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

[matchmakes]

[ serenity ]
[There are times as he's walking around that Robin doesn't regret lingering in one place long enough for his dreams to manifest. Anyone who comes across him may find him walking arm in arm with a woman or making amicable conversation with a young man. Robin seems to be enjoying himself at any rate, even if he knows they're not real.

... Or maybe someone catches him letting out a surprised yelp when one of the mist-forms gets swallowed up by a wanderwood.]

[ sorrow ]
[... On the other hand, there are times when Robin certainly regrets lingering anywhere for too long. Sometimes when Robin takes too long to get moving, a blue-haired woman pointing a blade at Robin or a sinister-looking man emerge. The reaction is fairly similar either way--Robin stumbling back, before bracing himself to try to fight.]

Damn it...! Why now...?!

[ there's probably a joke to be made here but I'm not clever enough for it ]
[If someone wants to catch Robin near the Infinity Tree Roots, he's not that difficult to locate, at the very least. He's sitting a fair bit away from the water... covered in cuts?

He might've gotten on the wrong side of a hex turtle from too close. Not that it seems to have mattered in the end, Robin's got the shell sitting on his lap and he's looking it over with some degree of curiosity...]

pretend i wrote something funny

[riderofcharlemagne]

[Astolfo waves towards Robin, scrambling across the roots to meet him.]

Hey, what've you got-

[And then he notices the cuts.]

...there... What the hell happened to you?

[matchmakes]

[He looks up and waves with a smile, though it quickly turns a bit sheepish at the question.]

I got a little too close to one of those turtles after provoking it. Turns out they can use the runes on their shells to summon a magic barrier that they can shatter at will... I caught a few shards with my face.

But! More importantly, I have my prize. [He holds out the rune-covered shell for Astolfo to look at.]

[riderofcharlemagne]

Yeesh, and I thought turtles were among the more peaceful creatures...

[Eagerly, he examines the shell, taking in the beauty of it. He traces his fingers over the runes. Though it's a magic he's largely unfamiliar with, he can recognize it when he sees it, and definitely in feeling its residual magic.]

That's the real deal, huh? This turtle's more competent than some mages.

[matchmakes]

In all fairness, I did provoke it first... even if just by tripping over it.

[He nods in response to the next bit with a grin.]

I wonder if it'd be possible to replicate the effects... I'd have to save any in-depth research until we return to the station, but... being able to make a barrier like those turtles would be pretty useful.

[riderofcharlemagne]

Poor turtle...

[He says it more with amusement than sympathy. He would've quite liked to watch the scene.]

It's always worth giving it a shot. Do you think they'll know anything about it back there?

[matchmakes]

[He chuckles a bit.]

It's possible! I'm certainly hoping so, at least.

[riderofcharlemagne]

Hey- do you think you'd go for conjuring up a shell too? It could be quite the look.

[matchmakes]

Pffft--! It would be, but I'm not sure it'd be a look I could wear well.

[riderofcharlemagne]

Oh, come on! You could totally make it work! You'd change the way we wear armor forever!

[matchmakes]

[That earns a laugh.]

I'm not sure a shell would be entirely dignified except on those naturally equipped with them! Though, that does present an interesting thought...

[riderofcharlemagne]

You won't know until you try! You could keep all your stuff in it, and withdraw inside for safety!

[matchmakes]

Being able to keep things in it does sound like an appealing thought... Though, really, I'd prefer just to have more pockets in that case.

Sorrow: Validar

[photoshooter]

[It takes .4 seconds for Prompto to see the guy, register Robin's negative reaction, yank his handgun out of the Armiger and shoot Validar right through his illusory chest.

(Like. Come on. That dude was obviously evil, who does anyone think they're kidding?)

It's just another one of these dream constructs, anyway, and Prompto runs over as the vision disperses.]

Robin, are you okay?

[matchmakes]

[Robin can't help but blink as the illusion Validar disperses and then looks over to Prompto, clearly relieved.]

I... Yeah. Thanks.

[Gods, how embarrassing...]

[photoshooter]

Whew, thank goodness. That guy looked...

[Evil? Distressing? Why was his neck so long? After a moment, Prompto sighs.]

A-anyway, I'm glad he didn't hurt you. ...Was that okay? Jumping in like that?

[matchmakes]

Yeah, it was. I appreciate it even.

[He glances over to where the fake Validar vanished and... can't quite suppress his shudder.]

I'm... glad it wasn't real, at least. I'm not sure how Wren and I would've dealt with that man actually showing up here.

[photoshooter]

...Who was he? If it's okay to ask.

[matchmakes]

His name's Validar. He's the leader of a group called the Grimleal, who worship the Fell Dragon, Grima. And... [For a moment or two, it's clear he really doesn't want to say this next part, but...]

Validar is Wren's and my father.

[photoshooter]

[Prompto breathes in sharply through his nose as the color abruptly evaporates right out of him. When he finally responds, it's faintly.]

Oh. I... sorry.

[matchmakes]

[... Oh... Oh dear. Robin just shakes his head a bit.]

It's alright. Don't worry about it, okay? ... Though, if it's all the same to you, I'd rather not get into any details.

[Partly because there's a lot he doesn't know and partly because he's still uncomfortable with what he does know.

And also because he still has yet to find out the worst but shhhhh.]

[photoshooter]

No, n-no, of course not. Neither would I. I mean, if I... [His gaze flickers away and he takes a breath. Steady, Prompto.] ...I won't pry, I promise.

[The topic is officially Never Going to Be Brought Up Again, Ever.]

...Wren told me a little about the Grimleal, so I get it. Sorry he's, like. In your dreams and stuff.

[matchmakes]

There... are other reasons for it, but it's not a big deal.

[At least, it isn't now.]

To tell you the truth, the man isn't half as clever or threatening as he thinks he is.

[photoshooter]

Yeah? Well, good. People like that... if they're smart and crazy, a lot of bad things can happen. Especially if people listen to them.

[matchmakes]

He's too focused on the inevitability of things that have supposedly been written, but... well, Wren and I are of the opinion that there's no such thing as an inevitable fate.