FINAL INVESTIGATION

[umbralant]

FINAL INVESTIGATION

Time continues to pass. And before long, it's the end of the week once again. Maybe it feels strange to call it that when there's such little sense of time besides the changing phases of the moon, and maybe the exact day doesn't even matter to you anymore. But regardless of the day, regardless of the month, regardless of the year, one thing is certain:

The time for preparations is over.

Because as the moon in the sky shines blood red, it becomes clear that all of the fog and the tremors were nothing but omens for what was to come.

And so, on Friday morning, Survivors will find themselves waking up to the sensation of energy practically buzzing through the air, prickling and tingling on skin like static electricity. Those who venture outside will also find that the fog that's creeped up in the recent days has been dispelled entirely, which includes the impassable kind that once hid a number of the buildings. Despite this, the tremors themselves do not lessen, and in fact, the earth itself seems to be vibrating with this energy as well.

The feeling will only get worse as the day progresses, and those who have been marked by the manifestations may feel more restless than normal.

The clock is ticking and there are some new areas to explore. No one's coming to save you, so there's nothing to do but to save yourselves, right?

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PRE-INVESTIGATION

[umbralant]

[Feel free to use this top level to thread out anything that may occur pre-investigation!]

[deadlygoals]

[ With the fog actually pulling back, it almost seems like a new city.

What's this? What's this?
There's buildings everywhere
What's this?
There's a blood moon in the air
What's this?

Find Dazai either checking out the perimeter to see what is new or find him climbing up the clock tower to get a view. ]

[inordertobelieve]

[ Mikami can be found outside the Clergy Housing, just kind of staring at the sky as he tries keeping his balance under all these tremors. There's a prosecutor's badge pinned to his lapel. ]

'A false you'... Well, it looks like we're about to find out, just as predicted. I almost appreciate the punctuality of everything always happening on Friday.

3 PM TEAM ~WIELICZKA SALT MINE~

[umbralant]

[This investigation is open to the 3 PM team! Welcome to the salt mines, Erik, Rideaux and Seteth.]

[umbralant]

[Once covered by the fog, the Wieliczka Salt Mine is now open for business. ...Well, in a metaphorical sense, anyways. After all, the visitor's centre above ground is still as abandoned as the rest of the city and there's no power on-site, as usual. So as quaint as it might be to take in the cream-colored wood panelling and the red-tiled roof of the building that leads to Daniłowicza Shaft, there really is nothing to be found on the ground floor buildings, so there's nothing to be done but a bit of spelunking.

Of course, without power the lift won't work, but thankfully there are some stairs that will lead all the way down into the shafts -- all 378 of them, in fact. So buckle up, bring a light and maybe carry along some snacks, because it's going to be a long walk down, and an even longer walk inside.]

[baitless]

[ah, the salt mines. it's just like the dlc where he is sir not appearing in this side story. are they gonna find all the porn he shoved there?? well, anyway, he's carrying the snacks!]

Well, this does seem pertinent...

[pr159]

[ And Rideaux's got his GHS flashlight...! ]

I'm not sure what to expect from this.

[bawcock]

[ Erik's got... Lux?? ... yeah, he didn't bring anything but himself. ]

I'll take anything that isn't a cave-in.

[baitless]

With all the quaking, I have to admit, I am a bit concerned. Let us make haste, though not to our detriment.

[time to head down the stairs!!]

[pr159]

Agreed.

[ Though it at least looks safer than he was expecting... His mental image of a mine is just the Tatalian Abyss. ]

AREA CLEAR

[umbralant]

6 PM TEAM ~WAWEL CASTLE~

[umbralant]

[This investigation is open to the 6 PM team! Welcome to the castle, Mikami, Cumore and Iago.]

[umbralant]

[It's the castle you all know and love! And the one that was broken into during Week 4. Either way, there's no silhouettes to be seen through the windows today, and there really hasn't been any real signs of occupation since the start of the week. The usual barriers remain the same as always, with the towering walls as intimidating as ever, but the movement of the fog means a distinct dragon statue is uncovered, along with a rather conspicuous entrance to a cave.

Successfully venturing through the passage's twists and turns will lead everyone straight into Wawel Hill; more specifically, they'll come out in Wawel Cathedral, located next to the actual castle. There's nothing to note in the cathedral or in any of the other buildings and fortifications around, so their destination is pretty clear.]

