Tales of Visseria: The White Depths

[Bropocalypse]

A note to new readers:

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Welcome to The White Depths(and the tale of the misleading title). This is my first MSPAFA and my first serious foray into drawing regularly. I've been drawing a lot since I was in high school, but I never really had the drive to do it en mass like this, which is probably the main reason I started it at all: To get myself to practice more. I like to think that I've improved in the months since I began it. Immediately it seems rather pedestrian, with simple black-and-white characters on a simple black-and-white background. As I choose to challenge myself with each panel, things are improving. I've gotten used to animation and am learning the balance between art and layer effects, all while I master my tools(Photoshop). Take a look at this one from a more recent update:

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So you have that action to look forward to.

Like most MSPAFAs, The White Depths doesn't follow a strict story. In fact, thusfar I've had an idea for two separate people who would be the "final boss,"(a hulking fellow initially and later on a spooky computer) but due to the meddling of my fine readers, they had become allies. So, naturally, the story can be a bit rambling. Thankfully I get input that keeps things on track. Occasionally I feel the need to do the same for the readers, like some sort of performance-oriented tug-of-war, or like two people on either side of a beam, tugging on ropes to stand it up straight.

Anyway, I now have a definite path for the story to follow, shaped in large part by the readers. For those new to this little tale, welcome, and try to enjoy it post-game.

Thank you.

A stout young lady stands in a dome. She has recently come of age and has been allowed to become a salvager, excavating strange and wondrous trinkets from the depths of these ruins. She is excited to be the first woman in her village to be allowed in to these hallowed halls.

But first, what is her name?

[beesmygod]

>Clarissa Jones

[nextian]

> Matahari Buchanan

[CCCXLII]

> Elory 'Crystal' Vesuche

[Andorxor]

>Hyper girl:Glowing defender of the night

[Bropocalypse]

> Matahari Buchanan

That's right!


You now control Matahari. What will you do first?

[CCCXLII]

> Is that a SUIT? What are you wearing?

[Kajio]

Conjure more gender appropriate attire. You can be professional and still look female you know! To assume otherwise is sexist.

Women must look good at all times, or else they are sexists... Logical, captain.

[nextian]

> Totally don't conjure more gender appropriate attire, the suit is awesome. There's a whole tumblr about girls in suits. PROFESSIONALISM

> Open the sacred filing cabinet of the ancestors.

[Bropocalypse]

> Is that a SUIT? What are you wearing?

Conjure more gender appropriate attire. You can be professional and still look female you know! To assume otherwise is sexist.

This is a SACRED GARMENT, worn only by salvagers! It is an honor to wear it. It was presented to you when you were selected for your duties by the elder scavenger on your 17th birthday! You impressed him with your CURIOUS NATURE.
These garments are found in a vault deep in the ruins.

[Kajio]

Fine then, skimp up that garment post haste! Your superiors want to see leg you know!

[CCCXLII]

> What kind of ruins are you in exactly?

[Bropocalypse]

> What kind of ruins are you in exactly?

You're in the deepest dome in the village.


Your tribe settled here in your grandfather's time. Before that, you were livestock-growing nomads. It's a typical windy day.

Open the sacred filing cabinet of the ancestors.

You take a curious peek inside.


It appears to be a rather deep shaft. You can't see the bottom.

Fine then, skimp up that garment post haste! Your superiors want to see leg you know!

ABSOLUTELY NOT WHAT ARE YOU CRAZY

A SALVAGER DOES NOT ALTER HER SACRED GARMENT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EVER PERIOD

[Kajio]

Fine, take tan paper and use tape to construct a tube. Slip legs inside to simulate exposed skin, receive promotion. Use same tan paper and scissors to craft cleavage-shaped paper. Strap this to your back to confuse your foes!

[CCCXLII]

> We wouldn't happen to have any useful scavenging items on us, would we?

[Bropocalypse]

Fine, take tan paper and use tape to construct a tube. Slip legs inside to simulate exposed skin, receive promotion. Use same tan paper and scissors to craft cleavage-shaped paper. Strap this to your back to confuse your foes!

You don't know what those things are, but you have an idea.

We wouldn't happen to have any useful scavenging items on us, would we?

You make do with some ANIMAL HIDE, TWINE, and WARPAINT that you happened to be carrying with you. You make LEATHER LEGGINGS and a BREASTPLATE. Your armor value has increased by 1.

Other than that, you have some ANCIENT TOOLS.

[SNeakyRobot]

> Grow some hair.

[CCCXLII]

> Where does that door lead?

[Bropocalypse]

Grow some hair.

You already have hair, silly! Are you blind?

> Where does that door lead?

You head down to find out.



It's a short hallway. The HEAD SALVAGER is here. He is silently questioning your choice in armor.

He says he was going to ask what took you so long to get down here, but he thinks he knows, now.

[CCCXLII]

> Ask him what the 'plan' is for today.

[Bropocalypse]

> Ask him what the 'plan' is for today.

He explains that just yesterday they stumbled upon a new vault. You're fortunate enough to be a part of the team opening it.


He leads you down the ladder and down the stairs to the newly-found vault. You stow away your armor. It felt pretty silly to be wearing it.


You arrive at the door to the newly discovered vault. It is adorned with strange runes. A pair of salvagers stand to the side, having just cleared most of the stones out of the way.

You ask what your job will be.

The HEAD SALVAGER says that you'll be holding the tools while they pry the door open.

[Rekka]

>Draw the strange runes onto your BREASTPLATE using the WAR PAINT.

[ProfessorLizzard]

>The amphora on the door must mean that this place will have delicious drinks of the ancients!
Prepare for this.

[CCCXLII]

> Every salvager has to start somewhere! You're lucky to even be here. Get to holding those tools.

[Bropocalypse]

> Every salvager has to start somewhere! You're lucky to even be here. Get to holding those tools.

Hours later...


They finally get the door to budge.





The vault is filled with hideous monsters!!