Let's begin OOC with this one. You want to look into dragon power IC, what precisely did you want to do? Refresh me.
Not 100% sure. I asked if I got anything from +2 dragon racial die. Looking at the advancement charts of Red Dragons and Arcane, they get special abilities via HD. Was just wondering if I snagged anything these last two HD. Other than that, try to snag Spellcatching.
Okay.
You rest on your hoard to consider, plan and prepare. Your new vest lies before you, Kascha having just dropped it off. You feel restless, itchy. It's from the inside out, leaving you a bit out of sorts.
Go ahead.
Surraruthru grunts as he shuffles into the vest. He starts manipulating his Tapestry to feel out his power to see if whatever's causing the feeling is tied to that. He even goes back to some of the more basic magical exercises that new Wizards learn, just in case.
Int check.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+9 : 12 + 9, total 21[/blockquote]
You can feel something roiling within you. Your mind swiftly dissects it, understanding. A reserve of draconic power, something trying to form but not there yet.
Hm ...
"Elena? Are you around?"
Elena appears, dressed up in the rich silks of a merchant prince. "Hi, Surraruthru. Nice vest." She smiles and tilts her head to the side, "That's the one Kascha got for you?"
"It is indeed, thank you. Fitting gift. Do you know where she is, speaking if?"
"In her room, but give her a few minutes. She's changing." Elena explains, "Don't barge in on her or you may get fireballed."
"Thank you."
Surraruthru begins heading to Kascha's room at a sedate pace.
By the time you get there, your knock gets a call of, "Hold on," Kascha calls, opening the door. She's clad in a white slip, her hair loose and a brush in hand. "Oh, Surru. Come in, I'm just getting ready for the day ahead."
Surraruthru strides in, idly looking around.
"I've discovered some kind if additional portion of my magic trying to form into something. I'm unsure what it's doing, but I figured you might have an idea or two before I tried one of the other dragons or headed to the Cauldron."
"No time to rest, even now," Kascha smiles despite it, magic flowing around her in sparkles of blue. Her hair is brushed instantly, a pleasant scent surrounds her and her clothes and gear slot smoothly onto her body.
"I'm not going to have many lazy mornings for a few months." Kascha walks up to you, "Tell me more about it."
"I'm not entirely sure what it is. I worked at it with some of the basic wizard exercises, but it feels like there a part if magic that's trying to grow into something, but isn't quite there yet."
> roll 1d20+64 Kascha K:A
<Serith> Tiny_Ko_Army roll for Serith < 80 > [d20=16]
"That's a good question," Kascha says, "You may be trying to develop a draconic power. Usually self meditation or magic is enough to draw it out once the time is right." She pulls out her tome and starts writing, "Now what sense of it did you get? Are there any details? Did you have any religious visions of Seira at this time?"
"Hmm. I didn't go into it that much. I can try some meditation and magic manipulation."
"Try it," Kascha says, "Sit down, close your eyes and meditate. See what happens." She goes to sit at her desk, writing away all the while, "Let me know everything that happens afterwards!"
Surraruthru hops onto one of Kascha's pillows and curls up, trying to focus and meditate.
Int check with a +4 circumstance bonus.
> roll 1d20+9+4 Int Check
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 32 > [d20=19]
You feel it almost right away, much clearer this time. It's there, waiting inside your magical reserves and essence.
Surraruthru tries to channel a bit more magic into it, both to try and feel the nature of it and to feed it.
It doesn't respond to that. It's there, it's just....you aren't sure. Not ready yet. Inert? Waiting for a different stimulus?
Surraruthru comes out of his meditation and turns to Kascha.
"I felt it very clearly. It felt as if it were... waiting for something. It's not quite fully formed yet... It seems like it needs something to stimulate or activate it, maybe. Ideas?"
"Figure out what it needs. Try using different types of magic while visualizing it?" Kascha suggests, writing away all the while, "Oh, what color is it? How large is it? Does it have any defining characteristics such as scent, taste, unusual shape or other distinguishing features?"
