The sun is high in the sky you hear the pleasant but very distinguishable bell rapidly ringing, summoning you and the other adventurers to the observatory. You are greeted by the observatory's president, Ms. Greenwinter, a dark blue robed human woman in her early thirties, with long, curled black hair and exuberance in her voice. "Ah, I'm glad at least you three were able to respond on such short notice. No, rather, you should be. Come quickly. There's no time to waste."
The three of you follow along into the building. "We opened a portal. The Hermetic Pulse we anticipated up this afternoon shattered the ech- that is, we found a link we weren't expecting. We were just going to watch. This... it's unbelievable."
You've seen the main observation chamber before, housing a huge apparatus, a wonder of gears and changing forms. Now, all that sits unattended in haphazard piles at the edge of the room- instead, an unstable rift in space, crackling with electricity and spilling a reddish-purple cloud, hovers just above the floor in the center of the room, only just larger than a bugbear, contained within a resilient sphere. One male wizard presses his face against the sphere, struggling to see through the rift, while three other wizards pace around it. Floating scrolls move slowly through the air, following their masters as words appear upon them, copying their observations.
"I see this isn't making much sense to all of you. I'll try one more time to explain. A world we were watching- one in which collections of artifacts are collected and sold- taken from countless other worlds- where some shopkeepers have more power than an entire kingdom! It was engulfed in a war. We have no idea of the specifics. We were just going to watch the war, and see what we could learn. This afternoon... it seems the entire world were engulfed in an incredible three day time stop anomaly! Similar to what happens when you take a large bag of holding and toss it over a teleport circle receiving a sphere of annihilation."
She pauses, holding an extended arm to the rift, as though expecting that to explain everything. One of the other male wizards speaks plainly. "A large-scale process that turns everything inside-out before being dumped across the universe- a terminal fate."
"So... salvage what you can, with this most-likely accidental world-wide time stop. It looks like we're not the only ones taking notice. Hence the sphere," she gestures again to the rift, "and we also need to sever that link, because that entire world will disappear tomorrow and any world it's connected to. It's all unstable, but we don't have time to explain everything- it'll all be over by then! We're only giving you just less than three days before we destroy the rift. We would go with you- we poked on the other side already to make sure it was stable enough to walk through- but we have to stay here to make sure we keep the world safe, taking shifts watching it."
She starts gathering things into a pack- makeshift tools of their make, apparently. "It's you or nobody. I need an answer right away. Will you go?"
Ms. Greenwinter nods to your responses, continuing to judiciously put a few more things into the pack. "These are tools that will help you open a rift if you need to. Van, you should be able to figure it out... start with this one to find a thread. This one will force a rip, be careful with it. This one... no, where is it... oh, sorry, this is such a mess!"
"Just give them the resonator," the same male wizard calmly suggests. "They should be able to find an open rift without issue. Just don't wait until the last moment to use it."
She hesitates, pulling out a square shaped bronze wand. "Try not to get lost anyway, please."
She straightens herself out, looking to the wizard with his face to the sphere. "Let's get ready to send them." She turns back to Van, offering him the wand. "We'll try to build a hidden camp on the other side to defend the rift..."
The mage at the sphere turns his attention the floor around it, reaching down and using a greasy paste to smudge a drawn rune. The sphere vanishes, allowing a waft of ozone to freshen the room. He backs away from the rift, which quickly clears of the mist, allowing you to see a small, marbled amphitheater. The rift seems to hover at the first row of seats, but a haze occludes beyond 30 feet from the origin. Judging by the presence of still trees, it seems to be on a temperate hillside in daylight. Despite the bright light, the colors lack intensity- faint or faded. The same mage looks nods in your direction. "It should be safe."
If you have any questions before departing, you may do so. If you wish to delay entry, you may do so.
