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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293291 Storyteller (GM)
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You awaken, fully refreshed, in a new location from whence you fell asleep. As you try and take in your surroundings, you realize that you are not corporeal... but rather, stuff of shadow. Your limbs but a wisp of shadow and smoke that seem to be dissipating as quickly as it forms.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293521 Zylphyr
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Zylphyr attempts to pull what he can of his ethereal body into a dark corner, away from any would-be viewers, while taking stock of his surroundings. As a creature of the Air Plane, he is less disturbed by the events than one might expect, rather enjoying this freedom from corporeal.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293291 Storyteller (GM)
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Cowering down into a corner, you force your vision to take in your surroundings. You are in a cavernous tunnel, carved out of some sort of stone through a seemingly natural erosion. There is no flat footing here, though it is traversible. Rocks jut up and around in all directions, making any passage forward as difficult as real rock climbing. There is very little, to no light at all here, yet you have no difficulty seeing (darkvision). In the distance can be heard the roar of water, and behind you, a shadowy darkness that your vision can not penetrate.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293521 Zylphyr
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Zylphyr decides to press forward, curious as to where he is, and how he got here, or if this is all just some strange dream. He focuses on pressing forward, trying to move his amorphous form forward, past the rocky barrier he finds himself within.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293291 Storyteller (GM)
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Zylphyr presses forward, forcing his form through will alone to move past the first part of the entrance. As he pushes forward, he feels the presence of someone... or something... else enter the area.
Formed of nothing but shadow, Xali finds herself awakening as if from a deep sleep, in a room in which contains no light at all... darkness envelops all of her senses, in an almost supernatural manner. Oddly enough, she finds it difficult to do anything, as if her body was no longer under her own control. Attempts to raise her hands for the purpose of making a gesture, prove to be impossible.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293516 Xali (editor)
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Xali suppresses the initial urge to panic and instead tests the area around her, trying to figure out the physics of wherever this is. It's likely she's on another plane, though off the top of her head she doesn't know which. For now she realizes that knowledge is her primary power and racks her brain for any hints. While she does that she feebly attempts, and fails, to maneuver her hands and cast a spell.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293521 Zylphyr
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Zylphyr turns to face the newcomer, trying to focus his energy into his hand so that he can generate the electrical power needed for a defensive blast. Pouring what will he can muster, he tries to coalesce back into a corporeal form within the shadows.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293291 Storyteller (GM)
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As Zylphyr concentrates, he finds his hands begin to coalesce, as the shadows solidify into his form. As he attempts to form himself, he feels the presence of yet another entity step into the realm he is in. Hidden from their view, he gazes out, only barely able to tell that there are 2 shadowy shapes against the blackness that is the far wall. Somehow though, he feels as if he knows these entities...
Xali wracks her mind for any knowledge of what is going on, but between the hysteria, fear, and confusion, she is unable to combine her knowledge with what is going on. She feels her body starting to dissipate, her form being lost into the shadows of whatever plane this is.
Timothy arrives, an amorphous shadow with no vision, no hearing, no breath... a ghost in an abyss of darkness with no top or bottom... floating without form or cause.
In the distance a single word can be felt, more than heard, echoing its way through the tunnel and chamber. The word is.... H U N G E R
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293928 Timothy
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Timothy stumbles through the entry experience and panics.
"Am I dead?! Fuck I died on a freaking trap!"
He tries to move, sense or anything really. When out of all options he tries to shout; "Who fuck are you!", but no words come out. No idea how to move nor any knowledge of arcane nor planes... he is quite freaked out.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293521 Zylphyr
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As his body forms, Zylphyr immediately begins stealthily patting that all of his gear is either there, or gone missing... before stepping forward, allowing the power of electricity to course through his body in an effort to grant some amount of light in the area. "Hello...?", he asks out loud, though perhaps with a voice slightly more cracked than he intended.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293516 Xali (editor)
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Xali closed her eyes, or at least she thought she did, she felt the strain on her face as she felt the sensation of muscles contracting to close her eyes, but that was good, she could work with that. She had knowledge, she had sensation, focus on what you had. This wasn't the First World, more likely than not, but she remembered reading about it and just started reciting what she remembered from the text to center herself. "The First World exists out of phase with the Material Plane, overlapping its boundaries yet existing entirely independently of the Ethereal and Shadow Planes unlike the Shadow Plane, the First World does not mimic Material cities and landmarks. Magic can provide transportation between the two planes, but only in places where their boundaries already run thin, such as the wild places untouched by civilization, or those rare places the fey see fit to mark as theirs, placing mounds, stones, and rings of earth or mushrooms like boundary fences between the planes. Within the First World stand ancient forests as tall as mountains, living lakes and rivers, traveling faerie courts alternatively benevolent or sadistic..."
As she spoke she visualized her hand reaching for her head, fingers threading through her long green hair, the sensation of her muscles contracting as her fingertips brushed her scalp. She focused on the feeling of her mana flowing through her arm and out to her fingertips.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293291 Storyteller (GM)
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Indeed, first a subtle glow from an electrical aura exudes from Zylphyr's body, followed shortly later by Xali manifesting into physical form, as her hair lit up from eldritch energy. The solidification was somewhat problematic as the footing beneath her was precarious, but she was able to maintain her balance and reveal the amorphous presence of yet another shadow form still hovering in the air.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293521 Zylphyr
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Zylphyr is visibly relieved at the sight of Xali coalescing before him, "Ah, I see our fearless leader has come to find me", he joked before adding on, "But I must ask... what happened? I fell asleep in the hay on the mezzanine, and awoke here without form."
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293928 Timothy
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Timothy was off balance, but he had some sense or sensation.....distant sound of water? Albeit he lacks a means of movement (not feel anything), he still tries to think he has some form of control if he just focuses.
So he imagines moving towards sounds of water, one careful step at a time while imagining how he would take those careful steps. Hoping if nothing else exist, his thoughts and desire do.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293516 Xali (editor)
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Xali ran her hands along herself, reassuring herself that she was corporeal. She looked towards Zylphyr, happy beyond words to see another person but suppressed the emotion. "I... I don't really know. I had crossed a threshold into, well I guess into this place. But you were sleeping nearby as I remember, so I don't know how you came to be... wherever this is."
She looked around, trying to get some clue as to where they were.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293291 Storyteller (GM)
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As Xali and Zylphyr reunite, a 3rd form of shadow begins to coalesce into a person, however it seems there is more trouble for this entity to solidify than it was for either of the other two. A face can be seen for a moment, one that looks like that archer guy who set traps earlier... what was his name? Still, just as it seems he might push his way past the current state he's in, he loses form again and instead, brushes past you in this amorphous state towards the sound of roaring water ahead.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293521 Zylphyr
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Zylphyr nodded, admitedly still more than a little confused, but decided to worry less about the "how?", and more about the "what?". "Well, why don't we see where this tunnel ends, and find a way out of here and back to the mill?", Zylphyr stated a he began to follow the shadowy form of Timothy towards the sounds of rushing water, "So, youfrom around here?", he asked the shadowy figure, "Or just having trouble shaping back into you?",
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293516 Xali (editor)
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Xali looked from Zylphyr to the shadowy figure, not sure if that was a person or some entity that was local to this area. "Well we might as well follow him, he might know where we're supposed to be going." With that she started following the shadowy figure towards the roaring water.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293928 Timothy
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Timothy suddenly heard voice speak to him;
"So, you from around here?", voice asked, "Or just having trouble shaping back into you?"
