Complete Challenge Hylands Ascent The Paper Oubliette - Chapter 1

[Tarkya]

> Thus came the Starcalled to the marble gates, called by men of wisdom to be their vanguard. Some sought knowledge. Others, glory. But one thing bound them all together - they all hungered for the secrets that lay beyond those gates.

> And the Paper Oubliette welcomed them with open arms, for it too was hungry.

# And so our story begins.​

​

​

Hylands Ascent - MIT Base of Operations

Some come by carriage. Others come by foot. However you travel, your destinations are the same - the MIT encampment that clings to the Hyland Ascent, little more than tents and wagons fighting against the cold wind whipping across the outcrop.

There are signs that there was more than just stone here, once. Gentle slopes and switchbacks climb upwards, wide enough for a cart to turn on. Foundations covered with creeping lichen and worn away by the elements. A settlement once stood here, countless years ago.

Nothing remains of it now, except for the gate.

Twelve feet tall it stands, its carved surface unmarred by the passage of time. It gleams as bright as the day it was carved, engraved with curling vines and leafy trees. It stands ajar, warm mist flowing from it like breath from the mouth of a beast.

The camp is quiet, its inhabitants more interested in bunkering up away from the cold than doing any serious work. The MIT have sent enough people to establish this little encampment, but its you that they've been waiting for. Your job is simple - to enter this mysterious library and ensure it's safe for future exploration.

As you arrive, you're greeted by someone who is either a very tall faerin or a very short human. They're bundled up to the point that it's hard to tell.

"Oi, its about time y'all showed up. Damn freezing up here."

He holds his hand out for a moment, then seems to realize there's too many of you to shake hands with and instead rubs his nose with it. He speaks roughly, and while it's not quite disdain coloring his voice, he certainly seems skeptical about all of you.

"Anyway. Name's Dante, and I'm the one in charge of this sorry little camp. I hope you travelers are half as effective as the stories say. The sooner we can set up camp inside, the better. At this rate, we'll lose more people to the cold than we've lost to the library."

Dante shakes his head, his sight misting the air around him.

"Well... we don't got much to offer you, but feel free to take a moment to catch your breath. Get your plans in order, or your wills. Whatever you think is best."

Cycle 0 - Preface

OOC

• @Askera Question @Rael @Nai @Aroda @Ayna Nietzsche @Ludmilla Orphys @Ilusa Nakhalee @Alecto @Cynna
• 500 word limit, at least for this cycle.
• This cycle is about preparation - syncing up with your party-mates, asking questions of the camp staff, or just preparing yourself for the upcoming dungeon. If you're asking questions of the camp staff, ping me.
• 24-36 hour cycles. Unless a significant event is occurring or you've spoken to me ahead of time, cycles will continue regardless of if everyone has posted or not.
• If you have connections or items from one of my DM challenges, you can invoke or bring one of these for this thread.
• Items from other DM challenges will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Comms thread

Dungeon Actions

As part of this dungeon, you will have access to certain actions to facilitate your exploration of the area.

Basic Actions

Move: Bonus Action. Use a point of Movement to move to another zone. You may move through cleared zones, but must end your movement once you've entered an uncleared zone.
Scout: Bonus Action. Us a point of Movement and roll a Quality(Mastery or Expertise) check to scout an adjacent area. Using a second point of movement will give you advantage on the roll. The information you receive is dependent on the result of your roll.
Retreat: Action. Use your action to retreat from a room. Doing so will allow you to avoid the event, but does not clear the room. You cannot retreat from Traps.

Special Actions
Your masteries grant you access to a special action. You may choose one action to take into the dungeon with you if you have the correct mastery.

Spoiler: Special Actions

Far Scouting

Passive. (Astramancy, Evoke, Hyper Sense, Summon)
You are highly perceptive or have minions that can scout for you. When you Scout, you reveal information about an adjacent zone. The information revealed will be one tier of quality lower than your roll.

Trap Sense

Passive. (Astramancy, Guard Arts, Dynamism, Hyper Sense)
You are quick to notice or respond to traps. You gain Advantage on Save rolls versus traps.

Intimidation

Passive. (Hemomancy, Dark Magic, Animancy, Corrupt)
Your presence cows the monsters in the dungeon. Encountered monsters will not attack on the cycle you first enter the zone.

Swift Movement

Bonus Action. (Battle Spirits, Dynamism)
You can move swiftly through the dungeon. You can spend all your movement to move to any scouted or cleared zone

Sneak

Bonus Action. (Illusion Magic, Shadow Arts, Metamorph)
You can move stealthily through the dungeon. You can spend two points of movement to sneak into a zone without triggering an Event.

Snipe

Action. (Aeromancy, Pyromancy, Ranged Weapons)
You can attack from afar. You may make an attack with Disadvantage on an enemy in an adjacent zone.

If you do not qualify for any of the above abilities, you instead take the following:

Plot Armor

Passive.
The story favors you. If you hit zero hit points, you instead survive with 1 hitpoint and automatically Retreat to a zone of your choice.

 

[Nai]

At a distance, it could still be beautiful.

But up-close? The hike through gradually sloping switchbacks was tedious, while the humid mist that tumbled out from the grand gateway held a fetid stench. The scenery behind her, once novel, had grown old, while the wind that flowed like streams down the mountain's side was blisteringly cold. The Hylands Ascent matched the rest of its domain then: savage and wild, both deadly and boring.

