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Post by Seryna on Sept 3, 2013 18:10:16 GMT -5
The ground under your feet rumbles. You find yourself shaken violently as a crack appears in the floor before the horn. All of the tributes begin to slide downwards, falling head over heels. A sand shower follows after you, showering onto your heads and bodies after you land. You see that the ground that you fell from stops six feet above your head. Sand trickles down over the edge, falling onto you. The ground is loose, hot sand. A stone door seven feet tall and four feet wide opens two feet in front of you. All of the tributes that attended the horn are now gathered in a ten by two foot stip of solid ground. Orange candle light flickers within the cavern.
Diedre sees the other alliance and unslings her bow. She gives Riven and Zale a glance, nodding to Caleb and Olivia's alliance.
Diedre became distracted for a minute, studying the stone door. The falling sand was making standing difficult. She fought to keep a strong hand on her bow and secure footing, but one foot found a sink hole. She stepped back, aiming her bow at the black door way of the Cavern.
"If we get out of here, I'm going to kick Silver's -" "Shut up." Timour warned Diedre. Diedre scowled, muttering under her breath. "This -" She gestured to the stone door in front of them. "Is because he kidnapped Rory. It has to be. Have any of you ever seen something like this in a Games before?"
She asks Riven, Zale, Timour, Ashlyn and Brad.
"No, I've never seen something like that." Ashlyn admitted. She held her knife in her hand as she steps forward, pausing a foot from the door. "We might as well go inside." Iris suggests. She gestures at the ground high above your heads. "We can't go out that way."
"Are you all right?" Isaac threw his arm protectively over Psyche and stood in front of her.
"Caleb and Olivia, are you all right?" Psyche asked. "I'm fine."
"They forced us together." Pan grips his axe tightly as he watches the other alliance. He can't watch them all. Its Zale that mostly draws his attention.
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Sept 3, 2013 18:27:41 GMT -5
"Caleb!" Olivia called just as the ground gave way. She hit the got sand hard tumbling the rest of the way and slowly came to her feet.
Liv looked around and took count."Anyone missing?"
She glanced at Caleb. "You are okay? Anyone hurt?"
She followed Pan's gaze. "They won't hurt us this. There's no honor it."
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Post by Seryna on Sept 3, 2013 18:45:52 GMT -5
"We're all here." Pan said as he did a quick head count. "Except for Kris and Eris." "We're okay..." Willow looked over Caleb, Pan, Psyche, Isaac, Theodore, Dupioni, Star and Titan.
Willow frowned, looking skyward. "They didn't say what would happen to Rory." "They'll take care of her." Pan assured her. "Thats why the Peacekeepers came."
"We need to take care of ourselves now." Dupioni stated. "What are we going to do?" Theodore glanced towards Rory.
Theodore and Isaac stood to Olivia's right. The two were looking at Caleb and Olivia, but glanced at the careers every other minute. The rest of her alliance stood behind her, farthest from the careers. Star and Titan stood farther still, as far from the careers and the door as possible. Star looked terrified and Titan was standing in front of her protectively.
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Sept 3, 2013 19:04:34 GMT -5
"Let Rory take care of herself. We've got ourselves to worry about," Liv said. She drank a bit of her water and handed the rest to Caleb. "I hope Kris and Eris are okay. But if they return don't trust that it's them. So is the way open?"
Olivia pointed down the cave. "Who has a flashlight? Everyone needs to focus. I know you're scared. And tired... But we have to keep our heads screwed on straight. I didn't hear any canons. So let's work getting off here."
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QuinnTalon
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Post by QuinnTalon on Sept 3, 2013 20:03:53 GMT -5
"It is what it is. How we deal with it...that is our choice and no one elses'. It is known." A test of faith is what all of this was, and Zale would not lose who he was in this place. Over his dead body would he lose himself in this place.
He did catch that the boy--Pan--was looking at him exclusively, and that caused him to frown more than a little. He had his spear, but he would not be the one to break their little agreement.
Olivia, however, came to his defense, and he nodded to her. There was no honor in a fight at this time. "Olivia is correct. Finding our way free of this...punishment is our first task. And making sure we have sufficient supplies, and seeing as we can likely not climb out? We should move forward. Cautiously."
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Sept 4, 2013 6:08:21 GMT -5
Olivia nodded at Zale's words. From her time with the tributes of district four, she knew what to say. "It is known."
Olivia understood Zale, Riva, and Riven. Despite being from different worlds there was a commonality that she didn't have with the others. Zale and Riva were of the sea. Proud and spiritual, just like the others in their district. And Riven, who had promised her and Caleb safety, was a different kind of career tribute much in the same way Zale and Riva were.
