Re: In Xanadu: The Mystery Begins

[Stella Luce 333]

Yumi: Probbly not...but sombdy had to make them, right?

[Keeper Of Secrets]

The group steadily makes their way across the hauntingly beautiful landscape, climbing steadily upwards through many strange and unearthly shrubs and flowers of different colors. After a short hike, the group reaches the plateau between Xanadu's twin peaks.

Before them, a large lake is formed from the confluence of the multiple streams rushing down Xanadu's largest peak at the other end of the plateau. The area is practically choked with leafy vines and shrubs, while the crystal-clear water remains relatively placid. Fed by three impressive waterfalls, the lake would make any landscape painter or naturalist gasp.

A tower sits directly over the southern river confluence, suspended by an arch of cables that spring from the nearby shores and directly out of the river. Ulrich pondered for a moment before speaking:

Ulrich: Computer, bring up the tower map.

With a wave of his hand, the glowing green map appeared in front of him:

Ulrich: This looks like tower... Echo Papa. Where should we go from here, Jeremie? It all looks like a great place to take a vacation.

As Odd flies further ahead, he can get a better view of the large tower. It is at least two times wider than the others, and the cables connecting to its base look like overgrown roots. The water from the various streams flow directly from beneath the tower, pouring from moss-covered pipes that poke from between large cables. Beneath him, the lake sparkles in the clear daylight and looks like an inviting place to take a swim.

[Railen]

Jeremie does somewhat relax from the calming sight and the light breeze, momentarily sitting down in the grass to calmly inspect the environment.

Jeremie: "Don't forget there are also dangers out here; I wouldn't go on a vacation just yet. Odd, can you find an entrance to the tower or anything?"

He really is interested in that particular tower, determined to find out why it's different.

[Keeper Of Secrets]

Code:

Ok, I was expecting a reply from one of the other players in the meanwhile...

Ulrich: It looks like all of the water for these streams comes from that tower somehow. Do you think it is safe to drink, Jeremie?

Ulrich asks his question with a slight smirk as he draws his katana, the steel blade flashing in the bright sunlight. He idly runs the tip through the crystal-clear water and observes the gentle ripples created by its wake.

[Coto524]

Code:

I swear I posted....

Odd: Which tower, Einstein? Echo Papa, or the big, big one?

[Railen]

Jeremie: "You can guess three times, birdboy."

Jeremie follows Ulrich's movements with his eyes, being amazed with how well the water is simulated. Only a detailed look shows it's slightly different from the real thing.

Jeremie: "It's digital water, Ulirch, no matter how good it looks. Even -if- it is drinkable, it won't do us any good in the real world."

[Coto524]

Odd across the lake to Echo Papa. He circled around the rooty bit, running his hand along the side.

[quote]Odd: I'll keep looking. [Resolve + Wits]

[Keeper Of Secrets]

As Odd landed gently at the base of the tower, he could see that the tower forms a sort of bridge over the river out of its supporting cables. The tower looks as silent and imposing as the others, though from here he can still get a good view of the massive central tower.
Resolve + Wits = 5

Ulrich knelt next to the lake, dipping his hand into the crystal-clear digital water.

Ulrich: Well, it feels like real water. It's nice and cool, anyway.

He caught a small amount in his armored hand and brought the liquid to his lips.

[Stella Luce 333]

Yumi: Just be carfl close to the edge. We don't need you fallng in, evn if yor pants do look like they'd help you flot...

[Keeper Of Secrets]

Code:

OOC: Ok, it looks like I need to be a little more proactive...

Shrugging off the jab, Ulrich drinks the water cupped in his hands. Immediately, his awareness sharpens as he feels a rush of euphoria from the cool water. The drink makes him feel more vigorous and alive, and the sudden rush of power makes him feel momentarily giddy.
2 energy points restored

Ulrich: Jeremie, something just happened...

[Railen]

Jeremie: "Yes, you're rushy as always. Let's hope it's nothing bad. Computer, if you could, please.."

Jeremie waves his hand through the air in order for the interface to appear, glancing at Ulrich suspiciousely.

Jeremie: "I'd like a detailed scan of the character Ulrich at this moment and ten seconds ago."

[Keeper Of Secrets]

The computer's voice chimes in calmly:

Code:

Scan Completed.  No anomalous readings detected at this time.

A wireframe of Ulrich's avatar form appears before you, with relevant data concerning everything from current heart rate to the precise molecular composition of his katana.
You do notice an event flag labeled

Code:

>EVENT_wateroflife_00:32:21:0083

which appears to coincide with the timestamp of a few seconds ago. In addition, the standing wave pattern abstractly representing his energy point level has increased in amplitude, oddly enough.

Ulrich: Are you done worrying? We should get back to exploring while we still have time back on earth.

