"That is in part the idea, my stoney compatriot. But with items like these, you will want to not just be mentally prepared, but have the wording exact. Otherwise, whatever power it draws upon and the same goes for any 'sentience' it possess, may take advantage of the wording to its benefit... or amusement. And we do not want another... issue to deal with now do we?"Yessaris smiled a clearly feigned smile, and then hopefully with at least Nox at his side, he either waits for folk to recover, or made his way over to the book again to see about its careful management in opening it up.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
The group commiserates for a while, licking their wounds. Boomshakala tries to figure out if this is truly the end of their Trials. Abe leads a healing session in one of the top platform's corners alongside both Tupoc and Selrahc. Meanwhile Yessaris assumes a leadership position and makes sure the party's next decision is only taken after considerable discussion. They all seem in agreement.
Realizing they are not being rushed into any decision, the group settles for a rest.
-> You are all welcome to take a short rest.
The artificer then remembers Lysanderoth's tale told to them by his old companions, and how it serves as a warning about the twisting nature of powerful wish-granting artifacts/beings. Eventually, the yuan-ti leads some of his companions to the ruined tome he found earlier.
-> Whoever wants to study the tome may roll an investigation check or call out a help action. Other actions that may seem suitable to you are also welcome, of course.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
After taking a short breather she stand up using her staff as support and follows Yessaris "Let see if we can find anything more about the artifact before deciding what to do with it. Such great power prolly has some fine prints."
As she walkd around and have a closer look at the tome she ask some assitance about Yessaris expertise about artifact. "Is there anything familiar about the wish artifact with the artifact you have been handling?"
investigation on tome : 24 if with advantage second roll 25
Short rest stuff
Arcane Recovery (wizard): recovering 2x 5 lvl slots. 15 x 1d6+4 recovery dice = +120 hp
Abe's healing session turns out to be more meditative then magical mending upon realizing time was on their hands. Though the more injured like Selherac is bandaged up as well for good measure. With the hour's end, the celestial blooded cleric is true to his word, and at least began the process of summoning a Wise One using the prayer beads about his neck. What excess treasure -- gems namely -- the group possessed originally for such summoning having been arrayed about in ready offer for whatever entity came to his beckoning.
"O' Father who arte thou the light by which all life draws strength and comfort, I ask thee of a boon. An advisor who might yet help us in this time of need, as we few -- we servants of the light and life of the multiverse -- seek to consul in how to bring an end to this dark period once and for all." He added to the prayer.
(@Lerus: I haven't forgotten about the ruling in regards to Planar Ally and the Pegasus to come. But Abe doesn't know, so he's gonna try regardless now that we have an actual moment to breathe.)
Seeing the others instead find places to rest, the Yuan-Ti sighed and followed their example. As he did so, a look around is first given for any signs of Attorney's Husk. For while he no longer possessed any charged tools by which to jump start its existence, much as a cleric would the most recently dead, he looked around all the same; hopeful to not have to cannibalize his armor just to rebuild it.
Whether he succeeds or not, Yessaris remained true to his wishes, and aids Nox in the careful study. After having study her form and substance at a distance in secret before, he even offers a special stimulating charge from his gauntlets. "Only in its quality and seeming more active nature compared to the box. Thus, my added care in regards to this."He pauses with a pensive look on his face. "We should not tarry much more than this. With Lysanderoth having been linked to the thing for so long, it would not surprise me if some other fail safe for his untimely demise... arrogant though the man had become. Now, what do we have from his notes?"
(@All: And just for shits and giggles, gonna add a guidance as for an additional 2, making Nox' roll a 33.)
(@Superbad: I responded to your question in our OOC chat.)
After some good rest, the group jointly decides to learn as much as they can before interacting directly with the crystal. Most follow Yessaris and Nox into the small side room where the artificer had found the remnants of a tome.
Abe stays behind a bit to try an summon some additional help. It would seems his bag of goodly favors is somewhat depleted for the day as, even with the help of his magical beads, the best he can muster is an effectively mute creature. A Pegasus bursts from a flash of light that emanates from a pile of gold the aasimar had prepared as an offering. Immediately sensing the cleric's divine nature, the winged quadruped seems willing to collaborate... in whichever way it may, and only temporarily.
Crammed into the small room, Tupoc, Selrahc, Boomshakala, Yessaris, and Nox begin to carefully read the parts of the tome that they can still salvage. Despite it being quite ruined, some useful information can still be gathered under the astute leadership of the ooze-lady.
Tupoc (help): You manage to put a few pieces together, revealing their author's names. Though the portion you are studying does not concern the crystal in any manner, it does focus on the young man's early training as a wizard, and how he became frustrated with the academic life and yearned for more raw power. In some sections, you see that he begins to call himself by a few different names, including Lysanderoth and Lot. There is no hint of his original name.
