Kiri simply stands back and watches as the men discuss how they are going to subjugate the populace beneath a mountain of laws. When she has a moment to speak:
I do not know from whence the majority of you hail, although from appearances, several of you are native to Brevoy and its various states. However, I was raised in Varisia and have spent time in all the major cities of that land, as well as others across the Inner Sea. I have seen what absolute adherence to law can do, it is called Cheliax and is the work of the devil. I have also seen what no laws at all can do, it is called Nirmathas in its better form, Belkzen and Riddleport in its worst. However, there must be a middle ground. A place where the laws are enforced, but not to the point where they constrain the people such that they become nothing but servants to the state. There is a land where nobody breaks the law, and it is not Cheliax. It is Nex. Where all are dead and follow the rule of the undead Nex for all eternity. I am not saying that simply making laws will result in us all becoming nothing more than mindless slaves, but I believe that the need for rigid enforcement of the laws must be carefully tempered to balance the freedom of the people that we are seeking to achieve in Slobada.
With that, she steps back and awaits the arguments she expects from the more rigid thinking members of the group.
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"As excellent as this foundation of law is, I think it would be smart if we should add a new clause saying that this document will be refined and clarified at a later date. Open for future amendments so to say. Of the top of my head, 'uncontested' might be a rather... strong way to describe authority. Granted, retroactively adding this eighth article might be in bad taste considering that a few of us have already signed."
Rupert hear Janus speak, and then answers him...
"Well of course this is only a Foundation, as you say. A place to start, the ground rules. As you can read the King can enact edicts, and only a vote from the Barons can undone them. And the authority of each Baron, is well, only contested by a vote from all the other Barons and the King. About a Royal post service, I haven't though of it and sounds like a great idea, and we need to discuss about it too. But we need to accept the "ground rules" first, and most of us haven't done so yet... "He looks towards Marius.
Danath turned at Kiri's statement, intrigued by all the places and politics she named off while not being offended in anyway. "Since you are not a native of Brevoy then then you have yet to hear of what I wish to create. I'll ask no citizen to give me there silent obedient consent nay, I would support only a body of uniformly enforced laws tempered by fairness, justice and freedom. Which would make all of our lands equal, but being the barons of those lands we can cast down any law that we find constricts our citizens so for these laws to be uniform they must be agreed upon by all of us or not exist at all. My ideals are reflected from and tempered by the teachings of the divine Trinity; Abadar, Iomedae and especially Cayden. I will not support absolute adherence to the law but people must understand that they can't just ignore the law either a balance will be maintained. I admit I know nothing of the places you speak of and being from Brevoy I already understand the failings of my nation so much so as that I will not repeat them in Slobada. You have my word on that and I hope we can work together for a brighter tomorrow Miss as it is obvious that with your knowledge you can help us all find that perfect balance between harmony and peace for the citizens." He says the Miss like a question as he has not been formally introduced to the knowledgeable Varisian standing before them.
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Arv then makes his way to Marius. "I believe we should make time to discuss a few items which may be in our mutual interest. With this collection of Baronies, you see potential chaos with regard to the law, whereas I worry the same about trade. The former is paramount to the efficacy of the latter, and the latter flourishes within the structure of the former. I would also argue, the former does not go over very well if the latter is skewed against you. If you were to put together a list of laws you would find most important for our united baronies, I would be happy to give it a look. You might be surprised how many I would stand beside you on, and that is even before discussing import tariffs, or a choice for a united baronies center of trade." Arv shrugs...
"As I said... we should make time to talk."
Rupert embraces Arv...
"Welcome on board! Of course master Arv, there is much to talk... But about trade and tariffs, I am afraid I did my homework and we include the custom in the River Kingdoms... There is freedom of movement, and no tariffs. There can't be anything that prevent the freedom of Commerce. "|
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"May I suggest that all votes by the barons," Kaldwell said after a moment, "Take place in an anti-magic chamber, to assure there minds are there own? Otherwise the terms seem more than reasonable, Highness." Certainly more reasonable than Kaldwell would have ever guessed. That should take care of his main fear, in magic.
Rupert ponders that for a moment.