Nai slitted her eyes against the skylight, brow furrowing at that citronella scent. In isolation, her personal affliction stood out all the more, a second sun seared into her vision, but it would fade away soon enough. There were people now, members of a camp of sorts, as well as the freelancers that their job postings had attracted. The beastwoman pulled the scarf down around her neck, pushed the hair out of her eyes. Water had been in short supply on the way up, and she didn't think twice about replenishing her stock from the base camp's own barrels. It would taste of wood and leather, but a pinch of lemon would fix that.

So then, it would be preparation. There was little to be said to that Faerin, bundled up as he was. Wasn't her job to convince a skeptic of her worth, after all. Nai settled for pulling a tarp out from her breast pocket instead, laying out the heavy material over the ground. One by one, she drew out her weapons and her tools, the collection of disparate steels seeming to flow endlessly from her sleeves and pockets. This was not Trinity's Arena. Nor was this a pastoral pasture.

Considering the quality of those others who answered the call, this wasn't even the operation against the Broodmother.

All the more reason to prepare then. Checking for imperfections. Sharpening edges. Redoing knots. Recounting inventory. Hammering out bends. Oiling up steels.

And, of course.

Heating up a kettle to make some tea.

 

[Askera Question]

"It's good to see you again, Dante-san." A curt and polite greeting was first in order to be given. Askera knew the faerin man in passing, having met him once as an expert of landscapes to refer to. They had exchanged stories of mountians found within each of the two worlds.

Dante spoke of the many peaks of Providence, as well as the daunting edge of the Hylands. Askera had decided back then that he would never want to touch the 'Razor Edge' with a ten foot pole on a map. Even so, these talks had led Askera to explore the innards of the Ascent's caverns.

He had died on that day. Askera kept that from clouding his polite voice.

Askera's stories had been tame in comparison. He had naught but little experiences among the many bases of Hokkaido's range, yet he spoke of them all the same. He spoke of tales from the green lands beneath the Aboi, a time where he had shared a drink, to the time he had reached halfway to the peaks of Mount Yūbari. The researcher had learned on that day that Dante was an astute listener over the course of their talk.

He was hardly surprised to see a soul as capable as his to be spearheading the forward camp. As with anyone, Askera had followed through to greet everyone in the camp. There were many faces that tickled the spark of recognition just as Dante's had. Some, such @Aroda and @Rael , were ones that Askera were quite familiar with. Others were as faint as the faerin's, such as @Ayna Nietzsche and the ever-headstrong @Nai.

A common trait that was shared between them all was the exhaustion which came from the cold and the effort of travel. Askera decided to ease the burdens they all carried. Thus, just after his greeting, the researcher brought as much food as he could spare from his inventory and made to cook as hearty a seafood stew as he could make for these poor souls.

Only as he passed out a bowl to each member of the camp in turn did he begin to ask questions of them.

'Have there been any eyes who have looked further inwards yet?'

'Have you been informed by the MIT of anything we should keep careful for?'

'What, if anything, should I keep an eye out while I'm in there?'

'Is there anything within that you would like for me to look for you?'

Some questions came to Dante, others to the simple campsmen, and yet others still to his friendly starcalled who shared the mountianside on this fine evening. Every step of the way, he reminded himself that this set of preparations was not to travel into dwarven ruins-that he was not soon to die today.

Right?

@Tarkya ping due to interactions

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

⋇⊶⊰✦⊱⊷⋇

Ayna heaved a sigh after zooming into the MIT encampment, crackling lightning and booming thunder heralding her arrival. Once, she had joined the MIT, eager to drown in their intellectual reveries. But after the death of her friend, and her lack of personal achievement while she was in their ranks during the events of the Red Fever, the purple-haired Beastfolk decided to switch gears and invest in herself first. Maybe after a while, after she makes enough to invest in a laboratory or a workshop, she'll return to their embrace. Maybe.

Taking it slower, she walked closer toward the assembled folks, looking around to satiate her own curiosity. Place looks like it's seen better days. Or maybe it was just her, having spent the past few days at sea, far from the clutches of these colder heights. At the sight of their small handler, she simply nodded and shrugged, immediately shifting her gaze around them. The task seemed simple. With her speed, they could make quick work of it all, so long as no one drags them down, especially not her.

She stood behind the first adventurer to speak, arms crossed, listening intently to their questions and waiting with them for the answers that could help their mission. At this point, Ayna had nothing else to do. Or anything else she wanted to do for that matter. Might as well relax and gather some much-needed intel. What comes next may need her more.

 

[Aroda]

Man, being a robot occasionally came with really good perks. Not getting tired or needing sleep was great for long trips - she could practically wander right up a mountainside and not even be winded. Aroda might occasionally think her robot legs looked a little strange, but it was far better than having legs that got tired. It helped even more that, instead of getting tired in a traditional sense, her 'power' was expended...which seemed to heat up her body if she expending energy continually for long enough.

So here she was, in perfect health as she finished walking her way here, and not even feeling too cold despite the weather. ...Though, having spent a lot of energy getting here, she does sit down once she's found a good place, so that she can take out an energy reserve to top herself off before she has to get to the 'work' she came here to do. The energy reserve is pretty much a magitech car battery, complete with cables, which she clamps to her hand to 'charge'.

When approached by Askera, she'd decline a portion of stew - mainly in consideration that it would kind of be a waste, since she couldn't taste it anyways, and also she was plenty warm for now. Maybe the poor NPCs could have extra.

