2022-06-22: A Natural Cycle
- Log: A Natural Cycle
- Cast: Josephine Lovelace, Seraph Yvain, Seraph Liath, Seraph Ragnell
- Where: Glaivend Basin
- Date: June 22nd, 2022
- Summary: Josie had turned to an ally to locate the shrine of the earth trial, but as they make their slow advance towards the shrine, they encounter a pair of others, present also for reasons of their own. Traveling together, they make their own progress towards Morgause.
DG: A party led by Josephine Lovelace is now entering Morgause - Shrine of the Earth Trial. DG: Party formation is now over. An Entry Challenge will now be drawn and displayed to the party.
===================<* Morgause - Shrine of the Earth Trial *>=================== ==============<* CHALLENGE - Journey to the Center of the Earth *>============== | Type: Entry | Dungeon Ability: Brute | Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information >---------------------------- At a hidden location in the deepest depths of the forest is a cave. The cave, itself, is unremarkable from the outside. Even when you enter it is nothing special; a winding tunnel that leads back into darkness. It's only when you start walking along it that it becomes remarkable. The tunnel goes on and on, taking a winding path deeper and deeper under a mountain. There are no side tunnels that go further than a few hundred feet, so it's impossible to get lost. The tunnel is literally miles long, unlikely as it seems - but it seems naturally formed despite the improbability. Further on, strange mushrooms begin to show up, and then crystalline formations. Some of them glow. After a mile of walking you don't need light anymore; there's enough of the glowing crystals for visibility. Eventually, this tunnel opens up into a massive subterranean 'valley' filled with tree-like mushrooms and enormous crystal spires that rise hundreds of feet toward the ceiling. The floor is 'bubbled' into craters ranging from only ten or fifteen meters to as big as a hundred, or even more. Cracks have formed between the craters, forming a string of valleys and winding paths. But to get there, you have to travel for almost three miles, downward and through winding passageways. At least it's easy to not get lost. ============================= Dungeon Conditions: ============================= | Tire:_Exhaustion_Up! | = Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
It's entirely possible that if another group hadn't made their way to the earth shrine first and by ways and turns made that information available to others within a particular network, Josie would have never found it. Or at least, as it may be fairer to say -- now, in these moments prior to a forthcoming return to Filgaia for deeds best left unsaid -- that she would never have found it presently.
But Josie knows people who knows people, and thus, so it goes.
"Now ain't that a trip," Josie remarks to her 'partner' in this particular venture as she regards the absolutely massive tunnel stretching out before them. She, of course, has a cigarette in hand; she smokes it thoughtfully. "Funny how a thing can be that big and all, but you wouldn't even realize it was. Huh."
She exhales smoke in a steady stream, regarding then for the moment the cherry-red end of her cigarette. Tossing it aside after a moment more, she makes certain to grind it underfoot.
"Alrighty. Guess we're ready enough, yeah? Got your hiking boots, Yvvie?"
The tunnel leads on for a time.
And on.
"It's seriously still goin'? You sure this leads to the shrine proper, Yvvie?"
And on.
"Ugh. Never much liked mushrooms."
...And on.
"Nice crystals. Don't mind if I do." Josie, of course, has a mattock in hand quickly enough. It might help somewhat with the light -- that is, where the stands of glowing crystals don't already provide enough illumination.
"...Now ain't that a beaut! Didn't think there was anything like that around," she remarks, overlooking the subterranean valley. "...Still don't see that shrine, now."
DG: Josephine Lovelace has used her Tool Well-Used Mattock toward her party's challenge, Journey to the Center of the Earth. Strengthen! Party Brute boosted!
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Yvain has posed.
"The world is pretty big," Yvain says to Josie about her remarks. He doesn't have his pipe out; he saves that for sitting-down occasions, usually. But the Fire Seraph is walking along in sturdy boots, without his dragon mask. it is funny.
"I do," he answers about his boots, and grins to her. "On we go." And it leads on, and on....
"In theory," he says. "But it's been centuries since I was here last. The path could've changed."
A pause. "Mushrooms are great, when you cook them properly. You just need to see their potential."
He considers the glowing crystals...
"Hold on. We should at least see where the weak points are, and avoid taking too many." He pulls a red lantern, and lets its light shine over the crystals. "You realize they probably won't shine when you take them out of here," he points out.
DG: Seraph Yvain has used his Tool Lantern of Revelation toward his party's challenge, Journey to the Center of the Earth. Strengthen! Party Brute boosted!
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Liath has posed.
Yvain and Josephine Lovelace travel an unending tunnel leading to a vast valley. What once was lifeless and lightless now blooms with both, crystals ebbing their radiance to light the way for them.
Full of light and life it might be, but the two are alone.
*crk*
The two are...
*rrmmblr*
... alone...?
"PREPARE YOURSELF, BLACKGUARDS!"
The voice is distant but booming. It's also likely varying degrees of familiar to the two valley dwellers.
It's also also coming from a distant figure currently vaulting down an enormous crystal jutting from the ceiling, gleaming sword in hand.
--gleaming sword in hand--
It all happens in perhaps a frighteningly few handful of seconds. In one moment, they are <--- there.
In the next, metal heels plant into crystal in a way that makes it sing in a harmonious ring as they -launch- off the tip of it, soaring through the air --
--and landing with a GRAND kick up of dust and rock and also crystal chunks (she feels bad about that) as Liath of Althena's Guard makes her presence known, swinging her sword to point maybe an inch from Josephine and Yvain's faces.
"You shall surrender yourself immediately in the name of the Goddess or I shall strike you down without all due Yvain!"
...
A second passes by.
Wide, gold eyes once brimming with fearless and just fury now shutter in a confused blink.
"... All due Yvain?"
She squints. Purses her lips. Looks between the two of them.
"... Yvain? ... And... Lady Josephine...?"
Her head tilts, slowly.
"You are not blackguards."
She crushed some crystals for nothing, she'll never live this day down.
"That is... ... good."
DG: Seraph Liath has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Journey to the Center of the Earth.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Ragnell has posed.
On the whole, Ragnell is not really a fan of underground places. She likes the spacious freedom of the open air, not the oppressive dark of tons of rock. She doesn't complain about it, since most dungeons somehow end up being underground things; even the Lightning Shrine couldn't be accessed without going underground. All the same, she's not into the vibe. But she *is* into the company.
To whit:
"Neeeeerrrrrdddd," she drawls as Liath realizes that Yvain and Josephine are not blackguards.
Ragnell leaps down from where Liath had been, one gloved hand atop her hat, and lands nimbly next to her. "I mighta needed those crystals, too. How'm I supposed to check the quality now? How're you gonna pay me back for this? How's Azoth gonna get his next batch o' cookies??"
For all that Ragnell needles her companion, she flips a casual hand up at Josie and Yvain in greeting, then strolls over to a different crystal formation--there being plenty of them all through the tunnels--to poke it and attempt to channel a bit of lightning through it to see how well it conducts.
Probably it's easier to go back to the twins' family home if she wants to restock on those, since they're already refined, but it doesn't hurt to find a new source.
"So what brings y'all down here?" she adds as she inspects. Hopefully eventually they'll make it to the *big* crystals: the literal motherlode.
DG: Seraph Ragnell has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Journey to the Center of the Earth.
