The sun is high in the sky you hear the pleasant but very distinguishable bell rapidly ringing, summoning you and the other adventurers to the observatory. You are greeted by the observatory's president, Ms. Greenwinter, a dark blue robed human woman in her early thirties, with long, curled black hair and exuberance in her voice. "Ah, I'm glad at least you three were able to respond on such short notice. No, rather, you should be. Come quickly. There's no time to waste."
The three of you follow along into the building. "We opened a portal. The Hermetic Pulse we anticipated up this afternoon shattered the ech- that is, we found a link we weren't expecting. We were just going to watch. This... it's unbelievable."
You've seen the main observation chamber before, housing a huge apparatus, a wonder of gears and changing forms. Now, all that sits unattended in haphazard piles at the edge of the room- instead, an unstable rift in space, crackling with electricity and spilling a reddish-purple cloud, hovers just above the floor in the center of the room, only just larger than a bugbear, contained within a resilient sphere. One male wizard presses his face against the sphere, struggling to see through the rift, while three other wizards pace around it. Floating scrolls move slowly through the air, following their masters as words appear upon them, copying their observations.
"I see this isn't making much sense to all of you. I'll try one more time to explain. A world we were watching- one in which collections of artifacts are collected and sold- taken from countless other worlds- where some shopkeepers have more power than an entire kingdom! It was engulfed in a war. We have no idea of the specifics. We were just going to watch the war, and see what we could learn. This afternoon... it seems the entire world were engulfed in an incredible three day time stop anomaly! Similar to what happens when you take a large bag of holding and toss it over a teleport circle receiving a sphere of annihilation."
She pauses, holding an extended arm to the rift, as though expecting that to explain everything. One of the other male wizards speaks plainly. "A large-scale process that turns everything inside-out before being dumped across the universe- a terminal fate."
"So... salvage what you can, with this most-likely accidental world-wide time stop. It looks like we're not the only ones taking notice. Hence the sphere," she gestures again to the rift, "and we also need to sever that link, because that entire world will disappear tomorrow and any world it's connected to. It's all unstable, but we don't have time to explain everything- it'll all be over by then! We're only giving you just less than three days before we destroy the rift. We would go with you- we poked on the other side already to make sure it was stable enough to walk through- but we have to stay here to make sure we keep the world safe, taking shifts watching it."
She starts gathering things into a pack- makeshift tools of their make, apparently. "It's you or nobody. I need an answer right away. Will you go?"
Ms. Greenwinter nods to your responses, continuing to judiciously put a few more things into the pack. "These are tools that will help you open a rift if you need to. Badrizar, you should be able to figure it out... start with this one to find a thread. This one will force a rip, be careful with it. This one... no, where is it... oh, sorry, this is such a mess!"
"Just give them the resonator," the same male wizard calmly suggests. "They should be able to find an open rift without issue. Just don't wait until the last moment to use it."
She hesitates, pulling out a square shaped bronze wand. "Try not to get lost anyway, please."
She straightens herself out, looking to the wizard with his face to the sphere. "Let's get ready to send them." She turns back to Badrizar, offering him the wand. "We'll try to build a hidden camp on the other side to defend the rift..."
The mage at the sphere turns his attention the floor around it, reaching down and using a greasy paste to smudge a drawn rune. The sphere vanishes, allowing a waft of ozone to freshen the room. He backs away from the rift, which quickly clears of the mist, allowing you to see a small, marbled amphitheater. The rift seems to hover at the first row of seats, but a haze occludes beyond 30 feet from the origin. Judging by the presence of still trees, it seems to be on a temperate hillside in daylight. Despite the bright light, the colors lack intensity- faint or faded. The same mage looks nods in your direction. "It should be safe."
If you have any questions before departing, you may do so. If you wish to delay entry, you may do so.
When you step through the rift, a wave of tingling set your hairs on end. Dozens of small shocks uncomfortably prick at your extremities, and when your first foot touches the ground, your body is suddenly pulled forward through the rift by an unseen force. Each of you manage to keep your footing, and for a moment your body feels so heavy that you struggle on your own feet. Yet before you can properly brace yourself, the feeling vanishes, instead feeling almost weightless, causing the world to spin as you struggle to stay standing. The moment repeats twice over the course of ten seconds, before the effect ends and you find the pull of the world to be like your own, still on your feet.
