stitches-and-hitches

[stitches-and-hitches]

1

> "Oletus Manor? I thought that was explained already."

> "I'm sorry, I-I really have no clue what that is..."

[i] > An audible sigh escapes Lucky's lips. He seems to pinch the bridge of his nose before continuing.

> "The manor, Oletus Manor, is a mysterious place to hold these 'games'. It once belonged to the DeRoss siblings, Alice and Orpheus. The two of them had grown up here, but this place is known for its constant devastation and, ultimately, the window of opportunity to many."

> "Everyone has a reason for coming here, whether that's profit, answers to questions, or just a chance to change your life. If you aren't formally invited by the Baron himself, then you wouldn't be here. Everyone had mostly gotten letters to be invited here. You'll only get your reward if you beat the game."

> "I see..."

[1] - Ask about the 'manor' he mentioned.

[2] - Ask him where we are.

[3] - Ask for his information.

[4] - Ask about the interview.

[5] - Ask him about the 'game'.

[6] - Ask him why he chose to help you.

[stitches-and-hitches]

*peaks at what is happening*

[i] > You can Lucky are working together on decoding this cipher machine near Shack. Given that he has more experience, you let him take the front while you work on the side. It's an awkward silence between the two of you...

> "...."

> "...."

[i] > The tension is so thick that you could cut it with a knife. How else are you to proceed without upsetting the man? He seems to be your likely ally, and yet, he hasn't explained to you the rules of this 'game' you're in. Hesitantly, you look up towards the man, trying to make conversation.

> "So... What exactly is going on here? I'm not sure if I understand. You said a few things I'm curious about."

> "....."

> "We can't spend the whole match talking. Keep it to a minimum of 3 questions, okay?"

[i] > Well, that's not reassuring. Lucky seems to go back to typing away whatever is on the machine. You sit there in silence, debating on what to ask him.

> "Let me think... Hmmh..."

[1] - Ask about the 'manor' he mentioned.

[2] - Ask him where we are.

[3] - Ask for his information.

[4] - Ask about the interview.

[5] - Ask him about the 'game'.

[6] - Ask him why he chose to help you.

[stitches-and-hitches]

I doubt you're going to find anything worthwhile down here... And if you get ambushed, you're probably fucked. So I'd suggest leaving...

> "Y-You're right... L-Let's get out of-"

[i] > Before you can finish that sentence of yours. You hear a loud click, something pressed firmly against your back. An audible squeak comes from you, and immediately you raise your hands up defensively.

> "I SURRENDER! PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!"

> "Shhh!"

[i] > You immediately shut up, swallowing down the tightness in your throat suddenly. You feel a hand patting you down, going so far to check your blazer pockets and even your back pockets. Once the inspection is done, they speak once again.

> "Turn around, slowly. Keep your hands as the sides of your head. Make any sudden moves and I'll make sure to blow your brains out, got it?"

[i] > With a reluctant nod, you do as they say. Slowly you turn around, fearful of the unknown. However, to your surprise in front of you is another person. They have the same button eyes like you do, and similar stitching patterns.

> "You... You're a doll too...? What is going on here..??"

[i] > The stranger in front of you looks at you dumbfounded. You must have sounded like an idiot just now. Once they get a good glance over you, you notice a strange gun held in their hands. It doesn't look like any normal gun either. They catch your gaze, and quickly holster it on their person.

> "You're definitely not a hunter... I could have sworn there were only four of us today... Do you have a name?"

> "Ah, I-I do! It's... um... i-it's..."

[i] > Oddly enough, your memory blanks when trying to think of your identity. You could only look up apologetically while still keeping your arms up.

> "I can't remember. I-I'm sorry, please don't shoot me. Can you please explain to me what's going on here? I'm not sure if I'm even mentally here at this point."

> "....."

> "You've came from the manor, didn't you? I don't remember you being at the dinner table last evening..."

> "The... manor..? Huh??"

> "Oh you... Oh... Oh no..."

> "Here, just... follow me. My name's Lucky. Try to stay out of here, okay? Unless you want to get eliminated that badly..."

> "W-Wait, hey!! Hold on just a second!!"

[i] > This 'Lucky' fellow just grabs your wrist, leading you up the stairs against your will. You want to pull away, but if he's being serious about this place, maybe it's best to follow the other. He seems to have a general understanding of what's going on here... hopefully.

[stitches-and-hitches]

Let's see the shack

[i] > Off towards the shack we go. Surprisingly it's one of the still standing houses that you can make out in the distance. But before you enter, you come across another cipher machine. A mental note to make sure to come back here later.

[i] > Pressing forward, you finally come into contact with a large building of sorts. It looks like a rundown cottage that's been boarded up. Almost like the public was not meant to see it. There's a disgusting stench of rotten fish when approaching it. With some reluctance, you push onward.

