Autumnal The Hollow Harvest

[Crenna]

An Autumn gathering beneath the turning of the wheel.

There are certain places that only exist when the year begins to turn. Places that glimmer between planes and senses, that only gather beneath the harvest moon where lanterns burn long after dusk and the air is heavy with woodsmoke and sweets. Welcome to The Hollow Harvest.

Once every Autumn, at the edge of the familiar world, a fairground appears among the fields. Its paths are straw-lain and lined with golden lanterns, with stalls draped in patchwork plaid, cross-stitch and old lace. Music floats down upon the entire scene before you, though no musician can ever be found. Presiding over it all are three women.

Three peculiar women.

They are difficult to describe, harder still to distinguish. At first. They are sisters, or so they claim, though one might believe it with the way they bicker and giggle together beneath their dark hoods. They have been welcoming visitors to the fair for as long as anyone can remember, gracious and inviting, if not a little eccentric.

As you approach the stall where the three woman are currently fussing over, they go quiet for a moment before turning their hooded gaze to you.

“Oh, look. We have visitors.”

“How lovely. Although...I wish they dressed up a little more for the occasion.”

“They've come as they are, sister. We mustn't be unkind.”

"Hush, both of you.”

One of the three women steps forward, long, slender fingers coming together at her waist. Behind her, her sisters share a glance; one is bright-eyed with amusement, while the other scowls in disapproval. They are dressed identically; draped in long, black gowns of silk so smooth it rippled like the surface of a stream at midnight, glimmering faintly with starlight.

“There are certain places that only exist when the year begins to turn. Places that glimmer between planes and senses, that only gather beneath the harvest moon where lanterns burn long after dusk and the air is heavy with woodsmoke and sweets."

Her hands open to you; the dark markings covering them stark atop her pale skin.

"Welcome to The Hollow Harvest”

“Our little autumn gathering,” one sister adds, tone high with excitement.

“Not so little,” says the other, “Not anymore.”

The one in front of you continues, seemingly accustomed to such interruptions.

"This is a place for wandering, for merriment, for discovering things you might not otherwise have found.”

“Or things that might not want to be found,” hisses one of her sisters, making a leering gesture.

“Oh, don't you start.”

“I haven't started anything!”

“You never do, until it's far too late.”

The two stifle giggles behind their similarly tattooed hands.

“There is much to see, partake in, and enjoy. We have taken great care with the arrangements this year, and we do hope you'll make yourselves comfortable.”

“Not too comfortable. Some guests do have a dreadful habit of overstaying.”

“Oooh, but I like the ones that stay!”

“Ladies.”

The eldest woman turns her attention back to you.

“Allow us to show you around, dear guest. We have set this little festival up to be enjoyed in a particular order. Browse the stalls, purchase some liberations, and step into the corn maze as you feel like it."

Welcome to the November Event! This is an interactive, text-based roleplay. You can choose to participate as a characters or as yourself. The event takes place across four stages, with each stage open for approximately one week.

Each stage is designed to last approximately three player posts, though your host may hurry you along if the evening grows too long or eventful. And don't fret - if you join later on or end up getting busy and not finishing your time in one area, you may just magically find yourself in a new area, ready to play again!

You are encouraged to:

• Explore and interact with the environment
• Ask questions and investigate
• Roleplay as your character and take decisions as your they would, or alternatively you may simply just attend as yourself!

In each area, you may discover clues, encounter spirits, acquire unusual objects, or stumble into situations that are unique to your encounter. You may choose to acknowledge other players you might see, but this is designed to be a solo experience just for you.

Additional details:

• Your host will respond to your actions and help move the story forward
• You don't need to solve every mystery or discover every clue to participate successfully
• There are multiple ways to uncover the truth, and not every guest will experience the fair in exactly the same way

Have fun! Be nosy! And don't forget that fate always wins.

Week One: The Corn Maze

Towering stalks stretch out further than you can see, its narrow paths winding between them. Lanterns line the entrance, warm and inviting, but the deeper you venture within, the less certain the way becomes. The corn whisper amongst each other, leaves brushing together as they sway beneath a breeze you can't feel.

What treasures could be hidden within? What surprises around the next corner?

"My favorite game, by far."

"One must keep one's wits about them in there.”

"And one's sense of direction!"

“The signs are perfectly clear.”

“...They weren't yesterday...”

The first woman gives her sisters a look before continuing.

“Take care amongst the stalks. Not all is what it seems, and not every peculiarity worth the consequences of investigating. A voice in the corn, a misplaced sign, or perhaps a fellow traveler. Do try not to lose your way entirely. We should hate to have to come looking for you."

