Graded [Azuran City] Seekers of Lore and Legends: The Monsters for Tuition program

[Darkbloom]

Thomas breathed in deeply, inhaling and exhaling. It appears they have completed this area and are now moving on to the next one. But before that, Octavia had asked if they were previous students. Though he had just started at the academy not too long ago, Thomas walks over to where Octavia is and looks at what she's seeing. Maybe his [Intelligence - B] could give him assistance to see if he knew who these people were. "You have a valid guess. Maybe I can remember seeing them if I look closely enough."

The team arrived in the next area soon, a grand hallway of mirrors. It looks like it affects everyone differently, and as Thomas casually glances around, the scene he sees is what would've happened if things hadn't gone right. The event in the mirrors escalated and Thomas felt his palms getting sweaty. He tried to stop looking at the mirror but he couldn't as the tieflings exploded, the hellflies having successfully bred more of themselves and moving to other students. The images, the hollow screams Thomas can still hear, and the buzzing of the flies were beginning to give him a headache. He holds his head between his hands as he tries to block out the sounds of the buzzing and the dizzying array of chaos in the mirrors but he can't. Time magic can't help with mirror-induced images. No. No! Not again! Stop... Make... It... STOP! Thomas fights the images in his head, to the point of being almost overwhelmed. But then an image of the Crow appears in one of the mirrors and points in a direction. The buzzing sounds like it's going away as he looks at the Crow pointing to where the others are heading. Yes, this isn't how it happened. I did save the tieflings, and everyone else in the room by making them think they were still slumbering. Thomas stands up and starts walking on shaky feet past the mirrors, slowly, one step at a time. His heart was pounding and he tried getting a grip on it after seeing the failure. He's glad it didn't get that far, otherwise higher ranked heroes would have to get involved. Shaking the images out of his head as best as he can, Thomas continues on.

gmimperfecti Scarletti

 

[saxon]

Eris Granstone

D Grade Character

Titles: Human, Priest, Holy Smiter, Hero of The Fae See, Mage, Fae, Spirit of the Battlefield Ally F, Faculty of Celestine F

mentions: gmimperfecti Scarletti Darkbloom Sebastian Cokak VIII

Abilities/cooldown/Actions

• Beacon - Magic E, Divine Affinity F, Spell Duration F, Magic Range F, Energized E, Focus E - The caster can touch an object which then casts a light that creates bright light at 5 feet and dim light at 10 feet lasting for 1 hour - Grade E - 0 Post Cooldown

1. Used Beacon
2.
3.

Eris had only just returned to the Academy from a recent outing that left more questions than had been answered. That was when she was told about the tomb and what she took as a project that the Crow had put together. The strange individual that even she didn't know a lot about. But with that being said, she didn't waste a lot of time as she quickly left to go join the rest of the students and ensure that they didn't at least run into something they couldn't handle. After all what else would a hero do? Though the fact they had decided to go to a crept was concerning, she knew the place by name at least.

Upon her arrival at one of the entries, she noticed no one outside. Which probably meant the groups had already started to head into the crypt. Though it was simple enough to follow the carnage that was left behind and the bodies of those that didn't make it past the trials by the seems of it. When Eris came across one, she would offer a small prayer before continuing to push deeper into the crypt.
Eventually arriving at the whispering stone, she noticed the zombies with no hearts to which caused her to cock her head to the right a little bit. There was a lot of things going on here that she didn't understand, as she looked around and saw the passage that led further into the crypt. To which she smiled and pushed further into the hall of mirror to which she saw several people, though he couldn't tell if they were students from where she was standing.

"Seems a little too dark in here might as well light it up. Goddess Holfeel let me be the light in the dark so that I can be a beacon to guide the lost souls!" She chanted as the tip of her quarterstaff started to emit light, hoping to be able to push the darkness back and maybe see who exactly she was seeing. Hoping that using beacon would be of some help but that was yet to be seen.

 

[Scarletti]

Cindy

Mentions: Darkbloom gmimperfecti saxon​

Following the guidance of the Crow, Cindy managed to lose the hellflies thankfully, as well as proceed to the next challenge before her. She did wonder about the Crow, however. Why was he here, helping them out? Was he even allowed to give them his aid? Or, was it not actually the Crow that has been leading her all this while, but rather something more sinister luring her into a trap?

Despite her suspicions about the Crow within the mirrors, she had no other choice but to trust in him for now. Before her were 3 reflections of herself, except one which had some shadowy aura. She’d raise a hand up and wave it, curious to see how the reflections would respond. Right after, she’d summon her own shadow aura to see how the others reacted to it.


Actions:

1. Raise a hand and wave it in front of the reflections
2. Summon shadow aura

Shadow Aura - weapon mastery F [polearms], aura F (darkness) - Grade F - 0 post cooldown

 

[Sebastian Cokak VIII]

Axel Willow​

---

Abilities:

• Drunkover - Bolster [Strength, Speed] F - character amps up strength and speed by 1 grade for a post. - F grade - 0 post cooldown

---

gmimperfecti​

Axel sat on a stone in the crypt, he was tired, after all of this bullshit, he only wanted to sleep, there were no more weird hollow zombies in the place he was, really he wonders, why the heck was he here, like, he had nothing to do with this academy or their people, why did he joined, i mean, he almost dies multiple times.

"Im tired, goddamm, why does this happen to me, one normal day turns into a madness..." Axel said as laid on the rock, and began taking a nap, he then suddently had an idea.

Wait, what will happen if i interogate that crow guy, i've look at him and he looks like he has something in wings.​

So with this he began searching for the Crow.

 

[gmimperfecti]

Sebastian Cokak VIII Scarletti saxon Darkbloom
Round 4.2 (start of combat).

---

In the heart of the Hall of Mirrors, the air vibrated with unseen forces, each step forward echoed like a whisper of promises unkept. The group, led by Cindy with Thomas at her side, ventured deeper, their reflections fracturing in the myriad of enchanted glass that surrounded them.

Cassius, his robes brushing against the cold marble, paused before a mirror, his own eyes meeting him with a gaze filled with shadows of the past. "Ah, the folly of youth," he muttered, tracing the glass with a gloved finger. "But even the darkest memories hold power." With a flourish, he recited an incantation, the air around him shimmering with a dark energy that sought to pierce the illusions. Verruca, his familiar, a sliver of darkness itself, darted from mirror to mirror, its eyes gleaming with stolen light.

Octavia, her face a mask of composure that barely concealed the turmoil within, caught her distorted reflection. "Is this what I've become?" she whispered, horror lacing her tone as she beheld her beauty twisted. Shaking her head, she gathered her composure. "No, I am more than this." Extending her hand, she wove an illusion of her own, a glamour that challenged the mirror's truth. "See? All it takes is a little... manipulation."

Lilith stood silent, her gaze locked with a scene of despair. "This isn't real," she said, her voice a soft beacon amid the cacophony of fears. Closing her eyes, she summoned a warm, radiant light that washed over the mirrors, her Guardian Demon looming protectively behind her. "We carry our light, even in the darkest places."

