Rum stares open jawed as his life long friend and companion Scruffy simply disappears. One second he is there, the next he blinks and he is gone. And then he is drenched by the image of the strange lizard.
"Hey, what did you do that for?", he calls over to Greko. "And what did you do to Scruffy?! Where is he?", he adds to Judal, concern in his voice.
Greko throws his hands in the air and sits on a stump "Fine do it your way than Judal if you do not wish to hear my words...Rum is asking what you did with the dog because he believes you were his dog when he was in the monetstary."
"I didn't have a dog at the monastery", Rum replies to Greko, before a look of total confusion crosses his face. "But Scruffy has been a loyal companion ever since I can remember. But he wasn't at the monastery", he continues confused.
"And how do you know about the monastery anyway? Who are you?".
Greko looks up from his stump at Rum "My name is Greko the Gre...White...Greko the White. You told me about the Monastary and the ale that's made there. We have been traveling for uhhh for hmm a while together but it seems you've forgotten this. So I guess this is a reintroduction. I thought my water trick might jar your memory but apparently not"
"Good to meet you, Greko the White, right? It is odd, I was at the monastery on Dragonclaw Island just a moment ago. And now I am here. What is this place?", Rum replies, sounding a little melancholy when he mentions Dragonclaw Island.
Witnessing Greko's actions, a flicker of hope ignites in Lady Kaede. Despite the mangled speech and warped reality, Greko seems to be taking charge, attempting to rally the group. Heartened by Greko's initiative, Lady Kaede offers a silent nod of approval. She gestures for the others to follow him, hoping the movement conveys her support despite the communication barrier. The situation is far from ideal, but with Greko taking the lead, perhaps there's a chance to navigate this bizarre world, one clumsy step backward at a time.
Greko sees Kaede nod and seem to understand what he’s trying to do despite her inability to talk. “Alright everyone gather around. I don’t know what Judal is doing or going but he seems to have his own ideas on the matter. Let’s stick together and cross this bridge to the town. I don’t like it but perhaps we will find some help in this matter we are experiencing.” Greko casts light on his staff and waits for everyone to follow
Greko looks at Rum "Rum is out of the fog yes? You thought Greko was the Abbot of the Monastery at first then did not remember Greko but you are ok now? Greko has spent this time trying to coral everyone but Thea cries, Greko cannot tell if Judal is being Judal or something is wrong, Kaede cannot speak but understands it seems wht Greko is trying to do, and Violet wants to pray...."
"I was certain I was in the monastery, and then that Judal was a dog called Scruffy. If the others are similarly effected, there is not much we can do to snap them out of it. Their perceptions of what is happening is complete. They need to snap themselves out of it", he says as he rubs his temples.
"Perhaps we can offer them assistance with that though. If they will let us", he suggests.
"Oh and I am sorry about the splashing...I thought maybe my magic tricks would spur your memory a bit and the attempted smack. Honestly I did not know what else to do to break whatever had a hold over you."
Then turning to the others who have gathered "Cross the bridge into town then and see what is there hmm? Greko thinks if Thea won't come, someone carry her perhaps?"
Judal grows frustrated. He moves from one person to the next and asks them variations of "What is going on?" and "Do you have any idea where we are?" but nobody seems to answer. Oh at times they acknowledge Judal and mock talking back to him but nobody really says a word... Unless...
Judal breaks out the rusty ole magics he really doesn't use often and tries to remember precisely the right words and gestures to Dispel Magic, first on himself and then on others. Assuming that doesn't achieve results he digs around in his pack until he finds his flute and tries instead Countercharm hoping perhaps it will live up to the billing.
At 6th level, you gain the ability to use musical notes or words of power to disrupt mind-influencing effects. As an action, you can start a performance that lasts until the end of your next turn. During that time, you and any friendly creatures within 30 feet of you have advantage on saving throws against being frightened or charmed. A creature must be able to hear you to gain this benefit. The performance ends early if you are incapacitated or silenced or if you voluntarily end it (no action required).
Lady Kaede's heart lifts a fraction with Rum's words. The fog seems to be dissipating for him, offering a glimmer of hope. Though Rum's explanation of their individual experiences reaches her ears in a jumbled mess, she grasps the essence – they're all affected differently by this bizarre temporal mishmash spell.
Greko's suggestion to cross the bridge sparks a flicker of urgency within her. They need to move, to find a way to break free from this madness. But Thea's potential distress creates a dilemma.
