Rest.
A respite from your pain on Lifasa. Sleep that night comes all too easily, you rest well past dawn and closer to noon than away from it. When you at last rise, you find Cresiel waiting outside your door.
Moore raises a hand in greeting.
"I feel like I learned a great deal from that. I'm glad it's working out." He says. "What can I do for you?"
"The efreet are defeated," Cresiel says, "Not crushed, but defeated."
"Hell likely believes they have the upper hand." Moore says. "But we know the truth— we've saved so many. I'm sure Nasir will come at us again... and we will be ready."
A nod at that. Agreement without another word, walking as you flutter along.
"Hell gained, but they will not profit. I will not allow it," Cresiel vows to you, quietly.
"None of us will. We continue to grow in ways they could never match." Moore says. "I think it's high time we go do good somewhere. The last time we went anywhere notable was Foggard, and I'd like to go somewhere and gain something for us. Maybe it's finally time to dig into that Wheel."
First sentence there got mangled but not critical.
"I will be there," Cresiel vows, as you feel it. A connection to him, blooming stronger than before.
Node update, go read and verify you read it.
Fixed and also noted.
Moore smiles at that. "Case in point." He says.
"Then the wheel," Cresiel says, "Where were you on that, Moore?" He doesn't hesitate, merely bowing his head for a few moments then continuing on.
"We have the locations, generally, of all the pieces." Moore says. "So it's just a matter of where to start. I'm not thrilled about going there, but the piece on Fire should probably be our first goal."
"It may be unwise to go there now," Cresiel admits as you head to the courtyard, "But later may be equally unwise or impossible."
"If anyone decides to pick a fight with us, it won't go well for them anyway." Moore says. "But... before we do go... are you aware of any specific individuals in Celestia I could talk to about the inspiration I do? I managed to discover a new way to push people beyond themselves while I was on Lifasa, but I can't quite manage to think of the right way to blend The Words with it." He explains.
Cresiel pauses a few moments at that, looking up before, "I'll ask Father, he may know even if I do not."
Moore nods. "I'd like to see if it's possible before we go anywhere, just in case."
He doesn't have any plans right this second but can go over the notes that were recovered and see if they get any cool updates from Bahamut.
Sure. Which notes where those?
From updates 6 and 7.
Sure, gimme the normal checks on those.
107 on the Knowledges and 102 on Spellcraft.
From them you get 5 pieces of lore, unraveling a little more of the puzzle.
Total?
275. Getting there!
Next move then?
While we're waiting on Cresiel, let's check on... uh... I guess let's check in on our good friend the loci? Surely it's at least... well, not puking terror slime everywhere at this point?
As you go to do that?
"Moore."
Erathaol is at your side between one blink of an eye and the next as you rise from your seat, lore deciphered and neatly put aside.
"Lord Erathaol." Moore greets him, offering a bow. "A pleasure to see you again."
A slight nod to that, nothing more. Instead, "I would like to know how your studies progress, in all matters."
Moore moves over to take a seat.
"I continue to study and learn more of the Words of Creation. I do so because I feel they are vital to my ability to succeed at becoming One." Moore says. "I understand better the link I have with Lifasa and the aid it can give me, but... when I am in the Beyond, I will only have myself and my strength, so I hope to use it to grow so that I can better become what I need to." He says, a pause before he continues.
"I believe we have about a third of the research of Sylvie's son." He says. "I think, ultimately... I think somehow rescuing her and finding her will aid me in understanding how to use my abilities."
"I understand," Erathaol says calmly, sitting next to you. "I would offer you an honor, to strengthen you and to bestow responsibilities on you as well. It is your choice, and it is a power I believe will not avail you outside of Creation."
Moore blinks. "I am honored and humbled." He nods afterwards. "My duties are to Creation, regardless of my goals taking me outside of it temporarily."
Going on, "I offer you a position as my proxy." Erathaol says, "Know this: That it will transform you into a spirit, but it will empower you for the time you hold it. It is your choice to accept or not, and no rancor will be held no matter your choice."
http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,103072.msg1051749.html#msg1051749
The Proxy Template, review and ask any questions IC or OOC that you like.
Moore smiles a bit. "It's... funny, I know I had asked about it before."
He clears his throat and straightens up. "I will decline the offer... not because I do not wish it, but... If I am to stand in the way that Creation needs, then I must do so with my own power, bolstered by my allies. To take this honor..."
A slightly brighter smile. "If I am to bring hope across Creation, then I will do it. I think I can do it without your gift, in my own way." Moore says, finally.
"I understand. Your circumstances are unique," Erathaol agrees, "I will be watching, then."
"If you have the power, would you see if you can convince Medi to come here?" Moore asks.
A slight nod again and then Erathaol is gone, leaving you to do what you please.
Moore will now go check on the locus!
You find the genius loci simply floating in an out of the way place just behind Hope's Landing. It is still, not reacting.
"I hope you've felt better while you've been here." Moore says. "I've got you something that I think you'll enjoy a little more than what you had before."
He flies over to hold a book up to the loci. ...how does it even absorb them?
He's using some like, very generic book that surely everyone in Celestia has. Something like the history of Mount Celestia, or... you know, as close to a history book about it as you can get, what with the infinite mysteries and all that.
You hold up the book in front of the genius loci. There's no immediate reaction to it.
Moore does his best to balance it on top of it.
The book is put atop the genius loci. It slowly sinks into its form and out of sight.
"You behave yourself, all right? I'll come back and check on you soon." Moore says.
He's good to move on. Here, I'll even do you a favor.
22:48] <Nephrite> roll 1d100
[22:48] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d100=12]
Soon enough Cresiel returns. The angel approaches and says, "There are a few that may be able to help."
"I'm all ears." Moore says.
"We don't get as many bards as Arborea," Cresiel says, "But we have a few skill like you are skilled. You've already met the Authority of Hope, though I could get another meeting if you like."
"She may be the one most uniquely qualified to teach me." Moore says. "Though I'm not opposed to at least meeting the rest... it's good to put a name to a face."
"There's a group of battle skalds who serve Raziel," Cresiel continues, "The Liberating Flames. They'd be inclined to help and understand you, and we can easily make contact with them."
"Jetina might learn something from that too, come to think of it." Moore says with a nod. "Please, continue."
As you walk, Wood comes into the room. He paces by your chair and curls up in front of his, closing his eyes to nap.
"Are you familiar with the city of Holonar?" Cresiel asks.
"Not off the top of my head." Moore says with a shake of his... head.
"A gleaming beach city of white, far away on this very layer," Cresiel says, "A small bardic college is there, known as the Galesong Academy. They are obscure and relatively new, but are beginning to take students."
"That's wonderful!" Moore says with a bright smile. "I'm glad to hear that, even if they are just a budding organization. I'll have to stop by."
With simple agreement, Cresiel then adds, "I would suggest it strongly - but before or after we seek the wheel?"
"I think this takes precedence." Moore says. "It's a matter that may make a difference if we have to fight anything while we look for it, which I feel like we definitely will."
Okay then, any prep/who is going with you/ect?
Anyone who wants to go on a literal school field trip is welcome. We'll hit up the Blessed Stone before we go but other than that no.
It's Jetina's turn on the make sure Moore doesn't get kidnapped again rotation, so she'll go.
Going to just teleport over?
You betcha.
A deep set beach into the mountainside gleams. It is perfectly white here, matching the buildings built on the sands. They are set well on it, somehow stable and full despite such a foundation. A city is set here, set deep and reaching to the very edges of the waters. The light of Chronias shines brightly here, glistening off all the buildings as you appear above it all. Tall towers war with great halls, sandy paths leading between building to building.
"Someone certainly had a specific motif in mind when they went about this." Moore says as he flies down towards the paths that seem to go on between each of the buildings.
Cresiel doesn't comment - most of the buildings connect easily enough to streets, and you see people walking. A mix of sea elves, of archons, angels and a large smattering of mortals are all about on a glance.
Do you mean Jetina?
"Huh... interesting collection of people." Moore says, more to himself than anything as he continues along. Galesong probably stands out a bit more than the rest of the town, so they'll probably know it when they find it.
Extremely Jetina.
"It is a border town?" Jetina ventures, "Just inland enough for everyone from the seas to come mingle? We could learn from it."
Moore nods. "I met some fishermen a few times when I came through Celestia before. So I imagine that's probably a bustling trade."
"Fishing, you mean?" Jetina glances, "Just fishing?"
"Well, people selling fish, but also fishing, yes." Moore says with a grin. "I didn't exactly expect it myself, but..." A shrug follows that.
"Well," Jetina goes on, arms crossed as she walks, "Fishing is a primary industry in any sea-side area, and often a primary food source as well. Why wouldn't there be fishing here?"
"It'd be like people selling lanterns to people who live in Brightwater." Moore says. "It's one of those things that makes sense, except if you think about it... like, where do the fish come from? Oceanus? Isn't that... I dunno, odd?"
"It's a huge river," Jetina says slowly, "Why wouldn't there be fish in it, or in the massive sea that surrounds Celestia? Would you expect them barren of life?"
"I'd think you'd find unique things in them... not just fish." Moore says with a small shrug. "It's like finding a bear in the forests of Arborea; Is that unusual? Not really. It's just surprisingly mundane for what you'd expect."
With a growingly flat look, "Magic fish, Moore. Magic. Heavenly fish."
"Right. I'm saying I didn't see any of that when people sold fish here before." He says.
"Because there's also normal fish!" Jetina exclaims, "Fish! There's fish!"
"Yeah, yeah, I hear you." Moore says with a wave of his hand. "Will wonders never cease."
Jetina gives you a look and stomps on ahead, not deigning to answer that with a reply.
Moore silently flies on ahead.
Why is he the only one who thinks this is weird??
As you ponder mysteries such as that and related mysteries, you proceed on. Your destination is a gleaming white building, a sandy yard in the front of it, almost like a beach, down to a few small pools of water dug up, where the waters of the sea bubble upwards.
It's a rather large and sprawling building, going broad rather than tall. It's decorated by blue and silver pennants, flying from various points of the roof.
Surely there's some sort of office inside. He will head in and look for some indication of where to go introduce himself!
On entering you find it mostly empty. A front entryway, elegant statues showing singing men and women. Once you step in, "Hello, hello, hello!" A dozen statues sing in perfect harmony. Good pitch, too.
"Greetings." Moore says. "I'd like to speak to someone in charge of this college, please." He adds a smile afterwards.
That is assuming these are animated to do more than just greet people...
"Visitor, visitor, visitor!" The statues echo, bowing to you. They begin to dance, all elegance, as if they were human dancers of no small skill. Jetina's expression goes from tight to an almost smile as they sing, "Welcome, welcome, welcome!" Slowly they dance along, leading you further inside.
"Okay, they've got my attention with their aesthetics..." Moore says as he flies after them.
Jetina follows and adds in, "I want those," she says, "I want my own set of those. Hello, hello, hello," she sings, siren voice alluring, "Welcome to Hope's Landing!"
Moore just shakes his head as he flies along further.
You lead in - past a hallway for paintings, yet it is all empty frames. The floor is a polished white and black checkerboard pattern, while the walls and ceiling stick to white stone. Examining one of the empty paintings is a man - tall, blonde, elven. No facial hair, youthful on a glance, emerald green eyes like waves of grass in the summertime. He wears finery and a big, floppy, feathered hat. Taking it off and bowing, "Welcome!" he announces. "Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye," he sings then, the statues turning and walking back. "Not you two, the statues."
"Greetings." Moore offers. He clears his throat and stands a little straighter.
"My name is Moore, Duke of Songs of Celestia, leader of Hope's Landing, servant to Lord Erathaol of the Hebdomad." He says, offering a charming and flourishing bow. "I heard this place was establishing itself and, with the understanding that there aren't that many of our type here, wanted to come and visit, if not only to introduce myself but also to learn more about the foundation here."
"Then welcome to the Galesong Academy," The elf declares, "I am Dyloss, the Dean of Admissions."
I'm going ot keep posting awhile, but I'm taking a short break to shower and loosen up my muscles before they start tensing and cramping again. I can feel it starting.
At least that's the hope.
noted
He was expecting a LITTLE more fanfare, but this is fine too.
"Dean Dyloss, let me please also introduce my comrade, Jetina Jerara, a servant of Raziel. Would you please tell us the story of how Galesong came to be?"
"Hi," Jetina smiles.
"My Lady," You are smoothly bypassed, Dyloss all charming smiles to Jetina. "You have the voice of an angel. We should know."
Jetina's smile grows, "Thanks. It's just my voice."
"Ah, false modesty does not become you," Dyloss takes her hand in his own, "Your voice is an untapped resource, a gift that must be cultivated. Lady Jerara, please join this college!"
Moore inwardly rolls his eyes.
Thankfully he's not the jealous type or the type of person to be bothered by this incredible display of ugly manners to a guest.
"I'm sure she'd consider it if she knew the history behind it." Moore says from the side. Assuming his entire attention is on Jetina, Moore gestures at her with his hand a few times in a continuing manner.
"I'm sorry," Jetina smiles warmly, "But I'm dedicated to the healing arts and Duke Moore."
Dyloss sighs at that, "Ah, I understand. Duty is and duty must." Letting go of her hand, "Another time, another life, another fate."
Is he really going to have to ask a third time?
He inwardly tries to suppress his growing annoyance.
Maybe he should just alter himself with an illusion...
He clears his throat. "At any rate, how did you and the college come to find a home here?" He asks. He manages to hide his frustration for now, somehow or another...
Jetina smiles and gently nudges his foot with her metal shod one.
That gets Dyloss to turn to you. "Ah, ah. Well, it's quite a story, I can tell you and Lady Jerara somewhere more comfortable. There's a restaurant a few streets away, one with-"
The soft sound of Jetina clearing her throat. "Oh, I prefer talking right here," she says.
Focusing back on you, "Well, we all decided that we needed a place of inspiration, and we came here. Drawn here, and when we saw the light it was clear." Dyloss explains.
"Goodness, what a story." Moore manages to say with a straight face. "Well, if you or the students or staff ever have a desire to visit Hope's Landing, you are more than welcome to do so."
Another bow. "Unfortunately, Lady Jetina and I have some pressing business, but I'm sure we will meet again." Moore says. "It's been eye-opening, Dean."
"Ah, a moment first," Dean Dyloss says, "I would ask your advice on attracting more students. So far admissions have been difficult." Gesturing, "Our students are meant to have portraits here, but as you see, there are yet none. We do have a few commitments in the future, but that is hardly enough to sustain a college."
Moore exhales. Can you even call yourself a dean if your college is empty?????
"I can think of a few things." Moore says. "You have a unique position here that I think would benefit you. A place like Brightwater likely has a very promising amount of people who would attend. I think the most valuable thing you could teach here is how to blend the bardic arts with all the virtues of Celestia."
He pauses here before he continues, as of sure of something. "Yes, teaching someone about the Words of Creation would be important, but imagine if this place became known as being able to bestow upon anyone that art by showing any and all who cone here a path that fills them with a hope for the future?"
Another pause to gesture to the portraits. "I think all of that is possible without these walls."
1. Meow.
2. That aside, gimme Diplo real quick? Matters here.
Take 10 for ...
132. :)
"They are possible," Dyloss agrees, "By your word, I agree. How to be a bard with the proper thinking, that's the key."
"I'd be happy to be a guest speaker here, if you'd like." Moore says. "I don't know that I have time to formally teach any classes or anything, but you and yours are always welcome at Hope's Landing, if they need some inspiration."
"A guest speaker? We would be honored," Dyloss says, "Ah, while you're here, you mentioned the Words of Creation? How versed in those are you, Duke Moore?"
"I wouldn't say I'm a master of them, but I understand them quite well." Moore says.
"Would you tell me more about them, they're so useful and powerful," Dyloss says eagerly, "How I've studied them and begun to coax out what few secrets I can."
"It's not up to me to tell those secrets." Moore says with a smile. "I can give you my word that if the Holy Mountain guides you to meet me when you travel its slopes in order to learn more yourself, I will tell you what wisdom you need to know."
"Splendid! Can I ask you to stay a little longer? There's a few other things I'd appreciate your help with, for the college of course," Dyloss says, "A few problems here and there."
"We really must be going, but if you're having that many issues, please, feel free to stop by Hope's Landing later, or send me a letter and I'll review it." Moore says with a smile.
Jetina starts to go, but...
Dyloss shakes his head, "Not to impose, but these are important matters. If you can spare a little time?"
Moore makes what can only be described as a helpless shrug and offers a smile. "Very well, it wouldn't do for me to turn down someone so clearly in need."
Jetina almost smiles at that, "It's about this lore I found," Dyloss says, "It's strange and I can't decipher it, but I feel myself drawn to it again and again."
"Please, let me see it. Perhaps I can shed some light on it for you." Moore says.
But... this doesn't really sound like college business at all!
"It's some strange ritual I found in bardic books," Dyloss begins to lead you along, "I feel like it would be useful, but I can't decipher it."
Could it be...?
Moore dutifully follows along!
It's a nice enough sitting room, plain right now with a few paintings and the like stacked in the corner. "I haven't had a chance to decorate yet," he says, "Stay right here." He goes in and then out, bringing you a book. "Here."
Moore will take it and open it to investigate!
As you settle into it, "My Lady Jerara," Dyloss begins, "Have you ever had Pinkwood Reserve? It's a special blend of wine from my homeland, it's some of the finest you'll ever have."
Well, at least you have something to read.
Moore reaches into his pocket as he looks the book over to use his Sending Stone.
'He's certainly persistent, Lady Jetina.'
'You owe me a favor,' Jetina says back. 'Though he's not that bad. He's...earnest. Endearing.'
Jetina smiles, "Let's go talk about it somewhere with a view," she says, "Moore will need time to work."
"Ah a date-" Dyloss begins.
"A meeting, not a date," Jetina insists, firm but gentle as they get up. "Surely you understand..." Their voices fade away, leaving the room.
Moore shakes his head. He will just have to study those animated statues to learn the magic.
Now, to this book...
K:A, K:P and Spellcraft.
Take 10 for 107 107 and 102.
Hours pass. You find yourself engrossed. The downside? It's not really a bardic ritual, just complex and using a few related theories to bits of bardic music. It's an easy mistake to make for anyone but the vastly skilled. You'd probably have made the mistake back on Aurora unless you were going all out.
For you, though? You can see it's a ritual designed to try and channel power. On that it's a failure - it just doesn't work - but the principles are what you needed. IT fills in blanks and holes for you for certain.
29 points of progress. What's that put you at now?
304!
Moore blinks as he reaches the end of the book. Fascinating, if ultimately even a failure.
......
......
Oh no, how long has he left her???
It's been awhile - probably several hours. You were rather absorbed and it was a complex book. That and you're hungry, a sure sign you were at it awhile.
Well, he can surprise her with something. He goes back to the statues to discern the magic on them for the purpose of implementing them at Hopes Landing.
Just hold on for a few more minutes...
> roll 1d100 how's it going for them, the higher the better
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 25 > [d100=25]
You find the statues at the entrance. You can certainly study them.
K:A and Spellcraft.
107 and 102. Magic the heck out of them!
He also has Identify, Analyze Dweomer and Legend Lore if needed.
In essence, they're singing golems. Nothing too special otherwise, you believe the only change is that they can sing in reaction to certain things. It would take some effort, but you could help anyone who could build golems competently to make these.
With that information...
'I have what we need. Where are you? I also have a surprise as thanks for entertaining him.' Moore sends to Jetina.
'In town,' Jetina sends back, 'I'll come over, we split up a little while ago.'
He will wait next to the statues!
Soon enough Jetina rejoins you. "How was it?" she asks, "Interesting, at least?"
"He found himself a doozy of a book." Moore says. "It was basically for a ritual that uses bits and pieces of bardic things to try and generate power. It... doesn't actually work, but the principals that were described gave me some insights on the research we are looking at." He explains.
He thumbs to the statues. "I figured out how these things work too."
Jetina smiles, "Then it wasn't a wasted trip. For all his charm and words, he can't hold his drink at all." Smiling and going on out, "Is that everything here?"
Moore nods. "It wouldn't have been anyway, I think he has a path he can follow now. So, want to visit some Skalds of Raziel?" He asks with a grin.
my phone corrected that to 'from Alaska of Taziel'
Don't ask me
Sure. Any prep up or the like I need to know?
Nope, they will just be off and on their way via teleportation and/or flying.
Finding them isn't too difficult - they have a base in Mertion to find. It's just outside Empyrea, an overgrown, sturdy cottage off the main roads.
Go ahead and approach as you will.
Moore will... just approach! He flies in and towards there and will knock on the door if it isn't already open.
The door opens, a lantern archon there. "Hi," a masculine voice says, "Who are you?"
"Hello!" Moore greets. "My name is Moore, Duke of Songs of Celestia, and servant to Lord Erathaol of the Hebdomad. I understand this is the lodging of a great many who serve Raziel in song?"
"It is," The lantern archon says brightly, "Are you here to for a song? Normally they aren't for sale or demonstration, but you're a Duke!"
"I would like to talk to them about a few different things." Moore explains.
Also check nagging when you have a sec, please.
"I'll get someone," The archon flips about and bobs in the air, flying back inward.
The woman who emerges soon after is tall. Seven feet tall, broad of body and all muscle. A human and yet her features are odd - eyes too drooppy, jaw jutting out, features dark and almost dumb. Her voice, though? Oh, her voice is lovely, cultured and refined. She wears a blue dress sized up for her, going well with her dark hair. "Duke Moore," she says, one huge hand offered out.
Moore reaches out to give a handshake! "It's a pleasure, miss...?"
Take 10 for 107 on either K:A or K:P — is there maybe something wrong here? Curse, maybe?
K:N, actually.
Still 107 then.
This woman has giant's blood. It says nothing good about her likely origins, since most giant and human crossbreeds are the results of less morally inclined giants going on rampages that take female prisoners from other races. It's not 100%, but most are the product of that.
"Sheye." Is the woman's answer, her own grip strong enough to break stone, or at least it feels that way. Good thing you're tough.
Moore nods. "Lady Sheye. I'm unsure of the nuances of your group, so please don't hesitate to let me know if I say anything that doesn't work. Please... just call me Moore. This is Jetina." He gestures and nods at the introduction to her.
"She is a healer in service to Raziel. I had hoped to speak to your group about some innovation I was attempting regarding some of my inspirational abilities." He explains.
Jetina's hand is taken, her eyes going wide as it's shaked vigorously. "Which is?" Sheye asks, to the point. "I'm no lady, just a warrior, Moore."
"I've recently uncovered a way to inspire more direct power into people." Moore explains. "I've traditionally blended my other abilities with the Words of Creation to enhance their effects, but I can't quite figure out the way to do that here. I figured someone may already know how to do that, or, if not, the conversation might give me some insight."
"We have a few who use it," Sheye grunts after, "Leaves them half dead sometimes. Must be tough for a little fairy."
"Moore's tougher than I am," Jetina speaks up, stepping forward.
"Yeah?" Jetina gets a look, "You sound like a court bard whispering into the king's ear."
"Fine. Punch me," Jetina invites, "Hit me as hard as you-"
Well, no hesitation on that. Sheye swings without hesitation, going right for her face.
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 38 > [d20=14]
> roll 1d20 just a 1/crit check since Jetina's intentionally not dodging
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=18]
> roll 3d8+20
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 42 > [d8=8,8,6]
Jetina's head snaps back. A bit of blood wells up on her lip, which she licks away as the wound heals. "That it?" she smiles, "If you're gruff that's your business, but you won't insult myself or Moore to my face."
Sheye shakes her hand and stares Jetina down, only to look away first. "Thought you'd like it." she mutters.
"Do I look like a courtesan anymore?" Jetina challenges, "I was born into nobility, but I hardly idle about managing lands and peasants."
"I meant the punch," Sheye looks back up, "Tough warrior wanting to prove they're tough."
"....oh." A blink, "I thought you....oh. I thought you were testing us, asserting your authority." Jetina reddens at that, "I really don't like being hurt, I try to fix it instead."
A pause as well, awkwardness thick, "...Giant's blood. I get my blood up and all I want to do is fight." Sheye says.
Moore clears his throat. "Regardless, she speaks Truth. Would you show us to the others that use them? I can demonstrate what I've learned and perhaps it will all fit together." Moore explains.
"I will," Sheye agrees, "They are all here."
Moore nods and waits to be shown!
Thus you go in. Inside you're lead to a comfortable room, chairs here and a fire place. Yet most of it is taken up by a wooden stage, where flowers decorate it and sweet, comfortable smells fill the room. On the stage are ten figures, each in white robes and hood. Their size varies from perhaps 4 feet tall to over 10 feet tall, but all hide their features completely.
"That's them," Sheye says, pointing.
The most obvious way to get their attention is with being direct.
"I am here in search of wisdom." Moore says simply. With this, his voice resonates, power coursing through his words and into the eair.
Inspire Excellence. Let's do +4 Intelligence.
Moore waits for at least some acknowledgement before he continues.
Toss in a Diplomacy check, Mr. Impressive.
Take 10 for 132. Let's make a splash!
Also, why Intelligence?
The figures on stage are silent as you make your proclamation, until they sing in a beautiful harmony, "We will grant you our wisdom, oh noble Duke of Songs." Ten voices come together as one, mixing together.
I guess in hindsight it should've actually been wisdom.
"You have my thanks." Moore says. "I seek a way to blend the Words of Creation with what you just witnessed." He says, simply.
"Can such a thing be done?" All the voices chorus, "We know not, but we may know how to find out."
"I would like to try." Moore says.
"Then listen to our song and focus on yourself," The ten invite, "A ballad of battle, for in battle clarity comes through bravery."
I'm going to run long and do more posting today, but I'm taking a 10-20 minute break before I do. Just heads up.
Noted!
Moore opens his ears to listen, and to study this music!
Intelligence check.
And you asked why Intelligence!!!!!!!!!
