Complete Private Lyrwick Elegy of the Dead

[Tristaria]

90 / 130

Tris watched as Foxy darted around light literal lightning, striking them left and right with incredible precision and power. It was incredible to watch, but the maneuvers were clearly taking their toll. She needed a boost.

Hold still, I'll help you out.

Holding out her hand, Tris began to glow as a summoning circle spawned at Foxy's feet. Suddenly, several small magitech drones arose from the ground and attended to her like an assembly line would a new car. Patching up wounds, injecting with moderately safe medicines, and repairing scuffed up armor. Although the spiders were quick to smash a few of them, more simply spawned to take their place, giving Foxy a brief respite to rest.

As Tris was focused on this repair, a spider took the opportunity to snap her on the arm, and received another swift kick in return.

public void Anger() {
    tristaria.anger += 1;
    Anger();
}

Tristaria's hands balled into fists, and she turned her ire to the attacker. Her normally calm face suddenly exploded in rage!

GET OFF YOU DISGUSTING HELLSPAWN!! I'LL TEAR YOUR LEGS OFF ONE BY ONE AND MOUNT YOUR HEAD ON MY WALL!!!

Rolls

Heal (Single)
1d20 (13) + 15 + 0 + 15 = 43
+43 HP to @Ayna Nietzsche
Summon | Tristaria | 386C3

Play Sheet

@Ru Ning @Ayna Nietzsche

 

[Ru Ning]

60 / 140

Vulnerable

"I think it's because of the bloodstone… hope that doesn't happen to us."

A look of concern formed on the lepus' face as the user interface steadily indicated their flagging health bar when compared to the swarm. At the rate things were going, perhaps they wouldn't be able to see things through to the end. Clenching his fists in a moment of decisiveness, Ru adopted his lavender haired friend's approach of a pyrrhic victory.

"Apologies in advance, things are going to be tough on your end for a bit, robo-girl."

Mana quickly began to coalesce, pervading his body as the spirits around them flooded in like a broken dam. His eyes igniting with an eerie glow, energy began gushing from every pore as his voice took on several different intonations at once. The spiders, weary of his magic, skittered forth, biting at his limbs in a vain attempt to subdue his efforts.

"We've waited for this moment… to avenge our brethren… SO DIE!!!"

A small explosion rocked the cavern as mana pulsed from his source, crashing into the spiders around him in a series of waves, leaving nothing but oozing bodily fluids from their newly formed orifices. Crushed limbs snapped almost instantaneously like twigs, sending the assailants latched to his person flying.

Possession was a weird sensation to say the least. As if on autopilot or like a bystander, Ru watched his body go through the motions. Though a bit dangerous, he hoped his gambit would pay off. That said, a look of concern was given towards Tristaria as a flash of emotion finally surfaced from her deadpan demeanor.

Cycle 4: "Everything is fine..."

• Defend against the swarm of giant spiders (hemomorphs)!
• Enemy LP: 3/8, DC 30, 20 retaliation damage.
• They are sensitive to magic, roll with -15 for any magic based attacks.

Rolls

Burst Attack
12d20 exploding (14 + 13 + 1 + 19 + 14 + 14 + 12 + 5 + 9 + 13 + 2 + 11 - 15) = 112
112 damage
Gain the Vulnerable state
Evoke | Ru Ning | 386C4

Player Sheet
@Ayna Nietzsche @Tristaria

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

43 / 120

Ayna took a few moments to relish and savor the Magia's aid. It felt both strange and jarring. On one hand, she needed a boost to her health and well-being. On the other? She wasn't quite sure what the drones were going to do if she accidentally touched any of them. If it was her, she'd make them explode. Then again, they seemed like they were made to support, so... Incredible! Did she make these things? Or are they a part of her?

And then the Magia surprised her by going all out, verbally, at their antagonists. "Surprised her" was an understatement. Ayna expected nothing of the sort from her. However, after she had said her peace, and with the bunny man joining her, the woman with the lightning-charged polearm could only grin.

"All right then! Let's finish this!"

Once more. Into the fray. Ayna disappeared and in flashes of lightning reappeared, only to stab as many of the remaining mutant spiders with Calamity's Light! For most of her attempts, she was able to dodge and avoid their retaliation. Or at least she wanted to. Reappearing where the spiders had some of their eyes on left her vulnerable, especially since the spiders had more than two.

