MASKTOURN

Zhi-yin wakes in a dark, square room. The floor is dirt, but he's sitting on a woven rug. The walls are stone brick, and enclose him on every side. There’s no way in, and no way out. The room is suffocatingly warm, dark and dry. Zhi-yin would soon begin to feel thirst clawing at his throat. He'd wake lying on his side, and soon realize he's been chained- ankle cuffs tether him to the ground and keep him from standing up or moving around. Before Zhi-Yim, sat a small, low table, covered by a rug similar to the one they sat upon. Two oil lamps flicker at either ends of the table, their small lights the only in the room. The only other objects on the table are three small wooden bowls, all filled with an unidentifiable liquid. The first is white, opaque and creamy. The second is glassy and clear, with a slight cloudy, brownish color to it. The third is just as opaque as the first, but is a deep, muddy red in color. Across from the table is the only other person in the room. A young adult. They’re incredibly pale, with skin so light it’s almost translucent in the low light. Their straight, white hair is cut choppily over its brow and shoulders, and it wears a black-and-white tunic draped haphazardly over a shoulder. Their gaze is brilliant-gold and haunting, piercing through the barriers of Zhi-Yin's mind. The person smiles widely, and finally speaks. Its voice is that of the flaming apparition. “Welcome to the Halcyon Citadel.” @Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

hi i remembered to respond

10:25 PM

i'm going to assume it's wisdom to put two and two together?

(what specifically are you trying to figure out)

(connect the dots to the nascent lifebringer specifically)

(divine intuition)

(shiiiit let's find out)

10:30 PM

(another -3 let's a go)

Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

used /r

# 2
Details:[d20-3 (5)]

(nope)

(that tracks for him honestly)

10:31 PM

"Wh-whuh,,," Zhi-Yin struggled to even move for a few moments. Mans is a little frail and this ain't exactly comfy. It took him a few agonizingly long minutes in his eyes to sit up. He would try to stand, but he noted the restraints pretty quickly. "What... where am I? Who.. are you?" He averts his eyes from the gaze almost instinctively. It was so... alien to him. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You are in the Halcyon Citadel." The figure repeated, "And I am Naiyta Hauryan. The Primal, Nascent Lifebringer." The words would mean absolutely nothing to Zhi-Yin. @Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

Absolutely nothing. "R-right.. you said that already. Something... about a tournament? Great honor, spoils of war, something like that?" He clutched his head as he tried to adjust. Although the low light and suffocating conditions were not at all helping. "So you're like... the one in charge or something?" That's the best he could gather with that nonexistent sense. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta hummed in affirmation- a low, rumbling sound. "Indeed. I have brought you here to compete." Its smile imperceptibly widens. "Yes. I am the one in charge. That's one way of putting it." @Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

"Why exactly have I been chosen? I'm not exactly a warrior." Zhi-Yin asked cautiously. That was the one aspect he couldn't wrap his head around it seemed. The smile was also starting to creep him out. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You were chosen because I found you suitable for my purposes." It answered vaguely. @Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

"So incredibly helpful." He was of course being sarcastic but he had the feeling it would go over this person's head. "So you are going to throw me into battle and I have to fight for my life?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yes. It is a tournament to the death." @Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

"And when we wrap up this conversation that's it? We're just done I'm ushered to my death just like that?" He asked. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You and the other contestants will be organized into teams, and into matches. And you will compete." @Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

"Well at least I'm waiting my turn to die." He said with more sarcastic tones. He mulled over the information, looking down at the cups. "And the mysterious liquids? What are those for?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Once we turn to that subject, we can't turn back. Our lovely conversation will end then." They smiled. "You wouldn't want that, would you?" @Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

"Well I'd say we're having a perfect amount of fun right now. I suppose I'll hold off on the liquids then. There a purpose for this here tournament or are the big guys just looking for some fun?" Zhi-Yin struggled a bit to reach the table and lean on it, putting his chin on his hands as if he was listening intently. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It being a tournament is more for entertainment than anything," It hummed, "but yes, your sacrifices will be serving a cause. I intend to right a wrong that has been done upon my domain." @Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

"Oooo what kinda wrong?" He was certainly intrigued now. He wants the tea. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"The specifics do not concern you. At least not right now." @Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"The specifics do not concern you. At least not right now." @Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

@Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

Zhi-Yin looked mildly disappointed. "Then I await the details with bated breath." "Well since I'm going to die here or somethin, what's the deal with this citadel? Don't think I've ever been in a citadel before." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"The Halcyon Citadel is my realm. My separate plane of existence, outside of your mortal realm." It hummed. "Here, I have ultimate control." @Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

His eyes lit up at the thought of a separate plane of existence. He didn't even know such a thing could be possible. "I see. But I assume most citadels aren't like that. It's not in the mortal realm or anything but what is it like? Aesthetically speaking." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"No. Most citadels are simple, mortal structures." Naiyta shook its head. "My Citadel is a monument to everything I am. That is what it is like. It is like me." @Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

Zhi-Yin pouted. "You're not really explaining it in a way my mortal brain can understand. What does it look like? I doubt everything just has your face on it." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You'll see when you arrive there. I will tell you this much: it is not just this room." They hummed. "Explaining it would ruin the suspense, wouldn't it?" @Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

"You're no fun." Zhi-Yin was still pouting, but he actually meant it this time. "Well, is there anything else you can divulge without ruining the surprise?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. Not really." It smiled. "Are you ready to move on to these?" It gestured to the bowls. @Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

Gonna do my wisdom checks now

Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

used /r

# 16
Details:[d20+2 (14)]

Milk

Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

used /r

# 18
Details:[d20+2 (16)]

Broth

Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

used /r

# 21
Details:[d20+2 (19)]

Blood.

(wow)

(he a smart boi) (If you wanna give any new descriptors you can)

Zhi-Yin would easily be able to identify all three liquids- goat's milk, mutton broth, and human blood. Naiyta watched him expectantly. @Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

He looked up at Naiyta. "Blood? Honestly I'm more curious as to how many knowingly chose to drink that..." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"More than you might assume." It hummed. @Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

Well that wasn't concerning. Not at all. "Any chance you might tell me where it came from?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"A woman named Iydelan Dororsi. A successor of mine." @Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

"Ah." He was not expecting that specific of an answer. Wait... that's a lot of blood. "You took the blood from your own succesor?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I did." @Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

"Okay then. Remind me not to anger you." Or become a disciple. He eyes the blood warily before he picks up the bowl of goat milk. "I just need to drink it?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Only a swallow." @Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

He did not like that answer. Hesitant, he held the bowl up to his lips before he took a sip, letting the milk sit in his mouth for a moment before he swallowed the liquid. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

It was defintely milk! Creamy and sweet and overall pretty neutral. Naiyta didn't break eye contact with Zhi-Yin as he drank. @Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬 (edited)

"You're really unnerving when you do that. But I'm sure you already knew that information." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I did. Thank you." @Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

"You would find that a compliment." He sighed, putting the milk down. At least it wasn't sour. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta stood up and stepped over the table to where they could stand over Zhi-Yin. "I think we've had enough of this." @Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

"Well, maybe you have-" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

used /r

# 24
Details:[d20+5 (19)]

@innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs def

12:00 AM

@Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬

used /r

# 9
Details:[d20+3 (6)]

Before Zhi-Yin could say anything else, he was knocked out. Goodnight! @Gab || Armand 🐠|Zhi-Yin 🌬