Archive of Our Own ^beta

SUSIE - She takes a deep breath.

SUSIE -“...You are unbanned from free ham sandwich day.”

RHETORIC [Medium: Failure] - …That’s it? It’s *way* too specific. They probably don’t even have free ham sandwiches here!

RUDINN RANGER - The effect is instantaneous: the Ranger’s blade clatters to the floor, hidden eyes presumably welling up with tears.

RUDINN RANGER -“I… I am?” Her voice is barely above a whisper.

INLAND EMPIRE - She has been absolved of her crimes. She never thought she would be given this grace.

ESPRIT DE CORPS [Easy: Success] - For a brief second, Ralsei is stunned by the unorthodox strategy, but he catches on fast.

RALSEI - With a solemn nod, he backs her up. “Yes, ma’am. You are.”

COMPOSURE [Easy: Success] - He raises a hand to fix his glasses with ceremonious care, as though he’s putting everything in order for an official proceeding. It’s a great way to sell the gravity of the situation.

EMPATHY - Despite the irrelevancy of Susie’s statement, the peaceful intention behind it has shone through. The Ranger’s will to fight has been completely sapped.

1. FIGHT
2. ACT
3. ITEM
4. DEFEND
5. SPARE > Rudinn Ranger

YOU - “We don’t have to fight anymore.” [Spare the Rudinn Ranger.]

RUDINN RANGER - She nods, scooping her blade up with a wave of stammered gratitudes, and hurries down the corridor.

LOGIC [Easy: Failure] - Most likely, to claim her free ham sandwiches.

MONEY GAINED +250 D$

SUSIE - She scratches her head. “Huh. I… didn’t think that would actually work.”

SUGGESTION - Neither did anyone else.

RALSEI - “That compliment was, um, pretty unorthodox, but see? Kindness *can* make it easier to get through battles!” He claps his hands together. “You did great!”

SUSIE - She grins, confidence restored. “How about I do the next one, too?”

RALSEI - “Of course!”

SUGGESTION [Medium: Success] - Woah there, tiger! Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. You’ve got to warm up to these things, build your expertise. One compliment is enough for today, alright?

REACTION SPEED [Trivial: Success] - She can’t hear you, Slimeball.

SUGGESTION - But she’s not–

SUGGESTION -…oh, right.

RHETORIC - Dealing with Seam and Jevil has really spoiled us, hasn’t it? We’d only just got used to being heard, and now we’re back on the sidelines…

VOLITION [Challenging: Success] - Stay focused. You’ve cleared the path forward, but it won’t stay that way for long – keep moving, before the next lot of guards arrive.

1. “There's no Rangers over there, follow me!”
2. [Authority - Easy 8] Gesture for them to follow you.

YOU - Gesture for them to follow you.

+2 See you as their leader

+1 Getting the hang of it

-1 You’re tired

-2 Your tailbone feels uncomfortable

CHECK SUCCESS

AUTHORITY [Easy: Success] - Words won’t be necessary. You crook the fingers of one hand in a beckoning gesture, and the silent order is instantly obeyed, Ralsei and Susie crowding in close.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Medium: Success] - You are *very* aware of the strong, scaly arm draped over your head.

SUSIE - “Alright, where do we go?”

JUNCTION - You’re standing at an intersection of three paths: one to your left, another to your right, and the third back where you came from. There’s a diamond-shaped opening in the far wall.

SHIVERS [Medium: Success] - Cold air blows on your right side. The breath of the Fountain, winding gently down from the highest sanctum.

LOGIC [Easy: Success] - The stairs might be the most accessible route, but you have no way of estimating how long it might take to climb them.

ENDURANCE [Easy: Success] - Or how much effort will be demanded of you. Fighting enemies is hard enough when you’re not fighting for breath at the same time.

LOGIC - It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that fighting in a narrow space, on uneven terrain, in suboptimal condition, is not the best of ideas.

VISUAL CALCULUS - On the left-hand side, you can see another elevator. It’s a few metres further than the stairs, but a considerably safer means of transportation.

HALF LIGHT [Easy: Success] - Stairs offer plenty of blind corners, ripe for ambushes, but an elevator has exactly one door. If you keep your weapons pointed outwards, they can’t possibly get the drop on you!

HALF LIGHT -Unless they’re ghosts. If you get attacked by a ghost, you’re screwed.

SAVOIR FAIRE [Medium: Success] - Keep going forward! See that Diamond-shaped door at the end of the hallway? Diamonds mean only one thing: *money*. And nobody has more money than a king! With the Royal Treasury at your fingers, you’d be able to buy out Seam’s whole inventory five times over!

COMPOSURE - It also seems like a fairly secluded spot. This infiltration business has been pretty hectic – you could use a few minutes’ break.

1. “There’s an elevator to the left. We’re taking it.” [Go left.]
2. “Let’s take the stairs on the right, but be careful.” [Go right.]
3. “Let’s go straight into that room. We need to take a break.” [Go forward.]

YOU - “There’s an elevator to the left. We’re taking it.” [Go left.]

SAVOIR FAIRE [Medium: Success] - Silent as a cat, you rush towards the elevator and slip inside. The doors close behind you, smooth and easy.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) [Easy: Success] - The keypad for this elevator is much the same as the first, with one key difference: Jevil’s floor is absent. There isn’t even an empty space where it used to be. It’s like it never existed in the first place.

INLAND EMPIRE - Rejected from the house one last time, the Fool card has become part of your deck.

AUTHORITY [Medium: Success] - As before, the Spades Floor and Fountain Courtyard are forbidden. Those uppermost buttons have denied your right of passage, illuminated in the defiant red of a stop sign.

1. Huh, we’re pretty close to the King, aren’t we?
2. Let's get this over with. [Dismiss thought.]

YOU - Huh, we’re pretty close to the King, aren’t we?

LOGIC - Well, yes. You’re in the same building – you have been for a while, in fact.

1. I know, I know, but… we’re almost home.

YOU - I know, I know, but… we’re almost home.

VOLITION - It’s only just started to sink in. Soon, this adventure will be over, and everything will go back to normal. It’ll be nice, being able to walk five steps without some zany character or world-threatening calamity popping out of nowhere.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Medium: Success] - Fantastical daydreams of hidden worlds, crowded out by the mundane worries and comforts of the everyday.

EMPATHY [Legendary: Success] - It’s a startling realisation, but… you miss it. You miss the real world, and all the tiny details that make it up, so perfectly imperfect. With every taste of magical candy-fruit, you’re reminded of your mother’s cooking. With every swing of that too-familiar sword, your mind wanders to the doodles you would draw at the margins of your schoolwork.

EMPATHY -You even find yourself thinking fondly of your parents’ stifling hugs: a tangible reminder of their affection, one that these short few hours have left you wanting desperately.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - Turns out you *can* get bored of make-believe. Who would’ve thought?

New task: Find a way home

RHETORIC - Also, *you’re* almost home. It’s just going to be you and Susie leaving this place. Us voices aren’t part of this – not in the way you’re thinking.

INLAND EMPIRE - But we’re still inside your mind. If all the stars in your head shone like lighthouses, would you ignore their glow, just because they’re not right in front of you?

RHETORIC - We can philosophise later, Dreamer. Kris still needs to pick the floor.

SUGGESTION - You *really* need to find a Spade security card. Lancer probably has one – maybe he could lend it to you?

New task: Find a Spade security card

1. [Locked: No clearance] Select 5F - Fountain courtyard.
2. [Locked: No clearance] Select 4F - Spades floor.
3. Select 3F - Clubs floor.
4. Select 2F - Hearts floor.
5. [Locked: Already there] Select 1F - Diamond floor.
6. Select 1B - Prison floor.

YOU - Select 2F - Hearts floor.

RHETORIC - It’s a silent journey.

