2021-02-28: For Want of a...
- Log: For Want of a...?
- Cast: Josephine Lovelace, Seraph Lanval, Layna Manydays, Gwen Whitlock, Fei Fong Wong
- Where: Lake Macalania
- Date: February 28, 2021
- Summary: Does the phrase 'strange bedfellows' apply when it's this group? Going into the bounds of an area held by Solaris' forces is not easily done -- particularly not when the weather and environmental conditions are this treacherous. But, the phrase 'for want of a nail, the battle was lost' also applies to the situation that unfolds...
DG: A party led by Josephine Lovelace is now entering Lake Macalania - Solaris Control. DG: Party formation is now over. An Entry Challenge will now be drawn and displayed to the party.
=====================<* Lake Macalania - Solaris Control *>===================== ==================<* CHALLENGE - Quickly and Quietly...ish *>=================== |Type: Entry |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- Things have changed in the Macalania Lake region. Even here, a distance from where Solaris has entrenched themselves, you're able see the signs of their fortifications. Whatever it is you're intending to do here -- reconnaissance, sabotage, or otherwise -- you'll have to begin your initial approach carefully, lest you bring down the entire bee's nest that is the Solaris forces stationed here. Or, given that a group of patrol Gears are headed towards and sure to pass this place where you now stand, perhaps /speed/ in this particular moment towards a less visible position is essential. =Dungeon Conditions: Hesitate, Overzealous====================================
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
Fat snowflakes drift slowly downwards. Macalania Lake can be quite pretty, even if it's very, very cold.
"Ain't this a pretty mess," remarks the wayward archaeologist, hopping down out of the branches of a snow-laden tree.
With a swift movement, she slips away the spyglass she'd been using. Her goal had been to sneak in closer to the encampment, but it seems there is a wee bit of a snag in that plan: namely, the Gears she spots, still a distance off, that are heading this way. This tree isn't much for cover, and unless she wants to test out just how well she can hide under the snow, well. She'd better get moving sooner rather than later.
Antenora's suggestion had been to keep out of trouble in Spira. True, she'd been referring to the war situation.
But apparently this is Josie's idea of 'staying out of trouble': poking around in Lake Macalania to see just what the heck is going on in there (and probably stealing things).
Lake Macalania, which is currently held by Solaris forces.
She books it across the ice, making for a drift a short distance off. If she can get over the rise, she'll be concealed from the patrol once it passes.
DG: Josephine Lovelace has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Quickly and Quietly...ish.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Lanval has posed.
Somewhere on the ice, there is a rotund bearded fellow just taking it easy and gliding along the ice - in occupied territory - on that weird flat-bodied rubber horse he has for a noble steed.
He does not seem aware of the actual tension of the situation or what danger/paranoia he will be invoking by presence of the creepiest raft ever should a passing patrol come by. He's just here, relaxing on his own terms. (...is he?)
DG: Seraph Lanval has used his Tool Bouyant Steed toward his party's challenge, Quickly and Quietly...ish.
<Pose Tracker> Layna Manydays has posed.
While the troubles with Yevon and Althena's Guard had been keeping the bulk of Layna's attention, there was another potential problem she had been keeping an eye on - namely, Solaris, and whatever the heck it was they were doing in Lake Macalania. Now that the former problem seems to have largely been resolved, she can finally focus her attention on the latter.
Layna being Layna, this means arriving on the scene in the safety and comfort of her Gear, the VALS-4 Corsair, just in case. Seeing as how it is both rather massive and painted bright red with gleaming golden trim, it isn't exactly a very... subtle, machine. Stealth isn't its strong-suit. Still, she tries to move carefully to avoid detection... and besides, it's probably better that she draw attention than any of the others, if it comes down to it, being the only one presently in a Gear.
Lanval she's already aware of, and she can't help but chuckle as she spots him relaxing on the ice, but soon she spots another familiar face. The Corsair raises a hand in a brief, subtle, but friendly wave.
No, she hasn't forgotten that their most recent interaction was trying to kill each other over Odessa's attempted assassination of Guild Galad's master. That's just kind of how Layna does things.
DG: Layna Manydays has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Quickly and Quietly...ish.
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
"Aw, c'mon.... seriously? When'd Solaris get here?" Gwen should really keep better tabs on what is happening in Spira.
Last she remembered, Odessa soldiers had sent jher and many others into the lake depths, by way of gravity, leading to the Lefay shrine in the depths. Gwen didn't have many memories of that time, aside from feeling very hungry and very tired. Something cold happened, and Zed yelled. And... It's why she's here now, having finally left her home of the Thames to go to a site a planet away, by way of her Gear, the Halcyon. Better to investigate a mystery than to further isolate herself from the troubles going on.
But Solaris is here.
Gwen runs a few fingers under the knit cloche hat (courtesy of Lan!) to itch at the hairs beginning to poke up on her head.
Maybe it'd be better to turn around and just call it a day. She piloted her gear! She visited Spira! She can just call it a da--
"Lanval?" There is a Lanval here. And soon, she notices a rushing Josie, and a following Layna.
Lanval will notice, unlike last time they had met (at least, when Gwen wasn't on fire), Gwen's aura lacks the loud hot presence of the Primarch's ember. "-um..." Carefully, Gwen inches out on the ice, trying to make it over to the water seraph, who just must be unaware of the danger he's in.
So she'll just put herself in danger to tell him! She's behaved so well for several weeks, what's a little bit of well-meaning risky behavior for a friend?
DG: Gwen Whitlock has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Quickly and Quietly...ish.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
The camera pans back a bit to see Fei Fong Wong looking riiiiiiiiiiight at Josephine Lovelace. Who shot him. In the gut.
What Fei decides to do about that remains a mystery, but he ends up following after her EVEN THOUGH there's patrol gears EVEN THOUGH it's a Solarian outpost EVEN THOUGH he's kind of wanted by them and EVEN THOUGH Josephine Lovelace DID shoot him in the gut and didn't seem like she'd be too adverse to doing it a second time. But hey, maybe she WON'T do that and that will be a step up in their relationship if you really think about it!
He tries to move quick.
"Gwen I'm sure I saw her." Fei murmurs all the same, but seems intent to move forward even if it's really stupid.
But hey. That's Fei.
DG: Fei Fong Wong has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Quickly and Quietly...ish.
=====================<* Lake Macalania - Solaris Control *>===================== ==================<* CHALLENGE - Quickly and Quietly...ish *>=================== |Type: Entry |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- Things have changed in the Macalania Lake region. Even here, a distance from where Solaris has entrenched themselves, you're able see the signs of their fortifications. Whatever it is you're intending to do here -- reconnaissance, sabotage, or otherwise -- you'll have to begin your initial approach carefully, lest you bring down the entire bee's nest that is the Solaris forces stationed here. Or, given that a group of patrol Gears are headed towards and sure to pass this place where you now stand, perhaps /speed/ in this particular moment towards a less visible position is essential. =Dungeon Conditions: Hesitate, Overzealous====================================
================<* Lake Macalania - Solaris Control - Round 1 *>================ ====================< Results - Quickly and Quietly...ish >===================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Josephine Lovelace 0 --(29)--> 29 Fail Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Layna Manydays 0 --(29)--> 29 Fail Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seraph Lanval 0 --(17)--> 17 Pass Bouyant Steed 1 Agility Effects: Cleanse -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fei Fong Wong 0 --(17)--> 17 Pass Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gwen Whitlock 0 --(29)--> 29 Fail Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Josephine Lovelace 0 --(15)--> 15 Fail Conditions: Hesitate(2)|Overzealous(2) Effects: Cleanse ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Josephine Lovelace has failed this challenge! The party gained 15 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw. DG: Seraph Lanval has drawn a new Challenge.
