Plotlogs
The Fortress Of The Storm Sr William 250412
In the shadowed depths of Oslo's mountains, an illusory barrier concealed the entrance to a series of tunnels leading to a fortress, a remnant of battles past. Tasked with scouting before a direct attack, a group consisting of Edith, Antoinette, Lilian, and later joined by Daichi, embarked on a reconnaissance mission to glean information on the fortress's defenses and potential traps laid for unwary intruders.
The exploration began with a cautious approach to the fortress's outer defenses, revealing a network of runes surging with electrical magic designed to deter or kill those attempting to infiltrate. Although these runes were complex, indicative of the work of accomplished sorcerers, Lilian and Edith were able to temporarily neutralize this threat by siphoning off the rune's energy, rendering them inactive and safe to pass for the time being.
As they ventured further, they encountered an ice-covered area booby-trapped with thin, nearly invisible wires. Attempting to navigate this obstacle, Lilian transformed into a raven for a safer vantage point but unwittingly activated one of the traps, causing a giant icicle to emerge with deadly speed. Providentially, her bird form allowed her to evade harm. This incident revealed that both the ground and the air within this zone were riddled with traps that could easily impale an unwary adventurer.
Edith, seeing the potential for learning more about the traps, launched a sorcerous attack on the ice. The magic triggered an aggressive response, spawning a cluster of ice spikes. This reaction confirmed the group's suspicion that the fortress's defenses were not only deadly but also possibly adaptive, designed to counteract magical incursions as well as physical ones.
The group, realizing the depth of the fortress's defenses and acknowledging their current inability to safely proceed further or dismantle the traps effectively, decided to retreat. This decision was motivated by the recognition of their limits and the understanding that additional manpower and expertise were required to safely navigate and neutralize the fortress's formidable defenses. The information they acquired about the energy-sapping runes and the complex cryomancy traps would be invaluable for planning a future, more comprehensive assault on the fortress.
As they withdrew, the group contemplated the potential utility of bringing sorcerers or even angels in their next attempt, acknowledging that overcoming the fortress's defenses would require both considerable magical prowess and tactical ingenuity. The scouting mission concluded with the team retreating, determined to return better prepared and with reinforcements to claim or neutralize the artifact defended so fiercely by the fortress's ancient and modern safeguards.
(The fortress of the storm(SRWilliam):SRWilliam)
[Fri Apr 11 2025]
At a freezing cold tunnel leading up to a cold steel fortress
Past an illusory barrier that covers this tunnel from the Unaware world, the freezing cold hole in the ground stretches as far as sight can reach. Carved into the mountain itself, walls of stone and reinforced with steel, all of it beyond frozen, and covered with pieces of ice and patches of frost. Some wiring can be seen across the ceilings, connected to some bulbs and lights that provide some dim atmosphere to this whole section that otherwise would be just a long walk inside the snowy mountain.
In the distance, the sigh of a fortress can be seen, the outer wall made of what looks like steel, worn down by the years and the cold, with marks of being stretched and maybe cracked more than one due to the low temperatures, and patched up more than once. What little can be seen past the first couple walls and defenses of it seem to have been replaced by a more modern alloy, darker in color, and clearly handling the cold more easily, but for whatever reason, the outer protective layers lay unchanged.
It is night, about 64F(17C) degrees, There is a full moon.
[OOC]: Give me just a second and we'll start straight away
The notice of the relic, long lost from the hands of the Order and fallen into hands of a group of rogues from the House of Odin, had already made its way into Haven, and managed to bring forth some of the interested in the retrieval of such artifact to this first scouting mission to the fortress that has been located somewhere in the mountains of Oslo.
It was deemed that a scouting party was necessary at first, after all, information was scarce and somewhat unreliable about what might wait ahead, and considered that the attack was performed with true sorcery back in the day, even if the rumor is that the forces protecting the artifact had diminished, it was not a matter that could be taken lightly, specially somewhere away from the Gates, where Sanctuary wasn't something people could rely on to save their lives upon silly mistakes.
But due to the recent chaos in the town of the gates, including floods, hauntings, callings of spirits, even an earthquake a couple weeks ago, most societies are unable to send full parties straight away to try and take the lead over the others when it comes to the recovery, so instead, the mission was organized in a way that different groups would collaborate, at least in this first part of the plan, in order to make some real progress, and obtain information.
So tasked with both, acquiring intel about this whole structure, and disarming potential future threats, the team is formed, and given a location to path to, safe from whatever lies ahead, but also out of sight from any unaware that might be curiously wandering around. A spot in the snowy mountains of Oslo, already quite late, only making it colder and the winds harsher.
But upon exiting the path, the team find out they are dropped right in front of the entrance to the tunnels that are supposed to hold the base, the location seems to be within an illusory barrier that was mentioned in the report, giving some leeway when it comes to the use of supernatural abilities. To anyone else, from the outside, it was just another rocky mountain, to both Edith and Antoinette, there was a whole gap in the stone, through which they easily descend to arrive at some decently modern passageways, at least in comparison to what one might have expected of a tunnel carved fifty years ago
Not a member of one of the big three, but still with a vested interest in anything that might be able to aid her own endeavors, Antoinette has volunteered to lend her support to the scouting mission. "Was sort of hoping there'd be a few more of us." She asides to Edith, pulling her hoodie's hood up against the cold mountain weather. "But I'm sure between the pair of us we'll be able to find out plenty." Hopefully.
The hood stays on even as they descend into the tunnel and she starts to look around. "There's some runes here..." steps closer to one of the tunnel walks to take a closer look.
[OOC]: Hopefully now I got the color right. So ideally there was going to be more people, that's the why for the delay. Since places and extras have colors, in case you struggle to reference them, you can use "carved", "along" and "tunnel" for the extra, "layer" or "fortress" from one of the places, and "ice for the last one. Since this is mainly exploration, feel free to just leave whenever you need to or feel like you're done, but take into account, whatever happens in this plot, will influence the follow up one"
Pathing in, Edith greets Antoinette with a nod. The atmosphere may be cold, though Edith doesn't appear to notice; Endemic of Edith's nature, quite naturally (Or unnaturally as the case may be). Packed for work, Edith's appearance is one for stealth today, not war, and so Edith's artifact for stealth is active, Edith's foot falls even more quiet than they usually are. Secreted around Edith's person are tools; Taser and darts, a tranq gun, naturalizer for the potential wolves-- This is the full moon and a lot of norce legends dictate weres have envolvement. A set deadman switch, neutralizing, smoke and insendiary grenades, a bola, baned daggers, earrings imbued with demigod blood and the most subtle of Edith's arcane focuses, the dagger, not the staff, with that blade coated in a paralytic poison to account for being quiet, not deadly, though Edith likely accounts for deadly in those calculations, too. Bandages, a med kit and advanced tools for treating any wounded, and of course, a full tank; Edith was sure to eat a virgin to be fully topped up before coming. The paperwork was read, what information that there was to be had was read and re-read, and Edith believes herself to be ready to scout, Antoinette with her, at least for now. Edith's sunglasses are folded; Haven is in twilight, but here is full night, and Edith has full night vision and is not effected by the gloom. The deposit before the cave systom directly though is somewhat of a surprise and Antoinette gets a look, as though she may possibly know more. She apparently doesn't though, but that's not a problem. "I assumed we would have one or two others, though a smaller group is likely for the best for scouting." Gliding up beside Antoinette, Edith inspects the runes with interest, Edith's own vested interest obvious. A direct link reprisenting not the Hand, but the Foretold Winter itself.
"What's clear," Edith observes, stepping to where she can observe the wire work and runes along the tunnel, gaze tracking as they pulse, "Is that we cant do more than get as far as we might before we have to turn back."
"Any idea their specific nature? I'm assuming protective over all, but is that because they're allowing someone to scry the area? Or are they going cause an explosion if someone steps the wrong way?" Antoinette wonders quietly. She definitely doesn't know much more about the situation than Edith does. She pulls out a small notepad just to try and take a quick etching of some of the runes for later reference since it's probably too cold up here to try and use her phone to take a picture. "On that, we can agree." She nods about having to turn back at some point. "But. Whatever we can find out will be good."
It takes little observation to note that the runes are quite complex in nature, not something a newbie can pull off, neither someone with medium knowledge. It's something advanced, if not belonging to some craftsman of the art in particular, and they are clearly magic in nature, both Edith and Antoinette could tell as much, being both of them adept in the magical arts.
The aura the runes themselves emit is particularly strong, but the drawing by itself doesn't really have a meaning, it's not really a language or equivalent to any kind of lettering, it seems even more so to have been made to resemble some sort of wires that stretch across the tunnel, running across the stone walls while pretending to be the electrical system that keeps the passage in the mountain alight with the shining bulbs over their heads.
The whole thing stretches from one side of the tunnel to the other, seeming to cover since the entrance of the place towards the fortress resting further on. The aura they emit almost buzzing, those more expert can clearly interpret it as natural magic, lightning in particular, and, as powerful as the incantation is, it would require someone very skilled to try and interrupt the flow seamlessly, without causing some sort of detonation, or causing the trap to go off on the group..
