voidtreckermods: (train)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] middleofsomewhere2020-09-21 05:44 am

Adventure On: Finale and Conclusion

Blue

The Mountain

Once they get close enough everything is storm, ice swirls around them, stabbing them like knives. Winds seem to be actively pushing them away, no matter what direction they approach from. Still the crystal wolves walk on, heads down, paws silent, climbing upwards.

The higher they climb the colder it becomes. So cold that ice forms on eyelashes, that air seems to freeze as it leaves their mouths. So cold their chests hurt. They would not be wrong to assume that the only reason they can withstand this at all is because of the SCA around their wrist.

Ice tumbles down around them often, shaking the ground. The crystal wolves know the way and they keep going, steady on the path. They have spaced themselves out, to be in sight of all those who follow.

The Summit

As they finally reach the top of the mountain they reach a calm space, outside of the swirling storm. Domed across the summit is a fire cage, larger by far than any they have seen before. In the middle of the giant fire cage sits a dragon. White and blue, scales that look as if they were made of ice themselves. Their head was bowed, eyes closed but they are breathing, breath escaping in clouds of freezing mist that evaporated in the heat of the cage.

Around the cage itself are ice elementals, outside the storm these can be seen by the snow they whirl around inside them, each is about three feet tall but fly in a whirlwind as they attack. Like those in the storm they try and push people around and attack with shards of ice. These corrupted spirits seem to have no reason to their attacks, they are just as likely to push a combatant closer to the cage then they are towards the raging storm.

They can be fought, fire works well against them just as ice and cold magic works well against the fire cage itself.

A Sovereign Freed

Eventually the cage stops fighting, fading away into the snow before them. The crystal wolves spring forth, nuzzling at the dragon until they raise their head. Piercing blue eyes look over the group and the dragon bows their head once. They take a deep breath and breathe out over those assembled, cold fire washes over them, healing any hurts that they have, easing their fatigue som

The crystal wolves bow their heads too, a thank you. Aerlie flaps their wings, rising high into the air. Another breath of cold fire flies out around the area, clashing with the storm for a moment before overtaking it. Around the mountain the storm calms, the ice elementals stop and seem to sink into the snow or fade into the air. The mountain descends into a calmness.

The crystal wolves will approach all those who helped free them, nuzzling into their hands, a personal thank you before a shimmering gate opens for the adventurers to step through.

Red

Final Siege

It’s been a tiring three days of protecting the crystals from the creatures that sought their power. But now, as their power is fully recharged it is time to return them to the border. That is going to be a tougher job than getting them to the volcano’s heart in the first place!

They thrum with power and that power is a siren call to the creatures of the area, fire dogs, lizards, fire sprites. Just as the mountain attacked inside the heart, here the spirtes join with the rivers of lava to flood pathways, block routes, making it harder to cross already treacherous territory, or even driving them into traps of waiting fire dogs.

The heat is oppressive, heat from around them, heat from the crystals seems to sap the energy from those carrying them and so the duty is best shared.

Eventually though they arrive at the border, a mess of melted ice and frozen lava. Each of the crystals need to be replaced.

Restoring the Border

Replacing the crystals is a little more complicated than taking them was. Each one needs to fuse with the holder it sits in. It doesn’t take any skill, just someone to hold it in place for a moment whilst the two fuse together and the magic is channelled into the ground.

Holding a crystal in place is a little more difficult when being attacked by the creatures. The fire creatures keep up the attack until all of the crystals have been replaced.

The Land Repaired

When the last crystal is in place there is a ripple across the land. An invisible line, an ancient magic, connects the crystals, seperating the two lands. Ice recedes from lava and the melted snow refreezes. The borderlands of slush undergo transformation as the two elements separate from each other once more. A land of fire and a land of ice, with a pulsing magic separating the two.

The firedogs and lizards retreat, fire elementals calm and join with the lava streams once more. A shimmering gate opens.

Orange

An Important Message

The Huma birds have been carrying crystals and helping the harvesters, protecting them from the blighted birds and encouraging them to work hard.

But those returning to the floating islands on the afternoon of the eleventh day of Horseshoe come bearing black cloth bags in their talons, each has a scroll attached. The Huma birds will make it very clear they are to read the scroll first.

DO NOT OPEN THE BAG UNTIL NIGHT FALLS

Inside this bag are rare crystals. When they are exposed to the light of the sun they will cause the islands to sink back to the ground. After the sun has set tonight please distribute these evenly around the islands and then depart back down to the land below before sunrise. The lands natural magic will do the rest but we do not recommend being on the islands when they fall.

Thank you for your hard work.

