Completed Follow The White Bunny [Job]

[Prakash]

Timestamp: 2nd of Summer; 514 AV "Alright! I can't usher you all into the new season considering the 1st of Summer is already behind us, but allow me to invite you all to participate in the first event of the Antiquities' Society of this season!!!" The scattered crowd started to unite under the booming voice of the Akalak standing on stage, many raising their drinks and responding to the statement with an equally loud voice, shouting their excitement to existence. Most of the attendees were either members of employees of the Society and dying to know what Maltar & Ruvan had in store for them. The ones who've been here for previous events knew it was always a blast and a rewarding 'class' all in itself, educationwise. "For this year's event, we decided to have a ratrace, having all of you running around...Without breaking anything!...In search of clues and answers as we set you on a Signs & Symbols Hunt! The flyers with the game's description and very first 'clue' to set you on your way, can be found at the building's gates! Have FUN!" He had barely been allowed to finish his speech, before the crowd buzzed about and scurried off towards the gates as one giant mass of colors and limbs. Prakash and Drath weren't above doing just that and they quickly snatched a flyer from amidst the crowd and broke free of the masses as they moved to the opposite side of the entrance to get some breathing room and analyze what exactly they were looking at. The flyer was colorful and had lots of text scribbled all over it, informing the reader of the rules of the 'race', Prakash quickly glanced over the text, but his attention kept being diverted to the small line at the bottom of the flyer, written in a special manner as to make sure it wasn't overlooked. "4 sections, 3 stages, 2 leaders and 1 beginning, it is there that the first key can be found!" A cryptic allegorical code, not exactly the young Akalak's forte; Cursing, Prakash and Drath started to attempt and decypher the phrase until they broke free of their trance and looked around, only to see a few people around him and several back in the courtyard, savouring the free drinks and appetizers. 'The others must have gone on luck and search for the next key with hapchance in mind!' 'Stop thinking about them and focus on this code! I'll be honest, I can't think of anything for the life of me...'

[Prakash]

They stared at the pamflet for a few long minutes before Prakash started to mumble something as he glided his finger over the sentence. He was either on to something or losing it, Drath hoped for the latter. "I nearly got it, but the last part 'The beginning' is tricky to decode!" "What do you have so far, maybe it'll give me an epiphany!" "The 4 sections and 2 leaders, they describe the Antiquities Society's building, and members...Or the 2 leading Akalak at the very least. I believe the 3 stages to be describing the Society as well but less materialistic and more abstract; I think it's about the stages in the Society as to how they work!" "How they work?! Wait, 3 stages...4 sections, but one section is for the leaders and members, so that leaves 3 sections...And all of those sections are linked to an 'action' if you think about it: - The Restoration & Preservation section - The Hangar storing the items - The Display Rooms showing them And now, if that makes sense, the last part; The beginning, is probably the beginning of the sequence...The Restoration Section!!!" "Shyke, Drath, not bad...Not bad at all!! Lets get going!" Happy as a fish in the water, the Akalak climbed up the wide staircase in front of the Society's building. The staircase's border felt cold to the touch, as if it was made of Cold Iron, eventhough it was made of veined rocks; Probably carved out from the nearby cliffs as it appeared to be the same beige'ish color. Once through the gates and out of the sun's area of effect, into the dark innards of the building, which was only barely illuminated in most rooms to decrease the impact of the heat and light on the artifacts on display, the Akalak felt much more at ease. The relaxing absence of light made him calmer and clearer, a sensation he received through the blessing of Akajia, along with clear nightvision which made it easier to navigate through the 'darkness'. Now with a lead in mind, Prakash and Drath made their way to the underbelly of the building, into the section he has visited the least of all in the past; The Restoration & Preservation Area. The only thing on the Akalak's mind was finding out what the key could be and where it could be located; Fortunately for the health of their state of mind, it was clear as day what was the key the cryptic phrase spoke about: "This game is fun!" The two sides of the Akalak thought at the same time, as they stared at the 'next key'.

[Prakash]

