EVENT ★ LABYRINTH III: THE ESCAPE

[futurologists]

LABYRINTH III The correct passageway to the inner ring of the maze is hidden behind a thick wall of vines. After cutting through the plants, the structure of the maze is noticeably different: the overgrown plants continue creeping up the walls, but the walls are no longer brick and stone, composed instead of some sort of blue metal with holes and divots carved elaborately into the surface. From some holes gush forth pure, clean water; from others, acidic liquid. The air is cool and crisp, the plants creating a lush, dim environment lit by eerie blue lights spread throughout this section. The lizards, rats, and other monstrous creatures seem to be absent from this area of the maze, replaced instead by rhinoceros-sized beetles. The beetles each have a single horn protruding from the head, and their hard carapaces make them difficult to kill -- a better method might be to simply climb somewhere high and wait for the beetle to get bored. But unlike the other monsters encountered in the maze, the beetles seem to have something else on their mind beyond wanton violence: they can sometimes be found rolling massive balls of dung throughout the corridors of the labyrinth. (This might explain why the plants are so lush closer to the center.) There is little time to explore this section of the labyrinth before there's a flicker of light all around and more ALASTAIR recruits suddenly appear, most dressed in a freshly pressed uniform and carrying extra food and supplies. They have been told that the cloaking surrounding Asterion Labyrinth is so strong and complex that Oska was only able to send in a handful of recruits at once for a relief effort. In order to leave, they'll have to locate the escape mechanism that lies deep within the labyrinth; the remaining Asterion Prison correctional officers know its general location, but not precisely what it entails. All they know is that it will require technological cunning to operate and that it's heavily guarded. After five days, the portal room is found. THE PORTAL ROOM The center of the labyrinth is a large, circular room with a raised platform in the middle. On this platform rests a circle of computer consoles surrounding another platform, on which sits an empty circular frame 2.5m (8') in diameter. This is the dormant portal, and it is now Audentes's task to turn it on and find their way back to Oska. Because the portal is not made for interdimensional travel, it must be overclocked, which will cause it to burn out and explode once it is used. In order to override the safety protocols in place to prevent such dangerous tampering, the control panels must be unlocked -- and unfortunately, the locks are all complicated puzzles, ranging from the numerical to sliding pieces into place to complete a pattern. There are many of these puzzled scattered around the portal room, and once they are all unlocked, it's a simple matter of flipping the power override switches. Ignore the dangerous humming sound and the way the frame suddenly fills with violent purple energy. That's probably normal. The new recruits have the correct coordinates to locate Oska, which has temporarily lowered its cloaking shield to allow Audentes to return. So there is a bit of a time crunch. Adding more to the difficulty of the situation is the presence of a monster lumbering around the circular portal room. Six meters (20') high, the beast is best described as a minotaur, but perhaps not in the traditional sense: while it resembles a bipedal bull, it is an amalgamation of flesh and machine with its body covered in pistons and glowing lights. One of its hands is an enormous axe and it belches fire and acid. Despite its head resembling an herbivore, the piles of desiccated bones scattered throughout the portal room tell a different story. Upon seeing the group, the minotaur charges. Mavahari, the Zymandis recruit, rushes to meet it with her sword drawn. Inmates and correctional officers do their best to fight it as well, but something becomes quickly apparent: it cannot be harmed by projectile weapons. The machinery of the beast keeps it protected from most attacks, though electricity will stun it and acid will corrode its metal. But in order to injure the minotaur, it must be stabbed between the metal plates where its vulnerable flesh remains. During the battle, the minotaur fights viciously and without regard for its own safety. The first casualty comes early: the minotaur swings its axe toward Mavahari, who is pushed out of the way by George. The axe connects with him solidly, sending him flying into the wall with a shuddering impact. George lies there still, but there's no time to mourn. The beast continues its rampage. Once the minotaur is defeated, you'll have to quickly decide what to do with the correctional officers and inmates who have followed Audentes through the Asterion Labyrinth. The overclocked portal won't hold forever, and the longer Oska leaves its cloak down, the better chance they have of being found by their enemies. OOC NOTES This log will last for six IC days: five days for exploration and one day at the center of the maze. We have also recently altered the calendar this month, so make sure you review it! IMPORTANT: Participation in the solution poll is mandatory for August AC. Failure to participate will result in an automatic strike. The only exception is for those who are exempt from August AC. The poll will close on 11 August 23:59 UTC. If you have any questions about the labyrinth that aren't answered here, please direct them to the Leramzen dossier. 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