❰ Divine Change: Evil Eyes Open ❱

Rolls

Burst Attack
11d20 exploding (7 + 15 + 6 + 5 + 18 + 16 + 5 + 9 + 6 + 4 + 4) = 95
95 damage - 15 = 80 total
Gain the Vulnerable state
Aeromancy | Ayna Nietzsche | 386C4
LP remaining: 1/8 (exceeded the DC by half+, removed 2 LP)

Play Sheet

@Tristaria @Ru Ning

 

[Tristaria]

70 / 130

Initially, Tristaria had intended to continue healing from the background. Support was what she did best, and these spiders in particular were anticipating her every move, reading her like a book. But what neither they, nor anyone else for that matter, could foresee, was the burning rage their attacks had brought out from deep inside.

I’LL END YOU!!

Still focused on the one that had bit her, Tris shot forward, a powerful gust of air from her magic brushing aside webs, dust, and even small rocks behind her. She hit the spider full force, pinned it to the wall, slammed her hand right on it’s underside, and exploded into a flurry of blue bolts and sparks.

She didn’t stop either. Even after it stopped moving, the electricity continued to flow into it for several seconds. Once she finally stopped, she slammed the dead husk on the ground and kicked it again just for good measure.

Caught EmotionalOverflowException
at Magia.Anger() : line 184
Resetting emotion variables…

…and then she was totally calm again.

Does anyone here look like Jorge? Also, are you both okay? I guess I should have asked that first…

Rolls

Normal Attack
1d100 (79) + 5 + 0 - 15 = 69
69 damage
Aeromancy | Tristaria | 386C3
Finishes spiders…

Play Sheet

@Ru Ning @Ayna Nietzsche

 

[Ru Ning]

With Tristaria's final burst of rage, the cave quickly subsided back to a calm, eerie state of silence. The endless chittering once heard was no more, leaving only the primitive groans of struggle from the miners (if they could still be called that) trapped in their web. Eyes still glowing a spooky blue hue, Ru's possession had yet to end as he turned towards the other two and spoke.

"The one you seek is not among us."

It made sense considering the previous spirit had indicated he'd gone down the middle path.

"We guide you… the tunnels are complex. However…"

A lone finger pointed towards the entities still trapped.

"End their torment. They are beyond salvation, as are we."

With that, the lepus' eyes were restored to their original golden hues as he snapped back to reality. A bit muddle headed from their collective information dump, Ru's eyes remained glazed over as he processed the information for several minutes, shaking his head firmly after finally recovering.

"Is everyone okay? They… they showed me the way. I'll need a minute but…"

He'd point over to the trembling webs.

"What about them?"

Cycle 5: "No miner left behind?..."

• The spirits possessing Ru have mapped out the remaining path deeper within. They ask that you put down their fellow brethren though in exchange for this favor.
• Decide on how to handle those trapped in the web.
• Continue to search for Jorge.

Player Sheet
@Ayna Nietzsche @Tristaria

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

43 / 120

To say that Ayna was relieved would be an understatement. Even if she did most of the work, that didn't mean that she was a cut above the others. Ayna didn't believe in that crap. Everything she has ever been a part of, she took as a well-oiled machine, machines don't work well with just one active cog. Simply put, Ayna was just glad things were over, that she had great teammates watching her back and keeping her alive as they all worked together to end the threat of the gross spiders. Teamwork makes the dream work, that's what I always say.

"Great job, everyone! Didn't knew you had all that pent-up aggression in you, @Tristaria, but to answer your question, I'm peachy!"

She offered the Magia a determined grin, showing off her teeth seemingly as a way to put out all her confidence in the world. If they can all take out these weird spiders, nothing can stop them. Or at least that's what she thought. The bunny man's sudden thing, she could not quite find the appropriate words to describe it, spooked her from out of nowhere, so much so that she instinctively pointed her polearm at him. Not that he intended to harm him, though. More like she was trying to figure out what to poke to save him from whatever was going on.

Fortunately, it was just more of his spirit talking, an oddity that continued to pique Ayna's interest. She heaved a sigh of relief and listened to all that she could gather from him and the spirits. Turning to the webs, she eased up and scratched her head. Were they just normal webs or were they also as strange as the spiders they just fought?