When you step through the rift, a wave of tingling set your hairs on end. Dozens of small shocks uncomfortably prick at your extremities, and when your first foot touches the ground, your body is suddenly pulled forward through the rift by an unseen force. Each of you manage to keep your footing, and for a moment your body feels so heavy that you struggle on your own feet. Yet before you can properly brace yourself, the feeling vanishes, instead feeling almost weightless, causing the world to spin as you struggle to stay standing. The moment repeats twice over the course of ten seconds, before the effect ends and you find the pull of the world to be like your own, still on your feet.
Mostly. With a swift bend to the ground, Van loses his lunch in a hurl without warning.
The haze remains consistent on this side, the air comfortably cool and still, though you can make out the star to be white and in the late evening or early morning. Van's noise echos in the haze in all directions. The sun sits nearly perfectly to the right of the facing of the amphitheater. A stone path at the seating side of the amphitheater heads toward and away from the star.
A vague shadowy silhouette suddenly exists in a few feet front of you, speaking in the same moment it appears. The voice, monstrously deep and accompanied by a throaty growl like that of a tiger, is clear in your mind.
"Humanoids. I am the one who stands victorious over this broken and dying world, you may call me Lillaeas, speak my name and I shall hear you and answer. You are free to take what you will, but do not get in the way of my servants, and assist them if they request your aid. I swear death and worse upon those who violate my request. Am I perfectly clear? Speak."
As they passed through the portal, he braced himself for the transition, so though it took him a few moments to gather himself and adjust to their new surroundings, he made the transition pretty well. Anahn did too but Van had more trouble. Amandil let him finish, then asked "Are you alright? Good to keep going?" He pulled out a wand given to him before, but did not yet activate it.
Obviously, something detected their intrusion. A magic sending or programmed illusion appeared and addressed them. Amandil sensed that it was of an ancient red dragon, much larger than the image before them. He whispered to his friends "It's a great ancient red dragon. Let me talk to him." Dragons are vain and like flattery, is what he heard. Time to see if that's true. He turned and addressed the image. "Great and powerful Lillaeas, apologies for intruding in your realm. We will obey your rules, but how will we know if we encounter your servants?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Passing through the portal Anahn steeled himself for the unknown, knowing that this likely will not be the first times he will have to embrace what he doesn’t understand during this three day trip. The world felt almost as if it was spinning as Anahn shook his head and tried to get ahold of himself. Once getting comfortable on the ground, Anahn scans the area and finds them to be in an amphitheater of the sort.
Once hearing the monstrous voice come from the shadowy figure suddenly appearing, he will put his hands on the handles of his blades at his sides. Not quite drawing them but ready to move the second he feels trouble arise. Hearing Amandil take charge Anahn will let him lead, but will keep close to the bard’s back while giving the shadowy figure a glare the entire time.
(General Perception as Anahn scans area searching for anything watching them or hiding as shadowy figure talks to Amandil)
Slowly, the phantom becomes more visible to the others, remaining the size of a man. The image of the dragon bears twisted scars in its scales, some of its bones seemingly aberrant in the angles that it protrudes. The phantom moves a few feet before the group as a whole, looking to Amandil.
"They will tell you. So it would be most unwise to deny anyone the chance to do so." It ceases the growl, letting a slow breath out in a sigh. "I do not force them to a uniform or to bear a standard."
The dragon's eyes focus on each of you in turn. "I do not tell them that they are not to kill you. Are you not capable of discerning truth from lies?"
(later edit): (Perception) The immediate surrounding suggests serenity- though surely a result of the stilled time. You do not see any threats, but you do find a bunny in the open, trapped in time.
“You speak in riddles and leading questions Lillaeas ...What is the point of a victor in a broken world? Looks to me like there’s nothing left to enjoy. And who are you? A great conquerer of this land that’s stuck in time, unable to defend itself?” says Anahn confidently, his face stone and showing no emotion. He maintains his position slightly behind Amandil, his knuckles almost white with tension as he grips his dual scimitars in their sheathes.
"I am no conqueror- but a survivor. I felled a foe that would have subdued countless worlds, yours assuredly included in time. This is not my world, and I am the last..." It pauses, examining Amandil.