At least for a moment. With a swift bend to the ground, Badrizar and Kroneker lose their lunch in a hurl without warning. Selthar holds a hand to his head with a groan, not exempt from the nausea.
The haze remains consistent on this side, the air comfortably cool and still, though you can make out the star to be white and in the late evening or early morning. The noise echos in the haze in all directions. The sun sits nearly perfectly to the right of the facing of the amphitheater. A stone path at the seating side of the amphitheater heads toward and away from the star.
A vague shadowy silhouette suddenly exists in a few feet front of you, speaking in the same moment it appears. The voice, monstrously deep and accompanied by a throaty growl like that of a tiger, is clear in your mind.
"Humanoids. I am the one who stands victorious over this broken and dying world, you may call me Lillaeas, speak my name and I shall hear you and answer. You are free to take what you will, but do not get in the way of my servants, and assist them if they request your aid. I swear death and worse upon those who violate my request. Am I perfectly clear? Speak."
Badrizarlooks at the kaleidoscopic pool that surrounds his boots. "Not since that damnable day when I joined a drinking contest with that detestable tiefling have I seen such a thing,"he muses to himself. "Very well then, one's strength of mind, it seems, does not grant one strength of stomach."
The cleric steadies himself, trying to digest what he heard from Ms. Greenwinter, what he just felt, and what he now sees before him. He quickly prioritizes. The shadowy but articulate silhouette seems the most pressing matter.
"Lillaeas, you are heard. More importantly, you are understood."
Badrizar turns his head, taking stock of Selthar and Kroneker before he continues, "This broken and dying world...does it have a name, Lilleas?"
After some difficulty, Kroneker will set himself straight after trying to vomit and listen to the shadow at the same time.
"Ugh...why did Kroneker even agree to this? Anyway, Lila...something, you said we can take what what we will? Kroneker likes the sound of that."
Kroneker will turn to his companions. "Baldi, you do the talking, Kroneker needs to get his bearings. Kroneker forgot how it feels like to not know Kroneker's surroundings. Kroneker is not happy."
Saying that, Kroneker will take a closer look around. Kroneker will pick a small stone and release it. The stone drops to the ground as normal. Kroneker will look around for something time-frozen to shoot.
Perception: 15
Kroneker spots a rabbit. "Oh, that's a nice dinner. If it's not poisonous..."
Kroneker will shoot the rabbit to see what happens. The crossbow bolt hits the target as expected, and the rabbit makes a momentary squeal before dropping dead to the ground, propelled about a foot by the momentum of the bolt. Kroneker will walk up to it, poke it with his foot a few times, then collect his bolt, clean it on the nearby grass, and return it to the quiver. Kroneker will pick up the rabbit and shake it. It acts like a normal animal corpse, not frozen in time anymore. "So that's how that works. Anything Kroneker touches becomes free. And anything that touches anything Kroneker touched also becomes free. Might as well make us a snack..."
The phantom remains stationary, its features remaining unclear. "This world was named Empyrean by its inhabitants." The growling ceases. When Kroneker speaks, the creature laughs lightly, a vague limb flicking around it. "Yes, when this world is lost, so too will be its riches. The more you take, the more remains in existence, and the richer we all shall be for it. You do not think your coming here was entirely good fortune, do you?"
After recovering Selthar took a moment to evaluate his surroundings and let his companions speak first. After Badrizar finished and Kroneker started to kill the local wildlife Selthar stepped up and started asking questions.
"Lillaeas, what does it mean when you say you 'stand victorious of a broken and dying world'? Does the world have to be broken and dying for you to be victorious? Is that your intent in just this world or do you intend to do this to other worlds and planes?" Without interruption for things like breathing Selthar continues. "Who are your servants? What do they look like? How will we know if they are your servants and not just trying to deceive us? What role do your servants have here? What happens if your servants ask a request of us we are incapable of agreeing to? To answer your question. No. You have not been very clear." Moving on to his next line of questions.
