2018-12-14: More Like InFALLtration
- Log: More Like InFALLtration
- Cast: Xantia, Rosaline Calice
- Where: Photosphere - Domicile Level
- Date: December 14th, 2018
- Summary: While most have already entered the Photosphere for the final assault, Xantia and Rosaline still remain outside, teaming up to push through and catch up. They save some time by not taking the stairs. (takes place during the Photosphere Sequence on December 1st)
======================<* Photosphere - Domicile Level *>====================== The Photosphere's interior is the size of a city. The majority of it is a massive cavern, honeycombed with different levels. Here, Metal Demons make their homes in hallways that have sometimes been repaired since the Photosphere crashed here in ages past. The quarters are small and cramped, stacked atop one another. This place also holds the gathering areas that pass for centers of Metal Demon culture. Within these halls, one can find cafeterias and proving grounds. Their martial life is in abundance; armories and arenas are common, while theaters and libraries are unheard of. The technology, suffice to say, is advanced. Tram systems lead into different parts of the Photosphere. Interior lighting and climate control makes this place comfortable, but it has an oppressive feeling for anyone from Filgaia. BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygpjMbQeBas
DG: A party led by Xantia is now entering Photosphere - Alien Catacombs. DG: Party formation is now over. An Entry Challenge will now be drawn and displayed to the party.
=====================<* Photosphere - Alien Catacombs *>======================
====================<* CHALLENGE - Running the Gauntlet *>====================
|Type: Entry |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 2 |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
The entrance to the Photosphere has been carved, rather than created. A
massive blast from the Dragonship Destiny's cannon has tore a hole through
the outer shell of the Photosphere. The wall has been carved open, leading
to the tunnels on the inside. However, crossing that ground is no easy
thing: a veritable swarm of Metal Demons is clashing with representatives of
Althena's Guard, the surviving guard members of New Arctica, and some
Drifters.
The result is a fierce, violent melee outside of the Photosphere. Blasts of
energy from Metal Beasts, shots from gunsmoke ARMs, and sorcerous fire and
lightning criss-cross that space. To get inside the Photosphere, one must
run through the crossfire.
=Dungeon Conditions: Slow, Injure=============================================
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Just getting to the Photosphere at all has been quite the battle, as one might expect from a desperate gambit that only has one shot of succeeding. Though vastly outnumbered, the ragtag force of Drifters managed to press the assault and hold their own until their trump cards could be played, busting a huge opening through the shield as well as the wall. Mother's declarations did the opposing side no favors, shattering morale and creating a split in their ranks.
With that, the battle has moved mostly to the inside, many of the defenders falling back to the Photospheres with many of the attackers pressing the advantage while the chaos lasts. Some have taken more time to do so than others, however. While one might not expect Xantia, known for rushing headlong into danger at every opportunity, to be among the stragglers, that's exactly where she ended up, spending a bit too much time looking around for--
"FEEEEEEEEIII!"
She's been shouting that for a while now. On some level, she sensed that something bad happened to him, so she went all over the battlefield trying to find him while punching her way through anything getting in her way. Upon smashing the latest of the Metal Beasts who got too close off the screen, she lets out a breath, and takes stock of the general situation. At this point, the battle outside has thinned out enough for her to become pretty convinced that Fei isn't even out here anymore. "Did he already go inside...?"
Nothing for it then. She'll just have to make a break for the opening. Which, of course, is being blocked by the fiercest of the fighting. Though it's more her style to try and punch her way through, she has more important things to worry about right now, and so elects to just make a run for it, trying her best to evade all the energy blasts coming her way once her mad dash is spotted. It's going to be tough at this rate. If only there were someone else to help attract some attention away from her...
DG: Xantia has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Running the Gauntlet.
<Pose Tracker> Rosaline Calice has posed.
Rosaline is late.
She came with friends, of course, but inexplicably passed out before the assault on the Photosphere could begin in earnest. And now, having recovered, she's catching up. The big gaping hole in the side of the building was a good enough place to start, she supposes.
Looking for familiar faces in a crowd is rarely pleasant, but it's even worse when you throw in ARMs-fire and explosions, and when half of that crowd will likely try to kill you with said ARMs and explosions.
But even amidst the din, her ears perk up as she hears a friendly voice. It's not calling for her specifically, but it's better than nothing. "Xantia!" Rosaline calls back, before ducking to dash between the legs of a twelve-foot Metal monstrosity. The creature is promptly peppered with more energy blasts, mostly intended for the shouting Rosaline.
"Whoops," she lets out under her breath, having not officially intended to create A Diversion, but this seems to be what's happening. "Well, I suppose..." she mutters to herself.
"COME AND GET ME!" she bursts out, standing tall and loudly spraying twin SMG fire in the general direction of the Metal Demon horde. Hopefully this should take a little heat off of Xantia so she can make her way in, while Rosaline uses her better-honed catwoman agility to weave herself a way through the chaos, into a safer part of the building and, hopefully, toward her friend.
DG: Rosaline Calice has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Running the Gauntlet.
=====================<* Photosphere - Alien Catacombs *>======================
====================<* CHALLENGE - Running the Gauntlet *>====================
|Type: Entry |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 2 |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
The entrance to the Photosphere has been carved, rather than created. A
massive blast from the Dragonship Destiny's cannon has tore a hole through
the outer shell of the Photosphere. The wall has been carved open, leading
to the tunnels on the inside. However, crossing that ground is no easy
thing: a veritable swarm of Metal Demons is clashing with representatives of
Althena's Guard, the surviving guard members of New Arctica, and some
Drifters.
The result is a fierce, violent melee outside of the Photosphere. Blasts of
energy from Metal Beasts, shots from gunsmoke ARMs, and sorcerous fire and
lightning criss-cross that space. To get inside the Photosphere, one must
run through the crossfire.
=Dungeon Conditions: Slow, Injure=============================================
================<* Photosphere - Alien Catacombs - Round 1 *>================= ======================< Results - Running the Gauntlet >====================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Xantia 0 --(15)--> 15 Pass Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rosaline Calice 0 --(25)--> 25 Fail Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC ----------------------------------< Party >----------------------------------- Leader: Xantia 0 --(10)--> 10 Fail Conditions: Injure(2)|Slow(2) Effects: ==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Xantia has failed this challenge! The party gained 10 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> Xantia has posed.