Timothy halts then, voice sounded familiar......was it Zylphyr?! he mentioned on shaping back into.....Timothy wished he could ask details but he had tried shouting before and Zylphyr's tone indicated he was not sure it was him (or he had bad face memory). But he could not see him but hear him.....but he could see him.
So very least I am not dead, but in some kind weird shapeless form.
Timothy then thinks, shaping back? As if he has power to do so? He now thinks on mist, as he has been taught by other bandits how turn invisible by using sort misty cloud which covers him and 'erases' all visual presence of him. Conceal it from sight. But he knows same bandits can turn into mist itself.
So if he is mist, how he reforms? So he imagines himself stretched out into dozen tiny pieces, like floating rain drops, which start slowly merge together and connect to other rain drops which float by grace of air. Forming larger and heavier mass of water. Then imagine the mist taking more humanoid form and water merging together inside the mist in form of humanoid. Then water taking exact physical shape and form what Timothy had before disappearing....then once all solid parts are in place, the mist disappears and water fades in form of mist and is replaced by Timothy in flesh, bone and blood standing where he is standing now. Keeping eyes closed as he could not see anything anyway so better imagine himself eyes closed than eyes open and be blinded by light or such.
Timothy will repeat the exercise many times as possible to perfect and complete it. With shaping of body coming sense of weight, heartbeat, breathing and hearing himself breathing. Feel his lips and fingers rubbing together. Use all sensory information and self-awareness to shape himself back to solid form.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 16:15, Fri 29 Sept 2017.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293291 Storyteller (GM)
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Finally, Timothy's body solidifies, as he keeps reaching out with his imaginary hands to pull himself forward until eventually, he finds the hands are really there, pulling him forward. The going is slow, but the trail, though upward, is pretty straight-forward, if albeit a bit difficult to traverse. Eventually, the sound of the roaring is given imagery, as before you, you see over the crest of the last obstacle, a waterfall coming from what seems in immeasurable distance. A wall of solid water blocks any further progress, as it pours into a deep crevice with such force that it seems as if your only option is to press onward by diving into it. Still... perhaps there is a less suicidal way to proceed...
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293521 Zylphyr
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Zylphyr enjoyed the physical strain of the climb, and though he was breathing a little heavily, he was smiling as the waterfall crested before him. "Wow... a thing of beauty...", he stated... though his look changed slightly upon seeing that there was no way out. "Wait... so are we trapped in this tunnel?", he asks as he begins looking intently for a way out (Perc: 28, take-20). "If we don't find a way out through this, I can't say I'm all that fond of jumping into the falls... swimming is not really a strong point..."
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293516 Xali (editor)
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"Well this is a pickle, isn't it?" Xali's stubby arms reached behind her as she started to dig in her pack. After a moment she pulled out a spyglass and looked at it sadly, holding it tenderly for a moment. Extending the tool to it's full length the gnome started to look up and down the waterfall, trying to see all she could see. "I'm not much of a fish, more of a floater... that may have not been the best phrasing... Let's see if there is another option here." With that she pulled out a journal and started alternating between looking through the spyglass and jotting down notes. (Know:Eng 34, take-20)
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293928 Timothy
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Timothy was glad to be solid again, however as they came to the watery obstacle he whistled and said; "Okay, that's quite daring and perhaps suicidal to jump into that. Unless you guys figure another way, best we tie rope on each other so we do not get lost from each other in the current. Also in underground there is no idea how deep that crevice goes and water may pull us down to watery grave in underground tunnels. But as old wise man says; 'Water always finds itself to outside from any hole.'" Timothy starts reach into his bag and dig out some rope from his supplies.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293521 Zylphyr
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"There...", Zylphyr suddenly cried out, pointing to a point in the middle of the waterfall, "The water is not so heavy there... I think there must be an outcropping sticking through the waterfall that is blocking the water from falling as harshly... perhaps it's possible to go through the waterfall...", he states, looking for some sort of long stick or weapon with which to test his perceptions.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293928 Timothy
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Timothy hears Zylphyr's words, he ties rope around his waist tightly as he can and then hands rope to him and says; "Hold on tight, just in case if your wrong in your guess." Timothy then crouches low on fours, looking for the exact middle spot which Zylphyr had mentioned and to confirm the spot he asks Zylphyr point it out. Then he with quick rush runs into waterfall, through the middle spot what Zylphyr saw. Trusting more on quickness, sense of balance and speed than raw strength to barrel through the water.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293516 Xali (editor)
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"No, diving isn't perhaps suicidal, it is suicide. The rate of flow, the walls of that crevice, diving isn't an option. We could backtrack and see if we missed another path, or we could climb the-" She stopped talking as she watched Timothy launch himself into the water.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293928 Timothy
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There is only roar of the water after Timothy dived in, silence and anticipation. So far rope had not tightened more than what he dived in. Then in brief moment he bursts back out! Following the rope back out he comes soaking wet through the waterfall and says; "There is large empty space behind the waterfall but I can't see a thing down there! You were right Zylphyr, albeit the amount the ledge pushes is just hand's thickness or bit less. But it was enough."
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293521 Zylphyr
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Zylphyr nodded as Timothy returned, "Yeah, maybe a slight bit daredevil-ish, but well done.", he says grinning, "Now how about you hold the rope, and let someone who can see in darkness go take a look...", he adds on, looking at Xali with her ever rotating stone of light on her head, "You get her tied on while I go take a look-see?" he asks, while double checking that his rope is tightly secured.
Then he steps through the onslaught of water, letting the rush of air around him create a shield against the water in the process. Stepping through, still quite dry, he purveys the area of darkness (Darkvision, Take-10 Perception 28)
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293516 Xali (editor)
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Xali watched as Zylphyr walked through the water and looked up at Timothy, "Get me tied on? What are you tying me onto..." Her voice was not hiding any of the confusion she was feeling about what their missing companion had said.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293521 Zylphyr
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"It's ok guys, there's a tunnel here that goes deeper!", Zylphyr shouted through the roar of the waterfall. "I also sense fresh air... there must be an exit this way!". Zylphyr pulled a bit against the rope that attached him to Timothy, straining to see deeper into the darkness in search of any light source at all.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293928 Timothy
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Timothy nods and shouts back to Zylphyr; "We are coming!" Timothy then looks on Xali and replies on her question; "I will tie you on rope which both I and Zylphyr are holding. So if any fall two others can pull up." Timothy ties rope aorund Xali's waist tightly, this is not his first time in tying people up. He had done it professionally as well in the past. Once Xali was tied he started move through the curtain of water, get soaked again and with rope tug Xali along.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293516 Xali (editor)
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"In retrospect, I suppose that should have been obvious." Xali hoped the relative darkness hid her embarrassment as she followed Timothy into the waterfall.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293291 Storyteller (GM)
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Indeed, the tunnel ahead was quite dark before Xali also crossed over, throwing vast shadows across the passageway in which the floor had leveled out some in comparison to the previous passage. A powerful blast of air was generated by the rushing water, causing a steady wet breeze heading upward along the tunnel.
