DM MikeK - Guess we better find out Monday October 26th, 2020 8:31:41 PM
The Shields find themselves on the end of the boulevard.
The sky is cloudless blue, with a yellow sun directly overhead. The temperature is pleasant, and the faintest breeze blows into the group’s faces. All and all , the area is park like and very pleasant.
In the center of this setting, and about 400’ from the party, the boulevard cicles around a single story, white stone building with a high square tower rising from its center. It is not yet possible to discern what, if anything, lies beyond that builing.
Determining cardinal direction is all but impossible. But, for reference sake, we shall call this end of the boulevard "north". Behind the Shields remains the 20x20 Crystal room, looking like a large, black door in the middle of white nothingness. Becausethere is no ground, or anything else, north of the line prescribed by that portal.
Six buildings, three to each side, line the boulevlard. Immediately obvious is that the two buildings closest to the group (one on each side of the road) are partially collapsed. As the group watches, the northern end of both buildings crumble a little more. Roof tiles fall and wink out of existence before reaching where the ground would have been.
Signs are on the side of the road, centered in front of each building. The ones in front of the collapsing buildings are very near the edge of the demi-plane, but can still be read.
In Elvish, the one on the right (west) reads “Coming Attraction”. The one on the left (east) reads “Tall Men. Sargrass Plains.”
There is still no sign of people, animals, or gods coming to kill you.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 22/76 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +12 (16 Grapple, 14 Trip, 16 Disarm) CMD: 21 (+4 vs grapple,+2 disarm) Tuesday October 27th, 2020 8:30:20 AM
Stohp translates for those no able to read elvish. "Maybe a zoo rather then a prison?"
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 104/104 AC: 29 T: 13 FF: 28 CMD: 24 Tuesday October 27th, 2020 10:15:14 AM
Zanderallen takes a minute to turn around and observe the void of nothingness behind the portal. Turning back to the buildings disappearing from existence. He starts picturing a giant dome slowly collapsing down as the plane dies. Not wanting to be here when it does he motions everyone forward. "Tall men Sargrass Plains? I wonder if those are the creatures we encountered rampaging down Lakeview? Let's check these closest buildings out. We need to see what else might be here." Zanderallen advances towards the building on the left, Tall Men, looking for a front door or other entrance.
"Interesting," replies Micah to Stohp. "Makes sense. I wonder what other 'attractions' we might have to deal with.
"I wonder if the proximity to the crystal gate has anything to do with these buildings collapsing," he muses aloud.
He then moves forward with Zanderallen, shield ready in one hand and wand of bless in the other.
As he walks that way, he casts detect magic and starts focusing on the "Tall Men" building.
Sid(Andrew) HP: 58/66; AC: 19/16/14; CMB: 7; CMD: 22 Speed: 30ft, Swim 30ft.) d20+6=16 ; d20+15=28 ; Tuesday October 27th, 2020 4:56:17 PM
"Are demi-planes like bubbles in the æther? If so we could be at the edge as it shrinks. Maybe? If it was the fluid dynamics of air whoosh out of a bubble or surface tension or something I could hazard more than base speculation." Sid moves to the closest building to see if there is anything about it.
DM MikeK - Maybe a zoo Tuesday October 27th, 2020 8:01:16 PM
Stohp suggests this may be a zoo rather than a prison.
Zanderallen leads the group to the Tall Men building, seeking to get a better look.
Micah casts Detect Magic to assist, and Sid keeps a sharp eye out.
A path of white stones leads from the boulevard, past the sign, and to a three flat and wide stairs. The Shields climb the stairs, and find themselves on a column lined walkway about 5' above the boulevard.
The walkway goes all the way around the perimeter of the building, which would likely have been a square had not half of it fallen away already. The walkway is 15' wide, which leaves 110' square in the middle. Multicolored grasses rise from floor. Sid guess them to be 6 or 7 feet tall.
It quickly becomes apparent that there is nothing else on the walkway or the center area of this building.
Micah can make out a dim aura of transmutation throughout the center area of the building.
Sid(Andrew) HP: 58/66; AC: 19/16/14; CMB: 7; CMD: 22 Speed: 30ft, Swim 30ft.) d20+15=23 ; Tuesday October 27th, 2020 8:56:48 PM
"I guess we are going to the center," Sid says, relaxed and watching, but ready. "Wardd's Pick's it's quiet out here."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 22/76 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +12 (16 Grapple, 14 Trip, 16 Disarm) CMD: 21 (+4 vs grapple,+2 disarm) Wednesday October 28th, 2020 6:52:45 AM
Stohp looks at the grass suspiciously. "Does anyone know what tall men are? Could we be walking into them without knowing it?"