The rush for the entrance is a rough one. Xantia is forced to abort her attempt to make it through several times because there's just too much being shot at her. It's a small miracle that she doesn't take any direct hits until Rosaline arrives, shouting loudly, shooting wildly, and drawing everyone's attention. Including Xantia's. "Rosaline...?"
Well, she's not going to look a gift horse, er cat, in the mouth. Now that she has an opening, Xantia makes good on it, and rushes the rest of the way inside. Surely Rosaline can take care of herself. She looked like she knew exactly what she was doing. And maybe she does. Triggering the alarm on purpose and taking out all the guards is one way to play Metal Gear Solid. It's just... not generally the easiest way. Hopefully Rosaline is packing some rations...
At any rate, while Xantia didn't exactly help out with that situation, she does wait for Rosaline once she's clear of trouble. Surely Rosaline's going to be here soon. Yep. Aaaany time now...
DG: Rosaline Calice has drawn a new Challenge.
======================<* Photosphere - Alien Catacombs *>=======================
=======================<* CHALLENGE - Collapsing Roof *>========================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
As you make your way into the Photosphere, you find that the battle outside
has caused some damage to the structure to the Photosphere. More worryingly,
though, is the fact that the Photosphere periodically shows intense signs of
damage: when it crashed a millennium ago, the damage has made some tunnels
buckle and shift. That includes the narrow tunnel that you enter.
A loud 'boom' from outside, likely from an ARM blast striking true, causes
the tunnel around you to shift. Then, huge pieces of the roof begin crashing
down around you. Plates and the occasional structural beam rip through the
ceiling, and smash down towards you!
=Dungeon Conditions: Hesitate, Injure=========================================
<Pose Tracker> Rosaline Calice has posed.
It seems Xantia has ended up in the rafters, so to speak, specifically a metallic corridor from which she at least gets a good look at the situation outside.
And Rosaline does leap in after a moment, announcing her arrival with a frustrated-sounding growl. She lands on her feet, at least, but takes a moment to lick at a wound on her wrist. Her habit is torn in places, and the wrist isn't even the only place she's bleeding from. It seems that didn't go so well.
"Please let me help..." she then says, to no one in particular, "Petit Cure!" And after a faint rain of sparkles washes over her, she's looking... well, not perfect, but much better, at least. She didn't bother to reach for her Crests to cast her spell, perhaps counting on Xantia not noticing that break in her usual habit.
"It's good to see you here, Xantia," she finally says, with a tiny smile. She did pack rations, it turns out, and pulls out two Ethos-issued packs from her bag. One is for her, and the other is because not saving one for Xantia would be cruel. "Now where--"
BOOM!
An explosion roars out, hitting the metal plating just behind Rosaline. The corridor ahead of them starts to creak and protest in a deafening whine. The Etone's ears flatten.
"RUN!" And she starts to do so, distractedly still clutching at the two ration packs. She dimly realizes that she's doing so after a moment, but decides against letting go. She has a bit of a headstart, and if this can give Xantia a little extra motivation in a life-or-death situation, all the better.
DG: Rosaline Calice has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Collapsing Roof.
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
So not only did Xantia ended up getting some sorely needed help, but this help also brought food? Could this day get any better?!
...well yes, it could get a whole lot better. It's rare for Xantia to not enjoy a fight on some level, but around the end of the fight with Alhazred, she stopped enjoying herself. Now she's just kind of... doing what she has to.
All the better, then, that Rosaline is here to brighten her mood, with food. "Ooh, is that for me? Thanks! Nice to see you too, Rosa, I didn't know you were here!" It doesn't seem like she noticed the difference in magic, or if she did... well, how likely is it that she would focus on that instead of food?
Before she can even really begin to look at Rosaline in enough detail to realize that things didn't go as well out there as she assumed they would, suddenly an explosion happens outside, with enough force that she can feel it where she's standing now.
"What was--" she begins, but then Rosaline shouts to run, AND she's taking the food with her, so there's double the reason to follow as fast as her legs can carry her. If that has been a conscious plan, it would have been a good one! Especially since Xantia took far too long to notice part of the ceiling coming down. Hopefully the head start pays off!
DG: Xantia has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Collapsing Roof.
======================<* Photosphere - Alien Catacombs *>=======================
=======================<* CHALLENGE - Collapsing Roof *>========================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
As you make your way into the Photosphere, you find that the battle outside
has caused some damage to the structure to the Photosphere. More worryingly,
though, is the fact that the Photosphere periodically shows intense signs of
damage: when it crashed a millennium ago, the damage has made some tunnels
buckle and shift. That includes the narrow tunnel that you enter.
A loud 'boom' from outside, likely from an ARM blast striking true, causes
the tunnel around you to shift. Then, huge pieces of the roof begin crashing
down around you. Plates and the occasional structural beam rip through the
ceiling, and smash down towards you!
=Dungeon Conditions: Hesitate, Injure=========================================
=================<* Photosphere - Alien Catacombs - Round 2 *>================== =========================< Results - Collapsing Roof >========================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Xantia 15 --(25)--> 40 Fail Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rosaline Calice 25 --(25)--> 50 Fail Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Xantia 10 --(10)--> 20 Fail Conditions: Hesitate(2)|Injure(2)|Slow(1) Effects: ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Xantia has failed this challenge! The party gained 10 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> Rosaline Calice has posed.
The duo narrowly avoids falling debris as they run towards presumed safety. It almost seems to be going well, too, until they feel the floor start to tilt at an angle it definitely shouldn't. The entire corridor is starting to collapse with them in it.
"Oh, for the love of--"
So the good news is that Rosaline and Xantia don't get crushed by the ceiling!
The bad news is that this is because the floor gave way under them, and they are now plummeting to parts unknown.
AND Rosaline let go of those ration packs, which are falling besides them right now but could end up ANYWHERE.
This infiltration isn't up to a great start at all!
DG: Xantia has drawn a new Challenge.
=====================<* Photosphere - Alien Catacombs *>====================== ======================<* CHALLENGE - Automated Doors *>======================= |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 2 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- When you enter the next room, there is a shudder from the door behind you -- and the door in front of you. Then, both of them slam shut, descending from the ceiling. This leaves you trapped inside of the room. The good news is that the expected flood of poison gas, sand, or some other terror does not come. The bad news, however, is that the doors do not just slide back open. A few consoles on the wall may offer one way to open the sealed doors. =Dungeon Conditions: Stupify, Slow============================================
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
The fall isn't so bad. But the landing... yes, the landing could have been better. Obviously if there's food next to her, Xantia is going to try to grab it, even in mid-fall. So she isn't as prepared for when exactly that landing happens as she could be. She does attempt a roll to break her fall, but it just sort of ends with her sliding across the debris-covered floor on her side. You might say she botched her roll on that one.