"Lillaeas, you have implied that the more we take from the world the more we all gain you included. Are there items or possibly even entities that would benefit you more if they are recovered? Do you know where they are and could you give us direction?"
Selthar shows no sign of slowing down in his questioning. Something that has knowledge of the current situation has offered to answer questions. Selthar is determined to drain that well of knowledge. An hour or two spent gathering intel would benefit the party's operation greatly over the next couple of days. Until interrupted he will continue to ask questions. Selthar will attempt to get information on if there are any other groups in the area. Are any areas more dangerous than others? Basically as many details as possible before setting off.
Badrizar makes a mental note of the cause-and-effect revealed by the goblin's actions. As he watches the rabbit succumb to its fate, he mutters loudly enough for Kroneker to hear, "I do hope that isn't one of his servants."
Badrizar then listens for an opportunity to slow Selthar's barrage of questioning. "Put our best foot forward, shall we, Selthar?"
Turning to the shadowy form, he then says, "We recognize that we are guests here, Lillaeas, seemingly at your behest. My friend's intent is only to learn how we might honor our host during the time we spend here."
Upon hearing Badrizar's remark, Kroneker will stop what he's doing and turn to him. After a few seconds of deep thought, Kroneker will toss the rabbit aside, hastily wipe his hands on the grass, and head for the nearest tree in order to climb it and survey they area.
"Ask the Lila-something if he has a map for us." Kroneker will say before going.
"I claim stewardship for this doomed world, as the greatest among the survivors of the long war between an alliance of worlds and an appropriately named 'Holy Emperor' who had subdued hundreds of others. He was in need of destroying. Empyrean was just a major piece of his empire. We thought he wouldn't engage in large-scale battle here, thinking he valued it so, but we were wrong. Many suffered greatly for his actions. Empyrean's destruction was undesired, but now the war is finally able to be ended without him. When this salvaging affair is finished, I will return home."
The phantom shrinks and widens, keeping its head up, much like an alert tiger curling up. "My servants are more varied than the lot of plunderers such as yourselves. They bear no standard or uniform- for they come from different worlds and merely have come to my rally during the battle. They are spread across the world, saving people and treasured remains. They will tell you that they work under me. You may call upon me if you doubt a claim or wish to refuse a request without reprisal. Do not fear to waste my time, as I am addressing many individuals in this very moment."
"Do not think me to be tolerant of insult or brazen questions," it growls. "I am hungry, and am planning to eat those of you who earn the honor. I enjoy refined metal and prefer crunchy."
Again it ends the growl. "I have no need of exhalation, but if you do honor those I care for and earn their favor, you shall earn mine as well."
"I will not provide you a map this time," it sighs, "do you have any other vital questions? Your time would be better spent otherwise."
Upon being interrupted Selthar listens intently to what is said by Badrizar and Lillaeas. Once it appears no more answers are forthcoming he joins Kroneker in surveying the surroundings.
From the back of the amphitheater, the ground levels out, with trees evenly spaced out and trimmed grass. Both paths continue into the haze, assuming you do not go beyond the sight of Badrizar (30 feet). There is a downward slope with a higher density of temperate trees opposite the seating of the amphitheater.
(Perception: Badrizar and Kronker: It is completely silent)
(Perception: Selthar: When you move to the hill side of the amphitheater, you hear distant clatter of wood on a hard surface four times, and then silence. It does not echo, as faint as the sound was. Facing downhill, it comes from forward and left.)
"****in'...how is Kroneker supposed to navigate with that kind of vision limitations? Kroneker has to devise some of kind of method...Tin Man, got any bright ideas how to navigate when you can barely see past 30 paces? Because Kroneker is mildly confused."
Badrizar realizes he's still clutching the square-shaped bronze wand handed to him by Ms. Greenwinter; he tucks it into his cloak before responding to Kroneker's complaint about visibility. "The fog before our eyes seems fitting, for it mirrors our dim understanding of this place,"remarks the cleric, knowing full well such a statement would annoy the goblin.
