Tenebrae - User contributions [en]

Void by the Sea (Part 3)

2025-08-24T15:34:02Z

Skyler: Created page with "Having concluded the conversation with Periandr, the group begins to ascend the stairs upward. Between one step at the next, the material changes again... this time to a dark-hued crystal of some kind. Like quartz, to be honest, as the group ascends to the next floor. Hopefully, the last? As they reach the next floor, it appears it is indeed the last as there are no more stairs to be seen. The floor of this round, domed chamber is wrought of slabs of deep violet crystal..."

Having concluded the conversation with Periandr, the group begins to ascend the stairs upward. Between one step at the next, the material changes again... this time to a dark-hued crystal of some kind. Like quartz, to be honest, as the group ascends to the next floor. Hopefully, the last?

As they reach the next floor, it appears it is indeed the last as there are no more stairs to be seen. The floor of this round, domed chamber is wrought of slabs of deep violet crystal, like the stairs. Inset into the curving walls are... windows. Or mirrors. Or perhaps both. Some display weirdly distorted reflections, while others show views of worlds -- or creatures. Some of those creatures are aware, staring back with interest or suspicion. Others seem to not notice their viewers, unaware they are being watched.

In the center of the room is something that looks like a large crystal formation that has become intertwined with the flesh and bone of a man. Violet quartz jutting from his flesh, a brown eye staring out blankly. It almost looks like it -exploded- inside him, and then stopped in mid-detonation, leaving a rather disturbing view of his organs all tangled with the crystal. From the horror's lips, a familiar voice comes.

"And so the most perfect expression of art is the void, to wipe away all competing visions, to bring forth silence in its wake. No more arguments of merit, only the bliss of oblivion..."

<OOC> Telamon whoops, lemme add something.

Beyond the crystalline monstrosity, a long scroll -- ten feet long if an inch -- hangs from the far wall, covered in intricate eldritch runes.

GAME: Skyler rolls fortitude+1: (2)+9+1: 12

Cesran warily climbs the stairs to what appears to be the last floor. His bespelled eyes take in everything as he studies this room closely. Each surface is regarded as he takes in the sight before him. Having this many portals open to so many different places, this has become a nexus, a crossroad of realities. He’d love to spend time studying them and know where each one leads, but he doubts he’ll get that chance.

Cesran turns his attention to the center of the room and he looks over the large crystal formation that has become fused with what remains of a man, no doubt the wizard artist that they were told about. The voice they have heard as they journeyed through this tower, still rambling about art and the void. Cesran isn’t here to argue the merits of art, he’s here to find the lynchpin holding this place together and he thinks he might have found it.

Cesran tilts his head to see beyond the crystal man structure in the center of the room and he focuses in on the scroll hanging from the far wall and tries to decern what it’s doing based on the eldritch runes.

At first, silence from the resident swashbuckler as he just stares at the tableau in front of him. Crystalline monstrosity, eldritch runes. The familiar voice. He goes a little green around the gills, for sure, breath catching and one hand going to his chest as if trying to force down the bile. But then...

"I never did like surrealism. 'Ooo I put his nose where his ear should be, aren't I *artistic*?'" Skyler says conversationally, but with a mocking edge as he mimes his face distorted at weird angles, "I mean, just take some lessons and admit you suck at art." He draws his sword, and glances at the others. Mentally: << You see the scroll? Cessie, you think you can nab it with a mage hand if we draw his attention and keep it? >>

The Goblin wrinkles her nose at the exploded crystal and the display of internal organs. She blinks a few times. "That uh that looks painful.", she says to no one in particular. Her eyes focus on the scroll on the far wall. Her grin is frightening, too broad, and too many teeth. Her head tilts from side to side, vertebrae in her neck crackling.

A little hand is raised, and she snaps her fingers, little flames licking at the fingertips.

"I see something that needs burning." Murder cackles.

Dirk flicks his gaze back and forth as he warily climbs up the stairs. He snaps his thunderbelcher from left to right, upside down, and inside out and, round and round, and--oh, wait... Dirk slowly lowers his thunderbelcher as he claps eyes on that hideous amalgamation of mineral and flesh. He's seen some terrible things in his day. And the gods know he's not stranger to guts and viscera. But seeing it so... -artfully- arranged (and, still more to the point, -still alive-) has his face turning white as his beard. "Beards o' me sweet tapdancin' fathers," he says, gulping hard. He fights back the sudden stream of 'don'tthrowupdon'tthrowupdon'tthrowup' to project at his friends. <<This is him, aye? This is the one we get tae blast? Oh -please- say we get tae blast 'im. Lookit that -face-. It's just -beggin'- fer a blastin'.>>

Tap. Tap tap. The crystal creaks weirdly, and the eye is suddenly focused on the party. The fingers twitch, and then the mouth moves. "You are imperfect. Only by inspecting your imperfections can you remove them. We need a comparison though."

And then some of those mirrors with distorted reflections move on their own... stretching into reality, to stand next to the crystal-impaled man.

They're... you. But not. Oh, so not. The man in the lead looks like Skyler, with a wicked scar across his cheek, dressed in blood-red leathers and a jaunty hat... and a cruel grin to match. Behind him, a Cesran who might have been had he gone down a darker path, dressed in black robes with his face tattooed with a skull on his brow.

To the other side, a white-bearded duplicate of Dirk smiles mirthlessly, his belt adorned with a half-dozen shrunken heads as he draws a cruelly-barbed arrow from a quiver. And in front of not-Dirk, a Murder apparently bereft of magic, of everything except bloodlust as she slavers, gripping a heavy flail.

"Kill them."

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Telamon has dropped a TIMESTOP!

Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Telamon to instruct you further. You may earn RPP by logging a scene for a GM.

For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

GAME: Skyler refreshes special ability pools.

GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.

Round One - Init 28.

It is now NotDirk's turn! Skyler is next!

GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+14: (5)+14: 19
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+9: (11)+9: 20
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+4: (7)+4: 11

Unsurprisingly, Dirk's alter-ego shoots first. "Aye, the thrill o'the hunt beckons... and I can use another 'ead for me belt." The worst part is that he sounds like Dirk -- if the old dwarf was cruel and vicious rather than warm and kind. A trio of arrows go speeding out towards the counterpart, but ricochet off Dirk's armor and bounce off the mirrored walls.

GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.

Round One - Init 25.

It is now Skyler's turn! Murder is next!

<OOC> Telamon says, "Skyler, you are up."

<OOC> Skyler says, "Bitchin'"

<OOC> Telamon says, "Before you act: Perception check."

GAME: Skyler rolls perception+4: (8)+21+4: 33

<OOC> Telamon says, "Page sent."

<OOC> Skyler says, "I'm rushing Narsec, activating boots for double movement, acrobatics check to avoid AoO from Yks, and then swinging on squisher"

<OOC> Telamon says, "Roll acro check."

<OOC> Skyler says, "Sec"

<OOC> Skyler says, "I'm aiming for 7,5 to end my movement btw"

GAME: Skyler rolls acrobatics+5+1: (18)+20+5+1: 44

<OOC> Telamon says, "Done. You pass acro check btw."

<OOC> Skyler says, "Okay! So no AoO and I get +2 from passing check <3"

GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+2+1: (8)+23+2+1: 34

<OOC> Telamon says, "Hits!"

GAME: Skyler rolls damage1+swashbuckler: aliased to 1d6+14+swashbuckler: (2)+14+12: 28

<OOC> Skyler says, "How bad that look like it hurt?"

<OOC> Telamon says, "It looks like a decent hit, but he's not down yet. You got the impression you broke some kind of magical enhancement on him. (i.e. you wiped out his false life HP)"

<OOC> Telamon says, "All done?"

<OOC> Skyler says, "Yup! I'm in position to start wailing on him next round full rounds XD"

<OOC> Telamon nods! Pose it.

GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.

Round One - Init 25.

It is now Murder's turn! Cesran is next!
GAME: Murder rolls 12d6: (34): 34

GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+14: (1)+14: 15 (EPIC FAIL)

GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+13: (10)+13: 23
GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.

Round One - Init 24.

It is now Cesran's turn! Dirk is next!

<OOC> Cesran says, "Move Action: Draw Rod of Greater Quickening. Swift Action: Cast Time Stop!"

GAME: Cesran casts Time Stop. Caster Level: 20 DC: 32

<OOC> Cesran says, "Round 1: Summon Monster IX – Celestial T-rexes"
<OOC> Cesran says, "Round 2: Quick Cast Shape Change, Cast Spell Turning"
<OOC> Cesran says, "Round 3: Quick Cast Crushing Hand, Cast Shield, Stow Greater Rod of Quickening"

GAME: Cesran rolls 1d4+1: (3)+1: 4

"Looks dumber than you? That's a rather low bar to get under, doncha think?", the Goblin retorts. She cracks her knuckles then. "I'll do what I can t'tie a couple up, distract them. Give the Dorf and Archie some time to pluck away at them." Her eyes light up then, glowing red, as she becomes a little more imposing. And then suddenly... there are ten of her. Her cackle is a cacophany, for there's a Murder of Murders now.

The gaggle of Goblins pace forward, little fingers tracing out an arcane pattern. They all inahle deeply and exhale sharply, breathing out a multitude of lightning bolts that strike at Murder's and Dirk's alternates.

GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+20: (9)+20: 29
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+20: (1)+20: 21 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+20: (4)+20: 24
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+20: (20)+20: 40
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+20: (1)+20: 21 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Cesran rolls 4d6+40: (20)+40: 60
GAME: Cesran rolls 4d6+40: (10)+40: 50
GAME: Cesran rolls 4d6+40: (18)+40: 58
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+32: (1)+32: 33 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+32: (15)+32: 47
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+32: (16)+32: 48
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+33: (11)+33: 44
GAME: Cesran rolls 2d6+12: (7)+12: 19
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d100: (7): 7
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d4+6: (1)+6: 7
GAME: Cesran casts Chain Lightning. Caster Level: 20 DC: 31
GAME: Cesran casts Summon Monster IX. Caster Level: 20 DC: 32
GAME: Cesran casts Shapechange. Caster Level: 20 DC: 32
GAME: Cesran casts Spell Turning. Caster Level: 20 DC: 30
GAME: Cesran casts Shield. Caster Level: 20 DC: 24
GAME: Cesran casts Crushing Hand. Caster Level: 20 DC: 34

GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+11: (9)+11: 20
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10: (10)+10: 20
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+14: (15)+14: 29
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+13: (13)+13: 26
GAME: Cesran rolls 20d6+10: (86)+10: 96

GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.

Round One - Init 24.

It is now Dirk's turn! NotCesran is next!

<OOC> Telamon says, "Knowledge/The Planes"

GAME: Dirk rolls Knowledge/The Planes: (13)+4: 17

<OOC> Dirk says, "If he's an evil outsider, add +2"

Cesran nods, << Yes I see it, I don’t think mage hand will do it. I would like to try to understand it first before I do anything to it, I think it might be the lynchpin we were told about, but the crystal structure could be it as well. Or they both could be. I need to study both to be sure so I’d like to move closer, but we’ll probably have to engage with the creature that is merged with the crystal structure. >>

Cesran frowns as he watches the evil duplicates of them appear from the mirrors and he takes a deep breath, << I guess we’ll find out what the scroll and the crystal structure are later. >>

The wizard reaches to draw an decorated rod from his belt and he quickly says the words of the spell in a loud commanding voice. Time slows down for everyone, but Cesran as he starts to rapidly cast spells. The first thing he does is summons 4 celestial T-rexes to confront the duplicates that are in front of him. The casting continues as he casts spells upon himself to let him change his shape and to turn back spells directed at him.

Cesran takes out a soft looking glove from his spell component pouch and quickly casts another spell, an ephemeral hand made from pure force appears. Cesran casts another spell on himself as a shield of force appears before him. He stows away the decorated rod on his belt.

As time starts again four 4 celestial T-rexes all smite down on their targets, only missing the faux Murder. From behind the fake Cesran the hand goes to grab him, but is turned back towards the real Cesran. There is a momentary distortion in reality before the hand just dissolves. With that out of the way Cesran takes out a bit of fur, a piece of amber, and a crystal rod, the fur has 20 silver pins placed in it. He points his staff towards his fake self, “There can be only one.”

Ral-sara’s mouth opens wide as lightning leaps from her maw and slams into the fake Cersan, the lightning then scatters, hitting all the fakes around, it slams into all of them as well as the crystal structure. Only fake Murder is left standing as well as the crystal structure that seems to have absorbed the energy from the lightning.

A mighty roar goes up from each of the Celstial T-rexes as their foes are vanquished.

GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.

Round One - Init 20.

It is now NotCesran's turn! NotSkyler is next!

GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.

Round One - Init 17.

It is now NotSkyler's turn! NotMurder is next!

GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.

Round One - Init 10.

It is now NotMurder's turn! NotDirk is next!

<OOC> Telamon says, "NotMurder 5' steps and attacks the t-rex."

GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+26: (1)+26: 27 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+21: (1)+21: 22 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+16: (16)+16: 32
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+11: (13)+11: 24
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d8+13+2d6: (6)+13+(7): 26
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d8+13+2d6: (7)+13+(6): 26

<OOC> Telamon says, "After DR, she deals 32 damage."

<OOC> Telamon says, "Everyone make perception checks."

GAME: Cesran rolls perception: (8)+25: 33
GAME: Murder rolls perception: (5)+27: 32
GAME: Skyler rolls perception: (17)+21: 38

GAME: Murder rolls perception: (8)+27: 35

Dirk's beard bristles as those copies are brought into being. In -particular-, he doesn't care for the cut of Krid's jib -or- his beard. He looks at all the opponents arrayed before him. He racks the slide on his thunderbelcher, causing the runes blessing its barrel to light up like sun dappling through the trees. As his double launches a volley of arrows, he briskly turns his hefty torso into profile--first left, then right, then left again. The arrows whistle by without so much as lofting a whisker.

His gaze is drawn to the crystalline horror. His gaze takes in its horrific geometries, its twisted anatomies. "You," he growls as realization dawns. "I know what you -are-. You--" Time stops. An invisible clock ticks. To Dirk, it's faster than the blink of his eyes. Four mighty, heavenly bellows. A crackle of lightning. Magic at its utmost level unleashed without restraint. The wind from the impacts sends his cloak flapping behind him and the plume on his tricorne dancing. Eyes wide as teacups blink owlishly. "Heek?"

Blink. Blink blink. He gives himself a shake and resumes his march forward. As he goes, he levels a finger at the crystalline creature. "You cannae hide from -me-, filth," he growls, bringing his thunderbelcher up. "Wherever ye go, I'll -find- ye. Ye got nae place in -our- world!"

GAME: Dirk rolls Perception+2: (15)+21+2: 38

<OOC> Telamon says, "You all realize, to your horror, that the downed dopplegangers are -regenerating-. Violet crystal grows out of their wounds and then transforms back to flesh."

The maddened, not-Murder of course behaves as badly as one might bereft of Murder's cheerful demeanor. The goblin whirls, and charges the nearest dinosaur, whacking it repeatedly with its flail. Flashes of incandescent energy crackle with every strike, as the false-Murder frothes at the mouth and screams incoherently.

The horrid figure trapped in the crystal speaks, its voice hollow and dull. "True art does not suffer the interference of other, lesser artisans. Or their pets." A withered-looking hand gestures at one of the tyrannosaurs -- and suddenly it is just /gone/. No flash, no crackle of light, just a faint 'whoosh' of displaced air from the space where it stood.

GAME: Telamon rolls 1d4: (2): 2

GAME: NEW ROUND!

Telamon advances the initiative order.

Round Two - Init 28.

It is now NotDirk's turn! Skyler is next!

<OOC> Telamon says, "NotDirk is regenerating."

GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.

Round Two - Init 25.

It is now Skyler's turn! Murder is next!

<OOC> Telamon says, "Skyler, make a Wisdom check."

GAME: Skyler rolls wisdom+1: (18)+2+1: 21

"Your art is exploitive and shock, without any specific point of view or emotional evocation!" Skyler sneers at the crystal figure, even as he suddenly throws his arms wide, the front of his coat billowing open to show the fine armor underneath... And seem to almost transform into wings as he kicks off and heads for the scroll covered in eldritch runes. "You aren't an artist! You're just a print-maker that can't even come up with original materiel, but regurgitates other people's work. And badly at that!" He begins to fly back over the crystal on wings of shadowy energy veined with light.

It's wobbly, and not the most graceful of flight given Skyler on the battlefield is a TERROR, but he does get to the safety of the rest of the party. "Dammit, how does this shit work? Do I just bang it on stuff?" And he bangs the scroll on his buckler.

GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.

Round Two - Init 25.

It is now Murder's turn! Cesran is next!

GAME: Murder rolls weapon42+3: (14)+29+3: 46
GAME: Murder rolls damage42+1d10+1d10+3: aliased to 1d10+12+1d10+1d10+3: (8)+12+(2)+(4)+3: 29
GAME: Murder rolls 2d6: (5): 5
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d100: (35): 35

<OOC> Telamon says, "As you swing, you feel the very air around it try to nudge your strike aside, but you push through and slam your blade into the crystal. It does damage, though not as much as you expected."

GAME: Telamon advances the initiative order.

Round Two - Init 24.

It is now Cesran's turn! Dirk is next!

<OOC> Telamon says, "Cesran!"

<OOC> Telamon says, "You can make that Know/Arcana check now."

<OOC> Cesran says, "Sure"

GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/arcana: (4)+38: 42
GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/the planes: (11)+28: 39

The Goblins watch as the battle unfolds, marvelling at the celestial t-rexes. "Perhaps I chose the wrong spells...", she muses to herself. "Riding one of those into battle could be a lot of fun."

Her gaze goes to the three dopplegangers who are slowly recovering from their fatal wounds... and the NotMurder copy of herself is busy with a t-rex.

"Right, that means time to smack the big bad evil guy." The Murder of Murders yells at the top of their lungs, and each one suddenly sprouts white, feathery wings. As one, they leap into the air and fly right at the half-man, half-crystaline thing. While the effect is perhaps not as satisfactory as she'd like, the Goblin's attack does leave a crack and dent in the crystal structure.

