"Kobolds..." the dragon sneers. "I forgot how distasteful your kind can be. I am not my chromatic kin, Hox. I do not have need of your worship. Your life is your own, and my hoard is mine. Now, go. Join your companions."
One by one, Killian, Wes, Rycider, Aradurk, and Tanakir step forward into the portal, departing the antimagic field and disappearing into the shimmering energy. Only Gruun and Hox remain in the cavern with the golden dragon they know only as Milo, who waits patiently for them to decide whether to follow.
Gruun looks around briefly knowing there's really nothing else to do. With a low grumble he walks up to the doorway and steps through with his eyes closed.
Gruun arrives to find the rest of the party standing before him, in a space filled with white as far as the eye can see.
You all stand atop a ground you cannot see. The portal is gone, and the white space seems to stretch ad infinitum.
Then the space begins to fill, built off of the thoughts and ideas of the seven standing within; tangible, physical areas slowly filling with areas for use for training, studying, and meditating, a growing expanse.
OOC: How is each character going to be spending their time here? In meta terms, you are each going to gain some levels at the end of this, so feel free to flavor your training toward abilities that you'll be learning in future levels.
Alternatively, you can sacrifice a level to learn something that takes a significant amount of downtime, like learning a new language or retraining a fighting style.
Out of the piercing white a tiled floor appears, each tile in the beautiful mosaic clicking into place faster and faster. And then tall walls draped in heavy and ornate tapestries rise from the floor as though they were already there. Music starts playing, distant at first but slowly getting louder. A tall gentleman dressed in emaculate finery appears in front of Rycider and offers his hand. Behind him more people materialise already dancing to the music. A great ballroom stands before you, opulent and gay. Rycinder takes the mans hand and follows him into the intricate choreography of noble folk.
A cool breeze blows by coming from between the boughs of trees suddenly before you. The floor between the trees are some small shrubs but mostly lush grasses and mosses dappled in shadows from the light filtering through the canopy above. A deep bellowing roar echos from some distance out of the trees. Gruun takes a deep breath from the breeze before slowly placing his gear in a pile underneath a tree. "You will not be the only one." He takes off, quickly disappearing between the trees. After a short while a challenging roar answers the first call.
A sprawling library filled with scrolls and dusty tomes Erects itself behind an expansive laboratory and alchemist station. Burying himself in his research of spells and how to bend the world around to his will. Petunia can be seen running around bringing books and ingredients around while he works.
Every once in a while a plume if a fireball can be seen from the lab, or a shout of epiphany in research.
(possible you use average downtime to make some potions?)
Tanakir walks forward, finding himself a space far from the others. He holds up a hand and a massive roof bursts out of the ground, supported on marble columns. The triangular roof has a bas relief of Helm fighting demons and devils, and the centerpiece of the entryway is a steel gauntlet with an eye on the back of the hand. He steps inside, whispering to himself, "This is how it should have been," before removing his armor and sitting in meditation on the floor.
Hox looks about as nothing really materializes before him, until he sees something shiny. And as he approaches, it gets further away from him. Hox looks at it oddly before trying again, only to have it go further away again. Hox tries to hide from it and approaches once more, only to have it slip away as he thinks he's close enough. This repeats as he hides in the other's training places, chasing the shiny.
Aradurk walks over to some space, apart from the others.
He draws his rapier and the environment begins to shift, becoming a waterfront scene, a dark pier with night abound. Shadows fade into the darkness and he slows his movements to control his breathing and sound. Then he practices quick movements, his feet working on becoming more agile. His training as a soldier observes in his mind, as he dances across the spaces in the alleyway, employing control and stealth to steer his feet. His eyes and actions move as though he is repeating the steps of some invisible other. As he swings his rapier, his arms coil and then respond like a cobra. Feigning and lunging, he moves around an unseen target, finessing his way around it.
