Field Mission 3: Brushing the Sun, Part 1

[balancemod]

Are there really no bananas on board this thing? NAVIGATION 1. FIRST, YOU DRAW A CIRCLE Click here for the RNG thread! A. IT'S TIME TO GET TO WORK That certainly isn't to say that your previous efforts have not been hard work. But one half of this mission has been fine tuned, a logistical machine of well-oiled cogs, the creative efforts of a man who has so much to make up for. After the three-hour journey across the sky, you and the three other Reclaimers you boarded the glass orb with will be deposited right in the dead center of Maru, where the Bureau has set up a small camp for gathering, sorting, and sending off supplies. It's chilly, but not unbearably so. The air is thin, but up here, it's probably the cleanest you've breathed anywhere else in Faerun — new and old Reclaimers alike. Whatever goal you decide to work toward during your stay here, after a quick rundown of how supply gathering will work (it's pretty simple: You bring supplies, the unnamed Bureau members assigned to the base will send them off), you're turned loose to the gnarling wilds of the floating continent. Because, as the header says, it's time to get to work. And you most certainly haven't gone unnoticed. 2. USE YOUR PATH ACTIONS WISELY B. ROWDY RUMBLE Those of you who aren't quite combat ready might be getting something of an instant crash course in the art of a hostile encounter — though, perhaps in a bit of a lucky streak, goblins, like the pack of three of them that are leading the charge here, are, uh. Well, they're morons. But these particular three see a bunch of humanoids flying in on what are very clearly cursed globes, and they see a bunch of humanoids wandering the lands and attempting to cash in on their treasure. They were here first, you know! Even if they don't entirely understand why the mine they were here first in isn't exactly on the ground anymore. Or where exactly they are to begin with now. Or ... well, frankly, nothing about any of this makes any sense. Whether you're back at the base at the center of Maru, or whether you're out in the fields, toeing at the ground for hints of treasure underneath, you, and whoever you happen to be traveling with, will be approached by a rather bold trio. And whatever treasure you may have on your person? They're rather keen on taking it. What will you do? Fight? Try to reason with them? For those of you with the combat experience, there are, of course, much bigger fish to fry. Take a look at the YOLO's guide to monsters for a full list of the hostile critters you can challenge to a wrestle during your stay on Maru. C. NIGHTLY WHISPERINGS You've probably heard the rumors by now — the fact that nobody seems interested in going to the small lake and waterfall on Maru once nighttime rolls around. Seems pretty silly, right? Superstitious, even. It's a rather beautiful patch of the floating continent, and if your previous expeditions digging through the ground are any indicator, there's a wealth of valuable items to be had underneath the surface. Hubris might lead you to camping out near the water's edge, for just one evening. And sometime around midnight, provided that same hubris hasn't put you to sleep, the light of your campfire, or the light of the moon, suddenly extinguishes. It's like being wrapped up in a cloak of vantablack, in very nearly every single sense, not just sight. No rustling of leaves, no sound of the wind passing through every nook and cranny of the continent. No light. No nothing. If you decide to book it out of there, be careful, lest you accidentally wander into the lake, without a clear sense of where exactly the exit is. But if you choose to hold steady, after about an hour, the silence and darkness clears — and the scenery returns to normal, as if nothing happened. Something did happen, however. Whether you stayed there for just a moment, you sat through it, or you slept through it, if you were anywhere near the lake at midnight, you'll be subject to a nightly enchantment coming from an unknown source. You may pick one of the following: ○ The next time you are asked a question, whether it's what you had for dinner or whether you're all right, you will be magically forced to answer it truthfully. The effect wears off after one question. ○ When you speak, you'll hear yourself speaking normally. Everyone else will hear you either making an animal noise, or repeating a sentence you've said before, regardless of its relevance. That goes all the way back to your canon! The effect begins at sunrise, and lasts for three hours. ○ Whenever you try to leave, it feels as if your shoes are suddenly made with two tons of lead. You will not be able to move away normally. Someone's going to have to carry you out of there. ○ When the sun rises, you will be magically reduced to half your height. The effect lasts for five hours. 3. MINE CART MADNESS D. I'M ABOUT TO LOSE MY MINE, UP IN HERE, UP IN HERE. Eventually, you'll probably find yourself down in the mine's labyrinthine system of tunnels and networks that seem to sprawl out in nearly endless directions. Be careful when you turn corners, as there may be an Umber Hulk or a Basilisk waiting for you in the darkness, but as you look down, you do notice tracks that head in nearly every direction. Whoever had initially excavated this area was quite laborious and thorough with the pathing down in its deepest delves. One turn leans to another long corridor, and maybe another turn leads you back in a circle. Mining equipment can be found almost everywhere, left to rust and decay with the passage of time that could only indicate hundreds of years of being completely unbothered. You step forward, and look to see a path that carves out into