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

[deemed]

[He turns his head to study her properly.

Over his time on earth he's known many humans. Some good, some evil, some he held in highest esteem as the greatest of any living creature one could know. But he's known Daenerys too short a time to pass judgement on her.]

In my experience, one faces the world and the fear together- then acts despite the fear. [He smiles wryly.] But I am not human. It is likely different for you.

[conqueress]

Fear was my supper, when I had no coin for food. It was my wine as well, when no one offered me ale to drink, [ she tells him. ] I woke afraid for fourteen years and went to sleep afraid each night.

[ And then, facing the loss of all that she'd loved, and all that she'd hoped for, she had lit a fire. ]

It may be as you say, and two poisons must be swallowed at once ... but my fears were burned away in a fire, and only one path remains to me now.

[ He will think he mad, she suspects, but what of it? She is too weary and too dehydrated to care, and it is freeing to speak of herself thus. ]

[deemed]

[As with her eating manners, Odinson shows neither judgement nor pity as she speaks. This is the tale of her life, as she chooses to tell it.]

What path is that?

[conqueress]

To go forward, [ she answers. ] And for that, I must go back. Once I thought it would doom me, but now I know otherwise. [ She wishes for stars, but the lasers above disrupt their sky. ] It is the only way to destroy the last thing I fear.

[ Myself. The words of Quaithe's prophecy are spoken in another world, another universe. No one will understand, and that is why it is safe to speak them.

She allows the words to settle as she sups on another piece of meat, the grease running down her palm. Then, with a sly look: ]

But my lord would sooner hear valorous tales than prophetic prattling, I think.

[deemed]

[His expression changes as she looks up at him, from interested to amused. The corner of his mouth turns up.]

I'm warm, well-fed, and out of that Norn-damned prison. I'd happily sit through a philosophical debate on the various methods of animals husbandry if you wished to discuss it.

[conqueress]

Various? [ And she throws a piece of gristle at him, lobbing it gracefully over the fire and toward his face. Her aim is surprisingly good; the result of months of intermittent practice at archery with Graham. ] I do not wish to hear of even one.

[ But if he looks, he will see that her eyes are alight. ]

Tell me a story of your own. [ She pauses to gather the rest of her meat into her hands. ] One that will make me giggle.

[ They are trapped in this labyrinth for the nonce, and she has great need of laughter. ]

[deemed]

[He catches the gristle, refraining from making a comment about how like her brother she is. He flicks his wrist and it ends up in the fire.]

To make you giggle? [If he's honest, he hasn't been in the mood for humour for a good long while. Not until his recent conversation with his brother reminded him that there is humour out there in the world.]

I will tell you the tale of when Mjolnir was lost to the giant Thyrm, and how Loki and I retrieved it. [It's a tale Loki would tell better, for Loki told all tales better.

The tale involves losing the magic hammer Mjolnir to the dwarves while gambling, and the dwarves give it to the monstrous giant Thyrm. When Loki and Thor went to retrieve it, Thyrm demanded Freya's hand in marriage.

Knowing that wouldn't be possible, Thor was all for breaking in and slaughtering everyone- but Loki had a better plan. He dressed Thor up as Freya, covering his beard with a veil, while Loki played handmaid to her.

Odinson tells the full tale of how Loki covered for Thor appetite, his muteness, keeping the giant at bay until the hammer could be returned- whereupon Thor lifted it and slew everyone present.

As he tells the tale his expression remains more neutral than not, with only the hint of a smile in certain places.]

And I forebade Loki from telling another the tale ever since.