Outside the entrance stands a scarecrow holding a sign that states the rules.

1. Do not run through the stalks. We cannot guarantee the safety of your limbs or head.
2. If you meet anyone inside, be friendly. We hate rude guests.
3. If you cannot find your way, follow your instincts. They're probably right...unless they're wrong. In which case we cannot help you.
4. Do not take anything off the stalks. They don't like it.

For this first part of the event, you can post here right in this thread!

 

[Crenna]

(For those that may need some inspiration for this event, you are free to write whatever you would like. Does your character just stroll through the maze? Do they hear voices? Do they feel like they are being watched? Do they see a crop circle? Whatever you choose, we will be watching and responding. Remember, fate always wins.)

 

[Rimechapel]

I look at the sister that talks in reddish font. How do I know how they talk in reddish font? I just know.

"Uh. Jum, is that you? Quit playin'. Jum. Hey. HEY. I know that's YOU in there, Jum. It's a good costume! Rilly! I almost didn't know it was you at first!"

I then smirk at the one that talks in green font - as that is the only way that I think I have to distinguish among them.

"And Grem, I almost didn't recognize you without your chair! Jeez, ya'll are killin' it with the coordinated costumes this year!"

But for some reason I'm too shy to chat with the third one is. You know, the one that speaks in purple font. ehehe...

And so, I blithely walk into the corn maze, intent on engaging with the process, picking up litter as I go, and humming Twinkle Twinkle Little Star off key so as to not be creepy at all. When I come to a branching path, I turn right, as often as there is a right hand path.

".... though​ I​ know not what you are...​ twinkle,​ twinkle, little star...."​

 

[Batcat]

Just how had Aimi arrived in front of the stall, listening to the three women talk seemingly amongst themselves and to her at the same time? She wasn't entirely sure, as the last thing she really remembered was going out for an evening walk before the last rays of dusk were swallowed up by the inevitable night. It had been a route she was quite familiar with, as she had taken it a few times over the last few weeks. And yet, by the time the new scents had registered enough to pull her out of her day (or in this case dusk?) dreaming, she was standing at the entrance to the fairgrounds. Pulling her earbuds out as her eyes scanned her surroundings, she had begun to walk around, letting herself get swept up in her curiosity that seemed to overwrite her panic. After all, there was a reason for that saying with cats and their curiosity.

That curiosity is what brought her attention to the three sisters, or perhaps she was simply nudged or even pulled along? Did it really matter? Her ears twitching slightly, the neko cocked her head to the side slightly as she listened to their words. Her gaze shifted to the corn maze, knowing that would most likely be the main attraction for her, before looking back to the sisters. "If I may ask," she said, "The corn maze, is it a 'reach the center' kind of maze or a 'reach the exit' kind? Or is it a 'you'll have to traverse the maze and see for yourself' sort of deal?"

 

[Flex]

He was a mighty man, with a name befitting of such a description. Many great feats could be attributed to his doing. Within a short span of time he’d acquired many badges in honor of those feats. Known to arrive far in advance, yet make his presence known in the distant future—this man was mystery personified. When he was most needed—when peculiar women had grown too vast in number—this man arrived to save the day.

This man—was Flex.

He’d heard of three strange hooded women and their stall. His allies—and they were many—knew there was no better man to send. For if not Flex to deal with such creatures, then who?

He was well known for conquering other weird and peculiar women. They were all given little nicknames after their defeat and acceptance of his greatness: Phi, Fy, Cr, Gr, Ju, and Wi just to name a few.

He was confident that these women would meet the same fates if they dared to cross him in this endeavor.

He listened with a stoically raised brow as the women finished their ramble.

"My favorite game, by far."

"One must keep one's wits about them in there.”

"And one's sense of direction!"

“The signs are perfectly clear.”

“...They weren't yesterday...”

He waved a hand dismissively with a single amused laugh.

“Signs,” he shook his head, humored by the word.

The only signs that would matter were the signs of his impending victory—whatever victory was in this case.

He’d find out. Flex always won these little word games.

“Thank you ladies, when I conquer this little field and its mysteries, perhaps I’ll add you to my trove of nicknamed stranglings.”

His shoulders shook with amusement at his own words, a haughty expression on his face as he strolled past.

There were paths. Little avenues that any normal person would take was far too easy. Flex knew that greatness would choose the path less travelled. So he walked straight into the most unkept of walkways.

