Temple of Trials

After three days of trekking through the jungle, our group of tropers comes across the entrance to the enormous stone temple, which has stood here for over a thousand years. No one alive is old enough to know all its secrets, so all we know is what has been passed down in the legends.

The entrance in front of us is the only way in. The inside of the temple goes deep underground and is made up of many, many rooms. Each room contains a trial. These trials could be anything—a puzzle or riddle, an enemy that must be faced, or a combination of these things.

There is one rule to keep in mind: you need to clear a room's trial before you can proceed to the next. Make it to the end of the temple and you will find a treasure greater than anything you could ever imagine.

"All right," says Bluethorn as he pushes open the temple doors. "If you're ready, guys, let's do this."

The idea is that we'll take turns GMing each trial. I'll do the first one, provided that enough people are interested. The trials can be pretty much anything you want, even if it's something you wouldn't expect to find in an old temple. Once we clear a trial, whatever troper wants to do the next room will take over. Above all, have fun!

ooh im loving this concept! lets go

"Let's do this!" I exclaim, following Bluethorn through the doors.

"Uh, when did e get to a temple?"

"Um, hello? We've been expeditioning here for days. You hit your head or something?"

Taco enters soon behind, spraying bug spray all about as he does so. “I still think we took a wrong turn somewhere, but if you guys say this is the temple, then fine! It’s the temple.”

"This better be the real one this time. I'm still aching from that last supposed "Temple of Trials" that turned out to be a literal tourist trap! Took forever to break out of that one!"

Adept enters with everything loaded at the entrance. "Get ready," he exclaims.

Room 1

The group enters the first room, which seems like a simple one. The way ahead is locked and several statues of gargoyle-like creatures are positioned near the walls.

"Hmm... let's inspect this place for clues," says Bluethorn.

"I've played enough online room escape games to have a good grasp on how puzzles work. Looks suspiciously simple... I suggest watching your step, you might either step on a clue or trigger a trap."

I stomp forward without concern, and go up to the plaque near the door.

"Hmmm... This sign can't stop me because I can't read!"

I then try in vain to push the door open.

Edited by Afterwards on May 29th 2020 at 8:12:14 AM

Taco steps behind After and tries to read the sign just in case.

(Tales, although he’s late, enters the temple.)

“What does the sign say? It might give us some clues.”

Edited by TalesofUnder on May 29th 2020 at 7:24:11 PM

Zanreo runs into the room. "Heeey, you didn't forget me, did you?"

She looks over the room. "Hm... maybe there's something hidden at the positions the statues meet each other?"

The sign says, "Two hidden switches in this room must be pressed in order to proceed."

In response to Zanreo's suggestion, Bluethorn says, "Hmm, that definitely sounds like an interesting idea..."

"Hidden switches huh..."

I then start pacing up and down the room, trying to step on every single square foot of the area.

"So... what if I stand over here?" Zanreo walks over to where the down-right statues' gaze meet. "And someone else... with the other statues?"

Edited by Zanreo on May 29th 2020 at 2:38:11 PM

"I bet that the gargoyles on opposite walls of the room are connected in some way, so maybe the switches will activate when we find that connection?"

"Do you need any tools?" Adept asks, glancing at the gargoyles.

A clicking sound is heard coming from the floor where Zanreo is standing.

"Ooh, guess I was right! So the other switch is probably with the other statues..."

Taking note of the activated switch, GC goes over to the other two statues and stands where their gaze meets, hoping to cause the same thing.

Another click is heard coming from the spot where GC is. With both switches activated, the door to the next room opens.

"Looks like that worked!" says Bluethorn.

Custard runs in, super late.

"Aw damn, I missed this one! Oh well, we're heading to room 2 anyway..."

"It's okay Cus, I'll let you have the next one," I say as i saunter into the next room.

I have the beginnings of an concept for a trial, but I'll wait until more of you are accustomed to these trials as I still have to brainstorm it.

Pleased, GC enters the open doorway, carefully looking inside for any hidden traps.