Pizazz's Beyond Annihilation

To be fair, I don't think Badger ever actually got a hold of the ring. He searched for it but assumed it had fallen into the lava, and gave it up as lost. It was a surprise to him to find that Mal had it.

[OOC: Badger did have it at one point, after Mal dropped it into the Lava and the ring starting to turn the Lava into Ice, you dived off the edge and grabbed the ring and then ported to another ledge (just re-read thread).  I don't remember (did not continue reading) how I stole it from you, but probably off your unconscious body or I think the Lich took it from you somehow and then I took it from the lich before he teleported away. Let me go back and read.]

[OOC: right around here is the link to the old thread - https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/play-by-post/48077-pizazzs-tomb-of-annihilation?comment=4634 ]

Oh true. He had it briefly, then dropped it when he fell unconscious. Acererak almost grabbed it. Then Badger threw it into the lava after he pushed Acererak off the ledge.

Fun times.

Kari takes in the story stoically. I thought there was something you were holding back, I wasn't able to figure it out before now though. Sounds like we had better find that thing quick, so we can dispose of the ring sooner rather than later. I would hate to have to go back and say that I lost two of you, especially since I wasn't quick enough to stop that Zendar fellow. She looks a bit angry at herself about that last part.

After a couple of reflective seconds Kari continues. Well, what's the plan now? Do we still need this lady's help or should we part ways? Do you know where to go, Mal? She glances uneasily at the ancient city. Who know's what, if anything, is waiting for us in there!

"My knowledge of magical arts is extremely limited, one reason why you have not seen my use the ring's power yet," as she raises her hand and looks at the ring, her voice raising, "no matter how much it whispers to me." Then she closes her eyes and sighs, calming her voice again, "And I have no idea if this city is where we need to be or not, but it is a start. As for her continued help, we unfortunately might need it a she seems to be more knowledgeable than the rest of us. So I guess then the direction we need to go is to where she is leading us. Just remember she is not a friend yet and who knows what her true intentions might be."

Mal seems lost in thought for a time, thinking back to that fateful battle against Acerack. Kari makes her response, really realizing why they're here, in this frozen two thousand year old tomb. Vellynne and Zendrak stand a ways off from the group on the "ice bridge" that leads to the city. They stand apart, both refusing to look or talk to the other, both seemingly out of disdain for the other. 

The large tower at the center of the city it built on massive stilts. Large tree like stone pillars that stretch down and hold up the huge, 400 foot tall structure. This leaves a natural space under the tower, and between all of the pillars. Its in that space that you see something that resembles a massive marble sitting in the center. Almost like the heart of the city. It's from within chamber under the tower that your attention is drawn. You see what could be flames erupt, casting a bright yellow light.  Then, a bright blue flash, like lightning seems to fill the space, sending a bright light throughout the whole massive cave for a moment.  The light is then gone and is followed by a rolling crack sound, very much like thunder. 

Vellynne and Zendrak both glance at the group. Zendrak states the obvious, "Something is occurring there."

Kurik puts a hand on Mal's shoulder and gives a solem nod, "I can empathize.  I hear whispers, always, but though mine are less world destroying in nature.  I can take over the burden when you are ready to give it up.  But I will not push that now."

He looks over to the source of chaos.  "Seems like some powerful happenings over there.  Maybe we can use it or at least know if it's a threat."

 Well, Alright then. I suppose there's no point in delaying any longer, unless one of you need to confess anything? She waits barely a moment as she looks between Kurik and Mordakai. No? Then let's not waste any more time. She turns and starts striding toward Vellynne and Zendrak, then past them at a brisk walk. There's no time like the present to find out what that light was she calls out as she goes by.

"Confession?  Beyond hosting creatures from a distance plane and... no... I'm good.  Let's continue." Kurik responds.

Kari a bit uncharacteristically seems to suddenly understand something about the situation they're in. Forging ahead, Vellynne and Zendrak follow without question. When the group steps onto the stone ground of the city, there's is an abrupt shift in gravity causing a bit of stumbling. Looking back, you see that apparently gravity has shifted to match the tilted surface of the city, making the cave look off kilter.  The stone of the city is a strange black rock, smooth and slightly shiny like clay, but seemingly impervious to damage.  Everything is covered in frost and ice, but you do notice recent tracks in the frost. Several others have been through here.  A large statue, perhaps 20 feet tall, appears to have tumbled and broken here. It's of a ghastly creature with no face, a massive maw in it's stomach that is filled with teeth, and that was clutching a massive hammer.  The statue looks damaged and broken but hasn't been here that long as its free of ice.  As the group moves towards the center of the city, past ancient ruins and strange sights, the see a vast sunken arena, with strange large forks that stick up from the center of the playing field, seemingly crackling with energy. The pass by lamp posts that shine hazy magical light down, as they'd apparently done for over the last thousand years in this icy tomb. 