“So, what’s so mysterious about this field?” he asked to nothing in particular, or perhaps everything. When you were as great as him, talking to yourself was the only way to have conversation with an equal.

After long moments he wiped at beads of sweat upon his brow, stopping to take a sip of water. He’d be concerned if he knew his body wasn’t simply attempting to cool the powerful machine within. The stalks hadn’t seemed to open up to anything just yet.

Truthfully, he hoped to run into other adventurers, just so they could see how well he faired. Or, perhaps one of those mysterious women so he could later name them. Maybe he’d even add them to his collection of daily Wordle victims. The world was his oyster.

So he listened for sounds, and made his way towards anything out of the ordinary.

 

[Crenna]

@Rimechapel

As you turn right, you hear a voice overhead. "That way is haunted, you know." Then another voice speaks, "No it is not! Stop leading the guest astray."

You turn back towards the fork and see a wooden post with a sign that has two arrows pointing in different directions. You could have sworn that there had been no signs when as you passed but it was clear as day now. Atop the sign perches two black crows, staring at you expectantly. The first voice speaks again, coming from the crow on the left. "Trust me, that way is haunted. And gross. Trash scattered around without even any good trinkets in it!"

The second voice, coming from the crow on the right, flaps their wings, "Lies! Lies and Slander! You are just jealous that more people pick my path then yours!" It meets your eye and gives a little nod, "Please, continue down that path. It is easy, a straight shot to the exit. You won't have to wander around for ages."

"No! Don't listen to him. He is misguiding you. The left path is the way you want. Everyone always assumes right but they get lost and our mistresses have to-" The crow on the right slaps the other bird with a wing, "Shut up you bird brain. Let the guest choose. And stop being a sore loser than they choose my way."

The two birds start to caw at each other, most likely yelling obscenities in crow language. Finally, they seemed to remember that you were still standing there and stop their squabble. The first crow clears its throat, "Tell you what. If you choose left, I will give you a shiny trinket."

"Not fair! But two can play at that game. If you choose my way, I'll give you a shiny trinket as well!" The two birds wait for you to make your choice. Something tells you that whatever path you end up choosing, you will not be rid of them on your journey.

 

[GremlinSage]

He was a mighty man, with a name befitting of such a description. Many great feats could be attributed to his doing. Within a short span of time he’d acquired many badges in honor of those feats. Known to arrive far in advance, yet make his presence known in the distant future—this man was mystery personified. When he was most needed—when peculiar women had grown too vast in number—this man arrived to save the day.

This man—was Flex.

He’d heard of three strange hooded women and their stall. His allies—and they were many—knew there was no better man to send. For if not Flex to deal with such creatures, then who?

He was well known for conquering other weird and peculiar women. They were all given little nicknames after their defeat and acceptance of his greatness: Phi, Fy, Cr, Gr, Ju, and Wi just to name a few.

He was confident that these women would meet the same fates if they dared to cross him in this endeavor.

He listened with a stoically raised brow as the women finished their ramble.

"My favorite game, by far."

"One must keep one's wits about them in there.”

"And one's sense of direction!"

“The signs are perfectly clear.”

“...They weren't yesterday...”

He waved a hand dismissively with a single amused laugh.

“Signs,” he shook his head, humored by the word.

The only signs that would matter were the signs of his impending victory—whatever victory was in this case.

He’d find out. Flex always won these little word games.

“Thank you ladies, when I conquer this little field and its mysteries, perhaps I’ll add you to my trove of nicknamed stranglings.”

His shoulders shook with amusement at his own words, a haughty expression on his face as he strolled past.

There were paths. Little avenues that any normal person would take was far too easy. Flex knew that greatness would choose the path less travelled. So he walked straight into the most unkept of walkways.

“So, what’s so mysterious about this field?” he asked to nothing in particular, or perhaps everything. When you were as great as him, talking to yourself was the only way to have conversation with an equal.

After long moments he wiped at beads of sweat upon his brow, stopping to take a sip of water. He’d be concerned if he knew his body wasn’t simply attempting to cool the powerful machine within. The stalks hadn’t seemed to open up to anything just yet.

Truthfully, he hoped to run into other adventurers, just so they could see how well he faired. Or, perhaps one of those mysterious women so he could later name them. Maybe he’d even add them to his collection of daily Wordle victims. The world was his oyster.

So he listened for sounds, and made his way towards anything out of the ordinary.

Nothing.

Crows cawing throughout the maze.

Voices in the distance.

A rustling of a stalk.

The moon's slow rise as the sun sets on the horizon.

But the sky above is already black and small flames light up only a small spot — assuming they even stick around.

