[CLOSED] we pray for the light to reign

[dulynoted]

WHO: Akira Turner (Light Yagami), Akira Kurusu, Goro Akechi, Yusuke Kitagawa, Elliot Craig, James Barnes, Tatsuo, Eren Jaeger, Derek Matthews
WHERE: Light Yagami's Murder Palace
WHEN: December 10th through December 25th
WHAT: Akira Turner AKA Light Yagami's ego has amassed in the creation of a Palace.
WARNINGS: Violence, talks of crime, death, punishment, murder

[ Upon entering the Palace, characters will find themselves...in Recolle. That's right--the Palace is the entire city of Recolle, his true domain. But what was once a city is now a desolate landscape. There seems to be nothing for miles and miles around, but if one looks to the east, something glimmers in the distance. Characters should go towards that light.

The trip may be long, but it won't be uneventful. There are a strange plethora of humanoid monsters that characters will encounter. Luckily, most seem uninterested in engaging with characters, however if they are taunted or goaded into action, they have abilities that drain the life from attackers.

Finally, the source of the light begins to become into view. It’s a temple, a large gothic cathedral, consisting of stories upon stories. The architecture inside matches the same theme, dimly lit hallways made of stone. It’s a maze with large open spaces as well as winding corridors. At first it seems generic, but the higher in the structure characters go, there begin to be clear indications of just what this temple worships. Yes, even in a hall of worship there is a big fuck off statue of Akira Turner in the center.

More of those gangly creatures may make an appearance in the temple, but characters really need to look out for the worshipers, who will destroy non-believers on the spot.

There is one creature in particular who is depicted in a lot of the art and will even make a physical appearance now and then. It tends to hang in the shadows, but if you entertain it, it may entertain a question or two. Just don’t bank on it. ]

Comments

TASK ONE: I'm A Wanted Man

[dulynoted]

[ On the first block of the Palace, the group will find themselves thrust into the depths of a maze made of stone and twisted pathways. If they try to turn back, they will find the way is shut. The only option is to go forward...or rather--right or left. Every pathway seems to have a second opposite of it. Which way should they go?

They will realize that there are Wanted Posters plastered everywhere, of familiar and unfamiliar faces from Recolle. Crimes (real or imagined) are listed beneath the photos, a logn with names. The group will have to have to figure out which posters are the correct ones. The posters themselves will lead down separate hallways--but only if they follow the the RIGHT ones.

There are several turns and potential to double back if the group doesn't watch where they're going. They may end up on a faux crime scene that, if they investigate closer, will transport them back to the beginning of the Palace. But if they take the correct path, they will meet the Shadow of Erick Hartgrove in a distorted replication of his office--the scene of his death...

They will have to defeat his Shadow in order to receive his Confession. ]

[blondferret]

[Why... why... WHY did Derek allow Tatsuo to talk him into this? This place is already giving him the creeps. He doesn't know what will be more useful, his side arm, which is at his waist, or his wand. Probably his wand, but you never know.

When he and the others get to the what seems to be a maze, Derek is grateful he has a spell that MIGHT help. Placing his wand in the palm of his wand he says the spell.]

Point me!

[The wand spins around and eventually stops, the tip of his wand pointing north. Derek points in the direction the wand indicated.]

That way is north. We might as well establish directions before we start this thing. That being said... which way... left or right?

[usurpers]

[ eren does well with the wizards. and while he doesn’t particulary know derek, he’s enough of a team player to get along excellently. especially now, under these circumstances.

they were here. and they needed this palace falling to the ground. as they walk along, eren’s metaverse leathers and metals clink softly with each step, his voice not quite muffled behind the mouth mask that covers it (a human skull’s jaws with much sharper teeth). he takes a good look between both posters. pictures. names.

they have something to follow here, and eren did not come unprepared. ]

This one. [ brad semar. ] He was on the list of heart attack deaths when this started happening. [ not only that, but— ] And I don’t remember seeing the other one.

[ it’s a woman named shirley coskner. ]

[blondferret]

[It takes a moment for Derek to understand what Eran was getting at. Yes... it's a poster, so what? It's the name Brad Semnar that has him realize what Eren is talking about. Right, that name, he had heard it before. One of the many bodies of criminals that had been reported dead. Some of his co-workers had been examining some of the evidence. Looking at the second poster, he had no idea who that was. Not one of the criminals that died. Ah, he's starting to follow Eren's train of thought.]

So you're suggesting we follow the posters of the criminals we know died?

[He shrugs. Well, that works. He has no better ideas. He reaches up to adjust the mask on his face. He was still adjusting to the change of clothes when the entered this place. He was a bit thrown off when he recognized the clothing. It was Draco's. Why he was wearing is other self's clothing, he didn't know. And the mask? Well, he knew they were in someone else's mind in a sense, hiding the fact that he was actually here might be beneficial.]

I mean, we could try it. Nothing to loose.

[Shifting his wand so his hand is again gripping the end, he starts walking down the path Eren indicated. But he suddenly stops. Wait... this is a maze...

He flicks his wand and says a spell.]

Orchidius!

