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.
seacub: (AND NOW A PIPE TOO??)

[personal profile] seacub 2020-09-21 12:02 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh." Oddly, he. Assumes Zetta does. "It actually doesn't. It's pretty localized, and the effects reverse once we're out of range..."

What a spoil sport.
badassfreakingoverlord: (adrift in a sea of nothing)

[personal profile] badassfreakingoverlord 2020-09-21 03:23 pm (UTC)(link)
"Huh. So you can just freeze some lava solid and it'll pop right back to molten once you wander off?"

That was sure something.
seacub: (AnxietyBoy prevails)

[personal profile] seacub 2020-09-22 12:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Ahaha...he gives a weak laugh. "I don't know if I can do something like that..."

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.
badassfreakingoverlord: (dramatic cape flare)

[personal profile] badassfreakingoverlord 2020-09-23 01:36 pm (UTC)(link)
"What, you can't whip up a pounding hurricane or something?" Weather wasn't exactly subtle at its biggest reaches, after all!
seacub: (AnxietyBoy prevails)

[personal profile] seacub 2020-09-26 12:18 pm (UTC)(link)
"UH..!" Well!!

"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!
badassfreakingoverlord: (the impatiently literary glare)

[personal profile] badassfreakingoverlord 2020-09-28 01:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Please, it's like a drop of power in the bucket of Zetta's awesome might! And as Zetta knew, only his perspective mattered!

"And what, keep them cool? Maybe annoy them with a moderate breeze that gets made up for by the improved conditions otherwise?"
seacub: (AND NOW A PIPE TOO??)

[personal profile] seacub 2020-09-29 01:20 pm (UTC)(link)
"I just think a hurricane might be a bit worse than that..!"

Though he has to pause. "...I guess it wouldn't be so bad for you though then..?"
badassfreakingoverlord: (animated laughter)

[personal profile] badassfreakingoverlord 2020-09-30 02:06 am (UTC)(link)
"Hyaaaha ha ha ha ha! I'm the most badass freaking Overlord in the entire cosmos! Nothing can stop me or slow me down!"

Definitely not weather! Or convection!
seacub: (: O)

[personal profile] seacub 2020-10-03 09:27 am (UTC)(link)
He'd tell himself he's lost, but he's pretty sure he's been lost since the start of this conversation!

"An...overlord?"
badassfreakingoverlord: (Standard Zetta)

[personal profile] badassfreakingoverlord 2020-10-03 02:54 pm (UTC)(link)
"Right. Ruler of a Netherworld and all." Man, he needed more pamphlets.
seacub: (: O)

[personal profile] seacub 2020-10-04 12:03 pm (UTC)(link)
He really does. "...You're the ruler of the dead then?" Emporio is trying.
badassfreakingoverlord: (disgruntled)

[personal profile] badassfreakingoverlord 2020-10-05 12:32 am (UTC)(link)
"No, that's the UNDERworld. Seedle can keep that title, blech." Ever see a book grimace before? "The Netherworld's the demon world, source of evil and all that."
seacub: (AND NOW A PIPE TOO??)

[personal profile] seacub 2020-10-05 12:52 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh!" Huh. "I didn't know there was a difference...sorry about that." Erm. That said. "...source of...all evil huh..."

Not that he doesn't believe the book's power, but ah...he doesn't seem especially evil.