"I never said you were."Akyan replies, giving Kora a flat look. "My point was if something had happened, none of us would have had any way of knowing." As he speaks, he creates a link with both Kora and Anthony.
A small smile crosses his face as he shakes his head at Anthony's comment about 'yeeting' them over the wall. It brings up some childhood memories, the two of them did used to sneak around a bit. Anthony had always been far stronger than he, and him boosting the young elf up to higher places (to the drow's irritation) had been a fairly common feat. Of course, Akyan's more than certain that he can scale the wall on his own, but having a little help wouldn't hurt anything. "After you get Kora up there, you can help me as well. Once I'm up, I'll take cover somewhere I won't be easily spotted. This way I can act as lookout rather than just being an elven sending stone."
In response to Kora, "Yes. I can hear you."
He nods to Ming's words. The girl seems to know a lot about this place while also knowing very little, but that's not her fault.
Ming gives Anthony a surprised look when he starts cursing... she hadn't expected that, but then again, she had just delivered some particularly bad news. She nods when he does his best to explain how they got there by magic but not teleportation.
Giving a small smile when he says he won't leave her here if its possible to take her with them, she hesitates, looking back towards the Mansions before saying, "I... if there is no way to save this realm, I would very much like to leave it. But... only if I can take my family too. They are stuck in the dream, and haven't woken up in... well, years. I can't leave them. Not unless there is a chance of me coming back so I can either fix this place or get them out too."She feels guilty, thinking of taking herself and her family to a better place while also leaving the rest of the city to their fate. However, she's learned to put herself and her family first after all this time. There is only so much she can do, and she'd rather save her loved ones then save no one.
When he asks about caravans, she frowns. Shaking her head she says, "Not that I know of. The only merchants are those who occupy the Gwai Huit Center in the mornings... and I'm pretty sure they are just other I'Cath citizens who've managed to get ahold of enough to sell. ...Why?"
She looks to Zathon, "Certain places? Are they... better places?" She hesitates, "Where did you all come from? Why... why get involved in this?" She's really starting to wonder what kind of people she's dealing with. They all seem so friendly, but she has no clue what kind of power they hold. Clearly they aren't some sort of divine saviors, sent to deliver the people of I'Cath from their suffering. But, the way they just immediately started trying to figure out how to deal with someone as powerful as Tsien Chiang... well, perhaps they just don't actually know who they are dealing with. If that's the case... she feels kinda bad dragging them into it.
Anthony does what he can to help Akyan up, nodding to what Zathon was saying. "Better? I'm not sure we could promise that. Different dangers and evils."
His expression softens at the mention of her family. It proved his point. There was nothing right or just about keeping these worlds intact. "There's a lot we could say about this place and the others like it that we can travel to. But you probably wouldn't believe most of it. I can say we expect to face the kinds of dangers that will be difficult if not impossible to survive. Like this." nodding his head in the direction of the tower. "Coming with us might not be better than staying here and dreaming of better things.
He nods at Anthony's words. They often thought similarly it seems."Different places is all we can promise. The journey we are on.. I do not see us returning to somewhere actually safe for a long time. It might be better to leave your family here as well, as we cant guarantee their safety wherever we move onto."
Ming-Yue had asked a question about the Vistani, he’d almost forgotten in the midst of other topics. “Right, the travelers. There are a people who can travel the mists. I really couldn’t say how they do it or how easily, but I feel pretty comfortable saying that know what they’re doing way better than we do. I was hoping if you knew of any of them ever visiting here, maybe they would know the quickest way in and out of town.”
Anthony had the sort of almost feral cunning that someone who didn’t know where their next meal or next fix was coming from tended to develop. But he was also the kind of idiot who sometimes had trouble knowing which of the two was more important. They were going to be on the run with something hot and no idea what direction to run or where they could off load it. IF they could get to it in the first place. “Does this city have sewers?” he asked suddenly. The point of sewers was to send unwanted things out a city right?
Once Kora has scampered up upon the crest of the wall, she gets a grand view of what the others could not see. Before you, you see a large cobblestone courtyard. Along the fringes of the courtyard near walls, elaborately shaped trees grow from flowerbeds, their branches laced with petite, pink blossoms. Wilted petals cover the cobblestones, and a gentle breezes stirs through them.
