An armour-clad figure kneels in reverence over the last flickering gasps of a campfire, sheltered from the rain by a cliffside nook. His build is that of a dwarf, and that is perhaps his only feature that identifies him as a mortal man. His face is concealed behind a visored helmet. His scent is sweatless, fleshless, nothing but bitter smoke. His voice is like nothing living; a cracked, rasping hiss that billows from his lungs without ever trembling a cord.
"There is a legend that says they stole it from you," he says, to no-one. "Did you know that, my Lord? No, no, you wouldn't. Man has never been your concern, much less the foolish stories they tell themselves. But it's true."
A droplet of water trickles from a stalactite overhead, fizzling into the heat. He lurches forward with a scrape of steel, protecting the flames beneath his shield, a heavy, kite-shaped thing emblazoned with a twisting plume of fire.
"It was a human merchant, come to trade surface fruits. The dwarf clan gave him shelter for an eve, and he gazed into the hearth and told how the first of men crept into the gods' domain and stole a single spark, and thus did mortals learn how to kindle. I scoffed for many a night, but now...now I wonder. Perhaps. Perhaps. They never understood what they had, did they? Not really. It was just another fact of life to them. Just a tool, given life when it suited them and doused when it didn't, never to burn too brightly. They didn't know how to cherish it, because it was never truly meant for them. A stolen thing. A plundered thing."
"But they know now, my Lord. Don't they? Now that all is sodden and ruined, and a night of peace by a warm fire is rarer and more precious than all their diamonds. Now they cradle their sputtering candles like newborn babes. It took poverty to teach them wealth. It took darkness to make them see! They could have kept it for a million generations and never understood, but now they know, they know, they know! And they'll forget. They'll forget, as sure as ashes forget how to burn. They'll forget because it is not in their nature to remember."
He digs into the fire, scooping up a heap of glowing embers in his gauntleted hands, holding them close enough to his face to kiss. Wisps of pale smoke snake through the holes of his visor. He is so enraptured that the change in his surroundings has escaped him entirely. He is here, oblivious, kneeling upon the soil of Sigil, speaking a devotion that never seemed to have a beginning.
"But I remember. Your servants remember, always. And I will sear it into their memory, cauterise it, until the day I burn no more."
As the smoke fills your visor and you are transported to Sigil, the dirt and ashes that was at your feet is replaced with smooth stone, though you continue to kneel and say your prayer regardless. If you look up, you immediately spot the throne in front of you, burning brightly, set among the array of throne displayed here. Its fire flickers as you arrive here, and though your god himself is not here yet, you can feel his presence closer than ever
As Jade and the rest of the group get sent back to the room of thrones, she silently looks around. Seeing the throne of light busted apart and the two new ones is a bit concerning, but suddenly, she can't take it anymore.
"We're back here? Back to the beginning? Did we even accomplish what we set off to do in the Mere? I know we did do a few things, but come on, this can't be right!" She doesn't notice the new one as she vocalizes her frustrations. She focuses on Tempus's throne, bowing her head to it as she tries to understand what is going on.
"But I remember. Your servants remember, always. And I will sear it into their memory, cauterise it, until the day I burn no more."
After staring at the new thrones for a time, trying to identify them, Koric looks round at the source of the ominous words. He frowns and straightens his worn and beaten clothes, then addresses the newcomer, "Not a god; something different I think." He tilts his head to one side and glances again at the thrones.
"Are you the reason we were summoned back?"
He tilts his head to one side as though the changed perspective might give him insight, but keeps his distance, continuing to try to straighten his clothes.
Liri turns her great shaggy head towards Elandra at her question, giving a soft wuff in response before turning her gaze back towards the thrones and then to the odd newcomer. Still completely confused as to what is going on and unsure whether everything is well here, she reaches out to her goddess inside her mind, hoping Mielikki might be able to hear her thoughts in some way.
Lady, can you hear me? What is going on? What has happened to Lux and Lathander? Who are these new presences?
After staring at the new thrones for a time, trying to identify them, Koric looks round at the source of the ominous words. He frowns and straightens his worn and beaten clothes, then addresses the newcomer, "Not a god; something different I think." He tilts his head to one side and glances again at the thrones.
