The Big Dream [CDM Jerry] Saturday March 19th, 2005 12:01:12 PM
Angus looks stares in surprise at the tree as well. The stricken tree is beginning to glow. Reaching out it's branches in agony, it seems to draw the party to it in an effort to share it's pain.
It now glows with extraordinary light and power!
The tree seems to reach out to you with it's branches and limbs. The effect is strange and wonderful. The minds of the Crimson Shields begin to join, become one.
The Crimson Shields now are singular. One. Unified in spirit and purpose.
The area lights up with the tree and the glowing heroes. The ground begin to sing with their efforts.
Some sort of collective elven effect is at work! Yet all our heroes are hearing what is an Elven collective?.
As our heroes struggle to come to grips with these events, their conscious minds fade and a waking dreamlike state begins.
There is then a joining of minds. Elven minds. Minds that look at life in terms of centuries instead of years.
Nearby elves join in with this union. Some join to a lesser extent being half-elves or other relates species.
The pool of collective thought grows until it becomes Woldwide!
The overwhelming thought becomes "Why?"
An ancient being joining the mix replies, "This has happened twice before. This is the third time."
"What has happened before? comes the overwhelming response."
"This. Prepare and listen."
A common Elven Dream begins.
---------
You are floating...in space..?
You can see The Wold turning lazily beneath you, so very far below--slow but steady, the planet rotates, basking blissfully in the light of the bright golden disk hanging above it. Sunlight dapples the large fertile brown expanses of land dotted with areas of green forest...it sparkles across the waves of the blue-green ocean.
The Wold is as it is.
Suddenly you become aware that there are three smaller discs approaching the bright one, also at a slow but steady pace...you realize that the bright disk must be the sun, and the others are the moons of The Wold.
The three new discs align to cover the sun completely, leaving it and The Wold in darkness. But there--right in the middle of the now-black sun-disk--a pair eyes blink open, as though awakened from sleep.
The almond-shaped eyes--the bright, brilliant hue of sky and sea--look down upon The Wold. They widen in surprise, as though viewing the burgeoning world for the first time in a very, very long time...then the expression in the turquoise eyes grows rather sad. A tear forms and falls from one of the eyes as it blinks.
The eyes in the black sun narrow slightly--as though the unseen person to whom they belong has suddenly begun contemplating...and then the eyes blink again, once more brightening with the enlightenment of a great idea..!
The eyes glow warmly--if there were a face to go with them, you just know that it would have a happy, friendly grin in place--and The Wold, turning in its slow, steady pace, begins to grow green. Focusing on the planet, you can see that the forests of The Wold flourish and grow lush once more, spreading their fertile growth across the faces of the both the continent of Yrth and the Fragmented Lands, as the owner of the eyes laughs delightedly.
You swoop down from your lofty perch and find yourself standing in an ancient forest, Culverwood, breathing in the good green scent of the ancient trees. There is a dark, malevolent blot at the edge of your senses whom the collective knows to be Parnoth the oppressor--then suddenly, the blot disappears from sight and you hear the great beast's agonized screams.
More screams and cries ring in your ears now--the voices of those who oppose and harm Nature, the voices of those who would hold back the elves and make them lesser beings, the voices of evil. Too long they have been allowed to run free, but now they face their just reward. Through it all, the owner of the eyes continues to laugh.
The dream ends and the personal you physically awakens with laughter still ringing in your ears.
Angus Saturday March 19th, 2005 1:55:13 PM
"Amazing!" Angus exclaims looking from the tree he struck to his finger and then back to his friends. "Think we should try that again!" Angus asks somewhat expectantly.
Not waiting for an answer Angus come back over to the group and exclaims. "I have never had visions before when I cast spells...this was a new spell, and what a whopper." Angus just smiles pleased with himself.
Xenia Saturday March 19th, 2005 3:00:51 PM
It stirs. From some place deep down inside herself. It stirs.
One generation? Two? Three? How far down goes the white shock of hair, the pink eyes, the scheming, devious, war-like drives of the drow?
Too long they have been allowed to run free, but now they face their just reward. The laughter rings in her ears.
Something turns the dark rogue's eyes toward each of her companions. Quiet, cold assessing eyes. A smile tugs at corner of the dark rogue's full lips. A smile that verges upon a sneer.
