DUNGEON ♛ GRANTEBRYNCGE LIBRARY

[boardmaster]

GRANTEBRYNCGE LIBRARY
20 SEPTEMBER (SYLVANT) 2016

In the morning, the Heroes chosen for the dungeon will receive a message via Carrier to meet at Grantebrycge. Heroes already in Grantebrycge will have a quick trip. For those who are not, however, the recommended method is to use Platform 42 5/8ths and then head to Cochrane's train station. The ticket is sponsored, and will arrive with the orders.

The train will pass through Friedgood before arriving at Grantebrycge. It's a long ride. Sit back, have your breakfast if you haven't eaten already, and hold your breath when riding through Friedgood.

After arriving at Grantebrycge Library, Verdoni can be seen with a number of professors. Nosy students stare at him (and you) from a distance. A few might try to introduce themselves to you before being shooed away by their professors.

Verdoni Despite the ongoing investigation, we haven’t the slightest idea what would cause this anomaly… [ pause ] That was my attempt at humor, mind; save your laughs for later. Someone has been practicing forbidden magic deep within the library. Who, why and since when are unknown, as it is impossible to enter. However, the mana fluctuations match the dungeons, which I’m sure you’re all acquainted with. Investigate the library and find the dungeon core. Failure is an option, but we don’t need to embarrass ourselves, do we? [ snaps his file shut ]

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 ♙
It's eerily quiet when you enter the first room, which, given that it's a library, says something.

The first thing you'll encounter is a massive library counter. Atop it are three things: a bell with a sign that reads “Ring to get the librarian's attention”, a sign, and a list. There's no librarian to be seen. If you try ringing the bell you'll discover there's no clapper inside of it and it makes no sound. If you try reading the sign it says, "Please return all books in a timely manner." If you look at the list, it has the names of unreturned books.

You can try to leave, but for some reason no matter how far you go or how many times you turn, you seem to pass by the same three shelves and end up right back where you started. Strange. Was that potted plant always there? How about that couch? All of the bookshelves look alike after a while...

The only way to continue is to return the books to the front counter and scan them with the magical lens there. And it will be a hunt. Behind that potted plant (and how is it growing when it's so dark below?) is a copy of Wretched in the Fog. Over, under the chair, is Friends Behind the Counter. (There's nothing behind the counter. You checked.) In that drawer, halfway shut with traces of blood on the handle, is They're Watching You. And there's more books above bookshelves and wedged in shelves incorrectly, sandwiched between 15 medical records which shouldn't be there.

Once you're done the doors behind you will open up to the rest of the library. And running towards you are...

MONSTER ♟ Mandrake
Weak against Fire	Strong against Earth	Immune to Water
Creatures born of an ALCHEMY EXPERIMENT GONE WRONG. They have precise control over the growth and movement of their roots, which they use to ENSNARE OR HIT TARGETS. Don’t get hit by the POISON EXTRACTS that they launch via their leaves, either. As a last resort, they will shriek loudly, STUNNING any Hero nearby. Killing a Mandrake makes it lose its magical nature, and they cannot be replanted. DROPS: Mandrake Core, Leaves, Roots, Poison Extract, Mana-rich Powder

Once the mandrakes are defeated, the way is clear and you can move to the next area. Ahead of you is a long and dark hallway with several closed doors. They have signs telling you which department the room belongs to, but you can't quite read what they say. Must be the lighting. Or maybe you just forgot how to read. They do seem to be getting more and more nonsensical as the seconds pass.

Why does it feel like you’re being watched?

Attempt to turn the doorknobs, and you and your teammates will hear chilling whispers of “You had everything. I had nothing.” And if that message doesn’t sink in the first time, perhaps the way the words are quite literally being carved into your arm will make it stick.

Unfortunately, there’s no other way to get through. You must keep trying to open doors. Eventually one will open, right? Just how long is this hallway, anyway? You tried twenty doors but you've barely moved away from the entrance. Eventually, you'll discover that one door is unlocked.

TWO ♙
It's a study room, complete with two couches, a rug, and bookshelves. And more bookshelves. Lots of bookshelves. Did we mention bookshelves yet? You can't see an end to them. You may attempt to leave, but outside is the same corridor as before, unchanged and with all of the doors locked. If there's a way forward it must be inside the study room.