===================<* Morgause - Shrine of the Earth Trial *>=================== ==============<* CHALLENGE - Journey to the Center of the Earth *>============== | Type: Entry | Dungeon Ability: Brute | Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information >---------------------------- At a hidden location in the deepest depths of the forest is a cave. The cave, itself, is unremarkable from the outside. Even when you enter it is nothing special; a winding tunnel that leads back into darkness. It's only when you start walking along it that it becomes remarkable. The tunnel goes on and on, taking a winding path deeper and deeper under a mountain. There are no side tunnels that go further than a few hundred feet, so it's impossible to get lost. The tunnel is literally miles long, unlikely as it seems - but it seems naturally formed despite the improbability. Further on, strange mushrooms begin to show up, and then crystalline formations. Some of them glow. After a mile of walking you don't need light anymore; there's enough of the glowing crystals for visibility. Eventually, this tunnel opens up into a massive subterranean 'valley' filled with tree-like mushrooms and enormous crystal spires that rise hundreds of feet toward the ceiling. The floor is 'bubbled' into craters ranging from only ten or fifteen meters to as big as a hundred, or even more. Cracks have formed between the craters, forming a string of valleys and winding paths. But to get there, you have to travel for almost three miles, downward and through winding passageways. At least it's easy to not get lost. ============================= Dungeon Conditions: ============================= | Strengthen:_Brute_Up! and Tire:_Exhaustion_Up! | = Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
==============<* Morgause - Shrine of the Earth Trial - Round 1 *>============== ================< Results - Journey to the Center of the Earth >================ Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Josephine Lovelace 0 --(16)--> 16 Fail Well-Used Mattock 2 Brute Effects: Strengthen -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seraph Yvain 0 --(8)--> 8 Pass Lantern of Revelation 2 Brute Effects: Strengthen -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seraph Liath 0 --(8)--> 8 Pass Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seraph Ragnell 0 --(8)--> 8 Pass Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Josephine Lovelace 0 --(20)--> 20 Pass Conditions: Tire(2) Effects: Strengthen(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
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> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
"Centuries, huh? Remind me not to ask you for directions," she tells Yvain, shaking her head.
Josie makes a face. "Just don't tell me there's mushrooms in, and I'll live," she tells Yvain, waving a hand as if to say 'I'll pass'.
This is followed by a (botched) attempt to collect a glowing crystal. Her mattock strikes at a likely-looking chunk, only to bounce off. A second attempt leads to much the same. "Third time's the charm, yeah?" she tells Yvain, as he shines that latern over her work area--
There is, to put it quite simply, an interruption.
"--The Guard?" Josie starts, dropping her mattock and going for her ARM. "Wait, isn't that..."
There's a long, long pause.
"That lady. Seraph," she appends, looking Liath over once, twice. "--Er. Ain't really the lady type," she says, stooping. "Just call me 'Josie'. That'll do 'er," she finishes, rising with her mattock in hand. "...And Ragnell, right? Been a dog's year. You two thick as thieves, then?" she says, glancing between Ragnell and Liath. "You and, what's-her-name, eh... Lia?"
Almost, Josie. Almost.
"Me?" She thumbs at her chest. "Dragged down this way by this right bastard," she says, though not without a grin as she jerks her head Yvain's way. "Questin' the shrines or whatever you call it, I suppose. And you lot? You ain't on a pilgrimage, are ya?"
DG: Seraph Yvain has drawn a new Challenge.
===================<* Morgause - Shrine of the Earth Trial *>=================== ==========================<* CHALLENGE - Cockatrice *>========================== | Type: Exploration | Dungeon Ability: Combat | Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information >---------------------------- The wildlife in this strange subterranean world is equally strange, and that includes the monsters that occasionally threaten you. Like these: shaped like a chicken but scaled, except for a less reptilian and more avian head, with a long tail that fans into a multicolored 'frill' like a bird's tailfeathers. Despite their size (about half the height of a human - big for a chicken, small for a predator) they are, in fact, hunting you. They can use earth magic, but more than that, their gaze shoots a ray that turns animals to stone! It doesn't work immediately - the first blast makes you stiff and slow, the second greyish, and only the third petrified - but as the largest 'prey' animals around, they seem to have decided this party is a very rocky lunch. Thankfully, in addition to being slow to activate, the petrification wears off in about ten minutes if it isn't complete. It can also be removed with the feathers of the cockatrice, though they're not going to share unless you kill one. ============================= Dungeon Conditions: ============================= | Exhaust:_Exhaustion_Up_On_Failure!, Strengthen:_Brute_Up!, and | | Tire:_Exhaustion_Up! | = Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Yvain has posed.
"Don't ask me for directions," Yvain replies immediately. And then he laughs about the mushrooms. Of course he does.
Gleaming sword in hand, a mighty leap downward--
Yvain narrows his eyes at first, at having a sword pointed at his face. But then he spots who it is, and sees the surprise in her face, and hears 'all due Yvain'.
That confused blink will find a grin on yvain's face when it ends. "Ahahahah," he laughs merrily, "And here I thought we'd had a problem on our hands!"
"Don't worry about it," he counsels Josie, who seems not to be worrying about it pretty well. "I'm not a blackguard this century, anyway," he says to Liath in the meantime. He keeps grinning, even as Ragnell 'helps'. But Josie gets to the answer first.
"I haven't sensed the Trial Keeper yet," he admits, "But I'm looking for the shrine, yes. ...Partly for that reason."
But soon enough, there are monsters on the approach; a small predator launches one of its terrible beams at Josie!! If it its, it'll make her stiff and slow. The cockatrices come out of nowhere, seemingly, perhaps drawn by all the mattock noise and also jumping and shouting noise, because there's a lot of both. Their earth magic shakes the ground.
Yvain immediately lights up the room with a fiery blessing on the party. "Look alive," he says. "We've been spotted."
DG: Seraph Yvain has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Cockatrice.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Liath has posed.
Neeeeerrrrrdddd
Neeeeerrrrrdddd
Neeeeerrrrrdddd
Liath's right brow spasms out a jolt of ultimate annoyance.
And it is here all her confusion is lost so that she might spin around and -point- her sword tip at Ragnell.
-Accusationally-.
"The onus of nerd is placed squarely on your shoulders, Ragnell!!"
says Liath,
who hasn't the faintest what a nerd is but is sure it is something terrible.
"And FURTHERMORE--" she begins, until the Lightning Seraph brings up the matter of the crystals. Liath blinks. And it is a testament to how easily Ragnell of all people can trick her companion that Liath's expression instantly turns to the dour, the upset tug of her frown coming from a place of dejected failure rather than simmering irritation to be directed at various rapscallions named Ragnell.
"It was not my intent," she insists, after a moment. "I did not mean to compromise his cookies--" somehow she says this with -painful sincerity- "but if there were untoward intruders sullying this hallowed space then it is my duty to-- to--"
And here, her brows screw together.
"-- you are attempting to guilt me, you flatigious fustilarian!!"
And so it goes. And so it would also continue to go, if Ragnell's question to their newfound company didn't interrupt her. Liath's cheeks puff in indignance -- but it is to them that her attention returns, as Josie offers her mildest correction, and then ventures a name.
"It is Liath, Lady Josie."
Almost, Liath. Almost.
"And it is an honor to formally meet."
And this, too, she seems painfully sincere about.
She listens, though. And as Josephine and Yvain explain their reasoning, Liath's brows knit together faintly.
"... Do you mean to say you are..."
She begins, about to sheathe her sword -- when she feels something. A faint tension in the air. Her eyes narrow.
And without so much as a second lost she spins, -thrusting- that sword forward. Light sparks --
And a spear-like cannonade of prismatic hues erupt from its bladetip, screaming a path towards the lead cockatrice just as Yvain makes note of their presence.
"It would seem our answer will have to wait, Yvain."
And off she springs, straight into the fray.
DG: Seraph Liath has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Cockatrice.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Ragnell has posed.
"She's got a point. Josie ain't the 'lady' type for sure," Ragnell comments to Liath. To Josie herself, she snorts derisively. "Do I look like the pilgrimagin' type? Nah, I'm here to find materials for a new batch o' cookies."
...There's a lot to dig into there. It might be best to just not.
She grins at Yvain, though. "Shrines always got the best loot. That's why Lady Liath here is helpin' me loot it," she says brightly. She might be lying just to annoy Liath.
