"Please.... please.... please end it."

A woman in white speaks to you. You find yourself in a theater. It is strange you don't remember entering this place.

You are sitting in the stands as the woman stands on stage holding a large book. She is staring straight at you so it can't be questioned she is speaking to you.

"Please.... I beg of you..."

Her eyes are filled with a sense of sadness and despair. Her body itself seems on the verge of giving out and collapsing to the ground.

"Please end this tale of magic and reality."

Last edited at 14/03/06(Thu)23:03:11

I try to remember this person. "What is the meaning of THIS?"

Last edited at 14/03/06(Thu)23:07:50

You try to recall her identity but nothing comes to mind at all that would reveal who it is. Rather it seems like she is everyone and yet no one at the same time. As if the possibilities for her identity are endless.

"You're the only one I can rely on. You must end this horrid farce. The one behind all this keeps repeating this tale for their amusement. Please... I can't stand to watch it anymore. Please expose the one behind this."

Somehow you get the idea that another problem has appeared to add to your list of things you need to do.

"You're the only one who I can ask this task of, Dlanor of the Ten Wedges. You who exist on both plains, reality and fantasy."

I consider telling her that all requests should go through official channels in the Great Court, but something about the way she looks stops me just short.

"Very WELL. What is that that you REQUIRE?"

She looks relieved after hearing your response.

"Thank you. I was so worried you'd turn down my request."

She looks on the verge of tears.

"I've been forced to forever remain her being the reader who constantly gets shown this tale."

She pauses for a moment.

"My identity is Clair."

She opens the book in her hand and begins to read aloud. As she does the space behind her begins to fluctuate and change shape as if it was alive. An image begins to be reflected on it, it is of the island Rokkenjima.

"Please step through the portal, it will only remain open while I read."

Last edited at 14/03/06(Thu)23:34:32

Before I even step through the portal, I start to regret my decision. I'm meant to follow bureaucracy and regulation, not unquestioningly oblige strange requests.

Still, as I feel the portal meld around me, I know it's too late it turn back now.

Last edited at 14/03/06(Thu)23:39:46

"Beware the plains around you. This world is in constant fluctuation with neither side refusing to allow the other to become dominate."

"Please hurry, you must put a stop to the one who is repeating this tale."

You hear these words as the world around you vanishes, but you can't really understand their true meaning.

I try to gain my bearings.

You find yourself waking up with a massive headache. Traveling by portal always did have consequences.

You look around you to try and get a sense of your surroundings. You are in front of a very large mansion.

"Welcome to Rokkenjima."

Last edited at 14/03/06(Thu)23:48:57

I check to see if I have presence in the world by removing a flower from the garden. Then, I look around the area to check if there are any people around. If there aren't, I walk towards the mansion.

Last edited at 14/03/06(Thu)23:55:30

You grasp one of the roses despite the torn and tear it from the bush.

You look around and notice someone staring at you with an annoyed expression. The Golden Witch Beatrice stands before you.

"More interested in the roses than me? Or perhaps you just didn't hear me. No matter, welcome to my little world, a world where magic and reality exist at the same time. You're one of the gifted ones, in that you exist in both plains. So we can talk like this without any trouble, but then you could go an interact with humans just the same. While us of this plain have to worry about resistance. I'm kind of jealous."

She pouts a little before letting out a laugh. "Oh well it won't be long before all of us on this side will be like you. Soon the resistance will be a thing of the past. But in the mean time if you ever want to talk to us on this side you'll have to do it when no human is around."

You are beginning to understand a little bit of what Clair meant by both plains existing at the same time and being of both plains.

"It is good to see you, Beatrice-sama," I say. I do a short, polite curtsy. "Am I correct in assuming that I will act as a visitor on your ISLAND?"

Last edited at 14/03/07(Fri)00:12:09

"Hoh, trying to act all polite Dlanor killer of witches. Well it doesn't matter to me, I don't have much interest in you, so you're welcome to do whatever you want. I don't know why you are here, nor do I care. Just so long as you don't get in my way of releasing the barrier that keeps us on this side."

"You seem to have some idea as to what to expect. I recommend you cast those assumptions aside, this is a special tale crafted with completely different intentions than other games. Characters how they act and their backgrounds might be different than how you remember. We are of a different story than you are used to, as I explained this kakera is far different from the ones you may be used to."

"Dlanor-sama! Please allow me to speak."

You turn around at the sound of voices and see your two subordinates.

"We're here to assist you in anyway we can. Using our powers to seal off areas we can monitor areas if you assign us to an area. Just ask us and we'll be glad to serve."

Last edited at 14/03/07(Fri)00:25:02

I ask Cornelius and Gertrude if there's are any noticeable differences about the layout of the island compared to standard game boards. I ask if they're aware of any knowledge about the board's contents or significance.

After hearing their answers, I make a few actions and observations:

-- I observe the weather. The height, formation, and color of the clouds and the strength of the wind. Basically, whether or not rain appears imminent or if it is already raining.

-- Using the position of the sun in the sky, I ascertain the approximate time of day.

