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

[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.

[topgun_textiles]

Shit. Castor needed the backup. Okay. Planting himself squarely in line of sight, he geared up with a whirl of the hammer and took the moment to prep an aimed swing.

Maybe some reduced defense would help shake this sucker up a bit. With a high swing, Kanji went for the head in a Helm Smash. That's it, focus on the annoying tank, stop trying to turn his fuckin' friends into stone, ya moron...!

[neverbeamemory]

It's some sort of luck that Sephiroth doesn't have to search very far before he manages to find the sword which had been thrown only a medium range away from him, and a good foot inside from that drop-off edge of this arena.

He settles the handle back firmly into his grip and turns back towards the Medusa, seems he's conveniently ended up on another flank. Charging in, Sephiroth executes an Oblivion-combo when he gets into range, before once more not only leaping back from his assault but taking a further step away as well. He wants to see what the counter will be, in good time.

If there will be one, it is looking like they might be on the edge of victory, here.

[whirluendo_of_puns]

Frisk's Melody deals a powerful blow that brings out another scream from the Medusa -- not merely one of rage, but also of despair. The monster can sense its fate approaching fast. It dives forward, enduring a slash from Sephiroth's blade, narrowly avoiding a death blow from the Gaster Blaster, and gathers water around itself for one last desperation attack...

Before the Medusa can choose its victims, Kanji's hammer comes down fast, forcing the beast to whirl around to defend. The remaining snakes lash out to block the attack, a final effort to protect their host body, even though the impact leaves them all dead. And in the moment of distraction, in comes Castor.

Castor's fist punches straight through the Medusa's defenses and beats the life out of its weakened body. And just in case this wasn't enough of an overkill, Madhuri's Glyph of Warding goes off, causing the dying Medusa to explode.

No soul snacks left for Dylas, alas. Better luck next time.

The moment the battle ends, a series of lights runs along the walls towards the door they came from and back to the central area, unlocking the doors that were previously inaccessible. In the end, all that is left of the guardian is a Super Money Bag containing 120,000 gil.

The right-hand doors on Floors 1 and 2 have been unlocked.

[wind_in_my_ears]

Klonoa takes a deep breath, and slowly steps forwards, walking over towards the defeated (and quite messy) monster. He looks left, he looks right... before turning around to face the others.

His mouth twists into a big grin, and he throws his arms up in victory.

"Wahoo, we won!"

[littlemhigan]

Castor sits down heavily, uncaring of the water lapping up around her. That attack took more out of her than she'd anticipated, and her entire body feels like she's been encased in hot lead. Her punching arm especially is numb to the core, and she can barely even lift the thing to inspect it.

"I don't..." she coughs, trying to chase away the sounds of weakness and strain in her voice, "I don't suppose I could borrow one've ye medic types?"

[songbird_slayer]

"Consider one borrowed."

She gave her guitar a quick little tune, and tread over while she pondered some sort of tune with which to channel the Cure magic. ...Ah. How about a serenade?

That sounded like just the ticket. Enjoy some regenerative music.

[sassafrisk]

Frisk immediately quantum switches back to Papyrus' side, fishing out a Hi-Potion and pouring down his... mouth. Yeah, let's call it that. "Are you okay?" they ask, eyes wide with fear as the past verison of themself finishes stabbing the corpse of the Medusa and catches up.

[poisonwish]

Snow White sighed heavily with relief and buckled, holding himself up with his hands on his knees. "Finally..." It wasn't like it was a long battle, but it hadn't been easy. And Dylas' stupid monsters had made things worse.

"Ashe...?" he called between breaths. "You alright?"

And as he looked up for her... he couldn't help but eye that large amount of gil the monster had mysteriously left behind.

[einspine]

Oh. Well, that was... helpful. If a bit sudden. His eyes turn googly as he... gulps down the potion? Maybe? He has no throat, but the stuff does go down. And disappear. It's probably a bit surreal to watch, really.

Give him a sec to just... process the sudden healing before he straightens himself up and dusts his clothes off.

"WELL! THAT WAS CERTAINLY... INTENSE, BUT WE TRIUMPHED! WE ARE THE HEROIC VICTORS!!! ...AND THAT MONEY LOOKS QUITE PROMISING."

He pauses, looking at the door. "AND YES, FRISK. I'M ALL RIGHT NOW! THANK YOU FOR THE SPONTANEOUS POTION."

[sassafrisk]

Frisk lets out a sigh of relief as Papyrus returns to his normal vivacity. "That... that was way too close." Then they turn to smile brightly at their friend. "But HOLY CRAP WHAT WAS THAT?! IT WAS SO COOL HOW DID YOU DO THAT CAN YOU TEACH ME WAIT WAS THAT YOUR MELODY?" They knew Pap was good with bone magic, but that... that was on a whole different level! SO COOL!

[neverbeamemory]

Good job he made that extra step back, wouldn't have done well at all to get caught in that Medusa explosion.

Still, Sephiroth waited for a good beat and a half before he stepped out of a combat-ready stance and slid his katana back into its sheath; he kept his full attention on where the monster had been until he was certain nothing else was going to happen.

Finally, as the regenerative music ticked at repairing his health pool, Sephiroth laid eyes on the Super Money Bag that was left behind. Now that could go a long way for him, certainly would help put off the need for the charity of the curti center, at least for a while. Besides, why shouldn't he at least take a cut?

Sephiroth flicked his head to remove a couple of stray, wet strands of silver hair which had fallen into his face before cautiously approaching the apparent big bag of loot.

[modelcivilian]

Somehow they managed to pull off that victory. Letting out a breath, Adrien sheathed his own sword and finished off his hi-potion. Looking around, everyone could probably use a little bit of healing, but several people in particular.

One person of that note was Sephiroth who was coming over to check out the loot too; though, now Madhuri had used her regenerative magic. He'd have to thank his boss later.

"So... what are we doing with this?" He looked over at the other swordmaster. He didn't really need any part of it...

Loot split!

[wind_in_my_ears]

Klonoa is nothing if subtle. He hefts up the huge sack of gil, looking at it. He turns to look at the others, counting just how many people there...

There are a lot of people here, it seems.

And unless someone explicitly stops him, considering he doesn't strictly know exactly what the sack contains, it's upended and carefully poured out into a big pile of coins right there on the ground, making the satisfying sounds of coins clinking into each other and dropping into the shallow water.

"Whoof.. this is going to take a while to push into equal piles."