2019-10-14: Never Alone

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  • Log: Never Alone
  • Cast: Ashley Winchester, Ambrosius, Seraph Boudicca, Elvis
  • Where: Shrine of the Water Trial
  • Date: October 14, 2019
  • Summary: The chaos at Macalania Temple forces an impromptu team-up between unlikely allies. Together, the four of them must work together to escape the strange place they've found themselves in. But, at the very least, they will not have to do so alone.

=======================<* Shrine of the Water Trial *>========================

Lefay, the Shrine of the Water Trial, is a place in Spira yet not a Spiran place. You arrive on a bubble of water: some final protection that leads you down, granting you the air that gives you life. You can draw safe breath there. Then, you land in the shadowed halls of a structure most ancient...

...and with iconography on its towering stones that is not Yevonite. The carved Seraphim and reliefs of the Goddess suggest Althenan heritage, and yet far more ancient -- and in a style unlike the ones found in the Church's impositions in Luca and Kilika.

Here and there, high up, you see the fissure lines -- the places where this structure was, somehow, fused into the bottom of Macalania Temple and lost.

You see Lefay, the Shrine of the Water Trial, and stand in its depths. Lost, perhaps -- save that there is only one way forward.
DG: A party led by Ambrosius is now entering Lefay - Shrine of the Water Trial.
DG: Party formation is now over. An Entry Challenge will now be drawn and displayed to the party.
===================<* Lefay - Shrine of the Water Trial *>====================
=====================<* CHALLENGE - Bubbled From Harm *>======================
|Type: Entry       |Dungeon Ability: Agility   |Challenge Rating: 1          | 
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
 You fall.                                                                     
                                                                               
 Fall, fall, fall... into the shadowy, sapphire depths of Macalania Lake.      
                                                                               
 Perhaps it was the unending numbers of Odessa's rank and file, filtrating     
 through portals in endless waves. Perhaps it was the tidal wave you scarce    
 outran at the apex of the battle between Lombardia, Queen of the Metal        
 Dragons, and Sin itself. Perhaps the fierce fighting in Macalania Temple has  
 sent you plummeting down to the depths below.                                 
                                                                               
 Whatever the case may be--                                                    
                                                                               
 You do not meet a frigid, wet end in this abyss.                              
                                                                               
                                                                               
 There is a blue light from below.                                             
                                                                               
 Slowly, but comfortably, a round sphere of water cloaks itself around you.    
 You find yourself dry and with air to breathe, as you descend to the          
 structure of an ancient shrine hidden underneath the frozen surface of        
 Macalania Lake.                                                               
                                                                               
 The bubbles are pliant and sturdy, but impede your movements a little. Try    
 to coax yourself to float down towards the shrine... and keep tabs of who     
 you're with--                                                                 
                                                                               
 So that you do not risk losing each other again.                              
=Dungeon Conditions: Hesitate=================================================
<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.

It has been a long day of battle and conflict for everyone, and it appears to remain such for a while yet. The land has seen much strife on an unprecedented level as opposing forces clash.

It can only take so much. And so, finally, the land itself gives way, sundering and sending everyone above falling toward the freezing depths of Lake Macalania.

Ambrosius, at the time, had been making his way toward the Temple in pursuit of Elvis and Kaguya at Amaterasu's request. He had held back the great tidal wave for the sake of his allies, but the effort had proven great. He was exhausted, but he had to make his way forward...

But, when the land shatters beneath him, he can do nothing but fall.

Fall, toward the chilling waters below.

Ambrosius holds out his hand, preparing to work some water Ether... but, before he can complete it, he finds himself surrounded by a sphere of water. It keeps him warm, dry, and, most importantly, with plenty of fresh air.

"...Hm." He notes. He's curious, certainly, but with the situation as it is he cannot afford to waste time. The blue light shining down below illuminates several other figures in similar spheres nearby...including one of particularly notable height. He can only assume that must be Elvis. Could one of the others be Kaguya, as well? It's difficult to tell in these dark depths.

And so, Ambrosius gestures. The waters around his bubble begin to stir...and the other bubbles will find themselves drawn in.

It will, at least, keep everyone together.

DG: Ambrosius has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Bubbled From Harm.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Boudicca has posed.

        The last thing Boudicca remembers is the water.

        Here, too: water. It ought to be cold - Boudicca can feel cold, now, has estimated skin and nerves and she is so much more sympathetic to mortals in the chill - but here now it is comfortable and dry in precisely the way icy water is not, and she realises, all a sudden, she is bubbled.

        Momentarily, she wishes Lanval were here.

        She does not think he is, but she sees other bubbles, in the gloom. She reaches into a pocket of her belt, and pulls out a handful of old leaves, dried and imbued with the Goddess's own magic. "Keep us safe," she whispers, as she crushes them with a crinkle.

        The air rushes out all a-coil, curling in to blow the bubbles around her down to safety, closer together. How does air travel through the water? ... it's magic.

DG: Seraph Boudicca has used her Tool Breezeruffle Leaves toward her party's challenge, Bubbled From Harm.
<Pose Tracker> Ashley Winchester has posed.

Some have had longer, more battle-ful days than others.

Ashley's day began with a wedding, proceeded into an emotionally traumatizing recollection of certain events involving a demonic possession, and then a full several hours fighting through an active war-zone before culminating in an impromptu meeting with the Demon of Elru himself and a meaningful conversation with the last of the Crimson Nobles.

It has been... a day.

Ashley was caught up in another engagement with even more Odessan forces when suddenly the ice shattered under his feet and he was sent tumbling deep, deep, deep into the lunar sea. He'd lost consciousness somewhere along the way, but it, fortunately, wasn't to last. The battered ARMs captain stirs with a groan and a throbbing headache to find himself drifting in a bubble in the midst of a yawning, watery void. He flails for a few terrible moments before realizing that he's not, in fact, drowning, and that there are others here with him. Others... Who are... Uh.

Entirely unfamiliar.

Ashley frowns and roots around in his pack, combining a length of rope and a weighted pair of throwing knives into a makeshift grappling hook. He swings it around even as Boudicca stirs the winds, trying to anchor himself to one of the other drifters. Now is not the best time to be going into the unknown alone, after all...!

DG: Ashley Winchester has used his Tool Weighted Knives toward his party's challenge, Bubbled From Harm.
<Pose Tracker> Elvis has posed.

Elvis and Kaguya had just breached Macalania Temple as the climax of a great fight hit. They had to wade through combat with Solaris and Odessa, who mistook them for their enemies.

Two powerful Veruni make short work of small fries that oppose them. But the doors barely slam open before the entire structire's insides collapse under the strain of the battle around.

Whem tumbling water and stone cease long enough to gain his senses, Elvis is separated from Kaguya. "Damnit!" he says, to his surprise, as some kind of bubble. "Where is she..."

A scan around shows quite a few people, but he is closest to... hum. That animate statue from previous encounters. A young human, and... "Ambrosius!" he calls through the bubble. "Where is Amaterasu?! I lost Kaguya in the collapse!" Below, a structure begins to take shape. "We need to get there. Hopefully we can find a way out of this mess within!"

But the waters and bubbles shift in unpredictable ways. THe man lifts a pair of fingers up to his monocle, and rotates a few times. Perhaps through it, he can see if there are heat based currents to try and navigate better using his mastery over Water Ether.

And also hope there is oxygen where they go. Veruni have indeed evolved, but they don't have gills...!

Note to self-- invent some kind of mechanical gill system to wear on ones throat like a choker... He would write it down, but, yknow. Water.

