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Abyss I [9/14] Spirit Forest Dev

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  1. [16:13] {NARRATION} There is no crew to help you all down to the center of the Abyss.
  2.  
  3. In the center of a circle of rubble of an ancient demon civilization lies the massive pit, spanning miles in diameter. Like the threading on screws, thin strips of land attach themselves to the sides of the gigantic hole, so far down that its bottom is, no doubt, unimaginable.
  4.  
  5. As you stand on the edge of the precipice into a place that few have explored, fewer have charted, and fewer still have lived to tell the tales of -
  6.  
  7. the entrance beckons, only written into reality by coincidence. It's a miracle that there's any way to descend from here at all. The sheer disaster that must have birthed this terrain...
  8.  
  9. it had to have been catastrophic.
  10. [16:20] After a seemingly endless hike into the jungles of Gehenna, a man dressed in red and gold arrives at the entrance to the Abyss - a place that, up until this very moment, he was unsure existed. It was a place forgotten in time, surrounded by myths and rumors. Those that reached Vindicia could not be confirmed, while the ones heard through word of mouth through the other tribes could not be tagged with a source.
  11.  
  12. The endless game of telephone is what drove him to set out to see things for himself, and the reality of the scenario is that it was a place that existed, and they would have to dig deep and find the courage to explore it themselves if they wanted any real answers.
  13.  
  14. Luckily for him, an assorted cast of individuals he trusted with his life had made the decision to tag along. After taking a deep breath, he turns back to address them.
  15.  
  16. "This is it. From here on out, we're going to need to be razor sharp and cautious. We have no back-up outside of each other. Let's all secure the gear that Lauren has provided us with and get to it, unless someone wants to turn back..?"
  17. (Ovan Huitzilopochtli)
  18. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  19.  
  20. [16:24] Turning back. Ohtli -scoffs- at the notion.
  21.  
  22. "Let's gear up," she affirms, looking to the bundle of Crafthold goodies. Most of which, honestly, wasn't necessary for her. Not with the wings and all.
  23.  
  24. "If you want, you all can suit up and I can scout ahead. I shouldn't need most of the gear anyway."
  25.  
  26. The Drakan jabs her thumb over her shoulder and to the large pair of feathery wings that sprouts from between her shoulders.
  27.  
  28. "Unless you think it'd be wiser we all go down together."
  29. (Ohtli)
  30. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  31.  
  32. [16:26] The trip hiking through the jungle eventually comes to an end, the group greeted with the sight of, to Sigrun's mild surprise, an Abyss; she didn't believe the thing was going to be as massive as described for some reason.
  33.  
  34. Letting out a huff, she scratches the back of her head and glances around.
  35.  
  36. "...didn't really think it would be here, or this big for that matter," she mutters. The idea of turning back is quickly dismissed by the young woman. "Turning back would be lame, 'n I dunno if it would be smart to go alone, Ohtli. What if there's flying things...?"
  37. (Sigrun)
  38. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  39.  
  40. [16:28] Honestly, Lauren did not know what this 'Abyss' was, only that it promised potential rewards, the likes of which she hadn't seen before! The woman was of course hungry for exotic materials, wealth and knowledge -- all three were her driving force here, with Ovan extending the opportunity with this expedition.
  41.  
  42. So to that end, she'd be providing the group with a majority of the equipment; as a sponsor from Crafthold. After all, Eiphraem approved of this in a way, as Lauren being that sort of pseudo-diplomat to the Gehennan tribes, given her connections and neutrality between herself and them; even if Lucilius had recently marred relations with Cruxati and Crafthold.
  43.  
  44. "Make sure to not lose it; I've brought plenty, but it's all very expensive stuff. If we have an overly successful outing, I'd imagine I could garner more support from the higher ups."
  45.  
  46. The engineer slash gunsmith was adamant that the various high quality pieces and bits of gear she had provided would cover the climbing and spelunking part of things.
  47.  
  48. So with that, her hands steadily dug into the crate, bringing out the Nyeshk grappling hooks, one hand gripping the metallic hook, whilst the other hand secured the leathery cylion enhanced hemp rope -- just one of the many actions she took to prepare herself to climb; even if she had the ability to levitate somewhat, Lauren needed to conserve her energy and be cautious.
  49.  
  50. "Don't forget the lanterns... They're cheap, so if you need to, bolt them to the cavern walls! They'll last a good long while and you only need ambient mana to recharge 'em a bit; as in, a nearby magi or a powerful enough spell being cast!"
  51. (Lauren Raynor)
  52. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  53.  
  54. [16:29] {NARRATION} There are flying things, actually! Nothing too large is visible from this distance, however. There are some small birds, scarce - and most of them actually above the Abyss itself.
  55.  
  56. For quite awhile, there's little more than those "threads." Far below, bigger connections are visible... but their 'population' isn't. Any solo scouting run would take quite awhile, and it would take the solo scout outside of sight range.
  57. [16:29] Sigrun sweats.
  58. (Sigrun)
  59. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  60.  
  61. [16:31] Burlap pack atop his pack, weaponry resting on his hip, the mountain of a Gehennan sauntered slowly behind the group. Perhaps age was beginning to catch onto the smith, once heavy and confident steps now light in their tread through the jungle. Peculiar enough, he seemed to drag a branch in front of him. Was he testing for traps?
  62.  
  63. Regardless, they soon found the black mouth of the Abyss's entrance staring back at them. This would be Keaka's second attempt at making history, and this time he wouldn't fail, he'd take his damned time.
  64.  
  65. "Mh… Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for anything, stay together - Xiuhtec knows what lies ahead." With that said, he'd see what he could grab from the crate to stow away in his burlap pack.
  66.  
  67. Lanterns, mostly, would be placed upon that trail of rope about the pack. He'd await Ovan's lead, a cautious hand ever present on Weight's hilt.
  68. (Keaka Kamauoha)
  69. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  70.  
  71. [16:32] It was a long hike into the jungles of the area itself. She had to figure that she was the more plain members of the group, but a the same time she did not mind it that much since well. . She was the only one with a hammer! Eh? Eh?
  72.  
  73. Moving on. .
  74.  
  75. When they had finally gotten together, and hearing what both Ovan and Ohtli were talking about.
  76.  
  77. "Now why would we try and turn back now after doing that long and arduous hike in the first place?"
  78.  
  79. She asked as she had looked at Lauren in the mean time, and the several things that were presented to them. The numerous lanterns, the grappling hooks that were tied securely to rope. . . While she could have used the potion she had gathered before, it was simply temporary and she can't do well if she were to use it at the beginning.
  80.  
  81. At least that was the thought she had so far.
  82.  
  83. She started to set herself up, but not before thanking Lauren for her contributions.
  84.  
  85. When it came to what they were seeing, there as barely anything that she heard about the Abyss other than the wonders and possibilities achieved within it. At least, that was her imagination running wild for a brief moment here.
  86. (Velvet Huitzilopochtli)
  87. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  88.  
  89. [16:38] He seems pleased by their replies. The next few moments are spent putting on his spelunking gear and making absolutely certain that the others are equipped and secured with theirs before he outlines a rough trail for their initial descent.
  90.  
  91. "We'll be staying together for this journey, Ohtli. Scouting ahead isn't something we should really do. But at any rate.. I prepared some levitation potions for those of us that cannot fly on our own. We'll try to save them for when we need them. For now..?"
  92.  
  93. The man steels himself and hands the potions out to those that needed them, keeping one for himself. From there, he aims to carefully tread the slender foothold that spirals downwards, leading the journey with somewhat cautious footsteps.
  94.  
  95. "Give each other some space, in case the ledges aren't stable. Light feet, and eyes on the swivel. Let's do this."
