dramatispersonae | [GAME 38] EMERALD

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[GAME 38] EMERALD

[You find yourself on a circular island of grass. Though night has fallen, the island is surprisingly well-illuminated by a stone lantern at its center. The lantern's light reaches far enough to reveal that the island is surrounded by water -- a pond? The water's glassy, greenish surface is only broken by the stems of huge white lotuses. Each lotus flower seems to glow ever so slightly, providing just a bit more light to the scene. The air is full of the scent of flowers and greenery, and the sound of crickets is almost deafening at first. It doesn't seem a stretch to assume that you're in some sort of garden.

Four ornamental wooden bridges, painted red, stretch over the pond in opposite directions. You can't tell where they lead. For the moment, the entrance to each bridge is blocked by a thickly-woven rope with zigzags of white paper hanging from them.

There is no moon in the sky, and the stars are only dim points of light.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[At first, all you can see of the island is a large weeping willow. Its drooping branches encircle the perimeter of the island like a living curtain. Brush them aside, however, and you will find the usual lantern at its trunk. Around the lantern are several sotoba -- the wooden boards on which the posthumous name of the deceased are written -- giving it the look of a graveyard. They are too worn and faded to make out the writing on them. In front of the lantern is a stone step on which three cards have been placed. Funeral incense smolders next to the cards.

Upon seeing the cards, you instantly know the task associated with each.

✿ willow with poet: one person must let the others view/experience one of their greatest fears (10 points)
✿ willow with swallow: each person must experience one of their worst fears (5 points)
✿ rain and lightning: one person must experience one of their worst fears (1 point)

Which will you choose?]

. . . not so cheery. I guess we should compare fears and see which is the least awful.

Mine would be quite underwhelming.

What is it?

Hugging. They're rather uncomfortable. I don't particularly have enough memories of fear.

. . .

Isn't that a discomfort rather than a fear, then? Or does it genuinely make your skin crawl?

Not quite the skin crawling that this game would require, I think.

Re: [WILLOW]

steampunked - 2011-06-01 23:55 (UTC) - Expand

Re: [WILLOW]

forthefonofit - 2011-06-01 23:56 (UTC) - Expand

Re: [WILLOW]

steampunked - 2011-06-01 23:57 (UTC) - Expand

Re: [WILLOW]

twilight_boy - 2011-06-01 23:59 (UTC) - Expand

Re: [WILLOW]

steampunked - 2011-06-02 00:00 (UTC) - Expand

Re: [WILLOW]

twilight_boy - 2011-06-02 00:02 (UTC) - Expand

I don't remember enough to share much of anything, but I can be the witness.

It sounds like pretty personal stuff, though.

Are you sure you're okay with witnessing stuff? I've got fears, but they're not exactly pleasant.

If you're ok with me knowing it, I'm ok with it.

. . .

Right. Okay, then, if we're all okay with it, we'll look at one of mine.

Thanks.

...I don't remember.

Are you willing to face someone else's fear, then?

...If they're willing, yes.

[the fear:

It begins with a sense of power, the exertion of power. Having it, like a wellspring in your body. Seeing nothing but light, pushing for creation, accomplishing a goal -- nothing but exertion and strength, and the joy of strength, hearing and seeing the world in a whole new way. It's a beautiful feeling, and terrifying, raw power, raw energy.

Then your vision clears, that sense of power fades, and all around you are dead bodies, lying silent. There is no blood, no wounds, no explanation for how they died, but they lay in sad piles around you, faces locked in endless grimaces. They're faces you recognise. People from other teams, and knights. Then, perhaps, you will all see your own dead faces. And as you look upon your own faces, you come to realise the reason why everyone around you is dead. It was you. Your power, that sense of completion and raw energy. You've killed everyone. You can't control your own strength. With all that power, all of that productivity, you've only brought death and ruin and pain. And it'll always be the same.

You'll never achieve anything.

That was cheerful!]

[As soon as you complete the task, two bridges appear, leading to other islands. The card you have earned remains on the step, while the other two disappear.]