95 HP

MAX HP

72 EN

MAX EN

Boat HP: 170

After their brawl with the flying piranhas, the party's journey continued without many hitches. With two of the four adventurers possessing healing abilities, they kept their condition up. Nevertheless, they had to watch out for their energy level. After all, having full health but passed out with no power to move was just the same as offering up oneself as a fodder.

The water pathway was more akin to a river now as calm waters flowed underneath the boat, slightly disturbed by the wooden paddles. "Hold up." Narrowing her eyes in concern, Eldhi held up her hand as she instructed the party to stop rowing. A sizable boulder sat up ahead, wide enough to completely block the path onwards.

"Hmmm..." Eldhi stood up, observing the peculiar skull symbol marked on the stone. It seemed the rumors gathered by the Overwatcher was partly incorrect, specifically about the cave being unexplored. Surely no animals or monsters would be intelligent enough to etch a mark so similar to a human skull in shape. "Pirates..." The Justicar heaved harshly, she hated them, them and all sort of lawless scum. "Stay sharp everyone, we might not be alone here." After this discovery, better to err on the side of caution.

However, if there was something good out of this revelation, it was that the cavern was most likely used by sea raiders to store their ill-gained treasures. Treasures would mean Prism Shards and Gems, though those drunken fools wouldn't even understand the slightest bit about magic, the eye-catching beauty made them popular as jewels.

Brandishing her crystalline azure sword, Eldhi held The Judicator with both hands as the edge shone with a golden glow. Raising the longsword above her head, the glow became brighter as it quaked with divine light, "Hmph!" Performing a mighty downwards cleave, Eldhi unleashed a crescent-shaped Illuminant wave. The projectile blitzed through the air before crashing the boulder with impunity.

Luminous Wave

Cracks formed on the large piece of stone, it rumbled then crumbled into pieces, washed away by the flowing water. With the path cleared, Eldhi went back to her seat then picked up the row. Time to continue their journey.

Attacking Boulder using Adept Illumancy
56
56 > 30 AC

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100 HP

MAX HP

94 EN

MAX EN

Boat HP: 170

As the vessel continued on through the seaside cave with remarkable speed and grace, Cain spotted an impressively large boulder planted in the way, skulls and crossbones carved upon the surface. Impressively foreboding and warranting further though, before the Muse could say anything about it, Eldhi leaped into action. A Luminous Arc sparked from her shining sword, breaking the boulder into many pieces, some big and some small. The strong waves caused by the sudden destruction of the boulder rocked the boat, while dust temporarily filled the air. Though most of the boulder had been reduced to insignificant chunks of stone, there were larger pieces that sank right below, and the Muse clicked his tongue. It would be pretty bad if the boat got scratched up from here, huh?

“Bit slower here,” he said, peering off the edge and giving the others directions to navigate the now treacherous waters, keeping an eye out for anything that was too large for the boat to crest over. It wasn’t too difficult though, and after a few more terse directions, the boat made it past the most dangerous part of the seaside stream, Cain sitting back with a sigh.

“Well then,” the muse said, lacing his words with a gentle magic to finish the healing that Eldhi required, “Skulls and crossbones don’t bode too well for the next stretch of our journey. They’re a symbol of death too, after all. Mayhaps this cave was sealed off to prevent people from drifting to their doom.”

He paused.

“Of course, if it’s a mere monster, our crew of stalwart adventurers could certainly handle it, but if it were something more insidious, a poisonous fog or a plague…what shall be our directive, moving forwards?”

@Eldhi 5 HP Recovered from Beginner Heal
15 + 20 + 10 = 45
994/1500

(Roll) Seaside Cave
Seaside Cave Trackers​

 

100 HP

MAX HP

95 EN

MAX EN

Boat HP: 170

Head to the Center ​

When the boat started to go really fast, Stelluna knew there was a problem. Sure, before they had set out a pretty decent pace but nothing before could match the pace at they were traveling. What's worse, if they didn't make a decision quick, the boat would crash into the rocks and they would be left stranded or trying to patch it up in the middle of the cave. She made a snap decision for the group, doing her best to steer the boat into the middle path, she shouted,

"Go to the middle path!"