Of course, it's not the pain she complains about. "I lost the food..." Just downright crestfallen, she is, looking incredibly sad when she sits up. You can always count on her to worry about that over the more important things, such as the fact that they fell straight through the ceiling of one of the Photosphere's many dormitories, broken open by the fallen walkway, and then sealed back up by chunks of the ceiling falling in after them.
Sighing deeply, Xantia gets up easily enough, seeming to be in a mostly alright condition as she looks about her new surroundings. The door on one side of the room ended up covered in rubble, so she moves to try the other door... looking puzzled by it as there's no handle, keyhole or anything else that looks like it would serve to open it. She gives it a push, no good. She tries to get her fingers under it to try and left it, but there isn't any space. She thinks about using her hammer...
She turns back to Rosaline, showing more sense than she commonly does by pointing out, "Maybe smashing it isn't such a good idea. I don't want more stuff to come down and fall on us." She instead leans against the wall beside the door. "So... I haven't seen you a while. What've you been doing?" Small talk, at a time like this? Well why not, gotta pass the time somehow, when you don't have any better ideas. Sometimes the plot demands you do that before it opens the door for you.
DG: Xantia has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Automated Doors.
<Pose Tracker> Rosaline Calice has posed.
Cats land on their feet, of course, but a landing like this one is a little much. Rosaline winces as she gets up, doing her usual assessment of injuries before distributing healing spells as necessary. A cleric's job is never done.
The rations are gone, too, cementing this situation as terrible. "I'm sorry, Xantia... There will be more." And hopefully, too, because she didn't pack that many, and was counting on sharing with her teammates. But it seems by now she is thoroughly sidetracked, isn't she?
She nods in agreement when Xantia decides AGAINST smashing for once. "I was thinking the same, yes." She takes stock of the situation for a moment, tail swaying nervously, before crouching to look through her bag and take out an ornate pink ring from which hangs a large cat's bell. Rosaline gives it a little ring.
"I've... been training a lot," Rosaline says, in answer to the question. "I went back to the Church after... everything on Lunar, and I felt like I needed to make things up to them. They really put me through my paces. Haha..." A pause. Then: "Oh! And my, um. My Etone training is actually complete." She seems uneasy, perhaps because this might be the most underwhelming possible way to make that announcement. "But the ordainment ceremony will have to wait until we're back. Right now we have to save the world." She has a nervous laugh.
"And how about you?" she then asks.
And soon, once the plot flags have been properly triggered, crawling in from a hole between debris is Kobayashi, the Katz. Xantia may or may not have seen Rosaline's friend before, when the androgynous being offered to sell everyone things in Castle Rabenstein, before their last push against the Umbral Mirror. Of course, she might not even see them right now at all.
"Sorry, sorry," they wave a paw, greeting the two, "I strayed off again. You know what they say, a Katz has curiosity skills."
"Isn't it 'Curiosity killed the Katz'...?" Rosaline asks, likely confusing Xantia in the process.
"Something like that, meow-- Oh! It's a Felinux system! I know this!" And they wander over to the console, hitting the keys at seemingly random and prompting some bleeps and bloops that may or may not lead to a desired outcome.
DG: Rosaline Calice has used her Tool Katz Kall toward her party's challenge, Automated Doors.
=====================<* Photosphere - Alien Catacombs *>====================== ======================<* CHALLENGE - Automated Doors *>======================= |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 2 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- When you enter the next room, there is a shudder from the door behind you -- and the door in front of you. Then, both of them slam shut, descending from the ceiling. This leaves you trapped inside of the room. The good news is that the expected flood of poison gas, sand, or some other terror does not come. The bad news, however, is that the doors do not just slide back open. A few consoles on the wall may offer one way to open the sealed doors. =Dungeon Conditions: Stupify, Slow============================================
================<* Photosphere - Alien Catacombs - Round 3 *>================= ========================< Results - Automated Doors >========================= Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Xantia 40 --(10)--> 50 Fail Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rosaline Calice 50 --(0)--> 50 Pass Katz Kall 2 Wits Effects: Fanfare and Rally ----------------------------------< Party >----------------------------------- Leader: Xantia 20 --(20)--> 40 Pass Conditions: Hesitate(1)|Injure(1)|Slow(2)|Stupify(2) Effects: ==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Xantia 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> Xantia has posed.
Xantia is a simple soul - the promise of more food is all that's needed to eliminate her sadness over what was lost. It's just hard even for her to get too exuberant about the situation. Engaging in small talk is at least partially to distract herself, to not get too worked up over being stuck like this. She'd lose her mind if forced to stay in a single room for very long.
At least Rosaline has some happy news, regarding the completion of her training. "Oh? Congratulations!" You don't need to fully understand what it all means to offer congratulations for something that sounds like a big deal. She does admit to at least one thing. "...I have no idea what an ordainment ceremony is. Maybe I could go to see? After we save the world, of course." No nervousness from her, she makes it sound like it's a normal thing.
When she's asked the question, she immediately thinks of the same topic Rosaline brought up. "Well, I've been doing some training too... magic training, hero training. But I have a long way to go still, with both those things. I found out a few things about my past, so I've been kind of distracted... and now we're doing this, so yeah, haven't had too much time for training lately."
And then a Katz happens. Xantia doesn't seem to notice, at first. When Rosaline seems to be directly addressing someone else, however... Xantia's eyes stray towards the console when Kobayashi gets to work on it, noticing them for the first time, and taking it completely it stride. "Oh, your friend's here!" And before she can even ask what they're doing, the door slides open. "Wow! Good thing too, I was completely out of ideas!" To be fair, that's easy enough to happen when most of your ideas involve violence and that isn't actually the answer. But whatever works is fine by Xantia!
DG: Rosaline Calice has drawn a new Challenge.
======================<* Photosphere - Alien Catacombs *>=======================
====================<* CHALLENGE - Metal Demon Guerrilla *>=====================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
Some Metal Demons remain loyal to Mother. When you enter this room, you
encounter one such Metal Demon. She is a centaur-shaped one, with a massive
beam cannon cradled in her hands. She turns, scowling at you, when she gets
a good look. Then, she calls out: "For our holy Mother!"
