voidtreckermods: (train)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] 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.
magicurls: (be alright)

[personal profile] magicurls 2020-09-18 12:06 am (UTC)(link)
Mami gives her a small, grateful smile. "It's going to be a long journey. I'll do what I can to summon warm clothes when we reach the snow, and I have some provisions. But it'll be tough. Is that all right?"
knifewithnoname: (But I don't want that)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2020-09-19 06:55 pm (UTC)(link)
"I do be understanding." She gave her a nod, "I do be having provisions too. I will no be slowing you down."

She might not have any training as a Warrior, but she has travelled in tough conditions with red team before and she won't let Mami down.
magicurls: (be alright)

[personal profile] magicurls 2020-09-20 04:45 am (UTC)(link)
"All right then. Do you need to do anything else before we go? I've already crafted a few weapons for our team here, if they need to restock."

Mami looks concerned, still, but she's on this path. She won't falter.
knifewithnoname: (pondering)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2020-09-20 09:55 am (UTC)(link)
"We should be telling priestess Lightning." She said with a nose wrinkle as she thought. There was nothing else.

"But then we do be being ready to be going."

She's a bit nervous, but also if this was what Mami wanted to do, it was her job to protect her. So she would.
magicurls: (magic musket)

[personal profile] magicurls 2020-09-22 02:19 am (UTC)(link)
"I've talked to her, but I'll remind her one more time," Mami agreed. She straightened out her cloak, wondering how long they'd make it before they froze.

She'd wait politely for the two to finish their business, then set off. She immediately transformed in a flash of yellow light, a single rifle in hand.

"We can't afford to be caught off guard when we're alone."
knifewithnoname: (quiet)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2020-09-23 07:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Once she had spoken to the priestess she returned back to Mami's side. She blinked when Mami transformed, not too surprised but still, it was interesting to see. She looked the same but at the same time very different. This was her magic girl form? How she fought those monsters and how she would hopefully survive the storm they were travelling into.

She drew her dagger with a nod, "I do be being ready. We can be going."

She looked behind once more, she was sure the red team would be fine without them, they were all pretty competent fighters.