The tapestry. An object of myth and legend. A magical item older than recorded history, and a focal point of many wars through the ages. Within its threads is an entire world of twisting passages and environments, villages and ecosystems. Great beasts and miraculous magics grace its halls. Many heroes have been forged in the tapestry, and many more would-be heroes have perished.

You and your companions were being led to this legendary tapestry now, by several authorities of the Tozenyor empire. In the crumbling brown stone ruins of a lost civilization, the five of you were led down a spiraling stone staircase, deep underground. The ancient steps were well worn from countless centuries of use. The footing was precarious, especially since the only sources of illumination were the torches held aloft by your escorts. After what felt like an excessive amount of time descending, the group finally came to a landing where double wooden doors barred the way. The wood seemed to be crumbling, and the hinges rusty, but they swung open without making so much as a creek.

And the sight beyond them was breathtaking.

The tapestry itself was at least four stories tall, and twice as wide, suspended in the center of a room the size of a gladiatorial arena. Unlike the stone ruins outside, this place was not composed of crumbling stone and weather-worn wood. The floor and walls were composed of a dark grey metal, smooth as polished stone. It had thin strands of tight-knit light that permeated its surface, traversing the floor parallel to each other, constantly taking sharp corners in unison. Occasionally these strands of light would pulse ever so slightly, giving the room an eerie breathing feeling.

Additionally, while there were countless tales of the tapestry and what awaited within, there were scant few about its loom. Everyone knew it was surrounded by a magical loom that constantly altered the tapestry's threads, but it was rare that anyone tried to describe it. But how could they?

The loom itself took up most of the room. It easily extended out from the tapestry a good 100 paces or more. It consisted of countless thin wooden tendrils, hinged in dozens of places, all extending up out of the floor to heights taller than the tapestry itself. There were hundreds, maybe thousands of them, all working in unison. They poked and prodded the tapestry with needles, weaving and unveaving its threads. For each tendril, there was an associated spool of thread hovering somewhere within the mass of the loom. There were typical threads of all colors, made of wool, or cotton, or silk. But then there were also threads made of stranger materials. Threads of glass, or starlight. Threads made of water, and threads of blood. The varieties were endless. And when all combined together, they created the artwork that was your destination.

"Come this way," a gruff voice called out. The sudden noise was almost jarring. It wasn't obvious until now, but nobody had said a peep since entering the room. The voice originated from a dwarven man standing across the room. He was dressed in regal garb bearing the crests of the Galdrik nation. He wasn't royalty, but he certainly possessed authority.

"As you know, according to the... agreement, of the three warring nations, we have each decided to allow the others to assemble a neutral party to send into the tapestry for research purposes. My own nation has bravely gone in first. Now it is your turn. Follow along this path through the loom, hold hands, then touch the tapestry. You will be transported inside. Take note of the symbol that appears at your feet, as you will need to find an identical symbol within the tapestry in order to exit again. The exits are not common, but do exist." Before questions could be asked, or in spite of them, the dwarven man ushered the group forward without another word.

While it was true the loom surrounded the entire tapestry, it turned out there was a sort of tunnel through the mass of wooden tendrils. It was made of these tendrils, in fact. As the group crouched and walked through, they could feel the floor undulate slightly as they walked atop the moving pieces of the loom. Looking down into the gaps between pieces, it was obvious that the magical apparatus extended for quite some distance beneath the floor as well.

Then the tapestry came into view, no longer obscured by objects in the way, save for one small segment that was being autonomously worked on by the loom. The colors, the intricacies! It was like nothing anyone had ever seen. The patterns on the tapestry told a story. A complex, incomprehensible story that needed to be read in dozens of directions simultaneously. It was almost too much to even look at, much less understand. But the way every thread interacted with each other thread produced an undeniably beautiful result.

Then, following the dwarf's instructions, the group joined together and touched the tapestry.

And the world went dark.

---

The first thing the party saw when they emerged in the tapestry was a face staring back at them. Several faces, actually. Dozens. But as lifelike as they were, the faces were those of statues. Each in its own unique position, carved in painstaking detail.

The room itself was stone as well. But unlike the plain grey statues, the room was carved from blue marble. Polished columns rose high into the air to support a vaulted ceiling. Silver braziers hung from the above, their emerald flames casting dancing shadows on the walls and plush carpet.

From around the other side of the column, a voice could be heard. A quick peek revealed a woman standing atop a raised area of the room, looking the other direction into a jewel-encrusted mirror. Two things immediately stood out about the woman and her mirror. The first was that the woman's hair moved about of its own accord, like so many snakes. Secondly, the figure in the mirror was not her reflection.

Whatever the reflection was though, it seemed to have spotted the party and was gone in a flash, off the side of the frame. The wild-hared woman quickly pulled a hood over her head and turned around. "Who's there? What are you doing in my personal chamber?" Her voice hinted at irritation and anger. She walked a few paces in the group's direction and began scanning the statuary.

What do you do?

---

You appeared within someone's chambers inside the tapestry. She knows you are there and will see you in a matter of moments.

Uri
One of the statues bears a striking resemblance to a famous hero that went missing long ago. Who is it, and what were they known for?

Tobias
Other than the dozens of statues and the mirror, what else is notable in this room?

Lydia
You can tell that the emerald flames in the braziers above are from a type of fire-based creature that must be sitting within. What are they?

Brynn
Due to your past experiences, you knew to instinctively scan for entrances and exits. In your estimation, how accessible is this room?

Sierpinski
What is the mystical symbol that marks the tapestry exits?

It is a symbol used by alchemists, mathematicians and astronomers  (and believed to have been arrived at separately by each discipline) to denote a hypothetical element or factor or phenomenon related to travel and transformation.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:01, Fri 11 Jan 2019.

Uri is impressed by the detailed sculptures.  Whoever did these must really have had an interest in capturing the human (or humanoid) form as it truly exists, not the artificial perfection that other artists sometimes strive for.

A few paces in, one really catches his attention - Vithlara, the legendary elven explorer who had mysteriously vanished two centuries ago.  Uri had never seen any portraits of her, but the statue perfectly resembled the description in the book he had read.  Long curly hair, pointed ears and nose, compass necklace, even the magic spyglass hanging from her belt, next to the rapier.  Marvelous.

When the woman spoke, Uri responded Hey, sorry about that, we just... You've got a really amazing art collection, you know that?  I love these sculptures.  Did you do them yourself?

Brynn lurched and stumbled as momentum and physics reasserted themselves over her body after it phased into the reality of the tapestry. Before the fog of darkness had even cleared, her eyes were already darting to-and-fro, scanning the opulent chamber for signs of danger and points of ingress. The macabre menagerie of statues made getting a full view of the room difficult, but from her vantage point, there were only two obvious means of entrance: A large double door standing tall, and a single, smaller entrance at the other end of the room.

Instincts took over quickly. Before she could even think, Brynn had pressed herself against one of the statues, raising her shield to shade her eyes. Skal'Drag had almost leapt to her mailed hand as she reached for it, unslinging slowly even as she held it low to the ground. Biting her lip as Uri stepped forward, Brynn's eyes darted to her other companions, searching for the mage. "Sierpinski," she mouthed, her voice a hush, "what do you make of this?" She nodded towards the gallery of statues and the lone woman.

Tobias was quite shocked when he opened his eyes and came face to face with a statue. Many statues actually. He took two steps back and nearly tripped into the wading pool nearby. His foot fell into the ankle deep water causing ripples to stretch outward. Small petals were carried off by the miniature waves. Tobias watched them float momentarily, noticing that the wading pool was a small circle only 5 or 6 feet in diameter and was set in the center of the chamber. Four small channels fed the pool with fresh water, each one led to a separate corner where a small grate was. From the pool the smell of perfume and scented oils wafted up to fill the entire room. It was quite pleasant if a bit over powering.

While lovely, Tobias' attention was quickly taken by the woman speaking. He bit his lip as he saw Brynn's reaction to the woman's sudden appearance. She might have the better approach compared to Uri's, but they were still in the dark about where they were. Outright aggression could be the wrong move here. Tobias walked to stand next to Uri, shaking water off his boot as he went. "Hold on Uri, the lady asked first. Why don't you step back some, m'kay." He whispered to the bard, hoping he listen so Tobias could put himself between the woman and his colleagues.

They needed to be cautious, her anger was justified as it was them who were the intruders. The moving hair unnerved him, but he steeled himself and cleared he throat to speak. "Our apologize, ma'am. My name is Tobias Hiller, and this is my friend Uri. Our intrusion was accidental. We had no means to know we would be sent here."

Sierpinski made a brief attempt to look sage and knowledgeable about sculptural techniques, but it was clear he had no better idea than anyone else what this was all about. He had been watching to see what response Uri might get, but it seemed that Hiller felt he had a better approach than did the bard.

"I did make these artworks myself," the woman replied to Uri, tones of pride and remorselessness thick in her voice. She walked slowly around the sculptures and to a point where she could better view the group, placing herself opposite the shallow pool. Her hands reached into her sleeves, pulling out a dagger for each hand. Every once and a while a snake tongue or two would taste the air around the sides of her hood, or let out a little hiss.

"These artworks are the pride of my collection. Which is why only myself and my sister are allowed to view them. Accidental or not, your intrusion is not welcome. Unless, of course, you would like to help me expand my collection? I promise you, I would reward your assistance if you do. Do any of you like riches? Power?" The woman stood with her weapons drawn, ready to defend herself. But her posture suggested she was honestly waiting for a response to her offer.

What do you do?

---

Tobias
Due to the blessings bestowed to you from the quest you have undertaken, you can tell that everything she says is true, save for the offer of riches or power.

Lydia
Same question as my first post.

Sierpinski waved his hand dismissively. "Riches and power are pointless without knowledge, which is what I seek. For instance, I'd like to know how you moved the statues into this room. You obviously didn't carve them here."

Uri nods at Sierpinski's comment.  He doesn't add anything himself at the moment.

Still holding tight to her shield, Brynn casts a glance toward Tobias from the corner of her eye, but keeps her axe at the ready. Remaining silent, she chooses to let the farmer knight try his hand at diplomacy before the encounter needs settling more . . . decisively. In the meantime, she lets her eyes wander about the room. Something here was brewing . . .

Attempting to discern realities.

21:32, Today: Brynn Rhunsdottir rolled 9 using 2d6 ((4,5)).

I'd like to spend my one question asking the obvious "What is about to happen?" because I obviously expect the worst and want to know if I'm right, dammit!
This message was last edited by the player at 13:36, Mon 14 Jan 2019.

Tobias shook his head, he really wished things had turned out differently. The woman’s lie about riches and power made Tobias feel a pang of disappointment. As a parent would feel when their child lies to them. Ajanna’s blessing at work. Sadly, Tobias would once again take up arms against another. His hand fell to the weapon at his waist. There was no flair or style to it, he drew his sword and held it at the ready. The metal glinted in the strange fire light. The shield strapped to his other arm came up defensively.

"I respectfully decline your offer, ma’am.” Tobias took a step forward, feet falling into the wading pool. The ripples he created displaced more petals. He made sure that he was positioned closest to the woman.

To Brynn, the signs were subtle, but unmistakable. The detailed statuary, the hooded face, the hiss of snakes... It all pointed toward evidence of a type of villain normally only encountered in a child's story book. A gorgon. While the idea had no doubt already been drifting around the fighter's mind subconsciously, the realization hit full-force when the foe said her next words. She was going to reveal her face and try to turn them to stone.

"My name is Risp, not ma'am. And if you insist on declining, perhaps you could help me show your friend how I move my statues instead." There was a nearly audible smirk in her voice as she lifted one of her daggered hands toward her hood.

What do you do?

---

Brynn
What is about to happen?

The gorgon is about to reveal her face and try to turn people to stone. Take +1 forward when acting on this answer.

You have only a moment to act before her face is revealed.

Everyone Else
I will leave it up to whether or not you recognize the danger of viewing the gorgon, but regardless, you didn't have quite as much warning as Brynn. You will probably need to Defy Danger if you try to act, with the danger either being "the possibility of looking at the gorgon," or, "trying to act without seeing what you are doing." If what you decide to do is not affected by vision, don't worry about it.

Sierpinski whirled around and moved to put his back against one of the statues. If it took looking at her to be turned into a statue, he simply wouldn't look at her. Easy enough. None of the statues looked like they were having their eyelids pried open when they were petrified. Then again, they couldn't all have been stupid enough to look. Escape would probably be prudent.

Keeping his back to the woman, or monster, and as many statues as possible between her and himself, he began moving toward the large double doors.

Tobias might be trying to stay in front, but Uri didn't like where this was going, as wasn't as convinced as the others that it had to end in bloodshed (or petrification).  He quickly stepped forward to interpose himself between the paladin and the gorgon, arms outstretched as though to push them both away.  He kept his face toward his friend, but as he spoke frankly it was clear that he was addressing the woman.

Hold on, hold on, none of us need to do this.  It's clear you're angry with us, and I get it, I'd be pretty mad too if someone just popped into my home like this.  But we're not here to hurt anyone, we're just here to understand what this place is.  Even if my friends here are a little zealous about our safety.  So how about we just be cool here, okay?  What's it going to take for you to let us go in peace, no harm done?

using Charming and Open, in case it needs to be specified

Gorgons. They'd been in this damned world for mere minutes and they were already almost literally face to face with a monster with eyes that could literally kill. Brynn should have charged more. As Uri made his last ditch effort to diffuse the situation, the fighter was already charging into action. With her shield held high, she might be blind, but a blind battering ram would knock into a statue as well as any other. Racing around the pool, she slammed full force into the statue nearest the hooded creature, aiming to send its stone tumbling down on top of the monster.

"No need, it's easy . . ." she shouted in retort to the gorgon, ". . . you move them like this!"

Aiming to Bend Bars and Lift Gates destroying some nearby statuary and sending it toppling down on the Gorgon who made it.

13:07, Today: Brynn Rhunsdottir rolled 12 using 2d6+3 ((5,4)).

It's neat that I got such a good roll, though it wasn't really necessary. Obviously this won't take a long time, but I'm also going to make sure that nothing of value is damaged and it doesn't make an inordinate amount of noise so that she might not hear it coming and just in case we're not alone in this lair.

Tobias ducked behind his sheild to break line of sight with the woman. It hadn’t clicked until now, the statues and the writhing hair, but he now understood the threat she posed. As he looked down into the pool he saw both Uri’s and Brynn’s reflections move around him. Tobias silently cursed. With Brynn already on the attack, he didn’t want to follow up in fear of getting in the way. Without being able to see that would most certainly happen.

Instead he sidestepped Uri, shield still raised, using the pool’s reflection to navigate. He would protect his friend, even if it meant using own body to shield him from danger.

---

17:25, Today: Tobias Hiller rolled 11 using 2d6+2.  Defy Danger (Con).

17:26, Today: Tobias Hiller rolled 11 using 2d6+2.  Defend Uri.
Any attack aimed at Uri, I will spend my 3 hold to
 - Redirect an attack from the thing you defend to yourself
 - Halve the attack’s effect or damage
 - Give +1 Forward to Brynn to press on with attacking.

The gorgon was about to reply to Uri when her own stone figure glanced off of Risp's shoulder, then fell to the floor and shattered. It made surprisingly little noise as it hit the carpeted floor and little pebbles bounced into the pool. "RrrraaAAAAhhh!" the gorgon screamed. She seemed far more upset that the statue had broken than she was at any harm that had befallen her. "How dare you! My Vithlara! If you still want your group to leave in peace now, kick the vandal out of it! Turn on her. Give her to me! How can I get you to do that?"

