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

[avantguard]

[ In surprise, she blinks. Then her lips quirk up a little higher. ]

... That's right. We have coordination.

[ Besides the snake wrapping around her thigh, that was almost fun. Her hand touches the spot his fingers had brushed and she clenches her fist.

He helped her. Again. But he also touched her thigh. A complex emotion makes her stare at his feet. ]

Anyway! I believe I won that. [ HANDS ON HER HIPS. ]

[rollin]

[ He touched her thigh. She definitely hates him. But! At least they're safe. ]

Yeah, yeah, I hear ya. [ Jeez. He was going to carry her shit either way. ] Maybe after we make the necklace.

[ He picks up a snake head and nearly gags. ]

You sure it ain't talking about dice?

[avantguard]

[ SHE'S FORGETTING IT HAPPENED or trying. Like The Other Thing.

Asuna also throws the snake head mildly disgusted looks. ]

Dice? What...

[ Oh. Snake eyes. She smiles wryly. ]

I wouldn't mind that. [ Her expression sobers again. ]

But this dungeon's theme seems to revolve around snakes and reptiles. Not to mention what I read in the library makes it pretty clear what we're supposed to do.

[rollin]

[ STOP THINKING ABOUT HIS DICK ]

Ugh... [ Oh well. Time to get down and dirty! And by that, he really just means gouging their eyes out with his fingers. ] Gross.

[ But at least he's trying. What about Asuna? ]

[avantguard]

[ ITS HER FIRST!!!!

She's just watching, a little pale in the face. Tell her to help.

Down and dirty and gross like this isn't her usual she's an ojousama. ]

[rollin]

[ Soon, he has a pair of bloody snake eyes in his hands. SHOWS THEM TO ASUNA. ]

Aight, I got them out.

[avantguard]

[ Makes a small sound. ]

Eh...

[ SHE'S LOOKING AT THEM IN HORROR, hands shaking. She wants to throw them away. ]

Y-you don't have to announce it.

[ She wasn't bitten by a snake but she's GREEN IN THE FACE. How can he just DO that? ] Have you gouged eyes out before or something?

[ ... Shit he might have. ]

[rollin]

[ Hm. Well, he shouldn't scare girls, so he brings the eyes away from Asuna. ]

What? Nah, we ain't that brutal. Ugh, but this is disgusting. Makes me wanna gag... This whole room does.

[ Blood everywhere. They cut the snakes up like they were nothing. ]

I'll get the needle and thread.

[avantguard]

[ If he can't look at her she wonders if he's BEING HONEST. He says "not that brutal" so how brutal are they?? Man she doesn't want to know. Besides If this is war, there's going to be a lot of things they're going to do that they don't like. Killing a bear-- ]

Oh. Thank you...

[ Apparently she's going to be making it. She's never made a necklace. Much less out of snake eyes. Why couldn't it be dice.......

She'll just stand here and stare at the SLAUGHTER THEY HAVE CAUSED. ]

Me too. [ She mumbles. ] Even the room with the man lizards was easier...

[rollin]

Can't argue with ya there.

[ After fetching the needle and thread, he sits at a space with less blood and bodies on the floor. He's thinking about how hard it'll be to get the bloodstains out later... He doesn't want to add to that, okay. He threads the needle and, taking an eyeball in between his thumb and forefinger, he shuts one eye, sticks out his tongue and attempts to skewer the eye and pull the string through it. ]

C'mon, you too.

[avantguard]

[ Not arguing. What a rare occurrence.

Asuna still stands around, somewhat uselessly, and watches Yata wander around before plopping down in one spot and getting to work. She jumps a little when she's addressed. ]

I-I know.

[ Her lips make a firm line before she walks over and sits down in front of him, setting her sword down and watching Yata at first. This is the most gross thing ever!! When he stabs the eye, she covers her mouth and takes a deep breath. Then she looks to the side.

She's going to be sick. But she doesn't want to sit here... so she grabs a snake nearby and stares at its dead face. ]

I... isn't Kija-san's carrier a snake... ? [ WHY MENTION THAT NOW ]

[rollin]

Yeah. It's like, tiny. And clingy. [ That's how he met Kija. BECAUSE OF HIS TINY CLINGY CARRIER.

Yata tries not to, but he glances up at her. Weird, isn't she supposed to go "Kyaaa!" and leave him to do all the dirty work? She doesn't seem to like the fact that they have to deal with snake eyes, but... she's here with him. That's way better than he expected. ]

Don't force yourself.

[ His voice is uncharacteristically gentle.

Then, he strings another eye into place. ]

[avantguard]

I wonder what he thinks of this dungeon...