"I... Did not examine it that way. I will try, though."
Surraruthru goes back into meditation to test the new bubble of power.
Cool. Details?
Well, I guess I'll throw different types of magic at it. Different types of schools to start with, then move to different energy types.
I'll try to get the info for Kascha about the characteristics of it, though I don't really know how to quantify the size or taste of magic.
Abjuration - you use a bit of basic abjuration and you feel the magical potential shift, stir.
'Hmm.... Abjuration... Let's see...'
Surraruthru focuses more Abjuration at it, feeding it into it.
Go for broke, feeding it Superb Dispel.
Make one more Int check, +2 circumstance.
> roll 1d20+9+2 Int Check
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 30 > [d20=19]
You feel it. A reserve of arcane, defensive power, something building within you. The power to capture, to reflect. It reminds you a little of spell turning.
To test the theory, Surraruthru feeds another spell into it...
Feeding it Spell Turning. CL 30.
It reacts and abruptly you feel it stabilize. The spell is consumed, but you feel a little better.
Surraruthru examines it a bit more, trying to tell if it's fully formed and stabilized or if it needs another spell. Also the color, shape, and taste for Kascha.
K:A.
> roll 1d20+43 K:A
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 57 > [d20=14]
It appears stable - whatever it is got what it needed and now needs time to develop. You're pretty sure on that point, you've heard of dragons who have that happen. New abilities felt but not fully realized yet.
Surraruthru comes back out of his meditation.
"Well, interesting. I couldn't figure out the shape, color, or taste, but it absorbed a Spell Turning and seemed to stabilize. I think it just needs time to settle and develop. I felt it had an affinity with abjuration magic, though. Since I specialize in that sort of magic, I suppose it's unsurprising that it developed with that kind of affinity."
"Oh, that's really interesting," Kascha writes away, nibbling on the tip of her quill after she finishes. "I think you should just stay aware of it, monitor it in your morning meditations and give it time."
"Agreed. I'm going to check in on the tree and start working on the spells for the memory transfers. You're welcome to stop by when you finish your own tasks."
Moving onto the next task then? Refresh me what it is if so.
Working out a series of spell circles/rituals that will allow Lifasan natives to imprint their memories of Lifasa into the tree so that we can transplant it into a major ley line nexus and help the energy restore Lifasa using the memories as a template.
Edit: I think we still have those memory crystals from when we went after Secretus? Use those as a frame work, maybe?
Going to work on this alone or recruit anyone to help you? Checks are incoming.
Well, I did just open it up to Kascha, but no. I figured I'd hit the usual magical research suspects for assistance. More help equals faster completion equals more time for other stuff. I figured hitting up Tepen, maybe Sylvie (Factotum cheats), Sage Vul'lath, and one of the Fey, maybe? We need someone with K:Nature and lack druids (unless Pearwood is still kicking around, but he didn't sound interested in sticking close), so maybe Ilsenine? I'm not really sure who would be most suitable for the Nature part of things.
Edit: I think I might also want to just dump power into this, so I think I'll also hit up Gold, Arrel, and Hope. *sigh* and I guess I'll at least ask Baleruk.
Tepen's first and easy enough. "I can spare the time, Surraruthru," he says, "Though I am busy, so I ask that we do not dally."
"Very well. I have some others to speak to first. I want to get this done fast and correct the first time, so I plan to pull in others. I'll let you know when everyone's ready."
Sylvie's next. She's in the library, looking down at a book as you enter. "I'll be there," Sylvie says, not even looking up. "Vul'lath is back over there, he's in a snit because one of his acolytes failed a rather simple test because he was hung over."
Surraruthru chuckles. "I wonder if Vul'lath was ever young enough to do such things..."
With that, Surraruthru files over to find Vul'lath.
Vul'lath is reading a rather thick tome by himself, arms crossed and face a mask of concentration. He doesn't look up as you approach.
Surraruthru lands next to the tome on the table and stares at him, not quite directly interrupting, but being exceedingly obvious.
