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[With the last piece of evidence collected, The Alchemist's voice abruptly comes from everywhere and nowhere once again.]

Alright, that should be plenty of time. Come on up, Apprentices. And don't keep me waiting, it could be the last thing you do.

[Time to get in your weekly cardio climbing all these goddamn stairs again. The ceilings are still more than tall enough to accommodate the tallest of the Apprentices and hall wide enough that the buffest of them can easily pass through. The ascension takes several minutes, with several large wooden doors set off into the sides of the stairway every few minutes- doorways to other floors? Attempting to open them yields no results though. A shimmer of purple shield magic prevents anyone from even being able to touch the old textured wood.

Finally, at the top of the staircase, there is a solid wooden door, twice as tall as the tallest apprentice. The door does not open until the everyone has reached the top. When they have it swings open to reveal a small set of steps, leading up to an imposing round chamber with a tapered roof. Twenty podiums stand in a circle in the center, lit brightly from below. Each podium is made of dark metal with a colored crystal matching the individual dorms enclosed on a thick glass dome on top of it. At one of the podiums, greyed out portraits of Fern and Zenos have joined the fray.

Behind you as you ascend, the sturdy iron scaffold where the Alchemist typically sits in his throne of iron is empty.]

[As if the Alchemist's "reading" wasn't a tempting enough offer, Bruno's prophecy hangs over the proceedings, a guarantee that becomes more and more certain with each day that passes.

And now it's Friday again.

Well, at least the peace is disturbed pretty much right off the bat - the occupants of the tower are disturbed by a loud, repeated barking.]

[On Sunday morning, there is a small gift waiting for the early risers in the tower: an iron key, dangling from a length of twine tied to the wooden beam across the ceiling at the cross section of the four dorms. Upon further inspection it has a particular symbol on the back half and a note that reads "Well done back there. Here's your reward. - The Alchemist". The key goes to fourth floor, where there is the same symbol etched above the keyhole on the lock.

The extra room is nice, but it’s impossible to miss the heavy air that comes with loosing two more of your companions.]

Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday

✨WEEKLY DEALS✨

Sun God Mask - A very large sun mask that covers your entire head. It kind of makes you want to either go to a masquerade ball or form a cult. [2 coins]
Glitter Cannon - A cannon that shoots plastic capsules filled with glitter. It's like paintball but worse. [5 coins]
Renalla, Queen of the Full Moon - Long may she reign. [3 coins]

✨LEFTOVER STOCK AT ~~50% MARK-UP~~ ON SALE✨
2. The Battle Axe of Hatred - A sick as hell electric guitar with an energy that feels like it is powered by the screaming of an ancient and evil lord- or at least once was. It has a signature on the body that simply says "Ron" and looks like it might have been written in blood. [2 coins]
3. The Jable - Put down your keys and stay a while. [1 coin]
Long Familiar - e m b r a c e. [1 coin]

(( OOC: Don't forget to submit your orders for any threads that aren't with the Alchemist or Garfield! And don't forget activity check! ))

[This is certainly a morose affair. But Stella had promised Fern that she’d remember him. And… Well. They all weren’t quite as exhausted as they were last week. They may as well channel that energy into something somewhat positive.

So, Olive makes an offensively large thing of soup, that they have no chance of finishing. Bruno makes rice pudding. Baldr and Hubert also cook, which– Baldr helping is probably a good thing, on account of Hubert’s threats to poison them all.

Stella does what she can– which is providing a somber mood lighting in the great hall. At least they can gather together, without having to worry about the darkness– and without needing the torches in the Great Hall, which she has put out, fearing the flame may remind some of what happened today.

The invitations are more threatening and insulting than they have any right to be– but hey. Stella didn’t double check those. It’s probably not too difficult to guess who wrote them.

They're trying. Everyone... is trying.]

[With the last piece of evidence collected, The Alchemist's voice comes from everywhere and nowhere once again.]

Alright, that should be plenty of time. Come on up, Apprentices. And don't keep me waiting, it could be the last thing you do.

