That would make sense, Terexaltherin comments on Minna's information. The question is if we can find him and catch him sometime... but of course that's a question for later.
He turns his thoughts to Rollo. Do you think we could pull it off? Shifting out as we disable the planar travel magic here? I feel like you should be able to do it with my help.
As the party is planning on how to get the weird house ready for their departure, getting the prisoners organized and so-forth, Minna comments, "The only way to catch him, I think, would be to set a trap and that would mean figuring what his project is and him not figuring out that we had a plan. Despite his insanity, he's frightfully clever and experienced. When I re-joined the organization, spent a long time on dossier of the Fizzlebrow clan"
Rollo nods.
So, we all take a trip to Sigil. Prepare yourselves for the journey then. I will attempt to end the magic around this place as we leave.
The Sage looks at their captives.
We will let the bosses figure you out, but procuring the needed materials independent of others for your people is a priority.
Atrlo nods and stands next to GIFT, ready to transport.
As the party gathers, eager to leave, Rollo masterfully manipulates the dimensional magic of the strange half-chaos house, draining it of the ability to shift dimensions while transporting the party across the multiverse ... after a brief but impressive light-show along the way, you wind-up in "the landing area" of the Organization's current Headquarters, the (otherwise) deserted 50-story building in the Ghetto district.
Here, Cordelia greets you warmly, takes charge of the prisoners and takes you to a new Welcome Plane, an area of mountain hot-springs where you can soak in relaxing hot tubs, receive massages from natives or just sip pleasant aperitifs and munch on hors d'oeuvres (Armaund goes up the mountain a bit and finds a large pool of lava to bask in).
Once you've had a day of recovery and relaxation, Cordelia and Bethia take you back to headquarters and has a more formal meeting.
Bethia begins: "Once more, you have done excellent work. The organization has inflicted a huge defeat on The Dark Traders - the last fleet they intended to send across the multiverse has been destroyed. Unfortunately, their previous efforts have given them many new footholds and we're still trying to deal with that - we're growing The Organization as needed for this. And Ari and Kargal still harass the Traders in the Hell Galaxy. The Traders may attempt to re-establish their supply of dimensional material but there will likely be some delay in this. In the meantime, I hear you have the idea of dealing with the world of these Tarnuviens. That seems like reasonable plan. Give me a further 48 hours and I should be able to find a way there. In the mean time, feel free to enjoy Sigil"
She smiled when her dad came over and flipped up her hoody
::"When Rollo and everyone are ready I will make the door"::
As Rollow pulled the power from this place, Her machine spirit drilled into N Dimenal space to find that center of all things, Signal, as always the image comes of the Lady, her blades ever ready. Like a comic stop sign saying. GODS KEEP OUT But she was no god, yet every time she was worried the lady would take an interest in her father who had divine blood and come a visit. She pushed the image and with Rollo, opened a door to the cage.
Gift skips the Welcome Plane and heads home to her mother. She wanted to talk to her about the growth in her machine spirit and the new Hive form it had taken. Something was going on with her and she wanted to talk to her mother about it. However, she was a little shocked to get to the door to be greeted by small Dwarf boys. Her Brothers had grown!
The blond one with a wide smile stopped and bowed low,
"Hello sister"
and ran and hugged her leg.
While the dark-haired one stood back at the door and looked at her and her father shyly.
Gift looked back are her father.
"Daaaddd, mum's done something weird again"
Then Lyra was there.
"Not me, Them"
And she nodded at her sons.
Belgrim moved and stood close and just behind his mother.
Her sons now looked about 6 in human year, 20 in Dwarf ones.
"Nooo!" Arlo muttered as he ran to his boys and embraced them. "Oh boys. I'm so sorry. I've been gone too long." The dwarf looked up at his wife.
"How long have we been gone? Damn chaos realm. I'm so sorry! I would have been here."
"Too long!, I went to the agency every week for the 1st year. I have to say I got very worried, But the boys here insisted you and Gift were safe, every night when I read them stories. Belgrim would say no to worry you were playing with a cat. And Beldrun."
But before she could say another word.
Beldrun hugged his father he did not seem to be sacred by this strange swarf showing up with an android. He like his brother seem to accept Arlo at once and also Gift. the child whispered in his father's ear.
