greatestdespairlodge

[greatestdespairlodge]

[MOTIVE | I want you for the world, I want you all the time]

Once again your IDs ping, calling you all down to the lobby for another announcement. It’s been about a week of living with your personalities all wonky and twisted, but with the chaos it feels like it could’ve just been hours.

Monootter is perched up on the front desk, excitedly shifting foot to foot as the group fills in the lobby.

“Looks like you’ve all had fun with your reinvented selfs, shishi? We’ve seen some really unexpected things, really, things have gone even better than we thought they would. Seeing you all switched all around, shihi, it really shows how awful some of you are, don’t you think?”

“It brings to the surface all the more what you lack! Getting to see the opposite side of yourself isn’t something many people get to do! Someone of you have some new found confidence, humility, morals, or lack thereof, happiness, or insight- I could go on forever about all your flaws, shishishi!!! Thinking about it all, doesn’t it just…” Monootter pauses to lay back on the counter, one paw propping up his head. “Make you wish you could keep yourself like this forever?”

“Since money didn’t seem to tailor to many suits here, we have a new motive for you all! If you murder someone, you get to make the ideal version of yourself be the real you, shishishi! Your gracious hackers have been toying with some real neat things. One lucky murderer will get to work with the hackers to alter their personality permanently.”

“However which way you’ve been wishing on every star or airplane to be, we’ll play fairy godmother and bippity-boppity it’ll be true-ity! You never have to be so dumb, so hesitant, so unconfident, or so ‘whatever other thing you are’. How’s that suit you?” Monootter grins a real toothy smile.

[Whoever murders this chapter will get to totally reinvent their personality! Keep in mind that your characters are all still affected by the personality switch from the earlier event, this will continue through to the end of the second trial so the reasoning remains the same for characters through the motive and case. Your characters will be able to reflect back on how they’ve acted for the rest of their lives, but are viewing that version of themselves through the altered personality lens. Message Marina with any questions!]

[greatestdespairlodge]

[EVENT] Pineapples Are In My Head

It’s been roughly a week with no real word from Monootter after your first trial. The peace is almost unsettling as you know that it can’t last.

Things are continuing as irritatingly normal, that is until you all wake up with a stuffy nose and sore throat. Which later in the day develops into a cough and a fever with chills. You’ve all seem to have got a pesky cold in the short span of a day. 

Maybe this wouldn’t be so odd to happen with having so many people all together, but you’re in a simulation, you should be immune to this stuff… You go to sleep feeling on edge, skin prickled with sensitivity as you toss and turn.

But almost as quick as the symptoms developed, by the next morning, you’re all back in regular health. That prickly kind of sensation through your bodies still lingers. Perhaps it was just a glitch, a side effect of the hacked system, that’d be a perfectly reasonable explanation. Or it would be, if Monootter didn’t call you all down to the lobby.

“Shishishi, good morning to our precious Area 51! Or is it our precious biohazards? Shishi, whatever you guys are, you should all be honored and proud! “Monootter wipes his paw under his eye.”I’m proud to say that you’re the very first people to get to experience a brand new virus, homegrown with love and care by your own very dear hackers! Shishishishi, and this isn’t like your regular sickness, no, it’s so much more exciting!”

“You see, you all create your own data from entering the simulation. The virus gets into that, alters it, and flips your personalities all around wishy-washy! Don’t worry, you’re all still yourselves, you just won’t act like it. Maybe some of you will become better people, shi?”

[For this event, your character’s have opposite personalities! This can manifest in different ways, such as a really shy and down-on-themselves character could become super confident and loud. Morality could also change, such as a very immoral person could suddenly feel dedicated to doing good and helping others. This motive’s effects will last through the end of the second trial.

If you’re having any trouble or just want some help figuring out how your character’s personality has been changed, message Marina for help!]