  96.  
  97. And so it begins!
  98. (Ovan Huitzilopochtli)
  99. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  100.  
  101. [16:47] {NARRATION} It's hard not to look down.
  102.  
  103. The rock is steady, for what it's worth. If not for the fact that near-certain death hangs less than a dozen feet below those cliffs, it might be the most boring hiking trip in the world.
  104.  
  105. Echoes of distant sounds, divorced from their origin, drift up from the chasm. It almost seems to eat light - even though it goes straight down, it's far darker than one might expect.
  106.  
  107. About halfway down to those larger threadings - the room for feet has drastically improved in the thirty minutes or so or descent. Each of you could likely stand shoulder to shoulder (Even if that might not be wise).
  108.  
  109. On the wall to your side is a message in an ancient language. While it certainly wasn't meant for human eyes...
  110.  
  111. it was left for future spelunkers. It's "written" in a white dust, thickly caked and seemingly preserved by age. The rock itself has been stained by its presence; but unfortunately, whatever meaning it once had has likely been lost to history.
  112. [16:55] As the Abyss threatens to swallow what light they had to work with, a brilliant golden hue erupts around the Huitzilopochtli's form. A genuine kind of light that he shared with few others on Agartha.
  113.  
  114. A torchlight potion would have worked just as well perhaps, but this attunement is the reason why he catches a glimpse of the message written in a primitive chalk.
  115.  
  116. "This is a long shot, I know. But does anyone have any kind of idea what this says?" He didn't expect anyone to, honestly. It was probably just a tactic to keep them all sharp and alert as they proceed.
  117.  
  118. His off-hand continues to grip his grappling hook as he switches up his pattern of walking, making use of the extra space granted to them as they go deeper in.
  119.  
  120. Ovan carries his usual charisma even in the dark, but the fact of the matter is that he is constantly on the look out for breaks in the foundation of their walkway, for Keaka's sake. He had not forgotten their trip to the moon-laser.
  121. (Ovan Huitzilopochtli)
  122. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  123.  
  124. [16:56] * You have been awarded 0.25 Roleplay Points! *
  125. [16:59] {NARRATION} Quite strangely, the golden brilliance around Ovan seems to fray at its edges. Small, small amounts of light seem to split from his aura like smoke, drifting down towards the edge of the foothold.
  126.  
  127. They dissipate into the air before they get all too far from his body.
  128. [17:05] Dark. Grim. Perhaps oppressive; Lauren didn't like the kind of vibe she got from the steady descent they all made. There was hardly any room as is and the light above was slowly but surely being swallowed up! To that end, Lauren kept on slamming down lanterns and nailing them to the wall, in the hope that if they needed to go up back?
  129.  
  130. They'd seem something akin to the a runway of an airport leading up to the surface and if something removed them? They'd know.
  131.  
  132. "Keep g-... Oh."
  133.  
  134. Lauren wasn't sure how deep they were, but after a while, thirty minutes or so, she'd catch the sight of sickly white dust caked into the cavern's wall, reminding her of a crayon or perhaps melted in candlewax.
  135.  
  136. "I'm going to write this down, for future reference; not sure what it's supposed to be, but the glyphs seem ancient and aren't of common tongues; Valmasian, Jianghuren nor Gehennan, or modern-day Agarthan..."
  137.  
  138. Lauren gripped the climbing rope tightly with one hand as her other hand went to retrieving the notebook she brought specially for this scenario!
  139.  
  140. "It might be ancient Agarthan glyph! Y'know Demons from ages back, Eiphraem might be interested in this, we could garner more support for future endeavours, y'see.", with that said, she'd begin to levitate somewhat as she attempted to accurately scrawl down what was on the wall.
  141.  
  142. "My best bet is, it's some kind of warning; if only we could understand it."
  143.  
  144. As soon as she was finished 'drawing' a replica of the symbols, Lauren looked over to the rest of the group!
  145. (Lauren Raynor)
  146. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  147.  
  148. [17:07] Ohtli holds no fear in the face of heights. She scooches down the path behind the others, holding only the length of rope and a single grappling hook. Just in case. Worst comes to worst, she can catch herself from a fall in a few ways- or catch someone else if it's needed.
  149.  
  150. In the face of the foreign script she can only shake her head.
  151.  
  152. "We can find out what it is when we can get back. If we can't read it no sense in worry about it. For now shouldn't we keep moving?"
  153.  
  154. She's alert and eager to continue exploration.
  155. (Ohtli)
  156. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  157.  
  158. [17:10] As they descended, Sigrun had activated her lantern due to the increasing darkness. All the while, she remained alert, her ears occasionally and attentively flicking in whichever direction at the many ambient noises in the place -- she didn't know what could potentially jump out at her, so she was determined to not suffer some kind of injury in another journey.
  159.  
  160. "Maybe it's a warning or something... or graffiti. Maybe it's just a bunch of curse words."
  161. (Sigrun)
  162. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  163.  
  164. [17:11] {NARRATION} The lanterns, with their light contained, seem perfectly untouched by whatever force frays the edges of Ovan's aura. Even the edges of their light, spraying down on the stone, is completely unmolested.
  165.  
  166. Lauren's knowledge of runewriting, additionally, gives her a few inklings of what the original message might have been. It's direct, certainly.
  167. [17:11] Keaka grumbled quietly to himself, hidden eyes carefully watching the edge of the cliff and path in front of him for cracks. He'd fallen once before... Best to let the others go first for once.
  168.  
  169. It wasn't all too hard thankfully, Ovan's light providing a fair bit of guidance in the consuming darkness. The way his own radiance seemed to fray was... Disheartening, concerning even.
  170.  
  171. Lauren was busy keeping their path illuminated in one way or another, and as the text they arrived at was deciphered he'd give a slow nod. A low huff left the Gehennan - Ancient script, Xiuhtec, what the hell happened here?
  172.  
  173. "If you can't figure out what it says, then let's keep moving... Doubt it'll be the last damned one we see."
  174. (Keaka Kamauoha)
  175. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  176.  
  177. [17:11] Mod whispers something.
  178. [17:12] Mod whispers something.
  179. [17:16] ...As Lauren turned to face the rest of the group, she did consider the fact she was better off to explain her findings.
  180.  
  181. Even if it was mostly ancient gibberish to her, she could make out snippets here and there!
  182.  
  183. With a clap of her notebook slapping together closed, light specks of dust shooting out from between the pages into the air, floating about before dissipating into the darkness. The Engineer would speak.
  184.  
  185. "So. I believe it's both a warning and a taunt of sorts. I cannot understand the entirety of it, but I've written it all down, so maybe if we survive this, I could get some advise on it from Eiphraem but...!"
  186.  
  187. "Danger, glory and darkness were the closest I could match to nowaday's runic symbols. I think if we continue to go down, we'll meet danger, which perhaps will gain us glory --the main issue being the darkness, I can already see Ovan's magic being snipped by the environment."
  188.  
  189. A few pointers were made, Lauren gesturing to Ovan, who's aura was being frayed slightly at the edges; concerning indeed.
  190. (Lauren Raynor)
  191. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  192.  
  193. [17:16] Light slowly faded from the area, as they were being drowned by the darkness that was the caverns interior. Was this what they meant when they said an 'abyss'? Or was it something that was dwelling into the cave itself? Be that as it may, they were okay!
  194.  
  195. . . For now.
  196.  
  197. It was unknowing what it meant, but from what she was seeing from Ovan's odd aura that illuminated the area, for a moment. It was then that they were able to notice the magic slowly beginning to motion away from him. Rather, it was the aura itself that was trying not to cling onto his body?
  198.  
  199. What did it mean?
  200.  
