Challenge Zones

[lynchpin_castle]

Challenges and Challenge Zones

Challenges between Champions will take place in designated areas at designated times, since this is ultimately a formal contest and competition between the Forces of Creation, and the Forces of Unmaking. The landscape in the void will and can adapt to provide these designated areas. Sometimes, a designated area will have a ‘base’ form, and be used again and again in various ways, with different options. These specific zones are listed below.

The Labyrinth (Primarily Mental)

The labyrinth is, in its simplest form, a complex maze. Long have beings used it as a tool of mediation and focus, navigating its walls whether in the physical or mental realms. The Labyrinth is one of the main challenge-zones that always exists, but what form it takes depends on what the current challenge is. What form it takes may also have limits and restrictions to provide a proper challenge to the champions.




The base form of the Labyrinth is an enclosed and complex maze that resists attempts to break out via any means other than navigating it from start to finish. It’s layout-changes every time, but there are ways to help one learn one’s way. (String, marking the walls, etc)

The Labyrinth Zone may be reached via a teleportation pad within the Observation room of the Castle.


The Mirror Gallery (Primarily Spiritual)

The Mirror Gallery has many names, but this is the most common. Mirrors are reflections, and reflections can be distorted or far too accurate for comfort. This challenge zone also takes different forms, but the theme always remains the same in that champions have their spiritual mettle tested, be it facing their worst fears and flaws, temptation fulfilled but with great cost, or making choices that are life-altering.




The base form of the Mirror Gallery is a small building full of mirrors of various shapes, sizes, and types. Depending on what one wishes to gaze on, one may find the mirror they wish to test themselves and attempt to learn what challenges they may face. (i.e: fun-house mirrors, mirrors that show your opposite, mirrors that show what you desire most…)

The Mirror Gallery may be reached via a teleportation pad in the Tapestry gallery of the castle.

The Field (Primarily Physical)

The Field is a designated challenge zone, that adapts and changes as needed for the challenge provided. It is an interdimensional space which may resemble a racing track one time, or a sparring ring another. It can be a vast prairie, or an arctic wasteland. Depending on the climate/atmosphere of the zone, there may be additional challenges for champions here.



The base form of the Field is a large area with mountains, plains, some rivers, and plateaus. It is reachable via a teleportation pad outside of the Castle-grounds along a set path. Where it exists otherwise is not known.

Comments

[light_of_willpower]

Well, color him curious now. There's a hint of smile. "Unwinding can mean lots of things. Think I'll need a weapon?" Meaning should he grab his sword or not? As it is the door is opening more in invitation.

Mostly as Trunks moves to grab his boots, and his jacket.

[neveraknight]

She took a moment longer before she actually stepped inside the door to his room, Her hands curled behind her back, hands cupped under her elbows at mid back.

"And here I thought your body was a weapon in itself." A pause, and a clearing of her throat as she realized how that sounded. "I mean, you know, that whole power thing of yours."

Then she let her hands go, to rest on her hips at her lightsabers. "I always bring mine, but I have a feeling this wont be a battling kind of evening. You never know though."

[light_of_willpower]

So--SO glad he was not looking at her, as his face burned with her first comment. Boots on, head buried under the towel drying his hair more. "Even without ki, I'm pretty good in a fight." Breathing, he's breathing, and okay the blush was faded enough he felt he could abandon the towel.

"Your weapons are more portable, and even without them, you're pretty dangerous too. You have the advantage of not looking dangerous-right-away too." At least he could smile naturally at that, as he grabbed his jacket. "Ready when you are."

[neveraknight]

She's glad he wasn't looking too, honestly, as her face darkened at that. Thankfully she got herself under control of that. She was still at odds here. But Then there was what Tamaki said...

Soon.

Instead she rested her hands on her hips, standing straighter, as tall as she could for her short self. "Excuse me, I can look pretty damn dangerous right away too." But if he looked, she was grinning. As if the comment just amused her.

She backed out of his room, arms sliding behind her back again. "Oh, I'm ready. If this is what I am hoping it is, you're going to find it pointless but cool."

[light_of_willpower]

"I know that." Still grinning himself, door not shut entirely but enough for privacy as he followed her. "But I can definitely see you pulling off a good fake-out if needed."

Hands going to his pockets and falling in behind her. "Few things are pointless, really. I like cool too."

[neveraknight]

"Ooh, I can. You should see when I play innocent and ditsy in order to pull one over someone." She said, walking backwards a bit as they went. She pulled the note out again and handed it to him before they hit the stairs.

"Take a look. What do you think it is? I don't remember requesting anything but there was something I wanted." She said, and jumped down the steps about three at a time, jumping to a stop at the bottom.