But as the two of them discuss the nature of this runic adding to the walls, a third member of the scouting party arrives, likely repressenting her own society in this mission, Lilian manages to path successfully at the entrance of the tunnels, a whole within a cold stone mountain, covered behind an illusory barrier that keeps the wall from seeing the cave system they are walking into, and within only a couple seconds, she is together with the group
"Hey Edith. Toni." Lilian greets amicably before yawning wide, showing off some normal human length canines in the process. "Sorry the sun goes down rather late now... What are we looking at?" She asks as she looks over at the runes.
Inspecting the runes, Edith points out the network that Antoinette may not entirely see with the night, even with the lighting. She doesn't even stop as Lilian joins them, greeting the other with a nod as she trails what she can with her gaze. "Elias may know more. We aught have braught him." Edith notes. "Natural magic is not my forte, but from what I can see, this is lightning based. I don't think it's scrying. I would also not touch it if you can help it. This looks devilishly complex. I would assume deadly forcerather than stunning."
Pointing out the network of cunningly disguised natural magic runes to Lilian, Edith responds in kind. "Good evening. We are looking at these as we decide how to head deeper; We shall only be scouting today, though the deeper we get, the less work for a return at a later date."
"Hmm is there a way we can destroy the base of the runes?" Picking up a rock on the side of the tunnel Lilian throws it towards the other side to the see if the runes react to the inanimate object.
Antoinette upnods to Lilian as she finishes noting something on her paper in the dim light, nodding to Edith's words. "That tracks." She murmurs about deadly force as she tucks her paper away for now...and instinctively moves closer to Edith as Lily throws a rock. As if that will somehow protect her if something goes sideways.
"Well, I would not have done that without using something more expendable, such as a minion, but I suppose it works." Edith shrugs, watching the rock as it sails through the air.
The nature of the runic patterns across the walls, further than being that of electricity or natural magic, is also quite complex. And, while it might not be obvious in the way it seems to be attempted to be concealed, only giving off a faint blueish color with the occasional pulse-like cyan glow travelling across the network.
Though, this time, Edith is right in her assessment, touching it is not a good idea, not directly at least, it would seem the entire network has been made in order to not only electrocute to death someone that might be touching it unconsciously, but also potentially release all the magic energy contained in it in the form of zaps, and possibly collapse the tunnel. At least that is something that both Edith and Lilian could assess after some study and some time given to inspect the whole thing, if they were to spare that much trouble with it. Likely, they both would be skilled enough to create some sort of counter action, at least for smaller portions of it, while it might not be the most effective, given that none of them are nature mancers, they are still proficient in rituals and their workings to some extent, the arcane can provide some leeway, in small ways, if they so desired, unless they were to move on to something else.
The rock doesn't seem to do anything, provided that it lands in the tunnel, and the magic doesn't seem to focus on what's going in, but what's touching the lines directly, but, by the look of the whole system, it would be advised not to touch them, even with inanimate objects
"I mean a rock is pretty expendable." Lilian comments as she watches it land harmlessly. "Just wondering if their magic renders inanimate things... for example I mean... we could be more dead." Lilian shrugs as she looks at the others.
"Expendables are a viable option, though there are so many -wires- here that even the slightest touch could cause issue. I also find I do not quite know your limitations." Edith mentions to Antoinette. "I suspect I could shift to a cat and make my way deeper with impunity, though I would elect to not leave you or Lily behind."
Edith says, thoughtfully, "It may be advisable to break things as we travel. Working together we might be able to do something. I would use sorcery to destroy parts of the grid, though I suspect that doing so might cause a cascade to destroy this tunnel."
"I'd appreciate not dying at all today, thanks." Antoinette offers flatly to Lilian's comment and then tells Edith. "I'm entirely human and an budding illusory mancer. And I have my minion. He could go ahead while we walk. Or Lily's penguin. Or both of them." She reaches for the morningstar she's brought with her. "I can break things, so long as you direct me where to break them."
"I can also shift into a cat and follow you but yeah we'd leave Toni behind. And having a snack incase of anything is handy to have around." Lilian comments as she looks over the others.
"Ah." Edith nods. "That could be useful if we come across anything alive." a nod to Antoinette, and Edith considers. "I could let Cuddles out to play, though the minions may not be as stealthy. I know Cuddles wouldn't be. He is rather large."
Antoinette draws in a slow breath and exhales slowly. "Fuil's a snake. though he's a bit brightly colored." And probably will hate every bit of the cold." She tells Edith
Edith nods to Antoinette. "Cuddles is a mastiff."
"Pengu is a penguin... and pretty obese so..." Lilian glances over at Antoinette seeming slightly amused. "I'm still half awake so I'll follow whatever the two of you want."
With their findings on the rune system across the walls, or well, assessment of them more than anything, the group is left to discuss with four real options here. Edith and Lilian are skilled enough in the arcane to attempt and do something about the magic grid, even if lightning is not their area of expertise, risking it to backfire. The group could simply remain in place, discussing the right course of action in a situation like this. They could as well continue inspecting the cave further on, having found the first danger that one must keep in mind when returning to this place. Or finally, they could leave if they consider the danger of lingering around with quite a literal electric bomb plastered all over the walls is dangerous enough to even cease the scouting.
Still considering the runes, Edith adds, "If any of them nudge the network they could also bring down the tunnel. I think maybe deadening the systom as we travel would be to our advantage to get you through."
Antoinette nods in agreement, "You two are certainly skilled enough I think. I can add a little support if needed but, otherwise I -do- have a flashlight and I can tread lightly while keeping an eye out for any other dangers while you're working on taking down the system. If it's disabled, that's less a headache for the next excursion too."
"Provided no one actually checks it and turns it back on..." Lilian comments as she kneels down on the ground. Putting her hands on the ground, she starts to cast a ritual, trying to siphon the energy away from the runes.
"One hopes it remains disabled, though there is no certainty." Edith ponders, noting to Antoinette, "This has been here for overy fifty years. It may be self repairing, though for now we can delve deeper." Gesturing to Lilian, "Shall we encant our way through? I can likely survive even a deadly electricution and a cave in. I assume you could likely also." Joining Lilian in arcana, Edith begins to encant, the two working together to (hopefully) identify and dismantle the first of the trap's junction glyphs.
"I suppose we'll find out." Antoinette says of the runes, quieting after to keep an ear out for any potential issues while the two vampires work on the arcane side of things.
Edith glances around as that detonation goes off, peering at the lines of the -wires- to see if there is likely to be cascading explosions that may destroy the tunnel. She doesn't move, waiting for an all clear of sorts before moving from where she remains.
While for a longterm and more durable solution, blocking off the whole rune system at some point would have been more efficient, Lilian's option is definitely the safer one right now, and the one that will likely allow them to scout and explore without the risk of being fried just for misplacing one of their limbs at any time. It is quite the effective measure in the short term, not only to guarantee their own safety while they do this, but also because a disruption from someone who might not be an expert on the lightning magic itself, could have caused some trouble, and draining the power from it, even if temporarily, might be the one thing that prevents a big electric explosion.
The runes don't seem to deactive, they rather lose what little color they had, going from that slight dark blue tone down to pitch black. It doesn't seem like the magic is no longer in place, but like the power is out. There might be an incantation still clinging to the walls of stone, but there no longer is anything supplying it in order to carry out the effect, and thus, the trap is rendered ineffective for now, at least for a short while, even if touched, it won't electrocute any of the three or blow up anything, though it would seem, it won't remain that way for a prolonged period of time, one can only hope it is still like that on the next visit, but worst case scenario, it will require someone adept on nature magic to take it down next time, or at least to warn everyone precisely of its working and danger
Lifting her hand from the ground, Lilian smiles seeming satisfied that the runes seem dark. Still, she summons her minion, spending a moment to do that...just incase. "Alright... Maybe one of us being a cat would make it easier to spot traps..."
With the adhock deactivation seemingly successful, Edith motions Antoinette onward, rising slowly to follow her and Lilian.
"Possibly. I am more perceptive as a feline, if only a little." Edith allows, nodding to Lilian.
Antoinette turns to continue on at Edith's motioning. Considering the area safe enough from extra prying eyes, she flicks her flashlight on, keeping it pointed a bit more toward the ground than straight ahead. Continuing to be silent, but keeping an eye out.
"A feline is also soft footed and usually traps will be designed for the weight a human." Lilian comments as the penguin appears next to her. Sending the penguin down the path but only to the end of the wires, she checks if its safe
As Antoinette moves on with the flashlight, Edith keeps to the shadows, sneaking silently behind and to the side, well out of the line of sight.
