Aaaah. Rest and recovery. Breakfast is taken in the den the next morning.
Miranda with her back to the fire, slowly eating an apple, slice by slice. Champion is curled up at her feet, gnawing on a bone. Victory is sprawled out in front of the fire, sleeping.
Dana and Benyen are cuddling on a couch, Benyen talking, "So then," he says, "I took the harpoon and jumped off the ship, stabbing it right into the demon whale's back."
Calleigh pops over the back of the cough between the two, "There's demon whales!?"
Meanwhile, Tryll uses Correspond to reach out to Hanna: 'Hanna, are you still in Paxunia? Do you need assistance?'
"There was," Benyen says, "I killed them all."
Meanwhile Miranda gives you a little nod as you send a message to Hanna. 'I'm back, what did you want?'
"Like, were they just demony whales or actual demony whales?"
'We have a Valkyrie now, and we're having issues getting her safely onto primes. Was curious how you normally do it.'
"Oh, demon tainted," Benyen says, "I think, anyway. They were evil and receptive to smiting, which is good enough for me."
Meanwhile, Tryll gets a message back. 'Normally I didn't have to worry about it. I've grown vastly stronger since I joined Aurora.'
'Any suggestions?'
'There's a tenth circle spell that's of limited help,' Hanna sends back. 'Cresiel also mentioned techniques to help, though I don't know them myself.'
'I suppose I'll reach out to Cresiel and ask him, then. Thank you, Hanna.'
'You're welcome. Good luck.'
'Okay!' Tryll says to the group. "Hanna's got pretty much nothing. Miranda, any luck?'
"None whatsoever," she admits after a moment, "Amazingly," she says this free of sarcasm, "Going to a power and asking to be a proxy is tremendously unproductive."
"Really?" Calleigh asks, "Is it that big of a deal?"
"Yeah, I'm wondering that," Benyen pipes up, "Did you try dragging in a mutant dire bear pack in with it? I used that to impress a governor once, all the bear corpses seemed to impress him."
Miranda chuckles, "No, but the point is that proxies are trusted servants who earn it, the right hands of the deity they serve."
"So we gotta get you super trusted then." Calleigh muses.
"Which is not easily done," Miranda concurs, "That is a reward for a long time follower, or a chosen one or similar things."
"So we make you someone they want to choose," Dana shrugs, "Find the right fucking power and sort that shit out."
"Sounds like it's time for some quests!"
"Yeah?" Dana leans forward, "What you got in mind, squid boy?"
"I'm a girl!"
Dana shrugs, "Whatever, point is, what are we doing?"
"I dunno. Relaxing?"
"Well, when we're done relaxing!" Dana retorts.
"Oh like for the quest!"
"Yes, so what quest do you h ave in fucking mind?" Dana drawls out, "Or are you going to drag this out like a bad bard's comedy routine?"
"I don't know, I'm enjoying it," Miranda keeps on eating her breakfast amid it all, "This is a good part of the adventuring cycle, before things get too hectic."
"I dunno! We've got stuff to do around the planes, and we could probably get Tempus to give us a quest! Somehow!"
"How about a dragon?" Benyen speaks up, "It's always good it go fight some evil dragons."
"How about some evil nagas?" Miranda speaks up, "Or some astral stalkers?"
'Actually, I'd like to check Medi's library to see if he had anything on this before marauding across the planes.' Tryll says.
"You go do that," Dana says, "Nooot going back there since I don't wanna get drawn into whatever shit Jaela's doing right now."
'What?'
"Thing is," Dana drawls, "We go back there and the next thing we know, we're fighting first vampires and giant demon whales," Dana says, "We'd have to share the loot with them."
"Dana has a point," Benyen says, "Demon whales are short on plunder on top of it, so that's a concern."
'You're just afraid you might take a liking to one of the baby squids.'
"What the fuck ever," Dana grumps, "Let's just get this going!"
Tryll accepts his triumph gracefully. 'We actually already have several things we could be doing.'
"Then let's get started," Miranda says, finishing her breakfast.
"Yeah, let's go," Dana agrees.
Ball is in your court.
'Well, we have a number of different leads, thanks in no small part to Dana's wanderings after liberating Lifasa.
First and most interesting to me is that Makaril was pursuing a psychic grimoire, which is a first for me. I wasn't aware such a thing existed.
Second, Debonah is hunting treasures stolen from Brightwater. We've got good relations with her, and she's Cresiel's aunt to boot. Having a favor we can call in from a solar is no small thing.
Third, Bwimb the Younger is hiring outcasts from the local planes. Considering her demeanor and who her father is, I'd like to know exactly WHY she is doing this.