ENDURANCE [Trivial: Success] - It’s silent because you’re too tired to speak; you need to find a place to rest, before your body finds it for you.

New task: Find somewhere to take a break

Now Playing: Marche Des Cartes

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) - As you step out, you’re surprised at how identical it looks to the prior floors. The only real difference is the shape of the hallways; rather than angular lines, they roll in gentle curves.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Medium: Failure] - I’m sorry, is this castle going to be just black walls and floors with white highlights? Where are the colours? The tapestries? The lavish, yet tasteful, furnishings?

LOGIC [Challenging: Success] - The forest west of here is likely where most furniture would be sourced. However, you saw no evidence of logging operations: there was exactly one stump that you encountered, and the jagged edges suggested it to be a natural fall. Without lumber, they can’t make furniture; it’s as simple as that.

LOGIC [Legendary: Failure] - Why they’ve chosen such a frugal approach, on the other hand, is beyond you. Perhaps they hold the forest in high respect, revering the trees as sacred? Or perhaps it’s simply a general respect for life – the line between object and person may as well not exist here.

RHETORIC [Medium: Success] - There’s a simpler explanation: this kingdom just doesn’t have the manpower. A militaristic regime can’t afford to waste perfectly good soldiers on trivialities, like the comfort of its citizens.

SUSIE - Halfway down the hallway, your companion stops in her tracks.

SUSIE -“Wait, guys, what's that noise?” she whispers. “It's like two metal pipes banging together.”

PERCEPTION (HEARING) [Challenging: Success] - Now that she mentions it… yes, you do hear something. A rhythmic clanging sound, emanating from somewhere below you.

1. Well, now I’m curious. [Investigate.]
2. We don’t have time. [Keep moving.]

YOU - Well, now I’m curious. [Investigate.]

GRATE - You lower your head and see that a square hole has been carved into the floor, covered by a cross-hatched metal grate. The holes in the grating are big enough to slip a finger through.

SAVOIR FAIRE - That clanging noise was your footsteps! Let’s hope nobody heard you…

VISUAL CALCULUS [Easy: Success] - There’s another grate every two metres, connected by channels beneath the floor. As far as you recall, this is the only floor that has such a fixture.

CONCEPTUALIZATION - It brings to mind a punk-rock music video, one full of flashing lights, wild-eyed youths, and rusted cages.

AUTHORITY [Easy: Success] - A prison against authority, rather than in service to it.

INLAND EMPIRE [Formidable: Success] - The kind that she–

MORALE DAMAGED -1

VOLITION [Formidable: Failure] - Please, not now. Not again.

COMPOSURE [Challenging: Success] - You blink away the tears, leaving your cheeks dry. You’ll cry another day.

SUSIE - Unaware of your internal conflict, Susie stiffens, her nostrils flaring with focus. “Kris, wait a sec. I think there’s something over there.”

HALF LIGHT [Easy: Success] - The hairs at the back of your neck stand. You sense it too.

SAVOIR FAIRE [Medium: Success] - Take a peek around that corner. Careful, now – wouldn’t want to blow your cover.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) [Medium: Success] - Around the bend, you can just about see the rounded edges of three betentacled figures…

BLUE HATHY - The trio of blue Hathies down the hall hasn't noticed you yet, despite your noisy walk. They're standing guard in front of a heart-shaped door.

COMPOSURE - ‘Guard’ is somewhat generous. Their sceptres are laid to one side as they lean against the wall, tendrils curling in strange, rhythmic patterns.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - …

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) [Formidable: Failure] - There’s a sign hanging on the left, but the words are too small and blurry to make out.

New task: Ask mom to book you an appointment to the optometrist

AUTHORITY [Easy: Success] - Do you see those sceptres? They’re longer and more ornate than the ones the green Hathies were holding. These must be their superiors.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Trivial: Success] - They must be the Head of the Hathies!

HALF LIGHT - Whatever they are, Susie’s forewarning gives you an avenue of escape – or ambush. This could go either way.

1. “Let’s surprise them.” [Ambush them.]
2. “Let’s find another way.” [Escape.]
3. “Wait for my signal.” [Do nothing.]

YOU - “Let’s surprise them.” [Ambush them.]

AUTHORITY - Your friends fall into step behind you as you dash forward into the middle of the corridor.

REACTION SPEED [Medium: Success] - You’re perfectly positioned to block off their exits – but the Hathies have their own tricks. As you approach, they slip their tentacles through the grates to pop out behind you, blocking off your escape route in kind.

HALF LIGHT - Dammit, you should have expected some kind of trap. Now you’re surrounded!

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT [Medium: Success] - You summon your sword, confidence rushing through your veins. The fight begins!

1. FIGHT
2. ACT > Kris > Check (Head Hathy 1)
3. ITEM
4. SPARE
5. DEFEND > Susie, Ralsei

YOU - Any info on these blue guys? [Check.]

SHIVERS - Your whole body shivers with knowledge that is not your own…

SHIVERS -“Head Hathy. 8 Attack, 0 Defense. Although stronger than Hathy, seems to have fewer friends.”

HEAD HATHY - The trio of Hathies silently blow threatening kisses in your direction, their heads pulsing in a coordinated rhythm.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Challenging: Success] - Hm? I’m picking up on something. Are they… trying to communicate?

1. How? I thought Goldmouth handled talking.
2. Ok, what are they saying? [Move on.]

YOU - How? I thought, uh… ‘Goldmouth’ handled talking.

RHETORIC - Usually, yes, but… what you’re picking up on now isn’t really *talking*, per se.

COMPOSURE - Nor is it really body language, in the typical sense: winks and gestures mean little for a being without eyes or hands.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - No, these guys are talking through something deeper, more primal than that. Heartbeats, nerve impulses, the heady musk of pheromones. This is the language of *love*, baby!

1. How? I thought Goldmouth handled talking.
2. Wait, no, that only raises more questions. You mean to tell me I can sense nerve impulses?
3. Ok, what are they saying? [Move on.]

YOU - OK, what are they saying? [Move on.]

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - Well, it’s not entirely words? More like feelings, sensations. And the sensation they’re sending is something along the lines of… tearing a heart in two. Yikes.

HALF LIGHT [Formidable: Success] - YOURS.

REACTION SPEED - Heads up, they’re attacking!

HEAD HATHY - The trio wave their sceptres in practiced synchrony. Rings of heart-shaped bullets close in on your soul, spinning rapidly.

1. [Visual Calculus - Challenging 12] Maneuver your SOUL.

YOU - Maneuver your SOUL.

+1 Getting the hang of it

-1 You’re tired

-2 Your tailbone feels uncomfortable

CHECK SUCCESS

VISUAL CALCULUS [Challenging: Success] - The heart-shaped bullets enclose your soul, again and again, but you manage to thread the needle and find the safe spot every time.

1. FIGHT
2. ACT > Kris, Susie, Ralsei > X-Flirt
3. ITEM
4. SPARE
5. DEFEND

YOU - “Susie, Ralsei! Let’s flirt.” [ACT.]

RALSEI - “Kris!?”

SUSIE - She breaks from her battle stance to gawk at you. “Uh, what!?”

SUGGESTION - Ooh, I’ve got a whole plethora of options here! What kind of approach do you want to take?

1. [Suggestion - Medium 11] Flirt with the Head Hathy.
2. [Electrochemistry - Medium 10] Flirt with the Head Hathy.
3. I don’t need your help, I know just what to do. [Do it yourself.]

YOU - I don’t need your help! I know *just* what to do. [Do it yourself.]

SUGGESTION - Are you sure? Alright then, let’s see what you’ve got!

1. “Are you Amoxicillin? Because you’re giving me heart palpitations!” [Flash finger guns.]
2. [Drama - Challenging 12] Pretend to have a heart attack.

