Player Plot: The Crystal Temple's Secret

[princeandscholar]

Who: Characters signed up for this quest
When: 12th
Where: The Crystal Temple in Sen Devadatta
What: The Heroes of Light vs. Bahamut's Temple
Warnings/Notes: None


IC | Arrival

After a long flight to the Empire, a visit to Parasraya, and a meetup at the capital, the expedition members are loaded onto vehicles and delivered to their destination: the magnificent Crystal Temple. Alas, there is no time for a leisurely tour as the company gathers outside with caving gear and weaponry.

Once all party members are assembled, Orcelito addresses everyone:
"Thank you for coming. I know it was a long flight and there was a lot of preparation. Your presence here is appreciated, and we will be underway shortly.”

He gestures towards the Crystal Temple. “Two teams will be escorted into the basement of the temple. The rest will travel into the forest to look for a way in through the network of caverns. We have leads on where to start searching, so we can make the most of our time.

“As mentioned in the letter, the ruins have deteriorated over the years. Bahamut’s Temple is ancient, and parts of it are no longer standing. I’ve been told that some areas may be flooded or unstable.”

Orcelito pauses, scanning the group. He lowers his tone as he adds, "If you find evidence to suggest someone has tampered with the ruins recently, let me know. As well, please refrain from disturbing the ruins more than necessary. We are here on the Empire's good grace, after all."

And one more thing. "I understand it will be inconvenient, but the order not to use the Mognet is especially imperative while we're here. If you need to send a message to another team, ask one of the Moogles. They are here to help."

From where she hovers by his shoulder, Marigold waves the free paw that’s not clutching a lantern. Those traveling with their Moogle companions will notice they've been given similar lights.

Finally, he smiles; Orcelito may not know everyone here, but he's committed to leading each of them out safely. “Don’t take unnecessary risks. Look after each other.”

Once the orientation is complete, the parties are split. Orcelito turns to lead the way into the temple where a researcher stands ready to guide them to the basement. The other group will find a vehicle waiting to carry them to the forest nearby.


Team Thread Links
Team A thread: Orcelito, Tidus, Rutile, Naoto, Snow White
Team B thread : Ashelia, Castor, Terra, Klonoa, Frisk, Madhuri
Team C thread: Finn, Regis, Adrien, Sephiroth, Ursula, Papyrus, Kanji
Conclusion

Comments

[pishirogane]

Well, now the fairy was another mystery to add on top of the rest. She didn't even recall seeing a fairy in the children's book covering the Eidolons, but could there be one? She'd have to open that book again - or get Cristo to do it which would be in short order.

... Nothing.

"... I wonder..." Something the Empress had said when listing off the Great Eidolons, but perhaps she was overthinking. "Hopefully, she can assist us here."

Though, she likely wouldn't guide them through any puzzles they came across... speaking of.

[einspine]

The ruin here is just so fascinating! The lingering remnants of tiles. The statue, however damaged. Papyrus can't help but gawk as he absorbs it all- at least until Ursula speaks, snapping him out of his trance-like state.

He immediately moves closer, cupping his chin in hand as he examines the mechanism as well. "AH YES! THAT SOUNDS LIKE A PERFECTLY SCIENTIFIC SOLUTION... AND FAR STABLER THAN ANOTHER BATCH OF CHEMICALS, TOO."

They have the basics- and it certainly seems like as simple place to start. "BUT NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT, I WONDER IF MAGITEK BULLETS WOULD HELP HERE... I COULD ALWAYS TRY TO SHOOT SOME ICY BLASTS FOR ADDED COOLING!" He'd just have to switch jobs first, but would it be more effective than the water? It might be more precise, at least.

[sassafrisk]

Aaaaand Frisk is already on the other side of the room, giving a thumbs up to the rest of the group. "Yeah, I got this. I'll scout ahead and let you guys know if something's up. Don't worry, I'm enough of a coward to head back through here if I run into something I can't handle." They pause. "Buuuut if I do die, have a fighting tournament over the Dragon's Heart I still have sitting at home in my honor. Let's go, Klonoa!" Just like that, Frisk is wriggling their way through the whole like an expert contortionist.

[hatejakku]

Finn, covered in mud and not too bothered about it, stops beside Bahamut's head. While everything had been fascinating so far, this was downright intimidating. The Eidolon was likely bigger than the statue appeared, as well.

What he did know is that Archaeologist wouldn't help him in his current state. He used the slate to switch jobs back to Gunslinger and walked forward to the door, trying to ignore Bahamut's eyes boring into his back. "I have a flamethrower that I can add if you need more heat. If the water's not enough, maybe we can... melt it?" If they get together on it, maybe. Bit of a long shot.

[neverbeamemory]

Sephiroth continues to lag behind the majority of the group somewhat even as it becomes obvious they are pressing forward into a more man-made section. His left hand seldom leaves its position, just millimeters from the pommel of his short-katana as he continues to be the over-vigilant one; surveying their surroundings again and again just in case of any slight notion they might be being watched -or stalked by something that inhabits the cave.

