2018-07-23:Stellar Cellar
- Log: Stellar Cellar
- Cast: Seraph Lanval, Talise Gianfair, Malfi, Sephilia Lampbright
- Where: Plains of the Goddess
- Date:2018-07-23
- Summary: What secrets lie in the Sinner's Cellar?
=========================<* Plains of the Goddess *>========================== The Plains of the Goddess consist of an enormous prairie that occupies the heart of the Meribus continent. It is the breadbasket of the world of Lunar; Althena's blessing lives strong in the soil, and the crops grown here are healthy, hearty, and free of disease. As a result of this bounty, the vast majority of the Plains are uncultivated; farmers have little reason to expand into the untamed wildlands when their larders and storehouses are filled to bursting. Only a few roads cross the Plains of the Goddess, linking the major cities to each other, with the ruins of Vane at the hub of a wagon wheel. Althena's Guard patrols the highways regularly, making travel (relatively) safe. Anyone heading deeper into the fields does so at their own risk, however. BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi_p5wdBrXw
DG: A party led by Seraph Lanval is now entering Sinner's Cellar. DG: Party formation is now over. An Entry Challenge will now be drawn and displayed to the party.
=================================================<* Sinner's Cellar *>==================================================
======================================<* CHALLENGE - Slim And Shady Characters *>=======================================
|Type: Entry |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 2 |
-----------------------------------------------< Challenge Information: >-----------------------------------------------
The journey towards this rumored cellar takes your party down a road
somewhere between Old Vane and Meribia that does not see much use these
days. Wetlands appear poised to reclaim this part of Lunar for itself from
lack of maintenance. Because this road is not as commonly used these days,
this place sees its fair share of shady characters wanting to do things away
from the prying eyes of the Guard - there's so few places on this part of
Meribus left for that purpose.
Your party encounters a number of hooded figures surrounding the burnt-down
remains of the Copper Rapier Inn. Cultists? Bandits? It's not clear why
they're here, keeping watch, but something about their presence is unnerving
no matter how confident one is of their own strength. It seems prudent to
avoid drawing their attention as you locate and enter the cellar through its
hatch.
=Dungeon Conditions: Bad Luck=================================================
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Lanval has posed.
Lanval's been less-than-subtly talking about wanting to check out a place out near the swampy wetlands between Meribia and Old Vane. This may have been a deliberate word choice on his part to get them to agree to the idea, because as it turns out, the roads are poorly maintained. The wetlands have already taken back these roads for the most part, and travel there basically sucks. It's humid and... well, it's not quite as bad as the one down in Glenwood. That one had the excuse of being all Malevolent. This one is yuck on its own natural merits.
"Mmmmph... yep. Shouldn't be too far from here, jusht down thish... way." Why the pause? Lanval turns his head, stroking his silver beard as both eyes open half-lidded. "Oh. Guessh we're not the only onesh shtoppin' by..."
There are hooded figures milling about, off the road. It's not clear what they're doing, but they are hooded and they are absolutely milling about in a place that has no real entertainment value to be milling about. Think about all the swampy muck here and there. Who would want to amble about in that without any clear purpose? These folks, it would seem.
"...'d be better if we weren't sheen," Lanval comments. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem for him, but there is a vague sense of uneasiness as he moves with respect to the idea that sightlines exist, tree by tree, rock by rock, overturned wagon by dead horse. "I know the way from here... jusht follow me...!"
That would be easier if he didn't pause and sometimes double back if he so much thinks as the hooded figures are going to look his way. He can't be blamed. There's something creepy about them. There's a whole lot of them. Why would this many people be here at once?
DG: Seraph Lanval has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Slim And Shady Characters.
<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.
Talise came for the beer.
Not that there's much of that left over anymore - virtually every drop of the good stuff is gone, either confiscated or driven underground. The mention of a hidden cellar, though, was more than enough to entice Talise into checking it out - though she took some precautions.
Namely, she tied on a green bandanna (with a white pattern through it). It doesn't hide her identity that well, but it might throw off the casual glance.
"Shh," Talise says with a glance towards the Seraph before realizing it's ridiculous: Lanval's invisible. Tucking into the underbrush, the tall woman narrows her eyes a little as she tries to figure out how to get around these guys.
Slipping a biscuit out of her pocket, she nibbles delicately at it as she begins to circle around, ducking behind shrubs and rocks and relying on her fur-collared grey-brown coat to give her some measure of camouflage.
DG: Talise Gianfair has used her Tool Chocolate Biscuits toward her party's challenge, Slim And Shady Characters.
<Pose Tracker> Malfi has posed.
Malfi follows Lanval, trying to be inconspicuous -- at least, as much as a party consisting of a hulking Beastwomen, a nearly-as-hulking human warrior-woman (actually a Metal Demon in disguise), and an adorable girl clutching a fox plushie could be unnoticeable. The invisible(?) person(?) didn't count. She might have to use plan B: look too intimidating to mess with. That, at least, might have some measure of success -- if sneaking didn't.
DG: Malfi has used her Tool Portable Scanner toward her party's challenge, Slim And Shady Characters.
<Pose Tracker> Sephilia Lampbright has posed.
Sephilia has been sniffly since Talise got hurt protecting her. She's here, now, to try and regain some confidence, at the prodding of her friends. Chauncey, now fully repaired, is being hugged tightly. "W-wait," she whispers. "I'm sure Dad's jou--Lanval, wait!" She hurries to keep up with the others, sneaky-like, without even time to consult the beloved journal.
DG: Sephilia Lampbright has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Slim And Shady Characters.