Not really seeming to expect an answer she would like, Risp lunged toward Brynn. With her hood drawn back, daggers flashing in each hand, and every strand of snake hair hissing menacingly, she leaped into the air with the intent to land atop the warrior that destroyed her precious artwork.

Meanwhile, Sierpinski quietly made his way toward the large doors at the end of the room. With the gorgon thoroughly distracted, he made it there without incidence. Unfortunately, when he tried the doors he found them locked. It looked like they would require a key to open. Although they didn't appear like they would be particularly difficult to pick or break through, if he had the proper tools.

What do you do?

---

Uri
"What's it going to take for you to let us go in peace, no harm done?"

Risp's response was to kick Brynn out of your group and give the fighter to her. Her question in response, that you must answer truthfully is: "How can I get you to do that?" Meaning, how can she get you to kick Brynn out of the group and give the fighter to her?

Tobias
She went after Brynn instead of Uri. Through the reflection in the pool, you see you have an opening, but it would require you to drop your defense and go on the offense.

Brynn
Your statue attack worked, although it didn't seem to do much damage. Apparently statues make poor weapons. Made her mad though! Risp lunged for you with her daggers, magic stare, and snake hair. You are in danger. You will need to Defy Danger if you wish to avoid a poor outcome.

Sierpinski
The door is locked and requires a key to open it by conventional means.

Sierpinski gave up on the double doors. At least nothing was going to come through them in a hurry. Keeping a hand up to block his line of sight to Risp, he moved around to the other door on the other side of the room. As he did, he spoke in reply to the monster.

"Truthfully? To have a hope of getting me to choose you over Brynn... you'd have to stop demanding me to choose you over Brynn. For a start."

To his allies he called: "We're locked in. I realize you're busy, but if you see a key on her, try to grab it.

Tobias grimaced as Risp lept towards Brynn instead. He hadn't expected such a strong reaction for some broken statue. May whoever the adventurer previously was rest in piece. Tobias moved away from Uri, dropping his defense and moving to back Brynn up in her offense.

"That's not going to happen, Ms. Risp." Even in the midst of combat manners were hard bred into Tobias. It wans't something he was likely going to drop anytime soon. "Ms. Brynn's company is wholly more enjoyable than yours."

Hopefully Tobias could pull away the woman's focus to give Brynn some breathing room. He still kept his shield up as he moved forward, mainly to block direct line of sight than anything else. Instead he relied on the reflection below to guide him. He stabbed forward with his sword.

---

18:54, Today: Tobias Hiller rolled 7 using 2d6+1.  Hack & Slash.

18:55, Today: Tobias Hiller rolled 5 using 1d10+1.  Damage.

I don't think you can, Uri replies.  He draws his short sword as he continues to speak.  You have to show us that you understand where we're coming from, my clumsy friend included.  We magically appeared here, no fault of our own, and you get hostile like we're a gang of thieves.  It's easy for a person to get defensive with a vibe like that, you get me?  But if you can be understanding with us, then I think I can get her to be understanding with you.  And when you both understand each other, it feels so much better than revenge, I promise.

That argument should work on any reasonable dungeon denizen, but if for some reason it doesn't, Uri follows up by swinging his sword low to trip up the gorgon and help Brynn in her fight.  He keeps his eyes on the monster's feet as he does so.

Uri rolled 8 using 2d6+1.  Aid Brynn
-Brynn gets +1 forward to fight the gorgon (possibly including Defying Danger, if the timing is right), but at some cost to Uri...

Well, that went badly . . . but at least I get xp, right?

12:47, Today: Brynn Rhunsdottir rolled 4 using 2d6+2 ((1,1)).

Brynn raised her shield as the gorgon lunged, hoping to catch her on its surface and throw her off, but as the creature's full weight landed against her, the rubble beneath her gave way sending her toppling down with the creature on top of her. With little other recourse, she kept her shield raised high, squeezing her eyes shut as she tried to deflect the worst of the blows until she could find an opening to bring her axe into the battle.

As the gorgon, Risp, Landed atop Brynn, Uri did his best to try and throw her off balance with his sword, but to no avail. His efforts were rewarded only by a swift nip from one of the gorgon's long curly serpentine locks. The monstrous woman landed hard atop the fighter, daggers flashing as they stabbed at Brynn's ribs in rapid succession, searching for a way around her shield and through a gap in her armor. It was clear the time for negotiations had passed. "You destroy my greatest treasures, I destroy you!"

In Risp's distraction, Tobias managed to get a clean shot in at the gorgon. The moment his blade struck though, all of the gorgon's hair turned and lashed out at him in a chorus of angry hisses. And with the paladin averting his gaze, it was all too easy for them to sink their fangs in. Wherever a fang pierced Tobias's skin (and Uri's) the skin instantly got flaky and stone-like. He could feel his joints getting stiffer every moment that passed.

Meanwhile, Sierpinski swiftly traversed the room in relative safety, eyes averted from the battle taking place. When he reached the smaller door, he opened it to find a small room with assorted items inside. To the left, there were various articles of clothing hanging on a rod. There were also boxes on the floor below them and above them on a shelf. As well as a lounging chair in the back right corner. It was too dark to make out any significant details, but it appeared the room functioned as the gorgon's closet.

What do you do?

---

Uri and Tobias
You both got bit by the gorgon's hair. Please roll a Defy Danger to resist the poison's effects. (probably + Con, unless you have another idea) Or you could use an antitoxin if you have one.

Brynn
Take 1d8 damage from the gorgon's stab wounds. You are on the ground with the gogron on top of you. Only your weapons that have Close range will be effective until you can get out from under her.

Sierpinski
You have discovered the gorgon's closet. It's dark.

Tobias hissed in pain. The snakes' bite had gotten through his coat, which surprised Tobias. He was accustomed to a few rattlers hiding among the tall grass and leaves on his orchard. Those were kept at bay with a good sturdy pair of boots and keen ears. These were no rattlers though. He could already feel the poison working through him. He wretched his arm back, pulling away before any more venom could be injected. His grip was stiff, he could feel his fingers getting numb, as if they were turning to stone. He needed to take care of the poison pronto.

Even so, he hadn't brought any antitoxins with him and also they were in the midst of fighting. He needed to end this gorgon so they can take care of their injuries. Let his own adrenaline take care of the poison for the time being.

Deciding that using his sword would be too risky, the gorgon was literally atop of Brynn, Tobias stepped in to strike with his shield. His eyes were focused on Risp's legs, if he aimed high he could catch her in the spine. The wood shield was edged with metal, hopefully that made some sort of difference.

---

18:17, Today: Tobias Hiller rolled 7 using 2d6+2.  Defy Danger (Con).
  To resist the poison. Hopefully it's enough to keep the limb...

18:17, Today: Tobias Hiller rolled 8 using 2d6+1.  Hack & Slash.

18:18, Today: Tobias Hiller rolled 1 using 1d10.  Damage.
  Welp that's what I get for trying to use the shield as a weapon.

Sierpinski avoided turning around despite the sounds of the fight. Either his allies would succeed or they wouldn't. There wasn't much Sierpinski could do to change that right now.

He took out his dagger and, with a finger-snapping motion, twirled it once around his knuckles. When the handle was at rest in his grip again, [b]its blade was beginning to glow[/i] as if the steel were merely a glass vessel holding an incandescent fluid. In a moment, it was as bright as a torch, but with a steadier, whiter light. He moved it around, to at least get a view of this new chamber while he had the chance. There was even a possibility that the key to the other door could be found here.

---

Sierpinski is utilizing a light cantrip here.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 06:39, Fri 18 Jan 2019.

Sierpinski
Please give me a roll for your Cast a Spell move. (Even cantrips count as spells for this move.)

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 25):

22:40, Today: Sierpinski rolled 13 using 2d6+2.  Cast a Spell. (light).

Brynn grit her teeth as gorgon attempted to savage her with a flurry of cuts. Fortunately, her armor managed to take the brunt of the assault, giving her a precious few moments to catch her breath. Stealing herself for the next volley of blows, she kept shield firmly between her and the oncoming storm. If the creature was foolish enough to continue to press its strikes against her, she could open it up to her companions' strikes, and if it was foolish enough to turn its back on her, she would make it bleed . . . or so she hoped. "Choke on it," Brynn spat, still averting her gaze.

22:15, Today: Brynn Rhunsdottir rolled 2 using 1d8.  Gorgon damage. Fortunately, my armor is enough to absorb that, so I don't actually take any damage.

22:38, Today: Brynn Rhunsdottir rolled 9 using 2d6+1.  Defending (on myself). I'll spend my one hold to give +1 forward to someone attacking the gorgon if she attacks me.

Uri felt the fangs in his shoulder, and was glad it wasn't his face.  He wasn't so happy about the shoulder either though, one he felt the poison take hold and the muscles start getting stiff.  He backed away from the gorgon, unsure of what to do for the moment - he wasn't a complete stranger to the sword, but he certainly wasn't a fighter.

And then inspiration struck.  He spotted two statues close together and ran behind them.  He then put his sword between them so that he could tap both statues with the flat of his blade.  It wasn't as good as a drum, but it made enough of a ting that he could use it for some rhythm.  And he began singing:

I once found a girl, or should I say she once found me
She tried to kill me, to turn me to stone, but I wasn't alone...

As he continued singing, Tobias found himself feeling energized, pushing even harder than before to help his friends deal with their current foe.

Uri rolled 7 using 2d6.  Defy Danger to resist poison.

Uri rolled 9 using 2d6+2.  Bardic Song.
Tobias gets +1d4 forward to damage, and I get some kind of unwanted attention or magical side effects...

As the gorgon continued to try and strike Brynn, Tobias struck the monster with his shield square on the back. Risp yelped in pain, but seemed more annoyed than injured. However, Tobias's assault was still met with a vengeful sideways stab of a dagger into his leg. Leaving her first dagger in Tobias's leg, the gorgon then pivoted and launched her other dagger through the air at Uri. "I said to leave my masterpieces alone!" Apparently she didn't like him using her statues as instruments.

With blades no longer in her her hands, when Risp turned back to Brynn, she attempted to pull the woman's shield down and get the fighter to look her in the eye. As she did, some of her hair reared up and hissed at Tobias in warning, letting the paladin know she was still paying attention to him as well, albeit not as well as she was paying attention to Brynn.

While all this was happening, Uri and Tobias could feel the poison continue to flow through their veins, and the stony and flaky skin spread out from their bite marks as well. It was making it difficult to move with precision as their joints tightened up, but did not seem to be a lethal toxin. At least not from the size of dose they had received.

Across the room, Sierpinski's glowing dagger illuminated the dark closet of Risp the gorgon. Immediately the wizard could tell the gorgon had a taste for fashion. The clothes on the rack were of dozens of different styles designed for many different environments. Parkas, robes, ball gowns, and even a bikini. Almost all of them were made of high-quality fabrics and embellished with decorative trim.

Aside from that, most of the room was filled with various boxes and chests. The ones up top seemed to be mostly hat boxes, but a few on the floor appeared to be designed to hold weapons and other curiosities. One was even labeled "Cursed gauntlet." Along the wall opposite the clothing, hooks held a variety of boas, jewelry, pendants, and a mirror. It was not a full length mirror like the one out in the larger room though. The mirror with the moving figure in it. Among the jewelry, Sierpinski spotted a key on a string. The patterning on the key matched the decorative etchings Sierpinski noticed on the locked doors from earlier. That was probably no coincidence.

What do you do?

---

Brynn
The gorgon is trying hard to get you to look into her eyes. You will need to Defy Danger now, or be subjected to her gaze. Your Hold gives Tobias a +1 forward if he attacks the gorgon.

Uri
The poison is making your muscles more difficult to control with precision. You gain the Shaky condition (-1 to Dex rolls). This condition will last until you make camp, or cure it with a healing potion or antitoxin.

Your music worked, but caused Risp to throw one of her daggers at you. You will need to Defy Danger or be struck by it. (1d8 damage)

Tobias
The poison is making your muscles more difficult to control with precision. You gain the Shaky condition (-1 to Dex rolls). This condition will last until you make camp, or cure it with a healing potion or antitoxin.

The gorgon stabbed you in the leg for hitting her with your shield. The dagger is still lodged there. Take 1d8 damage. Don't apply your shield's armor since you were using it as a weapon at the time.

Also, you get +1 forward to an attack against the gorgon due to Brynn's defensive tactics, and +1d4 damage from Uri's magical performance.

Sierpinski
You spotted what is most likely the key you were looking for, among other curiosities.

Sierpinski's contorted his empty hand into a summoning sign and rotated it though a precise angle. He hung the dagger in midair, in the grip of a servitor spirit. He moved into the room and plucked up the key, placing it near the dagger. Then he gave a quick look at the weapons and curiosities. Quick because his situation felt like it could change at any moment.

---

14:23, Today: Sierpinski rolled 9 using 2d6+2.  Cast a Spell. (unseen servant).
Draw unwelcome attention or put himself in a spot.

Tobias cried out in pain as the dagger bit into his leg. He almost dropped his sword then and there, other men would have. He grit his teeth and bore the pain. Looking down he could see the dagger there in his thigh. Since he was no medic, he had no idea if pulling it out or leaving it in would be the better option.

"Leave it for latter" he decided.

The improvised song rang through Tobias' ears. The sound of it energized him, Uri's magic at work. Hardening his resolve Tobias attacked again. "Enough! I would have preferred a negotiable end, but you leave us no choice, Ms. Risp." This time not with his shield. Half-handing the blade, Tobias rammed the sword downward looking to pierce through straight through her.

---

18:45, Today: Tobias Hiller rolled 3 using 1d8.  Taking Damage.
 With my armor (minus the shield) Tobias takes 1 damage

18:47, Today: Tobias Hiller rolled 10 using 2d6+2.  Hack & Slash

18:49, Today: Tobias Hiller rolled 15 using 1d10+1d4+1.  Damage.
 AW YEAH! High Roller over here!

Pinned to the ground by the gorgon's weight, Brynn struggled to evade her snapping vipers and her baleful gaze . . . especially without the use of her own. As the venomous woman fought to lock eyes with her, Brynn reached up and over her own shield, her mailed hand grabbing a fistful of the creature's wriggling hair and, with a sharp tug, bringing her face smashing against her raised shield. "Choke on it, witch," she spat, before releasing slightly only to tug even harder a second time.

Defying danger by attempting to redirect the gorgon's gaze by snatching a handful of her hair to control her own gaze. Including a potential hack and slash roll as well, in case you want/need to incorporate some damage for the reverse shield bash.

17:13, Today: Brynn Rhunsdottir rolled 6 using 2d6+2.  Defy danger (gorgon gaze) +STR.
That could have gone better . . .

17:14, Today: Brynn Rhunsdottir rolled 4 using 2d6+2.  Hack and slash (Shield bash).
Man, I'm in the club twice! At least I'll get some xp, right . . .

Playing the taverns had given Uri more than enough practice at dodging projectiles in the middle of a performance.  He ducked as the dagger came by, pausing his tapping just long enough to make it sound like he was dropping the beat for effect and then resuming again.  He continued his song, this time focusing the magical energy on Brynn instead of Tobias.

She said she would kill us this instant and started to laugh
But we worked together and overcame all of her traps...

