Fantasy RPG Forum - Standing Trials

Anthropos Apteros had once loved. Once, he had even had faith and hope. He had danced, barefoot in the grass. His life had been beautiful and he had taken if for granted. Oh so very much for granted. For every circumstance which life threw at him, he took and he did not give up. He had been, once, resilient and strong.

Once

As a child, he and his sister had been orphaned. He had stood and held her as they watched their home burn. It had been Cylus, he remembered. Yet the flames had lit up the small village where they lived When they took her, he looked for her, never losing sight of his goal. Saving her. And so, he watched them as they hurt then killed her and, as he too died, he made a vow
"Right, well, there's no point to hanging around here"
"Nope,"
"Open and shut case, I'd say"
"Aye"
"Does he have any family?"
"Nope"
"Then, we burn him. Come on, lets get on"


Tio
They moved together and Tio had told a story. Of himself. The fox with him watched him and then, softly, spoke. "Were you lonely a lot as a child?" It seemed to be an honest question, not sarcastic nor amused. As the question was asked, a sense of anticipation tingled in the air.

But that was just that the rain was about to start. Surely?

Suddenly, the rain began to pour and it was not the kind of rain that one could ignore. A torrent began to fall and, within half a bit everyone in the Maze was soaked to the skin. Ripples spread out as raindrops fell on the quickly-soaked floor. It happened as soon as the statue finished speaking, as though the statue itself had been a catalyst.

Or maybe, it was just a coincidence.

Either way, the statue spoke. In a not very good rhyme, in fairness. But it gave them a choice. Each of them made the choice and, having made it, it had consequences. Some seen, some not.

The choice Tio made was to tell a riddle and the statue's head moved, tilting slightly to the side.

"A choice is made! The way is parted. Now, I leave you, broken-hearted!"

Sobs filled the air as the statue disappeared. In its place, where it had been was a single crystal shaped like a star. It would be the kind of thing that would go on a necklace. "You gonna take that with you?", the fox asked.

As the statue faded from view, the next step of the Maze became apparent. Three choices now - left, right or straight ahead.... however, in front of Tio was another individual, turning the corner at the same moment - a pale one

Toraji
The two of them moved, the man and the hare and, as they did Toraj heard echoes of a voice - whispers which were not distinguishable, not clearly made out at all.

"Can you hear that? I don't like it," said Half The Hare, somewhat nervously - apparently with him as well as having gone with Amaris, They went right and they came across some pretty flowers. Then, there was a butterfly in front of him and, as its wings beat, so too did a piece of parchment flutter down. On which was drawn a sketch of a maze. It was endless and impossible, it ran from one end of the world to the other and met itself where it had started. In the middle of it was ... whatever home looked like to him. That place where comfort and warmth and acceptance lived.

What did home look like?

Still, they walked and then, turning a corner as mazes are wont to do they walked straight into another, standing and looking at the three directions available to them..... At the floor at Toraj's feet was a crystal, small and star shaped and sort of like the pendent of a necklace.

Both

And there, in the middle of each possible direction, sitting on a table, was an item.

• To the left there was a compass
• To the right there was a black feather
• Straight ahead there was a small, stuffed toy bunny

The table blocked the way and, until an item was chosen, no movement was happening.

"Which way are we going then?", both companions asked, albeit in their own ways

Rewards Achieved Last Round
Tio

1. All Must Do Objectives from Round 2 met.
   • Asked and answered! You gave the statue a riddle! This will have an impact of some kind on you
   • Home Sweet Home Home Described. Consequence at the end of the thread.
   • All Can Do Objectives from Round 2 met.
     • Are you sitting comfortably?! Story told. Positive outcome at the end of the thread.
   Toraji
   1. All Must Do Objectives from Round 1 met.
      • I spy with my little eye Someone beginning with M! Max is through your mirror. This will have an impact of some kind on one of you.
      • I follow directions You went right! The directions you take will have an impact on a final reward.
      • Wake up and smell the flowers Peonies!! Positive consequence at the end
      • That looks odd! A butterfly! Positive consequence at the end of the thread
   2. Can Do Objectives from Round 1 met.
      • Tra La La!! Toraji chose to hum!! Positive consequence at the end of the thread.
      • Is this friendship? I think so! Nickname given! Positive consequence at the end of the thread!

   OOC Info

   Things to note!

   • I will post a plot post again this time next week: Sunday 28th October
   • However, in between plot posts, you may have a conversation with your companion - this can be done once a day for as many of the days as you wish.
   • You can also converse, of course, with each other
   • Please don't control the NPC

   Objectives

   !	Message from: Must-Do Objectives
   	Explicitly state whether you are picking up the crystal or not. Pick a direction - until you pick up the item, you will not be able to progress.

   !	Message from: Can Do Objectives
   	Describe the item you pick, in whichever direction you go.