Exploration Event: Gorilla Warfare

[lifeaftr_mods]

EXPLORATION EVENT: GORILLA WARFARE

Who: Lup, Taako, Muffet, Wade, Shepard, Roy, Edward, Guzma, Ardyn, Laurent + any others, with permission
What: Well done, survivors, on pushing forward with your explorations! Your explorations will now push back.
When: Sep 22
Where: Ensō D8
Warnings: Mark as needed!

Part I: You Had Me at Hell-ow
Islanders may have noticed it, by now, whispering a bassline within their dreams, or in the periphery of their hearing among the waking world: drums. Great, booming drums, deep like rumbling thunder in a thick haze of sun-heat. South of the island, where the air tastes thin of salt, where the surf hisses and breaks against the cliffs, drowned out by an ungodly rhythm of objects beating against logs, against bone, against anything that produces a sound unpleasant enough to the ear.

The three adventurers who had the misfortune of uncovering the source of this sound had been wise, indeed, to turn back for reinforcements. Perhaps you're one of them. Stand together, intrepid explorers... for when you push through the thick ferns, it would take quite the wild mind to anticipate what awaits you in the wide clearing that opens up.

The clearing itself, easily the size of a soccer field, sits in a blaze of sunlight and wide strokes of rippling jungle grass. Fallen logs and pools of glimmering water stretch forward across the landscape. On all sides of the clearing, a line of thick, green trees form vast ramparts of foliage, walling in the area with almost militaristic efficiency. And in the distance, past the pools and logs and trees, rises an enormous structure carved from pointed stone and glossed with beautiful, blue-green ivy, shimmering like gray fog in the heat-haze.

Yet the mysterious structure isn't the only of its kind to be found here. From the boughs of trees hang nests, fashioned from branches and leaves and tightly packed mud; no bigger than shacks, with vines trailing from the mouth of each one to the jungle floor. These nests are small and seemingly precarious, but appear to offer sturdy shelter against the elements.

Were these the only discoveries to be made. Unfortunately, they didn't build themselves -- and their architects very quickly show.

They start in ones, and then twos, and then threes: from the opening of each nest, every branch wider than an inch, crawling from the wide knots of fallen trees, the monkeys begin to emerge. Primitive weaponry of spears and stone axes, walnuts jammed between their large, yellow teeth as they shove grapes into blowdart guns and load rocks into their fibrous slings. The biggest and surliest apes crouch with stern looks and what appear to be wooden firearms perched in their grasp.

Dear, brave explorers, it would seem that you are intruding, and that these irate simians have every intention of shooting you should you dare to tread closer.

And it’s gonna hurt.

Part II: An Apeeling Aftermath
Should your adventuring party manage to drive the apes off into the forest, the abandoned battlefield plunges into an immediate hush.

Now would be the time to lick your wounds. Investigate, if you are inclined to such things.

There is nothing of particular interest outside what had been immediately observable -- save one detail. On the far side of the clearing, a massive door formed from gnarled roots stands between the impenetrable underbrush and the mysterious structure beyond. Scrawled on the thickest root is a message -- well, more like a hieroglyphic of sorts, depicting a great number of humanoids bent in worship at the foot of an enormous, squiggly triangle. Presumably, this sad polygon represents the temple rising high above the treetops.

Unfortunately, this is where the exploration must end; the door is impenetrable by definition, and no amount of prodding, prying, or even fire will prove effective. At this time, it would appear that the door is simply not meant to be opened, and the temple beyond not yet meant to be discovered.

Thankfully, there is always the prospect of loot to occupy one's interest.

Should characters turn their attention to the ravaged battlefield, they will find a great haul of resources for their efforts. Granted, perhaps only a fraction of it is usable -- broken coconuts and smashed bananas aren't likely appealing to anyone -- but those who are brave enough to climb into the abandoned nests can find an assortment of primitive weaponry made from stone and sticks, to include spears, slings, and blow dart guns. Perhaps even a coconut gun or two has escaped the battle in working order.

