Search Posts
Lucina:
"Lucina you are on an island in the ocean off of the coast of the mainland. In your time, I believe it was called the empire of Vudra." You all notice aside from the voice in your head, you are alone. You do not see a giant turtle anywhere. Although something invisible came from the water to plane shift you, you never saw a turtle.
"I will now transport us. echoes the voice. As you join the circle together, something moves from the water, invisibly, as you see the water splash on the rocks. Wet footprints soak the flatter stones, and the circle seems to join. You hear a voice chant and the world rapidly changes around you. A brief moment later, you are suspended in water, and panic ensues while you realize you are underwater, you were not prepared and quickly hold your breath. "One moment, I had to take us to the Plane of Water as an intermediate destination."
Another chant and you are whisked away, and appear ... somewhere. "Hmm, well here we are. I will need to find out where that is."
"If you are all ready, I can effect the transport now. Gather in a circle and join your hands."
"I believe the name of one of the villages is Hei'war. I think it means Blue Waters in the tongue of the native people. You are not obligated to stand watch over the clutches of eggs, but I suspect you may find peace and beauty in these places, as I have. When you see such beauty you will naturally want to protect such a place, and protect those who make it their home. I know that those among you have a quest to find your lost master, and this may take you in that path, or it may take you away, but I believe whatever your destiny, all paths will lead you to it, regardless of your stops along the way. Why not make the journey enjoyable?"
Makoto: [b]"I am a simple turtle, there is not much to tell about me. I stay away from places with people, and I enjoy my time alone, but occasionally, I return to the islands of my birth and meet with others. There, eggs are lain, and new turtles are born. Many realize the value and the eggs are sold for food or the young as captives. This I wish to prevent. If I take action, I am seen as a monster, and it makes the situation worse."[/b
"There are raiders who come by ship to attack the fisherfolk. Pirates and ne'er do wells. They also plunder the islands of their trees, and kill the hatchlings, taking eggs, or killing hatchlings. These people have no respect."
Teniel: "They are mostly human. Many of the people live as fisherfolk and sea traders. The most dangerous are the sea scourges, pirates and buccaneers who prey on the fisherfolk and passing ships. I will place you somewhere near them. First impressions may be a challenge. Their language is a form of the common tongue shared by most lands for trade purposes."
Some time after arrival, and even after Teniel's illusionary turtle tricks, you hear a voice reaching out to your minds. "Greeting travellers."
Grubgullet, the eyes grow larger and a face peers from the water from its spot further out. You recognize the giant turtle from the beach party the night before. Grubgullet: "I don't think ogres are meant to fish. Maybe you need a net."
Makoto: "Very well. I shall be in contact."
Makoto: "I will make a map, and take you to a place far from here, but hopefully near lands you can venture to. I can sense the good in you and many of your friends. I wish you to protect a certain area from depredation by brigands, buccaneers, pirates and other ne'er do wells."
Makoto: "Its the thought that counts. While not a masterpiece, it was touching, and art, even temporary has valuable, perhaps more so, because you can appreciate it while it exists, and hold the memory of it as a treasure.....I myself am somewhat of an artist..." "I understand your hesitation regarding the water. I wonder...I may have a solution, give me some time to prepare...."
Makoto: "I want what most creatures want, to live happily and free to do what I wish. To travel the oceans and to grow in knowledge, wealth and power." You aren't sure those are all universal sentiments, but that what the voice says. "The more I ponder the situation and the arrival of your people it may be that I can help, in return for a favor. There is some risk, mostly aquatic in nature." "I like you, you gave me a painting."
Makoto: "I come here to sleep and molt and to just take time away. It is quiet and peaceful here and without disturbances....usually. Other times if I get bored I travel the oceans and seas and do what pleases me. I had never been to their gathering before, although I knew that the goatling people occasionally came to these lands. Who I am, well I am a turtle. I do turtley things. You get the sense that the last sentence is somewhat playful in tone.
Makoto: "But can she create a painting on a rock from flowers? " There is a brief pause, then "I did not interact with these people but I have seen their group earlier and they have many people, and they have already left these lands. It would make sense for them to leave this place and move on if they are aware of civilization nearby. Perhaps your destiny lies elsewhere entirely...."
Makoto: "It would seem as though I am caught out. A pleasant day to you Makoto. How fares your morning hunt?"
Xanya: "I dwell in the lake, you should be able to find me here at times, although as a spirit, I am not always here..."
Sly: "Hmmmmmm....... You can leave a sign at the entrance to my lair." The response seems curt and skeptical of your enthusiasm.
Quassine: "What little I understand of the region, I do know that downriver lie the lands of other mortal races, humans, dwarves, and their kin. I have never been there and would surely not be welcome as you can imagine. I cannot predict where your path should take you, but logic dictates you will need basic supplies and information. I know many things, and with great effort and cost, I can work divinations, but you will need to outfit yourselves with equipment. That will be available in society. Whether society will let you walk in and buy a loaf of bread or a longsword is a question I cannot answer. I suspect no. I can tell you that Nethys is still worshipped in many lands, and priests of Nethys still practice and receive their deity's blessings. I wish you luck in your quests."
