at once short of life, and long of sorrow.

[strangerpeople]

[You are dead.




Well, obviously. You remember how you died. It was...not fun, to say the least. But hey, at least you're off that ship, right?

Except...you don't know exactly where you are now. It seems like a house, but if it is, it's...a work in progress. Most of the rooms are empty, and your steps echo up through the marble columns and down faint mosaics on the tiled floor. The few windows you find have a green light gleaming through them; you can't really see anything beyond the eerie light.

It feels like you're in a temple of some kind. The columns and mosaics seem to indicate it is something like that-it's certainly reminiscent of something out of an ancient culture, perhaps even one you're familiar with. For some reason, though, it's clear someone-or something-lives here. One of the rooms to the south is stuffed with pizza boxes. Another, larger room has a makeshift futon in one of the corners. There are imprints of multiple footsteps all through the dusty floors as you look around, many of them leading to a small alcove to the west. And-

and there's a giant van. Just. hanging out there. Completely out of place with the seemingly ancient decor. And inside, there is the sound of light snoring.



Ok then. You're apparently not alone in death, after all.]

((OoC: Map for reference.))

Comments

GRAVEYARD "CARGO HOLD"

[strangerpeople]

[Wait a second...is that the Gimme in that dark, ominous corner? Huh, it is. And it looks like they're beckoning you to trade coins with them. Or maybe they're waving to the sheep. (The sheep seems to think that the latter is the case, since it waves back.)

Not only that, but it seems there's an extra stash next to the figure-one that is only available to the graveyard. What incredible goodies does the Gimme have for you here...?]





((OoC: That's right, you can earn coins and turn them in for goodies here, too, just like you could when your character was alive! Keep in mind, however, that dead players can't roll plot-important of character-personal items.

Respond to this comment with your threads and whether you want to roll for items from the special graveyard list!))

Re: GRAVEYARD "CARGO HOLD"

[leaderoftheresistance]

[Connor's not sure what to think of the Gimme other than what he was on the ship before but he was around.]

[hatesdeerstalkers]

Exploring with Kaito / Talking with Vergil and Dante is there too I guess - 22 comments I think. Special graveyard list please!

[As Moriarty hands over the coins, he politely bows to the Gimme, or, Really-]

I must admit, I hadn't realized you were Charon before. I also never believed I would meet a Greek God in such a manner, but I assume there's a first time for everything, hm?

CHARON MAIL DELIVERY SERVICE

[hatesdeerstalkers]

[Moriarty hands over a written letter, folded once.]

<small>[The letter has a Large 'A' written on the back, one one of it's folded halves. When unfolded, it reads:]</small> Hello, all you two-bit detectives! ...Wait wait wait, wait just a minute, don't burn or tear this letter yet! It's important, I promise! Ahem! Anyway, disregard my certainly tasteless little joke there. This is, fortunately or unfortunately, James Moriarty writing this to you from Hell! Or perhaps I should call it <b>Tartarus?</b> For you see, it appears <b>we who have perished have found ourselves in the Greek Underworld</b>, with portals opening to show <b>other parts of said underworld.</b> Such as the Elysium Fields, though I'll refrain from taking a drink from Lethe's waters for now. Apparently these portals are generated by the damned Tree we are all being fed to - but that is not the only havoc it is causing. Apparently, there have been <b>two other rounds</b> of this sort of game before us, and the ones who perished in those are currently seeking a way out from here...only to be stymied by <b>the tree's very roots blocking the exits.</b> Apparently the only thing that can even damage it is the power of a <b>Devil Arm</b>, but it appears <b>we have all been given their powers at at capacity too weak to be a threat to it.</b> For now, that is all I have been able to gather. If there is anything else, I will pay the price to send over another letter - or item, if it comes to that. ...Ah, I suppose I should also explain <i>how</i> it's come to be possible for me to send this. Well, given we are in the Greek Underworld, I have entrusted this to the one being that exists on both sides - <b>The Gimmie - or, his true name, Charon.</b> I've no idea if you'll be able to send things to us the same way I have sent them to you, but I would stress to be polite to him while asking. And that, as they say, is that. If you do not wish to read anymore, then you may tear anything from here on at your leasure! Burn it to ashes! Whatever your heart desires! Still, if you do read on, I....have a confession to make. A small one, of course! You see, I... ...I may have lied just an <i>itsy bitsy, teeny tiny little bit</i> when I said I tortured Kaito. In that there was no torture. So that you wouldn't crowd about being all depressed afterwards about a murder done to primarily protect others. Anger is much better than sadness in getting people to stay motivated, after all! And who better to be truly angry at than a hideous villain who had supposedly tortured a young man in his prime for no reason at all, I ask you?! ... But, well. I...<i>Apologize.</i> To all of you. Truly! Cross my heart and hope to - Oh. Oh no, I suppose I can't use that sort of oath in my current condition... Oh well! Regardless, there it is! Cherish the apology from this bastard liar to all of you! More specific ones can be saved for later, of course! Make our captor regret his actions, won't you? And unravel whatever plot lies waiting in the wings, as I am sure all of you will. I have the utmost faith in all of you, even in death. Sincerely (if you can trust that from me!), James Moriarty
[After that, he clears his throat and rolls up a sleeve, holding out his arm to Charon for the Blood Tithe.]

