The City of the Specter, Atem's Palace

[metagame]

The corpse sinks to the floor
Even the brightest gold, even the sharpest blade
Becomes sand, becomes dust

Comments

[metagame]

Not me expecting everyone to pool their low numbers together to open one of the doors. Instead Yoon gets a nat20. Of course this is happening.

The Door has been Opened.

The throne room is large and opulent. A gigantic throne sits in very back of the room, finely carved stone with lion-like details. How does Atem sit in that and not look tiny?

Speaking of Atem, he's not here. But Yoon and everyone else are welcome to explore! Please roll a Perception Check (1D20, result greater than 11 is a success).

[prozaic]

[Well done. He gives Yoon a nod for his efforts-- he only just came about because he was busy being stalkery elsewhere-- and he strides into the throne room without a speck of fear... Or caution. One sign that he still hasn't fully recovered from his bout of bloodlust earlier.

Now, he's looking around, what can he find? (13)]

[metagame]

The room is rather sparse given it's a throne room.

What's most notable is behind the throne there's another door built into the floor, and the lock on it needs something very strangely shaped to open.

[prozaic]

[Time to go tell the others then. Back at the courtyard:]

Everyone, a certain trap door requires a key to be opened, and not just any key. Best come to the throne room if you manage to find something oddly-shaped.

[With his vocal trianing, his voice carries, even if he doesn't sound like he's shouting.]

[townmusician]

[Haruka returns, wearing his Pity Clothes and holding something shiny in his hand.]

I found this. Or, well... a cat was playing with it, and then it ran away, but it seems important.

[But, hey, he has a weird golden puzzle piece with an eye on it! He's also seen some of the Millenium stuff kicking around, thanks to the gacha, so he knows it's probably haunted or cursed or something.]

[beathollow]

--Oh, that looks like one of the puzzle pieces...

[prozaic]

That's definitely the key. From a glance it fits the shape of the hole.

[townmusician]

[He holds it out for Shalem to take, since... it's probably better in his hands than Haruka's.]

There's something else weird going on that I want to check out, though... But it won't take me too long, I'm sure.

[There's just something strange about all the animals in this palace and his Gamer Brain won't let it rest.

He also pauses before he leaves, staring at Shalem's chest for a moment. Not because he's thirsty, but because of the rockitis. That... doesn't look good, but now's not the time to ask about it. (Assuming that's a question he would even answer...)]

Don't do anything stupid or listen to any of Joshua's plans while I'm investigating.

[And he will head back towards the library...!]

[prozaic]

I do not know what you mean. [And Haruka shouldn't have trusted Shalem after that display against the Nagas. Why does anyone trust him after that?

Shalem tosses the piece up and down in his hand, and then places it into the key hole.]

[townmusician]

[everyone here is the same level of untrustworthy it doesn't matter who he gives pieces to!!!

but he's also not here to say anything about this so

goodbye palacecrew he hardly knew ye...]

[emptyself]

Shalem, didn't Haruka say not to do anything?

[ soujuurou would have been even more angry if he had seen shalem with the nagas, but he was busy trying to find a certain pharaoh, so honestly he just sounds slightly annoyed. ]

[metagame]

The basement door opens to reveal a dark, damp stairwell leading downward.

You hear a man call you from the throne room, "Halt! You tread upon sacred ground of the Pharaoh, outsiders."

A priest and priestess stand together, their staves drawn for battle.

"On behalf of the Prince-- Pharaoh, I will the right your wrongs!" Shouts the woman, and she even poses and points. Something about her pose seems familiar... Don't worry about it. "Where that door leads is forbidden to you even as guests of the Pharaoh!"

Palladium Priest Mahaad & Mana are ready to fight!

And Mana opens with her Black Burning spell which misses Soujuurou (4), does light Nuclear damage on Richard (13) does light Nuclear damage on Mafuyu (13), and misses Sou (4). Richard is inflicted with Dizzy, but Mafuyu is spared!

[beathollow]

( mafuyu inhales sharply, trying not to show how much it hurts- unfortunately, that was super-effective. )

What- Snow White!

( the wounded princess manifests, casting matarunda to weaken the attack of the enemies. )

[beautifulknight]

[ Wait, what the-

His eyes narrow when he sees this happening.

Immediately, Argenti flings a Mapsio directed at the two (4) missing Palladium, but hitting Mana (14) ]

[finalmix]

[ hey so far his plans have been great, take that back, ]

[townmusician]

[no💚]

[beathollow]

( said while mafuyu casually solves the puzzle (99) in the background- )

[pointzeropercent]

[Be a rebel, Mafuyu!]

[beautifulknight]

[ Now isn't that amazing? ]

Miss Mafuyu, it looks like you've done quite a splendidly incredible job! Did you just solve the entire puzzle?

[beathollow]

Mm. ... Except the piece that's also the key.

[ledbythewind]

[SLAY, GIRL]

[finalmix]

[ puzzle goddess mafuyu real ]

[emptyself]

Like this?

[ he'll pull out his puzzle piece! ]

[prozaic]

Almost, but not quite.

[beathollow]

( she'll trail in eventually with the puzzle she has, idly fiddling with the pieces... she failed her cursory glance so she'll try in a second. )