2018-02-02: Hope Springs: Rosaline's Side
- Log: Hope Springs: Rosaline's Side
- Cast: Rosaline Calice, Talise Gianfair, Sephilia Lampbright, Layna Manydays, Ida Everstead-Rey, Dean Stark, Xantia
- Where: Kislev-Aveh Front
- Date: Friday, February 02, 2018
- Summary: Pursuing the bounty on a childhood friend of Rosaline's, one of two teams accompanies the nun through her painful homecoming.
Note: This scene occurs at the same time as Hope Springs: Tobit's Side.
============================<* Kislev-Aveh Front *>============================= The frontlines of the Kislev-Aveh War have shifted many times in the last few hundred years, but they have left their scars on the land. One can, of course, find fighting between their infantry and Gears here. Such places are dangerous, and most Drifters know to steer away from them. However, sometimes there is no choice; even the rail lines thought to be away from the front can get caught unawares by a patrol, and skirmishes have resulted in delays and death for those trying to get to the Badlands. The areas not currently being fought in are also dangerous. Deserters and monsters alike can wander them, and the dry, dusty land leaves little succor for those in need. To make matters worse, abandoned fortifications and trenches make an excellent hiding place for the bandits seeking to profit here. Drifters are sometimes drawn here, though, to either fight for one side or to excavate abandoned ARMs and Gears left behind in a battle. This sort of salvage work is risky, but the rewards can be great. BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxynM-xwLUs
===============================<* Hope Springs *>=============================== ===================<* CHALLENGE - The Salamander Sentries *>==================== |Type: Entry |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- Tobit Calice's bandits haven't set up guard towers around their makeshift bandit camp. They have, however, placed red-scaled, lizardlike guards in tattered Black Tie suits, who cling to the walls of buildings bordering the camp. Their necks are twisted at uncomfortable-looking angles, allowing their bulbous, unblinking, independently-moving eyes to dart around the desert landscape restlessly. You should find a blind spot and hotfoot it, lest they alert their comrades. If they did, this infiltration would be off to a very bad start. =Dungeon Conditions: Hesitate, Injure=========================================
<Pose Tracker> Rosaline Calice has posed.
Welcome to Hope Springs.
Rosaline has put out a call to several Drifter friends (and in a couple cases, friends-of-a-friend) in order to apprehend the bandit leader who shares her last name. She was quietly distraught when she explained the situation: Tobit Calice was once her best friend, having grown up in the same orphanage as her (hence the name). It does seem possible to her that he would have performed all these crimes-- he was always a little "troubled", she said --but she would prefer he be captured alive.
The trek to Hope Springs was dangerous, requiring agile maneuvering around an actual war zone, not to mention packs of predatory monsters. No bandit ambushes, at least. For now.
The group is sizeable, which proves a good precaution: If rumors are to be believed, the "Calice Gang" (Rosaline hates that name, for obvious reasons) outnumbers you at least two to one. Most troubling, however, is the faint dissonance that assaults the spiritual senses of the most sensitive, upon approaching the frontier town. It is a force most present are growing sadly accustomed to, a miasma newly plaguing Filgaia, like tumors in the planet's soul.
Malevolence.
Yes, it's going to be one of these days.
The plan was to split the group into two teams, each infiltrating the camp from a different direction. There will almost certainly be fighting involved, but it was decided that the full group storming the gates where they expected it most would be suicide. Instead, a more subtle approach will be necessary.
Your group approaches from the south. Your entry point is an alleyway between several hollowed-out stores. It's one of the few places where you can expect reliable cover: Indeed, Hope Springs harkens back to days of a booming mineral trade, with a frankly irresponsible amount of wood in its buildings. It paid for its hubris a year ago, having in part been consumed by a great fire. This means a substantial amount of open space in which to be sighted.
By those salamander sentries, for instance. To the untrained spiritual eye, this is a very odd sight indeed: a handful of brutish-looking men and women in tattered, once-expensive suits, clinging to walls for dear life and seeming unperturbed by the harsh desert sun. But the resonant will see them as red-scaled lizardmen, with quickly-darting, beady eyes ideal for spotting intruders.
How will you sneak past them?
"Malevolence... Of course it had to be that..." Rosaline says, quietly wincing already. She sighs. "Well, let's go, everyone." And she proceeds to dart from the shadow of a dune to another, with her usual catlike agaility, not to mention an active dislike for attracting attention.
DG: Rosaline Calice has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, The Salamander Sentries.
<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.
Damn it all, Talise thinks as soon as she realizes what is plaguing this part of Filgaia. Of course it had to be the fucking Trial Knight again. Or else that damn Witch. I swear I'll absolutely murder them both.
Keeping close to Rosaline, the tall swordswoman has already bared her blade, though she keeps Rastaban held close and to her off side to keep light from reflecting off the blade. She takes shelter in the alley, peering out at the salamandrine creatures.
No... they were once men, she realizes. Her level of resonance is high enough, thanks to Sorey, that she can see them for the Malevolent creatures they are - and yet, there's something else there.
Reaching over to Rosaline, Talise rests a hand briefly on her shoulder. "Stick close to me, alright," she murmurs with a quiet smile. If nothing else, she's going to make good on her promise to stick with the cat-nun through thick and thin.
For lack of enough quickness to go dune-springing, Talise looks up towards the roofline above her. Fishing into her coat, she comes out with a coil of chain wrapped around a spring and a handle, a grappling hook on the end. She takes aim towards that ledge and lets fly.
With the low 'pwong' of a small charge, the Hookshot launches a short distance, the head of it gripping the edge of the roof. Talise reels herself up quickly and begin to bound forward from there, balancing carefully along what's left of the walls of one building before hook-launching herself to the next one, then towards the nearest latch-on point she can find that's beyond the salamanders.
DG: Talise Gianfair has used her Tool Hookshot toward her party's challenge, The Salamander Sentries.
<Pose Tracker> Sephilia Lampbright has posed.
Sephilia Lampbright, Famous Urchin--I mean, Explorer--is muttering curses under her breath as she tries to sneak quietly and quickly. The trouble is, there's only so fast she can move with her little short legs! How unfortunate! But, the other trouble is, her usual grumbling and groaning about that would only make it easier to locate her as an intruder, so she's almost red in the face from holding in her frustration.
Poor little urchin!
The presence of Malevolence, but purple, so you know it's bad, is even worse. It makes her nervous. Agatha has left her alone for...well, long enough that Sephy might reasonably conclude that the Witch has forgotten about her...but Sephy isn't really ready to make that assumption.
She makes a dash for the next bit of cover. "Hate this," she hisses.
DG: Sephilia Lampbright has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, The Salamander Sentries.
<Pose Tracker> Layna Manydays has posed.
Layna remembered when Rosaline had told her about the situation. She had left it feeling somewhat irritating, and wanting to put a fist directly in Tobit Calice's face. Maybe she'd get a chance to, but Rosaline had requested he be captured alive.
That'd complicate things, but she'd do her best.
Being a fairly boisterous individual, stealth wasn't really Layna's strong suit...she knew a thing or two about infiltrations, though, so she's putting her aggression aside to move through the area as stealthily as possible.
Those sentries, though...while Layna's spiritual senses were still fairly weak, they'd developed enough that she could at least tell what was going on here.
For her part, though, she's all too ready to attribute the current sensation to people being horrible, rather than any interloping by mythical figures. It makes her no less willing to crush them, if necessary.
She pauses for a moment in a shadowy corner to reach into her coat and draw out a bottle that she takes a deep swig from, before replacing the cap and continuing on once more.
She's quiet. Uncharacteristically so.
DG: Layna Manydays has used her Tool Quartermaster's Stash toward her party's challenge, The Salamander Sentries.
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
It's difficult work, cultivating a sense for something that settles over your soul like a thick, cloying miasma. Nevertheless, Ida's managed precisely that after her extensive exposure to Malevolence in the Ordeal of the Nahual. When the group is about half a mile out, she frowns for no apparent reason, gets off her horse, and escorts Grey Lady to a little nook in a rock wall out of sight. She set out some food and water, and more or less gave her mount the signal to wait there.
Now, she approaches Hope Springs on foot, at Rosaline's left flank. Her military-surplus coat billows a little as a dry wind whips at her through the deserted husks of buildings. She feels like she can still smell the smoke. "It's strong," Ida murmurs. "But thankfully, not as strong as Wehaca." She doesn't sound all that thankful. Ida catches sight of one of the sentries a moment later, blinking as she makes out the woman's horrible, chameleon-like eyes. She shudders, and sinks back behind part of someone's burned-out fence. "Hellions," she says. "Be extremely cautious." Her voice is barely a whisper.
Ida is wearing the gauntlet that normally houses her grappling hook apparatus, but she used the last charges in Ash Hare earlier this week. Rather than take after Talise, she follows Rosaline, moving from dune to dune with less catlike alacrity and more caution.
DG: Ida Everstead-Rey has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, The Salamander Sentries.
<Pose Tracker> Dean Stark has posed.
Dean can't see Malevolence. This can be a terrible disadvantage, but on the plus side, he's so pure of heart and earnest and honest with his own feelings and desires that he's not affected very badly by Malevolence either. When Dean sneaks close to the hideout with Rosaline and the others, he just sees people in tattered suits on the walls. He's kind of creeped out by them, but that's it.
"Malevo-what now?" Dean murmurs at Rosaline. He's pretty sure he's heard that term before, but the context escapes him. ...probably because he couldn't see or feel it. It's hard to make sense of something you can't... sense. He gives Ida an odd look when she calls the people on the wall Hellions, but figuring it's some kind of gang name, he leaves it as just an odd look as he hurries from shadow to shadow among the dunes in a line with the others. It's sneaking time, with Sneaking Cat, who's like Party Cat, except socially averse.
DG: Dean Stark has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward his party's challenge, The Salamander Sentries.
