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Phantasmal Rift Mods ([personal profile] phantasmods) wrote in [community profile] phantasmalrift2018-04-19 11:46 pm
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DUNGEON LOG: AMESTA FOREST

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.
dubiouslychthonic: (go on)

[personal profile] dubiouslychthonic 2018-04-27 12:46 am (UTC)(link)
[She nods, glancing back toward the corpse.] Indeed. Looks like a pretty advanced case, too.
photoshooter: (GUILT 📷 Sorry about the car)

[personal profile] photoshooter 2018-04-27 05:51 am (UTC)(link)
[After looking at it for a couple of beats, Prompto gulps and turns away.]

...I didn't know mushrooms could do this to living creatures, too.
dubiouslychthonic: (sorry were you still talking)

[personal profile] dubiouslychthonic 2018-04-27 07:22 am (UTC)(link)
Most of them can't. [This seems like a really good time not to be hanging around this particular patch of forest, though, and she starts walking as she speaks, gesturing for him to follow.] Most species of fungus would strongly prefer a substrate without an immune system.
photoshooter: (RAIN 📷 Noct...)

[personal profile] photoshooter 2018-04-27 07:31 am (UTC)(link)
[He trots along after her, happy to leave the poor deer behind.]

That makes sense. But how come it... changed it? The other ones were mean, but not like that.
dubiouslychthonic: (you did not just say that)

[personal profile] dubiouslychthonic 2018-04-27 07:46 am (UTC)(link)
I don't know for certain, but my guess is that the fungus probably needs to get into an open wound to spread to a new host. If the infection effects the cerebral sponge, it may be able to influence the animal's behavior, but at the very least many predators can become aggressive when they're ailing and disoriented.
photoshooter: (LANTERN 📷 Brr it's dark in here)

[personal profile] photoshooter 2018-04-27 05:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[Ah. That makes more sense, and he rubs his arms, trying to suppress a shudder.]

Oh. Yeah. Guess I've seen that back home, too. ...I guess I wouldn't feel very friendly if I had stuff growing out of my back, either.
dubiouslychthonic: (go on)

[personal profile] dubiouslychthonic 2018-04-28 05:54 am (UTC)(link)
You see why I wanted to keep clear of the thing. It's the only one I've seen with the mushrooms or the teal staining, though. Not that I've seen a lot of deer, but most of them seem to be healthy.
photoshooter: (SHUTEYE 📷 Fuck.)

[personal profile] photoshooter 2018-04-28 06:03 am (UTC)(link)
[Phew.]

That's good. ...I really hope you and the 'droids can figure out how to stop it from spreading. This is nightmare fuel, seriously. Super, super gross.
dubiouslychthonic: (The Office camera stare)

[personal profile] dubiouslychthonic 2018-04-28 06:29 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, agreed. A concentrated effort to cull all the infected animals would definitely help, but it's probably best to wait on that until the fissure is stabilized. And if there's a solution that doesn't require engaging directly with the creatures, I'd really prefer that.
photoshooter: (SHARP 📷 Cut Dino's gems on that face)

[personal profile] photoshooter 2018-04-28 08:33 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, no kidding. How would you even take care of something like this, though? Put the medicine in the water?