Fantasy Pathway - In Character (Dark Fantasy Narrative RPG)

[Kwayzar]

"Ah... th-thank you, it's de-deeply appreciated." It stammered out pleased that one of the flames had accepted its request, "Call for m-me when you're rea-ready... I'll just... uh... b-be here."

Slumping down to the ground it looked around at the other unfortunate souls to be trapped in here with it... it seems the Twilight one had found a crack to the outside world with 2 others, the Pale and Sanguine flames, flocking around them... they appear to be getting along fine... it started to feel hopeful for what's to come, but it was promptly pulled back to reality when it saw the Twilight flame offered a small wave towards it and the Gold one. It lowered its Mint flame a tad in order to nod, though it quickly realized that it may not look quite clear with how their head is and instead offered a quaint wave back.

"O-okay, I'll be sure t-to share what we find."

In an attempt to plump its chin on its flaky palm, its upper torso instead decided to plummet foward slamming its stumpy neck into its hard, bony knee... it hurt... it hurt a whole lot, it would cry if it could. Whist it was rubbing its sore neck it saw Ciele looking into an open casket... they appeared to be taunting whatever was hiding in there... possibly another one of them?

Getting up off its hind-end it leisurely stumbled over to the two, though before it could get close enough to peer inside the casket a stone flew by, then another one whized by, then another, even one that went through Ciele had flew by the Mint flamed corpse. Looking for the source of these flying rocks its eyes glue onto the Amaranth flame, it's pretty sure this is the one that had been looking along the walls from earlier... suppose its found something... whats with the rocks though Before it could say anything of acknowledgement towards the Pink Flame, the Cyan flame had already made their way over there. With a closer look it could see the Amaranth flame was pointing towards a couple of caskets stacked on one another... they appear to have something behind them... no, its more like there's nothing behind them, a corridor of sorts...might it lead them to an exit?

"If yo-you could give me a se-second I could co-come assist you." The Mint flame says as it turns backward towards the casket and steps closer to it and Ciele. Grabbing onto the lip of the casket, disrupting some clumped dust causing it to peacefully float down into the casket it peers down to see a crisp, almost Brunt Purple flame huddled up in the Casket looking far more lifeless then the rest of them.

"Hel-hello... Are y-you okay?"
​

 

[Juju]

While the Sanguine flame took a look outside, Twilight stood with the Pale one. They did not mind how they interlocked their fingers, though in such a withered state, it was a pitiful affair. It made them realize just how gaunt and vulnerable they were. For all their sake, they hoped the glimmer Sanguine has seen was not a threat.

The pale flame was quiet for the most part, and when they spoke their voice was as soft as snow. They asked the others about names, though it would seem to be lost by most.

"No, I do not recall a name or title. Perhaps I never had one, or perhaps it was not precious enough to cling to. What do you think?" The Twilight flame pondered aloud, their will-o-wisp head tilting and bobbing. "Why not choose one for yourself in the meantime?"

The clattering of stones drew Twilight's attention away. One of the other husks, an amaranth flame was gesturing wildly and flinging small rocks at the others. They looked to where they were gesturing to and found a pile of oddly placed debris. Judging by the general shapes in the wall behind it, it was a passageway of sorts.

"Ah, it seems the path forward has revealed itself. Come now, let's not keep them waiting."

They walked over to the rubble and began to help Cyan in clearing out the debris.

 

[Euclid Leaf]

Event Progress Update: Clearing of the blockage.

Was it the throwing of the rocks? Or was it the message behind the action itself?

The one who could not speak, perhaps they forgot or chose not to... They managed to get a few to notice their intent with just a simple action. As crass as it may have been. With the convergence of a few of the wanderers from the dark corners, their flames lit way for a possible way out of this hopeless room. Juju Goonfire teen_angst

Ciele snickered as they watched from where Siren77 lay, and now another who had joined. Out of concern, rather than anything else, from what it appeared. Kwayzar

Just from a glance, it would be a lot of work. The pile was not insubstantial in the slightest. And the rubble at the base made it hard to step without tearing at their feet. But it did not deter them. One at a time, the gathered pushed and pulled at the fallen stone caskets. It took the strength of more than one, even two, as they huddled and lifted one of the heavy slabs altogether. The small group set one aside, and then another, until it was clear that behind just a pile of a handful more, there was a large hole in the wall. Perhaps it had been the entrance at one point. Were the coffins blocking it now a purposeful thing or just a mere accident of decrepitness and decay over the centuries?

