The Lost Arcadia | Page 2

The Lost Arcadia
Discussion in 'DM Challenges' started by Skyswimsky, Jan 27, 2018.
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  1. 100% HP

    MAX HP

  2. 90% EN

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  3. Celestine sighed. They were already nearing the entrance, and by now it was nearly impossible to cuddle the bird in secret. What a wasted opportunity: she should’ve been more forceful with it. Oh well, at the very least... this place was just plain COOL.

    "Wow! The golem thing is of great bigness," she commented from the distance. It looked nice and safe from back here, but she just knew they’d up and attack the moment they drew closer. Emerath seemed to have the right idea, so she shot him a quick thumbs-up as his strange chemical bomb reached her own skin. It made her feel a bit more lively. However, her jaw dropped a bit when he pretty much solo’d the golem in one shot.

    "I was not thinking you were of that much strength," she muttered to herself, waves of self-doubt hitting her full force. She shook her head clear. She could be of help... if she tried. Running a bit closer after the others, she caught sight of one drone getting smacked by a duo of red-hot flame bursts. Perfect: it should already be weak, so she’d attack that one.

    Muttering a quick enchantment, Celestine thrust out her hand and shot what resembled an arrow of wind. By what looked like a good bit of luck, the attack managed to hit its target, collapsing it backward into the wall and - from the looks of it - just barely finishing it off.

    "Ahah," Cel shouted, legitimately surprised it had hit so well. "These are not of the great toughness of their lookings."


    Attack Drone A
    52 + 4 = 56
    Roll
     
  4. 100 HP

    MAX HP

  5. 80 EN

    MAX EN



  6. Just as Ashnor began to think that these tunnels never seemed to end, the passage quickly expanded into a small cavern. While the back wall surely was intriguing, there were more important things to worry about. Almost immediately, Ashnor was covered in some sort of liquid, and his heart seemed to beat faster, and he felt a bit stronger. He watched as four of the other adventurers ran towards the seemingly mechanical monsters.

    Seeing an opening for an attack on the first drone, Ashnor shouts "Don't worry guys, this should take this one out of the way!" Seeing as how the drone was still managing to hover, he realized that he needed a way to get to the drone. Quickly opening his menu to his spells, Ashnor taps one of them, and begins chanting the spells words and pushing his hands towards the drone. As he speaks the ground around them shakes slightly, and an angled platform emerges from the ground quickly, stopping just before where the drone floated

    As soon as the spell had concluded, Ashnor took off, sprinting up the platform. Stopping and sliding a bit once he had reached the edge of his sloped platform, Ashnor begins his attack, swinging his great hammer up, over his head and crashing it into the drone, nearly destroying it and sending it to the ground. The drone looked like it was about to give out right then and there, sparks were fly out of it as it tried it's best to stay in the air.

    Attack Worn Surveillance Drone A
    70 + 20 + 4 = 94
    Roll

    Worn Surveillance Drone B: 15/200​

    OOC: I'm using a creative bypass via Geomancy to do full damage with my melee
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2018
  7. 100 HP

    MAX HP

  8. 90 EN

    MAX EN


  9. imgChelsea had to seriously regain control of her facial muscles after her eyes set upon those machines. It was unlike anything she had seen in this game. It was actually... not disappointing. Which was really rare for the raven haired tech head .Still, she could not have Lady N's reputation as a being a mysterious and superior individual go into the dumpster. So she made sure not to comment about just how impressive it was.

    Maybe... she really could find some good parts here. Or at least materials. A source of energy That core Emerath picked up... Boo! That was exactly the sort of thing that could power her future creations.

    Chelsea watched the fight and said nothing. Simply standing there with her arms to her sides like a quiet limp noodle. Seeing there was a drone approaching she decided to actually do something to contribute now.

    "...Too close. Go away."

    She really did not want to destroy a technological marvel like these but her health took priority. A quick movement of her right arm and flick of her wrist sent a dozen razors from her within her jacket sleeve right into the floating drone. Sending it crashing down in a mess.