=================================================<* Sinner's Cellar *>==================================================
======================================<* CHALLENGE - Slim And Shady Characters *>=======================================
|Type: Entry |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 2 |
-----------------------------------------------< Challenge Information: >-----------------------------------------------
The journey towards this rumored cellar takes your party down a road
somewhere between Old Vane and Meribia that does not see much use these
days. Wetlands appear poised to reclaim this part of Lunar for itself from
lack of maintenance. Because this road is not as commonly used these days,
this place sees its fair share of shady characters wanting to do things away
from the prying eyes of the Guard - there's so few places on this part of
Meribus left for that purpose.
Your party encounters a number of hooded figures surrounding the burnt-down
remains of the Copper Rapier Inn. Cultists? Bandits? It's not clear why
they're here, keeping watch, but something about their presence is unnerving
no matter how confident one is of their own strength. It seems prudent to
avoid drawing their attention as you locate and enter the cellar through its
hatch.
=Dungeon Conditions: Bad Luck=================================================
============================================<* Sinner's Cellar - Round 1 *>============================================= ========================================< Results - Slim And Shady Characters >========================================= Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Seraph Lanval 0 --(10)--> 10 Fail Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sephilia Lampbright 0 --(5)--> 5 Pass Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Talise Gianfair 0 --(5)--> 5 Pass Chocolate Biscuits 1 Wits Effects: Cleanse ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Malfi 0 --(10)--> 10 Fail Portable Scanner 2 Wits Effects: Enlighten -------------------------------------------------------< Party >-------------------------------------------------------- Leader: Seraph Lanval 0 --(20)--> 20 Pass Conditions: Bad Luck(2) Effects: Cleanse|Enlighten(1) ===================================================< Dream Chasers >====================================================
DG: The party led by Seraph Lanval 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: Talise Gianfair has drawn a new Challenge.
==============================<* Sinner's Cellar *>===============================
=========================<* CHALLENGE - Dealing You In *>=========================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 1 |
----------------------------< Challenge Information: >----------------------------
The Copper Rapier has been host to all sorts of underground gambling before
it was razed by the Guard. Many a fool down on their luck hoped that winning
some games of chance would turn their fortune around, only to drive them
further into debt and despair. One table here holds all the pieces needed to
play one such game of chance - all the cards, stones, dice, etcetera, with
scraps of change for a pot that's hardly worth your time to collect. (From
the looks of it, the author of a loan agreement left here - dated 3798 GY -
might have already tried.)
As you approach, the coins and game pieces coalesce into a humanoid form. It
reeks of desperation, from resignation and misery that compels them to play
more, to risk more, to deal more, forcibly trying to induct you into its
death spiral of mounting debts by violently dealing hands. You're going to
have to kneecap this gambling phantom to stay in the black.
=Dungeon Conditions: Bad Luck, Exhaust========================================
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Lanval has posed.
It's a slow, grueling process. It's very strange to see, the way they just wander. Sometimes it seems like they should turn their heads and notice the sloshing and splashing of occasional sinkholes in the path. They largely do not. Thanks to the information in the journal, Sephy can help pinpoint what parts of the swampy roads one shouldn't step in, which does necessitate a bit longer of a route.
Malfi, on her observations of these cloaked figures... something doesn't make sense. It's weird. It bends the mind. It so happens the other three make it to the ruins of some tavern or another - the Copper Rapier Inn, only the worst of its kind in at least the last few hundred years!! - and Lanval quietly points to the door.
As it creaks open, the figures all seem to look towards Lanval. He can't see their eyes under the hoods. They don't approach. But they notice.
They file inside quickly enough.
<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.
Pushing on ahead, Talise moves down into the cellar, one gauntleted hand sliding along a wall as she proceeds. "...Feels like no one's been down here since time immemorial," she murmurs as she gives the place a slow scan, moving into the room beyond--
She blinks as she catches sight of the table and the pot. "...I see someone's a couple centuries overdue on that one," she begins to say, before something purple manifests itself.
The wavering shape of a humanoid form begins to take shape, oozing resignation and misery - the chains of a gambler who just can't walk away from the table. Slamming a pulsating violet hand down on the table, the figure begins to deal out cards that appear out of nowhere. Cards hit the table one after another - and begin to fly towards the little group.
Talise bats one aside with a scowl. She can feel the Malevolence rippling around her --
"Hey Lanval," she comments, "have I told you how sick I am of Malevolence?"
Taking Rastaban in both hands, she takes a step forward and attempts to split the malevolent gambling ghost down the middle.
DG: Talise Gianfair has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Dealing You In.
<Pose Tracker> Sephilia Lampbright has posed.
Sephy embiggens Chauncey, then hesitates. She's going to get hurt, or get her friends hurt--No. The only way that'll happen is if she does nothing. "Chauncey, buddy, let's show this thing you're as strong as ever, kay?"
DG: Sephilia Lampbright has used her Tool Folding Chair toward her party's challenge, Dealing You In.
<Pose Tracker> Malfi has posed.
Malfi tries to scan the gambling phantom, to no avail. Her scanner can't detect spiritual or magical energies -- and this creatures is both? Scowling, she charges the ghost instead, hoping her sword can actually do some damage to the incorporeal. What kind of creature was it? How did it get down here? Why did it stay? And why was it attacking?
DG: Malfi has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Dealing You In.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Lanval has posed.
"It ish pretty old," Lanval's voice trails, the discomfort in his voice palpable as he comes inside. He takes a short while to come in, looking behind himself as Talise takes point to the old gambling room. "Overdue... mmmph." Someone's overdue on something... yeah, they sure were, he thinks, without actually looking at the table.
"It'sh not shomethin' that can jusht magically go away," he says as he turns back and joins the lot of them, "but at leasht--"
A card flies past him, into the wall. An eye opens almost all the way. "--what?"
That is in fact the purple stuff, coalseced into a proper Hellion even without much of a physical body to work with. Immediately, the gourd is drawn, and Lanval gets to work casting the usual suite of watery Seraphic Artes.
