Crossroads of Moscow

Welcome, adventurer! You find yourself standing at the crossroads of infinite possibilities. The world stretches out before you, waiting to be shaped by your choices.

Where do you wish to begin your journey? What kind of realm calls to you - a medieval fantasy kingdom, a futuristic space station, a modern city, or perhaps something entirely different?

You materialize in the heart of Moscow, standing in the bustling Red Square. The iconic onion domes of St. Basil's Cathedral rise before you, while the Kremlin's red walls loom to your left. Tourists and locals weave around you, speaking in many languages.

The late afternoon sun casts long shadows across the cobblestones. You notice several paths forward: the GUM shopping center beckons with its warm lights, the Moscow Metro entrance promises underground adventures, or you could head toward the winding streets of old Arbat.

Where do you choose to go first?

You descend the steep escalators into the depths of the Moscow Metro. The mechanical hum echoes through marble-lined tunnels as you're carried deeper underground.

You emerge onto the platform of Komsomolskaya station - a breathtaking underground palace. Baroque columns stretch toward an ornate ceiling decorated with mosaics depicting Russian military victories. Crystal chandeliers cast warm light across the polished marble floors.

A few other passengers wait quietly: a babushka clutching a shopping bag, a businessman checking his phone, and a young artist sketching the architecture. The distant rumble of an approaching train grows louder.

Do you board the next train, explore this station further, or approach one of the other passengers?

You board the sleek train as its doors slide open with a soft hiss. The journey takes you through the sprawling Moscow Metro network, past stations both historic and modern. The rhythmic clacking of wheels on tracks creates a hypnotic soundtrack.

After several transfers and about 45 minutes, you arrive at Filatov Lug station. You step onto the platform of one of Moscow's newest stations - opened just a few years ago. The design is strikingly modern: clean lines, LED lighting, and contemporary architectural elements contrast sharply with the ornate stations of the city center.

The station is quieter here, serving a residential area on the outskirts. A few commuters hurry past, heading home from work. You notice escalators leading up to street level, where the suburban Moscow awaits.

What draws your attention - exploring this modern residential district above, or do you have other plans?

You pull out your phone and order a taxi through the Yandex.Taxi app. Within minutes, a silver Hyundai pulls up to the station entrance. The driver, a middle-aged man with a thick accent, nods as you give him the address.

The ride takes you through Moscow's evening traffic, past Soviet-era apartment blocks and newer developments. After about 20 minutes, you arrive at a quiet diplomatic district.

The Turkmenistan Embassy stands before you - a modest building with the distinctive green and red flag hanging motionless in the still air. Two security guards in dark suits stand by the entrance gate, their eyes scanning everyone who approaches. The building is surrounded by a high fence, and you notice security cameras at various points.

One of the guards steps forward as you approach, speaking in accented Russian: “Embassy is closed to public visits. Do you have appointment or official business?”

How do you respond to the guard?

SKILL CHECK FAILED

You tense your muscles, ready to strike, but the trained security guard immediately notices your aggressive posture. Before you can even take a step forward, both guards smoothly draw their weapons, pointing them directly at you.

“НЕ ДВИГАЙСЯ!” (Don't move!) the first guard shouts in Russian, while the second reaches for his radio, calling for backup.

Within seconds, you hear sirens approaching. The guards keep their weapons trained on you as police cars screech to a halt outside the embassy gates. You realize you're vastly outmatched - these are professional security personnel protecting a diplomatic facility.

“На землю! Руки за голову!” (On the ground! Hands behind your head!) A police officer demands as several armed officers surround you.

You're now facing arrest for attempted assault on diplomatic property - a very serious crime. How do you respond to the police commands?

SKILL CHECK FAILED - CRITICALLY

You attempt to break free, but you're completely surrounded by trained professionals who already have their weapons drawn. As you make your first sudden movement, multiple things happen simultaneously:

One guard tackles you to the ground with expert precision while others maintain their aim. Your attempt to flee results in you being slammed face-first into the pavement, with a knee pressed firmly into your back.

“СТОП! НЕ СОПРОТИВЛЯЙСЯ!” (STOP! Don't resist!) multiple voices shout.

Heavy handcuffs click around your wrists as additional police units arrive. You're now facing much more serious charges: attempted assault on diplomatic personnel, resisting arrest, and disturbing the peace at a foreign embassy.

A police captain approaches, speaking sternly: “You're under arrest. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you.”

You're roughly lifted to your feet and pushed toward a police van. The situation has escalated far beyond what you initially intended.

Do you continue resisting, or do you comply with the arrest?

You stop struggling and allow the officers to escort you to the police van. Your compliance is noted by the arresting officers, though the severity of your actions at a diplomatic facility means you're still in serious trouble.

The ride to the police station is tense and silent. You're taken to Presnensky District Police Station, where you're processed through booking. Your belongings are confiscated, fingerprints taken, and you're photographed.

A stern detective, Captain Volkov, sits across from you in a sterile interrogation room. He opens a thick file and looks at you with weary eyes.

“Attacking embassy security is federal crime. Very serious. You're looking at assault charges, plus violation of diplomatic security protocols.” He taps his pen on the table. “But you stopped resisting. That helps.”

He leans forward: “Why did you go to Turkmenistan Embassy? What was your purpose there? Answer honestly - it may determine if you see trial or deportation.”

The fluorescent lights hum overhead as you consider your response. What do you tell the detective?

SKILL CHECK FAILED - IMPOSSIBLE

You're already in police custody, handcuffed behind your back, and have been thoroughly searched during booking. All your belongings were confiscated when you were processed. The interrogation room has security cameras monitoring every angle, and there are armed guards just outside the door.

