DUNGEON LOG: AMESTA FOREST

[phantasmods]

Hello everyone!

Up and the others think that we have enough stabilizers ready for the next expedition! We're going to the forest to the south this time, but it shouldn't be too far for anyone to walk. If you're REALLY going to complain, you can talk to Top on the roof and catch a ride on one of the drones like before.

The scenery's really nice, but there's definitely some kind of magical effect going on in there - as far as we can tell, the day doesn't progress inside the forest. It's stuck a little while after sunset - probably when the Fissure first appeared? (°ヘ°)

Be careful out there! Don't be afraid to call for help if you need it and we'll send a drone your way! o(^▽^)o And Strange says no stupid stunts this time, got it? (；¬д¬)

You'll probably see a big tree on your way there, before you're under the cover of the forest! That's the Infinity Tree, it's a really big willow. Charm can probably tell you more about the mythology if you're interested. He's gonna meet you guys there at the end of the expedition, so try to work your way in that direction as you go!

(｡･ω･｡)ﾉ See you when you get back!

After Down's message, characters will find things set up much the way they were last time on the roof. Top is making last-minute adjustments to the drones, and there's tables with food and medical supplies set out - the latter a little sparse compared to last time, so hopefully you kept your first aid kits from before. The table of stabilizers, on the other hand, is much more full.

On your way, you might also see some of what the construction drones have been putting together so noisily these last few days - there's the metal shell of a building, similar to but smaller than the Station, to the immediate west, just off your path to the forest in the distance. Nothing much indicates its function as of yet, though there are significantly more windows.

To the southwest stretches the border of Amesta Forest - about a mile distant, though still easily within sight. As promised, the Infinity Tree sticks up from the far edge, easily visible for those who need a landmark either now or later in the dungeon. If you get lost, you can probably find your way up a tree somewhere to get a perspective on it, and which direction to head in.

The silver mist doesn't begin until some distance into the forest, the time of day gradually changing to the eternal twilight mentioned as you approach the boundary of the Fissure itself. There's no distinct border, just a slow shading towards late afternoon and then sunset while the mist increases around you.

And as the mist wraps around you, and exhaustion you might have felt from the walk out here starts to evaporate... You've well and truly arrived, now. Better keep your eyes open.

Comments

Sorrow: Validar

[photoshooter]

[It takes .4 seconds for Prompto to see the guy, register Robin's negative reaction, yank his handgun out of the Armiger and shoot Validar right through his illusory chest.

(Like. Come on. That dude was obviously evil, who does anyone think they're kidding?)

It's just another one of these dream constructs, anyway, and Prompto runs over as the vision disperses.]

Robin, are you okay?

[matchmakes]

[Robin can't help but blink as the illusion Validar disperses and then looks over to Prompto, clearly relieved.]

I... Yeah. Thanks.

[Gods, how embarrassing...]

[photoshooter]

Whew, thank goodness. That guy looked...

[Evil? Distressing? Why was his neck so long? After a moment, Prompto sighs.]

A-anyway, I'm glad he didn't hurt you. ...Was that okay? Jumping in like that?

[matchmakes]

Yeah, it was. I appreciate it even.

[He glances over to where the fake Validar vanished and... can't quite suppress his shudder.]

I'm... glad it wasn't real, at least. I'm not sure how Wren and I would've dealt with that man actually showing up here.

[photoshooter]

...Who was he? If it's okay to ask.

[matchmakes]

His name's Validar. He's the leader of a group called the Grimleal, who worship the Fell Dragon, Grima. And... [For a moment or two, it's clear he really doesn't want to say this next part, but...]

Validar is Wren's and my father.

[photoshooter]

[Prompto breathes in sharply through his nose as the color abruptly evaporates right out of him. When he finally responds, it's faintly.]

Oh. I... sorry.

[matchmakes]

[... Oh... Oh dear. Robin just shakes his head a bit.]

It's alright. Don't worry about it, okay? ... Though, if it's all the same to you, I'd rather not get into any details.

[Partly because there's a lot he doesn't know and partly because he's still uncomfortable with what he does know.

And also because he still has yet to find out the worst but shhhhh.]

[photoshooter]

No, n-no, of course not. Neither would I. I mean, if I... [His gaze flickers away and he takes a breath. Steady, Prompto.] ...I won't pry, I promise.

[The topic is officially Never Going to Be Brought Up Again, Ever.]

...Wren told me a little about the Grimleal, so I get it. Sorry he's, like. In your dreams and stuff.

[matchmakes]

There... are other reasons for it, but it's not a big deal.

[At least, it isn't now.]

To tell you the truth, the man isn't half as clever or threatening as he thinks he is.

[photoshooter]

Yeah? Well, good. People like that... if they're smart and crazy, a lot of bad things can happen. Especially if people listen to them.

[matchmakes]

He's too focused on the inevitability of things that have supposedly been written, but... well, Wren and I are of the opinion that there's no such thing as an inevitable fate.

[photoshooter]

[Fate. Prompto goes very quiet and very still.]

...You are, huh...

[...]

Guess you won't know until you try, right?

[matchmakes]

If we don't, everything's been for nothing.

[He closes his eyes.]

But my sister and I still have an ace in the hole... hopefully she and I will be back in time to see how things play out.

[photoshooter]

I'm sure you will be! You guys are smart, there's no way you'll lose!

[ROW ROW FIGHT DA POWAH]

[matchmakes]

I certainly hope that's the case... but thank you. Your confidence in us is encouraging.

[photoshooter]

You know... I wonder if we can use the Fissures to go to worlds we're not from. If we can, you can count on me to help, dude!

[matchmakes]

I wouldn't be surprised, actually. Traveling to Outrealms isn't out of the, well, realm of possibility for Wren and I, so maybe...

[photoshooter]

Oh, I never asked. What's an Outrealm? Another world, I guess?

[matchmakes]

Yes, that's it exactly. There's a portal that allows access to them--Wren and I have used it here and there.

[And mostly walked right into trouble and/or shenanigans, but he's not gonna say that out loud.]

[photoshooter]

That's so cool, like something out of a sci-fi game! What kinds of places are they?

[matchmakes]

We didn't see much of those worlds... but particular favorites... Well, there was one that was having a harvest festival when we got there! And another was a private beach... Oh, and a hot spring, too.

There are others, but... [Honestly, he's not sure he wants to talk about some of them...]

Those were my favorites, at least! Wren and I don't use the Outrealm Gate all that often, it's a bit of a trip to get there at times.

[photoshooter]

Oh, man, that's so awesome, though! I wish we had something like that. I mean, not that Eos isn't... isn't great, usually, and there are lots of different places to go, but there hasn't been a lot of opportunity for, like, real vacations. Not lately.

[matchmakes]

Ah, that's right, there's been a lot happening back home for you, hasn't there?

[photoshooter]

Yeah. Well, and even before that, I never had the chance to leave the city. It wasn't safe.