Beyond the courtyard, you see a magnificent mansion made of the same dark material as the tower that rises from its center. Before the mansion, you spot a small small pond ringed by cultivated flowerbeds filled with all sorts of exotic plants. This must be the garden Ming mentioned. In the center of the pond, you see a small island upon which a beautiful tree with purple flowers grows. Past the mansion and tower, you can faintly make out some sort of park or vast garden, but you can't really make out details.
Unnoticed as of now, Kora determines she could go just about anywhere she wants. Where to next?
Kora relays what she is seeing to Akyan and adds, Does Ming know anything about the park or garden that is past the tower? I wonder if that is another way in?
As the little spider, Kora continues along the top of the wall, moving towards the mansion as far as the wall will allow her, then she crawls down to the cobblestones. With the poisoned plants in her mind, she avoids the petals as she goes and heads towards the mansion, getting closer to see what else she can about the garden and the space between the garden and the mansion. As well as the homestead itself.
Kora skitters down from the wall and scampers across the forlorn courtyard towards the garden. Much to her delight, she spots animal life amongst the plants and ornaments. A few mice scamper amongst the bases of flowers, a birds chirp amongst the boughs of trees, and a few fat bumblebees buzz lazily from flower to flower. As Kora moves closer to the pond, she swears she sees a few of the plants twitch and move, but maybe it was just her imagination.
Near the edge of the pond, Kora looks across the waters towards the island. A few vibrant petals fall from the flowering tree and drift downwards to rest upon the calm surface of the pond. The sounds of frogs croaking fill the air, and Kora is about to move onward when she spots movement over by the tree. Focusing, she sees an outline of a figure against the tree, though it looks the like the figure is much as part of the tree as being a person. Could it be a dryad?
With Anthony's help, Akyan attempts to scale the wall after Kora.
Acrobatics: 19 (With advantage from help thank goodness.)
(assuming this gets him up the wall.)
Once up, he only vaguely pays attention to the conversation as he is more concerned with Kora's safety at the moment. Scanning the courtyard and Mansion, he relays Kora's message to Anthony and looks for a place where he can take cover. (Preferably on the wall, as he only wants enter the courtyard if Kora needs help at any point.)
Perception: 18 (14 if he's got the sun in his eyes)
Ming's expression falls when she receives less than desirable responses to her question about going to a better place. Anywhere is better than here, that annoying voice jabbed at the back of her mind. I've got to get out. Escape this hell. There is not other option. Anywhere is better than here.
She looks to Zathon uncertainly, clearly unsure if he is implying that she go with them whenever they leave, but leave her parents behind. Her gaze shifts from him to Anthony, then downwards as she ponders what information they have given her. After a moment she asks, "What is it you are trying to accomplish? I... still don't understand why you are here."
She looks up again, meeting Anthony's gaze, "You assume I wouldn't believe most of your story, but you don't know that. I... understand if you are holding back information because you don't trust me. That's fair, but..."She sighs, then looks to Zathon again as she says, "You say you are on a journey, what is the purpose of it? Was it a choice? What do you hope to accomplish? You talk like you are willing to face Tsien Chiang herself, even though you seem to have nothing to gain from doing so. Just who are you people?"
She crosses her arms self-consciously, once more averting her eyes. For now, deciding on whether or not to follow them will have to wait. Even if there is a chance that they could take her somewhere that is at least less awful than here, she can't leave without some promise of salvation for her family. She can't leave them here unless there is a sure way of her returning and getting them out too. Unless there is no hope for them,the thought weaseled its way into her mind.
She taps her elbow with her finger, her attention turning to Akyan as Anthony boosts him upward. Really, why are these people so intent on getting the bell? They just got here. They have no clue what the risks really are. They are just taking her word for everything, even though she could be using them... and honestly the thought did cross her mind even though that isn't her intention.
"Sewers? ...Yeah..."The idea hadn't even occurred to her. Has she been running around whilst passing over such an obvious escape route this whole time? Or perhaps she had just dismissed it as too obvious.
Aoufie patiently waits in silence for any sign of trouble and knows if or when troubles come, he will be ready to leap into action. For now, he trusts in Kora's skills and Akyan's vigilance. Part of him wants to just leap over the wall and head in, but it is better to take the more cautious approach.
