2019-10-11: What Was Lost To The Ages
- Log: What Was Lost To The Ages
- Cast: Citan Uzuki, Eleanor Klein, Jacqueline Barber, Gwen Whitlock, Ida Everstead-Rey, Ines Colina
- Where: Almaryyt Ruins
- Date: October 12, 2019
- Summary: A ground of Drifters investigates a ruin more ancient than most among Spira's fallen cities. They find within hints of a more-complicated past. Takes place at some point about several weeks before the end of Act 1.
DG: A party led by Citan Uzuki is now entering Almaryyt Ruins. DG: Party formation is now over. An Entry Challenge will now be drawn and displayed to the party.
==============================<* Almaryyt Ruins *>============================== =====================<* CHALLENGE - Force Your Way... In *>===================== |Type: Entry |Dungeon Ability: Brute |Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- The ruins of Almaryyt -- once, according to the few spheres that mention the city, a large self-contained city in Spira's distant past -- rest a ways out along the southern landmass, a distance east from the Moonflow, and through largely unexplored woods and glens. Until recently, the layered city-complex of Almaryyt had gone undisturbed. ...But apparently, not nearly disturbed enough. From the angle you've come in from, there is no visible way in for you, merely cracked metal plating and the rock upon which the toppling dead city now rests. There's really no beating around the bush -- you'll have to find a weak spot in the walls and carve your own way through. But where? BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWMA4Npu2K4 =Dungeon Conditions: Weaken===================================================
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
In the end, it's because of Fei.
The ruin had been mentioned to him days ago -- had come up in conversation, particularly the part where there were strange things about it. Perhaps it's a potential way back. Perhaps it might shine light on Spira's situation -- and more distant past. It's true that he might be better suited to continue as he's been doing in Spira, gathering information, but...
In the end, it's because of Fei. Because even while the young man is without question managing well enough, the longer there is a war underway in Spira, the more likely it is that...
...something might happen.
And there won't be much that he can do about it if it does.
He'd asked for assistance from Gwen first. Heading out to a poorly explored ruin is not a thing one does on their own. And after that...
It had really just been a matter of asking around.
"Just as it had been said," the doctor observes, shading his eyes as he gazes up at the mass of Almaryyt. "A ruin near the sea, and held up by stone. I wonder how long it is that it has been here," he continues, heading towards the layered city complex of Almaryyt.
No entrance presents itself.
No immediate entrance, that is.
"...Here," he says, after a walking along the edge a short distance. He points. "The wall is broken here. ...It is regretful, of course, to cause damage like this," he continues, readjusting his glasses, "but in this state it is likely there may be no other way inside. Perhaps if we do it, ah, gently..."
He retrieves from his bag a perfectly normal mechanic's hammer, and works the claw into the gap to try and pry it open.
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
For Eleanor Klein, it was simple enough. She's not exactly isolated, not exactly someone who keeps away from rumor and adventure, considering her active search for ways back, for something to do, for some way to help instead of waiting... and, well. This might be it!
Well, also, she might be a little bored. it does happen, now and then. And she has some experience in archaeology...
"Ah," Eleanor answers Citan as he mentions, frowning lightly. "I suppose that's true. We don't have much option, otherwise..." She considers, tilting her head lightly. "Gently... I can't say I know of any gentle methods to break open a wall..." She considers it thoughtfully. A bomb might be ideal, considering. Or....
The young elf slooowly turns towards Gwen. "Miss Whitlock! <3" she says, brightly, cheerfully. Somehow the heart is audible despite her only saying Gwen's name and title. "I could use a spell to strengthen you..."
DG: Eleanor Klein has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Force Your Way... In.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
This isn't Jacqueline's first trip to Almaryyt. That may, in fact, be what eventually leads Citan to her. She didn't know him very well - on that he was a friend of Fei's. But, Jacqueline's always the helpful sort, and always interested in exploring the mysterious places of the world.
And so, here she is!
"It's quite ancient. I'm impressed Sin hasn't buried it beneath the sea already." Jacqueline replies, looking toward Citan before looking back toward the ruin itself.
Unfortunately, no obvious entryway presents itself this time...maybe the others have become buried by time.
Well, as he says, the only way inside will be to make their own!
"Gently, hm? I'll give it a try." Jacqueline says. At that point, she draws a Crest - Eleanor in particular will be able to recognize it as a high-level combination of Geo crests - from the center of her left gauntlet, inserting it into one of the slots along the armor's side.
And then, with a gesture, she reaches out toward the structure.
On the surface, the effect is slight - stone shifts, to help the excavation along. But, the surge of sorcerous power tells a different story - the earth around the chosen entry point has shifted very carefully, to provide extra support in hopes of avoiding a potential collapse during their excavation efforts.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has used her Tool Landscaper Crest toward her party's challenge, Force Your Way... In.
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
Even Gwen can sense it: between all the elements assembled, Spira is a powder keg, liable to blow up with the right kind of spark. There's Althena's Guard, there's the Yevonites, there's Sin, there's ARMS (or is it ARM?), there's Odessa, there's the Machina guys, and there's... the rest of them, plus or minus a few groups. Really, ARMS is pretty much 'Drifters', anyway.
She bets it's going to be something Althena's Guard does. They'll invade something, the Yevonites will attack, and... something.
"Looks promising," Gwen agrees, nodding at the spot Citan indicates. "So, gently. Hm." When Eleanor makes her offer, Gwen laughs uneasily. "Nah, I think that'd make me be *less* gentle. If you got any spells for 'more gentle', I'm all ears. You got anything, Ida?"
Jay proves to be much more able to handle it with some magic, courtesy of the geo crests. "Ah, good idea, Jay! Let's see if I can't manage a more gentle, uh, punch."
It's a little hard to be gentle with a punch, since a gentle punch would likely be better reserved for palling around with a friend, not cracking rock.
She tries anyway.
DG: Gwen Whitlock has used her Tool ARM-ored Fist toward her party's challenge, Force Your Way... In.
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
The last time Ida visited Almaryyt, Marivel shared some fascinating information about the ruin, and who likely built it. Suffice it to say, this only made Ida more interested in the place. When Gwen asked around, she gladly answered the call.
"I know," Ida says, to Citan. "Always a shame to do it, but..." The heiress takes her lip between her teeth, and scans the ruined wall. Sadly, Citan is right--this is the only place that looks remotely accessible. Ida glances down at Eleanor, blinking a little--as if she wasn't expecting that kind of enthusiasm out of her. "A fine idea," Ida says. "Of course, if you've got sorcery to spare, I wouldn't say no to it." She steps forwards. As she moves, pinkish-silver stuff flows across her right arm, seeping through the pores in her skin. It hardens into a layer of armor--biometallic Hyadean exoskeleton. Ida flexes claw-tipped fingers, and then digs them into the wall beside where Citan is prying with the hammer. "Together," she says.
DG: Ida Everstead-Rey has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Force Your Way... In.
==============================<* Almaryyt Ruins *>============================== =====================<* CHALLENGE - Force Your Way... In *>===================== |Type: Entry |Dungeon Ability: Brute |Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- The ruins of Almaryyt -- once, according to the few spheres that mention the city, a large self-contained city in Spira's distant past -- rest a ways out along the southern landmass, a distance east from the Moonflow, and through largely unexplored woods and glens. Until recently, the layered city-complex of Almaryyt had gone undisturbed. ...But apparently, not nearly disturbed enough. From the angle you've come in from, there is no visible way in for you, merely cracked metal plating and the rock upon which the toppling dead city now rests. There's really no beating around the bush -- you'll have to find a weak spot in the walls and carve your own way through. But where? BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWMA4Npu2K4 =Dungeon Conditions: Weaken===================================================
DG: Citan Uzuki has used his Tool Perfectly Normal Hammer toward his party's challenge, Force Your Way... In.
<Pose Tracker> Ines Colina has posed.
Ines is one of the tangential points of contact for this descent into a ruin, and sadly she is not here for the historical or archaeological significance. She's here to help, though, and she can do that much. The towering beastwoman follows Jay as they enter. She looks up at the structure, and lets out a whistle. "Hell of a place, I'm surprised it's still standing."