Xenia blinks. There is thunder in the air, and it is the sound of her own rapid pounding heartbeat.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Outwardly, Xenia's lip trembles as inwardly she flails and beats at the feelings within her, driving them away, driving them from her. But ... how do you escape from yourself?
Her long dark fingers reach out beside her, searching, questing for the warmth of Wynn's hand.
"I-I I d-don't think so, Angus. I d-don't think I liked that ver-ver-very much."
Syr Saturday March 19th, 2005 3:02:58 PM
The elf scrambles to the side as the tree is split in half and looks at Angus with something akin to awe. Tying the two boats off he joins the others appreciating the tree healing itself.
Syr's heart reaches out to embrace his fellow elves in the vision and reacts to the evil rather strongly. Syr thinks to himself and mumbles the thoughts aloud, "uhoh, the last time I had a vision like that, I lived as a dead person for a while." He shivers with the memory of the experience.
Tying the two boats off, he
Wynn Saturday March 19th, 2005 8:02:54 PM
Wynn awakens from the dreamlike trance when he feels Xenia's discomfort. "Manke tanya tuula? [Where did that come from?] he asks aloud.
He gives Xenia's hand a reassuring squeeze before continuing. "That was amazing, did each of you see that? My mother was always studying the stars, charting their position, drawing diagrams of the planets, and trying to predict everything from romance to the timing of the harvest based on her measurements, but nothing like that!"
Wynn's eyes sparkle with excitement as he babbles on, thinking aloud at the meaning of what he has seen, and felt.
"I think my mother called it a convergence, when the sun, the moons and the Wold align in perfect unison. There will be songs written about this my friends, great songs!"
"Could you feel it Xenia? It was...well it's hard to describe...but I could feel you...and Syr, and my mom, all in my thoughts at the same time, with thousands of others."
Xenia Saturday March 19th, 2005 9:25:59 PM
"Yeah. I felt it." Xenia holds to Wynn's hand tightly. Her face is a mask of doubt and hesitation. Again she looks to each one of her companions, this time, for support, validation, the sheer comfort of togetherness.
"It was a good thing. Right, Wynn? Wasn't it?"
Tionel Saturday March 19th, 2005 11:43:19 PM
Awakened by the noise, somehow Tionel is more awakened by the dream. He comes out of it and is yelling in triumph, laughing in exuberance, running around like someone with the wind knocked out of them trying to breathe again. ALIVE! He can't help but strech out his arms and jump around, again and again, avoiding tree roots and snagging branches without looking, feeling a part of the world like he never has. It's great. He has no clue what's happening...and wishes he felt this more often.
Florin Jadenth Sunday March 20th, 2005 3:18:04 PM
Florin blinks and looks around not sure where he is at first as his mind is in a complete daze from all of this.
After collecting himself as best as he can and slowly sitting up Florin whispers and touches his holy symbol of Domi, "If that was some type of vision Domi then I'm not sure if I want another." Florin looks to everyone and speaks up, "I'm okay, looks like the rest of you are okay too thank Domi."
Lang & Sunshine Sunday March 20th, 2005 8:38:03 PM
Lang & Sunshine stand around in amazement and confusement along with the rest of the group.
"What was that?" he thinks.
Belkior d20+8=20 d20+18=33 d20+18=35 d20+18=22 d20+18=20 d20+18=23 d20+18=24 d20+18=20 d20+18=33 d20+18=26 Monday March 21st, 2005 9:00:48 AM
"Great Alemi! What was that!"
The image has flustered the normally cautious halfling and Belkior springs to his feet. His eyes flit around at his fellows. When his eyes come to Angus, Belkior motions towards Angus' finger and blurts out, "Careful where you point that thing!".
His alarm fading, Belkior takes a moment to more carefully survey the group. "Was anyone hurt? Do I need to heal anyone?" Seeing that no one was injured, Belkior takes a moment to regain his composure.
Having done that, he walks around the campsite and examines the fallen tree. "I assume that everyone had the same vision? I mean, I felt that you were all there with me, along with everyone else in the Wold, somehow. Give me a moment and I might be able to provide some insights."
Knowledge Religion = 20
After a moment, Belkior expounds on the cosmology and symbology of the vision, particularly the potential identity of the Being who was central to the vision.
