[Treasure] Pavilion of Titans

Pavilion of Titans

Hidden at the center of the island atop the mountain peak resides a towering pavilion that is blends into the cloud line. The architecture is beyond archaic and entirely unrecognizable when compared to other styles seen throughout Terrasphere. Despite the structure’s old age however, it seems to be in pristine condition, as if disturbed by time due to an unseen presence or force.

The structure itself stretches on endlessly for kilometers before disappearing into the clouds. Though decorated rather plainly and lacking any form of gilding or engraving, it stands as a testament to the builder’s masterful knowledge over both the arcane and construction. As for whom its creators were… seemingly no traces remain to offer a lead for investigation.

Near the center of the empty pavilion floor rests a single set of stairs that spiral upward like a drill towards the heavens. It winds sharply, ascending at a steep angle while quickly gaining altitude as it climbs towards the oculus which serves as an opening at the apex of the structure. As one attempts to traverse the spiral’s footholds, a bitter cold and howling wind frantically picks up, increasing viciously in intensity the further one progresses.


Only one option may be utilized:

Hidden: Master of the Elements

Requires Expert in one of the following: Aeromancy, Geomancy
No matter how loud the wind howls the mountain can not bow... and nor do you.

If the first post results in a fail, players may:

• Exit the thread permanently and return to safety unharmed (edit your post with a few words about leaving).
• No, there's no second attempt.

Hidden: Forge a path to the heavens!: Not for the weak of heart...

With enough strength of body, deftness of mind and a whole lot of luck, an adventurer might be able to make their way through the howling abyss. As you head towards the center of the oculus, the bitter elements continue to batter away at both health and various needs meters at an alarming rate. It’s a long and slippery climb towards the heavens and the forces of nature might not be the only adversary. Do be careful, as it’s a long way down…

1. Roll d100 in your post.
2. A roll of 85 or higher is needed to successful brute force your way through the obstacle without the proper knowledge and skills to navigate from one ship to the next. If the first post results in a fail, players may choose 1 of 2 options:

• Exit the thread permanently and return to safety unharmed (edit your post with a few words about leaving).
  
• Proceed anyway and post a second time (no words required) with your roll(s). Failure on the second roll results in character death.

Code:

[dice]d100[/dice]

The Architect's Inheritance: Atop the precipice awaits a breath taking view that’s stunning to behold. While standing atop the roof near the opening from the oculus, one is met by an endless sea of white that stretches as far as the eyes can see. The clouds appear to have formed a uniform blanket that prevents vision down below. Further off in the distance and near the ledge of the ceiling floats an ornate chest that appears to be carved from a single mass of stone. Unlike the pavilion itself, the chest is gilded with various precious metals and has been engraved with runes both mundane and magical in nature.

A small golden plate rests at the foot of the chest and has been merged with the stone rooftop. Some words appear to be inscribed upon it…

"I have spent countless eons reaching for the realm of the gods. With each step, I climbed higher, seeking to join the divinities. Having shed this mortal husk, my humanity cast aside, what do I find? There is nothing amongst the clouds! It was all in vain. All of it! To this day I am still alone! But now… now I understand. Only with his own downfall, can a man understand his true nature."​

Note: This is an event for people (one account per OOC player) who have yet to open a treasure chest this month (timer reset's on the first of the month). Last reset - 8/01/17.

List of Ineligible Participants:
N/A

Briefly tell a story about what were you doing up until this point, then describe how you would claim the goods inside the "chest". (300 words minimum, 500 words maximum)

0/1 Reward Claimed​

 

There was something about mountains. Peaceful and serene, but not without the haunting and raw power of nature, they stood as silent and eternal sentinels upon the landscape and loomed over the squabbling of mankind. Their preternatural beauty and grace had been molested and scarred by mankind back in the real world, but here, they were as virgin peaks waiting to be ascended and explored. Or so had been the Admiral’s first thoughts when he set out on a private expedition to enjoy the wild landscapes of the world, celebrating the first guild mission by almost literally going off grid. The escalating euphoria of success needed to be meted out carefully and tempered with a reminder of his own limitations and place in the world. Despite his lust for attention, he did not want to truly become cocky or arrogant.

