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

If you are speaking of Thor, he is one, not my brother, and two, far too impatient to take much care in womanly arts such as cooking.

[The amusement grows and he shakes his head to himself.] Ah, I forgot you were neither raised in the house of Odin nor alongside Thor.

[He reaches to turn the rat over the fire, wincing as the movement catches his collarbone.] I hope that Thor learns quickly the rewards of self-sustenance. It is a reward unto itself.

[ That easy brushing off of his words makes Loki bristle, and he scowls openly before reaching out to snag another slice of meat. ]

Why should he? There are always those who will help him.

[Thoughtfully-] Not always.

[It was a long time since he'd thought he'd always be able to rely on his friends, having them at his side no matter the situation.]

He was banished, and even in exile, stripped of name and power, found those who world give their lives and livelihood to help him

[It sounds familiar enough, even if it isn't the exact parallel of his history.

It's strange to hear it from Loki. Is this how his brother had felt without him knowing?] What lesson would you have had him learn?

Humility. To know that not all will forever go his way just because he wishes it so. To know and accept that he would have destroyed Asgard with his rule.

[ What galls him the most, ultimately, is how Thor did learn. He learned after spending but a blink of an eye on Earth what Loki had spent ages trying and failing to teach him. As if he needed anything more to reinforce just how little influence he ever had on Thor. ]

If it puts you at ease, I did not entirely destroy it when my turn came. Nor the Earth either, though it was a close thing. [Odinson's eyes are on the fire, his voice low.]

You've been king?

Aye. [There's a notable absence of pride when he says this.]

[ Loki hears the echo of Thor in Odinson's words, the quiet refusal of the crown, and it's a pang beneath his ribs that he doesn't want to acknowledge. ]

Are you still?

[Odinson's laugh is not quite mocking, but it's incredulous.] While another wields the hammer? You think too much of me. No, it has been long years since.

[He chuckles, then winces as the laugh aggravates an injury-] I would not take up the crown again, unless there were no other choice.

You're older than the Thor I once knew, and wiser perhaps.

[ It's no difficulty to admit this, though it is hard to admit that the Thor he'd known is basically non-existent now. Loki has watched Thor all his life and had, at one point, known him better than any other--knew exactly how to push to get the result he wanted. Now, though. Thor (his Thor) is older and wiser and he--might have made a decent king, if only he hadn't refused it.

Not that Loki wanted to give it up. But then again, that's what he did, coming here. He changes the subject. ]

You're injured?

[He shakes his head- he doesn't feel any wiser than he was before.]

I stumbled upon a nest of lizards out in the jungle two days ago. Victory was mine, but it was a close thing. [The bones are healed, it's just the aches that remain.] I don't recommend dousing yourself in their blood. It stings even a god.

[ Just the thought makes his nose wrinkle. A fight, yes, sure, fine. Getting doused in their blood, though... ]

No, I imagine...that will not be an entirely necessary warning.

[Loki's expression almost brings a smile to his face. It's the exact duplicate of his own brother's expression of distaste.]

I just hope that the others venturing out into the maze avoid any such nests.

You'd think so, though... How many here would jump at the chance for a fight? And how many others were simply surprised by their opponents?

There'll be some. [It gives him no comfort to think of that. He's fairly sure that most of his teammates wouldn't have fared as well as he did facing an entire nest's worth of lizards.]

You've avoided them? Or have you been venturing out into the maze?

I've encountered a few.

[ And defended himself well enough, thank you, Thor. ]

And you still have all your fingers. [This is a very older brother grin, teasing.]

[ Responds without really thinking about it: ]

Naturally so. My charming good looks would be much affected were I to be missing a few, after all.

Aye. There's little that can be done about your face, so your charming fingers must be protected at all cost.

How rude.

[ And a few said fingers wiggle to charm a pebble into flying straight at Odinson's face :| ]

Those were your words! [He chuckles, raising a hand to protect his face.]

My face is just as important as my fingers.

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deemed - 2017-08-05 22:47 (UTC) - Expand

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