Abraxas says, "We could return to the inn. Drop the histories with the order. We could try to anticipate the location of the next portal? As we go, perhaps?" He has loaded up the books and moves toward the stairs that will take then back up to the surface. They can talk as they walk, his body actions suggest.
Harmony had heard from Oli that all of the portals should be closed by now though, but more may be coming with the Ice Basilisk as a portent. She was glad to hear that the findings will be enough to have completed this job when they get back. "Yeah, so many things could have happened to us from when we were sleeping back home to waking up in the chairs here in this world. I want to know what's going on too." she said back in agreement with Jove, nodding. Then she listened as Abraxas said that they could drop off the books with the order and then try to anticipate the location of the next portal as they go. "That sounds like a good idea! Let's get back to the inn then!" Harmony said back with a cheerful smile, walking with the others to go up the stairs and leave this cellar back to the surface.
OOC: Sounds like everyone is ready to return to Ruskivek. Any more business here before I advance? And please let me know if you'd like to change the marching order up at all.
The desert seems a little more pleasant as you return from the cellar beneath the now-Stone Basilisk. Oddly, the pilgrims' camp is nowhere to be seen.
That night before turning in for your rest, a particularly cool breeze ripples and stokes the flames of the campfire. The fire expands to twice its size, but when the wind settles, it does not diminish. The center of the flames becomes a dull red like the surface of a pool of blood, then smooths and lightens to look like a tinted window. Through this makeshift portal, you share a vision.
A band of lizardfolk gather in a valley of red land, as red as one of the moons hanging above you in the sky. Chanting, they circle an inscription in the ground, and a crack appears, followed soon by a red, scaled hand. Dozens, then hundreds, then thousands of red lizard-like humanoids emerge from the crack, which widens and expands to allow this army to pour through.
The fire swirls, and the vision changes to the city of Ruskivek, zooming in to display the scaled creatures overrunning the city, murdering and pillaging, lighting the structures ablaze until there is nothing left. Again and again the fire swirls, showing more cities being similarly destroyed, until the world has been overtaken by fire.
Then, back to the valley, before the crack. The image zooms out to show a nearby river. The land changes, a depression is dug to divert the flow of the river to the valley, and the valley is filled with water. This time, there are no chanting lizardfolk. The army does not appear, and the image changes to Ruskivek and the other cities to show them operating as normal.
And then the flames return to their prior size, as if nothing had happened.
"Oli, do you recognize the valley of red land or the river? Where are they?" Abraxas says. "Is this vision suggesting we literally divert the course of a river? What do you all think?" Abraxas also suggests we increase our pace back to the city. "Oli, what is the source of this vision?"
OOC: The man in your vision was definitely reptilian, but more resembled a snake than a lizard.
Oli appears shaken by the vision when the fire subsides, backing away on the ground. He shakes his head to collect himself. "That looked like Vandyr," he says, pointing to the red moon in the sky. "I have been there only once, but I don't know of anywhere else where the land is so red. Do...do you often see visions in fire where you come from? Who are you all?"
"Wait, Oli. You are saying you have been to the moon? If the eclipse is the cause of those portals opening, maybe we should go investigate the ground zero of the catastrophe."
Harmony was glad as they were out of the cellar and back up to the surface now, surprised as the pilgrim's camp is gone. Did they decide to leave? She was relaxing at the campfire with the others when suddenly the fire grew, a portal appearing and showing a vision now. Lizardfolk were in a red valley, chanting as a large red hand came out of a crack in the ground before thousands of red lizard-like humanoids came through the crack as well. The vision changed, stunned to see the city Ruskivek being overrun by the creatures, mudering and pillaging while setting buildings on fire until nothing is left. More cities were being destroyed and the whole world being set on fire, utterly stunned. Why is that going to happen?! But it changed again to show a nearby river near the valley before the crack, being diverted so the water flows to and fills the valley, now showing no chanting lizardfolk or army appearing, the cities being perfectly normal before the flame went back to normal. "What was that? I didn't like that first vision at all, we can't let that happen!" she had said back as she heard Abraxas. Then she heard Oli say that the valley looked like the red moon in the sky, shocked. They have to go to the moon?! She heard as Oli ask if they normally see visions in fire where they come from and who they are, shrugging. "No, I certainly have never had visions, never mind seeing them in fire like this. I'm just trying to be an idol, that's all." Harmony had said back, confused and wondering if they got brought here in order to be heroes and help this world. She had then heard Jove, nodding and agreeing with him.
"I don't know what that vision was of, but I certainly don't like it. As for your question Mister Oli, I'm no magician, I've told you that before. But how did you get to the moon?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
"You cannot reach the moons on your world? Right. The basics. I still cannot grasp how different your world must be," Oli answers.
