[Treasure] The Bell Tower

The Bell Tower

​

Hidden amongst the various towering structures in Stokbon rests a rather obscure and poorly known bell tower. It's construction seems fairly old and the bell itself has been long removed. Despite this, the tower seems to be well maintained as it seems to be a popular date spot for couples looking for a good view during times the sun rinses and sun sets - provided they're able to properly traverse the 895 steps leading up to its peak. At the top rests a small balcony that extends outwards so that others can sit and enjoy the city landscape. From far below, a small wooden box can be seen. It's dangling precariously on a chain from the balcony and seems to be anchored to a post up above.

Hidden: The Stairs

Though their number might seem daunting, this is probably the most reliable (albeit tedious) way of reaching the chest.

Hidden: Roof Top Shuffle

A majority of the nearby roof tops seem to slowly elevate upwards towards the peak of the bell tower. Perhaps by hopping from roof to roof, one can properly scale the cityscape in order to reach the top!

The Chest: The chest dangles from a chain attached to a post on the balcony. Upon reeling it up, you can see that it is fairly new, and strangely resembles a musical instrument of sorts. Atop the surface rest a plethora of small keys resembling those seen on a piano. Perhaps playing the right tune will cause it to unlock momentarily? The chest has a ticking timer as well, and you seem to only have enough time to grab 1 item.

Note: This is an event for people who have yet to open a treasure chest this week (timer reset's on Sunday).
Last reset - 6/18.

Briefly tell a story about what were you doing up until this point, then, describe how you would retrieve this chest. (400 words minimum)

4/4 Reward Claimed​

 

In a medieval world, it seemed that strings for musical instruments were harder to come by. The synthetic products of the modern world, long overlooked conveniences to her were only now beginning to gain greater importance to her.

Here, a vast majority of strings available to her were 'gut core'. Those crafted from sheep intestines and guts. They were tender because of their low tension but tended to be less responsive than their modern equivalents – sensitive to temperature too.

Finding one seemed like a nightmare, but she was willing to brave the streets for some if only because her craft demanded it.

And that was what occupied her in the last three hours.

Moving from stall to stall, appraising any wares that seemed to fit her unique demands. There were of course, some magically woven strings among the sea of mundane ones, strings that were soft to the touch but as durable as modern day nylon – but far above her budget to procure.

It was an exercise in both perseverance and patience, but ultimately Stokbon's markets yielded a passable set, though it took skill to draw out the sound compared to the more compliant modern variants.

As she started marching back with her prize for the day, she looked up to catch a glint from the sky. The sun peeking behind the looming shadow of a gorgeous Bell Tower. This tower was one that long since fascinated her, though she had refrained from visiting because it was allegedly a place that attracted couples, though perhaps now was the time to try.

She did feel her muse flare up. Surely the sight of the city from such a height might provide her ample motivation, yes?

The daunting challenge however, were the steps. Eight hundred and ninety-five steps all in all. A single flight was what? Twenty? Forty-four flights, so roughtly twenty stories high? It was daunting, even for her.

But she resigned herself to the task. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Besides, this was something she could never do in real life. If she couldn't brave it in a fantasy world, where else could she dare? Steeling herself she ascended, first with light feet and eventually, with legs that were screaming at her to stop.

She did, but only after reaching the pinnacle.

The flat floor allowed her to catch her breath and she drained a little water from the leather jug hanging at her hip. Wiping the sweat from her brow she admired the view, enjoyed the wind brushing against her hair and somehow noticed something at the edge of her vision.

Strange.

She peered over the balcony, a death-grip securing her to the railing and she saw an oddity. A chain and a box? She blinked but her curiosity at the odd design made her more than a little interested.

Using the chain, she used the edge like a pulley, slowly tugging the links up, one round metal binding at a time until it clipped all the way up. The box seemed to be secured by a mechanism, but one that interested her immensely.

A piano? Ha! She grinned from ear to ear and set her fingers upon the keys. Black and white, she looked back to her brief exposure to this instrument in real life and concentrated at the task at hand.

The song she played was simple, a lullaby really, but upon reaching the crescendo of the song the box bloomed open with a click, revealing the secret prize within. She didn't know what it was, but she would quickly snatch it, worried about the clicking mechanism. There was danger that it might close at a moment's notice.

 

As you quickly swipe at the chest and the box snaps shut with a heavy slam, falling just milliseconds short of slamming on your hand. The in-game interface indicates the following item now rests in your palm:

Summer Bonnet (Light)

 

Alpha skipped around Stokbon with her arms filled with goodies and neat knickknacks that she had purchased (and, for a few of them, swiped) from the rows of orderly-placed stores. In Terry's mouth, as the dog pranced alongside her, was a raw fish hanging there and Alpha couldn't help but wonder if Terry had some kind of vampiric heritage considering his predilection with sinking his teeth in the fish like he was draining it of its meat and gut juices or something. Alpha tried not to gag at the thought of the pup eating his meal (some things she would never get used to) and continued forward with her arms full of bags that seemed to reach twice her size.

