The Fifteen Strangers Mods
strangerpeople
23 July 2023 @ 07:11 pm
SING, O GODDESS  
SING, O GODDESS



[The place that Zagreus brings them to is an abandoned house. Like the rest of Greece, at first the grass and plants are dead, withered. But only at first.

As everyone files into the garden, it starts to slowly come to life. flowers begin to bloom. Fruits and vegetables start to sprout from the soil. The trees begin to grow once more. Wheat stalks slowly pop up out of the ground. Wherever this is, it's clear that life is returning-and the gods are awakening.

It's probably best that they don't return to the underworld, to the House of Hades-but, if anyone wishes to, Charon has arrived with the dead from the previous rounds-now alive-and little baby Ayame. If anyone wishes to go there-though, why would anyone ever willingly go back to the House, knowing you-know-who is probably awake by now?-they can.

But for those who stay here, there is food and drink, wine and bread, fresh meat and ripe crudités. Talk. Plot. Say your goodbyes before you are SHIFTed back to your homeworlds.

Who knows? Maybe there are still some surprises left to be had. But, either way...it is a good day. The new moon will pass. The sun will rise.

The Game-or at least, this variation of it-is over.]



((OoC: And with this, Round 7 is complete! Thank you everyone who participated-we hope you enjoy the aftermath, and stay tuned for the SHIFT Meme and HMD!))
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The Fifteen Strangers Mods
strangerpeople
21 July 2023 @ 10:18 pm
FINAL TRIAL  
FINAL TRIAL
(1 of Hekatombaion)



[When the time comes, Charon arrives on a boat, hrrhrrhrring a little tune as he rows. No need to worry about space, even with all of the shades coming with. Fluffles, unsurprisingly, doesn't go; he does see everyone off, at least, before he falls asleep.

With a final hnnnngrrrgh, they're off. Charon is the master of the Styx, in his own way, deftly avoiding roots and branches from the Qliphoth as he guides his charges up through the layers of the underworld. From the dark and gloomy green of Tartarus, to the lava-flooded Asphodel and it's giant many-headed bone snake, sadly snarled in demonic roots (without thinking, Zack waves to it), on through the lazy rivers of Elysium, and lastly through the pitch stink of the corridors of a temple separating the underworld from the living world.

Throughout, there is eerie quiet. No shades appear to watch their procession-indeed the few wisps around seem to be fleeing, hiding. No rats try to bite Zack's face off. Aside from Lernie, there's truly nothing but tree, tree, and more tree.

Finally, though, the surface air hits, and it is...not cold, but not warm, either. Though, as everyone disembarks, that's probably not what catches everyone's attention. No-it is the barren fields of ancient Greece, just outside the entrance to the underworld-and there is only one thing alive in the area.

( By blood and darkness... )
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The Fifteen Strangers Mods
strangerpeople
20 July 2023 @ 09:54 am
FINAL INVESTIGATION  
FINAL INVESTIGATION



[Fifteen X-Passes. Six weeks. Freedom at last.



But it's not the end. Of course it's not. There are questions to answer, and souls to save. And now that the group is outside, they can see where they are.

They are inside a massive cavern, illuminated in an eerie green light, standing on a stone path. On one side is the ship-or rather, a massive, ship-shaped tangle of bloody branches, the trunk-like roots snaking out and into the river its buoyed on, as well as into the ceiling of stalactites. Said river is wine dark, but it's clearly not water. No-it is blood.

And on the other side of their little pathway? A root-encrusted palace. It sits over a labyrinthine city, bathed in emerald, and all is eerily silent save for some sounds coming from within the castle. It's clear the infestation somehow started here. And it is here that answers are likely to be found.

The doors are right in front of the group-and they are already open, covered in branches. From the outside, it seems little more than a ruin. Once everyone goes in, though?




( Oh my. )
 
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ᴀᴋᴀɴᴇ 【JUNE】 ᴋᴜʀᴀsʜɪᴋɪ
exequte
15 July 2023 @ 07:57 pm
trial 4 afterparty  
[Boy, that all sure Just Happened, didn't it? It Sure Hecking Did.

