Gearing up (Moore, Ithea)

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d100 vs 85 Moore
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 vs 85 Moore  --> [ 1d100=68 ]{68}

Crystal takes point, Hanna following and Mei bringing up the rear. You forge ahead for a short time, until you come to a vertical tunnel. A chasm extending up and down in both directions. Winding outcrops of gold and gemstones provides a rough path that can be followed with difficult jumps. It both ascends up and plummets down. The entire thing is radiant with glorious light, a rainbow blast of color from various gems.

Not that you have time to admire it. There are creatures just before it, standing in guard. Eight of them are larger than men, rivaling Hanna in size. They are creatures of rock, gems and metal, composites. Two are even larger, dwarfing Hanna and all the party. They are the same, but each has a large, glittering diamond in place of a head.

"STOP." Both of the huge ones advance forward, 100ft from the party. "WHAT BUSINESS DO YOU HAVE IN MINERAL, THIEVES?"

[Nephrite]

"We wish to see Lord Crystalle of Mineral." Moore states plainly. "We come from Aurora and wish to establish diplomatic ties with him."

He figures just being upfront and honest will work. If it doesn't... well, they'll pass that hurdle when they get there.

[Anastasia]

"Yes," Crystal says, "We do not seek to steal from you." She opens her hands and spreads her arms, "We have not taken a single thing since we arrived."

"Exactly. Do you know my kind?" Hanna asks, "We do not lie. The fey speak truly."

The elementals don't reply right away, watching the party instead.

[Nephrite]

Moore glances over at the others and then back at the elementals.

"If you'd like us to prove that intention somehow, we certainly can... But if you wanted to take us to Lord Crystalle, then you could watch us on the way to ensure we do not take anything, if that is a concern of yours." Moore says.

At least they didn't immediately call the party liars... so that's good.

[Anastasia]

Make the dreaded pixie diplo check. Hanna and Crystal aided and both have ranks, so they take 10 to give you a +4 bonus.

[Nephrite]

[13:23] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+37+4 Diplo
[13:23] <Serith> Nephrite roll for Serith < 60 > [d20=19]

[Anastasia]

There's a long pause as the elementals are silent, before the two huge ones rumble, "PASS. BUT WE ARE WATCHING YOU."

[Nephrite]

"Thank you!" Moore says to them. It's always good to start things off well!

"Up and around, yes?" Moore asks the others before he starts to fly that way!

[Anastasia]

Hanna and Crystal follow, while Mei takes a moment. She closes her eyes and concentrates, wings of light emerging from her back. She follows, the entire party airborne and ascending.

> roll 1d100 vs 75
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 19 > [d100=19]
> roll 1d100 vs 80
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 17 > [d100=17]

The party flies on amid wealth for an hour and then two. Much easier than jumping and struggling along. In fact, you see few creatures here, only the occasional elemental on a chunk of stone or large gem. In time you come to an opening on the far wall, a passage leading away from this tunnel, which continues to rise up.

[Nephrite]

"Hm... have we run into the slope yet?" Moore asks the others. "I don't think so... 'Up and around the slope ahead,' is pretty generic, but... I think we keep going up." Moore reasons. "Unless I'm misinterpreting."

[Anastasia]

Mei nods sharply as she continues to rise. Hanna hovers a moment and glances at Moore, "You're the diviner," she says, going back on and up. Only Crystal pauses briefly, "Yes, onward," she says, spurring Hope on.

[Nephrite]

Moore continues up! No need to be distracted here!

[Anastasia]

You fly up a little higher - and to the side you see a small, winding path. Easy to miss, only spotted easily because the party's looking for it. It hooks away and further into Mineral.

[Nephrite]

"There we go!" Moore calls out, pointing it out. He stops and starts to fly towards it!

[Anastasia]

Mei floats on over and lands gracefully, peering ahead. Hanna follows, need to crouch a bit to fit in. Crystal brings up the rear, slowly manuevering past others - through Hanna's legs, beneath Moore and then Mei's side. "I agree, this does look like it. I only hope it's not a terribly long trip, for the elementals appear restless and waiting for an excuse to cause mayhem."