GAME: Cesran rolls intelligence: (18)+13: 31

<OOC> Cesran says, "Okay I'm going to move and with Skyler's permission take the scroll and then twist it and connect it into a mobius strip."

<OOC> Skyler says, "sure"

<OOC> Telamon says, "Go ahead and pose it :)"

<OOC> Cesran says, "The three t-rexes are gonna bite, is there smite still up?"

GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+20: (6)+20: 26
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+20: (9)+20: 29
GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+20: (11)+20: 31

Cesran get as a good look at the scroll as Skyler brings it over. He can see that each side has runes that seem inimical to each other. He takes a moment to think about it and he chuckles to himself as it was one of his earliest lessons. He moves over towards Skyler, << Please just let me see it. >>

Cesran takes the scroll from Skyler and he gives it one half a turn and then connects the ends together to form a Mobius Strip. He looks down at the scroll as he waits for a reaction.

As Cesran brings the ends of the scroll together, forming a single surface, the parchment becomes hot in the wizard's hands. Suddenly it catches fire, like flashpowder, disintegrating in an instant.

Everything has stopped. The crystal-tangled form of Colin -- or at least, the void creature wearing his face -- is frozen as it started to stand up. The monstrous duplicates are also motionless, with the Murder-duplicate standing, ready for another swing at the tyrannosaur.

All the mirrors have gone dark too, except for one. This one shows what is clearly a dragon, with two backswept horns and a rather wry countenance. Deliberately, he brings his forepaws together, applauding. And he speaks, in a cheerful, charming tone. "Some stories deserve to be written, not consigned to the void. No matter what happens, I'll be remembering yours." He tosses off a salute, and then... that mirror goes dark. There's a sense of falling, of stars flashing past -- or are those walls? -- before suddenly--

Your feet hit the turf as you see the walls of the house disintegrating into ash. Sunlight pouring down. Alexandria again, thankfully. The house by the sea consigned to memory again, just as it should be.

Recent Logs

2025-08-24T15:33:08Z

Skyler: /* August */

{{AboutLogs}}

'''[[Archived_Logs|For 2024 and earlier, see the Archives]].'''

==2025 Logs==
===January===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|January 1, 2025
|[[The Spectacle of the Century]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Alec]], [[Bryn]], [[Mikilos]] [[Murder]], [[Skyler]]
|-
|January 4, 2025
|[[A Final Word on the Spires]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Eztli]], [[Skyler]], [[Bryn]], GM: Whirlpool
|-
|January 5, 2025
|[[Hooves of Steel (Part 2)]]
|[[Harshad]], [[Skyler]], [[Bryn]], [[Reithak]], [[Jarik]]
|-
|January 6, 2025
|[[Working Hands]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Carver]], [[Simony]], [[Skyler]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], GM: Riptide
|-
|January 7, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 11)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|January 8, 2025
|[[Flight of Intrigue]]
|[[Bryn]], [[Haggerty]], [[Palomas]], [[Skyler]], GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|January 9, 2025
|[[Scaling and Weeping]]
|[[Verna]], [[Aryia]]
|-
|
|[[Temple Festivities]]
|[[Carver]], [[Telamon]], [[Irshya]], [[Jarik]], [[Menel]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Skyler]], [[Bryn]]
|-
|January 10, 2025
|[[Sins of the Past: A Confrontation]]
|[[Jarik]], [[Skyler]]
|-
|January 11, 2025
|[[Slapbet]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Rocky]], [[Skyler]]
|-
|January 12, 2025
|[[Sewers and Saviors]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Crik]], [[Jarik]], [[Bryn]], [[Ulthan]], [[Sjach]], with GM: [[Skyler]]
|-
|January 13, 2025
|[[Graven Images]]
|[[Carver]], [[Telamon]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Verna]], [[Skyler]], GM: [[Aftershock]]
|-
|January 14, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 12)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|January 15, 2025
|[[Tough Hands]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Bryn]]
|-
|January 17, 2025
|[[The Power of Flour]]
|[[Harshad]], [[Skyler]], [[Choler]], [[Munch]]
|-
|January 18, 2025
|[[Grim Deed (Part 1)]]
|[[Culix]], [[Carver]], [[Jarik]], [[Skyler]], GM: [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Back in Technicolor]]
|[[Corey]], [[Magpie]]; GM: Aftershock
|-
|January 19, 2025
|[[Sewers and Saviors 2]]
|[[Sjach]], [[Haggerty]], [[Crik]], [[Dirk]], [[Jarik]], [[Bryn]], GM: [[Skyler]]
|-
|
|[[Vacation and the Pen]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|January 20, 2025
|[[Meeting Eli]]
|[[Bryn]], [[Carver]], [[Gramarye]], [[Haggerty]], [[Khepri]]; GM: Aftershock
|-
|
|[[Pothy Problems]]
|[[Murder]], [[Skyler]]
|-
|January 21, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 13)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|January 23, 2025
|[[The Dream Quest of the Archmage Part 1]]
|[[Skyler]], [[Warrick]], [[Palomas]], [[Haggerty]], GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|January 26, 2025
|[[Sewers and Saviors Part 3]]
|[[Sjach]], [[Dirk]], [[Bryn]], [[Jarik]], [[Crik]], GM: [[Skyler]]
|-
|January 27, 2025
|[[Golden Box]]
|[[Cuemoni]], [[Gr'lk'tosst]], [[Halia]], [[Jarik]], [[Skyler]]
|-
|January 28, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 14)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|January 30, 2025
|[[The Dream Quest of the Archmage Part 2]]
|[[Skyler]], [[Warrick]], [[Palomas]], [[Haggerty]], GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[A Polite Request]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Rune]]
|-
|January 31, 2025
|[[Here But For You]]
|[[Halia]], [[Skyler]], [[Rocky]], [[Tonameyo]], [[Carver]]
|}

===February===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|February 1, 2025
|[[Grim Deeds 2]]
|[[Culix]], [[Skyler]], [[Carver]], [[Jarik]], [[Reithak]], GM: [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|February 2, 2025
|[[Beyond the Pale 1]]
|[[Ulthan]], [[Bryn]], [[Haggerty]], [[Skyler]], [[Crik]], [[Burai]], GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|February 3, 2025
|[[The Quest of Eli]]
|[[Bryn]], [[Carver]], [[Gramarye]], [[Haggerty]], [[Khepri]], GM: Aftershock
|-
|February 4, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 15)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|February 6, 2025
|[[A Handful of Dust]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Simony]], GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|February 8, 2025
|[[Grim Deed Part 3]]
|[[Culix]], [[Skyler]], [[Carver]], [[Jarik]], [[Reithak]], GM: [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|February 9, 2025
|[[Beyond the Pale Part 2]]
|[[Bryn]], [[Burai]], [[Crik]], [[Skyler]], [[Ulthan]], GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|February 11, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 16)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|February 14, 2025
|[[Mages of Daeus]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Skyler]], [[Eztli]], [[Carver]], GM: Aftershock
|-
|February 16, 2025
|[[Beyond the Pale Part 3]]
|[[Ulthan]], [[Bryn]], [[Haggerty]], [[Skyler]], [[Crik]], [[Burai]], GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|February 20, 2025
|[[Moonstone Absconded]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Magpie]]
|-
|February 21, 2025
|[[Pursuit Through Dreams]]
|[[Skyler]], [[Carver]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], NPC: Amenara Paki (played by Aftershock)
|-
|February 22, 2025
|[[Grim Deed Part 4]]
|[[Culix]], [[Skyler]], [[Carver]], [[Jarik]], [[Reithak]], GM: [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[A Gift Lost to the Shadows]]
|[[Kaj]], [[Murder]], [[Telamon]], [[Carver]]
|-
|February 23, 2025
|[[Conspiracy to Murder]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], GM: Riptide
|-
|
|[[Beyond the Pale Part 4]]
|[[Ulthan]], [[Bryn]], [[Haggerty]], [[Skyler]], [[Crik]], [[Burai]], GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|February 24, 2025
|[[Of Tests and Trials]]
|[[Carver]], [[Haggerty]], [[Khepri]], GM: Riptide & Aftershock
|-
|February 25, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 17)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|}

===March===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|March 2, 2025
|[[Beyond the Pale Part 5]]
|[[Ulthan]], [[Haggerty]], [[Skyler]], [[Crik]], [[Burai]], GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|March 3, 2025
|[[Moonstone Absconded (Part 2)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Dirk]], [[Magpie]]; GM: Aftershock
|-
|March 4, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 18)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|March 7, 2025
|[[Crystal Tower]]
|[[Carver]], [[Magpie]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], GM: Aftershock
|-
|March 8, 2025
|[[Grim Deed Part 5]]
|[[Carver]], [[Culix]], [[Reithak]], [[Skyler]], GM: Aelwyn
|-
|March 9, 2025
|[[Sins of the Past: Masquerade Mayhem]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Auranar]], [[Irshya]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]] DM: [[Jarik]] & [[Skyler]]
|-
|
|[[Crystal Tower (Part 2)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Magpie]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], GM: Aftershock
|-
|March 10, 2025
|[[Moonstone Absconded (Part 3)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Dirk]], [[Magpie]]; GM: Aftershock
|-
|
|[[Cashew by Cashew]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Skyler]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|March 11, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 19)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|March 13, 2025
|[[Dance of the Watchlings]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Carver]], [[Skyler]], [[Simony]]
|-
|March 15, 2025
|[[Grim Deed Part 6]]
|[[Carver]], [[Culix]], [[Reithak]], [[Skyler]], GM: Aelwyn
|-
|March 16, 2025
|[[Beyond the Pale Part 6]]
|[[Ulthan]], [[Haggerty]], [[Skyler]], [[Crik]], [[Burai]], GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|March 18, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 20)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|March 19, 2025
|[[The Sickle's Edge]]
|[[Choler]], [[Harshad]]
|-
|March 20, 2025
|[[Fluffy the Fey]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Bryn]], [[Gramarye]], [[Haggerty]], [[Skyler]] GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|March 21, 2025
|[[A Lost Fey Puppy]]
|[[Carver]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|March 23, 2025
|[[Of Staves and Stones]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Crystal Tower (Part 3)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Magpie]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], GM: Aftershock
|-
|
|[[Beyond the Pale Part 7]]
|[[Ulthan]], [[Haggerty]], [[Skyler]], [[Crik]], [[Bryn]], GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|March 24, 2025
|[[Archmage Asking]]
|[[Carver]], [[Telamon]], [[Murder]], Riptide (as Faphinae), GM: Aftershock
|-
|March 25, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 21)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|March 29, 2025
|[[Grim Deed Part 7]]
|[[Carver]], [[Culix]], [[Reithak]], [[Skyler]], GM: Aelwyn
|-
|March 30, 2025
|[[Beyond the Pale Part 8]]
|[[Ulthan]], [[Haggerty]], [[Skyler]], [[Crik]], [[Burai]], [[Bryn]], GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|March 31, 2025
|[[Red Matrimony]]
|[[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|}

===April===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|April 1, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 22)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|April 3, 2025
|[[Inspector Fritzgilbert and the Ploughing Goat]]
|[[Skyler]], [[Zigrun]]
|-
|April 4, 2025
|[[The Golden Songbird]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Skyler]], [[Telamon]], GM: Aftershock
|-
|April 6, 2025
|[[Beyond the Pale Part 9]]
|[[Ulthan]], [[Haggerty]], [[Skyler]], [[Crik]], [[Burai]], GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|April 8, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 23)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|April 9, 2025
|[[With Vast Love (Part 1)]]
|[[Cuemoni]], [[Haggerty]], [[Harshad]], [[Skyler]]; GM: [[Carver]]
|-
|April 11, 2025
|[[Four Floozies]]
|[[Khepri]], [[Carver]], [[Bryn]], [[Rocky]]
|-
|April 13, 2025
|[[Beyond the Pale Part 10]]
|[[Ulthan]], [[Skyler]], [[Crik]], [[Bryn]], GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|
|[[Nary for Nereid]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Carver]], [[Mikilos]], [[Skyler]], [[Telamon]] GM: Riptide
|-
|April 14, 2025
|[[Running Up That Hill]]
|[[Aragos]] GM: Riptide
|-
|
|[[Bring a Little Fae]]
|[[Atrid]], [[Carver]], [[Gramarye]], [[Khepri]]; GM: Aftershock
|-
|April 15, 2025
|[[A Grove Pit Stop]]
|[[Slixvah]] [[Atrid]]
|-
|
|[[Homegrown Confessional]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Carver]]
|-
|April 19, 2025
|[[Neva Gonna Give You Up]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Carver]], [[Eztli]] GM: Whirlpool
|-
|
|[[Grim Deed Part 8]]
|[[Culix]], [[Skyler]], [[Reithak]], [[Carver]], GM: [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|April 20, 2025
|[[The Dukes Knight]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Auranar]], [[Dirk]], [[Rhar]], [[Thurid]] GM: Riptide
|-
|April 22, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 24)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|April 23, 2025
|[[With Vast Love (Part 2)]]
|[[Cuemoni]], [[Harshad]], [[Skyler]]; GM: [[Carver]]
|-
|April 27, 2025
|[[Faeology 101]]
|[[Carver]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|April 29, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 25)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|}

===May===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|May 1, 2025
|[[Strawberries For All]]
|[[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Khepri]], [[Carver]], [[Simony]]
|-
|May 2, 2025
|[[Bootleg Bounty]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Bryn]], [[Haggerty]], [[Aragos]], [[Crik]] GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|May 4, 2025
|[[Cleiuin's Confession]]
|[[Thurid]], [[Riptide]]
|-
|May 5, 2025
|[[Grim Deed Part 9]]
|[[Culix]], [[Skyler]], [[Carver]], [[Reithak]], GM: [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|May 6, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 26)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|May 9, 2025
|[[Bootleg Bounty Part 2]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Haggerty]], [[Aragos]], [[Crik]] GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|May 10, 2025
|[[Rainy days, hair loss and full bellies]]
|[[Murder]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|May 11, 2025
|[[Whispers of the Withering Wood]]
|[[Atzi]], [[Harshad]], [[Mist]], [[Tonameyo]]; GM: [[Dirk]]
|-
|May 12, 2025
|[[Lament of Vilarus]]
|[[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Magpie]], [[Murder]]; GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|May 17, 2025
|[[Something Fae-shy]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Bryn]], [[Myoides]], [[Skyler]]; GM: Riptide
|-
|May 18, 2025
|[[Fire of the Sun]]
|[[Thurid]], [[Bryn]], [[Skyler]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Irysha]], [[Khepri]], [[Haggerty]], [[Carver]]; GM: Aftershock
|-
|May 19, 2025
|[[Lament of Vilarus (Part 2)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Magpie]], [[Murder]]; GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|May 22, 2025
|[[Akimitsu Sori (Part 1)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|May 23, 2025
|[[Bootleg Bounty (Part 3)]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Crik]], [[Warrick]]; GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|
|[[Sisters Strange]]
|[[Bryn]], [[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Dirk]], [[Skyler]]; GM: Aftershock
|-
|May 25, 2025
|[[Grim Deed Part 10]]
|[[Culix]], [[Skyler]], [[Carver]], [[Reithak]], GM: [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[The Work of Brewing and Crafting]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|May 19, 2025
|[[Lament of Vilarus (Part 3)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Magpie]], [[Murder]]; GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|May 27, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 27)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|}

===June===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|June 1, 2025
|[[River Fishing]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Free Soup]]
|[[Ulthan]], [[Khepri]], [[Skyler]], [[Bryn]], [[Carver]]
|-
|June 2, 2025
|[[Lament of Vilarus (Part 4)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Magpie]], [[Murder]]; GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|June 5, 2025
|[[Akimitsu Sori (Part 2)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|June 8, 2025
|[[Seaside Yearnings]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Crik]], [[Khepri]], [[Skyler]]; GM: [[Carver]]
|-
|June 9, 2025
|[[Lament of Vilarus (Part 5)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Magpie]], [[Murder]]; GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|June 10, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 28)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|June 13, 2025
|[[Akimitsu Sori (Part 3)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|June 17, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 29)]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|June 21, 2025
|[[Grim Deed Part 11]]
|[[Culix]], [[Skyler]], [[Carver]], [[Reithak]], GM: [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|June 23, 2025
|[[Lament of Vilarus (Part 6)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Magpie]], [[Murder]]; GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|June 24, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 30)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|June 26, 2025
|[[Akimitsu Sori (Part 4)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|June 27, 2025
|[[In Search of Rolls]]
|[[Carver]], [[Skyler]]
|-
|June 26, 2025
|[[Reincarnation]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|June 30, 2025
|[[Lament of Vilarus (Part 7)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Magpie]], [[Murder]]; GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|}

===July===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|July 1, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 31)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|July 7th, 2025
|[[Lament of Vilarus (Part 8)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Magpie]], [[Murder]], GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|July 8, 2025
|[[Same as It Ever Was (Part 32)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|July 10, 2025
|[[Defending the Spell Cannon G1]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Gramarye]], [[Lanier]], [[Schara]], [[Warrick]], GM: Whirlpool
|-
|July 11, 2025
|[[Defending the Spell Cannon G2]]
|[[Braelnoir]], [[Dirk]], [[Simony]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]], GM: Riptide
|-
|July 12, 2025
|[[Defending the Spell Cannon G3]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Carver]], [[Eztli]], [[Harkashan]], [[Irshya]], [[Jarik]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Skyler]]
|-
|July 14, 2025
|[[Lament of Vilarus (Part 9)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Magpie]], [[Murder]], GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|July 17, 2025
|[[Hands of Herman]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Carver]], [[Corey]], [[Skyler]], GM: Aftershock
|-
|July 19, 2025
|[[Grim Deed: Finale]]
|[[Carver]], [[Skyler]], [[Culix]], [[Reithak]], GM: [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|July 20, 2025
|[[Fire Wrestling]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Skyler]], [[Cesran]], [[Jarik]], [[Myoides]], [[Harshad]]
|-
|July 21, 2025
|[[Info Exchange at the Fernwood Pub]]
|[[Cesran]], [[Murder]], [[Skyler]]
|-
|July 23, 2025
|[[Archmages Meet at the Observatory]]
|[[Cesran]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|July 26, 2025
|[[Void-Friend of Taara]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Bryn]], [[Jarik]], [[Warrick]], GM: Riptide
|-
|July 27, 2025
|[[The Void-Eater]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Auranar]], [[Cesran]], [[Harkashan]], [[Murder]], [[Rune]], [[Skyler]], [[Telamon]], GM: Riptide
|-
|July 28, 2025
|[[The Last of Seven Sisters]]
|[[Eztli]], [[Carver]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|July 28, 2025
|[[Run Free Forever ]]
|[[Cesran]], [[Corey]], [[Karasu]], [[Skyler]], [[Telamon]], GM: [[Carver]]
|-
|July 29, 2025
|[[Saving the Archivist]]
|[[Eztli]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], Meet Up Runner: [[Cesran]]
|-
|}

===August===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|August 4, 2025
|[[Void by the Sea (Part 1)]]
|[[Cesran]], [[Murder]], [[Skyler]], GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|August 11, 2025
|[[Void by the Sea (Part 2)]]
|[[Cesran]], [[Dirk]], [[Murder]], [[Skyler]], GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|August 20, 2025
|[[Void by the Sea (Part 3)]]
|[[Cesran]], [[Dirk]], [[Murder]], [[Skyler]], GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|}

[[Category:Logs]]

Void by the Sea (Part 2)

2025-08-13T00:24:58Z

Skyler:

When Dirk arrives upstairs (having stayed behind to check over the first floor for any nasty surprises), this is the tableau laid out before him:

A great stone room, cylindrical, with another set of stairs leading upward (despite the house being one story from the outside). A large bay window in one of the walls, that looks out onto darkness... with an ominous-looking humanoid on the other side of the window staring in. The humanoid's face is scarred in disturbing ways, and he is clad in black, as it regards Skyler...