The group navigated through the labyrinth of reflections, the Crow's silhouette a constant, enigmatic presence. It appeared on the edge of vision, pointing, guiding, but its intentions remained as opaque as the mirrors themselves. "Trust or not to trust?" Cassius pondered aloud, eyeing the avian figure with suspicion. "The Crow knows much, perhaps too much."

As they progressed, challenges unfolded—mirrors that demanded recognition of truth amongst deception, shadows that mimicked and mocked, and paths obscured by fear and doubt.

Their journey through the Hall of Mirrors became a tapestry of trials and revelations, each mirror a story, each reflection a choice. The Crow, with its cryptic gestures and fleeting appearances, wove uncertainty into their path, its motives as shifting as the images in the glass. "Should we follow?" Lilith said, her gaze lingering on the place where the Crow had last been seen, "and to what end?"

In this realm of reflections, the group found themselves not just facing the magic that ensnared them but the truths within their own hearts. With each step, with each challenge met, they moved closer to the heart of the crypt, their journey shadowed by the silent, watchful presence of the Crow.

Presently, they'd managed to outpace the hell flies, luckily none of the mirrors with them had broken. Even better, the group had mostly kept together, short of Axel wandering off, muttering about finding the Crow, only to bump into a mirror that seemed to have the Crow's reflection only to find that reflection to be his own upon closer inspection. In this ay Axel was lead around in a merry chase by the reflections of the Crow, never quite catching him. He did manage to find a forgotten hip flask ([Asset F]) that appeared to still be full of some lovely smelling apple brandy.

Keeping everyone present, sane, and focused was a larger problem. The mirrors, ancient and imbued with magic, reflected not just the physical forms of those who stood before them but seemed to peer into their souls, challenging their perceptions and testing their resolve. As the group navigated the labyrinth of reflections, the Hall of Mirrors tested their mettle, each mirror a doorway to potential truths or deceits. The air thrummed with magic, the ancient enchantments speaking in tongues of light and shadow, weaving a tapestry of trials that demanded courage, wisdom, and a keen eye for the real amidst the unreal.

The Hall of Mirrors, a realm of endless reflections and deceiving shadows, stood as the crucible for Cindy's resolve. With the challenge laid bare before her—three mirrored selves, indistinguishable yet one shrouded in a subtler, darker hue—Cindy's decision was pivotal.

As Cindy raised her hand, a simple gesture fraught with anticipation, the mirrored Cindys mirrored her movement in perfect synchrony, a dance of echoes within the crystalline corridor. Yet, it was her next action, the summoning of a shadow aura, that would sever the ties of illusion from reality.

The hall, silent but for the soft whisper of their movements, watched as the shadow aura cloaked Cindy in darkness, a manifestation of her mastery over the shadows that played at the edges of the light. The reflections responded in kind, their auras flaring in response, but only one—a mirror image cloaked in a shadow that resonated with Cindy's own energy—mirrored the depth and texture of her power.

In that moment, the air within the hall thickened, a tangible sense of expectation settling over the group. The chosen mirror, marked by Cindy's discerning eye, shimmered with a recognition of its selection. The shadow around the true reflection deepened, a silent acknowledgment of Cindy's success, before it receded, revealing the path forward.

The other mirrors, their purpose served, faded into obscurity, their once vivid images dissolving into the ether from which they were conjured. The hall itself seemed to sigh, the oppressive atmosphere lifting slightly, a testament to the breach in its arcane defenses.

The silhouette of the Crow, ever an enigmatic observer, flickered in the periphery of their vision. Its guidance, though cryptic, had led them to this moment. Yet, its motives, as inscrutable as the shadows it seemed to command, hung heavy in the air, a question left unanswered, especially since the Crow's reflection had hinted at a different mirror being the right one before Cindy acted.

Beyond the resolved enigma of the duplicate switch, the corridor unfurled into a broader chamber, the air thick with a new, potent magic. Here, the Hall of Mirrors revealed its next trial: The Dance of Reflected Shadows.

This new challenge was immediately apparent. The mirrors, no longer passive reflectors of physical form, now cast back the party's shadows as independent entities. These silhouettes, however, did not mimic their owners' movements but instead moved with a life of their own—erratic, jittery, almost predatory in their animation.

The shadows on the ground, where one would expect to find their loyal companions, were conspicuously absent, their places taken by these bizarre reflections. These reflected shadows, imbued with an unsettling energy, seemed intent on a most sinister purpose: to drain the essence of those whose form they shared.

As the party stepped into the chamber, their reflected shadows sprang to action, leaping from the mirror plane into the physical realm. These shadows, though born of the party's form, were twisted, their movements unpredictable, their intentions malevolent.

The Crow's silhouette was notably absent...

Spoiler: Tips on the encounter if you want them

To navigate this perilous dance, the party must not only dodge and weave through the attacks of these shadowy assailants but also find a way to rebind these rogue reflections to the mirror realm or dispel them entirely. The erratic nature of their movements suggested that brute force might not be the most effective strategy; instead, creativity, quick reflexes, and perhaps an understanding of the shadows' own erratic nature could provide the key to overcoming this challenge.

As they prepared to confront their own shadows, this was more than a test of strength. It was a battle of wills against the darkest parts of themselves, made manifest. The Dance of Reflected Shadows awaited, a dance where misstep could mean the loss of one's very essence.

---

And then Eris arrived...

Upon reaching the Hall of Mirrors, Eris found herself amidst an ethereal dance of light and shadow. Her presence, a beacon of hope in the creeping darkness, was poised to pierce the veil of obscurity with the divine light she conjured. "Goddess Holfeel, let me be the light in the dark so that I can be a beacon to guide the lost souls!" she chanted, her staff beginning to glow as a [Beacon E], a testament to her faith and her role as a guide for those wandering in darkness.

However, as the light from her staff pierced the darkness, the reflective surfaces reacted unpredictably. Perhaps the darkness wasn't a problem but a protection upon the room, because the mirrors, designed to reflect and distort, began to absorb the light! Then the mirrors twisted and amplified the light in ways unforeseen. The chamber, instead of being illuminated, became a chaotic prismatic vortex, creating disorienting patterns that started to warp the very air.

And this strange distorted light spread faster than the hell flies ever had! It reached the party's reflections, already engaged in their battle against the mirrored shadows, became further distorted, their movements exaggerated and their forms blurred. The shadows, drawn to the intense light, grew more aggressive, their attacks more frenzied as they seemed to be fueled by the chaotic energies unleashed.

Amidst the turmoil, the figure of the Crow appeared once more, and now for once laughed. "Eris the light is the absence of darkness, as shadow is found along its perimeter. To invite in the light is to reflect the absence of nothing. These mirrors have trapped so many souls, to reveal them was ill conceived."

The light from Eris' staff had become a wild force, beyond her immediate command! The ability refused to go off cooldown, for its duration to be cancelled. The hall was now a labyrinth of fragmented light freed from the confines of the infinite mirror labyrinth that had trapped them!

