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

[Kaito swipes his torch at the approaching Alfersan Snakes, setting a couple alight, as Asuna runs her distraction plan and Yata delivers the final blow against the dungeon boss. it isn't until Moura breathes her last, settled on the stone floor in eternal peace, that the snakes finally back off and disappear back into their holes]

[Kaito lets out a shaky breath, lowering the flaming torch to his side, before he turns around to face the rest of his party]

Yata!

[oh god. was that-- was that stone? Kaito trots forward, torch falling from his fingertips, and comes to a halt next to Kija. concern is written all over his expression, because while poison is easy to combat. . . petrification isn't]

I don't-- I don't know. There's gotta be some kinda antidote for it.

[ They've won with combined effort and Asuna can feel her lips tug up in victory as Yata finishes the fight. The fireball dies in her hand too, no longer needed.

And then Yata is turned to stone.

Kija isn't the only one that freaks out, although Asuna's is a quiet version. She stays rooted to her spot, staring and not really comprehending what just happened. They won, right? Why is Yata like that?

For an Asuna who has never really lost someone she knows and has a bond with right in front of her, she's as still as stone too. ]

Healing. A healing spell. [ The way to counter magic is magic, right? Her feet finally move, a goal in mind. Use a healing spell. And she joins Kaito and Kija and touches the stone!Yata's shoulder to try and use healing magic with some of the last bits of her mana on him.

Nothing is happening. ]

[ Literally nothing is happening but now he might be stuck in this stupidly cool pose forever. Do you really want him to get better? ]

Will that work?! [ Kija mimics Asuna for a few seconds. He knows that he's clueless about magic, but he's really hoping that with the weird changes they've undergone in this world, he could manifest some sort of power if he simply believed it hard enough. Unfortunately, real life isn't a disney movie and none of that sort happens. ]

I cannot do it after all! [ He kind of expected that, but he still wanted to try. Kija tries to scope out other options. He isn't usually the man with the plan but he does try his best to pitch in whatever ideas he has. ]

Perhaps -- the snake woman's tome! [ Maybe that tome on status magic that continues to float above Moura's body might hold the solution to their predicament!! ]

Tome. . .?

[Kaito swivels around to face Moura's body. the movement nearly causes him to lose his balance as a dizzy spell descends upon him, and he sways to the side slightly as a result. but even that isn't enough to stop him. with his bearings regained, he utilizes that Pawn speed to practically glide him across the room. he's crouching down to scoop the tome on status effects into his hands before anyone can say "someone grab the book!"]

Let's see-- [he flips the book open and begins to scan the pages. god, he wishes he could read faster] Poison, silence, paralysis, sleep. . . whoa, this thing is detailed-- wait!

[a note of triumph laces his voice as he points at the passage on petrify]

Right here! It says, "petrify may be reversed by a simple kiss on the lips."

Wait.

[he squints at the page, because certainly that can't be right?? this poison status effect must be blurring his vision or something]

. . . er, nope. That's right.

[someone's gonna have to pucker up, here]

[ She partly expected that it wouldn't work too but she had to try something. Her hand falls away. Quietly, ]

We'll bring you back.

[ Asuna tries to remember if she read anything about petrification in the library. Or was there a way to heal it when Medusa turned her victims to stone? What if he's stuck as stone forever?

There has to be someth-- a tome works. She stops to watch, inhaling sharply when Kaito wavers but sighing in relief when he rights himself. Everyone has really gotten messed up from this dungeon. This is only the first one they've been in. Will they get more difficult? She looks at Kija with a furrowed brow and sticky brown hair plastered to her cheeks. ]

Kija-san... what about you? Are you alright? [ Kaito obviously isn't feeling 100% either. But he's not stone.

He is nerding out over books tho. Stop nerding out over how detailed it is you nerd ]

[ No, wait. Stop everything right now. S TO P. What did he just say? ]

─Heh?

[ A simple kiss on the lips.

A kiss. Ki... ss.....

WHAT'S SIMPLE ABOUT THAT?

Don't look at her, you two. It's as if she has also been petrified. ]

Th-this is no time for jokes.

