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

[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. ]

[powerdriven]

[ You don't have to sound so unsettled about it, Hux. Then again, subtlety was a precarious angle to take when hoping his comrades would take his cue. There's little time to allow them the advantage, if they're not already on the right path. So why not spell it out—in whatever way he can? Levi certainly won't take the time given the approaching threat, and it seems that when it counts, Hux feels the same way.

After all, they do both take a similar, offensive action. In which it should be noted that "surrounded" was no understatement. The reptiles encroach from both sides, and Hux (followed quickly by Allelujah) has the rear. Thus, from the front of the herd, Levi's attack is by blade. And by magic that gives his instincts physical form, he ducks and twists from the incoming backstabbing to slice through an exposed joint. It casts both a portion of the lizard's arm and its weapon to the ground, gives him a chance to move in for the kill.

Only meanwhile, his peripheral attempt to keep track of the fight at his back distracts him from making it as clean as he'd hoped. ]

Back where?! [ Seems they've really got no choice but to mow through one side of these guys—though forget the time to talk.

The creature thrashes against his blade, and its allies from ahead are coming up fast as Levi struggles to dislodge it. What a bloody mess. ]

[endoftherepublic]

[It is good at Allelujah steps in when he does. Hux is alright in hand to hand combat, but again...simulations. He also doesn't want to be as rattled as he is by this ambush. His first spray of bullets had been more a kneejerk reaction rather than a good offensive maneuver.

Hux grits his teeth, sucking in a breath, mentally cursing himself. This happened at the last ambush, but this time there's nowhere to hide in order to regroup, and no high ground to remove himself from the chaos and be a sniper. He'll have to pull himself back together here and now which he should be able to do because he's a general, which he reminds himself of, internally, in harsh tones that perhaps sound like his father. He didn't earn that rank by being weak. Nor is he going to survive this by relying only on his teammates' prowess. He can't get to higher ground in this one. He'll have to shoot where he stands.

Hux swallows and readjusts his blaster, this time taking half a second to aim better. Cracks in the armor? It's a sound idea, and he briefly considers it. It is a vulnerability yes...but there are other parts even more vulnerable. Hux adjusts his aim, trying to put his focus only on this shot, breathes out.....and shoots the Trandoshan on the other side of Allelujah's shield right through the eye. The gun, fortunately, has very little recoil, so Hux is only pausing long enough (a split second) to watch the bullet bore through the creature's eye and back out of it's skull, taking that half of its face (and it's brain) with it, before turning his attention to the next one advancing on them from the rear.]

[convictionary]

[Meanwhile, his magic enchanted weapon is fucking useless for this situation, so instead Gaius is shamelessly crutching on his teammates' prowess (hey, one of them has no shame) and dodging like hell while emitting a steady stream of curses which sound like a bunch of suggestions as to what Teddy could do with the lizard tails when they were done.

Out flicks another burst of magic - wind - and with it the incantation of Teddy sodomizing himself with...you get the idea. It wasn't as useful as the fire. (Why did fire come so easily to him, he'd wonder.) It distracted the lizard long enough for him to shove his sword in the joints much like his comrades and just- he wasn't meant for this.]

Anybody see a rock we could drop on the dastards?

[If only it was that easy.] Or can one of you conjure up a windstorm and blow the whole lot of 'em away?

[praises]

[ Good thing he's used to beam rifle discharge at alarmingly close distances, or the blaster fire so close to his face would be nerve-wracking. As it is, Allelujah doesn't find his trust misplaced as the rounds start to find their targets — enough to where Allelujah can maintain an upper hand by finishing the things off with his stolen daggers. Their throats and undersides are soft and succumb to blades more easily than their scales and armor.

Allelujah dislikes it, fighting to kill. But it's all he's ever been good at.

With a blade lodged somewhere in the hollow of one of the lizardmen's throats, he slings it aside in a splatter of blood and drops the body. There are still more slithering in, meaning they're outnumbered in an already messy fight.