She'd lead the way to the transporter.

[light_of_willpower]

The note was vaguely surprising--then when he thought about it, it made sense. Their hosts were perceptive, and clearly wanted them all comfortable and happy as well. While it was...a bit unsettling to know they likely knew their thoughts, their wants, etc.

It wasn't unexpected on reflection.

"I know you want another way to get around besides these teleportation pads." Teasing her, and upping his walking pace to keep even as she moved. On the first floor, music was heard--piano music--coming down the hallway.

[neveraknight]

Well, she had the thoughts on the field that day, and they literally seem to know everything out there, so even that isn't a surprise to her.

"Yeah, well, I like to be independent as much as I can." She said with a shrug, walking backwards again as they came to the first floor, though she had to slow to a stop, head perking up then turning towards the sound. Her brow raised, glancing to the other.

"What kind of instrument is that?"

[light_of_willpower]

A chuckle, and Trunks tilted his head. "It's called a piano. Pretty sure I know who's playing it too. Wanna go see, before we go see whatever present it is? Otherwise I'm sure he'll play for us another time."

No doubt Tamaki'd also be pleased to see them both together too. As long as he didn't make it as obvious as he had during the video-games, Trunks didn't mind. Part of why he'd talked to the other, before Hima-chan and Ty Lee had come back with snacks.

[neveraknight]

She bounced a moment on her toes, one eye squinting a moment before it seemed like she got the right idea. "Oh, is that the one with the keys but in a row, not in a circle?" She said, then took a few steps that way, giving a nod.

"I've waited this long to go and grab you. I can wait a bit longer to see this." And she didn't mind. She nodded for him to come this way with her, because why not?

[light_of_willpower]

"That's right. Alternating black and white keys." Trunks didn't mind either, and quickened his stride as they headed down the hallway. "If I'm remembering right, basically the keys depress hammers onto strings which are what produces each note." Not that he knew much beyond that really.

The music was getting steadily louder though, melodic and slow but not sad. More restful, lazy almost. Like someone else was unwinding. Coming down the tapestry gallery, then a left and towards the music room, and it was easily seen who was playing.

There were other instruments carefully placed to one side, resting. Some music stands, and chairs, and also a rather modern for the 20th century stereo-system. Including an older record player.

The center though was taken by a grand piano, and the blonde letting his fingers dance over the keys. Nor was it easy to see people entering, and Tamaki didn't have their sensing abilities, so Trunks made it obvious they were there. Stepping slightly to be seen from the corner of Tamaki's eye, with a small wave.

This had the effect of the blonde straightening up and smiling with a nod. Coming to the end of the section on the music in front of him, then he turned. "Ah, Ahsoka-san, Trunks-kun!" Wiggling his fingers a little before stretching his arms out.

[neveraknight]

"I've had to take one apart before, but it's all electronic and I needed the server board from it." She said in an amused kind of tone.

"Of course it's Tamaki." Ahsoka said on a very soft whisper, mostly to herself. Of course he would be the one making some beautiful music. While Trunks stepped in to make their presence known, Ahsoka was willing to just let the other play for a bit. Though when he stopped at the end of his tune, she too gave a small wave.

"That was really beautiful, Tamaki. You are a man of many talents."

[light_of_willpower]

"Thank you, Ahsoka-san. You are generous to this poor amateur's ego." A hint of a bow of his head. Then leaning back on his arms on the bench, he too was dressed comfortably and like he was winding down for the evening.

"I do not know if my being able to read music and play will come in handy though. If nothing else, I can help relax others." Not that Tamaki seemed that upset by it.

"I don't know, Tamaki. I remember mom commenting once about how music was like coding. It's all about remembering and recognizing the patterns. Of course she meant computer programming." A hint of sheepishness himself. "I also remember being very very glad when I grew out of the stage she felt I needed her to sing lullabyes to me."

Bulma Briefs. Genius. Inventor. Adventurer. ...not a great singer though.

"We shall see then, although depending upon the level or sophistication of the technology, I may be outmatched." A wink. "Ahsoka-san, you look ready for an adventure. I thought we'd all had enough of that recently?"

[neveraknight]

"Believe it or not, I've had to help deal with some situations that required some base knowledge to music and notes. I really wouldn't put it past anything they are willing to throw at us." She did glance to Trunks with an amused smile though. Master Yoda used to hum once in a while, and she could remember Master Plo Koon doing the same when she was a youngling. At least Plo Koon had a nice deep voice. Master Yoda, not so much.

