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

[desertbloomed]

Ashelia notices the Sword Dancer approaching her at the last second, her attention still fixed mostly on Medusa. By the time she realizes it's about to attack her, it's almost too late; the High Kick connects, sending her sprawling to the ground face first. She scrambles away, head reeling from the blow. She drops her sword, abandoning it to lay both hands on her head for a Dual Soin.

That necromancer is in for it.

[einspine]

Good! His stunning spell did its job. Papyrus cheers at the others' efforts. Ah, such inspiring teamwork! At this rate, they're sure to triumph in no time flat. Well, assuming the Medusa doesn't get second wind, or pull out a last second transformation. Could Medusas even do that?

Well, regardless, he uses the opportunity to launch a volley of magic bones- not blue, this time, but a proper magical attack! While he hasn't quite gained enough EXP to use all the fancy bells and whistles, it should at least provide some extra damage to the pesky, petrifying pest.

[whirluendo_of_puns]

The Heroes' barrage tears into the Medusa. Castor lands a critical hit with her Dragon Kick, as does Sephiroth with his sword skills. Even those dishing out normal hits are steadily chipping away at the monster's health. The most devastating damage by far is coming from Frisk and Adrien, as the combined might of their final skills and SAVE files easily burns through the Medusa's defenses...

With an ear-rending scream, the Medusa finally lurches off of the ground. Even Dylas' earth magic isn't enough to topple it a second time. Enraged at being so grievously wounded so quickly, the Medusa lashes out with a cast of Group Waterga, dealing severe damage to the entire party. The waves of magical water smash into them with the force of a stormy sea, leaving several Heroes in a critical condition.

Party's current HP
Frisk: 37/100
Madhuri: 70/100
Kanji: 58/100
Azusa: 72/100
Ashelia: 3/80
Dylas 63/100
Adrien: 47/100
Castor: 45/100
Klonoa: 23/60
Sephiroth: 2/50
Snow: 45/75
Papyrus: 1/50

HEALTH: 32/100

[sassafrisk]

Frisk might be good at dodging. They might be very good at dodging. But dodging a mini-tsunami? Okay, yeah, that would be hard at the best of times, and it was impossible when they were directly next to the medusa. They're knocked back by the Waterga, tumbling head over heels, and they eventually come to a stop covered in bruises, as well as a few fractured ribs. They're not angry about that, though. They're angry when they see Papyrus hurt. "Papyrus!" they yell at the top of their lungs, disappearing in a Smoke Bomb and reappearing at his side.

[songbird_slayer]

"Don't you worry, dear. I think I've got a-" The water cascaded over her and threw her hair forward. For a moment, her vision wobbled and she felt herself carried by the current, and her limbs immediately scrambled to find purchase with the ground. Fortunately, the magic had done its deed and receded again...

Leaving a rather sad, drenched tiefling with her hair hanging well past her backside, its signature end curl gone. With a scowl, she spit water to the side and sighed.

"...Plan." But she looked back and saw ruin, many scrambling to right themselves while others seemed to be struggling. Throwing her wet hair back and straightening her hat, she pulled her guitar to her front.

"Okay. Plan B." Spellblade: Divine. She tapped her throat and straightened up, sweeping her fingers across the strings. She gave her tail a little wiggle, loosening the tambourine cymbals nestled in her bow.

"Up you get, my darlings~" With cure magic imbued in her voice, the Spellbinder began to move her body, all hips and tail as she began to sing, guitar and cymbals accompanying as she would apply a gradual recovery effect per turn. However, Madhuri wasn't applying the effect to herself... Oh no. She wanted to try something out.

As for the Medusa? Oh, should it survive her healing friends to the end of her tune, she had a gift... but the beast would just have to wait until then.

[topgun_textiles]

Kanji hadn't even seen the water coming until he barreled into him and forced him to throw his hammerspike into the ground to keep him steady. He grit his teeth and took it, and was left a sodden mess.

He sneezed, clearing the water from his mouth and nose, and he'd had enough. All Berserkers had to fight to manage that rage that bubbled in their minds, but sometimes you just had to give in and tell that beast, 'Yes. Just do what you need to do'.