Searching the couch will reveal a note written in Prehnite green talking about adding to the underground tunnels and a code to unlock the doorway. If you search the bookshelves you'll discover that there's one particular book which seems to attract your attention. Do you dare pull it? Of course you do. One sharp tug later, you unwittingly summon:

MONSTER ♟ Rideword
Weak against Water	Strong against Wind	Immune to Status Effects
MAGICAL FLYING BOOKS that cast spells, the nature of which is BASED ON THE BOOK’S GENRE, at their targets. Horror books will cast waves of darkness, religious texts deal Holy damage, and romance novels will either engulf their enemy in flames or charm teammates into fighting each other. These are just a few examples, but there are many more genres of literature, and these little books are creative with their spells. DROPS: Enchanted Book Pages, Glowing Bookmark, Saucy Pin-ups, Bags of Potato Chips

Once all of the ridewords are defeated, one of them will drop a key. Back to the hallway.

THREE ♙
The hallway suddenly doesn't seem so long this time. Unlock the door at the end and you'll see a long and winding, spiral staircase, surrounded by bookcases, leading below. Keep an eye out, as ridewords will pop out from the shadows or from the bookcases themselves. They'll drop from the upper levels, launch themselves from behind darkened shelves, and so on. You can fight, but there's too many to fight off indefinitely. You can only run.

To make matters worse, the ridewords seem to have some friends. Massive and ornate paintings decorate the walls around you. Initially benign, as paintings tend to be, they now literally fill the hallways with new life. The subjects jump at you from the walls, hostile. Between them and the increasing numbers of ridewords, it would do you good to figure out an escape quickly!

Calm down for long enough to examine the paintings further, and you'll notice that the clues are in the colors...

MONSTER ♟ Surface Painting
Weak against Fire (red), Lightning (yellow), Earth (green), Water (blue)	Strong against None	Immune to None
A magical animated blob of paint that can move between finished works of art or CAUSE PAINTINGS TO FLOAT. It’s the mischievous type, finding fun in jumping from painting to painting, using its camouflage to animate pictures. THE COLOR OF ITS ORIGINAL FORM INDICATES ITS WEAKNESS, which makes things quite confusing! DROPS: Oil Paints, Playing Cards, Sunflowers, Floppy Clocks, Fig Leaves

Keep going, and you’ll eventually reach the next area. It's another library room, with more bookshelves and books. The lighting is as bad as before but luckily, there seems to be a lack of ridewords. Given the number of book corpses on the ground, their fate seems obvious… or if there were ridewords they all were killed given the number of book corpses on the ground.

There are no doors in sight, except for the mess of books on the ground, and there is a sign that reads: “Please return the books to their rightful place when you are done reading and arrange them properly.” The way is unlocked by arranging the books in alphabetical order on the empty bookshelf in the middle of the room. It doesn’t matter if it’s by title or by author, as by coincidence the author’s names start with the same few letters as the title. The poor lighting and blurry font on the books will make the task tedious. Is that an ‘o’ or an ‘e’?

Heroes will have to be creative in coming up with a light source. Those who brought the Prehnite note from the study room will probably have an advantage? It did mention a well-hidden reading lamp behind a certain set of shelves in the corner… Except after you finally locate it, you realize it’s broken. There’s a note that reads: "Sorry man, we broke it. We'll bring down a replacement later.” Either try repairing it yourself or start looking for an alternative which doesn’t involve burning the books you need.

Once the puzzle is solved, the center bookshelves will suddenly move by itself to reveal the final passage leading to the last room in The Detention Hall.

FOUR ♙
In the deepest part of the dungeon is a research room, one that seems to be dedicated to the study of alchemy. There's a strange scent, akin a women's perfume. The walls are covered with photographs of blurred out faces. If you look closely, you'll discover that most of them have been scratched at or appear nicked.