...who has drawn his sword, striking at the impervious window and screaming in inchoate rage, although Murder is trying to drag him back and Cesran is desperately suggesting they leave this floor.

Meanwhile, the creature in the window is actually -smiling- at Skyler's rage. The same way a gardener might appreciate a blooming flowerbed.

GAME: Cesran casts Grasping Hand. Caster Level: 20 DC: 32

GAME: Skyler rolls Strength: (15)+1: 16

<OOC> Skyler is not a stronk boi

GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+20+10+1: (19)+20+10+1: 50

GAME: Murder rolls strength: (2)+5: 7

<OOC> Murder says, "I'M HELPING"

Cesran keeps his expression neutral so that he doesn’t give anything for the kryton demagogue to work with. He takes out a soft glove from his spell component pouch and he catches a spell with it. A shimmering ephemeral large hand appears next to Skyler and the fingers close around him, “I’m sorry to do this Skyler.” He says in a very monotone voice. “I’m sure you have some fight with this being, but we should be going to the next level.”

Cesran looks towards the others, “Let’s go before this gets worse. The spell will last for about 2 minutes.” He says as he starts to head towards the stairs and he moves the hand with Skyler in it along with him.

The young man's blade, edge shimmering with holy energy, glances off the window as Skyler rages at the mirror, the telepathic link full of a soft, feminine voice whispering out of a dream-like may-have-been-should-never-be with a breathless rise and fall like a lover moaning at the edge of completion. << Suck the marrow from the bone, broken bones, so sweet the breaking, breaking bones, tearing the flesh, flesh so fine, so red with blood... >> Skyler fights against Murder's grip, barely on the edge of sanity even as flickering images tease the edge of the bond as a woman lays dead in front of him in some sick, twisted mockery of a lover laying ready. Eyes already cloudy with death turn slowly to stare straight up at the point of view...

... as Skyler breaks free of Murder's grip with madness born strength just to be jerked off his feet by mystical energies, his face screwed in a mixture of hate and fear as his pale grey-green eyes are absorbed by the sights of his mind rather than reality and tears stream down his face. "... kill you, tear your flesh from bone, flay your skin to hang your skeleton from the ceiling! I'll show you *art*! I'll paint a masterpiece of the room with your *blood* and viscera...!"

Boom boom boom BOOM BOOM! Heavy dwarven boots come flying up the stairs. In bursts Dirk, his cloak flaring dramatically behind him as he kicks open the door and leaps in, thunderbelcher up to his shoulder. "Where are they? Let me at 'em!" he growls. But... there's nothing here. Just Skyler being dangled by a magical hand. And the window... Dirk's eyes get wide as he beholds the kyton beyond the indestructible glass, before they narrow. He snaps his weapon to cover the fiend. "I don't know what yer game is, ye filthy shitbird, but you chain-devils dinnae frighten -me-!" he growls through gritted teeth. "Best you just leave off whatever it is yer doin', afore I teach -you- a few things about pain' an sufferin'!"

The Goblin squeaks at the arrival of the giant hand, letting go of Skyler's belt as the swashbuckler is restrained.

"You need to to chill...", she comments to the man as she follows in Cesran's wake. "Don't let them live rent free in your head, yeah? It's part of how you gain the upper hand against them." Murder cracks her knuckles.

"I've killed a bunch of them fiends before..." She turns to peer at Dirk.

"Yer giving the fiend what it wants... we're expected upstairs so let's get moving."

A chuckle comes from the kyton's thin mouth. "Do come back when you can. It's such a pleasure to have spirited guests..." Thankfully, his voice is drowned out by the other voice from above. "For if art is transgressive by nature, then the purest art must transgress against reality itself. Therefore art must reflect the void, but the void is formless..."

The voice trails off again as the group makes its way to the third floor -- this one a little smaller, but wrought of dull iron -- walls, floor, ceiling. A dozen empty picture frames line the walls, with another staircase leading upwards, and another bay window imbedded in the far wall. This one, thankfully, does not look out onto darkness, but instead bright sunlight pours in from what looks like a fairly bucolic landscape. A figure can be seen at the window on the other side, trying to peer in.

Cesran slowly climbs up the stairs ignoring the kyton’s goading as he focus on what the new voice talking about art being transgressive by nature. He’s never been into artwork, unless it had some historical connection. He makes it up to the next level and he puts Skyler down, << I again apologize for doing that to you Skyler, are you unharmed? >>

Cesran asks as through the mental connection. He looks around this new room and sees another figure peering into the window. << Careful there appears to be another figure in the window, who know what this one might be. >>

Cesran looks towards the others to lead the way as he is not well suited for front line comband.

Skyler reeks of sweat as he's dragged up and away, but slowly, the telepathic bond allows the others to feel the usually blithe swordsman force back the horrors dancing through his brain. Almost literally, as the memories (or dreams?) slowly get folded up like a handkerchief and tucked into an imaginary pocket that he promptly stuffs away. Not gone, of course, but definitely shoved away somewhere neat and below the surface.

<< ... I want fried chicken. >> He says plaintively, before shaking his head, and chanting several terse words in an arcane tongue as he makes a sweeping motion over himself with his free hand. His gloves shimmer, and the sweat is whisked away with some prestidigitation, replaced with the faint smell of gooseberries. "I'm fine." He says softly and pointedly audibly to cover the lie. He shoves his sword back into the scabbard across his back as he rubs his eyes with pointer finger and thumb. << Gods, I hate art. And artists. They're all so pretentious. I bet wizard artists are worse. >> Beat. << No offense, Cessie. Hi Dirk, do you have any snacks? It's crazy in here. >>

<OOC> Murder says, "K/The Planes roll to know what the figure looking in is?"
<OOC> Telamon says, "Go for it,"

GAME: Murder rolls knowledge/the planes: (14)+23: 37

GAME: Dirk rolls Knowledge/The Planes: (14)+4: 18

GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/the planes: (14)+28: 42

GAME: Skyler rolls knowledge/the planes: (4)+1: 5

<OOC> Telamon says, "Good news! It's not a planar creature! It... appears to be an elf. An ordinary elf."

There's a loud, mental sigh after Cesran speaks. <<Oh right I gotta hear people's chatter in my head... I'd almost forgotten.>> One can almost feel the disapproving, mental stare. The Goblin sighs and takes in the new room, and squints at the figure in the window. << How MUCH is the DOGGY in the WINDOW?! The ONE with the WAGGETY TAIL?!>>

She hrmmmmmms. <<That looks like a Sildanyari.>> Moving towards the window, she offers a little wave to the Sildanyari.

Dirk boggles, but only a little bit, as he falls into step alongside Cesran and the others. <<Och, I could eat,>> he thought-grumbles as he trundles up the stairs. <<Doubt there's anything worth eatin' in -this- bloody madhouse. I could -murder- a plate o' chicken wings, an' damn the mess it'd make o' me beard.>> Stepping into the gallery, the burly old dwarf slows his step. He reaches up to tip back the brim of his tricorne, peering around with a hairy eyeball. His gaze falls upon the sunny window. "What the -hell-..." he mutters aloud. He gives his beard a tug, glancing at the others. <<That's a trap, right? That feels like it should be a trap.>>

As the party gets closer to the window, the view looks quite a bit more appealing. Bright sunlight... almost too bright. The color is closer to white than yellow. And then you realize the grassy meadow is a soft, fetching teal in color, and a tree nearby has broad ruddy leaves. A strange bird perches in the tree, flexing four wings before whistling out a happy tune.

The figure is indeed sildanyari, dressed in patchwork garments -- some of elven make, some cobbled together. As Murder leans close, his eyes widen in surprise and he leans back a bit, before moving closer. "Ah... hello?" he says in tradespeak, his voice slightly tinny. "Can you understand me?"

Cesran gives a smile to Skyler, << None taken, I am not an artist and wizards can be pretty insufferable, I know that I can be sometimes. >>

Cesran ducks his head as he hears the mental sigh and can swear he can feel the mental stare from Murder. Note to self, do not include Murder in another telepathic bond, not even if she asks, it’s a trick.

Speaking of tricks Cesran nods in agreement with Dirk, << Probably a trap, or a trick of some kind, maybe these windows are all just windows into other planes. Perhaps each level is a different plane as the owner of the house was experimenting with making his house bigger on the inside. Or perhaps these are his portraits that have come to life, and we are seeing different aspects of the painter’s mind. >>

Cesran stops himself before he continues to ramble on and he moves up behind the others. He nods politely to the elf, “Hello, yes we can understand you. What is your name? Do you know where you are?”

<OOC> Murder says, "Okay, now a roll for what the heck the four winged bird is... >.>"
<OOC> Telamon says, "Know/Nature"

GAME: Murder rolls knowledge/nature: Trained Use Only: 0

GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/nature: (12)+28: 40

GAME: Dirk rolls Knowledge/Nature: (19)+22: 41

<<You know that wizards can be insufferable... yet continue to be a wizard.>>, the Goblin retorts. <<And this is definitely a trap... maybe all the objects of the paintings have escaped.. or he considers these trapped creatures to be art.>>

The mental muttering about wizards and cages is dripping with snark.

Dirk startles a little bit as the sil on the hill (you've heard of elf on the shelf, right?) starts addressing the party through the frame. He looks up at Cesran, then back out that window. He hops up on tiptoes, grunting and grumbling as he does his level best to see over that bottom edge. But he does eventually manage to stretch up tall enough to get a good look. He peers at the strange landscape, it's odd coloring, it's -striking- fauna. "That... that cannae be Ea," he mutters, tugging at his beard. "It dinnae look anything -like- our world. I've never seen a bird like that afore..."

Focused as he is on closing off his mind from the horrors and not inadvertently projecting whatever nightmares lurk in his self-conscious, Skyler isn't singing in everyone's head at least! Bonus! In fact, he's almost subdued as he hangs near the back. << We could just try asking? >> Skyler suggests almost diffidently, << If it is a trap, asking will tell him we know it and maybe throw off his plan. That or it'll trigger it, on our terms. >> He reaches up to rub his neck, near where his sword hilt lies. And, surprisingly for anyone that knows him, he doesn't take his own advice and just blurt it out.

The elf straightens up a bit, brushing a bit of dirt off a sleeve before he responds. "I am Periandr Calathra. I... well, I don't know -exactly- where I am, but I am where I'm supposed to be." His face curls into a small, wry smile. "Though my path was somewhat fraught, I'd like to think I've... matured a little."

Periandr leans a little closer to the mirror. Squinting a bit, he peers. "Wait... aren't you Archmage Cesran? I remember watching you lecture at the University years ago." He sighs. "In any case, how have you come to speak with me across this far distance?"

<OOC> Skyler says, "Does the name ping off the report?"

<OOC> Telamon says, "You may make Know/Local checks."

GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/local: (15)+28: 43

GAME: Skyler rolls knowledge/local: (4)+4: 8

GAME: Murder rolls knowledge/local: (13)+11: 24

GAME: Dirk rolls Knowledge/Local: (2)+3: 5

<OOC> Telamon says, "Sense Motive, to determine if he's tellign the truth."

GAME: Cesran rolls sense motive: (9)+5: 14

GAME: Skyler rolls sense motive: (8)+17: 25

GAME: Dirk rolls Sense Motive: (12)+4: 16

GAME: Murder rolls sense motive: (18)+4: 22

The Goblin squints at Periandr, and she huffs noisily out her nose. "Another... wizard." Her head tilts slightly. "I am sure many will be surprised to learn that you have not perished, but are simply part of a zoo exhibit, being gawked at by a mad artisan wizard. Is there anything you'd like us to say to the folks back in Alexandria?"

Cesran smiles a little bit, << I choose to be a wizard because I put a lot of hard work into learning about magic and about the world. I just want to use my magic and knowledge to help and protect others. Like trying to figure out what that bird is. >>

Cesran nods his head in agreement with Dirk, << Yes it could be something from a whole other planet. I mean it’s been theorized that life exists on the same plane as our world, but just on another planet. After all there are countless stars in the sky, each one of them could have a planet that contains life. Even intelligent life. >>

Cesran inclines his head politely, “It is nice to meet you Periandr Calathra, where are you supposed to be?” He asks curiously as he thinks back to see if the name means anything to him.

Cesran nods and gives a smile, “I am. I hope that it was a good one. Do you still have that rare tome with you? I believe you were last seen with it. It might help us figure out what is going on if you tell us what you were doing with it. I know that it can be embarrassing when your magical experiments don’t go as planned. If you share with us what you were trying to do we might be able to help you. We are inside of a house that has suddenly appeared outside of Alexandria, we are investigating it because it’s the same house that a wizard-artist was trying to make bigger on the inside and it vanished off the face of Alexandria much like you did.”

Dirk headtilts, reaching up to rub the back of his head. "Wait a tick. Ye dinnae ken where ye -are-, but ye -do- ken it's where yer meant tae be. How... how's -that- work?" He looks up and around at his comrades. <<He's bein' up front, right? I cannae tell if he's fibbin' us or not,>> he thinks at them, before he turns his attention back to Periandr, tugging at his beard. Hearing Cesran agree with his assessment--there's no way that world through the mirror could be Ea--doesn't do much to enhance the burly old ranger's calm. <<Another -planet-? I suppose it could be possible. Though if the forests are -that- color, I'd probably go mad. That color o' teal has no place on a leaf.>>

"Maybe he gets off on it?" Skyler suggests to Murder with a shrug of one shoulder, "Don't kink shame the wizard, Murder." Beat. "Unless his kink is being kink shamed?" He scratches his jaw as he considers that, before shaking his head, "I don't want to think too hard about that. Hi, Perry! Is this a trap and you're going to try and murder us? Or send something to murder us? Can you move to the side so we can see behind you?"

Mentally: << I think I understood maybe two words of that. Let's finish up and go get drunk. I need a good black out and to wake up in a temple fountain again. >>

Periandr's expression tightens, and shame washes over his features. "I don't have the tome, sorry. It was left behind when I was brought here. I... wasn't a good person, a good wizard. Too fascinated with power, too eager to grasp for it." He reaches up to rub his face. "I've been lucky. I could've died, or been claimed by a fiend. Instead I came under the tutelage of the Watcher in the Stars, and... I've been learning some lessons I needed more than anything on magic."

At Cesran's explanation, he frowns, his brow furrowing. "If someone is meddling with spatiomancy, and they don't know what they're doing, it could be opening small portals into other realms or worlds." Periandr rubs his chin. "I'm kind of a walking caution against that sort of thing. Granted, getting hit in the face with a flashpowder packet is pretty disruptive." He looks up suddenly. "Whatever it is, you probably shouldn't let it persist. The Watcher taught me about aeons, and how they exist to keep planar boundaries reasonably intact. The last thing you need is the aeons coming in and deciding everything needs to be burned down to bedrock."

<OOC> Cesran says, "Do I know what a watcher in the stars is?"

<OOC> Telamon says, "Sounds like a title, not a type of creature."

<OOC> Cesran says, "That's what the Old Ones want you to thing. ;)"

<OOC> Cesran says, "Have I heard of the title?"

<OOC> Telamon hmmms.

<OOC> Telamon says, "Roll a Knowledge/The Planes check. It will be hard."

GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/the planes: (8)+28: 36

<<Well I put a lot of effort into learning stuff too, an' I'll say there aren't any wards in existence that are there 'cause of me.>> The mental grin is full of teeth, matching the physical one. <<And what does it matter, right now, what sorta bird it is? Doesn't help us solve the problem... that being a not-fully-material house sprouting up outside of Alexandria.>>

She stares at Dirk a moment... <<There are plenty of teal plants... aren't you supposed to be respectful of all nature?>> Her eyes narrow at Skyler. <<You really need to chill... have you tried drinking?>>

Periandr has her sighing once more. "Oh gosh, a wizard too fascinated with power and doing stuff that could get them, or others, killed. Where have we heard this one before?"

Dirk's brows furrow and his beard bristles. He harrumps at Murder's though-speech. <<Aye, I know there's -some- teal plants, but a whole bloody forest of it? Och!>> How he -thinks- with a dwarvish accent is anyone's guess, but here we are. He turns his attention back to the mirror. He glances up at Cesran. "If he's in there 'cause he flubbed summat up, should we -really- be askin' him how tae fix all this bullshit?" He pauses, then looks sheepishly at the mirror. "Er. Sorry, laddie. Nae offense, aye?" He nods in agreement with Murder. "Aye, I've had about a gutful o' horrid wizards doin' horrid things. The -last- horrid wizard I had tae deal with was fond o' kytons too. Dozy bastard."

