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NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
The flash of light envelops the party, filling your lungs with fire. In the last instant, many of you reach for each other instinctively. Flesh is seared from bone; bone is turned to ash. The light fades leaving behind only darkness ...
A second flash of light, followed a split second later by an ear-shattering KRAAAKKK!!! startles you awake. Raindrops, hard and cold, strike you full in the face. You find yourself lying on your back on wet stone.
Other bodies rise slowly to their feet around you. Thunder and lightning light the night sky.
...
A young woman, long blond hair plastered to her face, turns slowly in circles, trying to look over her shoulder at her back. (Tiriel)
A gnome, with blue eyes and brown hair, touches his ears wonderingly. (Fizahn)
A towering human with a heavily muscled, scarred body rubs his unkempt beard. (Retay)
A lithe woman, naked, unselfconsciously shakes the water from her black hair. Small feathers fall to the ground around her. (Kazz)
An older man, graying, raises his face to the sky, laugh lines crinkling the corners of his eyes. (Evendur)
A young woman with wavy red hair and green eyes wraps her cloak about her tightly, hunching slightly. (Ginevra)
A half-elf with dark eyes and hollowed cheeks stands apart from the others, arms crossed. (Elthan)
A lean man with light brown hair and blue eyes scowls. His features could pass for human. (Grynde)
An elf smiles. His hair and eyes are lighter than you remember. (Aeroz)
A man raises both hands before his eyes and flexes his fingers. Turning his arms this way and that he seems surprised and perhaps a bit disappointed to find both intact. (Callos)
...
The stone beneath your feet is shattered, a large engraved spiral all but obliterated. Your eyes rise from the ground to find a colonnaded pavilion looming before you.
Shadowy figures stand beneath the pillars, but they do not move as you approach. A pair of yellow eyes shine, and a gravelly voice calls out, "To whom do the two keeps belong?"
As if still in a waking dream, Callos and Fizahn step forward.
"Just so," replies the voice. Stone grinds upon stone, then cracks. The shadowy figures begin to move ...
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Lightning flashes, illuminating the shadowy figures ...
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A half-elf with long, braided black hair grimaces as he stretches his stiff limbs. (Mazom)
An elf with dark brown hair and violet eyes wears a single black feather around his neck. (Addis)
A tall, slim elf with golden eyes and hair folds his hands together pensively. (Darros)
A young man with shoulder-length brown hair, hazel eyes, and a noble bearing tries his best to look nonchalant. (Atoly)
A tall, athletically-built man wiggles his fingers experimentally. (Davek)
A reptilian humanoid crouches warily on all fours before slowly standing fully upright. (Patash)
A fair dwarf with a short beard and piercing blue eyes holds a battleaxe (Harsk)
...
The seven look down at those of you standing on the stairs below the pavilion.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Brown Haired Youth
The young knight raises his armored left hand above his eyes as he looks around him. His back is straight, and he seems to look slightly above the darkened figures. Once or twice his right hand inched towards his left hip before stopping and returning to his side.
He waits silently for another to make the first move.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Aeroz
The smile fades from the elf's face and he pats his face, torso and groin a frantic manner, as if he was making sure he was actually there. Instinctively dropping his hands to the two swords at his belt, he realizes that he is completely unarmed. Sticking his hand under his shirt, he feels no chainmail either, which brings a look of worry on his face.
"...wait a minute...what happened....didn't we all...didn't I..." he stutters as he gazes at the people in the pavilion. He immediately recognizes Callos, Elthan, Fizhan, and the others, though they seem to be somehow different.
"Now what in the nine hells happened?" he exclaims in frustration.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Evendur
The aging paladin gazed silently at the dark sky, rain running down his neck. He pulled himself to his feet, keeping his eyes on the clouded sky. Slowly looking back down at his hands, he noted mutely that his musket had vanished. At the same time though, he felt strong again. His strength had returned, after what had been decades of loss. But something else had been taken instead.
"My Lady. Where are you? I can no longer feel your presence," the words, barely a whisper, are almost covered by the rain falling on the ground. Returning his gaze to the heavens, he whispers again, "where have you gone?" He makes no response to Aeroz's question.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Fizahn:
Fizahn looks around. He reaches for his 'short sword.' Not finding it there, he looks around for it. He groans as he sees the rest of the party also unarmed and unarmored. A deep frown comes on his face when he sees Tiriel. He walks to her, and looks up at her, disappointment easily read on his face. "What happened, Angel?" I may have lost my wealth, and after that great windfall, damn. At least I still have a castle?