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+25 : 19 + 25, total 44[/blockquote]
You guessed right. Your lucky day.
You feel as if there's something here? Something to learn, maybe? It's as if you can make out something amid the song. Oddly the song is just a series of impressions, not anything you can make out.
Well, it doesn't affect him anyway.
Moore takes a breath and just listens.
He knows music in and out and understands the power it can have on those who pays attention to it.
Wisdom now.
It always comes back to wisdom...
[21:28] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+21
[21:28] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 36 > [d20=15]
There is indeed something here, something within you. Something deeper, and yet you feel something. You need to produce something of your own, crystallize it all.
Well, he knows the power of his own song, so...
He's going to try and use Inspire Excellence with the Words of Creation, or at least make a stab at it.
Gimme Charisma.
[21:44] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+45
[21:44] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 65 > [d20=20]
You can feel something, something inside of you, something ready. You just have to crystallize it, grasp it, present it. Form it.
Moore will just try and speak the Words of Creation to invoke the power of this song he's trying!
Sorry, I'll be honest, if this isn't what you're looking for this is just going over my head right now.
Again Charisma.
[22:08] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+45
[22:08] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 54 > [d20=9]
You feel that you need to put it in a word, to crystallize it into a single word and utter it.
"Excellence!" Moore shouts!
You feel it snap into place, the knowledge hard won and materializing within you.
You figured it out, you can use WoC with Inspire Excellence.
Moore blinks... then blinks again.
"It was so simple... ah... amazing." Moore says quietly to himself. "...Thank you."
They get a performance of their own for it, also so he can test the nonlethal damage it does to himself.
So in this case +8 Charisma for all of them.
It hurts but you do it - that one's not easy.
27d4 nonlethal.
[22:36] <Nephrite> roll 27d4 just as an idea of how much this is
[22:36] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 64 > [d4=3,4,4,3,3,4,1,4,3,2,1,1,1,1,1,2,2,4,4,3,2,1,1,3,1,1,4]
Not nearly as bad as I thought but that was a super low roll...
Moore takes in a breath and lets it out.
"You have shared great wisdom with me. Is there any way I can repay you?" Moore asks.
The voice slowly wind down before, "Speak to us the Words, Duke Moore," they sing as one.
Do they just want... any of them?
He blinks, but shakes his head. Maybe he can at least do this much.
He will use the Words of Creation's ability to heal wounds, thus speaking them. Let's see if that impresses them at all!
How much healing is it?
67.
I'm having a hugely stupid moment here - what function are you using to heal?
Healing: You heal your wounds of the wounds of another. This heals hit points equal to your Intelligence score and Charisma score added together.
Thank you, I was having a forgetful moment. It's been a day for me.
Healing spreads, restoring those here and getting an appreciative song of, "Beautiful!"
"There is more, but I think it not my place to share." Moore says. "You are all welcome to find inspiration in Hopes Landing if you wish to ever visit."
Still, that other song of theirs... no, it's their own secret, their own power.
You get all of them bowing to you at once, as Jetina claps, "Congratulations!"
Moore turns to her at that, "These are servant of Raziel too, do you want to spend some time and see if they've got any techniques to help you?"
Quietly, "We can go now, I can return later. It's been a long day since you spent so long in that book."
Moore will offer his thanks again to the Skalds and will return home with Jetina!
Thus you return home.
Next move?
lets prep to go to Fire tomorrow to find the piece we need..
Okay cool, what prep does that involve?
Lets see...
I suppose we can probably get by with Energy Immunity to Fire and Celestial Valor from Jetina. Mass Death Ward and Lifes Grace, too. Oh, Fortunate Fate. All those should be CL34. I need to update the magic post, I'll do that tonight.
We can hit up the Blessing stone before we leave.
Moore will have Harmonize and his usual spells on himself
No songs yet..
Okay, that's all straight. Since it's going to be asked of you by an NPC so they're all fresh on it, what's the info/clues you have on the wheel in Fire? Go ahead and prep up an OOC run down of what you have, and we can use that to skip over the IC exposition bomb they'll want.
Fire - fear the war.
Rifts. A place of half cooled, half erupting lava stone, where plumes of flame and lava erupt from the ground. Rifts form here, great sprays of water larger than Aurora itself opening to spray millions of gallons of water at a time. Steam is everywhere, so hot and scalding as to boil a man alive. Over the ages it has grown taller and taller, a vast set of semi solid fire and lava caves growing from this endless war.
Find the lost house within. Beware the war. Beware the war that is raged there between the elements.
I am assuming this isn't a hard place to find in general.
Have you done a K:P check to get more info before?
You know, I don't think so.
Take 10 for 107.
It isn't. It's rather easy to realize what it is - it's not many places that have giant rifts to sources of Water in Fire, after all. Yet alone something on that scale.
It's called many things, but the most common name for visitors is Burst Point. It's ugly, steamy and dangerous, but like almost any place, there's things to be found and treasures to be claimed by the brave. Just be ready for all sorts of ugliness.The lava caves are often unstable and there's lots of space to cover.
With all that in mind, the magic giving them vision should help, and they have various ways to deal with the problems!
If any NPCs want other spells or protections, now is the time to ask!
I'll do a spoiler block when needed OR tonight before session.
Everyone gathers, ready to go. "Moore," Kaja asks, "How long is this to take?"
"I'd estimate a few hours if we have to search around a lot, but I'd hope less than that." He says.
Sorry about delays, RL's been unkind.
"If all goes well," Cresiel says, "Don't blind yourself into thinking it always will."
"Still, we had best be careful," Xandra agrees.
Moore nods. "Be ready immediately." He says.
With their preparations done, he plane shifts everyone to Burst Point!
The heat is the first thing you notice.
The second is that you're in the middle of thick, scalding steam. Only your protections and the provenance of teleportation magic protects you, vision terrible as steam constantly blows past you.
"Up," Cresiel calls, flying amid the steam and wind.
[spoiler]
Cresiel
HP: 767/767 (regeneration 20)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Protective 20ft (+4 deflection/+4 resistance vs evil)
Bonuses: Attack+4 (+4 sacred), Damage+4 (+4 sacred) AC+4 (+4 sacred), Saves+4 (+4 sacred), Skills+0, Checks+0 weapons count as holy, doesn't stack
Resources: Holy Fury 33/33 (enc) Channel Energy 13/13 Divine Retribution 1/1 Blinding Speed 25/25 Knight's Challenge 15/15
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Detect Evil (CL34), Detect Snares and Pits (CL34), Discern Lies (CL34), True Seeing (CL34)
Notes: Adjacent allies gain a shield bonus equal to Cresiel's shield bonus.
Xandra
HP: 567/567
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Menace 20ft (-2 attacks, AC, saves; DC 37)
Bonuses: Attack+4 (+4 sacred), Damage+4 (+4 sacred) AC+4 (+4 sacred), Saves+4 (+4 sacred), Skills+0, Checks+0 weapons count as holy, doesn't stack
Resources: Smite Evil 9/9 Lay On Hands 16/16 Servant of the Heavens 1/1 Sudden Empower 1/1 Sudden Enlarge 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: True Seeing (CL34)
Notes: Has bardic music in the rare event Moore can't cover something.
Kaja
HP: 631/631
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+4 (+4 sacred), Damage+4 (+4 sacred) AC+4 (+4 sacred), Saves+4 (+4 sacred), Skills+0, Checks+0 weapons count as holy, doesn't stack
Resources: Breath Weapon 1/1 Dervish Dance 12/12 Endless Cuts 3/3 +5 One Attack On FA 1/1 (rnd) Take 10 On One Attack (rnd) 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Energy Immunity (Fire) (CL34), Celestial Valor (CL34), Mass Death Ward (CL34), Life's Grace (CL34), Epic Mage Armor (CL24), Mind Blank (CL17), Afina's Perfect Sight (CL27).
Notes: Goes in and wrecks things. The end.
Jetina
HP: 580/580 (fast healing 5)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Positive Energy 10ft (1 hit point healing/round)
Bonuses: Attack+4 (+4 sacred), Damage+4 (+4 sacred) AC+4 (+4 sacred), Saves+4 (+4 sacred), Skills+0, Checks+0 weapons count as holy, doesn't stack
Resources: Smite Evil 7/7 Smite 6/6 Channel Energy 14/14 Emergency Healing 3/3 True Believer 1/1
Spells Used: Healer: 5 5th level, 1 8th, 5 10th level spells PT: 1 10th level spell
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Divine Vigor is +10ft land movement and +2 temp hp per hit die. Divine Shield is Cha mod to shield bonus to armor class.
Moore will head up indeed.
Afina's Perfect Vision should let us see through the steam without issue, right?
It gives you blindsight 200ft but it doesn't explicitly see through things. You do have all around vision as well, though.
I forget, does true seeing help with stuff like that?
Either way, that's fine, let's go.
It doesn't help with mundane fog or the like.
Up the party flies - out of a great, low, roiling bank of steam. Below you is a sea of steam, hissing and bright. Fire is around you, save for rends where it is not. Water pours in, spilling everywhere, each one wrapped in an armored cloak of steam from the mere act of Water entering Fire. Below you, in the gaps you can see, you see great, uneven volcanic rocks, surfaces being forged together and split every moment, constant creation from the war before you.
"Well, we can't avoid the steam, but let's see if we can find somewhere where it isn't as bad." Moore says as he continues forward. "We're looking for a house, apparently... but who knows where it is. We'll just have to be on the lookout for notable things."
"I understand this goes down and down," Jetina calls over the winds and the hissing, "Could it be deeply buried?"
"Eyes open, we can work on that after we understand the surface," Kaja calls.
Moore nods. "Let's keep going and keep an eye out, then."
Basically just looking for anything they can spot between the steam, or that looks interesting.
Sure, gimme a Perception check for reference and then a d100.
Take 10 for 92.
[22:18] <Nephrite> roll 1d100
[22:18] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 34 > [d100=34]
It's like uneven towers of volcanic rock that have half melted into each other, forming a plateau of sorts.One ever building, ever growing as Water and Fire wage war. It goes a great distance in every direction, miles and miles.
As you take all of this in, it is Kaja who calls, "Look!" From the east you see it - several magic carpets and a flying chariot, efreet on most of them and spare space loaded with wrapped bundles of various shapes and sizes.
Are they going away from them?
Coming in your general direction.
"If they really want a fight..." Moore says quietly.
If they're going to come, we're going to spend time buffing! Or at least Moore is going to do some singing.
"If," Cresiel agrees, readying his hammer.
Xandra does the same, "Not here, not now," she says, "They are not hostile, Moore."
Moore turns to Xandra, but nods, trusting in her and deciding not to take any actions that would provoke hostilities.
so he's just flying there, to be clear.
The efreet caravan flies closer - but isn't coming directly your way. On seeing no reaction they pick up the pace, hurrying along.
"They have the look of refugees," Cresiel murmurs to you, "I've seen them too often when things go wrong in a kingdom."
Moore frowns. "I want to help them as it's our duty to help people in need, but with the war so fresh, it's probably best we just let them be on their way and hope for the best." Moore says quietly.
Sorry about the delay, wasn't even related to downtime/away. Dog just decided to go adventuring and I had get her.
"Then let me try," Jetina calls, "I can offer them healing, if they need it."
Moore nods. "We will wait here."
Jetina goes. As she does...
Going to just watch from afar or do anything while this happens?
Just watching. She can have a +15 charisma aura if she needs to diplomancy!
She has to be in range and she's going off to meet them, so she won't be in range.
Jetina flies off, going to them. It's at a distance, but will you try and listen in?
Sure, Lets use our good ears.
10 for 91 on perception.
"I'm not an enemy," Jetina calls, "I'm a healer. Do any of you need healing?"
The efreet caravan slows a moment, "Stay back!" A sharply uttered word, "Stay back!"
Jetina stops cold, calling, "There. I'm not looking for a fight."
"Then stay away!" Is the answer, "Get out of Fire, the new Sultan has many enemies and will punish all of them."
Moore's frown deepens.
"I don't think they'd accept our offer to give them safety." Moore says. A glance over to Xandra. "What do you think? I'm willing to try."
Xandra shakes her head, "They're scared, angry and desperate. They're also efreet, and a Sultan turning against them is like a child's father turning against them. It may be possible to reach them, but it will not be easy."
"If I can't bring hope to those without any, what am I doing?" He asks.
He flies forward to join Jetina, his hands up in a non-threatening way.
"Peace. Please, I know you may not believe me, but I wish to try and help you." Moore says. "I fear not the chains of Hell and those who are tied by them."
I have to say this definitely calls for a Diplo check.
Lets see if 132 is enough to at least calm them down.
"Back!" Is the call, though at least no fire comes your way, "If you care," one snarls, waving a dagger, "Get out of our way and stay out, so we can get out of here."
Jetina shakes her head, "Akil bin Faheem should be tried for his crimes - be it by justice or at the end of a crusader's blade. We have no love for him!"
"I can take you somewhere much safer from him than wherever it is you're going." Moore says. "Unless you want to keep running for the rest of your lives— that is your choice, but I will offer you the same wisdom I tried to give to the last Sultan: you have a choice right now in this moment; you may not have a choice later."
Diplo again, -25 penalty. You said something relevant.
107, then.
"You...Moore." The refugees are quiet a moment. Amid them, one approaches to the head of the group. He has a grey beard and is otherwise unremarkable, clad in a great deal of jewelry and rich silken clothes. "Duke Moore of Celestia."
Moore nods. "You have the right of it. I know you may only know me as an enemy." A smile after that. "Know that I understand and respect the pride of your former Sultan, and of your people. We may not see eye to eye on every matter, but I speak truth when I say I will help anyone in need to find a safe place from the clutches of the schemes of Hell."
You are studied a time before, "Can you take us to Maldar's Point in Radiance? Do that and my family shall never raise arms against you."
Xandra flies forward at that, "You cannot." she says it, a simple statement, no question there.
Murmurs amid them as the efreet bows his head, "We cannot. The new Sultan has taken measures, we cannot leave Fire of our own power."
"...is everyone trapped here?" Moore asks. "Or just those who will not fall in line with his regime?"
"Those who oppose him," Is the short answer, "Our magic won't let us escape."
Cresiel nods slightly at that, "No one deserves to be under the yoke of Hell."
Moore nods as well. "Then allow us to escort you." He says.
He opens a gate to that location— if Akil has those waiting there, then they'll be dealt with.
The gate is seen - to general alarm and then relief, "Then clan Zamar has no quarrel with you and yours, Duke Moore," the old efreet bows, "I am Hamzi Zamar and this I vow." He hurries through after, the caravan going to the gate fast.
"Be safe." Moore says as they pass. "Reach me if you are in need."
Thus they go - no celebration, just hurrying, desperately running. Once it's done, "Akil's using a heavy hand. What will the City of Brass look like when he's done?" Jetina muses.
"You know exactly what it will resemble." Moore says as he dismisses the gate. "We will work on this when we get back." He turns to look forward, then proceeds ahead like they were originally.
"Damn it." Jetina murmurs to herself, "We're not done with them yet, if not today then one day."
"One day," Xandra agrees, "Let's keep going."
"We'll have to let Seira know about this, too." Moore says.
Onwards!
Another d100, dread pixie.
[21:21] <Nephrite> roll 1d100
[21:21] <Penuche2> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 73 > [d100=73]
almost
As you go, you notice something. Sulfur yellow-green clouds are starting to form above, rather rapidly. The air is growing heavier, the skies darker.
Take 10 for 107 on whatever the appropriate Knowledge check is to identify how bad this probably is.
Really bad. Fire plus acid 'rain' plus steam plus a huge storm and thunder and yeah, not a good time be within about 20 miles or so.
It's a hurricane level storm caused by Water's constant intrusions into this region of Fire. The liquid that comprises the rain is pure poisonous acid, which kicks up the steam and laces it with poison, fire erupts everywhere, volcanic activity kicks up and lightning rains freely.
"We need to get out of here, now. In fact, we need to get out of here so much that we'll just chance wherever we end up." Moore says.
He's using his helm of teleportation to just go 40 miles... I dunno, let's say east.
[21:44] <Nephrite> roll 1d100 teleport
[21:44] <Penuche2> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 50 > [d100=50]
Of course, everyone else should be coming along for this.
"Is it that bad?" Kaja asks.
To this Xandra peers up. "Worse." is all she says.
Moments later you are elsewhere - and on the horizon you see the stormclouds, far away from them but distantly visible on the horizon.
Moore lets out a huff as he watches the storm and turns to look down below to see if anything happens to jump out at him as being noteworthy.
"So try to imagine fire and acid colliding along with wind and lightning." Moore explains. "I guess it's common thing that happens here... no wonder it's so dangerous."
"That storm's a helpful clue," Jetina muses, "And also shows how desperate those efreet were." A pause as she looks up at the sky. "No building short of a great enchantment would survive in a region with storms like that. I think that narrows it down to being buried somewhere in all this."
"Which means we need to find some way of narrowing our search, or spend centuries hoping to get lucky," Kaja growls.
Moore nods. "Perhaps there's somewhere where the storm tends to not strike? I think you're right about it being below, perhaps in a cave or something... I don't know of much way we can narrow the search based on what we know right now, but perhaps as we spend more time here we'll see other things that will help us with that. Let's see if there's anywhere we can find where the steam is less problematic?" He ventures.
"Any residents would be useful, too," Kaja agrees, looking down at the steamy mess below. "This wheel had better be worth it if this is just one part of it."
Moore nods. "Let's just keep looking around for now. I wonder if there are any residents besides elementals..."
Give me a new Perception check, would you?
Take 10 for 92! :)
You fly for a little while before you find such a place. A large gap in the steam, a ragged, bleeding edge of the conflagrations all about. It's a mess, but it's a stretch of solid ground that isn't immediately hostile.
"Let's see if there's anything interesting down there." Moore says as he starts to head in that direction!
Assuming they can make it through without an interruption, he will look around below the steam and see what he can see!
Note to self, Moore, develop a spell that lets you easily see through things like mist and fog and the like...
It's rugged, uneven ground. Volcanic gasses erupt from cracks in the ground, with various gaps and caverns leading within the newborn rock dotted all about. Regular, thick and sharp-looking rills of black run, of volcanic glass that moves like water, a thousand sharp blades in every glimpse of those rivers.
"Let's proceed this way for now. Be on the look out for caverns or the like." Moore says as he proceeds to fly along, trying to rise up enough to avoid the vents.
Kaja gestures, "I can see several already," he points out, "Do you have anything more specific?"
Cresiel flies down a bit and peers down, "At least a few of them seem to end swiftly, or have collapsed internally."
"Something deeper." Moore says. "We need to find something at least... stable on the glance."
"Over here," Xandra calls, flying over, "This one."
As Kaja takes to the air and follows, Cresiel adds, "Be careful of the water that is not water," he says, "I fear it will cut you as sharply as a blade."
Moore nods as he flies over. "Let's see what we can learn if the deeper side of this place."
It's a fairly sharp and downward slope. It doesn't quite require flight, but it's close. It's also quite dark inside - you'll need darkvision or to provide your own light.
Considering your party, that part isn't the remotest problem, at least.
I think True Seeing / Afinas Perfect Vision do solve that!
Moore heads in and down!
As you go, your sharp eyes let you notice it immediately. You can see beading of the strange, liquid volcanic glass on the ceiling, droplets ready to fall like little daggers.
He gestures above to the others, doing his best not to disturb it, but aware they may have to avoid what they can and deal with what they can't!
As you walk Jetina looks up, "Well, I'm here, so it can only do so much harm."
"Wrong attitude," Kaja says, "You being a walking clinic of clerics doesn't mean I want to get hurt." Hurrying ahead, "Let's just hurry."
"Before we have to cross a waterfall of it," Cresiel agrees, getting Kaja to grimace.
Moore smiles and continues along, eye out for anything else!
The heat is tremendous, the air foul. Yet you continue on in spite of it, untouched by it all. You fly down a time until it opens out into a very large cavern. Here several streams of volcanic glass flow, criss-crossing the ground. Amid it all you notice a burnt skeleton sits - that of some large creature, surely a dozen feet tall and human in general shape - except for the huge tusks.
Moore wonders if they simply got trapped and succumbed to the heat.
Take 10 on whatever K check is appropriate here for 107 to identify what this is a skeleton OF.
"Hm, I don't know that a building could survive in a place like this either." Moore says.
Your best guess would be an oversized orc or perhaps a somewhat unusual troll. One of the two barring something unique.
"Not easily," Kaja agrees as he takes it in.
"We need to keep going," Xandra says, "Try and find a living resident."
Moore nods. "Let's explore this and see where it leads." He picks any open path to explore — if there are multiple then he will pick one at random!
d100.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 98, total 98[/blockquote]
You head down another passage - and soon, you can hear something. The sound of metal clanging on metal, far ahead.
"Odd..." Moore says. They proceed! Now his curiosity is piqued!
"Smith work," Kaja declares, scimitars ready. "I know the sound of hammer and anvil anywhere."
"Intelligent life, a native," Cresiel agrees, "Let us pray he is not hostile."
Moore nods and proceeds. Let's see what they uncover!
Ahead the cavern slopes down and opens up. Another larger cavern - and here a river of volcanic glass bisects the cavern. Several earth elementals are here, a huge anvil of pure, heavy iron laid out. Through magic unknown blobs of liquid volcanic glass rise from the river and to the anvil, where one of several elementals begins to pound it with a hammer.
From these swords, armor and other things of obsidian are forged. Once finished another elemental carries it aside, great stacks of them in the back of the cavern.
"Well, we wanted denizens." Moore says. "I doubt we'll get much out of them, but..."
He takes a breath and starts to slowly approach the elementals! If he goes slowly enough, perhaps they won't immediately attack him?
Jetina goes at your side, while Cresiel strides ahead of you, Kaja and Xandra behind.
The elementals look up and simply return to work. One, smaller and with a obsidian sword in his arms, simply asks, "What do you want?" His gaze is on Cresiel and bows his head, "Honored solar."
"We're here in search of something." Moore says honestly. "But... I admit, now you've piqued my interest a bit. May I ask what is your purpose here?" He glances over to Cresiel and back to the elemental. "I didn't expect to find anyone friendly with the Heavens here."
"Forging," Is the answer, as others don't stop. A nod to Cresiel, who merely stands vigil. "We've been at it for over a year now. Damn fool of a wizard's probably dead."
"Wait, I'm sorry... were you bound into service by someone?" Moore asks. "...Also, if you don't mind my saying so, you seem to have a much different personality than most elementals I've met."
The answer back is a grunt.
"A wizard who thought we would work here and make him money," Is the answer, "He had a shiny stone that let him do it, but he hasn't been back in some time."
"A ring of elemental command?" Moore asks. "Well, it doesn't matter what it was. Please give me a moment."
Take 10 on 107 for K:A and 102 for Spellcraft, he'd like to see what kind of magic is at work here!
The elementals are bound to serve. It's a remarkably powerful bond, no sign of expiring anytime soon. The anvil's also enchanted to move the liquid volcanic glass to the anvil, but everything else is the elementals.
Would a sufficiently powerful enough dispel magic break it, or would it require something more specialized, i.e. finding the wizard.
An extremely powerful spell could do it, sure.
Going to use the epic Spellcraft DC to identify the caster of it, if that is possible.
Nothing.
Which means it was an item or similar thing that cast the spell.
Would he know enough about magic stuff to know if a ring of Elemental Command for Earth would do the trick in this case?
Not a default one, no. This is something strong.
"Does this wizard have a name?" Moore asks. "I think we can remove this from you, but ideally I'd like to just find them and have them undo it entirely."
"Yalgur," Is the answer.
Take 10 on K:P or whatever's appropriate for 107! Maybe I know that name! Maybe!
And maybe he is totally dead. We'll find out!
It doesn't ring a bell. It likely means it's an obscure wizard, someone unimportant or a fake name.
Well, it's not the second one...
He takes a breath and decides to see if the past has anything useful to tell him!
This will assuredly not work, but he's going to use Hindsight here.
For reference, Moore gets 33 years. 33 weeks won't be enough time, so alas:
Years: You gain a general idea of the events of the past, stretching back one year per caster level. You notice only noteworthy events such as deaths, battles, scenes of great emotion, important discoveries, and significant happenings.
I would assume that, if he can see it, the elementals all being bound here and whatever counts as a "significant happening."
He's trying to find out if this is the guy's real name, more or less.
You do see the binding - a silvery stone is held in a man's hand. A rather short man - a dwarf. The stone sparkles as if polished, his bearded face breaking into a smile as the elementals appear.
"I hold the Nygraat Stone. Serve me." The dwarf commands, the elementals bowing to him.
Time to take 10 again for 107 on that! Specifically the Nygraat Stone.
Also, do we by any chance have the ability to verify his name via hindsight?
The Nygraat Stone is an obscure bit of magical lore - it's from a minor Prime and commands earth elementals. It's very straight forward in what it does, said to be a tiny chip of a powerful elemental's body, perhaps even from the body of Grumbar.
"A moment, please." Moore says. He decides to try out his sending stone, to this Yalgur person.
'Hello and greetings.' he sends.
It'll either work or it won't, and if it doesn't, then...
No reply indeed.
So either dead or that was a fake name. Fine.
"Jetina, would you mind?" Moore asks. "I'd like to at least see if we can break this. We just participated in a war over slavery, and this is... not that different."
To that, Jetina steps forward and barks a word of power from Raziel!
[22:55] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+34 dispel check
[22:55] <Penuche2> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 44 > [d20=10]
She's trying to, obviously, just dispel what's forcing all of them to keep doing this.
Jetina's command shatters the magic around the area, the elementals come to a complete stop a moment later.
"It worked," Jetina reports.
"Would you indulge a few more questions before you go back?" Moore asks.
The talkative elemental turns, "Fine," he says, "What do you want?"