Selrahc (help): The flaky loose page you got to examine is quite old, but it is still a whole page. It describes in quite some flourish the short but engaging adventure of a group of fast friends who challenged an elder demon by the name of Rakdos and won. This victory send them into their next quest: the search for the twin artifacts each capable of either inter-planar teleportation and soul-entrapment. You recognize the name of the adventures named in the page: Baern, Sparklegem, Ingus, Milo, and Lysanderoth. The tale is then signed by a bard, named Xavier Nainodel.
Boomshakala (help): Your section of the dilapidated tome starts as a letter, justifying the awakening ritual a wizard underwent to release his own innate powers. He defends his choice to abandon wizardry and fuel his sorcery through arcane rituals, and curses those who told him that he was just cutting corners. He names a few of his enemies and, surprisingly perhaps, names a few of his traveling companions among those. By the end of the piece of paper, you realize you are instead dealing with the confessions of a never remorseful Lysanderoth, who betrayed his companions once the opportunity to claim the source of power of the two artifacts they were seeking arose. You deduce he is referring to the crystal.
Yessaris (help): The loose scraps of paper you analyse seem to detail how Lysanderoth slowly designed, by trial and error, the perfect set up for his Trials. The idea seemed to be to attract powerful adventures with promises of riches, glory, and immortality, only to then let them fight their way into exhaustion, madness, or worse. The relief of death was never granted. The trialists would first give away many lives each, fueling Lysanderoth's own immortality, until they were deemed too monstrous to be of any worth. At that point, they'd roam the halls and arenas of the Trials, serving as challenges to the next fresh crop of lively trialists.
Nox (investigation): You manage to salvage the back cover of the tome and a few pages attached to it. They detail, in part, Lysanderoth's study of the Wishing Stone. He describes it as an artifact whose primary function is to fuel other artifacts. He theorizes it draws its powers from a total of nine entrapped Genies (Tao, Djinni, Marid, Efreeti, etc.), each represented by a different swirling color withing the gigantic gem. He suggests that because of its unique source of power, the crystal builds up energy over time an eventually releases it in the form of a granted Wish. Yielding the stone is quite simple, the words on the paper explain, but one must be mindful of two major obstacles. First, there is no saying how long until the stone power's recharges enough for it to grant another wish. It could be eons, so the one wish a person gets shouldn't be wasted. Second, if a single genie can be immensely mischievous in the interpretation and enacting of a wish, just imagine nine of them... The art of the wish lies with tricking nine genies at once. Lysanderoth was never able to do it.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"A-ah... well... This makes a few things a fair bit more difficult now doesn't?"Abe chuckled after seeing the results of his prayers. Unwilling to look a gift horse in the mouth, the half-blooded celestial asks in celestial, only for his planar ally to stay and guard the party against any actively hostile influences until their next long rest, or until twenty four hours are up. Though more than amendable to adjusting the request, once that is out of the way, he joins the others. Meanwhile...
Yessaris held off on his report, as there was a wish to hear it all from the others prior to any conclusions. Any insistence of going ahead is met with brief looks of mild annoyance, but he would grudgingly speak ahead of if necessary. Unfortunately, his findings did not speak of anything they hadn't already known. Ultimately, once all is compiled, the Yuan-Ti began to pace. "The easiest solution would be to simply 'Wish' that all affected directly or indirectly by the artifact to be free of its power. Which would "technically" include the beings trapped inside, providing them a no doubt welcome released from such a forced imprisonment... But, that would assume they were forced, and haven't already gone Mad from dealing with probable conflicting personas for so long."He says aloud to noone in particular.
"Not to mention the possibilities of a fail safe... which if there is, the only one capable of correcting the mistake... well, the only one of us that is guaranteed to live long would be-...." He looks to Nox with a studious gaze. "... Having lived as a gestalt being before, I have no qualms with becoming one with you, if only to preserve enough of myself to aid you in the future and see our Wish come true in the end."Yessaris says nonchalantly; genuinely seeming find with the prospect, eve though Nox' nature was not fully understood to him.
"And you'd have Tupoc for a time as well, provided you solve the food and water problem. Which short of becoming angelic beings, we'd have little recourse for that. But, the focus should remain on an immediate solution.... Let's see... A wish for all affected by the Wishing Stone to return to their previous form? ... A simple wish for the stone's power to be permanently dispersed across the multiverse? No.. too dangerous. Could not quantify a safe release, and asssumes... no.... hmm..... A wish for the stone to have and have had no power at all? Risky as well, even if some of beings inside were amenable..." Yessaris trails off into silence, leaving the floor open to other suggestions.
