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+---- Thread: [PQ] (SE) quench this fire (/showthread.php?tid=4252)
(SE) quench this fire - Ronin - 09-20-2020
The Climb.
It has been a long path across the Tundra, and moving from frigid climates to sweltering heat has Ronin reeling. Still, time is creeping on, and they need to get to Frey’s Breath before that time runs out completely - for Amalia and for Remi.
They stand just within one of the many entrances to a network of tunnels Ronin has come to know as the Burrows. The Star narrows his eyes into the ghoulish light made by pools of magma yet unseen, and he wipes at a brow already damp with sweat. His nimbus floats nearby, loaded with empty canteens, containers and barrels; he’s hopeful that if the hotsprings do as they are meant to, they’ll have water to take back as a reprieve for those who are still sick.
[say]”Frey’s Breath is down there somewhere,”[/say] he mutters, his shirt tucked into the back of his pants, his tanned shoulders already freshly pink with sunburn. [say]”But we don’t know what else might be there too. Best make sure we go prepared.”[/say]
Welcome to the PQ exploring the Burrows and collecting water from the Frey’s Breath hotsprings! This might be a little more dangerous than your average fare, but you won’t be at risk of death.
1. Remi
2.
3.
4.
5.
No post order - please post your character’s preparation for the journey ahead! Leave a summary at the bottom of your post.
RE: quench this fire - Remi - 09-20-2020
Much as Remi wants to keep his hands on his partner and never let him go again, it is on four paws that he stands alongside the huntsman. Be prepared Ronin had said, and this was the best way for him to do that. Magic though he might have, down here muscle and brawn will probably do better than soul-snatching and ghosts.
That only Ronin, Amalia, and Chulane will be able to hear him when he speaks isn't something he's terribly worried about. Ronin can translate if it's necessary, but he more than trusts in Morgan to keep herself where she needs to be. As for Saiden? Well, he can't quite say that he's keen on babysitting the man should it come to that.
[say]So glad that my first outing after having had a fever for nearly two weeks is into a land hotter than Torchline.[/say] The manticore rumbles toward Ronin (though Amalia and Chulane will be able to hear him as well). [say]You really are endlessly thoughtful, you know that?[/say] He adds, affection and amusement coating the words because gods if it doesn't feel good to just be sane again.
RE: quench this fire - Saiden - 09-20-2020
Seeing as Saiden had been the one to suggest they were properly supplied, it'd be dumb if he hadn't gotten some of his own. His bag had a few empty and a few full waterskins, along with hardy and long-lasting food. There was a rope in there in there as well as bandages and some other basic medical supplies. A fur cloak that he'd taken off when they reached the Climb was fastened to the outside,
He held a cutlass in his right hand and an uncorked waterskin in left. Another waterskin rested on his left hip, along with a sheathed dagger. He walked in the middle of the group, or at least tried to. After all, what was the point of having all these strong durable types around if he couldn't use them as meatshields?
Remaining silent, he just eyed the entrance to the tunnels. Already he was sweating, and he wiped his forehead with the back of his left hand.
Saiden brings several full and several empty waterskins, food, rope, basic medical supplies, a cutlass, and a dagger.
RE: quench this fire - Morgan - 09-20-2020
For this mission, Morgan had left her cloak at home; it certainly wouldn't be needed where they were. Unused to the heat, she was admittedly struggling a little at getting acclimatised to it. Wearing a light shirt and simple pants, she was dressed in considerably less than she was used to, her hair pulled back into a tight high ponytail to avoid too much heat gathering around her head: even with these precautions, she was sweating, desperately wishing to be back among the snow and ice.
She had given her word to help though, and so Morgan would. Eunike had been trailing behind her for the last while, Morgan not wanting to over-strain the Unicorn in this heat by riding her, and occasionally the Warden and her Companion gave each other suffering looks. As often as was reasonable, she would summon a little water to throw over Eunike and herself to cool them both down.
Unawares of Remi speaking, she merely followed Ronin's direction and spoke back to him. [say]"I am ready."[/say] With her magic, hammer and companion, she was as well prepared as she would ever be.
RE: quench this fire - Chulane - 09-21-2020
He knew what to expect at the Climb, and he knew how to prepare suitable for it. He left Auni behind - while the luxere's antlers might prove useful in the dark, the companion was built for cold weather, his pelt thick and insulating. Auni was meant to stay in Halo, in safety, at least until all the mysteries of this new region had been discovered.