"Maybe we should work together and get out of here together. Show them we're not their puppets. Riven, Zale... how about a truce until we get out of here? If you all agree you my word of honor I won't try anything." Olivia said. She put her weapon down and extended her hand. If they killed her, at least she could say she died proud and honest.
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Post by Seryna on Sept 4, 2013 15:28:10 GMT -5
"We have no idea whats in there." Pan stated. "It might be vicious. I'd be O.K. with allying."
Willow glanced at the careers, her eyes moving along Riven, Zale, Riva, Iris... After a beat, she nodded.
"Olivia," Psyche said quietly. "By here do you mean this cavern only?" "They never attacked Caleb and Olivia..." Isaac said slowly. "They honored the pact with six. No cause to think that they won't honor this one."
"Silver would hate it." Diedre stated glancing at Timour. Timour smirked. "So we should. " "We should define when it ends, though. The alliance. The Game Makers throw more mutts at big alliances, right? I'm not scared of mutts. We already kicked feathery butt." Diedre smiled, nearly boasting. "But I don't want to be eight of that one Game. Or Lily's partner. The ones who broke first."
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Sept 4, 2013 15:59:27 GMT -5
"I mean until we get out of this death trap. Until we're out of the caves and there's open sky above us..." Olivia replied to Psyche.
"They did honor a pact with us. It's because they're honorable," Liv told Issac. She turned to the tributes from two and smiled. "I'm glad that you two are down to misbehave. As to terms how about until we get to an open area."
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QuinnTalon
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Post by QuinnTalon on Sept 4, 2013 17:31:34 GMT -5
Silver would hate it? A very immature piece of him would like to have their alliances come together just to spite the man, but in the end it was only practical. They come together to get out of this mess, and then they fight it out when they get out.
"This one is not adverse to a temporary alliance." Zale nodded to Olivia. "Until we escape this, and until we can face each other properly."
Even still, he still had the non-aggression promise with District Six. It wasn't something he would forget.
"We should get moving. Who has light?"
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Post by Kulvar on Sept 4, 2013 21:23:50 GMT -5
Caleb came to a halt, looked around quickly at those nearby and the fading light overhead. He locked his gaze on Liv, moving toward her. "We're alright. Bet th'sudden drop was meant to disorient and confuse us more than anything. Is everyone else alright?"
He meant the question primarily for Liv, but spoke it for everyone. Everyone on his team was still his responsibility, and he hoped that leading them to take back Rory wasn't going to end up harming them more than helping. He slid his hand into Liv's, looking to Psyche and Pan. "She's fine... all of the mentors are fine. We need to worry about getting out of here. Zale, Riven... Unless there's objections, I like Liv's suggestion. As for who's got light... That doesn't fall to me, unfortunately. Everyone else? Sound off."
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Sept 4, 2013 22:48:56 GMT -5
Liv nodded at Zale's words. She glanced at Riven too when she offered her empty weapon arm. She'd shake as they did in District Four. That's how they'd cement this alliance. She knew that any second all manners of hell would be unleashed upon them. But it seemed less daunting with everyone on board with the plan.
"I'm okay Caleb. Just bumps and bruises. Nothing serious." she told him.
Gripping Caleb' s hand made the ground seem more solid under her feet.
"You don't have a flashlight by any chance?" she asked Riven.
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Post by Lite on Sept 5, 2013 13:32:06 GMT -5
Although the fact that they had been swallowed up by the ground should have been Riven’s primary concern, seeing all of the tributes with their District partners affected Riven more than it should have. It had been easier to cope with when Diadem had been there to aid her and to guide her, but now Diadem had left Riven felt as though there was no one she could rely on to share the burden anymore.
You would have had to kill him at some point. It’s better this way. The young woman told herself as she collected her sword from the ground and looked around, listening to the conversation. She watched the District partners of both alliances talk and look at each other, and in some way she was grateful that hers had been robbed from her so early. It meant she couldn’t become attached to him.
She tried to remain steady and to stand tall as she spoke, “There will be no fight here.” Her tone was steady and she looked around the cavern, “Once we escape this place, however, it will be inevitable that blood will be shed.” Her eyes moved from members of her alliance and then to Olivia and Caleb, “I do not doubt that you will fight us with honour when the time comes.”
When she was asked for a flashlight, Riven nodded, “Diadem’s pack contains a few sources of light; a headlamp which anybody may use,” She retrieved it and held it out until someone took it, “A flashlight for you, Olivia,” Riven passed the flashlight to the girl from District Six, “And... An electronic lantern which I shall carry.”
