DUNGEON ♛ SALAMANCA TEMPLE

[boardmaster]

SALAMANCA TEMPLE
20 MARCH (NARCISSA) 2016

Once a grand place of worship for the ancestors of the Alfersa, the thousand-year-old ruins of Salamanca Temple returned to their full glory overnight. However, it also seems to be teeming with ancient reptiles long thought to be extinct. As the Heroes enter, it’s clear that the multilevel temple is a prime example of the artistic achievements of its time. The rooms are lush with plantlife that creeps in between the cracks of marble tiles and statues of Gladia with serpents at her heel, and the walls are covered in paintings and bas-reliefs depicting a famous epic about the Alfersa’s victory over all reptilian creatures.

The majesty of Salamanca Temple almost makes one fact easy to forget: it was most infamous as a site of magic… and human sacrifices.

Our Heroes know that there’s only one way to get out of here: find and defeat the boss!

	Lisbrand I’m sure you’re all aware, to some extent, that in addition to the war with Noir, Blanc must deal with threats within its own borders. These are what we call dungeons, and we only have a basic working understanding of them. Think of them as natural phenomena. Your task is reconnaissance and retrieval of the mana cores believed to be hidden in the deepest part of the structure, but you will likely encounter resistance. [a gesture to her side] Secretary Verdoni has more details about the nature of the structure. Secretary, if you would.
	Verdoni This is Salamanca Temple, a sacred and important site of cultural heritage to the Alfersa. Grand temples such as this were supposed to fill the devout with hope, but the Gladia of old was not always a benevolent goddess. Gladia’s Alfersan cult was infamous for its taboo sacrificial rituals. As a result, this temple is shrouded in frightening rumors and legends. Over the course of its bloody history, many atrocities were committed over the most trifling matters... The most famous is the tale of Moura Serpente. Perhaps you Heroes will have the chance to personally witness the truth behind these hallowed walls.
	Lisbrand Our scouts are incapable of exploring the structure the way this task force can. Therefore, you will be the front line in this mission. Your issued magical weapon will grant you immediate access to the temple once you approach the entrance. [and just to be safe, she gestures again. some of the Blanc soldiers who have tagged along for support functions march their way towards the appropriate door] Base camp will be established just outside the temple, in the event that you need to leave the area.
	Verdoni Which means that the Airy will be here for a while. Once you finish the dungeon, you are free to retire to your quarters. If you don't feel like riding the ship again, then walk. The journey to Caissa on foot will take a week at most. I suggest heading north to spend the evening at the city of Polgar. I suppose walking is a good thing for you Heroes; we will not always have the luxury of air travel.
	Lisbrand We will be breaking camp in the evening to rendezvous with Airy, so if you are not out of the dungeon by that time, you will be walking back to Caissa. [a pause] But I expect a number of you will do so anyway. This country is on full alert, and traveling by foot should be relatively safe inside our borders, but I hope I don’t need to tell you to be vigilant. I will expect all members of the task force back in Caissa by Lathrya 8th. Heroes, move out!

Basic info on the dungeon can be found here. Dungeon mechanics can be found here. All OOC questions about the event may be directed to the thread below.

ONE ♙

When you enter the temple, the flooring is surprisingly weak — wait, no. That’s a trap. And those are your screams.

You land in what seems to be the vast and sprawling corridors of the temple’s basement: dark, dank, and full of rats. But it’s more than just that — the smell of blood is thick in the air, and every so often, you might hear cries of agony. Magic circles, dried blood on ornate daggers, and tables with unspeakable tools for keeping mouths shut and human limbs in place… something tells you this is exactly what Verdoni warned you about.

MONSTER ♟ Lizardman
Weak against None	Strong against None	Immune to None
Men cursed to roam Enprise in a LIZARD-LIKE FORM by the goddess Gladia. Some conspiracy theorists say they aren’t cursed. In fact, their kind was the first to inhabit Enprise before the Alfersa arrived on a giant spaceship! But locals will squint and silently judge if you honestly believe this. These ANGRY, ARMORED lizardmen are equipped with BLADED WEAPONS and their surprisingly exceptional prowess in COMBAT. Their TOUGH SKIN and SHARP SENSES set them apart from your average human soldier. If you grab one by the tail, he’ll simply chop it off and grow one right back! But you might want to go ahead and take the risk — in alchemy, LIZARD TAILS are known for their regenerative properties. Their WEAPONS, SMELLY ARMOR, TAILS and LOINCLOTHS may be acquired as loot.