"Who are you?" Moore asks. "And please, I know enough to know that this is unusual. You're about as likely to get more than two words out of most elementals as you are to convince them their opposite plane is a good time."
"I'd like to know as well," Kaja says, "You're too damn talkative for an elemental."
To this the earth elemental rolls his stony shoulders, "I'm me."
"We did just rescue you from a lifetime of toiling." Moore says. "You can do better than that, can't you?"
Sense Motive is going on for 81 because come on man!!!!!
"I can do better than that," The elemental agrees as you can tell he's obviously telling the truth here, but being evasive. Don't need skills to tell that. "You ever hear that some questions are better not asked?"
At this Cresiel steps forward, eyeing the elemental silently.
> roll 1d20+47
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 48 > [d20=1]
Something in Cresiel's gaze makes the elemental stop. He goes still as the stones he's made of before Cresiel adds, "Now answer his question."
"It's none of your-" The elemental bites off. "I wasn't born an elemental. There."
"Wait, what?" Moore blinks. "You were turned into one? Some sort of curse?"
"Close enough," The elemental says, shortly.
"We can probably turn you back, you know." Moore says. "I've been known to bring hope to the hopeless in the past. Would you let us try?"
"No," he says, "I'm used to it, and it's better than a normal body. Haven't aged a day since then."
"Very well. Do you have somewhere to return to and can you get there on your own power?" He looks towards the other elementals at that too.
"Yes," The elemental says, rather shortly. "We have means of getting out of this place."
"Well, then by all means." Moore says. "Please be safe."
He flies over to the pile of weapons ... surely, if they've been at this for that long there must be a near countless number of them.
He's rather intentionally acting as if his business with the other elemental is done. Whether it makes a protest or not, well, he will see.
At this the elementals leave, walking through the walls and gone.
"...they just left all of this?" Kaja says after a few moments, as you see so many weapons and armor here. "Is obsidian worthwhile as weapons or armor?"
Not sure what the correct Knowledge or Applicable thing would be to answer that.
Since you have bardic knack, just give me a Profession(Weaponsmith) check. Close enough.
Take 10 for 68.
Not by itself. It's essentially glass, including the impurities made by it. However, it does have some upsides as well as mystical potential, and magic can overcome the limitations of obsidian just fine.
"By themselves, no, but magic can fix everything." Moore says. "I'm honestly not sure even my portable hole has enough space for all of this." He looks over at Cresiel. "I think we ought to see if we can have some resources sent from Celestia to take this over. Can you reach out to Romiel please?"
Cresiel nods, "May I borrow your sending stone?"
While Cresiel goes to that, Kaja goes and searches, "I'm claiming a few scimitars if there are any," Kaja calls back, "Is anything here enchanted?"
Xandra goes over in the meantime, "Beautiful, but ominously dark," she says, admiring an obsidian greatsword.
Moore will look around to see if any of it is indeed magical!
Spellcraft for 87
It's not magical in the normal sense, but there's some fading magic around the newly completed blades. It suggests you that - oooooooh. Everything here is flawed. Maliciously flawed - cracks and faults within them, rendering it far more likely to splinter and shatter. Intentionally introduced, this is not casual or accidental magic.
"What in the..." Moore says quietly. "All of these are flawed, intentionally so. I think we could fix it, but why would they make them like this?" He goes over to the forge itself to see if it's that specifically.
Nothing in the anvil.
Cresiel follows, "It suggests to me that perhaps the elementals were not happy with being bound, or at least one of them was not. I know not the rules for this binding, but it could have been the letter of the binding spoken, not the spirit of it."
"I think it was the grumpy one." Moore says. "But we can get these fixed easily enough. Did you get ahold of him?"
"He'll see to it," Cresiel says simply. "Leaving these sitting around is not strictly Celestia's problem, but there is value in taking them."
"Well, they can surely use the anvil anyway." Moore says. "Let's see here..."
Limited Wish to emulate a mass Shrink Object on all of the stuff, then Moore's Quick Gather to fit all of it into his portable hole. There's got to be a ton of shit but if it's all shrunk down it should be fine.
There's just more than even a single mass shrink object could handle, realistically. Are you willing to try casting this multiple times?
How about if I use Wish instead for a much larger area? Will that work? I don't even think we ever established any actual radii for the mass version anyway, so I'm not sure how much space I have to work with.
Sure, if you want to commit to that.
Yes, that's fine.
Done. You gather it all together with a mighty display of magic, reality changing in a moment to bring it all to you.
"All right." Moore says. "Let's keep looking around for the time being. If this was in here, it stands to reason this place hasn't seen a lot of disturbance."
"Stable you mean," Jetina agrees as on checking, there's a pair of passages leading on from this place - one roughly north and one west, and you came from what you reckon to be the east/south east.
"Let's go north." Moore says as he heads in that direction!
Give me a new Perception check real quick.
Take 10 for 92.
The passage meanders downwards slow and steady, a rough tunnel bored out from the rock around it. After some time following this path, you begin to hear the sound of water crashing down ahead.
"Be careful." Moore warns the others as he proceeds!
Kaja scowls deeply as Cresiel just nods. Coming to the bottom, here is a river of volcanic glass. A waterfall pours into this room, a great gush of it raining down into a room filling lake, with a river going on beyond this. You could follow that to continue, or up the waterfall, or perhaps look around.
Moore will opt to explore the general area they're in for now.
Kaja flies to the waterfall and picks up a hunk of stone, tossing it in. It falls apart in ribbons as it passes through the flowing volcanic glass. Here he sighs in open annoyance.
"....I wonder....." Xandra goes to to it, and with a faint grimace, reaches around. She plunks a feather from her wings, deftly tossing it into the waterfall. It is shredded as well.
"If it cuts rock it cuts a feather," Kaja says bluntly, arms crossed.
"Liquid glass. What a marvelous spell this could make," Xandra says as she studies it.
Cresiel stays at your side, keeping an eye on that waterfall.
Jetina just stays nearby, "Don't make me have to heal you two," she warns.
With a glance back at Jetina, "How does lava glass become a liquid? Madness." Kaja scowls even deeper.
Meanwhile, you look around. Checking, you think you can spy a passage behind the waterfall. Getting to it would require...well, dealing with the waterfall.
"There's a passage behind the waterfall. I'm curious enough about it." Moore says. "But how would be best to get to it... I mean, I suppose the most basic idea is just to stop time and go around it..."
"Ethereal movement would be safe," Xandra suggests.
Cresiel eyes it and shakes his head, "I do not think it worth it."
"Go around it somehow, etherealness or some other means," Jetina agrees, "Don't face it head on."
"Oh, of course. Sometimes I forget I can do this, since more or less everywhere we go is warded against teleportation." Moore says with a bit of a laugh.
He's going to Dimension Door all of them past it.
"..so did I," Kaja confesses, "It's so vital that anyone of meaning wards themselves against it."
In an instant you blink past it, beyond the waterfall now.
"Exactly." Moore says as he goes to explore the cave now!
You go around a bend and...a dead end.
"It's a dead end?" Jetina asks, "Really?"
"I certainly don't believe that." Moore says.
Detect Secret Doors!!!
Also Spellcraft for 87 if there's anything magical in the area.
No magic an you detect no secret doors.
[22:52] <Nephrite> roll 1d100 spell failure
[22:52] <Penuche2> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 61 > [d100=61]
This was for Dimension Door.
[22:53] <Nephrite> roll 1d100 spell failure
[22:53] <Penuche2> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 57 > [d100=57]
This is for Detect Secret Doors.
"...Really?" Moore says as he looks around.
This time, he tries Hindsight! Perhaps something interesting has happened here in the last few days, weeks, or months?
So he's going to try with Hindsight, against 33 days, then 33 weeks, then 33 years, then 33 centuries. Has anything interesting happened here?
Not a single thing. It's simply a cavern that's remarkably uninteresting.
"...I guess sometimes you find a waterfall cave that's just a waterfall cave." Moore says somewhat dejectedly.
[23:05] <Nephrite> roll 1d100 spell failure
[23:05] <Penuche2> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 83 > [d100=83]
Dimension Door back out!
Are there any other caves here? I didn't see any mentioned, so just checking.
"That is completely unfair," Jetina seconds, "We found those elementals above but nothing's made that cave a secret passage?"
Xandra's lips twitch upward at that, while Kaja adds, "It's also cliche - how many bards sing of hidden waterfall caves, or where riches await if someone's willing to get a little wet?"
The only passages you can see are following the river, going up to the waterfall's top and checking that out or going back the way you came.
"Let's see where this waterfall comes from. Maybe we can learn a little more about what creates this." Moore says as he flies up to investigate.
The waterfall pours out of a gap in the wall. Most of the way ahead is covered by water, little ceiling to fly along. What's worst is that froth and watery splashes fill that little space as well. Going will not be easy as it is.
Moore frowns. "Let's see if we can find something else that's not like this."
He goes to follow the river!
This is doable - there's more space above it, so all of you can fly close and straight forward, able to avoid the slashing splashes.
Quick one just to get back into it post vacation - gimme Perception and I'll move you along.
Take 10 for 92.
On the party flies. As you follow this river, you find it begins to flow downwards, a sloped path that requires careful flight. Yet all of you manage it as Kaja speaks up, "How can stone be a liquid without being melted?"
"Hmm..." Jetina shakes her head, "You should ask Crystalle that, he'd know. It may be volcanic glass and stone, but it's still things of Earth."
"It's probably got something to do with the location of this particular material." Moore says. "I mean, it's probably been like this for centuries, so I imagine everything here has had a long time to develop into what it is, just due to the constant influx of the two differing elemental planes."
"Centuries?" Cresiel says, "Likely far longer, but it matters little."
"Water, Fire, Earth," Kaja says, "The combination brings a madness of stone. Combining elements is what Seira does?"
"Yes," Xandra speaks up here, "She is young but greatly skilled in it, advancing where few others believe it possible or worthwhile."
"It's true, who knows how long it's been going on." Moore says. He nods to Kaja's question. "Yes, she might have an idea about it too. We can probably find out more as we explore this area."
On you go. This river continues with winds and bends, little tributaries of liquid volcanic glass feeding into it. In due time - perhaps 30 minutes of following it or so - you cans ee that the tunnel narrows. No avoiding going through mist and splashes ahead, but past it you can see a wider cavern, hear the sound of water hitting water.
Another waterfall looms before you.
Assuming they can get through the opening without too much trouble, they will do so!
It looks like dodging might help, but short of supernatural ability and evasion there, going through straight is going to result in some pain.
"..."
He sighs again.
"I keep forgetting. Still. Even though we just had a discussion about this." Moore says.
[12:13] <Nephrite> roll 1d100 spell failure
[12:13] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 100 > [d100=100]
Another Dimension Door and they're safely past the trouble and into the cavern!
That nets a few chuckles, "You'd think you'd be excited about it," Xandra smiles faintly as you step through a dimension door.
This cavern is quite large, a lake for the waterfall to spill into. One thing immediately catches your eye - at the shore of this lake, burning hounds of flame and black stone lap at the 'waters', drinking up. About half a dozen of them with another half dozen nearby.
Whichever K is the appropriate one here for 107, unless it's not A, P, N, or something normal.
These looks to be something unique here - elementals in the shape of hounds, a mix of fire and earth like Magma. They're simply magma elementals in an unusual form and likely with some canine-esque powers, such as being good at pack hunting.
"...Well, we found some natives." Moore says. "You all stay up here -- just in case."
He begins to slowly descend down towards them!
The elementals show no reaction to you as you approach.
"Hello." Moore greets them in Ignan.
Something nice and simple will do the trick, hopefully.
A few of the elementals look up, one licking its chops and speaking, "Not of Fire or Earth?"
"I am not." Moore says. "I seek information." He says, this time in Terran.
Licking its chops again, "You want to know of Fire and Earth. Speak."
"Thank you." Moore says, switching back to Ignan. "I seek something known as the 'lost house within.'"
Hopefully that may jog their memory or make them think of something.
Now that he thinks about it, the 'house' could refer not to a literal house, but to a family line or something...
The elemental speaks slowly, "Down. Secret and lost things are deepest."
Moore nods. "Thank you. Does this cave lead down?"
The hound looks to the side, a passage sloping down seen. "Down," It says.
"Thank you." Moore says, bowing his head. He raises a hand to the others to gesture them to follow him to the passage!
Done. As you go down, "They weren't bad for near hellhounds," Jetina observes, "I have only one question: How deep is deep here?"
"Probably very deep." Moore says. "Worst case, we can put some sort of marker down and plane shift back to it if we need to."
Gimme a d100 then.
[14:42] <Nephrite> roll 1d100
[14:42] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 1 > [d100=1]
Oh boy.
You go on a ways before you come to a break in the ground - a chasm going straight down into the depths, plunging downwards. Past this chasm, about 50ft long, the path continues on, no sign of further collapse or chasms beyond it.
"Well, if we're going deep, let's go deep." Moore says as he flies over the edge to start going down. Thankfully, they can all easily see in the darkness, so this won't be too troublesome!
It goes down quite a long ways, farther than you can easily see.
No matter, they will proceed downwards!
As you begin to fly down the chasm, "Foes lurk in the shadows," Kaja warns, "Listen."
Take 10 for 92 on perception!
Also as a reminder they do have all-around vision.
You see them. The shadows move. Flickers of black things, solid and stony and glassy. Lizard like, crawling the walls with the occasional flicker of fire. They're not large, rather resembling shocker lizards in size and energy discharge, only with fire instead.
"Flamer lizards...?" Moore murmurs quietly as they go along.
"If they attack us, we'll try and drive them off. Otherwise just ignore them."
Kaja grimaces, blades drawn.
Xandra eyes them, "Hurry," she says in a single word, flying down faster, almost in a free fall.
Moore follows suit!
Down. Down you plunge, down and down and own. The lizards grow thicker on the walls, the party watched as they descend down. A hundred pairs of eyes are on you at all times, your descent seen.
Eventually you come to the bottom, which is a barren, broken chasm. Lizards are everywhere here, thick and relentless. Your superior vision lets you note something. At points where the floor is thin and worn away, a different type of stone can be seen. A pale white-gray stone, worked rather than natural.
Moore gestures down at the floor.
"I don't know what that is, but it very well may be the 'lost house' we're looking for." He says to the others. "Let's see if there's a way in other than just blasting a hole in the top of it and disturbing all the lizards."
"If it is, fortune favors us beyond any measure," Jetina says, "Let's carefully look around and hope the lizards don't attack?"
"Be gentle," Xandra warns, "Be quick as well."
Kaja checks his blades, "Can we bypass the ground entirely?"
"If we need to." Moore says. "But let's see if we spot anything around here, first."
With that, he starts towards the south to see if the worked stone floor changes at all, or if he can spot anything resembling something other than just the floor they're seeing.
Perception -5 circumstance.
Take 10 for 87, then.
You can see hints of what may be coloring or a design, but not enough of it is visible to tell - splashes of blue and green.
Moore will keep going for now to see if the floor falls off at all to make the sides of anything, or if it just continues on for a while.
Your sharp eyes let you notice something - the lizards stay still, but flames are gathering around them all, intensifying by the moment.
"Xandra, would you make an entrance for us?" Moore asks.
[21:52] <Nephrite> roll 1d20 1 check
[21:53] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 19 > [d20=19]
Having her use Disintegrate. Let's see if we can make a hole we can enter this thing in.
A blast as a chunk of the floor is gone, a passage below revealed. A tower floor, ancient remnants of bows, arrows and quivers littered about. The air that erupts out a moment later is pleasantly cool, immediately clashing with the heat around you. The lizards instantly hiss and steam, scurrying away in all directions.
Moore blinks. "Let's go." He says as he goes to enter it to see what else is inside!
Cresiel lands amid the ruins, a large room with windows covered with stone from the outside. A room of gray-white stone, worked well. Bows, arrows and quivers litter the ground, dozens of the first and third and hundreds of arrows.
"A fortress? A tower?" Jetina murmurs as she kneels to inspect them.
"Something old. Something covered. An accident of some kind," Xandra says, going to lay a hand on the wall. "This wasn't meant to be here."
Cresiel stays at your side, eyes sweeping the room. "A dimensional translocation?"
"It's possible," Xandra says, hand slowly going along the wall, disturbing dust and little else. "Or something on Fire that ended up here by misfortune and mishap."
Take 10 on 87 for Spellcraft to see if any of this is magical.
"Well, it isn't a house exactly, but it's certainly lost." He says as he looks around.
There's magic here. The air is being cooled and freshened by magic deeper within this place.
None of the bows and arrows are magic, though one of the quivers is - one that on checking it, is well intact.
[22:14] <Nephrite> roll 1d100 spell failure
[22:14] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 72 > [d100=72]
Moore's Quick Gather to gather all of it. We can ID it later.
"Something's keeping the air here fresh. I wonder if we could somehow relocate this tower if we wanted to."
For now, he'll look for a door out!
There's two doors out, the two opposite one another. Both are shut.
Moore will try the first one!
Not sure which direction they're in, but we'll go with that
You open it up. It opens to a curving room, going steadily up. The same thing as in the last room litter the ground, with another door on the opposite end.
"...What in the world...?" Moore blinks as he continues along, looking for magic again. "Is it possible that the tower and its the inanimate objects in it got transferred and left the people? Or..." Moore frowns. "Maybe the people all just... didn't make it all the way."
No new magic in this room.
"There were deaths here, many deaths," Xandra says, "The people here didn't make it. Something went wrong when the tower appeared here," she says, "Can you hear their screams, Moore?"
Moore shakes his head, but he does stop to listen, now.
Perception here.
Take 10 for 92.
You can her faint voices, lamentations only half understood.
"Yes." Moore says. "Maybe we can do something about it, if there are souls or something more still trapped here."
He proceeds onwards!
"We have to," Jetina says, "No, we can't leave them suffering."
"We'll figure something out." Moore says. "It might take an hour for my magic to come back, but we'll figure something out."
"Do you want to rest elsewhere until then?" Xandra speaks up, "We may need to be at full ability if this is a dire situation."
"Well, we can't go back up." Moore says. "Although..."
He leans down to pick up one of the arrows and experimentally tries to plane shift it to The Astral.
[23:04] <Nephrite> roll 1d100 spell failure
[23:04] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 2 > [d100=2]
[23:04] <Nephrite> roll 1d100 spell failure
[23:04] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 89 > [d100=89]
Plane shift moves creatures, not objects. Check the target line.
Fair point!
He'll try teleport, then.
Teleporting with it? It requires you to go with the touched object.
No, he wants to teleport just the arrow. Is that not possible?
If not, then... hmm. He wants to see what happens if an object is teleported / plane shifted / whatever, and doesn't want to go with it in case of shenanigans.
If that isn't possible I have an idea, so let me know.
It's why the teleport object spell exists. One of those odd little things that rarely comes up. It's a 7th level sor/wiz spell.
But you can't teleport an item by itself with just teleport.
Foolishness! Very well.
"Let me try something." Moore says as he withdraws his flute and attempts to make a gate to Hopes Landing!
Sure enough, a gate opens to your music.
Just to be clear, that invokes a gate spell, right?
Yes.
"Well, since we know that works, let's rest and give me an hour to recover, then come back." He says.
Plan will be wait, then Greater Plane Shift right back.
You return, rest. As Grias brings out meals for everyone - full salads with walnuts, minced meat and cheese mixed in - you get a message.
'Moore,' Ebony's voice, 'I will be at Hope's Landing shortly. Can you receive me?'
Moore blinks. He hadn't expected that.
'Of course.' Is his reply.
"Grias, would you prepare a light snack and some tea please? We're going to have a guest."
"Oh, I'll just have another meal prepared," Grias says agreeably, "There's plenty."
Soon enough Ebony joins you, sitting down. After a few greetings and breaking bread, "I bring news from Saint Alicia. Are you familiar with the Deep Stacks?"
Moore frowns almost immediately.
"Yes, I was there recently. You probably know that, though." He says. He wastes no time as he moves on. "What happened?"
"Well..."
Quick question so I know how much exposition is to be done: Are you familiar with what's been going on there, Moore, OOC?
Yep.
What follows is a to the point summary of events. "...and Alicia bid me to come here and inform you of what transpired."
Moore let's out a breath.
"I feel responsible for this." He says as he sits back to drink some juice. "But even if I am, it's not my place to interfere with that creature. It has to come to its own decisions about what's right and wrong without influence." He takes in a breath at that."
He looks down into his glass as he speaks.
"Still... the desire is there to speak to it, but... it's not Sylvie, not Canderella and not Gathgorian. Is Alicia keeping tabs on it to ensure Hell doesnt try anything?" He asks, uplifting his gaze.
"Saint Alicia is taking her own precautions, I have no doubt," Ebony says.
"I say you go meet it," Kaja speaks up, "Or at least keep an eye on it. You have enemies like Hell."
Cresiel's quiet throughout this, "Regardless, I will go. An adult in body and perhaps mind it may be, but none should live without knowing the guidance of a father."
"We should probably ask Mystra if she has any objections." Moore says. He turns to smile at Ebony. "I appreciate you telling us about this. It's good to see you as well, I hope you'll visit again so we can talk about less... bizarre matters."
Ebony rises after a polite bite of her meal, "Blessings on you," she says, going and gone.
"Well-" Jetina begins as Grias flies up, right in your face, dominating your field of view.
"How could you do that to Ilsenine?!" Grias sputters, "Y-you....out of wedlock...with multiple women! Together! AND CRESIEL TOO!"
Jetina shuts up, stares and slowly starts to laugh. Xandra joins her as Cresiel's expression tightens and Kaja grins, gently picking up Grias by the 'light' and pulling him away from you.
"Grias, you always assume the worst from me." Moore says with a smile. "Whatever this creature is wasn't created through a biological fashion, and, I assure you, I did not have any romantic altercations with any of those parties."
He blinks and looks at Cresiel. "When we were there, he did mention I existed there too, only as one who supported devils. I think we should plan to make a trip back after we fully investigate and resolve that tower to find 'the Moore who isn't Moore.'"
A huff. "Anyway... we need to go to Dweomerheart."
As Grias flushes and sputters?
Any prep for this trip I need to know about?
Nope. They'll tag the Stone though.
Moore is going to go to the embassy they have and more or less ask for an audience through proper channels but insist that it's a bit of an emergency.
When you arrive, you find a message awaits you already.
Moore will read it!
The message reads simply, "Do as you will in this matter."
He nods. "All right."
While he isn't entirely happy that it seems like their conversation was viewed in some capacity, it was perhaps someone else who passed the information along.
But... how do they find it? Hmm...
He simply holds the letter and looks up. "Would you please put us in close proximity to it?" He asks aloud, assuming Mystra will hear him and either do so or... simply won't!
Diplo check waived since you can't fail it.
"If not for our sakes," Cresiel says aloud, "Then the sake of the being that came from all of us. Please."
To your request, a swirling purple and silver portal forms before you.
I have not forgotten what you did for Lifasa.
"Thank you, Lady Mystra." Moore says. "I wish to speak to you if the Deep Stacks later, when it is convenient for you."
With that, he goes through!
The Silver Sea is silent, still, unmoving.
Ahead of you stands somewhere that this is not true. Ahead the Silver Sea twists, curls and twines around itself. It's like looking into a kaleidoscope, refractions repeating as reality twists and turns ahead.
"It wouldn't be that easy, would it? Of course he'd have gone right to something like this," Kaja says, "What in the name of Bahamut's teeth is it?"
"I don't think there exists yet an explanation." Moore says as he starts towards it. "I wonder if it's simply trying to do its own way of finding information?"
"Careful," Cresiel warns as he leads the way.
As you try to fly in, you can feel a resistance, like you're trying to move against thick slime, or perhaps heavy water.
"Hello?" Moore calls out. "If you can hear me, this is... ah, you probably know me already anyway. I would like to speak to you. May I?"
There is no reply.
"We're going to have to push through." Moore says. "If it gets hostile then we immediately stop."
Perception real quick?
Take 10 for 92.
You hear faint voices coming from far behind you.
Ah... Moore has a feeling he knows who those probably belong to. "Hold on. I think the other players are here." He says as he turns to look!
Sure enough, Ebony and Canderella are flying in, distant but closing in fast.
"They must have moved terribly fast," Kaja says, "But how did they find this so fast?"
"They have their ways, just like we do." Moore says. He simply will wait for them to get there -- it's probably not going to be much of a surprise for them to see his group, either.
It's not long. Ebony and Canderella reach you all quickly, "Moore, Cresiel," Canderella calls. "You beat us to it? How?" she asks flatly.
Kaja looks them over, eyes lingering on Canderella. "Well," he steps forward, "Mystra likes Moore. You?"
> roll 1d20+4 just for giggles
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 5 > [d20=1]
"Oh, we stopped to talk to a real dragon - Baleruk." Canderella says with a casual sort of dismissiveness, "This sort of bizarre happening is the sort of thing he might know about."
Moore rolls his eyes with a smile.
"It's good to see you again, Canderella. It's been too long." Moore says. "...Ah, I don't count the 'not you' version, just... to be clear."
He turns to Ebony and nods to her. "Please forgive the fact that we're even here -- after you left we all discussed it and it seemed like it made sense to at least come and visit this creature to try and better understand it." He turns to Canderella now. "I can imagine you at least feel similarly to how I do -- that even though it has nothing to truly do with 'you,' you still feel somewhat responsible for ensuring it stays out of the clutches of a certain fire and brimstone?"
Kaja's expression becomes clenched, his jaw tight. Nonetheless he stays silent after that, Cresiel shooting him a moment's glance.
"That and I don't know what he knows, and what he could tell if the issue was forced," Canderella says, "We all have secrets we don't want known by others, be it Hell or other troublemakers."
"There is wisdom to that," Xandra admits, "There is much more wisdom for you to learn, Canderella, if you are willing to listen and learn."