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Naturally there's no question Xantia would help when asked. This is true in most cases, but when it's a good friend asking, there's no way she wouldn't drop everything to lend a hand. One never can tell if her full understanding of any matter is completely accurate, but she feels it's easy enough to understand. If she could remember any friends from her past, she'd do anything to get to see them again. Even if people claimed they turned into a bad guy, perhaps even moreso then. So if she can help Rosaline with something like that, count her in.
The journey here didn't dampen her eternal cheerfulness any. And why would it, there was plenty of fighting involved, it was good fun. Aside from the parts where they had to sneak through, that's not exactly her favorite approach. She would've definitely advocated a full frontal assault. Fortunately for everybody, she isn't the one making the plans.
Xantia doesn't see anything particularly disturbing about the guards other than the bizarre way they're moving, lacking the Resonance to see their notably less human traits. But hey, she does an okay job of clinging too walls and the sun doesn't bother her at all, this isn't too weird. Hearing about the true nature of things does make her furrow her brow, however. "Ugh... again? I guess this isn't something that's just gonna go away..." Gotta hate problems that can't be solved by punching them a lot.
Well, that does make the more stealthy approach sensible, she supposes. After all, she's not unaware that this means that there's more going on than she can see. Not for lack of trying... she'll have to keep working at it. But for now, she sneaks along with the rest of group as best she can, sticking close to Dean to at least clue him in a little bit.
"They're a kind of monster, except not really, and you can't see what they really look like unless you've figured out how to."
There, that was helpful, right?
DG: Xantia has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, The Salamander Sentries.
===============================<* Hope Springs *>=============================== ===================<* CHALLENGE - The Salamander Sentries *>==================== |Type: Entry |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- Tobit Calice's bandits haven't set up guard towers around their makeshift bandit camp. They have, however, placed red-scaled, lizardlike guards in tattered Black Tie suits, who cling to the walls of buildings bordering the camp. Their necks are twisted at uncomfortable-looking angles, allowing their bulbous, unblinking, independently-moving eyes to dart around the desert landscape restlessly. You should find a blind spot and hotfoot it, lest they alert their comrades. If they did, this infiltration would be off to a very bad start. =Dungeon Conditions: Hesitate, Injure=========================================
==========================<* Hope Springs - Round 1 *>========================== =====================< Results - The Salamander Sentries >====================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rosaline Calice 0 --(5)--> 5 Pass Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sephilia Lampbright 0 --(15)--> 15 Fail Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Layna Manydays 0 --(5)--> 5 Pass Quartermaster's Stash 2 Agility Effects: Quicken -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Talise Gianfair 0 --(15)--> 15 Fail Hookshot 2 Agility Effects: Quicken -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Xantia 0 --(5)--> 5 Pass Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ida Everstead-Rey 0 --(5)--> 5 Pass Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dean Stark 0 --(15)--> 15 Fail Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Rosaline Calice 0 --(20)--> 20 Pass Conditions: Hesitate(2)|Injure(2) Effects: Quicken(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Rosaline Calice has passed this challenge! The party gained 20 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw. DG: Rosaline Calice has drawn a new Challenge.
===============================<* Hope Springs *>=============================== ====================<* CHALLENGE - Release the Hellhounds *>==================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- You've been sniffed out. Growls and snarls surround you, and before you know it, you are beset by a pack of rabid dogswhose fur perpetually burns. Their bite is definitely worse than their bark, especially since their dribbling saliva appears to be made of hot magma. =Dungeon Conditions: Wound====================================================
<Pose Tracker> Rosaline Calice has posed.
Rosaline hasn't had to work very hard to get a sense for Malevolence and the presence of Seraphs. Her Crest Sorcery training got her spiritual eye halfway opened to begin with, and then one crisis after another yanked it by the lids, and now she couldn't close it even if she wanted to. It's a blessing and a curse, but she's used to it-- Her mundane senses are already similar in some ways.
Oh, God, Dean can't see Malevolence. That's right. Xantia can't either, but at least knows what it is... a bit better.
"Just... be very careful," she tells him, helpfully adding to Xantia's explanation. "Looks will be deceiving in this town-- Some things may be invisible to you, and everything is going to be a bit more dangerous than you expect."
The group sneaks by at varying speeds, and with different strategies, but the sentries don't raise an alarm. Everyone is safely behind them a minute later, albeit a bit scattered--
Talise is the first to hear something alarming: Growling. She remains perched atop a partly collapsed wall when she sees a blood-red hound staring at her from below, having sniffer the intruder out. It apparently can't reach her, until it opens its mouth... and flames come out, quickly consuming the wall she's on!
Sephilia, who made it through this frustrating gauntlet, now finds herself meeting a very angry dog, who is straight-up trying to eat Chauncey. She can't allow that to happen, can she? Meanwhile, Dean may get to figure out what Rosaline meant just earlier, as he also finds himself faced with what seems like a rabid dog... except every drip of saliva leaves the ground smoking and the very air feeling hot indeed. He can probably figure out what to do from there.
"Talise!" Rosaline has seen the flaming wall, and approaches it, only now noticing the animal. She hisses, her ears flattening. Dogs and fire, two of her least favorite things.
"HYDRO STORM!" she calls out, summoning localized rain and putting out this mutt's flames. Now, you might think rain would alert the other bandits to your presence, but they don't seem to be worrying too much about that. Why?
Because there are MULTICOLORED LASERS raining on the other side of town. Looks like the other group hasn't had so much luck sneaking past the sentries, huh.
DG: Rosaline Calice has used her Tool Holy Water toward her party's challenge, Release the Hellhounds.
<Pose Tracker> Sephilia Lampbright has posed.
Sephilia gets mad! And a little scared--dogs are scary! "S-Stop that! Chauncey, no! You leave him alone! Chauncey, get big quick and we'll teach this dumb mutt a lesson about chewing on people!"
And he does. And they do.
Lessons are good. Right?
DG: Sephilia Lampbright has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Release the Hellhounds.
<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.
Talise doesn't have catlike (calice?) agility. She just has a hookshot. It is hard to go fast when you're carrying a two-handed broadsword and wearing chainmail under your tunic and longcoat.
As she pads along the wall, Talise pauses at the sound of something. Slowly, she looks down.
"Hopy shit, that dog is huuuuuuge," she says, before she lets out a yelp of surprise as the wall she's standing on is suddenly torched.
The wall gives way under Talise; she flails and topples off of it, fortuitously landing on the side opposite the dire dog. She groans as she begins to roll to her knees.
She can hear Rosaline calling out to her. "Rosaline!" she shouts through the flames, rearing up just as the Hydro Storm goes off with a gush of magic. Water sprays through the area, a few drops of it scattering across Talise's face. A droplet runs down one of her cheekstripes. Clenching her jaw, the tall swordswoman - just a little singed - dashes to the side and whirls with a crackle of her heavy coat. She takes up station beside Rosaline.
Sheathing Rastaban, she reaches for the shotgun slung over her shoulder and levels it. She pumps it briskly and fires off a shot, then pumps again and squeezes off one more, attempting to punch shells through the hellhounds from the mid-range.
"Wonder which one of them is responsible for this," she growls as she fires. "Malevolence isn't from here. If it did infect Tobit, someone had to be Patient Zero."
DG: Talise Gianfair has used her Tool Trench Sweeper Shotgun toward her party's challenge, Release the Hellhounds.
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
Scattering a bit is probably wise in this case. Even if one of them is spotted, the rest of them can still keep their cover, and prepare to enact retribution. Like now!
Ida hunkers down beside a shed, half-buried beneath a sand dune. It's more than a little scary how settlements like this can just be wiped off the map by the desert. She looks up at Rosaline, and flashes the 'OK' signal as she sees Talise and Sephy approaching. Then, she sees the dogs, and things are suddenly far less okay. Ida responds a moment after Rosaline, drawing her spark striker with one hand and a grenade with the other. She lights the fuse, and flings the flare grenade at the dog menacing Sephilia. The fuse cooks off in mid-flight, and the magnesium-gunpowder payload explodes with a thunderous bang and a brilliant flash. It's less-lethal, but definitely disorienting.
DG: Ida Everstead-Rey has used her Tool Flare Grenade toward her party's challenge, Release the Hellhounds.
<Pose Tracker> Layna Manydays has posed.
Layna moves quickly, but presses herself against a wall when she hears the sound of movement. Very quietly she begans to slide her bladed gauntlets on. She had a feeling she'd probably have need of them soon. And sure enough, trouble finds them as one of the walls in the area bursts into flames.
Even the hounds were hellions here. Fantastic.
Since apparently Dean can't detect Malevolence she moves to help him with a wind-aided flying kick to the side of the hellhound facing off with him.
"Get outta here, ya damn mutt." She hisses, and glances back to the boy. "Watch yourself, lad. These things spit fire."
She...doesn't actually know if he can see the fire they spit out. That could potentiallly be a problem, if it affects him in the same way.
You know, like fire does.
<Pose Tracker> Dean Stark has posed.
Xantia used EXPLAIN MALEVOLENCE on Dean! It's not very effective...
"What?" Dean utters, staring at her in pure confusion. "Are you messing with me? I'm not *that* dumb." But then Rosaline chimes in and says basically the same thing, but different. "What, really??" He falls silent for a moment to mull on this. In the end, he still doesn't understand it, but he looks over to Xantia and says, "Sorry for not believing you." It looks like he's going to take them at their word on this one...