Although he doesn't say anything, verbally or telepathically, it doesn't take a mind link for it to be clear Skyler agrees with Dirk's statement on Periandr's ability to help. He's also completely lost on what everyone is saying, but cling's to Murder's comment as a lifeline in a sea of intellect despite being extremely buoyant.

Coz, y'know, his head is empty.

<< Sounds like a plan, got any alcohol? >> He snarks at the goblin.

Cesran looks to Murder, << Let’s focus on the matter at hand rather than debating the usefulness of wizards. Because it’s a bird that I’ve never seen before and that I’m totally unfamiliar with. It gives us information on what we are seeing, on what these windows are on what this house is. The more information we have the better decision we can make or the faster we can figure out what’s going on here and the faster we can get out of this house. >>

Cesran nods to Dirk, << I think he’s being up front with us, but I am not the best at judging other people’s characters or their intent. >>

Cesran nods, “Yes it's a common mistake that I think most people fall into. The Watcher in the Stars. I’ve heard of that name. What have they been teaching you?”

”Yes that’s what we are here to do is to try to figure out what’s going on before someone gets hurt. Have you seen or heard from anyone else in this house or are we the first?” Cesran asks curiously as he’s love to stay and chat with this fellow wizard and find out who the Watcher in the Stars is, but if Alexandria is in danger or EA is in danger from these Aeons, especially if they found out about the rift near Alexandria.

Cesran responds to Dirk, "He might have been in here for a while and seen what's going on. Or this Watcher in the Stars might have taught him something we don't know. It doesn't hurt to ask him. I think this Watcher in the Stars might be able to help do you have a way to get a hold of them?" Cesran directs the last question to Periandr.

Periandr shakes his head. "I've heard bits and pieces coming out of this ...opening. Mostly some of the most inane blather about art I've heard since my parents took me to a showing in Silvermoon. But a little bit about the void, which is... concerning. If this thing is connected to the void, then you -definitely- need to shut it down."

Periandr can't help but smirk a bit at Dirk's comment. "No offense taken. The adventurers who found me called me a dunce, among other things. I deserved it." Shifting his thoughts back to Cesran's question, he hrms. "The Watcher's meditating. I try not to disturb him, because it usually takes him a bit of time to get his tentacles all untangled afterward." He considers. "Hmm. This sort of thing usually requires a focus point -- a linchpin holding the whole thing together. Knock out the linchpin and it'll just collapse. And it can't be stuffed in a cupboard either -- I bet this spatial construct is -really- fragile."

"Once we destroy the linchpin, how long do we have to get out before the entire place collapses?" Skyler asks with a frown, "Do we need to tie a string around it and pull from the front door, or will we have enough time to get the hells out of here?"

The Goblin siiiiighs again internally. <<Yes, I do have some alcohol.>>, she says to Skyler.

"Sooo, you're suggesting we find the one thing that's responsible for this house appearing in Alexandria, and smash it? I mean, it's been gone for a long time and only just appeared. So something here has changed..."

Murder glances at the stairs leading upwards. "We'll try to come back here before we leave, maybe we can pass word along to family and friends of yours, yeah?"

Dirk glances up at Cesran, squinting up from behind his bushy white brows. "Well, yer the wizard. But 'Watcher in the Stars' sounds a wee bit dodgy tae me. Like one o' those horrid beasties what came from beyond all that space. The ones wi' octopus heads that eat yer brains." He wiggles his fingers in front of his face to illustrate face-tentacles. "Read all about -those- nasty bastards in a copper dreadful awhile back. I'm just sayin'." He turns his attention back to Periandr, listening intently to the (literally) otherworldly wizard's thoughts. He opens his mouth, lifting a finger, and pauses. Lowers his hand, closes his mouth. Then looks back up at Cesran. "Now I -know- I'm a dunce an' dinnae ken the first thing 'bout spatio-whosiwatsits. But... I mean... if we kick out the lynchpin an' collapse the whole thing, does that mean it's goin' tae collapse wi' -us- still inside it?"

Cesran nods politely, “Thank you for your help. I can certainly understand not wanting to be disturbed for something that we can most certainly handle. Please give my regards to the Watcher in the Stars and please let him know that if he is ever looking for a pupil, I’m always looking to learn. Do you need help getting home or are you content where you are at? I’m sure that the Watcher in the Stars can get you home any time they wish, but my offer still stands if he is busy and wouldn’t mind you leaving.”

Cesran nods, “Yes if you have anything you’d like us to pass along we’ll be happy to do so.”

”I’ve only seen the name mentioned once so I do not know a lot about them, but not all the beings that are behind Ea are unfriendly, some are kinder, it would appear that the Watcher in the Stars might be one of those beings that is kinder.” Cesran suggests, “Yes I do have a way to get us back home. While I might not have prepared the Gate spell for today, I do know it and can use it in an emergency.”

Periandr firmly shakes his head. "As much as I might want to come home... I am not ready. The Watcher has assured me that I will return home when I am ready. So, I will remain." He exhales. "You might seek out the adventurers who intercepted me, and tell them..." He pauses, then continues, "Tell them I am well, and that I'm sorry I put them to so much trouble."

Void by the Sea (Part 2)

2025-08-13T00:23:51Z

Skyler: Created page with "When Dirk arrives upstairs (having stayed behind to check over the first floor for any nasty surprises), this is the tableau laid out before him: A great stone room, cylindrical, with another set of stairs leading upward (despite the house being one story from the outside). A large bay window in one of the walls, that looks out onto darkness... with an ominous-looking humanoid on the other side of the window staring in. The humanoid's face is scarred in disturbing ways,..."

When Dirk arrives upstairs (having stayed behind to check over the first floor for any nasty surprises), this is the tableau laid out before him:

A great stone room, cylindrical, with another set of stairs leading upward (despite the house being one story from the outside). A large bay window in one of the walls, that looks out onto darkness... with an ominous-looking humanoid on the other side of the window staring in. The humanoid's face is scarred in disturbing ways, and he is clad in black, as it regards Skyler...

...who has drawn his sword, striking at the impervious window and screaming in inchoate rage, although Murder is trying to drag him back and Cesran is desperately suggesting they leave this floor.

Meanwhile, the creature in the window is actually -smiling- at Skyler's rage. The same way a gardener might appreciate a blooming flowerbed.

GAME: Cesran casts Grasping Hand. Caster Level: 20 DC: 32
GAME: Skyler rolls Strength: (15)+1: 16

<OOC> Skyler is not a stronk boi

GAME: Cesran rolls 1d20+20+10+1: (19)+20+10+1: 50
GAME: Murder rolls strength: (2)+5: 7

<OOC> Murder says, "I'M HELPING"

Cesran keeps his expression neutral so that he doesn’t give anything for the kryton demagogue to work with. He takes out a soft glove from his spell component pouch and he catches a spell with it. A shimmering ephemeral large hand appears next to Skyler and the fingers close around him, “I’m sorry to do this Skyler.” He says in a very monotone voice. “I’m sure you have some fight with this being, but we should be going to the next level.”

Cesran looks towards the others, “Let’s go before this gets worse. The spell will last for about 2 minutes.” He says as he starts to head towards the stairs and he moves the hand with Skyler in it along with him.

The young man's blade, edge shimmering with holy energy, glances off the window as Skyler rages at the mirror, the telepathic link full of a soft, feminine voice whispering out of a dream-like may-have-been-should-never-be with a breathless rise and fall like a lover moaning at the edge of completion. << Suck the marrow from the bone, broken bones, so sweet the breaking, breaking bones, tearing the flesh, flesh so fine, so red with blood... >> Skyler fights against Murder's grip, barely on the edge of sanity even as flickering images tease the edge of the bond as a woman lays dead in front of him in some sick, twisted mockery of a lover laying ready. Eyes already cloudy with death turn slowly to stare straight up at the point of view...

... as Skyler breaks free of Murder's grip with madness born strength just to be jerked off his feet by mystical energies, his face screwed in a mixture of hate and fear as his pale grey-green eyes are absorbed by the sights of his mind rather than reality and tears stream down his face. "... kill you, tear your flesh from bone, flay your skin to hang your skeleton from the ceiling! I'll show you *art*! I'll paint a masterpiece of the room with your *blood* and viscera...!"

Boom boom boom BOOM BOOM! Heavy dwarven boots come flying up the stairs. In bursts Dirk, his cloak flaring dramatically behind him as he kicks open the door and leaps in, thunderbelcher up to his shoulder. "Where are they? Let me at 'em!" he growls. But... there's nothing here. Just Skyler being dangled by a magical hand. And the window... Dirk's eyes get wide as he beholds the kyton beyond the indestructible glass, before they narrow. He snaps his weapon to cover the fiend. "I don't know what yer game is, ye filthy shitbird, but you chain-devils dinnae frighten -me-!" he growls through gritted teeth. "Best you just leave off whatever it is yer doin', afore I teach -you- a few things about pain' an sufferin'!"

The Goblin squeaks at the arrival of the giant hand, letting go of Skyler's belt as the swashbuckler is restrained.

"You need to to chill...", she comments to the man as she follows in Cesran's wake. "Don't let them live rent free in your head, yeah? It's part of how you gain the upper hand against them." Murder cracks her knuckles.

"I've killed a bunch of them fiends before..." She turns to peer at Dirk.

"Yer giving the fiend what it wants... we're expected upstairs so let's get moving."

A chuckle comes from the kyton's thin mouth. "Do come back when you can. It's such a pleasure to have spirited guests..." Thankfully, his voice is drowned out by the other voice from above. "For if art is transgressive by nature, then the purest art must transgress against reality itself. Therefore art must reflect the void, but the void is formless..."

The voice trails off again as the group makes its way to the third floor -- this one a little smaller, but wrought of dull iron -- walls, floor, ceiling. A dozen empty picture frames line the walls, with another staircase leading upwards, and another bay window imbedded in the far wall. This one, thankfully, does not look out onto darkness, but instead bright sunlight pours in from what looks like a fairly bucolic landscape. A figure can be seen at the window on the other side, trying to peer in.

Cesran slowly climbs up the stairs ignoring the kyton’s goading as he focus on what the new voice talking about art being transgressive by nature. He’s never been into artwork, unless it had some historical connection. He makes it up to the next level and he puts Skyler down, << I again apologize for doing that to you Skyler, are you unharmed? >>

Cesran asks as through the mental connection. He looks around this new room and sees another figure peering into the window. << Careful there appears to be another figure in the window, who know what this one might be. >>

Cesran looks towards the others to lead the way as he is not well suited for front line comband.

Skyler reeks of sweat as he's dragged up and away, but slowly, the telepathic bond allows the others to feel the usually blithe swordsman force back the horrors dancing through his brain. Almost literally, as the memories (or dreams?) slowly get folded up like a handkerchief and tucked into an imaginary pocket that he promptly stuffs away. Not gone, of course, but definitely shoved away somewhere neat and below the surface.

<< ... I want fried chicken. >> He says plaintively, before shaking his head, and chanting several terse words in an arcane tongue as he makes a sweeping motion over himself with his free hand. His gloves shimmer, and the sweat is whisked away with some prestidigitation, replaced with the faint smell of gooseberries. "I'm fine." He says softly and pointedly audibly to cover the lie. He shoves his sword back into the scabbard across his back as he rubs his eyes with pointer finger and thumb. << Gods, I hate art. And artists. They're all so pretentious. I bet wizard artists are worse. >> Beat. << No offense, Cessie. Hi Dirk, do you have any snacks? It's crazy in here. >>

<OOC> Murder says, "K/The Planes roll to know what the figure looking in is?"
<OOC> Telamon says, "Go for it,"

GAME: Murder rolls knowledge/the planes: (14)+23: 37
GAME: Dirk rolls Knowledge/The Planes: (14)+4: 18
GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/the planes: (14)+28: 42
GAME: Skyler rolls knowledge/the planes: (4)+1: 5

<OOC> Telamon says, "Good news! It's not a planar creature! It... appears to be an elf. An ordinary elf."

There's a loud, mental sigh after Cesran speaks. <<Oh right I gotta hear people's chatter in my head... I'd almost forgotten.>> One can almost feel the disapproving, mental stare. The Goblin sighs and takes in the new room, and squints at the figure in the window. << How MUCH is the DOGGY in the WINDOW?! The ONE with the WAGGETY TAIL?!>>

She hrmmmmmms. <<That looks like a Sildanyari.>> Moving towards the window, she offers a little wave to the Sildanyari.

Dirk boggles, but only a little bit, as he falls into step alongside Cesran and the others. <<Och, I could eat,>> he thought-grumbles as he trundles up the stairs. <<Doubt there's anything worth eatin' in -this- bloody madhouse. I could -murder- a plate o' chicken wings, an' damn the mess it'd make o' me beard.>> Stepping into the gallery, the burly old dwarf slows his step. He reaches up to tip back the brim of his tricorne, peering around with a hairy eyeball. His gaze falls upon the sunny window. "What the -hell-..." he mutters aloud. He gives his beard a tug, glancing at the others. <<That's a trap, right? That feels like it should be a trap.>>

As the party gets closer to the window, the view looks quite a bit more appealing. Bright sunlight... almost too bright. The color is closer to white than yellow. And then you realize the grassy meadow is a soft, fetching teal in color, and a tree nearby has broad ruddy leaves. A strange bird perches in the tree, flexing four wings before whistling out a happy tune.

The figure is indeed sildanyari, dressed in patchwork garments -- some of elven make, some cobbled together. As Murder leans close, his eyes widen in surprise and he leans back a bit, before moving closer. "Ah... hello?" he says in tradespeak, his voice slightly tinny. "Can you understand me?"

Cesran gives a smile to Skyler, << None taken, I am not an artist and wizards can be pretty insufferable, I know that I can be sometimes. >>

Cesran ducks his head as he hears the mental sigh and can swear he can feel the mental stare from Murder. Note to self, do not include Murder in another telepathic bond, not even if she asks, it’s a trick.

Speaking of tricks Cesran nods in agreement with Dirk, << Probably a trap, or a trick of some kind, maybe these windows are all just windows into other planes. Perhaps each level is a different plane as the owner of the house was experimenting with making his house bigger on the inside. Or perhaps these are his portraits that have come to life, and we are seeing different aspects of the painter’s mind. >>

Cesran stops himself before he continues to ramble on and he moves up behind the others. He nods politely to the elf, “Hello, yes we can understand you. What is your name? Do you know where you are?”

<OOC> Murder says, "Okay, now a roll for what the heck the four winged bird is... >.>"
<OOC> Telamon says, "Know/Nature"

GAME: Murder rolls knowledge/nature: Trained Use Only: 0
GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/nature: (12)+28: 40
GAME: Dirk rolls Knowledge/Nature: (19)+22: 41

<<You know that wizards can be insufferable... yet continue to be a wizard.>>, the Goblin retorts. <<And this is definitely a trap... maybe all the objects of the paintings have escaped.. or he considers these trapped creatures to be art.>>

The mental muttering about wizards and cages is dripping with snark.

Dirk startles a little bit as the sil on the hill (you've heard of elf on the shelf, right?) starts addressing the party through the frame. He looks up at Cesran, then back out that window. He hops up on tiptoes, grunting and grumbling as he does his level best to see over that bottom edge. But he does eventually manage to stretch up tall enough to get a good look. He peers at the strange landscape, it's odd coloring, it's -striking- fauna. "That... that cannae be Ea," he mutters, tugging at his beard. "It dinnae look anything -like- our world. I've never seen a bird like that afore..."

Focused as he is on closing off his mind from the horrors and not inadvertently projecting whatever nightmares lurk in his self-conscious, Skyler isn't singing in everyone's head at least! Bonus! In fact, he's almost subdued as he hangs near the back. << We could just try asking? >> Skyler suggests almost diffidently, << If it is a trap, asking will tell him we know it and maybe throw off his plan. That or it'll trigger it, on our terms. >> He reaches up to rub his neck, near where his sword hilt lies. And, surprisingly for anyone that knows him, he doesn't take his own advice and just blurt it out.

The elf straightens up a bit, brushing a bit of dirt off a sleeve before he responds. "I am Periandr Calathra. I... well, I don't know -exactly- where I am, but I am where I'm supposed to be." His face curls into a small, wry smile. "Though my path was somewhat fraught, I'd like to think I've... matured a little."

Periandr leans a little closer to the mirror. Squinting a bit, he peers. "Wait... aren't you Archmage Cesran? I remember watching you lecture at the University years ago." He sighs. "In any case, how have you come to speak with me across this far distance?"

<OOC> Skyler says, "Does the name ping off the report?"
<OOC> Telamon says, "You may make Know/Local checks."

GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/local: (15)+28: 43
GAME: Skyler rolls knowledge/local: (4)+4: 8
GAME: Murder rolls knowledge/local: (13)+11: 24
GAME: Dirk rolls Knowledge/Local: (2)+3: 5

<OOC> Telamon says, "Sense Motive, to determine if he's tellign the truth."

GAME: Cesran rolls sense motive: (9)+5: 14
GAME: Skyler rolls sense motive: (8)+17: 25
GAME: Dirk rolls Sense Motive: (12)+4: 16
GAME: Murder rolls sense motive: (18)+4: 22

The Goblin squints at Periandr, and she huffs noisily out her nose. "Another... wizard." Her head tilts slightly. "I am sure many will be surprised to learn that you have not perished, but are simply part of a zoo exhibit, being gawked at by a mad artisan wizard. Is there anything you'd like us to say to the folks back in Alexandria?"

Cesran smiles a little bit, << I choose to be a wizard because I put a lot of hard work into learning about magic and about the world. I just want to use my magic and knowledge to help and protect others. Like trying to figure out what that bird is. >>

Cesran nods his head in agreement with Dirk, << Yes it could be something from a whole other planet. I mean it’s been theorized that life exists on the same plane as our world, but just on another planet. After all there are countless stars in the sky, each one of them could have a planet that contains life. Even intelligent life. >>

Cesran inclines his head politely, “It is nice to meet you Periandr Calathra, where are you supposed to be?” He asks curiously as he thinks back to see if the name means anything to him.