[greatestdespairlodge]

[EXECUTION] Vigilante Justice

[TW: Suicide, hanging]

Maybe it’s because he’s more pragmatic than most. Maybe it’s because of his reasons. Maybe because he’s been well and truly caught and he knew what the consequences would be going forward. Maybe it’s because of word association: this is the first thing that comes to his mind when he thinks ‘execution.’

The room is gray stone, narrow bars on one wall, utterly featureless but for a wooden stool in the center of the room and a spool of rope hanging from the ceiling. The rope is already tied in a neat loop, like it was prepared by someone even more fastidious than he.

Shuyo looks around, just a force of habit, even though he knows it will be fruitless--the computer-generated environment doesn’t even have scratches on the walls, no rust on the bars, no weak points, no imperfections. Only the four walls and the conclusion they want him to reach himself.

There’s not much pressure in the room itself. No wall of spikes urging him onwards. No forces dragging him to the rope. In theory if he refused to act forever there might not ever be pressure-- in a program there’s no telling how long he could stay in this cell. There’s only the eyes he knows are watching this, and his own eternal impulse: if you act like you belong, if you go through the motions without causing a scene, if you’re quick and efficient and straight-faced and detached, then no one will stop you.

He steps onto the stool and neatly fits the loop around his neck. Even when he knows it’s not real, that nothing about this was real, that was the point, the rope fibers are scratchy around his neck, and he takes an uncharacteristic second to breathe deep, to compose himself again.

(Is this how she felt, when she was deciding there were things worse than death? Did it feel as inexorable then?)

But of course this wasn’t death. There was no reason to fear. No reason to even think anything as sentimental as ‘going to join her.’ No reason to think anything equally tawdry as ‘leaving someone behind.’ If he has last words to say, they should be equally pragmatic.

“I just thought you should know. You were wrong about the motivations. We’ll have a lot to talk about, when we see each other again. I hope you don’t hold this against me by that time,” he says in a clear even voice to the empty room, and kicks the stool away.

The rope draws taut with a snap.

Once more the cell is quiet.

[greatestdespairlodge]

[TRIAL] Court Begins

Across the hotel rings the sound of a bell, followed by Monootter’s voice. “Shishishi, time’s up! Head to the elevator by your rooms for your very first trial? How exciting is this?! Shishi, this is gonna be so much fun! Be sure you all enter the elevator at the same time or it won’t work.”

Wherever you were resting or last minute investigating, you find the rest of your classmates beside you in the hall. Servo, who’d been waiting before anyone else, does a head-count and confirms the whole class is there before calling the elevator. The doors open with a ding and you all can pile in. At least it’s a big elevator, so it’s not horribly cramped.

A minute passes after the doors have closed and it kind of feels like you’ve all just been sitting there. Is this the trial? Is this what they’re doing now? Maybe you’ve been moving? You can’t really tell anymore.

The doors finally slide open to reveal a brand new room. It’s not unlike a meeting room you’d expect business people discussing stocks would hole up in. One giant oval mahogany table with a digital screen taking up the middle. It’s surrounded by enough chairs for everyone, they’re comfy office chairs. There’s name plates on the table if you look, starting from one head of the table is Chiriko, continuing to the right in alphabetical order by first name. 

Monootter pops his head out from under the table and waddles toward you all. “Welcome to the very first trial!!! The objective is simple: Find out who murdered Shiho and Kurumi and convict them of murder! If you fail to convict the real guilty party, they get to leave the simulation. If you convict right, then they face punishment, shishishi!!! Super easy simple. Use the table technology given to you to share all the evidence with each other too. We made it all fancy for you. I’ll be around to watch, but I can’t help you solve the case. Neither can Servvy! So don’t ask him for help either.”

It’s time to take a seat and start the trial. 