four directions- straight, left, right, and back. And you quickly realize something doesn't feel right. That's true- as you begin to step forward and take a path, you find yourself back to where you started after walking for a little while. Turn back, and you might notice that you're in the exact place you just were as well. Maybe you brought some chalk with you, or maybe you managed to drop something here like a breadcrumb trail to tell you which way you've already headed. Or maybe you don't even notice it until you've been walking for hours, but you're stuck in a loop. Of those four directions, you'll notice something peculiar if you start to take notice. ○ One direction will always lead you back to where you started. ○ If you listen close enough, down one hall you'll be able to hear the sound of a coastline, weak waves echoing and crashing against the shore. Follow that sound and you'll come to the source of it: a large standing pool of water that sits absolutely still, no tide. You can swim to the bottom of it, not a problem. There doesn't seem to be anything there. But the walls are bio-luminescent, coated with weird fungi that you definitely don't want to eat. ○ When you look on the ground, you can always find baby fire beetles at the mouth to one of the spokes. Follow those markings long enough and you'll inexplicably be sent back to the mine's entrance. ○ One direction is completely nondescript, but unlike the first one that sends you to the beginning of the maze, you enter a new area that doesn't hold any of the signs that you were there previously. You can follow this lead for several iterations, and eventually come to a four-way that has no features noticeable whatsoever: no beetles, no sound of rushing water. But you head down one of them and you're back to where you started. E. I'LL FOLLOW BEHIND YOU ON RAINBOW ROAD. Mind boggling puzzles aside, you're welcome to explore the depths of the Lost Mine of Phandelver. One of the more ridiculous, albeit, fun adventures you can take is a mine cart ride through the mine down to the farthest reaches. It starts off relatively bumpy and doesn't seem to smooth out at any given point, but it's the closest thing you're going to get to a roller coaster ride down here in Faerun. Reaching the end is a matter of waiting the cruise- and you eventually come to a dead end. There's stuff you can mine down here as it empties out into a vast, damp cavern. Iron, several types of cheap gemstones, and rocks can be found pretty much anywhere. If you're looking to rebuild Vista Virs, this is a good place to start. If you're looking to make a little cash on the side, that's possible too. We're not here to judge your moral intentions. Getting back isn't as fun as it was coming down here, as you're pretty much stuck pushing the cart back to where it was if you want to take things out. Don't worry about the logistics too much; there always seems to be a cart available for you to descend, and oddly enough, it never feels like it's the same journey down and back twice in a row. F. BEEN HERE ALL NIGHT. BEEN HERE ALL DAY. There are a few notable places to explore while you're down in Phandelver: ○ An administrative office, complete with desks that haven't been touched in years. Several papers are still there, with dates that go far and wide back into the past. Touching them causes it to disintegrate into dust. For anyone who makes it down there, there is a lockbox to be found that can be opened by smashing it on the ground or attempting to unlock it with thieves' tools. While the contents are up to you to decide, nothing in there should be magical beyond a simple potion of healing, aged... several centuries. ○ An old room that seems to be barred from the inside, about an hour's walk past the mine entrance. Outside, you can find several skeleton carcasses of humanoid creatures that have long since died down here. If you try to make it into the room by force, you'll be greeted with a barracks that once housed the dwarves who worked down here. You get the sense that a battle happened in these parts, but beyond that, it's kind of hard to tell what went down. ○ A large quarry with a practically neolithic drill in the center of it. It hasn't seen use in quite some time, but be careful as the drop can be upwards of 100 feet. Another prime locale for mining, this area seems to house sturdier metals. Hence, the drill being necessary. Be careful, this is prime Umber Hulk territory. ○ Various storerooms that housed supplies for the workers of the cavern. You'll find wine and spirits down in the depths, and who wouldn't want to try some 300 year old whiskey? The climate down here is particularly perfect for keeping and storing these rare and fine vittles. Drink up, it's on us. ○ One peculiar room that when you enter, you feel a chill sort of feeling take over your body. There's a bed in here, with a storage chest at the base of it. Attempting to open it or touch it or even having an intention to steal/uncover what's inside will cause you to hear incredibly powerful and loud screaming in your head, enough to make you clutch your ears and take psychic damage from it. Hm. 4. WILDCARD The floating continent of Maru is your world to explore, and your story to write! You may use any of the prompts we've given you here, or you may come up with your own prompts — you can utilize any part of the setting provided in the OOC post. If you'd like the outcome of a particular thread randomized, or if you'd like to investigate a particular part of the setting, feel free to drop a note in the RNG thread and we'll set up a roll for you. As always, be amazing. You're two for two on reclaiming Grand Relics, and we can't wait to see what you do here. blurb code by photosynthesis