Once you make it back to the first level where the laity worship, you’ll be met with... more lizardmen. But not all hope is lost! Find the switch on one of the many life-size Gladia statues to open the hidden door behind the altar and proceed. The switch’s location may vary for each party.

TWO ♙

Only the clergy may enter the higher levels of the temple. Before they do, they must wash themselves in the pools of holy water that flank the entrance. These pools are so rich in mana, bathing in them will even replenish your own. As you splash around, you realize you’re not alone. Red and black lizard-like creatures emerge from the depths of the pools with eyes alight with fire and smoke blowing out of their nostrils. Looks like they woke up on the wrong side of the bed!

MONSTER ♟ Salamander
Weak against Water	Strong against Ice	Immune to Fire (except salamander fire)
In Enprise, salamanders are not amphibians, but FIRE-BREATHING reptiles the length of crocodiles. They have sticky pads on their feet that enable them to CRAWL UP WALLS and LEAP on unsuspecting victims. We hope your spars with the feathered inhabitants of Airy prepared you for this. When COOKED, a salamander’s MEAT can BURN ANYTHING that consumes it. However, it can only be cooked with SALAMANDER FIRE. It’d be wise to keep one alive to cook the rest. We suggest using the FLAME on the tip of its tail — less teeth and much safer. The SALAMANDER PARTS and MEAT may be acquired as loot.

At the other end of the room, there is a door with… teeth? That breathing sound isn’t your imagination; the door is very much alive and will chomp at anything that gets too close. Time to get creative. Behind the door is a staircase to the next level.

THREE ♙

Among the rooms on this level filled with treasures of wines, weapons, gemstones and gold is a large shrine with an imposing 20-foot tall statue of Gladia, a thick needle, pieces of cord and a scroll rolled out on a raised pedestal. Written in old Chernovian are instructions in poetry that varies for each party: Heroes must make a necklace out of the eyes of snakes and offer it to the statue. Those who did their research will be familiar with this practice: by doing this, you are giving her all your bad luck and having her bless your journey ahead.

You’ll need all the luck you can get because the moment you finish reading the scroll with your eyes, hundreds of snakes begin to slither out Gladia’s eyes, nose and mouth.

MONSTER ♟ Alfersan Snake
Weak against None	Strong against None	Immune to Poison
“Hissss...!” Men who were transformed into snakes by the goddess Gladia. Alfersan snakes are HOSTILE and VENOMOUS, but their powerful venom is also known to create the most potent of antidotes. Some adventurers might hate snakes more than others, but you Heroes can do this much, right? The SNAKE PARTS and VENOM can be acquired as loot.

Once the necklace is complete and offered to the statue, the statue will turn, revealing another staircase to the next level.

FOUR ♙

Men weren’t the only ones punished by Gladia. One thousand years ago, the priestess Moura grew envious of a higher member of the clergy, whom everyone preferred over the selfish, narcissistic Moura. What did that woman have that she didn’t? Consumed by these negative thoughts, Moura transformed the woman into a snake and chopped her into pieces for Gladia, praying that the goddess would hear her plea.

In an instant, Gladia answered: “All your life you have lived a lesser being, so a lesser being you shall become!” With these words, the goddess cursed Moura with a head of full of venomous snakes. Ashamed of her appearance, she locked herself up in the temple to fully devote herself to Gladia. They say that Moura lives up to this day, waiting for Gladia to grant her salvation...

As our Heroes enter a large, circular room at the top floor, they will see a desolate young woman muttering the prayers beautifully inscribed in gold leaf on the walls. Olive skin, pointed ears and amber eyes — there’s no doubt that she is Alfersa. As she raises her head and meets their eyes, she greets them with an eerie, twisted smile.

And so do the snakes in her hair.

