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Aug 2, 2017 19:40:59 GMT -7
Post by Kitten4u on Aug 2, 2017 19:40:59 GMT -7
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Aug 3, 2017 16:35:52 GMT -7
Post by Clark Amasteros on Aug 3, 2017 16:35:52 GMT -7
"I'm sure we can handle a few monsters," Clark responded. "I'm more worried about other things."
He was referring to the odd sound that exhausted the party last time. It was at that moment that the very hallway the duo were standing in began turning. Clark found it necessary to brace against the wall to avoid falling from the vibration. Aphaerla, being ahead of them, was now cut off completely.
"Other things like this."
For a moment, he was worried that they would be sealed in forever. Thankfully, the hallway kept turning until until it lined up with another, perfectly perpendicular corridor. How exceedingly curious. Whoever built this trap intended to disorient, but also to keep the travelers alive. Clark could only guess as for what purpose. While he was relieved, he was now noticeably shook.
"Iris, this might seem arbitrary at the moment, but just from what you've seen, how would you describe this ancient civilization?"
He had his own ideas, and wanted to double-check them. He doubted they were the merciful sort, but he did see evidence of art and beauty.
Move: Left Skill: Strike against all odds
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Aug 4, 2017 17:56:26 GMT -7
Post by Iris Pires on Aug 4, 2017 17:56:26 GMT -7
"Oh no, Aphaerla!"
Iris cried out in dismay and stumbled forward, almost losing an arm as she reached toward the split in the hallway. But neither her speed nor her power were enough to close the gap in time. For a moment, Iris pushed on the wall, trying to get it to slide back into a position that would let the party reunite, but it was obvious from the start that it was a futile effort.
"You know... I'm actually kinda surprised it took this long for something like that to happen."
After muttering to herself, she shook her head to clear it, then turned back toward her remaining companion. The question was indeed unexpected, but she tried her best to answer. Her first instinct was to think of it in utilitarian terms.
"Um... They clearly knew a lot more about how to use magic than we do. They must have known a lot about engineering, too, judging by whatever complicated mechanisms are being used to pull something like this off... unless they're just completely relying on magic for that as well, I guess. But, I guess they were probably more advanced than us all around? But then why are they gone when we're still here?"
Iris was visibly worried that this wasn't the sort of answer he was asking for. She was already far outside her area of expertise on these surveying trips, and now she was being asked to perform an anthropological analysis. When she had first decided to start doing this, Iris had imagined that she'd just be straightforwardly using her power to protect her fellow surveyors. The reality seemed to be quite a bit more complicated.
---
Skill: Ward
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Aug 4, 2017 19:28:36 GMT -7
Post by Kitten4u on Aug 4, 2017 19:28:36 GMT -7
Still burning torches line the walls, each tightly wound hallway managing to look exactly like the last. A dripping sound can be heard in the distance, and as the explorers continue down the corridor it only gets louder. It looks like there's some water leaking through the ceiling, and there's nothing unusual looking in any of the puddles. As the explorers reach the center of the falling water, it suddenly starts to collect into a wave much larger than what should be possible for the amount of water there, enough to nearly engulf the entire corridor. It tries to force the explorers under water, and pushes them around. The pushing feels like more than just currents, it feels like there's hands of some kind grabbing onto them and pulling them around. --- Splitting monster was not bypassed. The party is split. Loot from this room: 11 Total loot so far: 24 The party has 61 energy. No one is injured. Iris Pires has been split from the party Her expedition will continue hereYou can go backward, returning to the surface. You can go to the left, further into the dungeon. You can go to the right, further into the dungeon.
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Aug 6, 2017 20:47:24 GMT -7
Post by Kitten4u on Aug 6, 2017 20:47:24 GMT -7
No action was taken. Total loot so far: 24
The party has 56 energy. No one is injured.
You can go backward, returning to the surface. You can go to the left, further into the dungeon. You can go to the right, further into the dungeon.
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Aug 8, 2017 20:49:25 GMT -7
Post by Clark Amasteros on Aug 8, 2017 20:49:25 GMT -7
"It is curious, isn't it?"
