Through the Looking Glass
You've been walking - this huge group of adventures - together through the forest for some time now. The directions that some of you were given were thankfully very clear ones, even if they're only clear in retrospect. Following a deerpath to a mulberry bush growing beside an oak tree. From there to a clover bed. Finding the large rock on the furthest edge of the clover bed and following that to a rabbit's den. Eventually it leads you to a stand of trees. The trees are rowan, ash, and hawthorn, growing in perfect circle. The doorway you are informed, is between two of the trees. Specifically the two trees behind which a blackberry bush is growing wildly.
Malik walks beside Seldan, bow in hand -- it's a reflex, at this point. Perceptive eyes scan the forest for signs of trouble -- where they can be seen. They probably can't be heard all that well with nine souls crashing through the underbrush on their way to wherever they're going. He takes each in turn, considering them, then finally moves back to Seldan, a frown there that reads, 'Well, this is subtle,' even if the words themselves remain unsaid. The stealthy mage probably already voiced his objections and was overruled.
Cryosanthia seems to be in high spirits. Not exactly skipping but she does step high and her tail sways enough to threaten trees on either side of the path. Occasionally she offers a Candied Cricket to someone around her, and if they don't accept she eats it herself. She can even be heard quietly humming the directions, attempting to turn it into a song, and doing so in at three different languages, in case one works better.
At the stand, she halts, pointing at the two trees behind which a blackberry bush is growing. "So, any preparations or just jump through? Should we all hold hands, daisy-chain style?"
Acedia clumps along, seemingly unused to the heavy boots she now wears. Her armor has that fresh, new look to it, with not a scratch or dent upon her shiny breastplate. "They don't make it easy, do they?", she asks quietly. "So many vague directions." She trails along behind Seldan and Malik. "It feels as if we have travelled half the world. At least we have a chance to bring things to a close, at last."
Duncan leads Grannox the digger along. It's always a calculated risk bringing the large (and severely near-sighted) companion along on such a fantastical trip. But Grannox is far more intelligent than most of his kind, an adventurer in his own right. The duo are a team. And truth be told the Digger would 't have it any other way. "We'll go first." Duncan offers, eyeing the trees.
Morgan studys the area around her feeling calm as she loves the area around here. "I might come back here later." is all she says as she waits for the others.
One of the adventurers in question, a tall, broad-shouldered man who had gruffly introduced himself as 'Mickey' stands to the back of the group and keeps mostly to himself, though he does seem to be generally amused with the directions that were given. He scrubs a hand through his short dirty-blonde hair and looks at Cryosanthia at her question. "The directions don't say? I hope we don't all end up in different places or something like that." He snorts out a half-laugh.
Mikilos is less than at home in the woods, but neither is he completely lost. The wizard is a seasoned adventurer after all. Doesn't mean he doesn't prefer the comfort of his library, but not everything is in a book. Yet.
He accepts a candied cricket with a smile.
Kira isn't a woodswoman, so is glad that the directions are clear... even if they are only so from one waypoint to the next. The nature of them also makes paying attention to their surroundings paramount; all the more reason to take in the beauty of them as she walks. She steps lightly, as she's not large, nor weighed down by any arms or armament. Not even a basket of bread or kettle of stew.
Cryosanthia's energy is somewhat contagious, and vitalizing, to her, too. She hums along softly with the ...other humming, trying to use it as a mnemonic device, and stay in tune. When they reach the circle, she hrms in thought and looks between the others. "Maybe we should all go together, just to be sure we're not separated?"
Seldan is fully armored, fully geared, and carries a pack with him - a simple haversack, really. He has been talking while he walks. He had heard Malik out, nodding his understanding, but said, "I fear we are too many for stealth, and I think myself unsuited to such movement in any event." An easy grin accompanies the statement, but he then turns to Mickey at the question. "Seldom are directions clear when dealing with the fae. Forgive me, we have not met. I am Seldan Padaryn, of Eluna's Silver Guard."
Serene is, as usual, all business. She walks right up to the the two trees, stopping just shy of stepping over what she deems to be the threshold. Her eyes go up one tree, and then the other, then settle upon the bush itself. "It would not hurt to form a chain of hands. The faerie witch is mucking about with time itself.. I would rather we all arrive in the same place and time."
Mickey for his part offers Seldan his hand, a warm friendly smile sliding across his otherwise stern features. "Quite alright. I'd rather not be holding hands or anything, but we'll do what needs doing right? You can call me Mickey." He takes his hand back after a moment and his face falls back into stern lines. He doesn't seem particularly talkative really.
Cryosanthia slips dangerously close to passing between the trees, but she is keeping her tail curled away. She holds out her hand, "Okay then, link up. Then we'll all go through. Hi Mickey. I've got fish too, anyone wants some, and alcohol." She bounces in place.
"Hrn." Holding hands? Duncan can see the sense in doing so. He supposes it outweighs his dignity. Barely. He stops edging towards the bush and puts one hand on the top of an armored ridge on Grannox's neck. The he holds out a hand behind him, not too choosy about who grabs it. But at least he waits.
Seldan watches Mickey intently for a long, long moment, then nods. Suddenly, though, he goes quiet, withdrawing into himself and offering hands to those nearest him so that they can link up. "Very well. I understand the concern, but it may be the best way to ensure that we remain together."
Mikilos favors keeping his hands free, but also favors everyone arriving at the same time and place. Not that he's too concerned. "Mikilostravia Abrioudelanarchie Mithralla, but just 'Mikilos' is fine."
Morgan gives a nod to the new person, her mind seems to be on to things.
The Gobbo politely refuses a candied cricket, making a slight face as she does so. "No, thank you, Cryo. Not hungry at the moment. A lot to think on, yes?" She eyes Mickey curiously, but stays quiet, content to watch the interaction between the others of the group. At the trees, she squints at the supposed entrance and tries to discern anything of the 'entrance'.
"Okay, so it's Siavonere, any time I should think about Seldan, or it's Now?" Cryosanthia says, squeezing Kira's hand unusually tightly. Acedia gets another crazy-toothed grin as she bounces her weight from foot to foot. "Good to see you Mickey, I've seen you around town. Maybe I served you at the Fernwood, anyhow, I'm Cryo in emergencies, and it's going to be emergent all day long."
She grins widely at Seldan, "Okay, everyone, ready? What time Seldan?" She waits for an answer, and she's braced to pull.
"Now will do," Seldan answers tersely, his entire demeanor suddenly cool and focused.