Fourth, there are larger issues we have less info on. Chronias is glowing and people seem to be taking it seriously. Bel is missing, and I think he might be flippable. Selune is up to something and we should probably support her. And, somehow, Yan-C-Bin got himself killed. Supposedly. Who's taking his place? Is it Chan? There are things we need to know.'
"That is a lot," Miranda says before anyone else, "But how about we do it in order of interest to all of us?"
'Do any of you have a preference?'
"The grimoire sounds interesting," Miranda says, "I've never heard of such a thing, either."
"The treasure hunt," Dana says, "Get us some fucking loot."
Benyen pats Dana's sits and sits up, "How about...wait, who is Bwimb?"
'Bwimb is the Elemental Princess of Ooze. Or the Elemental Prince of Ooze. Depending on which Bwimb you're asking about. It's complicated.'
"Huh, I meant someone who switched genders once," Benyen says, "That was confusing, especially when they had a kid."
"Really?" Miranda says, "It's not unheard of to happen, but usually it's a clean break. You make it sound more blurry."
"Dunno, it was a curse," Benyen scratches his chin, "Like if it was a sunny day he was a hey, if it was a cloudy day she was a she. I think. The curse was a little hard to figure out. I think it liked to spite us, too."
'Bwimb the Younger is the asexual spawn of Bwimb the Elder, Elemental Prince Ooze. Or so legends say. He's kind of a big jerk, and she's supposed to be very nice. Lonely, but nice. If we go there, I recommend spells to prevent you from smelling things, and immunity to all forms of acid.'
"How about we just look up this grimoire?" Dana cuts in, "Like fuck if I want to go to Ooze."
'Well yes, nobody wants to go to Ooze. It's disgusting.' Tryll replies. 'Oh, I left something out. We still need to find Thorajin. Last I heard, he was in the Beastlands.'
"Who's Thorajin?" Miranda asks, "Another member of Aurora?"
'Ohhh, no. He's the last sort of living member of the original irrigo race. Which I am. Very sad. Only five of us left. Well, there were. Now there are more. Physical babies. Not ghosts like the rest of us.'
"I followed some of that," Miranda brightens up, clapping slowly, "I'm learning the madhouse that is your life."
"Yeah, give it time," Dana says, "It'll all start making sense."
"We haven't even started to get into the really weird stuff yet!" Calleigh chips in.
'We're settled on Makaril and the grimoire then? Any objections?'
None come and...
Ball is in your court here.
'Alright, I'll reach out to Makaril, then.'
A Correspond is manifested. 'Makaril, are you still looking for that grimoire?'
'Tryll, it's been some time,' Makaril replies, 'I am investigating it, yes. Have you found it?'
'I haven't found it, no. We'd set out to find you when Ebony pulled us into something involving an Imix doomsday cult on Dana's home prime. We just got done with it and I thought I'd follow up. I'm very interested in the grimoire and we'd like to help you locate it, if only to see it for myself. Would you like to meet up?'
'Elysium, Gladheart Village,' Makaril sends back. 'I'll be here for the forseeable future.'
'Is that the one with the women swooning over you?'
'It is not,' Makaril sends right back.
'Wonderful. We'll be there shortly.'
"Okay! Everybody ready?" Calleigh asks.
"Ready," Miranda rises, "Let's do this."
The trip to Gladheart Village is one of an instant. When you are there, yo usee it is a forest village tucked away from the world, pleasant and constructed of wooden cabins. It's peaceful here, a sense of lively serenity, the inhabits hard at work doing this and that, farming and building, fishing and mining, so on and so forth.
"Let's find him!" Calleigh cheers, zipping forward into the village.
Make a Diplo check for GIing, in that case.
Taking 10 for 58
It's easy enough to find. Makaril has a cabin just outside of town, unremarkable and pleasant in a rustic sort of way. You find Makaril outside, clad in pants and nothing else. He's chopping wood, working away and slowly building up a woodpile.
Dana stops and smiles, just taking it in. Miranda settles in next to her, "Mmm-hmm," she murmurs to Dana, "I see what you meant."
Benyen just waves cheerfully, "Hi, are you Makaril?"
"Holy mackerel! It's Makaril! Without a shirt on!" Calleigh says.
"I am," Makaril turns, wiping sweat from his brow with his forearm. "Dana, Calleigh. Come inside," He offers, heading right inside.
"And Miranda and Benyen and uhhhhh whatsyournameTRYLL!"
Inside is a clean, well kept cabin. Makaril provides cold water to drink and simple fare - dried meat, bread, fruits and vegetables.
As everyone has a chance to settle in around a home made table, "A psychic grimoire is unusual," he begins, "Is it not?"
"Yep! We've never heard of one before! That's why we want it! Why're you after it?"
