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]

...That's still quite a few of you, and that's not even counting the people you already knew who are here.

[That's the tactful way of saying 'Izunia, Noctis, and Prompto.' Charm's voice is thoughtful and a little concerned.]

[burninglight]

Considering there were somewhere around eighty of us in total spread over four--technically five incidents, I'd say roughly a half dozen is comparatively not as bad as it could be.

[personalityquarks]

I mean, yeah, but even taking into account that there's twice as many people here now as left the Station a few days ago, that's still the largest group by far. The next largest group of people who know each other is... three, I believe? At least, I know of three for sure, they're all sharing a couple rooms we turned into a suite for them.

[burninglight]

So we're an anomaly on top of everything else. Spectacular.

[personalityquarks]

I mean, fifty people is considered an inadequate sample size for a reason, and it's not like we've had a pool of the rest of the new arrivals. But it's not whatever seems normal for this, either.

[burninglight]

So it's a potential problem, however slight.

[personalityquarks]

Problem? I dunno. Just weird, looking at it from our perspective. I can't blame you guys for not liking it, though.

[burninglight]

I was thinking more in the sense of 'if so many of us are here at once from generally the same location, there could be a worrying reason for that'. But no, I'm afraid we're unfortunately not quite thrilled. I think we'd all appreciate whatever patience you can give, until such time as we might be able to settle down somewhat.

[personalityquarks]

We're usually pretty busy with our own projects and keeping the Station actually running, anyway. I don't know if anyone's shown you the stabilizers yet, but even with a relatively streamlined production we spend a lot of time making those things. You can take however long you need to adjust, we'll mostly leave you alone.