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PRISON WORLD #4: MAHYRST
Characters: Ensemble Cast, maybe even you!
Summary: The fourth prison world in Xistentia is a fantastical land not unlike your your favourite MMORPG! You're here to end the Shadow Queen's reign and stop D.E.S.T.I.N.Y. from ever using the reflection tactic against you again.
Date(s): June 2nd - 16th
Warnings/Notes: Fantasy violence
It's a fairly average day when you roll into Haybrook. The sun is shining, the cows are grazing, and people go about their ordinary lives in this quaint little village. Whatever reason you have for stopping to rest here, it might feel like fate paved a path for you before long. You decide to stay the night. Why not? It's a nice enough place and it'll be good to have some downtime to map out the rest of your path.
After settling into an inn, you notice the town start to roll up just at dusk. A sense of urgency spikes as the sunlight wanes. Before, everything had felt rather easy-going but now it's suddenly tense. Rushed. People caught just before the last slivers of sunlight vanish are suddenly scrambling into their homes and closing up everything they can. When the world grows dark and stars begin to dot the sky, that's when you hear it. A shattering of something and a scream cuts through the otherwise quiet. If you look out the inn window, you see the shadows begin to bend and twist into monstrous shapes. They slide across the walls and spawn out of alleyways. Their eyes are bright but beady and they cackle maliciously as they search for the unfortunate souls who didn't quite make it to safety before sunset. It might not be a bad idea to make sure your window is locked too.
If you manage to sleep through the shifting and scuttling about of the shadows, in the morning peace returns to Haybrook. Perhaps you stop by the tavern or overhear a couple of midwives talking while walking their way home. "The shadows are getting worse," they mutter discreetly. "Their queen is only growing stronger. What are we doing to do? I've heard that there's something to help get into her lair in the Ember Marsh but who would willingly go there?"
Spoilers: it's you. You would go there. Looks like you've found yourself your next quest! It helps that you noticed, too, a bountiful reward to vanquishing the Shadow Queen once and for all. So time to gear up and head out. However, you're not likely to be the only adventurer headed that way...
The Ember Marsh is located just due south of Haybrook. Maybe you already partied up with a group of people or maybe you're going it alone. The lush, scenic green starts to give way to brackish water and ashen mud. It might steal your boots if you're not careful! Going barefoot through this land is definitely advised against. Of course, there's more to worry about than just losing your shoes.
Though treading through the goopy land makes your legs feel like lead what's more obnoxious is the fog that settles in. Is it fog? It smells more like smoke and similarly causes your lungs to burn the more you inhale it. Also, it makes the path ahead hard to read. It starts to feel frustrating. You wonder if you'll ever find those talked about clues or if they even exist. Didn't you see that tree before? And you definitely remember that particular patch of grass. There's also- Oh, wait. No. That monster is new.
Decide as a group how to tackle this foe. Or if you're on your own, it's possible another adventurer might also see the sparks and come to your aid! Should you succeed in slaying the beast and finding your way to the end of the Ember Marsh, there will be Crystals of Light for the taking. It will help you infiltrate the Shadow Queen's lair as well as give you an advantage in combat against the enemies to be found there.
If the Ember Marsh seems like a bad idea all around, there's another way to get yourself some gold and experience and still have a chance at taking on the Shadow Queen. In Haybrook's main square, there's a bulletin board with a hunting log posted. Vanquish these enemies causing trouble and net yourself a pretty hefty reward. There are minor monsters that seem to crop up weekly and needed to be trimmed down. What will really get you some good stuff, however, are the monthly marks. These are your stronger than average creatures that only seem to come around once in a blue moon. Literally! It isn't advised to take these marks down alone but you can still try.
The creature needing to be slain this month is the dreaded Plain Pudding. Despite its common-sounding name, it is a large, gelatinous monstrosity. Who knew something so wiggly and colorful could be so intimidating? It has an enormous mouth lined with razor sharp teeth, huge eyes, and spawns a multitude of oozing, slimy tentacles to ensnare anything it so desires for consumption. And right now? That happens to be you.