=====================<* Lake Macalania - Solaris Control *>===================== =====================<* CHALLENGE - Blizzard Conditions *>====================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 3 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- As if conditions weren't bad enough, here comes one of Macalania's infamous snowstorms. It is, in fact, a total whiteout -- you can't see your hand in front of your face! This may be some good news if anything was immediately on your tail, but it's cold (yes) comfort since there's little to stop you from tumbling into a crevasse or similar if you happen to step wrong. How are you going to navigate this? =Dungeon Conditions: Madness==================================================
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
The good news is this:
The patrol doesn't catch up to them. This is in part because everyone -- or at least mostly everyone -- gets across the distance before the patrol even gets remotely close.
(the other reason may have something to do with upcoming weather conditions: stay tuned!)
But the bad news is thus:
The thing about running on snow is that it's tricky to do. It's slippery and slidey (perhaps only those with a particular sense of grace and timing or those with a creep pool raft are able to keep their footing).
Fei at least will be there to give Gwen a hand. As for Layna, perhaps her Gear will protect her from the worst of the hazards the slippery terrain might pose. Josie, on the other hand--
She has a moment to appreciate that she's not alone as she crosses the ridge, recognizing Layna's Gear as she reaches the rises' lip. And then she pauses and goes for her ARM, her focus on the machine and the machine alone.
Not because she bears Layna any ill-will, mind. This is purely pragmatic.
This is when the lip of the ridge collapses and Josie goes tumbling over it without so much as a how-you-do to land in the snow below it.
At least she has a head start at making a snow angel in a pose like that...
(This may circumvent any particular hostilities inbound as well!)
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Lanval has posed.
Lanval is just... doin' his thing, all Lanval-like. He hears Gwen's voice, but there's something missing. It's... maybe the good kind? He leans his head back to look up at the owner of that voice with one half-open eye. "Oh... Gwen! Glad ta shee ya, lookin'... like that!" He means it! How people 'look' to a Seraph vs. the corporeal is not quite one for one. He's sure she has a story related to that but there's something more important to talk about (in terms of the 'now' anyway). "Mmm, jusht sho ya know... it'sh dangeroush here, buuuut... 've been doin' thish fer an hour?"
An hour. He's been doing this for an hour.
"Lookin' 'bout a shafe route, 'n I thought... the firsht idea I get tendsh not ta be really great? Shooo... I figure, if I could jusht drift 'bout long enough, thaaaaat'sh how ya would know the route'sh good!"
It's hard to argue with the logic but it's also hard to argue he really did anything other than loaf around. He's Seraph Lanval, on some level he's always been like that and even with his important station on Filgaia... he's just going to be like that when he gets to be himself. (Even if well-meaning.)
He waves Layna's Gear closer, somehow turning it to a friendly wave to Fei who is trying to get Gwen's attention - but then the ridge collapses and it's quite a ride down there, where he can catch Josie being among the first to take a tumble to somewhere that is a detour further from where all of them may want to go. (Unless they all wanted to catch up and chew the fat in the middle of a raging white-out blizzard, then this is awesome.)
(...wait)
Lanval will at least make an attempt to catch as many falling onto his raft as is feasibly possible, but the blizzard is too strong and starts pushing back... dumping all of them close to one another as the creepy raft goes who knows where.
"Mmmph." The Water Seraph finally rises, arm over his eyes. "Thaaaaaat'sh a shnowshtorm... of shomethin' that don't want ush there." If they go by sight alone, yeah, it's a problem - but they have an elemental spirit who has a good sense of the world around them (that they are wearing goofy novelty glasses a moment later has little bearing). "...'ll try 'n shee where we can go ta get out of it, but... 'm tellin' ya... they're layin' it on thick."
Layna's Gear may be an excellent thing to hide behind because wow that is some massive chill that is not being chill. (It is a paradox, but it's true.)
DG: Seraph Lanval has used his Tool Amber Tinted Glasses toward his party's challenge, Blizzard Conditions.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
It takes Josie a moment to pull herself up out of the snow pack (a hand up from Lanval also serves to right the situation). Whatever her affiliations and goals, she's not rude enough to not say thank you:
"Thanks," she says in fact to Lanval, taking the moment to dust the snow off her jacket, to look around herself, to spot Gwen and Fei, and then...
And then it's white-out conditions as the fat flakes turn into an all-out storm of snow.
"Can't see for shit," she sighs, reholstering her ARM and patting down her jacket. Even a light can't much help in these circumstances (though it is present with a snap of the fingers, because why not?).
Now is not the time to have any sort of discussion or indeed to force hostilities in any form. Now is actually a very good time to try to get to some shelter.
She retrieves after a moment a single cigarette. In spite of the roaring snowstorm she, yes, lights it, defiantly taking a drag. It won't last long in this weather, but Guardians, she needs this right now.
Damn, damn, damn.
"You can say that again, Lanval. Damn, where's a flare when you need it..."
DG: Josephine Lovelace has used her Tool Pack of Cigarettes toward her party's challenge, Blizzard Conditions.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Fei Fong Wong will help Gwen up and, more pertinently, take a long look at Josephine, who was almost about to shoot Layna, fall into the snow below.
"...I guess it just goes to show you, shooting friends doesn't pay."
Fei crosses his arms like a dissapointed parent looking at a kid throwing plates on the floor. He has gotten good at these looks over the years.
"Well, the tricorder should help." Fei says, taking it out and holding it aloft as it lights up and shows--well, it shows where OBSTACLES are at least. "What brings you here, Josie?"
Looking for friends you haven't shot yet?
"This is Solaris territory so it's pretty dangerous."
Stop worrying about her, she shot you!
Fei looks pretty worried.
DG: Fei Fong Wong has used his Tool Medical Tricorder Fei Somehow Knows How To Use toward his party's challenge, Blizzard Conditions.
<Pose Tracker> Layna Manydays has posed.
From within the safety of her Gear Layna sees Josie go for her ARM, and she chuckles. Yeah, she had a feeling that'd happen. Not like she can blame her. She switches on the external communications.
"Hey now, no need for that. I mean... if you wanna tangle I'm good for it, but we might draw a little... unwanted attention, aye?" She broadcasts. The VALS-4 Corsair gestures toward the distant Solaris patrol Gears to emphasize her point. "Let's just get along for now."
Lanval waves her closer, though, so Layna follows his lead. She generally trusts him with that.
