DUNGEON ♛ GISELA TOWERS

[boardmaster]

GISELA TOWERS
20 MAY (VALLARIA) 2016

High in the skies, the howling winds tangled around the Gisela Towers make it difficult to hear anything. The monolithic structures believed to exist only in legend or harpy memories loom over you. The thick ropes of ivy crawling up the length of each tower is the only sign of life. Every now and then, shadow seems to pass overhead. It might just be a trick of the light.

Instead of the usual suspects, another familiar face comes forward to greet our Heroes: the devil-may-care Lei, captain and commander supreme of the Airy.

Lei Nervous that your commanders ain’t here? Don’t worry, you’re in good hands. So! Here we are at this… thing. Something something tragic romantic tale about a dragon and a phoenix. Anyway, it’s stupid and you don’t gotta know. Ask one of your commanders later or bribe me with a drink. Now for something more important— [ the winds roars loudly, muting lei’s voice. but heroes can watch his hand gestures and actions as he teaches them how to use the grappling hook: aim and shoot the gun. maybe twirl it with a fancy flourish first ] —did you get that? All right, good! I don’t have enough hooks, so you’re gonna have to share. And take good care of them, I want them back! Now get in there and clear it ASAP! I ain’t got all day to fly you all back home!

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 ♙
One does not simply walk into the Gisela Towers. The only way in is up the long and weathered staircase that wraps around the structure. However, the thing is riddled with missing steps, weak stones and slippery condensation from the cloud cover, so you’re going to need a little help. Should you attempt to climb the stairs, they will crumble beneath your feet at best and bury you beneath their rubble at worst.

This is where Lei’s newfangled(?) contraptions will come in handy! The pockmarks and small ledges created by weathering in the first tower’s structure could prove useful. There are, of course, a limited number of grappling hooks available, so you’ll have to partner up if you want your party to get anywhere. Parties of four are given two of these guns, while the poor souls with less party members get one.

Gisela’s gale-force winds will knock you around and make it seem like the towers are close to toppling over. However, as you make your way up you’ll see that the towers are actually far from abandoned.

MONSTER ♟ Ocypete
Weak against Lightning	Strong against Wind	Immune to None
Regarded as abominations of the avian world, ocypetes are BIRDS the size of horses, which would be incredibly advantageous if they had wings. The offspring of a human and a harpy, ocypetes have HUMAN ARMS that they use to scale surfaces and strong TALONS that can crush rock. They don’t fly, but they do RIDE THE WIND with the use of their long tail feathers, which possess magical wind properties and are nearly twice as long as they are tall. They would look almost elegant if they didn’t have a tendency to flap their arms while gliding. Legend has it that when the phoenix left the towers, the ocypetes were accidentally left behind because dragons plucked their wing feathers, making them look kind of funny. Now with a few millennia’s worth of abandonment issues on their semi-feathered shoulders, they’ll seek to prevent Heroes from ascending the towers by any means necessary with an odd variation of Airy MARTIAL ARTS. Their TAILFEATHERS may be acquired as loot.

What will Heroes encounter once they finally make it inside? More broken staircases, more monsters, even stronger winds blowing in from cracks in the walls and the foot of the tower (which is open to the air), and no floor whatsoever. Gisela’s Towers are hollow! The only footing to be found is on small ledges: some similar to those outside the tower, some that look more artificial; and intact sections of the stairs winding around the walls. You’ll need magic or some ingenuity to stay on your toes—literally! If you lose your grip or footing, it’s a several thousand foot drop back to Gresser. The quickest way down… and the deadliest.


TWO ♙
The treacherous and exhausting climb brings you to a more sturdy area that looks a little less like a wrecking ball just passed through and more like some kind of hive. Blocking your way are dozens of sturdy-looking nests suspended like particularly ugly balls of twine from the walls. These are home to the insectoid Aellos. Tearing the nests apart for loot is only a good idea if you want angry swarms after you.