"I told mummy you were playing with Dolls"
And he giggled, full of joy and happiness.
Belgrim then also hugged his father.
"Which was it father, A cat or dolls?"
Where Beldrun was playful and joyful, Belgrim was reserved, sullen even
And from the question, you can tell the two brothers must have been arguing about which was the right answer.
"Too long!, I went to the agency every week for the 1st year. I have to say I got very worried, But the boys here insisted you and Gift were safe, every night when I read them stories. Belgrim would say no to worry you were playing with a cat. And Beldrun."
Arlo let go of both his boys, heart-broken, knelt down on the ground, destroyed. With tears in his eyes, the dwarf looked at both Beldrun and Belgrim. "My sons. You were both correct."
Swiping his regretful tears, Arlo looked into the face of his wife. "We can talk more inside. Assume I'm still welcome in your home?"
"They told me they could see you, in their dreams. You and gift are both safe, just playing. Year after year, safe playing with Cats and Dolls"
Then she runs to her husband and hugged him as well. Finally
Gift joined in one big family cuddle.
When they broke Laya looked hurt when Alro said where they welcome.
"Of course you are! you're my husband. And gift... this is OUR home.. so come, come on all of you, get a bath and I'll get some food ready. It's dinner time and it's been a long time since we have had a full table."
And she leads the boys in.
Gift looked ar her father, smiled and followed.
As the dwarf and the android reentered the Brighthammer household, many things have changed since both GIFT and Arlo were home. Leaning down to eye-level with the dwarven boys, Arlo asked, "Could you two fine gentlemen see to give me and your sister a tour of the house, ending the tour with the washroom, please?"
Terexaltherin, as usual, finds rest and relaxtion by reading. He continues studying the <Shimmer>-books, seeing if his recent experience with chaos might have given him any clues on how to interpret them.
Beyond that he looks around for any information he can find on the Tarnuviens.
But he also spends time with Terecho just reading for fun, enjoying the sense of kind-of-sort-of reading two novels at once.
As some of the party are getting partly acclimatized to Sigil, Bethia has Terex (and Rollo if he's available and anyone interested) work on The Organization's interplanar sensing and navigation machinery, floating weightless in the viewing and scanning the nebula-like planar diagrams. After a while, using the captured Tarnuviens as a template, you are able to get a picture of this race's home plane and it place in the multiverse.
The rough tendency of material planes is to begin life, to be created, in the area of the Beast Lands, the zone of Chaotic Good. They then may drift towards the archetypical realms - Lawful Good, Lawful Evil, Chaotic Evil etc with many variation. The plane of the tarnuviens has drifted somewhat differently, towards a realm of "pure appearance". The tarnuviens perfected the process of simulation to the point that their world lacks the potential for new life - imagine dooplegangers who've replaced the people of a society and now only go through the motions of that society.
Bethia's analysis is this, "We can find a supply of nutrient to stabilize the tarnuviens for a short time, likely in an ice world we surveyed recently. But longer term, we need a force to stabilize the world. One possibility would be to recruit great artists - or other visionaries - to supply a sufficient passion to stabilize the form of these people and their world, taking them in a concrete direction. Who could we recruit for this? Or can you think of other options?"
As they stepped throw Lyra said
"While I waited the Agency had me researching things like your pall, Shimmer and beings come gateways like that. Well my love I found a few. And one I have taken for myself, to make our new home in."
Past the door, the once all now looked like much longer and well, tech-ish
Lyra took Arlo to a room. The doors opened automatically
"Welcome home Master Arlo"
"That's Ship the... well ships AI. Ship open observation window please.
"That my love is Mirinsals world. And its moon Carisal ... Ship bring up a treal time image of Carisal please"
The image shifted to the moon world and its one large city.
"That my dear is the boarding school your sons attend most of the week. I have to say its the best in this side of the Galaxy. And we live here... Ship show self-image."
The view changed again and the image of a vast space habitat came into focus. There new home, all 1700s floors of it.
"She was a generation craft, long empty and forgot, I found a door to her and me and the boys we, well we got her back up and habitable. Lots of space for a family to grow into. Best thing is its just a door away from Sigil and good shopping."