But Citan calls for gentle, and Ines sighs. "Gentle's the trickier way." Ines mutters, looking at the wall. Between her and Gwen, they could probably easily smash it open, or Jay could collapse it. But the good doctor wants gentle, he'll get gentle.
There is the telltale sign of symbology as Ines' hands become coated in iron, and she sizes up the wall. Her eyes turn to Ida- another familiar face, and her hyadean arm. "Alright, let's do this." She drives iron fingers into the wall, trying to pull chunks out of the wall. It's not as effective as just straight up punching, but if the delicate method doesn't work, well, there's always another option.
DG: Ines Colina has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Force Your Way... In.
==============================<* Almaryyt Ruins *>============================== =====================<* CHALLENGE - Force Your Way... In *>===================== |Type: Entry |Dungeon Ability: Brute |Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- The ruins of Almaryyt -- once, according to the few spheres that mention the city, a large self-contained city in Spira's distant past -- rest a ways out along the southern landmass, a distance east from the Moonflow, and through largely unexplored woods and glens. Until recently, the layered city-complex of Almaryyt had gone undisturbed. ...But apparently, not nearly disturbed enough. From the angle you've come in from, there is no visible way in for you, merely cracked metal plating and the rock upon which the toppling dead city now rests. There's really no beating around the bush -- you'll have to find a weak spot in the walls and carve your own way through. But where? BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWMA4Npu2K4 =Dungeon Conditions: Weaken===================================================
=========================<* Almaryyt Ruins - Round 1 *>========================= =======================< Results - Force Your Way... In >======================= Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Citan Uzuki 0 --(0)--> 0 Fail Perfectly Normal Hammer 1 Brute Effects: Stalwart and Rally -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jacqueline Barber 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Landscaper Crest 3 Brute Effects: Fanfare -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ines Colina 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gwen Whitlock 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass ARM-ored Fist 2 Brute Effects: Strengthen -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eleanor Klein 0 --(0)--> 0 Fail Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ida Everstead-Rey 0 --(0)--> 0 Fail Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Citan Uzuki 0 --(20)--> 20 Pass Conditions: Weaken(2) Effects: Strengthen(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Citan Uzuki 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> Citan Uzuki has posed.
"Yes, I had wondered on that as well," Citan remarks to Jay, folding his arms over his chest as he regards the ruins before them. "Perhaps that, too, is something we may find the answers to within."
'I can't say I know of any gentle methods to break open a wall...' Eleanor muses, and at that, the simple country doctor cannot help but sigh, his shoulder slightly sagging. "It... is a folorn hope, yes," he admits, before hooking his hammer into the crack in the wall. "I suppose it is the amateur archaeologist in me..." He glances over at Ines, then Ida. "Indeed. It may well be that we may need to do what we must," he admits, and shakes his head.
Particularly when moments later his hammer slips out of the gap. "Oh--"
He moves aside, perhaps ceding the matter to the others.
It does afford him a good opportunity to look at Ida's arm, though.
"Miss Everstead-Rey... your arm." His gaze lifts from her arm to her eyes, as if to in one go silently ask after it and seek confirmation for what he has already supposed.
In a sense, what follows is both gentle and ungentle. Gentle in that no significant damage is done to the structure -- courtesy of Jay's intervention.
Ungentle, because a section of wall is pulled free with a decided rip, between the other women's attempts at carving a path forward.
Citan regards this in silence for a moment, then shakes his head. "...It cannot be helped. We must move on."
DG: Eleanor Klein has drawn a new Challenge.
==============================<* Almaryyt Ruins *>============================== =====================<* CHALLENGE - Droning Distraction *>====================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- Parts of Almaryyt are awake with power, even after centuries of dormancy. This includes the security system, possibly awoken quite recently if estimates about when the ruin 'woke up' are accurate. Which means that this also includes the hovering security drone patrolling ahead. It looks to be rather heavily armed -- engaging it may be unwise. But perhaps it could be outwitted or distracted. =Dungeon Conditions: Reckless=================================================
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
"Ah! What a skillful execution of Geo crests!" Eleanor exclaims, clapping her hands together once as she watches Jacqueline's work with her gauntlet. "Very subtle--am I right in thinking you're also able to channel it through that gauntlet...?"
Eleanor is very capable of nerding out--even as she laughs good-naturedly at Gwen's response. "That's true, it wouldn't make you gentler by any means. I suppose it's best if I just watch here." Then a look to Ida, "Though that I'll recall for battle--I think it would much better serve you two than casting it on myself, anyway." Eleanor is not known for her combat prowess, though the boomerang at her side is a weapon.
Eleanor does happen to slide closer to Ida, though. Naturally, she notices Ines's display of Symbological powr... but it is not, in fact, the thing that most gets her attention as she says quietly to the other ARMS member, "My, who's the tall one?" She asks brightly, looking over the muscular beastwoman ahead. However... Once they move inside--
Eleanor leaves the matter of the arm and the damage to Citan, because, well, it can't. But then she pauses, abrubtly, looking around as if in recognition--
"Ah--stop!"
Eleanor holds up an arm to tell everyone to pause, and as she does, ahead in the hallway a moment later a security drone hovers past. It has not yet spotted them... but it's covered in ARMs. Maybe she heard it?
"...Mm, there should be a way..."
Eleanor pulls a notebook, suddenly, moving up to the wall to hide from it as she goes through. "Some manner of distraction... If we can do that, then I believe its scanners will fail to detect us if we can just stay out of sight..."
DG: Eleanor Klein has used her Tool Mysterious Journal toward her party's challenge, Droning Distraction.
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
"I wouldn't say you're dumb for tryin' to preserve what you can," Gwen says, walking past Citan. "We're strangers in this land, even moreso than we'd be goin' into some Baskar Ruins. Whatever we take down is somethin' they lose, and in this land, they don't got much in the way of that, beyond what Sin leaves 'em. I mean, there's no technology, no significant medicine outside of the magic department, n-" She stops at Eleanor's command, seeing the hovering security drone patrolling close by. "... Wait, is that a drone...?"
There have been signs that there were things like this, especially among the Machina, but Gwen never really got to meet them to fully appreciate just how complex Spiran history is.
Gwen studies the drone from afar, frowning. "If it runs on electricity, I could see if I could shock it to stun it. But that'll need me gettin' close. Me shooting it would just make a lotta noise, so we'd only get one shot at it." She grins. "No pun intended, of course."
DG: Gwen Whitlock has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Droning Distraction.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Ines gets a pleasant smile from Jacqueline - it was always good to see her around, and not just because her physical strength was a welcome addition to any party.
"That would be nice. Even just information about the building's structure would be helpful." Jacqueline says with a nod of agreement toward Citan.
"Thank you!" Jacqueline replies to Gwen with a smile, and then looks toward Eleanor with a nod and a sheepish chuckle.
"That's right. By inserting Crests into the slots in the side of either gauntlet, I'm able to channel them in an instant with a gesture, with a different gesture corresponding to each slot." She explains, raising her left hand so that Eleanor can get a better look. It's clearly an old piece of technology - possibly dating back even to the Zeboim era. "I can swap the Crests out as necessary, but I usually tend to keep an array of generally-useful spells...well, on hand."
There's a faint chuckle, at that. She's aware of the pun. That said, though, she removes the Landscaper Crest from the slot she put it in, returning it to the deck at the gauntlet's center.
It looks like they've made it through, so it's time to move on - but then, Eleanor asks them to stop, as a drone hovers past. A frown crosses Jacqueline's face.
"I was hoping it would be a while before we ran into another one." Jacqueline says with a sigh, then looks toward Gwen.
"Hmm...I might have just the thing." She rummages through her bag, drawing out a bottle of orange liquid.
"I'll throw this at it - this is Haywire Draught, it causes malfunctions in ARMs and machinery. It might damage its sensors enough that you can get close enough to short it out." Jacqueline says with a nod. "...But, be careful not to be in the splash range, if you've got ARMs on you. A little won't hurt, and it'll wear off, but better safe than sorry."
Once the plan is set and everyone is in position, Jacqueline will hurl the bottle at the drone, where it will shatter open and splatter over the machine.
Hopefully it proves vulnerable to it.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Droning Distraction.
<Pose Tracker> Ines Colina has posed.
