Misty Morning

[wants_the_phd]

WHO: Adventurers
WHERE: Beyond the edge of the mist
WHEN: idk, we'll figure it out later

[It's a frosty morning at the edge of the outer pasture, where some intrepid explorers are about to dive into the mist in pursuit of herbs.]

Comments

spelunking(?)

[adorabrawler]

[ go forth! ]

Re: spelunking(?)

[eonsadrift]

So we all know the plan, but I'll reiterate it anyway: we sneak through the mist to get to the cave Warden saw, and investigate it as thoroughly as we can. If we're still undetected, we proceed to continue to the mansion to see if there's anything left there.

If we're detected before we get there, we run and continue to the destination rather than try to fight. It's not worth it to engage. Hopefully we can rely on luck to get through, though.

...and if we're especially lucky today, perhaps some of the sunflowers will still be scattered on the ground and we can follow a rough path to the cave.

Everyone understand? Any questions?

Re: spelunking(?)

[aididitmyway]

[shaking her head]

Got it. I'm ready to go whenever you guys are, so... let's go.

Re: spelunking(?)

[jerkalope]

I'm ready.

And keep an eye out for any wolfsbane while we're on the way. Apparently some people don't understand how contagious diseases work and now we're in a deficit.

[adorabrawler]

Ready.

[ Warden in tow, she nods. ]

I'll keep an eye out for any wolfsbane. Let's hurry.

[wooliefrand]

[INTO THE MIST THEY GO. You know how this works--

Upon entering, there's an oppressive, overwhelming feeling of dread and despair and hopelessness. The wind is cold and whips against your skin, and it howls all around them, with whispers of their imminent death. They can't tell which way is up or left or right, and can't even see the ground in front of him....

Usually.

But as you now have an emotional support jackalope, those feelings are suppressed, and you can make out the ground before you. It's mostly still grey and dead, but there are now pops of green thanks to the Earth Spirit slowly trying to restore the area.

That said, unless you remember which way your Frankie went, you're in for a long trek. But weirdly, you aren't immediately attacked by wolves. In fact, you might see. Some lasers?? in the distance. What's that about. Not your problem.

Given luck is activated--roll 1d10! If higher than 3, you spot a slowly withering sunflower that's been tossed aside.]

[eonsadrift]

[ ..................what are they doing over there. oh well not his problem

Zenith decides to forcibly ignore the lasers to instead peer out as far as he can see in the mist, though he has elected to not keep the sunflower light on to make sure they stay under the radar.

Which makes it more difficult, but he does manage to spot one of the sunflowers he used to guide Rose.

Silently, he gestures to it and starts to follow the trail. ]

[aididitmyway]

[whatever's going on over there is not her problem, but she hopes whoever's involved is okay. probably. hopefully not wolfing out.

even so, she sticks close to zenith and follows as silently as possible.

she's a good girl that's not going to leeroy jenkins.

also idk she has a scanner she barely knows how to use to check on things in the mist?]

[jerkalope]

[ the scanner is probably just taking in data right now, or going to go off one second before a jump scare. Warden is only moving himself out of the comfort of the Adorabrawler Taxi Service to give a tentative sniff to their surroundings ]

[adorabrawler]

[ Just for good measure I also rolled and got a 10!! So she definitely sees that wilting sunflower as well.

And the lightshow. ]

Looks like they're having fun out there.

[ She moseys on. ]

[wooliefrand]

[That's not my business.jpeg

or well.

it might be their business.

As they're trucking along, following the trail of sparse sunflowers, the earth begins rumbling beneath them, and something starts clawing its way out.

A large, shadowy black wolf bursts through the ground, roaring. But it doesn't seem to be DIRECTLY trying to attack them. No, instead.

It looks like it's trying to get something out of its mouth. Something like a light.

Oh shit is that a laser forming.

Better get out the way and also everyone roll 1d10 and put your number in the comment.]

[jerkalope]

[ despite being carried this guy knows to hasten so he gets a 7 ]

[eonsadrift]

[ Okay. Now it's his problem. Whoever caused those lasers is going to die for this.

...if they don't get got first, anyway.

Zenith rolls quickly to the side to try and avoid the laser (rolled a 5), keeping a hold on the baby leash that ties them all together so they don't separate too much. With his other hand he flips the sunflower light on to counter laser with laser. ]

-stick to the plan!

[ So... you know. avoid the wolf. ]

[aididitmyway]

[unfortunately for lyra, probably, a 2 was rolled.

she doesn't have the reaction time of the others even if she's good on her feet. rip(?).]

[adorabrawler]

[ oh GOD TRYING TO DODGE WITH WARDEN IN HER ARMS WITH A 5!!!! ]

[wooliefrand]

[CONGRATS, you all dodge! Sort of!

Turns out, a HEAVENLY DEVIL MOUTH LASER or whatever has a bit of a blast radius, sending them hecking flying. Lyra however, gets clipped by the actual laser, and while it doesn't seem to hurt her immediately, she will notice that her arm is slowly, gradually turning an inky black.

But that something to notice when you land! If you land. Better try not to fucking hit the ground and die hard buds.]

[eonsadrift]

[ Luckily for all of them, they're baby leashed to someone who is really good at flying! ...but not at carrying people!

Zenith catches himself first, twisting his body like a cat to hover in the air and attempt to catch both Lyra and Spinel (and Warden by extension) by either the baby leash or one of their limbs to slow their descent to non-lethal levels as they all crash-land. ]

[aididitmyway]

[Well! Good. Thanks, Zenith, but it's really hard to contain the scream as they crashland and she's definitely biting her lip about it.

Crashing nonlethally is better than lethally.]

[jerkalope]

[ poking his head over to whisper at Lyra's arm ]

That's some weak looking ink there. More like watercolors. That don't even make sense, lasers turning into black goo? I've seen better rules in B-movie schlock!

[ hopefully this will be recognized as an attempt at healing with Weed powers and not a way to start a fight (don't hurt me Zenith) ]

[adorabrawler]

[ Fortunately, Spinel is tiny! So it probably isn't hard to yank her up by her clothes as she grips tightly around Warden. ]

—Eurgh. ... What was THAT?!

[wooliefrand]

[what WAS that. wild. In any case--woah, fast travel much!

They may notice they are back in the area of dead forest with extremely thin mist. They don't have to stay tethered to each other here.

But it also means they are close to that Place.

Meanwhile, Lyra's arm briefly stops turning black as Warden speaks to it, but it is kinda drippy. If she squeezes it, she can even shape it. Neat it!]

[eonsadrift]

[ Zenith quirks an eyebrow at Warden but he's not going to question it, not when Lyra's arm looks like... that.

He straightens to look around, dusting himself off and lowering his voice. ]

We're close. Stay quiet, talk only if necessary.

[ He glances towards Lyra, remaining in business mode. ]

...can you continue?

[aididitmyway]

[She does... try... to do that... and just makes this gross "ew" face at what's happening.]

Gross. I can keep going, but I don't... know what this is.

[The drippiness is concerning. Aqua's never going to let her leave the pasture again.]

[jerkalope]

The insults were necessary. It's the best way of keeping that disgusting stain on her contained.

[ shoots Lyra a look that doesn't look like an apology but maybe a "hey, it is what it is" explanation ]

[adorabrawler]

[ Hm. Worrying! ]

It... looks like we're close, at least. The sooner we get this done, then—the sooner we can help Lyra.

[ Spinel cants her head forward, beginning the trek through the forest. ]

But let us know if you're not okay, alright?