2020-11-08: Worst Weather Possible

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  • Log: Worst Weather Possible
  • Cast: Ethius Hesiod, Layna Manydays, Eleanor Klein, Josephine Lovelace, Azoth, Lydia Seren
  • Where: Thunder Plains
  • Date: November 08, 2020
  • Summary: A route needs to be secured to Guadosalam, according to Ethius; the others are willing to lend him a hand. And into this, the likes of Josie, Azoth, and Lydia insert themselves. Will Ethius' plan succeed?

DG: A party led by Ethius Hesiod is now entering Thunder Plains - Drums of War.
DG: Party formation is now over. An Entry Challenge will now be drawn and displayed to the party.
======================<* Thunder Plains - Drums of War *>=======================
=========================<* CHALLENGE - War Is Hell *>==========================
|Type: Entry       |Dungeon Ability: Agility   |Challenge Rating: 1          |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 The Thunder Plains have become a battlefield.

 With Guadosalam besieged and much of the southern landmass lost under the
 Guard's advance, the active fighting has moved to here, where, it could be
 argued, it is not precisely the most ideal of locations to have a battle.

 As if to underscore that sentiment, lightning cracks down, perhaps only a
 few yards off. But it's not the lightning you need to worry about.
 Immediately, anyway.

 Rather, it's the volley of missiles let fly from either side of the plains
 that proves perhaps the greatest threat to you at the moment. Now would be
 an excellent time to move from this place to another place!
=Dungeon Conditions: Hesitate, Injure=========================================
<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.

    Thunder Plains. Usually they thunder with lightning. Nobody can ever get a good night's sleep here, unless they're deaf and also levitating. The attrition between the Guard and Yevon forces alike... well. Pity those who have had to remain stationed here, in these conditions, where there is no conventional rest but there is an eternal option available if they're willing to stray far enough from the lightning towers! This is anecdotal at best.
     For whatever reason the gathered are here, this does play a part in what's happening right now. One supply chain got disrupted a while back, and one stationed set of Guards are at wit's end. They detected movement, and they are now launching more than the rationed recommendation of sorcerous mortar ammunition. Their aim is... simultaneously not great (they are flying clear of a known place where the Yevon forces still have a solid foothold) but also spot-on (they are flying towards an intrepid rag-tag bunch of Drifters).
     "...A way to Guadosalam needs to be secured." It's not clear why Ethius is saying this, in what context, or how it relates to their original purpose in being already knee deep in the Thunder Plains. There is something of a huge risk given how lightning works, but he doubles back and - harness already tied to a wrist - is trying to go over a shallow valley to avoid where the Guard is presently aiming mortar-aided Althenian Black Fire spells, leaving new craters here and there. (Sometimes the lightning joins in on the fun.)
     (..."fun.")

DG: Ethius Hesiod has used his Tool Hot Air Sack toward his party's challenge, War Is Hell.
<Pose Tracker> Layna Manydays has posed.

Layna has her own reasons for being here. They needed someone who was ridiculous enough to think that running between two warring factions was a fun idea, and fast enough to pull it off without getting blown the heck up.

Layna fits both bills. And so, she's here with the others, surveying the area from afar with her telescope.

"Aye." Layna agrees with a nod and a glance up at Ethius. "Let's get this over with, then."

Layna rolls her shoulders to loosen herself up a bit first before drawing out a bottle and taking a swig. She'll pass it onto whoever might want some next, and once they're all ready, she breaks into a run.

The winds run with her. Should a missile stray way too close to any of them, Layna will use a spell to conjure a mighty gale to blow it off course, potentially back the way it came.

DG: Layna Manydays has used her Tool Quartermaster's Stash toward her party's challenge, War Is Hell.
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.

The Thunder Plains. Source of a few important materials, for one, but there are a lot of other reasons to come down here. What is Eleanor's? Well...

She looks out over the distance thoughtfully for now. "Hmm..." She remembers Layna well, and Ethius obviously. Also the Guard's Black Fire spells. They aren't great.

"...Honestly," Eleanor admits, and takes a swig of Layna's bottle too. Then though, "Why is the route so important, Ethius?"

She wonders. But she cannot fly, and cannot run terribly quickly usually... except that above her shoe she wears a lovely blue anklet at the moment, inscribed with special runes. She breathes in, and sets her heels together a moment--before sprinting ahead, not that quickly but without locking up or slowing down. There's a faint magic about her.

DG: Eleanor Klein has used her Tool Blue Anklet toward her party's challenge, War Is Hell.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.

    "So what are you lot up to?"

    Make that 'mostly Drifters' -- or does Josephine count in spite of her decided affiliations?

    Leaping down from an overhang, she lands with a crunch as magical missiles go shooting past to impact the exposed strata. "Tch, don't they ever quit shootin' at flies?" she remarks, glancing upwards as rock shards rain down behind her. "--Ah, and look what the cat dragged in," she continues, hand resting on her holstered ARM. "Thought it sounded like you, Owl!" She smiles, unkindly.

    Another bevy of missiles scream off, just overhead. Josie frowns.

    "As much as I'd love to chat, doesn't look like we can just lolly-gag about, now does it?"

    'We'? When did this become we?

    Regardless, Josie takes off running, beelining for some point in the distance.

DG: Josephine Lovelace has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, War Is Hell.
<Pose Tracker> Azoth has posed.

Current Status: all of Azoth's life decisions are a gross miscalculation. The one place, the one place he wanted to avoid. But what Azoth wants is a) not something he has the flexibility to exercise, and b) an existential question that challenges the nature of what it means to want at all. The case being: he's here now and must put his confidence in his surge protectors.

And yet the horrible unending storm is, somehow, not the highest priority problem. Azoth's eyes flash bright and blue as the missiles come in the sky. The calculations already know where they're going to land.

The question is if this little body will move fast enough to avoid them.

Minutes ago, he was the picture of an emotionless doll following protocol and generally refusing to speak in anything but the most robotic terminology. Presently the need to escape missiles has him running into this group of Drifters -- some familiar, some not -- and it's with a lively hop, skip, and jump away from missiles and lightning alike that he greets everyone.

"Hey guys! Some weather we're having!" He smiles in a bright, delighted grin. "It's the worst!"

DG: Azoth has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward his party's challenge, War Is Hell.
<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.

Rachiel Medry has healed from her injuries protecting Minister Shakhan, who probably doesn't appreciate it. She wanted to see those Thunder Plains people keep talking about and has asked Azoth and Lydia Seren to accompany her. Rachiel Medry continues to be a blond haired woman in loose fitting glasses and freckles. She is wearing a cowboy outfit because that is her understanding of Filgaia. It's not particularly helpful to hiding her identity since she is traveling with Lydia and that says a thing or two.

Rachiel Seren has a sword at her side, residing within a scabbard.

"Beep boop boop beep...!" Rachiel says. "Beeeoooop! Wow we should be real careful, you two, 'cause those lightning blasts look potent as heck!"

"Um, Rachiel." Lydia says. "I'm sorry but going beep boop boop beep when you're not a robot..." She looks away, as if troubled. "Do you even know what you said...? It's real bad..."

Rachiel's eyes widen. "Oh no...! But... Ahhh it sounded so much fun!! I didn't mean anything bad by it!"

"I think you should apologize to Azoth. After what you said about his uncle." Lydia insists.

Rachiel wipes a tear out of her eye and bows her head to Azoth. "I'm sorry...! For saying whatever it is I said about your uncle! I didn't know you had an uncle! I'm sure they're very nice--Ahh! Missiles!"

Lyddia helpfully picks Rachiel up and starts skating real quick across the Plains.

"I don't know... Azoth, how was that apology?" Lydia asks.

DG: Lydia Seren has used her Tool Radical Skates toward her party's challenge, War Is Hell.
======================<* Thunder Plains - Drums of War *>=======================
=========================<* CHALLENGE - War Is Hell *>==========================
|Type: Entry       |Dungeon Ability: Agility   |Challenge Rating: 1          |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 The Thunder Plains have become a battlefield.

 With Guadosalam besieged and much of the southern landmass lost under the
 Guard's advance, the active fighting has moved to here, where, it could be
 argued, it is not precisely the most ideal of locations to have a battle.

 As if to underscore that sentiment, lightning cracks down, perhaps only a
 few yards off. But it's not the lightning you need to worry about.
 Immediately, anyway.