    "Yeesh... what a waste. Maybe I could still salvage something..."

    She said quietly, looking it over.


    Ranged Attack on Drone B
    66 + 10 + 4 (buff 3/3)= 80
    Roll / Tracker
     
  10. Skyswimsky

    Skyswimsky

    Staff Member Game Master
    [​IMG]

    img "Wooaahhh!" Nora applauded the group as she watched them take care of the guards with ease. With the mechanical colossus being taken care of in record-time the drones got overwhelmed long before they had a chance to do pretty much anything. Luckily for the red-haired boy, the blonde woman was too far away to truly realize what he had just snagged up.

    "Shame for the drones, but I'm sure there is more." Nora whispered to herself before she finally moved closer. "Good Job everyone! I'm so glad you're all capable. Even fulfilling my extra special request! Now... to actually... he...hehe..." She started to drool again. "Go inside... yeeessss... all these..."

    img
    E.P.
    SQUAWK!


    "Eh...? Yeah, yeah, you're right E.P! Speaking of which, isn't there someone missing?"
    Nora shrugged. Seeing how capable these people were only meant she could cut-down on manpower. Saving costs and all. After all, she had to pay them too!

    "We better hurry, though. Who knows if something, or someone, noticed the ruckus you made!" With these words, the group moved closer to the presumed entrance.

    It was... disappointing? If the size of the wall spoke for anything that lay beyond, one would surely expect some sort of grand gate. Instead, the metallic tunnel, leading barely a few meters inside, seemed more akin to some sort of emergency exit - or entrance. Heck, the supposed to be doorway wasn't even big enough for the Magitek Colossus. No, it was simply like the size of a small castle gate. Barely big enough to fit something akin to a medieval wagon inside.

    "Curses!" All of that didn't matter however if they couldn't get past this vegetation. "I shouldn't be surprised that part of the Corruption made its way down here. But why has the entrance to be blocked by these... these roots?!" Not surprised? Just how scary had the flora of Norforva to be that it reached all its way down here? Not to mention through this apparent thick metal.

    "Eh, whatever... we can just burn it, or cut it, right? Brute force and all is totally your adventuring people thing? Anyone got fire?" Annoyed, the blonde haired girl sighed.

    "If I were you, I wouldn't make such a hasty decision..." Suddenly, everybody in the group could hear a voice from inside their heads. The words it spoke weren't even of a common tongue but rather, just sounds. Nonetheless, these sounds somehow made sense.

    "I do not know what brought you to this place that has been forsaken by All, nor do I care. But know this, forcing your way past my... humble domain... will have DIRE consequences." Followed by something akin to a chuckle that reverberated in their skulls, like the unsettling and unnatural sensation of nails on a chalkboard.

    "But... mayhaps we can play a game? A bet. A binding contract. Call it what you will. All you have to do is answer my question correctly. If you succeed, I will let you pass. If you don't." The same chuckle, once again. "Well, I am sure you're capable enough to not let it come to that. Am I right?"

    "Shut up!" Nora finally cut in. "I didn't come here to listen to some shitty blood-demon thingy gi-"

    img
    E.P.
    SQUAWK!


    "E.P?! Why did you-"


    "SO BE IT. The deed is done. The contract stands. The bird agreed for all of you." Did the seagull parrot just... really? And for all of them too?! How did that even make any sen- "Now, listen closely, I will allow you one attempt at solving this. Once you're certain of your answer, simply address me as... Ghaibhleann."

    "Speak the truth and you will be executed by cold metal. Tell a lie and you'll face execution by flames."

    "Argh, we don't have time for this, right?! Contract my buttocks! Let's just burn it down or something!" Whatever the group decided to do, it didn't seem like Nora intended to help the slightest to actually solve the riddle.


