[Power Sliders! Session 4] [Last time on Power Sliders: After arriving at the harbor town and splitting up, you managed to get access to a shoddy fishing boat that looks like it could take you across the sea. It only took participating in a slightly frustrating fishing fetch quest. Meanwhile, the shoppers bought butterfly nets, and clothes, and implements of destruction at the local market. You now only have to meet up and choose where to go with your newly attained transportation.] [Begin] * Katsuo has a blaster pistol! HE SO HIP * Cassiopeia is scrambling to and fro on the deck of the boat, triangular hat atop her head, dragging Kyler and First Mate Katsuo along as she checks the rigging and such on the boat. * Kyler helps out as best he can, even though he's used to smaller boats, with less general sail-age. * Lex steps aboard, a bit doubtfully. "You guys are sure you can sail this thing?" * Henry isn't hip, nor cool, but he does have a pile of clothes and a DS that doesn't work anymore. He's also capable of following Jerkface McJerkfa... er Micah back from the shopping trip of destruction. It's not pretty, but it's seaworthy. And I practically grew up on a boat. I'll take your word for it, then. Anything I can do? * Micah looks through his bombs, NOT giggling like a madman though he wants to. * Kyler glances at Micah, looks a little freaked out, then turns to Lex, gesturing vaguely in Cass' direction. * Cassiopeia pats one of the rails. "The Tri-Cranial Simian'll take us where we need to go! ... and not right now, no. I've already got First Officer Katsuo and Kyler on the job." * Katsuo shrugs. "I no take boat before. But Captain say is good boat." * Micah is focused on one thing. * Kyler STARES at Cassiopeia. "...wait, I don't remember us namin' the boat after a three-headed monkey." * Cassiopeia grins widely. "Captain's prerogative." * Lex raises her eyebrows from some corner that is not in the way. * Kyler blinks at her a little, then just kinda shrugs. "Whatever you say, cap'n." That's what I like to hear! *looks around* Everyone ready to set off? Do we know where we're going? We have telescope? We have coats, cloaks, the butterfly net, and the small bomb bag. * Cassiopeia reaches into her coat and pulls out an old-fashioned extendy-scope. "Never leave home without it." Someone give me a heading, and we'll be off. I thought we were heading to a desert island. And...where is it again? [Link has set himself up at the bow of the ship and is going through his bag for various items that may come in handy. He produces the map and rushes back over to the group. "Here! I have the map!"] * Kyler looks over at Link. "Oh, good. Thanks." * Kyler takes it and looks it over. Map good! * Katsuo looks at the map too! * Kyler holds it out so First Mate Katsuo can see it too! Desert Island looked like it'd be the last dungeon, so we're going for the ice one first. Well, I meant desert as in remote and probably underpopulated, at least by people. But yeah. [Link looks to Henry and nods. "If that's what you guys think, I'll trust you. You are the Sages from a Distant land, after all."] * Lex tries to conceal a wince. Yep! * Kyler glances over at Cass. "Don't suppose one of the other things you never leave home without might be a compass?" * Cassiopeia hands Kyler a small compass. "Of course." Thanks. * Kyler checks it and looks at the map. * Cassiopeia eyeballs the map. "... okay, I can get us there." *points to some ropes* "Kyler, First Officer, help me hoist the sails!" Doesn't look that difficult... OK. * Kyler stands by the sails and waits for further instructions. * Katsuo goes to help hoist sails! not that he knows what he's doing, really. * Cassiopeia gets to the rigging, and looks up. "... okay, sail. But regardless!" * Henry puts things away and then stands around awkwardly. * Lex does her best to get out of the way, since three people hoisting a sail seems like enough. [Cass and Kyler as co-boaters manage to navigate their way north out of the docks. The sea is pretty rough on the little boat and it tosses and turns wildly as you all get further out to sea and away from the comfort of land.] * Cassiopeia stands at the steering wheel, singing a jaunty sailing tune with impressive enthusiasm and moderate skill. "What do you do with a drunken sailor / What do you do with a drunken sailor / What do you do with a drunken sailor / early in the morning!" o/~ Put him in bed with the captain's daughter / Tickle him below with a feather duster / Tie him to a sheep and call him Taffy / Stick him in drag and make him Tina! o/~ Put him in the longboat 'till he's sober / Shave his balls and call him Tony / Soak him in oil til he's grown flippers / Keelhaul him and pass the bottle! o/~ * Kyler eyes Cassiopeia suspiciously, almost as though he were making a mental note not to drink and boat, if he were the sort to do so. * Kyler also seems to be keeping his footing all right. * Henry barely manages to keep his lunch down, and the bawdy song isn't helping much with the keeping his footing and not being distracted. Clog his chutes with a