Nearly fainting Auger visualizes his wife grabbing him, holding him. So close. So tight. Why is she...?

Reaching into Py, Auger passes his sense into the fey creature and then through his eyes finds a spot and moves there, through the Sea of Stars. Collapsing to the ground on his arrival he gasps for breath. He barely notices the headache forming as he lies there, his senses passing back into himself.

As Auger tries to misty step, he realizes the stone is sapping a strand of energy as he casts (jUys enough for a cantrip). He sees the yellow pattern glowing more brightly, amplifying his arcane energy, and from it, a ball of energy begins to form in the center of the cube. Auger tries again to step, looking through Py’s eyes, and through them, witnesses the stone whose floor now pulls him flat against it, higher up than before, pulling upwards and away, foot by foot, wisps of fog streaming over it from above. But Auger’s senses shoot directly to a place, through Py’s eyes, just below the cube, to which he knows he can walk instantaneously through the sea of stars and escape the airless cell in which he is trapped. He manages to croak out the triggering phrase, and he disappears.

Auger blacks out just for a moment, but awakens again, inhabiting his own senses, and he is free, and there is air, though not enough, and his lungs suck it in thirstily; and, he is cold, freezing cold. He is immediately under the stone, and  gratefully, the terrible pressing weight he had suffered within it has disappeared. Indeed, there is a lightness now, and Auger sees the stone lifting away and away, its huge chain passing quickly out of reach, and the warlock witnesses new links materializing, lengthening the chain, while the cube itself is coming alive, seemingly, glowing hot yellow as the same pattern inside it now begins to glow along its vertices.

And then -- Auger’s senses return enough for him to realize he is not on the ground at all. He is in the air, very, very high in the air, suspended, as if in a dream, lit by the stone’s yellow glow, and by the almost full moon, yet high above. And now he sees an enormous form, like a man but big as a ship, his face itself a glowing orb of light, with tremendous eagle’s wings, is there above Auger, and almost in slow motion, for everything is so very large compared to Auger, the angel floats past and takes the chain in hand. There is a melodic chiming sound, and the subtle smell of ozone, and with a flickering flash, Auger sees the angel disappear, stepping away just as the warlock had before, along with the chain and cube. And this truly pulls Auger into consciousness, because he also realizes that he had been rising skyward, into the heavens, very quickly. And now, he has reached apogee, and now, now, he is falling back to earth. Turning his head, he sees all of Orraca u Shia laid out underneath him, the Bantu mountains to the north, the gulf to the south, all in darkness. And just a hint of the sun, far to the west, over the brown stripe which must be The Kingdoms.

Faster and faster, the warlock plummets, and now, again, he feels the air being ripped away from him. In a moment, he sees Py coming closer, from below, buzzing with all its might to match his descent, then latching onto him with its delicate feet. Auger realizes he is still covered by the cloaked figure, or the robes, rather, which form some kind of garment which now clothes him head to toe, in gold-laced finery. And it is whispering something again, a new message.

(OOC: Auger, please roll arcana 3 times to decipher the message.)

Auger can only react. No air. Trapped and crushed against the ground. Then air and freedom. And the air goes on and on and on and on. Auger finds it strange how he finds himself fixating on the whispering clothing, but he tries to listen. He tries with everything he can muster to listen and understand. Arcana Check 1: 7. Check 2: 16. Check 3: 23.

(Crit!)

Auger understands that he is wearing a robe of the archmagi possessing an additional ability which, after falling 30,000 feet, and now, one mile above the ground, he can unlock. It requires some concentration but he connects with the robe and suddenly, he can control his descent, like feather fall but only usable on himself, and he can move laterally 10’ for every 60’ he falls. The spell’s duration continues until he lands. The delicate gold thread is woven into the fabric in the same pattern of interconnected glyphs of D’ya Baobab as Auger saw in the cube. Otherwise, you may choose what the robe looks like.

So, with controlled descent, Auger finds the courtyard and, fabric rustling in the breeze, gracefully lands. 

Granophyre and Izilmeddur are both standing and watching. “What happened?,” asks the old scholar. “The stone started moving upward as soon as you disappeared.”