 Rather, it's the volley of missiles let fly from either side of the plains
 that proves perhaps the greatest threat to you at the moment. Now would be
 an excellent time to move from this place to another place!
=Dungeon Conditions: Hesitate, Injure=========================================
=================<* Thunder Plains - Drums of War - Round 1 *>==================
===========================< Results - War Is Hell >============================
Player                               Exhaustion                      Pass/Fail
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ethius Hesiod                       0 --(0)--> 0                   Pass
Hot Air Sack                        2   Agility Effects: Resilient
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Layna Manydays                      0 --(0)--> 0                   Pass
Quartermaster's Stash               2   Agility Effects: Quicken
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Josephine Lovelace                  0 --(0)--> 0                   Pass
Rush                                0   Agility Effects: BASIC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Azoth                               0 --(0)--> 0                   Pass
Rush                                0   Agility Effects: BASIC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lydia Seren                         0 --(0)--> 0                   Pass
Radical Skates                      2   Agility Effects: Quicken
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eleanor Klein                       0 --(0)--> 0                   Pass
Blue Anklet                         2   Agility Effects: Stalwart
-----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------
Leader: Ethius Hesiod               0 --(20)--> 20                 Pass
Conditions: Hesitate(2)|Injure(2)
Effects: Quicken(1)|Resilient(1)
===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Ethius Hesiod 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> Ethius Hesiod has posed.

    Ethius does the riskiest damned thing of everyone by trying to go high - but there is a fiery spell that explodes when lightning strikes down, and the explosion is blinding... but the strange man has been drifting just beyond it. That's out and out providence at this point... and he is merely facing forward.
     Azoth's innocent icebreaker and following grin will not be taken from him by the thunder and flame, for they explode clear of him. This gives him more ground in which to discuss finer points about what a horrible day it is today out here.
     Layna gets it over with. The whole mission is sort of ridiculous taken at face value, but that's sort of her thing, isn't it? Nothing she can't clear with a bit of drink and the redirection of a magic fiery missile that turns around and explodes somewhere else. (There is a scream. It sounds very familiar, like one hears it everywhere. Huh.)
     Lydia's skating is SIIIIIIIIIICK, but because that is so, she and RAchiel end up on the other side of the valley HEEEEEAAAAAAAAAALTHY. But there is no cure for how sick those skates are. It's terminal. Terminally awesome.
     As Eleanor makes the distance thanks to equal parts Layna's help and the blue anklet to ask the obvious, Josie joins in on the 'fun' with both the obvious and... also the obvious. There are a lot of questions as to why anyone might want to go this deep, in this direction... and as Ethius touches down back into cover near another lightning tower, he looks to the others with that gaze he gives everyone.
     "A route needs to be secured. It will provide further mobility for any further operations." He... doesn't clarify what 'further mobility' is for 'further operations.' It's more curious that he is saying this casually to someone who should by rights be an enemy - Josie, of Odessa. The way he describes it and speaks it sounds as practiced as anything else he says. "It is this way to Guadosalam."
     ...What would any of them want to do with Guadosalam, though? It's not like any of them are friends to Yevon, and some of the events of Bevelle are still fresh on the minds of many of the gathered.

DG: Azoth has drawn a new Challenge.
======================<* Thunder Plains - Drums of War *>=======================
==================<* CHALLENGE - War is the Testing Ground *>===================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Combat    |Challenge Rating: 3          |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 "Halt."

 An armored figure lands suddenly on the rock far above you. Her long blonde
 hair whips in the wind, caught by a sudden breeze. In one hand she bears a
 polearm, one end ablaze with a blade of light. Her face is hidden behind a
 strange glowing visor.

 "I sense there are warriors among you. Very well, then! Present me now with
 all that you have! I, Amaterasu of the Veruni, will now be your judge!"

 Lightning cracks through the sky behind her, illuminating the field in which
 you will now fight...!

 BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuFc3XAkoIQ
=Dungeon Conditions: Suffer, Secret===========================================
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.

    "Halt."

    All forward progress comes to a very, very sudden end as a voice booms out from above. Heedless of the storm about her, the masked figure stands perched atop a precarious precipice. In one hand she grasps a long polearm, all the more remarkable for the fact that its blade is composed of light, shining blue in the Thunder Plains.

    "I, Amaterasu of the Veruni, sense that you are warriors! Have you come, too, to fight in this place? Very well."

    Both hands seize the polearm, as she directs it towards the lot of them.

    "Then I shall stand as your judge and test your worthiness as warriors! Best me, and go with my blessings. However, should you fail..."

    A burst of purple green shadow erupts from about her, sailing forth on a spectral breath for the lot of them to descend and sink into their very bodies. With it comes a pulse of cool yet fortifying energy.

    "Now! Fight with all your might!" Amaterasu declares, lauching herself into the air to begin her attack.

    "What in the," is Josie's statement. She goes for her flask even as Amaterasu, blade blazing, descends.

DG: Josephine Lovelace has used her Tool Liquid Courage toward her party's challenge, War is the Testing Ground.
<Pose Tracker> Azoth has posed.

Contrast to a conversation of giving Rachiel only blank stares before, Azoth gives her the first lively smile she's ever received from him. And it's lies! How appropriate. "Aww, don't cry. I know you didn't mean it." He leans in, whispering conspiratorially. "But between you and me? He deserved what you said."

Untouched by the horror of missiles and lightning, Azoth's smiles live on another day. Once addressed by Ethius, he gives a sharp nod and a salute. "Yes, sir!"

Oh okay. He's just. Here now. Helping. Apparently. So is Josephine! She shot at him once! Twice! A lot, actually. And then he threw a sword of light at her. Odessa. Convenient. He smiles and waves at her like an idiot who has no idea what's going on, and certainly not like someone who is questioning what, indeed, any of them would need this route to Guadosalam for.

He stops midwave, gaze snapping up to the new masked warrior above them. He hears her out, furrowing his brow. "I do like the idea of blessings... but I don't think I'd call myself much of a war-- aaaaah!"

This is an enemy Azoth does not expect to fall for Bug Intimidation, but Azoth's encountered enough of his own allies freaking out about the illusion that he makes a bet on it anyway: stone of amber in hand, Azoth projects a shield of light with the visage of the cherished yet horrible arachnid contained within.

If Amaterasu isn't the type to be startled by the image of a giant spider hissing (it's Azoth that's hissing) across a shield of light, it's still a shield for the others to hide in and shoot through.

DG: Azoth has used his Tool Bug in Amber toward his party's challenge, War is the Testing Ground.
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.

"No, 'we' can't," Eleanor agrees with Josie--apparently!! She for whatever reasn doesn't seem very surprised to see her, even given her affiliation.

Eleanor looks at Azoth for a moment as she runs. She then looks at him a moment longer, pursing her lips. Then, "Yes, it really is terrible, isn't it?" in a completely pleasant tone of voice. Maybe she decided to just go with it. It's fine.

But once near the tower, Eleanor tilts her head at Ethius, considering his words. She... definitely doesn't get it, but she is used to to not getting him entirely. "I see. Well, that's true," she admits. She isn't sure for whose operations exactly... maybe he has a plan? Eleanor likes to see the best in people.

But whatever she was going to say beyond that... It waits. A voice booms out from above. There is a polearm of light--and--

"Ah?" Eleanor replies, and perhaps once she would have protested the notion as no warrior. That's long passed, however--whatever else the young elf may be, she has taken up the business of war in ARMS, and that is simply that.

"If that is your wish," Eleanor answers, standing up straighter and attempting some gravitas in the moment. She feels the energy fortifying her...

So it's like that, is it?

She steps backward--instead of drawing the rifle at her back, she reaches int her bag and pulls something smaller, a coppery-bronze flute. She steps immediately behind Azoth's shield as if she knew him well, and puts the flute to her lips. She begins to play a strange, unsettling tune, one that sounds like something out of another world through the instrument. It bolsters the party, even including Josie, she may notice.

Eleanor will keep it up as long as she's able. If she has to stop, that's what the Crests are for.

DG: Eleanor Klein has used her Tool Eerie Flute toward her party's challenge, War is the Testing Ground.
<Pose Tracker> Layna Manydays has posed.

Layna glances toward Josie as she arrives. She glances toward Ethius to see how he handles it... and he just tells her what they're doing? He should probably know the situation by now, right? Maybe he was just being polite because Eleanor had asked the question too... Layna just shrugs.