YOU - “Are you Amoxicillin? Because you’re giving me heart palpitations!” [Flash finger guns.]

HAND/EYE COORDINATION [Medium: Success] - With a whip-crack of style, your index fingers are out and blazing away within milliseconds. I’m proud of you, Kris.

HEAD HATHY - All three of them go bright pink, putting tendrils to faces to hide their blushes.

SUGGESTION - …Woah. I didn’t know you had that in you, Kris!

SUSIE AND RALSEI - “That *worked*?”

COMPOSURE - Ralsei takes off his glasses and cleans them with his scarf, as if what he’s just seen could be explained by smudged lenses.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Medium: Success] - The Head Hathys are giving off pink heart feelings now! You really made them happy with that.

1. FIGHT
2. ACT
3. ITEM
4. SPARE > Kris, Susie, Ralsei > Head Hathy 1, Head Hathy 2, Head Hathy 3
5. DEFEND

YOU - “Hey, the Fun Gang doesn’t want to fight anymore.” [SPARE the Head Hathies.]

SUSIE - She nods curtly.

RALSEI - “Yep! So how about… we stop?”

COMPOSURE [Medium: Success] - He’s still dumbfounded: of all the things he expected a HERO to be, ‘good at flirting’ never once crossed his radar.

HEAD HATHY - The Head Hathies slither away calmly. One of them, the short one, waves a tentacle next to its head in what you can only assume is a ‘call me’ gesture.

SUGGESTION [Legendary: Failure] - Hard pass. Flirting’s one thing, but taking it any further with the enemy’s troops seems like a recipe for heartbreak.

MONEY GAINED +400 D$

Task updated: Pun tally (13)

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - Not to mention that tall, cold, and spiky *really* isn’t your type.

FUN GANG - After that altercation, you sneak down the hallway unimpeded, all the way to a room on the far side of the wing.

ART ROOM - This room is still the same monochrome black-on-white-outline as the rest of the castle. However, it’s far more decorated than the sparse hallways: a large table sits in the middle of the room, covered in strange sculptures and a few mechanical contraptions. The walls are plastered with drawings and paintings, of all different styles and skill levels. Off to one side, you see a whole craft store's worth of artistic supplies: crayons, pencils, safety scissors, even a spool of yarn.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) [Medium: Success] - Behind the long table, you spy an easel with a long scarf-like object draped over it. Underneath, there’s a podium that reads “Craft of the Month”.

1. Inspect the walls.
2. Inspect the table.
3. Inspect the supplies.
4. Inspect the easel.
5. Let’s get out of here. [Leave.]

YOU - Inspect the walls.

WALL OF "ART" - There are outliers here and there, but most of the wall-mounted works seem to feature amateurish scribbles of various playing-card-themed figures.

CONCEPTUALIZATION - There’s a spade, a bigger spade (labelled with the letter K), various Hathy-esque and Rudinn-esque shapes, and a strange five-headed being sitting on a pile of treasure, depicted by a plate’s worth of macaroni and glue.

AUTHORITY - Each of the five heads bears its own crown.

LOGIC [Easy: Success] - Judging by the trefoil arrangement of its eyes, this is an artistic representation of the elusive Clubs Darkner.

RHETORIC - A-ha! And it looks like this is the King of Clubs, too! Now we can identify all four of our targets-slash-hostages at a moment’s notice.

Task updated: Find the dethroned kings

1. Inspect the walls.
2. Inspect the table.
3. Inspect the supplies.
4. Inspect the easel.
5. Let’s get out of here. [Leave.]

YOU - Inspect the table.

STATUES - There are some strangely shovel-shaped statues on the long table. They’re made of a clay-like material and smothered in blue glitter.

LOGIC [Trivial: Success] - Blue spades? There’s only two people around here with that motif, and somehow, the King doesn’t strike you as a playdough fan.

SUSIE - She seems to have reached the same conclusion, grinning proudly. “Hey, did Lancer make these? Nice!”

SUSIE -She picks one up and rolls it in her hands, making sure not to break it. “Heh… didn’t know he was an artist.”

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) [Medium: Success] - She places it back on the table, but specks of glitter have gotten into the crevices of her hands.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Medium: Success] - A watercolour painting has also been left out: it’s of far higher quality than the other drawings, with clean lines and tasteful colours. An adult’s hand, most likely.

EMPATHY - It depicts a Pippin wearing a pink, heart-shaped poncho and giving a large strawberry cake to the King of Hearts. It’s signed by a ‘Hearts Pippin’, and it wishes the monarch a happy birthday.

VISUAL CALCULUS [Easy: Success] - Half of the paper is blank, untouched. The artist must have stopped halfway through: they left it out on the table with the intention of finishing it at a later date.

INLAND EMPIRE [Challenging: Success] - It’s waiting quietly for its creator to return and fulfil its purpose. Waiting for a day that will never come.

1. Inspect the walls.
2. Inspect the table.
3. Inspect the supplies.
4. Inspect the easel.
5. Let’s get out of here. [Leave.]

YOU - Inspect the supplies.

ART SUPPLIES - You see round scissors, coloured pencils of various lengths and amount of use, a paintbrush, a few loose crayons… this looks like your garden variety pile of art supplies.

1. Inspect the walls.
2. Inspect the table.
3. Inspect the supplies.
4. Inspect the easel.
5. Let’s get out of here. [Leave.]

YOU - Inspect the easel.

RALSEI - He approaches the ‘Craft of the Month’ with interest. “Ooh, this looks lovely…”

CRAFT SCARF - What you assumed to be a scarf is actually a chain of brightly coloured construction paper, each Darkner-shaped link holding hands with the next.

INTERFACING [Medium: Success] - The interlinks are so fine and intricate, you could be forgiven for assuming this was an actual knitted garment. There’s even a single thread of black wool woven through the links in a zig-zag pattern, offering some contrast.

VISUAL CALCULUS [Medium: Success] - No, it’s not a simple pattern – there’s words written on it! They read ‘YOU CAN DO ANYTHING’.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) [Formidable: Success] - A constellation of small golden stars is dotted across the outermost links, where the rainbow hues fade to black.

VOLITION [Formidable: Success] - A symbol of hope. Even in the darkest times, these stars will not go out.

RALSEI - He’s been looking at it for a while now.

CONCEPTUALIZATION - Like a very polite child, waiting for permission to grab a bite of their favourite sweet.

SUGGESTION [Easy: Success] - It’s very obvious that he wants it, but also wants to be permitted to get it. You know what you need to do.

1. “Do you want it? There you go.” [Take the scarf.]
2. “You shouldn’t take it. Art theft is bad.” [Ignore the scarf.]

YOU - “Do you want it? There you go.” [Take the scarf.]

RALSEI - He holds his paws up in half-hearted denial as you drape it around his neck. “Oh, Kris, you didn’t have to…”

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - He’s blushing furiously.

Item gained: Craft Scarf

Craft Scarf

A paper scarf with you-can-do-it imagery. Made by one Ketsu-ban, age 6.

+2 CONCEPTUALIZATION: Artistic aspirations
+1 ESPRIT DE CORPS: Encouraging words
-1 AUTHORITY: Childish

INSPIRING: Voice-based MAGIC and ACTs have a 40% chance to heal 1 Morale

RALSEI - He removes his red scarf and folds it up, tucking the neat bundle under his robes.

INLAND EMPIRE [Challenging: Success] - It disappears into the chasm of his inventory, leaving no crease or sign of its red-wool presence.

1. “Do you like it?”
2. “Hey, rainbow looks good on you.”
3. “You look stupid. Take that toy off.”
4. Don’t say anything.

YOU - “Do you like it?”

RALSEI - “Oh, you know!” he mumbles, studying the new neckwear. “It looks nice…”

RHETORIC - That’s not an answer, it’s just a general platitude. Press him on it.

