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The Black Letter
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The Black Letter
The Black Letter
You don’t know where the letter came from. You woke up one morning with a panicked feeling, like you’d just had a nightmare. When you reached to turn on the light, you found a black envelope clutched in your fist.
The envelope was sealed with a wax stamp depicting a dripping candle. You might take a moment to admire it, perhaps you tore around it carefully, or maybe you ripped it down the middle. In the end, the result was only the opening of the envelope. Like so many things, the way that you open an envelope will never matter. The letter inside, however, did matter. At, least to you, and perhaps to me. But does that mean anything either?
You spread the now-wrinkled letter out and flatten the creases. The letter is slightly discolored, embellished with ink drawings of candles of all shapes and sizes. It reads:
Dear Distinguished Acquaintance,
You have been unavoidably invited to a twelve-night ball in the Candelabra Manor. In the height of antique luxury, you will enjoy fully stocked vintage wardrobes, six course nightly banquets, an array of games that will display the full extent of our three hundred and twenty-acre grounds, double bed gothic suites, and a fully stocked armory. You will find a trunk at your door in the morning. You may bring this, and only this, as full as you please with it still closing. Bear in mind that clothing will be provided. It would be reasonable for you to enjoy your stay, but I will not go so far as to say that we “hope” that you will.
Apathetically Yours,
Madame Flambeau
The trunk appears as promised, with a skeleton key lying next to it. Your first thought is to attempt to move the trunk inside, of course, but it stays put in the doorway and refuses to budge. After a moment of deliberation, you decide to pack it where it is. After all, who can pass up a luxury stay in an old, possibly murderous mansion? Finally, when it is as full as you’d like it to be, you start to close it. But then you remember one last little memento that you would like to bring with you. Upon finding the trinket, you find something else much less desirable. A form with the words “Candelabra Manor” and the candle seal emblazoned along the top. But all of the information has been filled out with, as a quick scan reveals, complete and chilling accuracy in midnight blue ink.
You stuff the letter in your pocket decisively and start unpacking the trunk. You’re not going. Oh no, no, no, no you’re not.
But it’s too late.
Form:
Name:
Gender:
CBer or Æ:
Appearance:
Percieved Age:
Skills:
Worst fear(s):
Personality:
On a scale of one to ten, how much of a leader are you?:
On a scale of one to ten, will you crack under pressure?:
How did you open the letter?:
Trunk Packing List:
This is, what I believe to be, the first illustrated Ski Lodge. I hope you enjoy it. You may bring up to two members of your party, CBer or Æ.
submitted by Madame Flambeau, Candelabra Manor
(September 14, 2018 - 3:26 pm)
(September 14, 2018 - 3:26 pm)
Is there room for one more?
(September 17, 2018 - 4:43 pm)
Yes, you just made the deadline. Will you be joining us?
(September 19, 2018 - 12:21 am)
Are there any spots left? If so I reserve one.
(September 17, 2018 - 5:02 pm)
Although we are a slight bit over initial guidelines, I will not exclude anyone up to this point. Thank you all for coming, and welcome to Candelabra Manor.
Your stay may be shorter than you like.
Part one coming soon.
(September 17, 2018 - 5:28 pm)
And please, do get your forms in soon.
Thank you.
(September 17, 2018 - 6:51 pm)
Finished the sheet! Sorry I didn't post it at first; I was at lunch at school when I made the reservation.
Name: Icy
Gender: Female
CBer or Æ: CBer
Appearance: Light blonde haired, very pale. I have blue eyes and a fondness for wearing dresses and fancy, lacy shirts. (Strangely enough, Icy has a hate for tank-tops and shorts. One might wonder why.) I'm very short, freckled, and generally appear childlike.
Perceived Age: I appear about eleven, though I am fourteen. I'll grow someday, I swear.
Skills: Solving mysteries, though I often jump to conclusions. I'm a pretty good actress, yet strangely a horrible liar when I try to purposely lie.
Worst fear(s): ...What don't I fear? No, I won't answer that. I have an honest fear of white rabbits, which stems from a series of nightmares I had when I was younger (Irl, I don't really fear them anymore, but the part of me that's on the CB hangs onto these things).
Personality: Curious, bookworm, loves solving mysteries but is dramatic and jumps to conclusions easily. I'm forgetful, awkward, and often shy after I mess up.