Choosing the path untouched? Came a whisper that echoed around Flex's head.​

Wings flapped as several ravens cawed and flew away.

How curious. The whisper came again.​

Growling.

What will be left to walk it when you are gone?​

The voice cackled as the stalks shuddered around Flex. They felt weighted, heavy, as if turning to stone while still firmly being stalks. The more one pushed, the heavier they became.

The stalks decide the path. The voice whispered in amusement.​

To Flex's right, a path opened with the briefest lit little flame that squealed at him, gesturing for him to follow.

Do you trust the little flame?​

 

[AmphitriteSea]

Oh, the land on which humans walked was quite a strange place.

Seasaw was still trying to recover from the haunted house—to have witnessed someone get swallowed by an umbrella,watch someone bend forward and back at 90-degree angles, phantom screams… Hades.

And now? She found herself at the entrance of a corn maze.

Why did she trade her mermaid tail for human legs? She was really starting to question her sanity. Looking into the depths of the maze, it seemed as though she wasn’t getting it back anytime soon.

Amphitrite turned her head and looked at the sisters. “Sup, grills, how you doin’?” She flashed them a wink, giving them her best Matt LeBlanc impression.

She shifted her attention then, reading the rules: Don’t walk into the stalks, do not take from them, be kind.

But every instinct of her being said: march right in, make her own path, maybe collect a bundle to make homemade popcorn. And gods, if she ran into Flex… she’d be rude as hell.

Amphi gave them the side-eye. “I will be on my best behavior. Swear it.” She took her finger and crossed an “x” over her heart.

Have her wits about her?

She was all wit and retort; she would be fine.

Amphitrite sucked in a deep breath, cracked her neck, did a few lunges as she was still getting used to this whole walking thing, and marched straight into the cornfields while shouting, “Toodles!”

Now, truth be told, her greatest weakness in life was: being directionally challenged.

But this was a maze, after all. At some point, she’d make it from one end to the next. Amphi did stay on the path… for at least a good five minutes.

It wasn’t long before she heard a giggle, or perhaps that was the whistle from the wind brushing against the tips of the stalk. It was hard to say. Then, something shifted in between the stalks, squinting her eyes, Amph could have sworn she had seen her shadow— or something eerily similar to what she saw during her nappy time.

Sleep paralysis demon?

It was about damn time she confronted it; she was tired of shadows and their silly little games.

Amphi quickly turned her head back toward the entrance.

It wasn’t too late.

She then shrugged her shoulders. “Fack it, we ball.”

Amph then practically skipped straight to where she saw the shadow vanish, quickly disappearing into the depths of the cornstalks. She’d make her own path, skipping along the way, frolicking, singing: “Lalalalaaa.” It was just a quick shortcut—what was so wrong about that? But once her head popped out from the stalks, Amphi realized she was lost with no point of direction and her eyes widened at what lay before her…

 

[snackshack]

A petite woman by the name of Snack and dressed in a closet Cooking Mama cosplay approached the sisters' stall. "Did I hear right about some hidden treasures?" She eagerly asked. Snack made a mental note of the witches' warnings. Regarding the witches' warning of wit, her hand had slipped into her jean pocket and pulled out a penny between two of her fingertips.

"Luckily I like to carry around my common cent. Eh'?" Snack grinned ear to ear, amused with her joke. "Welp, see ya' later, ladies." She then turned around to face the paths and played a quick game of Eenie meenie miney moe. Her finger landed towards the third path, and she made a bee-line to it.

 

[Rimechapel]

@Rimechapel

As you turn right, you hear a voice overhead. "That way is haunted, you know." Then another voice speaks, "No it is not! Stop leading the guest astray."

You turn back towards the fork and see a wooden post with a sign that has two arrows pointing in different directions. You could have sworn that there had been no signs when as you passed but it was clear as day now. Atop the sign perches two black crows, staring at you expectantly. The first voice speaks again, coming from the crow on the left. "Trust me, that way is haunted. And gross. Trash scattered around without even any good trinkets in it!"

The second voice, coming from the crow on the right, flaps their wings, "Lies! Lies and Slander! You are just jealous that more people pick my path then yours!" It meets your eye and gives a little nod, "Please, continue down that path. It is easy, a straight shot to the exit. You won't have to wander around for ages."

"No! Don't listen to him. He is misguiding you. The left path is the way you want. Everyone always assumes right but they get lost and our mistresses have to-" The crow on the right slaps the other bird with a wing, "Shut up you bird brain. Let the guest choose. And stop being a sore loser than they choose my way."