1. “Yeah, but I was asking if *you* like it.”
2. “‘Oh, it looks nice!’ It looks ridiculous! You’re not three. Put it back where you found it.”
3. [Drop it.]

YOU - “Yeah, but I was asking if *you* like it.”

COMPOSURE [Medium: Success] - His eyes go wide for a moment.

RALSEI - “Well… it looks nice,” he repeats. “And the black gives a good contrast. What do you think?”

SUGGESTION - His tone makes the question seem casual, but you can see right through it.

RHETORIC [Trivial: Success] - He’s being deliberately non-committal because he wants your approval. He doesn’t want to voice his own opinion, in case it might go against yours. If *he* likes it and *you* do not, conflict may arise.

SAVOIR FAIRE [Medium: Success] - So what? He’s entitled to wear what he likes – it’s not like the Fun Gang has a dress code.

AUTHORITY [Easy: Success] - No sane leader would despise a team member because of something so trivial as their fashion sense.

1. [Suggestion - Formidable 13] Why is Ralsei being so evasive?
2. I don’t care. [Dismiss thought.]

YOU - Why is Ralsei being so evasive?

+2 Talked about the voices

+1 Taenia vulgaris

+1 Shared the Dark Candy

+1 Shared the moss

-2 Your tailbone feels uncomfortable

CHECK SUCCESS

SUGGESTION [Formidable: Success] - *That’s* what’s going on! Kris, Ralsei is afraid of going against you.

HALF LIGHT [Medium: Success] - Not just anxious – *deathly* afraid. He’s acting like the slightest hint of insubordination will blow his head clean off.

SUGGESTION - I don’t know why I didn’t realise it at first, but in hindsight, it’s obvious. Seam’s description was no exaggeration: between his rock-bottom self-esteem and his idolisation of Lightners, Ralsei practically worships you and Susie. He would do anything to make you happy, even if it means denying his own interests.

RHETORIC [Trivial: Success] - Or saying things he doesn’t believe in.

VOLITION [Trivial: Success] - Or going against his morals.

PAIN THRESHOLD [Trivial: Success] - Or hurting himself.

Task updated: Figure out Ralsei’s secrets

AUTHORITY - You need to bring this up as soon as you’re done with your mission. Having a yes-man on your team brings nothing but trouble.

New task: Talk to Ralsei about his repression

1. Do I have to, though? Maybe it’s just a front.
2. Okay, I will. Thanks for telling me what to do.
3. I’m not going to. If he wants to grovel over a scarf, that’s what he’ll do.

YOU - Do I have to, though? Maybe it's just a front!

RHETORIC - Don’t kid yourself. And don’t try to kid us, either – it’s not going to work.

DRAMA [Challenging: Success] - ‘Tis no deception, my liege: he truly does believe that his will is merely a shadow of your own.

VOLITION - Procrastination will only make the fallout worse when everything finally comes to a head.

AUTHORITY [Medium: Success] - Confronting the issues that arise between you and a team member is a hard part of being a leader, but the sooner you resolve this, the better you will feel when all is said and done. You can do this.

HEALED MORALE +1

FUN GANG - Laden with scarf, clues, and motivation, you turn to leave… when a row of spikes shoots out of the floor, blocking the doorway off completely.

HALF LIGHT - You’re *trapped*! You need to find a way out, now!

PERCEPTION (HEARING) - A confident voice echoes.

??? - “So the worms have decided to crawl out and play…”

RALSEI - He rears back in alarm. “Who’s there?”

SUSIE - She quickly pushes the both of you behind her, scanning the room for threats.

??? - “Geh ha ha…!” The voice continues. “Thoust FOOLS!”

PERCEPTION (HEARING) - Whoever this is, their voice isn’t coming from any distinct place. They must have some excellent surround-sound speakers.

??? - A bright beam of light extends from beyond the wall, and a blue man materializes out of it.

Now playing: Rouxls Kaard

ROUXLS KAARD, DUKE OF PUZZLES - “I am Rouxls Kaard! Thou’re greatest adversary!”

REACTION SPEED [Easy: Success] - Wait, did he just use ‘thou’ instead of ‘you’ in ‘you’re’?

SUGGESTION - He did. Is he… trying to sound menacing?

ROUXLS KAARD, DUKE OF PUZZLES - “Thou may have clawedst past all thouse otherest conundrums…” He pauses dramatically. “But thouse were created by UTTER WEAKLINGS! Weaklings liketh the former monarchs, imprisonedst they may be… BUT NO MORETH!”

SUGGESTION - Oh my god, he is.

SUGGESTION [Impossible: Failure] - What’s *wrong* with him? Is he having a stroke?

ENCYCLOPEDIA - Wait, wait, wait. It’s an attempt at Early Modern English – a *very* bad one. It’s more complicated than just adding the ‘-st’ suffix to every other word and sprinkling ‘thou’ all over one’s sentences.

ENDURANCE - He isn’t having a stroke, by the way. It’s more like he just has a very strange speech impediment.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Medium: Success] - He sounds like a medieval reenactor having a stroke, or a middling Shakespearean actor – one who read three lines of Elizabethan English and decided to make up the rest.

ENDURANCE - …I just told you he's not– nevermind.

RHETORIC [Challenging: Success] - Is he implying that all four kings made puzzles? That doesn’t make sense; rulers rarely get their hands dirty, especially monarchs. Besides, aren’t there puzzle-makers in this kingdom? Did the monarchy take away *their* jobs as well, before the insurrection happened in the first place?

LOGIC [Heroic: Failure] - Give it up, Wordsmith. Trying to extract any kind of sense out of this guy is a fool’s errand.

AUTHORITY - I once said that he must either be a child, or an overblown idiot. I think we have our answer.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Medium: Success] - He might not know how to sound fancy, but he certainly knows how to *look* fancy. Look at that hair, it’s so healthy and lustrous!

COMPOSURE - The rest of him… not so much. His face would probably be quite handsome, if it weren’t smeared like an oil painting in a rainstorm: his eyes droop, his cheeks dip, his lips almost seem to be melting into each other.

1. Oh, that’s normal! He’s probably a slime monster.
2. The hell? No, that’s *not* normal! Stop putting words in my mouth, Interfacing.
3. [Don’t mention it.]

YOU - [Don’t mention it.]

ROUXLS KAARD, DUKE OF PUZZLES - “Now, prepare thouself,” He gestures dramatically. “For the *strongest* puzzle of thoust LIFE! *TOIL*, worms!”

ROUXLS KAARD, DUKE OF PUZZLES -With a wave of his hand, the table is shoved to one side by an unseen hand. One of the sculptures falls over with a mournful *splat*.

SIMPLE PUZZLE - A puzzle materializes in the meagre space that has been cleared: a box, and its switch one step to the left.

SUSIE - She stares at it, utterly dumbfounded.

RALSEI - He’s no better, eyes so wide you can practically see the gears turning behind his pupils.

LOGIC [Trivial: Success] - This is so insultingly easy, I won’t even elaborate on how to solve it.

1. Solve the puzzle.
2. Don’t, for some reason.

YOU - Solve the puzzle.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT - You kick the box onto the switch. It’s made of cardboard or something – your foot barely noticed.

PERCEPTION (HEARING) - The spikes retract with a click.

1. "..."

YOU - "..."

SUSIE - "..."

RALSEI - "..."

LOGIC - ...

ENCYCLOPEDIA - ...

RHETORIC - ...Wow.

DRAMA - ...

CONCEPTUALIZATION - ...

VISUAL CALCULUS - ...

VOLITION - ...

INLAND EMPIRE - ...

EMPATHY - …I'm worried about him.

AUTHORITY - ...

ESPRIT DE CORPS - ...

