[IC] Those that were

[BelGareth]

It was another craphole of a day in Sigil, you awoke, if you slept, and the semi-real-psuedo weather was raining the disgusting smog ridden, acidic rain upon the stone buildings of Sigil.

Maybe it would wash away some of the stink and filth of the city.

Not likely.

You had a mission, 0800 go find Lord Ruathgar, a little lordling of the world Morpororo. Shouldn't be to hard.

Damnit, it's already 0730.


Go to town, feel free to port however you like to the location of this lord and fluff anything up you want.

[ben-zayb]

"Ah, yes, what I fine day to be a pincushion! Right, Ls and Gs? Oh I just know you love it... deep down... somehow." he looks at his wonderfully cooperative companions.

After all, nothing's better than welcoming a brand new day with someone shouting "Surprise buff attack, wenches!" at you. Sure, not everyone takes thing like that too well, but the shallowness of his sustained wounds soon after tells Goodwin that those counterattacks were done in jest than out of malice.

He then looks around for signs that might give him a clue about this Lord Ruathgar. Who knows? Obviously, a colossal sign that reads with "I AM LORD RUATHGAR" would likely be a bait, but that would at least be a lead than none at all. He also tries to delve into his mind for more information about this person.Spot check in case he could identify anything peculiar that might be a clue or lead: [roll0]
Knowledge (Arcana): [roll1]
Knowledge (Religion): [roll2]
Here's the buff list for the party again. The +4 to skill checks would probably come in handy.+2 morale bonus to Attacks, Skill [Admiral's Bicorne]
+5 morale bonus to Saves [Conviction (9H)]
+4 sacred bonus to Saves [Tyche's Touch (1D)]
+2 luck bonus to Attacks, Damage, Saves, Skill [Recitation (2D)]
+8 racial bonus to Spot [Eyes of the Avoral (9H)]
+5 enhancement bonus to Weapons, Armors, and Shields [GMW & MV (2D)]
+6 resistance bonus to Saves [Resistance, Superior (2D)]

[Kusimandro]

Pae glances up from where he had sat all night. He'd been slightly bored, but an inability to sleep is something you get used to. ...eventually. He absently pats the area of his chest that was just shot through with buffs.

"I am uncertain that needed to be a 'surprise' attack. The effects are helpful, after all." The Warforged stands, collecting his weapon and shield from the ground beside him, strapping both to his back.

He follows Goodwin in glancing around the area for clues, but then moves to their other companions, to begin waking them.


[roll=Knowledge (Planes)]d20+36

[Ryuuk]

"Pincushions, I'll show you pincushions..." The red dragon made its way along with the group on all four, muttering in a low tone. It wore a metal disc strapped over its chest and a pair of vicious looking steel claws over its own that rang with each step on the stones below. A few embedded gemstones decorated its hide, and it tried to look dignified as it surveyed the city of doors through its gleaming ruby-like eyes.

Saath walked in front of it and smiled at its grumbling. A bit of humility may do it good. Still, when compared to some of the things that had been shot at them, he welcomed these arrows. As he walked he remembered looking at this city once and thinking of a glorious campaign to claim it. How things had changed. For now, to find this Lord Ruathgar... Does that name ring a bell Krata?

Saath: Knowledge: The Planes [roll0] with an Aid Another from Krata
Krata: Knowledge: The Planes [roll1] with an Aid Another from Saath
Trying to figure out anything regarding Lord Ruathgar, or any recent oddities in Sigil.

Psicrystal fused to Krata
Both with Inertial Armor

[Zanos]

Kelris moved along with the group, floating himself about half an inch off the ground. His daughter, Arien walked next to him. Thankfully she was rather talkative today, as getting a word from her father was like getting blood from a stone. They were perpetually dressed in fine black robes; the clothing of mourners. Arien had tried to add a bit of character to hers with various feathers and pelts she had collected, but her father's was as plain as the day it was tailored.

"My father and I thank you for your continued assistance, Master Chebyshev. She turns to bow, but a stone hand from her father grasps her shoulder, and she stops midway through. He shakes his head at her, and she continues walking. He turns to Chebyshev and inclines his head at him; a barely noticeably gesture. "Father, have you learned anything of who were to find in your studies?"


