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ximilialog2023-01-29 02:10 pm
- ! event log,
- ace attorney: ryunosuke naruhodo,
- adventure time: finn mertens,
- fear street: ziggy berman,
- grishaverse: the darkling,
- gundam seed/destiny: yzak jule,
- pacific rim: newton geiszler,
- red vs blue: felix,
- star wars: cassian andor,
- the old guard: andromache,
- wheel of time: rand al'thor,
- yakuza: zhao tianyou
MISSION: THE DIE IS CAST, PART 2
● ● ● M I S S I O N 1 1 . 2
Dawn breaks over the court in grey skies, clouds drooping sadly over the horizon, as Finn (and whoever he has managed to get to train with him that day) arrives at the Knights’ Guild… and meets the beaming face of Jun Shortaxe. It is clear that the depressing weather is not dampening his spirits.
His voice booms brightly over the Guild’s courtyard, but he seems to think better of the volume as his next words are quieter, only for the Orbers to hear.
And indeed, when the next day comes with the sun finally peeking out behind the veil of clouds, it is not only Jun waiting for the Orbers but also Alena Ironspear, decked in full armour, and the Great Mulgrowe, hooded and deep in conversation with a bird.
When it seems that all Orbers are present, Jun urges his horse forward and raises his hand in greeting.
Next to him, Alena nods.
The Great Mulgrowe nods below his hood, eyes slowly opening. He pulls back the fabric to reveal the scaled countenance of a dragonborn druid.
MULGROWE
When next Jun speaks, it is with a gravitas that he seemed to lack before.
Hopefully you were ready to leave at once, as the former members of the Songbird Brigade don’t wait for long — it is within the next few moments that the group is split up into three, with each party heading off to their separate directions.
After some quick decisions on who to go with, and some even quicker good-byes, the groups are all ready to go — and so, with Jun, Alena, and the Great Mulgrowe wishing each other good luck, they each take their newly-formed party and get ready to travel: Jun by the roads, the Great Mulgrowe out in the wilderness, and Alena with the aid of Rahiel’s temples and teleportation.
1.0 Those following Jun Shortaxe will find that the roads that lead from Alydhion to South Naelor are well maintained, so whether you are on horseback or have chosen to put your feet to good use by walking, there won’t be too many rocks in your shoe by the end of the day. As you travel, you may hear Jun humming to himself, in a tone that’s actually not bad:
Follow the road
Rich or poor,
Your troubles unload
The path will take you
Stronger it will make you
The adventure that awaits!
So close the door,
Follow the road
Rich or poor,
Sing with me this ode
To whatever the fates
have in store for you!
The tone of the travelling song is catchy, and perhaps you'll want to join in (and learn another song that the illustrious commander of the Ximilia has composed).
As the road is long and darkness falls quickly in the evening, you are required to make camp — so find a good spot on the side of the road, set up your campfire, and spread your bedding around… or, if you’re not a fan of staying under the open sky and watching the stars, you can always try and find a thicket of trees to stay under, or a cave where you’ll be safe from any sudden downpours.
2.0 The journey through the Forests of Gha’har throws you into the middle of wilderness, away from the comfort of roads: instead, the Great Mulgrowe will lead his group through thick bushes, over fallen tree trunks, and under the canopies of the tall, old trees of the forest whose presence seems almost oppressive. There are moments when you may look around and feel as if everyone around you has disappeared; moments when the trees rustle above you with a quiet, menacing sound… only for it to be broken by the trill of a bird, or perhaps a druid friend among your party, settling the trees once more.
Eventually, you will hear it: the unmistakable sound of water. From behind the trees, you see the river gleaming in the sunlight like a silver snake, twisting this way and that as it flows towards Naelori Lake. This means that you have finally made it out of the Forests, and traveling by the riverside is a nice change in scenery… at least until you’re required to cross the river in order to make it to South Naelor. Well — better be ready to get your feet wet, or figure out an alternate way of crossing the river with dry shoes!
3.0 Whereas Jun and the Great Mulgrowe lead their respective groups immediately towards South Naelor, Alena takes hers back to Harsby; the reason for that becomes apparent when right outside the borough, a beautiful temple surrounded by flowering vines comes into view. It is the temple of Rahiel, and Alena explains to the group that she is only able to teleport so many people from one temple to another — and the one closest to the ruins of South Naelor lies at the mouth the Gulf of Ifyln.
It is almost as soon as everyone has stepped inside the temple, its walls decorated with paintings of the Seven Sisters, that Alena claps her hands together and a golden light envelopes you… and the next moment, you smell the sea air, and feel the cool breeze blowing your hair. When you open your eyes, feeling a little disoriented, you see the steep cliffs that line the coast from the open temple.