[A bouquet of daisies comes out of his wand. He plucks one of the flowers and tosses it on the ground. He quickly speaks just in case Eren gets the wrong idea. What wrong idea? He doesn't know. But he still feels stupid using this spell.]

Just in case we get lost... we have a way of back tracking.

[usurpers]

[ exactly. eren nods, thinking that it would be the better option considering akira turner. he doesn’t know him personally, but the statues, the worshippers? he has massive god syndrome. they should take evidence related to him close to heart to find him.

and magic never doesn’t surprise. he doesn’t have any wrong ideas, but does come up blank until derek plucks them. ]

Good idea. [ they were still susceptible to mistakes, after all. ] So you’re a wizard?

[blondferret]

[He's appreciating you saying "Good idea" Eren. He feels a lot less stupid now.]

[Derek nods.]

Yeah. Though only recently have I been getting any useful spells.

[Derek looks at Eren's metaverse leathers.]

And what are you suppose to be exactly?

[usurpers]

[ don’t. question the metaverse, derek. eren takes a quick glance down at his garbs, reminiscent of old norse warriors (if you don’t count the metal contraption around his waist and the body harness).

It might take him a moment or so to respond; he’s keeping an eye out around them, and making sure they’re all walking as a group. It could be easy to lose each other if they don’t watch themselves. ]

My sense of justice, I guess. [ savage, but old enough to hold hundreds of views in one. he just knows it’s an old-ish set of clothing, but— he feels comfortable in them. ] I’ve always liked this sort of thing.

[maskreant]

Glad you guys are getting the hang of the Metaverse.

[ Akira is in his usual Palace drab and shifting into the Third Eye should help him discern the posters are leading them to a certain direction. They continue forward, though at crosses Akira is ever so curious as to what's on the other side.

With Derek's magic and their knowledge on the cases, it's smooth sailing from here until they hit a room that has an animated figure in it. Akira gives a hand signal to stop here and peek behind the corner.

For those familiar, it's Erick Hartgrove in his office and scattered across his desk is a suitcase. Akira is guessing money...

[blondferret]

[Derek peeks around the corner and his eyes go wide.]

Is that... I've heard of him...

[What person whose work connected to the police hadn't heard of Erick Hartgrove, a crime boss... who had also recently killed himself. Or did he?

But now what do they do?]

TASK TWO: Stairway To Heaven

[dulynoted]

[ On the second block, the group will find a grand staircase that splits into two. The right leads to a doorway that is locked--with no visible handle on the door. How strange? Forcing it won't get it to open. It looks like they'll have to take the stairway to the left, which keeps going up...and up. And up.

In fact, it keeps going so high that the group may want to make use of the rest area halfway through. But don't stay too long or because they still have a lot way to go. They will know they are reaching the top when light starts to shine from above through an intricate stained glass ceiling. This is the top of the spire. There's a platform in which the group can rest. But no doors. No balcony. Just the glass ceiling and a few open windows. There is also a small statute carved into the wall of a clawed hand, palm up as if waiting to receive something. (Give it a gift?)

They will need to locate the key (whether it be a physical key or some sort of password or knowledge) to exit this area and to open the door from the main staircase.)

Where do they go from here? ]

[fiddlestick]

[Elliot's heard about palaces and shadows in the metaverse from the phantom thieves before, but it paled in comparison to seeing a palace for himself. Seeing the city so desolate, the massive cathedral all created to worship the killer ... it made Elliot's skin crawl. He knew someone that went around killing people had to be twisted, but this was on a whole other level. This was a view of the world Elliot couldn't begin to fathom.

With how large this place was, the group had decided to split up. A wise decision, and he had ended up in the second group along with a couple others. He wasn't sure what to expect, he held onto his staff constantly to be ready for any gangly creatures or worshippers that might jump out at them.

What he was less ready for though? Was all these stairs. A few flights up, and he's already panting.]

Ha...ha...how much farther do we have to go?

[twostringsonebow]

[Palaces in memories are entirely different than being in one.

Admittedly, the two Goro remembers clearest were a casino (lovely) and a cruise ship (though only the boiler room of his demise), but this... all of this--

He really can't go a life without some megalomaniac being of his blood, huh. Maybe... it runs in the family, then, and it's only a matter of time before...]

Hm? Ah, well, it seems to go into the heavens, so quite far.

[It's not wise to be unaware in a Palace, even one ruled by his own brother, but he just. Can't quite concentrate as well as he needs to, content to be quiet for the most of the journey inward and upward so far. It isn't bad enough to be a hindrance in battle, but Goro isn't exactly fair company for their time exploring the place.]

You seem worse for wear, though... Perhaps you should exercise more than your creativity.

[fiddlestick]

[Elliot huffs, though it comes much more of a pant because oh boy are these stairs taking the wind out of him]

T-That's harsh Goro....

[he is small and fragile, not meant for gyms!! Be kind...]

Honestly though, you'd think someone would have elevators in their palace.

[twostringsonebow]

That's the thing, actually -- it could, but it wouldn't fit the aesthetics of the palace. Think about it symbolically as well: Why should anyone get a free rise to heaven? Mortals are made to work their way up, one grueling step at a time.

