TDM #3

[calderaevents]

TDM #3

ARRIVAL (new characters only)

It happens in an instant. A heavy weight in your gut, a trembling of your limbs, the world spins and you barely have time to register that you're falling before you lose consciousness. And when you awaken, it's not where you were last. Dark, unadorned oak walls surround you in a tiny room, the only furniture the bed you are currently resting upon, and the bedside table with a folded piece of parchment resting atop it that simply reads:

“The Tavernkeeper is awaiting your arrival downstairs.”

As you exit you find others like yourself emerging from the surrounding rooms. You are indeed in a tavern, but there is no hustle and bustle one might think to hear in such a place. The only person down on the main floor is a humanoid figure wiping down the bar, who smiles when they see you. They're familiar, but not, and you can't quite place their face. For some reason, however, their presence is comforting and warm.

“Welcome, Visitor. I'm sure you have a lot of questions.”

And you most certainly do.

The Tavernkeeper offers more than just answers, of course. This is a tavern after all, and what is a tavern without drinks?

DRINK MENU (new characters only)

PUMPKIN SPICE The second this delectable drink hits your tongue, you have the overwhelming urge to tell someone a story - specifically about something unbelievable that happened to you, be it true or not.

BLACK CAT You finish most sentences with cat-like mewls, trills, and other such sounds.

SINFUL CIDER made from a particular variety of apples with a sharp intense flavor and a smooth caramel finish, the tart sweetness blends perfectly with the spices. Suddenly you feel like you need to confess something. Past sins? A deep, deep desire? A secret? Anything that you simply wouldn't admit under most circumstances, it seems like a fabulous time to unburden yourself.

BEETLEJUICE A Calderan fall delicacy, the drink is made by marinating beetles in a strong liquor reminiscent of malort. drinking 3 of them in a row is a common challenge, if you can stomach it...

HOT CHOCOLATE The standard fare with or without marshmallows. Drinking this makes you want to cuddle up with someone - anyone, really - especially by a fire.

RAMBLER You are prone to rambling and being generally more verbose than usual.

VANILLA BOURBON An aged bourbon with a strong vanilla finish… though be warned, it might make you more… vanilla than usual.

CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY

As the effects of your drink wear off, the Tavernkeeper speaks once more:

”It is time, my friends, for you to find your new homes.”

You are compelled to walk through the only door leading out of the tavern, finding yourself not outside, but in a deep black, seemingly endless room with five portals arranged in a circle. As the last of you leave and the door closes behind you, gone when you look back again and replaced with nothing but that black void, three of the portals illuminate:

The first portal is surrounded by an almost blinding light, prismatic rainbows shining brightly in the dewy air outside of the tavern. A soft breeze may gently caress you, pulling you toward it. The portal seems to lead to a city in the clouds, airships and winged beings of all sorts soaring through the skies. Of the little bits of visible land, much of it boasts giant waterfalls that look like clouds melting into the land below. The portal calls to those who crave independence and freedom; and especially to anyone that wishes to find the strong bond of a family not forged in blood.

The second portal is encircled by a fairy ring of spotted white capped mushrooms, the faint scent of damp stone and rich earth wafting from within the faint green glow. Peering inside, one can see a sprawling harbor city of gray hewn stone, a melting pot of humanoid beings going about their day, and beyond, rolling green farmland and cottages clustered in small villages. This portal is destined for those who crave stability and solid ground beneath their feet. A simple life, an adventurous one, and everything in between can be found within.

The last portal is adorned with shells and seaweed, the glow of blue around it catching on droplets cascading down the circular opening. Beyond it you see a city housed inside a massive bubble deep under the ocean, spiraling towers encrusted with coral, and a variety of different creatures mingling about the streets. Outside of that bubble, merfolk swim, a massive squid engulfs the view from the portal as it smoothly glides through the water, and schools of fish disperse as it passes. A sanctuary in the sea that calls to those with a hunger for knowledge and a desire to aid those in need. Or perhaps it is the mystery that beckons you - the lure of the unknown in the depths that bids you explore it.

---

Upon following the pull of the breeze through the first portal, you are thrust into the beauty of a lively city that goes by the name of Heaven's Bow. Much of this main city feels exactly as you would expect on a city below, but there are clouds surrounding every direction you look. The walls of buildings are made with light-colored limestone, and buildings are generally built up to heights made even more grandiose by their position in the sky.