Certainly enough of the weaponry is salvageable, at least, for the explorers to take home one item each -- if they so choose.

Other than weapons, the nests are stacked mostly with straw bedding, reserves of fruit, and jars of clay, all of which may be carried out as prizes. Strange, isn't it, how the place almost resembles a military post? In any case, there is nothing else to be done here.

Surely nothing of import will come of this.

---

Feeling a tad adrift? Make sure to check the Locations Page, which has details regarding the starting areas and a handy map for those who feel better with a bird's eye view!

---

LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION
( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

Comments

(OTA) hello it is I, the frenchiest fry, here to lead the way!

[tenthstreetbred]

Part 1: We're screaming like demons, swinging from the ceiling

[Shepard had hopped on board this adventure train the moment Lup and her twin brother (holy shit, a twin) had mentioned loud rhythmic drumming in the distance. It's been awhile since she had her dream but if her hunches were correct, this, whatever this was, was related to it. Wearing the old N7 armor helpfully provided to her from the Storyteller and the mysterious tide sickle wrapped around her back, she takes to the front of the pack, pushing through the jungle vegetation in pursuit of the drumming ahead of them.

When the main compound is revealed Shepard takes in every detail, trying to calculate what this means; when the apes make their appearance it's all too certain what their intent is. Still, she along with a few others attempt to make some kind of negotiation- but the moment the first ape shoots a coconut at any of her squadmates party, she pushes them aside to keep them from the blow and throws a biotic shockwave to knock a few of the apes over.]

Move!

[Whether you're one of the people she shoved aside to keep safe from the initial onslaught or you're fighting alongside her later in the battle or both, Shepard is ready for a fight and wouldn't mind someone backing her up. Though she might mind someone getting in her way, since she's not about peaceful take downs.]

Part 2: Well no chain, no lock, and this train won't stop

When the battle is done Shepard makes some rounds, checking on everyone and making sure they're all in one piece. All in all it wasn't too hard of a battle since the weaponry was pretty primitive in nature but that doesn't negate the chance of some serious injury. Once she's satisfied with everyone's status she'll make her way to the mysterious door, investigating the hieroglyphics. When it becomes apparent that the door won't open no matter what she or anyone does, she'll wander back out to the battlefield.

It won't take her long to venture into one of the hanging nests and quickly she sets to work looting whatever she can, taking a coconut gun for herself and any food she can carry with her. She'll linger inside the nests for awhile, unease setting in at how militaristic this all was and her investigation will involve trying to find anything that might hint to what these creature's plans were and when they might implement them.

Whether you were one of the injured she checked on, joined her at the door or also were scavenging through the battlefield and nests, she's definitely more of a busy body than she has been before and will want to know how you're doing.

((ooc: despite the prompts being written as they are, I'll match any format you want for either of them! Brackets or prose is fine by me!))

Part 1

[prettypurpleparlor]

Well, this certainly wasn't how I was hoping to spend my morning.

[Muffet's tone is as polite and conversational as if she'd just walked up to Shepard on the beach, instead of in the middle of a battle. Lines of purple light lash out, wrapping up one ape mid-charge and tripping up another. She's restricting herself to holding their enemies back and keeping them out of the way instead of trying to actually harm them, but she's still certainly making this fight vastly more annoying for the apes than it would have been.]

[tenthstreetbred]

[Shepard doesn't show any outward surprise or acknowledgement of Muffet's presence beside her, but she does shift a bit to give the monster more room to move, as well as to watch her back to make sure one of the other apes with a spear doesn't get at her too quickly.]

How did you end up over here?

[Her tone is quick and curt as she moves to slice at another oncoming ape with her sickle. The damn thing feels weird and strange in her hands but at least it's a better weapon than just her biotics or her fists.]

[prettypurpleparlor]

I assure you, it wasn't intentional.

[Muffet pauses briefly to gesture at another ape trying to move in and flank them, resulting in threads sweeping it off its' feet and hauling it bodily into the ape to its' left, knocking them both down.]