As if it wasn't gross enough already, once its health drops low enough the Plain Pudding undulates violently before exploding into a mess of goo. Of course it does! In the remnants, however, you will be able to find Crystals of Light on top of the reward promised by Haybrook. It's worth the advantage to search for it but try telling yourself that as you wade through the Pudding's goopy remains. The life of an adventurer isn't quite as glamorous as you were once led to believe, huh?
Everything has led to this moment. You - and a group other adventurers all with the same goal in mind - have come together to help end this shadow business once and for all.
Staring up at the Shadow Queen's tower practically makes you dizzy. It's one hundred floors tall and each one is more trying than the last. Hopefully, you stocked up on some potent potions or have a Crystal of Light in hand to help aid you on this final quest. If not, well, then good luck. You're going to need it.
After fighting to near exhaustion, you finally make your way to the final floor. It's a large, open throne room dimly lit where the Shadow Queen sits. "Congratulations," she says. "You've done well to make it this far but here's where your journey ends." She doesn't move to attack. At the confusion this likely causes, she only tilts back her head and lets out a hearty laugh. "Did you think I was going to fight you? No, you are going to fight you."
Before you can even think what that means, the darkness of the throne room starts to shift. It all starts to concentrate in front of you; the amalgamation of all the shadows in the room shoot up twisting and writhing unnervingly. Eventually, they settle into a familiar shape. It's you. Well, it's a shadow clone of you. It will mirror your moves. It will reflect the worst parts of you, saying awful things. Thankfully, you have a fellow adventurer at your side to help. ...Or do you? Perhaps they're true or maybe now's where your supposed friend double crosses you as an agent of D.E.S.T.I.N.Y. working underneath the Shadow Queen herself.
No matter what, it's going to be one hell of a fight. Hopefully, you're ready for it. Defeating these shadow clones will weaken the queen little by little. If enough are slain, she will succumb to the light and fade away and peace in this realm will be restored. The fate of Mahyrst rests with you, adventurer. No pressure or anything though!
Summary: The fourth prison world in Xistentia is a fantastical land not unlike your your favourite MMORPG! You're here to end the Shadow Queen's reign and stop D.E.S.T.I.N.Y. from ever using the reflection tactic against you again.
Date(s): June 2nd - 16th
Warnings/Notes: Fantasy violence
Mahyrst
It's dangerous to go alone. Take this!
And So Your Story Begins...
It's a fairly average day when you roll into Haybrook. The sun is shining, the cows are grazing, and people go about their ordinary lives in this quaint little village. Whatever reason you have for stopping to rest here, it might feel like fate paved a path for you before long. You decide to stay the night. Why not? It's a nice enough place and it'll be good to have some downtime to map out the rest of your path.
After settling into an inn, you notice the town start to roll up just at dusk. A sense of urgency spikes as the sunlight wanes. Before, everything had felt rather easy-going but now it's suddenly tense. Rushed. People caught just before the last slivers of sunlight vanish are suddenly scrambling into their homes and closing up everything they can. When the world grows dark and stars begin to dot the sky, that's when you hear it. A shattering of something and a scream cuts through the otherwise quiet. If you look out the inn window, you see the shadows begin to bend and twist into monstrous shapes. They slide across the walls and spawn out of alleyways. Their eyes are bright but beady and they cackle maliciously as they search for the unfortunate souls who didn't quite make it to safety before sunset. It might not be a bad idea to make sure your window is locked too.
If you manage to sleep through the shifting and scuttling about of the shadows, in the morning peace returns to Haybrook. Perhaps you stop by the tavern or overhear a couple of midwives talking while walking their way home. "The shadows are getting worse," they mutter discreetly. "Their queen is only growing stronger. What are we doing to do? I've heard that there's something to help get into her lair in the Ember Marsh but who would willingly go there?"