The cliffs don’t persist for long, though, and Alena quickly leads the group to the shore, where a small ship awaits them: just large enough to fit all of them below deck, you best hope you’ve got those among you who know how to raise the sails and steer the ship through the tides… and lower the anchor when it’s time to stop for the night. At least you’ll have a cosy rest in the ship’s cabins, or on the deck watching the stars.
However, don’t get too attached to your little ship: soon enough the river becomes too shallow, requiring you to make the rest of the way on foot.
However, the journey to S. Naelor isn’t without its challenges. The skies above might seem to darken one day, the heavy clouds splitting at their seams to let out a torrential downpour. You and your group might also stumble into the wrong place at the wrong time, not uncommon for many parties that travel through (and across) the boroughs. Whether by foot or on horseback, it would be wise to keep your senses alert and your weapon close. A battle of some nature is never too far away.
4.0 Past the crest of gently rolling hills you might hear the sudden rapid stomping of hooves against dirt as a party of bandit orcs on horseback appear, their shrill cries meant to scare and alarm you. Seek a place for cover or meet them with full force, weapons at the ready — if you’re traveling with Jun Shortaxe, he won’t be far behind, expression steeled into one of strength and determination. Within the thick, lush foliage of the Forests of Gha’har, if you’re traveling with the Great Mulgrowe, you may encounter winged bat-like creatures in the trees that squawk and cry as they fly out to attack you. Mind their sharp claws and sharper teeth — and anyone with the ability to communicate with creatures might want to utilize their skills to placate the flurry. Finally, steering the small ship on the river past Rahiel’s temple may seem quiet at first, but past the temple’s walls and emerging from the Gulf of Ifyln, winged kelpies appear to have caught wind of your group’s presence. Alena Ironspear will fearlessly lead the charge but she’ll need your help to keep the winged kelpies at bay and continue your journey northwards to Fort Gorlouch.
5.0 Along the way, whether through grassy plains and grey skies, the darkness of trees and thick foliage, or the sandy coast and the salty ocean waters, some of your party will experience some obstacles and immunities specific to their chosen race and form. Unnatural phenomena and sudden spots of darkness and flame appear to pop up like a presence following close behind.
If you suddenly become shrouded in a strange, thick fog, you’ll hear haunting voices and see visions of malevolent creatures all around you. You might try and swing your weapon forward as the voices command you to defeat every last creature trying to crowd in on you — but only your human party members will see what you can’t and will need to snap you out of the presence currently trying to control your mind, persuading you to attack your own friends and fellow crew.
While there is no shortage of dangers to be found no matter what path you travel, it might seem that there is something intentionally challenging your journey through South Naelor. While it is easy enough to take up your weapon against a stray bandit or wild creature (to some degree, anyway), it is much harder to cast off an avalanche of boulders from the nearby cliff edges, or to catch a fallen tree trunk that aims to block you and your path. Call on the orc-kind in your party to help, as their superior strength will allow them to swat boulders away like flies, or catch heavy tree trunks in mid-fall.
Some of you might find when you try to start a campfire, either during the day or the evening, for warmth or for cooking, that the flames might appear to grow hotter and larger than usual. Keep the fire going for too long and you’ll be (un)pleasantly surprised by the sudden voracious appetite the flame has for the measly kindle you have collected. It spreads and seems to grow into a predatory form that can only be challenged by those with an immunity to fire. Your tiefling companions will be able to tame and put out the fire before it does any more damage than singe your bedroll and turn your dinner to charcoal.
In the evening when the last of the daylight has disappeared past the horizon, the darkness may feel thicker, even blacker. For most of you it will seem difficult, almost impossible to see; you won’t even be able to see your hands before you. Only the dwarves in your group, possessing dark vision, will be able to decipher your surroundings and guide you to a safe place to wait out the darkness before it passes. (And thankfully, like a passing shadow, it won’t last for too long.)
Even your Brigade leaders appear to be having difficulty at moments. It will be more important than ever to chip in when you can and keep your fellow team members afloat as you trek through this perilous part of the journey towards the fortress. But one thing is clear at least: you’re getting closer.
6.0 It isn’t difficult to guess that the path to South Naelor is one less traveled — the dirt road is crude and beaten down by wagon wheels, hoof-prints, and feet but there isn’t much else around for miles. Aside from the random attacks from bandits and hungry creatures, and the strange happenings, there are also the natural elements to contend with.