Zylphyr led the procession, with Timothy following as Xali took up the tail-end of the line. Together they continued their progression until, eventually... a reddish orange glow could be seen in the distance.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293521 Zylphyr
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"You see that?", Zylphyr asks as he crouches down, waiting for the other two to join him at the front. "That look like some sort of fire to you? A fire would indicate a creature capable of generating a fire, no?". Zylphyr listens intently, trying to sense what was up ahead, or any clue as to what to expect.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293516 Xali (editor)
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"Aye, is there any way either of you could sneak closer to see what that is?" Xali had effected a whisper, not wanting to be potentially overheard by whatever was ahead. "I'd offer, but I'm fairly certain you two are much more talented at that sort of thing."
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293928 Timothy
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Once they crossed waterfall, he undid ropes on himself and his companions as they moved on. As they reached spot where they saw red spot, likewise Timothy crouched low besides Zylphyr. On Xali's words he replies with a whisper; "Well, sneaking and ambushing is bandit's bread and butter, you two stay here as I go take a look over there." Timothy started carefully sneak and move forward to take look ahead....
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293521 Zylphyr
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"No...", Zylphyr replied to Timothy, "She is small, and light of step, easily as stealthy as either of us... we should go as a team, not split up.", then looking at Xali, "Have faith in your skills little one, nobody sees color in the dark, so the green is not a problem, and you walk quieter than most of the more encumbersome types on the surface... you've got this."
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293516 Xali (editor)
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Xali took a deep breath and released the magic that was illuminating her hair. "If you're sure, but I'd still like you two to take the lead. I know where my strengths lie, and this isn't one of them." She reached up and grasped the flying, glowing stone and its light died down too. "I'll be right behind you."
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293291 Storyteller (GM)
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With the lights out, Timothy finds himself in pitch darkness which his humans eye can not completely adapt to. Even Xali has some trouble seeing, though the red glow in the distance does give her enough vision to avoid obstacles. Again Zylphyr takes the lead, seemingly melting into the shadows, with his hands helping his teammates avoid unseen obstacles.
After a half hour or so of stealthily rising towards the glow, Timothy's vision clears up enough that he no longer needs Zylphyr's assistance. Ahead is the source of the glow visible as you crest the last boulder-like obstacle. A river of lava is leaking from the rock, several feet below your vantage point. After nearly an hour of having traveled uphill, the downhill descent seems most welcome. That is... until you see it. That's not a boulder down there... that's some sort of creature, and it lies upon a small pile of treasure... its lizardlike tail swishing sporadically, as its wings flutter every couple of seconds. It appears to be asleep...?
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293928 Timothy
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Timothy felt quite pained with lack of vision but trusting Zylphyr's silent guidance he moved quietly as he could albeit group's progress was snail's pace. Once they reached the 'boulder' his eyes gleamed happy greed upon the treasure (ignoring the lava for bit even if it made him sweat). But once he spotted the 'boulder' was actually alive and reptile like...he suddenly felt chill and tugging Xali he silently mouthed formed words with his lips so she could see it;
"Dragon?!"
Timothy was not expert on dragons, never seen one, nor know anything about them besides they are big and reptile looking things which breathed fiery doom on you and that only a fool would go challenge one!
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293521 Zylphyr
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*GULP*
Zylphyr looks towards Xali, his expression mirroring the question of Timothy as he ducked low enough to keep his head out of the line of sight of the dragon looking creature. His mouth dry, he made sure not to make so much as an attempt to say anything, less it come out raspy and dry.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293516 Xali (editor)
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Xali nearly forgot to be afraid, so overcome by the beauty of the creature, when she saw Timothy mouth the word dragon she tilted her head back and forth, to indicate a 'kind of' response. Slowly she pulled out her spyglass and gave the beast a moment of study, trying to better see if it was awake or not. Then she waved back towards herself and started backing away from the rock. After backing away a few yards she motioned for the two men to come close, close enough that she could whisper into their ears, so worried of waking the giant beast.
"That's not a dragon. That's a wyvern, they're like dragons, don't tell them that though, but they're smarter and meaner. We have to be very very careful, their hearing is said to be amazing and if we wake it, or give it any reason to be unhappy, things will not go well for us. Just be thankful that it doesn't have the ability to launch a fireball or anything like that." Xali gave the other two a moment to take in what she said before she continued. "Now I've got a few tricks that might work. I've a knack for helping people sleep, though I don't know what it'll do when something is already asleep. I also have a little magical trick that forces people to be quiet, so that'll help us here, but I can only do it to one person at a time, and even then it never seems to last more than fifteen or so seconds, so you'd have to move fast."
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293521 Zylphyr
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Zylphyr raised a finger to his lips as Xali went on her teaching monologue, trying to keep her quiet while looking nervously in the direction of the dragon creature. Although Xali was being very soft-spoken, he tried to bury himself in the deepest shadow he could find, just in case this... wyvern?!? could hear as well as she indicated. If the creature came over the edge, he did not want to be seen.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293928 Timothy
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Timothy follows Xali as she gives brief lecture and spells she haves in use and once done he whispers; "I volunteer, it's not my first time grabbing loot and then move out fast unseen. Make me silent and use your trick keep wyvern sleeping longer as I silently as I can pick and look anything which could help against undead army. As I feel this may be the place we meant to go get something."
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293516 Xali (editor)
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"Who knows, maybe we're supposed to lure the wyvern back with us. I'm sure our little mill could handle that..." Xali cracked a smile, hoping the little joke would relax everyone a bit. She knew that it was tense right now, and the last thing she wanted was to crack under that pressure. "Gotta say, kind of wish I'd learned how to make someone invisible right about now. Best of luck and all that, I'll be up here doing what I can."
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293291 Storyteller (GM)
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A snort, and the sound of pebbles softly rolling down the incline are what warn you that perhaps the Wyvern is no longer asleep. Zylphyr sees it first, the head gazing over the top of the crest. It eyes Timothy and Xali quizzically as it snorts a 2nd time before rising up on its haunches. Obviously this thing has hearing well off the charts...