She fires the beam cannon, then. The problem, however, with a centaur-like
creature is that she gallops off -- and then ambushes again, and again, and
again, in the next rooms. The walls are soon scarred with beam fire, as this
guerrilla ruses to engage.
You will have to find a way to overwhelm her.
=Dungeon Conditions: Tire, Fright=============================================
<Pose Tracker> Rosaline Calice has posed.
"But of course," Rosaline says without hesitation. "I already intended to invite you to begin with. I want my friends to see." She gazes in the distance for a moment, however, trying to imagine what it might be like. Knowing who her friends are, this could be a disaster. She can only hope not. And she would also like to survive the next few days, if they can help it.
"Hero training...?" Rosaline wonders about that, but part of her feels like this isn't any of her business. Instead, she focuses on something else. "That reminds me, I was wondering, this... magic of yours, what is it, precisely? We used to think the lightning came from your ARM, but you seem to have figured it out since."
That slide of the door distracts her, however. Right. Time to move on. "Their name is Kobayashi," Rosaline explains, and already the Katz has wandered off. Peeking through the door, Rosaline furrows her brow. "Already gone. Sheesh."
They proceed out, and into a place that at least doesn't seem ready to collapse at any moment. It's even refreshingly quiet for a few minutes, until--
"For our holy Mother!"
And with a tiny 'eep', Rosaline ducks under a beam cannon blast that she's fairly confident could have vaporized her head. She reaches for an ARM and fires back before getting up, but already their foe is gone.
"What the..."
The following few minutes are roughly more of the same: a glimpse of a centaur Metal Demon, followed by having to dodge or take a blast of a powerful beam cannon, then her escape making a counterattack impossible.
But soon, a plan is formulated. Since half of the team is Xantia, it isn't a terribly elaborate plan. Rosaline simply lurks in the shadows and gives the agreed-upon signal:
"HYDRO STORM!"
And it begins to rain indoors, miraculously. Since this is magical rain, it should make their foe move more sluggishly, giving Xantia a window to...
Do what, precisely? It likely involves violence.
DG: Rosaline Calice has used her Tool Holy Water toward her party's challenge, Metal Demon Guerrilla.
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
If Xantia is there, then one potential disaster should already be crystal clear in Rosaline's mind's eye. She might turn the whole thing into a rank 4 eating contest, as in you better be quick if you intend to eat anything at all.
Regarding her magic, though, Xantia hesitates to answer. It stands out, since she doesn't often hesitate in talking freely about anything. It stands out all the more when her answer is, "I'm... not sure I should say." Xantia keeping things to herself? Has the world gone mad? At least she explains herself further, "I've heard it's dangerous to talk about. Not just to me." If it was just dangerous to her, she probably wouldn't care. There's others she doesn't want to potentially put in danger.
Of course, one could already surmise it's something different from Crest Sorcery or Symbology, because Xantia doesn't seem to have crests nor tattoos. Her silence pretty much confirms it's something more unusual. Perhaps she'll open up more about it later.
For now, however, the door is open, and Xantia is eager to make more progress, just hopping straight out in the open in contrast to Rosaline's more prudent approach. She looks around for Kobayashi a moment, then shrugs. Probably no need to worry if they can just vanish like that. "Looks clear to me, let's go!"
Unfortunately, the pair walks straight into a Mid-Boss arena. Xantia seems pretty nonplussed about the encounter, handily backflipping out of the path of the initial beam cannon blast. She's not worried about the situation so much as confused, frowning slightly. "...I don't get it. Why would anybody still be fighting for Mother right now? Didn't you all hear what she said?" There's no way she could possibly understand how this Metal Demon must feel, what it's like to have everything you know suddenly stripped away from you.
...okay, maybe she could somewhat understand that, if she made that sort of a connection. But she's not about to think things over too deeply, not while someone is posing an immediate threat like this. First things first. Gotta take her down.
Easier said than done. Xantia has no idea where she's going, while this Metal Demon knows every nook and cranny, constantly one step ahead and gone again by the time Xantia gets anywhere close to landing a hit. She lets out louder and louder groans of frustration every time this happens.
She doesn't actually have a better plan of action though, so this could possibly have gone on forever, were it not for Rosaline's idea. When the Hydro Storm is brought into play, Xantia's off at top speed, which thanks to the magical assistence is finally enough to catch up with someone using four legs.
What's her plan? To use her ARM's energy blade in an attempt to chop that cannon in half. Simple and violent, just the way she likes it.
DG: Xantia has used her Tool ARM Blade toward her party's challenge, Metal Demon Guerrilla.
======================<* Photosphere - Alien Catacombs *>=======================
====================<* CHALLENGE - Metal Demon Guerrilla *>=====================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
Some Metal Demons remain loyal to Mother. When you enter this room, you
encounter one such Metal Demon. She is a centaur-shaped one, with a massive
beam cannon cradled in her hands. She turns, scowling at you, when she gets
a good look. Then, she calls out: "For our holy Mother!"
She fires the beam cannon, then. The problem, however, with a centaur-like
creature is that she gallops off -- and then ambushes again, and again, and
again, in the next rooms. The walls are soon scarred with beam fire, as this
guerrilla ruses to engage.
You will have to find a way to overwhelm her.
=Dungeon Conditions: Tire, Fright=============================================
=================<* Photosphere - Alien Catacombs - Round 4 *>================== ======================< Results - Metal Demon Guerrilla >======================= Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Xantia 50 --(0)--> 50 Pass ARM Blade 2 Combat Effects: Embolden -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rosaline Calice 50 --(5)--> 55 Fail Holy Water 1 Combat Effects: Cleanse -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Xantia 40 --(20)--> 60 Pass Conditions: Fright(2)|Slow(1)|Stupify(1)|Tire(2) Effects: Cleanse|Embolden(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Xantia 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> Rosaline Calice has posed.
Xantia's hesitation is certainly odd, Rosaline notes. "I see... I understand. If it's what I'm thinking, I also heard it was dangerous to talk about." This is definitely a conversation they should have, but this isn't the time and place at all.
And so, they move and get ambushed. Several times! But a plan goes into action. The Hydro Storm finds its mark (as rain tends to), and washes down upon the Metal Demon (who seems a little familiar, but whom Rosaline can't quite place...)