Regardless, it seems at first like the infiltration is going smoothly. Sneak, sneak, sneak sneeeak sneeeeeeak, sneaksneaksneaksneaksneak! Except then Talise starts talking about a dog, and Dean looks over her way just in time for the wall she's on to get consumed by flames--he might not be able to see Malevolence, but he can see its *effects*, at least. "Woah!! You okay?!" he calls, because stealth seems kind of meaningless at this point. Before he can try to head over to help her, though, a rabid-seeming dog gets in his way, growling hard. The air seems really... hot around it, for some reason? Dean calls Twin Fenrir into his hands and defends himself with their combat rods just as the dog leaps at him with a snarling bark and attempts to bite him. It gets a mouthful of metal instead, but it leaves the rod scorching hot, and even Dean can't help but notice *that*. "I-is this what Rosa was talking about?" he wonders aloud. "In that case, I'll fight fire with--!" And he dashes towards the glow of a nearby blue ley hex, where the elemental of water is strong. Once it's under his feet, he raises one of his guns and calls upon the power of his copy Sword Medium. A moment later, along with a ferocious, defiant shout from the young Drifter, a concussive force of ice smashes into the hellhound.
What, you didn't think he was gonna fight fire with *fire*, did you? That'd just be silly.
DG: Dean Stark has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Release the Hellhounds. DG: Layna Manydays has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Release the Hellhounds.
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
'More dangerous than you expect' would mean a lot more to people who don't routinely fail to properly need the danger in the situations they get involved in. Any bit of caution that Xantia can be instilled with is thus a good idea. She seems to understand this for the moment, but that's hardly a guarantee for the long term.
She doesn't comment on how dumb Dean is (she isn't one to talk, anyway). Rosa's explanation was of course better than hers, which is also something she readily acknowledges. So Dean's apology just gets a bright smile in response. "It's okay! It took me a while to get used to things I can't see. But I'll manage it one day!"
Though it's still not her favorite thing, stealth seems to be working out alright for her, this time. Though how much of this can be attributed to her and how much of it is due to the big racket happening on the other end of the camp is debatable. Upon seeing the pretty lights going on over there, Xantia actually wishes she was on the side who failed at stealth. It's just more straightforward that way!
She does end up getting her wish for action, soon enough. In the form of dogs, with some disturbing additional characteristics that are lost on Xantia, but that doesn't really matter. She's more interesting in a different kind of hot dog. And the fire that ends up happening makes it obvious anyway. "Yup. Those must be Hellions," she confirms to Dean, before charging on ahead.
Whether Hellions or just regular dogs, when under attack, there can be only one response. One of the dogs beats Xantia to the punch, but she instinctively lashes out with a fist, sending it flying a good distance away. Then she uses her other fist to throw a punch in the direction of the corrupted animals further ahead of her. Punching every dog individually would take too long, so she instead opts to let the air deplacement do the work, trying to blow the obstacles aside and maybe put some fires out while she's at it.
DG: Xantia has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Release the Hellhounds.
===============================<* Hope Springs *>=============================== ====================<* CHALLENGE - Release the Hellhounds *>==================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- You've been sniffed out. Growls and snarls surround you, and before you know it, you are beset by a pack of rabid dogswhose fur perpetually burns. Their bite is definitely worse than their bark, especially since their dribbling saliva appears to be made of hot magma. =Dungeon Conditions: Wound====================================================
==========================<* Hope Springs - Round 2 *>========================== ======================< Results - Release the Hellhounds >====================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rosaline Calice 5 --(5)--> 10 Pass Holy Water 1 Combat Effects: Cleanse -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sephilia Lampbright 15 --(10)--> 25 Fail Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Layna Manydays 5 --(10)--> 15 Fail Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Talise Gianfair 15 --(5)--> 20 Pass Trench Sweeper Shotgun 1 Combat Effects: Embolden and Fanfare -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Xantia 5 --(10)--> 15 Fail Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ida Everstead-Rey 5 --(5)--> 10 Pass Flare Grenade 2 Combat Effects: Embolden -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dean Stark 15 --(10)--> 25 Fail Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Rosaline Calice 20 --(20)--> 40 Pass Conditions: Hesitate(1)|Injure(1)|Wound(2) Effects: Cleanse|Embolden(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Rosaline Calice has passed this challenge! The party gained 20 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw. DG: Rosaline Calice has drawn a new Challenge.
===============================<* Hope Springs *>=============================== ==========================<* CHALLENGE - A Banquet? *>========================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- The bandits have been hard at work preparing a lavish banquet. Whatever the occasion is, they seem to be planning a party. The cooks have their backs turned while they put finishing touches on a very large cake. There's roast, bread, alcohol, a bowl of giant flies (what?), fresh fruit, more alcohol, raw meat (what??), even heal berry juice... After all this desert-trekking and bandit camp-scouring, a little pick-me-up wouldn't hurt. Just be careful not to eat something secretly terrible, or that's been drugged for... some... reason? =Dungeon Conditions: Treasure, Stupify========================================
<Pose Tracker> Rosaline Calice has posed.
Sephilia and Chauncey manage to shake off the dog who apparently can't tell whether Chauncey is people or not. Its bites, however, have left a few burn marks on the poor plush fox. Oh no!
Meanwhile, Layna kicks a dog! And this might instantly earn her fifty dark side points, if this weren't a very resilient monster dog, who falls over but quickly gets back up again. Dean fights fire with ice, which is just common sense, but even THAT ice quickly melts at the touch of this particular hot dog. Meanwhile, Xantia punches and punches, and finds her blasts of air only stoking those very, very persistent dogs' flames.
Not that she can see them. This merely makes them dogs that refuse to take a hint. So what IS it going to take?
Ida's flashbang rolls in, disorienting the dogs long enough for Rosaline's raincloud to swoop in, cooling them down. Talise is next, cleaning up the house with her shotgun. Thatr seems to do the trick.
The group gathers back together. Rosaline continues Talise's thought from earlier.
"Toby... Tobit becoming a Hellion... would certainly explain the cannibalism, at least. Do you think the source might be someone we know?" Rosaline asks, feeling like she knows the answer to that question already. There are a couple people on the suspect list, at least.
The group proceeds, skedaddling before the sentries realize their terrible mistake. Rosaline is taking point once again, unusually skittish for probably obvious reasons. She enters a building, from which wafts a... surprisingly enticing scent.
Indeed, there is a lavish spread of food being prepared by two more of those salamanders, though they seem to be too busy working on a very large cake to notice the group's entrance. Even Rosaline licks her lips at the sight of the feast. She leans in to inspect it, grimaces at some Unidentified Meat, and sniffs at a pitcher.
"Magic carrot extract!" she whispers. "I... could really use this."
It may be careless to drink something from such a place, but Rosaline doesn't heed her own warnings about things being more dangerous than they seem. Maybe the others want to take the opportunity to grab a bite too, or heal up...
Or maybe someone will be foolhardy enough to LIVE THE DREAM by causing a distraction and going for the cake.
DG: Rosaline Calice has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, A Banquet?.
<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.
"If I had to guess, I'd say it's K.K. being an ass again," Talise says with a slight narrowing of her eyes as she falls in with Rosaline, letting her shotgun fall back into place behind her, safety back on. "It wouldn't be the first time."
The talk of cannibalism leaves her frowning deeply, though.
Especially as the group scoots on through and discovers a lavish feast laid out on the tabletop.
Folding her arms across her chest and rolling her shoulders back, Talise scowls at the tabletop through eyes narrowed with blatant suspicion. Her gaze focuses in particular on a plate of what she's fairly sure is meat. Pork, maybe.
Or maybe not. "I hope none of that is man meat," she murmurs, leaning over to Rosaline as though to try and bring her back down to earth.
Instead, she rests a hand on the young Etone's shoulder, making as though to pull her back. With her free hand, she retrieves something from her inventory and offers it to Rosaline in lieu of cannibalism.
The item in Talise's hand is a fluffy strawberry-shortbreat cupcake with pink icing and a little heart on top, in Baking Bunny wrapping paper.
DG: Talise Gianfair has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, A Banquet?.
<Pose Tracker> Sephilia Lampbright has posed.
Sephy makes sympathetic noises at poor Chauncey's injuries. "It's okay, buddy, I'm here. While everyone else is eating, I'll patch you right up!" She glances at the food. "Oh. Dad wrote about this kind of thing, everyone! His journal has a bit in it about how to tell if food's been tampered with. Anyone wanna see?" Given that her Dad's handwriting seems to be largely incomprehensible to anyone but her most of the time, this may or may not help, but the girl is busy fixing her friend.
DG: Sephilia Lampbright has used her Tool Dad's Journal toward her party's challenge, A Banquet?.
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
"I don't want to make a call on the source without evidence," Ida says. "It keeps spreading, and--" She trails off as the distinct aroma of fresh baked goods wafts through the air. It's appetizing, but it absolutely should not be in a place like this. She follows after Rosaline, and her lips flatten out into a thin little line. "Don't eat any of it," Ida says. "Here." She reaches into her pack and pulls out what may be the third pack of Mrs. Mumford's Old-Fashioned Chocolate Biscuits this week. She glances over at the chefs(?), and then quietly holds up the package. Hopefully people will get the hint.
DG: Ida Everstead-Rey has used her Tool Chocolate Biscuits toward her party's challenge, A Banquet?.
<Pose Tracker> Layna Manydays has posed.
Rosaline contemplates the source of the Malevolence, though Layna isn't too sure there is one. Even so, it's good to keep in mind. It was important to know the hierarchy of people she needed to punch.
She follows Rosaline closely, making sure to keep a close eye out for anything or anyone that might've heard the commotion. She soon finds herself distracted, though, as the next building they enter is filled with a number of delicious scents.
There's a veritable feast set out before them, and...well, admittedly, Layna's having a hard time resisting! She finds herself wandering over to the alchohol in particular, picking up a bottle and shaking it carefully.
"Hm...if Dahlia were here we could ask her, but I've put her in charge of somethin' else." Layna comments with a frown. She glances over toward Ida as she suggests not to eat any of it...
...And then, with the warnings in mind, very carefully starts depositing bottles into her coat. Hey, she could always have Dahlia check them out later, right? Besides, she had her own supply of alcohol to drink right now.
DG: Layna Manydays has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, A Banquet?.