[In the one spiraling staircase the door that has been locked for the past two weeks has opened, revealing a new set of stair that spirals continuously skyward. The ceilings are more than tall enough to accommodate the tallest of the Apprentices and hall wide enough that the buffest of them can easily pass through. The ascension takes several minutes, with several large wooden doors set off into the sides of the stairway every few minutes- doorways to other floors? Attempting to open them yields no results though. A shimmer of purple shield magic prevents anyone from even being able to touch the old textured wood.

Finally, at the top of the staircase, there is a solid wooden door, twice as tall as the tallest apprentice. The door does not open until the everyone has reached the top. When they have it swings open to reveal a small set of steps, leading up to an imposing round chamber with a tapered roof. Twenty podiums stand in a circle in the center, lit brightly from below. Each podium is made of dark metal with a colored crystal matching the individual dorms enclosed on a thick glass dome on top of it. At one of the podiums, greyed out portraits of Jasper and Red Velvet Cookie have joined Wu's.

Behind you as you ascend, there is a sturdy iron scaffold with the Alchemist already sitting in his throne of iron. On a metal table next to him, he has a plate of toast with raspberry jam.]

Welcome to the courtroom, you've got your evidence so now's your last chance to stop the killer and save your own skins, etcetera, etcetera.

[Friday again? Oh dear...

It’s entirely possible that the ruthless murder last week was a fluke. A one-off incident that, with the perpetrator dead and dissolved into purple smoke, leaves the surviving apprentices free to try and live out the next 28 days without further bloodshed.

But it’s been a few days since the Alchemist’s motive and just like last week the tower feels deathly still and eerily quiet as people roll out of bed to start their day.]

[On Sunday morning, there is a small gift waiting for the early risers in the tower: an iron key, dangling from a length of twine tied to the wooden beam across the ceiling at the cross section of the four dorms. Upon further inspection it has a particular symbol on the back half and a note that reads "Well done back there. Here's your reward. - The Alchemist". The key goes to the front doors, where there is the same symbol etched above the keyhole on the lock.

Bad news, two people are dead. :( Good news, you've gained outside privileges. :)

But even with the addition of sunshine and a not-so-safe lake, the tower is still a little quieter, the air a little heavier and the mood a lot more somber.]

Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday

✨WEEKLY DEALS✨
Lefty - Lefty is 1 coin. [1 coin]
Nyoom Broom - A magic broom that allows the user to fly up to 100 feet in the air! [3 coins]
Long Familiar - e m b r a c e. [2 coins]

✨LEFTOVER STOCK AT 50% MARK-UP✨
2. The Battle Axe of Hatred - A sick as hell electric guitar with an energy that feels like it is powered by the screaming of an ancient and evil lord- or at least once was. It has a signature on the body that simply says "Ron" and looks like it might have been written in blood. [10 coins]
3. The Jable - Put down your keys and stay a while. [4 coins]

(( OOC: Don't forget to submit your orders for any threads that aren't with the Alchemist or Garfield! And don't forget activity check!

As a note, renovations have been completed so people will now be able to physically visit Fantasy Costco! If you're just going to explore and socialize with Garfield, feel free to have those in public top levels. Any ✨deal making✨ should still be through his office hours. ))

[Well! That sure did happen!

Bruno does not organize an afterparty. He's not a party organizer in general - that was Wu. But he knows he was completely useless, if not downright actively unhelpful, during that whole thing, and he already feels guilty enough. He has to be useful somehow. Otherwise, why's he even here?

So, before everyone can leave the teleportation circle in the dining room and all go their own separate ways, Bruno mumbles something about making food and takes off for the kitchen. He'll be there for a couple of hours, whipping up some quick chicken sancocho, with Olive on rice duty. Azul can be in charge of actually grabbing people and bringing them in - god forbid Bruno do anything like that - but if anyone does happen to be there to take one, he'll make them up a bowl. Otherwise, he's just gonna leave it all warming on the stove.

There's also some arroz con leche simmering for later, if anybody wants dessert! He'll put cinnamon in it, and then add some hot chocolate to the lineup as well. He's no Julieta, of course, but at least he's made something? It's not enough, but it's...something.]

[With the last piece of evidence collected, The Alchemist's voice comes from everywhere and nowhere.]