"Certainly a possibility in the future, cousin, but I doubt anyone would took the effort now, as we are Kings of Nowhere right now. And I am not sure where to find one of those chambers. "He smiles warmly.
From his seat Edeldhur witnesses the exchange with a broad smile, while he ponders - Brainstorming is the melting pot for all Knowledge - this is very good already.
Marius signs.
When Rupert spoke of abiding some of the River Kingdom Edicts Ni'Tir smiled as some of those customs were very free and simple to interpret. She looked forward to the coming days and her smile broadened.
Kiri looks back to Danath:
While there are many types of nations, of the lands I have seen where the rule of law is paramount, there are two types. Those who use the law to benefit all, and those who use the law to control all. The great nation of Taldor was one which used the law to benefit its people, although in more than a few good lands, such as Varisia, the local population, when it was unwilling to strictly abide by the laws imposed by the foreign power, ended up having the natives pushed down as second class citizens.
The other type is where the laws are considered paramount and are used to control the public. Cheliax is the land where this is seen in this day.
My concern is that when one embraces the former, the latter may follow not far behind. Remember, the great Taldor with its noble worship of Aroden was supposed to last forever. However, within a few years of the death of Aroden, worshippers of Asmodeus took control and turned Cheliax from a good land where trade and education flourished into a dark land where violating many laws results in bondage, punishment, and frequently death. While I have no qualms with punishment when punishment is due, the punishment and laws in Cheliax are so far beyond reasonable that no sane person would condone such laws, no person other than the devils which control that land and relish in the pain of others.
If I am to join in the founding of this nation, and I am doing so, I will not only not support any barony which seeks to create a path which might create laws that infringe on personal freedoms as is done in Cheliax, I shall openly oppose such a barony.
King Rupert the First has provided us with a clean slate in which we may create a great nation. If any of us turns this land into chaotic disaster such as Galt or an infernal totalitarian nightmare such as Cheliax, then I shall openly oppose such a ruler with all the powers I may possess.
Danath spreads his hands wide, not sure if he was invoking a negative reaction from the woman as he thought he was more or less in agreement with her. "You name two extreme's, of which the Taldans are decadent bon vivants whose aristocracy wishes only to benefit itself. Yet there is the land of Andoran which is a fair middle ground of what a nation should be. Would you not agree? It is a brighter example of what I wish to see here in this new land. A nation of the people, where freedom and equality is equally given to all races whether human, demi-human or other races that wish to live in peace among us. That is the land I wish to create within my barony and I will fight adamantly to defend from anyone foreign or domestic who would strip them of those rights. It gladdens me to have someone as well versed as you among us, to remind us that freedom, fairness and equality are paramount if we want this nation to succeed and that we, as the sires of this nation, must be ready to protect it."
Venetia steps forward and speaks further now, "Kiritta, have you heard of the Six River Freedoms? They are the laws that hold true to all of the river kingdoms, not far from the stolen lands, I know of them because I have lived in the River Kingdoms for a few years..." she pauses for a moment to look at Rupert, "When I was raising my daughter." She pauses again in order to stress this part for Rupert, "The Six River freedoms include as Rupert has stated, a lack of Tariffs on goods traveling between nations, they also include freedom of speech, and slavery is illegal in all of the River Kingdoms. These three that I mentioned are rather easy to accept for many, the next three however are far more difficult." She takes a breath before she continues.
"Oathbreaker's die, when you swear an oath, you keep it, or you die, plain and simple. Courts are for Kings in your own kingdom, you are not bound by your laws, but when visiting another's kingdom, you are bound by it's laws. And finally, You have what you hold" She pauses for a final moment before describing the freedom which she detests the most. "In the River Kingdoms, it is illegal to take something of someone's without them being able to prevent you from taking it, however if someone has the opportunity to resist you taking something from them, it is acceptable to take what you want by force."
Kiri looks over at Venetia and shakes her head:
I have never travelled in the River Kingdoms and am not as well versed in its methods of governance as I am in the other nations to the south and west. However, These Six River Freedoms sound more like he who carries the biggest sword rules. The King not being bound by his own laws? That is how many nations are run, at least those where corruption and favoritism are the way. No tariff on trade goods is fine, but then who shall pay for the roads? The bridges? The police and military to make sure that the roads are safe? If it is no tariffs, then there must be some other form of taxation to provide the nation with the capital necessary to fund itself. Otherwise, you will have bandit kingdoms.