Serene takes the time to make sure her sword slides free in her scabbard, then double checks the the shield slung on her shoulder. Then her bow, her quiver. All stowed, but at various states of being ready. Then she, too, joins the linked hands, eyes moving up and down as she assesses each member of the expedition.. lingering briefly upon Mickey, then moving on to settle upon Cryosanthia.
GAME: Malik rolls Perception: (14)+21: 35 GAME: Malik rolls Bluff: (14)+19: 33
The sith only waits a moment before pulling Kira through which leaves the rest of you to grab on as you will. You come through to the other side all together in the middle of winter. There's an endless plain around you, pure driven snow on the ground and the sky gone colorless above. It's freezing cold, and not far from where you stand you can see people moving through a little village that's been erected in the middle of the nothingness. They look human from where you stand, and don't seem to have noticed you.
Morgan says softly as she pulls her cloak around her. "Winter times tend to bring the worse out of the fae so be careful with your words and don't offend the fae." She offers a tiny tidbit that may or may not hold some truth to it.
Mikilos tsks and grumbles. "I -really- should have expected cold weather." Despite his complaining, he doesn't seem bothered, his heavily enchanted outfit sufficantly protective.
"Well, I was hoping for Spring, or Summer, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised." Cryo says, stamping her feet in the snow, flexing her toes. Testing to make sure the freezing cold isn't too freezing for her. She looks back along the line, tilting her head, "Detect Magic would be a bad idea, right? So are we walking up to say hello, what is the plan?"
The whitescale sith turns, looking across the featureless plane, glancing at the colourless sky, then peering at the village some more. "Wasn't it supposed to be ruined? Anyone see a bell?"
Acedia immediately begins to shiver. "A.a.a.again?", she chatters. "S.s.seldan?" The Gobbo moves to Seldan's side. "Just once I w.w.w.would like to arrive in a w.w.warm place."
Malik gives Mickey a once over, and then a very visible roll of his eyes before being transported to -- wherever they end up. The cold village. He lets the others do the majority of the talking though, glancing around the apparently not-ruined village. "The plan," Malik whispers, "is to move ten souls through a village in the middle of a plain where they'll see us coming from a mile away, if they haven't seen us already, as discreetly as possible." Which is to say, almost impossible.
GAME: Seldan casts Grease. Caster Level: 15 DC: 18
In the confusion of moving through, Seldan has drifted from the front of the group towards the back, keeping his silence and letting others do all the talking. He, too, seems untroubled by the cold, surveying the landscape with evident recognition. Only when Acedia starts shivering does he look down at the Gobber by his side. A swift word and a sigil drawn on top of her head, and he looks up. "I pray that one day, you will."
He snorts at Malik. "I fear him correct. Stealth will be nigh impossible."
Duncan tugs a pelt he wears around his shoulders, trying to make it serve as a pancho. It can't cover much of his upper body and he rubs his hands together. "We want them to see us," he suggests. "We can talk to them. Learn what we can about what we are dealing with."
Kira is startled by the sudden change in scenery, but isn't terribly surprised, after the fact. She also shivers at the shift, but steadies herself against the chill. "We don't need to search for it, and we won't be easily surprised by anything..."
"No time like the present." Mickey says, nodding to Duncan. "If we can't sneak past, we might as well make friendly right?" He arches an eyebrow at Malik and motions for Duncan to lead the way to the village.
"Well, I blend in a little. I could get pretty close before being noticed if I went alone, try to look non-threatening. Or Acedia, goblins get underestimated lots. Let the know we have friends and want to talk." Cryo suggests, letting her tail hang into the snow and leave a small furrow, "Or if we're going to be seen, move like we want to be seen, white flags and all."
Morgan takes out her scarf from her bag and covers her face. "Good chance they will be easily startled as we approach them but there is a good chance they will be something different when we get closer to them."
Serene shakes her head slowly. "I believe our best course is to approach honestly and openly," she says, agreeing with Duncan and Mickey. "I have no doubt Cryosanthia and Acedia could approach less obviously.. but if we begin our relations with these people with trickery, it will work against us. And in this open view, it will not take long for them to notice those of us who remain behind regardless."
Acedia smiles in relief as the weather's effects fades, and she quickly reaches up to squeeze lightly at the man's hand. "Thank you, as always, Seldan. Remind me later to get scrolls with that spell, yes?" She eyes the village curiously. And goes silent. "Oh no.", she says. "No no..." She moves back to Seldan. "Seldan... There is something wrong."
Kira nods to and with Serene. "We can't start this with mistrust. Come, we should go." They can see it, they are out in the open, and it's cold. Kira can't think of a good reason to stand out here and freeze. Not until Acedia says something. A blink and turn towards the gobber, "What's wrong?"
Duncan murmurs something in Khazdul to the digger. It burrows into the ground, almost like it was water. Then Duncan turns and heads for the village. At first there's a slight tremor from the direction he moves, but it fades quickly. Duncan continues to walk, in a slow leisurely pace, one that would make his approach unlikely to surprise anyone. If anyone from the village looks in his direction, he raises a hand to wave a greeting.
Seldan's smile immediately vanishes at Acedia's words, and he studies the village, then looks down at Acedia. "Just as the last time I saw this," he tells her quietly. "We may be under illusion magic, and it may be that they are as well. We must break the loop." What does that mean? "We do not wish a fight."
GAME: Acedia rolls will: (16)+10: 26 GAME: Malik rolls Will: (3)+15: 18 GAME: Seldan rolls will: (5)+28: 33 GAME: Morgan rolls will: (1)+12: 13 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls will+4: (4)+5+4: 13 GAME: Mikilos rolls will: (5)+16: 21
"You're dealing with beings with the power of a god," Malik offers in that classic deadpan. "The mistrust of a few villagers whom you'll never have to deal with again is the least of your worries." Looking at the village, though, he apparently doesn't see what Seldan and Acedia are talking about. Maybe because it's far away. Maybe because he wasn't there last time. Hard to say.
GAME: Duncan rolls will: (3)+8: 11
As you approach the village several members of the community gather at its edge with clear suspicion. Others quickly go into their homes, pulling others with them. The three that gather to greet you are seemingly human even this close, but there are some among you who will recognize the illusion for what it is. Notice the waver of illusion that hides pointed ears and oddly colored eyes. Things that mark them as /other/ than human. Not all of you, but many. "Greetings." They offer this as one, and then their leader, lets his eyes roam over you all. "How can we help you?"
