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

Conclusion - All Teams

[princeandscholar]

On gathering at the entrance and exchanging information, the parties learn the following: They are not alone down here.

Orcelito is startled by this; he forbade use of the Mognet for communication expressly to prevent this from happening! But someone found out they were here nonetheless… It’s unsettling. He directs the teams to stay close together as they proceed, in case the intruder decides they want to do more than just shuffle furniture around.

-

Everyone’s time of digging around in the darkness is not quite over; aside from visiting the other teams' uncovered rooms, there’s more to explore. Down one passage, there’s a particularly stubborn set of large double doors. It may take a little bit of magic, but the doors finally yield to allow the teams in.

Within is the main hall, a stately room even by the austere standards of the temple. Long and wide and mostly empty, it’s as dusty as the rest of the place. Although the contents are sparse, what décor remains is of great interest….

On one wall hangs a painting. It may take some brushing off the dust to reveal the portrait. Does she look familiar to anyone? There is no name plate as there was at the Mad'Ni Shrine.

Across from her stands a single door. On it is pictured a dragon and set into the artwork is a hollow. Those who were in teams A or B may recognize the shape of the charm that admitted them into the temple.

After someone fetches Orcelito from the library, he arrives with the Fairy Charm in hand. On being asked, he confirms with a Time Mage's certainty that the fairy was active for two hours, after which she returned to this form. He’s tried to reawaken her, but without success.

On some deliberation, he bids the team to stand ready as he places the key in its lock.

Once the charm is set into the space, the door is easily opened. The glow of firelight flickers within. The room is already lit, all torches along the walls blazing in their sconces. A scent drifts out, fragrant and warm: freshly burned incense. Opening the door further, the group finds themselves in a well-kept chamber.

Dominating the center of the room is a statue of Bahamut… but this is far from the broken relic the cenote-going team found. Pristine and undamaged, it stands as tall as the party members; the wings reach up to the ceiling, the tail coiling around the pedestal base, the serpentine neck arched proudly. The great dragon's form is polished to a shine, reflecting the firelight from the torches.

There are no other exits from the room. Though the party may search, they are alone.

Fin.