After just a bit of walking, the party would be able to find the remains of what, in its time, might have been a first layer of defense. But that was fifty years and a good couple attacks to the whole thing ago. Now it is abandoned and wrecked, just a physical remain that hasn't been tore down. Like a castle left in the middle of the countryside that one would find in Europe, but with a wall in this case. Further than that, there's a section of the tunnels that seems particularly frozen from some reason, the thick ice covering the floor between this first barrier and the next one, but further than that, nothing seems too remarkable, at least from this distance
Taking a look around, Lilian surveys the ley of the land, especially the area with double thick ice. "Good thing we can't feel the cold .." She mentions as she taps the floor with her heels.
There's some reprieve here, cover at the least, and though Edith doesn't stop in that stealthy motion, she does note the placement of Antoinette and Lilian, moving in to explore the defenses, taking stock of the drag marks, the empty barrels and that orifice that could be investigated.
When Edith responds to Lilian, the whisper is barely above nothing; A soft gust, a breeze that is leveled for supernatural senses only as it drifts from the shadows. "The cold is the least of these worries. They kept the arcana active, but abandoned this redoubt. I'd not be shocked if there were more to it than we're noticing." then, she stills, allowing acute senses to pick out what ever they can, disregarding Antoinette's breathing.
The now abandoned wall is a huge piece of fortification that has fallen to time, damage, and the elements themselves. The material it's made of isn't good in a place like this to begin with. Built out of steel, a metal that doesn't really do a good job at withstanding low temperatures. It makes it more fragile and even likely to crack itself under some torsion or pressure. It's a weak material and one that offers little cover, which might be the reason it has been left behind with time, seeing as some of the fortifications further along the tunnel seem to have been made with some other material.
Though for some reason, one cannot shake the feeling the intention of using steel was deliberate, a choice that was made with a purpose. Maybe the fact, that, despite being mangled beyond belief, it was still standing, and that even if some had been replaced in the more important areas, this had been left behind rather than dismantled.
Some boxes are left behind, some still piled, and barrels rest to the sides, but most of it seems empty, and, after decades, the wood from them seems to be somewhat rotten as well. The cracks on the steel seem to reveal some small chambers within the massive wall that is the barrier, though it's narrow, just a tiny gap on the inside, whatever reason it has for existing.
Other than that, there's not much more to see, not at least in the surroundings, but on the ground. There's drag marks that seem to belong to some of the heavier weaponry and likely artillery being moved back towards the fortress once this post was abandoned. And not too far away from where the wall ends, starts the extra thick layer of ice on the ground, leaving little space to transition to one and the other, but still space. The region frozen being that between this first barrier and the actual fortress. And from some angle or another, something seems to be lingering right over the frozen ground, but nothing that seems outright visible.
"Well .. I don't really notice anything..." Lilian breaths out towards the others, kneeling back down on the ice to send her magical senses through the ground and walls looking for any sources of energy...
There is something to be noticed indeed, but it's not by classical means. After all, all that is to see, is seen by now, no sound comes from anywhere other than the party intruding with their scouting, and the smell of gunpowder is long gone from this place. No, much like what greeted them when they first arrived, what seems to be noticeable here is magic in nature, though where it is might prove a challenge not only to identify what exactly it is, but also prove risky.
There is a strong magic trace within the walls surrounding them, somewhere within the gaps that seem to have been open with the walls breaking down over the years. But nothing is outright visible from the outside, and these air chambers would cause claustrophobia to any human that fit themselves in there, if it truly was a trap, it could be triggered by just trying to inspect it.
But not only is this signal noticeable, this magic energy that surges from within the old and cold steel- Well, it's not a single one, it's multiple, a good ten or twenty sources of magical buzz within the walls, the only thing preventing it from being thirty being the massive holes and damages to the defensive structure.
It's probably a pain to have so many magical threats here and there, but after all, this fortification was build mainly by sorcerers, arcane practitioners who worship the God, Thor. It was to be expected that their skills relied heavily on magic, and, even if not every method to deactivate these threats might be magical, a knowledge similar to those who put them in place certainly helps the matter
"Urg.. that's alot of magic traps in the walls... Do we try disabling them all? That might take some time..." Lilian tilts her head as she looks over at the other two.
Voice still quiet enough to be a whisper on the wind, Edith responds simply to Lilian, "Be my guest if you'd like to try."
Antoinette rolls her shoulders and purses her lips briefly against the wave of magical energy she senses. There's some academic curiosity there of course, but it's impossible to truly focus on. "That feels like it'd take a lot of energy too and I'm not playing juice box." She muttered. "If we had some more skilled casters, like Elias and then like, maybe it'd be more effcient for more people to disable them at once." She supposed, keeping her voice low.
Taking out her phone, Lilian huffs a breath as she looks at it, trying to send a message unsuccessfully before tucking it away. "I mean I'd probably try to turn into an animal... I don't see any animal corpses here which means the magic probably doesn't target them?"
Voice raised for Antoinette to hear it along with Lilian, this time from somewhere towards the enterence the three came in from, Edith whispers, "Power isn't the issue. I have sorcery. The issue is affinity. I'm not even able to touch natural magic." A soft rustle, and when Edith's voice comes again, it's from another location; the hunter/soldier training creating a moving stealthy target. "So, do we leave it and move on?"
Antoinette nods carefully, eyes on the area more ahead of them where things seem to get more frozen. "I think we should try and assess that area just up ahead, yeah. Get a fuller picture."
Notably, there aren't any corpses around at all, not only not animal, but also not human or anywhere in between. There's not even blood. And while the tunnel doesn't seem the cleanest overall, it isn't completely given up on either, it seems that whomever still resides within the base further down the tunnel, at least has the decency and the hygine to clean the corpses after a battle. Be it to trick or to avoid catching any illness themselves, remains to be seen.
Though Edith's words are true, vampires are incompatible with natural magic in a lot of ways, and while some general concepts on magic might aid when it comes to dealing with it. Both of them almost repel the other, similarly to how they do with wolves. Though, in this particular case, whether whatever is inside the walls of the barrier is natural magic or not, remains to be seen. The magic pulsing is there, it can be felt with the proximity, but it's not clear what the nature of this magic really is without, well, inspection. But inspection in itself seems quite risky.
Sighing softly, Lilian nods and gestures Antoinette to go ahead. "There's a bit too much magic here... It feels rather risky."
for Edith's part, not another word is spoken -yet-. It can be assumed that Edith is near bye, though Edith keeps to the shadows, trailing Lilian and Antoinette, at least for now.
Antoinette draws in a soft breath and nods, "Yeah." She murmurs, taking a moment to assess the path forward before carefully starting to walk on.
There is some little room ahead of them, while the floor is still tiled and with bits and pieces of stone, while it is a proper taken care of tunnel, before the ground is frozen and covered in ice. The party has some room to observe as they approach what can be assumed is likely where they will find next trap, after all, it seems to be the only spot around that is covered in ice, while everything else, despite the low temperatures, remains lightly frosted at much.
And while Antoinette might not see anything with her eyes, as Lilian and Edith approach right behind her, they are able to see glimpses and flashes of something lingering about the frozen path. At first it looks just like shining light, or reflections from the almost glassy floor, but upon a couple sightings, it becomes evident that they are some sort of cables, or thin strings scattered all over the crystallized water that covers the ground ahead.
Once again, this place was built and designed by powerful people, who, by the retelling of the five decades old event, wielded sorcery on Earth, so at the very least they were deep into monstrosity, things like supernatural sight were taken as such a given by these people that it makes it so difficult for humans or those not so powerful to traverse their creation without facing issues.
Now the question is... Will any of the vampires warn Antoinette before she steps foot in the ice?
"Be careful Toni..." Lilian murmurs as she studies the cables on the ground. "I'm going to go... scout." She murmurs before turning into a rather small and light raven.
Luckily for Antoinette, she had zero intention of stepping on the ice at all if she could help it. She's seen enough horror movies to know ice breaking and instant death via freezing water is totally possible. She nods to someone' warning, staying where she is on the proper ground, peering suspiciously at the ice before lifting her gaze to try and peek around the rest of the room.
Luckily for Antoinette, she had zero intention of stepping on the ice at all if she could help it. She's seen enough horror movies to know ice breaking and instant death via freezing water is totally possible. She nods to Lily's warning, staying where she is on the proper ground, peering suspiciously at the ice before lifting her gaze to try and peek around the rest of the room.
Manifesting beside Antoinette A short ranged path, an arm is raised; A clothes line if Antoinette isn't quick enough to stop, though more casual than it is deliberately violent. "Stop." It's not a suggestion, it's an order. "Traps in the water ahead." It's not compassion. It's utility. Edith doesn't have the ability to express compassion at this point. Still, Antoinette is part of this group, and Lilian(corvus) is now a raven.
Taking to the air, Lilian(corvus) flaps her wings and rises up as high as she can before gliding over the ice.
Daichi glances around at his surroundings, his hand slipping into his jacket for his knife and pistol as he slides down into a crouching position, making himself harder to spot.
Antoinette is standing just before the actual ice formation, on the stone ground, quiet, cold, slightly tensed. Keeping an eye out while those with more supernatural sight take another assessment of things.
Standing beside Antoinette, Edith watches as Lilian(corvus) has gone on ahead.