Might as well roll all of them:
Kn: Arcana[roll0]
Kn: Planes[roll1]
Kn: Religion[roll2]
Kn: Nature[roll3]
Kn: Local[roll4]
Kn: Dungeoneering[roll5]
Kn: History[roll6]

[Kazyan]

The woman without a name had given Goodwin a few good pokes with her Wind Spear as a weird sort of appreciation for the prank that she presumed would become routine. If he couldn't handle a jab or two with a spear, then he probably wasn't worth her time. In either case, the woman was now smiling and bouncing up and down on the soles of her feet, white hair flowing up and down along with the movement. Following the group, she declined to show off her speed; they'd figure it out later.

"If none of you know where Ruathgar might be, I can Circle Dance to give us a direction," she offered, looking around. Her eyes settled on the red dragon for a few moments, before she turned back to Goodwin. "It shouldn't take too long to get to him after that."

[Torgarn]

Marco stands in the shadows behind the others, he would allow them to attempt to find the man they were seeking. His job wasn't to find the man, it was to apprehend him. His skillset was very focused and he had a very limited knowledge of Sigil, he had not spent much time here up until this point. His domain is shadow and whilst this filthy city had plenty of that, he wouldn't prefer to dwell here. He pulls several daggers from his belt and starts juggling them as he waits for information from his current allies, trying to think if he might have some small bit of knowledge that could be helpful.

Know Local: [roll0]

[Mishkov]

Jargun had awoken somewhat earlier that day to begin his daily routine of enshrining himself in his magics. Sigil had a habit of turning dangerous at a drop of a hat. He fiddled with a wand in his hand as his psicrystal hums into motion next to him. Interesting to think that the rock next to him was smarter than the average man. It had been a worthy companion, he was happy to have decided to have crafted one years ago...

"Come now," he said calmly. "Let's talk about what we know. I can hope that we're all ready since we don't know much time." The contracts had been coming in somewhat quickly and they must have lost track of time again. This was cutting it a little close, even for them. With a twitch of his hand, he flicks the wand, mind juice, his eyes glaze over and he searches his memory for anything he might have heard about the man...


Know (planes) (guidance of the avatar buff) [roll0]
Know (history) [roll1]
Know (religion) [roll2]
Know (psionics) [roll3]

[BelGareth]

You all head to the portal that was designated by the contract, which provided enough information for a name and portal.

Thats it.

You know nothing of this Prince, only that you are to secure him and escort him back to Sigil.

You find the portal on the corner of a building where an Eladrin and Vampire are discussing something, they both disperse at your arrival, the Vampire dissipating into a cloud of bats and the Eladrin flying off in a huff.

The portal is in the cornerstone of the building and requires you to speak a word while pressing your hand to it.



The portal jerks you into another dimension, the feeling of being in 3 places at once assaults you, and the contents of your stomach churns at the feeling, threatening to climb out of your mouth.

Suddenly, you are pulled along like a current in a stream, and you are sent hurtling through space, streamers of golden blue trailing from your form as your spin and fly.

And just as sudden as you were moving you stop. All three of your bodies merge with the quickness of time and your stomach forces itself through your mouth, spilling its content.

As you recover from your lost meal, you look around you to see a lush green field, a stream trickles nearby and some kind of bug chirrups away.

[Ryuuk]

"Good ol Sigil portals..." Saath wipes hi mouth with his for arm and takes a few paces away from the mess. Similarily, Krata spews a few flame-tongues into the air to clear the taste.

He takes a deep breath, "Nothing much is there?" He turns to the dragon, who nods and spreads its wings, taking flight. "Krata's gonna have a look around, if it runs into anything, I'll know." That said, he gets on one knew, places a hand on the grass below, and closes his eyes. "Odds are it wants to catch a second breakfast too."

"So secure the prince and add our lunch the Sigil's aromas. Easy enough. I don't suppose anyone knows a cleaner way back to the city of doors? A window maybe?"

Go into Hunter's Stance (Gain Scent)

Krata will check scout out a 1 mile radius from our landing spot. +17 Spot and Listen, along with Mindsight of 40ft and all the other senses.