Akane helps drag anyone who needs it out of the theater as best as she, a tiny frail sick girl, can, before heading straight to Hubert's room and retrieving the letter he had told her was there, and then finding a sheet of paper, a pen, and a small knife, writing a short one of her own, and paying Charon to send it to the afterlife.

After this she brings Hubert's letter to the mess hall, as gathering for food after these things seems like the common thread that's bound all of them together.

Akane herself still has a lowgrade fever, and that last trial was not easy on her, but it seems to her like there's more important things to do at the moment.]
 
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The Fifteen Strangers Mods
strangerpeople
16 July 2023 @ 09:57 pm
WEEK 6  
WEEK 6




[Fifteen X-Passes. You've finally done it. You can now go free. However, the price has been steep. Too steep.




True, you can leave. Anyone can, now. But simply leaving may be a bad idea. After all, who knows what else Zero has up its sleeve? Who knows what's outside of the HMHS Gigantic? How will they survive? How will they eat? And those are the easy questions that need to be answered. After all, the mystery of Zero, the mystery of Zack, the mystery of who is the cause of all of this and why-those things are also seemingly impossible to answer without some preparation. There's also the new area that's opened up that may yet yield more for the survivors to mull over.


Rushing is surely a bad idea. It's time to prepare. Take the time to get ready for whatever is outside. Stock up on supplies. Write what needs to be written. Say what needs to be said. Get ready for the possibility that whatever is out there, whatever the answers are-they will not be easy, and they will not be quick.


More than that, but-where are all these cuts coming from on your body? Hm. Maybe you keep bumping into things or scratching too hard. Did everyone save Roland get super clumsy or something all of a sudden?


Well. Maybe the answers to all that are just around the corner. So. Let's get ready. The end is near.


There are 8 9 strangers currently on this ship.



Wait. Nine?]
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The Fifteen Strangers Mods
strangerpeople
14 July 2023 @ 10:32 pm
THE FOURTH TRIAL  
THE FOURTH TRIAL
(~SK. 24-25)





[There's no announcement informing the Strangers to come into the theater. There is only the sound of the doors opening, beckoning those left to come inside. It's best not to tarry-really, do you want to know what happens if they refuse to go to the trial?

When they enter the theater, it's...different. Sort of. Maybe it's because the area where the podiums are covered in donuts (and yes, Roland will see the little white animals pop over and pinch a few off the top). Maybe it's the fact that more spaces are draped in black. Maybe it's the fact that Zack's podium is also missing from where it sat, leaving nothing but donuts-in fact, that's where the primary pile of donuts are. Digging through that pile will only yield donuts, and nothing more.

(Some of the animals try to approach Akane. They disintegrate before they get two steps. Apparently they're better off eating the donuts.)

But-most of all-it's the fact that Zero is not on the screens that pop out through the theater. There's nothing but static. And while the curtains are closed, you know you are being watched regardless.




Uh. So. Maybe it's not worth waiting for Zero on this.


The trial for the murder of Zack Prince, the One, has begun.]
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The Fifteen Strangers Mods
strangerpeople
13 July 2023 @ 12:13 pm
THE FOURTH INVESTIGATION  
THE FOURTH INVESTIGATION
(~SK. 24)




[Morning, Strangers! There's no sun shining, there're no birds singing, the threat of memory loss hangs in the air, and--oh.




That sure is a trail of blood in the D Deck hallway where the bedrooms are. But. I'm sure it's nothing, right?








Right??????!!?]
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The Fifteen Strangers Mods
strangerpeople
09 July 2023 @ 12:15 am
WEEK 5  
WEEK 5



[Morning breaks. Memories return. And those who ventured to the DEAD have opened the doors. New areas have opened-and as Sunday comes, the survivors will find that their rules have also changed.

Someone is displeased. Now, there is no preventing the bodies from being subsumed by the ship without the offender being punished with death. No more mercy will be given. There will not be a third time the ship is deprived.

What is to happen now? There's still one more floor that seems to be locked. There is still no escape aside from the X-Door. Will more have to die for the X-Door to be opened? It seems like it, sadly. It's clearly just a question of when.