He's a bit more on point than usual.
DG: Seraph Lanval has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Dealing You In.
==============================<* Sinner's Cellar *>===============================
=========================<* CHALLENGE - Dealing You In *>=========================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 1 |
----------------------------< Challenge Information: >----------------------------
The Copper Rapier has been host to all sorts of underground gambling before
it was razed by the Guard. Many a fool down on their luck hoped that winning
some games of chance would turn their fortune around, only to drive them
further into debt and despair. One table here holds all the pieces needed to
play one such game of chance - all the cards, stones, dice, etcetera, with
scraps of change for a pot that's hardly worth your time to collect. (From
the looks of it, the author of a loan agreement left here - dated 3798 GY -
might have already tried.)
As you approach, the coins and game pieces coalesce into a humanoid form. It
reeks of desperation, from resignation and misery that compels them to play
more, to risk more, to deal more, forcibly trying to induct you into its
death spiral of mounting debts by violently dealing hands. You're going to
have to kneecap this gambling phantom to stay in the black.
=Dungeon Conditions: Bad Luck, Exhaust========================================
=========================<* Sinner's Cellar - Round 2 *>========================== ===========================< Results - Dealing You In >=========================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seraph Lanval 10 --(15)--> 25 Fail Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sephilia Lampbright 5 --(15)--> 20 Fail Folding Chair 2 Combat Effects: Stalwart ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Talise Gianfair 5 --(5)--> 10 Pass Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Malfi 10 --(5)--> 15 Pass Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------- Leader: Seraph Lanval 20 --(15)--> 35 Pass Conditions: Bad Luck(2)|Exhaust(1) Effects: ================================< Dream Chasers >=================================
DG: The party led by Seraph Lanval has passed this challenge! The party gained 15 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.
<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.
Fortuitously, Lanval and Sephilia don't have much time to either get their Artes off or push past their fears. Other people are too quick on the draw.
The Malevolent gambler divides to either side of Talise's sword, split neatly into two halves only thinly connected at the pelvis. Its arms flail wildly in the air - all Malfi can really see here is a shadow - but her sword has an effect anyway. That shadow dissipates; Talise steps past her, wheeling and swinging out to slice through what's left of the old phantom.
With a low hiss of breath, Talise watches as the gamblin' ghost dissipates into nothingness. Her eyes narrow ever so slightly.
"Always hated guys who didn't know when to quit," she grumbles. "Dad was like that."
DG: Seraph Lanval has drawn a new Challenge.
=================================================<* Sinner's Cellar *>==================================================
===========================================<* CHALLENGE - Charlatan's Web *>============================================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Brute |Challenge Rating: 2 |
-----------------------------------------------< Challenge Information: >-----------------------------------------------
Vermin do not ask before they move in to wherever people dwell. If there
aren't any people left to begin with, they snap up any vacancy they can get.
The spiders have prospered here in this prime piece of real estate, and this
chamber of the cellar seems to be in the most demand... in so much that
you're not sure where the cobwebs end and the rest of the structure begins.
You've no choice but to stick it out through these sticky webs.
To the spiritually aware, they hear mournful whispers that come from those
flies and other vermin the spiders feast upon. Resignation and despair for
their situation, helpless to their fates in life. Oddly, there's a letter
dated in 3542 GY stuck to these webs, its author having written about how
wonerful a place 'Rylia' is.
=Dungeon Conditions: Overzealous, Exhaust=====================================
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Lanval has posed.
Talise takes care of the bulk of it, but Lanval seems especially... off. He's walking much more upright. He's watching the gambling shadow dissipate closely. He has himself another drink of his gourd before following in from behind.
Further down is... a room? Full of cobwebs. Maybe there isn't a room. Maybe it's just one giant cobweb. Cobwebs, and a few echoing drops of water who are adding additional culture to the joint, bringing mold and mildew with it. So many cobwebs...
They're thick and sticky and even the likes of Talise might have her work cut out trying to tear all of it away. Though the spiders themselves aren't seen, their meals are. They struggle, the lot of them. Flies, moths, ants. It's all the same.
It cannot be helped... but I don't want to be here.
I will fly no more.
It's all gone. It is dark...
Rylia is a wonderful place. I give my thanks to the Goddess that--
That last one's a letter, still in readable condition, but probably not for long as everyone has their struggles to get through the webs.
Lanval is silent as he struggles to fit through the webs. Usually he's laughing, carrying on, being a silly dope. There is none of that. Even without his eyes all the way open, there's a certain intensity to it all. Is it the Malevolence? It's not a Domain like Mount Manfred, but yet, this place... what's going on?
DG: Seraph Lanval has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Charlatan's Web.
<Pose Tracker> Malfi has posed.
Malfi strains her way through the webs, using her sword to clear as many away as she can. Webs, webs everywhere...but where are the spiders? She really, really hopes that the answer isn't that the next room is full of giant, aggressive ones. Having almost no Resonance, she's spared both the victims' despair and the sense of strangeness about this place. Sometimes ignorance really is bliss...
DG: Malfi has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Charlatan's Web.
<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.
"Hey Lanval," Talise says with a blink, falling back to walk near her drunken Seraph friend. "You alright...?"
That's when they walk into the room full of cobwebs.
One of them ends up in Talise's face. "Ugh!" she shouts, sweeping her arm out to tear part of it aside. "Damn things! How many of--" She pauses, looking deep into the room.
Something mournful is whispering around her - but Talise shuttles it out of her mind and reaches out to pluck the letter from the cobwebs. She blinks as she stares at it.
"...Rylia...."
With a grunt, she tucks the letter into her pouch, then fires up her gauntlets and proceeds to begin ripping down cobwebs.