-- Whether or not I can see the garden shed anywhere. If I can't, I wander around the rose garden and attempt to look for it.

They inform you that upon a glace at the island it seems to have the same layout as any other Rokkenjima. The other question they provide no worthwhile answer to.

You determine that while it is not raining presently, it seems to be gearing up for a powerful storm, but right now it is calm.

You don't even need to look at the sun to tell what time of day it is. Everything around you is covered with an orange/red glow, it is clear that it is evening.

You can not see the garden shed from your current location. You wander around the garden looking for it and trying to get a gasp of the general area. After some time you find the garden shed, the shutter is closed, there appears to be no one near by.

I attempt to open the garden shed.

It is locked. What kind of crazy people would leave their shed unlocked, even on an island with no one but them? Wild alpacas could still things after all.

I consider breaking the window, but such behavior would probably seem suspicious. I accept my loss and head towards the mansion's front door, looking for any people along the way.

You arrive at the front door, still not seeing anyone. You wonder if you're the only person on this whole island.

I knock on the front door. If I turn out to be the only person on this island, then all the better. My experience with interacting with ordinary humans amounts to about none. Regardless, I have to try until I figure out what is expected of me.

Last edited at 14/03/08(Sat)15:25:39

You wait for a little while before the door slowly opens and a maid with a confused expression on her face appears in the doorway.

She just stares at you for a while before realizing she was being rude and quickly corrects her unprofessional behavior.

"I-I'm sorry, forgive me for staring, but it was just such a surprise to hear someone knock on the door. At first I honestly thought I'd imagined it. Welcome to Rokkenjima the island owned by the Ushiromiya family, I'm Shannon a servant of the family."

"Hello, I am Dlanor A. Knox, Chief Inquisitor of Eiserne Jungfrau and Archbishop of the High Council of Heaven. It is nice to meet your acquaintance."

It takes me a moment before figuring that I might have considered lying.

"Chief of Heaven? What? Does that mean you're an angel?"

"...My apologies. I must have been floating in the ocean for too long. My cognitive abilities are not fully functional. There was a...shipwreck. I believe I was in an accident."

I'm not accustomed to lying, so the words come out rigidly, but it's the best I can come up with on the spot.

"Oh no that is horrid! Hurry come inside."

Shannon gestures you to come inside, it doesn't seem to occur to her that if you had in fact been in a shipwreck your clothes would probably be wet, luck for you.

I follow Shannon inside and take note of anything of interest in the main hall.

"Excuse me, what is the date?"

The main hall is one huge room with a staircase leading up to the second floor, two hallways connect to the main hall. A large chandelier hangs high above your head.

The room is pretty barren, there is an end table against a wall with a vase full of roses, probably picked from the garden.

One thing that stands out is that there is a large portrait of Beatrice the Golden Witch against one of the walls.

"Today's date?" Shannon questions your question. "Why it's the 3rd of October."

The 3rd of October. Not the 4th. This simple change troubles me, although I can't say why.

"Thank you for your assistance," I say. "Under normal circumstances I would give you contact information to my family, but I can not seem to remember it."

She lets out a gasp. "You have amnesia too!? You're not injured from the shipwreck are you? We should have our doctor Nanjo look over you."

"I do not believe that I am injured. Perhaps if I just have some rest, I will come back to myself."

"I understand. Allow me to escort you to the Master."

Shannon suddenly becomes more composed and professional. You also hear the sound of footsteps down one of the hallways.

I look towards the origin of the footsteps.

You see an older woman entering the main hall. She notices you right away and comes over. "Oh are you the help sent over to help with the cleaning Ohohoho~"

"I don't believe so," I say. Then again, perhaps that is my role on this game board. I didn't consider that I could already have a back-story planned out for me. Did I just get caught in a lie?

"Oh really, are you my replacement then?"

"No?"

Is she toying with me? I can't tell.

"Ohohoho~ That's a shame and here I was thinking I could retire. My lumbago has been acting up again you see, but the Madame refuses to believe me. Hohoho~ just because I use that excuse about once a week to take a nap in the VIP room."

Last edited at 14/03/08(Sat)18:37:37

"...I see."

I turn to the portrait of Beatrice. I know who she is, but this feels like the part of the game where I should ask this question. "Who is that?"

"Ohoho~ That is Beatrice the true ruler of this island."

She takes out something from per pocket and shows it to you.

It is a ruler with the name Beatrice painted on it.

"See Beatrice is the ruler of this island."

I don't laugh. Does she keep a ruler with the word 'Beatrice' painted on it just for the offhand chance that a situation like this would come up?

"I see. Shannon-san, you said something about taking me to your master?"

Last edited at 14/03/08(Sat)22:24:43

Shannon doesn't join in on the old maid's laughter instead she looks upset, but she shrugs it off when she hears you address her.

"T-That's right! Come right this way." Shannon proceeds down one of the hallways and beckons you to follow her.

"Ohohoho~ I'm just have a little fun. Laughter helps keep you alive, if I wore a sour face all the time I might be dead by now."