MONSTER ♟ Aello
Weak against Fire, Lightning	Strong against None	Immune to Wind
Aellos resemble large eagles more than the DRAGONFLIES they’re supposed to be. Mature Aellos can fly, but the flightless and fuzzier larvae are just as formidable. They can HYPNOTIZE with their dozen kaleidoscope-like eyes, rendering targets IMMOBILE but still aware of their surroundings. In order to free them, a fellow Hero must gaze deeply into their eyes for at least 15 seconds. These monsters are also able to SPIT a gelatin-like substance that will stick Heroes to any and every surface and also each other. FIRE will reduce its stickiness. The larvae use hit-and-run tactics: they hunker down in their nests, peek over the edge and launch gobs of spit. The flying aello like to drop their SPIT BOMBS from above and occasionally also release a POWDER that ruins visibility and makes you sneeze. Feeling adventurous? Why don’t you give the spit a lick? It’s actually totally EDIBLE, tastes like jello, and is filled with mana. Just be sure to heat it up so you don’t get your mouth stuck shut. Their GELATIN SPIT and INSECT PARTS may be acquired as loot.

The staircases at this altitude are in better shape than the ones you have—or haven’t—been using. That doesn’t mean they’re any less dangerous. Not only do the Aellos chase you down here; traps are hidden in the steps as well. Some may act like quicksand, trapping an unwary Hero halfway into the stone. Others are enchanted with wind spells that can toss you up in the air, the long way back down to the ground, or blow your skirt upward. There might even be some that provoke the pesky bugs even more!

This floor has flowers and trees creeping their way in from the outside and covering every inch of the place, including treacherous weaknesses in the path. Behind these overgrown plants is a mural depicting a sensual dance between a dragon and a harpy. In order to advance, at least two Heroes will have to mimic the dance painted on the walls to open the door.


THREE ♙
A barrier prevents you from progressing any further. Magic, physical attacks or sheer willpower will do nothing. To dissolve it, you must create a concoction from the random ingredients available on the table and splash it on the barrier. There is no set recipe, so trial and error and a little creativity will be your friends! Along with your trusty party Bishop, of course. (You did bring one, didn’t you?) Those not well-versed in alchemy may end up with potions that explode upon completion, splashing party members standing too close with a variety of strange side effects ranging from mild body horror to a bad case of halitosis. The unfortunate effects seem to differ from Hero to Hero, and they last for a few minutes to a couple of hours.

Once your party crosses the barrier, you will find yourselves outside. The skies are darkening, but you’re still able to discern another tower wrapped in the clouds. A bridge once connected the two structures, but most of it is missing. Use those grappling hooks!

Upon entering the second tower, a marble floor at odds with everything from the last tower will greet you. Lift your head and you’ll find that the rest of the tower is also hollow all the way up; those heights allow room for fountains and waterfalls. It’s a suitable area to replenish mana and rest. Parched throats can be quenched with the sparkling water all around you, but approach any waterfalls and they will start moving in a very unwaterlike way.

MONSTER ♟ Celaeno
Weak against Lightning	Strong against Fire, Earth	Immune to Water
Possessed by pride and cursed by the phoenix’s wrath, these dragons are nothing like the ones you encountered before. Celaeno resemble huge snakes made of water and possess ENCHANTED SCALES that float through their bodies and render them extremely RESISTANT to both magical and physical attacks. You will have to find WEAK POINTS in their protective aura. Hopefully you have a Knight or Bishop on your team to find those weaknesses as soon as possible! Each dragon’s weak points differ. Fortunately, all Celaenos go down easily once you find that soft spot. They use their long, slender tails like WATER WHIPS to knock down or douse their targets; the force of a tail may equal that of a fire hose at full blast! The only time it sheds its armor is to shapeshift into a WATER PRISON that can trap one or more enemies. Try not to attack it while a Hero is trapped inside; it will hurt your friend as well! Use STATUS EFFECTS to confuse or distract them so the prison loses shape. Their ENCHANTED SCALES, SMALL GEMS, and DRAGON WATER may be acquired as loot.

Without any stairs in sight, the way up lies in those dragons. After their defeat, their magical scales can be put together to form a boat that can ride the waterfalls upwards to the top floors.


FOUR ♙
The skies continue to change once you reach the top. Black clouds begin to close in, stray bits of land that have broken off from the main island hover nearby, and a sudden torrent of powerful mana may disorient your party. A storm is approaching.

Just as the first chunk of hail falls from the sky, a mighty roar reverberates through the darkness. Something very large lands on the walls of the tower and causes a tremor that whittles chunks from the tower and actually rolls the clouds back; is that the toll of thunder, or just more roaring?

Finally, an impressive three-headed dragon emerges from below. Once it has perched itself on the tower, one head speaks in a rumbling growl.