The Adventurers Guild


With a long night ahead they may wish to rest for the remainder of the day.

Distributing the Crystals

If they do as they are asked then it will be a long night, there are many chunks of islands and a lot of crystals to distribute. The darkness makes it harder and the blighted birds seem even grumpier in the cover of darkness.

The wind sprites also are not resting and indeed seem delighted that playtime has been extended into the hours of night. Placing crystals is difficult when the Voidtreckers find themselves swept up into the air to dance around the trees.

Getting down by sunrise may be a little trickier than placing the crystals, especially if they have used up their flight potions, but hopefully there are enough people to help everyone get to safety.

Islands Fall

The sun rises, as the first rays of light hit the island they begin to vibrate, shudder. Then one by one they begin to fall, rapidly and chaotically. It is perhaps wise to not be anywhere near the crater as they do so.

They land in a crash of dust, which obscures the area. When the dust clears however they will see a perfect undamaged land. The pieces have fit back together, exactly where they should be, despite the chaos. The land is repaired and whole once more. Huma birds call excitedly as they dart through the air, their land restored.

A gate opens, for them to step through if they wish.

Purple

A Cure

It is day ten of Horseshoe when the first Huma birds fly into the village, they carry crystals either in bags in their talons or in their beaks.

The villagers clearly know what is going on for they welcome the birds and take the crystals thankfully. Anyone not currently fighting or purifying crystals is brought in to help distribute cures.

Actually curing someone is easy, it just requires the crystal to be touch an affected person or creature. The crystals are only good for one cure so those curing the blighted will be required to carry a few and run them to the villages.

Others can take crystals out into the woodland, looking for blighted animals to help.

A Final Fight

All but one of the golems have been found, defeated and restored. The final one has been elusive, not approaching the village or even the nearby woodlands.

The restored golems are back to standing vigil in each village, ready to deal with any attack that may occur.

But when an attack comes, it is not on a village, but on the shrine in the centre. A golem, three trolls and a host of animals, some blighted, some just angry. They attack in the early morning, the villages awoken by shouts and sounds of battle.

Luckily the blighted creatures can be healed, angry animals can perhaps be soothed. The trolls cannot be soothed though and will indeed try to rile up the animals again, to cause as much chaos as they can.

Peace Once More

Once the final golem is taken down, the crystal restored and the trolls defeated there is a quiet comes across the villages. Those who were blighted are cured, the golems are back in their place as guardians of the village and thanks to the adventurers the villages have gotten through this time with minimal damage.

The villagers thank the adventurers, tell them to come and visit whenever they are in the area. A gate opens, for any voidtreckers who wish to return to Royal Lake Hill.

Royal Lake Hill: All Teams!

They return to the tavern, each to the inn that they set off from. The town is a little busier now, more areas have recovered from the blight and it has brought more trade into the town. Everyone is still relatively elderly or young, non fighters. But the market is bustling, there is even a puppet show going on in the square.

Around midday a beeping of their SCA will show a dot on their map where the Voidtrecker Express has landed, not far out of town, and a message. You may remain here until sunset.

It is up to them whether they wish to return to the train or spend the rest of the day in the town. For those staying in town they will find word of their deeds have preceded them and they will find no end of young, wide eyed, budding adventurers ready to buy them a drink or two in exchange for stories.
light_of_willpower: (long hair profile talking)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2020-09-30 01:45 am (UTC)(link)
Trunks is already reaching for his money-pouch. Very worth it, as he pays and the barkeep motions for them to find a seat. A server will bring out their dishes. Finding a seat might be the tricky part, but they manage.

Careful of the backpack and their extra clothes, Trunks settles in with a pleased smile. "Somehow I doubt we'll be able to do dates like this back on the train."
nutkrusher: (Drone Pose)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2020-09-30 01:49 am (UTC)(link)
Cassie leans forward instinctively, as if for the sole purpose of being closer to him. Funny thing, the tavern doesn't feel that crowded now. She can barely notice anybody else.

"Yeah. But there's always movie night."
light_of_willpower: (long-hair looking down)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2020-09-30 01:51 am (UTC)(link)
"True. And we could share meals together. I wouldn't mind seeing more of your Dad's films, provided you don't mind my laughing occasionally." That warm-and-fuzzy feeling was back in his heart, and stayed there. "I can't cook, or I'd offer that." With a bit of a shy smile.
nutkrusher: (Drone Pose)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2020-09-30 01:56 am (UTC)(link)
"You know how much I love making you laugh," Cassie says. "Or blush."

