Dit-tid seems a bit taken aback by Judal's line of questioning. Her people, it seems, don't have a system of philosophy, or at least not like the more human-like species understand it. If they had, he gathers, she would have come to realize that her approach to her problem, and her will to ask the Oracle for its assistance in gaining answers and insight into said problem, wasn't the right way to go about things at all. Or at least not from the stance of the Oracle. It seems, though, in the short time he can spend with Dit-tid, that Judal becomes enlightened as to what the issue with the Thri-Kreen's desires were.
It seems that they thought, in this instance anyway, that power would be the capability to rid the Stygian Wastes of Stormtroopers, as it seemed there were small encampments posted everywhere looking for paths into the Southern Oracle. It also seemed that, sooner or later, they would probably learn the position of Engewook's Observatory, and start prying the old Gnome for information on how to gain access to the Southern Oracle through the Sphinx Gate. Power, then, was the ability to stop that...though, perhaps, she had found power in a more mundane fact; that even if the Empire found the Sphinx Gate or Engewook's Observatory, they wouldn't be able to pass into the realm of the Southern Oracle, because the Sphinxes would no doubt find the Stormtroopers (or whoever they brought with them) unworthy of crossing over.
Dit-tid seems very skeptical of their chances at crossing the gate. It seems, according to what she tells Judal, that no one has ever crossed the Sphinx Gate. At least, not so long as Engewook has been here.
Greko is able to pull himself up into the little lift seat, one of the two that are attached to cables, even as Urgl comes out of the house, huffing and looking displeased as she takes up position next to a large crank.
Before she has time to scold the old lizard, the seat breaks, and he falls out of it, landing on his tuckus with a resounding thud. He is forced to sit on his sore bottom and watch Lady Kaede and Thea and Violet make their way up the hill with ease... As is the blessing of youth.
At the top of the hill, once Urgl has cranked the cable long enough for Engewook to reach the summit himself, the old Gnome disembarks his 'chariot' and has a quick look at Thea.
"My my, why...what are you, young one?" He says, tiptoeing to look up at the alicorn sprouting from her forehead. "That is amazing, and beautiful. Is this a curse? A blessing? Where has such a growth come from?"
Beyond him, as the Ardent Remnants reach the top of the hill, is the open dark expanse of the Stygian Wastes, quiet and seemingly lifeless from the bottom of Engewook's Observatory and the cliff it is suspended upon, over miles and miles of desert, and to the looming mountains on the other side. However, now, from this location and this angle, the heroes can see a recess in the cliffs, a gap, and inside it standing hundreds of feet high are two Sphinx statues, both hewed in gold as they watch the gap leading into the lands beyond, statuesque eyes never leaving their post, never blinking, all watching. Stars dot the sky overhead, and the single sun continues its trek along the horizon, never to rise until the heroes have done their work.
Lady Kaede pushed herself over the final rise, her boots finding purchase on the loose scree. Her breath hitched – not just from the exertion of the climb, but from the sight that unfolded before her. The vast emptiness of the Stygian Wastes was breathtaking in its desolation, but it was the colossal statues that truly stole her focus. Two golden Sphinxes, their forms gleaming even in the fading light, stood sentinel over a gap in the cliffs, their silent watch spanning untold millennia.
A thrill of apprehension danced down her spine. Though distance obscured the details, the sheer size and craftsmanship of the Sphinxes demanded respect. Were they guardians, their watchful eyes daring any to pass? Or were they silent judges, their verdict hinging on some unknown criteria? Lady Kaede’s hand instinctively went to the hilt of her katana. The path to the Oracle, she realized with a newfound seriousness, would not be an easy one. She squinted towards the gap, hoping to glimpse any sign of movement or a hint of the mechanism that might open the passage guarded by these imposing statues. Her mind, ever sharp, began to formulate plans – both for how to appease the Sphinxes, if necessary, and how to overcome them by force if diplomacy failed.
