Turn of Fortune's Wheel (Gnomes' game)

Eithne looks... torn, nodding her thanks to Britari: "And for that, I thank you. However, I believe it's appropriate to be a little more careful before sending an innocent into the unknown... even an innocent as powerful as Kopoha."

"Be that as it may," the Savage Wanderer sighs "perhaps this experience—and its consequences—will truly strengthen her and help her find clarity in her life. I prefer to hold out hope for that—rather than fear her possible eternal imprisonment".

"Next destination?" the Lone Survivor asks "Faunel? Or other preferences?"

History Check: 17

Pondering on the situation.

“It is hard to believe that an overturned stone could bring such evil to this place.” 

Rogferr continues to reflect on his lack of knowledge regarding Fey. 

“It seems something like a Hag has made its home here. Sadly I know not how to track down a Hag and at this point we have lost the hospitality of those that control this land.”

Snapping out of his intellectual self-indulgence Rogferr turns his attention to Britari.

“So you happily let Kopoha risk facing the fates but stopped us. I cannot say I understand you.”

Nodding to Eithne’s hope that good will come from this Rogferr will agree with continuing on.

Faith is indignant, "What had Kopoha done to deserve such a fate? Being mildly annoying rates eternal banishment to you? You've made it clear I can NEVER trust anything you say!"  To the others, Faith says, "We should go try and help Kopoha, one person doesn't return, but maybe a team can..."

[[OOC: Faith now considers Britari to be evil. This will not be good for party unity 🙁]]

Britari seems to shrug off Eithne's comment.  "I had heard 'disappeared' and suppose I took it a bit more figuratively.  In the moment though it just seemed like the sort of thing she needed to get out of her rut. As you say Eithne, I do think she'll really grow from this."

Her head tilts a little at Rogfer's comment. "I suppose I don't understand myself fully. So, makes sense you don't either!"

Continuing on, she adds, "I don't really care where we go next. Faunel seems like as good an option as any."

Eithne's azure eyes are sad as she approaches Faith: "I understand you, Faith—and I had considered this possibility too, but I've come to realize it's not viable. Not only because Kopoha is an Empyrean, almost a goddess, a creature to whose power we could add very little; but also because Danai has explicitly forbidden us to return - and she too seems endowed with a power that shouldn't be overlooked."

"I imagine how your sensitive heart bleeds—and I'm sorry for what happened, too—but I fear," the Savage Wanderer concludes "that we no longer have any concrete way to help."

With Kopoha gone, and your dismissal from Sylvania, you return to the waiting Iedcaru, musing over what has transpired and for once, without unanimous agreement. You set your course for the walking tower toward Faunel, the perfectly even strides beginning their clockwork steps across the Outlands. While none of the gate towns are truly that far from each other, time is still oddly shifting, almost as much as the landscape, making it feel like a couple of days by at least some sort of internal reckoning. But after a day, you would notice a miles-long procession of thousands of modrons, destination unclear, but perhaps even stranger, they all appear to be illusory in nature.

Eithne observes curiously: "I wonder who could possibly create the illusion of a Modron procession... And for what purpose?"

'Perhaps they were exterminated, like us' the Voices in her head speculate, shuddering. 'And this illusion is all that's left of them'.
'Leave them alone, Eithne...'
'Real constructs are already unnatural and disturbing... you don't need to actively seek contact with illusory versions of them.'

The Savage Wanderer tries to get assess the procession's direction: do they seem to be heading toward Faunel, too?

Faith seems unusual subdued during this travel. what happened to Kopoha hit her hard.

(They do not, although their illusions vanish well before that so perhaps it is hard to say for certain, but they definitely aren't just walking up the gate or something.)

Britari notes the quiet nature of some of the others in the group and tries to respectfully give them space as they travel. She watches the appearance of the modron procession with mild interest. When they vanish as if an illusion it is odd but seems to be the way of things here in the Outlands. Given time, and having not previously traveled in the Iedcaru, she takes some time to look around and explore the place.  As time allows, she would peruse any books that might be in the place, especially interested in those that deal with the Outlands or Sigil. 

Quote from Gnomesftw >>

(They do not, although their illusions vanish well before that so perhaps it is hard to say for certain, but they definitely aren't just walking up the gate or something.)