He dressed quite lightly, wearing only a single layer of pants and shirt over his underwear, shifting into a leopard for most of the trek through Halo, using his shift's fur to keep him warm across the Tundra and Sea of Glass. He was able to carry his bag of supplies too in this form, a simple bag containing water canteens and his throwing knives.
Once they arrived, he held onto his human form, looking curiously over the manticore form that Remi held, and at the others too. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't amused on some level at Morgan's handling of the heat - it was about as well as he handled the cold, which was to say, dealing with it. He fetched his knives from his pack, and tucked them onto his belt, hoping he didn't have cause to need them.
Like the others, he was sweating too, not having felt such humidity for a while. He took a sip from his canteen, and echoed Morgan's words. [say]"As ready as I can be."[/say]
RE: quench this fire - Amalia - 09-21-2020
Amalia wakes up with a mild fever.
It's nothing to be concerned about, or so she repeats on loop in her mind. A cold from the climate change. An effect of stress. The things she sees from the corners of her eyes are simply tricks of the light on the snow. The voices she hears if she doesn't concentrate are just her own rambling thoughts.
The ghost of the Harpy that circles overhead is just a normal bird.
She wears her shield and carries her sword, Nova's hilt a beacon of red against the girl's side. In her pack are essentials: the crystal which she asks Morgan to fill, the guardian scale, the empty horn of plenty. Not really trusting herself to speak, she accompanies the group in relative silence, holding a position in the back. The sweat on her brow is from the heat. The turmoil in her mind is from the memories of this place, the haunting fear and guilt.
There is nothing else going on. She is going to be fine, no matter what the ghost that follows her wants the girl to think.
RE: quench this fire - Ronin - 09-21-2020
[say]You are so welcome,[/say] Ronin all but croons to his husband, shooting a grin at the manticore. From the masses of tawny fur in his mane, a pale dragon peeps up her head and trills to the group; Sugar is not a fan of the Climb, but Ronin knows her ice will be invaluable. Not only that - they have a better chance of wrestling an Ursur naked than separating dragon and Lullaby.
Without further ado, then, they set off into the depths of the Burrows. Darkness and heat envelops them, and even the air is hot to breathe. Ghastly shadows are cast by rivers of magma which peek through the cavern walls, like veins. Ronin tries to make sure the going is easy - tries to ensure that no one trips and falls.
Except they all do. Not a single one of the group has sure footing, and to some extent they all go staggering and stumbling over rocks and debris and cracks in the earth. No one more so than
So... everyone rolled terribly and you all fall on your asses. Especially Morgan, who critically failed, and is now tumbling towards a river of lava! Better help her!
No post order!
RE: quench this fire - Saiden - 09-21-2020
As the ground shifted beneath him, Saiden's arms windmilled. It was al he could do not to impale himself or spill most of the water as he fell on his ass. Grunting in pain as he hit the floor with bruising force, he looked around at the rest of the group.
Eyes widening as he saw Morgan tumbling, the cook's brow furrowed. He didn't really have any way to stop or arrest her fall, or block the lava, but maybe he could slow her down. So he reached out with his air magic, and tried to pull her towards them, which might buy a few precious seconds.
Saiden uses his air magic to try to pull Morgan towards them and away from the lava.
Air manipulation: Can manipulate the air. Must be within a 30ft radius and allows the user to levitate medium-large sized objects up to 5ft above the ground. Control is excellent.
Type: Grey | Rank: Upgraded
RE: quench this fire - Amalia - 09-21-2020
Things go wrong very quickly, sending Amalia's heart leaping into her throat. The ground seems to betray them, and down the girl goes, falling to her knees and skidding a small distance. Panic sears through her with the pain; she extends her wings for balance, falling to her hands and knees and inhaling a deep, panting breath. She might have stayed like that until dragged back to her feet, but Jyoti's panicked singing forces her eyes up.
Or rather, down, to where Morgan is tumbling down the incline, towards a river of lava.
A river like the one Kiada fell into.
And in that moment Amalia doesn't see the Glacier, but the Harpy in freefall.
[say]"Kia!"[/say] Her voice is frantic as she surges forward, wings beating in the small space, arms outstretched to the not-Warden. [say]"No no no no no-!"[/say] She tries to grab the woman and pull her out of harm's way, to hold her tight against her chest and not let go again.
Ama flies after Morgan/Kiada and tries to grab her.
RE: quench this fire - Morgan - 09-21-2020
At first, it seemed to be going alright. She gave Amalia the requested magic to store in her crystal and shield (though Morgan didn't quite understand the purpose, but it wasn't like it cost her anything) and they were setting off, Ronin thankfully seeming to know what direction it was they needed to go.
