The Threshold IC (D&D E6, low-op, story based)

[Kaptin Keen]

Jon beams to the guard, straightening. "Thank you, kind sir! T'Good Gods bless you!" Jon goes a few paces away from the guard, looking for something or someone in the crowd of passerby.

Jon comes back to the guard. "Hello again, dear sir. 'Am sorry, but how do I... huh... who's a 'nitiate, here?"

Well ... it's not too hard. If you go inside, you will see three types of people. Champions, like me. Seekers, like you. And initiates. The initiates wear robes with this, he taps the sunburst on his chest, instead of armor. See?

[Woggle]

Bobin follows along behind Jon, listening as the young man speaks with the breast-plated guard. He nods at the guards answers, then interjects with a question of his own: "And are we, as Seekers, allowed within? Are there any particular rules that travellers such as us may not be aware of but should be mindful of?" Bobin peers up at the imposing fellow, tipping back his hat to get a decent look.

[Kaptin Keen]

Bobin follows along behind Jon, listening as the young man speaks with the breast-plated guard. He nods at the guards answers, then interjects with a question of his own: "And are we, as Seekers, allowed within? Are there any particular rules that travellers such as us may not be aware of but should be mindful of?" Bobin peers up at the imposing fellow, tipping back his hat to get a decent look.

Well ... yes, you're certainly allowed inside. And inside the boundaries of reason and decent behaviour, I can't think of anything you should be especially mindful of or afraid of. With the possible exception of the Flogiston. Don't touch the Flogiston, I suppose, but who sticks their hands in an open flame anyways? He chuckles slightly at that, and points to the flaring 'sun' above the building. With the glare, you hadn't noticed before, but shielding your eyes, you can see there are steps circling up and up around a slender tower to where it hangs suspended in the air. There appears to be people going up and down those steps.

[Edgar Snow]

More muttering than speaking, "Seekers. Certainly sounds like us. If nothing else, this boy is to the point. Quick thinking to ask about the rules so we don't go making too much of a scene, Bobin". Tobias raises his voice, "Jon, will you lead this group of Seekers inward?"

[WalkingTheShade]

"Yes! You can count on me, Tobias! Thank you again mister guard kind sir!" Happy to be entrusted with such a huge responsibility, Jon leads everyone inside the cathedral. Before going in, Jon stops on the stairs and waves to the nice guard.

[jamieth]

Don't touch the Flogiston, I suppose, but who sticks their hands in an open flame anyways? He chuckles slightly at that, and points to the flaring 'sun' above the building.

"Well, I did once", Alya smiles michievously, "but yeah, warning taken."

"Yes! You can count on me, Tobias! Thank you again mister guard kind sir!" Happy to be entrusted with such a huge responsibility, Jon leads everyone inside the cathedral. Before going in, Jon stops on the stairs and waves to the nice guard.

"I never doubted you, Jon", Alya says, nodding - mostly to hide a smile, admittedly.

[Kaptin Keen]

Walking into the cathedral, you're greeted by more grandiose iconography: Over and over you see dawn, spring, birth, seeds sprouting and people emerging from the dark into light - depicted in tapestries, statuery and mosaics. And yet, this is not a church. There is no priests, no pulpit, no sermons. Instead, there is vibrant discussion, study of scrolls, and what seems to be educated lectures in various annexes.

The central piece of the grand, vaulted main hall however, is a spiral staircase that leads from a raised platform up through the roof, no doubt onwards up to the Flogiston.

Around you are seekers, champions and acolytes in profusion.

[WalkingTheShade]

Jon blushes a deep red to the girl's remark. "Huh... th-thanks." He then turns towards the stairs without a look back to her, still red on the face.

Once inside, Jon is oblivious to the decoration and hails the nearest person with a tunic and a sun on it. "Hi kind madam or sir! Are you by any chance a 'nitiate? We're travelers and we don't know nothin' 'bout what's the big sun up there is for..." Jon breathes in, face contracting in puzzlement "... or what you do at all 'round 'ere."