"I could shock them away, but I think that might just start a bunch of fires. What do you guys think?"

Play Sheet
@Tristaria @Ru Ning

 

[Tristaria]

70 / 130

As I said: I’m terrified of spiders.

She left it at that, as if it fully explained her sudden explosion of rage.

Tris stared at Ru, her eyes just a tad but wider than normal. Possession? Was his player actually unable to move? How did that actually work? It brought up so many questions. Questions that would have to wait, she supposed.

This doesn’t feel right to me…

She still had a pretty healthy pool of energy left and could summon more of those healing drones. Stepping up to one of the miners, Tris figured she’d start slow with a single drone, acting with precision. It hovered up and slowly began to bandage some of the more critical wounds, but the moment the bandage touched the flesh, the miner released a horrific cry that seemed endless.

The wound, which had somehow remained benign, perhaps through some special property of the spider’s bite, suddenly began to gush out blood at horrific rates. Tris quickly stepped back and summoned her whole crew: a dozen drones, frantically attending to him. And yet, everything they did only caused more pain and more destruction to the body. He was beyond help.

He passed away within the minute.

You’re not getting away that easily…

Tris bent down and placed her hand on the ground, as her summoning circle grew brighter and surrounded the dead miner. It shimmered with healing energy, calling forth the lost life to arrive in a new body entirely!

Unfortunately, the body that began to crawl out of the circle was nothing like a healthy human ought to look. Red, deformed, lacking a face. It was as if a human had been fully merged with the ghastly red energy of the bloodstone.

Tris leapt back abruptly as the horrific beast clawed at her, trying to drag itself out of the summoning circle. She cut it off with a brisk wave of her hand, severing the torso and watching as the half-summoned demon-creature collapsed on the ground.

…

Tris sighed, frowning slightly as she stood back up. Why was she even upset? Weren’t these just NPCs? And yet… seeing them suffer like this was just awful.

Just end them, Foxy. He’s right: there’s nothing we can do…

Play Sheet
@Ru Ning @Ayna Nietzsche

 

[Ru Ning]

"Hmm? What doesn't feel right?... Do you--"

The lepus' words were cut short as he watched his snowy haired companion step forth and tend to the remaining miners. Her efforts however were not repaid with proper results, leaving him visibly disturbed as he watched on with abject horror. Their wounds exacerbated with treatment, yielding questionable results at best. It wasn't the end either as she had no intent to let the dead rest, resulting in machinations even a devil might frown upon.

"I think that's enough… just stop…"

He'd step forward, an arm wrapping around her shoulders reassuringly in a hug while looking away, his stomach retching with disgust.

"Foxy, if you'd please."

A moment of silence was given in memory to the miners as the cave was eventually cleared, leaving nothing but several small trails and piles of smoldering ashes. A soft prayer muttered under his breath to the Daughter, Ru eventually let out a long drawn sigh while checking on his two companions. His fists bundled from pent up emotions and unsure exactly how to identify the source of his angst, the gaunt looking man could only proceed forward to complete their mission.

The remaining path was relatively smooth, having been bestowed the insight from the miners prior. Though seemingly random at times, the lepus made sporadic twists and turns in the tunnel system, taking only the briefest of moments to chart out the underground network. A gentle breeze began to filter in from the direction they were heading, indicating they were nearing an exit to the surface. Pausing before taking the final steps to reach the surface, Ru looked back questioning at his companions.

"How are you two holding out?... With both the bloodstone and the… miners?..."

A chill continued to run down his spine, a noticeable symptom from his heart rate climbing a while back. His in-game meters however indicated everything was normal for the most part. Was this the rumored effect of the bloodstone? Hopefully it wouldn't begin affect his physiology in the other world. That would be ridiculous… right?

With one final push, Ru continued on. The exit uncannily resembled a light at the end of the tunnel, since that was exactly what it was. Rather than a pure, soft, welcoming light however, an oppressive red hue greeted them, tinted with shades of sinister violet, and carrying a heavy air.

Desolate.

That was the best word to describe their current location. And within that unnatural desolation lie a field of chrysalides, scattered sporadically like grains of sand. An eerie wind blew over them as they were met with silence.

"Let's hurry… this can't be good."

Cycle 6: "We're not in Faldern anymore..."

