Crossed swords

[Corwin]

She waits for Donald and Ranbar to arrive before making any decisions!

[Anastasia]

In a display of arrogance or compassion, and it ain't the latter, nothing happens until Donald and Ranbar catch up.

[Corwin]

"Good to see you two here," Seira greets them with a smile. "This incredibly suspicious portal appeared after Shar sent an invitation. Want to lead the way?"

[Anastasia]

"She's just...letting us go in?" Ranbar asks, "That has to be a trap."

"It's so obvious that it may not be," Donald says at last, "But that she wants us for something else."

[Corwin]

Of course it's a trap, but pretty much any choice here is likely a trap if Shar decides to take it seriously. And at the same time, if she takes things that seriously, she loses the chance to benefit from Competing, much the same as Seira not succeeding much in advancing her cause by crushing Shar's weak mortal minions underfoot.

"That's neither a yes nor a no~"

[Anastasia]

Donald takes the lead, "It's what you pay me for. That and my wit."

That gets Amaryl to blow out a harsh breath, "At least Donald is Donald. Even a twisted tree is still a tree."

[Corwin]

Seira allows Donald to proceed, intending to follow after him.

[Anastasia]

It's dark here. It's so dark that you doubt light has ever been here until this moment. It is a darkness without end and without limit.

Just a little closer. Come, Seira.

[Corwin]

Seira looks around!

Perception 10 for 97.

[Anastasia]

Just darkness as far as you can see. But you can see subtle signs, reality adjusting - it's likely morphic or otherwise adjustable by will.

[Corwin]

Seira adjusts reality to be brighter and more cheerful!

[Anastasia]

Alter reality? If so make a rank check.

[Corwin]

21:09 <Corwin> roll 1d20
21:09 <Penuche> Corwin invokes Penuche's magic: < 2 > [d20=2]

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d20
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 16 > [d20=16]

No good. You feel another will battle yours, a clash that leaves reality the same as it was a moment before.

[Corwin]

Seira keeps on stepping a little closer, encouraged by the contest despite her failure. It looks like Shar is interested in a meaningful Competition after all!