"I'm in between crusades, but I don't feel like resting," Makaril admits, looking upward at the ceiling, body relaxed. "I do this to stay busy, plus the treasures I find can aid many good causes. As deep a victory as Lifasa was, I do not feel like lingering in celebration with the resistance nor on resting my on my laurels here, yet finding a new cause does not feel right, either."
"You sure? We've got a doozy. We're gonna kill Shar!"
Makaril smiles.
It's an open smile, relaxed and bringing a feeling of peace, "Then I toast your courage and bravery, and then pray that you are triumphant in your crusade." A sip of water before he looks at you, "Are you inviting me?"
"I don't know, are we? I rather hope we are, this is fine company." Miranda asks, glancing over in Tryll's general direction.
"Yeah, I think we fucking are," Dana remarks, "Shit, join up, we got room. You and Benyen can chop wood together."
Benyen glances sidelong at her, "I don't object, but look and don't touch. It's only natural for eyes, but don't let it touch the soul."
"Yes, yes," Dana agrees, "You're right enough about it. Ask me about the time Daddy tried introducing his new 'friend' to me." Her voice becomes notably colder at that. "Shit, sorry. He's just...a thick, meaty, juicy, firm cut of meat that I'm hungry for...so make sure I'm not hungry."
As the two share a rather intimate look, Miranda coughs into her hand. "They're in a new relationship," she says, as if it explains it all. "So, are you interested. What do you think, Tryll?"
'Actually, you might be more valuable as you are. A sort of knight errant. I have need of someone skilled enough to wander the planes, gathering information. You wouldn't even really have to stop doing what you're doing, just pay closer attention to things going on around you. I'm looking for evidence of Shar's tampering with the planes. If you notice any, you let me know. In return, I can help fund your next crusade or whatever it is you choose to do. In cases where our interests intersect, we work together. What do you say?'
"I agree," Makaril says, "You aided Lifasa's liberation and have proven to have a good heart, no matter how your true form scares others. Yet the heart is the important thing, not the body."
'Delightful. Now, let's talk about this grimoire. Where did you hear of such a thing?'
"From a trusted friend," Makaril says, "He does not wish to be known further than that, he values his privacy so he can act as an agent unknown. He is reliable and trustworthy. If you do not trust him, trust me, because I trust him."
"Hmmmmmmokay!" Calleigh agrees.
"Sure, sure," Dana says, "You were fuckin' saying?"
"Now then, your next question?" Makaril asks.
'What do you know so far?'
"It's in Limbo somewhere," Makaril says, "Which is about as helpful as saying it's in Celestia right now. It gives you an idea, but it doesn't truly narrow it down. I haven't tracked down more information yet, though I suspect the githzerai would be the ones to inquire with."
"We could ask Renbuu!"
"Oh yeah, rainbow frog, we can fuckin' do that," Dana agrees.
"You know Renbuu?" Miranda says, eyes wide, "THE Renbuu?"
"Yeah! Me 'n Tryll studied under him for like ten years!"
"If you can get reliable information from him, he might know," Makaril concurs, "If anyone on Limbo does."
"Great," Dana says, "Let's get this shit fucking going then."
lets do the Limbo!
Awesome, where are you going to in there? Just a random spot or aiming?
Last place we saw Renbuu!
Roll 1d100.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 38, total 38[/blockquote]
Limbo around you is a forest, trees of bone and green peppers. The ground is rumbling silver, dirt quaking in constant terror.
Ah, Limbo. You're back if nothing else, and as usual, it's nothing like it was before.
Tryll and Calleigh look around for signs of paint!
No signs of paint. There's socks and cats hanging from the trees like fruit, though.
Dana takes a look around, "Yep, this is fuckin' Limbo."
Miranda merely readies her weapons, "On guard, everyone."
Calleigh pokes one of the peppers.
It's a green pepper. Nothing unexpected happens on poking it.
Fortunately, as it IS Limbo.
"Well THAT'S boring. Boss!"
'Mm?'
"Where's Renbuu!?"
'How should I know?'
"Cuz you're in charge!"
'That's a terrible reason.'
"Too bad!"
And so Tryll does some divining.
Spell failure for the next hour[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 36, total 36[/blockquote]
And that's a fizzle. Of course, Tryll can try again.
Tryll does so!
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 17, total 17[/blockquote]
Another fizzle.
Feel free to try another time or do something else. You really need someone who can manage teleportation magic.
there will be Nagging posts this weekend.
'Spell failure is stupid.' Tryll grouses. 'Let's just wander around for a bit.'
I can imagine.
"Alright, let's do this shit," Dana agrees.