"In all seriousness, you need to beware Beatrice, she is passive to those that respect her, but if you displease her she will take action, fortunately the mirror and the shrine on the island help keep her darkness at bay. Though she isn't evil, just playful."

"I understand," I say. "I have a question. Who is on this island besides myself? I would like to be prepared if we should run into anyone else."

Last edited at 14/03/08(Sat)23:06:17

"Ohohoho~ Didn't you know this island is filled with demons. They roam this whole island. But the shrine and the mirror in the shrine keep them at bay. Aside from those who rule the night, the Ushiromiya family rules the day."

"I'm certain that I can defend myself against any demons," I tell Kumasawa. "Could you please retrieve a glass of water for me? I'm feeling lightheaded."

"Oh right away, I'll be right back."

The old woman leaves to fulfill your request. You notice you are now alone in the room, Shannon appears to have not realized you stopped. You still remember which hallway she went down if you want to follow her, and Kumasawa went down the other if you want to stay in touch with her.

I start walking in the opposite direction of wherever Kumasawa just went.

You enter the hallway and walk and walk, but you see no sign of Shannon or anyone else, it is as if she just vanished.

Since I seem to be able to summon other magical beings, I try to summon Claire.

You hear a voice coming from somewhere laughing at you. "Clair is the reader. One who observes can't enter the story. The mother who reads a storybook can't rewrite the story while reading. But let's see what you want. I might just entertain what you want. Can't have a challenge if no one is trying to oppose me, so what is it you want 'Clair's Piece.'"

"Who am I speaking WITH?" I ask. "I do not wish to address one without a NAME."

"So sorry, but you're in my world now. I make the rules of this endless story. If you want to know who I am, come and try to seek me out. But since you need a name to address me by, you can call me The Puppet-master. I am the one behind the curtain you could say, the one Clair wants you to expose and take down. So you could say we are enemies."

I decide to take a swing.

"You gave me supernatural allies who have already supplied me with INFORMATION." I take out my red longsword. "Knox's 2nd. It is forbidden for supernatural agencies to be employed as a detective TECHNIQUE."

I slash the air in front of me, hoping to strike.

Last edited at 14/03/09(Sun)00:28:12

Since there is nothing actually in front of you, you just swing around wildly at the air.

The voice taunts. "Your wedges mean nothing to me, not while you're in my world."

"But since you don't want me around I'll leave you be to wander aimlessly trying to seek out my identity while I laugh on the inside."

The voice fades from your mind.

I walk around aimlessly until I come across someone or something of interest. I check each door along the way. If I find the kitchen, I stop there.

You find mostly rooms that hold no importance you believe, but among them your search you find yourself entering the dinner room, where two people are currently eating. Your entrance surprises them.

"What? Who? Who are you?" The woman seems to be having trouble speaking from surprise.

"Master. Madame." You notice Shannon also in the room. "This is Dlanor, she was in a shipwreck and managed to make it here to Rokkenjima."

"My apologies," I say. "I was following Shannon-san and I somehow lost track of her."

I offer a curtsy.

"That's terrible." The man seems to feel for your situation.

"You're such a polite woman." The woman takes notice of your politeness. "I'm sure you'd like to contact someone and tell them you're okay."

"I would," I pretend to agree. "But I can't seem to recall any contact details. I seem to be going through a period of memory loss."

Lying seems to be coming more and more naturally to me. Without the use of red, humans seem easy to deceive.

"That's unfortunately, you must be hungry." The woman gestures to one of the open chairs. "Why don't you join us for dinner. Shannon please set another plate."

She seems to be somewhat pushy about wanting you to join them.

I sit down. It's best not to make waves at this point of time. I remember that I'm supposed to be searching for the mastermind of this operation, but I have no idea how to do that.

"Who else is on this island of yours? I seem to keep meeting new people." I say.

The woman's face falls and she stares at the table.

The man clears his throat and replies. "Just our servants, my father, and his personal doctor."

"I see."

I observe my surroundings carefully, noting that something seems off.

You carefully look around the room. You notice the man and woman sitting across from each other. The chair at the head of the table is empty but a plate is still set in front of it. Aside from those your plate is the only other plate on the table, the 4th plate.

A large man comes up behind you and hands you some silverware and puts some food on your plate.

"I hope like what I have cooked up tonight. It is rare I get to cook for an guest. I hope you enjoy." He says to you.

You continue looking around the room, it is a very formal looking western dinning room, there is a large cabinet where all the plates and silverware are kept.

Shannon is standing off to the side trying to act like a good maid.

There doesn't seem to be anything else of interest really.

I turn to Natsuhi. "Natsuhi-san, are you sure there isn't anyone else on this island?"

She thinks about it for a moment. "Not to my knowledge. But I suppose there could be other survivors from your boat."

I nod. It seems that, for the moment, my fears are unfounded.

"Will your father be joining us for dinner?" I ask Krauss. Eliminating Kinzo's death is usually a primary step in gameboards, so I attempt to get it out of the way.

