Thrair does most of the heavy lifting, as Gryfalcon is strong but not super-strong. But soon, Silver is right next to Eiras, and Streak at his shoulder. "Now," says Gryfalcon, "Enfold Silver into your arms and hum the tune!"
PLAYing
"A Boot to the Head" (inexorable): Coanacoch
"Chasing What Matters" (ProudTortoise): Khurshid Stormhallowed
"The Jackal" (Sliver): Opee the Original
"Zodiac" (MikelaC1), playing Eleth'Sarat
PLAYing
"A Boot to the Head" (inexorable): Coanacoch
"Chasing What Matters" (ProudTortoise): Khurshid Stormhallowed
"The Jackal" (Sliver): Opee the Original
"Zodiac" (MikelaC1), playing Eleth'Sarat
Zarinda clambers up as nimbly as she can, perhaps scrambing a bit more to get away from Gryfalcon's eager hands. When she arrives at the appropriate spot, she sings, probably not the best rendition of the song that anyone has heard, but hopefully enough to facilitate her transfer.
__________________
Those that bite the hand that feeds them quite often lick the boots that kick them.
Twitter: It's a small weapon, aimed indiscriminately at a viewership/readership that has mastered the art of over-reactive hyperventilation at the speed of light. - Ray Ratto
You pass through the portal and find yourself on an enormous branch that sways slightly and is covered in sun-dappled shadows. The branch must be 50 feet in diameter, if not more. Leaves and branches block your vision in most directions, but you can look along the level surface of the branch you are on toward a gray-brown cliff a few miles away. Slowly it dawns on you that the cliff is the trunk of the tree, the tree must be literally miles tall and wide.
That's when Theoburne asks, "Ummm, what happened to Jacen-Jackal?"
PLAYing
"A Boot to the Head" (inexorable): Coanacoch
"Chasing What Matters" (ProudTortoise): Khurshid Stormhallowed
"The Jackal" (Sliver): Opee the Original
"Zodiac" (MikelaC1), playing Eleth'Sarat
I lost track of everything when battle broke out in the sage's quarters. Was he the one who got the sages all riled up before we even had a chance to talk? Once the fires started exploding, it was hard to see who was going where.
__________________
Those that bite the hand that feeds them quite often lick the boots that kick them.
Twitter: It's a small weapon, aimed indiscriminately at a viewership/readership that has mastered the art of over-reactive hyperventilation at the speed of light. - Ray Ratto
"He disappeared early in the fight, just after starting it. I lost track of him a few seconds into the fight, even before the fires started. What happened to him? Did anyone see?"
"He was fighting with us against the hell hounds, I thought," Theoburne remarks.
Gryfalcon nods his head. Thrair answers, "I yelled for him to get out, but I had to clear out of the fire. I thought he followed behind me. With our worries of whatever passes for law enforcement in Sigil, I didn't think to count our number when we gathered outside the house."
PLAYing
"A Boot to the Head" (inexorable): Coanacoch
"Chasing What Matters" (ProudTortoise): Khurshid Stormhallowed
"The Jackal" (Sliver): Opee the Original
"Zodiac" (MikelaC1), playing Eleth'Sarat
Can we go back for him through this portal or is it one of those one-way deals? And seeing as my last two battles have pretty much completely depleted my supply of spells, it sure would be nice to re-load before we set off in search of another way back to Sigil, if thats what we need to do.
__________________
Those that bite the hand that feeds them quite often lick the boots that kick them.
Twitter: It's a small weapon, aimed indiscriminately at a viewership/readership that has mastered the art of over-reactive hyperventilation at the speed of light. - Ray Ratto
Can we go back for him through this portal or is it one of those one-way deals? And seeing as my last two battles have pretty much completely depleted my supply of spells, it sure would be nice to re-load before we set off in search of another way back to Sigil, if thats what we need to do.
Gryfalcon answers, "One-way portal, sorry. I mean, if all else fails, I am a jaunter and can get us back to Sigil. But it isn't exact as all that, because portals to and from Sigil are at the whim of the Lady of Pain. Otherwise, unlike most planes, you have to use portal keys to get into or out of Sigil. That's what we did when we got on that tree branch and hummed that ditty ... that is one of the many examples of a portal key."
