GM Hansj's page

Mazra continues consulting with Lyra on organizing the Plannar Alignment Structure, mostly about the proper working conditions the Planning Bureau.

Terex continues to monitor the comm channels but it frustratingly difficult to get a location for the more important figures...

But following Azzim's lead, by early on day 2, the party is able to trace a Deceiver the Crystal Testing Bureau, a bureau organized similarly to the Planning Bureau. The difference is the bureau seems to check the crystal production of the entire city, sending back crystals considered wanting in quality. Staking out the bureau, you find the same franticness but also with an underlying feeling of anger - testers apparently eager to create hell in the lives of certain craftpeople. The Deceiver involved, impersonating a shiny metallic earth spirit and going by Ithith, seems to be the second command of the Crystal Testing Bureau but the head seems confused and apathetic leaving most decisions to the assistant.

You've staked out the Bureau, gone into on various pretenses and seen it's operations... Now you can decide how to deal with the situation...

Terex discovers both a forward the communication as well as a way that he could falsify the identity of any of high spirits communicating. In fact, he notices that this method of falsification is already being used by user "Narvus" as well as two or three others.

Terex analyzes the equipment. It is extraordinarily sophisticated. He gets a general idea of its functioning but can't figure out how to activate the teleportation disks. He is able to tap-in to what seems like a comm-link between various production managers spread across the city. They're mostly discussing the crystal production process - a process that's proceeding very quickly. Some are concerned about the "R-n-R" being enjoyed by the planners while dismiss is "Planners need to rest and relax, not so much production workers. Let the think rest for a bit and return with renewed vigor" and much more, most of it seemingly mundane.

Meanwhile, Azzim drifts through the city. On first blush, it seems like it fits the plot the party is imagining. Most of the earth spirit and related are moving at such a breakneck pace that they simply don't notice the direction the city is going and a small portion of the group seem to be succumbing to petty vices in a fashion of the spirit you met on the "road". Azzim is able notice a couple more Deceivers at a distance but they seem to move quickly from area to area (possibly using the teleportation devices Arlo found).

Mainwhile, Monel rejoins the party, having a bit of time to rest in the hotel and analyze the aura of the city. "I haven't learned much so far, just that most of this is newly carved. A thought I just had, however, is, 'what happened to spirits that were here? Is there an old Helaronthrop we can visit?'"

Two hours later, after the R-n-R process and few are paying attention, Arlo wanders down the staircases below the "science council room" and, exploring the maze of chambers, comes to a room with ten black disks surrounding a cylinder filled with blinking lights. Other corridors lead off this but are basically empty, with nothing but office supplies of various sorts.

In the two hours, Mazra helps Lyra organize the scientist's wellness break, rent one of the city's merchant hotels and arranging for refreshments and etc. He has some medium conversation with his collegues and superiors over his Comm link and says "A committee is coming to inspect. They'd come sooner but they are very busy. I believe your methods will improve and speed-up the project in the long term."

Period still just starting ...

The Android Mazra stops for several seconds, LEDs flash in various areas of his body and the body itself seems slump, all power being pulled into the calculation process.

It then sends a stream of high speed binary data to Lyra... and then stands perfectly still as the researchers and Golbodin stare in amazing.

As far as Terex can tell, all of the reactions in the room are sincere except for perhaps' that of Golbodin...

The silver android takes the paper and spits out a stream of audio binary (like a 1990s modem handshake) and as Golbodin says "Mazra says you are visionary! You shall work in an advanced study room", a door opens to an adjoining chamber containing desks stacked with flashing computer screens.

Meanwhile, the researchers in the main room is seem to hesitate for a few seconds, uncertain...

Terex:

To pick the hidden door's lock, Lyra must create an identity in the connected system and naturally creating several identities is as easy as creating. She finishes just as Golbodin returns with Silver android figure about seven feet tall, who introduces himself as Mazra and hands each visible party member a prospectus with a list of questions/problems at the end. The prospectus is a fairly vague but the questions are strange and remarkable, seemingly at the "edge" of many fields.

Meanwhile, a glance beyond the door reveals further stairs and likely a complex like the present except perhaps more "high tech".

Golbodin's smile never wavers as he ushers the party down a flight of stairs carved into the raw jade of the area, heading almost a thousand feet down sometimes passing through areas of light pomice (virtually everyone in the city has earth glide and dirt and light rock are like bead-doors), eventually leading you to a series of medium sized rooms where a variety of earth-based humanoids sit around steel tables calculating - on everything from papyrus to abacus to advanced mechenoid brains. Steel boards are covered with etched diagrams that are occasionally erased and overwritten.