hundred marbles / Pull down his pants and slice his wanker / Hang him from the mast with his own intestines / That's what we'll do with a drunken sailor... EARLY IN THE MORNING! o/~ * Katsuo seems to be taking things in-stride, the sea not bothering him and the music, well, is a nice diversion? * Micah suddenly looks VERY VERY sick and throws up, he's clinging to the bombs though trying to desperately hold onto them. * Kyler makes a face and concentrates on the map and compass combo. He ignores the guy vomiting over the side. * Lex looks over at Micah, then goes over and snags the bombs so they don't go overboard. "Do we have any water?" [Everyone else manages to keep their bodies stable despite being tossed and turned everywhere; the horizon doing its best impression of a water bed that is situated atop a seesaw] [After a couple hours of sailing a large ominous island appears in the distance. Its sheer black rocks come into view first and as the ship gets closer a vast bleak desert can be seen beyond the jagged rocks that litter the shoreline.] * Micah clings to the bombs but finally lets them go to Lex as he throws up again and again not looking good. That's got end game written all over it. Yes, that very evil place. Either mid or end game dungeon. <@Dreol> [Cass's course, however, manages to avoid said island and the boat is directed on a wide turn around it before the crew ever gets within range for the island to be a problem.] * Cassiopeia has stopped singing, and is just whistling softly as she concentrates on not smashing into the rocks. * Lex hands the bombs back to Micah with a cool look if and when he stops throwing up, then walks back to any other part of the rail. [Link approaches Henry as they avoid the island, and narrows his eyes at the dark horizon. "That's where the princess is, huh? I'll save her. With all of your help, I'm sure I can do it."] I think so, but we've gotta get you ready first. * Micah will slowly get his composure and drink, very very uncertainly [Link nods and walks over to his bag. He produces the lute and begins to play. The song is a relatively sad, haunting toon, appropriate to the theme of the scenery.] [As the boat rounds the island, far off to the north some ice floes can be seen. It is clear that you are approaching your destination.] * Cassiopeia wraps her coat a little tighter around herself as she steers, compensating early to avoid the ice floes ahead. * Lex stands up from leaning on the rail and rubs her arms a bit, then goes over to the pile of clothes. "Hey, Cass, you want a cloak?" * Micah slowly calms down breathing hard. I'll take one, thanks. * Micah sounded weak. "Can...can I have a cloak? " Maybe give cloaks to everyone. Will get cold fast. * Henry goes and gets them and starts passing them around. * Micah barely nods. "God why isn't this like a plane? I can hold my stomach there." * Lex takes a cloak over to Cass, then pulls one on herself. * Cassiopeia puts the cloak on quickly, wrapping it around herself as well before going back to steering. [As the boat heads further north, the temperature drops significantly. Link begins to shiver some too. But he quickly shakes it off and stands up, preparing himself. Off in the distance the larger island can be seen approaching. What can be seen from here is what appears to be a large sheet of ice with a crater in the center.] * Lex says dryly, "Well, that's encouraging." * Micah frowns heavily. "I thought it would be light." [It's getting quite dark at this point, but the moonlight bounces off the ice ahead, and you soon get close enough to see that it appears that the crater encompasses almost the entire ice island.] That's a pretty big hole in the ground... [As Cass pulls the boat towards the island, Kyler manages to help her guide it through the ice floes onto a smooth incline on the ice where it is much easier to get off the boat without damaging it. There are also several of what appear to be pillars of ice along the shore that could be used to tie the boat off.] So what island called? [The map doesn't have a name for it.] * Kyler carefully climbs/reaches out and ties the boat off to one of the ice pillars. * Cassiopeia slaps Kyler on the back as she climbs out with him. "With sailing like that, you'll be captain of your own ship in no time." * Lex climbs carefully out of the boat, trying not to slip or get wet. * Henry looks around for a ramp or something, but then climbs out after the others. * Micah will slowly follow trying to keep his cloak around him. * Kyler raises an eyebrow at Cass. "Well, seein' as there's only one around right now...better watch your back, huh, cap'n?" He then winks and looks around, testing the solidity of the ice. * Katsuo climbs down carefully, after getting a cloak. * Cassiopeia smirks. "There'll be no mutiny on my watch, boatswain!" [Once on the island you can see that the giant crater in the center resembles a sort of strange funnel. There is a ramp of ice leading down around the inside of it which then stops and seems to drop to a lower level suddenly. Along the ramps are several