Perspicacious, you feel Caspian lurch as Amaruve hits the end of his tether. The steam skipper, capable only of gliding at the moment, sets loose a tinny whistle of alarm as you begin to drift downward, off-course from the island on which you intend to land. Just as it seems that you will drop too low to make it, there is another lurch and a heavy jolt, and Caspian begins to rise, unburdened. I imagine the tiefling lets out a relieved cheer as she regains altitude. That elation quickly sinks to despair, however, as she passes beyond the boundary of black clouds below.
Perspicacious, you're going to make it to your island. Which is good, because there is nowhere else to land and you've nearly lost the last of Taesn's memories to guide your flight. The bad news is that the end of Amaruve's silken tether has come into view... and he isn't attached to it. Amaruve is gone.
Again.
The onset of relief approaching the island followed quickly by the despair of seeing the tether unattached causes Perspicacious to pause. They had been through so much these last weeks.. months? She wasn't even sure how long it had been. Though she had known some of them before the leaps started, they were more like family now, sticking together through thick or thin, clinging to hope that each leap might just be the last one. She had softened somewhat over the leaps, not always putting up that harsh authoritarian demeanor. Teamwork was more valued now than demands. And now... her team was drifting apart. Quite literally.
Well, she wasn't about to give up now. And with that final thought, Perspicacious tabs her earring, and prepares to land Caspian. "You're semi-sentient... right? Maybe you and I can find something on this abyssal rock to help our friends."
Srambling for options. Looking for answers. Either on the boulder or within Caspian, hopefully with Caspians help. Maybe we can repair them?
(Maneuvers won't apply here, I'm afraid). Duncan tries to stand and grant your request, Perspicacious, but it's just too damaged. It doesn't show much external evidence of harm, but the sand from Amaruve's spell clogged up its inner clockwork pretty well. It lets out a low pitched whistle and settles back onto the earth.
(With your perception roll...) You can see the huge, imposing wall of storm that sits stationary half a mile beyond this island. After watching it for a moment, you determine that it likely doesn't pose a threat. (Investigation) It's sphere-shaped, and you guess that it is likely concealing something of interest. Your gut tells you that the dark figure who assailed your mind is likely inside it. That is undoubtedly where the stolen children are being kept.
As you make your way around the roughly football field-sized island, you find quite a lot that could be helpful. (Survival) You stumble across the remains of the campsite that once belonged to a party of adventurers. You also find the remains of the adventurers, their three skeletal bodies positioned at the corners of the camp in sentry positions, facing outwards. They bear evidence of battle scars, but they make have died of starvation as you don't find evidence of a flying vessel here with them. Their remains look at least ten years old, but you aren't able to discern more than that.
You do find that much of their equipment is magical and in good working condition, however. It will undoubtedly assist your party. You find one object in particular that seems to call out to you, specifically...
Roll a d6 to reveal what you have found, Perspicacious!
Perspicacious, you find a small silver hand bell with a handle wrapped in soft black leather. It appears to be newly polished, and its bell fits entirely within the palm of your hand. It is unadorned save for the words "Ring for Assistance" embossed in small script around the base of the bell (near the handle).
(You have found the Animus Bell! This wondrous object contains a once per day charge of the spell tiny servant! See rules for details)
"Ring for Assistance..." Perspicacious mutters the words to herself as she picks up the bell."Well we're in dire need of assistance, that's for sure. And no one else is here right now...so if things go sideways, well, hopefully it doesn't' cause too much ruckus. Here goes nothing." And with that, she rings the bell, and gazes around for what this assistance might look like.
As you ring the bell, you hear a rustling from the mouldering belt of one of the fallen adventurers. Looking that way, you see a battered (but solid-looking) hip flask hop to the ground and dust itself off using a pair of thin, spindly arms.
It notices you with a start, then bows deeply, the liquid inside it sloshing noisily. It chimes excitedly, sounding just like your bell, clearly happy to do whatever you ask of it.
Perspicacious quirks an eyebrow at the odd little assistant. Not quite what she was expecting, and therefore not sure of how to address it, she falls back on an old trick she used often back in the Tower. When in doubt, fake it. "Okay friend, let's start with gathering up anything useful for repairing a skipper. You see that right over there?"She points to the currently down and out Caspian. "That's Caspian, and we need to get them ship shape. I have more friends on the way and we want everything in as much of working order as we can get it. There seems to be a lot of items around this camp that might be useful, so let's get to work. No time to waste."
The flask servant throws a chipper salute your way and sprints off toward Caspian. He walks around the steam skipper once or twice as though assessing it fit damage. Then, facing the vessel, it chimes brightly. Caspian whistles in reply, and the two have a brief unintelligible conversation.
