FINAL TRIAL

[bathymetric]

Eventually, the investigation ends. You have time to move your supplies (and Jimmy Buffetts) off the ship, but it's a hike up to the lighthouse. You're only going to be able to bring what you need.

All that's left is to hope that you have that, after all of this.

The jungle that stretches out into the distance is eerily quiet as you make your way up to the lighthouse - enough time to wonder, certainly, what awaits you in there. Will The Captain finally show you his true face? Can he? There's only one way to find out... time to make your way inside.

Unless you're Magica, the lobby (so to speak) of the lighthouse might be a little overwhelming: piles and piles of pirate treasure to the sides of the room, with a raised, dark glass cylinder in the center. Around that cylinder are a series of makeshift podiums, ready for you all to stand together one last time.

Standing in front of that cylinder is The Captain. Not to get too into details, but though natural processes are slowed, Jack's body isn't exactly in perfect shape, and still moves in that unnerving puppet-y way he has each time you've seen him.

"Welcome... to your-!"

Is what he manages before there's a pair of very loud noises behind you - the first a massive blast of water that draws your attention just before a massive explosion on the side of the SS Swift detonates moments later, sending a blast of energy outwards - which pauses, for a moment, before almost reversing into an implosion that sees all traces of the ship sucked into the aether. A pirate ship you've never seen before sails behind it, visible for just a moment before the doors slam closed.

"... I'll be with you in a moment. Don't go anywhere."

And The Captain leaves the room fast. So fast, in fact, that he... leaves Jack's body behind, though it's too quick to get any kind of good look at him. Ignoring... that, looks like you guys have some time to talk things over! Better make it count.

Comments

[scythegun]

So the vault contains this treasure you seek, ja? How exactly does it work - it's surely more complicated than just a sacrifice, isn't it? After all, it's taken so many carefully-planned steps just to reach here, hasn't it?

[gangrenousgut]

A bit more complicated, to be sure.

You see, a trial is required to open it.

[ltcommandroid]

A trial such as this? Or the ones that we have been having?

[gangrenousgut]

This one, right here, in this very room! The others were simply to bring me physical form back from totally annihilation.

Within this room is where we must hold the trial that will open the Eye of the Triangle and reveal its grand treasure at last!

[ltcommandroid]

I see. Who is on trial, then? Yourself? How is the verdict to be decided?

[gangrenousgut]

All of us. Meself included. the verdict comes down to a vote that all parties must participate in.

[ahelpingpaw]

So...what are we exactly voting for? What's the question?

[Past trials were all 'who is the culprit of this crime'. Who knows what the question for this voting is like]

[gangrenousgut]

Glad ye asked!

[scythegun]

...Ah, so you train us to expect it and then put us in this situation, and we'll do exactly as you want.

[Which like... we sure have, haven't we.]

But really, does this even count as a trial? What specifically is required of a "trial" to get it open?

[.........i'm so sorry about this]

[gangrenousgut]

That be a proper assumption, yes.

Ye see, trials are a fair bit simpler when it comes to pirates. Really, the only thing required here is to vote for a guilty party. Call it a sacrifice of sorts, to get the Vault open.

[scythegun]

[Hmm!]

What happens if we vote incorrectly - or vote for a guilty party who isn't you?

[gangrenousgut]

That's the best thing about pirate court! Ye CAN'T vote incorrectly!

All that matters is "justice" being served.

[jibunwo]

...What about the rule regarding what happens if someone doesn't vote at all?

[gangrenousgut]

Well, y'see, voting is mandatory.

Tell you the truth, I don't even know what will happen if you try abstaining from this one.

[scythegun]

So just by getting us here and putting us in this situation, you think you've won. Interesting!

But what's stopping us from refusing to vote?

[gangrenousgut]

The fact that you may rightly die if ye do not vote.

[jibunwo]

'Guilty' of what?

[gangrenousgut]

Of standing on trial in pirate court.

The 'why's' hardly matter. It's a sacrifice that needs to be made here.... And you lot will be the ones to make that sacrifice!

[cethflayn]

...

[???]

That does not make any sense.

[ltcommandroid]

Why do you believe that? If it is down to a vote, you are outnumbered.

[gangrenousgut]

Am I, really?

[jibunwo]

I'm sure you believe that. You're beginning to sound like my worthless father.

Just like him, the only trial here is you--one to be overcome and left behind when we leave this place.

[magycks]

'Kay, and what about the other 19 losers? Are their souls swept out of cold storage and into the fire as well?

[ahelpingpaw]

And what's the catch?

[There must be a catch, no?]

[sivard]

That makes as much sense as the damn poem you use to find all of us.