The dragon shape changes into a female like a human, wearing only a beautiful long dress made of thousands of tiny rubies, bound to her skin at the waist and torso, with the eyes of a dragon, and horns shaped in the likeness of a crown. She stands at 6 feet, proudly standing with a regal air about her. Still, the disfiguration that you saw in her scales and bone on her side are still present as horrible scars in the same relative places. "For the time being, I see myself as responsible for this world. I am trying to save as much as possible. That is why you are here, among many others. I invited you, all given the same warning. My enemies are no more, and soon I will return home. I implore you to act on your greed, take what you can."
She extends her arms slowly toward Amandil in welcome. "All I ask is that you help my beloved subjects if they seek it. There are still many dangers left in this world. They have suffered enough so that you may plunder to your heart's content."
Van, straightening after a most unexpected and unpleasant transition studies the surroundings keeping an ear tuned to the conversation. "I'm fine, thank you. A bit more jarring than expected!" he says softly to Amandil. He keeps slightly behind his party mates, not trying to hide, but not trying to stand out either. When he see the tension in Anahn he rest his hand on his knee and says evenly "Easy now, I fear this welcome is thin at best. Let's tread carefully lest it breaks."
Stepping forward for the first time Van nods his head in acknowledgment of the creature before them "Thank you for your invitation, and your warning. You raise many questions. I hope you don't mind if I ask them" He pauses briefly but not long enough for her to raise an objection "You say that you saved this world from a devastating foe. Can you tell us what, or who, that was? You also mentioned inviting others here. Are there many others here in pursuit of their greed?"
"One unfortunately and appropriately called 'Holy Emperor', unworthy of living among mortals." She turns her eyes down with a frown, expressing sorrow. "He enslaved the greatest among hundreds of worlds, slaying gods to build an army of exceptional intelligent creatures, forced to obey him by threats. I was among those willing to resist - an alliance among worlds - many of whom paid a great price to be part of. None so great as this world."
She looks to Amandil, gesturing as she speaks. (All: Insight: She seems to be opening herself up to you.) "There are many others, not all invited by me. I did not choose the people who come- I merely opened a path for any willing. Some are unaware of the circumstances, some have specific objectives- including hunters who think they can kill me. Most are like yourselves, if I am reading you correctly. The task at hand is worth the risk to life. We must save as much as possible, little of this world deserves to vanish in the dark abyss."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Anahn narrows his eyes at the seemingly sudden change in personality, taking in all being said but not yet trusting this ”benevolent” force that’s appeared to them. His grip remains on his blades but they will notably loosen, as he realizes the figure is trying to present itself as an ally. Not quite sure about them however he scans them, studying them.
It appears she shape changed to a human so that you could read her expressions, and she does so without any tense inflections that suggests dishonesty. Anahan* doesn't know much about red dragons- but as best as he can tell, she is benevolent.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(ooc, I need to back date my familiar. Sorry about that. I don't think it will effect anything. It's been a while since I've had one but I won't forget about Wes again!)
After coming through the rift and keeping it's distance from Vans violent heaving Wes would nudge his ankle to check in and then proceed on his usual scouting mission. Looking for leaks. Stealth: 7 In this case fresh air. He would be mapping all the exits and entrances large and small. Perception: 19 At one point Van can be heard saying under his breath "No Wes, leave the bunny alone" I'd also like to direct him to finding any fresh smells, as an indication if others have come here before us and where they went. Insight: 2
Am... Am I supposed to be charmed by this form? Attracted? He's heard stories of dragons shapeshifting and having... relations... with humanoids but never expected to be in that position. Or was he misreading this completely? He wanted nothing to do with a red dragon, no matter its shape. They were terrible tyrants, seeking to dominate everyone in sight. Like devils, but with less legalism. It's story, on the other hand...
"That's amazing and I'd love to hear more. A story such as yours deserves to be told, and your fame spread wide! Please, do tell!"
(ooc: it looks like I'm going to mix up "Anahan" and "Amandil" a few more times... I'll try not to!)