SUGGESTION - ...

ENDURANCE - …*This* is what you're worried about?

PAIN THRESHOLD - ...

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT - ...

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - ...

SHIVERS - ...

HALF LIGHT - ...

HAND/EYE COORDINATION - ...

PERCEPTION (ALL) - ...

REACTION SPEED - ...

SAVOIR FAIRE - …The King needs to dock his pay.

INTERFACING - ...

COMPOSURE - ...

ROUXLS KAARD, DUKE OF PUZZLES - ...

SAVOIR FAIRE - And with that, he slides upwards and away, knocking a chair down in his haste. Huh, now you know where Lancer gets it.

REACTION SPEED - He wasn’t sliding, actually.

PERCEPTION (HEARING) [Medium: Success] - He's right. You heard that plastic whirr, didn't you? The man’s wearing heelies.

ENDURANCE - Heelies? In this decade? Maybe he *is* having a stroke.

1. “That was lame.”
2. “You know guys, I think we’ll be okay.”
3. “If that’s the King’s second-in-command, our chances are suddenly looking a lot better.”
4. “Yeah, we’re going to usurp the throne in an hour. Hour thirty, tops.”
5. Hey are we going to talk about Chemistry’s… what he said about him?

YOU - Hey, are we going to talk about Chemistry’s… what he said about him?

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - What, me? Oh, don’t you worry, Seaside Krest. I only pointed out how aesthetically pleasing he is – doesn’t have to mean you’re *attracted* or anything.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Easy: Success] - There are many beautiful things in this world, some of which happen to be people. You wouldn’t kiss a painting or a sunset, would you?

INLAND EMPIRE [Impossible: Success] - Not Kris, but someone else might.

1. “That was lame.”
2. “You know guys, I think we’ll be okay.”
3. “If that’s the King’s second-in-command, our chances are suddenly looking a lot better.”
4. “Yeah, we’re going to usurp the throne in an hour. Hour thirty, tops.”
5. Hey are we going to talk about Chemistry’s… what he said about him?

YOU - “Yeah, we’re going to usurp the throne in… an hour. Hour thirty, tops.”

RALSEI - “Kris…” The sentence trails off. He can’t seem to bring himself to argue.

ESPRIT DE CORPS [Easy: Success] - And not for the usual self-deprecating reasons, this time: he honestly can’t think of a single rebuttal.

SUSIE - “I mean.” She yawns. “I’ll take it. Beats sitting around in class all day.”

EMPATHY [Medium: Success] - Despite her attempt at appearing aloof, she’s still worried about the mission. For all these hijinks and antics, we haven’t seen hide nor hair of the King of Spades.

HALF LIGHT - The *true* threat.

REACTION SPEED [Medium: Failure] - And Lancer!

RHETORIC - Well, at least we got one bit of important information: Rouxls confirmed that the other kings are in the dungeon. Maybe we could interrogate them for clues?

Task updated: Find the dethroned kings

Now Playing: Marche Des Cartes

FUN GANG - With the corridors empty and unmonitored, you make your way to the elevator without issue.

1. [Locked: No clearance] Select 5F - Fountain courtyard.
2. [Locked: No clearance] Select 4F - Spades floor.
3. Select 3F - Clubs floor.
4. [Locked: Already here] Select 2F - Hearts floor.
5. Select 1F - Diamond floor.
6. Select 1B - Prison floor.

YOU - Select 1B - Prison floor.

RHETORIC - The silence is decidedly more comfortable this time.

SUGGESTION [Easy: Success] - Rouxls’ stupidity helped ease the tension.

SUSIE - Her hands are clasped behind her head as she looks up at the ceiling light, but her attempt at a casual stance betrays something that’s bothering her. “Hey... Ralsei. I was wondering…”

RALSEI - He perks up. “Oh! What is it, Susie?”

SUSIE - “That Jevil guy... he was going on and on about ‘freedom’. Any idea what he meant?”

RALSEI - “Oh…” He hesitates. “Well, if I had to guess... I would say that he was referring to, perhaps, freedom from his purpose?”

SUSIE - She's listening intently.

LOGIC - So are you. This could be the key to the whole puzzle!

RALSEI - The Prince elaborates, “A Darkners' purpose is to serve Lightners, after all. It's the only way they can feel fulfilled. He must have…”

RALSEI -He trails off. “...wanted something more.”

REACTION SPEED [Medium: Success] - Hold on, is he serious?

CONCEPTUALIZATION - That can't be right. Darkners have their quirks, maybe, but they’re still people. Surely their aspirations and ambitions can’t begin and end with a Lightner’s approval.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Formidable: Success] - Can they?

RHETORIC [Challenging: Success] - You doubt Seam was being literal when they said Lightners ‘gave Darkners purpose’. Reverence or not, if it were the case, no Darkner would have had the willpower to do anything outside of their assigned ‘purpose’ – and the King of Spades is in no short supply of willpower, if he was able to overthrow the established balance of power so thoroughly.

SUSIE - “...”

EMPATHY [Formidable: Failure] - Her expression, hidden behind a curtain of bangs, is unreadable.

INLAND EMPIRE [Challenging: Success] - Now, you and your friends are not like the King, in his foretold rebellion. Susie may have a chain on her arm, but her heart has been freed from choking doubts; and though your heart is wrapped in strings, tugged one way or another, the path ahead is yours alone to walk.

INLAND EMPIRE -Your attunement to the ideals of freedom is growing… but it’s not quite perfect. There are still those who surpass you – and they are closer than you may think.

DEVILSCYTHE - The weapon resting against the wall erupts into cackling laughter.

DEVILSCYTHE -“WEE HEE, WEE HEE! FREE-ER THAN THEE, I STILL BE!”

REACTION SPEED [Legendary: Failure] - What?

SUSIE - She startles. “H-huh? You can still... talk to us!?”

ENDURANCE - Oh, come *on*! I thought we were done with this guy.

RALSEI - “Why didn’t you say anything?”

INLAND EMPIRE - He was taking a nap.

DEVILSCYTHE - A smile flashes on the blade. “CAGED AS HE MAY BE, A JESTER STILL HAS HIS PRIVILEGES!”

RALSEI - “...”

HALF LIGHT [Medium: Success] - A dreadful realisation crawls up your amygdala. The demon is part of your team now. You’ll have to protect him.

SAVOIR FAIRE - How is that a bad thing? You have a powerful mage, a dangerous bruiser, *and* a shapeshifting joker card in your team now, kid. You’re going places!

ESPRIT DE CORPS - Orientation training for the new civilian consultant will have to wait until the present crisis is resolved. You need every officer you can get, and you need them now; no time to run background checks when the world is ending.

INTERFACING - The radio won’t need a new channel if he’s already in the system. That’s a major security risk – might want to look into patching it, somehow.

New task: Fix the information leak

ELEVATOR - Mercifully, the elevator stops and the doors open.

SUSIE - “Man, this place gives me the creeps…” As the three of you step out into the maze of drafty concrete corridors, she shoves her free hand into her pocket. The other hand is firmly on her axe.

HALF LIGHT [Easy: Success] - Ready for trouble. Ready for *anything*.

1. “Maybe they’re over there?” [Point to your right.]
2. “Let’s check the other cells.” [Explore the cells.]
3. Ask Susie for help.
4. Ask Ralsei for help.

YOU - “Maybe they’re over there?” [Point to your right.]

RALSEI - He leans over your shoulder. “Hmm, we didn’t go there the first time… It wouldn’t hurt to try!”

SUSIE - “A’ight.” She props the Devilscythe casually on her shoulder. “I’ll have Jevil out in case something happens.”

PERCEPTION (HEARING) [Medium: Success] - The ringing of the scythe’s bells is low, barely a murmur.