“It’s partly knowing we can’t really trust anyone. But mostly just too much to try to explain.” After giving Akyan a final shove by the feet, he turns back to Ming, leaning against the wall to take weight off his bad leg.”What are we doing? Honestly, no idea. This place..” gesturing vaguely around him. “It’s not real. Not this part or the dream you talk about. It’s a conjured prison, a pocket dimension in the Shadowfell. If I had to guess, probably for Tsien Chiang. Don’t understand what that actually means? Neither do I.” He shrugged and massaged his leg, mostly out of habit, it wasn’t actually bothering him at the moment.
“Bottom line, not sure what she did or who exactly she pissed off, but, best I can understand from what we were told there are these… beings from a plane of death and shadow that are … drawn to madness and evil and when they find someone powerful enough they scoop them up and stick them here along with whoever happens to be unlucky enough to be near-by. Usually their victims. How’s that for cosmic injustice?”
Anthony’s anger was obviously building. “At best, you and your family and countless others in Icath and other places like it, all connected by a web of mist, are all collateral damage in the containment of some -presumably- terrible people. At worst.. Fuel for them to feed and grow fat on so some bigger fish can put them to use. What use? Who knows. A battery? Food? Pure sadism? Again, no idea.”
Earnest brown eyes soften as the targetless anger fades away. “That’s my thoughts on the situation. But there’s a lot more and most of it we don’t really understand. And I don’t think we all agree completely on what some of it means or what the best way forward is. But we’re in it together.”
“Who we are is a little more complicated. I’m Anthony Tanner from Scornubel. I’m- a lot of things, but most recently a priest of Ilmater. I’ll skip the sermon, I’m not really that kind of priest.” pulling out another smile. “We all grew up with the same foster mother.” He implicitly includes Ireena and Ismark, leaving it to them to out themselves or not.
“Sorry. I know it’s a lot. A lot, a lot.” He wished he had better news for this poor woman. It was a crap situation. They come swooping in like heroes and tell her her whole life is a sham
Kora tries to not let the sight of plant and animal life distract her, but it sure was nice to see. But wait, were those plants moving? Kora pauses and tries to get a better read on them.
Perception: 12
She then watches what could be a dryad for a bit, to try and get a read on it. Then moving closer to the mansion (unless she can't because of the garden? She is keeping a clear distance from the possibly moving plants and pond.) She looks to see what would be the best way towards the tower.
She relays to Akyan There are actually plants and animal life here! I wonder why they just live here and no where else? But the plants.. there is something off about them around the garden and there might be a dryad at the tree in the center of the pond.
From her vantage point on the ground, Kora has a hard time making out details of the plants. They seem to tower above her, their tops lost in the distance, yet she does see a few of them twitching. Maybe they're animate plants?
Scooting closer to the mansion itself, she takes cover behind a flowerpot as she hears voices and footsteps approaching. Peeking out from behind the pot, she spots two figures strolling along the inner courtyard between two wings of the building. One of them is a stern woman with jet black hair bound into elaborate pattern by golden hairspikes. Her skin is a bronzed tone, and her round features hint at a healthy diet that the rest of the city doesn't share. She wears immaculate blue robes that swoosh and sway with every step she takes with her slippered feet. She clutches a scroll in her hand as she regally walks, and she appears to be in conversation with a jiangshi by her side.
"... made wonderful progress recently," Kora hear as the woman gets closer. The woman's voice is rich and full, the voice of one who is used to being obeyed. "I should have promoted you years ago."
The jiangshi at her side shuffles along slowly, but it nods stiffly at the compliment. Kora has a hard time making out its features at this distance and angle. Long black hair cascades from atop its desiccated head, obscuring much of its gaunt features. "I am only here to serve you, my mistress. I too am pleased with the progress of the city," the jiangshi responds in dry croak.
Looking thoughtful, the woman in the robe says, "I think the next step is to finish quadrant three. It seems the closest to being finished. The gardens are-"
She cuts off as the jiangshi suddenly tenses and whirls around to face the garden, staring in Kora's direction. Now that it faces you, you recognize that the jiangshi looks very similar to Azalin when you met him back in Barovia. This form does appear to be feminine, but its general face shape is undeniable. Azalin scans the gardens, ''her" bloodred eyes squinting against the glare of the sun. Thankfully, Azalin doesn't seem to notice you.
"Mai Ling, what's wrong?" asks the woman.
Azalin scowls and scans the garden once more before turning back and resuming her shuffling walk along side the woman. "Nothing, my lady. I thought I sensed someone in the garden. Do not let it trouble you."