    • Minimum of 100 words and a maximum word limit of 500.
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  11. Skyswimsky

    Skyswimsky

    Staff Member Game Master
    Actions
    Post Template:
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    Post here
    
    [CENTER][b2]Action (mention others if it affects them)[/b2]
    Tracker
    
    [/CENTER]
    • This action costs 0 EN
    • Answer the riddle of Ghaibhleann
    • Have the answer inside your post and inside the action-part of the template
    • Only the first answer made will count
    • This action costs 20 EN
    • Destroys(?) the roots blocking your way
    • Solving the riddle after this action won't be counted
    • This action costs 10 EN
    • Turns the action of another player void

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  12. 100 HP

    MAX HP

  13. 70 EN

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  14. With everything calmed down, except for Nora, it felt like a victory. But the calm did not remain, as roots barred their passage, and Nora lost her cool. Emerath couldn't help but sigh at the entire scene. Like a child going on a tirade when she didn't get what she wanted. But it served no real purpose. Instead, a voice changed the mood, giving them a riddle after E.P. bound them in a contract. Somehow.

    But then Emerath had a thought, and he discussed this with his fellows after he figured he had solved the riddle. He couldn't be sure, but it felt like a case of "Heads I win, tails you lose." But there was no way to stop the coin flip to not lose the game. This war had to be won with words. Emerath needed to create a paradox.

    He had considered having E.P. answer, but he had received an almost violent response to that idea, and thought better of angering his group mates. At least if he had their blessing, and he was wrong, they'd only be mildly mad at him. Unless they were dead. Maybe then it would be worse. And he'd lose the magitek core. He better be right.

    Without further hesitation: "Ghaibhleann!" he shouted. Man, that was a mouthful of a name. But once he was sure he had the attention of the voice, he shouted, "You will execute us by flame!" And that was it. All he could do now was pray.

    Answer the Riddle
    Tracker

     
  15. 100 HP

    MAX HP

  16. 90 EN

    MAX EN



  17. Celestine marveled at how the others in the group dispatched the strange machinations with ease. It was nice and swift, to the point where she was actually kinda shocked at the complete lack of damage to their team. Cool: best to keep this good fortune going strong.

    So they pushed on down the tunnel until they came up to the twisted roots. "I am really not doing the liking of this place," she commented - mostly on Norfova rather than the cave in particular. This thought was simply mirrored when a voice sounded out of... nowhere? It didn't even sound like a proper voice, it was just... weird. Celly was about ready to sigh in relief as Nora planned to deny it but was taken aback when EP's squawk elicited a response.

    "What!? How is that doing a contract of the bindings!?"

    Celly clamped her mouth with her hands. It wasn't a valid answer until the freakish name was spoken, but she'd have to mind what she said. And frankly - knowing that - it was suddenly really hard not to say it. She slapped herself on the forehead a few times. No, no, no!

    Luckily Emerath once again proved to have the solution to their problem. At least... it kinda made sense in her head. Riddles were not her thing. Coming up with riddles, maybe; not solving them. She couldn't help but giggle when the idea of letting EP answer was bounced around. It was an absurd idea, but then she thought about it: the bird had signed them up so - in theory - it actually kinda made sense. Oh well, what's done is done, and they'd seemed to have decided on Emerath's answer, so she'd just wait there and cross her fingers.

    Wait
    Tracker
     
  18. 100 HP

    MAX HP

  19. 90 EN

    MAX EN



  20. He didn’t understand how an animal was given rights to speak for a group of walking, talking humans, but he said nothing. He merely glared at the bird and wondered for a fleeting second how it would taste roasted with spices. Could he hold the beast in his palm and flash cook it? Something told him that their leader would not take too kindly to Emil slaughtered her companion. So, instead of that, he sighed.

    Though he mentioned his want to burn down the vines and progress forward, it seemed the party at large was against the idea. They were being too cautious, he believed, but, again, he said nothing. That was the attitude needed in these kinds of situations, right? Go with the overall idea of the party even though you disagreed? Gods forbid that they reached some obstacle later and he needed a heal from one of them and the left him out in the wind because of it.

