Anna slips the ring on and with a commanded thought, winks out. After a handful of seconds her presence is betrayed by a delighted giggle. She goes silent, and immediately Anna's presence is nearly impossible to detect. Then Tolvan feels a sly pinch, and she reappears suddenly next to him, somewhat surprised that she's visible again.
That's not fair, she comments, then becomes invisible again. Experimenting, she learns that waving her hands in front of Andjela's face won't dispel the magic, but goosing her will. An encouraging pat on Kimberly's head is fine, but a comradely slap on Danica's back renders her visible. The hardest part of being magically unseen, Anna finds, is trying to contain the unmitigated glee she feels. But eventually she works out the rules, and when Tolvan flies up with Danica to the top, she fades from sight and moves toward the trap door as a ghost.
:)
:)
Though the sheer volume of webbing makes it difficult, you notice several other things about the room. On the south wall is an iron ladder leading up into the webbing and next to it is a solid-looking metal lever.
Despite the stealth of moving invisibly through the trapdoor, the quivering strands of web set off a flurry of furious motion high above Anna's head, the source of the motion unseen through the choking web. There is a sense of something both immense and violent nearby, and that this something is searching tirelessly for prey.
From inside the idol a voice calls out feebly, weak and quavering with fatigue and exhaustion. "Waxwood?! Waxwood! You stupid little monkey. I don't want anymore, *the voice wheezes for breath* rats I said! Go and fetch some caviar, and again an agonized pause, or don't come back at all!" There follows some hysterical giggling, which ends in a fit of wet, weak coughs.
The tower roof is 350 feet above the river below and has no guardrails. The triangular iron structure rises a further 30 feet above the tower, each of its three levels connected by an iron ladder. The center of the roof 'base' is blocked by iron shutters, with no apparent means of opening them from the roof.
At the very top of the iron structure sits a peculiar brass device, studded with dials and protrusions and filled with a strange purple liquid, attached to a huge silvery conductor by thick, rubber coated cables. Mounted on the spire next to the brass device is a huge lightning conductor and the likely power source for the device, surrounded by numerous lightning rods.
All these things are taken in quickly as the flight reaches the top, and it's also apparent by the condition of the sky, that lightning strikes to this tower (and the area near it) are regular and likely expected occurrences.
The clumsy homunculus frets as Tolvan and Danica, followed quickly by a now invisible Anna, depart from the room. It looks around, suddenly unsure of itself and apparently forgetting the assignment to guard the room. It instead flits over to Andjela's shoulder, rests an elbow on it suavely and gives her its best smile. Which looks similar to a shark attempting to lock lips with an ogre... it's not a pretty sight.
Tolvan will fly Danica all the way to L5, depositing her there. He resists examining the devices he sees there, for now, and dives back down to retrieve Andjela. Touch nothing until I return. he advises, indicating the brass device.
Anna picks her way silently through the tangle of webs, mindful of the looming presence somewhere above. Almost worse for her, however, is the strange idol that has someone imprisoned inside. For a moment her breath catches and panic seizes her heart. Frozen in place, she squeezes her eyes shut as she forces the rising panic away and draws in a silent breath. She waits several moments like that, focusing on controlling her breathing and reminding herself over and over that if this guy was to have any hope she would have to pull it together.
Finally, she starts moving again, mindful of the webs, and checking the ceiling every few steps. When she reaches the eastern wall, she looks first at the floating woman for signs of life. Then she lightly taps three times, two times, then three times on the idol.
Danica land at the spot. She listens intently at Tolvan's command. She looks around for any threats.
Tolvan makes it back to Andjela without a problem, but it's becoming clear the wind is increasing in the area.
Anna's slow and careful progress is done safely, not disturbing any webbing or catching the rogue in it's sticky embrace. The woman could be sleeping or dead, Anna is not sure.
After rapping on the idol, she is met by silence, but then the voice rasps out, weak but excited, "Waxwood? What is --- the matter with you? Do you wish to bring the ---- Promethean down upon us?" and subsides in coughing. He gasps and speaks again, "Are you bashing your dense ---- head into the side of the misery doll?? Your never gonna get me out of here that ---- way. Stupid monkey!" his voice becomes weaker still.