Saath will start on a Psychometry (http://www.psionics.info/powers/psychometry/) (CPsi), augmented to a 30ft radius. He'll go for as long as allowed to, but cut it short if the group wants to go on.

Also, some knowledge rolls regarding this world.

Planes [roll0]
History [roll1]
Geography [roll2]

Krata as well, in case it rolls higher
Planes [roll3]
History [roll4]
Geography [roll5]

[ben-zayb]

Goodwin imagines that must be what being disemboweled feels like. His only consolation was that his diet now only consists of honey (not that he needs to eat or drink anymore).

"You guys do your stuff, while I'll be the auxiliary eyes on the periphery. Now this one's for easier communication..." He regains his footing, and starts casting a Telepathic Bond spell on him and his allies. His bow reappears on his hand as he draws his blunt arrows and begins casting a Chain of Eyes spell.

"And this one's optional, but highly recommended, for spying on you.

Oops! I meant spying on anyone you come in contact with. Just touch anyone you suspect to be of interest, and the magic'll do its thing."

After the deed is done, Chebyshev stands steady still and let's his keen eyes alone roam up to its periphery, which is pretty far enough.
Take 20 on Spot (97)

Knowledge checks if applicable
Arcana: [roll0]
Religion: [roll1]

[Mishkov]

Jargun's mind spun, and he was thankful once again that he rarely eats. Men were clearly not made for planar travel though it was clear they could. "We can always shift back unless there's a block on it. I'm more concerned with not even knowing what kind of creature we are tracking. This isn't our best, we need to be better prepared next time."

Jargun focuses and clears his mind and raises his senses.

Cast touchsight, augment 3
True seeing
Mind blank, psionic

"I can try to find our way unless you wish to do otherwise..." He began to giggle as he cast his spell...

Casting divination, psionic with the question. "Where on this place is Lord Ruathgar, and what exactly is he?" [roll0] failure on 1-10.

[Kusimandro]

Pae falls to a knee with a loud thump as they emerge from the portal. Almost 2000 pounds of metal hitting the ground likely left a mark. He shakes his head back and forth after a moment of gathering his wits. "That was as...unpleasant as always." At least he is among those who doesn't eat.

The Warforged glances around the field they find themselves in, before shrugging lightly and making his way to the front of the group. "You know that my information-gathering and observational skills are not as masterful as some of yours are. I will simply stand ready for any sudden hostilities." He stands in front of those beginning their spells or other abilities, arms folded. Hopefully the imposing figure alone would scare off any wildlife or other problems.

[roll0]

[Kazyan]

"Does anyone have a Prestidigitation?" The woman with the spear asked, before wiping her face with a small water elemental that was, just, there all of the sudden.

"So I'll just cast...oh," she stops herself upon noticing that various party members are going through their respective find-something rigmaroles, then frowns. She was slow, wasn't she... "Never mind. Lead us to him, then." The woman sighed quietly.

Summon Elemental for a small water elemental.

[BelGareth]

Krata flies up on his huge wings, his steady beating of the air getting slightly muffled as he climbs ever higher. As he gets to about 50 ft, he can see some tall trees, and some buildings off in the distance, as he gets eve higher, he sees the buildings look a like a farm, or a villa, the landscape is soft rolling hills and seems to be cultivated, with barren fields adjacent to plowed, adjacent to fully grown fields of some kind of grain.

His keen vision can pick out children playing in the nearby villa, and people moving about the fields, tending to the crops.

Meanwhile Saath concentrates on his power, he can see well tanned humans walking about, younglings playing in the nearby stream, and running away from their elders, dogs and cats, birds and insects....

Goodwin's eyes are keen enough to make out the individual birds cheeping in response to your arrival, and you can barely make out a building on the other side of the creek, hidden by the trees.

Jargun receives an answer to his question:
"Lord Ruathgar is at his home, he is but a human Prince."

[Ryuuk]

"Looks like a human farm, and little else really, at least within a mile. Nothing noteworthy has been by here either. Nothing to point me towards the target though." Saath can't help but sigh, was this really what he had been reduced to? "There are some buildings up ahead, but it would probably be best for someone else to go ask around. If its humans, they might not take too kindly to me and Krata." Would there even have been anything of value in a place like this?

