CHAPTER 6 ; INVESTIGATION

[themodsgrimm]

The Story Continues... CHAPTER 6 - WEEK 6??? Narrators Remain ; The clock begins to chime, and on the first note, curfew lifts. Your doors swing open, whether you are ready or not. Leaving your room is a blur. The person you fell asleep beside — are they still there? Have they vanished? Were they ever there at all? You can't seem to recall clearly. What you are most aware of is the pervading sense of wrongness in the air, and how you can't hear anything but the chime of the clock. Even the sounds of your own voice and your own footsteps do not reach your ears. By the time the time the clock strikes nine, you know one thing to be true: blood has been spilt. Search the castle carefully — you wouldn't want to miss a single important detail, would you...? Welcome to this week's investigation post! This time, the mods will be providing top-levels for you to search. Please note the Locations page for your reference. Evidence — or lack thereof — will be noted in these threads. We ask that group threads consist of no more than 1-2 characters. After the discovery of the body (or bodies) and any pertinent evidence, an IC announcement concluding the investigation will go up. You are then free to make your own toplevels on this post for any threads you would like to have between the end of the investigation and the start of the trial. If you have any questions, please ask on our Discord server or ping us on plurk. Please direct pings to Britt (bloodthirstiest) and Danielle (entrappings), as they will be taking point on this investigation! Instructions on this week's investigation can be found in a pin in the General chat! full navigation. locations taken (statuses) stories (profiles) info & faq wishing well private conversations

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THE GARDENS

[themodsgrimm]

An arc of wisterias marks the entrance into the garden proper. The table from the trials isn't set up just yet - apparently, that finds its way here on Saturdays, and Saturdays alone - but there is still plenty of ground to cover; even discounting the hedge maze, the gardens are nearly as expansive as the castle itself. Roses can be found nearly everywhere one looks.

Nearest the castle, they are planted in orderly rows with neatly organized gradiations in color; the further into the gardens one goes, the more chaotic (but still beautiful) they become, scattered among various other types of flowers and shrubs. Even in the chaotic parts, they still form vague rows; stretching from north to south are seven rows, meaning eight pathways that the Narrators can walk - six in between the rows, and one on either side of the outermost rows.

Topiary cut into the shape of dragons mark the corners to the south of the gardens, nearest the castle; topiary cut into the shape of tigers mark the corners to the north. Topiary of unicorns, griffins, and other mythical beasts are scattered throughout the rest of the garden.

At the very center - marking the point where order begins to give way to chaos - is an elaborate fountain. A cobblestone path at the northeastern edge of the garden leads to the wishing well; the entrance to the hedge maze lies to the northwest. Both are locations that will need to be investigated by other groups.

THE WISHING WELL

[themodsgrimm]

The well-worn cobblestone path from the northeastern edge of the gardens leads here. There are some bushes scattered around the clearing, and the woods loom in the distance behind the main feature of the area - a stone well filled with water. Drinking from it isn't advisable, although there is a bucket attached to a rope that can be raised and lowered using a handle on the side of the well. A wooden sign to the side of the well cautions Narrators to be careful what they wish for.

...also there seems to be something poking out from the other side of the well as the Narrators approach - it looks like a shoe. Maybe it's attached to a foot?

THE FOYER

[themodsgrimm]

A central staircase leads from the second floor dormitories that the Narrators will be approaching from down to the foyer itself - although Narrators may note that the base of the staircase doesn't look entirely clean. The marble floors and high ceilings make the room seem larger than it really is. The walls are lined with several tapestries depicting a tiger, a dragon, a girl, an unidentifiable beast, or some combination thereof; there are six tapestries on either side.

The tapestries to the east of the stairs, from staircase to entryway: a lone dragon, a lone beast, the beast and the dragon together, the dragon facing down a tiger, the tiger and the beast together, and the dragon and the beast staring down the tiger and the girl.

The tapestries to the west of the stairs: a lone tiger, a lone girl, the girl and the tiger together, the beast and the girl together, the dragon and the girl together, and the girl looking between the dragon, the tiger, and the beast.