  201. "If a deduction could be made. ." She was thinking it over as she saw the white 'dust' that was on the earth, staring at it with a dumbfounded expression.
  202.  
  203. "Maybe it has to do with what just happened to Ovan's aura? Maybe it can't be used this far in? Mana being restricted or something along those lines?" She asked them all that question as she was still banking on what to do here! It was quite difficult to think about really.
  204.  
  205. That or it was something completely unrelated.
  206.  
  207. She couldn't use her lightning aura if that was the case. She kept with the climb-- but being careful about it.
  208. (Velvet Huitzilopochtli)
  209. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  210.  
  211. [17:22] A shiver runs up Ovan's spine as wisps of his aura, the extension of his very being, are syphoned down towards the pit of darkness.
  212.  
  213. Not because it hurt him, however.
  214.  
  215. The last time he had seen such a thing happen was when he had accompanied Suha to the Spirit Realm, and a very, very nasty and corrupted spirit tried to suck her attunement and soul out of her body.
  216.  
  217. "Ah, yeah. This might be a problem. And Eiphraem would definitely be a help, but for now? We keep pressing forward. Be on the look out for.. anything moving, really."
  218.  
  219. A hand reaches out to dust something off of Lauren's shoulder, and the man aims to continue on.
  220. (Ovan Huitzilopochtli)
  221. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  222.  
  223. [17:23] Ohtli says, "Good. We won't let some threat stop us."
  224. [17:30] {NARRATION} Thankfully, as you all descend towards the darkness, circling around the hole, soon the greater offshoots of land become visible - and even, perhaps to surprise, scarce vegetation.
  225.  
  226. The light had been invisible from so far above, but as you all draw near, bioluminescent moss on the edges of the chasm becomes obvious. It seems to have a bias for cracks in the wall.
  227.  
  228. On the first of these "islands" - a plate of rock connected to the side - is a thin layer of moss, faintly glowing. In its presence, the fraying of Ovan's aura is hardly visible at all.
  229.  
  230. It's warm, almost comforting; it sways ever-so-slightly side to side, as if welcoming you home.
  231.  
  232. --
  233.  
  234. but the threads are no longer the only way down.
  235.  
  236. Just below this first floating "island" are larger offshoots of rock, easily accessible if you had any way to get down. Further below are even bigger islands, faintly visible by the weak, pulsating glow.
  237.  
  238. Beyond that, however -
  239.  
  240. the darkness permeates.
  241. [17:40] Ovan moves to the edge of one platform to scout down at the others, golden eyes aiming to make sense in the slight change of a biome.
  242.  
  243. "Life? Things grow down here without the warmth of the Sun.." He questions out loud, looking from formation to formation as he slowly formulates a plan.
  244.  
  245. Getting down would be the easy part, certainly. But descending down a trail that could be climbed back up later on was his main concern. Eventually, he aims to outline such a path by drawing the dots with his fingers.
  246.  
  247. "Alright.. as long as we all end up at the same place, we should be alright. But what are the odds that the moss down below isn't hazardous? Lauren, Ohtli, would you care to swoop down for a closer look?"
  248.  
  249. A part of him wanted to be more direct and dash into danger. But as the leader of the unit, he had to know better. Do better. One misstep could mean a life lost, and he is not willing to risk that for a faster descent into the chasm.
  250. (Ovan Huitzilopochtli)
  251. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  252.  
  253. [17:43] {NARRATION} The sunlight here is dimmer than at the top, but it's also more VISIBLE than it was at the top. It's almost as if the light travels downward easier than it does upwards; as you descend, what is in front of you seems at least decently brighter than it seemed like it would have been, had you been looking from the top.
  254.  
  255. But at any rate, the moss IS in a direct line with the sun.
  256. [17:45] Aside from the lantern light, there seemed to be a faint glow had been illuminating the area. Moss that was growing from the walls and edges of the chasm itself.
  257.  
  258. Despite finally having a form of light that was around the area, her eyes widened a bit. They had to be aware of their surroundings right, so she didn't walk on ahead, but rather she was surveying the ground, and the sides of the walls. Her hand gently touched the moss, almost pulling on it.
  259.  
  260. Would they need a sample of this? Would it be a mistake to pull the moss? . . One way to find out.
  261.  
  262. "No danger here. . ? Maybe further down?"
  263.  
  264. Was what she wanted to say, but after being told the few words of those messages it seemed more and more like this comforting and warm feeling that was working its' way into her mind, almost as if trying to calm her down in a sense became more. . frightening, to be precise.
  265.  
  266. She stuck close to the rest of the team . .
  267.  
  268. Despite wanting to wander inside and get a better look at everything that was going on. . . . Ah well. .
  269. (Velvet Huitzilopochtli)
  270. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  271.  
  272. [17:45] After further descent, the darkness is broken up by clumps of the bio luminescent moss clinging to the walls. It doesn't escape the budding alchemists notice as she pauses just long enough to try and pluck some samples to stow away in a separate pouch. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
  273.  
  274. "We can check what's up here and see if it's harmful. Then if you still want I can check out that next perch just below," she offers, rolling a piece of the plant-tissue between her fingers and giving it a sniff.
  275.  
  276. (Ohtli)
  277. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  278.  
  279. [17:46] {NARRATION} It smells dank.
  280.  
  281. You know, like moss.
  282. [17:46] Ohtli says, "Well...It's not hurting me. Doesn't smell out of the ordinary."
  283. [17:46] Ohtli says, "I think the platform below would be fine."
  284. [17:46] Velvet Huitzilopochtli says, "Might be further down then."
  285. [17:46] Getting closer? Very well.
  286.  
  287. Lauren was eager to try and get her foot on solid, actual ground and not the dangerous edges of some rock simply jutting out from the cavernous walls surrounding them, thus, she made careful but swift motions towards one of these islands -- the first one to be precise.
  288.  
  289. "Mmm..."
  290.  
  291. With the aid of her gravity magic allowing her to float, Lauren made her way to the first island, settling down and poising herself to get a closer look at the moss.
  292.  
  293. It was glowing...? Was that a result of the sun above, or mutations within this hazardous place!
  294.  
  295. "I'll collect a sample.", for now, Lauren busied herself with her backpack, trying to find a jar to put a handful of the brightly lit moss!
  296. (Lauren Raynor)
  297. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  298.  
  299. [17:46] Keaka looked on in a mixture of confusion and slight relief, bioluminescent moss providing more light for their group as they pressed on. He couldn't help but question how such vegetation spawned or even lived down here, but perhaps that was for another time.
  300.  
  301. Hidden eyes then peered on towards those floating island, lips pursing at the sight. There had to be a catch to such platforms - Perhaps it could only sustain so much weight, and even then the distance was grand between them.
  302.  
  303. "Damned weird place... Peh, I'd be damned careful of the platforms regardless."
  304.  
  305. That said, his attention would shift between the group before looking back towards the platform in question.
  306. (Keaka Kamauoha)
  307. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  308.  
  309. [17:47] The further they descended, the more... tranquil it got actually. The sight of moss and various other traits of the chasm caught the young Ookami's eyes, but she does not comment on anything just yet. Instead, she inhales through her nose, only to be met with a certain mossy dankness.
  310.  
  311. She blinks, then looks to the others.
  312.  
  313. "Surprised we haven't been attacked yet. Journeys always go bad for me."
  314. (Sigrun)
  315. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  316.  
  317. [17:48] Velvet Huitzilopochtli says, "Don't jinx it."
  318. [17:49] {NARRATION} Notably, the moss pulled off has quite thick roots that burrow their way into the cracks of the walls. Evidently, it's gotten very good at not falling down. The roots themselves also glow, though it's far fainter.
