Ice's Island of Relative Order

Game Master icehawk333

"To our cavernous camp then. While uninjured I should rather meditate before risking a further fight if I may."

Roy will stack up and carry their haul as necessary, and eventually they should make it back to camp.

1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Bareth perches on his shoulder and presses a glowing hand against his cheek”how’s that?

"Better," Lwazi states, nodding his thanks... though in truth his wounds are clearly not fully closed.

the party manages to haul back to camp without incedent.

& to rest without incident? Because that's the next thing we'll want to do.

Luca's gonna give Lwazi some more healing in between cooking.

CLW Wand: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 6, 2) + 3 = 13

Profession: Cook: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

yes, resting has no incedent either.

While he's taking his watch before he rests, Roy uses his obtained magic to change the river water he collected earlier into beeeeer.

Lwazi wakes in the morning feeling rather odd. Overnight he dreamed of armor, and now feels that he could truly craft something useful--perhaps a delayed effect of the psionic treatment given before they had left?

More worrisome to him, however, is the result of his morning meditation. Tiger answered swiftly when he called... too swiftly. The spirit within him feels tense, uneasy, restless. Lwazi finishes his meditation feeling more agitated than when he started, his tail lashing behind him as he rejoins the others.

"I can craft some armor from the hydra hide," he says, without preamble. "If no others want it, I will use some to reinforce my own armor."

He grins humorlessly. "The triceratops's horns have made me think more of defense."

Roy holds up his destroyed leather overcoat as folks begin to wake up.
"I could use a new coat. This one kinda got a lot of holes bitten in it yesterday. Maybe some of that hide could go to that?"

Lwazi shrugs slightly. "There is enough of it."

the first day passes without event, but the second is much less lucky

lawazi, Luca, if you please?

Please what? Do we need to roll something?

Lwazi feels odd when he awakes, as if there is a... pressure in his head. He hastens to his morning meditation, hoping the relaxation will help what he suspects to be a building headache.

But as soon as he sits down, even before he is able to properly fall into his meditative trance, he feels one of his spirits enter him. Unlike the normal gentle easing of spirit into spirit, this feels almost like being pounced upon...

...and then the pain started. Searing, agonizing pain, all through his head, as if his bones were being pulled apart in every direction. He tries to scream, but his throat refuses to work. He falls over and rolls on the ground, gripping his head, hardly conscious enough to notice as it begins to change beneath his hands.

The pain lasts for a long time, but at last, it eases. Slowly, Lwazi staggers to his feet and stumbles back into camp.

"What... what... do I... look like?" he rasps, his voice sounding harsh and unfamiliar in his ears.

Lwazi now has a dragon-like snout (still fur-covered) and ram's horns.

Roy looks a little confused, but not really taken aback too much.
"You, uh... Face... Lizard mouth and goat horns..."

Roy works his traveler's any tool into a small hand mirror and gives it to Lwazi.

"This some of your spirit magic or whatever it is?"

"It... was not supposed to be," Lwazi replies. He takes a ragged breath, and lets it out slowly. "I think... something must be wrong with Tiger, and it must be affecting me."

He winces as he feels a growl in his mind... twice. For a moment he sees triple as pain lances through his head again, but then it passes. "This place... it is not good for them. Or for me. Or for both. It looks like a natural place, but it is not."

Roy pats an uncertain hand on Lwazi's shoulder, apparently not used offering comfort.
"This place is very wild. I don't really believe in spirits or stuff, but we'll do we what we can to help, right? You want a drink?"

Lwazi shakes his head, trying to focus. It feels like his thoughts are trying to go in three directions at once.

"No... I think... I want to work. To focus on something else. There is nothing to be done about this. Best to work on survival."

Roy nods and pulls his hand back.
Alright, just let me know if you need anything.
Roy returns to working on the cavern.

Rivet overhears this but still jumps at seeing Lwazi's altered head. "My word! Do you think you contacted the spirit of some dragon or strange outsider rather than your Tiger?" He pauses then asks, "And is there any chance that such a creature is close, do you think?