The Skyfall Docks are the first thing you notice, with airships sailing in and out across the clouds with shouts that accompany a typical port city. Just outside is a fantastic market with goods not only from the other regions of Caldera, but from what some shopkeepers claim are other worlds--items sold or left behind by Visitors. Almost anything can be found in the markets if one is willing to look hard enough. Transport to other locations throughout the sky and even to the land or sea can be found here, but due to recent events the amount of airships in the docks are limited. Travel is still possible, but there may be some delay while they ferry people back and forth. The locals speak of the day the sky fell and close inspection or further prodding provides new arrivals with some idea of what had happened a few weeks prior: a piece of Heaven's Bow had broken off, leaving many losing family members and friends to the tragedy. Attempts to rebuild are slow going.

If the docks are too lively for you, you may instead find yourself roaming the underbelly of Heaven's Bow and finding brothels and gambling parlors filled with the promise of pleasure and fortune. The guild house for the Sylphs can be found here as well, giving out quests and training to prospective adventurers and guards alike--though none of them seem concerned with the illicit activities that surround them. Perhaps the freedom the Sylphs boast of extends to what others may deem an undesirable activity.

But most curious of all, you find a shimmering opal gemstone in your hand. When placed anywhere on the body, it will transform into a piece of jewelry with the gemstone set in the center.

---

If it was the second portal that called to you, you will find yourself in the busy city of Grey Ward, with its cobblestone streets and sturdy grey stone buildings. You are in the heart of the city, the Glass Market, so named for the colorful stained glass windows of the surrounding buildings. The scent of cooking food and the sound of barkers fills the air; watchful guards keep an eye out for pickpockets and thieves, and citizens go about their day. From here, one can investigate the rest of the city: the Sundown Docks, where both sea and sky faring skips transport people and goods. The Soot Spire, home of inventors and engineers. The Hearthstill, the main residential area. The Downs, a smaller residential area for those with less means.

Outside the city walls, one can explore acres of farmlands to the east and west, or follow Terra’s Pass to the less settled areas, but take care. Past the Skyward Range, out in the smaller burrows and villages, the influence of the city guard diminishes quickly, and you’ll have to keep your wits about you. Bandits along the road are always a risk, and the wildlife are less controlled by regimented hunting.

Down near where land meets sea, a large crater has formed from the piece of Heaven's Bow that landed there weeks before. Debris still scatters the landscape, and rescue efforts are ongoing even if hopes of finding people alive are slim to none these days. Broken columns of once majestic buildings lay in pieces, and the earth itself seems to be weeping with molten rock that has been unearthed by the impact.

In your hand is a gemstone, a brilliantly green emerald that, when placed anywhere on the body, will transform into a piece of jewelry with the gemstone set in the center.

---

If the last portal beckoned you through it, you find yourself within that bubble covered city beneath the sea, the city of Salt Spire. Your ears pop with the change in pressure, and the smell of the salty sea fills your nostrils. All around you buildings made of dark stone encrusted with coral and seagrass tower high above your head, the backdrop outside the dome a deep blue, seemingly endless sea filled with fish and merfolk and all other manner of creature swimming through the water. You stand in the heart of it all, surrounded by people with gils on their necks and scales upon their vibrantly colored skin, all of whom seem intrigued by your arrival. You have many options of where to visit in the city under the sea, but where oh where will you go first?

The Salt Spire Library is right before you, an impossibly large building housing thousands upon thousands of books of all genres. Fiction, non-fiction, romance and mystery and all between. You may even find books from your world and others! Oddly enough though, no Calderan history books are to be found, and if you ask for them, the librarians and locals all choose to ignore your questions.

If scholarly pursuits aren't to your interest currently, perhaps a trip to Bluetide Market would be more your style? The marketplace is host to every manner of shop one might ever need: artisans of all varieties, apothecaries and healers in the Shimmer Quarter, the most in fashion undersea clothing shops, food stalls, and all between can be found in Bluetide. There are also the Tideshore and Fogbottom docks on either end of the city. The former allows transport to the surface via large, magical bubbles for those that cannot hold their breath or make the swim themselves yet. The latter allows people to venture further into the sea. Those without their underwater abilities are offered rebreathers for travel that last for four hours before needing to be replaced.

