Crow's Thread

"Anyone acting weird...? Now that you mention it, I think I saw Ashley leave by herself in the middle of the party. I don't really know why. Erika also ran out, but I think that's normal for her. She didn't really want to be there, I don't think. Then there was Axel. He looked really nervous and uncomfortable. He actually was acting super weird. Really jumpy like he did something wrong..."

"She went into her room. I rang her doorbell, but she wouldn't come back out. Eventually, I gave up and went back to the party. I saw Spy and Leanne sitting outside together when I did that."

"Sam, is now really the time for...?"

*BING BONG DING DONG*

"Ahem. All students please report to the garden immediately! The class trial is about to begin! Anyone that doesn't attend will be punished! SO HURRY UP ALREADY!" Nekoshi's voice cuts out. It seems like you've run out of time to investigate.



You decide to head to the garden, finding everyone else gathered there as well. Even Erika. Most of the group have grim looks on their faces.

Sylvia looks at you, her face pale. "Hey, Sam? Can you promise me something? I...I don't know what might happen in this class trial. But...I just want you to know that I'm very happy I met you. And no matter what...I...I want us to be friends. Even if we don't make it out of this alive. I-I...I just want what's best for you, okay?"

Everyone's attention turns to the giant tree in the garden as the ground itself begins to rumble. The exterior of the tree slides open, revealing a large elevator inside. Everyone boards and stands in silence as the elevator slowly descends. The wait feels like an eternity. But then, finally, the doors open.

As the doors open, you find yourselves in a large, circular room, standing on individual, floating platforms. With this circular style...you could all look at each other. You can all speak to each other. You can all throw blame at each other. You look among the faces of your classmates. Dennis, Vicky, James, Amelia. Axel, Claus, Ashley, Aki. Sylvia, Sato, Vivian, Spy. Leanne and Erika. And the deceased Tucker. A photo of him stands on an empty platform, crossed out with a red X. Tucker was killed. And it was one of you that did it. This marks your first round in the ring of deception. A world of despair. A palace of death. The class trial!



Before the trial begins, you decide to go over the evidence you've collected.

Nekoshi File #1

The victim is Tucker Rally, the Ultimate Geopolitical Analyst. He was killed at 8:31 PM. Large burns can be seen throughout the body and the cause of death was an explosion. There are no other notable injuries found on Tucker's body.

Axel and Amelia's Account

Axel and Amelia spent the entire night guarding the entrances to the dining hall during the party. During that time, seven people had left the party. First was Tucker and Vivian. Next was Ashley. Erika and Sylvia ran out of the party afterward. Then Ashley returned. Spy and Leanne left shortly afterward. Sylvia came back with Spy and Leanne together. Tucker and Vivian returned last, but quickly went back out again just before the explosion that killed Tucker.

Footprints

sneaker footprints were found in the spilled gunpowder in the Ultimate Pyrotechnics Lab. They led directly to the fire starting materials and then directly outside with no detours.

Gunpowder

The gunpowder spilled in the Ultimate Pyrotechnics Lab was shaped in a strange way, as if something was in the way when the container was dropped. The gunpowder was blocked by this object, so it made an odd shape.

"Let's begin with an explanation of the class trial!" Nekoshi hops up on top of what looks to be a judge's seat. "During the trial, you'll present your arguments for who the culprit is and vote for the killer! Vote correctly, and only the blackened will be punished. But if you pick the wrong person...everyone except the blackened will be punished and that person will graduate from this academy! Also, if you don't vote, you die! So make sure you vote for someone! Now let's get right into it! LET THE CLASS TRIAL BEGINNNNYAAAAA!"

Sato crosses his arms. "How does this even work...? We just have to find bad guy, right?"

Axel stands up and shouts to everyone. "Alright! Whoever is the killer, just tell us now, okay?"

Sam gives Axel a look. "Why would that ever work...?"

"Gh...!? I-I...guess you're right. But I just thought it was worth trying...?"

"This is a fight to the death, so come on!"

"Whoa, whoa, wait a minute!" Vicky tries to get Sam to calm down. "We don't even know where to start yet."

Claus speaks up. "Would you mind if I started us off with a topic then? Before we can figure out who killed Tucker, we need to figure out how Tucker was killed. What was the murder weapon?"



Make Your Arguments!

(In this section of the class trial, you will converse with the other students in an attempt to find the culprit. You don't need to worry about using Truth Bullets yet!)

Vivian is the first to speak. "There was a big explosion when I was with Tucker. There's no doubt that's what killed him. But I'm not sure what made the explosion..."

Find The Truth!

(In this section there will be two kinds of points. Contradiction Points and Consent Points. You have to shoot one of these with your Truth Bullets to progress the discussion! It's up to you to figure out which Truth Bullet to use where!)

Vivian is the first to speak. "There was a big explosion when I was with Tucker. There's no doubt that's what killed him. But I'm not sure what made the explosion..."

Sam questions her further. "Do you know what triggered the explosion, at least? Was it set to go off when the door opened, or did someone have to trigger it manually?-"

"Sweet beautiful rope
Powerful and amazing
Yet so so fragile"



Aki cuts in. "There wasn't a mechanism set up beforehand...But there was a gunpowder trail that led to Tucker's window. It's likely that killer manually burned the gunpowder to set off the explosives."

Claus nods. "That would make sense. But that still leaves a very important question. What was the explosive used?"