[Edgar Snow]

Right on Jon's verbal heels, "Ugh, yes. How does one catch the sun like that? But perhaps the 'what do you do' question is easier".

Tobias barely looks at the character. His eyes are on the painted, carved, and woven imagery, especially the more natural aspects. His thoughts escaping, and his mouth wide, "This place... Beautiful...", and looks for anything familiar.

Spoiler: Action

Show

Checking out the nature scenes, for things like stylized apple trees, roses, grapevines, etc. Know Nature (1d20+7)[16]

[Kaptin Keen]

Jon blushes a deep red to the girl's remark. "Huh... th-thanks." He then turns towards the stairs without a look back to her, still red on the face.

Once inside, Jon is oblivious to the decoration and hails the nearest person with a tunic and a sun on it. "Hi kind madam or sir! Are you by any chance a 'nitiate? We're travelers and we don't know nothin' 'bout what's the big sun up there is for..." Jon breathes in, face contracting in puzzlement "... or what you do at all 'round 'ere."

Jon grabs hold of a robed, elderly lady. Or, at least you think she's elderly? Or maybe her race just looks this way. In human terms, she appears stooped and frail, hair greyed to white, and deep wrinkles line her face - however, you have no idea what race she is. Her eyes are sparkling blue jewels, no iris or pupils, just pure blue. Her skin is a deep, forest green hue, and her voice is melodious, with all consonants sort of washed out.

I certainly am, young man, the T sounding more like a soft H sound, I am shayzäe, by the way. The Flogiston is ... it's a long story, really, but it's the flames of purity. It's the hope of salvation, for everyone. She smiles.

Right on Jon's verbal heels, "Ugh, yes. How does one catch the sun like that? But perhaps the 'what do you do' question is easier".

Tobias barely looks at the character. His eyes are on the painted, carved, and woven imagery, especially the more natural aspects. His thoughts escaping, and his mouth wide, "This place... Beautiful...", and looks for anything familiar.

Spoiler: Action

Show

Checking out the nature scenes, for things like stylized apple trees, roses, grapevines, etc. Know Nature [roll0]

That would be the long story. We didn't 'catch' it. It was stolen, and we stole it back.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

This is a cathedral - or, an un-cathedral, but definitely cathedral sized. It's huge. It has everything you look for - all sorts of plants and creatures. And lots of other stuff too.

[jamieth]

"Wait, wait, wait", Alya interrupts, "you said you stole it back. Does that mean it was stolen from you in the first place - I mean, your not-a-church, not yo personally, of course - because if so, the question of how it was made in the first place still remains, and if not, well, wouldn't the ones who made it in the first place want it back?"

[Kaptin Keen]

"Wait, wait, wait", Alya interrupts, "you said you stole it back. Does that mean it was stolen from you in the first place - I mean, your not-a-church, not yo personally, of course - because if so, the question of how it was made in the first place still remains, and if not, well, wouldn't the ones who made it in the first place want it back?"

We're not a religion, we're a school of thought. I philosophical community, if you like - one of many in Sigil.

You assume the Flogiston was made. Do you assume that about everything? Who made the air you breathe? Who made the oceans and the mountains, the sky, the very planes themselves?

The Flogiston is eternal. It has always been. It always will be. And we study and guard it.

[Woggle]

We're not a religion, we're a school of thought. I philosophical community, if you like - one of many in Sigil.

You assume the Flogiston was made. Do you assume that about everything? Who made the air you breathe? Who made the oceans and the mountains, the sky, the very planes themselves?

The Flogiston is eternal. It has always been. It always will be. And we study and guard it.

Bobin tilt's his head and furrows his brow in concentration. "Do you know for a fact that the Flogiston, as you call it, wasn'tcreated? That seems like a difficult thing to find out. Also, do you know where it comes from? What makes it the way it is? Sorry, that's probably too many questions at once..."

Bobin strokes his chin pondering. "You say you are a school of thought. What thoughts do you teach?"

[Edgar Snow]

With Alya and Bobin asking all Tobias's would-be questions, only one remains beyond asking how to get home: "Is it hot?".

