Relief

[Nephrite]

'I feel like this is likely still an illusion, but let's proceed this way and see what happens.' Moore says. He proceeds, but as he does?

Guardian, I know you're gone, but I speak to whatever is likely left here in charge of this place. I know not who this person is who's entered and seemed to take residence, but I ask for your help in ridding this prison of them.

He may as well try and see if anything happens.

[Anastasia]

Nothing happens. As you go the hole begins to rapidly close - and beyond it you can see absolute blankness, nothingness.

[Nephrite]

Just to be clear, this isn't a situation where I can't see ahead, I can 'see' ahead through the tunnel just fine, but it's like it's just an endless void rather than it being dark because this place is special, correct?

[Anastasia]

Correct.

[Nephrite]

Moore nods, seemingly satisfied with that.

"All right, so I doubt our guest could have done anything else..." Moore rubs his chin. "Let me try down."

Another Divine Blast, this time into the floor below them.

[21:27] <Nephrite> roll 29d12
[21:27] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 29d12 --> [ 29d12=207 ]{207}

[Anastasia]

A blast down. Straight down is more of that emptiness.

Sylvie kneels, "Whatever this is, it's not the normal First Prison. We might be able to escape if we go out, or we might get ourselves into even more trouble. My guess is that something deeper in here is behind this, something imprisoned in here for a long time."

"And the servants?" A question back.

"Favors, minions, something this strong has ways and means," Sylvie says, even as the floor begins to seal itself shut once more.

[Nephrite]

"Hm." Moore makes a non-committal noise. "Maybe it has something to do with why they were killing the things trapped here. Perhaps less prisoners makes the First Prison by its nature... weaker? I may be overthinking it. Perhaps what we've run into so far is a manifestation of what's trapped here, but they've been able to escape enough to take over? But it sounds like we may just have to play along, if we intend to try and get to the bottom of this."

Another sigh. "Here I thought this would be easy... But it's good we came across this place when we did, or else something worse may have happened." He says. "Either way, we either continue on or turn around - I imagine there's a limit to how long they can delay us, either way."

[Anastasia]

"Then forward," Cresiel says sternly, "We will not run from the enemy."

[Nephrite]

"Try and think of something we might be able to do if we really are trapped in an illusion." Moore says. "But I wonder if it isn't an illusion and it's just someone able to manipulate the First Prison on some level? Hm..."

A shake of his head again as he goes forward - likely to another metal-barred door.

[Anastasia]

What's your intelligence score?

[Nephrite]

39, if you mean just the bonus, +14.

[Anastasia]

High enough. Give me an Intelligence check.

[Nephrite]

[21:59] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+14+21
[21:59] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d20+14+21 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{49} Includes Greater Improvisation and dvr

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d20+17 Cresiel
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+17 Cresiel --> [ 1d20=2 ]{19}
> roll 1d20+26 Sylvie ironically Intelligence is her weakest stat check due to how brains over everything works
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+26 Sylvie ironically Intelligence is her weakest stat check due to how brains over everything works --> [ 1d20=10 ]{36}

It's subtle, but there's ripples as you walk. Distortions. Things that don't add up. Sylvie's eyes lock on them as well.

Breakdowns.

Like a great golem coming to a shuddering, broken stop. Ripples in the shape of your divine blasts, repeating again and again.

[Nephrite]

"Did I ever tell you about that time we got caught inside a genius loci?" Moore asks. "It looks like this is rather similar to me. Perhaps even our master illusionist can't keep their trick up forever."