DG: Talise Gianfair has used her Tool Ogre Power Gauntlets toward her party's challenge, Charlatan's Web.
<Pose Tracker> Sephilia Lampbright has posed.
Sephy blinks. "Rylia? Have...have you ever heard of that before? I wonder if Dad knows..." Chauncey gets his digging claws attached to help brute force the way through.
DG: Sephilia Lampbright has used her Tool Digging Claws toward her party's challenge, Charlatan's Web.
=================================================<* Sinner's Cellar *>==================================================
===========================================<* CHALLENGE - Charlatan's Web *>============================================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Brute |Challenge Rating: 2 |
-----------------------------------------------< Challenge Information: >-----------------------------------------------
Vermin do not ask before they move in to wherever people dwell. If there
aren't any people left to begin with, they snap up any vacancy they can get.
The spiders have prospered here in this prime piece of real estate, and this
chamber of the cellar seems to be in the most demand... in so much that
you're not sure where the cobwebs end and the rest of the structure begins.
You've no choice but to stick it out through these sticky webs.
To the spiritually aware, they hear mournful whispers that come from those
flies and other vermin the spiders feast upon. Resignation and despair for
their situation, helpless to their fates in life. Oddly, there's a letter
dated in 3542 GY stuck to these webs, its author having written about how
wonerful a place 'Rylia' is.
=Dungeon Conditions: Overzealous, Exhaust=====================================
============================================<* Sinner's Cellar - Round 3 *>============================================= =============================================< Results - Charlatan's Web >============================================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Seraph Lanval 25 --(20)--> 45 Fail Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sephilia Lampbright 20 --(5)--> 25 Pass Digging Claws 3 Brute Effects: Rally ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Talise Gianfair 10 --(5)--> 15 Pass Ogre Power Gauntlets 2 Brute Effects: Strengthen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Malfi 15 --(20)--> 35 Fail Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------< Party >-------------------------------------------------------- Leader: Seraph Lanval 35 --(15)--> 50 Pass Conditions: Bad Luck(1)|Exhaust(1)|Overzealous(2) Effects: Strengthen(1) ===================================================< Dream Chasers >====================================================
DG: The party led by Seraph Lanval has passed this challenge! The party gained 15 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.
<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.
"...I had a friend named Rylia once," Talise admits.
"But I don't think it's the same thing."
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Lanval has posed.
Talise tears away the webs. It takes her four tugs, minimum, for the ones most deeply entrenched. From there, Chauncey shreds the giant wadded balls of web that would provide their own problems - which they already are, as Malfi gets her blade stuck and needs them undone.
The note disappears further down into the depths as the we ball is shredded up. Lanval is presently dangling from another such web in the way leading towards the next chamber. The notebook might have a little something on it--
"...Oh? You were talkin' ta me, Talishe?" Lanval puts on a dumb smile. "Shorry, shorry. Gettin' all caught up... ha ha... get it?"
DG: Malfi has drawn a new Challenge.
============================<* Sinner's Cellar *>=============================
======================<* CHALLENGE - Bye The Goddess *>=======================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Brute |Challenge Rating: 1 |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
Abruptly, your party happens upon a room made of smooth stone rather than
the rotting wooden boards that make up the majority of the cellar's
construction. In the center is a circular recess that has been filled with
sparkling pure water that surrounds its centerpiece sight: a Goddess Statue,
whom invites calm and good health to all who gaze upon it. The masonry about
the room is further decorated by hand-carved imagery showing further
devotion, along with a year by its carver: 3588 GY.
That this very room exists when it is surrounded on all sides by sin is
curious... it appears the caretakers of the place were of the mind to see to
the chamber's sanctity by building a newer wall of brick between it and
whatever lies beyond, built no earlier than the 3800s based on the
materials. A brick wall you'll have to do away with to get anywhere else.
=Dungeon Conditions: Save Point===============================================
<Pose Tracker> Malfi has posed.
Now this room is unusual. What is a Goddess Statue doing here? It even appears to be one of the ones that allow communication between it and other Goddess Statues. Could it have been used for urgent messages? Maybe the original carver was trying to make the debauched customers feel guilty and repent. Whatever the situation, it stands there before you...with a sturdy brick wall blocking your way to the next room. It might be best to dismantle the wall without harming the Statue.
<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.
"Yeah. Yeah, I get it," Talise says with a crooked smile for Lanval, reaching out to give him a firm clap on the shoulder. "C'mon, bud."
They push on - and within the room itself, Talise widens her eyes and opens her mouth a little with surprise, breaking her stride. "What the actual fuck," she says before she can truly collect her thoughts.
Moving to kneel in front of the statue, Talise squints at it, then moves to check out some of the carvings -- "This has been here for five hundred years. What's a Goddess Statue doing at the bottom of a booze cellar? I mean... what?" Talise stares at the statue again, planting a hand on her cheek and slowly shaking her head. "...Maybe Althena used to love a good stout...."
With a sigh, she finally gets to her feet and begins trying to knock a couple of those bricks out of the wall.
DG: Talise Gianfair has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Bye The Goddess.
<Pose Tracker> Malfi has posed.
Malfi examines the wall and begins to chip away at it carefully. There's no need to take down the entire wall, just to open up a passage for the party to pass through -- even if they have to crawl.
DG: Malfi has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Bye The Goddess.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Lanval has posed.
The lot of them make it down to a sanctified chamber. Sanctified chamber... in about the worst place on Meribus this side of Nota. What the heck? Actually, no, Talise has it right, this is definitely an f-bomb moment. Maybe other letter bobms, too!
Lanval sighs contentedly as Talise pats him on the shoulder and helps him down.
To the next chamber, he kneels alongside Talise as she speculates about the nature of this room, in its time... he just smiles placidly, without commentary.