[ She met him because they SAVED A BOY FROM A LION. But she also touched his face in a dream.... doesn't matter.

Asuna keeps her head down, looking at the snake head and wondering how she's supposed to gouge out eyes. Her brow furrows down at it and her fingers hover anxiously but then she's freezing when she hears his gentle voice.

Carefully, like she's expecting another person to be sitting in his place, she looks up at him. Her voice is a bit quiet too, holding something back and burying it. ]

I'm not forcing myself. I can do this much. [ She then proceeds to shove her thumb into the eye socket, putting pressure so an eye pops out with a determined expression. Only, when it does, some liquid sprays out at her and her entire body twitches. Without a word, she holds out the eye towards him with a shaking hand and closed eyes. ]

[rollin]

[ Asuna, no...

He takes the snake's eye, his own gaze shifting between it and Asuna before he gets up. ]

Wait here! I'll be back.

[ He leaves the room to search the other galleries for something to clean her face with. It doesn't take long for him to find a shroud. It's probably sacred. Oh well. ]

Here. Stay still.

[ Without thinking, he holds her chin with one hand as he starts wiping her face with the cloth. ]

[avantguard]

[ He takes it and she sits there, totally grossed out. She doesn't really have a choice but to wait. What's he doing? If he's going to look for a camera or something she swears...

Oh. No. Definitely not.

Her entire body spasms and her heart jumps when she feels his fingers grip her chin. That's Yata, right? What is he DOING? He's being too friendly after everything he's done to her. This is before POLGAR after all. ]

W-wait a second! [ Still blind, she reaches for his wrist and tugs it away from her face. Finally, she opens her eyes since he got enough cleaning in that she can do that. There's still a lot of her red cheeks and chin and even her neck though.

Her hazel eyes blaze at him. ]

Just let me do it!

[rollin]

[ He jerks his hand out of her grasp. ]

I'm almost done!

[ But then Yata slows, shocked by the lack of distance he's kept between them until now. He's so used to taking care of people that he failed to notice anything that would determine him from getting closer. Asuna was not just a girl; she was also a comrade he needed to look out for. ]

[avantguard]

[ He too quick and she's startled from being yelled at so he ESCAPES, but she's getting more angry her hand is grasping at open air while he wipes at her cheeks now. ]

L-listen here, you...

[ He's REALLY CLOSE so he can probably see her fiery hazel eyes, her slim eyebrows narrowed over them, the red splash on her cheeks that only gets darker, her pursed lips.

Just as much as she can make out all his features much more clearly.

She needs to get him back and she doesn't have any pillows around. So



she grabs his cheek and tugs on it. ]

[rollin]

[ Ouch. The cloth drops to the floor and he lets go. ]

Okay! I get it!

[ Asuna is SO FEISTY. But maybe just feisty enough to deal with him. He doesn't really know when to stop when it comes to helping someone out... ]

I'll take the eyes out. You can string 'em on.

[ That way, she doesn't have to worry about getting sprayed with blood. ]

[avantguard]

[ She meets his feisty HEAD ON. He didn't exactly do a bad thing, she's just embarrassed. And she doesn't want him to touch her right now due to... everything.

She touched his cheek though... IT WAS TO GET HIM TO BACK OFF. She's still scowling at her own hand and then at Yata for bossing her around. It's a good plan so she nods a little.

At least she won't have to bother with things spraying her. She takes the necklace he's started on and waits to be handed an eye, her palm out. ]

Make sure you find good eyes and you don't ruin them. I don't want to mess this up so we have to do it all over again.

[rollin]

Yeah, whatever. Tch, like I'll mess up...

[ DON'T BOSS HIM AROUND. Apparently it's only okay when he does it. He winces as he takes more eyes out, cutting the flesh around them with his special fire to make things easier. Surprisingly, the eye he gives her aren't burnt. ]

[avantguard]

[ Pretends she doesn't HEAR HIM.

A shudder runs through her when he puts eyeballs in her hand. She's half tempted to throw them across the ROOM.

He gets a mumble, ]

Th... thanks. This one looks good.

[ And she closes one eye and works on stabbing it through, right in the center. She's a perfectionist. ]

[rollin]

...

It doesn't have to be perfect. Hurry up.

[ They have a deadline! ]

[avantguard]

[ Looks at him like she is BURNING HOLES IN HIS FOREHEAD. ]

I don't want to offer an ugly necklace to the goddess.

[ NOBODY CARES THO ]

[rollin]

Nobody cares! Just make the— [ DAMN... No, he should control himself. ] Make the necklace!

[avantguard]

[ Yeah no cursing. Although damn doesn't really count.

She's doing it her way, getting another eye onto the necklace before lowering it to retort. ]

I am making it!