pawnstorm | DUNGEON ♛ SALAMANCA TEMPLE

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DUNGEON ♛ SALAMANCA TEMPLE

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[it's been two months and NO ONE KNOWS about Kid yet, someone has to find out eventually]

What? 'Course not. That's my lack of a professional opinion; I dunno how to value giant gemstones.

[just what do you think he is!! also plz unless that stone glows red underneath the moonlight he doesn't want it]

You'd have to take it to an expert jeweler in order to get it properly appraised.

[ MAYBE IT DOES GLOW, it's from a magic dungeon. It could glow. All Asuna knows is it's big and pretty.

Her eyes narrow even more. It's too late, there's something WEIRD about him saying he's never seen it in person. ]

Ah, I see. So, a magician like yourself wouldn't see gemstones like this unless you were very famous.

[ She lifts it and turns it in her hands slowly, pointedly not looking at him. ]

[. . . A STRIKE TO HIS PRIDE. he scoffs, but doesn't let it get the best of him. while Asuna examines the gem in her hand, he begins to take a look at the rest of the treasure laid out at their feet]

Very famous, or very rich. Of which I am neither. [he grumbles as he crouches down to pick up a few pieces of gold] My old man was the famous one, not me. Ha! But don't worry.

[and the confident grin returns]

I'll be even more famous than he was one day.

[ A look into the life of Kaito. She wasn't expecting that since she can tell Kaito kind of hides himself in some ways with smiles and excuses like "being adaptable."

She stops looking over the gem and over at him. Is he honest or humble? She can't tell.

... Nevermind. ]

Your magic is a family business, then?

[ She's STILL NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THE SCROLL OR STATUE..... ]

[maybe a little bit of both in an attempt to continue covering up his misstep]

It is. My dad was a performing magician before me, and I sorta fell into his footsteps.

[there sure is a lot of past tense going on, here. but before she can ask about it, should she desire to do so, Kaito stands up again and nods at the stone in her hands]

Are you gonna take that with you?

Huh?

[ A train of thought that was definitely heading into 'why is he using past tense' stops in its tracks and she looks down at the huge gem in her hands. ]

... I'd like to. If I sell it, I'm sure I would get a lot of colle but when you take treasures from places like this, isn't it usually a trap?

[and the subject change tactic is a success yet again]

This is the first dungeon I've ever been in, so I honestly haven't got a clue.

[he's meandering his way towards the Gladia statue now]

[ She'll come back to it later.

Carefully, Asuna sets the giant gemstone back down where she found it. She makes sure it's in exactly the right position so nothing bad happens. ]

It's my first dungeon, too. [ She doesn't count the snowball fight as one, really.

But Asuna follows him to the statue and looks up at it. ]

This is huge! I wonder how long it took to make. [ More snakes carved at the feet, huh? She sighs heavily, brow furrowed. ]

I don't like all these reptiles...

So you're playing it safe, huh?

[not that he can blame her, honestly. this temple had been enough of a death trap already. asking for more of that was just a bad idea all around. although, that considered, the thought of grabbing a fancy gemstone on the way out of the dungeon is awfully temping]

[he glances at the scroll seated atop a nearby raised pedestal. then at the cord and needle lying nearby. interesting. . . his brows furrow, and he reaches out for said scroll, though he doesn't touch it just yet]

I've gotta say, I never had anything against lizards or snakes before this stupid temple. But I s'pose I'll have to believe you now when you say you aren't afraid of 'em.

[ Look, she doesn't want to be the reason they fall through another HOLE IN THE FLOOR ALRIGHT. She just narrows her eyes at him. Playing it safe or playing it smart. She won't grace that with a reply since it seems rhetorical anyway. In their first dungeon, they should play it safe.

Alfersan goddesses may get mad.

Meanwhile, Kaito is reaching out to touch scrolls... and Asuna SCOWLS at him. ]

I'm not afraid of them. [ A pause. ] When they're as big as they've been in this dungeon, they're not really lizards anymore. Especially the ones that move around like us.

[it was rhetorical, so her lack of a response doesn't bother him. although her question does get him to stop right before he grabs the scroll, with his hand hovering only an inch or two away from it]

Not lizards anymore, huh. . . [a beat] Then what would you call them instead?

... Why are you asking me?

[ She's thinking about it though, staring at the snakes carved into the statue. ]

Lizardman, I guess.

Lizardmen.

[snrks and scoops up the scroll, unraveling it while he speaks]

The word "lizard" is still in there, it's close enough.

[but then he falls silent as his eyes dart across the parchment, reading the poem contained within]

[ Asuna's cheeks redden but she also frowns. This is why she didn't WANT HIM TO ASK HER. She doesn't want to think of monster names for their enemies. It's not like they'll see them again, right? ]

If you have something better, please share with the rest of us.