  319.  
  320. There might be some complications, however.
  321.  
  322. When Lauren steps off of the edge, floating her way down with gravity magic, she can feel a certain IMBALANCE weaving its way into her path. Thankfully, her target doesn't require very much precision -
  323.  
  324. but she lands a little closer to the center of the Abyss than she might have hoped.
  325. [17:49] Lauren Raynor says, "Yikes."
  326. [17:56] Ovan cringes at Lauren's landing, taking a sharp breath that is only released once she lands safely.
  327.  
  328. "Yeesh. So flying isn't the best of ideas. Let's stick to the gear for the time being."
  329.  
  330. The suggestion comes with the man tossing his hook to the same platform the riflewoman is on so that he can jump, grapple, and hook his way down safely.
  331.  
  332. "Keaka, Velvet, if you see a better path, feel free to take it. Let's just stay within each other's sights."
  333. (Ovan Huitzilopochtli)
  334. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  335.  
  336. [17:59] Lauren was a bit shaken for a moment given the most unusual interference as she floated down; whatever had struck her within her flight path, was certainly not physical and had to be magical in nature --metaphysical perhaps, maybe there was gravity magic at work, or maybe the environment was disruptive to the expression of mana, of spell casting.
  337.  
  338. "Almost went off course there... Sheesh."
  339.  
  340. Maybe flying wasn't the smartest idea here, unless there was no other option!
  341. (Lauren Raynor)
  342. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  343.  
  344. [18:01] Lauren plays the part of guinea pig it looks like. She cranes her head over the edge of the platform and watches her land awkwardly.
  345.  
  346. After taking her own sample of the moss she jabs one end of her grappling hook into the ground, using it and the rope hanging from it to act as an anchor point; Ohtli steps over the edge and descends to the island below with assistance from her wings.
  347. (Ohtli)
  348. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  349.  
  350. [18:03] Keaka seems to go stiff, arms furling against his chest as he watches the rather messy landing. Xiuhtec, there was no way he'd be attempting to climb over to that island, not with his weight.
  351.  
  352. "No... To hell with that- I'm following the path. Keep a damned eye out for us hm?"
  353.  
  354. With that said, a torch would be withdrawn from his pack and lit aflame. Similarly, a molten shell would surround his form, emitting a low light. Basic preparations made, he'd keep close watch of the path ahead of him for any cracks or dips as he proceeded.
  355. (Keaka Kamauoha)
  356. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  357.  
  358. [18:03] {NARRATION} That magmatic aura is, perhaps, a little more liquid than it normally is. A little closer to smoldering...
  359. [18:05] At Lauren's mild spill, Sigrun inhales through her teeth, relieved by both the fact she's alive and that she herself didn't have to test how flight would go in such an unstable environment.
  360.  
  361. Despite her lightweight build, Sigrun looks between the path Keaka was following and all the rope the group was using to get across. Having bad luck with these things in the past, the Ookami shakes her head opts to follow Keaka.
  362.  
  363. "Right behind ya, big guy."
  364. (Sigrun)
  365. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  366.  
  367. [18:06] "Ahhh-- I'll uh. Go with Keaka."
  368.  
  369. In case he doesn't accidentally get himself killed or something like that. Paranoia and all of that, along with good samirtan. . Ahh. .
  370.  
  371. She wounds up simply taking out the grapple hook in the event it would be needed again.. She didn't bother to use her lightning just yet and simply followed along silently to Keaka.
  372.  
  373. It was probably needed.
  374. (Velvet Huitzilopochtli)
  375. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  376.  
  377. [18:10] {NARRATION} As Ovan's feet hit the layer of moss on the platform below, there's an audible CRONCH underneath the pillowy, soft blanket of plantation.
  378. [18:15] As his feet plant on the cronchy moss-based foundation, Ovan flares his nostrils and solidifies his grasp on the grappling hook in his hands.
  379.  
  380. "That.. is some crispy moss." He looks to Lauren for a moment, then down at the formation beneath him.
  381.  
  382.  
  383. (Ovan Huitzilopochtli)
  384. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  385.  
  386. [18:18] Ohtli asks, "Is there...something under the moss?"
  387. [18:18] Ohtli says, "I don't think moss crunches."
  388. [18:18] {NARRATION} Although the path down to the other "islands" is quite dull, it is thankfully void of CRONCHES. Ohtli has a notably softer landing, helped by the use of her wings.
  389.  
  390. The threads have finally opened up into a series of islands almost placed like stairs, each with approximately five feet of distance between them. The distance is, perhaps, easily cleared. In the small voids between those islands, however, is a visibly severe drop onto more below, populating a different "thread".
  391.  
  392. As Ovan's weight shifts on the moss, he can feel a tangible resistance to his weight, hard like rock, but not quite set in place; something underneath the moss had clearly caused the CRONCH.
  393.  
  394. At any rate, what lies below are larger and larger islands - and in the deepest, deepest distance...
  395.  
  396. larger vegetation, faintly glowing.
  397. [18:19] Lauren Raynor says, "Phew..."
  398. [18:20] Ovan Huitzilopochtli asks, ".. Do I even want to look under this moss?"
  399. [18:20] Lauren Raynor says, "I am not sure. I can't see much of it from over here."
  400. [18:20] Ovan Huitzilopochtli asks, "We should head towards that down there. Do y'see it?"
  401. [18:21] Ohtli asks, "You're not even going to look?"
  402. [18:21] Ohtli says, "Come on."
  403. [18:22] Lauren Raynor exclaims, "...It's pretty dark, it's hard to see the details, Ovan!"
  404. [18:24] Rather than using his own hand, the wind magi swirls his hand in an clockwise fashion to give birth to a gust of wind that would hopefully tear some of the moss away. Just enough for him to see what is underneath.
  405.  
  406. His other hand points lazily in the direction of the faintly glowing vegetation down the extended path of overlapping 'stair-islands'.
  407.  
  408. "That way. Let me just.."
  409. (Ovan Huitzilopochtli)
  410. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  411.  
  412. [18:26] Slow, careful steps were taken down the path, a moment taken as the CRONCH fills the air. No screams. A low huff left him, that careful pace kept as he carried on.
  413.  
  414. Soon they came to the series of islands, a cautious look given to those small gaps between them. Lips would purse as he peered back to those that followed him, a foot lightly tapping the ground.
  415.  
  416. "Still not feeling the damned platforms... What're your takes on it?" Keaka's attention would shift to Velvet and Sigrun.
  417. (Keaka Kamauoha)
  418. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  419.  
  420. [18:27] {NARRATION} Ovan's swirl doesn't quite hit its mark, but it reveals something, to be certain. Gray dust covers the moss just below the first layer. Resting next to the middle of the pool of fine grains is a thick, skeletal finger curled around a buried rod with moss thickly curled around its base; the core of the rod oscillates with light.
  421. [18:28] Sigrun's ear's attentively flick to the CRONCH!
  422.  
  423. Was it bones? Did someone fall?! Was someone hurt-
  424.  
  425. She didn't hear any screaming, perhaps someone just stepped on something gross -- she felt sorry for the unfortunate soul, whoever it was. Her attention flicks back to Keaka, and then the curious 'staircase' they were going down.
  426.  
  427. "Looks alright to me. Velvet could give it a try if you don't think it's safe."
  428. (Sigrun)
  429. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  430.  
  431. [18:28] Ohtli stoops down, inspecting the rood. She looks up questioningly to Ovan and Lauren- both people probably more well versed in magical objects than her.
  432. (Ohtli)
  433. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  434.  
  435. [18:33] As Lauren set herself down on what she assumed to be solid ground; least it wasn't giving straight the way! She aimed to retrieve another lantern, as to help illuminate the area!