BOSS ♟ Moura Serpente
Weak against Fire	Strong against None	Immune to Poison
“You are not from this world. … Ehehe… Ahahaha! Oh! Oh, praise Gladia!” Believing the Heroes to be her divine retribution, Moura wastes no time. At the snap of her fingers, a GIANT SERPENT crashes into the room and slithers to its master’s side. The serpent is strong and quick, and when Moura hops on its back, she is nearly untouchable. Strike its soft UNDERSIDE to get some damage in! “To deliver judgement and receive judgement — that is why I exist. I live for no one but my goddess...” The SNAKES ON HER HEAD are a deadly force on their own: they can extend, retract, and even change color according to Moura’s mood. Moura can also use them to get around. When the snakes sink their teeth into your flesh, their bite can either POISON or PETRIFY. The venom will grant its victim DIZZINESS and NAUSEA. We hope you stocked up on antidotes. The remedy for petrification, however, is A KISS ON THE LIPS. One from your true love won’t have any special effect, but that’s rather sweet of them, don’t you think? PRAYING to Gladia — even if by just talking or asking her for anything — will grant you a temporary RESISTANCE TO POISON. “Why? Why do you listen to their prayers and not mine? … Heh… Gladia did always favor the pretty ones!” If you are PRETTY, Moura with direct her rage at you and chase you down. And if everyone is pretty? She’ll take down the prettiest first. To make matters worse, swarms of ALFERSAN SNAKES begin to crawl over the Heroes to distract you and restrict your movements. Don't fret; the TORCHES in the room will help ward both snakes and Moura away. “My goddess, is this enough...?” When you deal your final strike, Moura appears unharmed. But she falls a second later, sprawled on the marble floor and looking up at the ceiling. Slowly, her eyes close and her chest stills. Is she at peace? A glowing object rises and floats above her chest — your first DUNGEON CORE. MOURA’S ARMOR and TOMES ON STATUS MAGIC may be acquired as loot.

You may exit the temple by going back the way you came or jumping out the hole Moura’s serpent made. Falling to your death won’t be a problem — the giant serpents of the temple see you as their new masters. They will catch you and let you hop off their backs once they reach the ground.

FIVE ♙

Salamanca Temple is in a secluded area, so the Airy is parked at an open meadow. Walking back involves cutting your way south across the jungle and crossing the river. We hope you brought a map and a compass! Both are available for purchase on the Airy. The Airy will leave for Caissa on the evening of the 20th. It will arrive in Caissa on the 22nd.

For those who want to explore, the jungle gets thicker as you head north until you find winding stone paths that lead to the city of Polgar.

LOCATION ♟ Polgar

Although Polgar is a city relatively untouched by Blanc’s technological advances, it remains one of the country's largest urban centers due to its TOURISM. The city is home to the ALFERSA, a matriarchal society similar to that of the Amazons, in which men are often relegated to housework and manual labor. Most Alfersa believe that machines are no replacement for good hard work and prefer to live alongside NATURE, though small clockworks and machinery do exist in certain parts of the city. TROPICAL FLORA blankets Polgar and its architecture. There are many TEMPLES and SHRINES here dedicated to Gladia, Lathyra and Oubliette, all well-kept as the Alfersa are proud of their heritage. For the gods, their faith does not waver. Some of their festivals last entire months, with the celebration moving from shrine to shrine in resplendent procession. Polgar is also a popular tropical GETAWAY; its spas, resorts, restaurants, hot springs and brothels are all well-known and high-class, staffed by beautiful men and women and catering to all preferences.

Comments

TEAM YIKES (hux, h/allelujah, levi, gaius)

[powerdriven]

1.5

[convictionary]

[They did the beginning bit. They entered. The floor gave away. There was likely some screams that would be denied later - maybe some dashing use of magic and/or weapons to make the tumble easier. Maybe a quick dramatic shout of, "It's a-...!"

Whatever.

This is the current situation: they've wandered for the last fifteen minutes and Gaius punted a rat. The others likely did other things. There's also the sound of scales slithering over stone which...wasn't apparent enough for him to go, "Gosh, we're about to be ambushed by lizardmen." It was a noise to him, one which blended in with the squeaking of rats and the smell of blood and the rumbling of stone and the cries of agony.]

Cripes. Is it ["Aaah!" went one of the previously mentioned cries of agony.] just me [He also had the feeling he was being watched at this point, so this was the point in which he drew his short sword just all...conversationally. (He had no idea by what - the sound of scales slithering was just another noise - but he knew what being watched felt like.)] or are we just heading back where we came from?

[praises]

[ Out of all the disgusting places he's been in his life, this ranks fairly high up on the scale. A scale he is simultaneously grateful for in this moment and surprised he's already surpassing, because these halls are rank. That hasn't stopped him from shaking loose the dust and bloody grime from a few of the ceremonial daggers littered about the place. They're dramatic looking, but probably still effective.

At least that's what he hopes for when a loud thud cracks the ceiling above them, shaking loose dust and stone splinters. He thinks he hears the scrabble of claws in the walls and frowns, stopping his position towards the front of their party. ]

No. I feel as though we're being herded.

