"Ah... Where was I? Yes... Price... Yes. Akhm... Well, if you want to pass then you must pay the price, you know. I'm afraid that is the nature of those things. Price, yes... For me to call on you one time in your lives and you to answer. Yes... That is the price of passage."
Sorok grunts in frustration, obviously impatient.
If that's what needs to be done then fine. I accept your price then Guardian. As Mother Moon and Father Sun rise, call and I will answer. Now let us through!
Solvistania gazes up at the guardians face, and on hearing the price of the passage, thinks This is how the spirits work, always attaching strings to their services. Would that I have no more strings on me.. She simply nods once in agreement to his price of passage.
Ragnar nods to the guardian. "Done" he say, but waits for the others before venturing forth.
"Absolutely"
"You ain't gonna get no hold on me, Stoney." Muni says with uncharacteristic gravity. "I'm a Watcher of Meruros. I got responsibilities, and I ain't subject to yer rules."
"I can do that."
"Okay, sure. If I live that long."
While the others chat the stone spirit, Gilian keeps looking for the tracks they had seen before entering the grove. Are they still going that way?
Survival
Eventually, as she hears the others have all accepted the stone spirit demands without bargaining, she frowns and come to face it.
"Tell me, stone-brother, what is your name so we can bargain in good faith. Mine is Gilian. I agree to your price if that's what we need to go through. But on three conditions: I will not come if you become tainted by the Shadow, if you make me do its work or if you want me to kill innocents, who ever they are. Can we agree on these conditions?"
"Strange, one should think, that those most tainted by Shadow are the first to accept... Mkhmm... pass you two..."
Marching past the stone guardian Sorok enters the cave. He stands and looks around for a way down and possible dangers while waiting for the others to follow.
Perception:
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While the others chat the stone spirit, Gilian keeps looking for the tracks they had seen before entering the grove. Are they still going that way?
Survival 1d20+11
Eventually, as she hears the others have all accepted the stone spirit demands without bargaining, she frowns and come to face it.
"Tell me, stone-brother, what is your name so we can bargain in good faith. Mine is Gilian. I agree to your price if that's what we need to go through. But on three conditions: I will not come if you become tainted by the Shadow, if you make me do its work or if you want me to kill innocents, who ever they are. Can we agree on these conditions?"
"Heh... Akhm... Perhaps there is some hope four younger races after all... You are not so hasty... Indeed... I sense the gifts of Aryth in you..." Huge figure bows surprisingly easy until his moss framed lips are next to your ear, and then he whispers with gravel-like voice
"Heh... Akhm... Perhaps there is some hope four younger races after all... You are not so hasty... Indeed... I sense the gifts of Aryth in you..." Huge figure bows surprisingly easy until his moss framed lips are next to your ear, and then he whispers with gravel-like voice ** spoiler omitted **
"Thank you, Grandfather. May Aryth bless your dreams." she murmurs back.
With a last glance at the spirit, she joint the other past the dark threshold.
"I too, will not respond if you are tainted but otherwise I also accept." Anvinder steps forward and give Gilian a nod.
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Elemental being in front of you moves aside so that everyone who accepted his terms may pass. An entrance to the tunnel is revealed and your first step leads you in the darkness such as you've never seen before. Not even Dorzar's unnatural dark which suffocated the senses was equal to this doom-filled shroud of despair that you walked in. A terrible sense of loneliness and loss assaults you.
will save
Will Save
Will save
Solvistania, after throwing off the effects of the shadows, sees Chops heading towards her in a blind panic. She interposes herself in the way, and grabs his arm as he rushes by, "Chops, I am here, do not let the Shadow overwhelm you! Fight it!"
Solvistania, after throwing off the effects of the shadows, sees Chops heading towards her in a blind panic. She interposes herself in the way, and grabs his arm as he rushes by, "Chops, I am here, do not let the Shadow overwhelm you! Fight it!"
Chops grasps her hand and pulls her along with him as he runs towards the light. "We're all going to die in there, I know it! I saw it! We can't go in there!"
Will: , +2 vs. fear
Chops grasps her hand and pulls her along with him as he runs towards the light. "We're all going to die in there, I know it! I saw it! We can't go in there!"
Solvistania, knowing there is no way she can resist him physically, tries a different approach, She looks directly into his eyes, and allows hin to see into her soul, to see the conflict that rages in her, and the strength to master her emotions. Assuming he does not resist, she will give him a hug, allowing him to feel her warmth, and whispers, "Easy, Chops, you are not alone here, we can defeat this foe, together."
Solvistania, knowing there is no way she can resist him physically, tries a different approach, She looks directly into his eyes, and allows hin to see into her soul, to see the conflict that rages in her, and the strength to master her emotions. Assuming he does not resist, she will give him a hug, allowing him to feel her warmth, and whispers, "Easy, Chops, you are not alone here, we can defeat this foe, together."