DG: Elvis has used his Tool Malevo-Lens 1.27a toward his party's challenge, Bubbled From Harm.
===================<* Lefay - Shrine of the Water Trial *>====================
=====================<* CHALLENGE - Bubbled From Harm *>======================
|Type: Entry       |Dungeon Ability: Agility   |Challenge Rating: 1          | 
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
 You fall.                                                                     
                                                                               
 Fall, fall, fall... into the shadowy, sapphire depths of Macalania Lake.      
                                                                               
 Perhaps it was the unending numbers of Odessa's rank and file, filtrating     
 through portals in endless waves. Perhaps it was the tidal wave you scarce    
 outran at the apex of the battle between Lombardia, Queen of the Metal        
 Dragons, and Sin itself. Perhaps the fierce fighting in Macalania Temple has  
 sent you plummeting down to the depths below.                                 
                                                                               
 Whatever the case may be--                                                    
                                                                               
 You do not meet a frigid, wet end in this abyss.                              
                                                                               
 (BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKOJbeymd4M )                           
                                                                               
 There is a blue light from below.                                             
                                                                               
 Slowly, but comfortably, a round sphere of water cloaks itself around you.    
 You find yourself dry and with air to breathe, as you descend to the          
 structure of an ancient shrine hidden underneath the frozen surface of        
 Macalania Lake.                                                               
                                                                               
 The bubbles are pliant and sturdy, but impede your movements a little. Try    
 to coax yourself to float down towards the shrine... and keep tabs of who     
 you're with--                                                                 
                                                                               
 So that you do not risk losing each other again.                              
=Dungeon Conditions: Hesitate=================================================
==============<* Lefay - Shrine of the Water Trial - Round 1 *>===============
=======================< Results - Bubbled From Harm >========================
Player                               Exhaustion                      Pass/Fail
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ambrosius                           0 --(0)--> 0                   Fail
Rush                                0   Agility Effects: BASIC                
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seraph Boudicca                     0 --(0)--> 0                   Pass
Breezeruffle Leaves                 2   Agility Effects: Stalwart             
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ashley Winchester                   0 --(0)--> 0                   Pass
Weighted Knives                     2   Agility Effects: Resilient            
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elvis                               0 --(0)--> 0                   Pass
Malevo-Lens 1.27a                   2   Agility Effects: Quicken              
----------------------------------< Party >-----------------------------------
Leader: Ambrosius                   0 --(20)--> 20                 Pass
Conditions: Hesitate(2)
Effects: Quicken(1)|Resilient(1)
==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Ambrosius 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> Ambrosius has posed.

Ambrosius hears Elvis, but he cannot respond just yet - so busy is he with his spell that even speaking is difficult. His exhaustion is that much.

It's difficult to work his spell - but, he soon finds that others are doing the same. His own spell combines with Boudicca's, and the four separate bubbles find themselves drawn closer, and closer...particularly when Ashley's weighted knife lassos its way around one of the Veruni.

The four descend, and soon find themselves in an ancient structure. Though they are in Spira, the architecture here bears no sign of Yevonite iconology - it instead more resembles ancient Althenan work, if anything.

The carvings of Seraphim may be especially noteworthy.

Ambrosius lands with a crash and, taking a moment to catch his breath, raises to his full height, looking upon the others. His eyes land on Ashley and Boudicca, assessing them for a moment before looking toward Elvis.

"...I see. That is unfortunate. As for the Commander...she went to deal with the Sinspawn, and ordered me to follow you." Ambrosius replies.

He then pauses, now finally taking note of where they landed.

"...This structure. How unusual, to find it here..." He murmurs to himself and turns, beginning to wander off, entranced by the archaelogical mystery before him.

DG: Ashley Winchester has drawn a new Challenge.
===================<* Lefay - Shrine of the Water Trial *>====================
=================<* CHALLENGE - The Aquaphant in the Room *>==================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Brute     |Challenge Rating: 2          | 
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
 In the myriad hallways and twists of the Shrine of the Water Trial, you       
 encounter an unusually sorry sight.                                           
                                                                               
 One of the Fiends that patrol this temple, the Aquaphant, has fallen into a   
 large break on the floor. It doesn't appear able to escape its fate. On the   
 one hand, that is quite advantageous -- you could sneak around the creature   
 and save yourself an unnecessary fight...                                     
                                                                               
 But the glint of treasure underneath the floor offers a different scenario.   
 Perhaps support and kindness can help the Fiend free. But what awaits at the  
 end of this? A random encounter, or the first step to being best friends      
 with a mythical water creature?                                               
                                                                               
 What will you do?                                                             
=Dungeon Conditions: Weaken===================================================
<Pose Tracker> Ashley Winchester has posed.

It's not every day that you get to make new friends in the depths of a celestial sea! It's rarer still to do so with a wind ghost and a pair of alien hominids who are also the mortal foes of the planet itself.

But this?

Hooking Ambrosius with a grapple instead of the other two available targets?

This is just plain improbable. But Ashley does it anyway. He doesn't choose where the grapnel lands-- only the whim of the whip holds any sway over its destination. And so Ambrosius would find a rope and dagger lassoed around his waist and an unfamiliar blue-haired drifter on the other end. On the one hand, it's a little awkward! On the other, Ashley miiight have just saved Ambrosius from a fate worse than depth.

Who can say?

Certainly not Ashley. Ashley is mostly just confused and wonderstruck. He's never seen a temple like this before, wholly unfamiliar with Lunarian architecture as he is, and spends several moments just gawping at the masterfully carved stone and the rippling walls of water. "Where are we...?" He asks, before looking to the others for answers. Others who he... doesn't... recognize. Hm. "Who are you...? Oh!" He blinks! Then laughs, scratching awkwardly at the base of his neck in that oh-so-anime-protagonisty manner that many bluenettes seem predisposed towards. "Sorry! Forgot to introduce myself. Ashley Winchester, with ARMS. Uh. None of you are Odessan, right...?"

That would be... super awkward.

Not super awkward: That they all landed here, together, as opposed to five feet over there, together, in an enormous pit in the ground... And some kind of giant water pachyderm lurking within! Oh no! But... It might just be a quirk of the light, or perhaps its water-aspect playing tricks, but its eyes seem unusually wide and adorably weepy. There are clearly marks on the pit walls that suggest it's been trying, and failing, to find its way out-- but perhaps more importantly, there is... obviously some treasure down there in that pit.

"I... I think it wants us to help it get out?" Ashley suggests? Before... lowering his rope into the pit to maybe lasso it around the creature's midsection to aid in hoisting it up. After all, what good drifter turns down a treasure box!?

DG: Ashley Winchester has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward his party's challenge, The Aquaphant in the Room.
<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.

Ambrosius stares down at the rope that ends up around his waist. And then, he looks up at the drifter responsible. His expression is unreadable. He doesn't laugh when Ashley does.

"...Ambrosius." He replies, by way of introduction. "...And no, we are not."

He can speak for himself and Elvis, at least, but not the Seraph that has ended up with them. He studies her for a moment, but then, turns his attention toward the creature that Ashley points out.

A water-espected creature. Ambrosius studies it for a moment, then draws something from his waist. It's part of a device - his ARM, specifically - but even alone it has some use. He channels his magic through it and a swirling blade of water emerges from the other end.

Is he really going to try to cut that beast down to get at the treasure!?

...No, actually - he approaches and makes several quick, accurate swings at the ground, looking to slice a ramp into it for the Aquaphant to ascend.

And besides, it has resistance to water-based attacks, it'll be fine.

DG: Ambrosius has used his Tool Aqua Cutter toward his party's challenge, The Aquaphant in the Room.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Boudicca has posed.

        Down, down Boudicca goes, and here she finds herself dwarfed by the shrine - right beside one of those carvings. Air buffers beneath her, smoothing her landing, and her metal greaves click-click down against the ground. The ribbon woven through her long hair catches at what light there is, here.

        For a moment, she's distracted by the architecture, looking up at it all. She reaches up, laying a gauntlet-clad hand on the stone. "Is... is this..?" There's something familiar about it, all, but...

        ... Boudicca was not raised with her people. She did not grow amongst their great works; hers is vine and branch. She can't say whether her suspicion is correct. Certainly it does not feel correct. Why would Seraphim be depicted here, beneath Spira?

        The leylines, she wonders, all a sudden --

        And startles as she realises she's forgotten the others in her surprise.

        Boudicca looks around her, and no, Lanval is not here. But Elvis - she recognises Elvis. "Oh," her eyes widen, slightly, as she looks up to him. (Even six feet tall, he dwarfs her.) And Ambrosius, too... she looks to them, and looks to Ashley, and folds her hands together in front of her as that fellow leads them in introductions. "I am the Wind Seraph, Boudicca. Let us stay together!" It's an earnest request, even if she's mishandled the colloquialism somewhat.

        (She meant that they should stick together.)

        At first she had been happy to simply be relieved they didn't fall in the pit, but Ashley shortly calls attention to the fact that the fiend guarding it may need its own assistance. "Oh, my," she looks down over the edge. "Are we certain it does not mean us harm..?" She has never met a fiend which didn't mean ill.