[ SWEATS ]

[ There you see him, sitting there across the way. He doesn't have a lot to say, but there's something about him. ]

I am fine. You do not have to worry. [ Her concern is well appreciated, and Kija acknowledges it with a nod of the head that's meant to be reassuring. True enough he still feels like throwing up, but in the face of what's going on around them he doesn't find it a priprity at all. They had to find a way to change Yata back, and fast. He couldn't stay like this forever!

When Kaito starts going through the book, Kija looks to him hopefully for an answer. It sounded like he knew what he's doing! The answer that comes, however, isn't what he had expected at all... ]

A-A kiss?! [ The thought makes Kija flush a little redder. It sounds completely unbelievable, too. What does kissing have to do with magic? How would it help at all?! He's gathered by now that Kaito enjoys kidding around, so he automatically assumes the same thing Asuna did. Also, it's just that inconceivable to him! ]

Please, now is not the time to be joking! [ He moves over to where Kaito is, peeking at the text, and ... true enough, that's exactly what it says. ] This is difficult to believe!

[Asuna gets a flat look]

Oi! Why would I joke around at a time like-- [hurk. a hand shoots to his mouth as he tries to swallow down the strong urge to throw up again. uuugh he needs an antidote, but he's going to have to worry about that later]

[when the feeling passes, he speaks up again]

-- at a time like this? [gestures to Kija, who read the text from over his shoulder]

Tell her I'm being serious.

[ Kija you do not look okay you look like you're changing from white dragon to green dragon tbh. She gives him a probing look but doesn't push it. ] Don't push yourself. [ Is all her warning is BECAUSE THE KISSING THING

IT EXISTS

Asuna stays in her spot because SHE IS LIVING STONE. Her eyes dart between Yata and Kaito/Kija a few times.

Kaito is also looking a little green. If either of them kiss Yata, they might get sick. Not that kissing Yata is sickening? Probably. what ]

I can hear you just fine! [ She's embarrassed so she replies hotly from her spot, stamping a foot.

]

... Kija-san, please check and see if he's serious.

[ Yata is hard as a rock.

Like, literally. He is a rock. ]

[ Kija reads through the page once more, and unfortunately, it's exactly as Kaito had said it. ] He ... He is being serious.

[ And the reluctant, nervous look on Kija's face should indicate that there's no way he's joking about this himself (not that Kija ever jokes about anything). Now, there's one other pressing matter that they ought to address.

Who's going to be the one to do it?? ] What shall we do now?

[ He definitely wants to help his friend, but it feels so inappropriate to kiss someone without their permission. Not to mention, it's so embarrassing!! HE DOESN'T WANT TO DO THIS, PASS. ]

[Kaito snaps the tome shut and tucks it underneath his arm. he's totally taking this with him, tyvm. he does, however, feel a small twinge of guilt as he glances over at Moura's corpse one last time. she might have been a "dungeon boss," and she might have been trying to kill them, but she was a sentient being, wasn't she. . .? did she feel pain? regret? fear, as she took her last breath? but he'll have to worry about that later]

[Yata's rock hard abs are more pressing right now. he shakes his head, dispelling the guilt from his mind almost immediately, and turns towards Asuna and Kija once again]

We can't just leave him like this, so someone's gonna hafta give the guy a kiss on the lips.

[and then, almost immediately]

Asuna-san?

[YATA IS NOT A CUTE GIRL KAITO PASSES TOO]

EEEEEH?!

[ SHES NOT BEING GIVEN A CHOICE?! ASUNA WANTS TO LOG OUT!!! ]

Wha-- me?! I...! [ Look, she wants to help Yata as much as Kija and Kaito but they don't understand. It's her first kiss. ITS HER FIRST KISS. HER MAIDEN HEART. It's not supposed to happen after defeating a dungeon boss and while being covered from head to toe in snake guts. It's not supposed to happen when the reason she's doing so is to save a friends life. ]

M-maybe the boss... since she did it...

[ MOURA IS DYING AND DEAD also no. And the way her heart is racing isn't from leftover adrenaline. ]

No, that will probably make things worse. Rrgh! [ PACING. It really has to be her. They can't leave him here while they look for someone willing. She looks at Kaito and Kija again. Then Yata. WHY IS IT ALWAYS YATA.... did those weird dreams actually mean something? She inhales deeply and then holds her breath. Okay. EXHALE and stare at her feet.