Her own inventory bag ran out of room (especially since her egg was there; y'know, the one that didn't hatch yet) and she had to carry all of this stuff into her inn room for the time being. After she had dropped all the stuff off, she walked out of the inn alone and Terry-less. She groaned, remembering the stubborn dog's refusal to leave the room, tired and exhausted from their shopping spree. The spoiled pup collapsed on her fluffy bed, tracking dirt and mud all over it. Looks like she'll be resting on the floor tonight and she couldn't help but shoot a dirty glare at the empty space in front of her, imagining it was her dog's shame materialized.

She sighed. What to do now? She had visited all the shops and locale Stokbon had to offer at this point and it seemed that her mini-vacation had no where else to go. Then the bell tower chimed as it struck another hour and Alpha found that her gaze centered on the top of the monumental building. It was an uncrowded tourist location due to the whopping and famed 865 steps it took to get there. They say only those that truly have no-lives and nothing else to do but climb all those steps ever reach the top. Alpha, however, embraced that notion as her eyes glinted with the sun's reflection. Those words, looking back, seemed to be issuing her a challenge. And, well, Alpha was never one for refusing such. It would be a blow to her (non-existent) pride to do so.

Thus she found herself here after many agonizing minutes spent step-after-step in tedious repetition. The insides of the bell tower seemed endless as the spiraling staircase and the walls were left without a single spot of decoration. The bland scene seemed to blend together as she walked in absolute boredom. Why did she decide this would be a fun idea again?

Well, she finally reached the balcony at least, she had thought as she once again saw the morning sun. She took a whiff of fresh air and, deciding it wasn't enough, took a breath and then an entire armful of it and breathed in and out. Never before had such a simple thing like light and air ever feel so amazing to her. As she finally regained her composure, a glint caught her eye and she looked to find a chest attached to a post on the balcony. She examined the curious thing in bemusement. Did she accidentally complete a quest or something? If so, that chest better contain riches in there since climbing that enormous staircase (and, she groaned, back down) was Hell on Earth (or as close as hell on earth could be).

Upon a closer look, it seemed to resemble a piano or musical instrument of sorts. With an insatiable interest, she reeled the chest up and a strange idea sparked in her mind. The chest had reminded her of a very peculiar song back in the real world and, grinning as she looked down below to see a bumbling, scrambling populace, a wicked idea formed in her mind. Mischief ran through her brain as she opened her mouth and sang, on the top of her lungs to make sure the world could listen to it:

"You know you love me, I know you care
Just shout whenever, and I'll be there
You are my love, you are my heart
And we would never ever ever be apart

Are we an item? Girl, quit playing
We're just friends, what are you saying?
Say there's another and look right in my eyes
My first love broke my heart for the first time
And I was like...

Baby, baby, baby oooh
Like baby, baby, baby nooo
Like baby, baby, baby oooh
I thought you'd always be mine."​

 

As you quickly swipe at the chest and the box snaps shut with a heavy slam, falling just milliseconds short of slamming on your hand. The in-game interface indicates the following item now rests in your palm:

Small Coin Pouch 50 g

 

It was after dark. Most had gone home and the lights throughout the capital city were going out one by one. The only people who would be up this late at night would be scoundrels looking for trouble, the overnight worker, heading home early, or a creature of night. Elizabeth fell into the later. Her silhouette would pass by homes, shops, even the very previously mentioned scoundrels. When it was seen they would run, thinking they had seen a monster. Her two extended wing like streamers glided along behind her as her gothic attire blended into the darkness.

Why was Merkaba here this night? Well for a somewhat silly reason actually. She possessed a magic that she had not much practice with. It was not like her Malefimancy. No, it was far more difficult to control properly and she had not focused much on it. Her Astramancy was severely lacking in training and using it in battle would be fruitless at the moment. So every night for the past three nights. She visited the area around the the old clock tower and would practice teleporting with the magic from rooftop to rooftop. Teleportation was a incredible power. Which could have many uses in and out of battle. There was one small problem... Merkaba would only successfully teleport maybe 1/10th of the time,and the distance was literally one inch at best. This was unacceptable. Merakba had plans on how to combine the odd magic with her dark arts to create hellish combinations. Those would not work with such meager success.

So, Merkaba would come and clime the shortest building on the street. A small antique shop. Then she would go from roof to roof towards the bell tower. With the goal of reaching it purely by teleporting from rooftop to rooftop. That meant going over each of the small alleys below. And every time she failed she would up on the ground. On the higher buildings such falls would be much less... graceful. Yes, the dark lady was spending nights falling from the sky repeatedly. It was why she chose the time of night in a district that was mostly closed down during that time.

Tonight was just like all of the others so far. Teleporting from the first roof only to fall on the second. Then failing on the first three times in a row. Frustrating but this was what practice was about. Elizabeth would put those who wished to join her cult into excruciatingly painful or stressful training regimens. Several more attempts and then several more.

First and second roof cleared! Falls on third.
First clear, then falls.
Failed completely...
First three cleared but failed on the last one.

The steady upward slop of the roofs made things even harder as she had to ensure the teleportation would also elevate her upward, not just forward. Eventually however, after much bruising from falling down buildings and having to take restoratives to stop her own death. Merkaba would make it to the last roof before the tower. Finally! She would make it!