Over the soft murmur of the area, he says "We can begin to describe the project here. I will fetch Tkano who can start you out" He steps through the wall near you and leaves you alone. Looking around, one from the group of calculators gives you a slight nod while the rest ignore you.

A little investigation reveals a very solidly locked door Disable device 45 behind the light stone of the wall.

You can trying chatting with the people, otherwise investigate or wait

When Lyra asks for a tour, the liquid agate man, who introduces him as Golbodin, is a bit taken aback but quickly recovers. "Yes, I can show you sights, give a whirlwind, while I ask some preliminary research questions... a simple task for one such as you... tell me how you view the quad-space hypothesis of Alnotin... " and continues, taking Lyra and the other interested party members on a whirlwind tour of the city while expounding a series of extremely abstruse theories of space-formation... The tour lasts two hours but seems actually quite thorough. Then Golbodin, leads the group to an unassuming ally and opens a side door leading to a staircase leading steeping downward for at several hundred feet and says "Shall we?"

No post tonight, apologies. Hopefully people are enjoying the recent action.

Hiliander answers Arlo in perfect if archaic Dwarven, "As prospective traders and craftpeople you are welcome to look around. We are conducting experiments in certain areas, marked with a yellow hexagon for danger and we ask people stay away from these." and repeats in common for the rest of the party. He then directs the part to a local hotel, where you check-in and begin your investigation.

As Terex and others scan the city, everything seems reasonable on the surface. Yet both the breakneck speed and the complexity of the projects seems to jive with the problems you've sensed from the outside; things are going faster than the participants can keep track of.

Also, you notice that open parts of the workshops generally have very new arrivals working and more experienced workers go to the lower levels but these seem difficult to access just by the busyness of the place.

Meanwhile, a tale humanoid male, seemingly made of liquid mithral-entwined-agate, approaches Lady Lyra (and others if present) and, bowing deeping says "Excuse, I can't help being impressed by one who is so beautiful yet so connected to advanced technology. One of our projects here is a vast celestial machine intended to better order the cosmos. We desperately one such as yourself to work on it. Can I show you what is needed? I can take you to the deeper, more secure zone to tell you of these projects?" He winks almost conspiratorially.

Naturally also describe how you search for subtle corruption also if you wish.

So, after careful preparations, the party approaches Helaronthrop cautiously with Arbin and Thill. Arbin notes that there is a main "road" that leads to the IronGate/Welcome-area as well as small "paths" leading back to the mining and crafting areas. You take the main road and observe the magnificence of Helaronthrop for this time - it is like bubble intricately and beautifully carved in geode laced with ruby, emerald and other gemstone material.

Reaching the IronGate, you identify yourselves as being traders, researchers and craftspeople and a genial dwarf Hiliander directs you to the small area of hotels in the center of the town - most of the town is indeed given over to crafting by earth spirits, rock-genies, gnomes and dwarves all toiling intensely.

Hiliander says "We welcome traders and seek to distribute our wares over the multiverse. Narvus will no doubt contact you within a couple days. He is currently in the outer mines but like oversee everything that happens personally and he welcomes all innovations as well. You are welcome to the consult with other travels and traders in the meantime.

It's a small place but that different other cities. You let me know how you settle yourselves. I aim to post descriptions of other traders and etc tonight if I have time/energy.

Arbin considers "Helaronthrop was something of a magical place for us. One of several places where Earth spirits conceive of the remarkable crystalline creations and send them out to the multiverse. It is like a vast swirling geode itself. Unlike where we are, outer edges of Helaronthrop, there is air and water and fire in Helaronthrop proper. While it is mostly peopled by earth entities, creatures such as dwarfs and Treants aid in the crafting process. That said, I spent only a short time in the city proper and came and went immediately to the mines and crafting halls, which take up much of the area. I suspect the constant activity of the area conceals whatever mischief is happening there... Arbin goes on to describe basically three parts of Helaronthrop. First the crystalline edges, the "wilderness" - vast gems and metals the area is carved from. Then the huge workshops where gems are crafted and finally a small city where trade, religion, government and such happen. There are guards and bureaucrats but it very orderly since most work willingly without need of reward.