Aury'tss: "I know where these cities are but my kind is not welcome to enter them and I know they are port cities of various nations of the world. I could possibly go into more details, but it would take a considerable amount of time, and your companions are also inundating me with questions. I apologize for the brevity of my answers as I am trying to respond to everyone."
Makoto: "The materials required are normally precious gems like diamonds. These must be purchased with other money.
Lotham: "Excellent!" You get no sense that he can hear your thought unless you respond to the telepathic communication stream.
Nathan: "Your story is quite fascinating... I see plane shift, yes that spell is notoriously unreliable. That and the length of time passed explains why you are having such a hard time finding this temple, if it even stands. You may need to find someone skilled in divination. Luckily I can provide such services at a cost, as I have discussed with many. I can also offer to transport you as well with plane shift, noting is notorious unreliability. "
Sly: "Fellow scaled one, a pleasure to meet you also cousin! I would happily attempt to seek out a temple, although I am not very mobile out of the water. The temple beneath the lake is not the one you seek, and as others have asked, I unfortunately do not know about Kao Lor or his descendents. I do the the ability to mimic certain spells, and I can do some divinations! Unfortunately the spells are very costly, so I have humbly asked if your group would be able to facilitate the financial portion of this while I provide the magical." You do get some sort of hunch or vibe that something isn't quite right. It may just be due to how the telepathy doesn't translate well as a conversation, because there are no associated nonverbal cues like you would get in a face to face verbal exchange, at least none from the turtle. Although it may be hard in the huge crowd to determine who is talking to him. It just feels off, and somewhat creepy.
Quassine: "I sense there must be greatness in you to be unlocked. Perhaps together we can research it. Such research is time consuming and may be even costly, but we can work towards a discovery."
Everything seems on the up and up. Lotham: "Indeed, the particular spell that I cast will require the equivalent of 5000 golden coins.
Lotham: "The gods are a fickle sort, and do not heed the call of a simple turtle such as myself. There are divinations that I can call upon however, extremely rare, that may open a dialogue with them."
Quassine: "Indeed. We always want what we don't have, luckily some appreciate what they've got and are successful. Regarding wealth? Well, you will find it in all the typical places, big cities, enterprise, lost dungeons. If it was just laying around, I would have picked it up myself."
Quassine: "Indeed. We always want what we don't have, luckily some appreciate what they've got and are successful. Regarding wealth? Well, you will find it in all the typical places, big cities, enterprise, lost dungeons. If it was just laying around, I would have picked it up myself."
Greebins: "Much of what you found valuable in your day is still the same. Gold, silver, gems, ivory, and other precious items are in great demand."
Aury'tss: "I do not know where the closest city it. I know the dwarves have a fort near here. I know many of the large cities on the coasts of the human nations. Gerick, Torshire, Estwick, Narshalan, Campyonus to name a few. Have you ever been to any? Hmm, no I suppose you have not."
Grubgullet you are aware of a voice in your mind speaking to you. You talk back to the turtle but it doesn't seem to reply. Eventually it faces you after a bit. Grubgullet: "Tell me ogre, what is it that you seek. You may reach out to me with your mind as I cannot understand your words."
Aury'tss: "Yes that is where I sleep. Please do not enter my home, as I would not enter yours uninvited."
Lotham: "I do not leave my lake very often to explore the lands around here as they have little interest for me. Regarding communion with the gods, well that is a tricky question. I have many abilities, and I do have great powers of divination. I believe I can find the answers necesary. Tell me minotaur, do you seek what the others here seek?"
Aury'tss:
"Small scaled one, do you have a question for me? You spoke, and seemed eager, but I was unable to understand your words. "Does anyone else here have a petition for the Great Akluzzar?"
Quassine: "Tell me more of your quest to become human. It seems very important to you. Do you have a goal of self perfection?"
Xanya: "I will be willing to lend some aid begrudgingly, because your plight is tugs at the heartstrings. I don't know who Jovar is, and although I have seen the painting and it is quite admirable. A painting on a rock of some wizard missing for thousands of years is hardly a lead. Its possible the resemblance may be enough for divination purposes. The spells I plan to cast are very powerful, and the components I need are things I will have to purchase from many places. I will need a sizable amount of coin, gems and valuables to acquire the needed rare components. You must understand as a practitioner yourself, as I note the glowing rune on you. Am I right in my assessement?"
Makoto: "I prefer this telepathic communication as it is so much more efficient and personal. If you are more comfortable speaking in addition to it, for the benefit of others, feel free. I fear our verbal languages are so different that there is little point in me talking aloud. Plus, I am eating!"
Quassine: "The materials I can acquire, I merely need the economic wherewithal to make the purchase, so quite frankly, I will need a lot of wealth, gold, gems, coin, valuables that we can liquidate for the components. Then I believe I can help you."