Daichi glances around at their surrounding, a part of his attention fixed on the people around him, but a majority of his awareness focused on their surroundings
Pathing in seemingly quite late compared to the rest of the ground, Daichi arrives at what seems the foot of a mountain, in the cold region of Norway, during the night, making only the wind more unbearable. Right before him, a hole in the ground, leading to a sizeable tunnel that the party is already on the process of exploring. After a while of walking around inside, glancing and catching up in distance, we now have a party of four.
Though back with the ice covered ground, so thick that it's hard to even see underneath, the now raven woman flies over the surface, only to find that there are the same kind of strings slash cables over the upper levels of it, and in the gliding, though it's easy for her to spot them, this animal form isn't all that agile, it doesn't take much for one to be tripped.
Being a bird Lilian(corvus) is lucky enough to have been spared a single second to get out of the way, because within moments of the wire going off, from the very ground, an icycle the height of three stories emerges upwards, made out of pure ice magic and taking merely second to reach full extension. It could be compared to the tip of an iceberg, ready to impale anyone who activated one of those oh so hard to see wires. Now, knowing this, it was up to Lilian(corvus) to decide whether to try and go forward until she got past the ice covered section, or to return with the ground
Return with the group even
Cawing as she trips the wire with the tip of a wing, Lilian(corvus) turns with a twist of her tail feathers, making her way back to the others. She drops down beside Daichi, turning back into a human. "Well there's traps in the air too..,X"
Cawing as she trips the wire with the tip of a wing, Lilian turns with a twist of her tail feathers, making her way back to the others. She drops down beside Daichi, turning back into a human. "Well there's traps in the air too."
Daichi nods to Lilian and murmurs in a low aside: "Lily sama."
Voice still low, Edith spots Daichi on his approach. "One of your friends?" Edith asks Antoinette, gesturing back, even as Edith's gaze is upon Lilian as the ice rises up. No more words, though Edith seems impressed at the cryomancy at play.
ponders thoughtfully even as he spots the icical shotting up and spotting as the raven turns into the lady, Daichi turns to offer a slight nod and a short greeting, while his face is tight with concentration
Antoinette startles as the icicle emerges with the trip trapped, eyes widened. She exhales heavily, glancing to Lilian as she turns back to human and making sure she's alright. There's a glance spared to Daichi and then a shake of her head to Edith. No friend of hers. "I don't suppose anyone's perfected flying carpet tech?"
"Not I." Edith shrugs.
"Not me." Daichi murmurs looking thoughtful
"Hello Daichi. Welcome to the party." Lilian smiles at the man before nodding to the other two to show she's alright. "I mean Edith and I can just path to the other side...."
"True. Though there's no telling what's on the other side." Antoinette peers in that direction. "It's all risky but. Maybe worth the risk?"
"I think not." Edith counters. "The point of this is to get as far in as we can, though to also identify ways to get another force in further. If we are split, you and mister oriental here could be picked off by any following from behind, and you still have to get out."
Daichi agrees with Antoinette. "If one or both of us could follow you some how, the situation would be a bit more favorably disposed towards us."
Daichi rubs his chin looking thoughtful
"Can you .. turn into a ghost and scout?" Lilian asks Edith curiously, "I never bothered learning ghost walking."
"Fair point." Antoinette nods to Edith. "Splitting up is probably not ideal. But..." She glances over her shoulder, back the way they came. "We've learned a lot so far." She looks back to the group. "If we can get even a glimpse of what's on the other side, that'd probably be beneficial." She slips her hands into her hoodie pocket for now, curious if Edith is capable of ghost walking herself.
"I also wish to know if this can be tripped by other externals, though from a far, without losing any of our number." Edith explains her reasoning to Antoinette, Daichi and Lilian. "The rock was too close for proximity, though if we use that as an example, we can be safer with our next experiment." Pointing over the frozen water, Edith notes a strand as far away as possible. "I am going to see if I can do something to that." And so saying, Edith holds up a hand, palm up, fingers cupped. A roiling globe of insidious light-sapping energy manifests, warping the air as it drains color from the world around it. It's aimed, then released, and Edith waits for the responce, commenting not on the sorcery used, but Antoinette's comment. "I suspect that sorcerers will have accounted for magical pathing. Using a magical source, we can see if they have plans for those trying to warp nature. I most certainly would account for sorcery in my traps if I were to build a sanctum."
Edith brings forth a good point, this is not a mission in and out of itself to simply check how far can one go, but to see how much intel can they gather from the place. Lilian's side offers its perks, the further inside you go, the more you'll know what the next trap waiting ahead is, and maybe you're able to dismantle, while Edith's approach is one more reliable, since another force has to make it inside, the solution might lay on simply solving whatever barriers they can face full on, and knowing when to retreat before they surround themselves in trouble that isn't as easy to get out of.
Though this is something the mission had left open ended, the goal of the mission is gathering intel and scouting the area, eliminating any potential dangers and troubles without accessing the fortress directly. So the approach to take is for the group to deliberate and decide among themselves. But while they do so, it seems that the immense icycle that had spawned from the icy ground itself just a minute or two ago, slowly starts retreating back towards the ground, and within a good couple seconds, it's gone like it never was there to begin with, leaving just a plain ice floored part of the tunnel once more, which rises the question, how many might have fallen to this trap, knowing no evidence survives after the fact.
The ball of sorcery seems to land flat against the layer of ice covering the ground, but for some reason it seems to go through the wires that were responsible of tripping the trap moments ago, resulting in the magic assault only hitting the frozen danger sticking to the ground. As it impacts, the ice seems to crack in teh area it hit, and more of those massive icycles spawn from the ground, violently and without warning, seemingly in all kinds of directions from the point the sorcery had impacted. Resulting in almost an urchin-like shape of pure ice crystals, one of which almost stabs the entire party, given how incredibly big these things are, easily tenths of feet tall and with a girth of around eight or nine... And how one of them as missed the party by a mere five feet
listening and watching as the orb is released, Daichi turns his focus towards the distant point the orb was launched, awaiting any reaction to the attack.
Antoinette watches Edith work with no small amount of fascination. Blue eyes tracking the socercy magic to where it lands. Instead of stumbling or staggering back with surprise as the urchin-like icicle protrusions shoot out, the red-head freezes up, tensed and wide-eyed as she stares at the one that nearly skewered them.
"Ah." Edith doesn't appear shocked; To the contrary, it's almost as though she expected something like this to happen, and so comes the curious sound. Joining it is a satisfied nod as she shifts further away from where the spearing spike was emenating from. "I suspected as much. Cryomancy designed to react to evasive arcana. It makes sense. I suspect if I were to do it again, the placement of the spikes would move also as the ideal method so that the defenses cant truly be tracked. My guess would be that the intention is for ice sorcery to create a bridge to cross it, or that a blast of lightning sorcery may possibly be the key to deactivate this, though it is a theory. Either way, we have a valid answer that we can return with. This is, for now, unpassable."
Antoinette nods slowly to Edith as she starts relaxing again. "That all sounds like plausible theories. Yeah." She exhales. "Good information to take back."
Conversationally, Edith adds, "Good for you to learn from this also. I am very certain that any cultists of that lichlord you oppose will have something akin to this in mind. I would."
Daichi watches and listens to the conversation, having nothing to add at the moment but learning and agthering information
Much like the icycle that almost impaled the previously raven, Lilian, the urchin of ice spikes eventually, after a couple minutes, begins to retreat back to the layer of ice covering the ground, reforming and fixing the ground, even the impact from the sorcery before it's back to normal. Now, it seems the group is left with the choice to keep on experimenting with it, or simply call it a day with what they know and retreat to prepare for the proper assault to the fortress
"It's alot of cryomancy.. might need to bring back some angels..." Lilian comments softly watching the urchins.
Daichi says "not even the slightest of disterbences"
"Elias would have been ideal." Edith nods to Lilian. "Some angels would also be useful, but most are utterly useless outside of shag piles. Especially lately." A finger raises and Edith poses the question to Lilian, Daichi and Antoinette. "The first choice is continue experimenting, though I suspect we have all we will gather." Another finger- It completes the V or the peace sign, depending on which side of it you stand, but also heralds Edith's second, "We return with what we have and record all of this, then return with an army. I am personally for the second."
Daichi says "I vote that we return"
Antoinette nods in agreement, "Yeah. I think returning makes the most sense."
Daichi says "if we continue experementing and we fall here, all the intel we have gathered will be lost"
Daichi says "and we obviously do not possess the needed skills to do more here at present"
Edith says "I would rather at least one other sorcerer with me. I do not feel comfortable with the three of you moving ahead."
Antoinette nods in agreement. "Yeah, I know my limits." She takes one final look around the chamber and then turns more to face the way they came. Prepared to start the walk back with the others.
"With any luck, the runes wont reactivate and kill you all." Edith muses, waiting for Daichi and Lilian to walk ahead with Antoinette.
