The Shards of Lor (DM Cayzle) Monday August 8th, 2005 9:38:55 PM
[OOC: What have you done with Monthor's body and gear? Remember that you might need the body for a raise.]
The third guess is the right one! "Yes," declares the leader of the dryads, "The word is 'Lor' -- in memory of the Shards of Lor of which we no longer speak."
"The word has been spoken, and you may pass!"
Two of the trees move apart, and you are free to enter the gate.
The dryads offer their names as friends as they say farewell.
The entire party, including Grigs, enter the blinding light. A strange sensation affects you as each step carries you leagues and leagues. At length, you find yourselves in a new place.
This is a field of mist. There is nothing but fog here. There are srange flutterings just out of sight in the mist.
The grandmotherly leader of the cricket-taurs speaks. "IKnowThisPlace! ThisIsOneOfTheValleysRuledByMaab. ThisIsASacredPlaceBetweenWorlds. AHolyPlace. ThisIsAPlaceWhereThoseWhoAreLostCanBeFound."
What's that off in the distance? If you make a spot check vs DC15, then Highlight to display spoiler: {You see a glowing ball of light in the far mist.}
Monthor Monday August 8th, 2005 11:09:40 PM
The ball of light starts to move towards the party. Faster and faster it goes until it reaches them. ... A hollow voice... almost etheral ... emminates from the ball of light and says.
" Hey dudes! Let's party!!! "
{ BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! }
That laugh sounds awfully familiar to all of you... .
" Come on buds. It's this way. "
The ball turns and starts moving off again...
Renik d20=16 Tuesday August 9th, 2005 8:01:28 AM
The rogue takes out his blanklet and wraps the fallen dwarf carefully. Then, with a grunt, he heaves the fallen warrior over one shoulder. "Gods above" he mutters, "Who'd have thought someone so short could be so heavy?"
As the party pass through the gate Renik blows a kiss to the dryads, and then finds himself lost in mists. The exuberant grigs give him cheer, it sounds as if they are growing closer to their goal.
Out of the corner of his eye he spots something through the mist (Spot 16), growing rapidly closer.
"Look out!" calls the rogue, whipping out one shortsword and readying himself for battle. But a familiar voice gives him pause. "Monthor? Monthor! Is that you?"
A huge grin spreads over the rogue's face as his fallen companion rejoins them. He follows the light willingly.
Feng d20=16 Tuesday August 9th, 2005 9:39:09 AM
The half orc also spots the glowing ball of light. Until the ball of light actually speaks to them Feng isn't sure if its friend or foe. Before moving off Feng takes a moment to look around and take everything in. They are in a place few know about and even fewer have been to.
"Even as we stand here I still cannot believe it."
Arien d20+9=28 Tuesday August 9th, 2005 12:01:49 PM
Arien watches as the ball of light approaches and alerts the others to it. When the light speaks Arien is taken back a moment before he regains his composure. Shaking his head Arien also follows the light as it leads the way.
Sarigar and Black Paws (AC 24/21 CV 145 of 145) d20+16=26 d20+16=20 Tuesday August 9th, 2005 12:57:52 PM
Taking their time making their farewells to the dryads, really wanting to stay here where they feel comfortable, the brothers tentatively step into the light and into the Lands of Twilight. Even before the scenery comes into view and their minds process their surroundings, the brothers are already uncomfortable. Their hair stands up on end as their skin begins to crawl. Nausea looms over them as this unnatural place assaults them beyond their senses and bodies, striking them to their very soul.
As the glowing ball approaches (Spot 26/20), the brothers do something surprising, they cower. When they attented the raising of Tratain, they felt a similar uncomfortability, but here, immersed in this realm, it's almost agonizing. If they both weren't here, feeding each other their strength, they might just crumble.
As the ball speaks and the voice of Monthor is recognized, they still don't believe it. Monthor is slung over the shoulder of Renik, he can't be that ball of light. That's not normal or natural. It can't be happening.
Tratain Tuesday August 9th, 2005 1:25:32 PM
Tratain is relieved when he guesses the correct password.
He help Renik carry Monthor's body through the portal, and follows along when Monthor makes his presence known as the little glowing light.
Draax d20+6=13 Tuesday August 9th, 2005 6:28:16 PM
Draax sighs in relief when the guardians acknowledge the correct word. He walks through with the others and did not see the light coming toward them (spot 13). Draax almost freaks out when he hears Monthor's voice and turns to see the ball of light. A smile comes to his face when he realizes that the party has a guide after all.