INLAND EMPIRE [Medium: Success] - He's trying to be quiet.

SUSIE - “Follow me.”

AUTHORITY [Easy: Success] - What? Why aren’t you out in front, leading your party?

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT - Because *she’s* the meatshield. If anything goes wrong, you want her out in front, taking and dealing the hits.

SAVOIR FAIRE [Medium: Success] - The bells’ tolling somehow manages to blend in with the ambient prison noise as you sneak off to the right.

SUSIE - She stops at a corner, frowning.

RALSEI - “What’s wrong, Susie?” he whispers.

SUSIE - She makes a face. “Get over here and see.”

CAGE ENCLOSURE - The three of you, lined up vertically, peek around the corner into the next room. Four large wheeled cages are arranged at the far side of the wall, bearing lion-shaped figureheads and decorated in bright orange and yellow.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Medium: Success] - This saccharine palette is unmistakable: these are circus cages. They’re being treated like animals!

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) - Actually, some of the prisoners *are* animals. Wooden blocks shaped vaguely like animals, anyway.

RHETORIC - The kings are in here, too. Three crown-bearing Darkners, just as you expected: Diamonds, Hearts, and Clubs.

Task complete: Find the dethroned kings

+40 xp

VOLITION - You’ve solved your very first case! Well done.

1. I’m not five, you don’t have to praise me for every little accomplishment.
2. Why, yes I did! Thank you for noticing.
3. Thanks, I guess.

YOU - Thanks. I *guess*.

EMPATHY [Medium: Success] - Is that the rebellious Pippin? Looks like they’re not going to finish that painting any time soon. At least they’re in the same cage as their king…

CAGE ENCLOSURE - The cages also contain a pair of Rudinns, one with a Ranger’s mask and one without. Outside the bars, a yellow figure with pointed edges is chained to the wall by one ankle.

1. Talk to the royal-looking figures.
2. Talk to the Rebel Pippin.
3. Talk to the prisoner Rudinn.
4. Talk to the animals.
5. Talk to the Rudinn Ranger Royal Guard.
6. Talk to the star-shaped Darkner.

YOU - Talk to the royal-looking figures.

SUGGESTION [Easy: Success] - You’ve found the kings – now to decide how you’re going to deal with them. Maybe Ralsei and Susie could pull off a ‘good cop, bad cop’ routine?

SUGGESTION [Challenging: Success] - …On second thought, they’d probably take it too far. Either Susie would bury her axe into the wall as an intimidation attempt, or Ralsei would break down crying for sympathy points. Best to take the lead on this conversation.

KING OF DIAMONDS - He spots you through the bars and lights up, grabbing them with clear desperation. “Wayward strangersss! Are you here to free usss?”

HALF LIGHT - His hands are stained with a dark substance, flaking off in specks of black.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) - The King of Diamonds looks a lot like a Rudinn, but his coils, banded white and green and black – with some dark green bruises for good measure – are thicker than the footsoldiers’. He has an extra pair arms, which adopt the zigzag pattern as well. Around his neck, a green ruff spikes upward, and a crown of the same colour adorns his head.

ENDURANCE [Medium: Success] - He’s also pretty fat – which may explain how he’s been surviving down here for who knows how long.

KING OF CLUBS - The five-headed King shifts uneasily. Pale fur bristles as the heads bob and weave around each other.

PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT [Easy: Success] - More extendable necks. At least these ones don’t wobble around like freaky rubber tubes.

KING OF CLUBS - Four voices mutter with pessimism, distrust, optimism, and naïveté. “Do not be certain of it, brother. They’re only escaped prisoners, aren’t they? / The traitor may have sent them. Be on alert. / Hey, you must be Rebels, too! Are you with the Hearts Pippin? / Perhaps they’re merely lost, and looking for a guide. How may we help you, little ones?”

PAIN THRESHOLD - The fifth head remains silent and aloof, one eye swollen shut and a large scab across its forehead. It offers no commentary or judgement, content to hang back and glare down at you, ears flat against his head.

KING OF HEARTS - In a similar fashion to the other Hathys you’ve met, this king says nothing at all, withdrawn into the corner of its cage. It clutches its numerous scepters tightly, but loosens a tendril to wave in your direction.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Medium: Success] - He’s saying ‘Welcome, dear Lightners.’ He’s a lot more subdued than you’d have expected from Jevil’s description.

EMPATHY [Formidable: Success] - He’s exhausted. This meager greeting is the only hospitality he can afford without wasting precious energy.

RALSEI - “Your majesties!” He hastens to the bars, paws extended with healing light. “You’re injured, let me help you!”

ESPRIT DE CORPS - Susie stares at the green light forming in his paws.

KING OF DIAMONDS - He shakes his head, withdrawing his hands from the bars. “Ah, ssspare the formalities. Perhaps you could heal my fellow king, if he would let you close. Freeing usss… may be too tall an ask.”

1. “What happened to you?”
2. “We’re here to free you, yes.” [Lie.]
3. Wave back.
4. “We’re looking for a keycard. Do you know where to find one?”

YOU - Wave back.

KING OF HEARTS - The King’s lips curve upward in a tired, tentative smile.

COMPOSURE [Medium: Success] - Ralsei waves as well. It’s an instinctive reaction – to him, politeness is as fundamental as breathing.

SUSIE - She eyes your motion and huffs, choosing instead to nod.

1. “What happened to you?”
2. “We’re here to free you, yes.” [Lie.]
3. Wave back.
4. “We’re looking for a keycard. Do you know where to find one?”

YOU - “What happened to you?”

KING OF CLUBS - Each head, with its trefoil pupils, focuses intently on you. “We were left to rot here. That’s all we can look forward to. / We foolishly trusted one who sought dominion. We will not make the same mistake again. / We’ll be out of here soon, I’m sure. No matter what! / I still think it’s all a misunderstanding…”

KING OF CLUBS -The injured head hisses, not deigning you with a response or an opinion.

KING OF CLUBS -“Hiss all you want, brother, it won’t delay our deaths. / Hey, quit it! / Be nice! / Why are you so mean? They’re just kids!”

RHETORIC - They don’t know why, but they were clearly and obviously betrayed. All three of them, caught unawares.

SAVOIR FAIRE [Trivial: Success] - The King of Diamonds is bargaining, trying to get the best he can out of the situation.

ENDURANCE [Trivial: Success] - The King of Hearts is in denial. He can hardly accept the events that landed him here, too beaten down and exhausted to grasp the severity of his situation.

PAIN THRESHOLD [Trivial: Success] - And the King of Clubs is experiencing every stage of grief at once, plus a few that modern psychology has yet to categorise.

KING OF DIAMONDS - “We used to rule together, the four of us.” He gestures with two left hands at his fellow prisoners. “But then, everything changed when that Knight arrived…”

KING OF HEARTS - He draws in on himself, holding his scepters tighter.

SUGGESTION [Challenging: Success] - Seam already told you who the Knight is, but maybe you can get the Kings to explain their own perspective on this invader. Pretend you don’t know anything – people love feeling smart, so they’ll gladly fill you in.

1. "What happened to you?"
2. “We’re here to free you, yes.” [Lie.]
3. Wave back.
4. “We’re looking for a keycard. Do you know where to find one?”
5. [Drama - Medium 10] “Who’s this Knight you’re talking about?” [Feign ignorance.]

YOU - “Who’s this Knight you’re talking about?” [Feign ignorance.]

+10 You promised

+1 Lied to the bake sale Rudinn

-1 Don’t kid yourself

-2 Your tailbone feels uncomfortable

CHECK SUCCESS

DRAMA [Medium: Success] - The question comes out lightly, smoothly. Your confusion and interest don’t *sound* genuine to everyone’s ears; they *are*.

