[Global] End Game.

[Vivian Shiryu]

Where, oh where, had it all gone so wrong. That was the question Vivian was faced with as she was knocked from the fish, grabbing desperately, hopelessly, at the sandy shoreline as she was sucked back out to sea. Fortunately, thanks to her panicked wish, she didn't drown but she now had a much bigger problem to solve. Even ignoring the weight of her armor, which was not making things any easier, the irrefutable truth was that Vivian, for all her biqaj blood, simply could not swim. The fact that she was panicking, flailing underwater and sinking was not making things any easier.

So there she was, desperately trying to claw her way back to the surface, and failing miserably at it, when she found herself falling through a portal, she guessed one made by Arlo's wish, and found herself unceremoniously dumped back on shore in front of what she guessed was the Immortal for this trial, U'frek from Jesnine's description. She didn't have to opportunity to hear what anyone might have said when she first appeared, though, because after she stumbled to her feet, she felt violently ill. Out of simple courtesy, she stumbled away from the group a bit, then fell to her knees and started to throw up.

Once she had gotten that out of her system, she staggered back over to water to clean herself up, then rejoined the group. "Sorry. My history with water is...not good." she said, looking noticeably pale. She listened to what U'frek had to say, if he'd waited for her to finish being sick before he started speaking, the followed the others through the door to the next area. She didn't say anything as they walked until Jesnine spoke up, but when she did, Vivian looked at the floor in shame. "I wouldn't have failed my first liege." she said, her tone simple but saddened, her voice quiet.

Then came the next challenge, which...thus far appeared the least challenging of the lot. Sit, rest, eat and drink, watch a dance of beautiful women. And so she did, eating and drinking a little. Her stomach was still upset from U'frek's challenge, after all. Then the dancers sat down and presented the challenge, another mental one. The moment they had started speaking, Vivian had given their words her entire focus. The question was tricky, and she looked at the dancers as she thought.

They were identical, seductive, alluring, and Vivian had reacted to them as she had never reacted to anyone before. That had been interesting, but she had suppressed, she hoped, any sign of it, though her face had felt as though it were on fire. But though each was identical, their appearance was...tricky. They wavered a bit at first, as if they couldn't decide what they looked like, and it was only when they sat down that she could see them clearly. Dark hair, pale skin, bright green eyes, and curved more than a horse racing track, but for all their beauty, they were clearly soldiers. Soldiers untouched by the bloodshed and horror of the battlefield. "I see...a combination of perfect physical beauty and soldiers who have never known defeat. Beauty is...I don't know, honestly. Beauty, joy, peace, I lost sight of these things long ago." she said, shaking her head. "For my question, what do you see when you look at us? I would know what I can of your minds, that it may help us be prepared for what comes next."

[Nauta F'mos Geey]

At least they or more importantly, he, avoided the worst outcome he foresaw. Not only that but his choice to go above and beyond the straightforward plan worked out well for him and... did not. Of course it would be an immortal to ruin the trick as U'frek immediately exposed the power the aukari chose and the one he did not at the first opportunity. So much for leading the rest to think it was one and the same... The reasons he chose to make use of such a noticeably grandiose ability. At the very least he had a fantastic thing in his toolbox now. The only question was when was that one moment to use it.

Like he told the rest they had the opportunity for extraordinary resources. They chose to make use of the most direct approach as they did not want to even consider an alternate approach.

Nevertheless done with U'frek and his game, Nauta eagerly left that beach. Jesine did not offer to answer more questions as usual but Nauta decided to ask one anyway. He figured unlike her previous prompts expecting something of Cassion's yet to be revealed tale, the worst was to not answer for the question's irrelevance to the game, just as she had with Arlo earlier. The alchemist could only see the benefit in asking "is there any way to go back to maze? Or..." if it was impossible, "other places like it? Which can create?" It was a pity Nauta was unable to test that ability after he learned of it from his opponent's scroll as that leg of the game ended quickly after the stubborn mage was downed.

