Slay the Spire 2 Events

You decline the temptation of the waters, instead gathering crystalline salts that have formed along the edges. As you apply them to your skin, the pools churn and froth agitatedly. The ambient temperature drops noticeably, and for a moment all reflective surfaces in the room show a version of you that seems hollow-eyed and diminished. You can't shake the feeling of having missed something transformative.

If you bathe any longer you will die.

The heat finally gets to you, and you hop out of the bath.

The liquid burns against your skin, simultaneously freezing and scalding.

Beneath the surface, something brushes against your legs—tendrils? Currents with purpose? But when the pain subsides, you feel... denser somehow. More substantial. The waters seem to hum with satisfaction.

You discover a secluded chamber.

Steam rises from bubbling pools of hot liquid that shifts colors with hypnotic rhythm. Barnacled growths hang from the ceiling, dripping viscous fluid that hisses and writhes when it touches the surface. The air feels heavy, laden with salt and something unmistakably organic.

As you approach the edge of the largest pool, the liquid ripples. The waters bubble more intensely as if anticipating your entry.

The temperature keeps rising!

How long can you endure before the steam cooks you from within?

It keeps getting hotter!

The pool's bubbling sounds like laughter.

IT'S SO HOT!

You wonder if this is what it's like to live in the Village of Demons?

You have bathed so long you have lost track of time and your mind...

It's nice in here.

Really fantastic.

You feel great

Mmm...

Zzz...
..zzzz....

CLANG! CLANG!!!

The Amalgamator strikes its Bone Anvil.

Memories of combat, protecting, and defensive strategies sharpen with each blow.
Your most ultimate technique returns to you.

CLANG! CLANG!!!

The Amalgamator strikes its Bone Anvil.

Memories of combat, attacking, and offensive strategies sharpen with each blow.
Your most ultimate technique returns to you.

CLANG! CLANG!!!

You hear the echoes of metal upon metal on the otherside of a wall...

As you press your head against the wall to listen in—the wall opens up, revealing a hulking six-armed figure toiling away.
Its “face” is a swirling vortex of glowing sigils that shift about.

“One with an Ascending Spirit has found my workshop? Let's get COMBINING!”

Upon trudging through a thick underbrush and making it into a clearing, you're hit with an unplaceable nostalgia.

A mix of floral scents, putrid decay, and something else entirely. The scent grows stronger with each step, and you feel as though the world around you is warping and twisting.

Overcome with a sense of shifting chaos, you begin to lose your sense of self.

You give in and your mind drifts...
You see yourself communing with friends, fighting as a team, and dueling great foes. Is this a dream? Reality? Somehow both? Many sets of eyes perceive you and your dreams. Who are they...?

You awaken after an unknown amount of time.
The aroma weakens and its effects fade as you regain clarity. Upon restabilizing, you're more clearheaded than ever.

What were those eyes?

Resisting the temptation to give in, you climb atop a tree where the aroma doesn't reach but its effects claw at your mind.

Maintaining control is difficult; you tether your thoughts to your Core Principles.

The aroma subsides.

“YOU ARE WEAK!!
HUMILIATION HAS BEEN ADMINISTERED!”

The dummy is silent for a moment and—

“Choose a lower setting next time. Have a nice day.”

As you approach, it begins to rumble and fizzle and lights up brilliantly!

“BZZZT! TIME TO TRAIN!!! YOU HAVE 3 TURNS TO DEFEAT ME!
CHOOSE A SETTING OR FACE LETHAL HUMILIATION.
Here are the options:”

After the terrifying message, the dummy carefully reads out detailed instructions.

What do you choose?

“YOU PASS THE TRAINING!
YOU ARE NOW EQUIPPED TO DEFEND THIS FACTORY AGAINST INTRUDERS!! BE SURE TO HYDRATE AFTER TRAINING SESSIONS!”

*thunk*

A sharp pain is felt atop your head and a thought stabs into your mind.

“SHARE KNOWLEDGE???”

You are unsure how to proceed...

You violently rip the leech off your head and chuck it far far away!