It was best to keep these thoughts to himself, anything he felt the dragon probably felt even more, best not to feed that flame. He points the way to the buildings.

---

The dragon heads towards were there may be any sort of wildlife. It'll avoid humanoids and domesticated animals, and go for wild game. Beyond that any sort of animal would do, just something that would keep it entertained for a bit. The first would be a quick bite to eat, the second it'll catch and keep alive for now.

[Mishkov]

Still within a trance, Jargun states, "Lord Ruathgar is at his home, he is but a human Prince" He sighed not being able to be more useful than that. Looking around he states, "You're right, it is a human farm. Shall we be old fashioned and simply ask?"

[Kusimandro]

Pae tilts his head slightly, looking at Saath. "I would not receive a most welcome reaction in most villages either, but given that the man we are to meet is considered a prince, and how close to his village we have arrived..." He taps a large foot, slowly. "We may be expected by the villagers." He shrugs his shoulders, equally as slowly. "Or our arrival may be meant to be a secret, and we should go directly to his manor, or other such dwelling. It would be better to have more information."

Pae glances around at the others, shifting in place a bit. "Though if we have investigated with all the methods we are willing to...the village may be our only option."

[ben-zayb]

"Better be up front about it, then, champs. It's not like everyone can be subtle to save their lives", he pauses to look half-heartedly around in a fruitless effort to locate Marco.

"I suppose I could instantly transport us all, but a force field's presence would easily ward that magic off. Walk, run, fly... your choice."

[Zanos]

Kelris lands on the other side of the portal surprisingly upright. Aerin on the other hand, is not as lucky, and wipes the remains of her breakfast off her lip with a strip of black pelt. "I'm fine father, thanks for asking." Her fathers voice projects from his location, but his mouth remains shut. "I am certain I would know if you were not."

Kelris turns to Saath as well, joining the conversation. "The mental well-being of commoners is not our concern. If our appearances causes them to panic, then allow them to panic. I will not lose any sleep over it. I do not relish the suggestion of meandering about their hovel, however..."

Kelris produces a polished silver mirror and waves his hand across the surface, attempting to scry on Lord Ruathgar.

Spending 13 arcs to cast Greater Scrying. DC is 32 and Ruathgar gets a +5 bonus on his will save since I only have second hand knowledge of him.
456/545 Arcs

[Ryuuk]

That caught him off guard. In a place like this, these people were cattle and little else, why did he care? Time ago he would have flown in and forced them to drag the prince out. But I had an entire warband behind me then

He takes a deep breath. Primal air always felt off. "I don't see them having any kind of wards to be honest. Lets let him finish the divination. If that turns out nothing, then a teleport over to the farm seems the next best step. Want to handle it Goodwin, or should I?"

[ben-zayb]

Despite his earlier warning, and being the great panderer that he was, Goodwin obliges Saath. "Heh. Sure. Whenever everyone's ready, chief..."

Faint gray motes of energy appear from his hands and begin creeping slowly toward his bow, not very dissimilar to a pack of hunters circling their next prey.

[Kazyan]

"You can save your teleport and fast travel spells," the unnamed woman commented to no one in particular. "It's more efficient for me to run over there for you and come back. Just point me in the right direction." She began ascending an invisible staircase (air walk was weird) to get above the treeline.

If given a direction, she'd start running at top speed. Assuming whatever interesting landmark the party pointed her towards was within a mile, she'd reach it within 20 seconds and then stop.

[Torgarn]

Marco silently fades into a nearby shadow, he begins jumping from shadow to shadow, heading in the indicated direction.

Shadow jumping until I reach the farm house

[Kusimandro]

Pae stands to his full height of thirteen feet, pointing in the direction of the town the others have pointed out. He gives the woman with no name a small wave as she presumably speeds off.

He slouches down again a bit to look towards the others easier, as they sort out however they will be travelling.

[BelGareth]

Kelris peers into his mirror and sees the surface ripple with movement, and but only a moment later, a picture of a plump noble appears, he is sitting in a bathhouse, being fed grapes by nubile slaves, as others bring in wine and others still stir the water and bring in steaming tubs to re heat the bath, there are no windows and the room is lit by torches that buoy by the walls, suspended by magic.

Unfortunately, the scyring does not indicate a direction.

