The Garden IC

[D20ragon]

http://frameofmind.be/images/Dreaming_Again_(Lucid_version_by_Adam_Pizurny).gif


How little weight
The world has as it swiftly drops away!

When they left, the air was cold and crisp, or perhaps it was soft and breezy, or warm and still. Perhaps it was not air at all.

For a moment too brief for them to register it anywhere but in the quickest instinctual lightning of their thoughts, they were lost. In their deepest selves, their souls shrank away from matter unfamiliar, matter ached for its origin and found none, there was nothing for them. They had the sense of a plan that no longer had a place for them, a plan they had not known mattered until now, but now it was the only thing to claw back into it, to fill the void where they once had fit. There was not a familiar element to anything, nothing told them “this is where you belong now." There was no space for them anymore.
They were unwanted, unneeded.

Then, in a great rush of geometry and motion, the Line caught them, held them close in its magics, and found them.
It was a moment until they found themselves, but when they did, they stood in one place, or another, together or alone, standing on a road, or train tracks, or a forest path, or a bridge, all stretching out through a place they could half see beyond the boundary of a horizon that was somehow too close, a place that was billowing and strange, void streaked with light, color begetting color.

In the distance, some miles off for all of them, they all could see a signpost defined against the mutability of the sky, four arms stretching with an easy, aged grace towards four roads with an air that seemed to say

“I give this choice to you.”




OOC (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?508570-The-Garden-OOC)

[LoyalPaladin]

Palladian Lightwreath

Being teleported at another's will wasn't a foreign concept to Palladian, but having that teleport redirected was definitely not common. He'd just put down a large dragon, when a beam of light absorbed him into its stream, whisking him away to his next destination. He watched the world grow smaller beneath him until it was nothing but a dot in his vision. All was normal, until he was jolted abruptly and set gently by the light on a new surface. All around him was colorful light and spiraling shapes, he saw others, one familiar to him and the others quite foreign.

In the distance, he saw a signpost, perhaps that was a good place to start. He first waved to Gabriella, he'd never encountered an individual from his journeys twice. "Young wizard maiden! Hello there?" He shouted the last part as a question, in case he had confused her for someone else.


I think all is in order.

[AmberVael]

Sincerity

She had never been out this far before. Always she had roved along the edges of Horizon, following its paths to more and more distant realms, but never straying beyond its familiar features. Now though, she stood beyond the windpath she had traveled on, its curling white stream ending in a whispering, weakened mist. The vast open skies of Horizon had given way to a stranger vista, a darker heaven filled with strange-patterned gyres and flowing, forking streams of vibrant colors. This strange and fantastic firmament pulsed and breathed, remaining ever in motion as Sincerity stared up at it, and left her no doubt that she was far from home.

Sincerity looked back, and her breath caught. There was her home, and for once, she saw all of it. This was not a view from a stormeye or even an image of a single plane, but the incarnation of the maps from her planar studies. There was Zo, the gleaming line of Horizon twining among the orbs that were all the planes gathered together in a single collection. Where was she, then? For if that behind her was Zo, then all she had never known and known of was just over there, all in sight... while she was here. Here, therefore, was somewhere else, and she had no idea of where that somewhere was, or what might be in it.

Something though, lay ahead. She could see something like a signpost in the distance, and at her feet was a path that appeared to be of beaten earth, though the moor-like terrain that surrounded her was pitch black and shrouded by the lingering white fog from her windpath. What manner of place had she found, and how much further was there to go? Sincerity took one last, slow look around her, then started forward towards the signpost, the wind of her passage stirring the mist beneath her.

[drack]

Xalk

Purple lightening crackled warmly overhead. It was the negative energy that had long since flooded this dark shuddering world. Xalk walked with his usual gait as he strolled down an empty street. The architecture was Gothic with stonework meticulously sculpted with hammer and chisel. At some places runes were scrawled in the walls, others statues of monsters long dead. Arches hung overhead serving as walkways as the whole of the city occupied whole stories over the ground with layer after layer. On the bottom most layer glass globes filled with a faintly refractive liquid clung to holes in the floor above where even the faintest of light could be dispersed to a glow just barely sufficient for drow to see... but there were no drow, not anymore. How many times had this world died? This world was once a world of death inhabited only by undeads and their derrivatives. Even this city itself was once a great necropolis as any other city that still stood on this world was... but even the dead had long since rotten to dust. Clouds of negative energy pulsed through the land and these grand cities still stood as testament to their great reign, but now it was outsiders who inhabited this world. Beings formed of that lingering negative energy who fed on it and fed into it with their power until the world was made to be as it is.

Xalk smiled faintly. It was always good to see life forms who symbiotically thrive with their environment, growing and thriving within it. Maybe some day they'd form into something worth eating...

Xalk walked the third layer of the grand necropolis, but the streets were still as dark as night with only the faint illumination of the endless crackling of energies overhead. He nodded polity to several of the statues and walls that he could tell had developed a consciousness, however faint, and pretended not to see the shivering shadows that didn't want to be seen. That was to be expected though, after all, he wasn't in the best part of town at the moment, and cut-purse shadings were the least of one's worries on these streets. He had finished his business here and was going solely to take one last long look at the wilting Heneron tree that had struck him with a strange sense of silent might, but endless pain. It's branches twisted and bent, filled with more knots then any old man's spine could bare. He remembered the blood red leaves that hung onto it as if half dead, the futility of their struggle for life, and the shadow-stuffs creature that desperately clung to the dying tree, begging for the life it drew from it. He remembered the ancient magical formations that the tree had grown up through and all the profound effects they'd caused on the tree. Of course normal trees would be unable to grow in this world, but for Heneron trees it was possible...

Just as he turned the corner and the tree came into view Xalk felt a strange tug. He had no particular reason to refuse, but as the force began to pull he continued to look at the tree. In all he hardly saw it for a second before he vanished, but that was enough, enough for his eye to capture it in its entirety before he parted from that world.

In the next moment Xalk stood upon a bridge looking down at a brook filled with so many stones and such broad current that it seemed as if it were but a hundred dribbling cricks joined by some fractaline structure, like a sea of veins or snakes all converging and splitting at will as they flowed underneath. The bridge itself was neither old nor new, and certainly not ancient. In the distance before him tall green grass swayed with unpicked wheat and he even caught sight of a berry bush off aside from the road. Behind him the sun was only just setting, painting the sky a majestic purple and blue as the moon rested silently in the sky, half-hidden by the mighty rays of the setting sun which even now warmed his cold bones. Choosing a direction he began walking the bath before him as it twined through the woods as smoothly as a drunkard's stumbling gait. It didn't take long before he saw the void that split the sky, and between he and it another road crossed his path. At the intersection he saw a sign to the side and travelers taking pause.

Cynically bemused by the scenario Xalk walked down the path as if in no rush at all, the gentle klack of his cane dampened somewhat by the softer soil underfoot. "Choice, huh...?" He mutters, as if to himself as he wonders if he mightn't have arrived at the same crosswalk had he gone in the other direction. Still, he had no need to begrudge their actions just yet. Perhaps something good would come of this, and should he not be retracing his steps ther'd still be no loss...

[Peccavi]

Cassius Velarious

Cassius appeared in a flash of light and a cloud of smoke. His hand still caught in a driving-home-my-point gesture, his face however changed from frustration to confusion immediately.

One moment he was in a nice tavern, with a nice fire and a nice glass of red, having a somewhat heated discussion with a mage about the nature of the universe. And then he was here, wherever 'here' was.

He stood in the middle of a road, plain and featureless as far as the could see. Up ahead was a crossroad and a signpost, where a group of beings were beginning to gather, but otherwise nothing particularly special. Everything else though was completely and impossibly different.

"What in the bright blue name of fff..." the expletive died on his lips as a large lump of nothingness rolled over in the multi-coloured expanse of wonder, it seemed to stretch languidly before it disappeared again. "Fff..." He tried again to finish his curse, one of his favourites, but stopped again as a large group of twinkling blue stars chased a smaller group of yellow ones away.

It denied all reason, and it was beginning to give Cassius a headache, he shook his head slowly. "I'm just not going to look" He said quietly. He adjusted his hat and with a practised confident swagger began walking to the signpost.

[Scheming Wizard]

Gabriella Velodyne



Velodyne tower was the tallest building in the city of Windfall. Even the Salvus trading company couldn’t afford to erect one taller. The building had a massive base and two towers ascended from it. Each tower ascended in a different direction giving the appearance of a giant letter V. Gabriella’s office was in the west tower with the rest of the executives. The eastern tower was for research and development. She had a laboratory there, and would teleport between the two towers as needed for her work.

“Niles how’s the share price.” “Very good Miss Velodyne it’s up three percent from last quarter.” Her familiar was the one who answered her. Constructs of his pattern were called Ioun wyrds, but she had named him Niles. He resembled a rather pudgy lizard about the size of a cat. His skin was a stone-grey color which was appropriate as she had sculpted him out of stone herself and then brought him to life. She had given him eight legs, but since he had the ability to fly he rarely walked on them. Instead he appeared to swim through the air at a leisurely pace. His back appeared to be a huge blue gem, but in reality, the gem was hollow and lifted from his back like a lid. His actual back resembled the face of a clock except where numbers would be there were set twelve ioun stone of different shapes and colors. Their presence gave Niles sentience and energy, but also increased her own powers.

“Any issues we need to worry about?” She spoke the worlds aloud. Normally when the office was bustling with activity her and Niles would communicate telepathically, but it was the evening now and all the workers had gone home. Gabriella didn’t care for the silence. “Well a new company has started buying up bars and auction houses” answered Niles telepathically. He had no lungs and lacked the ability to speak aloud like her. “Hmm” the bars didn’t bother her. She wasn’t in the restaurant business. If someone was trying to corner the market on auction houses however that could affect the prices for magic items. “What’s the company name and share price?” “It’s a smaller company called Acquisitions Incorporated and they are a private company.” “Well” the thought was left unfinished as she felt a force in the air. Niles rushed into her arms alerted to the force by the empathic link they shared. She hugged him to her chest and they both vanished. The silence Gabriella didn’t care for reclaimed the office.

They reappeared on a desolate rocky plane. The sky was a swirling mass of red mist. She thought for a moment that Baphomet had returned the favor and finally summoned her, but the air wasn’t hot enough and the sky was all wrong. She wasn’t in the abyss. “Niles I don’t think we’re in windfall anymore.” Gabriella scanned the horizon Niles still nuzzled to her chest. She reassured him that they were going to be ok telepathically. The first thing to catch her eye was a massive sign post in the distance. She couldn’t make out what the signs said. The second thing she saw was a knight waving to her in the distance. She thought she recognized him, but it was too far to tell for sure. “Young Wizard maiden” he yelled across the distance.

Yep that was Palladian wielder of Heaven’s Wrath the artifact she had been trying to acquire for years. She was happy to see him. The last time they had met they had slain a lich to rescue a dragon it was keeping prisoner. She had wanted to speak with him more after that battle, but he teleported away soon after the fight. Niles had done research on the man after the last encounter and from what he had been able to piece together from the accounts of the many witnesses to his deeds he traveled under a curse constantly reappearing to those in need only to disappear again right after he vanquished whatever evil was menacing the world that day. Niles had become a huge fan of Palladian through the course of his research. She walked toward Palladian, Niles turning in her arms to see the legend he had read about. She spoke telepathically to Niles "let’s go meet your idol." The gem on his back glowed more brightly in his excitement.

http://www.deviantart.com/art/Crystal-Lizard-606284333

[LoyalPaladin]

Palladian Lightwreath

Jogging over to Gabriella, Palladian notes that there are a few other individuals have may have just arrived like himself. Perhaps the gods had decided he was unable to complete a task on his own? His sword radiated a comforting warmth, something he hoped meant he was in no danger. Once he finally makes it to Gabriella, he walks slowly along side her towards the signpost.

"It has been some time since we crossed paths, miss..?" he trailed off, realizing he'd been summoned so quickly when they'd last met that he hadn't had time for proper introductions.

His eyes trailed to the small lizard in her arms, unable to identify what it is. "A new friend of yours?"

[Lyndworm]

Savasati

Walking aimlessly through another forest, Savasati surveys the world around him. He hears the song of birds he cannot quite see, and glimpses others flitting from branch to branch. Venomous insects buzz around a flowering tree, attracted to the same colors and smells that make the rare blossoms valuable in other parts of the world. Rustling in the undergrowth indicates the unseen life all around him. Each creature on its own quest. He feels peaceful, and the forged man lets his easy stride draw him deeper into the woods.

The trees have grown taller, Savasati notes, taller now than he has ever seen; taller even than the monuments of his home. The tree limbs of this ancient part of the forest have woven together far overhead. This new canopy lets the sun onto the forest floor in thin slashes of light, and Savasati is quickly turned around in the darkness. Unworried, he resolves to keep moving in the same direction until he comes to something he knows. It's not long after the rays of too-bright light have disappeared from view that he realizes there are stars in the canopy.

In the distance, Savasati sees the signpost peeking through smaller trees than he expected. With literally no other options in sight, the juggernaut sets out on his own quest.

[Scheming Wizard]

Gabriella Velodyne

"Oh this is Niles he has been my familiar and number one employee for years." She held out Niles to Palladian. "He's read all about your adventures and he's a major fan." She let Niles go who started floating around Palladian in a circle as if wanting to see him from all angles. "Let's see I have some things for you." She started searching through her small knapsack. "Here's a quill Niles wants you to sign his shell." Gabriella handed Palladian a very ornate golden quill. She kept shuffling through her bag. "Ah ha here it is. This is for you from me. It's called an Ioun stone I swear by them. This one enhances magical ability." The small orange triangular prism you are handed has the letter V stamped on one side and on the next side reads from your BFF Gabriella. The last side says and Niles.


"I didn't want you to feel bad for not getting me anything, so I got myself a gift that's from you." She extends her wrist and shows you the diamond charm bracelet that she is wearing. It has four charms on it that appear to be small representations of your sword. "Each charm let's me summon you from anywhere on the same plane. I love it so much thank you for getting it for me."

[LoyalPaladin]

Palladian Lightwreath

Taken slightly aback by the gift from Gabriella, fan, autograph, and gift from himself, Palladian's expression is quite comically surprised and moderately overwhelmed. "You're... welcome?" He manages, taking the Ioun Stone and quill. "Thank you, miss. You're too kind." He puts a hand on Niles, stabilizing him and getting a good bearing on his 'shell'. "Right here?" He signs it, attempting his best signature for the small creature before letting him float around again. "It's very nice to meet you, Niles. I wasn't aware I had any fans." He smiles politely.

Palladian takes some extra time to examine the bracelet that can summon him. "That will come in handy if you get in a pinch." He says thoughfully, just as they reach the signpost. "If I'm here, I believe that there is most likely a larger danger involved. There always is..." He examines the signpost upon arrival.

[Valerem]

The Nameless Warrior

There were many ways to react to the experiences of this... shift

For some. The experience might be frightening, terrifying even. That experience of brushing against matter that your very soul paled at its mere existence. Matter that sought out a meaning to its existence, an origin from which it came from... but was fated to never find the answers that it sought, for there was none. The moment was short, so short that even the swiftest and most cunning of minds would notice it only for a brief moment. Yet that feeling of being lost could cling to a person’s soul, and make them terrified and witless.

For others, this was a place for potential, and excitement. This was a place, unlike anything they had ever seen. A place that lead to unlimited possibilities and potential. A place that could lead them to other places, that they would not be possible to come to before. To places of great learning where they could come to understand the secrets of the universe, or perhaps to places of such wonder and spectacle that they would spend the rest of their lives there. Transfixed by the sights and sounds playing out before their very eyes.

Or perhaps, they could've chosen neither. And instead be dead and tired with life. A cynical being, who simply sighed and kept on trudging on, due to that being the only option they knew how to follow. They did not believe in the choice that the place seemed to offer them. Neither were they terrified by the brief moment of being in an existence that was alien to their very nature. They would simply accept how their place in life had changed, and take one step in front of the other, just like they had always done.

... The Nameless Warrior was none of these.

The Nameless Warrior was annoyed. As he had been rather... occupied.

Still. He was used to such interruptions. And whilst this style of interruption was new. He knew how to react. Stand up, dust himself down. Pulling up his pants. Draw his blades, and advance. If these other beings he saw were a threat to him. He’ll cut them down. If they weren’t. He’ll leave them be.

[D20ragon]

In ones or twos, winding down their myriad paths, they reach the signpost.
It weighs on the air around it heavily in the false vastness of its surroundings, and looking away from it takes the slightest effort, a noticeable flick of the eyes. It once had been wood, perhaps, but the wear of time, strange winds, and stranger hands has smoothed and hardened it until it was smooth as polished amber.
The base was easily wide as a giant's cane, and, should you try to walk around it, it would be easy to conclude it was wider still. As ones eyes follow the dark veins and knots upward, forms became evident, drawn seamlessly out of the post by some ancient knife or chisel. Four figures, huge and graceful with humanoid shape, faces upturned, high above the ground.

The first had once been black, and the darkness in the wood lingered, though time had done its steady best to sully it. Hair, carved intricately and impossibly thin, streamed from its head. Long and unruly, swirling around its figure before reaching down past its heels, it seems to shift slightly as you look away from it, never remaining where it had last been seen. A crown circled its brow, and its hair resents being bound, rising and falling most violently around the tines of the crown. One hand, knuckles tight and strained, holds a rod of some dark metal close to its body. Its other arm, outstretched, is strong and lean, as is the hand, long nails tipping the wiry fingers. Along the arms length, letters are burned, black, long cold.

Lose Your Heart

The second holds some of its green hue in the folds of its robes. It leans out, one arm wrapped around the post, hood blown back to reveal a hairless, thin face, sun blasted, eyes pale and wide, lips parted, the beginning of a word forever resting on its tongue. The other arm, outstretched, seeks something. Thrust violently forward, its hand grasps for something only visible to its own hungry eyes. Along the arm, the grain of the wood is curled into the phrase:

Lose Your Mind

The third has red tangled in its hair and cloak, both of which are blown forward by some imagined wind, the motion portrayed so convincingly that one almost feels the stirring of hot air on their cheeks. Its lips are cracked, and its eyes have tears in them, though whether from sorrow or from the force of the gale, it is impossible to tell. Leaves swirl around its ankles, along with torn branches and sprigs of berries. With one hand, it shades its brow, while with the other, it points at some distant object. Along the pointing arm, words have been etched:

Lose Your Way

The final figure was once white, and had flowers spilling from its lips, covering its bare chest. It wears nothing, and leans back against the post casually, head tilted, lips pursed in a whistle as leaves sprouted between them. It covers its eyes with the back of one hand, while the other arm and hand are outstretched, holding a small knife out, parallel to the horizon. On this arm, the words have been inked:

Lose Your Soul

The air was still here, though along the paths that led outward the wind was strong. It smells of the earth after rain, of melting water, of coming frost.


Once one draws their eyes away from the signpost, it is possible to see a small man, half the size of a human, with curly white hair, sleeping peacefully. A heavy amulet lies on the ground beside him, a knot of silver cord, and his breathing is deep and slow. His clothes, though they looked expensive and of good make, are well worn, threadbare on the knees, stains around his collar.
He does not stir as they arrived, and could perhaps go unnoticed. There was something faded about him, and it is somehow easy to believe he is as old as the signpost, though his face shows no signs of antiquity.