[And his brother's probably a sadist.]

If there were elevators, they'd certainly be the type to stop on every floor until we were made to continue somehow, like learning a passcode on the buttons or defeating those who would impede us... I personally prefer the open space anyway.

[fiddlestick]

Ugh... but he got a free ride to godhood didn't he? All he did was get the death note in the mail.

[So your brother is also a hypocrite. But it's not like they can get off this crazy stair line, so he resigns himself with a sigh]

Let's just hope it doesn't go on until we die and go to actual heaven.

[twostringsonebow]

[Look, a sadistic hypocrisy just... runs in the bloodline. Here and there. Ah, Shido wouldn't have liked his brother at all, Goro thinks, Akira's far too wily and above others to obey anything of his order. What a charm.]

If it does, then I suppose I'll apologize for dying first. [haha.

Ah, wait is that--] Hang in there, I think there's a rest stop up ahead.

[Like

it's still a ways away, but there is definitely a landing above them. They just need to get up without incident.]

[fiddlestick]

[Wow Goro what morbid humor. Elliot would comment but then

He feels his hopes go up]

A rest stop?! Really??

TASK THREE: High School Music Redux

[dulynoted]

[ The third block of the Palace consists of more hallways, but now more grand and open than before. There are several split off rooms that appear to be libraries or studies, but mostly they are different areas and rooms of worship. The number of Devotees (Shadows) is greatly concentrated in these rooms and they do not like being disturbed from worshipping the statues of their God. The Great Cathedral sits above, though only those who have gained true favor with the Light may go there. Your group does not have that favor.

Yet.

Pay attention to the patterns and whispers of the worshippers. Some may mention a heretic that has been locked up and away in the priest's quarters. Others will mention a gatekeeper that set their God free upon the masses to pass judgment, as any God should. Clues from both will lead to the same place:

One of the smaller rooms of worship, but less populated. Behind the preacher's podium is a door that leads down to a secret chamber. A chamber that looks much like Zee's Office. There they will find Zee's Shadow, dressed in the garb of a cultist priest, though his face is greatly disordered in a blackish mist.

Gain his knowledge and favor to be granted passage. ]

[thisloveisjustice]

[When the whole 'palace' concept had been explained, Tatsuo had mostly just... nodded. Psychology isn't really his thing, as he prefers his sciences to be more physical. That doesn't stop him from being curious enough to tag along though.

Even if he's almost immediately sorry that he did. He's getting way too many similar vibes to the tomb his group had visited the August before last. And when he catches sight of the massive cathedral above them? That's not creepy at all.

At least the hallways have started to widen, so it doesn't feel so cramped anymore?

Tatsuo gestures at the Cathedral in the distance.]

$10 says we're going to end up there at some point.

[frostythehitman]

[ James, by this point in time, has seen enough of the inside of this place to be done with it. Every statue they pass, every detailed decoration built into the building itself that deifies Akira pisses him off more and more. Now, here, seeing all these strange creatures worship him just makes him want to tear this whole place apart bit by bit. The thought of making people fall at your feet because you're a murderous megalomaniac--disgusting. ]

Well, he better be up there, then, because I'm starting to run out of patience.

[ He just wants to find Akira Turner and punch the smug superiority and murderous intent right out of him. Along with his teeth, preferably. ]

[thisloveisjustice]

The question is, how do we get up there.

[But he's not really keen on just wandering around, trying to find the right path. He'd much rather ask someone for directions.

Tatsuo tilts his head toward one of the rooms.]

Maybe one of his flunkies knows.

[frostythehitman]

Ugh, fine.

[ James would really rather not talk to them, but Tatsuo's right--it's the easiest/most direct way to find out. So he enters one of the rooms and asks how to get up to the cathedral. The followers look down on him in both pity and condescension before one pipes up:

"Only those who truly devote themselves to His Greatness and have earned His praise can go up there." And then, snottily, as if James is too dense to get the point: "So, not you."

James walks out of the room, somehow looking even sourer than before. ]

Great. So even if they know, they're not gonna tell us.

[thisloveisjustice]

[Tatsuo scowls at worshipers. Not helpful, guys. Not helpful.]

Maybe we need to be a bit more... indirect. They may not say anything to our faces, but surely they talk among themselves. Let's try to... blend in a bit more.

[Quick, time to find some worshipers to knock out and steal their robes.]

[frostythehitman]

Blend in, huh?

[ James starts looking around at the small worship rooms, peeking through each one to see which ones open at the back of the room. Once he finds one that does, he creaks it open slowly, then snatches the nearest worshipper from the back row. With one hand over the creature's mouth, he slowly guides them out as if they're casually walking out, then shuts the door again behind him. ]

Here. [ He jerks his head over at Tatsuo. ] Grab his clothes.

[thisloveisjustice]

[It takes Tatsuo a moment to figure out how to get the worshiper's attire off, but soon the worshiper has been divested. Tatsuo holds up his robes and eyes the size.]

Hmmm, I think these are more your size than mine. Can you find a smaller one?