[ As if the atmosphere wasn't unnerving enough, right. ]

[powerdriven]

[ Of all the cheap ambush tactics to fall for, it had to be another descent into some dark, wretched basement—a mocking reminder of their training exercise and their apparent failure to predict the same. Levi, softening his fall with his magic, skewering a few rats from the welcoming swarm, is doubly alert for all that it's raised his hackles.

Not that his teammates would know it. As ugly as their surroundings are, it isn't the filth that has him on edge. Where he's concerned, there's no question they'd been set up to be captured like the literal rats of this maze. That's why before they lose themselves to the horrors of botched sacrifices, overcoming and compartmentalizing their enemies' advantages is of particular importance.

For now, keeping a cool head. Keeping track of their path by whatever means they can. He'd reasoned that any left behind trinkets would be snatched, but conjuring a small flame to burn char marks in walls is a handy replacement. An unsteady one to heroes who have just recently honed in on the trick, perhaps, but there's only so much he bothers to communicate.

He focuses on the sounds—not something they want to miss—and goes tensely to the hilt of his blade as he feels them out. ]

Quit your bellyaching. [ And more importantly, ] Listen.

[ In doing so, that shifting sound they keep hearing may start to become a little clearer. If not, it should at least be clear that Levi thinks that sound is important. ]

[endoftherepublic]

[The fall was annoying. Hux didn't know enough magic yet to slow his fall, so he had landed rather hard. Not hard enough to be seriously injured, but hard enough to leave his hip still throbbing. He hasn't said anything, of course. It hasn't yet proved to be a hindrance, so he'll ignore it. The place they've landed in, however, is quite a bit worse, and he's had his blaster drawn since he pushed to his feet. This dank, disgusting dungeon, filled with screams, rats, and twisting, winding arches does nothing for Hux's nerves. He's felt on edge since coming down here, and he doesn't like the feeling. It's unsettling. Also, he's going to need a shower when he gets out of here. He might even gratefully settle for those hideous communal baths.

Granted...he's been through simulations like this. An enemy hiding in the shadows. Scuttling creatures under his feet. Yet somehow, the reality of this seems more, well...real. Dangerous. Life threatening. Hux sucks in a breath slowly despite the horrid smelling air down here, breathing out in measured time, trying to calm his racing heart. He glances over briefly at Gaius, then Allelujah as both of them speak, then finally at Levi, before out into the darkness again. He focuses on the scrabbling around them--insofar he certainly agrees with Allelujah--it seems like they're being herded. Towards destination, though, is the true question. Hux listens to the shifting, scratching of claws--trying to differentiate between the scuttling of the rats and the other sound, one that might signal a far more dangerous enemy.

A brief moment, two--the ceiling. To his left. Some behind them. Hux swallows, and turns his body just slightly so his back is more in towards his comrades, covered. Finally, he speaks, his voice low]

I hate to make a snap judgement but if I had to, I would say that we are most assuredly nearly surrounded.

[his hand tightens on his blaster, tensing, as the slithering noises coalesce, become a bit louder, closer--]

I would also say it would be wise to prepare for an--[he's about to finish that with "attack," but instead he makes a quiet, startled noise, sucking in air quickly as several what appear to be Trandoshans bearing rather sharp weapons come at them out of the darkness. Hux isn't so much as startled by their appearance as he is by their crude armor and complete lack of blasters. It feels disjointing, even after these several weeks, to see creatures bearing such outdated weaponry.

That, however, is hardly his first concern. It is more so that Trandoshans are renowned for their hunting ability. Even if these creatures are not exactly Trandoshans, this does not bode well. Hux raises his blaster with a jerk towards them, heart hammering in his chest, firing off a scattered five shots in the direction of the ones approaching from the rear. Most of the bullets ricochet off armor, but one strikes one of them in the shoulder. Despite the injury and the creature's cry in reaction, after a moment it snarls and continues its charge.]

[convictionary]

[His reaction was a start of surprise, a momentary bracing for...something which didn't actually happen, and a sigh of relief? That was totally a look and sigh of relief he had as the monstrous taguel lizard...things bore down on him.]

I knew someone like you.