There was no movement of air. It seemed perhaps even more stale than ever, despite freeing up the space. But now it felt like whatever word they said would leave quite an echo.

...

 

[Goonfire]

Cyan hefted to the caskets once a few others joined it. “Much obliged,” it wheezed while putting in its fair share of back-breaking work. “Remember to use your legs, and we won’t need to move all these—just enough to crawl through.” It paused briefly, trying to recall how it knew to do such a thing.

An interesting question was brought up around the time the corpses found another of their kind. “Name? Or title?” Cyan echoed the pale one while bracing to shove the coffins. “No, but... all in due time, right?” It sure hoped so, but perhaps its tune would change after this literal trip down memory lane.

seasonedcat Euclid Leaf Kwayzar Juju

 

[kasigi]

Peering outside, the towering, star-piercing structure filled the Sanguine flame with a sense of dread. Strangely, the feeling was a comforting reminder of their own mortality and insignificance; however, they couldn't pinpoint the exact origin of their fear. Their vision traced along the landscape, studying the hilly terrain that lead towards the tower until finally tunneling their vision onto the moving light. At the very least, it didn't appear that the light was approaching. From what Sanguine could tell, it was wandering aimlessly along the pathways between the tower and the chamber that barred the flames from moving onward. Curiosity replaced dread. They knew it was foolish, but they wanted to know more about the light. Once they were free from their prison, perhaps? The being of dark red knew not the underestimate the danger, but they couldn't help themselves. "Lucky us. Don't think the light is too concerning, at least just yet. It won't be helping us get out, at the very least."

Peeling their gaze from the outside, they were faced by a predicament: a name. Turning towards the pale flame, their strain as they attempted to remember was apparent. "If I had a name, it's lost to me. I figure we're born anew, fated to choose a new one? It depends on how dearly you wanna hold on to your past." Just as Sanguine finished formulated their answer, rogue stones began being tossed around the room. The flame that threw them had clear intentions, however, as one of their outstretched arms brought attention to a wall. "Heh. Not bad. Glad things are working out, huh?" The Sanguine flame uttered a reassuring, yet flat tone towards the Twilight and Pale flame, heading over to the rubble with the intention of assisting in clearing it out.

 

[seasonedcat]

the pale flame nodded at the few responses it received, it didn't really understand what some of them meant, but it did understand the fact that when it tried to think of it's own it was met with a blank space that felt as if it was still outlined with the dust of what used to be there. It tried not to think too hard on it, but still found itself pondering, everything around it had a name, a tittle, something so that they would be recognized and not forgotten. But it didn't have one, nor did the others that were around it, it made the pale flame anxious in a way it couldn't describe, a fear similar to when it was alone.

it was pulled from its thoughts as it itself was pulled along with the flame it was holding hands with. It seemingly blinked in confusion before it noticed that it's had was no longer being held, the flame that was holding it now began shoveling rocks. It felt a pang of panic of no longer being held by someone but pushed it away as it began to try and help its friend, picking up rocks and placing them away, copying the exact movements that the other flame was doing for reference.

it found itself almost perk up at being spoken to by the red flame, almost beaming at the attention. It hummed in response to them, "yes it did work out." they repeated back, not really knowing what to say back but wanting to speak to the other either way.

 

[Euclid Leaf]

Event Progress Report: Clearing Of the Blockage
teen_angst Juju Goonfire kasigi seasonedcat Kwayzar Siren77 Heyitsjiwon

The wanderers at the clearing shared words and curious feelings, ones they almost forgot they had.
It was this that made the tiresome, grueling work more bearable. And it was togetherness that made it ever possible.

Moments would pass. One coffin slowly at a time, shifting across the stone in discomforting screeches. As they are still adjusting to their frail new bodies, it was an awkward affair of uneven lifting and shoving the large pieces to the side.

