Stiltzkin's Castle Exploration

[scriptrix]

Characters: Team Fairy Tail (Levy McGarden, Robin, Tsubomi Hanasaki, Ib, Cloud Strife, Morgan), Team Abyss (Luke fon Fabre, Tear Grants, Jade Curtiss, Guy Cecil, Anise Tatlin, Gaara, Selen), Team Nameless (Lydia Deetz, Bartender, Tazrenda, Gaius Van Belsar, K'pandolu Tohka, Olivier Armstrong), Team Discovery Channel (Allenby Beardsley, Yugi Mutou, Gregory, Jude Maverick, Bartz Klauser, Yuri Lowell)
Where: Stiltzkin's Castle
When: The month of June through July 4th at nebulous points in time - groups should bear in mind it takes 10-15 days to get there and back
Summary: Exploring a dungeon we won't have access to pretty soon
Warnings: Unknown!

((OOC: This is basically freeform exploration of the inside of Stiltzkin's Castle.  Each group will have its own subthread to roleplay exploring the castle.  Anything significant in the way of monsters to fight, treasure to loot, or information to find will be explained by the mods if any of the groups happen to look in the right places.  As for the mechanics of the Castle, physical attack power and Job levels are reversed inside - for example, White Mages will be as physically strong as the more combat-oriented Jobs.  As far as Job levels are concerned, it's essentially 12 months minus the amount you actually have in the Job.  So anyone at an Initial level would be considered to have the Job mastered, and everything in between - if you're 3 months in, treat your character as 9 months in.  Higher level techniques will be weaker than lower leveled ones.  All of this information has been made public to the characters venturing into the Castle, so assume that everyone on the expedition knows about that.  Any questions that aren't covered here should be directed to the mods.))

Comments

[melodiesmods]

[The chimera charges at Cloud, and with Robin's buff, it only manages to knock Cloud onto the floor.

Ib is still safe, and it will take another minute for the summoning ritual to complete.]

[bag_has_snapped]

[Tsubomi gasped as Cloud was struck down, though he was alright. She needed something to slow him down. Wait, idea!]

BLIZZARD!

[She'd use the ice spell on the Chimera, hoping to slow him down. Or at least put more hurt on him.]

[melodiesmods]

[The ice attack hits the chimera hard, and it staggers back in pain. Both snake heads are too hurt to attack anymore.]

[unyieldingspirit]

"Anything that attracts attention ought to work," K'pandolu remarked, dryly. She moved to give them space, one hand on her sword just in case, listening.

[scriptrix]

It looks weak... I wonder if we can capture it now.

[Levy takes the equipment from the Arena from around her hip, stepping forward and attempting the capture. She's not entirely sure how it works, but it's probably some kind of magic. Still, it's worth a shot, so she holds it out and activates it in the way she was told, hoping to draw the monster in.]

[neverfirstclass]

[Cloud lands roughly, but thanks to everyone else he's able to get back to his feet unharmed. His eyes flit to the others to make sure they're okay as well. Satisfied with what he sees he moves into position to protect Levy in case something goes wrong.]

[melodiesmods]

When the door is pushed open, they will find themselves in a large open room, seemingly large enough to be a dining hall.

If a torch is lit, they'll discover ruined pieces of furniture strewn about, decrepit paintings crookedly decorating the wall. A treasure chest can be found sitting against the walls. Ahead lies two exits, one to the east another to the west.

More importantly, however, is the painting that is positioned between the two exits. A message is engraved beneath it: "In this castle forgotten by time, logic begetting all who enter, heed my warning: the eastern corridor is the path of origin. The western corridor is the path of calamity. Choose the path you wish to pursue, Adventurers."

Which path shall you take?

[melodiesmods]

[Their chance of speaking up may be interrupted for a bit, as if one's ears are open, one can hear a clearly panicked voice echoing within the halls of the castle: "K-K-Kupo...! W-What am I going to do now?! I- I have to get help-- Eek!"

It's cut off with a very startled shriek. Perhaps coincidentally, the voice seems to be coming in one of the directions the other groups have yet to explore.

"N-No! Stay away, kupo!"]

[melodiesmods]

As the group heads down the hallway, the stone walls become more worn-down. Various doors line the halls. They're heading to the back of the castle, where most visitors weren't allowed.

As they head down the hallway, they find a short flight of steps leads to large stone double doors. There are two round slots carved into each one.

[sizedoesntmatter]

Yugi was quick to pick up on what was going on and the changes that occurred and he couldn't help but place a hand lightly onto the stone walls, feeling his way as he went.

Going down the stone steps, Yugi was wondering just what on earth they were going to come across. it was exciting, yet quite nerving at the same time. But upon reaching the door and studying it carefully he turned to face the others and within a soft smile spoke.

