Vortic retrieves the sword after a few moments of looking out the window, then wanders over near Vassago. "Where your desires are better not lead us into any more danger, Curse-blood. There are dangers beyond, like those things outside."
Vassago sighs and exhales deeply.
There is always danger beyond where we cannot anticipate. However, I suspect we will be in less danger if you refrain from tossing that sword to the ground. That ... is what I desire right now. Else, we all will be in greater danger if you are empty-handed.
He turns to face toward the wall with the compass in hand.
Watching. Wondering.
"Let's see what's on the other side, shall we?"
<Pushes on the wall>
"Let's see what's on the other side, shall we?"
<Pushes on the wall>
<The wall pushes back> ;-)
While you were drawing on the wall, Viserys was giving you some odd looks.
"Either exists doesn't a or portal it. You a just cannot portal chalk create with."
You've obviously not taken upon the practice of summoning outsiders, then, Vassago replied with a tinge of irritation in his voice. Magic circles also serve as portals to open doorways...
<continuing mage hand, he retrieves the chalk out of E.'s hand once more. He casts another to retrieve any loose parchment lying around. Combined he manipulates them to etch a drawing of a door. He sends the chalk back into E.'s hands and suspends the parchment of the newly drawn door in mid-air.>
Now to find this portal and soon. Else the one in the floor will just as soon suffice versus lingering here in limbo until being doomed to face what is currently being held at-bay ... outside.
"... There are dangers beyond, like those things outside."
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **"... There are dangers beyond, like those things outside."
** spoiler omitted **
"While not having seen them before, I think those things outside are servants of the dragon queen, though I dare not say her name to draw her many eyes." Vortic says with some concern as he glances back toward the window. "I suggest that we bid a hasty exit."
He turns back to everyone, "I trust Alaric so far, but it's difficult with the extra voice in my head to think properly. I can only imagine what it's like to have jumbled thoughts." He regards Viserys with some pity, "Mister Viserys, where are we going and what is our quest?"
Pinna hops impatiently. "No no no. Drawing of door is key, not portal. Need the key to open portal. Why humans not understand carrot man?"
She cocks her head at Vortic. "Good question."
"Mister Viserys, where are we going and what is our quest?"
The device has been activated but it will take some time for it to gather enough energy from the multiverse to do what the device was created to do. Unfortunately, I do not know what it will take to shut it down once it is started. What I do know is that the device came from Mechanus. Perhaps they will know a way to shut the machine down.
The compass I gave your companion will guide you to portals. The city of Doors is a good place to start and you should be able to get to Mechanus from there. After that, focusing on a desired location will cause the compass to point you to the nearest portal that can take you to that destination.
So your "quest" is to find a way to stop the device from making the entire multiverse nothing more than a chaotic mess where "good", "evil", and "law" no longer exist. What you need to "do" right now is to make your way to Mechanus and find a way to accomplish your "quest".
"Mister Viserys, where are we going and what is our quest?"
The device has been activated but it will take some time for it to gather enough energy from the multiverse to do what the device was created to do. Unfortunately, I do not know what it will take to shut it down once it is started. What I do know is that the device came from Mechanus. Perhaps they will know a way to shut the machine down.
The compass I gave your companion will guide you to portals. The city of Doors is a good place to start and you should be able to get to Mechanus from there. After that, focusing on a desired location will cause the compass to point you to the nearest portal that can take you to that destination.
So your "quest" is to find a way to stop the device from making the entire multiverse nothing more than a chaotic mess where "good", "evil", and "law" no longer exist. What you need to "do" right now is to make your way to Mechanus and find a way to accomplish your "quest".
"Sigil! By the Lady, that thing will help us navigate that place? Good news indeed, and that is welcome of late." Vortic says, finally giving way to a relieved smile.
"Magic people can use the fancy compass now? Mister, are there more key things here to take with us? Somebody should draw a picture and make the new compass hum so we get out before flying beasts get in." Pinna shivers. "Don't trust things that fly." She turns a bright eye on the resident. "Mister Viserys should come too, be safe."
"Magic people can use the fancy compass now? Mister, are there more key things here to take with us? Somebody should draw a picture and make the new compass hum so we get out before flying beasts get in." Pinna shivers. "Don't trust things that fly." She turns a bright eye on the resident. "Mister Viserys should come too, be safe."
"If I come with you, we will just end up being hunted down. The portal is not here. You have to leave here to find the portal. And I'm sorry, but I have no "keys" to any portals that you will need."
Vortic cracks his knuckles, "Can't wait to set a blade to their flesh."
<Grabs compass from Vassago>
"OK. Let's see where this thing wants us to go."
<Casts detect magic, just in case>
Perception:
Survival:
<Roots around in backpack>
"Blast! And double blast! I must have hocked my magnifying glass."
Pinna clucks sympathetically, sticks a claw in her pack, and offers the resultant butterfly net to E. "Any help?"
Pinna clucks sympathetically, sticks a claw in her pack, and offers the resultant butterfly net to E. "Any help?"
"That's very kind of you, Pinna, but I've already got one. I'm not really happy with the shade of purple it is, though. Maybe we can trade?"