The crypt, a place of ancient secrets and dark trials, had turned her beacon of hope into a catalyst for chaos, challenging her and her students to find a way through the reflections that had been revealed.

---

OOC: Here are the challenges before your group! Oh and Sebastian Cokak VIII 's Axel

In the chaos of the Hall of Mirrors, the characters are faced with several challenges, each with its own degree of difficulty. These challenges not only test their individual skills but also their ability to work together as a team. Here’s a breakdown of the problems they need to solve, along with difficulty ratings:

1. Navigating the Amplified and Disorienting Light Patterns:
   • Problem: The light from Eris’s beacon spell has been unpredictably amplified by the mirrors, creating disorienting patterns that warp the perception of space.
   • Difficulty Rating: 7
   • Reasoning: This challenge requires the characters to quickly adapt to a rapidly changing environment and find a way to either dampen the chaotic light or use it to their advantage without Eris’s immediate control.
   • Success: If you choose to do this, success will afford you the ability to leverage this environmental hazard to your benefit as opposed to it being used against you.
2. Battling the Energized Mirrored Shadows:
   • Problem: The mirrored shadows, already a threat, become more aggressive and unpredictable due to the chaotic energies unleashed by the beacon spell.
   • Difficulty Rating: Variable, shadows will respond to character's actions, potentially using character's abilities with a +1 advantage due to the chaotic light.
   • Reasoning: The increased aggression and unpredictability of the shadows demand advanced combat skills, strategic thinking, and possibly the use of unique abilities or magic to subdue or evade them.
3. Regaining Control Over the Unintended Magical Consequences:
   • Problem: Eris needs to regain control over the beacon spell that has become a wild force, beyond her immediate command.
   • Difficulty Rating: 9
   • Reasoning: This requires Eris to tap into her deeper reserves of power and knowledge about divine magic, possibly uncovering new facets of her abilities or forming an innovative solution with the help of the group.
4. Interpreting the Crow’s Presence Amidst Chaos:
   • Problem: The silhouette of the Crow appears, its presence now seemingly mocking their efforts rather than guiding them.
   • Difficulty Rating: 6
   • Reasoning: While not a direct physical threat, deciphering the Crow’s intentions or finding a way to communicate with or understand this enigmatic figure amidst the turmoil adds a layer of psychological challenge.

Solving these problems will require every ounce of their creativity, resilience, and willingness to work together against the crypt’s dark machinations.

 

[Scarletti]

Cindy

Mentions: Darkbloom gmimperfecti saxon​

“Huh.” Before she knew it, the puzzle had been solved already. Who’d knew that the key to solving the puzzle was as simple as letting out her own aura? She didn’t really expect that to be sufficient, but oh wells! She wasn’t gonna complain when they were able to proceed to the next puzzle. It seemed that she had opened up the path for the entire group to progress too.

In the next chamber, there were shadows of themselves, which they were supposedly meant to fight? Cindy wasn’t really sure about this one. That was when a bright light seemed to came out of nowhere from behind them.

“Who’s there?!” She turned around, readying her glaive in her hand only to come face to face with a priest? What was a priest doing here? Oh well, it did seem like a good addition to the team as they were fighting off undeads and shadow thingies. However, contrary to her belief the shadows seemed to have been empowered by the light!

Without a moment to waste, Cindy swung her glaive at the mirrors with a few [Shadow Burst], coating them in darkness. Hopefully that would dampen the chaotic light!


Shadow Burst - blight F (darkness), accurate F, area F, selective F, range F, continuing F, homing F, indirect F, Energized F - Cindy swings her glaive, sending out a wave of darkness that affect an area 5ft in radius, 10ft away, homing in onto enemies while hitting them even if they are behind cover. Their speed is treated as 1 grade below. The darkness continues swirling after 1 round. - 1 action - Grade F - 0 Post Cooldown

 

[Sebastian Cokak VIII]

Axel Willow​

---

Abilities:

• Drunkover - Bolster [Strength, Speed] F - character amps up strength and speed by 1 grade for a post. - F grade - 0 post cooldown

---

gmimperfecti​

Axel streched, and began to walk to the hall of mirrors, he got this, if this was like those on his old town's carnival this was going to be piece of cake.

"Here we go..." he said as he entered the hall

 

[Darkbloom]

Everything was happening so quickly, yet so slowly. The glass was reflecting the light of Eris' skill and going haywire, and Cindy was using shadowburst to target what looked like the mirrors. That was a fantastic plan, though in his eyes it was moving a tad bit too slow. "Domain of time, hear my call. Give me the ability to influence Cindy's attack faster than it has ever moved before..." Focusing his magic into his staff, Thomas begins to create the essence and form of a new skill. The resulting sound pierces the air as his new skill speeds up Cindy's shadowburst, moving faster to shatter the mirrors. Maybe it wasn't happening as slowly as he thought, but every little bit helps when it comes to combat efficiency.

gmimperfecti Scarletti Sebastian Cokak VIII

 

[gmimperfecti]

In the heart of the tumultuous Hall of Mirrors, amidst the fray against the shadows and the disorienting dance of light, the trio of tieflings—Cassius, Octavia, and Lilith—huddled together, formulating a plan. The light, unleashed by Eris's spell, had turned their environment into a labyrinth of visual chaos, the mirrors amplifying it into a disorienting spectacle.

"We must tame this light," Cassius declared, his voice a blend of authority and arcane knowledge. He began to chant, his incantations weaving through the air, targeting the spell's very essence to alter its chaotic course.

Octavia, ever the artisan of illusion, saw her opportunity. "Watch closely," she whispered, her hands moving with graceful precision. She conjured illusory patterns that danced across the mirrors, absorbing the erratic light and redistributing it into less disruptive streams. "Let's turn their weapon against them," she mused, a sly grin crossing her features as the light began to obey her command.

Lilith, the embodiment of compassion and strength, extended her hands, her magic glowing with a pure, cleansing light. "May clarity prevail over chaos," she intoned, her voice soft but filled with resolve. Her magic, like a gentle wave, washed over the mirrors, soothing the wild light into a calmer, more navigable form.

As their efforts converged, the chamber transformed. The chaotic light patterns that once threatened to overwhelm them now served as beacons, guiding their way through the mirrored maze. The once menacing shadows, stripped of their advantage, became clearer targets in the tamed luminosity.

"We've done it," Cassius exclaimed, a rare note of admiration in his tone as he regarded his companions. "Together, we've bent the very fabric of this challenge to our will."

Octavia, looking around at the now-stabilized chamber, allowed herself a moment of pride. "Indeed, we've turned the tide. Let's use this to our advantage and push forward."

Lilith, her gaze warm with the light of victory, nodded. "Let this be a testament to the power of unity and understanding. Forward, to the heart of the crypt."