  436.  
  437. She needed to see what it was Ovan had landed upon or near; it appeared as if there was some kind of rod?
  438.  
  439. "Is that a weapon of sorts or a fancy source of light?"
  440. (Lauren Raynor)
  441. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  442.  
  443. [18:35] The loud CRONCH was something that was. . . Surely odd to hear. But, hey at least it didn't sound like someone broke bones somehow, right? They didn't hear a scream or anything, yeah?
  444.  
  445. As they were pushing forward with the staircase that they kept moving onwards to.
  446.  
  447. ". . . Well, if something bad happens, I guess I'll be the judge of it somehow?"
  448.  
  449. She sounded more reclusive when she said that, and with that, simply allowed a good amount of lightning to cover her frame. It was a bit of an annoying thing to do, but it was the only way to light her way while knowing where to step and such. It was just a brief one as she expected to turn off.
  450.  
  451. She inhaled deeply for a moment, "Come on, Velvet don't be a quitter. ." Was the murmur she gave herself before simply trying to make the hop over.
  452.  
  453. She gave a few looks over the gap. That wasn't a bad spacing. Yeah. Oh god, she felt like she was going to do something she might regret. Alright. Deep breaths. . . A running start, so she backs away from the edge. And runs and jumps to make it across.
  454. (Velvet Huitzilopochtli)
  455. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  456.  
  457. [18:36] Ovan's eyes fall upon what had been revealed to them - namely the fallen figure and the rod that remained lodged in their grasp with the help of more of that sun-baked moss.
  458.  
  459. Rather than leaving it there to collect more of the greenery, the Ezmaran squats down and aims to pry the rod from the hands of the fallen (with the least amount of force necessary) and hold it up for the others to see.
  460.  
  461. "Not sure, but light is light. We'll need as much of it as we can get, Lauren."
  462.  
  463. What was it, anyway?
  464. (Ovan Huitzilopochtli)
  465. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  466.  
  467. [18:37] {NARRATION} When Ovan grabs the rod of light, taking it in his hands, the oscillating light within it completely extinguishes.
  468. [18:37] Lauren Raynor exclaims, "Weird...!"
  469. [18:37] Mod whispers something.
  470. [18:37] Ohtli says, "...Huh. Well. You tried."
  471. [18:37] Ovan Huitzilopochtli says, ". . ."
  472. [18:38] Ovan Huitzilopochtli says, "What do you mean? It's still perfectly fine."
  473. [18:38] Lauren Raynor asks, "Why'd it turn off?"
  474. [18:38] Velvet Huitzilopochtli says, "Huh. "
  475. [18:38] {NARRATION} Velvet makes it across without all too much worry, in the meantime! Her aura seems a little more erratic than normal, as if it were receiving some sort of interference - it's quite a lot more CRACKLY -
  476.  
  477. but her movement is unimpeded.
  478. [18:38] Ohtli shrugs. Her head dips low and she looks to what is no doubt the remains of a skeletal figure. She whispers a soft prayer to the departed and rises back up to a stand.
  479.  
  480. "Should we keep going down then?"
  481. (Ohtli)
  482. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  483.  
  484. [18:40] Ovan waves the rod around a few times and then holds it in the direction that they would be moving in soon. It illuminates the path somewhat, or at least it seems that way to him.
  485.  
  486. Unsure of why the others were acting weird, he proceeds towards the path, shaking the rod a few times as he goes.
  487.  
  488. "Let's get back to it, then. We can't fall behind the others." The priest aims to leap from one island to the next, using a bit of caution still.
  489. (Ovan Huitzilopochtli)
  490. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  491.  
  492. [18:41] Velvet Huitzilopochtli says, "<I guess its' safe.>"
  493. [18:44] Keaka would reach out for a moment, attempting to perhaps add an idea - Only to see Velvet already booking it for a jump.
  494.  
  495. Only to land safely.
  496.  
  497. A low breath of relief left the smith, a slow nod given. Unravelling the rope from his burlap pack, along with a piton, he'd hammer and tie it to the rocky wall nearby. Handing the coil and a piton to Sigrun before gesturing towards the platforms before them.
  498.  
  499. "Right... You two get across first. Put the piton to the next wall - make sure it's damned tight in there - then tie the rope. I'll ah... See if I can cross after mh?"
  500.  
  501. Risky, but the smith wanted to see how far this went... As well as if this would be quicker for their descent. Thus, he turned to Velvet.
  502.  
  503. "Both of you keep a hand on the damned rope, if it goes bad I'll pull you both up... Though it seems damned fine."
  504. (Keaka Kamauoha)
  505. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  506.  
  507. [18:44] Lauren was a bit weirded out by Ovan's lack of reaction to the rod... Well... Not being alight! Least it looked as if it wasn't lit up to her; why the hell was he acting like it was still on? Why did he question her? Nonetheless, she saw no other option but to keep moving forward.
  508.  
  509. Using her gravity magic, the woman did not float persay, but attempted to enhance her jumps from island to island, to keep up with the rest of the group, following behind.
  510.  
  511. A lantern would be bolted onto each island; so they might be able to backtrack if need be.
  512.  
  513. Though it was unlikely they'd be able to get back up that way, if her assumptions turn out correct!
  514.  
  515. "I got some more hooks and rope if need be. Uhhh… Shit, how far down are we?"
  516.  
  517. Honestly, Lauren was not mentally prepared for this; everything wasn't like what she had experienced before.
  518. (Lauren Raynor)
  519. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  520.  
  521. [18:48] She was happy to see Velvet made it across. This meant that Sigrun would have no trouble hopping over... probably, but she didn't know how Keaka would jump over with his size. Sigrun backs up just as Velvet did, ready to take a running start, but finds herself being given a coil and piton.
  522.  
  523. She looks at the tools, then nods at Keaka before taking a running stop.
  524.  
  525. She runs and hops over, hopefully making it to the other side so she could firmly dig the piton into any nearby crevices. If she manages to do that, she securely ties the rope to the thing.
  526. (Sigrun)
  527. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  528.  
  529. [18:51] {NARRATION} The path downward remains uneventful for quite awhile. Each little plate of moss gets everyone closer to the bottom, at the very least, but the sun grows less and less visible. Either due to the natural passage or time or due to the distance traveled, soon enough the moss on the ground is the best source of light, even despite the magical sources of light the party holds. In fact, as the moss grows thicker and thicker, its overlapping glow permeates the air, illuminating little motes of dust near the center of one of the islands ahead.
  530.  
  531. A skeletal hand, not all too different from the one which had held the rod, holds fast to what looks like a metal egg. The way down is clear of the cloud of dust, but it would only be a short detour to grab the egg.
  532. [18:54] Through aid of hook and wing the Drakan has no trouble navigating her way down into the depths below, following the others as they traipse between the mossy islands.
  533.  
  534. The increasing glow from the luminous vegetation makes the next trinket more obvious. And naturally her curiosity gets the best of her. She navigates closer to inspect it.
  535. (Ohtli)
  536. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  537.  
  538. [18:59] With their path illuminated by the moss that had more or less become the main sight to see, he allows his harmonic aura to dim down and eventually fizzle out.
  539.  
  540. Not to mention he has his brightly shining rod! How could anything go wrong?
  541.  
  542. He moves beside or potentially behind Ohtli, allowing his own curiosities to slow him down enough that he examines some of their limited surroundings on the way.
  543. (Ovan Huitzilopochtli)
  544. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  545.  
  546. [19:00] Ovan Huitzilopochtli asks, "Isn't it.. interesting? Fascinating even?"