Spoilers: it's you. You would go there. Looks like you've found yourself your next quest! It helps that you noticed, too, a bountiful reward to vanquishing the Shadow Queen once and for all. So time to gear up and head out. However, you're not likely to be the only adventurer headed that way...
EMBER MARSH
The Ember Marsh is located just due south of Haybrook. Maybe you already partied up with a group of people or maybe you're going it alone. The lush, scenic green starts to give way to brackish water and ashen mud. It might steal your boots if you're not careful! Going barefoot through this land is definitely advised against. Of course, there's more to worry about than just losing your shoes.
Though treading through the goopy land makes your legs feel like lead what's more obnoxious is the fog that settles in. Is it fog? It smells more like smoke and similarly causes your lungs to burn the more you inhale it. Also, it makes the path ahead hard to read. It starts to feel frustrating. You wonder if you'll ever find those talked about clues or if they even exist. Didn't you see that tree before? And you definitely remember that particular patch of grass. There's also- Oh, wait. No. That monster is new.
Decide as a group how to tackle this foe. Or if you're on your own, it's possible another adventurer might also see the sparks and come to your aid! Should you succeed in slaying the beast and finding your way to the end of the Ember Marsh, there will be Crystals of Light for the taking. It will help you infiltrate the Shadow Queen's lair as well as give you an advantage in combat against the enemies to be found there.
ON THE HUNT
If the Ember Marsh seems like a bad idea all around, there's another way to get yourself some gold and experience and still have a chance at taking on the Shadow Queen. In Haybrook's main square, there's a bulletin board with a hunting log posted. Vanquish these enemies causing trouble and net yourself a pretty hefty reward. There are minor monsters that seem to crop up weekly and needed to be trimmed down. What will really get you some good stuff, however, are the monthly marks. These are your stronger than average creatures that only seem to come around once in a blue moon. Literally! It isn't advised to take these marks down alone but you can still try.
The creature needing to be slain this month is the dreaded Plain Pudding. Despite its common-sounding name, it is a large, gelatinous monstrosity. Who knew something so wiggly and colorful could be so intimidating? It has an enormous mouth lined with razor sharp teeth, huge eyes, and spawns a multitude of oozing, slimy tentacles to ensnare anything it so desires for consumption. And right now? That happens to be you.
As if it wasn't gross enough already, once its health drops low enough the Plain Pudding undulates violently before exploding into a mess of goo. Of course it does! In the remnants, however, you will be able to find Crystals of Light on top of the reward promised by Haybrook. It's worth the advantage to search for it but try telling yourself that as you wade through the Pudding's goopy remains. The life of an adventurer isn't quite as glamorous as you were once led to believe, huh?
Defeat(?) Of The Shadow Queen
Everything has led to this moment. You - and a group other adventurers all with the same goal in mind - have come together to help end this shadow business once and for all.
Staring up at the Shadow Queen's tower practically makes you dizzy. It's one hundred floors tall and each one is more trying than the last. Hopefully, you stocked up on some potent potions or have a Crystal of Light in hand to help aid you on this final quest. If not, well, then good luck. You're going to need it.
After fighting to near exhaustion, you finally make your way to the final floor. It's a large, open throne room dimly lit where the Shadow Queen sits. "Congratulations," she says. "You've done well to make it this far but here's where your journey ends." She doesn't move to attack. At the confusion this likely causes, she only tilts back her head and lets out a hearty laugh. "Did you think I was going to fight you? No, you are going to fight you."
Before you can even think what that means, the darkness of the throne room starts to shift. It all starts to concentrate in front of you; the amalgamation of all the shadows in the room shoot up twisting and writhing unnervingly. Eventually, they settle into a familiar shape. It's you. Well, it's a shadow clone of you. It will mirror your moves. It will reflect the worst parts of you, saying awful things. Thankfully, you have a fellow adventurer at your side to help. ...Or do you? Perhaps they're true or maybe now's where your supposed friend double crosses you as an agent of D.E.S.T.I.N.Y. working underneath the Shadow Queen herself.