Uri rolled 10 using 2d6+1.  Defy Danger (dodge the dagger).
EDIT: I forgot to factor in the Dex penalty for Shaky, so that's actually a 9.  Maybe my beat's getting less steady and that's why the song failed?

Uri rolled 5 using 2d6+2.  Bardic Song
Well that was going to give Brynn an extra bonus the next time someone tries to aid her, but apparently the dice gods really don't want to see that happen
This message was last edited by the player at 03:01, Tue 22 Jan 2019.

The battle reached its climax as Brynn, struggled with the gorgon on the floor, Tobias stood overhead and prepared to strike, and Uri offered his magical arts from the sidelines. The fighter wrestled with the gorgon's head, trying to avert Risp's gaze. Her serpentine hair bit the warrior in several dozen places along her arm, but Brynn did manage to get the gorgon to look away... and directly at Lydia. Brynn had to watch as the woman she had been hired to guard turned to stone before her very eyes.

A split second later, Tobias's blade bit into the gorgon's torso from above and Risp let out a shrill shriek as the blade went clean through, clinking against Brynn's shield. "WWWrrraaaAAAAAhhh!" The monstrous woman spasamed a few times, but then went limp. Her blackish-red blood quickly began tainting the nearby pool as it drained from her body.

Uri, for his part, managed to dodge the dagger thrown at him, but the pause disrupted the magic of his performance. Well, that and the sound of Lydia's off-balance petrified form toppling over and splashing noisily in the pool as it broke into hundreds of pieces.

Meanwhile, Sierpinski could quickly tell that the gorgon liked to collect knives, daggers, and other such blades. Most of the boxes sitting on the floor contained a blade of some sort, although it was difficult to tell at a glance which ones were high quality, magical, and/or valuable. The same went for the other items in the room. Some of her jewelry items were beautiful, but fake, and others were made of real gems and precious metals. Probably the same for her clothing items.

What do you do?

---

Everyone
Nice work! You have defeated the gorgon. Unfortunately Lydia did not survive the confrontation.

Tobias
Great rolls!

Brynn
You managed to turn the gorgon to face Lydia rather than yourself. You received a lot of snake bites in the process though. Take 1d8 damage and give me a Defy Danger (or other appropriate move) for the poison.

Uri
Your music was momentarily disrupted by the dagger, and never got back on track as Lydia shattered into the pool.

Sierpinski
Risp has quite a large collection of various knives, daggers, and other such blades. Some of them may even be magical, but it is difficult to tell without spending more time studying them. Maybe some of her jewelry and articles of clothing as well. Roll me a Discern realities if you want to learn anything specific about her stuff in general in a short time span. (Like which things are valuable, or which things are magical, etc.) If you take about half an hour to look through her things, I can just tell you what you want to know instead.

Sounds of his allies' success reached his ears and Sierpinski turned away from the closet. As he walked toward the site of the battle, his dagger and the key floated behind him.

"Well done, but alas for Lydia. I'm sorry I wasn't in a position to do more.

"I have located what I think is the key to the door, and a stash of other items. If you're willing to wait here I can examine them more thoroughly. If we're in a hurry, I can attempt to determine simply what is magical."

Tobias twisted the blade to make sure the woman was indeed dead. With magic anything was possible and he wasn't about to take chances. He jerked the blade out and in the process moved the corpse off of his comrade. After wiping his sword clean with his pant leg, he sheathed it in a smooth motion. Glad that handling the sword was drilled into him the first week of training at the garrison, he'd look foolish otherwise. He offered his hand to help Brynn back to her own feet.

He caught sight of Lydia soon after. His breath caught and he forced himself to look away, not wishing to see the moment she shattered.

"A-allow me to help Sierpinski." Anything to get his mind off their loss. Tobias took a step and the jolt of pain shot up his leg

He had forgot there was a knife still sticking in his leg. "On second thought... I'll need a moment... to deal with this."

He knelt carefully so he may examine the wound.

---

Would I need to roll anything to remove the dagger from my leg?

Brynn felt the spray of hot blood as Tobias's sword plunged through the gorgon's chest. Between her shield and armored gauntlet, she'd managed to avoid suffering more than a few scratches and small punctures from the multitudes of tiny fangs looking to sink themselves deep into her flesh. Even the little bit of poison that had gotten into her bloodstream didn't seem to be slowing the hardened fighter down too much.

As she took Tobias's hand and stood, she turned to see Lydia's stony visage, frozen in shock and horror. The creature's gaze had caught the poor girl totally unaware. Another job up in flames before it had even begun. Brynn watched as the petrified woman toppled into the pool, breaking to pieces that slowly sunk to the bottom of the perfumed waters now fouled by monstrous blood. The warrior's face was so cold and unmoving, one might have thought she was the one who'd caught the gorgon's eye.

Turning to Sierpinski, axe still gripped tight in her hand, she said, "get to work . . . we can't leave here empty handed." With that, she knelt beside the creature's corpse and began rifling through its robes. "Tobias, Uri, we need to see about securing the door and maybe even scouting whatever's beyond. When the mage is done, I want to be ready to move."

20:03, Today: Brynn Rhunsdottir rolled 1 using 1d8-3.  Gorgon Damage.
20:02, Today: Brynn Rhunsdottir rolled 8 using 2d6+1 ((4,3)).

I'm seriously considering chopping off the gorgon's head to hang from my belt. Yes, I've played God of War, and I can't help it.

Sierpinski nodded. "I will attempt to Probe for magical effects. Though I should warn you: when magical energy is released, it has a way of rippling outward. It can have unforseen effects."

Caveat delivered, he returns to the closet and extends his senses along angles impossible to point along, sniffing for magical effects.

---

18:50, Today: Sierpinski rolled 6 using 2d6+2.  Cast a Spell (detect magic).
Mark experience.

As Tobias contemplated the best way to remove the dagger from his leg, Brynn checked the gorgon's pockets for anything noteworthy. There wasn't much on her, but Risp did have an item or two in her possession. In one pocket there was a small vial of yellow water with herbs floating in it that Brynn recognized as a fairly cheap and bitter variety of antitoxin. In another pocket was a small book. It was of the informational sort. At her belt, the gorgon had a small pouch containing 12 gold coins and a small bundle of dried meats and some gorgonzola cheese. Just enough for a single meal.

Meanwhile, over in Risp's closet, Sierpinski began his search through her things. He cast a spell upon himself to make his senses sensitive to magic, but he could tell immediately that something had gone awry. The smell of magic filled his nostrils with an overpowering perfume. It rung in his ears like a gong and burned his eyes like he was staring into the sun. He could even taste the flavor of his own spell and feel it vibrating throughout his body! The intensity was overwhelming and the wizard had to rush to dial it back before he caused himself permanent damage to his senses.

By the time he did, however, he could tell the aftereffects would linger. His eyes didn't want to focus as well as they should, and there was a slight ringing in his ears. Nothing he couldn't work with, but it was certainly distracting. Still, he could sense the magics in the room now in a way that would not pose any more danger to his health.

And there were several items of note in the room. Aside from his unseen servant and glowing dagger, Sierpinski could sense no less than five other magical auras in the room. One was from the gauntlet that was labeled as cursed, which wasn't surprising. Another emanated from an elegant ball gown hanging from the rack. One of the auras was from a throwing dagger etched with runes of translocation, and another was on a machete laying in a velvet case. The blade itself seemed to be made of the same velvet it lay atop, and there was a button on its hilt. Lastly, there was a small box tucked away in a corner labeled "Splatter Dyes" that also had a magical aura about it. Inside were 12 globules, each in a different color. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, brown, black, grey, white, and transparent.

There were no other magical auras within the room. All of the jewelry and hats seemed to be of the mundane variety. The clothes as well, save for the ball gown. Although there were two sets of leather armor hanging among the other outfits, each in a vastly different style from the other.

What do you do?

---

Brynn
The poison is making your muscles more difficult to control with precision. You gain the Shaky debility (-1 to Dex rolls). This condition will last until you make camp, or cure it with a healing potion or antitoxin.

Also, you are more than welcome to collect the gorgon's head. It won't be able to petrify anyone with a glance anymore, but there may still be some venom remaining in the snake hair. Plus, it makes a cool trophy.
Gorgon head; (weight 1)

Among the gorgon's pockets you found 1 antitoxin, a coin pouch containing 12 coins, 1 bundle of rations, and a small informational book. What is the subject of the book?

Tobias
You can easily pull out the dagger in your leg, albeit painfully. The wound could certainly use some tending to, but it doesn't seem to be life-threatening.

Sierpinski
Your Detect Magic spell worked, but it worked a little too well. All of your senses were momentarily overloaded until you could reign back the power of the spell. Due to the havoc it reeked on your physical senses, you gain the Confused debility (-1 to Wis rolls). This condition will last until you manage to sleep it off.

The magical items you discovered in the closet include:
Throwing dagger with translocation runes etched into it; (thrown, near, 0 weight)
Velvet Machete with button on handle; (close, 1 weight) Edit: removed inaccurate price
Ball gown with minor magics; (2 weight)
Splatter Dye set; (0 weight)
Gauntlet labeled as cursed; (1 weight)

There are also plenty of other daggers and knives of the mundane variety. And women's clothing, hats, and jewelry. Even a couple styles of leather armor. Anyone can feel free to grab any of these, in a style you wish.
Dagger, Shiv, Knife; (hand, 1 weight)
Clothes (1 weight)
Leather Armor x2; (1 armor, worn, 1 weight)
Hat (0 weight)
Assorted Jewelry (0 weight) (handful = 1 weight)
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:10, Fri 25 Jan 2019.

Sucking in a breath to brace himself, Tobias pulled the dagger out as quickly as he could. He seethed as pain jolted up his leg. At least it was out now. He inspected the dagger quickly, it was still a fine blade and so it was useful. He tucked it into his belt as he stood back up. His free hand held the wound on his leg, putting pressure on it to slow the bleeding.

He walked over to Brynn, "If you please Ms. Brynn. See if you can cut some strips of cloth off Ms. Risp's robe while you're at that. We can use some makeshift bandages." He gestured to the wound on his leg for emphasis, "I'll go listen at the door like you said, our commotion could have riled up others we don't know about."

As he walked around the pool he paused at the spot Lydia had stood. Even if the water was intermixed with the gorgon's blood, he could see the chunks of stone that was once his comrade. Tobias closed his eyes and bowed his head. "I am sorry, Lydia. We were asked to watch over you and we failed. When I return to home, I'll visit your family as soon as I can, give them my condolences and my apology... Ajanna, please take care of her if she comes to your home. Save her a seat at your table, and a spot next to your hearth. Give her love until her family arrives..."

His short prayer done, Tobias walked over to the door. He knew it would be locked until Sierpinski retrieved the key, and he wasn't going to try his hand at picking the lock. Instead he crouched low to press his ear against the door.

---

I'll take the dagger with me and add it to my gear list.

17:54, Today: Tobias Hiller rolled 9 using 2d6+1.  Discern Realities.
  I'll spend my 1 hold on,
  - What should I be on the lookout for?

Squinting past his discomfort, Sierpinski carefully lifted each item detected as magical, swapping with his servitor spell, until it was holding the gown, the dagger with the runes, the dye set, and the box with the gauntlet, and he was holding the strange machete, with the key to the double doors in his pocket (or handed to whomever might request it from him) and his own dagger resheathed (with the light spell remaining on it).

Shaking his head in an attempt to clear it, he stepped to the side and made to test the unusual weapon. "Stand back," he said, before extending it before him and depressing the button.

Sschhllckk

The gorgon's neck made a sickening sound as Skal'Drag rent flesh and shattered bone on its way to severing the beast's head from its body. A moment later and Brynn had tied it handily to her belt by the snakes of its own ghastly hair. After fetching a new dagger from the creature's surplus stock, the fighter pocketed the items she found on the body, shredding its cloak to make some extra bandages, until she came to the strange book. The strange tome was an (apparently self-written) account of dark dwelling creatures and the strange powers they wielded. After thumbing through it for only a moment, she knew it was better off in Sierpinski's hands than hers.

Brynn made to give the volume over to him, stopping when she saw him make ready to test his strange discovery. With no other recourse to aid him, she stood by, careful to avoid any unfortunate feedback.

I'm taking everything off Risp as well as a new dagger and a handful of jewelry. Hopefully it'll sell for something. A cool trophy is more than enough to get from the head, but maybe our wizard will be able to do something with it later.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:45, Fri 25 Jan 2019.

Uri looked through the various garments that Sierpinski brought out from the closet.  He was already tempted to take one of the suits of leather armor for himself, but his mind was quickly made up when he saw the sigils burned into the chest of one of them.  He recognized it right away from the legends of the dashing rogue Peverel Parveau, whose tattoos were said to hold magical tools that could help him past any lock or trap.  This was definitely the armor for him to claim.

GM, what do the legends tell me about how Peverel met his end?

As Sierpinski stood at the ready and pressed the button on his new magical machete, the velvet on the blade shredded into a million pieces and dispersed in a fine mist, leaving Sierpinski holding nothing but a handle. No, wait, there was still a blade there. It was just nearly invisible. It wavered in the air almost like a mirage. Upon closer examination, Sierpinski could tell that it glowed extremely faintly with the same emerald light from the braziers above, and had the same smell of flower petals from the nearby pool. It was light as air now as well. as far as he could tell, pressing the button caused it to take on the properties of the air it was touching.

As the wizard did this, Tobias listened carefully at the door for any signs of movement outside. There was none. In fact, it was almost eerily quiet out there. But due to his intense concentration on the sounds around him, Tobias did notice one sound that seemed out of place. It was the quiet, nearly imperceptible sound of someone sobbing. It took the paladin a while to pinpoint where it was coming from, but he eventually came to the conclusion that it was coming from the full-length mirror they had first spotted the gorgon standing in front of. It seemed their group was not quite alone just yet.

Meanwhile, Uri marveled at his fortuitous find. There was no doubt that this was indeed Peverel's armor. The style, the sigils, and even the patched up gash where he was said to have been stabbed by a rabid ogre and lived to tell the tale. Yes, this was definitely the armor of the legendary rogue. Which begged the question, why did this gorgon have it. He was not slain by a gorgon, but by some other dark-dwelling creature when he tried to infiltrate the marbled keep and recover the Artifact of the Eldritch Muses.

What do you do?

---

Sierpinski
The machete seems to take on the properties of the air around it when you push the button. It currently has zero weight due to its new air-like quality.

Brynn
The book was 0 weight. One of the entries in it deals with the creature Uri decides upon.

Tobias
What should I be on the lookout for?
Strangely enough you don't hear anything outside the door, but you do hear some soft sobbing coming from the mirror across the room. You wouldn't have even noticed it if you hadn't been listening so intently.

Uri
He is said to have died while trying to infiltrate the lair of some dark-dwelling creature. What was this creature. What is the Artifact of the Eldritch Muses said to be?

The sobbing made Tobias pause. He disliked hearing anyone in distress. Still he had to think of his friends first. He rather have them keep to their own doings while he took care of whoever was sobbing inside the mirror. "Careful ya'll, we ain't alone in here." Tobias waved a hand for everyone to stay away from the mirror. He could see them rooting around inside Risps' personal belonging. He didn't know how he felt about looting the place, as killing the host seemed a lot steeper crime when compared to stealing. He'd keep his own moral shortcomings to himself for the time being.

