Player Plot: Let's Explore Mad'ni Shrine!

[whirluendo_of_puns]

Who: Everyone who signed up!
When: Around November 3-6ish
Where: The Mad'ni Shrine
What: Searching for the lost ruins beneath the Shrine!
Warnings/Notes: It's another dreaded water level.

Although the flight provided by Curti Center takes them as close as they possibly can, the Heroes still have to take a brief walk through the woods to reach their destination. It remains to be seen whether the trip will be worth it. After all, their hope of finding a Legendary Eidolon, or even just clues pointing to one, is based on little more than guesswork.

But, with the time ticking down towards the end of the world, they don't have the luxury of ignoring a lead, no matter how vague. A shot in the dark might be what saves them all in the long run.

OOC info and sign-ups are here!

Comments

[sassafrisk]

"Well... something happened," Frisk says, eyebrow raised. "Not sure what, and it might not be good, but at least something happened. Guess our next step is to figure out what that something is." Ker-chunks like that meant that puzzles were solved in videogames, so there should be something different. Acting on a hunch, Frisk begins looking closely beneath the surface of the water for a change.

[sassafrisk]

Frisk is waiting outside the temple, staring at their slate intently as they scroll through the Heroes of Light linkshell archives. Something's clearly on their mind, but they put the device down and start smiling as soon as they see Kuja. They're wearing pretty standard Frisk attire, but there is a notable addition to their wardrobe: glasses. And for once, Kuja can't see them squinting. "Morning, Kuja. And... proooobably a lot of people. I think the end of the world is a big enough problem to get even the laziest of bums like me working to find a way to, you know, not die," they joke.

[einspine]

While Frisk utilizes their unique skillset, Papyrus barrels in after Kanji. He made the first blow, now it's time for him to work his magic. Thrusting his arm out, he unleashes his Blue Attack, sending a barrage of bright blue bones straight at the Medusa. The stunning effect should add a little extra time for the others to pummel the pest.

Sure, he won't be able to use it again for a while, but it doesn't matter. That's what friends and comrades are for!

[neverbeamemory]

Having found nothing of note from what he could see in the shallow water at their feet, Sephiroth had returned to to the wall on which the strange locking mechanism had been found. Close enough to clearly hear that click as the item had slid perfectly into place.

Immediately Sephiroth raised both eyebrows and took a much longer look over Uendo; one of those intense, calculating looks that might seem to peer right down into the very depths of the soul. Trying to fit it within his mind how it seemed the person to organize this expedition suspiciously already had the key. Coincidence doesn't cut it.

"And Pharce is?"

Perhaps it wasn't a question for now so much but Sephiroth let it out there regardless. Any context at this point might give significant insight into whatever they might be about to enter into.

[spaceforged]

It's certainly convenient. He stops scanning the floor to turn and face the mechanism. There's not much he can add to the questioning, so he does what any good soldier would do. He keeps watch on their surroundings in case that compass going into its slot called trouble to them.

There haven't been any changes yet but he breathes in. "That lever might work now. Everyone should gather everyone over here. We have no idea what will happen next." Do they?

He glances at Uendo and raises an eyebrow, asking with just a glance if it will be truly unknown.

[neverbeamemory]

He'd been ready for something; Sephiroth's grip on his reverse-held short katana tightened as the lights from the switch turned on in sequence, his cold gaze watching them until they vanished out of the door, instinctively spreading his stance as he both listened intently and kept his focus like a tight ball in his chest. Something seemed to have unlocked.

The first Zadom to drop near to Sephiroth was met with an immediate counter, the quick attack with his sword sweeping the small creature back a distance even if it hadn't killed it outright. The horde was very much upon them though; one became three, and then seven. Surrounding the silver-haired swordsman as if they were appearing right out of the air.

"-ugh!" One was on the back of his leg somehow and had made an effort to sink its tiny mouth in, but met with only the leather of his boot. It hadn't even punctured, though swiftly Sephiroth spun to fling it off of him. Glancing around, there seemed to be a veritable army of these things; he only just raised his sword on time again to bat away one that leaped for him. The movement jolting one free which had latched onto the ends of his silver hair.

He backed up towards where they'd all come into the room. Willing to take a safe bet right now that that other door back on Floor 12 had been opened; or at least the logic made sense to him, as predictable as it was.