"Let's keep that star before us and head this way,"he says, pointing to the left. "I suppose by keeping twenty or thirty feet between us, we can expand our collective field of vision while being able to see at least one other member of our party. What do you say?"
After Lillaeas vanishes, Selthar quickly motions for Badrizar and Kroneker to remain silent and come close to him. Once his companions are in arms reach he quietly whispers "We are not alone." He points downhill in the direction the sound of wood came from. "Noise like striking wood came from that direction. This world has already shown us nothing is happening without outside interference. There is something there. We should investigate it. I do not recommend leaving a potential threat behind us in this strange environment. Once that is done we can go over how to navigate in this strange place." Selthar reaches into his backpack and pulls out a hemp rope. "This is fifty feet. I will tie one end around my waist. Badrizar will hold the other end. Gentle pressure means follow slowly and quietly. A sharp tug means to come to me quietly. While we make our way keep the rope taut and do not let it touch the ground. If I give the signal to come to me spool the rope up do not let it drag and possibly alert whatever is down there. Kroneker, follow close to Badrizar and be ready for anything. If it comes to it I suspect our arrows may not be of much use with this fog." Selthar secures the rope around his torso and attempts to make it look like it belongs there if viewed from the front like it might be part of his backpack. Still whispering "Any recommendations or are we ready?"
Spoiler for DM:
Not sure how you want to handle Stealth checks. If they agree and we move forward I will be moving slowly toward the sound.
Assuming this method is employed, the group moves slowly toward the source of the sound down the hill to the left. Pending action of Kroneker and Badrzar. Unknown distance to target, the noise was very faint and even straining to hear, no further sounds issue.
(Worth noting, the Warforged is a detection machine and could hear a battle between ants)
"Oh, hehe, Kroneker sure hopes that thing is an enemy. Kroneker can interrogate an enemy." says the goblin, as a mad smile creeps onto his face for a second.
"Let's go then. But as you move, count your steps. This is our only reliable measurement at the moment."
Kroneker will follow the plan proposed above, but he's more concerned with counting his steps and looking around for landmarks he can use as reference to find their way back to their point of origin.
Badrizar mutters a few soft words and makes a subtle movement with his left hand while placing his right on the warforged's shoulder. "A bit ofguidancefor you, my friend, as we do this."
He then takes hold of the rope and nods, signaling his agreement with Selthar's plan.
You descend the hill cautiously, treading on moist forest floor. Kroneker, paying close attention to potential landmarks, notices that as you proceed, insects come to life only to make noise after you've passed. The trees are robust, thick, broad-leaved, standing about 100 feet, standing 5 to 20 feet apart with intermittently smaller trees between and small brush offering little impediment.
You sneak down hill about 300 feet when Selthar hears a single wooden clack again from another direction, adjusting right to intercept. You are within 200 feet, and can tell that they are moving toward the sun, slanted uphill somewhat toward you.
As you get close, Selthar is able to hear their footsteps. Perhaps 4 bipedal creatures in single file, not concealing their noise, speaking occasionally. One of them carries something lightly rattling, like chain in a box or loose tools. As you approach to within 80 feet, you're proceeding smoothly with a near perpendicular interception when a pine cone falls from an awakened tree with a cringe-inducing thump to the ground. You hear something- like a bag of chain- drop to the ground from the targets. "Something's there!" a throaty male voice proclaims in common. "Where?" another asks. "Up, right! I can't see it!" "Find it! Quickly! Stay together!"
You cannot see them yet. You are uphill, Selthar 40 feet leading Badrizar with Kroneker ... somewhere near him.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
While everyone is debating in a panic, Kroneker will use this opportunity to quickly hide among the nearby trees.
Stealth check: 18
Kroneker will slowly advance towards the other guys, keeping his companions in sight. The goblin would try to find whatever it is they dropped and take it if the opportunity presents itself.
Additionally, Kroneker won't be the one to start a fight, but he will gladly oblige if the other party wants one.
Opening, as in recruitment.
The sun is high in the sky you hear the pleasant but very distinguishable bell rapidly ringing, summoning you and the other adventurers to the observatory. You are greeted by the observatory's president, Ms. Greenwinter, a dark blue robed human woman in her early thirties, with long, curled black hair and exuberance in her voice. "Ah, I'm glad at least you three were able to respond on such short notice. No, rather, you should be. Come quickly. There's no time to waste."