[drack]

Xalk

Draw his blades, and advance. If these other beings he saw were a threat to him. He’ll cut them down.
Noting the undue hostility in the air Xalk directs his cold gaze at the swordsman first before following the same precautions with the others. His gaze hardly lingered as it slowly swept from each to the next. It was a hard cold gaze from a face that had been weathered by the years, but there was no dull fatigue in those eyes. As he glanced at them each he made sure to suppress any fear they might feel from him. Should the lad be foolish enough to use those swords later, only then would he have the lad recall precisely who those swords were pointed at.

In the absence of that frightful air however, or perhaps in the ignorance of it, Xalk's slow pace as he used his cane to favor one leg made him anything but imposing. In fact, looking at him from such a view, a faint smile could even be seen in the eye of the little old man as he looked over the gathered crowd.


Once one drew their eyes away from the signpost, it was possible to see a small man, half the size of a human, with curly white hair, sleeping peacefully.

After approaching the post the old man slowly works some simple magic. Twisting his cane against the ground and coughing harshly he managed to summon enough power to raise him into the air until he can reach the giants, at which point he gently raps his cane against the soulless giant's forehead twice before slowly descending back to the ground. It was an old gesture, in fact it might well be taken as disrespectful these days, but he felt he should do it none the less. After landing gently on the ground and leaning his weight more heavily onto his cane once more he smiles warily if not somewhat ironically at the sleeping man without showing the slightest intent to wake him.

Edit: the spell was updraft

[AmberVael]

Sincerity

A gentle, whirling wind preceded Sincerity's arrival, stirring the leaves and detritus of the path before she came into sight. Her elemental ties would be obvious at a glance, her skin white as the clouds, and her long, misty hair trailing weightlessly behind her as she drifted leisurely above the ground, her head twisting and turning to take in the sights even as she headed towards the signpost. Only her eyes hinted of something else, and they were whiteless and colored emerald, their vibrant glow only interrupted by lighter circle indicated her roving gaze.

As she came to the signpost she slowed to a halt, giving the signpost and its statues one long, curious stare before her attention turned to the people around her. She smiled pleasantly at them, undaunted by caution, suspicion, or even outright hostility and drawn weapons. "Well met. Can anyone tell me where we are?" She looked over to the signpost again, then down at the man beneath it, the fingers of her right hand rubbing restlessly against one another. Then, as if unable to resist temptation, she brought her hand up and flicked the fingers outward. A breeze spiraled out from her, a whispering force that briefly quested out, then returned, retracing its spiral and settling back in her hand.

Sincerity uses her base divine to detect magical auras within a 1280 feet radius around her. Admittedly, her attention is mostly on the signpost, because she is kinda curious about it. She'll attempt a spellcraft check to identify magical effects if any are present on it.
[roll0]

[Lyndworm]

Savasati

Seeing the others gather around the Sign, the forged man approaches cautiously. He makes no attempt to hide his arrival, though he hangs back a short distance. "We are here." Savasati's replies with a twisted iron smile."Though I don't know where that is. I'm more concerned with how I've traveled than to where."

[Valerem]

The Nameless Warrior

If others saw the fact his swords were out, as an act of hostility. Then that was their issue.

If they wanted to go around in a place which they were freely admitting was completely unknown to them. Without having their weapons out and ready to fight with. That was their stupid decision.

It didn’t matter who they were, what they were, or even what they did. They were off no issue or concern to the Nameless Warrior. Not unless they attacked him. And only then would they be his issue. With such a view, once Nameless had finished his inspection of this... ‘sign post’ that lay before him. The wolf-man stepping forwards and kicked the figure sitting at the bottom.

It wasn’t a hard kick mind you. More of a nudge to wake him up. Nameless might not care about others, but he didn’t see a reason to be nasty towards them either.

[Peccavi]

Cassius Velarious

Oh my Goddess! Cassius, did you see that? Cassius' sentient sword imparted telepathically, clearly referring to the spectacle unfolding all around them.

Nope, didn't see anything. Flat out refusing to look. I'm quite certain my sanity depends on it. Cassius replies mentally, still not completely sure he's actually awake. Resolutely he focuses his attention more forcefully on the signpost, striding forward in a determined manner.

And hey! Look! There's some people! Do you think they'll like me? What am I saying? Of course they will! A couple of lookers too, hey buddy? The sword says, the last accompanied by a mental nudge.

Nope! Nope! Nope! Either I am dreaming, which means both you and they are figments of my imagination, and I don't like how that would end. Or I am not, and they may be incredibly powerful beings who can quite possibly hear what you're saying. In either case, and I don't really know why I should hope for this, but please try to be on your best behaviour. Cassius replied with a mental fist-shaking.

"Well met. Can anyone tell me where we are?"Cassius approaches with a slight more-confident-than-necessary swagger. "Well met indeed, My Lady," Cassius says to Sincerity while beaming his perfect smile. Looking around the others he nods to Xalk, Palladian and Gabriella "Gents, Miss..." before pausing at Savasati, a slight look of confusion on his face, "... umm, you? I am Cassius Velarious, and I am so glad I'm not the only one who has no idea whats going on!"

Cassius glanced around at the sleeping creature. "I hope we're not supposed to wait here. Because he looks like he's been here for a while!"

So, anybody with any kind of telepathy ability will be able to hear the conversations between Cassius and the sword, there is absolutely nothing subtle about Talanon

[LoyalPaladin]

Palladian Lightwreath

Decisive in all that he does, Palladian reads the signpost diligently and then directs his attention to the sleeping man and all the approaching individuals. All seem unaware of their reason of summoning, but one in particular seems to be on the offensive. Instinctively, Palladian passively herds Gabriella back a few steps, placing himself between her and the wolf man despite their distance.

Hearing the conversation between Sincerity and Savasti, he interjects. "We're certainly not on any plane or prime I've been on, and if my loose understanding of planar travel serves me, I've been to a few." He raises an eyebrow, hoping he was of some use on the matter. All his "planar knowledge" was basically just repeating words of wise men who'd attempted to explain his means of travel.

"Perhaps, if we're all here under similar circumstance, full introductions are in order. I am Palladian Lightwreath, paladin of the deceased White Knight and planar wanderer." It was possible he had short sold himself, but until Niles, Palladian was unaware he had any sort of reputation. He'll reach to Cassius for a handshake, as he's most likely the closest.



Sincerity
Sincerity uses her base divine to detect magical auras within a 1280 feet radius around her. Admittedly, her attention is mostly on the signpost, because she is kinda curious about it. She'll attempt a spellcraft check to identify magical effects if any are present on it.
Palladian has all his magic items, some misc effects from his sword, and has persisted/has active the spells Anticipate Teleport, Mark of the Enlightened Soul, Positive Energy Aura, Righteous Aura, and Endure Elements. Notably, his sword is a major artifact.

[Scheming Wizard]

Gabriella Velodyne

Niles hid behind her as she hid behind Palladian. There was a werewolf holding two swords rather standoffishly in front of them.

She wasn't that worried. She had the utmost faith in Palladian's skill with a blade having seen it in action already herself.


Some others had arrived as well including what looked like a Golem partially made of wood. She waved hello at the golem wondering if it would wave back.

[Lyndworm]

Savasati

The forged man sees Gabriella's greeting and raises his hand in kind. "I am called many things," he says as he lowers his arm. "Demir Boga, Warhorse of Efendom, Savior of Kasaba, Scourge of Kotu Koy, Erector of Monuments, and Feller of Idols. I prefer Savasati."

[D20ragon]

The Nameless Warrior

If others saw the fact his swords were out, as an act of hostility. Then that was their issue.

If they wanted to go around in a place which they were freely admitting was completely unknown to them. Without having their weapons out and ready to fight with. That was their stupid decision.

It didn’t matter who they were, what they were, or even what they did. They were off no issue or concern to the Nameless Warrior. Not unless they attacked him. And only then would they be his issue. With such a view, once Nameless had finished his inspection of this... ‘sign post’ that lay before him. The wolf-man stepping forwards and kicked the figure sitting at the bottom.

It wasn’t a hard kick mind you. More of a nudge to wake him up. Nameless might not care about others, but he didn’t see a reason to be nasty towards them either.


"Nafseel? I don't believe it, you..."
The mans voice shakes and trails away, leaving a slight resonance in the air as his eyes open.
No. No, open is not the word. They unfold, curved petals of soft white delicately moving outward from where they had curled around a pupil as shining and dark as wet pebble. "I'm still dreaming, then. What have you come to tell me? Please, make it fast. These days," he laughs, harshly, "even simple visions wear me out. From the inside, you know. They make my bones hurt and my heart beat like a manic drummer, my teeth chatter."

He props himself up on his elbows, not deigning to stand, and vaguely beckons with a curl of his fingers, shifting closer to the amulet as he does so. "Well, let's have it, I shall never be more ready than this. What message required so many odd figments?"

[LoyalPaladin]

Palladian Lightwreath

Arching an eyebrow, Palladian inquires. "Who is Nafseel?" But quickly switches to triage when he observes the man's struggle. "Are you unwell? Do you need treatment?" Palladian sizes up the beings in his presence, hoping to discover one is a cleric.

[AmberVael]

Sincerity

"Sincerity, of the Horizons." She hesitated over the last phrase, then glanced over her shoulder at the distant sphere she called home. "...which I expect you may not have heard of. I'm something of a wanderer myself, though this is... further out than I'm used to."

Understatement, for sure, but Sincerity figured there was no use being too dramatic. "I'm fairly certain I came here myself, but if some of you didn't, I can help you find your way back home."

She frowned as the hostile, possibly mute warrior nudged the sleeping old man, but didn't intervene until the man woke up. He seemed confused, or perhaps she was confused. One or the other. Either way, communication was necessary. She dropped down to the ground and knelt next to the man. "You're awake, and I don't believe any of us are messengers." She glanced at the others just to make sure there was assent (or at least no objections among them), then looked back to the man. "But if I can help you somehow, I will."

[drack]

Xalk

"I'm known as Xalk." The old man introduces himself with a friendly attitude, faintly turning his glance to the potentially mute warrior as he begins to wonder just how the man intends to further "motivate" the formerly sleeping man, but decides to offer a helping hand this time instead.

Adopting a polite smile he eventually replies "I'm afraid I'm not sure exactly what our friend means. Figments? We're certainly mere figments of this realm. Messengers? I wonder what that message might be." With a gentle nod of his head he encourages the man to elaborate. While maintaining his friendly demeanor in the eyes of everyone else he looks directly at the old man, and for but a moment he stops repressing the the old man's fear.

His hollowed eyes, sunken with age reveal a sharp and unbending will imperious enough to dictate every breath of life and filled with a cruel and merciless intent scorning all as if it were beneath him. His smile, filled with "kindness" strikes the man as being of a twisted and perverse kindness that crushes and mutilates the recipient. His lax posture that seemed to speak of weakness instead a relaxed overbearing attitude, like a calm ocean patiently receding from which a mighty wave could surge at any time. "Would you care to elaborate?" he asks in a patient and gentle tone which seems only all the more intimidating given the contrast.

demoralizing the old man.
[roll0] opposed by 1d20+level+wis mod. If it succeeds he cowers in fear for a round and then is shaken the next after which fear effects towards him will be repressed again. Fear against players is still repressed showing them the kind and gentle old man who's gently coxing him. What a kind and gentle old man he is. :smallbiggrin:

Anywho, real intent here, lets see if he's some kinda super-cosmic-entity, or a normal old man who's probably below, lets aim for the middle and say, level 70.
Bypasses fear immunity and fear resistance is generally a single digit meaning it's a fair way to measure level+one ability mod.

[Scheming Wizard]

Gabriella Velodyne

Gabriella turns her back on the werewolf and whatever is going on with the old man to walk over to Savasati. Niles hesitated in mid air, torn between his champion and his creator. She sent him a telepathic message telling him to stay with Palladian. If something happened he'd be safer there. She waved a hello as she walked up to the Golem.

"Cool titles. I tried to get people to call me the merchant mage, but everyone just calls me Gabriella. I come from a world called Salvus. Is that where you're from?"

[D20ragon]

Palladian Lightwreath

Arching an eyebrow, Palladian inquires. "Who is Nafseel?" But quickly switches to triage when he observes the man's struggle. "Are you unwell? Do you need treatment?" Palladian sizes up the beings in his presence, hoping to discover one is a cleric.


Sincerity

"Sincerity, of the Horizons." She hesitated over the last phrase, then glanced over her shoulder at the distant sphere she called home. "...which I expect you may not have heard of. I'm something of a wanderer myself, though this is... further out than I'm used to."

Understatement, for sure, but Sincerity figured there was no use being too dramatic. "I'm fairly certain I came here myself, but if some of you didn't, I can help you find your way back home."

She frowned as the hostile, possibly mute warrior nudged the sleeping old man, but didn't intervene until the man woke up. He seemed confused, or perhaps she was confused. One or the other. Either way, communication was necessary. She dropped down to the ground and knelt next to the man. "You're awake, and I don't believe any of us are messengers." She glanced at the others just to make sure there was assent (or at least no objections among them), then looked back to the man. "But if I can help you somehow, I will."


Xalk

"I'm known as Xalk." The old man introduces himself with a friendly attitude, faintly turning his glance to the potentially mute warrior as he begins to wonder just how the man intends to further "motivate" the formerly sleeping man, but decides to offer a helping hand this time instead.

Adopting a polite smile he eventually replies "I'm afraid I'm not sure exactly what our friend means. Figments? We're certainly mere figments of this realm. Messengers? I wonder what that message might be." With a gentle nod of his head he encourages the man to elaborate. While maintaining his friendly demeanor in the eyes of everyone else he looks directly at the old man, and for but a moment he stops repressing the the old man's fear.

His hollowed eyes, sunken with age reveal a sharp and unbending will imperious enough to dictate every breath of life and filled with a cruel and merciless intent scorning all as if it were beneath him. His smile, filled with "kindness" strikes the man as being of a twisted and perverse kindness that crushes and mutilates the recipient. His lax posture that seemed to speak of weakness instead a relaxed overbearing attitude, like a calm ocean patiently receding from which a mighty wave could surge at any time. "Would you care to elaborate?" he asks in a patient and gentle tone which seems only all the more intimidating given the contrast.

demoralizing the old man.
[roll0] opposed by 1d20+level+wis mod. If it succeeds he cowers in fear for a round and then is shaken the next after which fear effects towards him will be repressed again. Fear against players is still repressed showing them the kind and gentle old man who's gently coxing him. What a kind and gentle old man he is. :smallbiggrin:

Anywho, real intent here, lets see if he's some kinda super-cosmic-entity, or a normal old man who's probably below, lets aim for the middle and say, level 70.
Bypasses fear immunity and fear resistance is generally a single digit meaning it's a fair way to measure level+one ability mod.


A few of the petals in the man's eyes curl shut, as he mumbles the words Palladian spoke.
"Who is Nafseel... what is there for me to question? He is all I have, I know this.
Now it questions my health. Am I in danger? If so, what is the treatment it speaks of?
Who is Nafseel, am I unwell, who is Nafseel, am I unwell... If I and Nafseel are one, then perhaps he is in danger?" With one hand, he fumbled at the amulet and raised it close to his face, its gentle luster giving a sheen to his skin, smooth and strong as the finest white leather.
"No, he is safe, he is safe." His face relaxes for a moment, then tightens, hard lines pressing down around his eyes and lips. "This is a dream, a lie! I must wake up! Away, visions, I have no time or patience for arcane mutterings when there is everything to lose!"

As Sincerity speaks, his eyes flare, petaled flesh writhing.
"Is this true? Am I awake? Is Nafseel safe? Am I wasting time while he dies, damn you?"

Xalk's gaze catches the man's strange and desperate one. "Are you the danger, then? You're on the Line." As their eyes lock, the man winces, visibly, drawn face contorting further.
He clutches the amulet. "You've done something to Nafseel, just now. I can feel it."
His voice is steadier now, braced against the old mans. "What could I have that you would value? My dreams are old and tattered now." Xalk does not look away. There is something in his eyes that the man cannot see, that he knows is there, that he knows is watching him, is both watching him and someone beyond him.
The man drops to a whisper as his hand tightens around the knotted silver pendant. "They are old... the light shows through them. Please,"
He does not finish the sentence. His head is low, no longer meeting Xalks eyes. His entire body is curled around the amulet, shaking and small.

[drack]

Xalk

Xalk smiles reassuringly as he slowly hobbles closer to the old man and his Nafseel until they are but a pace apart, or perhaps several paces apart for the old and infirm. Ahhhh, old and tattered dreams make for a good tea in the evenings before a gentle nap as the moon begins to softly illuminate the sky and as the last subtle wisps of sunlight slowly dissipate in the sky. Those so worn that light can seep through them would devolve almost instantly in the pot. The fragrance tickles in his memory as he extends a worn and liver-spotted hand from which what scarce bits of flesh remain, sag, as if devoid of muscular support. With a kind and reassuring voice Xalk tells the man "If you insist to such an extent... then I will accept them, with pleasure."

[D20ragon]

Xalk

Xalk smiles reassuringly as he slowly hobbles closer to the old man and his Nafseel until they are but a pace apart, or perhaps several paces apart for the old and infirm. Ahhhh, old and tattered dreams make for a good tea in the evenings before a gentle nap as the moon begins to softly illuminate the sky and as the last subtle wisps of sunlight slowly dissipate in the sky. Those so worn that light can seep through them would devolve almost instantly in the pot. The fragrance tickles in his memory as he extends a worn and liver-spotted hand from which what scarce bits of flesh remain, sag, as if devoid of muscular support. With a kind and reassuring voice Xalk tells the man "If you insist to such an extent... then I will accept them, with pleasure."

The man sits up abruptly, coat rumpled. Tears spill from the dark center of his eyes to slide through the layers of petals and then stain his cheeks with hot lines. He struggles to his feet, takes a step forward.
"Until you've told me what the hell you've done to my Nafseel, you'll-" his breath catches. "Do you know where he is? Is that the meaning to this nightmare?"

[Lyndworm]

Savasati


Gabriella Velodyne

Gabriella turns her back on the werewolf and whatever is going on with the old man to walk over to Savasati. Niles hesitated in mid air, torn between his champion and his creator. She sent him a telepathic message telling him to stay with Palladian. If something happened he'd be safer there. She waved a hello as she walked up to the Golem.

"Cool titles. I tried to get people to call me the merchant mage, but everyone just calls me Gabriella. I come from a world called Salvus. Is that where you're from?"
The man sits up abruptly, coat rumpled. Tears spill from the dark center of his eyes to slide through the layers of petals and then stain his cheeks with hot lines. He struggles to his feet, takes a step forward.
"Until you've told me what the hell you've done to my Nafseel, you'll-" his breath catches. "Do you know where he is? Is that the meaning to this nightmare?"
"It is not." responds Savasati. "At least, I think not. My world has many names in many tongues. I know it as Arasinda. It is beautiful and harsh beyond measure, and I do not know precisely when I left. I am glad that I am not lost alone."

The juggernaut is terrible at reading people, but he's seen terror enough to recognize it. He takes a few heavy steps towards the sign, and the old men beneath it. "Easy, fellows. I do not believe that any of us is familiar with Nafseel. This is no dream, no nightmare."

[Scheming Wizard]

Gabriella

Savasati walked away to check on the old man. She liked the golem. She liked all golems really. It's why she had built Niles. She knew some wizards who had sworn off people altogether and lived alone with their research and their staff of golems to assist them. Gabriella considered herself a people person, but sometimes she wondered if that's how she would end up.