Stock (JonM) HP: 111/111; AC: 25/22/16; DR 2/-; CMD: 30; Rage: 0/26 used d20+1=3 ; Wednesday October 28th, 2020 9:15:33 AM
Stock snorts at Stohp. "Not me I guess! HA!"
Stock takes a look at one of the crumbling buildings to see if he can tell if it's just age that is making the thing collapse.
"Transmutation magic? Any ideas what that might mean? Too bad Dorbin's not here."
=========== Knowledge Engineering (untrained) 3
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 68/68 AC 19; DR 10/100 CMD 20 Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9 d8+1 Wednesday October 28th, 2020 10:44:44 AM Apparently I posted this as a private post - that's a new one for me: Tuesday October 27th, 2020 7:09:54 PM "The Float isn't part of the Plains, or if it is, then the idea of a surprise is out the door," Bartomus said as he pointed at the signs. As things started collapsing he moved a bit faster from the edge of the portal not liking the idea of being in a contracting bubble.
"Still not sure what any of this means," Bartomus piped up as he continued to walk along with the others. "So is this like where their devotees would come when they passed on from life? I mean it seems a bit too quiet if that were the case, right?"
"Me, too," replies Micah to Stock, preferring someone with greater skills in the arcane than he were along. "It is very faint though, like it is lingering rather than active. Since I am still sensing it, it means that it was very powerful when it was still in effect."
Micah steps into the grass, hoping to find an indication of what might have been here.
================ Take 20 on perception (1 minute) for a 25.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 104/104 AC: 29 T: 13 FF: 28 CMD: 24 Wednesday October 28th, 2020 2:13:11 PM "I'm going to take a wild stab at it and say that the Tall Men are dead in the float. Double check your aura and then let's move to the next building. I don't want to linger in this place.", Zander takes a wary look up at the slowly collapsing ceiling. He stays next to Micah in case something objects to the cleric's probing. As Micah steps into the grass he follows concentrating on his divine sense to see if any evil auras are around. --------------------------- Detect Evil (60ft cone)
DM MikeK - I don't want to linger in this place Wednesday October 28th, 2020 7:25:42 PM
Stohp wonders what a Tall Man might be.
Sid keeps watchful.
Stock tries to tell why this building is crumbling. It's not difficult. The northern edge of this plane is eroding away. As the ground beneath it disappears, the building is collapsing into the void. Fortunately, the erosion is not rapid. It will not reach the other buildings south of this one for days, perhaps more.
However, this building, and the partially collapsed roof overhead, is highly unstable. Really heavy rocks could come crashing down any second now.
Bart tries to make sense of everything.
Pretty much everyone wishes Dorbin were around.
Micah starts making his way into the grass. He detects nothing else.
Zanderallen brilliantly deduces that Tall Men must have been the tall fey The Shields fought on Lakeview Passage. He also quite correctly figures there is nothing else the least bit interesting in this building, and maybe they should move on.
He detects no evil auras in the empty and collapsing building.
Sid(Andrew) HP: 58/66; AC: 19/16/14; CMB: 7; CMD: 22 Speed: 30ft, Swim 30ft.) d20+15=28 ; Wednesday October 28th, 2020 9:55:20 PM
Sid continues forward looking for threats and dangers from around them, trying to stay ahead of the party if he can, or at least next to the front most Shield.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 68/68 AC 19; DR 10/100 CMD 20 Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9 d8+1 d20+12=31 ; Wednesday October 28th, 2020 11:12:57 PM "Have we tried a shout out or two? I mean, if everything is falling inward we could just see if anyone is in these buildings and move quickly inward and away from the collapsing edges." Bartomus offered as he continued forward with Sid looking about for some sign of activity or life.
Perception 31
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 104/104 AC: 29 T: 13 FF: 28 CMD: 24 Thursday October 29th, 2020 9:27:15 AM "Let's get out of here before one of us gets crushed. Let's see what the next set of buildings have in them." Zanderallen exits the building and skips the building with the "Coming Attraction" sign. He walks further 'south' along the road until he can see the signs on the next two buildings. He then shakes his head as he realizes the signs are in elven, "Could I get a translator?"
Stock (JonM) HP: 111/111; AC: 25/22/16; DR 2/-; CMD: 30; Rage: 0/26 used d20+17=29 ; Thursday October 29th, 2020 9:56:04 AM
Stock jogs ahead of Zanderallen, eyes up as they approach the building. "Hey man, let me be the punching bag ahead of you."