This could be worse. And she wants to help, she said she would bring him back. Making sure everyone makes it back alive is top priority. ]

I-if I do this, I want you two to promise me two things! Not a word will be said about it again. And another...

[ what is it ]

Don't you dare peek or watch.

Edited (don't look at me I'm phone tagging) 2016-03-28 05:24 (UTC)

[ SHALALALALALA MY OH MY ]

[ you can't log out from the thirsty lyfe

When Kaito brings up Asuna, Kija looks to her hopefully. Of course!! She'll save Yata!! He's still wondering if they're together, anyway, and if they are, he wouldn't want to kiss Yata in front of his gf!!

Once Asuna makes her request, Kija accedes to it immediately, bringing his hands to his eyes and turning away. It's the only way to save his homie gangster ... ]

Y-Yes, of course! Kaito, you turn away as well!

[LOOK AT THE GIRL TOO SHY]

I won't say a word.

[as easy as it may be to tease someone for this whole situation, Kaito says that earnestly. and when Asuna requests no one watch, he spins around to show her his back and bury his nose back in the tome picked up from Moura]

[you can do it Asuna!1 save our princess!!]

[ That's it then. SHE HAS no reason to refuse besides just not wanting to do it. Someone's life is more important than that. Her roommates life is...

When they both turn she faces the princess thug, gathering all her courage. Her first kiss is going to be one where the other person probably won't even remember. That's good, right? That means she'll be the only person who witnessed this. in that sense, it doesn't even really count.

Still, her heart is sinking. Not because Yata is the worst person in the world to kiss (she can think of others). She throws one more look to Kija and Kaito that's nervous and unsure, and then waits to wake up one last time in her bed in Q209. ]

Please work. [ She doesn't have to hold his shoulders or close her eyes but SHE DOES as she moves her face right in front of his. Then she leans forward...

If someone wants to peek she won't see it.....

Wait how should she do it? Quickly? Stay until he's back to normal? How much pressure? What kind of kiss does it have to be? It said simple but there's so many different types--

Nevermind her lips are touching his stoney ones. ASUNA IS KISSING YATA. This is probably what kissing a statue is like. ]

[ When she kisses him, it's like magic. No, it's exactly like magic. A small storm seems to circle the statue as the kiss softens Yata's body, chipping at the rock until there's nothing but flesh, and Yata isn't even totally aware of what's happening. He doesn't know Kija and Kaito have their backs turned. He doesn't know Asuna is kissing him, either.

So when he can fianlly move his face, Yata blinks blearily at the world. ]

Mm...

[ HE'S ALIVE. ]

[ And the romantic moment is ruined within seconds because as soon as Kija hears Yata's voice, he's rushing over to the aid of his short homie. Gripping one of his shoulders, Kija beams at him with excitement and relief. ]

It worked! Yata, you have returned to us! I was afraid you would remain petrified forever!

[ Where would they even put him ... ?? ]

[whirls around as soon as Kija does, relief flooding his expression. it worked]

Ha! I can't believe that worked. Welcome bac--

[he cuts himself off]

. . . h-hold that thought--

[. . . okay everyone else is going to have to do the "welcome back, Yata" thing because Kaito needs to brb to go be sick in the temple corner]

[POISON IS CATCHING UP WITH HIM]

[ damn it kija

But as soon as she hears (feels......against her mouth) Yata's mumble, her eyes openly widely and she steps back far enough that if someone were to look in on this group, Asuna would look like the odd one out. Which is fine.

Still, she does feel relief that he's okay too. That it wasn't for nothing. She can't believe that a kiss on the lips is a cure. It's like a fairy tale thing. Didn't that happen with a princess? Yata is a princess, hah. Haha.

Wait, does that make her his prince?

But a fist presses to her lips now and she's left blushing at the ground, only giving Kija a half-hearted scowl that he thought Yata would be petrified forever. She wouldn't have kissed him OTHERWISE. Don't look at her. ]

Welcome back. [ Asuna mumbles but partly hopes Yata doesn't NOTICE HER over here close to Kaito in the corner.

Ah, he's sick. She's seen enough gross stuff that his sickness doesn't both her that much. She just walks over and pats his back. Get it all out, Kaito.... ]

DUNGEON ♛ SALAMANCA TEMPLE

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