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Golden-haired Elf
Clasping his hands together, the pale eladrin takes in his surroundings. Relying on the superior senses of the High Elves, he remains still for a time. Satisfied he is in no danger yet not trusting these unknown people, he moves toward the edge of the pavilion, enthralled by the storm above. As he pays his respects to the power of nature unleashed, his keen, analytical mind goes into overtime trying to figure out just what the hell is going on here.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Violet Eyed Elf
Coming to from his near petrification the violet eyed elf reaches up to his black feather and folds his fingers over it. He looks around the room trying to gather his bearings when several voices are heard below him. The elf is unafraid as he moves slightly forward to better see those below and around him, taking time to especially examine the shadowy figures in the room.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Brown Haired Youth
The shouts of those outside the pavilion draw the noble's attention. He takes a single, measured step out from between the pillars. He once again glances just above the others in the area, paying special attention to those of elven blood. His gaze lingers perhaps longer than is polite over the dark form of the naked woman before returning to the outspoken elf.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Dwarf
"What the devil just happened?" he coolly asks himself.
The last thing the dwarf remembers was a voice and flashing eyes, then the feeling of cold stone and numbness. The last thought makes him shiver, and he is immediately thankful for that small amount of mobility. His next thoughts fly to his two most treasured items. He feels the familiar grip of the axe in his hands and then locates his prized crossbow. These two items secure he looks around him, taking in his surroundings. Six others are with him on the colonnade, all seemingly as mystified as himself. Many more figures loom in the darkness, outside in the rain. He switches weapons, loading a bolt into the ornate crossbow and waits for someone to make the next move.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Grynde
Standing, Grynde rubs his eyes several times to attempt to clear them, and then rubs them against when his vision doesn't focus as he'd expect.
What..? I'm...alive...but my sight is...a little hazy. What the hell is going on? He stares at his body, which is different to how he remembered. Before, he had been thinner, lighter...Now he was less angular, less...elven. More like...
Cautiously, almost fearing what he will find, he raises his hands to his ears...They're rounded. His eyes widen and he sits down hard, staring into space, a dozen thoughts intruding all at once on his simple mind, looking almost zombified.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Elthan
Elthan shies his way towards the center of the group for protection, holding his arms crossed and putting on his best face of indifference. One moment he was dead, another minute he was destroyed, then now he's slowly growing cold under an enclosure with a storm just outside. He sunken-cheeked half-elf shivers a bit, but not from the cold. It's as if a protective layer had been taken from him and distanced; He could not feel the Weave around him. He could not feel the magic inside of him as he had known. It was gone, like an empty hole in his soul where he had known warmth.
Confused, cold physically and emotionally, and drained of energy, he lashes out at the dwarf at the edge of his vision. "What happened?! We died! Or by all rights should have. We centered ourselves among energies your feeble shrunken mind shall never comprehend while preventing the destruction of the world and now find ourselves asked questions as dumb as yours while we're pelted with cold rain!"
The half-elf fumes for a moment before a shiver runs down his spine, telling him to calm down. He starts to lower his head and hide his face in his arms, his attention shifting off the dwarf entirely. "Hey, Khazrael...", he starts off slowly, softly, "Can you... feel it? Can you feel the Weave anymore? The magic inside... it's not connected anymore. I don't feel it. There's still magic, but I don't feel it."
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Patash
As the reptilian humanoid with rust colored scales and golden eyes stands, he slowly scans his surroundings. Then exclaims "By Bahamut's Horns what honor is there in turning a man to stone before he has a chance to answer your question?"
He then takes several deep breaths and chants quietly. Now visible calmer he says "I am Patash, of the Talon Lakes Clan does anyone know who the golden eyes belong to and why I was turned to stone?" Patash stops suddenly and looks around franticly as a disturbing thought occurs to him. "How long have I been a statue?" he wonders as he continues to determine how much time has passed.
OOC
Patash is trying to determine is the season is different then when he first entered the colonnaded keep or temple .
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Black-haired half-elf
The Half-elf still moves slowly, and some dust crumbles from his cheeks.
Does your hair grow when you are turned to stone? Where am I?
He holds up both hands palms facing forward. His armour seems rusted and old, and on his back hangs a shield and a scabbard for a scimitar.
Hold your weapons. No one I see here seems like a brigand or a robber, and I most certainly ain´t one myself. I am Mazom Urimgiir Beel and I offer you my peace in the name of Avandra. Now, who are you, and wich one of you released me from my spell?
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
The air is cold and thin, and the rain begins to freeze as it falls. The sleet bites the faces of those not sheltered beneath the colonnaded pavilion as you try to reorient yourselves.
The next flash of lightning reveals that you are perched on a rocky outcropping at the base of a mountain. Two irregularly shaped towers rise behind the pavilion, nestled in a cleft split by a tall, thin waterfall that cascades down the mountain side.
The steps at the foot of the pavilion spill onto the shattered flat rock. A narrow winding trail leads downward from the open field of stones toward a valley surprisingly far below. A small cluster of wan yellow lights flicker down in the valley, signs of a small village.
You appear to be neither where nor when you thought you were ...
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Golden-haired Elf
The tall elf smiles in appreciation as the weather gets worse. Wrapping his thick blue robes more tightly around his thin frame, he turns and walks back towards those standing under the shelter of the collonade.