The future aside her conversation with him had confirmed what she suspected. Not everyone present was from the same world. An important piece of information to be sure, but one she couldn't fit into the puzzle just yet.

She didn't bother to walk over towards the sign post. Having Niles there was practically the same as being there herself.

[Valerem]

The Nameless Warrior

Well, it was obvious that he wasn't going to be getting any straight answers out of the man anytime soon.

These other's might be willing to stand around and talk pleasantly to him in an attempt to try and learn what he was talking about, but the Nameless Warrior didn't care. If he wasn't going to talk straight, then there was no point in talking to him at all. Instead, the wolf's eyes went back to the giant signpost. Glancing over each of the options that they had. Then he turned and began striding in the direction the third pointed. He did not have 'A Way' to lose, so he didn't have anything to lose.

[Peccavi]

Cassius Velarious

Cassius watched the unfolding scene with the small man with uncharacteristic silence. So many thoughts whirling through his head. Different worlds...? A whole new universe...? A multi-verse...?

Still it seemed like most of the folk here were in the same predicament and reasonable enough... He turned and watched as the wolf-man trudged off. Except him perhaps...

Turning back to the obviously troubled small man, he approached slowly, wrists turned out showing his empty palms. "Peace friend," he said in a soothing tone, his face all gentle smiles and soft eyes. "Nobody here means you any harm. I agree, this place does seem like a dream doesn't it?" he gives a small shake of his head. "I don't believe it is though. To be honest, it terrifies me, all these sights and sounds. My one solace is that I'm not here alone, we're all lost together, and together I'm sure we'll find what we're looking for." With that Cassius sat on the ground. "Why don't you tell us your story?"

Diplomacy check [roll0]

[AmberVael]

Sincerity

Sincerity listened. There were... quite a few people, and most of them seemed interested in the old man, and willing to talk to him, so she subtly slid to the back and let them take over while she considered the old man and his reactions. Perhaps there were clues that they were missing, or a more studied review of his words and reactions would reveal something of import. A thoughtful frown on her face, she began to sort through his words and phrases, the details of his appearance from his height to the amulet he so often gestured with, searching for deeper clues.

Sense Motive: [roll0]
Sincerity will be using her Discerning Courtier (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21489154&postcount=159) feat to try and get a better idea of whats going on with this old dude.

[drack]

Xalk
The man sits up abruptly, coat rumpled. Tears spill from the dark center of his eyes to slide through the layers of petals and then stain his cheeks with hot lines. He struggles to his feet, takes a step forward.
"Until you've told me what the hell you've done to my Nafseel, you'll-" his breath catches. "Do you know where he is? Is that the meaning to this nightmare?"
Xalk smiles at the old man impassively, waiting for the man to regain his composure before he resumes pressing him for the offered dreams.

[D20ragon]

Savasati


"It is not." responds Savasati. "At least, I think not. My world has many names in many tongues. I know it as Arasinda. It is beautiful and harsh beyond measure, and I do not know precisely when I left. I am glad that I am not lost alone."

The juggernaut is terrible at reading people, but he's seen terror enough to recognize it. He takes a few heavy steps towards the sign, and the old men beneath it. "Easy, fellows. I do not believe that any of us is familiar with Nafseel. This is no dream, no nightmare."


The Nameless Warrior

Well, it was obvious that he wasn't going to be getting any straight answers out of the man anytime soon.

These other's might be willing to stand around and talk pleasantly to him in an attempt to try and learn what he was talking about, but the Nameless Warrior didn't care. If he wasn't going to talk straight, then there was no point in talking to him at all. Instead, the wolf's eyes went back to the giant signpost. Glancing over each of the options that they had. Then he turned and began striding in the direction the third pointed. He did not have 'A Way' to lose, so he didn't have anything to lose.


Cassius Velarious

Cassius watched the unfolding scene with the small man with uncharacteristic silence. So many thoughts whirling through his head. Different worlds...? A whole new universe...? A multi-verse...?

Still it seemed like most of the folk here were in the same predicament and reasonable enough... He turned and watched as the wolf-man trudged off. Except him perhaps...

Turning back to the obviously troubled small man, he approached slowly, wrists turned out showing his empty palms. "Peace friend," he said in a soothing tone, his face all gentle smiles and soft eyes. "Nobody here means you any harm. I agree, this place does seem like a dream doesn't it?" he gives a small shake of his head. "I don't believe it is though. To be honest, it terrifies me, all these sights and sounds. My one solace is that I'm not here alone, we're all lost together, and together I'm sure we'll find what we're looking for." With that Cassius sat on the ground. "Why don't you tell us your story?"

Diplomacy check [roll0]


Sincerity

Sincerity listened. There were... quite a few people, and most of them seemed interested in the old man, and willing to talk to him, so she subtly slid to the back and let them take over while she considered the old man and his reactions. Perhaps there were clues that they were missing, or a more studied review of his words and reactions would reveal something of import. A thoughtful frown on her face, she began to sort through his words and phrases, the details of his appearance from his height to the amulet he so often gestured with, searching for deeper clues.

Sense Motive: [roll0]
Sincerity will be using her Discerning Courtier (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21489154&postcount=159) feat to try and get a better idea of whats going on with this old dude.

The old man points a finger, white and straight as a wand of ivory, at Xalk.
"He did something to Nafseel. Do not tell me otherwise. I could feel it." He hefts the amulet. "I am beginning to think you are correct, strangers. The panic Nafseel experienced was too real for dreaming. I beg of you, keep that man and his gaze away from me. Whether he means me harm or not, should I die without seeing his face again, I would die content. In my worry for my dearest, I almost gave him something of great value, something that would pain me to lose, a great deal." His voice has lost its tremor, and he speaks loudly and clearly, the only trace of the pleading wretch from moments ago the hot wetness of his strange eyes.
He dips his head to Cassius, as he too sits down, making sure to keep his face turned away from that of the waiting Xalk. Tucking the amulet into his shirt as he does so, he begins to speak.
"I take it that you are not acquainted with one another? Your faces are strangely familiar to me. Be this a dream (or not, as I'm beginning to suspect), I have dreamed of you all in the past, and this, I think, clouds my mind. But you asked for my story, and as stories go, it's not a bad one, though bound up thoroughly in my better half..." his voice gaining momentum, the old man proves to be a pleasant speaker. There is a ring to his voice that pleases the ear and holds the listeners attention without demanding it. Just as he seems to be about to launch into his tale, however, he pauses, turning to look at Nameless, drawing ever nearer to the too-close horizon.
"One that woke me!" he shouts, more than a hint of urgency in his call.
"Do not follow that path! I know nothing of you, and would not deign to judge you from your distant behaviors, but I could not sleep were I to let you go without a warning, and it may plague my dreams yet if you ignore it. For the sake of a tired body's rest, then, will you at least wait?"


The man is used to luxery. He carries himself in a way that suggests he is accustomed to being pampered, although from his clothes it's obvious he hasn't been in a long time. It's also clear that the only one present who he really takes seriously is Xalk. Although he isn't dismissive of the others present, he doesn't seem to be in the habit of taking anything seriously, and Xalk seems to have unsettled him deeply.

[drack]

Edit: Xalk


"Oh?" Xalk asks, a hint of wiry surprise in his tone as he retracts his hand. "Is that to say you no longer wish to give me this thing of great value you offered?"

Slowly his tone grows stern and his smile begins to fade as if lecturing a youngster. "Oh, and you want this old man not to look at you, you say you'd die a happy death if he never did again, is that it? You think you should just go around lying and hurling accusations then the world will just bend, buckle, and sway to your every whim? Let me give you some good solid advice, the world doesn't work that way. You hear me son? You say all you've got are dreams and offer me one, but these dreams aren't worn and full of holes, but rather the hopeless whimsies of youth! If you want to be coddled and have all your worries laid to rest by strangers you've only just met aside from your dreams, the very least you need have is respect. At the very least, to show some manners. That also means you need keep your word, you tell the nice lady you're going to tell her your story, you spit it out without all this moping around waiting to be encouraged to go on. If you want to die that happy death you were talking about, then that's the way to do it. Now get that finger out of my face, didn't anyone ever tell you it's rude to point?"


Well it seems he's not the recipient of any fear effects I hurl at him, but if I'm to type up some curmudgeonly lecture on manners and what's right then someone's gonna be subject to intimidation. I'll subject him and his possessions as well as any non-manifested will acting on or in consort with his body to my fear effects, which at present would be the second effect of intimidation, to make people compliant after a good scolding.
[roll0]

[Valerem]

The Nameless Warrior

Whilst he had been content, walking down the path he had chosen alone. The wolf did not stop listening out for what they others were saying... and well, he would have to admit. Now that it seemed the man was calming down, and able to make much more sense of what was actually happening, his words were actually worth his time. This ‘Nafseel’ wasn’t of course... but the fact that the man felt like he had seen them all before. That he had seen them all in his dreams...

And he actually called out to Nameless himself, warning him not to walk his path...

It was enough for the wolf to stop walking down the path he had chosen. It was not enough to get him to turn around, however. What did make him turn around and walk back to the group was when the old man. The old man which the dreamer said he did not want to see his face again, decided to lecture him on how the world worked.

The Nameless Warrior had a... strong dislike for those sort of people. Especially as they were often all talk, with little to back it up. Hence why a sword vanished back into its sheath, the Nameless Warrior sheathing it in the blink of an eye as he stepped up behind Xalk and whacked him soundly on the back of his head. Even as he spoke in a low, menacing growl.

“Silence.”

[drack]

Xalk

As the heavy claw arced casually towards the backside of Xalk's heads, his mighty defenses... deemed there not to be sufficient threat, and with that the palm contacted with his lower scalp, knocking him forwards. Klack-klack-klack his cane raped against the ground in rapid succession before finding proper hold with which for him to balance as a fit of coughing overtakes him from the surprise. Turning his heavy gaze to the unnamed warrior he resumes his verbal assault. "...and you, yes, the one who hasn't introduced himself, and after walking away only speaks to interrupt others. Is this how your mother brought you up, or do you just like attacking feeble old men so much that you can't help yourself; and what confidence you must have, to attack from behind without warning! What a mighty warrior you are ."

Sense motive DC 10

There's a lie there.
Xalk doesn't really think him a mighty warrior, nor does he think it worthy of pride. :smallfrown:

Sense motive DC25

While he seems dissatisfied with the situation, he doesn't seem either mentally disturbed by the attack nor does he seem to think sneak attacks are without merit. He does however see this as an act of discourtesy and looks down on the use of force as substitute to social decorum when one is lacking.

[LoyalPaladin]

Palladian Lightwreath

Eased when the wolf leaves, Palladian is content to let the old men bicker for a while but is quickly relieved of his ease when the wolf returns and whacks the old hooded man over the head, his face clearly displaying disapproval for manhandling an elder. But, before he can voice is disapproval the recently whacked old man begins chastising the wolf with renewed vigor and Palladian is thoroughly amused.

"It would seem this is a lively bunch." He raises an eyebrow, still warily standing between the wolf and Gabriella, not blocking her entirely from the group.

[Scheming Wizard]

Gabriella

Gabriella had been content to let Palladian and the others investigate the old man sleeping next to the sign post, but to her surprise the werewolf had just beaten the rather frightening looking older man over the head.

The old man she hadn't spoken to yet started yelling at the werewolf.

Maybe the sign post was cursed she mused to herself. Travelers came from all over and the sign post made them turn on one another. She looked around for bones or lost items that would confirm her theory, but she didn't see any. Perhaps they had been buried.

She walked back toward Palladian and Niles to share her theory with them. She had a spell prepared that could disintegrate objects, but she wanted to get a second opinion before she oblitererated what appeared to be the only source of directions for miles.

[Lyndworm]

Savasati


The old man points a finger, white and straight as a wand of ivory, at Xalk.
"He did something to Nafseel. Do not tell me otherwise. I could feel it." He hefts the amulet. "I am beginning to think you are correct, strangers. The panic Nafseel experienced was too real for dreaming. I beg of you, keep that man and his gaze away from me. Whether he means me harm or not, should I die without seeing his face again, I would die content. In my worry for my dearest, I almost gave him something of great value, something that would pain me to lose, a great deal." His voice has lost its tremor, and he speaks loudly and clearly, the only trace of the pleading wretch from moments ago the hot wetness of his strange eyes.
He dips his head to Cassius, as he too sits down, making sure to keep his face turned away from that of the waiting Xalk. Tucking the amulet into his shirt as he does so, he begins to speak.
"I take it that you are not acquainted with one another? Your faces are strangely familiar to me. Be this a dream (or not, as I'm beginning to suspect), I have dreamed of you all in the past, and this, I think, clouds my mind. But you asked for my story, and as stories go, it's not a bad one, though bound up thoroughly in my better half..." his voice gaining momentum, the old man proves to be a pleasant speaker. There is a ring to his voice that pleases the ear and holds the listeners attention without demanding it. Just as he seems to be about to launch into his tale, however, he pauses, turning to look at Nameless, drawing ever nearer to the too-close horizon.
"One that woke me!" he shouts, more than a hint of urgency in his call.
"Do not follow that path! I know nothing of you, and would not deign to judge you from your distant behaviors, but I could not sleep were I to let you go without a warning, and it may plague my dreams yet if you ignore it. For the sake of a tired body's rest, then, will you at least wait?"
"Please, continue your story." says the juggernaut. "Why not that path? Who is Nafseel?"

[D20ragon]

Edit: Xalk


"Oh?" Xalk asks, a hint of wiry surprise in his tone as he retracts his hand. "Is that to say you no longer wish to give me this thing of great value you offered?"

Slowly his tone grows stern and his smile begins to fade as if lecturing a youngster. "Oh, and you want this old man not to look at you, you say you'd die a happy death if he never did again, is that it? You think you should just go around lying and hurling accusations then the world will just bend, buckle, and sway to your every whim? Let me give you some good solid advice, the world doesn't work that way. You hear me son? You say all you've got are dreams and offer me one, but these dreams aren't worn and full of holes, but rather the hopeless whimsies of youth! If you want to be coddled and have all your worries laid to rest by strangers you've only just met aside from your dreams, the very least you need have is respect. At the very least, to show some manners. That also means you need keep your word, you tell the nice lady you're going to tell her your story, you spit it out without all this moping around waiting to be encouraged to go on. If you want to die that happy death you were talking about, then that's the way to do it. Now get that finger out of my face, didn't anyone ever tell you it's rude to point?"


Well it seems he's not the recipient of any fear effects I hurl at him, but if I'm to type up some curmudgeonly lecture on manners and what's right then someone's gonna be subject to intimidation. I'll subject him and his possessions as well as any non-manifested will acting on or in consort with his body to my fear effects, which at present would be the second effect of intimidation, to make people compliant after a good scolding.
[roll0]



The Nameless Warrior

Whilst he had been content, walking down the path he had chosen alone. The wolf did not stop listening out for what they others were saying... and well, he would have to admit. Now that it seemed the man was calming down, and able to make much more sense of what was actually happening, his words were actually worth his time. This ‘Nafseel’ wasn’t of course... but the fact that the man felt like he had seen them all before. That he had seen them all in his dreams...

And he actually called out to Nameless himself, warning him not to walk his path...

It was enough for the wolf to stop walking down the path he had chosen. It was not enough to get him to turn around, however. What did make him turn around and walk back to the group was when the old man. The old man which the dreamer said he did not want to see his face again, decided to lecture him on how the world worked.

The Nameless Warrior had a... strong dislike for those sort of people. Especially as they were often all talk, with little to back it up. Hence why a sword vanished back into its sheath, the Nameless Warrior sheathing it in the blink of an eye as he stepped up behind Xalk and whacked him soundly on the back of his head. Even as he spoke in a low, menacing growl.

“Silence.”


As the heavy claw arced casually towards the backside of Xalk's heads, his mighty defenses... deemed there not to be sufficient threat, and with that the palm contacted with his lower scalp, knocking him forwards. Klack-klack-klack his cane raped against the ground in rapid succession before finding proper hold with which for him to balance as a fit of coughing overtakes him from the surprise. Turning his heavy gaze to the unnamed warrior he resumes his verbal assault. "...and you, yes, the one who hasn't introduced himself, and after walking away only speaks to interrupt others. Is this how your mother brought you up, or do you just like attacking feeble old men so much that you can't help yourself; and what confidence you must have, to attack from behind without warning! What a mighty warrior you are ."

Sense motive DC 10

There's a lie there.
Xalk doesn't really think him a mighty warrior, nor does he think it worthy of pride. :smallfrown:

Sense motive DC25

While he seems dissatisfied with the situation, he doesn't seem either mentally disturbed by the attack nor does he seem to think sneak attacks are without merit. He does however see this as an act of discourtesy and looks down on the use of force as substitute to social decorum when one is lacking.




Savasati


"Please, continue your story." says the juggernaut. "Why not that path? Who is Nafseel?"

The old man grimaces, lips pulling back, a few more layers of his eyes folding shut, and scoots backward as Xalk lays into him.
"Will not anyone do anything about this man? He knows more than he lets on, I'm sure of it..." His voice is lost in the tirade that continues to pour from Xalk, ending only momentarily as the wolf-man gives him a thump, and resuming seconds later as Xalk turns his attention to the returning warrior.
The old man chuckles, low and rolling as a stream entering a tunnel, and smiles a small smile at the warforged. "At least someone here knows how to treat strangers. I liked you in my dreams, as well. There is some meaning in all of us meeting here, so while I ponder that, I see no harm in resuming my tale, and answering your questions.

As I was saying, Nafseel is my better half. He is charitable where I am selfish, high-minded where I fall prey to pleasure, loving where I am spiteful, thoughtful where I am instinctive. He is my soul, and believe me when I tell you I do not say that idly. He is my spirit, my greater being, the brilliant ghost to my low body, and he is lost. Is my wretched existence somewhat plainer to you all?" he pauses a moment, clears his throat. His eyes have unfolded fully once more, and the black stone centers glisten. "It was such a long time ago. He and I... well, I had just gotten on the Line, and there was nothing I was worried about. As Sicigoz," he pointed to his eyes, and smiled, "I had certain advantages over the average traveler: my eyes saw trails and pathways that others didn't, could see layers of reality like paper folded atop itself. Of course, now... now I know it was all Nafseel. Without him, my eyes are only useful closed, and rarely then. You all were in one of the last dreams that I didn't immediately lock away in my mind.

But to the point. I came to the signpost in due time, though why it would choose someone like me, I couldn't say, and still cannot. Perhaps it was mistaken, if it can be. Perhaps it doesn't think. It could be only chance that I wandered down this stretch of the Line, and met the Nairm witch." he looked around, searching for a reaction from those listening, and sighed slightly, petals flluttering, at the lack of a dramatic response. "I was wondering if you had run into her as well, being newly on the Line and all, but I may simply be unfortunate. The Nairm are a wholly unpleasant people in my experience; skillfully made masks, over hollow faces, huge, useless wings more beautiful than any you've seen, delicate, sculpted yet somehow wild." His voice, once sonorous and pleasant, began to wear thin, and tremble once more.

"She did nothing to prove me wrong. I thought I loved her. Who wouldn't? The lips of her mask, though, they must have been cursed, for at the first soft touch I was rendered half of what I had come into this world as, and my beautiful Nafseel went away with her, down that third path. He would have come back, I am certain, but he has lost his way, of course, of course. She gave me this knot before I left, told me she hoped it'd bring me comfort, but Nafseel is gone, and he is all I had, I know this now. He is all I can love, and all I should have loved, and in his place is only this." The old man clutches the amulet, hands shaking like feathers in the wind, and raises it to his face. "There has been nothing for me but my shame and my loss, and now you travelers."