"Ah, I see," the woman replies, sounding entirely unconcerned. She continues onward and eventually reaches a doorway in one of the mansions protruding wings. "Anyways, about the third quadrant..."
Kora isn't able to pick up on anymore of their conversation as she walks inside. Azalin hesitates at the door and turns to look back out onto the garden once more before shaking his head and following the woman back inside.
AKYAN
The drow pops over the wall. A tree nearby offers a very convenient way to get down to the ground without plummeting the full twenty feet if he so desires. Before he has a chance to look around at the gardened courtyard, he spots a flicker of movement. His instincts kicked in, and he swiftly sought cover behind the nearby tree as he watches two figures stroll out in the space between two wings of the building. They seem to be chatting about something, though he can't make out the specifics at this distance. After only a few moments of intense waiting, the figures enter the mansion across the small inner courtyard.
"Not real?" Ming seems troubled, but not really shocked as Anthony does his best to describe the realms. "That... actually makes sense..." Well, yes and no, but for some reason the notion doesn't seem completely absurd. Maybe it's the dreamlike, nightmarish nature of I'Cath, or maybe it's the scramble of memories lodged in her head. Either way, she silently accepts what she's hearing as if it's the most natural thing Anthony could have told her.
"But... what is your goal? Are you... stuck in these... realms too? Is Scornbel..." She frowns at the odd name, "part of these connected realms too?"
If anyone relays Kora's question to Ming, she'll say, "The park is very dangerous. I... haven't tried going there myself due to everything I've heard, but I have tried to get close..." She seems hesitant to say why she personally didn't try to do more than get close, or how close she actually got. "The garden is as I said... poisonous. This... this and those places, are probably the most dangerous locations in this city."
She goes silent, clearly thinking about a lot of things as her brow is slightly farrowed and her eyes are distant. Like Anthony said, what he gave her was a LOT of information... just not the information she felt she needed right now. Really, she doesn't know what she needs at the moment. She can't figure out what her best course of action is. Does she stay with this weird group? Or should she focus on sorting through her memories and saving her family? Can she do both? Or would choosing one mean deserting the other?
As he scans the garden, he starts to reply to Kora, "I can see that, but just be careful. Ming says this place is poi-" Seeing the figures, his thought is cut off as he reflexivley takes cover behind the conveniently placed tree. He hadn't particularly wanted to enter the garden just yet, but his options were limited. Now taking cover behind the tree, he starts speaking to Kora again, "I'm guessing you can see those people. Can you hear what they are talking about?"
Breathing easier now that the female Azalin went inside and didn't pursue the feeling that she was lurking, she stays hidden behind her flower pot and responds. Yes, I'm pretty sure the woman is Tsien Chiang and the jiangshi that was with her.. stay with me here, is Azalin! But different here, female and just different. But it is Azalin, I'd swear it and she felt my presence, so creepy.
Tsien Chiang was bragging on how well things were going and wanting to work to finish the third quadrant. She also called Azalin, Mai Ling... with this new development I'm a bit more hesitant to move closer, but if you see someplace I should check out, I will.
He's uncomfortable speaking for everyone. Ming was easy to trust from his perspective and had a right to know what she might be getting involved with if she was going to come with them. But maybe the others didn't feel the same. He used the mental link to give Akyan a heads up, "Ming seems to be putting in with us, and team meetings are hard to make happen. Sorry, but I'm just gonna fill her in best I can. I hope it's not a mistake."
"Azalin? Here?" He frowns, "If that really was Azalin, then perhaps we are in way over our heads here. None of us are ready to face him. You say he sensed you? If he can do that, then this is really unsafe for you. Just come back." He ponders the fact that Azalin has chosen to disguise himself. Is there a reason for that other than to gain favor faster? Do the two know each other? "Just the fact that you over heard that conversation is a good amount of information. Just come back to me, and I'll get us both back over the wall quickly."
Just as he's finishing that thought, Anthony's voice sounds in his head. Anthony plans to explain everything to Ming? There's a moment of silence before he responds. Akyan's always been slow to trust, and many times that distrust was falsely placed. "If you feel we can trust her, then I trust your decision." He replies finally. Then he continues, filling Anthony in on the situation. "Apparently, Azalin has made it into this realm as well. Though he's disguised. I think it's best if we pull out now. Kora's getting the feeling that he can sense her presence."
