Dungeon Diving ho!~ [@Crusader Lord][@Crimson Paladin][@Click This] [hr] It seemed their actions, or the actions of others had at least on some level created utter chaos. The foliage on the temple was burning, the blackened slimes slowly shuffled towards the group. Novak rushed to Leannah’s aide, attempting to see if she was fine. A shout up from her was any indication as any. Lazhira was inching her way away from the slimes, towards the back of the temple. Narkissa seemed to have some other ideas, however. A prayer offered to the Goddess that bought them here. A simple, small thing, quite the opposite of Leannah’s grand prayer. [hider=?????] High atop the world, upon the Cistern from which all the worlds waters flowed, the Goddess watched those she had chosen to carve this planet's future with interest. She watched as some never made it from the ancient prison. Their fates and tales, doomed to obscurity, only the Book of Journey’s knowing they even existed, even if just as a footnote. She watched as Augusta and Isidore headed towards the mountains, towards the plots and machinations of a Prophet and Fairy. She watched as the reincarnated warlord and her companion sought the audience of a Beast. Watched as Malphas set fire to the old temple, as the envenomed arrow pierced the hide of a sacred beast. Watched as Donovan spoke with that old, ancient Eternal God, as Nicholas simply went wherever his heart took him. Watched as Leannah tried to bargain with the Sun, watched as Novak wore a face not his, watched Lazhira ever so endear herself towards her companions. Watched as Narkissa prayed to her. [color=6ecff6]“...my my, praying to me and asking for my help? After I’ve already given you so much aid already?”[/color] She laughed, sitting upon the edge of the Sea of Stars, her dress rippling as water as she dipped her hand into the sea. [color=6ecff6]“Perhaps I should have chosen someone else? Though I suppose it might be expected after I gave you my personal favor...”[/color] She swirled her hand within the depths, a small whirlpool forming as she idly decided what she wanted to do. To help, or not to help? To give aid, or give tribulation? To lift up as a hero, or make a villain in someone else's tale? It was always difficult to decide what would be more entertaining to play out. A tragedy? Or a tale of Heroism? [color=6ecff6]“...well, since I already have saved you once...”[/color] A cold smirk formed on her lips. [color=6ecff6]“...a little trial, for you Narkissa. Don’t worry though. It won’t be too difficult~”[/color] She removed her hand from the pool, a handful of water contained within her palm. She held it over the edge, slowly turning over her palm and letting the innumerable drops flow, falling into the world below. A catalyst. A trial. Success or failure? [color=6ecff6]“But of course, were you to die now, that wouldn’t be any fun at all...so do try and succeed.”[/color] [/hider] Not that Narkissa would be aware of these idle words of the goddess, for she was not one to directly show herself to her chosen should they call to her. Time however, would seem to slow for her as she watched something sparkling and shiny fell from the roof. A drop of the clearest, purest water she had ever seen. That only she could see. Despite the fires quickly engulfing the place, it fell, barely even being affected by it. A splash as it landed on one of the black slimes. Narkissa would suddenly feel...off. Not bad, just...off. As though she was both hyper aware of her surroundings, as though she could feel every bit of movement of her own body, and see every movement of those around her. The attempt at making water seemed far too easy in success. A sphere of water formed, held together by raw magical force before it was launched towards the fire and the slimes. In fact, it almost came as naturally to her as breathing it felt. She felt as though she could potentially shape the water to do anything she desired at this moment. The slimes were shoved back from the impact, but otherwise the two she had hit seemed mostly unaffected. The fire, too, seemed to be slightly quenched by the fire. Yet...the slime hit by the drop of crystal clear water would roil, the slime on its surface shuddering and quivering as the foreign substance seemingly spread through its entire being. The soft sickly glow from within its core began flickering, slowly fading to a more blue tone. At the same time, its body began growing. Larger and larger, until it had nearly tripled in size. The bones too, seemingly had grown to match. It lurched towards Narkissa, lashing out with a tendril of goo tipped with a sharp bone acting as a spear as it struk towards her. “E-eh!? That’s!? R-really?!” Lazhira seemed mildly surprised by the turn of events. She seemed about ready to flee herself, now that they had six small slimes and a massive seventh one to deal with. [b][color=6ecff6]“...if you desire my favor...”