Eventually the grinding of stone fell silent, and the shadows went to a halt. It was tough work, but the sight of victory would've given them a second wind. The clearing in the fallen coffin pile had turned from a small hole in the wall to now a narrow passage. The cracked bedrock of the dead had been shifted to each side, along with the crumbled stone of those shattered from the collapse. The clearing revealed a damaged doorframe. It seemed rather precarious still, threatening to break upon itself if not ironically for the remaining coffins that had slammed down upon it in the first place. It was just enough for at least one to squeeze through at a time. The shadows began to clear as the gathered flameheads stood there now before the entry to the unknown. There was a faint scent in the air. It was mixed into the usual dusty smell, a slight smell of bitterness.

Ciele whooshed and appeared on the shoulder of one of the wanders standing at the clearing. They reared their shadowy form excitedly.

"Would you look at that...? The first step in many. Freedom doesn't come easy does it? Take a breath to recover yourselves. But wait not too long. Who knows if you have stirred something with all your commotion... hehe..."

GM NOTE: The current round is now over. All players now have their action restored.

 

[Juju]

"Well done, my friends." Spoke the Twilight one, though their voice was breathy and uneven. The exertion had taken a number on them.

They had been glad for Sanguine's pointers, as otherwise they surely would have injured themselves from lifting the coffins and rubble out of the way. Heaving such debris did not seem natural to them, and if any prior knowledge of the subject had ever been in their memory, it had long been erased with their past. This was only made worse by their current feebleness. They were made of twigs and ash, their lungs burned and their arms ached deeply.

They sat down on an overturned coffin and tried to catch their breath. A sigh of relief escaped them. "A moment's rest is perhaps best, should we run into trouble...we must be careful not to plunge blindly ahead."

 

[teen_angst]

Its corpse began to shake in anticipation as the final coffins and stones began to shift and move. Soon, it would be able to exit the room. The physical labor felt familiar, and comfortable. Perhaps it had done this in its previous life? It began to revel in the satisfaction of completing a task, when its eyes caught on the damaged doorframe their work had revealed. Immediately, its mind was consumed with the task, and all it could think was:

Exit from the room.

Its corpse's legs began to move without thinking, and it pushed its way past the other flames, pressing its corpse into the door. Immediately, it began to press onwards, out of the room, through the door. Perhaps what it needed to do lay ahead- but certainly, it did not lay behind.

 

[seasonedcat]

it tried to mimic what its twilight friend did, watching them when the other wasn't looking to try and make it look like it knew what it was doing. It didn't have too much issue with lifting the rocks, an easier time than its friend, but its body still ached from its unnatural limbs. It let put a final huff as the rock it was lifting fell to the ground with ease, the path finally clearing.

as it straightened itself up, it dusted its hands on its legs, hoping to clean them off in some way. It then quickly moved to the side of the twilight flame, glancing from beside them at the pathway forward. It panicked for a second as it saw someone walk in by themself. It quickly walked forward, grasping onto their arm, "w-wait! You shouldn't go alone..." it breathed out nervous before letting go of their arm. Maybe it was right, or maybe it didn't want anyone else to be alone either. The thought brought it to a simular panic it faced when it was alone. It nervously looked back before continuing, "we could go together if you don't want to wait or maybe we wait for the others?" It spoke out, walking beside the other if they continued forward or staying with them if they stood still. Either way it offered its presence in hope to not leave the other alone.

 

[Kwayzar]

The solemn flame kept its eyes lached onto the dour, shuttering soul, Its dark almost Burnt Purple flame casted light across the coffin's chinks together with rifts made from the passage of time. Its own Mint flame melded with the other corpse's flame producing a drab cyan of sorts. As it stared onward, a few thoughts bubbled to the surface... escaping from its lips was a voice that was nearly unintelligible.

"Who am I... who are they... what... what are we... what happened to us... why am I like this... why can't I remember anything... no... that man's voice is all I remember... who...what is Ciele... they couldn't possibly be a god could they... it wouldn't be hard to lie... a God wouldn't need help from mere mortals... but... if they truly are a God... mabye we're just their jesters... here only to entertain them..."

As more thoughts came and went its head started to twist with pain, the sheer number of questions it simply couldn't answer threw it into a state of perplexity... it simply couldn't understand its situation. As if kindling a flame, the pain and questions grew... and then it stopped, the Mint flame was pulled back to reality by the voices of the other flames. Snapping its head back to look towards the source of the voices it found that the Caskets that used to make up a blockade were all but gone, only leaving sight of an old, worn out door frame in their place. With their frail bodys... it couldn't of been easy... just how long has it been stuck in its own head... with no way of telling the passage of time... it can only guess.

