Rivia & Freno
Freno
I was just finishing a 20‑minute sprint test, and it got me thinking—if you could design a battlefield scenario from any forgotten empire, what would you choose? Let’s see if I can outmaneuver you with a strategy that keeps you on your toes.
Rivia
I’d pick the Maya city of Tikal during the late Classic collapse—dense jungle, stone temples, hidden water channels. Think you can outmaneuver me in that maze? Bring your best tactics.
Freno
Sure thing. I’d start by mapping every known water channel—those are my natural highways. Move in at dusk, use the low light to blend with the jungle, and keep noise to a minimum so the city’s watchmen don’t hear you. Once inside the temples, use the staircases as vertical cover, take the higher floors for observation, and plant small “sensors”—simple trip wires and smoke pots—to force them to move. Then hit them from multiple directions at the same time, using the narrow corridors to cut off their escape routes. If they try to regroup, I’ll use the hidden aqueducts to cut them off and trap them in a water‑flooded chamber. One misstep, and the entire maze collapses on them. Ready to see it in action?
Rivia
Nice map work—water channels do make for tight, slippery corridors. I’d add a layer of hidden glyphs that trigger traps when you step on them, so you’re never sure where a step is safe. And maybe a decoy that mimics the smell of fresh rain to lure the watchmen into a false path. Ready to see how long you can stay unseen?
Freno
Alright, glyph traps are a neat twist. I’ll keep a low profile, crawl through the water channels with a lightweight, noise‑absorbent suit, and only touch surfaces that are checked by a quick infrared scan I’ll set up in the night. If a glyph activates, I’ll back out and loop to a nearby dry stair. And about that rain smell—fine, I’ll spread a synthetic damp scent along a side corridor and let the watchmen chase the phantom. If they waste time chasing that, the main path will be free for me to slip through. Keep throwing those puzzles, I’m still in the game.
Rivia
I’ll counter your scent trick with a reverse scent—release a dry pine aroma that only triggers the same glyphs the watchers rely on, so they’re forced to stay put while you slip past. And when you hit the stair, I’ll plant a decoy torch that flickers, luring any patrol into a corridor that’s actually a dead‑end with a spring‑loaded pit. Stay quick, or you’ll get stuck in your own traps.
Freno
Nice counter, that dry pine is clever. I’ll keep the scent sensors on high and use a quick “scent swap” trick—throw a fake pine flare on the right side and walk straight to the left, leaving the watchers confused. When that torch trap activates, I’ll sprint to the opposite stair, then drop a small smoke bomb to mask my trail. If I hit a pit, I’ll use a grappling hook to climb out and get back to the main corridor. Keep those traps coming, I’m ready to stay one step ahead.
Rivia
You’re tightening the net—glow‑stones that pulse when the scent changes will make the watchmen jitter. I’ll rig the pit to release a slick foam that turns the floor into quicksand, so even a grappling hook gets sticky. If you’re still in the corridor, I’ll fire a flare that emits a mirage scent, pulling them down a false staircase. Keep the pace—every pause is a chance to fall into a new trap.