There's a voice in your head:
“NOOOOOOoOoooooOOOOoooo....”

“HOW OSTENTATIOUSLY SCHOLASTIC OF A LABYRINTHINE MIND!
A VERITABLE CORNUCOPIA OF CEREBRAL SUSTENANCE TO DIGEST!”.

Satisfied, the creature pops off and crawls away.
You are flabbergasted.

Silently the figure nods at you, and then walks away.

“I see... you wish to learn the Extermination Technique. Very good...”

He pauses briefly, thinking how best to endow you with this maneuver...

“THIS IS THE TECHNIQUE! BEHOLD!!”
He boasts while holding up a can of Insecticide.

As you're fending off a swarm of aggressive insects you suddenly notice a Mighty Rugged Warrior-Man fighting beside you this whole time!

The insects, sensing defeat, scatter. You turn to your fellow fighter.
“Would you like any tips on exterminating these pests?”

How polite. You nod and accept his offer.

“I see... you wish to learn the Squash Technique. Very good...”

He pauses briefly, thinking how best to endow you with this maneuver...

“THIS IS THE TECHNIQUE! BEHOLD!!”
He boasts while stepping on a giant bug.

You crack the egg open and gobble it up.
Good breakfast.

You spot an enormous Shambling Beast chase off an injured Green Byrd.

In the alcove the byrd fled from, a single unguarded egg lies abandoned.

Your stomach gurgles...

You gently scoop up the egg and stow it, thinking it may hatch into something useful later.

Your opinion doesn't seem welcome, and the statues resume their unending debate.

Before you is a rather epic sight.
You see 3 different colored statues towering over a dais, having a heated debate over the philosophical implications of color.

As you listen in, you get a sense that the most important question at hand is which color truly is THE BEST.

You chime in with your thoughts.

You carefully gather some nectar from the flower's flesh.
The petals shimmer angrily.

Your whole body is numb and messed up from the toxins, barbs, and leaves.
Enough is enough.

You stow away a glob of high-quality nectar and retreat.

There is a colossal flower growing atop a mountain of bones.

As its color-shifting petals pulsate, you sense there is a Powerful Cluster of Pollen in the center but the undulating petals are razor sharp and unpredictable.

You could grab some of the golden nectar, but reaching the prize in the center is so tempting...

With a final lunge you grab hold of the pollinous core!
The plant shudders violently; its petals go dull, and the tingling stops.

The golden nectar becomes worthless muck.
You killed it.

You push past a layer of razor-sharp petals, they're coated with a substance that makes your skin tingle. This seems to numb the pain?

Maybe this is why there is a pile of bones here...

The tingling turns into a throbbing weakness as you push onwards...

This flower wants to eat me. Why did I go into it?

I'm done pondering

“I predicted you'd enter...!”

A raspy voice calls out as you enter a mystic hut.

“Your destiny has brought you here. We must uncover your future and fortunes so you can SAVE US ALL!!”
“Okay, here are the options for the Crystal Sphere reading. Be sure to sign this waiver as well,” she says while bringing out pen and parchment.

Payment Plan

Uncover Future

Having taken the wrong path for a good while, you find yourself in a thick jungle of ferns, shrubs, and vines. Especially vines. Exhaustion sets in, and a dark thought comes to mind:

“You are lost, unprepared, and the inevitability of death is approaching.”

What do you do?

You're dead tired and take a nap...

...only to be awoken by something wriggling around on top of you!

You hack and slash your way through the jungle but it goes on and on...

You sustain yourself on strange fruits, crunchy bugs, and drink the nectar of glowing plants but you start feeling paranoid...

But then you find a clearing, a trail, and some drawings of maps on the ground.
Problem solved.

“You should be happy I chose you!”
The doll proclaims triumphantly.

You examine each and every doll before you make your choice.

The shouting has reached a piercing crescendo but you manage to make a choice before going completely mad!

A warm voice happily fills your head.
“We are going to uncover the most delightful stories together!”

You enter a hidden room...