If her group cooperated, they would stand a chance of making through it unscathed. If they started to try and go to another direction... Well, she hoped the boat really was worth the money they payed. Worst came to worst, each of them had at least 1 repair kit.

59 + 15 + 10 = 84
1078 / 1500

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100 HP

MAX HP

95 EN

MAX EN

Boat HP: 170

Head to the Center​

With the currents began to grow stronger, he was unable to control the boat with his oar. Which means that slowing it down by normal means was out of the question, increasing their chances to have their boat crashed into a rock or any other obstacle. At any case, they need to think fast or else, they would go down with the boat.

Thankfully, with Stelluna's quick suggestion, he didn't waste time to help her steer the boat to the middle. But with the strong current of the water, he had to tighten his grip on the oar as he attempted to row the boat to where he wanted to be. He just hoped that everyone would be on the same page as he can't rely on his own strength and Stelluna's to get themselves to safety.

44 + 10 (Seafaring) + 10 (Stay on the Boat) = 64
1142 / 1500

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100 HP

MAX HP

72 EN

MAX EN

Boat HP: 170

"My gratitude." Thanking the Muse for knitting her remaining injuries, Eldhi resumed the rowings together with the party. Her mannerisms were now visibly more alert, ever be on the lookout for any suspicious movements. Who knows, a pirate or two could be hiding in between the crevices and ambush them with crossbows, she must be ready to erect a barrier to protect herself and her companions.

However, their next challenge didn't come in the form of a sea raider, nor snapper fishes, it was the very water their boat floated on instead. The river narrowed, causing the flow to go faster, and faster. "..." Until at one point, they were accelerating even without the rowing. "Brace yourselves." Eldhi warned the party as she grabbed the side of the boat, peering to the front, they were in for a wild ride through the rapids.

"Center!" Not having the time for discussions or arguments, the Justicar opted to follow the Dragoon Yladian's initiative. They didn't have any specific clues as to which path leads to where anyway.

Head to the Center
8 + 20 (Seafaring) + 10 (On Boat) = 38
1180 / 1500

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100 HP

MAX HP

97 EN

MAX EN

Boat HP: 170

As the boat sailed through a route that was becoming more and more narrow, the rush of water in the distance, echoing through the cavernous path, alerted Cain of the true danger that they were beholden to. Not pirates, slinking about with beady eyes and chipped sabers. Not monsters, lurking about menacingly with slavering jaws and wicked claws. Not plagues, insidious murderers infecting the very air. No, the boulder before them was a bulwark to dissuade foolish adventurers from plunging into the subterranean rapids, and now, pushed on by the flow of seawater, they had no choice but to proceed. Taking an oar for himself, Cain grit his teeth as he broke his back, the force of the current smashing the boat mightily, tossing it around as Stelluna’s voice rang through the chaos.

Center. They had to take center!

Foam splashed into his face, water cresting over the side and filling up the medium-sized vessel. Oars banged, groaned against stone, while the muse fought the urge to wipe his eyes as salty water caused them to burn. It hurt and it hurt, aches emerging from sudden physical exertion, but this was a roller coaster without rails, and the midnight-haired madman wrestled for control of his vessel alongside the others. Intelligent thoughts about using Aeromancy and Arcanamancy to raise the ship out of the waters was tossed aside in favor of mindless, bone-creaking rowing. And then, a crack sounded, the side of the boat scraping against the jagged tunnel walls, a momentary lapse of weakness almost fatal before Cain pushed against the stone with his oar, sending it back again. The open waters, the calm river, those were nothing compared to the rapids. They needed a way to synchronize, to focus, to…

"Split your lungs with blood and thunder
When you see the white foam
Break your backs and crack your oars men
If you wish to return home!"​

Empowered by magic, his voice rang clear through the cacophony, throaty and violent like a cruel and driven taskmaster.