The two birds start to caw at each other, most likely yelling obscenities in crow language. Finally, they seemed to remember that you were still standing there and stop their squabble. The first crow clears its throat, "Tell you what. If you choose left, I will give you a shiny trinket."

"Not fair! But two can play at that game. If you choose my way, I'll give you a shiny trinket as well!" The two birds wait for you to make your choice. Something tells you that whatever path you end up choosing, you will not be rid of them on your journey.

"....hhh​e​l​lll​o​o​ooooo​," Rimechapel said to the crows, in a way that was neither charming nor adherent to any one note for longer than one half of one second.

"May I become an honorary member of your parliament? I believe in democracy, rule of law, trash details, corn maize inspections, and the Oxford comma." Rimechapel knew that people could not read the spoken word, of course, but that 1) did not stop him from making puns that were hard to detect, and 2) did not account for the fact that crows were not people. Therefore he felt confident that they could probably 'get it,' as often talking animals do.

"As much as I have strong preference for 'a shiny trinket,' I am afraid that 'a shiny trinket as well!' has taken my interest. Therefore I will be proceeding down the right path. Whether or not the right path is in fact the right path is something we shall discover..." he unclipped a little carabiner from his belt, and floofed out a tightly folded reusable shopping bag with one-- no wait, two... three... five.... er, seventeen! Floofs! Which were all completely regal and not at all frustrated because this always works on the first try!!

"Onward! To our civic duties!" Rimechapel said, holding his reusable bag aloft, which quite lacked the theatrical effect of raising, say, a saber, or a cane.

"MAN I hope this way is haunted, that would be so stinkin' cool-- ooh! Piece of trash... ooh! Piece of trash...."

 

[Crenna]

Just how had Aimi arrived in front of the stall, listening to the three women talk seemingly amongst themselves and to her at the same time? She wasn't entirely sure, as the last thing she really remembered was going out for an evening walk before the last rays of dusk were swallowed up by the inevitable night. It had been a route she was quite familiar with, as she had taken it a few times over the last few weeks. And yet, by the time the new scents had registered enough to pull her out of her day (or in this case dusk?) dreaming, she was standing at the entrance to the fairgrounds. Pulling her earbuds out as her eyes scanned her surroundings, she had begun to walk around, letting herself get swept up in her curiosity that seemed to overwrite her panic. After all, there was a reason for that saying with cats and their curiosity.

That curiosity is what brought her attention to the three sisters, or perhaps she was simply nudged or even pulled along? Did it really matter? Her ears twitching slightly, the neko cocked her head to the side slightly as she listened to their words. Her gaze shifted to the corn maze, knowing that would most likely be the main attraction for her, before looking back to the sisters. "If I may ask," she said, "The corn maze, is it a 'reach the center' kind of maze or a 'reach the exit' kind? Or is it a 'you'll have to traverse the maze and see for yourself' sort of deal?"

One of the sisters looks delighted at your questions and actually smiles.

"Oh we have an inquisitive one. I like when they ask questions."

"Be careful, curiosity kills the cat..."

"Oh hush, that is only half the saying and you are scaring the poor thing. Do not listen to her, you will be fine, dear."

"Enough! Stop your squabbling." The first sister looks at you with a twinkle in her eye. "To answer your question, I think you already know the answer dear. But because you are the first one to ask this, I will bestow you this compass. It should lead the way."

"Yes, it always points north. Or is it south? I suppose you will figure it out." A cackle.

In your hands, the compass feels cool. Its face has the N,E,S,W displayed clearly however the needle seems to constantly spin when you hold it still. How helpful this will be remains to be seen.

---

As you enter the maze, the compass in your hands stops spinning to point North. As you walk, every time you come to a fork in the road, it moves to point in a certain direction. Do you follow it or forge your own path?

 

[Heather_the_Writer]

(Maybe its best if I have one character for this haha)

Isabel Buendía found herself in front of a muddy corn maze.
She wore a fashionable cream empire waisted dress; a long burgundy jacket for the colder weather layered on top. The beige cashmere scarf brought out her cinnamon coloured eyes. A cream cotton toque covered her hazelnut hair.
A small leather satchel was tucked inside her wool jacket. Isabel held a small leather purse in her hand, too.

The young lady lazily trudged forward in her fluffy boots. Haughty boredness radiated off her. She eyed the corn, then looked at the three women.

"Hello. Have you three seen a young lady, about this high-"
She gestured nearly two feet.
"-Blonde, blue eyed. Asks too many questions for her own good. Talks up a storm. She's my step-sister. Which way did she go?" She asked coolly.

