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

[bowtiedbones]

I don't mind getting asked twice, but it's not a double question that I'm asking. "None" is a cop-out answer.

[voreaciously]

I have no issue with that. An answer is an answer.

[bowtiedbones]

But it's an answer that’s boring.

[voreaciously]

I am a very boring person.

[like, just so casually]

[bowtiedbones]

This is going to be a slow game if that's true.

It's your turn to ask a question.

[voreaciously]

You are free to leave at your leisure, Miss Eliza.

[she doesn't want that, because she wants to win, but keeping people in her terrible company isn't something she wants either]

Are there any bones you would not like to have?

[bowtiedbones]

I'm fine. I'm not playing that excitingly either with ignoring the Drink part of the game. Even when I played this with real alcohol, I had water.

But... mm, bones I don't have a use for? I like skeletons, but like, I don't need a random raccoon femur for example. What would I do with that? I don't want or need any human bones.

[voreaciously]

Duly noted. It is your question, Miss.

[bowtiedbones]

How old are you?

[voreaciously]

...

[god fuck

fuck this is actually hard. She pauses to consider it.]

Seventeen is likely the simplest answer.

[bowtiedbones]

It feels like there's a lot of teenagers on this train.

[voreaciously]

I would not know.

[she doesn't speak to anyone if she can help it.]

How old are you?

[bowtiedbones]

I'm 24.

[voreaciously]

[oh wow, huh. learn something new every day.]

I see.

[bowtiedbones]

I know I don't always look it, though.

[voreaciously]

[try EVER

nah jk]

It is not for me to question or judge.

[bowtiedbones]

Nope, that job is for club bouncers.

[voreaciously]

[eliza your wonderful personality is wasted on her, truly.]

Ah...yes, I suppose so?

[she's not wrong.]

It is your question.

[bowtiedbones]

[she tries!!]

Besides the vipers, have you seen any other creatures in the jungle?

[voreaciously]

I have. I have another skeleton for you, incidentally.

[bowtiedbones]

[INSTANTLY FORGETTING THERE'S A TRIAL ON]

You do? What kind?? Have you cleaned it? The vipers have been so tidy to work with!

[voreaciously]

Three questions. Yes. It is some sort of mutant gecko. Yes.

[she is good at cleaning stuff and takes that as a bit of praise, easing slightly.]

[bowtiedbones]

Oh! Do you want to ask three questions now? Otherwise I want to ask more about the gecko.

[voreaciously]

Does healing magic exist in your world? If so, how does it function? What is your favourite food?

[bowtiedbones]

There are healers, but it's used as a complement to normal hospital care, not so much as an alternative. A lot of what would we consider healing magic actually isn't regenerative, like the pods here are? That would take so much energy. Your doctor isn't going to automagically regrow a broken arm, but they could use their magic to help set or image it without a big cast or X-ray. During surgery is the easiest time to get magic involved, as I understand it, since the body is already opened and you're unconscious. Otherwise you need guidance, some special spellwork, and a complementary affinity to get your magic into their system without a rejection. Some places use therapy-familiars, and I've heard that helps a lot with the small scale stuff.

My favorite food is probably cake. Especially if it's for breakfast.