Writing Prompt, Week #3

[Lumin]

>n

This is it! The royal tomb of the Shanshiba the Oracle, fourth daughter of Emperor Quan Hai and high priestess of the cult of Danib-of-the-Orchard. The gold of the sarcophagus and treasures, untouched since the end of the Third Era warmly reflect the glow of your lantern, and you take an eager step forward. As you do so, the heavy stone door to the south swings shut with a heavy thud.

>l

A octagonal chamber with an ornate sarcophagus set exactly in the center. The walls are painted with scenes of the Third Era, except for three panels which are set with tiny round stones in a style you're unfamiliar with. On a platform by the head of the sarcophagus rests an exquisite golden lyre, and a number of treasures are set on small stands around its feet.

Heavy wooden doors lie to the north, east, and west, while the stone door to the south remains firmly shut.

>x sarcophagus

Pure white marble inlaid with gold, carved into the surprisingly detailed likeness of a beautiful woman.

>open sarcophagus

You struggle a bit with the thick marble lid, but it's too heavy to budge.

>x walls

Paintings of life in the emperor's palace, and of barely dressed priestesses overseeing ceremonies. There's a couple of even more scantily clad women with centaurs and satrys and other mythological creatures all feasting and...frolicking in a wood. A great deal of...frolicking, in fact. You avert your eyes, but not before noticing that one of the women, Shanshiba herself perhaps, is holding a golden lyre similar to the one on the platform.

>x stones

Brightly colored stones, about the size of marbles, have been set into the wall in a kind of abstract mosaic. It doesn't resemble any Third Era art you've ever seen. You scrutinize all three of the panels for a few minutes but finally shrug and turn away, unable to make heads or tails of what, if anything, they're supposed to represent.

>x treasures

A number of costly artifacts, all crafted with astonishing detail and skill, have been set up on stands surrounding the lower half of the sarcophagus. You see a jeweled box, a sapphire necklace, a silver comb, a golden pomegranate, a crystal orb, an ivory figurine, a silver tiara, and a jade goblet.

>get all

Okay. You take a jeweled box, a sapphire necklace, a silver comb, a golden pomegranate, a crystal orb, an ivory figurine, a silver tiara, a jade goblet, and a golden lyre.

>x lyre

Some manner of wood carved all over with curling vines with clusters of grapes. It takes a second glance to see the flowing runic symbols weaving in and out of the leaves. The whole instrument is covered in a thin layer of gold and seems remarkably well preserved. An accidental brush of your hand against the strings produces a sweet, rich thrumming sound, and you're filled with a desire to play the instrument.

>play lyre

You've never played a lyre before, but somehow your fingers know more than you do and without quite understanding how or why you pluck out a simple but haunting melody.

As the last note fades, you hear a series of clicks from the stones set into a panel on the north wall.

>x north wall

Strange. Very strange. A number of the round stones on the panel nearest the north door have flipped themselves over to display different colors than the seemingly random assortment from before. The mosaic now shows a figure walking through a door and being dropped into a pit lined with spikes just beyond it. Disconcertingly, the figure bears an undeniable resemblance to you.

>play lyre

Once again, as if guided by some unseen force, you pluck out the unearthly melody.

As the last note fades, you hear a series of clicks from the stones set into a panel on the east wall.


>x east wall

And it happened again. A number of the round stones on the panel nearest the east door have flipped themselves over to display different colors than the seemingly random assortment from before. The mosaic now shows a figure walking through a door and being pierced in a dozen places by arrows firing from the walls. Disconcertingly, the figure bears an undeniable resemblance to you.

>play lyre

Once again, as if guided by some unseen force, you pluck out the unearthly melody.

As the last note fades, you hear a series of clicks from the stones set into a panel on the west wall.

>x west wall

You're unsurprised to see that once again number of the round stones on the panel nearest the west door have flipped themselves over to display different colors than the seemingly random assortment from before. The mosaic now shows a figure walking through a door and being crushed by boulders falling from above. Disconcertingly, the figure bears an undeniable resemblance to you.


>play lyre

Whatever inspired you to play the tune from before, it's gone now. You idly strum the strings, bringing forth a few erratic notes.

>n

You place a hand on the door, but as you do so you hesitate, your gaze flicking to mosaic on the north wall. Are you absolutely sure you want to open that? (yes or no)

>no

Understandable.

>x south door

You notice that this side of the south door has a series of five concentric rings, each with a small hole drilled inside of them as if something was meant to be inserted. Furthermore, the outer ring is segmented into a dozen small panels that look as if they can be pressed inward.

>sigh

Puzzles. Why did it have to be puzzles.

...it's going to be a long night.


e: fixed some typos R2T1 noticed

[David Whyld]

* cough *

Week 4 writing prompt?

* cough *

[Lumin]

Write about being at work with no sleep while sinuses exert excruciating pressure on your skull.

[P/o Prune]

Write about being at work with no sleep while sinuses exert excruciating pressure on your skull.

Does that mean you're asking for an extension?
By the way, I hope you get well soon.

[Lumin]

Ummm anyway I'll have the new one up tomorrow. Or later today for all you six hours ahead people I guess.

[R2T1]

And some of us are even 17 hours ahead.