Oh, right, right, the narrative takes a moment to apologize. Now that there is a quiet moment to relax, reflect, and let others do the hard work... in Dad's Journal, there is indeed mention of a place called Rylia many years ago (about five hundred years ago, in fact), but her dad must not have gotten too much more about it - just that there was one. Cool! Maybe there's a chance to build upon the knowledge base of the previous owner from here...!
Meanwhile Lanval seems to be so at ease and relaxed that he is doing his classic act of not helping do any sort of menial labor, at all.
DG: Seraph Lanval has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Bye The Goddess.
<Pose Tracker> Sephilia Lampbright has posed.
Sephy doesn't agree that there's no need to take down the entire wall. "GET IT, CHAUNCEY." She scribbles notes in her journal as Chauncey smashes.
DG: Sephilia Lampbright has used her Tool Digging Claws toward her party's challenge, Bye The Goddess.
============================<* Sinner's Cellar *>=============================
======================<* CHALLENGE - Bye The Goddess *>=======================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Brute |Challenge Rating: 1 |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
Abruptly, your party happens upon a room made of smooth stone rather than
the rotting wooden boards that make up the majority of the cellar's
construction. In the center is a circular recess that has been filled with
sparkling pure water that surrounds its centerpiece sight: a Goddess Statue,
whom invites calm and good health to all who gaze upon it. The masonry about
the room is further decorated by hand-carved imagery showing further
devotion, along with a year by its carver: 3588 GY.
That this very room exists when it is surrounded on all sides by sin is
curious... it appears the caretakers of the place were of the mind to see to
the chamber's sanctity by building a newer wall of brick between it and
whatever lies beyond, built no earlier than the 3800s based on the
materials. A brick wall you'll have to do away with to get anywhere else.
=Dungeon Conditions: Save Point===============================================
=======================<* Sinner's Cellar - Round 4 *>======================== ========================< Results - Bye The Goddess >========================= Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Seraph Lanval 45 --(5)--> 50 Pass Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sephilia Lampbright 25 --(5)--> 30 Pass Digging Claws 3 Brute Effects: Rally ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Talise Gianfair 15 --(5)--> 20 Pass Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Malfi 35 --(5)--> 40 Pass Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC ----------------------------------< Party >----------------------------------- Leader: Seraph Lanval 50 --(20)--> 70 Pass Conditions: Overzealous(1)|Save Point(1) Effects: ==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Seraph Lanval 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.
<Pose Tracker> Malfi has posed.
Working together, Talise, Malfi, and Sephilia manage to take most of the wall down in record time. They're coughing from the mortar-dust in the air by the time they're done, but at least now the way is clear!
DG: Talise Gianfair has drawn a new Challenge.
==============================<* Sinner's Cellar *>===============================
==========================<* CHALLENGE - Non Appetit *>===========================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 2 |
----------------------------< Challenge Information: >----------------------------
You've found a place in the basement where the people running this place
kept some of their food. You can tell because this place is absolutely
swarming in hungry rats who do not care that the grains and meats stored
here have long since spoiled by time and exposure to the elements. They
appear to have never done a good job - or any job - of keeping the rats out.
As these rats are large, ravenous, and unrelenting, maybe the inability to
keep them out can't be held against the former owners.
This, however, can: according to this bill of sale from 4063 GY, it looks
like this stuff was called 'exotic' foodstuffs from Glenwood. Never mind
this dishonesty, this entire chamber is so filthy that one may be compelled
to turn back and find some other way about the tunnels.
=Dungeon Conditions: Wound, Bad Luck==========================================
<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.
Bricks crumble away as the group punches through the wall. Mortar turns to dust beneath fists and poofy paws, billowing around the foursome. Talise shields her mouth with one hand, coughing a couple of times.
It proves most provident - the fetid smell of spoiled meat reaches her nostrils, and she recoils with a gasp. "Sweet Althena's thong!" she curses into her sleeve, widening her eyes at the sight of so many rat bodies writhing before them, like a sea of hideous corruption.
One that comes boiling through the opening in the wall. Hungry rodents, reeking of bad meat and mouldy bread, begin to crawl towards the little band of adventurers. Still holding her sleeve over her mouth, Talise pushes down the urge to retch, swinging her sword one-handed to try and swat several rats away.
DG: Talise Gianfair has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Non Appetit.
<Pose Tracker> Malfi has posed.
Malfi actually DOES gag, which impedes her fighting somewhat. As she's swarmed by ravenous, possibly infectious rats she's grateful for one thing: her alien physiology means she's immune to most native diseases. Her companions aren't so lucky. Her new goal in life is to get through this room as quickly as possible -- oh, and to keep her new friends from being bitten. The rats' numbers are absolutely overwhelming!
DG: Malfi has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Non Appetit.
<Pose Tracker> Sephilia Lampbright has posed.
Sephy shrieks. "GROSS! Squash 'em, Chauncey! Hit 'em with the chair!"
DG: Sephilia Lampbright has used her Tool Folding Chair toward her party's challenge, Non Appetit.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Lanval has posed.
Lanval stays put for a while in the chamber with the Goddess Statue. All worries melt away for a time. Even while others WITH PROPER LUNGS are suffering. Then there's rats squeaking. Rats everywhere on that end. All the disgusting, rotten filth on the other end... and that bill of sale describing any of this as having ever been worthy of consumption?!
"I could shtay here forever," Lanval murmurs while chaos erupts ahead. "But..."
Lanval happens upon the rest. "Heeeeeeeyyyy... I know it'sh kinda unpleashant and you all want to turn around, but... I wanna go down that way." WHAT? THROUGH THE FILTH?