Roll 1d100 again.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 100, total 100[/blockquote]
You lucky motherfucker.
Roll a second one.
Heeee[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 21, total 21[/blockquote]
Huh. What do you know, it worked.
A path forms ahead of you, a familiar one. A rainbow path, the path to Renbuu's abode.
'Our new solution for every problem is to wander in Limbo until we find the answer.' Tryll tells the party.
Dana stares, "What the fuck?!" she splutters out.
Benyen blinks, "But that's not how Limbo works!"
Miranda glances at you, "Are you an anarch, Tryll?"
'I might be. Who knows? Let's go!'
Down the rainbow road the five of you go. A swirling road of rainbows, leading to a swirling spot of colors at the end. A portal - Tryll knows that much from past experience.
"That's probably what we're looking for!" Calleigh says, "Let's go!"
Woosh!
The portal takes the five of you elsewhere. A vast art gallery, paintings and art of all kinds on display farther than the eye can see. It goes on in all directions seemingly forever, no sign of a floor at all.
"Oh hey! Is this some kind of super secret slaad art gallery!?" Calleigh asks.
Dana looks around, "I guess fucking so?"
Miranda does as well, sniffing the air, "Isn't Renbuu an artist? This must be one of his galleries."
"He's not an artist! He's THE artist! The best!" Calleigh retorts.
"So...now what?" Miranda asks.
"An excellent question!" A gray slaad wearing formal noble's clothes and cape steps out from nowhere, voice posh and cultured. "Lord Renbuu has chosen to invite you to his gallery."
"That's super nice of him! Hello!" Calleigh waves.
No sign of the rainbow frog anywhere or a reply to that.
"Yes," the gray slaad drawls on, "As it may be. Shall I curate your artistic journey or do you prefer to wander on your own?"
"Curate," Benyen says right away, "The last bit of art I dealt with I ended up breaking over the head of a troll priest of Malar."
"Sounds fucking fun," Dana perks up. "What was it, a painting?"
"Nah," Benyen says, "A granite bust of a king. It broke, but it also broke the troll's head."
"We probably shouldn't break any of Renbuu's art." Calleigh discourages.
"Hmph, uncultured..." The gray slaad sniffs, "It is a risk, but often Renbuu destroys his own art. It is something that is...anticipated." A pause for that word, a slight frown.
"Oh, that's great then, would he appreciate me breaking something of his over something he dislikes?" Benyen asks quickly.
"Well..." The gray slaad considers.
"...really? You WANT us to break something? Creatively?"
"Yes," The gray slaad says, "Destruction can be art. So be artistic and please Renbuu by doing it in an artistic way."
"Do you have a specific piece? Or should we just obliterate everything?"
You are taken to a particular piece. It is a sword made of volcanic glass, smooth and regular, save for a single spike jutting a foot up and to the side, coming from the middle-side of the blade.
"This," The gray slaad says, "Be artistic! Be an artiste!"
Calleigh stares at the sword. "Huh. What's it supposed to be, anyhow?"
"A spiked sword, of course," Miranda picks it up, giving it a cautious swing, "It ruins the balance of the blade."
"Yeah," Dana seconds, "Like having a cock on your forehead, it's just useless."
"Why would you put a chicken on your head?" Calleigh asks, "That seems silly."
"Dana," Miranda says a single word, a warning heard by all.
"Aaanyfuckingway, how about we focus on breaking this shit?" Dana counters right back.
"Well...how should we break it?" Calleigh asks, "I mean, there's lots of ways to break a thing. Burn it, smash it, bash it, melt it, shatter it, disintegrate it, freeze it, paint it, you know."
"Some way that's artistic?" Benyen reckons, rubbing his chin. "Like I dunno, what's artistic."
Eyes naturally turn to Calleigh and Tryll here.
"I dunno! We've never broken anything artistically before! Just broke stuff! Lemme think!" Calleigh complains.
Miranda considers, "What is art, really? What makes something artistic?"
"Um, a lot of colors?" Benyen offers, as you notice the gray slaad hmph.
"Not a bad attempt for an uncultured boor," he says, "Color is always important."