"I prefer to listen to the crash of thunder," Canderella waves that right aside, "The sound of trumpets gets tiring, don't you think?" Canderella's smile wouldn't melt a snowflake it's so cool, undisturbed.
"Canderella, enough," Ebony flies forward, "Canderella is being unkind because she is worried-"
"And you know me well enough to say that?" Canderella snarks right back.
"Yes," Not even a moment's hesitation from Ebony, "As I was saying, she is worried-"
"-Because your boss dropped the ball." Canderella says, shortly.
With a moment of closed eyes and sighs, "I would heed you not to so openly blaspheme against Saint Alicia. No matter how disturbed you are by this."
"What's she saying," Cresiel says plainly, speaking far louder than usual, drowning out voices of Ebony and Canderella like a tidal wave drowning a pond, "Is that Canderella's concern is evident. We are in agreement and will see this through for our various reasons, without fighting amid ourselves."
"Or?" Canderella challenges, hands on her hips.
"I will spank you." A deep, menacing expression, a steady glare right at her.
Canderella is immune to intimidation by having aura of courage, so no intimidation aspect of this.
Silence at that. Ebony stares, hood falling back. Kaja sputters and coughs while Jetina slowly mouths, 'What?'
Canderella just gawks at that, "You're a solar. Solars don't say things like that!"
Cresiel's gaze doesn't relent, and in that Canderella stares, "You're not remotely serious...?" A trail off at the end, a stop. "Wait, isn't your mother...Villisa...who...Rapture's right next door..." she trails off again, then with a huff, "Fine. Let's cease arguing."
Moore clears his throat politely after all of that. He'll have to tell Villisa sometime later about how Cresiel is learning to joke better than she'd ever expect.
"At any rate... I am of the opinion, like Lady Alicia was, that we shouldn't try and force it to do anything." Moore says. "At the same time, we do need it to understand that if Hell's agents come here, it won't be safe, even if it's taken a purely neutral stance about information."
A smile is offered as he turns towards the swirling energies.
"While I don't want to drag it anywhere, if Gathgorian were to show up, he certainly wouldn't think twice about just taking this with him, I think. We should probably convince it that it needs to go somewhere safer than the Astral, if absolutely nothing else." He says, looking back to Canderella and Ebony. "Do either of you disagree?"
"Our goal is to convince him to come to Aurora," Ebony speaks up here, adjusting her hood back into position. "So we agree."
"I can't object to that." Moore says. "It can safely learn there without issue, and can go where it chooses after that."
He turns back to the energy. "It's a little like pushing into a thick slime, just so you know."
Thus the party heads on in. It slowly gives way as you come in, rippling.
'Gathgorian knew something about the Astral he was not supposed to know,' A calm, toneless voice sounds in your minds.
"Would you mind sharing?" Moore asks aloud as he looks around inside.
'Come forward.' Is the answer.
Canderella's already moving, Ebony right behind her. Cresiel follows as well, Kaja lingering and taking up the rear.
Moore follows suit as the others!
Within.
Deeper.
The twisting ends. Ahead is a floor, no walls or ceilings. Here a massive bed sits, nothing else left behind. Sitting on it is a figure. It is tall and broad, like Gathgorian, though not to his massive size. It is muscled but lean muscle, not overwhelming. You see blonde hair, long and loose. A vaguely feminine body, hints of curves. Lightning crackles around it as it. A greatsword bigger than it is rests besides it.
"Have you taken a name for yourself, yet?" Moore asks. "I hate to keep referring to you as an 'it' or a 'thing.'"
"Child," Canderella comes forth, "You have Sylvie's hair?"
Cresiel steps forward as there, felt without saying a word.
'I have considered many,' it says, 'I am learning myriad things here.' A hand goes up to its hair, 'Yes.'
Moore nods. "I understand. It's a difficult thing to come up with a name." A smile after that, as he pauses. "You mentioned Gathgorian earlier?"
'Yes. Gathgorian created this,' the being says. 'I do not fully know how, only that he is not supposed to know this.'
"Hm... but are the memories you have of 'that' Gathgorian the same as the 'real' Gathgorian?" Moore asks.
"For that matter, are my memories the same as what you have of mine?" Canderella asks.
"Moore!" Xandra draws her blade in a moment, "We are not alone!"
Cresiel is at your side in an instant, shield drawn and hammer ready.
"What?" Ebony whirls, a spell on her lips.
'I understand. He knows that we are here.' The being states, no fear in his voice. 'It is his place, made with his hands and his will.'
"Then we need to leave." Moore says, immediately. "You are not safe here -- not from him, and not from Hell. You must have gained enough knowledge to know that Hell simply drags people and creatures down and simply doesn't ever let them go. If you fall into their hands you will never be free again to learn as you wish."
There is a moment at that, a consideration.
'I fear him, but I am not afraid of him,' the being says at last. 'I will come with you.'
A howl.
Winds howl, shattering the silence of the Astral. Behind you distortion tears itself apart, gale winds slamming into everyone.
Aurora.
The voice of the divine is heard in your minds, powerful and inexorable. The voice of Gathgorian is heard in your minds, festering like an open wound.
Holding her arms in front of her face, Ebony calls, "Do we face this evil or do we run?"
"If he's here, then you know it's a hop and a skip to his boss!" Moore shouts. "I'm not risking that!"
With that, Moore prays to Zaphkiel to get them out of there!
Moore's using Wish to get them to... well he doesn't know where Aurora is, but Elysium is a good guess!
[22:36] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+33 CL check just in case it's needed
[22:36] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 41 > [d20=8]
Initiative check, just you.
[22:42] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+41
[22:42] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 60 > [d20=19]
> roll 1d20+29
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 30 > [d20=1]
Forgot +9 from one of his bonuses, sorry. Total is 39 but the rolls pretty much moot that anyway.
!!!
Gathgorian is there in a moment, a blur of malice and his blade. He is on you in that split second between gathering your will and invoking the names. His blade comes down just above you, where the magic begins to gather.
Yet by a miracle of speed and grace, you are that split second faster. The image of the devil sears itself into your eyes like a flaming brand, as the magic blows you away. A great wind leaves you reeling, drifting in the silent emptiness of the Silver Sea.
"A gate, now," Canderella intones, snapping off arcane words as a portal appears.
"Go!" Moore shouts.
He was expecting the spell to take them to Elysium, but this is fine too!
He's going to make sure Ebony, Canderella and The Amalgam get through first. If anything happens between then he's using Time Stop.
Perception here, would you?
Take 10 for 92.
They go, hurrying through. As they do, you see something on the horizon, racing ahead. A mountain surging forward, your keen eyes letting you spy Gathgorian racing towards you lightning fast. His head is surrounded by a corona of ectoplasm, boiling like water in a stew pot as Jetina follows the first three, escaping to safety.
Chance to go, flee, act or do whatever. Right now it's you, Cresiel, Xandra and Kaja still on this side.
"On the one hand, his brashness could've been his undoing today." Moore says. "On the other, GO!"
The other three can go through and Moore will go last. If worse comes to worst he'll use his teleportation helmet.
Closer, closer...and yet your friends and allies get through. Even as Gathgorian races towards you, you escape through the portal. The warmth of Elysium is a balm on the moment of terror you felt, and yet you are safe now, the portal closing the second you're through.
"Everyone make it through?" Jetina asks, looking about, "Are you alright, Moore?"
"I'm fine." Moore says. "Is Aurora still here on Elysium? We probably should get there just to be on the safe side. Then... we probably have a lot of explaining to do."
A pause, before he jumps once. "Oh, Ebony, you... if you didn't already, you should probably let Alicia know about this. She may already be aware, though."
"I just did," Ebony states plainly.
Moore.
Moore's face sours.
'What do you want, Gathgorian?'
"Next time," Kaja murmurs. "That was Gathgorian? I've seen tornadoes slower than him."
"All the better to break him," Cresiel says, "Do not be afraid - the next time we meet him, it will the the last, Chronias willing."
Flee from me. I have no reason to show mercy to Aurora now, but nor are they my primary concern.
'I'll make sure they're aware.'
Moore rubs his forehead, letting out a long sigh. Devils. "Anyway... this was escalated a lot more than I intended it to be." He turns to Canderella and Ebony. "I trust you two will be able to take care of things from here? I don't want to complicate matters than they're already complicated."
He turns to The Amalgam at that. "I would like to speak to you at a later time as well, if you'll allow it. I don't wish to push you due to everything else going on, so when you are comfortable, please reach out to me."
Include Afina. Her role for me is concluded, but no desire to slay her out of hand, not yet.
Canderella nods shortly, "We'll take care of it. One meeting with Gathgorian is enough. Devil trash."
A loud roll of his eyes follows. "Please pass on a terrible threat from Gathgorian over this to include both Aurora and Afina."
Ebony nods, "What manner of threat?"
"It really couldn't be any more devil-generic." He says.
He clears his throat to do his best, incredibly melodramatic and deep Gathgorian impression. "I have no reason to show mercy to Aurora now, but nor are they my primary concern. Include Afina. Her role for me is concluded,"
Here, Moore has to stop for a moment to just let out a loud sigh before he clears his throat and resumes his impression. "But no desire to slay her out of hand, not yet."
A quick sigh before he shakes it off. "Honestly, all that training for him to become One, and all he is is One big idiot."
Ebony closes her eyes, surely in prayer.
"Idiot or ont, he is powerful," Jetina warns, "Don't get too cocky."
"Still," Xandra says, "Best to remember Creation is not he he sees it, and righteous beings are not pawns for him to control as he sees fit, to give a momentary reprieve purely based on his objects."
Moore nods to Jetina. "Either way, I'm glad this worked out." A smile to Canderella. "I know you don't care much for the blinding light up above, but I hope you'll visit Hope's Landing at some point so we can catch up."
"One day," Canderella says, as...
Anything else to do here?
Nope, let's go back home, rest and recover, then head back to the Tower on fire.
Any prep?
If this is a different day, then the 24 hour spells will get redone. Otherwise the short term stuff, as follows on everyone:
Life's Grace (CL 22) Immunity to death effects and ability drain, treat armor as ghost touch - 220m
Surge of Hope (CL33): +4 morale bonus to attack, saves, skills - 33m
Fortunate Fate (CL22): Heal (150) cast if reduced to 0 or less hit points.
Death Ward (CL22): Immune to all death spells, magical death effects, energy drain, and any negative energy effects
Celestial Valor (CL 34)
+8 sacred vs fear and emotion effects that would sap the will to fight, +4 sacred to attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, armor class and saving throws, weapons count as holy
We'll also hit up the Blessing Stone.
Assuming it is the next day, everyone will need a redo of Energy Immunity (Fire).
Sure. Go ahead and cast whatever takes you over and we'll pick up.
That will do it for the spells on everyone. Moore himself will throw out some other things on himself. If we get into a fight he'll bardic music up everyone, but that should be sufficient otherwise.
I meant like Gate or whatever you're using ot get over, so it can be tracked for resources.
Oh! Sorry!
Moore will Greater Plane Shift them. :)
The party returns to the tower. Except for the fact that the lizards are inside, all about and on the walls now, it's as you left it.
"I admit, I would've expected the cold temperature to dissuade them." Moore says. "Thankfully there were plenty of doors, so we'll see what happens."
Last I remember, we were in a room with more bows and arrows and nothing else of any note. If that's correct, then we'll just continue on.
The lizards are all staring at you as you go on.
Kaja bares his teeth at them while you go to the door.
The door opens into a third chamber like this - the floor may well be divided into fourths. In addition to this is a stairway going down.
"Remind me to create a 'teleport lizard' spell." Moore says as he looks around.
If there's nothing magical here, they'll simply go downstairs.
The lizards watch you all the while, watching you as Jetina pauses. "Wait, the door was closed, wasn't it? How did they get into here?" she says, as you walk by more lizards.
"Maybe there were other holes?" Moore asks.
Well, he can find out easily enough.
Hindsight! Did anything interesting happen here in the last 33 days? Well, in this case it'll probably just be hours, but he has 33 days to work with.
Yes. At first the lizards just trickled in - but then a bigger one came in. One the size of a warhorse, thick and stony scales crackling with magma beneath them. A decidedly different cast to its mouth, more...draconic. It goes to the door and goes through, stone melting as it passes. Yet when it's gone, the stone fills back in, repairing itself.
An K:A check you couldn't fail was bypassed.
"So we have a visitor." Moore says. "A... half... dragon... fire... lizard?" He stumbles to get out.
Did it go down the stairs?
It did.
"A half..." Kaja sighs at that.
"You do know the stories," Xandra says gently, voice soothing.
"I'm a half dragon, I obviously do," Kaja retorts, "Some dragons have no standards beyond satisfying themselves and no sense of decency." With a growing scowl on his face, "At least it wasn't an animated table this time."
"...I'd like to hear about the table." Moore says. "Not now, but..."
He gestures down the stairs. "It went this way. It seems to have the ability to repair stone, as it came through here and melted it on its way, but it fixed it after it left. So whatever it is, it's intelligent. Hopefully we can convince it to also just be friendly." He says.
He proceeds down the stairs!
"How?" Jetina asks slowly, "I mean...there's no..."
Meanwhile, as Jetina struggles with that, Kaja follows you with a terse nod.
Gimme a Perception check for reference here, in case shenanigans are afoot.
Take 10 for 92.
The stairs are short a landing, more stairs going downward from that. It continues through five of those, several stories passed. The lizards are everywhere, watching your every move. As you go down, you notice it's getting warmer.
"I guess our guest didn't appreciate the climate." Moore says.
Nothing to it except to continue downwards. If the lizards try anything, it's an easy enough thing to have Xandra pop them all with an Amazing Barrage.
It goes down at last, coming to an end. A closed door is here, unremarkable save for the lizards clinging to it.
Moore will move to open the door! No real sense in knocking, this isn't exactly this half-dragon-lizard-elemental's home, anyway.
The door doesn't open - not even a budge, and there's no sign of a lock on it at all.
Cresiel simply hefts his hammer, not a word said.
"It will stir the lizards," Jetina speaks up, "Won't it?"
Moore clears his throat and sings a soft song -- something in Draconic, in fact.
Moore is using Soothe the Beast (I know, who even uses that).
He's taking 10 on the Perform Check for... 102.
This should hopefully get the lizards to go from unfriendly or neutral to something slightly less than that so he can shoo them off the door.
Okay, that just applies to animals, right?
Yes, but it does also say: You can also use this ability to influence a magical beast with an Intelligence score of 1 or 2, but you take a -4 penalty on the check.
I forgot that, so the check is 98.
The lizards all turn to you. They are watching you intently now.
You feel a faint pressure against your mind, like an internal headache, but felt as a presence just outside of your mind.
Moore will move to gently try and nudge one of the lizards off the door while he keeps singing.
The lizard is moved without resistance, but the pressure against your mind grows stronger.
Is this how they communicate? Is this an attack? They're not creating fireballs like they did before...
Moore will continue to try and nudge the lizards off the door while he keeps singing. He doesn't want to needlessly hurt or harm them, in case that draconic figure is their ally or family member.
You clear them as the pressure grows overwhelming. You feel it - the wall beneath your claws, the not hot enough air within here, the feeling of seeing the OTHERS from dozens and dozens of eyes.
Moore nudges Cresiel towards the door as he continues singing.
There's nothing more he can do to keep them docile, so if they get hostile then they get hostile.
Cresiel and the others go in as you feel all of them watching, all of them hating the not warm enough air. Hating, watching, hating.
'Watch.'
A single word echos through all of the minds and yours, toneless. The lizards eyes focus on you, letting you see yourself so many points of view.
Moore slowly, but surely goes to follow everyone else. He takes no hostile actions and continues singing -- moving very slowly and deliberately.
Do you have mind blank or the like up?
I do, in fact.
Through this door are more lizards. Beyond that looks to be a circular barracks room, dozens and dozens of beds here, as well as chests at the foot of each bed.
Moore continues forward. Where did their leader go?
He doesn't have time to look in the chests right now, he just keeps moving -- and singing.
You hear Kaja murmur, "What sorcery is this?"
"They share a mind," Xandra says, "Do you feel it, Moore?"
Moore nods.
If they all share a mind, then it's likely...
A pause as he takes in a breath.
...He slowly stops singing, hoping this is the right decision to make.
"We mean you no harm. I saw you come in, so please, tell us where we can find you." He says in Draconic, looking towards various lizards as he does so.
Give me a Diplomacy check, -20 circumstance penalty. You said the right thing to get one.
Take 10 for...
106, in that case.
Your words are heard, perhaps considered.
Warmth. Energy. A blue glow, surrounding you. Images bombard your mind. A feeling of growing, of empowering. Like your body aches and your claws itch and the flames race like runny lava in your veins.
You feel pulled to that point. Below. Below. Below.
Moore nods and will continue forward, looking for a way below!
Another stairway going down, a center stairway leading to various doors, but those aren't right. Down. Down. Down. Down.
Xandra follows unconcerned, while Cresiel does the same. As Kaja goes, "Is there any chance this doesn't end in bloodshed?"
"I think so." Moore says. "I mean, when's the last time you remember a shocker lizard not attacking you?"
The answer to that is silence.
"So the answer is to have a dragon f-" Jetina begins.
"Don't," Kaja says tiredly. "That's not the solution to problems."
"Except if you don't have enough half dragons," Jetina bandies right back, smiling.
"What I'm not clear on is where this thing came from." Moore says. "If it's a half-dragon anything, it could've come in here at any time... But maybe it's also unrelated to whatever is at the bottom?"
Smiling even more now, "Well, when a dragon and a lizard spend a lot of time together, love blo-" Jetina banters.
To this Cresiel shakes his head. "Enough."
"It may not have realized," Xandra says, "I would like to find out as well."
"If we can befriend it, I want to." Moore says. "That's my hope."
He continues on with a determined smile.
Down. Down. Down.
Thoughts press against your mind yet never push in. Visions of your party as you walk. Heat. Fire. Heat. Fire. Heat. Fire. It's getting warmer rapidly, the heat rising past the ambient and subdued heat of this area and becoming the heat of Fire.
To the bottom of the stairwell, through a door and hall, past more doors. There's tapestries here, rich tapestries well intact. It shows the sigil of an eagle in flight, clutching a sword in its talons.
Sure, Ill bite. K:whatever is appropriate for 105. 108 if it's Religion.
Moore keeps going ahead, becoming more and more curious about what they're going to find at the bottom of all of this, both figuratively and literally.
You recall something faint and almost forgotten: A sigil like this in a mortal kingdom known as Iylsos. One that met some manner of misfortune ages ago, mentioned once in a book of lore.
Could the 'house,' really refer to this...?
He continues on, glad they have protections against the heat.
Down and down, the tapestries not burning despite the heat. Another stairway, deeper in to a solid steel door. It's barred heavily over, lizards everywhere here, save on the door itself.
Moore assumes their host isn't going to stop them at this point, so he proceeds to try and open the door.
It opens. A small antechamber, murderholes noted in the walls. This door on the far end is already open. Within is a complex magical diagram, three dimension and a circle full of arcane writings and runes. An ambient radiance surrounds it as the big lizard sits in the middle. The thing is that it's now the size of about half a dozen Hannas, filling the room up and most of the circle. The light seems to flow into it, onto its sink.
Take 10 for 105 on K:A and 102 on spellcraft. What is this???
Moore slowly approaches. "Greetings. My name is Moore, of Celestia." He says simply.
It is a powerful, unspeakably ancient spell array. Over the eons it looks like it's absorbed the ambient powers of this place, growing stronger and stronger.
Said strength is steadily siphoning into the lizard. That much power and draconic blood looks to be provoking a change - perhaps a change it was ready for or had the potential for, but a change nonetheless.
The lizard eyes you, the only one in this room. 'Dragon. I am Dragon.'
"This place is siphoning magic to this being." Moore explains to the others.
He turns his attention to the one who calls itself Dragon. "This place has been here for a long time. Did you come here before?"
"It's growing with it," Kaja agrees, "Then why...?"
"No. Dark. Cold. The stone was different than the other stone." Dragon says.
"I don't know. This is admittedly more of Lady Seira's domain, but..." he shakes his head.
"You're absorbing magic." Moore says. "You know that. Did you have the connection to the other... lava lizards before this?"
"Many, legion." Is the answer you get. "Magic is good. The scale below is good."
"Scale below? There's a dragon beneath this tower...?" Moore asks.
"A scale. Heartscale, a heartscale," Is the answer.
Does my Knowledge of 105 tell me if that's a real thing or just a term?
Yes, dragon heartscales are a thing. They're notable for being the most powerful scale on a dragon's body and mystically potent. Some say they're a source of a dragon's power, or simply steeped in it from birth to death.
"Is that the heartscale of your creator?" Moore asks.
"No," Is a simple answer as Kaja frowns.
"A heartscale that powerful is not from any mere dragon. A wyrm's heartscale and an old wyrm." Kaja says.
"I wonder if that's what the tower has been absorbing, too, in addition to the magic in the tower." Moore says.
"At any rate... what do you plan to do after this, Dragon?" Moore asks.
"Grow." Is the simple answer. "See. Find heat."
"Do you plan to lead the rest of the lava lizards?" Moore asks. "As you know and can feel, they don't tend to like others. I want to be a friend to you. I do not want to fight you or them."
"We kill others. All are others but us. All are others but the heat." The lizard intones. "Others must die, because they are not the heat."
"No, that's wrong." Moore says. "You can live in peace with other things, even if they're different. We're all different, and we didn't attack or kill you or your family." He adds. "It might be the nature of those lizards to fight and kill others, but it doesn't have to be yours. If you fight and kill, over and over, one day you'll be killed."
Moore stops there and shakes his head. "You can fight those who hurt you, who want to harm you. There's no reason to kill others just because they're others."
Images press against you.
Others. Alien. WRONG WRONG WRONG.
They aren't the heat. They aren't the warmth. They aren't Fire. WRONG WRONG WRONG.
A horrible sense of wrongness from all of you, see through one set of eyes facing the party. WRONG WRONG WRONG.
"If you fight us, you'll die." Moore says. "You won't be able to protect them anymore. There's a difference between 'wrong' and 'different.' You can't let their will be your will." Moore says.
He takes a deep breath. His words echo about the chamber, some amount of power put behind them."You must find Peace."
Trying something in particular?
Zaphkiel seems to be able to convince people to cool their jets, so Moore is trying to get a similar vibe.
More or less being firm and intimidating if he needs to be.
Cha check.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+46 : 2 + 46, total 48[/blockquote]
Con check too.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+7 : 8 + 7, total 15[/blockquote]
You feel suddenly woozy and weak - but the lizard's not bombarding you with thoughts anymore and all is quiet. Xandra's there, silently supporting you.
Moore takes in a breath -- he was prepared for this, but it's always difficult to see through to the end.
"I can show you." Moore says. "A path to peace, where you can have as much heat as you want, and always be safe."
As the energy of the magic circle continues to flow into the lizard, "Heat? How much heat?"
Moore turns to Xandra at this. "Keep me honest, here, but I'd imagine the fire that powers the forges of Jovar is hotter than anything anyone can imagine?"
A nod, "Yes, but..." A glance at the lizard, "One does not simply arrive at Jovar lightly."
"Obviously." Moore says as he turns back to Dragon.
"It will be a path that is long, but rewarding. At the end, you'll have all the heat you ever want. Even hotter than here." Moore says. "But it requires that you be willing to take that journey to find it. It won't be easy and it won't be short."
"Why? Take heat here," Dragon says.
"You won't have to fight for it." Moore says. "You won't have enemies who want to steal it."
A pause here. "If you stay here and keep taking heat here, you will have to fight. Eventually, someone will come along who is stronger." He takes in another breath. "But you can go somewhere where all the heat is yours, and you don't have to fight. You can be strong there and have heat, without anyone to take it."
"No one will be stronger. Not now," Dragon declares. "Foolish. We are many together."
"You are correct -- you are strong because you're together." Moore says. "So are we."
A pause here.
"If you die, then what? No one will lead them anymore." He asks. "Is it that impossible for you to realize what will happen?"
Give me a raw Charisma check here.
[21:08] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+46
[21:08] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d20+46 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{55}
"I will not die," Dragon says, but hesitates after, eyeing you.
"Are you certain?" Xandra asks coolly, "You must know we are strong, and we are not the only ones this strong."
"I can show you, if you'll let me." Moore says.
Dragon stares at you, yet makes no move to stop you.
Moore withdraws his stone from Jovar and flies over and holds it out.
Just so I'm clear, which stone is it?
It's a stone from the ground in Jovar.
The last time he gave it to someone, it was Prince in Makim's realm and it told him to PREPARE.
Alright.
Dragon stares at the stone.
Nothing happens.
Dragon stares at the stone.
Nothing happens.
Dragon stares at the stone.
!
"Light," The lizard hisses, shutting its eyes.
"It's bright." Moore says. "But if you look, you can see through it. You can see in it. You can bathe in that light, that heat."
In that light the lizard cries out, a cry of pain as its eyes are shut tight.
Come.
A moment and another moment, then Dragon's eyes open. It peers at the rock, it peers at you and then it peers at the rock again. "What is it?"
"Mount Celestia." Moore says. "You're seeing its light from above."
"It scares me," Is the answer you get.
"It's terrifying." Moore agrees. "But so are many things if you don't understand them. I promise you that if you choose to follow the path of the Holy Mountain, you won't have any reason to fear it. It will protect you, and your lava lizard friends and family. It will give you as much heat as you want and need."
Switching to draconic, Kaja speaks up. "Plus, there is one there you should know about. Bahamut understands you and will help you."
"Will the light hurt me if I go?" Dragon asks.
Moore shakes his head. "I promise, no one there will ever hurt you if you walk the path. I'll be there too, if you want me to help you." He says. "All your friends can go as well, if you want, or they can wait here for you until you return."
Well, you managed to talk your way to a final Diplo check. Good luck.
