"I hate unnatural things!!" She couldn't help but scream as the voices and vertigo assaulted her. "Thats sounds like the plan!! Don't stop okay?" With her hate and fear boosting her determination she pushed herself to go forward.



OOC:
22:42, Today: Keela rolled 2,19 using 1d20+1,1d20+1 with rolls of 1,18.  Con. saving throw (advantage). Taking 19
22:46, Today: Keela rolled 22 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 13.  Nature check.

    Though quick Jubei's prayers are not without fervour and even in the thickness of the fog he could feel power well up inside him and radiate outwards, Drex was still recovering from the nausea so to him it went unnoticed though Amare frowned for a moment then looked over at Jubei and shrugged.
[Iron Jubei's prayer allows him to grant Advantage to a single check made by either himself or another until the end of the challenge.]

  With a more tangible fear to drive her Keela managed to keep the party on the road for a while even at the rush they were moving at.  Despite their haste it did not seem like the fog was clearing up though it was not hard to realize that it was often difficult to realize the boundary of a fog while one was inside it.  Even so there was a dreadful sense, aided by the distant voices and the shifting shadows out in the fog, that you were being followed - or worse - hunted...

Things looked tough. But that was the way things had been for Keela since she started her travels and that was not going to stop her now!! She knew she just needed to stop the treat before it was upon them and deal with it. Adrenaline pumping on her blood helped her push her senses and her experience did its work on on trying to keep her on the road.
"I think we might have company... Lets disappoint them." She shouted back. Wishing the others heard her as she continued to guide them.

OOC:
22:31, Today: Keela rolled 24 using 1d20+9.  perception.
To find what was stalking them.
22:31, Today: Keela rolled 27 using 1d20+9.  Nature check.
Stay in the road.

As Willa's stomach settled, her inquisitive mind returned.  This fog was very interesting!  She suddenly found herself wishing she could stay and learn more about it.  It was like her rod and so Vito's arm too.  That meant it could be a curse - one of her favourite subjects!  But her friends really wanted to leave and, remembering what she had read before, perhaps that was the sensible thing to do.  Still she wished she could do more, like maybe taking some of the fog with her!  To study later?  Or just...to have?  Such a shame she didn't have a pot, jar or flask she could grab some in...

"Uh," Willa spoke up, "Mr Phelan, Sir?  Drex, Iron Jubei, Keela, or Amare?  Does have something empty that Willa can use?  With a lid!  Oh!  Friend Amare can to make a jar?  Should to be air-proof."

As she waited hopefully, she pondered more on the fog.  If it was some sort of curse, it was a strange one.  She thought all curses were magical, but already knew that the fog wasn't cast by a spell.  All she did know were the random snippets she'd read in the village before.  And those were weird.  Like they had been written by a crazy person.  She shrugged and decided to focus more on what she could hear now than what she had seen earlier.  Perhaps she could understand what the voices wanted?

11:31, Today: Willa rolled 12 using 1d20+2.  Willa's Insight - voices' intent?
This message was last edited by the player at 11:36, Sun 06 Dec 2015.

Jubei furrowed his brows at the suggestion of getting a jar for Willa, but then shook his head. "I'm not sure how that would help us... but okay... we have to double time it though.", he rumbled, given that the brief pause to make that jar would cost them valuable time to get through this fog.

Thankfully though, Jubei was pretty big, which would allow him to pick up either Phelan or Willa... or both, so they could get through the fog at a faster pace.


17:05, Today: Iron Jubei rolled 19 using 1d20+3.  Athletics roll: Because I fucked the first one.

    Willa had not even finished speaking when a small glass jar with a top which had an overlap ring around its edge attached to a screw to seal it tightly, shimmered into existence with before Willa.  "That is as much as I can come up with." Amare said as he quickly explained how the lid worked followed by Willa taking her fog-sample though it was a bit hard to tell how much she got inside the jar.

  Grabbing his companions and hurrying the rest along, Jubei followed Keela who was just ahead of his radiantly glowing blade. 

  "I think I know what is so strange about this fog." Amare spoke even as he huffed from the jog they were moving at.  "It's very similar to the manifestation haze which accompanies not just psychic powers but pretty much any sort of conjuration."