Last edited at 14/03/10(Mon)23:33:53

Krauss shakes his head. "He refuses to leave his room. He is too obsessed with his black magic. He just yells at us, so it isn't that much of an issue to me. In fact I kind of like that he isn't here."

You notice Natsuhi stiffened a little while Krauss was talking.

"May I be excused? I must use the restroom."

"Why of course. Shannon please show our guest to the bathroom."

Shannon comes over to you. "Please allow me to assist you." She says while doing a curtsy.

I follow Shannon. When we're alone, I tell her: "Something is distracting you."

She looks at you in confusion. "What do you mean?"

I take a deep breath. "After I introduced myself to you, you told me that you would take me to your master. Instead, we lost track of each other somewhere in the mansion. By itself, that's not a very big deal. However, when I next saw you, you had not yet informed either of your employers about my arrival. I know what you might say-- you had just arrived. This would be incorrect. You had not. One of your employers specifically told you to set another plate. You had already been working by the time I arrived, yet you had not informed them about my arrival? Why? You may wish to claim that you had been distracted by your servantly duties, but this answer wouldn't make sense. You already had a task in showing me to your master, and if you truly more concerned about what your employers thought, I would still be the most important aspect to you. For all you know, I was wandering the mansion aimlessly-- and I was. I could have got myself hurt, disrupted something important, or got in the way of something. If you're going to claim that your job distracted you, you should have thought of me, the newest arrival and--by your own words-- the only one of the day. With that said, only one possibility remains: something else is bothering you. Something larger than a job. And maybe I can help."

Last edited at 14/03/11(Tue)00:26:35

Shannon is flabbergasted.

It takes her a few moments to recover. "That is amazing. The truth is I actually do have something on my mind. You see I'm quitting being a servant for the Ushiromiya in a few days. Tomorrow is the start of the family conference, I've decided that once it is over, I'm leaving."

I nod. I have no way of knowing whether or not she's telling the truth, but I also have no evidence to suggest that she's not. "May I ask why?"

"I don't think that is really any of your business." Her attitude takes a complete 180. "I just am tired of being a maid. That's it."

I look around for anything valuable looking-- vases, glass furniture, etc.

You notice some vases along some end tables in the hallway that very well could be antiques and worth a great deal.

I pick up one of the vases.

"Oh second thought, perhaps I did accidentally break something while you let me wander around unsupervised. I wonder who would get in more trouble, the ship wreck survivor or the servant who should have been watching her."

I raise it in dramatic fashion.

Last edited at 14/03/11(Tue)00:38:25

Shannon's expression becomes one of horror. "No! Please stop! I can't get in trouble with Master or Madame! If they don't let me quit on a good note I won't be able to find any work!" Shannon continues to beg and plead with you. "Please... please.. I'll do anything! Please!"

I put the vase down. "Thank you for your cooperation. If you would, I believe it is my business to know your reasons for quitting. Also, I should like it if you gave me the names and brief physical description of everyone on this island. Also, Natsuhi seemed rather stressed? Might you know why? You've seen my reasoning capabilities. I'll know if you're lying."

Shannon says nothing. She takes a few steps toward you and grabs the vase and throws it on the ground. It shatters with a large smash.

Natsuhi comes out of the dinning room moments later. "What? Shannon what just happened?!"

"I'm sorry, Madame. I tripped and broke one of the vases." Shannon bows.

Natsuhi looks upset for a moment before noticing you. "We'll talk about it later. Dlanor why don't you join us back inside."

Shannon curtsies and heads back into the dinning room without giving you another glance.

I give Shannon a short, bored stare and head back to the dining room.

Throughout dinner there is only a little conversation, and nothing is useful you believe.

"Dlanor, you're in luck, we have a boat coming tomorrow so we can make arrangements for you to get back to where you're from. However if you want to stay with us. You're more than welcome to. Our annual family conference is tomorrow so it will be more lively around here." Krauss tells you.

Natsuhi lets out a sigh and gets up from her seat. "I'm afraid I'm starting to get a headache so I'll be retiring for the night."

So now it is just you and Krauss, as Shannon and Gohda start to clean up the dinning room.

"Thank you," I say. "Unfortunately, I still don't seem to be in control of my memory. Strange impressions are blurred. Asking questions and hearing answers about reality seems to help a little. Would you mind if I asked more? Normally, I wouldn't impose, but given the circumstances..."

"If you believe that will help you, I'd be happy to answer your questions if I'm able."

"I offer my gratitude once more." I gesture to Shannon and Gohda. "I admit, I must start with a question that's personal to me. You seem to have employed excellent servants. Shannon has been especially kind in particular. She's the kind of young woman who I know I can approach if I have any issue. That said, I don't want to bother her if her workload is too large. How many other servants are on the island?"

You notice Shannon stop what she's doing and stare at you with an unreadable expression. Her gaze is so bizarre, it gives you an unpleasant feeling.

"Well, right now there is also Genji he is my father's most trusted servant, Kumasawa, and Kanon he is a little younger than Shannon if I recall."

