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

[zanarkandian]

Tidus follows behind Orcelito at first, remembering his last quest attempt with painful clarity. No, he will not be the one endangering the group by being a fool again.

When they break up and search for clues within the large chamber, he lingers close to the walls, searching the rubble high and low with the aid of the tiny flashlight he'd gifted to Zunne. The moogle's pretty handy when he wants to be.

"The Bahamut I knew was...kind of the leader of the eidolons, I guess you could say," he admits to fill the silence. "And his temple had the worst puzzles out of all of them. So if this Bahamut is like that one at all, we might be in for some traps.

[wind_in_my_ears]

"some of us like puzzles..."

"Huh? Klonoa?"

"Ah, n-nothing, Luta!" Klonoa quickly responds.

[desertbloomed]

Ashelia motions for her moogle, the ever-stressed Kupozencrantz, to stay in front of her with the lantern as she examines the walls. Nothing jumps out at her, but that's expected. She takes the downtime instead to size up the members of her party that she doesn't yet know; a difficult task in the darkness, but more realistic than looking for clues in a room undoubtedly looked over thousands of times over the years. She listens to the banter, sighing quietly. This is going to be a long day.

When enough time has passed and Ashelia has, of course, come up with nothing, she makes her way to the north wall to rendezvous with Orcelito.

[sassafrisk]

Frisk nods. They had to admit, they were still a little salty that Klonoa had failed to notify them that he was on healing duty during the fight with the Medusa, but oh well. "Got it. Give me a moment," they say, and they close their eyes--which is actually noticeable now that they're wearing glasses. Two of the stars spin rapidly for several seconds, and Frisk even floats a few inches as the files are SAVEd.

FILE SAVED: Klonoa (Love)
FILE SAVED: Castor (LOVE)

They soon touch down, and with a snap of their fingers both Castor and Klonoa can feel something change.

FILE LOADED: Klonoa (Love)
Healing up +20%!
Attack down -20%!

FILE LOADED: Castor (LOVE)
Attack up +20%!
Healing down -20%!

"How does that feel?" they ask.

[pishirogane]

Cristo, unlike the other moogles, wasn't bothered by the potential dangers or with carrying a lantern. In all honesty, like his companion, this was an opportunity to learn more.

And hovering by Naoto's side, both of them took their time to examine the area, the little ghostly form of Shiva sitting upon the Gunslinger's right shoulder. There's nothing much to see - not of important detail - but there was still plenty to note that remained. It was also a good idea to take it all to memory in case they had to leave in a hurry. Tripping on a quick flight out would be so terribly cliché.

With nothing (again) found after some time, Naoto would approach the northern wall to regroup with the others.

[wind_in_my_ears]

Klonoa had been wondering why he was left out last time, that certainly explains it. He blinks, putting a hand against his chest. He's been... filled up with love?

"I feel.. all warm and fuzzy inside. How did you do that?" He asks curiously. Wow.. It's like he wants to give a great big hug to everyone he sees. He hasn't been in this nice a mood in a while.

[princeandscholar]

At the northernmost wall, Orcelito finds what he expected. Searching in the darkness, there's a break in the monotony as the light catches an image on the wall - the same sent to him by the researchers. His hand moves to his pocket. Beside him, Marigold leans on his shoulder, tickling his ear with her whisper. "What are you going to do if the ceiling comes down on us, kupo?"

He smiles. "Then the entire facility would also fall. I don't believe that will happen." His eyes narrow; if suspicions are correct, the cavern will not collapse, nor will any of them be in serious danger. Though… looking back at the Heroes of Light and their Moogles gathering in a bobbing of lanterns and echo of voices, it's harder to be reckless when his life isn't the only one being gambled.

-

He waits until the teams have gathered at the north wall and given their reports: there is nothing here. It was worth a try. Heroes of Light often have a curious effect on these places, after all. "You did well. I was hoping there might be something else… but this may be it, then."

From his pocket, he withdraws the charm he received from Ren. Last minute hesitations will avail them nothing, and if he’s right, prove pointless. But it’s only fair to give some explanation.