Cesran nods and gives a smile, “I am. I hope that it was a good one. Do you still have that rare tome with you? I believe you were last seen with it. It might help us figure out what is going on if you tell us what you were doing with it. I know that it can be embarrassing when your magical experiments don’t go as planned. If you share with us what you were trying to do we might be able to help you. We are inside of a house that has suddenly appeared outside of Alexandria, we are investigating it because it’s the same house that a wizard-artist was trying to make bigger on the inside and it vanished off the face of Alexandria much like you did.”

Dirk headtilts, reaching up to rub the back of his head. "Wait a tick. Ye dinnae ken where ye -are-, but ye -do- ken it's where yer meant tae be. How... how's -that- work?" He looks up and around at his comrades. <<He's bein' up front, right? I cannae tell if he's fibbin' us or not,>> he thinks at them, before he turns his attention back to Periandr, tugging at his beard. Hearing Cesran agree with his assessment--there's no way that world through the mirror could be Ea--doesn't do much to enhance the burly old ranger's calm. <<Another -planet-? I suppose it could be possible. Though if the forests are -that- color, I'd probably go mad. That color o' teal has no place on a leaf.>>

"Maybe he gets off on it?" Skyler suggests to Murder with a shrug of one shoulder, "Don't kink shame the wizard, Murder." Beat. "Unless his kink is being kink shamed?" He scratches his jaw as he considers that, before shaking his head, "I don't want to think too hard about that. Hi, Perry! Is this a trap and you're going to try and murder us? Or send something to murder us? Can you move to the side so we can see behind you?"

Mentally: << I think I understood maybe two words of that. Let's finish up and go get drunk. I need a good black out and to wake up in a temple fountain again. >>

Periandr's expression tightens, and shame washes over his features. "I don't have the tome, sorry. It was left behind when I was brought here. I... wasn't a good person, a good wizard. Too fascinated with power, too eager to grasp for it." He reaches up to rub his face. "I've been lucky. I could've died, or been claimed by a fiend. Instead I came under the tutelage of the Watcher in the Stars, and... I've been learning some lessons I needed more than anything on magic."

At Cesran's explanation, he frowns, his brow furrowing. "If someone is meddling with spatiomancy, and they don't know what they're doing, it could be opening small portals into other realms or worlds." Periandr rubs his chin. "I'm kind of a walking caution against that sort of thing. Granted, getting hit in the face with a flashpowder packet is pretty disruptive." He looks up suddenly. "Whatever it is, you probably shouldn't let it persist. The Watcher taught me about aeons, and how they exist to keep planar boundaries reasonably intact. The last thing you need is the aeons coming in and deciding everything needs to be burned down to bedrock."

<OOC> Cesran says, "Do I know what a watcher in the stars is?"
<OOC> Telamon says, "Sounds like a title, not a type of creature."
<OOC> Cesran says, "That's what the Old Ones want you to thing. ;)"
<OOC> Cesran says, "Have I heard of the title?"
<OOC> Telamon hmmms.
<OOC> Telamon says, "Roll a Knowledge/The Planes check. It will be hard."

GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/the planes: (8)+28: 36

<<Well I put a lot of effort into learning stuff too, an' I'll say there aren't any wards in existence that are there 'cause of me.>> The mental grin is full of teeth, matching the physical one. <<And what does it matter, right now, what sorta bird it is? Doesn't help us solve the problem... that being a not-fully-material house sprouting up outside of Alexandria.>>

She stares at Dirk a moment... <<There are plenty of teal plants... aren't you supposed to be respectful of all nature?>> Her eyes narrow at Skyler. <<You really need to chill... have you tried drinking?>>

Periandr has her sighing once more. "Oh gosh, a wizard too fascinated with power and doing stuff that could get them, or others, killed. Where have we heard this one before?"

Dirk's brows furrow and his beard bristles. He harrumps at Murder's though-speech. <<Aye, I know there's -some- teal plants, but a whole bloody forest of it? Och!>> How he -thinks- with a dwarvish accent is anyone's guess, but here we are. He turns his attention back to the mirror. He glances up at Cesran. "If he's in there 'cause he flubbed summat up, should we -really- be askin' him how tae fix all this bullshit?" He pauses, then looks sheepishly at the mirror. "Er. Sorry, laddie. Nae offense, aye?" He nods in agreement with Murder. "Aye, I've had about a gutful o' horrid wizards doin' horrid things. The -last- horrid wizard I had tae deal with was fond o' kytons too. Dozy bastard."

Although he doesn't say anything, verbally or telepathically, it doesn't take a mind link for it to be clear Skyler agrees with Dirk's statement on Periandr's ability to help. He's also completely lost on what everyone is saying, but cling's to Murder's comment as a lifeline in a sea of intellect despite being extremely buoyant.

Coz, y'know, his head is empty.

<< Sounds like a plan, got any alcohol? >> He snarks at the goblin.

Cesran looks to Murder, << Let’s focus on the matter at hand rather than debating the usefulness of wizards. Because it’s a bird that I’ve never seen before and that I’m totally unfamiliar with. It gives us information on what we are seeing, on what these windows are on what this house is. The more information we have the better decision we can make or the faster we can figure out what’s going on here and the faster we can get out of this house. >>

Cesran nods to Dirk, << I think he’s being up front with us, but I am not the best at judging other people’s characters or their intent. >>

Cesran nods, “Yes it's a common mistake that I think most people fall into. The Watcher in the Stars. I’ve heard of that name. What have they been teaching you?”

”Yes that’s what we are here to do is to try to figure out what’s going on before someone gets hurt. Have you seen or heard from anyone else in this house or are we the first?” Cesran asks curiously as he’s love to stay and chat with this fellow wizard and find out who the Watcher in the Stars is, but if Alexandria is in danger or EA is in danger from these Aeons, especially if they found out about the rift near Alexandria.

Cesran responds to Dirk, "He might have been in here for a while and seen what's going on. Or this Watcher in the Stars might have taught him something we don't know. It doesn't hurt to ask him. I think this Watcher in the Stars might be able to help do you have a way to get a hold of them?" Cesran directs the last question to Periandr.

Periandr shakes his head. "I've heard bits and pieces coming out of this ...opening. Mostly some of the most inane blather about art I've heard since my parents took me to a showing in Silvermoon. But a little bit about the void, which is... concerning. If this thing is connected to the void, then you -definitely- need to shut it down."

Periandr can't help but smirk a bit at Dirk's comment. "No offense taken. The adventurers who found me called me a dunce, among other things. I deserved it." Shifting his thoughts back to Cesran's question, he hrms. "The Watcher's meditating. I try not to disturb him, because it usually takes him a bit of time to get his tentacles all untangled afterward." He considers. "Hmm. This sort of thing usually requires a focus point -- a linchpin holding the whole thing together. Knock out the linchpin and it'll just collapse. And it can't be stuffed in a cupboard either -- I bet this spatial construct is -really- fragile."

"Once we destroy the linchpin, how long do we have to get out before the entire place collapses?" Skyler asks with a frown, "Do we need to tie a string around it and pull from the front door, or will we have enough time to get the hells out of here?"

The Goblin siiiiighs again internally. <<Yes, I do have some alcohol.>>, she says to Skyler.

"Sooo, you're suggesting we find the one thing that's responsible for this house appearing in Alexandria, and smash it? I mean, it's been gone for a long time and only just appeared. So something here has changed..."

Murder glances at the stairs leading upwards. "We'll try to come back here before we leave, maybe we can pass word along to family and friends of yours, yeah?"

Dirk glances up at Cesran, squinting up from behind his bushy white brows. "Well, yer the wizard. But 'Watcher in the Stars' sounds a wee bit dodgy tae me. Like one o' those horrid beasties what came from beyond all that space. The ones wi' octopus heads that eat yer brains." He wiggles his fingers in front of his face to illustrate face-tentacles. "Read all about -those- nasty bastards in a copper dreadful awhile back. I'm just sayin'." He turns his attention back to Periandr, listening intently to the (literally) otherworldly wizard's thoughts. He opens his mouth, lifting a finger, and pauses. Lowers his hand, closes his mouth. Then looks back up at Cesran. "Now I -know- I'm a dunce an' dinnae ken the first thing 'bout spatio-whosiwatsits. But... I mean... if we kick out the lynchpin an' collapse the whole thing, does that mean it's goin' tae collapse wi' -us- still inside it?"

Cesran nods politely, “Thank you for your help. I can certainly understand not wanting to be disturbed for something that we can most certainly handle. Please give my regards to the Watcher in the Stars and please let him know that if he is ever looking for a pupil, I’m always looking to learn. Do you need help getting home or are you content where you are at? I’m sure that the Watcher in the Stars can get you home any time they wish, but my offer still stands if he is busy and wouldn’t mind you leaving.”

Cesran nods, “Yes if you have anything you’d like us to pass along we’ll be happy to do so.”

”I’ve only seen the name mentioned once so I do not know a lot about them, but not all the beings that are behind Ea are unfriendly, some are kinder, it would appear that the Watcher in the Stars might be one of those beings that is kinder.” Cesran suggests, “Yes I do have a way to get us back home. While I might not have prepared the Gate spell for today, I do know it and can use it in an emergency.”

Periandr firmly shakes his head. "As much as I might want to come home... I am not ready. The Watcher has assured me that I will return home when I am ready. So, I will remain." He exhales. "You might seek out the adventurers who intercepted me, and tell them..." He pauses, then continues, "Tell them I am well, and that I'm sorry I put them to so much trouble."

Void by the Sea (Part 1)

2025-08-13T00:23:05Z

Skyler:

Outskirts of Alexandria, midday

The perpetual menace of the void hangs over the world like a sword, but fortunately the adventuring community has been up to the challenge of disposing of any void-spawned menaces. The unpleasant return of more than a few villains has been disturbing, but so far, manageable.

Which is why -this- return is so... peculiar. It's a house. One story, looks like something from the University District to be honest. There's something vaguely... off about it, though. Like it's not all there. There's a sense of foreboding about it -- if this is a void-spawned villain from the past, it's definitely a weird one. Occasionally it seems to shudder, as if settling on its foundations... despite the fact it was never built on any. The guards keeping a perimeter are distinctly uneasy, and it's only the iron discipline of their sergeants and officers keeping them focused on the task.

Still, it hasn't stopped onlookers or non-adventurers. The most visible being a trio of men in gray tunics and trousers, who have set up a tripod with a telescope as well as some kind of arcane theodolite. One is taking notes while the other two inspect their instruments.

<OOC> Murder says, "May Murder make an appropriate roll to determine what this house might be?"
<OOC> Skyler is gunna do a perception check on it. "Can I sense motive on the house too? >.>"
<OOC> Telamon says, "So: You can roll Perception, Knowledge/Local, and/or Knowledge/Arcana."

GAME: Murder rolls knowledge/local: (6)+11: 17
GAME: Murder rolls knowledge/arcana: (3)+18: 21
GAME: Murder rolls perception: (12)+27: 39
GAME: Cesran rolls perception: (3)+25: 28
GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/local: (1)+28: 29 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/arcana: (4)+38: 42
GAME: Skyler rolls knowledge/local+5: (17)+4+5: 26
GAME: Skyler rolls knowledge/arcana: (17)+1: 18
GAME: Skyler rolls perception: (20)+17: 37

The Goblin runs down the street, having watched the ... house? ... burp out of the void above. She squints at the building, noting the odd shiver. Her nose wrinkles as she approaches the guards.

"I'm calling it now. It's a big mimic. A void mimic of gigantic proportions.", she comments idly to Alexandria's finest.

Grinning toothily, she wanders over to the ... surveyors? Scientists? Wizards? It's probably wizards. She sticks her face right at the other end of the 'telescope' and clears her throat. "Is this thing on? Check one two three."

Murder's nose twitches, and she turns before they can answer, moving slowly towards the house, snifing louder and louder. "Hmm, something not quite right here." A hand goes up as if to touch it, but she reconsiders. "It's ... not quite in sync with us. It is definitely ... hmmm. Wish Magpie were here, she'd be all over this like a Gobbo on hot sauce." She rubs at her chin.

"Is.. this the house that vanished a few years back? Guy... a wizard, of course!..." She spares a glance at the people who appear to be studying the house. "Tried to expand his house using magical means, and the Guild had to send in a rescue party. If I recall... the house went POP shortly after everyone got out... never to be seen again... til now."

For once, Skyler Skywalker, former Pirate of the Skies and current Gentleman Adventurer of the Society, is not here out of the kindness of his heart or idle curiosity. In point of fact, he's here at the behest of the Society Council, meaning he is on his best behavior.

And more importantly, has access to resources! Such as the Society's informants and civilian contacts. It also means he doesn't have to bother with a disguise or attempt to avoid any random street urchins that might be spying on him on the behest of a certain Captain Nut Allergy. The result is him standing in his usual adventuring gear. He purses his lips as he stares at the house. "Gods, I hate dimensional wibbly wobbly shit." He mutters, rubbing the back of his neck, "We could always just burn it down. I bet there's a butler in there, and fuck those guys." His lips thin, and he gives Murder a grimace, "Any reason we shouldn't just soak it in oil and throw some fireballs at it?"
Cesran heard about a house suddenly appearing outside of Alexandria and he came over to look at it. He flies in slowly, carefully, taking in the scene before him on his carpet of flying before he lands near the three men in grey tunics and trousers. He inclines his head to them in greets, “Greetings. Word has gotten out about this strange house that has appeared. Might I ask what you have learned so far?”

Cesran turns to look at the house and he tilts his head just a little bit and rubs his scarred chin for a moment, “Ah yes that makes sense now. I had heard that a wizard was trying to expand his house with some sort of relative dimension in space artifact. Probably missing one very key component. No wonder it is just a touch out of sync with the rest of reality.”

Cersan smiles and nods politely to Murder, “Good day Lady Murder, it nice to see you again. Yes you are right I remember a report by Telamon about this house. It did not react well with the Alexandrian wards, perhaps that’s why it’s here now with the spell cannon being fired and the rift in the sky, perhaps it is now like a soap bubble on the edge of Alexandria’s wards.”

Cesran nods politely to Skyler, “Good day to you as well Master Skyler, I would agree with you, but this might pose a danger if we are to just pop it. It could be like a soap bubble gliding on top of Alexandria’s wards. It might pop harmlessly or take the bigger bubble with it. It might also offer some sort of backdoor past the wards which would be problematic.”

Murder grins toothily at Skyler, "I am way ahead of you, I am merely pondering which of the many means of fire I have, to use. But uh..." She strikes a pose that would make a teenage girl jealous, crossing her arms. "Given that it's just fallen out of the sky from a void torn in the sky, and the fact that it is indeed a wizard's house and we have no idea of what's inside... I'd give the chances of a catastrophic explosion and fire at..."

Her expression grows thoughtful as she does the mental gymnastics of mathematics. "About 1. It will happen."

She looks to Cesran then, and shrugs, "No need to call me a lady. Maybe when I become queen of my tribe I would accept that accolade, but Murder is perfectly fine for now."

She nods in agreement. "We should probably investigate. But first... let me see if I can't throw it back into the void."

The man at the telescope yelps at Murder. "Hey, hey, careful! These are expensive, you know." Round faced and cheerful, he runs a hand through his brown hair. "Sven, Vank, you got anything?" Vank -- dark haired with a widow's peak -- looks up from his notes and shakes his head, while Sven -- blond haired with spectacles -- glances up from the theodolite. "It's real, Stanislau. At least, it seems to be. Not a spirit or an emanation of some kind." Sven straights up, taking out a cloth to clean his glasses before replacing them. "Definitely doesn't fit the pattern though of void-villains."

He looks somewhat sympathetically at the adventurers. "Which means you may have to go in there."
"Hey, Cessie!" Skyler greets the archmage cheerfully, giving him a perky grin and a salute at the corner of his hat before he turns back to Murder, "I don't recall reading anything about anyone left in the house. Any reason we can't just blow it up, if it's real?" That last is directed at the three people in grey, "I mean, if it's real, it can burn, and I don't know about these two, but I have bad experiences with houses."

He scratches his jaw consideringly, "What do you say, Murder? Want to try and destroy it before we go in? Cessie, what about shrinking it to save on fuel costs?" He asks the archmage, as he ducks down and picks up a rock to try and throw at one of the windows.

Cesran nods, “As you wish Murder, I am not to overly fond of titles myself, at least not anymore. Please go ahead and try, but do be careful, touching it might have unintended consequences.”

The wizard listens to the three grey men talk about their conclusions, “Yes I think they we will probably have to do that.” He does offer his hand to all three, “I’m Cesran, it’s nice to meet you all.”

Cesran turns as he hears his new nickname from Skyler and that sends Ral-sara, his staff into a laughing fit. He clears his throat, “Ah yes, well I’m not sure that we could burn it does as it’s not fully in sync with this plane of reality, it looks like as if it’s caught in between or in two places at the same time. We can try to throw fire and spells at it from the outside, but it might do nothing or it might destabilize it so that it’s a bigger problem. If Murder can’t throw it back into the rift, I would suggest that we head inside, perhaps we can fight the solution inside. I don’t recall if the artifact that the wizard was using was recovered or not, that could be the source of this disruption.”

The Goblin frowns. "Are you serious? I just said the chances of a catastrophic explosion and fire is 1. That means it will happen! It's in the middle of the city. There's all kinds of wonky stuff going on as it is, I am quite certain no one in the city wants a big assed explosion and fire in the middle of the city!"

She sighs.

"Even if that's the most expedient and efficient way to remove it." A bit of wistfulness is present in her tone.

"But no, that's not a viable option right now." She makes a few attempts at lifting the house to vo avail. "I can't get a grip on this thing... It feels solid but not... quite. Kinda like tryin' t'catch an oil-covered hog."

A beat, before she glances at Skyler. "I'm certain you know what that's like." Snorting, she looks to the 'scientists'. "And why, exactly, do we need to go inside? I mean, it's obviously not a spirit... something of that nature and size would have the temples here with a veritable army of young priests and old priests, and inquisitors and paladins, all trying to expunge the stain from Alexandria. At least, that's what better happen if a spirit house drops into the city."

"And I thought you were fun. It's Alexandria, I doubt anyone would blink considering the bizarre shit that happens." Skyler's rock bounces off, and he frowns at it. "Are we sure we want to go into something that rocks bounce off of and you can't lift?" Skyler asks Murder, tilting his head to the side, "Granted, leverage is kinda hard at your size, but you do kill demons."

