Solvistania simply nods in acknowledgement of Zafina' stammered apology. Looking around her with a clear mind, she studies the mosaic further, trying to determine if this is Elder Fey magic, and if so, any possible uses for it against the Shadow.
|
Solvistania simply nods in acknowledgement of Zafina' stammered apology. Looking around her with a clear mind, she studies the mosaic further, trying to determine if this is Elder Fey magic, and if so, any possible uses for it against the Shadow.
Solvistania's red eyes gleam in excitement. "This enchantment is not the work of the Shadow. We must discover the source of the enchantment, it would be a powerful weapon against them"
"But we have tarried long enough, we need to get moving again. our foes are closing on us."
"Hopefully they will cut each other down when the curse affects them, but I don't think we should rely on that to solve this problem for us. So do we wait and fight, or flee down the tunnel?"
Let's move, I do not want to face them in this tunnel
Chops realizes that Ragnar can't see his hand, so he drops it down to his side. 'I felt like I was fine, but your brother did call me a cur and threaten to chop off my head..." ponders for a second. "I don't normally react so harshly and tend to shrug these things off. I know that I am an attractive guy and people get jealous and sometimes hostile, but...I usually don't escalate the problems. So yeah, I think the enchantment had begun to get a hold of me. I think maybe proximity to this place may have been part of it. You two were the first to arrive, then me, then Solvisitania... Chops notices past the two brothers that a commotion is occurring with the rest of the party. "I think there is more to this situation. We should see what is happening."
Eyvindr says nothing in response to Chops's explanation, but the dworg gets the distinct impression that while Ragnar can't see him in the dark, the elder Dorn does seem to be staring straight into his eyes... as if he does indeed see Chops very clearly.
As the dworg mentions the commotion occurring behind them, Eyvindr looks over his shoulder and past his brother, but stays put and allows the others to resolve their differences without his interference. The tall warrior clearly remains tense, unsure whether any can be trusted... but he allows Chops to pass him by in the tunnel...
Let's move, I do not want to face them in this tunnel
Eyvindr curses in Norther as the feral halfling tells the Dorn what he has heard. As Gillian voices her preference for moving forward, the grizzled northman concurs.
"Yes, let's move away from this cursed place," growls Eyvindr from the shadows of his bear-hood. "We can fight them further down, if necessary... hopefully, they will not find the door, or figure out how to open it. Chops, will you lead, or shall I? We need skilled warriors at the back, too, if they should catch up to us. I can take the rear, too, if that is what you all prefer..."
yeah, I think the enchantment had begun to get a hold of me. I think maybe proximity to this place may have been part of it. You two were the first to arrive, then me, then Solvisitania...[/b]
"I agree. It is the place, not the light." He raises one gloved hand in the darkness. [b]"Children, to me."
From the ground raise the flickering spirit-torches once more, bathing the party in their pale blue-white light. A child's voice moaning in fear echoes down the hall.
"Brother, take the rear. I will follow Chops."
|
|
Deeply shaken by what has happened, and in a way bonded by the blood that was not shed, you move along the eldritch corridor. The frescoes are now devoid of life and ravens and trees are just painted pictures now.
At the end of the corridor an entrance awaits you. The wooden doors in the frame have turned to dust ages ago, so nothing barres you entrance in the large circular room. The curved ceiling is painted to represent midnight sky and the walls are painted with ravens - so many of them that it seems like you are in the midst of a huge flock. In the center of a room is a circular podium, just wide enough for four persons of medium stature to stand on it.
The curved ceiling is painted to represent midnight sky and the walls are painted with ravens - so many of them that it seems like you are in the midst of a huge flock
"Heeeey..." Muni says taking a short circuit of the chamber, flying as if with the flock before landing on the podium. "What are the odds. A perch just for me.
"Muni, get back from there." Ragnar snaps.
"but-"
"This place is dangerous."
|
|
Ilona takes a few moments to absorb her surroundings, her eyes quicly taking in the setting and the reactions of her new companions to it.
"So unless there's another way out, or further in, the podium's got to be at the center of what we're looking for.
On another note, not a bad place to make a fighting stand.....
...unless the enemy has area magic that is." She finishes with a grin and a shrug.
Solvistania glances at Ilona with a small smile and murmers "I would prefer we make it their last stand, Ilona. Still there may be another way out of here."