"Well yeah, color is super important, but we're going beyond just color here. Color doesn't automatically equate to art. Any moron can dump a bucket of paint on a canvas and give it a name and call it art. It might even be art to them, but most people will consider it garbage. We're looking at a tough method, here. Creative destruction is really avant garde right now, especially in the more chaotic parts of Brightwater. At the same time, it's really difficult to pull off because if you don't get it juuuuuuuuuuust right it looks like a boring and sad pile of scrap. Nobody wants that in their parlor, and getting a gallery to host a small heap of rubble is super tricky lemme tell ya. It needs to be evocative and meaningful. That's what makes the difference between art and just stuff. Art for art's sake is meaningless. It's got no value, no soul. Art for the sake of truth, art for the sake of beauty, that's what people look for. Real art is something that you can look at and it reaches out and connects with your soul. It's the kind of thing that brings you joy, or gives you chills, or inspires or terrifies or whatever you want. Real art, people fall in love with. They look and see it and they have to have it. They have to own it, to share it, and to see it every day. Real art connects on a deeply emotional level with someone. At least one person. Real art has a tiny bit of the artist's soul in it, and it's special because of it. Or at least I think so. I dunno." Calleigh says. "We've made enough bad art to know the difference."
'Hey! It wasn't that bad!' Tryll protests.
"It was pretty bad." Calleigh returns.
'Ah, but we made it together, and that's what counts. We had fun!'
"Yep!"
'So, let's take a look at this thing and see what we can do.' Tryll says, examining the sword with Detect Psionics.
Dana listens to all of that, scoffs and says, "Bullshiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit. Art for art's sake is the entire fucking point, since otherwise it's all whatever someone thinks is important, whatever bullshit they're peddling at the right fucking moment."
Miranda pauses at that, "I thought you didn't know anything about art," she says, dubiously.
Meanwhile you see the sword isn't magical or psionic.
"Nuh uh! That's just some guy making a thing and going, 'man I wonder how much this will sell for!'" Calleigh retorts, "That's not art! That's just profiteering!"
"Isn't the question if art has objective value or if it's only subjective and based in the eye of the viewer?" Miranda pipes up. "That's what this sounds like."
Benyen shrugs, "It's just a pretty painting or sword?"
"It's...that's...okay fine I argued myself into a corner. So what! I'm not wrong!"
"Right, so anyfuckingway," Dana points to the sword, "How the fuck do we break this artistically?"
'Well, I'm not sure, to be honest. It's not, hmm.' Tryll ponders.
A bit stumped here. Let me think on it a bit.
Sure. Lemme know if you want them babbling at you to try and give you ideas.
please!
"A glass sword," Miranda speaks aloud, thinking as everyone does, "What would be ironic to break a sword on? Artistic, even?"
A soft hum from Benyen, "How about a glass shield? Or maybe a normal person?"
'Well, those are possibilities, yes. However,' Tryll says, turning to the slaad, 'I am still unsure. Are you certain this is alright?'
Sense motive, taking 10 for 42.
"Yes," the slaad says, "So long as it is art!"
He seems to be telling the truth.
Is there anything otherwise remarkable about the sword? Details, etching, etc? or is it just a glass sword?
It's a glass sword with an added spike in the middle, really.
That's barely art. The hell's it doing here?
'Well then.' Tryll takes the sword in his psychic pseudopods, examining it, 'Okay.'
Then he snaps it in half.
Ask Renbuu, the response would be enlightening.
Gimme a Charisma check here.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+12 : 10 + 12, total 22[/blockquote]
The sword shatter son being snapped, a rainbow of glass shards scattering about. It catches the light, glass shards everywhere.
Dana steps back on instinct, "Geez, break it, don't fucking spray it!"
Miranda watches as they settle on the ground, "Rather explosive. I think I get it. The sword is a symbol of order - seemingly strong but ultimately too rigid, snapping at the slightest application of chaos."
This is clearly what was intended to happen!
'Yes. All things drive toward chaos. It is the nature of all things to end. In doing so, they create new beginnings for other things. Life ends and new life begins. The blacksmith's hammer beats the ore into new shapes. This sword becomes something new.' The shards gather themselves up and shape themselves into a passable-yet-jagged bust of Dana.
Craft Check. Calleigh is manifesting Matter Agitation to make the glass melt together.[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+50 : 2 + 50, total 52[/blockquote]
Technically, I'm not sure if this spell is hot enough to melt glass - it takes more heat than I imagined - but I'll roll with it here.
The glass melts - the medium's poor, but it's enough to make a glass bust of Dana that resembles her.
The slaad merely claps his hands and...
With slaad, randomness is always an issue.
> roll 1d100
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 --> [ 1d100=71 ]{71}
"Fascinating," he declares, "A new form, one as different from a sword as food is from alligators!"
'Quite.' Tryll agrees. 'Though Dana can be sword-like, she is also a bit rough around the edges.'
"I see, I see! Yes, it is art!" The slaad declares, "Hmph, now refresh me on why you were here, artist?"
'To speak with Renbuu.'
"The Artiste is not here," The slaad says, as he abruptly begins to radiate rainbow colors, "So you'll have to- oh dear."
A booming laugh fills the gallery end to end, echoing around you.
"Ominous!" Calleigh says.