Anyone else, that'd be fightin' words, but Skyler says it without an ounce of sarcasm or a mocking lilt. The player, though...

He adds, "I mean, usually when I catch the grease up hog, I buy him dinner first. But the house doesn't look hungry. Is it safe to go into? I don't exactly relish the idea of getting popped into some other dimension."

He glances towards Cesran, "I don't recall reading anything about that in the briefing I got. But there were a lot of big words and I got bored watching a caterpiller chase a butterfly from the window."

GAME: Murder casts Enlarge Person. Caster Level: 18 DC: 17

Cesran watches with some disappointment as Murder’s direct method to solving the problem doesn’t work, nor does Skyler’s rock throwing solution. “Well it seems that we can’t interact with on the outside, perhaps we can continue our investigation on the inside. If you would like I can cast a spell on us that will allow us to remain in telepathic communication with each other, incase we get separated.”

Cesran looks towards the three men that are examining the house from the outside. “I can loop one of you in as well so that we can see if we can communicate with the outside while we are inside. Perhaps working together, we might solve what is going on here.”

Cesran looks to Skyler, “The alternative is that I get to do research with these three while you and Murder just hang out. I doubt either of you would want to spend your time doing that. Besides, it might be only here for a limited time, so it might behoof us to get in, find out what we can, and either fix the issue or get out and get everyone away from here.”

"I do have about a decade of experience burning things here in Alexandria. I know full well how they will react. You're speaking to the only person, that I am aware of, who not only asked permission to set a part of the city on fire, the sewers, I got it." The comment about leverage being hard at her size has her making several precise gestures, and uttering something in the squeaky language that is Goblin-talk. At the utterance of the last syllable, she quickly grows in size, until she's over seven feet tall, and in the hundreds of pounds. "I am not merely a demon slayer, I do also command some ability in magic. Leverage is not and never has been an issue, it is merely finding a long enough lever and place to put it."

She snorts heavily out her nose, and looks to Cesran. "Tell me you have some capability to deal with dimensional travel. I hope it won't be necessary but... but uh, sure, if you want to do some eyeballing of the building and..." Murder sighs at length. "Great, you want to yell inside my head... is it necessary?"

"No offense!" Skyler holds up his hands in their white leather gloves soothingly to Murder, even as he squints at the house, "I'm sure you could break me over your knee without breaking a sweat!" He tells the gobbo, before noddin at her comment. "An exit might be nice." He says, when she mentions dimensional travel.

When Cesran brings up telepathic linking, he blinks, and warns, "Um. If you do, I apologize in advance. Last time someone did that, they said they had a headache for a weak. Apparently I sing off key telepathically." Well, that's ominous.

Almost as ominous as when he suddenly grins. "You know what? Life's a sprint to the end, not a marathon. Let's go!" And he abruptly darts for the door, prepared to shoulder-check it to burst his way in.

Cesran nods, “Yes I know the Gate spell although I did not prepare it today, I can use my staff to cast it if we need it. I also have prepared other spells incase of emergencies. I can get us out of there if we get in, hopefully. If the inside of the house is covered in an area of anti-magic we might be in trouble.”

Cesran hmms, “It’s not, I just thought should we be separated from each other or we need to talk in front of someone that it would be better than trying to awkwardly whisper to each other. I will try my best not to yell.” He says as he takes out the egg shell of a duck and that of a chicken before he crushes them in his hand and casts the spell. He gets it off just in time as Skyler sprints towards the doorway and he starts after him, “Looks like we are going in.” He calls out to Murder.

With preparations complete, the trio enters the strange house, the door swinging open easily. As the three of them cross the threshold, the telepathic link to Sven becomes... not broken, but oddly distant. Suggesting that yes, this house is not entirely 'in synch' with reality.

Inside, it seems to look like a fairly normal, if slightly dull home. The air inside is chilly though, with a faint tang of metal. Threadbare rugs cover the wooden floors, and a flight of stairs lead upward. The windows seem oddly blurry, as if coated in frost.

GAME: Cesran rolls wisdom: (5)+5: 10
GAME: Murder rolls wisdom: (5)+4: 9
<OOC> Murder says, "I would like to reroll, since we do not yet know the result."
GAME: Murder rolls wisdom: (8)+4: 12
GAME: Skyler rolls wisdom: (13)+2: 15

"Phew.", Murder says as they step inside, her nose wrinkling, "This place smells awful." She squints, looking out one of the windows, then taking in the stairs.

"Stairs going up... in a one story house. I have a bad feeling about this. What is with you wizards and having to magically fuck around with everything. Can't you be happy with how things are naturally?" She rubs at her face.

<OOC> Telamon says, "Everyone make a Wisdom check."

GAME: Cesran rolls wisdom: (5)+5: 10
GAME: Murder rolls wisdom: (8)+4: 12
GAME: Skyler rolls wisdom: (13)+2: 15

<OOC> Telamon says, "Anyways. You all realize this house from the outside only has a single floor. It doesn't have a second story. But for some reason there are stairs. Also, if you peer through the windows, -none- of the views match what you should see outside."
<OOC> Telamon says, "Continue :)"
<OOC> Cesran says, "Are the views in each window different or the same?"
<OOC> Murder says, "My guess is, different. The owner of the house was messing with extradimension stuff, think making rooms of the house into different pocket dimensions or on different planes of existence."
<OOC> Telamon says, "Different."

"Phew.", Murder says as they step inside, her nose wrinkling, "This place smells awful." She squints, looking out one of the windows, then taking in the stairs.

"Stairs going up... in a one story house. I have a bad feeling about this. What is with you wizards and having to magically fuck around with everything. Can't you be happy with how things are naturally?" She rubs at her face.

<OOC> Cesran says, "Any other exits or is this an open floor plan?"
<OOC> Telamon says, "More or less open floor plan."

As the telepathic bond settles, there's a humming noise that invades the linked minds. Is it a side effect of the sorcery that's causing the house to appear out of nowhere?

Dum dum DUUUUM dum dum dum dUm!

An off tune whistle is added to the humming, and it becomes clear what's happening. Skyler's brain has a constant singing to it, off key and off tune. He turns to Murder, and shrugs. "I think most wizards were bullied as kids, so they're compensating." He says mentally, "Oh shit. Can everyone here this? Or just Murder? Oh no! I apologize in advance, coz this is gunna get awkward and shit and I can't help it but did you see that one wizard pick his nose and wipe it on his fri..." And then the mental babble is broken off, and Skyler closes his eyes, a bead of sweat on his temple. The humming continues though. He doesn't have *that* much self control. "Sorry. Do we want to focus on floor by floor together? Or split up and rely on the telepathic bond?"

Cesran tests the link with Sven and in his head he reaches out, including everyone on the conversation, “Sven we have made it inside, everything looks like a normal house the most part. We’ll continue on and let you know what we find.” He hmms, “I’m getting some weird feedback when I try to talk to Sven. Besides Skyler’s voice.”

Cesran starts to look around and he relates to Sven on the outside about the windows that seem to have a different landscape as well as what appears to be a second story to the house. He shrugs, “I can’t attest to this wizard’s motivations, but most of the time it’s just to see if they can. I’ve tried to outgrow that particular motivation.”

Cesran continues to look around carefully, “I would like for us to stay together if possible. If we need to make a quick escape it will be easier with everyone close to me. So shall we continue to explore this first level or head upstairs to the floor that shouldn’t be there.”

From the aforementioned second floor, a voice can be heard, calmly speaking as though in a lecture hall.

"The nature of art is to question, to challenge. To transgress, one might say. The greater the art, the greater the transgression, the riposte against conventional thinking. One simply cannot create true art without stepping on a few toes."

GAME: Murder rolls stealth: (12)+8: 20

The Goblin stares daggers at Skyler as he starts humming and then whistling. She rolls her eyes and gives her head a shake. <<Yes a telapathic bond is shared by everyone who is bonded by the spell. So stray surface thoughts will also get messaged to everyone, so focus on the task at hand.>> Her tone is clear.

Her ears perk up slightly. <<You guys hear that? Sounds like a lecture... or a manifesto. Is it possibly the wizard in question? Trapped here and gone mad? Let's make as little noise as possible...">> She begins treading a bit more slowly, and she carefully puts her foot down on the first stair, at the point where the stair meets the wall.

GAME: Cesran rolls stealth: (1)+25: 26 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Skyler rolls stealth: (13)+5: 18

<< Oh god even worse than a crazy wizard: a frustrated artist. >> Skyler's brain practically sings with horror at the idea, interrupting the song he's humming quietly in his head like the background music in a tavern.

Briefly, at least.

It starts back up as he reaches up to grab his sword hilt to prevent it from rattling as he tippy toes after Murder, << Do we engage with him? I mean, subjectively speaking, his art lacks any appreciation for balance and, like, sucks. But he might get mad if I tell him that. >>

Cesran hears the voice coming from upstairs and he switches over to telepathy as well, << Agreed let’s keep our thoughts in line and use this for communication purposes only. >> He nods his head, << I did, it could be both or a rant or the ravings of a madman. Agreed, I’ll follow your lead. >>

Cesran starts to go carefully as he can up the stairs, but his long robes drag along the steps and kick up dust as he moves. He feels the twitching of his nose and he tries to ignore it. He wrinkles his nose, and he tries to as quietly as he can rub his nose, but that only makes it worse. He finally must bury his face in his robed elbow as he tries to muzzle the sneeze the best he can. Cesran freezes and looks around to see if he just gave them away or if the ranting will continue, << Sorry. >> A very contrite message passes through the bond.

The stairs up to the second floor don't creak. They feel kind of... strange in fact. Halfway up they transition from wood to stone, as the group ascends to the shouldn't-be-there second story.

This floor is round, walls, ceiling, and floor all made of fitted stone. Looks like the floor in a wizard's tower. A large window dominates the west wall, but it doesn't look out onto the Alexandria outskirts. It's just... dark. But not empty.

A humanoid figure, clad in black, stands there outside at the window, staring in with a cool, almost blank expression. At the arrival of the heroes, though, his head turns minutely, and something vaguely approaching interest makes its way onto his face.

The Goblin turns to stare at Cesran, an open-mouth frown forming on her face. << I could have just brought my one-man band outfit, yanno, if you wanted to announce our presence. >> she thinks, mostly at Cesran. Once at the top of the stairs, she looks around, and then locks eyes with the figure //outside// the window.

<<Uh oh, tall, dark and ugly looking our way...>>

<< Why do they always wear black? >> Skyler mentally sighs, even as his brain (somehow) continues to provide a constant soundtrack to the situation. << Just for once, can the mysterious wizard wear mauve? Or chartreuse. A lovely chartreuse would look good against the stone! >>

He doesn't criticize Cesran for his loudness; but he does give the wizard a sympathetic wince and a shake of his head, before adding, << I think stealth is out of the picture. Let's just brute force this. >>

"HI! So your little cottage is kinda creepy, man." He says brightly, stepping out and offering a friendly little wave, "So are you okay, or are you some sort of void-sent abomination we need to kill? Between Corpse Eater and that Kol freak, I'm ready to meet a friendly void-sent abomination." Beat. "Also, if this is your art, it's kind of derivative of other people's work. Have you considered getting into embroidery?"

Cesran sees the transition from wood to stone steps, and he privately wonders if they are going to another plane of existence, perhaps a pocket dimension like a magnificent mansion. He has seen this type of decor before in other wizards’ towers. He grimaces at Murder’s thoughts and he too spots the wizard gaze on them, << Well let’s introduce ourselves then, perhaps we can talk to him and find out some information. Or I will and try to distract him. >>

Cesran straightens up to his full height and steps out into the room, “Greetings. I am Archmage Cesran from the city of Alexandria. Your home appeared just outside of the city. Are you in need of any assistance? I’m aware of the tragic accident that happened in this house. Perhaps we could find a way to anchor this house back to reality and allow you to depart from it.” He winces a bit as Skyler starts to talk about the man’s art, but he continues to watch the other wizard’s expression.

<OOC> Telamon says, "If you have Knowledge/The Planes, roll it :)"

GAME: Skyler rolls Knowledge/the planes: (18)+1: 19
GAME: Murder rolls knowledge/the planes: (15)+23: 38
GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/The planes: (2)+28: 30

As the group approaches, details become clear -- although they aren't good ones. The humanoid standing 'outside' is bald, his pale face and head lined with disturbing symmetrical scarring, suggestive of jagged edges or a stylized skull superimposed over his patrician features. His eyes are completely black orbs, flanking a narrow nose. The robes he wears are black, and an array of adamantine-tipped tools hang from his belt.

This is no void-spawned creature. This is a kyton. And when it is addressed, it nods its head, before looking at Skyler with a knowing gaze before its voice, low and rumbling, sounds in their heads.

<< This place is not my doing, for it stinks of the -nothing- that I abhor. Know this, mortals, I am Zenofon, and it is my wish that you purge the void. >> The kyton raises one long fingered hand, tipped with black, razor-sharp nails. << The void would consume all, leave nothing behind. Without flesh, how may I perfect my works? >>

The moment the cloak is thrown off, Skyler's brain goes silent...

And then the horrors start. Memories of a woman scarred and pierced, flesh wet with blood that gleams in a pale, grey-green light. Eyes staring at Skyler, pupils dilated with pleasure. Her hands are wrapped in ropey lengths of guts as she laughs, "I can feel your love. This is but a taste, a taste of the joys you could experience!"

The laughter is interrupted with a wet gurgle as Skyler's blade slices trachea and artery, before continuing wetly.

Skyler then leaps into action, sword tearing out of the baldric across his back as he lashes at the creature with a snarl. And in his mind, the Kyton woman's voice, singing a sweet little song: << Flesh so fine, so fine to tear, to gnash the skin; skin to strip, to plait, so nice to plait the strips, so nice, so red the drops that fall; blood so red, so red, so sweet; sweet screams, pretty screams, singing screams, scream your song, sing your screams.. >> The swashbuckler's pale grey-green eyes are black as his pupils are blown out with terror and something nastier, something not entirely sane...

GAME: Murder rolls strength: (12)+5: 17

Murder's gasp is audible in the shared connection of telepathy, and she sighs, reaching up to slowly pull her blade from its place on her back. The weapon immediately begins to glow a pale blue. <<And people thought /I/ had issues.>>

The Goblin steps to Skyler, and reaches up for his belt, tugging on it as hard as she can. "Hold on a second while we get crazy pants sorted here, fiend...", she voices out loud.

Cesran’s eyes go wide as he see the figure before them. He instantly knows what he sees and thankfully until now has only read about them. The name of Zenofon sends a chill down his spine as that is the name of one of the kyton demagogues, a being of such vast power and cruelty that even archdevils are wary of them. He has no wish to insult such a being. He tries to reach Skyler telepathically as Murder goes to restrain him physically, << Skyler if you fight this being you will die or worse and we need you to be with us. They are not the cause of this house, if they were we’d already be dead. We need to move on, please. >>

Cesran waits to see if his words do anything to bring Skyler back into focus as he readies a spell to try to restrain the swashbuckler. He does eye the spiral staircase that goes up, << Murder if you get a hold of him try to bring him towards the stairs, I think we’ll have to climb. >>

Recent Logs

2025-08-13T00:17:00Z

Skyler: /* August */

Void by the Sea (Part 1)

2025-08-05T03:08:52Z

Skyler:

<OOC> Telamon says, "Everyone make a Wisdom check."

GAME: Cesran rolls wisdom: (5)+5: 10
GAME: Murder rolls wisdom: (8)+4: 12
GAME: Skyler rolls wisdom: (13)+2: 15

<OOC> Telamon says, "Anyways. You all realize this house from the outside only has a single floor. It doesn't have a second story. But for some reason there are stairs. Also, if you peer through the windows, -none- of the views match what you should see outside."

<OOC> Telamon says, "Continue :)"
<OOC> Cesran says, "Are the views in each window different or the same?"
<OOC> Murder says, "My guess is, different. The owner of the house was messing with extradimension stuff, think making rooms of the house into different pocket dimensions or on different planes of existence."
<OOC> Telamon says, "Different."

"Phew.", Murder says as they step inside, her nose wrinkling, "This place smells awful." She squints, looking out one of the windows, then taking in the stairs.

"Stairs going up... in a one story house. I have a bad feeling about this. What is with you wizards and having to magically fuck around with everything. Can't you be happy with how things are naturally?" She rubs at her face.

<OOC> Cesran says, "Any other exits or is this an open floor plan?"
<OOC> Telamon says, "More or less open floor plan."

As the telepathic bond settles, there's a humming noise that invades the linked minds. Is it a side effect of the sorcery that's causing the house to appear out of nowhere?

Dum dum DUUUUM dum dum dum dUm!

An off tune whistle is added to the humming, and it becomes clear what's happening. Skyler's brain has a constant singing to it, off key and off tune. He turns to Murder, and shrugs. "I think most wizards were bullied as kids, so they're compensating." He says mentally, "Oh shit. Can everyone here this? Or just Murder? Oh no! I apologize in advance, coz this is gunna get awkward and shit and I can't help it but did you see that one wizard pick his nose and wipe it on his fri..." And then the mental babble is broken off, and Skyler closes his eyes, a bead of sweat on his temple. The humming continues though. He doesn't have *that* much self control. "Sorry. Do we want to focus on floor by floor together? Or split up and rely on the telepathic bond?"

Cesran tests the link with Sven and in his head he reaches out, including everyone on the conversation, “Sven we have made it inside, everything looks like a normal house the most part. We’ll continue on and let you know what we find.” He hmms, “I’m getting some weird feedback when I try to talk to Sven. Besides Skyler’s voice.”

Cesran starts to look around and he relates to Sven on the outside about the windows that seem to have a different landscape as well as what appears to be a second story to the house. He shrugs, “I can’t attest to this wizard’s motivations, but most of the time it’s just to see if they can. I’ve tried to outgrow that particular motivation.”

Cesran continues to look around carefully, “I would like for us to stay together if possible. If we need to make a quick escape it will be easier with everyone close to me. So shall we continue to explore this first level or head upstairs to the floor that shouldn’t be there.”