He walked carefully to the mirror, trying to peer inside it from where he stood. He didn't know what kind of magic lay within the mirror but he knew to be cautious. The jewel inlaid mirror was of fine craftsmanship, the detail was immaculate. Vines and flowers flowed and wrapped the length of it's height. The jewels were at the center of each flower, accenting them. Tobias himself was only offhandedly familiar with wood working, only fixing up his home's furniture and whittling small animals in his spare time, and was quite impressed by it all. He cleared his throat a bit once he was within speaking distance of the mirror. "Um, excuse me?" He remembered he had seen someone, possibly a young girl, when they first entered the tapestry. He hesitated to knock. Is that considered rude? Was this person's confinement equivalent to a pet fish's bowl, and tapping it would resound with uncomfortable loudness?

Tobias decided not to chance it, just in case. He looked back at the headless corpse lying only a few feet away. He decided to stand in the way, so to obscure the body from the mirror's line of sight. And for his own protection he kept his shield in front of him. Once again he cleared his throat to gain the occupant's attention, "Excuse me. My name is Tobias Hiller, I am... I am sorry we are meeting in such uncomfortable circumstances. Know that I would have preferred to never have harmed Ms. Risp. Would you please come out so we may converse civilly?"

Uri was overcome with excitement at his find (okay, technically it was Sierpinski's find, but Uri was the one who recognized it).  He started chattering to his companions about Peverel's deeds, equally encouraged whether they had heard of him before or not.  He focused on the final tale, how Peverel had snuck into the Keep of the Eldritch Muses to steal the Quill of All Words, which could write any truth even if the writer did not know it, and was also said to be able to create new truths if the writer knew how to use it.  The story ended when the great rogue was overtaken by a group of shadow eaters, magical creatures which hid in darkness and could attack a living being's essence without touching their body.

And then at last he noticed what Tobias was doing, and he stopped talking so he could see what would happen.

Sierpinski releases the button on the blade (or presses it again, if it's that kind of button) and then goes over to stand by the side of the mirror, where he can observe and potentially support Tobias but not be seen if the mirror is functioning as a window.

Brynn leafed through the book for a few moments. She knew enough of monsters to recognize some of the entries, but a great deal of it was beyond her. She buried her axe in beasts. She rarely stopped long to study them. With a frustrated a huff, she closed the book and, hearing Urine prattling on, walked up beside him. "Here", she said, shoving the book into his chest, "maybe it says something about your hero in here."



15:59, Today: Brynn Rhunsdottir rolled 6 using 2d6-1.  Spout lore about the creature in the caves
A failure, but one that's less dire, at least.

Sierpibski's blade retained its air-like qualities even after the button was released. The wizard was easily able to get into a favorable position outside of the mirror's direct line of sight.

As Brynn flipped through the book before handing it off to Uri, the only thing that really stuck out was that most dark-dwelling creatures seemed to have an aversion to bright lights. Which seemed like a no-brainer. Still, it was something. And the Bard, now paying attention to what Tobias was doing, had a front row seat as the paladin attempted to communicate with whatever was inside the mirror.

As Tobias spoke into the mirror, he could tell that the sobbing was most definitely coming from within. Its source still sounded quite distant though. As he peered into the mirror, his own reflection was mostly absent. Just a pale translucent shadow of what it should be. After he spoke, far back in the reflected room Tobias spotted a figure pop up behind a cluster of the statuary and the sobbing stopped. The figure was vaguely shaped like a little girl, but seemed a bit... off, somehow. In fact, the entire room seemed a bit off in a way Tobias couldn't quite put his finger on.

After a moment or two, the figure responded. Through sniffles, it said, "I really wish you wouldn't have killed her." She paused. Tobias's paladin senses let him know what she had said was true. "I'm not going to come out there, but I guess you can come in if you want. If you promise not to hurt me..."

What do you do?

---

Tobias
As far as you can tell, the figure in the mirror is telling the truth. Something does seem off though, but you can't quite put your finger on it.

Sierpinski
The blade retained its air-like qualities even when you released the button.

Brynn
The book of dark-dwelling creatures gives a +1 to Spout Lore when used to see what you know about such creatures (like a book from a Bag of Books), so you actually got a 7. You notice and recall that most dark-dwelling creatures are averse to bright lights.

Also, don't fall into the trap of thinking that a failed Spout Lore roll can't be just as deadly as a failed Hack and Slash roll. In my games, a 6- is a 6- no matter where it comes from.

Uri
Is it known if anyone has successfully used the Quill of All Words before?

Tobias looked around the reflected room, but other than seeing a mirrored version of the room he was already in he had no idea what else was off. Focusing on the little girl, Tobias felt some guilt rise up in his stomach. "I-I am truly sorry it had come to that..." Tobias apologized once again. He rubbed the back of his head, unable to really convey how he regretted leaving this girl alone. How was he suppose to know that Risp watched over a kid? Tobias himself had two younger brothers, one of who he lept into a magic tapestry just to find. He could not leave this girl alone, as strange as a being she is.

Tobias chewed his lip as he took in the girl's words. He couldn't step into the mirror, who knew what that would do him. No, he couldn't step into another dimension just soon after hopping into one prior. Unless everyone else followed after him, and Tobias highly doubted the other would. "I won't step inside your, uh, room, even if you permit. I don't understand the magic of this mirror and I don't want to risk any missteps just cause of my own ignorance." Tobias looked his fellow adventurers. Next best option is to ask the girl to come out instead. "However, I will promise you, I won't harm you so long as you promise not to harm us."

"As a paladin of Ajanna you can trust my word. No child would ever come to harm if we can prevent it. Please step out of the mirror so we may speak more easily." Tobias put on his best smile. One that he used on his own brothers to bring them comfort. Tobias prayed that he was making the right decision here, he didn't want any of the others getting hurt. But they needed information about where they were, and with the gorgon dead, the mirror girl was the next best option.

---

20:28, Today: Tobias Hiller rolled 8 using 2d6.  I am the law.
  I'm really glad I got a hit on this one, I will choose-
  - Do what you say
  I want the mirror girl to come outside into the 'real' world.

EDIT: I fixed some spelling errors
This message was last edited by the player at 04:40, Wed 30 Jan 2019.

In reply to Tobias Hiller (msg # 50):

Sierpinksi nods in approval at Hiller's caution. Then, holding the "airblade" in one hand, he takes his dagger in his other hand and tries a few things:

He tries touching the airblade to the floor (stone, presumably).
He tries touching the airblade to the floor and pressing the button.
He tries touching the airblade to his dagger.
He tries touching the airblade to his dagger and pressing the button.

If the blade changes significantly at any of those steps, he'll stop.

---

Alternatively, you could tell me how it works and I could have Sierpinski keep experimenting without the need for this kind of back and forth.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 05:17, Thu 31 Jan 2019.

Uri continues to watch the conversion between Tobias and the girl in the mirror, without saying anything himself.

There are a few tales of people seeking out the Quill, but no accounts of anyone actually using it.

"You'll have to... unlock, the mirror in order for me to leave," the voice said. Then, with hesitation thick in her voice, she added, "There is a dial on the back that you must turn. Do that, and I will come out to join you. Otherwise, I cannot. Risp has made this room my prison. You may call me Spire, if you wish."

Meanwhile, Sierpinski's experimentation proved fruitful. When he touched other objects with it, nothing happened. But when he touched objects with it and pushed the button, it seemed to take on aspects of the item touched. For instance, when he touched it to an area of uncarpeted floor, it took on the same color and texture as the blue marble resting there.

What do you do?

---

Tobias
The girl seems to want to do as you say, but can't until someone turns the dial on the back of the mirror to release her.

Sierpinski
It seems the machete's blade takes on aspects of whatever it is touching when the button is pressed. Its weight is currently back up to 2.

Sierpinski set the blade to "air" again, and deposited it in his pack. The button might get bumped, but he made sure the handle was surrounded by soft stuff. Sierpinski then bought his illuminated dagger out, and swept it around to take a look at the dial and what its settings were. It wouldn't do to sweep it past one that opened the mirror onto a sucking void or ocean of blood or something.

He also gestured Tobias over. The wizard had another spell could prove useful at the present stage.

The dial only appeared to have two settings. "Bound" and "unbound".

If that's literally what it says:

After his inspection, Sierpinski caught Hiller's eye and pulled a negative expression. He threw in some hand gestures indicating devil horns, fangs, and (to the extent he was able) likely eternal damnation.

Unhooking the Gorgon head from her belt, holding it up towards Sierpinski as she approached from the back of the mirror. Why not ask her? You can do that, right? Brynn's axe was slung in the loop at her back, and she seemed eager to have it back in hand.

In reply to Brynn Rhunsdottir (msg # 57):

"Indeed I can," he whispers, "though it takes some preparation. Tomorrow, at the earliest, I'm afraid."

"Thank you for trusting me Spire. I'll see-" Tobias wanted to say more to the girl, but his focus shifted to Sierpinski. The wizard's charades told him that he didn't trust the girl. Though Tobias felt no lie come from her. "-hold that thought little one."

Tobias moved around the mirror so he wasn't in Spire's line of sight anymore. He whispered back to the others. There wasn't any hint that she could listen, but better safe than sorry. "If we can't ask Mr. Risp, I think we should take a chance and trust the little one. I felt no lie come from her when she said she was held prisoner. I don't believe Mr. Risp to be the kind to hold hostages for the good of others, she seemed the sort to keep others only as prizes." Tobias gestured to the statues littering the room to punctuate his point. Tobias inclined his head to the dial at the back of the mirror. "I'm set on releasing her. But, I ain't the sole member of this group. Is there a way I can convince ya'll to trust my decision?"

Brynn tied the gorgon's head back to her belt before placing a have to her chin. They knew almost nothing about their circumstances, and not minutes after being thrown into this world on a fool's expedition, they'd already lost their benefactor. She winced visibly at the sting of her failure. Finally looking up, cold eyes taking the measure of Tobias's resolve, she said, "I'm in favor of taking the chance. We need information. I won't hesitate to put her down if she becomes a threat, but if she plays fair, so will I."

Sierpinski shrugged. "I don't think it's a good idea, but I'll back you up if you want to try it."

Go ahead, adds Uri.  I've seen you in action before; I trust your judgment.

Once Tobias had everyone's consent, glad everyone trusted him enough to make this decision. Even if a fight were to break out (Tobias didn't believe one would) they would be at least semi ready for it. Tobias moved back around to speak to Spire once again. He knelt and lightly tapped the mirror to get her attention. "Okay Spire. We're going to let you out now. Once you're out we'll talk some more, maybe you can tell us about this world we found ourselves in."

Tobias stood and went around to the back. He twisted the dial and waited for a response.

When it was confirmed that the group was going to release Spire from the mirror, the girl's figure at the back of the room dipped back down behind the statues and began to approach. Although the statues in the mirror obscured most of what could be seen of her, something seemed off about how she moved through the collection of stone figures.

But almost as fast as that realization was occurring, the view inside the mirror became obscured as the dial was turned. As the dial on the back was twisted, all of the jeweled flowers on its front turned as well. Beams of light crisscrossed the mirror's surface, connecting the flowers in a spiderweb-type pattern. As the light faded and the view inside the mirror came back into focus, a large flower bud at the top of the mirror bloomed, revealing a small claw resting among its petals.

Inside the mirror, Spire was not in view, but her voice still rang out. It was close. Just outside of view by the sounds of it. "Now remember, you promised you wouldn't hurt me..." From the edge of the mirror, a girlish figure peeked around the corner. But she looked more like a lifelike doll than a living person. Her long brown hair hung straight and limp, and expressionless green eyes stared out with their lids just wide enough to be unsettling. Her mouth opened and closed when she talked, but did not make the correct shapes for the words that were spoken, similar to a ventriloquist's dummy. "Here I come..." As unlifelike as she was, it was clear she was made of flesh and blood.

The girl stretched out of the mirror on a torso that was too long and flexible and reached up to the top of the mirror where the claw had been exposed. She grabbed it and proceeded forward. As disturbing as the girl was thus far, it was nothing compared to what the rest of her looked like.

The girl's long flexible torso was not attached to legs, but to a head. A large, serpentine head. And on this serpent head there were other humanoid "dolls" as well. One looked like an old elven man, one was a young dwarven maiden. There were seven in total, all as disturbing as the last as they each looked around the room independently. Underneath the serpentine head was a long and muscled snake-like body that slithered out from the mirror, easily thirty feet in length. It had two weak and clawed arms, and wore a set of tools in a sash over one shoulder.

The... creature, looked over at the gorgon's headless body with its snake eyes. It's snake features did not change, but all of its other faces frowned. "I guess my sister truly is dead then, huh?"

What do you do?

---

Everyone
It turned out that the "girl" from the mirror was actually a huge snake-like monstrosity. If the gorgon was a person with snake-like hair, then this creature is a huge snake with person-like hair.

Brynn's whole body shuddered as she watched the utterly inhuman hydra of doll-like bodies climb from the mirror. She'd seen many horrible things in her journey, but never anything so terrible as this. "W-what are you?" The words dribbled from her mouth as her knuckles turned white from clutching so tightly at her axe. Clenching her jaw, she steeled herself . . . but held her ground. If Tobias wanted to parley, now was the time . . . In the meantime, she looked the creature up and down, trying to better understand what it was she was seeing. Slowly, she paced around, doing her best to study every side of its utterly bizarre form.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:11, Mon 04 Feb 2019.

Tobias wasn't going to lie to himself, once Spire stepped out of the mirror he immediately gulped. A sense of terror washing over him as the hairs at the back of his neck stood on end. Her appearance was nothing like he expected, and it made his hand involuntarily  tightened into a fist. He took a breath and forced himself to calm. Shocked as he was, she was trusting him to keep his promise, and by Ajanna he was going to do just that. If he could, he would keep Spire from harm (Even if that meant from his fellow adventurers). Tobias stepped forward, a hand waving to Brynn to tell her to lower her weapon as she inspected Spire. It wouldn't do any good if she suspected they would break the promise as soon as they saw her.

"Uh-" Tobias cleared his throat, trying to process everything. His eyes trailed down to Risp's body. He stepped a little closer, in a gesture he hoped convey empathy. "Y-yes... regretfully."

"Spire, we came to this world through a magic tapestry. We are strangers to it. If you can, please tell us anything about where we found ourselves."

Uri was at least as anxious as any of the others.  He had to admit that, on the surface, Spire looked like someone who would be less receptive to peace, love, and understanding than the folks he was used to dealing with.  But he would still give it his best shot if it looked like Tobias needed backup.

Sierpinski seemed surprised, but not particularly nervous. They were at this creature's mercy and there probably wasn't much they could offer it to sway any decision it might make. He was content to watch and wait for now.

Spire seemed to stand on guard for a few moments until it became evident that the group was going to hold true to its word and not attack her. The monstrous creature then visibly relaxed and she began moving slowly among the statues. The little girl strand of her person-hair remained fixed on the group though. "I am a gorgon," Spire assured Brynn. "Although I admit individuals with my affliction, as rare as we may be, are more often referred to as nogrogs. It is a hateful term." Spire nudged Risp's headless body as she passed it. The little girl face looked like it was about to start crying again, but then Spire continued on. She followed along one of the drainage channels for the pool.

"I am not pleased that you have slain my sister, but she had sealed me away in that mirror for decades, out of shame and spite. You have freed me, so I will forgive you for your actions and will answer one of each of your questions. I have already answered yours," she said, pointing to Brynn. Then, pointing to Tobias, "And now I will answer yours."

