phantasmalrift | 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Well, Wren's not going to let Prompto off the hook with just a smile. She walks over to the nearest wall/vertical branch and leans back against it, close to him but not so close as to invade his personal space.

She smiles at him, but she too looks decidedly weary despite the Fissure making physical exhaustion an impossibility.]

Hey. How are you holding up?

Edited 2018-04-28 19:17 (UTC)

[Oh, damn. He wants to say he's fine, but he just can't. He can't muster up the brightness, and he sighs instead, closing his eyes.]

...I've had funner adventures. ...You?

Edited 2018-04-28 19:25 (UTC)

[She can't help but mimic his motion, rubbing her forehead with one hand.]

I'd rather fight three Walharts than spend another day in this forest.

Same. [...] What's a Walhart?

"The Conqueror", a warlord who subjugated an entire continent, and the most terrifying behemoth of a man I've ever seen.

[Even with the lobster armor, that guy was scary.]

Oh. Yeah. Just a guy? Conqueror or not, that beats staying here by a long shot.

I can imagine precious little that wouldn't, honestly.

[Except for the forest's visions to play out in reality.]

[Prompto seems to have to contemplate that.]

I... mnnh.

[He rubs his arm, unhappy.]

I'd rather be here than... There are worse places to be.

Ah... I'm sorry.

[The last thing she wanted was to stir up more trauma.]

[Softly:] I'd almost... rather stay here than go back to the station.

...Why?

Someone's here. Not the guy I killed, but... he. He's the one who made it possible. Everything that guy did.

What?

[Sorry, you've knocked the articulacy right out of her, that's. Shit.]

He's here and he's different and I don't know what to do.

[She takes a breath and stands tall, clenching her jaw into a determined cast.]

I won't let him harm you.

[That startles him enough to look up, then shake his head.]

W-Wren, no, it's okay. If, if he was going to start something, he already would have. I just...

[Prompto curls in on himself a little, rubbing the back of his wrist.]

I just don't want to be around him. At all.

[She doesn't relax any.]

Who is he?

[Oooooooh, uh-oh. Prompto bites his lip.]

...People will get mad at me if I tell you. If I mess things up for him.

I haven't forgotten what I saw, Prompto. If a man who was responsible for that is walking among us, I think I deserve to know.

[Ah.]

...His name is Ardyn. He looks just like Izunia. They're brothers.

[He doesn't even have to finish the sentence; the moment the name "Ardyn" passes Prompto's lips, Wren gasps, reels back slightly, and covers her mouth. Gods, this is a fine mess, isn't it?]