|
Post by Dante on Oct 23, 2022 12:46:05 GMT
Dante shrugs and nods "makes sense; we've seen mild variations of this between the different worlds of the Nexus though slight enough that with mild enhancements and adjustments, almost anything here works."
Dante seems to consider her earlier statement. and sensing no harm in honoring her request, he goes on to say "it would be my pleasure in doing so. Folks around here mean well but few know the way up the mountain better than I, and fewer still could handle the dangers, outside of a well armed and protected caravan. If you would prefer we can wait for the next expedition, or if you believe yourself capable, I can take you there myself"
|
|
|
Post by Maeve on Oct 23, 2022 21:22:59 GMT
"Thanks for takeing me there" Mara replies. "I can hold my own when it starts to be tough nevertheless a decent weapon of local design would welcomed."
"I will inform the first officer of the Marie Celeste that I'm going on a field trip with you. Just tell me when we are going to leave."
|
|
|
Post by Dante on Oct 24, 2022 14:01:49 GMT
He nods "my pleasure. I know a good supplier for weaponry, depending on your preferences and skillset."
"very well, once you've made those arrangements, meet me at the main gates of the dome. You'll find it on the north side of the city, just follow the main road. It's safest to set out just after the sun's come up, gives the most amount of protection from the intense cold. Downside though is that the predators that live out there are most active looking for an easy meal."
|
|
|
Post by Maeve on Oct 25, 2022 6:50:10 GMT
After Mara has informed her ship and made arrangements for weapons and other equipment she meets with Dante at the given time and place.
She will follow Dante's lead.
|
|
|
Post by Dante on Oct 25, 2022 13:41:02 GMT
He meets her at the main gate that exits the dome. It is a heavy structure built into the dome, with in inner and outer set of doors of incredible thickness of material which function as an airlock as well as dual layers of defense. Dante has donned winter survival gear and is armed with his basket hilted rapier, as well as an advanced looking pistol and matching rifle slung over his shoulder. He greets her with a smile and a nod, "Good morning. We're in luck, the weather has been good, so the trails should be clear. Baring any complications we should reach the castle by nightfall."
Approaching the gates he signals the armored individuals manning the controls, and after his signal, they open the inner gate, allowing them to enter the airlock. Dante steps in first, as if to assure her that it was quite safe, "so if you don't mind my asking, in your travels, have you come across any that were in a perpetual state of winter?"
|
|
|
Post by Maeve on Oct 25, 2022 19:42:04 GMT
Mara has done some winter gears and carries a rifle, a revolver and a long bowie knife.
She follows Dante through the Airlock.
"I came across Worlds in this kind of state. I usually do not linger. More often than not they are complete devotion of life. So unless someone is a fan of natural ice sculptures there is nothing worth to stay. "
"Rumor says that there are ways to change the laws of a World and therefore end such a state."
|
|
|
Post by Dante on Oct 26, 2022 1:03:30 GMT
Dante notes her choice in firearms with a look of curiosity but nods, leading her through the airlock after it cycles.
Once outside they are met with a sight; sheets of ice, layered as if by the wind formed a pathway ahead from this entrance to the dome, branching off in many directions with hovering signs with words written in glowing letters hovering at every branch off point, indicating where each leads.
Dante sighs "yeah...yeah bout that...there's all sorts of life forms that have adapted to the ice and cold and snow. Some are cute...others...well let's just say they'd love to have you for dinner. I can confirm that theory too. A giant who fashioned himself as a god living in the crystal castle could control things. He changed the weather, turned the weapons men held into ice...many things. If we're lucky, the worst we'll see is some ice wolves. If we're very unlucky, an ice dragon."
|
|
|
Post by Maeve on Oct 26, 2022 18:12:25 GMT
"Yes life finds it way." Mara replies. "ButI have a good feeling that we will not have any problematic encounters."
[OCC And aside the feelings some subtle pattern manipulations. Everything that is possilbe, can be made possilbe. Since it is posslbe that those creatures find something else to bother ... ]
"A giant, is he still living in the castle?" She asks.
|
|
|
Post by Dante on Oct 26, 2022 18:55:42 GMT
"Oh no, fairly positive that uh, he isn't around anymore...I kind of...led a rebellion against him and um...killed...him." He says with obvious awkwardness at mentioning it. "it's why there's a stable city now though it was little more than a settlement back then, and with the connection to the rest of the Nexus secured, the other worlds were eager to open trade. You wouldn't believe how valuable ice can be to some places who have no easy access to clean drinking water"
|
|
|
Post by Maeve on Oct 26, 2022 19:59:33 GMT
"Fascinating, a rebellion. Sounds like thee giant has not been a very nice person. Since we seem to have some way to travel if you do not mind tell me more about it." Mara says with interest.
"Ice as source for clean drinkeing water. I will keep that in mind, never occured to me. I know its value in worlds where electricity is not working."
|
|
|
Post by Dante on Oct 27, 2022 16:03:53 GMT
Dante shrugs "Oh I don't mind a good story, sure...His name was Fafnir, god of cold and ice. History goes, long ago when the crystal castle was first built atop the mountain, or it just appeared one day, sources conflict on that point, there were a people who lived their. Fair and beautiful, aloof but benevolent. Then, they suddenly vanished. Some writings say that they left to seek other worlds beyond after they established the Nexus, the giants claimed that they were all killed when Fafnir emerged from the frozen wastes and led them to claim the castle as their own. Either way, his rule was unkind. He would use his army of giants to extract tribute from the many worlds linked through the Nexus; resources, wealth, slave labor, you name it he laid claim to it. After a while the majority of people stopped fighting him, thinking that there was no way to win, and thought there might even be a better life for them if they complied. He even began hosting tournaments, bringing in the best among the non giant races to fight, claiming that any winners would be allowed to ascend and live among his personal servants atop the mountain. All else were made into food for his giants."
|
|
|
Post by Maeve on Oct 27, 2022 18:36:03 GMT
"Definitely not a bunch of nice persons these giants. Good riddance." Mara replies.
" And while you fought the giants, the giants frozed the world."
"In another world I visited. Fafnir was the name a lindworm guarding a treasure. And the tresure was cursed, of course. To be correct Fafnir once had been human but his greed turned him into lindworm."
|
|
|
Post by Dante on Oct 27, 2022 19:07:37 GMT
"That's putting it mildly. Though the world was frozen long before...the cold doesn't bother the giants much. But that same adaptation made them much more vulnerable to our las guns since, well las guns fire what is essentially concentrated near light speed bolts of fire...more or less and they're quite susceptible to fire and heat."
He tilts his head "Huh...'lindworm'? Is that like some kind of dragon?"
|
|
|
Post by Maeve on Oct 27, 2022 20:23:04 GMT
"Kind of, a dragon without wings. A bit mor slender. Fire spitting, nasty beast, intelligent."
Mara replies. "And I think that you can done in most unfriedly target with a laser, on the other hand maybe not a Lava Golem."
"Sometimes worlds are frozen over when their benevolent Gods, Spirits, higher Power leaves them." Mara ponders.
|
|
|
Post by Dante on Oct 28, 2022 14:36:12 GMT
"Fascinating...wonder if they share some sort of genealogy that somehow stretches across worlds...food for thought."
He chuckles and nods "haven't met one of those but you're right, most things don't react well to laser fire...And as far as benevolent Gods...the only reference I've ever found mentioning anything like that was in old writings about an alicorn that sometimes appeared as a unicorn, that would appear to those in need and give guidance but never interfered directly...usually heroes from antiquity who were on some quest or such. Have you seen anything like that in your travels? Reverence for a unicorn-like deity?"
|
|