It's funny, usually she was the one watching people. But here? There were distinct eyes on her. She wasn't bothered by them.​

 

[jahdeen]

Scruffy blond hair. Piercing cyan eyes. Tight jaw. Most strikingly, golden scales befitting a dragon lined the cheeks in artistic lines.

This was Echo. Tarnished, wary, and--as usual--out of place.

He tried quite consciously to avoid looking at the three mysterious women who saw it all. Unwelcome eyes were a familiar feeling. Nowhere did he see a familiar face, nor the familiar elven face he coveted so much. Perhaps, he thought, if he completed these trials, he could return to her once more.

Echo knelt and inspected the ground. Pristine, though muddy. He could glean very little from the tracks, other than their recency. No blood. No signs of tangible danger just yet. No clues as to which path would be the least likely to bring harm. So, with nothing else to think on, he continued forward on a side path.

As always, he tried to keep a low and quiet profile. A chill of isolation shot down his backside. The reeds surrounded him, fluttering. He cast a side glance and noted what he believed to be a shadowy figure. He didn't allow this sight to slow his footwork. The sooner he could find the exit to this maze of maize, the better.

But then the rustling of the stalks grew louder. Faster. Approaching. And with it, a siren song.

“Lalalalaaa.”

He was prey. Echo froze. He felt his belt for his blade, but no handle met his hand. He bated his breath, focused, calculated the approach of the assailant without turning around. Whoever this was, they clearly thought Echo to be oblivious to the pursuit. He could use that to his advantage. Once the rustling crescendoed to its loudest point, Echo whipped around, fists raised...

But once her head popped out from the stalks, Amphi realized she was lost with no point of direction and her eyes widened at what lay before her…

The sight of a face inches from his, no matter how innocuous, startled him. The gold scales on his cheeks briefly flashed in a glow as he jolted back, stumbling over a branch and falling on his tailbone. He panted, swallowed, then shook his head with a lopsided smile.

"Another explorer?" he said, getting back on his feet. He acknowledged Amphi with a small, polite bow. "Sorry about my reaction. I'm Echo. Um... you didn't happen to see an elven woman around, have you? Kind of short, darker skin, tattoos? Casting spells, maybe? Really, really pretty...?"

A faint flush appeared on his cheeks.

 

[GremlinSage]

The little flames watched the fish and dragon nearly collide, giggling in the shadows despite lighting the surrounding area. Just off enough to not be seen but loud enough to be heard. Oh how they loved this.

Eyes and ears they were.

"Elf elf." One giggled, pushing it's brother which causes the stalks to rustle around @AmphitriteSea and Echo ( @jahdeen ).

"Quiet!" The other scolded in it's high pitched voice.

The stalks around the two began to sway a little faster, yet the wind had not changed.

Suddenly, Sea was pushed forward as a whisper came: Move.

The bobbling flames came out from the stalks, two of them dancing around Echo and Sea, ushering them to their feet. "This way. This way."

"Yes, yes, this way."

Both flames danced around them once more before pulling open some stalks that opened another path. "This way." One giggled.

Are you ready? Came the whisper again, more amused. Continue if you dare.

The flames giggled.

 

[Batcat]

One of the sisters looks delighted at your questions and actually smiles.

"Oh we have an inquisitive one. I like when they ask questions."

"Be careful, curiosity kills the cat..."

"Oh hush, that is only half the saying and you are scaring the poor thing. Do not listen to her, you will be fine, dear."

"Enough! Stop your squabbling." The first sister looks at you with a twinkle in her eye. "To answer your question, I think you already know the answer dear. But because you are the first one to ask this, I will bestow you this compass. It should lead the way."

"Yes, it always points north. Or is it south? I suppose you will figure it out." A cackle.

In your hands, the compass feels cool. Its face has the N,E,S,W displayed clearly however the needle seems to constantly spin when you hold it still. How helpful this will be remains to be seen.

---

As you enter the maze, the compass in your hands stops spinning to point North. As you walk, every time you come to a fork in the road, it moves to point in a certain direction. Do you follow it or forge your own path?

Hold the compass close, Aimi thanked the sisters and then headed for the maze. Stepping inside, she considered her options as well as the words that had been spoken. She hadn't really expected to get a proper answer, but had asked regardless on the off chance that she did. She half expected the compass to keep spinning, but when it didn't, she shrugged and began walking.