Willa recoiled in horror as Iron Jubei tried to grab her.  The message, received loud and clear, shocked the little oozling into hurrying along. Unfortunately, she was so flustered that she forgot just how much faster than anyone else she was and ended up constantly tugging and pulling against the rope.  Like a leashed puppy.

17:53, Today: Willa rolled 16 using 1d20+3.  Athletics - taking the ooze for a walk?
Just a roll to see how much Willa pulls on the rope as she tries to appease Iron Jubei
This message was last edited by the player at 18:00, Tue 08 Dec 2015.

Drex just caught his breath before the group made their way deeper into the fog. "Now that was unpleasant it I say so myself." Double checking the tightness of the rope as he follows the group. "I think I heard something about mystical,psychic,conjuration fogs..." Drex said as they continued deeper. "I'll let you know if I remember anything."

14:43, Today: Drex rolled 17 using 1d20+1.  History check, myths and legends about mystical fog.

15:11, Today: Drex rolled 23 using 1d20+10.  Perception check. (If I'm alowed more than one role this turn, if not ignore this roll)

Jubei gave a nod as he did not pressure Willa further, it was after all enough to remind her of the urgency of their... situation. His gaze briefly turned to Amare, although his attention lingered. "So this mist is... made by someone? Can we dispell or banish it somehow?", he snarled, as his gaze was stuck on the road, making sure that they would not stray from it in their hurry.


20:36, Today: Iron Jubei rolled 19 using 1d20+8.  Perception Roll: Keeping way.

"You just don't want t know... but I can almost assure you... WE are being hunted, played by this things..." She couldn't help but let her indignation show on her voice as she led them. The toll of her task and making sure they where not about to be ambushed was showing. But she wasn't about to quit just now.

OOC:
21:58, Today: Keela rolled 25 using 1d20+9.  Nature check.
21:57, Today: Keela rolled 22 using 1d20+9.  perception.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:11, Thu 10 Dec 2015.

    Daylight blinded you as suddenly you came rushing out of the fog.  The bright blue sky and the warm sunlight was a bit much to take in for a moment but a welcome relief after what had seemed like an endless trek through the strange gloom.   The edge of the fog went on for miles to the north and south, skirting or hugging the low hills within it which had now become long foothills leading up to the cloud enshrouded Rossa, or Red, mountains to the north and to the south the fog disappeared into the great forests which lay between the mountains, down the coasts and surrounded Orestes and the mountains to the north of that city.

  Looking back at the fog nothing of the sinister shapes could be seen and the voices now seemed little more than the whistling of the winds amidsts the crags of the hills.  Perhaps you had never been in as much danger as you had believed? the thought crossed your mind.

Skill Challenge -- Into the Fog...Completed

Wealth Reward: 1 Fame, 1 Fortune
Experience Reward: Each Player receives 150 Experience Points.

The visible parts of Willa's gelantious body erupted into brilliance as she stepped into the glorious sunlight of a beautiful day.  However, it took her a few moments to realise they'd escaped the meteorological phenomenon.  Still driven by her shock from Iron Jubei's actions, she continued to pull and tug against the cord after the others had stopped.  Eventually she realised that she was no longer moving forward, paused and looked around uncomprehending, as though waking from a deep sleep.

"Oh!" she exclaimed at the sight of the fog wall behind her.  A little surprised but also, perhaps, a little disappointed. "Is out?  Friends okay?  Willa okay."  She surveyed the rest of the environment.  "Where is?"

A sudden shine almost blinded her as they finally reached the end of the mist. In a reflex she had swiped the air before her with one of her daggers a couple of times before her eyes adjusted. Once she was feeling *safe* she turned back and with irritated eyes from too much effort looked from where they had been. The voices a faint, almost like if they had been just a passing nightmare.

"I don't know and I don't know" She answered the last two of Willa's questions without turning as she inspected the *wall*. Almost expecting it to open and whatever is inside to reach them. "But we shouldn't stay here long." Only the dragons know exactly what this is. She tried to move forward but was reminded of the rope when it suddenly stopped her.

"It would seem that we are all okay Will." Drex said as he too looks back at the fog. "I do recall stories of places shrouded in fog... The Accursed City is one of them, lest hope its not hunting us. Because if it is, we are surly doomed. The island of Appirga is the other one..." Keela was right, they have a joinery to complete and standing here is will not accomplish that. Loosening the rope around his waist he remembers something Willa mentioned while they were in the fog. "Willa, did you not say that your rod reacted to the fog?"

