Sep 29 19:30:29 <Tiny_Ko_Army> The night passes in peace. Come morning Adail can see the storm has passed, leaving the Elemental Air as clear and pure as it was before. The ruined githyanki ship continues to float in the emptiness as the party eats and prepares...OOC: Ball is in your courts to get moving or do whatever else.
Sep 29 19:31:52 * Adail hops up and goes to wake folks up. Best to get moving soon and all that.
Sep 29 19:33:11 * Nikkolai groans as he awakens. The hard floor did little to comfort him in his troubled sleep.
Sep 29 19:34:08 <Knight> Knight is already awake, and is in the process of tying her boots whilst the rest follow suit. "I want to proceed as soon as possible," she states to Adail. "There's nothing keeping us here."
Sep 29 19:35:25 * Eva slips out of one of the side rooms, having taken a moment to get dressed in peace, her long blonde hair in braids behind her, dressed in a fancy traveling outfit. "Is everyone ready to go?" Eva chimed in following Knight's words.
Sep 29 19:35:46 * Nikkolai grumbles as he goes about getting prepared to leave. He's definitely not a morning person.
Sep 29 19:35:47 * Adail nods to the Knight, "I as well. I'm ready to go as soon as everyone else is."
Sep 29 19:36:15 <Nikkolai> "Let us be rid of this ship and it's damnably hard floor." He scuffs said floor in disgust.
Sep 29 19:36:36 <Mari> "I'm ready. The sooner we leave, the less chance some gith comes looking for his lost ship."
Sep 29 19:37:46 * Eva takes a look outside the ship to see how things look out there.
Sep 29 19:37:57 <Adail> "The weather has cleared, at least as far as I could see from the entrance. Perhaps the next day of flying will be easier then the first."
Sep 29 19:38:41 <Nikkolai> "It had better. I've no taste for another four hours of flying through a bone chilling rain."
Sep 29 19:39:19 * Mari tears a strip of cloth from one of the bedsheets and uses it to tie her hair back before leaving. No sense getting it all tangled up again if it can be avoided.
Sep 29 19:40:00 * Nikkolai grins suddenly, making a dash for the opening and somersaulting into the air like a young boy.
Sep 29 19:40:27 * Nikkolai careens wildly for a few moments, before settling himself upside down in relation to the ship.
Sep 29 19:40:31 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Thus the party begins to fly 'up' in the Elemental Air. With clear air and calm winds the trip is a pleasant one. No storms seem to be in the offing nor are there any obvious signs of problems. It's just you, your companions and the endless Air all about. Hours and hours of this pass, the party stopping for a mid-air meal then continuing on. Come the second one of these, you can begin to see something glinting far up and ahead on the upw
Sep 29 19:40:36 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Come the second one of these, you can begin to see something glinting far up and ahead on the upwards horizon.
Sep 29 19:41:14 <Eva> "Do you see that?" Eva squinted, trying to get a better view. "I think we may be closing in on our destination."
Sep 29 19:42:10 <Adail> "Here's hoping we haven't gotten turned around somehow." Adail twitches his whiskers as he squints to see the glint better, "A bit hard to tell which way is what around here."
Sep 29 19:42:12 <Mari> "You know, Nik, if you're this energetic, maybe it's for the best that you sleep on the floor everywhere we go," Mari's saying as Eva points out the glint on the horizon. She cranes her neck to get a better look at it.
Sep 29 19:43:02 <Tiny_Ko_Army> It's very far away. None of you can quite make out details yet.
Sep 29 19:43:18 <Nikkolai> "We've a ways to go, yet."
Sep 29 19:43:21 * Knight squints into the distance, fairly unable to tell the difference between a city, or, say, a creature until they draw nearer.
Sep 29 19:43:28 * Nikkolai floats languidly on his back.
Sep 29 19:43:48 <Eva> "Nikkolai can have dibs on floors and dark thoughts," She teased a bit, "But perhaps we can all sleep in a pleasant bed tonight." Eva floated along with the others.
Sep 29 19:44:55 <Mari> "It's in the direction we're going. Good chance it's the city."
Sep 29 19:45:24 <Nikkolai> "You know, I think I'd rather sleep in the air than on a bed." He closes his eyes for a for moments. "Air is softer than the most expensive feather bed."
Sep 29 19:46:11 <Nikkolai> "And perhaps that is indeed our destination. But we're not there yet. Might as well enjoy the flight."
Sep 29 19:46:16 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Thus the party flies on for a time longer. As you ascend you slowly get a better view. It looks to be a cloud of sorts - a vast cloud floating in the air. It's semi transparent, various things glimpsed though it. Things that glitter in the light.
Sep 29 19:47:27 * Adail considers the cloud, "It's certainly pretty from this angle."
Sep 29 19:47:41 <Knight> "Is this the way cities are made in this plane?" asks Knight, curiously. "How do they build upon the clouds?"
Sep 29 19:48:09 * Mari drifts close enough to get a good look at those wandering specks. If this is the city, and if there's any kind of security patrolling the area, well, that'd be good to know.
Sep 29 19:48:16 * Nikkolai smirks.
Sep 29 19:48:28 <Nikkolai> "Oh, I don't know. Magic, perhaps?"
Sep 29 19:49:08 <Eva> "How do horses fly without wings or boats sail without seas? The rules of each plane are different to each other," Eva returned to knight.
Sep 29 19:50:27 <Knight> "Well, yes, but what do they build things out of?" replies Knight. "There's no wood or stone on this plane. It must be difficult."
Sep 29 19:50:34 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Thus you continue to ascend, flying higher to get a look. Updrafts propel you upwards to the clouds - thicker and gauzy, yet not stopping your ascent at all. One can rise up through the clouds if they wish and into the city that way.
Sep 29 19:50:42 <Adail> "I suppose we'll find out when we get there."
Sep 29 19:50:52 <Nikkolai> "Interplanar trade?"
Sep 29 19:50:54 * Nikkolai shrugs.
Sep 29 19:51:11 <Nikkolai> "There are ways around material limitations if you have money enough."
Sep 29 19:51:18 * Nikkolai cranes his head to take in the sights.
Sep 29 19:53:00 * Eva leads the way a bit, floating into one of those up-drafts to start rising up to the city. "Possibly they make it out of clouds?"
Sep 29 19:53:05 * Adail continues ascending into the city, interested in finding out the answers to Knight's questions himself.
Sep 29 19:53:34 * Mari does indeed wish to enter the city. "Much as flying through the voice has its own charm, I'm so much more at home on the streets of a city. Even if the streets are made of clouds."
Sep 29 19:54:53 * Nikkolai follows, commenting, "In some religions, Heaven or Eternity is supposed to be a city in the clouds. Suppose there's a gate of pearls and the streets are made of gold?"
Sep 29 19:55:47 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Thus the party ascends into the city. Around them are walkways of paper thin gold, lacing into the uppermost cloud whisps. Buildings of soft, almost crumbling stone are about, pillared and carved. About fly creatures made of pure air, elementals small to huge. Humanoids also go about, of all types. Many seem more like air than flesh, floating around the walkways.
Sep 29 19:55:53 <Adail> "Actually, heaven is mostly a very large mountain. I trained there for awhile, a few years back."
Sep 29 19:57:02 * Nikkolai blinks at the sight of the golden roads. "Every once in a great while, I enjoy being right."
Sep 29 19:57:13 <Eva> "One heaven anyway," Eva smiled down at Adail.
Sep 29 19:57:45 <Mari> It's certainly a pleasure to behold. Mari can't help but wonder if anyone ever tries to scavenge the streets, though. "Hey Knight, is your, uh, relative-finding sense saying this is the place, or what?"
Sep 29 19:58:06 <Eva> "Let's find an Inn first. If we're here a bit, at least we'll know where to meet up," Eva suggested instead.
Sep 29 19:59:04 <Knight> "Enough discussion of the afterlife," comments Knight, before frowning. "But nothing seems to be significant here. It's still further up. Do you think we can make.. cartographical enquiries here?"
Sep 29 19:59:59 <Adail> "Hmm. Perhaps? I'm not sure maps mean overly much in a place like this, but I won't discount the locals' ability to know thier plane."
Sep 29 20:00:11 <Mari> "Certainly. It's obviously a propsperous city. They should know a fair bit about the surrounding countryside. Or countrysky."
Sep 29 20:00:45 * Mari starts watching the passing buildings for anything that looks like a place for travelers to rest.
Sep 29 20:01:19 <Tiny_Ko_Army> There's no signs abuot, but one stone building has beds carved into it's front stonework.
Sep 29 20:01:22 <Knight> "It could remain a long journey nonetheless. I've heard tell of some planes being infinite in breadth," comments Knight.
Sep 29 20:01:25 * Eva floats up a bit further so she can get a good view, looking for theaters, inns, or shiny buildings.
Sep 29 20:01:55 <Nikkolai> "It seems the local writing is in pictographs." Nikkolai points out the sign.
Sep 29 20:02:12 <Nikkolai> "I'm going to assume that's an inn. Or at least a place with beds. Either will do."
Sep 29 20:02:21 * Mari wanders towards said building. "Beds are always a good sign," she announces to the others as she does so. "right, Nik?"
Sep 29 20:02:29 <Knight> "Would a city like this have need for stables?" wonders Knight, self-consciously glancing about for any other steeds in evidence.
Sep 29 20:02:44 <Adail> "That's fairly common in the inner and outer planes, I'd imagine. Who knows what languages the travellers from who knows where will speak. Pictures are at least fairly universal."
Sep 29 20:02:58 <Tiny_Ko_Army> As Knight glances around, she catches sight of one. A winged horse flies amid the tops of the buildings, white as milk.
Sep 29 20:04:16 * Nikkolai begins floating to the inn, intent on securing a room.
Sep 29 20:04:50 * Adail sticks with Nik for the time being.