No matter what, it's going to be one hell of a fight. Hopefully, you're ready for it. Defeating these shadow clones will weaken the queen little by little. If enough are slain, she will succumb to the light and fade away and peace in this realm will be restored. The fate of Mahyrst rests with you, adventurer. No pressure or anything though!
Wyatt - OTA
The fearful muttering around him ceases. Sir Wyatt of the Golden Circle raises himself to speak. ]
Be not afraid, good people! For too long have we hidden in the shadows! For too long have we let them rule our lives, making us cower at their feet. No longer! On this night begins our quest. I, Sir Wyatt, will go forth through the Ember Marsh. I will find this demon queen, and I will slay her where she stands!
Who among you will go with me?!
[ The point of his sword is aimed at the heavens, while his piercing blue eyes search the crowd. Surely he is not the only soul brave enough to take on this quest. ]
no subject
I will join you.
[ He announces, his voice clear and yet gentle. His green eyes seemed to shine brightly in the light, brown curls clean and untamed around his head, his face softened and not at all arrogant- a quiet confidence. ]
In the name of Pelor, I, Ignacio, will lend you my strength.
no subject
[ Wyatt turns towards the voice, and his eyes light up in delight. At once he reaches to take the cleric's hand. ]
Can this be? Has the lord sent to me another in his own service? If he so favours our mission then we cannot fail. The light will always triumph over darkness. I shall be honoured to travel with you, Ignacio, and my sword shall be your sword.
[ He bows, touching his lips to the cleric's hand, before rising straight and all. ]
Come! We shall find others on our way; Pelor will guide them to us. His will be done!
no subject
[And then, hurrying up to them is a... rather unusual looking gentleman. Dressed more like a low-level pirate than any sort of proper adventurer, ruby red scales dusted over his cheekbones, down his neck and bare arms and the exposed portion of his chest, and where there are no scales, tattoos cover his skin instead.
As he draws closer, the golden eyes and slightly pointed ears become more obvious - along with teeth that are just a touch pointier than a humans should be, shown off when he smiles excitedly.] I've made a few exploratory forays into the Ember Marsh, so if you're in need of a guide...
[Well, at least he's a friendly... whatever he actually is.]
no subject
Those bright green eyes of his appeared to linger at Wyatt, entirely smitten, then eventually tore away to notice that there was a new gentleman in their party. His eyes widened with shock as he noticed the color of those scales and instinctively he clutched the holy symbol which hung around his neck. ]
We are but-- you... you are not a follower of the Scaled Tyrant are you?!
my bad guys
Excellent news! ]
What ho, kind adventurer!
[ Who on earth even taught Wyatt how to talk like this, one might wonder, if one could remember who Wyatt even was. As it is, Sir Wyatt, the friendliest knight you'll ever encounter, could not be more welcoming.
Which is more than one could say for his beautiful new Cleric friend. Wyatt puts his hand on his shoulder, immediately concerned with defusing the tension. ]
I am sure that we are all united in our quest to destroy the Shadow Queen. Come, my new friend! We do indeed have need of a guide, so long as our cause is one.
no subject
It is. [He tells Sir Wyatt, solemn now. Gaze flickering back to Ignacio, he adds] Whatever my appearance may imply, I've no loyalty to any of the Betrayers.
[He raises a hand to tuck a few strands of long hair behind his ear - it could almost be a nervous gesture, except that the motion shows off the sigil tattooed on his inner arm.]
no subject
Then I welcome you as well, please forgive me for my apprehension. As a loyal follower of Pelor, it is my duty to destroy evil where I see it. I see that you are a follower of knowledge, and I believe we would value any guidance you can offer.
I am Ignacio, this is Sir Wyatt. And you?
no subject
No harm done. It's... understandable.
[But he's more than happy to set that aside and focus on more pleasant things.] Vanyel, at your service. [And he bows, brief but neat. A little surprisingly so, perhaps, given his rough manner of dress.]
And for my first bit of guidance... what do you have as far as provisions, potions and the like?