"Are you the reason we were summoned back?"
The dwarf (?) rises with a start at the sound of the other voices, the coals in his hands tumbling to the ground. He regards the strangers, motionless, his hand hovering over the warhammer holstered at his hip.
"I am the reason for nothing," he says, eventually. "I am a conduit for my Lord. My body is his. My works are his. If I am here then he has willed it so. Can you not feel him?" He approaches the molten throne, arms spread wide, inviting the heat into himself. "He is nearer than I ever imagined he would come. Near enough to make dust of us all. Who are you, to have earned his attentnion? My siblings in flame? I see none of his trappings upon any of you."
Ebondeath tears partially out of your body as he notices the skeletal throne, though he's not fully seperated from you, the last whisps of him still clinging onto your soul @Liri
You reach out into your mind, attempting to commune with your goddess, and as you do, you hear her respond with "Patience, my child. I will be there soon enough. There have been a few... issues. Ah, Lady Mystra is there! She will give you the answers you seek". With that, the voice fades out
@All
The portal behind Lady Mystra's throne opens and she enters, though she does not take a seat. She surveys the room quickly, almost frantically looking for something, and as her eyes settle onto each one of you, she breaths a sigh of relief
"Forgive the sudden summons, champions, but there has been some grave events that we must adress before any of you put yourselves in further danger". She then looks at Jade and says "Do not worry, champion of Tempus, not all is lost. You did more than Lady Tymora could have ever hoped for when she suggested you examine the Mere. Not only have you found yourself an ally on your plane, you have found us an ally in ours," she remarks, looking first at Ebondeath and then the skeletal throne next to Semunaya's. "Now", she continues "as you see, Lathander is no longer with us. He left the coalition and took his champion with him. We had some differences of opinion about...
Before she can finish her sentence, she is interrupted by a figure emerging out of the throne of bones, saying "Let's not mince words, Mystra. That giant, glowing fool left because he couldn't handle my presence. He was so displeased with my addition that he attempted to strike me down here in this chamber. There has not been a direct battle between gods in centuries, and he tried to incite one. When it became clear I would not be leaving, he did instead, and not on good terms". As these words echo through the chamber, the figure solidifies into a cloaked humanoid-looking skeleton with a skull pendant around his neck and a scythe in his hand. Who it is becomes quite clear rather quickly: Myrkul, God of Death. The very sound of his voice is enough to send chills down the spine of anyone who hears his message.
Mystra continues, saying"That is true, Myrkul, but hardly something for our champions to worry about. We've dealt with unruly gods before. They must focus on the most unruly of them all: Talos. Almost no gods have ever openly flouted our rules as much as he has." With that, she turns to Effigy and continues "Champion of Kossuth, welcome. I am glad the Firelord has called you here already. The rest are not champions of his, but of ours. Each one belongs to a different god. Your god has joined our coalition, all in the name of stopping the wrath of Talos. Champions, I trust you will take Kossuth's chosen into your ranks as you continue into the Plane of Water."
As she finishes, the other gods file in, filling their thrones. This time though, nothing pulls each of you back to seats on the back wall, but rather you are allowed to stand freely. The last of the gods to enter is Kossuth, presenting himself in a humanoid form, coated head to toe in raging fire. The fire is raging so much that is almost too bright to look at, though any that get close do not feel any more heat than the would from a simple fireplace, likely a courtesy the Firelord has extended to those around him. As he sits he says "It is true, my child. Join the others and go and expell the elementals of Water and Air from our land, and remove Talos from his control over the realm. Champions, I know much about traveling through the elemental planes. Be warned, Talos can exert far more control there than he can in the material world. I am sure there is much you wish to ask of me and of your own gods. We will answer all that we can to the best of our ability before sending you on your way."
With that, the gods fall silent, awaiting your questions
Koric's bows his head when Mystra appears then, as she speaks, his gaze flits between the goddess, the thrones and the newcomer. At the end he frowns, "Does that mean we won? We succeeded in the mere, or is there more in the Mere yet to be done?"
He manages to stop himself fretting over his clothes, but shuffles uncomfortably as he awaits the answer.