"That does bring up a good point though. We need to sit down at some point, with everyone, and go into depth about what each of us can do. No matter how small. I mean, I can fight, but music? That's not a skill I can manage."

"You never know, one of the others might know how to do this as well." And maybe they could all teach themselves basics of other things.

"Ah, but... I got a note. Something is waiting for me in the challenge zone." She pulled at her goggles to point them out. "And if it's what I think it is, I promised to drag this one around on it." She gave a small shrug. And if it was what she hoped it was, she wanted to teach the others how to use it as well. If possible.

[light_of_willpower]

"Oh ho!" Tamaki grinned, nodding along. "It sounds exciting, if it requires goggles though. I suppose I can wait to hear later, although now I have curiosity eating at me."

"I'm sure she'll drag you out sometime too Tamaki-kun." Trunks replied easily, shaking his head in amusement. "If nothing else, we should take you to the field anyways. Give you an idea of how to use the terrain to your advantage."

"That is true...I could admire the scenery I'm sure, but it would not do me much good in a fight. Although I'm not afraid to throw dirt at someone if I must." Tamaki shot back gamely.

"I would not object to learning about everyone, but then--some of us are more open than others. It could be perhaps we're meant to find out about each other more..." Pausing, trying to think of the right word. "...organically, I suppose is the closest I can think of." Moving to spread his hands outward, Tamaki continued softly. "One can not force close bonds, although a crisis often helps them along if it does not drive the group apart. It might be why we were all sent to the Labyrinth shortly after those of us who are newer arrived."

Trunks blinked, then made a soft noise. "...huh. But we also all need time to rest after things--as much as some of us could keep going, we're not all meant to be primarily fighters anymore than the challenges will all be physical."

Tamaki nodded, with a softer smile. "Even in times of rest though, there are ways to bond. Look at the video-games. So as much as we might all benefit from sitting and talking and laying out our talents as if were were assessing each other, it is not always the most comfortable solution."

Look at what his own pushing people towards had wrought? Even if it hadn't turned out as badly as he'd feared.

[neveraknight]

"Oh, if it is indeed what I think it is, Tamaki will indeed be the next one to come out with me." She said with a smirk.

When he mentioned not forcing bonds though, her head tilted at that, as if not quite understanding what she just missed. She rubbed a hand along the side of a lekku nearer to her head, and gave a small nod to that.

"I don't mean to say we need to just lay out important and personal information. Even I have things I don't want to lay out there, but I was thinking more... skill sets. Things we all might like to know that we can do. Like, I just found you playing this, and it's beautiful. Or the other day I learned that Logan has such a strong nose he can track nearly anything."

She gave a small helpless shrug, hands sliding back behind her again, an almost nervous habit sign. "I wouldn't want anyone to state talents if they were personal however." She gave a faint smile though. "It was just a thought though, that might help us in the future."

[light_of_willpower]

Tamaki blinked widely, then blinked again, then laughed softly. "I look forward to hearing your adventure then, my friends. And you are correct, Ahsoka-san. Perhaps I simply am over-thinking it. I am used to a high school, after all. Not any type of military situation."

Although that was interesting to know about Logan-san. Ahsoka was also correct that there were things he himself would not want to share without...great thought. But it was for another time.

"In any case, I am glad to see that my sempai will both be having fun. Go, go!" A brief wave of his hand, shoo'ing them. "And I will play for you some other time. I still plan to try and teach you both to dance, after all. Although I shall likely enlist Hima-chan's help for that."

Trunks chuckled softly, and grinned. "That's good to hear, as I think you're a bit too tall for me Tamaki-kun, and not exactly my type. Even if your smile is amazing."

The blonde just grinned like a cat under the joke. "You do not strike me as the type who would wear a dress well, my friend, so that goes both ways." Laughing as well, before turning back to his piano. "Ahsoka-san, I look forward to your surprise."

[neveraknight]

"No, you know for me, coming from my type of situation, having your side of view is actually a good thing, Tamaki." She gave him a soft, happy smile though. "And I would love to hear you play again."

She at least understands what Sempai means now! It always kind of made her smile to hear it, oddly. And then she giggled behind a hand at the two boys talking about not being each others type. She would say she had no type at all, but if she did, they both were appealing. Not that she wanted to admit that.

"And I look forward to seeing you and Tamaki try to dance anyhow, while I go steal away with Himawari." She teased, giving a salute to Tamaki as she started to back away. "Have a good evening, Tamaki-kun." She tried, still feeling out how those two talked, but she thought it might show a bit of respect to try also.