She looks around the podium, and concentrates a few seconds, and soon a pale glow suffuses her body. She slowly turns and scans the chamber, looking for signs of a hidden door or other exit.
Eyvindr monetarily stares at the ceiling in wonder, then turns his full attention to guarding the entrance to the chamber in case unwanted guests should arrive.
|
|
Solvistania glances at Ilona with a small smile and murmers "I would prefer we make it their last stand, Ilona. Still there may be another way out of here."
She looks around the podium, and concentrates a few seconds, and soon a pale glow suffuses her body. She slowly turns and scans the chamber, looking for signs of a hidden door or other exit.
|
|
Solvistania glances at Ilona with a small smile and murmers "I would prefer we make it their last stand, Ilona. Still there may be another way out of here."
She looks around the podium, and concentrates a few seconds, and soon a pale glow suffuses her body. She slowly turns and scans the chamber, looking for signs of a hidden door or other exit.
Chops, realizing that this mystery is best solved by different minds, turns around and stands guard with Eyvindr.
Solvistania eyes flash open and she lets out a small moan. Her voice cuts through the conversation, "Stay away from the podium, strong magics linger there still!"
She continues to concentrate, trying to learn more about the podiums magic.
Nightflier:
Solvistania eyes flash open and she lets out a small moan. Her voice cuts through the conversation, "Stay away from the podium, strong magics linger there still!"
The raven flaps a few times and lands back on Ragnar's shoulder, who gives the bird a pointed look at Solvistania's words. "Yeah, yeah." The bird says to her.
Ragnar scans the room for clues to the meaning and purpose of this strange place.
|
|
Solvistania eyes flash open and she lets out a small moan. Her voice cuts through the conversation, "Stay away from the podium, strong magics linger there still!"
She continues to concentrate, trying to learn more about the podiums magic.
Nightflier:** spoiler omitted **
|
|
Solvistania eyes flash open and she lets out a small moan. Her voice cuts through the conversation, "Stay away from the podium, strong magics linger there still!"
The raven flaps a few times and lands back on Ragnar's shoulder, who gives the bird a pointed look at Solvistania's words. "Yeah, yeah." The bird says to her.
Ragnar scans the room for clues to the meaning and purpose of this strange place.
Solvistania murmers aloud, mostly to herself, a note of uncertainty in her voice, "This looks like a summoning circle, from the elemental earth plane, designed to bring a being from that plane. If this is true, this circle predates the Sundering, when such things were possible. I do not know if the circle is still functional, although I did find a rune that could trigger the magic. I confess I do not know what will happen."
|
|
** spoiler omitted **
Nightflier:
"This looks like a summoning circle, from the elemental earth plane, designed to bring a being from that plane. If this is true, this circle predates the Sundering, when such things were possible. I do not know if the circle is still functional, although I did find a rune that could trigger the magic. I confess I do not know what will happen."
Ragnar lowers his hood and stares upward thoughtfully, the blue runes on his skin glowing faintly in the light of the ghost-lamps.
"The celling is a map of the stars. I had almost forgotten what they looked like. Legends say the Elthadar traveled star-roads, traversing ancient Erdane nearly instantly. Ilona, Zafina, The Sarcosans once kept detailed star-charts and predicted the movements of the heavens. Know you of such things?"
|
|
** spoiler omitted **Nightflier: ** spoiler omitted **
"This looks like a summoning circle, from the elemental earth plane, designed to bring a being from that plane. If this is true, this circle predates the Sundering, when such things were possible. I do not know if the circle is still functional, although I did find a rune that could trigger the magic. I confess I do not know what will happen."Ragnar lowers his hood and stares upward thoughtfully, the blue runes on his skin glowing faintly in the light of the ghost-lamps.
"The celling is a map of the stars. I had almost forgotten what they looked like. Legends say the Elthadar traveled star-roads, traversing ancient Erdane nearly instantly. Ilona, Zafina, The Sarcosans once kept detailed star-charts and predicted the movements of the heavens. Know you of such things?"
Solvistania, concentrating on the podium, barely noticed the ceiling before. On hearing Ragnar's question, she looks up and studies it, hoping for some insight into its nature.
Ilona looks up at the ceiling and shrugs, "Sorry big guy, I must've been asleep during that part of the indoctrination."
She chuckles.