"We have nine moons in total that pass in and out of view throughout the year. There are various ways to reach them, and many of them are still not fully understood, but there are three that we know are habitable, and have teleportation circles to reach them: Vandyr, Galasir, and Skogyr. Vandyr is the large red moon you see above us now. The Order of Thalassa in Ruskivek manages the circles to Vandyr. There is typically a small fee to access them, but I believe Mitsi will be pleased with your investigation of the Ice Basilisk. I'm sure she will grant you access if that is what you desire," he says.
"Agreed. Maybe it was a sort of teleportation that brought us here? These are strange lands indeed." Jove is still quieter than normal, pondering past events.
A few days later, you have left the desert behind, and an overcast sky hangs above your head. The wildlife seems more numerous than when you first passed this way. The campfire burns low, and Oli and Olive share the first watch.
"Olive, if you don't mind my musing...you seem to share an aversion to things magical. Has something happened to you that causes you to fear it, or is it simply more that you do not understand it?" Oli asks, pen held to his notebook as usual.
While asleep away from the fire, the others share a dream.
For Abraxas, Harmony, and Jove:
You find yourselves in a wooded glade, surrounding a campfire similar to the one you fell asleep not far from. However, unlike that fire, the air here is thick with fog, and Oli and Olive are not here. In their place is a human woman, as beautiful a creature as you've ever seen. You are seated on logs around the fire, except for Jove, who is standing in the middle. The woman walks gracefully, almost gliding, toward Jove, placing her hands on his cheeks. She radiates warmth, and happiness, the very sight of her causing a desire to dance or sing.
"You have done well, my child. You have already defeated many doubts, and before any guidance was even given. You must have so many questions," she says, a smile on her face.
OOC: This is a dream sequence similar to what Jove went through at the Ice Basilisk. Everything that happens here is seen and heard by all three of you.
Abraxas says, "We could return to the inn. Drop the histories with the order. We could try to anticipate the location of the next portal? As we go, perhaps?" He has loaded up the books and moves toward the stairs that will take then back up to the surface. They can talk as they walk, his body actions suggest.
Death on the Water and Baldur's Gate Bodyguard
Olive exits the cave, deferring to the people who actually know what they're talking about in regards to magic.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Harmony had heard from Oli that all of the portals should be closed by now though, but more may be coming with the Ice Basilisk as a portent. She was glad to hear that the findings will be enough to have completed this job when they get back. "Yeah, so many things could have happened to us from when we were sleeping back home to waking up in the chairs here in this world. I want to know what's going on too." she said back in agreement with Jove, nodding. Then she listened as Abraxas said that they could drop off the books with the order and then try to anticipate the location of the next portal as they go. "That sounds like a good idea! Let's get back to the inn then!" Harmony said back with a cheerful smile, walking with the others to go up the stairs and leave this cellar back to the surface.
OOC: Sounds like everyone is ready to return to Ruskivek. Any more business here before I advance? And please let me know if you'd like to change the marching order up at all.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
(I can't think of anything else to do here. I'm content with my spot in the marching order.)
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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OOC: Jove is good in his marching order is well. He is remaining quite quiet and gazing off into the distance.
--- --- We want Grung! --- ---
~https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=DragonbornDoug ~
OCC: No, nothing else to really do. Harmony is fine with still being in the front.
Abraxas is comfortable in the middle of the group.
Death on the Water and Baldur's Gate Bodyguard
The desert seems a little more pleasant as you return from the cellar beneath the now-Stone Basilisk. Oddly, the pilgrims' camp is nowhere to be seen.
That night before turning in for your rest, a particularly cool breeze ripples and stokes the flames of the campfire. The fire expands to twice its size, but when the wind settles, it does not diminish. The center of the flames becomes a dull red like the surface of a pool of blood, then smooths and lightens to look like a tinted window. Through this makeshift portal, you share a vision.
A band of lizardfolk gather in a valley of red land, as red as one of the moons hanging above you in the sky. Chanting, they circle an inscription in the ground, and a crack appears, followed soon by a red, scaled hand. Dozens, then hundreds, then thousands of red lizard-like humanoids emerge from the crack, which widens and expands to allow this army to pour through.
The fire swirls, and the vision changes to the city of Ruskivek, zooming in to display the scaled creatures overrunning the city, murdering and pillaging, lighting the structures ablaze until there is nothing left. Again and again the fire swirls, showing more cities being similarly destroyed, until the world has been overtaken by fire.
Then, back to the valley, before the crack. The image zooms out to show a nearby river. The land changes, a depression is dug to divert the flow of the river to the valley, and the valley is filled with water. This time, there are no chanting lizardfolk. The army does not appear, and the image changes to Ruskivek and the other cities to show them operating as normal.
And then the flames return to their prior size, as if nothing had happened.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Barty,
Did the lizardfolk resemble my reptilian friend from my vision?