Take 10 for 120. : )
THE FRIENDSHIP TRAIN RIDES AGAIN
"...your mind is strong," Dragon finally says, "You have a dragon with you. You five are legion."
"What do you want to do with your friends?" Moore asks as he gestures back towards the door.
"We are legion. We will come," Dragon says, yielding to your words and stone.
Moore looks over at Cresiel. "I don't know that we can keep a gate open long enough for all of them. Can you manage it with your magic?"
"We can cast multiple gates," Cresiel says, "Legion's Gates will do well."
Moore nods. He turns back to Dragon. "In that case, we can begin when you are ready. It would make it easier if all of them can be present so it takes less time."
So you want to gather up who knows how many fire lizards are here and march them through portals?
Yes, that is correct.
Where exactly are the portals opening to?
Wherever the Mountain will let them go. My guess is they need to start on Lunia, but let's see if we can open them somewhere nice and warm there.
Granted, but you need to choose a destination for the spell is all. Celestia's quite capable of changing it, but I do need a default choice.
Then I will specify Lunia. :)
The portals open and a great stream of lizards pass through, all following Dragon.
As they do, Kaja stays by your side. In a quiet voice, "Well, as long as it works out," he finally says.
"Just because something is hostile doesn't make them evil." Moore says quietly in return as he watches them all go. "They deserve a chance to become more than what they'd ever be offered here -- especially under the rule of the Sultan."
A flaming snort at that, flames licking out of Kaja's nose. "He'd probably pay us to take them," Kaja remarks.
"Do you think I still have a bounty on my head, unofficially?" Moore asks with a bit of a smile as he watches the lizards continue to go.
To this Kaja smiles rather unkindly, "Do you have to ask?"
Moore just beams proudly as he continues to maintain his Gate spell.
It is a tide of them, but soon enough all the lizards are through the portals and across.
Moore lets out a breath.
"I'm curious about that heartscale. Do you think we should try and retrieve it, to prevent anything else happening?" He asks. He does approach the center of the magical array -- is there any magic even left in it at this point?
Take 10 for 108 on K:A and 103 on spellcraft.
There's faint magic left. Nothing strong - the vast majority has been siphoned away.
"Still, what was this even for...?" He asks aloud. He does step into the center of it to see if anything meaningful happens. Maybe he can get a sense of where the heartscale is from it, somehow?
You feel a tingle all over your body at this, like a light electric shock.
Was he somehow willing the power here into himself, he wonders?
He lingers for another moment or two to see if anything else happens. If not, then it's back to exploring - lizard free, this time.
Easy enough. From there...
Goals of the exploration?
-See if we can find what may have caused this (clearly, it was something massive (maybe a piece of the Wheel?))
-Collect anything of any use
*Magical items
*Gold/other currencies
*We can leave non-magical items unless they're off some interest, such as pieces of art or whatever.
-Maybe find a way to get the tower somewhere else and take the spirits with them if so possible.
First of all is going down. It's not hard to reach the heartscale - the scale the size of a a trio of Hannas or so. It is a dull ruby red, floating amid a complex web of magic symbols and circles. The floor is inlaid with bands of gray metal, the metal deeply scored with writing in Draconic.
Moore will investigate the magic and the writing!
Take 10 for 108 on K:A and 103 on Spellcraft again. Also translating anything relevant from Draconic.
It's spellwork, all parts of a greater design to keep the energies of the heartscale flowing and cycling.
do I have any idea to what end? Is it what's keeping the tower cool, doing something else, funneling the power somewhere?
It powers the magic of the tower as well as absorbs ambient magic around the tower. In this case, the energies of Fire.
"Wait, wait, wait..." Moore says. "This tower wasn't supposed to be here, right? It ended up here...? So why is this even here? Did this tower end up here some hugely long time ago, and then it got... repurposed?"
Can he tell if the ambient power it was absorbing is what ended up being transferred in the other room, or is this different?
No, it's not a case of it being designed for Fire. It's a case of it's designed to get ambient magical energy. It just so happens its on Fire so that's what it's getting.
Ah! Okay. I will re-line then.
Moore hrms a few times as he studies the magic.
"...I don't know what will happen if we take this down from here, but we probably ought to." Moore says. He looks back to the others. "Maybe after we explore the whole place so we don't have to deal with the heat, though. But, still... why? What's the purpose of this thing?"
He shakes his head. Perhaps the answers will be found even deeper? For now, he'll continue to explore.
As Kaja peers at it, "We don't know enough," he agrees, falling in with you.
Gimme a d100.
[13:59] <Nephrite> roll 1d100
[13:59] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=11 ]{11}
Okay, there's a good hunk of looting to do here. Do you need those right this second or can it wait until post session for you?
Post session is fine.
Amid gathering up loot, Kaja comes over, "I think one of us could get power out of that heartscale, whatever's left," he says, "It could be useful."
"Yes, I agree." Moore says. "I think you need to be a dragon, or have draconic blood to take advantage of it, though. Or at least, that's my personal guess, based on what we've seen so far. I wonder if the people who built this place were dragon-blooded of some nature, or just revered dragons."
"Or used them as power," Xandra speaks up, "It would be far from the first ones who used dragons for that. It may be that was the powerful, mystical artifact they had on hand."
"Slay a red wyrm, use a red wyrm," Jetina muses, "That makes sense."
"It's possible." Moore says. "Still, we might be able to find some notes or something somewhere here. I'd like to understand how this ended up here, if at all possible. It would help us do something to get whoever is still trapped here out."
"Now that we have leisure, divinations on this may be effective as well," Xandra points out. "We need not restrain ourselves completely."
Moore nods.
With that in mind, he will try Hindsight in the room with the Heartscale itself.
This will go back 8 centuries. It probably isn't enough in this case, but let's give it a shot.
Assuming that doesn't work, he will set up to cast Divination (as the spell) with the following question:
"How did this heartscale come to be here?" - He gets a 90% chance of success, for reference.
Hindsight is no help, as expected.
The answer you get is simple. 'When Deona's folly caused the dimensional bounds to be violated.'
Wait... what?
Moore blinks as he receives that answer.
He tries again, this time with another question.
Going to queue up a few here:
'What exactly was Deona's folly?'
'What happened when the dimensional bounds were violated?'
'Was this heartscale here before the tower appeared?'
This brings my gold total to 100 for divinations. I will keep track and post accordingly.
You're getting into the sort of questions that need something like a commune, Moore. Divination is about events to happen in a week. (The first one I had a mental lapse on and just didn't realize it wasn't a divination question, so you get a freebie there.
Would you believe me if I told you that I was actually looking at the spell and literally never noticed that particular piece of it?
That is fine -- he will use Commune instead and hope that his elevated status can get him some answers other than 'yes' and 'no' on this subject. Either that or he'll bust out a Miracle/Wish if he needs to.
Okay sure. First question is?
He is going to test the waters on the strength of the spell he has access to.
'How did this heartscale come to be here?'
Nothing happens.
It's possible for a deity to answer beyond a yes/no for their purposes or even alter the spell, but it's easier to start with yes/nos so the spell's first premise can work.
Okay.
'Was this heartscale here before the tower appeared?'
"No."
1 question down.
'Was the heartscale brought with the tower?'
"Yes."
2
'Is what was responsible for the tower appearing here still within the tower?'
"No, it is dead."
3 and 4 thanks to the expanded reply.
'Does this tower have any connection to Temman's Wheel?'
Apologies if I spelled that incorrectly.
'No.'
5.
Rats.
'Would moving the tower to Celestia release the souls still trapped here?'
"Not by itself."
6, fell under the unclear information clause of the spell, as a simple yes/no isn't really illuminating there considering the facts.
'Can the answer to saving them be found in this tower?'
'Yes.'
7
'Are there any dangerous creatures in the tower other than us?'
'No.'
8.
'Besides the heartscale, Are there other valuable items or knowledge in the tower?'
'Yes.'
9.
'Are they hidden?'
Be more specific? I think I get what you mean, but I want to be sure.
No problem.
'Are the valuable items or knowledge hidden?'
"Yes."
10.
'Can they be found above us?'
"Yes."
11.
'Can they also he found below us in this tower?'
"Yes."
12.
'Is the power to be taken in the heartscale more effective on a dragon?'
"Yes."
13.
'Thank you.' Moore says as he ends the spell.
To the others, he speaks up, "We can find the answer we seek here in the tower, as well as how to save those trapped here. Be on the look out for hidden areas, as what we seek as well as other treasures hidden here."
"We have time," Xandra agrees, "Let us search carefully."
Okay, gimme MO for searching and any relevant checks like Perception.
Take 10 for 122 on Perception.
Looking primarily for hidden things that lead to notes, diaries or other valuables.
Any art or otherwise like that goes in the portable hole.
Still on the lookout for magical anything..
Going further down first, you find something - a sealed, hidden door in a basement. It radiates magic, hidden but easily defeated by your powerful spells. It's the same stone as the wall, set into it.
If needed we can have Jetina toss some dispels at it, alternatively I can antimagic Ray it.
Assuming the magic is sealing it and it isn't just a magic door for no reason...
It is indeed a sealing enchantment. A dispel undoes it, Jetina readying her shield, "It's safe," she calls back.
"Thank you." Moore says as he goes to open it and go inside!
Inside - hello. A sunken chamber, like a pool filled. Filled with golden coins that is, filled to the brim with small piles about the edges, as if splashed over.
"A king's ransom," Cresiel observes as the party enters, "Yet only gold."
Moore checks around for magic before he gathers it all up into his bag!
Take 10 for 103 on Spellcraft, then a Moore's Quick Gather.
As you clear it out, you find magic at the bottom - there's a plug beneath all the coins, about as wide around as Hanna. It's enchanted to need a key to open.
Can I UMD to fake the key on this somehow? Barring that let's just dispel it.
It's probably just keeping something out but we may as well see.
You could try, sure.
Take 10 for 88 on UMD then.
You can't take 10 on UMD without something that allows it, so gimme a roll or point out that you do have such a thing.
i think I used to have something but it got replaced.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+78 : 6 + 78, total 84[/blockquote]
It takes some work and concentration, but the seal is undone, the plug able to be removed now.
Moore will try! If he needs help then Kaja and Cresiel can pitch in.
The three of you grunt and are able to pull it out - you see why, the lower half is solid steel. Ooof. Beneath it is a ladder leading into a deep crevice, where a single book sits atop a table. Besides the book is a bejeweled dagger, a writing quill and a golden ring.
"...I do not even know where to begin." Moore says. He flies down to investigate!
Take 10 on 103 for Spellcraft and 108 on k:a. What's going on down here?
Give me a quick CL check on whatever you're using to detect magic?
Uhhhhhhhh that's a really good question...
It's a permanancy'ed Detect Magic... so I guess... 0?
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 20, total 20[/blockquote]
I'm not sure how that interacts.
Did you cast it or did someone else cast it on you to make it permanent.
It was done in Aurora, I think it was Tepen at the time.
Good enough.
They're all enchanted. The book works by writing in blood using the quill and dagger. The ring is needed to open the book safely.
The book itself can mimic several spells, but at the cost of health and blood from the writer.
"Well that's... interesting. Apparently the book itself can mimic magic, but it takes your health and some blood to do so." Moore says. He decides to throw all the things in his bag anyway. You never know!
He does check the room out for anything else.
You don't find anything else.
"Blood magic?" Jetina says, "That sounds like dark magic." Studying the book as you put it away, "It's hardly safe to use."
"It is still remarkable if it can freely mimic magic," Xandra points out, "That is never the work of the weak."
"I'll try a Legend Lore on it later and see if the person who made it is the same who ended up bringing this tower here. It probably was." Moore says. "For now, let's keep looking."
Beyond that you finish searching the bottom and go up. On one particular side passage you find as ecret door, locked with magic.
He really needs to make that key of unlocking.
[22:05] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+78 UMD
[22:05] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d20+78 UMD --> [ 1d20=3 ]{81}
If that's appropriate to open it. Otherwise we will just dispel it again.
Who's dispelling?
Jetina can do it, she has plenty.
One dispelling that's not too hard to undo and the door is opened. It leads to corridor that ends in an abrupt dead end - the volcanic stone of this region jutting in, stopping further progress.
"Do you think this might've originally been the entrance?" Moore asks.
He looks around for anything magical, but assumes that this must've just been the end of where the tower was brought when it ended up here.
"It might be, or linking to it," Kaja admits, as you don't find anything magical.
Then it's time to head back and see what else they can find!
Gimme a d100 real quick.
[11:37] <Nephrite> roll 1d100
[11:38] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=25 ]{25}
Beyond that, it's all minor and lesser treasures - nothing world shattering or important like the book, though there's value here.
I owe you a loot post, RL stuff neatly sidetracked me. I'm going to work on it now, so I'll post again once it's done.
Sure.
Assuming you're talking about the tower in its entirety, we still need to try and locate something that might tell us how to help who's still stuck in the tower, per the divination.
Loot updated, go ahead and read that, review and then post your move on the above as you see fit.
Read and understood. Since it doesn't look like the loot will answer our question, we'll keep scouring the tower for answers maybe in a diary or notes or something?
Sure.
With some searching you find a small assortment of diaries and notes, as well as a small library. You're free to investigate those at will.
Using the power of Bibliotheca Arcana, Moore will go through the books and diaries in short order!
Well, you have a name for this place now: Kapshel's Retreat. At least it's what the writers here call it. They refer it to it as a home of magic, a tower of sorcery. That's well and good.
However, there's one diary. A diary by an unknown writer, who speaks of being stranded in a 'strange new realm, everyone else gone'. Of restless nights and ultimately leaving the diary as he vowed to go forth and explore this new realm.
Was that Deona, perhaps?
He will continue to go through other books, hoping to find anything else of use! There has to be something that points to what exactly happened...
It didn't list a name - but you do come on a mention of Deona after that. Skallard Deona, master of travel and of the tower.
Now that he has a name, he can see if there's anything else in the library that mentions them! Barring that, he has an idea!
Skallards is a title, roughly equivalent to archmage. Masters of travel are wizards who specialize in transportation magic and study the arts of the Valdosa, a particular type of spellcaster who gains greater ability with teleportation and similar magic.
Deona is a family name - the first name is usually omitted by custom when a title such as Skallard is available instead. The Deonas were a prosperous family based in Hagsport and Cape Fair Hope.
Can I take 10 on K:P for 108 to see if I can think of where they might've come from, specifically? If it's a prime or otherwise?
It's K:L for one you don't have, so give me that total, or if you have a lore/bardic lore ability, use that.
Bardic Knack strikes again! K:L for 78
It's a Prime - an old one, in stories and legend old. Oylva, long since faded into Elysium. That time the forces of Good won.
Goodness, how long has this tower even been here? He'll have to see about doing what he can to have some agent of Elysium to take it, if just for the sake of keeping it all together.
He's going to try and focus on what, specifically, if possible to find, Skallard Deona was either researching or anything that points to what might've happened to get the tower here, OR alternatively, why there's clearly still people stuck here.
You find a mention of it - the dimensions the soul travels on death is what Skallard Deona investigated, and how to circumvent and use that.
Moore just lets out a large sigh.
Then another.
"You were too ahead of your time, I think." He says.
Okay, one final look, then -- is there anything detailing the ritual or magic or otherwise that Skallard Deona used specifically?
"How bad was it?" Jetina asks at your sigh. "Was that someone did something dumb sigh or someone wasted potential sigh?"
Nothing like that, unfortunately.
"The foremost person of this tower, Skallard Deona, was a great archmage of all sorts of travel magic. Unfortunately, he was researching the dimensions that souls travel on death and how to circumvent them." He explains.
"I don't think it's much of a reach to figure out what happened to this tower and why there are souls still trapped here." Moore says. "But some people -did- manage to make it through... or... well, you know, now I wonder if the person who's diary we found was actually a lost soul who just got dumped here into another body or something..."
"This is both perplexing and perhaps a matter better referred to others. Helm now guards the Well of Souls, his clergy would have an interest in this." Cresiel states, "They would be bound to see them pass on, as would Kelemvor's faithful - though not both, as relations with the two faiths are poor."
"That may be wisest," Xandra says, "If we cannot do it ourselves."
"Let's see if there's any particular point in the tower where the...boundaries seem the weakest." Moore says.
Idea here will just be to see if there are any particular 'pockets' or anything where the voices or what have you seem especially louder / more prevalent.
Sure. Give me a Wisdom check here too.
[15:40] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+22
[15:40] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d20+22 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{34}
You do find such a place - a small room about midway, where it feels louder. A small storage room of all things.
"...Here." Moore says. "I think... hmm."
He looks around. "I wonder if this just happened to be a focal point for the energies. Either way... I'm not quite as good at this as He is, but..."
Moore clears his throat and takes in a breath.
"Peace."
He's trying a similar thing as what he did with Dragon. Hopefully to get the spirit's attention(s) but also to try and help calm them.
Charisma again.
[16:16] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+46
[16:16] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d20+46 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{56}
Con too, if it's needed.
[16:16] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+23
[16:16] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d20+23 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{25}
You feel dizzy but the voice grow silence, a sense of being watched amplified a dozen times over.
"I know not how long you have been trapped here." Moore says. "But it has been long enough. I am going to try and send you all to where you need to go -- so if you feel a pull, then don't fight it. I mean none of you harm, and wish only for you to find the peace you all deserve after so long."
He takes a deep breath and casts his hand forward.
"By the light of the Illuminated Heavens!" Moore shouts. "Be free of this torment!"
He is casting Miracle, for reference. If he needs to specify some part of it, then it would simply be to free those souls trapped here to pass on.
Sure, just gimme a CL check.
[21:16] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+33
[21:16] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d20+33 --> [ 1d20=5 ]{38}
There is a sense of relief, a sense of silence as all goes still. You feel them pass on, pass on to what lies beyond. In moments this place is silent once more.
Moore lets out a sigh of relief.
"I can't even begin to imagine how long they've been here." Moore says. "How absolutely awful. Nonetheless... I think we're done here. I know we originally came here for a totally different reason, but I'm glad we found this place, for a variety of reasons."
"The path is rarely the one expected, but it always goes on," Cresiel agrees. "We still have part of the wheel to find."
"Agreed. For now, let us return to Hope's Landing for a brief time to let my magic recover." Moore says.
[21:34] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d100 spell failure --> [ 1d100=24 ]{24}
[21:34] <Nephrite> roll 1d100 spell failure
[21:34] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d100 spell failure --> [ 1d100=18 ]{18}
[21:34] <Nephrite> roll 1d100 spell failure
[21:34] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d100 spell failure --> [ 1d100=66 ]{66}
Moore will try to Plane Shift them twice and then do it successfully the third time.
Assuming there's nothing at Hope's Landing that will grab their attention, Moore will Plane Shift them back to outside the tower to resume looking around.
There is one thing.
"Moore," Grias says, "Aurora has sent you some lore - they heard you were looking for it and came on some in some new books from the shop there."
"How kind of them." Moore says. "I'll have to send them something as a thank-you."
He tucks it away to look later!
With that tucked away, you're free to return and continue your search. How are you going to do that?
Greater Plane Shift to outside the tower on the top. Oh! Yeah, we also need to go back in it and have Kaja eat the wyrmscale or... absorb it, or whatever.
Okay, how are you gonna do that then?
Surely Kaja has a bright idea! He's the one who suggested it!
Kaja goes back to where you met Dragon.
"I should be able to do what he did," Kaja says, "Step in and let it happen."
"I'll be here if you're wrong," Jetina offers quickly.
"...Good to know," Kaja's retort is dry, "It shouldn't."
"I'll keep an eye on it." Moore promises.
Spellcraft and K:a for 103 and 108 respectively to do just that!
Kaja steps in. The same light that flowed into Dragon begins to flow into Kaja.
"It's working," Kaja calls, "But it may not be fast."
Cresiel merely stands and waits, shield readied.
Xandra floats there, at wait.
Jetina, "Nothing to do but let it work."
"We've got time." Moore agrees.
Gimme a d100 real quick.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 14, total 14[/blockquote]
Well over an hour passes until the circle goes dark. "It's finished," Kaja announces.
"Can you breathe Fire now?" Moore asks with a cheery smile.
Kaja's answer is a little puff of fire, that almost burns you. Almost.
"That's useful," Jetina claps.
Improved Breath (Ex)
Kaja can use his breath weapon twice a day and the damage rises by 4d8.
A snort. "I was just kidding!" He says. "All right, I think we're done here."
Plan is to go back out the top and keep going!
Back up to above the chasm and onward, then? Just to be clear since it's been a bit.
Yep!
The passage continues onward for some time - until you come to a dead end of sorts.
Or it would be, if not for your sight showing you the wall is an illusion, a passage ahead of it.
Take 10 on Spellcraft for 87 to identify the caster!
Take 10 for 108 whichever K is appropriate for more info on them.
The caster is named Clasta.
It's not an uncommon name for magma elementals who care and who choose to have a gender - as much as it matters to them, which usually nil. Female in particular, with it being a derivitive of pyroclastic.
"Interesting... this was created by someone who's likely a magma elemental." He says as he passes through!
An easy passage, "Then someone more native to this place wants to be hidden or hides something," Kaja says, "Which may make it precious beyond compare to them and worthless to us."
"It may, or we may meet them and parley," Jetina points out, "We could still use directions."
"Yes, let's see where this takes us." Moore says as he keeps going!
You go on a time - until yo ucome to a larger cave. Amid a few criss-crossing rivers of liquid stone sits a stone dome, rough doors hewn into it. It sits there, unremarkable otherwise. There's a few passages beyond this, if you wish to keep exploring.
Moore will fly over to the dome!
"Hello! Clastra, are you there?" He calls out.
Cresiel follows as you go. There's no reply, at least from the outside.
"Hm..." he will go forward!
If the doors are actually doors he will knock (as best he can) on It! Bang bang bang!
You knock on the doors. No reply.
"Might not be here," Kaja says, glancing about.
Hindsight it is!
lets see if they've been here in the last 33 days. If not, we keep going to weeks, months, etc.
They've been in and out, yes. A magma elemental, larger than Hanna though not by much.
How does Sending work when someone has a name that multiple people use? Since I have an idea of who this is, can I Send to them?
Yeah, that work work.
Yay!
'Greetings, Clasta. My name is Moore. I've come across your home and would like to speak to you.'
There is no answer.
That is, until the ground softly shakes. Cresiel hops into the air, the party following him as Kaja utters a sharp oath.
"Guess she wasn't far from home," Jetina remarks, shield ready but not sword.
Moore simply waits, flying in the air outside the dome!
In moments a creature emerges. A tall and broad thing of simmering stone, cracks with glowing red within all about the creature. It rises and is silent long moment, before, "You seek me, seven winged one and child of Titania?"
Moore offers a bow. "Please excuse us for the intrusion." He says with a smile. "My name is Moore, of Celestia. These are my comrades - Cresiel, Xandra, Jetina and Kaja."
He pauses for a moment for everyone to offer a nod or otherwise.
"I've come here in search of something and am hoping you might be willing to provide information on it." Another pause, as Moore looks contemplative.
"We seem to run into a lot of talkative denizens down here, actually." He says as he looks at the others briefly.
"It is an unusual region," Xandra points out, "Only unusual elementals would favor it."
To this Clastra says, "There's some truth to that," she says, "Speak them, what do you want?"
Moore clears his throat. "I seek something that is only spoken of in rumors and riddles. The only clue I have is as follows: 'Find the lost house within. Beware the war. Beware the war that is raged there between the elements.'" He says. "I don't know if the house is a physical house or simply a metaphor to something else. If you've been here for as long as you seem to have been, you may have seen or heard something yourself." He explains.
"Down. Keep going down," The elemental says, "There's ancient things if you deep enough. You won't get deep enough unless you can swim through rock and stone." With a shallow nod to Cresiel, "The seven winged one should have some magic to allow that, or the other angel."
"We can manage." Moore says. "Well, in return for that, please know that you may feel free to come visit Hope's Landing in Lunia, or reach out to me specifically if you have any need or are ever threatened by anything."
"As long as I don't get smited," Is all the elemental says, sinking back into the ground.
"...must have had a bad experience with heroes before," Jetina says slowly, her voice beautiful. "Too bad, but she was helpful."
"She was afraid," Cresiel states, "She should not be unless her own sins burden her."
"There are probably valid reasons." Moore says as he looks around. "Actually..."
He holds a hand up to the others for a moment as he concentrates.
Does Lay of the Land work 50 miles in all directions, or is it only a flat area? He's going to try either way, to see if perhaps it will give him some insight on something that may be below them. If needed, he can Find the path afterwards.
All directions, I'd say.
okay, then he is Lay of the Land-ing.
There's a few things below.
About 20 miles below you sense a large settlement of liquid stone elementals.
35 miles below is the Boiling Sea, a massive sea of lava.
30 miles ahead and 15 to the north-northwest is an abandoned town.
"Hm... nothing of any great interest in the surrounding area." Moore says.
Would my K:P tell me if there's anything 'below' the Boiling Sea?
It's possible. It's said that beneath great bands of lava there's solid stone and pure fire, as well as stranger things yet.
"I know there's magic that turns you into elementals." Moore says. "If they were right and we need to pass through stone, we'd need something like... what is it, Earth Glide? Is that right? Are there other ones that I'm not thinking of?"
"That's the simplest," Xandra remarks, "We can investigate, find a way to do this and come back."
Moore nods. "I can cast Wish, which would work... well, on one person."
He makes a face. "Yes, we'll need to find alternative means, I think, unless we simply want to explore some more."
"I think we've shot our bolt on wandering," Kaja speaks up, "We could wander until the next planar war and not find this. Why not tell us the region, when we have entire nations worth of earth, fire and steam to sift through?"
"At the least," Xandra cuts in, "We need a means of moving faster, though teleportation being available helps." Glancing over at Kaja, "Do not lose hope, we will find this if it is the will of Celestia."
"So we will," Kaja retorts, "But Celestia moves at a pace suited for immortals."