Meanwhile, near the center of the city, flashes of light continue to catch their attention. A glowing white light, that you would imagine would accompany the appearance of a godly creature or angel flashes, and then you see white shrouded figures moving about in teh chamber, still to distant to get much detail, though they clearly are moving in haste.  You also notice another group. There is a small troop, including two people in armor, two people in normal clothes, and what looks like a skeleton creature wearing a red and gold outfit and clutching a tall staff.  They have reached a portion of the city that is clear of any structures, between the ruins and the center of the chamber. They stride purposely headed towards the center, vanishing through the tall tree like stone pillars and into the chamber. 

You make to perhaps follow them but as you leave the ruined buildings and reach the clearing area, Kari abruptly smashes, full body, into an invisible force field, stumbling back in shock. 

How those others made it through this field is unclear. Perhaps there is an opening somewhere.

Damn! Kari rubs her nose and face where they ache from the impact. She puts her other hand out in front of her to feel for the invisible force, trying to feel how tall and wide it is. She tells the others There's something in the way here, it's not letting me by like it did those other people.

Mordekai has been staring around in awe at this place. The size, the sheer 'otherworldliness' of it all, not to mention how they got here. As they move forwards, Mordekai asks his small companion Quinn, "Does this place seem to have anything to do with the source of your illness?  There is undeniable power here."  Then, as Kari recoils from the forcefield, Mordekai adds to Quinn, "Do you see any such magical barrier?  Is there an opening?"

Hoping that Quinn is able to answer with some positive direction, Mordekai will take a step back and look carefully for any visible sign of the barrier.  He then catches himself doing so, and mutters under his breath to himself, "...that's kind of the point of an invisible wall."

Kari pats the invisible barrier, seeking an entry way, but to her it seems to be almost entirely flat, heading from the floor, all the way up, and in both directions. It's slightly rounded, and seems like it could encase the entire central area. 

More flashes of blue and a distinct bolt of lightning, and a crack of thunder issues from the central area. Despite the invisible field, sound and light seem to emerge easily enough. The sound of the six in red robes who'd just gone between the pillars can be heard announcing something, but it's too dim to hear. Another explosion, like crackling glass is heard from within and you can clearly see creature both flying and moving about within.  

Mordekai asks Quinn who shivers, "Taint....was here....but...seems to be more dissipated now. Dissipating yes. Correct word. Truth."

You also do see, from the direction the six red robed figures came, there is a large strut, maybe 20 feet across, that reaches down from the center of the tower, and past the cleared area into a section of town. It appears to be the only thing "breaking" this field, and is the same direction the other figures came from.  

Here's a map to help you better understand the layout of the city. 

Arcana 12

 Kurik tries to think on the barrier but comes up with nothing concrete.  "I don't think I can dispell such a thing but I could try and teleport us in.  I can do it once and that is it. Or we can try and go back the way they came.  Maybe finding their way in..."

Kurik looks about this place with knowledgable eyes, but so much of it is beyond alien. This wall of force isn't like a normal wall of force might be. It lets sound pass through, but not them. Also it's huge, potentially stretching up hundreds of feet. There must be a way through it, but he simply doesn't have enough information to figure out how.  

It's then that a flaming, flying skull can be seen to the far right...followed by three one-eyed monstrosity creatures.  They run right past that strange misty tower and through where he figures the force field should be, but unimpeded. Either they have some key to get through, or maybe the shield doesn't extend that far?  This place is ancient....really ancient, and the magic here must have been titanic to still be functioning so....it's beyond him at the moment. 

I wasn't sure if that meant that Mordekai specifically noted that the big strut seemed to be the direction where the other group had passed through, or the group as a whole spotted it.  Either way, Mordekai will now point it out to the group.  "Should we head that way and see that it's like round there?  Perhaps there's a gap or a gate beneath the big strut?"

"Seems we have no choice", Mal says as she begins walking to the strut, trying to stay as hidden as possible form those inside. As she then turns to the female mage, "Unless you do have a way past this magical field?"

If there's a gap then we'll find it! Kari puts one hand on the wall and is ready to feel it the entire time that they are walking.