"Unfortunately, it isn't always our call. Some of these places don't want to be explored cleanly." Ines responds to Citan. It may be disappointing, but it gets the path open and that's good enough for Ines. The geohound looks at the path ahead, and nods. "Might be a little snug, but it gets us in." To be fair, a lot of things are a little snug for her. Spira has had the nice change of buildings designed to accommodate Ronso, but ruins aren't generally as kind. She holds her hat on with her hand as she ducks through the hole made in the walls, and walks on ahead.
She evidently doesn't quite hear Eleanor, but still turns back to look at her regardless, but that's more to talk to the person Eleanor is conversing with. "Been a while, Ida. How're you holding up?" Her tone is friendly, but there's still something a little pained there. Her eyes track to Ida's arm again, but she manages not to stare.
Fortunately, Eleanor's warning comes in time, and Ines sticks to a wall, looking up at the drone up ahead. Her finges go to the nacre locket around her neck, and she takes a second to breathe. "One of us could split off," she suggests, looking at the drone ahead. "Namely me. I'll take it's attention, the rest of you can get past and take it down. Just don't miss, huh?"
Ines sneaks forward, getting into position. "Give me a signal when you're ready." Her skin hardens to stone as she stands there, symbological tattoos glowing. She's not sure what weapons the drone has, but if they're anything that pack a punch, well, the better defenses the better.
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
Ida glances into the hole, scanning it for obvious threats. Nothing starts shooting at them, so she turns to Citan, and answers his question. "It's... well enough, I suppose," she says. "I haven't experienced any pain or illness since that incident some months back." Ida flexes her fingers, and the talons flow back into her armor. "But it appears to have... spread to more of my body." Ida can't quite the grim resignation from her voice.
Then, Eleanor asks a question. Ida blinks, the somber mood neatly deflated by the young magus's tone. "That's Ines," she says. "She's a friend." And then Ines addresses her, and Ida manages a weak little smile. "...Well enough," she says, trying to pretend that maybe Ines didn't just overhear what she said to Citan.
The group moves on. Suddenly, Eleanor calls out, and Ida stops in her tracks. Her breath catches in her throat as the drone passes them, and she tracks it with her gaze. "Good timing," Ida says, to Eleanor. She reaches into her pocket, runs fingers along a familiar piece of metal inside. She glances to the side, and notices a piece of plating hanging on to the wall by a rusting rivet. Ida frowns thoughtfully, pulls out the multitool, and frees the plate with a few quick twists of the wrench. "Maybe this?" she says. "Throw it into its path, perhaps?"
DG: Ida Everstead-Rey has used her Tool Multitool toward her party's challenge, Droning Distraction.
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
"Indeed. At times," Citan remarks to Ines, "what we want to do and what we must do are two completely separate things. I suppose that is the nature of existence..."
Ida, though, provides a slight update on the arm. Her arm, perhaps, to be precise.
It's spreading.
His gaze holds hers for a long moment, as if to silently inquire further and then...
He simply nods, then looks away, his expression fleetingly pensive.
Now, perhaps, is not the time...
Eleanor isn't the only one who gives the gauntlet a look. Touching a hand to the bridge of his glasses, he Citan takes a closer look. "Fascinating. For such an older piece, it is in remarkable condition. ...I admit that my understanding of Crest Sorcery is only in passing," he says, straightening. "I am hardly an expert, and no fellow practitioner. However, it seems to me that there is considerable flexibility inherent in the art."
His gaze lingers on Eleanor for a moment, as soon as the drone passes on by.
"...It is completing a circuit," he says, soon after, regarding the drone as it continues on its path. He glances down at the floor briefly as if thinking something over, then lifts his head to watch it as it moves. He nods, when Gwen speaks. "Indeed. It is a drone. Most likely it was programmed a long time ago... hmm... and we have not seen much of its like in other places... and though there is a resemblence to Al Bhed machina..." His brow creases. "...the form is not an exact match, to say nothing of the age. Considering the dates I have seen corresponding to Yevon summoners... that would make this ruin older than many places now in Spira, I would think."
He is actually silent for a moment.
"Indeed. We could make the attempt to shock it or stop it more directly." Such as by the means of Jacqueline's draught. "...However, we will want to be precise, if that is indeed the plan." He indicates the drone... or more accurately, the drone's armaments. "Any error could be, ah... unfortunate. However, a distraction may improve the likelihood of such a plan succeeding. If you will allow me--"
He cuts himself off as Ines offers herself as a distraction.
The doctor pauses, as if thinking this over for a moment here.
And then he hands over his camera to Ines. "If you push this button here," he explains, "that will be enough to cause a flash. It should be sufficient to get its attention at a distance. Then if the others can stun it, we will be able to move past without further incident." He pauses, again. "Though, ah... please do take care with it. It is a bit delicate..."
And expensive, particularly on a country doctor's limited salary.
DG: Citan Uzuki has used his Tool Strauss Camera toward his party's challenge, Droning Distraction. DG: Ines Colina has used her Tool Family Locket toward her party's challenge, Droning Distraction.
==============================<* Almaryyt Ruins *>============================== =====================<* CHALLENGE - Droning Distraction *>====================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- Parts of Almaryyt are awake with power, even after centuries of dormancy. This includes the security system, possibly awoken quite recently if estimates about when the ruin 'woke up' are accurate. Which means that this also includes the hovering security drone patrolling ahead. It looks to be rather heavily armed -- engaging it may be unwise. But perhaps it could be outwitted or distracted. =Dungeon Conditions: Reckless=================================================
=========================<* Almaryyt Ruins - Round 2 *>========================= =======================< Results - Droning Distraction >======================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Citan Uzuki 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Strauss Camera 3 Wits Effects: Fanfare -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jacqueline Barber 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ines Colina 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Family Locket 2 Wits Effects: Stalwart -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gwen Whitlock 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eleanor Klein 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Mysterious Journal 1 Wits Effects: Cleanse -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ida Everstead-Rey 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Multitool 2 Wits Effects: Enlighten -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Citan Uzuki 20 --(20)--> 40 Pass Conditions: Reckless(2)|Weaken(1) Effects: Cleanse|Enlighten(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Citan Uzuki 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: Gwen Whitlock has drawn a new Challenge.
==============================<* Almaryyt Ruins *>============================== ======================<* CHALLENGE - Toréador En Garde! *>====================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 3 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- Almaryyt might not have seen a living being within its walls in hundreds of years, but it has by no means gone uninhabited, if that turn of phrase can be applied here. Fiends have long made parts of the ruins a nest, and freed from intrusion from others, have been permitted to fester. Hooves clatter on the ruined metal of the flooring. There, charging down the section of the ruins you've found yourself in, is an enormous hooved and horned Fiend of bovine form. Known by some as a Juggernaut, it's bearing down on you now. Show it no mercy! =Dungeon Conditions: Injure, Reckless=========================================
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
"Fascinating!" Eleanor remarks to Jacqueline. "Ah, to think, something of such ancient era still connected to our current practice of Crest Sorcery... The very idea is extraordinary!" The elf is cheerful about it, for certain--and then, "Oh yes, of course--...hee hee. On hand. I like it."
Naturally, she keeps a good selection as well... But here--"Quite! It's important to preserve for study that which we're able! ...But I suppose, a few shortcuts are natural..." She starts to almost feel bad. Almost. But instead she considers Gwen' shocking it. And Jay--"Others, hm? ...Ahhh, that is useful. Multitalented, even."
She waves back at Ines, incidentally, pleasant. "Well, I think she seems like an excellent friend to have!" ....Though, uh. There is clearly some... difficulty, here. And Eleanor can guess at it, so in passing, she sets a hand on Ida's shoulder, offers her a small smile that she hopes is reassuring or at least sympathetic.
The elven sorceress considers Citan next, and nods. "Yes, an error would be..." If anything she seems more to remember than speculate, but that must just be how she looks while thinking. "Well, between our Symbological friend and the flash, I think..."
Older than most in Spira? Hmmm.
Regardless--the plan works quite well. The perfectly normal camera flash gets attention; Ida's throwing plate gives Ines something to use to help hold it, and Ines's stone skin absorbs the blasts that come just before Jay's bottle shatters--and splatters. "And--"
Eleanor chants and casts a spell of slowing, extending the window a bit--as Gwen delivers the final stunning blow. Between all of that...