"You are currently in the Marbled Palace. The blue wing, which is overseen by my sister. Was overseen by my sister. The palace has six wings in total, all connected at a central hub. And each wing houses a magnificent treasure. But... seeing as how I have been trapped in that mirror for so long, there is not much more that I can tell you about this palace's details beyond this room. Tread carefully if you decide to explore its wings though. There is danger around every corner."

Now at the edge of the room, Spire removed a tool from her sash and began using it to remove a large drain cover in the floor. Even as her serpent eyes focused on the task at hand, her girl-hair remained focused on the party. Looking from Sierpinski to Uri, she said, "Now, is there anything you two would like to ask me, or is that it?"

Sierpinski spoke up relatively quickly. "Very well. Magical power waxes and wanes, but there's reason to believe you would have heard of places of power accessible from here. How can I reach the nearest one?"

"Places of power?" Spire asked as she continued to work on loosening the drainage grate. It seemed she did not entirely understand what Sierpinski meant, but attempted to answer his question anyway. "Places of magical power? Above the normal? Hmm." Spire pondered for a few moments before continuing.

"In the blue wing of the Marbled Palace, I guess the water temple at the base of the Misty Falls would be a good bet. I hear it is a long way down though. So maybe the cell of the Hero Tolibrash would be closer. I hear they use the magic of the room to keep him there. Or maybe there is one where I am going, outside of the Marbled Palace altogether. I don't know for sure, since I have never been through this passageway myself." And with that, Spire lifted the drainage grate, revealing a ladder going down even as water poured lazily into the hole. "Looks like it will be a tight fit for me though."

Tobias nodded along with Spire's words. He weighed the different options in his mind. While he had no context of how the Marble Palace is laid out, he could still make educated guesses on which would be the best place head to next. The Misty Falls sounds like a good choice. It would still be within the palace grounds and also be a place of power, whatever that may be. A far trek down might be worth it. The drainage pipes Spire was planning on using could also be a good choice. They would be less likely to run into any other palace residence, though Tobias didn't want to intrude on Spire's hospitality any more than he had to. And lastly, the Cell of Tolibrash. Tobias turned to Uri, their groups foremost expert on heroic legends. "Does Tolibrash ring any bells? Maybe they can be a possible ally."

Tobias walked closer to Spire. He chanced a glance down the passage Spire opened up, the darkness down there was almost suffocating. "Thank you Spire, you were of good help. If we are to cross paths again, hopefully it's still on good terms."

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 71):

"Very well. Thank you for the information. The water temple of which you speak sounds most promising."

Reluctantly, Brynn hooked her axe into its loop as she watched the "Gorgon" go. She wasn't dad to see the creature leave. Tobias was optimistic to believe no good would be she the next time they met. One of the fighter's mailed hands tapped the trophy hanging from her hip. "We should make our way out on our own. I'm not convinced we'd even be able to follow where she goes, even if we wanted..."

Uri thinks for a moment.  Tolibrash?  Hm... Ah, right.  Slew the dragon that threatened the capital of Tozenyor, but was then crushed under its body.  Which I suppose makes it a bit strange that we would find him here...  He trails off in contemplation, then stops suddenly as he sees Spire about to leave.  He rushes to stop her before she vanishes down the drain, calling out One more question before you go!  These people who have been turned to stone by your sister, is there any way to turn them back?

Spire seemed to pause as she contemplated Uri's question. Most of her hair-people stared at him with their blank unblinking eyes. Finally, the little girl one replied. "The magic that turned them to stone can be reversed, yes. By special rituals, powerful counterspells, or certain restorative blessings. And... by my gaze. But do not bother asking me to try. Most here would try to kill me on sight, if they even still have their mind when their flesh reforms." Spire shook her head. Her snake head.

"Now, I have answered one question each. Please allow me to ask one of my own." Her people-hair looked at everyone simultaneously using all seven "heads." "If you come across the mirror-maker in the palace, will you kill them for me? If you promise me that, I may be persuaded to do you one last favor before I go." One of her serpentine arms gestured out among the statues around them. "One."

What do you do?

---

Everyone
Spire is willing to turn exactly one statue back to flesh for you if you promise to kill the mirror-maker if you run into them. It is up to you if you accept her terms or not.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 76):

"I, for one, cannot promise that," Sierpinski said. "This mirror maker might be beyond our ability to kill, or might be in possession of valuable magical knowledge and techniques." As something of an afterthought, he adds, "And for all we know they might be innocent of wrongdoing."

Tobias shook his head. "I'm sorry Spire, but I'm going to have to agree with my friend. We can't keep that promise without knowing what kind of person the mirror maker is." It was like a saying his father told him. The blacksmith wasn't responsible for the bandit. A weapon or tool can be misused by anyone. Whoever made the mirror wasn't responsible for its use as a prison. That was solely on Risp's shoulders. The gorgon chose to keep her own sister hostage. Tobias looked down, "And, and if I can help it, I rather not shed more blood than I must."

Uri interjects Is there anything you can tell us about the mirror maker?  You're right to be angry about what happened to you, and I think I can safely say we all like justice here, whatever exactly that looks like.  But like my friends are saying, we can't really promise anything when we don't even know what we're really promising.  Or, you know, who we're promising it about.

Brynn stood by, letting the others speak their mind before she chimed in. "I've no problem killing a man that deserves it,"</purple she said, shuddering ever so slightly, <purple>"but I'm not an assassin . . . if you want him dead, tell me why he should be and we can talk." Folding her arms across her cuirass, her eyes flitted from one false body to the next before settling on the snake's own.

Spire looked at the group for a few moments, contemplative. Probably. It was difficult to tell. But she eventually spoke up again. "The mirror-maker is an enchanter that works in the ivory wing of the Marbled Palace. He makes magical traps and objects to hinder would-be interlopers. Risp commissioned him to make my prison and showed her how to use it."

Tobias's truth-sense let him know that all that Spire had said was true, to the best of her knowledge. What she said next, however, was a complete fabrication. "If you need a reason to justify killing the mirror-maker, you need not search hard. From what I hear, he is the epitome of evil. His creations have slaughtered countless innocents and he has personally sacrificed hundreds to his dark god. He has made the ivory wing run red with blood too often to count. So if you need reason to kill him, you have it."

The nogrog looked among the adventurers curiously before asking, "So, do we have a deal?"

What do you do?

---

Everyone
Tobias can sense that Spire has lied to the group due to his paladin ability, but as far as everyone else can tell, she has given them facts.

"Not from me," said Sierpinski. "Too many unknowns. But if any of my allies make such a promise, I would support them to the best of my meager abilities."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:21, Wed 13 Feb 2019.

Tobias frowned when he felt a tinge of disappointment wash over him. The feeling that told him he was just lied to. "No... we don't. Spire, I don't appreciate being lied to. As much of a grievance as this Mirror-Maker has cause you, and I ain't denying he hasn't, we aren't the ones to judge this person's fate."

Tobias turned, "I wish you safety, I truly do."

He walked over to the door, waiting for the others. They could take up her offer, and he would hold no grudge against them if they do, but he would have no part in it. The Mirror-Maker is more innocent than Spire lets on, and that is cause enough for Tobias to stay his blade.

Brynn eyed the paladin carefully. "Then we're out." Her gaze shifted back toward Risp's monstrous sister. "I don't know the knight well, but he seems a good enough judge of character. Crossing her arms, she kept her eyes trained on the nogrog.

Seeing nothing more to be said, Sierpinski moved to follow Tobias, door key in hand and unseen servant following behind.

The nogrog met Bryn's gaze for several long moments, all of her eyes fixated on the fighter. Then Spire exhaled and said, "Very well." She slithered down into the large drainage opening and disappeared from view. Her monstrous form squeezed into the tight space more easily than one might have expected.

Over at the door, as Sierpinski tuned the key, all of the door's inner workings could be heard clinking into place. The large wooden doors creaked open revealing the space beyond.

It was a hallway. A long wide hallway leading away from where they stood. The floor was carpeted with intricate patterns and the walls were made of the same blue marble as the room they had emerged from. Along the walls stood suits of armor, eight in total, each holding a flail out before them. But the spiked balls on each of the weapons was hallow and held a flame within that illuminated the space. At the far end of the hall there was an archway that revealed a spiral staircase beyond. There were no other occupants of the room in sight.

What do you do?

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 86):

Intrigued, Sierpinski approached the nearest light fixture, to determine if it fed on an obvious fuel source, or was magically replenished.

Then he tried to determine if the handle and its light could be detached, and how heavy it might be - specifically whether or not he could hand it to an unseen servant to carry for the party.

Tobias followed after the wizard. He was impressed by the scale of the hallway. The place certainly looked lavish. As Sierpinski inspected the fire, Tobias inspected the suit. He was no blacksmith so knew if the suit was made practically or was only for decoration. Leaving the wizard to do his testing, Tobias moved further down the hallway.

Spire had said the water temple in Misty Falls was a 'long way down'. The stairways would be a good start.

Uri was disappointed by the outcome of the conversation with Spire, but at least it had gone a little better than the attempt at speaking with her sister.  But his spirits quickly recovered when he saw the sights outside of the room where they had first appeared.  With Tobias and Sierpinski covering the initial investigations out here, the bard chose to hang back and see what happens next.

As Sierpinski examined the weapon, he could see that there was a small piece of burning wood within the hollow globe of the flail. It was undoubtedly magical, otherwise it would have burned away long ago. The weapon otherwise appeared to be a functional weapon that could definitely be wielded by a person.

Likewise, Tobias could see that the suits of armor were quite functional as well, if you were a large human-shaped person. But strangely, Tobias couldn't tell what was keeping the suits from toppling over. His curiosity was sated though when he reached the center of the hallway.

There was a scraping sound of metal on metal as all eight of the suits of armor began moving in unison. Embers spilled from their weapons as they were moved from their resting places, and fiery eyes ignited within the dark helmets of the armor suits. The two nearest to Tobias turned toward him, approached, and raised their weapons to strike at him. The suit next to Sierpinski raised its weapon to strike at the wizard as well.

Uri and Brynn could see all of the suits animating from their place of relative safety. Even the suits that were not currently attacking were still approaching their nearest target. Their two companions would quickly be overrun if nothing was done to stop the enemies.

What do you do?

---

Sierpinski
The flails look pretty standard other than their ends being on fire and having ornate construction. However, the suit of armor you were studying has animated and is about to take a swing at you. You will need to make an apropriate roll to avoid taking damage.

Flail; close, +1 damage, flaming, ornate, 2 weight

Tobias
When you got halfway across the room, all eight of the suits of armor animated and two are attempting to attack you with their flaming flails. You will need to make an appropriate roll to avoid taking damage.

Uri and Brynn
You two can see that the suits of armor have animated and are attacking Sierpinski and Tobias. You two are not being targeted at the moment.

Tobias drew his sword as soon as he saw the suits of armor move. Honestly they should have expected these things to move. There were many stories of adventurers facing off against animated armor, and it would turn out Tobias' story would include such a chapter. He chanced a glance to see where his friends were, and noticed they were relatively safe for the moment.

He'll have to take care of his own opponents before he could regroup with them. "Circle up guys, I'll be right over there!" Tobias raised his shield, mildly hesitant to take a flaming mace to his shield. It was made of wood with only a band of metal around the edge for structure. There was a possibility of it catching fire.

Better keep on his toes then, avoid the weapons as best he could.

---

14:55, Today: Tobias Hiller rolled 5 using 2d6-1 ((1,5)).
  Uh oh that's not good.

The axe was in Brynn's hand before she'd even consciously recognized the danger, but a moment later, her narrowed eyes were scanning the room and assessing the situation. Tobias would be able to handle himself. Despite what she may have thought of him personally, he clearly knew how to handle himself and that sword of his. The smears of gorgon blood on her cheeks could certainly attest to that. The wizard on the other hand . . .

"Stand clear," she cried, charging forward, shield at the ready. Breaking in between the mage and the suit of armor, she smashed the shield into the oncoming flail, gritting her teeth as she leveraged her weight behind it to take the blow while blunting the brunt of the force and throwing it open to Uri for a follow up.

20:56, Today: Brynn Rhunsdottir rolled 10 using 2d6+1 ((5,4)).

I'll spend my hold to redirect the attack against Sierpinsky to me, halve the damage, and then give Uri +1 forward to attack it.

Sierpinski was more than happy to let Brynn face off with the construct. With eight suits to contend with, it looked like this might be tough, so he snapped his arms into an awkward posture and brought forth a magical aura. It emanated from his pineal gland and momentarily enveloped nearby space, including Brynn, before folding back within him. An impression formed in Brynn's mind of Sierpinski expressing deep thanks.

---

19:29, Today: Sierpinski rolled 8 using 2d6+2.  Cast a spell. Cast telepathy: You form a telepathic bond with a single person you touch, enabling you to converse with that person through your thoughts. You can only have one telepathic bond at a time.
You draw unwanted attention to yourself.

If Sierpinski takes damage, he will use spell defense and end telepathy and subtract 1 from the damage done to him.

Tobias shielded himself from the blow of the first animated armor, and cinders flew as its flail struck his shield, leaving black marks on the wood. But in Tobias's distraction, the second construct managed to get past the edge of his shield and land a blow on his hip. He could feel a red hot pain as the weapon seared his flesh and knocked him to the side, closer to two more of the animated suits. All four began to close in on Tobias once again, ready to strike at any available opening.

A few feet away, Brynn bravely charged in and took a blow meant for the wizard. It only dealt her a glancing blow, however, thanks to her fancy shield work. And the angle Brynn deflected the attack at caused the suit to get off-balanced, giving Uri a clear opening for attack should the bard decide to take advantage of it. It wouldn't last long though.

While Brynn successfully drew the attention of one suit of armor away from Sierpinski, the suit that animated across the hall was still focused on the wizard. As Sierpinski cast his spell, the suit moved in to attempt an attack with its fiery flail. It was clear these suits had a one-track-mind as they mindlessly approached the party members, swinging their weapons.

What do you do?

---

Tobias
Take 1d6+3 damage. Armor counts, even your shield. Two more suits have come toward you, bringing the total to 4. They all intend to attack you.

Brynn
Take 1d6+2 damage, then divide it in half and apply armor. You have a moment before it recovers enough to attack you again.

Uri
You have +1 forward to attack the suit of armor attacking Brynn.

Sierpinski
Yet another suit of armor is attempting to strike you with its weapon. You have a chance to try and avoid it though.

This wasn't good, Tobias was separated from his friends and was slowly getting surrounded. As well trained as he was, being out numbered would fell any swordsman. He needed to regroup. His side ached, but he ignored the pain best he could. He held his shield firm, glad it weathered the blow. It will have to stay strong for Tobias will need to rely on it. He was going to push pass the suits of armor.

Tobias charged forward, heading back towards Brynn and Sierpinski. He dipped his shoulder low. The shield was angled in a way to deflect any incoming attacks away from his head.

---

15:26, Today: Tobias Hiller rolled 7 using 1d6+3.  Taking Damage.
  With my armor, that goes down to 4. Oof.

15:27, Today: Tobias Hiller rolled 8 using 2d6+1.  Defy Danger (Str).
  I'm trying to muscle my way pass the suits of armor.

Sierpinski isn't know for being light on his feet, but he seems not to want to be separated from his allies, so he tried his best to slip through the path Tobias was making for himself. Behind the mage, his unseen servant breezed along.

---

I judge this to be Defy Danger (Dexterity).
11:45, Today: Sierpinski rolled 5 using 2d6.  Defy Danger (Dexterity) to stick close to Tobias.
The result is essentially the same whether I used Strength, Constitution or Dexterity.
Mark experience.