Jubei gave a snort as they stumbled out the fog and was promptly blinded, but that soon turned into a sigh of relief as the large quadrupedal dragonblood looked around and gave a nod, before he went out around and help the others undo the rope around their waists again, if they needed help with doing so that is.
"Hmm... yes, I think we have a bit of spare time to ... reflect on what happened there now. This fog was clearly unnatural."

Willa slipped out of the rope tied around her waist with such casual ease it was as if it never held her in the first place.  Indeed, it seemed like she had forgotten it even existed as the loop fell to the floor apparently of its own volition.

She turned to look as Drex ponderously and shrugged.  "Is like rod but also not."  She gently waved her rather unsettling implement around.  "Fog no curse.  Arm demon from Appirga.  Maybe is demon fog?  Like clouds in Kyssea?  Fog and rod res, uh, res-on-ate? Like friends maybe?" She reached into her pack to take the small pot from inside, but came out with the Guild badge instead.  After a puzzled paused she waved it about, "maybe can to ask Musthavealonelyass..?"

    The fog seemed to be moving away from the adventurers, moving eastwards, following the steady wind which gusted from time to time though it was mainly a soft breeze.

  Morrey took the opportunity to take off from Drex's shoulder giving a loud kaw as he did so, circling overhead.

  Amare was looking over at the fog, then at the mention of Willa's rod he seemed to catch himself and asked "Resonance?" then, his brow furrowed, turned to Drex asking "Accursed City? Appirga? What happened?  I remember Appirga had somehow fallen near the end of the war-" Amare shook himself. "I mean, Kendal's memories recall the Capitol having fallen to some kind of sorcery but I would think after a few centuries it would have been reclaimed and rebuilt.  Appirga was the greatest city in the Isles, it resisted the undead's siege until almost the end of the War and it had housed millions.  There was more magic put on that one city than anywhere else in Isles, the Grand Alchemists themselves built most of it.  How is it possible for such a place be cursed?" Amare's seemed both confused and concerned.

Jubei furrowed his brows a little, probably as he scoured through his mind for what he knew about Appirga. After maybe a minute he gave a snort and nodded. "It is cursed alright. And it has been for long enough that the dangers present on it have fallen into myth and legend again and again. Its sweet siren call of treasure and knowledge have lead... expeditions by my people into their doom time and again. Most of the time they never return, but those who do have... withered. In body and mind. I have seen one of them myself, once a proud warrior, not unlike yours truely. He left with nearly a hundred others. Only two made it back and he had become a geriatric wreck, his mind broken and forced to relive the horrors he witnessed. That those who die there, will not stay dead, their bodies stolen by those that came before them, leaving their maddened spirits to wander the isle. And that's just scratching the surface of Appirga's story, its said that there are demons and even worse nesting within the city itself. I'm sure when we are back in Galdion, you can find a scholar to tell you the full story.", the paladin ended the grisly elaboration and stared after the fog that slowly drifted off frurther into the distance.

20:28, Today: Iron Jubei rolled 13 using 1d20+5.  History roll: Because I felt it proper. .
This message was last edited by the player at 19:45, Wed 16 Dec 2015.

    Amare looked utterly taken aback by what he heard from Jubei then frowned as he said "That is frankly horrifying.  I had hopped that through some act of heroism we might have had a chance to access the Eye of Truth but that now seems a distant, shattered fantasy." he sighed.  "My quest just became much, much harder." looking rather defeated the man walked on ahead, keeping a bit of distance now between himself and the rest of the party.  It was clear he wanted to be alone with his thoughts for now.

  The day wore on as the landscape continued to slope and just after nightfall you arrived at a small village amongst the foothills of the Argentis mountains, or the Silver mountains as the common folk called them.