In her free time as she sits in this little camp, she keeps mostly quiet as she just listens to what's been going on, while she checks through her many guns to make sure that they're all good to go.

 

[Cynna]

( @Tarkya )

"Whaaaa~? You've already lost people down there in the book pit?"

Cynna interjected as Dante briefed the group. That little detail perked her catty ears, her hand raised in question as she made a grimace.

"Mind telling me their equipment or what they could do? I don't mind being second string but you've gotta at least tell us these things or you're just going to wind up asking for a third cart of us~ ya know~? Though the fact that this isn't a rescue operation is already saying a lot..."

****​

Whether there was more information or not, after satisfying her curiosity, Cynna roamed the camp. It was cold, but the chilliness biting her nose through her warm winter gear was keeping her sharp. She had arrived on a supply carriage, so she was more bored and stir-crazy than tired. She had also been supposed to meet a fellow adventurers' league member here but with how much trouble that person could be to track down, Cynna had decided to just remain out in the open and findable herself, instead. ( @Alecto )

Bustling around the camp and bothering people, something finally caught Cynna's eye. It was @Nai brewing some tea. Walking over while purposefully making a bit of extra noise so as not to startle her, Cynna approached her to chat.

"Hey there, that smells nice, care for some jerky?"

Cynna asked holding out a packet of dried meat like a WW1 trench soldier might offer someone a cigarette. Whether she accepted or not, Cynna kept talking as she sat a little distance away from her on a box she found.

"The quiet ones tend to survive so I thought I'd just bask in that stoic spirit for a bit, you know, for luck. Right~ so ignore me if I'm bothering you~ but you seem like a lady of experience~ so I'm curious~ what's on your mind, hm~?"

Cynna asked as she sipped some oh-so-free coffee. It tasted burnt which suited her fine.

 

[Matilda]

Why are these places such annoying locales? If it's a library wouldn't you WANT to make it accessible? That's the point, isn't it? To store knowledge so people can use it? Not much good out here in the middle of nowhere. I suppose there could have been a city here once though, but still, common sense would say live somewhere hospitable...

Alecto groaned. She didn't care for the cold though at the very least her hair kept her warm.

Still, the mission should prove at least interesting and the instructions are deplorably simple. Investigate the library, withdraw any literary materials that could prove interesting or useful, and vanish into the snowy winds as it were. I just hope the other members of the party aren't absolutely useless. Not that I couldn't take care of this job myself, I just don't need others getting in my way. Ah, Cynna was coming as well wasn't she?

As she moved through the snow hands in pockets, Alecto finally spied the library's gate and in front of a small part of adventurers.

Well, here we go... time to place nice and sweet. Wouldn't want to hurt anyone's little feelings now, would we?

Scoffing, Alecto put on a smile and then jogged up to the group. Acting as if she was out of breath, the Faerin began to apologize.

"Oh no! It looks like I'm the last one! I'm sorry I'm so late. I'm not used to these chilly winds! I'm very glad I brought my coat or else I might have been a popsicle by the time I arrived! Ah, I'm so sorry! I forgot to introduce myself! My name is Alecto, pleased to meet everyone! I hope I haven't held anything up!"

This charade is physically killing me. Whatever is in that shitty tower but be worth my time or else I'm burning the whole thing to the ground...

 

[Rael]

.

At first a hindrance more taken from the realism the game took pride in, carriage rides had steadily ascended through the ranks to something she could comfortably say she looked forward to. The lull of travel often provided ample time for her to simply rest while being transported to the desired location, or to log out of the game and finish activities she had left right until the last minute.

The latter was much preferable this time around, as even bundled in warm layers of clothing to keep the cold from sinking its claws into her being, pointed ears presented a problem to keeping them warm during the ascent. Oh, but preferable as it would be to pick the easier option out of the two, there remained much to be seen as the caravan she sat in the back in finally arrived to a campsite that belonged to the ones who had organized the expedition she was to be a part of.

Unfamiliar faces abound, except for the familiar glimpses of @Nai and @Askera, both of whom received an over-enthusiastic wave of a mitten-covered hand from the pink-haired elf. The others would receive mere nods of acknowledgment as she passed them by, coming to sit by the warmth of a tea kettle and bowls of stew being passed around.

"Is everyone feeling quite alright?" She asked as she took the nearest seat available, tucking her legs close to herself in an effort to keep body warmth. "Surely is a bit of an imposing sight... I wonder just how much was kept inside. Oh, to just imagine it..."

 

[Ludmilla Orphys]

Shivers.

Carriages roll up the steep ascent. The driver's whip catches the cold air in great splitting arcs. Horses whinny silver breaths in the cold. Leatherbound tomes and vellum scrolls of ancient now-forgotten lore tumble among each other atop the wagons town by rippling frost-crusted manes. It is a pilgrimage of knowledge to the mecca of jealously guarded secrets. Not a library, but an icy cage.

...and now, it is all gone. The vultures have come to prey.

The memories, not of her own, pass like a dream. Ludmilla is again alone on the white peaks, trudging towards the MIT camp that she had been informed of as the base of operations for this delve.

Arriving a fair bit later than the other Travelers, Ludmilla gathered the particulars of the circumstances, her party members and the state of the encampment from various avenues of camp administration. This place was full of strangers, cold and weary strangers.

Then she had nothing to worry about, at least on the part of the Landers that had requisitioned the help of the Starcalled. Her energy would be better expended observing her delving companions.

