Final Results! (See Premise + Format for Explanation)
Congrats to all of those who did or did not get eaten by the castle!!
A long, long time ago, there once was a little experiment. Oh, it was a fine little experiment. It loved adventurers very much, just like its creator did, and it loved to travel with them, as a sword, axe, shield, or spear to drink the blood of slain and wounded enemies.
But one day, its party all died in a battle. And such a normal, noble sword would hardly be looted in such a minor battle, so it sat there. Rusting from the blood coating its blade. Starving. In a field. Oh, it couldn't really die. Not really. No such mercy for the unnatural. But rather, it adapted. Grew.
The first call it made brought an adventurer to the ruins and skeletons of that battle with whispers of wishes. Of magic. Of miracles.
Of betrayal.
It was too easy to convince this adventurer to travel to a castle and offer fealty in the form of a loyal executioner's axe, so it could drink blood forever more.
Too soon, criminals of the castle ran out, and this executioner's axe was put to the side. Dusty. Lonely. Starving.
And again, the experiment reached out, and then it starved.
And again.
And again.
And again.
One day, it learned that it could inhabit a castle. This time, brought to a castle as a berserker's trusty club, it let itself slip into the body of the castle. A whole castle, with constantly rotating people, with those dearly beloved adventurers, would allow it to glut itself over, and over, and over again- and with the help of those magic portals provided by the Queen and her advisor with a few well-placed whispers, well...
It could be a never ending feast.
But the graves of adventurers are starting to pile up at the door, something Queen and Castle can only keep hidden for so much longer, and there comes less and less adventurers with every year.
There's still a wish to be had, for sure, in the heart of the experiment. But it gets more dangerous the closer you approach to the heart- the closest anyone had ever gotten was hidden beneath the dungeons. But the whispers grow ever louder. Everything around you seems to call for blood, even the Queen herself.
All the doors are locked tight. Guards are posted, for the "safety" of the entrants. This isn't this Castle's first time.
Will you try to escape? Or will you try to attain the wish oh so many of you came to retrieve in the first place?
Results for Round 4 (Out of 36)!
You must complete your entry in the time provided- the official deadline is June 8, Midnight EST, and the unofficial deadline is until Ice checks the submission form on June 9, with a one-hour warning. There will be NO extensions beyond the given spillover time.
The round in the pair/trio that has the higher number of points is the round that's considered "canon" as far as continuity goes.
STRONGLY suggest reaching out to others to ask them about their character’s motivations/information/etc.
Have fun, be the coolest person on the ship, and don’t die. This is just a little art contest/trade/OCT thing you’re doing outside of your busier life- so don’t overwork yourself!
If you need/want to do so, PLEASE make up any and all information about the Corded Castello- do it for the rule of cool, or for a plot point, or for whatever you want!
FREE FOR ALL!!!!!!
Pick all of the participants, pick some of the participants, pick one of the participants!~ Didn't have the chance to pair up with someone's character you were interested in? Now's your chance!
Josie - "Josie Returns to the Castello"
Zevin - "The Wish"
Lyra - "Heartbreak"
łæřřÿ - Round 4
Ciel - "PITY"
The Ventricles:
The Queen is displeased. With the lack of results from the past search, the delivery seems to get colder, and colder. Rather literally this time, being delivered in the form of an ice-cold ouija board.
I'm rather disappointed that all of you found nothing in the Atrias. You were not the first batch of adventurers we had invited here, and unfortunately, I doubt you will be the last. The final place, I suppose, that's worth searching is the old dungeons. Still used, but mostly for experiments I've been working on these days. Unfortunately, it's a bit run down these days. Avoid the grumbling of the walls. The compressive air of the place is unavoidable. When I searched myself, this was where I felt the closest to that dark voice that seems to haunt us all, so it is your best chance. The tunnels go for miles. Do not get lost.
You will never be found again, for one reason or another.
Report back to me tomorrow morning. This is your final chance.
-M.W.
Image Credit: Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Results for Round 3 (Out of 36)!
Image Credit: "Piranesi: the Three Tides " by sethhahne (link here)
The Right Atria: The Home of Piranesi
The Queen, although not present at dinner, seems to be quite delighted with the reports you all have brought forward. The sky is clearer, the lights brighter, less of an leering sensation on your back... This time, an orb of light floats out from an alcove and speaks in Wanakasin's voice.
I understand that there was little to find in the Left Atria, but the hope was that another pair of eyes would create lighter work. In the Right Atria is where our watery labyrinth resides. There should be some active sea vessels still there, but it has been quite a while. Regardless, you have no need to get wet- the worst that's beneath the waves is well.... You'll find out, I suppose. A young princess from ages ago did so like to breed creatures in there.
We look forward to hearing your report.
-M.W.
Results for Round 2 (Out of 36)!
The Left Atria: The Holy Garden
All... "guests" accommodated for, one way or another, a note appears in front of them in the hand of the Queen's magic advisor.
The Queen asks that you search the Left Atria (the left wing's upper floors) for the source of the voice. I implore you to listen closely in your heart and soul, and heed the warnings on the walls. The left wing is dedicated to the art of nature, and particularly, the upper floor is dedicated to the gods. Judge the shrines, temples, and offerings carefully, and listen before touching- there's much to be afraid of. And please, greet the sages. If you see them.
We look forward to hearing your discoveries at dinner. Bring your partner with you.
-M.W.
Image Credit: Skyrim
Results for Round 1 (Out of 36)!
Header Image Credit "Riot Games"