As the armors advanced on two fronts, Brynn kept her shield high, scanning for a path forward, for a gap in their defenses. With little choice left but to hope that the bard would cover her flank, the fighter ducked to charge the armor coming up on her other side, swinging her axe in a wide arc. Fate was arrayed against her, however, and the muck and grime beneath her feet took her footing from her as she moved, her blow flying high by a large margin.

Wow. Just wow.

17:45, Today: Brynn Rhunsdottir rolled 4,4 using 2d6+2,d10+1 ((1,1,3)).

Marking xp . . .

Uri had spent too much time fumbling to get his sword out, and nearly missed the opening that Brynn had created for him.  At the last moment he went rushing in, hoping to return the favor by keeping the armors occupied and making it easier for the fighter to land a stronger blow next time.  Unfortunately he was making himself more vulnerable to attack at the same time.

Uri rolled 7 using 2d6+1.  Aid Brynn.
-I forgot to add the +1 that she gave me, but it wouldn't have made a difference in this instance

For being mindless automatons, the suits of armor were proving to be surprisingly formidable foes. The party was in a rough spot and the suits had barely a scratch on them. And the situation didn't look to be getting any better for the adventurers either. The paladin, Tobias, attempted to bowl through the line of armors and he was met with flaming flails bashing against his shield.

Even so, the paladin got through. As Tobias bashed through the suits that were closing in around him to try and get back to his teammates, he sent two of the armors flying backwards. The first landed hard on the ground, but its flaming weapon went cartwheeling through the air directly toward Uri, threatening the bard's well-being. The second suit of armor was knocked into Sierpinski, who had been approaching to try and regroup with the paladin. The wizard was knocked into a heap with another suit close on his tail.

When Tobias finally stood free of the armors pursuing him and rejoined with his teammates, it was with a shield alight with flame. The heat hadn't yet penetrated through to his skin, but it would surly ruin his equipment's usability if he allowed it to keep burning. Still, if he took time to extinguish it, he would waste the few moments of advantage he had just bought himself.

Meanwhile, Brynn's tussle with one of the armors proved to be quite dangerous for the warrior. She had only missed lopping off its head by a hairsbreadth, but that small miss had been disastrous. Brynn felt a heavy weight strike her chest as the armor's flail knocked her against the wall. Embers flooded around her as the enemy's weapon left singe marks against her scale armor.

No doubt she was in a tight spot, but she was not alone here. Uri's distraction caught its attention just enough to provide her an extra opening for a counter tactic. Even with the wind knocked out of her, Brynn new an opportunity when it presented itself.

What do you do?

---

Tobias
You got through, but the outer side of your shield is on fire. It isn't hurting you (yet anyway), but the shield will become less effective the longer it is allowed to burn. You have a moment to act before the armors recover and are upon you once again.

Sierpinski
You avoided your first suit of armor, but unfortunately got knocked over by one of the suits Tobias had pushed through. You can either take 1d6+2 damage, or half that if your unseen servant gets destroyed in the process too. Armor applies. It is up to you if you want to activate your Spell Defense.

Brynn
You were smashed against the wall by one of the armors and the wind was partially knocked out of you. Take 1d6+2 damage. Armor counts. Also, take +1 forward from Uri's Aid.

Uri
There is a flaming weapon flying through the air toward you. You may try to avoid it with an appropriate roll. 10+ it is avoided, 7-9 take 1d4 damage or catch fire, 6- take 1d4 damage and catch fire. Armor applies.

With a sound like a boot on snow, Sierpinski's unseen servant disappears, the items it was holding scattering over the floor. With a flash of color like the lights behind one's eyes, Sierpinski's mental effect collapses, the thoughts it was conveying scattering through the ether.

With some of the energy of the glancing blow dissipated by the loss of the spell, Sierpinski is relatively unharmed. He climbs shakily to his feet and tries again to get behind Tobias, weaving another spell as he does so. His words are loud and his actions are broad, as he wants there to be no misunderstanding between him the the universe whose fundmental laws he's in the process of altering.

---

09:15, Today: Sierpinski rolled 7 using 1d6+2.  Damage roll. With the loss of the unseen servant, he takes half of that (3.5). With Spell Defense causing telepathy to end, he takes one less (2.5). 12.5/15 HP remaining. 14.5/17 HP remaining, rounded up to 15/17.

09:28, Today: Sierpinski rolled 9 using 2d6.  Defy Danger (Dex) to avoid the oncoming construct and rally behind Tobias. Stumble.
When he's close enough, he'll touch Tobias and cast telepathy again.
09:30, Today: Sierpinski rolled 8 using 2d6+2.  Cast a Spell (telepathy). He draws unwelcome attention or puts himself in a spot.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:00, Wed 27 Feb 2019.

Tobias winced when he noticed his charge landed the others in trouble. He mumbled a quick apology, he'd give them a proper one once the battle had ended. Right now he had to capitalize on the small advantage he created. He let go of his shield, tossing the burning equipment before it could become a hindrance, and took hold of his sword in a two handed grip.

He moved toward the downed suit which fell against Sierpinski, placing himself between the suit and the wizard. Stepping into his attack, Tobias swung his sword in a wide sweep.

---

11:36, Today: Tobias Hiller rolled 5 using 2d6+1.  Hack & Slash.
  Welp, more XP for me...

Uri tried to dodge the flaming flail, but the gorgon's poison slowed his reflexes, and he took a hard hit to the shin.  He winced with pain.  At least the flames didn't catch though.

Uri rolled 7 using 2d6.  Dex.
Uri rolled 3 using 1d4.  Damage.

holy crap

The blow from the armor's flail sent Brynn reeling. Her fingers held tight to her axe, however, even as she faltered, her knees nearly giving way beneath her weight. With a loud snarl, she tried to really, but her arm feel limp as she swing, leaving her wide open.



22:13, Today: Brynn Rhunsdottir rolled 8 using 1d6+2.  Damage.
5 damage taken.
22:13, Today: Brynn Rhunsdottir rolled 6 using 2d6+3.  Hack and slash!
I give up... Marking xp.

With two armors knocked over, and one in close combat with Brynn, four of the remaining five closed in around Tobias and Sierpinski. The last one veered toward Uri. Its flaming flail spun in a figure eight pattern in front of it as it approached the injured bard.

The one accosting Brynn took a step back and swung wide at the fighter. The step back didn't give Brynn enough time to get away from the strike completely, but she knew she could affect exactly where and how it would strike her. Possibly even giving her an opening for a counterattack.

While this was happening, Tobias and Sierpinski were finding themselves in a tough spot. At the paladin lunged forward to deliver his strike, the four standing armors reached in to deliver strikes of their own. Tobias could tell that if he wanted his strike to count, he would not be able to avoid them all as they closed in. But without his shield weighing him down, he could abort his strike and avoid most of their wrath.

Even as Tobias was making this decision, Sierpinski was attempting to imbue the man with his telepathic magic. However, just as the spell was completed, the armor on the ground not being attacked by Tobias reached out and grabbed the wizard's ankle. It was the armor that had lost its flaming weapon. As its cold gauntleted hand dug into the wizard's leg, Sierpinski's concentration was disrupted just enough that his telepathic spell was directed into the armor shell instead of Tobias. Surprisingly, thoughts from the "mindless" armor immediately filled Sirpinski's mind. [Destroy the ones that roused our rune. Purge them from our area of motion.] As it's glowing red eyes stared up at the wizard and it continued to claw at him, Sierpinski could tell the "thoughts" were commands the armor was telling to itself.

What do you do?

---

Uri
You've got an armor coming at you with the intent to bash. How do you avoid being killed?

Brynn
You can't avoid the fact that you will be struck again, but you can affect how you are struck. Choose One:
-Take another 1d6+2 damage.
-Reduce one of your armors by 1 permanently.
-One of your healing potions gets destroyed.
-All of the above, and deal your damage to the armor, and gain an additional XP.

Tobias
The armors are quickly closing in. Similar to Brynn, you can't completely avoid being struck, but you can affect how you are struck. Will it be by one armor as you pull back on your attack? Or by four armors, as you go all-out with your offensive strike? Choose one:
-Your attack was quick, but ineffective. You deal no damage, but only one armor was close enough for an effective counterattack. Take 1d6+2 damage.
-Your strike was strong enough to pierce the armor, but slow enough that several armors were able to strike at you. Take 1d6+5 damage, but also deal your damage to the armor on the ground.

Sierpinski
You have been grabbed by the weaponless armor that had been knocked to the ground. It is clawing at you and has inadvertently caused your Telepathy spell to be discharged onto it. Your mind is now connected to what passes as its mind.

Sierpinski controlled his breathing and took on a stance of inward focus. Within the chambers of his mind, he listened for the commands the armor was giving itself, probing for loopholes and ways to interject his own mental commands. "Reevaluate rune disturbance. Characterize area of motion. Return to state of readiness. Recognize non-hostiles. Cease purge process."

---

Some kind of Defy Danger, arguably "quick thinking."
09:21, Today: Sierpinski rolled 13 using 2d6+2.  Defy Danger (Intelligence). That will do for any of his attributes.

Brynn grit her teeth, gums bleeding as she reeled from the first blow. As she stumbled forward, one steel-toed boot dug into the stone floor and, with great effort, she turned her tumble into a headlong charge. The mace came crashing down into her shield, splintering straight through it as it sank into her side, but even as it did, she brought axe down in a heavy overhanded swing. As the saw-toothed blade ripped through its steel shell, she turned and, in one fluid motion, took hold of the handle in her now free off-hand to deliver a spinning slice to the next armor to stand in her way. Red fluid dripped down her side, blood mingling with the shattered vile of healing elixir she'd kept in that side pouch. "T-there," she panted, " . . . how'd you like that?"


20:03, Today: Brynn Rhunsdottir rolled 5 using 1d10+1 ((4)).
20:04, Today: Brynn Rhunsdottir rolled 1 using 1d6-1 ((2)).
20:05, Today: Brynn Rhunsdottir rolled 11,7 using 2d6+2,d10+1 ((4,5,6)).
That's more like it. Dealing 5 damage with my first attack against the closest armor, following up with 7 to the next (assuming that fells the first).

I take one damage and mark 1xp, also losing my shield and a potion.

Uri watched the figure-eight pattern as the armor advanced.  He readied his sword and waited anxiously until it drew close enough, then sprung forward and swung his blade against the arc, hoping to break the flail and disarm his attacker.

For lack of a better option I'm rolling this as a Defy Danger...
Uri rolled 7 using 2d6+1.  Defy Danger.

Tobias leaned into his attack. He committed to following through, but he could instantly tell it was a shallow cut. Whether it was because his form was off or it was because the armor was too well crafted, his attack looked to be ineffectual. A mistake he'd regret as soon as the first mace struck. Tobias winced at the pain. Gritting his teeth to remain standing.

"We can't keep this up..." Tobias said, angling for another strike. "We're out numbered and these damn things are tough."

---

07:29, Today: Tobias Hiller rolled 9 using 1d6+5.  Taking Damage.
  With my armor that is reduced to 7.

07:31, Today: Tobias Hiller rolled 2 using 1d10+1.  Damage.
  I am not rolling well this fight...

Sierpinski found it almost laughably easy to override the animated armor's own thoughts and impose his own. He could tell that so long as he remained connected to it with his spell, he could treat it as his own personal puppet. Even now it was doing its best to comply to his orders to return to its starting place, weaponless.

Tobias, on the other hand, did not seem to be having nearly as much luck. Granted, he was facing four of the foes on his own. Five if you counted to one now getting back to its feet. He had struck at it but hadn't managed to leave more than harmless scratch marks, and had taken quite a beating himself for his efforts. The armors were, unsurprisingly, well-armored. The five armors moved to surround the paladin and the wizard, swinging their flaming flails menacingly.

Brynn also found the armor's armor to be problematic. As she dealt her foe a blow that would kill a normal man, she found it still standing. It wasn't until she dealt a second even more powerful strike that the lights that were its eyes finally flickered and went out. A hollow and mangled suit of armor fell to the ferocious warrior's feet, defeated.

Meanwhile, Uri sprung toward his own foe, enacting his own offensive tactic. His blade caught the chain links of the flail just right, causing the animated armor's weapon to be wrenched from its hand. The flaming flail's inertia affected Uri's own sword too, unfortunately, making it hazardous to continue holding onto as the flail's chain wrapped around. The enemy armor looked at its empty hands, as if processing what had just happened.

What do you do?

---

Sierpinski
The armor you are linked to is your puppet, so long as you maintain your spell. It is currently unarmed. You and Tobias are being surrounded by five armors and only have a moment to act before they strike again.

Tobias
The attack you sacrificed your health for proved to be totally ineffective against the tough armor. You and Sierpinski are being surrounded by five armors and only have a moment to act before they strike again.

Brynn
It ended up taking two blows to fell the armor due to their resistance to taking damage. You are now free of any assailants for the moment.

Uri
Your tactic worked and the armor is disarmed but not without a drawback. Choose one:
-You are disarmed as well. Both weapons go skittering off across the carpeted floor.
-You gain control of both weapons, but take 1d4 damage as you maneuver the tangled mass of blade and flame.

You have a moment to act before the armor figures out what to do without a weapon.

Uri quickly drops the sword before the tangled chain swings back at him.  He glances quickly around the room, getting a sense of everyone's position, and formulates his plan.  He takes a couple quick steps toward the armor in front of him and then maneuvers around it and runs toward the group that are surrounding Tobias and Sierpinski.  He tries to position himself so that when this armor chases and attacks him (as he assumes it will), he can dodge and it will hit one of the other armors instead.

Uri rolled 7 using 2d6.  Defy Danger.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:37, Sat 09 Mar 2019.

An exhalation of energy flows outward from Sierpinski as he lets the energy of his spell dissipate. Then the flow reverses direction as he enjoins the universe yet again to let him call through the walls between minds (or the analogs of minds). The link coalesces and Sierpinski again looks to the flow of commands and inserts his own: "Adjacent unit has malfunctioned. Restrain."

---

End current telepathy.
Touch nearest armor (I expect this might require Defy Danger).
13:37, Today: Sierpinski rolled 10 using 2d6+2.  Cast a spell (telepathy).
Command linked armor to restrain its nearest neighbor.
I understand if dropping the other spell means that the other armor resumes its original programming.

Uri maneuvered nimbly around the battlefield to enact his plan. He got in position and timed his dodge just right so that the armor chasing him would end up tackling one of its own. Unfortunately, when the bard went to leap aside, his foot slipped on the ball gown Sierpinski's unseen servant had dropped on the floor. Instead of moving out of the way, Uri ended up on the floor where he stood. The armor that had lunged for him ended up tripping over Uri's body and knocking over one of the other armors surrounding the wizard and paladin. The bard was uninjured, but in a tangle with two enemies. One of which was still armed with a flaming weapon.

The falling armors narrowly missed Sierpinski as he cast his spell, but the skilled wizard did not let that break up his concentration in the slightest. With the power of the spell at his fingertips, Sierpinski knew he could easily take control of another armor with a simple touch. But the question would be if he could do it without being injured in the process.

What do you do?

---

Uri
You dodged the armor and it tackled another one, but you ended up beneath the first one's legs when it landed. You can try to extract yourself safely (Defy Danger), or stay in harms way and deal your damage (assuming you have a way to hurt them. No roll needed.), or employ some other strategy that you come up with.