Despite that regrettable waste of an opportunity however, it was not the thing Nauta would change about his life especially if it was only the one. Alas, there was nothing which came to mind even as he pondered on Jesine's question, no significant event he could recall, no one detail which constantly nagged him every waking trial; nothing which made him feel as if life was worse off after it was introduced. Oh, perhaps that? While Nauta would normally attempt to hide information of himself from his opponents, it was not like they could do anything with that which was obvious and he only said, "that I was not from Sirothelle" before he internally added that Faldrun and his agenda could get stuffed.

Then it was time to meet the remainder of the four, his own patron who ironically was Faldrun's own sister. Unlike the other immortals he met that trial, she was the one he would greet wholeheartedly... if he could figure out which she was. Until then, it was food and drink which Nauta happily accepted as an opportunity to rest after U'frek's tiresome task; the dance and song he was but a bonus to an already indulgent experience. For that, the trio had his "thanks, don't mind if I do" to help himself until he was satisfied. It was worth the wait as the corridors in between did not seem suited for rest and the aukari's own suggestions of the need of it could not get anymore clearer.

Which was followed by yet another troublesome question to ponder on. Nauta took his time to think on it before he simply answered, "beauty is what you can see, just as I see you" as if it was not already obvious. He did not need an ideal to hold the women to as his demonstration of the glass chalice he got from Illaren would show. "Time, effort and pretty things used to make this" or so he believed and, "time, effort and other things maker need to learn for this." As a fellow artisan though of a different craft, the chefemist concluded his demonstration with a "if not worth time and effort, it'd never be beautiful." In fact, it would not even be created as no craftsman would work on something without worth in their eyes.

And then he filled up that very chalice with drink to think on the question he would ask. As he leisurely sipped from the glass he slowly revealed the question they had to answer but first, "imagine beauty you want in your life. Imagine beauty you want to keep." After a pause he added "now imagine beauty doing things you don't like. Give you food you don't like. Quit job, live off you. Cheat on you for other man. Think of other things after this. Your imagination." Only at that point they could answer the question of "when you leave her or," in the case of some of the more unstable of Sirothelle, "ker aic y'th'äs këuil? When will your beauty be no longer worth it?"

[Whisper]

The trio of dancers, no matter how they appeared to each of the mortals, remained just as giggly and convivial as they had initially appeared. High on life, as if nothing could affect them, not even the assumed stress each Immortal must be under in trying to win Cassion’s little game. They ate, they drank they laughed, they whispered among themselves, yet all the while paying rapt attention to the four guests sharing their fire.

Tio was first to answer the dancers’ questions and they nodded, their expressions never changing, the light never dimming from their eyes. There was nothing clear to indicate whether or not Edasha was pleased with his description of what was beauty, not even surprise. Yet it was an unusual response. The Immortal was pleased at the expected diversity of the group… oh how fascinating mortals were. “Appearance is important, that much cannot be denied. People cross the street to avoid someone they have never met… they judge a person’s character on appearance.” The first spoke slowly, as if testing her words before they left her mouth. With each passing word, she became slightly more serious. “Yes precisely… if someone doesn’t take the time to care for their appearance clearly doesn’t care much for themselves. Who could love that?” The second shared a similar opinion, but was much harsher in her assessment, even if she continued to smile, as if barely taking her own words seriously. The third of the identical women also remained smiling, but it no longer stretched to her eyes. “People see what they want to see, inner beauty or otherwise, it doesn’t matter because nothing is ever good enough, someone will always be better, there’s always something new to strive for.”

Next came the poetic words from Arlo, who did not disappoint with his description of what beauty was. It was almost textbook, and the Immortal expected nothing less… though she would expect something very similar from the average Joe on the streets who did not want to appear vapid. Not that Arlo came across as such a man, but it made the women smile nonetheless. The clone trio did not even glance at each other before they simultaneously answered, “I am.” With such self-assuredness that their beliefs could not be doubted. They shared a look and each released a small titter. “Such a vague question, Arlo... and just when we wee trying to establish what beauty was...” Was the explanation provided by the first of the three dancers, the one who had been most serious when replying to Tio. She was just as sombre now, where the second seemed only fractionally more light-hearted, leaning forward and exposing even more of herself than the revealing dresses already did. Her eyes were intent, gazing at him as if Arlo was the only man in the world who mattered. “Does it matter to you who is most beautiful?” The words rolled off her tongue with a shy smile, refusing to answer with anything other than her own question. The final dancer was less sultry still, with something in her gaze almost… put out. “You seek to pit us against each other? Hardly the gentleman I was expecting, Arlo.”