Amandil's suggestion of spreading her fame elicits a smile. "Perhaps tale of the alliance's victory should be told to worlds unknowing of the war. What is your name, half-elf?"After he responds with his name, she blinks and shakes her head slightly, interrupting what else he might say."I will tell you my story, when you have time to listen. You only just arrived. Do you have any other questions?"
"Yes, just one more" Van says bowing slightly but maintaining eye contact with the form before him. "Just a trivial matter... " feeling that he may be making a mistake in asking but cant help himself "How do we separate the other worlds from this one?"
"Hmm?" She raises one brow, glancing to Van before turning her gaze up toward the sky for a couple seconds. She then looks around the group to the rift. "Ah. If the gate is closed, the other respectively attached Prime Material worlds will be safe. So long as the gate isn't forced to stay open by another source, the link should destabilize and break before the ripping effect spreads through it. It appears you had to strengthen the link before opening your gate, however, and your friends on the other side did so. So it seems fortune played a bigger part in your being here than I gave credit. I did not anticipate circumstances such as yours."
She clasps her hands before her chest and bows mildly, closing her eyes halfway. "I will remember your gate- and see that it is closed before I leave. Your world will be safe."
As the conversation has drawn on, Anahn has slowly loosened in tension as he realizes the figure truly is benevolent. His face slowly morphs from the stone-like front he’d been presenting to that of childlike amazement. Opening barriers of worlds and seemingly defeating a nigh impossible enemy...This figure in front of him was not only powerful but seemingly generous as well.
“What are you exactly Lillaeas? Are you a god? You grant us access to the treasures of this world, but do you yourself not crave them? Or is that the job of your servants? To claim the treasures you yourself won’t collect? You tell us to help them if they ask, but what will they be asking us to do?”Asks Anahn in a single breath, his curiosity taking over. His tone is no longer accusing, but genuinely eager to learn more. His hands have moved off the handles of his weapons, as he instead uses them to make sporadic gestures as he talks.
“Are you a dragon? I’ve never seen a dragon...what’s your true form? And how did the HELL did this world get its time stopped?”
She raises her left hand toward Anahn halfway. She takes a deep breath, spreads her feet, and declares with conviction. "I am a dragon greater than gods."
She relaxes after a couple seconds looking directly to Anahn's eyes. "It is not so grand as you may think. I am not bound to what makes them."She looks behind herself for a moment as though looking for something, but turns back to you and continues. "Do not mind that. Sometimes other events, such as overly proud gods, require a moment of focus. Moving on, some of my servants collect, but I have no use of such personally. I overcame my greed long ago- or rather, my greed no longer fixates on things."She glances at Amandil and smirks. "I will tell you of the tragedy of this world's fate another time. Now, I believe you should get moving- the world is coming to an end, after all. Do you have any other questions that cannot wait?"
(Perception: All) Everything around you remains motionless and silent, the haze about you extending in all directions. The stone path continues toward and away from the star, to the left and right from the back of the amphitheater. Opposite the seating, there is a downward slope, with more trees.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"You've an idea where we may find this world's most valuable secrets Lillaeas? You've been here much longer than we and must have great insight to provide us...Can you help guide us in our pursuit to rescue what should not be forgotten of this once great world?" Anahn says with conviction, the shine in his eyes anf youthful look on his face trying to appeal to this great dragon's apparent benevolence that they have shown.
"I suspect the residence you are currently on holds some secrets worthy of your attention. That region was known for training harliquins for Holy Emperor, whom sought out rumors of exceptional individuals across the material plane. None should remain, but surely you can find something."
Anahn will look to Amandil and Van, waiting for one of them to take lead. He knows he may not the most perceptive or insightful so he’s doesn’t trust his first instincts in this strange land.
“So what do you both think we should do? We’ve got what appears to be three possible paths to follow and Lillaeas here tells us we may find treasure no matter where we pick. I l’ll follow the groups lead.” Anahn will then wait for the group to decide, just keeping watch.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Opening, as in recruitment.