Daichi turns to face the way they came. his senses still on alert
Daichi falls into step with Antoinette and Lilian
[OOC]: Alright! It seems this marks the end of today's plot. Feel free to emote your characters pathing out or walking away slowly into Norway's forest if that's what you want... I'll now finish the plot and roll the passes... If anyone wants an award, make sure to tell me. And do also tell me what stop would you like me to drop you at.
The exploration began with a cautious approach to the fortress's outer defenses, revealing a network of runes surging with electrical magic designed to deter or kill those attempting to infiltrate. Although these runes were complex, indicative of the work of accomplished sorcerers, Lilian and Edith were able to temporarily neutralize this threat by siphoning off the rune's energy, rendering them inactive and safe to pass for the time being.
As they ventured further, they encountered an ice-covered area booby-trapped with thin, nearly invisible wires. Attempting to navigate this obstacle, Lilian transformed into a raven for a safer vantage point but unwittingly activated one of the traps, causing a giant icicle to emerge with deadly speed. Providentially, her bird form allowed her to evade harm. This incident revealed that both the ground and the air within this zone were riddled with traps that could easily impale an unwary adventurer.
Edith, seeing the potential for learning more about the traps, launched a sorcerous attack on the ice. The magic triggered an aggressive response, spawning a cluster of ice spikes. This reaction confirmed the group's suspicion that the fortress's defenses were not only deadly but also possibly adaptive, designed to counteract magical incursions as well as physical ones.
The group, realizing the depth of the fortress's defenses and acknowledging their current inability to safely proceed further or dismantle the traps effectively, decided to retreat. This decision was motivated by the recognition of their limits and the understanding that additional manpower and expertise were required to safely navigate and neutralize the fortress's formidable defenses. The information they acquired about the energy-sapping runes and the complex cryomancy traps would be invaluable for planning a future, more comprehensive assault on the fortress.
As they withdrew, the group contemplated the potential utility of bringing sorcerers or even angels in their next attempt, acknowledging that overcoming the fortress's defenses would require both considerable magical prowess and tactical ingenuity. The scouting mission concluded with the team retreating, determined to return better prepared and with reinforcements to claim or neutralize the artifact defended so fiercely by the fortress's ancient and modern safeguards.
(The fortress of the storm(SRWilliam):SRWilliam)
[Fri Apr 11 2025]
At a freezing cold tunnel leading up to a cold steel fortress
Past an illusory barrier that covers this tunnel from the Unaware world, the freezing cold hole in the ground stretches as far as sight can reach. Carved into the mountain itself, walls of stone and reinforced with steel, all of it beyond frozen, and covered with pieces of ice and patches of frost. Some wiring can be seen across the ceilings, connected to some bulbs and lights that provide some dim atmosphere to this whole section that otherwise would be just a long walk inside the snowy mountain.
In the distance, the sigh of a fortress can be seen, the outer wall made of what looks like steel, worn down by the years and the cold, with marks of being stretched and maybe cracked more than one due to the low temperatures, and patched up more than once. What little can be seen past the first couple walls and defenses of it seem to have been replaced by a more modern alloy, darker in color, and clearly handling the cold more easily, but for whatever reason, the outer protective layers lay unchanged.
It is night, about 64F(17C) degrees, There is a full moon.
[OOC]: Give me just a second and we'll start straight away
The notice of the relic, long lost from the hands of the Order and fallen into hands of a group of rogues from the House of Odin, had already made its way into Haven, and managed to bring forth some of the interested in the retrieval of such artifact to this first scouting mission to the fortress that has been located somewhere in the mountains of Oslo.
It was deemed that a scouting party was necessary at first, after all, information was scarce and somewhat unreliable about what might wait ahead, and considered that the attack was performed with true sorcery back in the day, even if the rumor is that the forces protecting the artifact had diminished, it was not a matter that could be taken lightly, specially somewhere away from the Gates, where Sanctuary wasn't something people could rely on to save their lives upon silly mistakes.
But due to the recent chaos in the town of the gates, including floods, hauntings, callings of spirits, even an earthquake a couple weeks ago, most societies are unable to send full parties straight away to try and take the lead over the others when it comes to the recovery, so instead, the mission was organized in a way that different groups would collaborate, at least in this first part of the plan, in order to make some real progress, and obtain information.
So tasked with both, acquiring intel about this whole structure, and disarming potential future threats, the team is formed, and given a location to path to, safe from whatever lies ahead, but also out of sight from any unaware that might be curiously wandering around. A spot in the snowy mountains of Oslo, already quite late, only making it colder and the winds harsher.
But upon exiting the path, the team find out they are dropped right in front of the entrance to the tunnels that are supposed to hold the base, the location seems to be within an illusory barrier that was mentioned in the report, giving some leeway when it comes to the use of supernatural abilities. To anyone else, from the outside, it was just another rocky mountain, to both Edith and Antoinette, there was a whole gap in the stone, through which they easily descend to arrive at some decently modern passageways, at least in comparison to what one might have expected of a tunnel carved fifty years ago
Not a member of one of the big three, but still with a vested interest in anything that might be able to aid her own endeavors, Antoinette has volunteered to lend her support to the scouting mission. "Was sort of hoping there'd be a few more of us." She asides to Edith, pulling her hoodie's hood up against the cold mountain weather. "But I'm sure between the pair of us we'll be able to find out plenty." Hopefully.
The hood stays on even as they descend into the tunnel and she starts to look around. "There's some runes here..." steps closer to one of the tunnel walks to take a closer look.
[OOC]: Hopefully now I got the color right. So ideally there was going to be more people, that's the why for the delay. Since places and extras have colors, in case you struggle to reference them, you can use "carved", "along" and "tunnel" for the extra, "layer" or "fortress" from one of the places, and "ice for the last one. Since this is mainly exploration, feel free to just leave whenever you need to or feel like you're done, but take into account, whatever happens in this plot, will influence the follow up one"
Pathing in, Edith greets Antoinette with a nod. The atmosphere may be cold, though Edith doesn't appear to notice; Endemic of Edith's nature, quite naturally (Or unnaturally as the case may be). Packed for work, Edith's appearance is one for stealth today, not war, and so Edith's artifact for stealth is active, Edith's foot falls even more quiet than they usually are. Secreted around Edith's person are tools; Taser and darts, a tranq gun, naturalizer for the potential wolves-- This is the full moon and a lot of norce legends dictate weres have envolvement. A set deadman switch, neutralizing, smoke and insendiary grenades, a bola, baned daggers, earrings imbued with demigod blood and the most subtle of Edith's arcane focuses, the dagger, not the staff, with that blade coated in a paralytic poison to account for being quiet, not deadly, though Edith likely accounts for deadly in those calculations, too. Bandages, a med kit and advanced tools for treating any wounded, and of course, a full tank; Edith was sure to eat a virgin to be fully topped up before coming. The paperwork was read, what information that there was to be had was read and re-read, and Edith believes herself to be ready to scout, Antoinette with her, at least for now. Edith's sunglasses are folded; Haven is in twilight, but here is full night, and Edith has full night vision and is not effected by the gloom. The deposit before the cave systom directly though is somewhat of a surprise and Antoinette gets a look, as though she may possibly know more. She apparently doesn't though, but that's not a problem. "I assumed we would have one or two others, though a smaller group is likely for the best for scouting." Gliding up beside Antoinette, Edith inspects the runes with interest, Edith's own vested interest obvious. A direct link reprisenting not the Hand, but the Foretold Winter itself.
"What's clear," Edith observes, stepping to where she can observe the wire work and runes along the tunnel, gaze tracking as they pulse, "Is that we cant do more than get as far as we might before we have to turn back."
"Any idea their specific nature? I'm assuming protective over all, but is that because they're allowing someone to scry the area? Or are they going cause an explosion if someone steps the wrong way?" Antoinette wonders quietly. She definitely doesn't know much more about the situation than Edith does. She pulls out a small notepad just to try and take a quick etching of some of the runes for later reference since it's probably too cold up here to try and use her phone to take a picture. "On that, we can agree." She nods about having to turn back at some point. "But. Whatever we can find out will be good."
It takes little observation to note that the runes are quite complex in nature, not something a newbie can pull off, neither someone with medium knowledge. It's something advanced, if not belonging to some craftsman of the art in particular, and they are clearly magic in nature, both Edith and Antoinette could tell as much, being both of them adept in the magical arts.
The aura the runes themselves emit is particularly strong, but the drawing by itself doesn't really have a meaning, it's not really a language or equivalent to any kind of lettering, it seems even more so to have been made to resemble some sort of wires that stretch across the tunnel, running across the stone walls while pretending to be the electrical system that keeps the passage in the mountain alight with the shining bulbs over their heads.
The whole thing stretches from one side of the tunnel to the other, seeming to cover since the entrance of the place towards the fortress resting further on. The aura they emit almost buzzing, those more expert can clearly interpret it as natural magic, lightning in particular, and, as powerful as the incantation is, it would require someone very skilled to try and interrupt the flow seamlessly, without causing some sort of detonation, or causing the trap to go off on the group..