Most likely you will not have the time to investigate, though. A hysterical laugh echoes in the area. If you hesitated too much or entered too quickly, violent matagots pounce you. And while you fend off the matagots, a beautiful woman enters, looking young enough to be a recent graduate. If it weren’t for the ancient cruelty in her eyes, she might have fooled you into mistaking her true age. She refuses to give her name, though if you ask nicely enough she'll introduce herself as the Mistress.

The moment anyone in your party says anything about Pigeonsblood or asks what she’s doing here, she'll start her agitated rant. She'll talk about how things have taken a turn for the worse, how talents are wasted, and how they're driving the school into ruin, how misguided everyone is. The Mistress says she'll turn the tides of the academy and she'll make everything right again. Starting with your defeat.

BOSS ♟ Mad Matagot Mistress
Weak against None	Strong against Lightning, Status Effects	Immune to Dark
“If I knew what would happen, then it would not be called research, now would it? Oh-- but oh, my. It appears I've drawn in some special little guinea pigs. I'm all full up on living subjects, but that's an easy fix, isn't it? Let us begin.” With a sharp clap of her hands the Mistress summons her familiars, her FAITHFUL MATAGOTS. Seemingly harmless, they will nevertheless CLAW AND SCRATCH at any Hero while she casts off quick but DESTRUCTIVE ELEMENTAL SPELLS. Heroes who ATTEMPT TO CAST A SPELL themselves may find a matagot attacking their head! Unlucky Heroes will discover them attempting to claw out their eyeball, or trying to scratch out their tongue. “Hehe, what’s wrong? We’re just getting started! Show me more, show me why they noticed you, what makes you so special…” They CAN BE PACIFIED. Food and toys work wonderfully, and Heroes who dare to pet them will be rewarded. Singing a sweet lullaby for them will put them to sleep. A Bishop Tamer’s ability can win them over temporarily to the party’s side, though a Queen’s charm magic is ineffective. The matagots will not betray their Mistress, but they can be convinced to STOP ATTACKING. The Mistress will use her charm to regain influence over her matagots if they’ve taken too long to attack. ”Oh no no no, you didn't think that would work, did you? You should know better. My babies are incredibly loyal, you see.” Distracted Heroes, watch out! The matagots will start attempting to steal your blood, a scrap of your clothing, or some of your hair. If the Mistress gets these items, she will use her ability to create VOODOO DOLLS that will render you immobile, making you easy targets for her spells and for her pets. And if you are male, she will give you a PRIVATE LESSON, where she enticingly steals mana to fuel her next attack. The only thing that can free a Hero will be destroying the doll. “I was the special one, once. I was the one who... well, it doesn't matter, does it? They passed me over. But mark my words, darling, Pigeonsblood was mine. Not his, mine!” She will also use “Private Lesson” to SEDUCE MALE HEROES and turn them into her willing human shields. In order to snap them back to their senses, you must overwhelm her charm magic. For example, KISSING an affected Hero will instantly free them from her control. The more intimate, the better. ”I've worked so, so hard! I did so much for the academy! And how do they repay me?! How?!” The Mistress is now angered and will begin displaying her remarkable grasp on COMPLEX ELEMENTAL MAGIC. She will combine multiple elements to blast her enemies. Her favorites are water with lightning for painful shocks, or fire and wind in high speed flame curtains that sear the very air. The ALCHEMY BOTTLES in her dress will turn her attacks into an overwhelming force. For instance, she will use poison with her water magic to create acid rain in the room. Break or steal the bottles before she has a chance to use them. ”I just wanted to make the school a better place. I really, truly did.” With tears streaming down her cheeks, she falls, and the DUNGEON CORE appears in her hand. Her beloved matagots, the only ones the Mistress could count on, will drag her body into the shadows. The core is left for your party to take. DROPS: Catnip, Fish Heads, Toy Mice, Dead Mice, Alchemist’s Dress, Assorted Alchemy Potions, Life-like Dolls, Pins and Needles, Lesson Planner, Alchemy Recipe Book

The Detention Hall’s beginning to fade away like ink on old paper while a school bell echoes. Looks like school’s out.

FIVE ♙
The moment you return, the people of Grantebrycge will cheer, and pop lights or throw confetti… but not too many. They know that you're tired.

… Though some Prehnite students might try to slip you their dorm room number and ask if they can talk to you about the dungeon later.