With a sense of protectiveness overriding the urge to move forward, Lady Kaede gestures towards Thea. Then, she points back towards the direction they emerged from, a silent suggestion etched on her face. Perhaps there's something they missed, some way to help Thea before venturing into the unknown town. Leaving her behind, even for a moment, felt wrong. Surely, there was another option, another way to navigate this twisted reality.
Still lost in a bit of a daze, this was another story all about how her world got flip turned upside down. Thea had to take a minute to just sit right there. She had come to remember her life before she became heir.
To say she was nauseated and not ‘herself’ was an understatement. Thea was mourning many level of losses, reliving the nightmares all over again. Of course now that they were no longer in the empty expanse, there was no use for her to sit here and mope when the weight of everything lay upon her shoulders. She sighs, bringing herself to stand.
”Fine.” Thea exhales tilting her head back, rolling her eyes and dragging her feet like an annoyed dramatic teen. They’ll never get me!
Lady Kaede watched Thea with a growing concern that battled with the urgency of the situation. Thea's initial distress seemed to be morphing into a sullen defiance, a teenager's response to a confusing and frightening situation.
Despite the reversed flow of time, Lady Kaede understood the sentiment. This bizarre world was enough to make anyone want to sit down and refuse to participate. Yet, they couldn't simply abandon Thea.
A solution flickered in Lady Kaede's mind. With a slow, deliberate movement (remember, she can only move backwards!), she approached Thea. Then, in a display of silent understanding, Lady Kaede patted Thea's shoulder, offering a gesture of support and a silent plea to continue forward together. Perhaps, by showing solidarity, they could coax Thea out of her emotional withdrawal and face the unknown town, and the potential answers it might hold, as a united group.
Judal watches Lady Kaede approach Thea. He considers approaching and attempting to help but he's barely able to help himself so far. He feels for Thea. She looks lost and like a fish out of water, so to speak. As if she was from West Sword Coast, born and raised, and that it was not adventuring like this at which she spent most of her days... But perhaps he will just never understand.
Rum pats Greko on the shoulder and throws him a feline smile, showing there are no hard feelings.
He then concentrates on the others. Thea more willing to tag along, although reluctantly. Judal at least showing an interest in what is going on, and there was something about his music that was more than it seemed too. Lady Kaede seemingly concerned about Thea, but moving backwards. And Violet, wanting to pray still perhaps.
He wanders over to Lady Kaede, and places a hand on her shoulder much like she did to Thea, offering some help focussing. "You've got this, just maintain your focus. Remember how disciplined your mind is"
"Very well, friend Greko. We shall cross the bridge, all of us", he says after addressing Lady Kaede, looking across to Violet and beckoning her along as well.
Feeling a hand on her shoulder, Thea turns her head to look at it. She visibly inhales and then exhales a breath before finally her violet hues look up to meet Lady Kaede's eyes. The alicorn was going to go with the group, but it appeared as though they wanted to do it closer together. "Okay." She accepts. "But your moonwalk needs some work." She notes, turning around to face backwards with Lady Kaede and reaches out to take her hand in hers. She'd walk backwards with her.
A sense of cautious optimism bloomed in Lady Kaede's chest as Rum's hand landed on her shoulder, a gesture mirrored from her own towards Thea moments before. His words, though jumbled by the temporal reversal, reached her as a message of encouragement – a reminder of her unwavering focus and discipline.
She squeezed Thea's hand tighter, a silent thank you for the alicorn's newfound cooperation. Slowly, ever so slowly, she began to move backward, mirroring Rum's instruction. Though the bridge loomed large in her reversed vision, hope flickered within her. They were moving forward, together, a united front against the bizarre reality that held them captive.
As Rum addressed the others, urging them towards the bridge, Lady Kaede couldn't help but steal a glance at Violet. Was the beholderkin still lost in prayer, or had the temporal distortion begun to unwind for her as well?
With renewed determination, Lady Kaede allowed herself to be pulled backward by the group. This bizarre world might have them walking on eggshells, or rather, walking backwards on... well, inverted eggshells? The point was, they were moving. They were searching for answers, for a way to break free from this twisted reflection of reality. And Lady Kaede, with her unwavering spirit leading the way (or perhaps, in this case, the back), wouldn't rest until they found it.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
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Rum stares open jawed as his life long friend and companion Scruffy simply disappears. One second he is there, the next he blinks and he is gone. And then he is drenched by the image of the strange lizard.