As they come across the doorway and others inspect it, similarly Sephiroth stands back and observes, though he seems secure enough for the time being to eventually pull his arms into being crossed over his chest.

"I trust this is what we came looking for-?" He questions to anyone and himself, eyeing what he can make out of the statue cresting the aged metal doorway. It seems entirely all too convenient for him, but then pretty much all the adventures he's been on this month so far have been one trap or another.

[wind_in_my_ears]

Klonoa nods, and hops up the mound of masonry debris to similarly toss a thumbs-up back towards the others, flashing a sharp-toothed grin.

"We'll be back before you know it, and we'll make sure you guys have a path to get through. Rupurudu, Frisk!" Klonoa says, adjusting his hat before he ducks down to start following behind.

[littlemhigan]

"Take care've yerselves," Castor calls after the duo, despite being mid-fiddle with her asterisk. A moment later she has to set aside the Greataxe that spawned as a result of her class change, and heads over to Madhuri and Ashe, using impressive strength to help shove aside some of the larger rocks.

"Even if somethin' hungry does find us, I'd rather it find us - ugh! damn rock - I'd rather it find us here, where we've got room an' enough light te deal with it."

No, kids, you can't fight the mini-boss by yourselves.

[princeandscholar]

Scouting ahead, the passage opens to a tall, rounded room. There's the immediate sense that this room had a special purpose, for the care put into its construction… and the centerpiece of the room. An alter lies long forgotten, as do the remains of frayed tapestries and tarnished candle holders. What might have been elegant wooden furniture has collapsed into heaps of debris.

More notable are a few skeletons - or what remains of them - strewn throughout the room. Most of them are only dust by now, only discernable by a few surviving pieces. They have been here for some time and are far too worn down to be monsters or friends.

A tall, curving staircase beckons on the opposite side of the room, leading upwards to a second floor. But the top floor is out of sight from this angle. Halfway up the stairs, lantern light catches a glint of metal. A large kite shield in golden-bronze colored metal languishes on its side… although coated with a layer of dust, it is in excellent condition, though likely as old and inert as the rest of the temple.

Until it senses movement in the vicinity. The shield rises through no apparent outside influence to hover over the stairs.

… You might need a full party for this part.

[princeandscholar]

Glancing between the charm fairy and Rutile's summoned Scholar spirit, the two don't appear to be the same, though Orcelito takes his time observing both. His attention is called back by Tidus. "Whoever did this may have passed a long time ago… let's hope." He joins them in exploring down the hall, moving cautiously and never beyond the reach of their fairies and Moogles' lantern light.

Down the dark hall are more chambers unworthy of note, though they are all standard sized. What is interesting is that there are more places worn away, long ago or recently, by the dark, acid-like substance seen earlier.

Progress to where the corridor ultimately led is hindered by a cave-in, and the party won't be able to clear it. But they can enter the last room to the left of it. This room is also empty. Almost.

Centered against the far wall is a deteriorating wooden chest, roughly four feet in length and almost as high and wide. The boards are rough, raw and unstained, some skewed. There's a broken latch made of unknown metal clinging in its lid.

The dark splotches that the party has seen signs of lead up to it. When the light hits them, they shine iridescent like oil, slick and possibly fresher.

[sassafrisk]

"Woah," Frisk whispers, taking a step into the room. The grandeur of the temple had taken their breath away before, but somehow, this... this is on an entirely different level. They reach out to touch the altar--

--and when they see the shield, there's a rush of wind, and they're immediately back on Klonoa's side. Darnit, they were smarter than this! Why didn't they see it was a boss arena before! "Maaaaaybe we should try to open up the hole for everybody else. So we. Don't get. You know," they point at the skeletons, then at the floating shield.

[wheretheresawill]

Terra slings his greatsword reluctantly over his back, but he needs both hands to move rocks. Don't get him wrong, he's naturally inclined to lift heavy objects, and there's something soothing about it, but the danger takes some of the peace out. He starts whistling a jaunty tune.

[transect]

As the party advances, Rutile loiters a few paces behind whoever may be the leader, trusting the fighters to look out for danger ahead. Every few feet, they take the opportunity to approach some of those trace remnants of the liquid— and when the splotches of it become more common along their pathway, the doctor crouches down.

There's a thoughtful— "Hmm..." as they dip a gloved hand into the substance, testing its nature for themself.

[regisrex]

"I think if we knew what exactly we came looking for, others would already have found it. But is we seek information about the Eidolon whose temple is above that is not easy to discern, what lies beyond the door might be... enlightening, at least. Or not."

He eyes the door again. Had he his original powers, he would be able to provide a more even coating of ice than balls of it to shoot at the door.

"I think the fire and ice combination should be sufficient to make the metal more fragile. Unless someone has lock-picking as an ability and is willing to try?"

He does have to at least ask, before they destroy something that might need later.

Actually.

"Let me take some images of it first, in case something important turns out to be part of its shape." Losing the door might be all right. Losing potential information...