BOSS ♟ Tianya the Thrice-Scorned
Weak against Lightning	Strong against None	Immune to Wind, Fire
“Did that phoenix send you?! Tell her she cannot return! Not even over my dead body!” Unsurprisingly, Tianya ─the dragon once wed to the phoenix─ is more than just a legend. He lowers his heads and another loud, guttural cry fills the skies. For now, he remains STATIONARY at the top of the tower. All three heads attempt to SWALLOW a Hero whole if they get too close. Should you go on the offensive, you may be able to chop off at least one head before he’s pissed off enough to move. The fallen head writhes in agony as it moans: “It hurts… it burns…” At this point, Tianya takes flight. The strong GUSTS from those wings can launch a Hero right off the tower. Use your grappling hook(s) to play floating island hopscotch: evade devastating dive attacks and run from the MANA BEAMS shot from his mouths. “You’ll never understand! I never wanted her!” As you travel from island to island trying to get close enough to deal some real damage, Tianya hides in the CLOUDS to launch ambush attacks. Eventually, a PHOENIX descends from the heavens in a burst of fiery light. However, it’s not the phoenix of legend; it’s actually one of Tianya’s spells, and it will burn away most of your mana if any of its flames make contact. MANA EXCHANGE may be the only way to continue this battle... Once Tianya is down to one head, he will immediately rise higher into the sky. “My last words are for her and her alone.” After Tianya is defeated, the storm clears; Enprise’s twin suns shine once more. That precious DUNGEON CORE floats down, blanketed by a SINGLE LARGE FEATHER, golden and shining in the light. “It’s warm… She was always warm…” A SCORNED DRAGON HEART and a MYSTICAL PHOENIX FEATHER may be acquired as loot.

As soon as both core and feather touch the tower, an ominous rumbling and shaking begins. The Gisela Towers are falling apart and it’s now a race to escape before you’re buried under the rubble.

And don’t forget the grappling hook(s); Lei wants them back.


FIVE ♙
All that’s left of the Gisela Towers is rubble. The dungeon has been conquered, the island reclaimed, and the ruins of the old regime can now become the foundations for something new: the site of the harpies’ homecoming after hundreds of years.

LOCATION ♟ Gisela

An ancient sky island that has existed since time immemorial. What enables Gisela to RIDE THE CLOUDS may be an even greater mystery than the mechanisms powering the Airy. The island appears most frequently above Gresser, though its extraordinary altitude makes it DIFFICULT TO LOCATE. The landscape of Gisela is overgrown with JEWEL-GREEN FORESTS, crisscrossed with gorges and dotted with networks of small caverns. But its crowning glory is the THIN GLEAMING WATERFALLS that flow from its edges and into the sky beyond. The water is embraced by RAINBOWS and condenses into CLOUDS when Gisela is high enough, lending to its unusual weather patterns. Although the island initially seems largely uninhabited apart from the Gisela Towers, there is a SEALED OFF AREA that, when viewed from the air, looks suspiciously like LUSH, TILLED FIELDS. Should you ask Lei about this, he will only give you an unusually stern warning against disturbing it. Looks like you’ve solved the mystery behind the pai tiles. Now that the menacing Towers have been demolished, a variety of animal life — usually airborne — will begin to appear on the island. Some of them you’ve never seen before! The fall of the Towers also uncovered the existence of HOT SPRINGS below; newspapers speculate wildly about the source, but most agree that it must have something to do with the renewed vows between phoenix and dragon. The few structures already in place on the island have been speedily converted into BAZAARS manned by Airy harpies. Most specialize in legal alchemical gimmicks, but there’s always another side to these things. Everyone’s here to soak in the breeze, and by that we do mean everyone. In response to the tourism boom, NEW AEROPORTS have also opened in both Gisela and Gresser to provide reliable transportation between the two locations.

Comments

OOC DUNGEON QUESTIONS

[boardmaster]

Please direct all OOC questions about this dungeon here.

Re: OOC DUNGEON QUESTIONS

[accordance]

If a Hero is in a water prison and tries to cast electricity at the inside of the prison, will it cause any damage to the celaeno?

TEAM "/HIGHPITCHED SCREAMING" (Lapis, Hinata, Slaine)

[oneirism]

[This team is a mess]

ENTERING THE DUNGEON

[oneirism]

[While the grappling hooks would be invaluable here, Lapis had already made it clear before they even got here that she won't be using them - her weapon would allow her to make her way in. And at least they were able to get some time to talk to the newest person among them, Hinata, before being thrown into this. He seemed level-headed enough. Which this team is gonna need, really.