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"I never said you were." Akyan replies, giving Kora a flat look. "My point was if something had happened, none of us would have had any way of knowing." As he speaks, he creates a link with both Kora and Anthony.
A small smile crosses his face as he shakes his head at Anthony's comment about 'yeeting' them over the wall. It brings up some childhood memories, the two of them did used to sneak around a bit. Anthony had always been far stronger than he, and him boosting the young elf up to higher places (to the drow's irritation) had been a fairly common feat. Of course, Akyan's more than certain that he can scale the wall on his own, but having a little help wouldn't hurt anything. "After you get Kora up there, you can help me as well. Once I'm up, I'll take cover somewhere I won't be easily spotted. This way I can act as lookout rather than just being an elven sending stone."
In response to Kora, "Yes. I can hear you."
He nods to Ming's words. The girl seems to know a lot about this place while also knowing very little, but that's not her fault.
Ming gives Anthony a surprised look when he starts cursing... she hadn't expected that, but then again, she had just delivered some particularly bad news. She nods when he does his best to explain how they got there by magic but not teleportation.
Giving a small smile when he says he won't leave her here if its possible to take her with them, she hesitates, looking back towards the Mansions before saying, "I... if there is no way to save this realm, I would very much like to leave it. But... only if I can take my family too. They are stuck in the dream, and haven't woken up in... well, years. I can't leave them. Not unless there is a chance of me coming back so I can either fix this place or get them out too." She feels guilty, thinking of taking herself and her family to a better place while also leaving the rest of the city to their fate. However, she's learned to put herself and her family first after all this time. There is only so much she can do, and she'd rather save her loved ones then save no one.
When he asks about caravans, she frowns. Shaking her head she says, "Not that I know of. The only merchants are those who occupy the Gwai Huit Center in the mornings... and I'm pretty sure they are just other I'Cath citizens who've managed to get ahold of enough to sell. ...Why?"
She looks to Zathon, "Certain places? Are they... better places?" She hesitates, "Where did you all come from? Why... why get involved in this?" She's really starting to wonder what kind of people she's dealing with. They all seem so friendly, but she has no clue what kind of power they hold. Clearly they aren't some sort of divine saviors, sent to deliver the people of I'Cath from their suffering. But, the way they just immediately started trying to figure out how to deal with someone as powerful as Tsien Chiang... well, perhaps they just don't actually know who they are dealing with. If that's the case... she feels kinda bad dragging them into it.
Anthony does what he can to help Akyan up, nodding to what Zathon was saying. "Better? I'm not sure we could promise that. Different dangers and evils."
His expression softens at the mention of her family. It proved his point. There was nothing right or just about keeping these worlds intact. "There's a lot we could say about this place and the others like it that we can travel to. But you probably wouldn't believe most of it. I can say we expect to face the kinds of dangers that will be difficult if not impossible to survive. Like this." nodding his head in the direction of the tower. "Coming with us might not be better than staying here and dreaming of better things.
He nods at Anthony's words. They often thought similarly it seems. "Different places is all we can promise. The journey we are on.. I do not see us returning to somewhere actually safe for a long time. It might be better to leave your family here as well, as we cant guarantee their safety wherever we move onto."
Ming-Yue had asked a question about the Vistani, he’d almost forgotten in the midst of other topics. “Right, the travelers. There are a people who can travel the mists. I really couldn’t say how they do it or how easily, but I feel pretty comfortable saying that know what they’re doing way better than we do. I was hoping if you knew of any of them ever visiting here, maybe they would know the quickest way in and out of town.”
Anthony had the sort of almost feral cunning that someone who didn’t know where their next meal or next fix was coming from tended to develop. But he was also the kind of idiot who sometimes had trouble knowing which of the two was more important. They were going to be on the run with something hot and no idea what direction to run or where they could off load it. IF they could get to it in the first place. “Does this city have sewers?” he asked suddenly. The point of sewers was to send unwanted things out a city right?
Once Kora has scampered up upon the crest of the wall, she gets a grand view of what the others could not see. Before you, you see a large cobblestone courtyard. Along the fringes of the courtyard near walls, elaborately shaped trees grow from flowerbeds, their branches laced with petite, pink blossoms. Wilted petals cover the cobblestones, and a gentle breezes stirs through them.
