Pyrite thus takes the party through the courtyard, towards a far wall.
As you walk Benyen takes it all in and whistles, "Beautiful."
"Yeah, it's pretty impressive," Dana agrees, taking in all the wealth and splendor. "Your boss really fucking likes Moore?"
"You and Moore is a friend," Pyrite agrees. "Few are friends, many are thieves."
'Everyone's a thief in thier own way. For many, it depends on who you're stealing from.' Tryll replies.
"Thieves die," Pyrite says plainly, "It is the way of we and us."
'Everything dies, eventually.' Tryll agrees.
Within the boundaries of the courtyard the ground rises, revealing a chasm. "Go," Pyrite says, stone steps forming to take you deeper within.
"Thanks!" Calleigh says to the big gold guy.
Dana peers ahead, "Here we go," she says with a little smile, as...
Quick question of marching order.
Standard marchin order is Dana & Benyen up front, Tryll, Calleigh, & Miranda in back.
Thus you descend down. It is a well lit descent, crystals and precious metals shining with what light there is. Great gemstones stick out from the ground and walls all the time, a kingdom's ransom passed every moment.
"What treasure," Miranda murmurs, "The wealth of an archomental - incredible."
"It's pretty!" Calleigh says, "Sparkly!"
"Look, but don'tfuckin' touch," Dana agrees as you descend, Calleigh admiring. At the bottom of the chasm is just...empty earth. Nothing at all. A dead end?
'Hmm.' Tryll looks about. 'Did we pass it?'
It's at that moment the ground lightly shakes, quivering.
"Below us," Miranda calls, taking to the air, Dana and Benyen right behind her.
'Ah.' Tryll says, floating serenely after.
Below you the ground opens up. You fly up higher and higher as it emerges - a great body of shimmering crystal, hundreds if not thousands of feet tall. Its head is larger than a dozen Hannas and more aside, an inexpressive expression hewn onto its face.
"What. Do. You. Want?" It asks, in a voice that is clear and delicate as the sound of crystal chimes in the wind.
'We're looking for a single deep crystal, roughly about the size of your head.'
"If you'd be so kind," Miranda says, "It's for a good cause."
Dana snorts while Benyen adds, "So if you could give us a hand, we'd be a good way towards your head."
The elemental eyes Tryll, not uttering a single word at that.
"Please?" Calleigh contributes.
That was the magic word, so gimme diplo here, Tryll.
Tryll[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+51 : 12 + 51, total 63[/blockquote]Calleigh aiding[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+43 : 1 + 43, total 44[/blockquote]
The elemental watches Tryll before - SNAP! His hands wrench off his head and neck, laying it down before you. "There," the voice comes from the remnants of the elemental's neck, "It. Is. Deep. Crystal."
Dana just grins at that display, "Shiiiiit."
Miranda's jaw sets in the meantime, while Benyen stares.
"You. Will. Bring. Me. Big. Fire."
'Any particular kind of fire?' Tryll asks.
"Big. Fire." Is the answer, "Big. Magic. Fire. Spell."
"That one isn't hard. We got Afina or Simmer for sure," Dana considers, "Know any other good fire mages, Tryll?"
Benyen pipes up at that, "There's Seira too, she's very good at fire magic. Though I hear it's golden fire, that may not be the same thing."
"Yeah, but shit, the pyrodryad would be a perfect fit here if we can get her out of that volcano she's hiding her flaming red ass in." Dana declares.
Meanwhile, Miranda studies the head. "How are we going to get such a huge thing home?"
'I can set up a large wall of fire, if you like. I can't make it last forever, though. Would that suffice?' Tryll asks the giant elemental.
"We're gonna horf it through a gate!" Calleigh says to Miranda.
"Can you make one big enough?" Miranda asks, frowning.
"Bigger. Fire." Is the answer Tryll gets.
'You want a giant Everliving Flame? Or are you looking for something hot enough to melt and shape gemstones and metals?'
"Big. Flame. Melting. Flame." Is the answer you get back.
'Right. Big everburning flame that's very hot. Is that everything? Any optional explosions?'
"Explosions. Good." Is the answer you get.
"Okay, I fuckin' like this one," Dana says, "Hey Tryll, can we talk him into being recruited?"
"He likes explosions, so I like him!" Calleigh agrees.
'I don't know if we can afford to take him. He likely works for Crystalle.' Tryll replies. 'Alright, I'll see about getting you an giant elemental-sized rod of fire and explosions. Sound good?'
"It. Is. Good." Thus it is said, the elemental sinking back into the ground now, only leaving its broken head behind for you.
An Astral Ingress is opened underneath the severed head and it is unceremoniusly dumped twenty feet from Miranda's home. 'That was easier than expected. We'll have to send a thank you gift to Crystalle once this is over.'
What book is that from or is it homebrew?
It's a psionic Gate from homebrew
You'd also need to shrink the head, it really si gigantic, more than the 20ft in diameter radius of an astral ingress. Got a way to do that?
I'm sure an Alter Reality or Reality Revision could temporarily shrink it.
That'll work.
And thus the party returns home, giant head and all. Whew!
Okay, assuming that's a lot to hash out, so the question is: Next move?
I'll need to write up a plan of intent and what I want this thing to do, ultimately. Will probably do that this weekend.
Let's do the really stupid thing and see about helping Princess Bwimb.
Cool. How do you plan to approach this?
We're not familiar with them enough to just do a sending, so we're gonna have to go in person and petition at court. Ugh.
"Bwimb?" Dana says, "You want us to go to Ooze?"
Suddenly Miranda frowns, "Ooze, Tryll?"
Benyen just kicks back and munches on a turkey leg before adding, "Ooze?"
'Hey, you're the one who said something was going on over there when you joined up.' Tryll says to Dana. 'I just want to investigate. It's far from my favorite place in the planes, but if Bwimb is recruiting devils and demons I want to know why. '
"Could you explain to me what Dana said?" Miranda says, "And what is Bwimb doing? For that matter, who IS Bwimb?"