A human, (@Askera Question) handing out bowls of soup. Hospitable, yet somehow unapproachable.
Beastfolk. Two of them. For her prudence, one of them (@Cynna) was quite peppy even in the cold. The other (@Ayna Nietzsche) seemed more sullen.
A Magia that carried its own energy source, (@Aroda) a rare sight among rare sights. This one seems to have weathered the cold well.
An Elf. Quite the opposite here (@Rael); the tapered ears of her physiology seem to have exacerbated the biting cold, yet not dampened her cheeriness.
Ah...another Faerin (@Alecto). Dangerous, that one. Ludmilla recognised that facade for what it was. After all, she herself employed such endearing diction and mannerisms crafted to charm, did she not? Caution around her. Caution.

From afar, lurking just out of reach, Ludmilla watched and waited, biding her time with a flat smile that froze before the edges of her eyes.

 

[Tarkya]

It didn't take long for the smell of stew and tea to draw out the ragged assembly of MIT researchers. There was a certain bleariness about all of them - there weren't any injuries, but it was clear that their time here at the camp was rough. Even Dante took a bowl of soup without complaint, and sat amongst the group as they warmed up together. He gives Askera a cursory nod and a mumbled thanks.

"Crazy, ain't it? Losing people to a damn library. Closest you're s'posed to get to that is dragging people who haven't slept enough out of the stacks.

Whoever built this place really didn't want people poking around."

"We lost half the expeditionary group," A research mumbles through a mouthful of soup.

"Lost all of it, more like," another snaps back, waving their spoon. "The other half's still loony. Can't get a single sensical word out of them."

The gossip begins to pick up. Rumors and theories bounce back and forth, some more based in reality than others. They blame anything from beasts to ghosts to curses.

Someone mentions seeing a group of books being carried into the library by shadowy figures.

Another mentions the earth shaking late one night in a way that didn't feel like a proper earthquake.

One person is all too eager to talk about the survivors talking in tongues and verse if they talk at all.

"Oi! Enough of that.

The chorus quiets a little - but the murmuring continues, the topics getting more fantastical and theoretical as it continues in the background. Dante shakes his head, his breath clouding the air as he sighs.

"...to be perfectly honest, we're completely out of our depth. We came here equipped for a library and ended up with a deathtrap. Our team ain't cut out for that sort of... well, adventure.

We lost more than just the expeditionary team when they came back raving. I don't blame those guys for backing out, but it's hard not to be demoralized."

Dante looks up at all of you, face set in a serious frown.

"Any knowledge is great, but all I'm really hoping for is to find out what the hell is going on in there. Coming back alive would be nice, too. I know you travelers don't die easy, but I'd rather not wait for you to come trudging back here for an update."

It's perhaps the closest Dante will get to saying "stay safe in there".

"...anyway, thanks for treating the camp. These guys need whatever cheering up they can get. I'd offer more help if I could, but we're flying near as blind as you are."

The Lobby

Once upon a time, a man built a library...​

Spoiler: Atmosphere

The difference in temperature once you step beyond the gates is immediate. Where the outside was dry and biting, the inside is comfortably warm and slightly humid. A strangely fluorescent light shines from above, illuminating brightly colored frescos painted on the walls. Fantastical knights and slavering beasts dance across them, caught in an eternal struggle between stately kingdoms and wild forests.

At the center of the chamber a tree grows, its branches brushing the ceiling and weighed down heavy with bright red fruit. Pomegranates, on closer inspection - and ripe ones.

The room is otherwise empty, and strangely clean. There's no dust, no dried leaves or rotting fruit. Not even dirt - the tree seemingly grows straight from the gleaming white tiles you stand on, emerging from a circle only slightly larger than it's trunk.

...and yet, you aren't alone. For a moment you hear scuttling noises, as if your entrance has driven something - or somethings - away. And though the scuttling fades, the sense of being watched remains...

A closed wooden door stands to the North.
A brightly lit hallway stands to the East.
A dimly lit hallway stands to the West.
The exit stands to the South.

Cycle 1 - Reception

• @Askera Question @Rael @Nai @Aroda @Ayna Nietzsche @Ludmilla Orphys @Ilusa Nakhalee @Alecto @Cynna
• 350 word limit.
• Thread Code: 1257C1
• 24-36 hour cycles. Unless a significant event is occurring or you've spoken to me ahead of time, cycles will continue regardless of if everyone has posted or not.
• If you have connections or items from one of my DM challenges, you can invoke or bring one of these for this thread.
• Items from other DM challenges will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Comms thread

Spoiler: Post Template

[hp=<current>]max[/hp]
[status][b]Location: <location>[/b]
[/status]

<Your post here>

[action]
Your action here
[/action]
[b]Special Action:[/b] <your selected action here>
Playsheet link here

Dungeon Actions

Spoiler: Basic Actions

Move: Bonus Action. Use a point of Movement to move to another zone. You may move through cleared zones, but must end your movement once you've entered an uncleared zone.
Scout: Bonus Action. Us a point of Movement and roll a Quality(Mastery or Expertise) check to scout an adjacent area. Using a second point of movement will give you advantage on the roll. The information you receive is dependent on the result of your roll.
Retreat: Action. Use your action to retreat from a room. Doing so will allow you to avoid the event, but does not clear the room. You cannot retreat from Traps.