[drack]

Xalk

...ending only momentarily as the wolf-man gives him a thump, and resuming seconds later as Xalk turns his attention to the returning warrior.
The old man chuckles, low and rolling as a stream entering a tunnel, and smiles a small smile at the warforged. "At least someone here knows how to treat strangers....
Xalk's reprimanding gaze returns to the old looking twerp as if it had never left, his eyes flicking only momentarily towards the sign as he catches a few choice words from the seemingly aged twerp.


...sign post...
...third path...
...I am certain, but he has lost his way...
Still, they had yet to reach the meat of the issue, so he remained silent, glad that the twerp had at least taken some of his advice.

[Peccavi]

Cassius Velarious

"A sorrowful tale to be sure." said Cassius, a slight sadness in his tone. "I've been confused and wounded by love a time or too myself, and truthfully it can feel like a burning right through your heart." He says, nodding with a sad smile. "I don't believe I've felt a loss quite as keen as yours though, my friend. I am truly sorry for what you've experienced."

You're a sappy bastard Cas. Talanon imparted telepathically, his 'voice' full of distaste. I just lost a little respect for you.

Oh please, Cassius returned, you've never respected me!

"So, this 'line' of which you speak. Is that where we are now?" Cassius said with undisguised curiosity, gesturing around vaguely.

[AmberVael]

"As I was saying, Nafseel is my better half. He is charitable where I am selfish, high-minded where I fall prey to pleasure, loving where I am spiteful, thoughtful where I am instinctive. He is my soul, and believe me when I tell you I do not say that idly. He is my spirit, my greater being, the brilliant ghost to my low body, and he is lost. Is my wretched existence somewhat plainer to you all?"

Sincerity

It was a curious explanation, but she thought she made some sense of it. As the old man spoke a small wind woke, ruffling the surroundings as it dropped a book into her hands, a book that certainly hadn't been anywhere nearby moments ago. After flipping through a number of pages she found the section she wanted. She flipped back and forth between two pages for a time, frowning as she tried to fit the pieces together. "There's... theories on multi-part souls, or perhaps the pieces within a soul. Most make a division between the higher mind and the vital essence. Soul, and life. Normally they aren't thought to separate, except at death. But perhaps with the right magic they could be parted." She dropped the book, only for a breeze to pick it up and close it, slowly lifting it into a gentle orbit around her. "Is that something like what you're saying?" She asked the man kindly.

"I would like to understand better, and I think your amulet might help me. May I touch it?" Sincerity requested, tentatively holding out her hand. As she did she readied a magic to use on it, hoping she might glean a little more from the witch's gift.

If allowed, Sincerity is first going to divine to detect magic on the amulet, to see if it is a magic item or under the effects of a spell.
Spellcraft to identify: [roll0]

Then, she'll use her Object Reading (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/divination#toc69) divination, hopefully to get a read on the latest owner (presumably the old man), and then the previous owner (the Nairm witch?), spending one spell point to do so. It should take her about ten minutes to accomplish.

[D20ragon]

Cassius Velarious

"A sorrowful tale to be sure." said Cassius, a slight sadness in his tone. "I've been confused and wounded by love a time or too myself, and truthfully it can feel like a burning right through your heart." He says, nodding with a sad smile. "I don't believe I've felt a loss quite as keen as yours though, my friend. I am truly sorry for what you've experienced."

You're a sappy bastard Cas. Talanon imparted telepathically, his 'voice' full of distaste. I just lost a little respect for you.

Oh please, Cassius returned, you've never respected me!

"So, this 'line' of which you speak. Is that where we are now?" Cassius said with undisguised curiosity, gesturing around vaguely.


Sincerity

It was a curious explanation, but she thought she made some sense of it. As the old man spoke a small wind woke, ruffling the surroundings as it dropped a book into her hands, a book that certainly hadn't been anywhere nearby moments ago. After flipping through a number of pages she found the section she wanted. She flipped back and forth between two pages for a time, frowning as she tried to fit the pieces together. "There's... theories on multi-part souls, or perhaps the pieces within a soul. Most make a division between the higher mind and the vital essence. Soul, and life. Normally they aren't thought to separate, except at death. But perhaps with the right magic they could be parted." She dropped the book, only for a breeze to pick it up and close it, slowly lifting it into a gentle orbit around her. "Is that something like what you're saying?" She asked the man kindly.

"I would like to understand better, and I think your amulet might help me. May I touch it?" Sincerity requested, tentatively holding out her hand. As she did she readied a magic to use on it, hoping she might glean a little more from the witch's gift.

If allowed, Sincerity is first going to divine to detect magic on the amulet, to see if it is a magic item or under the effects of a spell.
Spellcraft to identify: [roll0]

Then, she'll use her Object Reading (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/divination#toc69) divination, hopefully to get a read on the latest owner (presumably the old man), and then the previous owner (the Nairm witch?), spending one spell point to do so. It should take her about ten minutes to accomplish.

The old man raises the amulet upward, shifting his grasp to the thin chain that the knot hangs from. He makes no move to stop Sincerity from touching it, but he does not let go of the chain, which is wrapped in between his thin fingers. She seems to inspire respect in him, and when he speaks, his voice is small and clear. "I'm afraid I'm not one for book learning, madam, so I've not read the theories that you speak of. But if you are asking if Nafseel was the soul to my life, then yes, he was. I cannot presume it was with magic that the Nairm took him from me, for in my brief wanderings I have seen many, many things that fell outside the realm of familiar magics. I will defer to your wisdom on this, however. Perhaps you can learn something from the amulet."

The amulet obviously carries some heavy magic within it, though it's woven through with strands of something else that doesn't register as magic from any source you've heard of or experienced.

He shifts slightly, adjusts the blue folds of his garments, and addresses Cassius, mild surprise obvious in his voice. "So you don't know of the Line... yes, it is where you are now, and from here it stretches to many, many strange places. Do any of you know the Line? I presume you do, lady, being well read and traveled" he inclines his head to Sincerity, "and I am certain the old man does. Where do the rest of you stand?"

[LoyalPaladin]

Palladian Lightwreath

"I have no idea where I am, but that is nothing new." Palladian shrugs innocently. "That has become the norm for me, I'm afraid."

Looking around him at his surroundings he adds. "But this is certainly something. What can you tell us of this 'Line' that you speak of?" He turns his attention to the old man with the petals for eyes, his radiance warmly bathing those nearest to him.

Palladian gives off light from tons of different sources. I could list them all off, or you could just accept the fact that he is basically a holy glow-stick.

[Valerem]

The Nameless Warrior

The Nameless Warrior saw the truth behind the old man’s eyes.

Having lived for countless lives, the wolf had long since learned how to assess and judge others. To see how true they spoke to others and to themselves. He had learned how to tease what they said, from what they actually meant. The Nameless Warrior was not one to be easily devised... and he was not deceived by Xalk.

He saw how the old man was not bothered by the whack to the back of the head as an attack. Instead, he saw it as a discourtesy, and that polite conversation should not include casual violence. The Nameless Warrior saw too how Xalk believed that he was not a mighty warrior, nor was he worthy of pride. Despite talking about both his strength and his pride. If the Nameless Warrior was to care, then he would be insulted by such deceit.

But he did not care. What did an old man mean to him? What did any of them mean to him?

In a slow, casual, non-threatening gesture. The wolf swung his sword round - swinging towards himself and not away - and lifted the arm up so that the only sword out rested against his shoulder. Whilst others reacted in sorrow and sympathy, or confusion and curiosity at the odd man’s explanation as to why they were, and what his story was. The Nameless Warrior felt indifference, what was he to be sorry about, when there was likely thousands more like him? However... it did give him something.

A purpose. No matter how wasteful it might be, how false it might actually be. The Nameless Warrior had a purpose.

“Walk and talk.” With how his voice was still a threatening growl, it would soon become apparent that this was actually just the wolfman’s normal voice and way of speaking. “Let’s find them both.” The rough gesture, pointing down the 3rd path would hopefully make his attentions clear to the odd man... and the others.

[drack]

Xalk

Understanding that it will be some time before he hears the questions he seeks, let along hears their answers, Xalk patiently walks back a ways so as not to be so tightly crowded with the pug and the twerp. As he walks he grumbles under his breath in undercommon "Presumptuous.", though it's unclear to what or whom he's referring.

[Lyndworm]

Savasati

The warforged looks from the star-eyed man to Palladian before speaking. "Like the knight," he says. "I am somewhat accustomed to being lost, though I have come to realize that I am much further out than I have ever been before. The 'Line' is new to me as well, and I am new to it. Any clarity you could provide would be appreciated."

The nameless warrior's gesture grabs Savati's attention, and his words hold it. "I agree." The forged man's voice indicates raised eyebrows, though his stone and metal face remains impassive. "Finding Nafseel seems as valid a path as any, and finding the witch may be the best way to do that."

[Peccavi]

Cassius Velarious

Cassius nods at the nameless warriors suggestion, and concurs with Savasati agreement. Looking around the others, "I believe our hairy friend may have the right of it," he says with a slight smirk, before turning back to the small man. "What do you think? Could we track this witch? And in finding her, return Nafseel?"

[AmberVael]

The old man raises the amulet upward, shifting his grasp to the thin chain that the knot hangs from. He makes no move to stop Sincerity from touching it, but he does not let go of the chain, which is wrapped in between his thin fingers. She seems to inspire respect in him, and when he speaks, his voice is small and clear. "I'm afraid I'm not one for book learning, madam, so I've not read the theories that you speak of. But if you are asking if Nafseel was the soul to my life, then yes, he was. I cannot presume it was with magic that the Nairm took him from me, for in my brief wanderings I have seen many, many things that fell outside the realm of familiar magics. I will defer to your wisdom on this, however. Perhaps you can learn something from the amulet."

The amulet obviously carries some heavy magic within it, though it's woven through with strands of something else that doesn't register as magic from any source you've heard of or experienced.

He shifts slightly, adjusts the blue folds of his garments, and addresses Cassius, mild surprise obvious in his voice. "So you don't know of the Line... yes, it is where you are now, and from here it stretches to many, many strange places. Do any of you know the Line? I presume you do, lady, being well read and traveled" he inclines his head to Sincerity, "and I am certain the old man does. Where do the rest of you stand?"

Sincerity

"I'm less well traveled than I suspected, apparently." Sincerity replied, glancing up at the strange vista above before returning her attention to the amulet and the magic she was working. "I don't believe I'm familiar with the Line. Could you explain it while I work on this? It should only take me a few more minutes."

"Just a moment more." She begged the others as they began to speak of leaving. "This needs my full concentration to complete. And when I'm done - we might have a better idea of where to go."

[LoyalPaladin]

Palladian Lightwreath

"I am in no hurry to venture down paths with names such as these, maiden." The paladin says kindly to Sincerity. "Take all the time you need."

Palladian closely examines the figures individually, hoping his limited knowledge of puzzles could help him. Golden wings of light form silently on Palladian's back as he floats to level height with the third giant's face, trying to recreate the path of sight to where it may have been pointing so long ago. He then closely examines the rod in the first giant's hand.

He shakes his head, not sure what to make of things. He examines the second giant, clearly a symbol of want. He places a gold piece in its hand and floats quietly away from it. Finally, he approaches the final giant. He compares the flowers in its mouth to the flowers in the old man's eyes.

He then flies out a ways and views the giants from a level distance. "Gabriella, perhaps you might have better insight than I?"
Rolling once for the rod in the first's hands and once for the giant grouping in general.

Knowledge (Religion)
[roll0]

Knowledge (Religion)
[roll1]

[D20ragon]

Palladian Lightwreath

"I have no idea where I am, but that is nothing new." Palladian shrugs innocently. "That has become the norm for me, I'm afraid."

Looking around him at his surroundings he adds. "But this is certainly something. What can you tell us of this 'Line' that you speak of?" He turns his attention to the old man with the petals for eyes, his radiance warmly bathing those nearest to him.

Palladian gives off light from tons of different sources. I could list them all off, or you could just accept the fact that he is basically a holy glow-stick.


Sincerity

"I'm less well traveled than I suspected, apparently." Sincerity replied, glancing up at the strange vista above before returning her attention to the amulet and the magic she was working. "I don't believe I'm familiar with the Line. Could you explain it while I work on this? It should only take me a few more minutes."

"Just a moment more." She begged the others as they began to speak of leaving. "This needs my full concentration to complete. And when I'm done - we might have a better idea of where to go."

"People of action, hm?" the man muses, watching the stirrings in the assembled party. "I can't say I don't sympathize. My patience, before Nafseel left, was not overlong. But I've learned to wait. It's one of the few things I've learned in my time on the Line. I can see, however, that waiting doesn't interest you, so here's the rest of it. I warn you, I'm no scholar." He stiffens slightly, and the words that follow roll off his tongue with the stiff familiarity of a child reciting their prayers.
"The Line is a thoroughfare. It is paths between worlds and things beyond worlds, running through the wild unknown to what we do know. It is a highway and a lighthouse and a milestone all in one. It promises, however, neither safety nor anything but opportunity. The Line is not kind, but the Line is constant. The Line does not care for your quest, nor for how many journeys you have made. No matter how many roads you walk, Line will offer one more. It is order in chaos, a narrow current in a wide and savage sea." The old man licks his lips, and for the first time his age is evident, as he smiles a slight, bitter smile. "If what I tell you is a lie, well, then I was lied to myself."
A sigh escapes him as he watches the movements of the group. "The best I can make out, the Line is far from home. From anyone's home. We're like fish from a nobles pond, soft and glittering, who have been flung into the cold brine of a sea that carries sharp teeth and sharper truths. I can't tell you what lies down these paths. I can't tell you why you're here. All I can tell you is that I had a dream that we met, and that the third statue points down a path that I tried to walk, only to find myself back here within days, yet centuries older, and Nafseel still gone. The knot that the witch gave me grows looser and looser. Nafseel and I will be unbound from one another, soon. Perhaps it will be a blessing for him.


If that does not answer your question, swordsman, then have an answer in plainer words. I would not take companions to chase witch down a path that promises one thing: that your way will be lost. That is all I can offer you. Myself, I will not leave the signpost. I have seen plenty that I do not understand already."




Seeming almost alive in Palladian's glow, the statues faces flicker as he draws nearer until the slight shadows are dispelled by his brilliance. The rod in the first ones hand does not warm, however. Light vanishes into it, only resurfacing to taunt the eyes into staring longer. Nothing Palladian knows of the gods or the cosmos seems to hold relevance here. The rod is old, he knows that, and clearly intended for a grip other than that of the statues thin fingers: it is, on close inspection, somewhat forced into place, though long enough ago that the wood has settled around it.

The second statue's grip tightens for a moment around the coin. The wide eyes narrow for an instant on the face of the hero, and the lips tighten shut. Only perceptible for a moment, the head tilts with a look of slight surprise, then shakes, once. By the time Palladian's mind has saved the moment as a memory, it is almost impossible to imagine that it happened at all. The coin is gone, but a slight burned circle on the wooden palm remains, already fading.

The third statue smiles small and hard and red through its tears as he passes it.

The fourth statues flowers bear little resemblance to the man's eyes outside of being petaled. As he watches, the fingers of the hand over the giant's eyes part ever so slowly, and a wooden eye is revealed, brightly painted. The fingers close before the paladin can even ascertain what color the eye was.

Like the rod, the signpost is not something of gods, at least, not the sorts of gods in the worlds Palladian knows. What he does know is that, in some sense, it is commanding. There is an authority to it, to the statues, and to the messages on their arms. This is not a place that bends for anything, rather, things bend around it.

[Scheming Wizard]

Gabriella



As Gabriella was walking back to where Palladian had been she only saw Niles hovering there. Palladian was hovering high in the air investigating the figures that had been carved into the sign post ages ago.


"Gabriella, perhaps you might have better insight than I?"


She had kind of hoped that someone would have stabbed someone else by now to confirm her theory that the sign post was radiating a rage inducing aura, but since that had failed to happen she was going to have do a lot of work. Usually Gabriella liked investigating mysterious magic items, but she was having a hard time getting excited about this sign post. Even if it turned out to be special in some way there was no way they could take it with them.

She talked to Niles telepathically "It's time to go to work." She had a very specific system for investigations like these. First she activated her cloak wrapping it around her shoulders so it covered her entire body. Hundreds of blue eyes lit up immediately looking in all directions. She put on her white gloves. They were immensely useful to someone in her line of work, but due to their nature she only wore them when she needed to. They were also rather difficult to keep clean. Last she took her mask out of her pack and put it on. She had made it when she was younger and the masquerade style of it with feathers arranged around the edges showed how much her taste had matured since then. Still it remained one of the most useful items she had ever crafted. It's construction had saved her several times over the years. "Ascendere." Her feet left the ground. She flew to the statue that Palladian had been investigating, and placed her gloved hands on the rod in the statues hands. Then she concentrated.

Niles was doing his job well. He was flying around the sign post taking in every nook and cranny. He was storing as much of the information in his mind as he could. Everything else was being remembered by Gabriella.


Ok let's get down to business. Gabriella can see all invisible and ethereal objects and creatures within 120ft and in every direction. Every object she touches and focuses on for 6 minutes reveals the last owners race, gender, age, alignment, and how they gained and lost the object as long as the object had an owner within the last 10 years. Right now she is focusing on the rod in the giant's arms that Palladian messed with earlier. She can read anything that is written in elvish, draconic, ignan, abyssal, giant, dwarven, yuanti, and gnomish. She is also going to make 4 knowledge checks.

[Scheming Wizard]

Gabriella was still waiting for a read on the rod she was holding.

Once that was finished there were some questions she was going to need to investigate.


Knowledge Arcana check to identity any arcane symbols and also to decipher what the purpose of the sign post was for those who created it. [roll0]

Knowledge engineering check to find out how the sign post was made and what it is made out of as well as how the statues are attached to the sign post. [roll1]

Knowledge nobility check to identify any heraldry present on any of the statues. [roll2]

Knowledge geography check to find the exact degrees each statue is pointing in. Basically she wants to know if the North statue is actually pointing true north or magnetic north etc. [roll3]


Obviously she can't do all these things at once so she is doing them one after the other starting with investigating the rod and then moving down the list of knowledge checks.

I'm not trying to put extra work on you, but it sounds like some directions are basically certain death.

[Valerem]

The Nameless Warrior

The wolfman growled with a hint of frustration.

He always hated it when people did not speak plainly and clearly. Twisting flowery words and phrases into their speech in order to impress those of lesser wisdom and intelligence. So when this strange man spoke to them in such a way. The Nameless Warrior was not impressed by it in the slightest. Especially when he followed it up within a much plainer and simply method. If he knew how to explain what was asked of him in a blunt way, then why did he not simply do so, instead of wasting all their time?

This, combined with the fact that the man quite frankly refused to leave the signpost despite others willing to go with him had The Nameless Warrior’s respect for him plummet. If he was not willing to help himself, then The Nameless Warrior was not going to help him at all. There was no point in helping the helpless. It was simply a waste of time, dragging their life out pointlessly and having it end in such the same way.

However... the explanation did catch his interest. The Nameless Warrior was in a place he did not recognise. A place which the main said was nothing like the realm he had come from. Was it possible? Was it possible for there was more than one multiverse that existed? Could that be why The Nameless Warrior had never found his purpose and calling because it did not even exist in the multiverse he found himself within?