GAME: Serene rolls will: (5)+30: 35
The whitescale comes up as part of the group. She is armoured in a mithril shirt and light leathers, otherwise unarmed, and not dressed for the cold. She makes a small nod of her head to the human greeting everyone, but remains silent for the moment.
"I believe it to be a trap, or a test.", the Gobbo says, before they get too close to the village. "Seldan. It is not where we are that concerns me. It is /when/ we are. I also believe that a certain friend accompanies us, either close or far. To see if you complete the bargain, or perhaps... to see that you do not." The Gobbo falls silent as the village comes into earshot. Leaving the speaking to someone... bigger.
Morgan tightens her scarf. "The question to ask who here besides me can speak Sylvan?" she feels something is strange about the humans here but can not figure it out.
"Greetings," Duncan says, in a milder and somehow more...pleasant tone than he's used up until now. "I am Duncan, a Knight of the Blue Rose." He hesitates and then adds, "From a land far from here. One that has been overrun by death and darkness. But our Order remains. And we still believe foremost in peace, and in helping those who are troubled." He glances at the others and then finishes by saying to the leader, "I come seeking the village of Siavonere." Seldan has said little enough on the approach, but seems tense, watchful, waiting, eyes flicking to those around him. When Acedia speaks, though, he simply inclines his head, curiously reserved. "That could be, Acedia. I seek here but to learn the truth." He turns his attention then to the waiting delegation, not looking at anyone else, instead inclining his head politely. "We seek the one known as Salina. We come in peace, if we may." He opens both hands, to show them empty.
GAME: Seldan rolls diplomacy: (1)+19: 20 (EPIC FAIL)
Kira offers her friendly smile to the villagers, which is easily enough done, naturally and in earnest. She doesn't interrupt as Duncan begins, but instead gives Seldan and Acedia a curious look. Loops? Bargains? Certain friends? She is more than a little uncertain. Turning back to the leader, she dips in a polite curtsey. "My name is Kira, Sentinel in service to The Healer. We are here to try and help."
GAME: Seldan rolls diplomacy: (6)+19: 25
"No children..." Cryosanthia says quietly as she looks around, she shrugs, "Well they wouldn't want a cherry icicle anyhow."
GAME: Duncan rolls diplomacy: (2)+14: 16
Morgan listens to what is being said as she notes also no children as she is getting a few ideas forming in her head but not sure what to do with either of them yet. Stepping back she listens to Seldan speak.
The leader looks at his fellows and then nods to Duncan. "This is Saivonere." The man turns his eyes on Seldan and then continues. "You come seeking the Winter, then you have come to the right place." There's almost a smile there, but he seems to hear Cryosanthia's words steal the warmth from his lips and he frowns at her. "Why would you be looking for children?"
Mikilos nods politely as introductions are made. "Magus Mikilos Mithralla. We didn't come for children, but note none about. Is something amiss? May we be of assistance?"
Malik pinches the bridge of his nose while the others interact with the possibly-prone-to-violence non-people, looking mentally weary, but letting whatever is happening take its course.
Kira is heartened by the news, as it would be trying if the only village visible in this great bleak... nothingness of winter was not the right one. The man's frown is a concern, though. "She was granting treats and candies to children, before we travelled here. We didn't come seeking children, specifically, though they are a delight to see. We came to speak with Salina."
Acedia moves to pat at Malik's arm, and grins at the man. "Almost there.", she says, softly. "I am looking forward to a hearty dinner, cold ale, and the best sleep ever."
Serene looks over the leader and those with him for a moment, then beyond him to the village, studying while Seldan states the purpose of the group's arrival. "You do not seem to be very welcoming of strangers," she notes.
"Uh," Cryo startles a little, straightening, not expecting to be addressed, "Yes, what she said. I've got treats. It gives me something to do while the adults talk."
She reaches into her haversack and slowly pulls out a small wrapped object, offering it, "Candied Cricket?" The sith smiles hopefully, without teeth showing.
"We do," Seldan answers the delegation. "I will understand, do you prefer us wait here." Still that still quietude, that reservation. "There are things I would understand."
There is... a shift in the center of town, and the chill you feel deepens. Suddenly there is a child standing in the center of town. A child with white hair. Her eyes are closed briefly and then they open and she looks around. The leader you were talking to doesn't notice her immediately, but one of his companions does, and tugs on his sleeve. He glances back and motions with his hands for you to be still.
"Do not speak Winter's true name!" He hisses quietly and motions to one of his companions who hurries to the child and he looks at you with a trace of irritation. "Nothing is amiss, we have no need for children, and so we do not have them..." He glances toward the girl who just appeared and then smiles. "Except her of course. Please pay her no mind. If you have come to speak to Winter, we would like to know the reason... We are... more cautious of strangers than it might seem at first." He nods low to Seldan.
"Winter," Duncan repeats, obediently, with a nod to show he agrees. He of course caught the appearance of the child and heard the village leader's explanation. But instead of asking about it the Khazad casts a quick look beyond the village at the empty winter landscape beyond. Then he returns his attention to the leader. "Have these lands always been like this? Our own lands have changed lately. Become darker, colder, more dangerous. Many have suffered. It's nothing to do with the natural way of things. Our world has /been/ changed.”
Acedia's teeth chatter again, briefly, at the arrival of Salina. She looks to Malik, and whispers, "Was she so young?" She cants her head slightly in Duncan's direction, and blinks slowly at what he says.
Malik simply nods to Acedia, first at her statement about being almost there, and then to her question about the girl being so young. "So far as I know." Not that he knows too much about any of this, really.
Mikilos nods. "My homelands have been infected with a magical plague. I would end it, and the so called 'Endless Winter'."
Seldan's eyes go to the white-haired child, then back to the delegation, the burst of cold sending goose prickles across his skin, but still be holds himself warily. "I understand, and have some knowledge of why that is so. Still would I speak with the Winter, for a plague threatens not just our people, but the very land itself, and she may be tied to it. We would understand."
GAME: Seldan rolls diplomacy: (13)+19: 32 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls diplomacy: (8)+9: 17 GAME: Kira rolls diplomacy: (2)+25: 27 GAME: Acedia rolls diplomacy: (16)+10: 26
"We are not here to cause you or your people any trouble, nor do we wish ill upon the child," Serene tells the Speaker of the Three. "As my companions say, our own home is threatened and we seek understanding. Our investigations have led us here, to this place, this time. We understand your hesitation and your protectiveness... and I would ask what assurances you require that we mean no trouble."