========== Perception 29 approaching the building
Micah (John) HP: 84/84 AC: 27/12/27 CMD:20 Thursday October 29th, 2020 11:01:07 AM
Micah exits the grass and then the building, obviously thinking through something. "Back in the house the dust seemed to be falling slowly. In this building I perceive a faint transmutation aura. If this was where the tall men were, then this magic broke some time ago, yet the aura still lingers, implying very powerful magic indeed." He nods to himself, then continues, "" Time manipulation would fit all that. If this was a menagerie, I think it is possible that the 'specimens' may have been held in some time of temporal stasis. "
He keeps step with Zanderallen, ready to see what might be in the next building and in silent agreement with the decision to skip the presumed vacant building.
DM MikeK -Explorations continue Thursday October 29th, 2020 8:10:47 PM
Led by Zanderallen, the Shields move away from the crumbling northern edge of this plane. Stock trots ahead of the paladin.
They head back to the central boulevard, and turn south, until they reach the center of the next pair of buildings. These buildings are intact, as are those to the south. It appears only the northernmost pair are collapsing.
As they travel, Micah muses that it is possible that the 'specimens' may have been held in some time of temporal stasis.
Sid and Bart keep an eye out, but see nothing else.
As before, there are signs on each side of the boulevard, besides paths leading to the buildings beyond. Again, they are in Elvish.
The sign on the right reads Bees. Great Prairie The sign on the left reads Wolves. Ice Vein
Sid(Andrew) HP: 58/66; AC: 19/16/14; CMB: 7; CMD: 22 Speed: 30ft, Swim 30ft.) Thursday October 29th, 2020 10:07:20 PM
"Guys, Great Prairie Bees to the right and Wolves of the Ice Vein to the left... unless they moved." Sid is still ready with Branwen, but moves to the right side a bit so that he can focus on flying creatures instead of being attacked by wolves.
Stock (JonM) HP: 111/111; AC: 25/22/16; DR 2/-; CMD: 30; Rage: 0/26 used Friday October 30th, 2020 9:06:29 AM "Bart! You know anything about Prairie Bees?"
He begins heading to the right, staring into the distance to see if this plane has clear boundaries in sight.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 104/104 AC: 29 T: 13 FF: 28 CMD: 24 Friday October 30th, 2020 9:37:41 AM "Bees? Why do I get the feeling these aren't nice little honey bees that we can just arrange to move their hives to a beekeeper?" Zanderallen follows Stock towards the rightmost building, curious to see what the inside of one not being sucked into nothingness might look like.
Micah pauses a moment to look back at the place where they entered, attempting to see if it is still open. He then watches the collapsing buildings trying to see if he can get any estimate of how quickly the plane is collapsing. He then joins the others as they approach the bee exhibit renewing his detect magic as he does so to take a closer look at the building.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 68/68 AC 19; DR 10/100 CMD 20 Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9 d8+1 d20=14 ; Friday October 30th, 2020 5:06:39 PM "been some time, but gotta say, we don't want to upset bees of any type. Let me think. It's been a whole." he followed along trying to recall life before the Shields, and even before the Float. "I don't think they are a fan of fire or ice though. "
[I]At the office, so can't access my character sheet, Knowledge roll w/o modifier of 14 to remember Plain Bees
DM MikeK - we don't want to upset bees of any type Sunday November 1st, 2020 12:52:42 PM DM Correction - The sign says Wasps, not Bees. Apologies.
The Shields move toward the building on the right, keeping an eye out for flying critters.
Stock focuses on the area between the buildings, to get an idea of the western side of this plane. He notes that there isn't a horizon. The manicured lawn just seems to end shortly beyond the buildings.
Micah takes a look northward to gauge the pace of the erosion. Its pretty slow. Its been a good 12 hours since the Tall Men appeared in the Float, and the erosion is only now at the center of their building. Given it probably had to start collapsing before they got freed, it'll be days before it reaches this next set of buildings.
The cleric also notes the portal to the Crystal Room is still open, and is also moving southward to keep pace with the edge of the plane. The way out of here looks secure.
This building's exterior and columnaded walkway is identical to the Tall Man's building.
The Shields ascend the three shallow steps to the walkway, which also goes all the way around the perimeter of a covered central area. The central area is flat, and covered in brownish grasses. This grass is about 2' tall, and therefore does not reach the level of the party.
16 REALLY big wasps, a good 10' in length, sit unmoving in the 120' cube proscribed by the inside perimeter of the walkway and up to the roof overhead. Some are on the ground, most are in the air. But none are moving - not a wingbeat, not an antenna twitch, not the slightest movement at all.