Much like the cities above, transportation is a little delayed. Much of the manpower usually kept for upkeeping the docks has been diverted to repairing pieces of the bubble that have started to leak. Not enough to truly worry the inhabitants of Salt Spire, but enough that it's slowing down a lot of other areas of the city while people work to fix it.

In your hand is a gemstone, a shining sapphire that, when placed anywhere on the body, will transform into a piece of jewelry with the gemstone set in the center.

---

Visitors in all starter cities are offered a standard home with basic necessities provided (your choice in design, etc.) that can house 1-4 people if they so choose. Home upgrades can be purchased via rewards.

THE SPIRIT OF FALL

With everything that's happened recently, Calderans are ready to fall into autumn. Harvests from Dryad territories are coming in strong with pumpkins and apples overflowing the markets--the harvests have been particularly bountiful this year, and the locals are certain it has something to do with the Visitors' efforts.

Given the extra bounty, a temporary café has opened in Grey Ward. Wander in with a good book and experience the aromas that will greet you at the door: apple crisp, pumpkin bread, cider donuts... the smell of all sorts of sweets and deserts with an autumnal twist. The pumpkin spiced latte seems to be a favorite drink among the locals.

Of course, it's not only Grey Ward participating in the fall spirit. Head to Heaven's Bow for tastes of all sorts of soups to warm yourself as the days grow cooler, especially where the winds are strong. Everything from pumpkin to roasted red pepper, most served with hot cider--spiked, of course, with a cinnamon-based whiskey upon request.

Far below in Salt Spire you can expect to find the market stalls serving hot pot and oden, a savory stew full of tofu, daishi, and a variety of vegetables and noodles. You might even wish to purchase sake that has been aging since the spring, its flavor a perfect complement to any meal--though steamed buns seem to be a favorite for social gatherings.

Whatever you might like to celebrate the comforts of autumn, the harvest is bountiful and Caldera seems to be healing--at least for the moment.

SHADOWS IN THE SEA

There's a buzz in Salt Spire that something is happening at the Fogbottom Docks. Upon investigating, Visitors will find lines of people waiting to hop onto the crystalline ship docked there, the side of it etched with the words: Princess Harriet's Haunted Boat Tours. Princess Harriet herself, a middle-aged Undine with wild curls of coral atop her head and a billowing dress of blue and green seaweed stands at the head of the ship, ushering people aboard.

"Welcome Calderans and Visitors alike to Princess Harriet's Haunted Boat Tour! Come and see the spirits that haunt the deep dark seas! Hear tales of romance, adventure, and tragedy like none you have ever heard before! Just 10 Bones apiece and we shall set sail once the seats are full!"

The seats are full quickly, but should you manage to get on board, the inside of the ship is large and dimly lit, blue flame candles casting odd shadows along the rows of seats and the others along for the tour.

The ship sets off out of Salt Spire and into the sea. Each landmark is met with a new tale of a different ghost.

"And here," Harriet chimes in. "In Cordelia's Rest. You know, it's said that those that perish at sea will often find their way here, following the light like a beacon. With it dimmed by unknown forces, who knows how many poor souls will be lost forever..." She weeps theatrically into her hand, stopping a few seconds later to continue speaking of the local spirits.

More stories are told with each stop - the tale of the Sylph and Undine lovers that tragically ended when the sylph tried to dive into the ocean to be with their lover and did not anticipate the fall (a story that, given Heaven's Bow's disaster a few months prior, unsettles many in an unintended way). Then there are the ghosts that haunt the Violet Drop - yet another with unpleasant implications given recent events concerning a certain Cult. But that did not stop Harriet in the slightest, who went on and on until the boat started to jerk wildly when they neared too close to Anchor Wash and its dangerous currents.

"Fear not, folks! I am sure that is just the thousands of ghosts of dead sailors that have- gods above, what is that!?" There is true terror in her voice as the ship shook and rattled, a massive shadow passing along the outside of it - large and indiscernible in its shape. For a moment, whatever it was seems to pass by without issue. But just as Harriet begins to speak again, the ship jerks violently, sending passengers flying into the sides of the vessel, into each other, and onto the floor. Harriet's assurances fall on deaf ears while everyone is shaken about like a toy in a dog's mouth, the ship creaking ominously. The helmsman shouts for aid through the bird-shaped communication device, but who knows how long it will be before help arrives.