[/color][/b] As the events played out, those in the current room would hear a voice. A familiar, ethereal voice speaking to them from everywhere at once...but it was far colder and far less warm than it had been previously. [b][color=6ecff6]“...then kill the monstrosity before you. I’ve given you a small boon, do not waste it. Or do, and die. Flee, and incur my wrath. I will be watching, little Narkissa.”[/color][/b] "I don't know what's going on Narkissa, but this is bad! Like really bad!" Leannah at least would be more or less fine, safe from the chaos happening above as the pit she found herself in was well insulated, even slightly damp and cold. The oily, smooth goo beneath her feet wobbled slightly as she walked, her feet sinking a few centimeters into it with each step as it seemed to barely support her weight completely. As she walked to a crystal on a wall, it would easily break off at her touch, and thankfully not dim either with the act. Seemed as though it may be a good source of light, if nothing else. That just left her with the room to explore, or finding a way back up to aid her companions. The only way out was a hallway, lined with various rooms it seemed. Within each were more artifacts it looked like. One room seemed to be an old library. Another seemed as though it was a kitchen. A third seemed to be bunk rooms of some sort...wait. At the end of the hallway. The rough silhouette of a human illuminated by a crystal. As soon as Leannah would notice it, however, it simply walked off further into the temple. It seemed the hallway branched into two paths. One leading to the left and one leading to the right. If she were to check, the one to the left, the one the figure had walked down didn’t have any noticeable features. Through the one in the right though, she could see a room, another pedestal with seemingly something needing to be placed on it. ...what was someone else doing down here? Should she pursue? Or should she wait for her allies - whoever it was might get away in the meantime. [hider=Goddess Note] Item received: Illu Crystal A crystal of unknown origin, though the god of knowledge is said to have a fondness of these. They shine brightly in the dark, but loose brilliance in the sunlight. No one is quite sure how it works. Brittle, so be careful. [/hider] [hr] Nobbu and the Fox [@VitaVitaAR][@PKMNB0Y] [hr] Deciding to find an offering for the Kyrnith, the duo went about finding a Kyr Reed. Finding such things growing in the village however, seemed to not be entirely fruitful. Given the beach and the more flat, open area it was situated on perhaps that was no surprise. It wouldn’t be until they would find themselves near the edge of the forest did Misaki start noticing things of note. Most of the plants near didn’t have nearly as much medicinal or other herbal applications, as one may expect, but a few… [hider=Goddess Note] Browncap - A mushroom with a dark brown head, and a white frilly underside with white spots. Has a pleasant scent, edible and relatively nutritious. Snowshade - A wintry plant that only grows when shaded by trees in cold climates. While nothing physically stands out about this plant, it seems to naturally attract mana... [/hider] And nearby, would be the Kyr Reed they were looking for. It seemed as though this would be a somewhat fruitful search. An edible mushroom that may have wider applications, and some sort of...odd snow herb. It would be easy to gather these, if she desired, in some manner of quality if she wanted. A number of Sleep roots and red petals seemed to be nearby, too… Whenever she went to pick the Reeds, however, she would find she was also not the only one that seemed to want it. A fawn, with dark blue fur and white spots. It had almost been ready to eat the plant, but the moment it had noticed the two of them, it would jump back, obviously frightened. [hr] The Roma Mob [@ERode][@Pyromania99] [hr] “...tsk.” Upon hearing that the Dwarves were the source of the deaths of two of their men, Morgan’s mouth turned downwards into a slight scowl. Wordlessly, the one that had walked up a few minutes ago ran off back into the camp, shouting something about setting up a few more defenses if they could. “Maybe I will get to do something this time. Thanks for the information, Isidore. Augusta...” His gaze lingered on the elf for a few uncomfortably long seconds, but his attention was quickly turned back to Isidore as he inquired about Rheane and moved more in front of her. “I’m no priest, but I’ll tell you what I can.” He turned to the flag waving in the cold wind. The serpent and star may perhaps remind them of Donovan’s own emblem. “We follow Prophet Rheane in order to bring order back to this realm. She claims to be the daughter of the God of this world and seeks to return the