The three of you follow along into the building. "We opened a portal. The Hermetic Pulse we anticipated up this afternoon shattered the ech- that is, we found a link we weren't expecting. We were just going to watch. This... it's unbelievable."
You've seen the main observation chamber before, housing a huge apparatus, a wonder of gears and changing forms. Now, all that sits unattended in haphazard piles at the edge of the room- instead, an unstable rift in space, crackling with electricity and spilling a reddish-purple cloud, hovers just above the floor in the center of the room, only just larger than a bugbear, contained within a resilient sphere. One male wizard presses his face against the sphere, struggling to see through the rift, while three other wizards pace around it. Floating scrolls move slowly through the air, following their masters as words appear upon them, copying their observations.
"I see this isn't making much sense to all of you. I'll try one more time to explain. A world we were watching- one in which collections of artifacts are collected and sold- taken from countless other worlds- where some shopkeepers have more power than an entire kingdom! It was engulfed in a war. We have no idea of the specifics. We were just going to watch the war, and see what we could learn. This afternoon... it seems the entire world were engulfed in an incredible three day time stop anomaly! Similar to what happens when you take a large bag of holding and toss it over a teleport circle receiving a sphere of annihilation."
She pauses, holding an extended arm to the rift, as though expecting that to explain everything. One of the other male wizards speaks plainly. "A large-scale process that turns everything inside-out before being dumped across the universe- a terminal fate."
"So... salvage what you can, with this most-likely accidental world-wide time stop. It looks like we're not the only ones taking notice. Hence the sphere," she gestures again to the rift, "and we also need to sever that link, because that entire world will disappear tomorrow and any world it's connected to. It's all unstable, but we don't have time to explain everything- it'll all be over by then! We're only giving you just less than three days before we destroy the rift. We would go with you- we poked on the other side already to make sure it was stable enough to walk through- but we have to stay here to make sure we keep the world safe, taking shifts watching it."
She starts gathering things into a pack- makeshift tools of their make, apparently. "It's you or nobody. I need an answer right away. Will you go?"
Ms. Greenwinter nods to your responses, continuing to judiciously put a few more things into the pack. "These are tools that will help you open a rift if you need to. Badrizar, you should be able to figure it out... start with this one to find a thread. This one will force a rip, be careful with it. This one... no, where is it... oh, sorry, this is such a mess!"
"Just give them the resonator," the same male wizard calmly suggests. "They should be able to find an open rift without issue. Just don't wait until the last moment to use it."
She hesitates, pulling out a square shaped bronze wand. "Try not to get lost anyway, please."
She straightens herself out, looking to the wizard with his face to the sphere. "Let's get ready to send them." She turns back to Badrizar, offering him the wand. "We'll try to build a hidden camp on the other side to defend the rift..."
The mage at the sphere turns his attention the floor around it, reaching down and using a greasy paste to smudge a drawn rune. The sphere vanishes, allowing a waft of ozone to freshen the room. He backs away from the rift, which quickly clears of the mist, allowing you to see a small, marbled amphitheater. The rift seems to hover at the first row of seats, but a haze occludes beyond 30 feet from the origin. Judging by the presence of still trees, it seems to be on a temperate hillside in daylight. Despite the bright light, the colors lack intensity- faint or faded. The same mage looks nods in your direction. "It should be safe."
If you have any questions before departing, you may do so. If you wish to delay entry, you may do so.
When you step through the rift, a wave of tingling set your hairs on end. Dozens of small shocks uncomfortably prick at your extremities, and when your first foot touches the ground, your body is suddenly pulled forward through the rift by an unseen force. Each of you manage to keep your footing, and for a moment your body feels so heavy that you struggle on your own feet. Yet before you can properly brace yourself, the feeling vanishes, instead feeling almost weightless, causing the world to spin as you struggle to stay standing. The moment repeats twice over the course of ten seconds, before the effect ends and you find the pull of the world to be like your own, still on your feet.