They called it "Beast Release." He lowered his center of gravity, then lunged. But rather than continuing to beat away at the Medusa like a crazed maniac, there was precision in the motion. He chose the lower part of the belly and swung, spike first, and tore up and away.

Fell Cleave always felt so damn good.

[wind_in_my_ears]

Klonoa hacks, quivering a little as he spits up water on his hands and knees, but he's not going to be giving up any time soon. Still, people need help, and that takes priority over everything else.

He recognizes the need to get people back on their feet as soon as possible, so the first thing he's going to do is hurl as much healing power at he can directly at Ashelia. Her and Papyrus are in bad shape, but he can only Cure one at a time, and he heard Frisk yelling.

[modelcivilian]

For all that health Adrien had regained from his attack, it was a bother to have it knocked down again as well as getting knocked off his feet by the Waterga spell. Shaking his head, his hair returned to its perfect curl it had before. The rest of the group wasn't looking good, but if he could hold Medusa's attention with Kanji, they'd have time to recover.

Sword drawn up again, he's going back into the fray, taking his sword into both hands. The way the Shooting Star combo starts was a completely inappropriate style to hold a blade, but somewhere in that flurry of combo-ing swings, it would be back in Adrien's grip normally.

[sullenstallion]

Oh, this is getting fun. The amount of water that fills in the room is enough to remind Dylas of home, of the water ruins where one might say he was 'made.' It's less fun when he's sent crashing against a wall, but, you know, details. The fun part is that the attack also damaged the Sword Dancer and the Medusa is finally in its line of sights.

"Alright! 3...2...!"

The Sword Dancer grunts as he swings his blades at the Medusa. Dylas, at the exact same time, snaps his clawed fingers, casting Dark Savior at the swords' point of impact for combined strong physical damage and medium dark damage if the Medusa doesn't move.

It's a pretty cool move, the Sword Dancer just needed to warm up on the party first. These things happen.

[poisonwish]

Snow White was brought to his knees, left more like a wet cat than a princess. He coughed and gagged, but seeing the others had him struggling to his feet. "Ashe -- !"

He sent a Soin her way, then another Soin to Klonoa. He wished he could do more, but he could at least keep the better healer alive. It was after he'd already acted that he realized he'd done nothing to heal himself. How stupid... He supposed these weirdos really were his friends if he was going to do something so stupid for them.

"Don't give up!"

[mythmaker]

"Oh, come oooon!"

She's back on her feet, and already there's another wave of water pushing her back against the wall? She's barely made it fifteen feet from the door since starting the battle, and it's a small miracle that she's not pushed back underwater from the Medusa's attack.

"I'm already soaked from head to toe...! Take this, um, Mr. Silver!"

She focuses her magic back into her cards, thankful she can keep them dry with just the minimal amount of focus and magic, and casts Benefic to heal Sephiroth because she's a fool who doesn't know better and he looks injured.

[desertbloomed]

"Agh!" Ashelia screams, or would if she weren't submerged in water. She crashes against a wall, falling below the surface once things even out again. It's all she can muster at first to hoist herself back onto level ground, at least until she feels those heals coming. She rights herself, though still in a crouch, about to heal herself some more until she sees Papyrus. Saving her thanks for after the fight, she wordlessly launches a Dual Soin the skeleton's way.

[neverbeamemory]

Finally a chance to take on a larger foe and from his first foray into melee range it's all going better than he hoped-

Until that scream. It was all Sephiroth could do but watch the Medusa lurch and then immediately counter them all with -what seemed from his perspective- a giant water spell. He's instantly swept backward with the current of it, tumbling in the waves until the water recedes and he's left face down. A long second of utter stillness later and then his lungs decide to empty themselves as he tries to gulp down breaths of air, coughing instantly as Sephiroth forces himself up onto one knee while he still tries to remember how to breathe. It's not only that, he hurts inside and out, doesn't even know where his sword got swept off to-

As he's surrounded in the magic of Azuza's Benefic, Sephiroth finds that his body loosens up a great deal just from that medium-strength heal. He looks up -unsure where or who exactly threw the heal- finally finding his center again and sternly forcing himself back vertical. Water runs in rivulets down slick black leather as Sephiroth flicks the now-soaking bangs of his hair out of his face; so much for managing to stay dry so far on this excursion.