--- --- We want Grung! --- ---
~https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=DragonbornDoug ~
"Oli, do you recognize the valley of red land or the river? Where are they?" Abraxas says. "Is this vision suggesting we literally divert the course of a river? What do you all think?" Abraxas also suggests we increase our pace back to the city. "Oli, what is the source of this vision?"
Death on the Water and Baldur's Gate Bodyguard
For Jove:
OOC: The man in your vision was definitely reptilian, but more resembled a snake than a lizard.
Oli appears shaken by the vision when the fire subsides, backing away on the ground. He shakes his head to collect himself. "That looked like Vandyr," he says, pointing to the red moon in the sky. "I have been there only once, but I don't know of anywhere else where the land is so red. Do...do you often see visions in fire where you come from? Who are you all?"
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
"Wait, Oli. You are saying you have been to the moon? If the eclipse is the cause of those portals opening, maybe we should go investigate the ground zero of the catastrophe."
--- --- We want Grung! --- ---
~https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=DragonbornDoug ~
Harmony was glad as they were out of the cellar and back up to the surface now, surprised as the pilgrim's camp is gone. Did they decide to leave? She was relaxing at the campfire with the others when suddenly the fire grew, a portal appearing and showing a vision now. Lizardfolk were in a red valley, chanting as a large red hand came out of a crack in the ground before thousands of red lizard-like humanoids came through the crack as well. The vision changed, stunned to see the city Ruskivek being overrun by the creatures, mudering and pillaging while setting buildings on fire until nothing is left. More cities were being destroyed and the whole world being set on fire, utterly stunned. Why is that going to happen?! But it changed again to show a nearby river near the valley before the crack, being diverted so the water flows to and fills the valley, now showing no chanting lizardfolk or army appearing, the cities being perfectly normal before the flame went back to normal. "What was that? I didn't like that first vision at all, we can't let that happen!" she had said back as she heard Abraxas. Then she heard Oli say that the valley looked like the red moon in the sky, shocked. They have to go to the moon?! She heard as Oli ask if they normally see visions in fire where they come from and who they are, shrugging. "No, I certainly have never had visions, never mind seeing them in fire like this. I'm just trying to be an idol, that's all." Harmony had said back, confused and wondering if they got brought here in order to be heroes and help this world. She had then heard Jove, nodding and agreeing with him.
"I don't know what that vision was of, but I certainly don't like it. As for your question Mister Oli, I'm no magician, I've told you that before. But how did you get to the moon?"
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
"Yes, Oli, tell us. Are moon trips common here? Do you use flying spells or teleportation?" Abraxas says. "How is it done?"
Death on the Water and Baldur's Gate Bodyguard
"You cannot reach the moons on your world? Right. The basics. I still cannot grasp how different your world must be," Oli answers.
"We have nine moons in total that pass in and out of view throughout the year. There are various ways to reach them, and many of them are still not fully understood, but there are three that we know are habitable, and have teleportation circles to reach them: Vandyr, Galasir, and Skogyr. Vandyr is the large red moon you see above us now. The Order of Thalassa in Ruskivek manages the circles to Vandyr. There is typically a small fee to access them, but I believe Mitsi will be pleased with your investigation of the Ice Basilisk. I'm sure she will grant you access if that is what you desire," he says.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
"We should make our way to Ruskivek, talk to Mitsi, and then teleport to Vandyr," Abraxas says. He continues walking quickly in that direction.
Death on the Water and Baldur's Gate Bodyguard
"Agreed. Maybe it was a sort of teleportation that brought us here? These are strange lands indeed." Jove is still quieter than normal, pondering past events.
--- --- We want Grung! --- ---
~https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=DragonbornDoug ~
A few days later, you have left the desert behind, and an overcast sky hangs above your head. The wildlife seems more numerous than when you first passed this way. The campfire burns low, and Oli and Olive share the first watch.
"Olive, if you don't mind my musing...you seem to share an aversion to things magical. Has something happened to you that causes you to fear it, or is it simply more that you do not understand it?" Oli asks, pen held to his notebook as usual.
While asleep away from the fire, the others share a dream.
For Abraxas, Harmony, and Jove:
You find yourselves in a wooded glade, surrounding a campfire similar to the one you fell asleep not far from. However, unlike that fire, the air here is thick with fog, and Oli and Olive are not here. In their place is a human woman, as beautiful a creature as you've ever seen. You are seated on logs around the fire, except for Jove, who is standing in the middle. The woman walks gracefully, almost gliding, toward Jove, placing her hands on his cheeks. She radiates warmth, and happiness, the very sight of her causing a desire to dance or sing.
"You have done well, my child. You have already defeated many doubts, and before any guidance was even given. You must have so many questions," she says, a smile on her face.
OOC: This is a dream sequence similar to what Jove went through at the Ice Basilisk. Everything that happens here is seen and heard by all three of you.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!