Later, Izilmeddur walks Auger deeper into the castle’s depths, ever dusty, ever finely appointed, gold shining under cobwebs and the ever-present dust, to the pool room described above.

“Rest here,” she says. “I will return at dawn, a plan will be determined, and we will leave. Tomorrow you will see your friend, if she yet lives.”

While falling Auger is completely transfixed by the whispers from the golden garment. In a flash he comes to an understanding of what is being said and then is able to gently float back to the courtyard.

Amazed at what has transpired and still in shock on the overall actions and consequences, Auger tells Granophyre and Izilmeddur what transpired in the cube and his sighting of the... God? Angel? Whichever, high above.

Upon rejoining the others Auger says, "Well I-- I settled the matter of the stone." Auger stops still clearly shaken to any who care to notice. "And I got this-- this coat for my troubles."

Looking at Auger the others see that he is now wearing a hooded double-breasted long coat that extends below his waist though not all the way to his knees. Four buttons fit it to the left side of Auger's chest. It is silvery grey with white accents and features and in the light they can see there is a repeating pattern woven into the material in some sort of golden thread. It appears to be made of a very light material.

Once drawn out Auger tells the story of what transpired. At times he uses the nearby pool to visually show what happened. When Auger uses the simple cantrip, the golden thread of his coat appears to somehow catch more of the light.

(Sorry guys, I'm going to be slow on responses in the coming week or two. I'm very busy, and a little sick too. Also, I'll save Varielky's responses to Auger after she concludes the talk with Ednyss. It's hard to exist in multiple timelines.)

Varielky isn't quite sure how she helped Ednyss, as Benita was her only interest since that fight. Anything else was just a stepping stone to that end. Either way, when he asks about Granophyre, she answers: "A danger to us? Why would he pose any danger to us? He's mourning his friend, but I don't think he'll take his anger on us. And... if he does... I'll accept his challenge. It might help him unburden himself. I might be wrong, but this is the way I've always been doing things. When you're displeased with someone, challenge them to a duel. Do you have a better idea?" Though, other doubts started eating at Varielky. It's not impossible that others will act differently than she would. She has heard of people who would murder someone loved by the person they want to get their revenge on, and other things like that. In a fair fight, she wouldn't worry too much for Benita; she was a capable fighter. Varielky dismisses the thought. Strewn didn't seem that kind of person... even if he's "not in his right mind" as Ednyss said.

Ednyss shakes his head, "I don't think he will directly attack us, but infiltrating an Orc camp in disguise is a delicate mission. I just worry that he might be unable to moderate himself regarding what's best for Benita. Or all of us, for that matter." When she asks about other ideas Ednyss continues, "Perhaps we should talk to him to help him overcome his grief. Obviously, he has to take his own time to come to terms with what happened to Tuff, but at least to ensure that he doesn't use acid to burn the face off of of the first orc that we run into." With that Ednyss adds, "I trust your judgement though, and as Benita is a closer friend to you, it should be your decision. I am simply offering an opinion." That said, Ednyss will listen if Varielky has any other thoughts she wants to bounce off of him, otherwise, he will start preparing for rest. Before his evening prayers, he casts a few spells into his shield and then continues his evening rituals.

(OOC: Ednyss casts one more Healing Word into the shield at level 1 (Total 3 levels) and casts Enhance Ability into the shield as well (Total 2 levels))

Varielky didn't consider that option. Indeed, that could mess things up, but she didn't really like the sneaking in approach anyway. With four Azhvuv at their side, she thinks they can just power their way through. Though... on second thought, they're still fighting thousands of Orcs. "You might be right." She says eventually. "Let's talk to him when he comes here. I think you should be the one talking; you seem closer to him. I'm here in case you need me though."

Perhaps two hours later, after Ednyss and Varielky have drifted to a guarded sleep, they stir when they hear Auger and Granophyre enter the pool room and Izilmeddur saying a few quiet words then departing until morning. 

Rather then disrupt his friend's rest, Auger decides to wait till morning before sharing any details of his adventure.

Auger experiments with his new coat to see if he can actually remove it now, and to see what it does if he can remove it. (OOC: Does it stand as a cloaked form nearby as he sleeps or does it merely lay beside him?)