Detective Volkov notices your sudden movement and immediately presses an alarm button under the table. Within seconds, three armed officers burst through the door, weapons drawn.

“Suspect is acting erratically!” Volkov shouts as he backs away from the table.

You're immediately forced to the ground again, additional restraints are applied, and you're placed under psychiatric evaluation hold. A medical team is called to assess your mental state.

“This changes everything,” Volkov says grimly. “We're adding charges of threatening a police officer and you'll be transferred to a secure psychiatric facility for evaluation.”

Your situation has gone from bad to much worse. The legal system now views you as a dangerous individual requiring maximum security containment.

What do you say or do now that you're fully restrained and under psychiatric watch?

SKILL CHECK FAILED - IMPOSSIBLE

You remain fully restrained in the secure psychiatric evaluation room within the police facility. You have no access to your phone, no freedom of movement, and are under constant surveillance by both medical staff and armed guards.

A psychiatrist, Dr. Petrova, enters the room with a clipboard. She observes your behavior with clinical interest.

“Patient shows signs of disconnection from reality,” she notes to her assistant. “Believes he can simply leave a maximum security detention facility.”

The restraints keep you immobilized on the examination table. Outside the reinforced window, you can see Moscow's skyline, but you're several floors up in a secure wing of the facility.

Dr. Petrova approaches: “Can you tell me your name? Do you understand where you are right now? You're in police custody following serious criminal charges. There will be a full psychological evaluation before any legal proceedings.”

The reality is stark - you're facing potential years in prison for your actions at the embassy, and now additional psychiatric evaluation due to your increasingly erratic behavior.

How do you respond to the psychiatrist's questions?

Dr. Petrova notes your response with interest. “Patient appears oriented and expresses understanding of legal consequences. Requesting expedited processing.”

Your psychological evaluation concludes that while your actions were reckless, you're mentally competent to stand trial. Within 48 hours, you're transferred through the Moscow court system.

The judge, after reviewing your case - assault on diplomatic security, resisting arrest, and threatening an officer - sentences you to 18 months in Butyrka Prison, one of Moscow's oldest detention facilities.

You're transported in a prison van through the city streets. Butyrka's imposing 18th-century walls rise before you like a fortress. The massive iron gates clang shut behind the transport vehicle.

Inside, you're processed by hardened guards who've seen it all. Your prison uniform is rough gray fabric. Cell Block 7 becomes your new home - a cramped space you'll share with Dmitri, a stocky man with prison tattoos covering his arms.

“New fish,” Dmitri grunts in Russian, sizing you up from his lower bunk.

How do you introduce yourself to your cellmate?

Dmitri's eyes widen in shock, then narrow dangerously. The entire cell block seems to go quiet as your words echo through the corridors.

“Что ты сказал?” (What did you say?) Dmitri stands up slowly, his face darkening. Other inmates begin gathering near your cell, murmuring amongst themselves.

In Russian prison culture, you've just declared yourself as the lowest possible caste - a statement that carries devastating social consequences. Word spreads quickly through the cell block.

Within minutes, a group of senior inmates appears at your cell door. The unofficial prison leader, a scarred man called “Pakhan,” studies you with cold calculation.

“New arrival doesn't understand the rules,” he says quietly to Dmitri. “He needs… education.”

Dmitri moves to the far corner of the cell, distancing himself from you. “I don't share cells with петухи,” he declares loudly for all to hear.

The guard approaches: “Problem here?”

Your declaration has immediately isolated you in the prison hierarchy. The next few moments will determine how the rest of your sentence unfolds.

What do you do?

SKILL CHECK FAILED - CONSEQUENCES UNAVOIDABLE

Your actions in the prison shower area confirm your position in the prison hierarchy. Word spreads throughout Butyrka within hours - there are no secrets in this place.

When you return to your cell block, you find your belongings moved to a different, isolated section. The guards, understanding prison politics, have relocated you for your own safety to a segregated area with other inmates in similar situations.

Your new cellmate is an older man named Viktor who barely acknowledges your presence. The prison routine continues - meals, work assignments, limited recreation - but you're now part of a completely separate social structure within the facility.

Months pass slowly. You work in the prison laundry, keep your head down, and count the days. The harsh reality of Russian prison life becomes your daily existence.

After 14 months of your sentence, a guard approaches your cell: “You have a visitor.”

In the visiting room, a woman from the consular services sits across from you. “Your case has been reviewed. There's possibility of early release for good behavior and deportation.”

Do you accept the deportation offer, or do you prefer to complete your full sentence in Russia?

SKILL CHECK FAILED - IMPOSSIBLE

The visiting room is under constant video surveillance with multiple armed guards present. The consular officer is separated from you by reinforced glass, and your hands are shackled to the table.

As you make any sudden movement, two guards immediately rush over and slam you back into your chair. “СИДЕТЬ!” (SIT!) one barks.

The consular officer quickly gathers her papers and stands up, clearly disturbed. “Interview terminated,” she announces to the guards. “Remove the prisoner immediately.”

You're dragged back to solitary confinement. Your case file now shows “violent tendencies during official meeting” - this completely destroys any chance of early release or deportation.

The warden reviews your file grimly: “All privileges revoked. No more visitors. You'll serve your full sentence plus additional time for threatening a government official.”

Your sentence is extended by 6 months. You're now in complete isolation, with only one hour of exercise per day in a concrete yard.

The concrete walls of your solitary cell will be your only company for the remaining months. How do you cope with this isolation?