[Mishkov]

"Well..." Jargun taps his foot impatiently as he watches the others dash off ahead. "Did your divinitations go any better than mine?"

[Ryuuk]

Saath stretches, watching the woman go. That woman went ahead, into that farmhouse you saw. Keep an eye on her, just in case. We're still trying to magic his location on this end...

---

Krata grunts, exhaling a short flame. Nothing yet and no time for a meal. There were always those children... probably not the best idea. This wasn't a raid, they'd gone over this before. A good raid would be nice around now, it had been far too long. Still, it stops its hunt and goes back to the skies, staying out of sight but trying to spot that woman that refused to name herself. Bah, what secrets could she be hiding?

Let her be, we need friends right now, not annoyed mercenaries.

Fine, fine...

---

At Jargun's question, Saath simply shrugs. "You know, I am starting to think the old fashioned way may be best here."

[Kusimandro]

A moment passes with Pae looking up into the sky, before he looks to Saath and nods. "You may be right." The Warforged turns towards the village, and begins walking. "I will go and say hello." He moves off through the trees, branches not giving any resistance.

[Torgarn]

Once Marco reaches the house he approaches the nearest window or door and attempts to look into the building stealthily.

[Zanos]

Kelris turns back to Jargun, disdain evident in his voice. "He's bathing while his slaves tend to him. I suppose I could still teleport those of you who would prefer to stay away from the locals, although his reaction would be...interesting."

[Mishkov]

Jargun pursed his lips. "Yes...let's approach this cautiously. We don't want to give him undo worry." Jargun moved to approach the locals.

[ben-zayb]

"Sure, whatever works right?" He pulls out a fine translucent gauntlet and whispers a few incantations, causing the gauntlet to greatly enlarge in an open-palm position and animate to life.

He steps into the gargantuan open palm, inviting his companions for a hitch, before riding off towards Ruathgar's location.

Activate Sizing property of his +1 Flying Sizing Fine Riverine Gauntlet to make it gargantuan, then activate the Flying property for a 30ft flight Gargantuan Animated Object (Gauntlet).

[Kazyan]

Somewhere above and near Marco but paying little heed to what he was doing, the woman with no name stopped her run, then casually walked down an air-walk staircase.

"Anyone actually here...?"

[BelGareth]

I'm just going to nudge this forward.


Kelris Teleports the lot of you inside the bath.

Guards splutter alive as they see all of you appear from nothing, swords ring of steel on steel as they are unsheathed and water splashes violently as those in the bath, to include Prince Ruathgar move away from you with all haste.

"Who are you?" "What the devil!" and "Demons!" are all cried out, it would be apparent that many of you are perhaps the first to ever be seen in this realm before....the Prince looks pale as the moon, he stutters as he gingerly steps forward, ripples emanating from his large gut in the water as it moves unsteadily.

"Uh...I, I am the Prince here, what....What do you want from us?"

[ben-zayb]

I'm assuming that's 'find alive', right?, Goodwin clarifies to his companions through his Telepathic Bond.

"Not 'us', milord. Just your royal nibs. No unnecessary violence unless provoked, that I swear", he nonchalantly requests as the energy bow rematerializes in his right hand.I'm assuming we'll go the Diplomacy route if possible, so Goodwin will wait for now.

Ready Action: if any of the locals try something funny like attacking the party or casting a summon or battlefield control spell near them, shoot that aggressor

[Mishkov]

Yes, we are to bring him back. Getting off this plane is tricky though, we will need to venture to a portal to an astral plane. There is another portal in the nose of a long dead god that resides there which should take us back. I'm not sure why, but go along with me, my diplomacy is not the best I fear.

"Put that away, it's unprofessional in a body-guarding mission to threaten your charge. He should understand his guards are of no use to him now." Jargun waves at Goodwin. No need to scare him...well, no need to make him scared of us. We both know you can probably fell the guard with that bow before they move whether it's out or not. Jargun bows deeply to the prince. "Worry not about my companion's appearance, my liege. We are soldiers, sent here to take you off this plane for your own safety! Please, come with us, or we may really have demons to worry about..."

Ready an action to blast the guards if they move to attack.
Bluff check [roll0] if needed

[BelGareth]

To clarify, the dead god body is floating in the astral plane and not this plane, which is a prime.