Quote from Zzozz___ >>

Rather then disrupt his friend's rest, Auger decides to wait till morning before sharing any details of his adventure.

Auger experiments with his new coat to see if he can actually remove it now, and to see what it does if he can remove it. (OOC: Does it stand as a cloaked form nearby as he sleeps or does it merely lay beside him?)

Auger has time to attune to the item in this restful place where time passes, seemingly, more slowly than in the world beyond its doors. The coat can be removed, and yes, can be hung up anywhere in mid-air, or tossed on a bench, although it seems to prefer hanging in air. If Auger calls it, it flies to him and wraps itself around him.

Ednyss blinks a few times as Auger and Granophyre enter the room, but he has already said his prayers and is a little sleepy after the day's activities so he just drifts back off to sleep, resolving to speak with Granophyre in the morning.

POST #6

Rescue from Brod Khagkul

The Journey to Kalahata, Day 16 (18th of Beauty)

Before dawn the next morning, you are awakened by Izilmeddur, and you see Granophyre is already up, sitting on a corner bench, holding the brass-golden paperweight which has remained, inert, in his pocket, since the ill-fated reptilian ambush, shining it and bending its parts back into shape. As you three stir, Granophyre removes a minute gem which looks like a tiny seed from a compartment in his belt, and seems to place it in the Golden Bird’s miniature beak. Suddenly, its form, like flowing mercury, shifts, it grows wings, looks about, and flits up to land on the old scholar’s head, before once again losing all animus. 

Izilmeddur leads you into another room on the same level. In its center is a low circular table of smooth stone with a shallow rim; a thin layer of red soil covers the surface. Centered above it is a sphere of swirling red sands which gives off an incandescent glow, which a surrounding shade reflects directly down upon the table top. Standing behind the table are three more Azhvuv, whom Izilmeddur introduces as Lunja, Sakinatadla, and Tagwerramt. Alyasub are perched upon the shoulders of all four. Now, Izilmeddur and you four join the others around the table. With subtle gestures, Izilmeddur reaches above the table’s surface, and causes shapes to form in the sand without touching it. She draws a line of hills, a line for a stream, and surrounding it, at the base of the hills, a walled town begins to form.

“Brod Khagkul,” she says. “The orcan town. Long have their hyena-mounted patrols circled the Steppes, taking captive farmers, demanding tribute, and in recent months, kidnapping women, and some men, in order to propagate half-orcan Jenghen. We do not know their goals, and it is not our purpose to interfere in the politics of worldly civilization. Which is why the kidnapping of our Queen is such an insult, for we are now forced to act.”

Experimenting at its edges, you realize that any of you can make marks on the map in the same way.

Here is the map she has drawn.

“It will consume one day’s travel through badlands and then plains to arrive there. The Handmaiden tells us we should minimize our time in the orcan lands, and enter the town at its nearest point, the southwestern gate, which the orcs call Moon Gate. We four,” gesturing to include herself and the other Azhvuv, “will be in disguise, and your hands will be lightly bound. We arrive at sunset, and will enter the town when most of its inhabitants eat their supper. You will all wear women’s robes, which we can supply. We will move with haste to the women’s harem, silently overcome its guards, and find your friend. Under cover of darkness, we will then escape be tracing a path through the town’s northeastern edge, and climb over the walls, then pass through the hyena grounds. You will then be on your own.”

“No,” says the Azhvuv Izilmeddur introduced as Sakinatadla. “They cannot go that way. They bear the scent of the living. The hyenas cannot smell us, but these four will be discovered right away by the beasts.”

Izilmeddur frowns. “You are correct. Then the escape must occur behind Shulong Xurl’s tent, and over the northwestern wall.” She looks at you four. “Agreed?”

Auger nods along with the plan though he does have a few questions and worries.

His new robe appears to be quite valuable but he does not want to stand out as a new slave in finery so he wonders about their items and packs and how those will be brought along so that he can draw the coat out when needed. Same for the weapons, armor and shields of his companions, not to mention a few things for Benita to possibly use. Will the Azhvuv carry their things? Or can they hide items underneath the women's robes they will be wearing?

