027. "I think all of you would like it in Cania or Avernus."

[Corwin]

[19:53] <Kotono> The party proceeds down the split water to the hole. It's a hole. It looks to go down a goodly ways into darkness - Wayland's darkvision allows him to see it goes down 30 feet, a familiar pile of heavy stones at the bottom.
[19:54] <Janson> "Aww, was hoping those stones would transmute into stairs or something," Janson admits. "Anyone got a light?"
[19:54] <Wayland> "Huh. That's not quite what I expected. There's nothing down there but our pile of rocks, Janson." Wayland says.
[19:55] <Kotono> "Like fire," Simmer's attention is on the walls of water, staring at them and frowning. Her smile immediately returns after.
[19:55] * Aaeru picks up a smaller stone and uses Light on it. "Just in case there's suddenly water, or something like that?"
[19:55] <Kotono> Light allows you to see down, all the party seeing what Wayland sees.
[19:56] * Aaeru peers below to see if the stones cover all of the ground or not, and whether they're atop a similar pattern to that on shore.
[19:56] <Andria> Andrea stops herself from casting the same spell, the light from Aaeru's stone more than sufficient for now, and just follows behind the others for now, peering ahead with curiosity.
[19:57] * Janson looks for any sturdy rocks nearby he could tie a rope around.
[19:58] <Kotono> The stones are piled haphazardly on the ground, a nice lump of them. They look utterly random, as if someone dropped a bunch of stones down a hole for whatever reason. OOC: All of you can make spot if you like.
[19:58] <Janson> roll 1d20+7 sure
[19:58] <Rei-chan> Janson rolled : 1d20+7 sure --> [ 1d20=18 ]{25}
[19:59] <Wayland> roll 1d20+3
[19:59] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 1d20+3 --> [ 1d20=3 ]{6}
[19:59] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+5
[19:59] <Rei-chan> Aaeru rolled : 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{21}
[20:00] <Janson> "Looks like there's a door down there, see it?" Janson points down the hole before resuming his search for an anchor.
[20:00] <Aaeru> "Ah!" Aaeru exclaims. "There seems to be a doorway below!"
[20:01] * Wayland squints, rubs at his eyes, squints harder, and says, "No."
[20:02] <Wayland> "I think I may still have water in my eyes."
[20:02] <Aaeru> It being her sacred duty to guide him, Aaeru takes Wayland's hand in hers and helpfully points it in the right direction.
[20:02] <Kotono> Pointed out, the others in the party can see it. It's an iron door handle set into the wall straight down from you, at the bottom. It's not obvious, but you can see it now.
[20:02] <Janson> "Well, you'll see in a minute when we go down... assuming I can find something to tie a rope to, that is."
[20:03] <Kotono> "You know what would be a good anchor? A big stone," Simmer says absently, kneeling down and peering. "Too bad I can't burn the hole and distance away. I don't think fire works like that. Though...this is the first time I've seen a hole this deep. It hurts to jump down, the same way it hurts to fall off the high branches of a tree?"
[20:04] <Wayland> "Probably." says Wayland.
[20:04] <Aaeru> "I think it would hurt worse, since getting back would be more difficult."
[20:04] <Janson> Well, in the absence of any stones, is the wall of the hole solid enough to drive a piton into?
[20:05] <Aaeru> "What if Wayland was our anchor?" Aaeru wonders out loud. "You can fly up and down, can't you?"
[20:05] <Wayland> "For a little bit, yeah."
[20:06] <Kotono> The wall of the hole is slick and wet with condensation. It's welll worn and eroded stone, lots of little handholds and footholds.
[20:07] <Janson> Stone is good! Janson gets out one of his iron pitons and pounds it into the stone, before knotting his rope around the metal peg and dropping it down! "It's okay, this'll work!" he affirms, putting his money where his mouth is and climbing down on it.
[20:08] * Aaeru watches the piton for Janson as he descends, just in case.
[20:08] <Kotono> OOC: Make a climb check.
[20:08] <Janson> OOC: take 10 for 11
[20:09] <Kotono> It's a slow, methodical affair as Janson lowers himself down the hole! It has a few slight turnings and bumps, but he makes it to the bottom safely!
[20:09] <Janson> "Seems secure!" Janson calls, trying the door handle while he waits on the others following.
[20:10] * Aaeru keeps to the top for as long as anyone needs help descending with the rope, intending to be the last one down.
[20:10] <Kotono> The handle can be pulled to reveal a set into the wall door, designed to blend right in. Janson can open it if he cares to.
[20:10] <Janson> He does!
[20:11] <Kotono> A wave of slightly musty air greets Janson. A short hallway leads to a circular stairway winding down. The walls are lit with what looks to be green moss, shedding a constant green light over everything.