Tymora looks at you and says "I suggested you go there because I felt a presence there and because Talos's cultists were avoiding it. I wanted you too explore and either find an ally or neutralize an additional threat. I do not feel that presence anymore, so I must assume it was Ebondeath. I am simply glad you managed to find a portal directly to the area you found him! I cannot image how long it would have taken you to find him manually. I do not feel any other presences there, so it seems to me you succeeded! You can always return there if you want, but there are much more important things to focus on now that you have located the portal to the Plane of Water"
Jade looks upon Tempus with a bit of trepidation and wonder. Her God, the one she has sworn a complete oath to, was again in her presence and it was almost too hard to form a complete thought, let alone ask questions.
"So the plane of water, what exactly is our objective there now that we have made the connection?"
On hearing that all is, for the moment, relatively safe, Liri releases her wild shape and shifts back into her half-elven form. However, she watches Myrkul warily, clearly uncertain of him.
She then nods in agreement with Jade's question, still not taking her eyes from the gods as she adds a few questions of her own.
"Do we return to the site of the portal? Do we need to close it somehow? And what happened to its remaining defenders?"
Kossuth turns to you both and says “The goal is to enter the Plane of Water through the portal you found and close it. How exactly to do that is the more complicated part. You’ll have to be incredibly careful: Talos has far more ability to exert direct influence in the Elementals Planes of Watwr and Air than he does in the material world, as he draws power from both of them. We are also unable to pinpoint how to close it. I cannot enter the other elemental planes at all, and the others cannot as Talos would almost certainly detect their presence. Your presence though should go rather unnoticed to him. As for the remaining guardian of the ones you fought… I am not sure, though I would guess Talos had set up some sort of enhancements on it should the area be severely threatened. Hard to tell what that entails”
Mystra then chimes in, saying “Worry not though champions. There is something that I believe will be helpful to you all in closing that postal. I wish I could provide you with more details about this specific portal, but all planar portals work in similar ways. There has to be something anchoring it open, either a powerful artifact or formidable foe. Destroying that anchor should be enough to close it. You’ll have to hurry though to get back to the material plane before the portal closes though. There’s not much we can do to help you if you get stuck. We’ll return you back to the site of the portal when you are ready”
Effigy once again slumps to his knees, casting his gaze down upon the stone at Kossuth's feet, utterly overwhelmed by the manifestation of his god. "My Lord," he whispers. "I hear and obey. I shall carry your torch into the blackest and most hateful depths, and may my flame be smothered forever if I should fail you. The thralls of Talos shall answer for this trespass. They will find redemption upon the funeral pyre."
Koric stares at the newcomer, scorn and awe at odds on his face. Oh for the smallest share of his zeal and confidence! He closes his eyes, mortified at the thought, knowing that his goddess most likely knows every thought of her so-called champion. Forgive me, goddess, but doubt is the way of the true scholar, and for better or worse, you chose as scholar.
He looks up and into the face of his goddess, "Is this anchor that you speak of near the portal on the other side, can that be told? For I doubt we could survive long under the water."
As is her way, Elandra allows others to speak first, letting them seek their answers and as such lending information to her own cause before she lends voice to the discussion. "I think Liri's wonderful spell should still allow us some time today to enter the realm without the mater being immediately fatal. We have the rest of the day and night under which it will aid us. Not that I'm entirely thrilled about the idea of going for another swim. The last one really wasn't much fun." She momentarily recalls the swirling current, invisible tendrils, and her frantic battle to hold to her life line, and a shudder runs through her body. "Though we are of course making the assumption that the portal or anchor is underwater, though I agree that is the safe bet."
Turning to the assembled gods, letting her eyes engage each though lingering longest upon her lady Tymora, Elandra finishes her sweep on the feiry form of Kossuth and asks, "If the anchor and portal are so linked, their close proximity to one another is likely. That should make the job of getting back a little easier but how long are we talking about? Will there be an epic display as the portal dramatically loses stabilty, allowing us all time to dart through in an epic finale? Or is it as likely to simple wink out of existence the moment the anchor is destroyed, leaving us trapped in the elemental plane? I rather think there is more work to be done here after this, and unless you have more champions lined up in reserve, I'm hoping your combined powers would be able to get us back here."