Sep 29 20:05:08 <Eva> "Perhaps let's reserve space, and then head around town. I don't know offhand the portals around this city, so better to ask around," Eva stayed with the group a moment.
Sep 29 20:06:29 <Tiny_Ko_Army> The group heads towards the building in question. Inside, past a row of pillars supporting the roof, is an airy interior. About float several hammocks, tied between pillars. Minding all of this is a fat old dwarf, floating in the air and leaning against a wall. "G'day," he calls in Common, "Any of you understand what I'm saying?"
Sep 29 20:06:29 <Knight> "I'm not looking for a portal," replies Knight, dismounting and stepping up to the edge of the inn- being able to walk on the ground is a relief, after all this time. "I just need to know what's above us."
Sep 29 20:07:24 <Knight> "Yes, quite."
Sep 29 20:07:26 <Eva> "All of us I believe," Eva smiled at the dwarf.
Sep 29 20:07:36 * Adail chuckles, "We do indeed."
Sep 29 20:07:58 <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Ah." Scratching his corpulent belly, "Here for the chance to rest, travelers? New in Stratusberg, or have you been here before?"
Sep 29 20:08:31 <Knight> "I haven't come before," replies Knight. "You wouldn't know where one could find a stable, would you? We're looking to rest for a day or two."
Sep 29 20:08:46 <Mari> "Oh, we're newcomers, all of us," Mari says, flashing a friendly smile. "Rest and gossip would do us well. Anything you could tell us about this place, the better."
Sep 29 20:08:53 <Eva> "Just in town, actually. Not tired yet, but figure it's good to settle on a place to stay..."
Sep 29 20:09:08 <Nikkolai> "I'll take a room seperately, if you would." Nikkolai interjects quickly.
Sep 29 20:10:13 <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Got a horse or mule?" He peers at Knight and belches, "Just get it to stay out back. Make sure it's ass is pointing downward so it don't shit on anyone." After that, "Gossip I can do. Beds I can do." He gestures, "A hammock and a meal is 5 cirrus. A private room is one sunset."
Sep 29 20:11:13 <Knight> "I can't pay you in meteorlogical phenomena, but I do have gold!"
Sep 29 20:11:56 <Eva> roll 1d20+10
Sep 29 20:11:57 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Eva rolls 1d20+10 and gets 21." [1d20=11]
Sep 29 20:12:04 <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Let me see your coins?" The dwarf gestures forward.
Sep 29 20:12:05 <Mari> roll 1d20+9 have I heard of these monies?
Sep 29 20:12:05 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+9 have I heard of these monies? and gets 20." [1d20=11]
Sep 29 20:12:49 <Knight> Knight withdraws a few gold and silver coins from a bulging pouch, placing them in front of the man without a shred of guile.
Sep 29 20:13:33 <Tiny_Ko_Army> The dwarf peers at them, holding them in front of his face. "Aye, not bad. A bit thin," he bites a gold one, then taps it against his knuckles, "Eight of the silver ones will do for a hammock. 1 of the gold ones and 5 of the silver ones for a private room."
Sep 29 20:14:29 <Nikkolai> "That seems like a fair price." Nikkolai rummages through his pouches and produces the appropriate currency for a private room.
Sep 29 20:14:32 <Eva> "How about we split a couple of rooms? A gold each isn't too bad," Eva turned to the others seeing. "...Hey wait a minute there," Eva frowned. "You said a sunset for a private room, not a sunset and five cirrus."
Sep 29 20:14:33 <Mari> "That's funny," Mari says, idly flipping a gold coin, "I thought it was *one* sunset for a private room?"
Sep 29 20:15:05 <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Your coins are thinner and smaller than the local standard," The dwarf merely shrugs to this. "I have to compensate for it."
Sep 29 20:15:33 <Knight> "That sounds fair," replies Knight, with a shrug. "A private room for me as well."
Sep 29 20:16:27 * Mari shrugs. "I could split one," she says in response to Eva. "Should never pass up a chance to save money when you've got one."
Sep 29 20:16:47 * Adail produces one gold coin, "I have no silver, I'm afraid. Will this do for a hammock? I have no need of a private room, myself."
Sep 29 20:17:11 <Eva> "Fair enough," Eva put down eight silver. "Half mine, half yours, We'll take a room."
Sep 29 20:17:31 * Mari pays for the rest of the Eva's room.
Sep 29 20:17:46 <Tiny_Ko_Army> The coins are all taken and scooped up, Adail given two heavy silver coins back. "Now then, what did yo uwant to know about gossip around here?"
Sep 29 20:18:09 <Nikkolai> "The nearest portal would be welcome information."
Sep 29 20:18:52 <Eva> "What are the sights to see in town?" Eva wondered. "Any good troupes in the city at the moment?"
Sep 29 20:18:55 <Mari> "Oh, anything of note in the area. What's worth seeing? Or who's worth seeing too, I suppose? If you're only here once in you're life, what shouldn't you leave without doing? That sort of thing."
Sep 29 20:19:00 <Knight> "What lies above the city," adds Knight, pointing upwards. "We're travelling in that direction."
Sep 29 20:20:07 <Tiny_Ko_Army> "There's one to the Astral a couple of days from here. You may want to steer clear - there was an Astral Deva raising Heaven and smiting Hell here a day ago. Star really knew how to raise trouble." After lightly burping again, "No troupes - Star scared 'em off because the producers is fiendblooded." (More)
Sep 29 20:21:51 <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Well, there's two things. There's the Aerium Gladius here. It's dedicated to battle duelling with airs. Warriors put on shows daily showing the best of aerial combat. The other is the Silver Cage, though it's a bit out of town."
Sep 29 20:22:21 <Eva> "What's the Silver Cage?" Eva smiled, leaning back against a wall as she listened.
Sep 29 20:22:25 * Mari has to frown at someone chasing off the local entertainment. And for their lineage, no less! No one can choose their ancestors, after all.
Sep 29 20:23:33 <Tiny_Ko_Army> "It was build by a mage a few hundred years ago. It's silver bars and walls of wind all bound together into a circus maze. Do you know what a hedge maze is? It's something like that. It's also a bit dangerous, so don't go if you're going to get yourself in trouble. On the other hand, sometimes people come back with treasure from it and swear there's more."
Sep 29 20:24:28 * Nikkolai frowns at the mention of trouble near his closest exit to safety. "What troubles the Deva so? Surely the local travellers would band together and drive her out if trade and tourism is upset by her blocking the portal."
Sep 29 20:25:05 <Mari> "Saw enough of recreational killing back on Ysgard. I'm for hitting the maze if someone wants to pass some time here before we move on."
Sep 29 20:25:07 <Eva> "Now that does sound like a good bit of fun... Anyone up for a trip out there?" Eva hummed.
Sep 29 20:25:24 <Tiny_Ko_Army> "She said she had to go find her friends and smite more evil," The dwarf shrugs, "Celestials, fiends, modrons, slaadi, all of them are nuts." The dwarf shrugs and grunts. "Got so much of what they are addling their brains that they're incomprehensible."
Sep 29 20:25:29 * Eva nods to Mari. "Sounds like a trip."
Sep 29 20:26:41 <Mari> "Here here," Mari says, nodding in agreement with the innkeep. "Present company excluded of course," she adds with a nod towards Adail.
Sep 29 20:26:59 <Nikkolai> "You may go where you like, but I'm afraid that our paths must part here. I have no interest in games or sight seeing. My only goal is that portal and I mean to leave this plane as soon as possible."
Sep 29 20:27:38 <Eva> "Oh? It's a pity," Eva waved. "Well, it was a pleasure traveling with you so far. I wouldn't be in such a rush though. The planes are more dangerous to the hurried."
Sep 29 20:27:42 <Mari> "Oh yeah? Going to make your home on the astral?"
Sep 29 20:28:03 <Eva> "Would you like to come, Adail?" She turned her attention to the musteval.
Sep 29 20:28:39 * Merc is now known as Merc-zzz
Sep 29 20:28:57 <Nikkolai> "I've a place in mind. Our fellowship was useful for safety in numbers, but the present danger has passed."
Sep 29 20:29:48 * Adail eyes Nik, "Truely? Have you any idea how dangerous the Astral plane is? Or how to navigate it to reach where you're intending?"
Sep 29 20:30:11 <Mari> "Danger's never passed on the planes, Nik. You're better off not wandering through strange dimensions all by your lonesome."
Sep 29 20:30:22 <Nikkolai> "I've been a traveller for nearly a year, my friend." Nikkolai shrugs nonchalantly. I'm not dead yet."
Sep 29 20:30:51 <Adail> "Nearly a whole year? So you're still new at this, is what you're saying?"
Sep 29 20:31:41 <Eva> "You'll not live to a proper five hundred going alone, but if your path branches here, may the winds carry you calmly on," Eva shrugged.
Sep 29 20:31:50 <Tiny_Ko_Army> The dwarf leans back and listens to all of this, "Ya know, they're right. Air's safe enough, but most other places'll chew you up and turn you into a petitioner if you let them. You have to be pretty mad to wander the planes alone, or pretty damned powerful."
Sep 29 20:32:48 * Nikkolai gives the group a genial nod. "Then my luck must hold till I reach my destination. I'm skilled enough to have survived thus far. Surely once more portal won't make a difference."
Sep 29 20:34:05 <Mari> "Sure, sure, maybe you'll be lucky enough to survive waking up in another burning town." To the innkeep, sotto voce: "He is a little mad, don't encourage him."
Sep 29 20:34:09 * Eva shrugs, heading for the door and waiting for the others there. She understood when one felt it was time to go, it was time to go.
Sep 29 20:37:44 <Nikkolai> "..." Nikkolai shoots a small glare at Mari. "For someone who's arguing that I should stay, you're not really endearing me to you." He comments dryly.