(@Lerus: If only for my own peace of mind, I'm gonna roll a general intelligence check to see if Yessaris thinks any of the ideas seem to be on the right track while sidestepping the need for trickery. If specific skill would be more appropriate then go ahead and add the right bonuses)
Int Check: 20. (Added guidance)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Selrahc will nod as Boom's speaks, "I agree with you, Boom. I've got a love to return to, I can't go back looking like... this." He waves to his stony exterior. "I have a feeling that we are in no form of immediate danger, perhaps we could fit in a longer rest? After the rest, when we are all recharged and not exhausted, we can think rationally on how to find a solution to this,"he pauses, "predicament."
After he finishes his sentence, Selrahc will pace around the crystal, minding to not actually touch it. "It's a shame I'm not a wizard anymore, Charles two was a lot smarter than this form." He flashes a small grin, "Even though all of that reading was boring."
As the grind fades he will speak again, "If we are to return to a form we had before, there would be no guarantee we would return to our original bodies. Let's make sure to word this wish correctly."
"What about Restoring to the original body before we where affected by the revival effect it should restore us around where we first met each other or close to it. It still bother me who he ment about spectators are they the genies or do they have any connection who created the wishing stone?"
Knowing it possible creatures trapped in the gem she walks back and see if she can communicate whith them . Ritual casting : telepathic bond(lvl 5 spell) with possible 7 other genies in the gem.
Ooc: sending from phone also @orileo yessasir becoming one with nox? What wut what?!?
Abe's summon gladly keeps an eye out for any potential threats. It roams the room, often by foot, but sporadically up in the air.
Yessaris ponders on a few different formulations for the group's only wish, mostly talking to himself in his analysis of whether any of his sample phrases would do the trick. He concludes that no one sentence is better than the other, and is sure that the genies would still find a way to twist the words ever so slightly.
Boomshakala expresses his desire to go back to his past self. Selrahc agrees, but cautions against a loosely worded wish. He also suggests the group takes this lull as an opportunity to sleep overnight.
Nox pitches in with her own suggested phrase and wonders what role the spectators played in all of this... She decides to ask the Genies. After a few minutes of trying, however, the wizard gets no response. She can't tell if that's because they don't want to talk, or if they are unable to, or if meddling in the artifact's magic is too much of an arcane endeavor for a simplistic spell. Perhaps the innards of the crystal count as their own separate plane of existence. Or even yet, maybe there are no Genies at all and Lysanderoth's theory was wrong...
"If only. Me and Abe saw our watchers once upon making use of the cube, and they are quite numerous, as they all varied, to say the least. And the arrangement was like that of a... stadium without a seat unoccupied. There were guards too."Yessaris explains without really stopping his pacing once more. "Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on how you wish to look at it, our souls were tethered by Lysanderoth's magic. And thus, we were whisked back into the games."
He looks over to Selrahc. "You... do bring up a risky point. Abe? Do you think perhaps...?"Abe raises his hands up in surrender. "Sorry. I'd need a week for that, my friend! Annnnd there's no telling how time moves in this place. Assuming I could even recovery m strength here, we would need more time than any of us probably has to beseech the Morninglord for so large a favor... If I were to try now or even after a brief longer of respite." He makes a motion of 'poofing' and then raining down as ash.
"Assuming I can recover, there are lesser methods I can try and prepare, but it's a bit of a gamble. I mean-..."
"The artifact might yet still play a part in the fool's resurrection abilities."Yessaris interjects, to which Abe nods solemnly. "... If any wish to try and rest for longer, they are welcome to. I, having been of little help in the past few fights anyways, will remain awake to work on the problem.... Bound to one of you, if you should be concerned of my taking that fool's place." With that, the Yuan-Ti walked over to the altar and hoped on to it, thumbing his chin in thought. "You know what would be funny? Is if that stone there wasn't even the actual wish maker? And that something like this--"He pats the altar. "Was. Even funnier still, if the true one was yet hidden, and that was but a conduit."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"Seeing how Lysanderoth was trying to draw power wishing stone before he dissepeared and part of Lysanderoth past in the small room we went through i doubt the wishing stone is fake. If it was not Lysanderoth first wish atleast one of his wish was immortality to fight aging until he could get his desired wish witouth drawback."
"In fact it wouldn't be far fetch when one of his wish was granted the condition is what created the birth of Lysanderoth trials." Nox walks in circles scrathing her head. "Although there alot uncertainness I don't see a reason of not using the stone if he or somebody else wanted a victim to use the stone, he wouldn't left a note about the mischievous interpretation of the wish. Preventing it to be used incase Lysanderoth did fail."