"You are not a dog looking to go out," Vul'lath replies after several seconds, "Speak your mind."
"No, but I'm trying to at least somewhat more respectful of others' endeavors. At least compared to Baleruk. He'd have simply thrown your books across the room. I'm looking for some help with the magic circles and rituals for the memory transference for the tree from Lifasa. Tepen and Sylvie have already agreed, and I'm trying to get everyone's agreement before I start actually having people meet. Time crunch and all, don't want to keep everyone waiting for a single person to show."
"Conceded," Vul'lath merely closes his book at your words, "Very well, today is a relatively idle day as the gears turn and preparations are made."
"Thank you. I'll have Elena contact everyone once I get everyone's agreement. Enjoy your idle time. For the short time it lasts."
Next is Queen Ilsenine. She sits on her throne and listens to you, court not currently in session.
"This tree will potentially revitalize Lifasa and bring hope to it?" Queen Ilsenine asks.
"That's the intent. My plan is to have our people implant their memories of Lifasa into the tree. We can then transplant the tree into a ley-line nexus. Hopefully, Lifasa's natural energy will recognize the familiar nature of the memories and use them as a template to correct itself. Honestly, I expect the change to be slow if left alone. But... It may provide the gods an alternate option than what they did on Benfal. Another benefit will be that at a certain point of memory absorption, the tree should start feeling and giving off an aura of home. It should be comforting to us survivors. Hopefully, it'll give us another connection to Lifasa and a chance to resist what happened when Bel stepped foot on Lifasa and all natives fell to pain."
Make a Diplo check here since you're selling her on it. +5 circumstance bonus, both for the effort and because she wants to believe.
> roll 1d20+39+5 Diplo
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 57 > [d20=13]
Ilsenine is silent after your small speech, "This is a worthy endeavor. You have my aid." she flutters off her throne, "When do we begin?"
"I have some others to get to agree first, but as soon as they do. You may come with me if you wish. On another point, the tree I got the cutting from was a Dryad tree. She remembers Lifasa as it was, and knows how it is now. It's been giving her nightmares. She said she would welcome talking with other natives. Seemed very eager for it."
"She will be aided," Ilsenine says immediately, flying past you and then glancing back once she's behind you. "The nightmares are the worst part."
Surraruthru merely nods and heads towards the next on the list.
Who is next?
Dragons. Gold be up.
Gold is found in the library, working over the first few pages of a tome. He looks up from it as you approach and nods slightly, "Surraruthru," he greets you in draconic.
Surraruthru replies in Draconic, "Goldanariux. I have a project I need help with. I've recruited a few others to help, but I think we may need some raw power in addition to skill with it. I have a cutting of a tree from Lifasa. I wish to make it a repository of memories from survivors of how it was before the Devils. My plan is to transplant it back into a nexus of ley lines on Lifasa and let the natural energy of the world use the memories and tree as a template to restore Lifasa."
"You need my aid?" Gold says, "You will have it. What good is saving Lifasa if it is naught but ashes and pain?"
Surraruthru inclines his head to Gold. "Thank you. Now that I think about it, if this works then we should make a memorial plaque at the base of the tree on Lifasa... In any case, Arrel is next."
You find Arrel in his room, his small hoard being carefully lorded over as you enter.
"Yes?" Arrel asks.
"Arrel, hello. It's been a while. I've got a project I'd like your help with. Creating a memory tree of sorts for Lifasa with the intent to plant it in a ley line to help restore the planet. I've got a handful of others who have agreed to help; Tepen, Vul'lath, Sylvie, Queen Ilsenine, and Gold. We've got a good range of skill already, but more, and more power, never hurts."
"My power? If it can help, I'll do it," Arrel says, "Where and when?"
"Shortly, hopefully. I need to speak to Hope and Baleruk. Elena will likely be the one who will let you know. Thank you for your help."
Hope next.
Hope is a bit outside of Aurora, basking in the sunlight of Aurora. Crystal is with him, using a cloth to polish and shine his scales. She applies a cream to his scales, off white and smelling of summer rains, and uses it to make his scales virtually glow.