Last edited at 14/03/11(Tue)01:21:43

"I see. For the number of other people on the island, that puts my mind at ease. Do you think you could give me the extension to the servant's room? Since I am to spend at least one night, it would be useful to have a way to contact someone like Shannon if I have any unpleasant difficulties."

Regardless of his answer, my next question follows: "I hope you don't mind me asking, but you're wife seemed...stressed. Did I upset her in some way?"

Krauss gives you the number for the servants room. "Natsuhi is just stressed over the upcoming family conference. The conference is not a good time for us." You feel a hint of sadness in Krauss' voice. "Don't let it bother you. You haven't caused Natsuhi any grief."

"Family conference?" I say. "Who will be arriving?"

"I can't be certain, but I'd assume it would be everyone like usual. My younger sister Eva, her husband Hideyoshi and her son George, my younger brother Rudolf, his wife Kyrie, and his children Battler and Ange, and finally my younger sister Rosa and her daughter Maria. But I suppose I can't be sure they'll all show."

"I see. I think that I actually am remembering small facets about myself.

That's right. I'm a writer. It's what I've always wanted to be since I small a small girl. How could I have forgotten something like that? Yet, everything else is still dark..."

"I'm not sure how what I just told you made you remember that but I'm happy for you." Krauss looks at the clock. "I should probably check up on father."

He leaves the room, and you notice you are alone with..... Shannon.

"What are you trying to pull?!" She yells at you.

Last edited at 14/03/11(Tue)01:49:17

"You did not give me the information that I sought," I said simply. "With this, I hope that Krauss-san and Natsuhi-san will keep you close to me while I recover. That way, I can retrieve the information that I want. Additionally, I did not entirely lie. I find your behavior to be...familiar to me."

"I know what you are up to. You are trying to ruin everything! I won't let you! You hear me!"

She glares at you before leaving the room.

I shrug. I examine the dining room for anything interesting then leave the room.

Last edited at 14/03/11(Tue)17:57:35

You look around, but you don't really find anything other than what you did when you looked around. Large empty table and a cabinet filled with dishes and silverware.

Afterwards you step out into the hallway.

I walk until I find some stairs and walk up to the third floor.

Upon arriving on the 3rd floor you hearing Krauss knocking on a door as well as see him doing such a thing.

"Father, open the door."

I hide around a corner and wait to see what happens. If I hear the door open, I casually walk around the corner.

Krauss continues to knock for a little while and call out, with no one responding. After a decent amount of time he stops and looks around, not seeing anyone he stops and walks away without a word.

When Krauss is gone, I approach Kinzo's door and listen for any sounds inside his room.

You hear nothing.

I enter the next room over.

You find yourself in a fancy room fit for VIPs.

I try to find a short, blunt object, such as a clock or small statue. Once I find one, I open the VIP room window, scale the sides using my natural dexterity, and force my way into Kinzo's room by breaking the window.

You scale along the edging and make it to Kinzo's balcony and break open the glass door. You are now in Kinzo's study.

"Please allow me to speak." Cornelia appears instantly. "There are no humans in this room."

Assuming that the layout of the room is the same, I search the main room and then the bathroom. Afterwards, I press my ear against the door to the hallway and listen for the sounds of people moving around. If there aren't, I leave the room.

You find lots of books about rituals and magic. But you also notice there are some random blank spots in-between some of the books. Interestingly enough you don't find any important papers like ones you'd expect a head of a large family to have. You also find no trace of any one living in this room, yet the room is kept tidy and dust free.

The bathroom is a standard bathroom, that is ultra clean, you assume it gets cleaned at least once daily, there is no sign that anyone uses this room either. You find standard bathroom stuff in the room, all of them are half used.

You go back into the main area and listen to see if you can hear anyone in the hallway. You don't and so you leave the room.

The hallway is empty like you believed.

I return to the VIP room and close and lock the window. I ask Cornelia to monitor Kinzo's room.

Cornelia asks which you want her to monitor, the windows or the doors. She explains she can only monitor one or the other, if you want to monitor both Gertrude would have to help out. She also explains that if you want to remove a seal from being monitored you have to go to be near the door, if you want to remove from the door, and near a window of that room if you want to remove from the window. While they are monitoring a room they you can only communicate with them if you get near the room.

I tell her to just monitor the door. I then walk back down to the first floor. I'm suddenly feeling rather drowsy.

Upon arriving on the first floor you see a male servant cleaning the windows.

I approach the servant. "Hello."

He seems to pay you no attention and focuses on his task.

"I am a guest on this residence. Could you direct me to somewhere I may rest?"

He says nothing, but stops what he is going and turns and starts walking toward the stairs. He stops when he reaches the stairs and looks back at you, apparently he wants you to follow him.

I follow the servant.

He takes you upstairs and down the hallway and then unlocks a door and opens it, afterward he walks away still not saying a word. From your spot you can see the room is an empty bedroom.

"Who are you!"

You turn around at the sound of someone's voice.

"What are you doing in my family's house?!"

"Hello. My name is Dlanor A. Knox. I fell from a cruise ship and am recovering from amnesia. Your family has agreed to look after me for the time being. Thank you for your hospitality."

