Crimson Sands of Time

Trisk will examine those floating spheres. Is the water opaque and we can't see what's inside?

Or can we see inside all the rest and they're empty?

"There's something in the water, I think. Keep up your guard. But I need someone to guard me whilst I quietly move to the other side and disable the next gate. I'd rather we don't split up amongst the edges of the lake in case an ambush happens." Randy mutters as he quietly approaches the black gate until he's in range of attuning.

(Sorry for the short post. IRL is hammering me right now and I might be even slower than the previous days)

Piccolo plays one note, enchanting Randy with bardic inspiration (Once within the next 10 minutes, the creature can roll the die (1D10) and add the number rolled to one ability check, attack roll, or saving throw it makes. The creature can wait until after it rolls the d20 before deciding to use the Bardic Inspiration die, but must decide before the DM says whether the roll succeeds or fails. 

He thinks he hears the music say, "good luck"

Quote from Brian_Avery >>

Trisk will examine those floating spheres. Is the water opaque and we can't see what's inside?

Or can we see inside all the rest and they're empty?

 They are clear and appear empty.

The large pool in the center is lightly obscured past a dwprh of 10ft. The sides are steep and you can't see the bottom. You can just walk around it the outside of it, though.

Randy can swim across, unkess I'm forgetting a special feature, it's 1/2 his regular movement speed.

Thaxalia stares at the wizard inspecting the water globe, tuens to look at another globe and after a moment, the huge ball of water begins to move towards the aboleth, still clutching the glyph key.

"Let's get moving," the beholder commands the charmed aboleth. As the bLl.makes conact with the creature, it is pulled into the sphere.  As he leads the aboleth out of the chamber, back toward his slime-soaked lair, Thaxalia offers a bit if gratitude, "for your aid, I have little to offer in compensation. I may only say, I would avoid looking at the flashing light beyond that wall." The beholder moves to indicate the south wall, where light pulses beyond the open doorway, then departs the chamber, aboleth in tow.

Tip

 Very mild Spoiler

Piccolo trills a goodbye on her instrument to Thaxalia and the aboleth, sad that they can not be fried yet, but hopeful that destroying the phylactery will allow many such as her to be freed.

So, are you guys go9ng to disrupt that black gate then? It's your actual objective and you just succeed automatically.

Either way, that leaves three paths 'forward': 1. the way south with the mysterious stroking light the beholder warned you not to look at,

2. backtracking through the slime*, or

3. you can open a portal to the gatehouse or any zone you have an attuned glyph key for, through the black gate.

Piccolo lets out a tune of congratulations as Randy disrupts another black gate.

She points a few different directions, but seems to lean toward the bright light area.

(ooc: can we still go through a black gate if it's disrupted?)

"Didn't Thalaxia warn us not to look at the light, it might be harmful in some way?"

The little one closes her eyes and walks a few steps, then shrugs questioningly?? (Clearly, not confident in her answer)

"I'm curious too, but if a beholder felt it was worth a warning then the danger must be great indeed."

Trisk looks back the way they came and then toward the black gate.

"Besides, it's not like we don't have other options to explore. If we run into nothing but dead ends then we can always try it as a last resort."

"That's just my opinion though, what do the rest of you think?"

As the youngest warrior in the room deactivates the black gate, he looks towards the southern part of the cavern. "Alright. I'm done." Randy calls out whilst Piccolo plays a tune towards him. "If that poor guy is indeed telling the truth, we ought to explore that place last. I'm thinking we should shortcut to the last two gates. Or last one. I haven't been keeping count. Someone remind me please...?"

If everyone agrees with him, Randy will hopefully open the gate and shortcut to the next black gate to be disabled. Then again, judging by the expressions of the others, it seems that he might have to wait first until he can jump across the rooms. 

Sam waits for everyone else’s replies “ so we can’t look at the light then hmm” he thinks to him self “why don’t we look at the floor, or a mirror and go through the room” 

Piccolo smiles and nods her head vigorously in agreement at Sam's suggestion.

"That is a good idea! If we're quick and find another door or gate we can be in and out, hopefully quick enough not to have to deal with anything else that might be in the room."

Trisk follows Piccolo and Sam over to the door where the light is supposed to be.

Tetrevess has been lost in thought? again.  He mutters “dont look at the light”. and looks at his feet and numbly follows the group.  

(hoping my work/life drama is easing, and you all can have a bit with a lucid wizard) 

Quote from Brian_Avery >>

(ooc: can we still go through a black gate if it's disrupted?)

...

 Yes. It does almost nothing to the gate itself. 

<I dont know where you'd all like to go. It's a dungeon not a dark ride. You decide where to go.

I can break it down I to known and unknowns. Unknown: what else is in the far realm cysts (this zone). Unknown:  that glowing light in the next room south. Known: any of the zones you can access via the black gate (names, at least)>

(I believe we are going toward the bright light, but looking down or in mirrors.  I suppose, depending what happens next, we will back track or keep going through).

Dim light dances in the air, shimmering through the colors of the rainbow, gently lighting the walls of this cavern. A few piles of bones and scraps of gear litter the floor.

If your not watching where you're going, yiu bump into a 6

 Zombie