[Zanos]

Kelris stares intently at the fat lord. "I will never understand why mortals elevate such creatures to lofty heights. I suggest you have your men sheathe their steel unless they intend to use it. We are here to retrieve you, but your guards are welcome to fight us if they do not particularly value their lives."

I suspect this would be much easier if he feared us. It tends to inspire a certain desire to follow orders. It would save us the trouble of answering his inevitable flurry of questions, especially when we pass through the Astral.

Aerin speaks quickly after her father, trying to mend what damage she can, "Despite our appearances, I assure you that we are here to help you."
Don't antagonize him. Such people know little of their own world and less of the planes. His reaction is what any normal person would exhibit.

[Kazyan]

'If we're voting on whether to scare him or not, I say no. What's the point? But besides that, we'll be out of here soon if he cooperates, so it doesn't matter much in the end.'

The unnamed woman lets her compatriots do the taking, instead simply bouncing on the balls of her feet semi-patiently. She decides not to look directly at anyone in case the guards escalate into attacking, because that would be an inconvenient few seconds to resolve.

[BelGareth]

The guards seem scared, most are paling at what is before them and several take a few steps back, though a few grimace at the sight and refuse to back down, their knuckles whitening as they grip their weapons all the more harder.

The prince looks flabbergasted, his flubber jostles up and down and he has a hard time finding words, for a moment he looks like a fish out of water, merely trying to breath is an exercise.

"Where...where are you taking me?" he manages to sputter out, and as he does, those guards who had a death wish seem to back down slightly.

[Ryuuk]

Saath steps forward, hands at his back. "We are going to Sigil, Lord Ruathgar. Please, dress yourself."

We're a group of 9, 10 with our charge. We may need multiple plane shifts to reach the astral, may be complicated unless someone can offer more accurate travel.

[Mishkov]

"Quickly," Jargun said tersely.

We need to reach a portal to another portal. Navigation is tricky here, we can't just shift without risk from this plane.

[Zanos]

Travel to the Astral will not be an obstacle.

Kelris turns to face away from the prince, starring at a point in empty space. He makes no movements but quickly speaks an ancient incantation, tearing a rift in space between the castle and about half a mile from the dead god.

"Go."

Spending 17 arcs to cast Gate.

[Kazyan]

"Need me to check the place out?" The woman asks, her bouncing getting faster. She looks eager to please.

[BelGareth]

Kelris forms his gate and a whole in the fabric of the Prime tears open slowly, the rippling fabric of time space wrenching open to reveal a white sea of nothingness, clouds of white fill the sky and the round shimmering portal.


http://soundcurrentrider.com/sitebuilder/images/AstralPlane1-340x285.jpg

Without a word from the guards, some cursing silently, other relieved that their prince has been 'relinquished' of his duties, you grab the feeble man-prince and move through the gate, taking your physical bodies onto the Astral plane.

A sudden sense of vertigo, or non-vertigo takes a hold of you, up seems to be down, down seems to be left and right, behind. It takes a moment but once you realize you decide on a down, everything else falls into place following the normal rules of things. Once you have sorted yourselves, its not hard to see a large island floating ahead of you, several waterfalls dumping a stream of water into the astral to only turn into mist and disappear.

The strange thing though, is the creatures fighting on and around the island. Fires were pluming away from the island, marking buildings on fire, while a host of demons and angels fought above the roof of the Monastery. You can make out a Marilith and a Planetar facing off, about ready to leap at each other while smaller demons and angels flirt with each other on the fringes, a dozen smaller duels panning out with Glabrezu's and Astral Deva's. You can tell the Angels are outnumbered, but they seem to be holding their own, but the balance of power is a sly one, capable of swinging either way, with but a moments notice.

You are far enough away that no one notices.

Which helps with the hapless prince who is naked, and flubbering like a little school girl, not having the mental acuity to choose a down and there fore is still hopelessly flailing around for some semblance of right or wrong, up or down.


Several things
Time: The Astral plane is timeless, so everything that was affecting you has it's duration suspended until you make it back to a Prime or another plane (retroactive for duration purposes), this includes spell/power durations and the like.