[20:12] <Wayland> Following after Janson, Wayland descends the rope!
[20:12] <Wayland> roll 1d20+5
[20:12] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{9}
[20:13] <Wayland> roll 1d20+5 tumble check not to kill myself!
[20:13] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 1d20+5 tumble check not to kill myself! --> [ 1d20=19 ]{24}
[20:15] <Andria> Andrea slowly follows after Wayland, taking care with each step, not wanting to slip and fall. OOC: taking 10 for 14.
[20:17] <Kotono> Wayland starts to climb down...and slips! His foot slips out on the slippery stone, his balance going as he plummets down! He manages to roll to the side, only catching his ribs on the hard pile of stones below instead of back first! (Damage roll now.)
[20:17] <Kotono> roll 3d6 (-1d6 for tumble, +1d6 for landing on a pile of huge owwie stones.)
[20:17] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 3d6 (-1d6 for tumble, +1d6 for landing on a pile of huge owwie stones.) --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
[20:18] <Janson> "Ow!" Janson winces in sympathetic pain, leaving the passage to tend to Wayland. "You okay there, Wayland?"
[20:18] * Wayland thumps to the ground. "Ow."
[20:19] <Wayland> Pulling himself up, Wayland shakes his head. "Serves me right for trying to go faster, I suppose."
[20:19] <Kotono> Meanwhile Andrea manages to get down safely. Simmer follows, going very carefully and making it to the bottom. (Took 10 for her. Go Aaeru.)
[20:19] <Janson> "Need a healing nectar?" Janson offers, starting to dig into his backpack.
[20:20] <Wayland> "Please." Wayland says, using what power he has to heal his own wounds. "I seem to be using this power of mine often to fix my own mistakes."
[20:20] * Janson hands over the glass of syrupy golden liquid without further comment.
[20:21] * Aaeru very calmly and quietly brings up the rear. "Wayland, are you one of those followers of Ilmater who take suffering very seriously?" she wonders upon descending. "There is no need to rush and return to him quite so soon."
[20:21] <Aaeru> OOC: 10 for 12
[20:23] <Wayland> Drinking the nectar, Waylend then looks at Aaeru and says, "Not intentionally, no."
[20:23] <Kotono> OOC: Roll the healing, Wayland.
[20:23] <Aaeru> "Just checking!"
[20:24] <Wayland> roll 1d8+1
[20:24] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 1d8+1 --> [ 1d8=4 ]{5}
[20:25] <Janson> "Anyway, there's a passage this way," Janson indicates the bioluminescent staircase. "The air felt pretty musty, which is a bit weird if someone had been here recently which was what I'd figured. But I guess if we follow it we'll get to the bottom of this. Maybe literally!" he laughs a little at his wit and starts heading down the circular stairway.
[20:25] * Aaeru happily catches up to Janson.
[20:27] * Wayland follows along.
[20:28] <Kotono> The party follows the path and the stairs down! As they walk them...the air is thick here. It's thick with...your skin shivers into diamond hard goose bumps. You feel like you can smell summer's heat and winter's smoky night all at once. You can hear a faint humming, a constant ringing hum audible.
[20:29] <Janson> "It feels like a nexus of the elements alright," Janson murmurs as he descends.
[20:31] <Kotono> At the bottom of the stairs is a hallway going in both directions. To one direction it goes about 20 feet before ending in rubble and fallen stones. Broken boxes, glass and other such things are littered amid the collapse. In the other direction it goes a goodly ways, about 50 feet, before turning to the left.
[20:32] * Janson takes a minute to look over the debris, trying to see if anything's intact or magical within easy reach.
[20:32] <Wayland> "Looks like a nexus of lazy people, if you ask me." Wayland says, looking around.
[20:32] <Aaeru> "You're thinking about clearing the rubble to proceed here?" Aaeru wonders.
[20:33] <Wayland> "I doubt it would be worth the time, really."
[20:34] <Janson> "I'm just seeing if there's anything intact. We can go down the other path easily enough," Janson replies.
[20:35] <Kotono> OOC: Make a search check, Janson?
[20:35] * Aaeru casts Detect Magic to better see everything here.
[20:35] <Janson> roll 1d20+8
[20:35] <Rei-chan> Janson rolled : 1d20+8 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{27}
[20:37] <Kotono> There's faint magic all over here. As Janson searches a cool, clean wind blows down the hall from the turn, banishing the musty air. Within he wreckage is lots of ruined supplies, some curios and odds and ends. One thing of note survives - a golden rabbit's foot, engraved with a coin-shape with four leaf clovers on it.
[20:38] <Janson> "This must be triple-lucky!" Janson declares, holding the lucky charm aloft triumphantly. It's not magic though, is it?
