15 Strangers

16 August 2019 @ 10:56 pm

FINAL TRIAL

[The Strangers manage to escape. By the time anyone has realized they have left, the Analemma is already on a course to a new destination, one not intended by their Conductor-who was certainly surprised to find their ride gone, hours later.

Cardia has turned off radar and other equipment that would allow anyone to find the train easily. There is no barrier around this train, so everyone can see the Clockwork Sun as it gets closer and closer.

( Turn back. You can't turn back. )

Tags: !endgame, !trial, *final week, *round 5, *trial

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15 August 2019 @ 11:05 am

FINAL INVESTIGATION

[The day has arrived.

Everyone notices the difference when the rats begin to run around, their manner of dress slowly morphing from oil-stained to black-tie in a matter of hours. They notice it when their invitations are shoved under their doors, with a note requesting them to pack everything-and everyone, animals included-in preparation for their debarkation. And to dress formally. Their arrival is expected-and imminent.

It's not long before the Strangers notice something off about the windows. They seem to shimmer, waver, before suddenly, the light changes. They are still stained glass, and the light from outside is somewhat obscured.

But it appears, somehow, the barrier is gone. And outside, the massive complex appears. It looks like a massive gated community, fitted on space rockets. Dozens upon dozens of different buildings just the four main mansions, all Victorian, each large enough to rival any World's Fair building. Each are different colors, as well, and it is towards the white building that the train begins to dock at a large yard. Several other trains are or have offloaded their passengers as the Eventide finally stops.

And from the bridge the Conductor appears at last, dressed for the occasion.. She looks at everyone, inspecting them.]

Don't worry. Your items will be off loaded by the servants. Your rooms will be ready in a few hours.

[She looks at Charlotte.]

While you do have the dispensation, the people here do not yet know this and may attempt to not allow your leave for that once the Eventide has been refueled. I will let the Butler know of this when we get off.

So. Welcome to Perdurance.

Shall we?

[With that, the doors open to massive, Romanesque arches made of marble. Mint and magenta ribbons tied to statues of an idealized Victoria flutter from their necks; the servants who come to take your luggage and animals wear her livery of gold and black as they bow their heads respectfully to you, even as the rats scurry to try and sneak in without being caught. It is clear you are to be guests of Her Enduring Majesty-and, Charlotte aside at least, you are not intended to leave any time soon.

Welcome to your new home, Strangers.

Welcome to the eternal party.]

[There are nine strangers left to enjoy it.]

Tags: !endgame

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11 August 2019 @ 10:55 am

FINAL WEEK

FINAL WEEK

[Well. What else can be said? The Little Courtesy is over. You have all survived. You are now going to your final destination-with invitations to boot. And Charlotte will be getting that private audience, as promised.

But it's not over. Everyone knows it. Confrontation is inevitable. The question is what, exactly, will happen when that confrontation happens-or if anyone will in fact be able to go with Charlotte when it happens. But you've gone this far. There's no turning back. There has to be a way.

Nothing has been certain, or simple. Whatever happens will be no different from the horrors of the Little Courtesy. Perhaps the saying might still hold. Will all be well? Will it?

It must. God help everyone if it isn't.

Seven is the Number, but there are nine strangers left in this place.]

Tags: !endgame, *final week, *round 5

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24 May 2019 @ 09:38 pm

FINAL TRIAL

[Soon enough, soon enough.

The ticking doesn't stop by the time everyone starts to congregate at the temple. It's ultimately not hard to find; after going north for a little bit, it becomes all too clear where the temple is.]

( It stands out quite easily. )

Tags: !endgame, !inquisition, !trial, *inquisition, *trial

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22 May 2019 @ 09:23 pm

FINAL INVESTIGATION

[The morning of the last day-the day of the deadline promised by the Elder Steward--there is a loud CRACK that echoes through the Mansion. It comes above, over, and around them.

Indeed, it seems to originate from outside.

Those who go outside will find themselves staring at a sky that is cracking everywhere. The cracks Osomatsu had seen before had somehow spread over the days unchecked. Now, the cracks become larger and larger, until finally, the sky itself breaks.

Glass-like pieces fall downwards as it shatters, dissipating lone before they hit the ground into sparkles. A cool breeze suddenly blows through the garden, while the sun suddenly appears for the first time, shining high in the sky. A...slightly creeping-looking, laughing sun, but that doesn't seem to be an illusion, unfortunately. Also it doesn't look ready to swoop down to attack them, which might be a small comfort.

The hole in the wall that had been made earlier is still there, large enough to crawl through. And when they do, the Strangers will find themselves in a more open grassy field, with a beach to the south.

The nice weather and grass, however, is not all that is there. It's clear there are other places in this complex to explore.]

[Before anyone can react, there is the sudden telltale ticking that begins in their heads, and their investigation scrolls appear. It's clear that the Stewards have started a countdown for them to get to the Temple, which sits beyond their immediate area, within a forest of trees that the grass transforms into. But, perhaps, the Strangers can use this to their advantage. Now, they know they have a time limit to search these places for more information about just why they are there.

Perhaps, now, they might have a chance to find something useful.

There are six strangers left. Best get to work.]