After all, Liath is *so much fun* to annoy, as she proves when she whirls around and points that sword at her and tries her very hardest to go 'NO U!!1' Ragnell's grin only broadens, which remains the case as Liath flusters over the cookies--only to realize what she's doing. "You just noticed?" she drawls playfully, bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet as if thoroughly enjoying herself.
Because, after all, she is.
But a cockatrice leaps out then at Josie to try to make a meal out of her! Ragnell doesn't have strong feelings about Josie one way or another, but she *does* enjoy a good fight, so she quickdraws one of her pistols and fires a bolt at its head. As more cockatrices screech and leap out to join their kin in the fight, Ragnell half-turns as she draws her other pistol and starts firing in all monster-including directions.
"Better'n lookin' dead," she quips at Yvain.
DG: Seraph Ragnell has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Cockatrice.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
"Who's to say? I've seen some unruly-like types 'round these places lately," she tells Ragnell, and the fact that she's bared her teeth in a lopsided grin, coupled with that precise glint in her eye, might just suggest she's lumping herself in with that particular clade. "...For cookies? What, like salt crystals?"
She may regret pressing this.
It takes all Josie has to maintain a straight face--
No, that's a lie. She's out and out laughing over there, clapping a knee with the palm of her good hand. At least she does manage to pull herself together before addressing Liath again. Because Liath is her correct and full name.
"Josie," she gently (yes, really) corrects. "Just 'Josie'."
Will this manage to stick? It seems dubious.
"...Say we are what?" Perhaps as dubious as the expression now on Josie's face, one pale eyebrow arched in consternation. But she turns her head after a moment more, at Yvain's remark. "Ain't sensed the caretaker? Don't suppose they've gone AWOL?" she remarks to Yvain, which, as it happens is mere moments before --
"Oh, Fengalon's teeth."
-- trouble arrives. "Ain't this a pretty pickle. Right! You lot make yourself scarce," she says, fishing out her flask and after a brief moment of trouble with the cork (her teeth solve the problem) has herself a nip. "Now, if I remember right, they've a weak spot riiight between the..."
Drawing the shotgun in one smooth motion she levels it before the nearer of the cockatrices (which are... really converging on her, huh) and opens fire.
"These things just unfriendly-like to humans?" she calls out as spent shells dance on stone.
DG: Josephine Lovelace has used her Tool Liquid Courage toward her party's challenge, Cockatrice. Rally!
===================<* Morgause - Shrine of the Earth Trial *>=================== ==========================<* CHALLENGE - Cockatrice *>========================== | Type: Exploration | Dungeon Ability: Combat | Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information >---------------------------- The wildlife in this strange subterranean world is equally strange, and that includes the monsters that occasionally threaten you. Like these: shaped like a chicken but scaled, except for a less reptilian and more avian head, with a long tail that fans into a multicolored 'frill' like a bird's tailfeathers. Despite their size (about half the height of a human - big for a chicken, small for a predator) they are, in fact, hunting you. They can use earth magic, but more than that, their gaze shoots a ray that turns animals to stone! It doesn't work immediately - the first blast makes you stiff and slow, the second greyish, and only the third petrified - but as the largest 'prey' animals around, they seem to have decided this party is a very rocky lunch. Thankfully, in addition to being slow to activate, the petrification wears off in about ten minutes if it isn't complete. It can also be removed with the feathers of the cockatrice, though they're not going to share unless you kill one. ============================= Dungeon Conditions: ============================= | Exhaust:_Exhaustion_Up_On_Failure! and Tire:_Exhaustion_Up! | = Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
==============<* Morgause - Shrine of the Earth Trial - Round 2 *>============== ============================< Results - Cockatrice >============================ Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Josephine Lovelace 16 --(8)--> 24 Pass Liquid Courage 3 Combat Effects: Rally -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seraph Yvain 8 --(8)--> 16 Pass Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seraph Liath 8 --(8)--> 16 Pass Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seraph Ragnell 8 --(8)--> 16 Pass Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Josephine Lovelace 20 --(20)--> 40 Pass Conditions: Exhaust(1)|Tire(1) Effects: ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
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> Seraph Yvain has posed.
Yvain doesn't even try not to laugh at Liath and Ragnell's exchange. There's just no bothering with it. The incredible sincerity Liath brings to bear, the way she says it--
But of course Ragnell is unlikely to share her own reasons. he definitely decides to Just Not. "Of course," he says. "In your long history as a sacred site looter." He nods solemnly.
But what was Liath going to ask? It is a mystery for now; Yvain is curious, but he does not bring it up in the middle of a battle.
And speaking of the battle, it goes quickly. Between Liath's powerful light magic, Ragnell's pistol, and Josuie's shotgun, the cockatrices are sone gone-atrcies. But the question is fair. "They're just hungry, I think." Those that survived are fleeing accordingly; this meal wasn't worth it after all.
"True," he says to Ragnell. "Dead doesn't look good on many."
DG: Seraph Liath has drawn a new Challenge.
===================<* Morgause - Shrine of the Earth Trial *>=================== ========================<* CHALLENGE - Fungal Forest *>========================= | Type: Exploration | Dungeon Ability: Wits | Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information >---------------------------- The direction you have chosen to travel leads into a forest. Not of green and leafy trees, but of towering mushrooms ten or twenty feet tall, growing in clusters wherever there is more than just bare rock to cling to. Strange mosses and smaller mushrooms fill the undergrowth, with the occasional slimy mold. It's as hard to tell which direction you're going as the deeps of any forest - harder, because there is no sun to orient by, only a faint omnidirectional glow from crystals on the walls and ceiling of this cave. Worse, getting too close to the mushrooms sometimes makes them emit a cloud of spores - harmless, but they hang in the air like a fog cloud. Can you get through the forest of mushrooms, or will you be lost for hours? ============================= Dungeon Conditions: ============================= | Exhaust:_Exhaustion_Up_On_Failure!, Reckless:_Wits_Down!_Brute_Up!, and | | Tire:_Exhaustion_Up! | = Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Liath has posed.
"Anyone may be a lady," insists Liath firmly, in the moments before the cockatricetrophy.
"It is no matter of bearing, but the nobility of the heart."
And then:
mythical bird murder.
Liath dances the dance of violence masterfully, and with grace aplenty. She also, it seems, knows the value of restraint: as the cockatrices flee in the aftermath of their united offensive, the Liath Seraph does not pursue, instead choosing to watch until she is sure they are out of eyesight before she sheathes Joyeuse with a single, smooth motion.
"They are cookies for a dear companion of Ragnell's," Liath finally answers in the Lightning Seraph's place because, of course, Ragnell might forget to qualify that Azoth is a dear companion. "They require a certain conductivity."
... this probably doesn't help much but at least it provides further context (and questions)??
"I chose to join her. I've reasons for pursuing the shrines myself, but they are my own."
At least, even when Liath can't provide an answer, she is damnably honest about it.
With that, she looks back at the other duo, offering a simple smile.
"Such journeys are oft made more joyous in good company, however. We would be honored to accompany you further, if you would have us."
And with that, at least -- regardless of answer, Liath pushes forward, deeper into the deep caverns of the trial shrine. The glow of crystals is refreshing to her, despite how far from the light of the sun they are. She closes her eyes, letting the ebb of them provide direction. Until...
"... mm?"
Gold eyes crack open.
And peer at a far-stretching forest of fungi towering over her.
"Ah. We are in a mushroom maze," she declares, as if this was only to be expected. "Worry not. I shall find the way forward."
And with that, Liath marches. Without waiting. Or trying to guesstimate a likely path out. Or formulating any sort of plan at all.
Look. She knows what she's doing. She said so!
It should be fine(?).
DG: Seraph Liath has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Fungal Forest.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Ragnell has posed.
Ragnell grins right back at Josie. "What a coincidence. Me too," she drawls, winking. Like salt crystals, though? "No, like silicon crystals. Haven't you ever opened up a cookbook, dummy?"