"Indeed not, cousin," he says, addressing the nervous half-elf, "My name is Darros of House Havath. My initial analysis of the situation leads me to believe we were all transported here in a similar manner, against our will. The means of how it was done are as yet beyond my arcane understanding. It does not appear that the culprit is present, though they may be hidden from sight."
Stepping lightly toward the steps, Darros peers through the pelting rain at the group below. "It appears that our friends down there are just as confused as we are. It seems prudent to find out what they know, though I have not the force of lungs to invite them to join us in shelter from this glorious storm. Would one of you do the honors?"
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Brown Haired Youth
"Hah!” An arrogant, shrill laugh pierces the sleet.
He turns towards his black-haired companion and continues, "Am I to believe that you are such a judge of character that you are certain of another's intent even before seeing their face? Then tell us the plans of whoever built this place."
Looking at the golden-eyed elf he continues his outburst. "And you, after a few minutes of standing around you claim we are all unwilling travelers?" His voice takes on a commanding tone. Not the tone that inspires obedience, but the tone used to being obeyed in all things. "I will not believe you until the inhabitants of this land confirm your story. We shall set forth once I have been satisfactorily convinced of your innocence."
"And should I be correct, my father yet rules these lands and my word is his law."
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Darros
Darros arches a delicate eyebrow at the brash nobleman. "Young sir, none here challenged you. Your outburst and aggression was as unnecessary as it was rude. I was born to the peerage in my land, and a wise noble does not treat unknown strangers with contempt." Gesturing to the unusual landscape, he continues, "Further, when one awakes in a strange land surrounded by people who were clearly displaced at the same moment as themselves, it is plain that they have all been abducted. This conclusion is more easily reached if one observes their fellow travelers rather than berates them. All of us present here were clearly startled upon waking. You yourself concealed it better than most, but your eyes told it plainly." Dropping his hand, Darros changes posture, smiling warmly at the nobleman's son. "For what its worth, friend, I don't know where we are either, though I doubt it is your father's land."
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Fizahn:
Fizahn shields his eyes and looks up at the pavilion. The gnome then looks down at the town far below. "I don't much like this hail. I say we get out of it quickly. I'd prefer to go to the town, but the pavilion is much closer." And there's the problem of not knowing where this is and what we're doing here. "Maybe one of the people up there is a local and can direct us... somewhere?"
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Elthan
The black-haired elfs breath shivers as he tries to calm himself. He taps Fizahn on the shoulder and points towards the towers, one arm still wrapped around his chest. "Those should be safe if I'm correct. We can rest there until the storm passes, and head down to the village as soon as possible to get our bearings."
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Tall, athletic-looking human
Satisfied that the petrification had no unfortunate aftereffects, the human looks about as if taking stock of his situation. After listening to the ongoing conversation, he addresses those near him when an opening presents itself.
I agree, it was bloody rude of that thing to turn us to stone just because we couldn't answer a stupid question, he says to the gold-eyes reptilian. I'm just thankful my gear's still here. Wouldn't be much fun trying to camp out on this stone. He then turns toward the elf and arrogant human. I don't know about you lot, but this definitely isn't the countryside I was hiking in before I was turned into a decoration for this place. I wouldn't make any assumptions about who holds sway here till we know just where here is. He then notices the group at the bottom of the steps, and moves toward the entrance to get a better look at them. Anyone looking closely will notice the shadows near him twist ever so slightly in a subtle, odd and somehow alien fashion. Other than leather armor, a dagger in a sheath at his belt and a pack that obviously has some gear inside he doesn't look to be carrying any weapons. Hello! He calls to the group below. We are travelers that took shelter from the weather in this pavilion. Can you tell me how far it is to the nearest town?
OOC: Spoiler
Show
Will roll bluff if needed, though nothing he has said is untrue :smallwink:.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Mazom
The black-haired vagabond nods his head at Darros. He points at the dark towers. "Just before I slept, someone asked me a question about those towers. They seem inhospitable indeed. The small village below seems like a much better place to start. Do you agree?"
He turns to the golden haired youth. "Pleased to meet you, young noble lord. May I ask your name?"
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Nude Woman
A tree blown bare of its leaves, someone close is missing...
Shivering, the pale woman curls a whip-thin tail protectively around herself as she looks about. She lacks the well-toned athleticism of the other two women, and wearing only the black feathers in her hair, seems fairly out of place. She stares forward with a glassy look that fades into focus as she takes in the vaguely familiar faces around her.
Tiriel? I remember the Redhead's face, I think. That's Grynde over there...
The half-elf's voice catches her attention. She snaps about to face him with a strained look, and lets his question sink in before asking, "How do you know Khazrael?"
Presently, she folds her arms over herself and stammers, "I need...it's cold..."