They were going to survive. They had to.

48 + 20 + 10 = 78
1258/1500

(Roll) Seaside Cave
Seaside Cave Trackers​

 

77 HP

MAX HP

90 EN

MAX EN

Boat HP: 170

Seeing arrows fly out of the wall was disconcerting, seeing a giant iron ball seeking to crush them more so. In case one of them had somehow not realized what had happened, she shouted something to the effect of "Get going!" before sprinting to outrun the ball. Due to being the first to sprint ahead, she was also the first to get hit by one of the arrow traps. Taking one shot to the side and the other on her left shoulder, her armor slightly helped with mitigating the damage. It was no time to properly take care of the wounds, with the looming threat of being crushed. With the current situation, what was there to do except ignore pain and continue on? There would be a place to rest and recover from their wounds another time, she just hoped that the others were faring better than she. Not that she was very hopeful, that was a lot of arrows.

6 + 15 = 21
1279 / 1500

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75 HP

MAX HP

90 EN

MAX EN

Boat HP: 170 (Out)

Out of the currents and into dry ground. Thankfully with their teamwork, they managed to get here unscathed as he got off from the boat just to stretch his legs. However, just when he decided to move on, he noticed a wooden sign with a strange message scrawled onto it. Despite the strangeness, he did somehow recognize it as "Landlubbers". It was not only a weird message, but it made the Alchemist very irritated at it, which he felt like it was mocking him.

Unfortunately, it seemed that mocking message might be a warning sign as an arrow quickly flew by him, which created a cut to his left arm. Feeling the pain to it, he grabbed his arm before he noticed the boulder and ran away with the others. "Just when I think this dungeon could get anymore hazardous!" As he spoke up, several more arrows passed through him, causing them to scratch his left side of his face and his shoulder. At this rate, they won't able to escape this cave alive if the boulder can catch up to them.

18 + 15 = 31
1310 / 1500

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70 HP

MAX HP

100 EN

MAX EN

Boat HP: 170

Goddammit!

Feet slapping against the stone, heart about to burst out of his chest, Cain had the time of his life as he ran down the path, a massive iron ball hot on his heels as his compatriots ran alongside him. What the hell was going ON with this cave? First rapids that no sane person would want to traverse and now this death trap preceded by a sign that more or less said ‘Landlubber’? Was this the path to a pirate’s treasure after all? Or was this just an elaborate scheme by a mad trap-making tinkerer to punish overly curious adventurers? Regardless of what it was, after all that hellish rowing, Cain was most definitely exhausted, dashing on and on through the narrow tunnel as arrows whizzed by all around him, unable to catch his breath and do a quick backwards teleport to evade the giant iron ball. One arrow grazed by his head. Another struck his arm. A third almost took out one of his legs.

As if surrounded by angry, giant hornets, all Cain could do was cover his head and book it through the path, eyes flickering back and forth from one side of the wall to the other, catching the holes from which arrows were released. It was sheering away at his health, but the pain kept his adrenaline pumping, and in a moment of clarity, leaping over a set of arrows flying low, he realized something.

This was totally like an Indiana Jones scene!

12 + 20 = 32
1342/1500

(Roll) Seaside Cave
Seaside Cave Trackers​

 

100 HP

MAX HP

67 EN

MAX EN

Boat HP: 170

Through combined efforts and dumb luck, likely more of the latter due to how little experience the party had in navigating a boat, they finally reached the end of the rapids. The medium-sized vessel emerged into a spacious lake, the walls gorgeously reflecting the azure sheen. However, they had no time to dally, Eldhi still believed there were pirates lurking about, still firm that they weren't alone.

"Looks like this is as far as the boat can go." The Justicar jumped down from the boat as soon as it docked beside the dry land, immediately, she spotted the single man-made object visible in the wide room. A wooden sign erected on the ground, its writings scrubbed and blurry, a few letters were beyond legibility but they could still fill in the gaps with logic. "Landlubbers. Just as I said. Pirates." So her deduction was true, she shouldn't expect otherwise really. Good, the pirate's treasures shall be theirs.