Then, as a thought came to him, Belkior turns to the group. "How could I be so stupid! We spent the day tramping through the remains of the settlement and I didn't check any of us for infection. Line up over there and I'll get it over with."
Since it makes sense to his cautious and orderly mind, Belkior orders the group alphabetically by first name, starting with Angus and ending with Xenia, leaving himself to last.
OOC - here goes for the results of the heal checks:
Angus = 33 Florin = 35 Lang = 22 Sunshine = 20 Syr = 23 Tionel = 24 Wynn = 20 Xenia = ? (I can't scroll the Die Rolls window to see the results) Belkior = ?
DM George "A new day" Monday March 21st, 2005 3:21:18 PM
The group settles down after experiencing the shared vision. They discuss what it means and how it made them feel.
Belkior checks over his companions and is surprised but happy to see that their is no sign of infection.
The group eventually drifts off to sleep for the night and awaken to a glorious sunrise. The sky is aglow with pink and orange. Everyone feels especially refreshed and ready to tackle the challenges of the day.
As you pack up camp, many of you wonder about the strange occurrances of the last few days with nature and now this vision. Could they be connected?
Belkior - OOC Monday March 21st, 2005 3:37:55 PM OOC Did my Knowledge Religion check provide any useful information?
sorry no...George
Xenia d20+17=24 d20+12=16 Monday March 21st, 2005 4:48:10 PM
What a fresh cool morning. Maybe there is something to this outdoors stuff after all.
Xenia scratches her arm.
Wonder if the mosquitoes will be better today?
The dark rogue walks a short wasy to the nearby river for a bit of morning business. The weirdness of last night is hazy. Far away. Almost like a dream. ... A dream they all shared ...
Nope. Still weird. Then again ... touching the minds of others. Wynn was right. He was there.
Xenia looks around before stooping to the river's edge. (Spot 24, Listen 16) She kneels an splashes water on her face, up her arms. She looks up again. Everything is so green. When she stands again, the rogue plucks a pink blossom from a tree and puts it in her hair.
The Crying Woods is not what it was before.
"So, we taking the boats?" the Xenia asks a she strides back into the center of camp.
OoC: BTW, when DM MikeK first set us out on the initial trip to Perimon, there were two boats.
Syr Monday March 21st, 2005 10:10:44 PM
Syr drops lightly into the boat and takes the oars preparing to go upstream. Gesturing to Angus he steadies the rocking boat, "Hop in, dreams are nice but I'm one for looking for rocks covered in gold."
Wynn Monday March 21st, 2005 10:45:28 PM
With nothing left to find in what remains of the settlement, Wynn joins Syr in one of the boats and offers a supporting hand to Xenia. "Come on. Syr's right,lets find the place where this native elf was captured and see if there are more. We may find the Lost City along the way. If the native elves know more about the dream they may tell us."
Florin Jadenth Tuesday March 22nd, 2005 3:31:02 AM
Florin takes a few moments in the morning and after Xenia is finished as to give her privacy to wash and such himself and also takes the time to shave nicely and check his ponytail before moving out, no reason why he shouldn't look his best.
Florin moves to join Syr at the boats and nods to his friend, "I'm interested in this city of gold of course but I would like to also make sure the Floating City remains safe from stuff....I have a funny feeling whatever that vision had to do with may be a threat to it also so..guess we just press on and see what clues we find about both as we go."
Florin gives Syr a nod and gets ready to help row if needed, "I will help row if I can. I could use the workout and I think some of us areb etter suited for rowing then others." Florin smiles to Angus and nods to him since he knows Angus doesn't like physical labor.
After getting in one of the boats he does comment, "Was funny being united with all of you too in the vision or dream. Guess we have a even bigger connection now then before. Of course I hope no ones secrets leaked out either." Florin eyes Xenia for a moment mainly after his comment, not wanting the rogue to know his feelings or maybe just were feelings on her.
Tionel Tuesday March 22nd, 2005 4:09:48 AM
Tionel hops onto the boat, eager to head down the river to the mysterious "X" at where the rogue elf was found. What sort of elf will he be? Wild and uncivilized, murderous and mean-hearted, kind and utopian...? It could be anything, what lies in these woods or beyond.
