Post by Cloudbat (they/them) on Jul 28, 2024 13:12:16 GMT
Given the ordeals inflicted by and committed on the hedge mazes, Blanca had allowed another day of rest or so before she gathered all the most successful leaf gatherers at the podium.
She didn’t pretend to smile this time, instead nodding in acknowledgment as the competitors all showed up.
“Thank you all again for your efforts. You’re helping me save my home, but once again, I have to send you into danger.” She said with a sigh.
"Pleasantries aside, you did sign up for this, so wipe your tears." Caesarion added, stepping in front of her and taking a few strides towards the competitors.
Scythe in his hand, he gestured towards the group. "I have two requests. First, try to use your Goddess-given brains, or whatever else, to not get injured again--I'm sick of cleaning off your disgusting blood. Second, you’ll be visiting a part of the Endgrove I previously maintained. Given the example of the hedges, I have to remind you all of the obvious: don't set anything on fire!"
Blanca sighed again and pointed in the direction of the nearby flower fields.
“You’ll see what the problem is when we arrive. The flowers and mushrooms there are toxic now; the air is filled with their pollen and spores. The spores are what you’ll be retrieving today.”
"Don't worry, though!" Hurvy piped up assuredly. "We got these handy-dandy masks you can wear to keep your lungs from screaming at you! Be sure to bring along one of these containers to store your spores in too - I made 'em myself!"
“These spores can heighten the senses of whoever inhales them, reaching painful levels if too many are ingested. It comes from their connection to their unique mycelial network. Unlike the corrupted, disconnected from the world around them.” Blanca said with a shake of her head.
Caesarion took a deep breath as he spoke again. "You can thank some of your lovely, currently anonymous co-competitors for an introduction to what smoke looks like. Rather than the black haze that was hanging over the air, these spores resemble plumes of violet smoke or steam."
Hurvy then added, "The fungus the spores come from might be a little tough to spot, as they like to hide away and camouflage themselves within thicker beds of flowers. Sneaky lil’ guys!"
Blanca managed a weak smile this time. “As far as I know, there are no particular corrupted fauna left in that area…but the fields are right next to the boglands, and aggressive corrupted there might have wandered into the area looking for food.”
The ground rumbled slightly beneath everyone gathered, and Blanca’s eyes went wide as her ears pressed against her head.
“Quickly.” She urged. “Gather your equipment and go. You’ll be in pairs again, given to you by the helpers and Jonah! Good luck!”
--
RULES:
Round Requirements:
-Show your character finding, identifying, and collecting spores of the correct type before bringing them back intact to the Endgrove staff. Alternatively, they may steal them from their opponent, if their opponent has correctly identified and gathered them.
-This is a paired round; returning with the right type of spores is the only win condition. Your character may choose to cooperate with, sabotage, or directly fight their opponent. They may also encounter other competitors if you wish, but the focus must be primarily on your pairing.
-As long as your character returns with the correct type of spore before their opponent retrieves some, or else their opponent returns with the incorrect type before they do, they will move on to the next round. If both return at the same time, the quality of the spores will be used to decide; those that Blanca assesses to have the strongest potency to help with the medicine.
General Rules:
1. Characters will be assigned their pairings by Jonah and Blanca’s helpers after the round speech and given breathing and collection equipment. Everyone will then be led to the flower fields by the NPCs and helpers, though the NPCs will not enter the fields.
2. The amount of spores needed for collection is low; each container is only about the size of an apple and should be filled to the top. They are clear and made of highly durable glass with a latched lid on top. The breathing masks vary in size, design and material, but all will do a sufficient job of protecting your character from the worst of the spores’ effects, so long as they are not ripped or broken.
3. The spores and pollen in the fields have various toxic effects if inhaled directly, or if a high enough quantity gets on a character’s body. These can range from mild - coughing, brief dizziness - to severe, such as those that burn flesh and cause hallucinations or blindness. The spore type needed to win the round enhances the senses when inhaled, though if too much is ingested, it can inflict painful levels of sensory overload.
4. While there are no particular corrupted animals native to this area, they may wander in from the boglands.
5. Opponent characters may be injured or killed; however, showing any characters besides your own and your opponent’s being injured or killed is still forbidden.
6. The flower fields are largely flat and open, but visibility is somewhat reduced due to the thick clouds of spores and pollen. There are a few scattered patches of trees and various types of giant mushrooms; aside from that, you may invent the exact geography of the setting as you wish.