Gift jumps into a control seat and links to Ship
"Wow there are 15 water decks full of marine life, and a replicator manufacturm in the lower 200 decks. She can make just about ANYTHING cool mum. Arr just found the Cybernetic labs. Brothers you ever been to the cyber-labs? You want to go build Robots?"
Both her brothers nodded visgrusily.
"Come on then show me the way to the Gravators."
And the three of them ran off,
As she passed her mother she nodded,
She its taking them off so you can have some me time
Arlo stands amazed at their new home. The dwarf mumbles "..boarding school?" when the twins education is mentioned.
Arlo nods appreciatively as his android daughter takes his brothers to make robots.
Turning to Lyra, Arlo comments, "Well..you have certainly kept busy in my absence." The paladin reaches out to hold his love.
"Moradin. The Absence. I've lost so much time. First steps, first sword forgings.."
Arlo looks into Lyra's face.
"How is it that you still look so young? I know twenty years is a long time for humans."
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She smiles at him.
"Clone bodies, I switch out every 10 years, keep me young in a way and it lets me add upgrades."
She picks him up in one move as if he was nothing at all, and kisses him passionately, the kiss tests of cherries.
"Lip glands, and I have all manner of new abilities, come on you old dwarf let's get you out of that dirty adventuring gear and into my new hot tub."
She puts him back down and walks to a wall, it opens to an Amazing privet room.
She slips off her single garment and slipped into the water.
turning she beckons him to the hot tube.
======
Sometime later she is dressed as Arlo is, in a silk gown, she is doing what she loves to do and pleating his hair. When Gift comes back with her brothers each of them has a small Robot clattering along behind them.
She slips off her single garment and slipped into the water. Turning, she beckons him to the hot tube.
Arlo wanted to tear off his dwarven plate in a fit of passion, but knowing that he had children that were mobile, he neatly stacked his armor by a nearby chair. Completely naked, Arlo stood at the edge of the hot tub, gazing over to Lyra's ample bosom which just rested on the hot tub waters.
This woman waited twenty years for me. The least I could do is give a night to remember, Arlo thought.
The dwarf paladin then flexed his scarred, muscular form only for the eyes of his beloved wife. Lyra always did marvel at his various battle scars. Sometimes, she liked to 'connect-the-scars' with her tongue, which took some getting used to.
After some more flexing, Arlo enters the hot tub and swims over to the arms of Lyra.
”Your clone bodies are impressive, my love. But are they 'dwarf tough'?" Arlo asked as his arms met Lyra's.
Arlo enjoys Lyra's new cherry-flavored lips as they passionately kiss. Lyra's hand reaches down and find Arlo's now-erect waraxe, and begins to stroke it lovingly, as Arlo gorges himself on Lyra's areolas.
The dwarf then reaches up to feathers his fingers in Lyra's long, blonde hair, giving it a gentle tug to Arlo can suck on Lyra's neck. The techo-crafter moans as the dwarf paladin continues to excite her.
Arlo then wraps his calloused hands around Lyra's ample rear, squeezing it, before lifting her up on the edge of the hot tub, her curvaceous hips at the dwarf's eye level. Smiling devilishly, Arlo spread Lyra's legs to reveal her silken womanhood. Holding both of Lyra's thighs with his muscular arms, Arlo's head disappears between Lyra's legs, as she begins to moan and squirm under the dwarf's oral assault. It isn't long before Lyra's breathes heavily and her womanhood erupts with pleasure.
Undeterred, the very strong dwarf lifts his still-recovering wife, and move her down to the tubs's shallow end. Arlo lets Lyra's down with a passionate kiss, then lovingly positions her body leaning over the side of the tub, with Arlo's equally naked form behind her. Arlo wields his erect waraxe to carefully enter Lyra's womanhood. Both lover sigh with pleasure. Once Arlo feels secure, the dwarf began to vigorous fu<k Lyra hard. It wasn't long before Lyra's genetically-enhanced leg muscles synchronized with the dwarf hero's rhythm. Lyra moaned and gasped under such a assault. Occasionally looking at the room's entrance to see if any children were coming, Arlo began to slap Lyra's posterior rapidly with his hands.
”Master Arlo has returned!” SLAP! ”And he's gonna fu<k your ever-loving brains out!” SLAP!