        Still, it looks... frightened, to her eyes.

        She takes up a brazier hanging from the side of her belt, half-melted, claws curling in torchlike around a nest of charcoal. The light she ignites in it is Moor Gault's own flame, warmth and a pleasant smoky smell lighting the room and lending strength to her fellows.

        Well... at least Ashley might feel her assistance.

DG: Seraph Boudicca has used her Tool Bestial Brazier toward her party's challenge, The Aquaphant in the Room.
<Pose Tracker> Elvis has posed.

Gentle curving of currents view through the crystal lens aids to join the others as they land, though Ambrosius has a bit of a rougher one than everyone else. "What a strange place, so deep and away from prying eyes..." He ponders what it could be used for until Ambrosius speaks. "Of course she would..." he says, dejectedly. Though he is far from disappointed in her. He just hoped she mades it back in one piece. "Kaguya is opefully still around here somewheres... We need to regroup and assess the situation above."

The Human doesn't quite seem to know what is going on either. "Good to meet you, young man." A pause. "Elvis. Most call me Professor. I go by either."

"As for where we are," he starts with, turning to face the Trial proper. "I assume it has to do with the local religion. Only one way to truly find out, however!" As for the Odessa comment, he just shakes his head no.

"Yes, good idea!" he says toward the Seraph. He recognizes her too, from several events. He seems to have a bit of trouble looking at her tnough. Possibly not fully resonant-aware. At least he can recognizes the statue well enough.

Ahead of them lies a creature, trapped by its own size in a hole too large for it to climb out of. "Hum. Well, something is down there. May as well find out what it is. Could be something interesteding to research..." The man is already wrapping his Power Gloves looking at the Aquaphant.

Time for some muscle. And Elvis has it in spades.

No on tell Dean he thought that in his head. He will never hear the end of it.

DG: Elvis has used his Tool PALB-3106 Power Gloves toward his party's challenge, The Aquaphant in the Room.
===================<* Lefay - Shrine of the Water Trial *>====================
=================<* CHALLENGE - The Aquaphant in the Room *>==================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Brute     |Challenge Rating: 2          | 
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
 In the myriad hallways and twists of the Shrine of the Water Trial, you       
 encounter an unusually sorry sight.                                           
                                                                               
 One of the Fiends that patrol this temple, the Aquaphant, has fallen into a   
 large break on the floor. It doesn't appear able to escape its fate. On the   
 one hand, that is quite advantageous -- you could sneak around the creature   
 and save yourself an unnecessary fight...                                     
                                                                               
 But the glint of treasure underneath the floor offers a different scenario.   
 Perhaps support and kindness can help the Fiend free. But what awaits at the  
 end of this? A random encounter, or the first step to being best friends      
 with a mythical water creature?                                               
                                                                               
 What will you do?                                                             
=Dungeon Conditions: Weaken===================================================
==============<* Lefay - Shrine of the Water Trial - Round 2 *>===============
===================< Results - The Aquaphant in the Room >====================
Player                               Exhaustion                      Pass/Fail
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ambrosius                           0 --(0)--> 0                   Pass
Aqua Cutter                         3   Brute   Effects: Fanfare              
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seraph Boudicca                     0 --(0)--> 0                   Pass
Bestial Brazier                     2   Brute   Effects: Strengthen           
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ashley Winchester                   0 --(0)--> 0                   Fail
Force                               0   Brute   Effects: BASIC                
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elvis                               0 --(0)--> 0                   Pass
PALB-3106 Power Gloves              3   Brute   Effects: Fanfare              
----------------------------------< Party >-----------------------------------
Leader: Ambrosius                   20 --(20)--> 40                Pass
Conditions: Hesitate(1)|Weaken(2)
Effects: Strengthen(1)
==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Ambrosius 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> Ashley Winchester has posed.

"Oh, good! That would have been really... really awkward if you were." And he might have ended up horribly outnumbered and forced to take drastic action to avoid being kidnapped. Or something. He's not exactly familiar enough with this undersea temple to replicate the stealthy feats of the legendary Quartz Quetzalcoatl. "A Seraph, huh? Nice to meet you! Do you know Clarine? She's a good friend of mine."

Seraphs are good people, as far as Ashley cares!

As for the other two-- well, they just look like people. People with very advanced ARMs and very powerful muscles, but he's buddies with Brad 'all the guns' Evans, so he can't exactly comment.

They're all very useful when it comes to freeing the Aquaphant. Ambrosius carves a ramp for the creature to make its way out, but something so strongly aspected towards water apparently has issues climbing up a slick slope. Fortunately, the incline is gentle enough that Elvis is more than capable to help push it up. While the Veruni might not benefit from Boudicca's incense, it does seem to be mellowing the Aquaphant's mood and calming its nerves. It only struggles a little bit when Elvis starts pushing it up the ramp and quickly settles down once it becomes clear that these diggers don't intend to bring it harm.

In fact, it gives Ashley a great, big, sloppy trunking when it clears the lip of the pit. The gunner is knocked onto his backside! And thoroughly soaked! But he seems to be grinning in spite of it. "Y'all take care now!" He calls as the Aquaphant stomps away into the ruins. "Don't fall into any more pits!"

As for the chest, it's...

Probably some kind of water-based accessory or something? A sapphire ring, maybe? The Card didn't say! I'm not sure what I can hand out here!! Use your imaginations!!!!

DG: Elvis has drawn a new Challenge.
===================<* Lefay - Shrine of the Water Trial *>====================
=====================<* CHALLENGE - With Truth in Hand *>=====================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Brute     |Challenge Rating: 2          | 
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
 The ancient architects of Lefay, Shrine of the Water Trial makes it           
 exceedingly clear that missteps are answered with a (mercifully) quick trip   
 to the entranceway. Yet it would seem the eyes are not enough -- the ancient  
 fascination with emergency exits cross the boundaries of the world, too.      
                                                                               
 Because an ancient Wallmaster laced with Yevon runes is part of this ancient  
 site's automated defenses. One such device looms in front of you,             
 threatening to undo progress yet again.                                       
                                                                               
 But you know.                                                                 
                                                                               
 Enough dodging. Enough scampering around. Enough fear of lost progress.       
                                                                               
 If a hand threatens to crush you -- push /back/ against that, finger by       
 finger!                                                                       
                                                                               
 You don't /deserve/ this treatment!                                           
=Dungeon Conditions: Fright===================================================
<Pose Tracker> Elvis has posed.

With an elden treasure gathered, the path remains clear of elephant-sized distractions. Though another, more threatening one emerges.

It starts with the iconic Yevon cardinal rune flaring on a far wall. One some may have seen within the runs. THey typically activate to offer insight, or open a path. It is when a series of smaller sigils appear, that forms a specific shape. Almost like a skeleton in the dim corridor-- the cardinal rune forming the palm. "Interesting..." Elvis comments. "Perhaps it will answer our questions if we just go over to it and--"

A step too close.

The runes twitch in the distance. As it it were alive.

And alive it is. For they begin to move in unison. And what it makes becomes a horrifying priority. A giant hand, covered i nrunes. It creaks and walks toward the party though as fingers were limbs. It seems content to reach and do something to the party. Something not helpful.

Because the cqrdinal rune does one extra thing forgotten.

It is known to teleport individuals. Best not let it grab you. Elvis has no intent to do so, and with the Power Gloves still held, moves to engage the target. "We best fight it back, and not let it do what it plans to do!"

DG: Elvis has used his Tool PALB-3106 Power Gloves toward his party's challenge, With Truth in Hand.
<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.

Ambrosius offers a slight nod toward Boudicca as she introduces herself. He's polite about that much, at least, he isn't going to ignore her greeting.

He can't feel the flame of her brazier, and perhaps it's for the best - Moor Gault's flame would likely only burn him.

With the Aquaphant freed and a treasure obtained, the party is able to move on - and as they do so, they see something interesting.

"...Fascinating. So there are Yevonite markings here, as well..." Ambrosius murmurs. He glances toward Elvis, who takes a step toward it...which caused it to emerge in the form of a giant hand.

That's not very welcoming.

"Understood." Ambrosius replies. And, at Elvis's command, Ambrosius rushes forward. He still has that blade of water on hand - and he chooses to make use of it, making several quick and accurate swings through it with the goal of reducing it to many pieces.

