hot_mess_express ([personal profile] hot_mess_express) wrote in [community profile] auroraexpress2019-03-22 08:50 pm

The Eighth Trial

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.

RULESEFFECTSQ&ATURN-INWINNERS & ENDGAME
bowtiedbones: (22)

[personal profile] bowtiedbones 2019-03-23 10:39 pm (UTC)(link)
I've been thinking that I want to get a workspace. My room is too small for the scale I like to work at, so I've been using the healing pod room.
grimpa: (38)

[personal profile] grimpa 2019-03-23 11:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[nods!]

What sort of projects would you want to pursue? --Ah, no, it's your turn.
bowtiedbones: (27)

[personal profile] bowtiedbones 2019-03-23 11:09 pm (UTC)(link)
You can use that for the next question. Have you been doing anything for fun lately?
grimpa: (100)

[personal profile] grimpa 2019-03-23 11:18 pm (UTC)(link)
...I've been exploring the caves, some.

[is that fun]
grimpa: (66)

[personal profile] grimpa 2019-03-23 11:26 pm (UTC)(link)
...Yes? It's mostly mushrooms and crystals, now.
bowtiedbones: (45)

[personal profile] bowtiedbones 2019-03-23 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Still! Don't go down there without your phone, okay?
grimpa: (102)

[personal profile] grimpa 2019-03-23 11:31 pm (UTC)(link)
I always have my Chain.
bowtiedbones: (75)

[personal profile] bowtiedbones 2019-03-23 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Okay, good.

Um, your turn.
grimpa: (04)

[personal profile] grimpa 2019-03-23 11:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[nods!!]

What are you working on?
bowtiedbones: (55)

[personal profile] bowtiedbones 2019-03-24 01:32 am (UTC)(link)
I'm working out a couple things, but mostly I'm preparing to do a summon with a skeleton from one of the jungle vipers.
grimpa: (63)

[personal profile] grimpa 2019-03-24 02:07 am (UTC)(link)
Do the things you summon come automatically under your control?
bowtiedbones: (9)

[personal profile] bowtiedbones 2019-03-24 02:12 am (UTC)(link)
Necromatic summons do, since they can't exist if they're not bound to me. Beast summons are trickier, but the summoning won't work if it's an animal that's going to be overly uncooperative anyways— otherwise why would they bother answering in the first place?
Edited 2019-03-24 02:12 (UTC)
grimpa: (37)

[personal profile] grimpa 2019-03-24 02:19 am (UTC)(link)
I see. That seems like very powerful magic.
bowtiedbones: (54)

[personal profile] bowtiedbones 2019-03-24 02:33 am (UTC)(link)
It's not that big a deal at the basic levels, but I'm pretty high-tier as professionals go.
grimpa: (11)

[personal profile] grimpa 2019-03-24 02:38 am (UTC)(link)
What is the purpose of magic like that, in your home world? You aren't a combatant, right?
bowtiedbones: (51)

[personal profile] bowtiedbones 2019-03-24 02:50 am (UTC)(link)
Oh gosh no! I'm a scholar! I use my magic for researching extinct species.
grimpa: (100)

[personal profile] grimpa 2019-03-24 09:09 pm (UTC)(link)
To understand their behavior?
bowtiedbones: (27)

[personal profile] bowtiedbones 2019-03-24 11:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Behavior, locomotion, and their magic usage.
grimpa: (04)

[personal profile] grimpa 2019-03-25 12:33 am (UTC)(link)
Is it rewarding work for you?
bowtiedbones: (51)

[personal profile] bowtiedbones 2019-03-25 12:41 am (UTC)(link)
I love it! I've learned so much doing this, I've gotten to work with some amazing animals, the sense of accomplishment for finishing a summoning is huge, and I'm never ever going to run out of things to study.
grimpa: (107)

[personal profile] grimpa 2019-03-25 12:47 am (UTC)(link)
[nods!]

It must be nice to have something tangible to go along with your studies, from your summons. I think knowledge is important, but I would find it difficult to do work where I couldn't see something as a firm result.
bowtiedbones: (46)

[personal profile] bowtiedbones 2019-03-25 12:53 am (UTC)(link)
Oh gosh, for sure. I had to ditch so many tutors that were only theoretical necromancers! I can't go with just thinking about how it works, I need to get out an do it!
grimpa: (102)

[personal profile] grimpa 2019-03-25 12:58 am (UTC)(link)
I'm glad you were able to find instructors that suited you.
bowtiedbones: (1)

[personal profile] bowtiedbones 2019-03-25 03:10 am (UTC)(link)
It only took forever! But I have a veterinary pathologist advising me now, and she's been great.