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Elthan
"Huh?" says the half-elf in an off-handed manner as he looks back at Khazrael puzzled. How do I know him indeed... he scoffs inside his head. With some glimmer of concern, he pulls off his robe and wraps it around the tiefling quickly, leaving himself with his thin shirt and trousers. "You really should have looked into transforming into something with feathers in more places than your head." he chides, "I wouldn't be surprised if you had some feathers in your brain as well..."
He looks around and addresses his companions and the strangers as well. "Callos, Fizahn, everyone, let's get inside the towers now before we freeze. With my slim recall of events, by some happenstance, these two towers belong to both our Necromancer and our Gnome. I will explain that later. I don't suspect any surprises within, yet even so we should be safe if we just enter and hide. So whatever has occurred, let's get out of the rain now."
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Robed Woman
As Elthan draws nearer, he can see more clearly that something has clearly gone awry.
This woman does bear a resemblance to the succubus in the spiral chamber, but up close, seems like someone else entirely. Her features are softer, her figure is less idealistic, and she's nearly a head shorter than she was. Most notably, she's missing a pair of wings.
She pulls the robe over herself and looks about, watching for a sign that anyone else might be able to make sense of what the half-elf has said.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Aeroz
"I'm going to have to agree on Fizhan with this one. If we head to the town, we might find someone to clue us in on where we are."
Aeroz shifts oddly from foot to foot.
"I miss the weight of my weapons...Damn Longblade was a gift from Shevarash hiself" he grumbles.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Fizahn:
Fizahn looks at Elthan. "I know I've got a castle, some of us are lucky with cards, but how do you know that that's mine? And if it is mine, perhaps you should be a little worried for yourself?" He then turns and looks at the rest of the group. "I just think that the towers seem a little ominous. Does anyone else agree with me? Opinions on this situation might be useful.
Retay. You're usually silent, but it's time to weigh in.
Anika. Do you have a new name for these conditions?
Callos. You're usually a very vocal person full of advice. Let's hear it.
Aeroz. Thank you. I'm right.
Khazrael. Why are you currently a woman?
Grynde. No one cares what you think anyway.
Evendur. Does your God have any counsel for us?
Tiriel. You haven't said anything. Are you okay?"
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Callos
His mind was swarming with all that had happened, the hows and whys that he just plain didn't know or even understand. Why was he alive again? How had they even gotten to this place? What about Sethra and his plans for...had he succeeded?! Was this the new world that Sethra had tried to bring about?
Irritation swung in equal parts with confusion and rage on his face as the others assembled underneath the freezing rain. If it bothered him then it didn't show on his face, instead simply reaching up to cup his chin in thought when Elthan passes his shirt over to the...was that Khaz? So it hadn't been a perfect change then. His eyes were focused on the pavilion with the people clustered about underneath of it, trying to avoid thinking about the fact that his arm had returned to it's normal shape. So even that experiment had been undone..
Without waiting the necromancer..was he still a necromancer? It didn't feel like it anymore..strode up towards the steps of the pavilion with only a glance cast back towards the others. "The towers, quickly. We need someplace to think about what the hell has happened."
Granted his path was going to take him right by the pavilion but the irate older man seemed uncaring about who those people were. Either they'd stop him or not on his way past.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Violet-Eyed Elf
As voices are raised outside the pavilion, the violet-eyed elf moves down to where those speaking have congregated. Hearing some suggest making for the village below, the elf speaks out, "It appears there are quite a few of us that have found ourselves where we did not intend to be."
The elf pauses and looks at the others as thunder from the gathering storm rumbles. "My name is Addis Qatur, humble servant of the Raven Queen. I would be glad to accompany anyone down to the village below so that we may find some answers."
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Grynde
People speaking, wondering, moving...This is all lost on the human as he stares aimlessly into space. As the cold moves in around him, he snaps back into reality, looking confused rather than his usual angry. Around him, people continue to speak, but it doesn't seem to matter to him. He stands, and walks in the same direction as Callos, although he doesn't look up from the ground as he walks.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Brown Haired Youth
"Oh, so you're what pass for nobility amongst the elfin kind? I should apologize. I did not realize any of noble blood would be so unarmed." The youth is hardly sincere.
"And I do know where we are, and you lot have approached me from the shadows like a pack of thieves. I have every right to accuse you of misconduct. Though it is now nightfall, I remember climbing up here just hours ago. Then," the noble pauses for a moment, "I find myself here, surrounded by men skulking in the shadows."
His stiff posture relaxes somewhat as Mazom asks his question. Turning and making a formal bow, he responds in a rehearsed tone, "I am Atoly Magivol, Baron of Stryna. Young Lord will be acceptable."
Next turning to the dwarf, he calls out in a reasonable tone offset by harsher words. “Sir dwarf, lower your crossbow in the presence of nobility and introduce yourself. Quickly if you would.”