[He opted for magic with a dramatic shout that was utterly unmemorable and probably borrowed from Ricken or Miriel ("Take this!" or "Ha!" or something along those lines) - fire, which was the only element he had any luck with, and something it felt weird to draw upon still. It's not very effective, but given that his other choices were a magic candy cane which lured beasts over and pissed them off in the process and the direct approach, he wasn't in a hurry to charge into the midst of their claws and teeth with just a mundane sword in his hand and a battlecry on his lips.

This was what Chrom had been for.]

[praises]

[ Relying on his instincts has come with an impossibly steep learning learning curve. Being conscripted was unsettling, being stripped of his best chances at fighting back is even more so. While his reflexes are good, even if suppressed by his own mana, it's nothing like the constant feed of quantum technology that he's used to in a battle. It takes him back to the dismal Earth streets, blades and gunfire and laughter echoing in alleyways where no one cared to look. Allelujah has to remind his other self that now isn't the time for shady echoes of a memory.

It's time to drive home one those daggers he'd picked up along the way before the first monster breaks their line. That they can both get behind. Allelujah ducks in the face of the creature Hux's blaster had clipped, positioning himself between it and his teammate. Having only a ranged weapon would mean bad news if it closed in. It charges with a flourish of its teeth and collides against his raised shield, making him skid back on the grimy stone floor.

All the commotion makes the torches on the wall flicker violently, but several more reptilian outlines are visible through their fire and Gaius's. ]

Get back!

[ Speed will be key. They have no where else to retreat to but endless hallways. ]

And go for the seams in the armor!

[ If it means letting his ally shoot while his back is turned, he'll have to take the risk. Hallelujah concentrates his attention upwards. The throat, Allelujah. Drain it. Allelujah reaches for a dagger — this thing reeks, and the sooner he can get out of close quarters with it, the better. ]

2

[praises]

[ Once they'd achieved some sort of vague and mostly workable rhythm in dispatching the lizardmen, it'd come down to a blend of higher intelligence, faster attacks, and fortitude of the olfactory variety. Which says nothing about their state now that they've been up close and personal with a battalion of smelly lizard monsters, but he supposes just being alive with all their limbs counts for something in the end.

And also why, on entering the gateway to the higher levels, Allelujah thinks that the sudden sight of pristine pools of water are too good to be true. Coming to a stop, he glances between the reservoirs flanking the passage. It's an eerie calm, but not an entirely sacrificial one. ]

I'll go.

[ Being the one with the shield, and all. ]

[powerdriven]

[ Say that it doesn't to any bunch of buffoons willing to plunge headfirst into an ambush by monsters, why don't you? Surely there'd still be someone out there attesting that it was brave. Levi, on the other hand, tends to think having their limbs after that struggle is what they make of it. (Let's just hope they find that damn mana core.)

For now, he has to agree that the water doesn't look half bad given the sight, and the smell, of the basement. But he prefers the suggestion that they might test it first, and so he lingers behind wordlessly, watching Allelujah go.

His eyes skirt the surface of the pools, then pause, uncertain if he's seen movement. ]

[convictionary]

Hold on.

[This would be the point in which practicality intervened. Pretty much everything up until this point had been trying to kill them in some way, shape, and form and...really, he might be paranoid. But a not paranoid on some level thief tended to be a dead one sooner opposed to later, and everything about this moment screamed trap. Look: the pristine waters, the lack of things obviously trying to kill them, the lack of an obvious prelude to a slaughter. Levi could massacre things with a toothpick and his teeth. Gaius preferred to creep around them.

And he had a nasty tasting candy cane.

This is why he walked a solid distance away from the others, took out his nasty as hell candy cane, grimaced, licked it (the fact it tasted like the asscrack of...you know was still a vile betrayal), tossed it on the ground, and hurried back, shouting,]

You got three minutes, make it count!

[This probably made no sense to anyone except for him.]

[endoftherepublic]

[Hux does not want to admit that he perhaps used too much mana. There had been one ice spell he had used towards the end of that ambush when a Trandoshan had gotten a bit too close, and he had reacted again without calculated intent behind it, casting the spell on the creature in a kneejerk reaction. Thus, he had used up too much mana for the spell. It had allowed him to get away from that brief moment unscathed, but had left him feeling drained and tired. He can recognize the signs, despite never having experienced them himself before--he's done enough reading to acknowledge it.

So the once reaching the area, it's a marginal relief to find the room empty. Not that it signals any kind of safety. Hux straightens a bit, tightening his shoulders against the exhaustion as Allelujah steps into the room and, after his comrades do as well, Hux follows. Allelujah and Levi's actions Hux can make sense of. Gaius's actions, on the other hand? Hux does not follow.