"Tryll!" The voice of Renbuu booms throughout the gallery, "Good sir, answer me this: Orange arsenal rides the three headed salad! Show me art!"
'Was that a question or a demand?' Tryll asks abidingly.
"BOTH!" Renbuu's voice echos, "Answer me!"
'My response is thusly: sausage biscuits with royal purple taffeta. We turned a bland and boring sword into a multifaceted bust!'
"Brilliant!" Renbuu's voice booms, "Tell me of the subtle artistry of the sausages and the delicate curves of the biscuits! Now the sword must be eaten, as is only proper!"
'Aha! The sword has already been consumed! It was then re-purposed into a bust!'
"Well said!" Renbuu declares, "Well said!"
'Also, sausages fried with deep violet ties, fabric as crisp as casing's skin. Wrapped in a flaky biscuit and baked to perfection.'
"I agree!" Renbuu's voice booms again, "Tell me what brought you back here, Tryll!"
'We were hoping to ask if you'd heard anything about a psychic grimoire somewhere here in Limbo. Apparently, someone made off with it and came here. I desire it. I've never heard of such a thing. I must see it for myself!'
"Oh, that thing. It's right now in the Floating Plateau," Renbuu says, "It's boring, hardly worth any time at all."
'Oh? Why do you say?'
"It bores me. Go see yourself." Before you a whirling portal appears.
"Well finally,"D ana mutters, rolling her neck. "Thanks!"
"Thanks, Great Teacher Renbuu!" Calleigh shouts, flying through the portal with the others.
Fire. You are surrounded by fire, only to part as you pass through the portal. Ahead in Limbo is a mountain, a vast thing looming high amid the raw chaos-stuff. Yet atop it is thins out to a tiny, tiny strand of rock, before expanding and flattening back out into a plateau, atop of which looks to be a thick, sprawling jungle of some kind.
"A topless mountain!?" Calleigh demands of the vista before her.
Benyen starts to say something but glances at Calleigh, shutting up.
"Yeah, sounds fun," Dana says, "C'mon, there's probably some fights up there, too."
"YEAH!" Calleigh starts shadow-boxing as Tryll heads forward, "I'm gonna punch 'em up! Well, no. YOU'RE gonna punch 'em up! I'll watch!"
Cool, how are you approaching this?
uh. like, straight?
I mean, like flying up to the jungle on top, going to climb it the old fashioned way or something else?
Can Benyen fly?
If need be, yes.
Then we fly! None of us are groundplebs!
Fantastic. Gimme a Perception check as well as a d100.
Tryll[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+47 : 16 + 47, total 63[/blockquote]
Calleigh[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+40 : 10 + 40, total 50[/blockquote]
d100[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 93, total 93[/blockquote]
Thus the group of you fly up. The jungle is ahead - quite a large space, twisting and writhing. Everything moves here, dancing about. The trees, the vines, the undergrowth, the rocks themselves.
Miranda whistles low, "A living forest! I never thought I'd see one."
"A living what now?" Dana turns over, "What, did some druid fucking awaken an entire forest?"
"Like, isn't a forest supposed to be alive?"
"Not like that!" Dana insists, "Look at it!"
"Well yeah. It's a forest. Cause we've got rocks and trees and trees and rocks and rocks and trees and trees and rocks and rocks and trees and trees and rocks and rocks and trees and trees and rocks and oh hey look there's some water!" Calleigh points at a pond as they pass.
As you debate, the party ends up above the jungle. So the question is - now what?
Tryll manifests Detect Psionics!
There's no magic in the immediate 60ft radius around you, beyond what all of you have going, of course.
'There is nothing nearby. WE WILL SEARCH THE MOUNTAIN!' Tryll abruptly becomes louder.
"Yeah, let's go. Start in the jungle?" Miranda suggests, "Search until we find something?"
"Yep!" Calleigh chirps.
Thus you plunge into the jungle. The chorus of insects is loud, the sound of dripping water seemingly everywhere. It's hot and chokingly humid here, plants of a rainbow variety of colors growing. Great and thick trees loom high, droplets of condensation falling regularly enough to almost be a drizzle.
Benyen grimaces. "I feel one bucket of water away from drowning."
"More one like fucking thimble," Dana growls. "Hey Tryll, can you desiccate an entire jungle?"
'Why would I do that?' Tryll replies.
"Because it's like a sauna," Dana snaps.
"It feels nice!" Calleigh debates.
"Ladies," Miranda says, bow and arrow drawn, "Quarrel later. This jungle could be dangerous."
Any means of perception beyond the norm, all?
Let's add True Seeing to Detect Psionics, if we have the time and we're not about to be ambushed. Just in case it's hiding.