They did not confiscate your weapons upon boarding, and there are rebreathers on the ship. Harriet shouts that someone has to help, because she's pretty sure ghosts aren't this strong. If you choose to assist and venture outside the vessel, you are met with the odd sight of shadowy tendrils wrapping themselves around the ship with the intent to crush it, the source of the arcane energy coming from a crack in the ocean floor below. Thankfully, the shadows seem to be corporeal enough to hit with mundane weapons - although magic ones seem to dispel them faster. Take them out and make sure you get back on board before the ship sails back to Salt Spire, those tendrils are dangerous, and being around them too long makes you feel dizzy and disoriented.

DECEASED BY DAWN

In the darkness of night, you feel... something. It claws at the edges of your mind and fills you with a feeling of dread, ice cold fingers wrapping around you as it pulls and pulls... You wake up in a strange, dark forest; the trees are too dense to see the sky, and there is no moonlight to peak through the leaves. There may be others near you or there may not, but as you wander it's clear that this is no place for mortals. You feel eyes on your back no matter where you go, your heart races because of this immense unknown and the strange situation at hand... What happened? Why were you sent here?

You are powerless. You could hide. Or you could fight.

A face you may recognize seems to duck behind a wall of bricks--was that there before?--and you hear a soft growl nearby.

You, and anyone you've found yourself with, are being hunted.

You have a sense that you need to escape the forest before the sun fully peeks over the horizon, or you may find yourself at the receiving end of a hag's hunting. Escaping the forest is straightforward enough: a portal that needs to be activated by collecting various items of import from your past, scattered throughout the forest.

Just make sure not to fall into any of the hag's traps, or you may find yourself deceased by dawn.

MURDER MYSTERY

The full bounty of the Dryad people’s harvest is on display, particularly the wide, colorful assortment of gourds from, you guessed it, Gourdmill. Loading up in a hay cart and touring the patches to select the perfect pumpkin is a long standing tradition–just don’t make too much noise about carving one where the locals can hear, because Gourdmillians get persnickety about that particular tradition (why waste a perfectly good pumpkin when a nasty old turnip from the Burrow is right there.

Speaking of the Burrow, the Berry Bakers are selling their famous hand pies in nearly every flavor of fruit tree and bush berry imaginable, and are trying something new to bring more attention to their little corner of the land: an escape room! Billed as “The Haunting of Hollow Barn”, it costs only a few bones for entry, and participating groups must uncover the truth behind the disappearance of Old Farmer Kelly, who vanished this very month, from this very barn, long long ago.

The barn itself was in disrepair and had an eeriness to it already, but has been decorated with flickering lanterns, thick cobwebs, and scatters of bones (animal bones, but play along!). The first clue is easy to find: a cracked leather bound diary which seems to detail the farmer’s last night alive. Following these cryptic clues will lead the group to a hay bale, beneath which is a small compartment in the floor. This compartment contains a second clue: a puzzle box with a cylindrical lock. The symbols and the order they must be placed in harken back to an old nursery rhyme. Once unlocked, the puzzle box is found to contain four colorful, glowing stones, which, when held up, emit a light that reveals hidden messages painted on the walls. Following these messages and instructions will lead to uncovering four lanterns, each one the same color as the stone that revealed its location. Once the stone is placed inside, and the lanterns are placed on the right hangers, the group will hear a click, as the cellar door opens.

Descending the dark, musty stares, they will find the ghost of Old Farmer Kelly (definitely not a poor, bedraggled farmer whose wife talked him into this, doused with flour that puffs softly every time he tries not to cough), who recites a riddle: “Take me out of a window, and I leave a grieving wife. But stick me in a door, and I can save the poor man's life. What am I?” With the correct answer given, the ghost will declare that you have freed his tormented soul and as such you are free as well, and produce the key to the barn door.

Should one fail to solve the puzzles in time, one is doomed to perish in the barn and their spirit will haunt it forever (or, Miss Maisie Weston will retrieve you at the end of the time limit, and you don't get a prize). Any questions as to what actually happened to Old Farmer Kelly, and what the riddle has to do with anything, will be met with blank stares, a vague muttering attempt at a ghostly sound, and puffs of flour dust as he ushers you out; one must remember this was an elaborate mystery thrown together by a farming community, so please just take your prize (one free hand pie!) and move along.