Thrair says, "Indeed, a lot has happened for us all ... not the least of which is heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation for all of us. Except maybe Gryfalcon there. We need to make camp, and I'll be darned but this branch seems to suit a camp nicely. Ummm, no fires though, okay?"
Quote:
Originally Posted by Simba
Eiras
"We can't just leave him to his fate, right?"
Thrair chides, "We have to for now. Bahamut watches him, so he should be fine. Of course, I say 'should.' Still, while he was suffering the effects of heat like the rest of us, he was lower to the ground and not sucking up as much smoke. That room was nearly all ablaze before I ran out, but it seemed sturdy enough that I doubt anything fell on him. He may have an overdeveloped enough sense of anti-evil-fury that he chased that last one down. I don't know, though he did seem to fight and act with a sense of mind that a dumb dog (oh, sorry Silver) wouldn't have.
"Remember, Eiras, we aren't here looking for gold and glory. We have a mission that has an unknown timeline: finding some way to stop the Spider Queen from assaulting our home. So after healing and camp and recall of our various energies, we press forward to find that bow, Thaas."
Theoburne, you notice, looks about him in rapt wonder, his nostrils flaring and relaxing. His whole body, though standing seems to bend forward from the chest into the light breeze as if to pick up all of the scents possible. He smiles broadly, his blue, segmented eyes sparkling. "I need rest, too, but can help top us off before we sleep."
There is something in Theo's voice that seems devoid of the confusing haze he fights through normally, and sometimes gives into for a mad tirade. Here, he seems particularly lucid and well-spoken, if not a bit constrained as if some energy were trying to rip out of him.
It is as if the Beastlands itself are speaking to him, and he is waking to the call.
PLAYing
"A Boot to the Head" (inexorable): Coanacoch
"Chasing What Matters" (ProudTortoise): Khurshid Stormhallowed
"The Jackal" (Sliver): Opee the Original
"Zodiac" (MikelaC1), playing Eleth'Sarat
The idea of camping out in a tree sounds fine to me. I've spent the night in worse places.
Wait, did you say your overall mission involves stopping the Spider Queen?
__________________
Those that bite the hand that feeds them quite often lick the boots that kick them.
Twitter: It's a small weapon, aimed indiscriminately at a viewership/readership that has mastered the art of over-reactive hyperventilation at the speed of light. - Ray Ratto
Thrair says, "Why, yes, didn't you understand that when we gave you the rundown of our mission at the bar? Okay, actually we are investigating the veracity of the Spider Queen sending out some kind of missive to her followers that she is pushing for the Big Armageddon or something. But, yes, to stop that from happening."
PLAYing
"A Boot to the Head" (inexorable): Coanacoch
"Chasing What Matters" (ProudTortoise): Khurshid Stormhallowed
"The Jackal" (Sliver): Opee the Original
"Zodiac" (MikelaC1), playing Eleth'Sarat
"Alright," Gryfalcon says, gathering everyone together. "A little bit about where we are. We are on Yggdrasil, the World Ash. We are not on a plane so much as Yggdrasil is that plane. This is a connection point to a lot of other places, most notably the lands of what is referred to as the 'Norse' pantheon of gods, as well as the various chaotic-aligned planes.
"I am told that Yggdrasil is 'mildly chaos-aligned,' so those that live with the belief that order is above all may have a harder time of it, feeling out of sorts here. Also, I am told that both plant and chaos magic is greatly enhanced as well here.
"Anyway, after Theoburne passes what healing may be granted and we get rest and food, we will need to travel to the main bulk of the tree and begin trying to find the portal to the Beastlands."
Theoburne is going to pray for an hour to re-allocate his spells. Then, Theoburne gets Gryfalcon's help and conducts triage on everybody to get a feeling of everyone's wounds. It is determined that Streak is badly wounded and gets a vigor spell. Eiras then gets a lesser vigor, then Zarinda, then Theoburne himself, Gryfalcon, and Thrair. Then, Theoburne shoots Eiras (twice), Gryfalcon (twice, fully healed), Silver, himself, Thrair, and Zarinda with a blast of healing energy (healing Zarinda fully).