Proceeding forward, the path narrowed down to a single corridor. Very suspicious but she couldn't see any alternative path and even if they thought about returning, the rapids would foil their efforts. As such, the only way was forward into the cavernous hallway. As the four continued their journey, Stelluna at the front, Eldhi couldn't shake off the constant feeling of uneasiness. No, not about the pirates, she was sure they were here, but something else. That calm before the storm, the eerie silence before a calamity struck upon them. "...!?" With a loud rumble, once again her suspicions proved true.

Hidden: Music

A literal gigantic iron ball dropped from the ceiling, no doubt the work of those pesky pirates. By virtue of the downward slope, the metal sphere of death rolled towards the party, gaining momentum with each passing moment. "Tch!" The course of action to take was quite obvious as Eldhi sprinted forward, face locked in a visage of bubbling rage at this cowardly tactic.

Whichever group of sea raiders designed these traps clearly didn't spare any reservations in crafting the elaborate machinery as arrows upon arrows launched from the walls beside them. Eldhi wished she could help her teammates but due to the situation, she could only erect a barrier on both sides for herself, deflecting the arrows away.

This travesty shall not stand... once she found the group responsible, the only punishment worthy of such crime was a swift death.

68 + 20 (Illumancy) = 88
1430 / 1500

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65 HP

MAX HP

85 EN

MAX EN

Boat HP: 170

Watching an Indiana Jones movie when he was a child was somehow exciting. But now that he was now experiencing this in virtual reality game, he quickly changed his mind about it. What was worst that not only he was starting to feel fatigue from running, but he was down almost half of his HP due to the arrows that were shot at him, including the one that shot through his right shoulder.

But he wasn't about to give up. He didn't want to die, even in a virtual world by a boulder. He still has no knowledge of the consequences of dying in Terrasphere, but he rather not knew this fact. In fact, he will not die in this stupid game!

As he thought of this, he saw something in front of him. A light, a bright light that represents the finish line to this death trap. "I can guess that might be the exit. Still, I'm not going to think about the traps there. We have to keep moving!" Now seeing his sights on it at the end of the tunnel, he gritted his teeth as he continued to run while enduring most of his injuries.

47 + 15 = 62
1492 / 1500

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70 HP

MAX HP

100 EN

MAX EN

Boat HP: 170

The blood and the pain. The fire and the beat. Push, push, push. As blood trickled from his body, staining his footsteps, Cain ran on and on, dark eyes continuing to flicker and flicker. The adrenaline was pumping into his body once more, a flurry of movement as he twisted, turned, a high-speed dance that channeled his magic where his singing couldn’t. Silver radiance coated his companion’s bodies, the Song of the Cross accelerating them as Cain continued his sinuous movements, his attempts to dodge the arrows becoming increasingly elegant. A half-slide to graze a bolt. Three steps on the side. An uncharacteristically effeminate pirouette. Three crescent turns.

His lungs still screamed, but Cain’s face was nothing but a determined mask. For Muses especially, the rigors of channeling magic during times of duress were extreme, their persistent effects dependent solely on their ability to continue to perform. But he was no longer the weakling he once was, and now, he had strength that could back up his attitude. A somersault, a low slide, a twist, a cartwheel, a jump leading to splits. His pace quickened, his ‘song’ continued, and as seconds crawled to minutes, Cain lost himself in the motions, making a mockery out of the death trap that had been so horrible moments before.

There was no longer any surprises. No longer any thoughts of fatigue. No longer anything but the next step, the next transition. Midnight strands danced as the white-suited man kept ahead of that iron ball, until finally, finally, the light at the end of the tunnel was before them.

One last leap pulled him through the air, basking in brilliance that almost blinded him, before he hit the ground with both feet, skidding to a stop.

"Damn, that was badASS!"

78 + 20 = 98
1590/1500

(Roll) Seaside Cave
Seaside Cave Trackers​