Freedom of speech and the abolition of slavery go without mention as these are an absolute necessity in any good nation. But as I mentioned before, the other of the Six River Freedoms to me sound like a method for a group of bullies to flex their muscles and keep the other children that are being bullied in check.
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So far the campaign has been very "railroaded", as this is the prologue and I am only setting the background for it. Some of you should like the campaign, and some have abandoned it already.
About reading the books... Well I am using them as inspiration... But not as something set on stone, as you will find out shortly...
But well, the warning is this... Now you will face a really difficult test, and is an excellent place to have characters killed off. So if you want to abandon the campaign now is a good time to say it so and let your character go with dignity. If a player is missing the same... So... Better be here, because if you are missing your character will be MIA too.
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Everybody signs.. Rudolf Aldori III signs, as the representative from the Oracle's Shadow and the Cenobitic Order, even as he says "He is nobody" and that the Cenobitic Order won't have a Baron, but only a "representative", and cares not for the other baronies issues.
Rupert smiles at all the signatures, and thank you all for it, specially Marius.
He asks his halfling assistant, which he says he "trust completely" to take the parchment to the Lord Mayor of Restov, for him to sign as witness and safekeeping of it, at least while you have "a place of your own".
The discussion continues into the dawn... Little light starts to show in the east.
Perception:
Kiritta has gone back to being pretty unobservant.
Janus listens intently and nods at Rupert's responses.
"Very well," Janus agrees as he gives the document before him a second look over. "Upon second inspection, it seems that many of my initial concerns would be, in theory, already addressed. Therefore, I shall gladly sign it. I just believe that we should be careful."
With that said, the Oracle quickly adds his signature to the growing list.
As everyone else eventually adds their own, the Oracle pauses for a long second as if he senses something. However, the half-elf ultimately just dismisses the notion as his haunted vision acting up again. Sometimes, it proves plain difficult to decipher what is real and what is not.
Venetia also seems fairly unobservant.
Perception:
Halcorg is diligently watching outside the tent hoping to see anything around. Unfortunately he is apparently not being diligent enough.
Perception:
The fairy is searching the room for hidden sweets.
Being removed from the debate, offered Edeldhur enough focus to notice the eyes observing them from a dark corner within the pavilion, immediately alerting the others - "There! We are being observed from the darkness!"
With a few casual, practiced words, the wizard draws upon his source of magical energy, disappearing instantly from sight.
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At Edeldhur's warning you all turn to see the eyes... Kiritta feels a chill of her spine, at recognizing the owl eyes of her earlier Harrowing... The eyes of the Queen Mother... Always looking.. Always knowing... Unblinking...
You hear a clear and sweet laugh, and then a clear young female voice is heard...
"Let me invite the "Lords" of the Stolen Lands to my Kingdom... "
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Outside Halcorg and Xi'Tir hear a noise as if of a huge wind over their heads, and turn their heads up towards the sky to see a funnel of wind and dark clouds descend, as if a lightning, towards the pavillion...
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Edeldhur starts to cast a spell but before he is able to you feel he strike of a huge wall of wind and sound, making all feel like the ground has disappeared and you are all falling and disappearing into a bottomless pit towards the center of the world.
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Halcorg and Xi'Tir see the whirlwind of black clouds disappear... And to their horror they see that in the place where the pavillion was there is only a black patch of dead ground... The mounts are running panicked away, but from the people assembled and the pavillion itself nothing remains...
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You all recover your senses on the green and verdant grass... The pavillion was destroyed and pieces of it, as well at its contents, are strewn around... But your mounts are not there... And now you are in a clearing some 50' across in the middle of a dense forest... The dawn is still there... Many stars are still visible in the sky... There is a path out of the clearing going into the forest... But something is wrong... The moon... It's huge and not quite right... There is a big visible comet in the sky, with 2 smaller ones behind...
And the trees... Even in the twilight's shadowy illumination you see the tress are huge, at least 200' tall, strong and old... Even the grass seems green like newborn grass but tall like it has grown for a long time. There are hundreds of flowers of every shape and color here and there...