The sun is high in the sky you hear the pleasant but very distinguishable bell rapidly ringing, summoning you and the other adventurers to the observatory. You are greeted by the observatory's president, Ms. Greenwinter, a dark blue robed human woman in her early thirties, with long, curled black hair and exuberance in her voice. "Ah, I'm glad at least you three were able to respond on such short notice. No, rather, you should be. Come quickly. There's no time to waste."
The three of you follow along into the building. "We opened a portal. The Hermetic Pulse we anticipated up this afternoon shattered the ech- that is, we found a link we weren't expecting. We were just going to watch. This... it's unbelievable."
You've seen the main observation chamber before, housing a huge apparatus, a wonder of gears and changing forms. Now, all that sits unattended in haphazard piles at the edge of the room- instead, an unstable rift in space, crackling with electricity and spilling a reddish-purple cloud, hovers just above the floor in the center of the room, only just larger than a bugbear, contained within a resilient sphere. One male wizard presses his face against the sphere, struggling to see through the rift, while three other wizards pace around it. Floating scrolls move slowly through the air, following their masters as words appear upon them, copying their observations.
"I see this isn't making much sense to all of you. I'll try one more time to explain. A world we were watching- one in which collections of artifacts are collected and sold- taken from countless other worlds- where some shopkeepers have more power than an entire kingdom! It was engulfed in a war. We have no idea of the specifics. We were just going to watch the war, and see what we could learn. This afternoon... it seems the entire world were engulfed in an incredible three day time stop anomaly! Similar to what happens when you take a large bag of holding and toss it over a teleport circle receiving a sphere of annihilation."
She pauses, holding an extended arm to the rift, as though expecting that to explain everything. One of the other male wizards speaks plainly. "A large-scale process that turns everything inside-out before being dumped across the universe- a terminal fate."
"So... salvage what you can, with this most-likely accidental world-wide time stop. It looks like we're not the only ones taking notice. Hence the sphere," she gestures again to the rift, "and we also need to sever that link, because that entire world will disappear tomorrow and any world it's connected to. It's all unstable, but we don't have time to explain everything- it'll all be over by then! We're only giving you just less than three days before we destroy the rift. We would go with you- we poked on the other side already to make sure it was stable enough to walk through- but we have to stay here to make sure we keep the world safe, taking shifts watching it."
She starts gathering things into a pack- makeshift tools of their make, apparently. "It's you or nobody. I need an answer right away. Will you go?"
Ms. Greenwinter nods to your responses, continuing to judiciously put a few more things into the pack. "These are tools that will help you open a rift if you need to. Van, you should be able to figure it out... start with this one to find a thread. This one will force a rip, be careful with it. This one... no, where is it... oh, sorry, this is such a mess!"
"Just give them the resonator," the same male wizard calmly suggests. "They should be able to find an open rift without issue. Just don't wait until the last moment to use it."
She hesitates, pulling out a square shaped bronze wand. "Try not to get lost anyway, please."
She straightens herself out, looking to the wizard with his face to the sphere. "Let's get ready to send them." She turns back to Van, offering him the wand. "We'll try to build a hidden camp on the other side to defend the rift..."
The mage at the sphere turns his attention the floor around it, reaching down and using a greasy paste to smudge a drawn rune. The sphere vanishes, allowing a waft of ozone to freshen the room. He backs away from the rift, which quickly clears of the mist, allowing you to see a small, marbled amphitheater. The rift seems to hover at the first row of seats, but a haze occludes beyond 30 feet from the origin. Judging by the presence of still trees, it seems to be on a temperate hillside in daylight. Despite the bright light, the colors lack intensity- faint or faded. The same mage looks nods in your direction. "It should be safe."
If you have any questions before departing, you may do so. If you wish to delay entry, you may do so.
When you step through the rift, a wave of tingling set your hairs on end. Dozens of small shocks uncomfortably prick at your extremities, and when your first foot touches the ground, your body is suddenly pulled forward through the rift by an unseen force. Each of you manage to keep your footing, and for a moment your body feels so heavy that you struggle on your own feet. Yet before you can properly brace yourself, the feeling vanishes, instead feeling almost weightless, causing the world to spin as you struggle to stay standing. The moment repeats twice over the course of ten seconds, before the effect ends and you find the pull of the world to be like your own, still on your feet.