Regis will just use his slate to take pictures, as detailed as he can. In case.

[modelcivilian]

Hanging back, Adrien didn't have much in way to contribute when it came to opening the door or investigating. Pulling out his iMog slate, he began to tap away at it while Regis took photos and...

... looked at his asterisks.

Oh... oh right.

"... Uh, I can actually make the door open. We don't need to break it."

[wind_in_my_ears]

Klonoa doesn't notice the shield lifting until Frisk is there, but as soon as he does, he's backing up, hands out in front of him.

"Okay, okay, that's sounding like a good idea."

Klonoa turns to look at the way they came, or, more explicitly, the ground beneath them where the doorway was blocked. Is there another way out? If need be, he's got quite the skillset to moving large objects or blowing away debris with wind magic!

[littlemhigan]

MEANWHILE (i guess):

Castor can't help but smile at Terra's tune, and she finds the task of clearing rubble suddenly less arduous. She seems content to sit and dig for a while, but soon her smile turns to something of a frown.

"Kids ain't back yet," she says, eyeing the hole that Klonoa and Frisk had vanished into. "'M startin' te worry."

[princeandscholar]

Rutile will find the substance viscous, inclined to cling to itself and things it touches, and lacking any odor. Brief contact will not corrode the gem, and due to Rutile not having organic properties, there are no adverse effects. (Though, it will seep into any fabric in contact with it, particularly non-synthetic fibers, and will wear at the thread over time if not washed out.)

Casting Libra at the source of the goop would be required for more detailed information.

[poisonwish]

Snow White shook his head, looking concerned. "I've never known anyone to be able to command the fae." And based on the differences between it and Rutile's summoned spirit, he still didn't know anyone who could. The idea that someone had that power was worrisome -- would they be friend or foe?

He walked beside Tidus quietly, looking over the weathered walls and toppled items. The chest gives him pause and his nose wrinkles to see the oily goop thicker around it.

"Whether the trail goes within or comes from it..." he mused. "Can anyone identify it before we open the chest?"

[pishirogane]

Naoto was not the leader. Instead, she was somewhere between the middle of their group, but towards the back, eyes darting around. Since she was primarily a long-ranged combatant, it was better for her to hold towards the rear - that, and she could take a bit more time examining their surroundings, Cristo making sure she kept up.

Taking note of Rutile examining the liquid with her hand, Snow White commenting on the oily goop around the chest, her eyes are more fixed on Snow White and the chest. That's a fairly sized chest... and she was having some flashbacks to fighting mimics in Sakura Forest.

Slowly, her hand shifted towards her gun.

Ya’ll do have to pick just one to try first!

[princeandscholar]

While ancient, the locking mechanism inside seems standard in design. It may respond to the Knock skill, should Adrien try. Of course, magic and physical power could potentially be used to wrench the door open; it appears the immediate area already came under stress in a rockslide, and the wall is stable enough if the group localizes their efforts on the doorway.

[princeandscholar]

Fortunately, the ghostly shield is not inclined to follow. As Frisk and Klonoa depart, it lowers back to a resting position on the staircase, so slowly it doesn't make a sound.

Once the team has cleared space to climb through, they’ll find the room as was noted by the scouts. The only exits are the columned arcade the group came from and the staircase rising to the second story.

Speaking of which, the strange shield still rests halfway up the stairs. Its recent stirring has shaken off the dust to reveal a polished, smooth surface, without signs of dents or scratches.

The shield will silently rise once again if someone comes within 20 feet of it.

[sassafrisk]

Frisk sticks to the shadows like gum to a shoe when the group finally reaches the room. "Alright," they whisper, eyeing the shield suspiciously. "Let's approach it nice and easy. Maybe it won't be hostile. So no jumping the gun on attacking it, alright?" Having said their piece, Frisk keeps in the dark as they leap from place to place towards the shield, prepared to drop a Smoke Bomb if the shield makes any hostile moves.

[littlemhigan]

Castor hefts her axe a little closer and takes a deep breath to fight down the drive to just run in screaming. She wasn't the stealthiest human being, but she was trying now, creeping slowly and quietly forward. Her eyes remain trained on the shield, judging it's reactions, but she glances up now and then as she addresses Frisk. "How close did ye get before?"

[beariot]

"Well... Let's try Adrien's idea, first. If we can keep everything intact the way we found it, all the better," Ursula hummed. She'd forgotten some of the things these asterisks could do...

[modelcivilian]

Nodding (and still not making eye contact with anyone), Adrien taps his slate a few times to change his asterisk. Where his sword was before, it's replaced by an instrument - the hybrid between guitar and keyboard. His armor as well ends up changing just a little; more to suit a performer with a feathered hat topping it all off.

"Be ready. If there's anything around here that might hear me cast this, they'll definitely hear the door unlock."

But both approaches had the potential to be noisy anyway. Shifting the keytar into hand, performing Knock is simple enough. He plays a brief melody that magically begins working the lock on the door, encouraging it to come undone and grant them passage.