The weight of responsibility settled on Lady Kaede's shoulders. These colossal guardians weren't just obstacles, they were potential threats to her companions. Glancing around, she looked keenly at the faces of Princess Zelda and Thea, their faces etched with a mix of awe and trepidation. With a determined glint in her eye, she offered a reassuring smile. "These statues...they demand respect." Placing a protective hand on Zelda's shoulder, she knew she wouldn't let anything harm them. The samurai spirit burned bright within her, and she would be their shield against whatever dangers these golden guardians might hold.
No sooner has Rum turned away from the sky-lift, than he hears the crash of lizard on floor. He turns around and with a shake of his feline head wanders across to Greko.
"Friend Greko, I know you have means to ascend this hill quite easily, but perhaps you can save your energy and accept a little help?", he says to his old friend, reaching a paw out to help Greko up.
"So... We should probably head towards the statues then, eh?" Judal asks loudly as he finally reaches the top of the hill and is able to get a view at what everyone is looking at. Judal takes a moment to look around at everyone else and see if any have differing opinions but he's pretty sure the giant golden statues are probably a sign or a clue or something...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
"Indeed you do, friend Greko", Rum replies. "Now let us at least try and make haste, we don't want to miss the Professor telling everyone about the Sphinx Gate and the Oracle".
He then aids his friend in the ascent, which is no problem for him with his natural climbing ability, and he knows the lizard-folk is more spry than he lets on anyway.
As they crest the hill, he looks around, even his keen eyes seeing nothing more than a wasteland of desert for the most part. As with the others, they come to rest on the sphinx statues.
As Lady Kaede speaks of the respect the statues demanded, he cannot help but agree. "It is an impressive and imposing sight even from this distance, and if what we have heard is true there is perhaps even more to these statues than we can see".
"That is certainly our destination, Judal. The Professor has agreed to share his knowledge before we do though. Speaking of which, did you get the information you were hoping for from the Thri-Kreen?", he then replies to Judal whilst they wait for the Professor to be ready to educate them.
"No. Not entirely, at least," Judal answers Rum offhandedly. "They certainly couldn't tell me how to get past the guardians except don't go asking for power..."
"They did mention, however, that there are roving and searching parties of Stormtroopers littering the sands looking for droids..." Judal pauses and cocks his head to the side before giving it a brief shake. "Sorry, no. Looking for the gate. Or perhaps even this place. We need be careful..."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
"That is what I was afraid of, and why I am eager to get this done", Rum replies to Judal. "So far the enemy has always managed to be two steps ahead of us, but at least this time they should be denied the prize even if they get there first".
"We just need to make sure they don't stop us reaching it".
He once again looks to the Professor, hoping he is ready to reveal all.
Greko listens in to Rum and Judal while doing some stretches after that walk up. "Perhaps our destruction of their underground camp will slow down their movements and give us a chance to get through the gate. Greko can't imagine the oracle would allow them to proceed."
"Aren't they beautiful?" Engewook says as he disembarks his skylift chair and walks to the edge of the landing, waving down to Urgl that he is no longer in need of her assistance. "I brought Atreyu up here, not so very long ago. Or at least it seems. And we watched as an adventurer..."
Engewook makes hand motions, waving all of the adventurers closer to him as he prepares to do what is probably a lecture. He leads them closer and closer to the edge of the landing, where a small telescope is mounted for anyone to look through that may wish.
"...this adventurer, I don't know who he was. Lost to time now, I'm afraid. But he went riding up on a horse..."
And Engewook takes a moment to wax poetic about the fancy rider who approached the Sphinx Gate that night, his helm plumed, his armor shining...and how the Sphinx Gate had destroyed him with no contest. The story continued, as Engewook pointed out that even Atreyu hadn't been capable to pass through the gate.
