Aresque

There does not seem to be any other way to go and so Yulia and friends head down the lit path, leaving Nylax behind. The path continues for some time before it starts to widen and soon Yulia and friends emerge from the tunnel into a massive cavern. A large glowing crystal adorns the roof of the cavern, like a miniature moon, casting the entire cavern in a soft blue light. On the ground level there are many stone work structures, the ground is uneven with parts of the city raised higher or fallen lower than the base level. There don't seem to be any more Driders around, but there are plenty of Drow and occasionally there can be seen smaller figures that can be assumed to be Dwarves. The Drow and Dwarves seem to be an equal mix of male and female, unlike the entirely male elves and entirely female Goblins above.

As Yulia looks around the large city, she is interrupted by a voice, "hello again, Yulia," the unfortunately familiar voice of Dreg speaks from nearby. She turns and indeed he's standing there and he greets her with an entirely insincere bow, "welcome to Aresque, we'll be returning to our previous arrangement of course. There's a hotel of sorts here you can make use of, but despite this being such a large city, the hotel isn't safe, there's a chance Knocker might visit you in your room and do terrible things to you, but... I can share your room with you and keep him away as per our normal deal," he explains and Yulia sighs, "take your time, I'll be waiting for you at the hotel," he says and vanishes.

After he's gone Yulia goes back to examining the city. The uneven ground makes it simple to divide the city into three parts, Upper Aresque, Middle Aresque and Lower Aresque. Lower Aresque seems to be something of a redlight district and slums, the houses are less grandiose, there are drow dressed in very risque clothing hanging around, both male and female, there's a very obvious strip-club as well called the Stalagmite and a shop that seems to sell sex toys and other erotic paraphenalia called The Gutter. There is also a tunnel connected to the lower area that leads out. It's guarded by a group of drow in what looks like dyed black leather armor.

Middle Aresque seems to be mostly residences and three buildings of importance, the aforementioned hotel, called The Soft Light for some reason and also two buildings, one listed as Goma's Apothecary and the other listed as Martin's Forge. There is another tunnel leading out from Middle Aresque and this one seems to have a lot of Dwarves near it.

Upper Aresque contains what appear to be buildings of economic, cultural and religious significance. The aforementioned museum is here along with a large cathedral, an auction house, a trading post and a theatre. There's another exit from Upper Aresque as well. This one seems mostly ignored.

"Well... Seems like we have a lot of options..." Cherchiel states and then Goma makes a loud cheerful noise.

"Goma have shop!" she says pointing to the apothecary with her name on it.

"Indeed... I wonder if that's tower magic or the denizens of this place just actually managed to make those two shops in the time it took for us to get here. Either way I'm guessing our blacksmith friend will be in the forge," Yulia states.

(Health: 200%

Mana: 50%

Equipment: Ceramic Beaked Mask, Monastic Scapular , standard bra, Standard Panties, 3 poison gas grenades, 3 healing kits, 1 syringe of poison, 1 syringe of adrenaline, 1 syringe of poison antidote, 1 sewing kit, 1 vial of strong aerosolizing aphrodisiac, 8 days worth of rations, 3 two liter water jug, 1 half filled two liter water jug, 1 health potion, 1 mana potion, A boar mask, 3 vials of sticky white liquid, Ornate Rapier, 4 arrows, Quiver, God's Favour (Halo), 1 sack of cooking ingredients (Apples), Bone Spear, Demonic Spellbook, Ash's Quiver, 6 charm arrows, Old Oak Club.

Spells known: Great Heal (Lvl 2, Mastered, Cost: 25%)

Great Cure (Lvl 2, Mastered, Cost: 15%)

Energize (Lvl 1, Mastered, Cost: 25%)

Icicle (Lvl 1, Mastered, cost: 15%)

Unlock (Lvl 1, Unmastered, Cost: 15%)

Repair (Lvl 1, Mastered, Cost: 5%-20% depending on factors)

Undermine (Lvl 1, Mastered, cost: 25%).

Fetish: Bondage Rank: 1, Masochism Rank: 1, Lesbian rank: 1

Status Effect: Permanent increase to physical attribute. Combat level raised to medium

Psychosexual Break: In order to deal with her trauma, Yulia has begun to subconsciously fetishize her experiences.

Deflowered: Virginity Lost, sexual experience changed to: Inexperienced, non-virgin.

Marked by The Abyss: The Tower Below wants you.

Companion: Cherchiel, Blacksmith, Goma.

Cherchiel Equipment: Ultra Durable Spear, Ultra Durable Shield, Reinforced Bodysuit.

Goma Equipment: Runed Dagger, Hunting Horn, Thick Hide Outfit.

Goma Mana: 100%

Goma spells known: Heal (Mastered, 15%)

https://forum.chyoa.com/threads/the-tower-of-voices-voting-thread.3460/ )