Surraruthru eyes the cream and makes a mental note of it for later.
"Hope. Crystal. I have an experiment I would like your help with. I'm trying to make a memory transfer array for a tree cutting from Lifasa, to make it retain the memories of Lifasa as it was. The hope is that it can be transplanted into a ley line nexus and serve as a template for the natural energy of Lifasa to restore itself."
"Oh?" Crystal turns as she works her cloth on Hope's scales, "This sounds promising. Will it work? I am not familiar with this level of sorcery."
Hope shines under Crystal's efforts, shiny and beautiful.
"The theory is fairly sound. The memory crystals I used before going after Secretus function similarly, and are what I'm basing it off of. I've never heard if doing it to an entire world, however. I suppose we'll find out."
"I suppose we will," Crystal agrees.
Anyone else?
Baleruk I suppose.
You find Baleruk on his hoard. His head is bowed in deep thought, all the colors of the rainbow swirling around his head in erratic patterns.
"Greetings Baleruk. I've come to ask you to help with a project to restore Lifasa."
Surraruthru idly studies the effect, trying to determine if it's magic or something else.
"Speak," Baleruk invites, voice rumbling throughout the cavern.
"I've gotten a cutting of a dryad tree from Lifasa. From before it was taken. I plan to use the memory crystals I have from fighting Secretus as a framework to let Lifasans implant their memories into the tree. Once we get control of Lifasa back, I plan to transplant the tree into a ley line nexus so the planet can use the memories as a template to restore itself. My hope is that the deities will support and speed this up in place of being forced to do whatever was done on Benfal. As our resident divine entity, I believe you can greatly help. I'd prefer to do it with my own power, but whatever happened on Benfal combined with our deadline means this needs to be done quickly. I'm hoping it'll have the secondary effect of muffling what happened to the native Lifassians when Bel appeared from hitting us so hard again."
Diplo check, +3 bonus. Baleruk's the sort who would need one regardless since Baleruk.
> roll 1d20+39+3 Diplo
<Rei-chan> IronDragoon rolled : 1d20+39+3 Diplo --> [ 1d20=6 ]{48}
Baleruk looms over you, watching you as you speak. He is stone still, silent, passive. When her replies it is after some silence afterwards.
"That. That is what I want. Passion! Claim it!" Baleruk bellows. "THE MIGHTY BALERUK SHALL DEIGN TO AID YOUR EFFORTS, SURRARUTHRU!"
Surraruthru chuckles. "I think that's where you and I miss each other. Magic is about will. Fire is about passion. My flame may not burn as bright as yours, but it will roll forward relentlessly and consume all. Elena, would you gather everyone who's agreed to help and have them meet us at the tree?"
Okay, you need 10 K:N checks, 10 K:A checks and 4 K:P checks. Split these up and aiding amid the people you have helping you as you see fit.
Okay, here goes. As note, I'm having the non-assisting NPCs standing by and monitoring the check-making characters to assist/stabilize in case something goes awry and things have to be stabilized or need more raw magical power to reinforce things.
Knowledge: Nature, Sylvie leads with Surraruthru and Illseine assisting.
> roll 1d20+66 Sylvie K:N #1 (Surraruthru & Illseine assist)
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 81 > [d20=15]
> roll 1d20+66 Sylvie K:N #2 (Surraruthru & Illseine assist)
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 85 > [d20=19]
> roll 1d20+66 Sylvie K:N #3 (Surraruthru & Illseine assist)
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 73 > [d20=7]
> roll 1d20+66 Sylvie K:N #4 (Surraruthru & Illseine assist)
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 84 > [d20=18]
> roll 1d20+66 Sylvie K:N #5 (Surraruthru & Illseine assist)
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 72 > [d20=6]
> roll 1d20+66 Sylvie K:N #6 (Surraruthru & Illseine assist)
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 73 > [d20=7]
> roll 1d20+66 Sylvie K:N #7 (Surraruthru & Illseine assist)
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 85 > [d20=19]
> roll 1d20+66 Sylvie K:N #8 (Surraruthru & Illseine assist)
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 70 > [d20=4]
> roll 1d20+66 Sylvie K:N #9 (Surraruthru & Illseine assist)
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 81 > [d20=15]
> roll 1d20+66 Sylvie K:N #10 (Surraruthru & Illseine assist)
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 81 > [d20=15]
Knowledge: Arcana, Vul'lath leads with Baleruk and Hope assisting.