At least for a moment. With a swift bend to the ground, Badrizar and Kroneker lose their lunch in a hurl without warning. Selthar holds a hand to his head with a groan, not exempt from the nausea.
The haze remains consistent on this side, the air comfortably cool and still, though you can make out the star to be white and in the late evening or early morning. The noise echos in the haze in all directions. The sun sits nearly perfectly to the right of the facing of the amphitheater. A stone path at the seating side of the amphitheater heads toward and away from the star.
A vague shadowy silhouette suddenly exists in a few feet front of you, speaking in the same moment it appears. The voice, monstrously deep and accompanied by a throaty growl like that of a tiger, is clear in your mind.
"Humanoids. I am the one who stands victorious over this broken and dying world, you may call me Lillaeas, speak my name and I shall hear you and answer. You are free to take what you will, but do not get in the way of my servants, and assist them if they request your aid. I swear death and worse upon those who violate my request. Am I perfectly clear? Speak."
Badrizar looks at the kaleidoscopic pool that surrounds his boots. "Not since that damnable day when I joined a drinking contest with that detestable tiefling have I seen such a thing," he muses to himself. "Very well then, one's strength of mind, it seems, does not grant one strength of stomach."
The cleric steadies himself, trying to digest what he heard from Ms. Greenwinter, what he just felt, and what he now sees before him. He quickly prioritizes. The shadowy but articulate silhouette seems the most pressing matter.
"Lillaeas, you are heard. More importantly, you are understood."
Badrizar turns his head, taking stock of Selthar and Kroneker before he continues, "This broken and dying world...does it have a name, Lilleas?"
After some difficulty, Kroneker will set himself straight after trying to vomit and listen to the shadow at the same time.
"Ugh...why did Kroneker even agree to this? Anyway, Lila...something, you said we can take what what we will? Kroneker likes the sound of that."
Kroneker will turn to his companions. "Baldi, you do the talking, Kroneker needs to get his bearings. Kroneker forgot how it feels like to not know Kroneker's surroundings. Kroneker is not happy."
Saying that, Kroneker will take a closer look around. Kroneker will pick a small stone and release it. The stone drops to the ground as normal. Kroneker will look around for something time-frozen to shoot.
Perception: 15
Kroneker spots a rabbit. "Oh, that's a nice dinner. If it's not poisonous..."
Kroneker will shoot the rabbit to see what happens. The crossbow bolt hits the target as expected, and the rabbit makes a momentary squeal before dropping dead to the ground, propelled about a foot by the momentum of the bolt. Kroneker will walk up to it, poke it with his foot a few times, then collect his bolt, clean it on the nearby grass, and return it to the quiver. Kroneker will pick up the rabbit and shake it. It acts like a normal animal corpse, not frozen in time anymore. "So that's how that works. Anything Kroneker touches becomes free. And anything that touches anything Kroneker touched also becomes free. Might as well make us a snack..."
Kroneker will start to skin the rabbit.
The phantom remains stationary, its features remaining unclear. "This world was named Empyrean by its inhabitants." The growling ceases. When Kroneker speaks, the creature laughs lightly, a vague limb flicking around it. "Yes, when this world is lost, so too will be its riches. The more you take, the more remains in existence, and the richer we all shall be for it. You do not think your coming here was entirely good fortune, do you?"
After recovering Selthar took a moment to evaluate his surroundings and let his companions speak first. After Badrizar finished and Kroneker started to kill the local wildlife Selthar stepped up and started asking questions.
"Lillaeas, what does it mean when you say you 'stand victorious of a broken and dying world'? Does the world have to be broken and dying for you to be victorious? Is that your intent in just this world or do you intend to do this to other worlds and planes?" Without interruption for things like breathing Selthar continues. "Who are your servants? What do they look like? How will we know if they are your servants and not just trying to deceive us? What role do your servants have here? What happens if your servants ask a request of us we are incapable of agreeing to? To answer your question. No. You have not been very clear." Moving on to his next line of questions.
"Lillaeas, you have implied that the more we take from the world the more we all gain you included. Are there items or possibly even entities that would benefit you more if they are recovered? Do you know where they are and could you give us direction?"