"...I think you look great." Luca leaves his tent with a hunch before straightening his back with a groan. It appears something hasn't gone as expected with his cloak. The hide is yet too alive, too stiff. The dark gray material is covered in deep red spirals. And the cloak seems split in the back, almost offering the impression of wings. The longer a view one gets of it, the more permanent this change looks to be. Less like a cloak, more like a new addition.

The priest begins his own days work with a whistling tune.

Lwazi frowns, noting the odd feeling the expression gives him on his elongated face. It's not strange

He shakes his head slightly, noting the odd weight of his horns on his head as he does so. It's not odd

"I do not know," he replies to Rivet. "Something feels odd with the spirit, but... it is not as if he introduces himself to me every time he comes. It could be that something interfered..."

He trails off as Luca comes out. "Luca... are you well?"

Yeah, are you uh... Do you usually get those spiral things in the morning?

Roy is evidently one to point out the obvious questions today.

"I create them in a similar fashion when I commune in the morning. But it's never this... blood red. Or permanent. Something else tried to invade after I finished working on the cloak. I feel the Moth's influence seems to have deflected that force, but with, well, this side effect."

"We need to get out of here." Luca still seems quieter than usual.

I like it here. Lwazi shakes his head again, as if to throw off the strange thoughts.

"Agreed. As soon as we finish improving our equipment, we should make for that maze. With luck there will be something of use there."

Roy does his best to help out his strangely affected comrades while they work.

I'm ready to skip ahead.

everything else goes off without much of a hitch, the basic furnishings, while slow and crude the first few days, get cleaned up and made a lot more passable the days after. Even roulette helps a bit, making some makeshift cushions for the seats out of the few leaves he managed to Not catch on fire.

More disconcerting to Lwazi than the new horns and snout is the feeling of not being alone in his own head. His every thought and action provokes strange thoughts... or so he thinks at first. By the end of their rest time, he realizes that the thoughts come simultaneously with his own.

Because they are his own. He is thinking three things at once. Lwazi does not know how or why, but it is as if every action now involves an argument with himself.

In spite of this new madness, he focuses on finishing his improvements to his armor. He calls on canny Cheetah to aid him, no longer trusting Tiger after what has happened. To Lwazi's relief, Cheetah does not show any signs of corruption that he can detect. He is wary of the new additions to his armor, but after seeing the sorts of dangers they face in this land, he is willing to take the risk to save his life.

Once all of the work is done, he says to the others, "I believe we are as prepared as can be now. Let us go investigate this maze."

Roy dons the new Hydra skin coat in the same design as old one, but with a bit of a different tinge to it.

I like this. Feels good. Maybe a little bit cooler than before. Maybe it's the lizard skin bit. Thanks again to both of you. I'll do my best to keep you safe as we're trying to get out of here. All of you.

He gathers his things and is ready to set out, taking a moment to look over the circular tattoo Rivit put on his right forearm as well as strapping on a skin of his beer he magicked out of water for an idea he'd been meaning to try.

Off we go, then.

the party draws up to the massive vine maze, shrouded in mist. There's only one visible entrance unless one wants to push through the toxic brambles, or desires to go over.

there will be no map for this place- it's a maze, after all. Feel free to map it out as you go as you see fit, but the map I have will be obscured from you.

Lwazi cautiously approaches the entrance and looks into it, peering as far as he can before entering.

"Do we have any kind of plan? Mapping it or string or something?"

Roy summons his armor and weapon before they enter.

Lwazi frowns. "Given where we are... we may find the maze to not be entirely... consistent. But mapping would be wise."

"Wise indeed if you have the means. But if we must leave in haste there may not be time to consult a map. I will mark the path back to the entry." He scratches an arrow in the ground pointing to the entrance by way of an example.

Come to think of it, does anyone present actually have paper or writing implements? I might be able to repurpose something but I don't have that exactly.

I had been thinking of Luca as the type to keep a journal. We could use that.

the twelve foot high bramble walls of this massive maze tower above, a shorter path leading straight ahead, and cutting off to a corner after about Thirty feet. There are two paths aside from the entrence, one on each side, that wind off long before one can see the end. The maze is oddly roomy, with about ten feet between the walls. The mist obstructs vision past thirty feet, and makes it hard to see anything blond ten feet clearly.