The dwarf's pravado was a return to what Lyra loved to call Arlo when they first moved in together before marriage. The way Lyra would let Arlo dominate, but not degrade her. The butt slaps kept coming as Arlo thrusting increased with speed and fervor!
Lyra moans and yelped with every slap and thrust, holding on to the hot tub edge for support.
”Oh my Gods! Uh! Are you gonna c*m on this d|<k! Huh, Baby! ARE YOU GONNA C*M ON THIS D|<k!” Arlo roared.
The dwarf paladin was relentless, continuing to jackhammer Lyra's mounds, as she quaked and shook with fierce orgasms, making the hot tub water spill over the edge. This did not deter Arlo from his pounding assault, until he too began to grunt and shout with pleasure.
”Ah! Gods yes!” Arlo grunted. The dwarf was left an incoherent monster as he thrust deep into Lyra's womanhood, never leaving until his own shuttering pleasure finally ended deep with his beloved. Both panting, Arlo arched Lyra's back to him as he passionately kissed her wet, sweaty neck, and his hands found and caressed the woman's bulbous breasts.
Both husband and wife stood in the warm water holding each other, caressing and professing their love for each other.
Sometime later she is dressed as Arlo is, in a silk gown, she is doing what she loves to do and pleating his hair.
Lyra had a purple bathrobe waiting for her husband after the hot tub. The dwarf sat between her legs and the techo-crafter played with the dwarf's platinum-blonde hair.
Arlo sighed in reverie. ”My love, I have a few questions. Questions you likely already have answers for. For example, if the family needed to leave Sigil very quickly, could we do it, and how long do you think it would take?"”Also, say the word. And I'll leave the Organization. With that new, um, replicator manufacturium, thing, GIFT said we could make whatever we want. And I don't need to adventure to help support us anymore. The thought of leaving you and the family again boils my blood!”
When Gift comes back with her brothers each of them has a small Robot clattering along behind them.
Arlo says a silent prayer to Moradin that the boys were distracted so Arlo and Lyra could have some private time. The dwarf father's face split in a smile as his children joined them.
”Well, look at this. GIFT, you take the boys for some build time, and you bring back two more kids!” The dwarf pointed at the boy's new robot companions. Looking to the proud android, Arlo asks, ”GIFT, it looks like the crafting was successful. I hope you didn't give your older sister too much sass”, the dwarf looked back to his boys.
Rollo definitely spends his time workino on The Organization's interplanar sensing and navigation machinery, floating weightless in the viewing and scanning the nebula-like planar diagrams.
Fun times in the hot town tonight!
Gift smiled an inward smile and took a seat across from the family.
Her mother gave her a look that became stern.
Gift bust out laughing and turned the seat around.
It's clear they most have just communicated in some way.
"If you say so mum"
Came gift voice.
The boys however were more interested in showing their father their robots
"So, boys, please me all about your school? What types of subjects are you studying? Made many friends?" Arlo asked Beldrun and Belgrim.
"Maybe tomorrow, we can take the boys out of school for a day, so we can have a day out?" The dwarf asked his wife.
Terexaltherin is happy to work with the planar navigation equipment, even if he has to curb his curiosity and focus mostly on the task at hand. He gives the data, and Bethia's analysis, some serious thought.
It'd be best if we could inspire them to create their own passion, their own substance to fill the appearance... Terexaltherin 'says', I'm not quite sure how we'd go about that, though. Maybe start with recruiting some people, as you said... oh!
Sudden excitement fills his telepathic voice. We should give them some good books! Novels, philosophy texts, religious works, and scientific manuals! That should help! Also we should look for other natural shapeshifters, get them to talk about how to hold on to their sense of self and purpose no matter what their form.
His sons come and sit with him and tell him all about School their lives and the time that had passed. With some shock, they tell him that they had spent time with him. Or rather a Hologphical copy of him that told them bedtime stories. Lyra says she had made a simple AI and also filmbooks so that he would know to have an idea of their father. How he was here in the flesh they seemed very happy to talk and find out more about him. She agrees to a family day off.
When he asks about the leaving and the organization, she says.
"We can leave Sigil at any time, my dear, in fact, we have left, this plane is not Sigil, it's just linked to it. As for the organization, saving others is in your blood you daft old dwarf, you could no more stop doing that than stop breathing, it's your very Deity-core."