“I would also like to give you this,” Riven took the radio-communication device off her belt and handed it to Caleb, “In case of separation; you will be able to contact Zale, Diedre or Ashlyn who are all equipped with one device each. For this moment, the safety of you and your people are as much my concern as the safety of my own.”
“Let us go.” Riven said after letting her previous statement hang in the air for a moment.
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Post by Seryna on Sept 5, 2013 13:52:23 GMT -5
Stepping into the cavern revealed that the room was twelve feet by twelve feet, a perfect square. Two decorative water fountains shaped like orcas stood in the center of the room, cold water cascading down into a pool. The room is dimly lit, the only illumination from a single torch by the door on the opposite side of the wall. One may have the urge to stay close to Olivia, Riven and whomever else possessed light. The door at the opposite end of the room was closed. It was a tall door - seven feet tall and four feet wide. A digital clock was mounted beside the door, counting down. 4:59 .. 4:58...
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Sept 5, 2013 13:54:27 GMT -5
Olivia had been brought up walking the fine line between healer and a person of faith, and being soldier. Caleb didn't know about the war they were fighting. He didn't know about the struggle. He knew about hardship but not war, not about the Battle. Zale and Riva understood. And Riven, well she was more soldier than a tool for the slaughter a person of honor. She never had to be convinced otherwise.
She nodded solemnly to Riven's words, squeezing Caleb's hand. They'd get through this together. Like they always had. Win or lose it would be as a pair. She looked back at Riven and nodded again. Olivia understood. "There's a place in my District. My brother knows about it. It's where I started my mornings everyday since I was a young girl. Make sure that's where I end up. Facing the sun. My family won't give you any trouble. They're watching and I know they respect you like I do. Just make sure that's where I end up. Please."
She took the flashlight from Riven, thanking her for her kindness. Then she glanced at Zale she knew that he and Riva would make it happen. She didn't have to ask. They'd send her home with coins on the eyes so she could pay her way to the Ferryman. But there was something that she wanted to ask him. "Zale, is there something you could do for me? Well, Caleb and I... but when our alliance splits?
"Riven's right. We need to keep moving. The One only knows what kind of hell we're about to face in this Godless place."
When the clock started to countdown Olivia cursed under her breath. She looked at Caleb. "Don't even say a word. And I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't want to be here when that clock gets to zero."
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Post by QuinnTalon on Sept 5, 2013 14:58:08 GMT -5
"I have glowsticks, an electric lantern, and a headlamp...with a battery."
Zale looked to Olivia. "My family knows my wishes." They were the wishes of nearly everyone in District Four. To go back to the Sea. To become One with the Ocean and the Rain.
To walk in the Light of the One.
"They are...traditional. To be sent The Sea." As it was with their people.
There was a look to Olivia, and he tilted his head to one side in confusion. Of course, he would see to it that she went as she wished. That they would lay her to rest where she wished to be laid to rest. It was just proper.
"What we are about to face will test us. We must merely rise to the occassion." She was right about this being a Godless place. This and the Capitol were both Godless places. He wanted nothing ot do with either of them.
"Whatever it is you want--if it is within my power--I will see to it."
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Post by Kulvar on Sept 5, 2013 21:00:17 GMT -5
"Thank you, Riven," Caleb said, accepting the radio. He nodded once to Zale. If it were within Caleb's power, he'd see to each and every person's final wishes.
Of course, if it were within his power, everyone would be living out those final wishes after a long, fulfilling life. He wasn't so naive to believe that was going to happen. If anyone in the room was going to see it happen though... He squeezed Liv's hand. His next words were half choked, "Put me where the other half of my soul resides."
The words were meant for everyone but Liv. If anyone but her went home, he'd want to be buried right next to her. If she were the one going home... she'd know where to put him.
He took a deep breath. "No time like the present." and moved into cavern proper, keeping close to Liv. He studied the clock above the door across from them. A countdown was never good in the hunger games.
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Post by Seryna on Sept 5, 2013 22:54:53 GMT -5
Iris and Brad fanned out in the room, gripping thier weapons tightly in hand. They became harder to see as they checked the shadow filled recesses of the far walls. "No doors here." Brad reported, stepping in behind Riven with Iris at his side.
Further exploring of the cavernproved that there were only two exits and no windows or other exit points. One exit was the door that you had entered by and the second was the large stone slab that waited beside the ticking count down. Ashlyn strode up to the door, noting. "There are no door handles. We don't decide when this thing opens." As though to test her own theory, Ashlyn shoved the door. Nothing. She attempted to slide it, putting her shoulder into it.