Sure, done. Nothing immediately different. In this case, gimme Perceptions.
Tryll[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+47 : 7 + 47, total 54[/blockquote]Calleigh[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+40 : 2 + 40, total 42[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+40 Miranda Perception, the only notable one for it here
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+40 Miranda Perception, the only notable one for it here --> [ 1d20=13 ]{53}
Thus all of you begin to explore the jungle. No sign of bigger animals yet, just the sounds of the forest as you begin to explore it.
Tryll can immediately see something odd with true seeing. Space folds here, twists. Woaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. This jungle's dimensions are strange indeed - someone's gone to some trouble to make things non-linear here, to make distances work strange. Travel will be heavily distorted unless you move precisely so.
'AHA!' Tryll is unusually boisterous, 'There is trickery about!'
"Yeah?" Dana asks, "What kinda' fucking trickery?"
'Some sort of spatial distortion that makes travel strange. Linear travel though this jungle won't work correctly. Someone's gone to quite a bit of trouble to keep people out...or confused.' Tryll says, 'I might be able to find a way through.'
Can I automatically see what's going on here, or do I need to roll?
Make an Int check.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+15 : 5 + 15, total 20[/blockquote]
You think you can, but it'll take your full attention, leaving you unable to do anything else but follow along.
'Yes...yes, I believe I can sort it out. Doing so will take my fullest concentration. Keep an eye out.'
Let's roll.
Great, going in any particular direction or searching randomly?
This is Limbo! Everything is random until we find a lead!
Roll and post 1d100.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 98, total 98[/blockquote]
You immediately notice something - there's a tight spiral ahead, almost impossible to follow unless you see it and walk perfectly. It seems to be curling into a particularly dense knot of jungle, at which point it opens up into somewhere vast.
Tryll immediately follows it!
'Do exactly as I do, or you'll be lost!'
"Alright," Miranda says, "Makes as much sense as anything lately."
"How bad?" Dana asks as she follows, "Like torn apart bad or Muirfinn and Lief bad?"
'No idea! So don't screw it up!' Tryll replies to Dana.
Thus you walk down the spiral - and at the end you stand before a gleaming field of crystals growing from the ground. It's bitterly cold here, well below freezing. An icy wind blows as a great stone pillar rises up in the center, hundreds of feet high. The top of it glows an icy blue.
'Well, then. This is certainly non-jungly.'
"Limbo," Dana says easily. "So now what, Tryll?"
"We-" Is all Benyen gets out as the ground in front of you explodes out! Dust and dirt fly everywhere as...
Chance to react.
Tryll manifests Tornado Blast to sweet the energy and debris away!
Roll damage on it.
Strike[blockquote]Rolled 8d6 : 5, 2, 6, 4, 1, 3, 4, 4, total 29[/blockquote]Area[blockquote]Rolled 17d6 : 2, 3, 4, 6, 3, 6, 5, 2, 4, 2, 1, 4, 4, 3, 5, 1, 4, total 59[/blockquote]
Woosh! The dirt and dust are dissolved, hurtled away and cleared. Whew. Dana waves a hand in front of her face as Miranda sneezes, "Any sign of a hostile?"
"Don't see anyone," Benyen replies, "Everyone okay?"
Tryll remanifests Detect Psionics, Calleigh manifests Detect Hostile Intent
Tryll looks about with True Seeing to see if any hidden enemies exist!
Perception, oh scary one.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+47 : 2 + 47, total 49[/blockquote]
No sign of opposition - but you notice the blue glow atop the pillar is getting brighter.
'Glow on top of the pillar is getting brighter. We should probably get closer.'
"Or run," Benyen says, "In case it's going to explode."
"Phallic fucking symbolism aside," Dana drawls, "Let's get going." She starts fly on up, Miranda smiling and shaking her head.
"Yeah, let's go, we can survive anything that blows up." Miranda calls back.
"Explosions are our specialty!" Calleigh concurs, flying upward with Tryll.
The light is getting brighter as you approach, flying up. When the party is 100ft away, a chill blue beam lances out, right for...
> roll 1d5 1 Tryll 2 Calleigh 3 Dana 4 Miranda 5 Benyen
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 3 > [d5=3]
> roll 1d20+39
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 54 > [d20=15]
Yet with a snarl Dana brings her shield up, the Bulwark blocking the beam entirely. "Here we go!" Dana calls.
Initski.
Tryll[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+9 : 16 + 9, total 25[/blockquote]Calleigh[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+15 : 13 + 15, total 28[/blockquote]"Fun time!" Calleigh sing-songs.