He holds up the rapier to his chest and his face stretches into a smile. "Now let's do it again", he mutters under his breath, "but quieter and faster"
Grinning, he adds aloud, "That's what she said."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Halsen - Human Monk - Winter Splendor Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Barty's Blade Bizarre Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Betrayal at Devilsfall Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Barty's "The Hidden War" (Doom Portals Part 4A) Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter -Barty's "The Whispered Word (Doom Portals Part 5) Garu - Tabaxi Paladin - Barty's "Beyond Twilight" (Rikirta Part 3)
Killian stands in the stillness, closing her eyes and breathing deeply as the others manifest their learning spaces. Then a small cell begins to build itself, black brick by black brick, from the ground around her. Her long hair lifts slightly from her shoulders, but she keeps her eyes closed, her face quiet, as the small room encloses her. Not more than ten by ten, it has a narrow door that slams shut as the roof fills in, leaving the lanky paladin hidden from view.
As time passes, she emerges a couple times a day to eat, to speak with the others. But she always returns, willingly, to her seclusion, whispering to herself, "Again," as she enters the doorway. Towards the end of our time here, the small cell begins to be rocked by blows, loud sounds, and around the cracks where the door meets the frame, lights and the occasional seeping darkness can be seen.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
What feels like days becomes what feels like months, Mordenkainen's time chamber ever expanding and contracting as the needs of the party change.
Wes soon discovers that the renowned mage seems to have linked books and studies of his own to the space, able to be called forth and formed through some sort of arcane library, and after some preliminary research he discovers how to summon spectral versions of various beasts and monstrosities for training.
The phenomenon of the flow of time inside the space is difficult to get used to at first. True to the dragon's word, your bodies maintain a state consistent with the way that they entered. You feel minimal fatigue, and have no need of sleep, but discover quickly that your minds still tire, and need periods of rest and meditation.
From an outsider's perspective, the space is a tangle of chaos, with tiled dance floors at the edge of forests that end abruptly into city streets and buildings, but you have grown attuned to the layout, some of you spending time with each other while others remain in solitude. There's no telling how much "time" has passed here, but the only thing the time chamber doesn't seem to have immediately available is an exit.
OOC: If you would like to multiclass, learn new proficiencies, or retrain abilities, please let me know in this next round of posts.
After some time getting comfortable with the new facilities, how is each character perfecting their training?
When she's not in her cell, Killian is either outside it, sitting against its wall, with a cup of water, or she is jogging through Gruun's forest. She steers well clear of the dance hall, though not from Rycider herself, she's just not the dancing type. She will watch Wes' laboratory from a distance, but without real curiosity. Once or twice she tries to trap Hox' coin when it skitters by, but without success, and she will just shrug at the kobold as he runs past. She seemingly ignores the existence of Tanakir's homage to Helm entirely.
She seems drawn, at least more than to the others, by Aradurk's nighttime waterfront. She will spend long minutes standing before the threshold to the cobbles and planks, taking in the smells, the sounds, and the wind off the water.
But most of her time is spent in her cell with the door closed.
As time (or not time) goes by, Killian changes. The tired slump of her shoulders straightens, and the look in her eyes goes from languid to attentive. Where before, she came alive only with a naked blade in her hand, now she seems more centered. Her eyes still flash, her face is still quick to emotion, but she is channeling her anger... somewhere. She often comes out of the cell in a total sweat, clothes sticking to her, hair plastered about. And then she goes for a run in Gruun's wild forest, with just a dagger at her side for protection. She has even started to leave her scarred shield behind in the cell. If anyone tries the door when she is in there, or when she is gone, they find it does not open for them.
It may be a trick of the light in this odd place, but at times it seems when she walks by a swirl of darkness follows her, then slinks to the natural shadows.
OOC > Happy to engage in conversation/interact with anyone... she's more open to talk here than she has been before, but she's still reticent to start a conversation. Except with Hox, she'll always engage with him.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Wes doesn’t make an attempt to socialize with the rest of the gang. Those that have worked with him before know that he gets one track minded called especially when it comes to research. He would be almost forgettable that he was there except for the random explosion and plume of smoke or vapor spreading out from the lab. The other noticeable thing is Petunia takes the time to walk around and check in with everyone, taking the rounds daily to rub up against and nuzzle everyone at least once, whether they like it or not.