Heroes who have enrolled in Pigeonsblood will have access to their dorm rooms, where a hot meal is already waiting for them if they're hungry. Heroes who have not enrolled will have a temporary room assigned to them. A hot meal will be belatedly brought to them; however their portions seem to be more rushed, considering the quality...



In the morning of the following day, Heroes will receive news that the Royal Family of Cochrane, House Amethyst, will be sponsoring an extravagant field trip for Heroes with regards to their job well done and continued service for Gammon. Details on this will be released in a few days.

Comments

[quaria]

[ Certainly, the scratches are intentional. Looking at it can tell that much, so Setsuna doesn't point it out anymore. It's frightening enough staring at it, so hearing details about it is even more so. The next question would be, who did it, and why?

Malice is undoubtedly involved, but there could a number of reasons for it. They know too little to make an accurate guess. He chooses not to comment altogether. Though, the silence doesn't last long. Soon after, a haunting laugh starts to fill the room, at least answering one of their questions. It's most likely... This presence did it.

Setsuna calmly walks to stand in front of the two, drawing his sword one more time. The metallic click pierces the laughter, eyes that seem dead meeting with the woman who finally reveals herself to them. And against his cold stare, her crazed own is trying to overwhelm it.

"Oh, my. I seem to have such young, adorable guests. Why don't you three come closer?" ]

[passtave]

[ As soon as that laugh fills the air, Sakura squeaks in surprise and nearly jumps out of her skin, frantically clutching at Naruto's arm—the closest thing she can feasibly grab hold of. She lets go a moment later, realizing that Naruto is probably going to need that arm to face whatever it is that's making that noise, and she should probably be doing her part to get ready for an attack too, but... maybe she's a little jumpy.

Her eyes are immediately drawn to the woman that steps towards them. She can't help but notice that this woman is devastatingly beautiful, but there's something cold and pitiless in her eyes that sends a shiver down Sakura's spine.

In spite of the woman's words, however, she doesn't go any closer. Instead, following Setsuna's lead, she readies her bow, her fingers curling tightly around the shaft though she doesn't draw. Her hands are shaking, giving away her fear, and so she tries to draw strength from Naruto and Setsuna instead, the both of them standing tall at her side.

The woman only laughs again, her eyes glittering with a cruel form of amusement. "Shy, are we? My, but you've come to me in such a... state." ]

[acknowledges]

[It doesn't make his blood run cold, to suddenly hear that laugh, but it does bring his head right around- this has to be it. This has to be the person responsible. Setsuna moves forward right away, in the same moment that Sakura reflexively reaches for him. Naruto doesn't throw her off because the truth it, he finds that touch comforting. The reassuring smile he offers down at her when they separate says it all She scared me too.

They aren't able to linger. Everyone needs to figure out where they stand, how they measure up against this lady, especially since she's made her intentions clear. Not for the first time, Naruto wonders what it would be like to win this fight by bringing her out of the dungeon. By hearing her out.

Naruto's fingers flex beneath the fabric of his gloves and he reaches out to Sakura, because she's closest, in the moment before she readies her bow. A fist bump. He's a Rook now, so once the fighting starts he knows where he'll need to be- especially since he's predominately a close range fighter. Still, he's taking the moment for what it is, ignoring their enemy to whisper an-]

I'm glad you're here, Hime-chan. 'Counting on you.

[Before they part, and he paces around the woman at an angle. If Setsuna wants to make the first move, Naruto will follow his lead- but it's in Naruto's nature to draw as much attention to himself as possible. His being up there means that the knight should have every opportunity to land a hit that they can manage.

Still... man it's cold down here...]

Hey hey don't get any perverted ideas'attebayo.

[quaria]

[ That would've been ideal, if everything could be solved without fighting. However, Setsuna of all people is more than aware... A peaceful resolution is unattainable in certain scenarios. This fact saddens him too, even if he doesn't voice it out or much less show it. But he has always been fighting for a reason; he wouldn't be the person he is today if it was that easy. And so he won't hesitate, not now or ever. For the sake those around him, for the future he wishes to secure for everyone... He'll never falter.