Ah - I would ask this letter not go to Hermes, if at all possible. Otherwise He'll keep it to himself. I would prefer it to be delivered to Alastor or Makima, but I will leave it up to your discretion on who to give it to.

CHARON MAIL DELIVERY SERVICE, AGAIN

[hatesdeerstalkers]

[He'll approach Charon with the blood orbs Alastor sent in his mail, holding out two pieces of paper this time.]

Please give this to Alastor, if you would.

<small>[There are two pieces of paper, neatly folded. One is Alastor's own letter, with corrections written on his spelling in Moriarty's neat handwriting. The other is a letter written by the man himself, and it reads:]</small> Dante and Vergil are down here - I've met both of them, and helped Vergil with cleaning out Dante's Pizza box horde, where he was sleeping amongst. A more filthy and degenerate man I have never met, even among the beggars of London! Secondly, I have managed to awaken my connection to Yamato - and with my newfound power to create miniature black holes, I will be attempting to lead the charge to get out of here - along with any other dead that can awaken their own power, after whatever potential new arrivals come. Vergil and Dante will most likely be able to, though they do have the same power - the same one you were given, even. Lucifer, yes? I look forward to laying my eyes on all of you! You especially, you incorrigible devil! Till we meet again, James Moriarty

CHARON MAIL DELIVERY SERVICE, ONCE MORE

[hatesdeerstalkers]

[It's becoming something of a constant, Moriarty approaching Charon and rolling up one of his sleeves for the payment. He hands over the letter, smiling.]

Wednesday is when we make our attempt, Charon. As for this - give it to whoever comes to you first.

<Small>[The letter is on a folded piece of paper. When opened, it reads:]</small> Hello, everyone still alive! It seems we're beginning to come to the end of things, hm? This is a letter to inform all of you that we've decided to <B>attack the roots on Wednesday</b>, in order to make our escape from Zeus katachthonios's underworld. I hope that time passes the same, but I am sure that it does. If you hear pained screams from the ship on that day, then you know what it's from! Wahahahaha! We will be doing our utmost, as we have nothing more to fear. Hopefully, even if you cannot see us, we will be able to see <i>you</i> when we break free and rejoin you. Also, not to worry! None of us will be looking back in the slightest when we're about to cross that threshold! So no worries about any of us getting stuck back in Tartarus, Okie-dokey?! Sincerely, James Moriarty P.S. HERMES IF YOU GET THIS LETTER DO <I>NOT</I> PUT IT IN YOUR HOARD PILE WITHOUT FIRST SHOWING EVERYONE!!!

