thevine | ✦ WEEK ZERO: TRIAL

✦ WEEK 0, TRIAL: VICTIM ARCHETYPE

TRIAL

REMAINING

WUH-OH?

Rise and shine, superstars! It's a brand new day and a brand new opportunity to prove that you have what it takes to win this season's grand prize. Didn't manage to sleep well after yesterday's grisly discovery? A shame. But filming schedules are a cruel mistress, and they don't care to wait for the sleep deprived. As soon as the clock strikes 11:30AM, an announcement will play from the numerous loudspeakers hidden around the island:

THE REAL WAIFUS OF STREAMY VALLEY SEASON 11 RUNNER UP

All contestants, please report to Gold P. Beach. The next segment of this week's thrilling sudden elimination round is about to begin. I repeat, all contestants, please report to Gold P. Beach. The next segment of this week's thrilling sudden elimination round is about to begin.

... Hey, doesn't that voice sound familiar? Is this what they call a celebrity cameo? Huh. Ignore the announcement, and you'll soon find yourself accosted by the local mascots — namazu, loporrits and gestrals alike following after you and trying their damnedest to haul your ass to the beach. And if the pleading stare of these adorable(?) creatures is still not enough to get you moving, then worry not! Because at exactly 11:59AM, if you still haven't made your way over to the beach, a trap door will abruptly materialize under your feet and drop you right into the path leading up to the beach! Better stick your landing, or millions of viewers across the galaxies will watch you belly flop onto the ground. Embarrassing... The path leading up to the beach has been lined with torches, carving out a direct trail that leads right into the bowels of The Council — an old, abandoned ship that rests on the island's south shore. Whether it's the real deal or a fantastic piece of art from this season's set designers is anyone's guess, but you should probably avoid rubbing up against the rustier looking bits and bobs just in case. Inside the bowels of the rotting vessel, you'll see a circular area with enough benches for all of the remaining contestants to lounge about, and several long stone slabs that look a little less empty than usual. And while the sun shines bright above you during the daytime, you'll find that the torches surrounding the ship will soon become your only source of illumination once the sun sets and you are plunged into the murky darkness of the night. Well, with the sole exception of one torch that will remain unlit the entire time. At the far end sit three thrones with a rather peculiar display behind each one, and currently occupied by Live, Laugh and Love. A large LED display has been hung up behind them, which simply reads:

TIME REMAINING
09:00:00:00

As soon as it's officially 12:00PM, the LED display will begin to count down until it hits 00:00:00:00 at the very end of the trial. To the left of your hosts, there's a large beach cooler filled with all kinds of chilled drinks — from water bottles, to juice pouches and sodas, and, yes, even half bottles of wines and other alcoholic drinks. There's a plastic table nestled a couple of feet away, where the remains of the ship shield it from the sun, covered in a spread of sandwiches, baked goods, chips, dips, and what appears to be leftovers from yesterday's lunch and dinner. None of these items are fresh and most of them look like they came right out of a vending machine, but it's the thought that counts...? Welcome to your very first trial, superstars! Better get nice and comfy, because you're going to be here for a long, long while.

☰ VICTIM(S)

Will

☰ OOC NOTES

✦ It's trial time, baby! Over the course of the next nine hours, characters will have the opportunity to discuss, investigate and theorize about this week's murder. Characters will have time to examine the body of the victim and explore relevant locations. ✦ There will be a one hour tag break starting at 4PM EST/1PM PST. While players are allowed to keep tagging through the hour, all mod tags will pause and players are encouraged to take a break, eat and hydrate. ✦ The voting page is now unlocked! Please read through the post carefully for more information about how voting will work in this game. Note that voting is not mandatory in The Vine, and it is up to each character to decide if they wish to cast a vote before the end of the trial or not. ✦ Characters will be unable to leave The Council until the end of trial, as they will be blocked off by that same translucent barrier that prevents them from entering the currently locked segments of the island and a small gaggle of some very determined mascots. You wouldn't want to make them sad, right...? Exceptions will be made for the purpose of investigations, of course, where characters will be accompanied by an NPC escort.

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yeah, a few of us got stuck over there. Not what I'd planned on!

I'm glad you're okay. I was worried you or the others ended up trapped alone.

[what. why were you worried about him. you stop that.]

I'd have preferred to be alone over that mess!

Don't worry. He was with me.

Nobody asked you!

It was a great time.

Maybe for you.

[NOPE. BLUE BOYS FOREVER.]

You weren't there on purpose? I thought--never mind. As long as you're all right.

I was just on my way out when we got locked in.

When you were locked in, were you able to go into the Lemon-exclusive rooms or was your access still restricted? [deets, bluebell.]

Still restricted, apparently.

He sat in a corner like an angry cat.

[and you didn't?]

And you didn't?

[sometimes the inside thoughts are also outside words.]

[ sometimes, you are so rude. ]

I sat there a while with him?

[kinda, just uh. stares at him for a moment. looking for who knows what.]

Let's not go somewhere I can't reach you again.

[as if valiant did that on purpose.]

(no subject)

staghunt - 2026-02-28 19:49 (UTC) - Expand

extensiveform - 2026-02-28 20:01 (UTC) - Expand

That almost makes it more confusing. How did he manage to leave?

How should we know, we were all unconscious!

But it seems like he wasn't? Otherwise, how did he end up there with no signs of struggle in the lounge?

I'm guessing he wandered off, however he managed to get out.

But that's strange too.

Imagine, everyone around you suddenly collapses at the same time and you're the only person left awake in the whole mansion. Would you really just wander off?

Yes.

We don't know if there was no sign of struggle. I've gotten it confirmed that the scene was staged by the time we woke. Which means it is time to determine whether that remains true.

I suppose you're right. There might have been a struggle even if there aren't obvious signs.

How did you end up there, anyway?

Don't worry about that part.