Tags: !endgame, !inquisition, !investigation, *inquisition, *investigation

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22 December 2018 @ 11:51 pm

9 AM
(THE END AND THE BEGINNING)

[Once the flash and crash has died down, there is the shouts of the passengers, and the clamor of confusion and fear.]

Is everyone all right??

[A male voice starts speaking. Akira and Kei will recognize it as the man from Investigation Point G.]

Everyone, calm down! We're...I think we're safe, I-

[Laughter. A scream. Muffled words.]

Wait-the other passengers!

[Anyone outside of the cockpits - and near dead bodies - will find the passengers all in random piles. And slowly waking up. They still have the faintest of injuries on them, they seem very confused and frightened...but they are alive.

Somewhere near Coach's carte service, a dog suddenly gasps, as does a confused, horned young lady in Premiere class, bread smushed into her cheek.

Near that, Mercedes Harmont lets out a scream, then grabs her chin, where a faint, circular scar now sits. Somewhere behind that, a man in a clown suit pops up, looking incredibly confused.]

"-'t me make this quick. Huh. What just happened?"

[It seems impossible - and those who were injured are still pretty badly injured - but otherwise?

Everyone is alive. And Hiyori - as he lies where he is - gains a vision.

~~Just pay no mind to the shuddering near the back of the plane.~~]

Tags: !endgame, *mock week

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EPILOGUE: WARRIORS OF JUSTICE

18 August 2018 @ 05:42 pm

WARRIORS OF JUSTICE

Conversion is complete...but the virus-

Probably just it's shell. Quick! Reverse the polarity and turn everyone back to normal size! We need to ask them how they did it - and try and stabilize the girl genius!

[Another bright light, but this time, also, the feeling of being squished by gravity as your ears pop. Soon enough, the forms become much clearer - and smaller. Soon enough, the sensation stops - and shouting from vaarious doctors and soldiers can be heard outside of the EPCOT and Diatron-15.]

The virus--!!

Look at the size of that thing!

Stand back, stand back! Let the micronauts have air!

[The shorter of the two men steps forward, and begins to wave their arm.]

Diatron-15! Welcome back! It appears you brought that nasty illness with you, but it can't harm anyone else now, at least! However, we need to find another way to stabilize the girl genius - you took so long her organs began to fail!

Don't worry, though, we will compensate you as promised! Please, please come out so we can put you through a check-up and decontamination! Then we can take this virus in for study!

[Ha. Ha. Hahahaha...

Well, congratulations. You are alive and back to normal size.

Also, those who have powers from before this journey will find they are back.

...

So, what now?]

Tags: !endgame, *round 3

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17 August 2018 @ 11:08 am

FINAL TRIAL

[Once everyone has managed to gather every piece of evidence they can get their hands on, there is, at last, a sense that they can go up to the top on the elevator that works. Granted, with access now granted, they probably could have gone up at any time, but it they would have been ill-prepared for what might be up there.

In any case, they might not have needed to worry.]

( There's no one here but them. )

Tags: !endgame, !inquisition, !trial, *round 3

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15 August 2018 @ 01:03 pm

FINAL INVESTIGATION

[Well, your time, your anger, your losses have led up to this.

It's time to go, and that blue card will give access to the floors above. In particular, there is the floor Barbara mentioned before the throne room, which seems to be a good idea to check out beforehand.

Indeed, it's much like the previous floors the Strangers had lived in, only smaller.]

[There is another elevator in the area, but that is inaccessible. Even using Marie's card doesn't seem to work on it. Hm. No matter. Marie's card works on all of these rooms, so it's fine, right?

In any case, if there's answers to be found about just whose in charge - and what in the world is going on - this is the last chance of finding them. You've all gotten this far, and as your teams descend on the rooms, you can feel the end is near. Hopefully, that end is not that of the universe - or of Ivy.

Good hunting, Titled.]

Tags: !endgame, !inquisition, !investigation, *round 3

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12 August 2018 @ 12:14 am

FINAL WEEK

FINAL WEEK

[Four weeks. Nine survivors.

Everything is...very quiet now. Like, surprisingly so. The lack of Marie's voice is both refreshing and strange after three weeks. But, she is gone, and even if Bottson updates the profiles to reflect that, yes, you still lost someone, you are finally free.

But are you really? There's still a lot of questions that need to be answered. For one thing, were they really inside someone's body? If so, what does it mean for the universe? Who, exactly, is Ivy, and why is her death so important? And--who is really in charge of this?

Whatever the answers are, there are still floors left to explore, with no warning as to what might be on them. It's best to rest and prepare before you do anything more, especially with one of your number still injured. There is still time left, after all, and you'll all want to be ready for whatever might be next.

There are nine strangers in this place.]

SUNDAY | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY

Tags: !endgame, *final week, *round 3

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22 December 2017 @ 08:14 am

FINAL TRIAL

[Soon after the final clue it found, the large set of double doors at the end of the hall finally open.

And beyond is what Nyaf-ya calls the Room of Reckoning. And this room is...]