And-what are those skittering and scratching noises? They are behind the walls, on the ceilings, under the floors. They persist all day and all night. And it's not just the skittering-a foghorn sound at midnight and sounds for the whole hours. Beams snap and creak, the ship as a whole shutters and groans, the noises echoing throughout.

For everyone but Hubert, their sleep will not come easy. Only Hubert will find a pair of earplugs for him to use, after all. Of course, this isn't fair, but-isn't that what Zero always says?


There are currently 11 strangers on this ship.]
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Blade Master Alastor
superstylishsquid
08 July 2023 @ 08:03 pm
Afterparty Buffet  
[So, that trial sure happened, didn't it? And on nearly empty stomachs, no less. That's why people might catch Alastor headed for the kitchen as soon as they're out of the theater, obviously intent on making food. He's in there a while, actually, and the hallway outside of it smells strongly of some rather tasty food.

What he's up to will become clear when he goes around to tell people to visit the mess hall. There, he's set up a varied buffet on one of the tables, all of various foods easy to serve in small portions. This includes small slices of beef only very lightly seared on the outside, but also more fully cooked fare, and even a few fruit and vegetable dishes. Plus the requisite spread of alcohol, because it sure has been A Day, huh?

...Also, while Hermes obviously doesn't eat, he still gets the instructions to go to the mess hall. Huh.]
 
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The Fifteen Strangers Mods
strangerpeople
07 July 2023 @ 07:31 pm
THE THIRD TRIAL  
THE THIRD TRIAL
(~SK. 17-18)



[When the investigation ends, the D O N G rings throughout the ship, followed by Zero's voice.]

It is time. Everyone, come to the theater. Time is...wasting.

[And so it is. The seating has once more changed to reflect the fallen-Moriarty and now Brain's podiums are draped in black. And, of course, there is no food-

The screens come up, and the mask of Zero appears, ever inscrutable. Their instructions are brief.]

Your Brain is gone, I'm afraid. Cut into pieces and cast aside...and someone here knows why. Now, it's time for you to discover the truth as well...if you can.


[The trial for the murder of Brain, the Blue, has begun.]
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The Fifteen Strangers Mods
strangerpeople
06 July 2023 @ 10:55 am
THE THIRD INVESTIGATION  
THE THIRD INVESTIGATION
(~SK. 17)



[It's Friday, Friday. Or...something like that. What is up with the calendar in this place?


Anyways, everyone knows what's happened in the past two weeks: someone has died. And, unfortunately, there's no reason to think someone else has not fallen prey to someone who wishes to fulfill the motive. But...maybe you're lucky this time. Maybe someone doesn't have someone they hate enough to kill for. Let's be honest with ourselves-saving someone you love is understandable. Switching with someone you hate? Surely no one would go that far for someone that they don't like.



Right?



OOC: Content Warning: This investigations involves dismemberment.]
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The Fifteen Strangers Mods
strangerpeople
01 July 2023 @ 11:00 pm
WEEK 4  
WEEK 4




[The betrayals have begun. Moriarty is dead, and it was his "child" who killed him.



Everyone is exhausted, and who can blame them? Their loved ones were threatened last week, and there seems to be no end to Zero's game. The blood will continue to flow, even as the ship's temperature goes back to normal. And the magic Zero mentioned? None of the Strangers are apparently capable of using it.

There's another thing as well: the new floor. New floor, new rooms to explore. More mysteries to unravel, and-huh. Is that a vine creeping up the wall? No, no, it's a trick of the eye-one only Roland can see with such maddening clarity, surely.

Lastly...is it just you, or...is the food in the kitchen and pantry getting...less? It must just be you, since when she checks, Akane can get plenty of food wherever she looks, no problem.


It's probably nothing, and the food will be restocked as always. Right?





There are currently 13 strangers in this place.]
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Val
valkavian
01 July 2023 @ 08:46 pm
It belongs in a GREAT BIG FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIAAAAAAAH  
[ So, Akane is probably in NO condition to host the afterparty, so Val's gonna do the honors here. She leaves a note where everyone can see it once everyone's properly exited the theater: ]

Come to the tea room. I'll get y'all some fucking marshmallows.