It's easy enough for Lapis to leap from one ledge to another, her weapon giving her legs the increased strength to do so. But she does need to keep an eye on her other team members, stopping on a small ledge as she glances back at them.]

... You guys doing okay?

TEAM 'FUCK THE PATRIARCHY' (Korra, Ema, Natasha)

[probending]

[At least two of them are legal enough to drink.]

THE TOWERS

[probending]

[They have one hook and three people, and somehow, those towers don't look like they have great upkeep. Stairs are probably out of the question.]

... Sooooo... before we begin, is anyone afraid of heights?

TEAM BLONDIE (Gilgamesh, Adrasteius, Saber)

[babbylon]

[That's a long, long way up, and a long, long way to fall, Gilgamesh notes, glancing upon the full length of the towers.

But heights don't bother Gilgamesh; he may have been known as a King and a tyrant first and foremost, but once upon a forever ago he was the grandest of adventurers, and he hasn't forgotten those roots. Has come to remember them more and more, actually, forced into these ridiculous scenarios for the supposed good for the realm.

Gilgamesh holds the party's sole grappling hook in hand, judging the distance they need to cover and what might serve as a decent foothold.]

I will manage this device. It seems I must bear both of you at once, for us to make any progress. Ferrying one at a time will take far too long.

[Thankfully, his fellow party members were on the smaller, slenderer side, so in theory, it could be done... in theory. Gilgamesh's gaze falls upon Saber next.]

Saber. You are a mere Pawn, but by far the most skilled in melee combat of us all. We will be relying on you to provide cover for our magic. Understood?

[armorial]

[ She's quiet, only making sure she has everyone on her person--her grail and this newly gifted sword securely stowed. She has yet found the owner, but for now it'll be of use to this party. Though it's... not of a form she's familiar with, she will make do.

Looking up, she's not intimidated by the heights as much as the fact they only have one grappling hook. Even she can conclude the same strategy as Gilgamesh, even if she doesn't essentially like him touching her. Any kind of touching. ]

... Understood. [ Curt and obedient, there's nothing she can refute. Instead, she reminisces the ease of being able to run up buildings. She takes some time to survey, looking for a favorable side to make use of their sole grappling hook.

To be honest, one man carrying two (even if they'er small) is extremely dangerous. But it's okay, she thinks it'll work out. ]

TEAM UKE (BOLIN, KIJA, SAKURA)

[sediments]

[ caps and britt have stolen my dignity ]

THE LONG CLIMB

[sediments]

Kija.

[ They're stopped for the moment, have narrowly escaped the assault of a particularly enraged ocypete. It had very smartly decided to try and pick off Kija, who had his fighting hand occupied with keeping him fastened to the "staircase", snapping at him and trying to tear him off the wall with his talons. It had taken some awkward one-handed swatting with Bolin's staff, and some precarious swiping from Kija—having switched hands so that his human hand was now clutching the wall—to ward the beast off.

And that was only one ocypete.

Now they're all panting a little, Bolin's heart at least is racing from the threat of almost falling to his death (as well as Sakura's!), and it's becoming very apparent that this isn't going to work. ]

Maybe... [ He starts, brows furrowed with concern as he looks over Kija's considerably worse off form. ] It's not really a big deal for me to carry you both, maybe you should get on my back and Sakura can...

[ ...

Someone please finish that sentence for him. ]

Team Three Jokesters and a Baby (Shin-Ah, Kavi, Wukong, Shunsui)

[twosidedsword]

[At least they have good fighters...]

Beginning

[twosidedsword]

[The stairway has been quite the challenge but it looks like they're almost to the entrance. Shin-Ah is wary though, constantly looking around. He feels like something is coming but he can't see far enough away to tell what it is. It's rather distressing still that his eye sight is better than the average human but still not what it used to be.

Looking back at the other three, he sees they're still okay. He still gives a frown as he moves further up until...]

Something's coming.

"BAND" SION & THE MURDERETTES (Aisha, Alice, Caren, Sion)

[sunderings]

IT'S THE CLIMB!

[sunderings]

[ The Hero King stands dauntless in the face of the towers, a too-beautiful smile curving his lips as he tests the weight of the grappling hook in his hand, feels for how it balances with the blade at his back, then looks to the precious cargo he is to carry. Caren, he does nothing to guise his fondness for her, the way silvered lashes hood over the gold of his eyes as she receives his regard, for this somehow feels as though it were a culmination of something grand; the actualization of the dream which they had walked together, fighting side by side.