Lanval takes out a bright, white potion bottle, takes off its top, pours it in the gourd... and starts swinging it over his head. He works up a chortle, as a Seraphic Arte comes into force.
He swings the gourd outward, and a great wave of sanctified water - the purest, cleanest of its kind - gushes forth, threatening to carry away as many rats and other miscellaneous gross items down, down, down, further down and away.
Unless it's too much. It might be too much. Maybe they should call the Guard to torch this place, to play it safe.
DG: Seraph Lanval has used his Tool Holy Bottle toward his party's challenge, Non Appetit.
==============================<* Sinner's Cellar *>===============================
==========================<* CHALLENGE - Non Appetit *>===========================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 2 |
----------------------------< Challenge Information: >----------------------------
You've found a place in the basement where the people running this place
kept some of their food. You can tell because this place is absolutely
swarming in hungry rats who do not care that the grains and meats stored
here have long since spoiled by time and exposure to the elements. They
appear to have never done a good job - or any job - of keeping the rats out.
As these rats are large, ravenous, and unrelenting, maybe the inability to
keep them out can't be held against the former owners.
This, however, can: according to this bill of sale from 4063 GY, it looks
like this stuff was called 'exotic' foodstuffs from Glenwood. Never mind
this dishonesty, this entire chamber is so filthy that one may be compelled
to turn back and find some other way about the tunnels.
=Dungeon Conditions: Wound, Bad Luck==========================================
=========================<* Sinner's Cellar - Round 5 *>========================== ============================< Results - Non Appetit >============================= Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seraph Lanval 50 --(15)--> 65 Fail Holy Bottle 2 Combat Effects: Cleanse and Liability ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sephilia Lampbright 30 --(10)--> 40 Pass Folding Chair 2 Combat Effects: Stalwart ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Talise Gianfair 20 --(15)--> 35 Fail Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Malfi 40 --(15)--> 55 Fail Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------- Leader: Seraph Lanval 70 --(5)--> 75 Fail Conditions: Bad Luck(2)|Wound(2) Effects: Cleanse ================================< Dream Chasers >=================================
DG: The party led by Seraph Lanval has failed this challenge! The party gained 5 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.
<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.
It is too late. The rats swarm over everyone and it's pretty gross.
"Lanval, I don't like you right now," Talise says flatly as she vanishes into the rat pile.
DG: Seraph Lanval has drawn a new Challenge.
=================================================<* Sinner's Cellar *>==================================================
=========================================<* CHALLENGE - Drowning By Sorrows *>==========================================
|Type: Final |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 2 |
-----------------------------------------------< Challenge Information: >-----------------------------------------------
Your team descends to the deepest length of the basement able to be reached.
As this location is not far from marshlands, the idea of there being a
basement at all is one of folly. A light in the distance ahead attracts
one's eye. One can hear water dropping everywhere, as though a complete
collapse of this part of the basement could happen any day now. This part of
the basement is already ankle deep in... beer? Yes, beer. This chamber is
flooded in beer. Wait... flooded, past tense? No, it's flooding, present
tense!
The droplets increase in intensity as everyone further traverses the
basement, until they become gushing streams. Higher and higher the beer
level climbs. Not only is it hard to move, as the beer grows higher one may
be able to detect an upswell of Malevolence. Your team may literally be
drowning in liquid sorrows, with fine notes of resignation and full-bodied
misery. The guiding light ahead might be your only way out of this... or
maybe you can just turn back... unless one desires the tide overtake them.
It's hard not to feel resigned to this fate.
=Dungeon Conditions: Hesitate=================================================
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Lanval has posed.
That is way too many rats and filth to do away with, even for Lanval, which... says a lot. It's tough to figure out where they went in that big old ball of disgusting, but the lot of them do find themselves - eventually - going further and further down. It's kind of eerie unto itself, because it seems so uneventful (not including the part where they've all had to quadruple-check for rats.)
Only droplets of water keep them company. Their echoes are loud. Louder, and louder they go.
Lanval goes silent again, his eyes opening half-way. "Thish ishn't right." Plink, plink, plink. The droplets get louder. The air gets drearier. They who are resonant can feel it. There is definitely something wrong. The sort of feeling one would get in the depths of Glenwood, not... here, in Meribus.
Lanval is exactly right. This isn't.
The droplets continue to increase in number, and volume... then they turn into little streams... and before long, they gush, as though anything holding them back gives away entirely. It's not water.
It's beer.
It smells bad. It tastes worse. It's miserable - the idea that things are going to never improve. Nothing left to look forward to, but pure misery and sadness... and a light ahead that seems too far to reach...
For Malfi, it's just your typical 'we are about to drowning' scenario, which might also elicit similar feelings.
Lanval, hurriedly, gets out that 'smoking' pipe of his and produces those bubbles. If they can't make it to the other side, this will at least keep them afloat ahead of the rising tide and carry them back out if the bubbles hold. Still, they don't have to be underwater to feel like they're choking.
DG: Seraph Lanval has used his Tool Bubble Pipe toward his party's challenge, Drowning By Sorrows.
<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.
"THIS IS THE WORST DRINK I'VE EVER HADbrglbbllkblblblbl" Talise manages before she sinks to the bottom of the beer fountain.
Talise is wearing armour under her coat. She doesn't float.
RIP.
DG: Talise Gianfair has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Drowning By Sorrows.
<Pose Tracker> Sephilia Lampbright has posed.
Sephy just sniffles and starts crying. She hurries to get Chauncey big and helping lift Talise back above water...
DG: Sephilia Lampbright has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Drowning By Sorrows.
<Pose Tracker> Malfi has posed.
It's a good thing Malfi isn't claustrophobic, or this sub-basement might've caused her some problems. There's sour beer, evolving from drip-drip-drip to cascading down in rivulets. She doesn't sense the hopelessness surrounding this place, just the beer's presence -- which is unpleasant enough. She takes a good swig of coffee to get the *smell* of beer out of her nose, mouth, and throat. Coffee makes everything better!