That was why he had come to this nowhere in the mountains, hoping for a simple hike to the summit. When he had neared it, he had found… something alien and wondrous, spiraling up into the heavens and disappearing beyond the clouds. The air was thin and the bite of it was terrible, and a warning on his temperature gauge made it clear that this was not the greatest of ideas. However, he trudged wearily upwards against the cold and climbed higher and higher towards the top of the whatever this was. As he took the first few steps, he patted the staircase affectionately and pulled out a piece of chalk to scrawl a little poem of his own devising; to commemorate this place and these steps which seemed so long untread.

God is a Mountain; tall and strong
And dead as any stone
His corpse is filled with wealth to find
And man to make his own

-The Admiral

The winds blew against him and would have been terrifying perhaps, were it not for the heavy armor that he wore and the weapons at his side, weighing him down and adjusting his center of gravity so that he could better lean against the winds and continue his cold ascent. Upon nearing the top, he investigated the sea of white clouds beneath, realizing it had not been so uniform and pure on his way up. A skybox change programmed into the game, then… Or maybe he had gone through a portal. Or maybe it was an illusion. He stared down at the white blanket and was unable to see the peaks of the mountains and was saddened by this. A chest in the distance caught his eye, and squinting to see, he read the words upon it. Poetic, but kind of vague. It had a sort of… Indiana Jones feel to it though, and so he shrugged and stepped off the ledge hoping there was a path towards the chest. If it wanted him to fall… and, besides, it’d make for a funny story.

Thrown die:

12

 

Thrown die:

8

 

There were very few things Gwyn- or Sabine for that matter, could say they built their mirrored lives around. Neither held lofty goals compared to many a man. They sought freedom, thrills, and a quiet companionship only the things of the wild could offer. Also a full bottle of whiskey on cold days while out camping, but that was neither here nor there. When she'd caught wind of gossip surrounding a grand show of architecture nestled in the clouds, it certainly wasn't the craftsmanship of the place that drew her like a month to the flames. Oh no, anyone who had met the woman for a minute knew what the siren song humming her way was.

She ignored any path leading up and set her sights on the glory of a bone deep sort of home. She set to scaling the cliff with what little equipment she'd deigned to buy from one of the little general stores in the game and set about her hobby of many years back in a world unlike this one. Not even the thick bank of clouds was cause for pause as she squinted past the blurred sights, shifted in and out of the powerful winds, and felt her way along the sturdy sides of the mountain through foot and hand holds. For the supposed age of it she was in love with just how strong it was, the mountain just as set in stone as the odd structure. Eventually it forced her to a set and spiraling path where the wind battered into her even fiercer and from it and the climb she could see both her health and energy meters were lowering. The scuffed up knees, hands, and elbows more than showed for it. The mountain had fought so hard and the winds were so wicked she'd been thrilled to prove herself their equal.

A sudden lash of wind caught her and dragged her down to one knee, the ranger digging her numbing fingers into the rocky earth beneath her as it stole her breath. She was forced to stay hunkered over for a moment to catch back her breath and lifted her head to grin wildly against the furious howling that crested the top of the mountain. And then it was gone. A few more steps up and out of the roaring winds and above a sea of clouds that stretched on forever. Gwyn stared wide-eyed at the endless white and grinned helplessly in the face of it. The fall of man, huh? Well she'd already done that once in the real world and in this one she wasn't exactly worried about fucking up her hip now was she? No, Gwyn had no problem walking dead toward the chest made of stalwart stone and gems with only the sky as its guardian. She wasn't scared of falling.

Thrown die:

67

 

Thrown die:

66

[ OOC: Fucking worth it, boys. ]​

 

@The Admiral 's body has been remateralized at the morgue.
Click Here

 

@Gwyn ap Herne 's body has been remateralized at the morgue.
Click Here

 

Her desire to go sightseeing and visit the world began after he failed attempt at grabbing the chest at Dunnstads. Peace had eluded her for a long while, unable to pause in her rampant thoughts of the contents inside the chest that she had failed to attain. Her curiosity clawed at the edges of her brain, threatening to rip it apart if she didn't sate her inquisitive mind for a moment longer. It was with that voracious feeling for knowledge beyond her grasp that she decided to explore the many wonders that the game had to offer and fulfill the itch and ache in her mind that way.