"I won't lie wishing to get our original body before this trial happened is a personal desire but with Lysanderoth gonne we don't know the state of the trial or the revival effect. Will the trial keep continuing and will more being slowly turn into monsters or will the next death be permanent." "Lysanderoth is guilty for this monstrosity revival effect. However from here on the transformation, deaths or possible future victims of the trial that are cause by our inaction will be on our conscious and not on the person we just vanquished.
"It why i am still advocating to use the stone and whishing it to turn those that participated on the trial be restored back to there original body when they first entered it hoping to not only restores us but also trying to save as many who fell victim of the trial on those who are currently undergoing it." "I am only hesistating atm as of the wording of the wish is very important to make sure whatever Lysanderoth meant with mischievous of the spell to be eliminated if not minimal side effect at best."
"And the loop hole there would be to send us back to the beginning, in our original bodies, but with a possible -- painfully aware of what we've done -- Lysanderoth. Yes. Difficult to word indeed."Yessaris comments from his perch, legs crossed, and gaze focused purely Nox. "Frankly put, I care little about 'returning' to our... my... hmm... 'the' body I wore at the begining. With time and supplies, I can simply reforge Jury once more. Just as there are other means for you all to return to your body besides that artifact. At least less dangerous means, if that's all you care for, time consuming the guaranteed ones may be."Though he narrowed his eyes at Nox on that last note, it's difficult to say if it was out of annoyance, interest, or something else altogether.
"With a longer rest, we can try out all kinds of means.... assuming we have truly "beaten" the trial, for lack of better words. The chance to simply 'Wish' for an outcome, whether listen to wisdom... now that's an interesting thought."Yessaris then crawls up further onto the altar, and with his hands behinds his head and legs loosely crossed. "Truth be told, the only reason I am still concerned at this point is to payback our dues to those old guardians that got us this far. Anyone foolish enough to still accept whatever 'invitations' might still be going out is to be blamed for the error in judgement... Granted, with Lysanderoth's 'heart' destroyed, and -- by all appearance at least -- the man as well, it could just as well be considered-...."
Yessaris trails off into silence; a look of deep thought crossing his face. Then after a moment or two, he sits up again, squints across the way, and then makes his way around to the other side of the room, and see what lay beyond the bridge.
Meanwhile, a pensive Abe sat somewhere nearby, listening to the conversations, but staring deeply at the holy symbol wrapped about his neck.
(@Lerus: For further clarification, I'm referring to the one Abe is standing on here and the area to the left that seems to lead somewhere at MI,J,H-1)
The group continues to discuss potential solutions to their wish-problem. There is a chance they won't be able to arrive at an agreement.
Eventually, Yessaris skips over to the west side of the room and goes through a dark threshold. It leads to a set of simple stone steps, which eventually arrive at a dead end. Except, the wall that it all ends at is... swirling? It is almost as if it was made of some liquid. It looks familiar.
Yessaris cants his head to once side... and then again to the other side. "Fellows, I do believe i have discovered another possible point of contention." He calls out to the others, assuming few if any even bothered to follow him. As soon as hear some movement approaching from behind, he just blindly waves them on closer without breaking eye contact on the wall.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
After Yessaris' comment about him not being useful in the fights, Selrahc will interject and put a stony hand on Yessaris' shoulder, "You fought well. Without you, we would've lost, my friend. There is no one else I'd rather have by my side in a battle than you folk. It's been an absolute honor." He smiles at everyone.
When Yessaris points out the wall Selrahc will follow him to the wall and will stare at it, deep in thought.
((Does it look like the portals that were in the beginning of the trials? The ones that would give us rewards?)
(If so:)
"Looks like the portals that gave us rewards at the beginning of these gods forsaken trials." Selrahc says in his usual monotone voice.
"That is in part the idea, my stoney compatriot. But with items like these, you will want to not just be mentally prepared, but have the wording exact. Otherwise, whatever power it draws upon and the same goes for any 'sentience' it possess, may take advantage of the wording to its benefit... or amusement. And we do not want another... issue to deal with now do we?" Yessaris smiled a clearly feigned smile, and then hopefully with at least Nox at his side, he either waits for folk to recover, or made his way over to the book again to see about its careful management in opening it up.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
The group commiserates for a while, licking their wounds. Boomshakala tries to figure out if this is truly the end of their Trials. Abe leads a healing session in one of the top platform's corners alongside both Tupoc and Selrahc. Meanwhile Yessaris assumes a leadership position and makes sure the party's next decision is only taken after considerable discussion. They all seem in agreement.
Realizing they are not being rushed into any decision, the group settles for a rest.
-> You are all welcome to take a short rest.