Ashlyn stepped back, moving to stand next to Riven.
"Are we supposed to wai-" Iris began when a voice spoke, clearly the voice of a Gamemaker directed from on high.
"Welcome to the Cavern. The Game maker greeted. "You have already noticed that each room has a time delay feature on the doors. You may move between rooms only when the count down reaches 0. The doors will close at a set time, once again displayed by the count down. There are challenges within each room to overcome. Equipment or weaponry that you may need is also just past this door. May the odds be ever in your favor. "
The count down now read 4:38
"What was that?" Psyche peered down at her leg. "Liv, flash the light over here." "What is it?" Theodore turned in pace, scanning the ground. Those standing by Liv and Riven notice only smooth stone floor. Ashlyn jerks and steps roughly into Brad.
"Damn." Ashlyn gripped her knife and bent, swiping her knife at her legs. "It was over here, too. Whatever it is, its quick." Ashlyn's tone was grim.
A flash of white fangs is glimpsed snapping at Psyche's heels a bare foot above the ground. The girl leaps back, running into Dupioni.
"Where did it go?" Dupioni circled in place. ""Zale, can I have a glowstick?" Dupioni takes one and activates it, dropping it by her foot. A wet trail can be seen, in a serpentine 'S' pattern.
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QuinnTalon
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Post by QuinnTalon on Sept 6, 2013 9:55:55 GMT -5
It was simple enough. They couldn't move on until the door opened. In Four and a Half Minutes.
But when Dupioni dropped the glowstick on the floor and they all saw the slithering wet line...
...It was going to be a long four and a half minutes.
"Brothers, eyes on the floor." There was a look down. "Sisters, eyes on the rest of the room. We do not know if it can climb walls."
"Back to back. Everyone. Defend each other. If we are smart, we can kill it, or that failing survive intact until that door opens."
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Post by Lite on Sept 6, 2013 11:24:43 GMT -5
Riven looked from Olivia to Caleb, and then from Zale to Riva. There was a lot of respect between the four of them, and Riven allowed them to have their conversation as they progressed into the room. She looked up at the timer on the wall and for a moment she became a little nervous. It was a countdown, just like the countdown to the beginning of the Games, which meant that there was something to be done within the time limit. At first, she wondered if this was the Gamemakers’ cruel plot to cause the alliances to turn on each other in an enclosed area, an old fashioned arena, and give them the Bloodbath they hadn’t had. But she heard the voice come through the speakers and nodded slowly. “Stay together.” She nodded in agreement with Zale, “If someone gets a good look at whatever it is, identify it.” Being from the richer District One, Riven wasn’t certain what kind of creature it could be. She had seen dogs and cats, a few farm animals which were used for food, but otherwise she was pretty clueless when it came to what animals looked and moved like. She gripped her sword, “If it attacks, fight back.” Riven said quietly. [27] Riven Tanzanite rolled 1 dice to "Perception Rote [4-3]" 1 (0 successes) [27] Riven Tanzanite rolled 4 dice to "Perception [Wits 2 + Composure 2]" 9,5,10,9,2 (3 successes)
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Sept 6, 2013 11:53:53 GMT -5
"It's in my power, I'll return you to the sea, Zale and thank you... No matter what happens, no matter how this ends... You've acted honorably to me and mine." She told the boy from District Four.
Olivia's brow furrowed. Riven didn't know there was plenty of respect to go around. Liv was in love with the District Four culture. But she respected everyone here. Especially, Riva, Zale, and Riven. She loved Caleb and for her that meant respect went hand in hand. So that went without saying.
Then Caleb had to say something made her eyes water. The grip on his hand tighten still and she nodded.
She looked at Psyche and did what she asked.
"Everyone, no matter what happens you hold the line."