<Pose Tracker> Dean Stark has posed.
Hot dog!! And this is one Dean can't eat. When it melts through the battering ice, Dean's on the back foot--but thankfully Ida, Rosa, and Talise give the hellhounds the one-two-three, leaving the rest room to breathe and regroup. Dean joins up with the others, Twin Fenrir flashing out of his hands, and continues sneaking in with them. "K.K.?" Dean echoes, frowning. *This* is more familiar to him, thanks to Ida. "That's that knight person who set that monster on Wehaca, right?" He looks at Ida for confirmation.
Something smells good, though, and he sniffs at the air until they find...
"Oh boy, look at all that food!!" Dean whispers, eyes shining with all the splendor of a Growing Boy. He's already halfway towards that enormous cake when Sephy pulls out her journal and talks about tampered food, and Ida brings out her chocolate biscuits. Dean looks around at the both of them, blinking wide. It hadn't occurred to him for a second that there might be something fishy going on. (He apparently didn't see the bowl of flies... or hear the talk about cannibalism...) "Oh, geez--thanks for saying something, Sephy."
He gets it *now*, at least, and retreats back towards his companions, accepting one of Ida's biscuits with a nod and smile to his friend. While he chews on it as quietly as he can, he eyes that big old cake. If the food's dangerous, then maybe... He calls up Twin Fenrir again, takes aim, and fires a rubber Standard Cartridge Bullet towards the platter holding the cake, aiming to knock it over onto the lizardmen for a truly sweet distraction!
Which might well cover Layna stealing booze, so hey, win/win for everyone.
DG: Dean Stark has used his Tool Standard Cartridge toward his party's challenge, A Banquet?.
<Pose Tracker> Sephilia Lampbright has posed.
Sephy offers a momentary thumbs-up before returning to her sewing.
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
Ida nods to Dean. "This doesn't seem like their style, as it were," she murmurs. She can't help but wince as Dean fires at the cake platter, and ducks behind a chair.
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
"Why won't you fall down, and stay down?!" A fair question from somebody who's used to sending things flying no problem. Xantia has to remind herself of the whole 'can't see everything that happens' aspect of the situation to realize that she's probably not going to get the reason why. At least she can keep them occupied and away from her before others come up with better solutions. Or well, 'better'. She doesn't much appreciate the loud noise of the flare grenade going off nearby, causing her to let out a whine and scamper off much like the dogs do. Ah well, at least that matter is solved.
Besides, soon enough she has no more reason to complain. Abruptly, Xantia freezes, sniffing the air. She may not be able to perceive Malevolence, but the presence of tasty food, she certainly has a nose for that. Not to mention a legendary appetite. There's absolutely no way she's passing this up. At the very least Rosaline could have seen this coming. But when a particularly strong warning specifically directed to Xantia isn't given immediately, well, the results are obvious.
If anybody was expecting everybody to be cautious in this matter, ha ha ha, no. Xantia storms for the food, literally leaps for it, and starts to partake in, well, anything she can get her hands on. Because of course she wants to try some of everything. Not including the alcohol, but she doesn't even mind a handful of flies. The scene quickly devolves into an absolute mess as Xantia devours (parts of) several food items in record time.
Inevitably, the cooks are going to notice this. And they'll be met with a baleful glare from Xantia, who takes a page from her Guidebook to caution in a subtly threatening manner: "Never get between a predator and their prey." That book comes in handy in so many situations. Of course, if the cooks fail to heed this warning, Xantia's is ready to turn this challenge of Wits into Combat at a moment's notice.
However, tragedy strikes! Before she's able to get to the cake - you know she was going to - Dean knocks it over, causing her to take a dramatic dive for the sweet dessert. Going "NOOOOOOOO", as is only appropriate. This is going to end in tears, isn't it? Tears, and also cake splattered absolutely everywhere.
DG: Xantia has used her Tool Guide to Dungeoneering toward her party's challenge, A Banquet?.
===============================<* Hope Springs *>=============================== ==========================<* CHALLENGE - A Banquet? *>========================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- The bandits have been hard at work preparing a lavish banquet. Whatever the occasion is, they seem to be planning a party. The cooks have their backs turned while they put finishing touches on a very large cake. There's roast, bread, alcohol, a bowl of giant flies (what?), fresh fruit, more alcohol, raw meat (what??), even heal berry juice... After all this desert-trekking and bandit camp-scouring, a little pick-me-up wouldn't hurt. Just be careful not to eat something secretly terrible, or that's been drugged for... some... reason? =Dungeon Conditions: Treasure, Stupify========================================
==========================<* Hope Springs - Round 3 *>========================== ============================< Results - A Banquet? >============================ Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rosaline Calice 10 --(5)--> 15 Pass Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sephilia Lampbright 25 --(5)--> 30 Pass Dad's Journal 2 Wits Effects: Enlighten -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Layna Manydays 15 --(5)--> 20 Pass Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Talise Gianfair 20 --(5)--> 25 Pass Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Xantia 15 --(5)--> 20 Pass Guide to Dungeoneering 1 Wits Effects: Rally and Stalwart -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ida Everstead-Rey 10 --(5)--> 15 Pass Chocolate Biscuits 1 Wits Effects: Cleanse -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dean Stark 25 --(5)--> 30 Fail Standard Cartridge 3 Wits Effects: Fanfare -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Rosaline Calice 40 --(25)--> 65 Pass Conditions: Stupify(2)|Treasure(1) Effects: Cleanse|Enlighten(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Rosaline Calice has passed this challenge! The party gained 25 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw. DG: Rosaline Calice has drawn a new Challenge.
===============================<* Hope Springs *>=============================== ========================<* CHALLENGE - Tripwire Trap *>========================= |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 1 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- You notice, at the last second, a string of tripwire in the middle of your path. Upon closer inspection, it seems tripping it would set off a rusty alarm device. There are probably more tripwires nearby, but you could chance it and try to detect them, or perhaps the device can be turned off somehow... =Dungeon Conditions: Stupify==================================================
<Pose Tracker> Rosaline Calice has posed.
"They've certainly been busy," Rosaline says with a sigh, regarding K.K.
Talise offers Rosaline a sweet from the Baking Bunny, who certainly has been busy lately. "A-Aw, Talise, thank you." Rosaline takes it and sidles out of view to nibble on it in peace, trying not to think of what Talise thought she might need cheering up for today. ('Everything' would be a valid answer, honestly.) Ida offers further cooki-- biscuits, but Rosaline is already covered, thank you.
Layna pockets some booze-- Later, when Dahlia can take a look at it, inspection will reveal that some bottles were drugged, while some weren't. The safe ones bear a subtle mark on the label. How odd.
Sephilia's book delivers useful advice, or at least would if anyone bothered to read it. Meanwhile, cake-based violence is being perpetrated-- though luckily(?) Dean's aim is a little off. The rubber bullet misses the platter, instead bouncing off and impacting... one of the chefs, knocking one right into the other, knocking them both down. Good job??
This means Xantia's cake rescue is a little redundant, but not for long, as she plows into it like a cannonball. Regardless of what she does to the cake next-- and this may GET GRAPHIC --chances are that very little of it will be left intact at the end. At least it doesn't seem drugged at all, insofar as it doesn't drop Xantia's energy level by any noticeable degree. But then, what can?
And with this out of the way, Rosaline peeks out of the building on the side opposite the one they came in. Her ears twitch. In the distance, church bells are ringing.
"Bells? But... the belfry was destroyed, I'm sure of it!" she looks at the others, confused. "It... It was destroyed, wasn't it? Burnt with the rest..." Not that anyone else here would have seen the destruction firsthand.
"This way," she decides, "I know a shortcut towards the church." She runs across the (eerily deserted?) street and towards a nearby fence. She lifts a wooden board to reveal a hidden shortcut, and dives into it, leading her into a narrow alley of sorts, squeezed between packed buildings. She runs.
When the rest of the group catches up to her, they find Rosaline paralyzed, staring off into space... or rather, some near-invisible wire, which she points to after a moment, followed by a rusty device.
"I-It was our shortcut," Rosaline says in a trembling, strangled voice, letter the others figure this one out. "Toby and I's... Where would he put a trap here? I... Everyone, I... I think he's expecting me."
DG: Rosaline Calice has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Tripwire Trap.
<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.
Why Talise was smuggling along a heart cupcake, we may never know, though it may be part of her emergency stash for cheering up kitty nuns. Nevertheless, it's Rosaline's to nibble. As Ida contributes Mrs. Mumford's finest, Talise smiles tightly at her, as if to to try and assure both she and Rosaline that, yes, it'll be alright.
She hopes.
Rosaline's nibbling on the cupcake is charming enough that the effort was worthwhile, Talise decides.
Her sharp ears twitch, then - and she lifts her head, frowning softly. "Then how can there be bells," she murmurs as she draws her sword, shifting it into both hands. Things just swung from cute-but-tense to just plain tense, and she's beginning to tighten up again as she takes off after Rosaline, darting through that alleyway--
She nearly collides with Rosaline's back. Screeching to a halt, she blinks a couple of times, then leans forward to squint at the wire.
"Yeah, well. He's not expecting the rest of us, Ros'," Talise assures the cotton-candy Etone with a crooked but fierce smile, straightening her shoulders. "Besides... if he's gotta set obvious traps for you like this, then he's not ready to confront you face-to-face. That's gotta work in our favour, right?"
Following the wire with her eyes, Talise considers the device for a moment. Then she shrugs, shifts her sword to her off hand, and powers up one of her gauntlets - and then backhands the crumbling wall beside her.
It shakes. Gripping one of the bricks, Talise begins to pull a few chunks of it down until she's formed a small heap of masonry in front of the tripwire. "Here, watch, we can trick him," she says as she boosts herself up on top of the wire, measures the distance between it and herself, its height, and --
*hop*
DG: Talise Gianfair has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Tripwire Trap.
