Round 82 Transcript

The tension in Deep chasm in the tower's lower levels tightens for a beat as the interruption refuses to go away. Everyone is forced to stay quiet and choose their next move carefully.

Jeane descends slowly, her wings beating steadily as she scans the chasm walls for any sign of movement or threat. I see no immediate danger on this path, she calls back to Merrin and Seraphine, her voice steady despite the precarious nature of their situation. But make no mistake—this place feels wrong. That ancient voice... it's not just echoes. Something down there is aware of us. As she hovers slightly lower, drawn by the faint sound of chanting or whispers, a cold wind sweeps up from the chasm's depths, carrying with it a faint sound like distant chanting or whispers in an ancient language. What is that? She strains to hear more clearly, her crimson eyes narrowing as she listens intently.

The voice echoes again: 'Who dares disturb the rest of the forgotten?' This time, it sounds closer, as if emanating from somewhere within the chasm itself. We are not alone down there, Jeane mutters, more to herself than to her companions. Whatever Halie summoned, or whatever guardian protects this place, we may be about to face it. She looks back at Merrin and Seraphine one last time, her expression stern but concerned. Prepare yourselves. We go in knowing danger awaits us. But we also go in with purpose—to extract our companions and complete our quest. Are you ready? As she waits for their responses, Jeane's hand hovers near the hilt of her heavy mace, ready to draw it at a moment's notice. Whatever happens next, stick close and follow my lead. We face whatever comes together... or not at all. The groaning of the ledge beneath their feet intensifies slightly, as if urging them onward into the chasm's depths.

She takes a deep breath, steadying herself for what's to come. Let's move. Slowly, carefully, and with our eyes open for any sign of movement below.

I feel my heart hammering against my ribs as Jeane confirms our dire situation, the groaning of the ledge beneath our feet now a constant, ominous soundtrack. The ancient voice echoing through the chasm sends another jolt of primal fear through me, and I can see the same concern reflected in Merrin's eyes. This is not just some crumbling ruin; there’s something alive down there, watching us, waiting.
Seraphine takes a deep breath, steeling herself for what’s to come. She knows their only choice is to descend into that terrifying unknown. Halie and Varrika are potentially trapped below, and the thought of leaving them to whatever fate awaits in this place is unthinkable. She grips her heavy metal bar tighter, the cold weight a small comfort in the face of such overwhelming danger.
I'm ready, she says, her voice steadier than she feels. Whatever we find down there, we face it together. But... be prepared for anything. That corruption I felt? It was old. Ancient. And it didn't seem pleased to see us. She looks around at the crumbling stones and the dark shadows of the chasm, a shiver running down her spine. Every instinct is screaming at her to turn back, to find another way. But they have no other way. The path forward leads only one direction now: straight down, into the heart of the unknown.
As Jeane begins to move towards the crumbling bridge, Seraphine follows close behind Merrin, her eyes darting from side to side, searching for any sign of movement or threat. The air grows colder as they descend, and a strange, fetid scent begins to waft up from below—a combination of decay, ancient magic, and something else... something almost organic and alive.
She whispers a silent prayer to her god, begging for protection against the darkness they are about to encounter. Her mind races with possible spells, defensive wards, and counter-curses she might need to employ. This is what she trained for, after all—a wizard's greatest challenge: facing the unknown, the forbidden, the terrifying power of the arcane.
But as they reach the bridge and begin to cross it, the groaning intensifies, and Seraphine can feel the stones shifting slightly beneath her feet. A wave of dizziness washes over her, and she stumbles, nearly losing her balance. She catches herself on the wall, her heart pounding in her chest.
What is happening? she thinks frantically. Is this the bridge collapsing already? Or something worse? She looks back up at Jeane and Merrin, her eyes wide with fear. This descent has barely begun, and already it feels like they are being pulled into a waking nightmare.
As she steadies herself, she feels a strange tingling sensation on the back of her neck, as if an invisible pair of eyes is fixed upon her. She whirls around, but sees only more dark chasm stretching out behind them.
It's watching us, she breathes, her voice so low it’s almost lost in the wind. We need to hurry. Whatever it is... it doesn't want us here.
With renewed determination, she pushes forward, following Jeane and Merrin across the crumbling bridge and into the abyss below. The descent has begun, and there will be no turning back now, not until they have found their missing companions or until some far more terrible fate claims them all.