"A strange maze," Lwazi comments with a frown, "Though it is not as if anything here is truly normal..."

He carefully walks forward, counting his paces aloud for the benefit of whoever is mapping. He stops at the corner of the forward path and peers around the corner.

So are you saying the two side passages go straight at least thirty feet?

more or less, a straight enough path. They slightly curve but not majorly.

"We can pick one wall. Follow that. Get us to the root of the problem." Luca raises an arm out of the mantle he's acquired and points to the right vine wall.

Roy produces his rod of metal and mineral detection just to see if it reads anything in the maze as they go through.

Lwazi nods at Luca's suggestion. "Indeed, though it would not hurt to map out side passages as far as we can see without following them. Especially so we may recognize if this place is not as... constant as we would wish."

the party keeps moving along to the right, an opening to the left becomes visible to anther path. Something can be seen in the mist, a vauge humanlike figure, impossible to make out from this distance beyond that. It isn't moving. Could always just stick to plan and move on, or investigate.

My estimate of how things look is here

Lwazi pauses, peering warily down the passageway, trying to make out more. He turns to the others and whispers, "I would not feel comfortable knowing that lay behind us, at the least without knowing what it was."

"Seeing an actual human would be the strangest thing that's happened to us." Luca nods to Lwazi in agreement.

"Nocturnarum." Small wisps of deep purple begin to move around Luca. He's only pretty sure the object won't attack. Definitely maybe.

Roy waves his divining rod towards the shape. If it was a real human, they probably had at least some metal on them.

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23Perception
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9Will save/disbelief if it's an illusion.

no metal, does not seem to be an illusuon.

The figure seems to notice the group, starting to slowly shuffle towards them.

Lwazi falls into a guarded stance with his falchion.

"Who goes there?" he calls out, loudly enough to be heard but not *too* loudly.

Roy quickly jams his metal detector into his belt, freeing his hand to summon his shield as he forces a blade into his right hand, moving Next to Lwazi to stand protectively in front of the others of the group.

Rivet remains silent himself, but with a faint glow in his eyes and a sound of whispering around he calls up a psionic power and examines the figure carefully.

Detect psionics. Assuming psi-magic transparency it acts as detect magic, basically.

Thanks! Midioto then takes a large swig from the drink with no hesitation or fear.
Ya. that was good. Zingy? Not so sure, a bit more sour, but I did like it! BUT, can't give you credit for the POP!ing. Guys down in the department joke that I must have eaten Pop Rocks when I was a kid...
He then listens for a bit as the rest of the gathered crowd chat around him. Hearing the crow named Luca talk about "Traveling" makes Midiotos head spin.
Travel? Did you say travel? he asks, before PoP!ing over to his side, Man I love traveling! Its one of my dreams, to go traveling around the world! So far I am mostly stuck down in the lab, helping stabilize portals for others to travel through...
Still, I would love to hear some of your traveling stories!

He also continues to listen in on the rest of the gathering as they discussed the Death-and-Retrieval system with polite interest, but little actual reaction. After a bit, and with another POP! he appears in the middle of the room once more and pipes up.
I'll be in charge of maintaining the portal back home, as well as our backup escape routes. In the case of one of our deaths then I should be able to create a return portal back home, HOWEVER! Such trips are limited and expensive. We can and should only reserve them for absolutely necessary or critical situations. Don't count on being able to come and go at your leisure.

Once Berith mentions the portal;
Oh! Rinal and Professor Flitwick finished inscribing the Runes did they? Excellent! I wasn't expecting those to be done until Midnight tonight at least!
Midioto nods excitedly, clearly impressed by his superiors skill.
Did they say anything else? I am curious, did they use the HeH and F'oR runes or did they go for the longer, more stable El'lrOh rune?

Lwazi wrinkles his nose slightly as others start drinking the odd concoctions. To his keen nostrils, their odors were far too strong.

To distract himself, he speaks to the odd teleporting man. [b]"I have traveled widely, as well. Would you hear some of my tales?"

Rivet fills out the required form quietly while trying to sneak glances at those filled out by others.

stealth: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

Barely noticing the goblin, Thorek's eyes narrowed. "Feelin a mite but curious, are ye, grobi?" While there was no anger in his voice, he still didn't sound amused.