The Valley of the Butterflies (DM Cayzle) Tuesday August 9th, 2005 9:41:44 PM
Following the light that sounds like Monthor, the party sets off across the valley. It is misty, but you sense that you head downhill and then uphill.
Every once in a while you see butterflies, at the edge of the mists.
At length, you reach a place where there is a carpet of butterflies on the ground -- they cover a flat area almost 100 feet in diameter. Monthor's Soul feels that you must go to the center of this field. The grigs can fly, of course, but a walker would have to step on butterflies to do so ... and your intuition tells you that stepping on butterflies would be a bad idea.
Actions?
Draax Tuesday August 9th, 2005 10:04:07 PM
Getting the feeling that walking on the butterflies is not a good thing. Draax looks at the others and can see that they have come to the same conclusion.
Turning to Tratain Draax says, "Can you do that windwalk spell again? If not, those that have flying spells or abilities might have to carry the rest of us a few at a time."
Monthor Tuesday August 9th, 2005 10:23:09 PM
The light that is Monthor gets a little brighter.
"... maybe me Mammie's winged boots would be of help? ..... "
Renik Wednesday August 10th, 2005 1:24:50 PM
Renik nods when the Monthor-spirit speaks. "Good point, we can certainly use these for now."
He removes Monthor's boots (Telling himself it's OK to take the boots off of a dead dwarf when the dead dwarf tells you to do it) and offers them to another party member.
"I have one more flight left in my boots, so I can get across. I can try to carry Monthor, but I've never flown carrying anything so heavy. Tratain, can you fly the rest of the party? Or even all of us?"
While he waits for a solution to the conundrum he moves to Sarigar's side. The wild man's fear and confusion are palpable. In a low voice he says;
"This place alarms you, doesn't it my friend? Just try to remember, this is just another part of the Wold. A place the living don't usually see, but a natural and valid place nonetheless. Stay strong, Sarigar, we will not be here long, and when we return to the living Wold you will be able to run free beneath the sky once more. You need to be brave for BlackPaws sake; if you don't look after him who will? Just follow me and the rest of the pack, my friend, and together we will get through this."
Arien Wednesday August 10th, 2005 4:38:30 PM
"I have several fly spells memorized and a potion that will allow you to fly as well. If Tratain cannot enable us all to fly I can help with the rest."
Tratain Wednesday August 10th, 2005 4:51:12 PM
Tratain says "I do not have the Windwalk spell memorized, I suggest that Renik use his boots, someone else can use monthor's and we'll have to see if Arien can cast enough fly spells for the rest of us."
Sarigar and Black Paws (AC 24/21 CV 145 of 145) Wednesday August 10th, 2005 5:37:31 PM
As Renik tries to reassure Sarigar, all he can do is nod or shake his head. This place most definitely alrms them. Despite Reniks words to the contrary, a firm shake of the head make it clear that he doesn't believe this to be another part of the Wold. Another shake of the head to the statement about it being a natural and valid place. He nods his head about being strong, though it is tentative.
As for looking after Black Paws, the strong sense they are looking out for each other is obvious, almost electric between them. If anything, their connection has become stronger here, almost tangible. Perhaps because one's soul is so close to the surface here, and the brothers share one soul between them Stay strong, Sarigar, we will not be here long, and when we return to the living Wold you will be able to run free beneath the sky once more.
Upon reaching the field of butterflies, Sarigar lies face down on the ground and looks very closely at the butterflies. So close, his nose is nearly touching one. After several moments of what appears to be close inspection of them, he gently blows on the one at his nose. Slowly he increases the pressure of his breath. He takes great care to control his breath as to not hurt the insect, but to try to coax it into flying out of the way and perhaps taking much of the swarm with it into the air, allowing them a clearer path to tread upon.
Butterflies in the Way (DM Cayzle) Wednesday August 10th, 2005 9:39:19 PM
Arien, Renik, Draax, Monthor, and Tratain all focus on the idea of flying over the butterflies. That should work if you can get enough flight magic going. Hmmm. Monthor is already flying. The party has two boots (remember that it is a new day -- you fought the Sod Elementals yesterday). that's three of eight party members accounted for. Now you need spells or potions for five, including Black Paws.
