Bastion's knocks cause the wall to fade away and you are greeted by the same safe room you left Horgus in, albeit an empty one.
"Excellent job Sir Bastion!"
I am picking up some sort of teleportation magic in the back of the room in the shape of a door. Arc points it out. I do not know if the magic could be triggered unintentionally. But I think we should investigate it.
"I know next to nothing about such things, but I'm game if you fellows are."
"There were a lot of supplies here before. If Lord Gwerm has been able to create a way to connect to the Defender's Heart, then this would be a great strategic value. If the teleportation does not go to the Defender's Heart, then we should find out what happened to Lord Gwerm. Either way, we should see where this goes."
Do you think we can get your mount down here, Paritosh?
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On Going Effect: Life Link (Paritosh)
"I suspect can take (20) our time and do it."
Lirrathan's been sullenly quiet, not looking forward to having to put up with Gwerm and his complaining, but he knew he wouldn't be able to talk the others out of visiting him. The mention of the teleport door, though, that's where he gets antsy, "Whoa. We don't know where this came from, where it goes, and if it works for or against the enemy. I like when the enemy doesn't know where I'm coming from, not me not knowing where I'm coming from. Unexplained teleporty magic, and you want to head on in? That's like betting your whole pot on a totally blind hand. I may like to gamble, but there are some things you just don't put all your money on."
Its unlikely that it would be active anyway. Arc says as he investigates the portal.
"Am I getting Rocinian or not?"
That is more than reasonable. Do I know how to activate it? And do I know if it is two way?
After a long moment of study the wizard reports his findings. This is indeed a teleportation portal, and it is still active. It could take us in the direction if the Heart and I believe we could come back through it as well. Shall I step through and have a look?
"Can you explain how it works to us, in case you can't get back?"
Sir Bastion waits to hear Arcessentes's response to Paritosh's question.
Nemris follows his companions closely, on edge due to all the talk of magic portals and disappearing walls.
"Can you use short words when explaining it please?"
It appears to me that you just step through to activate it. Arc first casts his mage armor spell and then announces that he plans to step through to have a look around.
"Twelve seconds before we follow?"
Lirrathan looks highly sceptical, "Look Arc. I don't say this out of any misguided 'here to save you from yourself' garbage." He gives a look directed at Bastion, "You have to admit though, you are the one that gets all this magicky rigamarole, and knows everything about something, even when I don't give a crap. If you step through, and it's bad, and you can't get back, then we are just a bunch of lunkheads that would have no idea how to help. Why don't we send one of the animals or throw a rock or something? What about a note? Write a note, send it through. If it's someplace safe, maybe they'll write back. You know?"
Sir Bastion looks at Lirrathan as he explains his logic of not sending their wise scholar of magical arts through first, but he also knows sending a defenseless animal through or non-sentient rock will do no good either.
With a nod of acknowledgement to Lirrathan, "You speak words of wisdom yet again, Lirrathan. Arcessentes will be needed to work the magic of the rod Quednys has for us. May the Inheritor every guide you on your path, Lirrathan."
"Jokum, defend Arcessentes." he commands, as he walks to the portal, drawing his longsword as he steps forward.
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On Going Effect: Life Link (Paritosh)
"Perhaps we should place our faith in the Inheritor and all press through? Let me get Rocinian down here."
If it works as I believe I will be able to come right back. As the wizard says this Sir Bastion steps through. Arc looks to Paritowh and says Hurry. as he too steps into the portal.
Paritosh grips Rocinian's reins, to reassure him. "Here we go boy." Paritosh and Rocinian follow Arcessentes through.
"These humans are idiots."
Sir Bastion hearing the voices and a snippet of their conversation, coughs loud enough so that they are aware another is in the storeroom with them.
"Captian Irabeth, Sir Bastion over here. Our secret benefactor may wish to conceal himself as others allies may be following me."
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On Going Effect:
As Paritosh and Rocinian emerge from the portal, he looks around. Spying Sir Bastion he asks, "So, do you recognize this place?"
"So that was strange."