It'd be best if we could inspire them to create their own passion, their own substance to fill the appearance... Terexaltherin 'says', I'm not quite sure how we'd go about that, though. Maybe start with recruiting some people, as you said... oh!
We should give them some good books! Novels, philosophy texts, religious works, and scientific manuals! That should help! Also we should look for other natural shapeshifters, get them to talk about how to hold on to their sense of self and purpose no matter what their form.
Armaund has been enjoying the nightlife of Sigil though he pops in to see Arlo at least once as well as checking in regularly with the organization. He happens to be around while this conversation is going and cocks his head, "Well, as a shapeshifter who's perhaps found some meaning in life I would say... I agree, we cannot simply give them substance, they must create it themselves. I don't know about books or art myself. I would say through struggle. Perhaps I am thinking too much of the fate of my homeland. But if the substance giving mineral was in a distant area and they had to make a long and difficult exodus to get to this area, then perhaps their existence could also have a purpose? Those are my thoughts"
Bethia looks with a bit of awe. "Yes, this is sound plan. I am embarrassed I did not consider it. Look for a plane of safety for our shapeshifters. Recruit some locals and they can make their quest saving the others. A challenge but I think a clear path. So more work on the machines to find such a plane. Unless there are more ideas?" Bethia loves working on the machine but tries not to sound too eager.
"As for the organization, saving others is in your blood you daft old dwarf, you could no more stop doing that than stop breathing, it's your very Deity-core."
"My dear", Arlo began, very sternly. "A generation has passed for the younger races since I left. The boys haven't even developed personalities when I left. I lost so much time. I WILL NOT SACRIFICE MY FAMILY ON THE ALTAR OF GOOD ANYMORE!" The dwarf began to shout.
Seeing the distressed look on his son's faces he stopped. "I'm sorry Belgrim. I'm sorry Beldrun. Daddy wants to be in your life, is all."Looking back up to his wife, Arlo stated, "There's no guarantee another time-loss will not happen again. Well, talk later."
Eventually the family have a delicious dinner together and GIFT, Lyra, and Arlo tuck Beldrun and Belgrim into bed.
"Boys" Arlo began as the dwarven brothers were in their beds. "You have done your father and this family a great service. You kept Hope in your mother's heart for my return. And I don't know how to thank you both. But I hope to find a way to do so. I love you both very much and I'm as proud as any father could be. Sleep well. Good night."
Arlo actually appreciated a visit from Armaund, but told him on no uncertain terms he may not return to The Organization.
Later when they are alone in bed. Lyra talks to her husband.
"Dear, I missed you in ways beyond words. Like the boys, I knew if you ever came back. Because I will tell you the truth I thought..."
She wipes away a tier
"The you would never...I want what is best for the Boys and our Family, And I would wish anything, anything at all for you too never again run off into Danger. So YES I would like very much for you to leave the organsation. But you wan't you will stay in it and as soon as they yank collor so you will go."
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So anyone can join this hunt/speculation concerning a homeland for the Tarnuviens. Just describe a potential location - probably a somewhat chaotic area since Tarnuviens require a little chaos as well as a bit of challenge. Or continue describing what you're doing in Sigil in the mean-time
Rollo thinks on it for a moment.
I know just the place. It lies on the outer rim of the Outer Planes.
The Sage then begins to lecture
Collectively referred to as the Maelstrom, vast swathes of uncharted, unclaimed terrain metaphysically border and surround each of the planes on the Outer Sphere. Mysterious and dangerously chaotic lands untouched by the gods, these regions lack the cohesive stability present in all of the other planes; even the brutal depths of the Abyss possess a structure that the Maelstrom does not. Some scholars believe the Maelstrom to be ancient, pre-dating all other places in the multiverse, with the possible exception of the Abyss. Certainly, the proteans are associated with the discovery of the Abyss
The dhampir grins.
Arlo was quiet as he laid next to his wife. He wanted her to be wrong; but she knew him for far too long. Both dwarf and human clone held each other in the darkness.
The Maelstrom? That's a thought. But what I'm thinking is... not every person is the same. We'll want to give them multiple paths to finding meaning. And that's why, a thread of humor weaves into Terexaltherin's mental voice, They also need books. And probably other opportunities too. But yes, let's look to set up some challenges for them!