The artificer then remembers Lysanderoth's tale told to them by his old companions, and how it serves as a warning about the twisting nature of powerful wish-granting artifacts/beings. Eventually, the yuan-ti leads some of his companions to the ruined tome he found earlier.
-> Whoever wants to study the tome may roll an investigation check or call out a help action. Other actions that may seem suitable to you are also welcome, of course.
After taking a short breather she stand up using her staff as support and follows Yessaris "Let see if we can find anything more about the artifact before deciding what to do with it. Such great power prolly has some fine prints."
As she walkd around and have a closer look at the tome she ask some assitance about Yessaris expertise about artifact. "Is there anything familiar about the wish artifact with the artifact you have been handling?"
investigation on tome : 24 if with advantage second roll 25
Short rest stuff
Arcane Recovery (wizard): recovering 2x 5 lvl slots.
15 x 1d6+4 recovery dice = +120 hp
Nox - Adult Oblex - The Trials
Jartrin Ephok - Dragonborn - Zanoliv
Bunol - Grim Angel - The Floating Lands of Goriate
Tupoc rests for a short while before joining the others over with the journal, offering his insights and help whenever necessary.
Short rest stuff
86 (minimum of 80 from Durable)
Regaining 20 Ki and 81 hitpoints, expending 10 hit dice
Officially Joined the Expanded Signature Club
Will be on Hiatus: Currently Clear
Abe's healing session turns out to be more meditative then magical mending upon realizing time was on their hands. Though the more injured like Selherac is bandaged up as well for good measure. With the hour's end, the celestial blooded cleric is true to his word, and at least began the process of summoning a Wise One using the prayer beads about his neck. What excess treasure -- gems namely -- the group possessed originally for such summoning having been arrayed about in ready offer for whatever entity came to his beckoning.
"O' Father who arte thou the light by which all life draws strength and comfort, I ask thee of a boon. An advisor who might yet help us in this time of need, as we few -- we servants of the light and life of the multiverse -- seek to consul in how to bring an end to this dark period once and for all." He added to the prayer.
(@Lerus: I haven't forgotten about the ruling in regards to Planar Ally and the Pegasus to come. But Abe doesn't know, so he's gonna try regardless now that we have an actual moment to breathe.)
Seeing the others instead find places to rest, the Yuan-Ti sighed and followed their example. As he did so, a look around is first given for any signs of Attorney's Husk. For while he no longer possessed any charged tools by which to jump start its existence, much as a cleric would the most recently dead, he looked around all the same; hopeful to not have to cannibalize his armor just to rebuild it.
Whether he succeeds or not, Yessaris remained true to his wishes, and aids Nox in the careful study. After having study her form and substance at a distance in secret before, he even offers a special stimulating charge from his gauntlets. "Only in its quality and seeming more active nature compared to the box. Thus, my added care in regards to this." He pauses with a pensive look on his face. "We should not tarry much more than this. With Lysanderoth having been linked to the thing for so long, it would not surprise me if some other fail safe for his untimely demise... arrogant though the man had become. Now, what do we have from his notes?"
(@All: And just for shits and giggles, gonna add a guidance as for an additional 2, making Nox' roll a 33.)
Short Rest Stuff:
Yessaris' Recovery Dice(4)=23.
Abe's Recovery Dice(7)=49 & Channel Divinity Restored.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Boom sits remembering bits of his prior selves. Trying to recall which was his original. Boom stands up...
"Alright... Who and how can I [action]help[/help].
Short Rest:
Hit Dice: 26
Selrahc will just go in to a quiet area and will just start to meditate.
He will also lend any one help to anyone that needs it.
Hit Dice: 60
EDIT: Let's add a few more hit dice to that 26
Kandalou Dle'tan - Level 9 Githyanki Fighter (Champion) - Rrakkma PbP
(@Ori: Sounds good.)
(@Superbad: I responded to your question in our OOC chat.)
After some good rest, the group jointly decides to learn as much as they can before interacting directly with the crystal. Most follow Yessaris and Nox into the small side room where the artificer had found the remnants of a tome.
Abe stays behind a bit to try an summon some additional help. It would seems his bag of goodly favors is somewhat depleted for the day as, even with the help of his magical beads, the best he can muster is an effectively mute creature. A Pegasus bursts from a flash of light that emanates from a pile of gold the aasimar had prepared as an offering. Immediately sensing the cleric's divine nature, the winged quadruped seems willing to collaborate... in whichever way it may, and only temporarily.
Crammed into the small room, Tupoc, Selrahc, Boomshakala, Yessaris, and Nox begin to carefully read the parts of the tome that they can still salvage. Despite it being quite ruined, some useful information can still be gathered under the astute leadership of the ooze-lady.
