epidemiology | EVENT ★ LABYRINTH III: THE ESCAPE

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[SQUINTS.... she's not convinced] All sidekicks say that, yanno.

[This will come back to bite you in the butt, Doctor... They'll Find Out. Somehow]

So? What's this so-called straightforward process?

[now they're getting offtopic...]

[ maybe. maybe that's what he WANTS.

he crouches down slightly, more to her level, and points at the nearest gathering of people. he's about to impart some goddamn knowledge. secrets of the trade. ]

Well, usually, I find a crisis, and look for the cleverest person in the room. That's me, right now, so you'll have to settle for second best. But you also need one who provides a good contrast - like stature, gender, accent, or relative pluckiness.

And the one with a name easiest to shout out in the middle of said crisis. That's probably the most important.

[ what the hell was the topic? ]

[Maya considers this....... her irritation has smoothed over as he imparts his words of wisdom]

...You know, that's pretty good advice. "Nick" is really easy to yell out, all dramatically, and he's the grumpy old man to my youthful cheer and adorableness.

[And he wants people to call him Doctor, which is also very easy to yell out... yes, this all makes perfect sense. She pumps her fist into the air]

Alright, Mr. The Doctor! You've convinced me! I'll take you on as my sidekick!

[ FISSION MAILED

who could have foreseen...! ]

Wha-- [ wide-eyed, old man confusion?? ]

No, no. No, I said I'm not - it doesn't work like that!

You said it yourself, I'd have to settle for second smartest if I picked anyone else. Why settle? I'll put you to the test, right now! [You did this to yourself!!!]

[She's Returned to Full Perkiness]

Come on, sidekick! Let's go help some injured people!

[ he thrusts his finger out at her, indignantly!! ]

You didn't listen at all! I'm not going to-- [ wait ]

...yes, let's help people, but - but not because I'm a sidekick!

There's no time for squabbling, sidekick! Onwards, to the giant bull robot!

[and then she's scampering off]

[ mutters 'doctor' under his breath, but follows after her, regardless.

he does not scamper, though!! ]

[If you say so]

[Once they get to the general idea of the bull and the puzzles, Maya slows down to assess the situation. There are already a number of recruits fighting the minotaur, and she doesn't look like she has any intention of trying, but she's scanning the area for.... injured people, maybe?]

Hey, Mr. The Doctor, did you bring your doctor kit with you?

[ DANGER, WILL MAYASON.

he immediately steps out ahead of her, throwing an arm back her way. with his other hand, he pats the supply kit he'd been sent down with. ]

I've got what I need. [ commanding - or at least, trying to, ] You, keep out of its sight.

[She startles when he puts himself in front of her and throws his creaky old arm in front of her. It's almost like she's not used to people putting themselves between her and potential threats to her life, how weird]

H-Hey, what's the big idea! You're the sidekick, not me! I can help!

[Despite her protests, his commanding voice has actually stopped her in her tracks, because she is a weenie]

Yes, yes, I'm the sidekick, so go... do what protagonists do, and hide behind a sturdy wall or something! You can't help if you've been barbecued.

[ he's waving his hands at her, trying to shoo her away to safety. but he's not even looking at her - his eyes are on the minotaur, before shifting to the control panels, and then any injured victims visible nearby. he's definitely planning to run in there, he's just gotta calculate the best course of action... ]

Protagonists don't do that! They protect their sidekicks!

[Although Maya has very little to protect him with, just a baby psychic shield that might not even work. She stays in place as he scolds her for a second, fidgeting of the possibility about slowing him down or burdening him, about dying herself, since she doesn't know how well she can even pull this off -- but just as he's about to run off, she seems to become resolved, takes a deep breath, and steels herself]

[yep she's gonna follow him, DEAL WITH IT]

You can't help if you get BBQ'd! And unless you're the kind of doctor that has inexplicable magic powers, then-- then! You're in danger too! So I'm coming!

[what a lil sucker]

[ he glances back at her, eyes wide - he wasn't genuinely expecting this reaction. ]

You're serious, aren't you?

[ his head rolls back with a groan. he doesn't have time for a futile argument... almost like he's dealt with enough headstrong young women in deadly crises to guess how this is going to play out. he knows that look. ] Ohhh - oh, fine - but stick with me. Come on!

[ tugs her sleeve as he runs towards a downed inmate.

the minotaur stomps on some fighters nearby, having a good time. ]

Serious as a heart attack-- Gack!

[She was expecting him to argue with her, not to tug her along, so she's caught a little offguard by the hold on her sleeve]

[Oh, well. If he's not going to argue then she'll just run with it, literally] R-Right! I've got you, Doctor--- whoever you are!

[let's hope the minotaur stays occupied or this is gonna get nasty, fast. Nastier]

[ yes, let's... hope. he's already crouching down next to the inmate, who appears to be suffering from minor burns and a rather nasty knock to the head. the man's probably concussed, and his forehead's leaking red everywhere. ew.

the doctor removes his first aid supplies from the pack, hunting for some gauze. ]

Shouldn't be moved yet - keep an eye on the bull.

Will do!

[Yeah, she'll stand with her back to the Doctor and the gross bleeding dude, there's been enough of that, thanks, and her squeamish teenage girl heart doesn't handle it well.]

He's..... really getting into it. He must be trying to avenge his fallen brethren who chase after guys in pointy hats and gaudy outfits.

[surely that's it...]

EVENT ★ LABYRINTH III: THE ESCAPE

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