The Eighth Trial

[hot_mess_express]

Who: Heroes
When: Day 17, morning
Where: the party zone The Fairy Circle

Come hither, Heroes. Prove thy worth.

Just like always, the train shudders in response to some foreign power. You’ve been here before, haven’t you? You know what will happen when you venture out of the train and into the dark forest beyond in search of some old house, or a tower, or whatever fresh nonsense awaits you.

But there’s no inexplicable new castle or what-have-you. Instead the air outside the train is filled with glittering bubbles floating lazily above what appears to be a collection of large white mushrooms grown in a circle.

Obviously there is no door, and touching any of the bubbles will simply cause them to burst. Should you step into the circle, however….

Foolish heroes, destined to be swallowed by the encroaching malice… can your hearts truly withstand the nightmare that is reality?

Darkness overtakes you.


When you wake up the first thing you may notice is this game has a soundtrack. The music appears to have no discernible source and fills the entire room. ... and what a room it is.

It appears you’ve been transported to some kind of… children’s… birthday party?

At the far end of the room is a large table with a sign above it reading HAPPY BIRTHDAY. It’s a pretty impressive set up with a variety of goodies including noise makers, party hats, disposable plates and cups, and enough sugar to fuel a whole room full of grade schoolers

The biggest and arguably most important party refreshment sits right in the middle of the table, however; a giant bowl of fruit punch. Don’t worry children it’s non-alcoholic. It's also not suspicious at all.


For now, don't worry! Mingle! Eat food! Don't think about all the bad things going on right now!! And don't forget to read the rules near the punch bowl.

RULES ☆ EFFECTS ☆ Q&A ☆ TURN-IN ☆ WINNERS & ENDGAME

Comments

[grimpa]

...Not deliberately. Have you been doing well?

[malignstar]

Got set on fire and grew feathers the other day. You?

[grimpa]

[ugh, winces sympathetically]

The Trials... Were you able to be healed?

[malignstar]

Yeah, had to give up some sparks though. Eliza was there and the new lady.

[grimpa]

Does your ability not work on yourself?

[malignstar]

Nope! Kind of sucks actually.

[grimpa]

That's unfortunate. I'm glad it wasn't more severe. Hopefully we'll see more Trials along the lines of this one.

[with an unspoken "but..."]

[malignstar]

It would be nice. So what's your favorite thing to do when you're bored?

[grimpa]

[huh. has to think about that!]

...At home, I was a woodworker, it seems. Here, I like to explore the caves.

[malignstar]

I've never gone in there. What's it like?

[grimpa]

It's a system of connected tunnels. It seems safe, now, but I wouldn't touch anything you find in there. Things that occur naturally in this world seem to often come with side effects. I've mostly seen plantlife and crystals, in there.

[malignstar]

What sort of plantlife?

[grimpa]

Mushrooms, mostly.

[malignstar]

Special mushrooms?

[grimpa]

I suspect that they would have an effect if eaten, but I haven't tried them myself.

[oblivious to any joke, there]

[malignstar]

An effect you say?

[grimpa]

...Yes. Most things here have them, like I said. What's funny?

[malignstar]

Back home, our mushrooms have effects too.

[grimpa]

[..................]

[!]

...Oh. I'm in no hurry to find out if that's the type of effect they may have.

[malignstar]

Oh, come on, I know you're curious~.

[grimpa]

Not at all! That sort of thing just makes you useless while you're affected.

[malignstar]

Nah, just more mellow.

[grimpa]

It depends on the type. Either way, I'd rather have my wits about me.

[malignstar]

Suit yourself.