  547. [19:01] Lauren Raynor asks, "Hrm... Another hand on an object; what is the reason for this?"
  548. [19:01] Velvet made sure that once Sigrun was secure and everyhthing seemed fine and dandy on their side to grab the rope that was offered, helping in speeding up the process. She aided in briefly tying the rope in place, making sure that it was tight and fastened for Keaka's approach to this. She looked at Sigrun for a moment as she held onto the rope.
  549.  
  550. For now, Velvet sought to use the rope given to her and aid in another piton point for the rope-- but before she sought to jump to the next island, she looked at the gap once more and what was between it. She blinks a few times, before looking over to Keaka for a brief moment.
  551.  
  552. "What the-- Uhh. . Hey, uh. . Keaka! Can you look between the gap for a moment?"
  553.  
  554. She inquired for a moment.
  555.  
  556. It was just so he was informed. She didn't make any moves to move to the next island. Of course, if he didn't get the information, she would proceed -after jamming the piton against the earth- to the next platform and doing the same thing there.
  557. (Velvet Huitzilopochtli)
  558. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  559.  
  560. [19:01] Ohtli says, "Maybe...Maybe people took stuff up from the bottom and were on their way out? I don't imagine it's an easy climb back up if you're not ready."
  561. [19:01] Ovan Huitzilopochtli says, "And died on their way up? That'd be a terrible way to go."
  562. [19:02] Ohtli says, "It is. And we're hopefully prepared enough to not have the same happen to us."
  563. [19:07] {NARRATION} This particular island of moss seems to have a particularly thick layer. As Ovan and Ohtli near the egg and the skeletal hand attached, the fine dust scattered through the air makes it into their lungs by way of their breaths. The effect is almost unnoticeable upon the first breath, but as the second is drawn into their lungs and a mist of little glowing motes coats the insides of their respiratory systems, an intense, burning pain wracks their bodies, lighting up every nerve in-between their lips and their lungs.
  564.  
  565. Strength begins draining from their limbs; the effect is VERY quickly increasing, and the moss below them WRITHES.
  566. [19:07] Lauren Raynor exclaims, "Uh-oh!"
  567. [19:14] He realizes that they made a mistake the second that second breath hits his lungs. It is clear to him that something had invaded his system and more importantly - something had invaded Ohtli's system. Without another thought between her form and the moving moss beneath them, he aims to take hold of her left shoulder and tug her backwards, wheezing and coughing all the while.
  568.  
  569. "Get B-- BACK!"
  570. (Ovan Huitzilopochtli)
  571. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  572.  
  573. [19:15] Keaka would twist his lips, slowly taking a peek down between the gaps. Larger islands! Perhaps the rope could reach... A low grumble left the man - He'd been blind.
  574.  
  575. Straightening himself up, he'd make sure the rope was secure to that piton in the crevice on his end before calling to the two with him.
  576.  
  577. "To hell with my plan- Let's try and get to the ones below us... Pull those out from the platforms, see if we can climb down."
  578.  
  579. That said, he'd use a bit of earthen magic to reinforce the piton's hold in the crevice. Once done, he'd produce one more piton and ground it in the cliff-edge before the drop.
  580.  
  581. "Give the rope back and I'll tie it about-"
  582.  
  583. As he peered up to the duo, hopefully following his instructions, the writhing platform would catch his eye as Ovan screamed. Hidden eyes widening, he'd call out.
  584.  
  585. "Everything alright up there!?"
  586. (Keaka Kamauoha)
  587. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  588.  
  589. [19:18] {NARRATION} That use of earth magic functions as a more resilient hold, but there are obvious cracks which form in-between individual sheets of rock. They're quite reminiscent of what it looks like when a novice earth mage moves rocks - little spikes of uncontrolled force in-between the more refined waves.
  590.  
  591. Possibly worrying, but the hold seems strong enough for now.
  592. [19:19] Ohtli realizes that danger in the same instant. Inhale, exhale. Inhale- and then it hits her. She's of a same mind as Ovan, and likewise she's not willing to leave her comrade behind to suffer whatever the choking cloud and twisting moss might have had in store for them. To do so would be a dishonor she can't tolerate.
  593.  
  594. She can already feel her limbs weakening, but the Drakan tries to take hold of the Huitzilopochtli, stretch her wings, and lift the two of them out of harms way back onto the platform before.
  595. (Ohtli)
  596. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  597.  
  598. [19:20] It'd seem the egg was a trap and for that, Lauren aimed to grant the duo a way out, or at least attempt to... So, with a swing of her strong arm, she tried to latch a grappling up between those little spikes formed by Keaka's earth magic! Maybe they'd be able to use the rope provided by Lauren to return to the group.
  599.  
  600. "Uhhh!"
  601.  
  602. It wasn't Lauren's smartest idea, but given the sudden occurrence and the lack of other options, it was the only thing that came to mind when she imagined time was very much limited.
  603. (Lauren Raynor)
  604. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  605.  
  606. [19:22] Sigrun did not protest to Keaka's ideas. Following his instructions, she pulls the pitons out of the surface, and then proceeds to toss down some length of the rope to the man so he could secure his end. While she's doing this, though, she hears a bit of commotion.
  607.  
  608. She instinctively looks over to group that seemed to be having some sort of trouble.
  609.  
  610. "You guys oka-"
  611.  
  612. It didn't seem like they were okay, though, after seeing Lauren's hasty movements.
  613. (Sigrun)
  614. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  615.  
  616. [19:30] Velvet simply nodded and removed the pitons almost immediately on her end, retreating back to where they were. She had to gather the rope and roll it up just incase it was needed before hearing. .
  617.  
  618. . . Something.
  619.  
  620. She didn't know what it was exactly that she was hearing, so she just hoped that whatever was going on, on Ovan and co' end, that they were alright for the most part. With that thought slowly dying down, she begun to help with tying the rope and such for Keaka.
  621.  
  622. ". . . Was that just Ovan?"
  623.  
  624. She asked Keaka as she was still having that thought in her head while tying the rope and handing it to Keaka to do the rest.
  625. (Velvet Huitzilopochtli)
  626. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  627.  
  628. [19:34] {NARRATION} When Ovan and Ohtli withdraw and Lauren attempts to throw a hook up to carry them up, that spike of unstable earth unfortunately SNAPS. As their steps fall upon thickening, writhing moss, their weight needs somewhere to fall. The combination of Ohtli and Ovan's weakness and the hastiness of their movements nearly send them careening off the edge;
  629.  
  630. however, when the grappling hook snaps off the spike, it CLACKS onto the stones of the platform above them, narrowly avoiding wrapping around Sigrun or Velvet's legs. The rope pulls TAUT as the hook sinks into a fortuitous crack, giving the three magi a clear path to escape the evidently-carnivorous moss.
  631.  
  632. While they've been harmed by contact with the moss, it wouldn't be all too difficult to pull themselves up this small distance, although it's likely hard to tell just how stable their pull is.
  633.  
  634. At any rate, so close to the edge and outside the center of the cloud, the moss seems less active. It's thinner here - and one might surmise, not quite as hungry.
  635.  
  636. However, in the back of Ovan and Ohtli's minds, an inkling of curiosity and want attempts to draw their attention back to that egg, back to the center of the cloud - and it grows stronger upon an attempt to ascend, even that small amount higher.
  637. [19:38] ** Mod has inflicted an injury upon Ohtli. ("Ow Burny Lungs", "Ohtli inhaled a few too many breaths of toxic spores. While she narrowly escaped mortal peril, it's going to be with her for awhile.", "Temporary", "Duration: Medium (4 days)") **
  638. [19:42] {NARRATION} The egg tantalizingly sits upon its perch, surrounded by the warm, inviting moss. Its soft embrace beckons, individual stands of green fibers waving back and forth as they "look" in the trio's direction.