Perception DC12 Highlight to display spoiler: {Despite the slight breeze, not a blade of grass inside the central area is moving either.}
Micah detects an overwhelming aura of Transmuation magic, again a 120' cube, floor to ceiling along the interior edge of the walkway.
Bartomus recalls the Great Prairie is a grassland north of Floating City, beyond the Lizardfolk's territory. As for thinking on the insects, well, there are wasps, and then there are Wasps. And it doesn't take much beyond seeing the longsword length stinger to know these are kinda dangerous. Bartomus also recalls the stingers carry a poison.
Still, individually, they aren't dangerous to the Shields. The party could easily dispatch one, or even a half dozen. Sixteen might be a bit of a challenge.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 68/68 AC 19; DR 10/100 CMD 20 Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9 d8+1 d20+12=28 ; Sunday November 1st, 2020 3:35:12 PM "Um folks, nothing's moving here, not them, not the grass, nothing. Also, those, those are really nasty with poison stingers and how about we leave sleeping wasps lie, just a thought." Bartomus said while taking a look at the wasps. He watched them for a bit longer and then stepped away. "Could this be like a set of displays for visitors? Maybe things happen if you break the plane of the perimeter walk? Not planning on doing so, just asking."
Perception check 28
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 22/76 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +12 (16 Grapple, 14 Trip, 16 Disarm) CMD: 21 (+4 vs grapple,+2 disarm) Monday November 2nd, 2020 6:16:53 AM
Stohp considers the unmoving insects. "Or maybe some kind of stasis or time stop to keep the specimen's preserved. We probably shouldn't mess with it unless we're ready to fight a bunch of giant wasps. Wasn't there supposed to be guards or something? I wonder why we haven't seen any yet."
Stock (JonM) HP: 111/111; AC: 25/22/16; DR 2/-; CMD: 30; Rage: 0/26 used Monday November 2nd, 2020 9:31:31 AM "Yeah, sounds good. I wasn't going to touch anything anyway. Seems like we're being drawn toward that building with the tower."
====== Sorry Mike - I'm having a little trouble following the layout here. Is it the Gate to the south, boulevard flanked w/ what seems like zoo buildings leading to the north and a building with a tower to the far north?
Micah nods in agreement, "Very likely some kind of temporal stasis given what I am seeing with detect magic." He pauses a moment before continuing, " It appears we have some time before the collapse of this plane reaches this building. I do not want to take on the "exhibits" in each of these building as they get released to keep them from running free. Perhaps if we move on, we can find the cause of the breakdown and reverse it and, perhaps, encounter the "men of stone" we were warned about. "
After taking a close look, Micah is ready to move on to the next building.
======= Take 10 on perception
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 104/104 AC: 29 T: 13 FF: 28 CMD: 24 Monday November 2nd, 2020 3:13:25 PM "I agree. We need to see if there is anything left guarding the exhibits." Zander is ready to move with the others
Sid(Andrew) HP: 58/66; AC: 19/16/14; CMB: 7; CMD: 22 Speed: 30ft, Swim 30ft.) d20+15=23 ; Monday November 2nd, 2020 6:49:00 PM
Sid moves forward keeping an eye out. He thinks a moment, "I could shoot inside but not aim for any of the Wasps if you want to test the field. I don't know if that would trigger it or not." He doesn't get more than 30' from the party if they are slowing down.
DM MikeK - Looking for guards Monday November 2nd, 2020 7:06:51 PM
The Shields get their bearings.
The Gate to the Crystal Room is on the northern edge of this plane. The boulevard runs north to south. On the south side sits a large stone building with a tower. The boulevard splits, right and left, and circles around this Tower Building.
On each side of the boulevard set three pairs of buildings, like the pips on the six side of a dice.
The northernmost pair is crumbling away. One of them housed the Tall Men. The middle pair contains Wasps, and presumably Wolves.
The Shields decide not to touch anything, and move on.
They head back down to the boulevard, and turn south.
As they approach the signs for the last set of buildings, the sharper-eyed of the group can pick out more pairs of buildings to the south of the Tower Building, which they are nearing.
The signs for the last pair of buildings are just like the previous ones. Again in Elvish, they read
Right - Dragon Turtle. Turtle Lake Left - Automatons. Plateau City
To the south sits the Tower Building. This building is more keep-like than the others, having walls rather than columns, no windows to be seen, and the tower. A set of double doors sits in the north wall.
There still aren't any signs of anything or anybody else moving about.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 22/76 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +12 (16 Grapple, 14 Trip, 16 Disarm) CMD: 21 (+4 vs grapple,+2 disarm) Tuesday November 3rd, 2020 6:22:51 AM "That tower seems like our best bet for answers. Shall we head strait to it?"