Mystra turn to you two and says "It should be close enough. And you will not have to worry about the portal vanishing in an instant. An anchor keeps portals open by making them stable. Without one... well, things will get messy rather fast. If you are looking for a show, champion of Tymora, you will certainly get one. I will keep the portal open as far as I can, but at a certain point, even my power cannot keep it from closing once the anchor is gone. I should at least be able to buy you enough time to get back. If you get stuck, we'll do our best to guide you out, but it's far better if you can get out in time. Once you have destroyed the anchor, I will send you word on how long I can hold the portal open"
Mielikki then adds on "And do not worry too much about the water. Talos most likely would have opened his portal close the Plane of Air, and that side of the Plane of Water is heavily frozen over. Stay on the ice flows and you will be fine, and even if you do fall in, I'm sure my champion's magic will protect you".With that, she looks over at Semunaya, as if she is expecting him to do something, though the lizardfolk diety doesn't seem to notice at first before suddenly jolting up and saying "What? Ah, yes. You'll need all the strength you have before going in there. This should be of some help"
A wave of magic then washes out over all of you, filling your bodies with a radiant warmth that seems to watch away the extensive struggles that you have all faced this day. Without having to take the time to rest, you all get the benefits of a long rest
Kossuth then speaks up: "Is there anything else you wish to know before you depart, champions? If not, we have some more boons to help you and then we will send you on your way"
Koric looks down at his clothes then scans over the faces of the gods. "Ice flows, you say. I'm definitely going to need warmer things to wear." He looks at the others, wondering how they will fare in sub-freezing wet environments. "I expect most of us will."
His gaze lingers on the newcomer, I wonder if his affinity protects him or makes him vulnerable. Interesting to see.
Mielikki turns to Koric and says "Worry not, champion, we will ensure you are adequately prepared. Just try not to get too soaked, no amount of gear will protect you if you're covered in freezing water. You've got an important task ahead of you. The elements must at last be returned to balance and the natural order restored. First though, we have some gifts for all of you so you can properly conquer any threats Talos throws at you"
With that, she turns to Liri and says "With these, climb as agily as many creatures without having to assume their form. No barrier will stand in your way".As she says that, you feel your shoes suddenly become somewhat sticky, adhering you to the ground at the moment but clearly cabable of far more. Your shoes are now Slippers of Spider Climbing
Effigy, Kossuth turns to you and adds "I will grant you two gifts, as the others have recieved a boon before. I wil ensure that your fire may burn brightly even within the watery depth you travel."With that, he tosses you a small, glowing red gem that you identify as a Elemental Gem (Red Corundum). In additon, a bit of metal forms around one of your fingers. It singes a bit at first, a feeling you are rather used to, but quickly forms small ring. Even after cooling down, it radiates a sense of warmth throughout your entire body. This is a Ring of Warmth
Koric, Mystra turns to you and her eyes glow for a moment as she says "This will help your magic endure, champion. Use it to fuel the most powerful spells at your disposal". You feel a small object appear in your hand, and when you open it, you are holding a Pearl of Power
Jade, Tempus turns to you and says "Your enemies have been blunting your blows. No longer will they be able to resist your might".Your Blood Spear glows a deep red, a and a bit of that glow lingers. Your blood spear is now a Weapon, +1 (OOC: I've 100% been messed this up in the past since it should have already bypassed resistance to non-magical peircing, but now it 100% does)
Soloth, both of your gods turn to you, ready to present you with boons. Myrkul looks at you and says, his voice enchoing deep in your soul where Ebondeath has retreated back to, "Let your arrows fell your enemies and send them into my clutches."The wood of your bow rots and withers bit as his magic enchants it, though if you pick it up it somehow feels sturdier than before despite looking more fragile. Your our longbow is now a Weapon, +1. Semunaya then chimes in and adds "And may your life force remain strong even as blows rain down". A small pendant appears around your neck, and you feel it connect to something deep within you. This is a Periapt of Wound Closure
Elandra, Tymora looks at you and merely gives a knowing smirk, saying "As before, my champion, my boon comes with a choice! Would you wish me to augment your luck, or do you wish to test it? Of course, you can always leave the choice up to chance"
An armour-clad figure kneels in reverence over the last flickering gasps of a campfire, sheltered from the rain by a cliffside nook. His build is that of a dwarf, and that is perhaps his only feature that identifies him as a mortal man. His face is concealed behind a visored helmet. His scent is sweatless, fleshless, nothing but bitter smoke. His voice is like nothing living; a cracked, rasping hiss that billows from his lungs without ever trembling a cord.