Spoiler: Special Actions

Far Scouting

Passive. (Astramancy, Evoke, Hyper Sense, Summon)
You are highly perceptive or have minions that can scout for you. When you Scout, you reveal information about an adjacent zone. The information revealed will be one tier of quality lower than your roll.

Trap Sense

Passive. (Astramancy, Guard Arts, Dynamism, Hyper Sense)
You are quick to notice or respond to traps. You gain Advantage on Save rolls versus traps.

Intimidation

Passive. (Hemomancy, Dark Magic, Animancy, Corrupt)
Your presence cows the monsters in the dungeon. Encountered monsters will not attack on the cycle you first enter the zone.

Swift Movement

Bonus Action. (Battle Spirits, Dynamism)
You can move swiftly through the dungeon. You can spend all your movement to move to any scouted or cleared zone

Sneak

Bonus Action. (Illusion Magic, Shadow Arts, Metamorph)
You can move stealthily through the dungeon. You can spend two points of movement to sneak into a zone without triggering an Event.

Snipe

Action. (Aeromancy, Pyromancy, Ranged Weapons)
You can attack from afar. You may make a Normal Attack with Disadvantage on an enemy in an adjacent zone. If you have Extension, you can attack two zones away with Disadvantage.

Plot Armor

Passive.
The story favors you. If you hit zero hit points, you instead survive with 1 hitpoint and automatically Retreat to a zone of your choice.

 

[Nai]

120 / 120

Location: West
Total Movement: 2 + 2 (Haste)

"And that's why the Explorers go first."

Nai sipped on her tea tentatively as she listened to the ravings and complaints of the MIT 'professionals' around her. Their downfall, it appeared, was in making an assumption about the perceived threat level of a library founded in a place as perilous as the Hylands Ascent, and then skipping what she had presumed to be proper procedure before heading in.

Was their fault, in the end. Mm, the water here tasted a bit different. Perhaps something to do with higher mineral content? She sealed the lid of her pot, sank her steel arsenal into shadow, and strode on in, pausing by Cynna only to pass a leaf to the other beastwoman.

"Chew on this. Works better than coffee," Nai said, demonstrating by chewing on one herself. Alchemical botany was a new field she had been working on, one that didn't require nearly so many fragile vials and beakers compared to potions and such. The surge of energy was immediate, the senses awoken by a pungent, minty scent that seeped up the nostrils even as juices spread over the tongue.

"Rael, too. This'll be a touch more dangerous than Trinity's arena."

And without pause, she strode boldly down the western passageway, plucking a pomegranate and tossing it into her inventory along the way. It'll be a long one. She'd want snacks for later.

Rolls

Roll Result
1d6 (5) = 5
Nai | Haste | 1257C1 +2 to Nai, +2 to @Cynna, +1 to @Rael

Bonus Action to Sneak Westward [2 Movement]
Bonus Action to Scout with Advantage [2 Movement]

Expertise Check
2d100 (Advantage) (47, 81) + 10 + 18 = 109
Knack | Nai | 1257C1

Special Action: Sneak
Playsheet

 

[Askera Question]

Askera Question

160 / 160

Location: North
Movement: 1 to go to North, 1 to scout East

Askera's previous questioning had done him well. What had sounded as if paranoid nonsense to the others, the researcher instead took to heart. Thinking carefully on what he remembered to spawn so far in the Hylands ('dangerous terrain' and monsters alike), he skimmed over the accounts of various folk and compiling each thing he found pressing into a helpful list of reminders.

These reminders he copied onto three small clipboard sheets, which he handed out to those he believed were going to split apart. It was best that everyone stay informed, and he informed everyone as such due to this. The list covered a few basic ideas: Be careful of the dark, watch your status to see if you acquire mental debuffs and keep an eye on the ground in case of traps that had previously caused the quake from a time ago.

"As well, be certain to stick to at least one other person. Keep your comms alive. We don't know what caused the mental deterioration of the previous scouts... Jubjub-san, please analyze the eastern corridor."

A quick word of command sent steel flying out from underneath his warm coat. Various pieces glowing a strange green light assembled together in the air, together forming a drone greater whole than the singular parts that had been protecting Askera as an extra layer of armor.

Jubjub was an analysis and investigations unit that Askera was particularly proud of creating. Many inlaid inscriptions of the Absurdity and Repulsion curses allowed it to split at the seams and re-organize itself as needed, creating a vastly flexible machine that could fill in the role as protection or even a personal weapon should Askera find himself in need. It was an analysis drone first and foremost, however, taking careful measures to look over every nook and cranny of the corridor as Askera himself took to investigating what lie behind the door to the north...

---

Rolls

Bonus Action to Scout the Eastern corridor

Expertise Quality Check
1d100 (76) + 68 = 144 - Spectacular Quality

Knowledge | Askera Question | Scouting Quality | 1257C1

Using Main Action to Inspire
Inspire
5d6 (3 + 1 + 3 + 6 + 5) = 18
+18 to 3 targets' checks
Upgrading @Nai 's Quality from Average to Great, as well as buffing himself and the next person to roll an applicable check that Inspire can apply to.
Magitech | Askera Question | 1257C1

Bonus Action to move 1 zone North through the door after this

Special Action: Intimidate (Animancy, Dark Magic)
Play Sheet

 

[Matilda]

210 / 210

Location: East

So an entire team went crazy and/or never returned... how fun. Well, at the very least if there's something that powerful in this shit heap then it must be protecting something worth my time.