But it seems Rosaline has been spotted, prompting her to hide behind a column while Xantia makes her move. She strikes swiftly, and all for the best, too, depriving their assailant of her weapon. She lets out a curse and... gallops away, this time not returning.
"Sometimes," Rosaline says, stepping out of her cover and stashing her holy water again once more, "the truth is too painful for people to hear all at once. It's so unbearable that they would rather just continue living a lie." She shakes her head. "It's sad, but there isn't really anything we can do..."
Except proceed, that is. Which they do!
DG: Xantia has drawn a new Challenge.
=====================<* Photosphere - Alien Catacombs *>======================
=======================<* CHALLENGE - Homing Lasers *>========================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 3 |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
When you enter this room, you find yourself in a ring-shaped room. A catwalk
moves around the edge of the room, while a pit fills the center, save for a
single sheer column. A blinking red gem is mounted into the column. The exit
from this room is on the other side.
When you enter, there is a pulse of light from the gem in the center.
Then, nozzles in wall swivel, and beams of light fire into the room. The
lasers burn when they touch, but to make matters worse, they reflect off the
wall. Beams of light ricochet across the room, making passing it very
dangerous. However, the red gem may pose a way to stop the beams -- and it
may offer a treasure.
=Dungeon Conditions: Suffer, Treasure=========================================
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Xantia did feel a bit of an urge to continue the magic discussion when it seemed like Rosaline might have an idea of what lies at the root of her power already. But in the end, it's left for another day. It probably for the best - they have other things to worry about right now.
Other things such as the ambush, which soon leads Xantia to forget all about the earlier conversation. It at least has a satisfying conclusion, as she manages to take advantage of her one shot to cleanly disARM their opponent. And without the weapon exploding in her face even! That was probably a thing that could have happened, but it didn't, so all is well.
Rosaline offers her insight into their fleeing enemy's thought process. Which leaves Xantia to conclude that there's no way she could have possibly understood them. She can't help but compare this to her own situation, casting her gaze on the fleeing back of the Metal Demon. "...There's no point in living a lie. I could hide from the truth... but I could never escape the questions."
After that moment of introspection, Xantia is markedly more quiet than before, not speaking a word unless spoken to. This doesn't last very long however, as the next room the pair enters proves to be an extremely hazardous one. Lasers are pretty bad to begin with, but bouncing lasers? That's just not right. All Xantia can do is hop and flip around the circular catwalk, doing her best to dodge the beams while making her way to the door on the other side of the room.
However, for as simple-minded as she tends to be, Xantia does tend to Notice Things. As she moves, she notices that the gem in the central column flashes periodically, just before another laser beam is fired. Even for her, it's easy enough to deduce what that means. "Rosaline! I think it's that gem that's doing this! Can you get to it?" It's a bit of a leap, but perhaps cat-like agility will be able to clear it.
DG: Xantia has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Homing Lasers.
<Pose Tracker> Rosaline Calice has posed.
"I'm sure she'll have plenty if she survives this," Rosaline muses on their opponent, before the subject is mercifully dropped.
And soon... lasers. Despite certain stereotypes, Rosaline doesn't lose all control over herself when lasers are involved. She merely had a mild fascination with them. And since they pose a threat to her life right now, she mostly spends her energy ducking and weaving, trying to avoid being pierced through or cut in half.
Then, Xantia notices something. "Good eye!" And after taking her gloves off and finding a window to take a running start, Rosaline makes the leap, claws raised and extended just in case. Will she make it? Hopefully, because she would rather not have a second precipitous drop today.
DG: Rosaline Calice has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Homing Lasers.
=====================<* Photosphere - Alien Catacombs *>======================
=======================<* CHALLENGE - Homing Lasers *>========================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 3 |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
When you enter this room, you find yourself in a ring-shaped room. A catwalk
moves around the edge of the room, while a pit fills the center, save for a
single sheer column. A blinking red gem is mounted into the column. The exit
from this room is on the other side.
When you enter, there is a pulse of light from the gem in the center.
Then, nozzles in wall swivel, and beams of light fire into the room. The
lasers burn when they touch, but to make matters worse, they reflect off the
wall. Beams of light ricochet across the room, making passing it very
dangerous. However, the red gem may pose a way to stop the beams -- and it
may offer a treasure.
=Dungeon Conditions: Suffer, Treasure=========================================
================<* Photosphere - Alien Catacombs - Round 5 *>================= =========================< Results - Homing Lasers >========================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Xantia 50 --(30)--> 80 Fail Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rosaline Calice 55 --(25)--> 80 Pass Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC ----------------------------------< Party >----------------------------------- Leader: Xantia 60 --(10)--> 70 Fail Conditions: Fright(1)|Suffer(1)|Treasure(1) Effects: ==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Xantia has failed this challenge! The party gained 10 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> Xantia has posed.
What's there to say about room full of bouncing lasers that doesn't involve the words 'painful' and 'exhausting'? It requires immense exertion to avoid direct hits, and even just in passing the beams cause a significant amount of searing pain. Xantia finds her way to the exit completely blocked off - there's always more lasers coming for her from one inconvenient angle or another, requiring another dodge in the wrong direction.
Thankfully the source is positively identified, and Rosaline leaps for it like a joke about cats and lasers that she's already pre-empted. Latching onto the pillar with her claws, it's an easy next step to remove the gem. It proves less easy to keep a hold on, and it ends up falling into the abyss below... but at least removing it caused the lasers to stop, and a breather can be taken.
Xantia's comes in the form of a deep sigh. "I'm sure glad you were there... that could've ended badly." It didn't end particularly well, Xantia has several laser burns on her after all that... but even if there hadn't been a healer right there, it'll heal. It always heals, usually faster than she notices. If she also had to stop the trap by herself though, that would've been a problem. It's almost like rushing into the enemy's ancient fortress by herself would've been a bad idea.
At any rate, with the lasers gone, reaching the door on the other side is now an easy enough feat. What lies beyond?
DG: Rosaline Calice has drawn a new Challenge.
======================<* Photosphere - Alien Catacombs *>=======================
=======================<* CHALLENGE - Metal Hound Pack *>=======================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
Four-legged, wolf-like Metal Beasts are among the most common of the beasts
that inhabit the Photosphere. These creatures, with wicked jaws and
sharpened claws, pose an extreme danger. They move quickly, and when you
round the next bend, you see a pack of them rushing towards you.