Sep 29 20:38:37 <Mari> "Look, Nik, I've been doing this longer than you have. Be smart about this: don't just jump in the first portal you find until you wind up in the right place. If you want to get to the plane of water, maybe there's a better way to do that. Take enough time to ask around and make sure you do things right. But that's just advice from one traveler to another."
Sep 29 20:40:09 * Mari has, of course, no rebuttal to Nik's wisecrack. It's not like she said anything that was untrue, after all.
Sep 29 20:41:30 <Eva> "Coming?" Eva wondered to the others.
Sep 29 20:41:35 <Nikkolai> "If you are concerned for my well-being that much, then it will not be too much effort to simply accompany me to the portal and send me on my way. I have no wish to dally." Nikkolai manages to look contrite.
Sep 29 20:43:53 <Mari> "Hey, this isn't concern. It doesn't cost me anything to stop and tell someone when he's being follish. But if you can't even bring yourself to take the time to ask around about other portals, well, there's not much I can do for you." She can only shrug, and wander to the door with Eva.
Sep 29 20:44:57 <Eva> "Knight, care to come along?" Eva waved, seeing her coming back from tying her horse up.
Sep 29 20:45:20 * Adail sighs, "The lady Valkyrie asked me to teach you as much as I can, but there's nothing I can do for one who thinks he has nothing to learn."
Sep 29 20:45:23 <Nikkolai> "I didn't say this very moment. I did pay for a room, after all. I simply don't want to get caught up in some foolish and unecessary waste of time like...this maze thing."
Sep 29 20:46:45 <Knight> "I must concur with Nikkolai," remarks Knight, after a moment. "I'd hoped to spend this time preparing for the next leg of my journey. But would you require my assistance? There is some strength in numbers, I must admit, and aid is a mutual arrangement."
Sep 29 20:47:09 <Eva> "Ah, the short wicks rush to burn the quickest," Eva tsked. "It's just a bit of fun. You can come, or not. I'm just checking out the sights. It's not like I'll be back here soon."
Sep 29 20:47:17 <Mari> "Well, it is your life. If you want to walk through it without stopping to look at anything, I guess it's yours to waste." She pretty clearly doesn't have anything more to add.
Sep 29 20:48:12 <Adail> "Simply because something does not have bearing on the task at hand does not mean it is without value. Simply the joy of seeing what one has not seen before is often reward enough." Adail adds in what sounds like some manner of quote.
Sep 29 20:49:19 <Knight> "I can't say I agree," replies Knight, nonetheless heading for the door. "Intangible gains mean little in a life like mine."
Sep 29 20:49:43 * Nikkolai sighs. "Very well. What's one more day?" His tone is tinged with defeat.
Sep 29 20:49:47 <Adail> Saying that, he moves to join Mari and Eva, but looks up at Knight, "Really? Why is that?"
Sep 29 20:49:50 <Eva> "Well said," Eva chirped down to Adail as she began to stride off in the direction of the Silver Cage, keeping her eyes out to get a feel for the town. There really was no better way to learn about a city than to travel it.
Sep 29 20:51:35 <Knight> "They don't aid my quest," replies Knight, with a shrug. "I'm aware of platitudes that state the journey is more important than the goal, but from my point of view, it really isn't."
Sep 29 20:52:31 <Eva> "That's true...but is your quest over tomorrow?" Eva wondered back to Knight. "A quest without rest is likened to a life without reflection."
Sep 29 20:52:53 <Adail> "What is it then that makes your point of view so different?" Adail is now genuinely curious, as Knight seems to speak with a certainty that most mortals lack when speaking of such things.
Sep 29 20:53:39 * Mari keeps an eye out for pickpockets and the like as they drift through the city (it's just a reflex by this point--she spent enough time as one, after all). "So, what happens *after* this quest of yours?"
Sep 29 20:56:20 <Knight> "I must reunite my family," replies Knight, as if a mantra. "Everything else is a distraction. How can you concentrate on beauty or private pursuits when your kin are unjustly scattered? If I could bring them together in an instant, I would."
Sep 29 20:57:52 * Eva quirks her head to the side. "Well, I can understand that... but the journey to chase a kinsmen can be a thousand miles. It is not a simple road you travel."
Sep 29 20:58:31 <Adail> "From the sound of it, I take it they did not willingly scatter to the four corners of wherever?"
Sep 29 21:00:49 <Knight> "No, they did not," replies Knight. "They are lost, I know it, and only I can find them. It's for their sake, too, so I can't take a real break."
Sep 29 21:01:55 <Mari> "So, how'd you get separated in the first place?" Mari asks, apparently not having any compunction about prying into someone else's unpleasant past.
Sep 29 21:02:04 * Eva hums a simple tune as they walk, thinking. "That is a heavy burden."
Sep 29 21:02:57 <Adail> "A tragedy indeed, then. Well, until something forces us to part ways, I am willing to do what I can to help."
Sep 29 21:04:44 <Knight> "My lord was defeated in battle, and all of us were cast into a vortex within Limbo," replies Knight. "Only I retained a mobile form, I believe."
Sep 29 21:05:47 <Mari> "'Mobile form'?" Mari echoes.
Sep 29 21:06:07 <Eva> "Do you perhaps come from a plane of Law, Knight? Your manner of speech seems so," Eva wondered.
Sep 29 21:08:34 <Knight> "No, I come from one of the material planes, I believe," she responds, shaking her head. "I'm not entirely sure, myself. "
Sep 29 21:09:57 <Eva> "Who was your Lord?" She wondered, the story of interest.
Sep 29 21:12:16 <Knight> "Felisa Hargood," replies Knight, instantly. "An adventuring mage, similar to Nikkolai. I was bound to her from my earliest memories. We fought against... slaadi, I believe, who took offense to her passage through their realm." She grimaces. "It was a senseless conflict that benefited nobody."
Sep 29 21:13:36 <Adail> "Senseless describes slaadi aptly. They need no reasons for what they do, being beings of pure Chaos and all."
Sep 29 21:13:41 <Eva> "Such are many fights, but it was an important conflict to you. How did your family get cast into Limbo by the Slaadi?"
Sep 29 21:13:54 <Mari> "Soo, you grew up in this mage's service?" Mari asks. It's clearly conjecture, like she feels she's missing an important piece of the story somehow.
Sep 29 21:15:38 <Knight> "They fell in by accident, along with my lord's body. I tried to follow, but... ah, no. My lord drew my card, thus making me manifest in this body." Knight glances ahead of the road, and nods. "Is that the maze ahead of us?"
Sep 29 21:16:56 <Tiny_Ko_Army> The party has walked on for a ways. They travel the roads out of town, heading for the Silver Cage. Ahead they can see a vast gleaming square of silver lined walls of pure flowing wind, a circular gate leading inside.
Sep 29 21:17:21 <Eva> "...Your card?" Eva caught onto the very strange wording. "You mean you selected who would protect your lord by cards?" Eva looked over it, heading toward the gate.
Sep 29 21:17:59 * Mari can't think of anything intelligent to say about this last revelation of Knight's, so she drifts to the gate and taes a look inside the maze.
Sep 29 21:18:33 * Adail is as puzzled as Mari, so likewise keeps his mouth shut and moves on to the gate.
Sep 29 21:20:32 <Knight> "Who would serve my lord. Protection is only one option," replies Knight, nodding, and moving in step with Adail. "What exactly will we do here?"
Sep 29 21:21:07 <Nikkolai> "We're tourists. We'll see what we will see."
Sep 29 21:21:09 <Tiny_Ko_Army> As you approach, you see that words are engraved to the silver the gate is made of. Inside, the gate leads to a path between windwalls, a roof and floor provided by them.
Sep 29 21:21:10 * Nikkolai shrugs.
Sep 29 21:21:23 <Mari> "Well, if it's like any other maze, we go in, get lost, then try to get un-lost."
Sep 29 21:22:02 <Mari> "And apparently this maze gives out prizes," she adds as she stops to read the writing on the gate.
Sep 29 21:22:25 * Eva looks over at the writing, trying to read it.
Sep 29 21:22:55 <Eva> "Mazes are always a good measure of intuition. Can you find the right needle in the haystack. But I've not seen one before entirely made of silver."
Sep 29 21:23:07 <Knight> "It's a game, then? I admit to enjoying games," replies Knight, stepping forward and reaching out for the gate. "Especially where the stakes are high."
Sep 29 21:23:21 <Tiny_Ko_Army> The writing is in Auran. Any of you that can read it can read the following: "The gusts of air and mysteries of direction shall lead you to heaven or hell!"
Sep 29 21:24:00 <Mari> "Oh, now you're interested?" Mari prods. "I thought you didn't have time to waste on distractions!"
Sep 29 21:24:53 <Nikkolai> "My dear girl, this is not a distraction. This is clearly a test of wits and skill."
Sep 29 21:25:15 <Knight> "I'm here because you are all here," replies Knight, with a shrug. "Whatever your pursuits, if in aiding you, you would aid me, then it's not out of my way."
Sep 29 21:26:06 * Adail shakes his head after peering at the writing, "Could anyone read that?"
Sep 29 21:26:54 <Eva> "A better attitude," She smiled but shook her head. "I cannot. It's probably the local language, but it may as well be celestial to me."
Sep 29 21:26:56 <Mari> "Oh," Mari replies. "You almost sounded...*intrigued* by something for a second there. It was a novel experience. ...Oh, sure, Adail: 'The gusts of air and mysteries of directions hall lead you to heaven or hell!'" she reads dramatically. "Sounds like good fun."
Sep 29 21:27:55 <Adail> Adail's ears flatten, "Oh dear. I hope it doesn't mean litteraly."
Sep 29 21:28:17 <Knight> "I do have my interests," replies Knight, defensively. "I just can't let them distract me. Since this isn't a distraction..." Her face scrunches up. "Either way, I'm here now," she mutters, under her breath.