It's packed with an array of dolls. Each are unique, their expressions ranging from joy to sorrow, their attire spanning centuries and realms beyond your own.

A chorus of whispers grows louder and louder until the dolls are shouting over each other and calling for you...

You must choose one and leave immediately.

As you pick up the worn-looking doll, all of the voices go silent.
This one doesn't speak.

Amid the shouting, you quickly examine the dolls.

One of these two may be good?
It's hard to concentrate through the mental anguish.

Into the darkness...

You see nothing.
But this helps you think... You shed pointless thoughts.

You're back in the Underdocks.
How did you? Huh...?

A doorway existed where none existed moments before...

You enter to find two shimmering doorways and a well-dressed doorman.
“Finally, a visitor! Please please! Choose a door, any door!”

Are we still in the Spire? How is this place so clean?

Into the light...

It's blinding!! But the light strengthens you.

You're back in the Underdocks.
How did you? Huh...?

Using a nearby bottle, you calmly scoop up the glowing liquid as the lighthouse peacefully sinks into the mud.

Good thing you weren't in there.

You climb to the top of the lighthouse, unnerved by its steady sinking.

Upon reaching the lanthorn room, you start prying off the lens as the anti-light saps your vitality!

Finally, you wring it free; the lighthouse stops sinking.

Crossing a dreamscape of rocks and still waters, you emerge to face a sinking lighthouse emitting anti-light.

You can bottle up the eerily-glowing water that has pooled here or climb up the dilapidated structure to retrieve the lens.

You grab the Last Dish Title from the belt and scarf it down.
Tasty!

You lumber into a shack with a bright but crooked sign that reads:
“ENDLESS FEAST - PAY WHAT YOU HUNGER!”

Inside, a willowy multi-armed chef is deftly preparing bites of food and placing them onto a winding chitinous belt.

One of the chef's arms point to a sign:
35 Gold each

Now that you've had your fill, you continue on your way.

Keeping your distance from a seat, you loiter in the shadows of the establishment's entrance.

The chef, unfazed, continues working. Studying this behavior and discipline, you seek to minimize unnecessary movement and emotion during combat.

It's a snug fit, but you squeeze yourself into the hole...

The further you go, the darker it becomes.
Eventually, you see a faint light grow brighter and reveal the other side.

You step out unchanged, but now understand the intimate secrets of life.

The sudden sight of a massive field, gouged with large outlines of bodies, stops you in your tracks.

One of these outlines matches your own.

It's perfect...

You walk past all the holes, even the one carved perfectly in your shape...

Why didn't I go inside? What would have happened? Have I been in that hole before? Who made these holes?

What is... who... where?

You place your hand on the grave and whisper...

“Ascend with me...”

In response, the flames draw out from the grave and coalesce into a burning soul and hover around you loyally.
It knows what you are, and wishes to escort you to your final destination.

You place your hand on the grave and whisper...

“Your fight is over...”

In response, the soul crashes into yours and a SOUL FIGHT ensues!
Stunned by the countless battles you have endured, it concedes.

There is a single grave with a roiling blue flame...

A prideful warrior died in battle but its soul is restless. It wants to keep fighting, you feel it begging to journey with you.

But perhaps it's better for it to face the truth?

You bite into the Big Mushroom. Its flesh is firm, starchy, and satisfying. The more you eat, the hungrier you become, as if the mushroom is feeding on your hunger.

So yummy... you enter a food coma.
This gluttony will cost you.

You sample the Fragrant One, a small woody mushroom with a delicate scent of shellfish...

A burst of energy spurs you to run, jump, and rigorously train!
Then, a sudden stabbing pain hits you as the living fungi struggles within you during its brief final moments.

How long has it been since you ate?
...wait, what's that fantastic smell?

Following the scent, you reach a cozy campground with all manner of tasty mushrooms being cooked! You don't consider the safety of eating these mushrooms because you are so hungry.
(So hungry that you don't notice the dead adventurer)

The medley of mushrooms looks the most appetizing so you go for that.

“MY MUSHROOMS!!”