They charge, a wicked gleam in their eyes -- and then leap, jaws snapping
and trying to bite at your flesh.
=Dungeon Conditions: Weaken, Injure===========================================
<Pose Tracker> Rosaline Calice has posed.
Regenerative abilities or not, Rosaline doesn't play around with laser burns! A moment after the Etone has leapt back to safety and put her gloves back on, Xantia is already healed. "Providence has a way to bring people together in times of need," she muses.
And what lies beyond the next door?
The answer is wolves! Snarling, oversized metallic wolves, an entire pack of which is rushing towards them.
Rosaline, at this point, has a history with monstrous canines of various stripes. She briefly considers doing the sensible, Looney Tunes thing to do and close the door, but that would close off their only way forward.
Holy rain washes over the pack, slowing them down and signaling that the battle has begun in earnest. While Xantia presumably rushes ahead, Rosaline remains in the back, chanting a prayer, and soon...
"Don't come any closer! Swords of Revealing Light!"
And as announced, swords of light join the holy rain, attempting to pin down the charging wolves, or at least form a barrier for them to slam into before Xantia slams into them.
DG: Rosaline Calice has used her Tool Holy Water toward her party's challenge, Metal Hound Pack.
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
"That's nice of Providence," Xantia responds. She probably has no idea what that word means.
She does know what wolves mean. Those mean fighting. That should be exciting to Xantia, right?
Xantia doesn't look excited at all. She just looks tired. She is pretty tired in general, but tired of these wolves in particular. She's fought so many of these since coming to Elru. There's terrible variation in random encounters on this continent. Then there were the ones she fought in defense of New Arctica, plus they were the bulk of the Beasts involved in the battle outside the Photosphere... if only these knew how many she's already taken out by now, they might be a bit less eager to attack her.
As it is... Xantia doesn't actually rush ahead for once, she waits for the wolves to come to her. It may be a bit eerie to see her that calm in the face of something like this. The way she handles the fight may be eerier still. Lashing out with single, devastating punches in an almost casual way, not seeming to care either way about how much damage she does, just that she takes them down. And when that isn't enough, due to several wolves coming at her at once, she activates her ARM blade, slashing through the entire group at once.
It's certainly efficient. Methodical. One might even say mechanical. All words that don't normally apply to Xantia. Is something wrong with her?
DG: Xantia has used her Tool ARM Blade toward her party's challenge, Metal Hound Pack.
======================<* Photosphere - Alien Catacombs *>=======================
=======================<* CHALLENGE - Metal Hound Pack *>=======================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
Four-legged, wolf-like Metal Beasts are among the most common of the beasts
that inhabit the Photosphere. These creatures, with wicked jaws and
sharpened claws, pose an extreme danger. They move quickly, and when you
round the next bend, you see a pack of them rushing towards you.
They charge, a wicked gleam in their eyes -- and then leap, jaws snapping
and trying to bite at your flesh.
=Dungeon Conditions: Weaken, Injure===========================================
=================<* Photosphere - Alien Catacombs - Round 6 *>================== =========================< Results - Metal Hound Pack >========================= Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Xantia 80 --(0)--> 80 Pass ARM Blade 2 Combat Effects: Embolden -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rosaline Calice 80 --(5)--> 85 Fail Holy Water 1 Combat Effects: Cleanse -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Xantia 70 --(20)--> 90 Pass Conditions: Injure(2)|Weaken(2) Effects: Cleanse|Embolden(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Xantia 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> Rosaline Calice has posed.
Sadly for Rosaline, the Swords of Revealing light don't sword nor reveal much of anything. They fall from above just a little too late, only pinning down a single one of the wolves. The Etone lets out a small, dismayed sound. Curse her poor timing! She knew she should have practiced this spell more, before it truly mattered...
But despite her self-depreciation, Xantia has the matter well in hand, and well in ARM for that matter. She makes quick work of the wolves, in a manner more cleanly efficient than the one Rosaline is used to. Once the beasts are dispatched, she runs over, looking a little confused.
"Are you all right, Xantia? You're looking a little... distracted." It's not the right word. In fact it might be the opposite. But she can't think of a more accurate one to use that wouldn't sound odd. At least according to her assessment, any more healing isn't necessary right now.
DG: Xantia has drawn a new Challenge.
=====================<* Photosphere - Alien Catacombs *>======================
==================<* CHALLENGE - Golem Lolithia - Phase 1 *>==================
|Type: Climax |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 3 |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
Deep within the Photosphere, Mother has a sentinel.
A cavernous chamber stretches out, providing a final choke point before the
control center of the Photosphere can be reached. Filling the chamber is the
same Golem stolen by the Metal Demons during the Battle of Adlehyde:
Lolithia. This dark blue, armored Golem towers over the room and the many
Drifters engaging it in combat. Indeed, as you enter the room, the sound of
battle greets you: blasts of energy, gunshots, and flashes of swords all
meet the mighty armor of the Elw Golem.
The Golem's eyes flash with golden light. Then, it rears back a huge claw,
and slams it down into the ground. A moment later, blasts of energy come
raining down... and the battle is joined!
(NOTE: This card assumes that all of the people running the Dig, and
possibly a few named NPCs, are in a massive brawl against a Gear-sized
enemy. If you pass this card, you will have Quick and Shield for the final
battles. If you fail, you will have Slow and Break.)
=Dungeon Conditions: Suffer, Exhaust==========================================
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Xantia just stands there after the fight is done. She doesn't even blink until Rosaline comes over and addresses her, at which point she slowly turns her head, then blinks several times to make up for it.
"...Hm? Oh, sorry. I spaced out." In the middle of a fight, apparently. Even the use of a phrase like 'space out' may seem not entirely like Xantia, though that's just coincidence. She knows some figures of speech.
What she said is accurate though, if an understatement. Xantia looks down at the trashed beasts, barely recalling the battle just now. As someone who's vowed never to forget anything ever again, this bothers her, a lot. Her best guess is that what's on her mind right now must be weighing particularly heavy on it. "It's just... I'm worried about Fei. I lost sight of him, and he..."