And thus she found herself at the famed Pavilion of Titans that she heard of from the locals during her travels. It had been a few days journey until she finally found the monument but, as she stared up from the mountainous terrain to the treacherous peak, she gulped. "Okay, just ignore the size and it's just a bit of exercise, right guys?" she peeked a look to find the shared cowed expression of her allies. She winced, not feeling reassured in the slightest. She readjusted her backpack before taking another deep breath. "Let's go guys," she gestured to the spiraling staircase in the middle. "We'll totally make it! And then we'll get to see a neat sight from up there and we'll learn whatever is at the top! It'll be interesting and fun! Promise."

Thus, with wary party tailing her, they climbed up the stairs with an undisclosed destination in mind. The wind left cuts on her uncovered skin and the falling rocks from the ceiling, forced down by a frequent gusts, gave her bruises and scratches. By the time that they had reached the top and came face-to-face with the chest stuck to the ceiling, Alpha had been awfully hurt, thirsty, hungry, and in need of rest and energy. Regardless, her enthusiasm returned full force from the tedious and dangerous climb when she noticed the item above her. She gasped and pointed, a toothy grin forming on her face as her little companions cared not. "It's a chest, guys!" she bounced, excitement brimming in her features. "Time to open it," without delay, she immediately set off to attempt to crack this puzzle.

She read off the words inscribed and, eyes widening, she gave herself a pat on the back. "I'm a genius!" she proclaimed proudly to her exhausted audience. And then, without fanfare, she cast a spell that would hopefully detach the chest from the ceiling and bring it down to the floor, cracking the box open and spilling all its hidden contents to her. "We just have to make it fall down, right?" she crossed her fingers and wet her lips, excited and heart pounding to finally find what was in the chest.

Thrown die:

27

 

Now this was something interesting. The tales of a great pavilion and the lengthy trek to what may be seen as a gateway to heaven wrought with trial and danger. The Dark Lady was not interested in just any gods though... no they were all but pretenders before her dark entities. The ones that spoke to her in her dreams as a child. The ones that guided her through her rituals and occult studies. The ones that altered fate itself to lend her the book of witchcraft and demonology in her teenage years. They were the only gods that mattered, and even they may have become less than worthy of her worship and devotion. This trial... was something that would test if how much she had grown. How powerful her darkness had become. Could the architect of this place defeat her? Ancient wisdom will be tested here as well by the witch. Merkaba, no... Elizabeth would see how she faired against such a challenge. Then she could use this knowledge for her future planning.

Her first part was easy enough. Long flights of stairs were tedious but her motivation was not even scratched from it. The wind picking up was the first sign that things would get serious. Her black raven like wings granted to her from her demonic pact were actually a bit of a hindrance here. They did not grant her flight in any way but the wind was certainly trying to lift her up by them. She generated her scythe and would use the curved blade as a means of traction. Digging it into the ancient but well made material that made up the mysterious construction. The steps became more and more hazardous. The cold then began to become a even greater enemy. Wretched elements challenging her... but this was good. For once she wanted to be challenged. She wanted to see if she could do it. Defeat this artisan who likely had no faith in the darkness.

Finally reaching the top she would use her tendril grasp black magic to pull the chest to her and then opening it after reading the inscription and seeing the beautiful awe inspiring view....

(EDITED: I had rolled 85, check edit history if needed.)

 

@Merkaba

Still waiting to see how she opens the chest... (Anyone else is free to try and claim the prize. I'll compare it to any edit time stamps if needed.)

 

The chest responds violently as the forces enchanted upon it detect improper interactions. A blinding flash of light radiates from the container as a wave of magic washes over @Merkaba . Given a moment or two, vision returns to the demonologist's eyes, making it painfully clear that she's been returned back to the base of the stairway...

(The chest still available to whomever can claim it properly.)

