July 28th - Clara's Experience

[Phantomess16]

Hello all.

I would like to preface this with I have never done an extreme haunt/immersive event before. I honestly did not think I could handle it with the actions that were usually to be included. But, I had no basis for comparison besides Kassidy's first trip and honestly, I got FOMO. So, to the Instagram and forum I took, chatting here, liking and commenting there. I had the chance for a phone call before and my dingus self had private numbers rejected, so thus I got mocked via voicemail. I did not make that mistake again.

The reel with the phone number was posted, and initially I did not call, being a southern MO resident. But after I was urged to call via insta messages by Opulens himself, I called. It was lovely chatting with him for the first time and finding out what he sounded like. He understood my distance situation, but none the less asked if the trip would be feasible, and if my "friend with the nice lungs" (Kass) could come along. We made the three hour drive, and met up with the other participants at a bar nearby. It was great to meet everyone, thank you for being so welcoming. Before we knew it, it was 9:25pm, time to wait in the parking lot for our escort. A silver beat up car with no plates stops in front of us, and a distressed, kind of pissed off man asked if we knew who he was, we replied no. He said both of our names, and we were prompted to get into the car. Hoods were presented to be worn, understandably so. Kass asked if he was Dan, and he responded that he was indeed the famed Dan. It was not a long drive, a few minutes at most, but driven carelessly and quickly. The car was parked and we were guided out of the car and moved beside each other. Dan grabbed us by our necks and told us to walk. We eventually were parked in front of a door, advised to remove our hood and look straight ahead. We were further instructed to turn off our cell phones, demonstrate they were turned off, and place them in our pockets. Dan had us recall the safe word, and made us understand that we were on our own in there, to follow instructions and cooperate. He leaned in close to me, and said something along the lines of "I feel bad for you, why would you choose this, etc," before opening the door and ushering us inside.

We were met with haze and singular lights placed about an empty room, a table in the left hand corner topped with animal skulls and paperwork. Before I knew it, Kass was absconded by a hooded figure pushing her into a corner and cursing at her to obey. A bright flash alerted me that her picture was taken off to my right as I headed to the table and signed my waiver. I find it funny that they had a regular pen for that, but sticks and red ink for the writing prompt. We were asked to jot down what was important to us in that moment, I had written my friends, more so out of concern for Kassidy and her friends in the corner. I was then directed to go upstairs, being followed by a cameraman in a suit. I opted to go into the next room on the left, as I saw more people lurking in the shadows. The room had a large pentacle in the center made from sand, a strange symbol above it with a candle, and three buckets. I was placed into the center of the pentacle, and out comes a woman in a fur coat and a mask made of sticks, think elder nature god. She asks me what I am seeking here, to which I reply I seek the truth. She scoffs, saying that I think I can find truth here? I don't seem confident in that. She asked how I felt about the air absorbing my essence, to which I replied, "Comfortable." What better way to get acclimated to your environment than through the air? She found that amusing. She then asks what I had written on my paper, and I tell her. She yells for me to say my answer louder, so I shout it to where it echoes in the room. (Sorry Kass, that was not me screaming.) She then took my paper, and asked me to send my answer somewhere, either to myself, someone I know, or the universe. I chose the universe, reason being this whole thing was being recorded, so might as well put it all out there for the public to see. She tossed my paper into the corresponding bucket and stood in front of me. "You chose well. You get this, you understand how this shit works." One more turn she took around me, before grabbing me from behind, pining my arms to my sides. "You chose this, you chose to be a part of this. You know how this fucking works!" With a nice hair tug and a shove towards the door, I was sent on my merry way back down the stairs.

I was then absconded by none other than Opulens, his hand covering my mouth, guiding me to the corner opposite Kassidy and told me to stay put and be a good girl. He made sure Kassidy started her journey upstairs, before returning his attentions to me. He really gets a kick out of saying my last name wrong, but after 25 years of both my first and last name being butchered I couldn't care less, call me what you will. He asked me to face him, and shone a light in my face as the cameraman watched over his shoulder. We didn't say anything at first, staring each other down. He said I hid my fear well. I said I was secure in my resolve, bold to assume I was hiding anything.

I. Was. Thrilled.

He said I could make more noise, usually nice people converse more. I said I like to think of myself as nice. Back to the corner for me. He asked what I thought Kassidy would pick, and I replied send to someone you know. He then asked why I thought they were doing this, to which I did not know. He said because live is only worth living on the edge. He made the remark that Kassidy does not hide her fear well. and I agreed. I gone through too many haunts/left her to her own devices at haunts to know that all too well. He remarked on my journey length, six hours round trip, and that I must be here for a reason. They are looking for someone, someone with certain qualities, and that could very well be me. Then I was instructed back to the door to wait for Kassidy to come back down. She met me there, and we were told we would be missed. Dan came in, gave us the hoods back, and out we left. Guided to the car, sat inside, and driven back to the parking lot. Dan said, "That's the end," and moved on to the next group who were waiting.