Zylphyr can get his 'held action' attack off. Everyone roll initiative to determine order after Zylphyr's action/attack
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293521 Zylphyr
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Seeing the head pop over the horizon, Zylphyr reacted more than thought, in releasing a powerful bolt of electrical power (11 damage) at the head (toHit: 18 vs Touch), only realizing afterwards that, maybe it wasn't the best idea in the world to shoot first, ask questions later. He realized that, with his attack, his hiding place was compromised, so he stood up and took a few small steps towards his allies in hopes of a solidified team effort.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293516 Xali (editor)
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Xali was paralyzed with fear when she heard the beast move and waken, though that was wiped away when she watched her companion attack the creature. Picking her jaw up off the floor and shooting a look at Zylphyr to imply what did you just do?! she ran to the stand face to face with the massive creature. Only one thing, in her mind, could work now. She screamed out at the creature, her voice coming out in the harsh rolls and clicks of Draconic. "Stand down, you just got a small taste of what we have in store for you should you anger us. We have come from another plane to take from your treasures. You're going to let us and then we will leave you. Get in our way and you'll find out just how painfully you can die!"(intimidation 27)
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293928 Timothy
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Timothy felt rumble and he already thought; "Oh shit! I think it heard us!"
He then gazed upon wyvern which face immediately got jolted with ligthning and then with balls of steel Xali goes shouting threats on the wyvern! Deciding to aid Xali's threat he quickly draws arrow and aims with bow (but not firing) he says; "One arrow of dragonslaying ready mistress, one hit with it and it dead if it thinks otherwise!"(bluff check 17, Ini 23)
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293291 Storyteller (GM)
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The wyvern steps back as the bolt of electrical power slams into him, but then immediately lowers its head, spreads its wings as much as is possible in the narrow confines, and charges forward towards the trio, it's tail snaking upwards and over its head as its two legs propel it into the group.
Timothy: Init 23. Wyvern: Init 15. Zylphyr: Init 14. Xali: Init 12.
Range: 15'. Condition: Shaken (Intimidated)
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293521 Zylphyr
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"Wait... what's up with that tail?!?", asks Zylphyr as he channels another bolt of power into his hands. "He's restricted in mobility in these tight tunnels, let's play a hit-n-run game here, try to stay out of melee range...", Zylphyr suggested as, after releasing his electrical bolt (Hit: 18), as it seared the creature 10 damage he moved down the incline 15' movement into the deeper darkness below.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293928 Timothy
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Timothy studies his new opponent (study target) and then fires a quick deadly shot on the wyvern while it's off balance with it's charge (27 vs AC, 13pts piercing/cold iron/magic dmg) and then replies; "Not sure but nor I want find out either!"
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293516 Xali (editor)
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Xali took a step back (5' movement), doing her best to keep her face grim, not wanting to let the Wyvern know just how afraid she was. "Is this what you want? You want to die here, we can do that! You can work with us, or you can have your skin used to make me a pair of boots!" (Intimidate 28) Her threats came out in an angry growl of draconic, without taking her eyes off the beast she switched to common. "It's weak in its underbelly, aim for there and it's throat! And watch the tail, it's going to try to poison you with it. It's strong, but we can kill it if it doesn't smarten up." (Naturalist)
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293291 Storyteller (GM)
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Charging forward, the wyvern is intercepted by yet another bolt of lightning and an arrow to the chest. With Xali stepping behind Timothy, the Wyvern focused its charge on the young Sniper, swinging it's tail forward just far enough to impale Timothy in the chest. Its tail pulled out of the Quilted Cloth that protected Timothy, revealing a sickly green color on the front of his armour (No penetration, thanks to Shaken). It roars towards Timothy, spittle covering Timothy's face, though the roar sounded as much of pain as of anger. It stumbled forward, maw spread wide as it seemed intent on taking a bite out of Timothy while its tail pulled back for another strike.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293521 Zylphyr
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Zylphyr does not let up, like a man intent on taking down his prey, he releases (Hit: 18) yet another bolt of electrical power (8 damage), searching for a weakness in the creature before it has a chance to find their weaknesses. However, realizing that the others are not following his tactical advice, he stops his descent, and again moves upwards towards the battle in hopes of pushing this creature backwards, back to whence it came.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293928 Timothy
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(combat ost for Timothy at this moment; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1xzKtMqe_4)
Timothy gasped as the tail came for him! But he grunted form impact....but felt nothing....he then had to grin as he saw green stain on his armor. His armor had protected from penetrative attack, albeit it is less protective than some other heavier armors, but against stuff which intents pierce your hide it protects more than most. Not to mention comfort and lightness of it.
But now he had problem; Xali is behind him and Zylphyr farther back. He is best with bow but he would leave Xali exposed for wyvern's coming assault and Timothy is not sure he can remain lucky further.
So he says to Xali; "Run damn fast Xali! I need get room use my bow here!" Hoping that he is more enticing and more dangerous target for single minded wyvern he makes acrobatic back flips in rapid pace, leaping rapidly backward to avoid claws, tail and teeth of the draconic beast (acrobatics 11, nat 1, AoO provoked from 15'ft movement)!
However in unable see too well he makes serious slip while flipping, exposing himself for wyvern's assault as he moves away from the wyvern.....if he manages finish his movement (despite any injuries he sustains) he would had drawn another arrow ready with his bow and fired a shot at the beast again, aiming on the soft belly scales right into beast's throbbing heart (nat 20, crit confirm 27 vs AC, 46pts dmg).
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Xali darted away from Timothy as soon as the words were out of his mouth, though not as fast as she'd like. (Move 10') "That's it, right there, focus on that arrow, it's right near the left ventricle of his second heart." (continuing naturalist) She pulled out her small crossbow, knowing she could never match the abilities of the skilled sniper. Leveling her weapon she started mocking the beast in the tongue the two of them shared. "Look at you, nearly dead and we're barely breaking a sweat. I must have misread that your kind were strong and smart, when you're a dying stupid piece of dung!" With that she pulled the trigger, letting her bolt fly towards the beast, but boucing harmlessly off its scales (Hit: 13 Dam: 1)
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Unfortunately for Timothy, his attempt to maneuver before shooting his bow landed him in a prone positioning, making it impossible to get a shot off with his bow. The electrical strike hit home, but at this point the Wyvern was beyond caring as his rage took hold. No longer shaken, his instinct for survival kicked in and he went rather berserk in his continued assault on Timothy. First a stinger into the right shoulder of Timothy, unprotected by the quilt cloth, Timothy immediately feels the poison (Fort Save: 17 + 8 damage) enter his system. Next the wyvern attempts a bite attack, but this time Timothy moves out of the way quickly enough that the Wyvern strikes face first into the rock surface below, preventing him from raking at Timothy with his two claws.
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Timothy gasps for the poison entering his system! Making his body feel burn from it, with fierce desperation he stands up from prone and fires shot from point blank range upon the beast (provoke AoO from standing from prone, AoO from firing in melee, same rolls as earlier with ranged attack)!