One thing you discover after some prying is that this vast activity is new, and Helaronthrop had a reputation as a small and rather contemplative and religious town only ten years previously but now many spirits from the vast plane of elemental earth are being drawn to it.

But with this, it would be possible to do something like enter the city and get a "hotel" room - visitors generally have to be able travel the earth in the fashion of yourselves.

Due to adventures in getting a friend's out of tow-yard and started, the next post will tomorrow

The Earth Spirits again look at each other again for a while, telepathic conversation in evidence... Arbin speaks (vibrating through the thin earth) "Myself Arbin and my brother Thill will come with you. The rest of our group feels too shaken by these to continue. They wish to find a dimension that is safe from this planar intrigue. I don't blame them but I don't know if any of us can be safe now that we are embroiled in these interplanar intrigues..." Arbin add telepathically to Azzim ::Magistar, If you could find a safe place for my companions, it would aid them and we could summon them be at last resort. They hope to avoid things but you or we may need them...

Arbin and Thill approach the party while the other Earth Spirit shift nervously, perhaps embarrassed by their reluctance to help. Thill says "There have been a couple other gathering parties that vanished some maybe coming back with a different group wouldn't arouse that much suspicion but I think we should be cautious. Let me tell of Helaronthrop and then answer any questions you have.... You can see the two brother spirits, clearly the strongest of the group, are already thinking and planning for revenge on ...

A bit more planning talk and then probably off to Helaronthrop...

The earth spirits glance wordlessly at each other for nearly half a minute, then the deep orange-and-tan spirit known as Thill begins, "Each of us, I think, did see Narvus. Often only for a minute. His spirit was something like of whirlwind of activity. He is full ideas for innovations and immediately put each of us to work, demanding more than we'd done before but with a kind of ... cynicism. We were producing amazing things and he would, I think, reinforce the attitude that those who received our gifts should ... suffer ... if they couldn't appreciate them. And, I think left us to prey to entities like BlackForge, who offered gambling and other 'fun' for us to blow steam with..."

Thill is still.

But Arbin continues "So much as we know, activity on Helaronthrop continues at it's breakneck pace. We had been prospecting for raw crystals here and intended to quickly return. Now we not sure what course to take. What plans you have I'm not sure but Narvus has recruited some plant servants for his plans also, so your infiltration tactic might be a good choice" He hesitates, looking at the others. "We can offer you our services if you wish them to deal with this situation... "

The party can see you have roughly three choices. Come like 'gangbusters' challenging Narvus immediately. Come 'naively' and coax Narvus to reveal himself - Monel is a master of this. Or come very stealthifly, working for Narvus for a bit.

Azzim's eyes narrowed as he considered the smoking body. He didn't have a truth spell memorized but he could call on the abyssal winds, maybe that would suffice?...

But as his sharp mind considers the options, the spell true seeing comes to mind. Ironically, giving the Deceive a true view of the world as it is reputed to have near fatal effects on them, banishing them at minimum, and this creatures' ability to resist this spell now is much reduced... (to be a deceiver, you must to an extent be deceived, it seems). Abyssal winds could have an effect but likely to leave the creature "lost" for a period of weeks but then able to reform...

Arbid says "I wouldn't have believed this until now... But it makes sense, Narvus recruited us new and drove us hard, so hard we barely kept track of what was happening... But now, what is to be done. He thinks for a second. "But Zoon, he left before the situation was clear, I'm not sure what he will say. He was the most credulous of all of us to BlackForge's claims, which I assume are all also lies...

Terex considers... the smoke coming from Natesh's broken body. Indeed, a deceive can lurk in such smoke and reform a body or possess the unwary. But any truth spell can now send to the creature back to the lower planes...

So, as Natesh charges Lyra, her rail gun fires nearly but not quite taking the Deceivers head off but still producing a significant crack at his neckline.

And, at the point Natesh pushes Lyra, Azzim's spell hits Natesh fall-on, rendering his stony flesh more porous, at which point Arlo attacks, again several blows bouncing off, 'till with a finally, with seemingly luck blow he hooks the crack on Natesh' neck and snaps the creature clean in half.

As the pieces of Natesh steams and seem to evaporate, the spirit Arbid steps forward and sends as a vibration; "Halt! Stop! What is this, explain who you are and what has happened here, now!" (he apparently something of a leader for the group also and trying to regain control of the situation).