"The Spinx's eyes always remain closed." The Professor said, gesturing to his own eyes as he leaned down to the little telescope with weird, long crystals sticking out of the front of it. "Unless, that is, if they have decided they do not like what they see in your soul. Then they open and ZAP! BOOM! Destruction! I have never seen anyone make it past the Sphinx's, ever. Well, save for Atreyu, but they tried to kill him before he could do it. I don't know if that's normal or not, of course. There's not enough data! We would need to replicate the experiment multiple times to draw any sort of conclusion! Ah, but I suppose tonight we might continue recording the data, yes?
See, they look into your soul. They guage whatever it is you're made of, and what your motivations are. They look for the pure of heart. Only the absolutely most pure can pass through, I believe... And even Atreyu couldn't do that... They know you, maybe better than you know yourself. They know you at a level only your creator knows you. They'll know your goals, they'll know why you're here, they'll know what it is you wish to accomplish and even your proposed destiny. They'll know if you are selfish, or selfless. They'll know your heart, and what you want, what you ultimately want, and they'll weigh you against this to decide if you get to go through."
Violet has been silent up until this point... she's gone straight back to not having the slightest idea what's going on... but a thought occurs to her when it is said that someone got past these ominous sphinxes in spite of their desire to destroy him...
"Wait... if this Atreyu got past them even after being judged impure, does that mean that the key to this is just to move too quickly for the sphinxes to do whatever it is that they do? It doesn't sound like there is any other way past if they are really so picky about who they let in..."
OOC: I’m thinking 99% of us would get fried when attempting to pass through the gate. Maybe we should just shove Thea in front of us, and the rest of us hide in a giant Trojan bunny. When pure-of-heart Thea gets through, she can tow the Trojan bunny through. Blam. Problem solved!
"My my, you have many eyes!" Engewook says, taking notice of the little Beholderkin. "Ah, but no! You see, my theory is, and this is only a theory mind you, we don't have enough data...is that Atreyu was the closest to the pure of heart that anyone has ever been. At least that approached the Sphinx Gate. They didn't destroy him immediately, and that is why he was erm uh...able to slip in! Oh, but, well, you're not wrong, though I think this is a deliberate part of the design. I think they're looking for the right someone to let in..."
The little Gnome shifts his chin, his tongue searching around inside his ancient mouth as he thinks all this over, like he has had some epiphany from Violet's line of questioning.
"Oh the uh...horse? Why, I'm not very sure. I think it continued to ride. Probably died somewhere on the other side, inside the Oracle. Ah, after the Sphinx Gate, but of course! Well, from what I gather, based on Atreyu's first hand account, the second gate, I've named it the Magic Mirror Gate, it reflects your darkest parts back at you, or something like that. Or so Atreyu believed, anyway. The final gate...I can't really tell you."
Engewook stops here and looks a bit ashamed of himself.
"This whole business isn't so easy as you young people would try to believe! Atreyu himself doesn't know how he made it through the last gate, or even what happened there. Not at first, anyway! All I know is that he did find a way through, though he seems to have gotten...uh...disinterested in it or something...before he found his way in. It was very strange, all things considered. Oh but I hope if you get in...and that's a BIG if!...that you can make this mystery more clear for me. Oh, now see here young man!"
Engewook shook a long, spindly finger at Greko when he started to wander.
"This is no place for a child! Get back over here before you break something!"
Rum ponders the words of the Professor, before suggesting, "Perhaps it is not just the right person, but at the right time".
"Have you ever observed more than one person going through at a time? If they all get through, would they undergo the next tests together? And, if only those who are pure make it through, how would there be any dark parts anyway?", he asks of the old gnome.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Dit-tid seems a bit taken aback by Judal's line of questioning. Her people, it seems, don't have a system of philosophy, or at least not like the more human-like species understand it. If they had, he gathers, she would have come to realize that her approach to her problem, and her will to ask the Oracle for its assistance in gaining answers and insight into said problem, wasn't the right way to go about things at all. Or at least not from the stance of the Oracle. It seems, though, in the short time he can spend with Dit-tid, that Judal becomes enlightened as to what the issue with the Thri-Kreen's desires were.