Tupoc (help): You manage to put a few pieces together, revealing their author's names. Though the portion you are studying does not concern the crystal in any manner, it does focus on the young man's early training as a wizard, and how he became frustrated with the academic life and yearned for more raw power. In some sections, you see that he begins to call himself by a few different names, including Lysanderoth and Lot. There is no hint of his original name.
Selrahc (help): The flaky loose page you got to examine is quite old, but it is still a whole page. It describes in quite some flourish the short but engaging adventure of a group of fast friends who challenged an elder demon by the name of Rakdos and won. This victory send them into their next quest: the search for the twin artifacts each capable of either inter-planar teleportation and soul-entrapment. You recognize the name of the adventures named in the page: Baern, Sparklegem, Ingus, Milo, and Lysanderoth. The tale is then signed by a bard, named Xavier Nainodel.
Boomshakala (help): Your section of the dilapidated tome starts as a letter, justifying the awakening ritual a wizard underwent to release his own innate powers. He defends his choice to abandon wizardry and fuel his sorcery through arcane rituals, and curses those who told him that he was just cutting corners. He names a few of his enemies and, surprisingly perhaps, names a few of his traveling companions among those. By the end of the piece of paper, you realize you are instead dealing with the confessions of a never remorseful Lysanderoth, who betrayed his companions once the opportunity to claim the source of power of the two artifacts they were seeking arose. You deduce he is referring to the crystal.
Yessaris (help): The loose scraps of paper you analyse seem to detail how Lysanderoth slowly designed, by trial and error, the perfect set up for his Trials. The idea seemed to be to attract powerful adventures with promises of riches, glory, and immortality, only to then let them fight their way into exhaustion, madness, or worse. The relief of death was never granted. The trialists would first give away many lives each, fueling Lysanderoth's own immortality, until they were deemed too monstrous to be of any worth. At that point, they'd roam the halls and arenas of the Trials, serving as challenges to the next fresh crop of lively trialists.
Nox (investigation): You manage to salvage the back cover of the tome and a few pages attached to it.
They detail, in part, Lysanderoth's study of the Wishing Stone. He describes it as an artifact whose primary function is to fuel other artifacts. He theorizes it draws its powers from a total of nine entrapped Genies (Tao, Djinni, Marid, Efreeti, etc.), each represented by a different swirling color withing the gigantic gem. He suggests that because of its unique source of power, the crystal builds up energy over time an eventually releases it in the form of a granted Wish. Yielding the stone is quite simple, the words on the paper explain, but one must be mindful of two major obstacles. First, there is no saying how long until the stone power's recharges enough for it to grant another wish. It could be eons, so the one wish a person gets shouldn't be wasted. Second, if a single genie can be immensely mischievous in the interpretation and enacting of a wish, just imagine nine of them... The art of the wish lies with tricking nine genies at once. Lysanderoth was never able to do it.
"A-ah... well... This makes a few things a fair bit more difficult now doesn't?" Abe chuckled after seeing the results of his prayers. Unwilling to look a gift horse in the mouth, the half-blooded celestial asks in celestial, only for his planar ally to stay and guard the party against any actively hostile influences until their next long rest, or until twenty four hours are up. Though more than amendable to adjusting the request, once that is out of the way, he joins the others. Meanwhile...
Yessaris held off on his report, as there was a wish to hear it all from the others prior to any conclusions. Any insistence of going ahead is met with brief looks of mild annoyance, but he would grudgingly speak ahead of if necessary. Unfortunately, his findings did not speak of anything they hadn't already known. Ultimately, once all is compiled, the Yuan-Ti began to pace. "The easiest solution would be to simply 'Wish' that all affected directly or indirectly by the artifact to be free of its power. Which would "technically" include the beings trapped inside, providing them a no doubt welcome released from such a forced imprisonment... But, that would assume they were forced, and haven't already gone Mad from dealing with probable conflicting personas for so long." He says aloud to noone in particular.
"Not to mention the possibilities of a fail safe... which if there is, the only one capable of correcting the mistake... well, the only one of us that is guaranteed to live long would be-...." He looks to Nox with a studious gaze. "... Having lived as a gestalt being before, I have no qualms with becoming one with you, if only to preserve enough of myself to aid you in the future and see our Wish come true in the end." Yessaris says nonchalantly; genuinely seeming find with the prospect, eve though Nox' nature was not fully understood to him.
"And you'd have Tupoc for a time as well, provided you solve the food and water problem. Which short of becoming angelic beings, we'd have little recourse for that. But, the focus should remain on an immediate solution.... Let's see... A wish for all affected by the Wishing Stone to return to their previous form? ... A simple wish for the stone's power to be permanently dispersed across the multiverse? No.. too dangerous. Could not quantify a safe release, and asssumes... no.... hmm..... A wish for the stone to have and have had no power at all? Risky as well, even if some of beings inside were amenable..." Yessaris trails off into silence, leaving the floor open to other suggestions.