Alecto looked around at her surroundings and waited for others to make their move first. One to the north, one to the east.

I guess the options are to follow someone and let them be fodder for any traps or to strike out alone with Cynna. I'd prefer just to follow... but then I really don't want to have to share anything I happen to find. Best to have no witnesses if I decide to purloin something of value. I guess that settles it then.

"Alecto will go East! Like Ms. Explorerer, I can also stealth and hopefully keep myself out of trouble. Cynna, you'll be coming with me as well, correct? If so, we must be very careful. We wouldn't want to get caught in any traps now, would we?"

Hell, maybe I'll get lucky and find one of the lost MIT idiots. They have to have been carrying something of interest, information, items, or otherwise...

"Here we go! Alecto will use her magic to cloak herself. Let's all be very careful!"

Turning away from the group, Alecto took a few steps and then vanished.

Rolls

2 movement actions to sneak 1 space east

Special Action: Sneak
Playsheet link here

 

[Cynna]

140 / 140

Location: East
Total Movement: 2 +2 (Haste buff from @Nai)
Moved: 1 space East with Sneak

After they were 'safely' in the library (and out of Dante and co's hearing range), Cynna let out a long, long sigh.

"Faq! I knew the library was haunted goddamnit! Goddamn haunted library... friggen great..."

Reaching into her bag she removed a vial with water in it, unplugged the stopper, and proceeded to dump it over her head. If one cared to look, the vial was labeled "Synra's Bath Water" ; Cynna had purchased it from a shine in case she ever had to fight ghosts, which she now suspected she would. The shrine in question was "The Baths of Synra," where the dead were anointed and washed before burial. Cynna had no idea if it would have any actual effect, but she wasn't taking any chances. Cynna poured the remainder over her curious firearm she removed from a briefcase hanging off her shoulder.

"First psycho bugs... now ghosts... haaaah"

Feeling a little dispirited (no pun intended), Cynna received @Nai 's yummy pick-me-up treat just in time. Tasting the minty goodness, Cynna calmed and called out to the goatlady before she set off.

"Hey, comrade, here!"

She tossed Nai a bag. Inside were a number of smoke grenades. They were magitech-looking orbs with a big red button. Simple enough to use, and with appearances close enough to a thermal detonator from Star Wars to get her sued.

"Use those if anything gets sticky, and if you ever go into business, which you should, let me know when so I can buy seconds~"

Giving a thumbs up, Cynna turned to Alecto.

"Yup~ I like East~ Well lit, spacey, plenty of room for ghost busting."

She waved to the rest of the group.

"More the merrier if anyone wants to come with, but I think the prof there might need some help with that door he just kicked in. I'm no tactician~ so give a hollar if you need any ghosts busted~ Stay safe."

And with that Cynna pulled the slide on her curious looking pistol as it gave a hum and began to glow.

"Friggen haunted library."

And so, Cynna snuck East-ward as she began the mission.

Rolls

Moved: 1 spaces East with Sneak

*

@Plutopia
Buff (Single)
1d100 (86) + 15 + 10 = 37 (Total divided by 3)
+37 buff to 1 target for 3 posts @Nai

Magitech | Cynna | 1257C1

Special Action: Sneak
Playsheet link here

 

[Tarkya]

Interlude - Scouting

Nai

Random Scout! 1d3=1, Scouting North.
Great - You learn the name, description, and exits.

Webbing-choked Corridor
Spiderwebs choke the hallway so tightly that it's nearly impossible to progress. Cocoons cluster in the corners and dangle from high strands, too small to be even the smallest person. Some of them continue to twitch, as if whatever is within still struggles to escape...

Exits: North, West

Askera Question

Scouting East
Spectacular: You learn the name, description, exits, and event type.

Pristine Crossroads.
The bright tiles and fluorescent lighting continues to the east, where the walls transition from bright frescos to muted browns. This space too looks untouched by the ravages of time, but there is nonetheless evidence of something here in the black stains and scattered pages across the walls and floor.

You sense that there is an Enemy Encounter ahead.

Exits: North, East, South

Interlude - Exploration

Regal Hallway

"...is there no better place to live, then surrounded by the wisdom of centuries?"​

Occupants: @Askera Question

Rich carpet stretches before you, and the walls are wallpapered with rich red patterns. The light is gentle, cast by gleaming orbs contained with cages on the walls. Paintings of landscapes adorn the walls - some perhaps familiar, while others seem far too fantastic to be anything but some artist's imagining.

What stands out more are the books sprawling across that rich carpet, as if someone had tossed them about. Some have ripped covers - others look burnt or even slashed. And as you enter the hallway, some of them begin to twitch, covers twitching and unfurling like opening clams.

There is something distinctly unwelcoming about their movements, and yet... they seem to hesitate. Some even shy away, covers closing tight as if in defense...

Lengthy Tome (A)

DC: 30 Retal: 15

❰ 2 / 2 ❱

Hefty. Non-magical attacks have disadvantage.​

Lengthy Tome (B)

DC: 30 Retal: 15

❰ 2 / 2 ❱

Hefty. Non-magical attacks have disadvantage.​

Enchanting Tome

DC: 50 Retal: 0

❰ 1 / 1 ❱

Engrossing Tale. Roll a DC 50 Will save. On failure, you are compelled to read the book's story and forfeit all actions until an ally defeats the book.

Askera's Intimidating aura prevents you from being targeted this cycle.