And to their good fortune, their company is completed with two others who are so formidable. Aisha, who had brought down a dragon with her teeth before his very eyes, and Alice who remained ever-radiant despite the chaos which surrounded her. Alice, who his blessing would surely follow, as he had once vowed.

Strength and glory be upon you! is the invocation of such a blessing, the magic cascading down over their party of four, carrying with it the warm caress of sunlight as it bestows a burst of steadiness, fortifying the might of body, magic, and mind. ]

So we are to ascend into the sky. [ Swiftly, then. Seamlessly, he falls to one knee, bidding for Caren to climb on. Let no time be wasted. ] The ivy gilding the stone is strong, do not forget it if the journey up should turn treacherous.

And do not fear falling; I have the wings to catch us.

[ Everyone, really, the fearsome (petite) ladies they are. ]

Team Unprepared (Akito/Agito, Soma/Marie, Jolyne, Lola)

[sky_shark]

[No seriously, one King and three Pawns, this is going to be a trainwreck]

Entering the Dungeon!

[sky_shark]

[Why did he let Akito rope him into this? Seriously, why? He's not even paying attention to the guy handing out the grappling hooks (at least they get two of those), just. Glaring daggers at the tower. This was a bad idea and was going to go terribly, he knew it.

Oh well. Nothing for it now but to try and not get horribly killed]

I'm not going to need one of those things, so long as I have mana. [He mentions that over his shoulder, looking at the grappling hooks before turning his attention back to the giant building. This thing was going to be falling apart wasn't it? He growls softly, shifting on the not!AT he wore, resting easily on the bladed wheels.

Agito sighed. This was going to be a thing]

Team Poor Tyrnen (Jiroutachi, Kasen, Kojirou, Tyrnen)

[sakeplz]

[No really. You should probably feel bad for him.]

Climbing and BIRDS!

[sakeplz]

[Who is the one in the back sighing heavily as they climb and climb and climb? If anyone guessed Jiroutachi then they're right! Which is why another heavy sigh leaves him followed by a long whine. Really one would never know this is a deadly sword who can really use that oodachi he's carrying.]

I'm going to go sober at this rate! It's just cruel!

[Yes. That's his priority here.]

Oodachi weren't meant for climbing!

[Is he annoying yet? Is he? Is he?]

Team Two and a Half Women (Jae-ha, Aigis, Vietnam)

[flirtations]

[ Also Team "Is Gravity Supposed to be a Problem?" ]

Potion making

[flirtations]

[ As comfortable as Jae-ha ordinarily felt in the sky, it was oddly refreshing to have his feet back on semi-solid ground. Still, he's seen the integrity of the buildings here, and it's highly likely a wrong step could mean falling to their deaths. So he treads carefully, keeping an eye out both for his teammates and any enemies.

If the overall theme continues, their next foe would also be airborne, which adds a layer of complexity to besting them. So he stays on his toes, so to speak, and though he expects to be faced with another monster bird, or perhaps a wyvern, he's not quite expecting... a wall. This is the only way they can go, they've already checked-- there's no other route to proceeding. ]

Huh... this is annoying. Well, at least this will be easy to get through.

[ Don't count your chickens before they hatch... He leans back, gains a running start, and lunges his right foot against the wall. If this structure was as flimsy as the rest of the dungeon, it would easily give away beneath the force.

Of course, nothing happens.

Nothing, that is, except for Jae-ha hissing in pain and groaning as he falls back from the resistance. ]

Ow! What is this made out of?! [ His ego is so bruised... there aren't many things he isn't able to kick through. ]

Team wHERE IS KIJA (Kaito, Asuna, Yata)

[rollin]

[ alternatively team "kaito help us" ]

[rollin]

[ Enthusiastic as ever, Yata was the first in their team to grab a grappling hook. In retrospect, a Rook doesn't need one of these. He was just really excited. ]

Oh man, it looks so cool! I've always wanted to try one of these. [ yata just give it to kaito ] How does it work?