"Eh, I'm not worried about anything killing me, I'm as immortal as any fresh intsha", the last word spoken in another language, "who has only barely learned to use a spear." There is a smile on Nesipho's lips, but his eyes hold a sadness to them.

Like Lwazi, Nesipho abstains from any drinking. Best not make a fool of myself just yet...

the imp blinks as the dwarf notices the goblin.
"Please ask the person who filled out the papers if you can read theirs, if you desire to read them."

"Of course, of course, if those are the rules hereabouts then I should be pleased to abide by them." Rivet makes sure to put someone else between himself and Thorek before finishing off his own form.

Rivet you said? well we need to talk. You gobo's are a;ways using fire and such and I am sure that my bombs can improve their abilities after we chat. Fire is so useful and fun.The dwarf lacking color states.

POP!
Midioto appears inbetween Thorek and Rivet, looking excited. Hi little guy. Names Midiotoziggeroto, whats yours? And what did you put on your form? What did you put for List of Goals?
But before you can answer, Midioto is gone with another POP!, appearing next to Lwazi again.
Thats awesome! I would love to hear about your travels! Where did you go? Where did you come from? How did you get those scars?
POP!
Midioto is once again next to Rivet, speaking as if he never left...
One of my goals is to go exploring the world. heh. Another, distant one is to try and figure out a way of creating permanent portals between the cities, making travel and trade safer. Its a long way off, but I figure I got the tools here at White Butterfly to pull it off! Eventually...
POP!

Midioto is evidently trying to be in two places at once... >_>

A hint of a grin plays across Lwazi's lips at Midioto's antics, but aloud he says only, "It will be difficult to tell you a story if you hear only half of it, yes?"

Nesipho leans over towards Lwazi and whispers, "Lets be sure to never let that man drink coffee."

Rivet blinks. "One dimensional anchor and the bouncing fellow would expire, I'm sure. That's not a skill of mine though." Addressing Herkymr directly, "My own people were magically altered and lack the particular nigh-religious insanity of the average goblin. Fire is certainly useful, but it is only one tool among many. If we both are sent on this expedition perhaps we may have a discussion on how to best fortify our camp, if you can create alchemist's fire and the like."

Luca makes a startled and decidedly unmasculine... yelp? As Midi pops in too close for comfort for the first time. "Need a bell for you. Like this one." He pulls out a crystal moth pendant with a bell under it. The holy symbol of the Nameless Moth. Somehow he's kept it silent this whole time.

Still sure your insights on fire could be fun,Rivet Strigh answers.

Opening his bag, Strigh pulls out lots and lots of vials and flasks. Sitting on a bench he begins to mix and match different herbs and such. He mutters under his breathe as he continues, "Mashed minglstorch and fleshroot helps with swelling. Terisap and willow bark for mending skin. Bone meal and ...........

"... If you trip, I worry our entire expedition would... heat up. Ooh, we could go get padding for your bag before we leave. Well, if I'm fortunate enough to be picked. I would say there is quite a bit of competition. I am still curious about the place that map from all those years ago came from."

Knowing about the map might give us a heads up on possible things to expect. That inturn would allow us to know which items to take. One of those chosen should definitely take a tent to sleep in until a base camp can be established.
Agreed, we will need to trap the escarpment we establish against those things that might hinder us. If there is fauna there that would help but if their is not then we shall have to use stone or a material similar to it. Strigh says while he continues his concocting of stuff.
He pops something into his mouth and with a gasp of pleasure and achievement, Ah ah finally I have useful gum.

This time Lwazi's grin is much more than just a hint. "That should not be hard where we go, though there may be stranger things there, yes?"

In walks a tall, sandy blonde haired elf covered in a green cloak, two swords sheathed over his right shoulder. His gaze drifts around the room, observing all the other applicants.
"Excuse me, is this where I apply for the expedition?" He ask politely.

The tengu waves the newcomer into the room from his new seat by the aisle. Now that his hand is extended, his claws make it clear that speaking won't be the only thing he can help with.

"Head on in friend! Nestle in. It is hard to find this place, right?"

"More difficult than I believed it would be, my friend. If I may ask though, who is the employer here?"
the elf asks with a light smile.