"Hey, what did you do that for?", he calls over to Greko. "And what did you do to Scruffy?! Where is he?", he adds to Judal, concern in his voice.
Greko throws his hands in the air and sits on a stump "Fine do it your way than Judal if you do not wish to hear my words...Rum is asking what you did with the dog because he believes you were his dog when he was in the monetstary."
Judal doesn't react at all to what anyone behind him says. Not in the slightest.
"I didn't have a dog at the monastery", Rum replies to Greko, before a look of total confusion crosses his face. "But Scruffy has been a loyal companion ever since I can remember. But he wasn't at the monastery", he continues confused.
"And how do you know about the monastery anyway? Who are you?".
Greko looks up from his stump at Rum "My name is Greko the Gre...White...Greko the White. You told me about the Monastary and the ale that's made there. We have been traveling for uhhh for hmm a while together but it seems you've forgotten this. So I guess this is a reintroduction. I thought my water trick might jar your memory but apparently not"
"Good to meet you, Greko the White, right? It is odd, I was at the monastery on Dragonclaw Island just a moment ago. And now I am here. What is this place?", Rum replies, sounding a little melancholy when he mentions Dragonclaw Island.
Witnessing Greko's actions, a flicker of hope ignites in Lady Kaede. Despite the mangled speech and warped reality, Greko seems to be taking charge, attempting to rally the group. Heartened by Greko's initiative, Lady Kaede offers a silent nod of approval. She gestures for the others to follow him, hoping the movement conveys her support despite the communication barrier. The situation is far from ideal, but with Greko taking the lead, perhaps there's a chance to navigate this bizarre world, one clumsy step backward at a time.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Greko sees Kaede nod and seem to understand what he’s trying to do despite her inability to talk. “Alright everyone gather around. I don’t know what Judal is doing or going but he seems to have his own ideas on the matter. Let’s stick together and cross this bridge to the town. I don’t like it but perhaps we will find some help in this matter we are experiencing.” Greko casts light on his staff and waits for everyone to follow
Rum stands up a little taller as a fog seems to lift from his mind a little.
"Something is not right here, friend Greko", he says, adding the last almost out of habit, but showing his mind is clearing.
He wanders towards the old lizard, and looks around at the others, still a tad confused.
Greko looks at Rum "Rum is out of the fog yes? You thought Greko was the Abbot of the Monastery at first then did not remember Greko but you are ok now? Greko has spent this time trying to coral everyone but Thea cries, Greko cannot tell if Judal is being Judal or something is wrong, Kaede cannot speak but understands it seems wht Greko is trying to do, and Violet wants to pray...."
Rum is still a bit woozy.
"I was certain I was in the monastery, and then that Judal was a dog called Scruffy. If the others are similarly effected, there is not much we can do to snap them out of it. Their perceptions of what is happening is complete. They need to snap themselves out of it", he says as he rubs his temples.
"Perhaps we can offer them assistance with that though. If they will let us", he suggests.
Greko nods and becomes serious whispering to Rum
"Oh and I am sorry about the splashing...I thought maybe my magic tricks would spur your memory a bit and the attempted smack. Honestly I did not know what else to do to break whatever had a hold over you."
Then turning to the others who have gathered "Cross the bridge into town then and see what is there hmm? Greko thinks if Thea won't come, someone carry her perhaps?"
Judal grows frustrated. He moves from one person to the next and asks them variations of "What is going on?" and "Do you have any idea where we are?" but nobody seems to answer. Oh at times they acknowledge Judal and mock talking back to him but nobody really says a word... Unless...
Judal breaks out the rusty ole magics he really doesn't use often and tries to remember precisely the right words and gestures to Dispel Magic, first on himself and then on others. Assuming that doesn't achieve results he digs around in his pack until he finds his flute and tries instead Countercharm hoping perhaps it will live up to the billing.
At 6th level, you gain the ability to use musical notes or words of power to disrupt mind-influencing effects. As an action, you can start a performance that lasts until the end of your next turn. During that time, you and any friendly creatures within 30 feet of you have advantage on saving throws against being frightened or charmed. A creature must be able to hear you to gain this benefit. The performance ends early if you are incapacitated or silenced or if you voluntarily end it (no action required).
Lady Kaede's heart lifts a fraction with Rum's words. The fog seems to be dissipating for him, offering a glimmer of hope. Though Rum's explanation of their individual experiences reaches her ears in a jumbled mess, she grasps the essence – they're all affected differently by this bizarre temporal mishmash spell.