The Arlo Sword glows but it clatters ineffectively against Natesh's stoney skin (but Natesh ends in a location Arlo could strike again from... The Arlo Sword seems to whisper softly for smite evil...)

[dice=Swim]1d20 + 7

Arlo tries to move through the sand and earth to defend his wife.

The thing passes right by Arlo, almost to taunt him, he gets an attack of opportunity, The Arlo Sword seems itchy to jump of the scabbard ...

Natesh, now seething with frustration as Arbin vanishes, shouts, "See 'Molty' (Arbid's use-name it seems) is in with these deceivers and illusionists. But I will show them for the cowards they are." Whereupon the creature runs directly at Lyra, growing to her size as he runs and gives Lyra a mighty wallop with a stone fist, trying to knock her back Arlo gets an attack of opportunity and Lyra gets a prepared action to shoot Natesh. Natesh gets Cmb 48 total to knock back - she's pushed to the "edge" of the clearing, 40 points damage bludgeoning damage from the fist... The other Earth spirits move to the opposite edge of the clearing and one try to go running down the (light pumice) "path" leading away.

Natesh in twisted earth spirit form, barely registering Terex' attack, turns and leaps for Arbin, grabbing the Earth Spirit in something like a headlock. "Now you will find out what happens when you break the rules of my game" and he breathes some noxious substance toward the elemental spirit who seems to slightly wither though he fights the hold of the Deceiver...

Azzim considered the strange qualities of Deceiver spirit - they resist spells but not to the same extent as demons of equivalent power just SR 25. Oddly, the spell true sight cast on them is reputed to instantly banish them... All spell enforcing truth damage them to an extent. Silver dragons are reputed able to inflict terrible wounds in them...

The earth spirits are in a rough semi-circle with Arbin, Natesh and Terex towards the middle. The other PCs are facing in another rough semi-circle with Monel and Arlo in front, Azzim and Lyra behind. Roll spell resistance for attack on Natesh SR 25

The party's words seem to convince all but maybe one of the earth spirits and the entire group recoils at the loathsome sight of the Deceiver Natesh. The creature itself finally breaks away from Monel's anti-magic field and takes on a form that is a parody of an earth spirit (but still with earth sight, earth glide, etc apparently). It laughs as it shoots a ray of green light at Terex that burns him in an eerie fashion 28 Fire damage, 27 negative energy damage as it says "You rock heads are so dumb you needed trees to rescue you...". Meanwhile the spirit Arbin doesn't simply recoil but hurls a huge granite boulder that slams hard into Natesh's head (though only stops the creature for a second).

Monel dismisses the field once Natesh leaves and stands "panting" back in the form of a small bush, now rather torn up...

The earth spirit are taken aback as Lyra switches from the plant form granted her by Runethia to her true form. The brown-gray spirit Azzim identified as Arbin, exclaims "The minerals of divinity, shinning before us. What I'd give to taste that" when a dark purple spirit exclaims to another spirit "Ay Nob, you gonna change us on us next?" and the rest of the spirits seem somewhat in awe of Lyra the shining metal angel.

At the same time, while Lyra barely notices the sudden weight of the sand, it's density immediately changes her perception - her sonar gives only a rough idea of terrain and shapes. She able to rely on the other characters can transmit their views of the scene but the opacity is palpable.

"Yes, revealed!" says Monel, as if continuing to make a point, holds up a hand and steps into the "personal space" of BlackForge Diamondbelt while uttering a couple of words (from the scroll concealed in his sleave), whereupon Monel assumes his fairy form and "BlackForge" transforms into a strange, large creature, similar to gigantic Hyena but with a thinner neck, six-legs, more humanoid-like face and body, two-tongues, paws with more developed claws and opposable thumbs and wings like bags of leather... It screeches immediately "How you enchant me in this form... here pull me away and I will break this foul spell" (The creature clearly adept manipulating the conclusions one would draw from the situation). He then attempts to slowly dig two paws into Monel ... as both of them are now suddenly affected by the crushing weight of the sand around them and so it only pushes one into the suffering Monel...

The remaining earth spirits look initially stunned... though one seems possibly drawn to aid the Deceive, moving a bit closer...