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Evendur
The paladin turns to Fizahn. "I have lost my connection to her." He turns as Callose begins walking up the stairs. Quietly, he begins to follow, paying no attention to the rest of his old companions or the group he's moving towards.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Elthan
Elthan urges Khazrael along with him as he chases after Callos, noting casually, "Come along now, I don't want to lose track of my robe." He throws his cloth belt over his head and catches up with his friend as swiftly as he can, marching alongside.
"So what are your thoughts? Have you felt anything either Callos? It may be me, but things feel different. I don't like what that may be a sign of."
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Tall, athletic human
Noticing Callos and Grynde (though he doesn't yet know their names) coming up the steps, the human turns to Addis. In this weather, I might suggest we instead get indoors. You may call me Davek if you wish, and if you decide to wait out the night here I'd be happy to come with you to the village after the storm breaks. I may not look it, but I've helped fend off a bandit or two and know how to ask the right questions to get our bearings without looking like complete idiots once we reach town. Next Davek turns to the loud-mouthed noble, deciding he thinks the "Young Lord" ought to find a healer to remove the tree that seems to have lodged itself in his posterior. We're doubtless far from your retinue, Baron, and in my experience it's not always a good idea to be rude to men skulking in shadows. They may not share your respect for title or station, particularly if your title relates to a land they've never heard of.
Realizing such words might do more harm than good here, Davek takes a more conciliatory tone next. On the other hand, Baron, while you seem to be aware of your surroundings most of us are lost. It might benefit us to remain together for the night in case we are accosted by unsavory types while we rest, and I for one would appreciate the aid of one who knows the area come morning. Spoiler
Show
Rolling bluff and diplomacy for reference purposes, though I gather it doesn't necessarily make a difference between PC's. Bluff: [roll0] Diplomacy: [roll1]
Also, it looks like we'll have additional company shortly. Two of the group from down below are approaching. To Callos, he call out Hail, and well met! What brings you to these parts?
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Young red-haired female human
The young woman shivers. Agh. It's col--
Hold on... It's cold. I'm feeling.
She pinches herself. "Ow..."
I'm still alive.
She stops walking abruptly, and Fizahn almost bumps into her.
"Oops... sorry, Fizahn." She looks down at her surprisingly human form. "I guess just call me Ginevra." She pulls her cloak around her body and trudges towards the pavilion, following Callos.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Darros
Shaking his head at the man's continued arrogance, Darros raises a hand. Holding aloft an orb of clear crystal, a low crack of thunder retorts, and electricity crackles between his fingers and the orb. "Baron, I have no quarrel with you. But know that there is more to a man than brute force, and I need no steel to measure myself by." The electricity flickers out as he pockets the orb. "Harsh words have been said, but there is no reason for us to be enemies. I return respect when respect is given, or at least civility. Let us start anew."
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Tiriel
Fizahn's repeated queries finally sink in. Tiriel notices that she's standing with a group of people that are both familiar and strange. She thinks she knows all of them, but "recognize" might be too strong of a word. Obviously she's not the only person who's lost things but she can't help but feel isolated by her loss. And cold. She wraps her arms around herself as she replies to Fizahn, "Yeah sorry, I... I'm just..." just what? she thinks, shocked, confused, scared, angry? All of those things. The pain that had come before had been searingly physical. What replaced it now was the sharp realization of what was lost.
"Yeah I'm ok.." Tiriel joins her red-headed friend and heads toward the tower, her troubled thoughts keeping her occupied.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
The ten of you climb the stairs until you are sheltered beneath the colonnaded pavilion's roof. The pavilion is open on three sides but is sealed at the back. As you move deeper into the gloom, you find two pairs of large wooden doors, banded in iron, set into the rear wall of the pavilion. The doors flank a stone statue of a giant basilisk who is curled up with its eyes closed as though sleeping ...
Some of the seven warriors standing among the pillars bicker while others try to introduce themselves. Others ask questions that are lost in the confusion.
Names are exchanged, but it remains difficult to match so many new names with so many different faces - elven, human and ... neither? The words begin to blur into each other ... Addis ... Atoly (the "young lord") ... Darros ... Davek ... Mazom.
Patash, by all appearances a talking lizardman, reminds some of you of Ssathiya. Some of you eye the dwarf up and down. Perhaps Thokk has returned yet again from the dead? His beard is cut short however, and he appears to have a more fair complexion than the oft-slain demonslayer. Perhaps stung by Elthan's hostility, the dwarf is not quick to name himself.
The one called Davek hails your group directly, and awaits a response.
Almost unnoticed, an eighth newcomer steps out from behind a pillar, where he had been observing the others. He is another elf, blond-haired and blue-eyed, but taller than most of his kin. His light blue cloak matches his eyes. A bow is slung over his shoulders.
The air is cold, and even some who aren't dripping wet shiver. Several look down the mountain into the valley. The trip down the mountainside to the village will be treacherous in the darkness and rain. It would likely be many hours before any shelter (assuming there would be shelter available) could be reached ...