Then, a good idea comes from an unlikely source. (Sorry, Gaius, he was only half listening to your cursing.) ]

I can! [ Well, sort of. Malakim's ability was... fussy. ] But we have to know which path to take! If we don't have an escape route —

[ Cut off, Allelujah brings his shield up against the crack of a sword. He'd projected his voice towards Levi, who'd been scorching their known paths with magic. If anyone had an idea of where to go first, it'd be him. ]

[powerdriven]

[ Once you do it enough, you start forgetting about how much you dislike fighting to kill, you know? It becomes second nature. And sometimes it has to happen. He hasn't allowed himself to stop and evaluate it yet, at least not when it's monsters that are getting the brunt of it. There's a reason he's been keeping track of their path—the same reason that he won't hesitate to bring these reptile stalkers to their ends. It's how they'll survive.

In this instance, Levi salvages his upper hand with the risky decision to adapt. If he can't release the lizard that's bleeding out in time, his sword caught in the vice of its torn scales, then he'll use its body as a shield before its comrades come to overtake him. Though neither does this come easy. Unsupportive in his efforts, seizing as it struggles to breath through a cut throat, he must lift the creature in its whole, burdening weight, which proves to be a task easier before his transition to strength governed by mana. He can't respond before he's thrown it into the two ahead like a battering ram and his blade dislodges with a nasty sound.

Albeit, covered in lizard blood and given half the chance to at last, that chance comes at the hand of enemies momentarily disabled. Levi's breath is coming hard, but he won't wait for them to get back up. The path they should take is ahead of them. ]

You wanna make a lucky guess? Because there's only one way left to go.

[ Which he's now pointing to with his sword: a path split three ways down the corridor he's facing—before taking a hint from Hux and jamming it into one fallen lizard's eye. ]

[endoftherepublic]

[In all honesty, Hux has never had any sort of problem with fighting to kill. Which is why he's not dwelling on it at all right now as he shoots another Trandoshan in the face. In fact, if the situation didn't seem so dire right now, he might even be getting a sense of satisfaction as the back of the creature's head explodes from the force of the bullet going through its cranium.

At the moment, however, there isn't the time. He fires off two more rounds, one to drop the Trandoshan in front of Allelujah's shield, and another in an attempt to take out one approaching from their left. Unfortunately, this one manages to shift just as Hux fires, and the bullet instead grazes its cheek.]

Whatever you're going to do, I suggest--[snapped, and here a brief pause as Hux readjusts his aim and shoots at the one he just missed, the bullet this time striking its intended target, causing another one to drop]--you do it quickly!

[praises]

[ That's all Allelujah needs to hear. Using the momentum created by his teammates, he ducks under a charging lizard and jams one the daggers up into its snout — with any luck, that shattering he feels in his palms is the blade piercing up through its skull. He quickly shoves it aside, leaving the dagger, and moves through to the front of their party with a speed that seems ill-suited to his size. More lizards seem to be at their backs now that they've fought their way to the interior corridor. ]

Go and get behind me! This won't get all of them!

[ Allelujah is still inexperienced at finer control, but he'll have to make it work if they're going to make a break for it. His weapon starts to glow, its sides bursting up as if growing wings. While the bright blue gem at its center helps measure its magic, the drain on his mana is instant.

Winds begin to gather around the shield in bright arcs, lining up to take the shot that'll buy them an escape route. ]

[powerdriven]

[ In the same motion that he retracts his blade, blood no longer staunched pooling freely, he twists with the momentum to smash the other creature to the wall with his boot before it can get back up. Its abdomen proves softer, less protected than the hardier scales of its back, and the force provides a noise of cracking ribs that amend Levi to depriving it its final mercy as Allelujah reaches his side.

They'll need to move quickly indeed. The horde would say as much. And he, at least, intends to avoid being caught in the friendly fire enough to pull ahead. But that still leaves them no further in the decision between paths, and as much as taking off on an escape route now would give him the upper hand, that would mean abandoning Allelujah to the failure or success of his spell.

Antsy, he grabs his gut feeling and takes a look through the middle corridor, tries to talk over the shot. ]

Well? [ This one? Objections? ] The unlucky few are all doomed if we split up.

[ So, you know. No pressure or anything. ]