A loosely barricaded doorway lies to the West.
A locked mahogany door blocks the East.
The corridor continues to the North.
The Lobby lies to the South.

Cobwebbed Crossroads

...and vermin followed in its wake, hoping to feast on its leavings...​

Occupants: @Nai
As you pluck the pomegranate from the tree, you become aware of its weight and texture. Perhaps you've never held a pomegranate before, but still... should a fruit feel this light, or its surface so dry and papery?

Lights flicker from cracked panels above, illuminating a crossroads in the hallway. Cobwebs cross between the walls, some light enough to brush aside, others thick enough to need extra work to bypass. There's the stink of mold and rot here which seems to emanate from the collapsed hallway to the west.

In the shadows of the ceiling, you can see the dark shapes of spiders lurking above you, weaving their webs and spinning their cocoons. No reasonable spider should be so large, and yet there's something that suggests these creatures are smaller than they should be, young or underfed...

Stacks Spiderling (A)

DC: 25 Retal: 15

❰ 1 / 1 ❱

Stacks Spiderling (B)

DC: 25 Retal: 15

❰ 1 / 1 ❱

Stacks Spiderling (C)

DC: 25 Retal: 15

❰ 1 / 1 ❱

Nai's Sneak prevents enemies from noticing her.

The webbing grows denser to the North
Books are scattered across the floor as the hallway continues to the South
The collapsed hallway grows darker to the West
The Lobby lies to the East

Pristine Crossroads

...they first passed through these halls, for the man abhorred imperfect books...​

Occupants: @Alecto, @Cynna

The bright tiles and fluorescent lighting continues to the east, where the walls transition from bright frescos to muted browns. This space too looks untouched by the ravages of time, but there is nonetheless evidence of something here in the black stains and scattered pages across the walls and floor.

As you enter the room, an odd sound fills the air - a high pitched chittering, like the squeaking of mice. The source of the sound is immediately apparent - a pair of dark creatures, not much larger than a cat, seemingly argue over a book that's nearly as large as they are. They're rat-like in shape, but that's where the resemblance ends - they are both pitch black, with glowing white pinpricks where eyes should be.

Archivist (A)

DC: 60 Retal: 5

❰ 1 / 1 ❱

Cowardly. If not defeated this cycle, the archivist flees to an adjacent room at random.

Archivist (B)

DC: 60 Retal: 5

❰ 1 / 1 ❱

Cowardly. If not defeated this cycle, the archivist flees to an adjacent room at random.

Alecto and Cynna's Sneak prevent enemies from noticing them.

A sturdy wooden door stands askew to the South
The hallway continues to the North
An oddly chemical smell wafts through the door to the East
The Lobby lies to the West

 

[Rael]

.

140 / 140

Location: Lobby
+1 Movement from Nai.
Movement: 1 to move one space to the North, 1 to Scout [ Far Scouting ] and 1 to gain advantage.

A mystery solved was one not worth investigating, and adventure without risk reaped no rewards for those who dared to follow it through. Wouldn't a repository of knowledge of such renown have myriad tales to wander its halls, as the books held within it did?

Whether the color that bloomed to life upon her cheeks and the tips of her pointed ears was from the cold, or the exciting prospect of adventure, one couldn't tell.

"Oh, you are so very kind..!" Was all she could say in response to the condensed burst of energy offered in the shape of an alchemically infused leaf, her eyes darting over the pomegranates hanging from the branches at the entrance. Others had already begun their investigations, and she would do the same in due time, but for now, two questions lingered: How was it possible that life, and fruits, grew here? Would they change the taste of Nai's offering?

Rael plucked a pomegranate, heel turning to see others heading in the Northern direction before she could partake of it. She turned to her grimoire and performed her summoning ritual, brush painting a picture that vaguely resembled a humanoid form slowly taking form in front of her.

A seamstress of purple locks, threads which led to nothing in particular pulled taut by a closed fist while the other held it in scissors sharper than the eye could see. The character pulled from a story Rael had once written lacked a face, instead a blur with no discernable features underneath. It bowed, once, bringing the threads to its chest and when Rael pointed to where others had gone, the creature moved.

---

Mastery Check
2d100 (Advantage) (59, 32) + 10 = 69
Summon | Rael | 1257C1 | Far Scouting
Special Action: Far Scouting
PlaySheet Link

 

[Ludmilla Orphys]

140 / 155

Location: Cobwebbed Crossroads with @Nai
Movement Used 1 to move west from Lobby, 1 to scout south of Cobwebbed Crossroads
-15HP from Stacks Spiderling (A) retal

Silhouetted in darkness, figures half-imagined stow such precious tomes as maddened and lost souls shuffle through the twisting prison, unheeding the rumbling earth. Ludmilla is captivated by the stories and cautions delivered by Dante and his camp compatriots. The danger promised has only inflamed her; the efforts of scholars guarding their troves differed much from that employed by brutish warlords and jealous kings.
So be it, she thought, striding into the temperate gloom. So let the trials begin.

Entering the library, Ludmilla's eyes are drawn by the bowing boughs, drooping heavily and studded in wine-red. Saliva jumps to her tongue, and her hand extends without thinking to pluck one and stuff it into her mouth greedily. It's only a fruit tree, so close to the entrance. If it had done harm, then it would reasonably have been removed or at least signposted. Besides, something within her could not abide leaving such delicacy untouched.