Once Marius regains his senses, he stands and quickly begin looking for the King.
His training immediately kicks in as he draws his longsword and begins shouting tactical commands to draw up the party's ranks defensively.
"To arms! Find and surround the King! Casters give us some light!"
Finally, he begins to survey his surroundings to get his bearings.
"What just happened, where are we, is everyone alright?" Venetia looks around, dusting herself off and noticing the rather large moon.
I just signed a... no... that was before... What happened? Rhasadilara stands and looks around, trying to get her bearings and figure out what happened. "I... I believe that I am unharmed."
She tries to shout but it was to no avail, her sister was gone and to where she didn't know. But to see Chimalma panicked so was a greater shock to Xi'Tir and she quickly climbed down, calling to Chi to follow Chimalma.
She roared to Halcorg then. "We must catch dem my sista wouldn't forgive me if da came ta harm Mon!"
She was thankful for Chimalma's slow speed as that beast that Danath rode sped off like an arrow, a blur of horns hooves and brilliant colored parade armor. She knew she could catch Chimalma but calming him was another matter...
As she ran after him, looking for his massive footfalls she silently swore an oath of vengence against those unknown enemies that took her sista. If ya harmed her I swear in blood I'll kill ya. I'll kill ya all in da worst way!
The cry from Edeldhur brought her to look up as the strange voice came from the darkness above them.
She rises shakily, bewildered as the sudden shouts cause her head to throb worse and she looked around at all the seemingly unnatural environs around her just before casting Light on her armor. As the brilliant light illuminates where they are she takes the time to try and discern where they are and what had been casted on them. It's then that it hits her.
Chimalma was gone...
Ni'Tir was thankful then for the darkness and that the brightness of the light made it hard for others to see her silently crying. Chimalma had been her pillar for so long, to suddenly be apart and not know if he lived was a shock to her. But she didn't have the time to mope, no this place had to be understood and they needed to know what happened.
Arv immediately prepared himself for battle. Once armed and strapped, he tried to come up with some explanation. He checked his stubble for growth... to see if time had passed.
"Did we move... or did everything else?"
He then looks among the debris for some clue, or anything to help wrap his head around this.
He had nearly drawn steal when he reacted to the eyes looking down on them, the elf had been far quicker then he had been and he regretted it immensely upon waking in this strange land.
The green and verdant grass. The pavilion was destroyed and pieces of it, as well at its contents, were strewn around them. Aru wasn't here, which was a shame as most his gear was with him, but no matter with his ring he could sustain himself. He saw they were all in a clearing some fifty feet across in the middle of a dense forest. The dawn was still there, thankfully along with many stars that were also still visible in the sky. He noted the path out of the clearing going into the forest. Another thing slowed him, the big visible comet in the sky with 2 smaller ones behind. Where on Golarion were they?
The trees even in the twilight's shadowy illumination the tress are huge, at least 200' tall, strong and ancient looking. Even the grass seems green like newborn grass but tall like it has grown for a long time. There are hundreds of flowers of every shape and color here and there. Shaking his head and resolving himself to one task at a time he works to get everyone regrouped and if Rupert isn't here then the path was there next best bet...
As everything was more alien then any forest or place he had been too and the moon looming over them like some cyclopean eye was out of sorts as well. He searched his memory for any place that his mentor may have taught him about in the hopes he could find an understanding or discern their possible location out of thousands of possibilities...
The shouts roused him to action he casted light unto his armor, shining like a silver beacon, akin to Iomadea herself. As he spoke his clarion voice rose above the din and cast away all confusion. "I am fine but everyone rally to me! Form a Circle, Casters to the center! Lets find Rupert! If he isn't here then we need to take that path quickly he may have been abducted." His commands were clear and concise, now was no time to be scrambling around in the shadowy dawn when enemies could be all around them. Now was the time to regroup, assess and move in formation. The initial shouts had lost their ability to be hidden if they ever were and with all the debris around them they had little cover to utilize. "Rupert are you here?"
Ni'Tir did as Danath asked, moving to stand behind him and looking for Rupert.
"If Rupert isn't here I can try and find him more quickly..." What she hints at few people know save for Danath who has seen what she can do.
