[THISTLE]

[crittersheep]

[you find yourself whisked away to. . . a small clearing in the midst of a misty wooded area. it is the dead of night, with the moon and stars shining brightly above you. the shadows between the trees broil at you menacingly– it's a different kind of threat than the mist in the woods of the pasture]

[also: you are now dressed as little red riding hood, only in your team colors. yes, this applies to everyone. you also have a cute little wicker basket with (fake) food in it. Enjoy!]

[the new Weed's voice echoes above, as though spoken through a P.A. system]

The night was dark. . . and in the sky, the moon glimmered brightly, like a silver eye watching the world below slumber peacefully.

And yet, at this hour, Little Purple Thistle-- a young adventurer residing with their siblings on the edge of the Great Woods– found themselves lost between the trees. For you see, earlier that day Little Purple Thistle had received notice that their grandmother was very, very ill. Fearful for their grandmother's well being, Little Purple Thistle packed up a basket of food and donned their signature cloak, ready to venture into the darkness to care for their beloved matriarch.

But the path to grandmother's house is fraught with danger. Because lurking in these woods, ready to pounce upon the first sign of prey, are creatures of indescribable horribleness. . .

And Little Purple Thistle's adventure is only just beginning.

Comments

[ROUND ONE]

[crittersheep]

A sudden burst of light illuminates the darkness, a rush of heat blowing past Little Purple Thistle's cheeks! The sensations send dread piercing through their heart, their entire body growing cold and clammy. And from the shadows emerges the grandiose Lily Dragon, with shimmering silver scales that reflect the beautiful moonlight.

Legend says the dragon kidnaps young men and women from the nearby villages, spiriting them away into its lair and keeping them as servants until it devours them in a single crunch of flesh and bones.

"The darkness is deep, little one," the dragon booms, "I can illuminate a path through the woods for you. Will you allow me to be your torch?"

Little Purple Thistle remembers they have a sword tucked away in their cloak, and it seems. . . they have a choice.

Do they TRUST the dragon, or do they BETRAY the creature and pierce their heart with their blade?

[also there's a cardboard Lily-colored dragon hanging by a rope from the branches now. rawr!1!]

[DISCUSSION]

[crittersheep]

[survivaltricks]

[dead-eyed stare into the dark distance]





At least this dress makes my ass look great.

[pictureimperfect]

Ew, stop talking about your ass in front of babies pervert Senpai.

[literal_trainwreck]

I'm hardly an expert on game theory, but I believe the recommended solution to the Prisoner's Dilemma is "always betray."

Re: [DISCUSSION]

[pictureimperfect]

.......Well at least we look cute.

A lily dragon is probably friend shaped.

[DECISION]

[crittersheep]

Re: [DECISION]

[pictureimperfect]

Trust the lilydragon! Light our way for us~

[RESULTS]

[crittersheep]

Little Purple Thistle lets out a sharp breath before moving their hand away from their weapon. The lift their chin at the weapon, eyes determined. "Please. . . illuminate the night for me. I left my lantern at home, and cannot see the way."

The dragon puffs out a deep laugh, smoke billowing from its nostrils. "As you say, little one! Come. . . let us light up a path between the two of us!"

The lumbering dragon spins around to saunter into the woods, bending trees and brush as it goes. It's fiery breath easily lights up the area, and Little Purple Thistle manages to find their path.

The dragon and Little Purple Thistle have chosen to TRUST each other. But although they are companions, they are not protected by all of the dangers of the forest. . .

[PUNISHMENTS]

[crittersheep]

LUPIN suddenly finds pain searing through his lips! Anyone who is looking closely enough will find a mysterious needle and thread piercing his skin over and over and over again, guided by an invisible hand. His mouth has been sewn shut; he can no longer speak. Also: pain? Blood?

LOKI will see a vine whipping out at him from the woods-- and that's all he sees before it buries itself into his eye. Lupin is now short one eyeball. Oops.

ODIN will find that he feels searing heat and pain coursing down his back. It feels like someone has taken fire to his skin, and-- well. It looks like it, too! Odin has some pretty gnarly burns on his back, but although they are painful, they are only second degree, so. Could be worse?

YATA finds that his stomach is. . . suddenly aching. It hurts. It hurts so much. What can he do to stave off the pain? HE can eat. He is so hungry. He is ravenous. And the only way to satiate himself is to eat.

[ROUND TWO]

[crittersheep]

A low rumble echoes throughout the clearing, and the sound sends Little Purple Thistle's heart pounding in their ears. After a few moments, the rumble transitions into a silky smooth voice, echoing from the branches above.

"My my. . . it seems someone is out quite late, hmm?"

Little Purple Thistle's gaze flickers up, just to see the dashing Daffodil Sphinx lounging in the trees above! Poised as though ready to pounce, the sphinx's claws are sharp, and their smile gleams like daggers in the light of the moon.