Mostly. With a swift bend to the ground, Van loses his lunch in a hurl without warning.
The haze remains consistent on this side, the air comfortably cool and still, though you can make out the star to be white and in the late evening or early morning. Van's noise echos in the haze in all directions. The sun sits nearly perfectly to the right of the facing of the amphitheater. A stone path at the seating side of the amphitheater heads toward and away from the star.
A vague shadowy silhouette suddenly exists in a few feet front of you, speaking in the same moment it appears. The voice, monstrously deep and accompanied by a throaty growl like that of a tiger, is clear in your mind.
"Humanoids. I am the one who stands victorious over this broken and dying world, you may call me Lillaeas, speak my name and I shall hear you and answer. You are free to take what you will, but do not get in the way of my servants, and assist them if they request your aid. I swear death and worse upon those who violate my request. Am I perfectly clear? Speak."
As they passed through the portal, he braced himself for the transition, so though it took him a few moments to gather himself and adjust to their new surroundings, he made the transition pretty well. Anahn did too but Van had more trouble. Amandil let him finish, then asked "Are you alright? Good to keep going?" He pulled out a wand given to him before, but did not yet activate it.
Obviously, something detected their intrusion. A magic sending or programmed illusion appeared and addressed them. Amandil sensed that it was of an ancient red dragon, much larger than the image before them. He whispered to his friends "It's a great ancient red dragon. Let me talk to him." Dragons are vain and like flattery, is what he heard. Time to see if that's true. He turned and addressed the image. "Great and powerful Lillaeas, apologies for intruding in your realm. We will obey your rules, but how will we know if we encounter your servants?"
Passing through the portal Anahn steeled himself for the unknown, knowing that this likely will not be the first times he will have to embrace what he doesn’t understand during this three day trip. The world felt almost as if it was spinning as Anahn shook his head and tried to get ahold of himself. Once getting comfortable on the ground, Anahn scans the area and finds them to be in an amphitheater of the sort.
Once hearing the monstrous voice come from the shadowy figure suddenly appearing, he will put his hands on the handles of his blades at his sides. Not quite drawing them but ready to move the second he feels trouble arise. Hearing Amandil take charge Anahn will let him lead, but will keep close to the bard’s back while giving the shadowy figure a glare the entire time.
(General Perception as Anahn scans area searching for anything watching them or hiding as shadowy figure talks to Amandil)
PERCEPTION: 14
Slowly, the phantom becomes more visible to the others, remaining the size of a man. The image of the dragon bears twisted scars in its scales, some of its bones seemingly aberrant in the angles that it protrudes. The phantom moves a few feet before the group as a whole, looking to Amandil.
"They will tell you. So it would be most unwise to deny anyone the chance to do so." It ceases the growl, letting a slow breath out in a sigh. "I do not force them to a uniform or to bear a standard."
The dragon's eyes focus on each of you in turn. "I do not tell them that they are not to kill you. Are you not capable of discerning truth from lies?"
(later edit): (Perception) The immediate surrounding suggests serenity- though surely a result of the stilled time. You do not see any threats, but you do find a bunny in the open, trapped in time.
“You speak in riddles and leading questions Lillaeas ...What is the point of a victor in a broken world? Looks to me like there’s nothing left to enjoy. And who are you? A great conquerer of this land that’s stuck in time, unable to defend itself?” says Anahn confidently, his face stone and showing no emotion. He maintains his position slightly behind Amandil, his knuckles almost white with tension as he grips his dual scimitars in their sheathes.
"I am no conqueror- but a survivor. I felled a foe that would have subdued countless worlds, yours assuredly included in time. This is not my world, and I am the last..." It pauses, examining Amandil.