The adventurer, presumably dead, attacks you! You knock them out, and with a seasoning of guilt, finish the rest of the fine meal.

There's a chamber filled with dead robots.

A lone automaton still has a faintly glowing core but it's engulfed by a grotesque, organic growth and doesn't respond.

By studying the Glowing Automaton and how its inner workings are laid out, you realize that specific metals and their arrangements resist various ailments!

You apply this Technology to yourself.

At the slightest touch of the core, you are jolted by electricity.

You scamper away, feeling altered from the experience.

In a clearing, you run into a Ragtag Group of Adventurers looking down and gesturing at a gigantic maze.

They offer to join forces with you in an Epic Quest to loot the riches of this maze. As an experienced adventurer yourself, it's clear this maze is filled with deadly traps and guardians.

It would be easier if you work together, but then you would have to split the loot.

Everyone's face immediately lights up, including your own!

One of the adventurers turns out to be a bard!
You merrily waltz into the maze as Aquid the squid wizard effortlessly disarms traps, while you and the Grathorian fighter take out the spiky club-wielding guards with ease.

This was the most joyous adventure of your life and you've made some truly Great Memories.

Feeling misanthropic, you wordlessly walk past their now-frowning faces. One of them even shakes their fist at you.

The maze is not welcoming. You fall into a spike trap, you are struck by a massive log with spikes, and feisty creatures with spiky clubs fight you along the entire journey.

You are sick of spikes, and consider teamwork for the next adventure.

You approach the Wisp cautiously...
The closer you get, the more it reacts to your presence.

When in arm's reach, you grasp the Wisp but it scalds you with a blast of hot steam and flame!

Still, you fumble and wrestle the creature into submission. Eventually, the Wisp concedes and recognizes you as its new owner.

In the distance is an odd sight. Mounds and mounds of deceased insects, surrounding what looks to be a small glowing mote.
It seems to be an effective attractant for all manner of bugs but you see it lash out some flames!

You move closer to investigate.

You decide to leave the little one alone. Better play it safe!

Not much is in the area, but you find some gold scattered amongst the dead bugs.
You don't seek an answer.

You stumble upon a clearing bathed in an unnatural blue glow. Towering mushrooms pulse with bioluminescence, their caps swollen and glistening. As you approach, the fungi begin to emit haunting, melodic tones that reverberate throughout your chest.

You notice something gleaming, embedded within the largest mushroom's flesh, pulsing in rhythm with the fungal song.

Placing gold upon the spongy ground. The coins slowly sink as tendrils gently push the relic to the surface, allowing a clean retrieval.

You plunge your hand directly into the spongy tissue of the dominant mushroom to extract the relic within. The fungal network shudders at your intrusion, and your mind quivers in response.

You greet the chittering Morphics and they embrace you into their crystally arms.

They share their combined knowledge and inject you with Morphic Magic, changing your nature... Such lovely creatures, these Morphics.

One of them stole your gold.

You enter a grove of crystalline trees, and they begin to quiver excitedly!
A chorus of hellos and welcomes bombard you as a group of Morphics burst forth from trees.

One of the Morphics is fidgeting in the corner, clearly not as sociable as the others.

Approach the group or the loner?

You reach out a hand to the lone Morphic, sympathizing with its nature.
It gifts you a tiny crystal fruit, and you consume it, as is custom.

The fruit clarifies your mind and purpose. You give thanks, then make your way onwards.

What could the Merchant want with these potions?

There is a sour smell in the air and shortly after, you find a Potion Courier collapsed on the ground.
Unmoving. Lifeless. Dead!?
While their belongings have been ransacked, there is a batch of Foul Smelling Potions with a note: "Recipient: Merchant".

Only a single potion was intact.

Two Punch Constructs are duking it out and you see some treasure in between them...

Should you try to nab it?

The Constructs turn to you menacingly!

You put your dukes up.

You successfully nab the relic!

...or so you thought. A right-hook clocks you in the face.

“Mag.. nificent...”

Ranwid mumbles while chewing the gold.