Selthar shows no sign of slowing down in his questioning. Something that has knowledge of the current situation has offered to answer questions. Selthar is determined to drain that well of knowledge. An hour or two spent gathering intel would benefit the party's operation greatly over the next couple of days. Until interrupted he will continue to ask questions. Selthar will attempt to get information on if there are any other groups in the area. Are any areas more dangerous than others? Basically as many details as possible before setting off.
Badrizar makes a mental note of the cause-and-effect revealed by the goblin's actions. As he watches the rabbit succumb to its fate, he mutters loudly enough for Kroneker to hear, "I do hope that isn't one of his servants."
Badrizar then listens for an opportunity to slow Selthar's barrage of questioning. "Put our best foot forward, shall we, Selthar?"
Turning to the shadowy form, he then says, "We recognize that we are guests here, Lillaeas, seemingly at your behest. My friend's intent is only to learn how we might honor our host during the time we spend here."
Upon hearing Badrizar's remark, Kroneker will stop what he's doing and turn to him. After a few seconds of deep thought, Kroneker will toss the rabbit aside, hastily wipe his hands on the grass, and head for the nearest tree in order to climb it and survey they area.
"Ask the Lila-something if he has a map for us." Kroneker will say before going.
"I claim stewardship for this doomed world, as the greatest among the survivors of the long war between an alliance of worlds and an appropriately named 'Holy Emperor' who had subdued hundreds of others. He was in need of destroying. Empyrean was just a major piece of his empire. We thought he wouldn't engage in large-scale battle here, thinking he valued it so, but we were wrong. Many suffered greatly for his actions. Empyrean's destruction was undesired, but now the war is finally able to be ended without him. When this salvaging affair is finished, I will return home."
The phantom shrinks and widens, keeping its head up, much like an alert tiger curling up. "My servants are more varied than the lot of plunderers such as yourselves. They bear no standard or uniform- for they come from different worlds and merely have come to my rally during the battle. They are spread across the world, saving people and treasured remains. They will tell you that they work under me. You may call upon me if you doubt a claim or wish to refuse a request without reprisal. Do not fear to waste my time, as I am addressing many individuals in this very moment."
"Do not think me to be tolerant of insult or brazen questions," it growls. "I am hungry, and am planning to eat those of you who earn the honor. I enjoy refined metal and prefer crunchy."
Again it ends the growl. "I have no need of exhalation, but if you do honor those I care for and earn their favor, you shall earn mine as well."
"I will not provide you a map this time," it sighs, "do you have any other vital questions? Your time would be better spent otherwise."
Upon being interrupted Selthar listens intently to what is said by Badrizar and Lillaeas. Once it appears no more answers are forthcoming he joins Kroneker in surveying the surroundings.
From the back of the amphitheater, the ground levels out, with trees evenly spaced out and trimmed grass. Both paths continue into the haze, assuming you do not go beyond the sight of Badrizar (30 feet). There is a downward slope with a higher density of temperate trees opposite the seating of the amphitheater.
(Perception: Badrizar and Kronker: It is completely silent)
(Perception: Selthar: When you move to the hill side of the amphitheater, you hear distant clatter of wood on a hard surface four times, and then silence. It does not echo, as faint as the sound was. Facing downhill, it comes from forward and left.)
"No further questions," responds Badrizar.
The dragonborn glances at Selthar and Kroneker and subtly motions toward the stone path. "Which way, friends?"
Without any flare, the phantom of Lillaeas disperses.
As a reminder, the path continues toward and away from the star, or left and right from the backside of the amphitheater.
After walking 20 feet forward, Kroneker stops.
"****in'...how is Kroneker supposed to navigate with that kind of vision limitations? Kroneker has to devise some of kind of method...Tin Man, got any bright ideas how to navigate when you can barely see past 30 paces? Because Kroneker is mildly confused."
Badrizar realizes he's still clutching the square-shaped bronze wand handed to him by Ms. Greenwinter; he tucks it into his cloak before responding to Kroneker's complaint about visibility. "The fog before our eyes seems fitting, for it mirrors our dim understanding of this place," remarks the cleric, knowing full well such a statement would annoy the goblin.