Sep 29 21:28:37 <Mari> "I'm sure it's just an expression," Mari says, taking the initiative and drifting through the gate!
Sep 29 21:29:13 <Adail> "I would not, as you can imagine, be very welcome in Hell." He pauses, whiskers twitching, "Or rather I'd be all TOO welcome, in all the wrong ways."
Sep 29 21:29:14 * Nikkolai glances aside at Knight. "I'm glad someone here agrees with me a bit. The faster we get this over with, the faster we can all do as we must."
Sep 29 21:29:23 * Eva follows after Mari, keeping her eyes open.
Sep 29 21:29:39 <Tiny_Ko_Army> AS the party drifts through the gates, gales of wind begin to tug at the party, as if pulling them along madcap, trying to drag them into the maze.
Sep 29 21:29:44 <Eva> "If you're coming along, don't be a spoil sport. Enjoy where you're at."
Sep 29 21:30:15 * Eva doesn't resist, trying only to stay near the rest of the others, letting it do the work of pulling her into the maze.
Sep 29 21:30:30 <Nikkolai> "Play your game, bard, and I'll play my own." He lets himself be drawn by the wind.
Sep 29 21:30:35 * Mari follows the winds for now. Until there's a fork in the maze, she may as well just enjoy the ride.
Sep 29 21:31:00 * Adail grabs hold of Nik's shoulder while drifting in, just to be sure he doesn't get seprated from everyone by the winds.
Sep 29 21:31:27 * Knight likewise allows the wind to pull her along, for as long as it's taking her in the same direction she'd be going anyway.
Sep 29 21:31:47 <Nikkolai> "Hold on, Ser Mouse!" Nikkolai grabs the Musteval by the paw.
Sep 29 21:32:10 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Thus the wind takes the party! They begin to travel through the maze...and th ewinds pick up! Soon they are hurtling along, up and down and left and right, the speed increasing rapidly!
Sep 29 21:33:22 <Eva> "This is pretty fast," Eva laughed a bit, keeping her profile tight to avoid having things blown off her or smacking into anyone.
Sep 29 21:33:50 * Adail doesn't laugh or show any sign of mirth, but his eyes are gleaming with excitement. He is a bit of an adrenaline junky all things considered.
Sep 29 21:34:10 <Mari> Curious. Mazes usually involve more direction on the participant's part...oh well, it's a fun ride so far. Mari lets out a whoop as she flies along.
Sep 29 21:35:45 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Abruptly, you go hurtling to a left/right intersection...and the party splits apart! Adail, Nikkolai and Eva go in to the left, Mari and Knight flying to the right, hurtling along rapidly!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OOC: Knight/Mari branch
Sep 29 21:37:46 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Mari and Knight come flying along, at last coming to an end. They seem to be in a small square 'room' of sorts, with two passages leading from it. The vertigo of moving so fast an dthen stopping lingers, dizziness taking a heave at both women.
Sep 29 21:39:10 <Mari> "Woo," Mari mumbles awkwardly. Dizziness does have to fight a little with exhiliaration, actually--that was fun! Once her head's settled, she takes a look around the room, and specifically at their potential exits.
Sep 29 21:39:35 <Knight> Knight tries not to stumble, and quickly shakes off the vertigo- being quite familiar with moving at high speeds and coming to sharp stops has it's advantages. "Is this part of the game, then? Each choice seems equally valid."
Sep 29 21:39:48 <Tiny_Ko_Army> The 'walls' are walls of wind, lined with silver supports on occasion. Both passages can be looked into if you wish.
Sep 29 21:41:43 <Knight> Knight does glance through one passage, leaving the other to Mari for inspection.
Sep 29 21:42:01 * Mari takes a glance into the oppostie passage, then.
Sep 29 21:43:18 <Tiny_Ko_Army> One passage leads to a little cul-de-sac dead end, with a floating ladder leading upwards through a small hole in the upwards wall of wind. The direction Mari looks in leads to another splitting intersection.
Sep 29 21:45:37 <Mari> "Got another fork over here," Mari says, floating over to Knight and taking a look down the first passageway. "Head up first? I dunno, I just have a good feeling about it."
Sep 29 21:46:24 <Knight> "Very well, one way remains as good as another," responds Knight, heading over to the ladder and climbing up (it just feels better than floating.)
Sep 29 21:48:00 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Knight climbs up the ladder as Mari follows. It goes up about twenty feet, leading to the middle of a passage. Ahead of you lies a path leading to a right side turn, behind you is a dead end with the statue of a djinn at the end.
Sep 29 21:49:21 <Knight> Knight steps towards the statue and sizes it up, lightly reaching out to touch it's face.
Sep 29 21:50:00 * Mari heads straight for the statue as well, looking around for any kind of writing, or a plaque or something.
Sep 29 21:50:09 <Tiny_Ko_Army> The statue is made of cloudy material, just barely solid. On being touched, it raises it's hand up and points ahead. There' sno plaque or writing or anything.
Sep 29 21:51:20 <Mari> "Hey, we should turn around and go the only direction available? Thanks, Mr. Statue."
Sep 29 21:51:36 <Knight> "What if it's a trick?" asks Knight, worriedly glancing over her shoulder.
Sep 29 21:51:57 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Nothing has immediately appeared behind Knight, as far as she can see.
Sep 29 21:52:16 <Mari> "We can go back down the ladder if you're worried." Mari shrugs.
Sep 29 21:52:57 <Knight> "Logically, any direction remains as good as another," replies Knight. "I don't trust my intuition in this place, I'm afraid."
Sep 29 21:53:33 <Mari> "Well, we're already up here, let's just see where it leads," Mari says, turning and following the passageway.
Sep 29 21:54:05 <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC: Make listen checks, both of you?
Sep 29 21:54:08 <Knight> "I'll go first," adds Knight, quickly stepping up. "It's my job to protect you in this kind of place, right?"
Sep 29 21:54:12 <Knight> roll 1d20+1
Sep 29 21:54:14 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+1 and gets 21." [1d20=20]
Sep 29 21:54:16 <Mari> roll 1d20+10
Sep 29 21:54:17 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+10 and gets 12." [1d20=2]
Sep 29 21:54:38 <Tiny_Ko_Army> As Knight takes the lead and advances on back to the ladder, she hears something faint - a rustling of wind behind her.
Sep 29 21:54:39 <Mari> "Oh, hey, I'm not about to stop you," Mari says, readily letting Knight take the lead.
Sep 29 21:56:33 <Knight> Knight grabs Mari and dives for cover, pushing herself into a corner of the room and glancing over her shoulder to see what's happening!
Sep 29 21:57:15 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Knight dives backwards, as a cloudy scimitar slices through where Mari's head was! The djinn statue is moving, it's cloudy scimitar just missing Mari! OOC: Nice. Roll init, you guys, the cloud statue seems to wanna give poor Mari a haircu.t
Sep 29 21:57:41 <Knight> roll 1d20+5
Sep 29 21:57:42 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+5 and gets 6." [1d20=1]
Sep 29 21:57:50 <Mari> roll 1d20+9
Sep 29 21:57:51 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+9 and gets 14." [1d20=5]
Sep 29 21:57:51 <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+9
Sep 29 21:57:51 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+9 and gets 17." [1d20=8]
Sep 29 21:58:00 * Tiny_Ko_Army has changed the topic to: Cloudy Djinn>Mari>Knight
Sep 29 21:58:34 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Advancing swiftly, the djinn closes in on Knight and slashes at her!
Sep 29 21:58:37 <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+12
Sep 29 21:58:38 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+12 and gets 30." [1d20=18]
Sep 29 21:58:43 <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC: Flatfooted AC, knight?
Sep 29 21:58:49 <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+12 in case it's a hit, crit check
Sep 29 21:58:49 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+12 in case it's a hit, crit check and gets 16." [1d20=4]
Sep 29 21:59:04 <Knight> OOC: More than that
Sep 29 21:59:07 <Knight> OOC: Wait
Sep 29 21:59:15 <Knight> OOC: No, not more than that, it hits but not as a crit
Sep 29 21:59:23 <Knight> OOC: My flatfooted AC remains a solid 26 >_>
Sep 29 21:59:28 <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d8+6
Sep 29 21:59:29 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d8+6 and gets 9." [1d8=3]
Sep 29 21:59:47 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Knight gets a very real and unwindy gash into her shoulder, slicing into her armor! OOC: Mari.
Sep 29 22:00:55 * Mari whips out her swords and goes to work, slashing at the statue for its unconscionable rudeness! OOC: Assuming it's right next to us and I can full attack.
Sep 29 22:01:15 <Mari> roll 1d20+10 attack #1
Sep 29 22:01:16 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+10 attack #1 and gets 19." [1d20=9]
Sep 29 22:01:22 <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC: You can, but you'd also need to detangle from Knight. Also drawing a weapon is a move-equivalent action so you can't FA unless you have quick draw.
Sep 29 22:01:51 <Mari> OOC: Which I don't. Hrm. Single attack, then.
Sep 29 22:01:55 <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC: Hit.
Sep 29 22:02:06 <Mari> OOC: Crit immune or no?
Sep 29 22:02:23 <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC: Immune.
Sep 29 22:02:27 <Mari> roll 1d6+2+2d6
Sep 29 22:02:28 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d6+2+2d6 and gets 14." [1d6=5][2d6=1, 6]
Sep 29 22:04:00 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Mari cuts into the cloudy body, it's puffy form slightly disrupted by the rude slashing! OOC: Knight.
Sep 29 22:06:21 <Knight> Knight picks herself up, and steps aroudn to one side of the puffy creature! Ground combat isn't where she's most adept, but a swing with a spiked ball of steel isn't exactly a weak assault!