In between each tapestry stands a suit of armor on a pedestal - there are a total of ten, five on each side. Closest to the stairs, expanding outward, they hold one of the following: a shield, a sword, an axe, a spear, and then a shield again. The suit of armor between the tapestry of the tiger and the girl on the west side is noticeably less shiny than the others and looks a little dinged up at first glance.

THE KITCHEN

[themodsgrimm]

As the Narrators approach the kitchen, they'll smell smoke again. This kitchen just can't catch a break! The door is closed. Maybe they should open it...?

THE TAILOR

[themodsgrimm]

Three tables lie at the center of the tailor's room to allow people to work without crowding each other.

Along the southernmost wall are four racks of clothing - two with women's clothes, two with men's clothes, all vaguely fantasy themed. There are four mannequins on either side, showing off outfits and accessories such as hats, gloves, and slippers. On each side there is a wooden trunk, in which accessories and shoes have been found in the past.

The eastern wall contains four spinning wheels, along with baskets of wool and other fibers to spin into yarn. The western wall contains rolls of premade fabrics, baskets of supplies such as needles, thread, thimbles, and pincusions, and even a selection of patterns for simple pieces of clothing. For those who are unsure where to start, there are three beginners sewing kits containing everything one will need for the basics.

THE ARMORY

[themodsgrimm]

This room looks as though it was once well-organized, but these days it... isn't. The walls are lined with empty racks and hooks that may have held weapons at one time, but those weapons are now strewn about the room, lances mixed with swords mixed with crossbows and so on. Toward the back wall there is a table on which there is a small, freestanding cabinet that looks like it might have been used to house supplies for weapon maintenance at one time. Three suits of armor stand against the eastern wall, but they're not shiny like the ones in the foyer - all three of them are rather rusty.

There is something leaning against one of the walls that seems a little out of place at first glance - it looks like wood.

THE LIBRARY

[themodsgrimm]

The library is a cavernous room with two levels - though one will need to climb ladders to get to the upper parts. The shelves, at least, form orderly rows. Fairy tales feature prominently here, organized alphabetically by author and then alphabetically by title; the books on other topics, meanwhile, are all grouped together by topic - books about animals in one place, cookbooks in another, and so on. The bottom part has thirty rows of six shelves each; the top part merely has shelves lining the walls, with railings looking down on the bottom part of the library. Every ten rows there is a set of two tables with wooden chairs, three plush chairs, and one two-seater couch; at the head of the library, where the pedestal with the leather-bound book sits, there are two three-seater couches on either side of the pedestal. Up above, there are small, two-person tables with chairs placed in between some of the shelves so people can study up there too.

THE LABORATORY

[themodsgrimm]

There are three freestanding counters in this laboratory to give people space to work on their experiments. It's hard to tell what some of this equipment does at first glance, unless you're incredibly familiar with scientifc equipment, but it's possible to hazard an educated guess - the one at the center, for example, seems to be used for mixing things, as it has openings to pour liquids into and a spigot at the bottom where one might set a flask. The big pieces of equipment on the other two counters are a mystery, but all three of them seem to have been partially repaired from how rusted over they were when the room was first uncovered. Each counter has a set of three burners, and there are two drawers in each that can be pulled out and rifled through. There is a wicker basket in the southeast corner of the room which contains fire strikers and a wooden supply cabinet in the northwest corner of the room, which does not have a lock.

THE OWLERY

[themodsgrimm]

A winding staircase connects the fourth floor to the western tower. Even before the Narrators get to the top, however, they will be able to tell that something is wrong - there is aggravated screeching, hooting, and flapping noises coming from behind the shut door, as if the owls are rioting.

THE OBSERVATORY

[themodsgrimm]

A winding staircase connects the fourth floor to the eastern tower. The room it connects to is circular and domed, but when you enter and the door closes behind you, you're engulfed in darkness. There's a very faint, pulsing light coming from a crystal sphere at the center of the room, and if you feel your way along the wall, you'll find your way to a door on the eastern side of the room. If you've been up here before, you may know already that it leads out to a balcony.