Well, they may have overdone it a little. There's not much to salvage. Nevertheless--
"Excellent! Very good work, everyone!"
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
'But it appears to have... spread to more of my body.'
There's an imperceptible grimace to Gwen's mouth as she looks away from the group, almost in reaction to Ida's words. Her face doesn't show the thoughts bubbling up, even when she delivers (ha) that blow of electricity to the drone.
And even now, as she scouts ahead.
... Why is she, Gwen, the lucky one? All the perks, no seeming disadvantages? Friends are suffering, and she-
*clop* *clop* *clop* *clop*
Gwen quietly holds up a hand in a signal of caution to those behind her.
It's a nostalgic sound, the sound of hooves hitting the ground, one that would normally give Gwen fits of homesickness and the need to scritch between velvety ears.
However, unless Gulliver has suddenly developed the ability to teleport across space (in more than one sense), this sound can rarely mean anything good. Besides, Gulliver isn't *this* heavy. Or large. She hopes.
Besides, those sounds are far too spaced out to be-
why hello there, mr. cowmonster
A large bovine-shaped fiend suddenly bursts at the group with blinding speed, delivering a bellowing roar as it *slams* past, just inches away from an awkwardly leaping Gwen. "I-incoming!" she yells, several moments too late to be of any help.
The Mockingbird, still warm from its previous use, proves to be a better source of intervention.
DG: Gwen Whitlock has used her Tool Full Metal Courier toward her party's challenge, Toréador En Garde!.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
"It was quite a surprise to me, too. I didn't expect that when I first found it... I had quite the difficult time removing it, too, but I've since worked that little bug out." Jacqueline explains.
But, it's time to deal with that drone - and working together, the plan goes off remarkably! Jacqueline smiles brightly - she'd cheer, but she didn't want to potentially draw any unnecessary trouble that might be wandering by.
"We work quite well together!" Jacqueline says brightly. As they start to move forward, they hear noises up ahead - Jacqueline pauses at Gwen's warning, and listens. It sounds like hooves, but then they see the source. Jacqueline gasps, pressing herself against the wall to stay out of the Fiends' way. Quickly, she reaches into her bags, eventually drawing out a rather old book.
She flips through the pages, and...
"This...is a Juggernaut, I think! As you can imagine, this Fiend is very durable, and its physical strength is practically unmatched... This won't be an easy fight. Watch that it doesn't gore you with its horns! Once it gets going, it might be hard to stop it...but in these tight corridors, it'll have trouble turning!" Jacqueline informs. She closes the book, then. And thinks...what can she do?
And then, she gasps in realization.
The next time the Juggernaut gets to charging, Jacqueline gestures with her left hand. The floor in front of it will freeze over with ice, creating an area of poor footing that will, hopefully, send it careening into a wall - or at least force it to stop, giving the others a chance to attack it.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has used her Tool The Lifeweaver's Codex toward her party's challenge, Toréador En Garde!.
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
Once it's handed back to him, he'll take the camera and secure it once more. "Thank you, ah, Ines, was it?"
Though there may be but little time for niceties. Not when--
"...What is that sound?" It sounds like
hooves
It's an apparent narrow miss for the country doctor -- he twists out of the way of the incoming charge, which avoids hitting him by inches.
"This is... not good! Is anyone hurt?"
And should they be, the doctor eschews the front lines for a more supportive approach.
Chi manipulation, while no replacement for the surgical or magical approach, can still affect significant change...
As demonstrated here. Any wounds inflicted by the wild Fiend quickly wend their way towards repair.
"We must defeat it quickly. If what Jacqueline says is correct... perhaps a feint would maneuver it into a more advantageous position! Strike it from behind so it cannot use its horns!"
DG: Citan Uzuki has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Toréador En Garde!.
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
Ida crouches beside the drone, inspecting its innards for salvagable parts and trying not to think too much about what she said to Citan. He might be able to help, she reasons. Fei trusts him, and he seems interested in keeping Fei safe when there are so many people who want to see Fei hurt, or worse. Doesn't that count for something? Ida shakes her head, pulls out a length of copper coiling, and tucks it into a pocket. It might come in handy if she needs to mill or mold more casings. She rises, and turns back to the others.
As with Gwen, Ida hears hooves, and thinks horses. A moment later, she realizes that they're on Spira, and that as far as she knows, Spira has chocobos, not horses. Therefore--
Ida reacts with blinding speed of her own, pirouetting out of the way and pressing herself flat against the wall. She stays there for what feels like an agonizingly long moment, only stepping out of the way once the beast has thundered past. One hand darts down to her pocket, and clasps a small square of metal. Ley energies discharge with a tingling snap, and a wave of sorcerous energy washes across the group. Eleanor might recognize it as a sorcerous spell invoking Wing and Muse--a haste spell, judging by how everything seems to slow in its wake. Ida surges forwards, interposing herself between herself and Citan. Her hand blurs behind her, and comes up gripping a heavy, long-barreled pistol; Ida opens fire, targeting the Fiend's center of mass as best as she can.
DG: Ida Everstead-Rey has used her Tool Haste Cap toward her party's challenge, Toréador En Garde!.
<Pose Tracker> Ines Colina has posed.
Ines can't help but overhear what Ida says to Citan, and her expression darkens slightly, even as Ida tries to say that she's fine. Fortunately, the distraction becomes the priority before she can question. The distraction executed nicely, Ines hands the camera back to Citan. "Ines Colina." She responds to Citan, in those brief few moments. "Handy gadget, that." She says, as they start to move on. Start, being the word.
The sudden sound of hooves charging through, and Ines braces herself for impact. She's too big and too obvious a target to get out of the way like the agile doctor. She gets sent flying back by the beast, and growls.
"Strong bastard, aren't you?" Her hand reaches to the triple weighted bolas that hang from her belt, and looks down at it. Jay's description is not reassuring. "Good to know." Symbological runes light up on the boleadoras, and she flings them forward. Gusts of winds generated by the weights direct it low and allow it to skim just above the ground, aiming to tie it's front legs together and trip it up. That should give enough room to wrestle with the thing on slightly more even footing.
DG: Ines Colina has used her Tool Bewitched Boleadoras toward her party's challenge, Toréador En Garde!.
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
"Oh, that would be quite inconvenient..." Eleanor imagines that very problem of Jay's--but she agrees, once they're done, naturally. And then...
Eleanor is not especially speedy, but the others getting out of the way or being hit help--she falls from the thundering ground before the thing even reaches her, and is thus spared the worst of it. For the moment, anyway. "Speedy, is it? Well..." Eleanor considers for a moment, looking around. An adversary of great power--while Gwen is on the move. The elf watches Jay lay down her ice, watches Ida use a spell--
"A few bruises," Eleanor says to Citan, but that's all. If you're going to feint... I may be able to confuse it--"
"Miss Colina! I'll be counting on you especially to give me a little space!"
She's large, after all, imposing, strong. And Eleanor is not these things--instead, of all things, the Merian noblewoman pulls a strange flute from her things, breathing in and then--beginning to play.
A strange, haunting tune rises in the corridor, echoing against strange walls, of unusual tone--And details are sharper, if stranger, while the monster is left to contend with a strange, confusing effect, reality shifting to its perception--
Eleanor keeps playing.
DG: Eleanor Klein has used her Tool Eerie Flute toward her party's challenge, Toréador En Garde!.
==============================<* Almaryyt Ruins *>============================== ======================<* CHALLENGE - Toréador En Garde! *>====================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 3 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- Almaryyt might not have seen a living being within its walls in hundreds of years, but it has by no means gone uninhabited, if that turn of phrase can be applied here. Fiends have long made parts of the ruins a nest, and freed from intrusion from others, have been permitted to fester. Hooves clatter on the ruined metal of the flooring. There, charging down the section of the ruins you've found yourself in, is an enormous hooved and horned Fiend of bovine form. Known by some as a Juggernaut, it's bearing down on you now. Show it no mercy! =Dungeon Conditions: Injure, Reckless=========================================
=========================<* Almaryyt Ruins - Round 3 *>========================= ========================< Results - Toréador En Garde! >======================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Citan Uzuki 0 --(10)--> 10 Fail Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jacqueline Barber 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass The Lifeweaver's Codex 2 Combat Effects: Embolden -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ines Colina 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Bewitched Boleadoras 3 Combat Effects: Rally -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gwen Whitlock 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Full Metal Courier 2 Combat Effects: Embolden -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eleanor Klein 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Eerie Flute 2 Combat Effects: Strengthen -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ida Everstead-Rey 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Haste Cap 2 Combat Effects: Embolden -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Citan Uzuki 40 --(20)--> 60 Pass Conditions: Injure(2)|Reckless(2) Effects: Embolden(1)|Strengthen(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Citan Uzuki 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> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
"A juggernut? That's definitely no nut! That's a cow!" Gwen's eyes squint. "OH WAIT, yeah, a jugger-*naut*, okay, I got it."
