Edgewalkers Campaign Thread

Ani is able to discern that through the addition of blood, the cultists were able to use the altar to control the maze's movements. You're also pretty sure it can be used to portal around the maze, with the destination being chosen by you when you drip a drop of blood onto the altar. You can also destroy the jewel to end the altar's magic, making the maze a normal, boring maze with no magic or malevolence. If you destroy the jewel, you will have five minutes to portal out before all the magic is gone.

 Vusgaar eventually collects both maces, if only to make sure the enchantment on them is broken or wanes before dark hands collect them once more. As he is musing taking on more, hearing Ani play almost mesmerize the Ursine Shifter. During the intervening silence Vusgaar had his head bowed in deep thought. But as soon as the one living changling in the group made her request, he snapped to attention, and provided the jump in mental acuity to aid in her endeavors.

"Thank not us, but the il-atlas for putting us on this course, young one... But the thought is appreciated." He would say to the youth, and then bow curtly. Once Ani gives the full details about the altar and possibly destroying it, a momentarily surprised Vusgaar rushes out to get Vic, relaying the shortcut home back to him. 

Ani would stand back up from her kneeling position after she was done her inspection "Through the addition of blood, the cultists were able to use the altar to control the maze's movements. With a drop of blood onto the altar, it can be used to portal around the maze. We are able to destroy the jewel, reverting the maze to a normal maze without malevolence. If we do destroy the jewel, there may be enough magic to port us out, but we'd have to be swift."

When checking outside to get Vik, Vusgaar finds that the changeling is gone, with a quick symbol of a thumbs up scratched on the wall.

Vusgaar returns to the others seeming disheartened over something. At least, as disheartened as any Reidran can without being directed to a Teacher or reeducation camp. "The other transcendent one... They have opted to chance the maze." He says to the others. Then in hearing the perhaps shortened version of Ani's speech, the Ursine Shifter perks up, and looks to the altar with renewed interest. "... It is ashame such a device could not be rededicated and altered accordingly. But, such stains cannot be so blithely repurposed for convenience sake." He said, but stared at length at the jewel in silence for a moment or two prior to shakign his head.

"Let us all be gone, and this jewel destroyed then. Swiftly. The sooner we are out of this place and able to report the better." He suggests, and would position himself to be one of the last through whatever portal is opened up.

"Yes, let's go. And preferably never come back to this maze."

Demetrios had fallen silent when the fight was over, his visage solemn as he watched Meiara piece together Jenna's body again. He was harshly criticizing himself for allowing this to happen, barking out endless 'if onlys'. If only he had been paying more attention, if only he hadn't left her side, if only he was stronger, she would have made it out of this forsaken place with them and alive. 

He is barely paying attention now, only picking up bits and pieces of the groups conversation, but hones in on the talk of the altar. He glares at the jewel, and says nothing when he approaches it and strikes at it with his blade in hopes to destroy the damned thing.

Demetrios shatters the jewel, and you hear almost a roar of pain from the maze around you, before suddenly an air of malevolence you hadn't realized hung around you dissipates, leaving you feeling somewhat at ease for the first time since you entered the maze.

Meiara runs her palm over the blade of her scimitar, letting some blood run over the altar and opening one last portal. "Everyone in! This is our way out!" She says, ushering everyone towards freedom.

Ani will take her turn through the portal once a couple others go first. 

Meiara takes 1 hp of damage. The shifter and young man grab their stuff and hurry through the portal. As you step through it, you find yourselves at the entrance to the maze, the Kintam in sight.

Vusgaar took a moment to simply bask in the freedom from the maze. "... That was fairly close. But it seems it truly is not to be our day." He said, and then glances over to the Shifter. "Your home? It is a ways from here, yes? Will you be requiring an escort?" He asked of her. "Admittedly, we will be a few days delayed. But if all others are in agreement, it can be done." Vusgaar adds while looking to the others.

Demetrios' eyes are trained onto the maze. They had liberated this place from dark malicious spirits and pride should be the emotion that swelled in his chest, but all he felt was anger. His hands ball into fists, and the more he stared at it the more he wished that he could set it ablaze and rid it off the face of the continent. He thought of all the people whose lives could have been saved if they made it here sooner, those lives now lost to a bunch of deranged cultists.

He is ripped away from his thoughts when he hears Vusgaar speak to the female shifter, his gaze now settling on her, then to Vusgaar. As long as he could keep doing good, he would tell himself, he would heal. "It will be done."

The shifter gives you all a soft smile. "Thank you, very much, I appreciate it. But I think I will be all right on my own, and I wouldn't wish to inconvenience your mission." She bows her head briefly to you all. "However, in thanks...well, I have a few...old acquaintances, I suppose, by the Tundra border from when I was sent to that area in a small party for the thicker pelts of the animals there. Should you ever find yourselves facing Tundra shifters, see if the fact that Lirika thinks well of you does anything for you." With no further explanation, she begins moving away, around the edge of the maze in a path that will lead her north.

Lore: The Tashana Tundra is to the north of Riedra. It is inhabited primarily by three groups: shifters, organized into three large tribes that, while primitive, are harmless enough. The savage Kalaak barbarians, that perform human sacrifice and are generally insane. And the cruel Akiak dwarves, who betrayed the Inspired long ago and were nearly wiped out, but fled to the north, the remnants of their race now in hiding.

"We will make sure to do so. May the il-altas protect you as you return home." When they got back to where they had left their horses, Meiara wraps Jenna's body in some blankets and ties it to her horse, before ritual casting Speak With Animals. "I'm sorry Sky, but we couldn't save Jenna. Could you carry her home one last time, so that she can be put to rest?" 

Sky bows her head in acquiescence, willing to carry Jenna one more time.

"Very well then. Let's head home." Meiara will get on Tournesol and lead everyone on the path back home, sad at the loss of her friend, but happy that they were able to save the people and stop the cult.

Vusgaar bristles at the mention of Tundra Shifters. Yet, he held his tongue, and just slowly nodded in return for the advice. Though he kept an ear open to the others, he would wash the shifter -- no, Lirika's retreat for a time. Long enough for the others to get some distance ahead of the Urshine Shifter prior to taking notice and promptly chase after them. He remained lost in thought even after everyone mounts up and are on the move. So unless spoken to, he follows along quietly, banishing the Batican along the way with but a wave of his hand.

Along the journey, Talaak is lost in thought. He spends quite a bit of time shaving a thicker than normal beard that seems to grow back every time anyone looks away. The hair on his arms and legs, and everywhere else visible, seems to be growing much more rapidly than before the group entered the maze.

Vusgaar: Lirika continues around the edge of the maze, moving fast and low soon becoming hidden by the curve of the walls.

The journey back is uneventful. When you return to Dar Myan, the sight of the body on Sky elicits several shocked whispers from the soldiers and commoners manning and tending the central building of the city. Mere moments after you return to the briefing room, Lady Shiharan hurries in, brow furrowed. "What happened?"