She smiles, her own cheeks now a little rosy.
light_of_willpower: (long-hair looking down blush)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2020-09-30 02:08 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm well aware." Trunks murmured, a bit self-deprecating in his tone too. "But I also like making you smile. Especially when it's softer." His voice might've gotten a little quieter, and lower, on that last part.
nutkrusher: (Drone Pose)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2020-09-30 02:15 am (UTC)(link)
The volume of Cassie's voice drops to match his.

"You're good at it."

And then, for a moment, nothing. Just holding his gaze, looking into his eyes until the server arrives and ruins it all with delicious ice cream.
light_of_willpower: (long-hair looking down blush)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2020-09-30 02:18 am (UTC)(link)
And delicious mead, in two pints. Trunks can't help it, he chuckles at the timing. Before reaching for Cassie's hand and taking it, thumb gently brushing her skin in affection. "Like I said, even without any attraction, I feel like you're a kindred spirit. It's nice."
nutkrusher: (I Heart You)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2020-09-30 02:25 am (UTC)(link)
"I feel like we just...get each other," Cassie says. "Or just get it generally, you know? It is nice."

She holds his hand there for a good long while. But eventually they'll need both hands. More curious about the ice cream than the mead, Cassie digs in with the wooden spoon she's been given.

"I wonder how they make this. Frost spell, d'you think?"
light_of_willpower: (long hair profile talking)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2020-09-30 02:29 am (UTC)(link)
"Dunno. I mean, I'd wonder more how they keep it cold as you can make ice cream pretty easily with the right ingredients and tools." Trunks took a drink from his mug of mead, before picking up his own wooden spoon. The barkeep and server had indeed picked up that they were sharing the bowl of ice cream.
nutkrusher: (Looking to My Left)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2020-09-30 02:32 am (UTC)(link)
"Well, if you can make the ice, I gotta think you just need to build a sturdy enough ice box," Cassie says.

She takes a sip of mead. It's a little sweeter than what she's used to, but it's still damn good.

"I know a guy who's good with frost magic. Kuai Liang, though he goes by Sub-Zero. Cool guy."

She smirks, indicating the dad-level joke was absolutely intentional.
Edited 2020-09-30 02:32 (UTC)
light_of_willpower: (long-hair-armor-smile-confident)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2020-09-30 11:40 am (UTC)(link)
"With a nickname like that, I'm not surprised." Trunks smirks back, enjoying the dad-joke even if he's not laughing at it.
nutkrusher: (Confidence)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2020-09-30 03:53 pm (UTC)(link)
"I mean, there's another cryomancer who goes by Frost and she's an ENTIRE bitch, so it's no guarantee," Cassie says.

She takes another bite of ice cream.

"Thankfully, I beat her ass and she technically owes me her life so it's all good."
light_of_willpower: (long-hair-armor-smile-confident)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2020-09-30 09:35 pm (UTC)(link)
"True, I mean...look at Frieza, or his father, King Cold. Definitely not cool guys." Trunks might be smirking a bit, but also raises his mug of mead in toast to her. "I need to hear this story too, now."
nutkrusher: (Gonna Snap Your Weakass Neck)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2020-09-30 09:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Cassie winces and smiles at the same time. "Yeah, sorry, had to go there with that one."

She raises her glass and takes a slightly longer drink than you might expect.

"Long story short, I ended up in an underground death match against her. Choked her out and had her on the ground with the crowd chanting for me to kill her. Then some Black Dragon assholes dropped in and I carried her off to safety. The story only gets less fun from there, so that's where I'll stop."
light_of_willpower: (long-hair speaking)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2020-09-30 10:02 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yikes." Trunks replied, wincing in sympathy. Thoughtful for a moment while he drank too. "If you ever want to share, I'll listen. But I won't push. I'm glad though that you won, because I'm glad you're here, Cassie."
nutkrusher: (Blood Code)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2020-09-30 10:04 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'll tell you about it soon," Cassie says.

She takes another drink.

"They were some rough days for me. I'd rank 'em below the fight against Shinnok. But I don't want to harsh the vibe we've got going right now."
light_of_willpower: (long-hair looking down blush)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2020-09-30 10:16 pm (UTC)(link)
"Agreed, I'm sorry for contributing to it." Bowing his head and raising his glass in apology, before taking another bite ice cream. Thoughtful again for a moment, before speaking. "Would it 'harsh the vibe' if I confessed that I do not mind the thought of you kicking ass? Especially having seen it myself?"

There might be a hint of blush, as he murmured over the rim of his mug. "It's attractive, honestly." Also softer, but perhaps out of embarrassment this time.
nutkrusher: (Drone Pose)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2020-09-30 11:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Cassie chucklesnorts. "No, it would not. There's nothing I love more than kickin' ass and lookin' good doing it."