[ He's a hands-on kind of guy, but he's also kind of an idiot, so following Lei's instructions over the roaring gusts is near impossible. PRESSES ALL THE BUTTONS. ]

TEAM "D IS FOR DANGEROUS" (One, Shinoa, Assassin [Beserker])

[querella]

[ Two knights and a bishop walk into a bar. ]

I-II But the place was well guarded

[querella]

[ The Intoner pressed her body firmly against the wall, crimson eyes narrowed in concentration and slight irritation over the current state of affairs. Climbing up the stairs had proven to be a reckless endeavor where trust was truly put to the test. Her shoulder still ached from the jolt of their borrowed tool. She had left the grappling hook in the assassin's care, as she assumed he would be able to keep up with it should anything happen to her or the young bishop. She listened for the cries of their feathery enemies, sure that they would strike even while they were within these ancient walls. Her boots gingerly pressed into what little ledge was offered, keeping her steps light. She moved as a dancer ought to, carefully moving one foot in front of the other. The broken staircases would only offer some additional footing when they came upon them, but she was sure they would fall apart as quickly as the others. ]

Assassin, Shinoa, there is a gap in the wall ahead, it will allow for extra room for another twelve paces. But be on your guard.

[ Her voice was raised just loud enough for them to hear, no more, no less. It was best not to draw in too much attention. Wind whistled through the large gaps in her chakram, pulling at her, threatening to drive her off the cliff. But One was used to such gale force winds, having felt the same pull when riding atop her dragon, Gabriella, some time ago. She pushed her fingers into the stone, gloves threatening to split at the finger tips.

The golden haired knight lifted her head, looking up above them. Just a ways away she was sure she could see a platform, or at least what looked to be a platform. She couldn't be certain from where she was now. Hopefully they would reach it soon, even if it meant climbing up one of the half remaining staircases to get to it. A sense of foreboding started to nibble at her nerves, but it was easily pushed away in favor of perseverance. ]

Team Doomed From The Start (Yukari, Irisviel, Oda-freaking-Nobunaga)

[couldntpullthetrigger]

[ITP: Yukari wishes she still had wind powers]

Part I - Jill and Jill (and Jill) went up a hill to fetch a pail of water

[couldntpullthetrigger]

[Well, here's a concept: Yukari is used to climbing stairs! Lots and lots of stairs. The grappling hook thing, however, has taken some getting used to, and -]

... I'm not crossing it first. Where do you think this thing's even supposed to stick?

[Also the fact there are massive gaps in the stairs that she's not used to. Towers that change their interior layout every five minutes, yes. This? No.

Someone else be the guinea pig.]

Team #NOPE (Allen, Makoto, Gil(bert))

[likethelight]

[ Senpai will save them, right?





Right? ]

WTB GooBGone

[likethelight]

[ It's been a harrowing climb on nonexistent staircases and dodging winged manbirds to this point, one Allen seemed to have a bit of an unfair advantage with when it came to wallclinging and balancing on ridiculously small precipices (did you slip and need a hand at some point? he would have offered it or just outright grabbed yours with a somewhat strained but relieved smile (please don't fall...) and helped bring one back up on their feet). But despite the disappointment that it doesn't seem to end, this new area seems fairly solid at least; there's just these old looking abandoned nests of some sort that are blocking the way.

After poking one for a moment, Allen takes The Fool from his breastpocket, the macabre sort of joker card that's his weapon. His sword should tear these down pretty well, right? They seem about the consistency of paper.

He turns back to his comrades. ]

It doesn't look like they should be much of a--

[ zzzzzzZZZZZZZbb

bbb ]

...problem? [ Turning around, that's a very ugly bug poking its head out of the nest. And before he can even get another word out, it rolls back--and hocks something right in his face. ]

!!! [ Well that's one down, rolling around on the remnants of staircase and clawing at the sticky goo on his face. get it off get it off get it off!! ]

team "lost control of our lives" (tieria, h/allelujah, setsuna)

[quaria]

[ Allelujah once said, "I have control." It was a lie. ]

intro (up to dances with dragons)

[praises]

[ Gisela Towers are as beautiful as they appear treacherous. Allelujah is well-acquainted with the concept, and his expression is thoughtful as he gazes up at the tattered, windswept rock. Mists cling to the suspended formations, overgrown with vegetation, and he can hear the low roar of flowing water in the distance. Wind howls forlornly, and even Allelujah has to suppress a shiver that runs up the back of his neck.

This place feels very old. ]

Setsuna. You and Tieria should take this.

[ Allelujah turns aside, offering the grappling hook to his fellow Meisters. ]

I'm used to things like this, and more than that, my gravity will make up for it.