SWAN LAKE

[themodsgrimm]

A wooden, hand-painted sign decorated only with a picture of a swan marks the point where a safe path through the woods begins. The path itself leads deep into the woods, but doesn't look as though it will be difficult to navigate.

Following the path into the woods leads the Narrators to a clear, beautiful lake, surrounded on all sides by trees and foliage. It's quiet and peaceful here, if one disregards the swans out on the lake that have an almost murderous look in their eyes these days... and one swan in particular that seems especially riled up. It's coming their way, actually.

THE MENAGERIE

[themodsgrimm]

When the Narrators enter at the gates, they are greeted with three paths - one leading straight ahead, to the glass enclosure where the tiny dragons and tiger cubs are kept, one leading to the left, and one leading to the right.

PUMPKIN RACING TRACK

[themodsgrimm]

The pumpkin patch is as full of pumpkins as ever - in fact, although people may have picked some to use in races earlier in the week, it seems almost as though they have grown back overnight. The dirt racing track nearby, likewise, sits there with a sign detailing instructions for its use as it always does.

The first thing they will notice is that a large pumpkin carriage is racing around the track. It's also charred and burnt to a crisp. Its door is open - get close enough, and maybe you can see inside...?

THE INFIRMARY

[themodsgrimm]

The lighting in this room still leaves quite a bit to be desired, but even with the dimness, it's easy to tell that this place is still grimy and gross.

Four operating tables stand in the middle of the room, coated with dust and dried blood. Hooks along the back wall have cloaks and plague doctor masks hanging from them - eight of them, to be exact, with the masks laying overtop the cloaks. A counter along the wall to the left when you enter contains a tank of leeches and a scattered array of bloodletting tools; the medicine cabinet is on the wall to the right, its doors shut.

[axilium]

Uh...

[that sure is concerning, but belph will cautiously open the door...]

[disclosures]

[Honestly she just wanted some fresh air after being cooped up for an entire night. Plus she hasn't... investigated outside.

But with the swan rapidly approaching she's starting to think this was a bad idea. She's backing up as quickly as the swan is coming at her.]

I didn't do anything.

[vigilantics]

[ i don't know why i'm making her go to the highest place in the castle with a fake leg but here we are.

anyway is there just. anything that is just obvious at first glance. is she gonna trip on any fuckin bodies. ]

[asswipe]

... What's going on in there?

[Because that sure?? Doesn't sound good?? Either way, hi. She's here.]

[wearys]

[ the menagerie animals are? probably?? nicer than the swans.

if none of the paths look like they're covered in blood, he'll take the left path first. ]

[resumed]

[What! The hell! The swan is approaching and Nico's drawing his sword almost immediately to challenge this angry bird. He doesn't swing yet but he's Prepared.]

Why are they always so mad?!

[concasse]

[I'm sorry for whoever Sanji is with because no greeting, this binch is gonna try the handle and KICK IT THE FUCK IN]

You fuckin assholes!! The guy who controlled fire is already dead!! I'll kill you all!!

[sanguinairy]

[i can't believe i sent souji to a room he's going to wind himself just walking around in

ANYWAY regardless of whether Souji's got a partner or is tackling this alone, as soon as he enters the library, he'll just be looking for anything Immediately Off. Bodies in the middle of the room, maybe? A murderer hiding in the rafters?]

[asswipe]

[...]

I'm too tired for this.

[carefully approaching the uno shoe, anyway. nani the fuck.]

[sanguinairy]

...Oh.

[JUST "OH". Hm, bad. Hopefully there's just uno shoe and no foot!! But since Veronica has that covered (probably) he'll just... look at the surrounding path and bushes. Anything amiss? Smashed foliage, bloody footprints on the cobblestone?]

[concasse]

[Everything is so fuckin extra today.

Uh, yeah, the pumpkin carriage is going to get his attention immediately, and seeing as Belph is with him here--]

I'm afraid of what the hell we're gonna find in there, but...

[He sure is RUNNING FOR IT]