Not a single sign of fear or any emotion at all crosses Setsuna's face, remaining as lifeless as his blank eyes begin to pierce the mad woman despite her humiliating taunt. Her lips sarcastically smile this time, obviously displeased with Naruto's comment and Setsuna's gaze: "Don't talk and look at me like that, you filthy little brats. You'll come to regret disrespecting this school's one true Mistress!"

Evidently, the Mistress's own pair of eyes are wandering, torn focusing in-between Naruto and Setsuna... Which of these brats will strike first? Which of them is more dangerous? Perhaps both of them are merely bluffing, attempting to intimidate her? She glances at Sakura as well, to equally assess her. While the small girl doesn't look very threatening, the woman isn't foolish enough to rule her out yet.

It doesn't matter to her, either way. The Mistress shortly claps her hands to claim the first move herself; she summons her matagots, all of which immediately surrounds all three Heroes. The cat-shaped familiars pool at their feet, trying to split their attention at once... And then begins their violent wave of attacks. Multiple sharp claws glint in the darkness, swiping down each of them. ]

[passtave]

[ Even though she's so nervous she could faint—she always is before a battle—Naruto's fistbump and quiet words of encouragement bring a small, brief smile out of her. That's right... she has the both of them with her, and even if it isn't much, she has some power to protect them too. The three of them will make it out of this all right. She only wishes... that they didn't have to fight. Even if this Mistress looks like she isn't about to leave them with a choice...

In fact, Sakura opens her mouth to speak—but then the matagots rush out of the darkness, charging towards them. There are too many of them for her to effectively slow down or debuff with a status effect, but Setsuna and Naruto, on the other hand—

She casts defense and damage boosts for both of them before turning her attention towards the matagots closing in on her—gunning for the King first, as usual. Close-range combat really isn't her specialty, so she has to resort to dodging their attacks and firing off small spells that do more to get them away from her than to actually hurt them.

But the Mistress... ]

[acknowledges]

[What the hell are these things even?!

While it isn't the first mystery substance/animal/creature-of-ether he's had hurtled at him in a dungeon, they haven't exactly been positive experiences. Just like it'd been with the books a few rooms earlier, Naruto's reflex isn't to reach for magic, it's to push off against the ground and start running. Because of that decision, the matagots don't make a beeline for his head, but they do scratch and bite ferociously. One clamps its teeth into the bare bend of his elbow, snapping down hard enough that he winces, but doesn't stop.

If he's going to miss anything about the fighting back home, it's this- feeling like he was part of a team. When he was a kid, Team 7 had spent most of their time struggling to understand who went where, what everyone's limits were- their strengths and weaknesses and in that was the constant need to protect one another. He hasn't found a team that works quite the same way here, but the sentiment exists. He's aware of Setsuna gauging the scene and of Sakura immediately casting magic to buff her teammates. It isn't well oiled familiarity, but they have a sort of instinctive chemistry that he falls into without thinking about it.

Naruto goes sprinting without a cautionary look back, closing in on the Mistress from a wide arc as he tugs the short knives from the holster at his thigh and sends them flying. Looks like his approach is up close and personal. Not really a surprise.]

[quaria]

[ As Naruto is focused on the Mistress for now, Setsuna has a bit of time to focus on others... Such as reducing the number of familiars that are trying to overwhelm them. Just like when they first met, even without words, he's able to convey his trust — the trust that a fighter has for another. He has faith in Naruto, back then and even now; he'll let the ninja handle the Mistress while he takes care of the cat-like nuisances.

Setsuna is still standing near Sakura, in front of her but not beyond reach. While the ninja is running in circles to hold the Mistress's attention, Setsuna protectively follows the princess's own steps as she's attempting to escape the matagots's attacks. And every time he makes a step or turns his direction, he breaks out destructive yet accurate swings that immediately annihilate the mobs little by little — sometimes ending one, sometimes ending two or more at once.

The additional attack power from Sakura's spell is slowly working its effect as this happens, causing his attacks to dramatically destroy his targets. He won't let any of them lay a finger on Sakura if he can help it. Though because there's so many, it can't be avoided that sometimes some are able to latch onto him. He kicks them off his leg or bashes his own arm against the nearest wall, either sending them flying back or crushing them right there.

