If you were to ask a player of the Cthulhu RPG Game what they least desire to achieve a critical success in, the answer would certainly be - inspiration.
In most cases, a successful inspiration check means one is bracing for a drop in SAN points, especially when the success is critical - that's when the real 'fun' begins.
For instance, a critically successful inspiration roll might lead a player to see a mere ordinary model of an eyeball as Yog-Sothoth - due to its appearance as a large eyeball combined with bubble-like features, which has affectionately earned it the nickname "Yog-Bubble" among Chinese Cthulhu enthusiasts. Yog-Sothoth is one of the mighty Pillar Gods, a being that transcends Cthulhu itself, symbolizing the essence of space and time, and the mere sight of it can drive one to madness.
Thus, Bai Hecheng, having critically succeeded on an inspiration check, was undoubtedly in for some serious trouble. Or rather, Liu Xing and the others were about to share in Bai Hecheng's impending doom...
However, in this critical moment, Liu Xing, quick-witted as ever, suddenly posed a question to KP004, "KP, isn't Bai Hecheng currently in a state of simulated disability? Shouldn't that mean he is unable to see the lord of the Castle?"
After a brief silence, KP004 replied somewhat awkwardly, "Ah, that seems to be the case. Bai Hecheng indeed cannot see the lord of the Castle's eyes, and thus, he doesn't need to make this particular check. He automatically fails..."
Upon hearing this, everyone silently breathed a sigh of relief. Bai Hecheng was already an unstable element; had his inspiration been critical, he might well have turned into a ticking time bomb.
It was a good thing, then, that Bai Hecheng was blind.
Liu Xing glanced at Bai Hecheng, who continued to sit there with a grin, his expression mocking, almost begging to be punched.
Despite the awkwardness caused by KP004's oversight, KP004 did not forget to deduct SAN points from Liu Xing and the others, "So, with the exception of Bai Hecheng and Wang Siyi, the rest of you, upon seeing the lord of the Castle, feel as if his eyes are pools of blood, revolting to behold, which decreases your SAN points slightly. However, you have not gained any knowledge of the Cthulhu Mythos this time."
Hearing that he lost SAN points without gaining Cthulhu Mythos knowledge, Liu Xing realized his earlier speculation was correct - the lord of the Castle was indeed a Wizard, not a mythical creature.
Perhaps it was the frequency of SAN points loss, but Liu Xing felt no discomfort this time. It just goes to show - lose SAN points often enough, and you get used to it, though, of course, you might also go insane.
"Our esteemed friends from afar, I am the master of EinsCastle, Gary Raphael. You may simply call me Gary," announced the Castle lord, or rather, Gary.
As he spoke, Gary took his seat at the head of the dining table, "I imagine you've all been waiting for some time. Now then, Butler Wayne, we can begin serving the meal."
Liu Xing's eyebrows rose. He was aware that Isabella had not yet arrived, and Gary's premature commencement of the dinner clearly indicated his reluctance to have Isabella present at such an occasion.
Liu Xing pieced together what he had witnessed in Isabella's room and was certain that Gary must have done something to Isabella—likely turning her into some kind of conduit! A wizard looking to cast spells or perform a certain ritual might use inanimate objects like parchment or statues of Eldritch Gods as a medium. However, in most cases, humans themselves are ideal conduits. They can be offered as sacrifices to summon the descent of Eldritch Gods or act as vessels to contain certain powers. In short, under the Cthulhu Mythos, humans are considered prime conduits (amidst a great fog of uncertainty).
Therefore, Liu Xing suspected that Isabella had been cultivated by Gary to serve as a medium. That's why Gary was so indifferent to her, having not seen her for several years and forbidding her from meeting outsiders! Although Liu Xing felt enraged by this, he didn't let his blood heat in rashness, well aware that the hot-blooded youths in Cthulhu RPG Games hardly ever make it to the finale.
Old Wayne quietly finished serving the dishes, and fortunately, this dinner did not feature any more of those gazing-at-the-stars-type English dishes, which gave Liu Xing a sigh of relief. Seeing too much of such dark cuisine could certainly cost one's SAN points.
"Our esteemed guests from afar, you must have heard from Butler Wayne, due to various reasons, I must remain within EinsCastle and seldom have the chance to travel far. Thus, I always enjoy inviting travelers passing by to visit and rest at the Castle. Moreover, I delight in hearing their stories of adventure. So, if you don't mind, after dinner, please follow Butler Wayne one by one to my study room on the second floor and share your tales with me, alright?"
As the appointed spokesperson, Liu Hao Nan—oops, Liu Xing—with a smile replied, "Lord, it is our pleasure. You have graciously invited us to tour your Castle and provided a sumptuous meal. Naturally, we are very willing to share our journey's stories with you, Lord."
Gary chuckled, nodded, and said, "That's good to hear. However, I'd prefer if you wouldn't address me as 'Lord.' Although I am still the owner of EinsCastle, a century ago, my ancestors were stripped of their nobility due to a certain mishap, so I am no longer truly a lord. Please, just call me Gary."
Liu Xing was well aware of the 'mishap' Gary referred to that happened a hundred years ago, giving him insight into the aftermath of the mass disappearance of soldiers—a case that eventually went unresolved. Still, the Queen of England stripped the Castle's lord of his title. After all, so many soldiers vanished overnight within EinsCastle, and yet its lord remained unscathed—a clear sign of trouble, warranting some form of punishment.
Just as Liu Xing was about to respond, Gary's gaze suddenly rested on Bai Hecheng, and Liu Xing knew that Gary had noticed something off about Bai Hecheng.
"Er, what's with your friend's eyes? They seem fine, don't they?" Gary asked, looking puzzled at Bai Hecheng.
Liu Xing quickly nodded with a smile, saying, "My friend has a peculiar hereditary family illness that occasionally causes temporary blindness, but it usually restores itself in a few hours."
"Oh, is that so?" Gary turned his attention back to Liu Xing.
"Gary is using psychology on you. Do you wish to counter his psychology? This check will be made in secret," KP004 said to Liu Xing.