** spoiler omitted **Ilona looks up at the ceiling and shrugs, "Sorry big guy, I must've been asleep during that part of the indoctrination."
She chuckles.
Nightflier
Fixed. Thanks.
Gilian follows the chanellers into the room, trying to guess the use of the podium.
"If these beings travelled on star roads, maybe this podium can be a sort of door...
The spirit outside told us we were brought to that place by bone items. Maybe they are linked to this place. "
After listening to Gilian, Chops chimes in.
"What if we touched our bones to the pedestal?"
Nightflier: ** spoiler about stars omitted **
Nightflier
Ragnar looks to Solvistania warily, an eyebrow raised in question. "This is a thing of earth, not stars. Perhaps we should try to learn more first before toying with ancient magics."
Zafina stays near the doorway, leaning against one of the walls. Once they start discussing teh star roads and teh such, she just kind of blurs all of the others out for a moment, and fondly thinks of days spent on Lar'Hadri's back, rushing through the grasses of her homeland.
When Ragnar says her name, several seconds pass before she responds, and then it is with a distant 'Hmmm?"
Solvistania shoots Ragnar a withering glare. "I have no intention of doing that. Such would be foolhardy. I would stay here as long as it is necessary to divine its function, but the Shadow minions are not far behind us. We may not have that luxury."
Solvistania shoots Ragnar a withering glare. "I have no intention of doing that. Such would be foolhardy. I would stay here as long as it is necessary to divine its function, but the Shadow minions are not far behind us. We may not have that luxury."
Ragnar stares back blankly at the venom in her glance. "Spirits, woman... I'm agreeing with you. I had simply thought that you would be better suited to answer Chops' question than I." Ragnar runs a gloved hand over his bare scalp and turns to Zafina. "The stars. Your people hold them sacred, correct? Know you the meaning of this map?" He says gesturing upward.
"I have no intention of doing that. Such would be foolhardy. I would stay here as long as it is necessary to divine its function, but the Shadow minions are not far behind us. We may not have that luxury."
"In that case, we'll just have to give you a little extra time now won't we."
She reaches back over her shoulder and draws the massive black Verfdatch strapped across her back. Watching her holding the cruel looking weapon one wonders how she is able to weild it, much less in one hand.
The blade braced against her shoulder, other hand planted on her hip she stands facing the entrance, an eager yet determined look on her face, she seems a dark reflection of the very Valkyries of legend.
Solvistania watches Ilona's display of weapondry prowess, saying nothing.
After a moment of contemplation, she turns back to Ragnar and Chops, and says, "I have no idea what would happen if we touched our covenant items to the podium. Perhaps, nothing, perhaps, a catastrophe, perhaps, the thing that guided us here will make itself clear. I did locate a trigger rune. If need be, I could try to trigger it."
Ragnar watches Ilona take to defend the narrow passage with the enemies own weapons and, surprisingly, smiles for a moment before turning back to Solvistania. He nods. "That sounds like a much better place to start than experimenting with mixing magical objects."
Solvistania murmers "I feel much better with Ilona gaurding my back. She shows great skill with her Verdatch."
She points out the trigger rune in the shape of the tree, that she spotted earlier, to Ragnar, "Here it is, very difficult to spot. I believe this will trigger the power of the circle."
Solvistania murmers "I feel much better with Ilona gaurding my back. She shows great skill with her Verdatch."
She points out the trigger rune in the shape of the tree, that she spotted earlier, to Ragnar, "Here it is, very difficult to spot. I believe this will trigger the power of the circle."
Ragnar nods solemnly. "Stand back with the others." he says taking off his gloves. "Go with her, Muni."
The bird hops off his shoulder and flies in a short circle before settling on her arm. "Hey Toots, why don't you take us over there behind Freakshow and Sourpuss. The more meat between us and whatever's about to happen, the better."
Ragnar glances apologetically to Chops and crouches to inspect the rune.
Ragnar nods solemnly. "Stand back with the others." he says taking off his gloves. "Go with her, Muni."
The bird hops off his shoulder and flies in a short circle before settling on her arm. "Hey Toots, why don't you take us over there behind Freakshow and Sourpuss. The more meat between us and whatever's about to happen, the better."
Ragnar glances apologetically to Chops and crouches to inspect the rune.
Solvistania murmers to Muni, "Fortunately for you, the taste of meat sickens me." as she moves away from the circle to stand close to the Sarcosans.