She doesn't even know what state he's in right now. All the more reason why she needs to find him, to make sure he's alright. She shakes her head. "With everything that happened, I forgot to look around. I didn't check everything back there. So... I need to go back. I'm sorry, after we came all this way, but--"
What seemed to about to be Xantia's parting words are nipped in the bud when the sounds of battle sound out from a nearby chamber. Whatever's going on back there, it's massive. And in spite of her worries, Xantia can't help herself. "...There's a big fight going on over there. Come on, let's go!" And off she goes, directly towards the danger. This is probably less worrisome than the way she was acting a moment ago.
Peak Xantia continues as she rushes into the warzone that is Lolithia's chamber. The fact that the enemy is huge doesn't intimidate her in the slightest. If anything, it just encourages her more to run directly at it, leaping up high, her ARM now unleashing a blade far larger than before. It's very unlikely that just the two of them would be enough to win a fight like this, and equally unlikely that this would have stopped Xantia from trying. Good thing that they're not the only ones fighting!
DG: Xantia has used her Tool ARM Blade toward her party's challenge, Golem Lolithia - Phase 1.
<Pose Tracker> Rosaline Calice has posed.
Xantia's explanation doesn't alleviate Rosaline's worry at all. "...I see."
But worrying about Fei, at least this she can understand. "Oh... Well, we're likely to find him, I'm sure. We're all after the same goal, aren't we?" Though there's no guarantee they'll even reach it, says a voice at the back of her mind. This place is HUGE and dangerous to boot, guiding hand of providence or not.
Xantia wants to go back. Rosaline opens her mouth, still unsure exactly how to word a veto for such an absurd idea. She's not even sure it's possible to go back, for several reasons!
But the din of combat, not so far from here, makes for a nice distraction. Good. Rosaline hates confrontations. The threat of whatever is being fought over there is secondary. Xantia rushes in, and the beastwoman follows, only hesitating a moment longer.
And so, she runs into the chamber, and stops at the sight before her.
Oh.
Well, the good news is, she's fairly confident they've caught up with the others now. Others who need her help right now, it turns out! Providence hasn't abandoned her, for better and for worse. "HYDRO STORM!" Her magicial rain may not be very helpful against a Golem, but at least its healing properties should be welcomed by the other Drifters.
As for Xantia? Rosaline has another spell ready for her, a moment later. " Please let me help. Holy Kindness!" Power washes over her friend, giving a considerable boost to her already prodigious strength. Against an opponent like this one, Rosaline thinks, they need nothing less.
DG: Rosaline Calice has used her Tool Holy Water toward her party's challenge, Golem Lolithia - Phase 1.
=====================<* Photosphere - Alien Catacombs *>======================
==================<* CHALLENGE - Golem Lolithia - Phase 1 *>==================
|Type: Climax |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 3 |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
Deep within the Photosphere, Mother has a sentinel.
A cavernous chamber stretches out, providing a final choke point before the
control center of the Photosphere can be reached. Filling the chamber is the
same Golem stolen by the Metal Demons during the Battle of Adlehyde:
Lolithia. This dark blue, armored Golem towers over the room and the many
Drifters engaging it in combat. Indeed, as you enter the room, the sound of
battle greets you: blasts of energy, gunshots, and flashes of swords all
meet the mighty armor of the Elw Golem.
The Golem's eyes flash with golden light. Then, it rears back a huge claw,
and slams it down into the ground. A moment later, blasts of energy come
raining down... and the battle is joined!
(NOTE: This card assumes that all of the people running the Dig, and
possibly a few named NPCs, are in a massive brawl against a Gear-sized
enemy. If you pass this card, you will have Quick and Shield for the final
battles. If you fail, you will have Slow and Break.)
=Dungeon Conditions: Suffer, Exhaust==========================================
================<* Photosphere - Alien Catacombs - Round 7 *>================= ====================< Results - Golem Lolithia - Phase 1 >==================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Xantia 80 --(15)--> 95 Pass ARM Blade 2 Combat Effects: Embolden ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rosaline Calice 85 --(30)--> 115 Fail Holy Water 1 Combat Effects: Cleanse ----------------------------------< Party >----------------------------------- Leader: Xantia 90 --(0)--> 90 Fail Conditions: Exhaust(1)|Suffer(1) Effects: Cleanse|Embolden(1) ==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: Rosaline Calice is too exhausted to continue! DG: The party led by Xantia has failed 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: Xantia has drawn a new Challenge.
=====================<* Photosphere - Alien Catacombs *>======================
==================<* CHALLENGE - Golem Lolithia - Phase 2 *>==================
|Type: Final |Dungeon Ability: Brute |Challenge Rating: 3 |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
After some time, the battle against Lolithia finally strikes a blow that
makes the Golem wheel backward. Lightning explodes and shoots up and down
the length of the Golem's body. Then, its shsoulders shudder. The massive
blie Golem lists forward. It leans over, without falling over entirely, and
it does not stir.
A precious opportunity has been bought: the chance to strike at the Golem,
and do no small amount of damage to it. Lolithia can be potentially
disabled, if everyone strikes now... and with all of the might they have!
(NOTE: Lolithia will not be destroyed by this attack, but it will be
disabled. If you pass this card, you will have Hyper and a Hi-Heal for the
final battles. If you fail this card, you will have Weaken and Disease.)
=Dungeon Conditions: Weaken===================================================
<Pose Tracker> Rosaline Calice has posed.
It's a chaotic situation, to be sure, but the Drifters, who seem to have been fighting for some time now, are still standing. Xantia's sorcery-enhanced mega-punches are more than welcome, helping the group press the advantage. Meanmwhile, as the rain abates, Rosaline runs in closer to join everyone in this effort.
"I'm here... I'm here!" she says. "We had to take a few detours, I'm sorry."
People seem glad to see the new arrivals, but right now the battle is the top priority. With Xantia's help, they finally manage to put a dent in Lolithia's defenses. But a dent is still only a dent, and the Golem hasn't said its last word yet. A single swing of its massive claw scatters the raid group every which way, and energy is poised to rain down on them, sealing their downfall.
"I won't let you!" Rosaline runs forward, holding her arms up and once again foregoing an incantation as a shield of light appears overhead, covering Xantia and a few others in the process. The ward is majestic, weaving symbols of the Ethos and Granas in a single glowing magic circle as it holds back the apocalyptic onslaught.
And once the attack has ceased and the shield disappeared, Rosaline seems... exhausted, to say the least.
"The rest is... up to you," she says, before promptly collapsing from overexertion. She'll live, at least if she doesn't get stepped on or rained hot plasma upon in the next few minutes.