DG: Malfi has used her Tool Blackest Coffee toward her party's challenge, Drowning By Sorrows.
=================================================<* Sinner's Cellar *>==================================================
=========================================<* CHALLENGE - Drowning By Sorrows *>==========================================
|Type: Final |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 2 |
-----------------------------------------------< Challenge Information: >-----------------------------------------------
Your team descends to the deepest length of the basement able to be reached.
As this location is not far from marshlands, the idea of there being a
basement at all is one of folly. A light in the distance ahead attracts
one's eye. One can hear water dropping everywhere, as though a complete
collapse of this part of the basement could happen any day now. This part of
the basement is already ankle deep in... beer? Yes, beer. This chamber is
flooded in beer. Wait... flooded, past tense? No, it's flooding, present
tense!
The droplets increase in intensity as everyone further traverses the
basement, until they become gushing streams. Higher and higher the beer
level climbs. Not only is it hard to move, as the beer grows higher one may
be able to detect an upswell of Malevolence. Your team may literally be
drowning in liquid sorrows, with fine notes of resignation and full-bodied
misery. The guiding light ahead might be your only way out of this... or
maybe you can just turn back... unless one desires the tide overtake them.
It's hard not to feel resigned to this fate.
=Dungeon Conditions: Hesitate=================================================
============================================<* Sinner's Cellar - Round 6 *>============================================= ===========================================< Results - Drowning By Sorrows >============================================ Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Seraph Lanval 65 --(5)--> 70 Pass Bubble Pipe 3 Agility Effects: Rally ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sephilia Lampbright 40 --(10)--> 50 Fail Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Talise Gianfair 35 --(10)--> 45 Fail Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Malfi 55 --(5)--> 60 Pass Blackest Coffee 2 Agility Effects: Resilient -------------------------------------------------------< Party >-------------------------------------------------------- Leader: Seraph Lanval 75 --(35)--> 110 Pass Conditions: Hesitate(2) Effects: Resilient(1) ===================================================< Dream Chasers >====================================================
DG: You have overcome the dungeon's trials! This run is a success! DG: The party led by Seraph Lanval has successfully explored Sinner's Cellar!
=================================================<* Sinner's Cellar *>==================================================
=================================<* CHALLENGE - All's Well That Ends Up In This Well *>=================================
|Type: Discovery |Dungeon Ability: Conclusion|Challenge Rating: 1 |
-----------------------------------------------< Challenge Information: >-----------------------------------------------
Having triumphed over the basement's fell nature, a cramped rocky tunnel
leads one towards a masterfully carved round chamber. Sorcerous crests adorn
the walls, surrounding the likeness of a young man in stone holding a bucket
of water whom seems to carry an air of divinity (dated by the sculptor in
3539 GY). The walls extend towards the surface in a long cylinder that--
wait. On second look, it would seem that this isn't an intended chamber for
one to walk inside, but instead, a hole into an old well. Just beyond the
opening is a reservoir of clear water - some of the very clearest one has
ever laid eyes upon.
The water is as pure as pure can be, even for how much time has passed. It
shunts aside any impurities that might touch its surface by having them
collect instead at the walls on the edges, which looks as gross as one may
imagine. Other than that, it's the finest water available anywhere. However,
it only resists impurities for as long as it remains in this well, so its
safe transport is up to the party to secure.
If one can track where this well actually is above ground relative to the
cellar's entrance - maybe by successfully climbing out of it - they can
return here at any time to draw more of it as desired.
=Dungeon Conditions: Secret===================================================
<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.
The good news, Talise isn't really dead! It's just hard to swim because she weighs a lot.
<Pose Tracker> Sephilia Lampbright has posed.
Sephy is glad Talise isn't dead!
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Lanval has posed.
It's overbearing, is what it is. Once it gets over one's head, that feels like it's it - they'll never come back up for air. Talise - and Sephilia, who gets pulled down with Chauncey - might find that, somehow, they can breathe under there. It seems more a thing of mockery rather than a grace. Take it in, drink it in. This is where it will all end. You'll never come back up above water--
Lanval, in his bubble, sinks underneath. It's got him, too... but there he is, sitting in there, smoking that pipe.
His bubble moves towards the two of them, absorbing the both of them inside through the turbulent ride of the rising tide. It gets crampled in there. Their breathing can now be the real, actual kind and less the metaphorical sort. (If only for a short while, because there's only so much air in that bubble.)
"Hey... Shephy, Talishe." Lanval speaks up. "Can't let ya check out yet.. there'sh shomethin'--"
They reach daylight? There's daylight streaming from above. Then the bubble pops, and all of them are unceremoniously dumped into the...
...crystal clear, clean water. It's so clean that it cleans them, too. It's so cool that it's refreshing to drink! Even with her armor, somehow, Talise won't have problems being above water. They're all inside a well. An ornately-carved one, full of powerful sorcerous crests - and the sculpt of a young man holding a bucket water, looking like something positively divine.
"...Are you all right? Talishe? Shephy?" Lanval asks.
This is about the time Malfi comes out to the gap in the wall, emerging from the booze unscathed. Well, damp. But unscathed. Just damp, and stinky. Maybe she should jump in and take a bath - she'll notice that any and all physical impurities are removed and set off to the walls on the side, which... okay don't look at those walls too much. Everything above that, though? Gorgeous.
"...Mmmmph." What was he going to tell them before they got dropped in here?
<Pose Tracker> Sephilia Lampbright has posed.
"I...I was really scared..." Sephy sobs.
<Pose Tracker> Malfi has posed.