Comments

[grakraka]

[Literal Metaphors]

[One day, you might find Akechi by the lake with a bucket full of water and hands full of blood.

Blood?

Yes.

Akechi has blood and what looks like slim remains over his hands and lower arms. With his face scrunched up in a scowl, he keeps scrubbing at them until the water is too gross to clean. Then he empties it on the ground, gets fresh water from the lake and starts over again. He lifts his hand to inspect it, squinting at his nails and frowns.]

Mmm, still some flesh stuck...

[GROSS.]

[Good Dog, Best Friend]

[Since life cursed him from the moment of his birth, it really is only fair that here in balance, some, well, balance has been added to his previously rotten luck. It seems that at some point, Goro Akechi has gained a new companion and he has never been happier. Childhood dream achieved.

You might spot him doing a couple of things. a) He has decided to do what he always wanted to do with a dog and race her, though if you actually watch, it's hard to say who is winning, since they occasionally jump on each other, and they only seem to be running back and forth between the same two trees. Cocoa suddenly flops down, which has Akechi looking worried, until she suddenly bolts to the tree. Haha, she wins! Is the feeling you get from her.

b) Or you might see a dog run by with what appears to be an entire deer leg in her mouth, half of it dragging on the ground as she runs wild and free, a feeling of mischief about her. Akechi is not long after, shouting, "Cocoa no it hasn't been cleaned yet!" as he tries to catch her.

Watching them together is very sweet either way.]

[Wildcard]

[Akechi has been taking it easy on this mission! While he is mining with the best of them and exploring, he's also enjoying taking walks, exercising, napping, doing five thousand training things for Qrow, training and still not learning to swim despite everything. Hit me up at astronomia or gimme your own starter or i'll make one to your tastes <3!]

Good Dog, Best Friend

[despairing_hope]

[Momentarily free from the Goblin Hope Cult he accidentally created he stumbles across Akechi and his new dog. He can't help but watch them as they run around having fun.

His feelings are deep as he can't help but love dogs.]

Oh! What a wonderful dog! Can I pet them?

[grakraka]

[Stopping with Cocoa at his heels, he gives a nod and gestures at her, a little out of breath.]

Her name is Cocoa. She'd love the attention, I'm sure.

[She is like her owner that way, given that she wags her tail as she looks at Komaeda.]

[despairing_hope]

Cocoa chan.

