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Post by Kiin on Mar 6, 2019 2:39:30 GMT
[OoC: For those who posted in the sign-up only. Remember, this is something that needs to move at a decent pace, so please post when you're able. The Dungeon will consist of three "paths" your party may choose from, and the decision cannot be split. Once a path is chosen, all members will take that path. Rewards will be based on the following: Number of paths completed, and the rating received for each completed path. Failed paths will result in a penalty to the overall reward. Any questions, shoot me a PM.]
In the land of Wentrimyht, Terra Novus' neighbor along the Western border, there is the tale of a palace of old, long frozen over. The palace was that of Ayndr's old leaders, predating even the Serkynl Empire, and it is said that their wealth of proportions truly indescribable to man remained hidden, buried beneath blankets of ice. The palace itself sits high atop the mountains, among the highest peaks in all of Ayndr, and is surrounded by constant blizzards which have claimed the lives of many looking to have the promised treasures to themselves. If one were capable of braving the storm and trekking through the pathway laid out by the dead and damned, the dangers do not end there; for within the palace, it is said that the old Queen's Guard still walks, wights remaining to uphold their oaths and stand their guard.
A Wentril guard was sent to Terra Novus, seeking aid to investigate the palace. Apparently, the wights have been leaving the palace and terrorizing nearby villages "as punishment for coming to close." The blizzard is, in their words, getting stronger, and the Wentril are a superstitious people, fearing entry. On their own, they believe they cannot conquer this mysterious, malevolent force - and thus, they turn to the new tribe of Terra Novus. Director Starke assembled a team and dispatched them quickly, but he did so with a stern reminder: "we will help the natives, but don't give your lives up senselessly. If it gets too dangerous, run."
The assembled team would be led by the Wentril guard to a frozen pathway at the base of the mountain said to hold the palace at its peak. The guides motioned to the top, but spoke in a language none but Ji-ho would understand. They spoke of their fear, and how they would not make the journey alongside their comrades. The guard bid them farewell, and left the team to ascend and confront this challenge all on their own.
At the sides of the path were frozen bodies of the dead, unclaimed by the Wentril for fear of the wrath of the wights. The blizzard raged above, enveloping the top of the mountain in a shroud they could not see through from the ground. To set forward on the path was something they needed to do decisively, as turning back would not be so easy from such great a distance.
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Post by Ji-ho on Mar 6, 2019 3:52:09 GMT
Ji-ho sighed when their guide finally chickened out, though he could never blame the man. In fact, the only reason his irritation was audible had been because of the incessant ticking that had accompanied him the entire way there. Through rain, sleet or snow it didn't ever seem to let up - he lamented this as the guide big them farewell and left, opening his mouth to offer an answer to a question no one may have had:
".. He said Good luck." Ji-ho said plainly, but not in a way that would make him seem unappreciative of the work the man had done up until that point. Well, he was fairly confident that he could have also guided them this far; but he wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. So his attention instead turned towards the path ahead of them- ignoring the frozen corpses as if they weren't even there in the first place.
"No time to lose, we keep steady - Yes?" He asked in their language, crudely. While he certainly would have liked to take the time to get to know each of them, there was no telling when a blizzard might reach them; and daylight was always burning. Unfotunate, he decided; attempting to put aside the noise he'd been hearing the best he could.
One face was new, the rest Ji-ho could recall. He gave them a once over and shrugged to readjust the strap over his shoulder, placing his right foot ahead of his left before he looked back at the group for confirmation. He'd made sure to come with some supplies this time around - things that would be useful on a trek such as this one, such as basic camp utilities and rope. Not enough to weigh him down, but enough to be prepared in the event something may go wrong.
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Post by Christa Langford on Mar 8, 2019 1:14:33 GMT
A wave of uncertainty washed over Christa as their guide decided to leave them, the bodies on the sides of the trail weren't helping either. She adjusted her makeshift scarf to cover more of her nose, being in the cold wasn't fun for her. Looking back on the trail, she shakes her head with a sigh, "No going back now I suppose." Turning her head to the native, Ji-ho was it? Christa nodded at both of his statements, she always had an uneasy feeling about this guy. Of course their mannerisms would be different though. Keeping this in mind, she asked Ji-ho a question, "How much longer do we have to go?"
She asked the question rather confidently, this wasn't to say she was at least a little nervous about this place, the trail of dead bodies made sure that she was. Regardless, she'd continue to trudge up the mountain without another word unless she was spoken to.