[20:38] <Janson> roll 1d20+10 spellcraft for the generic faint magic
[20:38] <Rei-chan> Janson rolled : 1d20+10 spellcraft for the generic faint magic --> [ 1d20=3 ]{13}
[20:39] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+3 there's magic here?
[20:39] <Rei-chan> Aaeru rolled : 1d20+3 there's magic here? --> [ 1d20=17 ]{20}
[20:40] <Kotono> It's not magical. Meanwhile Janson can't work out the magic but Aaeru can. the magic here is of various schools and unstable - it's all flowing and shaking. It's not one effect in particular, but a general disturbance.
[20:41] * Janson pockets the charm anyway for now. "Lets try heading down the other way?" he suggests, starting in that direction.
[20:41] * Wayland nods.
[20:41] <Kotono> As the party searches and analyzes, they can see it. Two...half whirlwinds, with humanoid, transparent torsos, arms and head of greenish-black wind.  Each isn't big, perhaps the size of a child. They come around the corner, leaving a faint green dripping behind themselves.
[20:42] <Wayland> Wayland blinks. "What are these?"
[20:42] <Aaeru> "Hello!" Aaeru greets these perhaps not hostile beings!
[20:43] <Janson> "Air elementals?" Janson suggests, looking between Wayland and his potential relatives.
[20:44] <Kotono> If the creatures have any insight, they do not share it! They advance towards the party at a breakneck pace, howling! OOC: Roll init. After init resolves, any of you can roll K:P for more info.
[20:44] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+2
[20:44] <Rei-chan> Aaeru rolled : 1d20+2 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{16}
[20:44] <Janson> roll 1d20+3
[20:44] <Rei-chan> Janson rolled : 1d20+3 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{13}
[20:44] <Wayland> roll 1d20+3
[20:44] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 1d20+3 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{23}
[20:45] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 Simmer
[20:45] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+6 Simmer --> [ 1d20=12 ]{18}
[20:45] <Andria> roll d20+4
[20:45] <Rei-chan> Andria rolled : d20+4 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{13}
[20:45] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7 1
[20:45] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7 2
[20:45] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+7  --> [ 1d20=16 ]{23}
[20:45] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+7  --> [ 1d20=11 ]{18}
[20:46] * Kotono changes topic to 'Air 1=Wayland(23)>Air 2=Simmer(18)>Aaeru(16)>Andrea=Janson(13)'
[20:46] <Kotono> OOC: Go ahead and open, Wayland.
[20:46] <Andria> roll d20 K:P
[20:46] <Rei-chan> Andria rolled : d20 K:P --> [ 1d20=8 ]{8}
[20:48] <Wayland> "Wait, wait! Don't! We're...aw hell!" Wayland advances and swings!
[20:48] <Wayland> roll 1d20+7
[20:48] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 1d20+7 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{24}
[20:48] <Kotono> OOC: Hit.
[20:48] <Wayland> roll 1d6+1d6+3
[20:48] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 1d6+1d6+3 --> [ 1d6=1 1d6=5 ]{9}
[20:49] <Kotono> WHAM! The first air creature is whalloped hard enough to make it's body flicker like breaking winds! As it's struck it endures, windy arms clawing at him while it's mouth tries to chomp into him!
[20:49] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4 claw
[20:49] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+4 claw --> [ 1d20=13 ]{17}
[20:49] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4 claw
[20:49] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+4 claw --> [ 1d20=4 ]{8}
[20:49] <Kotono> roll 1d20-1 bite AC?
[20:49] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20-1 bite AC? --> [ 1d20=2 ]{1}
[20:49] <Wayland> OOC: 16
[20:50] <Kotono> roll 1d4+2 and fort
[20:50] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d4+2 and fort --> [ 1d4=3 ]{5}
[20:51] <Wayland> roll 1d20+6
[20:51] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 1d20+6 --> [ 1d20=13 ]{19}
[20:52] <Kotono> Wayland gets clawd across the shoulder! The green fluid coming from them splashes on his shoulder in the aftermath, getting all in his wound! Before he has time to realize this in earnest, the second one shifts and sets right onto him!
[20:52] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4
[20:52] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+4 --> [ 1d20=18 ]{22}
[20:52] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4
[20:52] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+4 --> [ 1d20=11 ]{15}
[20:52] <Kotono> roll 1d20-1
[20:52] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20-1 --> [ 1d20=11 ]{10}
[20:52] <Kotono> roll 1d4+2 and fort again
[20:52] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d4+2 and fort again --> [ 1d4=2 ]{4}
[20:54] <Wayland> roll 1d20+6
[20:54] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 1d20+6 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{8}
[20:55] <Kotono> Wayland gets raked across the chest, more of the green ooze splashing into his wound! He feels slightly dizzy at that, stomach churning! Meanwhile Simmer advances, hugging to the wall and getting within 20 feet! OOC: Holding, she can't hit them this round with Wayland in the way. Aaeru.
