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

[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.

[jibunwo]

You could always try it and find out.

[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.

[scythegun]

So what will happen if we end up with a vote without a clear majority? Assuming you have a vote to put in as well, that leaves us with eight - it's very possible that we'll accidentally end up messing things up!

[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?

[ltcommandroid]

Are you not?

[cethflayn]

...[Slowly pulls Emily back up from the floor.] Emily is not going to vote in your favor.

[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.

[gangrenousgut]

Ye may leave, but in what way? How will ye get home? How will ye reclaim your many powers?

[He sweeps an arm out, at Lelouch, at everyone.]

Sail with me. Join my crew, and all of this can be settled simply! Then, sail this universe, and EVERY universe with me and my hordes of the undead!

[cethflayn]

No.

[After all the shit they've been through, does he really think they'll trust him to just let them be pirates under his flag and they'll get all they want out of the deal? Fat fuckin' chance.]

[magycks]

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

[gangrenousgut]

Those fools are dead and done with! It hardly matters to me now what they do with their afterlives.

[ahelpingpaw]

And what's the catch?

[There must be a catch, no?]

[gangrenousgut]

The catch is that it's a sacrifice. Meaning... Death.

[sivard]

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

[magycks]

Honestly, what are the chances the poem itself is just a bit someone else made up? Maybe they thought "oh, this is a laugh, they'll never get all these people together in one place!" and called it a day.