Chapter 3: Trial 1

[peterparker]

Feb 5, 2022 6:25:30 GMT -6 ⋆⋅ Sage ⋅⋆ said:

Feb 4, 2022 23:01:38 GMT -6 peterparker said:

"Speaking of the aquarium, I investigated that as well. I had thoroughly explored it earlier in the night, so I thought I would notice anything out of place. There was something metallic on the floor, just by the door, and I could tell that someone had been sleeping in there. Nothing strange, except ... the jellyfish tanks seemed to have changed temperature slightly, judging by my monocle. Perhaps Satorae knows why this is.

"Oh, and as for the two lists of assigned rooms. I think that detail must be part of the murder plan. Perhaps the killer wanted to lure certain people to certain rooms ... such as luring Battler to the bedroom. Does anyone have a copy, or a memory, of the modified list? This might tell us what the killer was up to!"

Clover then looks toward Snake.

“Were the tanks hotter or colder than usual? If they were hotter, maybe that’s how Battler was poisoned and got hot!”

"The tanks were hotter than usual, but only very slightly. I can't imagine that they had anything to do with the murder. By the way, it is news to me that there were jellyfish missing, as Joe said. However, I'll have to take his word for it as I can't see them. 

"As for poison ... I don't believe that there was any poison. My investigation results made me certain that the cause of death was Hyperthermia, and I would bet that it was caused by the heat source under the bed. Since Kyuku said that something had combusted under there, I can confidently guess that the item under the bed was a Heat Poppet, which likely overheated Battler beyond the limit of what the human body can handle. 

"My suspicion is this: The murderer modified the sleeping arrangements to lure Battler, and only Battler, to the bedroom, where the killer had hidden at least one Heat Poppet (maybe several) under the bed. The killer locked Battler inside the room once he arrived, so that he wouldn't leave when he noticed the stifling heat. And then, all that the murderer had to do was wait for Battler to die."

[Ktoasty]

Yoshida nods thoughtfully at Mipha's new input. "You say that book had information on the fire poppets and the ice cauldron? Maybe Battler's killer used the book after all. If I recall correctly, it was mentioned that the master key in the crime scene was actually a replica taken from the Storage. It's possible the killer planted that key to make it look like Battler locked the room himself and committed suicide. They'd just have to make a replica of the replica out of ice, and use that to actually lock the room from the outside."

[Evie The Bat]

Jane adds in

"There was a key next to Battler, right? Was it the key to the bedroom? If so, who locked the door?"

[Kuroneko]

Feb 5, 2022 12:59:32 GMT -6 Nahema (Yasuraka) said:

Mipha looks in awe at the floating dictionary, then decides to wave a thick book she found while investigating the Library:

"I found this in the Library while investigating, there's plenty of other interesting books... But my eyes were drawn to this one so I took it with me. Oh and regarding the Master Bedroom. It seems only I have been there and the Witch herself."

She shakes her head and shrugs.

"Anyways, this book is one on fire and ice magic. I quickly got to the pages of the 'Heat Poppets' and Yoshida is right. But there's more to them."

"The way they work is by saying a magic word that's written on the poppet. This way the owner of the poppet can activate it over long distances. When activated they raise the temperature of the room they're placed in and they work for about 12 hours and automatically turn off afterwards. They have gradations of heat they radiate, leaving it on the maximum setting for 6 hours without supervision will cause the poppet to combust. They can increase the temperature up to more than 70C. Usually when they combust, all that's left behind are burn marks on the floor, a room that feels like a sauna and whatever liquid is there may have dried up or evaporated completely."

She pauses for a second, then continues:

"As I've said before, I entered this bedroom earlier in the night (A4) after I saw Ren enter, no Battler in sight. I'm almost certain Battler died elsewhere and put later in this room on purpose, because the warm temperature made the body decompose quicker. Making sure we wouldn't be able to pinpoint his time of death. Since there were marks of something burnt left underneath the mattress combined with a uncomfortably hot temperature, I'd say the 'Heat Poppet' was put there around A1, not much later than somewhere in A2, so the poppet combusted before we entered the room. As for the key found next to Battler... I know Ren owns a key to the room, but besides that... I can't really think of anything solving that mystery for now. Maybe someone wants to frame Ren for this? So I'd like to know who went to the Storage and when or if someone entered this Bedroom before me."