Their success in navigating the amplified and disorienting light patterns demonstrated not only their individual prowess but also the undeniable strength found in their unity. With the environmental hazard now an ally, the path ahead seemed less daunting, the shadows less fearsome. The trio, bolstered by their triumph, led the way deeper into the crypt, their spirits lifted and their resolve strengthened, ready to face whatever lay beyond the Hall of Mirrors.

Spoiler: The Tieflings manipulate the Amplified and Disorienting Light Patterns'

The Tieflings have teamed up and exceeded the Difficulty Rating of 7 for this problem. They can no leverage the environmental hazard to aid in Round 2. Environmental Hazards incur penalties both to effectiveness and potentially hit points or other problems. As a result of this, none of you suffer from any environmental hazard this round.

1. Navigating the Amplified and Disorienting Light Patterns:
   • Problem: The light from Eris’s beacon spell has been unpredictably amplified by the mirrors, creating disorienting patterns that warp the perception of space.
   • Difficulty Rating: 7
   • Reasoning: This challenge requires the characters to quickly adapt to a rapidly changing environment and find a way to either dampen the chaotic light or use it to their advantage without Eris’s immediate control.
   • Success: If you choose to do this, success will afford you the ability to leverage this environmental hazard to your benefit as opposed to it being used against you.

---

As Cassius, Octavia, and Lilith orchestrated their plan to tame the chaotic light, the players—Cindy, Axel, and Thomas—engaged the mirrored shadows in a desperate struggle. The chamber, filled with sinister prismatic light and the eerie echoes of combat, became a battleground where light and darkness clashed.

Cindy, wielding her glaive with precision, launched a powerful Shadow Burst towards the mirrors, aiming to envelop the area in darkness and weaken their adversaries. She whirled, her attack bolstered by Thomas's timely intervention.

Thomas, focusing his energies, chanted and his staff glowed, and the essence of his magic sped up Cindy's attack, lending it an unprecedented velocity [+1 effectiveness to party].

Meanwhile, Axel, fueled by a mix of determination and an uncanny strength, threw punches that seemed to draw power from the very chaos around them. He bellowed, his strikes landing with a force that seemed to bend the air itself.

1. Battling the Energized Mirrored Shadows:
   • Problem: The mirrored shadows, already a threat, become more aggressive and unpredictable due to the chaotic energies unleashed by the beacon spell.
   • Difficulty Rating: Variable, shadows will respond to character's actions, potentially using character's abilities with a +1 advantage due to the chaotic light.
   • Reasoning: The increased aggression and unpredictability of the shadows demand advanced combat skills, strategic thinking, and possibly the use of unique abilities or magic to subdue or evade them.

The combined might of their assault shattered the [Mirrored Shadows] of Axel, Thomas, and Octavia. The associated mirrors housing their shadows burst and once more the trio had their own shadows. However, the remaining [Mirrored Shadows: Lilith, Thomas, Cindy] shadows, empowered by the room's chaotic energies, fought back with renewed vigor.

The Lilith Mirrored Shadow, countering with a sinister anti-healing glow, thwarted Cindy's attempts by unhealing Cindy's shadow attack itself, negating injuries from forming. "Your efforts are unsuccessful," it hissed, a dark mirror to Lilith's nurturing spirit. "That didn't hurt, but this will!" Lilith cast another unhealing spell at Axel! [Unhealing F: Gives basic aches and pains, plus many small cuts and superficial wounds].

The Thomas Mirrored Shadow, a perverse reflection of his control over time, twisted the very seconds to dodge the accelerated attack, reappearing unscathed. "Surely there are more possibilities than just these paltry ones?" it taunted, warping time around its form. "Here, let me show you!" It smirks, its form blurring as it channels a distorted version of Thomas's time magic.

With a flick of its wrist, the shadow casts a time dilation field around Thomas, where seconds stretch into minutes, severely hampering his movements and reaction speed. The air around Thomas thickens, as if he's moving through molasses. "Experience the other side of your gift!" the shadow sneers, using Thomas's own mastery of time against him, turning his strength into his greatest weakness.

The Cindy Mirrored Shadow, drawing upon the deepened darkness created by Cindy's spell, erected a barrier of pure shadow, impenetrable and mocking. "You cannot this!" it whispers, its voice eerily reminiscent of Cindy's own, filled with a mocking tone. It then extends its hands, drawing further upon the deepened darkness, and with a malicious grin, it unleashes a barrage of shadowy tendrils towards Cindy!

These tendrils, darker and more malevolent than any shadow Cindy has wielded, seek not just to strike but to entangle and drain. "Let's see how you fare against your own darkness," the shadow taunts, turning Cindy's mastery of the shadow against her. The tendrils aim to wrap around Cindy, leeching her strength and blurring her vision with an oppressive gloom, a direct challenge to her control over the darkness.

In these counter-attacks, the mirrored shadows not only demonstrate their enhanced power but also their cunning, using the adventurers' own abilities against them in a twisted reflection of their potential.

Despite the valiant efforts of the players, the empowered shadows proved to be formidable adversaries, their enhanced abilities turning the tide of the battle against them. The trio of tieflings, having tamed the light to their advantage, could only watch as the players faced the relentless onslaught of their mirrored foes.

Cassius's chant continued, unbroken, as he sought to influence the dark magic at play. "We must press on," he urged, his voice cutting through the din of battle.

Octavia's illusions flickered, attempting to find a crack in the enemy's defenses. "There has to be a way," she mused, her mind racing for solutions.

Lilith's magic glowed brighter, a beacon of hope amidst despair. "Stay strong," she encouraged, her determination unwavering.

The battle raged on, a testament to the will of the adventurers as they fought against reflections of their own strength and fears, each moment a challenge to their resolve and unity in the face of darkness.

OOC: Scarletti Sebastian Cokak VIII Darkbloom saxon

1. Axel attacked with [Unhealing F: Gives basic aches and pains, plus many small cuts and superficial wounds]. If not countered or resisted, it will result in -1 HP and -1 Effectiveness for several rounds. This is an effectiveness 6 ability.
2. Thomas, Axel, and Cindy are caught in a 30' AOE attacked with [Time Dilation Field E: -2 Speed, Nullifies movement skills], this is an Effectiveness 7 ability to resist. Move actions are possible, but movement skills are nullified. Movement is slowed though from 30' per basic move action to 15'.
3. Cindy is attacked by [Mirrored Shadow Cindy] by [Hungry Black Tentacles]. They are effectiveness 7 to resist. They will drain hp with vampiric and Tangle properties.
   1. These tendrils, darker and more malevolent than any shadow Cindy has wielded, seek not just to strike but to entangle and drain. "Let's see how you fare against your own darkness," the shadow taunts, turning Cindy's mastery of the shadow against her. The tendrils aim to wrap around Cindy, leeching her strength and blurring her vision with an oppressive gloom, a direct challenge to her control over the darkness.
4. Positions
   1. [Mirrored Shadow Lilith] moves 30 feet away from the party.
   2. [Mirrored Shadow Thomas] moves 30 feet away from the party.
   3. [Mirrored Shadow Cindy] ability uses all 3 actions this round, so it doesn't move. It's within 15' of everyone.
5. Defeated: When defeated, the person's shadow is freed from the mirror holding it. The mirror holding it shatters.
   1. [Mirrored Shadow Axel] destroyed by party's Round 1 team-up attack.
   2. [Mirrored Shadow Octavia] destroyed by party's Round 1team-up attack.
   3. [Mirrored Shadow Cassius] destroyed by party's Round 1team-up attack.
6. Passed
   1. Eris didn't take an action this round. Something bad seemed to be trying to push through the dimensional fabric of this world, a strange sort of color beyond the normal. If ignored for another round it'll start pushing through where the prismatic energy is the most concentrated.