KING OF DIAMONDS - “The Knight? No one knowsss!” His knuckles go white with strain. “Our Dark Fountain wasn’t always here, you know. But after it appeared… they arrived, and he *changed*.”

RALSEI - His arms, still reaching through the bars, tremble. The shine of Tension grows a shade brighter. “He… changed?”

KING OF CLUBS - “The time he spent in the Courtyard only made him worse. / He was always like this! He only struck the moment we were at our most distracted. / If he changed before, he can change again! I just know it! / I liked the Knight, their sword looked so cool!”

SUSIE - Her eyes narrow at the mention of a sword.

ESPRIT DE CORPS [Medium: Success] - She’s remembering Jevil’s card trick.

KING OF CLUBS (ANGRY HEAD) - The fifth head rises slightly. “The King of Spades betrayed us. He made his choice. He is no brother of mine.”

HALF LIGHT - His voice is even, calm. This side of the cat-hydra is enraged – but it simmers, instead of boiling. It is stalking, ready to pounce.

1. “What happened to you?”
2. “We’re here to free you, yes.” [Lie.]
3. Wave back.
4. “We’re looking for a keycard. Do you know where to find one?”

YOU - “We’re looking for a keycard. Do you know where to find one?”

COMPOSURE - Your non-sequitur gives all three kings pause.

KING OF CLUBS - “He must’ve deactivated them by now. / Do you seriously believe he’d let us keep them?! / We’d love to help you, but he broke them… I’m sure you can find a copy, though! / We left ours in our bedchambers.”

KING OF CLUBS (ANGRY HEAD) - The Club head’s bruises are fading fast under Ralsei’s care. “Only sovereigns and their most trusted hold those cards, and there is no quarter given for rival monarchs under his rule. If any keycards were unaccounted-for, they would have been broken, deactivated, or thrown into the darkness already.”

KING OF HEARTS - He droops further, tentacles curling and drifting listlessly.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Challenging: Success] - ‘Once, we and our most loyal subjects had ours. They were taken from us. We have nothing to give.’

KING OF DIAMONDS - “We…” He slumps. “Perhaps only the young Prince, or that infernal Duke, would have one now.”

AUTHORITY [Easy: Success] - And the King of Spades himself, of course.

RALSEI - “Ah, it’s okay…” He steps back, folding his hands behind his back. “We can just… take the stairs?”

PAIN THRESHOLD - The King of Clubs is fully healed, scab faded into a scar, but it still glowers out at you from the cage. Watching, waiting.

EMPATHY [Formidable: Success] - It wasn’t just the injury keeping him down, nor the King of Hearts; it was despair, thick and tangible. Their anger is mixed with a bitter sorrow, sapping their wills as surely as any shackle.

EMPATHY -They’re trying not to let it show, though. Don’t point it out.

COMPOSURE - It’s not working very well, but a king has his dignity. They have to try, for their own sakes.

KING OF DIAMONDS - A lightbulb goes off inside his head. “My sssubjectsss! My loyal sssubjectsss! Are they alright?!” he hisses, wriggling in place uselessly. His grip on the bars grows even tighter.

HALF LIGHT [Easy: Success] - The hissing is louder, more emphatic. He’s scared.

SUSIE - She looks over to where two of the king’s subjects are imprisoned, and looks back. “They’re doing just fine?”

KING OF DIAMONDS - “Not those criminalsss and traitorsss!!” he exclaims, flicking his tail. “I mean my people! The onesss forced to patrol the outer wallsss and territoriesss! Are they ssscared? Are they safe?”

SUSIE - “Uh, y-yeah, they are,” she explains, backing off. “Nobody’s gotten hurt or scared. They’re fine.”

DRAMA [Medium: Success] - She’s lying – but it’s for the best.

RALSEI - He nods. “And the Hathies are doing alright, too!”

EMPATHY - The King of Hearts exhales in wordless relief.

KING OF CLUBS - “Our daughter, Clover… I hope she’s not as sick as last time. / What if she’s been exiled?! She won’t survive in such a weakened state! / Her doctor follows the oath over our rules. She’s in good gloves. / If they did something to her, I’ll...! / She’s still in quarantine, she’ll be fine.”

LOGIC [Medium: Success] - He has a daughter? No wonder none of them have tried to escape yet, if the King of Spades has access to hostages.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Medium: Success] - Though, really, isn’t everyone in this castle a hostage? Forced to follow orders from a maddened tyrant, under penalty of imprisonment… Or worse, death.

REACTION SPEED [Challenging: Success] - Can Darkners die?

LOGIC [Formidable: Failure] - You doubt it. It would make sense for them to be subject to the rules of life – that must be why this ‘Clover’ woman is sick – but since they’re living objects, your assumptions could very well turn out false.

HALF LIGHT [Formidable: Success] - There’s only one way to find out: Find the king and slash his throat. Drink his blood to gain his strength. Become *invincible*.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Easy: Success] - Didn’t you say *not* to drink blood?

HALF LIGHT - …shut up.

Task gained: Check on Clover (optional)

VOLITION [Medium: Success] - You’ve got all the information you need, and there’s plenty more prisoners here. Keep the ball rolling.

1. Talk to the royal-looking figures.
2. Talk to the Rebel Pippin.
3. Talk to the prisoner Rudinn.
4. Talk to the animals.
5. Talk to the Rudinn Ranger Royal Guard.
6. Talk to the star-shaped Darkner.

YOU - Talk to the Rebel Pippin.

SUSIE - “Hey, look who it is.”

REBEL PIPPIN - “Ah-!” They recoil, bumping their head against the bars. “Ow…”

PAIN THRESHOLD - They rub the back of their head, breath hissing through their teeth.

SUSIE - She raises an eyebrow. “Woah, calm down. We’re all prisoners here, yeah?”

REBEL PIPPIN - They squint at her. “Aren’t you friends with the Spade Prince?”

SUSIE - “H-Hey, I can be friends with Lancer and also be a prisoner!” She pauses. “What happened to you, anyway?”

REBEL PIPPIN - “Well, you saw that Rudinn arrest me.” They sigh. “Turns out, she’s the new warden. I had no idea how to escape her, nor did I have anything to bribe her with.”

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Medium: Success] - This is likely the same warden Susie ‘invited’ to the trash can.

REBEL PIPPIN - “But I escaped this place before, so I thought, ‘Why not do it again? Third time’s the horn-shaped charm – plus, you might find your king!’ And, well…”

REBEL PIPPIN -“She caught me.” They hang their head in shame. “This whole rescue mission thing’s been one long string of snake eyes. I don’t deserve to be called a rebel Pippin, I’m more like… a prisoner Pippin.”

RALSEI - “Well…” He glances toward the other cages. “At least you know that your king is safe and sound, if imprisoned…?”

PRISONER PIPPIN - They shake their head rapidly. The die’s faces spin with a sharp rattle, settling with a single heart-shaped dot at the front. “I can’t face him like this!”

AUTHORITY [Medium: Success] - The indignity of disappointing their superior, the very person they hold in the highest regard, has settled deep into their bones.

EMPATHY [Easy: Success] - They’re overwhelmed from the guilt of having failed him.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) [Trivial: Success] - The King’s prison and theirs are one and the same. He’s been watching the whole time.

KING OF HEARTS - A single limb comes to rest on the Pippin’s head.

PRISONER PIPPIN - They freeze. Then, tears welling up in their eyes, the disgraced servant turns to face their king. “Your majesty, I.. I…!”

EMPATHY - The rebel Pippin bursts into sobs, reaching up to grasp the king’s reassuring tendril.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - ‘You did your best, love. Thank you for trying so hard.’

MORALE HEALED +2

RALSEI - He tugs on your and Susie’s clothes. “Perhaps we should let them be alone for a bit… to come to terms with their emotions.”