  While staying at the inn you found one interesting traveller spending the night there as well.  You saw him as you entered the common room of the in, a great deep brown behemoth of scales rawn over taut sinew which rippled at every movement of his gigantic body the musadi dominated the room with mostly its long tail and lay curled up against the wall and ceiling  for which even Jubei had to hunch over not to bump his head into.  As scantily clad as most musadi this one wore what looked like an apron at least a dozen buttoned pockets upon it some small - that is to say small for the musadi's more-than-Phelan-sized hands - and others as large as big sacks.
  After you had arranged to spend the night at the inn the great serpent was right behind you, for the most part it was difficult to see the hooded head from beneath the wall of his stomach but the thick hissing tones carried well enough.  He introduced himself as Big Bilby, he laughed as you all reacted to the unusual, and surprisingly pronounceable name.  He explained that is was an assumed name, as his actual musadi name was about three times longer and would make your short tongues flail in an embarrassing fashion.
  Bilby said he was a traveling trader, in search of rare and unusual items, particularly relics and artefacts from decades and centuries or even millennia past.  If you had any items of interest he was willing to trade for either some extra items he had that might interest you or pay you in Federation Ducats or pure Polorica if you had something of particular interest to him.

[Basically you can buy rare magic items from this guy or trade in magic items for Akonix - that's the stuff Federation Ducats are mostly made out of.]

Willa felt she should add what she had learnt to Iron Jubei's information.  When Amare seemed a bit more approachable, she cautiously approached him and added her own titbits of knowledge.  Perhaps something she knew could give him some glimmer of hope?  "Uh, friend Vito say Appirga attacked by Lich, Phazion.  But Lich Phazion beaten.  So Lich Phazion cursed Appirga with Nemesis.  Also, friend Mardigras - who Willa not seen for a while and wonder where is - say lands being made sick."

On the road, she wondered about this 'Eye of Truth' thing that Amare had mentioned.  It sounded like something straight out of a story book!

13:06, Today: Willa rolled 24 using 1d20+4.  History - The eye of what-now?
Sooo that'll be a natural 20 :P

At the inn, she apologised to the giant Musadi explaining that she was most happy with the items she had recently obtained and proudly showed them to him.  She did wish that they could be friends though!  And maybe trade in the future?

"Willa wonder where to find Big?  Is always at inn, or also travels around?"

This message was last edited by the player at 21:55, Mon 21 Dec 2015.

    Big Bilby said that he was traveling Aria for now but that he planned to make his way all across the Crystal Isles, visiting all the towns and cities - as well as any villages enroute - on each island.  He had recently rose from the deep into the harbour of Tolyn and headed toward Strine.  He spoke like he had a route worked out already for traveling the Isles but he did not wish to share it as he was wary of bandits and pursuit as he had already met with some brigands in mountain passes coming from Tolyn and he warned you to keep an eye out.  Some of them were simple barbarians others were very well organized and he had been fortunate to escape due to his many trinkets although he lamented that many a javelin had struck his tail and though the wounds had healed the phantom pain still lingered.

"We will keep that in mind...", Jubei said and gave a nod to the musadi before he turned to his companions. "It might be worth to try and clear those brigands out, if they get too uppity... and since they're on the way anyway." The paladin rumbled and leaned a little back. His large lower body pretty much in place of a chair or bench, it worked just as well.

Willa looked sympathetically at the Musadi's tail.

She had experienced a lot of abuse at the hands of bullies in her time, but none had left any lasting damage and she was quite tiny.  These brigands had not only hurt Big, but his tail still hurt!  They must have been really nasty to have injured him so badly.  Imagine what might have happened to someone smaller!

"Poor Big's tail.  Still hurting?  Maybe to feel better if give nasty brigands payback lesson?  No to worry.  Iron Jubei will give what for.  With Willa's help of course!"

    Bilby was touched by Willa's concern and told her he would be alright eventually though he did add that you all should be were on the roads near Tolyn.  You had noticed that caravan's you saw traveling in that direction tended to have quite a few guards and some scouts.

  After an evening well spent in the inn's common room you retired for the night and while sleep was not to difficult to achieve you were disturbed by nightmares of being lost somewhere in an endless fog and you weren't alone in there.  Something was stalking you.  Watching you just out of sight and when you shot awake as whatever it was caught up to you there was that terrifying moment between sleep and awareness of something out of place in your room.  Only for it to be dispelled a moment later by the almost silent sirens of insects, or the distant cries of some animal.  The darkness was a welcome companion against the greyness of the fog.

  On the road early the next morning Amare seemed in better spirits than he had been the day before.  Though he seemed far more interested in asking each of you a bit about the world, where you had come from your history, nothing terrible intimate he simply wanted to see how different the world was from what he knew from his now centuries old memories.