It seems that they thought, in this instance anyway, that power would be the capability to rid the Stygian Wastes of Stormtroopers, as it seemed there were small encampments posted everywhere looking for paths into the Southern Oracle. It also seemed that, sooner or later, they would probably learn the position of Engewook's Observatory, and start prying the old Gnome for information on how to gain access to the Southern Oracle through the Sphinx Gate. Power, then, was the ability to stop that...though, perhaps, she had found power in a more mundane fact; that even if the Empire found the Sphinx Gate or Engewook's Observatory, they wouldn't be able to pass into the realm of the Southern Oracle, because the Sphinxes would no doubt find the Stormtroopers (or whoever they brought with them) unworthy of crossing over.
Dit-tid seems very skeptical of their chances at crossing the gate. It seems, according to what she tells Judal, that no one has ever crossed the Sphinx Gate. At least, not so long as Engewook has been here.
Greko is able to pull himself up into the little lift seat, one of the two that are attached to cables, even as Urgl comes out of the house, huffing and looking displeased as she takes up position next to a large crank.
Before she has time to scold the old lizard, the seat breaks, and he falls out of it, landing on his tuckus with a resounding thud. He is forced to sit on his sore bottom and watch Lady Kaede and Thea and Violet make their way up the hill with ease... As is the blessing of youth.
At the top of the hill, once Urgl has cranked the cable long enough for Engewook to reach the summit himself, the old Gnome disembarks his 'chariot' and has a quick look at Thea.
"My my, why...what are you, young one?" He says, tiptoeing to look up at the alicorn sprouting from her forehead. "That is amazing, and beautiful. Is this a curse? A blessing? Where has such a growth come from?"
Beyond him, as the Ardent Remnants reach the top of the hill, is the open dark expanse of the Stygian Wastes, quiet and seemingly lifeless from the bottom of Engewook's Observatory and the cliff it is suspended upon, over miles and miles of desert, and to the looming mountains on the other side. However, now, from this location and this angle, the heroes can see a recess in the cliffs, a gap, and inside it standing hundreds of feet high are two Sphinx statues, both hewed in gold as they watch the gap leading into the lands beyond, statuesque eyes never leaving their post, never blinking, all watching. Stars dot the sky overhead, and the single sun continues its trek along the horizon, never to rise until the heroes have done their work.
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Lady Kaede pushed herself over the final rise, her boots finding purchase on the loose scree. Her breath hitched – not just from the exertion of the climb, but from the sight that unfolded before her. The vast emptiness of the Stygian Wastes was breathtaking in its desolation, but it was the colossal statues that truly stole her focus. Two golden Sphinxes, their forms gleaming even in the fading light, stood sentinel over a gap in the cliffs, their silent watch spanning untold millennia.
A thrill of apprehension danced down her spine. Though distance obscured the details, the sheer size and craftsmanship of the Sphinxes demanded respect. Were they guardians, their watchful eyes daring any to pass? Or were they silent judges, their verdict hinging on some unknown criteria? Lady Kaede’s hand instinctively went to the hilt of her katana. The path to the Oracle, she realized with a newfound seriousness, would not be an easy one. She squinted towards the gap, hoping to glimpse any sign of movement or a hint of the mechanism that might open the passage guarded by these imposing statues. Her mind, ever sharp, began to formulate plans – both for how to appease the Sphinxes, if necessary, and how to overcome them by force if diplomacy failed.
The weight of responsibility settled on Lady Kaede's shoulders. These colossal guardians weren't just obstacles, they were potential threats to her companions. Glancing around, she looked keenly at the faces of Princess Zelda and Thea, their faces etched with a mix of awe and trepidation. With a determined glint in her eye, she offered a reassuring smile. "These statues...they demand respect." Placing a protective hand on Zelda's shoulder, she knew she wouldn't let anything harm them. The samurai spirit burned bright within her, and she would be their shield against whatever dangers these golden guardians might hold.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
No sooner has Rum turned away from the sky-lift, than he hears the crash of lizard on floor. He turns around and with a shake of his feline head wanders across to Greko.