The dragon shape changes into a female like a human, wearing only a beautiful long dress made of thousands of tiny rubies, bound to her skin at the waist and torso, with the eyes of a dragon, and horns shaped in the likeness of a crown. She stands at 6 feet, proudly standing with a regal air about her. Still, the disfiguration that you saw in her scales and bone on her side are still present as horrible scars in the same relative places. "For the time being, I see myself as responsible for this world. I am trying to save as much as possible. That is why you are here, among many others. I invited you, all given the same warning. My enemies are no more, and soon I will return home. I implore you to act on your greed, take what you can."
She extends her arms slowly toward Amandil in welcome. "All I ask is that you help my beloved subjects if they seek it. There are still many dangers left in this world. They have suffered enough so that you may plunder to your heart's content."
Van, straightening after a most unexpected and unpleasant transition studies the surroundings keeping an ear tuned to the conversation. "I'm fine, thank you. A bit more jarring than expected!" he says softly to Amandil. He keeps slightly behind his party mates, not trying to hide, but not trying to stand out either. When he see the tension in Anahn he rest his hand on his knee and says evenly "Easy now, I fear this welcome is thin at best. Let's tread carefully lest it breaks."
Stepping forward for the first time Van nods his head in acknowledgment of the creature before them "Thank you for your invitation, and your warning. You raise many questions. I hope you don't mind if I ask them" He pauses briefly but not long enough for her to raise an objection "You say that you saved this world from a devastating foe. Can you tell us what, or who, that was? You also mentioned inviting others here. Are there many others here in pursuit of their greed?"
That's what happens when you wear a helmet your whole life!
My house rules
"One unfortunately and appropriately called 'Holy Emperor', unworthy of living among mortals." She turns her eyes down with a frown, expressing sorrow. "He enslaved the greatest among hundreds of worlds, slaying gods to build an army of exceptional intelligent creatures, forced to obey him by threats. I was among those willing to resist - an alliance among worlds - many of whom paid a great price to be part of. None so great as this world."
She looks to Amandil, gesturing as she speaks. (All: Insight: She seems to be opening herself up to you.) "There are many others, not all invited by me. I did not choose the people who come- I merely opened a path for any willing. Some are unaware of the circumstances, some have specific objectives- including hunters who think they can kill me. Most are like yourselves, if I am reading you correctly. The task at hand is worth the risk to life. We must save as much as possible, little of this world deserves to vanish in the dark abyss."
Anahn narrows his eyes at the seemingly sudden change in personality, taking in all being said but not yet trusting this ”benevolent” force that’s appeared to them. His grip remains on his blades but they will notably loosen, as he realizes the figure is trying to present itself as an ally. Not quite sure about them however he scans them, studying them.
Insight:21
It appears she shape changed to a human so that you could read her expressions, and she does so without any tense inflections that suggests dishonesty. Anahan* doesn't know much about red dragons- but as best as he can tell, she is benevolent.
(ooc, I need to back date my familiar. Sorry about that. I don't think it will effect anything. It's been a while since I've had one but I won't forget about Wes again!)
After coming through the rift and keeping it's distance from Vans violent heaving Wes would nudge his ankle to check in and then proceed on his usual scouting mission. Looking for leaks. Stealth: 7 In this case fresh air. He would be mapping all the exits and entrances large and small. Perception: 19 At one point Van can be heard saying under his breath "No Wes, leave the bunny alone" I'd also like to direct him to finding any fresh smells, as an indication if others have come here before us and where they went. Insight: 2
That's what happens when you wear a helmet your whole life!
My house rules
Am... Am I supposed to be charmed by this form? Attracted? He's heard stories of dragons shapeshifting and having... relations... with humanoids but never expected to be in that position. Or was he misreading this completely? He wanted nothing to do with a red dragon, no matter its shape. They were terrible tyrants, seeking to dominate everyone in sight. Like devils, but with less legalism. It's story, on the other hand...
"That's amazing and I'd love to hear more. A story such as yours deserves to be told, and your fame spread wide! Please, do tell!"
(ooc: it looks like I'm going to mix up "Anahan" and "Amandil" a few more times... I'll try not to!)