'Bwimb is the archomental of Ooze. Or something along those lines. He, she, and it are nominally in charge. Bwimb is, last I checked, a dual creature. Bwimb is the king of Ooze, and is kind of an ass. Bwimb, however, is the princess of Ooze and is kind and frightfully handsy.'
Silence at that.
Then Benyen says, "So does that mean she wants to...can Ooze and a mind squid even do that together?"
'What? No. She likes hugs, man. I might not share biology with you, but I'm not into slimes.'
Miranda openly shudders.
"Well, no, I don't think it even fucking matters," Dana brushes it off, "We gonna go do this shit or what, or we got more important shit to do?"
'We need cash to make the rod for the giant elemental so he can alternately blow things up or set them on all the fire. It's either this or go back to Earth for more shadow dragon hunting. Actually that sounds more appealing. Or we could play it safe and go find Thorajin in the Beastlands. Somewhere.'
"We could also find a battle on Ysgard," Miranda speaks up "Or look into that war that's going on."
"Robbing dead people on Ysgard seems shady, even for me." Calleigh says.
'I thought the war was over? Something about Zaaman Rul winning?' Tryll asks.
"I'm not sure," Miranda admits, "You may know more than I do."
'Well, I wasn't even aware of it until Moore mentioned it, and you were there. That's the extent of my knowledge.'
Benyen waves a hand, "So what, either way, let's choose something and have some adventures. We've rested up, let's get back to it."
Dana smiles at that, "Damn fuckin' right it is."
'I'm not in favor of getting involved in a war I have no vested interest in and know nothing about, and I'm not exactly eager to learn more. Let's go kill aboleths.'
"Always a worthwhile goal," Miranda seconds, as...
Okay, plan and where your'e going, along with any prep for it.
1. No plan.
2. Wherever aboleths are.
3. The meatbags should probably invest in water breathing and mind blank.
That's well and good, but do you know somewhere aboleths are to go kill? Got some info or want to make a Knowledge check on it, or perhaps ask someone who may know?
Actually, Thorajin might know, and that would neatly kill two birds.
'I don't know where to find any, but I'll bet Thorajin does.'
"OH MAN THE MISSING SQUID!" Calleigh screeches. "I FORGOT!"
"About time we do," Dana says, "Let's do this."
Okay, same question about plan as above. Also, since it's been awhile, refresh me on what you know about him and his situation, if anything? We'll move on after that, but I want to make sure we're both on the same page here.
He was last known to be in the Beastlands. I'll send a Correspond.
'Hey, Thorajin. You still hiding in the Beastlands?'
'You keep trying to disturb me,' Thorajin's voice is dry, 'Whatever is it, Tryll?'
'The irrigo are reborn on another world. I'd like to invite you to join the rest of them there.'
'...What?' Thorajin says, 'What are you doing?!'
'I turned myself into a paragon. The Triune suddenly showed up and condoned Gytha's soul sorcery.' Another Correspond.
'...Really, what are you doing?! This is absurdity!'
'Interplanar communication isn't really the best meduium to explain this. A lot is lost. Where are you?'
'Air.' Is the answer you get back, 'No place in particular, nothing but empty air around me."
'Right, we'll find you. Gimme a few.'
To the group, 'Who wants to go to Air?'
A few looks before Miranda says, "It's not Ooze. Let's go to Air."
"Air," Benyen agrees, as...
Okay, any prep for this or are you good to rock?
Oh yeah, we should be fine. It's Air. As long as everyone has some mode of propulsion, we should be good.
How's the computer, by the way.
Thus you all step through into the endless falling of Air, the wind pleasant as it blows and...
Go ahead and get on with the finding, however you're gonna magic it up.
Real bad, thanks for asking.Tryll manifests Examine Astral Reverberations to find Thorajin! [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+35 : 12 + 35, total 47[/blockquote][blockquote]'Will DC 40, assuming he resists.' is not a valid dice string![/blockquote]
Examine Astral Reverberations
Clairsentience
Level: Psion/wilder 9
Display: Mental and visual
Manifesting Time: 1 minute
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: Instantaneous
Power Points: 17
This power taps information stored in the astral, such as a creature's movements or location, if that creature or object fails a Will save. This power shows the movements of said creature and all of their actions taken within the last week, as well as who and what they interacted with.
This power does not work on any plane that is not connected in some way to the astral plane. This power only functions on creatures and objects with an astral presence; a mind. Inert, non-magical objects such as walls or non-thinking creatures such as non-intelligent oozes and mindless undead are invisible to this power.
Augment
If an additional 5 power points are spent, the power also attempts to postulate a likely future outcome. This provides a benefit similar to that of a divination, but less cryptic. Any information conveyed would concern one single action or possible action regarding that creature, and the question must be phrased to outline the direction for the power to take. Information conveyed can be contained in no more than one single sentence.
If an additional 10 power points are spent, the manifestor may make an opposed caster level check to reveal information about a target that has or had an active mind blank spell.
For every 2 power points spent in either of the above augmentations, the power's DC increases by 1.
I was afraid it sounded worse than a possible bad HD. I hope I was wrong.
Thorajin is ahead, deep within Air. You know his location naturally now.
He didn't resist, so go for it.
lolnope. HDD has been eliminated as culprit. Now it's down to the motherboard and the Windows install stick.
Also how far away is he?
Get your key, try another thumb drive install or whatever and see? I'd be thinking mobo there, though.
Quite a ways. Teleport range for sure.
I can give you the exact number if you like.
Yeah, mobo is next because it's the most likely culprit.
'Gather round, everyone. We'll take the fast way.' Tryll says as he prepares to mainifest Greater Teleport to Thorajin's location.
Woosh.
Empty Air is still empty Air. Yet a familiar, tentacles horror floats here, awaiting you. 'Tryll?' is the question as soon as you appear.
'Thorajin! Nice to finally see you! I-' "OH BOY ANOTHER BRAINSQUID! THIS COMPLETES THE SET! YAY!"
'Quite. I have rather a lot to explain, I suspect. Before I do, what have you been up to? Anything groundbreaking?'