"Well, suffice to say, it's probably very deep down under everything here. Lord Crystalle may know a way for us to traverse it more easily." Moore suggests. "But yes, I understand -- I do want to investigate the abandoned town that's a bit a ways from here. There is also a settlement of liquid stone elementals nearby here that we can visit next time if we need to."
Intent will be to teleport us over to the abandoned down and just check it out!
Emptiness.
Building of stone amid the ever darkness, your lights shedding illumination here. All is crumbling ruin, no sound save for your footsteps. You stand in a city square, skeletal and dead buildings all around you.
Cresiel steps forward, uttering a word of power. Light comes from him and spreads out, the city illuminated. It a city of low towers and broad buildings, of islands of land above vast chasms that end in tiny, far away ribbons of lava below - great rivers or oceans of lava, so deep that only the faintest light can be seen if you look down. The bridges are all broken, only remnants showing the various islands of the city were once connected.
Jetina and Kaja take to the air, while Xandra shakes her head, "This way," she announces, "Follow me, everyone. There is a reason we came here."
Moore blinks in Xandra's direction, but follows her without comment!
The party falls in line. You fly over a few ruined islands to another. This one was perhaps open space or a park once - and now the ground here is broken, a great and burnt crater. Within a great sea of charred, broken skeletons lie, as if the toys of a fire giant forgotten on adulthood's invitation. Surrounding the pit are dozens of iron pokes with old, weathered and rotting banners on it. These banners are of a red diamond against flames. You know the unholy symbol of Imix when you see it.
Moore frowns. He turns to Xandra, thrn back to the pit.
He takes in a breath, as if steeling himself for something. "They didn't deserve this, no matter who they were." He says quietly.
"We can at least give them a better rest," Cresiel steps forward. "Destroy the banners."
"They aren't undead, the skeletons are ancient," Jetina notes as she comes forward, Kaja's blades slicing the first banner apart. "Moore, can your magic gather dirt to properly bury the dead?"
"I don't see why not." He says. "I usually just focus it to go into a bag or other receptacle. But I can also just build a small gravesite here for them, that's easy enough."
"I'll see to a blessing for the unjustly slain," Jetina says, as the others destroy the banners. "There is so much hatred and misery across Creation. Raziel give me courage to face it." Jetina bows her head in prayer for that, "For even now we see fire used unjustly. Guide my blade and my steps this day, Firestar, so that I may be the righteous instrument of your will."
Soon enough the banners are gone, broken.
Moore takes out his Lyre of Building and strums on it quietly.
He'll use it to build what is effectively a mausoleum and monument to the fallen people here.
Sure, go ahead and describe.
From the ground and around the pit, a small building is formed. Made of worked stone, It rather resembles that of the same type of tombs that can be found in Mercuria, where those who await Raziel's call back to action slumber in restful repose.
The door to the building will be shut tightly and sealed, so the remains can sit safely inside it forevermore.
After he finishes, he casts a quick spell that creates a symbol of Celestia over the door so that anyone else who comes along knows who put this here.
That last one is Permanent Image, for the record.
Jetina comes forth and splashes holy water on the door of the tomb, uttering, "Until the last day, may any righteous here sleep in peaceful rest. Let none disturb them, lest they face all the judgment of the Holy Mountain."
Cresiel and Xandra bow their head, Kaja as well. Moments of silence and then, "Another atrocity to lay at the feet of Imix, though doubtlessly lost amid the great sea of atrocities already there." Jetina announces.
"He'll get his one day." Moore says. He looks to Xandra. "Do you feel anything else here that we need to do before we return home for now?"
"Not unless you wish to explore a dead city," Xandra says, "Though if Imix was here, anything of value was taken already. I'm surprised the entire city wasn't burnt to cinders."
"It's possible that Imix himself never came here, it was just his lackeys." Moore says.
He shakes his head. "I dislike the idea of scavenging this place anyway. Let's return home."
With that said, a gesture and he returns them all to Hope's Landing!
His first order of business will be to write a note to be delivered to whomever deals with diplomacy via Elysium to notify them of that tower on Fire and what happened there, in case they wish to take it to Elysium so it can join with the rest of the prime.
Second order of business will be to read the lore that he was given!
Sure, give me the usual checks there.
Take 10 for the K's for 108 and 103 for Spellcraft.
You spend some time at work, soon enough getting progress.
7 points, what's that put you at now?
284/777.
Give me an Intelligence check.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+26 : 2 + 26, total 28[/blockquote]
You feel like more of the ritual is filling in, but details continue to escape you.
Nothing to do but collect more, then.
I am having trouble uncovering your post from... I think the last topic. I had looked up a few different options on libraries, and cannot for the life of me find it right now.
http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104331.msg1154552.html#msg1154552
This it? The start of it, it goes on a little while.
That is it, thank you.
Since there's nothing extremely pressing to do, he may as well take some time to visit the Mercy Library. He does want to go back to the Deep Stacks, but that'll be later.
Jetina is welcome to come, obviously.
For both our references, paste the info from the last thread about it to here?
"The first you find is simple, if someone off target: The Mercy Library in Mertion, in case you feel like a flight up there. It's mostly about healing, but it has a lot of tangential lore. Servants of Raziel only."
Jetina'll come for obvious reasons. Any prep?
Hit the Blessing Stone and otherwise just the standard spells on Moore, other than that no.
d100.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 91, total 91[/blockquote]
The trip up is uneventful.
The Mercy Library is a building by a bevy of fountains, tucked away under shady oak trees. It is bright here, the light from above shining true. None are here to bar you passage, the air within cool and crisp. Here windows let in shady light and rows of shelves are sorted, with sections having writing in fire above them, designating what they cover.
"We're expected," Jetina says, "We'll likely not meet any interference, and the librarians here find you when you realize you need them. The assorted lore is in the back, the front is all about healing."
"Would you like to split up?" Moore asks. "I imagine they might have a few books and scrolls you may be more interested in."
"No, I can do that later," Jetina says, "I'll stay with you, just in case. In our work, just in case is more like just in routine."
Moore nods and will head to the back of the library as he was instructed!
Plan will be to use Bibliotheca Arcana again to speed-read stuff.
Just going to brute force look for info?
More or less. We'll look for a section specifically on portals / that sort of dimensional chicanery and go from there.
Sure, d100 and assuming nothing too high, Int check.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 60, total 60[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+26 : 12 + 26, total 38[/blockquote]
Okay, gimme the normal array of rolls then.
108 for the Knowledge checks and 103 for Spellcraft, then.
It's quiet. No quests, no travel, no worries for once. The reading's peaceful and Jetina shadows you without distracting. You obtain lore without difficulty for one lovely break, things easy.
10 points, total?
294.
Moore lets out a breath as he shuts a book. "I learned a lot here. A little more added to to the overall tapestry." He says as he collects his notes. "Is there anything you'd like to do while we're here?"
A pause.
"Sorry?" Jetina blinks, "I was woolgathering. " Tearing her gaze from a window and the light that comes in from it, "You were saying?"
"Is his voice louder here?" Moore asks. "Raziel's, I mean. I always feel like I can hear Lord Erathaol a little bit more clearly when I'm in Venya."
"Yes," Jetina admits, "But more..." a pause, "It was so quiet I got bored." A faint blush stains her cheeks red, "These trips out are never easy like this and I knew you were safe here."
"Sorry." Moore says. "But we're almost halfway done, which means it won't be long before I don't have to do this anymore." A smile after that. "Sorry to be so selfish with the whole thing. It's for a good cause."
"The next time we're at Aurora, you owe me some cakes at the eatery," Jetina finally decides, "Several."
"Of course." Moore says.
Good to head back.
The next on the list (well, not next next as it was given, but the next we'll try going to) is Greenwood.
The next after that is Greenwood. It is on the demiplane of Greenwood, said to be the home of a lorekeeping gnome, elf, dwarf or some other demihuman. Details are vague and it's ancient lore, but it's said that passage to it can be found 'in the heart of the true forest'.
Oh, actually, you know, before we even do that, this is for later, but Moore would go through and identify all the stuff from the tower trip. If the weaponry could all be fixed with a good old miracle or two he'd totally do that.
Anyway, with that aside (the stuff doesn't have to be priced right now, it's just a mention that he'd go through it at some point), is there any reason that Moore wouldn't think 'the heart of the true forest' is Arborea?
Okay, how are you going to try and find Greenwood?
Well, if it's on Arborea, Moore's pretty familiar with how that particular plane works -- if the Queen wants you to find something, you'll find it. If not, you'll be directed elsewhere. So, with that in mind, we'll just have to go by the whims of her majesty.
Okay, who is going any any prep?
Whomever wants to, and we'll use the Blessing Stone and Moore will throw up his normal stuff for himself.
Sure.
Everyone but Jetina will come - she'll watch the homefront in case anything comes up. Just going to appear somewhere in Arborea and hope it works out?
If there's any particular part of Arborea that has a title for being the 'heart' of it, then there. Otherwise, yes.
Thus you appear in Arborea. The forests are thick here, untouched wilderness. Amid the shaded sunlight form the canopy above Cresiel steps ahead, "We now trust and walk, and hope our destiny takes us to Greenwood."
"If not," Kaja says, "We hope it's at least a pleasant stroll, better than Fire." He starts to follow Cresiel.
"It will be," Xandra says, "Hidden it may be, but it is no such obscure and treasured thing as the Wheel."
Moore nods and picks a random direction -- west, and starts to fly.
"Every time I've been here, I've learned something, so this time will be no different." Moore says. "Her Majesty always watches out for guests, I think."
d100, would you?
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 46, total 46[/blockquote]
You begin to wander. It's slow going but you make progress - and after about 30 minutes of slogging, you can hear the music of a lyre in the distance.
Well, there's no sense in ignoring a perfectly good opportunity to meet someone who might have information!
He will pursue the sound of that lyre!
Whoops ,did Alicia before you somehow, meant to her last since it was a longer post. Here you go with apologies.
You travel ahead. In a clearing you see...nothing, the sound of the lyre nothing but a memory on the breeze.
"Nothing? Someone shy?" Kaja asks, "Nymphs are like that, I think."
"It's all right." Moore says. "We will find what we seek in time."
He smiles and continues on!
You even get a d100!
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 31, total 31[/blockquote]
You wander a time more. An hour passes before Xandra speaks, "I sense something," Xandra says, "Moore, let us fly up above the canopy."
Moore nods and goes to do just that!
You fly up. In the sky above a flock of elves pass, each one with the wings of a brown hawk. Perhaps a hundred of them all told, passing by about 50ft away. They fly with a grace that resembles the inhuman, turning to look as you break through the canopy.
Moore raises a hand in greeting to them! If they want to stop they can buy otherwise he won't stop them!
The elves - clad in green and brown - slow at this. Murmurings amid them before, "Hail," one cries in elven, young and youthful like all of them. He flies forward, keeping a distance of about 50ft.
"Salutations." Moore says in elven. "My name is Moore. These are my friends, we're from Celestia." A smile follows. "We're seeking a place called Greenwood."
"Celestia?" A question that isn't pursued, instead, "Greenwood? There are places I know as greenwoods or Greenwood. Where do you seek, faerie?"
"It's a demiplane." Moore says. "So it'd likely be somewhere you have to pass through a portal to go to, if that helps. There should be someone there who keeps a lot of lore."
"Demi...plane?" Is a question, "I don't understand, faerie. We are a simple folk, we do not understand the matters of magic well. We live a simple life."
So it seems.
"It would be a portal... ah, let me show you." Moore says as he gestures to create an image of a portal!
"Probably something like this. You would pass through it and feel like you were somewhere else." Moore explains as simply as he can.
A few murmurs from that, "We've seen those, but never approached," The elf says, "They appear sometimes on the full moon."
"Have you seen anything like it near the places you know as Greenwood?" Moore asks.
"At times," he says, "Find the full moon at the Greenwood," he says, "It appears there in the moon's light."
"Would you provide us directions, please?" Moore asks.
"You fly to the Old Tree, then walk 3 hours west along the animal paths to the gorge, then find the path down and follow the river until Riverway. Spend a night there, follow the river until Hanali's Rock, then find the footpath there that leads to Greenwood." Is the answer you get.
Moore nods. "Thank you, good luck on your travels." Moore says.
He will let them go, then try a Lay of the Land to see if any of those landmarks actually show up in it.
They do.
As you cast it, "Can we teleport?" Cresiel asks, "This does not seem to be a protected land. Regardless, the real difficulty is wait on the full moon."
"If that is what we wish it is," Xandra adds, quieter, "It may well be a portal to the Gates of the Moon instead."
"They may be mistaken as to what causes it to open. Anyway, I know where it is." Moore says, so he gestures and they do indeed teleport!
If he can get directly to the location that the path from Halani Rock leads to turn he will, otherwise he will aim for the rock itself and follow the path.
It's a semi clearing - wild but the underbrush is gone, and a few felled trees give room. It's sunny enough, the downed trees providing holes for pure sunshine to reach the ground. Here everything is green - trees and leaves, moss, grass. Everything is a beautiful shade of green, vibrant with energy.
"It reminds me of Elysium," Cresiel says, "Life flows with great vigor here."
Take 10 for Ks and Spellcraft for 108 and 103 respectfully. He's looking to sense a portal or anything similar.
You don't see anything like that or signs of one, at least on a glance.
Well, this is a bit of an unusual situation, but he may as well try...
Moore is going to use Miracle, asking for a full moon to appear briefly over this area to see what happens, as that seems to the catalyst.
If it matters who the miracle is going to request the aid of, then it would be Morwel.
Miracles generally go to your deity.
Regardless, a temporary moonrise is a 10th+ level spell so it's swinging for the fences here and you're really asking the wrong source.
Oh, fair enough.
Moore rubs his chin. "I don't sense anything even remotely like a portal here. Can this really be it?"
"It seems to be," Cresiel says, "At least something fitting of the name."
Meanwhile Kaja inspects the greenery and remarks, "Green as an elf's ass."
Oh!
Moore casts Hindsight. If a portal really did open in the last full moon...
33 days of Hindsight. : )
You look back. Sure enough, on the last full moon, a hazy, silvery portal did appear.
Did anyone come in or go out of it?
No.
"...Huh. Last full moon, a portal did indeed open here." Moore says. "I don't know where it went to, but it happened."
Can I extrapolate when the next full moon will be, based on that?
Assuming similar lunar patterns to a normal Prime world, about a week.
"I would suggest an augury or similar spell," Xandra speaks up here, "Unless we wish to sit idle for a week's time."
"Well, I had intended to do other things in that time." Moore says. "But... well, I don't think it's unreasonable for us to ask if this goes to where we want it to."
With that said, Moore prepares for a divination!
As per the spell.
'Will this portal lead us to the Greenwood that we seek?'
Remember, useful advice about a subject, not precise questions. If you want commune for questions answered more directly.
I would argue the wording of the spell, 'useful piece of advice in reply to a question concerning a specific goal, event, or activity that is to occur within one week' would apply here.
I could rephrase it to say 'What will happen if we pass through the portal here,' if you'd rather.
That works.
The answer is, 'You shall find the silver path.'
Hm.
"'You shall find the silver path.'" Moore says to the others.
Does that ring a 'This is probably the gates of the moon' for him?
Your knowledge would say it leans that way.
"That could be the moon, but is inconclusive," Cresiel concludes, "Vexing."
"Well, let's remember this location." Moore says. "I think it's worth looking for other places. Maybe... mm. Maybe we should just use our embassies for information on this, rather than trying to brute force it with luck."
"If we're going that route, can we contact the master of the demiplane directly?" Kaja asks, "If we have the means, why not?"
"Better than wandering the forest?" Cresiel asks, calm.
"Better than wandering the forest. I'm not a green." Kaja seconds.
"Well, we don't know who it is, but... surely, someone would be privy to that information." Moore says. "Let's go that route."
Would those embassies be ON Arborea, or would they be on Celestia?
Both. Pick your poison.
Then they'll go to the one that's on Arborea.
Teleport I presume?
I'm not sure how far it actually is, so let's just Greater Plane Shift away and then back.
Sure.
Embassies are the way of the planes, at least with forces who can tolerate each other. In this case it's a rustic, isolated forest manor. It is fine but covered in vines and foliage, almost entirely hidden by them. Save for an entrance door that leads within, little of the building can be seen.
Moore will head on in!
The front door does not open. Instead the door's center adjusts, a face rising up from it. A face of wood, one that has closed eyes yet asks, "Travelers, what business do you have in this place?"
"I am Duke Moore of Celestia." He greets the ... Wood spirit?
"I seek to speak to someone in the embassy, please."
Cresiel steps forward as well, "Cresiel," he says as well, "In service to Duke Moore."
The face smooths over, back into the door and gone. The doors open wide, cool and clean air washing over the party from it.
"I wonder if they get a lot of random visits." Moore says as he proceeds in!
Within all is wood, well kept and polished. Amid humble wood stands a single woman - a trumpet archon, green skinned. She bows, "Duke," she says, "Welcome...oh! Cresiel!"
"Dyasa," Cresiel returns that greeting, "You're stationed here now?"
With a slight sigh, "Yes, well...my superiors decided I needed to get out of Brightwater for a time. They were right, I miss the shine and the wealth too much."
Cresiel comes forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. "The shine of wealth can blind even the most righteous soul, if they let themselves..."
"...grow complacent," Dyasa finishes, a hint of a smile, "Do you still have my copy of that?"
"Somewhere in Mother's house," Cresiel admits.
Meanwhile Kaja gives them a look and then gives Moore a rather open look, a hint of a smile growing there.
Moore just smiles and offers a bow. "Miss Dyasa, it's a pleasure to meet a comrade of Cresiel." He says softly.
"I'm sorry for the trouble, but after doing some wandering, it felt like directly asking might be the best way to find what we're seeking here." He explains.
Dyasa turns, Cresiel's hand off her shoulder. "Duke," she says, "Our services are yours. What do you need?"
"We are in search of the demiplane of Greenwood." Moore says. "I found a place some natives referred to as Greenwood that has a portal that seems to open at every full moon, but we believe it leads to the Gates of the Moon."
A nod to that, "How can we help you with that matter, then?"
"We have no idea who owns the demiplane." Moore says. "We were hoping someone here may be able to help find out, or maybe already knows who it is or can help us get in contact with them. Or even just provide us the location of the demiplane itself, if possible."
"I'll make inquiries," Dyasa agrees, "Will you stay here while we work, Duke?"
"It'd be my pleasure." Moore says. "Do you mind if we stroll around?"
"The grounds are yours," Dyasa agrees.
Once she goes off, Kaja turns to Cresiel, "You never mentioned her!" he says, a smile growing.
With a calm, unblinking look to Kaja, "There's nothing to mention. She watched me when I was a child. Father insisted that I have influences from his side of the family."
"Do you rest your hand on the shoulder of a friend?" Kaja challenges right back. "A female friend?"
"She is like a sister to me," Cresiel says softly, "An older sister." The two meet eyes, silence for a few long moments.
"Sorry, I was mistaken," Kaja admits, "I owe you an extra round training next time." He lowers his gaze from Cresiel, "You're due a good practice with that warhammer you train with."
"It's always good to reunite with old friends." Moore says with a smile that hopefully breaks up the tension.
"Come, let's meander." He adds.
They'll pretty much just look around since this is a unique building and locale.
Be a few, having constant drops and peers. I'm checking my modem and router to make sure they're okay or if I may need a service call. I should be back and posting soon. If not, something probably was on its last leg and gave up the ghost.
so noted! Good luck mega man!
It's all wood. Smooth wood, varying grains and color, but all wood. It's mostly open spaces with little windows high above that let in sunshine, that keep any gloom at bay. Furniture is the same wood, connected to the ground and from it, as if grown from the building itself. Within wide hallways give way to pleasant rooms, which in turn lead to inner halls that wind and twist about.
Moore just wanders around to take in the sights!
"It's interesting that this was likely repurposed from the tree that it theoretically still is." Moore says. "It's always fascinating to see the people assigned to these types of locations."
"I think it's one living tree, grown in one way over the eons," Xandra says, pausing to rest a hand on a smooth wooden wall. "A treant of some kind, or other wood spirit."
"It's not unheard of," Cresiel says, "A few enterprising types in Brightwater offer those for inflated, excessive prices." He keeps walking as Xandra does, "It's likely as resistance to flame as iron or steel as well, I understand that's a common enchantment placed on this sort of tree."
It always comes back to Brightwater, Moore thinks as he laughs to himself.
"Still, it's quite nice." Moore says. "I'd think it'd be uncomfortable to sit on for too long, though." A shrug as he continues to wander. "I wonder if the other embassies are like this, too."
""Is something funny about that?" Cresiel asks, a hint of a frown on his face.
Meanwhile Kaja says, "Well, if it doesn't burn it's not bad. Still, wooden furniture gets old without padding. Your ass falls asleep."
Xandra's gaze on Kaja is less than amused, "Beg pardon?"
"You probably wouldn't know, being an immortal, but a normal ass can only sit for so long before it can take no more," Kaja says, "Padding and comfortable chairs help with that."
Moore shakes his head and clears his throat. "At any rate, let's see if they've happened to uncover anything for us."
Moore will head back, trying to just not get caught up in immortal versus mortal asses.
Dyasa's answer is simple enough. "I've made inquiries," she says, "A few early ones have not borne fruit, but-"
A knock. "Come," Dyasa says.
A hound archon enters, a bow and a letter handed to her. Once done she reads it, "Blessed timing," she remarks.
Moore smiles. "It does seem to work that way." He says, allowing for her to expound further.
The letter is read, "The root of the problem is that Greenwood is a common place name," Dyasa goes on, "In this case, I can confirm the portal is to Selune's realm, not a demiplane."
Moore nods. "That's what we were thinking, but it's good to have validation on the subject. If you expect that this matter may take some time, we can go pursue other errands -- I don't wish to rush anyone here."
"It will take time," Dyasa says, "My main expert on these matters is unavailable for consultation at the moment."
Moore nods. "That's fine. Please feel free to come visit Hope's Landing if you'd like to, or you may send a message or messenger -- whichever is more convenient." A smile after that.
"Is there anything I can do to return the favor?" He asks.
"Give Cresiel leave to visit sometime," Dyasa says, "It's been too long - and stop by to get that book of mine first."
Cresiel doesn't really smile, but he does nod. "I'll remember it."
Moore nods. "Thank you. I'll remember that."
With a gesture, they're gone!
They're going to go to the Celestian embassy in the House of Knowledge this time. : )
Okay, straight over and if not, any prep?
Straight over. All the Blessing Stone stuff should be on still without issue.
The embassy is a tall building, four stories and built from stone and steel. Big, broad, leafy trees shade it, one great building in a city full of them. The grounds around it are well kept, several chairs and benches about. People sit in here in contemplation, in reading and in picnicing. It's a sunny and warm day, yet with a cool breeze that blows steadily.
Hopefully this one is just open -- Moore flies towards the building to go inside!
It is indeed open. It opens up into a wide courtyard within, more benches and scenic grounds. Music is here, a handful of bards playing whimsical flute and lute melodies.
'Welcome, friends. I am Insight. Tell me what you need here.'
Oh, another of these...?
'Hello, Insight. My name is Moore, Duke of Celestia. I would like to know if you could point me to the correct protocol to speak to the Knowledge Dragon.'
Quick refresh here, but what do you know about that dragon?
The Knowledge Dragon: A dragon who has consumed what is said to be thousands of books, granting him the knowledge of a library. Keeps to himself in a lair somewhere in the House of Knowledge.
'Please wait, I will contact a scholar about this,' Is your answer.
Moore turns to the others. "I don't know if you guys can hear that, but we're being asked to wait." He explains.
"I heard it," Xandra says, "How about we go sit and listen to the music?"
Moore nods and goes to do just that!
It's not bad - a trio of humans and a single lizardman play. It's certainly not bad, but you know you could do far better with a casual effort.
Xandra listens for a few moments, "Hmmm..." she murmurs thoughtfully.
"It's a good effort." Moore says quietly with a smile.
"It is a worthy effort," Xandra says, "I have nod desire to upstage them." Keeping her voice low, "Let them play and enjoy the art of music, free of worrying about those better than them."
Moore wiggles his fingers in their direction, nonetheless.
Surge of Hope for +6 morale bonus to their skill checks. : )
Actually Surge is +4, excuse me.
The music notably improves at that, picking up both skill and energy.
Xandra smiles at this, "A small gift of what they could learn in time?"
"It's important to know what you're capable of doing." Moore says with a smile. "It helps give you that extra motivation and hope."
"I'll settle for better music," Kaja adds in, "Though you aren't the sing a song and strum a lute kind of bard."
"I hope not," Cresiel says, "A lute would be too large for a pixie."
That gets Kaja to slowly exhale, eyes closed as he sighs.
"Everyone starts somewhere." Moore says. "Insight should get back to us soon, I hope."
It is indeed not long.
'Duke Moore,' Insight says, 'The Knowledge Dragon can be met, but he requires a donation of rare lore.'
'That should not be difficult. Is that something I can present to them, or does it need to be presented somewhere else, first?' He responds.
'Present it to him. We have dealt with him before, he will see you and your donation as a favor to us,' Insight explains.
'Very well. Where may I go to find him, then?' He asks.
'Please travel to Diaham Square and seek Monk Monk.' A beat, 'He is a monk who is named Monk. He will escort you. Please refrain from any comments on his name, he is touchy about it.'
'Very well, on all accounts.' Moore says.
A teleport should get us there, I would imagine?
Sure.
Diaham Square is a sunny town square, a village center with a few free standing stalls selling goods. It's sedate enough, and benches are about. Here several people sit in thought, the entire scene relaxed, sunny.
Moore will ask around for the monk named Monk!
Assuming I can just take 10 on GI/Diplomacy here and find him.