That is, until several large creatures come slithering out of those pools. Hux's eyes widen, stumbling back away from them as they make a beeline to where Gaius had been moments earlier, to wherever he had dropped what he dropped. His eyes jerk, briefly, to Gaius--three minutes, was it? In that case, they have very little time for experiment. Also, they should find their exit while they still can. Hux glances over at the only otoher door--are those teeth? Hux moves away from the pools, yet unaware of their mana replenishing properties, and heads towards the door at a quick clip. On the way he stoops to grab a discarded stick on the floor and holds it out in front of him as he steps within range. Half a moment later, he'll jerk slightly as that mouth chomps down hard on that stick, easily breaking it in half.]

Well. That will prove a minor obstacle. [dryly, mostly to himself, but easy enough to hear.]

[convictionary]

Kinda wish I tossed it in there.

[Hindsight's 20/20. He's got nothing besides witty banter at this second, and suddenly wondering what would've happened if he tossed that fucking candy from two nights ago in there.

...]

You still got that candy, soldier?

[...

No, that's probably a bad idea but still one which came to mind.]

...nah, let's come up with something better.

[praises]

[ One alarming thing had become two alarming things in a matter of seconds. Did everything in here have teeth? Hallelujah begins to chime in and Allelujah quickly suppresses that line of thought. He can leave the curiosity for another day.

However, while Hux is immediately draw to the door (the smartest option, probably), Allelujah is still interested in the pools of water, now disturbed and lapping at the edges of the room. He'd been closest to them when the reptiles had come charging out the water, spraying mist and droplets every which way. Most pattered harmlessly against his shield, but the few that made contact with his skin made him feel different. Thankfully, not the "dubious candy" kind of different. ]

Wait.

[ Approaching the edge, he sets his shield down on its axis in front of him, just in case this thing had any more lizards to cough up. Carefully, he leans forward and submerges one of his hands. So far, so good. No teeth. ]

This is mana. Or... I believe it is.

3

[endoftherepublic]

[After the Trandoshans and the other creatures that looked somewhat like Colo Claw Fish except they breathed fire, really the snakes weren't that much of a surprise. They were easier to kill, anyway, though the number of them did prove a challenge. Hux is just glad when they're all dead. What he's not particularly glad about is the instructions on the scroll in this singularly lavish room.

Hux scowls, picking his way around the snake corpses as he moves back towards the statue, rereading the scroll quickly one more time before reaching for the needle and chord.]

Well. I suppose there's nothing for it. [he turns to sit on a nearby chest, starting to unravel some of the chord to thread through the needle] Start taking out their eyes and let's get this necklace finished as quickly as possible. [without asking for preferences on how anyone else feels about this job allotment l o l]

[praises]

[ Allelujah is sitting on a salamander. Why? Because in trying to give one a taste of its own medicine by cramming its own tail into its mouth, he'd realized that the effect of its own flame on itself was... noteworthy. Grim, but noteworthy enough to take one to a safer location to cook sheared off bits of meat with.

So one can imagine exactly how thrilled he looks at the prospect of snake eyeballs from atop his unconscious reptilian perch.

(Read: not very thrilled at all.) ]

Really, I wouldn't be surprised to hear that the term "draconian" originated here.

[powerdriven]

[ The snakes, although numerous, weren't so much of a problem on their own. After all, they fortunately lack the ability to wield weapons like their other reptilian companions. Where they make up for it, on the other hand, is in their venom. He cannot help but stress they avoid being snared by those fangs, above all else, unless they want to bite the overworked bullet here and now. And considering it is their only method of defense, you could say that he's even surprised when it all turns out for the best.

But somehow it does, and now there's another matter to deal with. ]

Ha ha.

[ He's not laughing. He's saying "ha ha."

And after having examined the scroll for himself briefly, that's all that it takes for Levi to drop unceremoniously to his knees beside a smattering of snake corpses. He reaches for a dagger, lost at the hands of the inside out salamander Allelujah sits atop, and steadies a snake to dig the blade into. It isn't exactly pretty, but he does try to be careful lest he damage the eyes as he attempting to scoop them out.

...Perhaps his companions are having are having a harder time with the prospect of this offering to Gladia. The fact that he goes straight for it doesn't mean he likes it, but it is what it is. ]

[convictionary]

[...well, fuck them all. He's not going to even bother with the poetic introspection. This job doesn't deserve any fucking poetic introspection. Instead, he's going to sit on a different chest, one that's closer to the snake eye team, and gesture for Hux to pass the damn needle and thread-]

I'm good with this sort of thing.