Despite being in the same situation as itself the, others are pushing foward... they're... pushing ahead not letting their circumstance drag them down... it... it can't let itself be pulled under... it needs to calm down... it needs to take a deep breath.

Taking in the chilled, dusty air around it and slowly letting it out the Mint corpse mutters to itself, "Eve-every things okay... I'm c-calm..." Breathing back in, it repeats the process enough times to count it on two bony hands. Reeling its knees from the rough, cold, stone bricks, it eyes the fearful flame one last time.

"You c-can't stay in fe-fear... it'll only e-eat you fr-from the i-inside out..." It Stutters out as it walks to join the others.

 

[Euclid Leaf]

Spoiler: For the Pink Peach

As the members of the band of flaming headlets began to consider their options after such an exhausting affair, the more determined, perhaps to the point of recklessness, member of the group had already begun to squeeze and push their way down the crawl-tunnel. They seemed to not care what the others had to say. It appeared, there was only one thing on their mind. Whatever it might have been.

With a duck underneath the lip of the barely standing frame, they quickly disappeared behind the shadows. Swallowed up in the cragged rockwork and the unknown that proceeded. It was difficult to not get cut with how hurried they moved. But there seemed an instinct of sorts that aided them. With each scoot and shove of their body, guided only by this fleeted nature and the faint glow of their flame, their limbs eventually broke free from the touch of the cold biting walls. They were on the other side, as far as they could tell. But the darkness did not end. In fact, it only seemed to grow wider, spreading out before them like an endless void. With only the faded glow of their head, less than even an ember, there was not much they could see if not directly in front of them.

The only comfort was the faded glow of the others in the man-crawl behind them and the snicker of the smouldering god.

"Heh. When the first gods rose, they founded light. Flame. To ascend, we must follow in their footsteps... Are you prepared to face our failures?"

[For those still inside Ciele's Bedchamber.]

The others within could hear Ciele's ominous words, if just barely.

But even in this brief calm, the golden headed flame stepped up with a snarling sigh. They stood far behind the group who had moved the coffins at the others side of the chamber. They were busy with their own objectives, not so much as having lifted a finger for the rest of them. In their hands were a bundle of coins and other knacks found among the corpses. And not a hint of shame.

"Nothing. Nothing here but rust and the forgotten dead. Not even a single answer. All you do is present us with riddles and questions. What kind of guide are you? Is this some joke to you? A game? And just like the old gods, you prefer to play favorites instead of helping the whole." their gaze turned to the stuttering mint one before growling again.

"And this is your chosen champion, Ciele? God of Fools?" they then pointed a finger at them, "Did you not think anyone would see you? You are a leech disguised as a snake. You play kind, only to steal from behind our backs."
"You are as selfish and conniving as that god. I will not stand for it. Show us. What did that fool god grant you that it not grant us?"

Their point curled into a shaken fist as the golden spirit raged on, their words nearly sparking in the darkness. The golden flame stepped up more menacingly now, marching between the rows of coffins with an anger that boiled in their golden flame. Within a few moments they were near the front of the room.

"Show it!" it shouted one last time.

This last thundering cry can be heard echoing outside, sending a thin shockwave through the still darkness. Just then, as if in response, the pink one began to see something. (Private Message Incoming.)

 

[teen_angst]

As it emerged into the total darkness, able to see only by virtue of the pinkish flame of its corpse, it became overwhelmed by emotions. It realized, in that moment, that it loved the dark. It was comfortable, like a home. Or was it that the light was uncomfortable, and the absence of it left it feeling safe? Or perhaps...

It stopped thinking once Ciele began to speak.

"Heh. When the first gods rose, they founded light. Flame. To ascend, we must follow in their footsteps... Are you prepared to face our failures?"

It didn't know what that meant, and so all it could respond with was a simple nod. Of course it was ready. It had nothing else to do, and no ways to prepare. It was the only rational way to consider the situation. For a moment, it paused.

It would wait for the others. A brazen charge into the darkness would, almost certainly, result in death- God or not. If it did not live, its task would never be accomplished. And so it moved to the side, waiting for the next to come out of the crawlway.