'Right now I study the wind,' Thorajin says, as he takes in the others.
Dana just meets him with a casual look, a nod to him.
Miranda looks on fearlessly.
Benyen goes, "...hi? So what's to be studied in the wind?"
'The wind?' Tryll asks, 'Whatever for?'
'Why not?' Thorajin says, 'The elementals live it every day. Maybe they're onto something. Maybe there are secrets from it I can learn and gain power.'
'Huh. Any luck so far?'
'Some,' Thorajin says, 'The winds are mercurial, but there is power and reason to them, somewhere.'
'You could ask Chan. We sort of know her. Calleigh's a princess of her court.' Tryll points a tendril at the courre, who is now flying in vertical circles around Thorajin.
Thorajin pauses at that, pauses long. 'How?'
"I asked!"
'That is not how that works, young lady,' Thorajin chastises, 'Nonetheless, we're going afarfield. What was that about the irrigo?'
"It is for meeeeeeeee~!"
'There's a lot going on with the irrigo. You want the short version or the long version?'
There's a moment's pause, 'I'm going to need to come with you and hear this in depth, aren't I?'
"Probably!"
Going to go on back with him, then?
I'll take him to Lifasa, yeah.
Miranda'll return home for obvious reasons.
Thus you return to Lifasa, over the oceans. Thorajin takes it in and finally says, "What happened to this world?" he asks aloud.
"Devils took it," Dana says shortly, "We kicked their asses and took it back. It was fucking awesome."
"Yeah! We kicked their butts! We made a big tarrasque out of adamantitinium or whatever! and the POWER OF THE SUN ITSELF!" Calleigh cheers.
'It was a very involved process, yes. Levistus and Bel were both here. We kicked their teeth in.' Tryll says.
'I have so many questions,' Thorajin finally says. 'But I'll settle for seeing the new irrigo.'
'Most are just babies. We'll go see Gytha. He's creating them.'
It's simple enough to find Gytha. He is in the deeper ocean, overseeing the young irrigo as they swim about, playing at this or that. The depths are quiet and serene, the waters in a deep, dark blue.
Thorajin is quiet, watching the irrigo from afar, not a word said.
'I made myself into a paragon.' Tryll says.
'You've been busy fails to encompass it all,' Thorajin says, 'What got into you?'
'Boredom, I suppose. Also I sort of work for both Queen Morwell and the Triune. Also the Triune is back. Not the new Triune, the old one. Our Triune. We were given orders to re-establish the irrigo. How fortunate that Gytha had already been researching how to create souls whole-cloth.'
'Fortunate,' Thorajin says with a tone that suggests it's anything but happenstance. 'I suspect the whys and the reasons are as vague as the winds?'
'Most of the whys can be explained, actually. There's a LOT that went on. Come on, let's chat with Gytha and I'll explain.'
I'm perfectly okay with a small timeskip here to explain everything that went down.
Soon enough the story is told, Thorajin lost in his own thoughts after. For a time it's a contemplative silence until at last he says, 'The Triune is back. That's the core of it all.'
'Yes. Essentially correct.' Tryll agrees. 'It's been a wild few months since.'
Gytha merely adds, 'A question wrapped in a riddle. How do we get to the bottom of it?'
'A commune spell,' Thorajin suggests, 'Would that do?'
'Possibly. We could ask the Queen, too. I'm at least 50% sure that the Triune was an aspect of Queen Morwell. It's possible.'
'Splendid,' Thorajin says, 'Rather than guessing, get answers.'
'Right. Let's go to Arborea then.'
Cool. Who's going and any prep for it? Where in Arborea are you aiming?
Everyone who wants to go is going. I'm assuming this will be a non-combat mission to Arborea. We're aiming for the Queen's court.
Thorajin and Gytha will go, as will Miranda. Dana and Benyen will stay and get some personal time in instead.
As teleports are prone to do, you end up in Arborea itself, deep within the untamed wilds. "As I recall," Miranda says, "We'll need to wander until we find a door into the Court of Stars."
"Yep, that's how you do it! At least, when you're not a courre who works for the Queen!" Calleigh nods.
"Do you have a faster way, then?" Miranda asks outright.
"We could just go straight there. Unless she doesn't want me there. Then we can't." Calleigh says confidently.
"Then let's go," Miranda says, as Gytha follows.
'Do you think we'll get answers?'
Gimme a d100, too.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 56, total 56[/blockquote]plus whatever bonus Calleigh gets from being a planar native and servant of the local greater deity
"Maybe! Or maybe we'll go round and round in circles forever! That sounds fun too!"
You wander a time - a quiet time in the forest, Miranda leading on. In due effort you come to a door standing in the middle of the forest, no great ordeal or trial this time.
"LOOK ITSA DOOR!"
'Yes, Calleigh. Would you like to open it?'
"Oops! Yeah!" Calleigh flies over to open said door.
The door opens, a fencing hall seen ahead. Here ghaele can be seen, rapier-fights in pairs. It certainly looks like the court, everything elegant and just ever so slightly dreamlike.
"This is probably the right place." Calleigh says as Tryll passes through. "Fighty ghaele dudes. Dana is missing out. I wonder what she and Benyen are doing, anyway."
"A different kind of rapier practice," Miranda says as you head on in. Not that this stops the fighting. There's doors to either side on the far walls, if you care to leave this particular little fight behind.
'They're lovers?' Thorajin asks, even as his fishy gaze in on the ghaele.
"They aren't quiet or secret about it at all," Miranda says, and with a hint of a smile, "They have passionate needs."
A few of the ghaele pause their duelings to look on, "Valkyrie," one calls, a man with a ready smile and wearing a pair of pants and nothing else, showing off a firm, strong chest. His hair is electric blue, mussed and sweaty. "Are you here to join us?"
Miranda shakes her head, "I'm here with friends."
'They're very obvious about their passions, yes.' Tryll agrees. 'Dana is very...abrupt? Forthcoming?'
