The Rings of Destiny

[Penguinator]

And, um, what did you mean by 'shouldn't you all be out celebrating'? What's so special about today what would call for celebrating?"[/COLOR]

Tar-Kan grimaced. "Why, today is 'allow annoying Genasi boys to go another day before you stab them' day. That would be why friend Malus wants you to celebrate. He's only waiting for the morrow."

[Zjoot]

Ligo let out an exasperated sigh. "We really don't need another person flinging insults, do we?" He turned to Chee "So you're not in town for the festival then?"

[usourselves&we]

"I see, Ioun blessed you with a brain today that's why-" quickly turning to Ligo, "What town? Aren't we in the caverns under the temple?" ((Don't know what temple quite yet, if we could glaze over that fact for the moment that would be nice.))

[Grue Bait]

Malus grins. "I like you, spider-man! Wanna help me bind the kid and hunt him down?" he says jokingly. "In all honesty, Cheeky, today's some holiday this sleepy hamlet celebrates. Something to do with cults and dragons. I usually spend the day piss-drunk and wake up a few days later with some lady I've never met. Sometimes she's attractive, sometimes not. Today, however, I found myself outside the cave with a splitting headache, so I came inside for a dark, quiet corner. Don't you ever get outside?"

[Matthias2207]

Handing over the bunny to the Shifter, "You may call me Mountain. Here is your rabbit. Worry not. It would not have come to harm in my possession. However," at this Mountain addressed the arguing pair, "it is quite natural for fleshlings to hunt rabbits. Being the subject of threats and anger is futile. When you two are done puffing up your chests in an attempt to attract absent mates, inform the rest of us so that we may proceed."

"Thanks Mountain, I'm... erm... Stroop...", the boy said with a quiet voice. "Stupid name", he muttered. Stroop softly put the bunny on the ground. "Off you go, little one.", he whispered. Then he noticed the glowing orb. "What's that? Is it... dangerous?"

[Penguinator]

Malus grins. "I like you, spider-man! Wanna help me bind the kid and hunt him down?" he says jokingly.

The Thri-Kreen shakes his head, with the faintest of smiles visible on his face. "You can have him." He extends an arm or two (or three, or four...) to whomever will shake with him. "My name is Tar-Kan, Avenger of Ioun. I believe the rest of you have mentioned a name, and I hate to seem rude." He scratches at the back of his head. "More than I do already, that is."

[Ramsus]

Mountain nodded to Stroop and took Tar-Kan's offered hand (((number 3 cuz why not?)) and, knowing no other way, firmly shook it (and probably the whole appendage).

[Penguinator]

Tar-Kan's arm wobbled up and down. Mountain had grabbed one of the weaker ones that wasn't combat-able. Tar-Kan grimaced inwardly, but kept a smile on his face until the warforged ceased shaking. He then quickly withdrew the arm and rubbed it a bit with one of the others.

[Grue Bait]

Noticing Tar-Kan rubbing his arm, Malus pointedly shook one of Tar-Kan's smaller arms. Vigorously. "So, now what?"

[Vesth]

Cheemormechee Thraixhon-und closed his eyes, closing off his senses to feel for magic.

And magic he found.

The orb was brimming with it, but it was a kind he did not know. Alien and unknown, he tried to make sense of it, but the only thing he could tell was that it was similar to protective magic and guiding magic, beckoning to him...calling out to be taken.

He opened his eyes to find that his hand was outstretched, accidentally brushing against the orb.

Oops.

The orb lit up, a blinding light that slienced the ramblings and shenanigans of the people who were there to witness it's activation.

A bright flare that faded as the orb disintergrated.

It turned into a cloud of particles, spreading around the room, glowing brighter while the room dimmed - some off the particles headed for the entrance and replaced empty air with solid rock.

In mere moments, the entrance was sealed. But the task of these mysterious particles were not yet done.

Forming into shapes and figures, it projected a scene of a woman stumbing into the cave, a spectre of white formed by the movement of particles. (Fake) Blood dripped from her side, she shambled through the opening that no longer existed, and deposited an orb on the floor.

Eyes dilated, legs trembling, she addressed empty air - perhaps a plea to the six (+1 rabbit).

"He is coming...flee while you can! I'll distract him, but mere tricks and baubles like this will only slow him down. Follow the light, and look for another of your kind" she spoke, tapping her ring - a simple gold band, with the symbol of a green snake inscribed - while she held the wounded area in a grimmace.

And the particles disbanded, some filling up the room, some heading deeping inwards, and some coalescing into gold rings around one finger from each person. But, different from hers, yours is inscribed with a purple, eight-pointed star.

Though all light fled from the ring, you could feel power emanating from it, giving you the promise of power - if you could tap into it...

