CARNELIAN

[dramatispersonae]

You're on a sandbar in a shallow bay with a Carnelian canopy shielding you from the hot sun. Some distance away in the bay, you can make out another sandbar with an Iolite canopy on it, but it's too far away to see any more details.

Comments

ROUND ONE

[dramatispersonae]

Lorelei stands on the edge of the sandbar, holding something in her hands. She says nothing, but she holds it up to you with a plaintive expression of earnest curiosity: what is this? Then she sets it down on the sand, gives you one last longing glance, and walks into the water. There's a splash, and she's gone.

ITEM

[dramatispersonae]

Your item is a broom and dustpan.

DISCUSSION

[dramatispersonae]

 

Re: DISCUSSION

[outstandingbalance]

Seems easy enough.

Re: DISCUSSION

[takeabow]

It can't be this easy.

Re: DISCUSSION

[outstandingbalance]

Maybe, maybe not. We'll play it straight?

Re: DISCUSSION

[takeabow]

Yeah. I'm not that creative.

Re: DISCUSSION

[outstandingbalance]

So how would you describe it? You use it to clean floors by brushing dirt into the pan?

Re: DISCUSSION

[takeabow]

Uhh... tools used for clearing away dirt and debris. One gathers the dirt into piles and the other holds it until it can be thrown out?

Re: DISCUSSION

[outstandingbalance]

That's good, but it doesn't cover how to use it.

Re: DISCUSSION

[takeabow]

So how would you do it?

Re: DISCUSSION

[outstandingbalance]

Maybe that you hold it by the handle and use it brush to push dirt into the receptical?

Re: DISCUSSION

[takeabow]

Good enough for me.

Re: DISCUSSION

[outstandingbalance]

You want to submit it?

Re: DISCUSSION

[takeabow]

Sure.

SUBMIT

[dramatispersonae]

Give a description of your item's intended purpose and proper use that is as clear, accurate, and complete as possible within forty-five minutes.

Re: SUBMIT

[takeabow]

A broom and dustpan are tools used for clearing away dirt and debris. One gathers the dirt into piles and the other holds it until it can be thrown out. You hold it by the handle and use the brush to push dirt into the receptacle.

Re: SUBMIT

[dramatispersonae]

A wave washes over the sand, and the object you described is gone.

ROUND TWO

[dramatispersonae]

From somewhere out in the bay, Lorelei's voice suddenly rings out. "How boring! Your answers aren't interesting at all; surely there's more magic to human lands than that? Please tell me more interesting stories of these things!"

ITEM

[dramatispersonae]

Your item is a pair of salt and pepper shakers. Its purpose and use has been described by Iolite as follows: "'A container with a perforated top from which a seasoning, condiment, sugar, flour, or the like is shaken onto food.' The ones presented are specifically meant for salt and pepper, those two often being placed on the serving table for diners to season their meals to their own preferred taste."

DISCUSSION

[dramatispersonae]

 

Re: DISCUSSION

[outstandingbalance]

Feeling more creative now?

Re: DISCUSSION

[takeabow]

Not... really? But we can make stuff up.

Re: DISCUSSION

[outstandingbalance]

Yeah. Sounds like the best idea...

Salt and pepper shakers aren't easy though.

Re: DISCUSSION

[takeabow]

The only thing I can think is how they'd be useful in a fight.

Re: DISCUSSION

[outstandingbalance]

Either's an effective eye irritant, or they could be poisoned.

Re: DISCUSSION

[takeabow]

I was thinking eye irritant, but poison is good too. I guess the concern would be how you would set the trap.

Re: DISCUSSION

[outstandingbalance]

It'd be hard in a free for all, but if you have their trust.

Re: DISCUSSION

[takeabow]

Which direction do you want to go? Torture device or assassination tool?

Re: DISCUSSION

[outstandingbalance]

I could go either way.

Re: DISCUSSION

[takeabow]

You're killing me, Natasha.

Fine, let's go for salt and pepper in the eyes.

Re: DISCUSSION

[outstandingbalance]

So it's a self-defense device.

Re: DISCUSSION

[takeabow]

Yeah, I think so.

SUBMIT

[dramatispersonae]

Make up a new description of your item's intended purpose and proper use that is as ridiculous and inventive as possible within an hour and fifteen minutes. It can be a genuine alternative use or an extravagant lie, but either way, points will be awarded for creativity, convincingness, and effectiveness at refuting the original description.

Re: SUBMIT

[outstandingbalance]

The salt and pepper shakers are weapons that can be used if someone surprises you with an attack at a meal. Both make effective irritants, especially in the eyes. Ideally, you can screw off the top and toss the contents in your attacker's face.

Re: SUBMIT

[dramatispersonae]

There's a splash, and a sandy pathway back to the Ring appears before you...