• You've unintentionally reached the other side of the Shield of Axiolus.
• The environment is not suitable for typical life forms.
• Quickly find Jorge and retreat... or abandon your mission due to safety concerns of the party.
  • Awareness DC – 100 to find Jorge or his amulet.
    • Each successive check, reduce the DC by 10 (fewer chrysalis to inspect)
    • It is strongly advised for non-Magia to evacuate (before the conclusion of your 2nd post).

Rolls

Expertise Check
1d100 (49) + 15 = 64 (Fail)
Awareness | Ru Ning | 386C6

1 Fail, DC reduced to 90.

Player Sheet
@Ayna Nietzsche @Tristaria

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

43 / 120

Ayna gave the Magia and the bunny man a nod and did away with them as efficiently as she possibly could. It wasn't that hard. At least physically it wasn't. Ayna seemed to have been built for this. Stabbing and shocking things willy nilly. But something inside her, something made her question if this was all all right. For a few seconds anyway. The job was soon done, and so was her overthinking.

"Foxy? My name's Ayna, by the way. Ayna Nietzsche. I like the whole Foxy thing, though. Makes me sound like I'm attractive."

She tried to clear the room of the gloom and doom, break the ice. It wasn't the best way to do so, but it was the only way she knew how. Introductions have been the least of her concerns heading into this quest, this mission. At this point, it would be rude not to even try. Nothing brings Players closer than arachnophobia and, well, the recent thing she had to do.

"I'm surprisingly fine. What about you?"

She raised an eyebrow, as if she noticed anything wrong with the bunny man. Unfortunately, Ayna wasn't the most aware member of this party, and it showed in her attempt to find Jorge and his amulet. Everything else was too distracting for her, as if everything was trying to get her attention selfishly. Ayna wasn't quite sure what was happening, but she was also feeling some sort of dread. Like some sickness hanging invisibly throughout the room.

Rolls

Expertise Check
1d100 (43) + 0 = 43
Awareness | Ayna Nietzsche | 386C6

1 Fail, DC reduced to 80.

Play Sheet
@Tristaria @Ru Ning

 

[Tristaria]

70 / 130

Was it normal she was paying respects to a bunch of NPCs? To nothing but pretend characters? And yet, everyone was, so she’d joined, as it’d felt like the right thing to do. Peer pressure was awfully powerful at times…

Tris felt a strong arm wrap around her in a hug. It felt warm and reassuring, and Tristaria showed her appreciation by staring forward blankly, as she always did. Eventually, they moved on, and Tris answered the question of how she was shortly.

Thanks, I’m fine.

More didn’t really need to be said. The bloodstone actually felt kinda comforting, while the effects it had on others did the opposite. Ultimately, the two balanced each other, making sure Tris felt neither awful, nor particularly wonderful either.

…she smiled ever so slightly as Bunnyboy used the Foxy nickname though. That was funny! She’d still neglected to go through any introductions at all. Well, maybe it wouldn’t hurt…

Hm... I’m Tristaria.

The red light at the end of the tunnel was anything but welcoming. Red usually meant lava, robot overlords, or in this case, what might’ve qualified as some horrific incubation hive. She really didn’t wanna know what came out of these things.

Tris was fairly quick to check the ones nearest the entrance, using her echolocation to aid her in the search, but there were so many…

She turned to her two partners. They didn’t look so good. Abnormally so. Kinda like whatever was in this environment was making them sick. Was it affecting her without her even realizing? The dimmed emotions often made it kinda difficult to tell. She called over to the others as she continued to search.

Question. Do I look ill to either of you?

Rolls

Expertise Check
1d100 (58) + 0 = 58
Awareness | Tristaria | 386C6

3rd fail, DC reduced to 70.

Play Sheet
@Ru Ning @Ayna Nietzsche

 

[Ru Ning]

Looking around curiously, Ru pocketed a bit of loose bloodstone about the size of his fist, shunting it into his player storage. It wouldn't hurt to keep some as a sample, right?

"Ah… You can call me Ru. Wait… so do you prefer Ayna or Foxy then?"

He'd pause, turning towards Tristaria as well.

"Want a nickname too? Hmm… how about Tris?"

Preoccupied by the sense of urgency from their mission, introductions had somehow been glanced over entirely with their group. An awkward chuckle sounded from the lepus as he'd scratch the back of his head upon realizing their error of omittance. The following question from the pair invoked a dry gulp however, re-emphasizing his current predicament.