I was trying to keep as many of our group unharmed as possible, but I had to keep moving to retain line of sight on them and avoid being hit myself, and I wound up gradually shifting this way.

[tenthstreetbred]

[She nods and then Charges into a group of three apes, her body flying 10 feet in front of her surrounded in a corona of blue light and killing the one she hit. In a fluid motion she takes her right arm and punches the ground with a vicious yell, activating a blast that sends the other two rocketing backward. They fall to the ground unmoving.

Scythe still in hand she runs back to Muffet, kicking another ape that was getting close.]

All right. I'll get you out of here, don't worry.

[prettypurpleparlor]

[Muffet is quietly shocked at Shepard's easy willingness to kill- she'd spent enough time around humans to learn about how they did things, and she'd heard the histories of old wars, but there's a difference between hearing about something and seeing it in person. She came from a proud, stubborn culture, yes, one struggling to survive- but, ultimately, one that defaulted to peace by nature.]

[If a career in business is good for anything, though, it's good for teaching people to control their reactions. Her expression doesn't change beyond a slight widening of her eyes, and she firmly reminds herself that whatever the merits of either of their cultures, now is most certainly not the time to debate the differences.]

I appreciate it- and yourself? As I said, I'd like to get all of us out of here unharmed, that does include you.

[A moment ago she would have said 'get everyone out of here unharmed', but apparently that ship has sailed for at least one side of this fight.]

[tenthstreetbred]

[Shepard notes the eye widening though to her it's understandable; Muffet is a civilian. She's not used to the woes and weight of war. Though you wouldn't really call this a war and more of a very brief skirmish. These apes don't stand a chance against her and the others around her.]

I appreciate the sentiment, Muffet, but I've been trained for this for the majority of my life and survived through much, much worse. You don't need to worry about me.

[And died through much worse but, eh.]

[prettypurpleparlor]

[She is fundamentally a civilian at heart, a baker and businesswoman, not a soldier or a guard... but the Royal Guard isn't here right now, so she's just going to have to make do. She keeps calmly tripping up apes and tying them out of the way as necessary.]

I'm glad to hear it- at least the part about not needing to worry- but the point remains: when are you planning to leave this fight? As far as I can tell, you're the farthest out here. If we can collect anyone else as we fall back, we should be able to get everyone out safely...

[greatcleavage]

The moment the apes appeared, Roy immediately spread his hands wide, the better to signal he was holding no weapons or hostile implements.

"Get behind me," he said over his shoulder to the others, in a voice that was quiet but still carrying. Roy had been leading for some time now, and though he recognized he had no acknowledged authority over anyone else here, he nonetheless hoped a confident and authoritative voice would reach them and keep them from doing anything rash or uncomfortably morally-grey. "We're the intruders here, so keep away from weapons. Does anyone have any ability to trans--"

With a sudden report, an ape cut all Roy's hopes of negotiations short by firing a coconut gun at him. The coconut caromed off his skull, making him wince -- then a moment later, the air was full of spears and darts and sling stones.

"Retreat!" he called out, hurriedly spreading his arms and making his armored form as large a target as possible, the better to protect the others behind him. "Get away from this village! Do not retaliate unless they follow us -- they have every right to defend their territory, we're the interlopers here. We'll only fight it we have to!"

At that, Roy began pushing backwards, trusting his superior size and strength to get anyone moving who might be hesitating. The last thing he wanted was a fight here, though he couldn't help but admit it might be unavoidable.

[prettypurpleparlor]

[Muffet is moving at a helpfully brisk pace, having frankly no desire to get stuck in an unnecessary battle.]

[A pair of her hands are moving swiftly as she retreats, purple light glimmering between them, but for now she's only using her magic to knock stones and other projectiles out of the air before they can hit anybody, instead of attacking directly.]

[greatcleavage]

Focus on protecting anyone who's not armored. Keep everyone safe as best you can.

[In other words, don't worry about him. He keeps retreating backwards, though the apes seem disinclined to simply let them go.]

