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

[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.

[powerdriven]

[ He won't ask for admissions on mana expenditures, considering he's been skirting that line himself in perhaps a few too many missions thus far. This one is not quite an exception, but he's been putting forth effort enough by staying on his feet, and the leeway gives him the familiar sense that he should put his ability to use. He stays on the alert, closing in on Allelujah's back—but Gaius seems to have the same kind of an idea, before whatever is lurking in those waters ever willfully decides to show its face to them. And with an uproar of the moving water, more lizard creatures throw themselves for his offering.

Once Levi figures it out, he won't question the candy for long... yeah, see, there was a guy he met here early on who said he'd been given a box of exploding chocolates to fight with. There's probably some meaning in there somewhere, that a country like Blanc had deemed magic candy a part of their history. But that's not important now. He can see they've got quite a trap on their hands.

Mana-giving water? They might be able to use it, but Levi tends to prioritize they get on to the next room first. He takes on the shallow edge of the pools, soaking his boots as he goes toward the mass of reptiles scavenging Gaius' candy cane. Nodding his head to Allelujah on the way, he urges him to the door. ]

They'll be plenty of that for later. Hurry and figure out a way to get through that door. After three minutes, I'll bide you your time.

[ Later such as, grabbing a bottleful of it on his way out, if they can manage it. He won't make assumptions yet, but it may be an easier feat after he's killed these guys, as well. ]

[endoftherepublic]

[the discovery that the pool is mana immediately takes Hux's attention away from the door and swings it back around to said pools, which he starts walking towards despite Levi's instructions to figure out a way to keep the door open. He's already got an idea for that, anyway. His eyes flick over to Allelujah's shield, pulling off his gloves as he reaches the edge of the pool, before crouching down to stick his hands in the water.

The relief is immediate, though it doesn't change the expression on his face, calculating.] Allelujah, do you think you can use your shield to brace open those teeth long enough for us to slip through?

[praises]

[ Allelujah takes what he can get while he can get it; Malakim is powerful but it'd left him feeling dangerously low. Having that edge back needed to continue fighting if necessary, Allelujah is righting himself to follow his allies' lines of reasoning. Coming to a stop outside of the toothy door, still looking as though it's just itching to come down on something else, he looks uneasy for a moment, but also more determined. ]

It's time to see what Blanc's weapons are made of, I suppose.

[ Losing it now would spell trouble for them, but having seen its capabilities so far, he's willing to bet on it. Unclasping it from his arm, he hits the trigger for its winged configuration and holds it vertically to hopefully gain more room for them. His own voice carves through his head.

What a nasty piece of work! Go on. Do it quick. ]

All right.

[ Almost to himself, and yet not quite — Allelujah rears back and gives the door a solid crack with the shield. Incensed, it yawns wide, teeth bared, just enough to where Allelujah can jam Malakim lengthwise into its open jaws. There's a slew of ugly sounds, teeth grating on metal, but it holds, if not a little unevenly.

Eat that. ]

[convictionary]

Surprised that worked.

[Although he gives the candy cane (with increasingly spluttering mana) a glance, wistful, having the deep suspicion that later on he'll have to backtrack and get it later, but...he can manage that later. Pain in the godsdamned ass, but nothing he wasn't used to at this point.]

Anything else we need? [He should probably shove his head in the pool. But...nah, he'll be fine. (He probably won't be fine.) He'll settle for grabbing a sucker from one of his many pockets and shoving it into his mouth barring some kind of remark like, "Nah, we're good, take your time, go dunk your head in the water for five minutes."]

[powerdriven]

[ Well, all right, he'll just stare these guys down for nothing then. Thanks, guys Hux.

That said, no express response to his words doesn't necessarily lead him to believe his teammates won't follow them. Rather, the more he sees them pass wasted seconds on the goddamn water, the more he concludes he should simply do as he pleases. Without the consultation.

Hopefully any dawdling won't take long. Or is it worth it to them to prep for battle with the water even if they've got no real idea of what to expect? If nothing else, he'll take Allelujah preparing to jam the door with his shield as a good sign. And in the meantime, with the monsters still stuck in the thick of Gaius' trap, he'll stop waiting around. For the record? That means ambushing them now, which does plenty get their attention.

The first one may be too dead to complain, though a second salamander has just revealed its hand, breathing a stream of fire in Levi's direction. He scarcely dodges, deciding it high time to try again with the team. ]

Move it already!

[ These aren't so bad, right... but what if that shield doesn't hold up. What if they've got more incoming once they smell the blood of the first group on the water. Just do it. ]

[endoftherepublic]

[np, Levi. Hux pushes to his feet as Levi goes over to stab the first one, so he's at least upright by the time its decided that the creatures need a better distraction from Gaius's....weapon???? His eyes narrow slightly as Levi attacks, but he'll be moving for the door rather swiftly--he really doesn't want to fight them if he doesn't have to. Better to conserve bullets, if he can, considering that the pool didn't fully refill his mana--there wasn't time for that. It was just enough to give him a boost of energy which, well...it's something.]

That was the plan, yes. [mildly annoyed, jeez, Levi.]