> roll 1d20+72 Vul'lath K:A #1 (Baleruk & Hope assist)
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 90 > [d20=18]
> roll 1d20+72 Vul'lath K:A #2 (Baleruk & Hope assist)
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 90 > [d20=18]
> roll 1d20+72 Vul'lath K:A #3 (Baleruk & Hope assist)
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 91 > [d20=19]
> roll 1d20+72 Vul'lath K:A #4 (Baleruk & Hope assist)
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 88 > [d20=16]
> roll 1d20+72 Vul'lath K:A #5 (Baleruk & Hope assist)
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 75 > [d20=3]
> roll 1d20+72 Vul'lath K:A #6 (Baleruk & Hope assist)
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 80 > [d20=8]
> roll 1d20+72 Vul'lath K:A #7 (Baleruk & Hope assist)
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 74 > [d20=2]
> roll 1d20+72 Vul'lath K:A #8 (Baleruk & Hope assist)
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 81 > [d20=9]
> roll 1d20+72 Vul'lath K:A #9 (Baleruk & Hope assist)
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 74 > [d20=2]
> roll 1d20+72 Vul'lath K:A #10 (Baleruk & Hope assist)
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 77 > [d20=5]
Kowledge: The Planes, Kascha leads with Tepen and Gold assisting.
> roll 1d20+68 Kascha K:P #1 (Tepen & Gold assist)
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 88 > [d20=20]
> roll 1d20+68 Kascha K:P #2 (Tepen & Gold assist)
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 86 > [d20=18]
> roll 1d20+68 Kascha K:P #3 (Tepen & Gold assist)
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 73 > [d20=5]
> roll 1d20+68 Kascha K:P #4 (Tepen & Gold assist)
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 69 > [d20=1]
A day's work goes well. It's hard work - terribly hard work - but by the end of it, you lean towards it being possible. The ritual circles look sound, the process possible if you manipulate the right sympathetic links. Indeed, Lifasa's screams show it's entirely possible - if you can take that sort of connection and reverse it, the tree may well do exactly as you hope.
The only downside? You're going to need one hell of a memory crystal to do it. Something beyond the crystals you have to reference by a large margin.
Surratuthru gathers those who helped him together.
"Thank you for your help. Unfortunately while this was a success it wasn't a complete success. I'm going to have to acquire a much more powerful version of the crystal. Once I've acquired it, we can finish this. Our progress here gives me faith that this can work."
Sylvie hums, "We're going to need a lot of money for it. I'm guessing at least 100,000 gold. We may need to petition the Aurora fund to cover this."
Surraruthru nods. "I agree. Unless anyone has an idea for fast money making?"
"Let the Aurora fund cover it first," Baleruk rumbles, "It is what it is there for, rather than our precious hoards."
General headshakes go around. "Nothing in the time frame without questing or taking on risk." Vul'lath says. "Uncertain questing."
"Mmm. Go with the fund then. It's certain and immediate. I'll go for the crystal once we get the gold secured."
Okay, short OOC interlude. Go ask in loot if this is willing to be signed off on. Once we get an answer we'll continue from there.
You have the gold. Next move?
At work, so I don't off hand remember the name of the person who gave me the memory crystal. I did promise to pick up that Faerie dragon, so I suppose that's first since I can manage that trip without anyone's help with just readying multiple castings of gate/plane shift.
Okay. That'll probably run out the rest of the time in your day - Neph's close too and Afina and JAela are overseing war ops. Just going to swap out a few spells for gates?