QUESTBOARD

Settled in? Good. It's time to make your way to the Questboard located in every city in numerous, easy to access locations. That is, if you want to make any kind of impact on the world or just get some Bones for anything you might wish to purchase. Visitors are given a very small stipend in which to survive every month, but all it does is keep you fed and housed. These quests will assure you greater wealth, and they're the main reason you're here: each finished quest helps the Calderans fix their shattering world.

Quests can be accepted at the questboard via magically signed parchment upon the board. Just sign your name to accept and the paper will be whisked away... somewhere. You're not actually sure. Probably nothing to concern yourself with.

Once quests are completed, earned Bones will be dropped off at the character's residence by Bonita, the mysterious artisan who has supposedly handcrafted every Bone circulating in Caldera. Please do not speak to her, she startles easily.

OOC NOTES

Welcome to Caldera's third TDM! All characters awaken in a strange tavern with nothing save the clothes on their backs, all of their powers stripped, and a piece of parchment directing them downstairs to the Tavernkeeper. There is a thread of all questions answered by the Tavernkeeper here, and if you have more, feel free to ask there for what would be offered ICly. The tavern and the offered drinks are currently only accessible to new arrivals.

For OOC questions, please direct themhere.

All locations are available to be explored!

The TDM is game canon and all completed quests can be carried over once accepted into the game.

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Comments

[closeyourfist]

"...Appreciated."

Overall, he may not know what to make of this encounter, but that is the general feeling about everything, isn't it? He's relieved at the space given over in the moment, however. No more questions means little further drive to say things he need not.

...Especially when, despite knowing the issue, he still wants to finish the drink. He could blame that on magic, but he may have always had a weakness for spiced cider. Unfair to take advantage, but for the bizarreness that is afterlife shenanigans, that feels like it would be in a story.

[hellrider]

"Not a suggestion so much as an acknowledgement," he says with a snort. "I haven't visited that sort of place in a very long time, myself."

...look, he's a soldier, of course he's been dragged into a brothel a time or two. He will not elaborate on what, if anything, he did there, aside from drinking.

He frowns thoughtfully, taking the question seriously, for whatever reason. "I think that depends on the sort of moral compass you have. If it's enough for you to just dodge retribution, sure. That's rather like when the followers of one god or another look at you and ask you what on earth keeps you from just doing whatever you want if you don't believe in their deity's code, isn't it? If someone really needs to have Tyr specifically tell them not to commit violence on the innocent, they might need to work on their personality rather than their devotion to a deity."

[hellrider]

"Good enough news. I won't pretend I'm going to enjoy whatever mess I get back to, but if I can tie up the loose ends, who knows? Maybe I could come back and make a life here, myself." He'd like that, he thinks. With Anthem here. There's work to be done, and this world seems to be a little less vicious towards their kind.

Anywhere she is can be home, though.

"I hope one way or another you'll find peace. Where were you headed just now? I was just...walking around. I'll happily accompany you if you'd like." The bandits can probably take care of themselves, right? Right.

[fundamentalchaos]

Ashton isn't unfamiliar with the more stone like origins or sounds on of their name. THey are a punk rock. Literally.

"Drow? Oh yeah, dark elves, yeah we got a few of those...not sure if they're all that more dangerous than any other elf. At least for us." Ashton had to think about it and yeah, there were quite a few drow in Jrusar, on the surface.

"Granted I've never been down in the Underdark so I have no idea what any there are like. The ones on the surface are...I don't know...normal?"

[thesunreturns]

"That would be..." Simon has to hunt through his memory for the human-world equivalents. "Norse, yes? If you are from a world like my own. Few are."

It's a guess based on the name; Simon isn't an expert on human gods, but he is well-read.

[lettersfrombel]

Bel shrugged. "The short version is that most of us are nearly blind in full daylight. The long version is that plenty of powerful people will tolerate a shitty situation as long as they are the ones in charge, and the masses have it worse and can't leave."

He stops, and affects a smile. "But, I really should stop bringing up such weighty topics around strangers, shouldn't I?"

[shark_girl]

She glanced over her shoulder at him. There was a wan way in which she smiled. "I want my gills to work... but I want to do what's right. And making sure these guys don't hurt anyone else? If I happen to get what I want? Bonus. I'd do it even if there wasn't a reward. That's all." She gave a nod. "Alright, let's do this thing."

She took his hand and got to the front, ready for the jump. She left her hoodie behind, down to a very simple swimsuit. She might not have been supernaturally fast, but her skin was still built for decent swimming. "Three..." two... one!