In her free time, petunia can be seen spending a lot of time with Hox as they scramble for the shiny together.
She can be seen practicing her waltz in the dance hall as she stands on her hind legs and waffles back and forth with Rycider.
Often times she will just sit in silence with Tanakir, Aradurk, or Killian. Knowing not to ruin the moment with her purr and squeaks.
Other times she will wander into Grunn’s forest but be seen skittering out at the sound of any other beast, ina fright.
From time to time she will try to nudge the others to go talk to Wes during the times he canbe heard cursing his texts and his miscalculations.
Killian will glance at the little owl weasel when she visits, once even smiling at her quiet companionship. But while she will watch Wes' work from afar, she will not enter the laboratory or library.
Challenges and answers can be heard daily from Gruun's Forest. Gruun will come out from time to time. Deep scratches and bloody bite wounds smeared over with mud, moss, and leaves. Dispite the grievous wounds and battered appearance, Gruun has an energized feel to him. He stands straighten than he has previously, rather than the slumped cautious look you had seen him with in town. He stands to his full, towering height a quick grin and laugh never far from his face.
Gruun runs with Killian in the forest from time to time. Never speaking, just the camaraderie. Occasionally he will sit patiently outside of her cell, not close to the small room, but with a clear view, after a stint in the forest.
Whenever he sees Hox come by he always has a deep chuckle. He tries to work wordlessly with the small Kobold to attempt to corner the shiny but can never match the speed of the coin or the little one.
Surprising, Gruun shows interest in Rycider's ballroom and spends effort to temper his strength in gracious movements. A life stalking has granted him quick and sure feet but he still lacks following another rhythm and being in sync with another.
He will answer Petunia's call but stays outside the lab, the combination of magic and small breakable things acting as too strong a deterrent. He will try to convience Wes to take a walk with him. Not really knowing what he could be doing, Gruun shares what little knowledge he has about plants and remedies hoping something might help or spark a breakthrough.
After some time watching Aradurk spar, Gruun will attempt to join again trying to work on fluid and precise movements. Untrained he never wins but shows improvement and admires the graceful and deadly motions of Aradurk.
Not being very religious, Gruun doesn't know how to interact with Tanakir's temple. The extended time here as well as the previous events keeps Gruun interacting with these new comrades. He'll speak with Tanakir, cautiously steering away from religious talk but gladly sharing or sparing as Tanakir perfers.
In all Gruun, loses much of his previous quietness with his comrades. He is rugged and blunt but carefree and kind.
Rycider's Little World does not always stay a ballroom but sometimes shifts into a throne room where she will work a room full of imagined nobles for the latest piece of gossip or sometimes play the harlequin to a tyrannical king. At other times it will shift into a small theatre where Ricky will star in a thoughtful piece of drama or quick farce. She happily entertains those who wish to visit, especially the always adorable Petunia. She spends a timeless "month" just tying to pick various locks which appear all over one wall of the throne room, the ghostly non people happily twirling about her. She strolls about the other realms if she feels she is welcome and engages in conversation and socialisation whenever the situation seems to warrant it. To keep up her fitness she will sporadically join Hox on his endless hunt for Shiny and participate in sparring sessions if invited.
On one "night" in this timeless pocket, she will hold a large banquet in the throne room and invite all to the Revels.
Rycider would like to level up in Bard to whatever degree she can.
OOC > Yes, right, tell Barty what we're doing! Killian has found a wellspring of... something inside her, and will be taking several/many/all the levels in Shadow Sorcerer
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
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Tanakir walks through the doorway, shaking his head at Killian's pessimism as he does so.
"Kobolds..." the dragon sneers. "I forgot how distasteful your kind can be. I am not my chromatic kin, Hox. I do not have need of your worship. Your life is your own, and my hoard is mine. Now, go. Join your companions."