Excitement stirred within his belly at this thought, but along with it was dread. If there were multiple multiverses... how would he ever find his purpose? It had taken an eternity to explore his multiverse to an extent he knew there was nothing left to surprise or excite him anymore. How long would it take for him to explore others? Just how many others were there for him to explore, and how long would it take then for him to find his purpose? Would there even be any point in it anymore?

... And why did the man dream of all of them, together like this?

With a huff, The Nameless Warrior sat down on the ground, letting others examine the signpost and try to figure out what it meant and where it would lead, saying in a low growl. “Fine, won’t help. Wait for Information.” He was not going to help this strange man any longer, as he made it clear he did not want it. So The Nameless Warrior would wait until others had inspected the signpost and made their judgements. Then he would decide to do.

... Still, if he was going to listen to the judgement of others...

“Introductions?” The wolf growled, glancing at the others to see if they would. Xalk he glanced over, The Nameless Warrior had no interest in him.

[Peccavi]

Cassius Velarious


"If that does not answer your question, swordsman, then have an answer in plainer words. I would not take companions to chase witch down a path that promises one thing: that your way will be lost. That is all I can offer you. Myself, I will not leave the signpost. I have seen plenty that I do not understand already."

Cassius sighs a little. "Well now, I'm at a loss." He says quietly.

Heh, good pun Cas. The sword imparts, Cassius rolls his eyes before continuing.

"I'm guessing though that you wouldn't recommend us going down any of the paths," Cassius queries of the small man, "being that your chosen course is to wait." He looks around at the others and speaks up a little. "I think I'd rather be lost than heartless, mindless or soulless."


“Introductions?” The wolf growled, glancing at the others to see if they would. Xalk he glanced over, The Nameless Warrior had no interest in him.

Cassius looks over at the nameless warrior his eyebrows raised in puzzlement. Being that everyone except the large wolfman has already introduced themselves, he assumes it must be an offer.

"Sure. That would be lovely. Go right ahead..." He says with a small nod.

[Valerem]

The Nameless Warrior

When his question only got a question in return, the wolf waited. Seeing whenever or not anyone else would actually pick up his question and answer it. It seemed, however, that everyone was content with the introductions they had already given however, the useless, meaningless names that told others nothing of who you are. Leading to a growl of anger from the Nameless Warrior, shaking his head at the stupidity of others.

Guess he would have to show them what a proper introduction was.

“Warrior. Survivalist. Indifferent. Age: Unmeasurable.” Five words. Nameless informed them almost everything about himself in five simple words. None of this name business, that told Nameless anything. He wanted more than that, and he would make it clear to them. “You all?”

[Lyndworm]

Savasati
"Ah," says Savasati. "I see." Attempting to mimic Nameless' tone, he says "Soldier. Wanderer. Patient. Age: Three hundred twenty six."

[D20ragon]

Gabriella



As Gabriella was walking back to where Palladian had been she only saw Niles hovering there. Palladian was hovering high in the air investigating the figures that had been carved into the sign post ages ago.


"Gabriella, perhaps you might have better insight than I?"


She had kind of hoped that someone would have stabbed someone else by now to confirm her theory that the sign post was radiating a rage inducing aura, but since that had failed to happen she was going to have do a lot of work. Usually Gabriella liked investigating mysterious magic items, but she was having a hard time getting excited about this sign post. Even if it turned out to be special in some way there was no way they could take it with them.

She talked to Niles telepathically "It's time to go to work." She had a very specific system for investigations like these. First she activated her cloak wrapping it around her shoulders so it covered her entire body. Hundreds of blue eyes lit up immediately looking in all directions. She put on her white gloves. They were immensely useful to someone in her line of work, but due to their nature she only wore them when she needed to. They were also rather difficult to keep clean. Last she took her mask out of her pack and put it on. She had made it when she was younger and the masquerade style of it with feathers arranged around the edges showed how much her taste had matured since then. Still it remained one of the most useful items she had ever crafted. It's construction had saved her several times over the years. "Ascendere." Her feet left the ground. She flew to the statue that Palladian had been investigating, and placed her gloved hands on the rod in the statues hands. Then she concentrated.

Niles was doing his job well. He was flying around the sign post taking in every nook and cranny. He was storing as much of the information in his mind as he could. Everything else was being remembered by Gabriella.


Ok let's get down to business. Gabriella can see all invisible and ethereal objects and creatures within 120ft and in every direction. Every object she touches and focuses on for 6 minutes reveals the last owners race, gender, age, alignment, and how they gained and lost the object as long as the object had an owner within the last 10 years. Right now she is focusing on the rod in the giant's arms that Palladian messed with earlier. She can read anything that is written in elvish, draconic, ignan, abyssal, giant, dwarven, yuanti, and gnomish. She is also going to make 4 knowledge checks.


Cassius Velarious



Cassius sighs a little. "Well now, I'm at a loss." He says quietly.

Heh, good pun Cas. The sword imparts, Cassius rolls his eyes before continuing.

"I'm guessing though that you wouldn't recommend us going down any of the paths," Cassius queries of the small man, "being that your chosen course is to wait." He looks around at the others and speaks up a little. "I think I'd rather be lost than heartless, mindless or soulless."



Cassius looks over at the nameless warrior his eyebrows raised in puzzlement. Being that everyone except the large wolfman has already introduced themselves, he assumes it must be an offer.

"Sure. That would be lovely. Go right ahead..." He says with a small nod.


Sincerity

It was a curious explanation, but she thought she made some sense of it. As the old man spoke a small wind woke, ruffling the surroundings as it dropped a book into her hands, a book that certainly hadn't been anywhere nearby moments ago. After flipping through a number of pages she found the section she wanted. She flipped back and forth between two pages for a time, frowning as she tried to fit the pieces together. "There's... theories on multi-part souls, or perhaps the pieces within a soul. Most make a division between the higher mind and the vital essence. Soul, and life. Normally they aren't thought to separate, except at death. But perhaps with the right magic they could be parted." She dropped the book, only for a breeze to pick it up and close it, slowly lifting it into a gentle orbit around her. "Is that something like what you're saying?" She asked the man kindly.

"I would like to understand better, and I think your amulet might help me. May I touch it?" Sincerity requested, tentatively holding out her hand. As she did she readied a magic to use on it, hoping she might glean a little more from the witch's gift.

If allowed, Sincerity is first going to divine to detect magic on the amulet, to see if it is a magic item or under the effects of a spell.
Spellcraft to identify: [roll0]

Then, she'll use her Object Reading (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/divination#toc69) divination, hopefully to get a read on the latest owner (presumably the old man), and then the previous owner (the Nairm witch?), spending one spell point to do so. It should take her about ten minutes to accomplish.

As the familiar shape of her mask cradles her face, Gabriella is given reason to be grateful she's dealt with the extraordinary before. Despite this, she's still left reeling as her eyes are bombarded with sensation.
The air around her is impossibly full of movement, color, texture. Rough orange threads drip through space as though citrus fruit were melting. Yellows like sunshine through thick glass washes over a sudden distant explosion of blue that seems too deep to retain any color, while superimposed atop it great curled horns drift with intention through a gate. Something pushes past, or through her, a woman like a bundle of green wire and glass, fingers clutching simple knife. She vanishes, swallowed into the purple shadows of a hunchbacked giant who rises from nothing to dominate the space. He is walking a marionette dog, but as his fingers twitch, the wooden beast devours it's own tail and vanishes along with the giant, who is replaced by the next twirl of the kaleidoscopic vista, endless bright winds and dark stars competing to stand out against liquid heat that flows along the ground like a serpent, layered over a spinning top the size of a house, which smashes a perfect cube of crystal into shards that shout joyfully as they crumble, or in this direction a swaying, whiskered bird blurs into a symphony, or -
It stops, as if it had never been. The mask is just as snug, her mind just as sound. Around her, the air is cool and clear.


Back on the earth, Sincerity lets out a long breath as the spell winds down.


The man (for as the magic confirms, he is a man) is of no race ever cataloged by magics or science in any world Sincerity or her peers have knowledge of. The word he uttered earlier, Sicigoz, hangs in her mind like a phrase overheard a long time ago, but no more. Pushing further back, the previous owner is likewise not a member of any recorded race, nor will the spell answer the question of gender, though the man did refer the witch as "her". The word "Nairm" seems content to hover here, closely if not directly associated. Smug, if a word could be smug.
Alignment for the man registers like an out of tune orchestra, or a puddle of light grey shot through with veins of color. He seems to mean no ill will, but neither does he care greatly about anything. Perhaps he never has. For the previous owner, things come up blank. A single high note perhaps, slightly troubling to the ear, or a sheet of glowingly white paper.
Two visions present themselves as answers to how the owners acquired the amulet. For the man, a warm, deep blue hand drops the knot to him, as though from a great height. For the being you presume is the witch, a single instant of a silver tangle being plucked from a small tree, then nothing more.


"I cannot advise for or against any road but the one I tried to travel, swordsman" the old man answers Cassius. "I plan to stay here, clinging to some hope that Nafseel finds his way back. It seems a good a landmark as any, really, and better than most. Finally, as long as introductions are being asked, you can call me Bew."

[Scheming Wizard]

Gabriella Velodyne

Gabriella let go of the rod and floated backwards a few feet before hovering there for a moment. She was really starting to hate this sign post. She had examined hundreds of items with her gloves and had never received such a confusing mess of information.

It was more than frustration with the sign post however. She understood part of the vision. A woman with a dagger had owned the rod before having it stolen from her by the hunchbacked giant. What had he done to her after stealing her property? Tormented her, killed her, eaten her? To top it off he had some kind of pet dog he had starved and abused to the point that it had tried to eat itself. Gabriella hated this giant with a burning passion. Gabriella decided that if she met this giant she would kill him to avenge the poor woman and dog.

Niles was disturbed by this line of thought and intimated that perhaps that wasn't what the vision meant at all.

Gabriella conceded that perhaps he was right, but in the back of her mind the giant already stood convicted of horrible crimes.

They still had more to do in their investigation however. "Niles let's keep going." she said aloud.

[Peccavi]

Cassius Velarious


"I cannot advise for or against any road but the one I tried to travel, swordsman" the old man answers Cassius. "I plan to stay here, clinging to some hope that Nafseel finds his way back. It seems a good a landmark as any, really, and better than most. Finally, as long as introductions are being asked, you can call me Bew."

"Very well then, Bew, you do raise a valid point. This does seem to be the only real landmark that I've seen." Cassius said with a gentle smile. "I do hope Nafseel does find you."

Looking around at Sincerity, Nameless and Savasati, "I don't however feel that waiting is our best course." He says with a slight frown. "We've obviously been brought here for a reason, and I'm keen to find out why and by who."

[Lyndworm]

Savasati

"I am taken to agree, Mr. Velarious, though I would recommend waiting long enough for our scouts to return before we march." says the forged man, nodding up towards Gabriella and Paladian. "They could have invaluable knowledge just from their vantage point if nothing else. I would join them, but I do not believe my eyes are sharp enough to make much difference."

[AmberVael]

Sincerity

This was not the kind of result Sincerity was used to. Not only were the answers all obviously beyond her experience, but the very form they came in was strange. Or, at least strange for her own magic. It came to her mind that this was much more reminiscent of the prophecy and divination brought to her by the agents of the Horizons than her own magic, but she wasn't entirely sure what to make of that. Or her own divination, if she turned her attention back to the matter at hand. She stared at the amulet for a moment more, then gently let it go. "Thank you." She said to the man, though she was looking more beyond him than at him.

She stood and looked at the sign once more, examining each of its points. "If these paths all do what they say, I can't see the appeal in any of them." She declared to the others after a moment of thought. "Or a reason to take any of them. I would rather go back and try to find something that might help me find Nafseel, or just keep going without taking a road. After all, if I have to lose something, I'd rather just get lost the normal way. I'm pretty sure that would be easier to deal with."

[Valerem]

The Nameless Warrior

The wolf nodded in response Savasati’s introduction, taking the information offered to him and filing it away for future use. The fact that no one else was willing to other up a proper introduction almost had him rolling his eyes in exasperation. But that really was not worth the effort. So the Nameless Warrior simply waited until the others were done investigating the sign post and deciding what might be the best course of action.

Of course, not everyone seemed to realize the situation at hand.

“Not options.” The wolf said, his growl taking on a clear scoffing growl at Sincerity’s words. As if they could simply just head back the way they came, or even found another way out of this place! Whatever brought them here, gave them a choice, and that was the ONLY way forwards. “Four options alone. Pick one, or become nothing.”

[LoyalPaladin]

Palladian Lightwreath

Hearing Sincerity's words, Palladian descends from above. "I am in agreement with the maiden, although my knowledge of planar workings is limited." He looks at the signs again. "None of these are acceptable routes, should they be taken at literally." Shaking his head, he looks back at the group of adventurers before him. "I will not accept any of these outcomes and will defend any that come to that decision as well."

After a pause, he'll add: "However, this statue is quite intriguing and almost alive. I'd venture to guess there is some sort of time magic placed upon it." He calls up to Gabriella. "Have you found anything of meaning?"

[Scheming Wizard]

Palladian Lightwreath
"Have you found anything of meaning?"

Gabriella


Gabriella descends from the air gracefully touching down upon the earth. "We have to kill all the giants" she yells!" Niles shakes his head furiously at this. His telepathic entreaties to Gabriella snap her back to reality. "I mean no" she says politely in answer to Palladian's question.

[AmberVael]

The Nameless Warrior

The wolf nodded in response Savasati’s introduction, taking the information offered to him and filing it away for future use. The fact that no one else was willing to other up a proper introduction almost had him rolling his eyes in exasperation. But that really was not worth the effort. So the Nameless Warrior simply waited until the others were done investigating the sign post and deciding what might be the best course of action.

Of course, not everyone seemed to realize the situation at hand.

“Not options.” The wolf said, his growl taking on a clear scoffing growl at Sincerity’s words. As if they could simply just head back the way they came, or even found another way out of this place! Whatever brought them here, gave them a choice, and that was the ONLY way forwards. “Four options alone. Pick one, or become nothing.”


Palladian Lightwreath

Hearing Sincerity's words, Palladian descends from above. "I am in agreement with the maiden, although my knowledge of planar workings is limited." He looks at the signs again. "None of these are acceptable routes, should they be taken at literally." Shaking his head, he looks back at the group of adventurers before him. "I will not accept any of these outcomes and will defend any that come to that decision as well."

After a pause, he'll add: "However, this statue is quite intriguing and almost alive. I'd venture to guess there is some sort of time magic placed upon it." He calls up to Gabriella. "Have you found anything of meaning?"

Sincerity

Sincerity raised her eyebrows at the nameless warrior's comment, but her response was mild. "Perhaps." She allowed, before turning her attention to Palladian. "Of course, I only want to keep going out of curiosity. I don't have a destination in mind, and I don't know where we would be headed. This doesn't bother me, but if you or anyone else would rather try and return home, I would be happy to help any of you."

She offers a pleasant smile, then inclines her head towards the distant vistas beyond the signpost. "But I'd also welcome company in my wandering."

[Lyndworm]

Savasati

Looking up at the signpost, the forged man says "This marker must be here for a reason, and I believe it is meant as a warning of sorts. To follow a path is to face the named danger, to risk losing an important part of yourself. Perhaps if one is of strong enough character the danger can be overcome, the risk averted." Turning back to Sincerity, he says "My vote is to wander, I think. With no offence meant, our scouts have learned nothing of value, and I am accustomed to wandering. I have no real home to return to in any case." Pointing a long, armored arm away from his body, roughly between the Lose your Heart and Lose your Soul paths, Savasati says "Any objections to flying between the paths?"

[drack]

Xalk

Finally breaking from his quiet contemplation Xalk gives a quick cursory look at the paths. Humming an old and weary tune he first stands in place, then walks slowly towards each path in turn. The tune itself, was somewhat less of a spell, and more of a repetitious spell chant, but he mannaged to make it sound like a tune anyways.

Dread witch ability lets me get a free first level spell after a short intimidate check on self (which I'm still immune to but still counts.) Using that to get some castings of omen of peril. Omen of perel tells you, if you're following your present course of action (IE each path or remaining at the sign post), within the next hour, will you face
1) no threats to self (traps, monsters, ect.)
2) threats to self
or
3) threats to self of a dangerously high difficulty. (reasonable chance of death)
Spell has a 90% success rate so I'll cast it five times each way and take the most popular result

"Well, glancing about, it seems they're about so dangerous..." Xalk reports to the rest, gesturing down the paths in turn before adding how safe the crossroads are. Xalk was a gentleman, and knew that proper society only works through the contributions of others, however that didn't mean he was going to loiter about with them all a like a gang of punks, so without further adieu he began walking down the path of lost ways with a casual farewell, muttering, as if to himself. "You know, I've always found it quite relaxing to loose one's way, quite an enjoyable experience..." Xalk doesn't beckon the others to join him, but nor does he shoo them away, leaving them each to make their own decisions. In the end he had no intent to help the twerp however, just to enjoy his evening stroll to the fullest.

[LoyalPaladin]

Palladian Lightwreath

The puts a hand on Sincerity's shoulder, a silent sign of support. "Miss Gabriella is a capable wizard and sharp too." He looks over to the wizard maiden. "I would place bets that she can lead us to a place where we can gather information on Nafseel, but not risk the consequences these signs imply." Palladian stands to full height and offers a hand to Sincerity, an extension of friendship and an offer to bring her with.

Regardless of whether or not she agrees, Palladian walks to Gabriella's side. "Offer is open." He scans the adventurers who seem to be choosing paths. "How about you Savasti? Something tells me you wouldn't seem to keen to lose anything on those signs."

I spoke with Scheming on the phone. He's down with not taking a path and forming a split party.

[Lyndworm]

Savasati

"You are correct, Mr. Lightwreath. I have worked hard to attain each of these things for myself, and I am in no hurry to shed them." Nodding to Bew, the forged man says "I have as much reason to help this man as to do anything else, but I have no indication that these paths will help anyone."

[Peccavi]

Cassius Velarious


Xalk

"You know, I've always found it quite relaxing to loose one's way, quite an enjoyable experience..."

Cassius nods in agreement with Xalk. "Like I said earlier, I don't know if I could get more lost than I already am." He gestures around the swirling impossibilities of the place. "And I do find myself possessed of a powerful curiosity. I'm with you my well-dressed friend!" He gestures to Xalk and the path.

Turning a grin to the others, "Well my friends, it look likes this is where we go our separate ways. It has been marvellous to know you all, and I hope we meet again soon with some fabulous tales to tell!" With that he gives a nod to each and heads down the path with Xalk.

[Scheming Wizard]

Palladian Lightwreath

Palladian walks to Gabriella's side. "Offer is open."

I spoke with Scheming on the phone. He's down with not taking a path and forming a split party.

Gabriella Velodyne


Nile's invaded her mind with a constant "Can we go, can we please, I want to go with Palladian."

The choice itself wasn't that hard. She didn't know anyone here except Palladian. None of the roads looked promising. Lose her mind or her soul? That was a choice between hemlock and arsenic. The old man had supposedly had his other half stolen by a witch, but who knew if that was true? The man was clearly deranged. She had seen a giant steal the rod from a woman with a dagger in a vision, but again was it real? Was she the woman with the dagger? Everything about this place seemed fake with a tiny bit of reality swirled in like a dream. She'd killed witches and giants before. Why were they both here again? It was like something was reaching through her subconscious and playing all the greatest hits from her collection of memories.