On a scale of one to ten, how much of a leader are you?: Four.
On a scale of one to ten, will you crack under pressure?: Probably an eight or nine--I can't stand pressure.
How did you open the letter?: I stared at it for about an hour while wondering how to open it, then finally decided on the most complex way to open it. However, I was forgetful and just ended up opening it with scissors, then realized my mistake and cried about it afterward.
Trunk Packing List: Notebooks, journals, paper, pencils, a few pens, pencil sharpeners, clothes, and a spellbook that I'm pretty horrible at using.
Name: Narrator Thirty-Three
Gender: Female
CBer or Æ: Æ
Appearance: She has average, neat brown hair that is often in a bun. She is slightly taller than average. She usually wears a plain white blouse and a gray skirt. Her eyes are a strange lavender color, the only strange feature about her--she is plain in every other way, and even wears neutral makeup specifically to make her seem so.
Perceived Age: #AEsAreAgeless, but Thirty seems to be a young/medium adult.
Skills: She's a 'master of narration' and often narrates aloud/narrates the situation around her. She's generally very wise, though not likely to open up about it to others.
Worst fear(s): Oh, a world without stories, wolves (since they are often depicted as showing evil in European fairy tales), anything that involves time running out or messing with time, and being completely ignored.
Personality: Acts very neutral, generally very wise (though lacking in wisdom when it comes to emotional matters), slightly cold when talking to others, only shows hints of emotion when narrating. She works hard to keep her emotionless behavior, but really depends on having an audience and will sulk when things don't go her way.
On a scale of one to ten, how much of a leader are you?: Three--she will not decide to lead by herself, but she would love to boss around her 'characters' (real people) to make the perfect narration come true.
On a scale of one to ten, will you crack under pressure?: Five.
How did you open the letter?: She, sensibly enough, took out a letter opener.
(September 17, 2018 - 5:58 pm)
Name: Rogue Wildling
Gender: Take a wild (ling) guess.
CBer or Æ: CBer
Appearance: Face is hidden by hood of long, silver cloak that looks somewhat like wings. White, glowing eyes shine out of the shadows of my hood. Somehow I always have a calculating look in my eyes.
Percieved Age: Somewhere in teenagerhood.
Skills: Good at almost everything (especially fighting) except dancing and public speaking. I hate doing those two...
Worst fear: None, really. I attack anything that I am threatened by.
Personality: Quiet, slightly antisocial but kind amd friendly to those who listen to me and are good to me. I am cold to my enemies. I am analytical, cunning, and a smooth talker. Vengeful. Somehow always calm.
On a scale of one to ten, how much of a leader are you?: 10, but I am a quiet leader and I do not tolerate rebellion.
On a scale of one to ten, will you crack under pressure?: 1. See last line of personality.
How did you open the letter?: Carefully but quickly.
Trunk Packing List: Whatever is useful. And some weapons.
Name: Nihil
Gender: Female
CBer or Æ: Neither. I'm a CAPTCHA.
Appearance: Anything cute and a predator.
Percieved Age: None...?
Skills: Being cute and useful... Somewhat.
Worst fear(s): Hallucinations. I hate the feeling of not knowing what is real and what is not.
Personality: Happy. Yeah. That's pretty much it.
On a scale of one to ten, how much of a leader are you?: *Smiles up at you* *Has no idea what you're talking about*
On a scale of one to ten, will you crack under pressure?: Only if Rogue does!
How did you open the letter?: Rogue read it to me.
Trunk Packing List: A couple toys and a little blanket.
(September 17, 2018 - 7:42 pm)
Name: Stardust
Gender: Female
CBer or Æ: CBer
Appearance: I'm African-American, with white hair with a sort of rainbow holo-glitter in it, usually in some kind of a messy half-bun thing (think one of those old messy unicorn wigs but it's my actual hair). My eye color is kind of like a silvery rainbow titanium-- it sort of looks different from different angles (google rainbow titanium, it's so cool!). I have silver star/constillation-freckles all over my body, complete with a few little silver lines connecting them. they give off a faint silver glow. If it's cold out I wear a voluminous galaxy-print cloak.