[ She's not cooking, but she brought some skewers and the appropriate fixings for both hot dogs and smores and put them aside on a little table, as well as some soda and every possible booze this ship had.

Most of the tables and chairs have been just pushed off to the far end of the room, but some furniture has been sacrificed to start a huge fucking bonfire in the middle of the tea room. Precautions have been taken to keep this shit from spreading, but here we are.

She's content to let most people mingle amongst themselves, but she will be muttering something as y'all come in. ]

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil-

[ A pause. ]

Where my eternal quest takes me, I shall know no fear. My heart is strong and my blood stronger.
 
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The Fifteen Strangers Mods
strangerpeople
01 July 2023 @ 12:02 am
THE SECOND TRIAL  
THE SECOND TRIAL
(~SK. 10-11)



[Once the investigation wraps up, Zero's voice emanates once more throughout the Gigantic. The doors to the theater on both the C Deck and D Deck open as he speaks. And yes, when people come in through the C Deck Doors, they will find they can access the lower level from the stairs.

Yay?]

It is time. Come to the theater.

I wouldn't worry about bringing blankets.

[And indeed, when the Strangers come into the theater, they will find that the room is considerably warmer compared to the rest of the ship. There are also changes to the podiums-John, Anya and Kaito's places are all draped in black.

The screens schlllorrrp back in, with Zero's face appearing after a moment of static.]

Of course I am here for any questions. But I believe you know how this goes, so I suggest you begin. Justice delayed is...justice denied.

[The trial for Kaito Momota, The High King, has begun.]
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The Fifteen Strangers Mods
strangerpeople
29 June 2023 @ 10:24 am
THE SECOND INVESTIGATION  
THE SECOND INVESTIGATION
(~SK. 10)



[It is freezing. The temperature? Who knows at this point.

Today is a day for blankets and whatever you can grab to keep yourself warm. It truly seems like there is a winter without end, and that eventually everything will wither and die, including you. So bitter. So harsh. So cruel.

It's not fair. Then again, didn't Zero say life isn't fair? Well, Zero isn't freezing his butt off. Really, it's just too cold on the ship to do much of anything outside of keeping warm. Like, say, murder.



Right? Well. There's only one way to find out. So, what are the Strangers doing as they wake up shivering on this cold, cold day, which may or may not be a Friday according to the calendar?]
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The Fifteen Strangers Mods
strangerpeople
24 June 2023 @ 11:34 pm
WEEK 3  
WEEK 3



[The week begins as last week began. But there's is a great difference-murder. It has happened. Blood has been drawn; it cannot be undone. The Game has made itself known. The Game is paramount. The Game simply is.

As morning dawns, those who were not present with the DEAD lock will find that the doors that were locked are now gone-and a whole new area has finally opened up to them. They will also find that they remember something they had not been able to recall beforehand. The question is, was it worth it?

And-is it you, or is the ship getting...colder as the hours go by? No, it's not just you. By the end of Sunday, the ship has started to dip into freezing temperatures. It might be difficult for people to bundle up-unless you're Brain, who will find his closet inundated with winter clothing that fit him perfectly.

Yup. This is going to be a long week, as if last week wasn't bad enough.



There are currently 16 strangers in this place.]
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ᴀᴋᴀɴᴇ 【JUNE】 ᴋᴜʀᴀsʜɪᴋɪ
exequte
24 June 2023 @ 07:32 pm
Case 1 Afterparty  
[That had been a lot. That trial had been a lot. But while Akane half feels like she's dreaming, or like she's waking from a nightmare, and though her head hurts from crying, she had made a promise. A part of her takes refuge in that, as though it were a life ring tossed to a drowning man.

Consequently she has retraced her steps, returned to the kitchen that she'd gone to this morning, and is making soup.

Everyone else who is trapped on this ship are free to disseminate as they will, to pursue their own interests or to grieve, but soon enough after anyone who comes into the dining hall or kitchen (and especially you, Hubert, she is finding you and dragging you in if you will not willingly submit) is going to be offered a bowl of soup.