Trials will work a little bit differently than what some of us may be used to! The photos your characters have taken while investigating can be pulled up for everyone to see in the middle of the table. Simply **bold** when your character is putting up evidence and a mod will follow up to explain the content more in depth. Sharing the evidence you found is encouraged, obviously, remember that you’re all working together. Your character can vote privately when they’re ready by PMing a mod. (Message Marina specifically for this trial!) Your character cannot vote for themselves. If the characters mistrial, the killer runs free, no one is executed in their place and there are no rewinds. 

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[CASE FILE 2] Shiho Uekawa

Victim: Shiiho Uekawa Cause of Death: Asphyxiation Time of Death: 6:47 pm Time of Discovery: 6:53 pm Location: Room 106

[greatestdespairlodge]

[EVENT] I’m Slipping Under...

A group of you had headed down to the first floor, wanting a headcount for the cast. 

Morgan enters their room with Josh in search of Morgan’s roommate. Morgan takes notice that their bathroom light has been on since they had last checked in here several hours ago. Knocking on the door elicits no response. Morgan turns the knob to open the door. With a tilt of their head and a “hm”, they look back at Josh who is already frantically calling for Dante in the hall to come in here.

The group is lead back to the bathroom and sees...

There’s their roommate, at least...

[Shiho Uekawa has been found dead.]

[greatestdespairlodge]

[CASE FILE 1] Kurumi Hamada

Your IDs ping once more with the information Monootter promised you. 

Victim: Kurumi Hamada Cause of Death: Asphyxiation Time of Death: 6:46 pm Time of Discovery: 6:46 pm Location: Commons Room

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Now we’re REALLY getting started!

“Would you look at that? Looks like one of you is going to be a good sum richer, shishishi!!! Yoour money will be transferred shortly.”

“Now that you all have your first dead body, it’s time to investigate! It’s like your classic murder mystery. Find all the clues you can and use the evidence you get to try and find out murdered poor, poor Lovely Bones. You have two days, since I’m so very nice, to find all that you can. When two days have passed, you will have your first class trial! For the investigation period, the body will be preserved in this state and the crime scene will have that pretty yellow tape around it. Nobody can move the body or any evidence! That wouldn’t be fair. Instead, use that camera on your ID to take a photo and log the evidence. On here will be a Case File for you to get some minor details to work with.  If you have any questions, I’m excited to help, shishishi!!!” Monootter grins wide and the video ends. Hm.

[greatestdespairlodge]

[BODY DISCOVERY] Party In The Graveyard

It’s late in the evening when Kurumi stumbles their way into Commons Room. They’re clutching their head when they allow themselves to fall onto the couch. Their hand slides down their face in a clumsy movement to rip their facemask off with a grunt.

Salis, who had been getting a drink from the circle bar, turns toward Kurumi. He attempts to grab their attention from far away, but is met with no response. He walks closer. Kurumi’s eyes are closed, eyebrows tense in discomfort, and body near limp.

Salis looks them over with concern. “Hey, you doing alright there?” “Ohh….f-fuck.” Kurumi mumbles, now weakly grabbing at their hoodie. Their breathing is slow and shallow. Salis tries to get a real response again but it doesn’t seem there’s much Kurumi has to say. Salis’ fear sets in, and he begins to call out to anyone who could possibly be loitering on the floor and hear him.

It’s not long before Edwin exits the library looking annoyed as ever. He starts to scold Salis for the noise but soon realizes what the commotion is about. When he comes closer, Kurumi makes a choked wheezing as their body jerks and their eyes momentarily fling open. A strangled noise is the last sound out of them before they give up the ghost. Toshi and Sophia then come into the Commons to figure out what’s going on, approaching the scene. Morgan, who had been watching all this from afar, now approaches too. All stand before a horribly fresh body.

[Kurumi Hamada has been found dead.]

[greatestdespairlodge]

[MOTIVE] Every night before I rest my head...

It’s about lunchtime when your IDs all ring for attention, Monootter’s little icon pops up with an announcement. You’re all being called down the lobby for some new “surprise”. You all file down to the front desk where Servo stands solemnly behind the counter Monootter, who’s laid out on the desk.