"We're here to see the Queen! Big stuff going on!" Calleigh says to the electric blue ghaele.
A pause to eye Calleigh, "Oh, in that case, go that way," he points towards a door on your left.
"Thanks!" Calleigh takes off in that direction, "Come on guys!"
Thus your party follows. The next door takes you to a stairway winding up, surrounded by a tower of elegant, shining gold. Windows let in the starlight, a dim light to contrast with the bright light of the gold here.
Gytha begins to fly up while Miranda does the same. "Always a good sign in the Heavens," Miranda adds, "Better than going down."
And thus they proceed.
The party flies up, up the stairs. Up and up and up and up. 5 minutes and then 10, 15 and then 20.
Finally, 'Does higher mean better?' Gytha cuts in.
"Sometimes," Miranda says, "This is unusually long for a stairway, but the Queen is the Queen." Peering ahead and up, "Besides, I see the top now."
Indeed, the stairs end above in a simple end, a door leading further within. A door of gold, richly colored.
"It's different every time. Sometimes it's a stairway. Sometimes it's a hallway. Sometimes it's a riddle. Sometimes it's a bedroom you have to fall asleep in and DREAM your way into the Court. Remember, Chaos has its own rules!" Calleigh says as she flies toward the door.
The door opens as you approach and ahead is a moonlit field, the night a blanket around all of you now.
Come, heroes of Aurora. Come and dream with me.
"Yay!" Calleigh cheers as she passes through the doorway at full speed.
'Looks like we're dreaming our way in. Possibly.' Tryll says as he heads through as well.
Thus you pass into the field.
Gytha is silent, taking it all in.
Thorajin looks around, 'Better than much I've seen," he declares, while Miranda follows.
Rest, dream. Ask the question that you seek the answer to.
Calleigh drops out of the air and faceplants into the grass.
'Well, that's one way to do it. Gytha, Thorajin, I know we don't normally sleep, but let's just do it. It's magic. I'm sure it'll work anyway.'
Miranda lies down, closing her eyes as she lies on her stomach. There she rests, head against the grass.
Like this, the party is swept away into rest.
---
Tryll floats in the comforting reaches of his mind, secluded into the long forgotten embrace of sleep. Here he drifts on as...
You dream of many things, and seek the answer to a question most of all.
Tryll has many questions! Most of them are inappropriate for this setting. Can the Queen see inside his head?
That's a good question, isn't it? If Morwel can, she's showing no sign of it.
Well then. 'Skipping the smaller, frivolous things, let's get down to serious business because we need to chat anyway. Did you hear about the dragon? The one we can't talk about?'
There are many dreaming dragons.
Yet not one like that, not like that one who has returned.
'Oh good, you know who I'm talking about, then. You know why he's back, yes?'
I am not aware, what a curious dream he has.
'Then we need to get you and him to talk, face to face. It's really important. Cosmically so. Real Big Stuff important. Bigger than Calleigh and myself can do. Then we can get down to the smaller stuff. You're the biggest and strongest god I know, and I think you need to be fully read-in. Anything otherwise is foolish, and I can't say it here.'
Okay, lemme as you OOC since you're the newest to this and I want to make sure you're not making an unintended mistake here: What's your aim for Morwel here, Yuth?
Face to face convo, portal to Io's little bit of Outside, and a clear discussion.
A clear discussion about what, precisely?
Ao, the end of Creation, and our upcoming attempts to kill or neutralize him. And his errand girl.
You really need to review the following posts here carefully:
http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104299.msg1146773.html#msg1146773
Short version: Unless Morwel is a part of this, and to your knowledge she isn't, inviting her into that will literally doom Creation.
This is new for you and it's possible you have crossed wires with this somehow, so I'll give you a chance to strike your last few lines.
Yeah, I think I misunderstood. I thought we could tell people if we brought them to Io where Ao couldn't overhear our conversations. I'm not sure what I missed.
Lemme walk you through it OOC, since I in part rely on everyone having picked up on this from talking/reading other threads and perhaps something was missed. No big deal, we'll sort this.
In short, no one but the people brought into this can be aware of what's going on. This is the people in the five nodes, as well as the following noted exceptions:
Marie and Calleigh, as they're familiars of people in the nodes.
Zaphkiel, who is behind the nodes.
Asmodeus seems to be aware of what's going on as well, though this is somewhat uncertain.
Io, who came back from Beyond to help and helped ensure there would be more nodes.
Perhaps Sylian, who is following his own agenda and is speculated to have become One in the Far Realm after the events of Balmuria 1. As he's in the Far Realm, he's essentially out of contact as it is. I don't think you've ever brushed against him save for a few references in previous games. Nonetheless, he's included for reference.
If word of this spreads, Ao will be aware and what follows will be 'Endless Catastrophe', and according to Io, the doom of Creation. The entire operation relies on essentially keeping Ao from noticing this is happening through intervention. If Ao finds out, all of Creation takes it in the neck and possibly worse.
OH GOOD. I totally misread the situation. Crud. Ok. Striking everything and rolling baaaack.
Cool. We'll restart from this line, that should be fine. If not let me know.Miranda lies down, closing her eyes as she lies on her stomach. There she rests, head against the grass.
Like this, the party is swept away into rest.
---
Tryll floats in the comforting reaches of his mind, secluded into the long forgotten embrace of sleep. Here he drifts on as...
You dream of many things, and seek the answer to a question most of all.
Quote from: Yuthirin on July 01, 2019, 03:15:35 PM
'Yes. Essentially correct.' Tryll agrees. 'It's been a wild few months since.'
Okay, so back to the beginning. This quest originally started with the seeking of "Why irrigo now? What is the ultimate drive?" correct?
Really just trying to make sure we're all on the same page here, because I got super side-tracked.
Yes, that was the reason you came to talk to her in the first place.
Alright cool, thanks.
'Yes. Firstly, hello, your majesty. I hope things are going well. Things are becoming increasingly strange, but that's only tangentially why we're here. We're wondering what the point is of re-creating our race. Why the irrigo? Why now? What's the ultimate goal?'