This realization happens as the 'cow' finds itself sliding on unfamiliar turf, being on a plane of ice rather than firm ground.
Music plays, throwing the reality into sharper detail, while the beast seems further confused. It bays as it swivels around, which provides a perfect time for Ines to swoop in and throw the bolas at the Fiend's legs, entangling it as it crashes against a wall, reducing it to rubble.
It's then that Ida's ARM fires its shot, assisted by the spell she just cast moments ago.
The coordinated attack may have happened on the fly, but the result is the Fiend lying dormant in the rubble, thoroughly neutralized. Whatever lingering injuries from the encounter are already healing, thanks to the good doctor's efforts.
"Man, that was, uh, pretty amazin'. I guess I'm the only one who hasn't been here before, huh." Gwen laughs, running a hand through her curly hair. "Well, lets get goin' before another one of those suckers show up."
DG: Ines Colina has drawn a new Challenge.
==============================<* Almaryyt Ruins *>============================== =========================<* CHALLENGE - OHHH YEAAAAH *>========================= |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- You'd entered this room in the hopes that it would allow you further progression through the wreckage inside Almaryyt but it, alas, seems not to be. It's just a mostly intact room (the contents aren't, they were apparently dashed to pieces ages ago) with no visible means to progress further. Until a Machina of the Defender class comes barreling through the far wall, weapons readied and prepared to do battle. Well, the good news is, there's a door now, if you can get rid of the Machina first. =Dungeon Conditions: Fright===================================================
<Pose Tracker> Ines Colina has posed.
Eleanor calls for space, and Ines is happy to provide. After a successful team effort, the Fiend lays under rubble. This is the good news. "We probably shouldn't still be here when that thing wakes up." Ines outstretches a hand, and the boleadoras return to her hand, unwrapping from the beast.
"I hope that was enough space for you, Miss...?" A lot of people here have the advantage of her now, but impromptu descents into dungeons are like that. You can end up with three strangers who you'll never meet again one day, and long standing allies the next. She descends further in, and pushes open a door to-
An empty room. Great. "Doesn't look like there's much in here, does it?" She says, looking around at the long ruined items in the room. "Anything in here that'll help you out?" She asks Citan, leaning against the wall with one hand.
And then she feels the vibrating of something coming running. Her too-large eyes widen even further, and she rolls away from the wall. "Watch yourselves!" She yells.
And then, with a powerful SMASH, and the crushing of brick, the huge fists of a Defender Class Machina bust through the wall, followed by the rest of the machina. While not as dangerous as the juggernaut, these are much closer quarters. And the only way forward is THROUGH the Machina.
"Alright, big guy, eyes on me!" Ines shouts, and the Boleadoras fly out again, trying to tangle up one of it's huge arms, and halve it's attack power. She rolls to the right, and fires a spray of rock from the ground, trying to get the machina's attention away from everyone else and all on her.
This is thrice now that she has tried to draw the enemies ire. Recklessly so. She's certainly tough, but she can't keep this up indefinitely.
DG: Ines Colina has used her Tool Bewitched Boleadoras toward her party's challenge, OHHH YEAAAAH.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
"There's a first time for everyone! If it helps, this is my first time encountering one of those in person." Jacqueline says, with a smile toward Gwen. "I just have a knack for research - and it helps that this book here already has a wide array of knowledge on monsters and such."
She pats the cover of the Lifeweaver's Codex, at that.
As they move forward, they find themselves in...an empty room? Empty of everything but aged and ruined items, that is.
"Oh, hm. Curious..." Jacqueline murmurs, folding her arms in front of herself. "...Well, I suppose it wouldn't make sense if there was something interesting in every room..."
And then...once more, they feel the sound of something running toward them.
"Is it...another Juggernaut?" Jacqueline questions, concerned. Nope. This time, a huge Defender class machina breaks through the wall. Jacqueline stares, blinking.
"I'm not...sure if that's better or worse." She comments, shaking her head.
While Ines moves to get its attention, Jacqueline backs away, flipping through the Lifeweaver's Codex once more.
"That's a Defender class machina! Like the Juggernaut we just fought, it's really strong and it's defenses are pretty high...but it's not invincible, so don't let that hold you back! Electricity might be a good call here - but it doesn't have any notable resistances, either." She informs, before shutting the book.
"...Well, I guess I should take my own advice!" With that said, she gestures with her right hand, slashing it downward in the Defender's direction for emphasis. As she does, a bolt of searing lightning crashes down from the ceiling, headed directly for the Defender.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has used her Tool The Lifeweaver's Codex toward her party's challenge, OHHH YEAAAAH.
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
"Indeed," he replies to Ines. "I am fond of it. It is an older model, but the Strauss cameras are held in regard for no small reason. Fortunately, despite its delicate nature, it has certainly traveled well."
From Lahan to Elru, and now to the moon, itself. And here he had once been more concerned about a certain young man potentially dropping it on a mountain path.
And then he has potentially destruction-by-Fiend to be concerned with to boot.
He offers Eleanor a hand up, touching a hand briefly to her shoulder.
For something as minor as a bruise, a little 'realignment' of the chakras is all that's needed. So it seems, at least.
"Ah," Citan utters, when Eleanor implies that he may be the one conducting the feint. "Perhaps that may be best left to..."
Fortunately, between shifts in local 'weather conditions', the music, and other things besides, there is no need to, necessarily, attempt a feint.
"...It may be best to let sleeping Fiends lie," he observes. Then shakes his head, before carrying on.
Into an empty room.
"Ah... hmm," the doctor starts, glancing about himself as he considers their surroundings and what options lie before them. His brow crinkles, and he soon after approaches the wall opposite Ines to perhaps take a closer look.
"It appears solid--"
Is as far as he gets before Ines barks a warning and he shifts sidelong, twisting out of the way mere seconds after the Machina bursts in through the wall and narrowly evades a rain of shrapnel. "--not good!" he shouts, closing on Ida, who happens to be closest to him and planting a hand on her shoulder as if to move her out of harm's way.
She, for her part, may find herself subject to a small burst of energy, just enough to rally her spirits in this time of need.
"Machina, is it? Gwen! Perhaps you may be able to affect it!" There is a moment's pause as he perhaps considers what he's just asked and what she is capable of. "...Carefully!"
DG: Citan Uzuki has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward his party's challenge, OHHH YEAAAAH.
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
Ida is already on edge. "What," she says, as the rumbling picks up, growing louder. She slides a fresh clip into her ARM, and not a moment too soon--the wall bursts open, and a very familiar model of machina bursts out. "Another one--! Keep your distance!" Citan suggests Gwen try and affect it, and Ida glances between the two of them, uncertain.
And then she's all efficient violence. Ida targets the drone's center of mass and pulls the trigger. Lead slugs fly downrange, slamming into the massive machine's armor.
DG: Ida Everstead-Rey has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, OHHH YEAAAAH.
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
"I--" Gwen's assertion makes Eleanor open he rmouth, close it, and then pause to continue her music. ...But once it works, at least... After that, it's good enough. Then Eleanor laughs faintly. "I haven't ever been here either," the elf admits to Gwen. "So don't feel too bad!"
Nevermind that she looks at it like it's familiar in places. It's fine.
"Ah, thank you, doctor," Eleanor replies to Citan. "Ha ha. It seems we've had it covered, doesn't it? ...My. You know, that technique really is good. I've had this little knot in my shoulder all week, and now it's quite gone!"