 

[Darkbloom]

Making Cindy's attack speed up had worked wonders! The glass shattered into millions of tiny pieces, the light having left the glass and allowing things to get back to somewhat normal. Except for a few shadows. The one Thomas had to deal with was the twisted version of himself. He watches closely as the time seems to warp around his shadow to avoid the shadowburst. The twisted version of myself is inadvertently helping me figure out how to make it disappear. Suddenly, it starts to feel very hard to move. Thomas recognizes this as a time dilation field, from the amount of hours he's been putting into studying how time magic works. It's the first time he's encountered it, but his confidence is unwavering. Thomas enters a meditative state of being, slowing down his breathing and minimizing his movements. Being within this sphere is only making it easier to remain still, thus using something meant to hinder him to his own advantage. You are but a copy of me. You have no chance of winning this encounter, and I'm going to show you why.

Thomas harnesses his temporal energies within his staff to peer into the very fabrics of time itself, willing it to show him visions of the future where he and the party has escaped the hall. He now seeks to establish a link between himself and the temporal energies within the time dilation field to make his chances of seeing into the future even more of a success. The threads of time flash across his eyes as he takes it all in, absorbing every little bit he can to assist him. His staff is serving as the conduit, though with the effort that's being exerted it feels like it's almost too much for it to bear. Come on, just a little longer... Thomas visualizes himself piercing through the temporal distortion surrounding him, projecting his own image forward in time to hear what their future selves are speaking about. His staff is slowly beginning to crack, making it all the more necessary to finish this up quickly.

gmimperfecti Scarletti Sebastian Cokak VIII

 

[Scarletti]

As the tendrils of darkness crept towards her, Cindy readied her weapon. If these things were mere copies of themselves, surely she could match their strength with her own! Swinging her polearm, she sent out a wave of darkness to match the incoming attack.

Shadow Wave - blight F (darkness), area F, selective F, deflect F, knockback F, Energized F - Cindy swings her glaive, sending out a wave of darkness that affect an area 5ft in radius, aiming to deflect and knockaway the tendrils. - 1 action - Grade F - 0 Post Cooldown

 

[Sebastian Cokak VIII]

Axel Willow​

---

Abilities:

• Drunkover - Bolster [Strength, Speed] F - character amps up strength and speed by 1 grade for a post. - F grade - 0 post cooldown

---

gmimperfecti​

Axel starred at the shadow, and he used [Drunkover]

Axel with his power unleashed, began dueling with the shadow.

 

[gmimperfecti]

Thomas peered into the future, following the twisting paths of potential and probabilities both large and small. Constrained and filtered down to just those where his party escaped the hall was challenging. The vastness of posibility didn't show great odds for the team, twisting and turning like an oiled snake unwilling to be so constrained. [Mirrored Shadow Thomas] with his [Time Dilation Field E: -2 Speed, Nullifies movement skills] taking care of itself, was able to turn his attention to countering Thomas's efforts! There in the space between now and then, where possibility had not yet become reality, the two dualled not in manipulating the present but the future! What paths were allowed? Which paths were pruned? What would come to be and what would never have a chance to emerge!

The threads of time like a chaotic tapestry woven from a spider, threads of likely fates and intentionally manipulated destinies flashed across both their eyes. His staff thrumbed and growned under the pressure of catalyzing his [Domain: Time F] powers. Thomas pushed but so did [Mirrored Shadow Thomas], countering and in the present it cackled. "Why is me so determined to avert fate? You are fated to die here, didn't you know?"

The unhealing struck Axel like a cold wind of razor blades, shredding his skin and leaving abrasions that dribbled blood. Drunkover helped numb the pain but was not sufficient to counter the affects of the spell. As it ate at his skin, he was in danger of eventually bleeding out, if not for the timely arrival of the real Lilith, whose healing magic countered the spell. Perhaps it was the lingering effects of Drunkover, but since the [Mirrored Shadow Lilith] was too far away, another shadow was nearby! Stumbling forward, Axel to propel his fists forward and into the back of [Mirrored Shadow Cindy]! This version of Cindy was momentarily distracted by the addition of dodging Axel's knuckles, which gave Cindy an opening!

Cindy's Shadow fluttered out from around her, rising like a wave out towards the [Hungry Black Tentacles]. The two tentacles were thick and black octopus tentacles that reached out to entangle and leech the life from her. Her shadow wave crashed against the attack, and if not for Axel's momentary distraction might not have been enough, but together they overcame and drove away the two [Hungry Black Tentacles], leaving an opening for Cindy...or as it were, the pair of Cassus and Octavia, who now had gained control over the [Disorientating Light Patterns]. The light now turned against the trio [Mirrored Shadows], no longer enhancing their abilities. The light, once a weapon against them, now weakened the trio of mirrored shadows, scattering their forms and diluting their power.

Octavia, amidst the shifting battlefield of light and shadow, found her moment to shine. The disoriented mirrored shadows, their forms flickering and unstable under the manipulated light, presented her with the perfect opportunity. Drawing deeply from her well of arcane power, she prepared her most potent illusion, a spell that she had been refining in anticipation of a moment just like this.

With a flourish of her hands and a whispered incantation, Octavia unleashed "Phantom Symphony," an ability that conjured an overwhelming barrage of sensory illusions aimed directly at the [Mirrored Shadow Lilith]. The air around them filled with the ethereal sound of an orchestra, a haunting melody that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere all at once.

"Let's see how you handle a true performance," Octavia declared, her voice laced with confidence and a hint of mischief. The melody twisted and turned, a symphony that played not on instruments, but on the very senses of those who heard it.

As the Phantom Symphony enveloped the [Mirrored Shadow Lilith], it did more than just bewilder; it tapped into the shadow's essence, disrupting its connection to the darkness and making it vulnerable. The once formidable opponent faltered, its attacks slowing as the illusionary music wove its way through its being, sapping its strength and resolve.

"This is the power of true artistry," Octavia taunted, watching as her spell took effect. "An encore, perhaps?" she offered mockingly, knowing full well the shadow had no means to appreciate the finer points of her craft.

