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middleofsomewhere2020-09-15 10:09 pm
voidtreckermods) wrote in middleofsomewhere2020-09-15 10:09 pm
Onward: Red
Travel
The biggest problems on the way to the volcano are, perhaps, to be expected. Years of molten flows and heaving earth have left the landscape twisted and in constant movement, sections of the surface sinking or rising depending on the movement of the rivers of magma beneath. It makes for slow, bumpy going whether on foot or in a vehicle.
The fire dogs mostly prowl in the distance, but a few packs get brave enough to dive in and attack. They attack in their packs of three, though they are more likely to attack those at the back or side of the group, catching any stragglers or those that have decided to go it alone. They are pretty interested in the crystals, singling out those who are carrying them and harrying them with nips and lunges.
As the sun sets, the sky darkens and the earth, in contrast, seems to glow brighter. Faces tinge red in the fires and flows of the Flamewastes, and the volcano spits fire endlessly ahead.
The Firehearted Peak
It only takes about half a day to get to the volcano, which is pinpointed on their SCA map and highly visible besides. The entrance is obvious, a cleft in the rock at the side of the mountain. It’s hot here, incredibly so, the heat draining. But, oddly… it’s bearable, more so than they might expect. The path takes them around tunnels and across exposed streams of lava, over small rocky bridges over partially crusted-over liquid.
The tunnel is only half an hour’s walk, before it opens up into a rough chamber formed by layers of glittering metal and molten rock. In the centre there is a ball of fire, floating freely. It pulses with heat, and for those with any such senses, deep magic.
The crystals need to be held within the chamber, as close to the glowing core as possible, for at least three days. As the days go by the crystals will begin to grow brighter as magic gathers within them; their glow will synchronise with the flickering pulses of the Heart.
This growing power, however, draws in the creatures of the Flamewastes. Fire lizards, having stayed hidden and skittish on their journey, now join the dogs in attacking, pouring through the main tunnel and smaller passages in the layered walls to attack the chamber, intent on reaching and consuming the magic within the barrier crystals.
Fire Sprites
The attack from outside the mountain continues but as the days go by the volcano itself starts attacking, the proximity of living beings to its heart provoking a response. Fire sprites, clusters of sparks and embers and tendrils of fire whip out of the lava towards anyone who draws close. They are drawn to body heat, or to warmth of any kind. Tendrils curl around limbs, burning and dragging them towards pools of lava.
Others form walls of fire, trying to separate people from the main group or render the heart inaccessible. Cold drives them into retreat; water, if it does not immediately evaporate in the heat of the mountain, does likewise. The area directly around the heart, strangely, remains largely unaffected; any sprite or flame that strays into its aura is absorbed into it.
The biggest problems on the way to the volcano are, perhaps, to be expected. Years of molten flows and heaving earth have left the landscape twisted and in constant movement, sections of the surface sinking or rising depending on the movement of the rivers of magma beneath. It makes for slow, bumpy going whether on foot or in a vehicle.
The fire dogs mostly prowl in the distance, but a few packs get brave enough to dive in and attack. They attack in their packs of three, though they are more likely to attack those at the back or side of the group, catching any stragglers or those that have decided to go it alone. They are pretty interested in the crystals, singling out those who are carrying them and harrying them with nips and lunges.
As the sun sets, the sky darkens and the earth, in contrast, seems to glow brighter. Faces tinge red in the fires and flows of the Flamewastes, and the volcano spits fire endlessly ahead.
The Firehearted Peak
It only takes about half a day to get to the volcano, which is pinpointed on their SCA map and highly visible besides. The entrance is obvious, a cleft in the rock at the side of the mountain. It’s hot here, incredibly so, the heat draining. But, oddly… it’s bearable, more so than they might expect. The path takes them around tunnels and across exposed streams of lava, over small rocky bridges over partially crusted-over liquid.
The tunnel is only half an hour’s walk, before it opens up into a rough chamber formed by layers of glittering metal and molten rock. In the centre there is a ball of fire, floating freely. It pulses with heat, and for those with any such senses, deep magic.