"Oh, how rude of me!" Eleanor answers Ines, and smiles, dipping into a proper curtsy greeting. "Eleanor Klein," she answers, "Of Klein, in Meria Boule. I'm a member of ARMS." Knowledge: nobility and royalty check! "It's nice to properly meet you! And yes, it was quite enough. I feel more secure already!"
But... hmm. not much here? Eleanor peers around--and then--"Oh!"
Eleanor jumps about six inches up in surprise at the smash. "Oh no!"
And... these are close quarters. Ines shouts, and Eleanor hears Jay's advice quickly. "Lightning--all right." She breathes, and pulls a crest, this one imbued with the force of Fray and Wing. "...Wrath of the heavens, hammer of the sky--bring down divine judgement! Acrimonious Echo!"
A bolt of lightning slams towards the machine, but the damage is only half lightning, and half what appears to be weathering, as if from older wounds since repaired--and then Eleanor throws herself to the side to pull her flute again. She begins to play an eerie tune, different from the last, unsettling--but also prompting interference with the machina's systems, erratic behavior.
DG: Eleanor Klein has used her Tool Eerie Flute toward her party's challenge, OHHH YEAAAAH.
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
"Yeah!" Gwen grins at Jay. "That's gotta be real handy in places like this!"
Now, they walk into an empty room. Further investigation seems to show no further promise, and Gwen, mindful of where they're at, doesn't seem all that quick to the notion of breaking through walls where it isn't really needed... or all that safe to.
The Machina that crashes through the wall, however, has no problem doing just that.
"Defender? Well, uh, it's... kinda not all that good at its job then!" Gwen grimaces, looking towards the rubble the Machina left in its wake.
Citan calls Gwen up to bat, earning him a wide grin from the courier and a thumbs up. "Yeah, yeah, I'm on it. Thankfully, it ain't like I'm shockin' somethin' that's alive!"
Taking full advantage of Ines getting the thing's attention and Ida's forward attack, Gwen adds to Eleanor's lightning attack with her own dose of the same energy, adding her ARM's electricity to the mix, trying to use whatever means she has in that moment to overwhelm the relic, rather than destroy it outright. "Gh....!"
It's easier said than done.
DG: Gwen Whitlock has used her Tool Full Metal Courier toward her party's challenge, OHHH YEAAAAH.
==============================<* Almaryyt Ruins *>============================== =========================<* CHALLENGE - OHHH YEAAAAH *>========================= |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- You'd entered this room in the hopes that it would allow you further progression through the wreckage inside Almaryyt but it, alas, seems not to be. It's just a mostly intact room (the contents aren't, they were apparently dashed to pieces ages ago) with no visible means to progress further. Until a Machina of the Defender class comes barreling through the far wall, weapons readied and prepared to do battle. Well, the good news is, there's a door now, if you can get rid of the Machina first. =Dungeon Conditions: Fright===================================================
=========================<* Almaryyt Ruins - Round 4 *>========================= ===========================< Results - OHHH YEAAAAH >=========================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Citan Uzuki 10 --(10)--> 20 Fail Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jacqueline Barber 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass The Lifeweaver's Codex 2 Combat Effects: Embolden -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ines Colina 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Bewitched Boleadoras 3 Combat Effects: Rally -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gwen Whitlock 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Full Metal Courier 2 Combat Effects: Embolden -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eleanor Klein 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Eerie Flute 2 Combat Effects: Strengthen -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ida Everstead-Rey 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Citan Uzuki 60 --(20)--> 80 Pass Conditions: Fright(2)|Injure(1)|Reckless(1) Effects: Embolden(1)|Strengthen(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Citan Uzuki 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: Ida Everstead-Rey has drawn a new Challenge.
==============================<* Almaryyt Ruins *>============================== ================<* CHALLENGE - The Landing (Might Be Awkward) *>================ |Type: Climax |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- In the heart of Almaryyt -- perhaps close to the bottom of what part of the city is still accessible above land and sea -- you find the clear sign that someone has been here before you. Rock that had jutted into the city and perhaps once kept Almaryyt hoisted high after its destruction has largely been shattered. A hole remains, allowing access in a fashion to what lies beneath. It is of course a very long drop down. Not enough to be dangerous to one's continued existence, precisely, but certainly not without risk. With skill -- and/or proper equipment -- the hazards of the drop could be mitigated. But what exactly is it that lies beneath? =Dungeon Conditions: Slow=====================================================
<Pose Tracker> Ines Colina has posed.
The Defender made it's first mistake when it attempted to attack. One of the giant's arms is bound, but it drives it's free one into Ines' arms, and she skids along the ground before being pressed against the wall. It's taking all her strength to hold it back. But it allows everyone else time to attack.
Jay's knowledge provides a crucial weakness against the beast, and then a bolt of concentrated crest magic cause the thing to lock up momentarily and jolt. Despite it's large stone limbs, it's frame is conductive electricity.
Citan, meanwhile, braces the others who need to fight, imparting health and wellbeing to those who need it, as only an ordinary country doctor can do. With that energy, Ida opens up a brutal barrage of slugs into the machina's core, blasting stone away and exposing it's center to those who are casting.
Eleanor's Acrimonious Echo rocks the exposed machine, and it starts to shudder and shake, and tries to turn back towards it's attackers.
It's not fast enough to save itself from Gwen's own burst of electricty. The Defender comes to a halt, unmoving, and collapses to the ground. Ines let's out a breathe, and grins.
"Nice work. Don't think I could have held that off much longer." The grin is... not entirely mirthful. "Well, it'd be rude to ignore the door it so kindly opened for us." She indicates the hole in the wall with her hand, waiting for others to move through.
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
"Are you all right?" Ida says, looking Ines over. She saw the Geohound get punched, and knows that she would at least be winded after a hit like that.
As inconvenient as that combat drone was, it did open a way forwards. Sunlight shines through the holes it made as it rampaged towards the Drifter crew. Beyond the final hole is a sharp, steep drop, a chasm torn into the fabric of the city. Ida stops a safe distance from the edge, and looks down into the depths. "The last time," she says, "we found a vault on the lowermost level. On the time before that, as well. It seems to have been largely spared, but the doors were rusted shut." The naturalist wipes her hands on her thighs. Her left palm is already sweating, and the only reason the right one isn't is the armor it's encased in. "I have a solution, but I'd rather not solely rely on it." Ida looks at each of the others in turn, waiting to see what they offer.
DG: Ida Everstead-Rey has used her Tool Zephyr Boots toward her party's challenge, The Landing (Might Be Awkward).
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
Eleanor ends up a bit in the background for a while, going quiet as she thinks about something in the distance--except... eventually she will come back to the world at hand and--Oh! Oh, there's--
"Ahh," Eleanor answers, "Sorry about... that. Here, I have..."
Eleanor focuses. "...As with the highest, the lowest--mirror the skies in dust, and call the breeze to our aid! Dust Veil!"
With Geo and Wing, Eleanor calls up a spell that will help to soften their fall, bring the power of the wind anchored to them to make things a bit easier.
DG: Eleanor Klein has used her Tool Breeze Crest toward her party's challenge, The Landing (Might Be Awkward).
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline pauses, taking a moment to reach into her bags and draw out some curative potions.
"Here, this should help take some of the edge off." She says, passing them out - one goes toward Ines, especially.
With that done, she takes a step toward the edge, peering deep into the chasm.
"The last few times, I had a little help getting down there..." Jacqueline murmurs with a frown. "I have a Crest I can use to halt our momentum, but it's something I have to time right - if I do it too early, we'll just pick up speed again, and if I do it too late, well... I think you get the picture."
She shakes her head.
"But, I have that, in the case of emergency, so...we're not completely out of luck!" She says.
Fortunately, though, Eleanor also has a useful spell for this situation!
"Oh, that's a good one. Good call, Eleanor!" Jacqueline remarks, clearly impressed, as she takes note of it.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has used her Tool Rapid Remedy toward her party's challenge, The Landing (Might Be Awkward).
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
Looking down at Ida from up high, Gwen laughs. "Well, I've never met a door I didn't try to open one way or another." This might not be entirely true. "... Unless you mean this drop."
Because that will be a little harder.
Jumping took some willpower on Gwen's part, but Jay and Eleanor's spells make the initial fall a little easier to plan out, as much as one could in such a short timeframe. Gwen manages to snag a few jutting edges with her right hand as she maneuvers her way down, but it's hard to tell immediately if this was will ultimately work.