(Ragnell's just fucking with her. Though Liath's mention that they're for a 'dear companion' of hers gets a harrumph and a certain lack of argument.)
Meanwhile, Liath addresses her as Lady Josie and insists by implication that Josie has a noble heart. Ragnell shrugs a broad shrug behind Liath at Josie and shakes her head. She does bask in her and Yvain's enjoyment of their banter, though. Isn't it the *best*, most adorable banter you've ever heard? You don't need to answer. She already knows it is.
"Exactly! You get me, Yvain," Ragnell says just as solemnly before throwing him a cheeky wink too. She doesn't chime in on the Trial Keeper, but she does turn her gaze forward. Cockamurder happens, and soon the path is clear. "Yeah, you got more meat on your bones than we would," she adds dryly.
Liath suggests they all join forces. Ragnell glances at her, then shrugs. "Yeah, sure, I don't mind," she says. "The more, the merrier, or whatever, right?"
They soon reach a mushroom maze. Liath declares she'll find the way and charges forward. Ragnell makes a face at her back, rolls her eyes over to Yvain and Josie, and pulls out a polished silver harmonica from somewhere on her person. Bringing it to her lips, she begins to play a slow, easygoing blues tune. It might help give them a sense of where things are via echolocation... or it might just help clear their minds and keep them focused. Either way, it should be of *some* help. Maybe. Probably. Hopefully??
DG: Seraph Ragnell has used her Tool Polished Harmonica toward her party's challenge, Fungal Forest. Cleanse! All negative effects will be cleared at the end of the round!
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
"Nobility of the heart, eh?" Josie remarks, wearing the sort of smile someone might just before being the bearer of some very unfortunate news. But at least for the sake of Liath's pure heart she doesn't say anything... immediately.
"Ain't much for cooking, no. ...Wait, silicon crystals?" There's a pause, probably as Josie tries to place that. "Like... d'ya mean sand?"
Further discussion along this line has to wait its turn: there's monstrous birds to be managed.
Cockatrices, even if it's a choice between a fine meal and... whatever else they feed on in this space, know when they're licked. The survivors make tracks as Josie reholsters the ARM. "If'n they know what's good for 'em, the rest'll stay outta sight," she drawls, before rolling her shoulders in a loose manner.
"Certain conductivity, eh? Well, suits them that likes sand in their cookies!" She waves a hand through the air, dismissively. "Anyhow... looks like we're headed in the same direction, right? What's that saying again, many hands make idle work?" Josie pauses after scarcely a moment can pass, her expression growing sublimely doubtful regarding her own words. "Wait..."
Almost had it. Almost.
"...Anyhow! Suits me fine. Yvvie?" She glances his way, as if to prompt him.
But while there are crystals lighting the way at first as they venture forth...
...crystals eventually give way to something else. "...Oh, lovely," Josie sighs, glancing up and grimacing faintly. "Sure hope I ain't getting a colony in my lungs or none." Perhaps it's this line of thinking that has her -- with a snap and a scent of ozone -- light up a cigarette and take a drag. "All a mushroom wants to do is eat you, right? All I hope's they wait till I'm good and gone, first. Right, I'll follow up behind if you're on ahead, Lia!"
It occurs to her that she's the only one here who is flesh and blood.
Her response to that is to keep on smoking her cigarette, her expression flattening into that point between 'concern' and 'annoyance'. Even the reckless sort have their exclusions to the same.
DG: Josephine Lovelace has used her Tool Pack of Cigarettes toward her party's challenge, Fungal Forest. Cleanse! All negative effects will be cleared at the end of the round!
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Yvain has posed.
Anyone may be a lady, but...
Well, Yvain doesn't step in. it's Josie's place to say that or not. But the cookies... hm. "Conductive cookies... Well, I've heard stranger." Liath mentions she has reasons for pursuing the shrines, but they are her own. Yvain can respect that; he hasn't exactly shared the other reasons he's sending mortals around these places. He doesn't elaborate. However...
"Yes," Yvain says, "I'm for traveling together on this one."
Then he grins at Ragnell again. The mushroom maze... Hmmm.
Yvain, for his part, pulls a jug of cider and takes a drink as they go through the maze, offering it to Josie next. "it's fine," he says. "Maybe this time it's 'nobility of the lungs' instead..."
He is not too worried about how long this takes.
DG: Seraph Yvain has used his Tool Cider Jug toward his party's challenge, Fungal Forest. Stalwart! Party shielded from some Exhaustion this round!
===================<* Morgause - Shrine of the Earth Trial *>=================== ========================<* CHALLENGE - Fungal Forest *>========================= | Type: Exploration | Dungeon Ability: Wits | Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information >---------------------------- The direction you have chosen to travel leads into a forest. Not of green and leafy trees, but of towering mushrooms ten or twenty feet tall, growing in clusters wherever there is more than just bare rock to cling to. Strange mosses and smaller mushrooms fill the undergrowth, with the occasional slimy mold. It's as hard to tell which direction you're going as the deeps of any forest - harder, because there is no sun to orient by, only a faint omnidirectional glow from crystals on the walls and ceiling of this cave. Worse, getting too close to the mushrooms sometimes makes them emit a cloud of spores - harmless, but they hang in the air like a fog cloud. Can you get through the forest of mushrooms, or will you be lost for hours? ============================= Dungeon Conditions: ============================= | Cleanse:_All_Effects_Removed! and Reckless:_Wits_Down!_Brute_Up! | = Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
==============<* Morgause - Shrine of the Earth Trial - Round 3 *>============== ==========================< Results - Fungal Forest >=========================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Josephine Lovelace 24 --(15)--> 39 Fail Pack of Cigarettes 1 Wits Effects: Cleanse -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seraph Yvain 16 --(10)--> 26 Fail Cider Jug 2 Wits Effects: Stalwart -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seraph Liath 16 --(15)--> 31 Fail Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seraph Ragnell 16 --(7)--> 23 Pass Polished Harmonica 1 Wits Effects: Cleanse -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Josephine Lovelace 40 --(15)--> 55 Fail Conditions: Reckless(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: Josephine Lovelace has drawn a new Challenge.
===================<* Morgause - Shrine of the Earth Trial *>=================== =======================<* CHALLENGE - End of the Line *>======================== | Type: Exploration | Dungeon Ability: Brute | Challenge Rating: 1 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information >---------------------------- You follow a rising path out of the previous chamber and into a new one that leads onto a small outcropping with a glittering crystal. Getting anywhere near the crystal teleports you - and your entire group - to a new crater. There are no obvious routes out. The only solution is to climb out - and it's not an easy climb. It has remarkably high sides, though they're craggy and can be climbed, with effort and teamwork. If this entire region is the Earth Shrine, it must be one of its tests. When you do make it out, you are nowhere near your previous location. Still in the same underground, but none of the nearby craters look familiar. Time to chart a new path! ============================= Dungeon Conditions: ============================= | Cleanse:_All_Effects_Removed!, Reckless:_Wits_Down!_Brute_Up!, and | | Weaken:_Brute_Down! | = Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Liath has posed.
Even across time and lives, some things stay the same.
It goes like this: Liath has many virtues. The fact that she is stubborn and headstrong are not among them (usually). When she makes a decision she sticks to it and refuses to yield on it until she has been inexorably and undeniably proven wrong.
Case in point: Liath determines the path forward, and starts to march.
And march.
And march.............
She is very insistent that this is the right way even as she grows increasingly, visibly frustrated at each dead end they hit.
"Be silent, Ragnell, I know what I am doing," she says, preemptively, at at least one point.
It's by the fifth dead end she decides the No, it's the Mushrooms Who are Wrong and starts trying to just cleave her way through every fungal fence she finds to just carve a shortcut through the maze.
