DUNGEON - BELLMARE ENCLAVE (BELLMARE MOUNTAINS, PT 2)

[phantasmods]

The shadows are starting to grow very long as you crest his particular ridge - it's not night yet, but it will be soon. In the shadows of the afternoon, with a tall mountain already blocking the sun, lies a snow-covered valley that is different from the ones you've come across thus far in your investigation.

This valley is home to a town, and unlike all the settlements you've seen so far - Incendia, the Telovia mining town, and the manor - it's very much active. There are actual people in the streets, visible from above, going through their days on snow-free streets, bundled up against the cold.

Those of you who asked were told of the handful of people who didn't go into the slumber of stasis as the Fissure conditions of the world grew worse and worse, instead isolating themselves and trying to continue living their lives as they could. Now, it seems, you've found exactly such a group.

Welcome to the Bellmare Enclave, and enjoy your stay.

[[OOC: Welcome to part 2 of the dungeon! For the most part, interaction with the town's NPCs can be handwaved as described on the main information post. Worth noting are the following major things: The Bellmare Enclave isn't expecting visitors, though the people are generally friendly to the new arrivals. They don't know about the time dilation effect of their Fissure - to them, it's only been about eighteen years since the Slumber Plan was put in place and they withdrew from the world. And finally, by a similar token, they have no idea how far the Fissures outside of their own have grown - while it's not uncommon for them to find odd objects from time to time, they'll assume that the characters are just arrivals from other places within their own world, rather than outsiders, until told otherwise.]]

Comments

[burninglight]

Stop sounding like me or I'll hit you again.

[founderinglight]

Can't help being your twin, brother dear. We're only alike in the unhelpful ways these days, or so I wind up feeling half the time.

[burninglight]

Mm...does seem that way, doesn't it?

[...]

I'm not going to apologize for punching you that time.

[founderinglight]

...I didn't expect you to?

[He literally asked if that was just reflex, Ardyn, he kind of expected it.]

[burninglight]

Just making sure we're clear on that, brother dear.

[founderinglight]

We're clear. Thinking about it makes me want to punch me, so it's fine.

[burninglight]

Still could, if you like. I might at least think that was funny.

[founderinglight]

As my next of kin, consider yourself designated self-punching proxy. Just what you've always wanted, probably.

[burninglight]

...I suppose that's a title I can accept.

[founderinglight]

I'd be wounded if you didn't.

[His jaw is swelling something awful at this point, too, so Izunia grudgingly palms a potion and cracks it in one fist near his face.]

Holding up a little better, now?

[burninglight]

...A bit. Still a touch lightheaded, but I should be alright to keep going soon enough.

[founderinglight]

Take it easy. If a vision like this can happen once...

[Well, there's no need to fill in the blank, is there?]

[burninglight]

Must you immediately start tempting fate?

[founderinglight]

Naming the worst that can happen and figuring out how to deal with it is how I handle my anxieties, so yes.

[burninglight]

Sounds insane, but do what you will.

[founderinglight]

It's the darkness of misinformation that cost me what I held dear once. If I can name it, I can face it.

[He shrugs.]

Or at least attempt to.