Yeah. Spell list is updated with spells crossed out/expanded for tapestry buffs. I'll invite Kascha, Hope, Crystal, and Ilseine. If anyone else wants to go, they're welcome, but it's a quick jaunt. If Ilseine wants to go, we'll hit the dryad first, then get the faerie dragon. I'll post the buffs after we've settled who all is going.
Ilsenine will beg off on account of court business. This is a short trip anyway, so. Any adjustments based on that?
Nah. I'm just buffing on the off-chance of combat. Below isn't in italics because italics doesn't play well with the spoiler tags.Tapestry:
Elemental Body (fire) CL 28, 28 hour duration
You have the benefits of the attune form spell (page 17) with respect to the appropriate element. If you choose a water body, for example, you can breathe normally on waterdominant planes.
You are immune to poison, sleep, paralysis, and stunning, and are not subject to extra damage from critical hits or flanking. You gain darkvision out to 60 feet.
Your creature type remains unchanged, so you are unaffected by spells that target elementals, but you gain the air, earth, fire, or water subtype depending on the elemental substance you chose.
Fire: Fire immunity, burn (those you hit in melee and those who attack you with natural weapons must make a Reflex save or catch fire, with a save DC equal to that of a fire elemental of the same size).
Surraruthru's Stupendous Dragonskin, CL 28, 28 hour duration
Grants you a +10 armor bonus to armor class and damage reduction 10/magic.
Strength of the Dragon Princess, CL 28, 28 hour duration
The target of this spell gains a +4 insight bonus to Strength.
Mind of the Dragon Princess, CL 28, 28 hour duration
The target of this spell gains a +4 insight bonus to Intelligence.
Agility of the Dragon Princess, CL 28, 28 hour duration
The target of this spell gains a +4 insight bonus to Dexterity.
Mind Blank, CL 28, 24 hour duration
The subject is protected from all devices and spells that detect, influence, or read emotions or thoughts. This spell protects against all mind-affecting spells and effects as well as information gathering by divination spells or effects. Mind blank even foils limited wish, miracle, and wish spells when they are used in such a way as to affect the subject's mind or to gain information about it. In the case of scrying that scans an area the creature is in, such as arcane eye, the spell works but the creature simply isn't detected. Scrying attempts that are targeted specifically at the subject do not work at all.
Create Magic Tattoo, CL 24, 24 hour duration
+1 luck bonus on attack rolls.
Create Magic Tattoo, CL 24, 24 hour duration
+2 competence bonus on attack rolls.
Energy Immunity (x4) CL 26, 24 hour duration
Grants complete protection agianst: acid, cold, electricity, sonic
Quiescent Weaving: Haste, Retributive Enervation, Spell turning
Self:
Epic Mage Armor CL 28, 24 hour duration
An invisible but tangible field of force surrounds the subject of epic mage armor, providing a +20 armor bonus to Armor Class. Unlike mundane armor, epic mage armor entails no armor check penalty, arcane spell failure chance, or speed reduction. Because epic mage armor is made of force, incorporeal creatures can't bypass it the way they do normal armor.
Moment of Prescience CL 28, 28 hour duration
This spell grants you a powerful sixth sense in relation to yourself. Once during the spell's duration, you may choose to use its effect. This spell grants you an insight bonus equal to your caster level (maximum +25) on any single attack roll, opposed ability or skill check, or saving throw. Alternatively, you can apply the insight bonus to your AC against a single attack (even if flat-footed). Activating the effect doesn't take an action; you can even activate it on another character's turn if needed. You must choose to use the moment of prescience before you make the roll it is to modify. Once used, the spell ends.
The portal opens to the wilds of the Beastland, just as expected. From there...
How are you planning on finding her?
Wouldn't I remember the general direction/area we ran into her? If not and Surraruthru would know it, I'd toss some divination spells in to find her.
That'll work.