[20:59] * Aaeru comes as close as she can, although in her case, she can shoot acid at the elemental Wayland charged at.
[20:59] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+1 ranged touch
[20:59] <Rei-chan> Aaeru rolled : 1d20+1 ranged touch --> [ 1d20=5 ]{6}
[21:00] <Kotono> Aaeru positions and fires, but the acid misses and hisses on the floor instead! OOC: Andrea and Janson, go.
[21:02] * Janson likewise can't fire into a crowded melee, but as he follows after Wayland he reveals another trick up his sleeve, glaring so hard at the elementals that a loud pop is heard around them followed by a cacaphony of high-pitched screeching as thousands of bats swarm all over them, biting with their tiny little needle-sharp teeth!
[21:03] <Janson> roll 1d6 and 1 damage every round until healed DC 11 fort or nauseated on their turns
[21:03] <Rei-chan> Janson rolled : 1d6 and 1 damage every round until healed DC 11 fort or nauseated on their turns --> [ 1d6=5 ]{5}
[21:03] <Kotono> Bats chew on the two elementals, chomping and biting themt hroughout! OOC: Go Andrea.
[21:06] <Andria> Andrea also moves closer towards the elementals, but not being able to reach them, attempts to shield Wayland from further attacks, as she begins to chant words that cover Wayland with a light glow. OOC: Using Hymn of Fortification on Wayland.
[21:06] <Kotono> Golden light covers Wayland, protecting him from harm! OOC: Go Wayland, you and the first elemental are up.
[21:08] <Wayland> "You know, we could be related, you and I." Wayland says as he pounds on the elemental. OOC: same as before
[21:08] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4 fort, seeing if they get maimed by the swarm first.
[21:08] <Wayland> roll 1d20+7
[21:08] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+4 fort, seeing if they get maimed by the swarm first. --> [ 1d20=12 ]{16}
[21:08] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 1d20+7 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{17}
[21:09] <Kotono> The elemental is terribly mauled, leaking more green all over! Yet it manages to evade Wayland's strike, closing into try and rip him asunder1
[21:09] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4
[21:09] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4
[21:09] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+4 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{13}
[21:09] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+4 --> [ 1d20=5 ]{9}
[21:09] <Kotono> roll 1d20-1
[21:09] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20-1 --> [ 1d20=11 ]{10}
[21:10] <Kotono> Yet Wayland's defenses are perfect, holding it's savage bites adn chomps at bay! MEanwhile Simmer gets closer, folding her hands together! With a momentary, nasty grin, "BUUUUURN!" she cries, a strong single splurt of fire engulfing the two elementals, just fanning past Wayland!
[21:10] <Kotono> roll 4d4 and they get ref
[21:10] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 4d4 and they get ref --> [ 4d4=11 ]{11}
[21:10] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
[21:10] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
[21:10] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{19}
[21:10] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{25}
[21:10] * Kotono changes topic to 'Wayland(23)>Air 2=Simmer(18)>Aaeru(16)>Andrea=Janson(13)'
[21:11] <Janson> roll 1d20+7 bats too
[21:11] <Rei-chan> Janson rolled : 1d20+7 bats too --> [ 1d20=3 ]{10}
[21:11] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4 second elemental
[21:11] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+4 second elemental --> [ 1d20=3 ]{7}
[21:12] <Kotono> The second elemental is overwhelmed, unable to strike! OOC: Aaeru.
[21:12] * Aaeru can only try and knock some sense into the remaining elemental, finally close enough to cut down on the distance and try to subdue it!
[21:12] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+6 touch
[21:12] <Rei-chan> Aaeru rolled : 1d20+6 touch --> [ 1d20=3 ]{9}
[21:13] <Kotono> But the air elemental whizzes by, somehow evading deftly Aaeru altogether! OOC: Andrea and Janson.
[21:14] <Janson> With just the one left Janson sees no need to summon new animals, and settles instead for firing a blast of orange energy at the green elemental!
[21:14] <Janson> roll 1d20 ranged touch
[21:14] <Rei-chan> Janson rolled : 1d20 ranged touch --> [ 1d20=10 ]{10}
[21:15] <Kotono> Janson aims in but misses, the sickened elemental somehow avoiding even this! OOC: Go Andrea.
[21:15] <Andria> With Wayland not seeming to be in particular danger from the elementals right now, Andrea stops focusing on her chant as she finishes moving close enough that she can strike.
