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

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.

[burninglight]

I'm far too tired to judge anyone's taste in friends or start a fight because I hate my brother, miss Jetshard. It has been a painfully long day and I would very much just like it to be over as fast as possible.

[dubiouslychthonic]

[A thin smile.] Then you're a good deal more sensible than most of my people's highbloods.

And please, it's just Jetshard. Or doctor if you really must stand on formality.

[burninglight]

I do make an effort to be sensible when I'm able to.

Jetshard, then. You can just call me Ardyn.

[dubiouslychthonic]

I'm glad to know you, then, Ardyn. [And while she's not exactly relaxed, there is a definite shift in her manner now. A little more warmth in her smile, a little less wariness in her gaze.

It doesn't do to let one's guard down entirely, but by her estimation they're past the point where posturing is necessary or helpful.]

Once the last few stabilizers are fully operational, the fissure's effects should be suppressed enough for an uneventful trip back to the station.

[burninglight]

Is that usually how these things unfold? [Contrary to her demeanor, Ardyn slouched and leaned his head in his hand as if he was just too exhausted to even remotely care about being on guard past the general sense of unease at the circumstances.]

I just mean that I could do with a bit less psychological trauma on average, personally.

[dubiouslychthonic]

We've only stabilized one other so far, but it's stopped doing the thing where whenever the sun went behind a cloud everyone became fixated on the idea that the ocean was made of blood and compelled to touch it, which then caused immediate and severe fatigue. And the amphibious burrowing sharks also seem to be completely gone.

[burninglight]

...Better, but still mildly unsettling. Maybe there's a range to them.

[dubiouslychthonic]

I'm definitely going to talk to Up about establishing a base camp outside the fissure itself for any future fissures that are more than a few minutes' hike from the station. Dealing with the effects of a fissure is one thing, being constantly subjected to them for days on end is another.

[burninglight]

Sounds like you've your priorities well in order. I'm at least relieved someone's thinking of how to get out of some kind of unmitigated disaster like that.

[dubiouslychthonic]

[She shrugs.] I try. I'm happy to help clear the fissures, because the Keystone androids have been extraordinarily helpful under the circumstances and honestly, we can use the resources, but I'd much rather that help not come at the price of the health of the people we take in. Or the people we pull out.

[burninglight]

Right...I don't think some of us could have handled much more of this one, personally.

[dubiouslychthonic]

Mmm. [Vague agreement. Her own species is extremely prone to violent dreams; she's gotten enough of an idea of his past from her conversation with Izunia that she has every reason to believe that his subconscious has ample ammunition to use against him. No reason to go hunting for specifics.] And in a fissure that does allow sleep, camping within the fissure is probably not the sharpest idea, either.

[burninglight]

That just opens up a whole realm of potential disasters, I would agree with you. Even ignoring the threat of possible wildlife, who even knows what kind of effects might creep up on one if they slept too long or in the wrong location.