OOC: Please feel free to start using the OOC thread (in my spoiler sig) to introduce yourselves to each other ...
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Callos
The knowledge that the others were following him only rang dimly in the back of his mind, everything was just too..off for him to pay particular note of the fact his companions hurried up the steps behind him. Still his mind was too involved with the basics of what had happened or what seemed to have happened. Why was his arm back and what did it mean? What had happened to Khaz? Tiriel didn't seem to be okay either and his gaze lingered briefly on her. Why was she confused? If anything she seemed to be the same.
And then there were the people huddled together in the pavilion already, some who were arguing amongst themselves while another was...talking to him? Callos's brow furrowed, pausing as he took stock of the man who had called out greetings to him. He didn't seem to be a threat but then again the same could have been said for half a dozen other things he had encountered. "Hail." Comes the reply in a rough voice that sounds as if the owner had a truly miserable day, which Callos had actually had,
"I am traveling to the two towers behind you, as do those with me. Unless I'm mistaken neither of us has reason take offense to the other and I'd like to keep it that way." The lanky human says, reaching up to brush pitch black hair back out of his face from where it had been pelted down by freezing rain. Once more his dark eyes took stock of those within the pavilion now that he could see them clearly but unless any of them moved to stop him, the human scuffled across the floor towards those iron bound doors that seemed to impede his progress.
"Ginerva, could you come here for a moment?" He asks distractedly, waiting until the mysterious, and now changed, woman had joined him before leaning down to whisper into her ear. "Make sure these doors are safe to open and pick the locks if you need to. We need to get to those towers as quickly as possible."
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Davek
Seeing the fellow was obviously not in the mood for pleasantries, he lets him pass. As he turns to do so he sees the statue near the towers' entrance, and a part of his mind can't help but wonder if there was some relation between the golden eyes he saw just before being petrified and the location of the statue here. He pushes it away as the other man approaches the doors it would have been guarding against intrusion, and instead gets a look at the others from the second (or first?) group as they approach. Davek attempts to identify who among them seems to be the leader (Insight: [roll0]) and addresses whoever he identifies as such.
I hate to impose, but if you are going to enter one or both of these towers I'd ask if we, or at the very least I, would be able to follow you in. We need not stay together once inside, but I doubt I have the skill to bypass the locks if there are any. Also, this isn't the kind of night that you spend outdoors and I'd prefer to avoid freezing to death.
Edit, OOC: Man, gotta love those ones. Ah well, better to get 'em now than in the middle of a boss fight.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Ginevra
"I'll take a look at it, but I don't think I have lockpicks on me."
She walks slowly and nervously towards the door, very carefully avoiding the basilisk's eyes. Without looking back at Callos, she says, "Hey Callos... What's in those towers? Why are we going there?
"...What just happened to us?"
With a sad expression, she scans the area in front of her for possible traps or hazards.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Callos
"...I don't know. I have thoughts, theories...but nothing solid. I'm hoping some place warm and out of the rain will do wonders to help clear my mind." He admits in another whisper to Ginerva as she looks over the doors while avoiding the gaze of the basilisk. It was obvious he didn't exactly enjoy having to admit something like that either, he was used to..well..knowing at least a little bit more then everyone else and while he still knew a little more all it did was make him question more things.
That's one of the reasons it was him that spoke up when the tall fellow, Davek, looked for the one among them who seemed to be the leader. Not because he was but because everyone had their own problems at the moment and his own seemed the least pressing.
"Listen, I don't know if we'll be able to get into the towers either. It's just a strong hunch on my part but if we can then I see no reason why you can't come in as well...as long as you swear not to commit violence against us at least. You all seem pretty trustworthy after all." Maybe it was the confusion but Callos's voice was less...rude then normal. It was probably just these strange new surroundings but because these others seemed at least to recognize the land he didn't want to alienate them.
He also didn't want them to attack Ginerva either while she took a risk purely on his behalf either. That's why, for the first time since he had known the woman, Callos gave her a comforting pat on the shoulder, as if to transfer some of his own confidence to the other, and interposed himself between her and these strangers.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Fizahn:
Fizahn follows Callos and the rest of the group grudgingly. He casts suspicious looks at the towers as they get closer. He is a three foot three gnome with dark red hair. He has a trimmed goatee also, and light blue eyes. Minor scars can be seen on his arms. He doesn't look happy with the weather conditions and his current situation. He glares at Callos as he asks Ginevra to search the door. "Sure. Ask her. She's the first option. Much better than me. Actually tall enough to reach the lock." He looks the people he doesn't know over as Callos talks to them. "Huh. Bickering amongst yourselves already. I think they'll fit right in with us." He spends some time looking at the one referred to as the young lord. Hopefully you brought some of your wealth with you.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Darros
Darros hurries to catch up to Callos, Fizahn and the others. "{Not exactly, my gnomish friend. Just a frightened boy used to relying on his father's protection. With any luck, he'll relax soon,}" he says in Elven, a language commonly shared by elvenkind and gnomes. Switching back to Common, he turns to the rest, "You folks seem to know the most about what's going on here, or at least where we are. Being left in the dark is maddening to me, so I think I'll stick with you. My knowledge of the arcane and divine arts is at your disposal."
