"How do I begin to explain this... I'm getting the impression this is a "natural" portal, if that makes sense? Well, not natural obviously, these things never are, but it came to be because of a thinning of the universal barrier, and appeared here because the areas are naturally close. Dense vegetation on both sides, just on a quick glance. It's probably been here for a while, so there's something that connects the two planes by this point and keeps it open. I'm just not sure what," he starts, pauses, then pulls out his lute.

"Give me a moment, and I'll check for any magical signatures. It could just be that it's the vegetation on both sides that's responsible, but if that's the case I'm not sure how we'd break it... Except maybe starting a fire."

"Things also seem relatively safe for now, so I could call Whoopsie and the others to come over by firing that bolt?"

After waiting for an answer, Ulmwin will start working on casting detect magic (as a ritual)

Ulmwin starts playing and pulling together a composition to attune himself to the flow of magic around him.

((Anyone else doing anything in the meantime, or shall I jump to Ulmwin finishing his ritual?))

Dornikal gives a big shrug and takes up a defensive, watchful position. He winces at the music being played.

"A bit quieter if ye can manage?"

Perception: 13

Ulmwin glances up briefly, his look saying "Oh, sure, I can make the manipulation of the very fabric of the cosmos quiet."

(The volume does not change.)

Dornikal notices that the slight background sounds of the swamp have gone silent, but picks up on a soft coughing snarl... coming from through the portal.

Dornikal spares Ulwin a grown,

"Aye, ye don't want to manipulate it from the inside of something's belly."

He tilts his head at the growl before slowly shifting to pull out his longsword and ready his shield as he moves to interpose himself between the portal and the others.

"Quiet and fast if ye please."

He whispers loudly to be heard.

(Does Ulmwin hear it too? How long has he been casting? He could just cast it instantly but his precious precious spell slots... :P )

((He's got maybe a minute or so left.))

((Dornikal should know you can't rush perfection, how'd he feel if someone told him to cut the perfect gem faster? : P  ))

Ulmwin continues, trying to be as quiet as this ritual actually allows him to be. Which is maybe just ever so slightly quieter. 

(can you focus on a ritual and still move? He might back away slightly) 

((I'd say it would be fairly easy to do for Ulmwin, since his playing is his focus for the magic, and the spell itself only requires V and S. If it was something that implied more of setting up a ritual space, it may be less mobile (eg, identify or illusory script).))

In that case, slow, cautious steps back for now while keeping eyes on the portal... 

The view through the portal is hazy in the shimmer, but there is a brief rustle of vegetation, and a pair of eyes seem to be watching from the shadows on the other side.

"Oh, boy."

Randy pulls out his long bow and several arrows, laying one across his bow and aiming it at the  suspicious shadows through the portal. He reaches out with his planar warrior to see if he can connect with the target. He then holds with the arrow trained on the target. (held action: long bow).

He growls softly at the shadow across the way. "Your move. This could go  easy or hard. Your choice."

((Randy would have to get within 30 ft of it to use planar warrior, which would put him pretty close to the portal. How close is Dornikal to the portal?))

Coljin moves back from the portal a bit.  He doesn't like this for one moment.

"The portal does bad things to the nearby plants.  None of this is natural."

He positions himself so he is not very near the portal but within 30 feet of his friends and can cast bless at the first sign of actual trouble.

((The creature on the other side doesn't seem to be popping through and attacking in this moment, any other checks or actions you wish to make as Ulmwin finishes retreating ritual casting?))

((Dornikal is wherever he needs to be so that he is between the portal and the group. Not sure what that would be distance wise, but he isn't far from the group either if they aren't that close.

Also, Dornikal would know to put the gem in a pouch and deal with it later if a tiger was stalking him :P))

(Randy was just feeling for PW. He ain't THAT crazy to get within grabbing distance of a portal opening)

The watcher on the other side of the portal doesn't move, holding position within the vegetation, before retreating out of sight. Ulmwin finishes his ritual around the same time, and the scintillating shimmer of the portal's ethereal glow intensifies to his eyes. It appears as a mesmerizing tapestry of colors, its vibrant hues now clearly defined and delineated. The swirling vortex becomes a swirling blend of luminescent blues, purples, and greens, each shade denoting a distinct type of magic intertwining within.

The aura detected by the spell extends beyond the immediate vicinity of the portal. Faint tendrils of magic extend into the surrounding swamp, hinting at the influence the portal has had on the environment. These tendrils weave and snake through the air, leaving a faint trail of residual magic that mingles with the natural energy of the swamp. Slow waves of conjuration, enchantment and transmutation ripple through the air, emanating from the portal's core. These pulsations indicate the unstable nature of the portal, its connection to the planes teetering on the edge of chaos.

"It seems mostly natural... But I think I could trail down some of those wisps to find what has been warped on this side. I figure in some way destroying that would be a good first step to closing this."