05-26-2017, 02:25 AM
Sparks jumped from Nebula's conduits and consoles as Somerled's rain pattered softly on the parched ground, running in rivulets across the ancient stones. Cart-fulls of darkchips lay scattered and unattended, their operators blown away by the downburst or fled to pursue more urgent tasks. The black obelisk loomed over the scene, crackling silently as injured darklings attempted to extract themselves from damp sand and fallen debris. It continued to shoot intermittent arcs of black fire into the sky, and every time it did the sodden grit rumbled - but no fresh dust-storm arose. For the moment, the necropolis was quiet.
Unopposed save for a few quickly-defeated attempts at interception by lone darkling raiders, all three Liberators hurried through the central plaza, past abandoned trucks and and equipment, converging on the ramp that would grant them access to the temple at the heart of the complex.
"Ya know," said said the monkey-boy, "these guys are dumb. With such huge stone buildings, I'd have put some doors on them or something. Like, great big decorated slabs that I could close if I wanted to keep people out- Then we'd never get in!"
Jim and Somerled stared at him for a long moment, and then turned and sprinted up the ramp.
Sun Ogong frowned. "What'd I say?"
Above them, a pair of massive stone doors, exactly like the monkey had described, began to grind closed. He yelped, rushing to catch up - and passed the other two half-way up the ramp.
It was a cinematically close call. Servomotors whined, boots thumped and bare feet slapped against ancient, rain-slick stone as the Liberators raced to make it through the rapidly narrowing gap. The monkey somersaulted through the breach, followed by the gasping weather-spirit, and finally the temple doors put yet another scrape on the battered bulk of Jim's armor as he barely squeezed between them. The two slabs met one another with a hollow, echoing crash, and an enormous cloud of dust.
The Liberators took in their new surroundings. Before them lay a vast hall, two stories high and hung with rotting tapestries woven in purple and gold. Darkened doorframes loomed against the engraved stonework, leading off into other parts of the building. A ring of waist-thick columns supported the ceiling, and a series of black marble steps led up to a bronze dais at the far end of the room. Once, a golden idol to some faceless many-limbed entity had held dominion there, but this had been shoved aside, and now lay in a tangled mass of broken sculpture, piled in a far corner. In its place stood a thick metal ring six meters in diameter, standing on-end, and not quite touching the surface of the platform. It was as dark as the Obelisk outside, and inlaid with elaborate golden circuitry and pulsing violet engravings. At its center, a rippling violet window into another space glowed, its shine casting the entire space in starkly sinister black-lit hues.
The only other source of light was the many pairs of glowing red eyes, peering at the Primes from the shadows and blaring crimson curiosity from the cowls of a line of silhouetted figures who stood backlit by the otherworldly glow of the Nebula stronghold's gate.
Unopposed save for a few quickly-defeated attempts at interception by lone darkling raiders, all three Liberators hurried through the central plaza, past abandoned trucks and and equipment, converging on the ramp that would grant them access to the temple at the heart of the complex.
"Ya know," said said the monkey-boy, "these guys are dumb. With such huge stone buildings, I'd have put some doors on them or something. Like, great big decorated slabs that I could close if I wanted to keep people out- Then we'd never get in!"
Jim and Somerled stared at him for a long moment, and then turned and sprinted up the ramp.
Sun Ogong frowned. "What'd I say?"
Above them, a pair of massive stone doors, exactly like the monkey had described, began to grind closed. He yelped, rushing to catch up - and passed the other two half-way up the ramp.
It was a cinematically close call. Servomotors whined, boots thumped and bare feet slapped against ancient, rain-slick stone as the Liberators raced to make it through the rapidly narrowing gap. The monkey somersaulted through the breach, followed by the gasping weather-spirit, and finally the temple doors put yet another scrape on the battered bulk of Jim's armor as he barely squeezed between them. The two slabs met one another with a hollow, echoing crash, and an enormous cloud of dust.
The Liberators took in their new surroundings. Before them lay a vast hall, two stories high and hung with rotting tapestries woven in purple and gold. Darkened doorframes loomed against the engraved stonework, leading off into other parts of the building. A ring of waist-thick columns supported the ceiling, and a series of black marble steps led up to a bronze dais at the far end of the room. Once, a golden idol to some faceless many-limbed entity had held dominion there, but this had been shoved aside, and now lay in a tangled mass of broken sculpture, piled in a far corner. In its place stood a thick metal ring six meters in diameter, standing on-end, and not quite touching the surface of the platform. It was as dark as the Obelisk outside, and inlaid with elaborate golden circuitry and pulsing violet engravings. At its center, a rippling violet window into another space glowed, its shine casting the entire space in starkly sinister black-lit hues.
The only other source of light was the many pairs of glowing red eyes, peering at the Primes from the shadows and blaring crimson curiosity from the cowls of a line of silhouetted figures who stood backlit by the otherworldly glow of the Nebula stronghold's gate.
Quote:Final obstacle before the gate! One more challenge!
You've reached the gate leading to Nebula Space in the Dunes. It's watched over by a dozen corrupted priests. Formerly the clergy of the deity this temple was built to, killed and reanimated to serve Nebula's purpose instead. They are accustomed to the dark of the temple's interior, and will not be hampered by it. They function in two units of six, each of which have the following statistics as a group:
Stats:
ATK: 3
DEF: 4
SPD: 2
TEC: 3
Proficiencies: Physical Strength, Ranged Proficiency, Debuff, Area Attack, Ranged Materialize
Powers: Survival, Hive Mind, Disassemble, Phasing, Teleportation (Basic), Enhanced Senses (Basic)
Both groups have sharp, clawed fingers. One group has distorted mouths, full of huge teeth, which impart a poison that can numb and slow targets struck by it. The other group has large, sickle-blades on their arms. Both groups are capable of firing bolts of magic and dark energy. One can summon pillars of magic from the ground, the other can cast wide-area hexes and debilitating effects to weaken and hamper enemies. Both groups can clamber on and over walls and the ceiling like spiders, without difficulty.
They are fierce and savage, and will use everything they have to to keep you from reaching the portal. Your objective is to destroy them all, or get past them and through the portal. You are free to choose.
Damage Report:
-- 1 point of damage for everyone, from superficial injuries and wear and tear from being battered around
Everyone has six days and may make one post, up to 2000 words each, to overcome this last obstacle. Happy hunting!