1. “Nah, maybe they can tell us more.”
2. “You're right. Who else should we talk to next?” [Move on.]

YOU - “You're right. Who else should we talk to next?” [Move on.]

1. Talk to the royal-looking figures.
2. Talk to the Prisoner Pippin.
3. Talk to the prisoner Rudinn.
4. Talk to the animals.
5. Talk to the Rudinn Ranger Royal Guard.
6. Talk to the star-shaped Darkner.

YOU - Talk to the animals.

THE ANIMALS - The other cell is filled with large wooden blocks shaped vaguely like animals, all simplified outlines and cartoon proportions. You can make out a monkey, an elephant, some kind of bird, and a hippo. Despite being wild animals, they’re all very quiet, cooing between themselves.

HALF LIGHT - And they haven’t eaten each other yet. Someone must have been feeding them, or maybe they’ve been tamed into pets.

CONCEPTUALIZATION - These must be part of the royal menagerie.

VISUAL CALCULUS [Trivial: Success] - An enclosure of these dimensions would be considered inadequate if it was for the monkey alone, nevermind a large mammal like a hippopotamus. This is animal abuse, plain and simple.

RHETORIC - These are just animals, you won’t get anything from them.

VOLITION - Right, onto the next one.

1. Talk to the royal-looking figures.
2. Talk to the Prisoner Pippin.
3. Talk to the prisoner Rudinn.
4. Talk to the animals.
5. Talk to the Rudinn Ranger Royal Guard.
6. Talk to the star-shaped Darkner.

YOU - Talk to the prisoner Rudinn.

IMPRISONED RUDINN - “Hey, you shouldn’t be walking around…” He pauses. “Not that that’s any of my business anymore. I’m serving my time, not dealing with prisoners.”

1. “What are you in for?”
2. Leave.

YOU - “What are you in for?”

IMPRISONED RUDINN - He yawns. “I was feeling hungry and it was the middle of the night, so I snuck out and grabbed a midnight snack. They caught me with my hand still in the cookie jar.”

RALSEI - “Oh dear! They shouldn’t have imprisoned you for something as small as that!”

ESPRIT DE CORPS [Easy: Success] - He’s right. The theft of a single handful of cookies barely merits a literal slap on the wrist: under any sensible justice system, such an insignificant crime would have been laughed out of court.

IMPRISONED RUDINN - “Meh.” He shrugs. “It had someone else’s name on it. I just wanted to watch the world burn.”

SUSIE - “Yeah, okay, you definitely deserve to be here.” She snickers.

RALSEI - “Well, that’s not good…” he hesitates. “If you touch everyone’s food, you might catch something!”

LOGIC [Easy: Success] - Or you might *give* someone something.

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Easy: Success] - One of the most common vectors for allergens and pathogens is cross-contamination, where a surface that was in contact with one food is used for the preparation of another.

ESPRIT DE CORPS - Still not actually a crime.

ENDURANCE [Medium: Success] - Your parents drilled into your and your brother’s heads everything they knew about food safety, and then some. It's why you – almost – never got food poisoning growing up.

1. “What are you in for?”
2. Leave.

YOU - Leave.

EMPATHY - That Rudinn won’t be atoning any time soon. This is more like a vacation for him, really.

1. Talk to the royal-looking figures.
2. Talk to the Prisoner Pippin.
3. Talk to the prisoner Rudinn.
4. Talk to the animals.
5. Talk to the Rudinn Ranger Royal Guard.
6. Talk to the star-shaped Darkner.

YOU - Talk to the Rudinn Ranger Royal Guard.

RUDINN RANGER, ROYAL GUARD - “Huh?” the Rudinn hums, seeing you approach. “Oh, uh–”

RUDINN RANGER, ROYAL GUARD -She freezes. “Oh dear, I forgot to look at the wall!”

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) - She turns to look at the wall. It’s plain blue concrete, utterly unremarkable.

EMPATHY [Medium: Success] - You recognise the voice: it’s the one Susie ‘unbanned’ from Free Ham Sandwich Day.

REACTION SPEED [Medium: Success] - The soldier turns her head slightly, as if she’s making sure you’re gone.

SUGGESTION - You must really have made an impression! Even now, she’s trying to maintain her plausible deniability, pretending she can’t see you so she won’t have to snitch.

SUGGESTION -It won’t do her much good, since she’s already in jail, but the sentiment is appreciated.

1. Talk to the royal-looking figures.
2. Talk to the Prisoner Pippin.
3. Talk to the prisoner Rudinn.
4. Talk to the animals.
5. Talk to the Rudinn Ranger Royal Guard.
6. Talk to the star-shaped Darkner.

YOU - Talk to the star-shaped Darkner.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) - A curious Darkner in the shape of a five-pointed star is shackled to the wall here, kept separate from the other prisoners. His single leg bears a chain at the ankle, while four arms protrude from his body.

SAVOIR FAIRE - He seems… familiar. Can’t place it.

STAR SHAPED CREATURE - He rolls his eyes, placed at the central hub of his limbs. “Kowabummer, this prison makes me angry!"

RALSEI - He blinks politely. “Excuse me?”

STAR SHAPED CREATURE - "Hey, don't you know who I am, buddy? I'm Starwalker! The shining star of the kingdom!"

DRAMA [Medium: Success] - He lies, my liege. This scoundrel has no claim to the celestial visage!

1. So he was jailed for plagiarism?
2. So he was jailed for identity theft?
3. So he was jailed for fraud?

YOU - So he was jailed for plagiarism?

DRAMA - Most likely. Fortunately, this won't be the last time an art-stealing wretch will find their creativity behind bars.

1. Dude, we stole the Craft Scarf.

YOU - Dude, we stole the Craft Scarf.

DRAMA - Ah, but you see! It is not stealing if you do it for the greater good!

ESPRIT DE CORPS [Trivial: Success] - Yes it is. The law concerns actions, not moral intentions.

DRAMA - Details.

STAR SHAPED CREATURE - “And now I’m stuck in this bogus place… What a sad end, for the Starwalker to end up in!”

STAR SHAPED CREATURE -He does a depressed jig.

RHETORIC [Formidable: Success] - …Okay.

CONFUSION +1

INTERFACING [Legendary: Failure] - What?

PAIN THRESHOLD [Medium: Success] - Your head hurts, but not any worse than the migraines you've dealt with for years.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Heroic: Failure] - I have no idea what this could mean.

VOLITION [Challenging: Success] - Just ignore this… Starwalker person. If you figure out how to free him, you will, but do something else for now.

1. Walk away.

YOU - Walk away.

1. Talk to the royal-looking figures.
2. Talk to the Prisoner Pippin.
3. Talk to the prisoner Rudinn.
4. Talk to the animals.
5. Talk to the Rudinn Ranger Royal Guard.
6. Talk to the star-shaped Darkner.
7. “We should go now, but we’ll be careful.” [Turn to leave.]

YOU - “We should go now, but we’ll be careful.” [Turn to leave.]

RALSEI - “Um, kings…” He approaches the caged royals. “We promise to free you! And everyone else here, too!”

PERCEPTION (HEARING) [Medium: Success] - The Ranger whistles a tune, pretending not to hear you.

KING OF DIAMONDS - The serpentine monarch awkwardly shifts his trunk lower, trying to draw level with Ralsei’s eyes. “Fear not, child, for we believe in you!”

KING OF HEARTS - He nods, thrumming steadily.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - You don’t need my translation for that one.

ESPRIT DE CORPS [Easy: Success] - He trusts you, both to keep your word and to defeat his usurper.

KING OF CLUBS - “Don’t get your hopes up. / Be ready for the worst. / Don’t sneak away! / You’ll do great! / If you find Clover, tell her we love her!”

Task updated: Find a Spade security card

Task updated: Find Clover (Non-optional)