[Handicrafts or skewering snake eyes on string or what? Don't make him elaborate. Assuming that Hux doesn't fight him for the honor of doing so he's going to be the asshole who starts stringing 'em.

...

And if Hux does fight him for the honor then he's just going to be like oh, okay, be my guest and join Team Snake Eye Disemboweling Squad, so his next actions kind of depends on what happens next. Either way, fuck this job it deserves no poetry nor prose.]

[endoftherepublic]

[Hux arches an eyebrow up at Gaius as he sits and holds a hand out for the string.]

You have experience in crafting jewelry out of animal body parts?

[Was it a joke? Was it a legitimate question? Hard to tell, considering the lack of change in Hux's features. However, he does pass over the needle and thread. Sure, buddy. Have fun.]

[convictionary]

Actually? Probably more than you do.

[...

Which doesn't say much, really, but putting it like that makes for so many oh so dire implications. Real answer: not really, but seeing Hux struggle with a needle for five minutes would probably drive him nuts.]

Any of you know why they'd want a necklace made out of eyes or think it's just part of the ambiance?

4

[powerdriven]

[ By now they've fought their way through smelly, infested catacombs, pools full of fire-breathing lizard abominations, and giant poisonous snakes. It's about time they catch a break, right? Wrong. Being hasty never helped anyone, let alone those unlucky enough to be cast as Blanc's heroes, and Alfersa is waiting for them within the temple's final chamber. Not to say that any of them had their hopes up for a quick swipe and run. Levi certainly didn't, considering the precedence that been set thus far, but when the meeting kicked off to the tune of a giant serpent knocking down temple walls, one would think that what they had to do next would stand to reason.

They would fight. Unfortunately, Moura and her snake would set the tone of how they did it by virtue of the latter's size. To whatever formation they've chosen to take, the snake disrupts it by crashing bodily through their defenses. Though the reason for that cannot alone be determined by Levi's decision to focus on the serpent first, as it seems to be taking action in order to cater to Moura's banter—Moura, who laughs and laments that Gladia favors the "pretty ones," then turns ninety degrees to rush Allelujah with the multitude of snakes in her hair making to strike. From its descent that dangerously shakes the ground, the serpent attempts to block the efforts of the rest, to allow Moura her rage against him.

Perhaps, Hux's long range might better intercept, but Levi doesn't stop to order them around one by one. He assumes the stance that he'll take down this annoying giant, and they can take care of the rest, and so he doesn't waste his time. ]

Kill her. [ After all, like all dumb monsters, those snakes aren't much without her... ]

[ Levi can thank their time spent camping out for his energy; he doesn't withhold any mana for a chance to mount the snake with his magic while its master is busy.

Poor mistake, serpent. Or perhaps not. It thrashes for Gaius and Hux enough to put up a fight despite it, but it's Levi's sword, fit for shearing the tough skin of titans, that digs into its neck and holds him in place. Unfortunately, those scales are too still too thick for him to reach its spine. ]

[endoftherepublic]

[Hux, for one, doesn't mind the fact that this strange woman seems intent on Allelujah. There's more space in this chamber to maneuver, more so than with their other encounters, and he'll take full advantage of that. When the giant serpent had burst through the wall, it had knocked over quite a bit of rubble, thus providing Hux with a spot that could prove as a temporary perch. Whatever formation they had was quickly broken, anyway, so he's booking it over to the rubble and quickly finding some a broken chunk of wall to step behind.

Once there, he flicks the small switch on the side of his blaster and a moment later, the barrel extends with a mechanical whirring sound, lengthening, a triangular telescopic sight flipping up on top for Hux to use to aim. Once the transformation to sniper mode is complete, Hux rests the now elongated barrel on top of the wall, shifting the butt of the gun onto the flat of his shoulder to look down the sight.

"Kill her," Levi had said. Well, it's not a bad idea in Hux's estimation. The amount she's moving around makes aiming a bit difficult, and Hux has to be judicious with these next bullets. He's starting to run low. He lifts his head, briefly, before ducking down to readjust the gun. He waits for a moment, breathes in, and takes a shot at her head.