I had an excellent time, thank you for the invite, I would love to keep playing. I think the time and effort put in by the staff this far out from haunt season just goes to show that they are not screwing around. Watch, listen, and learn. And interact!! This is my first time with anything like this and I'm proud it's with you all.

To be clear, most of this is paraphrased, I have the attention span of a bored housecat. if you have any questions or would like clarity, please comment below.

[haleywilde]

Welcome! This an incredible post for someone who's new to this- much appreciated! Glad to have you be a part of whatever the fuck this is!

[campbellstruts]

Ditto. Welcome to the family and I hope we can meet up again soon!

[acidstads]

Great post and so sick to see you enjoyed your first extreme/immersive! Welcome to the dark. Many more edges to take a fall over.

[Phantomess16]

Great post and so sick to see you enjoyed your first extreme/immersive! Welcome to the dark. Many more edges to take a fall over.

A phrase common to my echolalia nowadays, "I yearn for (fill in the blank)"

I yearn for the edge.

[kassidy.exe]

So proud of you for doing this and i had such a blast going and doing cult shit with my bestie

[opulens]

I have the attention span of a bored housecat.

I do not and I read this thoroughly. Thank you, this was wonderful.

Blessings.

[lazysmartperson]

She asks me what I am seeking here, to which I reply I seek the truth. She scoffs, saying that I think I can find truth here? I don't seem confident in that.

Questions and answers seem to be weaponized. The pursuit of truth scoffed at. Who can be trusted, the masked ones or the seekers? It feels like the thought experiment with two guards where one lies and the other tells the truth.

[opulens]

It feels like the thought experiment with two guards where one lies and the other tells the truth.

A wise thought indeed, and do you also recall the solution to this puzzle, where you must find the door that leads to Heaven?

There is an easier solution than the one most commonly known.

You can simply ask either guard "Does the guard on the heaven door always tell the truth?"

[Lexthewolf]

You can simply ask either guard "Does the guard on the heaven door always tell the truth?"

This hurts my brain.

[lazysmartperson]

You can simply ask either guard "Does the guard on the heaven door always tell the truth?"

I see a potential flaw in this strategy, the door signs could be swapped. In fact, the whole scenario might be rigged, can you even trust the premise? What if the rule is the lie and both guards lie or both doors lead to death?

[Phantomess16]

It feels like the thought experiment with two guards where one lies and the other tells the truth.

You can simply ask either guard "Does the guard on the heaven door always tell the truth?"

Being a Labyrinth nerd I've always referenced this video:

https://youtu.be/ReFhu8KYbmU?si=zqvlYFSY9qbbfxn6

[lazysmartperson]

Being a Labyrinth nerd I've always referenced this video:
https://youtu.be/ReFhu8KYbmU?si=zqvlYFSY9qbbfxn6

yes! excellent reference! i also want to point out that girl puts the desired outcome in the question which is important. in opulens' solution you only get to learn about the guards, not about what's behind the door.

[Lexthewolf]

Clarifying question for you, Clara...

Did they take a photo of you?

[iambalrog]

Thank you so much for writing this up! It’s so hard, you did a great job.

Do not describe opulens, some things are best left where they belong.

[blondie]

Thank you so much for writing this up! It’s so hard, you did a great job.

They were all told not to share any identifying details about opulens in their recollections… which ya know, is interesting in and of itself. But some things we aren’t meant to know or aren’t useful

[Wanda102]

I had an excellent time, thank you for the invite, I would love to keep playing. I think the time and effort put in by the staff this far out from haunt season just goes to show that they are not screwing around. Watch, listen, and learn. And interact!! This is my first time with anything like this and I'm proud it's with you all.

I already love you. Welcome to the family.

[Phantomess16]

I had an excellent time, thank you for the invite, I would love to keep playing. I think the time and effort put in by the staff this far out from haunt season just goes to show that they are not screwing around. Watch, listen, and learn. And interact!! This is my first time with anything like this and I'm proud it's with you all.

I already love you. Welcome to the family.

Much love and blessings

[Phantomess16]

Clarifying question for you, Clara...

Did they take a photo of you?

They did not. I'm quite vain, so I'm a little put out

[Lexthewolf]

How... peculiar.

I'm keeping notes. No reason in particular. I don't even think it has anything to do with anything but my ADHD is fixated.