Lotham and Nathan:
It seems the turtle acknowledges your greetings. "Lotham, Nathan, it is my pleasure to meet you, but please use the telepathy as it is so much more efficient. Nathan, your draconic is somewhat understandable to me, but even such an ancient language changes somewhat. I think we will do best using our minds." Greebins: "Greebins Higgo, I am beginning to understand the dilemma. As I receive information from your group, I am able to paint the picture of your plight. One goal is clear, you will not stop until you can save your master, but you have no way to find him, as any clues have been lost to the ravages of time. There are many immortal beings though, and they have access to lost information. Finding these beings, and coaxing them to spill their information can be done, but it is costly. The magic has expensive material components. I believe I could exercise such magic, if you were able to provide the wealth required to cast it."
Prar: "Illithid, it is well that you have come to me. As I am learning about you and your ...kin, it seems clear that all of you are searching, mostly for your lost master. Since so much time has passed, you will not likely find anyone who can recall him or any details surrounding him. it will require highly potent divination magic to acquire this information. The material cost for this is quite high, although I can perform the necessary magic if you were to recover enough wealth for me."
Makoto:
"Thank you for the offer of artistry. I understand now your plight and reason for being here lost in these wilds. As I have offered to others, I am willing to help find your master, although the amount of time that has passed is quite epic. So much has happened to this world over the last millenia, I cannot imagine that a monastery would still stand from ten thousand years ago. I have not heard of Kao Lor or your master. I can attempt some divination, but it is very expensive. If you were willing to acquire the large cost of the material components, I could aid."
@Lucina: Bowki nods at you, somewhat sadly. "I hope you find your mentor. Maybe the great spirit can help." Teniel: You reach out and contact the voice in your head, connecting mentally to the thread of telepathy opened for communication. You begin to relate the poem and with the expressiveness of the mind aiding, uninhibited by words, you feel like you do a very good job artistically. While you have not performed telepathically before, you think you managed to do ok. "Your poem is inspiring. As you can imagine, living in this lake, there is little access to artistry or culture. It is refreshing to experience the diverse range of abilities that some of you have shown to me since I have arrived."
Xanya:
You try to speak in draconic, and the turtle seems slightly puzzled, slightly able to understand. About a sentence of two in, the voice in your head echoes. "Small blue person, your ability to speak in my native tongue is admirable, but the language has changed in the time that you have been away. Although it may not have changed as much as the tongues of the shorter lived races, it is still a very very long time for dragons. I prefer the telepathic communication as it is more efficient." "I believe I am beginning to understand your plight. As several have explained to me now, your group is an orphaned people, looking for a lost master in a world none of you have seen in such a long time, that it may as well be another world. Luckily, I will help you. This will take a massive amount of resources, but I believe I will be able to look into this for you. I have contacts the world over. Through my network I can see what I can learn. I have not heard of this Kao Lor nor a monastery, although there are likely many monasteries the world over. Without a specific picture or more detailed information, I cannot help you. I may have access to some magic to aid, but the material costs are very very expensive. If you were to facilitate in acquiring enough resources, we could reach an agreement." The turtle is hastily gobbling down food the entire time you are speaking with it. It has eaten some fish, and quite a bit of oat cakes and some fermented oat mash even.
Quassine: "It may be that you are not ready yet, there are many complicated issues involved with this. With enough materials I could research what is needed. This would be a worthy task, to bring me resources that we may buy the research materials necessary.
In your mind you hear your name repeated back to you "Greebins Higgo. Feel free to reach out to me telepathically. I am not versed on all the languages spoken amongst you, but I believe I was able to know your name. Greebins Higgo, tell me more of this master that you mention and that others are telling me about with their minds. I am learning so much already."
Prar as you approach the turtle, a voice echoes in your head "Multiple Illithid people, very interesting, a mingling amongst the other races without issue. Tell me, use your mind, what is it you seek?" It doesn't seem to respond to your Aklan tongue. Quite likely it may not understand it.
Makoto would finish up her painting as best she could, before approaching the turtle..... @Makoto: The turtle looks to you as you approach, as you speak it begins to nod, and as you offers the painting you hear in your mind "Little one your artistic offering honors me. Your words though must come from within, for I cannot understand your verbal tongue. Tell me about the picture, merely just reach out and speak with your mind."
Quassine: "Illithid creature, the telepathic powers you seek do not come easy. For most it is inherent, for a few, it comes through some sort of ritual. That is all I can say regarding that. I cannot say why you may be different from others of your kind. But I do wish to know more about your mentor and father. Tell me more and I may advise you. If you wish to seek balance or make amends I will ponder this. There is much to learn here, and I would ask of you a task."
It looks down at you and sniffs. A large slimy tongue writhes from its mouth, latching on to the turkey, and pulls it in, crunching it up and swallowing in a very short time. "What is your name, fur bearing person?"
@Miyu: "The rituals of the goat people have brought me from my aquatic slumber. I am here to answer their call. If we are to speak of desires, well I have many. The seductive kiss of the mermaid, the sunset on a calm sea of glass, the gentle rocking of the ocean as one floats in her gentle arms, the beauty of a perfect pearl in its bed of nacre; Oh these are things which I desire, but I expect little of that from you. Do I smell fish? An old beast such as myself builds up quite the appetite slumbering. It would be rude of a guest such as myself to not partake of the wondrous culinary delights prepared by my hosts.
|
