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DRAGON'S TREE QUEST, PT III (OPEN)
Who: those who signed up for dragon quest iii!
When: throughout may!
Where: the wilde
What: dragon mom needs assistance
Warnings: n/a will update as needed. violence is sure to ensue.
Come. I will show thou what must be done, for thou has come to wake me, hath thou not?
I. THE MIRRORBOUND OUTPOST
[ with construction and the group effort successful during the last working months, the mirrorbound outpost has successfully established a safe rendezvous point starting at the bright wall or even the wilder created northern outpost. thanks to the teleporter and traveling enchantments, questers will find it easier to hop back and forth from here to the city. take the time to decorate if that’s your thing, or further equip the outpost with battle-ready spells or just good places to relax before work. meet your fellow questers, stock up supplies. any veterans are welcomed to share information with new partners coming as a first (in fact, this is encouraged), and even more encouragement goes to talk to the citizen wilders established here for more tips on sprucing the place up into a fine, infection-free fort. add your touch!
the brush continues to grow against the chill of the wilde around it. there doesn't seem to be a huge threat this time, unlike the serpent and wolf of previous months, and it feels as if the threats have diminished in number as well; with the coming of the wilde's fall, the bee swarms, vermin and frogs that'd plagued the groups previously are all scarce and nonexistent with the coming of hibernation.
with the fauna settling into a kind of hibernation, this month may be the one to make headway into doing the most damage to the cywld still present in the areas— both with the tree itself, as well as the boulder in which the dragon lay— and to make the outpost a permanent station. ]
II. THE BOULDER
[ nearby and part of the clearing, a massive rock sits: the formation appears to be just a large boulder at first, with nothing special to its mossed edges. a closer look can herald some unusual features on the surface. the boulder curves like horns, there are wings seamlessly sculpted across mineral, small but seemingly folded. this is supposedly créia, in the flesh. it's cleaner than it used to be, that's a given, but more is needed to take care of this legend. questers will be encouraged to always keep this area spotless and constantly cleanse the grass and rock with charms, spells and whatever you have up your sleeves. don't have those? offerings like flowers and healthy plant-life will bring the same level of effort and appreciation over time— and are not limited to those by any means! with most of the animals hidden away for the coming winter, maybe not so many greedy beasts will come around to snatch what you’ve left behind. take advantage of the crispy autumn chill to make the slumbering dragon a sleeping beauty. ]
III. THE TREE (DUNGEON)
[ close and not too far from the outpost and its boulder is the biggest problem of all: the dragon's tree, a massive one, grander than all those in the wilde and seem miniature in comparison. it stands tall, bark scarred and chiseled, holding evidence of ages past in the many knots and healed burns, dark wood branching off into pine-scented leaves. it's wilted, in poor shape and black as if there's no going back from the rotting point it has reached.
as the month wears on, the tree will be freed up enough to allow . . . a peek inside—? well, that's not very good, and yet it feels to hold the promise of something new all the same. within the crack that shows itself as the taint recedes slightly, the tree isn't half as spacious as one may presume from outside appearances; as the cwyld diminishes, however, it does expand enough for a group of five to enter at a time, and an initial scout will discover a few things: it reeks of magic, both tainted and not, and holds the familiar scent of nature from eren's dream, and, the crack opens up to this initial room, but there are openings that can be easily cleaned to step through to different areas themselves! each room is sizable enough for a group of up to five, and as far as the first floor goes there are three rooms not including the first. you are not required to have three groups of five in order to complete this, but the max is up that way.
welcome to your tree dungeon, everyone. This isn't the last of it, and there's still plenty to do within if someone doesn't manage to sign up for this round... more details regarding other exploration will be given as needed as well, such any investigation towards the saplings as well as the up and down of the center room and the like. ]
( a huge thanks to the mods for most, if not all of this information to play with! any questions on how to proceed could be asked below! )
When: throughout may!
Where: the wilde
What: dragon mom needs assistance
Warnings: n/a will update as needed. violence is sure to ensue.
Come. I will show thou what must be done, for thou has come to wake me, hath thou not?