The flask then dives into Caspian's engine compartment. You hear a series of cranks and bangs, and sand begins flying out of it. Whatever the flask is up to, it will take awhile. You go about the business of getting your camp ready, keeping the speaking stone nearby and sending occasional messages (though you hear nothing in return from your comrades while they're in the clouds).
Cordelia and Jean hear from their stone, "Heads up!" There is a pair of bright flashes accompanied by thunderous whumphs as the eladrin buzzes by, peppering the air around the other eel with flares. It roars in pain and tries to shield its eyes.
"Alright, let's go, go, go!" Cries the artificer.
(You all have a way out of the clouds! Time to move!)
Cordelia brings Duncan along side Brutus dumping Tony from her windshield and dropping a tow line to Kyo, gingerly hauling the group after Prespicacious.
Cordelia brings Duncan along side Brutus dumping Tony from her windshield and dropping a tow line to Kyo, gingerly hauling the group after Prespicacious.
A party of six people (three of them wounded), flying three ships (one of which in disrepair) exit the stormcloud layer below this piece of sky. As they do, they hear Perspicacious hailing them, running through her short mayday message and praying for a response. As their stones light up, they actually see Perspicacious. She is less than a half mile away on a thin strip of an island just in front of that enormous spherical expanse of black stormcloud.
You all make your way to the island, have your reunion, and together mourn / fret over the loss of Amaruve. He's done this before... In fact, he always does this. Surely he's alright. Surely he will find you if you only give him some time...
In the meantime, Perspicacious and her newfound tiny servant have prepared a serviceable campsite. The remains of the three adventurers are still in place (I imagine- that's up to you what she does with them, AP). But otherwise you have a chance to rest and recover. Taesn inspects the steam skippers and remains apart from the rest of you. She begins casting Mend on her "herd" slowly repairing them with loving care. Fiorello is also busy; he heals your wounds before night falls.
And it is night. The sky darkened quickly, and you barely have time to light a campfire. I imagine that this is something that Amaruve typically does, and it feels... odd to sit here without him. Before you fall asleep, Perspiacious shows you all what she salvaged from the long-dead adventurers campsite:
(It's random item time! Everyone (except Perspicacious and Amaruve) roll a d6 for me, please!)
Jean blinked once her new shield had been properly identified. "By Helm! This will do nicely indeed..." She murmured. Jean stowed her previous shield, the one baring the coat of arms of the city of Waterdeep on it, carefully in her backpack and strapped on the circle of smoky green glass onto her arm. To try it out she moved to 10 feet of Perspicacious and activated the enchantment. For a moment a ghostlike image of herself appeared before the teifling, ready to deflect an incoming blow.
Cordelia picks up a pair of boots that seem to be just about her size. They are a soft blue leather and quite aerodynamic. Stylized golden wings extend from the heels, and they flutter slightly when she examines them.
"Sweet... golden snitch sneakers. Sasha would freaking die." And with that, she goes about the business of setting up her pallet and quickly drifts to sleep.
Kyo also receives something cool (an object that remains shrouded in mystery for now). Caspian was set to rights with the combined efforts of Taesn and Perspicacious' Tiny Servant, and he joins the other two operational steam skippers in keeping watch at the three corners of your campsite. Brutus, though, remained too damaged to help, and Taesn continued to work on him tirelessly through the night. And all night, the sphere of storm half a mile from you island never changes. It continues to rotate silently, occasional bolts of lightning illuminating its surface.
I can't know which, if any, of you are early risers. Those of you who planned to sleep in past 6am, however are awakened by the shrill whistle of Ariel on the southern edge of the camp. Battle-trained as you all have become, I assume that you take ready positions, with a few of you facing the direction of the skipper's warning. Approaching your from below, you see three shapes approaching in the lightening sky. As they draw nearer, you realize they are riders atop some kind of winged mounts...
The riders are wearing brightly-colored gear, complete with bird masks and feathers at their heads, backs, and shoulders. They look quite fearsome, and they soar overhead to land on the edge of your campsite, closest to Duncan and Cordelia. They make no move to dismount, and they do not threaten you. They simply stare at you, waiting for something, making occasional small hand gestures to one another...
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Baobur walks mostly unnoticed into the camp then realizes he might go unnoticed that way and shifts back into his normal shape, but wearing his more rugged apparel.
He lets out a brief roar in greeting and waves the three riders to follow.