"I think this must be a record," Kaldwell announced as his kukri's appeared in each hand, "Within twenty minutes of found a kingdom to get assaulted by dark forces. Some of the Gods must have a particularly loathsome sense of humour..."
Where the hell were they? It was...not a good thing to be taken like this. To be safe, Kaldwell decided it would be a good idea to make himself...less noticeable. If something came out of those woods he wanted to be able to sink a blade in somewhere sensitive and important.
Suddenly finding herself in such a strange local, strange, but not unexpected considering some of the portents she had seen and witnessed in the past. But, where were they, what was this place with trees taller than any she had seen. Had she read of this place while studying at the Acadamae? Had she visited a place like this? No, probably not. Where was this? Another plane of existence? A prison? Some type of an illusion?
Knowledge(arcana):
Knowledge(geography):
Knowledge(nature):
Knowledge(planes):
She also tries to determine what type of magic brought them to wherever this place is?
Spellcraft:
At the same time, Xritha quickly flits up and begins to survey the area to see if there is anything about.
Perception:
Unfortunately the fairy is still trying to figure what happened to the treats she was about to abscond with.
Seeing the rest of the group forming a circle, Kiritta moves within and then casts a quick spell which causes a brief shimmer to surround herself.
Cast Mage Armor
Szymon didn't have time to react Edeldhur before being plunged into the rabbit hole.
He ignores all of the yelling and ordering about and lets his adventuring instincts take over. He calmly stands up and pulls his silly cap of light from his haversack. After illuminating it, he surveys the area listening and looking for Rupert and his companions: Edeldhur, Anton, and Janus.
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As she ran after him, looking for his massive footfalls she silently swore an oath of vengence against those unknown enemies that took her sista. If ya harmed her I swear in blood I'll kill ya. I'll kill ya all in da worst way!
Xi'Tir quickly catches Chimalma, and with experience manage to calm her down. She can feel Chimalma's distress. She could say Chimalma is crying for her master and friend.
The rest of the mounts, feeling the protection of the big dinosaur, gather around you.You are now alone, seeing the sun raise over you.
As the world warps around him, Janus suddenly regrets not bringing Neji and Destroyerman along. In addition to being hilariously stealthy for a hulking, six foot something construct, the latter was extremely perceptive. His keen senses have saved Courier and Oracle on numerous occasions during their many adventures.
Next time, if I get a next time, I will take them with me and say that they're my seeing-eye gnome and golem, grumbles the half-elf in his head as everything goes black.
However, Janus finds himself quickly able to focus again as he finds himself in a... strange forest of all places. He immediately notes that the sky looks wrong and that the trees are much older and taller than anything he's seen in Brevoy. While taking a look at his surroundings for his friends, the haunted healer quickly casts a spell to brighten his surroundings, begins readying himself for possible combat, and thanks his sense of foresight for giving him the thought of always keeping his adventuring gear on his person.
Actually, Halcorg is with Xi'Tir. As soon as he sees the flash and the place disappear, he goes into search mode. When it become apparent that the rest of the group is gone, he will join Xi'Tir in rounding up the animals.
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Actually, Halcorg is with Xi'Tir. As soon as he sees the flash and the place disappear, he goes into search mode. When it become apparent that the rest of the group is gone, he will join Xi'Tir in rounding up the animals.
Between you two control and gather all the mounts, including Rupert Surtova's an Rudolf Aldori's.
You and Xi'Tir's eyes cross... You are alone... What now?
Xi'Tir's relief is soon replace with a misplaced rage. She puts a hand on the shaking Chimalma, the poor creature was as beside itself as she was, but she knew one thing she would do when she found those who took her sister. "Wao kulipa wao wote, kama wana wake kuuawa mimi itabidi ... Mimi itabidi kuwaua! Chimalma, Chi kuja!"
"They will pay all of them, if they have harmed her I'll... i'll kill them! Chimalma, Chi come!"
Looking to Halcorg she continue speaking in her tongue until she realized she wasn't making any sense. Grinding her teeth she spoke in the Taldan tongue more common in Brevoy in the hopes he understood. "We go search da ground for someting, anyting and if we find nothin' we gets the dragonmen. I'll need dem to help me."