I. THE MIRRORBOUND OUTPOST
[ with construction and the group effort successful during the last working months, the mirrorbound outpost has successfully established a safe rendezvous point starting at the bright wall or even the wilder created northern outpost. thanks to the teleporter and traveling enchantments, questers will find it easier to hop back and forth from here to the city. take the time to decorate if that’s your thing, or further equip the outpost with battle-ready spells or just good places to relax before work. meet your fellow questers, stock up supplies. any veterans are welcomed to share information with new partners coming as a first (in fact, this is encouraged), and even more encouragement goes to talk to the citizen wilders established here for more tips on sprucing the place up into a fine, infection-free fort. add your touch!
the brush continues to grow against the chill of the wilde around it. there doesn't seem to be a huge threat this time, unlike the serpent and wolf of previous months, and it feels as if the threats have diminished in number as well; with the coming of the wilde's fall, the bee swarms, vermin and frogs that'd plagued the groups previously are all scarce and nonexistent with the coming of hibernation.
with the fauna settling into a kind of hibernation, this month may be the one to make headway into doing the most damage to the cywld still present in the areas— both with the tree itself, as well as the boulder in which the dragon lay— and to make the outpost a permanent station. ]
II. THE BOULDER
[ nearby and part of the clearing, a massive rock sits: the formation appears to be just a large boulder at first, with nothing special to its mossed edges. a closer look can herald some unusual features on the surface. the boulder curves like horns, there are wings seamlessly sculpted across mineral, small but seemingly folded. this is supposedly créia, in the flesh. it's cleaner than it used to be, that's a given, but more is needed to take care of this legend. questers will be encouraged to always keep this area spotless and constantly cleanse the grass and rock with charms, spells and whatever you have up your sleeves. don't have those? offerings like flowers and healthy plant-life will bring the same level of effort and appreciation over time— and are not limited to those by any means! with most of the animals hidden away for the coming winter, maybe not so many greedy beasts will come around to snatch what you’ve left behind. take advantage of the crispy autumn chill to make the slumbering dragon a sleeping beauty. ]
III. THE TREE (DUNGEON)
[ close and not too far from the outpost and its boulder is the biggest problem of all: the dragon's tree, a massive one, grander than all those in the wilde and seem miniature in comparison. it stands tall, bark scarred and chiseled, holding evidence of ages past in the many knots and healed burns, dark wood branching off into pine-scented leaves. it's wilted, in poor shape and black as if there's no going back from the rotting point it has reached.
as the month wears on, the tree will be freed up enough to allow . . . a peek inside—? well, that's not very good, and yet it feels to hold the promise of something new all the same. within the crack that shows itself as the taint recedes slightly, the tree isn't half as spacious as one may presume from outside appearances; as the cwyld diminishes, however, it does expand enough for a group of five to enter at a time, and an initial scout will discover a few things: it reeks of magic, both tainted and not, and holds the familiar scent of nature from eren's dream, and, the crack opens up to this initial room, but there are openings that can be easily cleaned to step through to different areas themselves! each room is sizable enough for a group of up to five, and as far as the first floor goes there are three rooms not including the first. you are not required to have three groups of five in order to complete this, but the max is up that way.
—the foyer: has spiderweb-like tendrils of cwyld crisscrossing the walls and ceiling of the tree, as well as parts of the floor. they will reach for any signs of magic and hold fast their target, small, jellyfish-like needles pricking into unsuspecting flesh to infect it. most clothing will defend someone from this simple nuisance. this room, outside of the mentioned cwyld, is safe. just don't light a fire in it.
—left room (puzzle; witch specialty): as one steps in, it's positively empty of magic; if one isn't careful, they may suffer from magical exhaustion and need to step out into the foyer for rest. that said . . . immediately within this room are three objects: a petrified sapling, a high wooden pedestal, and a large glass marble with an emerald scale trapped within. the marble cannot be initially cracked. upon closer inspection of the room, there are channels in the floor which one can pour . . . something . . . into, and they pool around the sapling as their end. this puzzle can be solved by manifesting magic into a pure form for "water", and then using an imbued crystal as light shined through the marble once placed upon the pedestal, which will heal the sapling and cause it to wiggle happily. how this ultimately happens is up to you all, but it is worth noting that it might require some fine timing.