Amaruve watches Taesn's reaction carefully. If he were capable of social graces, he might do so subtly, but he instead broadcasts his curiosity fairly plainly. (Insight: 18) (<==Facepalm.)
The onset of relief approaching the island followed quickly by the despair of seeing the tether unattached causes Perspicacious to pause. They had been through so much these last weeks.. months? She wasn't even sure how long it had been. Though she had known some of them before the leaps started, they were more like family now, sticking together through thick or thin, clinging to hope that each leap might just be the last one. She had softened somewhat over the leaps, not always putting up that harsh authoritarian demeanor. Teamwork was more valued now than demands. And now... her team was drifting apart. Quite literally.
Well, she wasn't about to give up now. And with that final thought, Perspicacious tabs her earring, and prepares to land Caspian. "You're semi-sentient... right? Maybe you and I can find something on this abyssal rock to help our friends."
Srambling for options. Looking for answers. Either on the boulder or within Caspian, hopefully with Caspians help. Maybe we can repair them?
Perception? 15
Investigation? 18
Survival? 5
Maneuvers? 12
Perspicacious only:
(Maneuvers won't apply here, I'm afraid). Duncan tries to stand and grant your request, Perspicacious, but it's just too damaged. It doesn't show much external evidence of harm, but the sand from Amaruve's spell clogged up its inner clockwork pretty well. It lets out a low pitched whistle and settles back onto the earth.
(With your perception roll...) You can see the huge, imposing wall of storm that sits stationary half a mile beyond this island. After watching it for a moment, you determine that it likely doesn't pose a threat. (Investigation) It's sphere-shaped, and you guess that it is likely concealing something of interest. Your gut tells you that the dark figure who assailed your mind is likely inside it. That is undoubtedly where the stolen children are being kept.
As you make your way around the roughly football field-sized island, you find quite a lot that could be helpful. (Survival) You stumble across the remains of the campsite that once belonged to a party of adventurers. You also find the remains of the adventurers, their three skeletal bodies positioned at the corners of the camp in sentry positions, facing outwards. They bear evidence of battle scars, but they make have died of starvation as you don't find evidence of a flying vessel here with them. Their remains look at least ten years old, but you aren't able to discern more than that.
You do find that much of their equipment is magical and in good working condition, however. It will undoubtedly assist your party. You find one object in particular that seems to call out to you, specifically...
Roll a d6 to reveal what you have found, Perspicacious!
Imani Jones - Lv 11 Warlock of The Living City - Variant Human| Fate/False Revelation
Wick Stumbleduck - Lv 4 Lore Bard - Forest Gnome | Elustran Days
Khurah - Lv 3 Star Druid - Half-orc | Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians
Dale Swanson - User of the Sound of Silence Stand - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Sunset Investigations
Ayaci Vikerfjell - Lv 8 Rune Knight | Variant Human | Storm King's Thunder
Perspicacious, you find a small silver hand bell with a handle wrapped in soft black leather. It appears to be newly polished, and its bell fits entirely within the palm of your hand. It is unadorned save for the words "Ring for Assistance" embossed in small script around the base of the bell (near the handle).
(You have found the Animus Bell! This wondrous object contains a once per day charge of the spell tiny servant! See rules for details)
Imani Jones - Lv 11 Warlock of The Living City - Variant Human| Fate/False Revelation
Wick Stumbleduck - Lv 4 Lore Bard - Forest Gnome | Elustran Days
Khurah - Lv 3 Star Druid - Half-orc | Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians
Dale Swanson - User of the Sound of Silence Stand - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Sunset Investigations
Ayaci Vikerfjell - Lv 8 Rune Knight | Variant Human | Storm King's Thunder
"Ring for Assistance..." Perspicacious mutters the words to herself as she picks up the bell. "Well we're in dire need of assistance, that's for sure. And no one else is here right now...so if things go sideways, well, hopefully it doesn't' cause too much ruckus. Here goes nothing." And with that, she rings the bell, and gazes around for what this assistance might look like.
As you ring the bell, you hear a rustling from the mouldering belt of one of the fallen adventurers. Looking that way, you see a battered (but solid-looking) hip flask hop to the ground and dust itself off using a pair of thin, spindly arms.
It notices you with a start, then bows deeply, the liquid inside it sloshing noisily. It chimes excitedly, sounding just like your bell, clearly happy to do whatever you ask of it.