Alright, you should have had enough time to gather everything you need. Come on up, Apprentices. And don't keep me waiting, it could be the last thing you do.

[In the one spiraling staircase the door that has been locked for the past two weeks has opened, revealing a new set of stair that spirals continuously skyward. The ceilings are more than tall enough to accommodate the tallest of the Apprentices and hall wide enough that the buffest of them can easily pass through. The ascension takes several minutes, with several large wooden doors set off into the sides of the stairway every few minutes- doorways to other floors? Attempting to open them yields no results though. A shimmer of purple shield magic prevents anyone from even being able to touch the old textured wood.

Finally, at the top of the staircase, there is a solid wooden door, twice as tall as the tallest apprentice. The door does not open until the everyone has reached the top. When they have it swings open to reveal a small set of steps, leading up to an imposing round chamber with a tapered roof. Twenty podiums stand in a circle in the center, lit brightly from below. Each podium is made of dark metal with a colored crystal matching the individual dorms enclosed on a thick glass dome on top of it. At one of the podiums, a greyed out portrait of Wu watches them enter.

Behind you as you ascend, there is a sturdy iron scaffold with the Alchemist poised at the top, wiping his gloved hands with a stained cloth.]

Welcome to the courtroom, Apprentices. Either one of you will leave here victorious... Or 18 of you will.

[On Friday morning, the second Friday for the Thanatos Institute apprentices in the tower, the outside sun rises and spreads its light through the arrow slit windows in the tower’s stone walls. People rise from their beds, some earlier risers than others, and shuffle along to begin their day.

Things are quiet, even with the lowkey air of anxiety that’s lingered since Tuesday when the Alchemist made his offer and Bryn attacked Bruno with an animalistic fervor. It’s probably fine, this hanging silence in the air.

Probably.]

[HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE PAJAMA PARTY! They’ve really gone all out here, because the tables have all been pushed up to the wall (thank you, Finn) to make room on the floor for pillows and blankets and some cushions, too. There’s also streamers and other decorations hung up for a party-type atmosphere, as well as nice quality baijuand plum wine chilled and set out along with glasses for consumption. Next to that, there’s a variety of hors d’oeuvres to be noshed on, along with whatever anyone else has brought. There’s several balls of light floating around, courtesy of Stella, to give the place a nice, cozy glow.

Feel free to make yourself comfortable, grab some hors d’oeuvres and something to drink, and settle in for some sleepover activities or just sitting around and mingling. If you’ve brought something for the party, you can add it to the list here, or if there’s a game or an activity you’d like to host, feel free to add it on to this top level and it’ll get added to the navigation! The pajama party is your oyster~]

((OOC NAVIGATION))
||SUBJECT||sub-subjects |sub-subject||

||FOOD/DRINKS|| List of Buffet Items | Buffet Mingle ||

|| GAMES/ACTIVITIES || Avatar's Game | ~Spooky Stories~ | Hot Goss (Info Gathering)||

||GENERAL MINGLE||

[One week down and (if the Alchemist's promise is to be believed) just three more to go. In the past week royalty has been bullied, explicitly non-Satanic chairs were ordered and you began the pact-bonding process with your new proprietor of mercantile wares, ✨Garfield the Deals Warlock✨.

All in all, a surprisingly good week despite the kidnapping and looming threat of death. We'll see how long that lasts.

Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday

✨WEEKLY DEALS✨
1. The Cloak of Duplication - An ancient vampiric artifact, when worn it changes your appearance and voice to perfectly mimic another individual of your choosing. (You still have to sell the act, though.) [5 coins] SOLD
2. The Battle Axe of Hatred - A sick as hell electric guitar with an energy that feels like it is powered by the screaming of an ancient and evil lord- or at least once was. It has a signature on the body that simply says "Ron" and looks like it might have been written in blood. [5 coins]
3. The Jable - Put down your keys and stay a while. [2 coins]

✨LEFTOVER STOCK AT 50% MARK-UP✨
1. The Tingler - The whole hand tingles from wearing this ring, as if more blood rushes through the area. [2 coins]
2. Christine Jr. - A tiny red convertible. It's powered by pedals like a bicycle, with a steering wheel. For some reason it makes you think of old men in silly hats. [6 coins]

(( OOC: Don't forget to submit your orders for any threads that aren't with the Alchemist or Garfield! The Alchemist and Garfield both have "office hours" now so feel free to reach out to them. The compact functions have also been updated and don't forget activity check!