Her anger drove her forward, her bow was still drawn and she stalked back towards the blackened ground where the tent had been. Making sure to leave the animals a safe distance away in case something on the ground spooked them again. She searches the blackened ground for anything that could give her a clue as to what took her sister.
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Marius du'Caat start looking for Rupert, and he thinks he sees something dark flying overhead, in the twilight, but the sudden lights their companions make appear make him lost track of it. He starts to use his survival training to see where is he, but he quickly realizes something is very wrong. He doesn't recognize the constellations, and is unable to pinpoint the true north. He is also unclear if it is morning or afternoon, or what moon is that in the sky. The forest is also clearly not from Restov... or the Northern lands for that matter.
Rupert Surtova quickly answers you.
"Thank you for your concern master du'Caat... I think we all are here. I think while we get away from here we can drop titles. I won't call you Baron if you don't call me King. Rupert is ok for now."
Venetia then asks is everybody is ok, while seeing at Rupert. Rupert answers.
"Whatever happened seems we are unharmed."
He goes and helps Venetia stand up. She notices he is worried, but he is a brave man. And then she notices it. She feels alone. Alone as she has never felt. She have always took for granted the presence of Arshea in her heart. But her heart feels alone now. She remember the voice she heard in the pavilion, before this, and notice how... empty... of love or caring that voice was. She feels cold in her heart to thing about it. And that voice wasn't casting any spell she knew of. She thinks in what happened, and arrives to the conclusion they are no longer on the material plane.
"We were transported to a different plane." - She says.
Rhasadilara Wynterfall answers her.
"I am unharmed. The Moonscar is not there."
It is clear... the moon you are seeing it's not Golarion's one. You are very far from home. She thinks on the planes she has read about, but this one doesn't seem to match any of them. But she knows a Gate Spell when she sees (or is transported) by one. This was a really powerful and different gate spell. The ability of transport them all reveals somebody with much more arcane power than any of you. About the environment, you check some of the flowers. They are wonderful. You never saw nothing like that, like primeval but at the same time more beautiful and vibrant than any other flower you have seen.
Ni'Tir on her side feels two very opposite emotions. On one side she drops a tear for Chimalma, as she doesn't know what happened to her companion, and she fear the worst. But on the other side she feels an euphoria she has never felt before. All around the life dominates, permeates, intoxicates. This place is green and alive like no other, making even the Jungles of Mwangi look like arid hills. Here life is master. Here life is unleashed. This is not Golarion. There is no place on Golarion like this. This is not a magical illusion or an altered place. This is a temple of life, a world of life, a universe of life.
Arv very intelligently tests for proof of time elapsed... none... his beard has not grown. His equipment seems unchanged. He seems unchanged. He looks at the constellations, and finds them alien. He is on a different planet. He tries to measure, in a quick minute, the almost imperceptible movement of the heavens. And, unbelievably, notices they moon and the stars are fixed and unmoving. More so, the dawn is not a dawn. Is a permanent twilight. Sun will never appear here, or will take much longer than in Golarion. All that he is seeing would be almost impossible to get from an illusion, as the trees move on the wind while the stars don't... but wait... there is no wind...
Danath starts organizing you all, even the Oracle's Shadow and Cenobitic Order's representatives, that looks completely catatonic after the arrival at this place. Anyway Danath starts getting a semblance of order, together with Marius and Rupert. He looks at the many colors and smells of this forest, and he remembers something he learned very long ago, half forgotten in his childhood, but here in his hour of need:
"We are in the First World. The plane that existed before the gods created the Material Plane. The universe of imagination and life."
Kaldwell, while trying to hide behind a bush, is startled to see the bush start to move, slowly, to uncover him. Everybody hear the sound of the leaves rustling and leaving Kaldwell surprised and exposed.
Kiritta is absorbed by the skies. What new stories, what new secrets will an alien sky tell? She fails to see much of the things her fellows do as she explores the many colors of the stars, their many constellation forms. She starts to speak to no one in particular.