Percieved Age: 13ish for game purposes
Skills: Reading the stars, figuring things out, knowing random book trivia, making really bad refrences, agility, having good ideas (though I don't always know how to use them)
Worst fear(s): Everyone secretly hates me, being caught in the crossfire
Personality: Observant, quick-thinking, witty, a bit of a pushover/people pleaser, poetic, has good ideas but sometimes doesn't voice them, thoughtful, a bit talkitive, a bookworm and a nerd, when I'm passionate about something, I don't stop until it's done, likes peace and quiet (exept when it comes to fangriling), encouraging, laughs easily, absentminded
On a scale of one to ten, how much of a leader are you?: Around 8
On a scale of one to ten, will you crack under pressure?: 5.9
How did you open the letter?: Doodled on it before remembering to open it, then was way too careful because papercuts in opening it.
Name: Celeste
Gender: Genderfluid, can switch but usually goes by ae/aer/aerself to avoid confusion.
CBer or Æ: AE
Appearance: Can change it at will, but not in a shapeshifterly way, more like a Grisha Tailor but limitless and only for aerself. Usually uses the ability to please people/look like whomever they want to see.
Percieved Age: Mid to late teens, I guess?
Skills: Observing/noticing things, changing aer appearance to spy, can be fairly athletically fit if ae wants to be
Worst fear(s): Being judged
Personality: Shy, very observant, awkward, smart, apologetic, clever, quiet, a huge pushover and a people-pleaser, determined, tends to go with the flow, deep, likes to look for metaphors in life, gets more outgoing and talkative once you get to know aer, overthinks stuff, very emotional, easily stressed, tends to beat aerself up, loves the arts, optimistic, steadfast
On a scale of one to ten, how much of a leader are you?: 3.7, ae would lead if ae had to do it, but would prefer to let someone else take the spotlight
On a scale of one to ten, will you crack under pressure?: 9.8, yes, that's why ae alters her appearance for the most part
How did you open the letter?: Futiley searched for a letter opener, then, after failing, used the skeleton key instead, all the while worrying that doing such might upset the magic in a dangerous way.
(September 17, 2018 - 7:59 pm)
Alright, here's my sheet:
Name: Joan B. of Arc
Gender: Female
CBer or AE: Cber
Appearance: Dark blue eyes that look like the night sky, jagged scar across my face from the top of my right eyebrow to the bottom of my left eye, no helmet but I do wear armor, a maroon scarf around my neck, boots, a brown leather satchel slung across my body which is filled with medical herbs, breeches, a sword at my side, and there is also a dagger in each of my boots.
If I want a more casual look, then I can snap my fingers and everything else stays, but the armor dissapears, and in its place I am wearing a leather jacket and a black, or white shirt, (it depends on how I feel for that day.)
Perceived age: 14ish, but most of the time I look like I'm 16, (even though I'm only 5'.)
Skills: Really good at throwing daggers and using a sword to protect myself and others if needed, I also recently received a ring that turns into a shield, I can run really fast too, and I use my knowledge of books I've read to come up with battle strategies. (Sounds weird I know, but anything can happen on the CB. :) I can't think of anything else at the moment....
Worst fear(s): Losing my friends, change (in any form), being alone in the dark, (especially when it's really really quiet,) and rodents. (Especially mice.)
(I'm going to add this part:) Weaknesses: Is really bad at thinking before speaking/thinking before acting... is doing way better, but still has a hard time. My AE Puck helps to keep me in check though, which is really great.
Personality: Loyal/trustworthy, has a very quick temper, not really patient, friendly, doesn't easily trust people unless I get to know them really well. Smiles a lot, but doesn't really laught that often because she (correction: I,) think it sounds horrible when I laugh, (but all of my friends don't think that it sounds horrible.) Is always willing to lend a hand and serve, always looking for ways to help others. Even if it means risking her, (my) life.
On a scale of one to ten, how much of a leader are you?: Hmm..... maybe around 8-9ish.
On a scale of one to ten, will you crack under pressure?: 5 1/2-6. Like I said, I've got a hot temper, so it's really easily flared, especially when under pressure and stress.
How did you open the letter?: Well.... I first started to rip it open with my hands, but it was taking too long, so I grabbed one of the daggers in my boot and ripped it open that way.
(Wow....it's so weird to write about your CB self and how you act/look....it's been a while since I've done that. I'll do Puck, my AE's sheet later... sorry that mine is so long.)
(September 17, 2018 - 8:02 pm)
Aaaaaaa I forgot all about this! I'll post my sheet when I get back from school.
(September 19, 2018 - 7:06 am)
Sorry this is late!