You wish to know the will of the Triune of the Irrigo?
A worthy dream.
'Yes. That's our current conundrum.'
Then tell me but one thing, dreamer.
Why did you come to me?
'Because gods don't just disappear. The Triune of the irrigo essentially vanished after our home plane ended. I has a belief that either the Triune was an aspect of yourself, or their power was folded into your portfolio some time ago. Am I wrong?'
You know of Angharradh, Tryll, of the elves? Your ally Jaela serves her. Do you understand what she is and how she is?
'I'm not familiar with her, to be completely honest.'
I understand. Angharradh is three elven deities as one. A special combination, three acting together as a warrior to defend the elven race.
'Right. Okay, makes sense.'
Your triune is similar, Tryll. It is always three - your triune, your race, your people.
You seek one and at the same time you seek three.
'I suppose? I'm unsure.'
You drift in this dream like state, the world all around you dim and dark. It seems to have faded into a blur while you were talking, leaving yourself alone with the Queen's voice.
You seek three deities who become one.
'The Triune? Or Angharradh? I'm confused now.'
Edit in the last post, that was supposed to be seek and not see. Does that change your post?
No change. Queen Morwell has thoroughly confused the squid.
Fair enough. How's the great computer drama of our age going, by the way?Your Triune is three combined into one, Tryll.
The suck of my life has extended FAR BEYOND just computer issues, Dune. I'll tell you more tonight.
'Oh. Well yes. That's true. Was that not always the case?'
Wow. This is gonna be worth strapping in for, huh?
Also I think this IC conversation's suffered from the delays a bit, but no helping that, so let's get it moving.So it has been and will be. You do not see one alone, but three.
'...is that not what the Triune is?'
Yes.
Do you understand who you should seek?
'Angharradh?' Tryll is even more confused. 'Is she gonna help us kill Shar, too?'
You drift in your dreams, losing sight. Drifting, floating, everything an ethereal haze.
A field of stars, dominated by three brilliantly bright stars on the horizon. It fills your field of vision as you drift, the three standing out amid the starscape.
Oh boy if this is supposed to help, it's really having the opposite effect. 'Uh, boss? Queen? Your highness? I really don't get it at all.'
To your words the stars shine brighter and brighter, growing more luminous in the sky by the moment.
'I have to go into outer space?'
The stars shine even brighter, seemingly closer and closer to you as they do.
'Outer space is coming to ME!?'
The three stars are close, close enough to fly to if you wished. Radiant with light, silently floating in the night sky.
Tryll gives a mental shrug and flies into the dreamsky.
As you approach, each star slowly can be seen. Within the light is a temple, each one bearing a single, open air temple.
Tryll inspects the temples!
Each one is an open air temple with pillars supporting it. Within you can see light and what looks to be an altar, each one different. You'd have to go into a temple to inspect that temple more in depth.
Tryll attempts to inspect the temples more closely then!
You'd have to go into a particular one to inspect that one closer, or otherwise compensate to get closer somehow. Up to you which.
Like in the dream or awake?
In the dream as you are now, as far as you know.
Tryll picks the middle one to head to.
Thus you go in.
Within the temple and altar are wildflowers. Wildflowers grow here freely, blossoming before your eyes as you enter. Purple colored tulips, if you don't miss your casual guess.
A sense of presence, that of a man. You know this without a word being said, a sense of familiarity, something different and something like yourself at once.
'Now I'm even more confused.' Tryll says, 'This certainly LOOKS like an elven temple. Got the flowers for it.'
Confused and lost, Tryll blinks and awakens. A little groggy but otherwise awake, the others around him.
"What?" Miranda murmurs, "Was that?"
'I have no idea but I have a headache. I haven't had a headache in over a million years. I didn't even know I could still GET headaches.'
"Wut tha hek." Calleigh grumbles, rubbing her face. "That was weird. I taste purple." Calleigh sticks out her tongue and starts scraping it with her fingers.
Calleigh's fingers come back a lovely shade of green, a forest green. Maybe forest green tastes like purple?
"I'm completely lost," Miranda says, as you two squid-like companions float there, seemingly lost and confused as you are.
"Excuse me," A voice calls, pulling your attention from the door ahead you went through, just before this hit the dreamscape or whatever that was.
'Eh? What's-'
"IT'S GREEN! WHY'S IT GREEN!?"
'EhhhhhhHHHHHHHhello. Yes?' Tryll looks at the doorway.
It is green. Calleigh cannot escape that fact. Her tongue is green. Green as a forest.
As Calleigh deals with tongue metaphysics, an elf is before you. No. An eladrin, a beautiful figure. Hazy somehow, like a half remembered dream. A handsome man, here and there and not there at once.
"I am Ellonar," The eladrin says kindly to you, "You seem confused, Tryll. I would walk with you and illuminate what you do not understand."
'Yes, can you explain how Angharradh has anything to do with this?'
Offering you a hand for just a moment, "Not that you can take it, but gestures matter," he says, starting to walk. "Angharradh is an example, the same principle behind her is the principle behind the Triune you serve. You understand this?"
'Oh. Well yeah. That makes sense. She's the three-in-one elf god right? Similar to the Triune and the Triune.'
"Yes," The elf agrees, "The principle is to find the three who compose the Triune, to understand more. This seems to have caused difficulties," A glance back at Calleigh, "...how did her tongue turn green?"
"IT'S GREEN BUT IT TASTES LIKE PURPLE!" Calleigh sobs.
'She's a courre among courres.' Tryll replies, 'Don't ask questions you'll regret the answer to. Also okay. I thought they were one god?'
"That's how it works," Is the explanation, "They are three who become one in certain circumstances."
'Right, okay. So what happened after? Did they separate?'
"They can separate and rejoin," Is the explanation you get. "They have flexibility."
'Oh. Uh. I didn't know that was a thing. Should have realized, I suppose, gods being gods they can do pretty much whatever they want. So where are they now?'
"They tend to their duties. Before I go on, for the sake of wisdom: Do you have an inkling of who they are?" Is asked to you.