"Considering the six hours before combusting, the culprit could have placed the poppets at any point during the night and activated them after Battler was sleeping. You didn't feel their warmth during the fourth hour right? Either way, it did seem as if the poppets had been laying there for a while."

"With how the replica master key was in the room, Battler might have locked the door himself. The windows or vents may have been used as an escape route if the culprit locked the room, although they might as easily have been set to prevent Battler from opening them to vent out the room."

"I was in the storage room for the first and sixth hours of the evening, once to get cleaning supplies and again because I realized that my cork board was gone and wanted a replacement. On the second visit, I noticed that the armor cleaning kit I had taken, four heat moppets (misspelled poppets?), a replica of the master key, load of party equipment, something called super glue ultra pow pow were missing from the storage. Cloak claims that the missing party equipment was his doing and says that they consist of a spectacled party mask, blinking Christmas light, a party ribbon, a disco lamp, and a helium tank."

[Kuroneko]

"Ren, Mari, could you clarify how long we had been asleep for?"

[Nahema (Yasuraka)]

Mipha pushes her fingertips together.
"I-I'm sorry. I managed to leave something out regarding the Heat Poppets during to rushing myself."

"The magic used to make the poppets also allows them to be able to feel how comfortable people are around them. They know someone is near because they monitor changes in perspiration and they will change the temperature accordingly. But this function can be overridden by the owner of the Heat Poppet."

"I'm sorry for not bringing this up earlier. It just bothered me that I didn't feel any hot temperatures when I entered during A4, but this function could explain it. The Poppets work for approximately 12 hours so it could've still been put there earlier in the night, but the owner left it on 'automatic mode' so people wouldn't find out about it. Then triggering the maximum heat setting after they had ensured the room with Battler inside and the exits sealed shut. Letting it stay on maximum setting till they literally burnt themselves out. Personally I don't think it matters much for the temperature reached whether you use one or more Poppets. But with more Poppets I'd say you'd be able to reach higher temperatures much quicker."

"Just a quick thought that's been on my mind for a bit. It seems Ren had made this his space judging the other stuff in the room. There was a velvet blanket which is nice and warm, it would not surprise me if Ren would've brought the Poppets with him to keep the room at a comfortable temperature. As long as the killer knows the words written on the Poppets they'd be able to control them, perhaps making use of the fact that other people were scheduled to sleep in that room while Ren had said to guide and/or protect those lying in the Rose Garden."

[peterparker]

Feb 5, 2022 19:09:14 GMT -6 Nahema (Yasuraka) said:

Mipha pushes her fingertips together.
"I-I'm sorry. I managed to leave something out regarding the Heat Poppets during to rushing myself."

"The magic used to make the poppets also allows them to be able to feel how comfortable people are around them. They know someone is near because they monitor changes in perspiration and they will change the temperature accordingly. But this function can be overridden by the owner of the Heat Poppet."

"I'm sorry for not bringing this up earlier. It just bothered me that I didn't feel any hot temperatures when I entered during A4, but this function could explain it. The Poppets work for approximately 12 hours so it could've still been put there earlier in the night, but the owner left it on 'automatic mode' so people wouldn't find out about it. Then triggering the maximum heat setting after they had ensured the room with Battler inside and the exits sealed shut. Letting it stay on maximum setting till they literally burnt themselves out. Personally I don't think it matters much for the temperature reached whether you use one or more Poppets. But with more Poppets I'd say you'd be able to reach higher temperatures much quicker."

"Just a quick thought that's been on my mind for a bit. It seems Ren had made this his space judging the other stuff in the room. There was a velvet blanket which is nice and warm, it would not surprise me if Ren would've brought the Poppets with him to keep the room at a comfortable temperature. As long as the killer knows the words written on the Poppets they'd be able to control them, perhaps making use of the fact that other people were scheduled to sleep in that room while Ren had said to guide and/or protect those lying in the Rose Garden."