Beyond the courtyard, you see a magnificent mansion made of the same dark material as the tower that rises from its center. Before the mansion, you spot a small small pond ringed by cultivated flowerbeds filled with all sorts of exotic plants. This must be the garden Ming mentioned. In the center of the pond, you see a small island upon which a beautiful tree with purple flowers grows. Past the mansion and tower, you can faintly make out some sort of park or vast garden, but you can't really make out details.
Unnoticed as of now, Kora determines she could go just about anywhere she wants. Where to next?
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
Kora relays what she is seeing to Akyan and adds, Does Ming know anything about the park or garden that is past the tower? I wonder if that is another way in?
As the little spider, Kora continues along the top of the wall, moving towards the mansion as far as the wall will allow her, then she crawls down to the cobblestones. With the poisoned plants in her mind, she avoids the petals as she goes and heads towards the mansion, getting closer to see what else she can about the garden and the space between the garden and the mansion. As well as the homestead itself.
KORA
Kora skitters down from the wall and scampers across the forlorn courtyard towards the garden. Much to her delight, she spots animal life amongst the plants and ornaments. A few mice scamper amongst the bases of flowers, a birds chirp amongst the boughs of trees, and a few fat bumblebees buzz lazily from flower to flower. As Kora moves closer to the pond, she swears she sees a few of the plants twitch and move, but maybe it was just her imagination.
Near the edge of the pond, Kora looks across the waters towards the island. A few vibrant petals fall from the flowering tree and drift downwards to rest upon the calm surface of the pond. The sounds of frogs croaking fill the air, and Kora is about to move onward when she spots movement over by the tree. Focusing, she sees an outline of a figure against the tree, though it looks the like the figure is much as part of the tree as being a person. Could it be a dryad?
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
With Anthony's help, Akyan attempts to scale the wall after Kora.
Acrobatics: 19 (With advantage from help thank goodness.)
(assuming this gets him up the wall.)
Once up, he only vaguely pays attention to the conversation as he is more concerned with Kora's safety at the moment. Scanning the courtyard and Mansion, he relays Kora's message to Anthony and looks for a place where he can take cover. (Preferably on the wall, as he only wants enter the courtyard if Kora needs help at any point.)
Perception: 18 (14 if he's got the sun in his eyes)
Ming's expression falls when she receives less than desirable responses to her question about going to a better place. Anywhere is better than here, that annoying voice jabbed at the back of her mind. I've got to get out. Escape this hell. There is not other option. Anywhere is better than here.
She looks to Zathon uncertainly, clearly unsure if he is implying that she go with them whenever they leave, but leave her parents behind. Her gaze shifts from him to Anthony, then downwards as she ponders what information they have given her. After a moment she asks, "What is it you are trying to accomplish? I... still don't understand why you are here."
She looks up again, meeting Anthony's gaze, "You assume I wouldn't believe most of your story, but you don't know that. I... understand if you are holding back information because you don't trust me. That's fair, but..." She sighs, then looks to Zathon again as she says, "You say you are on a journey, what is the purpose of it? Was it a choice? What do you hope to accomplish? You talk like you are willing to face Tsien Chiang herself, even though you seem to have nothing to gain from doing so. Just who are you people?"
She crosses her arms self-consciously, once more averting her eyes. For now, deciding on whether or not to follow them will have to wait. Even if there is a chance that they could take her somewhere that is at least less awful than here, she can't leave without some promise of salvation for her family. She can't leave them here unless there is a sure way of her returning and getting them out too. Unless there is no hope for them, the thought weaseled its way into her mind.
She taps her elbow with her finger, her attention turning to Akyan as Anthony boosts him upward. Really, why are these people so intent on getting the bell? They just got here. They have no clue what the risks really are. They are just taking her word for everything, even though she could be using them... and honestly the thought did cross her mind even though that isn't her intention.
"Sewers? ...Yeah..." The idea hadn't even occurred to her. Has she been running around whilst passing over such an obvious escape route this whole time? Or perhaps she had just dismissed it as too obvious.
Aoufie patiently waits in silence for any sign of trouble and knows if or when troubles come, he will be ready to leap into action. For now, he trusts in Kora's skills and Akyan's vigilance. Part of him wants to just leap over the wall and head in, but it is better to take the more cautious approach.