They can worry about studying it later.

DG: Ambrosius has used his Tool Aqua Cutter toward his party's challenge, With Truth in Hand.
<Pose Tracker> Ashley Winchester has posed.

There's an ambulatory holograph hand in this temple.

Honestly, Ashley wasn't exactly sure what he was going to expect in a submarine Lunar temple-- maybe some kind of water-themed monster at the very back that they'd have to kill while punching out its fins and jaw for bonus loot-- but this is definitely not on the list.

"Uh," Ashley says, unlimbering what looks at first glance to be an enormous sword-- but is in fact an enormous bayonet. "Is that supposed to be here? No, nevermind. Stupid question. What is it though? What is with Yevonite things and trying to kill people?" Whatever it is, Ashley doesn't like it. And so he shoots it. Several times.

Why does he shoot this thing and not the Aquaphant?

Well.

The Aquaphant was cute, you see.

DG: Ashley Winchester has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward his party's challenge, With Truth in Hand.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Boudicca has posed.

        "Ah - yes! Clarine is wonderful!" In this instance, at least, Seraphim know each other.

        To be fair, there aren't terribly many Seraph out there, compared to humans.

        Boudicca's concern for the fiend turns out to be misplaced: in the end, it's grateful for its escape, and it bowls Ashley over in affection rather than malice.

        It's nice to have a monster who doesn't want to impede them.

        It can't last.

        Boudicca holds the brazier high as the light flares, more for Ashley's benefit than the Veruni's. The light is strength, and if it gets too close...

        ... she's not above striking those claws away with the metal construction.

        After all, it's made from claws, too.

DG: Seraph Boudicca has used her Tool Bestial Brazier toward her party's challenge, With Truth in Hand.
===================<* Lefay - Shrine of the Water Trial *>====================
=====================<* CHALLENGE - With Truth in Hand *>=====================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Brute     |Challenge Rating: 2          | 
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
 The ancient architects of Lefay, Shrine of the Water Trial makes it           
 exceedingly clear that missteps are answered with a (mercifully) quick trip   
 to the entranceway. Yet it would seem the eyes are not enough -- the ancient  
 fascination with emergency exits cross the boundaries of the world, too.      
                                                                               
 Because an ancient Wallmaster laced with Yevon runes is part of this ancient  
 site's automated defenses. One such device looms in front of you,             
 threatening to undo progress yet again.                                       
                                                                               
 But you know.                                                                 
                                                                               
 Enough dodging. Enough scampering around. Enough fear of lost progress.       
                                                                               
 If a hand threatens to crush you -- push /back/ against that, finger by       
 finger!                                                                       
                                                                               
 You don't /deserve/ this treatment!                                           
=Dungeon Conditions: Fright===================================================
==============<* Lefay - Shrine of the Water Trial - Round 3 *>===============
=======================< Results - With Truth in Hand >=======================
Player                               Exhaustion                      Pass/Fail
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ambrosius                           0 --(0)--> 0                   Pass
Aqua Cutter                         3   Brute   Effects: Fanfare              
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seraph Boudicca                     0 --(0)--> 0                   Pass
Bestial Brazier                     2   Brute   Effects: Strengthen           
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ashley Winchester                   0 --(5)--> 5                   Fail
Force                               0   Brute   Effects: BASIC                
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elvis                               0 --(0)--> 0                   Pass
PALB-3106 Power Gloves              3   Brute   Effects: Fanfare              
----------------------------------< Party >-----------------------------------
Leader: Ambrosius                   40 --(20)--> 60                Pass
Conditions: Fright(2)|Weaken(1)
Effects: Strengthen(1)
==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Ambrosius 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> Elvis has posed.

The hand skitters inexorably toward the party, with intent to ensnare, active the rune, teleport who it has grasped, then repeat the process until all are gone. However, thsoe gathered arent mere pilgrims to visit this temple ruin.

The party mobilizes to fight back.

Elvis begins to clash with the hand. It is very large, and quite strong. Tussling with it only manages to hold it in place. Ashley takes aim, and while true, the creatue seems to have some layered magic armor. THe shots still have effect, the magic barriers breaking and cracking with each shot.

Boudicca and Ambrosius move in and take the opening Ashley has provided. Ambrosius' Aqua Cutter clean cuts off a thumb, The hand does not bleed, but wisps out some kind of essence, along with pyreflies. It loses balance.

Boudicca's light further weakens the shields, and when pressed, one of her mightly claws finds easy purchase in strange flesh.

Under the assault, it bursts! Energy and pyreflies sparkling about the room. But it is not truly gone. The runes appear on the other end of the room, slowly starting to grow in power. It is only a matter of time before it re-awakens. Moving may be prudent.

"Let's take our leave of this corridor!" Elvis states quickly, before hustling down the path.

DG: Seraph Boudicca has drawn a new Challenge.
====================<* Lefay - Shrine of the Water Trial *>=====================
======================<* CHALLENGE - Eye wo Torimodosu *>=======================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits      |Challenge Rating: 2          | 
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 An enormous Hundredpede Fiend is hot on your heels and your space is /awful/  
 for a fight.                                                                  
                                                                               
 You turn a tight corner and find an eye on the wall -- one of the myriad      
 contraptions that are supposed to send intruders back to the entrance. This   
 one isn't working. But with quick thinking and some magic or items, perhaps   
 it can be repaired.                                                           
                                                                               
 Repaired to send this intruder of yours... back to the entrance!              
=Dungeon Conditions: Overwhelm, Treasure======================================
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Boudicca has posed.

        "A little unconventional, but certainly effective," Boudicca notes, as her brazier strikes against the monster. Down it goes, and - "At once!" She replies, as Elvis directs them to move along.

        For the moment, their corridor is free of teleporting menaces.

        But, that means...

        Without those grasping claws, the other Fiends are free to venture in. As the pyreflies swirl, there is the sound of a new horror, skitter-slither across the shrine floor.

        Don't think of a millipede. Think of a silverfish: a silverfish with antenna swept back like great gouging horns, feelers swept back behind what must be a vast jaw. Three sets of legs grasp from the front end of its wriggly body; a dozen-dozen spikes stretch out like legs along its serpentine length. It's all silvery-blue above, dark and light in turn, with something not like cream along its belly. It is ferocious in its strength.

        This is the Hundredpede, and it has sighted an opportunity to strike.

        Elvis's suggestion is quite pertinent.

        Fleeing the Fiend's reach soon finds, in all these twisty corners, another trial - at first glance. "Oh!" Boudicca exclaims, at the sight of the eye, only to realise a moment later... "It is malfunctioning," Boudicca gives voice to her thoughts, quickly. "I do not know if we can outrun this fiend in this environment - let us use this contraption to our advantage!"

        One would expect Boudicca, the Wind Seraph, to at this point step in with some glorious insight on how to get it working.

        ...

        ...

        ...

        She digs in through her pack, and tosses some water skeins to the others before she pulls out what she was looking for: trail mix. "It is important to stay hydrated," she notes. "I will attempt to keep the creature occupied while you work!"

        This is Boudicca's master plan.

        She is going to try and toss food at the Hundredpede to slow it down while everyone can puzzle this out.

DG: Seraph Boudicca has used her Tool Emergency Supplies toward her party's challenge, Eye wo Torimodosu.
<Pose Tracker> Ashley Winchester has posed.

Silverfish.

Why did it have to be silverfish.

Sure, he's not some kind of bookworm with a totally rational fear of the paper-eaters, but that doesn't matter! Silverfish are terrifying and gross and all kinds of awful. Ashley is, honestly, only mildly distressed at the sight of one large enough to eat him, but if Marina was here... Well, Marina actually crushes most bugs underfoot like the merciless bread-mistress that she is, but if TIM were here, he'd probably be freaking out!

Or... maybe Lilka?

Hmn.

"Huh?" Ashley asks, peering at the strange glyph on the wall when Boudicca points it out. "But what does it do? It's an eye, right? So it's... some kind of sensor? Maybe its detector is out. In which case..."

Ashley has only seen Marivel do this kind of thing dozens of times, but he's no tinkerer. All he knows is that sometimes if you wire things up in interesting ways and push the relevant buttons, things occasionally go in interesting directions. And so it goes here. He connects a couple of twines of chickenwire to a pair of knobs on some box-shaped device, attaches the other ends to the corners of the glyphs, and pushes a button on his tool.

