ASTHENOA

[capemods]

WHO: The imPorts trapped in a video game.
WHERE: The virtual world of Asthenoa.
WHEN: 10AM August 26th to 11PM August 31st.
WARNINGS: Violence and fighting. Alert me of anything else for updates.
SUMMARY: A comedy of errors: imPorts are trapped in a Vulcanus-made video game.
FORMAT: As you like it.



Asthenoa is a land set on lush rolling hills under a bright blue sky eternally streaked with clouds. The only celestial variance comes during the nightly setting, where an eternally yellow full moon partially hides behind those clouds. The people of Asthenoa may be human, or elven, or dwarven, or they may have animalistic features, but none of that is of great social concern. Asthenoa has always been this way. The heart of the land is a medieval town set upon one of the highest hills, and the middle of that town sits a majestic stone castle. The busiest part of the town is the center, which hosts the marketplace. There you can buy necessities, or meet the blacksmith and other artisans at their working studios. Beyond the artisanal studios are the taverns and the inns.

Beyond the cheerier inns is a place called The Shriveled Shrike. If you head to the second floor and knock on the third room door thrice and rub your knee against the handle once, it will magically open and expose to you a staircase. People of the Rogue class know this inherently.

The staircase is five flights long. It leads to a black market in a mile long, mile wide underground bunker, where gambling and other darker magicks are indulged. You might meet a necromancer or three. You might run into trouble.

If you were to step out beyond the town, you would have to cross a moat via the drawbridge. It’s always closed up at nighttime, you can only pass during the day.

Beyond the moat (where serpents might swim) is a hilly pasture. Beyond the pasture is an enchanted forest. Strange things happen in these gnarled woods – this is where mystical creatures lurk. Acres of dark wood house sparkling lights and floating orbs and very unusual flora. The fauna includes many mythical beings, including centaurs and fairies and griffins. There could be even more hidden within secret caves or pools of darkening water.

You feel the need to venture past this alluring wood. You feel it deeply.

Comments

open; drop a roll in the subject or leave it to me, i'm cool either way! multi-person party friendly

[glowsferatu]

[ sterility is really the least of her worries, she gave up on the idea of bearing children years ago. cowardice has never been her style, either. she just wants to find her way home, and the fact that it's through a volcano feels like a warning that whatever waits within isn't going to be good.

she has her sword drawn from the start, running her way what she hopes is deeper into the maze. it isn't any time at all before she's lost, but to be in the labyrinth is to be lost in it.

she's certain she hears something approaching. that's wonderfully promising, these last few days have certainly left her feeling ready to hit something. ]

4, as rolled by king; dandileons

[symmachy]

[The raven in the forest had, at least, proven to be somewhat useful--after all, she was in the labyrinth now, right? That had apparently been the point of this world. However, mazes have never really been her area of expertise. She'd had the occasional student find his way in and out while slaying a minotaur on the way, yes, but that had been their own training or luck. But not for the first time, she wished she had changed tactics and worked it in over the past century or two.

While Kanaya runs her way around, Scatty has opted to stroll leisurely about. Running through mazes doesn't seem like a very bright idea, after all. Too easy to get lost. And so, she hears someone approaching quickly long before she sees her new companion. The redhead turns to face the direction of the sound, one hand over her back to grasp her sovnya, just in case.

At this moment, she is unaware of the creatures waiting just around the next corner.]

[glowsferatu]

[ oh, her. kanaya doesn't know her terribly well aside from the few classes of hers she had at the school, but any interaction she had beyond that wasn't one she's particularly fond of. in a situation like this, however, she doesn't have any room to care.

it doesn't take her long to realize she isn't what kanaya had heard. she's moving too quietly. ]

You may want to turn around.

[symmachy]

[Ah, the young, lippy one. Scatty hasn't yet formed an opinion of her, which is rare--the Warrior often decided how she felt about a person within the first few minutes of meeting them. She wonders what it is about this kid.

For a moment, she thinks that perhaps this is a trick. But then she hears the shifting of feet (clawed?) that are neither hers nor her new companion's, and she does spin around, hand actually grasping her weapon now.]

And just when I thought this was going to be a boring maze.

[foreverbouncing]

It is a secret evil maze, how could it ever be boring?

[Charlie has been making her way along using rogue skills, but when she comes upon the two about to fight, she can hardly leave! So she grins as she speaks, stepping out of the shadows, a dagger in each hand.]

[glowsferatu]

[ kanaya turns to give a nod to the new arrival behind her, but her attention is torn away by a very loud roar. the two monsters approaching are gargantuan, well-dressed, and hungry. their jaws are big enough that they'll get you in one bite if you let them.

the roar came from the first, menacing its way toward them. the second stalks behind it, letting the first serve as a diversion while it waits for an opening. ]

[symmachy]

[She almost does a doubletake when she hears their new companion. At least she's sure Charlie can be useful, while she has no idea of the other girl's abilities. But her response is cut off by the roar, and she swivels around to see the best-dressed felines she has ever seen.

Her nose starts to prickle. She can feel the sneezes coming on.