Sep 29 22:06:36 <Knight> roll 1d20+16
Sep 29 22:06:37 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+16 and gets 22." [1d20=6]
Sep 29 22:06:48 <Knight> roll 1d8+7
Sep 29 22:06:49 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d8+7 and gets 11." [1d8=4]
Sep 29 22:07:35 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Slam! The steely balls of Knight slam into the puffy figure, wrecking the clouds a little more! As it's hit, the djinn drifts back a few feet, blowing out a gale of freezing air at the two heroines! OOC: Ref.
Sep 29 22:07:52 <Mari> roll 1d20+12
Sep 29 22:07:52 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+12 and gets 19." [1d20=7]
Sep 29 22:08:06 <Knight> roll 1d20+4
Sep 29 22:08:06 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+4 and gets 10." [1d20=6]
Sep 29 22:08:15 <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 3d8 cold damage, Mari you have evasion so no damage, Knight takes full. Owwies.
Sep 29 22:08:16 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 3d8 cold damage, Mari you have evasion so no damage, Knight takes full. Owwies. and gets 18." [3d8=7, 7, 4]
Sep 29 22:09:14 <Tiny_Ko_Army> The gust of cold is dodged by Mari, while Knight gets icicles all over her armor, flesh frozen! OOC: Mari.
Sep 29 22:10:21 <Mari> OOC: Sure, hold 'til Knight's gone works.
Sep 29 22:10:34 <Knight> Knight feints forward, but darts aroudn to the side with a quickness that belies her heavy armour! Her shield is between her and the djinn until the last moment, when she sweeps in to strike it about it's head with another crushing blow!
Sep 29 22:10:37 <Knight> roll 1d20+16
Sep 29 22:10:38 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+16 and gets 36." [1d20=20]
Sep 29 22:10:42 <Knight> roll 1d20+16 confirmitude
Sep 29 22:10:42 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+16 confirmitude and gets 24." [1d20=8]
Sep 29 22:10:48 <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC: Crit immune.
Sep 29 22:10:51 <Knight> roll 1d8+7 and it's irrelevant
Sep 29 22:10:52 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d8+7 and it's irrelevant and gets 10." [1d8=3]
Sep 29 22:11:11 <Tiny_Ko_Army> WHAM! A mammoth blow strikes the head of the cloud statue, making some of it's body discorporate! OOC: Mari.
Sep 29 22:12:17 * Mari flies to the creature's opposite side and launches another attack!
Sep 29 22:12:48 <Mari> roll 1d20+12 (+2 from flanking) and I'm assuming it moved too much for 5-foot + FA so only one attack
Sep 29 22:12:49 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+12 (+2 from flanking) and I'm assuming it moved too much for 5-foot + FA so only one attack and gets 32." [1d20=20]
Sep 29 22:13:44 <Mari> roll 1d6+2+2d6 SA actually applies this time yay
Sep 29 22:13:45 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d6+2+2d6 SA actually applies this time yay and gets 16." [1d6=3][2d6=5, 6]
Sep 29 22:14:50 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Sliding to it's side, Mari puts her weapon into it's back! The clouds break apart! A mist flies away from you, going back to the dead end. In a moment, the statue of the djinn stands where itw as before. OOC: Free act.
Sep 29 22:16:00 <Mari> "There are a few ground rules to any maze," Mari says. "I'm adding 'Don't trust statues' to the list. Oh, and thanks. You alright?"
Sep 29 22:16:36 <Knight> "I'll be fine," replies Knight. "Just a scratch." She turns her head back to the right-hand turn, and starts to go down that path. "This place is evidently the product of a twisted mind."
Sep 29 22:17:18 <Mari> "Mm-hm," Mari agrees as she follows Knight, apparently thinking of something.
Sep 29 22:17:31 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Past the right side turn is a short path, leading to a four way intersection: Up, down, left and right. A weathervane floats in the air near it, fluttering in a breeze.
Sep 29 22:18:24 <Knight> "I'll check out this direction," states Knight, glancing down the path to the right.
Sep 29 22:19:28 <Mari> "You know, this gang I ran with once?" Mari says, apropos of nothing. "They set up a 'Mystery Booth' in a sidestreet off the marketplace, close enough for merchants to wander in drunk, evenings. Kind of a tourist thing. The mystery turned out to be two lads with a stout piece of wood. That was a fun grift before the guards caught on."
Sep 29 22:20:01 * Mari floats to the leftward path and peers down it.
Sep 29 22:20:58 <Tiny_Ko_Army> The rightward path leads a passage going sharply upwards. The leftward path leads to what looks to be a book floating in midair, past it a passage sloping downwards.
Sep 29 22:22:25 <Mari> "Hey, Knight. What are our feelings on books right now? More or less reliable than statues?" She pauses to examine the weathervane, what direction it's leaning, any interesting construction details.
Sep 29 22:22:25 <Knight> "I am seeing something of a paralell. I hope the odds in this place are fairer than those the merchants had," replies Knight, moving to peer upwards and downwards as well.
Sep 29 22:22:51 <Knight> "The last book I read tried to set me on fire."
Sep 29 22:23:09 <Mari> "Alright, left is out, then."
Sep 29 22:23:22 * Laggy|Work is now known as Laggy
Sep 29 22:23:53 <Tiny_Ko_Army> The weathervain is blowing towards the right side passage.
Sep 29 22:25:57 * Mari raps on the weathervane with her knuckles, then gestures towards the righmost passageway. "Feel like following the winds?"
Sep 29 22:26:29 <Tiny_Ko_Army> The upwards passage goes up quite a ways, until a criss-crossed grate of iron stops passage. The downward passage goes to a curve to the left and out of sight.
Sep 29 22:27:49 <Knight> "They could take us to hell, but there are worse fates. Well, for me. You?" asks Knight, already stepping towards the rightmost direction.
Sep 29 22:28:38 <Mari> "Maybe? You never know. The planes are vast and infinite." She proceeds to the right.
Sep 29 22:29:23 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Following the passage going up, it curves at an angle and continues for a time. The wind begins picking up, starting to threaten to move you along the passage.
Sep 29 22:30:05 <Mari> Mari is content to go with the flow as long as Knight has no objections.
Sep 29 22:30:37 <Knight> Knight can live with being transported by the wind once again.
Sep 29 22:31:27 <Mari> "Knight, I have to ask," Mari starts as they're blown down the corridor, "What's worse than hell for you?"
Sep 29 22:35:21 <Knight> "Oh, it's just- I've listened to the priests speak of afterlives, even been to some myself by now. Some people to to heaven or hell upon their death, and I admit that would horrific. But for me, death would bring nothing more than oblivion, and I fear that more than any torture."
Sep 29 22:35:46 <Tiny_Ko_Army> As you talk, the wind takes you. You begin to move along, down the corridor.
Sep 29 22:36:23 <Mari> "Everyone goes somewhere, right? Or so I hear. I don't think about it much, honestly."
Sep 29 22:37:52 <Knight> "Well, a life like mine is violent. It's difficult not to dwell on it from time to time." Knight twists her head towards Mari. "But I do wonder. Is there something you'd risk everything for?"
Sep 29 22:41:02 <Mari> It's a question that deserves some thought, but ultimately Mari can only produce a nonanswer. "No. No, there really isn't." It's hard to say how she feels about this; she seems to be simply stating a fact. "But I guess there are things worse than dying, if it comes to that."
Sep 29 22:41:55 <Tiny_Ko_Army> The wind carries yo ua little ways, around a bend and to a fountain. Water flows into a marble base, the entire thing standing at another four way junction. The waters sparkle with light.
Sep 29 22:42:49 * Mari floats over to examine the waters. "Where do fountains show up on the threat list?"
Sep 29 22:44:40 <Knight> "I'm not sure, but I'll check it out," replies Knight, sliding forward and cupping a small amount of the water in one hand. "Because I admire those who'll risk everything on chance."
Sep 29 22:44:56 <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d100
Sep 29 22:44:56 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d100 and gets 26." [1d100=26]
Sep 29 22:45:16 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Knight begins to glow and glitter!
Sep 29 22:45:20 * Mari waits, and watches!
Sep 29 22:46:04 <Mari> "Congratulations, you're luminescent. Feel any different?"
Sep 29 22:46:25 <Knight> "I feel.. near. It's like they're close!" she murmurs, peering deeply into the depths of the water.
Sep 29 22:46:42 <Mari> "Oh yeah? Which direction? ...In the fountain?"
Sep 29 22:47:11 <Tiny_Ko_Army> In the fountain, Knight can see something. Hazy...hazy...something glowing like starlight, wings of white. HEading for something colorful, a colorful pool...After a moment, the image has faded and is gone.
Sep 29 22:49:50 <Knight> "I'm not sure," replies Knight, stepping back. "I could see something in there. A vision. The fountain might show me what I seek, but I can't make sense of it."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OOC: Adail, Eva, Nikkolai split
Sep 29 21:36:38 <Tiny_Ko_Army> You are sent flying down a long tunnel, until at last the wind stops. Ahead of you are three passages - one ahead and one to your relative left and right, whatever directions they are now. You're not sure, considering the rapid travel by air current.
Sep 29 21:38:46 <Adail> "Well," Adail shakes himself from tip to tail to shake off a bit of the chill from the quick flight, "that was interesting."
Sep 29 21:39:09 <Nikkolai> "Mmm. I really wasn't expecting *that*." Nikkolai commented dryly.
Sep 29 21:40:26 <Adail> Eyeing the passages, he looks to his companions, "Left, right or center. I've heard something about always going left in a maze, but I'm not sure how advisable that really is."
Sep 29 21:40:29 <Eva> "Everyone alright?" Eva looked around regaining her bearings.
Sep 29 21:41:15 <Nikkolai> "I'm fine, for now. I suggest we see if we can feel a breeze. The sign did say to follow the winds. Or something."
Sep 29 21:41:15 <Eva> "It's as good a route as any..." she looked over the passages to see if there were any visible differences.