When Solvistania is dragged out into the sunlight, Chops feels her pulling him to her embrace. She can feel him shaking and his skin is cold and moist. Tears are streaming down from his eyes to his cheeks and hers. When she looks into his dark eyes in the sunlight, she can see that they are actually a shade of midnight blue. He stares into her red eyes, "We will die in there. Like Evyndr...Sky'tor. We will become shades that follow Ragnar to his own death."
midnight blue. He stares into her red eyes, "We will die in there. Like Evyndr...Sky'tor. We will become shades that follow Ragnar to his own death."
"There are worse fates. Cowardice among them. You are stronger than this."
When Solvistania is dragged out into the sunlight, Chops feels her pulling him to her embrace. She can feel him shaking and his skin is cold and moist. Tears are streaming down from his eyes to his cheeks and hers. When she looks into his dark eyes in the sunlight, she can see that they are actually a shade of midnight blue. He stares into her red eyes, "We will die in there. Like Evyndr...Sky'tor. We will become shades that follow Ragnar to his own death."
"No, that will not be our fate. Like Ragnar says, you are stronger than this, also remember we are a fellowship now, and we will all share the same fate, if need be."
"There are worse fates. Cowardice among them. You are stronger than this."
"Worse than being a ghost? A slave to Izrador yes. Cowardice....I would rather die than be labeled a " Chops stares hard at the big Dorn. "Something is inside of me and I cannot go further." He turns to Solvistania, "I am sorry my princess."
"Being a ghost is the best of the possibilities. Trust me." The big dorn says, almost conversationally before returning Chops' hard stare "You are being forced against your will. You will allow that? You want to turn and fight, but something keeps you. Fine. If you wont turn and fight, you can stay here with us."
In the darkness the tiny pin pricks of light that slowly swirl Ragnar like stars, all halt, turn, and brighten, staring into Chops. The spectral fires dim until all the light that remains are long shadows and the glowing eyes of dead children.
And Ragnar's measuring gaze, lit like the souls surrounding him.
He turns to Solvistania, "I am sorry my princess."
My princess... The words seem to enter her body and head straight to her heart. She looks at Chops now, several tears trying to form in her eyes, and tries to determine what he has been enspelled by,
Ragnar's gaze shakes Chops to the core. Then he sees Solvistania's tears, he bows his head in shame. He closes his eyes for a minute. Then two minutes. I know what must be done. He releases Solvistania and walks towards the earth elemental which is standing there motionless and uncaring. He picks up a loose stone, about the size of a fist, which has broken of the ancient sentinel. Then he begins to chant in a mixture of orcish and dwarvish:
Then Chops places his left and onto the elemental, fingers spread. He grits his teeth, raises the rock and smashes it down onto his small finger. Only a grunt escapes his throat as the pain shoots through his hand. His blood splatters onto the elemental and onto the ground. He drops the rock and without looking at his hand, Ragnar, nor Solvistania, and turns towards the hole once more.
+4 if magical.
Ilona looks back ath Chops, sees Ragnar strike terror deeper than any cave, and sees the pain in Solvi's eyes over her concern for Chops.
Noticing the panic building in Sorok's eyes as well she takes a deep breath and begins to speak an a voice both soothing and clear, her words striking out at fear itself, embracing the heart and uplifting the spirit.
"It's all right. They can't hurt is. It's why they try to scare us. They know their time is over so they throw everything they have at us, their magic and their darkness and their threats."
Pete grunts. "Waste of finger. But if it helps push away fear, good enough."
Solvistania glares at the halfling, and replies in a softly lethal voice, "Perhaps you fail to understand what has transpired here, would you like some enlightenment?"
She moves to Chops side, and takes his now mangled hand in her own hands, heedless of the blood flowing from the open wounds, she looks at the gaping wound, and murmers a quick healing cantrip, She takes his hand in hers, and whispers, "You shall never be alone, my champion."
"They can't even begin to understand what is coming for them. The shadow's tim is a an end, and we'll be there to ring the bell."
Ilona gives Chops a wicked grin inciting feelings of destroying the enemy.
"They can't even begin to understand what is coming for them. The shadow's time is a an end, and we'll be there to ring the bell."
Ilona gives Chops a wicked grin inciting feelings of destroying the enemy.
" I hardly think we will stop the shadow. The brighter the light, the deeper the shadow becomes. All we are able to do is protect that light so that we are not consumed by the darkness." Anvinder averts his eyes from contact with anyone else "Heroes die, and survivors carry on. A thousand small victory's mean more then one brave stand."