The first fork in the path gave her pause, as she had started to continue walking 'North', but then she noticed the compass needle was pointing in a different direction. Frowning, she turned and went back the way that she had come until the compass was acting as she would expect a compass to act. Is there a magnetic field in that direction? Curious, she turned back and began walking in the direction the needle was pointing.

Half expecting the needle to start going crazy again, she was both surprised when it didn't and baffled when, upon coming to another intersection, the needle pointed in an entirely new direction. Taking a few steps back until the needle had returned to pointing in the previous direction, she carefully moved forward again, but at somewhat of an angle. Once again, the needle defied both explanation and expectations as it immediately swapped to the new direction when she got close enough to the intersection.

Either they set the fields up precisely next to each other without overlapping, or it isn't magnetism... Considering that she wasn't sure if the former was even possible, not to mention the fact that she felt that she was already lost, she sighed and, after looking down the other two paths, decided to continue following in the direction of the compass. Actually, she thought after a moment, I'm not lost. All I have to do is go 'South' to retrace my steps. At least, so long as the maze itself wasn't magically shifting around her, which she wouldn't be surprised if that were the case.

 

[Crenna]

"....hhh​e​l​lll​o​o​ooooo​," Rimechapel said to the crows, in a way that was neither charming nor adherent to any one note for longer than one half of one second.

"May I become an honorary member of your parliament? I believe in democracy, rule of law, trash details, corn maize inspections, and the Oxford comma." Rimechapel knew that people could not read the spoken word, of course, but that 1) did not stop him from making puns that were hard to detect, and 2) did not account for the fact that crows were not people. Therefore he felt confident that they could probably 'get it,' as often talking animals do.

"As much as I have strong preference for 'a shiny trinket,' I am afraid that 'a shiny trinket as well!' has taken my interest. Therefore I will be proceeding down the right path. Whether or not the right path is in fact the right path is something we shall discover..." he unclipped a little carabiner from his belt, and floofed out a tightly folded reusable shopping bag with one-- no wait, two... three... five.... er, seventeen! Floofs! Which were all completely regal and not at all frustrated because this always works on the first try!!

"Onward! To our civic duties!" Rimechapel said, holding his reusable bag aloft, which quite lacked the theatrical effect of raising, say, a saber, or a cane.

"MAN I hope this way is haunted, that would be so stinkin' cool-- ooh! Piece of trash... ooh! Piece of trash...."

The way you choose is pleasant albeit a bit boring. At least, the sights. The crows on the other hand decide to follow you on your journey. They end up riding on your shoulders, their talons griping your shoulder more than your shoulder. They bicker and chatter as crows do, asking if you have any food, remarking on any trash you may encounter or path you choose. It seems for this part of your journey, you have two traveling companions.

However, after following the path awhile you find yourself back at the fork with the sign. The left crow started to well crow, "Ha! I told you! Should have chosen my path! You just walked in a big circle."

"Bah! This has never happened before! My path always leads to good things. You must have made a wrong turn somewhere!"

The two started to caw at each other again before finally turning back to you. "Well, which path will you chose now?"

Once you make your choice, you start noticing that the path looks the same. In fact, no matter what path you chose, whether you chose the right path ten times or switched between the two, you always ended back at the sign. Which would start another round of bickering among the crow.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, when you approached the sign, a figure stood beside it. It was one of the sisters. The one you specifically had not spoken too. She stands with her arms cross and stares at you, "Lost?"

 

[Crenna]

A petite woman by the name of Snack and dressed in a closet Cooking Mama cosplay approached the sisters' stall. "Did I hear right about some hidden treasures?" She eagerly asked. Snack made a mental note of the witches' warnings. Regarding the witches' warning of wit, her hand had slipped into her jean pocket and pulled out a penny between two of her fingertips.

"Luckily I like to carry around my common cent. Eh'?" Snack grinned ear to ear, amused with her joke. "Welp, see ya' later, ladies." She then turned around to face the paths and played a quick game of Eenie meenie miney moe. Her finger landed towards the third path, and she made a bee-line to it.

You walk for a bit until you realize that you never saw any one else enter the maze though you saw people outside it. You do not hear other people either. No laughter, no chatting, just silence. Except for the occasional whisper of the wind. But then, you hear a voice, "Hello there."

Coming around a corner is an old man, hunched over with a cane and wearing a sunhat that shields his face from you. "You are the first person I have seen in awhile. Are you as lost as I am?" A chuckle, "There is nothing back that way, I'm afraid." He comes closer to you, "Would you like to walk together?"