"...So, what kind of 'future operations' are we talkin' here, anyhow?" Layna asks, shooting him a glance. She agreed to help out because it seemed like a good time, but now seems like a good opportunity to press the matter further.

She also sends Lydia, Rachiel, and Azoth a brief glance and a raised eyebrow. That's... quite the conversation she's overhearing.

But, they make it through the crossfire without anyone getting hurt! ...Well, anyone with the exception of whoever it was Layna exploded. It's probably just Sir Wilhelm again, he always seems to be on the receiving end.

They continue forward until, suddenly, there is a sound from above. A voice that cuts through the Plains more intensely than the thunder that commonly echoes through it.

Layna looks up to see a masked woman calling herself Amaterasu, bearing a polearm with an energy blade.

"...Well now." Layna says with a grin, turning to face the source. Layna braces herself as a shadow erupts from Amaterasu. ...But, what passes over her is fortifying, rather than harmful. Layna whistles appreciatively.

"I get it. So, you're one of those honorable types, aye? I can respect that. ...But, I'm afraid that might be a lil' wasted on a buccaneer like me. Still... if it's a fight you want, it's a fight you'll get!" She says, cracking knuckles. And with that, as Amaterasu descends Layna charges forward to close in to melee range, fists at the ready!

DG: Layna Manydays has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, War is the Testing Ground.
<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.

    'Halt.' That tone of voice. It's one he hasn't heard in some time, but Ethius has an arm barred out to the others which is a silly gesture because each and every one of them are just as capable a warrior as he is (in some ways, moreso than him), as a voice introduces themselves.
     "...The Veruni continue to hold interest in this effort." He remarks. The tone of voice of his that's infamous and rarely wavering - that weirdly stilted, even-keel tone he tends to keep as he speaks words at the same tempo and the like between any number of statements - seems darker.
     He draws a forearm inward, but there's no slurring of syllables. This is a strange omission on his part - but it may be that the need to cover his eyes from the way the polearm's blade shines light against the lightning strikes.

     ...INDETERMINATE TIME IN THE PAST...

     Fire, in the sky.
     Colors in the shape of things that do not belong.
     Tall. Covered in shapes. Cold, hard, moving, from a high elevation. Words spoken.
     Laughter - but in a context he had never known that one could laugh, as they descended. Light escaped something they were carrying.
     He only recognized one word.
     "Hesiod..."
     He shouted. He could only cover his eyes.
     There was a scream, but there was no one but fire over there.
     No one but fire, in the company of dust, to a cacophony like lightning.

     ...NOW

     ...He could do more than cover his eyes.
     Ethius grabs a satchel at his side and goes thorugh the incantation and gesticulation set with a focused precision that's a split-second faster than he often manages. (It is usually very fast - this may be a personal record.)
     He hurls it straight towards the descending Amaterasu. She's faster, she's stronger. He remembers how she made a point of demonstrating their technological and physical superiority by striking himself and another down to a momentarily paralyzing kneel with bloodless blunt strikes. She could still do that. He is a human, and less armored besides.
     "Get away from them." Comes his voice as the satchel explodes in a cloud of dust. He takes his own polearm in hand - much simpler-looking, in fact, not a far cry from anything anyone from Spira might make (as for some reason he has not equipped his Devil Arm at present).
     Stabbing the blunt tip towards where he sees the most sensitive weakness in the mechanisms that make up her top-end Veruni polearm weapon, as if to make a point by trying to break it even as she bears down in a descent - as if having mentally determined the best time to make that strike even through the smoke cover he actually cannot see through.
     He is that confident in his prediction and his action.
     "Get away... from all of them." His attitude is far less cavalier than some of the gathered - as if he doesn't want her striking at any of them.
     He can't stop her on his own, but there is a severity to that body language as if possessed by the need to act as if he must.
     His stare does not waver.

DG: Ethius Hesiod has used his Tool Powder Grenade toward his party's challenge, War is the Testing Ground.
<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.

Rachiel says, "Really? Truly?" She exhales out a relieved breath. "Oh good, good." Rachiel says. "Um, sorry about your uncle though." Does she genuinely believe Azoth has an uncle?! Well, f...found family and all that! Maybe Azoth sees someone as their uncle. It's probably not her!! So she can be like 'AHA! I KNEW IT!' regardless of the answer!

Gosh, she worries, is Loren Azoth's uncle? He is kind of weirdly grumpy, like a Grunkle. Grunkle Loren. Rachiel sniggers into her hand at the vision in her mind but then feels bad about it because Loren gets given a lot of shit as it is so s he's going to put the thought outside her mind. Loren only should be a Grunkle if he desires to be a Grunkle.

Halt

Lydia and Rachiel stop, looking towards Amaterasu.

"Oh hey!" Lydia grins, waving. "Heeey! How's Kaguya doing?? I haven't seen her in a while but I know she came back up here!"

Amaterasu challenges everybody to BATTLE!

"Well then...!" Rachiel points a finger. "Lydia! I choose you! Defend our honor from this wandering warrior...!"

Lydia looks to Rachiel, then back to Amaterasu.

"I dun wanna." Lydia says.

"Um... why not?" Rachiel asks.

"Cause she is Kaguya's sister and I don't wanna hurt her." Lydia insists.

"But she wants us to fight." Rachiel seems confused.

"Well yeah but that's only because of the Veruni social condition being so steeped in space imperialism that they are kind of like hyper into acting all macho all the time. Really," Lydia insists. "If I play along then I'm already losing by accepting that our worlds need to have their future decided in battle, validating the Veruni belief system in such a way that prevents me from truly opposing their conquering of Filgaia in any ethical styling beyond self defense which is pretty weak when considering how they're all being killed by some kindd of super sickness thing."

Rachiel tillts her head in confusion. "Huh?"

"I'm saying that I don't wanna!!" Lydia shouts.

Rachiel quirks her head thoughtfully for a moment and then smiles. "Okay!" She crouches down for a moment behind Azoth's shield. "I guess in that case... I'll do the fighting so you don't have to uh do a space imperialism and thus validating my belief system that the surface dwellers and my people can work together right?? Aha!!"

She tilts her scabbard slightly with her wrist as s he shifts down into a crouch, beaming brightly with a kind of spacy innocent look upon her face.

"Nice to meet you, Kaguya's sister who is Amaterasu of the Veruni...! I was the top sword lady of my class so don't complain if I beatcha!"

"Yeah but Amaterasu is also probably like a top solddier lady so you're actually really in danger--" Lydia begins.

"Wh-what??" Rachiel stammers. "Ahh...it's fine...!"

She darts forward dramatically and trips over a rock and lands on her face again.

"...Eheh... I got excited." She stands up, readies her position again--

--and this time she darts in quick with incredible speed, a flash of rapidly freezing moisture eerupting out from her Solarian blade with each strike, tthreatening to freeze whatever part of Amaterasu it is able to touch!

All while Rachiel is smiling goofily as blood drips down her face from her self inflicted face wound.

DG: Lydia Seren has used her Tool Rachiel Medry Is Doing Her Best toward her party's challenge, War is the Testing
Ground.
======================<* Thunder Plains - Drums of War *>=======================
==================<* CHALLENGE - War is the Testing Ground *>===================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Combat    |Challenge Rating: 3          |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 "Halt."

 An armored figure lands suddenly on the rock far above you. Her long blonde
 hair whips in the wind, caught by a sudden breeze. In one hand she bears a
 polearm, one end ablaze with a blade of light. Her face is hidden behind a
 strange glowing visor.

 "I sense there are warriors among you. Very well, then! Present me now with
 all that you have! I, Amaterasu of the Veruni, will now be your judge!"

 Lightning cracks through the sky behind her, illuminating the field in which
 you will now fight...!

 BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuFc3XAkoIQ
=Dungeon Conditions: Suffer, Secret===========================================
=================<* Thunder Plains - Drums of War - Round 2 *>==================
====================< Results - War is the Testing Ground >=====================
Player                               Exhaustion                      Pass/Fail
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ethius Hesiod                       0 --(10)--> 10                 Pass
Powder Grenade                      3   Combat  Effects: Fanfare
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Layna Manydays                      0 --(10)--> 10                 Pass
Fight                               0   Combat  Effects: BASIC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Josephine Lovelace                  0 --(10)--> 10                 Pass
Liquid Courage                      3   Combat  Effects: Rally
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Azoth                               0 --(10)--> 10                 Pass
Bug in Amber                        2   Combat  Effects: Embolden
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lydia Seren                         0 --(10)--> 10                 Pass
Rachiel Medry Is Doing Her Best     3   Combat  Effects: Fanfare
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eleanor Klein                       0 --(10)--> 10                 Pass
Eerie Flute                         2   Combat  Effects: Embolden
-----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------
Leader: Ethius Hesiod               20 --(20)--> 40                Pass
Conditions: Hesitate(1)|Injure(1)|Secret(2)|Suffer(1)
Effects: Embolden(1)
===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Ethius Hesiod 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> Josephine Lovelace has posed.

    Maybe it's a little awkward for a few of them here, really, even if Josie herself -- true to form -- doesn't even bat an eye.

    Of course, with Amaterasu here, perhaps there are more urgent things with which to be concerned. She descends, swift as a falling star--

    Ethius is faster still. Even though she kicks out a leg to disperse the satchel's contents, it's not enough to spare her from the effect.
    Or to be more accurate, particularly as he stabs for a particular point on Valkyrja, spare her weapon from the effect. "You again--!" She draws back, lashing out with the pole itself in a manuever Ethius may remember, before turning to engage both Layna and Rachiel as they come at her with fists and (icy) blade.

    "A fight is hardly enjoyable unless it is fair! I am enough, even should you turn to underhanded means!" she declares to Layna. To Rachiel: "You have done honorably, fighting in the place of your friend. However..."

    She pauses a moment before trying to knock her flat with a sweep of the polearm's shaft.

    "Your footwork is lacking. Practice more!"

    Even when a giant bug seemingly intrudes into the field--

    "A Fiend? Here, and a large one? No matter, I will handle it and the rest of you!"

    --it doesn't seem to cause her to break her stride, though it means that she's not trying to hit them as much. Which buys them all some time!

    Eleanor's music bolsters them well as Amaterasu continues downwards, undeterred, even if the blade she wields flickers, clearly afflicted by what Ethius has wrought.

    As for Josie...

    Josie meanwhile stands back from the ensuing chaos, having eluded Amaterasu in some fashion, and just has a God Damn Drink (tm).

    The combat ends quickly, when it ends, Amaterasu disengaging from the lot of them to launch herself upwards to alight (again) atop an appropriately dramatic perch. "You have proven yourself to me this day, warriors!" she declares, blade pointed at the lot of them below. "You may proceed to the fields of battle! We will meet again."

    There is a certain promise in those words. It's without question a promise of future battle.

DG: Azoth has drawn a new Challenge.
======================<* Thunder Plains - Drums of War *>=======================
=====================<* CHALLENGE - Falling Tower Debris *>=====================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility   |Challenge Rating: 2          |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 A bolt of lightning strikes a tower, as it should. Unfortunately, time has
 taken its toll on the tower, and a good section of it shatters, raining down
 debris on the lands below.

 Even more unfortunately: right beneath it, where the debris falling, is
 where you are currently standing.

 It's time to run for it, effective immediately.
=Dungeon Conditions: Slow, Injure=============================================
<Pose Tracker> Azoth has posed.

Eleanor's song has Azoth, even in the heat of battle, trying to focus on the melody. He tries to catch onto the pattern and predict the next notes, a shaky sound almost like a hum joining -- softly, almost inaudible, so he's not interrupting. No. He still doesn't quite "get" music...

But battle is the important thing, and Azoth does his best to defend more than attack with Lydia's words being processed and it is a lot to process! Once it's over, Azoth slumps his shoulders as if by fatigue, then immediately perks up with Amaterasu's praise and claps his hands together. "Yaaay!" He waves to her. "Until next time!"

Dusting himself off, he turns to Rachiel, fetching a bandage to dab the blood from her, or hand it to her for her to do herself should she fuss at that. He doesn't say anything about it, and for the moment of his focus, his face isn't doing much face work at all -- until he's turned back to the group as a whole, smiles again.

They can finally press on, and Azoth adjusts his pace to step alongside Ethius. The intensity he displayed during battle didn't go unnoticed, and Azoth's voice softens some. "...You doing okay?"

It is entirely possible that Ethius will be spared from having to answer thanks to the sudden flash of light and deafening crack that rattles the sky. There's a rumbling easily mistaken as thunder at first, but the earth shakes, too, and --

Azoth's eyes flash wide and bright as he looks up. "Run!"

Cracks run through the tower as chunks break free and crumble. The debris come crashing down, more than enough to bury them where they stand.

Azoth himself makes a dash out of the way, pausing only to punt a rock clear of their path so Rachiel doesn't trip on it.

DG: Azoth has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Falling Tower Debris.
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.

"An enjoyable fight..."

Eleanor doesn't ask about Kaguya, assuming she's a friend of Lydia's and... this woman's sister. That is sufficient for now. She notices instead what Ethius notes--The Veruni continue to hold interest. This can be a concern.

"Ethius!" Eleanor steps quickly towards him when the battle is over, looking at him quickly to assess his health. "That was extraordinarily brave, and extraordinarily dangerous." She actually worries at him. Only after she's satisfied that he's not too injured does she step away, and focus on...

"And..." She pauses, and turns to Rachiel as well, considering Lydia for a moment as well, before stepping up to Rachiel and pulling a Crest. "Well, let me..." she says, a bit stiffly, because she has a certain impression about Rachiel and is being Distantly Polite. But Azoth approaches her first with bandages, and then Eleanor pauses. "I will if you need it, but..." She won't use the energy if Rachiel's fine with a bandage. "You're good with those," she says to him pleasantly. "Well! That was bracing." The rain plastering her hair to her face ruins the bright effect a bit. She prepares to say something else--and then suddenly the earth shakes, and Eleanor hears the cue to run. She starts running, the blue ring at her ankle reflecting light as its magic helps steady her from what would otherwise have been a fall.

DG: Eleanor Klein has used her Tool Blue Anklet toward her party's challenge, Falling Tower Debris.
<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.

    Determined as Ethius appears to stop Amaterasu in her tracks, her counterattack matches his ferocity and sees him down to a kneel. There are no visible wounds on his body, but the effect is the same - he is left momentarily paralyzed as she has her sport among the gathered... and she releases them as if it were simply by her leave and permission. (It may well might. Amaterasu has few equals among Veruni warriors.)
     He is tended to by multiple people. The body language he controls so tightly - moving things exactly as he desires, consciously, with little waste in a way very few humans do - slackens as he shudders to regain control of his physical faculties. He has no parting commentary for the departing Amaterasu, as she has soundly shown why she can treat this place, this situation, with sport.
     "...They're in danger," is his collective answer - to Layna's query about what might be going on, to Azoth's and Eleanor's concerns and commentary for his health. Who is 'they'? (This comment may be spur of the moment and not really answer Layna's curiosity. It is curiosity well-warranted, because why the hell would any of them need to go to Guadosalam?)
     Eleanor will be able to assess that he can stand up... but then there's that sudden flash of light. He doesn't have his legs back in full. He's in no position to run - so he has only one shot to speak of. That he thinks of doing this without even looking up as pieces of tower start to collapse around him might be astounding as much as it is just as reckless as displayed when he tried to stop Amaterasu.
     He still has the Hot Air Sack's harness tied. Going through the spellcasting motions, he channels a stronger, higher-yield heat spell that will not be kind to the hand inside the bag but should inflate extremely quickly in a last-ditch impact-cushioning attempt to try and deflect what's coming down.

DG: Ethius Hesiod has used his Tool Hot Air Sack toward his party's challenge, Falling Tower Debris.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.

    Capping her flask and slipping it away, Josie ambles after the rest of them soon after Amaterasu parts paths with them. "So, what did you say you lot were doin'? Securing a route? That's gonna be rough business, what with the war on," she remarks, shaking her head. "How're you gonna keep it secure, even?"

    This may be a question best answered later, though, as the tower they've reached near enough to has been struck--

    --and down it comes in pieces.

    "Shit!" Josie utters, before scattering.

DG: Josephine Lovelace has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Falling Tower Debris.
<Pose Tracker> Layna Manydays has posed.

"Heh, well... I guess we're alike in that regard. I do love a good fight." Layna says with a grin at Amaterasu's response.