Team Murderchildren plus an angel (Kaede, Nora, Zelos)

[long_live_the_queen]

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES wait

[long_live_the_queen]

Team ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (Levi, Cirno, Adam)

[shitbastard]

[Idfk but let's go]

UNE: creepyass harpies

[shitbastard]

[Grisela's Towers were a sight sight to say the least. It'd immediately been apparent why Lei gave them the grappling hook. As to why he gave them only one...

If the people around him helped or hindered, fully or half-heartedly, it was meaningless to Adam. One grappling hook was what they had. And those crumbling stairs clearly won't hold his weight. So trading it back and forth with Levi (who carried the lighter Cirno), they made their way up the gusty, trembling outside of the tower to relatively stable platforms and what pieces of the stairs still arrogantly withstood the force of the winds.

Tedious work, but progress was progress. Until they come within sight of the entrance of the tower they're scaling--

With annoying grating hilariously awkward ferocious cries wingless harpies suddenly begin swooping down from higher up the tower. They mean business. Worse?

They know kung-fu. This is a really seriously serious thread. Watch out for those dragon punches and chicken kicks!]

My, my. We woke up the welcoming committee.

[Shifting to let a kick pass scant inches past him to embed powerful talons into the tower wall rather than his gut, Adam quickly slams a palm into the presented vulnerable knee. There is a definite crunch, a sound snatched away almost instantaneously by the wind, as harpy bones bend ways they were never meant to.]

It was feeling too easy.

STARNYAN CURSADERS - Mewnato, Shinnya, Meowji

[tarotcards]

PRE-DUNGEONYAN

[tarotcards]

[ These sure are some towers... He's hoping that Shinn and Minato aren't afraid of heights because looking at the staircase, it's definitely enough to make anyone nervous. Before they head up, though, they should at least talk a bit about their game plan. ]

Make sure to stick close together while going up. It'd be easier to help each other that way.

[ Especially if one person, God forbid, falls... He then holds up the grappling hook that they were given. ]

Also, we need to decide who to hold onto this.

closed to levi

[flirtations]

[ Jae-ha is far from fully recovered from the dungeon, but the prospect of exploring the sky island was too great to wait. His mana is replenished, as are any surface wounds, but a few stray bruises and plenty of mental exhaustion lingers. Flying through the skies, he takes in the land, which seems to take on an entirely new life now that they've "triumphed" over the towers, and in particular, the green lushness and neatness of the fields below...

He lands, having reached an edge of the island, at the beginning of one of its great waterfalls. It's magnificent, but odd. It doesn't feed into any water source, from the looks of things, but down below, farther than the eye could see. Feeling bold (and curious), he walks to the very edge, looking down into the abyss. He's momentarily enchanted, and hasn't yet noticed that he's not alone. ]

[powerdriven]

[ Due to its location, the likelihood of the heroes returning to this island through easy means has been established by the transport of the Airy. Therefore, before he returns to Gresser, Levi wishes not only to venture back to the site of the dungeon (now destroyed) but to explore the greater area of Gisela. The portion that he'll manage, should there be anything worth seeing, begets that he takes his horse from the Airy stables—hence that's his only stop before he goes out on his own, past the beginnings of civilized foundations.

However, the terrain is rugged. Following the water, it's some time later that he reaches the cliff sides overlooking the falls. He's some ways away when he spots Jae-ha, but makes no moves to conceal the sound of his approach: the beat of hooves on the earth, the rustle of grass. ]

... If you decided to take a walk, I'd say you've gotten yourself plenty lost by now.

[ No, he doesn't really think Jae-ha is that stupid. ]

Team Tomato Trio (Luna, Maki, Peacock)

[eyegotcha]

ONE: Don't Look Down!

[eyegotcha]

[ Eager to grab onto the first new gadget she could find, Peacock ended up being the one to claim the grappling hook, testing its fit in her robotic hand and smirking proudly at her acquisition. She even held the device out, closing one eye and acting like she were aiming the hook at the door to the dungeon. A quiet laugh escaped her as she turned around, hands on her hips and a confident smirk on her face. Sure, she might have been a Pawn, but she sure tried to look the part of the team leader, gloating her presence in front of the gate and awaiting her assigned party members with an air of confidence almost as powerful as the gales blowing her clothing.

The disrupting gear noises and creaks of her jumpy metallic limbs chugging beneath the wind betrayed her excitement to run through the door and get to clobbering some poor monsters. Everything from her straightened uniform, her once-neat but now windswept hair, and her polished limbs and teeth pointed to the fact that she had prepared for this like it was some hot date. That could be either a good omen for her teammates, or a horrible precursor to the reckless action to come. Either way, fun, right!?

