#pixel webcomic

{[GO]: [INWARD]}

With some effort, you are able to squeeze through the crack in the massive wooden gate.

The atmosphere inside the castle is damp and oppressive. You feel like you can barely get a full breath of air because of all the dust. 

As soon as you enter, you notice the strange dilapidated architecture and the two [Skeletons] wearing the rotting remains of soldier uniforms. One lies in a heap on the stone floor, the other appears to be lashed to a copper [Gear Mechanism] that controls the door. 

A [Soldiers Spear] is embedded between two of the inner gears, permanently locking the entire device in place. It seems like this was the result from a final desperate attempt to keep the gates closed. The rotting [Ropes] coated in dust in the rafters overhead, unused after all this time. 

A regal looking [Coat of Arms] dangles limply from a banner, but you do not recognize the pattern. It depicts two golden spears crossed over small intricate shield.There are no signs of Gestalt or Cal so far, and the many [Footprints] in the dust seem to scatter in all directions.You're mission is clear:

Find Cal and Gestalt.

Find the Potentate's Crown.

Leave before Nightfall.

Don’t touch anything that looks even remotely cursed.

Don’t die.

Seems easy enough.

The [OUTWARD] path leads back to the [Mist Castle Gate Entrance]

A small wooden door leads [INWARD] towards the [Border Checkpoint Office] and has a small stone [Gargoyle] perched above it.

The [RIGHT] path leads deeper into the castle towards the [Grand Hall Ruins 2]

[STATUS]

[QUESTS]

[MAP] (new!)

(discord server)

The cast of my webcomic @rapidpixeladventure gettin spooky for halloween.

Cal is going as a Cayte Gestalt is going as a Dullahan and Magily got their head stuck in a jack o’ lantern.

{[GET]: [Rusty Longsword]}

You grab ahold of the weapon stuck in the skeletons ribcage and tug with all the strength left in your tiny little clay body.

As the blade is wrenched free, you fall on your rump and kick up a small cloud of dust. You didn't expect the entire sword to come loose, but this is even better than just a makeshift spearhead.

{You got: [Rusty Masterwork Longsword]}

This is the first time you have gotten your slimy little hands on a real weapon. Compared to your [Rusty Sword] it is far heavier and far sharper. Even with the thick coating of rust, and the large crack in the middle, this sword is a work of art onto itself. The intricate carvings on the pommel, the reinforced cross-guard, and the fitted metal grip all shine with the pride of a master sword-smith.

This weapon has very low durability due to its age but deals a much higher rate of damage when compared to your current weapons.

{You have three weapons equipped, any new weapon you find will be put in your inventory instead.}

As you slide the weapon into your [Blessed Travelers Cloak] to act as a sheath where it rests with a noticeable weight.

Your [Orb of Exploration] shudders slightly, the light blinking with a yellow sheen for a split second. You watch it for a few moments but it doesn't happen again. You haven't seen it do that before.

[STATUS] (new!)

[QUESTS]

[MAP]

(discord server)

{[GO]: [INWARD]:

You duck under the small doorway behind the checkpoint counter, and enter into the [Record Storage Room]

The room comes to an end with a large brick wall, and it is stacked floor to ceiling with large [Filing Cabinets] Many drawers are missing or are simply scattered across the floor. Piles of faded [Documents] lay in stacks or loose across the room.

As with every room of this castle, there are several [Skeletons] laying on the floor.

However, you aren’t really paying attention to your surroundings right now, because you are fixated on [Cal Moonlace] who is crouched atop one of the cabinets, sobbing quietly. 

In a shaky voice, you can hear Cal muttering to themselves.

Before you can say anything, Cal sees you and begins to panic. They pull themselves up and crawl through a torn hole in the ceiling.

It seems that Cal is still under the influence of the curse and is not acting rationally.

You don’t see any safe way of climbing up to the top of the cabinets from where you are standing now, and they seems to be falling apart already. 

The doorway behind you leads back [OUTWARD] to the [Mist Castle Border Checkpoint Office]

[STATUS]

[QUESTS]

[MAP]

(discord server)

{[INVESTIGATE]: [Coat of Arms]}

You take a moment to examine the small blue and gold [Coat of arms] dangling from a wooden support beam.