—right room (puzzle; monster specialty): as one steps in, it's positively overwhelming with magic in contrast; if one isn't careful, they may lose their minds and display unusual behavior, needing to step out for a bit until it releases itself from their systems. this magic stems from a sapling that's sick with it, glowing brightly within the center and to three spots against the walls. to solve this puzzle, one must form a "bond" with the sapling and take on the excess magic it holds while managing their own selves in order not to soak up too much. how this goes is ultimately up to you all, but it is worth noting that temporary bonds may prove very useful in this venture.
—center room (combat; both): the apparent "heart" of the tree, or so it would seem. unlike the other rooms, this one has no visible ceiling and the sounds of birds can be heard from high above. it's also . . . very . . . not "heart of the tree" like; where there should be a large pillar of heartwood within there is nothing, with a pit of darkness below and the aforementioned lack of ceiling above. the smell that drifts up from this pit is rotting and earthy. there are paths up and down, but before they can be thoroughly explored a roar deafens the room from below— a scritching, scratching sound aches painfully against the ears of those within the room and a giant maggot, pulsating with cwyld and infected wounds with birds still in it, turns its many-teethed maw at what it assumes is new food to consume.
it is steadfastly rooted in the pit, so it's an easy target to hit, but the hide is oddly thick for being a baby pest and oozes sticky liquid when attacks do make it through; while seemingly just gross, it will slowly dissolve whatever it lands on! the maggot also has a few choice moves it likes to do, which includes attempting to swallow, smash, and rollover whatever is in front of it, as well as spit acid. a combination of monster and magic is necessary to defeat it, as a monster's various natural weapons (including their inherent magic) are effective in busting through the thick skin while a witch's magic is key in killing it, as it regenerates otherwise. enough fighting will eventually slay the beast, and depending on how it's done it can fall back within the pit, crash against the ground, and even blow up! choose your own disgusting fate, just be mindful that it blowing up does mean its corrosive juices get everywhere and require extra hands to clean.
welcome to your tree dungeon, everyone. This isn't the last of it, and there's still plenty to do within if someone doesn't manage to sign up for this round... more details regarding other exploration will be given as needed as well, such any investigation towards the saplings as well as the up and down of the center room and the like. ]
( a huge thanks to the mods for most, if not all of this information to play with! any questions on how to proceed could be asked below! )
Lady Maria | OTA | Witch
[It was brought up to her by Eren, so here Maria is, teleporting in during the early hours of an otherwise uneventful morning, after having sorted out the strange new Mirrorbound that arrived in Aefenglom.
The outpost seems to be quite well put together, for as short of a time as it's existed, though she can tell by the fresh wood and clean nails that it's definitely only been out there for a short amount of time.
Her first order of business is to investigate the outpost - where they eat, where they sleep, where they mingle to prepare for whatever comes next. It must be manned at all times, she figures, by someone, or else it would just quickly and easily be taken over by Shades or other creatures out in the Wildes, or simply reclaimed by nature.
Maria isn't really one for smalltalk, but she does want to get a feel for who she is working with in this place, so don't be surprised if the big Hunter wanders up at some point, to greet whoever may be around. If nothing else, she may very well simply decide to sit and observe, like a cat. And, like a cat, existing peacefully in the same room as someone means, at least, she likes them enough to stay.]
[2: The Tree - Randomly Throughout May]
[For all that Maria is a fire elemental witch, she doesn't seem to be scorching the earth, here. As spring continues on, and May comes to its peak in Aefenglom, it means her garden is starting to grow in nicely. She figures the temperature whiplash will be strange for the plants, but a little ribbon or two with a heat spell to keep the frost and snow away, and she is ready to transplant some small bushels near the boulder.
She keeps to hearty flowers that are good for both winter and otherwise - Irises, Snowdrops, Heather, and a couple other magical varieties like them. She doesn't grow too many of them, considering she wanted to keep her garden for flowers she more prefers, but finding out she can plant some fresh plants in the area helps out.
Surely, it must be a bit strange to see someone so large and dangerous out around the boulder, gently cupping colorful flowers as she plants them into the ground near the boulder, but... there she is.] Careful where you step. I'm trying to keep a walkway, but it's over there.
[3: Tree Dungeon - Early-ish May - Preference for Center Room]
[This is familiar, in an aching, nostalgic sort of way that Maria isn't quite sure how she feels about. Especially not after April and... well, that hell realm of a time she'd rather never think or talk about again.
She grabs at her swords as they walk in, eyeing the Cwyld as it digs in and rots at the tree.