The deliberate movements high above pauses as Anna raps on the idol, the faint vibrations traveling along the points of web attached to the adamantine figure trembling slightly. There is a sense of waiting and eager watching from above.
As he drops Andjela off he recommends [b[Maybe we should rig some ropes and tie off? [/b] He then flies back down for a last trip. Tolvan had expected to be picking up Anna too. He looks worriedly at the trap door as he departs with Kimberly for the roof.
Danica nods in agreement and then removes the silken rope from her haversack. She thinks of the rope, puts her arm in and pulls out the silken rope. She thinks, What a wonderous item.
"Anyone else have rope?"
When Tolvan comes back with Kimberly, Danica pulls forth her Pearl of Power and says to Tolvan, "Please....armor me sir." Referring to the Mage Armor spell that Danica so love to have on her.
No, no, no you stupid man! Put it together! she thinks hard at the prisoner while simultaneously cringing when the ... Promethian? reacts to her taps. She pauses for a lengthy period while thinking furiously.
Making sure the magic of the ring is renewed and active, she blows a series of light puffs of air into the eye holes in the same sequence as her taps. Then she grabs a lock of her hair and feeds it into the eye hole. With a deft move, she draws her dagger and cuts a few strands off, letting them hang half in the holes. She pulls her head back to see if they remained invisible, and if the guy notices.
After a sufficient period Anna tries again to get the delirious mans attention, "Waxwood! Darn you Waxwood! How many times have I told you ---- not to shove things into my... eyes?" The voice trails off to stillness, for so long it seems as if the man may have fallen asleep. But suddenly an intense whisper issues out, "Hello!? Is --- oh gods above let it be so ---- is someone out there?!"
She forces herself to check for a response from the Promethean first. Then, if it's still quiet, she touches a finger to her eye and catches a tear before it slides down her cheek. She passes it to the rim of the holes and lets it bead right before his eyes.
Kimberly enjoys the flight up. I don't know what's keep Anna. she went in through the trap door. but didn't come out. she didn't say anything. but there were no sound of a fight so I guess she's alright.
Kimberly looks around once on the roof. trying to figure out how to get down to where Anna is at.
Kimberly notes the shutters on the base level of the roof top, 30' below her, but doesn't see a means of opening them. If the shutters can be opened, perhaps there's a means of getting to Anna from above.
To do anything, she would have to leave him. She guessed that any physical touch would be a godsend, but she didn't see any way of giving him that reassuring gesture -- the best she would be able to manage would be a poke in the eye -- and it would hardly be comforting, and could put her at risk of dispelling the magic. Instead, she again blows a bit of air across the idol, the closest she could come to contact without making noise.
Turning her attention to the metal lever, she swallows hard and reaffirms the magic of the ring. She tiptoes toward the ladder as cautiously as possible.
She pulls out the rope of climbing, and decides to test the limits of this invisibility. Climbing up there means being up where the monster is. Staying down here, at least she has a chance to reach the trapdoor before the creature reaches her. Even if the rope becomes visible, she hopes the rope will be mistaken for one of the webs. She wills it to animate, sending it slowly up with the directive to tie itself on the metal lever next to the ladder.
Sorry, Danica... with my armor and shield, I'm not one for ropes or climbing.
After depositing Kimberly safely Tolvan makes his way to the device and begins to examine it. I might need some help here. Can I get a guidance?
Hearing the paladin he adds quickly No Andjela, you do not climb. You tie your self to the structure with some slack, so that you do not fall off the tower.
Kimberly obolgies Tolvan giving him Pharasma's guidance
Danica responds, If the storm gets any worse then the winds will increase in strength. That mean that Kimberly is most at risk for being blown off. Tolvan, how long will your flying ability last? You may be next in risk. Andjela is least likely of being blown off. She is bigger and her armor makes her heavier."
Danica takes one end of the rope and ties it around Kimberly's waist. At the moment she hold onto the remains slack of rope.