<Pose Tracker> Sephilia Lampbright has posed.
Sephilia, having now fixed Chauncey up, is in a position to show off her dad's journal again. But she doesn't.
Instead, she just looks around. "It makes sense in cases like this to link up several tripwires to the same general locations, so, we just need to triangulate...and..." she pauses.
"I'm...I'm sure things will work out okay," she says to Rosa.
"Anyway just...step where I step, kay? I can get us to disarm where everything's hooked up to! Probably."
DG: Sephilia Lampbright has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Tripwire Trap.
<Pose Tracker> Layna Manydays has posed.
For now, Layna resolves to make sure that she doesn't get the stolen bottles mixed up with what she has on her person until she can get them checked. That might be unfortunate, otherwise! But onward they continue, with the feast here thoroughly wrecked.
And in the distance...church bells? Ordinarily this wouldn't be too much of a concern, but...
"Well that is odd then, aye...?" Layna comments with a frown. A shortcut it is, then. She moves to follow after Rosaline...but when she finally manages to catch up to her, she finds her friend frozen in place.
"...Expecting you." Layna repeats. She doesn't like this one bit. Quietly, her hands curl into fists.
"...Aye, lass. We're here with you." She agrees with a nod toward Rosaline. She then reaches into her coat, and draws out one of the newly-stolen bottles of booze. She doesn't know if this one's good to drink or not...so she has no problem with breaking it open and carefully splashing the tripwires up ahead with the contents.
With any luck, it should make them easier to spot going forward.
DG: Layna Manydays has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Tripwire Trap.
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
Ida told Rosaline, before they set out, that she would help see this through to the bitter end, no matter what end that might be. Rosaline is one of the few people who honestly seems to get what Ida is going through, by virtue of going through it herself; it's a promise she intends to follow up on, and she's taking it seriously.
Then Dean topples a cake, and Xantia dives into it like a Rankar Dragon on a fresh carcass, and any fleeting hope she had of subtlety flies right out the window. Ida immediately stress-eats yet another biscuit, and hurries off after Rosaline. She squeezes through the fence (it helps that despite stress-eating on occasion, she hasn't been eating regularly otherwise), and stops cold as she sees Rosaline.
Ida's face twists into a frown. It's not a very pleasant one. "You know him best," Ida says. Moving carefully, she steps over the wire Rosaline pointed out, and starts examining the path for more.
DG: Ida Everstead-Rey has used her Tool Chocolate Biscuits toward her party's challenge, Tripwire Trap.
<Pose Tracker> Dean Stark has posed.
Whoops. Dean wasn't expecting the platter to move at the last second like that...! At least Xantia gets to... have the cake...? Dean winces when she plows right into it, but she doesn't seem hurt in any case. And the chefs are good and distracted, to be sure!
But then Rosa talks about hearing bells, and a destroyed belfry. Dean gives her a confused look, not knowing what she's talking about, but he nods all the same when she directs them all towards a shortcut, crunching down the last of Ida's biscuit. They head across the street, towards a fence, into an alley, past some buildings...
"Wow--you sure--are fast," he huffs once he catches up with Rosa. She's staring at something... A wire? A trap wire? Dean blinks again. When the reality of it sinks in, Dean's expression sets with determination, and he kneels next to Rosaline, resting a hand on her shoulder if he can. "Don't worry, Rosa. We're with you," he reassures her. "Even if he's expecting you, you've got all of us backing you up!" He smiles and nods at the others as they encourage Rosaline similarly, like Talise and Layna. Ida... well, he's kind of used to her more reserved stance by now.
"Now let's get going!" he concludes, standing up. "Lead the way, Sephy!" Sephy seems to know where she's going, anyway, so Dean will follow her! Surely this won't go wrong.
DG: Dean Stark has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Tripwire Trap.
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
This mission is already a success in Xantia's eyes. She got to eat so much tasty food, after all! But not to worry, she remembers the true objective. Though one might assume otherwise, given her complete lack of care for seemingly anything except for the food just then. She can't help it, food is important! Especially given how much she eats. She'll take whatever she can get.
Lucky her, her aversion to alcohol saves her from getting drugged on top of getting drunk. Though yes, fair questions were asked, is there anything that could diminish her levels of energy? Looks like we're not finding out today. Once again, cakes were murdered without consequence. Well, other than Xantia getting cake all over herself in the process, but that's not exactly a bad thing. Needless to say, her already high spirits are elevated even further, causing her to hum a happy tune to herself as they continue further down enemy territory. Yeah, about that whole failing to see danger thing...
Luckily, others get to the tripwires before she did, or she'd have blundered right into them. As it is, she halts in time, and looks over to Rosaline, who seems perturbed by the situation. Feeling the need to say something to try and make her feel better, she offers, "Well, if he knows you that well, he'd also know you'd notice that trap, right? So maybe he put it there for anybody else who might find this passage, just to be absolutely sure you'd be the one coming through here!"
Leave it to Xantia to find a way to put a positive spin on things. But she isn't just saying things, she genuinely believes that Tobit would want to see Rosaline again. Who wouldn't be happy to see their childhood friend again? She can only imagine what that must be like.
As for the wires... nope, not about to involved with those at all. All things considered, this is probably best for everyone involved. Instead, she now physically takes out the book that she stole that quote from earlier, leafing through it to see if it has any helpful information on tripwires. It doesn't take long before she hits paydirt, and cheerfully shares her findings.
"It says here tripwires were invented by Dr. Marlon Darville, when somebody tripped over the wire he'd tied to someone's tooth. And that's why people often call a doctor's appointment a trip to the doctor!"
Who the heck wrote that book, anyway? Armengard?
DG: Xantia has used her Tool Guide to Dungeoneering toward her party's challenge, Tripwire Trap.
===============================<* Hope Springs *>=============================== ========================<* CHALLENGE - Tripwire Trap *>========================= |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 1 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- You notice, at the last second, a string of tripwire in the middle of your path. Upon closer inspection, it seems tripping it would set off a rusty alarm device. There are probably more tripwires nearby, but you could chance it and try to detect them, or perhaps the device can be turned off somehow... =Dungeon Conditions: Stupify==================================================
==========================<* Hope Springs - Round 4 *>========================== ==========================< Results - Tripwire Trap >=========================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rosaline Calice 15 --(5)--> 20 Fail Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sephilia Lampbright 30 --(5)--> 35 Pass Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Layna Manydays 20 --(5)--> 25 Fail Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Talise Gianfair 25 --(5)--> 30 Pass Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Xantia 20 --(5)--> 25 Pass Guide to Dungeoneering 1 Wits Effects: Rally and Stalwart -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ida Everstead-Rey 15 --(5)--> 20 Pass Chocolate Biscuits 1 Wits Effects: Cleanse -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dean Stark 30 --(5)--> 35 Fail Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Rosaline Calice 65 --(20)--> 85 Pass Conditions: Stupify(2) Effects: Cleanse ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Rosaline Calice has passed this challenge! The party gained 20 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw. DG: Rosaline Calice has drawn a new Challenge.
===============================<* Hope Springs *>===============================
====================<* CHALLENGE - Saint Calice Orphanage *>====================
|Type: Climax |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
The Ethos-run Saint Calice Orphanage is ground zero of the fire that
consumed part of this town a year ago. It is a blacked-out ruin, still
smoldering somehow after all this time, likely due to the ambient
Malevolence. You approach it from the back, where nine shallow, makeshift
graves have been set up, adorned with mismatched crosses salvaged from the
surrounding buildings.
After a moment, the ground shifts around the graves. Six pale, translucent,
empty-eyed figures rise out of the dirt, all of them children of various
ages. They invite you to play with them, in games that inevitably involve
dragging you back towards their graves, scalding you with each touch of
their little hands. And regardless of which game you play, gentle or
violent, they laugh and keep asking, "Why?"
They are dangerous, whether you can see them or not. You must fight, if you
are to put these souls to rest.
=Dungeon Conditions: Fright===================================================
<Pose Tracker> Rosaline Calice has posed.
"Y-Yes, you're right," Rosaline tells Talise with a sad nod. "Whatever he's got in mind, he must have underestimated me-- underestimated us." The others try to be reassuring and supportive too, and Rosaline forces a smile and nods but doesn't add anything.
Layna splashes some booze onto the wires, which proves useful, though there is a tragic twist to this: this was one of the good bottles. One of the best! But now it is wasted. Victory cannot come without sacrifice.
Sephilia takes point in making her way towards the device to disarm, and the others follow her. Ida keeps an eye open, pointing out one of the more subtle wires before disaster occurs. Xantia's dubious lore, meanwhile, ends up surprisingly helpful, in ways we won't even attempt to explain.
Meanwhile, Talise works her way around the problem entirely, and is the first to make it to the other side. Excellent.
The device isn't very hard to disarm-- Honestly, hitting it with a rock would do the trick. Once it is, the trap is no longer worth worrying about. And good, too, because Dean would have tripped it if it hadn't been disarmed a few seconds ago! Hurray for teamwork.
Meanwhile, Rosaline has... actually stayed behind, lost in thought. But once the device is off, she steps through the wires, actually cutting a few as she passes, having visibly lost her patience. She steps right past the others, her gloved hands partly tangled up in string, while another trails from her tail.
Following the sound of church bells, the group finds a row of nine makeshift graves. Rosaline stops in front of them, looking transfixed. She speaks up, not turning back.
"I dug those graves, you know. That night... The fire was dying down when we returned from our supply run. The people I were with took Mother's Mercy-- it's an ARM --and left to follow the horse tracks... They never returned. I stayed alone here, in the middle of the night. So... I did what I could."
Right then, child-sized apparitions slowly emerge from the graves. Rosaline doesn't seem surprised to see them. They have been her constant companions for almost a year, after all.