She takes another bite of ice cream and grins wickedly, looking him in the eye as she does.

"I'm glad you appreciate it."
light_of_willpower: (long-hair looking down blush)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2020-10-01 12:06 am (UTC)(link)
Not helping his blush, and he knows it and is trying hard not to blush further. "Maybe not always the mess, but that you can kick ass? yes. Yes I appreciate it." Mumbled around his mug, nope--not blushing more really. Except he totally is, darnit.
nutkrusher: (My Work Here Is Done)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2020-10-01 12:58 am (UTC)(link)
Cassie puts her hand on his, smiling gently.

"And I appreciate you appreciating it. Just like I like how you like my new dress."

She brushes her fingers against and between his.

"You don't need to be shy about it. I know this is all new to you, and you're really cute when you're flustered, but...I think you should know I like having your attention."
light_of_willpower: (long hair-profile-blush-huh?)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2020-10-01 01:03 am (UTC)(link)
Still not helping his brush, but Trunks moves to entwine their fingers as he holds her hand. "You're good at getting my attention." He replied softly, before grinning. "I found someone I can fly with too." Trying to say so much more though, with just that statement.
nutkrusher: (Maaaaybe)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2020-10-01 01:32 am (UTC)(link)
"I might've had one before," Cassie says, "but just between you and me you're a better conversationalist than Piccolo."
light_of_willpower: (long-hair looking down blush)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2020-10-01 01:36 am (UTC)(link)
"Now who's 'harshing the vibe'?" Trunks' grin stayed, as he teased. "While Piccolo has his charm, and I respect him highly, I will admit to liking watching you fight more."
nutkrusher: (Confidence)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2020-10-01 01:47 am (UTC)(link)
Cassie's smile widens.

"I like him too, but you look better in that outfit than he would."
light_of_willpower: (long-hair looking down blush)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2020-10-01 01:51 am (UTC)(link)
"You definitely look better in your outfit than he would. I'm not sure anyone would look nicer in it than you do." Trunks is entirely genuine, and only about half of it is the affection talking. Cassie is a very very pretty girl.

(no subject)

[personal profile] nutkrusher - 2020-10-01 02:04 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower - 2020-10-01 02:10 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nutkrusher - 2020-10-01 02:24 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower - 2020-10-01 02:29 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nutkrusher - 2020-10-01 02:45 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower - 2020-10-01 21:44 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nutkrusher - 2020-10-01 21:50 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower - 2020-10-01 21:54 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nutkrusher - 2020-10-01 22:21 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower - 2020-10-01 22:29 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nutkrusher - 2020-10-01 22:40 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower - 2020-10-01 22:49 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nutkrusher - 2020-10-01 22:53 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower - 2020-10-01 23:00 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nutkrusher - 2020-10-01 23:09 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower - 2020-10-01 23:12 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nutkrusher - 2020-10-01 23:15 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower - 2020-10-01 23:31 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nutkrusher - 2020-10-01 23:36 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower - 2020-10-01 23:39 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nutkrusher - 2020-10-01 23:45 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower - 2020-10-01 23:50 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nutkrusher - 2020-10-01 23:59 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower - 2020-10-02 00:02 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nutkrusher - 2020-10-02 00:31 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower - 2020-10-02 21:39 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nutkrusher - 2020-10-02 22:20 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower - 2020-10-02 22:35 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nutkrusher - 2020-10-02 22:43 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower - 2020-10-02 22:44 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nutkrusher - 2020-10-02 22:46 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower - 2020-10-02 22:57 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nutkrusher - 2020-10-02 22:58 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower - 2020-10-02 23:19 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nutkrusher - 2020-10-02 23:38 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower - 2020-10-02 23:44 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nutkrusher - 2020-10-02 23:48 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower - 2020-10-03 00:20 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nutkrusher - 2020-10-03 00:55 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower - 2020-10-03 01:05 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nutkrusher - 2020-10-03 01:20 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower - 2020-10-03 01:37 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nutkrusher - 2020-10-03 01:43 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower - 2020-10-03 01:53 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nutkrusher - 2020-10-03 01:59 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower - 2020-10-03 02:02 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nutkrusher - 2020-10-03 02:18 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower - 2020-10-03 02:21 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nutkrusher - 2020-10-03 02:30 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower - 2020-10-03 17:27 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] nutkrusher - 2020-10-03 17:50 (UTC) - Expand