Tolcan, what do we have to do up here?"
She looks around, heart aching, sick with fear. What do I do? How do I warn them? she thinks desperately.
Tolvan is busy trying to figure out the device. He manages Activate this thing. Call help. Kill creature below. I suspect it will come Sooner that we want.
Anna moves to the lever at the base of the ladder, ducking and twisting carefully to avoid getting caught in any webs. She considers pulling the lever for a moment, but stays her hand as she struggles to formulate a plan of action. From the idol, Caromarcs weak voice carries faintly, "H-Hello? Are you still there?! Is this all ---- in my mind??" the mans voice carries an edge of hysteria to it.
The volume of the mans voice is too strong, and the Abberant Promethean comes rushing down through the webbing, completely unaffected by the sticky substance. A stitched abomination made from the parts of at least half a dozen creatures, the Aberrant Promethean seems to be a mixture of a half dozen of the most monstrous beings Anna can conceive, all blended together into a disgusting mass of unlife. All teeth and claw and mass, the thing rushes at the idol, but stops just short of the adamantine prison, clinging to the webs above and roaring its fury. The creature is even larger than the Beast, with no spark of life or intelligence in it's black eyes. Tentacles attached at odd places lash the air constantly, moving like independently minded appendages in search of food. It's roar changes in pitch and becomes a terrible and mind-consuming moan. Caromarc screams with fear and you can hear him retching horribly from inside his prison.
Tolvan is able to work out some details, using what little information could be gleaned from the wiped-away scribblings downstairs, and his own understanding of the things he sees before him. The device connected to the rods can be activated by a certain combination of thrown switches -which Tolvan recognizes- this will almost certainly begin a lightning storm, with lightning hitting the lightning rods, as well as the platforms and possibly any beings up here while the device is active.
Once activated, the necessary power will then be in place to activate the brass device, and communicate -in whatever fashion designed- with the Beast.
Tolvan also notices that the area under and around the main device has shielding in place which may protect those from the worst of a lightning bolt, should one strike them.
Those on the roof notice a faint noise coming from below them, but it could've just been an odd gust of wind.
As she nods, tying herself off... Just explaining why don't carry rope, should probably start. Guess it's not just for climbing...
Was that something? Did anyone hear it?. She seems to sniff at the air, daring a glance at Danica.
I fear the creature comes. We are almost out of time. Tolvan says without looking up from the controls, which he he begins to work the memento he grasps their function. Gather around me here. he says explaining the risk of lightning strikes and meager protection the device offers.
Once the device is active and Tolvan has a free round he calls Kimberly to him and casts Protection from Energy - Electricity on her. You are our anchor. You must keep us all alive in the fight that will come.
The monstrosity is too much for Anna's mind; she breaks and runs toward the trap door.
Danica does as told, gathering close to Tolvan.
She then looks over to Andjela, "Hear what."
As the lightning device is activated, the lightning rods emit a deep humming sound, and the entire building starts to quake with a constant vibration. The first device starts shooting sparks and tossing tiny bolts of electricity in all directions. Within seconds a lightning bolt flashes across the sky, striking one of the platforms below them. The group feels no ill effects from the strike, other than the hair on their bodies standing on end, their hearing impaired from the proximity of the lightning, and a coppery taste tickling the backs of their throats. Several small diodes on the main device light up, showing it's ready to be activated.
Danica doesn't see or notice anything new in the increasingly chaotic situation.
Anna hugs herself to control her shaking as she draws her knees up to her chest, curling into a ball. Wormwood gets her attention after a few tries, and she lifts her head up, blinking. She looks around the room quickly for signs of her friends. Where are they? she asks the homunculus as she pulls herself up. Being away from Caromarc gnaws at her conscience, but she knew she was chased out of the room somehow, so what was done was done. She vowed to fight her fear and go back for him, but since she was out here, she might as well let the others know what she found.
Suddenly noticing the rumbling, she looks back to Wormwood. What is that?
Realizing she doesn't have time for another game of charades, she unslings her heavy crossbow and loads it with a bolt prepared to penetrate constructs. Then she hustles to the outside to find the others.