At least there's a nice doctor here if this goes awry.
DG: Gwen Whitlock has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, The Landing (Might Be Awkward).
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
"My thanks, Ines. Fortunately we were, ah, able to disable it before it came to that..."
They pass through the door. And beyond is...
A hole.
Citan listens to what Ida has to say, tilting his head to one side as he thinks this over.
"So there is no way but a straight drop down. ...Miss Everstead-Rey, did you have any appreciation of how deep the drop was? Or, for that matter, what sort of surface awaited you on the bottom?" He rubs his chin as he considers the drop, then, as an afterthought nearly, stoops to pick up a small piece of rubble and tosses it over the side.
It lands after a few moments.
"...I see." He glances over at Eleanor, then at Jay, as both women offer their practical magical solutions.
"With both of those spells in effect -- or used one after the other, to be more accurate -- there is one part of the environment we will be able to use to our advantage. Namely, the sides of the pit itself. If we are able to carefully generate enough friction as we move across the surface of the wall, presuming naturally that we are making use of Eleanor's spell as well as Jacqueline's own, we should be able to control our descent. We will have leverage in effect without gaining speed under the effects of gravity."
He pauses.
"I recommend using one's feet, of course."
Which he will, once the spells are in effect.
DG: Citan Uzuki has used his Tool Martial Arts Shoes toward his party's challenge, The Landing (Might Be Awkward).
<Pose Tracker> Ines Colina has posed.
Perhaps in response to Ida, Ines shakes her arm out, and the enchantment that coated them in iron passes. "I'll be fine. I've had worse." She grimaces, and lets out a grunt. She certainly doesn't LOOK fine. Despite the magic, there is obvious bruising and her grey skin turns an unpleasant looking blue. She moves her fingers, ensuring they still work. No obvious fractures, but someone- say, an ordinary country doctor- can tell that that HURT. "Thanks, though. Can't really worry about it until we're out of here, can we?"
Still, the potion is taken and downed immediately. She can use it. "Thanks, Jay." She takes her whip from her belt. The crest magic will help immensely, of course, but she's not exactly confident about the drop. "I reckon the enchantment on the whip should hold me for a second or slow. It can slow us down at least."
She tests that theory, lashing out with her whip. The magic helps it grip for a moment or so, but it's not a secure grip. "Just as long as I've got something to grab on to, it should be fine." She looks down the hole, and nods.
Using their feet to slow themselves down, with the magic, hadn't occurred to Ines. "...Got it. Let's go." And after Citan and Gwen, she starts down the hole.
DG: Ines Colina has used her Tool Runic Whip toward her party's challenge, The Landing (Might Be Awkward).
==============================<* Almaryyt Ruins *>============================== ================<* CHALLENGE - The Landing (Might Be Awkward) *>================ |Type: Climax |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- In the heart of Almaryyt -- perhaps close to the bottom of what part of the city is still accessible above land and sea -- you find the clear sign that someone has been here before you. Rock that had jutted into the city and perhaps once kept Almaryyt hoisted high after its destruction has largely been shattered. A hole remains, allowing access in a fashion to what lies beneath. It is of course a very long drop down. Not enough to be dangerous to one's continued existence, precisely, but certainly not without risk. With skill -- and/or proper equipment -- the hazards of the drop could be mitigated. But what exactly is it that lies beneath? =Dungeon Conditions: Slow=====================================================
=========================<* Almaryyt Ruins - Round 5 *>========================= ==================< Results - The Landing (Might Be Awkward) >================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Citan Uzuki 20 --(0)--> 20 Pass Martial Arts Shoes 2 Agility Effects: Resilient -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jacqueline Barber 0 --(0)--> 0 Fail Rapid Remedy 1 Agility Effects: Cleanse -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ines Colina 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Runic Whip 2 Agility Effects: Quicken -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gwen Whitlock 0 --(0)--> 0 Fail Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eleanor Klein 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Breeze Crest 2 Agility Effects: Stalwart -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ida Everstead-Rey 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Zephyr Boots 2 Agility Effects: Quicken -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Citan Uzuki 80 --(0)--> 80 Pass Conditions: Fright(1)|Slow(2) Effects: Cleanse|Quicken(1)|Resilient(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Citan Uzuki has passed this challenge! The party gained 0 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw. DG: Gwen Whitlock has drawn a new Challenge.
==============================<* Almaryyt Ruins *>============================== ==============<* CHALLENGE - The Stage Is Set... For Demolition *>============== |Type: Final |Dungeon Ability: Brute |Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- However you land, you make yourself into the depths of Almaryyt, what parts are still resting above the sea. In time the city may complete its slide into the ocean depths and become lost to history, but for now it still remains. This is a good thing for you because you've found yourself in the city's vaults. The only problem is that while one of them is clearly opened (and emptied) the rest are largely sealed shut, and the walls of the vaults are not precisely easy to breach. You'll have to pick your 'battle' carefully... And unleash everything you've got against your chosen vault to crack open. Good luck. =Dungeon Conditions: Overzealous, Injure======================================
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
"A very shallow pool of water, in some places," Ida says. "In others, rusty metal. I wouldn't recommend landing on either." She flashes a dry little smile to Citan, and listens, attentively, as he makes his hypothesis. "I think I can contribute, then," she says. Even if Ines is the only one with a rope. This is going to be a nerve-wracking descent.
Once the others have worked their magic, Ida invokes a little of her own. Motes of green light flare around her soles as she steps towards the edge, and then into thin air.
Ida twists in mid-air, catching her bootheels on the side of the pit--the wind blowing upwards slows her fall, and her own enchanted equipment provides a bit more updraft. It's not unlike walking into a wind tunnel--not a pleasant stroll, but not a fatal drop, either. Everyone makes it down alive.
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
owowowowowoow why did Gwen do that owowowowoowow
But, if there's something that could make such pain fall away (PUN FULLY INTENDED), it's the possibility of things in locked, ancient metal containers. Y'know. Treasure.
To a certain degree and measure of value, that is.
"Ah-ha! Looks like we found yer vaults, Ida!" Gleefully, Gwen cracks her knuckles as she walks up to one.. "Ohoho, what goodies shall we find? I suppose we'll just unlock one n' hope it's somethin' nice."
She casually knocks against one vault after another, trying to use the rusty metal's echoing groan as some measure towards what could be within. She looks up to see what others have found.
"You weren't kiddin', Ida. These suckers are *thick*. I bet we easily punch through these, but we'd have t'make sure we didn't destroy whatever's inside along with it." Rolling her right hand around, Gwen lands a punch against one in particular, testing the way the metal gives against her weight. "Okay, Eleanor? Y'think you could boost me up? Maybe Ida too, if she'd like it? Maybe Ines too. Citan, Jay, you could..." She tilts her head. "Well, I'll leave that t'you to decide. I'm certain you got some ideas in mind."
DG: Gwen Whitlock has used her Tool ARM-ored Fist toward her party's challenge, The Stage Is Set... For Demolition.
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
"Oh, thank you!! I'm particularly fond of the opposed pairs, really--they have such a sense of balance, don't they?" Eleanor seems terribly pleased to have a crest sorceress around to talk shop with and compare notes with. Buuut... At the bottom--"Ah, yes! Muscle power and magic power, in tandem! The very spirit of adventure!" Eleanor tries to say that, and then laughs, nervously, here on the ground, a hand at the back of her neck. "Or... so they say. I, ah... I'm not very good at the muscle power part, if we're being completely honest..."
she glances to the side, and then back up again. "But really, we did well, I think. I, ah... -offer moral support! I'm certain we can break through!"
Eleanor starts going through her things, then, flipping through for--
"Aha!"
She pulls a small red sphere from her bag, a Spiran object for certain. "These are designed to help one meditate upon physical strength! If I can use one here..."
Eleanor breathes in, and--Mystic!! She extends the benefits of strength to the party!
That's some moral support.
"Whew! All right--I think I can do some direct boosting, too. This spell raises the power of your physical attacks..."
Eleanor might get tired with all these buffs. She has... a lot of them.
DG: Eleanor Klein has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, The Stage Is Set... For Demolition.