In the area outside the anti-magic field, the characters can see and use their borrow ability to "swim" through the sand. The earth spirit can do that anywhere... Inside the antimagic field

Azzim consider anti-magic field. While not being a spell he casts, he recalls a note by his old comrade Rollo that an anti-magic field extends only ten feet from the caster. So at best Monel and the Deceiver would be in it. On mention of this, Monel send ::Goodness, an oversight of the mine. The King's library is not always the best tbh. Still, it may work in our favor. Only I will be at risk and I could survive a short time in this sand. The key is making the "reveal" count as Terex is suggesting. Perhaps some comments from the 'peanut gallery' and then I spring the trick:: (and the dual of words continues with earth-spirit observers split in their attitudes).

So everyone bluff or other skill roll to provoke. A few chosen words as you wish plus notes on getting in position. Remember you are in sand that seems like air to those with the burrow ability but is like sand to those who don't the ability.

From his vantage point, seeing with root-vision from his plant form, Azzim considers Hithuol's rare text, An Account of Beings Below The Roots and Their Secrets, which he read in once and memorized in the Brown Library in Sigil long ago. The brown-gray figure may be Arbin, who's true name Hithuol gives as Mthume, a generally benevolent earth spirit of creation while a deep orange-and-tan figure may be Thill, the "brother" of Mthume, reputed to be rigidly lawful though perhaps less benevolent. Hithuol gives Thill's true name as Thalumeb

Meanwhile, Monel sends over the hive mind, ::A last minute thought - could anyone find a non-magical way for us to breath, move and perceive in this sand? Perhaps a technological device? Throwing Anti-magic shell is a possibility though a last resort::

Meanwhile, Monel continues his tense bluff with the Natash/"BlackForge Diamondbelt" and Arbin and the brown-gray spiritly whispers softly and excitedly (as excited as earth spirits get) in the very back. The other four spirits look with expressions of uncertainty, with Thill seeming skeptical and perhaps angry.

The spirit form a semi-circle, BlackForge in the middle, Monel in front of him, Arlo nearly beside him, Azzim and Lyra a ways back and Terex hidden near BlackForge on the other side. True names allow at the very least silent communication with a being and may allow influence...

There are six spirits and the Deceiver, seven figures in all.. in the "clearing" of light sandstone...

Terex picks a sandy-brown spirit, one standing towards the back of the group with an air of half confusion, half skepticism... They send back ::That would resolve much, I shall heed your suggestion:: and then pull another spirit (brown-gray) back with the excuse of telling the other about crystal sharpening techniques... Monel's exchange with Natesh continues, the tension hidden but palpable...

Through the link, Monel says ::Hmm, do these things have true names, tells, funny shaped shadows, some kind of 'tell'? Perhaps if you told a specially raunchy joke... Just spit balling:: while he keeps his act going without any give-away himself...

Over the link, Monel sends ::Oh, I don't think there's that much reason for worry:: Scanning the Deceiver again ::Well, maybe but risks must be taken..:: So Monel and BlackForge Diamondbelt, as he calls himself, begin to chat.

And indeed here, you witness the crossing of swords of two high level confidence tricksters, with Monel masterfully playing the "Fool for a fool" gambit; Appearing just naive enough to seem a tempting mark, just sophisticated enough to be believable. Seeming just greedy enough to be tempted... but require just a little more push. Still always also eager for assurances all this is honest and moral... "Naturally, we are all far too honest to use crude things like the zone of truth but I can certainly verify that, for example, my real and true name is Monel... and "Of course those diamonds on your belt don't denote life debts these fine fellows owe you, the similarity to slave belts is coincidental I'm sure, the winnings come to all equally..." while the deceiver himself responds with the carefully crafted half-truths one would expect from such a being, occasionally catching Monel as well in an embarrassing admission. The observing earth spirits alternate between curiosity, jocular sneers and uncertainty as Monel seeds doubts in their minds.

This continues for a bit but "BlackForge" seems to grow more hostile and you can sense him grasping for some insult or accusation to make against Monel and possibly aiming one of his boulder like fists as well. Monel, who's kept up a snarky telepathic commentary to the party while this has gone on, now sends the message ::Ah friends, now is the crucial moment, jibes from the peanut gallery, reach the point this creature's emotions overcome it and then Azzim and Terex have a shot at unmasking it. Or it's dupes may see through it. Or we will have to scatter for our lives...::

So describe what you do. Bluff for insult and appropriate rolls for other things (spellcraft for any modified spells to unmask the creature). Describing in general terms is OK, it's what I'm doing above...