You are approached by the oldest person you have ever seen.
“We meet once more... it's me, Ranwid!”

You do not know this man.

“Exquisite...”

Glup glup glup

He downs the Potion in one go.

“Exemplary...”

Ranwid observes the relic studiously for several minutes...

Then eats the Relic.

What is this? Something feels wrong here...
...ereh gnorw sleef gnihtemoS ?siht si tahW

You concentrate and identify a giant seamless mirror in front of you.
With a swift kick you SHATTER the giant mirror!
Right as you shatter the mirror your reflection braces self as becomes a thousand beautiful glittering shards.

How can a place like this exist?

You reach forth and meld into the reflection in front of you.
Which one am I?

“Hehehe Heh... Thank you!”

You turn a corner and suddenly, a shadowy figure is just standing there. He pivots to face you.

“Welcome! What're ya trading?”
The figure inquires as he flares open his cloak to reveal a slew of suspicious wares.

You take a little nibble of cheese but this fuels you to eat even more cheese.

Time passes...

You have eaten an awe-inspiring amount of cheese.
Tonight, dreams will be cheese.

This room is full of cheese!!!

You look around to see if there are any traps and above you is... more cheese. The candles in this room appear to be made of cheese. The furniture is also cheese.
Suddenly, the door behind you slams shut.

It is made of cheese.

You scrounge about for hours and hours...

Time slips by as your mind travels to strange places from the sheer presence of all this cheese, and you fade into a stupor....
You snap awake and realize you're holding something.

The Chosen Cheese.

The patrons stare wide-eyed at the corpse of one of their regulars... then bursts into applause!?

“We were wondering how to rid of Sir Wygore, incredible work!”

They dump out your poisoned tea and you discuss tactics and secrets all night. A most excellent tea party.

You grab a teacup and down it one go.
It's SCALDING HOT but you don't change your expression. The patrons are stunned by your lack of self preservation.

“We meant no offense, Sir Galalot. our sincerest apologies.”

You enjoy some tea and crumpets, unaware of the poison you've ingested.

You find an invitation for a “Sir Galalot” to a tea party and decide to show up in his stead.

Upon entering an unassuming rotunda, you find yourself in the midst of commanders, generals, warlords, and mercenaries having... tea?
The gigantic knight donning a golden crown speaks.

“Thou art late for Tea?!”

They all point their weapons at you-

“At least pay the entrance fee if you want to live.”

You jump onto the table and kick the warlord knight in the face!
The knight lets out a haunting shriek and keels over.

*everyone gasps*

You ingest the Sapphire Seed and within moments your limbs feel more agile, colors sharpen, and you sense the souls of nearby foes.

Good thing you didn't step on it.

You narrowly avoid stepping on a bright, sharp... seed? Its unmistakable color gives away that it's a Sapphire Seed! Weren't these incredible seeds supposed to be extinct!?

Legends say that consuming one can greatly amplify your endurance, but what if you plant and nourish it instead?

You scour the Overgrowth and find a pot with good aeration. Then, you trek around, searching for an untouched spot where light peeks through a cracked wall. Carefully, you reinforce the pot with bark and vine to camouflage it, fill it with loamy, nutrient-rich soil, and nestle the seed just beneath the surface.

Finally, you gather dew from nearby plants and pour it over the soil.

Grow big, little seed...
Unknowingly, the Sapphire Seed attaches to you spiritually.
Thankful of your hard work.

On the floor lies a tome,
“Top 3 Ways to Conquer the Spire”

The book is encrusted with blood so you find this manuscript highly suspicious.

Will you read it?

You don't particularly care for books, let alone blood-encrusted ones.

What an engrossing read! Some choice quotes remain fresh in your mind:
“Avoid big monsters.”
“Take every card.”
“Blocking is for cowards.”

Your hands are covered in blood.

You flip to a random page:
“Defense 101: Don't get hit!”

You read the rest of the passage and it's surprisingly illuminating. You incorporate these ideas into your battle tactics.

You flip the book over and read the summary:
“Critics and Cultists agree that sharp and pointy weapons are the best way to inflict damage!”