[secondnature]

[If only Lance, or someone like Lance, were here to make a "getting me off" joke—

As it is, Keith is too focused (and not one for dirty jokes) and the Minotaur probably doesn't have much of a sense of humor. What a shame. At least we have flavor text.

Moving on to the actual shounen part of this, Keith focuses, using his shield to act a few hits from the Minotaur, and then he drops his shield, slicing in at the creature as hard as he can manage. He knows that enough members of Audentes are moving in and out to bring this thing down. It's time to do as much damage as he can manage.

Almost as if it's in response to what's happening, the Minotaur both takes a swipe at Keith and tries to shake the pesty little white-haired dude off at the same time. Its movements are erratic, and Keith does get knocked back at the same time. His feet skid along the ground and he pants and grunts before he goes in for round two.

Which is stupid, but damage is damage. They can tag out soon.]

[unguilded]

[ Dio makes sure Keith's knock back doesn't give the creature enough time to get another hit in, because it sure wants to at this point, getting clearly annoyed at the onslaught. He feels one of his feet slip when it tries to shake him off, but he keeps his hold on its back, regaining his footing and pulling himself forward to give a hard kick to the the back of the small horn on the side of the minotaur's head. It's enough to rattle it just the tiniest bit, as his new fighting partner comes in for another attack.

While he's up there on its back, he takes a closer look around at the armor, seeing the opportunity for an opening between its shoulder and the base of its neck at the right moment. A quick glance to Keith and his position, and he readies himself to help from up here once the minotaur moves its arm to attack again. ]

[secondnature]

[As the swipe comes in, Keith's shield forms again to deflect it. The Minotaur, however, is ready to bear down on Keith, plunging its arm forward aggressively to push steadily against the shield itself. He falls to a crouch without actually hitting his knees, and the sound coming from him makes it clear that he's in a bit of pain.

If only he could toss his bayard up and trust it to remain in sword-like form. Right now, Dio could probably use that. But he holds on to it for now, bearing down and hoping that his current comrade-in-arms can relieve some of the pressure.]

[unguilded]

[ And when it strikes at Keith with its arm, that gives Dio his opening. When it shifts, the space between its plates at its shoulder and neck opening enough to reveal its flesh.

Now!

And Dio stabs his sword downward, extending it to pierce into the minotaur's shoulder as deeply as he can. The sound the creature lets out in response is easily identifiable as pain, as is its physical reaction, which is to rear back fast and hard from Keith. Hard enough to make Dio lose his grip and get flung off of it.

He reacts quickly, flipping so he can land on his feet - a hard landing that sends him sliding backwards. But at least he's still in one piece, and was able to get some damage in. ]

[secondnature]

[With a grunt and with a lot of caution thrown to the wind, Keith drives himself forward, slashing roughly at the minotaur's chest until he gains some purchase. He wants to do some damage, too, and he finally chips away, but not before he's roughly knocked back. The creature howls with pain, but Keith is on his back.

He's not content to stay there, though a couple of other people there jump in to keep Keith from jumping back in.

Huffing loudly, he pushes himself up, gaze focused across the way at Dio.]

We can tag out, [he says, not certain he can be heard. But he's fairly certain that the other guy ... might agree. Maybe. If he's just as reckless as Keith, well—Keith might continue throwing away his caution to do some stupid crap here.]