Windstorms, rainstorms, and the changes in temperature (generally warmer in the day, cooler during evenings) are common in this part of the land being situated between the ocean waters and too far away from the shelter of Ffuren and the Jolnora Peaks. The plains experience heavy monsoons of rain at times, and with trees so far and few between it can get cold in the nights. The tides can rise, taking in a large part of the beach by the coastline, making it too easy to be swept into the water if one is not careful enough. Rain isn’t uncommon in the Forests of Gha’har either, and may require brief moments of shelter under the large leaves of the trees to escape getting soaked. The best thing to do during these moments is to find a cave or shelter of some sort and wait it out, catch up on some sleep, or once again go over your plans for when you arrive at Fort Gorlouch.
They say that it’s more about the journey than the destination, but sometimes it really is a relief to arrive where you want to be. The gates to South Naelor appear on the horizon in the form of long stone ramparts and large towers. Only ... these gates appear to be in serious need of repair, the walls partially broken, chunks of stone missing, and wooden posts hacked in half, leaving crude sharpened points directed at the sky. S. Naelor appears to be a court that had once seen better and brighter days, and it isn't hard to think that the court of Alydhion itself might one day see a future like this one. It is unclear whether this once majestic court had always been in decline or if this is a more recent event. Whatever the case may be, there’s only one way to find out … it’s time to ride forward.
7.0 The travels might begin to feel like they’re taking a toll on you but you and your party finally arrive — and in mostly good spirits, too. South Naelor as it stands feels nothing like the court of Alydhion, which seems so vibrant and alive by comparison. If anything, it is a court now mostly in ruin, an artifact in the history of this world. Over the centuries, nature has reclaimed some of the built structures, and rivers have carved wide canals through the land, connecting to the Gulf of Ifyln. Without needing to be told by your former Songbird Brigade leader, you might already begin to feel the prickle of goosebumps along your skin, or the hair rise at the back of your neck. It’s that sensation of expecting something dangerous that will keep you alert as the three groups converge just before Fort Gorlouch. The Great Mulgrowe bows his head in Alena and Jun’s direction, and Jun nods, opening his mouth as though to address the crew at large.
But just before he can speak, deep and guttural growls fill the quiet air from somewhere within the old fortress walls followed by the sudden blinking of bright light as though there are doors opening and closing to let these unwanted guests through. Claws frantically click and scratch against stone as the lanky greyish-white furred creatures, long-limbed and snarling with venomous teeth, rush out to meet the teams.
Alena’s eyes widen as she swears under her breath.
One of the patchy-furred beasts rises on its hind legs atop one of the half-battered ramparts and howls into the sky, commanding all of its brethren. One does not need to be a druid to understand their message: they mean to attack, and they mean to kill you.
MULGROWE
Next to the Great Mulgrowe, Jun squares his shoulders, a determined look in his eyes.
As if in response to these words, without hesitation, Alena seems to compose herself as though falling back into the old habits of their former party. She turns towards the Orbers, gripping her sword tightly in her hand.
The moment Jun hangs back to stand his ground, the Dremnin start to crowd forward, followed by all other manner of beast: some recognizable, and others that are unfamiliar, like a new kind of beast this world hasn’t seen. You’ll have to fight your way through some of these beasts to keep moving forward in search of the heirloom as Jun takes care of the brunt of it from behind.
F Y I
• If you have questions about any of the prompts or the mission in general, please direct them HERE.
• A voting post regarding the conclusion will go up on February 10.
• And finally, your soundtrack for this log: ♪ ♪ ♪
5.0 | a
Also there's the fact that in the moment, he has no idea anything is wrong, that he should suspect anything sinister at play. Or maybe he does suspect something is wrong, only he misjudges what it is exactly. Because he feels a foreboding deep in his very core, and there's something, a voice in the back of his head telling him to be on his guard, that something is coming, something hiding in the fog.
He's no stranger to fear. He's been in the Upside Down, has nearly died from the monsters there, so if he can survive that, then surely he can survive anything?
He never sees the sword coming. ]
What the fuck? [ He gasps out as he's nicked on the side of his face, nothing too gruesome, but enough to catch him off guard and cause him to lash out blindly with his greataxe.
Only there's something about the fog, and something about the monsters that transports him back to that godawful place. It's not quite right, they're not quite the same, but Steve's mind is too scrambled, too overwhelmed to recognize that the horrid beasts don't resemble the Demogorgon that killed Barb, that would have killed him if he hadn't the help of Nancy and Jonathan. ]
No, no, please, no, not again.