    Emil crossed his arms over his chest, his tome missing from view once more. His stance widened, and his attention focused on the red-hair mechanic who was now speaking. If they all died because of him and failed this event, Emil would feel vindicated…and pissed off. Granted, if it was the other way around and they passed, he would give the man his just rewards for his intelligence.

    So, he waited to see the outcome.


    Wait
    Tracker

     
  21. 100 HP

    MAX HP

  22. 90 EN

    MAX EN


  23. imgChelsea watched with a cold stare and half closed eyelids as Emerath went and answered the riddle. This was supposed to be a dungeon set up about technology. So why was there a sphinx like being questioning them now? Those tendrils were also disturbing. This was going to only get worse wasn't it? Chelsea already thought she learned her lesson letting others do anything... it cost her enough as it was. Now she once again was letting this man lead.

    A Nexon should always be the leader, but most importantly must know when another is more qualified.

    Her father's words echoed in her mind. Was this a case like that? She knew nothing about this man other than he had a energy core that she would have loved to get her hands on. The answer he offered made sense considering the riddles rules, but what if there was some sort of hidden catch to this how thing? A nuance? These players were not going to catch on if there was one. The fact they thought it was that stupid parrot was reason enough to worry. Also, it was not Chelsea or a Nexon that was here. So her father's words may be irrelevant . Lady N would never follow another. This personality upkeep was starting to prove more than she could handle with her current abilities... but it was the choice she was set on.

    Yeesh...

    Always getting into these messes. At least this time it had a chance of a reward. Chelsea did not consider this mission complete until she had the opportunity to take a bit of these ruins back with her for her private work. Whether she was the only one leaving the silly video game dungeon was not her primary concern in the least.

    Wait and Doubt Everything

    Roll / Tracker
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2018
  24. 100 HP

    MAX HP

  25. 90 EN

    MAX EN


  26. Well, that wasn't good. She'd expected that the taint had spread further than the surface outside, but proof that it had, in fact, had plenty of time to corrupt the ruins meant the number of nasty surprises that could lie within had risen. Even moreso given that proof wasn't just the local flora, but what was likely some demon. One whose reaction to their presence was little more than mild disinterest and a side of...boredom, perhaps.

    Which definitely was not good.

    In response to the riddle it had proposed, Alkaid had remained silent, even through the alternative means of communicating they had which -- to Nora -- must have seemed asinine. Isolating, even. Through it all Alkaid was tempted to stubbornly try to figure things out on her own, only to give up not long after the red-haired man claimed to have the answer.

    She shook her head, muttering, "Riddles aren't really my thing, so if you've got an answer then go for it," which perhaps might have hinted to the Nora that they were communicating in some kind of strange sign language, if she cared.

    Alkaid herself was more focused on trying to wrap her head around other new pieces of information. As someone who was largely interested in exploration and lore, rather than treasure itself, her mind temporarily disregarded fear in a world she could not truly die in in favor of curiosity. Either there was some really sinister sounding and long-since thought dead entity somehow still living in there, or the much more likely case, the demon had somehow made it's way past the guardians and into the ruins. Which only raised more questions.

    If unimpeded by, say, their leader, or other circumstance, Alkaid would at least start such a thing from a more practical standpoint. It only made sense that if they were going to enter someone's home, so to speak, she wanted to know more about them. "If you don't mind answering a question yourself, why stay here? Aside from perhaps solitude, that is."

    In theory, the demon could probably go anywhere in terms of both plane and physical location, so there had to be something keeping it there, some sort of gain, unless it were somehow bound to the region -- not that she expected that particular answer. She wouldn't worry much about the ethics of them possibly stealing from a demon's home, either. But whether anything they might take would inadvertently curse a whole town, and themselves with it, was another story.

    Wait
    Tracker
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2018
  27. 100 HP

    MAX HP

  28. 80 EN

    MAX EN



  29. This certainly was an unusual happening. As Ashnor and the party made their way through the mangled piles of magitech machinery that now laid at their feet. And through the neon veined entrance, Ashnor looked on in confusion at the roots that blocked their way forward. Like Nora, Ashnor’s first thought was to get someone to break through the roots. The voice - Ghaibhleann - came then and told them that was a bad idea, along with giving them a riddle. The riddle made no actual sense to ashnor, he wasn't even sure what they were supposed to guess.