She jumped in, though once in the water, she'd let him take the lead. He knew where to likely find these bastards.

[captainjeralt]

Upon further inspection, it does seem like Jeralt is being fully sincere. His laid-back, almost tired tone and mannerisms also make it seem as though he doesn't go out of his way to do things he doesn't want to do or doesn't view as worth doing, at this point in his life. So if he offers help, he does genuinely mean it.

"I admit, my specialty is polearms, which I'm not sure would work well for you, but I have a little bit of experience in everything except magic. Hopefully something I know could be of use."

He listens with interest. A gnome...? He's heard of those, but he's only seen... Lawn gnomes... And gnomes in storybooks.

"Huh. Even after all these years, I learn something new every day. Y'know, you could probably help me out too. I have very poor dexterity, so tinkering is a huge weakness of mine. I can never fix my armor myself." Or even tie his shoes, for that matter. It's bad.

[captainjeralt]

Jeralt hums curiously, leans in and squints at the way she's holding the sticks. He tries to emulate it with his own hands. He drops them.

"Not very good with my hands," he mutters with a sheepish smile, trying it again. He can hold them, but can't really click them together properly. Doesn't help that he's wearing gauntlets.

[odare]

Finnick groans at the pain of the impact, but aside from a stick that jammed hard into his palm, he's not actually hurt.

"I'm fine." He staggers to his feet, brushing himself off and assessing the height of the dirt walls around him. The hole is a little taller than him. Finnick is athletic, though, and they're running out of time. He still has the distinct feeling that they're being chased, and the longer he's in a hole obviously meant to slow them, the closer their pursuer is going to get. So he jumps up, one hand gripping at a root on the edge of the hole and the other reaching up for Maedhros, his feet kicking to try to find some kind of hold.

A Demon in Heaven's Bow

[helluvaboss]

"--Whoa. What the fuck? An actual Sinner?"

Blitzø had gotten cozy in the airy realm, dressed a bit like a corsair - he'd been building up his wardrobe with sexy puffy shirts, you see - and while he'd seen a shit ton of absolutely wild looking people the look of a Sinner was pretty distinct.

Specifically, a Sinner that was drawn for warnings and shit. Some hotshot overlord.

"Huh. Guess if they could grab Stolas, nothing saying you wouldn't get snagged."

[captainjeralt]

"I hope the same for you, too."

Oh, right, they've been talking this whole time with groaning and unconscious bandits on the ground. Jeralt is practically desensitized to that sort of thing by now.

"I was heading into the woods to do some hunting. Though I didn't really have any kind of plan for how I'd go about that, considering I have next to no hunting equipment. Do you hunt? Or fish? Or drink?" Those are his main activities.

the snail returns! sorry I'm late orz

[piperofdeath]

[It was more difficult to keep his feelings hidden when kids were involved and his eyes narrowed with worry.]

I hope you're right. Either way we should probably hurry.

[Without a rope it was a fair drop to the bottom. Even if it wasn't blood the missing kid could be injured somewhere, making them easier pray for anything else that might be down here. He followed the flow of the red liquid with his lantern.]

It looks like it leads further in. Shall we?

[holdshisown]

He's not the only one feeling like there's something hunting them, and that whatever it is is not something either of them would probably want to face. The trap only makes that more obvious and, worse than that, makes it obvious it wants to take them alive. That, more than anything, is fueling the sense of dread that's slowly but surely building up to a panic.

Maedhros grabs on to Finnick with a surprising amount of strenght, for though he is tall decades of hard living has left him rather thin. He is as solid and unmovable as an old oak as he helps heave Finnick out of the pit.

Blitzy-kuuuuuun!

[lonelysmiles]

Alastor's ears pricked at the word "Sinner". While people recognized him as a demon, the idea of a sinner demon seemed to be an unknown.

Which meant that this person.

His head rotated around to find who'd spoken. Then he'd bent over backwards, rotating his head around to get a look at the shorter demon.

"Well, this place is full of surprises! I'd wondered if I was the only one from our particular Hell here! I didn't imagine I'd see an imp!"

He spun about, righting himself easily to bend over in half to get more on the imp's level. He grabbed the imp's hand and gave it a firm shake.

"Alastor! Pleasure to be meeting you! Quite a pleasure!"

[helluvaboss]

Whoa-- this guy's WAY friendly, but after the initial surprise, Blitzø gripped back with the handshake and returned it. A little spark of competitive spirit, a little spark of I ain't scared of a Sinner.