[Kaptin Keen]

Bobin tilt's his head and furrows his brow in concentration. "Do you know for a fact that the Flogiston, as you call it, wasn'tcreated? That seems like a difficult thing to find out. Also, do you know where it comes from? What makes it the way it is? Sorry, that's probably too many questions at once..."

Bobin strokes his chin pondering. "You say you are a school of thought. What thoughts do you teach?"

Well - the Flogiston is the fire of creation. We believe everyting was created from the Flogiston. In common myth, the gods created the multiverse - but then, who created the gods? This is the sort of question we ponder here. Though generally, we believe the gods are simply the first being that sprang into existence from the Flogiston. And then, of course, ontologically, everything will return to the Flogiston, from whence it will be reborn. You know of the phoenix, of course? Same thing, just on a larger scale.

With Alya and Bobin asking all Tobias's would-be questions, only one remains beyond asking how to get home: "Is it hot?".

Is it hot? she chuckles slightly, on the surface, it's no hotter than any other flame, I guess. But it burns with the flame of creation.

[Edgar Snow]

"There is a deity of the sun in our world. I wonder if you know about him." It isn't posed as a question. Theology is not for Tobias. "How does the Radiant Dawn deal with or explain the portals? They are pretty new to us, you see, and we'd like to know more."

[WalkingTheShade]

Jon's scowl becomes heavier as the exchange advances. Many times, he blinks in incomprehension. Yet, when the question of the gods' origin is addressed, the young man's eyes become round. "What... what d'you mean, who created t'Gods? They... They're the Gods, they ain't need to be no created." Yet, a discording note of doubt rings in Jon's voice.

[Kaptin Keen]

"There is a deity of the sun in our world. I wonder if you know about him." It isn't posed as a question. Theology is not for Tobias. "How does the Radiant Dawn deal with or explain the portals? They are pretty new to us, you see, and we'd like to know more."

There are many, many sun dieties across the multiverse. Some of them are the same entity by different names in different realities - Pelor is Lathander is Amaunator is Peregrine, for instance.

We do not have any specific opinions about portals. They are ... a part of our reality, like magic, or dragons, or modrons.

Jon's scowl becomes heavier as the exchange advances. Many times, he blinks in incomprehension. Yet, when the question of the gods' origin is addressed, the young man's eyes become round. "What... what d'you mean, who created t'Gods? They... They're the Gods, they ain't need to be no created." Yet, a discording note of doubt rings in Jon's voice.

That is the view of many, young man - but it is not our view. For one thing, the current gods are not the first gods. There have been many, over the endless ages. Most are dead and forgotten. Very few truly ancient gods remain alive.

[WalkingTheShade]

Talk of dead gods makes Jon very upset. He turns mute and white as chalk, as his mouth continues forming silent syllables.

[Kaptin Keen]

Perhaps not understanding the depth of Jons distress, the lady presses on:

Honestly, you don't really need gods. You can serve a cause instead, and causes are truly immortal. Some of us here are religious, but many are not. But universally, everyone here holds faith in our ideals and ideas.

She reaches out, lightly touching Jon's arm.

Think on it, and come back if you feel like talking more.

[jamieth]

"Ok, so..." Alya bit her lip, "that all sounds really nice and all, but... suppose we decide we're interested in your... faith? Phylosophy? Whatever - what are the rules? Is there an entry fee? A membership one? I mean, even with magic, all that" - she draws a wide circle with her hand, "must have cost a... well, a fortune of whatever you use here as money?"

[Kaptin Keen]

Has it, though?

There is a solidity to the reality of your prime material plane that just doesn't apply to the outer planes. Everything here is a representation, a symbol, an allegory. Look at where you are: A city, lying on it's side as it orbits the tip of an impossible mountain upon which gods dwell. Who built the city? Who built the mountain?

Did you know that ... say a group of people on the plains below Mount Olympus were different than the plane around them. Lets say they enjoyed building clockwork golems, and studied science, and wrote long equations in neat rows and lines. Eventually, that group of people - and the place they lived - would be dragged from the Outlands into Mechanus, where such behaviour rightly belongs.