The Booty Call beeps helpfully and... locates nearby treasure chests? Uh--

Oh, and it also might serve as a RADAR-based targeting system for the teleport glyph.

...Maybe.

DG: Ashley Winchester has used his Tool Booty Call toward his party's challenge, Eye wo Torimodosu.
<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.

Ambrosius nods his agreement and, at Elvis's assistance, he begins to walk away. But it isn't long before they find another creature. This one, however, is far less friendly than the first they encountered, and even the construct they just dealt with.

It takes up practically the entire corridor, making fighting difficult - but as they move to try to find a more advantageous location, Boudicca spots something.

A contraption resembling an eye, but it's malfuctioning. Ambrosius looks it over with interest and reaches into his poncho before drawing out a long, silvery device. It's a very advanced sort of multi-tool, capable of performing many types of analysis while also being able to form whatever sort of tool he needs to use at the time.

"Very well. Allow me." Ambrosius says, swooping up to the eye on the wall as Boudicca moves to distract the enemy. He gets to work - though it's a little difficult to tell how much actual work he's getting done. He seems to be studying it more than anything...

"It would appear to be a teleporter of some kind. Anyone who passes through its gaze will be relocated to a pre-specified location. I may be able to add us to a whitelist of sorts to prevent it from targeting us." Ambrosius says, though he doesn't look back at Ashley, then looks toward Elvis. "What is your take, Professor?"

DG: Ambrosius has used his Tool Advanced Multi-Tool toward his party's challenge, Eye wo Torimodosu.
<Pose Tracker> Elvis has posed.

Down the hall, around a corner or two. Onward and forward and OH GOD CENTIPEDE. "Oh what is that?!" the Sentinel complains, looking back at the hulking insectoid. "Keep moving, we don't have time for another scuffle!" It takes some legwork, but around yet another corner shows a chance to remove the creature from their proximity.

One of the eyes that kidnap people and place them elsewhere seems to be inactive. "Perhaps we can use this to out advantage! Give me a moment."

A giant hand reaches into a satchel and pulls out a large, ironbound tome, packed with knowledge. O nthe cover is a similar rune to the cardinal Yevon rune. Etched on there recently. This book was the culmination of Elvis' pursuits into the religion. As well as magics and items involved.

"I remember how the controls work for this, but these could be different..."

The man lays a hand onto the wall, and begins to channel ether magic. "Do be careful, possessed statue woman!" he says toward Boudicca as she moves to buy time. The trail mix is appreciated.

A look to Ambrosius. "It could be re-activated. Better than playing this running game and exhausting ourselfs! I'll work on the activation, if you could, alter its accepted list."

A perk up toward Ashley, "What is that device there you have? Perhaps it could be put to use here!"

DG: Elvis has used his Tool Copious Research Notes toward his party's challenge, Eye wo Torimodosu.
====================<* Lefay - Shrine of the Water Trial *>=====================
======================<* CHALLENGE - Eye wo Torimodosu *>=======================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits      |Challenge Rating: 2          | 
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 An enormous Hundredpede Fiend is hot on your heels and your space is /awful/  
 for a fight.                                                                  
                                                                               
 You turn a tight corner and find an eye on the wall -- one of the myriad      
 contraptions that are supposed to send intruders back to the entrance. This   
 one isn't working. But with quick thinking and some magic or items, perhaps   
 it can be repaired.                                                           
                                                                               
 Repaired to send this intruder of yours... back to the entrance!              
=Dungeon Conditions: Overwhelm, Treasure======================================
===============<* Lefay - Shrine of the Water Trial - Round 4 *>================
========================< Results - Eye wo Torimodosu >=========================
Player                               Exhaustion                      Pass/Fail
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ambrosius                           0 --(0)--> 0                   Pass
Advanced Multi-Tool                 2   Wits    Effects: Enlighten            
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seraph Boudicca                     0 --(0)--> 0                   Pass
Emergency Supplies                  1   Wits    Effects: Cleanse              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ashley Winchester                   5 --(0)--> 5                   Pass
Booty Call                          3   Wits    Effects: Fanfare              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elvis                               0 --(0)--> 0                   Pass
Copious Research Notes              2   Wits    Effects: Enlighten            
-----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------
Leader: Ambrosius                   60 --(25)--> 85                Pass
Conditions: Fright(1)|Overwhelm|Treasure(1)
Effects: Cleanse|Enlighten(1)
===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Ambrosius has passed this challenge! The party gained 25 exploration! If anyone needs to use party
management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Boudicca has posed.

        Tinkering... engage!

        The Professor works diligently to activate the machine, while Ambrosius and Ashley combine forces to make sure it doesn't turn on them. Ambrosius's multi-tool clarifies just who the eye's targets are, while the Booty Call helpfully ensures that the one thing on its radar...

        Is on its radar.

        Meanwhile, Boudicca: tossing trail mix at the Hundredpede. (She is not surprised to hear that Elvis still associates her with her statue. It was a very striking statue.) It's distracted from its slithery charge long enough to investigate the food, but once it finds that most of it is dried nuts, it clicks its little feelers in the air and rises up..!

        Just in time for Elvis to find the right sequence to activate the retargetted teleporter. Boudicca scrambles out of the way as it advances forward, locked on...

        And suddenly, the Hundredpede isn't crowding out their corridor any more.

        "Marvellous work!" Boudicca smiles, clapping her hands together as she turns back to her fellows. And then she looks back at the corridor, a little more cautious. "Ah.. let us move on."

        Before something else decides to take a bite out of them.

DG: Ashley Winchester has drawn a new Challenge.
===================<* Lefay - Shrine of the Water Trial *>====================
================<* CHALLENGE - Your Very Own Tales of Skit *>=================
|Type: Climax      |Dungeon Ability: Wits      |Challenge Rating: 1          | 
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
 Your party arrives at an antechamber anchored by a mystical point of power.   
 It provides protection from nearby wandering Fiends. It is also mysteriously  
 designed for camping equipment like Tents to be pitched and set up with       
 ease, just as the light-warriors of old once did.                             
                                                                               
 ...                                                                           
                                                                               
 So much has happened.                                                         
                                                                               
 Odessa. The last-minute miracle of the Guts-Dozer. Lombardia. Sin. Maester    
 Seymour. Jyscal's sphere. And his once-assistant, Krelian.                    
                                                                               
 ...                                                                           
                                                                               
 There is time.                                                                
                                                                               
 Time for you all to mentally digest everything that has happened.             
 Time for you to start to pick yourselves up and rebuild what has been         
 broken.                                                                       
 Time to you to affirm what you must take back. What you can't lose again.     
                                                                               
 There is time now. Take it.                                                   
                                                                               
 Because you are all /worth/ this time.                                        
=Dungeon Conditions: Save Point===============================================
<Pose Tracker> Ashley Winchester has posed.

It seems a little unfair, outright blipping a major threat right back to the start of the dungeon like that. And maybe just a bit... concerning. If someone else arrives down here like they did, they'd find a giant, hungry silverfish waiting for them.

Did they just put a bunch of strangers in danger for their own sakes? Could they have defeated that thing here and now and spared some other party the risk of encountering such a thing? Ashley stares for a long while at the space that the Hundredpede had occupied only moments before-- he could have killed it. Then and there. If he drew on that <<Power>> within himself, it would have been a trivial matter.

The party proceeds on while Ashley's mind is occupied with this particular train of thought. It's been occupying his mind quite a bit the past day or so, though it was briefly distracted by the novelty of meeting such interesting new people. But now, they find themselves in a quiet antechamber. A place bathed in the soothing aura of water and sanctuary.

His mind wanders to his companions. Where are they, exactly? He fell down here all on his own, but... Are they trapped somewhere else in this temple? Are they still on the surface, battling desperately for their lives against whatever shattered the ice and dropped them all this way?

And the big question, above all else...

"...Say, what do you all think is at the end of all this?" Ashley asks, looking thoughtful and downcast. "This temple, I mean. We were at another temple entirely before, but... I somehow don't think there's going to be a staircase leading back up to the surface, or anything like that. Do you think we might be... trapped down here, or something...?"

If they are, then--

Then how is he supposed to fulfill all those promises he made...?

