Gula Underside Log

[cancrymods]

GULA DUNGEON LOG

As you make the now familiar descent, the screeches and chatterings of the Underside's inhabitants swim up to meet you alongside a suffocating wall of heat. The Gula Underside unfolds itself before you in jewel colours and sweltering heat. In stark contrast to the Rusted City stripped bare and the sterile Undercity, the Gluttony Underside is bursting with life - and danger. This densely packed rainforest spills out in all directions like a natural maze and you're going to have to pull out all the stops to find Gerda before something else does - or before it finds you.

THE UNDERSIDE

♪♫ Floating -Liquidly- – Sakuzyo The jungle is thickly clustered with huge palm trees rising to form an almost impassable canopy that only opens out occasionally when branches shift or when the wind blows, revealing the dim green light of the Underside's sickly looking sky. As you look up, you occasionally see the shadows of Revenants (or at least you HOPE they're Revenants) darting around high above your head. The ground is blanketed in luscious undergrowth that feels soft underfoot - loamy moss, tangled patches of grass, leaves. Occasionally, the uneven ground gives way to puddles of water or patches of loose, sloppy mud that you're forced to wade your way through if you want to proceed. Fortunately (or unfortunately), the jungle is so dense that you're never not within reaching distance of a sturdy tree or rock you can use to steady yourself. Somewhere in this place is Gerda and your way further down into Purgatory. Let's hope you can make your way through unscathed. AREAS OF INTEREST Due to the sheer scale of this Underside, explorations will proceed slightly differently. The Executors will be split into three teams – two to explore the Underside itself and the third being the team assigned to this layer's Boss Combat. Please see below for your role assignments. ⚝ NORTHBOUND: The Executors exploring the north are Medic, Etoile, Lion, Chiron and Veil. ⚝ SOUTHBOUND: The Executors exploring the south are Rei, Genius, Mona, Achilles, Ariel and Phoenix. ⚝ THE WATERING HOLE: Boss Combat volunteers, report! HAZARDS ⚝ Dense Wood: The overgrowth of the jungle and the tightly packed trees mean there are very few wide open spaces as you make your way through. For those of you who rely on your eyeballs, this means visibility is hampered - and that Revenants could ambush you if you're not on high alert! Uneven Footing: Given how wild the terrain here is, you might find that it's a bit hard to get stable footing when you're running to and fro here. Some of this is varied elevation but a lot of it is varied textures too. Stumble too close to anywhere with running water and you'll be slipping and sliding all up and down the Underside! ⚝ Revenant Types Present: Charles, Minturno

Comments

[swordofajerk]

Wolfsbane! Goddess damn you, we have to avoid cutting of its heads!

[See this? This is why he doesn't like you! At least Lion listens!]

If you can't fucking aim, stop firing! [To the new arrivals:] That's the problem we're having. We cut off a head, two more grow in its place.

[ourtomorrow]

If we get her out of the water, we'll have a bigger target.

[ And he's only got a weapon.... ]

Who has ranged attacks?

[emberserker]

Shut up!

[That's directed at Sword. She scowls at Anguis and charges up another spell.]

Do you really think you can outmaneuver me? I'm always three steps ahead of garbage like you, no matter how many heads you've got! Dodge this!

[And she fires three fireballs in a spray.]

[cancrymods]

With a head for each fireball, Anguis responds with a jet of water for each one. Two of the fireballs are extinguished before hitting their mark. The third one goes wild, though and Wolfsbanes' attack manages to strike one of the heads. It reels, screeching in pain and the other two heads surge forward in response, both aiming to take a bite out of Wolfsbane, since she's proving to be so troublesome!

Wolfsbane is thankfully quick enough to dodge them, but the chaos of avoiding the attacks means she sacrifices her Movement for the next turn.

[etincelledefierte]

Would you two idiots calm down before someone gets killed for the second time? We need to work together and deal with those heads. I can do a ranged attack from here if someone can follow up with fire to cauterize the heads.

[With that, she’s going to move into a position where she can get a better look at Anguis.]

[daughterofthemark]

[Veil, meanwhile, has work to do. It's hard to judge which of the other three is in the worst shape, but the one who clearly has the hydra's attention could probably use a Heal Order.]

Don't falter, Dame Wolfsbane! Stand strong!

[cancrymods]

Veil's Heal Order restores one point of Durability to Wolfsbane, which is enough to keep her on her feet as the battle progresses! Given what they've deduced about Anguis' nature, her magic should come in handy for finishing things off.