[i] > Rounding one of the sides of the house, you notice an open window, and you know what they say about an open window. There is always an opportunity. Despite your soreness, you vault over the open window in hopes to check inside.

[i] > Inside is almost barren. There's a singular light that flickers every now and then due to faulty wiring, in it's center appears to be some sort of cartography table, next to it, rotten fish in a bucket. There is an opening across from the way you came. But what really peaks your interest is the large hole next to your right.

[i] > There is a flight of stairs, strangely enough, it looks like a slightly modernized underground basement of sorts. A sudden sense of dread washes over you when looking further inward. All you can make out is the letters 'ERE'.

> ". . . . . . ."

[i] > With much hesitation, you slowly descend down the steps. Each step brings an ominous echo, as if you're walking into the depths of an unknown hellscape you probably shouldn't be facing. Turning the corner, you come face to face with more lockers. There' just one more corner to turn, and you'll have some answers as to what this place is.

[i] > And boy, you wished you really didn't.

> "-"

> "Wh- Th-This place--"

> "Hhhh... hhhhh...hhhhh..!!"

[i] > Your breathing escalates, and eventually you begin to hyperventilate out of stress. This place, those chairs, those damn fucking chairs that make you so terrified. This was some... weird... fucked up prison! A torture chamber or something..!! Why would something like this even be here!? It's like you can hear the wretched cries from the dead in here.

> "G-Get me out of here...!! GET ME OUT!!"

[stitches-and-hitches]

The sky sure is pretty but yeah we should get going. Not a bad idea to look around first in case something comes up and you either need to defend or run/ hide

> "Y-Yeah, good point. Where should I go next then?"

> Guess who's baaaaack!~ That's right, me! Time to open up the map!

> Time to make a decision! Where shall our little puppet go this time?

[stitches-and-hitches]

You okay bud?

> "Oh, sorry! I'm fine! Was I slacking off?"

[i] > Now's not the time to stargaze. You should focus on getting out of here. You're still not out of the waters just yet.

> "Should I get to decoding that cipher...? This does seem a little out in the open for me..."

> "Or maybe I should explore a bit more? Familiarize myself with the rest of this place?"

[stitches-and-hitches]

Owh- you doing alright? Need a moment? How's your surroundings rn?

[pats his back]

> "I-I'm fine... just... getting older with age..."

[i] > You take a look around your surroundings. At the shoreline, you find another cipher machine. This area is filled with debris scattered across the lands. You notice that when looking for nearby cipher machines, there's is a yellow aura highlighting them. That can be useful for later when spotting them nearby.

[i] > Moving around, you take a glance over to the shoreline. There, the shore is quite desolate, waves softly crash amongst the sand, covered in debris and the likes, this place is just... too unsettling, too quiet... truly this was a ghost town.

[i] > And... of course right next to you is the large shipwreck. Looking up at the night sky, you can catch glimpses of some auroras in the sky. You have never seen them in person before, always wanting to take a trip and see the northern lights back home.

> ".....It's... beautiful....."

[i] > You can't help but watch those mystical lights wavering in the sky... A strange calmness washes over you. A needed distraction from all this horrible nonsense you've been subjected too...

[stitches-and-hitches]

Well... uh... can you being the other guy back?

> "I suppose I could. Just try not to do anything too reckless."

[i] > There's a crack on its face, then more, until pieces of wood splinter and finally break away. Gasping for breath, you rest your hands on your knees, feeling a sense of weakness wash over you. The pains stopped. It felt like you were far too cramped, locked away in some birdcage.

> "A-Ahhh.... M-My back....."

[stitches-and-hitches]

I'm loving how you're putting so much effort into this blog. The scenery screenshots really sets the vibe. Do you plan on doing any more?

(ooc: Yeah! I plan too! Like I said, this is going to be a little bit more than my other blogs. I risk overheating my PC for ya'll just for the bit. Lakeside was a relatively decent sized map that wouldn't lag my PC to shit. I would have done Kreiburg Racecourse but... it's a big ass map, plus it doesn't match the eeriness of what I wanted to capture in atmosphere.)

fig.1 overhead map

fig 2. misc locations ingame

(overall, a beautiful map, but way too big and too much actual shit in game for the pc to process at a time)

[stitches-and-hitches]

what the fuck is THAT???

> "I take it you are talking about me?"

[i] > Your body stops it's movements, and swivels to face the anon. It hurts to move as your joints move rigidly and stiff. Nothing about it feels human. Spreading out those arms and hands, it speaks again.

> "I am merely my puppeteer's creation. I am the metaphorical shepherd who guides the docile lamb. When he requires protection for a sort amount of time, I will emerge from a deep slumber."