Belkior Tuesday March 22nd, 2005 7:55:19 AM
After blathering on regarding the potential meanings of the collective dream, it may become apparent to his companions that Belkior doesn't really know anything but is just guessing.
After performing his morning prayers, Belkior carefully prepares for travel by boat. He wraps his breastplate and other armour carefully, polishing any possible spot of tarnish then secures it to his backpack. Then, he makes sure that all of his pouches and pack compartments are closed as tightly as possible. Looking around, he realizes that he might be holding everyone up. Boats are tricky things, and I'm not taking any chances, he thinks to himself.
Lifting his pack into a boat, he secures it to a seat or another seemingly secure bit with rope. Then he clambers over the side, trying to do so with as much dignity as he can muster. Big people sized boats. At least the sides are high and there's plenty of room. Since he isn't big enough to offer much in the way of rowing, the halfling finds a place to sit near his pack that won't be in the way.
After seating himself, Belkior realizes that he's almost the last one in the boat.
Angus d20+8=24 Tuesday March 22nd, 2005 8:59:21 AM
Angus wakes and stretches his long thin body. "Not a bad night, but I still prefer a feather bed."
Angus takes up Syrs offer and hops into his boat and leans back. "Do we stop by the Giggling Ghost for breakfast before we head upriver? Angus asks all those in his boat. Not waiting for an answer Angus takes out the Flute that Florin gave him and starts to play (perform 24) a lite and airy tone to make rowing easier.
DM George Tuesday March 22nd, 2005 1:55:35 PM
The Shields take to the boats and start moving up river. They travel most of the day, taking frequent breaks to rest their weary arms. They are making headway but it is slow going against the current.
OOC Please give me who is in which boat and who is rowing?
As the day starts to wind down, the group smells smoke coming from up ahead.
Xenia d20+17=20 d20+12=21 Tuesday March 22nd, 2005 4:13:28 PM
The sound of the oars as they plow up water to spray in the wake of the boat. Sounds from the woods along the banks.
Xenia had taken Wynn's gracious hand and stepped lightly aboard the boat. "You're so smart," she whispers, and her eyes glow with something more than admiration. Tunnel Vision. It makes passions so much more intense. It turns the full focus of skills upon a problem. But, it misses so many more things as it flies in pursuit of it's goal.
Now the dark rogue kneels in the center of the boat, bow in hand. Maybe these forest elves can help them with this dream thing. Maybe they can help them with the Crying Woods thing. And the disease thing too. But, for the moment, there's plants out there that want to eat them and who knows what else.
Xenia turns a sharp eye to the ripples in the water. To the foliage along the banks. Even to the sky. Eyes and ears open for danger. (Spot 20, Listen21)
"Hey," she whispers, "what's that smell?"
OoC: In boat with Wynn. Same boat as Syr, per Wynn's last post.
Wynn d20+6=18 Tuesday March 22nd, 2005 8:52:37 PM
Wynn takes a turn at the oars. He pulls with long steady strokes, enjoying the feeling as his muscles warm to the task. His pack rests at his feet. When the smell of smoke drifts towards him he looks up wind for the source.[Spot=18]
Syr Tuesday March 22nd, 2005 9:03:51 PM
When Wynn volunteers to row, the dark haired elf gingerly switches places with him. Careful not to upset the balance of the boat he eases his small body down on the bottom with his hands behind his reclining head. Looking at Wynn, Xenia, and Angus (I'm guessing we are boat #1?), "Any of you guys ever want to take up sailing? Ever think that is a good investment? I need to look into making a profit from my money."
(OOC: I never noticed, did Florin pay back Syr? I know it was discussed, did I miss it?)
Belkior d20+4=14 d20+5=6 d20+6=23 Tuesday March 22nd, 2005 9:27:42 PM
Belkior sits quietly in the rear of the boat, or stern as the more nautically inclined have called it. He looks across at the other boat holding Wynn, Xenia, Syr and someone else.
"If your arms are sore, I can surely mix up a poultice or linament that will provide some relief. You should be careful of blisters, too. Nasty things, those. They can become infected. Then I'd have to lance them. For that matter, it's good that you're wearing gloves because splinters can be bad too. Sometimes I recommend removing them, sometimes the more stubborn ones have to stay in until the flesh becomes proud and then they can be expressed. Did you know that?"
