FINAL INVESTIGATION

[strangerpeople]

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?




It's even worse. The tree has taken over. Whatever lives here is no longer in charge. There's no easy way to disentangle the Qilphoth from this place. But there is life here, somehow. You can see figures entangled within the roots as you explore. And-they are still, somehow, alive. More than alive. They are beings that bleed ichor instead of blood-beings of incredible divinity and power. They are gods. And they are hostage to the tree, forever and ever, trapped in induced ennui, unless something is done.


So welcome, Strangers, to the House of Hades.]







[Once you enter, the investigation shall begin.


Good luck.]



((OoC: And here are team assignments!))

Comments

[pegasinister]

Like I said- just a hunch. Likely nothing of note at all. But I can not help but think they are important some how.

...

And it would be enjoyable to have an excuse to destroy them, would it not?

[exequte]

Maybe, but....

I don't think they actually... mind it that much.

Like I said, they didn't seem to hesitate to keep talking to me and....

The trials....

Have you seen them there?

[pegasinister]

No, only heard descriptions after. I have never been close enough to Roland during them outside my-

-well. I was not paying attention at that time.

[exequte]

.... Yes. I wouldn't think you would have....

But...

It seems like some of them die every time. It's like they don't care, though. Or...

I don't know.

I don't know what those creatures are, but they aren't.... They don't seem like anything normal.

[pegasinister]

Well. If any show up I trust you not to give them the time of day. They have a rancid look to them.

[He wrinkles his nose at the stuffed one]

[exequte]

There were several that....

The last trial. When you and Aoi were....

A few of them tried to move. I think... they were trying to come towards me. I guess I was with everyone else, though....

Do you really think they have something to do with this?

[pegasinister]

[He scowls at that- he's not SURPRISED but....]

None of the other beasts and creatures that have appeared here have followed us into the trial room.

[exequte]

I don't know if they followed us. After all, it's not like most of us can see them, not unless we're close enough to Roland... but. It seemed like they were just there. It was kind of creepy. They looked like they were watching a show or something, but... it doesn't seem like their expressions ever change. Like they're some kind of puppet, and not a living creature.

[pegasinister]

If they are not involved it is somehow eerier.

[exequte]

Their eyes glow red.

Maybe... maybe they laid a curse on all of this. Or maybe... they are the curse that was laid.

[pegasinister]

Well, they will find me a much more terrifying curse than anything they can do.

[exequte]

We'll figure out a way for you to see them and then set you loose.

[pegasinister]

[He chuckles in dark delight at the idea]

[exequte]

Tell the truth... you practiced that laugh until you thought it was menacing enough, didn't you?

1/2

[pegasinister]

[pegasinister]

...what a 15 year old Hubert did in the privacy of his quarters is no one's business but his, thank you very much.

[exequte]

[Her own laughter is bright and bell-like, and he will get a chance to hear it right now.]

[hatesdeerstalkers]

My dear, you can't just reveal a villain's secrets like that! There are rules!

[Wait nope he's popped his head back in to say that, though quieter this time.]

[pegasinister]

Her cruelty knows no bounds...

[hatesdeerstalkers]

Such a terrible taskmaster we both have, hm? Alas!

[pegasinister]

[he nods in agreement- but somehow there's an aura of anime sparkles and warmth coming off him at the idea regardless.]

[hatesdeerstalkers]

[Conversations to be had later, then, as Moriarty also gives off an aura of warmth and amusement, even as a shadowy robe with eyes.]

[exequte]

Hubert...! Daddy...!!

[she cannot believe they are ganging up on her like this OH, THE HUMANITY.]

[pegasinister]

So much bullying...

[unpossibilities]

I think Akane is nice and I, for one, am grateful to have her.

[he's. a good boy. arf. arf.]