[prettypurpleparlor]

I am, but I can't be everywhere at once. I can hold back any of the ones out in the open, but there's too many off lurking in the trees where I can't see them...

[As for unarmored people, why do you think she's trying to stay behind you? Like most monsters, Muffet's ultimately a long-range fighter, she'd rather not take any hits she doesn't have to.]

[greatcleavage]

[Which is exactly why she's on Roy's list of people to protect. And indeed, more than a few of the projectiles coming their way strike him, and his armor may protect from many of them, but not all.]

[This doesn't seem to discomfit him in the slightest. In fact he doesn't even seem to notice.]

Can you disable them without harming them? Because I am willing to consider that as an option right now!

[prettypurpleparlor]

[Even so, she does still keep using her threads to deflect anything she notices aimed at his head- one coconut to the skull may not have bothered him, but she'd still rather not risk him eventually ending up with a concussion due to lack of helmet.]

I've been tying them to various trees and other conveniently heavy objects, but that still runs into the problem with line of sight and what I can and can't see coming. Between the two of us, we could probably get ourselves out of here fast enough to avoid further trouble, but I don't think we can also make sure everyone else in our group comes along- and I'm not inclined to leave anybody.

[True to her word, an ape who'd been charging in from the side is now struggling futilely against the purple strands securing him firmly to the trunk of a nearby oak. His expression is amusingly petulant for a giant aggressive ape-creature.]

[greatcleavage]

[Muffet is really underestimating his ability to take punishment. Roy makes a note to have a discussion with her later about just how much he can endure proportionate to others present, but -- later.]

[But as for her simple effectiveness -- well, Roy really, really appreciates that, and adds a second mental note to express that more effectively later. For now...]

You're a delight to work with, I should tell you that. I don't suppose you have the ability to just make an AOE web to block off pursuit and force them to go around?

[prettypurpleparlor]

[Almost certainly, yes- she's aware that humans are physically stronger than monsters, but the gap between 'ordinary human' and 'high-level fighter' isn't something she's seen in action.]

[She smiles at the compliment.]

Why thank you- you're a very helpful person to know, yourself.

I can make something larger, yes, although I would still need something sufficiently sturdy to anchor it to- magical binding thread is still thread, after all. Trying to block off the area directly in front of us seems unfortunately likely to also cut off the easiest escape route for any of our group who've wound up further ahead, it would probably be best to wait on that until we know everyone else is with us.

However, if you can buy me a couple moments to take a look at the area, I can probably string a web up in the trees above our heads, to keep them from dropping down onto us directly.

Muffet, Part I, OTA

[prettypurpleparlor]

Ah, hello, pardon me-

[Muffet's attempt at a polite greeting is cut off by her need to duck to avoid the coconut aimed at her. She begins backing away at a reasonable, measured pace, voice still calm.]

I see you'd prefer not to speak to me, so I'll just be on my way...

[Until her attempt to leave is abruptly cut off by a large, pale-furred ape dropping out of the trees behind her. She neatly sidesteps the thrown spear and gestures sharply with one hand, leaving the aggressive simian suddenly tied securely to the nearest tree with threads of purple light.]

Rude.

Mercy | OTA

[caduceusoncall]

Part I: Valkyrie

[Mercy had kept close behind Roy since they set out. She hadn't heard of the expedition until just that morning, much to her annoyance. It wasn't that she had a taste for adventure, it was that she hated the thought of someone getting hurt out in the wilderness without her there to help. So she followed along now with her staff and knapsack full of hastily mixed healing solutions. When she saw the apes her heart dropped to her stomach. They did not look friendly at all. In fact, they were armed to the yellow-stained teeth with primitive weaponry. Implements for tearing and piercing, bashing and bruising.]

[Her voice is firm, her accent thicker than usual as the adrenaline starts to flow.]

Do not engage them! Back down and avoid contact!