And it is indeed a good fight, though a part of her wishes it could have gone on longer. Layna looks up as Amaterasu disengages, and nods.

"Aye - I look forward to that." She says.

And with that, and her blessing, they're free to continue onward. As they do, Ethius answers her question... but, it only prompts yet another.

"So, uh... who is 'they'? D'you mean the Guado, or someone else?" Layna asks Ethius, with yet another raised eyebrow. "Not that I'm gonna stop ya from doin' what you want, lad, and not that this isn't fun, but... it sure seems like a hell of a lot of effort to go through."

Josie has a good question, too. Unfortunately, before Layna can chime in on that, lightning splits the sky above them... and, unfortunately, the tower right above them.

"Hold that thought! Look alive, me hearties!" Layna says quickly. She takes another swig of her drink and dashes forward again, looking to clear the area before the tower finishes collapsing.

DG: Layna Manydays has used her Tool Quartermaster's Stash toward her party's challenge, Falling Tower Debris.
<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.

Rachiel is readily knocked onto her butt by Amaterasu. "Darn surface legs...!"

She rubs at her forehead briefly before standing herself up, stretching, and looking to Azoth. "W--well it turned out okay at least! I just.. didn't want to show off all my secret moves!!"

She sheathes her blade and makes note of a rock in the distance. She thinks that if she prepares for it in advance--

She gets distracted by Azoth tending to her wounds. "ow ow ow owoow...!" She says. "Wow Azoth! I didn't know you were a medic too! You're so talented...!" She doesn't fuss too much beyond the occassional wince. She is marveling at Azoth considerably here. Maybe Lydia talked him up or she just wants to be friends with all the cool robots.

Azoth shouts to run and Rachiel says, "Oh right...!" Remember the rock, remember the rock--NO WAIT! AZOTH IS KICKING THE ROCK OUT OF THE WAY.

Rachiel nearly trips over a LACK of rock only for Lydia to scoop her up and just continue skating along again. Luckily she only was kind of wobbling there so she can save some face this time.

"Ahahah...thanks lady!" She tells Eleanor for ALMOST offering to help but she doesn't seem to notice she's being stiff AT ALL.

DG: Lydia Seren has used her Tool Radical Skates toward her party's challenge, Falling Tower Debris.
======================<* Thunder Plains - Drums of War *>=======================
=====================<* CHALLENGE - Falling Tower Debris *>=====================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility   |Challenge Rating: 2          |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 A bolt of lightning strikes a tower, as it should. Unfortunately, time has
 taken its toll on the tower, and a good section of it shatters, raining down
 debris on the lands below.

 Even more unfortunately: right beneath it, where the debris falling, is
 where you are currently standing.

 It's time to run for it, effective immediately.
=Dungeon Conditions: Slow, Injure=============================================
=================<* Thunder Plains - Drums of War - Round 3 *>==================
=======================< Results - Falling Tower Debris >=======================
Player                               Exhaustion                      Pass/Fail
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ethius Hesiod                       10 --(13)--> 23                Fail
Hot Air Sack                        2   Agility Effects: Resilient
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Layna Manydays                      10 --(0)--> 10                 Pass
Quartermaster's Stash               2   Agility Effects: Quicken
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Josephine Lovelace                  10 --(13)--> 23                Fail
Rush                                0   Agility Effects: BASIC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Azoth                               10 --(0)--> 10                 Pass
Rush                                0   Agility Effects: BASIC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lydia Seren                         10 --(0)--> 10                 Pass
Radical Skates                      2   Agility Effects: Quicken
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eleanor Klein                       10 --(0)--> 10                 Pass
Blue Anklet                         2   Agility Effects: Stalwart
-----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------
Leader: Ethius Hesiod               40 --(30)--> 70                Pass
Conditions: Injure(2)|Secret(1)|Slow(2)
Effects: Quicken(1)|Resilient(1)
===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Ethius Hesiod has passed this challenge! The party gained 30 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: Lydia Seren has drawn a new Challenge.
=====================<* Thunder Plains - Drums of War *>======================
==============<* CHALLENGE - Between A Rock And A Hard Place *>===============
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Brute     |Challenge Rating: 1          |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
 You hear, quite suddenly, a shout for help. One of the warriors in the
 battle has become stuck beneath a large rock which, apparently, had given up
 under the rain and subsequent soil destabilization and fallen to trap the
 person.

 The good news is that they seem unharmed. The bad news, they can't get out
 easily -- certainly not without some help.

 And it could be a bad scene indeed, as the active fighting drifts this
 way...
=Dungeon Conditions: Reckless, Injure=========================================
<Pose Tracker> Azoth has posed.

It's only seconds of their time, but it may feel like so much longer than that as chunks smash into the ground around and behind them. Eleanor's magic keeps her steady even with the debris sending tremors through the earth, and Rachiel is saved from rockless backfiring by Lydia's intervention. Layna and Azoth dash out ahead of the debris themselves, clear of it.

But several debris fall along Josephine's path, necessitating she zig and zag to avoid being squashed, wasting more energy each time she's got to get out of the way. And Ethius, who never ran at all, must endure the debris against his air sack. It works to avoid him being crushed and buried, but he may have to channel more heat to do it, and he's left inside the tower by the time it's done. Except it's in pieces, and there's gaps enough to easily get out.

When the dust settles, everyone's accounted for, if some more exhausted than others. Azoth offers Ethius his hand to help walk away from the mess.

"...Then we'll help them," he says in reply to Ethius' previous answer -- despite not knowing who "they" are -- assuming asking after Ethius' own well being will only result in a similar response as before.

<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.

Lydia glances to Ethius but has her hands full with Rachiel. Which may be Rachiel's plan here because she is giving Ethius some looks when nobody's eyes are on her. Truthfully though, neither her nor Lydia know what he's referring to, even if Lydia is aware that sometimes Ethius is needlessly obtuse, sure, but that doesn't mean his heart isn't in the right place--or that he's wrong. It'sjust tricky to find out what he's trying to say is right sometimes.

Lydia doesn't ask though because she's pretty sure Ethius will just answer with something else that's vague. Or worse, clarify appropriately and thus freak her out even more.

But maybe 'them' is the Yevon warrior monk... has a small boulder sized large boulder laying right on top of him.

He wiggles periodically and then says, "HALLP!"

Lydia steps forward, then pauses, then frowns.

"You aren't gonna...force us to marry you are you?"

"What? Noooo!" The monk says. "HAAALP!"

Lydia looks to Rachiel. Rachiel shrugs back. Lydia then looks to AZOTH as if to see what HIS cue might be.

Speaking of 'thems' out there, the battle is getting closer so there'ss not gonna be a lot of time to decide the play here.

DG: Lydia Seren has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Between A Rock And A Hard Place.
<Pose Tracker> Azoth has posed.

Azoth winces as he sees the trapped monk, then looks back at Lydia. He gives a blink before realizing he's the one being looked to about what to do instead of the other way around. For once!

His decision is immediate, though. Azoth pulls out a small ARM -- a mechanical hilt to a bladeless sword -- and drops it to the ground to wedge under the boulder for a bit of leverage before trying to shove the rock off.

"We're not going to leave you here -- try to keep still, all right?"

DG: Azoth has used his Tool Falk's Photon Blade toward his party's challenge, Between A Rock And A Hard Place.
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.

Who is they? It's a fair question, Eleanor thinks. But there is an interesting response there. Or at least, interesting once Eleanor is done running enough that she can think about interesting things. Like Josie's question. "That's what he's doing," the ARMSwoman answers Josie, "But we have our own reasons for being here. As do you, I'm sure."

But she nods to Azoth, next. "I think we will." ...Whoever 'they' are. But, Eleanor moves ahead with the others next, and if she notices the looks at Ethius she doesn't say anything. Instead she spots the monk...

She moves forward immediately as well, moving up in time with Azoth as he steps forward. She smiles at him briefly, if a little ruefully. After all, they're about to help someone who almost definitely considers them an enemy. But she kneels down beside the monk anyway, and pulls a few berries from her bag. She can channel their power to make this much faster for him, at least for the next few minutes.

"I can heal you," she says, steadily.

Then she pauses.

"...I'm already engaged anyway," she tells Lydia with a bit of humor, trying to work up some pleasantness for this poor guy.

DG: Eleanor Klein has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Between A Rock And A Hard Place.
<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.