GAME: Serene rolls diplomacy: (16)+40: 56 GAME: Mikilos rolls diplomacy: (3)+17: 20
"I'm sorry," apologizes, "I meant no offense." Her eyes widen at the appearance of the child, and the implications. She only knows what little she was told, but after the context of the encounter with Kol... A glance is made to Seldan, though his reaction seems enough confirmation to her of her thoughts. She can't think of anything to add to the others, and it would simply divide the leader's attention.
The man nods in sudden understanding. "Ah, you seek her wisdom. This is a wise path as she has much of that to offer." He moves around the edge of the village and motions for you to follow him. "This way."
As you follow him you notice that the girl is gone again. Vanished without a trace. The two villagers lead you around their home and toward a cavern that is half-hidden in a crevasse in the ice around the back of the town. "Winter can be found in this chamber." He offers, and begins to lead you down inside the crevasse.
Cryosanthia shivers as the burst of cold washes over her, more from an emotional reaction than feeling the temperature change. She stares, her focus is unwavering, hard for her to look away as she see's the younger version of Salina. She is transfixed by the white-haired child. She looks through her feelings, and they are strange. She rubs at the back of her left hand, listening.
Then she follows, the girl having vanished, towards the cavern in a crevasse. She stares at the mouth of it almost as impassively as she watched young Salina.
As words swirl around him, Seldan nods and falls silent, simply content to follow down into the crevasse without comment. He looks at nobody - not Acedia, not Mikilos, not Malik, not their erstwhile hanger-on.
Morgan follows them and does not act suprised with the strange ways of the ones here "Wonders of the words of this realm, I so wish to study more." She seems to be enjoying what is going on here.
Mikilos quirks a brow, but follows along quietly, unsure about much of what's going on. But, he did state clearly he;s here to learn what he may.
Malik follows where Seldan goes, as to be expected, though he gives Acedia a small smile. "Warm soon enough, Little Bit."
Duncan follows as well, casting small glances at the home and the route as they are led. He pauses for a moment as the leader enters the cavern, then exhales softly and enters as well.
The Goblin simply follows along in silence, until they get to the crevasse. Her grin is fast at what Malik says, and she nods. "Perhaps too warm, too soon. And here I am not hungry at all."
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls knowledge/engineering: (16)+2: 18
The crevasse leads you down, and down, and it gets colder and colder the further down you go. Eventually the cavern spills into a huge room which is dominated by a massive crystal. The light of many glowing ice crystals in the walls of the cavern reflect off the ice so that you can not see what you are being led to until you are practically upon it and then... You see it.
There is a small child, no more than six or so trapped in the ice. She's a lovely child, and exactly the image of the on that you saw in the village only moments ago. The two villagers drop to their knees before the ice and silence reigns here in this icy tomb.
Serene flexes her fingers within her leather and steel gauntlets, then pulls her cloak tighter upon herself after inclining her head to the delegation, acknowledging their acceptance of this... Alexandrian company. She waits, however, until everyone is moving, electing at this point to bring up the rear of group, noting the young, presumably Salina disappearing once more. At the crevasse she pauses only long enough for the others to file in before she, too, follows along. Upon reaching the underground room and seeing the girl encased in ice she stops, just inside the room's entrance, her eyes narrowing as at least one thing clicks into place.
Morgan looks to the child as some of this is coming to her. "Poor child." Is all she says as she dips her head in respect.
Kira may realize, cognitively, that there is more, much more, to the situation before her. That this actually makes divinely delivered words clear. Still, her initial reaction is a gasp of fright and concern at the sight of a child encased in ice, which her heart tells her is a terrible thing. "Oh!" She manages to keep her exclamation to only that, at least.
Duncan draws in a breath at the sight. After a furtive glance at the villagers on their knees he takes a step closer to the ice, raising a hand as if to touch it - but stopping a few inches away as if gauging just how cold it is, and what might happen if he did. "Do you speak to her?" he asks the villagers, turning his head slightly but not taking his eyes off of the figure in the ice. "...does she speak to you?"
Mikilos blinks. Not entirely sure what he expected, but this isn't it. Cantting his head to the side, the wizard stares for several moments before nodding respectfully. Hesitantly, he steps foreward. "I'm... unclear what's happening here. Could you" he looks to the villagers, then to the figure in the ice "expain, please?"
"This, is Winter." The villager explains, finally looking up and rising to his feet, his fellow joins him after a moment, and they both seem gently amused. "Of course we speak to her. She is our... our goddess. She comes to us sometimes. Not often, but sometimes. In answer to our prayers to her. Without her... we would be nothing."
Malik glances to Mikilos. "You've missed quite a bit. Probably best to stay on the quiet side and observe. Explaining would take too much time."
"You need not pity her," Seldan tells the others, quietly, dipping head in respect as well. "She controls that ice as surely as you or I breathe. Should she choose, she may emerge as she will. Do not let appearances fool you." He turns to face the ice block, not angrily, nor reverently, but turns again as the villagers speak. "Indeed." Back to the ice block. "Winter, you know who is here, but there are things that we would understand."
Acedia slowly moves forward, and peers curiously at the Child in the ice. She glances to Seldan and steps towards him, turning her back to his, and placing her hand upon her blade. "I have your back, Seldan."
"You are right, Seldan," Kira acknowledges quietly, as her head catches up to her heart. "I need not pity her for the ice..." Out of respect for the villager's beliefs, and of Winter's power, she dips low to the ice before straightening. She is quiet after, so as not to interrupt Seldan's questions, though she has many of her own. Admittedly, her recent experiences with her own worries or questions in the presence of the divine suggests that she need not even ask them aloud.
"Listen carefully," Serene advises the others while Seldan addresses the young faerie. "It may be that we must decipher whatever 'wisdom' is imparted to us here today. It would not be well for us to misremember what is said."
Mikilos frowns darkly, considering a moment before jamming his hands into his pockets, muttering half to himself. "I'd ask 'what's the worst that could happen?' but I think I'm about to find out." Taking his hand from his pocket again, the wizard presses it against the ice. Seems he cut it on something in his pocket, leaving a bloody mark.
Cryo tears her gaze away, looking around at the others. Mickey, just standing there, not doing anything. Mikilos and Malik, talking, and the good advice to do nothing. Seldan, Acedia, taking positions. She glances over at Serene, Morgan, Kira. The sith's expression is bewildered, then nods, "Remember the words. Okay."
"Actually, that which you see..." The leader starts to correct Seldan's words, but then Mikilos steps forward and he reaches out a hand toward the mage. "Wait! What are you doing?"