Vivian’s words gave all three clones reason to pause, surprised at the honesty with which she spoke… the sadness at a lost innocence which seemed to break the trio’s frivolous nature into something more genuine. “What do I see? Ordinary people living through extraordinary times.” The answer from the first of the dancers was short but powerful, with more depth than could adequately be explained… and she knew nothing further would do the sentiment justice. “I see in hindsight that hot springs would have been a better setting than a campfire for us to meet.” The second spoke wistfully, though whether that gave meaning to her words was another question entirely. “I could turn your words describing us back on the four of you, Vivian. I see immovable objects and unstoppable forces. I see what all men - and women - should aspire to be.” The third was now the calmest, but had spoken with a sense of determination that the other two didn’t seem to have.

The question posed by Nauta was by far the most complex, and took a moment for the girls to process. They felt for Nauta, who had spent his whole life experiencing discrimination because of who he was. At least the yludih could hide his nature, but the aukari had no such luxury. “We are first captured by what we see, but we fall in love with what we cannot always see. True love can never be based on what we look like, but on what we do.” Softly spoken, it was hard to hear the first’s answer over the crackle of the fire. The second was louder, almost laughing at the question. “Beautiful people are lusted after, not loved. You enjoy your night of pleasure and move on before their personalities are revealed.” The third remained just as tight-eyed as she had been though most of this conversation, snuck a glance at the other two before answering, “Until I have lived it, I cannot say how much I am willing to take. Experience is what makes us who we are, and what we are capable of living through.”

[Pegasus]

2nd Cylus 718

Nauta fired questions at her, still, and Jesine frowned at him, not answering. The air changed, though, at her frown. Somehow, it became charged and all of them felt their hair start to stand on end. But nothing was said, she just opened the way for them in the Corridor Between.
Silent Warning: Unlocked: Nauta seems to have broken some unseen / unwritten rule and Jesine seems irritated. The air is charged with static and there is a feeling of oppression. This will have consequences. And on they went, walking the Corridor Between.

She had a question for them. Tio whispered his answer to her, Jesine looked at him and smiled a brief, sympathetic smile. She didn't say anything, but she nodded her head as though she very genuinely understood. Maybe in the way that only someone who had felt the same could. It was a similar expression to the one that she wore when she looked at Arlo, and his answer. To the young man who carried her mark, however, she did answer. "We always think we have all of it, until there's none left." Time ticked, even if you did not hear it. She smiled at him with a gentle smile and seemed more melancholy than she had before, somehow. Perhaps because the Game was ending or maybe for some other reason.

With those such as her, who truly knew?

Vivian's answer caused Jesine to turn to look at her with a raised eyebrow. To the soldier she spoke in a gentle tone. "It haunts you. Your dreams. Learn from it and it will lessen its grip. Perhaps." In truth, there were different opinions on what constituted failure, but she did not argue those. Vivian felt it, thus it was true to her. And of Nauta's answer, she nodded. "The prison of birth." Jesine said, thoughtfully. They had all answered and had done so well and honestly, in varying degrees. Yet she seemed thoughtful, contemplative.
As they left her, and she watched them stepping into Edasha's task, Jesine sighed slightly. "Good luck," she whispered though none of them heard her.

OOC Info

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Message from: Pegasus

Rules / Things to Know: You are now, very firmly IN Emea. THANK YOU! To Whisper for her portrayal of Ilaren and now also Edasha! Thanks so much to Maltruism for Delroth and Muse for U'frek!!! Please DO NOT POST! - Whisper and I are co-ordinating post times!!! Keep watching. PLEASE NOTE: All effects from previous tasks are still in effect. I'm going to post again on the 24th March. I might post sooner if everyone has posted. DO NOT POST UNTIL AFTER THE NEXT MOD HAS! If you miss a round of posting, you will incur a disadvantage It is very important that I am clear. Actions in this thread have consequences. Everything from where you sit to what you say to.. well, you get it. Where an action has to possibility for giving players advantages / disadvantages (as a number do in this post) I will share that with another mod to verify BEFORE you post.