She was still wearing her masquerade mask, but her real mask had always been her ability to tell everyone what they needed to hear. You look great in that armor. You'll do great those giants won't know what hit them. Don't be scared stay behind me and everything will be ok. I promise we are all going to make it back. He didn't suffer. "Sure thing Cassius. We will all be back together before you know it." Her tone was bright and cheerful. It always was. "Niles and I are with you Palladian."

[Valerem]

The Nameless Warrior

The Nameless Warrior had a bit of a conundrum.

The wolf rather disliked doing nothing at all. He was not able to contribute at all to this signpost and what it meant. Nor the place that they had ended up at, and the reason why they had arrived here. This was outside of his field of bounds of knowledge and quite frankly, outside of what The Nameless Warrior cared about. There was also the fact that whilst this man had rejected the aid offered to him, and was unwilling to attempt to seek his own salvation, he had given the Nameless Warrior an objective to pursue. No matter how simple yet open-ended it may be.

On the other hand. The Nameless Warrior was not able to see much benefit to walking down the path that the other had taken. He never had a way or a purpose before. So there was quite frankly no way for him to lose what he did not have. Still, there was an element of risk to walking down the paths that the Nameless Warrior was uncertain of facing without a clear reward for succeeding on the challenges that the path chose to put down before him. Hence the Nameless Warrior’s conundrum: Either stay with a group, where the likelihood of his contribution would be slim. Or go with a group, down paths whose trials were unknown and potentially filled with risk to his survival.

In the end. It was the people of the group that had decided it. The long-winded old man got on Nameless’ nerves, and the happy-go-lucky warrior, who did not understand what a proper introduction meant. Was not looked on so kindly by the wolf. And whilst he did not see the reason for so much examination and hesitation. The carefulness of the females did speak to a strong survival instinct. Plus, both the construct and the paladin had introduced themselves in ways that informed the Nameless Warrior much about whom they were, and what purpose drove them onwards.

So, the Nameless Warrior sheathed his blades and climbed up to his feet. Crossing his arms and speaking one word. “Staying.”

[AmberVael]

Sincerity

Sincerity nods farewell to the others as they departed down the path, wondering if she should go after them or at least try and check up on them later. But, they clearly knew what they were getting into and seemed fairly confident, so maybe she was being overly worrisome. Still, she watched them go until her newfound companions recalled her attention to their own situation.

"Any direction would be fine by me. Flying between would likely help us avoid the effects of the path." She replied to Savasti. Palladian's friendly touch made her start, but she looked up to him thoughtfully. "I may have a suggestion on that front myself. There's a place I know, a tea house. Lots of interesting people pass through, and the owner has very extensive connections. Chances are, we could learn a lot more if we went there. I'd be happy to transport us there, if we'd rather take that course."

[LoyalPaladin]

Palladian Lightwreath

The paladin nods at Sincerity and smiles lightly. "Take us away, miss." He looks at his new party. "This should be an interesting adventure."

[drack]

Xlk

...and so it was that this haphazard team of super-freaks set out, arbitrarily plodding their way across multiverses in their heroic quest to go... well nowhere really, they just so happened to think it a nice day and head out for a stroll. Still, even while aimlessly strolling, our "heroes" did not sit idle, but instead keenly sharpening the nimbleness of their minds with verbal acrobatics as they traded fun factoids with each other.

"Did you know, girls are always the prettiest when they smile?"

"Did you know the average person swallows eight spiders a year in their sleep?"

"Did you know that when entertaining eight or more girls at the same time you have to start alternating so they have a chance to breath?"

"Did you know that when sacrificing girls at the unholy alter of Harkoprthzar it's improper to let them breath, but rather you're supposed to suffocate them throughout the whole ascension of the mountain until they're lying on the alter before you release the magic that allows them to live that long?"

"Did you know that the longer you live, the more techniques and lines you acquire, allowing you to get even more and more girls?"

"Did you know that when a man's life is artificially sustained throughout torture to the point at which you need constantly recapture and reinject the soul, the soul actually begins to degrade?"

...

...and in such a manner they journeyed for several years of subjective time down the winding path of the line when...


Pass! :smallbiggrin:

[AmberVael]

Sincerity

"Relax, let go, and let the wind carry you away." Sincerity recommends, before making a grand sweeping gesture with her arms. A breeze preceded the motion, and a great wind followed after it. The whirling force swept up Sincerity and her erstwhile allies and attempted to carry them off to another place entirely.

Sincerity uses her teleport ability from the Warp sphere, augmenting it with the Planeshift talent and the Group Teleport talent. She also has Ranged Teleport, so no need to hold hands or anything like that. Since she also has Flawless Teleport, she can transport to a specific place on the plane without being off-target.
She attempts to teleport them all to the Starmotes House. In case it matters, I think its fair to say that the Starmotes House is the closest thing to 'home' she has anymore, so it'd likely count as Very Familiar for the purposes of teleportation.

Since you've indicated that there may be interference, I'll note that her caster level for this effect should be 22, her MSB is 22, and her MSD is 33.

[D20ragon]

Sincerity

"Relax, let go, and let the wind carry you away." Sincerity recommends, before making a grand sweeping gesture with her arms. A breeze preceded the motion, and a great wind followed after it. The whirling force swept up Sincerity and her erstwhile allies and attempted to carry them off to another place entirely.

Sincerity uses her teleport ability from the Warp sphere, augmenting it with the Planeshift talent and the Group Teleport talent. She also has Ranged Teleport, so no need to hold hands or anything like that. Since she also has Flawless Teleport, she can transport to a specific place on the plane without being off-target.
She attempts to teleport them all to the Starmotes House. In case it matters, I think its fair to say that the Starmotes House is the closest thing to 'home' she has anymore, so it'd likely count as Very Familiar for the purposes of teleportation.

Since you've indicated that there may be interference, I'll note that her caster level for this effect should be 22, her MSB is 22, and her MSD is 33.

And carry them away the winds do, scooping the travelers from their feet in empyrean drifts and currents, cloaks and hair and fur and jewelry set fluttering and dancing.
They obey Sincerity's command, true, but it is quickly evident that they do so with more than a hint of haughty independence, like young men and women listening to a teacher amidst much muttering and eye rolling. The winds aren't ones she recognizes, usually bound to the compass. These winds spiral and play, laugh wild laughter about depths folded into the corners of discarded paper, the speed of an insects thought, the whistle of light broken by mirrors, the grace of shadows dancing between motes of dust, the cold sheen of silver sand rising and falling in waves.

I can feel the dust on these ones

No stardust either

Soon enough, soon enough

Do you think they know?

The Line will teach them

That it will!

Didn't bother to say goodbye

Terribly rude, terribly rude

They weigh too heavily on me

Off you go then! Don't fall too far!

Fall further!

With that, they sweep off suddenly to further corners and orthoplexes, leaving the party cast loose suddenly. The bright void opens around them, a miasma of geometry and color. Slow, methodical breathing rose and fell an immeasurable distance away, and then vanished. Mountains and forests of clouds and diamonds and steel orbited each other before flowing away to join tides of roiling lightning, jewels bobbing like islands and then sinking from view.
A thread cut through the nebula and color, distant, somehow heavy, thin and iridescent though it was. The only point that didn't twist, or spin, or fold, or vanish, the group falls towards it at no great speed, its pull more of a gentle tug than gravity's insistent grasp. Once they regain their bearings, they find themselves able to converse almost comfortably as they spin downwards. Or rather, they would have been able to, had they anything to breathe. As the last trailing breezes fled, so too did oxygen.

[Peccavi]

Cassius Velarious

Boots buffed to a high shine, cloak shimmering as it swayed in the gentle breeze, silk shirt bright white with not a crease in sight, hair perfect, hat at just the right angle. Cassius looked, and by extension felt, resplendent. It truly was a marvellous day for a stroll. And having an equally well dressed, witty and imaginative conversationalist as a companion ensured it was going to be anything but dull.


Xlk
"Did you know, girls are always the prettiest when they smile?"
"That has long been my opinion! I find myself eager to tell jokes and do tricks just to make it happen."

"Did you know the average person swallows eight spiders a year in their sleep?"
"Now that I did not know, it's a little gruesome actually and kind of funny at the same time. Wow, it must be horrible to be a Drow, they must have to sleep with stockings on their head."


"Did you know that when entertaining eight or more girls at the same time you have to start alternating so they have a chance to breath?"
Cassius blinked repeatedly, trying to get the image in his head right. He shook his head slightly, unable to come up with a possible scenario where this might be necessary. "Not really certain I understand this one. But hey, eight or more? Well done my friend!"


"Did you know that when sacrificing girls at the unholy alter of Harkoprthzar it's improper to let them breath, but rather you're supposed to suffocate them throughout the whole ascension of the mountain until they're lying on the alter before you release the magic that allows them to live that long?""O... K..." He said slowly with a narrow sidelong glance at Xalk.


"Did you know that the longer you live, the more techniques and lines you acquire, allowing you to get even more and more girls?"I like this guy! The sentient sword imparted. Learn from him, Cassius. Learn well!
"Indeed! Stupid human mortality, I'll be lucky if I live to be seventy. And I'll likely only be pretty for another two decades at most."

"Did you know that when a man's life is artificially sustained throughout torture to the point at which you need constantly recapture and reinject the soul, the soul actually begins to degrade?""Hmm, I'm not exactly sure that method of sustaining life is really right for me. Sounds painful, and a bit yucky really."

...and in such a manner they journeyed for several years of subjective time down the winding path of the line when...Cassius eyes suddenly lit up, an impulsive idea flashing. "You know what we need, my friend?"
He said, as he moved his hands through a serious of mystical gestures. A ghostly disembodied hand coming into existence a moment later, and drew his sword to hold it floating in the air a few feet ahead of the travellers.

"A tune!" He said emphatically, "Talanon, if you would be so kind."

The enchanted sword began to sing, a happy halfling travelling song.

[AmberVael]

Sincerity

And then, they were elsewhere. But it certainly wasn't the Motes: there was no teahouse in sight. Or ground, or anything familiar, or air. This last part wasn't actually a problem for Sincerity, thankfully. She had stopped being human long ago; now she was air, she was breath. There was the distinct possibility that her companions, on the other hand, weren't as well off as she was, and Sincerity was used to looking out for others. Her instinctive reaction was first to sweep them away from the harmful environment, but of course, that was how they had got here. How could she rely on her magic when it had put them in this spot in the first place?

But, she was strong of will, stronger than many, and that might prove to be enough. Sincerity focused herself and attempted to take control, asserting herself over her surroundings.

So, as noted in my character sheet. Sincerity has on her permanent elemental transformation, which includes the Breathless trait from the Extreme Adaptation talent. This should keep her alive in this situation.

The reaction I'm describing above makes more sense when you realize that Sincerity is from an entire sphere that consists of Morphic planes, where the planes can be influenced by raw will rather like the Limbo plane. Its quite possible such an effort has no impact here at all, but... well, the Line is pretty weird. There's not a lot of rules on how to control Morphic planes, but Manual of the Planes lets you control Limbo with a wisdom check, so I'll default to that in the absence of anything else.

[roll0]

In case it matters, Sincerity's main goal with that attempt is just to provide breathable air. Though ground beneath their feet might be nice too.

[D20ragon]

Xlk

...and so it was that this haphazard team of super-freaks set out, arbitrarily plodding their way across multiverses in their heroic quest to go... well nowhere really, they just so happened to think it a nice day and head out for a stroll. Still, even while aimlessly strolling, our "heroes" did not sit idle, but instead keenly sharpening the nimbleness of their minds with verbal acrobatics as they traded fun factoids with each other.

"Did you know, girls are always the prettiest when they smile?"

"Did you know the average person swallows eight spiders a year in their sleep?"

"Did you know that when entertaining eight or more girls at the same time you have to start alternating so they have a chance to breath?"

"Did you know that when sacrificing girls at the unholy alter of Harkoprthzar it's improper to let them breath, but rather you're supposed to suffocate them throughout the whole ascension of the mountain until they're lying on the alter before you release the magic that allows them to live that long?"

"Did you know that the longer you live, the more techniques and lines you acquire, allowing you to get even more and more girls?"

"Did you know that when a man's life is artificially sustained throughout torture to the point at which you need constantly recapture and reinject the soul, the soul actually begins to degrade?"

...

...and in such a manner they journeyed for several years of subjective time down the winding path of the line when...


Pass! :smallbiggrin:



Cassius Velarious

Boots buffed to a high shine, cloak shimmering as it swayed in the gentle breeze, silk shirt bright white with not a crease in sight, hair perfect, hat at just the right angle. Cassius looked, and by extension felt, resplendent. It truly was a marvellous day for a stroll. And having an equally well dressed, witty and imaginative conversationalist as a companion ensured it was going to be anything but dull.

"That has long been my opinion! I find myself eager to tell jokes and do tricks just to make it happen."
"Now that I did not know, it's a little gruesome actually and kind of funny at the same time. Wow, it must be horrible to be a Drow, they must have to sleep with stockings on their head."
Cassius blinked repeatedly, trying to get the image in his head right. He shook his head slightly, unable to come up with a possible scenario where this might be necessary. "Not really certain I understand this one. But hey, eight or more? Well done my friend!"
"O... K..." He said slowly with a narrow sidelong glance at Xalk.
I like this guy! The sentient sword imparted. Learn from him, Cassius. Learn well!
"Indeed! Stupid human mortality, I'll be lucky if I live to be seventy. And I'll likely only be pretty for another two decades at most."
"Hmm, I'm not exactly sure that method of sustaining life is really right for me. Sounds painful, and a bit yucky really."
Cassius eyes suddenly lit up, an impulsive idea flashing. "You know what we need, my friend?"
He said, as he moved his hands through a serious of mystical gestures. A ghostly disembodied hand coming into existence a moment later, and drew his sword to hold it floating in the air a few feet ahead of the travellers.

"A tune!" He said emphatically, "Talanon, if you would be so kind."

The enchanted sword began to sing, a happy halfling travelling song.

It is impossible and furthermore, extremely useless to any outside viewer to say how long these two traveled for, in said viewers time. But for the swordsman and the god, the Line keeps things, well, linear, and no more than four or five hours pass before the road they are taking, which until then had been clean and straight, a finely worn path through a broad green land which had a way of deadening the eyes so that to view it too long was to lose interest in what was before you, turning instead to introspection, starts to become angled and unruly, doubling back before going on ahead, and making needless swoops and turns.
Then, for a brief moment, the going becomes tough. It is as though one were struggling up the sides of a glass pyramid, feet held to its surface only by friction and willpower. when the inexplicable difficulty vanishes, so too has the monotony of the endless grass.
The travelers, and indeed, the road, find themselves atop the very crest of a long, steep cliff. On on either side, sheer stone, plunging downward through cold, damp air at such an angle that the path is nearly a tightrope, and perhaps only six inches thick. Despite its narrow dimensions, one side of the cliff is limestone, rough and crumbling , the other obsidian, cleft and jagged. The very stone buzzes with the tension of the unnatural pairing, and the path seems all the less safe for it, as if it would tear itself in half lengthwise if given the chance.
Here, the swords song does not echo, but rather, falls away, down, down until it is lost in the mist that conceals the bottom on either side. If, indeed, there is a bottom.


Sincerity

And then, they were elsewhere. But it certainly wasn't the Motes: there was no teahouse in sight. Or ground, or anything familiar, or air. This last part wasn't actually a problem for Sincerity, thankfully. She had stopped being human long ago; now she was air, she was breath. There was the distinct possibility that her companions, on the other hand, weren't as well off as she was, and Sincerity was used to looking out for others. Her instinctive reaction was first to sweep them away from the harmful environment, but of course, that was how they had got here. How could she rely on her magic when it had put them in this spot in the first place?

But, she was strong of will, stronger than many, and that might prove to be enough. Sincerity focused herself and attempted to take control, asserting herself over her surroundings.

So, as noted in my character sheet. Sincerity has on her permanent elemental transformation, which includes the Breathless trait from the Extreme Adaptation talent. This should keep her alive in this situation.

The reaction I'm describing above makes more sense when you realize that Sincerity is from an entire sphere that consists of Morphic planes, where the planes can be influenced by raw will rather like the Limbo plane. Its quite possible such an effort has no impact here at all, but... well, the Line is pretty weird. There's not a lot of rules on how to control Morphic planes, but Manual of the Planes lets you control Limbo with a wisdom check, so I'll default to that in the absence of anything else.

[roll0]

In case it matters, Sincerity's main goal with that attempt is just to provide breathable air. Though ground beneath their feet might be nice too.

Although many locales would bent backwards in order to comply to Sincerity's will, wherever she is now is not one of them.

Roll a spot check and a Will save for Sincerity

[drack]

Xalk

Stepping forth from the rail, Xalk doesn't even bat an eye as he continues to walk forward along the path. Out of idle curiosity he times his steps and mutters a few forgotten syllables throwing a few ravens feathers into the air to see which way they blow. Still, he doesn't forget the game as his turn comes again.

"Did you know that the otherwise lethal poison of some centipedes seeps out into the water when they're boiled rendering them perfectly edible and the water poisonous?"

OOC

Spell is the same one as before, and why not, I'll cast it the standard five times and see if there'll be a hostile encounter or traps in the next hour if we follow this path. :smallsmile: Yup, that's right, Xalk's gonna repeat this process every fifty minutes or so so that we don't get jumped by muggers. :smallbiggrin:

[LoyalPaladin]

Palladian Lightwreath

As the wind sets his essence down, he realizes he is not in a friendly environment, as his amulet coats him in a shell of fresh air. He looks to Sincerity, who seems to be calm. Perhaps she meant for them to be here? He gazes at Savasti who, true to his nature, seems unphased by the lack of air.

With practiced control he summons strength from Heaven's Wrath, causing tendrils of light to pour from his shoulders, quickly taking the shape of wings. He rights himself in the air and floats over to Gabriella, pulling his bottle of air from his backpack and offering it to her. Currently, he is assuming he cannot physically speak.

[Lyndworm]

Savasati

Unphased by the sudden lack of air, Savasati returns Palladian's gaze with a nod. He attempts at the command word for his wings, but fails to produce any meaningful sound at all. He resigns himself to floating ever lower for the time being, and relaxes his body and mind while Serenity and Palladian do what they can.

[D20ragon]

As you ground yourself, centering your mind in your body once more after your attempt to assert your will over reality itself, you blink. For a moment, the very air seems fractured and particulate. The whirling points of color still themselves, like scattered dots on sheets of parchment aligning in the right light and angle, and hang motionless across the fragmented void, red-gold, turquoise, amethyst, eggshell, and stranger colors still, colors you may be the first to see...
Just as quickly, all this is gone, replaced by the breathless blur and tumble of the reality you know. Something of the experience remains, however. The slightest of butterfly kisses on your mind, the ghosting of a breeze through your synapses. A lesser creature would never have registered the slight touch, but you do.

[AmberVael]

Sincerity

Sincerity found the lack of reaction to her assertion of will a little disconcerting. Or perhaps it did react, but not in the way that she expected. It seemed like a recurring theme since she ventured into this unknown place, but she still didn't have much idea of what to make of it. Maybe eventually the pattern would become clearer, but at the moment it just felt like everything familiar had become strange, and all her skills and efforts were going awry.