She looks back to her teammates, eyeing who came with her. It's a decent mix of Witch and Monster alike, at least, so they should be well-equipped for any kind of thing they find.
Investigation it shall be. To the left, a void of magic that feels like it's trying to vacuum her power right out of her bones. To the right, a surplus that makes the back of her tongue taste like ozone and arcane. To the center... something is making awful, disgusting noises in the depths, and it smells like ongoing rot. That seems like right up Maria's alley (Alex can be mad at her later, if they ever speak again. Maybe she'll just add this to the reasons never to do as such).
She knows what she wants to do.] I say we find whatever is in that void - It's probably soaked up Cwyld and is helping rot this tree.
2 - so late I already drank the starbucks
Except it seemed she didn't need to this time.
She freezes at the head she could see bobbing about above the bushes that gave the warning. Maria being out in the Wilde wasn't a surprise. The witch had seemed like one of the more competent people not counting the Wilders when it came to traveling outside the brightwall. But Mikasa hadn't excepted to see her here and not looking for infected.]
Right... [She's just going to step back, reassess where she was treading.] I've not messed it up by coming here, have I?
[She hadn't been out that often. So maybe there wouldn't be the telltale trail of something heavy repeatedly walking through. But she wasn't sure.]
And you didn't bring any to share? For shame
They should all be transplants, so as long as you've not stepped on live flowers, you're not walking on them. But there are some near where you were heading.
[She motions toward the ground, where some drooping snow drops live, bent close to the soil, but still poked up enough that they should be visible. Then, she elevates her eyes again, and looks Mikasa over. That's always the interesting part about the newer Mirrorbound - their transformations, and how they proceed.
And, even more, looks like this fae isn't drunk this time. So Maria doesn't have to carry her off again.] So long as you watch your step, you should be free to move about. Did they need me for something at the camp?
I did. But the journey was so long I drank it too ;-;
If it weren't for the pupil in her 'normal' eye, and the downward tilt of her head, it would have been impossible to tell where the fae was looking. But she looks back after spotting the flowers.]
No...I didn't know you where here. I was coming to check nothing had eaten the plants.
[Though a part of that involved killing or moving the bugs, while resisting the urge to eat them herself.]
Are you the one whose been bringing all of these here?
B-but-!
Instead, she just keeps on thinking they're rather grotesque, and does little more than observe, before looking away.
She knows Mikasa, at least, so she has no problems turning back around toward her garden. Hard to be afraid of someone you carried out of a bar, no matter how they look.] I was told fresh, uninfected plants will help the dragon recover. So I brought what I could from my garden, knowing what will survive the leap to winter. It isn't much. [A sigh.] But now I have another garden to tend, I suppose.
🥺
But Mikasa steps forward, not really getting closer to the tall witch. Instead, she went over to a bush that wasn't doing as well as the others, lifting the leaves at the bottom and tutting at where something had chewed through an offshoot.]
I'd planted seeds but...[She shrugs. Her small wince hidden from view.] They're spring plants. I didn't know it'd change to winter. My garden hasn't been grown long enough to have anything that'd survive being moved out here. [She was mainly growing produce or herbs, she didn't have much that'd handle cold weather.]
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Maria perks her head up, briefly, to watch where Mikasa goes, and then... returns to her work. Apparently it's play keep-away hours. Not that it bothers her much; she prefers Monsters at arm's length until she knows just how violent they might be; and Mikasa has the build of someone that could be very dangerous, even if she's losing height.]
Ah, yes. The seasons in the Wilde are opposite those in Aefenglom... and opposite those I am used to from home, relative to their time of year. Still, I am ensuring this place is well-covered with heat spells. Perhaps with that and a bit of magic, the seeds may yet flourish. Where did you put the seeds down? Adjacent to my transplants?
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Some of them. I tried to make sure they'd be where they'd have enough light. Most of them were wildflowers so they be okay as long as it's warm enough though. [Wild flowers were hardy like that.] I put extra down, for what the animals would eat before they could start growing.
Though I'm not sure if the giant rats would eat them to begin with...
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[She is, also, rather focused on that topic at hand. Maria hasn't exactly been feeling well the last couple of months, and if her eyes look a bit sunken and rimmed with bags, or she looks a little more gaunt than usual, that's actually the truth. Ever since the memshare, it's been difficult for her to want to... take care of herself.
