "How...how did that even happen? I don't...remember anyone being under the creature's bulk when it fell..."
GM: "I don't think any of us were looking at the center arena until the moment of impact," mutters Greto. You'd expect him to be pleased with this development, but even the cold-fusion grey alien is struggling to smile. There's almost a shadow hanging over everyone, having been reminded that the advertised possibility of elimination "by default" is very real.
Reality Glitch: The strain of the cook-off, coupled with Blobert’s half- death is just too much for Rachelle, and she finally passes out.
GM: (Anybody catch her? XD)
Ratatoskr: Ah, Ratatoskr just puts a hand to stop Rachelle from outright falling, and slowly drops her on the floor. "Well, that's certainly a way to pass out."
Dovelia: makes a move, but Ratatoskr gets there first.
GM: "We'll have another nurse come out for her," says the Chairwoman. "Let this be a lesson to all; you knew the risks when you signed on, so even if the competition has been kind to you thus far, you must never become complacent in your safety. That way lies destruction." Her expression softens again. "I realize, however, that this little unplanned wake-up call may have been harrowing for many of you. Rest easy for now; there will be no challenges and no elimination next episode. Your assumption is correct; the first mile-marker reprieve - to take place on the Khulinari Mobile Suite Palette is upon us!"
GM: (Last lines, <@&492818331418755092>? (Mind if I add up the popularity invokes to place the bottom 3?))
Dovelia: (sure)
Reality Glitch: ((The Chairwoman's statement does not apply to Rachelle.))
GM: (Haha, yeah. ^_^;)
Dovelia: clenches her mechanical fist. She's dealt her share of death in her time, but...all the same, Blobert's fate disturbs her deeply. How might the competition leave others maimed?
Ratatoskr: "Tsk tsk, old news for me: I already got burnt by Lava in this awful place."
GM: (But again, that's something she would need to take up with Sirloin Corp, not Mongongo Studios. XD)
GM: BLOBERT: RETIRED
GM: (Let us...)
GM: !end