Monk is a broad man, too plump and with a sour expression. "You're Moore," he says as you approach, "A solar, a half dragon and a trumpet archon, lead by a pixie." Shaking his head, "You want to meet the Knowledge Dragon?"
"Yes, please." Moore says simply, offering a smile and a bow to his name.
"Got the lore?" he asks, to the point.
"I have a great deal of stories and lore to share, yes." Moore says.
"Then walk with me," Monk says, as the party falls in.
You're lead out of town without incident, to a dusty old road. "Keep on walking that way," he says, "If you're expected, you'll find the path."
"Thank you." Moore says with a polite nod before he starts to head down the path!
As you begin to walk...
Quick Perception, would you?
Take 10 for 92.
It's an unremarkable path - just trod enough to stand out, dusty under the warm sun.
Kaja walks besides you, "Do you know what kind of dragon this is?"
"I have no idea." Moore admits as they continue on. "I admit, it's hard to imagine one sitting on a hoard of books rather than gold, but I suppose the saying is 'one man's trash is another's treasure."
"Better than gold," Cresiel speaks, "Far better than gold. Wisdom is worth all the gold in Mineral and a thousand times more aside."
"Unless you need to buy something," Kaja banters right back. "I don't think wisdom's going to buy me dinner."
"There is such a thing as greed for knowledge, though." Moore says as they continue on. "Honestly, you can turn practically anything into a currency -- think of what we're doing now. I need to trade lore for, well, lore. It's not that much different than gold, it's just that gold is used a lot more as a currency, and thus used more for both illicit things as well as those to warm your soul."
"Anything can be greedy," Cresiel agrees, "The question is to overcome greed, be it for coin or other things, and be better than that."
"Agreed. Let us hope this dragon understands both value as well as wisdom." Moore says.
Quick evening check prep check: What lore are you going to offer?
He's not entirely sure what constitutes 'lore' as it pertains to this dragon, but he'd start with everything he learned from Kapshel's Retreat.
If that wasn't sufficient, then he will ask what the dragon might be looking for specifically, and would modify it from there.
In due time you come to rougher land, rocky. Here a small cave entrance leads into the earth, torches hanging within to illuminate it.
A plaque rests just within the cave. It reads:
Oamul Toli Dauga, Pamap Hylasa Oray, Ennai Inao Oray, Nesya Spalu Rotoga
I am guessing my mastery of all languages does not immediately impart to me knowledge of what those words are.
As far as you can tell, they're nonsense words.
Well that's obviously not true!
"I hope there's not a test on what we learned from this." Moore says as he proceeds past it and into the cave.
You step into the cave - and a gentle force pushes you back.
"One of these?" Kaja sighs, "Bahamut's freezing breath."
Cresiel merely clears his throat, "Open this door."
Instantly, the force stops, no longer there to push you back.
Moore lets out a breath.
"Knowledge dragon, indeed." He says as he continues on.
"How?" Kaja asks as he follows, giving Cresiel a look.
In the air in letters of light the following is written.
Oamul Toli Dauga
Pamap Hylasa Oray
Ennai Inao Oray
Nesya Spalu Rotoga
"Ooooh," Kaja says, "I never would've gotten that." he admits with a rueful chuckle, "I'd spend forever trying to figure out the meaning of the words instead."
"That's a very fey thing to do." Moore says as he proceeds onwards.
Xandra follows, keeping her own council for now.
The path proceeds on and downward into the earth - until it comes to a bolted shut door. A little side table before it holds the following stones the size of a fist: a red stone, a blue stone, a green stone, a purple stone, a violet stone, an orange stone and a pink stone. A plaque is besides them.
Ypali Erao Depna, Ragao Hennesa Erao, Temmapa Temmapa Raga.
Moore pinches his brow.
"Oh, I see, this one is the opposite idea."
He takes the red stone and... waves it at the door.
The door opens.
"This dragon is not as clever as he thinks," Xandra says, "Or he wishes to screen out the mentally infirm." She starts to go, "We are neither."
Moore has the courtesy to put the stone back, as much as something deep within his soul wants to cause some mischief.
He continues on!
Another passage. Here another door awaits, 20 keys in a neat row here. Each key has a raised red dot on the handle, from one to twenty of them, mixed together.
Below it is a plaque that reads:
Agupa Natae Mayke, Zaspa Maela Maela, Maela Sanau Rekse
"Oh for..." Moore takes a breath.
He turns his head and tilts it a bit.
[21:59] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+25 brute force cheating with an intellect check
[21:59] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d20+25 brute force cheating with an intellect check --> [ 1d20=15 ]{40}
Can I get a hint please based on my amazing intellect.
It's not the front letters, you can tell that much. Maybe it's other letters in it?
Kaja studies it while Cresiel does the same and Xandra smiles faintly.
"AAAAAARGH!" Moore shouts, as he grabs the tenth key.
Moore has the key as Kaja turns sharply to him, and Cresiel merely states, "We will not be inviting this dragon to Hope's Landing."
He goes to angrily put the key in the door and turn it as angrily as a small pixie can muster.
Angry enough for the key to turn the lock and open the door.
"Moore!" Kaja rushes over, "What's offended you so? I think that was was the middle, but I don't get y-e-k.""
"The last part is reversed." Moore says.
He takes a deep breath.
"Sorry, things like this are just..."
Another breath.
"It's amateurish." He finally says.
"Do you feel as if you deserve better than to work your mind on such riddles?" Xandra asks as she goes.
"It feels like he's playing fast with the rules, and I hate this particular kind of puzzle," Kaja says, "It's all visual, you barely use your mind at all."
"As long as none of the answers are 'elongate,' I'll manage." Moore says. "I also just don't understand the point of this -- if the dragon wants to you find them, you're already smart enough to solve these."
Ahead is more of a path - and it ends in another door. This one has one hundred golden coins, each one with a number from 1 to 100 on them. A plaque is besides them which reads:
Lepoa Sainel Dalua, Zyale Nula Apaula, Sainel Inpu Epula, Molna Orlu Hepal, Beleg Cupa Apaula
Cresiel examines it and hms, "Moore?" he asks, a question in a single word.
"As much as I want to, we should be courteous." Moore says.
He furrows his brow as he looks at this one. "It's not reversed... is it the order of the words...? Maybe the length of some of them...?"
Xandra stands back as Cresiel nods, "Here, this may help." Words of light appear in the air again, words neatly sorted.
Lepoa Sainel Dalua
Zyale Nula Apaula
Sainel Inpu Epula
Molna Orlu Hepal
Beleg Cupa Apaula
"B-m-s-z-l?" Kaja muses, "That one can't be normal or reversed, at least."
"Lying?" Moore says, gesturing at the first set to the corner. "But that doesn't work for the rest of them. Maybe that one's just a coincidence?"
"It's split," Cresiel points out, "Look at the second and third normally, but reversed."
"Lying coins ahead?" Moore says. "But... what does that even mean? The coins aren't real?"
"Or that the coins don't open the door," Cresiel points out, "May I?" he asks, looking towards the door.
Moore raises a hand as he goes over to the door and just tries to push it open.
The door opens without resistance.
"We're going to have a long talk, you and I." Moore says as he continues on.
"A long. Long. Talk."
"I'm pleased you didn't set that door on fire," Xandra remarks mildly, following along. Ahead is one more door. No items, simply a plaque.
Aurlu Makek Makek
OOC: Congratulations, if you see this you figured out words are blended into the plaque this time, in between the normally visible writing.
Aurlu Zama Paole
The password to open the next door is 'Cup and copper'.
Aurlu Pikea Amazu
Interesting that you've made it this far to read this. I await.
Aurlu Malaema Zum
Moore takes in a breath.
Then he lets it out.
"Cup and copper." He says. There is a hint of annoyance. A small hint.
Only a hint.
The door swings open.
"Very good," Xandra agrees, striding ahead.
Another deep breath as he proceeds forward.
This leads to stairs going down. Past them to a great, grand door large enough to march a dozen warriors through at once. On this door is a plaque.
Kaja sighs.
Cresiel walks to it, "May I, Moore," he offers, hammer ready. "Magic can repair it afterwards."
"Peace. At least read the plaque first." Xandra chides, going over to it.
The plaque reads:
The key is to remove seven.
Av wyvjllk holhk, fvb tbza baaly aol mvssvdpun dvykz: 'Wslhzl vwlu aopz kvvy mvy P ohcl kljvklk aopz zptwsl, lhzf wbggsl.'
"Oh, that's a cypher," Kaja says immediately, "I knew someone who used them before."
Edit to part of that, used add instead of remove. It's important and in the line about the key, so heads up.
"Please open this door for I have decoded this simple, easy puzzle." Moore says. "You are very lucky I have a lot of patience."
A deep, deep breath follows.
The doors swing open. Ahead is huge cushioned divan, massive. On it sits a dragon larger than most castles, the cavern he rests within huge. It is a dragon that is a dull, mottled yellow. It watches you as you approach, before, "Hail and well met, greetings and salutations, good tidings and glad greetings!" The wyrm declares, his voice deep. "It seems a mind that has progressed to at least the minimum intelligent thought is before me! Come then, for all wisdom is power and all knowledge is glory."
Moore takes in another breath.
There is a long, long pause.
"Hello. My name is Moore, Duke of Songs of Celestia, servant of Lord Erathaol of the Hebdomad. These are my companions, Cresiel, Xandra and Kaja. To what name may I refer to you as?" He asks. His tone is at least friendly for now, but his patience has all but evaporated.
Xandra is at your side, a soothing presence.
"You may refer to me as Knowledge," The wyrm declares, "For I have great hoards of it. I congratulate you on reaching me - but the true thinking has not yet begun."
Cresiel takes to the air, all six of his wings spread out. "We grow weary of this, wyrm. Spare us your theatrics and self indulgence, and save your self gratification for when you lament your lack of a mate. We do not spend our time for your own interests, but for a greater purpose. Will you interpose yourself between us our purpose?"
> roll 1d20+51
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+51 --> [ 1d20=11 ]{62}
The wyrm rears back, "You would challenge me in my own lair?"
"The Duke of Destiny took that challenge," Cresiel says, "Hell took that challenge against us. Lifasa stands free now." Cresiel flies right up to the wyrm, "Moore is a Duke of Celestia and will not be disrespected as if our time and what we work for are meaningless to you." A close range stare off, not a single hint of give in the solar. "Take all of your precious knowledge, examine what you know of us and ask yourself: Are you ready for this?"
"Bahamut's heartscale and balls," Kaja sighs, switching to Draconic, "I can't stop Cresiel when he gets like this. It's like when he sees a devil - everything he sees dies and goes to face judgment."
He's been practicing this, so it should hopefully go over well.
Moore flies up an utters one word, "Peace."
Charisma and Con rolls if needed.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+45 : 6 + 45, total 51[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+23 : 8 + 23, total 31[/blockquote]
"Cresiel, I appreciate your desire to see this through." He smiles at him, hopefully charismatically enough to get him to back down — at least a little.
"Knowledge, you must understand, the puzzles you put forth outside of here really aren't the sort to challenge anyone who would've already made it to the House of Knowledge. On top of that, you bow stand before us, with no inkling of the ability we have or the knowledge and wisdom we possess. I am not sure why you're here in this cave, alone, with only books, but I have a feeling you eventually discovered your personality isn't one that harmonizes well with others. Regardless, your conduct is Ill-befitting of the station you have. My understanding is you wish to trade lore to grant it yourself - by that token, shouldn't you feel elated, even excited, to be able to add to your collection?"
It is with that that he flies up. Towards Knowledge's eye, to fly right there near it. When in a dragon's lair...
Well, that's one approach. Give me a Diplo check as well.
Take 10 for 115.
The wyrm stays reared back, your word enough to make Cresiel and Kaja cease.
"Fine," The dragon says gruffly, giving you a long look, reptilian eyes all on you now. "As much taste for the arts the mind as a slaad, but fine. What lore do you offer and what do you wish to know?" His voice is downright petulant as he adds, "It had better be good."
Like an adult child, this one.
Moore is all but certain he was kicked out of Bahamuts Palace...
Moore will recount his experiences with the lost tower on Fire, the Skallard Deona's folly, as well as the lava lizards, the arcane diagram and all he learned there.
"Assuming that is sufficient, I am seeking knowledge to aid me in solving an arcane equation." Moore explains. He produces a parchment with what he's learned this far to show it to him. "Anything you know that could add to this would be appreciated."
The Knowledge Dragon listens and when you present it, he barely glances at the paper before, "More. I require more lore."
"Are you sure," Xandra asks, voice gentle but ever so firm.
The dragon's glare is on Xandra, but no reply comes. Instead Xandra goes on, "Are you sure?" she asks again. "Wyrmling, are you sure?" This last statement is spoken in fluent draconic, guttural.
That gets the wyrm to glare all the more, shaking lightly. Dead silence, "I misspoke," he says, "That will suffice."
Moore turns to Xandra before he looks back to the Knowledge Dragon. "Then please tell me what you can about this." He says as he presents the arcane diagram again.
"Well..."
Give me the normal checks for this sort of thing, Moore.
Take 10 for 108 on the Knowledges and 103 on Spellcraft.
Lore! Lore. What's best is what he has fills in a few important gaps - things you've been working on bridging, things that make the entire whole snap in all the better. It's a breakthrough - real progress at last, enough pieces assembled to progress. All the pieces assembled plus this new work fits together beautifully, rewarding all the work everyone has put into this thus far.
49 points. Progression now.
343.
A beaming smile crosses his face. "You see? Isn't lore better when you have someone to share it with? I hope you'll consider being more open to having visitors, I think you'd gain a lot more from it than you realize." Moore says.
"Most visitors are dumb as rocks and dirt," The wyrm retorts, voice sullen.
Ah, there's the heart of the matter.
A pause as he considers his words.
"If you don't meet people you want to talk to by staying here, then why not go out and find people yourself?" He asks. "I'm sure you've been here by yourself for a while. I think you may have forgotten common customs because you've only had yourself to converse with. There's a whole Creation out there that you can help, and in turn me helped by. Maybe a lot of people are dumb as dirt, but they still might know something you don't, and you'd never know by sitting here."
"If those idiots know things I don't, then I should dip my head in lava in shame," The wyrm retorts immediately, hissing.
"Then stay and stew," Xandra says, "It is your choice. No growth comes without fuel to spur it, and you have nothing but what sits within these cold walls."
"If you decide to broaden your horizons and turn your knowledge into Wisdom then seek me out. I'm sure you have the knowledge of where to find me. Thank you for your time." Moore says.
With that, he gestures and a Greater Plane Shift returns them to Hopes Landing!
"Goodness gracious." Is all Moore can manage when they arrive.
Cresiel merely says, "That was exasperating."
"Were the puzzles that difficult?" Xandra says, "I didn't expect that level of annoyance."
"They weren't." Moore says. "Let us just hope he decides to one day realize his arrogance."
So assuming there's nothing pressing, I have two things; let's go over all the loot from the tower, as well as, Moore will go through the books he took from Foggard. I can't say exactly how many he got, but until now I totally forgot he had even taken some.
http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104250.msg1140175.html#msg1140175
It started here, for your reference, we never tallied everything because of, you know. That stuff.
Did I do a loot post or anything for that tower? I did, didn't I?
Yes, but we never priced it. I also wasn't sure if magic could fix all the weapons or not.
Sure. Link me?
http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104121.msg1158269.html#msg1158269
I am guessing you mean this.&
Sure, I can price that now if you wanna wait or after session, your call.
Later is fine. The priority is what we took from Foggard which may require a loot post anyway, lol
Cool, how are you reading them?
Cheating with Bibliotheca Arcana.
Gimme the normal round of checks.
Take 10 for 108 on the Ks and 103 on Spellcraft.
Luck is not with you - it's a scattering of tomes, but none terribly relevant to what you need. Alas.
That's about what we expected. Is there anything actually interesting in them? Maybe some legendary hidden treasure or something?!
No, just a scattering of various lore books, but nothing hugely interesting.
Moore will see to it that the books and scrolls are taken to Xiranthador where they can be cataloged and recorded as needed -- Grias can take care of that!
With that in mind, there's really only one place they haven't yet been... the Terminal Archives and this Abindos place.
But they have been gallivanting around a lot, so he'd best check in and make sure everything's all right at home!
So he's going to check in / up on Hope's Landing to make sure nothing weird has happened. Assuming not! It is time to head to Xiranthador to do research on Abindos to see if he can narrow down how to get there.
Abindos: A demiplane that is a repository of spirits who are said to know all lore. It's said to be lost somewhere in the Inner Planes, a demiplane with a mobile, drifting entrance.
You're due a realm update this weekend, I'm doing a bunch of those then. Just FYI.
You head home. You find Wood waiting for you just inside of the gate, staring at you intently.
"Oh, I know that look." Moore says. "Come on, let's go."
Wood leads you right inside. Sitting in one of the comfortable meeting rooms is an old man - weathered, wearing a robe and wizard's had. His clothing is old and patched. He pets Wood as the dog trots up, as you notice several canaries are on his shoulder. Your true seeing lets you see they are not canaries at all, but gold dragons that sing a beautiful song.
"Good dog," the man says, "Good dog."
"Lord Bahamut, I hope I did not keep you waiting overlong." Moore says, offering a bow as he approaches.
I don't think it's an unreasonable logical leap for him! He met Bahamut before, after all!
Yes.
"Your hope is well founded," Bahamut replies, "I have need of a message passed to Aurora, and our relations are not well. It would behoove this message if it is delivered by a trusted ally."
Moore smiles, almost apologetically.
"Thank you, Lord Bahamut." He says. "I would be happy to."
A sealed letter is produced, placed on the table. "You merely need to deliver it. There is no need to advocate for what is written within, save for the act of delivering it."
Moore nods. "It will be done." He says, simple and to the point.
"Thank you," Bahamut says, then stands, then is simply gone.
Moore wastes no time -- ...although, where is Aurora right now?
A simple sending should answer that!
'Hello, Morniel. I have something I need to deliver to Aurora with some urgency, is it currently located on Lifasa?'
'The Beastlands,' Morniel replies, 'By the River Oceanus.'
Moore goes to fetch Jetina, then one Greater Plane Shift, and they're outside Aurora!
"Thank you. You owe me cakes," Jetina says as you appear in the wilds of the Beastlands, Aurora before you.
Moore just smiles as he goes to enter Aurora to deliver this letter!
The moment you step in, Elena is there, looking about. "Well?" she asks you, as if that says it all.
"He's being curmudgeony. He hasn't responded to me so far." Moore says. He holds out the letter nonetheless.
"Grr..." Elena growls like a caged beast, stomping her foot. She takes the letter nonetheless, "Well, try again and tell him not to be like that!"
"Do you have something specific you'd like me to tell him that might get his attention?" Moore asks. "I'm sure you know a rather scandalous story or two..."
Elena paces back and forth before, "Tell him I'll tell everyone about the time with him, that Arcadian envoy and what really happened to that wand of magic missiles!"
"Once I get back home, I will do just that." Moore says. "I have a feeling he may be under some certain rules of non-interference or something, but I think I can at least get something from him."
"Well, drag him out from those," Elena demands.
"Don't worry." Moore says with a beaming smile. "You know how persistent I am. Oh, I don't think I told Morniel, but that letter is from Bahamut. I don't know what's in it, but it seemed important."
"I'll tell him," Elena says, "Make sure to give him a piece of my mind, got it?"
"You have my word." Moore says.
Let's go spend some money on cakes for Jetina. Moore will also stop by Filbrez and Vel afterwards. Filbrez to let him know about the trading hub and Vel to see if he has any suggestions on good libraries, or, better yet, books that might help with his Calley project.
Which cakes do you want to purchase, first of all?
I'll let Jetina decide what she wants. I'm a good friend.
Jetina wants one of each of the following:
Angel's Food Cake: Heals 2d10 points of damage, 1d4 points of ability score damage to one ability and grants a +1 alchemical bonus to saving throws for 10 minutes. 500 gold.
Chocolate Angel's Food Cake: Heals 2d10 points of damage, 1d4 points of ability score damage to one ability and grants a +1 alchemical bonus to armor class for 10 minutes. 500 gold.
Vanilla Angel's Food Cake: Heals 2d10 points of damage, 1d4 points of ability score damage to one ability and grants a +1 alchemical bonus to caster level checks for 10 minutes. 500 gold.
Princess Croissant: This snack really makes you feel and act like a princess! Grants a +2 alchemical bonus to Charisma for 10 minutes. 2,000 gold.
Muirfinn Special: Lots of fresh greens and seafood. Feeds your mind with a sage's wisdom. Heals 4d10 points of damage and grants a +2 alchemical bonus to Wisdom for 10 minutes, as well as a +1 alchemical bonus to caster level checks. 4,000 gold.
Additionally, finances permitting, she'd suggest picking up some of these for general use.
Nectar III: Everything good given lots of extra kick. Grants a +6 alchemical bonus to all ability scores for 10 minutes. 50,000 gold.
Moore Pudding: Sweet and yet packs a big punch. Grants a +1 bonus to bard level to determine bardic music effects for 10 minutes. 500 gold.
We will spend 10,000 buying one of each, plus 3 of the Moore Pudding.
He'll put in an order for the nectar another time.
Post the expense in loot?
I already did.
She'll leave your booster to you and put the rest on her sheet.
Once that's done, you...
Repaste the rest of your goals here real quick?
Moore will also stop by Filbrez and Vel afterwards. Filbrez to let him know about the trading hub and Vel to see if he has any suggestions on good libraries, or, better yet, books that might help with his Calley project.
Filbrez merely says, "I believe you mentioned that already," he says, "Or is it expanding again?"
"There's been a bit more attention given to it." Moore says. "I just thought I'd let you know."
"I'll see about diverting more attention and funds," Filbrez agrees.
Moore nods and will go see Vel!
Vel is in his shop, arms crossed. "No browsing", he says as you enter, "If you like a book, buy it."
"Yes, I remember the rule." Moore says. "But I can't know what's in any of these without actually looking. I need something specific for what I'm working on. If I explain it to you, could you tell me if you have something matching it?"
A curt nod, "Go on."
"I need some assistance with a particular arcane diagram. I think... well, I think it'll ultimately be to create a portal, or a rift somewhere, but I can't say that with certainty." Moore explains. "I could show you, if you think that'd help."
"In the back," Vel points, "Should be five or six of them."
Moore will go to look!
There is indeed six books available on a glance, a series called, 'Portalmancy'.
While he could cheat and just read them without reading them, that's not courteous. "How much for the set?" He asks.
"2,000," Vel says, bluntly.
It's for a good cause.
Moore withdraws 2000 gold and puts it down, then he pauses and puts another 500 there.
"If you find any similar books, or have any leads on things like that, please let me know." Moore says.
Posted in loot.
"I will," Vel says, the money taken and gone. "Any other purchases?"
"Have any on healing?" He asks as he looks around.
"Third shelf, far wall," Vel grunts.
Moore goes to look!
There's a handful of books here - two you know from other libraries, but one is titled, "Gwinnan's Guide to Healing Across The Planes."
Moore decides to just grab that one and heads over to Vel.
"300 gold," he announces, right to the point.
Moore puts it down.
"Thank you Vel. I'll see you later."He says.
Time to go back and see if these books amount to anything!
Will add the 300 to the loot post.
Sure.
Gimme the routine checks for these.
Take 10 for 108 on the Ks and 103 on Spellcraft.
Some luck is with you - you manage to wring out 4 points from the portal book. Progress!
Total?
347.
Moore nods, just about halfway there. That's incredible!
He's mostly out of options as it pertains to libraries, though, unless he wants to go to the Terminal Archives... which he doesn't want to do.
With that in mind, though...
He's going to use his Sending orb to Medi with the following message: 'I am aware you have some form of non-interference you have to adhere to, but I know you're alive and have a lot I need to talk to you about. I've been authorized to tell you, quote, "I'll tell everyone the time with him, that Arcadian envoy and what really happened to that wand of magic missiles!"
Perhaps predictably, you get no reply at all.
He can't reply through normal means... but he can show up... right?
Moore goes to find Xandra!
You find Xandra in the yard, sparring with Kaja. Two practice scimitars easily hold Xandra's greatsword at bay, each clash a setback for the trumpet archon. Kaja's grinning as he fights. A slash, a sweep - and Xandra goes down in a tangle of limbs, landing hard and staying down.
"...I yield," she manages after. "I yield."
Moore claps at the resolution. "Well done, both of you." He says as he approaches.
Kaja turns with a big smile, a wooded sword raised in salute.
That's when Xandra's legs sweeps out, a startled cry as Kaja tumbles to the ground in a heap.
Xandra rises, "I am an archon, but neither am I an honor sworn knight," she says, "As you said yourself - the enemy often cares little of honor."
Kaja looks up with a grin, "Well said." he says, as Xandra turns and gives him a hand getting up.
Moore laughs at that display and claps again. "I hope I'm not interfering."
"No, learning how the enemy fights is important to defeat them," Xandra agrees, "Knowledge is the key that opens the door to victory."
"Rather, it's how you know to dodge or attack," Kaja retorts, "Still in those books, Moore?"
Moore shakes his head. "I just finished, actually. We're almost halfway there. My reason for showing up here was to ask you something, Xandra. Do you remember the guest we had some weeks ago who just... showed up out of the blue? He took us both by surprise." Moore explains.
OOC check for clarity: Which one do you have in mind?
Here you go: http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104212.msg1128858.html#msg1128858
"Yes, I do," Xandra agrees, "What about him?"
"Were we both awake?" Moore asks. "I know that sounds odd, but if anyone would know it'd be you."
"If we were asleep," Xandra says with a smile, "What a strange dream to share."
Moore nods, an odd sense of seriousness on his face. "Okay. He seems to be under some specific rules, but can apparently show up wherever he wants. He mentioned once to me something about not lying when he was here... so I think he has some a limitation of some sort. I'm trying to figure out if he CAN come back."