She shakes her head.] Rats will eat just about anything they can get their teeth on. It is for the best that we plant more than we may strictly need, but a bit of pest control can go a long way.
[Maria's knees pop a little as she stands from her position, and she shakes her legs out, before moving a few feet down the row, only to kneel again.]
Have you had a chance to see within the tree?
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[She stands silently. 3dmg, she'd probably have issues later in life from the forces of swinging around on it, but for now, she was still young and bendy by the standards of most places. A veteran back home though. Still, she rolls her shoulders out of habit. ]
A little. I've mainly been staying outside, I'm more useful there...Those two rooms are strange though. I haven't seen what's making the noises though. Have you?
[The lesser infected and general wildlife were more suitable for a fae still finding their feet to deal with.]
[But she really didn't like being able to hear it gnaw and brush against the walls.]
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No, not yet. I didn't get the chance to go down there. It seems like it will be quite the endeavor when we finally do get down to it and clear it out, so I'm not surprised people are taking their times.
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It's been left for now. It's slow and can't really get anywhere from what the others can tell. I think they're waiting till there are more witches to fight it.
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[Which she's probably more okay with than she should be, but it's also detrimental overall.]
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...Do you think they can heal the tree?
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[She's not particularly interested in Saving The World, but she supposes she is, at least a small part, involved in this, now. Might as well use 'we'.]
... Well, I'm mostly after the information, but keeping the blight from spreading is useful to everyone.
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What were you told they can do? I've not heard much, I just heard they were building another outpost and thought I'd help. [Then she's learned it was a bit more than the expedition from last time. They weren't just exploring, they had a goal. Though she hadn't understood it. Not fully, even now magic was a strange concept.
All she'd worked out was that the dragons were old. Enough to know a time before the Cywd maybe.]
Stopping it from spreading would be helpful. But can they really do that if they got infected in the first place?
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[Really, Mikasa would have to ask Eren, but Maria doesn't mention that. Instead, she shifts again, and starts digging out new spots for a few new plants.]
If nothing else, and they are too far gone, or they become too far gone... we can at least put them from their misery. Living like this is no way to live at all. We're lucky this one isn't a Shade. But that it hasn't changed yet is probably a sign of its power and resolve.
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It does sound like they've been infected for a long time without being like that rabbit. It'd be bad if they suddenly started attacking. [If the infection got to them like the other creatures.
But the fae rolls her shoulders. Taking a small step towards the working witch, antenna giving a flick.]
Is there anything you'd like help planting? [Mikasa liked gardening, enough that it didn't really seem like work. But it was one of the things she did to take her mind off things, had she been younger she'd have just started working without asking but...She'd grown a little wiser, not a lot, but enough to check.]
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[Maria has relaxed a bit, at least, and she looks back behind her. There's a few small pots left behind her that have flowers left, and a sack full of additional potting soil and fertilizer mix.]
If you would like to help me finish with those last few flowers transplanting, I would not complain. Just ensure there is enough room on the paths I have outlined to walk, so none trample the flowers.
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So dying in the dreams doesn't do anything? [But she frowns, thinking of the two dreams she'd had. The one that was supposedly set in the past and the underground city that no one knew of.] Do you know where this dream was?
[Then she peers again, leaning to the side to look around the witch(Too tall to look over the top of). Giving a small nod when she sees the pots and slowly wandering over. Antenna swaying lightly to sniff at Maria before the flowers catch their attention.] I can do that.
[And she's kneeling, looking at how big the hole she needs to dig to plant them in.]
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[Maria makes an amused noise.] The dream was of Aefenglom, after the Cwyld had broke down the Bright Wall and destroyed the city. There was nothing left but rot and ghosts and infected creatures.
[She watches Mikasa and where she starts to get to work, so she can at least try to meet halfway.]
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It was definitely Aefenglom? Not one of the cities from outside?
[What the hell were these dreams?]
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What did they say after? The people from here... I hadn't heard any of them mention it.
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[She tamps down some of the soil over one of the transplants, making sure the plant is firmly in place, and can continue to grow without being torn out by the wind.]
I think it may have been a warning, more than a certainty. As far as the Wilders are concerned, the blight has actually slowed its progression. Unless it is biding for a great resurgence, there may have been a dent made in its progression.
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