By the time her sword strikes literal rock that she, cheek-puffed, just STOMPS her way past the party, declaring,
"FINE! If you wish to look so damnably smug, Ragnell, why do YOU not try your hand at guiding us out of here!"
She does not know if Ragnell's looking smug; it's an educated guess based on centuries of experience.
And when they finally reach the end of the maze after ceding the lead, Liath simply frowns.
She frowns.
For a solid fifteen seconds of frowning defeat.
"This means nothing, it was mere process of elimination."
Liath is normally a very graceful loser.
but there are certain exceptions
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Ragnell has posed.
Ragnell doesn't say anything.
She just grins. And grins. And grins. And *grins*.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
There are just. So many. Mushrooms.
"Ain't right. Eatin' something that eats you," Josie says, suppressing a shudder as she glances up at a particular towering truffle. "And it ain't like, a bear eatin' you or none. It's like... eh, decay itself. Like eating that," she says, smoking like a chimney as she trails after the others, in an attempt to explain the source of her unease around mushrooms (and the eating thereof).
Even smoking doesn't really help all that much, if she's being honest about her feelings. At least they eventually, eventually, eventually find their way through.
"Ain't that a how-de-do," is her summation of events, though not without a slight smile as she gazes upon Ragnell and Liath from behind. Heh heh heh.
The maze deposits them on a particular outcropping, the bulk of which is occupied by a largeish and glittering crystal. "Ain't that a beauty," Josie remarks, but when she approaches it--
*bip*
--she and in fact the rest of them find themselves in another place altogether.
"...Coulda sworn we were elsewhere, like," Josie says, turning this way and that. She's summoned a small glowing sphere in her free hand, aiding her vision in their (somewhat darker) new position. "A teleporting crystal? ...Don't see it near. 'Course, ain't like I can see all that much, here," she says, gesturing with her free hand. "Maybe we'll get the right of things if we climb outta here. Wonder what made a crater, though."
The glowing sphere takes up orbit near to her head with a flick of the wrist. She, meanwhile, has approached the rim and found that it's much, much steeper than she thought. They're not going to be able to climb out of here.
Not without some work.
"Right, time to go back to basics," she calls out, hefting that mattock. "A little work here and there'll see us a way up, yeah?"
DG: Josephine Lovelace has used her Tool Well-Used Mattock toward her party's challenge, End of the Line. Strengthen! Party Brute boosted!
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Yvain has posed.
"Why, Josie," Yvain says of mushrooms and Josephine, "I had no idea that you were so squeamish."
Amused, he travels on, patient with the trial and error, until at the end--"Ahahahahah," he laughs. "Of course. Process of elimination."
He grins, too.
But the beautiful crystals and the way they change spots--
"Hmm, looks like," he says of the teleportation. He also wonders what made the crater. "Let's see..."
Yvain hefts his lantern, which sheds red light on the cavern wall, offering a sign of the weak points that could be turned into handholds fairly easily.
"Maybe more than a little work."
DG: Seraph Yvain has used his Tool Lantern of Revelation toward his party's challenge, End of the Line. Strengthen! Party Brute boosted!
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Ragnell has posed.
"What d'you mean, it 'ain't right'? Don't you eat meat?" Ragnell asks Josie, her entire demeanor thoroughly amused. "You're jus' mad 'cuz you think nothin' should be eatin' you in the first place." That's mortals for you, her tone seems to say. Still, when Josie goes on to explain that it's different from getting eaten by a bear, it's the whole process of decay itself, she shrugs. "Doesn't sound so bad t' me. Decay's a part o' th' circle o' life an' death, ain't that right, Yvain?"
But yes, they do find their way through. And Ragnell and Liath are *adorable* the whole time, if Ragnell says so herself. (She probably does say so herself.) Ragnell perks in interest when she sees the crystals, approaching along with Josie--
*bip*
"Son of a gun," she complains, now frowning. A teleporting crystal? "Sure seems like it. What a pain."
What *did* make a crater? It's a good question. Ragnell has no insights, so she focuses on the climb--until it becomes clear that a regular climb won't do. She frowns up at the rim, shakes her head, and reaches into her travel back.
"Guess we got no choice. Here, have a snack. It'll keep your strength up," she says, handing out some spicy jerky to the others before snapping into some herself. There's magic in it; it'll keep them from tiring out. Such is the power of Snack Preparation.
DG: Seraph Ragnell has used her Tool Spicy Jerky toward her party's challenge, End of the Line. Strengthen! Party Brute boosted!
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Liath has posed.
"It is a natural cycle. Life becomes death, which feeds further life."
...
"But I do not agree with Ragnell."
didn't she just agree with--
Maybe Liath is still slightly sour. A fact that endures until...
A crystal.
It is large. Beautiful. It sheds a faint, glimmery glow.
And there's something about the way the ley flows here that...
Liath stirs out of the angry pout she had been diligently maintaining until that point as gold eyes widen.
"Hold, there is something am--"
*bip*
"--iss."
And suddenly, the Seraph of Light finds herself in the middle of somewhere she absolutely was not before. She blinks. Her brows furrow.
"Drawing us through the Earthpulse, perhaps...?" muses Liath, for a few, chin-cupping seconds of thought. "Mm. I suppose there is naught to be gained in dwelling on it now. There is a more immediate matter to address."
The fact that they're basically in a rock pit.
Motes of colors from blue to green to pink to brown float around Liath, providing prismatic illumination as she considers the wall of dense rock that Josephine approaches with her mattock.
Yvain is lighting the way, offering up weaknesses in the otherwise unyielding mineral outcropping.
"..."
Liath approaches --
-- takes a moment to pluck a jerky with a "you've my gratitude, Ragnell" of warmth for the Lightning Seraph since Liath is choosing to interpret this as an olive branch --
--and then she punches the earth.
CRUNCH
... She just... punches a wall of rock. Hard enough that it'll - with any luck - turn into a handhold. And then --
CRUNCH -- CRACK -- CRUNCH -- KWOMMMM--
She apparently intends to just keep doing it alongside the work of Josephine's mattock, to create a path up and out.
With the divine power of her fists.
DG: Seraph Liath has used her Tool Goddess Gloves toward her party's challenge, End of the Line. Strengthen! Party Brute boosted!
===================<* Morgause - Shrine of the Earth Trial *>=================== =======================<* CHALLENGE - End of the Line *>======================== | Type: Exploration | Dungeon Ability: Brute | Challenge Rating: 1 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information >---------------------------- You follow a rising path out of the previous chamber and into a new one that leads onto a small outcropping with a glittering crystal. Getting anywhere near the crystal teleports you - and your entire group - to a new crater. There are no obvious routes out. The only solution is to climb out - and it's not an easy climb. It has remarkably high sides, though they're craggy and can be climbed, with effort and teamwork. If this entire region is the Earth Shrine, it must be one of its tests. When you do make it out, you are nowhere near your previous location. Still in the same underground, but none of the nearby craters look familiar. Time to chart a new path! ============================= Dungeon Conditions: ============================= | Reckless:_Wits_Down!_Brute_Up!, Strengthen:_Brute_Up!, and | | Weaken:_Brute_Down! | = Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
==============<* Morgause - Shrine of the Earth Trial - Round 4 *>============== =========================< Results - End of the Line >========================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Josephine Lovelace 39 --(5)--> 44 Pass Well-Used Mattock 2 Brute Effects: Strengthen -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seraph Yvain 26 --(5)--> 31 Pass Lantern of Revelation 2 Brute Effects: Strengthen -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seraph Liath 31 --(5)--> 36 Pass Goddess Gloves 2 Brute Effects: Strengthen -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seraph Ragnell 23 --(5)--> 28 Pass Spicy Jerky 2 Brute Effects: Strengthen -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Josephine Lovelace 55 --(20)--> 75 Pass Conditions: Reckless(1)|Weaken(2) Effects: Strengthen(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
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: Seraph Yvain has drawn a new Challenge.