Already, the children are laughing and playing, their shapes indistinct. The smallest boy runs up to Rosaline, palm outstretched. "Tag! You're going to jail now!" Despite his demeanor, his hand is is red-hot. It burns at Rosaline's habit sleeve with a hissing sound. She doesn't move. He starts to drag her towards his grave, as the smell of burnt hair begins to emanate from his surprisingly strong grip. The nun winces.
Another child wants to drag someone to play hopscotch in his grave. One tugs on someone's sleeve, inviting them to play hide and seek. And throughout, amidst the laughter and invitations to play, they keep asking "Why?" Their eyes plead for answers about something none of Rosaline's friends had anything to do with.
Those apparitions will dissipate if attacked, though they're rather persistent. The lingering emotion that conjured them from Malevolence is tenacious indeed.
And of course, this scene must be very odd to poor Dean and Xantia, who can't even see nor hear the children, only see or even feel the effect of their burning hands--
"HYDRO STORM!" Rosaline cries out, suddenly, tearing herself away from the childlike apparition even as she's halfway kneeling over his grave. "I'm sorry, Marcus," she says, her voice choked with tears. She raises one of her ARMs and... the spirit is gone.
The rain gives the ghosts an indistinct shape as it hits them-- especially the heat from their hands turning to billowing steam. This should give Dean and Xantia a bit more to work with.
DG: Rosaline Calice has used her Tool Holy Water toward her party's challenge, Saint Calice Orphanage.
<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.
Smiling quietly, Talise nods back to Rosaline. "Then we'll take care of it," she promises, before they maneuver around the wall. Once Rosaline joins them, Talise continues on -
To that gravesite. The horror in Rosaline's face says it all.
"Rosaline," she murmurs, moving towards the young Etone at a slow pace, as if to try and support her physically. That the girl had to go through something so horrifying leaves a leaden, weighting feeling sinking down to the pit of her gut, like the ballast of some ship full of absolute despair.
All hope of optimism vanishes as the spirits of the children rise from their graves and beckon for them to join, with scalding little touches of damnation.
Talise's normally tan complexion drains of some of its colour. "Althena," she hisses as if to try and take some small comfort in the goddess who has forsaken her. She has little that can cut something insubstantial - how she would pine for magic right about now. One of the children reaches out for her, grasping for the sleeve of her coat.
Fabric burns and sizzles. Talise hisses and flinches back, sweeping Rastaban out to try and swat the playful phantom away, though the pleading ghost has gone on to chase a ball towards someone else.
For a moment, Talise Gianfair - seasoned explorer, hard-bitten pirate slash renegade, self-trained swordswoman and gunwoman - hesitates. This is unlike any foe she's ever faced before.
"I'm sorry," she says, her voice thick with sadness and horror as she sheathes her sword. Popping a few rounds into her shotgun, she hoists the weapon, takes a step back, and aims.
The ethereal giggles of hazy, mist-wrapt phantom children are punctuated by the barking report of Talise's shotgun. The muzzle flare of it illuminates the rippling silhouettes of youths in Rosaline's steam cloud. She attempts to gun down a couple of them, in the hopes that the buckshot will at least dissipate them.
As she fires, there's a deeply sickened expression on her face, like she can't decide whether to cry or to throw up.
DG: Talise Gianfair has used her Tool Trench Sweeper Shotgun toward her party's challenge, Saint Calice Orphanage.
<Pose Tracker> Layna Manydays has posed.
A tragedy indeed, and one Layna will have to endure later. For now she proceeds, though she offers Rosaline a glance back when her friend meets back up with them, gloves and tail tangled with cut trip wires. She briefly considers volunteering to help free her of them, but decides against it. They're close to the church, now. It's probably best to continue.
As they progress, they come upon a series of graves. Layna looks towards Rosaline as she speaks. Her expression is...difficult to read. Concern, sympathy... These seem to all well up together as she watches Rosaline.
It fades quickly, however, at the sight of the phantoms that emerge from the graves. If that's the case, these must be...
Layna frowns slightly.
Two of them come up to her, their hands burning as they tug on her clothes, wanting to play Filgaian games she hasn't heard of, and all throughout, they ask the same thing.
'Why?'
There's only one way for Layna to respond.
"...Sorry. Can't tell you a damn thing." She replies...and then conjures a great gale to sweep them away.
The tone of her voice and the expression on her face is one of...resignation. This was the only thing she could do for them.
DG: Layna Manydays has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Saint Calice Orphanage. <Characters> Lily Keil says, "...in fact shh"
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
Ida goes completely silent. There's nothing she can say to the sight that lies before her--the sight that Rosaline has undoubtedly seen in quiet moments, as she tries to get to sleep. Tears well up in her eyes, and her hands clench into fists. She takes her lip between her teeth--
"Merciful God," Ida whispers, while the inner voice hisses that what kind of merciful God would allow this to happen? A little girl ghost skips up to her, and grabs for her hand. The merest touch makes Ida's gauntlet grow burning-hot, and she pulls her hand away, recoiling. "Rosa," Ida whispers, her eyes perfectly round. Not 'Rosaline', not 'Sister Calice', 'Rosa'. "Forgive me."
Ida comes up with another grenade. She fumbles with the striker, stepping back out of the child-ghost's grip. Her hands don't want to work. Her heart hammers against her ribs like a caged animal. "Catch," Ida says, and she throws a flare at the ghost of the little girl. She looks away, and not just because it's going to cook off.
t
DG: Ida Everstead-Rey has used her Tool Flare Grenade toward her party's challenge, Saint Calice Orphanage.
<Pose Tracker> Dean Stark has posed.
Hurray for teamwork! Dean tromps on a now-disabled wire. He looks back at his feet, but nothing happens, so he shrugs and moves on. By now, he can hear the church bells, and the group follows the sound until... they find a small graveyard. Dean's quiet when Rosaline explains what they are and why they're there. He doesn't react to the appearance of the children, either--naturally, since he can't see them. But then Rosaline starts to stumble forward and wince, and Dean peers at her in concern.
"Are you gonna be okay, Rosa?" he asks. Maybe someone watching out there will see the humor in the question as dead children clutch at people, laughing and asking 'why?' But he does notice everyone else reacting, and that makes him remember being told that some things are invisible, and he feels burning hands laying on his arms and wrists, and he too jerks back with a pained shout--
'HYDRO STORM!'
Water deluges the area, sending up steam, in which the vague shadows of dead children can at last be seen. "What in the--?!" he utters, jerking back again in shock. However--and this is a boon for him--being a vague shadow, he can't tell that it's supposed to be children, nor hear their insistent questions. "More of those Hellion monster things, huh?! Time to take 'em out, then!" he roars. ARMs flashing into his hands, he charges forward, combat rods swinging towards the indistinct shades.
He might realize in a moment that maybe trying to hit a ghost with a metal stick is not the cleverest of maneuvers?
DG: Dean Stark has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Saint Calice Orphanage.
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Xantia remains in a solidly good mood, because why wouldn't she? This has all been going really well. And they're heading for a happy reunion with Rosaline's friend, she's sure of it. Everything's going to be just fine.
The graves, and Rosaline's following remarks on them, are the first thing that makes her doubt that everything's fine, and make her cheer fade away. She herself was in a situation where people needed to be buried once. She couldn't do it. She left that to the others in her group while she kept the monsters in the area at bay. It was the easier alternative. And she didn't even know those people. These must have been people Rosaline knew. It's hard to even imagine how one would feel in such a situation. She doesn't even know what to say.
She's violently torn from her thoughts by a sudden burning sensation on her leg. "OWWW!" Reflexively, she swats near her legs, but finds nothing there. Nothing but a red handprint left on her skin. "Wha-- what's happening, who did that?" She looks around, but it's futile. She can't see the children, of course.
Even so, she knows something's there. Something she can't see. This has happened many times before, and frustrates her to no end. Doesn't matter if the things she isn't seeing are awful, she just wants to see what so many others are capable of seeing. So she tries her best to focus her mind, and her eyes, on the area surrouding the graves. Telling herself that there's something there. Trying to adjust her perception. It's something she's been trying to do for a while now. She's even gotten it to work in some minor way, with Riesenlied's help. Yet still, she can't manage to see the children. Can't see them, but...
Come play with us
...She heard that. It takes her a moment to process it, but... she heard that. Faintly, but clearly, she can hear the whispers of children, devolving into giggling. It's not something she can reliably do, and she'd be hard-pressed to even define the exact thing she's doing, but... it seems to be working, this time. Of course, given the situation it's possible no one will take notice, even when Xantia responds to a question she shouldn't have heard at all. "Why...? Why what? I don't understand..."
However, with the children's insistence, with additional burns as a result, and their outlines somewhat visible thanks to Rosaline's impromptu shower, in the end there is only one action left to her. Silently yet resolutely, her ARM springs to life, a burning tool of her own to deal with this barely visible threat. She has no idea if her weapon can work on these ghosts, if they even are ghosts, but it probably has a bigger chance than fists do.
It may help that from her perspective, all she's doing is stabbing the air. Yet it bothers her a little that she has no strong feelings about what she's doing. Even though her ears are telling her what she must be facing here, she can just... deal with it. It feels wrong, somehow. But perhaps, that's just what this situation calls for.
DG: Xantia has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Saint Calice Orphanage.
<Pose Tracker> Sephilia Lampbright has posed.
Sephilia is, for the second time in recent memory...*paralyzed in fear* by the ghostly children.
Fortunately for Sephilia...she has Chauncey.
The big doll scoops the girl into his backpack, and then stands back up, ready to protect his mistress.
No, no, he's not taking autonomous action--but to an observer, not familiar with the pair, it would be a touching, if strange sight.
Poor Sephy's never not going to be a little kid, but if it's Chauncey...that's okay right now.
DG: Sephilia Lampbright has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Saint Calice Orphanage.