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Seeking to demonstrate his capabilities and forestall any unseen danger, Darros uses his knowledge of the arcane to Detect Magic at the doors. Can't do roll in an edit, will roll it in OOC.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Atoly Magivol
Atoly gives an irritated reply to his elven counterpart. "Very well Lord Haveth. Civility."
Giving a grim smile to Davek, Atoly walks closer as he converses casually. "You need not worry on a knight's behalf. I have little reason to fear common bandits, and a troupe of assassins would have been more professional than you." Atoly gestures at the others on the pavilion.
Further conversation is briefly interrupted by the old man's grouchy comments.
The youth follows the old man to the back of the pavilion while speaking to Davek. "If you would have my protection and guidance, it will be located within those towers. This land is my fathers, and so the towers rightly belong," his personable tone fades away. After an uncertain pause he starts again. "As I was saying, I intend to spend the night in some sort of shelter. One of those towers will be suitable."
A visible frown crosses his face as Darros speaks in the elven tongue.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Dwarf
"By Moradin's beard your a loud one." he says to the obnoxious human "prince" "The names Harsk, now, if you'll excuse me I think I'll help the lady with the door."
Ignoring the rest of the bickering tall people, Harsk moves over to the door that the cloaked woman is inspecting and begins to check for traps or locks himself.
"'Scuse me miss, thought I'd lend ye me hand."
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Theivery[roll0]
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Made the perception check in the OOC thread. My bad, 4e skills are messing with me.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Retay
The huge berserker looks around slowly, trying to piece together what happened.
The kris stabbed the orb... There was the snake man... Evendur yelled something... I was turning the platform, yes, I was turning and turning - and then a burning pain, ever so much pain, and a bright light...
He shakes his head to clear it. Strangers move about on the pavilion. Retay snatches up his greataxe.
His axe isn't there.
He knows that he often drops his weapon, more worried about present need than longer-term battle tactics. But as he searches the ground, noticing the broken spiral but not realising its significance, he realises he is dressed in his usual furs - not his gleaming new breastplate. His axe, it seems, is gone.
Gone... The axe which was my life on the Narfell... The axe which has been faithfully at my back ever since I left my people... The axe which has wreaked so much vengeance... Gone.
Fizahn calls out Retay's name, and the giant man jerks back to the present. The strangers have still made no threatening moves, so Retay ignores them for the moment and turns to look among his allies. It quickly becomes apparent that many of them have lost more than an axe.
He wordlessly answers Fizahn's question by joining the group walking towards the towers, despite the fact that Callos and Elthan recommended it. The cold doesn't bother him - in fact it is relaxing after Hlondeth's climate, and the lava, and the dragons, and the bright light... - but if there's one thing a northerner knows, it's not to underestimate the weather.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Patash
Patash listens as the others try to determine what happened. As the people climb the stairs, he pulls his bed roll from his pack and hands it to the red haired-woman saying, "Wrap yourself in this. The weather is affecting you the most." He then addresses the rest of the climbers "I am Patash of the Talon Lakes Clan. Do any of you know how we all came to be hear and who is the rude being with the flashing golden eyes?"
While the others work on the doors, Patash searches for materials to make a fire with. He gathers up what he finds and brings it with him when then doors are opened.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Ginevra is somewhat surprised when the massive lizard-man hands her a bedroll and when a stout dwarf appears at her side to help inspect the locks, but she is perhaps most amazed by Callos' friendly gesture. To her recollection, this might be one of the first times he had ever spoken directly to her, and it was certainly the first time he had touched her ...
Both Ginevra and Harsk inspect both pairs of doors carefully. Both appear to be unlocked and untrapped as best they can tell. They look at each other and nod in agreement. Each leaning against one door, the push open the pair to the right of the basilisk. The doors swing open nearly soundlessly.
Inside is a large, enclosed colonnaded gallery, essentially the mirror image of the pavilion. All is quiet and dark, but dry, within.
The lizard-man, Patash, scouts around the pavilion for material for a fire, but the building is surrounded by shattered rock and scree. The few scraggly shrubs clinging to the side of the mountain are sopping wet.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Aeroz
Upon seeing the inside of the towers, Aeroz can't help but heave a heavy sigh.
"Huh. First time we go in a tower and aren't treated to a watery grave or a teleportation magic. I still say we should visit that village at some point and try to get our bearings here though. Maybe a nice hot meal..."