"Friend Greko, I know you have means to ascend this hill quite easily, but perhaps you can save your energy and accept a little help?", he says to his old friend, reaching a paw out to help Greko up.
"So... We should probably head towards the statues then, eh?" Judal asks loudly as he finally reaches the top of the hill and is able to get a view at what everyone is looking at. Judal takes a moment to look around at everyone else and see if any have differing opinions but he's pretty sure the giant golden statues are probably a sign or a clue or something...
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
-- Eleanor Shellstrop
Greko chuckles and rubs his tush before accepting Rum's help "Yes, yes....As the old saying goes Greko gets by with a little help from his friends"
"Indeed you do, friend Greko", Rum replies. "Now let us at least try and make haste, we don't want to miss the Professor telling everyone about the Sphinx Gate and the Oracle".
He then aids his friend in the ascent, which is no problem for him with his natural climbing ability, and he knows the lizard-folk is more spry than he lets on anyway.
As they crest the hill, he looks around, even his keen eyes seeing nothing more than a wasteland of desert for the most part. As with the others, they come to rest on the sphinx statues.
As Lady Kaede speaks of the respect the statues demanded, he cannot help but agree. "It is an impressive and imposing sight even from this distance, and if what we have heard is true there is perhaps even more to these statues than we can see".
"That is certainly our destination, Judal. The Professor has agreed to share his knowledge before we do though. Speaking of which, did you get the information you were hoping for from the Thri-Kreen?", he then replies to Judal whilst they wait for the Professor to be ready to educate them.
"No. Not entirely, at least," Judal answers Rum offhandedly. "They certainly couldn't tell me how to get past the guardians except don't go asking for power..."
"They did mention, however, that there are roving and searching parties of Stormtroopers littering the sands looking for droids..." Judal pauses and cocks his head to the side before giving it a brief shake. "Sorry, no. Looking for the gate. Or perhaps even this place. We need be careful..."
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
-- Eleanor Shellstrop
"That is what I was afraid of, and why I am eager to get this done", Rum replies to Judal. "So far the enemy has always managed to be two steps ahead of us, but at least this time they should be denied the prize even if they get there first".
"We just need to make sure they don't stop us reaching it".
He once again looks to the Professor, hoping he is ready to reveal all.
Greko listens in to Rum and Judal while doing some stretches after that walk up. "Perhaps our destruction of their underground camp will slow down their movements and give us a chance to get through the gate. Greko can't imagine the oracle would allow them to proceed."
"That was a continent away, friend Greko. I doubt the two endeavours are linked unfortunately", Rum replies to Greko skeptically.
Greko shrugs "Rum is probably right....but Greko can hope"
"Aren't they beautiful?" Engewook says as he disembarks his skylift chair and walks to the edge of the landing, waving down to Urgl that he is no longer in need of her assistance. "I brought Atreyu up here, not so very long ago. Or at least it seems. And we watched as an adventurer..."
Engewook makes hand motions, waving all of the adventurers closer to him as he prepares to do what is probably a lecture. He leads them closer and closer to the edge of the landing, where a small telescope is mounted for anyone to look through that may wish.
"...this adventurer, I don't know who he was. Lost to time now, I'm afraid. But he went riding up on a horse..."
And Engewook takes a moment to wax poetic about the fancy rider who approached the Sphinx Gate that night, his helm plumed, his armor shining...and how the Sphinx Gate had destroyed him with no contest. The story continued, as Engewook pointed out that even Atreyu hadn't been capable to pass through the gate.
"The Spinx's eyes always remain closed." The Professor said, gesturing to his own eyes as he leaned down to the little telescope with weird, long crystals sticking out of the front of it. "Unless, that is, if they have decided they do not like what they see in your soul. Then they open and ZAP! BOOM! Destruction! I have never seen anyone make it past the Sphinx's, ever. Well, save for Atreyu, but they tried to kill him before he could do it. I don't know if that's normal or not, of course. There's not enough data! We would need to replicate the experiment multiple times to draw any sort of conclusion! Ah, but I suppose tonight we might continue recording the data, yes?