Perhaps it was how unused she was to this sort of climate that set her so off-centre. Morgan found herself struggling to concentrate on her footing when she was so light-headed with the heat, sweat getting in her eyes and clouding the way ahead even when she could focus. Eunike fared better, but the Unicorn still stumbled one way and the other: Morgan was looking back to try and help her when her foot twisted on a rock and then she was falling.
[say]"Shit!"[/say] She yelled instinctively, not one for swearing too often but well, this situation certainly justified it. Reaching out a hand she tried to summon her water magic swiftly, produce water in the air beneath herself to push her back up to the path, a surge of force that would hopefully defeat the gravity trying to pull her down. This would, of course, soak Amalia and Saiden as well as herself in the process, but in the current situation, she thought that might not be a bad thing.
--
Morgan attempts to use her mastered water magic to make a mid-air wave that will push her back up to the path.
RE: quench this fire - Remi - 09-21-2020
How heroic they all are, racing to Morgan's rescue. Only...Remi wants no part of what he sees. Saiden's air is likely to ignite a fire somewhere, just as Morgan's water will likely blast them all with steam as soon as it surfaces. With wings spread to assist with balance—and with utmost attention paid to keeping Sugar in place—Remi minds his own footing with a wary watch on the rest of the group.
That Amalia has called after Kia does not escape his thoughts, and though his face isn't quite as expressive in this form, he nonetheless shoots the Star a worried look. Ama has been okay for the last 4-5 days, Ronin had told him when Remi asked how long of a reprieve from madness that he'd have to look forward to. That he's also surprised by her new wings is secondary to the madness of everything thus far.
Remi worries about himself.
RE: quench this fire - Chulane - 09-22-2020
The going is hot and rough, and he , like everyone else, finds himself falling to his knees quite promptly - skidding along the rough ground, panicking as he grappled at whatever purchase he could. He's not ignorant to the plight of his Warden, hand reaching for her, but otherwise unable to help amongst the water and air magic that buffets him - his abilities would be of little help here, and he felt utterly inadequate as those around him scrambled into action.
It should have surprised him to hear Amalia shout her name, but it doesn't, for his own heart was crying the name out too, seeing her framed by lava, by fire, his mind's eye playing tricks on him as he watched the angel fly past to reach for the Warden. Already they were scrambling, already hurting, already falling. [say]"Morgan!"[/say] His voice shouted in amongst it all, as he tried to help, but was also very aware of his limitations in the face of such power and circumstance.
--
Chuy reaches for Morgan as she falls but ultimately focuses on keeping himself steady as others go after Morgan.
RE: quench this fire - Ronin - 09-22-2020
Let it never be said that the group aren’t quick on the uptake. No sooner has
A sharp whistle and Sugar is leaping up from Remi’s mane, the icy dragon soaring down to try and freeze a path across the lava.
In the meantime, all the excitement is going on around Morgan. The Glacier succeeds in pushing herself back up the incline with water manipulation, but with some unexpected complications. The water hits the lava and - of course - steam hisses and spits and billows into the air around them, making it difficult to see.
Perhaps that’s why what happens next happens the way it does.
[say]”Fuck,”[/say] Ronin growls under his breath. [say]”Amalia!”[/say]
So you saved Morgan, but now Amalia has tumbled off into the dark! As you proceed forward, you will see three tunnels. Amalia has fallen into the left tunnel, but you don’t know that yet. Where do you decide to look?
From Amalia’s perspective, she finds herself in pitch blackness and the air is stiflingly wet and humid.
No post order! Please choose which tunnel you want to explore!
RE: quench this fire - Remi - 09-22-2020
For Amalia Remi will put himself into danger; sorry Morgan, but you aren't family.
With ears pinned against his skull, the alchemist reaches out with a mental shout, trying to hear from the shield. [say]AMALIA[/say] He roars silently, though for those of them who can hear it, his cry will be deafening.
Should he hear any response from the Shield, Remi will take that path. If he hears nothing and has no sense of where she's gone, Remi will follow after where Sugar has gone, assuming that if it was the ice that Ama slipped upon, then she's likely closest to wherever the reptile is.
[say]Three tunnels, three of us.[/say] Remi thinks to the huntsman, the goal of this mission entirely forgotten in lieu of finding Amalia. Two Ronins, one Remi, and three tunnels.
Remi calls out in attuned-speech for Ama. If he can hear her he'll go toward her voice (so the left tunnel). If not, he'll go into whatever tunnel Sugar is closest to.