"To reach the First World you need a place where the Material Plane and the First World are near, almost touching. Magical places where life sometimes explodes and multiplies, and you need very powerful magic to be able to cross. And in the other side you find a place of life and change. Nothing is fixed, nothing is real. Everything evolves and changes, even time, even yourself. Only the Elders, the primordial powers of that place can create islands of existence where things more or less are constant. But even there time don't exists, and dead do not exists, as souls are missing. Because the gods don't come here, and the creatures don't really die because they are not really alive, as they are soulless. But those same creatures will hate us, as we have souls and they don't, and will kill us and devour us in the vain hope of gaining our soul. There is no way to know where we are, as the geography of the First World always changes, unless we are near an Elder. And in that is the case we are doomed, as they are powerful and inscrutable."
Szymon, then, with his piercing sight lets a laugh go out.
"Well, maybe we can't know were we are, but I can tell you where a palace is!"
He points to a place just over the trees tops... on a hill, seemingly not so far away, you can see a beautiful palace, all covered in towers and conical ceiling, cut against the morning (or is it afternoon) sky. It is more or less in the same direction of the forest path.
Janus knells on the floor. Something is really wrong here, in this place... All his life he has felt blessed, and cursed, by the glory of Erastil. But here, in this magnificent forest, he feels like all his powers are gone. He thinks he is not able to call to Erastil, as Erastil is not here, in this place. He can't feel his presence. And that leaves him paralized with fear. This is something no spell can achieve, and that proves you really are in the First World, a place forgotten bu the gods themselves.
Anton Marakov and Edeldhur Beltharan seems confused from the gate spell, and take some time go get his bearings.
Skyline from where you are
Danath doesn't sheath his sword, wishing to be ready at a moments notice if they came under threat and being without his longbow would be troublesome. He gives the skyline and the palace another look before turning back to Rupert once everything was more organized. "Who would bring us to such a place? Do you have otherworldly enemies Rupert?" There is no accusation in his voice, only the need to understand and react to whatever possible threat had brought them all here.
The stories she told me... I had always thought this place a myth...
Edeldhur was not given to much shouting or comments, usually preferring, if at all possible, to maintain his calm and wits about him.
"That power. It was immense" - he comments almost absent minded as he recollects the details of what had just happened in his anaytical mind - trying to piece together the nature of the entity that had apparently assaulted them, and where they were now.
In spite of being outwardly calm, his mind was racing, analyzing the constellations, the surrounding area, and whatever details he could grasp from the environment around him.
As a simple test, he performed a simple conjuration, to create an invisible but tangible field of force around him - Let us see what happens
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"That power. It was immense" - he comments almost absent minded as he recollects the details of what had just happened in his anaytical mind - trying to piece together the nature of the entity that had apparently assaulted them, and where they were now.
As soon as he recovers Edeldhur is able to give you a more "academically" correct information of the First World.
"The First World is so called because it is believed to be the gods' first draft of the subsequent plane which would later split into the Material Plane and the Shadow Plane. It is coterminous with the Material Plane and the Shadow Plane, but exists outside the standard cosmology, being somehow “behind” the other two planes. The First World is an infinite plane of constantly varying wilderness – mountains, forests, etc. It epitomizes the chaos of birth and fertility. Conditions vary dramatically from place to place. What would be considered to be laws of nature on the Material Plane are no more than local by-laws in the First World, and even these by-laws can be overturned (even unconsciously) by those with sufficient willpower. Times and distances are unreliable in the First World. More commonly, stable areas exist where there is a connection to the Material Plane. Stability seeps into the First World at these points, much to the disgust of the locals, who seek to repair the damage and punish those they consider to be responsible. The First World is home to all manner of strange creatures, apparently prototype versions of the plants and animals of the Material Plane. However, the chief inhabitants are the fey. The most powerful of them are the eight (formerly nine) creatures known as the Eldest and their fearsome living weapons, the Tane. Some of the other races found on the Material Plane also have counterparts in the First World. It is widely accepted that gnomes migrated to Golarion from the First World during the Age of Anguish, but some gnomes did not make the trip and are still here. The inhabitants of the First World lack souls, and so are of little interest to the gods. They also have little interest in the gods either. A few of the First World’s inhabitants may be living here in order to avoid the wrath of an offended deity. Visitors from other planes sometimes report they feel disconnected from their gods. Divine magic still works, however – although whether this is solely due to the faith of the spellcaster, or because the gods have not completely abandoned the First World, is a matter of conjecture. Its most powerful residents are the mighty beings known as the Eldest, sometimes known as the fey-lords or the shapers. They each pursue their own mysterious goals, and have little interest in the doings of lesser creatures. All command great respect or fear from the other inhabitants of that strange realm. The Eldest are extremely adept at moulding the substance of the First World to their will, so their domains are oases of stability on that constantly changing plane—albeit oases that move around with their masters. This place seems like an island of stability in an infinite sea of primordial chaos. And Elder should be near, probably in the Castle, even if I don't remember of an Eldest known to be living in a castle..."
