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

ota

[burninglight]

[actually fuck this]

[Ardyn and the pigeon on his shoulder would just going to be off to the side, the former drinking gods-only-knew-what from a glass bottle he got from nowhere. And maybe a bowl of noodles would mysteriously disappear into thin air at some point. It's been a long day and he's had quite enough of it.]

[bulletnews]

[Aya's probably talked with Viella enough since she got here before Charm did, so...]

So what's your take on all of this?

[burninglight]

My take is that I'm sick of interdimensional nonsense and people or forces poking around in my head to fuck with me. How's your day going?

[bulletnews]

...from the sound of that, definitely better than yours.

[She does at least understand this much.]

Given that, if you'd rather be interviewed another time, I'd be more than willing to schedule something...

[burninglight]

[Ardyn sighed, pressing a hand to his eyes as the bird on his shoulder preened lightly at his hair.]

I wasn't aware this was an official interview. I don't usually do those for free, but go ahead.

[nightcure]

[ Noctis is just grabbing a bowl of noodles when--

He freezes. It's a good thing he hasn't picked up the damn bowl, because it would've slipped right out of his hands.

For a while, he doesn't know what to say. Then-- ]

.... nice bird.

[burninglight]

...her name's Luscinia.

[Who ruffled her feathers and whistled a short snippet of a tune in greeting.]

[nightcure]

[ He's slightly caught off-guard by the little tune, but he recovers well enough.

Noct has a friend of his own, a small winged cat. She's very tiny. ]

... Luscinia, huh. That's a good name.

[serrata]

[ There's a dull thunk as Yuuri sets her titanic bowl of tonkotsu on the bar and then settles herself into a seat next to him. 'Had quite enough of it' seems to be the mood of the day, frankly. ]

... I don't know what I was expecting to see here, but it wasn't ramen. How about you?

[burninglight]

I'd like to see a large door marked 'exit' and my brother with a black eye, but that's just me.

[serrata]

I'm not sure about the former, but I could probably do something about the latter if I get in close enough and take him by surprise.

[ It's impossible to tell if she's kidding or not, but signs point to 'no'. This is, after all, Yuuri. ]

[personalityquarks]

[At some time some point after Yuuri has terrorized him, Charm makes his way back over to the group of newcomers.

Seems he's zooming in on your pige, Ardyn.]

May I ask - is your bird magical?

[burninglight]

[okay cool we're just having mysterious strangers approach in this multiversal hellscape, that's fine.]

...Why do you want to know?

[personalityquarks]

I'm just interested.

[Hands up, placating gesture. Funnily enough, Ardyn at least might be able to guess why there's a loose red scarf around the android's neck.]

I study magical effects, and there were rumors about the pigeons in a city near here right around when the Fissures started to get really out of control. That's all.

[myocordial]

Well.

We're not lost in the forest anymore, at least.

[Everything about this is terrible and you kinda have to get your silver linings where you can. Heart looks pretty Done with all of this too.]

[burninglight]

I hate every minute of this.

[myocordial]

As do I. I honestly thought we were done with all of this.

This is making me tired in ways I'm pretty sure I'm not even programmed to be.

oh hi mark

[kingshaming]

[Well, he had only come to the tree because Izunia had pointed it out to him- the flying bit was interesting but not unfamiliar to him, so he's in a passable state when he walks in.

And sees Ardyn. Or well, thinks he sees-]

Ah, there you are!

[burninglight]

[...Oh, this just keeps getting better. Ardyn fixed him with the flattest and most unamused look imaginable, Luscinia still comfortably on his shoulder.]

What do you want, Xander?

[kingshaming]

[He seems a little surprised by this, which causes his slightly tapered ears to pin back. That... well the voice is the same but... the tone, and-

His eyes flick over 'Izunia's' form, picking out details, then he turns bright red. They were wearing diffrent clothing but honestly he assumed he had just changed in the time since they spoke]

Oh... gods, my apologies, I... mistook you for someone else... I think?

[The fact that he knew his name was really throwing him off though...]

Re: ota

[dubiouslychthonic]

[Well, here's one more complication, in the form of a tall, obviously nonhuman woman in green-tinted glasses. Jetshard doesn't take a seat at Ardyn's table, but she does grab a chair at an adjacent table and sit sideways, one arm dangling over the back of the chair, to more or less face him.]

I see why he thought the shirt was necessary.

[burninglight]

[Ardyn didn't so much as blink at the blatantly nonhuman appearance as if that was a completely normal thing one saw around here, but he did sigh heavily at the sort-of greeting.]

Ardyn Tenmyouji. Yes he's my brother, no we don't get along, no I'd prefer not to discuss it. Pleasure to meet you.

[dubiouslychthonic]

[Well, his reaction could have been worse, she supposes.]

Sawbones Jetshard. A friend of his, and I'll admit I have no idea if or how that's likely to change your estimation of me, but I thought I'd just get it out on the table where we can both see it. I'd hate to start an acquaintance under any sort of false pretenses.

[dragonmouth]

[ That cat at Tali's side eyes the bird and is about to pounce, before Tali catches the kitteh in midair. She then carries it in one arm while eating her bowl of noodles with the other. ]

[burninglight]

...Sorry. [Ardyn held up his hand for the pigeon to hop into, holding her a little closer.] I'll keep a better eye on her.