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

[personalityquarks]

[Would you believe that not a single person has ICly questioned their names yet, actually?]

No kidding. Meeting new people is one of the only things I like about it.

[burninglight]

[i mean one of his best friends is a robot named heart, this scans pretty well]

How long has this been going on? I know we're not the first to arrive here.

[personalityquarks]

The Fissures in general, or people showing up? Because the first has been going on for a long time, but we've only been getting people here for a handful of months.

[burninglight]

The latter's more what concerns me right now. Is there any notable pattern to it? Something that set it off, if these Fissues have been around longer than such arrivals?

[personalityquarks]

Not anything in particular that we know about - it's just the next stage of progression, seemingly. We got small objects first, then larger ones, then animals, and now people.

[burninglight]

[...Plausible enough to be believed, for now.]

And what happens if things continue to progress like that?

[personalityquarks]

Wish we knew. Nothing good, probably. That's why we're trying to get things stabilized now - before they do get any worse. It's something exponential, it's been getting more faster for the last couple years.

[burninglight]

And that's where the rest of us come in. Right?

[personalityquarks]

Well, only if you're willing to help. We're not going to force anyone. There's usually a couple people who stay behind, and we have one guy in the infirmary right now that Strange won't let out of their sight because of how much he screwed himself up on thelast expedition.

[burninglight]

Wait...really? This isn't some kind of compulsory thing with heavily implied consequences should we refuse?

[personalityquarks]

...Nnnnnno?

[You're doing the android a concern.]

[burninglight]

Oh.

Um...




Good to know.

[personalityquarks]

...I am really concerned right now, but also I think I'm getting the picture on why you'd be suspicious of us.

[burninglight]

Some of us don't exactly...have good experiences with 'surprise, you've woken up in another universe with a facility run by gods-only-fucking-know who.'

It's not your fault, if all that you're telling us is true. And if it is, then...well, there's not much but time to see as much for ourselves that will lessen our suspicions.

[personalityquarks]

I guess that's only fair.

[He shifts nervously, anyway, leaning his weight to one side.]

...Are there like, any other weird paranoid expectations I can reassure you on?

[burninglight]

...Why don't you just...run through a list of rules and general expectations, and we can start from there.

[personalityquarks]

...Don't blow things up or practice public indecency?

[Blink, blink. Ardyn is expecting there to be a list?]

Don't violently assault people or equipment? Be a decent person? I mean it completely honestly when I say I have no idea what you're expecting.

[burninglight]

[Ardyn didn't answer as if he expected more as a follow-up, raising an eyebrow when that seemed to be it. Logic said it wouldn't gain him anything to lie, but paranoia still held plenty of doubts.]

That's all, really? No hard-set rules against damaging or modifying cameras or doors? What about a curfew?

[personalityquarks]

[Charm, meanwhile, looks a bit more concerned as he goes on.]

A curfew? Really? Most of you are more than old enough to take care of yourselves, why would we set a -

[He stops, and sighs.]

No, nothing like that. Nothing like that at all. We don't even have cameras, except like, on the drones.

[burninglight]

So what, you just have everything accessible all night like some kind of...not blatantly oppressive environment?

[personalityquarks]

...I mean, yeah? Jetshard's nocturnal and there's a couple people who don't sleep at all, that'd be kind of...

[You know. Shitty to them? His expression says that even if he doesn't quite use those terms.]

I know Strange will probably harass you guys into coming in for a medical checkup, but that's mostly because the Fissures can cause people to develop weird magical powers without warning.

[burninglight]

...Entailing what exactly, because I'm fairly sure medical procedures in general might be another source of trouble for some of us.

[some people have had quite enough of nanites and shit surgically attached to them, so it goes.]

[personalityquarks]

Mmmmmostly just a magic-based bioscan? Nothing invasive or anything? I mean if something comes up on the scan Strange might ask you to run a blood test or something, but...

[burninglight]

. . .

[The unsettled look on Ardyn's face made it rather clear something would definitely come up.]

[personalityquarks]

...It's Strange. They might guilt you a little if they're worried about you, but they really believe in medical consent. If you say no, they're not going to make you.