[He practically melts to bend over and rub her all over, especially behind the ears.]

Were did she come from? I haven't seen anyone with a pet here before.

GOOD DOG

[napstar]

[ Cocoa runs up to him with the leg and drops it, wagging her tail up at him. Just the dog he was looking for! Huh, that leg's a little big for her, isn't it? And.. still bleeding? Minato's not an expert but he's pretty sure she didn't kill that herself. ]

Having fun?

[ Then Goro's voice echoes after her. Woops, looks like we have a thief! She picks up the leg again, but before she can dash off he grabs the other end. Tug of war! ]

[grakraka]

[Akechi skids to a stop as he watches this, uh, interesting sight?]

Ah— [He raises his hand, unsure what to say.] Minato, that's...

[He's playing tug of war with a bloody leg???]

[napstar]

[ He sure is! And he's determined to win! The blood doesn't bother him at all. Cocoa puts up a tough fight, holding steady to lure him into complacency before thrashing about to pull it out of Minato's hands. But Minato doesn't fall for the trickery! His hold is steady as the leg jerks about from her jaws. Minato retaliates by lifting the leg a little higher. She doesn't let go; her front legs lift with it.

He's getting blood all over his outfit.

He blinks at Goro. What was he saying? "That's" what? ]

wildcard!

[hxppythxughts]

[When Sayori finds Akechi and Cocoa, it looks like they're enjoying the view of Faerun below. She hasn't spent much time doing that yet, too absorbed in adventure and, frankly, trying to make herself useful somehow.

She approaches--not quietly, for she doesn't want to startle someone standing near the edge of anything, much less a floating ball of dirt.] Goro! Did you make a new friend?

[She means the pup, of course. She's like 90% sure he didn't have a dog before.]

[grakraka]

[To an outsider like Sayori, it looks like a boy and his dog, just enjoying the magnificent view. For Akechi, though, it started with Cocoa running off and him following her, worried the dog might do something stupid. Cocoa is not in fact stupid enough to run off the world, thankfully, but she has sat down near enough to look out over her domain as the queen she is. Akechi, however, hangs back just a little behind her.

Cocoa hears Sayori first and perks up, turning her head to look at her, curious. Akechi looks as well, quickly trying to clear away any dread on his face. He raises his hand in a wave.]

I did, yes! This is Cocoa. She's friendly, I promise.

[Taking cues from Akechi, she senses Sayori is a friend and her tail starts to wag.]

[hxppythxughts]

[The delight on Sayori's face when Cocoa starts wagging her tail cannot be measured.

Undeterred by the proximity to the edge of the island, Sayori hustles over to Cocoa and kneels down to immediately begin dispensing pets.] Look at you! Aren't you a good girl? [Chin scritches!] You like Goro too, huh?

[But she figures Cocoa probably can't talk back or Akechi would have mentioned it. So she addresses him again as she peers out into the distance.] Wow. The view up here is amazing, isn't it?

two crows walk into a goblin bar...

[secrowtary]

[ Once they reach the goblin settlement, Hibiki can't fend off the feeling that they're not welcome here, even if they're just wandering around. Well, maybe just wandering might be the problem as far as he knows—it's impossible to tell when seemingly no one pays them any attention. Still, it's better to be ignored than attacked, that's for sure, especially when they're outnumbered. At least he doesn't have to wait too long for a verbal confirmation that they're indeed unwelcome here: ]

"Get out."

[ For approximately 3 seconds, Hibiki's tempted to use goblins' own strategy of ignorance, but he caves in. ]

I suppose the word "hospitality" is an unknown one to you.

[grakraka]

[Akechi snorts before he can stop himself as he puts a hand on his hip.]

Unfortunately, we are technically representatives of our group right now, so we should do our best to bridge the gap here in, ah, understanding. Perhaps speak in terms they find more familiar will help?

[Like. Well. Treasure.]

[secrowtary]

[ He put his hand on his hip. Shit is about to get real. ]

I wonder if this is a more familiar term.