"Let's keep that star before us and head this way," he says, pointing to the left. "I suppose by keeping twenty or thirty feet between us, we can expand our collective field of vision while being able to see at least one other member of our party. What do you say?"
After Lillaeas vanishes, Selthar quickly motions for Badrizar and Kroneker to remain silent and come close to him. Once his companions are in arms reach he quietly whispers "We are not alone." He points downhill in the direction the sound of wood came from. "Noise like striking wood came from that direction. This world has already shown us nothing is happening without outside interference. There is something there. We should investigate it. I do not recommend leaving a potential threat behind us in this strange environment. Once that is done we can go over how to navigate in this strange place." Selthar reaches into his backpack and pulls out a hemp rope. "This is fifty feet. I will tie one end around my waist. Badrizar will hold the other end. Gentle pressure means follow slowly and quietly. A sharp tug means to come to me quietly. While we make our way keep the rope taut and do not let it touch the ground. If I give the signal to come to me spool the rope up do not let it drag and possibly alert whatever is down there. Kroneker, follow close to Badrizar and be ready for anything. If it comes to it I suspect our arrows may not be of much use with this fog." Selthar secures the rope around his torso and attempts to make it look like it belongs there if viewed from the front like it might be part of his backpack. Still whispering "Any recommendations or are we ready?"
Spoiler for DM:
Not sure how you want to handle Stealth checks. If they agree and we move forward I will be moving slowly toward the sound.
Stealth:6
Edit: I really hope you are handling the rolls like that in the background with real dice :(
(Yes, real dice.)
Assuming this method is employed, the group moves slowly toward the source of the sound down the hill to the left. Pending action of Kroneker and Badrzar. Unknown distance to target, the noise was very faint and even straining to hear, no further sounds issue.
(Worth noting, the Warforged is a detection machine and could hear a battle between ants)
"Oh, hehe, Kroneker sure hopes that thing is an enemy. Kroneker can interrogate an enemy." says the goblin, as a mad smile creeps onto his face for a second.
"Let's go then. But as you move, count your steps. This is our only reliable measurement at the moment."
Kroneker will follow the plan proposed above, but he's more concerned with counting his steps and looking around for landmarks he can use as reference to find their way back to their point of origin.
Badrizar mutters a few soft words and makes a subtle movement with his left hand while placing his right on the warforged's shoulder. "A bit of guidance for you, my friend, as we do this."
He then takes hold of the rope and nods, signaling his agreement with Selthar's plan.
You descend the hill cautiously, treading on moist forest floor. Kroneker, paying close attention to potential landmarks, notices that as you proceed, insects come to life only to make noise after you've passed. The trees are robust, thick, broad-leaved, standing about 100 feet, standing 5 to 20 feet apart with intermittently smaller trees between and small brush offering little impediment.
You sneak down hill about 300 feet when Selthar hears a single wooden clack again from another direction, adjusting right to intercept. You are within 200 feet, and can tell that they are moving toward the sun, slanted uphill somewhat toward you.
As you get close, Selthar is able to hear their footsteps. Perhaps 4 bipedal creatures in single file, not concealing their noise, speaking occasionally. One of them carries something lightly rattling, like chain in a box or loose tools. As you approach to within 80 feet, you're proceeding smoothly with a near perpendicular interception when a pine cone falls from an awakened tree with a cringe-inducing thump to the ground. You hear something- like a bag of chain- drop to the ground from the targets. "Something's there!" a throaty male voice proclaims in common. "Where?" another asks. "Up, right! I can't see it!" "Find it! Quickly! Stay together!"
You cannot see them yet. You are uphill, Selthar 40 feet leading Badrizar with Kroneker ... somewhere near him.
While everyone is debating in a panic, Kroneker will use this opportunity to quickly hide among the nearby trees.
Stealth check: 18
Kroneker will slowly advance towards the other guys, keeping his companions in sight. The goblin would try to find whatever it is they dropped and take it if the opportunity presents itself.
Additionally, Kroneker won't be the one to start a fight, but he will gladly oblige if the other party wants one.