She didn't have a ton of time to think about it though, due to the lack of air. She wasn't sure any of her companions could breathe here, though some of them looked calm enough that it seemed likely. Still, best to work fast. Quickly she sought to test other pieces of her magic; she pulled out a scroll and conjured a small breeze to catch it and blow it in a gentle circuit around her, then attempted a bit of her more esoteric magic, conjuring a small sphere of light.

Sincerity is going to pull out a scroll and use telekinesis to lift it, then put it into orbit around her with her Orbit talent. She is then going to create a glow effect next to her with the Light sphere. If both of these things function normally, she'll move on to the next part of this post. If they react weirdly or differently than expected though, just drop everything past this spoiler.

Once she was satisfied at least some of her magic was working as it should, she took control of the glowing sphere she had conjured and manipulated it. It flashed once, twice, then three times to get the attention of the others as she shaped it into gleaming letters.
Wrong place. Don't know why. She let the message linger for a moment, then created another below it. Will try to get us down. Might be air there.
When she was satisfied that they'd all seen it and no one had strenuous objections, she attempted to seize them with another wind and give them a controlled push down, trying to get them to that distinct thread a little quicker.

Assuming her telekinesis didn't seem to be acting up and everyone is willing, Sincerity will use her telekinesis to lift the entire party (via Divided Mind) and then move them more swiftly towards that line in the distance. She should be able to move them at about 200ft per round, which I imagine is faster than their current drift. She'll slow them down once they get closer so they're not squashed against the ground.

[Peccavi]

Cassius Velarious

Approaching the narrowed path, Cassius turns his head to the side and raises a quizzical eyebrow. "The place never does cease to amaze and astound... I may build a house here, think of the entertaining prospects!" He says as he peers out over one side and then the other.

Oh Gods, Cassius! You know how I feel about heights! I think I'm going to be sick... The sword imparts.

You know you're a sword right?

Being a man of considerable dexterity and balance, Cassius was not overly bothered by the prospects of the narrow path. Besides, should his natural abilities fail him levitation and flight were not beyond his capabilities. With his usual confidence, but slightly less swagger in the hips Cassius continued onward.


Xalk
"Did you know that the otherwise lethal poison of some centipedes seeps out into the water when they're boiled rendering them perfectly edible and the water poisonous?"

"Well there you go, I did not know that. Are they worth eating though? Or are we talking more..." Cassius 'air-quotes' dramatically, "...'keep you alive in a pinch' type edible?"

[drack]

Xalk

"I hear they're quite crispy." Xalk replies in a sociable tone, as if it were a commonplace dish.

[D20ragon]

Sincerity

Sincerity found the lack of reaction to her assertion of will a little disconcerting. Or perhaps it did react, but not in the way that she expected. It seemed like a recurring theme since she ventured into this unknown place, but she still didn't have much idea of what to make of it. Maybe eventually the pattern would become clearer, but at the moment it just felt like everything familiar had become strange, and all her skills and efforts were going awry.

She didn't have a ton of time to think about it though, due to the lack of air. She wasn't sure any of her companions could breathe here, though some of them looked calm enough that it seemed likely. Still, best to work fast. Quickly she sought to test other pieces of her magic; she pulled out a scroll and conjured a small breeze to catch it and blow it in a gentle circuit around her, then attempted a bit of her more esoteric magic, conjuring a small sphere of light.

Sincerity is going to pull out a scroll and use telekinesis to lift it, then put it into orbit around her with her Orbit talent. She is then going to create a glow effect next to her with the Light sphere. If both of these things function normally, she'll move on to the next part of this post. If they react weirdly or differently than expected though, just drop everything past this spoiler.

Once she was satisfied at least some of her magic was working as it should, she took control of the glowing sphere she had conjured and manipulated it. It flashed once, twice, then three times to get the attention of the others as she shaped it into gleaming letters.
Wrong place. Don't know why. She let the message linger for a moment, then created another below it. Will try to get us down. Might be air there.
When she was satisfied that they'd all seen it and no one had strenuous objections, she attempted to seize them with another wind and give them a controlled push down, trying to get them to that distinct thread a little quicker.

Assuming her telekinesis didn't seem to be acting up and everyone is willing, Sincerity will use her telekinesis to lift the entire party (via Divided Mind) and then move them more swiftly towards that line in the distance. She should be able to move them at about 200ft per round, which I imagine is faster than their current drift. She'll slow them down once they get closer so they're not squashed against the ground.

It is Sincerity who realizes it first, recognizing the light mental touch of before. Now it was back, but harsher, less delicate, no longer searching but grasping, pleading. Something, someone is dragging itself towards the group from some far place, like a person crawling up a cliff with broken arms. They find the strongest hold in Savasati, and the warforged can acutely feel them drawing closer, a crippled presence, powerful, but fragile, so fragile. Palladian feels it too, but his mind remains resolute, throwing out the intruder with but the slightest effort.

Finally, the sensation ends in a gasp and a rush, and Sincerity, always watchful, marks the arrival of a new form in the distance with the sudden vanishing of the presence. Drifting towards the far off line much slower than the controlled rush of the party, what looks like a pile of white rags spins aimlessly in the air.

[LoyalPaladin]

Palladian Lightwreath

Palladian notes the psychic touch, hardening his mind to withstand mental threats. "Did anyone else just feel..." His expression toughens as he draws Heaven's Wrath, causing the blade to bathe those near him in a warm golden light. "Gabriella. Behind me."

[Peccavi]

Cassius Velarious

Continuing along the narrow path winding at the top of the impossible mountain-type thing, Cassius could help but be astounded by the wonder of it all. A sudden thought occurred to him and he found it just troubling enough to share with his companion.

"So Xalk, this place..." he gestures around vaguely, "has obviously not been created in the traditional sense, right? As in, this is not some amazing feat of engineering, no team of master craftsmen laboured away to build this. And yet, its clearly not natural, in the traditional sense either. This path has clearly been made for creatures to walk on, right?"

He paused for a moment to let his words sink in, and his idea cement into something he could explain. "So, how and why? I'm aware of magical creation, but on this size and scale? Did it just 'become' because someone powerful enough thought it up? Or, and I'm not sure if I like this more or less, is this place actually sentient? Could we even be within the mindscape of some being?"

He tilts his head to the side again, and squints his eyes suspiciously at the landscape around him, as if daring it to move.

Then shrugs, and continues on.

[drack]

Xalk

Xalk looks confused as he looks up, down, and to the side. "You mean this isn't normal? I mean, it'd require a long think to determine how they were made, and it could be any of those, or even the working of many lesser mages under a king, one mad mage, a powerful sword swing or two, or even just the nature of this world. Certainly we're bound to run into something at some point though, aren't we? ...and in the mean time we have such scenery..." Xalk stares into the distance over the edge for a bit as if looking at something before looking ahead again so as not to miss his step.

[Lyndworm]

Savasati

Mentally recoiling from the touch of the thing in the distance, the forged man snaps to his senses. He spends a moment gathering his will, turning his mind inwards. Savasati's normally pale jade eyes change to points of silver fire as he releases his focused will, and a strange light bursts from his body in every color. Suddenly mobile, the juggernaut descends to the Line as best he can.



Savasati spend 9 power points as a Standard action to manifest adapt body (ML14) and uses his Move action to move towards the line.



Savasati (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1036351)
Medium Lawful Neutral Psiforged Juggernaut, Level 22, Init 3, HP 261/261, DR 10/Adamantine, 3/-, Speed 20ft (25ft charging), 60ft Fly (Good)
AC 34, Touch 16, Flat-footed 33, Fort 19, Ref 13, Will 17, Base Attack Bonus +18/+13/+8/+3, Power Points 111/120
+5 Unarmed Strike +30 (5d6+19, 20/x2)
+5 Slam +30 | +25 (1d8+12 | +8, 20/x2)
Armor Spikes +25 (1d8+7, 20/x2)
+5 Adamantine Composite Plating (+13 Armor, +1 Dex, +5 Deflect, +5 Natural)
Abilities Str 24, Dex 16, Con 22, Int 20, Wis 24, Cha 13
ConditionStone Dragon Belt used to ready Mountain Hammer.

Under the effect of adapt body (14 hour duration)

[D20ragon]

Savasati

Mentally recoiling from the touch of the thing in the distance, the forged man snaps to his senses. He spends a moment gathering his will, turning his mind inwards. Savasati's normally pale jade eyes change to points of silver fire as he releases his focused will, and a strange light bursts from his body in every color. Suddenly mobile, the juggernaut descends to the Line as best he can.



Savasati spend 9 power points as a Standard action to manifest adapt body (ML14) and uses his Move action to move towards the line.



Savasati (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1036351)
Medium Lawful Neutral Psiforged Juggernaut, Level 22, Init 3, HP 261/261, DR 10/Adamantine, 3/-, Speed 20ft (25ft charging), 60ft Fly (Good)
AC 34, Touch 16, Flat-footed 33, Fort 19, Ref 13, Will 17, Base Attack Bonus +18/+13/+8/+3, Power Points 111/120
+5 Unarmed Strike +30 (5d6+19, 20/x2)
+5 Slam +30 | +25 (1d8+12 | +8, 20/x2)
Armor Spikes +25 (1d8+7, 20/x2)
+5 Adamantine Composite Plating (+13 Armor, +1 Dex, +5 Deflect, +5 Natural)
Abilities Str 24, Dex 16, Con 22, Int 20, Wis 24, Cha 13
ConditionStone Dragon Belt used to ready Mountain Hammer.

Under the effect of adapt body (14 hour duration)

Moving ahead of the group as he is, it is Savasati who comes upon the drifting rags first. Or, perhaps, they came upon him, hanging amid the mosaic of bright light and shadow as if it had always been there, always intended to come across him.
Instantly, his consciousness is besieged once more. The first crippled touch in his mind came from here, there could be no doubt.
A hand reaches out from the bundle, like the hand of one who, trapped in the ruins of a building, hears the footsteps of their savior and desperately seeks to not be passed by.
The hand is dark, but soaked in a milky whiteness that drips down the arm and into the rags. Now free, the arm is still, limp in the air. The fingers flutter once, then hang, knuckles loose.


Xalk

Xalk looks confused as he looks up, down, and to the side. "You mean this isn't normal? I mean, it'd require a long think to determine how they were made, and it could be any of those, or even the working of many lesser mages under a king, one mad mage, a powerful sword swing or two, or even just the nature of this world. Certainly we're bound to run into something at some point though, aren't we? ...and in the mean time we have such scenery..." Xalk stares into the distance over the edge for a bit as if looking at something before looking ahead again so as not to miss his step.

Far too distant for the eyes of men to reach, another cliff stretches on, indeterminate, perhaps infinite. Through the tenebrous sheets of fog, Xalk can swear he sees another, gazing back at him, and realizes a little late that he has locked eyes with them.
Ahead and behind, all is constant drifting motion. The second cliff is obscured again, then reappears with a near taunting air.

[drack]

Xalk

Xalk silently considers the man for a moment before concluding there's nothing to be done for it. Rather, it was rather odd that the path through which to loose one's way was so singular, solid, and obvious making it easy to follow and hard to loose, but who could say how long that might last.

On a whim he decided to throw about some curses on himself and his companion

Curse of the fortune thief
-when the cursed meets someone for the first time they'll unwillingly steal a portion of the other's good luck.
Curse of the restless
-recipient cannot rest yet won't suffer any greater harm then fatigue from it.

remember, there's a greater curse to gain immortality when paired with another spell, so they can have good sides too...


Seeing a wift of mist floating by he curses it to coalescence, to sentience, to servitude, and to remain within a hundred feet of them before his gaze lazily fell back to taking in the scenery once more.

[D20ragon]

Xalk

Xalk silently considers the man for a moment before concluding there's nothing to be done for it. Rather, it was rather odd that the path through which to loose one's way was so singular, solid, and obvious making it easy to follow and hard to loose, but who could say how long that might last.

On a whim he decided to throw about some curses on himself and his companion

Curse of the fortune thief
-when the cursed meets someone for the first time they'll unwillingly steal a portion of the other's good luck.
Curse of the restless
-recipient cannot rest yet won't suffer any greater harm then fatigue from it.

remember, there's a greater curse to gain immortality when paired with another spell, so they can have good sides too...


Seeing a wift of mist floating by he curses it to coalescence, to sentience, to servitude, and to remain within a hundred feet of them before his gaze lazily fell back to taking in the scenery once more.

An echo follows Xalk's brief utterances, a vocal shadow whispering across a great distance.

Far away to the right, alongside the second cliff, another twist of vapor gains thought and purpose.

[Peccavi]

Cassius Velarious

Far too distant for the eyes of men to reach, another cliff stretches on, indeterminate, perhaps infinite. Through the tenebrous sheets of fog, Xalk can swear he sees another, gazing back at him, and realizes a little late that he has locked eyes with them.
Ahead and behind, all is constant drifting motion. The second cliff is obscured again, then reappears with a near taunting air.

"Did you just see...?" Cassius begins to say as he catches sight of something through the fog. He stops walking and gazes more intently at the spot. "I could've sworn I just saw something out there." He gestures vaguely, then shrugs.

"Talanon, a little closer if you don't mind." He says softly whilst directing the sword back to his hand and returning it to the sheath.

He continues on a little further, although with a certain wariness now. He watches Xalk do his strangely archaic magics, and listens to the odd echo. There is now a certainty building somewhere within that they are not as alone as they appeared.

[D20ragon]

Cassius Velarious


"Did you just see...?" Cassius begins to say as he catches sight of something through the fog. He stops walking and gazes more intently at the spot. "I could've sworn I just saw something out there." He gestures vaguely, then shrugs.

"Talanon, a little closer if you don't mind." He says softly whilst directing the sword back to his hand and returning it to the sheath.

He continues on a little further, although with a certain wariness now. He watches Xalk do his strangely archaic magics, and listens to the odd echo. There is now a certainty building somewhere within that they are not as alone as they appeared.

As though in response to Cassius' suspicions, a whimper sways unsteadily through the air like a dying bird, reaching his ears from the left. Before there is time to say anything, the sound rises in pitch and volume to a scream. Unconsciously, Cassius raises a hand to his mouth. The scream is unmistakably his own, but no, his lips are sealed, cold in the mist.
The scream ends, abruptly, almost violently.

[drack]

Xalk

Xalk gives the young knight a look, yes, that kind of look, before reconsidering and pretending he didn't hear anything.

[Lyndworm]

Savasati

Unnerved by the ragged hand, the juggernaut lashes out as best he can and hurries away from the milky bundle.



Standard action to attack, move action to continue away from the rags and towards the Line.

Attack Roll:
[roll0]

Damage Roll:
[roll1]



Savasati (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1036351)
Medium Lawful Neutral Psiforged Juggernaut, Level 22, Init 3, HP 261/261, DR 10/Adamantine, 3/-, Speed 20ft (25ft charging), 60ft Fly (Good)
AC 34, Touch 16, Flat-footed 33, Fort 19, Ref 13, Will 17, Base Attack Bonus +18/+13/+8/+3, Power Points 111/120
+5 Unarmed Strike +30 (5d6+19, 20/x2)
+5 Slam +30 | +25 (1d8+12 | +8, 20/x2)
Armor Spikes +25 (1d8+7, 20/x2)
+5 Adamantine Composite Plating (+13 Armor, +1 Dex, +5 Deflect, +5 Natural)
Abilities Str 24, Dex 16, Con 22, Int 20, Wis 24, Cha 13
ConditionStone Dragon Belt used to ready Mountain Hammer.

Under the effect of adapt body (14 hour duration)

[D20ragon]

The rags absorb the impact soundlessly, but a soft cry of pain ebbs into Savasati's consciousness.
Please don't hit me.
Please, I'm very weak, I need help.

[Lyndworm]

Savasati

What have I done? thinks the forged man, slowing his movement. Still unable to speak, Savasati attempts to think at the ragged creature. I am sorry. What has happened to you?

[D20ragon]

Savasati

What have I done? thinks the forged man, slowing his movement. Still unable to speak, Savasati attempts to think at the ragged creature. I am sorry. What has happened to you?

There is very little time here... the voice in Savasati's mind says, trembling, an eggshell trying to contain an ocean within itself.
Will you bring me to the Line?

[Lyndworm]

Savasati

After a moment's thought, the forged man replies ...Very well. I will take you there. He extends his hand to the ragged creature again, much more slowly this time, before continuing his descent.

[D20ragon]

Savasati

After a moment's thought, the forged man replies ...Very well. I will take you there. He extends his hand to the ragged creature again, much more slowly this time, before continuing his descent.

The hand clings to Savasati with a desperation born of weakness. The tattered sheets conceal much of its body, but for a moment, a glimpse of a face, a ragged, bleeding hole in it.
The rest of the descent is untroubled but by the psychic sobs of whoever it is Savasati is carrying.
As the Line draws closer, light seems to twist toward it, and it looms huge before the warforged. A moment of panic, as once more, each particle of his body seems isolated, then, the landing. Above, the sky is a pale pink, only a shade darker than the smooth glass of the ground. The being gives a final sob, the hand quivers.

[Peccavi]

Cassius Velarious

As though in response to Cassius' suspicions, a whimper sways unsteadily through the air like a dying bird, reaching his ears from the left. Before there is time to say anything, the sound rises in pitch and volume to a scream. Unconsciously, Cassius raises a hand to his mouth. The scream is unmistakably his own, but no, his lips are sealed, cold in the mist.
The scream ends, abruptly, almost violently.

"Sweet mother of..." Cassius begins in response to the scream, the curse fades to nothingness as his confusion builds.

Turning to Xalk, "That wasn't me. I mean its my voice, I've screamed enough in my time to recognise the sound. But I didn't make it, it didn't come from me."

"This place is starting to creep me out, and frankly I'd rather it be a little more normal." He says as he readjusts his sword and strides forward resolutely. "Not much to be done for it I suppose, lets see whats out there."

[drack]

Xalk

Xalk chuckles slightly, a cold dry laugh, but ultimately keeps his silence as he continues to walk through the haunting scene with his newly stumbled upon companion.

[Lyndworm]

Savasati

The forged man alights surprisingly softly for his stature. "What is your story, wounded one? How did you come to be in this place?"

[D20ragon]

The rags tremble and part near the top of the bundle to reveal a mask smooth mask: a humanoid face of white porcelain, lips twisted into a wry smile, the other features scarcely present. Behind the mask, dark, tired eyes stare blankly through Savasati.
What do I look like? Tell me...

[Lyndworm]

Savasati

The forged man looks the ragged figure up and down. "You look like a wounded bundle of cloth and ceramic." He says after a moment. "I do not understand this situation. Where are we now?
How did you come to be in this state?" The juggernaut continues.

[D20ragon]

We are on the Line. The mask tilts towards the pink of the crystalline sky and earth, and Savasati can see a smooth, milk white neck below, thick and muscled. Think of it as a road, through the infinite wild.There is a pause, and moments before the warforged might become suspicious that his companion had lapsed into sleep, it speaks again.
I am glad to hear you call me wounded, for I am, in ways not visible in this place. Those who maimed me, follow me, and will overpower you. There is no fear in the statement, only dull fact.
Have you fellows who could aid us? I will take us to them if you do. If not... Prepare yourself for a long, unpleasant journey. The lips of the mask almost seem to twitch.

[Lyndworm]

Savasati

The forged man raises a heavy metal brow, dubious that he would be overpowered so easily, but remains silent while the ragged creature continues. "There were others, when I arrived. We split into two groups, and I went with the knight, the mage, the wolf, and the traveler, but we have become separated. I do not know how to find them now. The old man and the swordsman went their own way."