Objectives

I will be utilising the "Secret / Hidden Objectives" format and there will be, in some posts, an OOC "task" or "goal" etc. I will differentiate between must do objectives, and can do objectives.
In your next post: Must Do: None
Can Do: None

There are three hidden objectives in the next round.

Currently

Name	Current Advantages/Resources	Current Disadvantages/Drains
Tio	3 x Delroth Charms	He Chose Poorly
Arlo	Silver from the WestIlaren's TestGood Questions!2 x Delroth Charms	Neutral
Vivian	Ilaren's Test1 x Delroth Charms	Neutral
Nauta	Lucky LastIlaren's TestGood Questions!3 x Delroth Charms	Jesine's Silent Warning

[Whisper]

The girls consumed more of the food, still swaying and humming in time with the music. It was as if the previous conversation had never happened, how easily they returned to the bubbly smiles and meaningless chatter between themselves, smiling every so often at the four mortals. They were clearly in no rush to let the champions continue onwards… but knew they would eventually have to. Now that all questions had been answered, even if they had not been answered to the standards that the four champions were expecting (perhaps they were even more confused than they had been before), Edasha was ready to move on.

“Now that we have answered your questions, you have been provided with all you need to know.” The trio of dancers once again spoke in tandem, a single organism working in utter harmony. “It is time for you to decide what is most important to you… and to decide who we are. Or… rather…” The girls looked at each other, still smiling widely, before turning back to the challengers. “Which of us is Edasha?”

They grinned like it was the best game ever to be invented. Hide-and-Seek for adults, without any of the fun and all of the strain of life on their shoulders. And, while their smiles were wide, and excited, their eyes each told a different story. Between then were expressions of desperation, seriousness, and sensuousness. Each had qualities of all three emotions, but each had one of them shine through the brightest. The previous conversation, had the challengers been paying attention, would have told them which girl in the trio felt what. With all three appearing different, yet identical, only their insight would answer the question posed by Edasha.

!	Message from: Whisper
	Okay so apologies for the disastrous colours in the last post... was tricky. For this one... well it's simple. Make your choice. Now you can post!

[Arlo Creede]

Arlo's question to the three women might have seemed vague, but his reasons for asking were not. Some might say that their initial response could have been easily predicted, and Arlo would have had to agree. There wasn't much to be gained from that. But plenty on the other hand, when each of them went on to elaborate. Assuming someone was able to read them. He couldn't allow himself to forget after all that this was a competition. A game in effect and this was another puzzle or challenge. It would be too easy to mistake it for a philosophical discussion between mortals and immortals.

And one ought to keep in mind just which Immortal it was, and what he knew of Edasha based on his studies. "Not at all. On the contrary in fact," he said, and smiled when asked had he been trying to pit them one against the other. In fact, he'd thought it might be interesting and maybe revealing, had each of the three chosen to praise some aspect of the others. Or on the other hand, something completely contrary to it.

The second of three however revealed just a little more, though some might argue only in the physical sense. Arlo was of the mind that all revealed something along the way, no matter how alike they seemed. The most beautiful and did it matter to him? He grinned a little, considered the nature of the Immortal in question and figured it would matter to her more. In a roomful of beautiful people, exclusively, in a physical sense someone would always be the most beautiful, and someone the least. And having said that, Arlo smiled and added, "And still in a sense, it's in the eye of the beholder is it not?"

Wasn't that why after all, Edasha had chosen to present herself as the pinnacle of beauty, but differently for each of them gathered there? He couldn't speak for what Tio was seeing, or Vivian or Nauta. But Arlo suspected that it wasn't a redheaded, fair skinned and freckled lass, three times, seated in front of them. Nonetheless, he'd considered their answers, not just to him but the others. He'd studied their mannerisms and expressions, their differences, their speech patterns and so on. Which of them was Edasha, they asked? Arlo looked across the fire, smiled, made his choice, and revealed his answer.