Part II: Guardian Angel

Bitter powders mixed with mana pool water, strange oils that smelled sour and tasted sweet, and a small bundle of makeshift canvas bandages. And, of course, her staff. Her fickle staff that only worked half the time and sputtered out quickly when it did. This was all Mercy had to repair the aftermath of the battle. What she wouldn't give for proper supplies in a time like this. Silly her for thinking that war wouldn't follow her to this godforsaken corner of the universe.

She goes to each person individually, asking - demanding, really - to look them over for injuries. Or perhaps you've come to her, bleeding and bruised? Whichever way you cut it, the doctor will see you now.

((OOC: brackets or prose is fine!))

I

[crosslaced]

[Having to think of a strategy for retreat in five minutes is, frankly, laughable. But at least he has since the moment he spots the unnatural structure of the trees; the others are scrambling like they've had all of five seconds to think things out.

Cool-eyed, apparently unbothered by the chaos unfolding around him, he calls over to Mercy as he moves;]

You- if we can't retreat, [if? it seems quite likely]- can you fly up to the trees and take out the artillery there?

Re: I

[caduceusoncall]

[Mercy wheels around to face Laurent, eyes narrowed. She took an oath and she would not back out of it, not even now in the face of danger. Of course, this was not the first time she'd been on a battlefield, but it was certainly the first time she'd been so ill-prepared.]

I am a medic, not a soldier. We have to make a solid effort to- [A coconut whizzes past her head and shatters on the ground. She stares at it for a moment before making a dash for cover. That could have killed her.] Get down!

[crosslaced]

[A physician, of course. The armor is enough to fool him- but on the other hand, the armor is her best justification to be fooling around in the thick of conflict like this. Physicians right on the battlefield, imagine that.

Going along with popular belief, Laurent doesn't get down. He calmly lifts his eyes to scan the trees, splitting his attention from fending off the few ground-level apes that have noticed them. The latter, as it turns out, he seems to be able to do in his sleep. The latter, as it turns out, is a ruse for his real interest- catching sight of a gun muzzle aimed at him. The ape manning it is hurriedly reloading.

Immediately a glittering spear materialises in his right hand- he switches his sword to the left- and he sends it sailing into the trees. It's a little short- the distance is too far, it hits something lower than the heart- but the shape he sees there topples. Only now does he move in search of cover. ]

You were saying, a solid effort to...?

[caduceusoncall]

[Mercy's eyes follow the spear to its target in horror. The world seems to slow down as the ape falls. There was no turning back now, they were in this. She stares blankly at Laurent, struggling to keep her voice neutral.]

To retreat. This is their territory, we don't belong here. We should not have engaged.

[She clutches her staff tightly. She'll follow you into battle, Laurent, but she sure as hell won't like it.]

[crosslaced]

[He can see she's shocked- possibly she's also disgusted. He gets enough of this that he meets her gaze boldly, blue eyes unbothered as a brick wall.]

Retreat? That's going to take some work.

[He indicates the front of the compound, where a great number of monkeys are descending on those at the front of the retreat effort. The wall of trees is a shortcut for the monkeys as well as a trap for them- another coconut shatters on a tree beside Laurent, enough for him to break eye contact and duck away. His sword is still drawn; if Mercy wants to get him onboard her pacifism she’ll have to be more forceful about it.]

So do you have a plan for this brilliant idea of yours?

[caduceusoncall]

What we should have done- [She begins through clenched teeth, watching the retreat effort fail spectacularly before her eyes.] -is fall back to the temple, a significantly more defensible chokepoint. We could have at least minimized losses. What we will have to do is neutralize the threat.

Focus on disabling the enemy, if possible, rather than killing them. If you can escort me to the front of the compound, I can begin taking the wounded towards the temple.

[crosslaced]

And show them where we live?

[It's a fair idea, otherwise.]

I can manage that, but you'll have to accept that the least I can do is maim.

[As fancy as his magi’s uniform is, all antiquated lace on muted greys, it also harkens to old times where people liked to go to war too much.Aand his skillset is a reflection of that- he is the farthest thing from Muffet and almost all his magic is for murder.

But it does mean he's fairly confident he can get Mercy out.]