[drydrown]

[...God, and here we were hoping we wouldn't have to go underground at any point. But you know what, if it means getting into the castle this is acceptable for brief periods, and it's not like the places he's used to don't all have back entrances like this because JRPGs are truly a thing of very stupid architectural beauty.

Okay. Castle. Awesome!]

These people can't even do castles properly; the one at Zaphias is at least imposing.

[...Not so awesome!]

I suppose we ought to get this over with.

[psychophant]

Castle Krakenburg is far more intimidating.

[but also it's home to garon, so what was anyone expecting.]

Let's see what we have here.

[Are the front doors opened? Locked?? Are we trapped out here forever???]

[inordertobelieve]

[ He's just staring at the two of you. ]

It's a residential castle, not a fortress.

[ Look, those things are different. He knows that from some random book he read when he was like 17 and then never forgot, because that is how he rolls.

Also does anything here look like traps? ]

[umbralant]

[ At least someone here appreciates baroque architecture. So what if it's melded in with classical and medieval, fusion is where it's at! Anyway. There's no sign of traps, but you might have seen some approaching the perimeter were you to come in the normal way. Putting traps around your house is awfully inconvenient and all.

Surprisingly(?) the door is unlocked, though it's quite heavy given how large it is. Swinging it open will reveal a large ornate reception room, we're talking you could easily house all the survivors here and still have plenty room to spare. Of course that means this castle is pretty damn big too, though all of the doors they can currently see are closed. ]

[drydrown]

...We'll cover more ground if we separate, but there's also somewhat more of a chance that we'll run into something. I'm armed so I should be fine regardless.

[So you're a fucking tactician, Iago. Do whatever the verb is for what tacticians do, because my brain keeps spitting out tacticate which isn't even a fucking word.]

9 PM TEAM ~KRAKOW SUBWAY SYSTEM~

[umbralant]

[This investigation is open to the 9 PM team! Welcome to the subway system, Dazai, Raven and Rean.]

[umbralant]

[It's dark and gloomy as it usually is, but this time, anyone descending the stairs will get the feeling of their hair standing on end as the energy in the air gets even more palpable. Unlike the last time anyone visited though, making it all the way down onto the platform makes it clear that the fog that once shrouded the tunnels has also dissipated to leave a clear view of the rails leading into the darkness beyond.

Stay sharp and be careful, because sparks and flashes of energy still run through the rails rather dangerously and getting too close can result in a singe or two, or worse. Thankfully, there's an uncovered doorway that leads over to a maintenance walkway by the side of the rails, so there's still a path forward. Make sure to bring a light though, as always.]

[reanbeans]

[ Well, it's time to bust into the subway, wasn't it? ]

I don't think I need to say anything, but please be careful.

[ Rean will, of course, position himself in the front so he could intercept anything he perceived as dangerous. Regardless of there being a low likelihood or a high one.

He had a Gas Lamp with him as well, as well as the Night Vision Goggles and some candle sticks. But he hadn't put the goggles on yet and the sticks weren't out. ]

Everyone follow me carefully.

[ He'll wait for the correct time to move forward, and head to the maintenance walkway/doorway. It's quick and he expected the others could keep up. ]

[deadlygoals]

[He's going to make sure the other two are furthest from the rail casually for no reason at all. ]

Yes, sir.

[ He'll follow after, matching his pace. ]

Looks like someone left a way opened for us.

[raventhaw]

[ raven’s keeping guard in the back, both hands on the bolts of her two swords. she’s far away from the rail and gives them both a nod as they move forward. ]

Stay sharp.

[umbralant]

[Stay sharp, everyone.

The walkway keeps going through the tunnel, giving them a rather decent view of the rails. From time to time, a spark of energy travels down the rails, but something about the tunnel is odd: there's this almost unnoticeable constant humming, echoing through the empty air. It's been getting stronger and stronger the further they advance.

At some point, from the ceiling, tubes and wires appear. They emerge from the concrete of the ceiling, and are attached to the ceiling and walls. They look like they're made from remarkably strong materials, and solidly built. Better keep your hands away -- your hair may start standing on end from the static-like energy that emanates from them. Pretty clear cut indication they're active and full of energy]

[reanbeans]

...I don't think I should need to say to stay away from those, but just in case it wasn't obvious, I'll say it now.

[ Well.

Rean assumed that they were also getting closer to the energy source. So here he was, moving forward. There was no need to stop at this point, though he was rather attentive, ready for anything. ]