Azzim considers what could reveal the powerful shapeshifter... The most authoritative texts (Willou's Survey Of Planar Oddies, etc) report that The Deceiver's assumption of a form is supernatural effect, like a doppleganger's and so not affected by either dispel magic or break enchantment. They could be revealed by true seeing ... but that wouldn't reveal it to the other spirits. Antimagic field would be effective but is outside Azzim's expertise. Plus it is would return the caster to their form and considering you need your plant forms here to breath, it could inconvenient...

Azzim's powerful mind does get an intuition of a sort of custom spell that might reveal this creature to all but such an ad-hoc effort like could only work if the creature was distracted and not maintaining it's full, powerful magical defenses...

Meanwhile, Monel steps to forward in sprout-form to face the diamond-belted spirit. "You must forgive my friends' reluctance to play. Our kind change slowly and seeks rewards slowly. That is our way. Still, I am curious to about this game you speak of and what it involves. Can explain it slowly so I can comprehend it fully. I may play if it offers interesting and satisfying rewards..." whereupon the spirit begins to explain several simple betting games of earth spirits, emphasizing their value as amusements... meanwhile Monel sends ::Well, my guess is drawing out and provoking this one is needed. I think I am qualified to do this. I have presented at the high, true Seelie Court and I doubt much can compare to that. I will move slowly. Tell where I should take things::

While Azzim engages in the vision, Monal joins Arlo in chatting with the earth spirits to stall them, offering little chunks of dirt he's found along the way and asking if they know of similar things nearer to Helaronthrop. The spirits are bit startled by plant-Lyra's mech additions but seem to also admire them. A solid dark gray spirit remarks "Excellent alloy, it would make a hardy meal indeed" while another spirit scoops some dirt and seems to compress into a small bit of adamatite and smiles.

Protected, Azzim sits and allows a story to slowly unfold to his mind. This clearing has been a location where earth spirits have gone "on break" from Helaronthrop proper. It became an area of the smallest of vices for them, shirking work, petty gambling and similar things.

Part of the motive was the guardian spirit, Narvus, swore them to the service of the crystals themselves and so when Narvus vanished, they faced the prospect of unending service. And now that Narvus has, he seems to demand only harsher and more unrelenting service, compounding their resentment. And this spirit with the diamonds, Natesh, returned with Narvus and has only encouraged them to worse behavior - because it is a powerful deceiver spirit from the Valley of Arregnon on the edge of The Abyss. These are the subtlest of the openers of the ways of evil, carefully accentuating the failings of the good. (An obvious conclusion is that new "Narvus" is also such a spirit but the vision doesn't verify this).

Looking closely and considering her knowledge of these earth spirits, which are generally considered "servitor spirits", Lyra concludes that most of weaker spirits have been transformed, seduced, by some stronger spirit, not really to evil but to a "devil may care" attitude. But the spirit with the diamond belt is different, an actually evil spirit barely disguised...

How's everyone doing? Any lack of clarity etc now?

Monel, in the form of a small, silver shrub-creature, uses a fairy charm to sent a psychic message to the party, ::Clearly some force has either openly seduced the earth spirits near Helaronthrop or they have been replaced by these spirits. The challenge is to discover which. If these creatures have been bewitched, perhaps things can undone... My magic is not sufficient to determine which it is, however...

The red-burn metallic earth spirit (the one Arlo approached, not the gray brown one who spoke before), turns its smooth head to shambling Arlo and taking a posture of pride replies, "They are indeed, have you anything of value you might wager for them? I'd expect plants journeying hither would be interested in the valuable minerals and crystals of mythic Helaronthrop and so have minerals to trade. However, I can tell, the situation in Helaronthrop has changed. No longer do we needs years of labor, prayer and supplication - valuables go to the bold and those who have friends..." The gray-brown spirit nods.

The bodies of the other earth spirit show a posture of slight defensiveness but also eagerness...

After a moment of deep scanning, Azzim also notices that one spirit, one that didn't speak, seems more disciplined than the others and has a belt of diamonds, used to promise rewards by those overseeing earth spirit. They also seem to have the dice and they perhaps waiting for the party to leave to begin another throw.

As Terex sneaks to the side out of the earth spirit's "sight", the spirits, who have the guise of roughly human figures notice the rest of the party think Henry Moore sculptures turn and nod at the party, communicating with tremors through the sandstone, "Ah water suckers (earthen term for plant), what brings you to the trails of the firmament? We ourselves are merely wiling-away our time waiting for some crystals to finish. Have you any minerals or other things to wager? You might enjoy this game, we call it Six of Nine...."

