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

Team Nameless

[scriptrix]

[forcegalactic]

He had sworn off all this--adventures, getting into dangerous situations--years ago. He never would have thought he would be looking forward to visiting some mysterious castle right by the thing that'll kill the world in a year, but here he was, walking straight up to the castle's entrance, staff in hand.

To be honest with himself, he was curious about his powers and how the reverse nature of Stiltzkin's Castle would affect it. And what if there was a Crystal of Illusion in there? He would not be satisfied until he could use his second Job.

The Barkeep entered through the front doors and stood in the middle of the room, arms crossed. "So which way are we headin' first?" He turned his head to the general direction of this teammates.

[deadlyvu]

Lydia had the sword she'd been using sheathed for now. She'd brought a small notebook and pencil, to keep track of things. She was a bundle of excitement and nerves, and was kind of pleased to be spending time with several of her new friends. Also her mentor in weapons, so she wanted to do a good job.

Even as she wasn't shy about stepping in behind the Barkeep, her dark hair moved as she looked at everything. "It would've been nice if we could've gotten any information besides just that it's all reversed here." The next was murmured more to herself, but could be overheard. "I wonder what the usual order for proceeding in a castle is, and if that's reversed?"

[unyieldingspirit]

"Perhaps it means we ought to delve into the deepest parts first," K'pandolu mused. She looked around at the group and lifted her hands. "But I imagine we'll still need to proceed through other parts of the castle to get there. Does anything here stand out to any of you?"

[flowers_suck]

Olivier is glad for her natural strength as she enters the castle with them.

"Well, it depends on your business in the castle. If you're greeting the owner, there is usually some etiquette to do with being shown in and announced, but if you're exploring it, you go where you're drawn. Now, if you're trying to take the castle, you want to hit the perimeters for guards and then form teams and methodically make your way inward while clearing rooms. I think as long as we keep an eye out for traps, we can go whichever way we feel like going."

She does, however, draw her sword once she is inside the castle.

"It would be a good idea to make sure room we leave behind us are clear though. It won't do to get trapped here."

[fearlessherosheart]

Tazendra had her own sword out. The reversal made her... well, interested, actually, since it was clear it was intended as a handicap. Thus, fights would be challenging as she'd have to rely on spells rather than the strength she'd been building as a paladin. "As for me, I have no preference. I am certain whatever we find, it will interest those scholars among us."

[forcegalactic]

The Barkeep turned to face the group. Be careful, explore the first floor, scout the perimeters: all reasonable suggestions. It wasn't like he had any experience infiltrating a fortified base.

"So how 'bout we head on over that way." He pointed to a hallway leading left. "Might as well start somewhere."

[deadlyvu]

Lydia didn't have much experience with infiltration, but she read a lot. And had been on a few adventures. "We should figure out who's in front, and who's playing rear guard."

Wow, listen to her, she sounded almost like she knew what she was doing.

[unyieldingspirit]

K'pandolu hummed, tilting her side to one side as she considered. "It's usually been those with the greatest defences," she said after a moment. As things were, Olivier and Tazendra seemed best suited for that, and she glanced between the two of them. "Have either of you a preference?"

[fearlessherosheart]

"I would prefer the front, if you would be so good to take the rear," Tazendra said, nodding to Olivier. "Unless you would have better skill at plans from the front, as I recall you are a soldier."

As far as Tazendra was concerned, letting someone else have the front was pretty gracious of her, but if Olivier was as good as she said, battle plans would mean they could fight for longer and against more foes before they would have to leave. And Tazendra could cast her own spells from the rear if she had to, even if she might prefer to use her blade.

[flowers_suck]

"I'm usually on the front lines, but since things are reversed here, I will follow suite and take the rear. I believe I can cover just as well as I could guard. If we need to switch places, it is always a possiblity."

With that being said, she will be sure that everyone passes her before following them as she keeps her ears sharp for signs of anyoen following them.

[forcegalactic]

"Well, whatever works, then. Tazendra's takin' the front, and I'll be right behind her. I volunteer to be in the middle, where my healin' can reach both ends equally."

He strode over to Tazendra, staff in hand, and stood next to her, nodding to show that he was ready. "On your signal, ma'am."

[deadlyvu]

Lydia moved up too, and made sure her items were secure. Then she drew her sword, and took a deep breath. A smile, and she nodded to Tazrenda. Her plan was to stay near the middle-front. She was probably one of the faster of their group, and she was light, so she planned to be half-scout if she could.

[unyieldingspirit]

One last check of her own gear, and K'pandolu nodded. She'd see what came at them, and adapt- but hopefully they'd find more interesting things than monsters. "It seems we're all set, then."

[fearlessherosheart]

"Then, let us go," Tazendra had her own sword out and she advanced, looking for trouble. Better to make sure each room was empty before they looked for more than monsters.

[flowers_suck]

Olivier doesn't follow along right behind the group, but gives them a few feet of space so that she can listen to what is going on behind them.

When she see a door coming up to their left, she closes the gap.

"I will stand guard while you search. We should agree on a signal in case there is trouble inside the room or out here. Whistles tend to be a good signal," she suggests, and gives a long, but quiet whistle in example.

"It would be louder of course, but no need to draw attention right now."

[forcegalactic]

"That's a fine idea, miss, don't want no trouble to come to any of us. But might I suggest yellin', for those of us who don't know how to whistle?" He points to himself to indicate that there is at least one member of that group. "Somethin' along the lines of 'Help! We're in trouble!' could work, just sayin'."

He placed his hand on the door, poised to push it open. "Now, are we chargin' in the same order as we're walkin;? 'Cause I'm just fine with stayin' in the middle."

He'd be protected from both sides.

[deadlyvu]

Thanks to her vampire job, Lydia is the quietest of them; no sound while she walks and she's been practicing hard. Kenshin and Olivier were good teachers, and Yuffie helped her too on occasion.

Moving right up behind Olivier, pressed flat to the wall and crouching by the door. Nodding to Tazrenda to take the lead, as Lydia'd be right behind her in scouting around the room.

[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.

[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?

[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.

[forcegalactic]

With everyone pausing at the door and the room looking mostly empty, the Barkeep finds no issue striding in and taking a look at the painting, ignoring the treasure chest. The answer is clear.

"Don't want anythin' related to the Calamity happenin'. East path it is."

It's not an order, just a statement of common sense.

[deadlyvu]

"But what if the Calamity path offers answers?" Not that Lydia really wants to go any further towards it, but this seemed too obvious. She's stepping cautiously into the room, eyes looking around.

[unyieldingspirit]

"Learning more of the past may offer some clues," K'pandolu puts in, but with a frown. If they disagree too long, they may not make much progress. On the other hand, if they divide their forces, they may end up at a disadvantage- but she doesn't want to overlook anything that could be of use. For now, she moves in to peer at the chest more closely.

[flowers_suck]

"The path of least resistance usually offers fewer results," Olivier chimes in from her place at the door.