[ Is he really happy to see the goblin or—no he's going to pull out a knife. Akechi, please be the better person... ]

dog dog dOG DOG D O G

[notthatbutler]

[Is

That's a dog with a whole-ass deer leg in its mouth running pell-mell around the camp and Akechi is chasing her. It's kind of sweet.

But also doggo no that might upset your tummy water u doin]

...Uh...do you need some help?

[He says this as Akechi laps him for probably the third time this instance.]

[grakraka]

[Coming to a stop at the offer, he flashes a smile as he runs a hand through his hair.]

I would like that. I just don't want her to get any diseases...

what's a metaphor

[gotyourbach]

[Oh, it's Akechi! Good boy, best friend. Kaede's thinking about trying to sneak up behind him and startle him when she sees the bloody water, and all thoughts of pranking him are immediately banished from her mind.]

Oh my God... are you hurt?

[She ducks around him to grab both of his arms, avoiding the blood in case there's an injury she can't see.]

I know a healing spell now, I can use it!

[She's already starting to hum, just in case.]

[grakraka]

[Oh whoops. Akechi blinks, taken off guard by the whirlwind of worry. But he quickly shakes his head.]

No no, I'm not hurt! It's fine. I'm just fine, I promise. No injuries or anything like that.

metaphORS

[rancori]

[...Does she want to know?

Is it too late to turn back?]

...Do I have to go find someone?

[grakraka]

[Oh. He gives a small wave, clearing his throat.]

Yes, this probably does look a bit worrying, doesn't it? But no, no it's fine. It's deer.

the goodest dog

[petsthedog]

[So you know the grumpiest Persona user? The only who has the strongest resting bitchface among them and just generally looks like he's ready to shank a bitch, regardless of how soft and gooey the marshmellow center might be?

Akechi gets to witness a fascinating phenomenon today, as Cocoa flops down nearby: Shinjiro Aragaki, actually smiling. The grumpy expression is entirely gone as he kneels down, one hand extended for the dog to sniff, and if Cocoa's body language permits it, there's skritches and pets that follow.]

Hey there, buddy, what's up...

[...This lasts for about the three seconds it takes for Akechi to catch up with her, at which point he suddenly stops petting to rub awkwardly at his neck instead. Ah. Busted.]

[grakraka]

[This really might be the best discovery he has ever made.

Cocoa, much like another dog, understands sad children and welcomes Shinji's attentions, tail wagging happily. Akechi comes to a stop when he notices it and smiles, walking over. Rather than point out how surprising it is, he decides to be a little more delicate.]

I named her Cocoa. She quite likes people, so don't worry.

(a) good dog!!

[whippings]

( Franziska is watching the shenanigans unfold from some distance, and it is quite amusing to see the sheer amusement the boy and his canine companion are obtaining from their playtime. She can't help but approach after seeing the boy lose the race, a smirk on her face and her tone lightly teasing: )

I do believe you were just outsmarted by your dog.

[grakraka]

[Akechi is taking a moment to catch his breath, bent over when he hears Franziska approaching. He glances up with a soft laugh.]

I think you might be right. She has far surpassed her teacher in this case.

[Cocoa rolls in the grass, tongue lolling in a way that somehow seems proud.]

hits u with a metaphor

[alethiological]

[ It's been five months since that specific shade of blue loomed past Akechi, but the person isn't new. No verbal response at first. Followed by a pained hiss of sympathy.

GROSS!!! Dig through pockets momentarily. Then crouch down at acceptable There Is No Reason To Be Dumb And Drop This In The Grass height to give the poor kid a steel nail. Or a needle? It's a bit too long to be used for sewing, but it's fine. ]

Let me know if it needs heating up first.

[grakraka]

[It takes Akechi a moment to understand, at which point he quickly shakes his head.]

No no, I mean— [Well. Okay, clarification first.] If that were the case it would help, so thank you for the offer, but no this isn't mine.

[If it was, he would absolutely take Will up on that offer, though.]