(@Lerus: If only for my own peace of mind, I'm gonna roll a general intelligence check to see if Yessaris thinks any of the ideas seem to be on the right track while sidestepping the need for trickery. If specific skill would be more appropriate then go ahead and add the right bonuses)
Int Check: 20. (Added guidance)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Boom's eyes light up at the aspect of being his old self.
"I for one would love the opportunity to return to what I once was. Not something someone decided I should be." says Boom.
Selrahc will nod as Boom's speaks, "I agree with you, Boom. I've got a love to return to, I can't go back looking like... this." He waves to his stony exterior. "I have a feeling that we are in no form of immediate danger, perhaps we could fit in a longer rest? After the rest, when we are all recharged and not exhausted, we can think rationally on how to find a solution to this," he pauses, "predicament."
After he finishes his sentence, Selrahc will pace around the crystal, minding to not actually touch it. "It's a shame I'm not a wizard anymore, Charles two was a lot smarter than this form." He flashes a small grin, "Even though all of that reading was boring."
As the grind fades he will speak again, "If we are to return to a form we had before, there would be no guarantee we would return to our original bodies. Let's make sure to word this wish correctly."
Kandalou Dle'tan - Level 9 Githyanki Fighter (Champion) - Rrakkma PbP
"What about Restoring to the original body before we where affected by the revival effect it should restore us around where we first met each other or close to it. It still bother me who he ment about spectators are they the genies or do they have any connection who created the wishing stone?"
Knowing it possible creatures trapped in the gem she walks back and see if she can communicate whith them . Ritual casting : telepathic bond(lvl 5 spell) with possible 7 other genies in the gem.
Ooc: sending from phone also @orileo yessasir becoming one with nox? What wut what?!?
Nox - Adult Oblex - The Trials
Jartrin Ephok - Dragonborn - Zanoliv
Bunol - Grim Angel - The Floating Lands of Goriate
Abe's summon gladly keeps an eye out for any potential threats. It roams the room, often by foot, but sporadically up in the air.
Yessaris ponders on a few different formulations for the group's only wish, mostly talking to himself in his analysis of whether any of his sample phrases would do the trick. He concludes that no one sentence is better than the other, and is sure that the genies would still find a way to twist the words ever so slightly.
Boomshakala expresses his desire to go back to his past self. Selrahc agrees, but cautions against a loosely worded wish. He also suggests the group takes this lull as an opportunity to sleep overnight.
Nox pitches in with her own suggested phrase and wonders what role the spectators played in all of this... She decides to ask the Genies. After a few minutes of trying, however, the wizard gets no response. She can't tell if that's because they don't want to talk, or if they are unable to, or if meddling in the artifact's magic is too much of an arcane endeavor for a simplistic spell. Perhaps the innards of the crystal count as their own separate plane of existence. Or even yet, maybe there are no Genies at all and Lysanderoth's theory was wrong...
"If only. Me and Abe saw our watchers once upon making use of the cube, and they are quite numerous, as they all varied, to say the least. And the arrangement was like that of a... stadium without a seat unoccupied. There were guards too." Yessaris explains without really stopping his pacing once more. "Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on how you wish to look at it, our souls were tethered by Lysanderoth's magic. And thus, we were whisked back into the games."
He looks over to Selrahc. "You... do bring up a risky point. Abe? Do you think perhaps...?" Abe raises his hands up in surrender. "Sorry. I'd need a week for that, my friend! Annnnd there's no telling how time moves in this place. Assuming I could even recovery m strength here, we would need more time than any of us probably has to beseech the Morninglord for so large a favor... If I were to try now or even after a brief longer of respite." He makes a motion of 'poofing' and then raining down as ash.
"Assuming I can recover, there are lesser methods I can try and prepare, but it's a bit of a gamble. I mean-..."
"The artifact might yet still play a part in the fool's resurrection abilities." Yessaris interjects, to which Abe nods solemnly. "... If any wish to try and rest for longer, they are welcome to. I, having been of little help in the past few fights anyways, will remain awake to work on the problem.... Bound to one of you, if you should be concerned of my taking that fool's place." With that, the Yuan-Ti walked over to the altar and hoped on to it, thumbing his chin in thought. "You know what would be funny? Is if that stone there wasn't even the actual wish maker? And that something like this--" He pats the altar. "Was. Even funnier still, if the true one was yet hidden, and that was but a conduit."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"Seeing how Lysanderoth was trying to draw power wishing stone before he dissepeared and part of Lysanderoth past in the small room we went through i doubt the wishing stone is fake. If it was not Lysanderoth first wish atleast one of his wish was immortality to fight aging until he could get his desired wish witouth drawback."