She had even brought some nice cigars to smoke, though the wind proved keeping an ember to be harder than any challenge she expected in the dungeon. So, instead, she just clenched onto an unlit stogie beneath those dangerous teeth of hers, beaming a wide smile at her teammates. ]

Hope ya gotcher game face on, gals! I ain't goin' home 'til I gotta dragon head fer my mantel, see!? [ Her shrill voice carried easily over the winds, and she hoisted up her chainsaw to rest on her shoulders. A chuckle rose her torso, though it was totally inaudible among the roaring winds. ] I gots good authority that one'a our friends is a self-fashioned dragon slayah! 'Parently she don't even need much armor for it!

[ Of course she hadn't forgotten, Maki. Peacock never missed a chance to make a snide remark. ]

Now are ya ready!? I ain't waitin' much longah for you!

Team BAMF (Rory Connor, General Hux, Captain Phasma)

[flawless_precision]

[endoftherepublic]

[Hux would ever hate to admit it, but...he's having second thoughts. Quite a bit of them, actually, especially with how this ascent is going so far. It's fairly awkward and rather treacherous, what between the wind, the faulty towers, and the fact that the three of them have to share one of these grappling hooks. He isn't even really sure if he trusts such a device, all things considered, but they don't really seem to have a choice. Which is why he's found himself, along with Rory, on Phasma's back, of all things. Really, if so much of his attention wasn't on the wind and thin towers, he'd feel far more ridiculous right now. At current, he's contemplating if it would perhaps be better for them to gauge how far they have to go at the next platform and weigh the costs/benefits of continuing this mission with sub-part gear.

Which, of course, seems an opportune time for a monster to come crawling out of the crevices in the stone. They're absolutely hideous; the size of a horse and a seeming mix of bird and human. Hux will give himself half a moment to stare at them, blinking once, before he's grabbing his blaster out of its holster just as the creature lets out some sort of hideous screech, skittering over the rocks of the tower with it's human arms and bird talons, coming straight for them]

Team How To Third Wheel A Married Couple (Sakura, Sasuke, Naruto)

[acknowledges]

stairway to birbs??

[acknowledges]

Looks like climbing's out'attebayo.

[Taking the stairs isn't going to get them anywhere, and Naruto's already given it the token trial run. His head tips back- way way back, as he squints at the tower. It's clear that's where they'll have to go after all.]

I guess this thing they gave us'll come in handy. Though...

[Here his attention lands briefly on Sasuke before it comes to settle on Sakura.] One of us is gonna have to carry everybody. Sasuke you just have to. Hang there.

Team Pacifism (Lupin, Juzumaru, Potemkin)

[justhief]

[justhief]

[Talk about needing to be light on your feet, the whole tower looked about as sturdy as a house of cards. The howling wind doesn't help either.

All they have are these grappling hooks, but they'll be enough. He'll make sure that they will be. Lupin gives the tower a quick look, using his hands to mark out prominent points on the structure to take note of.]

I hope you guys aren't afraid of heights. I'll help to navigate us up, and whatever you do, don't look down.

Team Sweet Flowers (Gaius & Laslow)

[encountered]

PRE-DUNGEON

[encountered]

...That's a really tall tower.

[ Laslow's not used to... being this high-up in the sky, and having to climb up something that's taller than... Well, anything he's ever seen, to be honest. And the fact that he's assigned with his father as a team makes this all the more awkward to him considering...

Well, his father not really knowing who he really is just yet.

But. This should be a good bonding experience, right! Near-death experiences as a pair were a sure fire way to build them, if what he's gone through in his life could attest to. ]

TEAM SPARKLES (LL, Lux, Guren)

[accordance]

one

[accordance]

[ It is perhaps for the best of them that Lord Light can fly.

He soars through the towers on a pair of white wings, gliding through the air with significantly less efforts than his teammates do. The grapple is given to the other two for use, but it should not be difficult - especially considering what he had told them before they began their ascent.

'Take a steady pace. If you stumble and fall, I will catch you.'

Even with his reduced abilities from godhood, he had been practicing flight and his secondary weapon would provide any boost he needs. For now, it seems that their path is relatively unhindered. ]

I sense something ahead. What can you see?

[ He's able to activate Scan, but that requires him to stay still. ]