Sweat continued to run down his back in a noticeably profuse manner as Ru's face had begun to noticeably take on a red flush. Whether it was due to the lighting or something else was hard to determine. Taking out some fluid from his waterskin, he'd gulp generously, emptying the sack dry before looking ruefully at the drained container.

"Just… really thirsty. I'll be fine… I think. Tris seems ok too, at least physically? Might just be me? Either way, we're almost half done with our search. A little longer can't hurt…"

He'd continue scouring through the sporadically placed chrysalis one by one, glancing keenly at each before moving on. It was strange to say the least. The creatures trapped within were all vaguely familiar… yet mutated to an extreme extent. Within one lie what looked like a cow, except it had grown a third jagged, crystalline horn as well as a two more pairs of eyes resting beneath the originals. Another had already been popped, leaving long desiccated fluid crusted over the remains. Thankfully the entity within was nowhere to be found.

Ru paused upon yet another pod, his arms waving the other two down for their attention.

"Do you two see that red mist rolling in? Or that… green chicken? Wait what?..."

If the others looked, they'd see nothing of the sort. Realizing that perhaps his body had finally reached his limits, he'd return back to the cave's entrance in hopes of reducing his exposure.

"I think I need a break… not feeling too hot anymore… Just shout if anything happens. I'll be right over there."

Cycle 7: "We're not in Faldern anymore…"

• For non-Magia, the adverse effects of bloodstone are starting to manifest. Evacuation is strongly recommended.

Spoiler

"Hemomorphos will cause the subject to develop a persistent cold sweat from a sustained elevated heart rate. Entering an unsolvable state of dehydration, the subject will notice their body becoming increasingly more heated and possibly experience mild hallucination, a result of the quickening of blood flow and the rapid mutation that is occurring in their body. "

Rolls

Expertise Check
1d100 (47) + 15 = 62 (Fail)
Awareness | Ru Ning | 386C6
4th fail, DC reduced to 60.

Player Sheet
@Ayna Nietzsche @Tristaria

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

43 / 120

Tristaria...the Magia, and Ru...the bunny man... Ayna mouthed their names to cement them in her brain. She wasn't that forgetful, but she didn't really have the best habit when it came to remembering people's names. At least in the other world that was true, in her point of origin, the world that was real to her. Why bother remembering names if they weren't important? Ayna wanted to change that belief of hers. At least in this world, where Players were helpful cogs that kept the machine of the game alive and well. For the most part anyway.

"Ayna should be fine, Ru.,,"

She beamed at that exchange. The more people that knew her name, the better. She could use that familiarity to continually build on her personal quest to know everything there was about this game. Maybe then she can find her brother. What she was finding out here, though, was a whole lot of gross surprises. Maybe it's just the place, getting to me...

Despite the strange heaviness she was starting to feel, Ayna tried once again to find Jorge and his amulet. Unfortunately, she wasn't having much luck. Not unless she was trying to find strange bugs crawling all over the place, especially one with a thousand eyes instead of legs. Weird... She was caught surprised when Tristaria asked about her well-being and even more surprised when Ayna realized she in fact did not appear to be as pained or ill as her and Ru.

"Hmm? Not at all."

Turning to where Ru was talking about, Ayna frowned when she could see nothing of the sort.

"Huh? What mist?"

Was he starting to hallucinate? She started to worry it may be her turn soon. With a shake of her head, an awkward grin, and a cough from out of nowhere, Ayna followed his lead, her body bent forward a bit, as if heavy with something invisible on her shoulders.

"That...might be a good idea. I don't think...I can last any further..."

Rolls

Expertise Check
1d100 (57) + 0 = 57
Awareness | Ayna Nietzsche | 386C6
5th Fail, DC reduced to 50.

Play Sheet
@Tristaria @Ru Ning

 

[Tristaria]

70 / 130

I’m often called Tris, yes. It’s easier.

Tris turned to Foxy Ayna as she more-or-less confirmed what she felt, or rather what she didn’t. Shrugging, she went on looking. As time went on, however, more and more concerns began to present themselves.