“It’s partly knowing we can’t really trust anyone. But mostly just too much to try to explain.” After giving Akyan a final shove by the feet, he turns back to Ming, leaning against the wall to take weight off his bad leg.”What are we doing? Honestly, no idea. This place..” gesturing vaguely around him. “It’s not real. Not this part or the dream you talk about. It’s a conjured prison, a pocket dimension in the Shadowfell. If I had to guess, probably for Tsien Chiang. Don’t understand what that actually means? Neither do I.” He shrugged and massaged his leg, mostly out of habit, it wasn’t actually bothering him at the moment.
“Bottom line, not sure what she did or who exactly she pissed off, but, best I can understand from what we were told there are these… beings from a plane of death and shadow that are … drawn to madness and evil and when they find someone powerful enough they scoop them up and stick them here along with whoever happens to be unlucky enough to be near-by. Usually their victims. How’s that for cosmic injustice?”
Anthony’s anger was obviously building. “At best, you and your family and countless others in Icath and other places like it, all connected by a web of mist, are all collateral damage in the containment of some -presumably- terrible people. At worst.. Fuel for them to feed and grow fat on so some bigger fish can put them to use. What use? Who knows. A battery? Food? Pure sadism? Again, no idea.”
Earnest brown eyes soften as the targetless anger fades away. “That’s my thoughts on the situation. But there’s a lot more and most of it we don’t really understand. And I don’t think we all agree completely on what some of it means or what the best way forward is. But we’re in it together.”
“Who we are is a little more complicated. I’m Anthony Tanner from Scornubel. I’m- a lot of things, but most recently a priest of Ilmater. I’ll skip the sermon, I’m not really that kind of priest.” pulling out another smile. “We all grew up with the same foster mother.” He implicitly includes Ireena and Ismark, leaving it to them to out themselves or not.
“Sorry. I know it’s a lot. A lot, a lot.” He wished he had better news for this poor woman. It was a crap situation. They come swooping in like heroes and tell her her whole life is a sham
Kora tries to not let the sight of plant and animal life distract her, but it sure was nice to see. But wait, were those plants moving? Kora pauses and tries to get a better read on them.
Perception: 12
She then watches what could be a dryad for a bit, to try and get a read on it. Then moving closer to the mansion (unless she can't because of the garden? She is keeping a clear distance from the possibly moving plants and pond.) She looks to see what would be the best way towards the tower.
She relays to Akyan There are actually plants and animal life here! I wonder why they just live here and no where else? But the plants.. there is something off about them around the garden and there might be a dryad at the tree in the center of the pond.
KORA
From her vantage point on the ground, Kora has a hard time making out details of the plants. They seem to tower above her, their tops lost in the distance, yet she does see a few of them twitching. Maybe they're animate plants?
Scooting closer to the mansion itself, she takes cover behind a flowerpot as she hears voices and footsteps approaching. Peeking out from behind the pot, she spots two figures strolling along the inner courtyard between two wings of the building. One of them is a stern woman with jet black hair bound into elaborate pattern by golden hairspikes. Her skin is a bronzed tone, and her round features hint at a healthy diet that the rest of the city doesn't share. She wears immaculate blue robes that swoosh and sway with every step she takes with her slippered feet. She clutches a scroll in her hand as she regally walks, and she appears to be in conversation with a jiangshi by her side.
"... made wonderful progress recently," Kora hear as the woman gets closer. The woman's voice is rich and full, the voice of one who is used to being obeyed. "I should have promoted you years ago."
The jiangshi at her side shuffles along slowly, but it nods stiffly at the compliment. Kora has a hard time making out its features at this distance and angle. Long black hair cascades from atop its desiccated head, obscuring much of its gaunt features. "I am only here to serve you, my mistress. I too am pleased with the progress of the city," the jiangshi responds in dry croak.
Looking thoughtful, the woman in the robe says, "I think the next step is to finish quadrant three. It seems the closest to being finished. The gardens are-"
She cuts off as the jiangshi suddenly tenses and whirls around to face the garden, staring in Kora's direction. Now that it faces you, you recognize that the jiangshi looks very similar to Azalin when you met him back in Barovia. This form does appear to be feminine, but its general face shape is undeniable. Azalin scans the gardens, ''her" bloodred eyes squinting against the glare of the sun. Thankfully, Azalin doesn't seem to notice you.
"Mai Ling, what's wrong?" asks the woman.
Azalin scowls and scans the garden once more before turning back and resuming her shuffling walk along side the woman. "Nothing, my lady. I thought I sensed someone in the garden. Do not let it trouble you."
