STERLING A

[dramatispersonae]

[As the game begins, each team finds themselves standing in a small ring of stones. The crystal pillar rests in the center of the circle, easily within sight and hearing of everything that will be going on. You can leave and see the other columns if you like, but once the game has started you can't see what the other teams are doing.

Also present is a small wrought-iron table, on which a curious mechanical swan rests. There's a glass panel set into its back, under which you can see a corroded key. The swan seems to be completely lifeless.]

Comments

DISCUSSION

[dramatispersonae]

[Odile's voice rings clearly through the air:]

You have been given a key, my heroes. But the metal is still too corroded and weak to free your friend. Perhaps if you breathe life back into it, the metal will shine again.

Be warned, however, that you are on a strict time limit. The pillars will be completely full just as the fourth trial ends -- and if your key is not yet ready, it will not open the column. The swifter you are, the less your companion will suffer.

(( OOC: Pick a trial and go for it! Each one will have two options, one of which is worth one point (white) while the other is worth two points (black). The key will be ready after at least 5 points have been collected.

If any of the tasks are OOCly squicky and/or your group gets stuck between a black choice that's OOCly unfun and losing their teammate, then ping Odile! Alternate challenges can be arranged. Also, bonus points may or may not be available depending on how crazy/hilarious/horrifying your team is. ))

TRIALS

[dramatispersonae]

[Each symbol has been labeled with delicate golden letters:

An ornate letter A: Trial of Soul
A set of scales: Trial of Balance
A monstrous face: Trial of Courage
A stylized heart: Trial of Heart
A red droplet: Trial of Blood
A vial: Trial of Life

You get the feeling that they arranged in some sort of order and that you should probably attempt the Trial of Soul first. But there is nothing forcing you to do so.]

DISCUSSION

[dramatispersonae]

Re: DISCUSSION

[quercusoptima]

[examining the symbols '-']

... If no one strenuously objects, I would volunteer for the first one.

CHOICES

[dramatispersonae]

Put the task number (Task 1, Task 2, etc.) in the title, please.

Task 1

[lunarpsychole]

Trial of Soul.

Task 2

[deadofknight]

Trial of Balance.

Task 3

[lunarpsychole]

Trial of Courage.

Task 4

[deadofknight]

Trial of Heart.

SOUL

[dramatispersonae]

[A sheet of parchment and a quill appear in front of your mechanical swan. Despite the rain, both seem perfectly dry; the letters are clear and unsmudged. The following has been written down already:

"To grant this poor creature a soul, it must first have a name. The white swan needs only a weak collection of letters and sounds, but the black demands tribute: a memory it can call its own."]

WHITE SWAN: Name
BLACK SWAN: Name and Memory

[As always, you may choose either option, leave, or attempt something different.]

DISCUSSION

[dramatispersonae]

Re: DISCUSSION

[lunarpsychole]

... if we give the black swan a memory, will we forget it?

Re: DISCUSSION

[quercusoptima]

... A memory is fine.

Re: DISCUSSION

[shedsfear]

Oh, that's not so bad.

Re: DISCUSSION

[deadofknight]

[I will just chill and wait for this trial to finish.]

DECISION

[dramatispersonae]

BALANCE

[dramatispersonae]

[A scale appears on the table, with space on either end for two people to stand. An inscription is written on a plate of glass below it:

"My heroes, do you have the strength to balance your lives with each other? The white swan would ask that two of you share and halve a blessing, while the black demands that you and your partner both bear a doubled burden.]

WHITE SWAN: Blessing (something positive, mental or physical. Like a skill or a happy memory.)
BLACK SWAN: Burden (something negative, mental or physical. Like a wound or curse.)

DISCUSSION

[dramatispersonae]

DECISION

[dramatispersonae]

COURAGE

[dramatispersonae]

[A mirror made out of black steel appears on the table. Anyone who peers into it sees a distorted, monstrous version of themselves. The following inscription has been carved into its handle:

"What fears do you hide, my heroes? The white swan shows an image for a short while before it fades again, but the black swan's touch is more permanent."]

WHITE SWAN: Projected image of character's greatest fear
BLACK SWAN: Character's greatest fear becomes real (if possible). Otherwise, the character turns into a monster (PM Yukio for details.)

DISCUSSION

[dramatispersonae]

DECISION

[dramatispersonae]

HEART

[dramatispersonae]

[A strange silver chalice appears on the table. Rather than being round, its lip is shaped like a heart -- and filled with cold, clear water.

"Can a creature exist without a heart? Perhaps you know the answer, little heroes. The white swan asks for a symbol of love, but the black -- she must have all of your heart or nothing at all."]

WHITE SWAN: Symbol of love (poem, song, drawing, profession of love, whatever. be creative!)
BLACK SWAN: Heart (character becomes listless, cold, and unwell.)

[As always, you may choose either option, leave, or attempt something different.]

DISCUSSION

[dramatispersonae]

DECISION

[dramatispersonae]