"In fact it wouldn't be far fetch when one of his wish was granted the condition is what created the birth of Lysanderoth trials." Nox walks in circles scrathing her head. "Although there alot uncertainness I don't see a reason of not using the stone if he or somebody else wanted a victim to use the stone, he wouldn't left a note about the mischievous interpretation of the wish. Preventing it to be used incase Lysanderoth did fail."
"I won't lie wishing to get our original body before this trial happened is a personal desire but with Lysanderoth gonne we don't know the state of the trial or the revival effect. Will the trial keep continuing and will more being slowly turn into monsters or will the next death be permanent."
"Lysanderoth is guilty for this monstrosity revival effect. However from here on the transformation, deaths or possible future victims of the trial that are cause by our inaction will be on our conscious and not on the person we just vanquished.
"It why i am still advocating to use the stone and whishing it to turn those that participated on the trial be restored back to there original body when they first entered it hoping to not only restores us but also trying to save as many who fell victim of the trial on those who are currently undergoing it."
"I am only hesistating atm as of the wording of the wish is very important to make sure whatever Lysanderoth meant with mischievous of the spell to be eliminated if not minimal side effect at best."
Nox - Adult Oblex - The Trials
Jartrin Ephok - Dragonborn - Zanoliv
Bunol - Grim Angel - The Floating Lands of Goriate
"And the loop hole there would be to send us back to the beginning, in our original bodies, but with a possible -- painfully aware of what we've done -- Lysanderoth. Yes. Difficult to word indeed." Yessaris comments from his perch, legs crossed, and gaze focused purely Nox. "Frankly put, I care little about 'returning' to our... my... hmm... 'the' body I wore at the begining. With time and supplies, I can simply reforge Jury once more. Just as there are other means for you all to return to your body besides that artifact. At least less dangerous means, if that's all you care for, time consuming the guaranteed ones may be." Though he narrowed his eyes at Nox on that last note, it's difficult to say if it was out of annoyance, interest, or something else altogether.
"With a longer rest, we can try out all kinds of means.... assuming we have truly "beaten" the trial, for lack of better words. The chance to simply 'Wish' for an outcome, whether listen to wisdom... now that's an interesting thought." Yessaris then crawls up further onto the altar, and with his hands behinds his head and legs loosely crossed. "Truth be told, the only reason I am still concerned at this point is to payback our dues to those old guardians that got us this far. Anyone foolish enough to still accept whatever 'invitations' might still be going out is to be blamed for the error in judgement... Granted, with Lysanderoth's 'heart' destroyed, and -- by all appearance at least -- the man as well, it could just as well be considered-...."
Yessaris trails off into silence; a look of deep thought crossing his face. Then after a moment or two, he sits up again, squints across the way, and then makes his way around to the other side of the room, and see what lay beyond the bridge.
Meanwhile, a pensive Abe sat somewhere nearby, listening to the conversations, but staring deeply at the holy symbol wrapped about his neck.
(@Lerus: For further clarification, I'm referring to the one Abe is standing on here and the area to the left that seems to lead somewhere at MI,J,H-1)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
The group continues to discuss potential solutions to their wish-problem. There is a chance they won't be able to arrive at an agreement.
Eventually, Yessaris skips over to the west side of the room and goes through a dark threshold. It leads to a set of simple stone steps, which eventually arrive at a dead end. Except, the wall that it all ends at is... swirling? It is almost as if it was made of some liquid. It looks familiar.
Yessaris cants his head to once side... and then again to the other side. "Fellows, I do believe i have discovered another possible point of contention." He calls out to the others, assuming few if any even bothered to follow him. As soon as hear some movement approaching from behind, he just blindly waves them on closer without breaking eye contact on the wall.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
After Yessaris' comment about him not being useful in the fights, Selrahc will interject and put a stony hand on Yessaris' shoulder, "You fought well. Without you, we would've lost, my friend. There is no one else I'd rather have by my side in a battle than you folk. It's been an absolute honor." He smiles at everyone.
When Yessaris points out the wall Selrahc will follow him to the wall and will stare at it, deep in thought.
((Does it look like the portals that were in the beginning of the trials? The ones that would give us rewards?)
(If so:)
"Looks like the portals that gave us rewards at the beginning of these gods forsaken trials." Selrahc says in his usual monotone voice.
(If not:)
Selrahc will just silently stare at the wall.
Kandalou Dle'tan - Level 9 Githyanki Fighter (Champion) - Rrakkma PbP
(OOC: They do indeed! Some of them gave you rewards, others led you into new areas.)