This week is where the real game begins, so get in your regains and CR while you can. >:3 ))

[Yesterday was, to say the least, an eventful time. 21 people waking up in an alarming kidnapping situation, tempers got heated, salt was thrown, the usual flavor of shenanigans.

Your Alchemist made his appearance, got into several arguments, scruffed a teen and nailed a god. All in all, a productive time! It doesn’t seem like he’ll be making any more public appearances this week but he did say to give him a call.

If you don't want to converse with the Alchemist, there's a whole tower to explore! Check out all the dusty nooks and crannies, read some smutty literature, try to build a death ray, take a cozy bath- the Montessori method of learning. Curiously, starting on Monday there are mysterious leaflet catalogs scattered in several rooms of the tower. There’s no shop name on it, but there are pictures of a variety of fun and fanciful items, just a preview of the many rare and/or exotic goods you could get from one of the shop's Grand Opening Sale blind boxes. There is also a large wooden chest that has appeared in the Entrance Hall right next to the grand entrance doors, despite the fact that they remain locked. A locked mailbox hangs on the wall above the box, along with several envelopes. The mailbox says "CATALOG ORDERS", and there is a handwritten note that adds: "Write your name on the envelope as well as your order. INCLUDE PAYMENT, or it's no deal. <3"

In related news, many of you will also be receiving mysterious gold coins on top of your trunk – maybe this is the payment referenced?

Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday

(( OOC: This will be the last mod post for this week! Feel free to start submitting catalog orders for any threads that aren't with the Alchemist. This is a peace week, so get all that CR while you can! ))

[You awake in an unfamiliar bed.

It’s not uncomfortable per say but it’s certainly not yours. In the dim light around you the room strikes a second chord of unfamiliarity. On a far wall there is a wide banner hanging from the wooden ceiling beam, designating the color of your dorm and the dorm name smack in the middle: Evocation, Illusion, Abjuration, or Conjuration. Printed at the top and bottom of each banner is another name: The Thanatos Institute for the Advancement of Sorcery and Spellcraft.

The dormitories all contain 3 sets of bunk beds, blankets color-coded to the appropriate dorm color. Each bunk bed set has a chest at either end to keep your belongings, along with one bookcase per dorm and a clawfoot tub/ shower tucked away behind a door. Each trunk is individually labeled with a name, the name of one of the people in the bunk bed it flanks. The key to each one tucked away on your person when you awaken; inside the trunks you will find two fresh changes of clothes, basic hygiene items and your transmitter. They’re small, easily fitting in the palm of a hand, and are fitted with a glittering gem on top that matches the user’s assigned dormitory. At a glance it seems like a normal compact mirror, but upon first touching the glass it activates, illuminating the apprentice profiles instead of the beholder’s reflection. And that’s just one of the many things it can do.

The hallway outside the dorms is wide and tall, made of cold gray stone. The hall goes on until you reach the stairs that go up to a higher floor and down to a lower one. Whichever way you choose it becomes quickly clear where you are: a tower made of stone and wood and grand in every meaning of the word except quality.

Down in the Entrance Hall there is space for everyone to gather where massive doors stand unguarded but are tragically locked tight. Posted on the wall next to the doors, encased on a poster-sized glass frame and written on slightly yellowed parchment, are a set of rules.

For all intents and purposes it looks like you’re trapped- but at least you’re not alone.]

[With the last piece of evidence collected, everyone’s favorite text-to-speech voice rings out through the tower.]

Attention, Apprentices. With your evidence, ascend the stairs to the trial chamber. This is not a request. Apprentice Motoi Anazawa, you will stay where you are.

[In the center of the tower- the hole of the donut, if you will- the door at the top of the next staircase has opened, spiraling skyward. The ceilings are more than tall enough to accommodate the tallest of the Apprentices and hall wide enough that the buffest of them can easily pass through (someone may want to carry the cookies, though). The ascension takes several minutes, with several large wooden doors set off into the sides of the stairway every few minutes- doorways to other floors perhaps? Attempting to open them yields no results though. A shimmer of purple shield magic prevents anyone from even being able to touch the old textured wood.