DG: Ashley Winchester has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Your Very Own Tales of Skit.
<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.

Ambrosius nods to himself as the plan is put into action and the Hundredpede chasing these is unceremoniously teleported somewhere far away and rendered Someone Else's Problem.

And so, they continue.

In a way, he's in his element here. They are surrounded by the power of water, and that is his specialty - the use and manipulation thereof. Not only that, it was an architectural wonder - a place containing iconography of two entirely different cultures.

Eventually, they find themselves in what appears to be a safe place. Something about it wards alway the monsters that roam this shrine, allowing them all time to rest and relax.

Ambrosius takes advantage of this, moving to take a seat. He listens as Ashley speaks, and as he does he brings out that silvery device once more. He doesn't produce a tool this time, however. Instead, he scans the area.

"...I am detecting a dormant energy source not far from our present location. I do not know what it is, but right now, it would seem that making our way to it would be our greatest chance of escape." Ambrosius replies. "But, if it is not..."

He shakes his head.

"...I have no intention of remaining down here. There are still things I must do. If I must, I will force my way to the surface and drag you all with me." He says. "You will not remain here."

The Ambrosius of a different time may not have cared - he would have gone on without the human, if that seemed the easier track.

...But, he had grown softer, of late. How troublesome, to develop a conscience.

DG: Ambrosius has used his Tool Advanced Multi-Tool toward his party's challenge, Your Very Own Tales of Skit.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Boudicca has posed.

        There wasn't much time for Boudicca to think about where the Hundredpede went.

        Not until they get to the antechamber, anyway.

        Ashley asks the big questions, and she sighs, a little puff of air which is more expressive than necessary. It's a heavy sort of query, and it weighs on her, too. Ida - Ida is still out there, somewhere, Boudicca thinks. Or she's lost in here, just like them...

        Luckily, Ambrosius is here to inject some perspective. "Ambrosius is correct," she affirms, no matter how strange companions they might make together. "We cannot give up just because we are here. We will find that energy source, and if it does not help, we shall simply look for something else. That is the sum of the matter."

        She, at least, doesn't feel bad about springing to the defence of a human.

        "But, as for what could be at the end of this all... I cannot fathom it. Those carvings reminded me of my people, yet... I am afraid I am deficient in the knowledge of our history. I cannot guess as to the meaning of this place." Boudicca shakes her head, and brushes one of her long braids back across an armoured shoulder.

        "... it troubles me."

        With a frown, she shakes off the admission, too, and swings her pack around again to pull out some more TRAIL SNACKS to hand around the party. How much is she carrying in there?! "Nevertheless, you must keep your strength up! We do not know what lies about the next corner, after all!"

DG: Seraph Boudicca has used her Tool Emergency Supplies toward her party's challenge, Your Very Own Tales of Skit.
<Pose Tracker> Elvis has posed.

What a strange creature, making its home down here. Was it actually feeding, or does it even need to eat? Did it need them for some other purpose, or jsut delight in the chase? So many questions that will remain unanswered. AWFUL.

The group happens upon an ornate antechamber at the end of a nearby crossroads. "This location seems untouched. Perhaps we can stop for a breather here, and push onward." This spot was almost unaffected by fiends. The floors seem un damaged, the carvings fresh. "I would love to crack a book open and begin taking rubbings, but alas..."

Ashley asks some good questions! This gets the Professor's academic senses tingling. "This is difficult to ascertain! However, we should look at the facts. This place wouldn't be down here if there wasn't an exit proper, for constructing such a place would be insanity!"

The man crosses his arms, and scratches his moustache with his fingers. "I think the question we should all ask is what lay inside. My research accounts that Summoner's speak with 'the Fayth' within the deepest reaches of a temple to give the spiritual power to summon forth Aeons, which are beasts of a unique kind." a pause. "However, no records I could find described these entities, nor depicted them. What could they be? How do the communitcate?"

At least he seems excited. Elvis takes a seat, cross-legged, for a moment.

"Still, to be safe..." The man pulls out another giant tome. He begins to write in it. After a short time, he actually tears out a page, applies some wax to it after folding it up, and sets it somewhere in plain sight.

He offers Boudicca a small nod in thanks for her offering. "This is good to know, Ambrosius. What I said earlier is but a theory considering where we are-- this could easily be not one of those locations. We should be wary.

As he readies to leave, he leaves behind the note.

DG: Elvis has used his Tool Copious Research Notes toward his party's challenge, Your Very Own Tales of Skit.
===================<* Lefay - Shrine of the Water Trial *>====================
================<* CHALLENGE - Your Very Own Tales of Skit *>=================
|Type: Climax      |Dungeon Ability: Wits      |Challenge Rating: 1          | 
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
 Your party arrives at an antechamber anchored by a mystical point of power.   
 It provides protection from nearby wandering Fiends. It is also mysteriously  
 designed for camping equipment like Tents to be pitched and set up with       
 ease, just as the light-warriors of old once did.                             
                                                                               
 ...                                                                           
                                                                               
 So much has happened.                                                         
                                                                               
 Odessa. The last-minute miracle of the Guts-Dozer. Lombardia. Sin. Maester    
 Seymour. Jyscal's sphere. And his once-assistant, Krelian.                    
                                                                               
 ...                                                                           
                                                                               
 There is time.                                                                
                                                                               
 Time for you all to mentally digest everything that has happened.             
 Time for you to start to pick yourselves up and rebuild what has been         
 broken.                                                                       
 Time to you to affirm what you must take back. What you can't lose again.     
                                                                               
 There is time now. Take it.                                                   
                                                                               
 Because you are all /worth/ this time.                                        
=Dungeon Conditions: Save Point===============================================
==============<* Lefay - Shrine of the Water Trial - Round 5 *>===============
==================< Results - Your Very Own Tales of Skit >===================
Player                               Exhaustion                      Pass/Fail
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ambrosius                           0 --(0)--> 0                   Pass
Advanced Multi-Tool                 2   Wits    Effects: Enlighten            
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seraph Boudicca                     0 --(0)--> 0                   Pass
Emergency Supplies                  1   Wits    Effects: Cleanse              
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ashley Winchester                   5 --(5)--> 10                  Fail
Investigate                         0   Wits    Effects: BASIC                
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elvis                               0 --(0)--> 0                   Pass
Copious Research Notes              2   Wits    Effects: Enlighten            
----------------------------------< Party >-----------------------------------
Leader: Ambrosius                   85 --(0)--> 85                 Pass
Conditions: Save Point(1)
Effects: Cleanse|Enlighten(1)
==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Ambrosius 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.
<Pose Tracker> Ashley Winchester has posed.

How troublesome indeed. Maybe if Ambrosius did know what lurked under Ashley Winchester's affable mien, he might reconsider his charitable mood. But he does not know, and so it goes. "That's... reassuring," Ashley says with a genuine smile. "Thanks, mister Ambrosius. You're kind of quiet, but you're a good guy deep down. I'm glad I ran into you down here."

"And you, too," he laughs, taking a handful of trail snacks from the Seraph. Nuts and berries they might be, but Ashley is a baker. He can appreciate the flavors of whole grains and sweet morsels. "Have you ever considered maybe turning this into a bread mix?" Ashley asks, canting his head thoughtfully. "If you ground up the nuts and mixed it with grain-flour and baked it with sun-dried berries, you could probably make a pretty good poundcake, and-- Oh uh. Rambling."

Not the best look, Ashley Winchester.

"...These ruins are strange," he says, then. "As far as I'd heard, Spira didn't have Seraphs until recently. So why is it that there's a temple with pictures of them in it buried underneath an entirely different temple? And besides that, they're both filled with... watery magic, right? It's too much to be a coincidence, I think."

Elvis thinks so too, it seems. The Fayth, indeed. What would happen if there weren't a Fayth in here, though? What would be there instead? "You're... leaving behind a note...?" Ashley's expression falters slightly as he realizes-- "In case we don't make it out of here, and someone else finds it instead...?"

That's... a depressing thought. But.

Ashley considers for a moment, then clenches a fist. "...No. We'll make it out, like mister Ambrosius said. Even if I've gotta boil the entire lake, I don't want to die down here. We've all still got things to do. So... Let's keep moving. Whatever that energy source is, it's close, right?"

<Pose Tracker> Ashley Winchester has posed.