'I honestly thought they were aspects of the Queen.'
"Not quite, the Triune was an experiment in many ways," Ellonar says, as...
Is Tryll IC aware of Morwel's nature? I know some B3 PCs got in on it, but not all.
hed be aware of whatever Morwell and others would tell him.
Sorry to slow this, but this is something I need 100% clarity on. So Tryll never heard this firsthand, then?
I officially have no idea what you're talking about so probably not.
"Suffice to say, there was reasons to experiment in this area." Ellonar goes on. "To experiment with new forms of life in the natural world, to experiment with new races. One is Oberon, seeking the limits of his powers and his understanding."
'Right, okay. That makes sense. Explains the irrigo, really.'
"Selune is another, for she lent her mystery to the Triune," Your guide goes on, "To see what may grow from this and to use her wisdom to guide it."
'What.'
Calleigh stops what she's panicking about, points at Tryll, inhales hugely, and laaaaaaaaaaaaaughs long and hard.
Here Ellonar pauses, "That's amusing to you?" he asks, "Is Selune amusing to you?"
Tryll sighs.
Calleigh takes a deep, gasping breath, "SHE'S YOUR MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
'I may have hit on Selune directly to her face at one point in the recent past.' Tryll admits.
Quietly Miranda smiles, staying out of it otherwise.
Ellonar chuckles, "That is rather...horrifying, is that the word, Calleigh?"
"Hilarious is the right word!"
"Mother is somewhat...honorary," Ellonar's lips twitch up, "I believe you do not share Selune's blood, if that is any consolation."
'That does not make it any less awkward, I assure you.' Tryll replies, ignoring Calleigh completely. 'Let's move on.'
"The third...I ask if you have any inkling at all, after all this?" Your guide asks.
'Uhhhhhh Sune?'
"...were you by chance somehow flirting with Sune as well?" Is the answer you get. "The third is Deep Sashelas, elven deity of the sea. It is not a form elves would normally explore, but he has learned much of the sea. He gave that knowledge as well, as well as the idea of a three gendered race."
'Oh. Alright, that's pretty far from what I would have expected. Huh.' Tryll remarks. 'So none of them are Morwell? I was so sure.'
"The Queen has her own reasons to watch over them and protect them, but she is not one of the Triune." Here your guide pauses, "Though all are those with some ties to the Queen, so it's even more understandable."
"Okay, so she's still the Big Boss!" Calleigh is abruptly there.
Ellonar merely smiles and asks, "When has she ever not been, Calleigh?"
"She wasn't my boss when I was a human!"
"Was she? Do you remember your human life?" Ellonar challenges back. "Perhaps your served the Queen even then?"
"Nope! Died when I was five!" Calleigh responds. "My mommy and daddy worshipped Chauntea!"
"You do remember? How rare," Ellonar admits, "Well, you did good to get here," A smile, "Nevertheless, my task here is done. Do you have any questions, Tryll?"
'Hmm? Oh. Yes. Why?'
"Then ask them," Ellonar invites.
'I just did.'
"Ah. Why what?" Is the question you get back.
'Why the irrigo? What is our purpose? Was? Is. What is our current purpose? Our great goal in the now.'
"I'm not entirely sure," Ellonar admits, "Though I do know your race is being reborn: So if anyone can answer that question, it's you."
'Self-determination, huh?'
"Would you prefer marching orders?" Ellonar says, "Archons are good at those."
'Hard pass.'
"Then...may you and yours find your path ahead," Ellonar says, stepping ahead and gone, leaving you with your thoughts and revelations.
'Well. There you have it, folks. Do what we will. That's our answer.' Tryll says.
Gytha is silent a time, 'Then we do as we can and as we must,' he says, 'Our gift is our own will.'
Thorajin considers it as well before, 'Then has anything changed, besides a future?'
'Not really.' Tryll replies to Thorajin. 'We do as we have been, I suppose. Or change, if we like. As long as our race grows, I don't think we have any other directives.'
'Then....to tomorrow,' Gytha says and from there...
Anything else to do here?
I guess not!
Okay then, what's your next move now that you're done with this particular adventure?
We never did finish up working on that psionic grimoire that decided it wanted an elf name or whatever. I need its secrets inside of me.
Sure.
Returning home, you return to your previous work, which...
Go ahead and set yourself up and your approach here and I'll roll with it.
Calleigh flies in and immediately starts yelling, "BOOOOOKIE WHERE YOU AT!?"
Perhaps surprisingly, this nets no reaction that Tryll can discern.
'Well that's probably not good. Wasn't the book here when we left?'
The tome is here, it's just not reacting.
"Is it asleep? Do books sleep?" Calleigh wonders as Tryll examines the book for trickery.
Filaurel stirs as you examine it, his voice in your mind. 'There you are," the book says, 'Swimmy, what took you so long?'
'Life grows ever stranger. What should have been small things have spiraled out of proportion and became very big things.' Tryll replies.
'Bigger and bigger, is it?' The book responds, 'How big is it? Big as you are?'
'I going to try to destroy Shar.'
'Oh. Are you going to try and learn in the meantime?' Is the answer you get.
'As much as I can, yes.'
'Then try,' Filaurel declares.
Okay, how far did you make it with the book last time?
Oh boy I was really hoping you wouldn't ask that because I don't remember. Gimme a mo
Quote from: Anastasia on July 24, 2018, 04:28:09 PM
Progress. You feel like you're making slow, steady progress - but emphasis on slow. This book is like a dozen puzzles mixed together and sorting them out is the first hurdle. It constantly changes, but you feel like you're making headway.
It's now eveningtime - you're pretty sure they're all eating dinner in the kitchen right now.
That's where we were before we were soundly distracted by other things.
Int check, +3 circumstance bonus.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+18 : 15 + 18, total 33[/blockquote]
You study - and you feel close. You're grasping more of the book now, steady progress after some time of reading. You feel close indeed to something, some breakthrough.
More!