"By the looks of it we need two round keys of some kind, or at least I assume the slots are for that type of thing."

[melodiesmods]

[The chimera roars as it is pulled into the device. It's too weak to struggle against it, and Levy captures it successfully.]

[headfons]

[He chuckles at Selen and Gaara, before nodding to the others.]

Yeah, we shouldn't linger anywhere for too long. There's no telling what kind of surprises this place holds... [If he seems tense, it's clearly everyone's imagination; it's not as though he's bracing himself for the worst, or anything.

But, in all seriousness, he has witnessed a few moments where things took a bad turn due to everyone's guard not being high enough... His time with Takasu taught him a painful lesson, as well as certain moments back home... and here, no doubt.

Then, when he hears Tear's voice, his expression shifts. He manages a smile to her, in spite of his eyes not lingering on her for very long.] Hey, Tear... Nice to see you could make it.

[Ignoring the brief pang, he's staring at a spot on the wall for a long while. That's where his eyes will be resting while they're all talking. He opens his mouth to say something, in regards to the leader thing... right as that voice is heard.] Wh-...? [Then, he's glancing back at the group, expression serious.]

Looks like we don't have time for that. Gaara, you or Selen should take the front. One of you should take the rear with the ranged fighters... Healers, stay towards the middle, so that you'll be able to focus on your job better. [Not that he's... trying to be leader. That kind of just...came naturally...] Let's hurry.

[tacticallyminded]

Good work, everybody!

[Robin goes to check the chest. Maybe it left something there...?]

[wings_of_steel]

[ At the sound, Selen's arm released Gaara's and she looked towards the direction in which the cry was coming from. It seemed like introductions would be cut short for the time being. She was going to take it was a cue to get a bit more serious.

Though, she didn't at all seem to change her expression. She was rather intrigued by Luke's display of leadership and had no issues with what he was asking of her. ]

The front is fine. That is where most of the fun is. My~ Aren't you a steadfast leader Luke~?

[melodiesmods]

[It's empty. This chest only housed a monster.]

[scriptrix]

Let's try the northeast next. They can't all be trapped with monsters.

[A baseless assertion, yes, but one she's making anyway. Levy cautiously heads over to try to open that chest.]

[tacticallyminded]

Good idea, Levy. They can't all be!

[...she hopes.]

[lastfonmasterguardian]

[Anise shoots a short (but not unnoticeable) glare towards Selen. Maybe Luke wasn't hers but something about other people being so flirty with her friends definitely bothered her.]

[Still, she looks towards the direction of the voice. There's no way it was that easy.]

Hey, shouldn't we be careful? It could be a trap or something!

[bag_has_snapped]

We've probably jinxed ourselves...

[no_dreams_for_you]

[Still unused to most social situations, Gaara is trying not to appear too flustered by Selen hanging onto his arm. She bears an uncanny resemblance to Ishtar that he can’t shake off, and keeps bringing up his memories of the facility. When she lets go of him, his look is a little apologetic, but mostly one of relief. They need to focus on the mission at hand, and it seems they don’t have much time to complete their objective. Though he does make a mental note to speak to Selen later, privately.

Not that it wasn’t interesting to listen to the others talking, and observing their behavior toward each other. It spoke of the dynamic in the group, suggesting where their strengths and weaknesses might lie, throughout the duration of this mission.

Nodding in agreement, Gaara slips toward the back of the group, and continues to survey their surroundings.] Yes, it could. The formation Luke suggested would offer vigilance, while providing protection to the crucial Job Classes.

[neverfirstclass]

[Cloud doesn't say anything, but he certainly hopes that Tsubomi isn't right. He looks back at the chest they just got tricked by. All that work and not even a reward.

He turns back, ready to fight again if need be but if all the chests or even most of them are like this they might be in trouble.]

[flowers_suck]

Oliver doesn't enter the room, but only peeks in before standing to the side. She waits patiently until they call for her.

[her_rose_is_red]

Maybe there's a trick to it. Maybe most of them are traps and one has something good in it.

[Ib is very familiar with 'only one choice is right' kind of scenario.]

And we're supposed to figure out the right one.

[dammit_flynn]

They needed keys and it was hard to see in the dark here, so he used the wall to support himself too. The question was, how were they going to find the key to be honest? It wasn't that bright and the steps were made of stone. Who knows what the key really looks like.

"Or we can break it down," Yuri suggested, "If it's light enough to be forced open."

It's a suggestion but Yuri might be a bit serious.

[jadethenecromancer]

Oh? Is that why you're hanging back here instead of the front of the group?

[It was hard to miss Anise drifting back, away from the others. One would think she'd be running ahead.]

If you're not careful, the others will hog everything to themselves.