[21:15] <Andria> roll d20+9
[21:15] <Rei-chan> Andria rolled : d20+9 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{13}
[21:16] <Andria> ooc: ouch
[21:16] <Kotono> But the elemental evades even this, stepping to the side as Andrea misses entirely1 OOC: Wayland, you're up.
[21:17] <Wayland> roll 1d20+7
[21:17] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 1d20+7 --> [ 1d20=5 ]{12}
[21:18] <Kotono> Wayland squares and takes a single mighty swing at the elemental! Even now it evades like a butterfly and stings like a bee, dodging and rolling right into Andrea to lay into her!
[21:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4
[21:18] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+4 --> [ 1d20=3 ]{7}
[21:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4
[21:18] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+4 --> [ 1d20=18 ]{22}
[21:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20-1 AC?
[21:18] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20-1 AC? --> [ 1d20=8 ]{7}
[21:19] <Andria> ooc: 16
[21:19] <Kotono> roll 1d4+2 and fort
[21:19] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d4+2 and fort --> [ 1d4=3 ]{5}
[21:19] <Andria> roll d20+10
[21:19] <Rei-chan> Andria rolled : d20+10 --> [ 1d20=13 ]{23}
[21:19] <Kotono> Andrea gets hacked across the shoulder, green ooze trickling across her bloodied wound! Simmer meanwhile positions in vain, unable to get into position for an attack! OOC: Aaeru, go.
[21:20] <Aaeru> Nothing is ever certain in combat! Just as Aaeru never imagined she would get another chance to try and spare this elemental, there it is!
[21:20] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+6 I'm surely flanking with someone by now with a 5ft step, touch
[21:20] <Rei-chan> Aaeru rolled : 1d20+6 I'm surely flanking with someone by now with a 5ft step, touch --> [ 1d20=5 ]{11}
[21:21] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+6 assuming #1 is a miss
[21:21] <Rei-chan> Aaeru rolled : 1d20+6 assuming #1 is a miss --> [ 1d20=3 ]{9}
[21:21] <Kotono> Even now the elemental is faster than a bee, dodging Aaeru's skillful touches! OOC: Janson and Andrea, go
[21:21] <Kotono> .
[21:22] <Andria> Andrea slashes some more!
[21:22] <Andria> roll d20+11
[21:22] <Rei-chan> Andria rolled : d20+11 --> [ 1d20=3 ]{14}
[21:22] <Janson> "This thing just won't quit!" Janson complains as he flings another blast of eldritch roiling balls at it!
[21:22] <Janson> roll 1d20
[21:22] <Rei-chan> Janson rolled : 1d20 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{10}
[21:22] <Kotono> Andrea lays a vicious slash in, but the elemental sidesteps! At the same time he moves it so that Janson's blast grazes Andrea's sword, deflecting away harmlessly! OOC: Wayland, go.
[21:23] <Wayland> roll 1d20+2 Flurry!
[21:23] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 1d20+2 Flurry! --> [ 1d20=10 ]{12}
[21:23] <Wayland> roll 1d20+2 Flurry!
[21:23] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 1d20+2 Flurry! --> [ 1d20=18 ]{20}
[21:24] <Kotono> OOC: One hit.
[21:24] <Wayland> roll 1d6+1d6+3
[21:24] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 1d6+1d6+3 --> [ 1d6=5 1d6=1 ]{9}
[21:24] <Kotono> With an electric blow Wayland slams the elemental in the middle! It puffs apart into loose air, broken back to it's base! OOC: Free act.
[21:26] <Janson> "Phew... what is with all these psycho elementals lately? Are they being driven mad the same as the animals?" Janson asks, sagging in relief as the battle ends. "I hope it doesn't affect us as well."
[21:27] * Aaeru lacks easy answers here.
[21:27] <Kotono> Simmer kicks the burnt air, not doing much at all. "They didn't burn so well, but I burned the air at least." Then she just looks to Janson, "I know enough to know nature's not right here."
[21:28] <Wayland> "In any case," Wayland says, trying to squeeze the soppy wet gunk out of his wounds, "I hope we can stop it soon."
[21:28] <Andria> "You have to wonder what an air elemental is doing underground though. That's just not right..." Andrea comments as she sheathes her blade.
[21:28] <Janson> "But we're all part of nature too, so... well, we just have to try and keep our heads," Janson resolves, advancing onwards.
[21:28] <Aaeru> "We're bound to see the answer at the end!"
[21:29] <Kotono> The gunk comes out slowly, trickling out like slime.
[21:29] * Wayland grimaces.
[21:30] <Kotono> Heading past the bend, the party sees the hall expands from here. 40 feet away are ornate twin pillars, supporting the ceiling. Beyond you see tiled floor going on for ten feet, to a sturdy looking door. The air is slightly chillier here, summer's warmth seeming not to reach.