"There is a legend that says they stole it from you," he says, to no-one. "Did you know that, my Lord? No, no, you wouldn't. Man has never been your concern, much less the foolish stories they tell themselves. But it's true."
A droplet of water trickles from a stalactite overhead, fizzling into the heat. He lurches forward with a scrape of steel, protecting the flames beneath his shield, a heavy, kite-shaped thing emblazoned with a twisting plume of fire.
"It was a human merchant, come to trade surface fruits. The dwarf clan gave him shelter for an eve, and he gazed into the hearth and told how the first of men crept into the gods' domain and stole a single spark, and thus did mortals learn how to kindle. I scoffed for many a night, but now...now I wonder. Perhaps. Perhaps. They never understood what they had, did they? Not really. It was just another fact of life to them. Just a tool, given life when it suited them and doused when it didn't, never to burn too brightly. They didn't know how to cherish it, because it was never truly meant for them. A stolen thing. A plundered thing."
"But they know now, my Lord. Don't they? Now that all is sodden and ruined, and a night of peace by a warm fire is rarer and more precious than all their diamonds. Now they cradle their sputtering candles like newborn babes. It took poverty to teach them wealth. It took darkness to make them see! They could have kept it for a million generations and never understood, but now they know, they know, they know! And they'll forget. They'll forget, as sure as ashes forget how to burn. They'll forget because it is not in their nature to remember."
He digs into the fire, scooping up a heap of glowing embers in his gauntleted hands, holding them close enough to his face to kiss. Wisps of pale smoke snake through the holes of his visor. He is so enraptured that the change in his surroundings has escaped him entirely. He is here, oblivious, kneeling upon the soil of Sigil, speaking a devotion that never seemed to have a beginning.
"But I remember. Your servants remember, always. And I will sear it into their memory, cauterise it, until the day I burn no more."
@Effigy
As the smoke fills your visor and you are transported to Sigil, the dirt and ashes that was at your feet is replaced with smooth stone, though you continue to kneel and say your prayer regardless. If you look up, you immediately spot the throne in front of you, burning brightly, set among the array of throne displayed here. Its fire flickers as you arrive here, and though your god himself is not here yet, you can feel his presence closer than ever
Jade watches as the statue transforms. Just as she is about to wonder what this means, her vision goes blurry.
Perception: 11
As Jade and the rest of the group get sent back to the room of thrones, she silently looks around. Seeing the throne of light busted apart and the two new ones is a bit concerning, but suddenly, she can't take it anymore.
"We're back here? Back to the beginning? Did we even accomplish what we set off to do in the Mere? I know we did do a few things, but come on, this can't be right!" She doesn't notice the new one as she vocalizes her frustrations. She focuses on Tempus's throne, bowing her head to it as she tries to understand what is going on.
After staring at the new thrones for a time, trying to identify them, Koric looks round at the source of the ominous words. He frowns and straightens his worn and beaten clothes, then addresses the newcomer, "Not a god; something different I think." He tilts his head to one side and glances again at the thrones.
"Are you the reason we were summoned back?"
He tilts his head to one side as though the changed perspective might give him insight, but keeps his distance, continuing to try to straighten his clothes.
Liri turns her great shaggy head towards Elandra at her question, giving a soft wuff in response before turning her gaze back towards the thrones and then to the odd newcomer. Still completely confused as to what is going on and unsure whether everything is well here, she reaches out to her goddess inside her mind, hoping Mielikki might be able to hear her thoughts in some way.
Lady, can you hear me? What is going on? What has happened to Lux and Lathander? Who are these new presences?
The dwarf (?) rises with a start at the sound of the other voices, the coals in his hands tumbling to the ground. He regards the strangers, motionless, his hand hovering over the warhammer holstered at his hip.