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Before Zylphyr or Xali have a chance to react, Timothy does a roll over, coming up to his feet just in time to launch an arrow straight into the heart of the beast. Unfortunately, the beast returns in kind, his stinger impaling Timothy in the chest as if falls forward, knocking Timothy right back down to the ground again, a poison thorn digging into his chest, mixing poison with blood. (10 Con damage)
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Zylphyr ran to Timothy, yanking the wyvern's thorn from his chest, "You'll be alright buddy, c'mon, lets get you a bit more comfortable", he said, trying to make sure that Timothy's head lay on something a bit softer. He then focused on the wound, trying to draw the poison out with his mind (telekinesis), drop by drop if needed, to prevent any worsening of the poison in his system.
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Timothy bow sings, with snap arrow right into heart of the beast but same instant in death throws beast strikes with it's stinger and hits right in lodged on his chest and he fell over the floor with stinger stuck in his chest! He groans in pain, sweats and pales considerable amount as he lays there shivering and shaking from the poison burning him up! His vision darkening he spits blood from his mouth and says; "Well, did not plan go out like this way from living.....but that was perhaps my best kill so far."
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Xali moved to Timothy and placed her hand on his head, "Come now, none of that. You're going to be fine." She focused on her hand, letting her power flow through her and into him. (Cure wounds 10) "Just let me know how much more of that you need and we'll have you right as rain."
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Although Xali's attempt to heal Timothy had no noticeable effect, and Zylphyr's telekinesis even less, Timothy through tightened breaths forces his mind to ignore the effects of the poison. Perhaps the combined efforts helped, but Timothy does find the strength to get unto his feet, and look down at the corpse of his quarry. The wyvern lies there, lifeless, its tail twitches a few times, the final drops of green ichor dripping from its tip.
(Still down 6 wounds, and with a reduced Con of 6)
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Timothy with shaky breath stands up from the ground, pale as ghost but alive otherwise. Seeing his quarry he now eyes it like a hunter over a kill, taking vial from inside his armor, drinking it up to help recover bit more and with now empty vial he goes to the twitching tail, with boot snare it down and place the vial's tip on spot where venom is dripping out. Filling his vial with it as he with barely with whisper says; "They say something what does not kill only makes you stronger, go ahead and inspect this wyvern's treasury for anything what could appear useful to us and against undead. I stay here harvest some stuff from this dragon carcass." With wicked grin once vial was full he seals it, takes from his bag of holding skinning tools and starts sharpen them while looking how he would go about skinning and harvesting parts from the wyvern.....weak as he is, he seems determined to get something out from the kill as nice memento.
(Cures 9pts via potion, proceed harvest venom of wyvern on same vial and proceed with profession:hunter check harvest body parts for trophies/skin wyvern, first check 12)
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Zylphyr shakes his head, "Let's stay together as a group... no telling what else is in these caves, or if this thing has relatives nearby...", he stated as he looked over the carcass. "Come on, I'll help you to the top of the ridge, let's see if we can find a way across that river of lava between us and that treasure first...", he added looking at Timothy, then over at Xali to make sure she was ok.
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Xali nodded in agreement with Zylphyr. "He's right, for all we know there are four more Wyverns out there, and without four of your arrows, we'd have to actually work." With that she started inspecting the corpse of the great beast, wondering just how accurate her textbooks had been.
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With his limited knowledge on the Wyvern creature, and his limited capacity to hold his last meal inside due to an inhibited constitution, Timothy decides to just take the tip of the tail before turning his back on the corpse. Returning to a stealthy approach, the trio once again tops the ridge, crawling up to the edge so that only their eyes breached the tip of the ridge. Beneath them again, they see the river of lava rolling gently and quietly past, and on the other side, what appears to be a pile of treasure... this time without a dragon like creature laying upon it. From this vantage point, there is no visible way of crossing the molten lava.
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"We'll have to make our way down there... find a way across. I can't even tell from up here if it's possible to jump over that or not...", Zylphyr quietly stated as he worked his way over the top of the ridge, looking for rock cover to work his way down to the heated river below.
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Timothy watches the river and the bile of treasures, turns back and goes tie rope around carcass of the wyvern they had slain. Once done solid knots he heads back to ridge and asks others; "Got some more rope? I may have idea how we can cross that but need more rope."
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Neither Zylphyr nor Xali had rope to spare, leaving Timothy to figure out how best to deal with the carcass of the wyvern. The river of lava was not that wide, but it was a bit too far to go jumping across. It stretched about 60' at its narrowest point, meaning that there would be no easy way to navigate it. The heat was becoming rather intense now, as you drew closer to the magma, and the occasional bubble bursting upwards like a solar flare caused a few sudden startles amongst Zylphyr and Xali.
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Zylphyr looked up and down the river, disappointed by the lack of a bridge of any sort, despite it being a seemingly useless endeavor to build with the lava jumping up sporadically. He watched Timothy for a bit, trying to fathom what his goal was. "Do you need help moving that thing?", he asks finally over the cacophony of the popping lava.
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Timothy measures the distance while handling the rope he has and replies to Zylphyr; "Yeah, I had idea fire arrow into other side and lodge the arrow shaft into narrow opening. I thought if I cut one end of hempen rope, undo it same lenght needed cross and reach spot where arrow is, then I could fire few arrows with each strand what hempen rope is made from and then once I have fired few arrows I just would corkscrew the ropes back together and make it tight. So it would be strong handle weight on it thanks several arrow shafts working as anchor...light weight at least."
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Xali pulled out her spyglass and gave it the usual loving caress before putting it to her eye. As Zylphyr and Timothy spoke she inspected the surroundings, seeing if there was some added insight she could find. (Perception 20, Know: Eng 24 Both take tens)
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Zylphyr grinned a bit, "Let's save your energy for the other side of the hazard, why don't you and our gnome friend get atop the Wyvern, and I will carry you to the other side of the river.", he stated as his hands spread out along the air, causing the wings of the cadaver to spread similarly before the corpse rose into the air a few inches, and made its way along the ground towards Timothy and then Xali (Telekinetic Haul, 1 burn). "Go ahead, hop on, I'll take you safely across to the other side.", he added.
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Timothy looks amazed on Zylphyr lifting the corpse of the wyvern into midair, but not question about it he climbs atop the wyvern corpse which is now floating in the air.
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Not wanting to be left behind, Xali quickly follows Timothy onto the floating corpse.
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With careful precision, Zylphyr is able to lift the corpse of the great beast, allowing Xali and Timothy to mount upon it. Through force of will, he spreads the aether out over the channel of magma, depositing the corpse on the other side of the river, it's riders safely delivered. Zylphyr remains on the wrong side of the river, and with no visible way for him to traverse the channel.
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Once they landed Timothy dismounted from wyvern carcass, the rope which he had already tied on wyvern was still there. So he tied some rope into one his arrows and shouted up to Zylphyr; "I fire this one far past you! Try grab rope quickly so it does not slide down and get burned! Then try seek spot where tie it, if need more arrows for anchor I can fire some more!" With that he aims and fires off the arrow far as he can while it's tied on rope, firing high altitude shot meaning fly well past Zylphyr who needs just catch the rope from sliding and work from there himself.