He's too late. The mage leaves a bloody mark on the ice and where he touches the ice cracks with a resounding sound. It cracks and cracks again. Then there's an /explosion/ of snow that blows outwards from the ice. It blinds you for a moment and when it fades the ice is gone and only the girl remains.
The girl blinks, wavers where she stands and barely manages to stay on her feet. After a moment she looks up, catching the eyes of various people and then on the leader of the villagers. Light blooms to life in her eyes and she moves one small step toward him as if she can not believe that he is there. If anything the two villagers look even more shocked.
Duncan flinches back out of reflex at the snow. He flings his arms up and folds them across him so that his forearms shield his eyes. But almost immediately he's peeking between them. He slowly stands straight when he can see again. A quick glance at the villagers tells him they didn't expect this either. Then the Khazad's attention is on the girl once more.
Morgan acks softly as she is one that hates flashing lights like that as she arm covers her eyes but does not get it fast enough. "I wonder if two expects of the same came together... I hope for the good."
The Gobbo flinches behind Seldan, but doesn't dare look. "Still here, Seldan. Still here." She rubs at her cheek. "I expect that was the ice shattering?"
Cryo is hit by the blast of snow, blinking into it. As an experience it's a rare treat but still not a pleasant one. She steps forward, beside the two villagers and crouches down. A glance towards Seldan, Malik, Mikilos, Mickey, the others, then back towards the white haired girl. Without really knowing why, and with a soft smile, she says, "Hey."
Serene raises her arm to shield her face from the blasting snow, putting one foot back to steady herself as well... when she lowers it again and sees that the world has not ended, at least not yet, she lets her breath out audibly. "Mikilos.. remind me to have a discussion with you about brash actions and responsibility when this is done."
Kira blinks, uncertain of what Mikilos is doing until it's done. Then she's left blinking more furtively after the explosion of ice. "Oh! Is everyone alright?" A step is taken towards the unsteady girl, though she stops there as, once more, her head catches up to reflex.
Mikilos frowns sadly, and holds still, not quite trusting himself to further action at this point. "I may speak to BrightBlade Svarshan about penance."
"That is the -opposite- of 'do not do anything'," Malik barks to Mikilos, eyes narrowing at the wizard. He shakes his head, picking out pieces of ice from his cloak. "Fucking noboility. No sense of rules. Worse with wizards who feel entitled to break them." At least he hasn't lost -all- of his disdain for traditional practitioners! The world is still mostly at rights.
Seldan throws up an arm to shield his eyes from the blown snow and ice, the shards frosting hair and face and melting away on the armor to the same impeccable sheen. "Winter, you are in danger here," he warns the child, simply. He shoots a look at 'Mickey', but makes no move to actually do anything. Not yet. "Listen to me. I am in need of your wisdom."
The child stops in her tracks, turning from the villagers and toward Malik's voice, then Cryosanthia's, and then Seldan's. She sighs softly and seems to gather herself, standing as tall as a six-year-old might. "You have freed me from my prison, so my wisdom you might have."
"Prison?" Duncan repeats, trying to put together pieces in his mind. "None of us knew you were imprisoned." As soon as he says this he flicks his gaze towards Mikilos. "...not all of us knew you were imprisoned," he amends. Then he looks at the child again. "If it wasn't you causing the suffering in our realm - the plague, the corruption of the Sildanyari stronghold," his kind tend to use words like 'stronghold' rather than 'capital'. "The summoning circle beneath Alexandria… then who?"
About to speak, Seldan simply draws a long, deep breath and lets it go, consciously relaxing his hands. "I would know that," he agrees. "I would also know of Nenarulo Calanalata."
"Just because she was imprisoned doesn't mean she could not do what was done.", the Gobbo says, in Duncan's direction. "But more likely the answer you seek is in the one she supposedly bound to her will." Acedia has a firm grip on the pommel of her sword, her back still to Seldan's. "One I will not name, but you all know whom he is."
"Blue Rose Knight. I do not believe this child is her, not yet," Serene tells Duncan, though Seldan's words of warning have her turning from the collected people to look back up, back towards the tunnels leading up and out.
Mikilos sighs, tired. So very tried of it all. "Time shenanigans." As if that explains everything.
Winter looks at Duncan and confusion flickers through her pale blue eyes and she seems to be rather concerned. "I... Have been trapped in a dream for more years than anyone here has lived. Trapped in that prison for the crime of actions not yet taken." She looks at the villagers and shakes her head. "Everything... was a dream to me. Reality too real for you perhaps; in a another world far away."
The child looks at Serene. "I am Salina, the reality of her, not an image crafted of snow and ice, and if I had known that it was reality... but I was a child lashing out with a thousand years of vengeance and no understanding." She looks at the villagers again briefly. "Now that I am free I can see it in your minds. What I did in my sleep. Nenarulo Calanalata was a contact. His life gave my consciousness weapons to use against those that I knew would seek to stop me."
Realization comes to Seldan, then, and it is written on his face. "Then you must also see what it is that I am bound to do. Those who wish you dead. The choice that I now face." His tone is steady, his eyes on Winter, simply watching her. He says nothing, does nothing, but his eyes move to Mikilos.
Malik's fingers tighten on the arrow wrapped around the bowstring. He remains quiet for now, though, letting others do the talking as his eyes move back and forth between several people.
Mikilos considers a moment. "...now that you are freed and awake, what becomes of the... 'dream projection'?"
Morgan stops the recording of what she is doing and asks. "Well what of the future dreams..." she stops as Mikilos asked what she wants to.
The Gobbo remains at Seldan's back, eyeing the others nearby. "The duty of a knight.", she says softly. "Mercy in the light." She takes a deep breath, and pulls herself to her (not so tall) full height. "The duty of a knight. Mercy in the light."
The white sith remains in her crouch, watching, listening to the answers. A glance at the villagers beside her, up at the party, at the one in the back, then Seldan once more, looking for cues, watching for clues. Trying to fit what she's hearing together with what she knows, and with what Acedia is saying.
"Do you mean to say..." Duncan says, a touch of Khazad doggedness entering his voice as he tries to clarify what perhaps has already been said - all here need to know and understand, even if in truth he's the only one that still doesn't - "...that you didn't KNOW what you were doing to our world and how it would affect those who made their home there?"
This causes a few epiphanies for Kira, even though she is far from fully understanding all of the complexities. Then again, would any of them completely comprehend something of this magnitude? She looks from Winter to the others; mostly Seldan, and Acedia at her words.
Serene's lips press together.. the looks slowly away from the tunnels leading back out, shifting so she can regard the child again. Salina. And then Seldan. "This changes things," she announces.