It might be a figure of speech. A declaration of an intent to persevere against all odds, but...

Maybe... Maybe he's being both serious and literal.

But a human couldn't possibly hope to do something like that, right?

DG: Ambrosius has drawn a new Challenge.
===================<* Lefay - Shrine of the Water Trial *>====================
=======================<* CHALLENGE - Asura's Wrath *>========================
|Type: Final       |Dungeon Ability: Combat    |Challenge Rating: 2          | 
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
 An enormous Hellion awaits you at the end of Lefay, the Shrine of the Water   
 Trial.                                                                        
                                                                               
 This is Asura.                                                                                                 
                                                                               
 Asura, shelled in armour and bearing three pairs of weapons -- paired battle  
 forks, twinned gear-like warhammers, and matched glimmering greatswords of    
 water. He wields each of these enormous weapons one-handed, seemingly         
 unencumbered.                                                                 
                                                                               
 His howl shatters the very chamber you engage him in, and combat soon         
 follows--                                                                     
                                                                               
 --and after several rounds at it, it's clear his six-armed guard is           
 impeccable.                                                                   
                                                                               
 You'll need the brilliant in your team to stop his movements.                 
 You'll need the powerful in your team to breach his defence.                  
 You'll need the adroit in your team slip through and deal lasting damage.     
 You'll need the soothing in your team to tie this plan together long enough   
 to work.                                                                      
                                                                               
 But that is why you are all here together now.                                
                                                                               
 Past all the horrifying hardships you've survived together.                   
                                                                               
 Overcome this Water Trial together.                                           
                                                                               
 Because you all can /do/ this.                                                
=Dungeon Conditions: Suffer===================================================
<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.

A good guy deep down... Ambrosius doesn't respond to that. Ashley isn't the only one with secrets here, after all - even if his are on a slightly more calamitous scale.

Once they've all rested up, it's time to move on. And so, they find themselves in the final chamber at the end of the Shrine. There does not appear to be a Fayth.

What there is, however, is a Hellion. Hellion sightings in Spira have been very slightly, owing to the land's mysterious nature that seemed to be suppressing Malevolence. So, for there to be a Hellion of such great power here, of all places...it feels all the more intense for the absence of it.

He is a massive one, as well, with six arms - each one bearing a pair of equally-massive weapons.

"This is...but how!?" Ambrosis remarks, surprised. And then, the Hellion lets out a shattering howl of sheer rage and charges.

Ambrosius backpedals as the weapons lash out in a vicious whirlwind at the party, the weapons cleaving scores through the stone with ease. The Hellion moves on pure, unmistakable skill and instinct.

He rushes toward Ambrosius, then, looking to bring his weapons down toward him...but, as he does, there is a flash from above.

Something - no, someone - drops from the ceiling. It is a woman, wearing silver armor and dressed in blue, with a horned helmet concealing her eyes and long, sharp-looking blades on her boots. She spirals down, lashing out at the Hellion with a sweeping kick that spreads frost in its wake before floating back.

It would be easy, at first glance, to mistake her for one of Ambrosius and Elvis's people. But in truth, she is one of the Scutum - one of the ancient mechanical soldiers that defended some of the ruins back on Filgaia.

There is also another, smaller robot clinging to her back, resembling one of the worker units employed by the Al Bhed but with pieces of distinctly Veruni engineering here and there, but it does not attack.

"Minerva." Ambrosius acknowledges. Minerva inclines her head briefly in his direction, but there's still a battle to be fought.

But now, with a fifth ally on the field, the numbers should be more even.

"I will stand back and provide support. We will need to work together." Ambrosius states. He reaches out, taking hold of the power of water that flows strongly through this place. He exerts his will over it, turning it into a healing mist that should dampen, or even undo, whatever wounds Asura tries to inflict.

DG: Ambrosius has used his Tool Minerva toward his party's challenge, Asura's Wrath.
<Pose Tracker> Ashley Winchester has posed.

Ashley has never seen a Hellion before. Never witnessed for himself how the Malevolence seeps into the soul, whispers sweet corruption into the mind, taints the land itself and twists the body into unrecognizable grotesqueries. Most people would at least react with some manner of instinctive revulsion toward such a confluence of taint and spiritual filth. Ashley...

Ashley Winchester has perhaps grown somewhat... used to such things.

The Malevolence twines towards him, reaches its invisible tendrils out to find purchase in a soul in which it senses a raging, furious conflict. It would seek to propagate, to use him as a vector of infection and growth.

Instead, Ashley stares at the monster with blue-green eyes. Something within flickers, and the corrupting lashes abruptly seize and ignite, burning brilliant white with a light that casts no shadow.

"I don't know what this thing is," Ashley declares, "But if it keeps swinging those weapons around, it'll bring the entire temple down on our heads! I'm going in!" Going in? To fight a giant with six arms on his own?

No, he's not alone.

Not here. Not ever.

Minerva descends out of basically nowhere, a literal Machina Ex Machina, but Ashley quickly adapts to take advantage of her aid-- and Ambrosius' healing magic. He yells as he slams aside one of the Asura's many arms before launching an unusual canister right into its face. "Flashbang out!" Ashley yells, moments before the canister *bursts* in an explosion of light and sound. "Move into its blind spots while it's staggered! It might have six arms, but there are four-- FIVE of us! We're at the advantage here, we just need to press it!"

It's an optimistic way of seeing things.

But optimism has always been Malevolence's worst enemy...!

DG: Ashley Winchester has used his Tool Flare Gun toward his party's challenge, Asura's Wrath.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Boudicca has posed.

        "Oh, bread mix? I... had not thought of that," Boudicca notes, with all the amazement of someone who has never considered bread could have nuts in it.

        To be fair, it was relatively recently she was introduced to bread in the first place.

        She does not comment on Ashley's burning determination, though she does note, on Elvis: "It is wise to leave guidance for others who might find themselves here." It doesn't mean they're going to be lost! It's just helping everyone else!

        The cross of cultures is too much to be a concidence, and...

        ... the path they're on leads to something which seems to confirm that soundly.

        "A Hellion!" Boudicca exclaims, hand reaching up for a moment to the ribbon in her hair. It's not just a pretty green decoration - it's her vessel, now, and the difference between now and the last time she came across one of these monsters in Spira.

        She is strong enough to take it on, though the wrongness rattles at what passes for her bones.

        Boudicca takes her tonfa in hand, and hot summer wind springs forth from her - it is fire and it is air, two things not kin to this place, but they come from her and she is wellspring. It is something which, at least, lends its support to Ashley - and even if the warmth isn't as receptive to the Veruni, the breeze at least swirls defensive around them.

        And it whistles towards the Hellion, in an unrefined but nonetheless determined gust of magic.

DG: Seraph Boudicca has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Asura's Wrath.
<Pose Tracker> Elvis has posed.

The chamber beyond holds their destination. And an apparent foe. "This certainly cannot be what Summoners pray to!" Elvis remarks. "Possibly some kind of squatter in these untouched halls. Who would have thought one would be so far out here? So deep underwater?"

It mobilizes quickly. The Asura is a flurry of water and steel. They say its wrath knows no bounds. And trespassing is surely amougn the things it dislikes.

"Well! Seems we have a task ahead of us. I'll take point!" the man says, falling into a fisticuffs stance. In but seconds after readying himself, Elvis engages. Stone cracking under his immense control over the element with each attack.

But this was no fight for just one Sentinel to deal wtih. This creature lay here for untold generations growing in power and ability with passing time. A simple punch wasn't going to cut it.

The flash in combat is noted, and a glances shows it is Ambrosius' support unit. "Excellent timing!" he says. "We should do well now against this opponent.

"Kid, be careful!" he calls to Ashley, as they run in for their own blinding maneuver. Humans, so reckless, so fragile.

And yet, possibly what saves them all attributes to his actions. Ashley provides an opening, and a glance is given to Boudicca. "It seems to be our turn." Knuckles get cracked, and Elvis moves to engage from the flank, with as much power as he can muster behind his strikes.