...It's not long after, though, that the weather really begins to pick up, soon brewing into a vicious snowstorm. Layna curses.
"...This ain't ideal, in terrain like this." She says with a sigh. She flips a few switches on her monitor, activating her machine's radar. The Gear was originally made for mining - and as such, it has a powerful built in radar for analyzing the surroundings, making note of differences in depths and highlighting potential points of interest. It's pretty convenient, especially in places like this.
"Follow my lead! I'll try to get us somewhere safer, aye?" Layna offers to those on the ground. "Lanval, can you spot me? Let me know if I'm about to make a mistake."
As useful as her radar is, it can't drive the Gear itself so she still has to do that part manually, which opens the possibility for mistakes. Lanval, though, probably has a better sense of the weather than she does.
At least she gets heating up here in the cockpit. That's nice, at least.
DG: Layna Manydays has used her Tool Mining Radar toward her party's challenge, Blizzard Conditions.
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
Right as Gwen manages to make it to Lanval, he says the one thing that would surprise her.
A vague compliment on her appearance! "Er..." Gwen blinks, taken aback by Lanval's compliment. ".... Really? I mean, I think I look cuter when I got hair, but, like--"
Oh, gravity is pulling some major BS here, as Gwen finally slips on the ice, and finds herself looking up at a very determined Fei. ".... Aw, man..."
Yeah, Josie *did* kind of openly betray him after getting everyone's trust over several years, didn't she?
Still, she accepts Fei's hand and gets up, as they make their way over to a snow angel in the shape of a rising Josie as those fat flakes of snow become meaner, thinner, and more plentiful, blotting out a clear view of the way forward.
"Fei, uh..." She's settled just beyond the short distance between him and Josie right now, just in case the man has more in mind for Josie other than a punch. Or two. She's even flashing two fingers at him sternly.
It just doesn't work well because the snow, and the fact that she's freezing, and Fei seems to have found peace with Josie's amount of karma.
"Y-yeah, that'd be great, Layna..." As she shudders under her clothing (which, thankfully, is somewhat appropriate for being on a snowy lake), Gwen nonetheless feels herself yearning for the days when she had a fire Primarch's spark in her. A low grade fever doesn't sound so bad about now. She just has the sense not to voice it aloud in front of people who have been set on fire because of it, or, had to battle Isiris's nightmare pier maze (though this part Gwen has not yet figured out).
"Layna... I take it your gear has heating, right."
DG: Gwen Whitlock has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Blizzard Conditions.
=====================<* Lake Macalania - Solaris Control *>===================== =====================<* CHALLENGE - Blizzard Conditions *>====================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 3 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- As if conditions weren't bad enough, here comes one of Macalania's infamous snowstorms. It is, in fact, a total whiteout -- you can't see your hand in front of your face! This may be some good news if anything was immediately on your tail, but it's cold (yes) comfort since there's little to stop you from tumbling into a crevasse or similar if you happen to step wrong. How are you going to navigate this? =Dungeon Conditions: Madness==================================================
================<* Lake Macalania - Solaris Control - Round 2 *>================ =======================< Results - Blizzard Conditions >======================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Josephine Lovelace 29 --(29)--> 58 Fail Pack of Cigarettes 1 Wits Effects: Cleanse -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Layna Manydays 29 --(29)--> 58 Fail Mining Radar 1 Wits Effects: Fanfare and Enlighten -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seraph Lanval 17 --(17)--> 34 Pass Amber Tinted Glasses 3 Wits Effects: Fanfare -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fei Fong Wong 17 --(29)--> 46 Fail Medical Tricorder Fei Somehow Knows 1 Wits Effects: Cleanse -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gwen Whitlock 29 --(29)--> 58 Fail Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Josephine Lovelace 15 --(15)--> 30 Fail Conditions: Hesitate(1)|Madness|Overzealous(1) Effects: Cleanse|Enlighten(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Josephine Lovelace has failed this challenge! The party gained 15 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw. DG: Gwen Whitlock has drawn a new Challenge.
=====================<* Lake Macalania - Solaris Control *>===================== =======================<* CHALLENGE - Walk with Rhythm *>======================= |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 3 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- There are a few frozen pools scattered throughout Macalania -- not quite lakes, yet distinct entities from the bulk of the area where the temple rests. Unfortunately, this one is large enough to be an obstacle in your path. Something on the far side of the pool catches your eyes: it sparkles slightly. It's hard to say what it is from here, but it may be a remnant from the recent battle. Of course, first you'll have to reach it, naturally... while crossing the ice. Those in Gears don't have it much better: there's an overhang across the frozen pool with a number of ice stalactites that impedes flight to a degree. =Dungeon Conditions: Slow, Treasure===========================================
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Lanval has posed.
The blizzard blows, and also it blows. It starts by being blinding. It escalates by being deafening, to a stock loop of wind noises that feels like it's been used for a very long time across so many expanses. It's hard to put a finger on it, just the way the wind pitches up and down... but.
Josie's cigarettes do take some edge off of the fall and frustration and fear, but then the blizzard makes it clear there'll be no smoking today.
Fei might start to feel even more worried - based on the tricorder - that almost everyone's facing a real hypothermia risk if they stay out here like this.
Gwen asks if Layna's Gear has heating, and that cements the difficult truth for everyone - yeah, it's that cold, and there's no bundling up against this level of cold.
Layna will technically not detect much in the way of problems, though she is trusting Lanval to spot for her - and it is on that trust he says the following.
"...We'd better shtop," Lanval says, "ain't no cover fer a while... other 'n the Gear." He says this as a lens falls out of the novelty glasses, but it always does. "'m shorry, but... 'bout the besht I can think of."
He does feel a little powerless in that moment to do anything more than that, because he knows there's a real discomfort coming from Fei's direction on several fronts, and... he doesn't like people around him being sad and miserable, but this is the best they can do to endure the blizzard so long as it doesn't change directions.
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
"Why're you apologizin', Lanval?" Gwen suddenly flashes one of her grins at the water Seraph, steadying her chattering teeth for a few good moments as she gives him a pat on the shoulder. "Isn't it great, that we managed t'find each other? Think 'bout what it would've been like if we were by ourselves!"
Which Gwen nearly accomplished if not for Fei being there at the nick of time moments before.
"So, really, we're all lucky!"
And, like a sigh from a universe that couldn't help but fall back in the face of such a statement, the sudden snowstorm lifts as quickly as it came.
"Okay, let's move, before the Solaris outpost sees us." Slipping her scarf over her nose and mouth, Gwen presses forward, passing the many pools that dot the edge of Macalania. "..... So, why're you all doin' here anyway? Were you looking for the Lefay Shrine too, or was it due to Solaris bein' over there?"
Something glints out of the corner of Gwen's eye, and she redirects her attention towards it, placing a gloved hand over her eyes. ".... Huh, that's weird. Somethin' metal's over there." Ever the eager scout, Gwen takes timid steps across the ice, trying to gauge just how difficult crossing would be, as well as if the ice will support her weight. "... Okay, looks like the coast is clear," she says, eyeing the overhang up above. "Layna, be careful if you go in your gear, there's some nasty icicles up there."