> roll 1d20+9 Dana
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 10 > [d20=1]
> roll 1d20+15 Miranda
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 33 > [d20=18]
> roll 1d20+7 Benyen
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 11 > [d20=4]
> roll 1d20+10 glow
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 12 > [d20=2]
Init is Miranda (33) > Calleigh (28) > Tryll (25) > Glow (12) > Benyen (11) > Dana (10)
Miranda opens, will hold for the two of you in case you do the wizard mumbo jumbo since this is your field.
Since detect Psionics is up, what the hell was that beam? Spellcraft![blockquote]Rolled 1d20+50 : 9 + 50, total 59[/blockquote]
A beam of intense cold, above and beyond normal cold. Piercing cold, as it is.
'Watch it! That was a piercing cold beam. Normal resistance will be ignored!' Tryll warns.
How tall's this pillar?
300ft high. You've risen 100ft up and are 100ft away from it as well.
I'll move up 120 ft and ready a Dispel to counter anything sent out.
Miranda matches you, closing in before another blue beam lances out, this one at...
Okay, make a dispel check to see if you counter.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+20 : 18 + 20, total 38[/blockquote]
Before your eyes the blue beam crumbles away, smoothly countered as Benyen and Dana catch up. "Oh hey, playing defense?" Dana asks, as..
Go.
Calleigh keeps pace with the group, wand at the ready. "Looks like it!"
Meanwhile, Tryll moves ever-onward, preparing another dispel.
How far do you move?
120
Closer and closer, the party staying together as...another beam comes, just as reliably as last time.
Dispel check again.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+20 : 12 + 20, total 32[/blockquote]
CRACK!
Another beam countered, as the light above begins to glow.
'Interesting.' The voice speaks in your minds, calm and dispassionate. 'Your mind is strong.'
'Oh. It's aware! Hello!' Tryll does not halt his movement!
"Great," Dana mutters, as you get an answer.
'Hello, you're more interesting the last few who came here. All they wanted to do was eat and lay eggs.'
'Sounds like slaad.'
'Boring things. I hope you're more entertaining,' The voice responds right back.
'Well, I'm not here to eat and I'm not here to lay eggs. Looking for the grimoire, actually.'
'That is I,' The voice says.
"Alright," Benyen grins. "Hi there!"
"Hello," Miranda says, "Isn't it a little chilly here?"
'Well, that's convenient.' Tryll replies.
"WAITASEC! It's a PSYCHIC grimoire! A grimoire that's psychic! HAHA!" Calleigh laughs.
'Is it? Also, your companions have a talent for stating the obvious.'
'Yes, well, ONE of us is a valkyrie and therefore should be immune to the cold.' Tryll aims a look at Miranda, 'The other two are mortals and the third is a courre. And then there's me.'
'Ah, idiots except for you,' The grimoire replies. 'Very well. So tell me, what is your purpose with me?'
"Hey, you fuck-" Is all Dana gets out, Benyen shaking his head.
"It's just a book, Dana," Benyen says, "You can kick more ass than it with one hand."
"It might not be a book. We haven't seen it yet! It could be a crystal. It could be a crocodile for all we know!" Calleigh says.
'Knowledge. Adventure. Eventual god-slaying. Probable lack of boredom.' Tryll offers.
Gimme Diplo here, too.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+48 : 12 + 48, total 60[/blockquote]
'You make an interesting offer,' The book says, 'May I see the power of your mind?'
'How would you like this demonstrated?'
'Destroy this pillar with as much might as you can manage.'
what are the pillar's rough dimensions?
300ft tall, about 10ft wide.
A simple series of disintegrations will take care of that.
Go for it, then.
With precision, Tryll disintegrates the pillar, block by 10x10 block.
Block after block is slowly disintegrated, each one crumbling as more and more of the pillar collapses.
'A strong mind, an enduring mind,' The book sends into your mind, the blue light faded but still there, staying in place even as the pillar is destroyed. 'What a fascinating thing!'
'It's simple disintegration, is all.' Tryll replies.
'Still, I like you. You just might be interesting,' The voice speaks into your mind.
'Care to join us, then?'
'Can you keep up with me? I think so!' A wink and a big, leathery old grimoire floats in front of you. Its front twists into a face, "Let's see. An aboleth, a courre, a valkyrie and a lovely lady. Oh, and a man," Benyen barely gets a glance, "Interesting!"
'Close enough. Are you ambulatory or would you like one of us to carry you?'
'I can go,' The book says, as...
Heading home then? Assuming yes, it's level up time. We'll pause while you do that and resume tomorrowish, assuming you get yours done and I get your NPCs done. If you're still doing something here, say so now.
We're done here. I'll contact Makaril and give him the run-down, but yeah.
Congrats. Go level up!
yey
New topic incoming.