Lying on a large round table, located in the center of the room and cornered by 4 pillars, was a parchment. While it gave every impression to be a fabricated replica, it wasn't the parchment in itself that was interesting or gave the vibe to be the key mentioned in the pamflet. It was the contents of the tattered looking parchment that, along with the absence of anything else worthwhile in the room, gave a clearcut sign to be the key they seached for. The Key : Realizing it was much too unlikely this strange parchment was left unattended, especially just at the location they traced to find the next clue, Prakash and Drath were proud they cracked the first code but didn't let it brew overly long as they realized they still had ways to go to reach the finish they craved for so much. The discussion between Prakash and Drath went on and on, without any solid results in all honesty; Until Drath touched on the topic Prakash was also starting to think about resorting to. "Use it, use the shadowtongue Akajia gave you, to solve this; I bet she wouldn't have it any other way!!" "Hmm, you're right, but don't expect it to be a sure shot! But yeah, let's go for it!" Picking up the parchment, the young Nightstalker positioned himself so that one of the nearby torches casted a shadow on the table from the parchment itself. Prakash and Drath fought their usual battle of wits as to how to proceed with this, until the shadow spoke first. What are you looking at?! "...I'm Prakash...And in need of your help! Hahah, a Nightstalker begging for help? Well woopty doo, what a surprise there; Like they ever speak to us without an ulterior motive! "I ... I don't know what to say... Of course you don't, because you've been caught redhanded and can't weasle your way out of it! ...It's true, I'll leave you be...I apologize for my behaviour! Draht was getting extremely agitated at the condescending and fatherly tone of the shadow's words, but Prakash held him at bay, as he knew the parchment's shadow was right and there was no point in denying it; And he wasn't one to lie and deceive to someone like this shadow, not for the sake of a game. Prakash was about to lay down the parchment back on the table when it spoke once more: Humpfh!...You have manners...And sincerity, I don't dislike that... ALRIGHT!...Tell me, what is it you need, Nightstalker! Prakash's shamed facial expression changed to a boy'ish smile as the shadow's words sank in and he quickly moved back to the light of the torch. It's information regarding the circle and text written on this parchment...But please, tell me your name, kind one! My name? You'll be the first Nightstalker to hear it,Prakash....I am Mav'th! And as far as the symbol and text on me go, all I can tell you is what I overheard from the group that wrote it on the parchment! They were wondering if it was too difficult and if anyone would even realize it to be a Summoning Circle. They didn't say anything about the text, other than that it would make a good diversion...That is all I know, Nightst--Prakash!

[Prakash]

After spending a good half an hour longer speaking to Mav'th, Prakash and Drath finally went back on their way to the next piece of the puzzle, bidding their fare well to Mav'th and tracing their way back to the main floor, climbing the winding dark stairs as they left the Restoration & Preservation Area with a good feeling and strengthened spirit and ambition to beat this game. "Hold on, where are we going, Prak?!" "Isn't that obvious, to the next phase; The Display Rooms! I have a gut feeling every single word and clue is linked to one another..And after the beginning, comes the middle, which is right here!" Having arrived at the main corridor, the Akalak could barely see any remaining participants. Most likely the lionshare of the players have already given up, considering Prakash and Drath were all alone at the 2nd part of the game, the parchment, for over half an hour! Grinning, the 2 sides of the Akalak were cheerfully joking around, even mocking the others in their ruse of decyphering superiority, when they stopped and thought about their next move. "Too many rooms! We need a battleplan!" "You're right, Drath, we know the symbol is a summoning circle...What could that mean though? Do we need to summon something, somehow? Or...is what we're looking for already summoned?! Hold on!" Prakash turned on the spot and jogged towards the entrance, until they arrived at the desk with all the guiding and even exposition pamflets. "This one!!! Room D4 has an artifact of unknown origin...Let's check it out!" With that said, the Akalak went on his merry way to room D4, after searching for the way since he didn't want to ask any potential 'rivals' the way to the room and blow his, likely, advantage. Once found, he walked inside and saw one and only one item in the entire room. A tiny stone, which upon closer inspection seemed to have some sort of ember stashed inside of it as the almost see-through gem shimmered with vibrant and mezmering inner light. The gem was stashed in a glass cage and for some reason seemed to shout out to Prakash and Drath, it's light ensnaring the Akalak's mind and rooting his body in place. Until a voice resonated from behind him, separating the link between the gem and the Akalak as the surprised Prakash turned on the spot. "So, what brings you here?" "Oh, hi Deven...Well, so far all the arrows pointed this way, and with you being here...I take it this is the finish line?" "You got a sharp mind, Prakash, a sharp mind indeed? Care to tell me how you managed to solve the riddles?!" "I do care, some things are better left unsaid, but if you think I cheate--" "I don't, and I won't force you to reveal your secrets; Congratulations, lad, you won this game fair and square!" At the moment Deven finished giving one of his rare compliments, Maltar entered the room with a huge and warm smile. "Is it true? Do we have a champion? I can't believe it...Anyway, what do you think Deven, shall we give the Memos---The gem, to our champ here?" "I'll let you decide, Malt; Either way, you impressed me, Prakash!" NoteI'll let whoever grades this thread decide what/if a reward is given or not, either way it was a blast to write!

[Ragdoll]

Fur your hard work...

Skills

Skill	Points
Observation	4
Cryptography	2
Investigation	3
Intelligence	3
Socialization	1

Lores

• Night Stalking: (Night) Talking with Shadows
• Identifying a Summoning Circle
• Want: Figure Out the D4 Stone's Secret

Loot

Memosite: A clear stone tinged slightly blue that appears as if a tiny fire blazes inside it. It is about an inch in diameter with an irregular shape. This stone currently contains no memory, though when it is touched, the person in contact with the memosite will feel compelled to give it something. In order to know what to give the stone, the owner must know what it is.

Comments

Nice hint about the memosite. x3 This was a lot of fun to read! Can't wait to read more Society threads from you.

Don't forget to edit your grading request! Though I try my hardest to award you what you deserve, I may occasionally mess things up! If there's something you'd like to discuss about your grade, then please don't hesitate to send me a PM and I'll be happy to work things out with you.