Luca answers while pointing at the Berith. "The big man downstairs."

The employer for the most part is reputable and I mean in the good way. Tell me what is it you bring to the party room and company excursion? There are forms up there to fill out as well.A small hairless albino dwarf says to the new elf gin Pointing to the podium.

"Thank you both, and as for my trade, I have been a healer for a number of years, using mainly my skills in alchemy for more serious injuries."
With that the Elf walks over to the podium and takes a form before sitting down in a near by chair. As he sits down and fills out the form, his cloak rests behind him, bringing into view a chain-mail shirt
and another sword that is strapped to his hip.

"But armed well enough to defend yourself, I see," Lwazi comments to the elven alchemist approvingly. "It will not be a safe journey. It is better we are all prepared for the dangers we will face, yes?"

as the elf fills out his form he lets out a light laugh.
"Very true, not all dangers are easily solved with medicine and alchemy, some require a bit more metal to solve."
Looking up from the paper, the elf looks up at the catfolk.
"I am Gin Ammopha. I believe I have failed to mention this as of yet."
His tone polite and friendly.

Midioto happened to POP! into existance next to Rivet at just the right time to hear him speak of a Dimentional Anchor.
Ya. Those things are really anoying. We have one if those things in the lab as a failsafe and it went off once. It was... Unplesant. Midioto gave off a shudder as if the action would shed off the unplesant memory.
BUT I can run really, really fast! I could probably outrace just about anything. So even then, I can still move freely and thats what matters! :P
He gives a sheepish look once he realizes he has been bragging.
But anywwys, Im going to talk to that catperson, he has Travelling Stories!
POP!
Midioto is back next to Lwazi.
Ya, your right, sorry. I'm just excited to see all these people! But I will give you my undivided attention!
fidget... fidget...
twitch... glance...
Oh hey! Theres a new guy now! Midioto got completely distracted as the elf enters and the group starts talking to him.
Names Midiotoziggeroto. I work here for the White Butterfly company, so I may be able to answer some of your questions. If not, Har-Barith-Zantas, the Imp up there should be able to answer the rest. His Master, Rinal, is the Big Boss here, in fact she founded this company many decades ago.
Now Lwazi here was just about to tell me some traveling stories! Have you done much traveling yourself, Mr. Gin?
K: Local (White Buterfly company): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

I might need some help answering some questions Ice :/

a rather short and lithe tiefling walks into the room, whippy, spaded tail swishing behind her as she walks. Her curled horns curl back and under her ears.
"Glad to see such a good turnout. And who might you all be? I'm renal."

"Luca Bloodbeak, hopefully soon to be at yer service, milady." The tengu gives a dopey salute to the company owner.

"I haven't been called Mr in some years. Just Gin is fine. and my travels? Well I haven't left my home town to often, only to gather supplies for my work.
Gin says to the energetic Elan. and when the tiefling enters, he watches her for a second before going back over his forum.

the tiefling nods, and takes the papers from the imp, mulling over them.
"Would everyone kindly tell me what they're here for in person?"

Thorek chuckled softly at the question. "Gold. There be a job. I do the job. I get paid. Pretty simple, really."

the tiefling smilies. "as good an answer as any."

"I'd like to help what looks to be a good cause, satisfy my curiousity, and acquire the resources available from a cash prize. In that order." Luca explains succinctly.

"I'd like to help what looks to be a good cause, satisfy my curiousity, and acquire the resources available from a cash prize. In that order." Luca explains succinctly.

"Also a good answer."

"It seems to be a good way to practice and improve my skills, and my sister used to say 'when you can help someone then to not help them would be similar to harming them.' I believe my skills could be of use here, so I came to try do just that, help."

the teifling raises an eyebrow.
"If you're being honest, then you are a very odd man. If you aren't, I suppose you have your reasons."

I am here for most of the mentioned and then more imprtant as an herbalist and alchemist I gotta see what new things I can discover and make. And I bet some of them will really make a bang.Stright answers with a gusto at the last.

the teifling looks at stright, and her smile fades a bit.
"Yesss... I remember you. Invisible ink."