OOC: Scarletti Scarletti Sebastian Cokak VIII Sebastian Cokak VIII Darkbloom Darkbloom saxon saxon

1. Axel took -1 HP and -1 Effectiveness from [Unheal F] but was [Heal F] by Lilith, which countered it.
2. Thomas attempted to counter [Mirrored Shadow Thomas] but found himself locked in a duel of temporal probability.
3. Cindy's defense against [Hungry Black Tentacles] was successful with the support of Axel's timely Teamup +1 Effectiveness, which cancelled out the advantage the [Mirrored Shadows] had at start of combat.
4. Cassius is maintaining and concentrating [The Amplified and Disorienting Light Patterns], which is now an AOE debuff for the [Mirrored Shadows], meaning you don't need Teamup to counter them anymore.
5. Octavia used an illusion spell to "disrupt" [Mirror Shadowed Lilith], who is now really vulnerable if you can hit 30feet.
6. Thomas, Axel, and Cindy are still caught in a 30' AOE Duration 1-hr debuff [Time Dilation Field E, 30ft: -2 Speed, Nullifies movement skills], this is an Effectiveness 7 ability to resist. Move actions are possible, but movement skills are nullified. Movement is slowed though from 30' per basic move action to 15'. To get out, you'd need to use a double movement or hope Thomas is able to counter it in round 3!
7. Positions
   1. [Mirrored Shadow Lilith] is still 30 feet away from the party. Octavia is 15 feet from this monster.
   2. [Mirrored Shadow Thomas] is still 30 feet away from the party.
   3. [Mirrored Shadow Cindy] is within 15' of everyone.
   4. Cassius and Lilith are in medium range (~60ft).
8. Defeated: When defeated, the person's shadow is freed from the mirror holding it. The mirror holding it shatters.
   1. No [Mirrored Shadow] destroyed this round.
9. Passed
   1. Eris didn't take an action this round. Something bad is still seeming to push through the dimensional fabric of this world, a strange sort of color beyond the normal. If ignored for another round it'll start pushing through where the prismatic energy is the most concentrated.

 

[Scarletti]

Seeing the opportunity created by Axel, Cindy would take this moment to attack her shadow. She'd first use Shadow Snare to stop the shadow's movements, before Shadow burst to tear it apart.

Shadow Burst - blight F (darkness), accurate F, range F, reach F, continuing F, homing F, incurable F, indirect F, penetrating F, Energized F - Cindy swings her glaive, sending out a wave of darkness 10ft away, homing in onto an enemy while hitting them even if they are behind cover. Their speed is treated as 1 grade below, and their item they use to defend is also treated as 1 grade below. The darkness continues swirling and attacking them after 1 round and the damage is incurable to F grades. - 1 action - Grade F - 0 Post Cooldown

Shadow Snare - blight F (darkness), accurate F, range F, reach F, continuing F, homing F, incurable F, indirect F, penetrating F, Energized F, tangle F - Cindy swings her glaive, sending out a wave of darkness 10ft away, homing in onto enemies while hitting them even if they are behind cover. Their speed is treated as 1 grade below, and their item they use to defend is also treated as 1 grade below. The darkness continues swirling and attacking them after 1 round and the damage is incurable to F grades. Enemy is tangled up for 1 post. - 1 action - Grade F - 0 Post Cooldown

 

[Darkbloom]

Not only was the shadow using higher graded abilities, it was allowing him to prevent Thomas's own efforts to peer into the future. Now the two were stuck in a duel of probabilities, with things growing more complicated each passing second. THINK, DAMMIT! You learned a lot of mathematical theories as often as you could when you were growing up, so use those to get through. Find it! The one path that leads to victory... But the way is hard to find with his efforts being hindered. Though maybe he could make his efforts less visible using the same idea shadow Thomas utilized. There! He has an idea! Thomas uses [Time Warp D] to fling himself, the tieflings and Cindy forward in time by one hour, but not before he speaks. "As the threads of fate unravel, I refuse to be bound by their predetermined path. Watch closely, shadow, as I wield the power to shape my own destiny." Thomas utters confidently, before disappearing in a swirl of temporal energy, leaving his shadow to contemplate the implications of his defiance against fate.

gmimperfecti Scarletti Sebastian Cokak VIII

 

[gmimperfecti]

As Cindy seized the moment created by Axel's distraction, she unleashed a swift and calculated assault on her mirrored shadow. With precision and determination, she executed her plan flawlessly, first ensnaring the shadow's movements with Shadow Snare and then tearing it apart with Shadow Burst. The shadow writhed and contorted under the onslaught, its form dissipating into nothingness as Cindy's attacks found their mark.

Meanwhile, Thomas found himself locked in a desperate struggle against his mirrored counterpart, the battle of probabilities intensifying with each passing moment. Hindered by the shadow's manipulations, Thomas searched for a way to break free from the constraints of fate. Drawing upon his knowledge of mathematical theories and temporal mechanics, he devised a bold plan to shift the odds in his favor. With a defiant declaration, he activated his Time Warp ability, propelling himself, his companions, and even his shadow forward in time by one hour.

The surge of temporal energy carried the party through the fabric of reality, hurtling them forward in time with a force that seemed to warp the very essence of their beings. As they emerged from the temporal tempest, they found themselves standing in a vast, otherworldly landscape unlike anything they had ever seen before.

Before them stretched an endless expanse of red sand, shimmering in the dim light of the hourglass tesseract. The sand dunes rose and fell like frozen waves, casting long shadows across the barren landscape. Above them, the glass walls of the tesseract soared hundreds of feet into the air, enclosing them within a seemingly infinite space.

High above, where the glass tapered to a point, a faint cascade of red sand fell like a gentle rain, dusting the desert floor with a fine layer of crimson. The sand was cold to the touch, sending shivers down their spines as they realized the gravity of their situation.
As the party emerged from the temporal tempest, Lilith's keen eyes surveyed their new surroundings, taking in the eerie landscape with a mix of curiosity and trepidation. The vast expanse of red sand seemed to stretch on endlessly, the dunes rising and falling like frozen waves in an ocean of despair.

"This place... it feels wrong," Lilith murmured, her voice barely audible over the howling wind. "There's something unnatural about it, something that... unsettles me."

Cassius nodded grimly, his expression tense as he scanned the horizon for any sign of danger. "Agreed. We must proceed with caution. This desert holds many secrets, and I fear that not all of them are benevolent."

Octavia, ever the pragmatist, remained silent as she studied the towering glass walls of the tesseract, her mind racing with possibilities. "We need to find a way out of here," she finally said, her voice tinged with urgency. "There's no telling what dangers lie in wait within these walls, and I, for one, have no intention of becoming trapped in this place."

In the distance on the far horizon, a red sandstorm raged. A low rumble echoed through the desert, shaking the ground beneath their feet. Off in the distance, a dark shape began to materialize from within the storm, slowly taking form against the backdrop of the swirling sand.

A murder of ravens fluttered above in the upper compartment of the hourglass, a shadowy figure materialized within the swarm of ravens, its form shifting and wavering like smoke in the wind. It was the Raven, his presence looming over them like a dark omen. Peering down at the party as the last grains of sand fall down on their heads, he said, "You've come far. Attrition this year was within agreed limits, so it should be fine if you get to meet my beloved. She is never quite satisfied." He tsked.

