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

[heal_or_execute]

[Mordin touches the green spots with his fingertips, holds his blood up to his face for closer examination. He frowns.]

Yes. Minor cuts. Easy to heal with- wait, no, altered abilities. No medi-gel! More difficult. Will have to improvise bandages.

[The Salarian sniffs, then starts tearing off some of his robe's cleaner parts for use in binding the cuts. So inefficient.]

Need you to watch for more threats. Performing first aid, shouldn't take long. Also- didn't get your name before interruption.

[The firewall raised by Mordin's spell is dissipating now, the magically-conjured flames dissipating. There's no sign of the third raptor, but it's surely out there somewhere. Waiting. Hunting.]

[withamask]

[ As Mordin performs first aid, her eyes scan the area for the third raptor or other threats. ]

Renee Montoya.

[ While it may be more strategic to search for the monster, she can't leave him defenseless. At least it looks like they're safe. For now. ]

[heal_or_execute]

[Mordin nods in acknowledgement of her name, and keeps talking rapidly, neither distressed nor distracted as his nimble fingers deftly put the makeshift bandages in place. Ideally he would disinfect the wounds first, but this is an emergency situation and these improvised measures will have to do.]

Impressed by melee skills, Renee. Previous combat experience? Could be result of new powerset from this place, but attitude suggests adaption to violence, routine-

[There's a low growl. It comes from down one of the Labyrinth's many corridors. Mordin finishes his work and picks up his staff in time to see the last remaining raptor poking its birdlike head around a corner, eyeing the duo and contemplating another attack.]

Hold that thought.

[Mordin sees no reason to let the creature make up its mind. He raises his staff, and a freezing blast flies down the corridor, trailing frosted air behind it. The raptor doesn't react in time, and the spell strikes it squarely on its long neck, instantly petrifying it into a frozen statue that topples stiffly onto the floor.]

Neutralized. Hopefully no more interruptions.

[withamask]

Nice shot.

[ To answer his question, she nods. Her guard heightened, she continues to keep a watchful eye on their surroundings. ]

I'm a detective. [ Looking down for a moment, she catches her reflection in her armor. To clarify, she adds: ] Normally.

[heal_or_execute]

Interesting. City Police Department has good reputation.

[Just in case the raptor thaws out, Mordin follows up with a fireball, talking casually as the frozen monster shatters into melting slush.]

Makes sense this dimension would cast you in protective role.

[He lowers his staff and gives her armour a closer look, cataloguing and memorizing the details.]

Knight's armour, it seems. Useful in this situation. Likely to face more threats at close range.

[withamask]

[ She arches an eyebrow, both at his nonchalance and analytical nature, but doesn't comment. ]

You said you were Professor Solus, right? [ She pauses to look at his bandages. ] How're you feeling?

[heal_or_execute]

Yes. Administrator of ImPort Clinic. Possible you've heard of me.

[Nonchalant and modest! Mordin follows her look to the green-stained patches of fabric he's pressed over his skin.]

Will be fine. Have had worse than this. Just need to make it home, get proper medical care.

[withamask]

[ A nod. ] Then let's get out of here.