  639.  
  640. The surface of the moss slopes downward towards the egg, all around, as if it had carved its way into the earth, enabling the greatest volume at the center of its mass. The moss immediately surrounding the skeletal hand almost-imperceptibly pulsates, pressing back and forth against its base like a maw as the thick cloud of dust swirls, rising up from the plant-life.
  641.  
  642. And yet, the egg remains.
  643. [19:43] Keaka would jump a tad, the 'clack' of the grappling hook against the stone of the cliff-side startling him. Xiuhtec, what the hell had happened to those few?
  644.  
  645. Quickly, the smith would go about securing the grappling hook to the floor with earthen magic, a hand gripping tightly onto the rope - Albeit with a bit more focus put into its efforts. Was there something draining his efforts?.. Regardless, he'd call out to the group.
  646.  
  647. "Hang in there - Damned thing's a tad loose!"
  648.  
  649. With the grappling hook hopefully secured, he'd motion to the others to join him. Slowly, he'd aim to pull the trio up from what was certainly their demise.
  650.  
  651. Least he hoped to...
  652. (Keaka Kamauoha)
  653. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  654.  
  655. [19:48] Lauren believed the egg to be a lure of sorts; given the movement of the moss and the skeletal hand upon the egg, it just reeked of bad news! Bad-bad-bad-news.
  656.  
  657. "Oh shit.", with that spluttered out, Lauren moved over to Kaeka's position to aid him with pulling the rope upwards, to get the trio back up! Before anything else happened; the entire group needed to come back in one piece, if she was going to try and convince other groups to take interest in this place.
  658. (Lauren Raynor)
  659. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  660.  
  661. [19:48] There was definitely something happening.
  662.  
  663. Sigrun's attention remained on Lauren and the group being attacked by the carnivorous moss, but soon, the sound of metal rapidly clacking against stone catches her attention -- was it an attacker? No, just the grappling hook losing it's place in the rocks; Sigrun was lucky the thing did not hit her.
  664.  
  665. However, she could not linger on the fact for too long. She hurriedly makes her way over to Keaka, helping to steady the rope so the other group could get across.
  666.  
  667. "Is there a monster?! What's attacking you guys?!"
  668. (Sigrun)
  669. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  670.  
  671. [19:54] . . . Well. .
  672.  
  673. Shit.
  674.  
  675. Velvet stared at the group that was being attacked by the moss. For once Sigrun and the others were the lucky ones, and chose the safer option?
  676.  
  677. Though before she could really note anything about it, she soon hears the metal unrooting itself and losing its' stationary area against the earth. Her eyes widened a bit, but a quick huff of breath was situated on. At that point, the only thing she thought to do was aid in gripping onto the rope.
  678.  
  679. Remember when Velvet said not to Jinx it? She didn't note that out loud, but it was what she was thinkking about.
  680.  
  681. "Should one of us advance further and check it out?"
  682.  
  683. She asked, trying to be calm and not show her being at a near wits end.
  684. (Velvet Huitzilopochtli)
  685. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  686.  
  687. [19:54] Once they arrive at their newest location, Ovan takes some time to 'reflect'.
  688.  
  689. Which was really just him suffering and surveying his newly found spore-based injuries to assess whether or not he could continue on. A look of gratitude is given to Keaka and one of concerned is tossed to Ohtli.. but that twinge of curiosity eventually causes his golden eyes to fall back upon the egg that seemed to have control over its environment.
  690.  
  691. "We.. have a choice here. We can keep moving, or we can get to the bottom of that. I personally want to find out what it is, but I might be a bit bias.."
  692. (Ovan Huitzilopochtli)
  693. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  694.  
  695. [19:54] Ovan Huitzilopochtli says, "It's nothing good, that's for certain."
  696. [19:54] Ovan Huitzilopochtli asks, "Keaka, your thoughts?"
  697. [19:55] Keaka Kamauoha asks, "... It's best we stay damned safe - Regardless, the hell happened?"
  698. [19:55] {NARRATION} There are no complications with the travel from the murder-death-moss to the moss-rocky-non-murder.
  699. [19:57] Ohtli hacks and wheezes, hunched over as she continues to feel the dreaded burn of spores in her lungs. She clears a wad of mote-filled phlegm from her throat and gives Ovan a thumbs up.
  700.  
  701. She's had worse. Way worse. Not that this is by any stretch comfortable.
  702.  
  703. The Drakan looks back to the egg, and curiosity paws at her.
  704.  
  705. "We got closer and something started choking us. The moss tried to grab us."
  706. (Ohtli)
  707. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  708.  
  709. [19:58] Lauren Raynor says, "I don't think it'd be safe to stick our necks out for something like that."
  710. [19:59] Sigrun says, "...maybe we can just burn the moss."
  711. [20:00] Keaka's lips would purse, his attention primarily on Ohtli for a moment. At least they were safe for now, and with a slow nod he'd look back towards his own plan.
  712.  
  713. "The damned thing isn't worth it then... We need to keep moving - Safer path is taking the pathway down. My idea was to go down with my rope but..."
  714.  
  715. He'd give a slow shrug, the recent events rather evident of what that could entail.
  716. (Keaka Kamauoha)
  717. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  718.  
  719. [20:00] Keaka Kamauoha asks, "Whatever the damned thing was wasn't worth it... Would burning it even help?"
  720. [20:00] Velvet Huitzilopochtli says, "I mean. . Can try, but not really sure."
  721. [20:01] Sigrun asks, "What's the worse that can happen?"
  722. [20:01] Velvet Huitzilopochtli says, ". . ."
  723. [20:01] Ovan Huitzilopochtli says, "..."
  724. [20:01] Velvet Huitzilopochtli says, "Don't. ."
  725. [20:01] Ovan Huitzilopochtli says, "Sigrun."
  726. [20:01] Lauren Raynor says, "Yeah, try burning it from here."
  727. [20:01] Sigrun asks, "...what?"
  728. [20:01] {NARRATION} The little motes swirl through the air, idly floating atop their domain as the six magi converse. They're out of reach, certainly, and the group has a nice moment of relative safety.
  729.  
  730. What's the worst that can happen?
  731. [20:01] Sigrun asks, "It EXPLODES or something?"
  732. [20:01] Lauren Raynor says, "Cause the egg looks like a rock to me, maybe it'd survive fire."
  733. [20:01] Velvet Huitzilopochtli says, "Those words are the tell tale sign of everything bad happening."
  734. [20:02] Velvet Huitzilopochtli says, "But! I can try it."
  735. [20:02] Ohtli asks, "Or...maybe with enough wind we could clear those little specks out that were choking us?"
  736. [20:02] Keaka Kamauoha says, "Mh... Focus though, magic feels a tad bit weird down here- Right, clearing the motes would help too."
  737. [20:03] Ovan Huitzilopochtli says, "Alright, let's try it out then."
  738. [20:03] Keaka Kamauoha says, "Though it'd be a decent idea to also burn whatever did this to you all."
  739. [20:03] Ovan Huitzilopochtli says, "Burn it..? "
  740. [20:04] Keaka Kamauoha says, "The moss. Burning the damned thing that apparently grabbed you."
  741. [20:04] Ovan Huitzilopochtli asks, "Yeah. But we should make sure not to damage the egg, alright?"
  742. [20:04] Sigrun says, "Burn it carefully."
  743. [20:04] Sigrun nods.
  744. (Sigrun)
  745. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  746.  
  747. [20:05] Keaka Kamauoha says, "Who gives a damn about the egg- Thing's hostile. Fry it once we get this air clean."