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Something... something about this doesn't seem right, the monster isn't moving correctly for some reason, but he doesn't have the time to stop and wonder about it--the monster is here and he needs to kill it now. It's imperative.
And yet, he hesitates. The feeling that something isn't right is only getting stronger, despite the ringing in his head insisting otherwise. Is the monster... afraid of him?]
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Under normal circumstances, Steve would grip his weapon, would stand tall in the face of danger and accept whatever fate he is apparently owed. But these are not normal circumstances. This world is anything but normal, and although Steve has a little bit of magic at his fingertips his mind is to garbled to even think to call upon any of it, even if it's to protect him.
In the end, he shields himself physically, using his arms to cover his face and braces himself for whatever attack is coming. When it doesn't come, when all that is left is a voice in his head taunting him, he thinks for a brief moment of running. Could he really run, though? Even if he escaped whatever it is that's hunting him, trying to kill him, he'd still be stuck here, they all would until that damn orb is found. He needs to get his shit together and press on, but that taunting voice won't let him. ]
Shit. [ He reaches for his greataxe and slowly, cautiously, rises to his feet. ] If you're gonna try and kill me then get it fucking over with.
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Finn's next trip into the fog takes him deeper than before. Some small part of him wonders if it's over, if everyone either found their way out or the fog itself was starting to dissipate.
Distantly, the shouts of fighting interrupt that optimistic train of thought. Oh, well.]
Hey, over there--!
[Finn stops, blinking hard, as if the illusions suddenly grabbed hold of him as well. Kazuma stood with perfect form, eyes fixed razor sharp on his target. Opposite him, Steve, looking entirely out of place in front of the markedly better trained fighter. To Finn, it was like coming across the world's most reckless lamb poised in front of a striking tiger. Without so much as considering what he'd do when he got there, Finn takes off toward them.]
Steve! Kazuma! Steve!! [His second shout of Steve's name comes out ragged, true terror coloring his voice as Kazuma starts his advance. The original plan was out. Even with adreneline pumping in Finn's ears, he knew throwing himself between them would only get him killed too.
There was only one thing to do.]
I'm-sorry-I'm-sorry-I'm-sorry!
[With all the strength of his momentum (and apologetic battle cry), Finn hurls himself into Steve's side, tackling him to the ground with his entire weight.]
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They hadn't managed to go far. Before they can react again--hopefully--Kazuma uses the rest of his momentum to carry himself forward and then pivot back around, pulling his sword loose from the ground as he does. If he's lucky, he'll be able to strike again before they can think to dodge.
If he isn't lucky--well, he'll figure that out when the time comes.]
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He might also be hanging by a thread with all the psychological torment, but that's for another time. ]
The hell is going on? [ He manages to rasp out as he looks around, the fog leaving him in a state of bafflement. He remembers there being a lot more monsters and now all he sees is...friends? ] Finn? [ He looks up at him, blinking in confusion.
He doesn't notice that Kazuma is still after them, unfortunately too preoccupied with recovering from his bout with apparently temporary insanity. ]
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H-Hey, bro. [He even manages a smile, before Kazuma's advancing form snaps Finn back to all-business. He extradites himself from Steve, immediately leaping in between the two men to shield his friend bodily.]
Kazuma. [Finn shouts, voice deepening with insistence.] You have to stop this!
[If Finn's voice sounds as if it's coming from the two huddled creatures or from somewhere else, it's certainly enough to penetrate the fog. Even if only for a moment.]
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Kazuma stands with his sword still at the ready, wavering. He doesn't want to let go of it. Everything in him is screaming that there are still enemies out there, that Finn in front of him is an enemy, and letting down his guard now means an ignominious death. There's still another one out there, after all--
But.
But he remembers the feel of his blade making contact with skin, and--what if? What if? Is it worth the risk to call Finn's bluff? Which situation would it be better to be wrong about?
Kazuma also remembers the feel of his blade making contact with leather and metal, and knows the answer. Slowly, nervously, maintaining eye contact with Finn the entire time--he lowers the sword to the ground.]
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There's also no guarantee one of the other orbers facing similar problems wouldn't catch him instead. No, he has to trust that Finn has gotten through to him.
And it isn't until he watches the blade be lowered, so slowly, so hesitantly, that Steve lets go of the breath he's been holding in. For a moment there, he's certain Kazuma was going to run him through with that sword of his.
To Finn, he turns with a tired, but relieved look on his face. ] Thanks, buddy, I owe you. [ And to Kazuma, he manages a reluctant smile. It might take a while for him to be able to learn to trust again, but give him time. He'll come around eventually. ]