[21:31] * Janson takes a look over the ornate pillars to see if they've got anything interesting in the design.
[21:31] <Kotono> As Janson comes to the pillars...(More)
[21:34] <Kotono> The creature that steps out from behind the pillars is translucent. It's body is of pure white ice, that of a slightly slouched humanoid with a ragged shawl over it's shoulders.  It is perhaps six feet tall even slouched, powerfully muscled. A bloodied, saw-toothed glaive is held, covered with crude, carved writings all over it's hilt. It's chin has the broken remnants of a beard of ice, only
[21:34] <Kotono> a few patches left. He wears a cloth belt, dotted with pouches. It pauses to look the party over, "I would welcome you to this rarified place and question how you got here, but I do believe that command is woesomely irrelevant. I am Grithalek," He offers a hand out to Janson, "Who is supposed to ensure that no others disturb the master. Alas, the master is naught but a smear on the wall now."
[21:35] <Aaeru> "Aaeru," she introduces herself automatically, expecting others to do likewise for themselves. "And who was your master?"
[21:35] <Janson> "Oh," Janson accepts the elemental-touched man's hand. "I take it the master did some sort of experiment to unplug the ley lines and wasn't prepared for the influx of elemental power?" he asks, belatedly adding, "Janson, pleased to meet you."
[21:37] <Kotono> "Banistar, wizard of the ley-lines. Such was what he called himself, though I question the wisdom of his claims based on this catastrophy." His grip is strong and utterly frozen, sending harsh chills down Janson's arm. "That is entirely correct. What lies ahead is a ley-line laboratory, where my master attempted to corral the power of nature. As one can reflect now, he failed to the last.
[21:37] <Kotono> Unfortunately, his failure was limited to himself."
[21:38] * Janson flexes his hand a few times after the handshake to help warm it up. "It actually spread quite far, there's been destructive vortexes and strange effects on the animals all over the forest."
[21:38] <Aaeru> "How about we work together to fix what he caused?"
[21:39] <Kotono> "Yes, there is no doubt of that. I do hope Breeze and Wind were not overly problematic...but they have not been right for some time without time in the open skies, and the effects of the ley-lines only drove them deeper into madness." To this he nods, "My exact thoughts. I desire but one thing - to be freed from this ruin. Should you achieve that, I will aid you in stopping the coming calamity.
[21:39] <Kotono> I have tried myself, but my meager skill in the arcane, honed only in the past few days, is insufficient."
[21:40] <Aaeru> "We'll certainly try!" Aaeru assures him. "Can you tell us more about how this was caused? What steps the wizard took, and where it went wrong?"
[21:41] <Janson> "The way out's clear, but we definitely need to undo the damage Banistar caused or the forest won't be safe for anyone."
[21:41] <Andria> "Did he keep notes as well?" Andrea asks.
[21:42] <Kotono> "I am not that well versed in arcana, but his notes survive." The creature says, "Escape will require the smashing of a certain arcane charm that keeps me within this laboratory. If we are agreed, let us go and see this with our own eyes."
[21:43] * Aaeru nods firmly. "Of course! The first thing we must do is free you!"
[21:43] <Kotono> "Excellent!" The figure goes behind the pillar, coming out with a heavy bag. It jingles as he slings it over his shoulder, "This way then."
[21:44] * Janson doesn't begrudge the guy from looting his boss after all the trouble said boss must have caused, and amiably follows along.
[21:46] <Kotono> Past the pillars and doors lies three halls. One goes straight ahead, and one goes left at a 45 degree angle, whilst the last goes to the right at a 45 degree angle. "Pardon the eccentric nature of the design, my master attempted to emulate the flows of a type of ley-line in it's design. It's veracity is suspect." He heads towards the right, "To the left lies the wizard's personal abode. To the
[21:46] <Kotono> center lies the laboratory proper. To this way lies a few minor things, including the charm that keeps me here."
[21:47] <Janson> "Lets hit up the charm first and then we can focus on the lab? I take it it's warded against you specifically, Grithalek?" Janson asks, following along.
[21:47] <Kotono> "Correct." You are lead down the hall to the door, "Also it is trapped so that interlopers cannot easily enter. Disarming the trap on the door is advisable, if any of you are so talented."
[21:48] * Wayland nods. "That would probably be best. Charm then lab."
[21:48] <Janson> "Let me have a look..." Janson takes a moment to examine the door...
[21:48] <Janson> roll 1d20+8 search
[21:48] <Rei-chan> Janson rolled : 1d20+8 search --> [ 1d20=8 ]{16}
[21:49] <Janson> "Acid," Janson nods. "Stand back everyone," he recommends, fishing out his tools and starting to carefully work the trigger out of alignment...