Red mist? Sure the cavern was glowing and all, but there was no mist. And a green chicken!? Was he talking about what was in some of the chrysalides? Ru was looking ahead though, and if anything, wouldn’t the chicken be red? Everything else in these awful cocoons seemed to be…

Soon enough, both of them were heading toward the entrance, showing various concerns. Tris felt nothing, aside from a mild stinging from that stupid spider bite, but it felt like your average, everyday wound. It was strange, in that having the other two leaving made her feel like she should be sick, the suggestion strong enough to bring on a mild headache that had no biological reason to be there. Wouldn’t stop her though.

After a little while, she caught a faint, silver glimmering coming from the bottom of one of the chrysalides, the silhouette of the amulet barely visible through the thick skin.

… Do I really have to do this…?

Lamenting with a disgusted sigh, Tris sliced a small hole on the top with a quick wind cut, then reached her hand into the horrific, fleshy mass. After what felt like 50 years of feeling around, she finally touched hard metal, and quickly yanked it out, confirming it was indeed a silver amulet. Covered in… she wasn’t sure, but it sure was viscous. Eww.

About to turn and join the others, Tris nearly jumped as a hand— humanoid, but not quite human —suddenly burst out and reached for her arm. She narrowly avoided its grasp, staring at the figure inside that until now she’d mostly just ignored.

Like the hand: humanoid, but not quite human. The hand slowly returned back to its pod.

Was this Jorge? If it had been, certainly he didn’t look anything like before. Tris didn’t waste time finding out either, running for the entrance.

I don’t know if you saw that, but it looks like Jorge turned into something. Let’s leave this place before some of these monsters hatch…

Rolls

Expertise Check
1d100 (68) + 0 = 68
Awareness | Tristaria | 386C7

Success!

Play Sheet

@Ru Ning @Ayna Nietzsche

 

[Ru Ning]

A look of concern appeared on his face as he bore witness to their lavender companion's struggle against the bloodstone. Violence was never their greatest threat, but rather the insidious nature of an unknown illness looming ever present. It crept into their system like an assassin, poised to strike when they were most weary, vulnerable, and least expecting it.

"Grab on. We can take it slow once we distance from the corruption."

An arm wrapped gently around her back in a supportive fashion, his gaze fixated on their Magia friend who lingered for a final check. Her actions though simple, bore the heavy hopes of both party and widow as she dove into the ichor, face wrought with disgust. It appeared as though fate had been kind to them, her hand emerging from the abyss with amulet in tow.

Relief sounded from Ru's lips as he watched from the tunnel shaft, only for nerves to tense as a monstrous limb swiped at Trist, missing ever so narrowly. Eyes furrowing with deep concern, the gaunt man brought up the elephant in the room which they had all ignored. The possibility of Jorge's descent into madness had always been on the table, but now when faced with the actuality, what were they to do?

"About Jorge… what should we do? And what of his wife?"

Though his concerns were vaguely put forth, the intent was rather clear. Was life as 'that' one worth living? Were they to serve as executioner? And with regards to the widow, no – technically wife, what tale would be spun? In this case, ignorance was truly bliss, or so he was led to believe.

Cycle 8: "Decisions"

• Decide Jorge's fate.
• Inform his wife/widow what you will. Or don't.

Player Sheet
@Ayna Nietzsche @Tristaria

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

43 / 120

"Thanks..."

Ayna wasn't sure what else to say after failing to keep her composure. This has never happened to her before, both the heavy feeling and the need for help. For most of her life, outside of the game at least, Ayna had never needed anyone's help. Even in the game, she quickly picked up on things, not relying on anyone else. This was different, however. At least that, she understood.

"Sorry, Tris... I'd do it myself if I could."

Forced to just watch the Magia from afar, Ayna beat herself up in her head. She didn't want to be benched like this, pushed to the sidelines when she knew she could've done better. But could she? The whole bloodstones thing... She wasn't even sure what they were. How could she do any better than either of them?

"Yeah, I'm with Tris on this one... Let's skedaddle..."

She gave one long look at where Jorge was supposed to be. Or at least what was Jorge. She didn't doubt Tristaria's words. Ayna believed her wholeheartedly. The Magia had no cause to lie, and Ayna saw no reason or point to it. She turned to Ru instead, shrugging.

"You want to take Jorge out? Permanently? If not, maybe we can temporarily seal a portion of this place. Then tell his wife. She might want to decide what happens next."