"Alright dumdums, it's finally time for your first official motive! And boy, the boss has a big classic treat in store for you, shishishishi! Hopefully our little dress up game has taught you all important lessons about money, which is that being poor suuucks and being rich is royally fun, shishi. Have you ever thought to yourself: 'I would kill to have a million dollars?' Well now you can!"

"If you kill someone during this motive period, you get to live in a life of luxury, shishishi! We're talking big bucks. Not just a measely one million... How about five? Shishishi, just think of what you could do with that kind of money! Your whole family could live comfortably for generations, share it with your best friends, invest in stocks, fund charities, hoard it all, blow it in a day on purple limos, whatever makes you happy, shishishishishi! We don’t care how you spend the money, the point is that you’ll have a buttload of it.”

“But! There’s always a catch, shishi... For every day you wait to kill someone, the sum of money offered will go down a randomized amount. Act quick, or you could lose big! And, since I'm sooo kind, shishishi, I'm going to have a little board telling you the sum offered here in the lobby! The killer, whoever they may be, will have money start transferring into their bank account right away, we'll do it in small portions at a time as not to create any suspicion. This offer only applies to one person, so be sure to be the first with a knife!” Monootter claps his paws together and sure enough a digital glowing red sign reading “$5,000,000” appears on the lobby desk. Trying to move the sign would be found impossible to do. “If you have any questions, just shout for me or beep for Servvy!~”

[Motive: Kill someone and you will be rewarded with a large sum of money! For every 24 hours of the motive period someone does not die, the amount of rewarded money will decrease a randomized amount.]

[greatestdespairlodge]

[Notice] Dream, When You’re Feeling Blue

After the investigation of the Theaters, some people neon colored with fish and cards and a gun? After confusion from all parties here, even those who went in there, there’s a ring from your IDs as a transmission pops up.

There’s Servo, just like Monotter said. Like the last notice, his words are being displayed on screen as well as spoken aloud. This makes an awkward sort of echo in the theater among the crowd if no one mutes their ID.

“Hello, everyone. I’m here to explain the brand new feature brought to the lodge by our lovely donor, Anonymous.”

He doesn’t look very excited while talking, but his voice manages to be pretty pleasant.

“The theaters now function as [Dream Rooms]. There are set times each day at which they can be entered, otherwise normal movies will be playing. These rooms will be available at 9-10 am and 9-10 pm every day. Please consider what times will be best for you and act accordingly.”

“Whatever happens in these rooms will last for 24 hours. Such as, if your skin is turned neon, it will be like that until 9 am or pm the next day. I am not at liberty to end the affects faster, so please do not ask me to.”

“As for extending affects, however, you can ask me about keeping items or changes made to you in the rooms, if you’ve grown fond of them. They retain their full functionality, even if it’s a living object. I ask that you don’t use this often, since I would rather not invite a bunch of outside objects to the simulation, but I’ve been forced to make this an option...”

”On this note, if somehow you die in one of these rooms, you will be gone until the next day. You will not be dead permanently under most circumstances- unless another student kills you... which means that if you kill another student with the intention to end their life in a Dream Room, it will count as a murder, and the student will not respawn. The room will be preserved for investigation, and as soon as it occurs, you will not be able to make progress in the dream run, but an exit will be made available for you to leave and clean things up for 15 minutes before a body is announced. There are some exceptions to this that will be made clear when they happen, such as if for whatever reason a room requires you to kill someone for progression- then you have permission to do as you wish. These exceptions will be clearly stated when they come up.”

“If you have any further questions, feel free to approach me and ask. If you have any feedback, I’m more than willing to listen and possibly implement changes, if I agree that it will be a good idea.”

“And... I hope you all have a nice day, despite everything. Please enjoy these Dream Rooms. They were made to be an energizing experience for you all.”