===================<* Morgause - Shrine of the Earth Trial *>=================== =======================<* CHALLENGE - The Living Wall *>======================== | Type: Climax | Dungeon Ability: Agility | Challenge Rating: 3 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information >---------------------------- As you reach the end of the valleys, you can see the actual structure of the shrine itself. The problem: the statue sits on top of a butte, standing high above your current position. The butte's slimness and height combine to make it look almost like a tower. But one the side of the butte is not stone. It's covered in vines - an impossibly thick and dense riot of vines climbing what must be stone, deep down, but at this point is mostly more vines; braided and twined around one another for several feet, it's impossible to see the craggy butte itself on that side. Some of the vines are as thick as an arm, or even a large man's waist, with leaves bigger than two hands held flat next to each other. The size and scale of the greenery is unnatural. If you're careful, you might be able to climb the vines. But being lightly rooted, not all of them can take a human's weight, and some of them are not entirely safe in their own right, thorns ready to dig into unwary hands or a sap that causes itchiness. ============================= Dungeon Conditions: ============================= | Reckless:_Wits_Down!_Brute_Up!, Strengthen:_Brute_Up!, | | Tire:_Exhaustion_Up!, and Weaken:_Brute_Down! | = Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
"Tch," Josie huffs, folding her arms across her chest. "Easy for you lot to say. Nothin's gonna ever eat you when you're dead and gone." Can a Seraph even die in a way that matters, in the way that the natural cycle of the world plays out? Or does their essence instead return to the background spiritual pulse of Lunar? And if they can die, what would happen to them on Filgaia?
Josie has but a moment to mull over such existential matters before she tosses her cigarette aside, before she encounters that strange glittering crystal.
"Didn't think they could form natural-like. Always assumed an enchantment was involved, or what," Josie remarks, trying to get the lay of the land (such that it is, when they're all stuck in a hole). "Well, you learn something new all the time," she settles for, satisfied that there's apparently no easy way out of here.
"Don't mind if I do," she remarks, setting down her mattock a moment to take (and consume) a piece of jerky.
At least Yvain's lantern illuminates a few key points on the wall. Josie points, finishing her snack. "There," she says, wiping her glove off against her jacket. "Looks like it's all cracked and such there. Seems likely enough, yeah?"
Retrieving her mattock, she sets about her end of business the hard way. And it is hard: it's long, difficult, somewhat painful work. But with time and Liath's assistance, they have carved a way upwards and over the lip of the crater.
She lets out a low whistle. "...Can't even see where we were or none," Josie says, turning about in an attempt to spot the crystal once she's out.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Yvain has posed.
Yvain looks at Ragnell with some amusement,but he does answer, "The body is the body. You won't be using it by that point. I think it's nice that it can become part of the cycle of life..." A beat, "Though I'm in no rush to welcome mortals to that side of it."
But eventually, they make their way up, and once they get there...
There's more 'up' to go. Yvain glances at Liath, for a moment. "I don't think your mighty fists are going to do it for this one. ...Impressive work, though."
He did of course also take one of Ragnell's snack. He appreciated it. "I'll have to get that recipe," he reflects, as he looks up.. up...up.
The shrine itself is there; the status is high above their position, even from here. It is like a tower... but the riot of vines that climb it braid and twist over one another.
"I think we already have all the handholds we need. Just watch your hands--those thorns are no joke."
He pulls his boomerang, and keeps it in hand, planning to use it to test the vines to see if they'll hold his--and the others`--weight as they go.
DG: Seraph Yvain has used his Tool Magic Boomerang toward his party's challenge, The Living Wall. Quicken! Party Agility boosted!
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
"It ain't about whether I'm using it, Yvvie," Josie grouses, but goes no further on this particular topic. Her mind on the matter is already made up: mushrooms are gross and creepy.
And it hardly seems the right moment to ask some fairly existential questions about Seraphim and their manner of living.
In any case, once they've solved the problem of the crater they'd been teleported into and have extracted themselves from said crater, it doesn't take long for them to spot the position of the actual shrine. "Well, I'll be. That's sure a place to stick a shrine, huh!" Josie remarks, hands on her hips. "Gonna be hell and a half gettin' up, though."
Especially with her particular trouble.
She shrugs, though, and approaches the wall. "If'n I die," she says, pausing just a moment with her good hand on the wall, "don't put me in the ground."
Looping a vine around her bad forearm, she'll do her best with what she's got available to her. But it's going to be a long way up.
DG: Josephine Lovelace has contributed a risky Agility Action toward her party's challenge, The Living Wall.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Ragnell has posed.
"You're welcome, Li," Ragnell says loftily, because she knows better than to argue things with Liath (she knows better. that doesn't mean she won't do it anyway for the fun of it). She nods thoughtfully when Liath muses that they may have taken a brief trip through the Earthpulse. "Could be. That's one way o' doin' it, certainly."
She smiles anew when Liath starts punching rock until it submits to her. "Classic Liath," she remarks with open affection.
Meanwhile, Josie calls out the Seraphim for not being beings that *can* decay. "You got us there!" she chirps. If she has any answers to those existential matters, she keeps them to herself. It's not as though the fates of Seraphim would affect a mortal, and Yvain has nice enough things to say instead. She simply supplies snacks, and support, as everyone else does the work, then profits from it once it's all over.
"The trick is just a *pinch* of a special spice blend I got," she tells Yvain. "More'n that and it'll be too much for the corporeal. Well, most of 'em, anyway."
The lot of them reach a butte, on top of which rests the center of the Earth Shrine. Vines climb up its sides, and Ragnell lifts her head to survey them. "Sure will be," Ragnell comments to Josie. "So would you rather get burned to ash, dumped in the ocean, or scattered to th' four winds?"
Despite the morbid question, she's chill enough as she takes one of those vine-ropes and starts her own climb. She's confident in her speed, and if one of the vines comes loose, she can do a short-range teleport of her own to move to a more stable spot. Easy! ...right?
DG: Seraph Ragnell has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, The Living Wall.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Liath has posed.
By the time they reach the top, Liath pulls herself to her feet calmly. She takes her time to wipe her hands of dirt and dust before patting down her skirts to loose stray rubble from them.
Only then does she turn her head, a picture of pristine grace, if it weren't for the jerky dangling between her lips because she couldn't punch -and- hold onto her jerky.
"They have sufficed for this much at least," she says, her jerky stick bobbing up and down rhythmically with her words. She looks Yvain's way and smiles around said jerky warmly, eyes squint shut, the mirth of her smile enough to send the jerky up enough to lightly bump against her nose.
"My thanks for your praise, Yvain."
Whereupon she finally realizes she has jerky left, "ah!"s faintly, and resumes chewing.
It is when she's at the last jerky vestiges that she looks upon that grand butte and the Earth Shrine so close, and yet so far. Gold eyes peer upon the vines.
"... But where fists shall not suffice..."
Those prismatic lights swirling around Liath condense towards her palm. And there, summoned from some unknown space, forms a simple, silver hourglass.
Liath brings it up towards her forehead, murmurs a "thank you" to it, and then,
"... other tools may yet suffice."
She shatters the thing.
Glass flies.
And then it suspends.
And through the glittering, silver sands of the hourglass, time seems to...
... s l o w. . .
Until everything around them moves like molasses save themselves as Liath takes hold of one of those ropes and begins to climb, using the slowed speed to look for any problems or slippage to be wary of as she ascends.
"Ragnell's jerky is second to none," she asides, simply, as she climbs. "There is no other person whose meals I am gladder to partake in than hers."
And that praise comes as easily and sincerely as does her endless, Ragnell-based annoyances.
"--I cannot see to your will, Lady Josie, but fear not -- you are stronger than this trial."
Of this she is certain. But all the same--
"And I've no doubt these two shall honor your final wishes if not."
Best to offer some assurances.
