pawnstorm | 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

Understood.

[While she wishes her weapon was more useful in a situation like this, Marie doesn't allow that to stop her from getting involved; stepping up to help Kaede confront Moura and the snakes while Jae-ha tended to the petrified Gilbert.

Remembering the way the mount had shrieked when it took damage to it's underbelly, Marie steels herself and raises her staff, bringing the tip down hard on the weak spot, piercing it and evoking another loud hissing shriek from the creature.]

[His internal scream becomes quite external when Jae-ha pulls away; under these circumstances he can't bring himself to be considerate enough and wait for him to at least take a few steps away. Even though he's no longer petrified, Gilbert doesn't move for the first couple of seconds. Actually, the only signs that the kiss worked are that screech of his and his bright red cheeks.

Which should be enough of a proof, probably.

However, he directs his anger not at his teammate, but the one behind this. Seeing her not on her serpent's head but on the floor for a change is an incredibly pleasant view. Then, his body moves on his own and he fires a bullet, or two...or the whole magazine. Most of them miss due to his body still feeling a little numb because of the petrifaction, but one manages to injure Moura herself, on the leg.]

Damn, I won't ever forgive you!

[Although the idea of rushing forward to finish her himself is tempting, he remains where he is, huffing.]

[That scream was getting awfully familiar by now. No, not Moura's.

But while Marie dealt with the snake, Kaede stepped around it to face the priestess—though with Gilbert's sudden volley, she couldn't immediately close the distance.

She she didn't want to get bitten again, so the horned woman circled mockingly out of range.]

Does it hurt?

[ It's not Gilbert's fault he's a delicate flower.

Seeing Moura knocked off her mount like that fills him with a renewed sense of optimism. So long as they can avoid getting bit again, they actually stand a good chance of taking her down! With this new enthusiasm, he quickly breaks away from Gilbert and joins Marie. Perhaps they'd be more manageable this way-- Gilbert and Kaede on Moura, and the two of them on the serpent.

Angry and even more agitated than before, the creature looks as if it's on its last leg (if it had legs...) ]

Why won't you die already?

[ He fishes a dagger out of his pocket, jumping at the opportunity to slash and sear whenever it presents itself. Eventually, stunned by both Marie and Jae-ha's attacks, the serpent's movements slow considerably. It looks dizzy, tired... and it's lost a lot of blood. ]

It's no use fighting. We won't release you.

[It would be far easier on the creature if it just let go. But it seemed to have a very strong will to live. Or perhaps it was because Moura was still alive that it wanted to return to her...

As it shows signs of weakening, Marie lifts her staff; certain that it won't be making any quick escapes in it's current condition. With her boot pressing down on the serpent's tail, she strikes it again as well. It seems pale, and while it attempts to struggle and bite still, it doesn't seem to have much fight left in it and what's left is draining steadily with each cut.

Thinking it's safe, she takes a moment to glance over at Moura- making sure the others are doing just as well.]

[Kaede keeps her attention on Moura; she circled still, drawing the enraged priestess' attention so that Gilbert had a clean shot. Moura did her best to stay standing tall, but she couldn't follow after Kaede without limping.

The weapons might have been different, but this was the kind of fight Kaede was used to. And she still knew how to bait someone too proud of themselves into throwing their hand early. She stepped forwards, like she was about to advance--and one of Moura's snakes lunged for her instantaneously, just like she thought.

Kaede's arms uncoiled like a spring, and the axe cleaved straight through the smaller snake's neck, severing its head from its thrashing body in a smooth movement. A thin line of dark blood splashed on the arm of her uniform, though Kaede didn't seem bothered.

There was an...unpleasant look on her face, instead.]

How about now?

[~~He's not!! Delicate!! Yeah, sure...~~

The way they're now it shouldn't take too long to get it over with; it's been a really draining fight, anyway. Especially with all those snakes around, but they're steadily working on lowering their number together.

Moura's scream that tears its way out of her throat after one of the small snake's head is chopped off isn't pleasant to the ear, but it can't be helped—more misery awaits the Alfersan priestess as a few more bullets are flying towards her just after Gilbert has reloaded his handgun.

It should be enough to slow her down even further, making her an easy target for Kaede.]

[The bullets struck Moura's back, distracting the remaining snakes. The priestess whirled like a cornered animal, turning from one opponent to the next. But she had left herself open--and Kaede was close enough that the next thing she hit wasn't just a snake.

Whatever curse or shout Moura had been going to make emerged only as a gurgle. As she turned, Kaede's axe caught her neck full on. The blade cut through with contemptuous ease, bowling Moura's head off with a single, burning strike.

Kaede watched the severed head land with a morbidly satisfied expression, keeping her weapon raised in case she needed to follow that strike up. There was an ache settling into her arms and back, she still felt queasy, she was tired, breathing hard, and yet the axe's flames were undiminished.

They probably had more to do with her fatigue than anything else. If there was any more fighting, Kaede wouldn't be of much use.]

Go to your god, then.

[But the priestess' body simply crumpled to the floor, along with the dying snakes.]

DUNGEON ♛ SALAMANCA TEMPLE

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