(Please check Houserules for more details)

[Penguinator]

(OOC: Grimmace, nobody can spell the word grimace correctly, and it's all your fault! )

Tar-Kan looked over the ring appearing on the forefinger of his left hand. He looked down at the Genasi. "Well, little one, perhaps you are not so useless after all." He looked over the others. "With such a warning, it is best not to stick around for 'him' to arrive. I suggest we make our way further into the cave. Perhaps Mr. Mountain would lead the way? He certainly seems capable."

[Ramsus]

Mountain nodded and headed forth, wary for dangers or anything unusual.

[Perception] (1d20+7)[19]

[Grue Bait]

Not wanting to be left behind, Malus jogs up behind Mountain. "Hey, don't leave me!" He matches step with Mountain. "So what's your story, big guy? Why are you here?"

[Vesth]

The cave ends a little distance in, and the party, including Mountain, could not find anything hidden, nor any secret doors. Looks like they were really sealed inside.

The cave ends at two paths - one leading vaguely up, and the other, down.
Particles of light filter through both paths, but it is apparent that you would only be able to pick one; some of the particles are lining the tunnel entrances, turning into solid rock, and within a matter of minutes, both entrances will be sealed shut.

[Penguinator]

"It seems to me that an upward path will lead out, while a downward path will lead only further into the cave."

[Grue Bait]

Malus reaches into his pocket, pulling out an odd coin. "Heads, we go up, tails, down?"

[Ramsus]

Reluctant to talk about much about his past, Mountain only gave a short answer, "I finished my meditations, so I left. I heard about this cave, so I came."

While he wasn't necessarily too interested in the elf, he could be problematic or even dangerous to the others so he felt it would be wisest to find out more about him. "What of yourself?"

((Gah, ninja'd.))

Mountain just watched Malus to see the result of the coin flip (including if he employed any trickery).

[Grue Bait]

"Oh, I didn't like my village, so I came to this town. Got a little tipsy last night, and slept it off here," Malus said, as taciturn as Mountain. He flips his coin."Tails."

[Zjoot]

"Then down we go."

[Penguinator]

"Further in we go." Tar-Kan paused a moment, looking up, then back down. "May Ioun bless the decision."

[Ramsus]

Wondering what the others were waiting for Mountain looked around. "Oh...right." He thought, realizing they were again expecting him to take the lead.

This time he remembered to take out a torch and his miner's helmet. Combining the two for more power he wore the helmet and lit the torch, searching for dangers and the like as he went.

[Perception](1d20+7)[15]

[Matthias2207]

"D-d-down...? Can't we just stay here? There may be monsters there!" Stroop reluctantly followed the others, staying in the back.

[Grue Bait]

"Sorry, no." Malus gives Stroop a shove and follows him down the tunnel, checking to make sure nothing nasty waits around a corner.

[Perception] (1d20+6)[8]

[Penguinator]

Tar-Kan looks around suspiciously, melting into the shadows.

[Perception](1d20+9)(1d20+9)[13]

[usourselves&we]

Cheemormechee Thraixhon-und remained silent ((isn't that a wonder)) entranced by the magic that had filled the air and indeed still fills the air. He wanted to feel this strange magic once more, grabbing hold of someones, any ones, empty hand and closing his eyes he focused on his new ring.

[Arcana](1d20+10)[14]

[Zjoot]

Ligo went further into the cave with the rest of the party. He was also more intrigued by his newly acquired magical artifact than his surroundings. He studied the ring closely. [arcana](1d20+7)[26]

[Vesth]

You choose the downward path, the wall sealing behind you. There's no going back now.

Ramsus, Grue Bait and Penguinator

Spoiler

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The walls appear to be completely natural. You do not find any traps. No one seems to have traversed this area for quite some time. Unless you need more information about the type of rock and soil.....?

Usourselves&we and The Grimmace

Spoiler

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You close your eyes, and the image of a purple eight-pointed star reveals itself to you. You cannot see it, but you feel hundreds, even thousands of linkages from the star to individuals. Nearby, the symbol of a green snake floats, with a similar number of linkages. You can sense more symbols, but no matter how hard you try, you cannot see them.

The smotes of light guide you, leading you past mulitple passages disappearing into the darkness. After what seems like an eternity, you find yourselves at a closed door. The door is made of weathered stone, and judging by the cracks on it's surface, it's at least hundreds of years old. Inlaid into the surface of the the door are dimly glowing runes.

[Ramsus]

Mountain stands aside for those with more arcane and trap disabling expertise.

[Penguinator]

Tar-Kan nods, eyeing the door. "One of you with knowledge of the arcane, look into this door and tell us what you see."

(What does one use for trap disabling?)

[Zjoot]

Ligo steps towards the door. "Can't say I've ever seen runes quite like this, but I guess I can have a look, see if anything pops out... [arcana][roll]1d20+7[/roll]