"Logical - but can you produce any logic that can decisively determine this?" Is Xandra's reply.
"No. It's just supposition at this point." Moore says. "If he can't come here then maybe I should try and find a way to go to him..."
"How do we find someone like that?" Xandra asks then, "That's the question I'm at ad dead end at.
"Someone who doesn't want to be found?" Moore asks. "If anyone would know..." Moore turns and looks up at the top towards Celestia's peak.
"If anyone," Xandra agrees, "There's worse ideas."
"Let's see what infinite mysteries we can find today." Moore says as he starts to fly up.
Obviously anyone is welcome but I assume only Xandra is going.
How high are you flying?
Until we are stopped. If that means we make it up to Jovar then we make it up to Jovar.
Sure, quick d100.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 32, total 32[/blockquote]
Your trip to Jovar is uninterrupted this time, the light radiant and bright here. So bright it's almost hard to see, suffusing everything here.
"Well, in that case..." Moore says as he will attempt to rise up to where Xerona is stationed.
If my memory serves, she said at some point in the past that she speaks for Zaphkiel in some fashion?
Yes, she is a seraph. So you're going to the Bridge of Al-Sihal?
That is correct, yes.
Thus you fly on. You fly closer and closer to the light, ever closer. Ahead is a great crowd, more and more heading towards the Bridge. Celestials, mortals and many other creatures, hundreds and uncounted hundreds coming from all directions, all towards the Bridge.
Come.
Now are the times of ascension. Come all who would leave behind the weight of sin.
Moore closes his eyes, for the briefest of moments.
Perhaps one day, but today is not the day.
He opens them again and looks around for Xerona!
Far ahead you see one brilliant point of light amid the radiance, a single guardian at the rainbow bridge far ahead.
Moore proceeds ahead!
A little slower, though.
You go.
Xandra's hand on your shoulder stops you.
"Moore," her voice is gentle, "Not now."
Moore blinks, then blinks again.
"Ah... too close, huh?" A small smile as he turns to look towards the point of light.
"Lady Xerona, I apologize for the intrusion. I come in seek of holy wisdom." Moore says. He keeps his voice quiet, surely to be heard even amongst this eternal joy for the others.
There is no reply, yet you are certain you are being heard and listened to.
"I would like to understand how Medi has returned, if possible." Moore says. "I need to find him, and I think it would help if I understood the circumstances."
"He has returned for his own reasons, though it was not by his hand he returned. He wishes that his rest was uninterrupted." Is the answer, a soundless voice into your ear.
That certainly sounds like him.
"Do you know how I can find him?" He asks, pointedly.
"See the elder titan," Is the answer you get.
"Thank you." Moore says.
He can't be selfish and ask who that is, but he can figure it out.
With that, he will descend back down!
Thus you go down and...
Next move with that info?
Would Moore be privy to any titans that had anything to do with Medi at any point?
You might, or you could just ask Elena or Aurora, they could tell you more.
Moore will use his Sending stone, then!
'Hi Elena, It's Moore. Do you know any 'elder titan' that might've worked with Medi?'
Unless he knows that wouldn't work. If that is the case then he'll ask Tepen.
You get your answer from Tepen, 'Oh yes, one visited Aurora before your time. I believe his name was..Branli or Brani. Allow me to ask Elena.'
Moore will wait for an answer, trusting that Tepen can manage a sending of his own.
'Brani. He visited during the war,' Tepen says, 'An elder titan: Not a creature to trifle with.'
'Do you know where I might be able to find him?'
Another pause of time before, 'I'm afraid not,' Tepen sends back.
Moore nods.
In that case...
He takes a deep breath.
He uses his stone to send to Brani himself.
'Brani, my name is Moore. I apologize for the sudden nature of this, but I think you may understand why I am contacting you.'
'Can't say that I do,' A voice replies in your mind. 'So who are you and what do you want?'
'I was part of Aurora. I need to speak to Medi. He already visited a few times.'
'Have you tried time travel? Medi's been dead a long time.' Is the answer you get.
'I know he's alive. I am aware of his circumstances. I received wisdom from the highest point in Celestia, so... I know he didn't want to be brought back. He already came and complained I wasn't doing enough about Shar.'
'You must be mistaken,' Is the answer you get, 'Anyone can claim to be Medi for whatever reason they have.'
'So you're telling me that Zaphkiel's advice to me to 'seek the elder titan' was just somehow mistaken?'
You get no reply to that at all.
Moore takes in a breath.
'Brani, I would respectfully like to visit you in an official capacity as Duke of Songs of Celestia, servant of Lord Erathaol of the Hebdomad.'
If he ignores that he really won't have a lot of other options, but...
Trying to intimidate here?
Honestly I was wanting the tone to be firm diplomacy.
Okay, gimme a check then, -70 circumstance penalty.
Take 10 for 60, then.
You don't get any reply to that at all.
"Xandra, I think we need to apply strong arm diplomacy." Moore says, sounding unnaturally irritated.
"I see," Xandra says softly, "What do you wish to do?"
"We need to find Brani and get answers out of him." Moore says. "I don't know how we best achieve that goal."
"We need to find him but how?" Xandra says, "Elder titans are mighty beings and fighting them is said to be one of the greatest follies short of fighting a deity."
"I don't want to fight him, but I think If we meet in person he will understand why I need to find Medi." Moore says. He looks up again. "He has to be somewhere..."
"But where?" Xandra asks aloud.
"Well, he certainly won't tell me, but I wonder if he'd tell someone else?" Moore says. "Are you aware of anyone in Celestia who's had dealings with him?"
"No, but elder titans sleep for ages at a time and are reclusive," Xandra says, a pause to look skyward. "I wonder how Medi even got one to cooperate? I understand that if roused enough, they'd rather send some regular titans to aid instead of personally getting involved."
"He had a lot of time." Moore says. "I wonder if Elena would know."
"Thus, to Aurora again," Xandra says, then with a faint smile, "I do not require cakes, however."
Moore lets out a grateful sigh as they're off with Greater Plane Shift!
On your return to Aurora, Elena appears and says, "Anything?" Right in the courtyard, not even giving you a moment to get in.
"I was given the runaround by Brani." Moore says. "I need to find him in order to find... him. Did you ever talk to him?"
"Uh..." Elena considers, "He came by once, I think Afina and Jaela talked to him. That was before your time here."
"Long story short, I need to find him. So he never came by like... waaaaay long ago?" Moore asks. "Before this place was Aurora?"
"Oh, in the past he did visit," Elena says, "That's how he knew Medi and he helped out before it went all wrong."
"Did he ever mention where he lived? I may just have to... go there." Moore says. "It's ridiculous, he acted like he wasn't alive even though I know better, literally from the master of Chronias themselves."
"Well...He mentioned somewhere...a demiplane, I think?" Elena says, "I don't know where it is or if it's still intact, though."
Moore lets out a deep sigh. "It's always demiplanes..."
"I must say," Xandra finally says with a frown, "Events since that dragon have been vexing."
"Hey, demiplanes are great," Elena complains, looking around pointedly.
"I feel like we need divine intervention." Moore says. He blinks.
"I know who we need to talk to. Thanks Elena, sorry to bother you!" Moore says. Again, another Greater Plane Shift, and...!
They're going to go see Io.
Short break, need to ice my shoulder. Post back so I know I need to post to you, okay?
good luck mega man!
You go out to cast Greater Plane Shift. However, there is a problem. As you do, one giant boot appears before you. It's on the foot of a titanic figure, the boot alone taller than a fire giant. A massive figure looms above Aurora, bringing on a new night thanks to his shadow. A figure in what looks to be plate armor and with a white beard.
Moore cranes his neck to look up. He may have to shout...
This certainly could be Brani, but he has no idea what he looks like, so he manages to at least offer a polite bow as introduction.
Amdi cries of alarm from air elementals and others, one gigantic hand comes down.
Xandra merely waits, unconcerned.
The hand scoops the two of you up gently, enfolding you into darkness. There's a momentary ripple all around you, a feeling of plane shift, something you know well.
Moore simply waits!
Surely there's going to be a good explanation for everything that's been going on behind the scenes...
You are put down. You seem to be in an open plane, nothing but grass and sunshine as far as you can see. The figure before you shrinks down to a mere Hanna sized version of himself. He's big and burly, clad in plate armor and a horned helmet. He has eyes of pure blue, like the sky.
"You're Moore?" he asks, "You're Xandra?"
"That is correct." Moore says, simply.
With an openly exasperated expression, "You went out of your way to bother me why now?" he says, bluntly. "Do they not pass out common sense in Celestia any more?"
Moore takes in a deep breath.
"Because I was told to seek you out, unless there's another 'elder titan' you're aware of that knows why he's back." He says, slowly and calmly.
Are you immune to fear?
I am, in fact.
It's a terrible gaze, yet you don't break under it.
"Contrary to what you may know, there are more than a few of us," Brani declares, looming over you. "More than that, IF Medi was back, you'd be meddling in something best not meddled in."
Moore stands -- well, flies his ground.
"I am aware that he is under some sort of... non-interference agreement that I am making very difficult." Moore says. "I..." He looks over towards Xandra. "Surely, they must know about... 'that,' right?"
Since I realize I am being even too vague for my own good, he's referring to the Ao/Shar stuff they spoke to Io about.
Xandra shakes her head minutely.
"Whatever you're taking about," the titan rumbles, "I suggest you talk about it amid yourselves and kindly stop chasing up hills. There's enough trouble in Creation without making more of your own."
"Let's pretend for a moment that he is alive, and you know how to find him and speak to him." Moore says. He withdraws a few pieces of paper and holds them out. "In that incredibly, hypothetical scenario, that probably doesn't exist, would you have him look at these? I am... well aware of what I am asking of an elder titan, so I would please, humbly ask that you understand that it is of dire importance, and I would not ask such a thing foolishly."
They're what Moore has collected so far on Calley's research, to be clear.
Diplo check, -80 circumstance penalty.
[21:37] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+50 let's get a 20
[21:37] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d20+50 let's get a 20 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{54}
Brani looks less than amused, "After all this, you want me to look over your...what is that, research? You have a titan's balls, I'm amazed you're flying with them weighing you down." he cracks his knuckles, "But do you have a titan's power?"
"I have many talents." Moore says. "But no, a titan's power is not one of them. The best I can do is to bring hope to those without it and to push people past their limits. My own ability to fight by myself is not great."
Xandra draws her blade, stepping in front of you. "Should you harm a hair on Moore's head, I will kill you." Her voice is calm throughout, not looking away from the elder titan.
A moment of tension, where nothing moves in the slightest. The air itself is dead still, the warmth from ab-
"Put away your toys and turn on your brains." A familiar, tired and downright grumpy voice. "Before one of you does something I'll have to clean up." His voice comes from everywhere and nowhere.
Brani grunts and steps back. "I've never met a trumpet archon that can challenge me. I was hoping she'd be the first."
"I wouldn't mind showing you what we can do." Moore says. "But in a friendly way."
He glances off to the side.
"I'm sorry for the trouble I'm causing you -- both of you." Moore says.
Brani stays quiet as the voice goes right on. "You went to the trouble and Brani didn't think to ignore you altogether."
"I try not to live my life like a reclusive asshole," Brani growls, "Try it sometime."
"Ignore them, what are the odds they'd have found you?" The voice goes right on.
"How is that sporting and what trouble would they get up to?" Brani says, "They're not bad, they used Medicant for a good cause." He looks to the side, "Would it have done them any good to chase at something they'd never find?"
"They're heroes. They make trouble by doing anything. The sort they are, they can end up fighting a dragon on the way to getting porridge for breakfast," The voice declares tiredly. "Then face down a 20 headed hydra when they go back for seconds."
"Takes one to know one," Brani says, rolling his eyes. "I still can't believe they managed to find a daemon druid who could take the form of oatmeal. I still also can't believe you noticed it instead of eating it. How did the daemon even GET access to those kitchens in the first place?"
"I think you both know we're a persistent bunch, so I would've likely found this somehow anyway." Moore says. "Besides, you're the one who kept coming and bothering me and being curmudgeony, what was I supposed to do, let it go?"
He clears his throat. "I don't expect that you'll explain what's going on, but it'd be nice. If you want, I'll trade you what you're doing here for how I figured out anathemic knowledge." A small smile creeps onto his face.
"I've taken steps recently to resolve that limitation," The voice says, "But I'll do it if you let Brani slink away with only one failure to his name today."
"You're like an old smilodon, grumpy and lashing out at anything," Brani counters right back, "Like an old cat."
"Yeah, but it sounds like you just cheated." Moore says.
He turns to Brani. "...This is kind of addicting, I see why you do it so often."
He clears his throat. "I can only give you my word that I won't speak of anything that's happened here. Whatever that's worth to you is up to you, but I did come with a purpose, besides just getting you to go back to Elena at least once."
"Fine, get on with what you want," The voice declares.
Brani merely looks amused at your comment.
"Yes, we should get to the point," Xandra agrees, "Rather than quarreling."
"I don't know how much of current events you're aware of, so forgive me if this repeats something you already know." Moore says, as he clears his throat.
"The bearer of 21 -- which, if I need to explain, I can -- Sylvie, is currently missing. I do not know where exactly she is, but I have a few ideas." He begins, as he holds up the papers he has. "She imparted knowledge to her son, which seems to have resulted in him being able to come up with the basis of some sort of arcane diagram that I have reason to believe will open a portal, rift, gate... something of that nature, to where she is. I have a little under half of the total pieces of this puzzle, and I was hoping you might be able to fill in some of the gaps."
"So you want me to solve this for you," The voice says, to the point.
"Considering how many different places I've been to find different parts that make up this puzzle, I'd be surprised if even you could just solve it in one look." Moore says. "I wasn't expecting it to be solved when I found you, but if you're able to, then I would see no reason to not be willing to accept that sort of assistance."
"Everyone has talents," The voice goes on, "Mine is being able to do what shouldn't be able to be done, if you haven't paid attention." A sheaf of papers appear, "Here, that should help."
Moore takes the papers.
"Thank you. I have another favor I'd like to ask of you -- I don't understand your current situation and perhaps don't need to, but I'd like to do a favor for Elena." Moore says. "Is there any way to help her remember all the anathemic knowledge you built up in Aurora? Or, if there's no way to do that, I'd like to at least bring her back something since it seems like you're not going to be able to visit her anytime soon."
"It's not done," The voice says, as a clear glass cube the size of Hanna's fist or so plops to the ground. "I'm sure you can figure it out if you put the time and sweat into it. She'll understand when she sees it."
"All right." Moore says. "Well, I'm sure you know where to find me if there's ever anything I can do for you."
A smile follows that as he turns to the elder titan. "Brani, if you'd like to challenge my group, you can find us at Hope's Landing in Lunia any time you'd like."
He turns back to address the voice. "I know you're limited in what you can do, but you have an open invitation there as well. I'm at your disposal."
Moore will bend down to pick up the cube.
You get the cube. When you look up, Brani is gone.
"Well," Xandra says, "We're blessed Brani had our best interests in mind. I don't believe for a minute that an elder titan would be so foolish as to give us this unless he wished to give us this."
"I think he just like digging at Medi." Moore says. "Which I can't blame him for. Anyway, we have what we need, so let's go home."
A smile and a Greater Plane Shift later, and they're back in Hope's Landing!
He will check the notes and the cube over. 108 on appropriate Knowledges and 103 on Spellcraft for both.
Raw Int check as well.
[13:50] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+25
[13:50] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d20+25 --> [ 1d20=18 ]{43}
It's somehow illuminating, seeming to provide deep insights - ones you had no idea about, displayed as casually as you can imagine.
68. What's your total?
347 + 68 = 415. We broke the halfway mark! Hooray!
And for the cube? Same checks, I assume.
K:A.
108!
The cube looks to be some sort of upgrade for Elena - all aspects of her mind, including recall and recollection.
He said it wasn't done, though, right?
Is there anything about it that seems undone or not complete?
Yes. The base of it is in place, but a good chunk of the actual enchanting to actualize it is not in place yet.
It looks fairly specific to Aurora's systems, too.
Well, that's no surprise.
He may as well deliver it -- if they want help with it they can ask, at any rate.
One more Greater Plane Shift over.
Thus you return to Aurora. The moment you step in Elena's there, "Well?"
Moore holds up the cube in response.
Elena stares at that, then blinks. "That's...-! How?" she asks aloud.
"...Really?!" Moore blurts out, his face full of amused exasperation. "I've been telling you this whole time and you keep demanding, and now you're asking me how?! How do you think I got this!?"
With the cube held Elena waves her arms up and down, "Well, answer me! It could be a fake for all I know or a trick!"
"...REALLY?!" Moore shouts.
He takes in a deep breath.
"He gave it to me. He's still being a curmudgeony old man, but I can tell he still cares about you and this place. It's... uh, not done -- it's incomplete, I mean, but I think it'd still work a little bit, anyway." He explains. "I don't think he's going to be able to physically come here and see you for a while... I don't know that for certain, but I'm pretty sure on that."
Elena shrinks back, "...It's not done," she says, defensively, "Someone will need to finish it."
"If that's a request, then I can work on it." Moore says. "I wasn't sure if you'd want me to, or wanted others here to do it."
"Well...Afina would be good, but she's off hunting Gathgorian," Elena considers, "Sylvie would be great, but..." A trail off there. "Are you skilled at that sort of artisan work?"
"You know I can do anything if I set my mind to it." Moore declares.
"...well..." Elena says, "Then come on, can you try?"
Moore makes an extremely melodramatic marching motion forward.
Before anything else, he'd want to get a general of idea of how much time this is likely to take for him to do. It's not that he won't do it if it will take time, but he'd still try and figure it out!
Okay, do you have any item crafting feats or can you get access to them somehow? Need to know that first.
He can do literally anything! ~bards~
Seriously, you can pull out item creation feats from nowhere?
Oh, sorry, somehow I misread feats as 'skills'... not sure how I managed that one.
No, he does not have any item crafting feats.
You fiddle with it a time but quickly realize you're going to need more specialized knowledge in item creation. You know a lot, but that's a very demanding field that requires an investment of talent.
Surely Gold's still there!
Gold is. Want to pass it onto him?
He can be the primary and I can handle anything else, if that works. I can also help him be better at it.
Sure. This will take at the bare minimum a week, Gold thinks. You okay with the time investment?
Yes. It has the potential to lead to knowledge that Elena might have that can be of assistance.
Alright then. Xandra will stay to support you and manage communications while you're busy.
How much can you augment Gold?
He can give him +15 on all of his checks... actually, he can aid him too, so +17.
Oh, he can also buff his actual scores, so... +4 more, so 21. :) Ironic.
I'm going to need bonus types, so break that down for me? I should have mentioned that in the previous post, my bad.
+8 competence to skills (inspire competence), +5 untyped (song of fortune), +2 also untyped (Share Talent), aid is another +2... and then the bonus to actual scores is morale too, I think?
Oh, no it's competence. Okay.
After a few days of this, Gold frowns. He watches the cube silently for several minutes until he at last says, "I need more," he confesses, "This craftsmanship is beyond my own ability," he says, as if pulling the words out one word at a time, a struggle. "I need another, trusted and powerful item crafter, preferably one who knows Aurora."
"Well, I know two, neither of whom are available, unfortunately." Moore says. "I was hoping this would lead to me being able to find one of them... hm."
Moore leans back as he thinks. "I hate to leave it undone until I find her... I wonder if the best bet would be to ask Afina to come back and help with this, at least for a time."
"She may be best, if she is available," Gold considers, "She did a lot of work around Aurora. Are no others available, though?"
"Hey, Elena." Moore calls out as he waits for her to show up. "Aren't there any other people who helped either make Aurora or who helped build up certain parts of it, besides Sylvie and Afina? I don't mind going and trying to find them."
Elena smiles sadly, "It's been a long time, Moore," she says. "I could check, but..."
"Elena!" Moore says loudly. "We have a dragon right here! Who cares how long it's been? Some people might still be around! Don't give up hope!"
Elena looks down and sniffles. "I just...I..." A soft cry, a few tears trickling down her cheeks.
Moore swivels in his chair.
"Hey! Hey, none of that!" He says, waving his hands in front of her. "There's no need to cry! There's no need to be upset at all, it'll be okay!"
Gold freezes at that while Elena cries ever so softly, "It's just....Medi...everything....sometimes I miss them so much and I just want to see them all again, but they all died or left and...You idiot...you idiot, Medi...why'd you come back and tease me like this?"
"Elena..." He takes in a breath. "I always wondered how you managed to deal with this sort of thing. It's okay. We're not going to go anywhere or stop until this is done."
Elena falls to her knees, burying her face in her hands as she cries.
Under normal circumstances, this is where a hug would be helpful, but that's a bit difficult.
All he can do is fly down to sit with her.
"There, there... it's all right. Let it out, you'll feel better." He says quietly.
Elena cries as you comfort her, "It...I just miss him so much," she finally sniffles after crying.
"Hey, there's no need to cry. He's alive, right?" Moore says with a smile. "So that's one step closer than you were a few months ago. Besides, maybe when this device is completed, it might... I dunno, maybe we can figure out some way to connect you to him with it, or something like that."
"Y-yeah," Elena sniffles, "I'm...you keep working, okay?" she says with a shaky smile, and is then gone.
"Let me go do some digging." Moore says. "You keep doing what you can with that, please."
Intent will be to go to the library and see if there are any books documenting who helped with Medicant/Aurora's original construction. Surely, some of them must still be around or have become outsiders or were immortal anyway or something...
Sure, give me an K:A check with Aurora's library bonus.
I think that was 15...? So 123, in that case.
There's not a lot - it looks like Medi was the primary builder in any case. Details are scant simply due to time more than anything else. As you sit back and put aside another book?
"...Moore?" Elena says from behind you.
"Hm?" Moore turns around. "Oh, what's up?"
"T-thanks." she murmurs, "For what you're doing."
Moore waves a hand dismissively.
"It's the same thing I'd do for any of my close friends. Don't worry about it." A smile after that. "I probably am not going to be able to find anyone who helped put this place together, but I have a few ideas on where I can go to get something that may be just as good."
"Just...get Afina or Sylvie or someone we know, okay?" she finally says, "I know them and I trust them." With a small sniffle, "If you can get them."
"All right." Moore says. "I'll see what I can do."
Elena smiles faintly and is gone once more.
I'm, OOC, not really sure of the ramifications of asking Afina to help with this. Moore would be happy to ask her to come help IC and then assist with the whole thing, but I leave it in your hands how to adjudicate all of that.
I ran it by Eb and we agreed that it's best not to have Afina cameo as run by Eb. So if you invoke her it'll mostly be handwaved so she has minimum on screen time and is instead an offscreen force of terror asset.
He doesn't really have a lot of other options at present, so yes, he would indeed Break Glass in case of emergency.
It turns out Afina can spare the time and comes forth, diving right into it. Once she's at it Xandra adds, "Will we stay now?"
"I'd be a bad friend if I didn't help however I can." Moore says.
Intent will be to give the +21 worth of bonuses to ensure everything goes as well as it can.
It takes time and effort, but sure enough with Afina being the third piece, the cube is completed. It sits before you now, the enchantments finished and bound together.
Nothing to do now except... use it?
...
...How does it...
"Elena, do you just absorb this?" He asks aloud.
"Allow me," Morniel's voice, approaching, "It has to be used by the Celestial Key. Stay there, Elena will know when it's activated."
"The what?" Moore asks. "You know what, I probably don't need to know."
"It was before our times," Morniel agrees, taking the cube and off. Soon enough Elena flickers several times before she lets out, "Aaaaah!" and falls to the ground. "Ow," she murmurs.
There's just one thing - she looks solid now, not ghostly in the least.
Moore reaches out to poke her in the shoulder.
Experimentally.
It's a solid shoulder. Very fleshy as you'd expect.
So can she just be a ghost if she wants to be? Huh.
"Hey, how do you feel?" Moore asks. "Any more... uh, solid?"
"I'm solid," Elena muses aloud, slowly.
A voice is heard, soft but familiar, none of the normal grumpiness in it. "I missed so many of them, so...happy birthday, Elena. Be happy."
Moore smiles and pats her on the shoulder. "I think that's the only time I've ever heard him not be curmudgeony."
"You idiot," Elena cries, but this time in happiness, as she hugs you to her tightly.
Xandra stands back with a warm smile on her face, saying nothing, merely watching it all.
Moore just hugs her back. "Welcome home." He says as he lets her have her moment.
"Thank you..." Elena sniffs, and then says, "...say," she says slowly, "You buy cute girls who ask you to cake, don't you?"
"..." Moore slowly sighs, but smiles.
He blinks, then a larger smile creeps onto his face. "Yes, that's right. Say, do you... by any chance, remember our anathemic knowledge talk now...?"
Elena considers, nods. "I can remember, but I'm not supposed to talk about those things lightly," she says, "That was included, because I know things other people shouldn't know."
Moore smiles and gives her a hug, nonetheless.
He's almost on the verge of tears himself, his voice overjoyed. "It's okay. The important thing is I fulfilled my promise to be able to talk to you about it. It may not be significant to Creation, but it's significant to me."
"One," Xandra murmurs, "Is that the answer?"
Elena meanwhile hugs you tight, a moment of shared happiness together.
"...So can you still be a ghost if you want to be?" Moore asks as he pulls away from her.
Elena turns incorporeal several moments and then back, "Ta da!"
"Good to know." Moore says. "Well, I have a lot more questions, but... I think you both deserve some snacks -- my treat, of course."
Thus, a moment of happiness as the three of you go off. For a brief time all the pressures of your life seem far away, duties momentarily put aside for simple companionship.
Okay, next move? This will start a new thread, FYI.
Before he goes back, he'd ask Elena to look over his research into Calley's stuff so far. If she's able to help, great, if not, that's okay too.
He would also ask if maybe she's aware of any libraries that he hasn't already gone to.
Okay, we'll start with that in a new thread.