DG: Seraph Liath has used her Tool Silver Hourglass toward her party's challenge, The Living Wall. Quicken! Party Agility boosted!
===================<* Morgause - Shrine of the Earth Trial *>=================== =======================<* CHALLENGE - The Living Wall *>======================== | Type: Climax | Dungeon Ability: Agility | Challenge Rating: 3 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information >---------------------------- As you reach the end of the valleys, you can see the actual structure of the shrine itself. The problem: the statue sits on top of a butte, standing high above your current position. The butte's slimness and height combine to make it look almost like a tower. But one the side of the butte is not stone. It's covered in vines - an impossibly thick and dense riot of vines climbing what must be stone, deep down, but at this point is mostly more vines; braided and twined around one another for several feet, it's impossible to see the craggy butte itself on that side. Some of the vines are as thick as an arm, or even a large man's waist, with leaves bigger than two hands held flat next to each other. The size and scale of the greenery is unnatural. If you're careful, you might be able to climb the vines. But being lightly rooted, not all of them can take a human's weight, and some of them are not entirely safe in their own right, thorns ready to dig into unwary hands or a sap that causes itchiness. ============================= Dungeon Conditions: ============================= | Quicken:_Agility_Up!, Tire:_Exhaustion_Up!, and Weaken:_Brute_Down! | = Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
==============<* Morgause - Shrine of the Earth Trial - Round 5 *>============== =========================< Results - The Living Wall >========================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Josephine Lovelace 44 --(8)--> 52 Pass Rush 1 Agility Effects: Risky -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seraph Yvain 31 --(8)--> 39 Pass Magic Boomerang 2 Agility Effects: Quicken -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seraph Liath 36 --(8)--> 44 Pass Silver Hourglass 2 Agility Effects: Quicken -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seraph Ragnell 28 --(8)--> 36 Pass Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Josephine Lovelace 75 --(0)--> 75 Pass Conditions: Tire(2)|Weaken(1) Effects: Quicken(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Josephine Lovelace has passed this challenge! The party gained 0 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Yvain has posed.
"Hmmmm. I guess that's what elaborate tombs are for," he reflects. "You should look into one of those if you don't want anything to eat your body. You could do a lot with one. And if you get a big enough one, people will come and visit you to steal your things later."
He does not answer the existential questions that go unasked. But he does agree--up high is an interesting place for an Earth shrine.
"A special spice blend... yes, I see. It took me a while to learn mortal tolerances too," he admits. A beat, at her question, "I still favor the above-ground tomb. Nice, sturdy stone."
He smiles back at Liath, a her thanks and at her response to having the jerky. Other tools, though...
Josie risks it, but her risk pays off. Ragnell takes a more measured approach, but measured for her is fast for anyone else. She doesn't end up needing to teleport more than the once. But Liath's methodical, slowed-time approach is the most successful of all, though not the fastest on account of...
Don't think too hard about the time travel.
"She's right," Yvain says on the way up. "If you tell me what you prefer, I'll ensure it happens, one way or another."
DG: Seraph Ragnell has drawn a new Challenge.
===================<* Morgause - Shrine of the Earth Trial *>=================== ==================<* CHALLENGE - The Ancient Stone Guardian *>================== | Type: Final | Dungeon Ability: Combat | Challenge Rating: 3 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information >---------------------------- You climb to the shrine, resting upon its butte. There, you see a massive statue; something shaped like a sort of idealized beastperson. A long, lupine snout; fangs that almost glisten and yet are grey stone. Empty, blank eyes. A muscled, humanoid form with exquisite musculature. It is posed in a way that highlights the strength and perfection of its form. Including when it moves. The statue's body moves like a living thing, thanks to the powerful sorceries in it. Those same sorceries allow it to summon several crystals from the ground -- and send them hurtling like missiles. Then, it lunges forward, with fists and fangs that don't glisten, but are far too sharp. Behind it is a doorway, open to a chamber; that chamber has a glimmering gem visible. However, the statue stands between you and that chamber. ============================= Dungeon Conditions: ============================= | Quicken:_Agility_Up!, Tire:_Exhaustion_Up!, Weaken:_Brute_Down!, and | | Wound:_Combat_Down! | = Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Ragnell has posed.
Ragnell isn't great at emotional sincerity. When Liath genuinely praises her jerky, she ducks her head and pretends to be very interested in the climbing wall ahead of them. But she *is* smiling.
She also doesn't mention to Yvain that the spice blend in question isn't actually her own--got to keep some mysteries, after all. But that little bag Gwen gave her ages ago is *still* kicking, suffice to say. Auntie Frea mixes some potent stuff.
Regardless, the four of them make it to the top without too much trouble. Time slows, vines hold, and it all works out. At the top, she snorts at the concept that she might see to Josie's final rites. Fortunately, Yvain seems happy enough to go along with it. "One of us will, anyway," she comments.
She looks forward, hands on her hips. A massive statue stands ahead of them. It's of a beastperson, chiseled into perfection of power and grace. "Hmmmm," she murmurs, squinting at it. "There's some awful strong magic 'round that thing..."
So when it moves to summon several crystals up from the ground, she can only say, "Oh."
The crystals hurtle out towards the group like missiles. Ragnell launches herself into a sideroll and comes up with a grenade in one gloved hand. "Chew on this!" she yells before pulling the pin and hurling it at the living statue's face, just as it charges forward towards the group. Hopefully they've already all scattered by now.
DG: Seraph Ragnell has used her Tool Lightning Grenade toward her party's challenge, The Ancient Stone Guardian. Fanfare!
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Liath has posed.
Finally, they reach the top. Finally, they reach the shrine.
And waiting for them... is a statue of predatory perfection.
Liath's eyes narrow. Her armored hand falls towards the hilt of her sword, as her gloved hand reaches behind her for her shield.
She's been around the block enough times to know what an ominous statue means.
'There's some awful strong magic 'round that thing...'
"I feel it too. Be wary. It might--"
Crystals lurch upward from the ground, hovering by the statue's will as it suddenly lurches with living movement.
'Oh,' says Ragnell.
"Oh," echoes Liath.
She brings her shield 'round with only a second's fragment to spare before those crystals collide and shatter against its bulwark. Bootheels dragging across the unyielding ground of the Earth Shrine. Her teeth grit. Her eyes narrow.
"Very well then--" she snarls out,
and then SWINGS that shield arm wide, repelling the crystal shards to send them hurtling back towards the statue.
"Let us SEE THE METTLE OF EARTH'S GUARDIAN!"
And, right within her element, Liath -surges- forward, rainbow light painting a liquid path up her sword as she looks to meet the beastly statue's charge, aiming to capitalize on Ragnell's hurled grenade to slide between its legs and -carve- through one of those knees as she goes.
Not quite scattering, but -- it isn't Liath if she isn't diving right into the thick of things.
DG: Seraph Liath has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, The Ancient Stone Guardian.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
"So this Earthpulse stuff... it's like the Ley, yeah?"
It's not as if Josie has any particular reason to be all that up on her Lunar metaphysics (or near enough to) to have a working understanding of such a thing.
A little grim, perhaps, given how quick her compatriots of the moment are to honor her request. But it doesn't seem to be the sort of thing that troubles her overmuch. Indeed--
"Fire," Josie says, without hesitation, her gaze upon the vine-covered pillar alone. "...Seems only fitting." Just the once, she glances in Liath's direction. Her lips curve in a crooked smile. "Heh. Appreciate the confidence, Lia. Here's hopin'. It'll be a long way down...!"
It's a fortunate ascent, in a number of ways. Josie has experience with this sort of thing in the past (you learn to make do, when you have more or less one functional arm) and the various skills and trinkets of the Seraphim mean that if anything does go awry, she has that much better a chance of scraping past. It's not easy, but eventually she heaves herself up over the ledge and simply lies there a moment, breathing. "Whew. Don't right fancy the descent," she exhales. But at least getting back down is the least of her worries. "But don't you worry or none, Nellie. Long as Yvvie here does the necessary, I figure you've nothin' to worry about," she says, pushing up onto her haunches and fishing in her coat pocket for the one thing everyone needs after a long climb: a cold stiff drink.