PLAYing
"A Boot to the Head" (inexorable): Coanacoch
"Chasing What Matters" (ProudTortoise): Khurshid Stormhallowed
"The Jackal" (Sliver): Opee the Original
"Zodiac" (MikelaC1), playing Eleth'Sarat
The night goes by fairly peacefully. Watches are set, but nothing special. By the next morning, everyone has healed their remaining wounds. Everyone conducts their morning ritual (prayers, study, meditation, weapons form, etc.).
Theoburne is in hybrid wolf form. This means he doesn't chat, but he definitely seems to enjoy the more feral form. He leads you to the vast, main trunk of the tree. As you at last reach the trunk of the tree, you see that someone has built a series of makeshift handholds here. Rungs have been nailed to the trunk in places, but sections are missing. Climbing up or down could be complicated.
You hear something scraping along the bark just around the trunk; a furry creature sticks its head up and watches you. It looks like a giant squirrel, and it carries in its mouth an enormous nut the size of a tankard. It is wearing a leather harness decorated with three long black feathers.
PLAYing
"A Boot to the Head" (inexorable): Coanacoch
"Chasing What Matters" (ProudTortoise): Khurshid Stormhallowed
"The Jackal" (Sliver): Opee the Original
"Zodiac" (MikelaC1), playing Eleth'Sarat
Eiras looks at the sqirrel creature with awe, noting the harness as a sign of the creature's domestication: "Greetings, little fellow!" he quietly says "We mean you no harm."
Spoiler
I do not know if Wild Empathy works with this creature, it does not seem to be a normal animal. At least not one of normal size...
Zarinda looks doubtfully at the squirrel, warily waiting for some sort of attack, but willing to let Eiras handle the situation for now.
__________________
Those that bite the hand that feeds them quite often lick the boots that kick them.
Twitter: It's a small weapon, aimed indiscriminately at a viewership/readership that has mastered the art of over-reactive hyperventilation at the speed of light. - Ray Ratto
The squirrel-creatures chitter amongst themselves, seemingly curious what to do about you. The deformed Theoburne strides forward in hybrid lycanthrope form, segmented eyes, and crazy-long arms. The little guys start to shake in terror, pointing their little spears up.
Theoburne throws a ration on the tree-ground, and then moves back slowly, behind Eiras and Zarinda. The one that seems to be leading the others sniffs the rations, perks up, and then passes out pieces of it to the others of his merry band.
They chitter in delight, and as they do so more loudly than before, Eiras realizes that they are speaking a dialect of Sylvan (which no one else in the group can speak). The leader comes forward to Eiras and speaks (in Sylvan). "I am Kippenvall the Fireholder. I see you are an alfsir, and you have a dwarfsir among you. We are often guides for your types. Who are you, and what is it you seek here on Yggdrassil?"
PLAYing
"A Boot to the Head" (inexorable): Coanacoch
"Chasing What Matters" (ProudTortoise): Khurshid Stormhallowed
"The Jackal" (Sliver): Opee the Original
"Zodiac" (MikelaC1), playing Eleth'Sarat
Eiras answers the squirrel creatures in Sylvan: "My name is Eiras and these are Theoburne, Zarinda, Gryfalcon and Thrair. The dog is named Silver, the falcon Streak. We would be glad to have you as our guides, I guess, it is our first time here. We are looking for a portal to another place, maybe you can help us find it."
So, what are they saying? Are we under attack, intruding on someone's living space or being asked to join in a nut collection expedition?
__________________
Those that bite the hand that feeds them quite often lick the boots that kick them.
Twitter: It's a small weapon, aimed indiscriminately at a viewership/readership that has mastered the art of over-reactive hyperventilation at the speed of light. - Ray Ratto
Kippenvall looks at your group, and hears the anxious babbling of the female, and says, "Thank you for your food. If we meet again, we will return the favor. But we shall not be your guides. May the Gods of Ysgard treat you well in your travels, else give you a glorious death. Let's go, my fellows!"