"I think we just have to go in the direction it indicates. If it leads out into the hallway, then that's the way we go. Maybe in the City of Doors we might be able to find a way home..."
"Um...after I find this portal."
"Um...after I find this portal."
The portal is away from here. You can either go through the front door and take your chances with the gargoyle-like creatures or you can go through the trap door...
<Ponders the many ways to die at the hands, er, claws of the creatures>
"That's an easy choice."
<Drops through the trap door>
Pinna bows to Viserys. "Thank you for help. Your fate is yours again. Meet it well." She follows E.
Not a test, he tells me? I'm feeling rather testy as it is.
We're in no position to dance a two-step with any of Tiamat's progeny, so I concur with the flighty one.
And with that, he furls his red robes and makes haste by following E. through the trap door in the floor.
And with that, he furls his red robes and makes haste by following E. through the trap door in the floor.
You start walking down a tunnel. It's about 10 feet wide and maybe 8 feet high. After a short while (best guess -- 300 feet), you start coming up and come to another trap door.
;-)
You see the simple latch that is keeping the trap door closed and are easily able to undo it.
Vortic climbs out, armed.
Anyone feeling lucky? Vassago chuckled to himself. ...but on a serious note, it would be best if we file ourselves in formation.
Pinna springs out behind Vortic, scanning for danger.
Pinna takes a gust of wind in the face and wipes her eyes clear of the dust. "Brchk!"
Vortic climbs out, armed.
You emerge on top of a nearby hill. "Nearby" being about a mile away or so. But you can see a good number of flying creatures around the rather simple looking cottage.
I'm going to assume that you will follow the direction the compass leads you.
E. points in the direction the compass is pointing and you start heading off in that direction. After a few miles of travel, you see an odd sight. You seem to be in a sparse wood, so trees are not that uncommon -- but what's ahead of you are two rather large trees that merged about 15 feet up making a kind of archway.
Perception Checks -->
E. -->
Pinna -->
Lanwin -->
Elysia -->
Vortic -->
Vassago -->
Corresponding stealth -->
Nearly everyone sees three of the gargoyle looking creatures (of the green variety) hiding (apparently not all that well) in the branches above the portal. They look like they are guarding the portal.
Perception -->
You believe that they see you but are not advancing to attack.
500 feet.
One is in the uppermost branches. The other two are rather close to the archway...
"Out of bow range for me. Magic?" Pinna shrugs. "Looks like trouble." She unslings her crossbow and loads it.
"Maybe there's some sort of toll."
Here is a picture of the creatures you've been seeing.
Here is the map. The green outline is the extent of the branches on the trees. The brown circles are the trunks of the trees.
You have a little bit of time -- depending on what you do.
Once you figure out what you want to do, here's the initiative...
Vortek –
Lanwin –
Elysia –
E. –
Pinna –
Vassago –
Abishai -
I have no doubt there's a toll. But I suspect what they'll barter for ... will not be a bargain.
Vassago takes a moment to assess the terrain.
We're going to have to distract them and separate them if we're going to have any chance to succeed to go through the portal.
<casts invisibility on self>
Now...to distract them...
"Can't we try a diplomatic approach first?"
<Activates coat of many stars, anyway. +6 to AC>
"Any magics people can do to help us?"
Unseen, he whispers as he passes by E.
I intend to try to be diplomatic. With these bottom-feeders, I expect our negotiations to be aggressive.
<casts invisibility on self>
Now...to distract them...
That seemed to do something...
They seemed to be far more agitated and are gibbering among themselves. Then their words seem to get a little more focused...
... and ... nothing happens. ;-(
"Getting in range more."
Vortic moves toward the same tree as Pinna, hoping to gain some cover or concealment from it.
Edit: That means Vortic runs. I wasn't exactly clear on that. I guess Q24.
Vortic moves toward the same tree as Pinna, hoping to gain some cover or concealment from it.
Edit: That means Vortic runs. I wasn't exactly clear on that. I guess Q24.
That was exactly where I put you.
After their failed attempt(s), they all took potions, two of them positioned themselves just in front of the archway, and the other one is moving in your direction.
Lanwin approaches cautiously. "Hello, there. We just need to pass through, and won't cause any trouble. If you don't mind, we'll just go through that portal and be on our way."
They seemed to be far more agitated and are gibbering among themselves. Then their words seem to get a little more focused...
Lanwin approaches cautiously. "Hello, there. We just need to pass through, and won't cause any trouble. If you don't mind, we'll just go through that portal and be on our way."
The one moving towards you hisses and says...
"The crazy one said that beings might want to go through here. The crazy one doesn't want anyone to leave until he's done. And we must not fail him."
Lanwin approaches cautiously. "Hello, there. We just need to pass through, and won't cause any trouble. If you don't mind, we'll just go through that portal and be on our way."The one moving towards you hisses and says...
"The crazy one said that beings might want to go through here. The crazy one doesn't want anyone to leave until he's done. And we must not fail him."
"Not even for a pretty gold piece or more?"
They seemed to be far more agitated and are gibbering among themselves. Then their words seem to get a little more focused...