    After conversing over it with the rest of the group, and convincing one of them not to start attacking the roots, it appeared that Emerath - the same person that disabled the colossus in one attack - appeared to know the answer. Emerath had suggested having the bird say it, but the group decided that they wouldn't know if E.P. actually said what they wanted him to. While ashnor was a bit skeptical of Emerath’s answer, no one else had come up with something, so ashnor was willing to defend what he said.

    Wait
    Tracker
     
  30. Skyswimsky

    Skyswimsky

    Staff Member Game Master
    [​IMG]

    "You... passed." The voice resounded once again after the red-haired engineer addressed Ghaibhleann. Any kind of emotion that could have been assumed about it before was now replaced with simple apathy. As if it had lost all interest.

    Nonetheless, the roots suddenly started to twist and moved barely enough out of the way for them to squeeze into the interior. Expecting for them to be finally free of this annoyance - after all, they were here for the Magitek goodies - the entity actually responded to Alkaid. "Curious, aren't we? Perhaps if you're unfortunate enough to explore deep enough and survive to meet again, you will find out." That was all the Astral Mage would get out of it.

    "Alright, everyone! You did an awesome job once again! Still gotta cut those roots down once this place is secure and I can start some serious research. Also, I wouldn't worry too much about that Gabla or whatever its name was! I don't really know too much about blood magic, but every third-rate magician with a fourth-rate spell can summon a demon. Binding it on the other hand..." Nora shook her head. "Nevermind." Before pointing towards the new entrance.

    "Onwards to the good stuff! The... good stuff... he... hehe..." There was her drool again! Regardless, they could finally enter the interior of the Citadel... .

    Theme
    Whoever those Tuatha were, one thing they clearly seemed to be fond of was metal. Metallic walls, metallic floors, metallic ceiling. And not just all in one monotone smooth surface either. No, it had aesthetic. It had patterns. Repeating, yes, but pleasantly looking nonetheless.

    One had to think about how long ago this apparent ancient was anyways. Apart from the occasional Norforvian vegetation, serving as a subtle reminder of the cursed outside, and some rust here and there, it actually didn't seem that bad. Of course, debris and metallic junk blocking the way to the one or other place was a given, but overall The Lost Arcadia seemed to be in good shape.

    Unlike the tiny entrance they had come through, the hallway itself was spacious. There were a bunch of archways on both sides that led into other rooms. Most of them were closed, a few simply blocked and the ones open seemed either pretty devastated and/or had a bunch of weird devices.

    Before anyone was able to inspect further, however, Nora clapped her hands together. "As much as I'd love-"

    It was then that suddenly, once again, a voice could be heard. This time from above them.

    QuelI->{
      cls(secta murias) {
        EXlP[melc] -> {de nog}
        EXiV[pinspal poow rew] <- {vebe}
      }
    }->ExeC->{du};

    Nora's eyes started to sparkle as she heard those words. 'kueripa kurasu sekuta murias ekuripu meruku pa de nogu ekushibu pinsuparu puuru rew re veebe pa ekuzeku pa du' were the exact sounds that the robotic voice had given the group. "That was totally the language the Tuatha used! This IS their place!" The blonde woman's joy quickly turned into worry however as she added. "Essentially, the System just increased its security... level? Because of intruders! I'm not sure if that means us though." Nora made a small pause to let that sink in before continuing.

    "A-Anyways! This is exactly why we shouldn't waste any time and get to the strongest mana source my super awesome monocle picks up!" Before pointing to the ceiling. Just like outside, the glowing veins were present here, too. Though one of them was bigger than any other, placed along the ceiling in a near-perfect line. "These things carry mana! And using my superior intellect I concluded it will lead us straight to the goal! So, my adventurous adventurer. The path is clear, but the dangers ahead not. Thus, you can lead the way."