Enhanced spells: All spells, powers, Invocations, etc are quickened when you cast them.

[ben-zayb]

Goodwin scans the scenery, trying to find signs of "a dead god", whatever that means, that may be related to a portal in the Astral plane.Spot: [roll0]

[Ryuuk]

Stepping through, Saath takes a deep breath and stretches. Home sweet home. "Ah, good..." Krata seemed to be thinking the same thing, the dragon was spreading its wings, practically taking unnatural flight. The gith floats over the beast and mounts, it felt natural. Now if only there were prey...

Sometimes the gods were kind. Which do you think would leave the better spoils? Depends, which side do you think will better reward a helping hand? Quite a dilema... More abyssals to kill... angels have their honor... and I don't think they would stand in the way of killing them. There's always more of them. Saath smiled, drawing his silver sword and letting it materialize in its native plane. "Right you are, still, perhaps a closer look would be best."

Those nearby hear a mental chime, then another, and another, their two sets of eyes fixed on the skirmish, as if with hunger. "Who know? Perhaps celestial raiders attacked a group of ascetic demons. Would anyone care to join us?" If none seem to care, he'll shrug and begin his approach, flying high and approaching the skirmish between angels and demons from above.

Manifesting Share Pain (3pp), Vigor (22pp), Danger Sense (11pp), Force Screen (9pp) and Energy Conversion (13pp), all shared with Krata. Both should also be under an Inertial Armor (44pp), and whatever array of buffs Goodwin injected us with.

[Mishkov]

"I really have no idea how to approach this situation," Jargun confesses. "Does anyone have any insight?"

While awaits for the others to reply, he manifests a few powers in preparation for what would surely be a battle. The astral plane did offer some advantages when it came to magical effects...

Manifest Schism, freedom of movement. If I manefisted temporal acceleration, would it ever end before I left the plane?

[Zanos]

"Planar battles are not our concern. We will need the monks to let us through the portal, so I suggest we treat with them before we entangle in pointless conflict." Kelris's steel eyes gaze towards the nameless woman. "I would not be remiss if you were to treat with the monks. I doubt any of these creatures are quick enough to stop you."

He also gazes towards the flailing sight of the prince. He makes no gesture and says no words, but the prince passes out on the spot. Aerin's shape expands into that of a 12 foot tall woman with golden skin and silver hair, easily hefting the sleeping prince over her shoulder. "Why do I have to carry him?"

Kelris continues to ignore his daughter, instead saying to the others. "We should find some place to stow him if you wish to fight these creatures."

Spending 3 arcs to cast silent sleep, and assuming he failed his save because he's a naked fat guy, although I guess he could roll a 20. Aerin is changing her form to solar.

[BelGareth]

Due to the timelessness quality of the trait, any time manipulation spells/powers do not work, you could attempt to manifest temporal acceleration, but it would fail.

He fails the save, being a fat naked guy (lol)


Saath's psicrystal suddenly *pings* in his mindseye, as if it has recognized something.

As Aerin scoops up the poor fat little prince, a small *pop* is heard close by, and a octopus headed humanoid appears in a small puff of smoke, a sheer wall of ectoplasm rising to obfuscate him from the ongoing battle above the floating island.


http://digilander.libero.it/rinkos/mindflayer.gif

You instantly all recognize it as an Illithid.

You then all hear a slippery, snakelike voice enter your minds <<SDooo, not sbe allarm ed. I's sdoo not come tooo violense youuuu. Breiguplll issss only hereeee to helpsss.>>

His facial tentacles float aimlessly in the astral, as if the being was floating in a tepid lake. He points to you all and then pulls his finger back to him, as if to signal 'come with me' <<Musssst follows, sssomethingsss is not right heressss>>


For those of you with mindsight: Type = Abberation, Intelligence of 57
Magical senses: You see nothing, no aura's of any kind.

[Ryuuk]

Change of plans The joking demeanor vanishes as soon as the illithid presents itself. He shakes his head but makes no motion to put away his arms. The demons and angels, even the fat fool, seem to be long forgotten. Still atop Krata, floating above the monastery, the pair's full attention is now on the aberration.