The girl looks intently at the Seldan and then turns her cold blue eyes on Duncan. "I did not know it was real. It was as a dream to me." She stops, seeming as though she is trying to find the proper words. "I was trapped in the mind of a child, trapped in time and body. Yet I did do these things, a part of me at least. It is difficult to explain in mortal terms."
Seldan's eyes lower, and he stands in silence, carefully considering, murmuring a prayer to himself, then looks up. "Winter, can you undo the damage that is done to Ea?" he asks simply.
"I can not unwork time." Salina shakes her head slightly. "I can cure the plague, work to undo the damage done by it. These things I can do. But the schism of time will not allow me to remake your world; your own gods would stop me from doing such a thing as it would be the unmaking and recreating of thousands of lives." She meets his eyes. "Only the future would change."
Malik gives Seldan a quick nod, the two seeming to exchange a look quickly. But otherwise the wizard is silent.
"As much as I said it would be so, Seldan. Essentially.", the Gobbo says from behind the man. "But. Ask her. You must. There is not much time."
Morgan says "That part I understand, but you can fix the ones that are sick now at least."
Mikilos starts to speak, but hesitates, letting other questions be answered before adding more.
Kira may be mortal, but she can understand what Salina's explanation means to her. "She is innocent," she declares softly to Duncan. After the ...goddess-child shares more, she adds, "and she can repair what is."
Cryo hides her feelings. They are in turmoil, from more than just this encounter. What was quelled before has rose up again, but she is sith-makar, and they are hard to read for those unfamiliar. Lizards with hard expressions, minimal cues, and she has expert experience hiding her thoughts and feelings from her Mistress, the older version of Salina. Will this skill transfer to a younger one? A glance again at Seldan, as if to confirm something, although what that might be is not clear even to him.
Redemption. Change. That's the goal? As the puzzle pieces finally fit together in some semblance of sense, Cryosanthia pulls deep inside herself and lies. As hard as she can, almost enough to believe it herself. Something to tip the scale. She takes this quiet moment. Gently, she reaches out with her left hand, gloved, halting it in space before Salina. The sith's words are soft, "In the future we become good friends. You try and fix me in your dreams, and you almost do, but I never find peace. I hope to, today. So I must say, I forgive you, for everything done to me. In the hopes I find it."
Maybe the last bit wasn't a lie. Maybe.
Duncan is also listening now rather than speaking, nodding at what he hears. Kira's comment earns her - a fellow peacekeeper as far as he's concerned - a quick look as well as a nod.
Serene might not completely agree with Kira should she have heard her, but her attention is fixed upon Salina now. Listening to the faerie talk about what she can and cannot do. "You understand your responsibility in this," she says, then. A question posed as a statement. "You understand this goes beyond the plague."
"Then will you cure the plague, and work to undo the damage that you have done? Will you ensure that no more innocent lives are harmed by your actions? Will you do what you can for those you have already harmed?" Seldan also regards Salina with a hard look.
Mickey shifts his weight and comes to stand just behind Mikilos, his expression interested though he hasn't said a word this whole time.
Salina nods once to Serene, then turns her cold blue eyes on Seldan. "I can not promise to never harm someone Seldan. I am Winter, and the winter is a cold mistress, but I can promise to work to undo the damage I did in my sleep. To do what I can for those harmed by it and cure the plague."
Morgan wonders "But how are you going to undo the plague?" asked as she is wondering if there is some hidden agenda here.
Mikilos glances to Mickey, frowning mildly, but turns his focus back to Salina. "The black ooze, we thought it to be collecting energy, was it, for what, and what is to become of that now? What of the demons, Eclavdran and Yukia?"
Acedia growls lowly in her throat, and lets out a long breath, her hand still gripping the handle of her blade. "Mercy in the light.", she says, softly. Almost to herself. "Mercy in the light."
"Then flee. Now." Seldan's eyes are on Mikilos, and Mickey behind him. "I will pay the price for my foolishness, rather than compounding it. My goddess directs me in this, and I shall not deny Her words, though it cost my life and more. All of you. Run. Now." His gaze includes the villagers.
Duncan turns slightly widened eyes to Seldan. Then he follows Seldan's gaze to Mikilos and Mickey. Duncan turns slowly to face them with a long-suffering look on his face. What now? But something Seldan said seems to trigger a response. "'Cost you your life and more'...?" he echoes. "You say something like that and you expect the rest of us to run?" After a moment he adds. "You've lived in Alexandria long enough to know better than that."
Kira is surprised, and concerned, at Cryosanthia's words. She knows first-hand that... well, she's very, very certain that the whitescale is... exaggerating. Is it sarcasm?
Alas, she doesn't have much time to contemplate that as Seldan speaks. "Seldan? What is it?"
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+31: (19)+31: 50 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+31: (3)+31: 34 GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d6+13: (7)+13: 20
An instant or two after the words leave Seldan's lips, Mickey looks toward Malik and then... Stabs Mikilos in the back. "Well. That's inconvenient isn't it?" He smiles rudely and he looks toward Salina even as she touches her two villagers.
"I must protect my people." She says quietly, touching them and disappearing with them. They're gone and Mickey's blade has sprouted from Mikilos' chest like a rude exclamation mark. He leans into the mage's space. "He's really quite right. You should all run." He laughs suddenly and wiggles his sword in Mikilos' chest as he pulls it free in a gout of blood. "Those of you that can."
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls strength: (5)+3: 8
Cryosanthia jumps, up attempts to grab Acedia and goes nowhere.
GAME: Duncan rolls 1d20+6: (17)+6: 23 GAME: Duncan rolls 1d20+18: (10)+18: 28
'Grannooox!' the cry rings out as Duncan calls for the Khazad Digger, even as the Khazad himself unclips his hammer from his back. There's a tremor that grows in an instant to a rumble and then a crash as a portion of the cavern wall collapses, revealing the huge stonebeast. "The wizard!" Duncan points at Mikilos. "Get him out of there!" It's a common tactic among the two and Grannox knows just what to do, surging into motion much faster than a creature his size and likely weight should be able to. His snout is broad and somewhat triangular, and lowering it at just the right angle lets Grannox use it like a snowplow to scoop the wizard up and push him away from 'Mickey'. As soon as Elf and Digger are clear Duncan hurls the hammer across the cavern, where it tumbles end over end but passes by without connecting. <khazdul>
"Anyone who wants to live, grab on to us and hold on tight. You stay, you die." Malik reaches into his pack, pulling out a piece of parchment with a wax seal. The wizard's face looks deadly serious, and those that have dealt with him before know plenty well that he isn't at all joking.