It does not resemble the Gorren royal family coat of arms but it does seem to follow the same style. The intricate stitching seems to be made of actual gold and it shimmers gently in the light of your orb of exploration.

The main design has two crossed spears above a small golden targe shield. It also has two ribbons ending in golden stars adorned with diamonds.

Unlike many of the bandit banners you saw on your way here, this banner seems to be in perfect condition, beyond a layer of dust and a few cobwebs.

Hanging right by the front door is a seemingly priceless treasure, the gold and diamonds easily worth more money than you could make in a lifetime.

You remember what Sorren told you about the treasure left behind in the castle, about how it would curse anyone who tried to steal even a single coin. Maybe this superstition held more weight than you initially assumed.

[STATUS]

[QUESTS]

[MAP] 

(discord server)

{[INVESTIGATE]: [Office Counter]}

You climb over the wooden [Office Counter] and look around for anything useful.

This appears to be some sort of station for accepting and processing paperwork. You remember from the information you got from the Fleetwood Couriers that this castle used to be a check point for people trying to cross the border.

It seems that this is where people went to submit their travel requests. There are lots of scratches on the stone floor, implying that a some sort of chair used to be behind this counter, and there are large faded ink stains all over the countertop.

The [Skeleton] propped up behind the counter appears to have died leaning forward, most likely from the [Rusty Longsword] stabbed into their back. A large black stain on the counter shows that they bleed out from the attack. You notice that the sword is actually stuck into the wood of the counter and seems to be holding the skeleton upright.

The sword itself is fairly high quality, most of the rust centered around where it comes in contact with the skeleton. The bodily fluids have eaten through the middle section a fair deal, but the area near the hilt and the tip are still both polished and sharp.

You spot many [Small Footprints] behind the counter, leading into the [Records Storage Room].

[STATUS]

[QUESTS]

[MAP]

(discord server)

{[GO]: [INWARD]}

You open the wooden door and enter the small side room across from the main entrance.

Immediately you feel the soft cold air of night leaking through a [Crack in the Wall] above your head. A faint shaft of moonlight land on the intricately marbled floors, revealing a large pile of [Skeletons]

You see no obvious clues about how any of these people died, and they seem to have nothing on them save for a few scraps of rusty chainmail.

The [Skeleton] behind the [Office Counter] on the other hand has a pretty serious clue regarding how they died. Using your expert detective skills you can assume that the [Rusty Longsword] impaled through their chest probably did the trick.

More [Coat of Arms Banners] hang in the rafters, dangling lifelessly above the decaying room. A single piece of the rafters has collpased and some loose [Ropes] are within reach, but they look so moth-eaten that they would probably snap the moment you pulled on them.

Behind the [Office Counter] there is a doorway that seems to lead [INWARDS] towards a small [Records Storage Room]

The door behind you leads back [OUTWARDS] towards the [Mist Castle Grand Hall Ruins 1]

[STATUS]

[QUESTS]

[MAP]

(discord server)

{[USE]: [Copper Gear Mechanism]

The gear winch seems to open the main gate, and you decide to try and active the rusty old device.

There is a metal [Crank Handle] but it is lodged firmly in the [Skeletons] ribcage, so you try to move the whole gear by itself. Unfortunately the [Soldiers Spear] makes sure that none of the gears can move since it is threaded through three different spokes.

If you had more than your pathetic noodle arms you might be able to remove it, but alas, you do not.

After a few attempts to remove the spear, the [Spear Shaft] breaks off in your hands and you flop to the floor with a loud splat.

{You got: [Broken Spear Shaft]!}

It has barely been a minute and you have already broken something inside the castle. This is a new personal best. Or personal worst, based on whatever your opinion on breaking things might be.

Only the shaft broke, the [Spear Head] is still locking the gears in place. It seems like the mechanism is too damaged to operate without repairing it first.

The shaft is made out of high quality wood and it is gilded with golden bands around the top and bottom. It is heavy and solid in your hands. It would work as a decent polearm weapon but without the spear head it would do very little damage.

Your [Harvest Blade Spear] and your [Rusty Spear] are still better weapons, but if past experience has taught you anything, you can probably find a use for sturdy wooden stick while exploring.

[STATUS] (new!)

[QUESTS]

[MAP]

(discord server)