Columns of smoke float from the dragons nostrils. "There's plenty not right here." He points his blade at the illithid. "None could need the help your kind could offer, we still remember your chains it came with. We always will. Don't speak in riddles aberration, what do you want?"

Training, muscle memory, instinct. Most every part of him was screaming to tear that waste of flesh apart. But no, he knew better, lost too many comrades who followed their instincts against these vermin... and if the reading was correct, it would never expose itself like this.

He uses the link established with the group. This thing is intelligent... more then normal for its kind, don't let its broken common fool you. Even his thoughts are tense. Saath is ready to pounce on the creature at the slightest provocation.

Saath: Sense Motive [roll0] + 2 Aid Another from Krata, + 6 from Goodwin's buffs
+8 from Favored Enemy: Illithid in the roll

Krata: Sense Motive [roll1] + 2 Aid Another from Saath, + 6 from Goodwin's buffs

[ben-zayb]

Impressive acumen, he responded dryly. He, too, waits for the Illithid's response, albeit in a far more laid back fashion than his companion did.

[Mishkov]

There's plenty not right here, that's for damned sure. I don't feel like striking up a battle with this thing though. Let it explain itself for now. We kill it if it reveals an ugly nature or tells too many lies, but we'd have to strike fast. Let's hear it out for now. Jargun stared at the aberration, tense, ready to strike if needed, but calm overall. Always calm. The fact that Saath did not immediately strike out to end the creature was enough to give him pause if nothing else.

[Zanos]

Kelris remains calm and measured. Let the creature speak. It would not appear before us without defenses unless it was truly desperate.

[BelGareth]

Breiguplll looks at you as you all have the mental conversation, interestingly, he seems to track those who are 'talking', as if he could here you discussion. He blinks oddly, every now and then, the lids coming from below with two layers, one a fast milky white cover and then a slow moving skin colored lid, that pops into place, and then recedes again.

You get the feeling it is looking at you like you are a specimen in some kind of museum or zoo.

It turns its attention to Ryuuk and blinks several times, perhaps out of confusion, or irritation, it's hard to tell on the Illithids alien features.

<<Youss all in dangerrrrrr, comes with I, Breiguplll, leadsss you not.>> It pauses and you can see a tentacle twitch slightly, something changes, as if something has snapped, a new line of thinking, new circuits aligned.

<<Allrighty then chaps, apologies for just popping in on you at this moment>> He says in your mind, in an oddly gentle and smooth English accent. <<I would assume Saath and his mount are predisposed to not like me, Ugh, I tell you, the waves of emotions coming from them are enough to settle my appetite for generations, what did my people do to you I wonder? Probably something dreary and over the top, they are a bit extravagant in regards to their agenda, what what. Well folks, I am not what you think, or perhaps that's exactly what I am, but not like what you think, those...your companion has dealt with are not the norm, miscreants, cast offs, a section of the gene pool we tried to get rid off, but oh dear, seems they stagnated here....might have to remedy that at a later time, no no, what is happening here is a much larger issue, we need your help chaps, we need you to find what they are looking for>> he gestures with a tentacle and a portal opens on the other side of the island, with thousands of frog like men pouring out from it, <<We are not too late, always enough time for a sporty conversation I always say, though, if we intend you to get out here with enough time, we do need to move, maybe...>> his thoughts are interrupted by blasts of fireballs, lightning and the clang and clamor of weapons on armor, the 3 forces have pushed the stalemate and are fighting in earnest.

Breiguplll pauses and turns one murky eye toward them and blinks.

<<well chaps, it's either go through there, or come with me, my way is faster, but believe me, much harder>> and with that, he makes a small gesture with his hand a round portal opens up in his ectoplasmic wall, facing towards the monastery.


basically opens a Gate, but not a Gate.

Also, you can easily ID those frogmen as slaadi.

[Mishkov]

We need haste, let's go with him...I feel like not going with him may be starting a fight with him. I REALLY don't wanna fight this guy, do any of you?

Jargon makes towards the portal...

[Zanos]

After you. In my experience I've found that walking through portals with unknown destinations is deleterious to one's life expectancy.

[ben-zayb]

"Harder than that? Heh! Better", Goodwin replies rather confidently as he eyes the explosions.

He motions at the aberrant creature, "After you, champ... Breigupl, is it?"