Off Topic

Arlo's answer sent via PM

[Tio Silver]

Although this was his first time meeting one, Tio decided that he quite liked these mortalborn people. They had that same sense of power and unshakeable duty that the Immortals had, but unlike them they seemed to act like real people with a wide, genuine range of thoughts and feelings rather than being absolute avatars of concepts. It made them more relatable, more human even. Tio had never been the religious type, but if he had to pick a deity to devote himself to he'd rather choose a weaker one that could understand him rather than a more powerful one that only wished to cultivate a particular aspect of him. Now that he knew there was another choice perhaps he should reconsider throwing his lot in with Syroa? That was an idea that merited some thought, but now was not the time for it. When all this was said and done perhaps he'd get around to doing a bit of introspection.

The trinity's responses to his and everyone else's questions revealed that whilst they all looked the same, each of them had subtly different personalities. The question was which of these personalities belonged to the actual goddess, and which belonged to the imitations? Once again the key to this challenge seemed to be about considering the domains the taskmaster represented, so which of the three best represented beauty, jealousy, adultery and sight?

Unlike the other challenges Tio did not make his decisions almost instantly, for to tell the truth he was stuck. None of the three seemed to embody the concepts better than any other, they merely embodied them in a more passive or aggressive manner. Perhaps this task was not at all suited to him because one who had no appearance couldn't understand true beauty? That would certainly explain a few things about him.

After a long time spent mulling it over, Tio reached out to point at one of the trinity. "Could the real Edasha be... you?" He asked cautiously.

Off Topic

I'm PMing my answer as well.

[/align]

[Vivian Shiryu]

Vivian smiled slightly at the answer the triplets gave, but didn't respond to the final bit, for she felt it would be unwise to tell an Immortal that she was wrong. The triplets looked as though they had never known defeat, while she herself had never known success. Failure was her constant companion, this was the closest she had ever come to success. She remained silent as the other questions were answered, thinking, learning.

When they started talking in threes again, Vivian knew the questions and answer session was over. She listened quietly as Edasha explained the test, a simple game to guess. She figured she was probably being hamstrung by her lack of knowledge about the Immortals again, she really should have read up after she accepted this mission. Or at least after that whole mess in the jungle. She was used to being given a briefing, and she had badly neglected her own researching abilities as a result. Another deficiency to add to the pile.

For now, however, she had a mission to attend too. She pondered the words of the thee, the minute differences in their personalities. There was the possibility that all three were, in fact, parts of a whole, but she supposed someone would have said something if that was a possibility. As it was...after a moment she pointed to one of the trio. "I think it's you."

Off Topic

PM sent with an answer

[Nauta F'mos Geey]

As Nauta sat through the questions asked of the women and the answers given to them, he felt he could see some qualities which were exaggerated. It was quite obvious that he was quite sure even the other participants would have noticed them just as he did but his increased awareness tried to make it even more certain to him. However there was no indication of it from his fellows as eventhough they pointed out their choices, it was as if the act itself was shrouded from him through means unbeknownst to him.

Edasha probably had something to do with that, that was the only reason which made sense but at the very least she could have remain consistent in her assistance and support. He had already met the immortal before this, twice, and none of the three felt even the slightest bit of the woman he met. Perhaps it was because Edasha had to make things 'fair' for all the participants and change her own character, but it was quite unfair to the aukari because he is already significantly affected by his prior meeting with her. Whatever.

That was the only reason and that reason alone that the aukari immediately discarded the idea that the second of the trio may be the true Edasha and, he was not even going to dignify her attitude with an explanation. With that decision made his choice should be made easier as "I think one of you two are the real Edasha..." but which could it be? He sighed at having to make the decision as "it would be easier if I could just say the both of you" but if he had to choose the one from them all...

The first at least in a sense answered all the questions asked and Nauta quite liked the answers she gave especially her answer to Tio, but it was not about the answers he liked. It was about Edasha's own answers and for his own question... did he actually ask about true love?

This realization made him examine the third closely and question the reason why she had to be so bitter on their topic of beauty, especially when they all seemed equally beautiful in his eyes. He was led back to Arlo's question and thought "yes...maybe..." before he made his decision. As clear as any could see it was the third he knelt to and greeted. "Isk na'ur Edasha." One who should not have to share her stage or compete with her lessers.