Now it's time to find where his katana landed; Sephiroth hangs back towards where he knows the drop-off edge is as he searches for his dropped weapon. Someone isn't going to be best pleased if it's fallen down there. He's starting to feel a knot of something building somewhere inside of his being; could be the first stirrings of what he recognizes as a limit break -wait, no, it's called a Melody here.

[littlemhigan]

Castor barely has enough time to brace against the blast of water and for a brief second, she smells salt and hears the Lord of the Revel crowing in delight. Wild and pure and forever free.

She stands strong against the water because she must and as it runs off, so too does her brief reminiscence. The Medusa's shrieks almost drown out the cries of her companions. She hurts, but it is a tolerable hurt; Bruises but no breaks. She can tell without looking that she fared better than some. Most, maybe.

It only takes a heartbeat for Castor to ready herself and she rushes the Medusa again, landing a powerful Fire Chakra attack upon its flank.

[einspine]

That was... a heavier blow than he anticipated. Papyrus falls to his knees, grimacing and shaking. The smoke bomb coupled with Madhuri's song come as swift relief, but the damage is gonna take some time to shake off.

But the healing spell from Ashe washes away further pain, allowing him to rise back to his feet. It's... tricky. Very, very tricky. In hindsight, perhaps it wasn't wise to take a job class he'd yet to master, but it's too late to turn back now.

He turns to Frisk, offering a weak smile. Fortunately, that attack does bring with it a very convenient little perk. Much like Sephiroth, power swells within him. Suddenly, and without warning, a barrage of bones rapidly assaults the Medusa. All the while, strange floating skulls begin to fly in...

Oh dear.

Targeted players, please roll a d6! Odd number = petrify, even = safe

[whirluendo_of_puns]

The Medusa is on the defensive now. It's watching Kanji like a hawk, very much aware that one successful axe swing at this moment could spell its doom. With a swift leap, it manages to dodge the Fell Cleave -- though as a result it ends up taking the brunt of the damage from Adrien and the Sword Dancer. Hissing, it prepares to bounce again to avoid the incoming strike from Castor...

Not fast enough. The Fire Chakra combo just narrowly connects, culminating in another critical hit. The snakes flare up, fully revealing the Medusa's piercing glare to the nearest fighters -- Castor, Adrien, and the Sword Dancer -- in an attempt to petrify the trio.

The Medusa doesn't see Papyrus' Melody taking form before it's too late. The snake heads try in vain to bite at the advancing bones, only to get unceremoniously smacked around for their troubles. The overdose of calcium proves too much, and several of the snakes fall limp over the Medusa's face.

Party's current HP
Frisk: 38/100
Madhuri: 70/75
Kanji: 69/100
Azusa: 78/100
Ashelia: 23/80
Dylas: 69/100
Adrien: 53/100
Castor: 51/100
Klonoa: 29/60
Sephiroth: 14/50
Snow: 49/75
Papyrus: 12/50

HP: 33/100

[sassafrisk]

As soon as Papyrus is confirmed safe, Frisk whips around to face the medusa, snarling. Then, a bitchin' guitar solo starts up for everyone to hear, Frisk starts glowing gold... and they disappear--

--Melody Activated: FRACTURED NOVA, an artificial-sounding voice announces--

--only they were waiting in the smoke the entire time to sling massive ice shuriken at the medusa's side in an Invisible Ice Ninjitsu, except that can't be right, since Frisk had also just run straight up at (but that isn't true, they were just suddenly in that position) the monster to drop kick it into Frisk's waiting Invisible Assassination, which is what actually happened... except Frisk had bounced off the walls to get to that position in the first place, but they didn't, they just appeared there. The ninjitsu-using Frisk flickers out of existence, and so does the drop-kick Frisk (to time travel back a few seconds, of course), leaving just the Frisk with their ninjato buried in the medusa's back, a furious expression on their face and their eyes shining a blinding gold.