During a break in his monologue, Belkior takes a bit of halfling trail snack from his pack and begins to nibble. Being polite, he offers it to the person rowing. The sweet honey has made him thirsty so Belkior next removes a cup from his pack and leans over the side to gather some water. Before drinking, he sniffs it carefully. Then sips a small amount, just enough to taste. Concluding that it is safe to drink (Survival = 14, untrained), he sips the water. Swishing out the cup, he offers some water to the rower.
Despite his chatter, he keeps an eye on the shores of the river. He is too distracted by the colourful foliage of the newly changed Forest to notice much. However, his ears and nose remain alert.
His delicate halfling nose wrinkles as he takes in the scent of smoke. He can't judge anything about the size of the fire because he does not know precisely how far it is to the village, or more properly, the fire.
"Hssss. Do you smell that smoke, too?", Belkior asks quietly to his companions in the boat. "Wonder what it means?"
Spot = 6, natural 1 Listen = 23, untrained
Lang & Sunshine d20+6=16 Tuesday March 22nd, 2005 10:04:38 PM
OOC - I guess I am in the boat with Florin, Belkior, Tionel and Sunshine if the other boat has Wynn, Syr, Xenia and Angus.
Lang focuses on rowing when it is his turn. Trying to keep an even pace to his strength and to the other boat. When he is not rowing he will make sure to drink a lot of water and to eat a little bit. Lang will feed and give water to Sunshine during this time too.
Lang will monitor the shore line during his rest periods, relying on the rest of the group to warn him of danger when he is rowing (spot 16/20).
Lang smells the fire at the same moment most of the rest of the group asks he they smell anything.
"Perhaps we should get off the river and onto dry land before we come upon the fire."
Florin Jadenth d20+1=19 Wednesday March 23rd, 2005 1:12:14 AM
Florin will be in the same boat as Lang, Belkior, Sunshine and Tionel. To save the others from starting the rowing he takes first turn at the oars and enjoys the exercise even if the current is working against them.
Florin doesn't both trying to spot anything while rowing since it is hard to keep your mind on rowing and watching for possible rocks, etc while spotting for danger. When Florin is free and someone takes over rowing though he watches the shoreline cautiously.(Spot:19)
(OOC:Florin offered but didn't pay nothing as of yet since Syr didn't say nothing. If Syr wants full or half payment then please let me know so I can minus it from my sheet ;) Was what, 1,000gps total?)
Tionel Wednesday March 23rd, 2005 2:03:27 AM
(As far as I can tell, one boat has Xenia, Syr, Wynn, Angus. Boat two has Florin, Belkior, Tionel, Lang, Sunshine.) "Row, Row, Row, Row! Rowing my Rowing River Boat! Gee I love to float! In my riverboat! Heave ho, to and fro, don't you dare to stop! Don't jump or hippity hop! The boat will go kerplop!"
Tionel ponders that first song. Nah...need more serious lyrics. "There's no earthly way of knowing Which direction we are going There's no knowing where we're rowing Or which way the river's flowing Is it raining? Is it snowing? Is a hurricane a-blowing? Not a speck of light is showing So the danger must be growing Are the fires of hell a-glowing? Is the grisly reaper mowing? Yes, the danger must be growing 'Cause the rowers keep on rowing And they're certainly not showing Any signs that they are slowing!"
Tionel sits there and smiles, running a hand through the water. Then he looks up at his companions and chipperly announces, "Man, this is great! Say, I could turn into a giant turtle or a fish or something! It'd be great!"
Of course, he asks this just as he's about to have his turn rowing.
Angus d20+8=10 d20=8 Wednesday March 23rd, 2005 9:05:51 AM
Angus tires of flute play after the hours on the water (perform 10) and stops. Angus lazily drags his hand over the side of the boat, until he remembers what the notebook said about swimming water plants.
Angus suggests to his boat (Xenia, Wynn, Syr)"We may want to approach the smoke cautiously. Maybe we scout the situation from the opposite bank or beach the boats and send scouts and give people time to don their heavy armor?"
Angus tries to determine if food is being cooked or if it is some other type of fire (smell check untrained 8, need Sunshines nose)
Angus calls over to Tionel. "Do you want to investigate in your bird form and report back?"
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