First Ascension

Take seems in good spirits as she ascends the stairs to the next floor, but she hesitates and then nods, her mood suddenly severe. "Ah yes my apologies, overconfidence is dangerous. I will temper my expectations," she responds and then looks thoughtful.

"I was essentially born as a ninja. Children are taken at a young age to be trained and enlisted in the Emperor's Claws. It is considered an honor to have one of your children chosen for the order," she explains.

"As a member of the order we do various jobs. Information gathering, spying, ****. I was not very experienced before my failure, so my primary job was information gathering and occasionally working as a support for more experienced members. I was supposed to infiltrate and provide a record of security during the mission that had me arrive here. As one could imagine, I accidentally provided incorrect information and got the team sent in after me killed when they ran into security I had not successfully noted," she explains.

"I take pride in all my work. Every job I do helps secure the power of the emperor and the security of Alsea. We serve to eliminate or otherwise undermine those who would threaten the peace, prosperity or safety of our nation and its people and protect above all else, the person and dreams of our great emperor," she answers, her voice filled with determination and almost religious zeal. It's clear she truly believes in her order and its mandates, though it must be remembered that she was trained from a young age and it is likely this zealous belief was taught to her for all her life. It's not surprising she'd therefore have such strong opinions on it.

She reaches the top of the stairs. Unsurprisingly perhaps the door is the same as before. A simple door with the word "greed" written on it in smudged paint.

Take stares at the door for a moment before opening it and stepping through to the second floor. It's a rest area with single comfortable looking bed. There is a small cooking fire, a table with alchemical equipment and a small outhouse in the corner of the area. There is a man here. He's a squat ugly figure, with one eye closed, the other is bloodshot, he's wearing a top hat and a fine suit that just looks uncomfortable and unfitting on his disproportionate form. His hands are pudgy with thick, but small fingers and wisps of greying greasy hair slip out from under his hat. He's also standing next to a large wheel. The wheel has sections with writing on them and it appears to be a prize wheel of some kind. Reading the wheel the following "prizes" are available.

Lose a piece of clothing

Gain a piece of clothing

Lose an item

Gain an item

Learn or upgrade a spell

Gain a curse

Upgrade one piece of equipment

Downgrade one piece of equipment

The man gives her a grin, showing off a bunch of missing and rotten teeth, "Welcome chosen. I'm Dreg, I'll be here to help you out during your time on the second floor. You might think you're doing well, but the trials of the tower haven't even begun for you yet. For instance this floor introduces a lovely new element. This rest area isn't safe. There are monsters on this floor that are wandering around. If they find you here during your rest they will do terrible things to you. Of course I'm here for you. If you want to rest I can offer you my protection, for a price. As well I offer you the chance to spin the wheel for a possible great prize, you can spin as many times as you like, but as I'm sure you're aware there are equal odds you'll suffer for doing so," he explains and his voice is raspy. Take's mask doesn't betray her feelings as she stares at Dreg and the wheel.

There are two door ways leading out from the room, neither has a door and you can see that both lead to hallways of stone that seem to form a sort of maze. The left doorway has a path going straight to a door as well as left to unknown areas, the right doorway turns to the left and right both paths going out of view.

(Health: 100%

Mana: 25%

Equipment: Kitsune Mask, black leather dress, fishnet bodysuit, Silk chest wrap, silk panties, Thick leather armor (-2) Kusarigama (-3), Ninjato(-3), 5xKunai, 3xSmokebomb, 1xGrenade, 8xCaltrops

Inventory: A smooth pretty stone, A blood red whip, Slutty dress, Animate Golem Spellbook, creepy potion, angelic key.

Spells known: Cloak (Lvl 1, mastered, Mana Cost: 10%)

**** Lance (Lvl 1, unmastered, 70% mastered, Cost: 25%)

https://forum.chyoa.com/threads/tower-of-voices-second-run-voting-thread.6471/ )