    There is a reason, within the span of twelve seconds, to hazard a guess as to whether Ethius might actually be dead - until his right hand rises from the cracks of the shattered lightning tower. He is notably not bleeding from the head, which is the bigger surprise. Somewhere in that sequence, there are important questions being asked. Josie, likely the hardest-hitting one of all logistically.
     How the hell are they going to 'keep it secure'? It's not like the Al Bhed have the manpower or resources to plant down a banner and go 'UINC HUF' or anything like that. On whose behalf would they be securing them for? The Al Bhed don't really have any trade going on between them or Guadosalam. ...No one really does.
     'It sure seems like a hell of a lot of effort to go through,' Layna further points out along with the question as to 'who is they.'
     'Then we'll help them,' Azoth seems to take that stock.
     "Your cooperation in the matter would be..." Ethius is interrupted trying to climb out because he loses his grip. He doesn't fall and hurt himself, it's barely a two-foot slide - but he pulls himself out as Lydia gives him that glance... and Rachiel, too. Lydia's thought patterns may have the right of it - he is being needlessly obtuse and what they're doing, where they're at...
     It is truly dangerous. The war, the lightning (lightning says 'hi' over there, by the way, and also 'KRAKOOOOOOM' and 'brrruuuuuuuuummmmmummmmmmm,' whatever that means).
     "...Over there," Ethius remarks. Is that what he means? A Yevon soldier. The Drifter community is really not a friend, generally speaking, to Yevon. The Otherworlders (as Spira calls them) have generally gone out of their way to make things difficult and obstructive while they're still dealing with Althena's Guard.
     (The Drifter community has excellent reason to make things difficult for them, mind.)
     Ethius comes down to a kneel before the trapped monk as Azoth makes the call that they are going to save them. Strangely, in almost any other situation... Ethius might be compelled to say 'leave it be,' historically speaking.
     But he's on a mission tonight, it would appear.
     He hasn't even raised any heckling over 'this thing, that thing, that's up to them, etc, etc.'
     "...How close are we to Guadosalam?" Ethius asks of the War Monk. "I--"
     ...huh.
     "...We need to ascertain the stability of the region." That sounds more Ethius-y. He doesn't engage in melting outright, no - he sees the leverage being put forth. If there's enough clearance he may be able to offer his quarterstaff to help keep it up just long enough for them to be pulled out by someone else. His gaze lowers down further to meet them in the eye. "Does Guadosalam yet stand?"

DG: Ethius Hesiod has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Between A Rock And A Hard Place.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.

    It's not the most pleasant of treks, making her way around all the debris without getting crushed. Still, better delayed than dead, by the archaeologist's estimation, and ultimately, she gets out of that scrape little less the worse for wear. Taking a moment to catch her breath, it's Eleanor of all people who addresses her.

    "Ah, got it in one, angel," she says, shaking her head. "But don't worry about it none -- it ain't personal, yeah?" She even goes so far to extend a hand and smile, though it's not an expression that meets her eyes.

    Her gaze shifts to take in Ethius, after, almost as if she were weighting the measure of the man.

    This, before someone calls out. Ethius approaches the pinned man, questions readied.

    Josie gaze grows hooded, if briefly.

    "...Tell you what, I'm feeling charitable today. And I can wait a very long time. I'll call it off this time 'round," she says, drawing up alongside Ethius. "What say we get this poor sap free, then, eh?"

    From her kit, she produces a mattock -- the archaeologist's best friend -- and gets to work digging around the rock.

DG: Josephine Lovelace has used her Tool Well-Used Mattock toward her party's challenge, Between A Rock And A Hard
Place.
<Pose Tracker> Layna Manydays has posed.

They manage to avoid getting crushed by falling rocks! ...Most of them, anyways, which is good enough of a success for Layna.

Ethius doesn't quite answer her question. She watches him for a moment, and then shrugs, noting the way he slips. She doesn't press the matter any further - at least for now, anyway. Partially due to the fact that they have company.

Lydia finds them first - a Yevon Warrior Monk apparently pinned under a rock. Layna raises an eyebrow. ...Should they just move past? ...But, no, the others seem to have decided to stop and help, including Josie, so she supposes it'd be best to help too.

"You know, lad... if I were you, I'd go home after this and rethink your whole life, aye? Because, this Warrior Monk gig sure as hell doesn't seem to be working out for you." Layna suggests to the Warrior Monk, reaching into her coat and drawing out her drill. She then, along with the others, gets to work taking care of the boulder.

DG: Layna Manydays has used her Tool Arm-Mounted Drill toward her party's challenge, Between A Rock And A Hard Place.
=====================<* Thunder Plains - Drums of War *>======================
==============<* CHALLENGE - Between A Rock And A Hard Place *>===============
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Brute     |Challenge Rating: 1          |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
 You hear, quite suddenly, a shout for help. One of the warriors in the
 battle has become stuck beneath a large rock which, apparently, had given up
 under the rain and subsequent soil destabilization and fallen to trap the
 person.

 The good news is that they seem unharmed. The bad news, they can't get out
 easily -- certainly not without some help.

 And it could be a bad scene indeed, as the active fighting drifts this
 way...
=Dungeon Conditions: Reckless, Injure=========================================
================<* Thunder Plains - Drums of War - Round 4 *>=================
================< Results - Between A Rock And A Hard Place >=================
Player                               Exhaustion                      Pass/Fail
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ethius Hesiod                       23 --(0)--> 23                 Pass
Force                               0   Brute   Effects: BASIC
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Layna Manydays                      10 --(0)--> 10                 Pass
Arm-Mounted Drill                   3   Brute   Effects: Fanfare
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Josephine Lovelace                  23 --(0)--> 23                 Pass
Well-Used Mattock                   2   Brute   Effects: Strengthen
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Azoth                               10 --(0)--> 10                 Pass
Falk's Photon Blade                 2   Brute   Effects: Stalwart
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lydia Seren                         10 --(5)--> 15                 Fail
Force                               0   Brute   Effects: BASIC
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eleanor Klein                       10 --(0)--> 10                 Pass
Force                               0   Brute   Effects: BASIC
----------------------------------< Party >-----------------------------------
Leader: Ethius Hesiod               70 --(20)--> 90                Pass
Conditions: Injure(2)|Reckless(2)|Slow(1)
Effects: Strengthen(1)
==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Ethius Hesiod 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: Ethius Hesiod has drawn a new Challenge.
======================<* Thunder Plains - Drums of War *>=======================
=========================<* CHALLENGE - No Fighting *>==========================
|Type: Final       |Dungeon Ability: Brute     |Challenge Rating: 2          |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 Both sides are preparing now for the next clash to come, assembling on
 either side in this section of the Thunder Plains. This engagement could
 settle the fighting here, one way or another, but not without tremendous
 loss of life.

 And here you are, just watching on as you see both sides headed towards a
 terrible clash in a valley amidst the plains. Here in this forsaken place of
 all things!

 You become aware that you are standing near enough to a rain-soaked slope.
 It really would only take a little bit of a physical disturbance to see it
 come crashing down to the place where you know they'll end up fighting.

 It would be a sure way of putting an end to this battle, at least for today.
 But perhaps that might be enough.
=Dungeon Conditions: Weaken, Tire=============================================
<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.

The warrior monk is asked an important question. "Um." He says. "I'm sorry but I've got a boulder on me? And it's dark? And everything is lightning? And I'm wet..."

Azoth is given an opportunity to decide for HIMSELF. And he chooses to help. Lydia seems surprised--more surprised than Rachiel anyway whose pretty high in optimism and good will even if she's not always, you know, good in how she expresses it.

But Lydia does smile after the beepboop when he starts pushing at the boulder.

Eleanor offers to heal the man. BUT SHE'S ALREADY ENGAGED. He's mostly banged up rather than seriously wounded and he says, "Uhhhh it's ok I'm not really into---"

Ethius moves forward to help Azoth push the boulder off. The second question the guy is more up for answering. "Oh--yes. Yes it does." UNLESS LYDIA'S PLAYER IS WRONG AND MISSED IT.

Josie also works on the rock. With the mattock, she's able to chip significant chunks of it free, allowing the others to push it off more readily--helped with Layna and her drill.

Layna suggests he rethink his life.