A service message pops up:

[This conversation has been saved in Notes if you ever need to look back on it.]

ooc: if you wish to do a dream room, form a group ask Mod Citizen! try to ask a day in advance, but he will probably ask for groups now and again out of whoever’s around when he’s free.

[greatestdespairlodge]

[EVENT] Dream, That's The Thing To Do

This Princess and the Pauper event is somewhere on a scale of “kind of lame” to “the worst thing that’s happened this month” for most people. Otherwise, things are as normal as you can call it. It’s only natural for people to try and go about their habits to try and spite misfortune.

Shuyo, Marina, Makoa, Salis, and Joshua are getting lunch from the buffet- Marina and Makoa are sharing their royal meals with the three paupers here. They’re in the midst of their meals before they can hear a loud scream from the direction of the theater... 

Rushing into the theater, whoever of the group followed (or others that gathered from other directions) can see a panicked looking Hoshito running out of one of the theaters, arm clutched to his side. He waves his hands around at you all and hurries that way.

“Hey- hey hey hey, someone just attacked me in there?! I fell asleep and then woke up and- and-”

Hoshito sounds positively confused as he glances back, then points at the door.

“Whoever’s in there is- is.. b-bad! We should mob lynch them! Let’s throw hot coffee all over them!”

With a stammering tone, Hoshito keeps walking until something springs up in front of him, seemingly out of nowhere. 

Hoshito- well- screams again, making sure everyone in this place knows that something is going on. Monootter does a graceful flip in the air before landing on the ground between you all and the panicking actor.

“How was my entrance? Pretty cool right?”

“What the... what the hell? Oh my god, was it you who attacked me!”

That sounds more like an accusation than a question, and Monootter rolls his eyes.

“Who, me? I’m not part of this game! But it seems you’ve stumbled into my little game before it was ready!”

Hoshito gives him a glare, and he continues to explain.

“What attacked you was, well, technically yourself! Loser! This is kinda a boring setting- I mean like, a hotel can only do so much!- so we’re jazzing it up, using your minds to make new areas! Isn’t it cool sounding? Servvy’s in charge of all that.”

“In faaact, I think it should be ready to go now! It was aaaaalmost done, you just have the worst timing, shishishi~ Why don’t you guys all try it out together? It’s fun! And you get prizes! Sometimes. Plus- you’re fine, kid, what happens in there uuuusually doesn’t last long out here. So you can get stabbed in there all you want!”

“What the hell... I-I’m not going in there again, this is bullshit and dumb and stupid. And dumb. And bullshit!”

Meanwhile, beside you all, Marina's eyes light up, and she takes a step forward.

"Ohhh!!!" 

She brings her hands in fists to her chest and bounces on her toes, turning to the group. 

"Eheheh! I wanna go see! We should all see what's inside, eheheh. With no consequence, that means there’s only reward! I have a really, really, super great feeling about this...!"

“That’s the spirit! It’s fun and harm free, so go wild!”

Monootter starts to waddle away from you all, waving a hand around beside him.

“Sooo, Servvy will explain this whole thing in a bit. Feel free to step inside before he does, though, he’s kinda slow.”

[greatestdespairlodge]

[𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓] 𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐭

It hasn’t been long since the Monootter take over, and admittedly, it’s been pretty peaceful- aside from all that “kill someone” stuff. Minor things, really. Whatever you’re doing come Wednesday afternoon is interrupted by a chime on your IDs followed by a message.

“Hello hello! All of you come on down the the lobby for a super extra special surprise! Shishishi!”

Everyone trickles into the lobby at differing speeds, and you all see Servo standing behind the front desk as a sad, stout podium for the real star here.

“Welcome!” Monootter pats his foot down on Servo’s shoulder. “Welcome them, Servvy, don’t be rude.”

“... Hello.”