[light_of_willpower]

Tamaki grinned at her and brightened. From her, it was enough and he appreciated it. "Woe to us, my friend...we're stuck with each other." A wink at Trunks, before waving them both off.

Especially as Trunks was laughing too, as they headed back out into the hallway and towards the doors. From there, it would be a short walk to the teleportation pad.

"I'm glad he's feeling more comfortable, even if I can tell he's still nervous about things." Offered quietly, out of earshot, as the two walked. "But not all of these will be about physical, and Tamaki-kun..." Trunks paused, thinking how he wanted to phrase things. "Like you mentioned, it's good to hear the other side. Despite his enthusiasm he is more adept at social things than I am. And his skills in that area are different than yours as peace-keeper-general."

[neveraknight]

She walked along with him towards the porter. Out of ear shot and all, though she was still speaking softly. "I think that those in power wouldn't have brought him if he wouldn't be an asset. There are six of us here. You and Logan are the heavy hitters that could withstand most attacks. Ty Lee and I are the middle ground. Grace, speed, flexibility in a fight. Himawari and tamaki? They're the heart. The brains. The ones that can do the things that most of us either didn't learn or wouldn't know."

She gave a slight shrug, coming to the porter and standing there a moment. "I think once they get into a few more things where they can shine, they'll understand how important they are to all this. Like the maze. I don't think he understands just how easy they managed to get through all that. I honestly feel like that was set up to test all of our strengths."

She laughed at that, softly. "He impresses me, a lot."

[light_of_willpower]

"Considering that I still think this is all a 'new' thing to the Masters, it wouldn't surprise me to find you're right." Trunks murmured in agreement, standing with her.

"Tamaki-kun impresses me a lot too. Especially considering his background, but that he's so........genuinely nice. His ease at dealing with people is also impressive to me, as he's in his element in a crowd." A smile. "I haven't gotten to know him as well, as he's usually the one doing the questioning, as I've gotten to know Logan, for example."

The latter mostly being that they beat the crap out of each other as therapy and bonding.

"But Tamaki's energy and vibrant spirit is blinding. It's obvious reading him and his ki." Head tilted up, Trunks was quiet for a moment. "I want to give him time, too, just based on the hints of what we've seen, but he almost uses that energy and vibrancy as a shield, it's so overwhelming."

[neveraknight]

"I think everyone deserves some time. We're not here to push anyone." She said simply. She moved to the transporter and stood there, hands on her hips. "For now, we'll learn about each other as it comes."

She said and gave him a grin, looking over at Trunks with a strong smile "For now, I have a surprise and I think you'll enjoy it too. Shall we?" She asked and started to move for the transporter.

[light_of_willpower]

"Can't wait. Last time we got surprised, it was playing with clankers and taking them apart." A grin of his own, as he Trunks stepped up to join her. "Granted, I suspect we won't be dealing with clankers this time." Once both were on the teleporter-base they had only a few seconds before it activated.

Bringing them once more to the Field challenge zone, with the arrival area set-slightly apart. This time the terrain had shifted somewhat, to be more wide open-space mixed with canyons and rock formations. Less green, although hints of water-courses and rivers could be seen. The field seemed to encourage speed and agility rather than brute force, and was not designed for battle the way it had been before.

Of course, observing all of that meant overlooking the nice and shiny speeder-bike that waited near by for Ahsoka. Seen just in front of a medium-sized shed like building, which would prove to hold mechanics tools and staging areas for other vehicles. That was also new, but welcome, as Trunks let himself smile at the faint scent of grease covering metal. (Also a familiar scent from his childhood.)

[neveraknight]

"I love that you call then clankers." She said with a grin, rubbing her cheek as she did really like that he picked up her slang like that.

She stepped up on the platform and as they appeared in a new field, her smile couldn't be larger. The speeder was standard yet modified looking, and the building would house it just fine. she wondered if that would always be there now.

She jumped down and over towards it. "Kriffing hell, this is a fast model." He said, starting to round it a bit before reaching out to touch it. "Trunks, I'd like to introduce you to a speeder. A fast model too, so none of this lazy slow business. I might even be able to keep up with your flying, maybe."

[light_of_willpower]

"It's a good name for them." With a little salute her way of thanks. How could he not pick it up when it was so appropriate?

It wasn't like any hoverbike he'd seen. Yet at the same time, Trunks recognized that was exactly what it was, in it's own way. Letting Ahsoka lead, and her excitement was infectious. "It's definitely different from hoverbikes where I'm from. Longer, for one...with...are those meant to stabilize? help with steering?"

Not touching yet--it was her bike. He'd been raised enough of a gear-head to understand.

"I so want to be here when you decide to examine it more, including it's components."