mines.

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EXPLORE THE MINES

IC COMM. Navigation OOC COMM.

The mines, once boarded up and abandoned, have been opened back up to any would-be spelunkers to venture into in the hopes of finding gems and treasures aplenty. It is said that these mines burrow deep into the depths of the mountain and no one can tell you exactly how deep they go, but if you're feeling lucky, grab a pickaxe on your way in and find out for yourself.

The mines are a cyoa-style exploration event that can be participated in once every week until the end of the game. Results are determined via RNG and can earn your character unique items, help or hinder them with blessings and curses, or result in bodily injury if they get unlucky enough. Your character may brave the mines alone or bring a friend.

As physical injuries (excluding death) are a possible result of exploring the mines, let us know at any time if you want to retcon your results to avoid your character getting injured. If you choose this option, it will be as if your character never stepped foot in the mines, but you will not be able to participate again until the following week. Weigh your options carefully!

Comments

[meowst]

[ Faust's grabbed a pickaxe, too, even though it's... strange to hold some sort of weapon that's not his mirror. As they proceed, he grimaces and covers his nose with his sleeve. ]

It does. [ He clears his throat. ] Let's follow it, if you can handle it.

[ It's not condescending, it's just that he knows it might be too much for some. ]

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[ The stench lingers, the putrid smell of... hm. Something smells like the ocean. Maybe it's fish? Sure smells like rotten ones.

But it's still dark on the first floor. ]

[irresponsibly]

Ugh...it's so bad...but I'll keep going.

[ She's going to squint, though, as the floor gets dark. Can she make out shadows of anything in particular? ]

Do you have a light source on you?

[meowst]

Yeah.

[ In the palm of his hand, a small light appears. He sighs; it's not his usual power, but... he'd expected that. Regardless, he holds it in front of them, then looks at her. ]

When you're ready, we can move forward. [ A pause. ] ... If you get hurt, I can't use my usual healing, but I can make some sugar to heal you.

[ But he'd rather avoid that. Once Lucia's ready, though, he'll lead the trek through the mines. ]

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[ Mmm wizard sugar...

There appears to be a treasure chest when they proceed further. It's just there, inconspicuously in the middle of the path. However, the smells seems to be radiating from there. ]

[irresponsibly]

[ YIKES. Hm. ]

I'll be careful to not get hurt...but...

[ That chest smells terrible. ]

It's coming from there. Do you think we should open it?

[meowst]

[ ....... ]

We probably shouldn't, but I'd rather open it here and now so if it's something dangerous, others won't get hurt.

[ Well... at least he's honest. He looks at her, and he doesn't realize it, but there's concern there. ]

Stand back. I might not have access to all of my magic, but I'm still sturdier than a human.

[ Let's open the chest! ]

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[ When the chest opens, there's nothing inside except a gaping pitfall. The chest cannot be moved, but it looks like you can go down the pitfall if you'd like! Who knows? Maybe you'll find something that's of high value if you do. ]

[irresponsibly]

Wh...

[ She peeks into the pitfall and freezes up. ]

I-is that even safe?! Do we...do we follow it?!

[meowst]

[ ... Hm! This is suspicious. Faust peers down, then looks at Lucia with a frown. It's not great to see a kid so scared... ]

If you're unsure, you can stay here while I go down.

[ He's going to look down again to see if he can figure out how steep the drop is... Are we talking "lose your foothold and die" here? ]

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[ It's a veeeery long fall—crrtainly more than two stories at the very LEAST. Unfortunately, the flashlight can't show them much because of how far it is, but there is a no-death clause for mine cyoas, so they might be in for a surprise if they jump in. (Kappa) ]

[irresponsibly]

No, I feel bad letting you go in alone...

[ But she will only go in if Faust does. It's up to you, wizard man! ]

[meowst]

Alright.

[ He gestures for her to come closer. ]

Climb on my back and hold onto my shoulders.

[ He's carried Shylock before, and despite appearances, he's a fair bit stronger and sturdier than one would assume. The light hovers near his head as he starts the climb. Once he's comfortable dropping down, he lets go, holding Lucia's legs so she doesn't fall.

What've we got here? ]

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[ Faust and Lucia will feel themselves fall, fall, and fall until Faust seems to land on something soft? It seems to be a heap of flowers that cushioned their fall, even though it shouldn't be possible.

But then fairies find Faust and think he's pretty handsome. Hot, even. So a swarm of them appears all at once to carry Faust away, especially the buff ones. Uwah, Faust is so cool! I can't believe I'm finally seeing him in person!

Goodbye, Faust.

There seems to be a reservoir of blue-tinted water further up ahead in their path that has an eerie blue glow. ]

[irresponsibly]

F...Faust?!

[ What the hell...

Guess she's stuck down here alone, though. Lucia will dare to tread towards the water, and once she's close, she'll peer over a little to get a closer look at the water itself. What's inside? ]

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[ It's an incredibly clear body of water despite how the pond illuminates a blue light. It's so clear that Lucia will see alexandrites at the bottom. It will definitely have to be mined with a pickaxe to get it out of the ground.

But would Lucia dare to go into strange water? If not, she can move further into the mines. ]

[irresponsibly]

[ Sadly, nope, she would not. She has no idea how to use a pickaxe and she's probably get exhausted really easily, so she'll move further into the mines... Farewell, pretty alexandrites. ]

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[ When Lucia goes further into the mines, it gets colder and colder...

And tiny sneezes are heard. Must be the fairies. They look like they're setting something up. A ritual circle? ]

I AM SO LATE

[irresponsibly]

[ ...?

Lucia will go ahead and walk over carefully, trying to avoid making herself known, but I rolled a 5 on stealth so. Rip. She'll probably be spotted, or at least made known by her foosteps. ]

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[ "It's a human! Why are you here?!"
"Oh no, the human spotted us!"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaa"

The fairies give mixed responses... What will Lucia do? It doesn't look like she can go around them either. ]

[irresponsibly]

S...sorry! I'm – I'm not here to hurt you! I just wanted to see what was going on!

[ While she's panicking, can she make out anything about the summoning circle...? If they're sacrificing anything, what it looks like, etc. ]

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[ It looks like the typical occultic summoning circle. If Lucia can decipher it, she's more than welcome to! It's just a bunch of small candles around the circle of unintelligible scribbles.

"It's just one human. What can she even do?"
"Hm... If she wants to watch so bad, that's fine."
"I'm still against it."
"Nobody cares about your opinions."

The last jab was at the previous fairy. ]