Dragon's Egg - Act II

[Nihal]

The growling noise made by my stomach prompts me to take some bread and sit near them.

"I would avoid using elven magic if I could. You see, I was not made to work with this kind of magic, it is affinity for the arcane magic what flows in my veins. In any case it is unlikely that elven energy is the sole requirement, words, maybe the right gestures would also be needed to unlock the Gate. I do not know a single enchantment that does not require at least one of these."

I take a generous bite of my part, placating the hunger for the moment. Swallowing, I say, "Oh, yeah. This gender stuff he said flew right over my head. Not that I would care, I am not sure if there is anything at all he can say to offend me."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Good. He said some awful things about me, but I didn't take his bait. I couldn't take him seriously enough to get offended, honestly. Anyway, I'm sorry to have brought him up... I don't want a discussion about him. There's a healthy solidarity among the rest of us, as far as I can see, and Ankari will always be Ankari."

I offer the others a share from the second half of the loaf before Branwen and I finish it off.

I stare at Nissa in the fire.

How come you have clothes on now, but not when you appear?

Our spirits can form our original shape and size as in life, and Brynhild has us wear blue and white, or gold armor for some of the stronger Valkyrie like Sigirdrifa. You'll have the armor as well, I'm sure.

I take one of the tatters from Mauve's old outfit.

Closer, please.

How's this?

It'll do, I guess.

I explain to the others, "I'm measuring Nissa's outfit. I can see her." Oh! Nissa's disrobing? "All of her."

Nissa, why are you...?

You can't accurately measure my clothing while it's on my body. If I hold it up flat, you can draw lines and figure out where to cut.

I follow Nissa's instructions--mostly finger-pointing--and use my blue chalk to mark where I need to cut.

"Oh... does anyone have scissors?"

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron: 1D20+2 => 15 #decipher script (wis) non-prime attempt to read the words. (+2 level if allowed)

Went ahead and tried the impossible just to cover the bases, I couldnt read the words. So nothing changed. (I think I needed a 17 minimum, maybe more if it is tougher then normal but its elf and I am an elf so I hope it would be a basic check.)
I figured if I did succeed I would just play it like I realized the meaning as I walked out the door, but no need.

 

[Keitsumah]

My eyes are closed as i contemplate everything i have learned about the shaman and bodyguards. Now, they took a lot of physical beating, but what if . . .

"No, this may sound silly, but I have two ideas that we might be able to use. One -we would lure the bodyguards to here and I could ensnare them with roots, vines, the like. Two, we could make like the harpies. They were terrified of them, so . . ." a slightly mischievous smile comes to my face as i let that sentence finish itself in everyone's minds.

Everyone keeps going back and forth to the gate, trying to activate it, and i feel an odd prickle pass up my spine as i look at the runes along its gilded curves. I do not recognize elven -i had been too young to fully learn how to read- but i stand up and walk over anyways.

Pressing my palm against the stone, i feel power thread along my veins, and a soft breeze seems to pass through the room. My heart begins to pick up in tempo, pounding louder and louder. I do not see him, but sense him. Batos's fur is on end as well, but he isn't growling.

[1d20+2] = 19+2 = 21
((I think i am allowed a slightly smug face here if i did this correctly. Also, jaw drop!))

 

[Steerpike]

Branwen takes the bread, nibbling delicately at it at first (you've noticed that she is less than enthusiastic about any non-meat food, at least initially). After a few nibbles she seems to decide that it is an acceptable non-animal food and eats the rest of the portion handed to her, licking the crumbs off her fingers when she's done. When she receives a sizable portion of the remaining half loaf from Baldhart, she hunches protectively around it, flicking a glance at the others to see who has noticed she has it. Once it becomes clear no one else will try to take this prize from her, she lays into it with abandon.

Ankari has left, with Aliron following, and the rest of the party is examining the Gate. The smoothed area yields no clues, and as Baldhart, Cadell, and Darin consider it, Keitsumah presses her palm against the Gate, a rhythmic flow of elven words tumbling from her lips. The rest of the party feels the build up of energy around the Gate, an almost physical force that radiates with warmth - the energy of life, long used by elves in their magic. Strangely, the youngest elf among you has found the words.

