the power of friendship.

[adelicateflame]

The Caves of the Arimoi are an extensive network of caverns, winding through the earth. Who maintains the torches which light each passage with a dim and flickering luminescence? Who placed here these treasure chest, filled with artifacts both ancient and obscure? What is it even doing here, as it is clearly not part of the Queen's domain? Nobody knows, or at least nobody is answering. But here it is nonetheless, and it is both ancient and strangely beautiful.

You are not alone in these caves, however. Echidna's children lurk, jealously guarding treasures and preying on unprepared explorers. Here a woman with the lower boidy of a dragon lurks, vicious teeth dripping with venom. There, a formless, shapeshiting mass strikes out with its terrible barbed whip. There, hydras and chimaerae patrol, and in some places the beautiful woman you stumble across may not be what she seems...

How are you supposed to make nice with creatures like these? That's up to you to figure out.

[ooc: A more detailed description of the Caves and Monsters can be found on the setting page. We will be tagging into threads with NPC monsters, if you have a specific monster you would like to encounter please leave a note in your thread.]

Comments

[dragoninstalled]

Sol has taken a slightly different approach to dealing with the situation. She knows she's far from the best at diplomacy, so in the absence of people skills she has decided to try to bribe her way into the monsters' goodwill. One trip to the wild places later, and she has a chest of her own. It's filled with jewelry and trinkets. Hopefully, she'll be lucky enough that at least a few of the monsters are into hoarding.

It's hard to say, seeing as her expression is about as sober as is appropriate for this situation, but something about her demeanor seems a little...off as she makes her way through the caves. Somehow, she doesn't seem to be as surly and antisocial as normal. Maybe she's just making an effort to do this befriending thing right?

[ ooc: Sol currently is under the effect of a wildcard and will be behaving...much more nicely that normal. ]

[adelicateflame]

An empusa has sniffed its way to Sol, and when it comes into sight, it smiles to her. It's a beautiful smile, fitting with its illusion of a woman.

It would very much like a snack, and Sol looks delicious. Echidna had warned the monsters to not attack on sight, but this one seemed to be uncaring.

[dragoninstalled]

Oh, dear. Sol's weapon is at her hip, but she makes no move to reach for it. Instead, she sets the chest down between them and takes a step back. Even with her mind in its altered state, she knows enough to be cautious. When she speaks, however, her smile seems genuine.

"Hello. I thought it would be rude to come into your home with nothing to show for myself, so I brought gifts."

[adelicateflame]

The monster's smile fades slightly as it looks down to the chest. Its head tilts and eyebrows furrow. This wasn't exactly common of the Garden's residents. It steps closer, but its steps are hesitant.

When it reaches the chest, it sniffs it, but doesn't open it. It looks back up to Sol.

"For me?" Its voice is dry and not at all pleasing to the ears, but it is simple enough to understand.

[dragoninstalled]

"Well, for everyone. You and your..." She hesitates for a moment, debating. "Your sisters, I suppose?" Another pause, and then she offers, "If you're worried, I can open that first and show you that there's nothing dangerous inside. It's understandable if you don't really trust me."

[adelicateflame]

She frowns at this show of goodwill, backing away a step, arms crossing under bare breasts.

"Does it glitter?"