Golly, time shenanigans sure are confusing, aren't they?

Managed to roll a 4

[modelcivilian]

So that series of attacks went off pretty well, but the Medusa had put itself on the defensive. Alright, they'll just have to be more careful with their strikes...

... and then the snakes begin rising up.

He probably shouldn't turn his back on the monster while he's so close, but it was faster for him than shutting his eyes and he could take the opportunity to breakaway from immediate combat to use a hi-potion on himself. Next turn - if Papyrus and Frisk's Melodies didn't finish it off - he'd be ready.

goodbye sword dancer

[sullenstallion]

The Sword Dancer freezes, and it turns to stone with a cry of anguish. Dylas doesn't care. With a snap of his fingers, he sends it back to the rift, discarding it like the monster was nothing more than garnish meant to be thrown out after the meal was over.

"I'm tired of fighting these things. I'm going to make it regret waiting here for us—"

Dylas will wait until everyone else has had their turn, and then he'll strike with Soul Thievery. If his attack is the killing blow, he will steal Medusa's soul.

[mythmaker]

Azusa continues her healing spree, even though she's soaking wet, by casting Benefic on Ashelia. She remembers the poor girl getting kicked from behind, and that hardly seems fair for the fight, doesn't it?

"Please don't give up," she adds cheerfully from the back, trying to ignore how heavy her robes feel and how cold she is.

[wind_in_my_ears]

Klonoa, now seeing Ashe with enough healing in her to get her going, stands up completely, brushing himself off. He smiles in Snow White's direction, feeling a lot better now. Or, at least better enough to stay in the fight.

"Churupa!" He calls out to Snow, before turning and holding both hands out towards the skeleton. He's not going to let Papyrus stay injured for long!

Cure!

[einspine]

Oh, thank goodness. The heal prompts a sigh of relief from Papyrus, who shoots Klonoa a quick smile before continuing his assault. Bones continue to charge in a frenzy at the beast, but the Gaster Blasters, previously stationary, thrust their jaws open, unleashing a devastating blast at their fearsome foe.

A bit harsh? Perhaps, but the sooner they get this fight over with, the better! No one should have to die. Or suffer severe pain. Or petrification.

He can only hope they knock this pest out before fatigue sets in. Who knows how much longer he can maintain this attack?

[songbird_slayer]

Oh, look at the distracted Medusa. It'd be a shame if something happened to it. Seemed her music wasn't doing it for anybody either... shame. Some audiences could be tough.

That's why whips existed. Mind the giggle as she switched gears from guitar to an old friend. This cur had done enough to harm this group and demanded punishment.

She rushed forward, bringing the handle high and bringing the length to a whirl. A sharp swipe of the arm arced the weapon forward and back with the popper echoing through the air, a sound slash of leather over scaly hide. Left in the attack's wake was a gleaming symbol, a Glyph of Warding.

Now all it needed was a little touch to set it off... Medusa earned that fiery gift.

I rolled a 4

[littlemhigan]

Castor's been in enough scraps to know the look the Medusa was giving, and still has the wherewithal to cover her gaze before she ended up a statue.

She bounces out of her cover when she feels the magic pass her over, and rushes back into melee with the creature. "Cover me!" she calls over the din of battle and plants herself, low to the ground as magic and chakra energy begin to swirl and spin around her, slowly focusing on her fist...

With a cry, Castor unleashes a Phoenix Flight into the Medusa's flank...

And stumbles away a few seconds later, cradling the arm that dealt the blow and clearly barely standing.

Snow White will remember that

[poisonwish]

What a mess... But Frisk's move, whatever it was, was amazing. Snow White could only hope whatever damage came from the child was enough to finish the fight.

In the meantime, that sort of potential had to be protected. It probably wasn't much, but Snow White shot another Dual Soin to Frisk. Since when did he become the healing type? Well, if he was honest with himself, he wasn't very good at it... He just had to hope it was enough for now.