Kiri hears what Edelhur says realizing that it sounds much like a textbook she recalls reading in the Acadamae, or somewhere she studied. Suddenly, she does not recall where she read about the first world as it is not an area that the Acadamae focuses on. Perhaps it was in Magnimar, or some other school. Oh well, it does not matter now. All that matters now is that the party is prepared for whatever might be coming.
Kiri turns toward the sound and steadies herself. Where is Halcorg? Where is my husband? He was just outside the tent, I assume that the gate would not have affected him, but what of the stories of people being caught halfway in a gate or portal. Suddenly, Kiri takes a deep breath and is momentarily frozen with concern. However, this passes almost as fast at it started as her wandering mind returns to the present and she once again focuses on what might be coming.
All, I do not know what that is, but in this quasi-natural world, I doubt that it will be friendly.
Yup, she tends to speak the obvious during those brief moments when her mind is not elsewhere.
"Who would bring us to such a place? Do you have otherworldly enemies Rupert?"Rupert lets out a chuckle.
"I'm sure I do now. Only that I didn't knew it before."
Danath laughs heartily, surprisingly unconcerned with the sudden drop in temperature as some otherworldly creature was approaching. "Well lets disappoint them and escape this land!"
Danath looks about for anything they could use to form a barrier between their mages and the oncoming threat. "Ni'Tir, go take a look and see what may be coming."
Kiri hears what Edelhur says realizing that it sounds much like a textbook she recalls reading in the Acadamae, or somewhere she studied. Suddenly, she does not recall where she read about the first world as it is not an area that the Acadamae focuses on. Perhaps it was in Magnimar, or some other school. Oh well, it does not matter now. All that matters now is that the party is prepared for whatever might be coming.
Kiri turns toward the sound and steadies herself. Where is Halcorg? Where is my husband? He was just outside the tent, I assume that the gate would not have affected him, but what of the stories of people being caught halfway in a gate or portal. Suddenly, Kiri takes a deep breath and is momentarily frozen with concern. However, this passes almost as fast at it started as her wandering mind returns to the present and she once again focuses on what might be coming.
All, I do not know what that is, but in this quasi-natural world, I doubt that it will be friendly.
Yup, she tends to speak the obvious during those brief moments when her mind is not elsewhere.
Edeldhur nods at Kiritta - "Even without an absolute, objective reason to say so, I feel inclined to agree"
After helping wrangle the various steeds including a stag and an apparent dinosaur, Halcorg turns to Xi'Tir, he says a word or two in Shoanti, before also switching to the local Taldan tongue.
Yes, we search, but fast. Magic took my wife, I will get her back. Your sister too. Now, we take the mounts to the dragonsworn. Then we find other friends and search for my wife and the King.
Perception: <-- assuming we are in a forest setting from the description, add +4 if fey, add +2 if humanoid(giant).
--> searching for anything that might indicate what magic or power took his wife and the others
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Danath looks about for anything they could use to form a barrier between their mages and the oncoming threat. "Ni'Tir, go take a look and see what may be coming."
Danath tactical thinking pays off... With the tables you hastily make a simple barricade to grant partial cover and some protection...
If the path out of here is at 12:00 o'clock, the castle is at 11:00, and whatever is coming comes from 08:00.|
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Perception: 1d20+11 <-- assuming we are in a forest setting from the description, add +4 if fey, add +2 if humanoid(giant).
--> searching for anything that might indicate what magic or power took his wife and the others
Halcorg feels relief at checking the place where the pavillion was... The lack of debris (and corpses) seems to indicate they were not destroyed, but merely teleported away... But how and by whom?