> "I wouldn't mind some questions, but nothing too personal. Confidentiality is my specialty when it comes to my string master. Though, I may not have all the answers you seek, do not be disappointed."

[i] > It's so hard to breathe like this. It's suffocating your fragile little lungs. You want to cry out from the darkness, for someone to reach within and pull you out of the depths... But no one's coming for you, shouldn't you know better?

[stitches-and-hitches]

Hey just asking, but do you have any self defence objects on you?

> "Self-defense objects..? N-No... All that I have on me is... this thing.. "

[i] > You hold out your marionette piece, looking slightly confused. No strings are attached, but it could be useful for jabbing someone in their eye socket.

...

[i] > Suddenly, you're thwarted into darkness. It's only for a moment, but you see yourself crawling out of the ground, looking around confused as to what just happened.

> "Hello... ___"

[i] > You thrash around, terrified, though you notice you creak with each movement. It's only when you notice the hard material of your fingers and grayscaled body that you panic and feel around your face.

> "!?!"

> "Don't be scared ___. I can help you. Let the puppet take the strings from its master."

[i] > You have no control over your body or your words. Swirling around, suddenly your body makes its way over to the shore. The stiff creaking continues as your body is forcibly carried away...

[stitches-and-hitches]

What now?

> "I-I don't know... Aren't you supposed to lead me...? I'm... not much of an ideas guy..."

> Pulling up the map for anons!

> The requirement for powering the Exit Gates requires 5 completed ciphers! 4 cipher machines remain. However, should 2 ciphers be completed, the Dungeon will spawn and allow only the last survivor to escape. Be wary, you are not alone on this map.

[stitches-and-hitches]

The code should be 51123 61219 8 71304!

[i] > After some numerical placements, You finally figure out the secret code. Inputting the number, there's a louder clicking around and the overhead light flashes upon your cipher machine.

[i] > You stare up into the light, wondering how much longer do you have to endure this surreal experience. You shake your head and let out a sigh.

> "Well that's certainly something..."

[i] > . . .

[i] > Wait a minute-

> "M-My- My voice...!"

[i] > You put your hands on your throat, rubbing it and making quiet noises with your mouth. You can speak again! You can actually speak once again!! Aha!! This is perfect!!!~ Looks like completing the cipher machine has given you the ability to speak freely.

> "Th-Thank you... Thank you all so much! I'm forever grateful!"

[i] > You quickly lower your voice, afraid that if you speak too loudly, that thing will come back to haunt you.

> "S-Shall we be off...?"

[. . .] > 100%, Cipher machine completed!

[stitches-and-hitches]

Aight now I'm pretty sure the first row spells 'once upon a time' but the other 2 rows don't make much sense with that configuration... You wana try that anyway?

[i] > 'Once upon a time' is the top row? But then that means all the letters would have to follow in place of the one's below it, right? You finish the rest of the calibrations, the cipher machine whirls much faster now, and the morse code that spews out of it is quick in pace.

> ONCE UPON A TIME > LAMB SDRA N KATT > HEWA TERS H RINE

[i] > The rest looks illegible at first, but recalling the advice you were given in the note, you make sure to read it from left to right. It's just a trick of the eyes, simply because it follows the letter spacing from the very first row.

[i] > The secret message is: 'Once upon a time, lambs drank at the water shrine'. Could it be telling a story of sorts? Now that it's almost completed, you quickly descend down the flight of stairs from the shipwreck, over to the soil. With a wooden plank, you start to messily scribble out a message.

> [ONCE UPON A TIME LAMBS DRANK AT THE WATER SHRINE]

[i] > God your hands hurt. But now that you conveyed the message to those helping you, you start to write even more in the soil. Now you have to label the numbers in place along with the letters. This should be easy.

[. . .] > 87% Cipher completion.

[stitches-and-hitches]

Last column to 4?

[i] > Shifting column 13 into column 4. Another click of succession comes your way, though it does not ease your tension in the slightest.

> ONCE PMUN A OETI > LAMB DTSA N RTKA > HEWA ENTS H RERI

[. . .] > 46% Cipher completion.

[stitches-and-hitches]

4 in the place of three?

[i] > Column 4 to column 3. Let's try this again... Rotating the two messages, you tense, fearing of another electrical shock to come your way. However, there's another audible click that comes from the machine. Success was achieved yet again.

> "....."

[i] > Your legs grow weak, and you feel unable to move. Something about this doesn't sit right with you... The air feels... colder than normal. What is so rewarding about this if you don't even know where you are? This place terrifies you..

> ONCI PMUN A OETE > LAMA DTSA N RTKB > HEWI ENTS H RERA

[. . .] > 38% Cipher completion.