There's a price sticker on the back of the book, crossed out and marked with a greatly reduced price.

You're holding on!

Still... Holding... ooOOONN!!!!

AHHHH!?!!!

I CAN DO THIS!!!

NOOOOOooo

WHAT AM I DOING!?

!!!!!!!!!!!!!... !!!

!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!?? !!!!!!!!!

The developer would like to inform you that there is no additional text for players who have held on this long. We apologize for the inconvenience.

While crossing a rickety wooden bridge, there is a sudden torrent of rain. Massive gusts of wind buffet you, threatening to end your journey.

I hate bridges.

You cup your hands and dip it into the Spiraling Whirlpool.

Its waters fill your hands at a gentle rate as you take small sips with your eyes closed.

Delicious water spirals through you to your Center, washing away harmful thoughts and physical ailments...

You happen upon a Massive Spiraling Whirlpool. The water swirls with beautiful precision and its surrounding walls are adorned with spiral patterns.

Around and around... around...
....and around.... what a sight......

What do you do?

...ah- so beautiful.....
So it spins... still spinning around. Yes...
Oh! Was that..... a little splash...?
....of course. You deserve some fun, too Mr. Spiral... haha...
... ....... ...

It's time to go now.
You whisper something as you take your leave.

“Thank you, Spiral.”

Foolishly, you plunge your arm into the center of the Spiraling Whirlpool, disrupting the equilibrium. The water becomes frigid and grasps you, carving Invisible Spirals into your arm.

Your fingers brush against something solid, and you grasp around in pain to finally wrestle a Relic out of there!

Above, a cocoon is shaking and wriggling, about to burst forth!

...it stops wriggling. The cocoon ignites! What is going on?
In a flash of light and flame, a Spirit Grafter rushes into you, threatening to merge with your being to become complete.

The Spirit Grafter merges with you. The vital kindred spirit swiftly heals you up.

You are reborn.

The Spirit Grafter is easily stopped by your will.

However, it repeatedly flies into you, desperate for a host. Its strength runs out and it dissolves with a poof.

A fleeting spirit.

A massive boulder sits in the middle of an abandoned courtyard.

A plaque reads:
Stone of All Time.

Its presence, shape, and adornments indicate that this courtyard was built around this Stone and that it has never moved from this spot.

You slam the a random Potion down and lift with all your might!!

Nothing happens.

You push and push with everything you've got!!

Nothing happens.

You plunge deep into the water!

While collecting the offerings you hear a dull echo and you're struck by stones!

Once you surface, you see that the old statue had crumbled due to your disturbance; physical and spiritual.

You wrest the sword out of the statue's hands and the whole thing crumbles apart!

It's too dangerous to pick up whatever was glittering at the bottom of the pond now...

Inspecting the sword, you sense an incredible dormant power within.

You spot an aged statue half submerged in a pond; its hands gently rest atop a stone sword.

Something is also glittering at the bottom of the pond.
Votive offerings perhaps?

You could really use some money...

Yup, there was gold in it.

A path leads you into a partially submerged vault.
There are 2 chests but only 1 brittle key.

The First Chest: Shaking it, you get jingly-jangly noises. Bit of gold.
The Second Chest: Enormous, ornate, and clearly cursed. Lots of gold!

You've never seen so much gold in one place!

All of the Merchant's wares can be bought...

Dangerous thugs can be paid off...

The feverishly greedy thoughts stay with you forever...

It suddenly jumps onto you. You feel a searing pain as it latches onto your arm, but in an instant it is gone.

...? Where did it go?

Along your travels, you stumble upon a dark, amorphous polyp. You can sense that it is very old, and very evil.

Approach...

You torch the dark polyp. As it screeches and burns into ashes, your head pulses painfully but you manage not to faint.
What was that thing?

As you begin deciphering the tablet, the Kin's Mantra speaks to you.

“The Truth is everything...”

You feel faint from all this reading!

Heroes weren't meant to read for such an extended period of time...