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Post by Cereza Nova Grey on Mar 9, 2019 21:39:35 GMT
 --- Lately Cereza wondered how she got herself into certain things, but it was what it was. She dressed warm enough for the sudden occasion, packing a fairly light backpack with a few essentials. She only knew one personally on this journey, Austin Huntsman, the others were people she saw in passing at the camp or entirely new. Either or mattered but didn't to her in the end. Once they had made it there, it seemed their guide was going no further. Ever vigil she watched the interaction though knew not what he had said, but there was one that clearly did and she kinda doubted the exact translation. Call it a hunch, intuition, or enough sci-fi movies depicting natives and outsiders. But she remained quiet cause it was of no consequence really. They were on their own clearly at this point. She noted the bodies that littered the wintered grounds before gazing back up to the path itself. Yeah this obviously wasn't going to be a picnic. With a heavy sigh she glanced over to the native, whom's name she did not know, then over to the girl who spoke. She agreed, there was no turning back now. That shipped sailed ages ago. She kept the muffler over her mouth and nose, as she spoke up. "We already made the commitment so."--- She was lackadaisical in her tone. Cereza took a moment to glance at all the parties, stopping on Austin offering him a shrug as she continued forward following whomever was going to lead the way at this point. OOC: Soooooo sorry. Had no internet and I seriously got no notification on here or discord. Many many apologies. And sorry for really craptastic post >_>
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Post by Austin Huntsman on Mar 9, 2019 22:54:59 GMT
[/b] His words came with a nod to both Cereza and Ji-Ho. Those hazel eyes would continue to glance about at the frozen bodies as they ventured forth. The danger was already visible, be it the elements around them or the dead that littered the trail. He would stay sharp, on his toes. He didn't really want to lead, but would if asked. Moving up beside the only Native here, Austin would speak to Ji-Ho. "Hey.. You comfortable in front?"[/ul] [/blockquote] |
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Post by Holly "Sugar" Vos on Mar 12, 2019 22:07:55 GMT
A sense of adventure tingled inside Holly the moment the group's guide abandoned them. She simply exchanged a challenging glance with him, pondering whether he was anticipating their impending doom, or leaving his bundle of well wishes to accompany them as they entered unfamiliar territory. Regardless, she was thrilled, surrounded by a few familiar faces, and a few new ones. Granted, she wasn't very happy to have been paired with their native comrade, Ji-ho for a second time around. He gave her nothing but bad vibes, but all things considered the same thing could be said about her, so she wasn't going to make a big deal out of it. She was just grateful to have had the opportunity to tag along. She stood in the back of the group, observing each of them to see if she came prepared this time. Needless to say, she did not. She was dressed in snow boots, a long leather jacket, and a thick beanie, which are all acceptable items, right? Well, she also wore booty shorts. The cold didn't necessarily bother Holly, but it was certainly bothersome that perhaps the most prominent part of her body was unprotected from the frigid temperature. She slung a small pouch over her shoulder, nabbing an even smaller ziploc bag filled with a random assortment of candy. She decided this time around she'd share her prowess with everyone, jumping between Ji-ho and the rest of the group, waving her arms in front of her with a goofy smile on her face to get everyone's attention. Unfortunately, she hadn't quite figured out the formula for her body temperature manipulating candy, but she hoped what she had would suffice for the time being. "Hi everyone! I have something for you," She'd say with wide eyes, revealing four green candies in her palm. "I dunno what we'll find in there, so I thought I'd give you these for safe measures. If you find yourself in immense pain, eat 'em!" She'd hold her hand out until the very last candy was plucked, or if they were simply uninterested. Candy!: Holly specializes in making candy - each one laced in medicine that provide unique effects. Nobody knows how she makes them, but her purse is full of them.
*Wintergreen (Green): A great replacement for a breath mint, this candy increases the body's natural rate of healing for three turns. (Regeneration). |
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Post by Kiin on Mar 13, 2019 22:22:59 GMT
The longer the lot waited to proceed, the more dangerous the blizzard would seem to get. From afar, if anyone looked, the Wentri guard was now breaking into a full on sprint to get away from the area. The boundaries of the blizzard seemed to push outward, expanding to a point where the lot would begin to feel chills rip through their clothing and armor. The longer it took, the more dangerous their conditions would get, so they would need to pick up the pace. If and when the party finally decided to begin their trek up the mountain, the blizzard's thickness would inhibit vision past a certain point. They would hardly be able to see more than 10, 20 feet around them in all directions, only getting shorter and shorter the closer they got to the epicenter. Thankfully, however, the majority of the journey would be free from the Wights that were said to plague the path. That luck, though, would not last long. Once they were closer to the entrance to the frozen palace, through the blizzard, they would be able to make out the distinct outline of a large figure. As it came more in view, it was clear what stood before them: a Wight, clad in ancient armor and wielding a large, glowing blade, the cold preserving its form. From the blade, the glowing energy began to seep off and fly through the air, toward the party, before suddenly breaking away from them and moving to the sides. Three bolts of energy in total would shoot out, hitting the ground to the sides of, and behind, the party. From these spots, three lesser wights would claw through the snow and ice and onto the surface. The party would have barely any time to react, before the lesser wights all charged. One made a beeline for Holly, aiming to tackle her at the waist and bring her to the ground; the second leaped toward Knuckles from behind, aiming to wrap its legs around his waist and its arms around his neck; and the third ran low along the ground until it was just in front of Cereza, then swiped up with a clawed hand for her neck. The greater Wight at the front began to draw the cold into its blade as though it were channeling it, then pointed the blade toward Christa and Ji-ho. Both would see a bright light shine from the tip of the blade, before blasts of ice ripped through the air toward them.
