2F

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The 2nd Floor (2F) of the Tower is a location in Ascent: Trials of Vore. It is between the 1st and 3rd Floors, and is a fairy-tale landscape, centered on the city of Chessboard.

The 2nd Floor's Overseer is Queen Mirror.

It was first mentioned in Floor 1 - The Gateway, and first appeared in Floor 2 - Mirror/Mirror.

Description
Main area of floor vast region of warm, slightly hilly springtime fields in chessboard tile pattern surrounding Chessboard. All 1st Floor exits end at points in region, surrounding city. All linked via luxurious, red-black steam train on circle line that stops at all gates before heading to city.

Link to 1st Floor via miles long halls. At least one has medieval style, made of dark stone, thick wood supports & gold arches/decorations, plus red carpet with gold trim. Enters main area of floor via large, magic mirror. According to Porter, hall used to have "grimdark future" look.

Porter hinted 2nd Floor responsible for giving Tower rules, but noted possibly mistaking for 3rd.

Chessboard
Chessboard is walled city. Heart & capital of 2nd Floor. Sugary, red-white stone buildings & high-towered Chessboard Castle at center - presided over by Queen Mirror - which holds elevator to 3rd Floor. City lacks gimmick, being safe-haven & climber hub, where can choose to live. To facilitate, predation prohibited in city - though doesn't stop some - & city boasts many inns, houses, shops & recreational facilities.

Morning Wood
Morning Wood site of floor's trial. Dense, snowy/frosty wood of thick, veiny trees that react to close contact & contain thick, white sap. Habitat & hunting ground of goblins & Jabbercock, who's presence has lasting effect on landmarks in wood, often including "statues" of climbers frozen in hardened load. Deeper wood denser & more difficult to pass through thinner paths, branches thick enough to block light from sky. Many clearings in area to break up near-darkness.

Air in/around Morning Wood smells of peppermint.

Challenge
2nd Floor's trial - set by Mirror & happening on night of full moon - to brave Morning Wood & catch Jabbercock alive. Participants strength tested before enter & rated 1-10 scale, weakest - 'Ones' - entering first. As Wood outside city, predation allowed but theoretically discouraged. No penalty for failing - aside from falling to hazards - but only those involved in capturing Jabbercock earn 'Royal Key' for passage to 3rd Floor, as trial ends on subjugation.

Background

 * Pre-Ashley Gray's arrival in Tower, one of 2nd Floor entry halls had "grimdark future" look. Mirror would alter to more medieval style, which Porter would later note. (Floor 1 - The Gateway)
 * Also pre-Ashley, trial saw climbers take advantage of Morning Wood being outside predation ban, Mirror's white half later having hope wouldn't repeat. Given red half's amused reaction, sincerity of concern unclear. (Floor 2 - Mirror/Mirror)
 * Also pre-Ashley, Ferra, Nuon & Ogborth would - separately - complete 2nd Floor trial, rewarded with feast after. Ogborth would recall as "great feast". (Floor 4 - Out Of Time)

Ascent: Trials of Vore

 * Ashley Gray & Syl arrive on 2nd Floor after passing 1st Floor trial. (Floor 1 - The Gateway)
 * Pair spend 4 nights in Chessboard & prepare selves, then compete in trial at Morning Wood, alongside Michelle L'Instar, Alice Little, Duchess & others, catching Jabbercock. Deal with Alice in process. Earn Royal Key & right to go to 3rd Floor. (Floor 2 - Mirror/Mirror)
 * After immense evening feast & night in castle, Ashley & Syl take castle elevator to 3rd Floor. (Floor 3 - Greed and Glory)

Location
The 2nd Floor's label indicates it, logically, sits between the 1st & 3rd Floors.

Politics
Queen Mirror - both halves of her - presides over 2nd Floor as absolute monarch. Employs number of individuals - notably bunny-eared women - as guards & workers, though whether there's structured authority past this unclear.

Trivia

 * Despite allusions to the works of Tolkien, the 2nd Floor, the overall look of Chessboard and its surrounds, as well as Morning Wood, and 2nd Floor's inhabitants - Jabbercock, Mirror and Alice Little included - are likely intended to parody the works of Lewis Carroll.
 * Like the 1st and 3rd Floors, the 2nd seems to place a certain emphasis on combat based challenges, something that some later ones do not share.