"Serene, get Mikilos! All of you, grab both of us!" As all hell breaks loose, literally and figuratively, Seldan shouts to his fellow Silver Guard, already fishing for that Plane Shift scroll.
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+31: (18)+31: 49 GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d6+13: (6)+13: 19 GAME: Serene spends ONE use of SMITE EVIL. GAME: Serene spends ONE use of LAY ON HANDS.
Even here, Eluna's presence reaches... evidenced by the silvery aura coming to light about Serene as she heeds Seldan's shout. Her holy sword and shield come free easily as her long strides take her swiftly towards Mikilos and 'Mickey'.. she isn't able to turn aside the sword thrust her way, not completely... possibly because her attention is on the over-tall elf. Her shield arm thrusts out, her fingers slapping the wounded wizard on his back as her goddess's healing grace flows through her and into him. "Prepare to get us out of here, Mikilos. But leave no one behind."
GAME: Morgan casts Haste. Caster Level: 12 DC: 22
Acedia huffs, as if a great weight has been lifted from her shoulders. "Finally!", she says, beginning to draw her blade. "Wait.. what?", she says, her expression turning to one of anger and upset. The Gobbo squeaks as Cryo runs up, and tries so to heft her up. Perhaps her new armor was a surprise? She reaches up to grab Seldan's belt, slamming her sword back home in its sheath. Ace blinks and reaches out to snag something of Cryosanthia, since she is right there.
Morgan says, "Well this is a shit show." Before she utters a spell that sends a blue aura over every one that makes the world seem a bit slower. She then runs at a fast speed to Malik.
GAME: Mikilos casts Dismissal. Caster Level: 14 DC: 24 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+25: (8)+25: 33
Mikilos clutches at his wound and squints at 'Mickey.' "Seriously? -This- is why no one likes you." Murmuring, the wizard sends a force at the backstabber, -pushing- him.... not physically, dimensionally. ...it's a fairly stong push, but Mickey is stronger. <infernal>
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+33: (7)+33: 40
Mickey, who is certainly more skilled in combat than his frame would suggest, likely because he is as many have guessed - in fact a demon. A powerful one at that. He steps after Mikilos, grabbing the haversack that the mage is carrying and ripping it from his body with one powerful tug. "Much as I do like being /liked/ really... as long as I get what I want... I don't care what /you/ think of me."
And Cryosanthia is trying to grab something of Acedia, or at least, grip her with her knees and ankles, wrapping her tail in tight. "I'm sorry Ace." She grabs the back of Seldan's armour, near where his wings would be. The other hand she stretches out towards Kira, "Take hold," then, "Wait? What's in the bag? Is it important?"
Mikilos hisses, wincing as the bag is ripped away. "Sword's in the bag!" Details will have to wait.
Duncan holds out his hand and his hammer suddenly hurtles back towards him, tumbling and aligning itself perfectly so that when it reaches him the middle of the handle it -THWACKS- into his outstretched palm. "A backstabber!" he bellows at Mickey, hefting his hammer high as if to throw it again. "AND a thief," he groans, before adding a few choice words in Khazdul. Words normally only reserved for use by Khazad when drunk, or raging. But Duncan isn't enraged. He seems angry, yes...but his eyes wrinkle with concern. He whistles piercingly. The Stonebeast immediately sinks into the ground. Duncan moves towards Mickey, in a classic pincer position, Morgan's spell allowing the Khazad to move just as swiftly as Grannox did earlier.
Malik watches as Duncan refuses to heed his warning, and Kira looks to be holding in place. But the wizard has already set his mind to it, and reaches out, putting a hand on Seldan's shoulder as he recites the words of the spell, the five of them blinking out of wherever they are, leaving the other four to whatever fate awaits them.
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+31: (14)+31: 45 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+31: (9)+31: 40 GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d6+13: (8)+13: 21 GAME: Serene rolls 1d20+20+5+5+12+1: (16)+20+5+5+12+1: 59 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+31: (17)+31: 48 GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d6+13: (10)+13: 23
Serene manages to keep herself from looking at the haversack.. only at the last moment diverting her path to slash at the straps in his grip. She takes another wound for her efforts, his blade cutting through one of the joints in her armour, but the bag is out of his grasp for now, even as she pushes past him. Even as she does, she calls out, "Eluna.. empower my allies against this fiend!"
GAME: Serene spends TWO uses of SMITE EVIL.
Kira hadn't yet run to Seldan and company, and now they are no longer an option. It isn't a concern just then, however, as the moment Mikilos calls out, she is confident that she knows exactly what he's talking about. She accepts Eluna's blessing via Serene and promptly uses it, eyeing 'Mickey' even as she snatches up the haversack.
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+31: (13)+31: 44 GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d6+13: (11)+13: 24 GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+14+9: (3)+14+9: 26
Mikilos shouts towards the hole where Duncan was last seen. "Head to where we first came to this land. We'll get to you eventually." The wizard then moves, grabbing Kira and Serene as he rapidly casts a spell, shifting them away. <khazdul>
GAME: Serene rolls will: (2)+30: 32 GAME: Kira rolls will: (7)+20: 27 GAME: Mikilos rolls will: (17)+16: 33
You appear in the celestial realm. There's no one nearby you, but it's calm and peaceful. Which is... a nice change of pace from raging Mickey trying to murder you. That lasts about twenty-four seconds however. A few blissful instants before there's a massive demon standing behind Mikilos. There's no guise this time. No carefully crafted illusion of humanity. Just Eclavdran looking mightily irritated, with a sword in one hand and a whip in the other. "You could peacefully hand the weapon over you know. Or you can keep running. Forever."
Mikilos rolls his eyes. "And you could have just asked for the blade. Solid chance I would have handed it over. Though I admit I'm mildly impressed at your tenacity to follow us here, so, congratulations on that, I guess? How did you find us, by the way?"
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+31: (20)+31: 51 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+31: (7)+31: 38 GAME: Serene rolls 1d20+20+12: (5)+20+12: 37 GAME: Serene casts Paladin's Sacrifice. Caster Level: 20 DC: 24 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+26: (4)+26: 30 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+21: (17)+21: 38 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+16: (14)+16: 30 GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d6+13: (7)+13: 20 GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d6+13: (5)+13: 18 GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d6+13: (6)+13: 19
"Get her out..." is all she gets out as Serene reaches her shield arm towards Mikilos, once more using her prepared divine magics to take wound Mikilos suffers... and this time, it's a doozy. For a moment nothing happens, then the Silverguard crumples. As she hits the ground, her is knocked free of the cowl of her cloak and rolls a few times before it comes to rest.