[Those who want to share a little of their background or explore it a little are welcome to do so here for a post or two, feel free the break the usual posts-per-day limits and respond to each other post's if you like really take the chance to build or setup stuff about your character either for yourself or for others.]

Willa was both happy and wary when Amare asked about her.

"Umm...Amare want to know Willa's life?  Hmm.  Okay.  Willa guess can do, but is not very interesting." She shuffled nervously from side to side as she took time to decide exactly what she would and should not recount.  "Willa, uh...born?" She paused on the word, not really sure whether it applied to her or not, that bouncily shrugged it off as though it didn't matter.  "Two and a half years old is. Lived first Galdion.  Big city with Big Magicademy.   Willa not begin in 'cadamy, but move to there.  Good foods!  Much psionics.  But also teachings.  Willa not student.  Live in Walls.  Hiding and running lots from grumpy, old wizards.  But also learnings.  Listen lectures, watch classes, copy practicals.  Willa try magic, but not good at.  Much worster than students." The little oozling said shyly, embarrassed to admit it.

"But one day is strange practical.  In class Willa not go before.  Teacher talk 'bout curses, pacts and other powers.  Different, um, power source?  Was strange, but interesting.  Lots of fun pictures of fire, skulls and strange men-creatures with wings, claws and sharp teeths.  Willa liked.  Practical that day was to, um, make contact and, uh, contract."  She paused, not entirely happy with her phrasing, putting a pensive finger to her chin and she pondered.  "May be was not practical?  More like exam, or, or coursework?  Was needed young students to progress, not just to try.  If fail go other class, stay back year or gets kicked out from 'cademy.  Willa think depends on how much monies students parents have, may be?  Many fail.  Seem difficult even for best in class.  Teacher say success not 'bout talent, but 'bout being worthy.  'Bout source liking you.

Willa thought to try, like other times.  But think to fail even more.  No one like Willa.  Willa have no friends.  Never had.  So think source also to hate.  First Willa choose source to ask.  Thought to try all, but teacher tell class not possible.  Must choose one, others get angry if asked second or later.  Choice was simple for Willa, though.  Did like pictures of big angry wing men and fire, but loved beautiful distant, sparkling stars the most.  And test was so easy!  Willa not know why so hard for others.  Source came to Willa so quick!  Almost before all steps done.  So strange, but Willa so happy - get first ever friend!  Oracle so nice."  Willa clasps her hands together and looks wistfully up to the heavens before continuing.  "So friendly.  Not know why other students not to make friends with.  May be stupid?  Asking other source?  Not know.  Willa too happy to worry.  Have friend at last!  Willa so lucky an umbrean!

"Afterwards Willa talk Oracle lots.  Always listen.  Not just first friend, but best friend!  Also bestest teacher!  Helps Willa to learn.  Grumpy old wizards no hold candle to.  So Willa learn fast.  Become magic powerful.  Soon to be better than oldest students.  No more to learn from 'cademy and good foods not enough to keep Willa happy anymore.  So Willa leave.  Follows roads.  Tries to make friends, but no find.  Then comes to 'venturer's house.  Full of interesting peoples.  Willa stays.  Wants to be part of club too.  Sees new peoples getting potion and badge-thing.  So Willa take...uh...Willa becomes part of club too!  Then story of problem in Kyssea and so Willa go to help.  Is 'venturer now afterall.

"So Willa follow other venturer's.  Keeps distance, stays small.  Not want others unhappy.  But others ambushed by skeletons!  Willa not let club members to get hurt, so rushes to help.  But 'venturers too strong.  Willa should no have doubted.  Kill all stupid undeads before Willa gets to help.  So Willa stand stranded and exposed.  Must to say hi - expect lots of anger, shouting, throwed things.  Normal stuff.  But no.  'venturers accept Willa.  Become new friends to Willa.  Willa shocked but also happiest umbrean!"  She grinned the widest smile she could and looked at the others, starry eyes and enamored.  "Willa not to think other would ever like her.  But not true.  There be goods people and Willa finds more!

So stuff happens.  Kyssea saved and Willa and Willa friends meet Amare and Keela.  Goes on new 'venture!  Goes on many new 'ventures!  Beats many nasty things.  Saves world.  Becomes heroes!

"Uh...unless puddlifies first..."  The oozling whispered quietly to herself.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:33, Sun 27 Dec 2015.