Sep 29 21:41:20 * Nikkolai shrugs.
Sep 29 21:41:53 <Nikkolai> "Or perhaps we can split up. There are three passages..."
Sep 29 21:42:01 <Tiny_Ko_Army> The ahead passage goes upwards a ways, a 'slope' of walled off wind. The left passage leads to what looks to be a scupture of a beautiful woman, made of fluffy clouds. The right passage leads to a silver engraved platform.
Sep 29 21:42:02 * Nikkolai looks at the other two pointedly.
Sep 29 21:42:32 * Adail shakes his head, "In case there is danger in here, I'd rather remain in as much of a group as we can manage."
Sep 29 21:43:06 <Nikkolai> "As you wish." Nikkolai randomly chooses the right passage. "That way looks as good as any."
Sep 29 21:43:20 * Nikkolai gestures in the direction of the platform.
Sep 29 21:44:16 <Adail> "An excellent platform from which to begin, hmm? Good enough for me. Eva?"
Sep 29 21:46:10 <Eva> "Seems a touch greedy. I'd pick the windy passage really, but excitement will find us either way."
Sep 29 21:47:31 <Nikkolai> "We can take turns choosing, if you like. In any case, it's two to one. The platform it is, unless good Adail has changed his mind?" Nikkolai glances at Adail.
Sep 29 21:48:25 <Adail> "Either is fine by me, really. Let's go with the platform for now and miss Eva can pick the next fork."
Sep 29 21:48:52 <Nikkolai> "Splendid. Off we go then." Nikkolai takes point towards the platform.
Sep 29 21:48:58 <Eva> "Alright," She headed into the platform route behind Nikkolai.
Sep 29 21:49:23 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Thus you go to the platform. Engraved in Celestial is the following, "Create the Wind to Open Enlightenment."
Sep 29 21:50:19 * Adail reads the inscription, "'Create the Wind to Open Enlightenment.' I wonder if that's litteral?"
Sep 29 21:50:55 <Nikkolai> "Create the wind? Why, one merely has to blow!" Nikkolai leans forwards and blows gustily.
Sep 29 21:51:34 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Nikkolai blows at the platform! The air stirs and the platform seems to perhaps glow slightly.
Sep 29 21:51:58 * Adail adds his own meager breath to Nikkolai's, blowing cheerfully on the platform.
Sep 29 21:52:07 <Eva> Eva smiled. "Why that was quite straightforward...perhaps we'll try together," Eva joins him, seeing if all three can do something.
Sep 29 21:52:09 <Nikkolai> "Quick! All of you blow with me! Breathe deep and BlOOOOOW!" Nikkolai sucks in a huge lungful and blows again.
Sep 29 21:53:19 <Tiny_Ko_Army> The platform is blown! It glows a little more as three blow air at it, rising up a few inches, but nothing else happens.
Sep 29 21:53:44 <Nikkolai> "..."
Sep 29 21:54:00 <Eva> "I think...we're going to need a bit more," Eva considered.
Sep 29 21:54:04 <Adail> "Hmm." Adail takes off his cloak and flaps it at the platform, blowing more air then he can with his breath.
Sep 29 21:55:00 <Tiny_Ko_Army> This makes the platform glow a bit more and rise up another few inches.
Sep 29 21:55:24 <Nikkolai> "Oh dear. This is going to be hard, hard work."
Sep 29 21:55:30 <Adail> "Perhaps someone with a larger cloak should give this a try?"
Sep 29 21:55:33 * Eva considers and looks straight up from where the platform seems to be headed.
Sep 29 21:55:43 * Adail then peers under the platform to see what it's rising from.
Sep 29 21:56:03 <Tiny_Ko_Army> A square gap in the bottom windwall can be seen. It leads below.
Sep 29 21:56:26 <Adail> "There's a gap underneath."
Sep 29 21:57:13 <Nikkolai> "Bah. Useless."
Sep 29 21:58:04 <Adail> "No, I think it can be done. Just you two with larger cloaks who can move more air give it a try."
Sep 29 21:58:42 <Nikkolai> "We can try, I suppose. Hard work is its own reward. Or so I was told."
Sep 29 21:58:52 * Nikkolai takes off his cloak and begins to fan the platform.
Sep 29 22:00:00 <Tiny_Ko_Army> With more gusty wind, the platform glows bright and rises about a foot and a half up off the ground!
Sep 29 22:00:25 * Nikkolai keeps continuously fanning the platform!
Sep 29 22:00:39 * Eva gets on the platform, joining in the fanning from above.
Sep 29 22:01:40 <Tiny_Ko_Army> The platform raises another inch or two, then stabilizes.
Sep 29 22:01:48 * Tiny_Ko_Army gives channel operator status to Adail
Sep 29 22:02:28 <Eva> "Anything below?" Eva keeps fanning.
Sep 29 22:02:35 * Adail puts his cloak back on, then take a closer look through the hole below.
Sep 29 22:03:16 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Below the path curves downward, leading onwards. A gentle breeze can be felt blowing up from it. It leads farther than Adail can see.
Sep 29 22:04:21 <Eva> "What's below, Adail?" Eva wondered from above.
Sep 29 22:04:53 <Adail> "Wind flows up from here. We'd be walking into the wind to take this path, not following it. And it's another passage. Too far to see much without dropping in."
Sep 29 22:07:00 <Nikkolai> "It's up to you. The sign did say to follow the wind. Perhaps I chose poorly after all."
Sep 29 22:07:01 <Eva> "Well, shall we go back and try a different route? Perhaps we can find something here to bring a different result."
Sep 29 22:07:09 * Nikkolai shrugs and dons his cloak.
Sep 29 22:08:00 <Eva> "And it didn't say that...It said that it will guide us to heaven or hell... doesn't necessarily mean we should follow it where it goes." She waved a finger, hopping off.
Sep 29 22:08:24 * Adail shrugs, "I'm fine with continuing here, myself. Shall we?"
Sep 29 22:09:02 <Nikkolai> "Why not?"
Sep 29 22:09:51 * Nikkolai starts downwards.
Sep 29 22:09:57 * Adail heads under the platform and hops down to the next level.
Sep 29 22:10:33 <Tiny_Ko_Army> With some wiggling the party gets underneath the platform. The path leads onwards a ways, walking for several moments. You come to a swirling room of winds, a pair of eyes formed of wind here. They stare at the three as they enter.
Sep 29 22:11:25 * Adail gracefully bows to the pair of eyes, "Good day."
Sep 29 22:11:50 * Nikkolai nods genially in the direction of the eyes. "Rather gusty today, isn't it?"
Sep 29 22:12:12 <Tiny_Ko_Army> "You displayed the power of wind to reach this place." The wind speaks in howling gusts around you, "What do you seek in this maze?"
Sep 29 22:12:36 <Nikkolai> "I seek knowledge and power, for both are the same to me."
Sep 29 22:13:18 <Eva> "An entertaining prize, a story of the making of the maze," Eva replied.
Sep 29 22:13:51 <Adail> "Merely the enjoyment of experienceing the maze alongside my companions."
Sep 29 22:15:21 <Tiny_Ko_Army> To this, two paths open ahead, side by side. "To the left lies knowledge and power, to the right lies a story and enjoyment."
Sep 29 22:17:05 <Eva> "well, shall we meet at the other side?" Eva headed toward the right.
Sep 29 22:17:06 * Adail looks at Nik and Eva, "And how shall we react to this?"
Sep 29 22:17:33 * Adail shrugs, as he speaks a moment too late, "Very well then." And thus he heads right with Eva.
Sep 29 22:17:42 <Nikkolai> "..."
Sep 29 22:17:52 * Nikkolai gazes at his companions and shrugs.
Sep 29 22:18:00 <Nikkolai> "Tis only a distraction."
Sep 29 22:18:09 * Nikkolai walks resolutely forward to the left.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OOC: Nikkolai Branch
Sep 29 22:22:41 <Nikkolai> "For companions supposedly concerned for my well being, they were quick to abandon me." Nikkolai quips in a dry manner.
Sep 29 22:22:54 * Nikkolai walks slowly forward, hands clasped behind him.
Sep 29 22:23:23 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Nikkolai heads down the leftside path. You walk a little ways down it, feet on the windy walls. You come to a path ascending upwards straight up for twenty feet, then continuing on.
Sep 29 22:25:37 <Nikkolai> "Onwards and upwards."
Sep 29 22:25:44 * Nikkolai continues on.
Sep 29 22:27:13 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Continuing on, Nikkolai comes to a door interspaced into the walls, made of solid wood. The door is closed, an iron pullring attached.
Sep 29 22:28:51 <Nikkolai> "Doors are meant to be opened. But is it meant to keep the unworthy out...or the unworthy in?" Nikkolai ponders for a few moments, but shakes off his doubts. He's made his bed and now he must sleep in it.
Sep 29 22:29:07 * Nikkolai reaches out to open the door.
Sep 29 22:29:47 <Tiny_Ko_Army> The door is rather heavy - it doesn't give way to Nikkolai's first tug.
Sep 29 22:30:33 <Nikkolai> "...the Lady was right about one thing: I *do* need to exercise more." He reaches out with both hands and tugs much harder.
Sep 29 22:31:37 <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC: STr check?
Sep 29 22:31:56 <Nikkolai> roll 1d20-1
Sep 29 22:32:06 * Hatbot (~Hatbot@24.174.51.230) has joined #terrorofdunes
Sep 29 22:32:07 <Nikkolai> Oh, bother. No hatbot
Sep 29 22:32:10 <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC: There you go.
Sep 29 22:32:18 <Nikkolai> roll 1d20-1
Sep 29 22:32:19 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20-1 and gets 1." [1d20=2]
Sep 29 22:32:24 <Tiny_Ko_Army> The door does not budge in the least.