[21:50] <Janson> roll 1d20+10 dd
[21:50] <Rei-chan> Janson rolled : 1d20+10 dd --> [ 1d20=20 ]{30}
[21:50] <Kotono> It's pretty easy. Janson works a few moments and flicks the mechanism off. It shouldn't be aciding anyone now.
[21:51] <Janson> "There we go!" Janson stands and opens the door. "Why'd he bother trapping it if it's just you guys down here, though?"
[21:52] <Aaeru> "Yes, that's strange," Aaeru agrees, peering past the opened door.
[21:52] <Kotono> "My master was ever so wary of the fey interfering, or even the sisters of Jannath, giants or other pests. They would prevent his mastery of the ley-lines. That they did not need to get involved for his final fate to come is telling." Within here is a large room. A few boxes are scattered about, as well as several barrels. In the back, atop a 3 foot tall pillar, is a glass globe. Within it a
[21:52] <Kotono> red pentagram floats, twisting and turning.
[21:53] <Janson> roll 1d20+10 spellcraft on the globe
[21:53] <Rei-chan> Janson rolled : 1d20+10 spellcraft on the globe --> [ 1d20=1 ]{11}
[21:53] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+3 likewise
[21:53] <Rei-chan> Aaeru rolled : 1d20+3 likewise --> [ 1d20=13 ]{16}
[21:54] <Janson> "So, just need to crack this globe on the ground and you're free?" Janson asks, going over to the pillar.
[21:54] <Kotono> "Yes, that would suffice." Grithalek says. "Or to sunder it, break it or other such final thing."
[21:55] * Janson takes the gem and holds it up before spiking it down to the ground!
[21:57] <Kotono> The glass globe shatters! The red pentagram flashes once, the scent of brimstone filling the air! Grithalek merely nods, "I can feel it, my freedom is at hand. Now where to go...ah, the cold wastes of Chillander do so appeal to me now. Not quite as promising as Cania, but one can never have every desire."
[21:57] <Aaeru> "Ah, then you are from the land of elves as well?" Aaeru asks him curiously.
[21:58] <Wayland> "Cania? I've not heard of that. Where is that from?"
[21:58] <Kotono> "No, somewhere warmer. Much warmer." Grithalek chuckles, "Ah, would you like to visit? It can be arrainged...my homeland is not Cania, but I feel an inexorable tug to it now. Such is the perfect order."
[21:59] <Aaeru> "I don't know about visiting, but if I'm ever in the neighborhood I could stop by to say hi," Aaeru offers.
[22:00] * Wayland nods.
[22:00] <Janson> "I'll be happy enough to sort these ley lines out and go home," Janson shrugs, not too bothered to visit wherever Grithalek comes from since it's probably beyond the mortal coil. "So, lets see the lab?" he suggests, starting back that way.
[22:00] <Wayland> "Yes, let's see this chaotic nonsense over and done with."
[22:00] <Kotono> "Certainly," Offering a hand out to Aaeru, "I think all of you would like it in Cania or Avernus. Ah, you would fit right in the lines there...but ah yes, the lab. The lab." He turns and begins to walk, "This way."
[22:01] * Aaeru shakes it with a smile, and then falls into step with him.
[22:02] <Kotono> Simmer just eyes the ice creature with utter disdain and open nausea, keeping well back.
[22:02] <Kotono> Grithalek leads you back to the main passage. "The doors here are not trapped, but do be wary." He glances back, "The energies ahead are slightly unstable. It's possible something unfortold could occur."
[22:03] <Aaeru> In that case, Aaeru takes the lead, ready to face whatever is inside!
[22:03] * Janson happily defers to Aaeru!
[22:03] <Andria> Andrea follows after Aaeru. "Can you show us where his notes were also?"
[22:05] <Kotono> The door sopen! Within great tubes of glass snake about all over, down an open room! Every color of light flows through them, meeting together and forming new bands. They travel in every direction, a path leading deeper into several tables seen. The air here is heavier yet, seeming to quiver. You feel slightly dazed here, as if something's overwhelming your eyes. "His notes are safely kept
[22:05] <Kotono> within," he says, "Follow me."
[22:06] * Aaeru is certainly ready enough to follow such a helpful local guide.
[22:06] * Janson ceases detecting magic. "This is worse than the mythal," he mutters, rubbing his eyes for a moment before pressing on.
[22:15] <Kotono> "Mythal?" As you reach the tables Grithalek looks back. To the sides are several tables, littered with broken beakers, splattered scrolls, a globe, arcane instruments and stranger things yet.  There's a passage to the right, Grithalek following it to a door. Past this door is another iron set door, massively heavy. This requires Grithalek to grunt o open it! Past it lies...a room, consumed mostly
[22:15] <Kotono> with a vortex. The glass tubes all race into it, a rainbow colored ball of throbbing energy. Floating symbols adorn the air, straining against the vast outline of ley energy.