“There’s that charmingly dead robot spirit! Shishishi, we have a fun event for you all. Everyone’s wanted to be royalty before, right? Duh! And whenever there’s royalty, there’s tragedy, just like Shakespeare prophesied! What’s more romantic than power imbalance?! Shishishi, okay, let’s get this boring explanation garbage out of the way. Servvy, take ‘em away.” 

Servo looks to you all and starts to speak. 

“A third of your group is going to be given control of all the food, heating, and other amenities within the hotel. These people are the royals. They are given enough food to feed two people, including themselves, and can ration it out however they want. Those without proper food will get crackers and water for the day. Royals will have other luxuries provided to them, including an upgraded bed and pillow set.”

“All the others who are not royals, are the paupers. No paupers may enter the waterpark without being signed in by a royal. Pauper's beds are replaced with floor mattresses, and their stuff in their room will be restricted to only essentials." Servo bows his head to signal his conclusion. 

Monootter chimes back in, “That about sums it up! Shishishi, now the funnest part-- The cast list! Costumes aren’t required but are totally encouraged.” 

Monootter claps his paws together and on the front desk appear two white paper lists held in glass stands with all your names on them.

The royals are.....

Dante Laster

Harper O'Malley

Kurumi Hamada

Makoa Ka'ana'ana

Marina Suzuki

Morgan Blakesley

And the paupers are.......

Chiriko Yoshida

Edwin Black

Hoshito Akanishi

Joshua Deluna

Ran Kayo

Royann Taylour

Salis Halwn Amaro

Shiiho Uekawa

Shinya Ishida

Shuyo Abe

Sophia Marino

Toshi Douzaki

[greatestdespairlodge]

[ɴᴇᴡ ᴀʀᴇᴀ] ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ɪꜱ ɪᴛ? ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴇʀ ᴛɪᴍᴇ!

Your IDs all beep with the notification chiming “NEW MESSAGE!” 

Monootter’s smug little face appears. 

“Do you all remember that new area your little robot tried to get for you? Yeah, well, we got that for you ‘cause I’m sooo nice! We got it set up without even a single bug, shishihi. Take the elevators or stairs up to see the shiny new thingies we got~” 

[Floor two is out!]

[greatestdespairlodge]

[ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴏɴᴇ ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛ] ᴇxᴛʀᴇᴍᴇ ʜᴏᴍᴇ ᴍᴀᴋᴇᴏᴠᴇʀ

“Stop it- you can’t just do that!”

Servo speaks up, standing upright behind the newcomer.

“I cannot allow that. I’m supposed to maintain the safety of the participants and the sanctity of this simulation... You can’t expect me to allow you to make people kill each other!”

He slowly sounds a bit less formal as he talks, but keeps the authoritative tone of an older brother scolding you for playing an especially nasty prank.

“Oh, gross, the fun police. You still here? You can’t do anything, don’t get all preachy about justice or saving people.”

“I demand you cut this out! It’s not right, and against my protocol to do nothing!”

“You so sure about that? Shishishishi! You got a new protocol, buddy boy. Didn’t change your personality or anything, but the rules you live by are totally different!”

“A... A new protocol? From you? Awawawa... That’s... I don’t like the sound of that! That sounds... well, scary!”

“Scary? Hey, now you’re getting the idea! It’s supposed to be scary! This is my murder game now!”

“A murder game... I don’t get this... But, it seems the rules have changed here...”

“That’s right! Hey, gimme a lift, Servvy boy! I can’t walk everywhere with these stubby little legs of mine!”

Servo seems hesitant, but he only has time to take a step back before the monochrome otter is diving at him, wrangling his little body around Servo, grabbing and pulling at his coat and hat before getting a comfortable spot on his shoulders.

Servo seems a bit indignant at this, but doesn’t say much else in protest. It seems he’s been silenced, either from a loss of will or a change in his directive...

“Shishishi! I like the view up here! Now, take me to the pool after explaining some new stuff to these chumps.”