Sep 29 22:33:11 <Nikkolai> "...once more!" He grits his teeth and pulls again.
Sep 29 22:33:20 <Nikkolai> roll 1d20-1
Sep 29 22:33:20 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20-1 and gets 5." [1d20=6]
Sep 29 22:33:41 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Again, the door isn't giving way.
Sep 29 22:33:54 <Nikkolai> "Hmm."
Sep 29 22:34:17 * Nikkolai Nikkolai backs away, inspecting the door. Perhaps there are hinges?
Sep 29 22:34:37 <Tiny_Ko_Army> The door has hinges, yes.
Sep 29 22:35:15 <Nikkolai> "Perhaps...a little grease will aid me?"
Sep 29 22:35:42 * Nikkolai brings up his hands and mutters arcane words of power, casting Grease on the hinges.
Sep 29 22:36:02 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Grease is cast on the hinges, giving them some proper lubrication.
Sep 29 22:36:52 * Nikkolai tries opening the door again.
Sep 29 22:36:58 <Nikkolai> roll 1d20-1
Sep 29 22:36:59 <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC: STr check, +4 bonus.
Sep 29 22:36:59 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20-1 and gets 12." [1d20=13]
Sep 29 22:37:14 <Nikkolai> OOC:Er, my bad. Want me to roll again?
Sep 29 22:37:23 <Tiny_Ko_Army> This time, the door groans and is slowly pulled open!
Sep 29 22:38:13 <Nikkolai> "Whew! Mind over matter. Works every time."
Sep 29 22:38:39 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Ahead you can see a room full of books. They sit there, dusty and waiting.
Sep 29 22:39:25 <Nikkolai> "....oh, yes. Books. Those were in short supply during my all too short childhood."
Sep 29 22:39:53 * Nikkolai steps forward, looking at the titles. "I'm still surprised the Lady taught me to read."
Sep 29 22:40:43 <Tiny_Ko_Army> They are all in various scripts Nikkolai cannot read.
Sep 29 22:42:39 <Nikkolai> "...a pity she was so miserly in her knowledge. All I know is Common."
Sep 29 22:42:58 * Nikkolai reaches up and randomly chooses a book, opening it.
Sep 29 22:43:44 <Tiny_Ko_Army> The book is full of letters Nikkolai can't read. It may as well be scrawlings to him.
Sep 29 22:44:32 * Nikkolai flips through the pages, looking for diagrams or even year dates.
Sep 29 22:46:29 <Tiny_Ko_Army> There are occasional diagrams, though no numbers of help. OOC: Make an K:A check, Nikkolai?
Sep 29 22:47:19 <Nikkolai> roll 1d20+13 K:A
Sep 29 22:47:19 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+13 K:A and gets 31." [1d20=18]
Sep 29 22:48:15 <Tiny_Ko_Army> It looks to be diagrams about controlling wind magic. The book is probably about something related to that.
Sep 29 22:49:00 <Nikkolai> "This looks interesting. Perhaps I'll take this...and two other books with me, if no one has any objections?"
Sep 29 22:49:21 * Nikkolai raises his head and looks around the room, feeling slightly foolish for asking permission of a room.
Sep 29 22:49:23 <Tiny_Ko_Army> There is no one here to register objections.
Sep 29 22:50:45 <Nikkolai> "Mmm. Yes, two more. No need to be greedy."
Sep 29 22:50:59 <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC: Going to just grab two more books at random?
Sep 29 22:52:07 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Nikkolai grabs two more books. Like how books tend to be, they're a bit heavy and very booky. One can imagine theyr'e filled with more words Nikkolai can't read.
Sep 29 22:52:53 <Nikkolai> "...you know, this strikes me as very foolish, all of a sudden. What use are books that I can't read?"
Sep 29 22:52:59 * Nikkolai shakes his head at himself.
Sep 29 22:53:26 <Nikkolai> "And yet..."
Sep 29 22:53:48 * Nikkolai hesistates no longer and begins to search for an exit, perhaps one other than the way he came.
Sep 29 22:54:01 <Tiny_Ko_Army> The books bear witness to Nikkolai without comment, as is normal for books. The bookroom has an exit in the back, a plain wooden door.
Sep 29 22:54:55 <Nikkolai> "Onwards and upwards." He murmurs, exiting the room.
Sep 29 22:55:06 <Nikkolai> Through the wooden door.
Sep 29 22:55:29 <Tiny_Ko_Army> The wooden door opens. Ahead lies a gold platform, covered with glowing runes.
Sep 29 22:56:30 <Nikkolai> "Another riddle? Let's hope my limited knowledge will allow me to read those runes."
Sep 29 22:56:42 * Nikkolai steps forward to the platform.
Sep 29 22:58:36 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Nikkolai steps onto the platform! In an instant, he is gone! His eyes clear after a moment and...OOC: Dunes.
Sep 29 22:59:28 * Nikkolai blinks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OOC: Eva/Adail branch through reunites
Sep 29 22:22:01 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Thus the two head to the left. The passage goes for a little ways, until you come to a gnome. It's body is mostly whirling air, yet distinctly gnomish. It peers ahead at the two as they approach, the passage continuing past it.
Sep 29 22:23:14 <Eva> "Hello there... traveling the maze as well, or a resident?"
Sep 29 22:26:00 <Tiny_Ko_Army> "I'm Edward Anierbs." The gnome's voice is sleepy, "Mmm...not an Astral Deva this time...good...what is it you want?"
Sep 29 22:27:12 * Adail sighs, "What exactly did that Deva DO to irritate everyone so badly?"
Sep 29 22:27:50 <Eva> "Well, we're traveling the maze, in search of a good time...and perhaps the story of how such a wonder came about."
Sep 29 22:28:08 <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Looking for it's family," The gnome answers, "Ah, the story of the maze? It has been a time since someone came to ask of it."
Sep 29 22:29:19 * Eva smiles. "A good story is worth a trip. Can you share it good man?"
Sep 29 22:31:24 <Tiny_Ko_Army> "The mage Silverblossom loved mazes as a child, that he did!" The gnome chirps, "He spent hours in his father's rose gardens, getting lost an finding the way! A love born early, and when Silverblossom chose to live in Stratusberg later, his life's goal was to make a maze everyone could enjoy with bravery."
Sep 29 22:32:28 * Eva settled down to listen.
Sep 29 22:33:27 <Tiny_Ko_Army> "But this is no ordinary maze! For Silverblossom bound air elementals and the heart of a air slaadi into it, so that it will always be new and entertaining! So is the legend of the Silver Cage, an eternal maze of mystery."
Sep 29 22:34:34 <Adail> "Slaadi. Well, that's one way to keep things changing, yes."
Sep 29 22:35:38 <Eva> "And where did he find treasure to keep it? Or such a pleasant gnome to tell his tale?" She wondered.
Sep 29 22:36:40 <Tiny_Ko_Army> "I am a mere admirerer," He answers, "Nothing more." A bow then, "I too love mazes, they remind me of the tunnels of my youth."
Sep 29 22:37:12 <Eva> "Fair enough, thank you for the story. Is there any advice you might have?"
Sep 29 22:37:25 <Eva> She winked, "For those newer to mazes?"
Sep 29 22:37:42 <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC: Make a diplo check, Eva?
Sep 29 22:37:55 <Eva> roll 1d20+17 diplomancy
Sep 29 22:37:57 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Eva rolls 1d20+17 diplomancy and gets 18." [1d20=1]
Sep 29 22:39:38 <Tiny_Ko_Army> The gnome laughs a little bit, "Enjoy the maze for what it is. As long as you aren't too pampered and weak you should have a good time."
Sep 29 22:40:15 * Adail snorts, "That shouldn't be a problem at all, then."
Sep 29 22:40:50 <Adail> "Shall we continue on, then?"
Sep 29 22:41:13 <Eva> "Well, thank you," She nodded. "Let's carry on. Thanks for waiting," She floated further down the passage past the gnome.
Sep 29 22:42:23 * Adail floats along with Eva
Sep 29 22:43:20 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Ahead the path loops around a bend, to a two way passage - right and left. As you do...OOC: LIsten, all.
Sep 29 22:43:56 <Adail> roll 1d20+14 listen
Sep 29 22:43:57 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Adail rolls 1d20+14 listen and gets 17." [1d20=3]
Sep 29 22:43:59 <Eva> roll 1d20+7
Sep 29 22:44:00 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Eva rolls 1d20+7 and gets 16." [1d20=9]
Sep 29 22:44:43 <Tiny_Ko_Army> As the two go along, they hear a soft thump behind them.
Sep 29 22:45:10 * Adail turns around and looks!
Sep 29 22:45:53 <Tiny_Ko_Army> A wall of wind has spring up, supported by silver posts. It blocks the way previous.
Sep 29 22:46:57 <Eva> "Well, when you can't go back...head forward with a song," Eva did just that, continuing on, a lilting song on her lips, a traveling solo.
Sep 29 22:47:01 <Adail> "Well, this would be too easy if you could just go back and try again, wouldn't it?"
Sep 29 22:47:16 * Adail shrugs and moves on.
Sep 29 22:49:06 <Tiny_Ko_Army> You come to the two way passage. To the left lies a u turn out of sight. To the right leads to a fountain with glowing water - a glowing Knight can be seen, as well as Mari.
Sep 29 22:50:19 <Eva> "Knight, Mari!" Eva waved toward them.
Sep 29 22:50:20 * Adail waves at the glowing Knight and Mari.
Sep 29 22:50:54 <Eva> OOC: Log join here.
Sep 29 22:51:54 <Knight> "Oh! It's all of you," comments Knight, turning to the others. "Did you get seperated from Nikkolai?"