Iris, in addressing his question, brought up a fascinating one of her own. Clark had a few guesses, but no real idea. He'd have to remember to keep an eye out for answers. The two had walked a bit until they made it to the water trap. Clark grabbed on to the nearby wall to avoid being pushed around. Iris was swept away immediately. Every second he strained against the tide, but it ultimately wasn't enough. The exertion took a lot of his energy. It would have been better to give up. He was eventually thrown to the ground and carried away.
How unusual. Up until now, Clark had only seen the more mechanical prowess of this civilization, but that had to be magic. These ruins were now dangerous in ways he couldn't prepare for. It didn't matter how many tools he carried if he didn't anticipate which of the now infinite potential varieties of traps were ahead. This would now have to be done by trial and error.
The only saving grace is that, like the last trap, they didn't seem to be designed to outright kill the explorer. There was always a method to take, and always more paths to go down. He shouted into the darkness
"Iris! Are you nearby!"
There was no answer. Of course there wasn't, because they didn't pass the test. These were the consequences. Still, maybe he could find her.
Move: Left Skill: Strike against all odds
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Aug 9, 2017 21:16:00 GMT -7
Post by Kitten4u on Aug 9, 2017 21:16:00 GMT -7
Still burning torches line the walls, each tightly wound hallway managing to look exactly like the last. Then suddenly, the torches go out. The room is pitch black, even any light that the explorers brought along appears to have no effect against the darkness. It's easy enough to move along the walls, but subtly and almost silently, the walls and floors start moving, making it easy to get separated.
---
Splitting trap was not bypassed. The party is split. The party cannot be further split, so the one participant is moved to a different room. Loot from this room: 18 Total loot so far: 42
The party has 51 energy. No one is injured.
You can go straight ahead, closer to the surface. You can go to the left, further into the dungeon. You can go to the right, further into the dungeon.
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Aug 10, 2017 21:59:05 GMT -7
Post by Clark Amasteros on Aug 10, 2017 21:59:05 GMT -7
As the darkness of the tunnels began to close in on Clark, he reached his hand out for the wall. The darkness didn't scare him, he put a lot of faith in the mental map he was building. It got a little muddled at the water trap, but he was certain he'd still find his way back.
He could only hope that Iris was as fortunate. He even worried about Aphaerla, though not as much. He called out both their names, only to be greeting by the hollow echoing down the empty halls. How many surveyors made it past the traps and monsters only to simply get lost here? It wasn't a productive question, so he tried to think of a different one.
How long would it take to drive someone mad down here?
No, that was worse. Clark shook his head and focused on his map. He couldn't help but think madness was the answer to some previous question. Maybe the ancients wanted them alive in order to slowly break them down. The businessman was fine, he asserted, but he could see how wandering alone took a toll. It was a waiting game for the next sadistic surprise from the ancients, a slow anticipation for the worst.
"Iris!" He shouted, not that he expected an answer.
Move: Left, Left Skill: Ward against all odds, 2
Edit: got ward and strike mixed up
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Aug 11, 2017 21:26:27 GMT -7
Post by Kitten4u on Aug 11, 2017 21:26:27 GMT -7
The winding corridors continue, this time tighter with more branching paths that lead nowhere. At one of the deepest parts, there's a small alcove. It's easy to miss because the entrance is about half the size of a human, and it looks more like the bricks that make up the ruin's walls collapsed there instead of it being a path to another room. There's nothing else significant about the area either. The still burning torches still line the walls, the walls are still the same shade of gray, and the stones are still arranged into the same pattern.
Inside the alcove is a different story. The walls are lined with colorful murals depicting a large rainforest, floating islands, and images of people with wings. It doesn't look like the colors on the walls have faded with time either. If they have, then the dyes used must have been especially bright given how vivid the colors on the murals are. The only bits of gray in this room are on the floor and the ceiling, the rest is covered in bright colors.
There are more clothes than the explorers can count hanging on racks. There are numerous robes, each made of a heavy almost velvet-like material, adorned with gems with what looks like gold in some of the seams and across the front. There are numerous dresses, most of them made out of lighter materials and silks. There are shirts and pants, most also made out of lighter materials and none of them less ornate than anything else.
