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.

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.