"Uh... I...sure...?" He doesn't seem to understand why since he's largely not aware of the secret conspiraacy of Yevon aand by his understanding he's fighting off invaders. "I won't forget you helped me!" He promises at least.

Lydia watches him go.

And then to Azoth she says, "You really are super cool huh?" She smiles, giving his arm a friendly light jab. "Real super cool."

<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.

    Ethius casts a look over at Josie as she 'calls off' the engagement that seemed inevitable. The two came to blows at one point even before she showed her true allegiances. His behavior here seems... almost contrary to the reason he fought her, back in Glenwood.
     "Your cooperation is appreciated." That boilerplate response of his.
     Efforts are made, and the Yevon soldier's life is saved. There is an energy, a fluidity, in Ethius' movement on the revelation that Guadosalam still stands (for now). Anyone close to him can hear him exhale loudly. Relief?
     They aren't far from where Guadosalam is now - looking from the outside in, the land has seen extensive damages from the fighting. Not too far from there, they're on a higher elevation point of the Thunder Plains (THIS IS BAD), near a recently restored lightning tower (THIS IS GOOD), bearing obvious patchwork from the Guard (THIS IS SOMETHING ETHIUS DOESN'T SEEM TO LIKE MUCH BECUASE HE'S LOOKING AT IT FUNNY BUT LET'S BE HONEST IT'S GOOD THAT THIS IS UP).
     "Ahead." Ethius remarks. There's both sides gearing up for another clash, and the lightning sure is goading them on in thunder language ('KRAKOOOOOOM' and all that). They're about to fight about a valley.... but looking ahead, a rain-soaked slope.
     Tension mounts. Another engagement - the Guard is looking to make another big push to try and make some gains. The uniforms here point them as being under the Red Priestess - most of them are sorcerers. Much of the Yevon forces here are made up of Guado Guardians and a handful of War Monks. Already, several Fiends have materialized by the Guados' side.
     What's the play? No. What's even the reason?! Why are they going so close to one of the central targets of the fighting?
     "This ground is unstable." Ethius remarks as he holds out his left hand and flexes his fingers. It's taken a little while for some of the feeling to come back after Amaterasu's coup-counting strike(s, she's fast). "Landslide. We need to make a landslide."
     He gets to work on a higher-yield heat spell to weaken it - possibly transition to an appropriate yield of dust to fan out dirt and grime in a choking cloud to obscure what is already low visibility from the rainy fog.
     This may be a way to stop the fighting for now, but... do they all really have skin in this game?

<Pose Tracker> Layna Manydays has posed.

They manage to rescue the Warrior Monk! He seems confused, but Layna isn't really in the mood to explain the whole Situation to him. With any luck - for him - he'll take her advice.

They move forward, then... at least until Ethius points something out. Layna frowns and draws out her telescope, using it to get a good into the distance to what he's pointing out.

"...Damn, they're all psyched up and ready to kill each other." Layna says with a frown, lowering it. On one hand, it might be easier to just... let them, but on the other, they do need to get through here, and a battle's going to take a while.

"...Right. If you insist, lad. One landslide, comin' right up." Layna decides, bringing out the drill again. She sets it to whirring and drives it down into the cliffside ahead. Once they're all ready, she'll give it a good, solid kick to let it go.

DG: Layna Manydays has used her Tool Arm-Mounted Drill toward her party's challenge, No Fighting.
<Pose Tracker> Azoth has posed.

Eleanor reports she's engaged, and Azoth beams at her admist shoving the rock. "Aww! Congratulations!" He shifts to allow her and the others to best give their help without him getting too much in the way. Once they succeed in freeing the monk, Azoth waves goodbye as they watch him return back into the wild to rejoin his flock. Nature is beautiful(?).

But Lydia comments on Azoth's choices, and he looks to her with his own surprised this time. The jab wins a faint smile. "I don't know about that. But... thank you."

Ethius gives more of his intentions in the tiniest bits and pieces. The most important piece of information has already been received, though -- this is important to Ethius. Ethius, who also calls out the need for a landslide. Azoth gives a startled look, but concedes to the benefit of the doubt in calculating just what that would do.

Aha. "All right, let's do it!"

Azoth gives a sharp nod and retrieves his sword ARM again. This time, he activates the blade so it's more obvious what it even is. (Why does he have that? Can't Azoth conjure his own light blades on command?) He grips it in both hands, then thrusts it down into the heart of the unstable earth before charging the blade with more energy. It pulses. Once. Then twice -- bigger -- then bursts into a radiant explosion. The force is enough to blow Azoth back into the air, and he flips around to land safely in a crouch.

DG: Azoth has used his Tool Falk's Photon Blade toward his party's challenge, No Fighting.
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.

Angel? Eleanor lifts an eyebrow at the form of address, though only for a moment. She is wary watching Josie... but not actively hostile. Indeed, as Josie says it's not personal, Eleanor smiles right back at her.

It doesn't reach her eyes, either. "Oh, I'm not worried."

She considers what miht've passed between her and Ethius--but she frankly doesn't know. And she's busy with the pinned man in any case. She doesn't argue Layna's idea, really. And as the man starts to answer she just says, "Shh." But Azoth is so nice about congratulating her, so she smiles back at him. "Thank you," the elf answers. If nothing else she does like his demeanor.

"Ahead?" Eleanor wonders then, of Ethius. But she looks-and she sees what it is. And he mentions it as she looks.

Eleanor pulls a thin rod with a bluish crystal tip as she steps towards their objectve. When Ethius has it heated to weaken it, Eleanor will ice the ground in hopes that the sudden change will help their aim.

DG: Eleanor Klein has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, No Fighting.
DG: Ethius Hesiod has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward his party's challenge, No Fighting.
<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.

"I want a cool nickname," Lydia mumbles.

But Azoth says he doesn't 'know about that' but thanks her. She says, "It's okay--I'll know it until you're ready to know it!" She grins with her serrated teeth showing, giving Azoth a thumbsup.

Rachiel looks between the two of them but doesn'tcomment on it.

Instead the two of them move ahead only for Ethius to say something that Lydia actually understands.

"Ah--" She says. "Ah...! Yes!"

She hops up into the air, drawing out Tiebreaker 2.0 as she swings it around her head like one might a baton.

"I got it!"

And she plummets back down, using her rainbow colored jet wings to propel herself more quickly in order to SLAAAAAAAAAAM it into the unstable ground, wholly intent on pitting it against BOTH SIDES.

"...Though you know, thinking about it..." She adds a moment after striking. "Isn't it weird that we're essentially burying a whole bunch of people under rocks when we just saved someone from 'a rock'?"

Question marks only metaphorically appear above her head.

DG: Lydia Seren has used her Tool Tiebreaker V 2.0 toward her party's challenge, No Fighting.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.

    "No, huh? Guess you lot are sterner stuff than you look, sometimes. But, then again, if you weren't... well." That smile lingers on her lips as she looks Eleanor over. "Congrats, by the way. Who's the lucky guy? ...Or gal?"

    But perhaps that's as far as it goes, this day. On all fronts, apparently. "Heh. Just like always," she says to Ethius. This is also not a smile that meets her eyes, it's just directed at someone other than Eleanor.

    It's a reckoning that, from Josie's point of view, has been long-since due. Yet, if there's anything she's good at, it's at biding her time. For now, they're both in a lightning-scoured plain in the middle of a war, and even Josie has her limits, it seems.

    So, truce (of a sort) set, she works to try to free the Warrior Monk, parting only at the end to, mattock resting at her feet, pull out a cigarette and take a drag.

    "They're really gonna do it, huh," she remarks, dropping the cigarette to grind it out under heel (unnecessary, but she did grow up near a forest).

    The ground's unstable, as Ethius remarks. "Sure seems that way." Her gaze heavy-lidded, she glances side-long at the others. "...Ha. You're all gonna try and do it, huh?" She stoops, gathering up the mattock. "Well, hell, why not? Ain't like I've got a dog in this fight, either way. In fact--!"

    She swings the mattock.

    The more chaos here in Spira is probably the better for them in the end.

DG: Josephine Lovelace has used her Tool Well-Used Mattock toward her party's challenge, No Fighting.
======================<* Thunder Plains - Drums of War *>=======================
=========================<* CHALLENGE - No Fighting *>==========================
|Type: Final       |Dungeon Ability: Brute     |Challenge Rating: 2          |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 Both sides are preparing now for the next clash to come, assembling on
 either side in this section of the Thunder Plains. This engagement could
 settle the fighting here, one way or another, but not without tremendous
 loss of life.