Okay, give me another check then.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+18 : 9 + 18, total 27[/blockquote]
Close. You're so close to something, you feel on the absolute cusp of it.
As you work? "You're still at that fuckin' thing?" Dana comes in, "Figured it out yet?"
'Hold that thought.'
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+18 : 17 + 18, total 35[/blockquote]
"You still working on that shit?" Dana says as you come in, "Do you need some help getting your shit together on it?"
'Whoever wrote this book was a genius madman. Or a mad genius. One who loves puzzles. I'm close though, I can feel it.' Tryll replies, doubling down.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+18 : 19 + 18, total 37[/blockquote]
At last. It takes hours of work, but the final piece slides in and...
Loot post.
'Ah. Oho, that's interesting. But you're empty? Why would they just...leave you empty?'
"You ask them," Filaurel demands, "Got any good powers for someone to add, Swimmy?"
'I can think of several, and a dozen more that don't exist yet. Don't take it too hard. I was just remarking. It seems rude to create such a grand existence and then...not use it to its full potential.' Tryll shrugs. 'You're with us now, though. We'll do great things together. Well, sometimes great. Sometimes there'll be explosions. But Calleigh likes those.'
'I can work with explosions," Filaurel says, as...
Next move?
Honestly unsure of what to do next. Let's ask the team! I'll approach them in the evening.
Getting the team together's not too hard.
Dana and Benyen are sitting together, sharing the last remnants of their dinner together.
Miranda sits by the fire, drinking and watching the flames.
Go ahead.
Tryll drops through the ceiling like some sort of squiddish bug. 'Hi. We should decide what to do next. Taking all ideas. Ready go.'
Miranda looks over, "You're done with that book? Then it's easy, we go kill Sharrans. What else is there?"
'Yes. The book will be accompanying me for as long as I can keep it entertained. We also need large amounts of money.'
"So...slay Sharrans and take their treasure as plunder?" Miranda suggests.
Dana yawns and stretches, "Yeah, I got no fucking problem with that. Does anyone?"
Benyen shakes his head, "It's what we should do that, that's what."
'We need to find some wel-to-do Sharrans then.' Tryll says.
"Can you mind magic that shit up, or do we gotta go ask someone a favor?" Dana asks, yawning again. She leans to the side a bit, onto Benyen, who puts an arm around her. "Bug someone at fuckin' Aurora if you ask me."
"Where even is that place? It wasn't on Lifasa." Calleigh says from atop Miranda's head.
Miranda's eyes roll up to eye Calleigh, "Comfortable, Calleigh?"
Dana waves a hand, "Shit, send someone on Aurora and get some answers."
'Let me see if I can the Aurora.' Tryll says, 'Maybe we can liase there.'
"Sure," Dana yawns again, "You work on that, I need some sleep."
Okay, how are you gonna do that?
Divination? Is it immune?
Sure thing. Use whatever divination you please here and I'll adjudicate it.
Manifesting Divination[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 46, total 46[/blockquote]
'Seek it where it rests amid the house of eternal sunshine.'
Oh boy that's Elysium right?
Gimme K:P real quick?
Taking 10 for 63
Should be Elysium, yeah. It's also where the House of Nature is, which is Lathander's divine realm.
Tryll waits for the others to wake up, then.
Awesome. Full party? Assuming so, any prep before you go?
Yes, full party. A trip to Elysium shouldn't need any prep. If needed, we can skip to Brightwater after some research.
Getting to Aurora takes a bit of effort once on Elysium, but a side trip to the House of Nature isn't hard. Soon enough you reach Aurora, the fortress sitting in a grassy field, and...
Go ahead.
We outside or inside?
Just outside, but free free to head on in.
Calleigh, heedless of any possible reprisal or really anyone's personal space, flies inside through the gates. Tryll follows at a sedate pace. 'Miranda, Benyen, welcome to the Aurora.'
Naturally, nothing happens to Calleigh at all.
"It's good to be back," Dana says as the other two take it in. "So shit, let's get this going."
'I think we'd be best off talking to Tannin, if he's available. He's usually in the know.' Tryll remarks as Calleigh flies into a portal.
Finding Tannin isn't too hard. He's resting in the cafeteria, which bustles with people coming and going. He's simply people watching, sipping a glass of iced water as...
Go ahead.
'Tannin.' Tryll manifests as a ghostly white eye the size of a dinner plate immediately to Tannin's right.
Meanwhile, Calleigh is absent.
Tannin doesn't even blink, "Tryll," he says, "Dana, Miranda, Benyen."
"You know us?" Miranda asks.
"I keep in the loop," He says, "What do you need?"
'Tannin's job is to know things. He's very good at it. That's actually why we're here. We're looking for Sharrans. Preferably wealthy ones. To rob.'
Calleigh's absence continues.
"We have a lead on them, we're just too busy to chase Sharans right now. It's never been our patch," Tannin admits. "You familiar with Pandemonium?"
'It's loud.' Tryll agrees. 'What's your lead?'
Calleigh's absence grows conspicuous.
"It's a border region of Water and Ice called the Crystal Reef Sea," Tannin explains, "I don't know what they're doing or why, only that there's some base set up within a few hours journey from Ebbet's Rock."
'Pandemonium borders Ice and Water?'
"Did someone say my name?" Asks a small voice from behind Tannin.
'Your name is not Pandemonium.'
Today: The DM mixes up adventure prompts and ideas, doesn't even realize it. Strike that last line.
"Are you familiar with Agathion, the lowest layer of Pandemonium?" Tannin asks.
'I think I spent a while there, back when I started out. Pandemonium-'
"Did someone say my name?" Asks a small voice from behind Tannin.
'-is a great place to hide. Calleigh your name is not Pandemonium.' Tryll says patiently.
"It could be! You don't know!" Calleigh retorts.
'I do indeed know. Your name is Calleigh. Where have you been?'
"I made a friend!" Calleigh replies cheerfully.
"Caverns," Miranda puts in here, "A perfect defensive zone if you control the portal in and out."
"That too, Tannin agrees while eyeing the two arguing. "What friend?"