Falls.

Furious. Merkaba would try yet again. Somehow, by some miracle given by the dark gods. She finally made it. Exhausted but feeling pompous from her victory over the game limits and her own. Merkaba moved along the edge of the tower wall. Careful not to fall down this thing. She made it to the balcony where the bell used to be and rested for a while. While resting Merkaba's eyes looked out into the night city. Such a different view than New York.. and such a much different look it will have once she has her way with this place. Then something caught her eye. A box attached to a post. Reminded her of the random chest she encountered before with the silly memorization puzzle. Well, might as well take it as a reward for her getting up here.

After pulling it in she noticed that this box too had a little puzzle contraption. This time piano keys. Really now this was silly. If one wanted to protect a treasure they should use a death trap. Poison, gas, a curse, something that would remove the treasure seeker for good. Merkaba used to play piano for a while in her teenage years. It had been awhile. Perhaps a piece by Beethoven, "Moonlight Sonata".

And so she played the tune and it filled the night.

Whether it led to treasure or not, it was a relaxing moment for the witch after all of her falling.

 

Ortix was walking the streets of Stokbon, fresh off of a quest to make some kid a dress. He was highly aggravated and was in a desperate need to lighten his mood. To accomplish this feat Ortix did the same thing he does in real life as Lance, go for a jog or a walk. He walked through Stokbon memorizing the best and the worst locations. There was just something about the bustling streets of a city that filled him with energy and confidence. Everyone had a purpose, job, or task all for a goal they worked towards . Watching everyone put up for themselves and livened up the streets and put a smile on Ortix's face. He looked to roof top to his side noticing a family of kittens playing on the tiles above. In his brightened mood, he decided to join them. He stopped in his tracks and took a couple of steps back, then propelled himself forward at a merchant's stack of boxes. Ortix hopped up the boxes two at a time and landed on the roof. The kittens stopped and turned towards him a rooftop over and meowed loudly at him, signalling him to follow. He smiled largely at the cats, and happily obliged. Ortix was thrilled; he felt free, leaping from rooftop to rooftop with the wind in his hair (and ears) and the smell of fresh baked pies and other sweets in lingering about the bakery that was temporarily beneath him.

It was a few in-game hours later, the sun had begun to set, and Ortix was saying his goodbyes to the kittens. He sat down looking towards the center of the city where a rather large tower rested with the sun at his back. Just then, something glinting off in the distance caught his eye. It was a rectangular thing strung up by a rather shiny, reflective chain. With his curiosity peaked and his newfound friends gone, Ortix decided to take a closer look. He used the same traveling method as he did when he was with the cats. He jogged nearer, hopping from roof top to roof top avoiding all the larger gaps until he could make out the foreign object. It was box-looking-thing with a lock on it. A sudden rush of thoughts came over him.

"What is the box? What is it made of? What could be inside? How could I open it? How could I get to it?" He sat crouched on the edge of a roof top, rubbing his chin, and intensely pondering the last question. Looking at the base of the tower, there was a door. He also noticed the surrounding buildings' roof heights had such a gradient that they were practically a ramp straight to the top.

"Just like playing with the cats again!" He chuckled. "Who takes the stairs in this day and age anyways?" He began his ascent, jumping by roof tops and admiring the in-depth scenery. The tops of buildings he glided over weren't very thick. He could only help but to imagine what the people below must be thinking. The final ledge was quite a distance from the tower he'd just arrived at. Still, Ortix felt confidence. He reared up to the opposite side of the building and began a sprint, pushing as hard he could off the ground to get the most out of every step. As he took his last step, firmly planting his foot on the concrete, kicked the ledge with such force that it cracked. He arced himself in to a dive while bracing for impact. Ortix took to the ground and tumbled onto his back, not fitting for a cat at all, he thought. He walked over to the side of the tower the chest hung from and kneeled. As the chest came into view over the ledge he noticed it looked more and more like a piano. He tried prying it open at every angle imaginable to no avail.

"This must be one of those puzzle boxes, huh?" The only tune Lance knew was "Mary Had a Little Lamb" from back when he took a piano class in middle school. And so he began, he played it rather poorly. It could still be recognized but was out of tune. After finishing he stared at the chest.

"JUST OPEN DAMN IT... please?"

 

@Merkaba

As you quickly swipe at the chest and the box snaps shut with a heavy slam, falling just milliseconds short of slamming on your hand. The in-game interface indicates the following item now rests in your palm:

Drought of Feline Fertility (Consumable) After drinking the potion, a strong pheromone is released for the next hour. During this time, all feline creatures and Felis within a small radius (10 meters) will feel a strong urge to cuddle with the imbiber. The potion itself lacks any real tool tip and only appears as Drought of ??? when being inspected in game. It has a sweet honey like smell and is very viscous.

 

@Ortix Farlin

As you quickly swipe at the chest and the box snaps shut with a heavy slam, falling just milliseconds short of slamming on your hand. The in-game interface indicates the following item now rests in your palm:

Small Coin Pouch 50 g