But as the two of them discuss the nature of this runic adding to the walls, a third member of the scouting party arrives, likely repressenting her own society in this mission, Lilian manages to path successfully at the entrance of the tunnels, a whole within a cold stone mountain, covered behind an illusory barrier that keeps the wall from seeing the cave system they are walking into, and within only a couple seconds, she is together with the group
"Hey Edith. Toni." Lilian greets amicably before yawning wide, showing off some normal human length canines in the process. "Sorry the sun goes down rather late now... What are we looking at?" She asks as she looks over at the runes.
Inspecting the runes, Edith points out the network that Antoinette may not entirely see with the night, even with the lighting. She doesn't even stop as Lilian joins them, greeting the other with a nod as she trails what she can with her gaze. "Elias may know more. We aught have braught him." Edith notes. "Natural magic is not my forte, but from what I can see, this is lightning based. I don't think it's scrying. I would also not touch it if you can help it. This looks devilishly complex. I would assume deadly forcerather than stunning."
Pointing out the network of cunningly disguised natural magic runes to Lilian, Edith responds in kind. "Good evening. We are looking at these as we decide how to head deeper; We shall only be scouting today, though the deeper we get, the less work for a return at a later date."
"Hmm is there a way we can destroy the base of the runes?" Picking up a rock on the side of the tunnel Lilian throws it towards the other side to the see if the runes react to the inanimate object.
Antoinette upnods to Lilian as she finishes noting something on her paper in the dim light, nodding to Edith's words. "That tracks." She murmurs about deadly force as she tucks her paper away for now...and instinctively moves closer to Edith as Lily throws a rock. As if that will somehow protect her if something goes sideways.
"Well, I would not have done that without using something more expendable, such as a minion, but I suppose it works." Edith shrugs, watching the rock as it sails through the air.
The nature of the runic patterns across the walls, further than being that of electricity or natural magic, is also quite complex. And, while it might not be obvious in the way it seems to be attempted to be concealed, only giving off a faint blueish color with the occasional pulse-like cyan glow travelling across the network.
Though, this time, Edith is right in her assessment, touching it is not a good idea, not directly at least, it would seem the entire network has been made in order to not only electrocute to death someone that might be touching it unconsciously, but also potentially release all the magic energy contained in it in the form of zaps, and possibly collapse the tunnel. At least that is something that both Edith and Lilian could assess after some study and some time given to inspect the whole thing, if they were to spare that much trouble with it. Likely, they both would be skilled enough to create some sort of counter action, at least for smaller portions of it, while it might not be the most effective, given that none of them are nature mancers, they are still proficient in rituals and their workings to some extent, the arcane can provide some leeway, in small ways, if they so desired, unless they were to move on to something else.
The rock doesn't seem to do anything, provided that it lands in the tunnel, and the magic doesn't seem to focus on what's going in, but what's touching the lines directly, but, by the look of the whole system, it would be advised not to touch them, even with inanimate objects
"I mean a rock is pretty expendable." Lilian comments as she watches it land harmlessly. "Just wondering if their magic renders inanimate things... for example I mean... we could be more dead." Lilian shrugs as she looks at the others.
"Expendables are a viable option, though there are so many -wires- here that even the slightest touch could cause issue. I also find I do not quite know your limitations." Edith mentions to Antoinette. "I suspect I could shift to a cat and make my way deeper with impunity, though I would elect to not leave you or Lily behind."
Edith says, thoughtfully, "It may be advisable to break things as we travel. Working together we might be able to do something. I would use sorcery to destroy parts of the grid, though I suspect that doing so might cause a cascade to destroy this tunnel."
"I'd appreciate not dying at all today, thanks." Antoinette offers flatly to Lilian's comment and then tells Edith. "I'm entirely human and an budding illusory mancer. And I have my minion. He could go ahead while we walk. Or Lily's penguin. Or both of them." She reaches for the morningstar she's brought with her. "I can break things, so long as you direct me where to break them."
"I can also shift into a cat and follow you but yeah we'd leave Toni behind. And having a snack incase of anything is handy to have around." Lilian comments as she looks over the others.
"Ah." Edith nods. "That could be useful if we come across anything alive." a nod to Antoinette, and Edith considers. "I could let Cuddles out to play, though the minions may not be as stealthy. I know Cuddles wouldn't be. He is rather large."
Antoinette draws in a slow breath and exhales slowly. "Fuil's a snake. though he's a bit brightly colored." And probably will hate every bit of the cold." She tells Edith
Edith nods to Antoinette. "Cuddles is a mastiff."
"Pengu is a penguin... and pretty obese so..." Lilian glances over at Antoinette seeming slightly amused. "I'm still half awake so I'll follow whatever the two of you want."
With their findings on the rune system across the walls, or well, assessment of them more than anything, the group is left to discuss with four real options here. Edith and Lilian are skilled enough in the arcane to attempt and do something about the magic grid, even if lightning is not their area of expertise, risking it to backfire. The group could simply remain in place, discussing the right course of action in a situation like this. They could as well continue inspecting the cave further on, having found the first danger that one must keep in mind when returning to this place. Or finally, they could leave if they consider the danger of lingering around with quite a literal electric bomb plastered all over the walls is dangerous enough to even cease the scouting.
Still considering the runes, Edith adds, "If any of them nudge the network they could also bring down the tunnel. I think maybe deadening the systom as we travel would be to our advantage to get you through."
Antoinette nods in agreement, "You two are certainly skilled enough I think. I can add a little support if needed but, otherwise I -do- have a flashlight and I can tread lightly while keeping an eye out for any other dangers while you're working on taking down the system. If it's disabled, that's less a headache for the next excursion too."
"Provided no one actually checks it and turns it back on..." Lilian comments as she kneels down on the ground. Putting her hands on the ground, she starts to cast a ritual, trying to siphon the energy away from the runes.
"One hopes it remains disabled, though there is no certainty." Edith ponders, noting to Antoinette, "This has been here for overy fifty years. It may be self repairing, though for now we can delve deeper." Gesturing to Lilian, "Shall we encant our way through? I can likely survive even a deadly electricution and a cave in. I assume you could likely also." Joining Lilian in arcana, Edith begins to encant, the two working together to (hopefully) identify and dismantle the first of the trap's junction glyphs.
"I suppose we'll find out." Antoinette says of the runes, quieting after to keep an ear out for any potential issues while the two vampires work on the arcane side of things.
Edith glances around as that detonation goes off, peering at the lines of the -wires- to see if there is likely to be cascading explosions that may destroy the tunnel. She doesn't move, waiting for an all clear of sorts before moving from where she remains.
While for a longterm and more durable solution, blocking off the whole rune system at some point would have been more efficient, Lilian's option is definitely the safer one right now, and the one that will likely allow them to scout and explore without the risk of being fried just for misplacing one of their limbs at any time. It is quite the effective measure in the short term, not only to guarantee their own safety while they do this, but also because a disruption from someone who might not be an expert on the lightning magic itself, could have caused some trouble, and draining the power from it, even if temporarily, might be the one thing that prevents a big electric explosion.
The runes don't seem to deactive, they rather lose what little color they had, going from that slight dark blue tone down to pitch black. It doesn't seem like the magic is no longer in place, but like the power is out. There might be an incantation still clinging to the walls of stone, but there no longer is anything supplying it in order to carry out the effect, and thus, the trap is rendered ineffective for now, at least for a short while, even if touched, it won't electrocute any of the three or blow up anything, though it would seem, it won't remain that way for a prolonged period of time, one can only hope it is still like that on the next visit, but worst case scenario, it will require someone adept on nature magic to take it down next time, or at least to warn everyone precisely of its working and danger
Lifting her hand from the ground, Lilian smiles seeming satisfied that the runes seem dark. Still, she summons her minion, spending a moment to do that...just incase. "Alright... Maybe one of us being a cat would make it easier to spot traps..."
With the adhock deactivation seemingly successful, Edith motions Antoinette onward, rising slowly to follow her and Lilian.
"Possibly. I am more perceptive as a feline, if only a little." Edith allows, nodding to Lilian.
Antoinette turns to continue on at Edith's motioning. Considering the area safe enough from extra prying eyes, she flicks her flashlight on, keeping it pointed a bit more toward the ground than straight ahead. Continuing to be silent, but keeping an eye out.
"A feline is also soft footed and usually traps will be designed for the weight a human." Lilian comments as the penguin appears next to her. Sending the penguin down the path but only to the end of the wires, she checks if its safe
As Antoinette moves on with the flashlight, Edith keeps to the shadows, sneaking silently behind and to the side, well out of the line of sight.
After just a bit of walking, the party would be able to find the remains of what, in its time, might have been a first layer of defense. But that was fifty years and a good couple attacks to the whole thing ago. Now it is abandoned and wrecked, just a physical remain that hasn't been tore down. Like a castle left in the middle of the countryside that one would find in Europe, but with a wall in this case. Further than that, there's a section of the tunnels that seems particularly frozen from some reason, the thick ice covering the floor between this first barrier and the next one, but further than that, nothing seems too remarkable, at least from this distance
Taking a look around, Lilian surveys the ley of the land, especially the area with double thick ice. "Good thing we can't feel the cold .." She mentions as she taps the floor with her heels.