"This was given to me by someone who recognized this image." He explains. For now, he’ll keep the origins a secret. "Since we haven’t found a purpose for it until now, it's the next thing to try."

Held near the wall that shares its' image, the charm emits a burst of light- and is no more! In its' place is the very thing pictured: a fairy.

(For Orcelito, there's a strange feeling inside, just for a moment. When the light flashed in his hands, it felt like... like when he was dreaming in the Dream Width. He blinks, refocuses. It's just sentiment; he can't get distracted.)

The fairy flies up on her feathered wings, casting a glow stronger than any of the lanterns. She touches the wall that bears her symbol, and it evaporates. Stale, icy air washes over the party. Beyond is a vast, dark space waiting to be illuminated and explored.

[wheretheresawill]

Terra smiles down at Frisk. "I'd appreciate that," he tells them, accepting the SAVE star. "Speed isn't my strong point anyway." If they need to leave in a hurry, there's already a non-zero chance they'll be leaving Terra behind, and not just because he'd appoint himself rearguard. But that probably won't happen!

Beside him, Mogila is taking lantern duty very seriously, but not so seriously that she doesn't wave to the other Moogles. Last time she insisted on going on a mission, it was scary, but she's not going to stay scared forever! This is fine!

[littlemhigan]

Castor flexes a little upon receiving the SAVE star, and she grins down at Frisk. "I'll make good use've this, aye? Now where'd Ben flutter off too..."

Before castor can go far, Orcelito's actions catch her attention, just in time to see the Fairy materialize and work her magic. "Damn," she whispers when all is said and done, "How's that for a find?"

[sassafrisk]

"Got it, chief!" Frisk says, smiling, and they snap their fingers. Finally, people were actually cooperating with them on their abilities rather than just rushing ahead like idiots. "And... huh. That's not supposed to happen, Klonoa, for, erm... obvious reasons when it comes to things like violence at stuff like that. Good for you, though?"

FILE LOADED: Terra (Patience)
Heals 5% health every turn!
Speed down -20%!

With most everyone squared away, Frisk trots after the rest of the group, gawking at the ancient ruins. While Mad'ni was cool in its own way, the... solemnity of this place, the grandness of it, can't help but to take Frisk's breath away. They were intruding on the territory something ancient, and very, very dangerous.

When the wall opens, Frisk's smile broadens. They crack their knuckles and roll their neck. "Well, then. Tally ho or whatever it is old-timey archaeologists say!" Gesturing for the rest of their team to follow them, Frisk strides into the cavern, Mogdyne following close behind them.

[desertbloomed]

Ashelia is always at a loss in these sorts of situations; the amount of ancient tombs and temples she's explored is basically absurd, but she doesn't want to appear aloof or unapproachable - especially not after what happened on the Pravoka. So she keeps to herself, hiding a smile at Kupozencrantz's open-mouthed stare at the path opening before them.

And then Frisk charges ahead. Sighing lightly, Ashelia walks briskly after them. Adept at combat or not, they're still a child.

[wind_in_my_ears]

Klonoa nods to the others, and then again at Luta. "Let's go, Luta!" He says, and follows behind Ashe, readying himself to throw up protective magic once it seems like they're going to run into trouble.

...Which could really be at any second now, if previous experience has taught him anything. Still, the promise of potential puzzles does provide plenty of hope for puzzle-based alternatives.

[princeandscholar]

After the experience at Mad'ni Shrine, Orcelito was prepared for this. Grimoire in one hand, he takes his pocket watch in the other. The day has only begun and everyone is fresh and ready; that gives them time.

"We'll investigate and return here in an hour." Orcelito announces. "If you want to mark the paths you've traveled, use something that can be removed. I don't want to leave a trail. If you make a map, save it privately to your iMog Slate."

On that cautionary note, he directs the teams to start exploring the new passages.

-

Team threads:
Team A: Orcelito, Tidus, Rutile, Naoto, Snow White, Cor
Team B: Ashelia, Castor, Terra, Shiro, Klonoa, Frisk, Madhuri