( not what you expected. )

Tags: !endgame, !inquisition, !trial, *final week, *round 2

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21 December 2017 @ 07:59 am

FINAL INVESTIGATION

[Its apparent when everyone wakes up that something isn't entirely right: Loewe's profile is gone.

It becomes incredibly apparent why, when people search: the bookshelf in Cafe MYJL has been destroyed, revealing the elevator behind it. Unlike the bookshelf itself, the elevator is not rigged with any kind of scanner; the Titled can get on the elevator without any problem. And, it goes down to the basement.

But. A thought occurs to everyone before they step on the elevator. They don't want to go down unprepared. Once they get on that elevator, they may not be allowed to come back up until they have finished what they started. If they are able to come back up at all.

So. Bring your supplies, your weapons, your notes on all of the information you've thus far gathered, your pets ~~or whoever you want to steal from the cat cafe~~, and prepare.

And one you are prepared, you will find yourselves...going...

( down. )

Tags: !endgame, !inquisition, !investigation, *final week, *round 2

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24 June 2017 @ 04:26 pm

...THE BEGINNING

...THE BEGINNING

[Fifteen strangers were brought into the Depths to end the world, and they survived, with extra strangers along for the ride. Though the old world ended, creation itself has been preserved, and a new world has been born, shaped by the survivors. Portals to new worlds have been opened, and memories are slowly, but surely, returning.

And what better way is there to celebrate the beginning of a world, but with a spaghetti dinner?

Well, there was plenty of spaghetti, but some people thought that maybe there should be more than spaghetti. The Dragonborn did their best to make non-spaghetti food based on their memories of Tamrielic cuisine - being a cook themselves and cooking their own meals, even as an Emperor.

Spiced coffee with moon sugar and sweetmeat pasties in the shape of the moons, from Elweyr.

Imperial-style spiced sausage, braised in wine, and a tomato-flavored rye bread.

From Iliac Bay, a paprika-spiced rice dish with chicken and roasted peppers and a spiced banana mash in the style of Hammerfell.

From the Alik'r Deserts of Hammerfell, scorpion braised with venom sauce - which Alexis seems to like. It doesn't seem to be poisoned.

From Daggerfall, beet hummus, and stuffed dormice wrapped in bread like sandwiches.

From High Rock, Potage le Magnifique, with Alexis' special, not-lethal secret ingredient, and rock trout, along with fruit dumplings.

Lamb's bone broth with potato dumplings and vegetables, just like in the strongholds of the Orcs - with a dash of rice - and a dessert of carmelized beetroot.

Saltrice flatbreads and Telvanni-style mushroom medley with frost salts, from Morrowind.

Black Marsh King Yellow slug, served raw with some seasoning and wrapped in nut leaf. They are delicious, really.

Of course there is Skyrim's honey mead and blue cheese with honeyed oatcakes, along with horker and ash yam stew from Solstheim.

For now, it's time to relax, and celebrate the end - and beginning. Work can be done tomorrow. Questions can be answered later, if any are left. For now, eat, and enjoy. Bring your friends from home. Be happy, and remember.

There were 15 strangers.

But they are not strangers anymore.]

((OOC: Congratulations on ending Round 1 with the Golden End! For this feast, characters may bring people from their own canons to mingle with other players! Assume that portals have been opened for everyone by this time to go back and forth from their home worlds.

While you're here, please feel free to hit up the HMD, and we'll see you all when Round 2 happens!))

Tags: !endgame, *round 1

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22 June 2017 @ 07:25 pm

The End...

THE END...

[When the Titled wake up next, it's to void darkness.

There is nearly nothing left after what has happened, save for the blackness. Save for themselves, the Dragonborn and Serana as they hold each other, the Thalmor prisoner (who is clearly in shock), the body of the dragon they had attacked in the distance, the tower in the even further distance...

and an old man, sitting on nothing, clapping wildly.]

Bravo! Bravo!! Encore!! That was just amazing.

[Confetti starts to fill the air. It catches fire mid-way to the..ground. Whatever counts as ground now.]

Nothing like a good old world-ending riot, I always say! You all deserve an award for ending the universe as I knew it. Have some bread!

[Bread that looks like Papyrus' pops into their hands. It smells like chicken and god only knows what it tastes like.]

Go on, have a bite!

[This was probably not what anyone was expecting when the world ended.]

Tags: !endgame, *round 1

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17 June 2017 @ 01:14 pm

FINAL TRIAL

[The doors at the other end of the city do not open for the Titled. However, whatever is going on in there still brings forth bright lights from within, and ultimately, it is to the steps of the entrance that everyone is drawn to. It's not the most formal setting for figuring out the truth of the matter before them.

Eric's brought the snacks, at least.

The Dragonborn sits at the top of the stairs, looking down as everyone congregates.]

...Having this key...I am certain I can open the door with little difficulty. But before I do we must make certain we know and understand exactly what we will be facing. What we are facing. These people...they are doing something and we must ensure we can somehow stop it.

[The end is near. The objectives of this quest are simple:

Who is the Mastermind? What is going on in this world? And...of course...why did the Mastermind want to kill 15 strangers?

Good luck, Titled.]

Tags: !endgame, !inquisition, !trial, *round 1

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15 June 2017 @ 01:26 pm