The demon isn't quite done at that, his blade passess cleanly through Mikilos' neck to no effect, but the rest of his blazing strikes cut a massive swath through the poor mage, leaving him bleeding and nearly dead.
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+31: (19)+31: 50 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+31: (12)+31: 43 GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d6+13: (11)+13: 24 GAME: Mikilos casts Plane Shift. Caster Level: 14 DC: 26
Kira gasps as Serene falls. It might've been a scream, but even that was choked off in surprise. No no no! And he's going after Mikilos because he is their transportation... but that's not what he -really- wants. She reaches into the bag to withdraw Mortal Dread and darts away, catching a slash from the fiend's weapon as she goes. Maybe she can draw him away from Mikilos and give Mikilos a fighting chance? If not, then maybe, just maybe... she can still deny Eclavdran access to what she's always thought was a horrible, horrible thing that should not exist.
GAME: Mikilos casts Wall of Stone. Caster Level: 14 DC: 24
Mikilos sees Kira speed away, and focuses on his own safety for teh moment, a gestures conjuring a solid wave of stone to rise from the ground, arc over the wizard in a primitive but effective shield.
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+31: (17)+31: 48 GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d6+13: (7)+13: 20
The demon charges after Kira, hardly looking at Mikilos at all. "Stupid, stupid adventurers. Could have had this the easy way." He laughs callously and strikes Kira once more. The blow spills her blood out on white fluffy clouds.
Kira glares at him. She can't face him head on, but defeating him isn't the priority. "We won't make this easy for you! This thing shouldn't even exist, and we surely won't let you have it!" This time she darts away from him utterly, and far more quickly than before. She can move when she really wants to. She speaks again as she runs, though more quietly, if not quite to herself. "Healer, grant me Your Grace to keep this evil at bay..."
GAME: Mikilos casts Summon Monster VII. Caster Level: 14 DC: 26 GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d3: (1): 1 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+38: (16)+38: 54 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+31: (10)+31: 41 GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d6+13: (8)+13: 21
The demon is not wont for speed himself, opening his wings and charging after the quick monk. His wings easily keep him on target, and his weapon does not miss its next strike. "Perhaps it should not, but you should give it to me, ere I kill you for it. Is your life worth keeping me from it a few more seconds?" He arches one black eyebrow at her and peers at her with his glowing red eyes. "All I want is the weapon. Give it to me girl, and this day you and the mage will survive."
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+31: (9)+31: 40 GAME: Kira rolls 9d6: (32): 32 GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d6+13: (9)+13: 22
"Yes!" Comes the simply answer, asked of one who is anything but a stranger to giving. She makes a wide turn back towards Mikilos after hearing his shout. Then she breaks into a dead on sprint to return to, and partially pass, Mikilos' stoneworks. "What is your plan?" She can't run forever... though may well try to.
GAME: Mikilos casts Stone Shape. Caster Level: 14 DC: 23
The demon catches up fairly easily. He's at least as fast as Kira is. And far more determined than he has a right to be. "Come-out, come-out where-ever you are!" He snorts at the stone wall. "Do you really think this will keep me out? Give. Me. The. Weapon. No one is coming to save you. I have a horde of demons keeping the locals busy as bees." He laughs mockingly. "Come on. You don't even want it. What are you going to use it for if you aren't going to kill that child?"
GAME: Kira spends TWO uses of LAY ON HANDS. GAME: Kira rolls 8d6: (19): 19 GAME: Kira rolls 8d6: (25): 25
Kira rapidly slows to a halt as the stone encircles them. She then calls upon The Healer's Grace to ease both of their wounds. Now that they have some cover, for the moment, she whispers to Mikilos. "Can you create an illusion? I can delay him further, and you could escape with it..."
GAME: Mikilos rolls will: (8)+16: 24 GAME: Kira rolls will: (17)+20: 37
Mikilos murmurs softly a moment, before grabbing Kira;s hand and shifting to someplace very very dark. "I will be needing the sword back to return it."
Kira shivers as they arrive, even if it is warmer than Winter and not because of the dark. Not per se. She hands the weapon over, by touch (as it would be terribly awkward to impale him with it in the dark). "Please, hurry. I will try to delay him as long as I can. May The Healer's Grace be upon you." It is both a wish of good fortune, and one to assuage his wounds.
GAME: Kira spends ONE use of LAY ON HANDS. GAME: Kira rolls 8d6: (25): 25
Mikilos acts quickly, murmuring and gesturing to conjure yet another shimmering doorway. "Queen of Air and Darkness!! I return this blade to you! Or Doyle, also good. whenever you're ready, I'll be inside the invisible door, hiding from the demon lord." The rather tired mage then steps though the magic doorway.
GAME: Mikilos casts Mage's Magnificent Mansion. Caster Level: 14 DC: 26 GAME: Mikilos casts Protection From Evil. Caster Level: 14 DC: 20
Kira follows Mikilos into the mansion. She'd never imagined such things were possible until visiting Cryosanthia before. While still far too lavish for her taste, it is more tolerable than waiting outside. Not to mention more prudent, as Mikilos still needs aid. "Do you think they will arrive soon?" Not that she is in any great hurry to see this queen again, she would be more pleasant than Eclavdran. She hopes.
Mikilos relaxes slightly inside teh magical foyer. but not entirely. Demon Lords aren't stopped that easily. But maybe slowed. Murmuring, the wizard layers a protective ward upon himself. "There's plenty of food, meat and wine mostly, and beds towards the back. We might be here a while."
A few seconds later, Eclavdran appears, casually looking around. "I know you're here." He sniffs the air. There's no sign of anyone but the demon anywhere. "Interdimensional space? A little hiding hole for you to sit all snug in? I'll wait. I'll call a /legion/ here and the moment you step foot outside you die. The longer you make me wait the more irritated you make me mortals. Your only success here is if you /give me the weapon/. Throw it outside and I'll leave. It's really that easy."
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d100: (53): 53
Several hours of planning later, and you've managed to successfully summon Doyle to the house. He accepts Mortal Dread from you on the Queen's behalf. He leaves the same way he entered, through the circle of plants with hardly a word. Here one minute and gone the next. The only issue is that Eclavdran doesn't leave as well. He sits outside the door with his host of demons and waits for you to exit. Because eventually you have to leave. "Come-out, come-out little mortals. Now you die."
His red eyes glow in the night.
-End