Amandil's suggestion of spreading her fame elicits a smile. "Perhaps tale of the alliance's victory should be told to worlds unknowing of the war. What is your name, half-elf?" After he responds with his name, she blinks and shakes her head slightly, interrupting what else he might say. "I will tell you my story, when you have time to listen. You only just arrived. Do you have any other questions?"
"Yes, just one more" Van says bowing slightly but maintaining eye contact with the form before him. "Just a trivial matter... " feeling that he may be making a mistake in asking but cant help himself "How do we separate the other worlds from this one?"
That's what happens when you wear a helmet your whole life!
My house rules
"Hmm?" She raises one brow, glancing to Van before turning her gaze up toward the sky for a couple seconds. She then looks around the group to the rift. "Ah. If the gate is closed, the other respectively attached Prime Material worlds will be safe. So long as the gate isn't forced to stay open by another source, the link should destabilize and break before the ripping effect spreads through it. It appears you had to strengthen the link before opening your gate, however, and your friends on the other side did so. So it seems fortune played a bigger part in your being here than I gave credit. I did not anticipate circumstances such as yours."
She clasps her hands before her chest and bows mildly, closing her eyes halfway. "I will remember your gate- and see that it is closed before I leave. Your world will be safe."
As the conversation has drawn on, Anahn has slowly loosened in tension as he realizes the figure truly is benevolent. His face slowly morphs from the stone-like front he’d been presenting to that of childlike amazement. Opening barriers of worlds and seemingly defeating a nigh impossible enemy...This figure in front of him was not only powerful but seemingly generous as well.
“What are you exactly Lillaeas? Are you a god? You grant us access to the treasures of this world, but do you yourself not crave them? Or is that the job of your servants? To claim the treasures you yourself won’t collect? You tell us to help them if they ask, but what will they be asking us to do?”Asks Anahn in a single breath, his curiosity taking over. His tone is no longer accusing, but genuinely eager to learn more. His hands have moved off the handles of his weapons, as he instead uses them to make sporadic gestures as he talks.
“Are you a dragon? I’ve never seen a dragon...what’s your true form? And how did the HELL did this world get its time stopped?”
She raises her left hand toward Anahn halfway. She takes a deep breath, spreads her feet, and declares with conviction. "I am a dragon greater than gods."
She relaxes after a couple seconds looking directly to Anahn's eyes. "It is not so grand as you may think. I am not bound to what makes them." She looks behind herself for a moment as though looking for something, but turns back to you and continues. "Do not mind that. Sometimes other events, such as overly proud gods, require a moment of focus. Moving on, some of my servants collect, but I have no use of such personally. I overcame my greed long ago- or rather, my greed no longer fixates on things." She glances at Amandil and smirks. "I will tell you of the tragedy of this world's fate another time. Now, I believe you should get moving- the world is coming to an end, after all. Do you have any other questions that cannot wait?"
(Perception: All) Everything around you remains motionless and silent, the haze about you extending in all directions. The stone path continues toward and away from the star, to the left and right from the back of the amphitheater. Opposite the seating, there is a downward slope, with more trees.
"You've an idea where we may find this world's most valuable secrets Lillaeas? You've been here much longer than we and must have great insight to provide us...Can you help guide us in our pursuit to rescue what should not be forgotten of this once great world?" Anahn says with conviction, the shine in his eyes anf youthful look on his face trying to appeal to this great dragon's apparent benevolence that they have shown.
Persuasion(if needed):14
(Don't know how to format from phone)
"I suspect the residence you are currently on holds some secrets worthy of your attention. That region was known for training harliquins for Holy Emperor, whom sought out rumors of exceptional individuals across the material plane. None should remain, but surely you can find something."
Anahn will look to Amandil and Van, waiting for one of them to take lead. He knows he may not the most perceptive or insightful so he’s doesn’t trust his first instincts in this strange land.
“So what do you both think we should do? We’ve got what appears to be three possible paths to follow and Lillaeas here tells us we may find treasure no matter where we pick. I l’ll follow the groups lead.” Anahn will then wait for the group to decide, just keeping watch.