"Let's go-"

[neverbeamemory]

As soon as Sephiroth had entered the room properly, he wasted no time in putting distance between himself and the others. He spread out towards the edge of the room with every intent to get himself into a decent flanking position first-

"-ngh!" The last foot he put down behind him sank significantly into the water compared to the apparent floor that made up the rest of this room. Thankfully Sephiroth had the good sense to abruptly shift his balance forwards to prevent himself falling back.

"Watch out for the edge!" He called out a sharp warning, yet knowing he'd undoubtedly reveal his position to the enemy in doing so, he'd hang back defensively for this round.

[acapriciousreaper]

"Checking," Kuja replies, inhales... and dives, swimming towards the other end of the tunnel, holding the orb out to light the way.

[acapriciousreaper]

"I have to agree." Kuja nods, looking down at Frisk's attire. He didn't think Frisk needed spectacles, but now they're wearing them they don't seem to be squinting as much. "I've died once already; not an experience I would recommend. Incidentally, Frisk, I can't help but notice your glasses. Might I ask why you haven't been wearing them, if you need them?"

[modelcivilian]

More space to maneuver thanks to that initial attack, Adrien's quick to follow after the others, keeping close, but not too close after his fellow swordmaster, just catching his warning.

"Right! Thanks for the heads up!"

Even if they were both outed, it didn't matter. Darting in, he'd help Kanji with lowering the Medusa's defense with his boosted strength going into a powerful Flurry combo slicing into her scaly hide.

[poisonwish]

Snow was one of the last to run in, wanting to keep his distance as more of a caster than a melee fighter here. As he passed the threshold, he shot a Tenebres the medusa's way, followed by Cyanure as he ran to the side. Following Sephiroth's lead, he mirrored the swordsman's path, trying to keep the medusa's sight divided, trying to make himself less of a target --

"Ah!"

He stopped short of the edge as Sephiroth called out the warning, arms waving slightly to help him keep his balance. "Got it!"

[chatwithdeath]

They could probably progress faster, but they had to take their time and consider their options as they moved along. However, Naomi's eyes begin to shift this way and that as they move, and her steps are taken with more care.

"... We have company. Be on guard as we proceed." She said it low, but who could say how good the hearing of these unknown entities could be?

[sassafrisk]

"Have to agree there, not exactly a fan of the whole 'fade to black' thing, it's way too cliche. Really, I expected death to be a bit more creative and flashy. The pain is also more than a wee bit uncomfortable," Frisk says nonchalantly. There was little point in hiding things from Kuja at this point, really. They'd already seen some of the worst parts of him up in the Dreamwidth, so it was only fair that they be honest with him too. "And it's primarily a combination between stubbornness and bad associations."

[wind_in_my_ears]

Klonoa notices the medusa staggering back, but more importantly, Kanji getting shoved the other direction. Onwards come the buffs as the fuzzball sends a bright wave of Regenerative magic to wrap around him, healing injuries as he takes them!

"Everyone's doing great! Keep it up!" He calls out.

[littlemhigan]

Castor is already waist-deep into the water, moving to try and spot in case Klonoa fell. She turns to keep tabs on the conversation even as she progresses deeper.

"I'll be with ye in a minute, Serge. I'd rather make sure fuzzbutt up here doesn't take a dive've his own. "

[littlemhigan]

Castor ducks and weaves between the other fighters, dancing out of range of the Medusa's blows until she sees an opening and Tackles in, opening a Chakra and closing the space between her and the creature. It's dangerous here and she knows it, but she's in a good position to follow up assuming the others can keep the attention away from her.

[acapriciousreaper]

The blunt honesty is something that's appreciated. "Well, it's certainly not my business, but it seems to me that there's little point in deliberately hindering yourself. Perhaps a healer could correct your eyesight?"

He wonders, privately, what 'bad associations' means.

Dice result from player plot server: 1d4 > 1

[mythmaker]

Keeping her focus on Kanji, Azusa reaches into her deck of cards and focuses her energy again. Good luck, good luck...she needs to focus on good luck. She casts Major Arcana and flips the card, revealing the Balance to boost Kanji's attack by 25%.

Unfortunately for Azusa, she decided to keep too much distance between herself and Medusa. Before she can shout some words of encouragement, she cries out instead, finding no ground beneath her next step.

"Ah!"