DG: Gwen Whitlock has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Walk with Rhythm.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Lanval has posed.
"Mmmm... trueeee," Lanval's voice drags on a bit. Fortunately, stuff does clear up - and they're nowhere near warmth but at least they're all still alive (for the time being) and the way is... visibly clear? But it is also visibly clearly dangerous, and it's good he told Layna to stop before she stepped onto a frozen pool and fell into it, so he's giving himself credit for that.
So he sits down and has himself his own 'smoke' session, independent of Josie's own flirtation with things that put terrible stuff in your lungs, only... a) Lanval doesn't have lungs, and b) he 'smokes' bubbles. From a fancy kiseru-style smoking pipe, which may well be the most elegant toy ever. He breathes deep, as per his hobby, and exhales a whoooooole lot of bubbles to help people cross the lake over to the shiny thing.
Assuming none of them drift up to the icicles, which, uhhhh this may be a risk!!!
"...I could tell ya what I wash doin' the lasht hour again!" Lanval laughs, leaving Layna to Explain Things(tm).
DG: Seraph Lanval has used his Tool Bubble Pipe toward his party's challenge, Walk with Rhythm.
<Pose Tracker> Layna Manydays has posed.
Gwen asks a difficult question to answer. Oh, the answer is easy, but actually giving it... But, she probably shouldn't lie, either.
"...Aye. That it does." Layna confirms. ...She tries not to sound too proud about it, considering how things must be for those who didn't come here in a Gear.
Lanval, though, suggests they should stop, so Layna does.
"That so, huh...?" She remarks with a frown. "Terrain around here's worse than I thought."
And the weather certainly doesn't help. Fortunately, though they have to weather the weather a bit longer, the snowstorm eventually lifts, allowing them to move on... but not without having left its mark on the area.
"Aye, it's the latter for me." Layna confirms, as Gwen asks about why they're here. Lanval... isn't much for explaining, so that leaves it up to her! "Been wanting to keep an eye on what Solaris has been up to, but... all the fighting that's been going on's made it difficult to sneak in. Now that that's largely settled, it's made things a lot easier. Figured it's about time I made my move!"
Layna starts to move, but pauses as Gwen points out a potential issue. Her Gear can't really fly, but it's tall enough that the hanging icicles still pose a problem.
"Good eye there, lass. Thanks for the warning!" She says, pushing the Corsair forward a bit more cautiously.
DG: Layna Manydays has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Walk with Rhythm.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
"Can't blame me after the last time, right?" Josie says, shrugging in a way that just might be able to be called 'helpless' in spite of the fact that she very much isn't. But she sighs. "Right enough. I ain't out for a four-on-one here or none," she says, shaking her head. She might have the sense of how the odds will stack up, and given the fact that Solaris Gears are heading in this direction, too...!
The snow picks up.
"Checking out what these lot're up to. What else?" Even if it might be invisible due to the current white-out conditions, she's fixed a crooked smile as Fei -- while they have their first conversation in over a half-year -- asks her that question. "Been keepin' an eye on these bastards. What, d'you think we'd just ignore Solaris? In a place like this?"
She's pretty quick to admit it, at least. Then again, as far as intentions go, it's a pretty transparent one...
At least the Gear is the easier to see in these conditions. "Try not to fall in one of them holes 'round here! Even in a Gear, that'll be a doozy!"
As predicted the cold and the wind soon steals even this small pleasure from Josie. Scowling, she tosses the dimmed cigarette aside.
"Don't s'pose," she says, though chattering teeth as the cold bites further, more, deeper, "you got room for one more there, Layna?"
This might be a hard sell given, well, everything. But a girl can try.
At least hanging about behind the Gear is better than... not doing that. Any advance they make might be slow-going, but--
"Aha! Looks like we got a cold day in hell after all!" That's not really how that saying goes, but it makes sense to Josie and basically, why not. She takes off towards the descent down towards the ice, the promise of shelter putting a little gas on the fire, so to speak.
But it's a good question how well she's going to be, walking on the ice. It's pretty... slippy.
DG: Josephine Lovelace has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Walk with Rhythm.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Fei says, "I mean that's fair. I don't want to do that either, but..." Fei says. "I just don't understand--"
But before he can really get into it, it looks like they'll have to get towards this other side of a frozen pool. Fei exhales faintly and just takes up on the ice, just already at peace with this going terribly wrong.
"Well I saw Josie and was like 'oh that's dangerous' and I mean I couldn't just let her..."
His face reddens. "Just--nevermind. It's not important. Or I guess it is important but I don't want to get into it."
He slides comically across the ice, but like seriously so.
DG: Fei Fong Wong has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Walk with Rhythm.
=====================<* Lake Macalania - Solaris Control *>===================== =======================<* CHALLENGE - Walk with Rhythm *>======================= |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 3 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- There are a few frozen pools scattered throughout Macalania -- not quite lakes, yet distinct entities from the bulk of the area where the temple rests. Unfortunately, this one is large enough to be an obstacle in your path. Something on the far side of the pool catches your eyes: it sparkles slightly. It's hard to say what it is from here, but it may be a remnant from the recent battle. Of course, first you'll have to reach it, naturally... while crossing the ice. Those in Gears don't have it much better: there's an overhang across the frozen pool with a number of ice stalactites that impedes flight to a degree. =Dungeon Conditions: Slow, Treasure===========================================
================<* Lake Macalania - Solaris Control - Round 3 *>================ =========================< Results - Walk with Rhythm >========================= Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Josephine Lovelace 58 --(29)--> 87 Fail Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Layna Manydays 58 --(29)--> 87 Fail Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seraph Lanval 34 --(29)--> 63 Fail Bubble Pipe 3 Agility Effects: Rally -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fei Fong Wong 46 --(29)--> 75 Fail Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gwen Whitlock 58 --(29)--> 87 Fail Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Josephine Lovelace 30 --(15)--> 45 Fail Conditions: Slow(2)|Treasure(1) Effects: ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Josephine Lovelace has failed this challenge! The party gained 15 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
It may be difficult for Layna to see it from her angle in the cockpit, but Gwen's grin is still just as obvious in the way her voice perks up. ".. Ain't it great? I made sure Halcyon had it too! Got a guy on the Thames to install it. If you ever need fixes, ask 'round for Raymond on the Thames. He'll fix it up real nice-like."
Talking about heating systems seems to perk Gwen up, as she scouts ahead on the ice for that nicely shiny object on the other side of the pool.
"So it was Solaris, huh... I 'spose one mystery is as good as any other, so, consider me a part of your team!" As if Gwen hadn't just gone with the flow as it is.
And as if she wasn't a massive liability, as her lopsided balance, normally accounted for out of habit, becomes an old enemy when on solid ice. "Whhh--"
Falling back, likely into some far more carefully moving party members, Gwen gets up again, takes a few more steps, then falls again, and then repeats the cycle, becoming more and more stubborn each fall to get right back up.
But finally, when they get close enough, Gwen brushes off the snow off the glinting item, revealing...