From the aforementioned second floor, a voice can be heard, calmly speaking as though in a lecture hall.

"The nature of art is to question, to challenge. To transgress, one might say. The greater the art, the greater the transgression, the riposte against conventional thinking. One simply cannot create true art without stepping on a few toes."

GAME: Murder rolls stealth: (12)+8: 20

The Goblin stares daggers at Skyler as he starts humming and then whistling. She rolls her eyes and gives her head a shake. <<Yes a telapathic bond is shared by everyone who is bonded by the spell. So stray surface thoughts will also get messaged to everyone, so focus on the task at hand.>> Her tone is clear.

Her ears perk up slightly. <<You guys hear that? Sounds like a lecture... or a manifesto. Is it possibly the wizard in question? Trapped here and gone mad? Let's make as little noise as possible...">> She begins treading a bit more slowly, and she carefully puts her foot down on the first stair, at the point where the stair meets the wall.

GAME: Cesran rolls stealth: (1)+25: 26 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Skyler rolls stealth: (13)+5: 18

<< Oh god even worse than a crazy wizard: a frustrated artist. >> Skyler's brain practically sings with horror at the idea, interrupting the song he's humming quietly in his head like the background music in a tavern.

Briefly, at least.

It starts back up as he reaches up to grab his sword hilt to prevent it from rattling as he tippy toes after Murder, << Do we engage with him? I mean, subjectively speaking, his art lacks any appreciation for balance and, like, sucks. But he might get mad if I tell him that. >>

Cesran hears the voice coming from upstairs and he switches over to telepathy as well, << Agreed let’s keep our thoughts in line and use this for communication purposes only. >> He nods his head, << I did, it could be both or a rant or the ravings of a madman. Agreed, I’ll follow your lead. >>

Cesran starts to go carefully as he can up the stairs, but his long robes drag along the steps and kick up dust as he moves. He feels the twitching of his nose and he tries to ignore it. He wrinkles his nose, and he tries to as quietly as he can rub his nose, but that only makes it worse. He finally must bury his face in his robed elbow as he tries to muzzle the sneeze the best he can. Cesran freezes and looks around to see if he just gave them away or if the ranting will continue, << Sorry. >> A very contrite message passes through the bond.

The stairs up to the second floor don't creak. They feel kind of... strange in fact. Halfway up they transition from wood to stone, as the group ascends to the shouldn't-be-there second story.

This floor is round, walls, ceiling, and floor all made of fitted stone. Looks like the floor in a wizard's tower. A large window dominates the west wall, but it doesn't look out onto the Alexandria outskirts. It's just... dark. But not empty.

A humanoid figure, clad in black, stands there outside at the window, staring in with a cool, almost blank expression. At the arrival of the heroes, though, his head turns minutely, and something vaguely approaching interest makes its way onto his face.

The Goblin turns to stare at Cesran, an open-mouth frown forming on her face. << I could have just brought my one-man band outfit, yanno, if you wanted to announce our presence. >> she thinks, mostly at Cesran. Once at the top of the stairs, she looks around, and then locks eyes with the figure //outside// the window.

<<Uh oh, tall, dark and ugly looking our way...>>

<< Why do they always wear black? >> Skyler mentally sighs, even as his brain (somehow) continues to provide a constant soundtrack to the situation. << Just for once, can the mysterious wizard wear mauve? Or chartreuse. A lovely chartreuse would look good against the stone! >>

He doesn't criticize Cesran for his loudness; but he does give the wizard a sympathetic wince and a shake of his head, before adding, << I think stealth is out of the picture. Let's just brute force this. >>

"HI! So your little cottage is kinda creepy, man." He says brightly, stepping out and offering a friendly little wave, "So are you okay, or are you some sort of void-sent abomination we need to kill? Between Corpse Eater and that Kol freak, I'm ready to meet a friendly void-sent abomination." Beat. "Also, if this is your art, it's kind of derivative of other people's work. Have you considered getting into embroidery?"

Cesran sees the transition from wood to stone steps, and he privately wonders if they are going to another plane of existence, perhaps a pocket dimension like a magnificent mansion. He has seen this type of decor before in other wizards’ towers. He grimaces at Murder’s thoughts and he too spots the wizard gaze on them, << Well let’s introduce ourselves then, perhaps we can talk to him and find out some information. Or I will and try to distract him. >>

Cesran straightens up to his full height and steps out into the room, “Greetings. I am Archmage Cesran from the city of Alexandria. Your home appeared just outside of the city. Are you in need of any assistance? I’m aware of the tragic accident that happened in this house. Perhaps we could find a way to anchor this house back to reality and allow you to depart from it.” He winces a bit as Skyler starts to talk about the man’s art, but he continues to watch the other wizard’s expression.

<OOC> Telamon says, "If you have Knowledge/The Planes, roll it :)"

GAME: Skyler rolls Knowledge/the planes: (18)+1: 19
GAME: Murder rolls knowledge/the planes: (15)+23: 38
GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/The planes: (2)+28: 30

As the group approaches, details become clear -- although they aren't good ones. The humanoid standing 'outside' is bald, his pale face and head lined with disturbing symmetrical scarring, suggestive of jagged edges or a stylized skull superimposed over his patrician features. His eyes are completely black orbs, flanking a narrow nose. The robes he wears are black, and an array of adamantine-tipped tools hang from his belt.

This is no void-spawned creature. This is a kyton. And when it is addressed, it nods its head, before looking at Skyler with a knowing gaze before its voice, low and rumbling, sounds in their heads.

<< This place is not my doing, for it stinks of the -nothing- that I abhor. Know this, mortals, I am Zenofon, and it is my wish that you purge the void. >> The kyton raises one long fingered hand, tipped with black, razor-sharp nails. << The void would consume all, leave nothing behind. Without flesh, how may I perfect my works? >>

The moment the cloak is thrown off, Skyler's brain goes silent...

And then the horrors start. Memories of a woman scarred and pierced, flesh wet with blood that gleams in a pale, grey-green light. Eyes staring at Skyler, pupils dilated with pleasure. Her hands are wrapped in ropey lengths of guts as she laughs, "I can feel your love. This is but a taste, a taste of the joys you could experience!"

The laughter is interrupted with a wet gurgle as Skyler's blade slices trachea and artery, before continuing wetly.

Skyler then leaps into action, sword tearing out of the baldric across his back as he lashes at the creature with a snarl. And in his mind, the Kyton woman's voice, singing a sweet little song: << Flesh so fine, so fine to tear, to gnash the skin; skin to strip, to plait, so nice to plait the strips, so nice, so red the drops that fall; blood so red, so red, so sweet; sweet screams, pretty screams, singing screams, scream your song, sing your screams.. >> The swashbuckler's pale grey-green eyes are black as his pupils are blown out with terror and something nastier, something not entirely sane...

GAME: Murder rolls strength: (12)+5: 17

Murder's gasp is audible in the shared connection of telepathy, and she sighs, reaching up to slowly pull her blade from its place on her back. The weapon immediately begins to glow a pale blue. <<And people thought /I/ had issues.>>

The Goblin steps to Skyler, and reaches up for his belt, tugging on it as hard as she can. "Hold on a second while we get crazy pants sorted here, fiend...", she voices out loud.

Cesran’s eyes go wide as he see the figure before them. He instantly knows what he sees and thankfully until now has only read about them. The name of Zenofon sends a chill down his spine as that is the name of one of the kyton demagogues, a being of such vast power and cruelty that even archdevils are wary of them. He has no wish to insult such a being. He tries to reach Skyler telepathically as Murder goes to restrain him physically, << Skyler if you fight this being you will die or worse and we need you to be with us. They are not the cause of this house, if they were we’d already be dead. We need to move on, please. >>

Cesran waits to see if his words do anything to bring Skyler back into focus as he readies a spell to try to restrain the swashbuckler. He does eye the spiral staircase that goes up, << Murder if you get a hold of him try to bring him towards the stairs, I think we’ll have to climb. >>

Void by the Sea (Part 1)

2025-08-05T03:06:00Z

Skyler: Created page with " <OOC> Telamon says, "Everyone make a Wisdom check." GAME: Cesran rolls wisdom: (5)+5: 10 GAME: Murder rolls wisdom: (8)+4: 12 GAME: Skyler rolls wisdom: (13)+2: 15 <OOC> Telamon says, "Anyways. You all realize this house from the outside only has a single floor. It doesn't have a second story. But for some reason there are stairs. Also, if you peer through the windows, -none- of the views match what you should see outside." <OOC> Telamon says, "Continue :)" <OOC> Ces..."

<OOC> Telamon says, "Everyone make a Wisdom check."

GAME: Cesran rolls wisdom: (5)+5: 10
GAME: Murder rolls wisdom: (8)+4: 12
GAME: Skyler rolls wisdom: (13)+2: 15

<OOC> Telamon says, "Anyways. You all realize this house from the outside only has a single floor. It doesn't have a second story. But for some reason there are stairs. Also, if you peer through the windows, -none- of the views match what you should see outside."

<OOC> Telamon says, "Continue :)"
<OOC> Cesran says, "Are the views in each window different or the same?"
<OOC> Murder says, "My guess is, different. The owner of the house was messing with extradimension stuff, think making rooms of the house into different pocket dimensions or on different planes of existence."
<OOC> Telamon says, "Different."

"Phew.", Murder says as they step inside, her nose wrinkling, "This place smells awful." She squints, looking out one of the windows, then taking in the stairs.

"Stairs going up... in a one story house. I have a bad feeling about this. What is with you wizards and having to magically fuck around with everything. Can't you be happy with how things are naturally?" She rubs at her face.

<OOC> Cesran says, "Any other exits or is this an open floor plan?"
<OOC> Telamon says, "More or less open floor plan."

As the telepathic bond settles, there's a humming noise that invades the linked minds. Is it a side effect of the sorcery that's causing the house to appear out of nowhere?

Dum dum DUUUUM dum dum dum dUm!

An off tune whistle is added to the humming, and it becomes clear what's happening. Skyler's brain has a constant singing to it, off key and off tune. He turns to Murder, and shrugs. "I think most wizards were bullied as kids, so they're compensating." He says mentally, "Oh shit. Can everyone here this? Or just Murder? Oh no! I apologize in advance, coz this is gunna get awkward and shit and I can't help it but did you see that one wizard pick his nose and wipe it on his fri..." And then the mental babble is broken off, and Skyler closes his eyes, a bead of sweat on his temple. The humming continues though. He doesn't have *that* much self control. "Sorry. Do we want to focus on floor by floor together? Or split up and rely on the telepathic bond?"

Cesran tests the link with Sven and in his head he reaches out, including everyone on the conversation, “Sven we have made it inside, everything looks like a normal house the most part. We’ll continue on and let you know what we find.” He hmms, “I’m getting some weird feedback when I try to talk to Sven. Besides Skyler’s voice.”

Cesran starts to look around and he relates to Sven on the outside about the windows that seem to have a different landscape as well as what appears to be a second story to the house. He shrugs, “I can’t attest to this wizard’s motivations, but most of the time it’s just to see if they can. I’ve tried to outgrow that particular motivation.”

Cesran continues to look around carefully, “I would like for us to stay together if possible. If we need to make a quick escape it will be easier with everyone close to me. So shall we continue to explore this first level or head upstairs to the floor that shouldn’t be there.”

From the aforementioned second floor, a voice can be heard, calmly speaking as though in a lecture hall.

"The nature of art is to question, to challenge. To transgress, one might say. The greater the art, the greater the transgression, the riposte against conventional thinking. One simply cannot create true art without stepping on a few toes."

GAME: Murder rolls stealth: (12)+8: 20

The Goblin stares daggers at Skyler as he starts humming and then whistling. She rolls her eyes and gives her head a shake. <<Yes a telapathic bond is shared by everyone who is bonded by the spell. So stray surface thoughts will also get messaged to everyone, so focus on the task at hand.>> Her tone is clear.

Her ears perk up slightly. <<You guys hear that? Sounds like a lecture... or a manifesto. Is it possibly the wizard in question? Trapped here and gone mad? Let's make as little noise as possible...">> She begins treading a bit more slowly, and she carefully puts her foot down on the first stair, at the point where the stair meets the wall.

GAME: Cesran rolls stealth: (1)+25: 26 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Skyler rolls stealth: (13)+5: 18

<< Oh god even worse than a crazy wizard: a frustrated artist. >> Skyler's brain practically sings with horror at the idea, interrupting the song he's humming quietly in his head like the background music in a tavern.

Briefly, at least.

It starts back up as he reaches up to grab his sword hilt to prevent it from rattling as he tippy toes after Murder, << Do we engage with him? I mean, subjectively speaking, his art lacks any appreciation for balance and, like, sucks. But he might get mad if I tell him that. >>

Cesran hears the voice coming from upstairs and he switches over to telepathy as well, << Agreed let’s keep our thoughts in line and use this for communication purposes only. >> He nods his head, << I did, it could be both or a rant or the ravings of a madman. Agreed, I’ll follow your lead. >>

Cesran starts to go carefully as he can up the stairs, but his long robes drag along the steps and kick up dust as he moves. He feels the twitching of his nose and he tries to ignore it. He wrinkles his nose, and he tries to as quietly as he can rub his nose, but that only makes it worse. He finally must bury his face in his robed elbow as he tries to muzzle the sneeze the best he can. Cesran freezes and looks around to see if he just gave them away or if the ranting will continue, << Sorry. >> A very contrite message passes through the bond.

The stairs up to the second floor don't creak. They feel kind of... strange in fact. Halfway up they transition from wood to stone, as the group ascends to the shouldn't-be-there second story.

This floor is round, walls, ceiling, and floor all made of fitted stone. Looks like the floor in a wizard's tower. A large window dominates the west wall, but it doesn't look out onto the Alexandria outskirts. It's just... dark. But not empty.

A humanoid figure, clad in black, stands there outside at the window, staring in with a cool, almost blank expression. At the arrival of the heroes, though, his head turns minutely, and something vaguely approaching interest makes its way onto his face.

The Goblin turns to stare at Cesran, an open-mouth frown forming on her face. <<I could have just brought my one-man band outfit, yanno, if you wanted to announce our presence.>>, she thinks, mostly at Cesran. Once at the top of the stairs, she looks around, and then locks eyes with the figure //outside// the window.

<<Uh oh, tall, dark and ugly looking our way...>>

<< Why do they always wear black? >> Skyler mentally sighs, even as his brain (somehow) continues to provide a constant soundtrack to the situation. << Just for once, can the mysterious wizard wear mauve? Or chartreuse. A lovely chartreuse would look good against the stone! >>

He doesn't criticize Cesran for his loudness; but he does give the wizard a sympathetic wince and a shake of his head, before adding, << I think stealth is out of the picture. Let's just brute force this. >>

"HI! So your little cottage is kinda creepy, man." He says brightly, stepping out and offering a friendly little wave, "So are you okay, or are you some sort of void-sent abomination we need to kill? Between Corpse Eater and that Kol freak, I'm ready to meet a friendly void-sent abomination." Beat. "Also, if this is your art, it's kind of derivative of other people's work. Have you considered getting into embroidery?"

Cesran sees the transition from wood to stone steps, and he privately wonders if they are going to another plane of existence, perhaps a pocket dimension like a magnificent mansion. He has seen this type of decor before in other wizards’ towers. He grimaces at Murder’s thoughts and he too spots the wizard gaze on them, << Well let’s introduce ourselves then, perhaps we can talk to him and find out some information. Or I will and try to distract him. >>

Cesran straightens up to his full height and steps out into the room, “Greetings. I am Archmage Cesran from the city of Alexandria. Your home appeared just outside of the city. Are you in need of any assistance? I’m aware of the tragic accident that happened in this house. Perhaps we could find a way to anchor this house back to reality and allow you to depart from it.” He winces a bit as Skyler starts to talk about the man’s art, but he continues to watch the other wizard’s expression.

<OOC> Telamon says, "If you have Knowledge/The Planes, roll it :)"

GAME: Skyler rolls Knowledge/the planes: (18)+1: 19
GAME: Murder rolls knowledge/the planes: (15)+23: 38
GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/The planes: (2)+28: 30

As the group approaches, details become clear -- although they aren't good ones. The humanoid standing 'outside' is bald, his pale face and head lined with disturbing symmetrical scarring, suggestive of jagged edges or a stylized skull superimposed over his patrician features. His eyes are completely black orbs, flanking a narrow nose. The robes he wears are black, and an array of adamantine-tipped tools hang from his belt.

This is no void-spawned creature. This is a kyton. And when it is addressed, it nods its head, before looking at Skyler with a knowing gaze before its voice, low and rumbling, sounds in their heads.

<< This place is not my doing, for it stinks of the -nothing- that I abhor. Know this, mortals, I am Zenofon, and it is my wish that you purge the void. >> The kyton raises one long fingered hand, tipped with black, razor-sharp nails. << The void would consume all, leave nothing behind. Without flesh, how may I perfect my works? >>

The moment the cloak is thrown off, Skyler's brain goes silent...

And then the horrors start. Memories of a woman scarred and pierced, flesh wet with blood that gleams in a pale, grey-green light. Eyes staring at Skyler, pupils dilated with pleasure. Her hands are wrapped in ropey lengths of guts as she laughs, "I can feel your love. This is but a taste, a taste of the joys you could experience!"

The laughter is interrupted with a wet gurgle as Skyler's blade slices trachea and artery, before continuing wetly.

Skyler then leaps into action, sword tearing out of the baldric across his back as he lashes at the creature with a snarl. And in his mind, the Kyton woman's voice, singing a sweet little song: << Flesh so fine, so fine to tear, to gnash the skin; skin to strip, to plait, so nice to plait the strips, so nice, so red the drops that fall; blood so red, so red, so sweet; sweet screams, pretty screams, singing screams, scream your song, sing your screams.. >> The swashbuckler's pale grey-green eyes are black as his pupils are blown out with terror and something nastier, something not entirely sane...

GAME: Murder rolls strength: (12)+5: 17

Murder's gasp is audible in the shared connection of telepathy, and she sighs, reaching up to slowly pull her blade from its place on her back. The weapon immediately begins to glow a pale blue. <<And people thought /I/ had issues.>>

The Goblin steps to Skyler, and reaches up for his belt, tugging on it as hard as she can. "Hold on a second while we get crazy pants sorted here, fiend...", she voices out loud.

