Tinderbox: S02E02 - Into the Jungle

General Summary

3rd Diene, 1870 AF

Early Noon Streamrise Cove

Priscilla , Theo , Morgana Phineas invite Captain Max to one of the lounges of the mess to discuss. They decide that from all their goals that they would like to pursue the location found in Theo's map of the Archipelago in Streamfall Island would be their best bet.

Late noon Streamfall Island

They prepare and resupply, and with Max’s help take the Starling from Streamrise toward the suspected location of the compound. Max assigns Francine, one of his most skilled pilots, to fly them in so that he can accompany the group into the depths of Streamfall’s jungle.

Unable to land, they rappel first to the canopy and then down to the jungle floor. The descent does not go smoothly: Priscilla loses her grip on the line, triggering a chain of frantic maneuvers that end with Max dislocating his shoulder and Phineas landing hard on his backside in the soft, squelching jungle below. Eventually, everyone makes it safely to the ground.

The group travels for over an hour through the dense jungle, avoiding snakes, a Phesta Spider den, and a Mist cat . They eventually discover a rectangular marble conduit containing something intensely warm, reminiscent of a high-voltage cable.

Following the conduit uphill, they soon reach a marble platform measuring roughly seven by seven meters, raised about a meter and a half above the ground. Set into its surface is a well-preserved inscription reading “Corridor 7” in a dialect of Ancient Alsian.

Theo uses the Hexacron to observe its reaction. The device reads the inscription but otherwise remains inactive.

When Morgana activates her diadem, the “substation” comes to life. A concealed circular staircase opens at the top of the platform, descending into the ground. The party enters and finds a door identical to those they encountered in the Ark on Barrogate Island.

Theo attempts to apply his newly acquired Galvanic Engineering knowledge, focusing on security protocols he learned from Lizzy's written materials. The attempt fails, locking the mechanism for the next 150 hours. The triggered security system also begins closing the staircase, threatening to trap them inside. Working together, they manage to escape, nearly losing Theo’s leg as the staircase closes behind them.

After taking a moment to recover, they continue following the conduit toward Mount Noel. About thirty minutes later, they encounter another identical door. This time, Theo uses his Psychometry to glimpse the past.

He sees a tall man with jet-black hair and emerald eyes standing before the door. The man wears a diadem set with a trilliant-cut gem and opens the door without touching the panel. He is clad in Vaulter Armor, over which he wears a chiton fastened with an Aspes pin bearing the symbol of two interlinked circles. The pin is an oblong red gem, the symbol etched in Gold.

Armed with this knowledge, the group attempts to have Morgana Cornelia Selina Beaumont open the door using her diadem, but nothing happens. They ultimately abandon the attempt and call Francine Weatherhorn to retrieve them.

Later in the Afternoon

The group returns to Streamrise Cove. After spending time on individual work, they reconvene in the evening to play Oshi , drink Beaumont Estate wine, and socialize. The mood is light as everyone learns the game. Captain Maximus Orion Hawkes, reputed to be highly skilled, draws an impressive tie with Phineas I. Corwen but suffers decisive losses to both Theo Osborne and Morgana Cornelia Selina Beaumont.

The atmosphere shifts when the conversation turns to Lord Prince Shin Han. Priscilla asks Max about him and the gift of rose quartz heels. Max shares his opinion, which leads to a discussion of Phineas’s prior acquaintance with Shin during his training with the army of the Kingdom of Espen. Attempting to redirect the conversation, Priscilla makes an offhand remark about Morgana’s betrayal, which causes tensions to erupt.

Priscilla storms off as Phineas and Theo press Morgana to open up. The evening ends shortly thereafter, with everyone turning in for the night.

The days after...

On the 4th and through the 5th of Diene, the party focuses on their work and mounting to-do lists. They plan to meet again on the afternoon of the 5th to discuss the announcements made earlier that day regarding the political parties forming to govern the newly established Eldwell Unitary Republic Monarchy.

Notes

Phineas I. Corwen finished the "Core Recharger" a device that by focusing generated white light can recharge a Radiant Shield Brooch at the rate of 5 points / sixth compared to the 2 per day under direct sunlight.

Theo Osborne finished his "getting to know the Hexacron" project. The article needs to be updated to reflect the newfound knowledge