 And here you are, just watching on as you see both sides headed towards a
 terrible clash in a valley amidst the plains. Here in this forsaken place of
 all things!

 You become aware that you are standing near enough to a rain-soaked slope.
 It really would only take a little bit of a physical disturbance to see it
 come crashing down to the place where you know they'll end up fighting.

 It would be a sure way of putting an end to this battle, at least for today.
 But perhaps that might be enough.
=Dungeon Conditions: Weaken, Tire=============================================
=================<* Thunder Plains - Drums of War - Round 5 *>==================
===========================< Results - No Fighting >============================
Player                               Exhaustion                      Pass/Fail
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ethius Hesiod                       23 --(3)--> 26                 Pass
Force                               0   Brute   Effects: BASIC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Layna Manydays                      10 --(3)--> 13                 Pass
Arm-Mounted Drill                   3   Brute   Effects: Fanfare
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Josephine Lovelace                  23 --(3)--> 26                 Pass
Well-Used Mattock                   2   Brute   Effects: Strengthen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Azoth                               10 --(3)--> 13                 Pass
Falk's Photon Blade                 2   Brute   Effects: Stalwart
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lydia Seren                         15 --(3)--> 18                 Pass
Tiebreaker V 2.0                    4   Brute   Effects: Efficient and Rally
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eleanor Klein                       10 --(16)--> 26                Fail
Force                               0   Brute   Effects: BASIC
-----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------
Leader: Ethius Hesiod               90 --(30)--> 120               Pass
Conditions: Injure(1)|Reckless(1)|Tire(2)|Weaken(2)
Effects: Strengthen(1)
===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: You have overcome the dungeon's trials! This run is a success!
DG: The party led by Ethius Hesiod has successfully explored Thunder Plains - Drums of War!
======================<* Thunder Plains - Drums of War *>=======================
==============<* CHALLENGE - Finders Keepers - Spiran Weaponry *>===============
|Type: Discovery   |Dungeon Ability: Conclusion|Challenge Rating: 1          |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 Whether you've escaped the fray or outright put an end to the fighting for
 today, you find yourself at last free of both the battle and the storm. This
 close to the edge of the Thunder Plains, the sky is clearing.

 While picking your way to safety, you happen upon some abandoned Spiran
 weaponry. Perhaps the Warrior Monks had to abandon this in a hurry? Well,
 it's yours now.

 They're in pretty good shape, sturdy and well-made. And if you have no need
 for a trusty weapon, it's a sure thing you could exchange them for a good
 price.
=Dungeon Conditions: Treasure=================================================
<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.

    A landslide is ordered. A landslide... will be provided. Between Ethius warming up the rock and then Eleanor making it much more brittle, science is already in place. Now what's left is magic (also more science, technically, but teamwork is magical).
     Layna draws out that drill - the drill of which Ethius had made a handful of attempts to reach out and take, but here, she uses to great effect to loosen the weakend earth.
     Josie repeats a feeling that might be true for a lot of them, do they really have a dog in this fight? Chaos might even work well for a lot of their aims, what with both Althena's Guard and Yevon fighting one another. Two enemies, at each others' throats.
     Lydia notes the irony of this situation. It makes one wonder how a small sized giant sized rock got up here to begin with, huh... but never mind that, as she SLAMS herself into it.
     Azoth gets out his ARM blade and places it in there, making the giant, showy force of power all the more radiant and flashy behind Lydia jetpacking right into the damned thing, and there...
     That... is a landslide. A landslide that barrels right the hell down the hill and scares off the advancing Althena's Guard right then and there. They were feeling emboldened about their chances... but not this day. Not this day.
     The Yevon forces withdraw further within Guadosalam... and with that, Ethius gives chase further in with an intensity that's a lot like him, but...
     It seems almost like... desperation?

     ...

     Guadosalam cannot be so casually approached. It should not be so casually approached. Even in times of... less tension, many of the Guado there were distant to the Otherworlders. This is a time where their ancestral home is at the verge of being overtaken in the crusade of Althena's Guard - and in further doing so, taking hold of the way into Spira's mysterious afterlife.
     This is not a place to casually visit any more.
     "...Excuse me." Ethius speaks up. There is a lone Guado Guardian there - a sentry, perhaps? He does not flinch, so much as stare. No immediate hostilities, aside from the usual guarded language. A theory may float around the minds of the astute. Is this an informant, perhaps? Someone Ethius couldn't talk about?
     "...What is the likes of you doing here?!" Spoken word gives way to the true emotion from the otherwise stoic Guado people. Surprise. Unexpected. Several shadows reappear from the damaged wood, surrounding.

<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.

    ...WHEN WAS THIS...

     Sterile. Lifeless. Angular. Unnatural. It welcomed as if to lie about how hospitable it was. A wall always dividing and opening as if alive. He had to hurry. He had to be there. He had to see. He had to hear.
     Tall, heavy set, full of hair. The only one there, he felt, even before the numerous others that looked more like himself.
     He called a name. The name... the name was shouted in joy. Several figures turned, others seemed to move in from nowhere.
     "...What is the likes of you doing here?!" Shouts a voice of another like himself, but one he never would have said to be like himself.

     ...NOW...

     They are in danger. The question has already been asked.
     "Guadosalam," Ethius asks. "I..."
     It is certain that he has not thought very far as to what he wished to ask of them. A hand to his forehead, as he looks away from the rest. "...Are... are the people of Guadosalam... well?"
     Silence follows. A few Guado exchange glances. They seem to be at the tip of learning how three specific letters come together in an evocative fashion. They have the 'W' down. Maybe part of the way to 'T.'
     "...Your kind... would ask, after what had transpired?"

     ...THAT TIME BEFORE...

     He asked in words he believed only the two of them understood. Panicked, desperate, as someone grabbed at his arm to try and pull back. They were larger, but he was stronger. He was stronger than many of the others 'like' him. He understood it had something to do with where he was... before?
     He was strong enough to see the face. An ape-like... Beastman? He turned his head. He knew it was him, but yet, the look in his eye...
     He never knew those eyes to be there.
     'Your kind would ask,' he said in that deep, soothing voice whose words defied the latter descriptor, 'after what had transpired?'

     ...NOW...

     "...What befell you," Ethius remarks. His voice is breaking. "It... it should have never..."
     'What befell them?' Ethius cannot be ignorant of what has transpired. The Guado people, by and large, have deliberately acted in favor of doing whatever it took to keep their affairs within their purview, their control - putting Yuna and the lives of so many in danger.
     Why is he showing them this concern?
     "You are not one of us." Another Guado steps in.
     "Leave." Another speaks. They do not draw closer, but their looming is... disconcerting. They are not among friends.

     ...THIS TIME AGAIN...

     What befell you, his voice started to crack. He could feel moisture at his face. It should have never...
     You are not one of us. That voice. That voice could never be tarnished, but the words... they could never be forgotten in their severity. They faced away, as to be hidden by the visages of those who looked more like the one who wished to speak to them... but the ones he never would have said were like him.
     Leave.
     That was the last he saw.
     But that was not the last words he ever heard.

     ...THINGS BLEND...?

     Somehow... at once, to the strange man among them, things... blend. The comfortable, naturalistic, winding trees that make up the architecture of Guadosalam. The cold, angular, empty, lifeless of what he saw. Shadows seem to merge together.
     Words blend.
     "You do not belong here. You do not belong among us."
     ...The last words he heard in that voice. The voice that is not the one he hears speaking of that Guado Guardian. The last words he heard in that voice that belonged to...
     ...
          ...
               ...
     Ethius turns away wordlessly. His eyes are closed.
     There is the glint of a tear.

     STRANGE MOOD WHIPLASH ASIDE!

     "...Thank you for coming to my aid," says the injured War Monk from earlier, who is looking much healthier and also oblivious. "I... I don't understand why Otherworlders are all here, but... I've brought some equipment. I shouldn't be giving this to you, but... it's dangerous out there, and..."
     This is some of the really good stuff, in so far as Spira weaponry and salvages go. The machina rifles are top notch and have already been modified to work better in rainy environs (...this). There's a flamethrower there too.
     "I'll... I'll make sure you can get back out safely!" He pledges. Yevon won't shoot any of them in the back on the way out.