Last edited at 14/03/13(Thu)18:25:53

She lets her guard down after hearing you aren't an intruder. "Oh, I see. I'm sorry being so forceful sounding. I hope you manager to recover your memories and I'm sorry for your situation."

She seems embarrassed about how she just reacted.

Jessica believes that you must be tired out from your ordeal and leaves you alone in the room.

Night falls on Rokkenjima, it is time for all the people to relinquish control to the master of the night.

Last edited at 14/03/14(Fri)21:24:43

Rokkenjima the place of duality, light and shadow, day and night, reality and fantasy. Unbeknownst to all the area around the island begins to change, the world is covered in a purple hue, and the sky is filled with a hazy mist.

You're not sure what time it is in the dark room. But from the window you're almost sure you saw a quick flash of someone in the rose garden as lightening struck. But it could be your imagination playing tricks on you.

I loom outside of the window for anything out of the ordinary.

As you watch from the window. When the lightning flashes your superior eyesight catches the form of something in dark clothing standing in the rose garden amidst the pouring rain.

I open the window and climb down in a fashion similar to Battler in episode 5. Assuming I succeed, I run towards the last position of the figure.

You manage to escape your room with style and grace and no injury.

You run to where you can make out the figure standing in the rose garden.

Upon hearing you approaches she gets up from her spot among the roses and turns to face you. She looks so familiar to you in maybe more than 1 way.

"Welcome to Rokkenjima." She speaks in a light tone. "The time when the sun has vanished and those hidden in the night come out to play."

"Who are you?" I ask. "I have inquired the identities of all people on this island and you were not named."

"I am Amy, I am a demon. The 58th president of Hell to be exact."

Amy throws the rose she is holding up in the air. The lightning strikes and the amidst the flash you could swear you saw the form of a large creature in the sky.

"Meow." You look down at your feet and you see a small black cat.

"And that is Oliver. Oliver Twist. He is one of the familiars I have pacts with, for I am a demon who controls contracts with familiars."

The cat begins to rub against your leg, asking for attention.

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I don't recognize the girl, but I can't be expected to recognize the face of every demon.

"I see. What is your business here?"

"Business? I don't really have any specifically. I've been residing on Rokkenjima for 6 years now."

"Are you acquaintances with the witch, Beatrice?"

She nods "I am in fact. I've been with Miss Beatrice for a long time. Though not always have I been able to be by her side like I am now."

She picks up Oliver who gave up on getting attention from you. She pets him as he purrs.

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"Do you know of anyone named the 'Puppet Master'?"

She shakes her head. "I do not."

"TAG! You're it!"

All of a sudden something runs past Amy and roughly pushes her on the ground.

"I've gotten everyone, Amy is 'It' now!" She shouts to the sky.

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Another girl wearing the same outfit appears behind her. "Aww! I wanted to be 'It' this time. How come I never get to be 'It!'"

"The rules state that the last person to get tagged is it."

Amy runs over to you and touches you. "The new girl is 'It!'" She shouts. And all three of them make smirking faces before running off in random directions.

I call on Gertrude. "Can you assist me in finding the STAKES?"

Gertrude appears and asks how you want her to assist you.

"What actions are in your power when it comes to SURVEYING?"

"Not very good." She says with a somewhat down expression. "I can monitor an area for movement."

"How large of an area can you MONITOR?"

"Given the current situation I'd say an area of 100 square meters."

"Monitor the area approximately 100 yards around my general direction at all TIMES. This will allow my search a greater AREA."

I follow after the direction of Satan.

Last edited at 14/03/23(Sun)19:25:27

>>14276
You run in the direction you saw Satan going and thus you descend the stairs to hell the beach.

Last edited at 14/03/23(Sun)19:29:02

>>14279
Upon arriving on the beach you see Satan scurry away down the coastline.

Gertrude informs you that Satan as well as another person are further down the coastline.

I run down the coastline, taking note of anything of importance.

You notice someone getting into a small boat. From your distance away you can't make out who it is though.

I run towards the boat, making out whatever features the person has that I can.

As you get closer to the boat you can make out that it is Natsuhi Ushiromiya. She seems like she is about to take off somewhere.

I lay flat on the beach, hiding from her sight.

She doesn't notice you and after a little while sets out onto the ocean in the boat.

"What are you doing? Pretending to be a crab?"

"No. I am attempting to solve an elaborate MYSTERY."

"Is it how many shells are on this beach? Or grains on sand? Either way sounds boring."

"No. To be honest, I am not completely aware of the nature of this MYSTERY. It makes trying to solve it very DIFFICULT."

"Then shouldn't you be trying to gather more clues and understanding? Can't solve a mystery if you don't understand what you are trying to figure out right?"

"It is not that SIMPLE," I say, although I'm not sure I can explain how. "Do you know where Natsuhi is GOING?"

Last edited at 14/03/24(Mon)12:44:25

"I'd imagine she is going to the small shrine that is on a little ledge near the island. She goes there every now and again."

"Why is she doing such a THING? And why so late in the NIGHT?"

"Beats me. Humans are confusing."