Sierpinski
You can definitely take control of another armor by touching it with your spell (The original is doing its own thing again). There are two armors that just tumbled to the ground, and four still surrounding you and Tobias. If you touch one on the ground, you do not need to Defy Danger. If you go for one of the ones still walking around, you will need to roll an appropriate Defy Danger to avoid taking damage. 6- and you are dealt 1d8+2 damage and catch fire, 7-9 you are dealt 1d8+2 damage OR catch fire (your choice).

Seeing the Tobias and the mage encircled by the advancing sentries, Brynn leapt again into action. The axe nearly swung itself as her boots landing on the floor at the rear of the construct, the blade coming down in a shining arc. Though it connected surely enough, sparks dancing off the metal as the weapon's edge ground against the armored plates, Brynn realized right away that it was only a glancing blow. Still, she could only hope to buy time for the wizard to work his magic. It seemed to be working more effectively than their steel, at any rate . . .

21:05, Today: Brynn Rhunsdottir rolled 8,3 using 2d6+2,d10+1.  Hack and slash (Another suit of armor). 3 damage, which probably isn't a lot, and whatever damage I suffer in return.

Staying down here didn't seem like the safest thing to do, exactly, but Uri thought he would probably be more useful here than standing up in a straight fight.  He did his best to weave between the armors' legs, tripping them up and shoving them around as they continued to attack his friends.

My main action will count as Aiding Tobias, but since I'm still down on the ground I'm guessing I might also need a Dex-based Defy Danger to stay safe.  I'll roll both just in case.

Uri rolled 9 using 2d6+1.  Aid Tobias.
Uri rolled 3 using 2d6.  Defy Danger.
-since I don't know if I actually needed that roll or not I won't mark xp just yet...

Sierpinksi delivers a difficult-to-describe set of commands to one of the constructs on the floor. It begins rolling along its long axis directly toward the feet of the nearest standing constructs.

Sierpinki's touch enthralled one of the armors tangled on the floor with Uri, and the foe rolled away toward another of the enemies. The two animated foes created a loud clang as they ended up in a pile. One of the remaining armors still took a swing at the wizard though.

Meanwhile, Uri continued to tangle with the other one he had knocked over. It kicked at the bard's face, but he managed to distract it enough that the others had a clear and safe opening to strike at the weaponless enemy.

It was at about this time that Brynn flew in with her weapon arcing through the air. Sparks flew as her axe struck metal. Her foe stumbled backward, but its flaming flail still grazed the formidable warrior. Even so, it provided the fighter with half a moment to breathe and enact her next move.

Tobias, being less surrounded now than he was a moment ago, still faced down two of the foes. One struck high and the other struck low with their flaming maces. It looked like it would be a devastating blow to the paladin unless he could avert his fate somehow.

What do you do?

---

Sierpinski
One of the armors is swinging at you with a flaming flail. Do you try to avoid it? Also, you may make a free damage roll against the armor Uri is wrestling, if you use a suitable weapon and it fits the narrative.

Uri
You provided a safe opening for your allies to attack the armor you are tangled with, but not without taking a few kicks to the face and shoulders first. Take 1d4 damage. Armor counts. (I only used your first roll, so no XP)

Brynn
Take 1d6+2 damage from the armor you attacked. It is focused on attacking you back in the near future. Also, you have the opportunity to make a free damage roll against Uri's frenemy.

Tobias
Last chance to act before being struck hard. You may also make a free damage roll against Uri's armor if you can make it fit thematically.

Sierpinski had barely a moment to revel in his successful programming of one of the constructs before he was forced to duck the blow of the one coming at him.

---

12:19, Today: Sierpinski rolled 8 using 2d6.  Defy Danger to avoid the armor's attack.
That's between 7 and 9 for any of his abilities except Int.
If offered a choice of damage, he'll probably take that and use spell defense to decrease it by 1.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:50, Tue 12 Mar 2019.

I'll give you the choice of either taking 1d6+2 damage (armor counts), or your sleeve catches fire.

Siepinski managed to duck the blow but the flames of the brazier-flail catch his sleeve on fire. He starts frantically trying to pat it out.

Uri felt encouraged by his initial success, and decided to stay on the floor and trip some more of the armors, hopefully creating enough of a tangle to allow him and his allies to escape.  Even a hard kick from one of them wasn't enough to dissuade him.  A few more might do it though...

Uri rolled 4 using 1d4.  Damage.

Not sure what move would cover my action here, but it at least feels like it should be Dex based.  So...
 Uri rolled 4 using 2d6.  Tripping them up some more.
-well, there's that xp I guess I wanted

The battle raged on and it was not looking very good for the small band of adventurers. One of the armored foes had been ruthlessly dismantled, but the other seven remained largely functional and ferocious. The armor that Sierpinski had enthralled was tangled with another on the floor away from the group, and the one he had sent away earlier was still a few paces off as well. Which left each party member to contend with a single suit on their own. The carpeted hall everyone was battling in had smoldering marks on the floor where the flaming flails had struck. The magical ball gown Sierpinski's unseen servant had been carrying before it was destroyed was now catching fire near Uri, sending plumes of smoke into the air. Also scattered on the floor nearby were the other magic items the wizard's helper had dropped. The set of splatter dyes, the box with the cursed gauntlet, and the magical throwing dagger.

It was among these items that Uri continued to try and keep his enemy preoccupied and tangled on the floor, but the bard quickly found himself losing the upper hand. The armor he was wrestling with got him in a leg-lock and wrenched Uri sideways, hard. One of the magic items happened to be in an unfortunate spot when he landed too. He felt a searing pain as he landed atop it.

Meanwhile, Sierpinski found his arm alight even as he nimbly evaded a much worse blow to his cranium. Still, the enemy armor was practically atop him as he attempted to put out his flame. He could try to avoid the enemy's next swing, or he could put out his fire, but doing both at the same time would be difficult.

Brynn and Tobias clashed with their respective enemies, trading blows with their foes without really gaining an upper hand yet. Tobias caught his foe's wrist and stabbed its abdomen, but the chain of the enemy's flail continued to swin its end into Tobias's shoulder, sending a swarm of cinders raining over him.  Brynn's axe put a large gash into the front of her enemy, revealing a latticework of blue magic flowing over the inside of the magical construct. The armor did not seem to notice the wound though, and continued to strike at the ferocious woman.

What do you do?

---

Uri
The armor you are fighting flipped you with a leg-lock and you landed hard on one of the magic items on the floor. Choose one:
-You landed on the flaming ball gown. Take 1d4 fire damage and Defy Danger to avoid catching fire.
-You landed on the case of Splatter Dyes, spoiling them in a colorful display and take 1d4 damage.
-You landed on the magic throwing dagger and got stabbed by it. Take 1d4 damage.
-You landed on the cursed gauntlet box, breaking it open. Take 1d4 damage.

Sierpinski
You can try to put out your sleeve, but the armor that set you on fire is practically on top of you now ready to kill you. If you try to do anything in addition to putting out your sleeve, (dodge, cast, etc.) roll me a defy danger.

Running from the armor would just spread the flames, so Sierpinski threw himself to the side and tried rolling away, in hope of dodging further blows and extinguishing his sleeve. It wasn't his best idea ever.

---

10:47, Today: Sierpinski rolled 2 using 2d6.  Defy danger (Dex). Mark XP.

Uri crashed hard onto the wooden box.  It hurt like hell, but at least his armor kept the shards from cutting into him.  He tried to roll away but couldn't break the leg lock.  However, he did move enough to see the cursed gauntlet that had been inside the box.  He grabbed it and shoved it into the armor's "face," hoping this would do something to throw it off.

Uri rolled 4 using 1d4.  Damage

Uri rolled 11 using 2d6.  Defy Danger.  Now that's more like it!

When Uri pulled the cursed gauntlet from its destroyed container, even as he struggled against the enemy armor, he could tell that the hand-protector had an odd craftsmanship. The spot where one was supposed to put their hand in was as one might expect it. In the place where fingers should have been, however, there was a big metal maw. Almost like a duck's mouth, but fiendish, and with metal teeth. Uri didn't have time to admire its quirkiness though as he pushed the item onto his assailant's face.

There was a sickening crunch of crushed metal as the wrist guard of the gauntlet slid over the animated armor's head. It should not have fit, but the gauntlet almost seemed to consume the armor's headpiece as it was slid all the way to its shoulders. Uri got the feeling that if he had tried to wear the gauntlet himself, he would have lost his hand.

But now, the enemy armor's entire head had been replaced by the cursed gauntlet. The read glow of its eyes was replaced by a sickly black-red aura surrounding its now bill-like mouth. The armor's grip loosened enough for Uri to slip out of its grip, but then it started gnashing its metal maw around like a starving crocodile. It bit into the leg of the animated armor standing next to it. It ripped a few bites out of the carpet. It took a bloody bite out of Sierpinski as the wizard tried to roll out his flames. It even swallowed one of the flaming flails that had been knocked to the ground.

The maw-gauntlet armor was ravenous. It was insatiable! And it was also drawing the attention of the other armors, who seemed to now view it as another enemy.

What do you do?

---

Everyone
Tobias and Brynn are still sparing with their respective armors, but not really making headway. The armors seem to view Uri's creation as another enemy now.

Uri
The cursed gauntlet (the maw-gauntlet) replaced the head of the armor you put it on and took over its body. There is now a mindless ravenous armor biting everything in sight. You are not currently being specifically targeted by anyone.

Sierpinski
Uri's new creation took a bite out of you as you rolled by. It is a messy wound too. Take 1d6+2 damage. Armor counts. Take an additional +1 XP if you have it bite off an entire hand or foot.

You are not currently being specifically targeted by anyone.

Once he sees that the remaining armors are distracted, Uri grabs the sword he dropped earlier and sprints toward the far end of the hall.  He shouts to his companions to do likewise.

Sierpinski tears free with a strained cry and snap of shattered magic. He moves after Uri, still trying to put out his flames and apparently seeing if he can either douse them with his blood or cauterize his wound.

---

Run after Uri, trying to put the flames out. When they're out, he'll fish out a healing potion and drink it.

09:33, Today: Sierpinski rolled 5 using 1d6+2.  Bite damage. Telepathy ends and spell defense reduces the damage by 1 to 4. 11/ 17 HP remaining.

Uri and Sierpinski rushed away from the armors as fast as their feet could carry them. Sierpinski's burning sleeve was mostly just cinders now thanks to his rolling, but blood still dripped from his messy wound and left a red trail down the carpeted hall. The bleeding immediately stopped when he drank his potion, but even his magic liquid couldn't completely mend his grizzly bite. He would surly have a noteworthy scar on his arm for quite some time.

"Figure out which way to go! We'll hold them off!" Brynn called out as she and Tobias continued to spar with the armors. "Or try to anyway." The two warriors seemed to be fighting a losing battle.

Unfortunately, just as soon as Sierpinski and Uri reached the spiral staircase at the far end of the hall, they heard a click beneath their feet. The sound of a trap being activated. The ground beneath their feet fell away as a trap door opened and the two adventurers found themselves in a freefall.

The pit the two adventurers found themselves falling into was deep and dark. Long after Uri and Sierpinski would have expected to his a floor, they were still falling. A light down below got brighter and brighter as they approached. When they finally reached the light, they found themselves falling through the sky instead of a pit.

Or rather, it was an enormous cavern with a ceiling made to look like the sky. As the two fell, they could see the cavern was tall as a mountain and its walls were vertical and smooth. The walls curved gently, like an arch or a ring, leading the mile-wide expanse of sand below out of sight in both directions. Far-far in the distance, they could just make out a shadow on the wall of the cavern, taking up nearly half the wall's height, and it was moving.

But then they had reached the ground and all thoughts of their surroundings were supplanted by thoughts of surviving the incredible fall. The only reason they probably didn't die outright from the fall was because the heat from the sand dunes below them created powerful updrafts to slow their descent. That, combined with the fact that they landed on an angled slope of soft sand to dampen the force of their impact. Still, it was not a pleasant landing.

What do you do?

---

Normally I would give a chance to react to the floor opening up, but in this instance I railroaded you a bit in order to combine groups one and two. Hopefully you can forgive me.

You both take 1d10 damage from the fall, ignoring armor. You may try to roll an appropriate Defy Danger to try and lessen the damage if you would like, so long as it is convincing. 10+ and you roll twice, taking the lower damage. 7-9 same as 10+ but an item of your choice gets broken in the process. 6- you roll twice and take the worse result.

You find yourselves in a massive cavern, at the base of the shady side of an enormous sand dune.

The long fall gave Sierpinski an opportunity to consider his predicament. The wind of their passage would make talking difficult, so his first step was to reach out and form a telepathic bond with Uri.

His fear flowed across the link, along with the wizard's apologies for that and for not being able to do more against the armor. When they entered the area of warmer air and felt buoyed, Sierpinski had an idea, which he also conveyed across the link. He did his best to lay himself flat, allowing his clothing to catch the upwelling air. The fall slowed noticeably. He was still falling at a prodigious rate, and he might have just changed his fate from a sudden one to slow, agonizing one but at least he had taken some control. A modicum of his fear with replaced with satisfaction.

At what he judged to be the last moment, Sierpinski did his best to swoop along the ground and then protect his head. It was not a pleasant landing, but he sensed that it would not be the end of him, especially if his healing potions survived. The impact had broken his link with Uri, preventing the wizard from learning his ally's condition, but he would see to him as soon as possible. For a moment, he just wanted to lie there.

---

10:04, Today: Sierpinski rolled 12 using 2d6+2.  Cast a spell (telepathy).
10:07, Today: Sierpinski rolled 10 using 2d6+2.  Defy Danger (Int).
10:10, Today: Sierpinski rolled 8,4 using 1d10,1d10.  Falling damage. 4 damage, -1 from spell defense. 3 total. 10 from potion brought him to full, -3 from fall for 14/17.

Uri flailed uselessly as he fell, until he felt Sierpinski's thoughts connecting to his own.  He saw what Sierpinski did to try to further slow his descent and, for lack of any better ideas, did the same thing himself.  His clothes were not nearly as billowy or, well, windbreaking as the wizard's robes, however, and he smacked hard into the soft sand.  He lay still with his face in the sand.

Sierpinski rolled against Int, but since I'm copying his idea it feels like it should be Dex for me.  So...
Uri rolled 6 using 2d6.  Defy Danger.  Crap.
Uri rolled 18 using 2d10 with rolls of 8,10.  falling damage.  Picking the 10, that brings me to exactly 0 hp.  Which means...
Uri rolled 3 using 2d6.  Last Breath.

Sierpinski rolled down the sand dune's slope as he landed, causing the sand to absorb much of the impact. He was battered and bruised, but alive. Uri, on the other hand, was much worse off. He landed with a dull thud and puff of sand. A handful of his arrows that had come loose in the fall landed point-first into the sand around him, just barely avoiding impaling the young man. When the dust settled, the bard's groans indicated that he was not dead just yet, but he was not far off.

Aside from the fall itself, no other dangers appeared to be present. Although most of the horizon was blocked by the looming sand dunes. The two adventurers were on the shady side of one such dune at the moment. Perhaps a good place to catch their breath and regain their bearings.

What do you do?

---

Uri
As noted in the OOC thread, you still have 1 HP. You are able to move as normal, although it probably does not feel good to do so. Add +1 XP for your failed Defy Danger, but not for your Last Breath roll. Note that your sword was left behind with the armors, so note that on your sheet.

Sierpinski
You are a bit battered, but more or less alright. Also, I believe all of your magic items you collected have been left behind except for the magical machete, so make sure you note that on your sheet.