[22:16] <Aaeru> roll 1d20 arcana
[22:16] <Rei-chan> Aaeru rolled : 1d20 arcana --> [ 1d20=16 ]{16}
[22:17] <Janson> "It's a magical field around Balmuria," Janson replies, swiftly distracted by the orb of energy, looking up and trying to make sense of the symbols involved.
[22:17] <Kotono> "Ah yes, Balmuria," Pausing to go to the side of it, creeping around, "Here, you'll want to read the notes over here," he calls.
[22:17] <Kotono> OOC: Spellcraft, Janson?
[22:18] <Janson> roll 1d20+10
[22:18] <Rei-chan> Janson rolled : 1d20+10 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{12}
[22:18] <Aaeru> "We have to find a way to untangle this carefully, or the imbalance would explode... really terribly," Aaeru says, staring at the symbols in horrified fascination.
[22:18] <Janson> "I hope the notes help, but considering who wrote them..." Janson frowns and works his way around to take a look where Grithalek indicates.
[22:19] * Aaeru just hopes she can read the language, crowding around Janson and the notes.
[22:19] <Kotono> "Ah yes, my exact conclusion," Grithalek calls, "Well, the notes are over here." Indeed in the corner, tucked behind a metal shield, is a pile of notebooks, scrolls and books. "Now then...good fortune," Nodding to them once, "I shall see what awaits me east...and Balmuria, you said? Hmmm..." IN that instant Grithalek is gone, vanished into thin air.
[22:20] <Janson> "Neat trick," Janson spares a jealous look at where Grithalek vanished, before he cracks open the notes to begin skimming them.
[22:20] * Wayland blinks and frowns. "Nice of him to stick around."
[22:20] <Andria> "Guess he couldn't wait to get some fresh air?" Andrea comments at his vanishing act, as she also tries to get a look at the notes.
[22:23] <Kotono> The notes are long and volumnious. It takes a good hour or two to read enough to get an idea: This laboratory focuses ley-line energy. Ideally it's to be controlled and focused into pure ower, without disrupting the flows enough to attract notice. In the event of an overflow, there are two possibilities. The energy can be redirected back into the ley-lines gradually, over several minutes. This
[22:23] <Kotono> requires the proper arcane ritual and is taxing, but a failure short of catastrophic merely causes the detonations away from the center, saving the arcane minded from harm. The second is to focus all the energy into a single point. It has to be something or someone potently strong to hold and absorb it. If it fails...kaboom. On the better side if something survives it, an object is made magical
[22:23] <Kotono> and a person gains great power.
[22:24] * Wayland is now known as Yuthirin
[22:25] <Aaeru> "So which method is safer for your village and its neighbors, Janson?" Aaeru asks, frowning. "From what I saw, if left unchecked and allowed to overflow, everything would be destroyed within hundreds of miles!"
[22:26] <Kotono> Simmer sits and watches, "So what are the methods?" she asks, "Can one of them be setting it on fire?"
[22:27] <Janson> "I think I get this... there's no way we should try and copy what Banistar did, considering he couldn't even do it himself - following his notes would just be suicide. But the method for slowly redirecting the energy back into the natural ley lines seems sound enough, I think we can try it," Janson nods. "There might be some fiery energy in the ley lines, so I guess you can think of it as setting
[22:27] <Janson> them on fire?"
[22:28] <Aaeru> "Maybe we can all work together, at that?" Aaeru suggests, getting an idea from this. "The ley-lines control all sorts of elemental energy, don't they? So if Simmer worked with fire, and the rest of us picked an element each and focused just on that, we might make it work."
[22:30] <Kotono> "If it's nature I can manage it. I think. Maybe," Simmer says, "especially if it's fire."
[22:31] <Aaeru> "I'm good with water, and Wayland could try for air, I suppose?"
[22:31] <Janson> "I'm not so sure..." Janson hedges, mainly because Simmer would be more likely to let the fire rage uncontrolled than work ever so carefully to tease it back into its traditional alignment. "Besides, even if Simmer is aligned to fire and Wayland to air, there's no easy fit for earth and water."
[22:31] <Andria> "Let's go ahead and try then. I can try earth, I think. My skin seems a little tougher after our little misadventure with a vortex. Not sure if that's a great fit for earth, but maybe?"
[22:31] <Aaeru> "We're going to be doing it gradually, so wouldn't any danger be lessened if broken down like this?"
[22:32] * Janson refers to the notes to determine the specific methodology of restoring the balance of the ley lines!