"I am the reason for nothing," he says, eventually. "I am a conduit for my Lord. My body is his. My works are his. If I am here then he has willed it so. Can you not feel him?" He approaches the molten throne, arms spread wide, inviting the heat into himself. "He is nearer than I ever imagined he would come. Near enough to make dust of us all. Who are you, to have earned his attentnion? My siblings in flame? I see none of his trappings upon any of you."
@Soloth
Ebondeath tears partially out of your body as he notices the skeletal throne, though he's not fully seperated from you, the last whisps of him still clinging onto your soul
@Liri
You reach out into your mind, attempting to commune with your goddess, and as you do, you hear her respond with "Patience, my child. I will be there soon enough. There have been a few... issues. Ah, Lady Mystra is there! She will give you the answers you seek". With that, the voice fades out
@All
The portal behind Lady Mystra's throne opens and she enters, though she does not take a seat. She surveys the room quickly, almost frantically looking for something, and as her eyes settle onto each one of you, she breaths a sigh of relief
"Forgive the sudden summons, champions, but there has been some grave events that we must adress before any of you put yourselves in further danger". She then looks at Jade and says "Do not worry, champion of Tempus, not all is lost. You did more than Lady Tymora could have ever hoped for when she suggested you examine the Mere. Not only have you found yourself an ally on your plane, you have found us an ally in ours," she remarks, looking first at Ebondeath and then the skeletal throne next to Semunaya's. "Now", she continues "as you see, Lathander is no longer with us. He left the coalition and took his champion with him. We had some differences of opinion about...
Before she can finish her sentence, she is interrupted by a figure emerging out of the throne of bones, saying "Let's not mince words, Mystra. That giant, glowing fool left because he couldn't handle my presence. He was so displeased with my addition that he attempted to strike me down here in this chamber. There has not been a direct battle between gods in centuries, and he tried to incite one. When it became clear I would not be leaving, he did instead, and not on good terms". As these words echo through the chamber, the figure solidifies into a cloaked humanoid-looking skeleton with a skull pendant around his neck and a scythe in his hand. Who it is becomes quite clear rather quickly: Myrkul, God of Death. The very sound of his voice is enough to send chills down the spine of anyone who hears his message.
Mystra continues, saying "That is true, Myrkul, but hardly something for our champions to worry about. We've dealt with unruly gods before. They must focus on the most unruly of them all: Talos. Almost no gods have ever openly flouted our rules as much as he has." With that, she turns to Effigy and continues "Champion of Kossuth, welcome. I am glad the Firelord has called you here already. The rest are not champions of his, but of ours. Each one belongs to a different god. Your god has joined our coalition, all in the name of stopping the wrath of Talos. Champions, I trust you will take Kossuth's chosen into your ranks as you continue into the Plane of Water."
As she finishes, the other gods file in, filling their thrones. This time though, nothing pulls each of you back to seats on the back wall, but rather you are allowed to stand freely. The last of the gods to enter is Kossuth, presenting himself in a humanoid form, coated head to toe in raging fire. The fire is raging so much that is almost too bright to look at, though any that get close do not feel any more heat than the would from a simple fireplace, likely a courtesy the Firelord has extended to those around him. As he sits he says "It is true, my child. Join the others and go and expell the elementals of Water and Air from our land, and remove Talos from his control over the realm. Champions, I know much about traveling through the elemental planes. Be warned, Talos can exert far more control there than he can in the material world. I am sure there is much you wish to ask of me and of your own gods. We will answer all that we can to the best of our ability before sending you on your way."
With that, the gods fall silent, awaiting your questions
Koric's bows his head when Mystra appears then, as she speaks, his gaze flits between the goddess, the thrones and the newcomer. At the end he frowns, "Does that mean we won? We succeeded in the mere, or is there more in the Mere yet to be done?"
He manages to stop himself fretting over his clothes, but shuffles uncomfortably as he awaits the answer.