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Post by Ji-ho on Mar 14, 2019 17:33:00 GMT
The world guide offered a shrug to Christa Langford , suggesting that he either didn't know or didn't much care. "Depend's how fast we are." He replied in a dry tone, as if that wasn't entirely obvious to most people. Not because he was trying to be rude, but simply because that was how he was.
When Austin Huntsman approached and asked his question Ji-ho nodded, "It's not a problem. It's probably best that way, for the time being." He let the possibility of someone else taking the lead hang in the air before another familiar face, Holly "Sugar" Vos , had called to the group as a whole. This prompted the color in his eyes to shift and lock in her direction as she began to hand out what could only be explained as.. hard berries? Green, at that. The native didn't entirely understand, but he plucked one from her hand none the less before settings off up towards their destination - They hadn't stopped long, thankfully.
Ji-ho was on guard despite how utterly careless he may have outwardly appeared, and when the figure came into his exceptional sight he suddenly came to a stop, holding out one arm as if to stop anyone from accidentally walking further ahead. His eyes shifted as the wisps darted into the ground and he frowned-
"Wights!" Ji-ho announced, his stance lowering slightly as his red gem appeared above his shoulder in response to the obviously hostile intentions of the supernatural creatures around them. The lessers picked their targets, and Ji-ho sighed as the largest of the bunch pointed his blade directly in his and Christas direction.
Raising his hands, he didn't attempt to immediately dodge - Ji-ho didn't know the capabilities of the girl that inadvertently got caught in probably the most problematic encounter there, so he conjured Entropic energy to match the chunks of ice that flew towards him; firing an equal amount in their path in an attempt to cancel them out by melting them.
Worst case scenario, if any managed to slip through; his mantle would attempt to devour one that might otherwise hit him as he tried to knock the other ones out of their flight trajectories:
"The greater one summons the lesser - What are you capable of!"
He didn't know if everyone would be able to hear him clearly at this point, but his question was obviously directed towards Christa Langford .
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Post by Austin Huntsman on Mar 15, 2019 1:47:08 GMT
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Post by Cereza Nova Grey on Mar 15, 2019 23:41:47 GMT
--- Considering she was trying better to get antiquated with their new world, she didn't have the luxury of some of the things others did. However she managed to obtain some light armor for the trip at least. Mainly the chest and forearms. Her currently artillery consisted of two sets of throwing knives strapped around either of her thighs. And a eight inch dagger strapped onto her right hip for quick access. It was what it was and she would make the best of it. As Austin moved forward to the native, Ji-ho with them, Cereza was just a few steps behind till they were halted once more this time by one of their other teammates. A rather cheerful individual she appeared to be this Holly as she offered them something that appeared to be candy for the journey. Never take candy from a stranger right? But in this case it seemed like a possible necessity to be an exception to that rule. Cereza too would accept the candy and move forward only for things to start to take a turn already. They had barely gotten anywhere and already were meeting resistance, but seeing as the path was littered it made sense.
--- The weather of course was unkind but her eye sight wasn't completely hindered by it. Severely tested yes though. As they neared there was a figures shape forming, causing Cereza to narrow her eyes stopping in her tracks. She had a bad feeling and once Ji-ho shouted out what it was the creature seemed to shoot beams of light out of its sword towards the group. Quickly from the ice and snow blanketed ground creatures emerged and swiftly attacked. Cereza pulled a throwing knife from her right holster but didn't immediately throw it as the creature had neared her and began its leap aiming for her throat. Out of sheer reaction she allowed herself to dip back into a purposely fall so that the creature would be leaping over her. Though in the same process she flicked the throwing knife up aiming precisely for its throat. Should she had been successful her back would hit the ground with a small grunt, but she would waste no time rolling to her right and up to a crouching position, drawing her dagger and holding it sideways before her just in case she missed a killing blow to ready for the creature again.
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