:quality(75)/curiosity-data.s3.amazonaws.com/images/content/thumbnail/standard/e08157f8-0b8b-495b-ba6e-af374c49d84b.png)
finding alcina.mod note.Much of what you know about the caverns was uncovered on your last exploration. And all of the areas listed in the prior log are still open for exploration! But, as this is a much smaller group focused, primarily, on the massive underwater lake that seems to be pulsating with magic, the log will focus on that. The information found in the log linked above can be assumed as disseminated throughout the Circle. You guys are a chatty bunch. :)
Additionally, this expedition will have Two Akvosian Warriors coming along: their names are Ka'mea'pale (the male tiger-shark) and Koa'ikaika (the female lion fish). For the most part, they will be silent, going along simply as guards. They will only be present for the journey. They will be unable to go into the magical cavern, as they cannot travel on land.
Finally, there is a section for mod questions below, if you need help. the journey to the pool.
While the first time you ventured into the caverns was for curious exploration, you now do so with a renewed sense of purpose -- to attempt to find Alcina, after she has introduced herself to you. Like it or not, the burden rests on the Circle to be able to find the mysterious woman . . . Astoria seems incapable of coming down here yourself. That being said, Astoria has granted you all an underwater breathing spell that works as you delve into the depths below. She has offered her support, as much as she can give it, in trying to track down Alcina. This spell will work anytime you are submerged under water for the duration of your trip.
So. . . intrepid heroes, what are you planning to find?
The caverns are a mixture of underwater and partially-submerged areas. There are areas where you will have to primarily focus on underwater-diving, and portions of the caves where you can freely walk.
The creatures who populate the underwater caverns of Lake Dona that you met in the previous log are all present. There are bioluminescent eels, who not only bite, but feast on magical energy. Suffering a bite from one of these eels will completely eradicate your Astoria granted powers for five hours (but will not affect the underwater breathing spell). Have fun with that. There are kelpies, who are skittish, and are definitely scared of your presence. And there are mysterious water sprites, who beckon you to pools of water. You are drawn closer to them, curious, inquisitive . . . you want to get into them . . . and if you dip into the pools, watery arms of the sprites that live within glide around you, and coax you into the depths below . . . you feel calm, serene.
Hopefully, someone is looking out for you. Who knows what would happen if the sprites pulled you all the way to their depths? Using the buddy system is a good idea, down here.
However, as you journey into the cavern . . . those that died on the Horologium will notice a boost in their Astoria-granted powers. Your manipulation of your own magical energy will become stronger. Those that did not die on the Horologium will not have that same boosted effect on your powers.
the cage.
Eventually, you come across a massive cavern, with another underground lake. The water seems to sparkle with energy -- tiny lights dance across the water, skipping across the surface without a care in the world. However, scattered across the walls, are runes carved into the marble. It's a language you do not understand, but you do come across one message in particular that you can understand . . . tucked amongst the runic symbols:
It's a familiar message for those of you who explored this cave before. However, something has changed in this cavern since the last time the Circle has ventured down here. The magical energy is almost suffocating, and for those who have not died on the Horologium, it can almost feel as if it hard to breathe. You are winded easily, you have a sluggish movement . . . whereas those who have died on the Horologium feel a renewed sense of vigor. It seems the closer you get to the water, the more these effects are exacerbated.
One thing that does remain true for both groups, though? Using your Astoria-granted powers to interact with the pool of water will cause your entire being to erupt in pain. Any interaction of your magical abilities with the water will cause an immediate, horrific burst of searing pain from all over. It is almost as if you are attempting to mix oil and water; whatever magic this stuff is made out of clearly does not play well with whatever you all have.
the punishment.
Last, but not least . . . for those of you who attempt to enter the water without usage of your powers, you start to feel strange. Those who came here the last time, you may remember a sudden paralysis, at merely touching the water. This time, though, you are allowed to enter it. Just enough, to submerge to your knees. No matter what you try, you cannot go any deeper, as it appears that you are standing on some type of solid barrier, even though you cannot see the bottom of this pool. Something is holding you up. And, for a tense moment, nothing seems to happen.
And then, all of a sudden, there is a burst of voices.
For some of you, you will hear whispers of the dead. People from your lives, your pasts. People you have tried to save, and failed. People you have killed, or even the voices of your comrades that were killed on the Horologium. They are incessant, wrapping around you. Claiming your every sense.
For others, you will hear the voice of Alcina. You cannot make out exact words, or context. But you will hear a repeat of what she told the victims on the Horologium . . . word for word, the exact message. Hello, Travelers. You do not know who I am, Astoria has made sure of that, but I am here. I am so sorry it has taken such violence for me to be able to reach you. I need your help. And I believe I can give you help as well. Please- look for me. Search for me. I am not far. My name is Alcina...
Still others will hear combating voices -- an old conversation. One, extraordinarily familiar to you . . . Astoria, and Alcina. Talking, discussing. Visions of different worlds will appear in your view . . . a red desert, with a beautiful palace in the center. A massive forest, with trees higher than the skies themselves. A robust city, with billowing smokestacks.
And, finally, you will hear the whisper of Alcina, urgently, desperately:
Faerun.
You are going to Faerun.
The voices will eventually die down, to leave a remarkable silent cavern. You are shaken, by the experience. Overwhelmed, perhaps, by the sudden tangible experience of whatever is lying in this pool. And, most importantly, you leave with a clue -- a clue, perhaps, of where you are going next.
What in the hell is in that lake?
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acatalepsy_logs2019-04-01 11:31 am
[ the cage. ]
[ She pushes her wet bangs off to one side, looking out across the water where her lights illuminate the runic message. ]
This message was relayed to me before, but none of my sources had any insight to its meaning. It's an ominous script.
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[ it's murmured to himself, as he looks over the cavern walls. ]
If we're operating under the assumption that Alcina is here . . . I wonder who she has freed, if the 'she' refers to her.
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She may be a psychopomp. Or an assassin.
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[He's been in the present long enough to hear all the takes about how death is a prison and all that.]
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[She can't say for sure if it was the same person because she didn't hear it - she didn't die - but it's at least evidence that Alcina may have been trying to communicate for a while.]
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[ Her head tilts. She remembers that Astoria had been talking to 'Alcina' but at the time had assumed it was merely her madness at work. Perhaps time to rethink. ]
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I don't know if it's the same person, since I didn't die, but ...
[If someone else did, they can confirm or deny.]
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any dead folks feel free to reply to zari once we know this thing
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That sounds like her.
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She's trying to reach out to us. I figure the least we can do is try and reach back.
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[ Did she forget? Play it off as a delusion? Was she so used to those... ]
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[Which isn't always true of all worlds. Constantine might be able to speak to it more, but Constantine isn't here.]
Sometimes the dead can still ... linger, I guess.
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Fair enough. And if we find a spirit, instead of a woman?
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[Zari shrugs, because this isn't her wheelhouse.]
I don't know.
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