"He's a good friend! He's a bit of a hothead, though. You could say he's got a fiery disposition! He's a well rounded individual!"
"Who is?" Tannin challenges right back.
"His name is-" There comes a noise, like wet rocks and angry flames, "-OOPSGOTTAGOHAVEFUN!" Calleigh bolts out of the room as a magma slime rolls through a portal.
That gets attention, a few cries of alarm as Tannin smoothly hops to his feet - only for a rather swiftly moving Ebony to be there, chanting, driving it back through the portal.
"As I was saying," Tannin says, "You want this location?"
'Yes, please.' Tryll says, waving a greeting at Ebony.
"Look for Surgonar's Reef - no water, just ancient, rusted out iron ships and growths," Tannin says, "There's supposed to be a portal in the area somewhere."
'Sounds pleasant, thanks. We'll take care of it for you. Please contact me if you hear of any others.'
"Good luck," Tannin says, "I don't know what they're up to, but it's going to be ugly."
'For them, yes. They are not expecting us.'
Okay then, now that you have info? Any prep for this, purchases, spells, ect?
Tryll needs zero supplies for now. He's got everything he needs. Filaurel Filling will have to come later, when we have the money to afford very expensive psionics manifested by people we don't know.
Calleigh is fine. Death Ward wand will be good against the Inevitable Shadows.
Anyone in the party need things?
I believe everyone is good.
The main (only) question really is support magic, and this isn't the best group to provide it, so.
Calleigh is able to provide SOME support via her impressive collection of wands.
Then lay it on 'em.
Everyone gets Mind Blank, Death Ward, Dispelling Buffer, Energy Conversion, and some Heroism.
Okay, going to make spoiler blocks here for ease and then start a new topic for this adventure. CLs for all of the various spells?
Dana
HP: 618/618 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+2 (+2 morale), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+2 (+2 morale), Skills+2 (+2 morale), Checks+0
Resources: Rage 1/1 Offensive Chain 3/3 Defensive Chain 3/3 Defensive Stance 10/10 Protection Devotion 1/1 Bulwark 3/3 Haste 10/10
Spells Used: Power Points 485/485
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Mind Blank, Death Ward, Dispelling Buffer, Energy Conversion, Heroism
Notes: Triggers frost blood on a slashing or piercing melee attack.
Miranda
HP: 421/421
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources:
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Favored enemy applies to attack rolls. No real resource issues with anything she does, can function all day.
Benyen
HP: 632/632 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Magic Circle Against Evil 10ft (Protection from Evil), Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Smite Evil 21/21 Channel Energy 13/13 Lay On Hands 60/60 Remove Disease 1/1 (week) Incarnum Overload 1/1 Servant of the Heavens 1/1 +5 One Attack On FA 1/1 (rnd) Take 10 On One Attack (rnd) 1/1 Rage 2/2 Hell Striker Takeover 1/1 (mth) Dimension Door 3/3
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Typical smite bonus damage is 28*2=56+6=62. 62+12=74*2=148 on charge, 74 normally.
Heroism: CL 5 (lasts 50 min)
Death Ward: CL 7 (lasts 7 min)
Mind Blank: CL 15 (lasts 24 hrs)
Dispelling Buffer: ML 11 (lasts 11 hours)
Energy Conversion: ML 13 (lasts 130 min)
On reflection, Calleigh will withold Death Ward castings until combat prep. Casting it at the outset is wasteful and probably pointless.
Tryll
HP: 793/793 (fast healing 41)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Free manifesting 1 & 2, 3/day each. Correspond, Crystal Shard, Read Thoughts at will. Demoralize, Psychometry 3/day. Retrieve 1/day.
Spells Used: Power Points 974/974
SLAs Used:
Spells/Powers Active: Mind Blank, Dispelling Buffer, Energy Conversion, and some Heroism.
Notes: Incorporeal
Calleigh
HP: 414/414
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Magic Circle Against Evil
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: At will: Dancing Lights, Detect Evil, Detect Magic, Faerie Fire. 3/day: Magic Missile, Sleep
Spells Used: Power Points 57/57
SLAs Used:
Spells/Powers Active: Mind Blank, Dispelling Buffer, Energy Conversion, and some Heroism.
Notes: When near any psionic creature, +2 to all checks.
Dana
HP: 618/618 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+2 (+2 morale), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+2 (+2 morale), Skills+2 (+2 morale), Checks+0
Resources: Rage 1/1 Offensive Chain 3/3 Defensive Chain 3/3 Defensive Stance 10/10 Protection Devotion 1/1 Bulwark 3/3 Haste 10/10
Spells Used: Power Points 485/485
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL15), Death Ward, Dispelling Buffer (CL11), Energy Conversion (CL13), Heroism (CL5)
Notes: Triggers frost blood on a slashing or piercing melee attack.
Miranda
HP: 421/421
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+2 (+2 morale), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+2 (+2 morale), Skills+2 (+2 morale), Checks+0
Resources:
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL15), Death Ward, Dispelling Buffer (CL11), Energy Conversion (CL13), Heroism (CL5)
Notes: Favored enemy applies to attack rolls. No real resource issues with anything she does, can function all day.
Benyen
HP: 632/632 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Magic Circle Against Evil 10ft (Protection from Evil), Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+2 (+2 morale), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+2 (+2 morale), Skills+2 (+2 morale), Checks+0
Resources: Smite Evil 21/21 Channel Energy 13/13 Lay On Hands 60/60 Remove Disease 1/1 (week) Incarnum Overload 1/1 Servant of the Heavens 1/1 +5 One Attack On FA 1/1 (rnd) Take 10 On One Attack (rnd) 1/1 Rage 2/2 Hell Striker Takeover 1/1 (mth) Dimension Door 3/3
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL15), Death Ward, Dispelling Buffer (CL11), Energy Conversion (CL13), Heroism (CL5)
Notes: Typical smite bonus damage is 28*2=56+6=62. 62+12=74*2=148 on charge, 74 normally.
New thread incoming.