    Despite increased security level, the path the group took was rather uneventful with the exception of Nora saying they'd soon be there every 30 seconds or so. They had to take several turns and ignore several pieces of junk goodies until finally, something happened.

    "Heat beams!" The Explorer cried out from behind the others. "I'm not so sure about touching them, but we definitely have to get past them!" The horizontal beams blocking their path weren't laid out in a way that getting past was impossible. Instead, they were simply spread out.

    This wasn't supposed to keep people away. It was supposed to invite too-cocky intruders willingly into their own demise. No matter how invited anyone would feel though, they had to get past this regardless.



    • Minimum of 100 words and a maximum word limit of 500.
    • 1 post per character per cycle; DM posts resetting the cycle every 24 hours. Those who don't make it on time are skipped. Three skips and your character will suffer death.
    • All dice must be rolled in this thread.
    • If you want to do some extra communication between party members, do so here.

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  31. Skyswimsky

    Skyswimsky

    Staff Member Game Master
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    [CENTER][b2]Action (mention others if it affects them)[/b2]
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    [/CENTER]
    • Get past the Heat Beam Parkour
    • To succeed, beat a DC of 60
    • This action costs 10 EN
    • In case of failure, you'll still get past it, but with consequences detailed in the next DM post
    • Modifier: Any defensive, mobility or creative mastery gets +5 per tier (excluding beginner) and +10 for Mastered
      • There may be an extra modifier depending on the creativity of your attempt
    • This action costs 10 EN
    • Same rules and modifiers as the Parkour action, but instead attempt it with a group and helping each other out
    • You have to tag every other member of your group in your post
    • The DC for this is 60 multiplied by the number of participants: 2 people would be 120, 3->180 etc.
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  32. 100 HP

    MAX HP

  33. 60 EN

    MAX EN



  34. As the voice let them pass, Emerath breathed a sigh of relief at his correct answer. Luckily for him, riddles were a fun logic challenge, and as a computer science nerd, logic was his forte. But as always, things always got worse. Past the roots, and down the path, eventually they came to a laser grid, with little else in between.

    So, as Nora told them the obvious goal, Emerath sat down to discuss with the group, with Ashnor and Celestine eventually all coming to the conclusion that a fog wall, and a wind shield of mirrors would be the best way to handle this. He approached his companions, and smiled, pulling a stack of roughly ten mirrors from his inventory. "Like I said, a failed experiment. But one that I hope pays off for us!"

    He handed a couple to Ashnor, before splitting four and four between himself and Celestine, and then said an incantation to bring up a foggy wind blowing throughout the tunnel. With Celestine's help, this should become a nice way to highlight the lasers for others. And then he said a separate incantation to pick the mirrors up with the wind, before they began to whip around him. Emerath wheeled them around himself as he began to move towards and then through the heat beams, using them to block them and redirect them, and hope for the best.

    Group Parkour with @Ashnor Ironth & @Celestine
    37 + 15 = 52
    Roll / Tracker

    Group DC: 52/180
     
  35. 100 HP

    MAX HP

  36. 70 EN

    MAX EN



  37. "This certainly is an interesting place..." Ashnor said as the group made their way through the metallic structure. Although it would have been nice to take it a bit slower and maybe find some nice loot, Nora seemed to insist that the group followed the mana cabling. That was, of course, until they had the heat beams in their way.

    After a brief discussion with Emerath and Celestine, The three of them decided to go across together, with the help of the other two's masteries. "Hey, let me give us a bit more defense, just in case we get hit by those beams." Before Emerath could give him the mirrors, Ashnor quickly cast a spell to give each of them a sort of stone skin. Ashnor hoped that this would give them a bit more of a resistance. Receiving the mirrors from Emerath now, and watching as the aeromancy magic swept around them, Ashnor moved along a small bit behind emerath as they headed towards the beams.

    Group Parkour with @Emerath Katou & @Celestine
    22 + 10 = 32
    Roll / Tracker

    Group DC: 84/180

     
    Last edited: Jan 31, 2018
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