As Keitsumah comes to the end of the chant, there is a brief flash of light, and then a tranquil forest scene visible through the Gate. You all hear the call of birds, smell this thick scent of grass, trees, and rich soil. The forest is dappled with sunlight filtered through the canopy above.

When the magic of the Gate first starts to manifest, Branwen turns toward it, backing up a bit and chewing a bit more slowly. With the flash of elven life energy and the opening of the Gate, the harpy child lets out a yelp, drops her bread, and bolts for the doorway. She huddles just beyond it, eyes wide and fearful as she grips the edge of the stone wall and peers in at the group.

((As Keitsumah recites the incantation, it becomes clear that almost exactly the same words are used no matter which destination is desired. The only difference is that the name of the desired place is spoken three times during the recitation. Keitsumah can clarify as to whether she opened the Gate to Aelwyd Eirian or Rhuddin (or whether she used the word Nordrimm, though Cadell has surmised that Nordrimm is where you now stand))).

 

[Keitsumah]

Batos yelps and back up a few paces as the Gate opens to Rhuddin. Magic thrums through me, and I back away as well, trembling a little as I am not used to being a conduit for such a powerful flow. The necklace i wear is glowing brightly, but when i look down it gradually fades back into darkness.

"That . . . uh . . ." I breathe, staring at the forest beyond. Then i swallow and look back at the others, "was unex-"

I squeak, and my eyes grow huge as i see a silvery figure standing next to Cadell. He is wearing padded leather armor and holds a sword loosely in one hand. There is wariness in his gaze.

Be careful. is all he says, and then he blows apart like mist. I nod, and ignore the curious stares as i look at Baldart -who is the only one who knows about my brother's ghost. "I saw him again."

 

[Ireth]

My jaw drops as Keitsumah opens the Gaita. How in the world did she know the right words when even I did not?

No matter. The Gaita is open, and that is all that matters. I look at the forest scene beyond the archway, and sigh in disappointment when I realize it is not Aelwyd Eirian. I hang back and look at the others, wondering who will be bold enough to pass through into such an unwelcoming forest. Certainly not I; my heart is set on going home.

 

[Steerpike]

((Just a note, now that Keitsumah knows the words, she can teach them to or refresh the memory of them to any elf. Opening the Gate to any of the locations will be simply a matter of closing it each time and then re-opening it to the next place)).

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Keitsumah, you knew! Did you come from there?" Him, she says? Oh—her brother? I smile at her, even though seeing her brother's ghost isn't a happy occasion. "He watches over you, even in death."

Branwen bolts!

"Oh… but if you'll excuse me, there is one I need to watch over now."

I stroke Branwen's hair. I calm her by singing softly,

"Sweet little princess with soft little wings
And taloned toes—you're a curious thing
Like the glowing door to wherever it goes
What's behind it? Goddess only knows

Sweet little princess, hide in my arms
They're strong, and they're loving, and they'll keep you from harm…"

If she's calm, I'll carry her. But I won't bring her in that room if she's too scared.

 

[Ireth]

I look between Baldhart and Keit in confusion, but do not speak. Clearly they know something the rest of us do not, and I can but wonder. Who is it who watches over Keit in death?

I smile as Baldhart sings to Branwen. She might not be a bard by trade, but she has a fair voice.

 

[Steerpike]

Branwen allows herself to be soothed by Baldhart's song and slowly steps back into the room. She still takes a wide path that keeps her away from the Gate. Or as wide a path as possible while clinging to Baldhart's legs.

Darin wears his characteristic frown, though he is looking at the Gate thoughtfully. "Do the elves go through, then?" he asks.

 

[Ireth]

I look at Darin with a shrug. "I would prefer not, honestly. The people of Rhuddin may be hostile even to strangers of their own race. Now, if it were Aelwyd Eirian, I at least could pass through without being threatened, but..."

 

[Keitsumah]

I look out into the forest through the Gate, something niggling at the back of my head. I couldn't explain it. I just had a feeling . . .

Batos surges forward before i can stop him and I gasp as he leaps through the portal, landing on all four paws in the clearing ahead. I crouch, tense, watching as he sniffs the air and his ears swivel around like radar.