Especially since hey, he's lost all his powers. Which means Blitzø can probably snap him like a twig if he's gotta.

"Alastor, huh. You're the radio one, right? I always saw the warning doodles and whatever with your horns lookin' like little radio antennas," the imp grinned, poking one of the tiny antlers since Al was bent over so low.

[lonelysmiles]

"The Radio Demon, yes. And these are antlers, not horns like your fine set!"

Alastor released the imp's hand and folded them behind his back. (Just don't ask how they were able to disappear behind his tiny waist. That line of questioning invites madness.)

"And who might you be, my fine fellow?"

[helluvaboss]

"Th'name's Blitzø, the 'ø' is silent. Owner and founder of Immediate Murder Professionals up in Pride. 'Round here while me and Stolz are looking for how to get outta here, I'm just a jobber for a bit. Living it up like a sailor or a pirate."

He's proud as fuck of his business, buuuuuut the time away at least makes it a little fun getting his pirate life in.

[lonelysmiles]

"'Stolz' being Prince Stolas, I take it?"

The imp was awfully familiar with the Goetia. Intriguing...

"But an entrepreneur! Not many of those nowadays regardless of species! Particularly in Hell where a single family will be in the same business for literal centuries! Congratulations!"

[helluvaboss]

From how Alastor praised him, Blitzø stood up a little in surprise. Wait. Praise? Yeah??

"Yeaaah! And if my daughter wants to take over, someday? I know she'll fuckin rule at it. We're already a cozy little family at I.M.P., of course when I finally get too old and wrinkly to get a good kill in, that baton'll pass when the bridge comes to it."

A little bit of a stumble over idioms, but close enough.

[lonelysmiles]

"A business and family man? You certainly have a lot on your plate, don't you? Why, I'd almost call it 'living the American Dream' of working hard to achieve your dreams if we weren't both from Hell! Ha ha ha ha!"

His grin widened though he made sure not to show too many teeth. Best to not give the impression he was threatening the imp. (Flattery aside, he had to admit he was quite impressed. Most imps couldn't accomplish half that much. Was that with or without the prince's help?)

"If you've the time, I'd deeply appreciate your assistance in learning to navigate this new world! Especially given we're in the same boat."

He tapped the opal he wore front and center in his bowtie.

[helluvaboss]

Heh. "Sure, why not! Tell me, Al, whaddya think of pirates? They're cool, right?" Blitzø started, going to loop an arm around - well, not the shoulders, Beanpole here is too tall for that.

[odare]

I want to do what's right. Finnick is incredibly jaded by his own experiences, so the sentiment strikes him as naive, despite the fact that Finnick is actually doing it for the exact same reason. In fact, there is no reward for him now, since he already claimed his Bones for this quest. Perhaps he just hasn't... Admitted his own reasoning to himself yet, because he doesn't think of himself as any sort of hero. He feels more like he just has to do this without really examining why.

Still, her motivation being not just the money heartens him, and he nods.

"Me too. Let's go."

Once she counts down, he dives in after her with barely a splash. He pauses to make sure she's all good before swimming down ahead of her, motioning for her to follow him.

Breathing underwater still feels... Wrong, but it's also amazing. It's so much more freeing to swim knowing that he physically cannot drown.

He leads her down the side of an underwater cliff, and the purple glow becomes more intense. He's not trying to be particularly stealthy; he doesn't see much point in it now, since he plans to kill them on sight anyway. He searches around, wondering if there's anyone here this time. If there's anyone left to kill, even.

[wildwarden]

Her eyes widened at the description. "Oh, they seem cool!" They absolutely did not have such creatures in the Forest so far as she knew, and if they were anywhere else in Valsheria, she hadn't the slightest clue.

"Yeah, big cities are a bit too much. That sounds nice though, looking out at all the lights and stuff. I wonder if there's anything remotely similar here? Maybe underwater... a lot of things glow underwater."

np

[shark_girl]

Yeah, let's get a move on. If the kid's down here, no telling how lost they are.

... you want us to call out while we move? Might summon problems, but might be the kid hears us.

[She was already in motion as she started out into the surreal subterranean landscape. Something was really off about this place, but she was getting used to feeling that way in a lot of spots. The deeper that they got, the more she was getting wary. It was really damned quiet down here and that bothered her.]