Finally, at the bottom of the very last staircase, there is a solid wooden door, twice as tall as the tallest apprentice. Motoi is already there, but the door does not open until the rest arrive - it swings open to reveal...more stairs, leading up to an imposing round chamber with a tapered roof. Twenty one podiums stand in a circle in the center, lit brightly from overhead. At two of the podiums, Penny and Loki's portraits watch all of you enter.

Behind you as you ascend, there is a sturdy iron scaffold with Gilear standing uncertainly at the top.]

Welcome, everyone, to your trial. You have had time to investigate, and now you must determine the correct culprit or culprits, and vote on the crystal before you. If you do not vote correctly, the culprit will be allowed to leave the Institute. I will be here to adjudicate the proceedings.

[He lowers the cue card and looks down.]

I should let you know, I do not know how useful I will be in answering any questions you may have. I have been given an envelope that I am told has the correct answer inside of it, that will magically be opened when you are done voting.

Also, not that I want to rush you, but I did eat quite a lot of coffee yogurt this morning, and the stress is taking quite an immense toll on my digestive system-

Enough. Apprentices, deliberate.

[It's been a week since the apprentices awoke in the Thanatos Institute. A few days since the threat was given, implied, with no expiration date, even to your Ambassador.

But Friday starts like any other - it seems quiet on Friday morning. Perhaps even today, no one has still taken the bait.]

[With the rules of your capture explained by a (seemingly useless and very sad) elf, the brand new apprentices of the Thanatos Institute have been left to their own devices in terms of study, co-habitation and pondering means of escape…whatever those means mean to each individual.

You're free to continue exploring your surroundings to your little hearts' content. Meals are provided 3 times a day, plates and silverware pre-laid out promptly at meal times (Don't worry, Gilear isn't cooking). If not brought to the kitchen, dirty and abandoned dishes will vanish after an hour. The only real restriction on your movements is that the kitchen is closed and the front doors lock between the hours of 10 pm and 7 am. Do try to be indoors before nightfall, dears. You never know what might be lurking in the dark.

Ambassador Gilear Faeth is unavailable for office hours, due to the fact that he doesn't have an office, but he can be found meandering around the tower from time to time. Just look for the discarded yogurt containers and you’re likely to find him.

Enjoy your week, everyone.]

Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday

[ooc: Welcome to mock week proper, everyone! As a reminder, there are no regains for the mock trial but you are welcome to investigate your surroundings. Just remember to make a note in your subject header to alert us so we can get to you as soon as we can.]

[You awake in an unfamiliar bed.

The bed is comfortable enough, nothing luxurious but not bad, but it certainly is not yours. As you stir from your heavy slumber, grogginess slowly melting away, the room around you starts to sharpen. Solid stone walls surround you, the room lit by warm oil lamps mounted on the walls, with 8 sets of bunk beds, grouped into 4 "rooms" of 2 bunk beds each. Depending on how quickly you awaken, you’re likely to catch others (some strangers, for a select few of you familiar faces) going through the same motions of rousing.

Once you’ve come to your senses, the tower and grounds are yours to explore as you please. There doesn’t seem to be anyone actually “in charge” for you to speak to about how you got here, why you’re here or where you even are- for now at least.

Welcome to the Thanatos Institute, apprentices.]

(ooc: welcome to the Ars Arcana intro week log! As this is just the intro log, we'll be posting a proper weekly log for Monday through Thursday tomorrow. An investigation log will be going up on Friday, a trial on Saturday and wrap-up on Sunday.)

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Ars Arcana - A Magical Murdergame

May 2022

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Ars Arcana - A Magical Murdergame

Recent Entries

third trial

third investigation

Week 4

but if day can turn to night and darkness can turn to light

second trial

second investigation

week 3

no one and nothing can break through

first trial

first investigation

Week 2 Monday Night Pajama Party!!

week 2

week 1

we've got magic to do, just for...

mock trial

Mock Investigation

a mock week

the mock week experiment