In the center of Stonehenge was a little red flag planted in the ground. It was clearly visible, even from the outer circle of stones. Carved into the rock by the flag were the words:

FACE THE CHALLENGE AND RECEIVE THE RIDDLE

Each team that arrived at the flag would have to overcome a challenge. Those that successfully completed it would be given the clue to the location of the next checkpoint.

In the ground was a sword, its point buried in the dirt. A shield was propped up against it. These would be there for each arriving team, whether or not the previous team had returned them after using them. Only ONE team member could pick these items up, regardless of what the other(s) attempted.

Everyone participating in the race found themselves waking up in a car with their teammate. On the dashboard was a map of England and a sealed envelope. Over the radio came the familiar voice of one Oliver St. Oldcastle.

"Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines." And he sounds oh so smug. "I promised you all a chance to win a prize and this is it! For the next two days, you'll be racing from here to the finish line. I can hear you all asking, 'Oliver! Where is the finish line?'"

He clicked his tongue.

"That's my little secret. Guess you'll have to play the game and find out. Step One: open the envelope."

He paused to allow the racers time to do that.

"Yes, it's a riddle. It simply wouldn't be fun if I came right out and told you, would it? That's the first leg of your journey there. Solve it and you'll be on your way. First one to the finish line gets a prize! Everybody else will be directly responsible for the death of someone you love."

There was another pause, to let that sink in for a moment.

"It wouldn't be the same if the stakes weren't high, would it? And don't say, 'Oh Oliver, you can't do that!' because I can and I will. Oh, and I almost forgot Rule Number One: have fun out there."

The radio clicked off in each car.



[ooc: Feel free to tag here with reactions or whatever. Oliver may or may not respond to questions. The car doors are locked with magic, so no one will be leaving their cars til they're out on the road. For your clarification, here's a map of the route that the race will take, each time the line changes direction being a checkpoint:



This is not the map the characters are receiving. Theirs has no red line on it, it's only a generic road map of England. This map is only so you can see roughly where the characters will be headed.

The riddle in the envelope is this:

Rising out of the unknown
Gallows or temple, no way to be sure
The seeds of fame sown
In the mists of a moor.

The post for the first checkpoint will be up in a couple days, but there may be others between now and then so keep an eye out!]

WHO: The Shifter & You. Yes, you.
WHEN: An ambiguous time that feels like a few hours but will, in fact, be the 24-ish hours 'til plot's end.
WHERE: [See NOTES]
WHAT: The house chases The Shifter.
WARNINGS: Language, violence, disturbing images, etc.

( Read more... )

WHO: Annie Sawyer, Open
WHEN: After this.
WHERE: Fifth Floor Hallway but can end up wherever.
WHAT: Wandering, maybe trying to find out what's going on.
WARNINGS: None for now.

( Read more... )

WHO: OPEN, multiple threads encouraged; The Shifter & you..
WHERE: Your dreams
WHEN: The nights of the 19th & 20th, or maybe during the day, if you happen to nap.
WHAT: The nightmares are becoming more real. You're beginning to wonder if maybe there's something to this.
WARNINGS: Violence, disturbing images.

NOTE: Joining this log means entering into a dream. This gives The Shifter and I permission to control your character to some extent (within reason). You, as your character, will still be choosing how to react and no harm will be inflicted without pre-approved agreement. Just remember: Whatever happens in the dream, carries over into reality (related to injuries/small items picked up/etc).

Please reply with a blank comment or OOC note for something you would/n't like to see and I will establish the dream.

Sleep well.