"While I do not recognize this location specifically, I would say we are in a storage room or warehouse. I also beleive we are either at the Defender's Heart or near it's proximity, as I believe I heard Captain Irabeth's voice," Sir Bastions replies.
Turning back to the storeroom, "Captain Irabeth, that is you that I heard, is it not?"
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On Going Effect:
"So, Sir Bastion, tell me how you managed to come by such a stout companion as Jokum there?"
"So, Jokum, tell me how you managed to come by such a stout companion as Sir Bastion there?"
"I was once not blind as I am now and that is where my story must start."
" While making my way to Kenabres, I traveled through Ustalav and passed near Castle Kronquist. My grandfather had told me I would be able see my ancestial homeland from the bluffs above the Moutary River. What I beheld was descrution and ruin beyond anything I could imagine. I fell to my knees and begged Iomedae to remove the image from my mind, as I could not bear the grief of seeing such a sight again. In her wisdom, she clouded my vision and instructed me on new abilities she had granted me."
"Later that afternoon, as I made camp, I was set upon by brigands. This would be my first test of many set before me. I had dispatched two of the scoundrels and was greiviously wounded by a strike from behind, when a heard a barking in the distance. I thought more aid was coming for my enemies and began to dispair. I turned to meet my new advisaries head on, but what I was to see still send shivers of awe down my back when I remember it."
"You must understand, I cannot see beyond thirty feet or so, so this was to be my first night of not seeing the sun set. I can feel the warmth of the sun, can tell the direction in which it lies, can even see the light that it gives around me, but I can not actually see it, the moon, or the stars anymore. What I did see that day, was a small silver haired terrier leap over a fallen tree, and the sun burst around him as he reached his apex. It was then that I knew that this was not an ally for my opponents, but a companion sent for me."
"Jokum has been an ally and friend of mine for these past few months. He is able to see and hear where I am limited. We have taught each other differnt ways to fight together. I do not know what I would do with out him."
"Speaking of that, I should try to return through the portal to let others know it is safe, and to bring my friend through this gateway.
You hear startled commotion, and then slowly drawn iron. Captain Irabeth rounds a corner warily with her sword drawn. "You look like folk I sent out before. Are you? Can you prove it?"
"Captain Irabeth, It is I, Sir Bastion. You did in fact sent us out to investigate three possible safehouses of the Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth. After our investigation we decided to check in on the Gwerm Manor, but found it empty and that resulted in our concern of former resident and refugees we had sent there."
"Additional proof I can offer is, it was our group that brought back to you Anevia and returned the fallen paladin Chaleb Sazomal, so that he may repent of his actions and find redemption in The Inheritor eyes."
"Lastly as evidence of who we are, I will say only this, Master Orlun has a tool for our use."
"The others should be coming through the portal heind us shortly," as Sir Bastion looks over his shoulder back at the portal.
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On Going Effect:
I am already here Captain. Arc says as he steps into view. It is as Sir Bastion says.I was able to find and activate a teleportation device in Gwerm's basement that brought us here. I can demonstrate if you you like.
"And we have the body of this cultist on the back of my steed," Paritosh adds, and he points at the red man's body that is strapped there.
"Yeah, we have this smelly thing that I've been carrying all over the place, maybe we can finally leave it somewhere!"
Irabeth lowers the point of her sword. She nods swiftly, "It is as you say, I recognize you and only you should know of Master Orlun. Horgus, you may as well step out. They came here from your house after all."
Horgus Gwerm steps out from the same corner Irabeth did. His jowly face looks somewhat ashamed. "Indeed. Why were you at my house? I told you I needed no help, I am well provisioned and safe."
Irabeth shakes her head, "There's not really much point in concealing it Horgus. Someone should know about you."
He simply hangs his head and shuts his mouth for now.
Captain Tirebade looks again at you, "Once the rest of you come through there, tell me what you found. There's nothing new from my...agents. In fact, two of my best that I sent into the Garrison have not returned, nor reported."
She waits patiently for the rest of the group to step through while Horgus does his best to look small.
Paritosh just nods knowingly, as if he had any idea what was going on.