The bellhop is quiet for a moment before unfolding his arms from behind his back and holding up his hands to make what looks like a duplicate of your IDs in front of him. He holds it in one hand and gestures to it with the other.

“I would like to direct your attention to your ID cards, if you will.” He starts while Monootter lowers his head and nestles into the collar of his jacket.

Pulling out your IDs, you can see that... the layout hasn’t changed too much, but the design is different...

“On here, every section should function as normal. There will be updates to the Camera, Notes, and Rules shortly to reflect the changes that have been made by Anonymous. I will distribute a tutorial explaining all future changes to these functions when the criteria to do so is triggered, so please do not worry until then. Keep using your IDs as you have, and please check the [Rules] tab if you forget anything you’ve been told today. Thank you. Are there any questions for me?”

Monootter chimes in, “I can answer questions too, but don’t take too long! I wanna check out the pools here, shishishi...”

[greatestdespairlodge]

[Chapter One Start] Something Otterly Unexpected

Servo clutches his head with a puzzled expression. Above him materializes the frame of an… Otter?!

It starts to look kind of like Mr. Otter. That is, until the fur of the animal glitches to an unnatural black and white. He drops from the air onto the counter. There’s an unnatural grin stretched across his face, only on one side too. Servo’s body jerks before stiffening.

“Good afternoon, students!” The otter speaks. It’s tone is jarringly cheerful, almost stabbing you with it’s mirth.

“I know you all signed up for a vacation experiment, but I have different plans in mind for you! This is a hijacking, if that wasn’t clear. Your time will be used for a much more important experiment! Mine, that is! Ethics boards don’t let you do anything fun anymore. Or, really what I mean is anything useful. So I’m taking over this simulation to get real work done, alright?”

“I want to know what drives people to murder. Every so often, on a regular schedule, I’m going to present to all of you a motive. The point is to get you to kill someone. I don’t care how you do it, just get someone’s heart to stop beating. Each new area given to you will have plenty of different ways you can get creative with offing a classmate. This is meant to be stressful, but there’s prizes in store if you play along! Or I should say there’s compensation at the end. You only have to kill one person a motive, but if you take out more in one shot, well then that’s just more work for your friends. But kill no more than say, hm... three people. That’s a lot.”

“Murder on it’s own is boring, so if someone dies, you get to have your own little mock trial. If only we had some law students here! Trials are pretty simple, or I think they are because I’ve looked at my plans for them for so long, gahaha! When someone dies, you all get several days to investigate the scene of the crime and the body. Then we hold a trial, and you all will decide who is guilty! I’ll explain it all more when someone’s dead, but for now you can look forward to that.”

“If you don’t like my motive enough to kill for it, then I’ll work something out, okay? I’m a person in an otter suit of my word, I can guarantee every motive I present has real reward and risk! There will be a grand total of five motives presented to you. The first motive will come after I settle in here and get a rope on every nook and cranny. And no, you cannot leave before the experiment is done.”

“Before you all go asking who I am, I will only say that I am Anonymous! The body I am using is called Monootter now, though, he’s here to help things run smoothly. I’m uploading his AI to take over after I’m done with your debriefing. And-”

But, Anonymous’- or, Monootter’s- speech is interrupted by someone...

[greatestdespairlodge]

[Chapter One Start] Innovation Station

You all have been called down to the lobby by Servo in the afternoon for “something exciting”. From behind the desk he smiles to you all.

“Hello!” Servo claps his hands together. “Today we are going to unveil our brand new areas for you all! Our programmers just added the finishing touches. I wanted you all here as I download the new areas. Think of it like the New Year countdowns!”

A loading bar dialog box appears above Servo for the file “new_areas.VRML”. It begins to fill up with blue like any normal download would. It’s admittedly boring, and some of you are growing understandably impatient. Finally, it finishes.

Servo’s smile drops to an expression of fear. The dialog box above him glitches, splitting in half.

“Oh- oh no, what is this..?”

As it seems, something’s gone wrong.