Imani Jones - Lv 11 Warlock of The Living City - Variant Human| Fate/False Revelation
Wick Stumbleduck - Lv 4 Lore Bard - Forest Gnome | Elustran Days
Khurah - Lv 3 Star Druid - Half-orc | Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians
Dale Swanson - User of the Sound of Silence Stand - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Sunset Investigations
Ayaci Vikerfjell - Lv 8 Rune Knight | Variant Human | Storm King's Thunder
Perspicacious quirks an eyebrow at the odd little assistant. Not quite what she was expecting, and therefore not sure of how to address it, she falls back on an old trick she used often back in the Tower. When in doubt, fake it. "Okay friend, let's start with gathering up anything useful for repairing a skipper. You see that right over there?" She points to the currently down and out Caspian. "That's Caspian, and we need to get them ship shape. I have more friends on the way and we want everything in as much of working order as we can get it. There seems to be a lot of items around this camp that might be useful, so let's get to work. No time to waste."
Survival: 10
Investigation: 20
The flask servant throws a chipper salute your way and sprints off toward Caspian. He walks around the steam skipper once or twice as though assessing it fit damage. Then, facing the vessel, it chimes brightly. Caspian whistles in reply, and the two have a brief unintelligible conversation.
The flask then dives into Caspian's engine compartment. You hear a series of cranks and bangs, and sand begins flying out of it. Whatever the flask is up to, it will take awhile. You go about the business of getting your camp ready, keeping the speaking stone nearby and sending occasional messages (though you hear nothing in return from your comrades while they're in the clouds).
Imani Jones - Lv 11 Warlock of The Living City - Variant Human| Fate/False Revelation
Wick Stumbleduck - Lv 4 Lore Bard - Forest Gnome | Elustran Days
Khurah - Lv 3 Star Druid - Half-orc | Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians
Dale Swanson - User of the Sound of Silence Stand - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Sunset Investigations
Ayaci Vikerfjell - Lv 8 Rune Knight | Variant Human | Storm King's Thunder
"Well, would you look at that... they can talk to each other."
(jumping in! Sorry, Shaz!)
Cordelia and Jean hear from their stone, "Heads up!" There is a pair of bright flashes accompanied by thunderous whumphs as the eladrin buzzes by, peppering the air around the other eel with flares. It roars in pain and tries to shield its eyes.
"Alright, let's go, go, go!" Cries the artificer.
(You all have a way out of the clouds! Time to move!)
Imani Jones - Lv 11 Warlock of The Living City - Variant Human| Fate/False Revelation
Wick Stumbleduck - Lv 4 Lore Bard - Forest Gnome | Elustran Days
Khurah - Lv 3 Star Druid - Half-orc | Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians
Dale Swanson - User of the Sound of Silence Stand - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Sunset Investigations
Ayaci Vikerfjell - Lv 8 Rune Knight | Variant Human | Storm King's Thunder
Cordelia brings Duncan along side Brutus dumping Tony from her windshield and dropping a tow line to Kyo, gingerly hauling the group after Prespicacious.
Extended Signature
(Love it, everyone okay with this?)
Imani Jones - Lv 11 Warlock of The Living City - Variant Human| Fate/False Revelation
Wick Stumbleduck - Lv 4 Lore Bard - Forest Gnome | Elustran Days
Khurah - Lv 3 Star Druid - Half-orc | Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians
Dale Swanson - User of the Sound of Silence Stand - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Sunset Investigations
Ayaci Vikerfjell - Lv 8 Rune Knight | Variant Human | Storm King's Thunder
Tony flops into Brutus’ cockpit, slightly fried. “I knew you people would be trouble...”
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms - The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon - Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland - Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF! - Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
A party of six people (three of them wounded), flying three ships (one of which in disrepair) exit the stormcloud layer below this piece of sky. As they do, they hear Perspicacious hailing them, running through her short mayday message and praying for a response. As their stones light up, they actually see Perspicacious. She is less than a half mile away on a thin strip of an island just in front of that enormous spherical expanse of black stormcloud.
You all make your way to the island, have your reunion, and together mourn / fret over the loss of Amaruve. He's done this before... In fact, he always does this. Surely he's alright. Surely he will find you if you only give him some time...
In the meantime, Perspicacious and her newfound tiny servant have prepared a serviceable campsite. The remains of the three adventurers are still in place (I imagine- that's up to you what she does with them, AP). But otherwise you have a chance to rest and recover. Taesn inspects the steam skippers and remains apart from the rest of you. She begins casting Mend on her "herd" slowly repairing them with loving care. Fiorello is also busy; he heals your wounds before night falls.
And it is night. The sky darkened quickly, and you barely have time to light a campfire. I imagine that this is something that Amaruve typically does, and it feels... odd to sit here without him. Before you fall asleep, Perspiacious shows you all what she salvaged from the long-dead adventurers campsite:
(It's random item time! Everyone (except Perspicacious and Amaruve) roll a d6 for me, please!)
