4F

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4F
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The **4th Floor** (4F) of the Tower is a location in ***Ascent: Trials of Vore***. It is between the 3rd and 5th Floors, and is a noir-ish jazz age landscape of cities and docks.

The 4th Floor's Overseer is Esther Fuega.

It was first mentioned in *Floor 3 - Greed and Glory*, and first appeared in *Floor 4 - Out Of Time*.

## Description

Main area of floor vast, sprawling set of urban city-scapes of stone, concrete, brick & steel - at least 2, separated by bay & linked by ferry - with noir aesthetic, including clothing & vehicles. 3rd Floor elevator exits into back halls of club/hotel in 1st city. Exit to 4th Floor via back door of Myriam's in 2nd city. Local citizens of floor possibly mindless & unalive despite evidence, as have uncanny way of moving/acting.

Time dilation on floor, causing build up of climbers at start without notice of time passing, & other oddities, days feeling like hours & objects/walls moving suddenly. All on floor forced to wear setting appropriate clothing - not always matching gender tradition - suppressing body size/curves & temporarily confiscating equipment/weapons for trial duration.

All climbers on floor under effect that slowly develops gangster-like persona over trial to give full gang experience, affecting some to dangerous extreme - even Esther admitting it needing dialing back. Allegedly wears off once floor passed.

### First City

Dark, sprawling city, patrolled by many police officers able to instantly devour & digest anyone caught with parcel. Several local taxi cab services, including Thommer's Taxis - quite expensive & not used by locals.

#### Hotel & Club

Jazz club situated behind hotel lobby with brass/copper & gray/white look, plus chandeliers, polished tiles & yellow lights. Accessible from elevator - fronted by "old timey" wire gate - arriving from 3rd Floor via corridors behind, serving as entry point of floor.

Decadent central stage room initial gathering point/hangout for arriving climbers before Overseer arrival. Bar able to stock drinks on request, though seems unmanned - likely result of time dilation.

#### Docks

Docks large. Notable areas Piers 14, 15 & 16, plus the boat launch, the Golly Grouper Diner & the "kiddy park". Pier for travel to 2nd city has cat-themed bay-side cafe - being "gateway" out of Tower for those taking Esther's offer - & two ferries.

### Second City

Near-identical to 1st city, save lack of taxis. Contains Myriam's Bash & Brass Joint - stocky building between two tailors - drop-off for parcels & exit to 5th Floor via back exit in alley. Locals unhelpful in locating Myriam's, though "Clown" present at least once as performer, frequency of this unclear.

### Bay

Bay between cities home to at least one iguana woman, ready to attack climbers falling from ferry. Contains tiny, rocky islands - skerries.

## Challenge

4th Floor's trial - set by Esther only after located in mini-challenge in club at start - to smuggle parcel given at club/hotel in 1st city to Myriam's Bash & Brass Joint in 2nd city. Route involves avoiding hungry, patrolling police in 1st city to reach docks, then taking slow ferry to 2nd city & finding Myriam's there. First 9 climbers to reach Myriam's pass trial - though only 5 of 50 strong group in Ashley's experience - rest eaten by Esther.

First 25 climbers to docks in 1st city given offer to step out of Tower through bay-side cafe & join eternal life of crime in Esther's world. Made possible due to deal between Esther's boss' bosses & "powers-that-be" of Tower.

## History

### Background

* In past, previous overseer "decided to be a rebel". Replaced by Esther Fuega, who took role as millennia long punishment for failing gang job in own world. ***(Floor 4 - Out Of Time)***
* Pre-Ashley Gray's arrival, Mordium made deal with Esther Fuega to let more climbers to pass up from 3rd Floor without issue. ***(Floor 3 - Greed and Glory)***

### ***Ascent: Trials of Vore***

* Passing 3rd Floor trial, Ashley Gray, Syl, Nuon, Ferra & Ogborth given access to 4th Floor by Mordium. ***(Floor 3 - Greed and Glory)***
* Group meet Dixon - among others - in club at floor start, then compete in Esther Fuega's trial, only ones to deliver parcel to Myriam's after rest destroy each other & Dixon defeated. Due to time dilation, 3 days pass with only few hours perceived. Earn right to go to 5th Floor, exiting via Myriam's. ***(Floor 4 - Out Of Time)***

## Location

The 4th Floor's label indicates it, logically, sits between the 3rd and 5th Floors.

## Politics

Esther Fuega presides over 2nd Floor as absolute power, though implies being part of crime gang that answers to power beyond Tower. Beyond aid from "Clown" - who may just be assistant & liaison - no other apparent power structure.