One by one, Killian, Wes, Rycider, Aradurk, and Tanakir step forward into the portal, departing the antimagic field and disappearing into the shimmering energy. Only Gruun and Hox remain in the cavern with the golden dragon they know only as Milo, who waits patiently for them to decide whether to follow.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Gruun looks around briefly knowing there's really nothing else to do. With a low grumble he walks up to the doorway and steps through with his eyes closed.
Gruun arrives to find the rest of the party standing before him, in a space filled with white as far as the eye can see.
You all stand atop a ground you cannot see. The portal is gone, and the white space seems to stretch ad infinitum.
Then the space begins to fill, built off of the thoughts and ideas of the seven standing within; tangible, physical areas slowly filling with areas for use for training, studying, and meditating, a growing expanse.
OOC: How is each character going to be spending their time here? In meta terms, you are each going to gain some levels at the end of this, so feel free to flavor your training toward abilities that you'll be learning in future levels.
Alternatively, you can sacrifice a level to learn something that takes a significant amount of downtime, like learning a new language or retraining a fighting style.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
OOC: Would it be possible to know how many levels we are talking about and how many levels we would sacrifice for certain abilities?
Besides leveling Wes would focus on
1. Getting the staff of the Magi to work
2. Mastering the control gem And infusing his tinkering abilities to create an automaton
3. Trying to break any secret magic within the lair they are in, being in a realm of previously unknown magic capabilities.
(Not saying he wants to do all of these things, but what on his radar)
Out of the piercing white a tiled floor appears, each tile in the beautiful mosaic clicking into place faster and faster. And then tall walls draped in heavy and ornate tapestries rise from the floor as though they were already there. Music starts playing, distant at first but slowly getting louder. A tall gentleman dressed in emaculate finery appears in front of Rycider and offers his hand. Behind him more people materialise already dancing to the music. A great ballroom stands before you, opulent and gay. Rycinder takes the mans hand and follows him into the intricate choreography of noble folk.
Ah think ah may enjoy this. Ricky comments.
A cool breeze blows by coming from between the boughs of trees suddenly before you. The floor between the trees are some small shrubs but mostly lush grasses and mosses dappled in shadows from the light filtering through the canopy above. A deep bellowing roar echos from some distance out of the trees. Gruun takes a deep breath from the breeze before slowly placing his gear in a pile underneath a tree. "You will not be the only one." He takes off, quickly disappearing between the trees. After a short while a challenging roar answers the first call.
A sprawling library filled with scrolls and dusty tomes Erects itself behind an expansive laboratory and alchemist station. Burying himself in his research of spells and how to bend the world around to his will. Petunia can be seen running around bringing books and ingredients around while he works.
Every once in a while a plume if a fireball can be seen from the lab, or a shout of epiphany in research.
(possible you use average downtime to make some potions?)
Tanakir walks forward, finding himself a space far from the others. He holds up a hand and a massive roof bursts out of the ground, supported on marble columns. The triangular roof has a bas relief of Helm fighting demons and devils, and the centerpiece of the entryway is a steel gauntlet with an eye on the back of the hand. He steps inside, whispering to himself, "This is how it should have been," before removing his armor and sitting in meditation on the floor.
Hox looks about as nothing really materializes before him, until he sees something shiny. And as he approaches, it gets further away from him. Hox looks at it oddly before trying again, only to have it go further away again. Hox tries to hide from it and approaches once more, only to have it slip away as he thinks he's close enough. This repeats as he hides in the other's training places, chasing the shiny.
Aradurk walks over to some space, apart from the others.
He draws his rapier and the environment begins to shift, becoming a waterfront scene, a dark pier with night abound. Shadows fade into the darkness and he slows his movements to control his breathing and sound. Then he practices quick movements, his feet working on becoming more agile. His training as a soldier observes in his mind, as he dances across the spaces in the alleyway, employing control and stealth to steer his feet. His eyes and actions move as though he is repeating the steps of some invisible other. As he swings his rapier, his arms coil and then respond like a cobra. Feigning and lunging, he moves around an unseen target, finessing his way around it.