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Zylphyr watched the other side, ready to pull the wyvern back to his side of the river, should a threat appear while Xali and Timothy scouted the other side. His concentration on the telekinetic haul was too pronounced to allow him a means to collect the rope, which he let fall to the ground, burning as it touched the lava.
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Xali lets Timothy worry about making a bridge of sorts with the ropes and instead focuses on the pile of treasure the wyvern had been hoarding. "Now then, let's see what we have here." (Perception 29)
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Unable to do anything about Timothy's rope shot, Zylphyr maintains his hold on the Wyvern. However, for now there do not appear to be any threats to the duo on the other side of the river.
On the other side of the river though, granting a new vantage point, it can be seen here that the cave has a very sudden and drastic up shape, allowing the light of day to enter. Somewhere up above, through the chimney-like tunnel straight over the pile, sunlight permeates the darkness.
The treasure pile itself is a bit more mundane at closer appearance. Many bones adorned with rusty old metal and half deteriorated leather. However, there is at least one item of interest here... a golden horn that shines despite the corrosion around it.
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Xali waves her hands in front of herself (detect magic) for a moment and then looks closer at the pile of treasure. After a moment she moves through the pile and starts grabbing at things. The horn and a pair of boots go into her bag. "Timothy, maybe you should come and take a look and see if there's anything I've missed. We can sort out what these things do once we're out of here."
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With a clear coast, Zylphyr draws the corpse back over to himself, preparing for a journey himself to the other side, provided that no other incident generates a change of plans.
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Seeing his rope was not needed, Timothy saved much of the rope he could before it fell to lava, hearing Xali's words he then goes inspect treasure bile for anything on use or interest (perception 24).
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While Zylphyr uses his last minutes with the corpse to get over to the other side of the river, Xali and Timothy have a chance to go through the collection of old gear which constituted the Wyvern's treasure hoard. In addition to a fair share of gold coins, the horn, and the boots, deeper under the pile a net was also found, exuding a minor level of magic, as was a light weight chainmail shirt that also exuded minor levels of magic.
What was not found, was a way out of this situation. The chimney is not climbable, and though there are a few inlets from this area, a cursory investigation does not reveal any that would act as an egress towards freedom.
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"Don't suppose anyone's worked out a way up?", Zylphyr asked, looking upwards at the passage through the ceiling. "What do you think the deal here is? People fell through to their deaths, or this is where the Wyvern brings its victims for the purpose of feeding?", he continued, trying to analyze the passage above (Take 20: Perception 28) and see if there was anything interesting that could be of use in getting out of here. "Otherwise we may have to hope that one of these magical items happens to be the key to getting up there..." he added more to himself than to the others...
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Timothy also looks up to the roof (perception, take 20 for 26) and nods for Zylphyr's words and replies; "Aye, seems to be impossible to climb up there unless one items we found allows get up there. Xali, think you can identify the magic items?" Timothy says this while biling up much loot he can into his magical bag...
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"Well, I can tell that they're magical, but that's about it. That said I can think of one way to identify them. As Dimple Fillydook always said you can't experiment without putting a little skin in the game." As she said that she tossed the net and shirt towards the two men and stepped into the boots, grasping the horn. "Though I can't seem to remember just what experiment took his life, well in for a penny, in for a pound." With that Xali brought the horn to her lips and blew heartily on it.
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High above, Zylphyr spots a corpse, wedged into a rather tight crevice... a corpse that seems to almost call to him, beckoning him upwards. Though Timothy does not see this corpse, he does get a sense that what wind can be felt here, does seem to go upward, indicating that it is the only real exit from these stifling warm caves.
As they gaze upward, a deep melancholic bellow can be heard coming from close by, and almost immediately, a fog sets in, covering the area with a blanket of moist air. Xavi opens her eyes from blowing into the horn to find herself standing before a thick mist.
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"Well that was disappointing... I mean fog is nice and all, but I was hoping for an army of angels or something. Hmmm, now what about these boots." Oblivious to discoveries the other two had made, the curious gnome started running and jumping, trying to discover the magical properties of the boots. (spellcraft 27, take 20)
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Zylphyr reaches out with his mind, curious as to what is drawing him to this long-dead mishap. With telekinetic effort, he attempts to dislodge the poor soul, and draw it down to him in the gentlest way possible. "Now... how exactly did you get up this chimney my friend, and what kept you from completing your ascent?", he asks under his breath.
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Timothy continues to fill his bag with what can, collecting the gold and other valuables whilst Xali tries on the oversized boots. These are fine leather boots with supportive hide strips on the bottom. Sigils are on either side of the boots in the shape of wings. However, by her best analysis, these are Boots of Tripping and Fumbling, as she has a hard time keeping her feet in proper placement with how loose they are. Perhaps these boots are just not for her... too bad since their thin soles and hide casing make them otherwise very comfortable and supportive. Inscribed on the side are the words: Ohrahm Lehvhi Kaupaus.
Meanwhile, the corpse that drew Zylphyr's attention is barely within the 60' range of his telekinesis, and after a bit of fine manipulation, he is able to loosen the body from the crevice into which it was stuck. Bringing it down gently, he sees a body that is very fragile... as if made of bird bones, the garments upon it are in a diverse state of decomposure... the shirt is what mostly draws his attention though. It is dark and constantly in motion, as though a wind were blowing through it. The imagery of storm clouds upon it with the constant motion, makes it seem as if the clouds are rolling along it. The gloves and boots seem to be a matching set to the shirt, and are all in excellent condition, where as the rest of the clothing is in questionable condition, indicating that years had passed since the soul had left the body. Despite the gentle efforts of Zylphyr, setting the body on the ground proves more than the bones are capable of withstanding, and they crumble to dust.
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Zylphyr reaches down, collecting the usable gear, and folding it into a pile next to where the skeletal remains have crumbled into dust. He then shakes out the remaining gear, clearing it all of skeletal dust and parts before tossing them in the direction of the lava. In a ritual-like manner, he then dons the gloves, and begins scooping the dusty remains into a pile before finally scooping it all up to hold into his gloves. The dust miraculously disappears as the winds around Zylphyr pick up causing a very strong breeze to blow upwards into the air.
He looks over at Timothy and Xali, "She was family...", he stated solemnly before standing back up with the last of the gear in hand. He seems to have no interest at all in the remaining treasure, not even the gold. His mind is distant, and even a bit concerned... if she wasn't able to get out, how would he be expected to?
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"I think you'd honor her by using her gear to succeed where she was laid to rest. On a different note it looks like these boots are defective, they clearly made them for giant, fumbling feet." Xali half complained, half joked, hoping to lift the mood as she pulled the boots off her feet and put her original shoes back on. "Timothy, why don't you give them a try. The words look familiar, but I'm not sure I can place them" (Linguistics 20) As she put her shoes on she moved towards the shirt she'd placed aside and stumbled over some bones, crashing into the net. "Oh for the love of Irori..." She tugged at the net for a moment, clearly getting agitated when she stopped and looked down at her wrist, equal parts confused and intrigued. "What's this... Hey I found a bracelet too, on my wrist, but hey I found a bracelet." She started muttering to herself as she looked it over, "There seems to be a little mechanism right-" There was an audible click and in an instant the net hand unwrapped and folded itself in her hand. "Well... would ya look at that."