I pace around the area for a few moments. When I get close to Satan, I reach out and touch her shoulder.

"Tag. You are IT."

I then run swiftly back the way I came.

Six Stakes Remain and 1 Amy.

You arrive back at the entrance to the rose garden.

I walk until I reach the guest house, looking and listening for any signs of activity.

"Uh oh, here she comes. It is the Oni! Everyone run from the Oni! Oni!"

Asmodeus teases you just before flying into the guest house.

I dash into the guesthouse.

"What is your analysis of my surrounding AREA?"

"Please beware, I sense two people in the guesthouse. One of the stake, the other is unknown. The stake is upstairs in the the 2nd bedroom, the other is... unknown..."

I barricade the front door with a couch or chair and set the lock. I then search the entire first floor, in every room and bathroom.

You have blocked the way out of the guesthouse.

You search all of the first floor but find nothing of real value or interest.

I search the second floor in the same manner.

Last edited at 14/03/25(Tue)22:27:25

"He loves me. He loves me not. Love is so fickle, it changes so quickly and easily... haa..... I want to fall in love.."

Upon entering one of the guest rooms you see Asmo sitting on one of the beds.

She jumps up when she sees you enter wearing a Battler Ushiromiya cosplay. "Ah! The Oni!" She makes a break for the bathroom.

She is going to get away!

Just when you think that, you here a scuffle start in the bathroom, and Asmo yells out. "Let me go!"

I grab a blunt object and run into the bathroom, raising it to defend myself.

You rush into the bathroom holding a lamp that you took off the nightstand. Whatever is in that bathroom you're going to light up their world.

"Let me go!" Asmo shouts to a figure that looks partly familiar to you, however you quickly discard the familiarity, the appearance might be the same, but the presence is different, this is the second time you've has this happened.

"Stop! She is going to tag me."

He laughs at Asmo "That's the point."

"NO!!!"

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I act as if I'm going to tag Asmo, but I tag the mysterious person instead. "It is nice to meet YOU. Holding someone against their will is not GOOD."

The man is stunned and Asmo takes that moment to kick him in the stomach and fly away. "Valefor has joined the game! And he is the Oni! Watch out for him."

He recovers and glares at you. "I was trying to help you! You know, like a helping character!"

He then starts laughing. "Deceptive, I like you."

"I simply disagreed with your METHODS," I say. "Who are YOU?"

"But you are okay with deception? You're a strange one. I am Valefor the 6th Goetic Demon. And I'd thought I'd simply help you, since I have no interest in such kiddie-games. But it looks like since you've forced me into this game, you're going to be the one to help me."

"My APOLOGIES," I say. "I do not believe we have had the opportunity to meet BEFORE. I am Dlanor A. Knox, Archbishop of Heaven. I am not in the business of helping DEMONS. However, if we have a mutual goal, I will oblige for NOW."

Valefor's smirk stays on his face. A kind of unsettling smirk, but at the same what nothing unusual for the demon to have.

"I respect your position, oh Archbishop." With his smirk and light tone you can't tell if he is seriously respecting you, or mocking you.

"I believe our goal is the same, to end this little children's game." He chuckles and heads out of the bathroom. "Let's go stake hunting." His tone is full of amusement.

I follow him. "Where will we SEARCH?"

You exit the guesthouse with Valefor and once you exit you hear a taunting voice coming from the rose garden.

"Hey! Teaming up is not fair! Cheaters! Cheaters!"

"Heh, we play to win." Valefor shouts back to the darkness. "Come out, hide and seek time is over."

"Make me Valefor!"

Valefor rushes off into the darkness, but before he does he tells you to head to the kitchen, he suspects one of the stakes is there.

I follow Valefor's suggestion and make my way to the mansion's kitchen.

Last edited at 14/04/04(Fri)23:16:32

Upon entering the kitchen you see Beelzebub happy stuffing her face on ice cream an other sweets with a childish expression on her face.

"No touchies! I'm busy!" She yells out upon noticing you, but continues to eat.

You've never heard of such a rule that prevents someone from tagged someone else, if such a rule was in place you wouldn't even be playing with the stakes in the first place. What a childish thing to declare herself free from being tagged.

I tag her. "If you continue like that, I hear that you will get a brain FREEZE."

Five Stakes and One Amy remain

"Aww! That's not fair!" Beelzebub continues to whine and complain about how you cheated.

I leave the kitchen and check the parlor, the VIP room, and any empty guest rooms I come across for more stakes-- stopping, obviously, when I find one.

As you plan to head to the VIP room, you head toward the main area to go upstairs. However upon entering the room in front of the daunting painting of Beatrice you see Amy.

"Beatrice is an amazing person she can produce such amazing things."

Amy lets out a sigh and a black owl appears on her shoulder coming forth from a magic circle. "I am a demon that leads familiars always surrounded by friends."

"Beatrice however is not this way. I sense a loneliness deep inside her." She cuddles the owl . "How much pain she must have been in. I can only imagine, but can't get close."