Everybody feel free to join in on the soup party or else set up your own scenarios, I'm not your mom.]
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The Fifteen Strangers Mods
strangerpeople
23 June 2023 @ 09:18 pm
THE FIRST TRIAL  
THE FIRST TRIAL
(~SK. 3-4)



[When the investigation wraps up, there is a low, rumbling <D O N G, which vibrates throughout the ship. This is followed by the sound of creaking doors opening on the D Deck-the locked doors at the end of the hall.

Zero's voice speaks through the ship once this happens.]

The Investigation has ended. It is time for the Trial. Please proceed into the theater.

I suggest you be quick about it.

[And when you do...you will find a completely empty theater. There is a higher level, but this is currently blocked off by ropes, as is the stage itself. Anyone who attempts to jump the ropes will find themselves knocked on their butts; it seems there's no choice but to go to the podiums, located in the orchestra area of the theater. Notably, the podiums for bunks 6 and 7 are empty, draped with black crinoline and adorned with a photo of the deceased. And in the center of the podiums is...a birthday cake with some confetti surrounding it, along with some drinks. No indication whose birthday it is, but that's pretty much all you'll see in this otherwise very bare, quiet place.



CW: animal death


Unless, of course, you're the Eye. If you're the Eye, you will see every seat filled, if not by a root or vine, then by a...thing with glowing red eyes. One of these...things tries to move towards Anya-and immediately, after suddenly glowing red, thunks over sideways, it's head popping off with an almost comical P O P. The majority of the other...things stare at it before resuming their...whatever they're doing, while one of the things sitting next to it looks over, then towards the stage, then slowly hops off the seat and out the door.

Oh, and he doesn't even get his own podium. Aoi and Makima, good luck to you-Roland's been squeezed in between you, forced to take podium 3. You get to also see what he sees.

Once everyone's in place, A large wide screen....screen schlllorps from the stage, and Zero's face pops in once it turns on.]


Welcome to the Trial. Please, enjoy the refreshments. You will be here until you have either convicted the correct culprit-or, the culprit successfully gets away with it. If you have not familiarized yourself with the guidelines, I suggest you do so now.

All evidence is also available for review on your watches, if need be. Take your time, but...do not delay. Justice must be served.

[Well? No reason to delay. Power is dead. Very dead. And now it is time to figure out who would kill her with explogurt for a cheeseburger-if that's even what happened.


The trial of Power, The Drop, has begun.]
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The Fifteen Strangers Mods
strangerpeople
22 June 2023 @ 11:43 am
THE FIRST INVESTIGATION  
THE FIRST INVESTIGATION
(~SK. 3)


[Morning comes.


It's quiet on the HMHS Gigantic. No birds sing, no sun shines, and everyone's still stuck with the threat of death. Even if the threat of death involves a ticket to a theme park. And a cheeseburger. Indeed, people went to bed last night confident in their belief that no one would ever kill for something so paltry.

Seriously, a cheeseburger. It's something people can make in ten minutes.

Anyways, it's time to wake up, and go through the motions of the day as usual.

So, Strangers.

What are you doing this fine day?]
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The Fifteen Strangers Mods
strangerpeople
17 June 2023 @ 01:13 pm
Week 2  
WEEK 2


[
It's been one week on the Gigantic
and it's clear that Zero
is a big dickzzzzzsht




A week has passed. However, there is no denying anymore that the power Zero possesses is very real. One person is already dead because of this, regardless of what, exactly, the Gimme's role in it was.

There is also no denying that the ship is somehow powered by blood, if not made of blood entirely. Why? How? And what do the clues uncovered in the previous week have to do with it?

The watches, meanwhile have not changed in any way. Everyone is still in their color groups. The doors to the next floor are still locked as well. Perhaps those are also murder dependent. Which is...also not good. But at least there's food and laundry down here, so...maybe it'll get boring eventually, but for now, infinite confinement on the bottom decks of the ship may not be so bad. right?

...Right?



There are currently 18 strangers on this ship.]
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