Crimson Sands of Time

<You haven't missed much.  Looking for a volunteer to drink poison, though.>

Angus clears his throat.  "Ahem... I don't suppose anyone has any relatively minor or mild poisons on them?  I should be able to reverse the effects of said poison rather quickly unless it is lethal."

"Does anyone have any alcohol? Technically that is poison and it isn't lethal."

Chadderlay steps forward and volunteers.

<Remember back I'm the caves of hunger. When you found the drow outpost? They had wine.  I don't know if the Rite works with wine, but we can try it and see.>

Chadderlay will take the wineskin/bottle and take a healthy swig of the non-lethal poison.

"Ahh! That really hit the spot if I do say so myself! No need to reverse the effects in this case Angus, it might even undo it counting towards the overall ritual!"

It was a pricey bottle of Elverquisst. (Prof. SKANT is a wine expert)

"Firstly, you should know some things about the libation you hols.  To ensure the genuine article, one may speak a particular phrase in elvish causing the light that strikes the bottle tp gather into thirteen distinct points that resembled the constellation Correlian.

A ritual was involved in drinking Elverquisst. The ritual involved a chant, pouring the liquid into a goblet, swirling it around, sharing it with others, and offering a ritual bow of the head in thanks."

<knowing this, does Chadderlay perform the Elverquisst ritual before consuming it, or forego it and simply drink.>

At the mention of the indicated word (Elvish for "sunshine") the bottle does indeed shine with points if light match8ng the Corellon constellation.

Chadderlay will follow Professor Skant's expert instructions for performing the Elverquisst ritual before drinking the wine.

<ooc: so, I couldn't decide if this works or not.  So I asked ChatGPT.   It gave me a really long story in response but, then, it erased it.  I presume because it was flagged for self-harm.  So, I'm thinking of letting the dice decide.  High rolls are better than low.  But I think Chadderlay should make this 'luck' roll. 12+ is a total success.>

Not clear on what you mean by 'luck' roll?

Here is a straight d20 roll: 20

Quote from Brian_Avery >>

Not clear on what you mean by 'luck' roll?

Here is a straight d20 roll: 20

 

 Is rolling a nat 20 'extra' lucky?

Quote from Brian_Avery >>

Not clear on what you mean by 'luck' roll?

Here is a straight d20 roll: 20

 

 <Yup, that's what I meant.  It's not based on any attribute/skill, it's just a lucky roll of the dice. And a very lucky roll, at that! I think it will be a boon, but give it a moment to see hie that manifests.>

The shimmering force field surrounding the 1,200-foot-tall obsidian citadel, which rises from the center of Ythryn and dwarfs all neighboring structures glows brightly, intens8fying with alarmikg speed. 

Near the apex of the strut, the ceiling of the tunnel gives way to a landing that offers a view of the citadel’s uppermost reaches. Light from a high window illuminates a set of steps that ascend to a pair of mahogany doors in the tower’s face.

The magic that once sealed the doors has long since faded away. When visitors approach the doors, a hypnos magen from appears at the overlooking window and uses its telepathy to politely instruct you to leave the area.

 "We are exploring Ythryn and this tower is next! We will not leave!"

Chadderlay waves his arm in a beckoning gesture.

"Come down and surrender yourself! It will not go well for you if we have to come up and get you!"

"Why dont you go explore the Hall of Silk, then?" suggests the magen (DC12 Wis x suggestion)

<it's a robot, you can't really intimidate it>

Chadderlay's WIS save: 25

Quote from Brian_Avery >>

Chadderlay's WIS save: 25

 "Hopefully there's only one of them up there."

Chadderlay is going to go open the door and begin climbing the stairs.

"Turn back now." Orders the msgen as it blasts Chadderlay with psychic energy.

Psychic Lash (dc12 Wis) for 11 psychic damage 

<thus door nothing to prevent you from opening the door, so you succeed in doing so>

Chamber music washes over you as you enter this ballroom. In contrast to the desolate, frozen ruins outside, a dozen people mill around in here, dressed in flowing silk garments and holding colorful hand masks and feathered fans. Noble courtiers laugh and gossip as servants move among them, offering sugared treats on silver platters.

Chadderlay's WIS save: 21

Chadderlay stands frozen in place for a second as his mind adjusts to the new reality. This is among the last of things he was expecting to encounter on the other side of the large wooden doors. He recovers quickly by pulling his red hood up and over his bald, tattooed head, and forward until it droops down casting a shadow over the top half of his face obscuring his eyes and nose. This leaves his mouth visible and he offers a close lipped smile with the ends slightly curved up in a know it all smirk.

"Greetings and good day to one and all! This is a most auspicious gathering if I may be so overt!"

He will then help himself to some Hor d'Oeuvres, a shrimp tart to start followed by a glass of red.

The canapés are delectable.  Over the course of a few minutes, you hear some chatter that informs you about the old empire, the end of which these celebrants seem either unaware or uncaring.

By the accounts of many guests, it seems The members of Ythryn’s orchestra were known across the world of Toril as masters of their art.

(Anyone else entering ir planning to stab the magen at the door?)

<I'm inclined to think you all follow Chadderlay, or?>