Imani Jones - Lv 11 Warlock of The Living City - Variant Human| Fate/False Revelation
Wick Stumbleduck - Lv 4 Lore Bard - Forest Gnome | Elustran Days
Khurah - Lv 3 Star Druid - Half-orc | Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians
Dale Swanson - User of the Sound of Silence Stand - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Sunset Investigations
Ayaci Vikerfjell - Lv 8 Rune Knight | Variant Human | Storm King's Thunder
Jean heard Tony's comment and chuckled. "We often are." She said wryly.
4
Tony sighs and picks up a brass knuckle, “Huh... not a bad. I suppose it’ll do.”
Tony then collapses asleep. Just faceplants.
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms - The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon - Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland - Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF! - Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
(Awesome. Jean, I'm sending you your item now...)
Imani Jones - Lv 11 Warlock of The Living City - Variant Human| Fate/False Revelation
Wick Stumbleduck - Lv 4 Lore Bard - Forest Gnome | Elustran Days
Khurah - Lv 3 Star Druid - Half-orc | Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians
Dale Swanson - User of the Sound of Silence Stand - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Sunset Investigations
Ayaci Vikerfjell - Lv 8 Rune Knight | Variant Human | Storm King's Thunder
Jean blinked once her new shield had been properly identified. "By Helm! This will do nicely indeed..." She murmured. Jean stowed her previous shield, the one baring the coat of arms of the city of Waterdeep on it, carefully in her backpack and strapped on the circle of smoky green glass onto her arm. To try it out she moved to 10 feet of Perspicacious and activated the enchantment. For a moment a ghostlike image of herself appeared before the teifling, ready to deflect an incoming blow.
Cordelia picks up a pair of boots that seem to be just about her size. They are a soft blue leather and quite aerodynamic. Stylized golden wings extend from the heels, and they flutter slightly when she examines them.
"Sweet... golden snitch sneakers. Sasha would freaking die." And with that, she goes about the business of setting up her pallet and quickly drifts to sleep.
Imani Jones - Lv 11 Warlock of The Living City - Variant Human| Fate/False Revelation
Wick Stumbleduck - Lv 4 Lore Bard - Forest Gnome | Elustran Days
Khurah - Lv 3 Star Druid - Half-orc | Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians
Dale Swanson - User of the Sound of Silence Stand - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Sunset Investigations
Ayaci Vikerfjell - Lv 8 Rune Knight | Variant Human | Storm King's Thunder
Kyo also receives something cool (an object that remains shrouded in mystery for now). Caspian was set to rights with the combined efforts of Taesn and Perspicacious' Tiny Servant, and he joins the other two operational steam skippers in keeping watch at the three corners of your campsite. Brutus, though, remained too damaged to help, and Taesn continued to work on him tirelessly through the night. And all night, the sphere of storm half a mile from you island never changes. It continues to rotate silently, occasional bolts of lightning illuminating its surface.
I can't know which, if any, of you are early risers. Those of you who planned to sleep in past 6am, however are awakened by the shrill whistle of Ariel on the southern edge of the camp. Battle-trained as you all have become, I assume that you take ready positions, with a few of you facing the direction of the skipper's warning. Approaching your from below, you see three shapes approaching in the lightening sky. As they draw nearer, you realize they are riders atop some kind of winged mounts...
The riders are wearing brightly-colored gear, complete with bird masks and feathers at their heads, backs, and shoulders. They look quite fearsome, and they soar overhead to land on the edge of your campsite, closest to Duncan and Cordelia. They make no move to dismount, and they do not threaten you. They simply stare at you, waiting for something, making occasional small hand gestures to one another...
Imani Jones - Lv 11 Warlock of The Living City - Variant Human| Fate/False Revelation
Wick Stumbleduck - Lv 4 Lore Bard - Forest Gnome | Elustran Days
Khurah - Lv 3 Star Druid - Half-orc | Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians
Dale Swanson - User of the Sound of Silence Stand - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Sunset Investigations
Ayaci Vikerfjell - Lv 8 Rune Knight | Variant Human | Storm King's Thunder
Baobur walks mostly unnoticed into the camp then realizes he might go unnoticed that way and shifts back into his normal shape, but wearing his more rugged apparel.
He lets out a brief roar in greeting and waves the three riders to follow.
Amaruve watches Taesn's reaction carefully. If he were capable of social graces, he might do so subtly, but he instead broadcasts his curiosity fairly plainly. (Insight: 18) (<==Facepalm.)
Extended Signature