There's some reprieve here, cover at the least, and though Edith doesn't stop in that stealthy motion, she does note the placement of Antoinette and Lilian, moving in to explore the defenses, taking stock of the drag marks, the empty barrels and that orifice that could be investigated.
When Edith responds to Lilian, the whisper is barely above nothing; A soft gust, a breeze that is leveled for supernatural senses only as it drifts from the shadows. "The cold is the least of these worries. They kept the arcana active, but abandoned this redoubt. I'd not be shocked if there were more to it than we're noticing." then, she stills, allowing acute senses to pick out what ever they can, disregarding Antoinette's breathing.
The now abandoned wall is a huge piece of fortification that has fallen to time, damage, and the elements themselves. The material it's made of isn't good in a place like this to begin with. Built out of steel, a metal that doesn't really do a good job at withstanding low temperatures. It makes it more fragile and even likely to crack itself under some torsion or pressure. It's a weak material and one that offers little cover, which might be the reason it has been left behind with time, seeing as some of the fortifications further along the tunnel seem to have been made with some other material.
Though for some reason, one cannot shake the feeling the intention of using steel was deliberate, a choice that was made with a purpose. Maybe the fact, that, despite being mangled beyond belief, it was still standing, and that even if some had been replaced in the more important areas, this had been left behind rather than dismantled.
Some boxes are left behind, some still piled, and barrels rest to the sides, but most of it seems empty, and, after decades, the wood from them seems to be somewhat rotten as well. The cracks on the steel seem to reveal some small chambers within the massive wall that is the barrier, though it's narrow, just a tiny gap on the inside, whatever reason it has for existing.
Other than that, there's not much more to see, not at least in the surroundings, but on the ground. There's drag marks that seem to belong to some of the heavier weaponry and likely artillery being moved back towards the fortress once this post was abandoned. And not too far away from where the wall ends, starts the extra thick layer of ice on the ground, leaving little space to transition to one and the other, but still space. The region frozen being that between this first barrier and the actual fortress. And from some angle or another, something seems to be lingering right over the frozen ground, but nothing that seems outright visible.
"Well .. I don't really notice anything..." Lilian breaths out towards the others, kneeling back down on the ice to send her magical senses through the ground and walls looking for any sources of energy...
There is something to be noticed indeed, but it's not by classical means. After all, all that is to see, is seen by now, no sound comes from anywhere other than the party intruding with their scouting, and the smell of gunpowder is long gone from this place. No, much like what greeted them when they first arrived, what seems to be noticeable here is magic in nature, though where it is might prove a challenge not only to identify what exactly it is, but also prove risky.
There is a strong magic trace within the walls surrounding them, somewhere within the gaps that seem to have been open with the walls breaking down over the years. But nothing is outright visible from the outside, and these air chambers would cause claustrophobia to any human that fit themselves in there, if it truly was a trap, it could be triggered by just trying to inspect it.
But not only is this signal noticeable, this magic energy that surges from within the old and cold steel- Well, it's not a single one, it's multiple, a good ten or twenty sources of magical buzz within the walls, the only thing preventing it from being thirty being the massive holes and damages to the defensive structure.
It's probably a pain to have so many magical threats here and there, but after all, this fortification was build mainly by sorcerers, arcane practitioners who worship the God, Thor. It was to be expected that their skills relied heavily on magic, and, even if not every method to deactivate these threats might be magical, a knowledge similar to those who put them in place certainly helps the matter
"Urg.. that's alot of magic traps in the walls... Do we try disabling them all? That might take some time..." Lilian tilts her head as she looks over at the other two.
Voice still quiet enough to be a whisper on the wind, Edith responds simply to Lilian, "Be my guest if you'd like to try."
Antoinette rolls her shoulders and purses her lips briefly against the wave of magical energy she senses. There's some academic curiosity there of course, but it's impossible to truly focus on. "That feels like it'd take a lot of energy too and I'm not playing juice box." She muttered. "If we had some more skilled casters, like Elias and then like, maybe it'd be more effcient for more people to disable them at once." She supposed, keeping her voice low.
Taking out her phone, Lilian huffs a breath as she looks at it, trying to send a message unsuccessfully before tucking it away. "I mean I'd probably try to turn into an animal... I don't see any animal corpses here which means the magic probably doesn't target them?"
Voice raised for Antoinette to hear it along with Lilian, this time from somewhere towards the enterence the three came in from, Edith whispers, "Power isn't the issue. I have sorcery. The issue is affinity. I'm not even able to touch natural magic." A soft rustle, and when Edith's voice comes again, it's from another location; the hunter/soldier training creating a moving stealthy target. "So, do we leave it and move on?"
Antoinette nods carefully, eyes on the area more ahead of them where things seem to get more frozen. "I think we should try and assess that area just up ahead, yeah. Get a fuller picture."
Notably, there aren't any corpses around at all, not only not animal, but also not human or anywhere in between. There's not even blood. And while the tunnel doesn't seem the cleanest overall, it isn't completely given up on either, it seems that whomever still resides within the base further down the tunnel, at least has the decency and the hygine to clean the corpses after a battle. Be it to trick or to avoid catching any illness themselves, remains to be seen.
Though Edith's words are true, vampires are incompatible with natural magic in a lot of ways, and while some general concepts on magic might aid when it comes to dealing with it. Both of them almost repel the other, similarly to how they do with wolves. Though, in this particular case, whether whatever is inside the walls of the barrier is natural magic or not, remains to be seen. The magic pulsing is there, it can be felt with the proximity, but it's not clear what the nature of this magic really is without, well, inspection. But inspection in itself seems quite risky.
Sighing softly, Lilian nods and gestures Antoinette to go ahead. "There's a bit too much magic here... It feels rather risky."
for Edith's part, not another word is spoken -yet-. It can be assumed that Edith is near bye, though Edith keeps to the shadows, trailing Lilian and Antoinette, at least for now.
Antoinette draws in a soft breath and nods, "Yeah." She murmurs, taking a moment to assess the path forward before carefully starting to walk on.
There is some little room ahead of them, while the floor is still tiled and with bits and pieces of stone, while it is a proper taken care of tunnel, before the ground is frozen and covered in ice. The party has some room to observe as they approach what can be assumed is likely where they will find next trap, after all, it seems to be the only spot around that is covered in ice, while everything else, despite the low temperatures, remains lightly frosted at much.
And while Antoinette might not see anything with her eyes, as Lilian and Edith approach right behind her, they are able to see glimpses and flashes of something lingering about the frozen path. At first it looks just like shining light, or reflections from the almost glassy floor, but upon a couple sightings, it becomes evident that they are some sort of cables, or thin strings scattered all over the crystallized water that covers the ground ahead.
Once again, this place was built and designed by powerful people, who, by the retelling of the five decades old event, wielded sorcery on Earth, so at the very least they were deep into monstrosity, things like supernatural sight were taken as such a given by these people that it makes it so difficult for humans or those not so powerful to traverse their creation without facing issues.
Now the question is... Will any of the vampires warn Antoinette before she steps foot in the ice?
"Be careful Toni..." Lilian murmurs as she studies the cables on the ground. "I'm going to go... scout." She murmurs before turning into a rather small and light raven.
Luckily for Antoinette, she had zero intention of stepping on the ice at all if she could help it. She's seen enough horror movies to know ice breaking and instant death via freezing water is totally possible. She nods to someone' warning, staying where she is on the proper ground, peering suspiciously at the ice before lifting her gaze to try and peek around the rest of the room.
Luckily for Antoinette, she had zero intention of stepping on the ice at all if she could help it. She's seen enough horror movies to know ice breaking and instant death via freezing water is totally possible. She nods to Lily's warning, staying where she is on the proper ground, peering suspiciously at the ice before lifting her gaze to try and peek around the rest of the room.
Manifesting beside Antoinette A short ranged path, an arm is raised; A clothes line if Antoinette isn't quick enough to stop, though more casual than it is deliberately violent. "Stop." It's not a suggestion, it's an order. "Traps in the water ahead." It's not compassion. It's utility. Edith doesn't have the ability to express compassion at this point. Still, Antoinette is part of this group, and Lilian(corvus) is now a raven.
Taking to the air, Lilian(corvus) flaps her wings and rises up as high as she can before gliding over the ice.
Daichi glances around at his surroundings, his hand slipping into his jacket for his knife and pistol as he slides down into a crouching position, making himself harder to spot.
Antoinette is standing just before the actual ice formation, on the stone ground, quiet, cold, slightly tensed. Keeping an eye out while those with more supernatural sight take another assessment of things.
Standing beside Antoinette, Edith watches as Lilian(corvus) has gone on ahead.
Daichi glances around at their surrounding, a part of his attention fixed on the people around him, but a majority of his awareness focused on their surroundings
Pathing in seemingly quite late compared to the rest of the ground, Daichi arrives at what seems the foot of a mountain, in the cold region of Norway, during the night, making only the wind more unbearable. Right before him, a hole in the ground, leading to a sizeable tunnel that the party is already on the process of exploring. After a while of walking around inside, glancing and catching up in distance, we now have a party of four.