@Koric
Tymora looks at you and says "I suggested you go there because I felt a presence there and because Talos's cultists were avoiding it. I wanted you too explore and either find an ally or neutralize an additional threat. I do not feel that presence anymore, so I must assume it was Ebondeath. I am simply glad you managed to find a portal directly to the area you found him! I cannot image how long it would have taken you to find him manually. I do not feel any other presences there, so it seems to me you succeeded! You can always return there if you want, but there are much more important things to focus on now that you have located the portal to the Plane of Water"
Jade looks upon Tempus with a bit of trepidation and wonder. Her God, the one she has sworn a complete oath to, was again in her presence and it was almost too hard to form a complete thought, let alone ask questions.
"So the plane of water, what exactly is our objective there now that we have made the connection?"
On hearing that all is, for the moment, relatively safe, Liri releases her wild shape and shifts back into her half-elven form. However, she watches Myrkul warily, clearly uncertain of him.
She then nods in agreement with Jade's question, still not taking her eyes from the gods as she adds a few questions of her own.
"Do we return to the site of the portal? Do we need to close it somehow? And what happened to its remaining defenders?"
@Liri and Jade
Kossuth turns to you both and says “The goal is to enter the Plane of Water through the portal you found and close it. How exactly to do that is the more complicated part. You’ll have to be incredibly careful: Talos has far more ability to exert direct influence in the Elementals Planes of Watwr and Air than he does in the material world, as he draws power from both of them. We are also unable to pinpoint how to close it. I cannot enter the other elemental planes at all, and the others cannot as Talos would almost certainly detect their presence. Your presence though should go rather unnoticed to him. As for the remaining guardian of the ones you fought… I am not sure, though I would guess Talos had set up some sort of enhancements on it should the area be severely threatened. Hard to tell what that entails”
Mystra then chimes in, saying “Worry not though champions. There is something that I believe will be helpful to you all in closing that postal. I wish I could provide you with more details about this specific portal, but all planar portals work in similar ways. There has to be something anchoring it open, either a powerful artifact or formidable foe. Destroying that anchor should be enough to close it. You’ll have to hurry though to get back to the material plane before the portal closes though. There’s not much we can do to help you if you get stuck. We’ll return you back to the site of the portal when you are ready”
Effigy once again slumps to his knees, casting his gaze down upon the stone at Kossuth's feet, utterly overwhelmed by the manifestation of his god. "My Lord," he whispers. "I hear and obey. I shall carry your torch into the blackest and most hateful depths, and may my flame be smothered forever if I should fail you. The thralls of Talos shall answer for this trespass. They will find redemption upon the funeral pyre."
Koric stares at the newcomer, scorn and awe at odds on his face. Oh for the smallest share of his zeal and confidence! He closes his eyes, mortified at the thought, knowing that his goddess most likely knows every thought of her so-called champion. Forgive me, goddess, but doubt is the way of the true scholar, and for better or worse, you chose as scholar.
He looks up and into the face of his goddess, "Is this anchor that you speak of near the portal on the other side, can that be told? For I doubt we could survive long under the water."
As is her way, Elandra allows others to speak first, letting them seek their answers and as such lending information to her own cause before she lends voice to the discussion. "I think Liri's wonderful spell should still allow us some time today to enter the realm without the mater being immediately fatal. We have the rest of the day and night under which it will aid us. Not that I'm entirely thrilled about the idea of going for another swim. The last one really wasn't much fun." She momentarily recalls the swirling current, invisible tendrils, and her frantic battle to hold to her life line, and a shudder runs through her body. "Though we are of course making the assumption that the portal or anchor is underwater, though I agree that is the safe bet."
Turning to the assembled gods, letting her eyes engage each though lingering longest upon her lady Tymora, Elandra finishes her sweep on the feiry form of Kossuth and asks, "If the anchor and portal are so linked, their close proximity to one another is likely. That should make the job of getting back a little easier but how long are we talking about? Will there be an epic display as the portal dramatically loses stabilty, allowing us all time to dart through in an epic finale? Or is it as likely to simple wink out of existence the moment the anchor is destroyed, leaving us trapped in the elemental plane? I rather think there is more work to be done here after this, and unless you have more champions lined up in reserve, I'm hoping your combined powers would be able to get us back here."
Bring out your inner chatacter class...