pillars of ice as well as what appear to be twisted railings. At the bottom of the funnel appears to be a large cave entrance.] * Kyler glances at her and smirks back. "That's coxswain, actually." Not on the first date, it ain't. * Henry blinks at the railing and then shrugs. [The railing, for the record, is also made of ice.] And me without flowers and chocolate. * Lex glances over at this exchange and her mouth twitches, but she says, "So are we heading in, or is there anything else we should do first?" * Cassiopeia grins. "You need more pockets." *to Lex* "Boat's all secured, we're good to go." * Kyler eyes all the iciness as though he's from South Carolina and it's weird to him or something. "Search me." * Micah looks around pulling his cloak even tighter. Uh, if the boat's not going anywhere... I guess we go in. * Lex starts walking down the path, still *very carefully* because she has no desire to bust her tailbone on ice. * Kyler then looks over his shoulder at Cass and half-shrugs, hefting his backpack. "You never know what you might find in here." He grins, and heads down to catch up with Lex. [Link descends from the boat and heads over to the crater. "We have to go in! This is just like the other Temples! The gem must be in there!" He begins heading over to the funnel thing, slipping some as he does so. "Whoa..."] Careful! * Kyler pulls a flashlight out of his backpack and illuminates the path. "Like this, for example." Any one got golf shoes? * Katsuo is very careful. "I no prepared for dungeon. But Link should be!" Why you need golf shoes? * Henry shrugs and tries not to slip as he makes his way down the ramp. * Katsuo carefully walks down the ramp. VERY carefully. * Cassiopeia takes short steps as she follows along down the ramp. I don't know they dig into the ground. [Link nods and carefully makes his way down the ice ramp. "Yeah, just be really careful, everyone. This is worse than the Water Temple."] Ice temple always have trickiest puzzle. And ice monsters. *frowns* * Micah will slowly, very slowly walk, he was still uneasy. Well, at least fire magic ought to be useful around here... [Everyone manages to navigate their way down the first ramp and get to a point where the ramp breaks off. There is a steep drop down to the next level, but a cylinder can be seen ahead and below you with a hole in it. Link manages to spot it and smiles as he digs through his bag.] What's going on? [After some searching Link removes the hookshot from his bag and aims it down at the cylinder. "Okay...uh... Everyone hang on!"] * Cassiopeia braces herself. Maybe if you only took one person at a time? That may be best, Link. [Link nods. "All right! One of you hang on and I'll be back." He looks around and spots a similar object on the wall to your left and nods affirmatively.] * Lex looks unhappy as she figures out what's going on. * Katsuo smiles. "I go first." * Cassiopeia looks around. "... oh. That kind of hang on." * Kyler blinks. "This is gonna be...interesting." [Link nods and waits for Katsuo to grab onto him.] * Micah stares at this gulping a bit. "Okay... this is going to be fun" * Katsuo hangs on to the little Link. [Link fires the hookshot. As soon as it hits the cylinder Katsuo and he are pulled flying through the air. It feels sort of like having the sleeve of your coat caught in a train door, Katsuo. "Waaaoooow" Link yells as he goes hurtling towards the lower level.] * Katsuo is grinning as he flies across wherever. [As Link and Katsuo lands, Link sighs. "Man. I never get used to that. Okay! Going back!" And he heads back up to get the next person.] Whee! * Katsuo gives a thumbs-up to Link! * Micah gets ready to go. [Link takes Micah, and then the rest who all experience the same trip. At the end you are all on a lower level of the funnel and can see the cave entrance about 100 feet below you. The ramp seems to continue around at this point until the foot of the crater.] That's... is this normal? * Kyler shines the flashlight around some more. The hookshot? Yeah. * Lex makes a face, then starts walking again. Staple item! * Cassiopeia searches around as they go down, trying to see if there's anything notable besides ice and snow. * Micah will just follow, not liking this at all. * Katsuo continues down carefully. * Henry goes down to the bottom of crater, barring any further puzzles. [As you all finish walking down the ramp you find yourselves at the mouth of a large cave. Outside the cave is a flat icy area that resembles an ice skating rink. Inside appears to be a sort of dark entrance with some torch light on the other side.] * Kyler shines the light inside the cave. * Lex eyes the entrance. "Is this the part where we draw weapons?" [The cave is made of flat ice walls on floor. As if it was once marble or some such thing and was frozen off. Beyond the entrance appears to be a bit more uneven and is still covered in ice.] * Cassiopeia finds a frozen leaf. "Hmm." * Kyler tests the cave floor gingerly, to see if it's any slipperier than what they've been walking on. "Huh." [Link certainly seems to think it's draw