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.
rieper: (aiming pistol.)

[personal profile] rieper 2020-09-23 08:59 pm (UTC)(link)
His next shot rang out and struck the firedog's foot as it nimbly hopped away. The injury slowed it down now though and 47 adjusted his aim, let another shot fire. His eyes focused on his next opponent without hesitation.
knifewithnoname: (listening to you)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2020-09-26 07:01 pm (UTC)(link)
The dog she is fighting is quickly ended as well, she stabs at it and looks around for another, glancing back at him to see him shooting at a firedog. She knows not to go for the ones he is firing at, but she can stop any sneaking up on him.
rieper: (ready.)

[personal profile] rieper 2020-09-28 11:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Not that he would trust his back to another individual but if she made the effort he wouldn't object. He could see her and any reaction she had to the enemy so it would alert him if nothing else. Though his own senses would likely warn him first.

He finished off the other firedog and took two seconds to breath while listening and watching carefully. There were no doubt more enemies out there it was simply a matter of when they would appear next.
knifewithnoname: (listening to you)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2020-10-03 07:07 am (UTC)(link)
She yanked her dagger out of the wolf she had just stabbed and stood up to catch her breath, looking around at him with a half smile, though she quickly makes her face blank again.

More enemies were coming and she had to be ready.