..... a super special awesome Ramses card, complete with metallic foil cover! The drawing of him is absolutely striking, down to his awesome chiseled features, his piercing gaze, and the perfection of his crisply folded collar.
It'd be worth something if 1. you could sell it on Solaris, and 2. you could sell it on Solaris to someone without immediately making someone suspicious of how you managed to get ahold of a special limited edition card from a pack of morale-boosting military playing cards, and even then, there's rules in place that you must only trade the card for other cards, not actually sell them, and who knows if there's some sort of chip or anti-theft protection on it.
".... Huh, that guy's definitely a looker! Wait, isn't he some bigwig soldier?"
DG: Layna Manydays has drawn a new Challenge.
====================<* Lake Macalania - Solaris Control *>==================== ===========<* CHALLENGE - We Come From the Land of Ice and Oh No *>=========== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Brute |Challenge Rating: 3 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- Even if Solaris weren't entrenched here, this would be a dangerous land. In fact, even if Sin and Lombardia's battle hadn't made Macalania more hazardous than usual, this would be a dangerous land. This is a fact that Macalania chooses to remind you of now, as a not-so-distant roar echoes about you. An avalanche! Whether it's because of your own actions, the actions of others, or just sheer bad luck, you are swiftly entombed in a pile of snow! Now comes the hard part: how are you going to dig your way out of this mess? =Dungeon Conditions: Weaken, Injure===========================================
<Pose Tracker> Layna Manydays has posed.
It looks like Josie here for the same reason she is. Layna isn't too surprised - of course Odessa would take issue with Solaris. Josie also asks if there's room for one more in the Gear.
"Nope, 'fraid not." Layna replies jovially.
This is a bald-faced lie, considering that the Gear has a currently empty co-pilot seat.
Gwen responds back about the heating, and Layna grins.
"Aye, it sure is. And I'll keep that in mind! The Thames lot are good folks, very reliable." She replies. Moving across isn't easy, but eventually they locate the shiny object that had been spotting before!
...It's a novelty Solaris trading card. Layna has to shut the external communications off for a moment so they don't hear her laughing for several minutes over that.
But, with their newfound treasure in hand, they're able to move on... but Macalania is not a safe region, and the weather is capable of changing on a dime - often for the worse. That happens now, heralded by a roaring, rumbling sound. Layna hastily switches external communications back on.
"Look alive! Get behind the Corsair, quick!" She shouts, hunkering the machine down to act as a wall. There isn't much time to react as a great avalanche rushes toward them. The Gear will take the bulk of the avalanche's force, and there's an audible grunt as Layna has to push against it to keep the Corsair steady.
"...Everyone alright? Still all in one piece?" Layna calls out. Unfortunately... even if they are okay, they're surrounded by quite a bit of snow and other miscellaneous debris swept up by the avalanche. They aren't going anywhere - at least not without doing something about all of this.
"Hold on, let me..." Layna says. With the Gear caked in ice and snow it takes a bit of effort but she eventually manages to move the left arm into the proper position, switching it into pile bunker mode. The massive spike shoots forward explosively, smashing into snow and shaking up the lot of it.
She'll need a little help, though - Layna might have loosened it up, but there's still a lot to go through.
DG: Layna Manydays has used her Tool Pile-Bunker toward her party's challenge, We Come From the Land of Ice and Oh No.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Lanval has posed.
Lanval keeps breathin' bubbles for a while, content with everything as snow roars to consume them all in a massive avalanche of ice. It is not certain how content he is going to be once he is smothered in it, unable to get behind Layna in time.
A few more bubbles rise from the snow.
DG: Seraph Lanval has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward his party's challenge, We Come From the Land of Ice and Oh No.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
It's an arguable, arguable thing about whether it's any good for Josie to get her hot little hands on anything Solaris has here -- information or otherwise. Enemy of my enemy and all, yes, but between Odessa and Solaris, which nefarious organization is the worst?
(Don't... don't answer that.)
'Well I saw Josie and was like...' Fei remarks.
Josie slowly turns her head his way. "And what, you think I'm up to no good?" she remarks, weary for the moment. She yet cracks a smile, though. "Well, you're right about that one."
Getting across the ice does not... go well. Josie, who if nothing else has some faith in her ability to move about nimbly, goes flying in a long skid across the ice. She eventually comes to a rest in a snowbank.
"'d give a devil's ransom for a shower now," she mutters, shaking the snow out of her hair. "What, you find something?"
There is a long, long pause as she slips over to take a look at that shining thing Gwen's found.
"Huh."
Another long, long pause follows.
"Don't know 'im."
Another pause, still!
"Some... Solaris bigshot, yeah? ...Why's he got a card?"
From there it's a matter of onwards and upwards--
"What's that s--"
Even getting behind the Corsair helps... only a little bit, insofar as there's a pocket-ish spot where Josie ends up buried by the snow. Fortunately, it's not so much of a hard-pack situation: Josie is able to retrieve that ultimate weapon of the archaeologist adventurer--
Wait, why did you think it would be a whip? It's clearly a mattock!
She digs. She digs for her life!
DG: Josephine Lovelace has used her Tool Well-Used Mattock toward her party's challenge, We Come From the Land of Ice and Oh No.
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
"The Halcyon does, but I'd need to clean out the back." Gwen grimaces. "Also, I'd have to... actually have it."
But thankfully, Layna has hers. Just not for sharing any heat. But it *is* useful when an ominous rumble begins to resonate in the air. "... Thhat doesn't sound good."
Clutching to Layna's Gear with as much force as she can muster, Gwen tries to think of things like warm beaches and hot sand as snow spills past the party.
And, then, as she opens her eyes, Gwen realizes--
"... Well. Guess y'made a sorta air pocket with your Gear, Layna!"
.... This is.... still lucky, right...
"Okay, I'm gonna see if I can just punch it out of the way." She begins the arduous process, before realizing, as she feels her left earring against her cheek--
"... Okay, wrong direction! We're going up, right?"
Punch, punch, punch, punch, punch
".... guardians, I really am beginnin' to..." She stops her train of thought, since A. punching is beginning to heat her body up, and B. she really needs to stop thinking about how nice it'd be if she was in the very state she was in where all it took was one poke on the forehead by Isiris to make her set part of a city on fire, C. Lanval might get sad.
She's just assuming Lanval is there.
DG: Gwen Whitlock has used her Tool ARM-ored Fist toward her party's challenge, We Come From the Land of Ice and Oh No.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
"No." Fei says. "Well, I mean. I guess. But no." He shakes his head. "I thought you were going to get in trouble and get shot and die. Since you were going in alone."
He crosses his arms. "And the first thing I saw you do was be defeated by a ledge of snow."
His cheeks are kind of puffed out in a sort of half-pout but he does exhale out afterwards and just looks generally troubled afterwards. "I just don't get it still." He admits. "Maybe I was hoping I would if I did this with you."
He exhales out a sigh. "Well, maybe I'll figure it out eventually."
He seems pretty okay with that!