Armaund and Arlo:
Arlo actually appreciated a visit from Armaund, but told him on no uncertain terms he may not return to The Organization.
Armaund looks Arlo. "Five years you've been gone? Hmm, at my age time passes more quickly, I'll admit but I think I would have noticed... let's take a little walk, just for a second, the fresh air will do you good" Arlo and Armaund stroll a short ways away from Lyra's compound. "By coincidence, I happen to patronize this tavern..." They walk into a dark and shadowy hall, where a variety of dubious characters give the pair a wide berth, and up a bar where the horned, tiefling bar keeper nods at the pair. "Jaokin, do you remember me? When was I last here" Jaokin says "You visited last week, I remember 'cause I had to replenish my liquor stock" Armaund turns to Arlo, "See, I notice no great time passing here. Something is up. I believe time passed for Lyra and your children as you say but there's a mystery here, maybe bigger than that of that 'toy room'..." Arlo then returns...
At the Dimensional Observatory:
Bethia looks closely at Rollo's calculations. "Well, the Maelstrom is a challenging zone. I suspect some of the changeable character of Tarnuviens comes because of influence from that area. At the same time, their world is fairly close so they may be comfortable. I think I have located an island of relative stability in this area ... yes, I see a world, yes, this orange dot, I shall name it "Corthin", it is mysterious, hospitable, containing the nutrient, empty of life. No doubt having many subtle and chaotic factor we will discover with more investigation" and to Terex, "Well, no doubt if we are to recruit a small group to guide the Tarnuviens, our group will produce books, art, speeches and all manner of expressions to recruit the masses for the journey....Perhaps several groups, each offering something different...or that might be too much" The discussion continues...
Armaund and Arlo:Arlo actually appreciated a visit from Armaund, but told him on no uncertain terms he may not return to The Organization.Armaund looks Arlo. "Five years you've been gone? Hmm, at my age time passes more quickly, I'll admit but I think I would have noticed... let's take a little walk, just for a second, the fresh air will do you good" Arlo and Armaund stroll a short ways away from Lyra's compound. "By coincidence, I happen to patronize this tavern..." They walk into a dark and shadowy hall, where a variety of dubious characters give the pair a wide berth, and up a bar where the horned, tiefling bar keeper nods at the pair. "Jaokin, do you remember me? When was I last here" Jaokin says "You visited last week, I remember 'cause I had to replenish my liquor stock" Armaund turns to Arlo, "See, I notice no great time passing here. Something is up. I believe time passed for Lyra and your children as you say but there's a mystery here, maybe bigger than that of that 'toy room'..." Arlo then returns...
Arlo drinks a pint of dubious ale, and after a few moments of separation anxiety, the dwarf paladin relaxed a bit. Dragon and dwarf talked about missions and such, eventually leading to the subject of Lyra Fitzroy. Armaund remarked how the dragon never felt any tension from the dwarf, despite the shared relation with the former android.
Arlo chuckled, "Yeah. I never got around to thanking you, Armaund."
'What do you mean?" The dragon asked, taken back.
Arlo chuckled again. "Thank you for being a right hedonist. If you didn't treat Lyra like a old beer bottle, I would likely never have any of the things I treasure: a loving and devoted wife, three wonderful children, and a happy home to go home to. I never thought I'd ever be this happy in my life, ever again."
"Em..well", Armaund sputtered. "You're..welcome."
Armaund recovers, licks beer from his own short beard and smiles ruefully, "...though for good or ill, all that was from my dragon nature, which I doubt I could change if I wished to. Another round?"
The dwarf grins to himself, secretly pleased the 'Great Dragon' can be taken down a peg.
"Indeed, Armaund. And thank you."
Turning to the barkeep, Arlo asks, "One more please. Something dwarven if ya got it."
We'll get the ball rolling with something small, I think, and then encourage them to make it bigger themselves, Terexaltherin suggests thoughtfully. I'll see if anyone at one of the universities I visit would be interested.
Humor colors his thoughts again. Some professors might even offer extra credit for it! he jokes. Assuming they don't decide they'd like to get involved themselves. The trick will be picking ones that will help out instead of just studying the Tarnuviens.