Lwazi gives Renal a small bow. "I am Lwazi. I am a hunter, a warrior, and a guardian. You will need all three in an unfamiliar wilderness... and unfamiliar wildernesses are where I most want to be."

He grins. "The challenge of new beasts and the wonders of new places both call to me."

Lwazi gives Renal a small bow. "I am Lwazi. I am a hunter, a warrior, and a guardian. You will need all three in an unfamiliar wilderness... and unfamiliar wildernesses are where I most want to be."

He grins. "The challenge of new beasts and the wonders of new places both call to me."

her smile returns a bit, as she looks to lawazi.

But without a desire for challenge nothing ever changes. I challenge what I know everyday and learn I don't know half of what I would like to or I learn that I don't know what I don't know until I know I didn't know it.
I can supply things to help Lwazi with his hunting and providing as well as help with identification of edibles...plants not other. And for playing fair or giving a fighting chance, I have poison to solve that problem.The albino states in support of the catfolk.

Nesipho, took to lounging on one chair, his feet up on another, stands up as Renal introduces herself.

"Nesipho Inkosi" he gives a slight nod with his head. "I study other cultures and their languages, so this sounds like an opportunity of a lifetime to meet other worlders and learn about them. I'm also curious about the White Butterfly's modus operandi. You ever considered seeking to tame the Mwangi Expanse, or parts of it anyway?"

POP!
Midioto ports to a position close to the Tiefling.
Hia Renal, Ma'am. How'd it go down below with trying to stabilize the portals? Hows Professor Flitwick doing?
Me? Well I'm here on Professor Flitwicks orders, he says that having a Hyperdimensional Technician on the crew would be invaluable. If for nothing else, having a known warp signature on the other side would be ideal for connecting portals and making adjustments from there. Plus we have created a couple of contigencies in case something goes wrong but only someone who knows how they work can use them.
Midioto gives a sigh
Flitwick would have done it but he says hes getting too old.
Still... he says, becoming more animated, I would LOVE a chance to explore a new world! I can just imagine the kinds of wildlife and flora and rock formations it must have! I mean, we know almost nothing of whats out there, whops, was I not supposed to say that?
Anyway, I would be invaluable for the team and it would be fun.

Remal glances to midioto.
"Hmm? Oh, you're going? Yeah, that's fine. I already know your backround and desires well enough."
then she looks to nesipho.
"I'm not sure if that was a business proposel, but we can talk about othe lands and our potential business there when you return. As for how we operate, it varies from branch to branch, and city to city. We do our best to blend in in every region, while still bringing nature's influence to man. And working on side projects like these is also important, as the more we can find plants and animals useful to humans and humanoids, the more we can make the two rely on each other."

Rivet coughs gently. "Ahem. As for myself, I need to contract a wizard of sufficient power that they normally filter out those of much lesser ability. Success in this endeavour should give me the standing to catch their eye, to say nothing of the gold required to pay for the use of their magic.

"It does occur to me, Lady Renal, that one who opens gates to distant planes, and who bound an imp as a familiar many years ago might well be able to assist me. Is it possible that spells of the Eighth Circle are within your ability?"

"Just something I've been mulling over in the back of my mind since I heard about what your company does, but you are right, there are much more immediate tasks at the present to attend to."

Rivet coughs gently. "Ahem. As for myself, I need to contract a wizard of sufficient power that they normally filter out those of much lesser ability. Success in this endeavour should give me the standing to catch their eye, to say nothing of the gold required to pay for the use of their magic.

"It does occur to me, Lady Renal, that one who opens gates to distant planes, and who bound an imp as a familiar many years ago might well be able to assist me. Is it possible that spells of the Eighth Circle are within your ability?"

"Indeed they are."

the woman rifles over the applications.

"Alright, so, I've decided. Based on what and who I know...
Thorek, you're going. Rivet, you're going. Midioto, you too. Lawazi as well. And gin, too."
she stops and looks over the Applicants for the linguist position for quite a while.
"... Well, between the two of you, I... Think Luca will be going."

Thorek nodded. "Ye have me axe then. It'll be honor to serve with the rest o' ye, T'be sure."

"Whoo! Then you have my um..." Luca scratches his beak.

"No hard feelings I hope Mr. Inkosi?