  748. [20:05] Ovan Huitzilopochtli says, "Since you're the fire magi, I'll leave the buurning to you, War-chief."
  749. [20:05] Sigrun says, "Buuuurn it."
  750. [20:05] Lauren Raynor says, "Lets just hope it doesn't backfire, the burning of the moss that is."
  751. [20:08] Sigrun says, "It'll be fine."
  752. [20:08] Keaka groaned, looking towards where the trio had departed from. A moss platform attacked them... Interesting. How many more of these things did this then?
  753.  
  754. With a low breath drawn in, he'd cup a ball of fire in his hands before tossing it towards the murderous-mossy-platform.
  755. (Keaka Kamauoha)
  756. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  757.  
  758. [20:14] {NARRATION} When Keaka manifests the fireball in his hands, it's much larger than he intends; when it shoots out from his hands and collides with the cloud of motes, they do, in fact -
  759.  
  760. thanks, Sigrun -
  761.  
  762. EXPLODE, sending a hail of dust and moss spraying against the walls of the cavern, some careening into the Abyss as metal flies through the air, unearthed by the displacing of the moss. Underneath had been a pit, filled with near-dusted skeletons...
  763.  
  764. and unfortunately, underneath had also been a decent chunk of treasure. NOTABLY, the area immediately surrounding the egg is mostly unharmed, with its surface glowing red in the wake of the explosion, before slowly cooling to a beautiful bronze-gold, with previously-invisible leylines pulsing with magical charge.
  765.  
  766. There were other devices below, but the explosion sends the vast majority of them either flying into the Abyss or slams them against the rocks and bones hard enough to break them.
  767. [20:14] Sigrun says, "."
  768. [20:15] Ohtli says, ". . . ."
  769. [20:15] Keaka Kamauoha says, "... Damn."
  770. [20:15] Velvet Huitzilopochtli says, ". . . Ohhh, I see now."
  771. [20:15] Lauren Raynor exclaims, "Well... Is it safe to proceed, friends? Seems the egg is still intact, but there doesn't seem to be much else!"
  772. [20:16] the worse actually happened
  773.  
  774. ...
  775.  
  776. Sigrun rubs the back of her neck and looks over to her comrades, saying nothing.
  777. (Sigrun)
  778. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  779.  
  780. [20:16] Ovan Huitzilopochtli says, ". . ."
  781. [20:21] Ovan gives a dejected sigh as loot and skeletons alike fall deeper into the Abyss.
  782.  
  783. If nothing else, the lack of a sound for them hitting the bottom is enough to let the group know they still have a long way to go.
  784.  
  785. Thanks, Sigrun.
  786.  
  787. "Yep. I'll--" He rises back to his feet for the first time in a while, coughing up something horrendous from his lungs. " I'll go and get the egg, then. Grant me luck, spirits.."
  788.  
  789. The stubborn man prepares to find a way back down, intent of finishing what he and Ohtli started.
  790. (Ovan Huitzilopochtli)
  791. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  792.  
  793. [20:22] Lauren Raynor says, "...Don't forget the rope, Ovan."
  794. [20:23] Well. The two had started it. May as well get it over with. Ohtli follows behind the magus with that same sense of nagging wonder at just what the egg is- albeit more cautious than their first approach.
  795.  
  796. Her lungs are already burning. She doesn't want to end up -losing- one of them.
  797.  
  798. As for the exploding lucre that spreads every which way? She pays it little mind.
  799. (Ohtli)
  800. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  801.  
  802. [20:24] {NARRATION} How tantalizing, the result of someone else's greed. All that needs be done to collect it is to step over the bodies of those who perished in pursuit of gold and glory. Should Ovan and Ohtli step forth, the dry and brittle bones, damaged by that explosion, crumble into dust against artifacts built from valuable metals, and there the egg sits above it all, pristine and beautiful despite however many years it's sat in these deathly caverns.
  803.  
  804. Faintly glowing with a red-orange light, replacing the light of the moss which had been there just moments before. It's really quite dark, now - the contrast is perhaps a little jarring.
  805. [20:27] Keaka does a double take as Ovan begins to walk off, his intentions of grabbing the egg still out worldly to him. Had he not looked at the damned thing?
  806.  
  807. With a groan, the warchief could only look on in horror as the duo goes for the artifact.
  808.  
  809. "Something's up... Why would the damned thing have leylines Ovan?!"
  810.  
  811. He'd look to the others for any input, slowly shaking his head.
  812. (Keaka Kamauoha)
  813. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  814.  
  815. [20:28] Ovan Huitzilopochtli says, "It has to be an artifact of some sort. But artifacts can be purified - like the chunk of Eidolon's star we got."
  816. [20:28] {NARRATION} The glow is like that of a smoldering fireplace, but far more even-laid. Its blanket of light drifts down on the ground below, eerily lighting the remains underneath it.
  817. [20:28] Sigrun exclaims, "Be careful! It might do... something bad, I dunno!"
  818. [20:29] Lauren Raynor says, "I think the worst has passed, whatever it'll do, might need activation."
  819. [20:29] Ohtli says, "It's not what we're here for...but it might not hurt to check out."
  820. [20:35] Makes his way down with rope and a grappling hook and aims to approach the item once more. This time around, the golden aura that had previously been taken from bursts out around him once more.
  821.  
  822. "Ohtli, be ready to bail."
  823.  
  824. He gives that swift warning and then proceeds forth with some glimmer of caution, aiming to approach and lift the egg up from its current location from outside of its extended 'melee' range.
  825.  
  826. Using telekinesis.
  827. (Ovan Huitzilopochtli)
  828. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  829.  
  830. [20:38] {NARRATION} While it takes a decent deal of force to lift the egg from those impossibly dead hands, it is otherwise uneventful.
  831.  
  832. Should Ovan bring the egg close to his hands, he can feel the faint pulsing of mana that is, no doubt, rather familiar. The warmth...
  833.  
  834. completely inseparable from Keaka's own, really.
  835. [20:40] Keaka Kamauoha asks, "... Well? The hell is it?"
  836. [20:40] Velvet Huitzilopochtli says, "I. . It has the shape of an egg. . "
  837. [20:40] Ohtli is tensed, ready to bail...But nothing happens. She steadily relaxes. But not entirely.
  838. (Ohtli)
  839. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  840.  
  841. [20:40] Ohtli asks, "So it's...safe?"
  842. [20:40] Lauren seems paranoid; given the movement of the moss from earlier and just the general... Darkness and gloom the abyss was providing? Who could blame her?!
  843. (Lauren Raynor)
  844. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  845.  
  846. [20:47] Ovan does aim to hold the egg, but only after making his way back up to the others. If he is capable of doing so, he levitates the artifact beside him for the duration of the return trip with Ohtli, and then drops it down into his hands.
  847.  
  848. ".. Keaka? Do you have some kind of.. connection with this place that you aren't telling us about? Maybe a cursed, ancient side of your family that chose to make a forge here rather than the volcano?"
  849.  
  850. He is joking, mostly, but his curiosity won't allow him to go without asking. The egg is extended out into the titan's direction for him to take and pass around.
  851. (Ovan Huitzilopochtli)
  852. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  853.  
  854. [20:49] Lauren Raynor says, "Hrm, I've never seen anything like it."
  855. [20:49] Keaka would tilt his head, his lips curling to one side. What the hell did he just say to him?
  856.  
  857. "No... The Kamauoha's have been and always will be warriors and smiths. Can't imagine one of them muddling about in this damned place."
  858.  
  859. A dismissive hand was waved, his attention shifting to the two paths they had now.
  860.  
  861. "Regardless of that... How should we proceed?"
  862. (Keaka Kamauoha)
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