An avalanche starts coming down, however and a dangerous looking red aura crackles around him, despite him seeming pretty chill and relaxed, and he extends a hand--
--and unleashes a massive wave of crimson energy catapulting towards the avalanche, intending wholly on ripping a giant death beam sized hole in the snow and debris coming down towards the group, his teeth gritting, eyes narrowing as he does so.
But when he turns around--he has that relaxed expression again. "Sorry that probably drew some attention."
DG: Fei Fong Wong has used his Tool Bart Jr Doll toward his party's challenge, We Come From the Land of Ice and Oh No.
====================<* Lake Macalania - Solaris Control *>==================== ===========<* CHALLENGE - We Come From the Land of Ice and Oh No *>=========== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Brute |Challenge Rating: 3 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- Even if Solaris weren't entrenched here, this would be a dangerous land. In fact, even if Sin and Lombardia's battle hadn't made Macalania more hazardous than usual, this would be a dangerous land. This is a fact that Macalania chooses to remind you of now, as a not-so-distant roar echoes about you. An avalanche! Whether it's because of your own actions, the actions of others, or just sheer bad luck, you are swiftly entombed in a pile of snow! Now comes the hard part: how are you going to dig your way out of this mess? =Dungeon Conditions: Weaken, Injure===========================================
===============<* Lake Macalania - Solaris Control - Round 4 *>=============== =============< Results - We Come From the Land of Ice and Oh No >============= Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Josephine Lovelace 87 --(22)--> 109 Fail Well-Used Mattock 2 Brute Effects: Strengthen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Layna Manydays 87 --(5)--> 92 Pass Pile-Bunker 2 Brute Effects: Strengthen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Seraph Lanval 63 --(22)--> 85 Fail Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fei Fong Wong 75 --(5)--> 80 Pass Bart Jr Doll 3 Brute Effects: Fanfare ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gwen Whitlock 87 --(5)--> 92 Pass ARM-ored Fist 2 Brute Effects: Strengthen ----------------------------------< Party >----------------------------------- Leader: Josephine Lovelace 45 --(20)--> 65 Pass Conditions: Injure(2)|Slow(1)|Weaken(2) Effects: Strengthen(1) ==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: Josephine Lovelace is too exhausted to continue! DG: The party led by Josephine Lovelace 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> Layna Manydays has posed.
It'd be a lie to say that Layna isn't worried about Lanval, but... at the same time, she's sure he's probably fine. He's an elemental being of water, and snow is pretty much just frozen water, right?
...It's probably a good thing that she doesn't voice this opinion aloud, consideringly how hotly-contested the topic is among Seraphim communities.
She does keep an eye out for him, though, as she continues trying to help push her way through the snow.
"Aye...had a feeling it'd work. Glad it did." She replies to Gwen. And as for Fei's concern that he might have drawn attention...
"Honestly, I ain't worried about that at this point. Go wild, lad." Layna says. ...Even though he already had, what with the massive crimson death beam blasting a hole right through part of the avalanche. That'll certainly make things a lot easier for the others - namely, Gwen punching her way through, and Josie relying on her handy mattock.
It's exhausting, but, eventually, they do manage to free themselves from the frozen tomb. Some ice and snow still clings to the Corsair, but Layna's not worried about that right now.
"Looks like we made it out... how's everyone doin'?" She asks.
DG: Seraph Lanval has drawn a new Challenge.
=====================<* Lake Macalania - Solaris Control *>===================== ================<* CHALLENGE - Polar Bear Swimming This Ain't *>================ |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Brute |Challenge Rating: 3 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- Ice above all else reigns in Lake Macalania: perhaps this is only fitting given the nature of the temple and the Fayth in residence here -- as damaged as the building may be due to the catastrophic battle in the recent past. But this is a sentiment you may particularly appreciate now as the frost beneath you gives way and sends you tumbling into an until-recently hidden expanse of the snow-covered frozen-over lake! Disoriented in the chill depths of the lake, time is of the essence, even if you're in a Gear. Can you find the surface? And more importantly, are you going to be able to break through the thick sheet of ice above? =Dungeon Conditions: Collapse=================================================
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Lanval has posed.
How is everyone doing? For the time being... they're above water! Lanval's head peeks out of the snow, as a great crimson wave of energy helps clear a whole lot of it, to say nothing of the hard work of Gwen and an increasingly exhausted Josie do their part to clear out as much of it as they can.
"...'m glad ya all have," he says, "'caushe... pretty shure we're above water, but ash long ash we ain't put too much--"
He... had to speak. Well, he did, he needed to let everyone know he was okay and he was just enjoying a bubblin', but he really does have to speak of the threat they're facing here - they're above water.
Moments later, ice beneath them gives out completely, and into the frigid waters below. A shock that no one is prepared for - and it is this threat that is bound to have everyone gasping for air as their bodies struggle with the sheer shock of cold.
Already, Lanval is imparting some manner of bubbling to Josie so that she doesn't drown outright (no matter everyone's complicated feelings about what she did and how long she's led them on) - he's prepared to do the same for the others to try and help them up to the surface, but first... they need to get there.
And the ice sheet overhead? That's... a complication. For many of them, this may be one of the biggest brushes of death in a Dig they've had in some time!
DG: Seraph Lanval has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Polar Bear Swimming This Ain't.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
"Tch," Josie utters, her mouth twisted in a slight frown. "Look at you, worrying about me. Ain't I shot you enough to stave that off?" Her hand rests for a moment on her ARM, her dark gaze unreadable. "You just don't know when to give up or none, do ya." She sighs. "Worry about you and yours, Fei. Whatever you thought you had in me..."
She shakes her head and pushes onwards, apparently unwilling to answer or even give him a hint about what it is that drives her.
Then again, maybe Fei did have a point, though it's not so much the bullets that they have to worry about here.
It might be the weather instead!
"Huff," Josie exhales, breaching the ice and snow that had buried them. She flops over for a moment atop the frost, lying flat on her back. "Just gonna... lie here a sec," she utters, gazing up towards the snowy sky in spite of Lanval's warning.
"Ain't this a trip. All this way, just to get defeated by a buncha snowflakes..."
And then the ice and snow gives way outright, and Josie may be seriously reconsidering her life choices at this moment. How good is she at swimming, say?
...In ice-cold water?
Fortunately, there's a Water Seraph on the case...!
<Pose Tracker> Layna Manydays has posed.
They might have freed themselves from the avalanche... but there's yet another problem that they have to deal with.
That is, the implications of this being 'Lake' Macalania, as the ice cracks.
"...Ah, hell." Layna says with a sigh of resignation as the Corsair plunges through the ice into the depths of the lake. This may well have side-effects that cause problems for the others, too.
This...poses a problem. The Corsair might be tightly sealed against external leaks and have a despite supply of air, but neither are guaranteed to hold up for long. It would be best to surface before either system fails.
And so the Corsair surges upward, looking to punch a hole right through the ice - once again with the pile bunker attachment giving it a second, stronger strike afterward.
DG: Layna Manydays has used her Tool Pile-Bunker toward her party's challenge, Polar Bear Swimming This Ain't.