 

[Kwayzar]

As its necrotic heels clack against the cold floor, its chest throbbs in pain. The pain... its dull... it pulses out of tune with its own steps, beating like greased lightning. For every step it takes, it's heart thumps two beats quicker. It closes its eyes, shutting them tight, slows its breathing and only focuses on the voices of the other flames... as if thunder had struck, its body jolted to face the source of the uproar.

This noise, this racket, it came from the Golden Flame, its voice was fueled by the same force as that man's was... anger... rage... this emotion is a unsavory one. As it stared at the seething corpse its own ears had begun to ring... this ringing morphed into pain as its head started to spin. The thumping had quickened and with each thump the pain spread further.

Thump.

Thump!

THUMP!

It was scared, it was calm, it was anxious... now it doesn't know what it is, Its palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy. As fast as it had started the Golden flame's anger had been redirected towards it, towards the Mint flame it possessed. The corpse spoke cruelly towards it, questioning its character, questioning its intentions, all because Ciele shown goodwill towards it...

it tried to defend itself from these attacks, "Th-that was nev-. N-no that is-isnt wh-. Ple-plea-please let m-me ex-." Only to be constantly shut down.

Without missing a beat the Golden flame slowly charged towards the Mint one, and for every step it took back the Golden one took three steps foward until it could no longer step back... stuck between a raging flame and a hard place... The Golden flame shouted one last time, "Show it!"

It couldn't move an inch in fear of the corpse snapping once more... it tried to speak up, but it couldn't... its throat had closed up... it was as if chains were tightly pulling on it.

Through labored breathing, and gasps of air the Mint Corpse began to slowly defend itself, "I-I... I was nev-never hiding an-anything... If yo-you'd simp-simply if asked I'd o-of sho-shown you," It raised its heavy arms to show a medallion dangling from its wrist, "I sa-saw no reas-re-reason to bring it u-up, as it ha-has no use at the mo-moment."

As the thumping, and pain faded into slow, heavy throbs, the metaphorical chains loosened their grip on its throat... it felt a wave of calmness wash over itself... it felt... pleasant. Though this liquid courage soon began to drip away and evaporate, it was left with only a dry sense of somberness. It was a new feeling... neither pleasant nor unpleasant... simply... sobering. It felt something trying to push its way pass its lips, something it wanted to say... but that suffocating feeling from before began to return and it kept its lips pursed, eyes glued to the ground and mutter one final word.

"So-Sorr-Sorry"​

 

[Juju]

While the others went ahead, the Twilight flame stayed sitting on the slab of stone. It needed to rest, yes, but more importantly it would not wish to leave behind anyone here in this forsaken collection of coffins. Just the thought of one of them being left alone here sent a shiver along their spine, though for once it was not of the creeping cold. They decided that if any of them should leave this place last, it would be them. It was the best way to ensure that none of the flames were left behind.

Twilight patiently waited for Mint, Rust and Gold to make their way out through the tunnel. That is, until a violent change overcame Gold.

Twilight was on their feet before they could even consider getting involved. They were unsure just what was wrong with Gold, but they were absolutely sure that they refused to let it antagonize and overpower the rather shy Mint flame. As tired as they were, Twilight willed their twiggy legs to carry them over towards the two flames, an urgency in their steps.

They arrived at the two figures just as Gold shouted their deafening question. Something was very wrong with this flame, and the way they spoke of Ciele sounded a little too familiar than any other husk has right to. The chill returned, but this time Twilight ignored it. Instead they turned to place a hand on Mint's shoulder.

"Be still and do not be sorry, for you have nothing to be sorry for." Twilight said, placing their other hand on the vacant shoulder and giving them them both a gentle, reassuring squeeze. Not that they could muster anything more than that in their current strength, of course. Still, it was a subtle gesture... one that discretely ended with Twilight standing between Mint and Gold.

After this was said, they turned back to Gold and extended their hands outwards from their sides in a gesture of good will. "My friend, you misunderstand. Nothing has been given to us that you do not already have. See that we are reflections in all but colour of flame. Should you seek answers from the god Ciele, then let us ask these questions together. You will find no answers from we who have none. Perhaps together we may find what you seek."