As the debate continue, Bethia comments, "One thing to remember is the Tarnuviens themselves once had culture and scholarship as well as exploration. I suspect the best thing to do is to send you to put together a group of Tarnuviens to organize the exodus - use their books, their arts, etc. We have to remember, time is of the essence. As I said, you were able to stop the threat in Sigil for a bit but there's no doubt the Dark Traders will attempt to reestablish their source of dimensional materials sooner or later. You are the team in Sigil currently - most of your contacts here are stopping the Dark Trader push elsewhere. Helping the Tarnuviens would prevent them from being used again so it's part of our effort but it should happen quickly. And I haven't seen Gift, Arlo or Blue since your return. I'm sorry if I'm short tempered, I have been working at this a while."
We can develope a link using Shimmer to send a delegation along with ourselves initially to begin preparations. Ready?
Rollo prepares to preform the arcane energy necessary for opening a portal.
That is true. We can set them up with some more help later if they seem like they need it. So let's get to it!
Terexaltherin joins with Rollo in starting preparations for the challenges for the Tarnuviens.
Cordelia sends the message out that the group will be leaving shortly. Minna returns quickly, her hair still wet from the spa but with all her gear. Armaund returns a bit later, downing a tankard of ale as he ascends the steps and saying "I have some news. I believe Arlo will not be joining the party this. It seems Lyra and he suffered some kind of time anomaly - his children grew older without him - a phenomena I don't understand but because of this he wishes to stay with his family, something I can sympathize with."
And neither Gift nor Blue have yet appeared.
At the news, Bethia does a couple deep breaths and recovers her usual calm, airy manner. "Arlo has been amazing. Yet I believe we can find one or more replacements fairly quickly, recruitment across the multiverse has gone well over the last twenty four hours. I'm sure Rollo can hold the spell for a bit. In the mean time, let's consider the various areas you could arrive at..."
Bethia pulls the image of Tarnuvien lands that Rollo's spell opens. "There's the Green Kingdom, most rural but with little farming as the Tarnuviens no longer need to eat... There's Michiaxiali, a former theocracy where the now non-believers debate vacuous minutia. The court of Dix, where each claims to be more noble than the other. I see the deserted library of Calibria. Many isolated groups..."
As her parents and siblings slept Gift headed down to the main computer core room for the vast ship. Getting to the door, she found it was locked.
"Add mum said they had been doing up the ship, so the tech bots should be in here works."
She looked through the window and could see the Mind-core.
As she looked she noted something odd, there seems to be a Bio tank linked to it, but the glass was so frosted she could not see what was in it. She held out her and formed a tiny spy bot. She placed it next to the lock and let it go to work. In no time it was in the panel and thrown to the other side.
She fliped her POV to its, as it scurried across the floor. moving to the Bio pad. It was just about to rach it when it was grabbed and picked up.
She walk looking into the 4 eyes of a tech bot.
"I am sorry but this area is being renovated and I can't allow any contamination in my mind core. Please ask you, mother, for access at some point at the moment"
And her Spybot was lifted over to a disposal shoot and dropped into it, burning up with the heat from its reclamation action.
The connection was broken.
But then a signal came to head to mission briefing.
'Ill have to ask mother later about this"
She headed to the fabrication room she had set up as her lab, to pick up something and head to the Door to Sigil.
Blue sat in his apartment, looking wistfully out at the sky. Sigil was an interesting place, but, but as pretty as its skies were, they weren't the endless skies of home. Blue had been working for the agency for decades now, in one role or another, and in all that time he'd spent scant weeks on the Plane of Air, and none anywhere close to the region he'd come from. He missed it dearly. He missed it enough that he decided the time had come to make a change.
-------------------
A few days later...
When next the group meets, Blue clears his throat. "I, uh, I wanted to say some things. I'm going to be leaving. I've been away from home too long. I talked to some of our supervisors, and I'm going to be taking up a post as one of The Organization's agents stationed permanently on the Plane of Air. Nothing against any of you, I've enjoyed my time here and learned much. If you're even on the Plane of Air, look me up. But it's past time I went home. I haven't seen those skies in nigh on twenty years. Thank You all."
Gift made it to the meeting just in time, her father had let her know that this time he would not be coming. Which she could understand.
She was excited to be soloing.