He holds up the rapier to his chest and his face stretches into a smile. "Now let's do it again", he mutters under his breath, "but quieter and faster"
Grinning, he adds aloud, "That's what she said."
Halsen - Human Monk - Winter Splendor
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Barty's Blade Bizarre
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Betrayal at Devilsfall
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Barty's "The Hidden War" (Doom Portals Part 4A)
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Barty's "The Whispered Word (Doom Portals Part 5)
Garu - Tabaxi Paladin - Barty's "Beyond Twilight" (Rikirta Part 3)
Killian stands in the stillness, closing her eyes and breathing deeply as the others manifest their learning spaces. Then a small cell begins to build itself, black brick by black brick, from the ground around her. Her long hair lifts slightly from her shoulders, but she keeps her eyes closed, her face quiet, as the small room encloses her. Not more than ten by ten, it has a narrow door that slams shut as the roof fills in, leaving the lanky paladin hidden from view.
As time passes, she emerges a couple times a day to eat, to speak with the others. But she always returns, willingly, to her seclusion, whispering to herself, "Again," as she enters the doorway. Towards the end of our time here, the small cell begins to be rocked by blows, loud sounds, and around the cracks where the door meets the frame, lights and the occasional seeping darkness can be seen.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
What feels like days becomes what feels like months, Mordenkainen's time chamber ever expanding and contracting as the needs of the party change.
Wes soon discovers that the renowned mage seems to have linked books and studies of his own to the space, able to be called forth and formed through some sort of arcane library, and after some preliminary research he discovers how to summon spectral versions of various beasts and monstrosities for training.
The phenomenon of the flow of time inside the space is difficult to get used to at first. True to the dragon's word, your bodies maintain a state consistent with the way that they entered. You feel minimal fatigue, and have no need of sleep, but discover quickly that your minds still tire, and need periods of rest and meditation.
From an outsider's perspective, the space is a tangle of chaos, with tiled dance floors at the edge of forests that end abruptly into city streets and buildings, but you have grown attuned to the layout, some of you spending time with each other while others remain in solitude. There's no telling how much "time" has passed here, but the only thing the time chamber doesn't seem to have immediately available is an exit.
OOC: If you would like to multiclass, learn new proficiencies, or retrain abilities, please let me know in this next round of posts.
After some time getting comfortable with the new facilities, how is each character perfecting their training?
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
OOC > For my sake, I’ve compiled a list of the environments...
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
When she's not in her cell, Killian is either outside it, sitting against its wall, with a cup of water, or she is jogging through Gruun's forest. She steers well clear of the dance hall, though not from Rycider herself, she's just not the dancing type. She will watch Wes' laboratory from a distance, but without real curiosity. Once or twice she tries to trap Hox' coin when it skitters by, but without success, and she will just shrug at the kobold as he runs past. She seemingly ignores the existence of Tanakir's homage to Helm entirely.
She seems drawn, at least more than to the others, by Aradurk's nighttime waterfront. She will spend long minutes standing before the threshold to the cobbles and planks, taking in the smells, the sounds, and the wind off the water.
But most of her time is spent in her cell with the door closed.
As time (or not time) goes by, Killian changes. The tired slump of her shoulders straightens, and the look in her eyes goes from languid to attentive. Where before, she came alive only with a naked blade in her hand, now she seems more centered. Her eyes still flash, her face is still quick to emotion, but she is channeling her anger... somewhere. She often comes out of the cell in a total sweat, clothes sticking to her, hair plastered about. And then she goes for a run in Gruun's wild forest, with just a dagger at her side for protection. She has even started to leave her scarred shield behind in the cell. If anyone tries the door when she is in there, or when she is gone, they find it does not open for them.
It may be a trick of the light in this odd place, but at times it seems when she walks by a swirl of darkness follows her, then slinks to the natural shadows.