DG: Elvis has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Asura's Wrath.
===================<* Lefay - Shrine of the Water Trial *>====================
=======================<* CHALLENGE - Asura's Wrath *>========================
|Type: Final       |Dungeon Ability: Combat    |Challenge Rating: 2          | 
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
 An enormous Hellion awaits you at the end of Lefay, the Shrine of the Water   
 Trial.                                                                        
                                                                               
 This is Asura.                                                                
                                                                                                              
 Asura, shelled in armour and bearing three pairs of weapons -- paired battle  
 forks, twinned gear-like warhammers, and matched glimmering greatswords of    
 water. He wields each of these enormous weapons one-handed, seemingly         
 unencumbered.                                                                 
                                                                               
 His howl shatters the very chamber you engage him in, and combat soon         
 follows--                                                                     
                                                                               
 --and after several rounds at it, it's clear his six-armed guard is           
 impeccable.                                                                   
                                                                               
 You'll need the brilliant in your team to stop his movements.                 
 You'll need the powerful in your team to breach his defence.                  
 You'll need the adroit in your team slip through and deal lasting damage.     
 You'll need the soothing in your team to tie this plan together long enough   
 to work.                                                                      
                                                                               
 But that is why you are all here together now.                                
                                                                               
 Past all the horrifying hardships you've survived together.                   
                                                                               
 Overcome this Water Trial together.                                           
                                                                               
 Because you all can /do/ this.                                                
=Dungeon Conditions: Suffer===================================================
==============<* Lefay - Shrine of the Water Trial - Round 6 *>===============
=========================< Results - Asura's Wrath >==========================
Player                               Exhaustion                      Pass/Fail
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ambrosius                           0 --(0)--> 0                   Pass
Minerva                             3   Combat  Effects: Fanfare              
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seraph Boudicca                     0 --(5)--> 5                   Fail
Fight                               0   Combat  Effects: BASIC                
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ashley Winchester                   10 --(0)--> 10                 Pass
Flare Gun                           1   Combat  Effects: Cleanse              
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elvis                               0 --(5)--> 5                   Fail
Fight                               0   Combat  Effects: BASIC                
----------------------------------< Party >-----------------------------------
Leader: Ambrosius                   85 --(35)--> 120               Pass
Conditions: Suffer(1)
Effects: Cleanse
==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: You have overcome the dungeon's trials! This run is a success!
DG: The party led by Ambrosius has successfully explored Lefay - Shrine of the Water Trial!
===================<* Lefay - Shrine of the Water Trial *>====================
============<* CHALLENGE - The Proof of Spiritual Power - Lefay *>============
|Type: Discovery   |Dungeon Ability: Conclusion|Challenge Rating: 1          | 
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
 It is a long and hard-fought battle, but in the end, your team has managed    
 to overcome Asura.                                                            
                                                                               
 Dissipating into motes, the Hellion gives you an approving expression, as if  
 it has been lifted from a great burden. At long last, you can feel, a great   
 and ancient anger has finally found peace at your hands.                      
                                                                               
 A great, bright blue light erupts from a nearby altar and suffuses the        
 entire room with a feeling of power -- a feeling not dissimilar from another  
 trial of spiritual power you may have visited before in your travels, Uzda    
 il-Jam. It envelops your person for but a brief moment, but you feel your     
 spiritual presence strengthening further...                                   
                                                                               
                                    Acquired                                   
                                                                               
                       Proof of Spiritual Power -- Lefay!                      
                                                                               
                                                                               
 When the light subsides, you discover that great stone tablets have taken     
 their place. Engraved upon them are the secrets of powerful water and ice     
 magics only known to some of the most powerful mages in Lunar. If you are so  
 inclined, reach out and absorb the knowledge the ancients in your travels...  
 or if you do not possess the Gift, reach out with an object or weapon -- and  
 suffuse it with the power of water!                                           
                                                                               
 (OOC: You have discovered the spells of Waterga and Blizzaga! A character     
 with the Gift of Althena's Black Magic may apply for these in their next      
 character advancement! Alternately, if you lack the Gift, you can opt for a   
 water or ice enchantment on your weapon or tool.)                             
                                                                               
 ---                                                                           
                                                                               
 A shimmering portal erupts from the ground once you've finished your          
 business with the tablet. It expands further and further, until it            
 overwhelms your senses...                                                     
                                                                               
 And before you know it, the scent of salt and the noise of gentle waves has   
 replaced the ancient ambience of the Shrine. You and your companions are      
 standing on a large, rusted aircraft carrier inhabited by varied folk -- the  
 Thames.                                                                       
                                                                               
 You have arrived in Filgaia!                                                  
=Dungeon Conditions: Treasure=================================================
<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.

Though they all come from different lands, the party joins forces toward a single goal.

Ambrosius and Boudicca both look to support the party in separate ways. Ambrosius keeps everyone healed with a healing mist, while Boudicca conjures a protective wind, swirling defensively around the party - and, supporting Ashley more directly.

As Minerva keeps Asura occupied, Ashley slides in, firing a flashbang right into his face. He lets out a roar, at that, and his weapons flail. They nearly strike Elvis as he moves to flank him, and while it might hurt, a Sentinel of the Veruni will not be toppled so easily. Elvis gives as good as he gets.

The fight continues for a little while after that, but the party's quick thinking and teamwork gets the upper-hand and keeps momentum in their favor - and, eventually, Asura falls.

He does not seem to lament this, however - he gazes down upon them with a look of approval before, finally, dissipating into motes.

Upon his disappearance, there is a great, bright blue light emanating from an altar at the center of the room. It suffuses the room with a feeling of power - not of the physical, however, but the spiritual. This strength fills the party...

...and when it fades, two tablets have taken their place, each enscribed with ancient writings and brimming with power. Boudicca in particular will recognize it as magic, stemming from Althena's Gift.

Ambrosius looks upon them curiously.

"Fascinating..." He murmurs, studying the tablets intently.

There's plenty of time to study them, of course - the portal that will open up for them is very patient.

<Pose Tracker> Ashley Winchester has posed.

It is, ultimately, the way of humanity to bet on the long odds. "I'll be fine!" Ashley answers the Veruni, "I'm a Musketeer of Meria Boule! If a monster like this was enough to put me down, I'd be a disgrace to the name!" And it's a lot more than flashbangs that Ashley's packing, too. As the fight goes on, he fires all manner of different munitions-- napalm rounds and cryogenic mists and even what looked to be some kind of adapted relic beam cell. He might just be human, but a human with enough firepower and a head for when and where to apply it can still mean a world of difference.

And soon the Asura falters, fails and falls. And in its last moments, Ashley sees in its eyes not a beast, but... A man, much like himself.

It makes him pause for a long, long moment. Was that thing a human, once...? How did it become so... twisted?

He has little time to dwell. As the Asura falls, the world fills with light. The essence of water fills his soul and bolsters his spirit, and in that moment and for the first time in a long time, Ashley Winchester feels... Serene and calm.

He might not realize it, but this experience might very well have bought him precious time. But perhaps more importantly, there are... things there. Tablets that thrum with the power of ice and water. Ashley blinks at the two before he realizes that-- hey, he's blinking too. He reaches back and pulls out a long, azure spear. Its blade seems to bubble and glisten as if it were made out of a shard of crystal clear water. "It's... resonating?"

Ashley holds the lance to the tablets. The resonance grows stronger, brighter, the essence of water and ice merge with the weapon he found on the Thunder Plains all those months ago...!

ASHLEY GETS -- SOME KIND OF UPGRADED WATER SPEAR!?

He's not sure what he might do with it, sure, but maybe there's an opportunity to enhance his bayonet with it somehow...? "It looks like that's it," he says to the others, "I wonder if there's a way out around here somewhere--"

A portal erupts from the ground not a half-step away!

"...Oh," Ashley cunningly observes, "Uh. It looks like we don't have any other choice, do we?"

<Pose Tracker> Seraph Boudicca has posed.

        Hellions were not always so, and Boudicca meets Asura's eyes as he passes.

        "Were I with my Seer," she says, with regret, "I would help you."

        But she is not, and she cannot dwell on the implications, right now. She must only trust that Ida will find her way to safety - just as Boudicca, it seems, has found her way to this seat of watery power. She has no truck with ice or water, but... "'Tis Althena's Gift," she notes, in relief. "Perhaps it will help you."

        Ashley, at least, seems to be helped..!

        Hearken the portal: "It is an escape from this place," Boudicca says, "and in this, if nothing else, I welcome it."

        She'll join Ashley in going through it. He won't have to brave it alone. Neither will the Veruni.