@Koric and Elandra
Mystra turn to you two and says "It should be close enough. And you will not have to worry about the portal vanishing in an instant. An anchor keeps portals open by making them stable. Without one... well, things will get messy rather fast. If you are looking for a show, champion of Tymora, you will certainly get one. I will keep the portal open as far as I can, but at a certain point, even my power cannot keep it from closing once the anchor is gone. I should at least be able to buy you enough time to get back. If you get stuck, we'll do our best to guide you out, but it's far better if you can get out in time. Once you have destroyed the anchor, I will send you word on how long I can hold the portal open"
Mielikki then adds on "And do not worry too much about the water. Talos most likely would have opened his portal close the Plane of Air, and that side of the Plane of Water is heavily frozen over. Stay on the ice flows and you will be fine, and even if you do fall in, I'm sure my champion's magic will protect you". With that, she looks over at Semunaya, as if she is expecting him to do something, though the lizardfolk diety doesn't seem to notice at first before suddenly jolting up and saying "What? Ah, yes. You'll need all the strength you have before going in there. This should be of some help"
A wave of magic then washes out over all of you, filling your bodies with a radiant warmth that seems to watch away the extensive struggles that you have all faced this day. Without having to take the time to rest, you all get the benefits of a long rest
Kossuth then speaks up: "Is there anything else you wish to know before you depart, champions? If not, we have some more boons to help you and then we will send you on your way"
Koric looks down at his clothes then scans over the faces of the gods. "Ice flows, you say. I'm definitely going to need warmer things to wear." He looks at the others, wondering how they will fare in sub-freezing wet environments. "I expect most of us will."
His gaze lingers on the newcomer, I wonder if his affinity protects him or makes him vulnerable. Interesting to see.
(Going to assume no further questions)
@All
Mielikki turns to Koric and says "Worry not, champion, we will ensure you are adequately prepared. Just try not to get too soaked, no amount of gear will protect you if you're covered in freezing water. You've got an important task ahead of you. The elements must at last be returned to balance and the natural order restored. First though, we have some gifts for all of you so you can properly conquer any threats Talos throws at you"
With that, she turns to Liri and says "With these, climb as agily as many creatures without having to assume their form. No barrier will stand in your way". As she says that, you feel your shoes suddenly become somewhat sticky, adhering you to the ground at the moment but clearly cabable of far more. Your shoes are now Slippers of Spider Climbing
Effigy, Kossuth turns to you and adds "I will grant you two gifts, as the others have recieved a boon before. I wil ensure that your fire may burn brightly even within the watery depth you travel." With that, he tosses you a small, glowing red gem that you identify as a Elemental Gem (Red Corundum). In additon, a bit of metal forms around one of your fingers. It singes a bit at first, a feeling you are rather used to, but quickly forms small ring. Even after cooling down, it radiates a sense of warmth throughout your entire body. This is a Ring of Warmth
Koric, Mystra turns to you and her eyes glow for a moment as she says "This will help your magic endure, champion. Use it to fuel the most powerful spells at your disposal". You feel a small object appear in your hand, and when you open it, you are holding a Pearl of Power
Jade, Tempus turns to you and says "Your enemies have been blunting your blows. No longer will they be able to resist your might". Your Blood Spear glows a deep red, a and a bit of that glow lingers. Your blood spear is now a Weapon, +1 (OOC: I've 100% been messed this up in the past since it should have already bypassed resistance to non-magical peircing, but now it 100% does)
Soloth, both of your gods turn to you, ready to present you with boons. Myrkul looks at you and says, his voice enchoing deep in your soul where Ebondeath has retreated back to, "Let your arrows fell your enemies and send them into my clutches." The wood of your bow rots and withers bit as his magic enchants it, though if you pick it up it somehow feels sturdier than before despite looking more fragile. Your our longbow is now a Weapon, +1. Semunaya then chimes in and adds "And may your life force remain strong even as blows rain down". A small pendant appears around your neck, and you feel it connect to something deep within you. This is a Periapt of Wound Closure
Elandra, Tymora looks at you and merely gives a knowing smirk, saying "As before, my champion, my boon comes with a choice! Would you wish me to augment your luck, or do you wish to test it? Of course, you can always leave the choice up to chance"