weapons time. He unsheathes a sword (It does not appear to be the master sword) and a shield with the Hyrule coat of arms on it.] * Henry draws his long sword. [The cave floor is equally slippery as the area outside.] * Katsuo draws his blaster pistol and looks around carefully. * Lex looks at the hero and decides to follow suit. She unholsters her crossbow and puts a bolt in, then follows Kyler in examining the cave. * Micah just slips his gauntlets on, looking tense. * Henry goes in. * Kyler frowns and hands over the flashlight to Henry. "Could you hold this please? I need two hands for my sword." * Cassiopeia pulls her scythe from its holster on her back, and holds it out in front of her a bit as she walks. * Henry stops and takes the flashlight with his free hand. * Kyler grins. "Thanks." He draws his katana and steps in front of Henry to take point, making sure not to block the light. * Henry shines the light around room and ponders the irony of the guy with dark element holding the light. [As you all enter the cave, you can see that the first room of the temple contains those same weird ice railings except this time they are all over the walls. The ceiling is made of a sort of focusing crystal that causes the moonlight to focus into steady ray on the floor of the cave. Around the room are five pillars which all have flat ice panels on one side. They appear to be moveable with enough force.] [The room contains three doors which are all closed. They are left, right, and straight ahead from the entrance. In front of the right door is also a large ice covered boulder.] * Micah sighs "I told you light. Look. The damn mirror thing. Isn't that dumb and cliche?" The words don't seem to have as much force as they usually do. * Henry clicks off the flashlight. It is classic! [There are also torches on the walls which appear to actually be burning somehow. The heat, however, does not melt the ice.] * Katsuo looks at the fire and thinks. If he only had a bottle... * Henry walks around the room looking to see if there's a place for the light to go that isn't the boulder. [The door ahead of you contains a crystal in the center of it which is of a similar shape, though much smaller, to the one that makes up the ceiling.] * Cassiopeia idly wanders around the room, eyeing the pillars and panels. * Henry stands near the door ahead. "So, gotta get the light to here." [The pillars contain one panel that is angled partly up, one angled down, and three that are flat against the pillars, pointing straight ahead. There appear to be grooves on the ground on which they can be moved.] * Katsuo looks around and looks for how to reflect the light in such a direction as to get it to go from the top prism to the one next to the door. * Micah sighs looking it over. "Whatever. Figure it out." We have to move things around to make the light hit the door? * Henry looks at the grooves to see which pillar can be moved into the center. "Yep!" Maybe we should move the pillar with the face angled up into the beam. That should at least get the light moving horizontally instead of vertically. [One of the none-angled pillars can be shifted to the center. The angled one can be pushed under the prism.] * Lex looks more closely at the pillars. "Hm. Maybe not." * Katsuo points to the pillar and to the location where the moon-light is shining down. "Move pillar there, then rotate to shine light at crystal by door." * Henry puts his back into moving the angled one under the prism. * Lex goes to help. * Kyler helps. * Micah shrugs and will go help. * Katsuo will supervise then! Unless it's so massive there's actual space for him to help move it. [The pillar does not seem to actually rotate; however, once it is placed under the prism the light shines onto the forward-right pillar which then directs the light through the center of the room on an angle, past the back right pillar which has not been moved yet.] ... This might be one of those ones where you just move all the pillars. It's definitely a 'bounce the light' puzzle. * Micah will pull Lex off to the side and whisper again. * Katsuo points at the back-right mirror. "Ah! Move that mirror over to light. That reflect light back at door crystal and open door. Or give key to open door." * Lex walks back to the group. * Katsuo goes to help or move the mirror himself. Because mirror moving is important! [Link nods to Katsuo and gets to the right of the back right pillar. He pushes his body against it and walks forward to put the pillar in line with the ray of light. When he does the light reflects off of the flat panel and into the crystal on the door. At that point the door begins to open.] [Suddenly a sort of ringing fanfare can be heard. It's coming from...Link's bag.] What the...? * Katsuo laughs. * Kyler looks over in Link's direction. "What's that?" [Link rolls his eyes and removes the lute, which seems to have been the source of the music. "Sorry... it always does that."] Oh. Puzzle solve music. OK. Cool. *pauses; looks around* No pun intended. Time to go farther in. * Micah shrugs and nods. [Session End]