Eithne decides that taking a detour or a stop just to examine the reasons for an illusion doesn't seem justified, so she simply resumes enjoying the journey - amid the mental murmurs of relief and approval from the Voices in her head.

After studying the illusory modrons briefly as you pass by, Eithne and perhaps others would notice that while they seem illusory, they also look mortified, as if terrified of where they are.

Britari spends some time in the library area, where the majority focus on esoteric philosophies of the Outer Planes and multiversal theories. (If there is something specific Britari is trying to learn about the Outer Planes or multiversal theories, she can make an Intelligence check at advantage to do so.)

As you eventually approach Faunel:

The calls of wildlife echo through a region where varied types of wildernesses meet. Forests, savannas, rocky deserts, mangrove swamps, tundras, and more form a wild patchwork. A faint ribbon of smoke leads to a collection of temporary structures that form a modest trading camp amid a sparse woodland. As you draw closer, the eyes of your mimir glow green.

(The Jumanji theme is totally playing in the background :D haha)

Britari will specifically look for anything that might reference people appearing in the Outlands or Sigil without knowing how they got there. (INT Check: 13)

When the group approaches Faunel and they spot the smoke, she points it out to any others who might have missed it. "Guess it's time to check and see what we have to do to get the mimir to the gate."  Seeing the green glow of its eyes she says, "Maybe it's already close enough? Or does it always do that with the eyes?"  

Faith looks out at the varied natural settings that normally would all be in such close proximity to each other. But the unusual and strange seems to be normal around here...

Eithne admits: "I haven't known the mimir very long... I must have told you before that I was a 'later addition' to this group of disparate talents, just like you—I just arrived a bit earlier."

"Anyway, for what it's worth, I've never seen his eyes like this before..." the Lone Survivor continues "So it shouldn't be a phenomenon related to the proximity of a portal."

The wild nature of the place seems strange to the Savage Wanderer, much as it did to Faith, but on the other hand, it speaks to her soul, as if by a certain wild harmony; so she gives a smile and invites everyone: "It might be worth asking for information. Shall we go introduce ourselves?" and heads toward the trading camp.

Faith agrees with a simple, "Sure." as she follows along. 

Taking a moment to appreciate the sight of nature, Rogferr listens to each sound and attempts to mentally document each species from their calls. Noticing the change in the Mimir's eyes Rogferr will think back to his time studying in an attempt to remember any useful information.

Arcana/History Check(same modifiers): 17

Nodding at Eithne's suggestion Rogferr shall follow her.

“It seems like wherever we find a portal we must undertake a Trial. It would be best to seek out those that hold power here.”

Britari doesn't find any particular mention of incidents that relate specifically to her current situation, although there is some commentary here and there about odd incidents around Sigil and the Outlands. The most predominant theory out there though is known as the "Rule of Threes" which states that when things happen, they happen in threes. You might not always be able to perceive or understand how events are related, but somewhere, sometime, or somehow, every action has two partners. Often this isn’t worth worrying about. Other times, nothing matters more.

Rogferr can easily identify quite a few animal sounds, such as bears, tigers, elephants, eagles, and much more. It's a jungle out there, (If there was something more specific he was trying to remember, let me know).

As you reach the city limits of the town (more or less) your attention is drawn upward slightly, to the trees above you. “Hello, travelers!” calls an energetic giant sloth wearing a bracelet of claws and feathers. The creature dangles from a nearby tree and waves a three-clawed paw. “Fresh faces are always welcome in Camp Greenbriar!”

"Thanks for the friendly greeting!" replies Faith.

"...And who welcomes us has our friendship" Eithne manages a shy smile, while waving back, put at ease by the natural, wild surroundings. "My name is Eithne. May I know who I have the honor of speaking with? And by any chance, might we also know where to find the Portal to the Beastlands?"

Meanwhile, the Savage Wanderer's azure eyes take in the unique panorama of so many different types of wilderness gathered together.

'The wilderness has been my refuge for so long, ever since I awoke amidst the slaughter of my tribe...' the Lone Survivor thinks to herself.
'Yes,' the Voices in her head agree. 'At least nature can be ruthless sometimes... but it doesn't hide it.'
'It's not as subtle as magic.'
'It's not as alien as magic.'