Name: icarus
Gender: Female
CBer or Æ: CBer
Appearance: Short, wavy dark brown hair, almond shaped brown eyes, a navy blue hoodie, boot-cut jeans and dark green combat boots. I have metal mechanical wings as well and am about 5'1".
Percieved Age: Fourteen
Skills: Running long distances, flying, penmanship, ability to read things quickly, knowing some random facts and I have a very good memory.
Worst fear(s): Being the last person alive or being trapped somewhere forever by myself. Having my friends turn against me, or losing them altogether. Becoming somebody I really wouldn't want to be.
Personality: Shy until comfortable around people, dramatic, a complete bookworm, I have a very hot temper that burns out quickly, easily embarrased, lazy although it depends on what I'm doing, pessimistic, introverted, independant and yet dependant on people I really care about.
On a scale of one to ten, how much of a leader are you?: Five. Perhaps I could lead if I wanted to, but I'm more of a follower, or if I disagree, a loner. I'd rather lead from the shadows.
On a scale of one to ten, will you crack under pressure?: Also five. Depends on the situation, I guess? Like, whether it's "Just jump into the lake already" or "Betray your friends".
How did you open the letter?: With a pocketknife.
Trunk Packing List: Drawing pencils, a pocketknife, an ipod, earbuds, general packing necessities, a sketchbook/notebook, and a xiphos (basically an ancient Greek sword).
(September 19, 2018 - 4:56 pm)
Name: Soren
Gender: female, but I use they/them pronouns
Role: CBer
Appearance: "5'4", pale, lightish, brightish blue Justin Beiber-ish pixie cut, bright, bold eyes same color as hair, Padawan braid, plain grey shirt, jean shorts, blue flip-flops, thick, leathery dragon wings and tail, same color as hair and eyes.
Percieved age: CBwise, 11 or 12.
Skills: is smart, a good arm wrestler (but otherwise pretty weak), good singer and writer.
Worst fear(s): theives. Tornadoes. But above all, fire. In my house. While I'm sleeping. *Shudders at thought* And, of course, loosing loved ones.
Personality: weird beyond weird, but also very kind and smart, always tries to be helpful and considerate. Knows when to get quiet, but gets loud and wild around friends. Adventurous to a point, not brave but not a coward, extremely tomboyish, hates being fancy or formal. Avid reader and writer, a teacher's pet but hates being one. Smart alic, sometimes sarcastic. Very independent, not popular and happy about it. Ambivert, doesn't care about frivolous stuff. Obsessed with Harry Potter, Minecraft Story Mode, and Captain America.
On a scale of one to ten, how much of a leader are you?: One as the lowest, probably about a 3.
On a scale of one to ten, how likely are you to crack under pressure?: ... Hmm. Also a 3, I suppose.
How did you open the letter?: Really, does it matter?
Packing list: toiletries, some books, notebook with partly-written story In it, booklight, yellow lightsaber, pocket knife, phone, lucky baseball hat, lots of gum.
Name: Midnight
Gender: male
Role: AE
Appearance: tall, very light brown skin, wavy black hair, voilet eyes, star birthmarks under right eye, getting smaller as they cascade right. Jeans, simple black t-shirt, (fake) leather jacket, hiking boots.
Percieved age: 16
Skills: comforting people, photography, hiking, knowledgeable, great pianist
Worst fear(s): loosing everyone, everything he loves. Without love, he is nothing.
Personality: very brave, outgoingly loving and caring, extremely kind and honest. Calm, a quick thinker, helpful to everyone. Just a fabulous human. Prepared, organized.
On a scale of one to ten, how much of a leader are you?: I'd say 8.
On a scale of one to ten, how likely are you to crack under pressure?: Really? About zero. He has a knack for staying calm and cool.
How did you open the letter?: Simple. He used a letter opener.
Packing list: collopseable telescope, star chart, camera, phone, hiking gear, first aid kit, Chromebook, toothpaste and toothbrush.
Also, I'm vegetarian. @Madam Flambeau, are you Rouge?
(September 19, 2018 - 6:12 pm)
No, but thank you for guessing (as well as getting your form in).
(September 19, 2018 - 7:38 pm)
Oh yeah. I am also vegetarian.
(September 19, 2018 - 8:07 pm)
I’m also a vegetarian.
(September 22, 2018 - 8:40 am)