> roll 1d100 Rei
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 Rei --> [ 1d100=71 ]{71}
It takes a little wandering, but fortune is with you. You soon enough see your fellow Faerie Dragon emerge from the forest, slowly approaching you, her pup keeping behind her.
Surraruthru lands near her.
"Hello. I apologize for the delay, things quickly got out of hand. I had to assist with a raid on our homeworld and a powerful devil made an appearance. These are Kascha, who was with me before, and Hope and Crystal. I brought them along to show you that there are other Faerie Dragons and fey in Aurora to help you adjust and possibly be friends with you."
They are regarded before the faerie dragon simply replies, "We are ready. Please Hope, be gentle. My child is fearful of others."
Surraruthru nods and opens a Gate back to Aurora for everyone.
Cool, okay. Anything else to do today for you with the time you have left?
Stop in with Balyss if she's around. Selune said there was a place where I could gain power, so I might as well hear about it at the least.
You find Balyss deep in prayer before the altar of Selune. She kneels and has her head bowed, seemingly lost in it as night falls over Elysium.
Go ahead.
Surraruthru strides up along side of her and takes a seat, idly looking around the shrine in as respectful a silence as a dragon can, and then taps Balyss with his tail after a few moments.
'Surru," Balyss murmurs, eyes still closed. "You need the Moonmaiden's guidance?"
"Selune mentioned a place where I can gain power, though it would take time and significant effort. I've got a few projects going, I think you'll like the tree by the way, but I figured advice from a goddess should be heeded, even if I can't get to it immediately."
"Seek the Lunar Crest in the Gates of the Moon," Balyss says, "Great challenges await, along with great rewards for the worthy."
Uh, knowledge checks to know what any of that means?
K:P or K:L (Gates of the Moon) will do.
> roll 1d20+42 K:P
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 51 > [d20=9]
You recall it. It's supposed to be a rather large mountain in the Gates of the Moon, one that reaches high towards the Moon itself.
You recall it has ritual significance and is often attended to by Phoebe and the Sisters of the Hexad, powerful servants of Selune.
What are the gates of the moon? And Phoebe and the Sisters of the Hexad?
K:P again.
> roll 1d20+42 K:P
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 51 > [d20=9]
The Gates of the Moon are Selune's divine realm. It is positioned on the edge of Arborea, and great waterfalls can take you from there to Ysgard. The moon is always bright and visible there, a full moon and night that never ends. The terrain is rather rocky and yet spread out, with valleys and small plains amid the mountains that all reach towards the eternal moon.
Phoebe is a powerful angel that serves Selune. She is said to head the Shards of Selune and defends the moon from any who would dare profane it. She is Selune's high priestess in the Gates of the Moon, her word is law in the faith save for Selune contradicting her. A serene and ethereal figure, she is clothed only in moonlight and a gauzy shawl.
The Sisters of the Hexad are powerful Shards of Selune that directly serve Phoebe. These identical, sextuplet sisters attend Phoebe and assist her in various rituals to venerate the moon within the Gates of the Moon. It is not difficult note that Phoebe plus the Sisters is 6 + 1 = 7, a numerological occurrence that is held to be highly significant, though the precise interpretation varies.
"If I go there, I assume they'd expect certain rituals and traditions? I'll... attempt... to adhere to them, as much as I can stand to, if you'd be willing to teach me."
"I'll take you and any others who wish to go, though it will be a full day trip," Balyss says, "Perhaps multiple days if it runs long, so prepare yourself for that."
Surraruthru nods.
"It'll likely be a day or two. I need to finish the tree project and visit with Seira first. But after that, I will be ready. Hopefully. Thank you, Balyss. You're an excellent servant. If only I could steal you away from Selune for myself. I suppose I should start looking for a minion of sorts..."
Balyss smiles, "Good luck, and don't try. I'm committed to Selune until the end."
That it for today's activities for you, Surru?
Pretty much. Only minor thing left is finding out about the scale polishing, but that can be done the next day.
Okay, locking this. We're pending A&J, but they should finish up today with any luck and Cor being around. We'll see how the Stone Forest goes.