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Timothy stops shameless looting on Xali suggesting he tries on the boots, hearing Zylphyr's words he nods on Xali's assessment and adds; "Aye, I would not mind a somebody else uses my bow or gear to survive where I fell." Timothy undresses his present boots and dons the new ones. The boots fit him perfectly so far as he is concerned, he makes few tapping steps and walk around and says; "Well, no man shall not complain for new shiny boots. They feel quite comfortable also...." Having no idea how figure out magic item properties he makes his best guess the words in interior hide is activation phrase so he stands still, even footed as he says; "Ohrahm Lehvhi Kaupaus."
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Timothy is unable to decipher the text on the boots in order to recite them, but with some guidance in the enunciation of the words from Xali, he is finally able to say the words properly, and in doing so, finds himself levitating upwards towards the top of the chimney. After some time, Xali realizes that the words are from an old magical tongue, and the most literal translation is air-float-body (Auram Levis Corpus) ;)
Now, perhaps they have a way up... if somehow the boots could be made to carry 3 people that is...
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Zylphyr contemplates the words of his friends for a bit, before removing his breastplate, which hangs effortlessly in the air, and his shirt which falls to the floor. Donning the new shirt, the breastplate then returns to him, strapping itself on tightly. Grateful for a replacement for his very worn boots, he then replaces those as well with the boots of his sister. "So... shall we try to leave?", he asks upon seeing Timothy take to the air.
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Timothy is floating in the air, grasping on edge of the chimney to hold still to see how others fare. Hearing Zylphyr's words he nods and replies; "I go up the chimney and tie up rope somewhere and slide it down for you!" With that said he slowly floats up the chimney towards the surface with rope in hand and ready to tie it on something....
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As Timothy slides up he notices the remaining rope what he has left is far too short for the task ahead he shouts down; "My rope is too short reach down there! I go look can I find vines or something else help you pull up!"
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"Perhaps you should first see if you can carry us with your boots...", Zylphyr suggested, noticing that Xali was rather small, and while he himself was nearly the size of Timothy, his weight was negligible. "You don't know what dangers may be above dropping these corpses to the ground below... and if something happens to you, we're trapped down here without the boots...".
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Timothy listens Zylphyr's suggestion, nods and he then wills the boots cease levitation but do so slowly, so he does not rapidly fall but rather more softly float down. He will test can he carry Xali up into surface by holding her firmly around the waist (lifted up) and activate the boots again.
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Xali suppressed a giggle as she sat atop Timothy's head and stretched her neck to try to see what was coming. "Up, up, and a way!"
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Zylphyr placed a hand on Timothy's shoulder, and as Timothy attempted to rise into the air, the near-weightless sylph saw whether or not he was able to travel with. Failing that, he would use his telekinetic ability to lift himself along with Timothy towards the chimney tunnel.
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Reciting the words again, Timothy does indeed find himself going up into the air, though a bit slower (10' round) than before with the extra weight of Xali and Zylphyr trying to hold him down. Though progress was slower, it did seem to be working, and within a minute, the three of you were at a point in the tunnel where you could pause. Standing on a small outcropping, it was easy to see that the hole was going to be getting smaller, and that the surface was becoming slippery as the moisture on the side of the walls became more evident.
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Xali reached for the ledge and managed to find purchase for her small fingers, easily gripping despite the slippery nature. (Reflex 21) "Careful now, it's a bit icy. I guess that heat doesn't radiate much up here, or it's much much colder than we're guessing."
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Though he felt no real inclination to 'land', Zylphyr wanted to make sure that his two companions were ok, and that the weight wasn't too much for Timothy. "I fear we've only just begun our ascent... though stopping points do seem prudent, if they are places we can actually relax on... this place, not so much. Ready to continue?", he asks. (Reflex: 22)
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Timothy is surprised on power of his boots so he could not resist giggle bit as well along with Xali as they ascended upwards. Once they reached the slippery ledge his own fingers with struggle find grip to it (reflex 20) and replies to Zylphyr as he climbs into the ledge; "Yeah, ready to continue."
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Indeed, as you begin going upwards, the chimney seems to tighten. The heat from the lava below, having such a tight space to escape through, warms the narrowing space up to a point that clothing starts becoming bothersome. The walls become more slimy as you progress, places to pause become rarer until you reach a point in which Zylphyr must release his shoulder hold as it becomes too cramped to be abreast to each other. Even Xali is finding that her knees are hitting more than desirable, and will need another position to continue forward.
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"We know there's a way out, we can feel it... but I think perhaps we should re-think how we do this... can we use the rope, tie it around each of us? And your boots... if this chimney curves much more, I don't think they'll be of much use... perhaps it's time that I tried to carry us all... the boots will make you weightless as my boots do for me. I think I can pull us through, but you'll have to be tied to me...", Zylphyr comments as he looks for a place to use for changing positions with everyone.
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"Not that I don't feel super super safe being pulled up a chimney by a rope with a significant drop beneath me... But wouldn't it be more prudent if the one of us who was smallest, and couldn't fly, maybe stands on the shoulders of those who could perhaps catch her should something go sideways?"
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"You're a tiny critter, that is true, but still far too heavy for my physical stature to maintain for any real duration on my person. Until I learn to refine my abilities, pulling you along with a rope is really my only option I'm afraid.", Zylphyr replied the Xali.
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"Well just pretty please promise to not drop me. I don't bounce."
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Timothy nods on Zylphyr's plan and replies; "Okay, I still continue go ahead while you follow me and drag Xali with you." On Xali's words he smirks and adds; "Is not being bouncy and lovable one gnome traits?" Joking aside Timothy proceeds use his boots, levitating up and if meeting curves he uses his gloved hands to guide himself around the curves, push or gently kick off walls to keep himself free and floating directly upwards towards surface. But not going too far ahead so he can remain hearing distance from Zylphyr in case of trouble or problems.
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Using Timothy's rope, Zylphyr and Xali attempt to knot the rope around their respective persons. Zylphyr first ties a knot round his boot, the focus of his telekinetic power, before tying the rope around Xali, strapping it around her chest so that her arms hold it in place. With Timothy's help, she lowers herself down until the weight is entirely on the rope. Then, squeezing past Zylphyr, Timothy takes the lead up the ever slippery and narrowing tunnel.
After a few moments, the tunnel begins to curve up ahead, and Timothy begins to struggle because no matter how much of a hold he thinks he has, there is no place to grip with his hands. He reaches a point where, his boots aren't able to push him, and his hands can't pull him. He is stuck.
If that wasn't bad enough... the boots suddenly fail! With no grip, with no levitation, Timothy begins his descent right into the face of Zylphyr!