 

[AmphitriteSea]

The moment Amphitrite poked her head out from the stalk, her curious, cloudy eyes widened before momentarily snapping shut at the flash of golden light that blinded her. "What in the—" she stated, startled. It wasn't until she heard a thud that she opened them again. "Oh my, hello!" She gave a bright smile, her brow quirking upward as she saw the male before her, her gaze instantly taking in the gold scales along the side of his cheeks. "Oooh, shiny!" Her expression lit up, as all mermaids, whether currently human or not, loved all things that sparkled.

"Another explorer?" he said, getting back on his feet. He acknowledged Amphi with a small, polite bow. "Sorry about my reaction. I'm Echo. Um... you didn't happen to see an elven woman around, have you? Kind of short, darker skin, tattoos? Casting spells, maybe? Really, really pretty...?"

A faint flush appeared on his cheeks.

Amphi took Echo's question into thought; so far, the only thing she had witnessed in this eerie corn maze was the shadow she had been following, which had, at one point, blended into the tall stalks. "No... afraid not, I'm sorry I—" Her sentence was cut short when—

Suddenly, Sea was pushed forward as a whisper came: Move.

The bobbling flames came out from the stalks, two of them dancing around Echo and Sea, ushering them to their feet. "This way. This way."

"Yes, yes, this way."

Both flames danced around them once more before pulling open some stalks that opened another path. "This way." One giggled.

Are you ready? Came the whisper again, more amused. Continue if you dare.

The flames giggled.

"Whoa!" She stumbled out of the cornstalks from where she had stood and braced herself, sticking her arms out as she lost balance and felt the dirt bite into her hands. "Ow..." she mumbled, turning to blow pink wisps of hair out of her face before tucking them behind a finned ear. The slight frustration she had felt being shoved instantly vanished as she saw the bobbing flames. A new sparkle twinkled in her eyes, widening in awe at how adorable they looked. A rather large part of her wanted to reach out, cup one of the little flames, and just put it in her pocket before she was ushered onto her feet. They kept saying: "Yes, yes, this way!" and how could she possibly say no or resist? Amphitrite looked over at Echo. "You coming...? They might lead you to, well, whomever it is that you are looking for." She asked with a tilt of her head before stepping closer to the flames. Curiosity had always gotten the best of her and she was willingly going to go wherever they led her, despite if Echo chose to follow or not.

 

[Rimechapel]

The left crow started to well crow, "Ha! I told you! Should have chosen my path! You just walked in a big circle."

"Yes but now it is a big clean circle, and we have all these candy wrappers that we've taken out of the ecosystem so that they don't turn into microplastics and get into our food! Hey, did you know that the average human has approximately enough plastic in their body to create a credit card? As awful as that sounds, at least we know that if your mouth writes checks your body can't cash, you can always put it on your card!"

This kind of banter - wholly useless and perhaps dubiously factual information - had become commonplace over the last... however long it had been, among Rimechapel and the crows. So had the words 'obdurate' and 'recalcitrant,' as well as the byphrase 'ululating execrations,' which usually came up when one of the crows got too excited and pinched too hard on his shoulder.

"Lost?"

"Ehehe..." Rimechapel slowly grinned - a sort of sheepish, perilously buccalent expression for his apparent lack of ability to rein it in - and poked his index fingers together anxiously. The bag of candy wrappers, hooked on his elbow, rustled cheerily. He glanced between the wingmen (wingwomen? He hadn't thought to ask, really) on his shoulders, a bead of nervous sweat beginning to form on his temple.

He began to whisper loudly to them. "Hey! Hey, members of the parliament, w-what do I say to her? She's really cute. Should I ask her for her number? Is that too forward? Should I give her a present? I really only have a big bag of trash and that cool looking pebble we found an hour ago. Hey, don't one of you owe me a shiny trinket? Dangit, I coulda offered her that! Ugh! Now I'll just have to try to be smooth and I'm so bad at that you guys!"

He cleared his throat and swallowed obviously. "... HI. Yeah. I think I'm probably pretty good and lost now. Unless, I'm uh... where I'm supposed to be? I mean, you're here, right?" He winked at her, not quite shyly, but not not shyly.

"Anyway, it's a very cute corn maize, and I've enjoyed it quite a lot so far, mostly because of the company. Maybe... you wouldn't mind walking with me for a while? If you're not busy, I mean. I wouldn't want to bother you if you're busy. I'm sure you're busy, right? Of course you're busy. You're like, super cute. I mean, uh, super important. Well, you are super cute, too, but I--" he laughed and scratched the back of his neck, grinning. Then he held out his hand - not the one that had the bag of trash hooked on it.

"Hold my hand while we walk?"