===============================<* Hope Springs *>===============================
====================<* CHALLENGE - Saint Calice Orphanage *>====================
|Type: Climax |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
The Ethos-run Saint Calice Orphanage is ground zero of the fire that
consumed part of this town a year ago. It is a blacked-out ruin, still
smoldering somehow after all this time, likely due to the ambient
Malevolence. You approach it from the back, where nine shallow, makeshift
graves have been set up, adorned with mismatched crosses salvaged from the
surrounding buildings.
After a moment, the ground shifts around the graves. Six pale, translucent,
empty-eyed figures rise out of the dirt, all of them children of various
ages. They invite you to play with them, in games that inevitably involve
dragging you back towards their graves, scalding you with each touch of
their little hands. And regardless of which game you play, gentle or
violent, they laugh and keep asking, "Why?"
They are dangerous, whether you can see them or not. You must fight, if you
are to put these souls to rest.
=Dungeon Conditions: Fright===================================================
==========================<* Hope Springs - Round 5 *>========================== ======================< Results - Saint Calice Orphanage >====================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rosaline Calice 20 --(10)--> 30 Fail Holy Water 1 Combat Effects: Cleanse -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sephilia Lampbright 35 --(5)--> 40 Pass Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Layna Manydays 25 --(5)--> 30 Pass Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Talise Gianfair 30 --(5)--> 35 Pass Trench Sweeper Shotgun 1 Combat Effects: Embolden and Fanfare -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Xantia 25 --(10)--> 35 Fail Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ida Everstead-Rey 20 --(5)--> 25 Pass Flare Grenade 2 Combat Effects: Embolden -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dean Stark 35 --(5)--> 40 Pass Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Rosaline Calice 85 --(0)--> 85 Pass Conditions: Fright(2) Effects: Cleanse|Embolden(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Rosaline Calice has passed this challenge! The party gained 0 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw. DG: Rosaline Calice has drawn a new Challenge.
===============================<* Hope Springs *>===============================
==========================<* CHALLENGE - The Chapel *>==========================
|Type: Final |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 3 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
The smoke clears. Before you looms the chapel adjoining the orphanage, still
standing despite being surrounded by fire-crumbled buildings. It has been
put back together like a puzzle whose pieces have been jammed into one
another haphazardly, with minimal regard towards forming a coherent picture.
Grotesquely misshapen stained glass windows, broken pews and shattered angel
statues have been assembled into the general shape of a church and spackled
with pulsating, purple gunk.
The belfry is elsewhere in town, and so an entire side of its
cobbled-together replacement is a gaping hole. Despite the lack of bells,
their distinct sound makes itself heard at your approach. Bandits gather at
the entrance, looking in good spirits-- They haven't noticed you yet. No,
this is not an alarm, it's a celebration, to which they've all been invited.
From their words and demeanor, you understand.
This is a wedding. Tobit Calice, the groom, is the first to enter, wearing a
white tuxedo. The bride should be along very shortly. His goons remain
outside, awaiting her arrival.
If you can make your way inside the chapel without alerting the bandits
outside, you could get the drop on Tobit and outnumber him. But considering
the building's hazardous architecture and the amount of eyes on it, this
will require a lot of skill. Most importantly, this will take one hell of a
plan. Any suggestions?
=Dungeon Conditions: Reckless, Overzealous====================================
<Pose Tracker> Rosaline Calice has posed.
People apologize, ask for forgiveness. These Malevolence apparitions may not necessarily be real spirits, but that Rosaline's friends would show such concern already puts them league ahead of whoever did this-- Why indeed?
These ghosts are persistent, but they aren't actively fighting. Gale and grenade, shot and fox friend meet their respective target, dissipating them back to whence they came. Even Dean gets lucky, his metal rods going through a ghost enough times to set it up for Xantia's ARM to finish off. There is a large, hot burst of steam-- mainly in Xantia's direction.
At least Rosaline is still performing her duties, and will heal any burns presented to her. She seems listless, exhausted as she does the task. The Hydro Storm doesn't end, even though it usually doesn't last so long. Thunder rumbles overhead.
But the cloud dissipates before it can vent its fury. The smoke of the orphanage's ruins clears, revealing the rebuilt church. A crowd is gathering on the other side, dressed to the nines. The street around them is decorated in a way that makes what's happening all too clear.
Rosaline's eyes widen.
"It's a wedding." She swallows. "And I think... I think I'm the bride." She takes a deep breath. "Oh, Toby, you can't take a hint, can you? All this, just..."
She looks down at the smoldering ruins.
She takes off, through the ruins and towards the ringing bells. In the distance, partially obscured by a forming crowd, Tobit himself is walking into the patchwork church's front door. He is dressed in a white tuxedo, with a fresh shave and a haircut. Only his black eyepatch hints that he might not be the most perfect gentleman. He glances over his shoulder, on the lookout. Perhaps he knows Drifters are coming. He likely knows Rosaline is coming, too.
That's the idea.
The doors close. Though festive, his henchlizard-people and his hellhounds have likely been warned about the Drifters' arrival. It might be possible to use the husks of the neighboring buildings as cover to sneak in, but it will be a treacherous climb, and a distraction might be warranted. But if you succeed, this may mean finally cornering that terrible, slippery man.
This will either be one hell of a fight, or one hell of a sneaking mission. Or why not both?
What's the plan?
DG: Rosaline Calice has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, The Chapel.
<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.
The malevolent ghosts of the orphans fade into the night. Talise's sense of horror fades a little - but something continues to gnaw at the pit of her stomach. Something is wrong. Something that becomes clear as they approach the rebuilt church. A church decorated for a festive ceremony.
This is a wedding, Talise realizes as her blood turns to ice all at once. Because she's got a fairly good idea of who the bride is supposed to be.
"Ohhh, Althena damn it," she hisses, a cold grip closing around her heart. Her gaze snaps towards the soft pink Etone who has been mired in depression and despair for the past little while.
Damn it damn it damn it, she thinks, her thoughts whirling. A thousand possible solutions begin to present themselves. All of them depend on things she cannot do, or things she does not know, or things she is not sure of. Risk and impossibility. And the groom waiting at the altar.
And Rosaline sprinting off to become the bride. "Rosaline, wait," Talise calls after her, taking a few steps forward before breaking into a run after the fluffy Etone.
Fighting that many bandits out in the open would be utterly disastrous. Talise clenches her teeth, desperation giving way to the sense that she can't panic. She mustn't. Rosaline is in grave danger and she has to DO SOMETHING to help her friend.
"Going vertical," she says with a sharp nod to Ida, expression grim - and she whips out her hookshot and takes aim at a ruined house across the way. The chaincoil discharges, latches on, and pulls her up towards that roofline; she boosts herself up onto it with a grunt and plants her knee, taking aim again. This time she's aiming for the church's steeple.
The hookshot arcs out across the vast distance - and as the bell tolls, the grappling head bites into one of the steeple's supports. Talise attempts to reel herself over the crowd sight-unseen and sound-unheard, hoping to reel herself in towards the steeple in the hopes of dropping into the church through a hole in the roof.
Rosaline, she thinks, her jaw set. I promised you I'd be there for you... and I'm not gonna let you get married to a two-timing guy who's cheating on you with the Trial Knight!
DG: Talise Gianfair has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, The Chapel.
<Pose Tracker> Sephilia Lampbright has posed.
"Rosa's the bride? But--that doesn't make sense! Who plans a wedding like this? Like, when my Dad met my Mom he was at least rescuing her from being kidnapped by a bandit chief and forced to marry him!"
What?
"But this...how would he even know she'd come? What if she didn't? What if it was--what if it was like, Zed who showed up?"
Sephy shakes her head. "Well, Dad's journal has a bit about how he crashed THAT wedding, that might come in handy here...it's kind of a sweet story, not like this at all!"
Sephy be sensitive sometimes, please.
"Oh," she says, looking up at Rosa and Talise running off. "We're doing *that* plan." She begins to tap her nose in thought, idly glancing at the pages of Dad's journal.
"Well, no time for that plan...that only works in stories, Dad, sheesh, why'd you consider that..."
Sephy may be some time.
DG: Sephilia Lampbright has used her Tool Dad's Journal toward her party's challenge, The Chapel.
<Pose Tracker> Layna Manydays has posed.
Layna stands there for a moment longer in quiet consideration. And then she starts to move along with the others, on to their final destination. Which seems to be...a wedding?
Layna's expression is briefly horrified, but then switches to anger. She mutters something under her breath, something along the lines of 'strangling him with his own goddess-damned tie'. She shuts her eyes tight and takes a deep breath, before glancing back to the others.
"So this is what it's all about, then." She says, exhaling. Rosaline takes off, and Layna shakes her head. She's going to confront him, then. This can only end in tears.
"I'm gonna take off after her, make sure they can't do anything. You all...try to think o' somethin' smarter, aye? You can use me as a distraction, do what you want." Layna says, looking towards her friends. Talise ziplines up.
And then, she moves in the direction Rosaline ran, deciding to just approach things from the front.
As she walks, Layna cracks her knuckles. Her body becomes surrounded by a faint green glow, and the wind begins to howl as it rushes around her.
It isn't often that Layna is truly angry, but something about this entire situation has set her off. It might be a little frightening to those who are used to her being...well, the way she usually is.
DG: Layna Manydays has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, The Chapel.
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
As the last 'ghost' vanishes, a dull sense of relief comes over Ida--relief that one level of the anxiety-provoking stimulus is gone, for now. It is immediately replaced with another one.
Ida ducks behind a wall, glancing out to make a brief head-count of the bandits--on autopilot, her heart hammering. Rosaline walks out, and it takes every ounce of Ida's willpower not to grab her and try to drag her back. This is Rosaline's trial, Ida thinks. She's got to face it, but she doesn't have to do so alone. Tobit knows she's here, so nothing on that front has changed... but he doesn't know how many Drifters are here, or what their capabilities are. There's still an opening. She can still do this. Please God help her still do this.