On some shelves is more jewelry than the explorers could hope to carry back with them. Necklaces, rings, earrings, broaches, bracelets, and numerous other kinds. Most made of gold, but others made out of brightly colored stones like jade, and many of them are covered in gems.
---
There is no hazard in this room. This is a big loot room, bonus loot is given based on party size, so that the amount gained by the party is the same regardless of party size. Loot from this room: 300 Total loot so far: 342
---
Still burning torches line the walls, each tightly wound hallway managing to look exactly like the last. In the center of one of the hallways is a small creature, about knee high, that looks like a combination of a water strider and tree roots. It rushes the explorers, dividing numerous times as it does so. By the time it gets to them, there's sixteen, and they keep doubling by the second. Despite their small size, they're quite sturdy and work well together, making it so they are capable of pulling the explorers in different directions, thus separating the group.
---
Splitting monster was not bypassed. The party is split. The party cannot be further split, so the one participant is moved to a different room. Loot from this room: 12 Total loot so far: 334
The party has 46 energy. No one is injured.
You can go straight ahead, further into the dungeon. You can go to the left, closer to the surface. You can go to the right, further into the dungeon.
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Aug 13, 2017 18:32:53 GMT -7
Post by Clark Amasteros on Aug 13, 2017 18:32:53 GMT -7
Clark eventually made it out of the dark. That was a relief. He felt his muscles relax. It had been decades since he was ever really scared of the dark, but something about that corridor echoed a the more sinister feelings from childhood. The monsters in those shadows could have been very real. The incessant twisting of the paths were still aggravating, but it was a welcome relief.
Upon reaching the alcove, he was tempted to think it was all worth the trouble. He could put up with the twisting and the darkness if it meant finding treasure like this. He was tempted to celebrate, but held back. Clark realized that Aphaerla and Iris might have died by now. Regardless of how likely or unlikely it was, he should still wait before celebrating.
Clark got to work sketching the murals. He wasn't the best artist, but spent as much time as necessary getting all of the details down. It didn't have to look pretty, the information is what mattered. He also made sure to label all of the colors, and give a short description of them on the next page. With any luck, an expert might be able to create a mock-up. Next, he tied the largest ornate jacket into a haversack that hung off of his crowbar. It was a simple matter to fill the haversack with as much clothes and jewelry as he could. It probably damages the jacket being used a little bit, but he considered it an appropriate sacrifice. Content, he moved on.
Farther down, Clark was ambushed by a swarm of plantlike monsters. He quickly drew his gun and shot a couple as they scurried down the hall. It wasn't enough. Even if he could shoot fast enough to curb their replication, he didn't even bring enough bullets. That was another thing to remember for next time. The businessman charged the group, hoping to take them by surprise. Right before they reached each other, Clark veered to the side and ducked around a corner. The trick bought him enough time to run down a different hallway. Hopefully that shook them.
Move: Right Skill: Ward against all odds
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Aug 13, 2017 19:21:55 GMT -7
Post by Kitten4u on Aug 13, 2017 19:21:55 GMT -7
The winding corridors continue, this time tighter with more branching paths that lead nowhere. At one of the deepest parts, there's a small alcove. It's easy to miss because the entrance is about half the size of a human, and it looks more like the bricks that make up the ruin's walls collapsed there instead of it being a path to another room. There's nothing else significant about the area either. The still burning torches still line the walls, the walls are still the same shade of gray, and the stones are still arranged into the same pattern.
Inside the alcove is a different story. The walls are lined with colorful murals depicting a large rainforest, floating islands, and images of people with wings. It doesn't look like the colors on the walls have faded with time either. If they have, then the dyes used must have been especially bright given how vivid the colors on the murals are. The only bits of gray in this room are on the floor and the ceiling, the rest is covered in bright colors.
The room itself is fairly small, but there are numerous fountains lining the walls. They are all made of the same colorful stones and dyes that the murals are, and they are lined with gems. Some of them have water flowing through them, others different kinds of liquids. On closer inspection, they seem to be various types of juices and wines.
---
There is no hazard in this room. This is a big loot room, bonus loot is given based on party size, so that the amount gained by the party is the same regardless of party size. Loot from this room: 300 Total loot so far: 642
The party has 41 energy. No one is injured.