"If your theory is correct, and Ren brought the Heat Poppets, then the killer didn't even have to visit the storage room. Perhaps we can find the killer based on who could have changed the sleeping arrangement list, or who could have used the cauldron."

[Dr. Grownup]

Joe drapes his arms over one another, turning to Snake.


"Yeah, but wouldn't they still need a bunch of other stuff from Storage? Like the replica key, and the superglue! I don't think Ren would have had all that stuff lying around for fun."

[Kuroneko]

"How strange, only one poppet was under the bed but four had been taken. I was able to find traces of fire magic, specifically the type that involves an incantation. This only makes sense with what we've already established and the stick figure that remains. One has to wonder where the other three moppets might be. Perhaps they had been removed from the scene?"

"From the perspective of the doorway, the bed and nightstand are on the wall to the right. Battler's shoes have been tossed near the nightstand. To the left is a desk, a chair, and storage related furnishings."

"Hearing her voice again, I can confirm that the one in the aquarium was likely Satorae."

[Izumiko (Emi)]

"Actually, if I may interfere... I may have something of use to share on my end. I was in my room for the early night (A2) cleaning up for the event. After that, I decided to go to the Alchemy Lab. There was no one with me... I think?"

"Hmm... When I opened the door, I thought I heard something weird. It sounded like a hurried shuffle? I did look around but saw nothing. So I thought it was just my imagination and walked away."

"I still wonder what it could be... But I heard it come from my right somewhere."

Locked Objective unlocked: What did Ren hear in the Hallway outside their room during A2?

"If you suspect me, then keep in mind, that I will always have the original key to my own room with me. I have no need to take a replica of a Master Key from the Storage."

Ren shows you a little silver key. As he does, Mari suddenly runs over to you.

"Wait, wait! Do you really think the food could actually be tampered with!? Mari has been working really, really hard to make some really good and filling food, drinks and desserts for everyone! Even Mipha, Excel, Yoshino and uh... Clover I guess? They all helped!"

"Many people also diligently completed their chores, just like Mari asked! Many of them were also meant to help Mari set up an event so that we all could have fun and finally get some good food!"


"D-Did Mari's efforts really go to waste and make it all even worse..?"

Locked Objective unlocked: Were the food or the drinks at the party tampered with? Why and when?

Note: Trial has been extended by 24 hours. From the time of this post, everyone has 29 hours left.
Note 2: Everyone has slept anywhere between 6 and 9 hours through the night.

[Misaki]

Feb 6, 2022 3:54:01 GMT -6 Izumiko (Emi) said:

"Actually, if I may interfere... I may have something of use to share on my end. I was in my room for the early night (A2) cleaning up for the event. After that, I decided to go to the Alchemy Lab. There was no one with me... I think?"

*Satorae looks at Ren with a serious look on her face...*



"Oh is that so? Are you absolutely certain that you were with no one else in the Alchemy Lab?"

[Izumiko (Emi)]

"Hmm? Ah, no, no. You might be misunderstanding me, Miss Misaki . I was quite sure I was alone in the hallway. But in the Alchemy Lab, I met lovely Miss ༺☆Venelop3☆༻ and Yoshinon exploring the place. I took the liberty of keeping them safe."

[⋆⋅ Sage ⋅⋆]

Feb 6, 2022 4:32:43 GMT -6 Izumiko (Emi) said:

"Hmm? Ah, no, no. You might be misunderstanding me, Miss Misaki . I was quite sure I was alone in the hallway. But in the Alchemy Lab, I met lovely Miss ༺☆Venelop3☆༻ and Yoshinon exploring the place. I took the liberty of keeping them safe."

Clover tilts her head.

“Didn’t you just contradict yourself?”

She then claps her hands together. “Waitwaitwait, I haven’t shared what I did last night yet!!