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
He gets, briefly, a look at the bruising on Ines' hands. It's not so much that he frowns as much as his brow creases at the sight...
But the wounds are not significant enough to treat as things stand. Once they have reached a point where they can pause and take a break...
Though perhaps that is still a ways off in a city that seems to be only clinging to the cliffside. It would be a sorry thing to be in these ruins as they suddenly completed their journey to the sea.
And so they end up negotiating a hole.
As they so often say, it's not the drop that is the problem. It's the sudden stop at the end.
In Citan's case, it's more that the magically-aided wall run is not the problem...
It's the part where you run out of wall and have to negotiate several feel of drop (if magically assisted).
Followed by the inevitable stop at the end.
He lands, dropping into a crouch, and rises, seemingly unharmed.
There's a pause after a moment more and he rubs at his lower back, seemingly surreptitiously.
"Then these are the vaults. I see..." He draws in a breath. "To break in order to preserve... I see," he remarks, perhaps to himself.
Then:
"I do not know how much aid this may be," he says, pulling out his hammer.
But there are cracks in the vaults, and one does not need size to cause great effect.
You just need to hit the right place at the right time.
He takes a breath, feeling for the ambient power cast into the air by Eleanor's working and strikes.
DG: Citan Uzuki has used his Tool Perfectly Normal Hammer toward his party's challenge, The Stage Is Set... For Demolition.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
The landing is a little rough for Jacqueline - she was so focused on looking after the others that she neglected to look after herself, and so she casts her own spell a little too late - not enough to cause serious harm, but it sure smarts. Thankfully, the sorcery in Ida's boots helps keep her covered.
Jacqueline lands and, after standing stock still for a moment, takes a deep, relieved that everyone made it out. She looks toward Eleanor, then, offering her a bright smile.
"Yes! It really is a testament to the balance of things - how two things that seem so opposed can come together to create something wonderful." Jacqueline agrees.
Eleanor says she'll provide moral support...and does so by extending the power of a Strength Sphere over the party through Mystic.
Jacqueline smiles knowingly, then looks toward Gwen.
"I have an idea, yeah." She replies, and then once more draws out the Landscaper Crest she called upon before, inserting it into her left gauntlet. She waits for Citan to do his part so as to not interrupt his work, but once he's through she gestures with her left hand.
Though she used the spell subtly before now, when they need to break through a thick vault door, is not the time for subtlety.
Though she still pays a mind for needing to maintain the structure's stability, the earth itself rises to her call. It surges upward around the door, seeking out the mechanisms within to force them open - or to crush it, if that's what it comes down to.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has used her Tool Landscaper Crest toward her party's challenge, The Stage Is Set... For Demolition.
<Pose Tracker> Ines Colina has posed.
It's not the smoothest descent, but it's still a desent. Ines lands heavily- she's huge, that's going to happen- and she stands up to look at the vaults. "You think you'd be holding something pretty damn impressive behind doors like that." She looks at the one Gwen is scoping out. "That's some serious reinforcement."
Trying to crack one open with brute force, that's tricky. And there's the need to preserve whatever's inside. "Tsk. It'd be a bad idea to just got at this hammer and tongs." She walks up, and tests the door a few times with her hand. "If we could heat this up enough, then chill it, we could probably break it pretty easy. Right place we could knock out the lock." The combination of blacksmith's daughter and shady mercenary raise an obvious technique. "That's assuming you don't want to keep the door for archaeological purposes." She turns back to Citan.
"...Failing that, well..." She walks over to the wall. "I could always try a little tremor. Bit dangerous in here, though." It looks like the latter plan is chosen. As Jay shapes the earth, tattoos on Ines' right arm start to glow. "...I think I can do this carefully..." She mutters, before slamming her fist into the wall to supplement Jay's, using her limited mastery of earth symbology to assist.
DG: Ines Colina has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, The Stage Is Set... For Demolition.
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
Ida kicks off the wall and simply falls the last few feet, landing atop a length of fallen panel with a solid clang. When she looks up, she's a bit of a mess--her hair has blown everywhere, and maybe half of it is making a noncommittal effort to staying in its bun. Ida reaches up, rakes the hairband out of her hair, and tucks it in a pocket. A shake of her head, and her hair is in a bit more acceptable form. Right, then.
"And these would be the vaults," Ida says, a smile dawning on her face. "Just one thing left, then." Ida approaches this from the same angle as the wall that first barred their entrance. She steps in to stand beside Citan, her fingers twisting into sturdy, hooked claws--both hands, this time. Armor flows across the skin of her left hand, forming a more skeletal version of the gauntlet on her right.
That's new. Or is it? For a while, Ida was only able to work such a dramatic change on her right arm, the initial site of the tissue graft. Is this what she meant when she said it was spreading?
A question for another time. Ida applies steady pressure, pulling as the others try and batter the door into submission.
DG: Ida Everstead-Rey has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, The Stage Is Set... For Demolition.
==============================<* Almaryyt Ruins *>============================== ==============<* CHALLENGE - The Stage Is Set... For Demolition *>============== |Type: Final |Dungeon Ability: Brute |Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- However you land, you make yourself into the depths of Almaryyt, what parts are still resting above the sea. In time the city may complete its slide into the ocean depths and become lost to history, but for now it still remains. This is a good thing for you because you've found yourself in the city's vaults. The only problem is that while one of them is clearly opened (and emptied) the rest are largely sealed shut, and the walls of the vaults are not precisely easy to breach. You'll have to pick your 'battle' carefully... And unleash everything you've got against your chosen vault to crack open. Good luck. =Dungeon Conditions: Overzealous, Injure======================================
=========================<* Almaryyt Ruins - Round 6 *>========================= ================< Results - The Stage Is Set... For Demolition >================ Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Citan Uzuki 20 --(0)--> 20 Fail Perfectly Normal Hammer 1 Brute Effects: Stalwart and Rally -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jacqueline Barber 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Landscaper Crest 3 Brute Effects: Fanfare -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ines Colina 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gwen Whitlock 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass ARM-ored Fist 2 Brute Effects: Strengthen -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eleanor Klein 0 --(0)--> 0 Fail Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ida Everstead-Rey 0 --(0)--> 0 Fail Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Citan Uzuki 80 --(35)--> 115 Pass Conditions: Injure(2)|Overzealous(2) Effects: Strengthen(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: You have overcome the dungeon's trials! This run is a success! DG: The party led by Citan Uzuki has successfully explored Almaryyt Ruins!
==============================<* Almaryyt Ruins *>============================== ======================<* CHALLENGE - Across The Divide *>======================= |Type: Discovery |Dungeon Ability: Conclusion|Challenge Rating: 1 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- When the vault cracks open, its contents are revealed to the world for the first time in ages. And ancient it undoubtedly is. The small smooth metallic disc marked with a circuit-like pattern across its surface will illuminate softly -- enough to light up a small room -- when a small button on one side is pressed; it only requires sunlight to recharge its ability to generate light. Suffice to say it bears little in common with the appearance of even older Spiran artifacts. It looks, in fact, as if it came from a different world. And a different time, to judge by Filgaia's current state -- any scholar of Zeboim (or those similarly acquainted with the civilization) will recognize the origin of the small device. However it came here, here it is. It's yours now, if you want it. (OOC: The strange ancient disc would make a good tool, likely Wits with the Enlighten ability.) =Dungeon Conditions: Treasure=================================================
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
Powered by Eleanor's boost, Gwen begins punching. Citan begins striking with his hammer. Jay and Ines combine their might through earth, and an opening in the door gets made, if just a small crack.
With more work the crack becomes wider, but Gwen's momentum is disturbed momentairely by the realization that both of Ida's hands have become those bony claws.
Her guilt at this subtle realization is something Gwen tries to push away, and by pushing, she means *punching*, keeping aware enough to not blow completely through the metal.
Then, they succeed, the vault revealing its contents: a strange, softly glowing disk, unlike what is usually seen in Spira.
Bending down, Gwen picks it up in her left hand, examining it.
She turns to Ida, presenting it to her. "... I... uh... was hoping it'd be something we could split." She looks back towards Citan, a small smile on her face. "I suppose we can rock-paper-scissors or somethin' if nothin' else."
Hopefully Citan doesn't have a RPS badge of his own hidden somewhere.