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

[hxppythxughts]

♥ 1 - a great grotto! ♥ (OTA)

[Is it any surprise that Sayori is drawn to the lovely, fairytale-esque scenery of the grotto? Especially given the way her nerves tangle up in her gut when she thinks about Komaeda's words. She tries to bury them and stick to her usual straightforward approach to adventure, but it is reassuring to come upon a place that looks so fun! And safe!

Sayori can often be found climbing on the huge mushrooms and wedged into the little nooks like a regular Alice in Wonderland. Except Sayori is probably having more fun. Occasionally she also opens up her journal to jot down her inspired thoughts.

However, you may also catch her surreptitiously breaking off a small piece of one of the mushroom's caps to taste it. And subsequently frowning in deep betrayal at the horrible texture.

...And then taking another bite anyway.]


♥ 2 - be mine! ♥ (various)

[The mine is very creepy. This is when the nerves really start to sink in, the horrible feeling that she's out of her element and totally useless. She keeps those thoughts to herself, of course. Everyone has been so nice to her; she doesn't want them to feel like their efforts in helping her were for nothing. So, she covers it up with idle chatter.] Doesn't it feel like we'll run into a ghost or something? Abandoned places are always haunted! [And:] Hehe, it echoes a lot down here, doesn't it?

A (OTA) - [Or:] Hey, have we been here before?

[Oh, wait, that last part isn't idle chatter. These four paths do seem to be repeating, don't they? Sayori's eyebrows furrow as she turns to look behind her, as if the path they've already walked will reveal the answer.] ...it looks the same.

B (OTA) - [Or:] Hey, what's in here?

[As they wander into a storeroom, populated with a lot of...bottles? It makes her think of her poem! But these bottles probably aren't filled with happy thoughts.

She takes one down off the rack, regarding it with some curiosity. Without heeding any potential warning, she pops it open and sniffs the bottle--and recoils with sharp surprise.] Whoa! That's strong!

C (closed to Shinjiro) - [Or perhaps, once she's found her way to the quarry, a simple:] Whooooa.

[That's a big drill.

And...a big drop. As much as she wants to get closer to investigate the drill, it seems really dangerous. So she tries to be careful as she climbs around the quarry and pokes around the rocks.

Careful does not mean quiet, though, as hard as she tries. It might be hard to pick up on the sounds of footsteps that don't belong to Sayori or Shinjiro--at least if you're not used to keeping an eye out for danger.]


♥ 3 - a lovely lake! ♥ (OTA)

[The first time Sayori comes by the lake is in broad daylight, when it looks sparkling and inviting rather than creepy and mysterious. She stands by the shore, regarding it with a bit of a pout. Eventually, she speaks up, lamenting.] I didn't buy a swimsuit!

[Tragic.

Or, you may find her later, simply using the water to clean up--face, clothes, shield... They're all getting pretty gross. Whether she washes up well is another matter, but it's fine, probably.]


♥ 4 - wildcard! ♥ (OTA)

[Being that this is Sayori's first mission, she's doing all kinds of things in the hopes of not being a total failure of a Reclaimer. Back at camp, she's:

- Writing poetry. Obviously.
- Making conversation! She may ask what you've found and how you're feeling.
- Practicing her magic, mostly flexing with the various effects of Prestidigitation. The smell of flowers, the sound of crickets, the sight of a few dissipating sparks as if they've fallen from a firework. These and other such pleasant and relaxing sensory effects can be experienced by Sayori's bedroll and the general vicinity while she practises. She'll even take requests! If you've come into some filth, she can at least make your clothes look nicer. Or if you've experienced some greater misfortune, she will gladly give you a Healing Word.
- Very rarely, simply staring into the distance contemplatively. Usually when she thinks nobody is paying her much mind.

Have other ideas? Hit me with a prompt or contact me at ceesawaseesaw or cee#9435 on Discord!]

♥ 1 - a great grotto! ♥ (OTA)

[despairing_hope]

[While Sayori is munching on disgusting mushrooms there is a voice, the voice of a stranger, the voice of a strange goblin.]

Have you heard the word of Hope?

[It is very serious. This is important.]

[hxppythxughts]

[She nearly chokes on the mushroom in alarm. Such a dire tone of voice!

She whirls, cloak fluttering, and sees the goblin. Unaware that he speaks with a capital H, she smiles.] Yeah, I've heard of it! "Hope" is a nice word!

[This is so clearly not what the goblin meant but nobody said she was an INT class.]

[despairing_hope]

Isn't it!? We are so glad that the Pale Prophet brought us such a great word!

[It might not have been exactly what he meant, but he also wasnt very bright so... yeah.]

Have you met him?

[hxppythxughts]

The Pale Prophet? [This, she is more confused by. She doesn't immediately connect anyone she knows to that description.] I don't know! What does he look like? Besides pale.

1

[secrowtary]

[ Sayori. Sayori why.

Hibiki thought that the first bite will be enough to teach her a lesson, but never has he been so wrong. Absolutely astounded, he's right here, just a few steps away, witnessing this absurd. ]

What do you think you're doing, miss?

[ Does he really have to teach people that it's irresponsible to put unknown mushrooms inside their mouths (and why yes). ]

[hxppythxughts]

Eep!

[She's been caught! She turns to glance sidelong over her shoulder, a guilty look on her mushroom-stuffed face. She only wears this expression because the mushroom ended up tasting terrible; she would be unrepentant if it were delicious.]