OOC > Happy to engage in conversation/interact with anyone... she's more open to talk here than she has been before, but she's still reticent to start a conversation. Except with Hox, she'll always engage with him.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Wes doesn’t make an attempt to socialize with the rest of the gang. Those that have worked with him before know that he gets one track minded called especially when it comes to research. He would be almost forgettable that he was there except for the random explosion and plume of smoke or vapor spreading out from the lab. The other noticeable thing is Petunia takes the time to walk around and check in with everyone, taking the rounds daily to rub up against and nuzzle everyone at least once, whether they like it or not.
In her free time, petunia can be seen spending a lot of time with Hox as they scramble for the shiny together.
She can be seen practicing her waltz in the dance hall as she stands on her hind legs and waffles back and forth with Rycider.
Often times she will just sit in silence with Tanakir, Aradurk, or Killian. Knowing not to ruin the moment with her purr and squeaks.
Other times she will wander into Grunn’s forest but be seen skittering out at the sound of any other beast, ina fright.
From time to time she will try to nudge the others to go talk to Wes during the times he canbe heard cursing his texts and his miscalculations.
OOC > I love Petunia.
Killian will glance at the little
owlweasel when she visits, once even smiling at her quiet companionship. But while she will watch Wes' work from afar, she will not enter the laboratory or library.ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Challenges and answers can be heard daily from Gruun's Forest. Gruun will come out from time to time. Deep scratches and bloody bite wounds smeared over with mud, moss, and leaves. Dispite the grievous wounds and battered appearance, Gruun has an energized feel to him. He stands straighten than he has previously, rather than the slumped cautious look you had seen him with in town. He stands to his full, towering height a quick grin and laugh never far from his face.
Gruun runs with Killian in the forest from time to time. Never speaking, just the camaraderie. Occasionally he will sit patiently outside of her cell, not close to the small room, but with a clear view, after a stint in the forest.
Whenever he sees Hox come by he always has a deep chuckle. He tries to work wordlessly with the small Kobold to attempt to corner the shiny but can never match the speed of the coin or the little one.
Surprising, Gruun shows interest in Rycider's ballroom and spends effort to temper his strength in gracious movements. A life stalking has granted him quick and sure feet but he still lacks following another rhythm and being in sync with another.
He will answer Petunia's call but stays outside the lab, the combination of magic and small breakable things acting as too strong a deterrent. He will try to convience Wes to take a walk with him. Not really knowing what he could be doing, Gruun shares what little knowledge he has about plants and remedies hoping something might help or spark a breakthrough.
After some time watching Aradurk spar, Gruun will attempt to join again trying to work on fluid and precise movements. Untrained he never wins but shows improvement and admires the graceful and deadly motions of Aradurk.
Not being very religious, Gruun doesn't know how to interact with Tanakir's temple. The extended time here as well as the previous events keeps Gruun interacting with these new comrades. He'll speak with Tanakir, cautiously steering away from religious talk but gladly sharing or sparing as Tanakir perfers.
In all Gruun, loses much of his previous quietness with his comrades. He is rugged and blunt but carefree and kind.
Rycider's Little World does not always stay a ballroom but sometimes shifts into a throne room where she will work a room full of imagined nobles for the latest piece of gossip or sometimes play the harlequin to a tyrannical king. At other times it will shift into a small theatre where Ricky will star in a thoughtful piece of drama or quick farce. She happily entertains those who wish to visit, especially the always adorable Petunia. She spends a timeless "month" just tying to pick various locks which appear all over one wall of the throne room, the ghostly non people happily twirling about her. She strolls about the other realms if she feels she is welcome and engages in conversation and socialisation whenever the situation seems to warrant it. To keep up her fitness she will sporadically join Hox on his endless hunt for Shiny and participate in sparring sessions if invited.
On one "night" in this timeless pocket, she will hold a large banquet in the throne room and invite all to the Revels.
Rycider would like to level up in Bard to whatever degree she can.
OOC > Yes, right, tell Barty what we're doing! Killian has found a wellspring of... something inside her, and will be taking several/many/all the levels in Shadow Sorcerer
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.