[Railen]

Hmm. At first sight, Ulrich's energy level has increases slightly. But that's not a reason for Jeremie to stop worrying. He plans to research further after this trap, to make sure no side-effects kick in over time.

Jeremie: "Alriight, alright, let's move."

[Stella Luce 333]

Yumi: Whch brngs us back to the orgnl qusten. Do we chck out the towr or the villge, or do we just keep walkng?

[Coto524]

Odd: Yeah. My wings won't last forever. To the tower over there, the tower up there, or the village?

[Keeper Of Secrets]

Ulrich: It's up to you, Einstein. I feel ready for anything.

[Railen]

Why do the decisions always fall on Jeremie? Not that he minds much, but eventually that will probably backfire.

Jeremie: "Big tower, definately. I want to find out why.. it's so big. I'll put the village on my list for later."

[Keeper Of Secrets]

Ulrich smirked at Jeremie's less-than-eloquent reply:

Ulrich: How profound. Let's get going, then.

As you look up at the mountain and the topographical map, there are three apparent paths leading to the top of the mountain and to the base of the tower.
The shortest and most direct path leads up the western slope of the mountain, up the narrow moss-covered rocks that flank the central waterfall feeding into the lake from the tower's base. It would be a tough climb.
The next route leads up the southern slope, up through a gap between the bushes and plants dotting the mountainside. It is steep and longer than the direct route, but should be easier.
The final apparent route would be to walk around the mountain and walk up the relatively tame eastern side: it would be the longest route but would not likely be hard at all.

[Coto524]

Odd: I'm up for walking on the southern slope, Jer. I can fly the harder bits.

[Railen]

Jeremie didn't like the looks of that. He's never been te best climber, noes does he have wings.

Jeremie: "I think I'll pass.."

Looking over the other two options, he decides to walk te second route. Not the easiest of all, but it should be bearable and not too long.

[Stella Luce 333]

I follwd Jeremy in case he wold need back up...

[Coto524]

Odd walked up the slope, flapping over hard bits.

Odd: Hey Jer, do you want a hand up the harder bits?

[Railen]

From a flying turkey? No thanks. Not to be rude, but Jeremie still has a little ego that likes to prove he's not a nerd-only at times.

Jeremie: "I'll be fine, thanks."

[Keeper Of Secrets]

The sun sets on Xanadu as you begin your journey eastwards. The climb is arduous, but you all make the trudge up the mountain, starting at the base halfway between towers Echo Papa and Bravo Oscar. The narrow path weaves through numerous patches of alien vegetation, through patches of broken rock, and moss-covered steppes.

In addition, on your way up you pass several small fissures in the ground to either side of the trail from which ice-cold air wafts upwards, turning to a faint steam upon reaching the surface. These fissures run deep, and you can see ice crystals formed on their walls starting a few meters down. Each fissure is no more than a half a meter wide, tapering to a diameter too small to crawl through.



As the climb goes on, you all arrive at the top of the mountain at different times based on your Stamina score: Yumi is at the head of the line, followed by Ulrich and Jeremie. Odd reaches the top a good ten minutes before anyone else in the group as he is flying. Moments after reaching the top of the mountain, he feels the familiar mental trigger as his wings begins to meld back with his body, and he lands neatly on an open patch of moss while taking a look around.

The top of the mountain affords an unparalleled view of Xanadu, and the rapidly setting sun casts the entire island in stark oranges and purples. You can see the numerous rivers, towers, and plant life covering its surface, and the shadows cast by the towers grow longer by the minute.

Far to the west, you can see the strange village you sighted previously, and far to the east you can see what appears to be another city! It is surrounded by high walls, and each building appears to be made from some kind of dark stone. The whole eastern peninsula of Xanadu is more barren and rocky than the rest of it, in stark contrast to the intense lushness of the rest of the island.

In front of you stands the large central tower, and you are awed by the sight. It is far taller than any skyscraper you have ever seen, and its perfect ivory-white surface gleams in the low light. Its cable-roots are each the size of a wagon wheel in diameter, and form a dense maze around the tower's base. Plants and rocks jut out from spaces between the cables, and the roar of the waterfall flowing from a gap beneath the tower down the side of the mountain fills your ears. Aside from the white noise of the waterfall, the peak is silent and you feel the need to be equally solemn, as if you were in a church or library.

Odd currently stands at the peak of the mountain alone. You are out of shouting distance of the rest of the group.

[Railen]

As his target finally seems somewhat close-by, Jeremie picks up his pace and starts running towards the tower. About time they got here - now just to get there, and figure out what's so special about it.

On a sidenote, he'd love to just sit there for a moment and catch his breath while looking at the descending sun and the terrifying landscape.

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