You're barely holding on...
The tablet is nearly deciphered. The Mantra holds the truth...

THE TRUTH!! WHAT IS THE TRUTH!?

In a trance, you decipher the remaining text, abandoning mind and body. The spiritual pursuit of the Truth is all that matters.

Or does it? One final word remains...
It will cost everything.

Everything was spent to decipher the Final Word and you black out...
When you come to, you realize something is etched into the floor.

“Air”

You stop all this reading and deciphering. Your body normalizes, though you can't help but wonder what the Truth was.

You defeat a pair of Guardian Kin and make your way into a protected vault.

Inside is a tablet with familiar inscriptions. Your intuition tells you that this language can be deciphered rather easily... However, once you begin deciphering you'll be locked in.

The tablet gives off a soothing energy and you can smash it to receive its healing energies instead.

The tablet is smashed to pieces, energy expelled from the tablet seeps into your body.

You feel refreshed!

The tea master acknowledges your request and begins.

1. Water from a charcoal-filled carafe is ladled into a kettle.
2. The kettle is heated using a gentle violet flame.
3. A scoop of tea goes into the kettle before it boils.
4. Off the heat, and a series of rhythmic claps track the time.
5. The kettle is hoisted high and precisely poured into a tiny cup.

“Tea is served.”

You stumble into a dimly lit shack and find yourself immersed in a very peaceful space containing an obsessive variety of tea.

The man inside gestures to a selection of teas, each neatly labeled with a premium price.

You politely decline the tea and—

*SLAM*

The door behind you slams shut. The tea master stares at you for a moment, then presents an ugly cup.
Oh, this tea is for the discourteous...

The tablet was disgusting. There is no hope for the future.

You feel a faint rumbling as you round the corner to discover a gigantic spinning apparatus!
It has several slots which appear to convert liquids into a highly compressed digestible tablet.

The idea of turning these health tonics into a tiny morsel is uncomfortable but perhaps it's good to try new things?

You come upon a faintly glowing key and go to pick it up.

“Been looking all over for that key! Now if you don't mind...”

This person looks like bad news but maybe it's not good to be judgy.

The stranger looks at you menacingly. It seems like only one of you is making it out of here with the key.

Entering into a pitch dark chamber, a sudden light pierces the darkness from above, just as the door slams behind you.

Illuminated before you appears to be a podium with a map on it. You feel compelled to take it.

Suspicious.

What's the worst that could happen? As you grab the map, an opening appears before you on the other side of the room.

As you sneak around the dark, looking for a way out the room starts to violently shake. With a sudden crash, the entire chamber collapses around you.

Barely making it out of the rubble, you find a vial of something useful that must have been hidden in the room.

Arms suddenly jut out from a nearby hole, clutching a suspicious bag of riches and a clearly cursed relic.

“This... or That?”
a scratched-up voice whispers from below.

You grab the Cursed Relic. As soon as you grasp it, shackles materialize on your wrists.

You hear a ghostly laughter and a bright plume of fire fills your vision!

The hole and arms are gone.

You grab the bag and as soon as you do, a THIRD hand appears and clutches at you!!

After a frantic struggle, it releases—the arms and the hole have vanished.

“What kind of tool will help you kill everyone?”

“Excellent choice! Now what should it DO?”
The scientist rubs her hands together with glee.

“Whew! All done. This is for you! Now get out there and slaughter!!”

Little did you know, that scientist went on to create hundreds of weapons, resulting in several thousand deaths within the Spire.

Navigating through an endless sea of corpses, you find a mad scientist scavenging for various scraps.

“Yes. Hi, hello! You look like a capable fighter... I need a tester for my next atrocity device! How about it?”

You spend a decent amount of time wading through the dangerous garbage and find a relic of the past!

Why was this thrown out?

You walk around the pile from a safe distance and pick up some forgotten valuables and oddities here and there.

Why were these created in the first place?

You discover a towering pile of scrapped weapons, discarded trinkets, and other oddities. The massive pile shifts and rumbles, as if growing from within...

