EVENT ★ LABYRINTH II

[futurologists]

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.

Comments

[fourscores]

Ionian courts aren't like that. Can you not make your point without the aggressive desk slamming?

[feytality]

honestly i haven't seen a lawyer yet who CAN

or at least without wagging their finger and being a jerk

what do you guys do in court? throw magic evidence at each other?

[fourscores]

You come from a very interesting world, my dear.

Evidence is presented in a calm fashion. No throwing needed.

I do have another question for you, how does a lizard testify? I haven't come across anyone that understands them. I'm not certain they're terribly sentient.

[feytality]

says the guy with magic wars!

what's the point of using magic if you can't use it to spruce up a courtroom

c'mon there's gotta be someone here who can talk to animals! or we could just stick some magitek on 'em, isn't that what makes us all talk the same language?

[fourscores]

Magic wars is more death than anything spectacular.

If you were to ask that to those from my home, I believe they'd tell you "spiritual enlightenment".

It does from my understanding, yes. That doesn't mean that they have the sentience for such things, or that they'd stop trying to kill us long enough to have a conversation with them.

[feytality]

im just saying

a world with magic is waaaaay more interesting than the boring ol' law

no way! how can you be enlightened if you don't use it for important occasions and flash? that's the whole point of magic!

[no it isn't, Maya]

well

they could channel all that aggression into testifying against us so they could eat us!! and since they're the ones attacking us it'd prove us innocent

[fourscores]

Well I won't argue that.

I'm not entirely certain that's the point of magic, but perhaps it would make things a bit more interesting if used that way. But some have flashier magic than others, it wouldn't be particularly fair.

So we want them to testify against us?

[feytality]

the non-flashy guys just gotta be creative! magic is cool no matter which way you slice it

you gotta admit it'd be a lot easier to deal with than them getting all chompy on us

plus then we could easily clear our names!

[fourscores]

As someone with magic that isn't flashy, I do appreciate that.

If it went exactly as you've described, then yes, it would make things much easier. But I really don't think they're going to take a break from trying to kill us, just to testify.

[feytality]

wait WAIT YOU HAVE MAGIC???

AND YOU WERE HOLDING OUT ON ME THIS WHOLE TIME????!!

WHAT THE HECK!!!

[fourscores]

Yes?

I do apologize, my dear. It didn't seem important to mention when we first met.

[feytality]

how can you have magic and think it's not important!! that's ALMOST as important as watching TV!

[Jhin she has so much to teach you???]

but i know of a way you can make it up to me!! ;)

[fourscores]

Magic is not uncommon where I am from. It's not something I'm used to bringing up.

[What has he done.]

You do?

i completely didn't realize he's 6'4" Maya's only like 5'.....

[feytality]

[Doomed himself forever]

you've gotta be close by right? let's meet up!!!

he is a stupidly tall twig man

[fourscores]

If that's what you want, my dear I'd be happy to.

too tall.. also action?

[feytality]

[SHE'LL BE WAITING]

And bring your magic mojo!

action!

[fourscores]

Of course, my dear.

[He gets the feeling he's going to regret this, but he already committed himself to this friendly demeanor. If Maya wishes to meet up then he'll do so with a pleasant smile on his face, and a polite bow.

He's definitely going to regret this.]

[feytality]

[He did this to himself!! But she clasps her hands together and bows back, because she's polite sometimes]

Are you reeeadddy? I wanna see your magic in action!

[fourscores]

[Jhin lets out an amused chuckle.]

It's nothing special in comparison to many I grew up with. I cannot create things from nothing like some can.

[feytality]

I'll be the judge of that! Make with the magic already!

[fourscores]

Now now, no need to rush. My magic takes time.

[And more than just the air around him. Jhin frowns slightly, looking around for something he can use as a demonstration. If he wasn't regretting this before, he certainly is now.

He sighs as he grabs a couple leaves. They'll have to do, there aren't many options and he's certainly not shooting something and giving away that secret.

The leaves are thrown and quickly flake off into the shape of a butterfly made of embers. It flutters about before eventually breaking up.]

Like I said, it's nothing fancy.

[feytality]

[Sure, nothing fancy. Tell that to the teenage girl whose eyes just lit up like it's Christmas morning]

That's so cool! It was like a fire, but butterfly shaped!! You could be an artist or something! Or a performer!

[At least he has one fan??] Do it again, do it again!!

[fourscores]

Thank you, my dear.

[Jhin lets out a soft chuckle, looking somewhat embarrassed.]

It's nice to know someone finds my magic beautiful.

[He could always do with some fans.

With a small bow he throws some more leaves, though this time it takes on the form of a group of fireflies that dance around before scattering off.]

[feytality]

[More like his only fan in the world.... at least she has the enthusiasm and appreciation for several people]

That's incredible! I wish I had that kind of talent.

[she'll teach out to the fireflies before they scatter like she's a little kid]

[fourscores]

[Ouch, the truth hurts. But one fan is better than none.]

You flatter me, my dear. It's a very specific magic, not terribly useful in day to day. It's nice to get to use it every now and then.