First Trial

[stagemanagers]

[As the investigation ends, you'll hear Hester's voice inviting you to the auditorium. As this happens, the twin doors on either side of the concession stand, across from the gym, will click open. You can enter on either side; both go to the same place.

When you enter the auditorium, it's dark. There's only the small lights along the walkway behind all the seats, just enough to illuminate where you're going. There's a central path between the seats, down towards where you know the stage must be. That's where you must be going, right? As you pass each row of seats, the lights at their ends flick on, marking your procession and slowly making more and more of the room visible. Shortly, you can see your destination: a circle of podiums stationed in the orchestra pit, below the lip of the darkened, curtained stage. They're all identical, labeled with a cast member's name, save for Mumble's, which is draped in black crepe and has a framed monochrome photo of him - Elijah Wood him - on top.

When you reach the podiums, the lights above the stage finally come on. It's time to meet the Wizard.

The mechanical head, with glowing green eyes, is installed above the stage and the still-closed curtain. Even if you were standing on the stage, it'd be well out of reach. It peers down at all of you, its motions fluid, and speaks with a booming, artificial-sounding voice:]

Welcome to your first trial, everyone. I am the Wizard. It's time to determine who was responsible for the murder of Mumble. Feel free to talk amongst yourselves and work together - you'll have to show teamwork if you want to leave this room alive.

Comments

[mcfife]

I--

[He has no weapon, but...]

We can create our own weapons. Our fists are weapons. Do we just let The Wizard rule us as he pleases without resistance?! What of Empress Sissi's life? Are we letting him take her away from us as well?

[voicerights]

You would lead these people to their deaths in vain, Your Highness.

[mcfife]

Then they do not have to follow me.

[voicerights]

So you'd abandon them, instead. Fascinating.

[mcfife]

Some people do not fight. There are other roles in the universe that do not involved killing. That is why those who can have the responsibility to defend the good from all evil.

[disharmonizes]

Ah, I see now. So the plan is for all of us to bodily throw ourselves at this, hope for the best, and if we die, we die. Surely all our deaths will make the whole thing better.

Do I have that right? I wouldn't want to get it wrong.

[mcfife]

Can't we at least try?

[disharmonizes]

Oh, you're more than welcome to, if you want.

I personally like having an actual strategy, but I'm just crazy that way.

[mayavericks]

Going in without a strategy would be... unwise.

We know what the Wizard looks like now. We know what to expect. If there is a next time, we will be prepared.

[sugarlumps]

I've got a strategy. What if we stab him and hit him 'til he stops moving.

[mayavericks]

It is likely that this is only an avatar for the true mastermind. Stabbing him will not free us from anything.

[voicerights]

[Have the SQUIP nodding in agreement, Maya. This is clearly a facade.]

[sugarlumps]

If it can't talk it can't try to make us do stuff.

[mcfife]

[Angus glares up at the visage of the wizard. This has happened before. Zargothrax on the tower above, taunting him. Angus below, desperate to save the people around him from painful deaths. An unsuccessful battle, a desperate retreat. Dunkeld fell to the forces of evil, and Angus could do nothing to save them. It was only through outside help that he could dream of a chance to stop him.

What difference is there now? He has to let someone die to save his own life? Why must he make this choice again?]

There had better not be a next time. I won't allow it!

[mayavericks]

If we hope to prevent a next time, we will need our strongest to protect us. That means you, McFife-san. Do not add more bodies to the pile.

[feudalladyshandmaid]

...She's right.

We'll reconvene after this. Strategize. Make sure this doesn't happen again.