"Ah, I see," the woman replies, sounding entirely unconcerned. She continues onward and eventually reaches a doorway in one of the mansions protruding wings. "Anyways, about the third quadrant..."
Kora isn't able to pick up on anymore of their conversation as she walks inside. Azalin hesitates at the door and turns to look back out onto the garden once more before shaking his head and following the woman back inside.
AKYAN
The drow pops over the wall. A tree nearby offers a very convenient way to get down to the ground without plummeting the full twenty feet if he so desires. Before he has a chance to look around at the gardened courtyard, he spots a flicker of movement. His instincts kicked in, and he swiftly sought cover behind the nearby tree as he watches two figures stroll out in the space between two wings of the building. They seem to be chatting about something, though he can't make out the specifics at this distance. After only a few moments of intense waiting, the figures enter the mansion across the small inner courtyard.
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
"Not real?" Ming seems troubled, but not really shocked as Anthony does his best to describe the realms. "That... actually makes sense..." Well, yes and no, but for some reason the notion doesn't seem completely absurd. Maybe it's the dreamlike, nightmarish nature of I'Cath, or maybe it's the scramble of memories lodged in her head. Either way, she silently accepts what she's hearing as if it's the most natural thing Anthony could have told her.
"But... what is your goal? Are you... stuck in these... realms too? Is Scornbel..." She frowns at the odd name, "part of these connected realms too?"
If anyone relays Kora's question to Ming, she'll say, "The park is very dangerous. I... haven't tried going there myself due to everything I've heard, but I have tried to get close..." She seems hesitant to say why she personally didn't try to do more than get close, or how close she actually got. "The garden is as I said... poisonous. This... this and those places, are probably the most dangerous locations in this city."
She goes silent, clearly thinking about a lot of things as her brow is slightly farrowed and her eyes are distant. Like Anthony said, what he gave her was a LOT of information... just not the information she felt she needed right now. Really, she doesn't know what she needs at the moment. She can't figure out what her best course of action is. Does she stay with this weird group? Or should she focus on sorting through her memories and saving her family? Can she do both? Or would choosing one mean deserting the other?
As he scans the garden, he starts to reply to Kora, "I can see that, but just be careful. Ming says this place is poi-" Seeing the figures, his thought is cut off as he reflexivley takes cover behind the conveniently placed tree. He hadn't particularly wanted to enter the garden just yet, but his options were limited. Now taking cover behind the tree, he starts speaking to Kora again, "I'm guessing you can see those people. Can you hear what they are talking about?"
Breathing easier now that the female Azalin went inside and didn't pursue the feeling that she was lurking, she stays hidden behind her flower pot and responds. Yes, I'm pretty sure the woman is Tsien Chiang and the jiangshi that was with her.. stay with me here, is Azalin! But different here, female and just different. But it is Azalin, I'd swear it and she felt my presence, so creepy.
Tsien Chiang was bragging on how well things were going and wanting to work to finish the third quadrant. She also called Azalin, Mai Ling... with this new development I'm a bit more hesitant to move closer, but if you see someplace I should check out, I will.
He's uncomfortable speaking for everyone. Ming was easy to trust from his perspective and had a right to know what she might be getting involved with if she was going to come with them. But maybe the others didn't feel the same. He used the mental link to give Akyan a heads up, "Ming seems to be putting in with us, and team meetings are hard to make happen. Sorry, but I'm just gonna fill her in best I can. I hope it's not a mistake."
"Azalin? Here?" He frowns, "If that really was Azalin, then perhaps we are in way over our heads here. None of us are ready to face him. You say he sensed you? If he can do that, then this is really unsafe for you. Just come back." He ponders the fact that Azalin has chosen to disguise himself. Is there a reason for that other than to gain favor faster? Do the two know each other? "Just the fact that you over heard that conversation is a good amount of information. Just come back to me, and I'll get us both back over the wall quickly."
Just as he's finishing that thought, Anthony's voice sounds in his head. Anthony plans to explain everything to Ming? There's a moment of silence before he responds. Akyan's always been slow to trust, and many times that distrust was falsely placed. "If you feel we can trust her, then I trust your decision." He replies finally. Then he continues, filling Anthony in on the situation. "Apparently, Azalin has made it into this realm as well. Though he's disguised. I think it's best if we pull out now. Kora's getting the feeling that he can sense her presence."