After the chittering, Kippenvall and his ilk turn to go. Do you try to stop them?
PLAYing
"A Boot to the Head" (inexorable): Coanacoch
"Chasing What Matters" (ProudTortoise): Khurshid Stormhallowed
"The Jackal" (Sliver): Opee the Original
"Zodiac" (MikelaC1), playing Eleth'Sarat
Last edited by lostsole31 : 09-04-2010 at 02:11 AM.
Thrair says, "Fair enough, Eiras. Zarinda, can you come over here and talk with me in private, please?"
EDIT: It only takes about 30 seconds, and that side conversation is done. Thrair then looks at Theoburne and says, "Fluffy, same thing. I need to speak with you."
Hybrid Theo goes over and Thrair talks with him. Theoburne shrugs, and rolls his lythari eyes and shifts back to Theoburne-Man. Theoburne nods his head and they break off.
Thrair says, "Alright, Theoburne is taking point, but as a .... man. We need him able to talk to us about his planar-knowledge goodnesss, such as it is, to augment Gryfalcon, who will also be in front. Zarinda, I'll be right in front of you. Eiras, you take the rear. Theoburne's nose will be useful in sniffing out danger before it comes."
It's not long at all before you all get to the massive, cliff-like trunk of Yggdrasil. Several long sets of stairs are cut into the bark or are built of planks stuck into the trunk; these spiral around the trunk itself, and connect the largest branches and most commonly used portals. The leafy branches in some sections (such as where you met the squirrel-people), provide concealment to travelers. Creatures able to climb around the branches or around the trunk might gain cover or total cover, as well.
The tree itself can be climbed along its incredibly thick and ancient bark (Climb DC 12), and its gigantic branches can be walked on (varying from 5 feet wide to over 100 feet wide on the oldest limbs. Gryfalcon looks at it and says, "We definitely can't climb around laterally with Silver, and even then I don't know how we're going to manage to get him up these twisting stairs. I do know that the higher we go, the more into the good planes we go. The lower we go, the more likely we end up in the Lower Planes. Don't know too much more'n that, though."
Thrair sighs. "Eiras, your pooch is becoming a liability. Even climbing on these rudimentary stairs - which is more like a ladder - I can't carry that thing for the day. Ideas, folks?"
Last edited by lostsole31 : 09-06-2010 at 01:26 PM.
Could we rig up some sort of sling like apparatus, and have someone carry him up on their back? I guess it would have to be you, Eiras, he might attempt to bite anyone else who tries to carry him.
__________________
Those that bite the hand that feeds them quite often lick the boots that kick them.
Twitter: It's a small weapon, aimed indiscriminately at a viewership/readership that has mastered the art of over-reactive hyperventilation at the speed of light. - Ray Ratto
Gryfalcon offers, "I could dimension door or teleport with him, depending on distance. But I'm not wasting all of my energies popping him about all bloody day. I recommend we let him forage and hunt on this more-than-ample branch which seems to have some bushes and small game on it here and there (interestingly enough - plants growing out of a tree, separate from the tree). Once we think we have found a good portal to the Beastlands, I can pop back here and then back to meet you at the portal."
Thrairs says, "Eiras, you just don't look strong enough to carry yer mutt. Gryfalcon's suggestion is about as good a one as I think we got. What do you say to it? There's a risk that something might come along, but that's the red-in-tooth-and-claw of it all, ain't it?"
"I can make myself stronger and carry him, but only for a few minutes. I don't know if he will be comfortable, but I would rather not leave him behind in a strange place. Can't we use the stairs?"
Zarinda waits on the response from Eiras, the plan seems sound to her, but its his dog, not hers.
__________________
Those that bite the hand that feeds them quite often lick the boots that kick them.
Twitter: It's a small weapon, aimed indiscriminately at a viewership/readership that has mastered the art of over-reactive hyperventilation at the speed of light. - Ray Ratto
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Re: Redemption for the Wild at Heart (IC)