[asmanytimes]

[ Keith is surprised to show up here, to say the least.

He meanders around for awhile, investigating, but he's kind of slumped. And pouting. ]

Hey, is anyone here?

[ Later on: he sees the Gimme.

Instead of avoiding out of shame, he stalks right up to him. ]

Hey asshole.

Gimme

[strangerpeople]

[This is a

Very

Menacing

Aura.

Are you sure you want to do this.]

[devilmehcry]

[





There is a shadow in one of the rooms. It swiftly walks past and then behind Keith, swift as lightning.



What is that?]

[countingme]

[ Eventually Keith will probably make his way to the van - there's not much else around here. When he does, he encounters a sheep!

...

It is fast asleep. ]

A SHEEP

[countingme]

[ More likely than not, the sheep is curled up like a mini cloud inside of the van, gently floating a few inches above the floor, fast asleep. ]

[ ooc: Every week, a new comment will be provided for the new arrivals. This comment is to provide for interactions/contact with The Sheep outside of those planned ones. ]

[hatesdeerstalkers]

[He'll gently knock on the side of the van, before poking his head in.]

Pardon me for the intrusion, but I was wondering if you could provide me with something.

WEEK TWO

[strangerpeople]

[Welcome, Power and Anya.




Oh, and Keith, too, I guess. :p]

Re: WEEK TWO

[leaderoftheresistance]

[John is staring around, quietly. Out of the bunch, he never expected he would be the one to fail the group. So much for the whole Resistance deal. His family would have to live on without him.]

[carvemyname]

Hey, Vergil.

[ Dante treads through the rooms, looking for his brother, pizza hanging from his mouth. ]

Fight me!

Power

[countingme]

Woah! It looks like you died by falling apart. Did you try holding it together?

Anya

[countingme]

Poison, huh? That doesn't seem so bad. I asked someone what it tasted like one time and you know what he said? "Good til the last drop"!

[leaderoftheresistance]

[John Connor finds himself sitting near the van, looking for something in particular.]

He is digging through piles of things and not having much luck.]

[asmanytimes]

What are you looking for?

[ Keith is looking over his shoulder. ]

WEEK THREE

[strangerpeople]

[ Welcome, Kaito and Moriarty. ]

Kaito

[countingme]

Hey... what's a 'slot machine'?

WEEK FOUR

[strangerpeople]

 

INVESTIGATION????

[strangerpeople]

[ There's a note stuck in the wall outside the neverending pizza room, stuck there by a sword. It reads:

Hear ye, hear ye,
Find my missing treasure and I will reward ye with a prize,
Fail and find my doom inescapable.
Start with the van! ]

Week five

[strangerpeople]

 

Re: Week five

[carvemyname]

[ Vergil is sitting in a plastic chair with sunglasses on, downing some soda and beckoning at everyone who passed by.

He's very drunk.

At least, it looks like Vergil???? ]

mail time!

[strangerpeople]

[It is not very long after Aoi's arrival that Charon appears.

And stands, somewhat awkwardly, because neither the letter nor the photo were addressed to anyone specifically.]

Hrrrrrrrgh...

[hatesdeerstalkers]

[Oh, Charon time.]

Hello there! Is there a delivery, perhaps?

WEEK 6

[strangerpeople]

???

[countingme]

Hm. This is weird. And here I was going to tell them they at least didn't have to worry about losing their head again!

Maybe they got lost on the way here. Hopefully.

THE ASSAULT

[strangerpeople]

Phase 1

[strangerpeople]

[With your plans in place, you approach the root clusters as a group only to find they seem to have planned accordingly for you as well.

You see several large, insect-like creatures moving around the area on spiny legs, each with a pair of vestigial wings on its back and hollow eyes that remind you far too much of a humanoid skull. Instead of a carapace, the creatures are donned in wrinkly, pale flesh. Indeed, they even have human noses separating their long, clicking mandibles.

This won’t be as easy as hitting a stationary target as you might have thought.]