After his previous go around with trying to sneak up on Orcs he wonders how easily they will get away, particularly if hyenas end up tracking them. Would it be possible to get out on a horse-drawn cart so they can cover more ground upon leaving?

Lastly, Auger realizes he was planning to bring Benita back here to relative safety. But no, being on our own means they intend us to go on to the Vale, to save their Queen within the next 5 weeks. He asks for a detailed run-down of what they know as it pertains to their Queen. Where she is held, the nature of the magic that blocks the Azhvuv, anything of importance (OOC: No explanation needed this moment unless it somehow pertains to the rescue and escape from Brod Khagkul, I just want it noted so that when the time is right we can be provided with the right knowledge).

In answer to Auger’s questions, Izilmeddur says the following:

“We Azhvuv will wear and carry all of your packs and weapons and shields. The disguises we clothe you in will completely cover your regular garb and armor. Remember the orcs don’t just capture commoners, but fighters too. And their weapons are the spoils of conquest.

“Yes we can bring an extra pair of scimitars for your friend. Armor? No.”

“There is a farm one mile west of the town with a stable with horses and camels. Run and you’ll arrive there in ten minutes. Take the mounts. Gallop north to the Queen’s High Way. Then east to Kalahata.”

“We  will give or send you information about the Queen’s location after you have escaped. We will find you.”

Varielky doesn't want to accept the plan, even if it seems the safest. "Sneaking in, assassinating two guards and running out? That doesn't right. Maybe we can't fight all two thousand of them, but we can challenge their chief to a duel. I doubt he'll refuse in front of his whole clan. Maybe I was aided by you then," she indicates Granophyre, "but I still ended up besting him in the fight." She knew it wasn't as safe, but she couldn't think of acting that way... even if it was for Benita. Besides, if she fails, the others can always execute the other plan. 

Auger says, "Varielky, these Orcs have consistently acted without honor. Even if they agreed to the duel, they will not honor any terms you attempt to create. Sneaking in and out is the only way to ensure we all survive." Auger looks to Ednyss and Granophyre for support, fearing Varielky will just get herself killed.

Ednyss looks a bit uncomfortable when looked at for support, and just squirms for a second before he pipes up. "I understand that you are uncomfortable sneaking in," he says to Varielky, "But I don't think challenging the chief to a fight will actually work. The fact that they were willing to come in and take Benita after we had been weakened by the lizards is more than proof of that." He pauses and looks to Granophyre to hear the scholar's opinion. As the scholar speaks, Ednyss keeps his eyes on Granophyre to try and tell what the old dwarf is thinking behind his words (i.e. is he still bent on revenge, or can he think more clearly).

"But... I'm..." Varielky is at a loss for words. She knows they're right but she can't accept acting that way. It is against all she ever believed in. Unable to think of a better plan, though, she sighs and acquiesces. "Fine, for Benita's sake. But, I won't be the one assassinating the guards. There are lines I won't cross." Her fists clenched and her jaw shut, Varielky listens for the rest of the plan, if there's any. It's hard for her to accept that six experienced fighters and two mages, accompanied by four bugs, must sneak into the camp instead of kick the gate down - somehow - and challenge the Orc chief to a fair fight. 

Granophyre seems lost in thought, and when the conversation pauses, it becomes quickly apparent that he was not tracking what was being said. 
Suddenly casting about the room and apprehending that all eyes are upon him, he sighs heavily. 
“I am sorry. I am sorry,” grumbles his basso, seemingly empty of emotion and energy. He closes his eyes for a moment, then opens them, his intelligence gleaming now, and he exactly repeats the plan so far. 
“It seems to me that the closer we can get to Benita before raising an alarm, the better. That is the first necessary step, is to locate her, as we do not know for a certainty if she is even still in captivity. We may indeed have to enter the chieftan’s tent if, as our erstwhile guide told us is true, and if the chief favors her. To my mind, I cannot believe he would not favor her, for she is strong, attractive, and young. We must keep that in mind. 
But to begin with, the plan seems sound. Varielky, there are other ways to silence guards than to assassinate them.”

To Ednyss’ eye, Granophyre is completely himself in this moment, but he notes that it is requiring a tremendous effort for the scholar to be himself. Yet it is plainly not beyond him to do so.