"You should not be here, child. However. . . my stomach rumbles. If you give me a small snack from your basket, I might be inclined to guide you to freedom."

Little Purple Thistle remembers they have a hand ax tucked away in their cloak, and it seems. . . they have a choice.

Do they TRUST the sphinx's offer, or do they BETRAY the sphinx and attempt to cut them down?

[a wooden Daffodil-colored sphinx hangs from the tree branches, swaying slightly in the wind. it's a prop]

[DISCUSSION]

[crittersheep]

Re: [DISCUSSION]

[pictureimperfect]

[backing himself into a corner and jamming a plastic apple in his mouth sorry not good for discussion right now]

[shortforever]

[Gritting his teeth and standing up. They're all hurting but they have to keep going, and Lupin can't talk right now, so.]

C'mon guys, let's get through this quickly and be done with it.

Daffodil won't hurt us. It's safe to go with Trust and brace ourselves for whatever happens next.

[Others can disagree, he's just stating his opinion.]

[DECISION]

[crittersheep]

[shortforever]

Thistle is choosing to trust the Daffodil Sphynx.

[RESULTS]

[crittersheep]

And thus, Little Purple Thistle stays their hand, tucking away their axe as they address the Daffodil Sphinx with pleading eyes and an apple tucked in their palm. "Please," they say, "I must make it to my grandmother's house, for I fear she may pass before I have the chance to say goodbye. . ."

The Sphinx bows its head, before pouncing from the tree and landing delicately next to Little Purple Thistle below. In one large gulp, it swallows the apple whole, licking its chops with smacking and clacking teeth.

"This way, child," says the Sphinx. Their fear abated, Little Purple Thistle follows the creature into the woods.

Both the Sphinx and Little Purple Thistle have decided to TRUST each other! Together, they navigate the dangerous woods. But although they are now allies, that does nots protect them from the other dangers that lurk within. . .

[PUNISHMENTS]

[crittersheep]

LUPIN hears the echo of a bowstring being pulled taught and then released. A moment later, an arrow embeds itself into his upper thigh, the wound gushing blood. The arrow has missed any major arteries, but it's deep enough that he isn't going to be able to walk on that leg for a few days until the injury is healed.

LOKI suddenly feels his throat close up, his breath catching in his chest. When the sensation dissipates, he will find that he cannot tell a lie. TRUTH COMPULSION.

ODIN feels something crack in his left arm. The cracking noise? His bones. An invisible force has crushed his lower left arm bones to pieces, leaving the limb heavily bruised and useless. OW.

YATA finds himself. . . suddenly falling apart? First his arm. Then his leg. Then one of his ears. Slowly, his body is crumbling to bits and pieces. There is no blood, because he is a ghost, but wow. Creepy!! He can put himself together again, but the pieces will continue to fall off every now and then, which probably makes life a little difficult.

[ROUND THREE]

[crittersheep]

Hiss. . . hiss. . . hisssssssss. . . something sinister is suddenly moving through the underbrush. Little Purple Thistle jumps at the noise, gaze whipping towards the brush, a cold sweat covering their forehead. Are they no longer alone in this dreadful clearing?

From the grass emerges the head of a many-horned snake, its tongue darting into the air as it stares at the adventurer with a piercing, yellow gaze that practically glows in the moonlight. It grins, its venomous fangs protruding from its lips. The Clover Basilisk is said to carry the deadliest poison in all of the land, with a single drop being more than enough to kill fifty men. Nobody knows what a powerful bite would do to a single person.

"Hmmm? It ssssssseems someone hasssss wandered onto my territory. Ssssshall I see you out to sssssafety? It is dangeroussssss in these woods."

Little Purple Thistle remembers they have a mace tucked away in their cloak, and it seems. . . they have a choice.

Do they TRUST the basilisk to guide them home, or do they BETRAY the snake and crush their head on the spot?

[a cute cardboard basilik is hanging by a rope from the trees. hiss hiss hiss!!]

[DISCUSSION]

[crittersheep]

[shortforever]

[He is fighting the urge to just punch the cardboard cutout.]

...we gotta trust again. Zenith might betray, but everyone else on his team wouldn't. They would outvote him.

[DECISION]

[crittersheep]

Re: [DECISION]

[literal_trainwreck]

Betray.

[RESULTS]

[crittersheep]

It is impossible to trust a snake, isn't it? Little Purple Thistle mirrors that hiss, drawing their mace as they do so. "Silence, demon!" they cry, "You cannot draw me in with your false promises of assistance!"

The basilisk rears back, baring its fangs in a defensive gesture. But it is too late. Little Purple Thistle rushes forward, swinging the mace down upon the serpent's head, cracking its skull underneath the weight of the blow.

The basilisk flinches in agony, before going still.

Little Purple Thistle has BETRAYED the Clover Basilisk's TRUST.

[PUNISHMENTS]

[crittersheep]

[NADA]