land back to the way it was before all the snow, ice, and beasts.” He smirked, shrugging as he said it. “I don’t buy the entire thing myself, but...well, Rheane’s power is real, and there’s just about nothing else looking after us humans. Well...unless you count that Moon ‘Goddess’.” He scoffed at those words, obviously not really considering her to be as such. “As for the beast...its called Stieneter.” He shook his head. “At least, that’s what the dwarves call it anyways. I’ve only seen it a handful of times from a distance when it surfaces on the mountain. Its some sort of...giant serpent with many legs.” He made a motion towards the west. A series of rocky passes and snow laden ground paved a white path towards the sea. “We saw it only briefly when the storm started, Railey took off after it to make sure it wasn’t going to come after us. You’ll know him when you see him. Should be the only person out here in full armor.” He glanced over his shoulder, back to the camp. “If that’s everything, then I should get back to working out how we’re going to get ourselves out of this mess.” Assuming Augusta or Isidore had no further questions for Fiacre, he would leave the pair there to ponder their next move, leaving them to decide where to go and what to do next. Assuming too, they would soon meet back up with both Octavia and Leuca, the small elf would worriedly greet the pair as they returned. “Y-you’re back. Oh thank the Ancestors...” She greeted them, Octavia eagerly rubbing against Augusta, barking and asking to be picked up, leaning on one of her legs with her front paws. “W-what do they want? Did they say anything about Sorcha…?” She asked, hopeful that they may have divulged some information even if they hadn’t directly asked. [hr] Wayward builder [@Guy0fV4lor][@PaulHaynek] [hr] “...your odd manner of speaking aside,” Enli replied with a bemused smile. “You truly do not know? Well...I suppose the world is far more vast than we know so perhaps it is not strange.” Enli walked over to one of the aged scrolls in the wall, shuffling carefully through a few before deciding on one and walking back over to the pair. He unrolled the piece of parchment, showing the pair its contents. Upon its old, faded surface was a stylized drawing of two human figures, an old man and a cloaked, dirty old hag. A white colored symbol, the same that Donovan saw on Lazhira’s arm and the same that was upon Enli’s robe. “Locally, we know him as Iva’Krorh, the God of Knowledge. He illuminates ones path towards secrets, and gifted humans the first spark of knowledge and motivation to...create.” He frowned lightly, rolling up the scroll after they had a decent look at it. “...truthfully, though, people forget his domain isn’t simply knowledge, but the mind itself. When we say ‘knowledge’ we truly mean he’s the one that allowed us to think and understand the world around us, and the right to revoke such knowledge as well - but the cost of doing so was said to have driven him mad.” He frowned, lowering his voice again. "I truly do not know what is happening in Dawn. Only that things aren't...[i]right[/i] and things are outside of my control aside from keeping the people safe..." [hr] Send Feet Pics [@Cu Chulainn] [hr] “Ah? Alright. Do what you want.” Soyala shrugged. “I’ll make sure the fire doesn’t spread to far. The snow should see it doesn’t do too much...but stranger things have happened.” The huntress would leave Malphas to do as he wished, keeping weapon at the ready just in case something jumped them from the forest. For most people, there would be a tangible feeling of apprehension for doing this. He coated an arrow in the plants toxin, posing a question to the huntress. “Its particularly nasty, and most wouldn’t dare touch its meat after.” Soyala replied. “If it gets inside, it’ll kill you in an hour. And it’ll be the most unpleasant thing you can experience.” She glanced to the deer, the arrow piercing its furred hide. The deer yelped pitifully as the plants poison entered its bloodstream. “...I’ve been told by that Merchant, that certain people in Chagawa have developed a way to make it work near instantly, but she tells many stories and half truths.” The deer would thrash and cry as it tried to drag itself away from Malphas and the snare that had hung in its leg. More crying, thrashing and pitiful struggling as the toxin did its work. More disconcertingly, however, was what else was heard in the forest. A loud, mournful call echoed through the woods followed by a cold, melancholic breeze. … Eventually the deer would stop thrashing altogether, too tired and injured to even thrash at its fate as it awaited the inevitable. “...if that’s done, we should get moving.” It seemed like whoever was in the temple may not be quite done yet, either. “Follow me. The abode of the Illuminated is close, but not within that trap.”