Sephilia talks. Ida's eyes narrow, and the look she gives the young woman is more than a little acidic, but she says nothing. As the group splits up, Ida steps around the corner of the bombed-out building. There's a group of crows (crows?) perched atop the eaves of the church. Ida considers them, thoughtfully. She then breaks a biscuit in half, and throws half of it so it lands in the road, not that far from the bridal party.
The crows are hungry. Malevolence has given them a more feral edge, and all of them see the biscuit at the same time. What happens... is likely not terribly convenient for the groom and his party, but if Ida's luck holds, it will be an excellent distraction.
DG: Ida Everstead-Rey has used her Tool Chocolate Biscuits toward her party's challenge, The Chapel.
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Xantia feels nothing about what she's doing, while strongly feeling that she should be feeling something. Not something she's experienced for the first time. Though she soon has something else to worry about, getting blasted with a burst of scalding hot steam as she pierces... something, presumably. "Ow ow owww..." Her complaints are fairly mild, given how much that should've hurt, most of her body left reddened by the steam. Even so, she doesn't seek healing from Rosaline. Maybe it's not as bad as it looks.
Or maybe she has her own ways to take care of it. It's unlikely to stand out unless paying close attention, but over time, the color of her skin will turn back to normal on its own. Soon, it's going to be as if nothing ever burned it. That is, unless the events at the wedding get in the way of this.
Xantia scratches her head at this new revelation, sheepishly admitting, "I don't know anything about weddings..." She glances at Rosaline. What is she even supposed to say at a time like this? But the nun takes off before she can think of something, probably sparing her from some measure of embarrassment. Instead, she merely follows along, figuring they'll think of something once they get closer.
In Xantia's case, the thing to do when you don't know about something is obvious. You consult the Guide! The 'to Dungeoneering' part of the title tends to only vaguely apply in many of the things it goes into, it's more of a general guide to life. A very bizarre and often flat out wrong one, which probably isn't helping Xantia's behavior, given that she tends to believe everything she reads.
Turns out that yes, there's a section of wedding tips. Xantia frowns, skimming past everything because none of it seems relevant. "No, no, ugh, why is this all about attending a wedding, and not about sneaking into one?" Here she thought this book had useful information on every commonly encountered situation. And sneaking into weddings is something that must happen all the time, right?
Thus she latches onto the first thing she comes across that seems like it might have something useful in it, suddenly announcing, "Oh! Here's something that seems useful! It's about Shotgun Weddings!" Obviously these are tips for how to use a shotgun at weddings. Two and two, right? She's disappointed to realize, "Oh... Talise's already gone." She doesn't think anyone else brought a shotgun. There goes that idea. If you could even call it that.
She sure doesn't have any other suggestions, so when Layna goes off to present herself as a distraction, and she's told to do what she wants... "Okay! Then I'll go with you!" Thinking won't get her anywhere, but she sure knows how to be a good distraction, that just means breaking stuff, that's easy! That hasn't gone badly (enough) for her yet, so it seems like a great plan. At this rate, she'll never learn...
DG: Xantia has used her Tool Guide to Dungeoneering toward her party's challenge, The Chapel.
<Pose Tracker> Dean Stark has posed.
It's kind of weird to Dean that everyone else is so serious about the Hellion things--sure, this is a funeral, and that means something, but they're just monsters. Right? However, he doesn't think to question anyone about it, and the "monsters" get banished soon enough, so all's well that ends well. Sort of. Probably.
The smoke disippates, and on the other side is a church, its attendants dressed smart for some kind of party. It might be clear to everyone else, but not to Dean: he doesn't get what's going on until Rosa spells it out. "A-a wedding??" he utters, looking truly off-balance. "But why??"
...Maybe it would help if he knew more about Rosaline's past. In fairness, though, Dean is not really... into these kinds of... romance. Things. The idea alone makes him uncomfortable, especially when the implication that Toby may have burned down an orphanage because he wanted to marry Rosa occurs to Dean. That's... not what she meant, right...? That's just too horrible...
She zips across the street. Dean starts to chase after her, but Ida ducks behind a wall, Talise goes high, Layna charges in, Sephy refers to a book, and Xantia follows Layna's lead. Dean's not really sure how to handle this situation, but he's the type to prefer the direct approach, too. Still, he can at least help provide a distraction! He looks towards the still-clanging churchbells, summons up Twin Fenrir--and then shoots at those bells with the Standard Cartridge rubber bullets, CLANGACLANGACLANGACLANGACLANG, until the bar from which it hangs breaks and it falls inside the church with a cacophonous and highly distracting CRASH. Or, you know, until a Hellion attacks him and makes him stop.
So, yeah. Definitely not a sneaking mission.
DG: Dean Stark has used his Tool Standard Cartridge toward his party's challenge, The Chapel.
===============================<* Hope Springs *>===============================
==========================<* CHALLENGE - The Chapel *>==========================
|Type: Final |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 3 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
The smoke clears. Before you looms the chapel adjoining the orphanage, still
standing despite being surrounded by fire-crumbled buildings. It has been
put back together like a puzzle whose pieces have been jammed into one
another haphazardly, with minimal regard towards forming a coherent picture.
Grotesquely misshapen stained glass windows, broken pews and shattered angel
statues have been assembled into the general shape of a church and spackled
with pulsating, purple gunk.
The belfry is elsewhere in town, and so an entire side of its
cobbled-together replacement is a gaping hole. Despite the lack of bells,
their distinct sound makes itself heard at your approach. Bandits gather at
the entrance, looking in good spirits-- They haven't noticed you yet. No,
this is not an alarm, it's a celebration, to which they've all been invited.
From their words and demeanor, you understand.
This is a wedding. Tobit Calice, the groom, is the first to enter, wearing a
white tuxedo. The bride should be along very shortly. His goons remain
outside, awaiting her arrival.
If you can make your way inside the chapel without alerting the bandits
outside, you could get the drop on Tobit and outnumber him. But considering
the building's hazardous architecture and the amount of eyes on it, this
will require a lot of skill. Most importantly, this will take one hell of a
plan. Any suggestions?
=Dungeon Conditions: Reckless, Overzealous====================================
==========================<* Hope Springs - Round 6 *>========================== ============================< Results - The Chapel >============================ Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rosaline Calice 30 --(5)--> 35 Pass Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sephilia Lampbright 40 --(5)--> 45 Pass Dad's Journal 2 Wits Effects: Enlighten -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Layna Manydays 30 --(5)--> 35 Fail Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Talise Gianfair 35 --(5)--> 40 Pass Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Xantia 35 --(5)--> 40 Fail Guide to Dungeoneering 1 Wits Effects: Rally and Stalwart -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ida Everstead-Rey 25 --(5)--> 30 Pass Chocolate Biscuits 1 Wits Effects: Cleanse -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dean Stark 40 --(5)--> 45 Fail Standard Cartridge 3 Wits Effects: Fanfare -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Rosaline Calice 85 --(35)--> 120 Pass Conditions: Fright(1)|Overzealous(2)|Reckless(2) Effects: Cleanse|Enlighten(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: You have overcome the dungeon's trials! This run is a success! DG: The party led by Rosaline Calice has successfully explored Hope Springs!
===============================<* Hope Springs *>===============================
========================<* CHALLENGE - Save the Date *>=========================
|Type: Discovery |Dungeon Ability: Conclusion|Challenge Rating: 1 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
Despite all odds, the plan goes off without a hitch. There is a close shave
or two, but you manage to get into the chapel unnoticed.
Tobit is pacing in front of the altar, practicing a speech. You can't hear
it very well, but it is unmistakably a serenade to Rosaline. Why don't you
give him a little surprise before he gets the chance to embarrass himself?
(OOC: Congratulations! Your team will be starting the Gunslinger fight in
Part 2 unnoticed by Toby and his gang. You will get the chance to act one
round before he starts throwing real attacks around. Save the date!)
=Dungeon Conditions: Save Point, Reckless=====================================
<Pose Tracker> Rosaline Calice has posed.
Sephilia consults her dad's diary for wedding advice. There actually MIGHT be some merit to dramatically jumping through a stained glass window.
Rosaline's companions may have expected her to walk up to the front door and let what happens next happen, but it isn't so. She's already out of sight by the time they approach the church. Where could she be, now?
Ida has a clever plan to disrupt the festivities. The crows swoop in, fighting over the piece of biscuit, and soon there isn't a single crumb left. But their battle has only begun, as they begin pecking at one another. Confused onlookers approach and only get swept in-- and the result isn't pretty, as the animals have acquired a taste for treats.
Layna and Xantia waltz up to the front door, taking the most straightforward route. She would be badly outnumbered, were it not for several distractions. Ida's is the most obvious one, but the rest is less readily explained, such as the hounds running off to chase several identical cats (what?) and several of the bandits (some of which are complaining about the lack of cake) stepping away to partake in some impromptu, off-brand catering.
And while the sight of an angry, wind-powered Layna is quite intimidating, and Xantia soon proves to be endowed with the strength of ten men, these odds still seem unkind to them-- that is, until three shamans, Tethelle, Cyre and Lydia, join the fray!
Meanwhile, Talise rappels inside. She comes face to face with two eyes glowing in the shadows-- Oh, it's Rosaline. The beastwoman holds a finger up to her lips, perched in the rafters. Below, Tobit is practicing his speech, an ode to Rosaline. There is no more doubt now.
The bells start to ring out of control. Tobit pauses, looking up with a deep scowl. Meanwhile, on the other side of the chapel, Lily and Gwen fall from their own holes in the ceiling. Worse, the doors swing open, and soon some of the bandits retreating inside are carrying them away, along with Arash (when did HE get there?)
"Gwen!" Rosaline whispers, panicked, starting to breathe heavily.
The bells stop ringing. Rosaline draws her ARMs, eyes fixated on Tobit.
"We're taking him in, dead or alive."