Speaking of whom, the Brothers explore a clever solution -- blowing the butterflies away! This ingenious path would work just fine ... but one's breath alone is not enough to clear a path 50 feet long to the center of the field. You would need a greater gust of wind.
However -- a sense of foreboding comes over you all. Is the mist thicker in the direction from which you came? Is there a vibration in the ground as of some vast shuddering footsteps, far off but coming closer? Your intuition suggests that haste is of the essence!
Draax Thursday August 11th, 2005 4:33:55 AM
"If it is OK with everyone I will hold onto Monthor boots until his is physically among us again. Tratrain's windwalk spell and Arien's fly spells should be enough to get everyone across. We should hurry I think we are about to have company"
If there are no objections Draax looks over the boots for any activation words. If he does not find any he will put on the boots and clicks his heels (as he seen Monthor do) before looking down to see if wings sprout from his boots. If nothing happens he will address the glowing light, "Hey how does these things work?"
Monthor Thursday August 11th, 2005 9:31:42 AM
Monthor the spirit floats to the edge of the butterflies. His glow... glows slightly more.
ooc> Monthor tries to use his mage hand abilities to lighty move the butterflies out of the way. If this actually works, he'll clear an area wide enough by 1.5 to allow the walkers to follow him across.
Monthor boots supplemental Thursday August 11th, 2005 9:50:00 AM
ooc> Don't know how Cayzle will want to do it but I always just clicked the heels together to activate the boots.
" Don't dilly dally, ye only have 5 minutes of flight time three times a day. AND DON'T GET THEM DIRTY!!! Me mammie'll kill me if she sees them dirty... wait, me already dead. Never mind then. "
Sarigar and Black Paws (AC 24/21 CV 145 of 145) d20+1=20 Thursday August 11th, 2005 11:18:55 AM
As some of the butterflies scatter, Sarigar belly crawls forward through the cleared area, Black Paws straddling over him, keeping his feet tight against Sarigar's sides. Being flat on the ground allows him to feel the vibrations all the more and he hears the others comments about company coming. Holding back his panic as best he can, Sarigar continues to blow his path clear and crawl into the new area. His breaths become a little less careful, but he endeavors to not blow so hard as to hurt the beautiful little creatures (Self imposed Wisdom check to gauge his speed against harming the butterflies, 20).
Renik (Flying) Thursday August 11th, 2005 12:00:23 PM
Renik glances back nervously into the mist. He has no desire to hand about and wait for whatever's coming.
"We need to get moving folks! Arien, cast all the fly spells you can and dish that potion out. Make sure one of the spells is cast on BlackPaws. Sarigar, you may be able to ride on his back. Draax and I will use our boots to fly. Draax, see if you are able to carry someone. If we don't have enough flight spells we will have to carry someone. Sarigar, that's a fine idea, but unless Arien or Tratain can cast a spell to blow these butterflies out of the way it's going to take too long. I'd rather go over than through if we can. Let's get moving!"
Renik will activate his boots, and carrying Monthor's body will attempt to fly. If it works he will head over the field. If not he will ask one of the other flyers to help him.
Arien Thursday August 11th, 2005 1:08:53 PM
Arien tosses the potion to Tratain then casts the fly spells on himself, Feng, and Black Paws.
Arien takes off flying with the rest once everyone was ready to go and but hangs towards the back, keeping an eye out for anything hostile.
Philip on a Flying Black Paws Thursday August 11th, 2005 3:56:54 PM
Should work fine. Spell says the recipient can fly and carry up to his his capacity while flying. With his strength, size and him being quadripedal, Black Paws should be able to carry 525 lbs as a max load. Although not specifically listed, Sarigar should weight pretty close to 200 lbs with gear (about 175 for his height and weight + about 25 in gear).
This also means that Black Paws could help carry another reasonably light person and still have decent movement.
Feng Thursday August 11th, 2005 5:42:57 PM
Feng finds his stomach turning as he floats up off the ground. He's never liked flight and doubt he ever will. There is something reassuring about solid ground beneath ones feet.
"Let's hurry. I'll feel much better when my feet are on solid ground."
Tratain d20+10=18 Thursday August 11th, 2005 5:55:44 PM
Tratain takes the potion of Fly from Arien and drinks it. He then flies over the butterfly's being carefull not to run into any as he fly's across to the center of the Field. He looks back at the Mist looking for anything out of the Ordinary. (Spot 18)
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