Oh, yes, a bath is definitely in order. Malfi still isn't sure how they all escaped drowning: she's just grateful that they did. She notices the impurities migrating and clinging to the side of the well. So this well is...magical? She does not, and never will, understand magic. There doesn't seem to be a scientific explanation, though.
<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.
Talise spits out a mouthful of gross beer, pulling an arm around Sephilia. "...Yeah. Yeah, I'm okay," she manages, taking a steadying breath.
They reach daylight. Talise grimaces as she climbs her way up. Beer drips from her coat and hair. More than anything, she wants to throw herself under a waterfall. It's not even good liquor.
And then she stops, opening her miuth as she realizes what's before her. Pure water.
Suspiciously pure water.
Talise remains at the edge of the pool, one arm around Sephilia, the other hand on the edge of the opening. Quietly, she considers the pool.
"Lanval," she says as she slowly turns her head to focus on the notoriously drunken Seraph.
"Maybe I'm just reaching here," she says. "But this is a cellar full of beer things that the Guard sacked, and now there's pure water like this. Purer than I've ever seen." She narrows her eyes.
"Is this your house?" she asks.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Lanval has posed.
Lanval floats on the surface of the water, blissfully, like a big fat happy whale as his eyes stay closed. That dumb cat-like smile, as he drifts along under the watchful gaze of that stone carving of the guy with the bucket above. The bad beer washes off and away, to collect around the edges along with all the other physical impurities within. They'll come out of here feeling cleaner than they ever have!
Then Talise asks a pointed question, and Lanval drifts back their way. Is he listening? They just went through THE WORST to get here, the least he could do is--
"Sh-shomethin' like that..." He responds. "Long while back. Jusht... wanted to shtop by, 'n all... before ya left."
<Pose Tracker> Sephilia Lampbright has posed.
Sephy blinks. "But..."
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Lanval has posed.
"'m hundredsh of yearsh old! I've been 'round... thish place... a lot." Lanval adds, to Sephy's bewilderment. "Hadn't been back shince... few yearsh back."
<Pose Tracker> Sephilia Lampbright has posed.
"But won't you come with us?"
<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.
Talise doesn't jump in just yet. Doing so feels like it's wrong. The place is simply too pure.
But everyone else is, and Lanval himself doesn't seem to mind. Stepping down onto the ledge, Talise shrugs out of her coat and lets it slide into the water - and she stares as the beer collects to the side of the pool.
The thought of undressing and diving in occurs to her, but she doesn't know Malfi from Adam and Lanval isn't the type of person she'd let see her in that state. Instead she just unbuckles her armour with a sigh, sinking into the water in her trousers and tank top. Submerging, she comes up after a moment, pushing wet, clean hair out of her face.
She scowls as she realizes the water washed out her bleach and took her back to brunette. "Shit," she mutters. "Gotta fix that...."
But something more pressing comes up. Blinking at Lanval, she frowns and folds her arms. "...Left? What do you mean left?"
<Pose Tracker> Malfi has posed.
Malfi only hears one side of the conversation, since she has about as much Resonance as a potato. She's only half paying attention to it anyway, too busy enjoying her soak -- especially after all the filth, grime and rats! This is first class water. She'll have to come back later and retrieve some to see what kind of coffee it'll make!
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Lanval has posed.
It's true, Lanval is technically a guy. A guy who has been pretty chaste about hanging around a bunch of mortal women, but he is a guy. He continues to float aimlessly about the well of pure water while difficult questions surround them. Malfi, if she has any substances she wants to test, can feel free to discreetly dump them here and there to watch them all float away towards the wall. All of them do, possibly defying her understanding of chemistry and a whole lot of other things.
"Aren't ya all goin' to the Blue Shtar the firsht opportunity you got?" He asks, out in the open, as though secure in knowing that Malfi can't hear him ask. Hey, who told him that?!
<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.
Talise will undress in front of guys! Lanval's just not the kind of guy she'd normally do it for.
Talise presses her lips together, looking up towards the roof of the well. "...I did promise Tethelle I would help her," she admits, voice quieting.
"Though, y'know, nothing stops you from coming with us. There were Seraphim who traveled to Filgaia, too," Talise points out. "The Shepherd had his Seraphim with him, and there were a couple of others, too. You could come along."
<Pose Tracker> Malfi has posed.
Malfi observes various substances gravitate and cling to the walls and can reach only one conclusion: this is NOTHING like the ARM purifier at Wayside. It has to be magical...!
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Lanval has posed.
"...Really? Even the Shepherd..." Lanval muses as he strokes his beard. While floating in the water.
Back then, I wanted to stay here for the rest of my existence. Lanval thinks to himself. Made up my mind almost on the spot, what with what was going on outside of the Boundary.
He notices Sephy's sorrow at the idea he might not. They were already making up their minds on that - for sake of their good friend Tethelle.
Not even thinking twice about taking leave of Lunar entirely, and here I was, for so many years...
"Mmmph... I, uh... shay... Talishe... Shephy..." He breaks out into nervous laughter. "Let'sh not worry 'bout that for now... I'll enjoy the time we got. Like right now!"
Right now... the time we have right now. It's been great. I've gotten to see so much I don't think I ever would have, but... to go that far out? Lanval thinks. There's something weird going on. Something bad. If I had it my way, they'd never have to worry about it. It's a Seraphim problem! They got enough of their own to worry about. But...
Lanval floats upright. "...Nothin' lashtsh ash long ash you might like."
No other among my kind would believe it if I told them. They're my only hope. He considers. I guess I really am racing the clock now... there's something I can't turn my back to. What I saw just now, that's... not good. But I have to be certain. This could be...
Lanval lets himself submerge in the water, a dumb look on his face as he sighs aloud.
...something I can't keep from them if it's true.