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293928 Timothy
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Timothy curses quietly lack of grip hold and his levitating boots having no power push him up....but then suddenly odd reason his boots fail! He yelps as he starts fall and tries grab onto Zylphyr or anything to stop his descend down! While repeating command word of his boots to return their power back on!
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293521 Zylphyr
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Zylphyr curses as a pair of boots steps on his face, "Seriously...?", he asks in a soft whisper as he also begins to descend from the weight of his ally. In a louder voice he then asks, "You ok boss? You seem to be going the wrong direction... And you're taking us with you..."
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293928 Timothy
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Timothy tries stop the slide and so he repeatedly chants; "Ohrahm Lehvhi Kaupaus! Ohrahm Lehvhi Kaupaus! Ohrahm Lehvhi Kaupaus!" His hands reach far as he can on sides and try slow down his sliding down on the slippery surface. Get hold on something.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293516 Xali (editor)
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Xali twisted her head, trying to look behind her as she dangled on a rope beneath Zylphyr. "Not to be too much of a bother, but any chance I could be set down on a ledge or something while you help him figure this out?" She wasn't sure what she could do but being carried around like a fob on Zylphyr's keychain certainly wasn't where she could do anything.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293291 Storyteller (GM)
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As soon as Timothy said the words, the boots reactivated, but not before pushing the trio down several meters. The area was far too tight to do much of anything, and there simply were no hand-holds anywhere to be found, much less a ledge. Xali dangled helplessly, unable to do much of anything, as her feet when contacting the slippery surface, simply slid off.
Suddenly, the light dimmed, as if something were passing over the source to the outside light. The clanking of metal against rock could be heard above, in the distance.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293521 Zylphyr
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Zylphyr was grateful when the weight of Timothy on him lessened. "Maybe I should lead... you behind Xali with some more rope", he suggested to Timothy. "I'm more likely to be able to push through with my kinetic power, and your boots are a good backup if something happens..."
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293516 Xali (editor)
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"Maybe we should move!! Something's falling into the hole!!" Xali couldn't very well see what was coming, but she had a feeling that talking about it wouldn't stop whatever was coming from hitting Timothy square in the face if he didn't move quickly.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293928 Timothy
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Timothy nods for Zylphyr's words and replies; "Okay, some reason though boots failed to work up there suddenly so be careful. I go below Xali with some spare rope tied on me." And so with struggle and squeezing Timothy moves under Zylphyr and Xali, using his boots lower himself down slowly.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293291 Storyteller (GM)
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The sliding and clanking of metal draws closer as Timothy tries to reposition beneath Zylphyr and Xali, when suddenly, from over the curve, a sword comes barreling down in your direction, pointy-end first. Reflex Save, Zylphyr
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293521 Zylphyr
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Zylphyr attempts a deft avoidance of the blade (Rflx: 17), but concerned for the safety of his comrades, also attempts to catch the blade during its descent (21 SoH).
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293291 Storyteller (GM)
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Zylphyr just barely manages to avoid being impaled on the sword as it comes sliding through the chute, directly towards him. Surprisingly, he even grabs it by the hilt as it falls past, preventing the inevitable chance that one of his allies would be on the receiving end of the blade. Interestingly, a split second after he catches it, it disappears into nothingness as if by magic.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293521 Zylphyr
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"Well, that was close", Zylphyr commented before looking down, "You guys all tied on now? Ready to try this again?" he asks, still focusing on his boot and pushing forward to give the rope more tautness. "You ok Xali?"
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293516 Xali (editor)
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"Oh you know me, just hanging out like normal." Xali shouted, think to herself that when this was over, she needed to find a way to prevent this and never be left dangling over a giant drop like this again.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293928 Timothy
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Timothy briefly panicked as the short sword suddenly came out of nowhere plunging down towards them! But was glad Zylphyr had quick reflexes. As Zylphyr made his question he checks ropes and replies; "We are ready down here, ropes are tight and ready to go and my boots keep me hovering."
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293291 Storyteller (GM)
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"Hello? Can I ask why you're hiding in a hole?", you hear in the upper distance, though it is rather feint to the ear.
Meanwhile, Zylphyr is able to progress, using his Telekinetic Haul on his boot, he begins pulling the rest rather quickly through the slippery walls, reaching the same curve that Timothy stalled on, Zylphyr is able to continue forward unimpeded.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293521 Zylphyr
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"Someone's up there!", Zylphyr comments in a loud whisper, while continuing to press upward with his telekinetic endeavor. "It's getting tighter, I don't know if we'll squeeze through with our armours...", he adds on, worried that he might lose some gear to get past this obstacle.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293928 Timothy
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Timothy heard someone from above shouting for them and hearing Zylphyr's words he nods and replies; "Should we reply? They could help. If feel for it, you can strip armor and even clothes if needed and I can stuff them on my bag and I just leave boots and bag on."
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293516 Xali (editor)
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Xali simply hung there, the rope around her waist causing her to twist a little as they dangled her.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293291 Storyteller (GM)
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Indeed, the path was getting tighter, when suddenly, from above, just inside his view, Zylphyr sees what appears to be the tail-end of a rope hanging from above. Just a slight bit further, and his hands are within reach of the rope.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293521 Zylphyr
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Zylphyr reaches up with both hands, pushing as best as he can to reach the point in hopes that the hole isn't too tight for the breastplate he wears yet. Once he can, he grabs onto the rope for dear life, praying that whomever is on the other end yelling down, is getting enough help to pull the three of them clear from this mess. "Hold on guys, the ride might get a bit bumpy here!", he hoarsely whispers downwards, not wanting to give whomever might be at the other end reason to not pull them clear.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293291 Storyteller (GM)
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As Zylphyr holds onto the rope, it begins to rise up, easing his efforts to lift everyone telekinetically. In a smooth process, the rope ascends this slimy shaft, rising a good 15' before suddenly stopping. Up ahead, you hear voices which sound a bit shocked, indicative that someone up there may be aware that there are extra addendums making use of the rope's pull to the surface.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293521 Zylphyr
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Zylphyr held a finger to his lips as the voice from above asked them to identify themselves... worried that the truth might be the wrong answer, causing them to plummet back down to where they began, he hoped that curiosity would insure their continued assent, at least until such a time as they were clear of the slippery and could get out on their own. Instead, he just held onto the rope, returning his grip to it once his gesture was seen, and prayed that his shoulders would not give out before their rescue was assured.
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293928 Timothy
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Timothy was silent as Zylphyr gestured, his hearing becoming sharper as they laid in wait....but then he hears faint shouting from above and tries make out from it words....besides the sound sounding familiar...(perception 16 to hear)
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IC - Realm of Shadows by 293516 Xali (editor)
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Xali did her best to arch her neck back to see what was going on. Her first impulse was to ask, but the fact that the other two had suddenly gone so quiet told her she should do the same. So instead of asking, the little academician simply hung there and waited for what came next, hoping it wasn't a long fall and a quick stop.
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Last edited by MrJohnson, February 05 2018 16:22:05. Open game article. You can edit it once you log in.