[D20ragon]

Describe them to me. The being's mental voice tenses like an animal noticing for the first time the walls of a cage. And prepare yourself to fight or flee at a moments notice.

[Lyndworm]

Savasati

"The old man and the swordsman...?" Asks the forged man. 'The old one is called Xalk. He seems weak, but I feel he carries a terrible strength and knows more than he lets on. The swashbuckler is called Cassius. He is quick with his words, and stares at his sword from time to time." Savasati shakes his head slightly. "In truth, I do not know any of them very well at all."

[D20ragon]

As the voice in Savasati's head falls silent, he has a moment to fully take in his surroundings. A huge expanse of crystal, the color of a beach rose petal, slopes gently down in all directions, curving as it reaches the horizon. Above, the sky is the same shade of pink, but behind its translucent arc, dark shapes move in slow liquid dances, spreading thin as candyfloss before breaking. The wind smells of salt. It is picking up, with a sound as though someone is blowing across the top of a bottle; a moaning hum that grows slowly louder.

In the distance, a small figure moves further and further away. By the time Savasati spots it, it is already only the size of his fingertip, then, a pinhead.

A shadow falls across the strange pair, the warforged and the masked being. Looking up, a shape has coalesced in the sky above, closer than the rest, thick and grey, as though the air has congealed to clay. It moves slowly, painfully.

[Lyndworm]

Savasati

The forged man's eyes have difficulty tracking the wonders of this place, darting from shifting mass to strange entity and back again. Setting out at a steady jog, Savasati heads towards the rapidly shrinking figure on the horizon. "If you don't know how to get where we're going," he says to his ragged companion. "Maybe one of the natives will have something useful for us." With another quick glance at the grey mass in the sky, he continues "I'm not sure I'd like to learn about that thing firsthand. I was wrong about you, but I don't want to push my luck."

[D20ragon]

The ground crunches beneath the warforged's feet with each stride, a sound like new frost giving way beneath a heavy heel, but the strange crystal holds his weight. Behind him, a series of spiderweb fractures mark his passage.
They are the only sign of forward motion at first, for the Line here is as smooth and featureless as the surface of a pearl and has the same dull luster that draws the eye until alll that remains in view is the curve of the surface, a steady, slow roll of pale salt pink.
The being on his back does not move, does not speak, and so the only sounds present for miles is the thud and crush of each metal footfall, and the keening of the wind which, somehow, stealthily, has reached the pitch of an infants scream.
After a time, which may be short, but feels lengthy, the distance between Savasati and the distant stranger begins to grow smaller as the far off figure slows its run. Metal does not tire, however, and soon Savasati is close enough to make out a body clothed entirely in heavy grey cloth, a sack slung over one shoulder, and a bundle of metal tools hanging from a belt.
Beyond the figure, Savasati can see spiderweb fractures in the crystal at regular intervals, stretching away to the horizon. Above, there is a grey shape in the sky, thick, slow, painful as the last pulse of blood in the veins of an ancient man. It strains against the crystal arc of the sky, pushing down until it nearly touches the surface of the Line. The figure begins to move more quickly again, but Savasati's mechanical stride brings him within arms reach quickly.

[Lyndworm]

Savasati

"Pardon me," rumbles the juggernaut as he reaches to place a hand on the traveler's shoulder. "Might you tell me where you are headed? I would like to get out from under this... spot."

[D20ragon]

An impossibility away from Savasati, time drifts slowly forward through the fog. The old man and the swordsman walk along the endless precipice, their footsteps doubling, redoubling, as if echoing off of some hidden mountain.
A wind uncoils itself from cold sleep and begins to blow, light and constant. It is unwelcome. The mist follows it only reluctantly, lagging behind only a second or two at most, but the missed time is noticeable, and feels wrong. Within a minute however, fog willing or no, the air is clear.
Thin cliffs stretch to the horizon, spaced out like a great row of dominoes, glaring white sides lined up to the right, hard black walls on the left. The cliffs seem lonely somehow, the distance between them just great enough to deny companionship. They stand like strangers in a queue, and like a queue, there is an expectant air to the scene. Not one of excitement, but a feeling that there is something that everything is waiting for, has been waiting for so long that to stop waiting now would simply be folly.
The wind grows stronger, tugging at Xalk's robes, and as if the wind had borne the sight to their eyes, the pair now see two figures walking along the tops of each cliff. Sometimes side by side, sometimes a great distance apart, but always two, a shorter, bent figure, and a taller one.
The pair on the nearest cliff to the left are walking quickly towards one another, while to the right, the bent figure is kneeling, one arm outstretched to the taller figure, who dangles from some indivisible handhold on the alabaster cliff face, silhouette like a shadow puppet on a wall.

[drack]

The still puddle quaked gently under the solitary klack of a cane. The still mists which previously rested, devoid of life, seemed to take spirit from the new arrivals, stirred into swirling twining movement with every move the two made. The solitary light that filled the haunted landscape with endless grey nothingness found companionship in the twisting inhuman shadows that formed from the fractured light and swirling mists. A nightmarish beast seemed to walk in crooked strides in step with the old god, but at a second glance any could dismiss it as naught but a trick of weary eyes and on edge minds. As the wind picks up causing Xalk's neat suit to flutter faintly the illusion seems to dissipate as if it never were. Smiling with his scared and broken face Xalk waves at the kneeling and dangling figures as a friendly neighbor might when crossing paths only a street's crossing away. As he walked Xalk felt the ground with his feet, tasted the air in his mouth, and felt the cool sensation of mist on his cheek, experiencing every moment of life, but certainly... yes... feelings and sensations were good, they fed the imagination with base ideas, they stimulated the senses and the mind just to breath them in, often literally. Still, it couldn't compare to the boundless internal quanderous and excitable nature of sentient beings. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Xalk loved people. The subtle tastes, the intertwining complexities of the monad, there was little better. Still, he had long since learned abstinence; to reign in his hunger and keep that cruel predatory glint from ever reaching his eye. Instead his withered and decaying eyes were filled with naught but soft kindness in a pool of calm as he silently welcomed the two figures, inviting them over whilst also taking a path to pass by them should they not be seeking such conversation and companionship in the quiet piece of this hibernating world that did nothing but wait for something it had long since forgotten to occur.

[Peccavi]

Cassius Velarious

Still unnerved from the earlier disembodied scream in his own voice, Cassius walks cautiously onward a step or two behind Xalk. The strangeness of the place continued to grow, as did his unease with it. The gap between the normality of his life up to this point and abnormality of his current predicament stretched into a yawning chasm in his mind, a chasm filled with dark and obscure things that were beginning shake the swordsman's confidence in everything he thought he knew.

Oh Talanon, he thought to his sentient sword, I am starting to think this is a little beyond me.

I've been there since we first arrived, Cas. I decided to just stop looking, seems to help The sword returned.

Cassius glanced at the sheer cliff walls and the precarious path upon which they were walking. Really don't think closing my eyes is an option here.

[D20ragon]

Savasati

"Pardon me," rumbles the juggernaut as he reaches to place a hand on the traveler's shoulder. "Might you tell me where you are headed? I would like to get out from under this... spot."

The stranger slows as Savasati touches them, but never stops, always setting one foot in front of the other with mechanical intensity that almost seems to bear the much larger warforged being along with them, always towards where the sky has dripped nearly to the earth in a gyre of sunken cloud. The thin wind keens, running through the crystal ground as though it means to shatter it. The traveler turns to Savasati, and Savasati is both surprised and not surprised by her face, for it is the face of a dead woman, stiff skin, thick grey lips, sunken nose and cheeks, and yet it seems only fitting, almost natural, there is something in her gait and posture that suggests banal death.
Her eyes belie her funeral nature. Swimming in her sockets, white liquid like milk swirls and quivers, never spilling forth, never remaining still. She stares at Savasati as she walks, though in truth her vision is impossible to track, blank and fluid as it is. When they reach the gyre, it startles Savasati. She speaks to him over the wind, her voice soft and hollow, heavy bells.
I am going to my mother's grave, she says. I do not expect I will find it soon.
She touches the gyre, and her hand unravels into it. The sky is impossibly dark, and in its shadow, her eyes are all light gathered to a shining pool.
Do you have anything to give me?
Neither hopeful nor resigned, she recites the words as if she had reached her cue, dead lips shaping them perfectly.

[Lyndworm]

Savasati

With shock at the woman's appearance and demeanor apparent even on an adamantine face, the forged man slowly says "I think not." Turning to the shredded creature at his side, Savasati continues "How about you, my friend? Anything for our new acquaintance?"

[D20ragon]

The thick neck of the Savasati's companion pulses. Advice for you, grave-seeker: focus on your sight. Consider it thoroughly. And hurry away from here.
The dead woman nods slowly, stiff fingers fumbling at her dusty belt pouches, clay folded deep into the fabric. With some difficulty, she pulls out a shotglass, roughly crafted from the pink crystal that all present stand on. In the shadow, it gleams only softly, as though ashamed. Holding the glass before her, she tips her head over it. From one eye, a smooth stream of white liquid pours into the glass, never splashing, heavy and fluid as quicksilver. She lifts her head, wipes away the white stain around the socket, now empty. She offers the shotglass.
Keep it, she says. Until you have some use for it. Its absence will remind me to follow your advice. Goodbye.
She stretches upward, and continues to unravel in a flash of skin muscle bone organ until there is nothing but the gyre, turning ever more quickly.
We ought to leave, the masked figure tells Savasati. I believe I've found your companions, and I am certain that in turn, my pursuers have found us. Do you think you can crack the earth here? The last question is given as though it were a logical extension of the previous statements. The masked face looks up at Savasati, though it is impossible to tell if it sees him or not.

[Lyndworm]

Savasati

The juggernaut takes the shot glass from the woman gingerly, clearly afraid of breaking it. He carefully places the item into his satchel as his masked companion raises his question. "Yes, " says Savasati, a twisted metal grin on his face. "I do. Let us go meet them." He rears back one immense, spiked fist and slams it into the ground with as much force as he can muster.



I'm not sure which is more appropriate here, so I'm going to roll two checks. My gut says Strength check, but it could be a regular attack, so here we go:

Strength Check:
[roll0]


Attack Roll:1
[roll1]

Damage Roll:1
[roll2]


1 With -20/+40 Power Attack
Savasati (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1036351)
Medium Lawful Neutral Psiforged Juggernaut, Level 22, Init 3, HP 261/261, DR 10/Adamantine, 3/-, Speed 20ft (25ft charging), 60ft Fly (Good)
AC 34, Touch 16, Flat-footed 33, Fort 19, Ref 13, Will 17, Base Attack Bonus +18/+13/+8/+3, Power Points 111/120
+5 Unarmed Strike +30 (5d6+19, 20/x2)
+5 Slam +30 | +25 (1d8+12 | +8, 20/x2)
Armor Spikes +25 (1d8+7, 20/x2)
+5 Adamantine Composite Plating (+13 Armor, +1 Dex, +5 Deflect, +5 Natural)
Abilities Str 24, Dex 16, Con 22, Int 20, Wis 24, Cha 13
ConditionStone Dragon Belt used to ready Mountain Hammer.

Under the effect of adapt body (14 hour duration)

[D20ragon]

The crystal splinters and gives way, intricate latices obliterated by the sheer metal violence of the warforged's strength. The shards whip past the companions, sucked into the gyre behind them as they watch a fault line race to the too-near horizon and cleave it in two. The ground just ahead of them lurches unpleasantly and gives way like spun sugar melting - a slow twisting collapse, then a rush to ruin. The gyre presses against the ground, sensing weakness, and as if in response, a great amorphous mass of twirling, shrieking matter floods up from the chasm Savasati created, cold and damp, a mist that had for too long been trapped within the earth, away from the air, now rejoining it with a joyous and terrible force. The air is thick with it, thick with its smell of frigid glass and melting ice and its deanp, roiling grey. Through the mist, Savasati watches two lights pop into being with a suddenness that makes him wince. They press hard against against the dark and the chaos, and despite his bulk, Savasati feels that they will press through him too, isolate each particle of his being and fling them far away from each other into some bleak pandemonium he hopes to never see.
Pick me up says the being beside him, and as Savasati looks, it takes him a moment to find the bundled creature: the warforged feels that somehow, something has slid between them, something quickly growing more concrete and sharp. The creature feels strange in his arms. It is immensely heavy, and yet Savasati does not, cannot drop it. It is torment to hold it, yet it is torment that evades the mind's attempt to quantify it. In his arms, the world is ending. His mind has become completely drawn into his arms, into the struggle of weight vs steel and will, there is nothing left but the strange, infantile form he is holding, he does not remember why he is holding it, his body is gone but the weight remains, his senses are pressed into the needlepoint of this struggle, and his form passes through the eye of the needle and then it is over, and he is standing on a thin ledge of stone, no more than a foot wide, with the mist clearing around him and the bundled form of his strange companion in his arms. He has never felt such relief as he feels in this instant.

Some hundred feet off, the old man and the swordsman stand, hair and cloaks stirring in the new wind.

[Lyndworm]

Savasati

After that ordeal has passed and Savasati is squeezed through the membrane of reality, he spots his acquaintances in the distance. "Hello!" the juggernaut calls to them. "I have brought a new friend. You will not believe where we have just come from."

[Peccavi]

Cassius Velarious


After that ordeal has passed and Savasati is squeezed through the membrane of reality, he spots his acquaintances in the distance. "Hello!" the juggernaut calls to them. "I have brought a new friend. You will not believe where we have just come from."

Cassius whirls to face the unexpected greeting, his right hand flashes to his sword hilt, his cloak billows dramatically.

"Savasati?" his eyes narrow sceptically, "Is that really you? Because, I have got to tell you that things have gotten weird around here." He gestures vaguely, trying to encompass everything at once.

"Look Xalk, it appears our giant metal friend has returned." He says to his companion.

[drack]

Xalk

Spacial fragments like jagged shards of crystal swirled about Xalk as they flew by, like a wave of sparks jumping free of a flame to dance briefly through a still and quiet night. The old man observes the cosmic fragmentation with a wistful and heartfelt smile, like one might wear when watching children chase bubbles through the air. Ah, he could still recall the damifying spacial conflagration, all those soul jolting cries that all sounded so beautifully broken like a syncopated melody of minor notes playing through his ears. It's dangerous to loose oneself to nostalgia though, so before the glistening fragments had even faded, a weary knowing smile surfaced upon his face as his eyes refocused on the warforged whom he's not even known long enough to call familiar yet. "Oh my, my." He replies with a tone of merry false reprimand. "A new friend already? Why don't you introduce us? Rather, wasn't it not too long ago you departed with your old friends? Don't tell me you got in a fight...?" His faint rasping voice pauses a moment in anticipation as he raises a handkerchief from his pocket and coughs gently into it before putting it away and politely allowing the warforged a chance to answer and introduce his new friend.

[Lyndworm]

Savasati

"Yes, Mister Velarious, it is I. I have noticed the... weirdness." the juggernaut says, following the born man's vague gestures with his head. He listens as Xalk asks his questions, and nods before replying. "You are correct. It has not been very long at all by my reckoning, but who can keep track in times such as these? I am afraid that I never learned my companion's name, but it has been only helpful since we met. I was separated from the others not long after we split from you two, and this one found me drifting in the void shortly after. We just came from an endless, rolling sheet of rose colored glass. There, we met a strange dead woman who gave me a shot glass, and I punched a hole through the earth to find you on the other side. I trust your journey has been no more reasonable?"

[drack]

Xalk

Xalk slowly shakes his head. "Your trust is misplaced. We've merely been strolling through mist, though with the flow of time being inconsistent between points I suppose it might have been a bit longer for us..."

[D20ragon]

On the cliff to the left, the two figures meet, the taller one kneeling before the bent one. Although they are too far to hear, all of the companions are familiar enough with grief to recognize that the bent one is crying.
To the right, where the tall figure hangs from a fingernail grip on the alabaster cliff face, the bent figure turns sadly from where he was laying, hand outstretched to his fellow. The tall figure falls without ceremony.

[drack]

Xalk

Seeing the two intended to interrupt his questioning, Xalk carelessly gives voice to some minor divine wisdom, more as an irritated murmur that wasn't directed at anyone then as a proper spell, but as he does a prismatic arc, much like a rainbow bends from one surface of the cliff to another. Ethereal as a field of stars, the rainbow remains solid to the touch and capable of bearing weight. Unlike most rainbows though, this one takes on hues of a darker note adding a hint of foreboding air to it, or perhaps the rainbow just stubbornly refused to admit its prismatic brilliance, giving itself this new sinister allure. All the same, Xalk ignores the effect entirely, focused instead on his own conversation then on the life he'd carelessly saved.


Using the dread witch ability to cast dark way for free! Yay for out of combat casting that takes multiple rounds to perform! :smallbiggrin:

[D20ragon]

As the tall figure to the right casts around him cautiously for the source of the sorcery shimmering beneath his feet, the tall figure to the left draws a sword slowly, its edge, straight and clean as the oath of an angel, splitting the mist around it. He holds it above his weeping companion, point dangling above the smaller figure's bent head.

[Peccavi]

Cassius Velarious


Savasati

"I trust your journey has been no more reasonable?"


Xalk

Xalk slowly shakes his head. "Your trust is misplaced. We've merely been strolling through mist, "

Cassius is also shaking his his in response to Savasati, but then his eyes widen in disbelief at Xalk's reply.

"I think perhaps you have forgotten to mention that it's a creepy mist, with disembodied screams and spooky echos. There's also this stuff still happening up there", he pauses and gestures to the sky, as great patch of the blackness slowly takes on hues of green in dancing geometric shapes, "and these four fellows", he gesture to the figures to left and right, "who seem to be shadowing or mirroring or following us. And there is something so familiar about them." He had blurted it all out rather quickly, like the ideas were desperate to get out of his head.

He sighed, gently and relaxed a little, before raising an eyebrow and indicating Xalk with a sideways toss of his head. "Our friend here, doesn't seem remotely disturbed by any of this. And I don't know if I find that reassuring or not."

It's at this moment that the taller figure to the right falls and is suddenly saved by Xalks magic.

Hmmm, saving strangers? I did not expect that... He thinks to himself.

The tall figure to the left lifts his sword.

Maybe I should do the same...

Cassius sucks a great breath into his lungs and moves his hands through a wave of basic mystical gestures, ending in a funnelling shape around his mouth. His exhalation becomes a wind and he whispers a message upon it toward the swordsman.

"Stop! Do not harm this man. We must speak first."

Casting whispering wind

[D20ragon]

Almost instantly the reply comes. He is guilty, would you delay his punishment? The sword still hangs in the air, silver, absolute.

[drack]

Xalk

Xalk sighs gently. Clearly this wasn't going to wait...

"Excuse me sir, could you please start from the beginning and tell us the story of how the two of you ended up as you are now?"

[D20ragon]

A breeze ripples in the air, as if the tall figure were about to speak, but it dies away, curling into nothing as behind the tall figure, two lights press against the very air itself. Savasati recalls the lights he saw though the fog of the crystal world he just light from, and the being in his arms trembles, as if it shares his discomfort. The tall figure pivots to face the lights, placing one boot on the hand of the crouching figure. His sword dances between the lights, and even from where the party stands, it is clear he is an experienced swordsman. It is clear also, that he is afraid. To Xalk, his fear shudders out from him like silk in a gale.