The sandstorm neared, its roar echoing across the desert. The figure emerged from the swirling red sandstorm, its form obscured by the billowing clouds of dust and debris. As it drew closer, the party could make out the silhouette of a woman, her features distorted and twisted by the ravages of undeath.

Her skin was pale and gaunt, stretched taut over sunken cheeks and hollow eye sockets. Long strands of black hair whipped around her face, tangled and matted with dirt and sand. Her once-beautiful gown hung in tatters, the fabric torn and stained with the blood of countless victims.

But it was her eyes that held the most chilling aspect of all. Hollow and lifeless, they gleamed with an otherworldly light, betraying the dark presence that dwelled within her undead form. There was a sense of longing in those eyes, a deep and insatiable hunger that seemed to consume her from within.

As she drew nearer, the party could feel the weight of her gaze upon them, a cold and penetrating stare that sent shivers down their spines. This was the Raven's long-lost beloved, trapped within the confines of the hourglass tesseract for eternity, her soul bound to the whims of her undead master.

As the figure drew nearer, the desert seemed to hold its breath, the wind dying down to a whisper. The Raven's beloved stopped just a short distance away, her gaze sweeping over the party with an intensity that felt almost physical.

"So more greedy travelers," her voice was like the whisper of shadows, resonant with power. "You have traversed my requiem in search of treasure and riches while my beloved has sought to feed my endless hunger. Both party's are fools, but I would taste your desires. Speak of them. Perhaps I will honor them," she cocked her head to the side, "Or devour your souls, pitiful that they are."

 

[Sebastian Cokak VIII]

Axel Willow​

---

Abilities:

• Drunkover - Bolster [Strength, Speed] F - character amps up strength and speed by 1 grade for a post. - F grade - 0 post cooldown

---

gmimperfecti Scarletti Darkbloom​

Axel looked at the woman and the crow, this was not the time to face the crow, but he just gave his most honest stare to him.

Fatigue. maybe Rage. no matter the reason, he wanted to give that beak a good ol' punch.

 

[Darkbloom]

Thomas looked at one, and then the other. Two... this was significant, wasn't it? It almost seems like the poem in the whispering halls were talking about these two beings before them, but he wasn't quite sure yet. There's one way to find out. He hopes to speak with them a little bit before realizing that this is the end of the crypt journey.
"In cryptic whispers, ancient tales do weep, of love's embrace, in death's cold silence kept. Two hearts entwined, in sorrow's silence sleep, in bonds of fate, their promises unkept.
A tragic tale of love, once bright and true, now lost to time, in shadows it resides. In crypt's cold heart, where secrets long accrue, the whispers tell of love that still abides.
The missing hearts, like echoes of the past, in hollow cavities, they dwell unseen. Their absence leaves the undead's souls recast, in endless torment, in a crypt so mean.
As time unwinds the crypt's enduring song, the answers lie in verses dark and long." Thomas looks between the two of them, his eyes rather inquisitive. "This poem we discovered in the whispering halls... this poem isn't about the two of you, is it?" He let the question hang for a few moments. "I understand how you think anyone that comes along is greedy, but now that we're here I think it all makes sense. I require nothing. The fact of the matter is, if the poem is talking about both of you then it is you who needs something, and I for one would like to be able to help you, if I can." Thomas barely whispers his last sentence, thinking of someone he knew not too long ago. "No one should ever live without their loved one for that long..."

gmimperfecti Sebastian Cokak VIII Scarletti

 

[Scarletti]

Looking at the zombified lady before them, Cindy couldn't help but to feel creeped out. Was this zombie woman going to eat them?! She did mention devouring their souls too... In that case, the best thing to do was to probably appease her! "You can rest assured. We certainly didn't intrude upon your domain to steal anything. We were just out here to satisfy our curiosity and desire for adventure, and as Thomas here have mentioned, we'll try our best to help out those in need of help. Just another part of the adventure!" She gave the lady a wink.

 

[gmimperfecti]

The air hung heavy with tension as Axel's defiant gaze met the Crow's, his posture radiating a readiness for confrontation despite the exhaustion that clung to him like a second skin. His fist clenched involuntarily, a silent testament to his frustration and anger toward the crow-like figure that loomed ominously above them.

The Crow, perched among the murder of his kin, tilted his head slightly, a gesture that might have seemed curious had it not been for the dark, oppressive aura that surrounded him. His eyes, gleamed like streaks of wet, black smears of paint. "The homeless drunk has something to offer?" The Crow tilted his head back and cawed. The murder of his kin flocked about him took up the call and joined in until it was an insanity of noise.

Thomas's words, woven with the threads of the poem they had discovered, floated through the charged atmosphere, carrying with them a hope of understanding, a plea for resolution. His inquiry, directed at the beings before them, sought to unravel the mystery that had enveloped their journey from the very start. The reference to the poem, a bridge to a past fraught with sorrow and love unfulfilled, hung between them, a key to unlocking the secrets of the crypt and the hourglass tesseract.

The poem shut the Crow up and silence reigned.

The Crow's beloved, her form a haunting echo of beauty lost to the ravages of undeath, listened to Thomas's words with an intensity that made the desert air seem even colder. Her eyes, hollow yet filled with an otherworldly light, fixed on him as he spoke of love and loss, of bonds broken by fate and time. A flicker of something indefinable passed through those eyes, a momentary glimpse into the depth of her eternal longing.

Cindy, ever the optimist, stepped forward, her voice carrying a mix of courage and compassion. Her declaration of their intentions, devoid of greed or malice, sought to bridge the gap between them and the tragic figures before them. Her offer of help, extended with sincerity and a dash of adventurous spirit, was a testament to their desire to make a difference, to bring closure to a story that had been lost to the sands of time.

The desert, for a moment, seemed to hold its breath as the words of the adventurers settled over the assembled beings. The Crow, once more a silent observer to the exchange, gave a soft, contemplative "caw," a sound that seemed to resonate with the very essence of the hourglass tesseract.

His beloved, the embodiment of a requiem that had played endlessly within the confines of their prison, regarded the party with a new intensity. The hunger in her eyes seemed to recede, replaced by a flicker of curiosity, perhaps even a shard of hope.

"You speak of poems and promises, of helping hands extended in the face of eternal sorrow," she whispered, her voice carrying the weight of centuries. "Perhaps... perhaps there is something you can do. But know this, the path to fulfilling an unkept promise, to mending a bond severed by death itself, is fraught with peril. Are you prepared to walk this path, to face the trials that lie ahead in the name of love long lost?"

Her gaze swept over the party, a challenge and an invitation, as the red sands whispered secrets of their own, waiting to see if these adventurers, these bringers of hope, would dare to venture further into the heart of the desert's mystery.

"Within the realm of endless sands, where time itself bends to the will of forgotten whispers, lies the key to the monument that was never built," the Crow intoned, his words swirling around the adventurers like a mysterious fog. "Seek out the place where shadows converge, under the watchful gaze of the crimson eye. There, the essence of what was lost awaits, yearning for recognition and remembrance."