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
There's a quick scream as Gwen falls through the ice, chilled to the bone in a way few experiences could ever compare.
It's enough to make a person go senseless, to turn a body seemingly to lead.
Gwen will be the one most difficult to buoy up for anyone able to snatch her, her weight increased from the ARM's augmenting over the years.
But the frozen cold manages to ilict another reaction, allowing any efforts to not go to waste.
Electricity sings in her blood, a painful sensation that breaks through the numbness.
Fei might recognize the almost feral quality Gwen's eyes take on as she struggles with her numb arms and legs to the surface, the way her face is devoid of any hint of the easy cheer Gwen's usually has. That is, if his memories survived the brush with the girl cradling the young Gwen in the deep parts of Gwen's mind, during the attack on Luca's flower market. And if he's not more focused on survival himself.
If and when Gwen does manage to get to the surface and finds that ice greeting her fingertips, her ARM glows even further, gold like lace creeping into the nerves of her cold, pale skin as she presses the palm of her right hand against the ice, and fires a laser through the leather of her gloves, and up into the precious air beyond.
DG: Gwen Whitlock has used her Tool ARM-ored Fist toward her party's challenge, Polar Bear Swimming This Ain't.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
"...Well," Fei admits. "I won't say I'm not sour about it. But I know what Dean would do. And--there has to be a reason. I mean, I murdered a whole village so--taking some bullets is probably...fair. I guess thinking about it actually, I asked Elly to shoot me when I first met! So I guess... I don't have much room to complain! But I guess it wasn't really the getting shot part that bothered me in the first place anyway."
He sighs once, stepping forward and---LAKED.
Fei actually is strangely able to endure the icy chill through his chi control. Nevertheless, he has the presence of mind to channel Moor Gault's power and blast himself--and anyone near him--back up into the air. And if nothing else, he warms up that water quick too. That's something, right?
DG: Fei Fong Wong has used his Tool Bart Jr Doll toward his party's challenge, Polar Bear Swimming This Ain't.
=====================<* Lake Macalania - Solaris Control *>===================== ================<* CHALLENGE - Polar Bear Swimming This Ain't *>================ |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Brute |Challenge Rating: 3 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- Ice above all else reigns in Lake Macalania: perhaps this is only fitting given the nature of the temple and the Fayth in residence here -- as damaged as the building may be due to the catastrophic battle in the recent past. But this is a sentiment you may particularly appreciate now as the frost beneath you gives way and sends you tumbling into an until-recently hidden expanse of the snow-covered frozen-over lake! Disoriented in the chill depths of the lake, time is of the essence, even if you're in a Gear. Can you find the surface? And more importantly, are you going to be able to break through the thick sheet of ice above? =Dungeon Conditions: Collapse=================================================
================<* Lake Macalania - Solaris Control - Round 5 *>================
==================< Results - Polar Bear Swimming This Ain't >==================
Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Josephine Lovelace 109 --(X)--> X
Effects:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Layna Manydays 92 --(5)--> 97 Pass
Pile-Bunker 2 Brute Effects: Strengthen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seraph Lanval 85 --(22)--> 107 Fail
Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fei Fong Wong 80 --(5)--> 85 Pass
Bart Jr Doll 3 Brute Effects: Fanfare
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gwen Whitlock 92 --(5)--> 97 Pass
ARM-ored Fist 2 Brute Effects: Strengthen
-----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------
Leader: Josephine Lovelace 65 --(20)--> 85 Pass
Conditions: Collapse|Injure(1)|Weaken(1)
Effects: Strengthen(1)
===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: Seraph Lanval is too exhausted to continue! DG: The party led by Josephine Lovelace has passed this challenge! The party gained 20 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw. DG: Gwen Whitlock has drawn a new Challenge.
=====================<* Lake Macalania - Solaris Control *>===================== ====================<* CHALLENGE - Water Element Kelvena *>===================== |Type: Final |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 3 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- At last, you manage to make your way towards the centermost part of Macalania, the place where ruins of the temple rest, largely sunken beneath the ice. Solaris hasn't placed its encampment here, but it would seem they're at work on something about or within the temple ruins. "I had thought something was amiss." Suddenly, you hear a voice behind you! Upon turning, the source in question reveals herself to be none other than the current Water Element, Kelvena, one of the Elements of Solaris! As a group of powerful and highly-skilled Ether-users, the Elements are not to be trifled with. And it would seem she has tired of your meddling here and intends to settle things here and now. (GM Note: Whether she appears before you on foot or in her dolphin-shaped Gear, Marinebasher, is at your discretion.) Image: https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/xenosaga/images/d/d5/Kelvena.png =Dungeon Conditions: Fright, Bad Luck=========================================
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Lanval has posed.
When it comes to do vs. die... there is no question that everyone else is bringing out all the stops, driving deep within the parts of themselves that maybe they don't want to have to rely on.
Gwen's ARM glows like a light in the dark, cold waters as she fires that laser up against the ice, widening an ever bigger hole through the discharge of her power. This is the first sign of hope, the first true sign of fight the lot of them have to give, and it's not the last.
Fei starts to warm up the water with the power of chi, and it is such a building strength that even Lanval takes note as he's busy trying to keep an exhausted, drowning Josie to the surface under what strength he can. The ice weakens underneath this rapid heating, and from there...
Layna, on virtue of being in a Gear and thus the largest, has the most punch to the ice, working with the hole that Gwen creates to absolutely shatter it... and Lanval expends no small amount of effort using the heated water Fei is providing to produce a veritable geyser in which to give the Corsair the ability to right itself up, maybe gather everyone together, and prepare to land themselves somewhere on solid ground... for when Lanval comes down from that, he disincorporates himself into an aquamarine ball of light and flits back into a bottle somewhere in the Corsair's cockpit.
"Mmmm... 'm at my limit," says a Water Seraph who spent the better part of the last hour lounging about. He trusts Layna's got the rest handled.
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
The party is still somehow alive. Maybe Gwen's prediction is true, and they are lucky, but it's not like they're in the clear just yet. Fei's use of Moor Gault has warmed the party from freezing to death, but now that they are out in the cold air, frost is beginning to settle on any exposed bit of fabric or skin.
"I had thought something was amiss."
It's a Gear, in the shape of a dolphin, hovering in the air as if they were still in the water. While the exhaust is still as audible as would be normal for any Gear this close, it remains eerie just how quickly it managed to come upon them. Maybe they were all that exhausted? That, or this is no ordinary soldier.
A voice comes from it, soft but restrained, like that of a young woman younger than the party present.
".... I do have a question, however. Have any of you happened upon a card with a metallic cover?" A sigh is heard over the intercom. "... I suppose it's not really professional of me to ask. Anyway, it would be a wise decision to turn yourselves in, or risk freezing to death where you stand." A pause. "... Ah yes. Fei Fong Wong, is it? Since you are here, I retract my offer."
A blast of water Ether fires from the Gear, straight towards the party.
"... And instead will force you to come with us, one way or another."
<Pose Tracker> Layna Manydays has posed.