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Post by Seryna on Sept 6, 2013 16:24:15 GMT -5
"You got it." Diedre replies to Zale. She notches an arrow and watches the wall by the door beside the timer. Beside her, Brad drops his eyes to the floor. "Here," Brad starts, drawing his sword arm back for a swing. He pauses, frowning. "It got away. I saw some long tail. The light shone on it." "Nothing over here." Ashlyn reported, watching the back wall by the door that they had walked through. Liv was no doubt raising her eyes to scan the walls. Beside her, Isaac lunged with his spear. The area by Olivia was dark. Isaac and Theodore stood by her side. Psyche and Dupioni were at her back. "Here!" Isaac shouted just as pain roared into Olivia's right ankle. Something releases Olivia's ankle, but it felt like a bite. Searing pain throbs in Olivia's ankle. Isaac lunged with his spear. Isaac's spear stabbed downwards, but Olivia's light was following her own line of sight. The area by her feet was dark. Did Isaac get it? The boy himself seemed unsure, peering by his feet. Due to Riven's lantern, there was a warm orb of light around her. The boys beside her suddenly stiffened. "Theres something! A snake?" Brad brought his sword down. Thanks to Riven's light, all could see the silver colored snake bury its fangs into Riven's left ankle. It hangs on, teeth attached to her flesh. Searing pain throbs in Riven's ankle. The pain laces up her leg. Defense of Sea Snakes: 3 Difficulty hunting the one by Olivia, Isaac, Theo, Dupioni and Psyche due to darkness adds a -1 to attack and perception rolls until more light is brought by them2013-09-06 23:10:23 Beast rolled 4 dice to "Biting Olivia [8 attack - 4 def]" 10,1,2,10,6,10,5 (3 successes) 2013-09-06 23:09:33 Beast rolled 6 dice to "Biting Riven [8 attack - 2 defense]" 7,2,5,5,8,9 (2 successes) Brad rolled 6 dice to "Attacking Riven's snake [9 - 3]" 9,1,9,10,4,5,9 (4 successes) Isaac rolled 5 dice to "Attacking Liv's snake [9 - 4]" 5,8,4,6,1 (1 successes)
The snakes are both still alive. Olivia's is moving freely around; Riven's is attached to her ankle with strong jaws.
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Post by Kulvar on Sept 6, 2013 17:23:09 GMT -5
Caleb nodded to Zale, Riven, and Liv's words. He didn't need to echo common sense commands that had already been issued. And he had no intention of leaving her side anyways. He let go of her hand, sliding next to her as he eased an arrow out of his quiver. Countdowns weren't ever good. He took a shallow breath that quickly turned into a gasp as something lashed out at Olivia. He flicked an arrow at it, with a satisfying thunk of it hitting meat rather than stone. He couldn't quite tell how well he'd sunk the arrow... but it didn't matter, as he slid in front of Liv in a protective fashion, all without breaking the circle the tributes had formed. Caleb Hunnington rolled 8 dice to "Perception" 6,1,10,5,3,6,4,2,10,4 (2 successes) Link 2013-09-07 00:08:35 Caleb Hunnington rolled 9 dice to "Attacking Liv's Snake 13 -4" 6,1,3,4,2,2,10,2,2,6 (1 successes)
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Post by QuinnTalon on Sept 6, 2013 22:26:05 GMT -5
Zale kept his eyes on the floor, and when the thing launched itself at Riven's ankle--attaching itself--he attacked it in kind, expertly stabbing the spear into the thing. If they could kill these things quickly, it would be better. They could pry the fangs out of Riven's ankle and hopefully--perhaps--get the poison out of the wound. Assuming these were poisonous. They likely were. Especially if they were true Mutts. 2013-09-07 01:05:52 [HG27] Zale Sewell rolled 10 dice to "Attacking Riven's Snake" (9-again) 2,10,4,4,9,6,2,5,10,10,4,2,7,9,4 (5 successes) 2013-09-07 05:23:52 [HG27] Zale Sewell rolled 5 dice to "Wits + Survival" 7,10,4,5,10,6,4 (2 successes)
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Post by Lite on Sept 7, 2013 4:38:20 GMT -5
Riven cried out in pain as the snake sunk its fangs into her leg. Before she could even react, she saw Zale strike down at the creature with his spear. She bit down on her lip, hard, as the pain shot up her leg and she resisted the urge to reach down and press her hand down on the wound. She didn’t want to touch the snake. Instead, she brought her sword down on it. “Is it...” Riven started, her voice cracking slightly as she breathed quickly to try to ignore the pain to no avail, “Is it dead?” Her eyes moved to meet Zale’s gaze, “That was... An impeccable shot.” She noted, trying to keep her mind off the fact that there were flesh-hungry snakes all around them. [27] Riven Tanzanite rolled 10 dice to "Attacking the snake [Strength 5 + Weaponry 5 + Specialty 1 + Sword 2 - Defense 3]" 2,6,5,9,8,8,2,9,10,9,2 (6 successes)
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Sept 7, 2013 11:12:13 GMT -5
Olivia cringed at the stinging pain on her ankle. She lashed out it, clipping the snake.
"I'm fine, Caleb..." For now. Snake bites... They all remembered what happened four years ago. If she didn't get medicine, the proper medicine, then Liv wasn't long for this world.
"Hold the line..."
Olivia rolled 7 dice to "Attacking Snake" 1,1,7,10,3,9,4,9 (3 successes)
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