Azzim notes these seem average, very average spirits of the multiverse but they seem to lack the idealism that brings the spirits to the Camps. At the same time, it could simply be the Camp Of Crystals recruits such spirits behind the scenes...

So, continuing the delicate and formal tea, Runethia, Lyra and Terex chat about the various camps and their enchanting qualities for a good hour. Runethia then hands Lyra six delicate root bracelets with a slight bow. "These like can help your task. I must say also Lyra, I suspect you will need to your own camp in the hands of your mechs and that delegation is one of first tests of the aspiring godling... Creating the conditions and then giving people choice does not always work out but the nature of heavens.... "

So, the next day the party (including Monel) assembles and begins following earth path that Terex observed... Donning Runethia's bracelets causes you each to take on the appearance of a treant of roughly your size and appearance Feel free to describe. The bracelets not only allow effortless pass through stone but give you each a plant's earth-senses as well as Terex and Azzim's research, allow you to follow the various earth spirits movements along this path. Thus you follow a blazing path of platinum ore through granite for a couple days, having the subjective sense of walking through water atop a winding staircase. Then the ore dissipates and you emerge from the "watery" granite into an area of sandstone, so porous is seems like a great clearing. You know the rout involves seeking a vein of serpentine on the opposite side of this "great clearing" but as you emerge, you "see" a group of earth spirits in the middle of the area seemingly gambling and not taking notice of you. They are momentarily unaware but likely to notice you soon. You can try stealthing through but they naturally have good senses in their "native" environment. You're not sure what is happening here. Gambling would be normally out of character for spirits aligned with any of the camps but they seem of similar sorts to spirits you've seen and look somewhat familiar to Terex and Arlo...

The studious fairy looks Azzim as the massage sinks in, "I see. Caution would be wise, yes. I should mention I have dealt with other cases of planar shinnanigans but now I understand I haven't seen things at this depth before. Still, I think I'm qualified and capable so we should take next steps together - my king would demand I stay involved. Do you already have a group prepared? Should I be blind-folded to get to the secret hide-out?" (as a fairy, Monel does have a certain romantic streak...)

Who's going to tell Lyra and Arlo about recent events...

Runethia nods, "As I mentioned to Lyra, my power is usually spread very broadly, I tend to leave my druids and priests to intervene in particular situations. But this will be an exception ... I can grant several items of mythic power. Up to six magic roots that each grant the possessor the burrowing abilities of the most lithe burrowing plants (as well as other plant power) for as long as one wishes. This may let you get to the bottom of your mystery"

Meanwhile, Monel chats with Azzim about all things multi-versal. He a serious magic scholar having developed his natural fairy power far more than most. He is excited to find a fellow scholar given that the average fairy is more than a bit flighty, dramatic and absorbed in the moment (though all in the Camp Of The Rose are more serious than average). At one point he says "your marvelous companion mentioned that they were certain we faced a particular enemy. That is disturbing to think about. Can you tell me more of this enemy?" and "I suspect we will be putting together an investigative group to deal with this situation on Helaronthrop. Are there powerful people you can trust for this, perhaps even godlings? I could try to bring a great warrior of the Rose but it would require special pleading"

Runethia smiles and her tiny vines flow about her body with a certain warmth. "Lyra, this fellow is an absolute gem. Terexaltherin, I appreciate the trust you show by telling me your problem immediately. I can think of several ways I could help solve your problem. Lyra is it also your wish that I provide this aid?"

Lyra stops I. Her tracks and give the being before her a hard look

”You got to that conclusion with very few clues, I’m impressed. I’m probably the most intelligent being with in 10 light years of here and even I would have struggled to get there. So knowing that fact dose this change your opinion of me. Of us? Or was it you that sort me out and not me you, becouse you have other motives?”

Runethia gives a slightly self-effacing smile. "Oh, I'm afraid you might imagine that I might have guessed some details of your role as defender but fear not. I have no idea. That question is not my concern. I deal with wisdom, not intelligence. I see the larger picture and leave it to those of super-intelligence work out the details... And my opinion of you quite high of course. "

When Terex quietly approaches, Runethia raises a delicate and expressive leaf eyebrow.