The crystals need to be held within the chamber, as close to the glowing core as possible, for at least three days. As the days go by the crystals will begin to grow brighter as magic gathers within them; their glow will synchronise with the flickering pulses of the Heart.
This growing power, however, draws in the creatures of the Flamewastes. Fire lizards, having stayed hidden and skittish on their journey, now join the dogs in attacking, pouring through the main tunnel and smaller passages in the layered walls to attack the chamber, intent on reaching and consuming the magic within the barrier crystals.
Fire Sprites
The attack from outside the mountain continues but as the days go by the volcano itself starts attacking, the proximity of living beings to its heart provoking a response. Fire sprites, clusters of sparks and embers and tendrils of fire whip out of the lava towards anyone who draws close. They are drawn to body heat, or to warmth of any kind. Tendrils curl around limbs, burning and dragging them towards pools of lava.
Others form walls of fire, trying to separate people from the main group or render the heart inaccessible. Cold drives them into retreat; water, if it does not immediately evaporate in the heat of the mountain, does likewise. The area directly around the heart, strangely, remains largely unaffected; any sprite or flame that strays into its aura is absorbed into it.
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"Hyaaaaha ha ha ha ha!"
The Overlord felt like gloating, and why not? He had a freaking truck! Screw this whole 'walking' thing -- in an environment like this, even a battered old pickup was riding in style! Today he was even feeling charitable, if anyone wanted to hitch a ride. Room in the truck bed, or maybe you want to grab on to the roof?
A pair of minions sat in the truck bed as well, spellcasters to judge by their staves and the bolts of ice they hurled at aggressive hounds. In the middle, a Prinny in a stewardess outfit helpfully informed riders that in the event of a water landing, they should probably question reality because where was there water around here anyway, dood?
...Well, okay, maybe whether or not it was better than riding was heavily up to individual taste.
The Firehearted Peak
This was a stupid place for a river of lava! Zetta hovered on the edge of it, peering down to try to judge just how deep it actually was, while the truck sat a few feet back.
Naturally, one of the advantages of being the Overlord was a complete immunity to convection. Never mind the air temperatures that passed the triple-digit mark quite some time ago .
"Uh. I'm starting to think maybe you... you know, crap types, ought to join my party temporarily."
Fire Sprites
The line of minions proved impenetrable; swords and axes protected mages hurling spells, while a healer kept everyone topped off and the Prinnies performed an inspiring cheer routine that almost made up for the sight of Prinnies in cheerleader outfits to begin with.
Zetta, of course, was face-down on the ground and on fire, but no one cared.
Fire Sprites
He picked the demonic book up and set it upright again. "Stand, devil. There is still work to be done."
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"I can't stand, I don't have LEGS. And I'm a DEMON, not a devil!"
Nitpicking was of the utmost priority here.
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Devil, demon...there were more important matters than Zetta's exact taxonomy. "Your followers would find it dispiriting to see their leader lying face down on the ground, would they not?"
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They sure didn't. In fact, they fought just fine without ever even acknowledging the Overlord, one reason he'd managed to lie there ignited for much longer than dignity could tolerate.
"They're not even entirely independent."
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He had to admit that the followers didn't seem to have a lot of...sapience about them? Perhaps they were some kind of magic construct.
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"I'm not sure about the stomping, though! I'm still a little iffy on that part!"
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You don't just dump a bucket of water on a book. You'd ruin it!
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THE PEAK !
"...Crap types..?"
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In other words, everyone but him. But he was trying to be gentle... for him.
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What a spoil sport.
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That was sure something.
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Though perhaps he should explain. "Weather Report controls weather- I...could try to freeze some lava, but I think since lava is rock, it wouldn't really work that way...I could probably cool it a bit, but not that fast." He doubts himself, really. Weather absolutely Could do that.
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"I...I could, I think... ...But that would catch everyone in it wouldn't it!?"
He's just a bit nervous!! It's a lot of power Zetta!
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"And what, keep them cool? Maybe annoy them with a moderate breeze that gets made up for by the improved conditions otherwise?"
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Though he has to pause. "...I guess it wouldn't be so bad for you though then..?"
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Definitely not weather! Or convection!
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"An...overlord?"
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