She turns toward you. "I see you have made a pact with Valefor. A deal with a devil one might say, a verbal contract of agreement. A demonic agreement by all the parties."

"The demon is helping me play a child's GAME. One that you CREATED."

"What lies beyond innocence. What lurks in the shadows? Isn't that so Ariel." She pets the owl.

She closes her eyes for a moment before opening them. "You've chosen Valefor." She comments. "We are beings that exist at the same time, yet can not co-exist. Choosing one, denies the other."

She curtsies. "And so I bid you adieu Archbishop. May your choice aid you in your final goal."

With no warning whatsoever her form literately shatters before you. You get a feeling you won't see Amy again, or at the very least not soon.

5 Stakes Remain

Last edited at 14/04/05(Sat)17:52:57

I shrug and continue checking the rest of the locations.

Upon entering the VIP room you see two figures one is Belphegor the other is Beatrice. Belphe is currently engrossed with watching Beatrice preform some kind of magic trick.

I hang back near the door and watch Beatrice's magic. I prepare my long-sword in case someone tries to attack.

Last edited at 14/04/05(Sat)18:33:34

You watch from your spot as Beatrice preforms some little tricks for the excited Belphe. The scene in front of you kind of reminds you of a mother and child.

Beatrice however notices you. "Oh, if it isn't the Archbishop of Haven. How are you enjoying this Rokkenjima." Her smirk unsettles you.

Last edited at 14/04/05(Sat)18:38:47

"It appears different from the usual tale of love that is woven through the game BOARD. Magic seems to take a higher ROLE. I must admit, I wonder how much of your heart is even LEFT."

Last edited at 14/04/05(Sat)18:47:54

"Naturally magic has a high role. I'm seeking my resurrection, and for that to happen I must rewrite the rules that bind me. The toxin that keeps me down must be expelled."

"Which reminds me." She laughs and waves her golden pipe. "I'm just about to shatter the chains the bind me. Why don't you watch Archbicep."

You aren't given much choice as golden butterflies fill the room and escort you out of the VIP room, away from the mansion, away from the island.

They carry you to a small little spot off of the main island of Rokkenjima, where a cliff resides, along with a small shrine.

Admist the darkness you can see someone standing there next to the shrine.

"Just watch this." Beatrice laughs directing your attention toward the figure.

"Please... Beatrice... grant my wish." You hear a sobbing voice, but you can't make out who it is. "Please.... please... you're the only one who has the power to grant it. And so I release your power, please form a pact with me and grant my wish. BEATRICE!"

The figure grabs the mirror that is sitting in the shrine and smashes it to pieces.

"AHAHAH~" Beatrice laughs. "Yes! Yes! Finally that horrid mirror holding me back is gone!"

She waves her pipe and you find yourself back in the VIP room.

"Hehe, my resurrection is soon at hand."

"Congratulations," I say. "Normally, I'm supposed to try and kill you. However, my powers have been limited in this realm. Although I am not entirely powerless."

I tag Beatrice.

Beatrice is speechless, she drops her pipe in shock.

"Haha, Beatrice-sama got tagged!" Belphe laughs.

"Oh you think it funny eh!" Beatrice touches Belphe.

"Does that mean I got tagged?" She asks.

"My rules. So yes!" Beatrice laughs.

Well one way or another 4 stakes remain.

I continue my search, checking all the empty guest rooms. If that fails, I'll check the garden shed.

Upon exiting the VIP room you can hear the sound of someone cackling in a hushed voice.

You look all around you, but you see no one.

You proceed outside after checking all the guest rooms.

A red blur rushes past you as you step out of the mansion.

"What are you doing! Lucifer is getting away! She is the last one! Stop standing there!" Valefor shouts as he passes by you and enters the forest chasing after Lucifer.

1 Stake remains!

Last edited at 14/04/05(Sat)19:46:59

I follow Lucifer into the forest, dashing as quickly as I can.

You rush into the forest and try to follow behind Valefor and Lucifer, however they are fast and had a head start which causes you to lose track of them.

In the pitch black darkness it is impossible to see anything. The trees tower over creating an impenetrable veil.

Still you press on trying to make your way through the forest.

You realize the urgency and run as fast as you can, but it is dark. You can't see a thing in front of you.

You suddenly dash straight out of the forest, and WHOA!

Almost the edge of a cliff that suddenly appeared. The only thing that saved you was a fence preventing you from actually running straight off the cliff.

You wonder why a fence was built in this spot.

You hear the sound of footsteps and try to turn around, but you are shoved forward.

You are roughly pushed into the fence. But your attack isn't letting up, they are still pushing you, your body weight is pressing against the old wooden fence, and it is giving way!

You have no time to resist and the fence breaks. You are falling off of Rokkenjima. Falling to the sharp rocks below the cliff.

"Sorry, it is just my nature to betray. No hard feelings Archbishop. See if you in the next life." Valefor says as he laughs.

You're going to die.

Your body smashes against the unforgiving rocks. They are splashed red as blood pours out.

Second Thread https://archive.seacats.net/gameboard/res/14526.html

Last edited at 14/04/05(Sat)20:40:38