The Corsair surges upward with Lanval's support. If anyone needs help escaping the waters, Layna will pull them along for the ride. But, fortunately, they manage to escape. Layna breathes a sigh of relief... and glances toward the nearby bottle, as a familiar light enters it. Layna sends it a genuine smile.
"It's alright, lad. You've more than earned your rest, I say. Might not've made it outta that mess if it weren't for you." She says.
They only have short amount of time to recover from their ordeal, however, before a Gear in the shape of a dolphin appears. Layna frowns, and sighs.
This... is pretty serious. That's not a standard Gear model - that's all she needs to see to know that whoever is in the pilot seat is probably pretty serious.
"Sorry, lass. No can do." Layna replies. ...Of course, it turns out the offer's void, anyway. The Marinebaser fires off a burst of water and Layna moves the Corsair to intercept. "Don't think so...!"
The water blasts against the Corsair, shoving it backward. She's powerful, and they're all pretty exhausted... actually defeating her is out of the question, but maybe they can at least drive her back enough to make their escape.
"Watch yourselves...!" Layna warns the others as the Corsair draws the massive anchor from its back by the chain. At her command it begins swinging the anchor around. The warning proves... pretty apt, as the huge chunk of metal smashes through anything that gets in the way. There's a lot of potential for collateral damage.
DG: Layna Manydays has used her Tool Massive Anchor toward her party's challenge, Water Element Kelvena.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Fei blinks as there's now A GEAR here. A dolphin gear. And the dolphin is asking him about ... a trading card.
"What." Fei says.
"Wait hold on what?"
The Dolphin blasts Fei back with a blast of water ether and he hits the ground. It looks painful. "No... No really! WHAT?"
He hops to his feet and starts pointing wildly. "Who are you?? What is this card you're talking about? Is it a trading card? A trader's card??? How do you know me? Why are you a Dolphin????"
He frowns thoughtfully. "Aggghhh this is so cold...!"
He bursts into flame as he channels fire either and tries to throw himself, explosively, towards the gear.
"WHY ARE YOU A DOLPHIN????"
This is very important to him.
DG: Fei Fong Wong has used his Tool RPS Badge toward his party's challenge, Water Element Kelvena. DG: Gwen Whitlock has used her Tool Full Metal Courier toward her party's challenge, Water Element Kelvena.
=====================<* Lake Macalania - Solaris Control *>===================== ====================<* CHALLENGE - Water Element Kelvena *>===================== |Type: Final |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 3 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- At last, you manage to make your way towards the centermost part of Macalania, the place where ruins of the temple rest, largely sunken beneath the ice. Solaris hasn't placed its encampment here, but it would seem they're at work on something about or within the temple ruins. "I had thought something was amiss." Suddenly, you hear a voice behind you! Upon turning, the source in question reveals herself to be none other than the current Water Element, Kelvena, one of the Elements of Solaris! As a group of powerful and highly-skilled Ether-users, the Elements are not to be trifled with. And it would seem she has tired of your meddling here and intends to settle things here and now. (GM Note: Whether she appears before you on foot or in her dolphin-shaped Gear, Marinebasher, is at your discretion.) Image: https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/xenosaga/images/d/d5/Kelvena.png =Dungeon Conditions: Fright, Bad Luck=========================================
================<* Lake Macalania - Solaris Control - Round 6 *>================
======================< Results - Water Element Kelvena >=======================
Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail
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Josephine Lovelace 109 --(X)--> X
Effects:
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Layna Manydays 97 --(15)--> 112 Pass
Massive Anchor 3 Combat Effects: Sacrifice and Embolde
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Seraph Lanval 107 --(X)--> X
Effects:
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Fei Fong Wong 85 --(15)--> 100 Pass
RPS Badge 3 Combat Effects: Fanfare
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Gwen Whitlock 97 --(15)--> 112 Pass
Full Metal Courier 2 Combat Effects: Embolden
-----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------
Leader: Josephine Lovelace 85 --(30)--> 115 Pass
Conditions: Bad Luck(2)|Collapse|Fright(2)
Effects: Embolden(1)
===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: Layna Manydays is too exhausted to continue! DG: Gwen Whitlock is too exhausted to continue! DG: You have overcome the dungeon's trials! This run is a success! DG: The party led by Josephine Lovelace has successfully explored Lake Macalania - Solaris Control!
=====================<* Lake Macalania - Solaris Control *>===================== ===============<* CHALLENGE - A Marvelous Spell-Casting Engine *>=============== |Type: Discovery |Dungeon Ability: Conclusion|Challenge Rating: 1 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- You've done it -- against the odds, you've forced your opponent to retreat. Most likely, you won't be able to remain here long: she's likely to summon reinforcements and return to deal with you if you stick around. Whatever they're doing here may need to wait for another time. But you have a few minutes at least to help yourself to whatever you can find amidst their supplies near the site of the temple ruins. ...It's anyone's best guess what they were using this for with the ruins -- it's a spell engine for a Gear, just resting out here in the open. Once installed in a Gear, it permits the pilot to channel and use their sorcery at an appropriate scale. Getting it out of here might be a little tricky, but time is on your side. But you should probably get moving soon! =Dungeon Conditions: Treasure=================================================
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
Fei expresses his confusion in fire and many questions, rocking the Marinebasher backwards a few feet, before it steadies.
Kelvena's answer is simple, almost teasing in how she asks back: "Why not?"
A blast of lightning comes from Gwen, clashing against the Marinebasher's armor, followed by Layna's anchor, further denting the Gear's armor.
There's another pause.
It is a deadly silence, coming from a Gear that is basically floating in the air.
Inside the cockpit, it's another story:
"Did you get my trading card?"
"No, Tolone, I still haven't found it."
"It's rare! I bet one of those newbs stole it. Don't they know it's not that valuable unless it's with the entire set?!"
"Please, not now, Tolone."
"Don't 'not now' me, Kelvena! You *know* how important this is!"
"I do believe I have Fei Fong Wong in front of me, right now?"
"-Forget that Lamb-, this collection is useless if one part of it is missing!"
"TOLONE, I thought you said you *borrowed* my Blue Platinum Ramses card, not that you *lost* it."
"D-dominia! I didn't realize you were listening!"
"Tolone. Floor 2, Room B. *Now*."
".... Ah." Kelvena assesses the damage on the Marinebasher, her face staring straight ahead as she presses a few more buttons on her terminal. Another sigh. "I suppose it cannot be helped. I still would advise turning yourselves in. I see that two of your companions are likely suffering from their injuries."
Lanval is missing, and Josie is definitely down for the count, so that leaves--
Gwen, in the snow, having been knocked back by Layna's successful but risky anchor move.
"I have already called for reinforcements. They will be here shortly to, ah...." A pause. "Ah yes, I apologize, I must depart."
Quickly, the Marinebasher rises in the air, and sails towards the port.
Stumbling back away from the site, the party will come across a shrine, where there's an odd discovery: a spell engine for a Gear. With Layna, they may be able to collect it, but getting away entirely may be a new adventure in itself...
Unless Gwen is willing to let someone drive the Halcyon for her when they get to it.