Tilting his head back, the wolf let out a long, mournful howl: one I have only heard him do a few times before when is is looking for other wolves.

[1d20+0] = 15+0 = 15
((If there is no reply, he will follow Keit back through the portal. But if there is a reply, he will howl again in answer.))

 

[Ireth]

I watch as Batos leaps through the Gaita, and instinctively grab Keit's shoulder to keep her from following blindly. She of all people should not go through there, even with Batos by her side. She is younger than any of us save Branwen alone, and I do not know if she can defend herself against any hostile elves. What if Batos is mistaken for a mere beast and slain protecting her, and she is left without his defense?

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I guide Branwen to Mauve, and let her curiosity of the written word distract her. She's more curious about Mauve's book than that gate, which I think she's just plain scared of. No worries she'll follow. Maybe others have reason to worry that I'll follow the dog. They're right to.

I light a torch first, explaining, "I'll get the dog." I step through.

What's the torch for?

You. Just in case.

I keep my sword on my back, and gently call to the wolf, "Not too far, Batos. Who knows how we'll be treated just for being present? Both of us are a spectacle!"

Is there a gate behind me—preferably an active one? I look back and ask, "Can you guys see me? Can you hear me?" I look around to see what is in the immediate area. If there are elves, I hope they're not hostile. If they are, I hope I can easily go back the way I came!

((Not much, I guess. - Both non-primes, so the odds of success were 25% and 10%, respectively.))


I try to get Batos to follow me to the gate. "Here, Batos. C'mon…"

((Oh, sure… when it's a prime, I don't roll teens.)) ((EDIT ^That's CHA, not WIS.))

 

[Keitsumah]

I sit still after Cadell places a firm hand on my shoulder, clearly thinking that I would go after Batos. Well, admittedly I would, but I know that the wolf can handle himself well in a fight -and he's usually the first one to check out any new and unfamiliar places to protect me.

Batos turns his head and looks at Baldart curiously, then turns and follows. Still, his ears remain trained on anything behind him.

 

[Steerpike]

The Gate is visible on from the other end, and the group sees Baldhart and Batos, just as the barbarian and wolf can look back through the Gate to see the group. The Gate itself is virtually hidden from Baldhart's point of view. Ivy, moss, and twisting limbs wrap up the sides of the columns, obscuring them from view. The Gate appears to have tilted at a slight angle, as though the earth beneath it has shifted or been swept away. Only the vaguely arch-like shape of the twists of vegetation show where the Gate itself is, though with it activated the passage back to the underground caverns makes it clear. The state of the Gate from the forest-side indicates that it has not been used in a long, long time.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Good dog," I say to Batos. I inhale the fresh air one more time, then head back to the group.

"It's beautiful!" I tell the others, letting a schoolgirl laugh slip out. Oh, what a give-away! "How far do you think I traveled in just a few steps, anyway?

((Ninja'd! Here's a slight edit...))

"Oh, and I didn't see anyone on the other side. I doubt the elves in this place know about the gate at all.

"It's easy to step through either direction, so if we want to take a peek in any forest that can be reached by the gate, I don't feel like we're taking a huge risk just stepping in. In fact..."

I go back in the forest and peer around to view the backside of the gate, just to see what it looks like from the back. I re-enter the room, giggling. "Amazing!"

 

[Steerpike]

Baldhart takes a quick look around for berry bushes, but finds none. Presumably, there are many sources of berries within the wood, just none that are readily apparent from the area around the Gate.

Meanwhile, as Baldhart moves back toward the Gate with Batos, Branwen has moved to a far wall of the Gate room and is watching the proceedings wide-eyed, hunched down and biting her fingernails.

 

[Keitsumah]

I look back at Branwen, biting my lower lip. She is fearful of the Gate and Batos. Maybe I should quell those fears before they rise into something that we all might regret.

Pulling out my flute, I press it to my lips and blow, running my fingers along the holes:

[1d20+0] = 14+0 = 14 (CHA)

The melody comes out calm, slow, and soothing. Lilting into high, and then to low, it is simple and easy to follow. Batos pads over to me at my mental command, a quiet howl following along with my song. No one may understand it, but the meaning of the song actually simulates when a wolf is welcoming a pack member.