"Hehe, I see! So this is what makes you so special... You three will be such splendid guinea pigs!"

The Mistress blocks most of the knives by blasting wind pressure in front of her, though at least one of those sharp weapons scratch her. She doesn't appear to be frightened or angered by it either... Rather, she's beginning to wickedly laugh more, obviously amused in lunacy. ]

[passtave]

[ Instinctively, Sakura takes her place in the equation their team has been using so far: while Naruto and Setsuna engage their enemies directly, she fires off her bow and casts healing spells and status effects in support. It's made easier with Setsuna's protection, which leaves her better able to keep track of the other two members of her team. The battle is hectic, but she does her best to be judicious—healing any bad injuries as soon as she can, loosing arrows into any matagots that look like they'll slip into their defense.

It doesn't make her happy. The matagots yelp and scream as she and Setsuna drive them back. Even attacking the Mistress... the woman's laugh makes her blood run cold, but Sakura still can't help but feel sorry for her. She's obviously not well.

Notching another arrow, Sakura draws her bow and holds it for a moment, allowing the lightning magic to build up as she centers her aim on the Mistress. Her lightning arrows haven't been doing as much damage to the Mistress as she would've hoped, but she's hoping that her support fire will take the woman's attention off of Naruto just long enough to give him an opportunity. While Sakura does that, she whispers a debuff to strip the Mistress of some of her magical attack power, since that's what she seems to be relying on.

Finally, Sakura releases the arrow—it crackles through the air and buries itself in the Mistress' shoulder. ]

[acknowledges]

[She's fast- the Mistress seems to be taking her measure of them, watchful of their maneuvers and learning how they work together. She counters many of his strikes and blows, even if it isn't all of them, but he can't seem to land one that matters- not all on his own. He gets his moment when Sakura's arrow flies, a crackling he hears through the air that leaves his hair on end. That sensation, the taste before a lightning strike, has reverberated through him since childhood, synonymous with anticipation, slows his hand in the beat before her arrow finds its mark.

The shaft buries itself in the Mistress' shoulder, drawing their enemy's attention to the king. Naruto's blow isn't concentrated on her face, or even a vital organ- instead he smashes into the arrow itself, driving it into the Mistress' body until only part of the fletching can be seen.

Because he'd bumped fists with Sakura at the start of their battle, he's able to borrow one of her abilities and that's what he uses now. When he draws his fist back a second time, he uses an echo of the princess' debuffing ability, driving the spell into the Mistress' body when he connects. Naruto feels a sudden rush of victory, a sense of accomplishment, and then her hand is on his face and the whole of his body goes slack- like a doll. His expression wipes.

I didn't realize you were so eager for a Private Lesson. There, isn't that better?

Naruto turns, his back to the Mistress, posture unmistakably defensive. Looks like he's shifted allegiance.]

[quaria]

No!

[ Sensing ahead of what the Mistress is trying to do, Setsuna instinctively reaches out to Naruto. But since the young Rook is ways off from him, all he can do is watch helplessly as the spell envelops the younger Hero. He grits his teeth when the charm takes immediate effect, recognizing the hostility within Naruto's eyes as he glares at him and the princess. The Mistress appears to be tougher than she looks as well, considering she's able to endure all of those hits and still manage a powerful counterattack.

Even worse, the Mistress is beginning to heal her injuries while Naruto is occupying them. She whispers seductive words of encouragement to the ninja, telling him to keep them busy while she takes care of herself. This isn't good... They have to do something to prevent her from recovering. The matagots keep coming as everything unfolds, causing Setsuna additional distractions as he's trying to come up with a plan. Damn it... Think! He tries to motivate himself as he continues to swing and push them away from Sakura. ]

Sakura, try talking to him!

[ Naruto is much closer to Sakura than him. If the princess calls out to him, would he be able to regain his senses? He'll do his best to continue protecting her and even aid her to come closer to the ninja if that's what it takes to bring him back.

This is not you. Snap out of it...! Setsuna so wishes to yell those words at him, though understands that might not be enough. He isn't enough. ]