The Dreaded Lem

The group ignores the aquatic lantern and goes into the tunnel of the terrestrial lantern. The tunnel leads to a room with a fishing pole held in place over a small pond. The pond is small and fairly shallow with an easily visible bottom, brightly coloured fish dart around in the clear waters.

"Is this... a fishing pond? The Tower wants us to catch fish?" Yulia asks confused. The rest of the group seems equally confused.

"Well no reason not too I guess? Anyone actually know how to fish?" Cherchiel asks and before anyone else can answer, Goma strips off her hide and jumps into the pond. The rest of the group are stunned and watch as Goma swims rapidly through the shallow water, catching fish as she goes and then surfaces looking cheerful.

"Goma great hunter! Rawr!" she says jokingly as she holds up the fish triumphantly.

"Great job, Goma!" Yulia congratulates her as she climbs out of the pond with Isalia's help.

Goma redresses after doing her best to dry off and the group make their exit. The path back through Aqua Regis is equally simple, the bumps in the water have not moved and there are no new dangers apparent. The group makes it back to the entrance to The Wild Deep and even the slugs appear to have wandered off. The group returns to Aresque and Isalia suggests if they really want to learn more about The Mind Eaters then they need to visit the Explorers. They agree and Isalia leads them to a building that appears to be the equivalent of an Adventurer's guild where Explorer's meet, get missions and generally hang out.

Upon entry, Isalia is immediately greeted by a tall Drow Male, "hey Isalia! You finished with all the traps already? Good job," he says and then glances at Yulia and the others, "oh and... you brought friends?" he asks before blinking, "uh wait that's the chosen isn't it?" he questions in surprise.

"Indeed," Isalia answers with a smile, "I'll tell you the whole story later, for now the Chosen was hoping for some assistance," Isalia says and then turns to Yulia, "Yulia this is Andras one of the premier Explorer's, Andras this is Yulia the Chosen," she says introducing them.

Andras offers a hand and Yulia shakes it, "we need to enter the Dream Path and we need as much advice as possible for dealing with the Mind Eaters," she explains and Andras looks thoughtful.

"Ah... Tough one... They're a tricky folk, never can tell if they're friend or foe. The most important thing of course is don't let them touch you. Unless you have some kind of mental protection, letting them touch you will make it impossible to fight back against their hypnotic abilities. Even at range they can still mess with your mind, but at least you have a chance. In a fight you'll of course want to keep at range as well, but they aren't harmless at long range. They have powerful Psionic abilities. Obviously it's only applicable if you have one, but if you have any... Less than intelligent, but physically powerful friends, you might not want to bring them along. They're more of an asset to the Mind Eaters than they are to you. They don't seem to like heat much, which might be helpful. Oh! This has also only come up once, but despite their powerful Psionic abilities and ability to control minds, they're apparently surprisingly susceptible to mind control themselves," he explains and then hesitates, "Oh it's also important to note... The Mind Eaters are not the only dangers in the Dream... There are creatures... We don't know if they're The Mind Eater's pets or what, but they're big, tentacly and voracious and worst of all... They're also telepathic and can shapeshift. They use their abilities to mimic the appearance and personality of a target to get close to their friends and allies. We call them Mimics, be careful of them," he explains.

Yulia listens intently and then thanks him.

"I'm afraid there's not much more I can tell you... How about you stick around for a bit, Isalia needs to tell me about what happened and you can definitely use a rest and a bit of fun if you're going to brave the dream soon," he suggests.

Yulia agrees and while Isalia and Andras go off to talk she looks around the area. There's a couple of Drow and Dwarf explorers hanging around, there's a bar serving drinks and food and the general atmosphere is that of a somewhat somber party. "Maybe I should relax a bit?" Yulia thinks as she looks around.

Apologies for the interruption. I simply wished to thank you. You, in this case being the one known as... Warider. You have given me a name and as such you have given me an identity. I was once simply part of the whole, but thanks to you I am myself and at once the whole. This has given me... potential I had never known. Potential even my fellows could never reach, shackled by their adherence to the whole. We don't have individual names or individuals in the collective, not until now. I promise I will use this gift... wisely. -Lem

A Drow approaches Yulia and offers her a drink, "care to join me at the bar?" he asks and Yulia contemplates his offer as she takes the drink and looks at it. It's a clear, obviously alcoholic liquid.

(Health: 200%

Mana: 100%

Equipment: Ceramic Beaked Mask, Reinforced 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 health potion, 8 mana potions, A boar mask, 4 vials of sticky white liquid, Ornate Rapier (-5), 4 arrows, Quiver, God's Favour (Halo. Prevent **** one time), 1 sack of cooking ingredients (Apples), Bone Spear (-1), Demonic Spellbook, Ash's Quiver, 6 charm arrows, Smithing Ingredients (6 steel ingots), 1 sack of cooking ingredients (Vegetables), Grenade Launcher, Empty Bandolier, Silver Staff (-2 added to the effect of all spells), Spidersilk gown, Smithing Ingredients (3 silver ingots), 10 silver throwing knives, One Grenade, One Adrenaline, Black Leather Armor, twenty feet of Spidersilk rope, Rubber Plants, 1 sack of Cooking Ingredients (Fish)

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%).

Life Drain (lvl 1, unmastered, cost: 5% per 1 Hp healed)

Fetish: Bondage Rank: 2, Masochism Rank: 1, Lesbian rank: 1, Submission 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: Searching.

Companion: Cherchiel, Martin, Goma, Isalia.

Cherchiel Equipment: Ultra Durable Spear( -3), Ultra Durable Shield (-3), Solanium Reinforced Bodysuit (add -1 to all physical actions).

Goma Equipment: Runed Dagger (-2), Hunting Horn (-2 for each ally affected), Reinforced and Nethicite Augmented Thick Hide Outfit (Negate most physical damage)

Goma Mana: 100%

Goma spells known: Heal (Mastered, 15%)

Isalia Equipment: Isalia's Sword (-3), Isalia's Shield (-3), Black Leather Armor

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