But at least Xantia hears some good news: "Here's our chance!" The Golem, too, has been exerting itself too much, and something gave in the process, as demonstrated by the out-of-control electrical arcs running along its body.
Here's their chance, as they say, for an all-out attack.
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Xantia certainly made good use of Rosaline's spells in pressing the attack on Lolithia, inflicting notable damage on the golem. As is her wont, she's been fully focused on the offense, and wasn't paying a whole lot of attention to the battle as a whole. She's fine as long as she can keep attacking.
Thus she is no longer fine when its claw swings her way, forcing a dodge roll which would have been in the direct path of an energy rain... until Rosaline intervenes. Xantia smiles brightly, says a simple, "Thanks, Rosa!" and goes right back on the assault. She didn't even notice the exertion that took on the part of the Etone. She just sort of assumes that Rosaline would keep going after that.
Soon enough, with this many people bearing down on an opponent even as massive as this, the victory seems to be assured with Lolithia's collapsing. Xantia's already celebrating, pumping a fist into the air and declaring, "We did it!"
Then she looks back towards Rosaline. By then brought back to safety by the others present, but clearly out of commission. There's a pang in her heart. Not for the first time, she wonders what good all this power is, if she constantly fails to protect people she cares about. This is soon overcome by other emotions. Because Xantia is not the kind to wallow in self-pity, not when there's a perfectly good target to vent her frustrations on.
Soon, Lolithia is no longer the only one with lightning coursing over its body. Electicity bursts from Xantia's body as well, but in her case, this is a helpful effect. So empowered, she slowly removes the metal hammer from her back. Once again, she's grown quiet. But this time it's for a different reason. She's focusing, directing the lightning flow from her body towards her arms, concentrating as much of it as she can into her weapon.
Then, with a loud yell, she takes a step forward, and in the same motion swings the hammer upwards towards Lolithia's torso, discharging an explosion of lightning upon impact.
DG: Xantia has used her Tool Megaton Hammer toward her party's challenge, Golem Lolithia - Phase 2.
=====================<* Photosphere - Alien Catacombs *>======================
==================<* CHALLENGE - Golem Lolithia - Phase 2 *>==================
|Type: Final |Dungeon Ability: Brute |Challenge Rating: 3 |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
After some time, the battle against Lolithia finally strikes a blow that
makes the Golem wheel backward. Lightning explodes and shoots up and down
the length of the Golem's body. Then, its shsoulders shudder. The massive
blie Golem lists forward. It leans over, without falling over entirely, and
it does not stir.
A precious opportunity has been bought: the chance to strike at the Golem,
and do no small amount of damage to it. Lolithia can be potentially
disabled, if everyone strikes now... and with all of the might they have!
(NOTE: Lolithia will not be destroyed by this attack, but it will be
disabled. If you pass this card, you will have Hyper and a Hi-Heal for the
final battles. If you fail this card, you will have Weaken and Disease.)
=Dungeon Conditions: Weaken===================================================
================<* Photosphere - Alien Catacombs - Round 8 *>=================
====================< Results - Golem Lolithia - Phase 2 >====================
Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xantia 95 --(0)--> 95 Pass
Megaton Hammer 3 Brute Effects: Fanfare
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rosaline Calice 115 --(X)--> X
Effects:
----------------------------------< Party >-----------------------------------
Leader: Xantia 90 --(30)--> 120 Pass
Conditions: Weaken(2)
Effects:
==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: You have overcome the dungeon's trials! This run is a success! DG: The party led by Xantia has successfully explored Photosphere - Alien Catacombs!
=====================<* Photosphere - Alien Catacombs *>======================
======================<* CHALLENGE - Lolithia's Fall *>=======================
|Type: Discovery |Dungeon Ability: Conclusion|Challenge Rating: 1 |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
Lolithia teeters under the final assault. With a groan, Lolithia comes
crashing down and slams against the ground. Chunks of armor plating pop off;
a loud crack of the interior crystal sounds. The machine lays there, still
and terrible, in the wake.
It fortunately did not fall on you. After the dust clears, the way ahead
awaits: the inner sanctum of the Photosphere, and what dangers await.
=Dungeon Conditions: Vault====================================================
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Sure enough, the combined attacks of the many Drifters present prove sufficient to bring down the Elw golem. Xantia remains in her post-swing pose as it falls, then slowly rises, wordlessly placing the hammer back in its bindings. She seemed to be having fun fighting it before, because, well, that's just the way she gets fighting strong opponents. But there's little joy in this victory, as she looks back to Rosaline. She doesn't assume the worst, but she does feel pretty guilty right now, like she let down the one who helped her get this far. It'd almost be easier if neither of them had still been standing by the end of this.
She doesn't even pay any attention to everyone else who's there. They're not the ones she wanted to celebrate this with. At least there's one good thing about this... Rosaline won't have to get confrontational. Or, perhaps, even see it when Xantia proceeds to run out of the room, back in the direction that they just came from, like she said she would.
Rosaline will be alright in the care of people more capable of using their skills for more than just breaking things, she's certain.
<Pose Tracker> Rosaline Calice has posed.
Later, upon Xantia's return, Rosaline is up again, having been given a Zetasol. She's still a little pale, but she's been worse. Along with... pretty much everyone else, she's just standing there, next to the giant door, waiting to be talked to.
ROSALINE (thoughtful portrait):
We've all come such a long way... I used to live in a ghost town, and now look at me, after Adlehyde, after Hope Springs, after Lunar and everything. Haha... His divine plan is truly inscrutable, isn't it?
ROSALINE (sad portrait):
And even if we don't die here, it won't be over, will it? Even if this isn't it, the end is still coming for Filgaia.
ROSALINE (determined portrait):
No, no...! I can't get stuck thinking about the past or the future! We have a battle to win now! For the sake of those that have left us, and those still to come!
Meanwhile, if Xantia wanders down into the Gutters (SOMEHOW??) to talk to Carina:
LOCUS (hands-behind-head portrait):
Wowee, so I never did end up finding my sister, did I? Well, at least solvin' this'll clear up my schedule to look for her later.
LOCUS (punching the air portrait):
Right now it's time to save the world, superhero style! Bring it, Miss Riese! We'll save your heart AND the planet!
LOCUS (shocked portrait):
Wait, though... What if they switch me out of the active party!? Jeezy cripes, they'd better not!
TO BE CONTINUED...