It's a bit hard to get a good look at Anguis what with all three of her heads writhing around now, but the most notable thing is her hesitation – or maybe even inability – to leave the lake. No matter how much they bait her, she won't leave the water. Could that be some sort of weak point?

Better think fast if it is, because Anguis, seeing the new arrivals contributing to the battle, dives back under the surface of the lake. The water begins to froth and boil with huge clouds of steam pouring off it. Is she gathering her strength, or charging some sort of attack? Either way, you should use this time to come up with a solid strategy!

[swordofajerk]

[He's not even going to argue Etoile calling them both idiots, at least not right now. They have bigger fish to fry. Probably literally.

Now that things are slightly under control (very slightly), Sword stands back to try and get a look at this stupid snake thing.]

I know it doesn't like lighting. That's about all I've been able to do to it, and each time just pisses it off. Anyone else have something that can shock it?

[ourtomorrow]

My spear might conduct electricity.

[ It's metal, after all. But there's one big problem. ]

I can't generate the shock, though....

[emberserker]

[The trap she laid has long since worn off. She points her spear at where she expects Anguis will re-emerge, setting a fireball-launching trap spell not unlike a proximity mine.]

Then stab it once Sword shocks it. Etoile can attack, and my fire should do the trick after that. Veil seems to be fine doing... whatever it is she does. Simple.

[etincelledefierte]

Hang on a second, Wolfsbane. Let me try something. I have light magic, so Prehnite, do you think that if I aim my beam at your spear, you can get enough height to redirect the beam towards its heads to cut them off, then have Wolfsbane follow up with fire to cauterize the wounds?

[daughterofthemark]

If electricity is the key, I can contribute to that as well.

[cancrymods]

For those of you watching, the surface of the lake is boiling and frothing even more intensely as the seconds go by – and the ground beneath your feet is starting to tremble with the force of it as well.

Whatever it is Anguis is planning, you don't have long before it's unleashed!

[swordofajerk]

...here's an idea. I have lightning, and it doesn't like that. I will distract it, the rest of you get ready to attack.

[And as soon as anyone else agrees, Sword will send another bolt into the water with his sword, going away from the group.]

[ourtomorrow]

I'll get in place!

[ Back up Prehite darts, thrusting his spear at Anguis once more - not at an angle or position where he thinks he'll cleave off a head. Further concentrated attacks here might help...! ]

[emberserker]

[Wolfsbane's trap is already set, so she stands behind it in hopes that Anguis will set it off in correct time to send a fireball at a cut-off head. She fires an ice shard into the water to provoke the creature out.]

[etincelledefierte]

Okay, Prehnite, firing on three. Ready?

[She starts her attack spin, counting.]

One, two, three!

[With that, she aims her beam of light towards his spear, careful to aim at the point.]

[daughterofthemark]

Yes! Strike the enemy, now!

[Veil thus sets up a Volt Bomb on Anguis.]

[cancrymods]

The Executor's coordination is perfect! The lake water surges under their feet, exploding out of the ground in a boiling geyser but they manage to execute their plan to perfection. Anguis charges right at them, all three heads shrieking in anger – but just as Sword predicted, she's not too fond of the electricity. Wolfsbane's trap staggers her enough that she can't avoid the lightning coursing through her body. Everything's chaos and it's hard to keep up with what's going on but–

You have an opening! Anguis is forced to sacrifice her Movement for two full turns. Take out as many of the heads as you can!

[swordofajerk]

Now! I'll keep shocking it, the rest of you focus on cutting the heads off and keeping the new ones from growing!

[This is going to exhaust him, and he knows it, but his sword's good for stabbing, not slicing. Electrocuting the beast is the best option for him right now.]

[ourtomorrow]

Etoile-san!

[ Thrust goes the spear, deeper this time, hoping to sever a head while the lightning stuns and, hopefully, cauterizes.... ]

[emberserker]

There won't be anything left of you in this afterlife!

[With a self-assured and more than slightly concerning laugh, Wolfsbane swings her axe to launch fireballs wherever anyone might leave a stump where a head had been.]

[etincelledefierte]

Hit it with everything we’ve got!

[She’ll just spin up and fire again.]

[daughterofthemark]

Show us your power, Sir Sword!

[Writing out complete sentences about how Veil is using Attack Order or whatever gets old fast.]

[swordofajerk]

[Once again, Sword sends a bolt into the water and hopefully Anguis itself, though this one is stronger than the others (thanks Veil!)]

Die already!