It was the least they could do, Ayna thought. For the widow. If it even mattered.

Play Sheet
@Tristaria @Ru Ning

 

[Tristaria]

70 / 130

Tris listened quietly to the answers, gauging each one carefully. She wasn't too opinionated on the whole thing, still stuck in the gamer mindset of "what happens to NPCs is none of our concern." Even so, she couldn't deny the uncanny realism that came alongside this whole scenario.

I say we just seal this away. If anyone asks, he died, and we found the amulet in the clutches of a bloodstone monster. It seems to be the most easily swallowed version of the truth.

Of course, there was no way Tris could stop either one of her companions from telling his wife the whole story if they really wanted to. One thing she was absolutely adamant about, however: avoiding a fight with whatever monster had taken Jorge's place.

I don't think killing it is a good idea. We're already exhausted from the spiders, and both of you seem to be allergic to this room. If it takes too long, we could be in serious trouble.

Play Sheet

@Ru Ning @Ayna Nietzsche

 

[Ru Ning]

"Hmm… Sealing sounds most appropriate then."

A course of action decided upon, Ru moved to blockade the final tunnel exit with remnant mining equipment and piled debris previously unearthed. Though not the most secure job, its construct served well for the purpose of blocking traffic, preserving the path should the League have need for it at a later date. Dust and dirt splotched across his person, he'd let out a weary sigh while motioning for the others. It was finally time to leave.

"I'm with Tris on this one. Too much knowledge might prove dangerous to her own wellbeing."

The exit trip was a rather simple affair. Following the paths previously cleared and trusting in Ru's hurriedly scribbled map, the trio resurfaced on the other side of the Shield of Axiolus. Both the lepus' and Ayna's vitals slowly reverted to normal, color returning to their faces as the palpitations gradually ceased. Though still a bit queasy, their recovery was only a matter of time.

As for the widow of Doron Mines… both amulet and slightly fabricated news were presented to her, her only response a mournful wail that rang across the block. Apologetic at best, and perhaps a bit guilty at worse, Ru bowed respectfully towards the scene, a prayer repeated silently in his heart for the fallen. Though a successful mission, he left in low spirits, bidding the two farewell before departing towards the nearest League headquarters while deep in contemplation.

"It might be inappropriate given the occasion… but I'm glad to have met you two. Don't be afraid to keep in touch, and take care, friends."

[Player Ru Ning has sent you a friend request.]

[Finis]​

OOC: Please feel free to do exit posts to tie any loose ends! Thanks for sharing with thread with me!
@Ayna Nietzsche @Tristaria

 

[Tristaria]

Tris nodded along and helped Ru seal the tunnel. With any luck, nothing would be coming through there any time soon. As it was her idea, she offered to be the primary bearer of bad news, and was thankful her emotions were suppressed as the open lamenting struck her... well... "sonic receptors." No amount of reminding herself it was just an NPC helped to dull that discomfort she felt, however.

I agree. I don't think I could have managed that on my own. ...and I still hate spiders.

Even so, Tris hesitated, glancing at the friend request(s) with suspicion. She'd leave the contact menu open for a short while, considering it, but eventually she would close it without accepting...

...or rejecting it, for the matter. She just left it there in limbo.

Well, maybe we'll meet again. You're both excellent to work with.

With that said, Tris wandered off. Although the friend requests would remain unanswered for some time, if they left the request open, they would eventually receive a notification...

@Ru Ning @Ayna Nietzsche

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

"All right... Fair enough..."

Ayna accepted the majority's call, not really finding any cause or reason to fight it. They had done their job, and that was all that truly mattered in the end. Besides, the widow would be free now. For whatever that's worth. No longer bound to Jorge, in sickness or in health.

After helping with sealing the place, using her polearm and her lightning, Ayna savored her return to good health. Or whatever the equivalent of that was in this game. Needless to say, she started to feel the spring in her steps once more, and a playful smirk found its way back to her lips. Yet Ayna opted to stay far from the widow, lingering instead against the door of her now lonely abode, until the news was delivered and their task was truly concluded.

"Thanks for keeping me alive in there, folks, for making sure my first time fighting non-bandits wasn't my last!"

She gave them both a grin as she accepted the friend request on the spot and sent her own. Now, to fight more beasts...

@Tristaria @Ru Ning