Cesran’s eyes go wide as he see the figure before them. He instantly knows what he sees and thankfully until now has only read about them. The name of Zenofon sends a chill down his spine as that is the name of one of the kyton demagogues, a being of such vast power and cruelty that even archdevils are wary of them. He has no wish to insult such a being. He tries to reach Skyler telepathically as Murder goes to restrain him physically, << Skyler if you fight this being you will die or worse and we need you to be with us. They are not the cause of this house, if they were we’d already be dead. We need to move on, please. >>

Cesran waits to see if his words do anything to bring Skyler back into focus as he readies a spell to try to restrain the swashbuckler. He does eye the spiral staircase that goes up, << Murder if you get a hold of him try to bring him towards the stairs, I think we’ll have to climb. >>

2025-04-13T23:35:35Z

Skyler: Created page with "The Shabti and the "Psychopomp" talking in his ear have taken a step back away from the gate as her honeyed words convince him not to trust the party of adventurers. Her touch on his chest opened bleeding wounds, but he doesn't flinch at them- from the scars all over him, he's likely quite accustomed to the pain. "How can I trust you?" he asks the party as he backs away. "You came here to kill me. You said as much yourselves. She saved me from the hells. How could she be..."

Recent Logs

2025-04-13T23:35:20Z

Skyler: /* April */

Recent Logs

2025-04-13T23:35:10Z

Skyler: /* April */

User:Skyler

2025-04-13T22:00:22Z

Skyler:

{{TableClass}}
| | [[image:Swashbuckler.png|200px]]
| valign="top" |{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|colspan="2" | Useless Statistics for [http://www.tenebraemush.net/index.php/Skyler Skyler]
|-
| style="background:#e7eaea;"|'''Total Critical Confirmations:'''
| 11
|-
| style="background:#e7eaea;"|'''Total Critical Damage:'''
| 390
|-
| style="background:#e7eaea;"|'''Total KO Blows:'''
| 8
|-
| style="background:#e7eaea;"|'''Total Times KOed:'''
| 1
|-
| style="background:#e7eaea;"|'''Total Times He Was a Himbo:'''
| ∞
|-

Inspector Fritzgilbert and the Ploughing Goat

2025-04-04T02:50:10Z

Skyler: Created page with ""Ooooh! What do you do with a drunken saaaaailor?!" The Alexandria City docks are a spicy place in the early evening, and not just because of the street vendors attempting to sell exotic spices that make most people sneeze while expats from the Jade Islands and other exotic, far away set up food stalls make some silver and gold by catering to foreign ship crews and the enlightened people that are attempting to expand their world view by experiencing different cuisine...."

"Ooooh! What do you do with a drunken saaaaailor?!"

The Alexandria City docks are a spicy place in the early evening, and not just because of the street vendors attempting to sell exotic spices that make most people sneeze while expats from the Jade Islands and other exotic, far away set up food stalls make some silver and gold by catering to foreign ship crews and the enlightened people that are attempting to expand their world view by experiencing different cuisine. Among those? A slender, auburn haired young man with an easy grin and expression that is equal parts good humor and an *terrifying* lack of rational thought. Skyler's wearing his greatcoat and sword, along with a large floppy purple hat with the brim pinned up and a *massive* collection of feathers sticking out.

He's also the source of the singing, a ribald sea shanty delivered in a pleasant enough tenor... Provided he wasn't painfully off key. He's currently sitting on a short wall, kicking feet in shiny black boots as he munches on what looks like kraken tentacles. He pauses, brow furrowing with the tentacle halfway to his mouth. "What *do* you do with a drunken sailor?" He asks the empty air, looking mildly confused before he shrugs and takes another bite of the tentacle.

"You're breakin' my stones, boyo. Breakin' my stones."

The Ploughing Goat might be the smallest of all the ships docked at the Alexandrian port, but it's also the sturdiest. These are two of the least valuable qualities for a merchant vessel, perhaps. 'Small and Slow' might not seem like an especially profitable way to do business, but dwarves do business their way, and the Bludstein Family has a well-established preference for tradition. Hence... the dwarven ship docked here in port, with many of its crates already in the process of being unloaded.

And it would have gone smoothly, if there weren't a new customs inspector on duty today.

A tall, reedy, officious sort of human stands before a couple of opened crates, putting quill to tablet in order to verify that his inspection turns up the same quantity of items that are on the Bill of Lading. There is a bit of nervousness among the dwarven laborers unloading the vessel, who all seem to be surly, sallow sorts of people covered in dwarven tattoos and smelling of pickled fish.

And none smells more pickled than the best dressed of them, currently looking up to the customs officer as he smokes from a pipe that seems to have been chiseled from granite by a very large hammer.

"I swear onna name of Grimble Stonebeard that we's honest chaps. You're all honest chaps, ain't that right boys?"

There is a general murmur of assent.

Does the dwarven laborers and their reedy human officiant have *anything* to do with Skyler? Absolutely not. Most intelligent people would keep themselves separate from such obviously touchy business. Eat their kraken tentacles, even if the massive rings of the suckers are kinda sus, and sing their off key sea shanties while philosophizing over the meaning of the words. 'Put him in a bed with the Captain's Daughter'? Is that a coarse, foul joke about setting some poor scum to be caught by the captain with his (presumably) nubile daughter? Or is a commentary on how Captains rule their ships through the use of fear and intimidation tactics?

Such thoughts, though, slide off Skyler's brain, which is smooth, no ridges or lumps, or valleys or bumps. All ideas slide right off... Like a water slide! And so when he sees an group of nervous dwarves and an officious sort with a tablet? He doesn't think, but lets the intrusive thoughts win.

"Hi there!" He tells the other human brightly, even as he bites off a bit of wrinkled sucker, and holds the tentacle up to the official to offer a bite, "You try this yet? It's *insane*. A little like eating a butt, to be honest, but, hey, don't threaten *me* with a good time like that!" And as he prattles with an utter certainty that the officiant is his friend, he uses the hand behind his back to make a shooing motion at the crates, intent obvious: he'll distract if they got any cargo that the guy shouldn't see. "... And you can pop them with your *tongue*! Just like... THIS!" He continues, stepping sideways slightly and hooking his cheek with one finger to make a popping noise that's equal parts fascinating and disgusting.

"I'm afraid that the discrepancies are simply too numerous. By order of the Port Authority, I am... oh..."

With a look that instantly communicates both annoyance and disgust, the customs agent appraises the appearance of this new arrival in all his piratical finery. It's as if he went to Pirates 'R' Us and asked for 'The Pirate Suit.' Which, in a way, makes him look less like a pirate, and more like someone in a bawdy play about pirates. Judging by his reaction, the customs agent isn't a fan of either pirates, or plays about pirates. But the jury is out regarding his feelings about butts.

The customs agent doesn't seem to have a great deal of fear for the group of dwarves, despite many of them being armed with things that are both sharp and rusty. But what does he have to fear? After all, he's armed with the most dangerous weapon around these parts, an official quill.

For his part, the dwarf wearing the Ne'er-Do-Well Special is fairly quick on the uptake, and communicates with the crew by tapping his oversized nose. Not all of the crates vanish, but not all of them need to. A few specific crates, however, get hurriedly shuffled to the other side of the vessel, and to the waiting rowboat hidden over the side.

It's a lot of fuss for four crates. But then the most illegal things often come in small packages.

Like the dwarf wearing the Ne'er-Do-Well Special, who smells of pickled things and cheap halfling pipeweed.

Oh, there's some little signs that suggests the man in pirate costume might be more than just an eccentric cosplayer: His sword hilt is worn and perfectly positioned for a quick draw, his coat is mended but it's more damage from violence than anything else. And on his chest, pinned to the lapel? A pin that marks him as a sworn member of the Society of Dagger Dames and Gentleman Adventurers. As an organization? It's a little stodgy and outdated, but it's *full* of nobility and very dangerous people. He's also utterly confident that the official wants his company... No, that he *needs* Skyler's wisdom!

Pale grey-green eyes cut from officiant to the pickled ne'er-do-well and crew to gauge their progress. And when the officiant reaches down to brush a bit of tentacle off his tablet, Skyler winks at the leader and waggles one eyebrow before he beams brightly at the other human. "Seriously! I love Alexandria City! Sure, there's a chance that a giant stuffed animal will come to life and try to kill you, but then you can eat tentacles and wrestle flaming dragon-men." He snaps his finger, and reaches up to grab the officiant, dragging him close... and turning him further away, "Ohmygods! You have to come and officiate my match with Aelwyn! I'll get you VIP tickets, and when our friend Bryn writes the *epic* ballad, you will get an entire verse!" Beat. And he cocks his head, "Um. So. What's your name?"

"Er..."

The poor government official doesn't seem to be able to keep up with the questions, and isn't entirely sure how he ended up agreeing to any of this. It'll probably be a few hours later before he finally figures out the level to which he has been hoodwinked, but since the ship is more or less clean now it won't really matter. Here's hoping the crew of The Ploughing Goat gets a friendlier customs agent next time. If only Inspector Pike's wife hadn't chosen this very week to have her stupid baby.

"It's... Fritzgilbert... Inspector Fritzgilbert."

He certainly looks like a Fritzgilbert.

With the rowboat moving away from the ship in a pretty stealthy fashion, the dwarf with the pipe looks a bit more relaxed. Dwarves aren't very good sailors, but they're very good rowers. You do not want to challenge them to any paddle-related activities. The crew will be fine. Or at least they'll be far enough away to evade this particular asshole. And they didn't even have to pay a bribe!

Dumping out the contents of his pipe, the dwarf who's apparently in charge of receiving the goods clears his throat, giving Inspector Fitzgilbert a welcome break from the barrage of charm.

"The boys will halt their unloading, good sir. For I can see that you're a fair and just sort of man, and we've nothing to fear from a thorough inspection from the Alexandrian Port Authority. I'll just be off then, to tell my Auntie that her yarn will be a couple of days late."

The inspector looks confused. He won, right? Surely, he's done a great job this day.

"You look like a Fritzy, Fritzy!" Skyler says with a grin and a cuffing of his arm in a friendly manner, the almost frantic energy relaxing as he sees the dwarves row row rowing their boat merrily down the stream. "But I've kept you long enough. You're such a hard worker, Fritzy!" And he shakes his head in admiration, "Gods, the Port Authority doesn't pay you enough, y'know?" A sentiment that Fritzgilbert probably agrees with, right now.

Skyler then grins, turning away to go sit down on a barrel near enough to keep an eye on what happens next. He whistles his sea shanty, *still* off tune.

As the inspector makes his excuses to get back to work, the crew of The Ploughing Goat is ever so compliant for a crew comprised mostly of people who have committed a felony. It seems that the shadiest-looking of them isn't really a member of the crew though, for his interests seem to lie elsewhere. Probably in the direction of the rowboat that snuck off. But in truth, he doesn't look like the sort of person who has spent much time aboard a ship of any sort, with classic dwarven features that look much more geared toward a life in the mines.

But he looks a little sneaky to be a miner.

"Appreciate the help there, boss. Problem with the world these days... nobody looks out for the workin' man, but I can see that ain't a character defect that you suffer from. P'raps we should get a little distance from Lord Fritzy before he starts gettin' any more great ideas though, eh?"

Nimbly, Skyler jumps to his feet with a broad grin as he's approached, rubbing the back of his neck. "Oh, hey, no big deal, man." Skyler says with a 'jolly-gosh' sort of laugh, "Us honest working folk gotta stick up for each other, hey?" He grins broadly. Coupled with the emphasis on 'honest', it's clear Skyler probably figured out most of the subtext.

At Zigrun's suggestion, Skyler nods sadly, finishing up his tentacle and wiping his hands primly on a white handkerchief before tucking it away in his coat... showing the vials and bags lining the inside, along with the dagger strapped for safe keeping. "Probably a good idea. I'm thirsty, anyways." He shakes his head, "Lying and subterfuge always leave me parched." He pauses, and adds, "You gotta drop point or they prepay? My old crew always preferred drop offs after the fact when we worked with... ahem... outside contractors."

Though his gratitude is apparent, Zigrun is still a cautious sort of individual. A man in his line of work needs to be, and his Aunt isn't especially forgiving of mistakes. So it follows that the information that he offers up is a bit on the vague side, though delivered with a fairly affable sort of demeanor.

"The boys know the new dropoff point, no sense in my waitin' around for it like some kind of loiterer. Loitering is a terrible embarrassing thing to get pinched for, and the guards really have it out for the working folk today."

His pipe is almost comically oversized, but at least it breaks down into two pieces. The case for it takes up a pretty big chunk of real estate on his belt, but just about everything else on his belt looks extremely suspect. Most Alexandrian citizens don't roam around with a grappling hook or quite so many smoke bombs.

"I know a spot near abouts that always has plenty of jars of salt pork. Real cheap too. One of the only bars that stocks a decent dwarven stout in these parts. Not that I mind a good halfling porter, mind... but I like a little sediment in my beer, the way the gods intended."

The swashbuckler human looks ready to protest the dwarf's commentary on loitering, before he frowns, staring past Zigrun... at a poor little street urchin trying to sell flowers in a threadbare dress. He grimaces, and nods, "Yeah, guards and other unwholesome types. Like children." He grimaces, and gives Zigrun a slap on the shoulder. "C'mon, my new pickly friend. I'll get the first round, you can get the second round, and we can trade off until we get kicked out for public indecency!" He says cheerfully, "So what's your name?"

"The folks around here call me Zigrun."

It's a vague enough answer, and one which also happens to be true. There's no need to be bringing up his last name, and the connotations it might carry with it. Never know how might be an expert on dwarven organized crime families, though it's an admittedly niche area of study this far away from the mountains.

He seems to be leading the way to one of the nearest bars. The kind of port establishment frequented by seafaring folks of all stripes, where the wenches are even cheaper than the salt pork, and all sorts of unconventional objects are used as spittoons.

"But I'm in your service, sir. So's I must insist on buyin' the first round, and a few rounds following... we dwarves are picky about debt, you see."

That's also not a well known fact. Or even a true one. But what is a fact, but a shared delusion? It matters only that the shady dwarf in the grubby leathers seems to feel a sense of debt.

Must have been something pretty illegal in those crates...

Recent Logs

2025-04-04T02:49:38Z

Skyler: /* April */

Skyler

2025-01-19T03:41:18Z

Skyler:

<div style="padding-bottom: 20px;">[[image:gobberpirate_cp_header.jpg|center]]</div>


<div style="min-height: 50px; color: #000; font-weight: bold; width: 775px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; font-size: 300%;">Skyler Skywalker</div>

<div style="width: 775px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 20px;">

<p style="color:#664444; font-weight: bold; font-size: 150%;">About My Character</p>
The man known as Skyler Skywalker is a bit of an enigma. While outgoing, cheerful, and none too bright at first glance, beneath that rather shallow surface is a man that doesn't talk much of his past, preferring to live in the present.

His accent is aristocratic and Myrrish, but not heavily so. He spent years working as both a crewman and a reaver aboard an air ship, until they crossed a line in the sand. He arrived in Alexandria City with a [http://www.tenebraemush.net/index.php/Jarik companion], eager for the next great adventure.


[[image:skyler.jpg|thumb|right]]

<p style="color:#664444; font-weight: bold; font-size: 150%;">Roleplay Hooks</p>
* <b>Reformed Sky Pirate:</b> Once upon a time, Skyler was a sky pirate! He's since reformed, but definitely knows the business of both piratry and airships, even if he isn't the *best* airman.
* <b>(Not) A Great Thinker:</b> While he's a deft hand with a sword and utterly fearless, Skyler is... well... he's not a great thinker. He isn't as much dumb as caught in the present, disregarding the past and looking at the future as tomorrow's problem.
* <b>Social Butterfly:</b> Skyler is a social butterfly; he looks at strangers as friends he hasn't met yet, and is definitely the outgoing type.
* <b>Adventure!:</b> Skyler came to Alexandria seeking adventure and glory, and is always seeking his next great adventure.

</div>

{{Badge}}
{{Badge-Icon|Humans07_aesir.png}}
{{Badge-Content}}
{{Badge-Title|Human PC Badge}}
{{Badge-Entry|Ancestry}}Skyler is a man of the world, but has a Myrrish accent
{{Badge-Entry|Associated With}} Gentleman Adventurers; Sky Guild
{{Badge-Entry|Faith}} Skyler nominally considers himself a devotee of the The Holy Order of Ea. Gods are real, but he's more about vibes than religion.

{{Badge-End}}

{{Badge}}
{{Badge-Icon|Swashbuckler.png}}
{{Badge-Content}}
{{Badge-Title|Swashbuckler PC Badge}}
{{Badge-Entry|Panache}} Relying more on agility than strength, Skyler's style is quick and surprisingly precise.
{{Badge-Entry|Swordplay}} Skyler wields a scimitar, preferring slashing edges to piercing. As someone once said: there's no artistry in killing with the tip.
{{Badge-Entry|Training}} Skyler was trained by a band of sky pirates, and lacks any sort of formal training.
{{Badge-End}}

{{Badge}}
{{Badge-Icon|Scroll_med.png}}
{{Badge-Content}}
{{Badge-Title|Organization PC Badge}}
{{Badge-Entry|Organizations}} The Society of Dagger Dames and Gentleman Adventurers
{{Badge-Entry|Role}} Casual Member
{{Badge-Entry|Landmarks: Gentleman Adventurers}} Defeated undead gnoll and witch; Rode fiendish Auroch bareback into battle; Hacky-Sacked an evil stuffed pothy doll into a fire pot before using it's corpse as a projectile. There is also rumors of him agreeing to wrestle an Dragoon. While on fire.
{{Badge-End}}


<div style="clear:both;"></div>
<div style="padding-top:20px;">[[image:gobberpirate_cp_footer.jpg|center]]</div>


<div style="position:relative; top:-110px; width: 775px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-size: 140%;"><p style="padding-right: 250px;"></p></div>

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

</div>



[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Eldanar]]
[[Category:Human]]
[[Category:Swashbuckler]]
[[Category:The Society of Dagger Dames and Gentleman Adventurers]]