[ Only he seems pretty preoccupied with that scroll there, yeah. She stands in her spot quietly for a bit and then walks over, standing next to him that their shoulders brush. ]

What is it?

Lizardman is a good word for it. Let's go with that one.

[he then begins to read the parchment's poem aloud]

Lay your misfortune down,
By staring into their eyes.
May the goddess of renown,
Bless you with her prize.

[a beat]

Huh. It's a riddle.

[there's. a scratching noise coming from the statue]

[ A riddle? Well, she likes things like this. This one is a bit more cryptic and she recites it in her head a few more times until the scratching catches her attention.

Scratching doesn't usually come with riddles... and it never means anything good.

Slowly, she looks towards where the noise is coming from and spots a snake coming from the nose like some LIVING BOOGER.

Asuna taps on Kaito's shoulder over and over, silent. ]

[engrossed in the riddle, Kaito doesn't pick up on the noise or the LIVING BOOGER oozing from Gladia's nose. he does, however, notice the incessant tapping]

Asuna-san, what the heck--

[and the incessant tapping causes him to look up just in time to see like fifty more snakes slither out from Gladia's eyes and nose and mouth and from behind her head and--]

[oh god]

[snakes]

[everywhere]

-- you could've just yelled "snakes!"

[he clutches the parchment tightly in his hand, jerking back from the statue as he does so. and instinctively, his hand reaches for his yo-yo]

[ She was going to point out the problem but he finds it pretty quickly.

Snakes ~~on a plane~~ in a dungeon.

More are even coming out and she swallows down a squeak of terror. Why... WHY THIS ]

No, I couldn't have!

[ Her jaw was clenched shut so she didn't scream. Asuna jumps back too, getting away from the slithering reptiles and drawing her weapon. ]

I know the female warriors defeated a reptile race but isn't this a bit over the top?!

Apparently not!

[god and they're jumpy snakes, too. no sooner than they appeared do they lash out at Asuna and Kaito with their fangs. NOM NOM HERO BLOOD. Kaito swings his yo-yo around in an arc to knock them aside before those fangs can meet flesh]

But I think I'm getting a clear picture of what's going on, here!

[ He can tell what's going on? Besides hundreds of snakes filling up the room.

Because that's obvious. Asuna swats snakes away with the edge of her blade, NO HERO BLOOD FOR YOU. ]

Would you mind sharing with the rest of us?

[a snake winds its way around Kaito's leg, and he crouches down to grab it by the tail and yank it away. it whips around to snap at his wrist, but he sends the creature flying before it can actually draw any blood]

Didn't you read-- about Gladia!

[the yo-yo lashes out again. more snakes go flying]

And how she would bless people's journeys!

[someone was studying up on Enprise mythology before coming here]

[ Realization dawns on her face. Someone else is ALSO A NERD. Aren't Kija and Yata lucky ]

Snake eye necklaces! The riddle!

[ Is that what it was about? She's quick on the uptake, anyway. One snake lashes at her foot but she jerks it back and then steps on the head to keep it in place.

They have plenty of snakes at their disposal, that's for sure. ]

[THEY'RE SO LUCKY]

Exactly!

[. . .]

Wow, that's gross!

[he says, almost like it's an afterthought, because um. snake eye necklaces are really gross, especially since it means they're going to be gouging snake eyes out of these corpses once they're done. uuugh. with another swing of his weapon, Kaito flings even more of the creatures across the room. they're weak, but there are just. so many]

[ He doesn't have to say it YEAH IT'S GROSS. THIS ENTIRE DUNGEON IS A SPECIAL BRAND OF HELL.

She shoots him a flat look. After Lizardmen and Fire Salamanders, she can hardly react to this nonsense anymore. ]

Let's just get it over with.

[ First thing is first, they should stop any more snakes from coming out. Her eyes trail to the treasure and she sighs. WELP. ]

Help me plug the snake holes!

[ And she runs over to find something that can be shoved up a nose, into a mouth and into eyes, going through the gold and other treasures. ]

You got it!

[Kaito kicks at one last nearby snake before he crouches low and scoops up a handful of large gemstones. he then swings his yo-yo in a circle at his side, before he lets it fly at Gladia's statue. it wraps around one of the statue's arms, and with a quick tug, the yo-yo's string retracts much like that of a grappling hook, taking Kaito with it]

[he zips across the room and lands at the base of the statue in a crouch, flicking his wrist and freeing the yo-yo as he does so. and then, like Asuna, he begins to plug the eyes and nose and mouth of the statue with precious treasures]

[. . .]

[a snake totally falls on top of his head]

-- augh! What the hell?!

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