Anna sticks her head out and looks up the tower. She yells to them over the howling winds.
Danica prepare herself and gets ready to activate the machine.
Kimberly moves to the area Tolvan said. a worried look on her face. she seems a little afraid of the storm.
but she tries not to show it. putting on a brave face for her friends.
she nods when Tolvan explains about an impending fight. she makes the sign of Pharasma over her heart and clutches her holy symbol.
with each boom of thunder Kimberly jumps a little, quickly shutting her eyes expecting the worst.
Wormwood points out and up to indicate where the rest of the group went, and starts ineffectually brushing dust off of Anna's clothes.
The elf's sharp ears seem to turn in response to some distant noise carried on the wind.
Anna!. She needs me. I'll be right back. The round he casts his protection spell on Kimberly he will use his move action to begin moving down to where Anna is.
Needs you? She's invisible... don't go alone! Andjela pleads.
Seeing Tolvan dive down at her, Anna lets out a shriek, then a relieved sigh when he stops falling and hovers in front of her. He's actually flying! she marvels incredulously for a moment. When he casts his eyes around, she wills the magic away, becoming visible before him.
She jumps into his arms. It's horrible! she yells while staring into his eyes with a look of terror. The creature! It's in there, and it's like nothing you've ever seen! And Caromarc, he's trapped, and wants to summon the Beast to fight it, and there's webs everywhere in there so you can't go in! I have to go back and use the lever to open the ceiling to let it out but you can't be up there when I do! It'll get loose, but we can't leave Caromarc where he is, I've already left him once and I have to go back, but I can't get him out while the Promethean is still in there!
She blinks a couple times as she pauses to catch her breath, and then she seems to notice the lightning storm for the first time. What are you doing up there?
Anna, you are here. I was sure I heard you calling. he embraces her and listens to her story. No do not release the creature. At least not yet. We are summoning the Beast but we need time. I fear the creature may somehow get out on its own. What is stopping it from using the level? Come up with me, with the rest of us. There is a device to summon the beast, but its going to be dangerous. It needs power and we are summoning a lightning storm with another device for power. People could be struck with lightning, but I do not think there is another way. He looks to her, ready to sweep her up with him to the roof, his eyes asking her for that permission.
Anna can't give him that. She pulls at Tolvan, trying to anchor him from taking off. No! You can't go back up there! She shakes her head vigorously.
It's bigger, worse than the Beast! It'll kill him! No, just get everyone down, and I'll go in and let it out. Then I can save Caromarc. He's trapped, like I was, in Harrowstone. But for, you know, days and days. I have to do this. Tears well in her eyes, only to streak out the corners and blow away in the wind.
"Tolvan, don't..." Danica says while watching the mage take off yet again.
She says to Andjela and Kimberly "Where in the Nine Hells is he going? We're playing with a lot of power here."
I have to go back up, to call the Beast and to help the other. I believe the fight will take place up there. The creature may try to prevent us from our task. Come with me or continue the fight from below. I cannot say which you will be more successful at. He prepares to fly again, waiting on her decision.
Anna looks exasperated and worried. No. Don't fight it! Don't even try. Just let it go.
She lets Tolvan go, and takes a step back. Pleading with her eyes, she looks up at him.
As Tolvan takes a step back his hand brushes Anna's fingers. You know I cannot. He responds, and then he is gone. He flies up as quickly as his spell will carry him rejoining the others at the device.
Anna swears vehemently. she yells after him.
Turning to go back inside, she scoops up her crossbow and activates the ring again. She moves back to stand below the trapdoor and takes several deep breaths, steeling her nerves. Then she cracks open the door and peeks inside. If it's clear, she slips into the room.
While Tolvan was away, the main device remains inactivated, but the lightning has been getting more and more wild. Two strikes have hit during the interim.
The first bright strike zips through the air with impossible speed, right at Kimberly!
The second hits a nearby tower rod, causing the air to crackle and temporarily blind everyone for a moment, but causing no physical damage.
Tolvan comes flying back into view, Anna still not with him.