It's not a bad shot by any estimation. In fact, all things considered, it was a rather good one. However, as it stands, it missed her. Well. It missed where Hux was intending to hit her, really. Apparently those serpents that make up this woman's hair are intelligent enough to notice where other outside attacks are coming from, and one had whipped up into the path of the bullet, taking the hit instead of its master. It kills the serpant, sure, but unfortunately there are many more where that came from.

Hux curses under his breath as he lifts his head from the sight. Well, that didn't work.]

She's too well-guarded! If we want to get to her, we'll need to get rid of her hair first! [once they're gone, he can easily hopefully get in a good shot. But for now, if he spends all his time killing off her hair, he won't have enough bullets left to take the woman herself out.]

[convictionary]

Maybe we could trade a date with our friend here for a clear shot!

[He's not serious, but he's not the only one who heard the part about the pretty ones, right? Meanwhile, he's...joining in, doing some hacking, going for some slashing, trying to think of a plan, glad that he'd never have to do this at home, at least. (And then, a few years later, he'll be standing on the back of a dragon going, "...ah. Right.")]

Oh Gladia, can you smite our enemy for us? [Hahaha, yeah, right. (Unbeknownst to him he had a temporary resistance to poison.)] Cast divine lightning or- gods! [That was an attempt at a dropsnake just now onto his head, one which would be frantically warded away with a fucking torch (actually, not a bad idea in general.)]

[praises]

[ This could have gone a lot of ways, and naturally, it goes the way he least enjoys. In a sea of generally unenjoyable things. Moura's laughter rings to the vaulted ceiling above them, and it serves as the last warning to her sudden onslaught. Against him. Allelujah barely has time to register her proclamation before she's descended her reptilian perch to take a lunge at him that he almost doesn't avoid. ]

Our prayers? You've got this all wrong!

[ She whirls on him as an answer, her hair brandishing in a fiery flare of gold and red, taking a cut at him with the flat of her hand. No weapons, save her beasts — he immediately recognizes her fighting style as some kind of martial art. She leaps backwards, heels hitting a coil of her serpent while it attacks elsewhere, and vaults off at him as if she doesn't have to obey gravity. Almost like the Airy's inhabitants he faced off with. Her aggression rattles him, but he manages to keep pace with her attacks by what seems like sheer instinct. His heels slide back when she takes a kick at his balance, shield raising to glance her fists away from him. Moura's serpentine hair is becoming the real problem as she tries to close in on him, the independent creatures snapping their jaws at angles he can't entirely read. If Hux's missed shots are anything to go by, he's not the only one. He grits his teeth.

Allelujah still has two daggers left, but he's only raised his shield to her. Like this, shield grind him down in no time, but he doesn't immediately take the offensive against her. She lulls to momentarily lament her goddess, her unanswered prayers, taking on a melancholy blue. Allelujah stops too. ]

This... isn't right.

[ Something had happened to her to make her this way. And yet — he visibly flinches.

So what? You're going to lay down and die for this woman? Take a look around you! ]

No! That's not it!

[ Has he stopped fighting to seemingly talk to himself? That's sure what it looks like. Moura rears back to rejoin her serpent companion.

I'll do it, if you won't. Just like old times, partner.

In the stillness, he smiles. ]

[convictionary]

[And all he can think in that moment - the stillness, the fact Allelujah stopped moving, the half-moon smile cutting through the gloom like a sliver in the night, the silence is-]

Cripes, the dastard's snapped.

[Or is feeling altruistic...? Please don't sacrifice your snakeginity (he hopes) for the sake of the team, alright?]

[powerdriven]

[ They never could go down easy, could they. The same goes for Moura's pet, whom Levi can't get a decent stab at. The vulnerable parts are the most difficult to reach for a reason, it seems, and it turns out it's a good thing he'd taken to this thing's back if the way it lunges its fangs for the less-concealed Gaius is any indication. But now that it's a wash and his head's going in circles from the ride, he's not gonna waste anymore time. He rips the blade out of its back and takes to the floor again and to the rescue of his teammate, holding its jaws stuck by the force of swords that pierce its open mouth.

The serpent recoils, but only just in time for the next inconvenience. That is, Allelujah and whatever's going on with him. To be fair, the one-sided conversation does give him good reason to side with Gaius on this, but unfortunately, they can't waste time on piddling it together. That giant's coming back faster than ever and this time? The ground is going with it in a few places. ]

For fuck's sake. [ Under his breath, but not inaudible as he prepares to meet it. ] Cover him!

[ What a bad time to go totally crazy. Where he's concerned, it happens all the time. ]