See, they look into your soul. They guage whatever it is you're made of, and what your motivations are. They look for the pure of heart. Only the absolutely most pure can pass through, I believe... And even Atreyu couldn't do that... They know you, maybe better than you know yourself. They know you at a level only your creator knows you. They'll know your goals, they'll know why you're here, they'll know what it is you wish to accomplish and even your proposed destiny. They'll know if you are selfish, or selfless. They'll know your heart, and what you want, what you ultimately want, and they'll weigh you against this to decide if you get to go through."
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Violet has been silent up until this point... she's gone straight back to not having the slightest idea what's going on... but a thought occurs to her when it is said that someone got past these ominous sphinxes in spite of their desire to destroy him...
"Wait... if this Atreyu got past them even after being judged impure, does that mean that the key to this is just to move too quickly for the sphinxes to do whatever it is that they do? It doesn't sound like there is any other way past if they are really so picky about who they let in..."
"What happened to the horse?" Judal asks with all seriousness.
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
-- Eleanor Shellstrop
OOC: I’m thinking 99% of us would get fried when attempting to pass through the gate. Maybe we should just shove Thea in front of us, and the rest of us hide in a giant Trojan bunny. When pure-of-heart Thea gets through, she can tow the Trojan bunny through. Blam. Problem solved!
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Rum takes a moment to look through the telescope, and when he withdraws there is a look of resolute determination on his feline face.
"Fair questions", he says after Violet and Judal speak. "But I would also like to know what comes next after the gate. Kit-Tik spoke of other gates".
He seems anxious to get moving, not at all put off by the talk of destruction.
Greko stands by idly watching without blinking...his mind begins to wander
"My my, you have many eyes!" Engewook says, taking notice of the little Beholderkin. "Ah, but no! You see, my theory is, and this is only a theory mind you, we don't have enough data...is that Atreyu was the closest to the pure of heart that anyone has ever been. At least that approached the Sphinx Gate. They didn't destroy him immediately, and that is why he was erm uh...able to slip in! Oh, but, well, you're not wrong, though I think this is a deliberate part of the design. I think they're looking for the right someone to let in..."
The little Gnome shifts his chin, his tongue searching around inside his ancient mouth as he thinks all this over, like he has had some epiphany from Violet's line of questioning.
"Oh the uh...horse? Why, I'm not very sure. I think it continued to ride. Probably died somewhere on the other side, inside the Oracle. Ah, after the Sphinx Gate, but of course! Well, from what I gather, based on Atreyu's first hand account, the second gate, I've named it the Magic Mirror Gate, it reflects your darkest parts back at you, or something like that. Or so Atreyu believed, anyway. The final gate...I can't really tell you."
Engewook stops here and looks a bit ashamed of himself.
"This whole business isn't so easy as you young people would try to believe! Atreyu himself doesn't know how he made it through the last gate, or even what happened there. Not at first, anyway! All I know is that he did find a way through, though he seems to have gotten...uh...disinterested in it or something...before he found his way in. It was very strange, all things considered. Oh but I hope if you get in...and that's a BIG if!...that you can make this mystery more clear for me. Oh, now see here young man!"
Engewook shook a long, spindly finger at Greko when he started to wander.
"This is no place for a child! Get back over here before you break something!"
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Judal silently ponders the question of if he would be better off just walking through the gate... Or walking through it polymorphed into a horse.
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
-- Eleanor Shellstrop
Rum ponders the words of the Professor, before suggesting, "Perhaps it is not just the right person, but at the right time".
"Have you ever observed more than one person going through at a time? If they all get through, would they undergo the next tests together? And, if only those who are pure make it through, how would there be any dark parts anyway?", he asks of the old gnome.