"Looks like trouble," she tells Ragnell, who has just pointed out the statue ahead. "Yup. I can feel it too, right," Josie continues, pocketing that flask as she rises to her feet.
'Oh', says Ragnell and says Liath.
Josie just grins a manic grin. "And trouble it is! C'mon, you lot, let's give it what-for!"
Her version of 'what-for' appears to involve a shotgun. It's probably good enough.
DG: Josephine Lovelace has used her Tool Liquid Courage toward her party's challenge, The Ancient Stone Guardian. Rally!
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Yvain has posed.
Yvain grins at Ragnell as she pretends to be interested in the wall. Oh, he doesn't have to say anything. She knows. And he knows. They both know. And that's good enough.
One day he'll learn the secret mixture, though...
He doesn't really expect Ragnell to go for it, but he likes Josie. He can do that much. And up there, with trouble.. Yvain also feels the state's magic.
He doesn't answer about the Earthpulse. Instead, he takes a different role in the combat to come. He launches himself to the side, and instead of firing a grenade or getting up in the statue's business, he throws out his hand and magic settles on the four of them, strenghtening and bolstering both.
"Heh heh."
DG: Seraph Yvain has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward his party's challenge, The Ancient Stone Guardian.
===================<* Morgause - Shrine of the Earth Trial *>=================== ==================<* CHALLENGE - The Ancient Stone Guardian *>================== | Type: Final | Dungeon Ability: Combat | Challenge Rating: 3 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information >---------------------------- You climb to the shrine, resting upon its butte. There, you see a massive statue; something shaped like a sort of idealized beastperson. A long, lupine snout; fangs that almost glisten and yet are grey stone. Empty, blank eyes. A muscled, humanoid form with exquisite musculature. It is posed in a way that highlights the strength and perfection of its form. Including when it moves. The statue's body moves like a living thing, thanks to the powerful sorceries in it. Those same sorceries allow it to summon several crystals from the ground -- and send them hurtling like missiles. Then, it lunges forward, with fists and fangs that don't glisten, but are far too sharp. Behind it is a doorway, open to a chamber; that chamber has a glimmering gem visible. However, the statue stands between you and that chamber. ============================= Dungeon Conditions: ============================= | Tire:_Exhaustion_Up! and Wound:_Combat_Down! | = Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
==============<* Morgause - Shrine of the Earth Trial - Round 6 *>============== ====================< Results - The Ancient Stone Guardian >==================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Josephine Lovelace 52 --(8)--> 60 Pass Liquid Courage 3 Combat Effects: Rally -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seraph Yvain 39 --(16)--> 55 Fail Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seraph Liath 44 --(16)--> 60 Fail Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seraph Ragnell 36 --(8)--> 44 Pass Lightning Grenade 3 Combat Effects: Fanfare -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Josephine Lovelace 75 --(35)--> 110 Pass Conditions: Tire(1)|Wound(2) Effects: ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: You have overcome the dungeon's trials! This run is a success! DG: The party led by Josephine Lovelace has successfully explored Morgause - Shrine of the Earth Trial!
===================<* Morgause - Shrine of the Earth Trial *>=================== ====================<* CHALLENGE - The Heart of Morgause *>===================== | Type: Discovery | Dungeon Ability: Conclusion | Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information >---------------------------- The shrine is a fairly small building, all told. A cylinder, covered with some of the vines that you used to reach it, and fantastic rocky outgrowths. In places, stonework and natural stone blend together seamlessly. The interior room is circular, with a dais in the center. There sits the gem you are seeking: a glimmering amber gemstone, which hovers above the dais. It glints despite a relative lack of light reaching it. Those with the skill can tell it is aspected with the elemental energy of earth. It sits for the taking -- and marks the completion of one shrine. Additionally, it's possible to put an item where the gem was. This altar can imbue a single object, weapon, or Tool with an enchantment of the nourishing earth, functioning once for each individual per visit. Alternately, those with the Blessing of Althena in the element of Earth may unlock a powerful earth-related spell. ============================= Dungeon Conditions: ============================= | Secret:_Exploration_Up!, Tire:_Exhaustion_Up!, and Wound:_Combat_Down! | = Digger 2.0 ===================================================================
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Ragnell has posed.
'It's like the Ley, yeah?'
"Yeah, basically," Ragnell replies. No need to get into more detail than that. She quirks a half-smile when Josie decides she'd like to be cremated. "Yeah, that does track," she replies. It'll be easy enough for Yvain to take care of for her, too. Convenient for everyone! She does raise an eyebrow at 'Nellie'--she doesn't hear that one too often--but it's fine, and she shrugs and nods. "You can generally count on Yvain t' get the job done," she replies. "He's a reliable guy."
But the statue comes alive and charges them. Liath doesn't quite manage to cut the statue off at the knees, but her charge *does* mean that she keeps it busy by way of it chomping onto her sword and not letting go. It keeps it still while Yvain's magic empowers the group of them, right before Josie unloads some buckshot right in its face. The blast knocks the statue-creature back, sending it tumbling with Ragnell's grenade and ultimately landing on top of it.
BOOM!!
Fragments of stone and dust rain down on the group for a couple of moments. After that, though, the coast is clear. The door that laid past the stone guardian is open for them to answer, and past *that* is a large, amber jewel floating over a dais. It doesn't have the magical power that the gem that was no doubt already claimed does--that probably takes quite a while to get the proper magical energies imbued--but it does look like a new precious gem has replaced it in short order...
It looks like it'd sell for a pretty penny.
"Nice rock," Ragnell comments. "Who wants it?"
She says this, but she's already looking at Josie, let's be real.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Liath has posed.
'Fire. ... Seems only fitting.'
In the seconds before battle commences, Liath's expression turns towards the pensive.
In the aftermath, the Light Seraph is yanking Joyeuse's blade free from the still tenaciously clamping jaws of the shattered statue. With a "hmp!" of effort, she rips the sword free, bringing it smoothly back towards its sheathe as her gold gaze turns towards the door beyond. She approaches it, settling her shield at her back as she crunches past fallen stone. She pauses, briefly, to look back towards the shattered fragments of the guardian, to offer the remains a respectful dip of her head, and a small smile.
"You fought bravely, guardian," offers the Seraph, for however unliving it may have been. "Your makers would be proud at how admirably you have kept this space safe."
...
With that, she makes her way toward the dais. Her gaze falls on the jewel; she feels the fresh flow of energy. Not the gem, but...
"The Ley and Earthpulse both are the lifeblood of their star," she finally says, adding belatedly upon Ragnell's own answer. "And within their pulse is the precious memories of the planet itself."
She considers that gem for a moment.
"I have no intent to take anything from this shrine."
Her gaze, too, is already upon Josie. In perfect. Tandem.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
In the end and in short order, they make their victory felt.
"So, where's the Seraph?" Josie remarks, looking this way and that. "...No, don't tell me. It's like that business at the wind shrine, right? So that's the trial," she says, approaching the door. "Seems almost a shame to get it over and done with."
The trial was not entirely the statue alone, though. Wasn't it also the passage into the valley, itself...?
No one awaits them within, either. Instead, there's just a gemstone floating over a dais, one that glints invitingly and immediately catches her eye. It's not got the proper gem -- Josie can tell, having been in the presence of the real things prior -- but that's quite alright. It's a fine enough gem as it stands.
'Nice rock, who wants it?'
'I have no intent to take anything from this shrine.'
They both look at Josie in perfect tandem.
Josie already has the gem in her hand. "...What?" She turns the stone in the light, admiring its shine. "It's got a nice color, yeah?"