The pomegranate feels oddly light and papery. As Ludmilla's teeth sink through its rind, she finds the inside is black, and the "juice" of the pomegranate seeds is actually ink.

..ink that kind of tastes like pomegranate, though.

It's refreshing. Not nourishing by any means, but the red hunger is sated, her momentary madness abates. Thinking more clearly, Ludmilla looks about at her scattering companions. Wordlessly, she wipes her blackened lips and elects to step towards the ominously webbed corridor that one of the Beastfolk had disappeared into.

As soon as she enters, treading upon the sensitive webbing, the lurking spiderlings pounce at the unsubtle prey. Unbothered, Ludmilla points to one of the encroaching arachnids, uttering something in a low, gargling tone.

The spiderling collapses in its tracks, as if pinned by an unseen force. Then, its legs fold inwards, the dome of its abdomen crumples in on itself and its thorax is crushed into a chitinous mess no larger than Ludmilla's now-clenched fist.

Flicking her wrist, Ludmilla tosses the corpse aside. These creatures are runty, unintelligent and weak, but do make for amusing fodder if not suitable Beast Arts tames.

Rolls

Attacked Stacks Spiderling (A)
Protect
1d100 (27) + 10 + 5 = 42
42 damage vs Stacks Spidering (A) DC25 = -1LP
@Nai is Protected
Astramancy | Ludmilla Orphys | 1257C1

Mastery Check
1d100 (34) + 10 = 44 (Average Quality)
Astramancy | Ludmilla Orphys | 1257C1

Special Action:
Intimidate - (Corrupt) Ludmilla cannot be targeted on the first cycle upon entering a zone with monsters.
Playsheet

 

[Aroda]

160 / 160

Location: Lobby
Movement: Like, none

Aroda spends her time as close to the center of this little ragtag group as she can, as they progress into the big old library. She takes in the scenery, the creepiness, and the-

Everyone is immediately splitting up? Oh...alright.

She watches carefully as everyone goes off their own ways - most of them being sneaky. She recognizes that this is probably people scouting a head, and there were still some people with her, so this was probably fine. Actually, since she wasn't very good at sneaking, especially with her metal robo-heels, it's probably better she stays here and keeps a keen eye out down the paths the others were traveling, waiting for news or...conflict.

Thanks to her observation, she's able to watch as Askera casually walks into a room, very unsneakily, and immediately faces off with some weird magic books that...growl at him. She raises a brow and asks out to Askera about his situation on comms, already reaching into her inventory and retrieving a large rifle of some kind, glowing with electricity...

...And when she gets an answer over said comms, she raises the menacing contraption to a firing position. It began to charge a bit, before, with an electric blast, it launched a projectile into the next room. It streaks by in an instant, leaving a bright trail of sparks along its path that draw a perfect line directly into her target. She can't help but grin at the result.

"Damn this thing is cool..."

Rolls

Aroda shoots at one of the Lengthy Tomes, from the safety* of the Lobby, using Snipe.

Heavy Attack
1d100 (44) + 15 + 15 + 20 = 94
94 damage vs Lengthy Tome A, -3LP
You cannot move this cycle
Ranged Weapons | Aroda | 1257C1

Special Action: Snipe (Ranged weapons, Aeromancy)
Playsheet

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

⋇⊶⊰✦⊱⊷⋇

160 / 160

Location: East (Pristine Crossroads)
Movement: 2 to Sneak to East (Pristine Crossroads), 1 to Scout East (My Sweet Chemical Roomance)

Ayna heeded everyone's words, mostly @Askera Question's, before deciding to head East, following the two others ( @Cynna & @Alecto ) who seemed to be friends or teammates or whatever. She didn't really care, believing they deserved their privacy and any assumptions she made would be of terrible taste. Not that she'd make assumptions. She was there for the library, after all, and whatever else it contained. Might as well. Stupid rock man took plant girl and left me all alone. She heaved a sigh at the recollection of having been abandoned by her own teammates, the traitors.

Using her speed and lightning, she sneaked into an interesting corridor but immediately balked at the sight of the creatures there, heading quickly further east to scout the strange door that smelled like an odd chemical. Most people would stay away from weird-smelling doors, but Ayna? Ayna's just a little more reckless in this world, in this game. What has she got to lose? Kamala came back. She should just pop back if she ends up mauled by a monster behind the door. Or melted by whatever chemical's responsible for the smell. Science!

Rolls

Bonus Action: Sneak Move to East/Pristine Crossroads (-2 of 6 Movement)
Bonus Action: Scout East/Chemical-smelling door (-1 of 6 Movement)

Expertise Check
1d100 (95) + 30 = 125 (Spectacular)
Knack | Ayna Nietzsche | 1257C1

Special Action: Sneak
Playsheet link here

 

[Cynna]

140 / 140

Location: East (Pristine Crossroads)
Total Movement: 2 remaining from (Haste buff from @Nai)
Moved: 1 space East with Sneak

Giving @Ayna Nietzsche a wave and thumbs up, Cynna used the rest of her 2 movements to scout:

A sturdy wooden door stands askew to the South

and

The hallway continues to the North

Rolls

Scout: South + North with remaining Movement

****

Mastery Check (Scout South Door Askew)
1d100 (45) + 15 = 60

Shadow Arts | Cynna | 1257C1

****

Mastery Check (Scout North Hallway)
1d100 (53) + 15 = 68

Shadow Arts | Cynna | 1257C1

Special Action: Sneak
Playsheet link here