THE SNAKE PIT
POSTING LOCATION: Coatepec
DESCRIPTION: After Quetzalcoatl was taken down, the majority of its salvageable remains were transported to Coatepec for the Salamanders to study with the hope that they could learn something from it, as well as find practical use for it. Everything has been under intense study: the fangs, eyes, scales, feathers, and flesh, and while some of it has been obviously useful (snakeskin fetches a high price already as it is, never mind when it's coming from a dead god), results remain inconclusive on other parts. A few experiments on the flesh determined that it isn't particularly edible, but could possibly make for some powerful compounds. At least, that's what one researcher thought until they mixed it with certain chemicals and filled the entire room with a cloud of not just toxic vapors, but a very strange incense. Physical and psychological changes are common, but something about this particular mixture caused everyone in the enclosed basement laboratory to turn into... snakes. And not only that, but snakes that multiply anytime they come into contact with each other. Soon a room of ten or so became twenty, then forty, and on and on until—

Well, let's just say it was an unpleasant discovery for the guy who'd left the lab to get coffee and a bagel. While similar in appearance at least in some ways to Quetzalcoatl, they are small, non-magical, and not miniature gods in their own right, so that much should provide some relief to anyone thinking about facing the horde of them. However, they are highly venomous and mad as hell, and there are enough that the entire room is practically bursting from floor to ceiling with them. Other researchers studying the scene cannot stress enough the importance of not doing something like, say, blowing up the entire room with explosives, lest it cause an even greater reaction with the chemicals which could level the entire building and kill everyone in it. As it stands, the door to the lab is being guarded and desperately held shut, but it's straining—it won't contain them much longer, and then all of the Salamander compound will be full of them. Something needs to be done quickly.
REWARD: Monetary compensation for anyone who safely handles the threat while minimizing collateral damage. Salamander is also offering one of Quetzalcoatl's eyes as a reward to one participating character. Now encased in crystal from the gardens, it can be used to shed light in the dark, and grants clearheadedness to whoever holds it. While this doesn't directly counteract the effect incense might have on a person, it does help them to succumb less quickly. This item can be passed from person to person to achieve the same effect, so in the hands of a traveling party, could be an invaluable survival item when braving the mist. However, its power will only be effective for so long, so it can't be relied on to always get you out of trouble.
REPORT TO: Salamander; OOCly, to receive the snake eye, link completed thread to the mods.

PHOENIX RISING
POSTING LOCATION: Coatepec
DESCRIPTION: Having appeared now two or three times since the outlanders first arrived in this world, the Phoenix perched atop the partially-destroyed tower of Tepeticpac has once again captured the notice of the Salamanders. This time, however, it has been observed flying erratically through the skies, its screaming shriek a far, discordant cry from the musically melodic song it's known for. The once-vibrant hues of its brilliant plumage, sparkling with flame and rainbow refractions, has taken on a dull and corrupt pallor. Worse still, it has begun attacking travelers, monsters, and even buildings both with its fearsome talons and with its overwhelming flames. The legend of the firebird is well known all across Copalli: it is a being as ancient as the gods of centuries past, considered a divine protector of the land. Unfortunately, it seems to have finally lost its struggle against the incense's influence after all these years and has become a threat that cannot be ignored.

Attempting to fight the Phoenix outside the ruins will be close to impossible with how evasively it flies away, but after wearing it down, it will eventually return to its home atop the Tepeticpac tower where the final confrontation will take place. This time, once characters reach the top, it will no longer flee but will face them down ferociously. While it will leave behind a beautiful corpse purged of the mist, a pile of ashes left behind will eventually give birth to a new baby Phoenix, starting the cycle all over again.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Only ONE team of characters may take this quest (it cannot be done by one character alone)! It will need to be logged out from start to finish and checked off by the mods before the reward can be claimed. Please plot amongst yourselves to determine who will face it and who will receive which rewards (it's recommended to do this in incenseooc in the interest of fairness). When the log is finished, make sure to specify who will receive what when submitting it to the mods.
REWARD:
✶ A handful (5) of phoenix pinions with incredible restorative properties including healing most ailments and all wounds, and even bringing deceased characters back from death (if used within the first hour of death, otherwise they will respawn in 24 hours as usual). These are single use.
✶ If characters take the body back to Tikal, the blacksmith will use the parts and plumage to craft a set of highly ornate, powerfully imbued armor. It grants near-immunity to fire when worn, something that would have been really helpful during the battle against Quetzalcoatl, whoops!
✶ A summoning crystal that will enable the holder to summon the spirit of the Phoenix to their side. When summoned, Phoenix will unleash its sacred flames on anything it is directed to attack, and will also restore any injuries and revive any fallen/unconscious people in the area. This counts separately from any already summonable companions your character may have, but functions similarly. As long as the crystal is worn, held, or otherwise equipped, they may use it. It takes very considerable energy to use, and if your character is inexperienced with magic or summoning, it may drain them past what they're able to handle.
REPORT TO: Salamander, Migel (Tikal's blacksmith); OOCly, to the mods once the log has been finished.