Sep 29 22:52:02 * Mari examines Knight closely. Ther other woman doesn't LOOK like she's dying...Maybe it's safe. "Maybe we'll know more if someone else tries this..." She cups some of the water in her hands. "You feel fine, right? No horrible internal bleeding?" Assuming a negative response, she takes a sip of the water herself before turning at the sound of Eva's voice.
Sep 29 22:52:27 <Knight> "No, I didn't feel troubled."
Sep 29 22:52:37 <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d100
Sep 29 22:52:38 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d100 and gets 23." [1d100=23]
Sep 29 22:52:54 * Adail nods, "He chose to go down a different path then we did."
Sep 29 22:53:39 <Eva> "We'll find him again soon enough. What's this, a magical fountain?" She wondered at the glowing Knight.
Sep 29 22:54:15 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Mari begins to glow as well!
Sep 29 22:54:32 <Knight> "Yes, it showed me something. Wings, and a colourfull pool of some kind," replies Knight. "I'm not sure exactly what it means."
Sep 29 22:55:33 * Adail looks at Eva and shrugs, "I'm game if you are?"
Sep 29 22:56:24 * Mari looks confused. Like something's out of place but she can't quite define what it is.
Sep 29 22:56:51 <Eva> "Is something wrong, Mari?" Eva asked, gentle concern in her voice at her new friend's strange visage.
Sep 29 22:57:21 <Mari> "I don't know, is there?" she asks, sounding a little too eager for the answer to be "Yes!"
Sep 29 22:57:58 <Eva> "Well, you just seemed lost. did you see something too?"
Sep 29 22:58:52 <Tiny_Ko_Army> After a split second, Nikkolai appears. Quite literally, standing in your midsts and holding books.
Sep 29 22:59:29 <Mari> "Uh. No. No, not exactly. But I have a Vision. Of, of righting wrongs and...smiting evildoers, and..."
Sep 29 22:59:40 * Nikkolai blinks in surprise.
Sep 29 22:59:45 <Mari> "Do I sound a little strange to anyone else here?"
Sep 29 22:59:57 <Knight> "That sounds like something an astral deva would- gah!"
Sep 29 23:00:14 <Adail> "Everything seems to be coming back to that deva."
Sep 29 23:00:27 <Eva> "Well, that was quicker than I would've guessed. Welcome back, Nikkolai. Did you find interesting knowledge?" Eva blinked. "That's kind of odd for you isn't it Mari? You didn't seem the paladin sort," Eva sat down along the edge of the fountain, taking a sip herself.
Sep 29 23:00:29 * Adail eyes the fountain...then takes a sip.
Sep 29 23:00:34 <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d100
Sep 29 23:00:36 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d100 and gets 79." [1d100=79]
Sep 29 23:00:41 <Nikkolai> "Oh. Here you all are. Safe and sound."
Sep 29 23:00:46 * Mari stares at Knight, wide-eyed. "Is being a deva CONTAGIOUS?"
Sep 29 23:00:54 * Nikkolai shifts the books in his knapsack.
Sep 29 23:01:16 <Nikkolai> "...and you're obviously being bery silly and drinking a fountain full of gods knows what."
Sep 29 23:01:59 <Nikkolai> "I found knowledge, yes. Power? Who knows. Did anyone else find anything of worth?"
Sep 29 23:02:14 * Nikkolai eyes the fountain and those who drank it warily.
Sep 29 23:02:24 <Tiny_Ko_Army> Adail doesn't glow ilke the other two, at least.
Sep 29 23:02:35 <Knight> "I wouldn't know," replies Knight, tilting her head. "This fountain does seem to give insight into strange things, however."
Sep 29 23:02:45 * Mari flexes her fingers, curling and uncurling her fists. "I don't know, Eva. I feel like, if I could find someone VILE, and, make them pay or something...it would feel *really* good." She rubs her forehead and mutters. "Look, everyone just stop drinking the water, okay?"
Sep 29 23:02:50 <Knight> "But no, no knowledge or power, I'm afraid."
Sep 29 23:03:14 <Nikkolai> "Insight? Into what, exactly?" Nikkolai peers into the fountain's depths.
Sep 29 23:03:43 <Nikkolai> "Or better yet...I'll listen to the thief, here."
Sep 29 23:03:54 <Adail> "Hmm. Righteous fury and lonliness. A celestial searching for her family or freinds or something."
Sep 29 23:04:29 <Mari> "Thief? WHO? WHERE?"
Sep 29 23:04:40 <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d100 Eva whoops missed hers
Sep 29 23:04:40 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d100 Eva whoops missed hers and gets 1." [1d100=1]
Sep 29 23:04:46 <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC: Oh my. Make a fort save, Eva.
Sep 29 23:05:19 * Nikkolai coughs, realizing his blunder. "I ah...meant to say chief. I'll listen to the chief, here."
Sep 29 23:05:41 * Mari sighs. "Oh. Alright then." She sounds disappointed.
Sep 29 23:05:48 <Eva> roll 1d20+4 I can only have so many critfails in a day
Sep 29 23:05:50 <Hatbot> ACTION --> "Eva rolls 1d20+4 I can only have so many critfails in a day and gets 24." [1d20=20]
Sep 29 23:08:37 * Mari eyes her outstretched hand, admiring the glow. "You know, if I could just get the glittery effect without the rest of it, I'd love to take some of this with me. It's rather fetching, or at least would be novel once in a while."
Sep 29 23:09:05 * Eva giggles a bit, "I think...yes, this definitely isn't a good fountain... We should kill it, and every other evil thing. If we do that, then maybe, just maybe," She waved a finger, "We'll be able to find the rest of our family."
Sep 29 23:09:48 <Adail> "..."
Sep 29 23:09:59 <Nikkolai> "Simple pleasures entertain simple minds, girl." Nikk eyes the Bard warily. "My, whoever decided that drinking that fountain was a good idea gets to subdue her."
Sep 29 23:10:21 <Knight> "For others, though, it seems to addle minds," murmurs Knight. "Truly, a well of uncertainty. I daresay I like it."
Sep 29 23:10:28 <Mari> "No, we just need to point her in the right direction and watch justice be done!"
Sep 29 23:11:04 <Eva> "Mari, you mean you don't want to smite evil anymore? Really?"
Sep 29 23:11:04 <Nikkolai> "My wits are fine as they are, Knight. I rather *don't* like it."
Sep 29 23:11:18 <Adail> "Eva? What do you mean by finding your family? That's Knight's quest, not yours."
Sep 29 23:11:59 <Knight> "But my guess is that it could go either way! Isn't it amazing? On the one hand, one could become an entirely new person, but on the other, perhaps all the answers they've ever been searching for could be revealed!"
Sep 29 23:12:00 <Mari> "No, I'm fine with that. Smiting evil. Yeah. No question here."
Sep 29 23:12:20 * Nikkolai comments boredly, "It's rather remarkable how the deva the innkeeper mentioned and the deva everyone seems to be getting "insights" into seem to be one and the same."
Sep 29 23:12:29 <Nikkolai> "Perhaps we should investigate?"
Sep 29 23:12:47 <Adail> "A gnome we encountered mentioned her as well. This is definately all connected somehow."
Sep 29 23:12:58 * Nikkolai looks around him. "Well, once out of the maze, that is."
Sep 29 23:12:59 <Eva> "Hmm? But of course it's my quest too. It's my family that's missing. Adail, can't you feel it? There's all this evil in this town trying to thwart us!"
Sep 29 23:13:37 <Adail> "Your family? Really? Remind me who you are, again?"
Sep 29 23:13:50 <Mari> "First we get out of the maze," Mari replies to Nik. Then, with some effort: "Then I'm gonna go back to the inn and down enough wine to be myself again."
Sep 29 23:14:10 <Knight> "I.. don't think you're part of my family," corrects Knight, grimacing. "I would have noticed by now."
Sep 29 23:15:03 <Eva> "Hmm? Not your family. My family," She insisted. "And I'm Eva, Adail. Did the water make you forget?"
Sep 29 23:15:22 <Nikkolai> "...the girl has clearly lost her wits."
Sep 29 23:15:26 <Adail> "No, I was wondering if the water made you think you were someone else."
Sep 29 23:15:31 * Nikkolai sighs.
Sep 29 23:15:48 <Knight> "I believe she handles that part without the water," replies Knight, moving to one of the paths she'd yet to inspect.
Sep 29 23:16:01 <Nikkolai> "Mmm. Quite."
Sep 29 23:16:15 * Nikkolai follows Knight, for lack of anything constructive to do.
Sep 29 23:16:31 * Mari shakes her head to one side, as though trying to dislodge water from her ear. "Eva'll be alright, I think," she says, sounding more normal. "Eventually."
Sep 29 23:16:34 <Eva> "Now, now...Nikkolai, it is perhaps you that is not feeling right," She narrowed her eyes. "For it seems you are the only one who doesn't want to end the evil doers."
Sep 29 23:17:19 * Adail shakes his head and follows along with Nik and Knight.
Sep 29 23:17:43 * Mari tags along with the rest of the group, still mildly disoriented by her ordeal.
Sep 29 23:18:26 * Nikkolai comments, "Evil and Good alike exist without my saying so. Who am I to have say in what either does?"
Sep 29 23:19:04 * Eva rubs her head a bit, "But you were the one trying to cut down an angel earlier...was I babbling?" She blinked her eyes. "Pretty strong stuff."
Sep 29 23:19:19 <Tiny_Ko_Army> This path leads to a passage that slopes downward and ahead out of sight.
Sep 29 23:19:47 * Nikkolai ignores the barb. "And where does the other path lead?"
Sep 29 23:20:33 <Knight> "I can't find it within me to think it matters," replies Knight, starting to head down downwards. "Each way seems as good as another and it always has."
Sep 29 23:21:25 <Nikkolai> "I agree, Sir Knight. One path is as good as another. The destination is all that matters."
Sep 29 23:21:34 * Nikkolai falls in step beside the Knight.