The redhead hoists her sovnya further in front of her, crouching a bit.]

Of course. Come on, then! [And she lunges forward without any other warning.]

19 / butterdies

[boobwindow]

[ Everything about this screams it's a trap, but the more Peej attempts to resist whatever it is that's drawn her all the way here, the stronger it yanks her until she's deep into the labyrinth, with nothing but a club and her fists to defend her.

She doesn't notice the fluttering of butterflies several feet behind her. Not until she feels something pierce into her skin and the warmth of blood trickling down her shoulder. She cries out and reaches behind to snatch whatever it is that's sunk its fangs into her vulnerable skin. There's a soft crunch and she sees it: a large butterfly with long and sharp teeth, red staining her hands. ]

Oh... no.

[ She sees them all now and runs, turning a corner to try and dodge them and nearly running into Kanaya, who's likely heard the scream and footsteps by now. ]

Incoming!

[ She attempts to warn her, but they've fluttered around the corner and have caught up to them. ]

[glowsferatu]

[ the sound was enough to tell kanaya to get ready by the time peej bursts in, it gave her enough warning that she was out of the way before they might collide. it wasn't, unfortunately, enough to get her to follow behind, and seeing one person run only has her psyching herself up to face whatever pursues.

once the rabble's in sight, it's a choice she immediately regrets. ]

Shit.

[ she starts swinging wildly, knocking one against the wall with the flat of her sword, slicing another in half, and while there are enough that she can't swing without hitting something, there are too many for that to actually get her anywhere. ]

No, no! [ she ducks down, shielding her face and swatting as she can, but she's quickly overwhelmed, feeling bites on her neck and shoulders. she's not as wild about the experience when reversed.

taking off after peej is the only viable course, so she interrupts the meals of those that had connected and does just that. it takes her a moment to catch up to the other women, and she'll be lying if she tries to pretend there wasn't some fear as she looked back at the little flapping monsters. she can feel the cold trickle of pale green starting to run between her shoulderblades. ]

We can't keep an escape like this up forever! Can you do anything to fight them?

[boobwindow]

[ Unfamiliar is what this pain is. There have only been a handful of instances where Peej bled and they were often near death situations that left her weak or out of commission for a period of time. She loathed the idea of being made to feel powerless and scared, and turning into a quick meal for these hellish butterflies pushes her closer to the breaking point.

She wipes her hand against her dress, red smearing the now drab and damaged fabric. She concentrates on the butterflies and when they're close enough, she begins to smack hard with the club. They don't go down immediately, but when they flutter close to the floor she stomps her foot. ]

If it's a fight they want then fine! I am absolutely, one hundred percent, done with this crap!

[glowsferatu]

Well, I suppose that's one way to do it.

[ kanaya slides to a stop, then braces her legs to launch herself into the fray. each swing of her sword seems only to make her eyes burn redder, her strikes hit harder. it doesn't take long til the fugue is in full swing and the signature white glow to her skin flaring up where it had been dormant for days. there's less sense behind her hits now, just fury and bloodthirst, to the point that she actually naps one of them out of the air with her fangs, only to spit it back on the floor, an unsatisfied hiss following after.

and it's a wonderful time for her to be beyond reason, too, as a considerable percentage of the flight of butterdies is suddenly sliced to shreds from the other side. it seems the commotion has attracted a nearby ice maiden, and she is perfectly willing to make shish-kebabs of the two depowered and vulnerable aliens. ]

[boobwindow]

[ At least they're just bugs, she hardly feels bad for crunching and tearing apart some nasty bug bent on eating them. She suffers a couple of more bruises along the way, but with Kanaya, she feels they'll be in the clearing soon.

She somehow didn't pay the other alien enough attention, because those fangs -- and that barely restrained blood thirst -- now has it.

In her momentary distraction, she almost doesn't catch the ice maiden until she narrowly avoids the sharp swing of a sword. It clangs hard against the wall where Peej's head was supposed to be. ]

What is with this place? Oh!

[ She rolls away as the sword drives forward, hissing when it grazes her shoulder. Red spreads beneath the fabric. ]

[glowsferatu]

[ peej will never get an answer. too wild to focus, kanaya's almost distracted by the few remaining insects before she notices the bigger foe. she shouts long and loud, raising her sword to hack at the maiden's side, barely chipping at the diamond before her sword finally slices right into the ice. ...but it doesn't come out.

the maiden lets out a cry as kanaya makes repeated frenzied tugs to free her sword, no longer paying any attention to the fight. in her pain and anger, the maiden backhands her, hurling her against the wall. ]

1 Gloop! Who shall it copy?

[lucke]

[As he suspected, Lancer wasn't the only Import drawn to this dungeon. The end all for this world.]

My my [He calls out to her, giving a quick wave in greeting as he strolls forward to join up with her. ] Funny how we keep bumping into one another here. Maybe it's Fate trying to tell us we should be traveling companions?

it can be lancer if you like!

[glowsferatu]

[ she lets out a low grown and shakes her head. ] I do hate to disappoint, but you really aren't my type.