Though back with the ice covered ground, so thick that it's hard to even see underneath, the now raven woman flies over the surface, only to find that there are the same kind of strings slash cables over the upper levels of it, and in the gliding, though it's easy for her to spot them, this animal form isn't all that agile, it doesn't take much for one to be tripped.
Being a bird Lilian(corvus) is lucky enough to have been spared a single second to get out of the way, because within moments of the wire going off, from the very ground, an icycle the height of three stories emerges upwards, made out of pure ice magic and taking merely second to reach full extension. It could be compared to the tip of an iceberg, ready to impale anyone who activated one of those oh so hard to see wires. Now, knowing this, it was up to Lilian(corvus) to decide whether to try and go forward until she got past the ice covered section, or to return with the ground
Return with the group even
Cawing as she trips the wire with the tip of a wing, Lilian(corvus) turns with a twist of her tail feathers, making her way back to the others. She drops down beside Daichi, turning back into a human. "Well there's traps in the air too..,X"
Cawing as she trips the wire with the tip of a wing, Lilian turns with a twist of her tail feathers, making her way back to the others. She drops down beside Daichi, turning back into a human. "Well there's traps in the air too."
Daichi nods to Lilian and murmurs in a low aside: "Lily sama."
Voice still low, Edith spots Daichi on his approach. "One of your friends?" Edith asks Antoinette, gesturing back, even as Edith's gaze is upon Lilian as the ice rises up. No more words, though Edith seems impressed at the cryomancy at play.
ponders thoughtfully even as he spots the icical shotting up and spotting as the raven turns into the lady, Daichi turns to offer a slight nod and a short greeting, while his face is tight with concentration
Antoinette startles as the icicle emerges with the trip trapped, eyes widened. She exhales heavily, glancing to Lilian as she turns back to human and making sure she's alright. There's a glance spared to Daichi and then a shake of her head to Edith. No friend of hers. "I don't suppose anyone's perfected flying carpet tech?"
"Not I." Edith shrugs.
"Not me." Daichi murmurs looking thoughtful
"Hello Daichi. Welcome to the party." Lilian smiles at the man before nodding to the other two to show she's alright. "I mean Edith and I can just path to the other side...."
"True. Though there's no telling what's on the other side." Antoinette peers in that direction. "It's all risky but. Maybe worth the risk?"
"I think not." Edith counters. "The point of this is to get as far in as we can, though to also identify ways to get another force in further. If we are split, you and mister oriental here could be picked off by any following from behind, and you still have to get out."
Daichi agrees with Antoinette. "If one or both of us could follow you some how, the situation would be a bit more favorably disposed towards us."
Daichi rubs his chin looking thoughtful
"Can you .. turn into a ghost and scout?" Lilian asks Edith curiously, "I never bothered learning ghost walking."
"Fair point." Antoinette nods to Edith. "Splitting up is probably not ideal. But..." She glances over her shoulder, back the way they came. "We've learned a lot so far." She looks back to the group. "If we can get even a glimpse of what's on the other side, that'd probably be beneficial." She slips her hands into her hoodie pocket for now, curious if Edith is capable of ghost walking herself.
"I also wish to know if this can be tripped by other externals, though from a far, without losing any of our number." Edith explains her reasoning to Antoinette, Daichi and Lilian. "The rock was too close for proximity, though if we use that as an example, we can be safer with our next experiment." Pointing over the frozen water, Edith notes a strand as far away as possible. "I am going to see if I can do something to that." And so saying, Edith holds up a hand, palm up, fingers cupped. A roiling globe of insidious light-sapping energy manifests, warping the air as it drains color from the world around it. It's aimed, then released, and Edith waits for the responce, commenting not on the sorcery used, but Antoinette's comment. "I suspect that sorcerers will have accounted for magical pathing. Using a magical source, we can see if they have plans for those trying to warp nature. I most certainly would account for sorcery in my traps if I were to build a sanctum."
Edith brings forth a good point, this is not a mission in and out of itself to simply check how far can one go, but to see how much intel can they gather from the place. Lilian's side offers its perks, the further inside you go, the more you'll know what the next trap waiting ahead is, and maybe you're able to dismantle, while Edith's approach is one more reliable, since another force has to make it inside, the solution might lay on simply solving whatever barriers they can face full on, and knowing when to retreat before they surround themselves in trouble that isn't as easy to get out of.
Though this is something the mission had left open ended, the goal of the mission is gathering intel and scouting the area, eliminating any potential dangers and troubles without accessing the fortress directly. So the approach to take is for the group to deliberate and decide among themselves. But while they do so, it seems that the immense icycle that had spawned from the icy ground itself just a minute or two ago, slowly starts retreating back towards the ground, and within a good couple seconds, it's gone like it never was there to begin with, leaving just a plain ice floored part of the tunnel once more, which rises the question, how many might have fallen to this trap, knowing no evidence survives after the fact.
The ball of sorcery seems to land flat against the layer of ice covering the ground, but for some reason it seems to go through the wires that were responsible of tripping the trap moments ago, resulting in the magic assault only hitting the frozen danger sticking to the ground. As it impacts, the ice seems to crack in teh area it hit, and more of those massive icycles spawn from the ground, violently and without warning, seemingly in all kinds of directions from the point the sorcery had impacted. Resulting in almost an urchin-like shape of pure ice crystals, one of which almost stabs the entire party, given how incredibly big these things are, easily tenths of feet tall and with a girth of around eight or nine... And how one of them as missed the party by a mere five feet
listening and watching as the orb is released, Daichi turns his focus towards the distant point the orb was launched, awaiting any reaction to the attack.
Antoinette watches Edith work with no small amount of fascination. Blue eyes tracking the socercy magic to where it lands. Instead of stumbling or staggering back with surprise as the urchin-like icicle protrusions shoot out, the red-head freezes up, tensed and wide-eyed as she stares at the one that nearly skewered them.
"Ah." Edith doesn't appear shocked; To the contrary, it's almost as though she expected something like this to happen, and so comes the curious sound. Joining it is a satisfied nod as she shifts further away from where the spearing spike was emenating from. "I suspected as much. Cryomancy designed to react to evasive arcana. It makes sense. I suspect if I were to do it again, the placement of the spikes would move also as the ideal method so that the defenses cant truly be tracked. My guess would be that the intention is for ice sorcery to create a bridge to cross it, or that a blast of lightning sorcery may possibly be the key to deactivate this, though it is a theory. Either way, we have a valid answer that we can return with. This is, for now, unpassable."
Antoinette nods slowly to Edith as she starts relaxing again. "That all sounds like plausible theories. Yeah." She exhales. "Good information to take back."
Conversationally, Edith adds, "Good for you to learn from this also. I am very certain that any cultists of that lichlord you oppose will have something akin to this in mind. I would."
Daichi watches and listens to the conversation, having nothing to add at the moment but learning and agthering information
Much like the icycle that almost impaled the previously raven, Lilian, the urchin of ice spikes eventually, after a couple minutes, begins to retreat back to the layer of ice covering the ground, reforming and fixing the ground, even the impact from the sorcery before it's back to normal. Now, it seems the group is left with the choice to keep on experimenting with it, or simply call it a day with what they know and retreat to prepare for the proper assault to the fortress
"It's alot of cryomancy.. might need to bring back some angels..." Lilian comments softly watching the urchins.
Daichi says "not even the slightest of disterbences"
"Elias would have been ideal." Edith nods to Lilian. "Some angels would also be useful, but most are utterly useless outside of shag piles. Especially lately." A finger raises and Edith poses the question to Lilian, Daichi and Antoinette. "The first choice is continue experimenting, though I suspect we have all we will gather." Another finger- It completes the V or the peace sign, depending on which side of it you stand, but also heralds Edith's second, "We return with what we have and record all of this, then return with an army. I am personally for the second."
Daichi says "I vote that we return"
Antoinette nods in agreement, "Yeah. I think returning makes the most sense."
Daichi says "if we continue experementing and we fall here, all the intel we have gathered will be lost"
Daichi says "and we obviously do not possess the needed skills to do more here at present"
Edith says "I would rather at least one other sorcerer with me. I do not feel comfortable with the three of you moving ahead."
Antoinette nods in agreement. "Yeah, I know my limits." She takes one final look around the chamber and then turns more to face the way they came. Prepared to start the walk back with the others.
"With any luck, the runes wont reactivate and kill you all." Edith muses, waiting for Daichi and Lilian to walk ahead with Antoinette.
Daichi turns to face the way they came. his senses still on alert
Daichi falls into step with Antoinette and Lilian
[OOC]: Alright! It seems this marks the end of today's plot. Feel free to emote your characters pathing out or walking away slowly into Norway's forest if that's what you want... I'll now finish the plot and roll the passes... If anyone wants an award, make sure to tell me. And do also tell me what stop would you like me to drop you at.