Stock (JonM) HP: 111/111; AC: 25/22/16; DR 2/-; CMD: 30; Rage: 0/26 used Tuesday November 3rd, 2020 8:38:57 AM "Sounds good Stohp" Stock heads towards the door, eyeing it critically as he approaches. "I feel like I should knock. I mean it's not like we know anything is evil here, it's more of a dying place really."
He raises his fist to knock on the door and, barring an interruption from the rest of the Shields, knocks solidly on the door.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 104/104 AC: 29 T: 13 FF: 28 CMD: 24 Tuesday November 3rd, 2020 11:02:44 AM
Zander offers no objection to Stock knocking, agreeing with the thought of having a conversation with whoever was left overseeing the place and figuring out a better solution than killing everything as it came out of stasis. "As far as we know the denizens have no reason to be hostile. But probably still a good idea to be careful. Their world is so collapsing about them so they're likely on edge. And might very well blame us since their plane seems to be crumbling into our." Zander awaits an answer to Stock's knock.
Micah follows the others. When Stock approaches the door to knock, he gives a nod and casts bless from his wand. "Just in case," he explains.
============ bless (10 rounds remaining)
Sid(Andrew) HP: 58/66; AC: 19/16/14; CMB: 7; CMD: 22 Speed: 30ft, Swim 30ft.) d20+15=26 ; d20+22=32 ; Tuesday November 3rd, 2020 6:38:08 PM
"Wait!" Sid says as he puts his hand up, "Safety check first." Sid then takes a quick moment to make sure the door is clear and will disable any traps he can if he finds any. When it is safe he will bow to Stock and step out of his way.
DM MikeK - Anybody home? Tuesday November 3rd, 2020 7:31:08 PM
The Shields proceed through the curiously unpopulated park to the double doors of the Tower Building.
Stock approaches the door to knock on it.
Micah quickly casts a Bless spell, and Sid races up to inspect the door for traps.
The elf finds none, and he gracefully bows to Stock and steps out of the way.
Stock steps up and knocks solidly on the door.
The Shields await an answer to Stock's knock.
It never comes.
The party can wait as long as they wish, but no one answers the door. Nor are there any sounds, or any other indication that anyone is inside to answer.
The place is getting downright creepy with its lack of people.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 22/76 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +12 (16 Grapple, 14 Trip, 16 Disarm) CMD: 21 (+4 vs grapple,+2 disarm) Tuesday November 3rd, 2020 9:28:37 PM
Stohp shrugs. "We know the owner is long gone. Maybe there isn't anything running this place and it's just in stasis. Lets look inside, maybe we'll find something useful."
Stock (JonM) HP: 111/111; AC: 25/22/16; DR 2/-; CMD: 30; Rage: 0/26 used d20+4=13 ; Wednesday November 4th, 2020 10:42:35 AM
While he is waiting for somebody to come to the door, Stock looks up to see if there are any ledges or anything to climb into the place if needed and then pushes the door open.
"Would be a nice place if it wasn't...you know...crumbling into non-existence."
======== Strength check 13 if needed to open the door
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 104/104 AC: 29 T: 13 FF: 28 CMD: 24 Wednesday November 4th, 2020 11:30:16 AM "I guess with Caeroldra dead maybe even her servants left his place. Hopefully there is more information inside. I wonder what other gateways this place might be connected to? If it might be possible to return some of all of these exhibits to where they came from." Zanderallen lends his shoulder to the door if it proves difficult to move.
Micah waits for the door to be opened, renewing his detect magic spell and concentrating on what may be behind it.
Sid(Andrew) HP: 58/66; AC: 19/16/14; CMB: 7; CMD: 22 Speed: 30ft, Swim 30ft.) Wednesday November 4th, 2020 6:12:50 PM
"Ok, so let me step through first. If there is a trap or something I can probably skip over it. My chances are better at least. Also, if there is a time stasis on the building then if I get caught we have the brain, the brawn, and Stock left to get me out." He smiles at Stock winningly and switches to Mildred as they go inside.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 68/68 AC 19; DR 10/100 CMD 20 Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9 d8+1 Wednesday November 4th, 2020 6:35:32 PM "So their God dies and they just vanish and leave the amusements about the place?" Bartomus shook his head and then asked, "but some thing didn't add up in all of that. Who planted and then activated with blood the pointy crystal in the shack thing?"
When Sid offered to go in first Bartomus was all to willing to nod in agreement affirming Sid's plan. "Whatever doesn't eat you in one bite. We'll smack down to pull you back out. Promise!"
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