 

Honestly, people were going to assume that she was suicidal, with the rate that she challenged these seemingly indomitable obstacles just for a glimpse of treasure. Either that or unbelievably greedy. But despite how uninviting the spire looked, there was an allure to getting a rare gear or item, something so one-of-a-kind that the game masters had placed it what looked to be several kilometres in the sky. The pavilion on it's own didn't look like much — the architecture was simple and plain, and if it weren't for its enormous size she wouldn't have paid it any attention. But Amane had just noticed a couple of people back down, and another teleported to its base. There was only one event that did that, as far as she was aware: treasure chests. The white-haired player must have managed to reach the summit, only her attempt to open the chest was in vain.

Unlike her, however, Amane wasn't going to fail. The first few metres were tiring, but bearable, and as long as she moved carefully there was no chance of her falling down. At somewhere around the half-way point, however, the winds began to pick up, buffeting her against the pavilion walls if she were lucky, and almost ripping her off it, if she were not. She tried to cast an Astramancy spell to reduce the strength of the winds, but to no avail — the howling as it whistled past her ears drowned out all other sounds, and she could barely hear her own voice, let alone that of the spirits' if she tried. She couldn't give up though — her last attempt at a treasure chest had been a mockery. She'd never forgive herself if she missed this opportunity as well.

Pressing herself against the wall, she struggled up step by step, her hands brought up in front of her eyes to shield her face. Towards the top of the stairway she had no choice but to drop to all fours, crouching low to avoid the worst of the wind as she climbed the last few metres. The whole journey must have taken hours, but it was all worth it — the top of the precipice was in sight, and near the edge was a stunning chest, gilded with gold and jewels. Amane stumbled eagerly towards it, her fatigue taking second place to the triumphant joy that rushed through her veins. Before she reached it, however, she remembered the last time what happened when she rushed to open the chest. Glancing about, she spotted a gold plate at its base. The words on it were cryptic, and far harder to decipher than she'd expected, but after a while she thought she knew what it wanted her to do. Reaching out, she gently pushed the chest towards and over the edge, watching it fall down, disappearing into the clouds far below.

OOC:

Thrown die:

3

 

As Steele had gone once more exploring the lands of terra sphere he'd come across the Druuk Island and hear of some divine structure, one that reached the heavens. His curiosity peaked, he'd make his way to the rumored location to investigate. Yet the task proved to be one of great, difficult for an event with a body like his; teeming with strength and vitality. The harsh environment seemed to play a bigger toll on him than he'd like to admit, yet thanks to the increased damage as he ventured forth his speed and strength only grew; what hadn't killed him indeed made him stronger. Yet, being one of a holy nature and a paladin of Tyl it was with great effort he'd manage to keep himself in a safe range during his venture; healing himself when needed. His mind on point; exploring the tower with extreme desire to explore it's mysteries if not prove himself to Lord Tyl his devotion and desire to become his vessel. The fool would venture onward as he scaled his way through the howling abyss. How far one might ask seemed to be based on his luck. Battering his way up to the top the male would see the breath taking view, a faint smile passing as he shook a bit cold; the clouds coating the area. Unable to see much below let alone around him yet he saw the chest; one which seemed to be of great interest. Walking cautiously over he'd find himself in front of the chest; reading the surface.

His hand raising over to touch upon it as he did he'd smile, "Man's true nature...greed. This is what he means, the earthly desire for something more; be it a chest, a deep rooted obsession. It's greed. Man's downfall is greed, it was this man's pride and own misunderstandings which caused him not to find his goal. The gods are with us everywhere, please take pity on his poor misguided soul; Tyl I'll see to it, one day should I meet this person to show him the true light. One should not aspire to become a god but should wish to be like one. Kind caring and with much love in their heart...perhaps" he'd say turning to the chest before taking to his knees and praying "Lord Tyl, see to it that this chest is blessed by your protection so only those who are justified in gaining its blessing may do so." He'd say as he attempted to place a hand upon the chest attempting to cast a spell of Illumency in hopes of it only unlocking for that who was worthy; whether it be him or another. Had he failed to open it he'd pull his hand back bowing and respectfully leave; accepting his lords wishes no longer testing his luck nor Tyl's patience. Taking one final look upon the world; seeing the beauty before him he'd once more venture down to the world.

 

Thrown die:

32

OOC: Was told to reroll cuz the last one broke it.

 

Still available.