But if you can behave and carry your weight in a fight, I suppose I won't turn you away, either.

*bows*

[lucke]

[Surprisingly, not an answer he's used to. Donchya know playing hard to get only makes him try harder?]

Well, we know where someone's mind resides. [Smooth reversal, Lancer...]

You needn't worry about me in a setting such as this. [He moves as if to lead the way, intending to tromp right through a puddle of water in their way.] When it comes to adventure, I'm quite the unfair advantage!

[SPLOTCH. Well that wasn't the sound he expected. With all his showboating, Lancer failed to recognize the difference between a puddle of water and a puddle of living goo. Which now began quivering to life around his boot.]

Ah hell...

[glowsferatu]

[ flirty boys have never been something she's encountered enough to learn how to deal with. she wonders if it's just a peril of growing up. ]

Right, we know exactly that, considering your implications.

[ it's really all she manages to say before the pool launches up around him, forming a cone as it assesses its new trespasser. then, surging out in front of him, it pours itself into what seems like an invisible mold, showing him his own reflection in jet black. it looks almost like it cracks a smile before twirling its sovnya-shaped hand and stabbing it toward him at a remarkable speed.

kanaya lets out a sigh and brandishes her sword, rushing into the fight. ]

I can see the advantage already.

[lucke]

[With a quick pivot of his upper body while holding the shaft of his sovnya vertically, Lancer was able to redirect the force behind the replica's attack.

Even with its remarkable speed, Lancer was still able to perceive the attack and counter, speaking of his years of martial experience. However, what he was NOT prepared for was its overwhelming strength as it shifted with him, gaining leverage, and flung Lancer aside and into a nearby wall.]

OOHF-!

[Damn! This thing must possess the same raw prowess Lancer did back in the city. But here, in terms of out and out stats, he was out gunned. But luck was on his side. For one he had a companion. And two... presumably the creature didn't share his proficiency in the martial arts.

If he did though... this was going to be a hard fought battle.]

Tch. Well... if its any consolation. Nothing compares the real deal!

[Even though he was sure something had been injured back there in his impact, Lancer left that to his new found regenerative qualities and dived back in for a pincer attack with Kanya.]

[glowsferatu]

Well, see to it that he's the one taught this lesson!

[ the regerative abilities are the ones she misses most here, not having to worry how far she pushes herself, how much punishment she has to take to bring down her opponent. the speed's a loss too, but at least she's stronger here if she gets mad enough. right now, she's still working up to it.

while he strikes high, she takes low, ducking in for a slide and swinging her sword at the imposter's kneecaps. the hit connects, the cut is clean, coming right through to the other side. but the monster doesn't fall.

spinning about as she gets back to her feet, it looks like she didn't even touch him, like cutting at water. ]

Oh, for the love of--!

8: Inferno Cluck

[promised_victory]

[And considering Arturia will go back to her world to either fighting in a supernatural war or truly die? Sterility is also the least of her concerns. Besides, she has enough experience with those sort of inscription to know they're just an overly fancy version of trash talk and not an actual curse.

When Kanaya turns a corner, she finds Saber, clad in white and gold armor and clothing, about to turn the corner as well.]

Ah, hello, Miss. Trying to find your way as well?

[glowsferatu]

Well, I don't think there's much else to be done here. That's sort of what a maze is about, really.

[ they're at something of a crossroads, splitting off in three different directions. the obvious direction to take would be the one neither of them came from, but it's hard to really know when space is so closed off from the nullifiers. it's like an entire sense is missing, even if she's left right where most people are.

and of course, then there's a loud stomping coming from that very direction. ] Oh, lovely.

[promised_victory]

[Saber unsheathes her sword and takes a position at the third opening.]

How are you at fighting monsters? [AKA: Is she going to fight by herself or is Kanaya joining in? As if the answer isn't obvious.]

[glowsferatu]

If you'd really like to stand back and watch, I probably wouldn't be impeded in the least. [ not that she's really expecting it, she just thinks the question's ridiculous and worth sassing over.

some kind of crowing would have made the scene somewhat less absurd, but when the beast comes into view, it has no head to crow with. it's just a giant chicken, running exactly as frenetically as you might expect when it's headless. ...and on fire.

headless hopefully means senseless, so kanaya hopes she'll have no trouble evading detection as she ducks to the side when it runs past, only coming up again to stab at its back. the fire makes this complicated, metal can really conduct heat pretty well. ]

[promised_victory]

[....A giant flaming chicken.

Saber wishes this was among the strangest things she had fought. Seeing as how Kanaya is obviously not going to stand down, Saber goes for it, too. Once Kanaya's blade has sunk into the chicken, Saber dashes in and swipes at its feet to cut them off.]

[glowsferatu]

[ it can't squawk, at least for that. but it certainly does its best, spreading its wings and flailing wildly as it falls to the ground. kanaya finally manages to pull out her sword, but has to drop it until it cools, just staring at the giant chicken and wondering how exactly to kill it. ]

I won't be able to deliver a finishing blow like this!