[Nexus:] The Sleeping Goblin II, I Wonder If He's Up Yet?

[Dox the Ninth]

Turin mutters under his breath, and a sudden surge of mana gathers around his staff. He points it at the ground before him and, from nowhere, a tree sprouts fully-formed from the ground. It extends out over the pool of acid and terminates at the other side, forming a makeshift bridge that can easily be crossed. He stands back and nods in a satisfied manner before turning to Metaclock.

"If you wish to proceed, the choice is yours."

He waits for the machine's response.

[Hattish Thing]

Well....For SCIENCE! I see no reason to not to, Marty wouldn't mind! I think...

[Dox the Ninth]

Turin nods. "Very well. Follow my lead."

He walks along the makeshift bridge and over to the ladder on the other side, which he then begins to climb.

[Hattish Thing]

Sure!

However. The ladder suddenly falls! A hole opens underneath Turin and the ladder. Turin is about to fall inside the hole. Metaclock can't reach him! What does Turin try to do?

[Dox the Ninth]

Acting quickly, Turin makes use of a strange spell unfamiliar to Metaclock. A cloud of whirling leaves appears from nowhere, surrounding Turin, who seems to vanish in their midst. A sudden gust of wind carries the cloud of leaves back over to solid ground, where Turin reappears, stepping from the tempest casually as though nothing had happened.

"That was a close call! I think I'll simply improve our tree bridge rather than trust any of the existing fixtures in this odd place." He casually motions with his staff, and the tree grows to reach the opening which the ladder previously led to. "Pardon me for being somewhat secretive about my skill with magic, Metaclock. I didn't know how trustworthy you were, so I avoided revealing any important details about myself. In my own land, I hold the title of Archsage, and I am the pre-eminent master of my particular school of magic there. I do not know how my knowledge will fare in this Plane, but I am fairly certain that we can handle whatever tricks lie ahead. Shall we?" He begins to ascend the tree-bridge once more.

[Hattish Thing]

Metaclock claps. Yay! Marty wants to use magic too! Though...he kinda fails at it... Turin will come to.....a ceiling. Just a plain ceiling. Hard, cold cement.

[Dox the Ninth]

Turin runs a hand over the cement, searching for a trap door of some kind. He looks around the room, trying to take inventory of what's in it and if there's any clues to where the path leads next.

[Hattish Thing]

There is nothing. Just the ceiling, ladder, and pool.

[Dox the Ninth]

"Well, this room appears to be a dead end. Perhaps there is some form of submerged passageway in the pool? Metaclock, how resistant are you to corrosion? And, more importantly, can you swim?"

[Hattish Thing]

Metaclock stares. Float? Kinda...hey! Maybe we can go down the hole that opened!

[Dox the Ninth]

"Oh, yes. I had assumed it to be a trap, but I suppose it warrants further investigation." Turin flicks his staff, and thick vines creep down from the walls and into the hole. "These are quite sturdy, and should be capable of bearing even your prodigious weight. Shall we?" He begins his descent cautiously, keeping his staff out to light the way below.

[Hattish Thing]

Lead the way boss! The tunnel going down has mirrors on the walls. All refecting at eachother. Many faces of Turin. And then a face. Masked in a black full face mask. Then it's gone.

[Dox the Ninth]

Turin carefully traverses the tunnel, paying close attention to the mirrors so that he does not get disoriented.

((Sorry for the delay!))

[Hattish Thing]

There is a bridge. The hole leads to a wide chasm. There is a bridge to land on.

((No problem!))

[Dox the Ninth]

Not taking any chances, Turin magically creates a wooden platform anchored to the wall, which he drops down onto. After making sure both he and Metaclock are secure, he summons a small creature formed out of branches—a Saproling. The creature is sent across the bridge to test it for traps, as well as scout out the other side.

[Hattish Thing]

The bridge is a illusion. ((I would have had you too! ))

Instead a rope hangs on the other edge of the chasm. It leads deeper underground.

[Dox the Ninth]

Turin conjures more vines, and continues to travel down into the depths.

((I'm off for tonight, but I should have plenty of time tomorrow.))

[Hattish Thing]

Ok! Byees!

Eventually he comes to a ledge with a door.

[Dox the Ninth]

Turin stands before the door cautiously. He opens it slowly and peers around, careful not to step inside.

[Hattish Thing]

The door creaks open. Suddenly a very loud, annoying beep starts blaring.

[Dox the Ninth]

((Could you describe what's on the other side of the door?))

[Hattish Thing]

Ah. Sorry.

Inside seems to be a long winding staircase leading up. It is made of wood. A tattered cloak is on the floor.

[Dox the Ninth]

"Well now, what is this?"

Turin lifts the cloak with the end of his staff, inspecting it.

[Hattish Thing]

It's very shiny, sleek and smooth, the color of shadow. It glimmers. It's ripped at the bottom. It is a very good cloak. Metaclock lurks behind Turin. He's curious.

((Hi!))

[Dox the Ninth]

"Interesting." Turin attempts to sense magic or enchantments on the cloak.

((Hiya. Sorry for the sporadic posting.))

[Hattish Thing]

Just then, Turin might hear footsteps coming from the corner!

((It's OK!))

[Dox the Ninth]

Turin does nothing. He does not seem worried about the prospect of being found.

[Hattish Thing]

A voice strikes out of the darkness. It's hard and cruel, yet musical almost. Leave....leave me. Go back.

[Dox the Ninth]

"Who are you? What is this place?" Turin calls out to the darkness.

[Hattish Thing]

This is my labyrinth. I am the future...Magic did this...as a warning. You know me. You just don't know it... The voice explains.