There is a shape to Sigil that is natural to it. This building is a part of that. We may build - but over time, the city will revert to the shape that is most natural to it. A way of building is, in fact, to try and influence - mentally - the nature of the city. If enough people believe a thing to be true .... it wil be.

Returning to your other questions, however: Yes. There are costs. And we do need to cover them, of course.

I'm curious however. You came in here moments ago, and knew nothing of our way of thinking, our goals and beliefs. Now you want to join.

I didn't even realise I'd been so convincing. I'm flattered, of course - but what, exactly, convinced you?

Her final question - if there was any doubt from the words alone - hold quite a clear tone of suspicion.

[WalkingTheShade]

Jon's face is still as white. His mouth stopped forming mute sounds half way through the green lady's speech. He blinks at her a couple times when she finishes. "I don't want t'join? I mean, I think I'm sure I don't want t'join your, huh, your... faith?" Jon seems to be thinking aloud more than addressing his interlocutor.

[jamieth]

"Was I that obvious?" Alya forces herself to smile, "I have to admit, I wasn't really planning on joining that fast, true - just been wondering, how would you react... nothing personal, of course, just better be safe than sorry - were you all to ready to let us join, I'd now it's a bad idea", she actually grins. "Now, though, you're saying this building was made by the strength of faith alone? Noe that's a convincing argument, I'd say... though as my friend here says, I'm afraid, we're not ready to make such an importnat decision yet."

[Kaptin Keen]

She seems mollified by this.

I can't swear the building was created solely by the beliefs of the members of the Radiant Dawn. As far as I know, it's always been here. Not always-always, in the sense that the Flogiston has always been here. But long enough that I can't say if belief shaped the building, or the building shaped belief. I do know it was here long before I came along - and I've likely lived quite a while, in the eyes of mortal primers.

Joining is a process. Study, reflection, discussion. Finally, you will debate directly with an elder, and if your views and insights are compelling, you may join. And then, of course, you must carry the Flogiston with you.

[WalkingTheShade]

This is nearly too much for Jon. "You mean, I mean, you mean, m'lady... huh... I mean you mean t'carry the sun wit' us?"

[Edgar Snow]

"I am not one to study in the traditional sense, with books and notes and writing. I'd rather know what something does, not how it does it. Like... We were told of some grass in a land of beasts. That's something I would like to see. And there is so much else to see, what with everything being so new and interesting. But I really like your place here. It's marvellous."

Big school/Church thing? Not for Tobias.

[Kaptin Keen]

This is nearly too much for Jon. "You mean, I mean, you mean, m'lady... huh... I mean you mean t'carry the sun wit' us?"

She glances towards the stairs at the center of the room - indicating with her eyes where supplicants go up and down. Now that you have a clue what to look for, you notice the torches. Unlit going up - lit coming back down.

It is our goal to spread the fires of creation to all the corners of the multiverse. Every torch will burn eternal, spreading the light of our vision to push back the darkness.

"I am not one to study in the traditional sense, with books and notes and writing. I'd rather know what something does, not how it does it. Like... We were told of some grass in a land of beasts. That's something I would like to see. And there is so much else to see, what with everything being so new and interesting. But I really like your place here. It's marvellous."

Big school/Church thing? Not for Tobias.

Some grass in a land of beasts? That could be a great many places on the outer planes. You'll propably need to be a little more specific.

Thanks, though. I like it too.

[WalkingTheShade]

"Wait, wait, wait, are you sayin' we're goin' to Magic Animal Land? Did you hear that Toby!"

[Woggle]

Bobin listens as the green lady continues to answer questions, and looks about the cathedral in no small amount of awe. The continually burning lights, the architecture, the cosmological nature of the answers that the lady is giving are all a little overwhelming for Bobin. One thing latches on to his ear, so to speak, and he perks up. "You say the Dawn wishes to spread the light of creation everywhere; do you mean physically bring light to every part of the planes? Or metaphorically, as in knowledge of the Flogiston, as you call it. How do you go about doing this?"