You can go backward, returning to the surface. You can go to the left, closer to the surface. You can go to the right, closer to the surface.
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Aug 14, 2017 14:00:09 GMT -7
Post by Clark Amasteros on Aug 14, 2017 14:00:09 GMT -7
Clark came across another alcove. It was extremely lucky, he figured, but it was enough to get the bad taste out of his mouth. Of course the others were fine. He was the least experienced out of all of them, and he was fine. The solemn expression on his face cracked, before breaking out into a wide grin. He took out his sketchbook again.
After he had carefully made note of everything, he used his crowbar to leverage out exactly three of the larger gems. This was bad form, and at any other moment he would have scolded someone for doing this. There was no doubt that the crowbar was damaging the artistry of the fountain. Clark just didn't care right now. Nobody else would really care, so he figured it would be fine to treat himself on this happenstance. When that was done, he took samples of every fluid in the vials he brought along. It was probably just magic preserving the juices, but even that might be helpful later.
The businessman kind of didn't want to leave this room. As soon as he walked back under the opening, the celebration would be over. He forced himself to check his watch. That would give him the motivation he needed. Clark had been in these ruins for a really long time now, and he had a tram line to run. He wouldn't be able to negotiate the new property deal from this little alcove, would he? There were other things to look forward to. Reluctantly, Clark moved on.
Move: Left Skill: Ward against all odds
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Aug 15, 2017 19:18:49 GMT -7
Post by Kitten4u on Aug 15, 2017 19:18:49 GMT -7
Still burning torches line the walls, each tightly wound hallway managing to look exactly like the last. The corridors in this area are lined with fountains and there's water lining the area where the wall meets the floor. Suddenly, the torches flare up, and the water in the fountains quickly evaporates into a scalding steam. The steam quickly fills up the corridor, surrounding the explorers in vapor that will quickly burn them and burn their lungs. --- Injury trap was not bypassed. Clark Amasteros is injured. Hazard was not bypassed, no loot gained. Total loot so far: 642 Party has 36 energy Clark Amasteros is injured The expedition is over The party is injured. This expedition has ended. Everyone has 642 loot to spread around to their personal GLORY, Industry, the Surveying Association, and/or Science!
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Aug 18, 2017 22:25:01 GMT -7
Post by Clark Amasteros on Aug 18, 2017 22:25:01 GMT -7
Clark's optimism was cut short a bit later down the hallway. It started out promising enough as he passed more fountains. There wasn't anything nearly as valuable in these fountains, but the elegant stone structures were aesthetically pleasing. Whatever ran the fountains did so quietly, leaving the halls filled with only the sounds of softly trickling water. As far as hallways went, it was comforting.
The businessman never figured out what exactly set off the trap. The trigger hairs on the venus flytrap would remain unseen. The whole thing went off when his guard was lowest. It wasn't until after the skin on his hand sizzled against the enveloping cloud that he fully realized what happened.
Instinctively, his magic flared up, creating a field of static around him. It helped a little bit, by causing some of the water to condense. It gave him just enough time to finally think. Clark was careful not to breathe in, but this was made harder by the fact that he was out of breath. It was only just now that he realized he had screamed when his hand burned. The business man quickly pulled his reinforced jacked over his head and his sleeves over his hands before barreling down the hall. It was awkward and uncomfortable, because now the crowbar and the backpack were squarely on top of his head, but it gave him the couple seconds he needed to escape.
Clark made it to the hallway he came from. The near-death experience drained him, so he took a moment to lean against the wall. The trap he just escaped was unsettling, not just because he almost died, but because that one was clearly designed to kill. It was designed to kill exceedingly painfully, too. There were easier and more humane ways to off nosy wanderers. He had a clear answer to his question of mercy. Now he wondered if this ancient culture must have gotten some sort of sick enjoyment out of knowing what this labyrinth would do.
It didn't matter now, though. There was no way he could press on in this shape. Clark stood up and headed back to the surface.
---
22 loot to GLORY 30 loot to Science, in the name of [redacted] 200 to the Surveying Association 390 to Industry
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