I was just tasting it!

[secrowtary]

Just tasting it...

[ She's not even trying to come up with excuses? Hibiki's not sure if he's actually grateful to hear an honest answer or quite the opposite. ]

I hope you won't be just having indigestion from it later.

[ That's cruel. ]

[hxppythxughts]

I only took a couple of bites! [Surely that's not enough to cause indigestion? She hopes not. She brought such tasty snacks from the base and would hate for her stomach to be too upset to eat them.]

2B or not 2B

[ribticklers]

[Sans is watching everyone else work more than he's working himself, but he looks over at Sayori when she recoils.] Careful you don't get yourself poisoned, kiddo.

[hxppythxughts]

[Sayori sniffs it again, more cautiously this time.] I don't think it's poison! It smells like... [Another sniff.] Cleaner?

[Alcohol. She means alcohol. But her only experience with alcohol is in cleaning supplies, and that one time Yuri sneaked a bottle of wine into the clubroom, but Sayori didn't actually get to smell it that time.

Therefore, cleaner.]

[ribticklers]

Don't you know you shouldn't smell weird chemicals? [Cleaners count! But now Sans is ambling over, and--] But that's not cleaner anyway.

[He can smell it already.]

[hxppythxughts]

I only smelled it a little bit! [Surely three sniffs won't kill her!

She holds the bottle out to examine the outside again.] Then what is it?

3

[whippings]

( Franziska also happens to be near the lake - it's quite pretty, isn't it - when she hears the girl exclamation. )

You do not need a swimsuit to swim.

( Sage advice from Franziska von Karma... )

[hxppythxughts]

[I mean. She's not wrong.

Sayori considers this very seriously.] I guess I don't. But if I swam in my clothes they'd get all wet!

[whippings]

That is why one wears underwear, is it not?

( Not that Franziska's the type to go swimming in her knickers, but she wouldn't let something as simple as the incorrect attire get in the way of something she wanted to do. )

[hxppythxughts]

You think that'd be okay? I did bring spare underwear... [Her dressing and hygienic habits are not always the best but even she is not gross enough to only bring one pair of panties for a mission of undetermined length.]

...

Wait, but I only brought one bra! [There is that, though.]

1

[maskreant]

[ ... Akira saw that, but he doesn't question her at first. Instead, he stares for a while before he speaks up. ]

Is it good?

[ His instincts scream that they shouldn't eat this, but at the same time he's so... Curious. ]

[hxppythxughts]

[Akira understands.

Sayori looks utterly dejected.] No. [ :( ]

They look so wonderful! I thought they'd taste better!

[maskreant]

[ Oh no... He gives Sayori an apologetic frown.

But he's also still very confused. ]

Is that why you're eating them? To show that you appreciate their beauty?

[hxppythxughts]

[Her eyes widen a little, and she regards Akira with some awe. As she speaks, there's a certain sparkle in her eyes.] That was so poetic!

[And it has some merit to it. You eat with your eyes first, right? That's part of why Natsuki's sweets were so good.] Maybe I was! I don't know, I just looked at them and thought... "I bet those taste good!"

♥ 2; be mine, but in parseltongue ♥

[protegge]

Huh. That's weird.

[Mista's been skulking along behind Sayori since he ran into her down here. Really, he should've come down with a group in the first place, he can hear about three different people from home lecturing him in the back of his head, but — well, whatever. Too late now. Anyway, the buddy system caught up with him.]

[It didn't seem to work out for these guys, though. There's a small collection of dwarves in various positions across the floor and leaned against the wall, all with varying degrees of terrified expressions on their faces. They're also all apparently—]

[He raps on the top of one of their heads with his knuckle. There's a hollow rap kind of sound.]

Stone? [That seems very fucking bad?] Hey, Sayori, pull back a sec, okay?

[hxppythxughts]

[Sayori pauses and looks back over her shoulder at Mista. Then, she follows his gaze to the stone dwarf in front of him. Her eyebrows furrow as her eyes pan slowly over the whole scene, taking it all in. She didn't even notice them at first; their stony forms blend with the dark walls of the tunnels. They all look so scared.

After a moment, she does indeed step back, closer to Mista.] Statues...?

[protegge]

Dunno. I don't think so, though.

[He's quieter than she's seen him before, now; a little more focused, a little more thoughtful. The trouble is he can't see worth a damn in the dark, so beyond the statues there's not a whole lot he can make out.]

I think they're dead, [he says flatly,] or close enough. I don't know what can do that kind of thing to somebody, though. Whatever it is, it scared the crap out of 'em before it got 'em.

[It reminds him of stories — of the Gorgon and Perseus. He was never one for reading much, but he liked monster-slaying stories when he was a kid. Except he's no Perseus, and this isn't whatever dumb little Greek island that happened on. It's a sky tunnel. Not nearly as poetic.]

crawls in an entire century late orz feel free to ignore if necessary

[petsthedog]

[That sure is a hell of a drop.

The climb downwards is treacherous, so he tries to be sure that they stick close together as they make their way down, and he tries to stay ahead of her so that if she loses her footing she'll just bump into him rather than go all the way down; he's sturdy enough for an impact like that, after all.

....But that definitely sounded like a third step of footsteps. He stops, signalling for Sayori to stop as well.]

Shit. Something's coming, I think.