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Fizahn:
Fizahn stands back as the other experts ply their trade. He ignores the elf's comment, not fully understanding what it meant. The young noble soon offers his own words, and Fizahn sighs. "He's going to have to room in your tower, Callos. I refuse to have him in mine. Speaking of that, which is yours, and which is mine? I don't suppose some considerate golden-eyed entity decided to carve our names in them." As Aeroz speaks, Fizahn smiles mischievously at him. "It is our intention to visit the villages soon. We need some equipment, and I intend to get it. One way or another."
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Ginevra
"...Thank you, Callos... Harsk, Patash... I'll try to remember your names, but you'll probably have to remind me." Ginevra is suprised at the generosity and (for the most part) non-bickering among the newcomers. I guess we're the newcomers now, actually... or something like that. "We're all clear, guys." She helps Harsk push the doors open.
Ginevra goes with Patash to look for something burnable. "I'm not exactly sure myself how we came to be here... My friends and I were caught in some sort of powerful magical explosion that should have killed us all... but here we are, and I'm pretty sure I'm alive."
She shouts over her shoulder, "I call a room with a view, Fizahn!"
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Mazom
Mazom smiles, revealing a silver tooth in his upper jaw and gently nudges Darros in the side. "Ah, the nature of youth. I would gladly be so brash if I could experience the wonders of youth once more." His comment is rather quiet, and obviously aimed at Atoly.
Searching inside his backpack, the blade-bearing half-elf in the rusted armour holds out a foot long rod. He gently nuges it, and a bright light shoots out from it, illuminating the surroundings.
"Always more nice to see where you are going," he says, smiling at the robed woman. "Charming to make your acquaintance. May I offer you my protection until you have sufficiently prepared yourself? I do belive that I have some extra clothing in my backpack as well, just until you have time to.. get your own."
He turns around, looking at the strange collection of characters. "Gentlemen and ladies. Surely someone of you has the ability to make fire without wood? Otherwise I fear that the night will be colder than it has to."
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Elthan
Elthan wrings out the shoulders of his pale white shirt as he steps inside, looking about with an idle curiosity. He eyes his way around gallery, noting doorways to investigate later on, stairways, stonework should the style of construction be at all familiar. He shakes his head to the older half-elf as turns around, "Making fire through magic is simple enough, but it still won't last without some fuel. You said you had some extra clothes didn't you? Let him keep my robe for now and we'll set fire to what you have so we can dry off well."
I'm not sure I'm entirely happy with attempting magic while I feel like this, but a simple cantrip shouldn't be a problem, right?, he thinks as his sullen face sinks, What if it's like Evandur who said he can't feel his god? I had access to Shars weave and may now be disconnected from both her and Mystra. Will I be able to cast magic at all? Is the Weave even present here? Where is here anyway, we still haven't figured that out.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Atoly Maginol
Stiffening his back a the short one's comment, the young noble's face shows very little emotion. In a cool tone he addresses the impudent rogue. "Your tower? I assume you acquired in accordance of the right and just laws of this land. Tell me how you were granted a keep upon my family's hereditary grounds?"
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Fizahn:
Fizahn looks at the noble. "Well, it all started in the magical land of pixies and unicorns. We had just slain the terrible vampire that had taken over the land, and helped ourselves to the spoils in her puzzle boxes. One of those things in the puzzle box was an enchanted deck of cards. Three of us drew from the magical deck, and two of us got the throne card. The other one was pretty much screwed over. So, when we were blowed up and came here, the magical floating goldeyes tells me that this is my castle, and I'm not going to argue with a pair of magical floating eyes. For starters, it can't hear me." The gnome grins at Atoly. "You wouldn't want to go against an omnipotent pair of golden eyes, would you?"
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Blond haired and blue-eyed elf
Kavri looks around him taking everything in. His gaze stays slightly on the lizard man in confusion. Never seen one of them before... He does some stretches and moves about a little not sure what's going on. So the gnome or that little man, they own the keep. Well, if one's thing is for certain, I don't own it, but if it's up for grabs, I might want to hang around.
OOC: He introduces himself with everybody, I guess. Sorry about being a bit late.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Atoly Magivol
Brow furrowed as he tries to catch the gnome's rapid explanation, Atoly hesitantly replies. "So, you are an insane squatter. Is there one of you with wits that would attempt to claim ownership?"
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Evendur
The paladin gazes mutely back and forth between the gnome and the noble. Their argument was going no where, and it was cold and wet outside. "Ownership aside, we need cover from the rain." He steps inside, despite the dark. Moving to the side, he follows the wall, searching for a set of stairs or a doorway.
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Re: NPX: Gates of the Shadowkeep
Addis Qatur
As the others decide to stay at the pavilion, Addis reluctantly agrees to stay here at the pavilion and further explore the towers while waiting out the storm.
Hearing the gnome and lanky human lay claim to the towers Addis brings himself closer to those by the doors. "If these towers belong to you two, then what of the rest of us? I certainly hope you do not believe we come with the tower!"