epidemiology | EVENT ★ LABYRINTH II

DEEPER

Following the marked path near the lake leads Audentes (and George) further into the maze, closer to the goal found at the center. Some other inmates (including Zymandis agent Mavahari) and correctional officers follow along, having picked up on the organized manner of Audentes and figuring it’s their best bet on getting out of here alive.

Unlike the dry stone and sand in the outer ring of the maze, this next section is overflowing with flora. Jungle vines cling to the walls to the point where seeing the stone underneath is a difficult task; trees sprout from between cracked tiles, bearing alien-looking fruit; branches and brambles cross certain parts of the maze, and will need to be hacked through unless you want to find another way around.

Water is more plentiful now as well, since obviously the plants need it to flourish. For the first time since setting foot in the labyrinth, a rain begins to fall, drizzling and gentle. This can be a respite or an annoyance, depending on how you look at it: while it’s soothing and can make collection of fresh, clean water easier, walking around in wet clothes is probably not that pleasant.

Your fellow ALASTAIR recruit George has inexplicably struck up a friendship with the Zymandis agent Mavahari, and they can often be found exploring the maze together, with Mavahari helping him due to his broken arm. They seem to be getting along well enough, but maybe checking in with George is in order.

Otherwise, survival is the name of the game; though the center of the labyrinth is closer, it’s impossible to tell how close, and how long to expect to be here. Collecting water is simple enough, but food is growing scarce. The tree fruits may be a good solution, but it seems as though some have unfortunate reactions to them, ranging from stomach cramps to rashes to fever and temporary blindness.

But an allergic reaction may just be the least of your worries.

LOVE ME LIKE A REPTILE

The monsters seen so infrequently in the outer ring of the maze are now a common nuisance. Giant insects and rats scurry about, hungry for whatever flesh they can find, but they’re easily defeated, particularly if encountered as a group. But with new terrain comes new, adaptive animals, and the labyrinth is no different.

Lizards are now the main threat: enormous and camouflaged, they stalk their prey and take their time, looking for the perfect opportunity to ambush. The lizards are three-headed, with each head containing fangs dripping with venom, capable of rendering its victims paralyzed within five seconds flat. Their blood is also poisonous, capable of burning through metal, not to mention flesh.

If a head is severed, the lizard will retreat back into the jungle, presumably to nurse its wounds but possibly to grow another head -- no lizard will ever be encountered with less than three heads, so it’s possible they have regenerative abilities. The best way to defeat one is to remove all three heads at once, or simply kill it in whatever way possible. The lizards are quick and mean, but not invincible.

Now more than ever, it’s important to take care in exploring the maze. Stray too far from the group or try to make it alone, and you might not survive.

OOC NOTES

Once again, we have a plotting post here and search requests for the next ring of the maze.

Please note: during the labyrinth event, all drops are ICly delayed. What this means is that characters who drop will be handwaved to still be around on auto-pilot until connection with Oska is resumed, at which point they will be transferred to a different team as usual.

If you have any questions about the labyrinth that aren't answered here, please direct them to the Leramzen dossier. If you have questions for any NPCs, please direct them there as well!

Questions about the game in general should be directed to the FAQ and you may submit mission ideas or player plots at any time.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Jin's never actually gone camping for fun, he realizes, boots crunching softly in the underbrush as he makes his way through the maze. His family had always been too occupied for anything of the sort, and anyway, what was so good about the dirt and the weather and the bugs? Better to stay indoors and avoid the bites and the sunburns.

Figures, that he'd wind up needing something like that. But at least he's earned the know-how himself by now. He might've learned it on the street, but the knowledge is all the same: a good fire means you live through one more night.

Apparently, somebody here isn't into not freezing to death in the middle of a jungle labyrinth.

Jin takes one look at Peter's sorry firestarter, and gives a low, (un)impressed whistle--]

Wow. I see you're really going for that campfire badge. Might want to actually start a fire first.

[he'll help.... probably... when he's done being a jerk........]

( Peter is, overall, a hard kid to ruffle. he's notoriously difficult to annoy, sometimes it almost seems like he's intentionally refusing to be bothered just because that's a more satisfying payback then actually reacting. he's not perfect, though, and even his patience can wear down after awhile. being thrown from space and stuck in a labyrinth with even less food he could stomach than the prison isn't doing Peter's mood any favors.

his attempt had not been made with the hopes to fail. pointing out the failure didn't help anyone, either. there's obvious annoyance laced in the mildly petulant response. )

Gee, thanks. I guess we're even, but I didn't know there was a Unfunny and Unhelpful badge. ( if there was, though, Jin was nailing it. does seem a bit against boy scout tenants, though. )

[Hey, there's nothing like a little bit of friendly fire before setting up the... actual fire.

Jin shrugs, seemingly pleased by the fact that Peter's shot back a little.] I'll take unfunny, but not unhelpful. The wood you have here's no good. We need something scrubbier than this-- easier to burn-- and, fortunately, I saw some drier plants just around the way.

[He turns to look at his younger teammate from over his shoulder, brows raised in inquiry.]

C'mon, chief. Are we making this campfire happen or not?

[this is him making an effort.]

( Peter isn't expecting the offer to help, and while he doesn't apologize for snapping — his expression does soften when he realizes Jin's sass wasn't just driveby. he probably should be mocked for his mediocre attempt at a campfire... for such a smart kid, he's sure not smart about everything.

he shifts to his feet, and dusts of his pants, before he nods. ) Yeah, okay. Does this make you the Scout Master? I've never actually been a scout before, wait til I get home and tell my aunt.

( this joke is less peevish by a mile, proving while Peter can be annoyed on occasion, it doesn't stick long if the person doesn't deserve it. ) So, how dry are we talking? I thought that wood was dry.

[He's hardly fazed by the lack of an apology: Jin would've been more surprised if he'd received one at all. He's not used to that.

And at least the joke elicits a short chuckle.] Hardly. I've just roughed it before... a lot. Takes a while to get used to.

[It's murky territory to navigate, to be certain, especially when it's not one's status quo. He can tease, but ultimately, Jin'll forgive it-- Peter does want to learn, doesn't he?]

Drier. The air's humid here: if it's even a little damp it's not gonna cut it. If you start with something really dry it'll pick up real quick.

( he's totally an apologizer, Jin, just wait for it... be nice to him long enough and he'll feel bad for snapping exactly once. i wish i was joking.

roughed it a lot. well, Peter has the tiniest bit of experience with that, and most of it is from his work in ALASTAIR. usually they're better supplied than this, though, and usually Peter can rely on someone else doing the worst of it. Stiles is pretty good at ordering him around at this point.

he frowns as he listens, though it's clear that he is listening. ) So where do I find the dry stuff?

[An eager student. Good to know.

Satisfied by the answer, Jin inclines his head, gesturing to a little deeper into the forest brush.]

C'mon. We'll find some together.

( heading off into the woods with a relative stranger seems pretty against scout regulation, but luckily, peter has never been a scout a day in his life. so he'll risk it.

he follows Jin off into nature, looking mildly uncertain, but he is a city boy out of the city. give him a few days before you expect him to be Steve Irwin. )

Would it be better just to take a tree down? Does anyone have an axe? ( Peter may be talking to Jin, or just absently to himself. who knows. Peter is strong, but probably not strong enough to break down a tree barehanded. he's never thought to try, though... )

EVENT ★ LABYRINTH II

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