Meanwhile at the Camp Of Crystals, Arlo's class is going generally well. A couple of spirit are bit resentful at re-learning the basics but most are happy. Still, looking at the pieces created before, it seem crystals were delivered to student in the worst order for intermediate spirits to learn well. And whoever was originally teaching the group left without their identity being clear...

Runethia nods at Lyra's description of her child. "Yes, I imagine it would be difficult to have her grow so quickly. Her danger is in the hands of those who protect the multiverse. And I have a hunch that you are one of these..."

Arlo enters the Camp Of Crystals and is met by the flowing glass creature Molatia who takes him to Ebad, one of the camp crafting masters who looks at his work, "Excellent, I wish to commission you to teach younger spirits how to accomplish this. They seem somehow confused by these textures..." and Ebad is correct. When Arlo arrives at the work room, the entire crew working on similar crystals seem downcast and are making mistakes in simple projects (Yet he can sense they are no enchanted in any normal sense).

Runethia smiles Lyra in a beautiful, sweet and understated fashion, radiating a grandmotherly love that almost drenches Lyra;s exquisite modern sculpture garden... (the garden itself something of monument to engineering and the built environment).

"On the scale of my own mentors, my thousands of years of being a godling is only a baby step towards the realm of the demigods. But it has been a difficult process. The full, true Gods of multiverse generally seem absent except for their followers but in that fact they are forces making the largest changes in the multiverse. I change very little - I help certain seeds to grow, change the vision of gardeners and so forth. But it is spread over the true infinity of the multiverse and thus mobilizes vast forces. Which is to say the role of most benevolent godlings is most often as advisors. We provide many small pushes to many, many small people over a vast multiverse. So you should think which way you would nudge things and find the appropriate demigod. Occasionally, however, we godlings must act as single beings concentrated in a single place. Here, we might not seem different or more powerful than the mortal heroes and villains to traipse about the multiverse. All we have until reaching demigod really is a wider vision. Though we do have ability to makes our acts more permanent as we progress" She pauses to let the points sink in.

She then continues "You say your daughter ascended to Godhood? I presume that means the Godhood of a single plane or a small group of them since I know of no new true Gods related to you. That sort of ascension can be both appealing and heartbreaking, since usually means the new God is sealed in a single location. And that may be very painful for you since you cannot access that place. But such limits are inherent to the multiverse. Even the mightiest Gods cannot control the flow of life and logic that ultimately guides the multiverse"

Meanwhile, Monel says "Yes, my sources tell me your friend Lyra has contact with an otherwise rarely seen and powerful godling. I suggest you approach her diplomatically about some sort of aid"

Azzim and Terex know they could also return to Sigil and purchase or receive from the organization a magical item giving permanent earth glide or something similar but that might turn some heads and the way is not entirely easy

I heard the standard path to Helaronthrop requires one the meld into stone to pass into it, though the plane itself is airy, not solid rock. I'm not entirely sure what that means in practice, I'll have to have a think."

When Azzim says this, Monel also furrows his brow, "Hmm, yes. Quite a clever barrier. One would have to transform one's self into a form able to pass through stone effortless and for quite a significant period if the way is long. I could return to the Fey court and an consult our alchemist if necessary but that's challenging in itself. We should look around to see which of the local godlings might be able to help..."

Azzim considers also. Quantifying distance in planes of solid rock is hard but your sources describe the path to Helaronthrop as "surprisingly long". Many of the more powerful spirits in the Camp Of Crystals could help here but that would be blowing a horn to announce the plan. Another possibility is a powerful plant spirit and it just so happens you know Lyra has been talking with Runethia, one of the more powerful spirits in The Camp Of Plants and you might be able to use her contact.

Meanwhile, Terex casually observes an earth spirit emerge from sold stone and it seems pretty follow them in his form would be effectively impossible.

So let me know how you approach Runethia, who regularly Lyra, if that's what you do

Arlo begins working on the crystal,

Meanwhile, as Lyra sits musing when Runethia of The Camp Of Plants saunters into her central sculpture garden. Runethia is a gentle and calm plant being who nearly pass for aged human grandmother. "I can sense the disturbance of a young godling even from the other side of the camp. I have lived many eons and can answer some questions. You may think a plant and a mech are far apart but we share man qualities... "

Meanwhile, Monal says [b]"Yes, there are many enemies of creation. We must keep vigilant. Tell, how may one reach Helaronthrop? We should perhaps pay Narvus a social call, just size them up...

Posting tomorrow...