The Lady, her presence a chilling yet mesmerizing force, added her voice to the Crow's, her whisper like a caress against the adventurers' minds. "The hunger that consumes me is not of the flesh but of the spirit. To quell this insatiable thirst, a sacrifice of the heart is required. Look within and find that which is most precious, that which burns with purity and truth. Offer it upon the altar of shadows, and let the winds carry your intentions to the depths of my soul."

The silence that followed was heavy, laden with the weight of their words. The challenges were clear, yet shrouded in enigma, beckoning the adventurers to delve deeper into the mysteries of the tesseract and their own hearts.

 

[gmimperfecti]

 

[Sebastian Cokak VIII]

gmimperfecti Scarletti Darkbloom
​

Axel kept his wrath stare to the crow, "Nothing... i was just dragged here..." Axel said with a rage filled tone.

Axel whispered at Thomas "What is this crow, thing, emo guy..." never breaking his angry look off the crow.

 

[Darkbloom]

Thomas doesn't respond to the lady's inquiry right away. His staff seems like it's about to shatter at any time, and he wishes he could have thought of a better material to use for it. "Calm down. If you're angry at anyone, it should be directed at me for bringing us all here. The Crow is a teacher or staff member at the school I go to. I couldn't say much more than that since he hasn't told anyone more about himself other than this lady here, probably." He considers what might happen if he were to use his domain again. One or two more uses would likely shatter the staff, and since he doesn't have the ability to cast without it, he would be quite useless. Now he replies to the lady, "We are mere students, this is true. To think that we could achieve something so great is laughable, yet I've seen the capabilities of everyone here. There might even be things I haven't seen yet, which only means whatever trial, whatever tribulation comes our way..." He looks back at everyone briefly before turning to the lady again. "...this team is capable of anything. I find myself feeling sorry for any threat that dares reveal itself to us." His words strike a chord in the air though all that anyone could hear is near silence, a mere echo of his words reaching the deepest part of the soul.

gmimperfecti Sebastian Cokak VIII Scarletti

 

[Scarletti]

Upon hearing the instructions from the Crow, Cindy pondered to herself. What exactly was the crimson eye? Did he mean the setting sun? That could be the cause for the shadows... She then shrugged to herself. Whatever! Guess they'll just go with the flow. Thomas's time magic could be of great help here too, as the theme of time bending seemed pretty important here.

 

[gmimperfecti]

Sebastian Cokak VIII

The Crow, perched high above, regarded Axel's simmering rage with a semblance of detached amusement. His caw, previously lost in the cacophony of his kin's cries, now cut through the silence with a sharpness that echoed against the glass walls of the tesseract. "Oh, the fire in your eyes speaks of battles yet fought, young one," the Crow intoned, his voice a meld of mockery and a strange, compelling gravitas. "Dragged here you may have been, but stand here you do. Anger, while a potent fuel, can blind as much as it can burn. What you see as an imposition might just be the crucible in which your true metal is tested."

His gaze shifted, encompassing the group with a sweep of his dark, penetrating eyes. "This realm, this challenge, it's not about what you were dragged into—it's about what you rise to. Each of you carries a strength, perhaps unseen even to your own eyes. It is not for me to cower at your wrath nor to soothe it. I merely set the stage; it is you who must perform."

With that, the Crow turned his attention back to the expanse of red sand before them, the murder of crows around him settling into an uneasy silence.

---

Scarletti Darkbloom

The Lady's gaze, hollow yet filled with an otherworldly light, drifted from Thomas to Cindy, her expression one of deep contemplation. As Thomas's defiant words reached her, a subtle shift occurred in the air around them, as if his conviction had stirred something ancient within her.

"Young sage," she began, her voice a whisper that seemed to carry the weight of lost ages, "your words, they resonate with a truth that has long been forgotten in these sands. You see beyond the veils of despair and challenge, recognizing the essence that binds this motley crew. It is not the greatness of deeds that marks the journey but the courage to face the unknown, together." Her gaze then softened, "Your staff, fragile as it may seem, holds more power than its form suggests. It is not in the material but in the will that wields it. Fear not its breaking, for in its shatter, a new path may reveal itself."

Turning slightly, her attention now captured by Cindy's silent deliberations, a faint smile played upon her lips. "And you, child of curiosity, your thoughts, though unspoken, echo loud in this realm of echoes. The crimson eye you seek," she gestured gracefully towards the horizon, where the setting sun kissed the dunes, casting long shadows that danced like spirits in the twilight, "is not just the end of day but the beginning of understanding. Shadows converge where light meets the dark, at the edge of what is known and unknown."

As she spoke, the sands before them shifted, revealing a path that had lain hidden beneath the undulating dunes—a trail marked by stones that shimmered with a faint, otherworldly glow, leading towards a distant, shadowy convergence where the desert seemed to swallow the sun's last rays.

"Follow the path of the setting sun, where shadows speak of tales undone. There, under the crimson eye's watchful gaze, lies the key to the monument that was never built, and the altar where pure intentions may unfurl." Her hand, skeletal yet elegant, pointed towards the path now laid before them, an invitation and a challenge wrapped in the mystery of her words.

---

Scarletti Darkbloom Sebastian Cokak VIII

As the adventurers journeyed towards the setting sun, the path marked by shimmering stones led them through the undulating dunes of the blood-red desert. The world around them basked in the fading light, casting the landscape in a hue of deep oranges and crimson, shadows elongating like grasping fingers across the sand. The air grew cooler as the day waned, the silence of the desert punctuated only by the soft crunch of sand underfoot.

At the end of the path, as the sun dipped below the horizon, the adventurers found themselves standing before an awe-inspiring sight. Emerging from the desert's embrace was an ancient altar, its stones worn by time yet glowing with an inner light that seemed untouched by the ages. The altar stood at the convergence of shadows, where the light of the setting sun and the darkness of the approaching night melded into a tapestry of twilight.

Surrounding the altar was a circle of ancient statues, half-buried in the sand, their features eroded yet still exuding a sense of guardianship over this sacred place. Each statue appeared to represent different aspects of life and death, love and loss, their silent vigil a testament to the countless stories that had unfolded in this desert.

Above the altar, the sky transformed into a canvas of stars, the first celestial bodies appearing to bear witness to the adventurers' arrival. The "crimson eye" of the setting sun, now just a memory on the horizon, had given way to the velvet darkness of the night, the moon casting a soft, silvery glow over the scene.

The altar itself was a marvel of ancient craftsmanship, its surface inscribed with symbols and glyphs that spoke of rituals and offerings, of bonds formed and promises kept. At its center, a shallow basin carved into the stone seemed to beckon for the sacrifice of pure intentions that the Lady had spoken of.

As the adventurers took in the sight before them, it was possible to feel the weight of history and the presence of unseen forces surrounding them. This was a place of power, where the veil between worlds grew thin, and the essence of what had been lost awaited their recognition and remembrance.