She tries to pull back, but it's too late. Using her magic, she shields her cards from getting wet, but there's no helping her. They hover around her and then above her, coated in a thin layer of light-purple magic.

"Why me—I'm sorry everyone—"

Splash! She leans forward and falls right into the deeper water surrounding the edges of the room. Her cards float where she fell.

Azusa will surface on her next turn.

1d7 > 7

[sullenstallion]

With the Sword Dancer at his side, Dylas now turns his attention to the Medusa. "Alright. That one's our enemy. Got it? Just follow my lead."

Dylas starts casting his magic again, opening with his darkness spell, Dark Savior. It only does medium-level darkness magic, but with his job maxed he's hoping it will do more than leave a little mark. He turns over his shoulder to make sure his 'hired' help is paying attention, but the sword dancer has instead turned his attention towards the furry rabbit thing making a lot of noise.

That doesn't like it's going to end well.

"No! Not that one," he yells, but it's too late. The Sword Dancer runs towards Klonoa (the seventh reply after Dylas) and starts to dance around him, fully intending to inflict the Zombie status on the Cat-Rabbit with Danse Macabre. But the Sword Dancer doesn't attack—once he's done casting, he races back to his summoner's side.

[sullenstallion]

Of course, Dylas is covered in about 30 Zadom as he speaks. It happens when you have so much more space to occupy. A few of the Zadom are even seemingly confused as to whether or not he's one of the Heroes or one of the monsters like they are. It's not until they start climbing in his hair that he gets pissed off. He lets out an undignified yell and pulls one out, throwing it at full speed right at Sephiroth's own mane. He throws the next one directly into Snow's face, and the next one bounces off a wall as he's slithering towards the door and ricochets towards Ashe.

"You guys deal with 'em! They're too much of a pain to squish with my bell!"

[wind_in_my_ears]

Klonoa is all focused on the battle, his eyes held forwards as he watches Kanji and the others tousle with the monster. He could not possibly be paying less attention to accidental friendly fire from his allies. He calls out as he watches the astrologian fall over. "Azusa! Hey, someone go--" Klonoa turns his head to look for someone who might be able to help.

...Why is there a dancing skeleton next to him?

He chokes, feeling a coldness in his chest that slowly spreads out over his entire body. He wavers on the floor, the world spinning as the creeping darkness overcomes him. Twirling around on the spot one last time, Klonoa falls to the ground, lifeless and dead as a doornail.

...before slowly rising up, arms stretched forwards as his sunken, sallow eyes survey the battlefield, ears lifted partially in the air and kinked as if tensed aloft by some sort of unnatural force. "Graaao..."

[mythmaker]

"Eh? Are you sure?" She shakes her head, immediately regretting the question. Of course her companion is sure; she should know better than to doubt her comrades just because she's alarmed. "Alright. I can arm myself without even lifting my hand, so we'll be alright."

A single Tarot card floats out from her sleeve and holds itself in front of her, tilting itself sideways as if threatening to fly forward like a razor at a moment's notice. True to her word, Azusa hasn't lifted her hand yet...

Wait.

"They aren't on the other side of us, are they?"

[sassafrisk]

"Maybe? I don't think actual nearsightedness can be cured like magical blindness," Frisk says, shrugging. In truth, it was quite liberating to be able to actually see the world around them. They were honestly kind of an idiot for not getting glasses sooner, really.

[hatejakku]

Finn stays above the water's surface, grimacing about being totally drenched now. Fantastic. "It looks like nothing," he calls up as his light source goes underwater. He's able to carefully walk forward, but he's hesitant to get his guns wet, too. "Looks like there's a hall or tunnel down here. The floor's stable, though...

"Wait, where did this water come from?"

[acapriciousreaper]

"Perhaps. A shame, that." He sighs. "I've always thought it was a bit stupid, really. There was a nobleman whose youngest son was badly near-sighted, could hardly see in front of his face, and patently refused to get the little goblin fitted with spectacles because they were terribly unfashionable and he didn't want his son 'looking like some sort of nancy'. Of course, then the little imp managed to knock over an entire wine rack. Forty thousand gil worth of Alexandrian silk, completely ruined because some brainless oaf thought glasses were stupid-looking." He's rambling. He had a point here, honestly.

"Point being, wear what makes you comfortable, and if anybody mocks you for it, destroy them."

A beat.

"Metaphorically speaking, of course."