Greko's suggestion to cross the bridge sparks a flicker of urgency within her. They need to move, to find a way to break free from this madness. But Thea's potential distress creates a dilemma.
With a sense of protectiveness overriding the urge to move forward, Lady Kaede gestures towards Thea. Then, she points back towards the direction they emerged from, a silent suggestion etched on her face. Perhaps there's something they missed, some way to help Thea before venturing into the unknown town. Leaving her behind, even for a moment, felt wrong. Surely, there was another option, another way to navigate this twisted reality.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Still lost in a bit of a daze, this was another story all about how her world got flip turned upside down. Thea had to take a minute to just sit right there. She had come to remember her life before she became heir.
To say she was nauseated and not ‘herself’ was an understatement. Thea was mourning many level of losses, reliving the nightmares all over again. Of course now that they were no longer in the empty expanse, there was no use for her to sit here and mope when the weight of everything lay upon her shoulders. She sighs, bringing herself to stand.
”Fine.” Thea exhales tilting her head back, rolling her eyes and dragging her feet like an annoyed dramatic teen. They’ll never get me!
just an unstable unicorn.
Lady Kaede watched Thea with a growing concern that battled with the urgency of the situation. Thea's initial distress seemed to be morphing into a sullen defiance, a teenager's response to a confusing and frightening situation.
Despite the reversed flow of time, Lady Kaede understood the sentiment. This bizarre world was enough to make anyone want to sit down and refuse to participate. Yet, they couldn't simply abandon Thea.
A solution flickered in Lady Kaede's mind. With a slow, deliberate movement (remember, she can only move backwards!), she approached Thea. Then, in a display of silent understanding, Lady Kaede patted Thea's shoulder, offering a gesture of support and a silent plea to continue forward together. Perhaps, by showing solidarity, they could coax Thea out of her emotional withdrawal and face the unknown town, and the potential answers it might hold, as a united group.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Judal watches Lady Kaede approach Thea. He considers approaching and attempting to help but he's barely able to help himself so far. He feels for Thea. She looks lost and like a fish out of water, so to speak. As if she was from West Sword Coast, born and raised, and that it was not adventuring like this at which she spent most of her days... But perhaps he will just never understand.
Rum pats Greko on the shoulder and throws him a feline smile, showing there are no hard feelings.
He then concentrates on the others. Thea more willing to tag along, although reluctantly. Judal at least showing an interest in what is going on, and there was something about his music that was more than it seemed too. Lady Kaede seemingly concerned about Thea, but moving backwards. And Violet, wanting to pray still perhaps.
He wanders over to Lady Kaede, and places a hand on her shoulder much like she did to Thea, offering some help focussing. "You've got this, just maintain your focus. Remember how disciplined your mind is"
"Very well, friend Greko. We shall cross the bridge, all of us", he says after addressing Lady Kaede, looking across to Violet and beckoning her along as well.
Feeling a hand on her shoulder, Thea turns her head to look at it. She visibly inhales and then exhales a breath before finally her violet hues look up to meet Lady Kaede's eyes. The alicorn was going to go with the group, but it appeared as though they wanted to do it closer together. "Okay." She accepts. "But your moonwalk needs some work." She notes, turning around to face backwards with Lady Kaede and reaches out to take her hand in hers. She'd walk backwards with her.
(Performance: 13)
just an unstable unicorn.
A sense of cautious optimism bloomed in Lady Kaede's chest as Rum's hand landed on her shoulder, a gesture mirrored from her own towards Thea moments before. His words, though jumbled by the temporal reversal, reached her as a message of encouragement – a reminder of her unwavering focus and discipline.
She squeezed Thea's hand tighter, a silent thank you for the alicorn's newfound cooperation. Slowly, ever so slowly, she began to move backward, mirroring Rum's instruction. Though the bridge loomed large in her reversed vision, hope flickered within her. They were moving forward, together, a united front against the bizarre reality that held them captive.
As Rum addressed the others, urging them towards the bridge, Lady Kaede couldn't help but steal a glance at Violet. Was the beholderkin still lost in prayer, or had the temporal distortion begun to unwind for her as well?
With renewed determination, Lady Kaede allowed herself to be pulled backward by the group. This bizarre world might have them walking on eggshells, or rather, walking backwards on... well, inverted eggshells? The point was, they were moving. They were searching for answers, for a way to break free from this twisted reflection of reality. And Lady Kaede, with her unwavering spirit leading the way (or perhaps, in this case, the back), wouldn't rest until they found it.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?