“First I went to the dining hall to set up plates, glasses, and cutlery like I was asked. Afterward i went to the kitchen, where I saw Mipha helping Mari make food. Pogokuma was there too, and when I was there, Yoshino and Excel also came in. I got a bunch of whipped cream from the fridge… step one of my plan. (A1)

“I loaded a table on wheels with a ton of whipped cream cans. Mipha cornered me, looking sus of me, so I sprayed her! Wheeee! (A2)

“Mipha kept eating it as I sprayed it, which was kinda weird but… respect. Anyway, I noticed that Mari had stopped going in and out of the kitchen, so Mipha and I left together. As we did, someone walked in. I guess I didn’t quite see their face. (A3)

“I was in the dining hall with Joe, Pogokuma, Snake, Yoshida, Jafar, Meg and Battler. I sprayed a bunch of people. They can probably corroborate this story! (A4)

“Then I took a small break to eat some desserts. (A5 - this was my AFK action, sorry sorry)

“After that, Pogokuma and Rudy walked into the dining hall. I committed whipped cream war crimes on them. By that time I was pretty tired from all the shenanigans, so I went to the entrance hall to see where I was gonna sleep and found that it was the rose garden. So I went there, found Mommy Satan, then lay down to sleep. Ren appeared too, sitting by a wall and looking at the sky. I think he was watching over us. During the night I also really needed to pee! There were a bunch of stalls occupied but I found one, thank god. (A6 and beyond)”

[Misaki]

Feb 6, 2022 4:32:43 GMT -6 Izumiko (Emi) said:

"Hmm? Ah, no, no. You might be misunderstanding me, Miss Misaki . I was quite sure I was alone in the hallway. But in the Alchemy Lab, I met lovely Miss ༺☆Venelop3☆༻ and Yoshinon exploring the place. I took the liberty of keeping them safe."

"I see...I guess that checks out then. You are cleared...for now."

Feb 6, 2022 3:54:01 GMT -6 Izumiko (Emi) said:

"Wait, wait! Do you really think the food could actually be tampered with!? Mari has been working really, really hard to make some really good and filling food, drinks and desserts for everyone! Even Mipha, Excel, Yoshino and uh... Clover I guess? They all helped!"

"I have reason to believe that the food may have been tampered with based on my findings in the Kitchen where someone seemed to have vomited in one of the sinks which had the smell of urine and could have been the result of food poisoning. That said. I ask everyone to come forward if they have felt sick after eating the food from the party and if they have vomited in the kitchen sink. If no one comes forward then it's very likely that it could have been our victim who threw up on the sink and would confirm that the food he ate was indeed poisoned."

[⋆⋅ Sage ⋅⋆]

Feb 6, 2022 6:56:03 GMT -6 Misaki said:

Feb 6, 2022 4:32:43 GMT -6 Izumiko (Emi) said:

"Hmm? Ah, no, no. You might be misunderstanding me, Miss Misaki . I was quite sure I was alone in the hallway. But in the Alchemy Lab, I met lovely Miss ༺☆Venelop3☆༻ and Yoshinon exploring the place. I took the liberty of keeping them safe."

"I see...I guess that checks out then. You are cleared...for now."

Feb 6, 2022 3:54:01 GMT -6 Izumiko (Emi) said:

"Wait, wait! Do you really think the food could actually be tampered with!? Mari has been working really, really hard to make some really good and filling food, drinks and desserts for everyone! Even Mipha, Excel, Yoshino and uh... Clover I guess? They all helped!"

"I have reason to believe that the food may have been tampered with based on my findings in the Kitchen where someone seemed to have vomited in one of the sinks which had the smell of urine and could have been the result of food poisoning. That said. I ask everyone to come forward if they have felt sick after eating the food from the party and if they have vomited in the kitchen sink. If no one comes forward then it's very likely that it could have been our victim who threw up on the sink and would confirm that the food he ate was indeed poisoned."

“I agree that the food was tampered with. Is there any drug or something that would make people have to pee? It was weird that so many people were in the bathroom last night when I went.”