[Whisper]

It would be evident, as the conversation continued, that each of the three, whilst all interested, were displaying different levels of enjoyment in the questions, answers and decision making process. The first seemed entirely neutral, calm, and even unaffected, by the events occurring this evening around the fire. The second seemed keen to please, eyes alight with a smouldering fire that seemed to burn brighter than the flames in front of them. The third appeared to have already checked out of the proceedings, not that she was calm; there was something far too rigid about the way she held herself, legs angles away as if trying to protect herself from the decisions being made.

The fourth stood unnoticed, having silently materialised behind the four challengers while they had been asking their questions. Like the others, she would appear as the pinnacle of beauty though, if possible, she would appear even more refined than the others.

This time Arlo was the first to make his choice, and the three known girls smiled… condescendingly, seductively, and sourly, when Arlo announced that all three were Edasha. The fourth, who laughed, trailed her fingers across the back of Arlo’s shoulders as she decided to reveal herself. She rounded the group to join the other girls, who all stood up to greet their sister. As the four touched, the flames of the fire roars into life, blazing with a blinding light and noise that dimmed the ever-playing music for a moment. And then, when it died down, they were left with one woman, appearing the same to each of the challengers as the triplets had appeared before. “You weren’t wrong, Arlo,” she murmured as she approached him again. “Despite your young years, you see more than simply what is in front of you. You see how many qualities make beauty what it is.” Holding out the palm of her hand, a small object materialised - a metal-wrought, jewel-encrusted amaryllis, symbolising worth beyond beauty. “May it allow you to see beyond what is in plain sight. May illusions never cause you to misstep.”

Next, Edasha came to Tio, “You chose my personification of Adultery, Tio. I admit myself… surprised, but I see how much you struggled in an effort to gain the truth of the matter.” The Immortal laughed at the irony, for adultery was really something left to the shadows, shrouded in lies. Again, she raised her palm and upon it appeared a small grey stone, weathered and smooth, with a small circle cut on the inside. “You you I gift the Verity Stone. With it, you may gaze upon the truth of a thing. Though I advise caution… for sometimes even truth may be subjective.”

Vivian had been the third to make her choice, and it was no miracle that the disgraced descendant of aristocracy would choose Sight above all else. She had seen and experienced too much… perhaps the decision was subconsciously made. And, because of it, she was slow, precise and cautious in what she did now. She needed to be prepared in all aspects of her life. The shard of glass that appeared in her hand. It was sharp around the edges, spanning around 10 inches long and no more than three inches at its widest point. “A Crystal Gazer,” the Immortal explained, her smile not turning sad as she gazed upon the young mortal who had suffered so much. “When there is no path set before you, may it guide your way towards the peace you so desperately deserve.”

And finally, the Immortal approached the aukari. “You have been hated, hunted even, your whole life.. just for what you look like, because people have looked no further. It makes sense that it would be you who identified most with my personification of Jealousy.” The final gift was a gold-plated necklace with a simple jewel pendant at the bottom. “For five breaks in any cycle of Treid’s moons, may you hide yourself with a disguise of your choosing. Aukari or not, you deserve the same chance as any.” Edasha’s gaze now blazed with the same ambitious determination that only the Immortal of Jealousy could display. It was a powerful motivator… Nauta would be just fine.

Stepping away, she gave one final smile to each of the mortals. “You have rested and eaten your fill. I hope I have lightened your hearts of burden before you meet your final Challenge. I wish you well.”

OOC

!

Message from: Whisper

Well it's pure luck that you each chose a different answer... I genuinely did not think that would happen. What are the odds?o.O Not that it mattered anyway - obviously this was a slightly bigger challenge, so your reward is a result of the culmination of the two posts, it in no way rested entirely on your PC's final decision. Well that's me done for this thread... I've had lots of fun and giggles throughout this... and I'm very much looking forward to watching your characters take on the final Big Boss! Good luck!

The Rewards

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Message from: Whisper

Arlo: Amaryllis - removes illusions to see beyond what is seen. Tio: Veracity Stone - allows you to see the truth of a thing. Vivian: Crystal Gazer - provides a brief glimpse into the future. Nauta: Pendant - change in appearance for 5hrs once a season. These gifts will return with your PC back into the mortal realm when you leave Emea. These gifts will not work for anyone except the PC to whom it was gifted by Edasha.