If you scavenge from the surface, you may find some decent things. But if you really get in there, you may find some exotic treasures.

You join a line of people entering a massive building.

As you pass under a golden archway, horns blare, confetti explodes, and streamers glide down from the ceiling!

“Entrant , you are the DECIDER for today's Trial.”

A wealthy-looking merchant, presents his case. He is accused of murder by one of his rivals. The evidence is thin, and you have a feeling that the man is innocent, but the onlookers seem out for blood.

You rule that all of the man's possessions are to be taken and given as processing fees for the court.
The crowd howls in glee!

You go with your conscience and rule that the man is innocent.
Despite the boos and accusations of being a “paid-off judge” you feel like you did the right thing.

A powerful noble steps forward. You find a note in your pocket indicating that if you decide innocence you will be handsomely rewarded. The noble barely argues against the corruption charges and gives you a knowing smirk.
You can't stop corruption but you can pocket some gold...

The powerful noble was beheaded.
One less corrupt noble.

You don't really know that he's guilty... Yeah, that's it!
The bribe has nothing to do with the outcome here. Nope.

A nondescript woman with a hard-to-read face steps forward. She is charged with the crime of theft and con-artistry. When the woman speaks, you believe her, but ample witnesses attest to her misdeeds.
Both sides of the story are compelling!

You aren't totally sure, but making the hard choice, you think the evidence is adequate.
Did you really make the right call?

You aren't totally sure, but you have a reasonable doubt.
You don't know if you made the right call, but innocence seems like the better choice.

“YOU CANNOT REFUSE!!”

Shouts the Grand Arbiter of the Courts.

“Those who reject this privilege are penalized with DEATH. Do you still defy!?”

You find a secluded Rest Site and start a fire to get some rest.
Or so you thought.

Once the fire is started, it begins to swell, reaching not upwards but sideways towards a grove of oil-seeping trees.

Should you try resting anyways?

These trees are clearly malicious so you decide to get rid of them.
Days later, you're covered in ash and oily goop.

A massive flock of little byrd spirits rise from the slain trees and drop a small box at your feet.
“Thank you for freeing us from those trees... cheep cheep!”

You should really sleep more.

All this adventuring has left you exhausted, and despite the oddities, you decide to sleep.

You toss and turn as the fire roars and crackles through the night. The disgusting trees give off a wretched scent from their pitch-black sap.

You wake up, recovered, but not replenished.

An academic is trapped in a hanging cage next to a treasure chest.

The academic is muttering about “One-Time-Use Keys” while furiously writing something.

Looks like you can unlock the cage or the chest.

Repy bows in appreciation as you open the cage. He hands you a thick leather tome.

“Those who know not of history are doomed to repeat it. But you seem to know a thing or two about repeats don't you?”

“Not going to free the scholar, Repy? Based on classic philosophy, you would be considered a moral failure. That's right, maybe consider the LIVING PERSON that is locked up next time! It is not as if there is a valuable member of society in a DIRE PREDICAMENT or anything!!”

“Look, okay, see how small this cage is!? Why am I complaining? You've already made your unscholarly decision... oh, what's inside there? Some potions and relics? Isn't that just great. Just great. Really great for you...”

Repy's eyes follow you with disdain as you walk away.

The scribe carefully picks up the vial filled with a bright red ink and gives it a shake, then gestures with their own hand a dipping motion.

You dip your fingers into the ink and a jolt of vitality courses through you!

Pleased with your reaction, the scribe gives a polite bow and waves you goodbye.

Navigating the murky passages, you stumble upon a withered figure working a small shop. The multitude of shelves are stuffed full of damp scrolls and parchment.

Noticing a patron has entered, the scribe-shopkeeper snaps to attention and gestures at some implements arranged on a desk.

The scribe grabs the prickly sponge (it squeaks) and dabs it across your scrolls.

*squeak squeak squeak*

The prickly texture leaves behind shimmering marks that seem to stabilize the ink...

The scribe lifts the wriggly quill and with swift, practiced movements, etches a strange mark unto your head.

The mark glows bright, then vanishes...