Eventually Uri gets enough strength together to stand up and stumble down the side of the dune.  He looks around, trying to get his bearings and to see where there is to go from here.

As Uri attempted to get his bearings, It occurred to him that there was no sun in the sky. The entire area above them was just bright, like high noon. Which only really raised questions as to how they were in a sand dune's shadow at the moment if there was no definitive direction their light source was coming from. But then again, the world inside the tapestry was known to be weird like that.

In the end, Uri realized there were only a few options available to them in this desert waste. They could head toward one of the two impossibly high walls in either direction. Or they could follow the path of the sands. Which meant they could either head toward or away from the enormous shadow they had spotted while Uri and Sierpinski were falling.

What do you do?

---

If either of you would like more information about your surroundings, feel free to give me a Discern Realities roll. It isn't a necessity though.

"Well, not much for it. I say we make for that moving shadow. We might at least see some more interesting sights before we expire here." The wizard resettles his pack and sets off as well as his fall-loosened limbs and the sandy ground will allow.

Uri nods and mumbles something inaudible (he's not even entirely sure himself what he says), and follows along after Sierpinski.  As he builds up momentum he is able to keep pace with the wizard, more or less.

The two magic men began their journey across the dunes without much experiencing much excitement. At least not at first. The only thing to see were countless mounds of sand, each as tall as a two story building or taller. There were no cacti or animals, no buildings or roads, and no discernible landmarks. Just sand. Each time they crested a dune they could catch a glimpse of the enormous shadow they had spotted from the air, but they could not see what was casting the shadow.

Until they could.

As Uri and Sierpinski crested one of the biggest dunes they had come across yet, they each felt a pit form in their stomachs as their eyes took in the sight before them. A nearly unfathomably large beast stepped into view.  It had to be nearly a mile tall and just as wide. It was reptilian and walked on four legs, but supported most of its weight on the rear ones. A long tail stretched out behind it. Its head had two hons and there were long spikes that went down each side of its back.

It was a creature spoken of only in legends. A terrible beast known for its unrelenting destruction. And this one was much larger than any either adventurer had ever heard about in a story. It was a dread tarrasque.

Probably the one thing more shocking than finding such a legendary beast in the flesh, was the fact that the tarrasque appeared to have a city built atop it. As it lumbered forward, Sierpinski and Uri could see the shapes of buildings rising up on its back. It seemed there were even structures hanging on its sides and suspended underneath its belly. A truly bizarre sight to behold, for sure.

Then, before Sierpinski and Uri could fully regain their senses, a spot in the sand nearby began to glow with a mysterious magical blue light. And then another spot in the sand did the same. And then a third spot. They each grew steadily brighter, but at staggered intervals in the order they had appeared.

What do you do?

---

The giant shadow was from an enormous city-bearing tarrasque that is slowly approaching across the sands. Also, mysterious glowing spots in the sand have appeared nearby. They are getting brighter in the same order that they appeared.

Uri takes a few steps back.  He mainly keeps his eyes on the blue spots, but glances at the beast-city every so often as well.  And he swings his lute around front so it's ready to play, just in case.

"See, I knew we'd find something interesting."

Sierpinski picks up a handful of sand and tosses onto one of the glowing spots. He looks for larger objects if the sand doesn't trigger anything.

Sierpinski, it sounds like you are trying to Discern Realities by "closely studying a situation or person." Go ahead and give me a Wis roll. Ask a question even if you get a 6-. It helps me know which move to make in response.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 138):

20:55, Today: Sierpinski rolled 10 using 2d6.  Discern Realities on the glowing spots.

The phase that typifies true discovery isn't "Eureka!" it's "Huh. That's funny." Something about his experimentation has just given Sierpinski reason to utter the latter; what is it?

"Huh. That's funny," said Sierpinski. Then he shrugged and walked over to stand on one of the spots of light. There'd be no point in them being dangerous, given their proximity to Tarrasqueburg.

As Uri stood atop the dune and kept his eyes on their surroundings, he saw Sierpinski's experiment play out. The sand the wizard threw ended up hovering just above the ground and slowly rose higher the longer it stayed there. Then, when Sierpinski himself stepped into the blue light, it got brighter. Much brighter.

Inside the blue light, Sierpinski quickly recognized the familiar tangy odor common among translocation magics. Whatever this blue light was, it was bringing something to them. And probably from below the sands too, seeing as how it had lifted his feet off the ground exactly as it had done with the sand he had thrown.

A few seconds later, the magic reached its crescendo then quickly faded. When the wizard's feet landed back on the sand, he stood towering over a familiar face. It was the gnome woman who had entered the tapestry with one of the other groups...

What do you do?

---

Twessa has appeared in the blue light Sierpinski stepped into. Nothing else of note happened when he did so. The other two lights are still getting brighter and will presumably do something similar.

Whatever may have been noted of Twessa at their earlier meeting (do humans even look at gnomes?), the dimming blue light revealed a changed woman. Armorless, and no longer carrying her fishing spear, the cleric instead sported a gleaming, scratchless shield, a function short sword, and what looked like a particularly nasty scar across her face. And a couple of missing fingers!

Squinting in the brighter light, Twessa took in the strange piles of sand (such as she'd only heard of in tales of the Emberstorms), and looked up at the human in front of her. A threat, maybe.

Twessa raised her prize shield and took a step back. "Stay back!", she demanded, giving her sword an emphatic wave. "And know I'll never surrender my loyalty to Sagrae and her kin!"

Uri watched as Sierpinski experimented with the blue light, trying to take everything in as it happened.  The appearance of the gnome still caught him off guard though.  Of course, judging by her reaction she was as surprised as he was.  Once he got over that, he said to her Hey, it's cool, we're not here for anything like that.  We don't even know why you showed up here.  Well, I don't, anyway, maybe my friend here does.  I'm Uri, by the way.

"Naturally not, as Uri says. Now me, I'm Sierpinski, I don't know if we met properly before. Say, do you happen to know if that giant lumbering city is likely to decide to eat us? Or where there might be some more hospitable surroundings?"

Even as Sierpinski asked his question of Twessa, the other two blue lights revealed people of their own. The Emberstorm people, Gania and Istvan. Gania carried a serpentine glaive and had a person slung over her back. A person with sandpaper-like skin, three arms, and no legs...

A short distance off, two more areas of blue light had begun to glow. They would presumably bring even more people to this location. In the far distance, Tarrasqueburg continued to approach. It would likely arrive at their current location in a few hours time.

What do you do?

"Twessa Dumdellin", the gnome replied, lowering her shield and sword as a show of good faith. "And uh..." Twessa frowned. "...I don't think things that big rely on eating things as small as us? Maybe if we just move out of the way it'll be fine?"

As Gania and Istvan appeared nearby, Twessa relaxed significantly, heartened not just by seeing familiar faces, but faces that might have some understanding of the desert environment they found themselves in. She hefted her shield to show it off. "Hi, these two seem all right so far, what did you two win?"

Gania held onto the treasure and the ally she had found, realizing just how much work it will be to carry Mozerat. But she was certain it was worth it. Then she noticed Twessa and set towards the gnome, eyes narrow at the two men. "Is everything alright?" she called out and then smiled as she saw the dragon-worshipper relax and display her prize. "Well done!" she congratulated, rising the serpentine glaive and correcting Twessa "I did not win anything. It was earned."

She then nodded her head back towards the dervish on her back "Mozerat agreed to accompany me." the barbarian looked at the two unknown men pointedly as she explained "He made the choice a bit too late, so he'll need to recover for a while."

Istvan found himself standing on a sand dune. Gania was a few paces away, and Twessa was with two vaguely familiar men a bit further off. In the opposite direction were two more blue lights, much like the one he had just exited.

"Um," said Istvan. "Hey, guys. ...What's up?" He paused. "I am very wounded."

He looked around. "...Mm," he said. "Giant tarrasque city. Don't see that every day." Another pause. "So, um, what're we doing?" He swayed, suddenly feeling quite tired. "I am very wou-- did I say that already...?"

"I can offer you a healing potion, if you think it would help you. I suggest we handle that while moving out of the way of the lumbering monster."

Istvan sagged. "...I've got a healing potion. I just forgot... I guess I should use it..." Istvan looks around. "Unless... anyone else would like to heal me, mayhap...?"

Twessa half smiled at Gania's overly-whirled dervish, and then tiredly turned to Istvan. "Please just ask me when you need my help."

With a number of toes missing, Twessa lacked confidence to perform the dance of praise to Sagrae, so cautiously walked across the sand to Istvan, held out her hands, and quietly prayed for him. It worked! Relieved that she'd somehow won her way back into Sagrae's graces (did she like the shield?), Twessa's shoulders slumped, and she looked at the city on the great beast's back. Cities had food, and beds, and inns - luxuries that every gnome enjoyed.

"Um. I've still got a bit of gold left for an inn. Maybe we should try getting up onto the city and rest there?"

---

00:26, Today: Twessa Dumdellin rolled 12 using 2d6+2.  Cast Cure Light Wounds on Istvan.

00:27, Today: Twessa Dumdellin rolled 3 using 1d8.  Healing for Istvan.

Yay, I keep the spell! Have a heal, Istvan! Anyone else?

"Hey, I didn't want to pressure you. Maybe your healing magic was already tapped out for the day, for all I knew, if your task was anything as rough as mine..."

(Istvan's HP increases from 2 to... 5.)

"...Um, if you still feel like healing, I could use a bit more, still being more than halfway toward being dead... But, again, no pressure... Either way, rest sounds real good right now... but we don't know what dangers the city may hold, either... So I can go either way..."

As Twessa preformed her magic, Gania noticed her lacking digits. "What happened to you? Was it during the task" she proclaimed, coming closer to the gnome. "Will your dragon replace them?" she ask, her tone implying that Gania thought it would be right.

"As for the monstrous city." the barbarian glanced towards the moving colossus "Someone there should know more about this place." She adjusted her hold on Mozerat "Although who knows how we'll get up there."

Cavanaugh scratches his beard. "Magic can run out?"

He waves a hand, dismissing that item for now. "I had been assuming that the effect that brought you here was designed to bring us up there. Right effect, wrong vector. But if it truly doesn't care about us we could, and I say this as someone who has scaled nothing but bookshelf ladders in his life, climb its hide."

Uri is still kind of out of it, but the mention of healing magic quickly snaps him back in.  He bows to Twessa (stumbling a bit, since he's still woozy) and says My lady Twessa, if I may be so bold as you take advantage of your generosity, I too am not in the best shape, and could use some divine aid.

While Twessa decided how much healing she wanted to attempt, another one of the blue lights revealed the person it was bringing forth from the treasure chamber. Although this particular reunion was not nearly as happy as the others had been...

The first thing everyone noticed was the sound. An incessant buzz filled the air as the sound of hundreds of bug wings reached the adventurers' ears. The buzzing was mixed in with painful yowls, like injured cats. But where one might have expected to see a swarm of bugs or cats, a vastly more horrifying sight was present. A sight that Istvan regretfully recognized, from the painted wall carving he had seen less than two hours prior.

It was Atalanta. Although the druid was nigh unrecognizable. Her body was twisted and contorted, and partially feline. Here and there was a glint of gold as a scarabs crawled from one patch of fur to another. They were golden scarabs too, like the ones on the armor Atalanta had been trying to win. The druid's skin seemed to be almost alive as it shifted over her motionless body. Every so often a ball of fur would pop off of her and grow into a horrific cat-scarab hybrid before running off into the sands, beating its bug wings and yowling painfully.

It seemed the druid's shapeshifting magic was incompatible with the scarab-mail armor Atalanta had won for her prize. And Atalanta had paid the ultimate price...

What do you do?

---

For convenience, I added Istvan's description below of the image he had seen. I used this as a way to write out Atalanta from the story, since her player hasn't logged in in over a month now.

Istvan Vanoson:

Istvan studied the wall images-- it was easy to explain why the figure that seemed to be Atalanta drew his eyes to it-- someone had painted it... And the results were extremely unnerving. It looked like the druid had tried to turn into an animal-- something with paws, maybe? Maybe not... but something had gone very wrong-- the result was twisted, misshapen.

There were other animals all around her, four-legged things... Had she been trying to turn into one of them and it failed? Or were they forcing her to change, somehow, and it'd gone wrong? Or had they caused it to go wrong?

He wished he could tell more about what they were, but they weren't painted at all, weren't nearly as (gruesomely) detailed as Atalanta herself...

Atalanta the druid had been a dangerous woman, but one that Twessa had found intriguing. To meet such an end was horrible, but an end to them all seemed almost imminent. As the remains of Atalanta writhed after death, Twessa affirmed to herself that having lost some toes and a couple of fingers didn't seem quite such a bad result, but she couldn't truly convince herself.

If they were to rest in the city, the pleas of Istvan and this other human gained urgency...uld be quite imp, she clasped the hands of both men in her own, shuffled her little dance, and made urgent prayers to the Gracious One. It took a little while, allowing Twessa to delay her reply to Gania, not sure how to answer what she might have felt was a reasonable question. The restoration of the body was likely within Sagrae's power, but she was already asking so much.

"I don't know that Sagrae thinks my fingers and toes are important", the cleric admitted. "And its not my place to judge."

As divine power channeled through Twessa, restricted and uncomfortable as if the channel were blocked, Sagrae's reluctance to offer further favor beyond minor blessings to two men seemed decided...

---

CRANKING OUT SOME HEALING

22:52, Today: Twessa Dumdellin rolled 9 using 2d6+1.  Cure Light Wounds on Uri.
22:53, Today: Twessa Dumdellin rolled 2 using 1d8.  healing for uri.

Due to the 9, Twessa takes a second -1 to Cast Spell

22:53, Today: Twessa Dumdellin rolled 10 using 2d6.  Cure Light Wounds for Istvan.
22:54, Today: Twessa Dumdellin rolled 1 using 1d8.  healing for istvan.

22:54, Today: Twessa Dumdellin rolled 10 using 2d6.  Cure Light Wounds for Istvan #3.
22:54, Today: Twessa Dumdellin rolled 3 using 1d8.  healing #3 for istvan.

22:55, Today: Twessa Dumdellin rolled 6 using 2d6.  cure light wounds for uri #2.
FAIL at last, oof

- Uri is healed for 2
- Istvan is healed for another 4 (Sagrae doesn't want to heal him as much as Twessa does, only a total of 7 on 3d8!)
- I'm at a -2 to Cast Spell until rest (also carrying -1 Cha from a prior backlash, -1 Con from Rite of Constitution)
- I failed the last spell, XP marked, DM's choice of result

"...Thank you, Twessa," Istvan said sincerely. "That does feel better, and now I think I can save my healing potion for some other emergency..."

Sierpinski looks between the walking city and the walking mass of scarab-things and decides on a course of action. "Look, I'm just going to see how climbable this thing is. If it's not, well, then we can worry about this poor creature." He begins trotting toward the tarrasque, still trying to believe that this has become his best option.

As Twessa struggled to channel her divine energy, she felt the scar on her face get hotter and hotter until she couldn't take it anymore. The gnome had to stop her casting, but not before one last surge of tainted healing magic surged from her scar, down her arm, and toward Uri. Twessa could feel some of her spell know-how going with it.

Meanwhile, the final light in the sands dissipated. The familiar forms of Harling and his cat, Quickclaw, stood in its place. The ranger held a fancy ornate headdress in his hands.

As Sierpinski passed by Harlin and looked toward the walking city with closer scrutiny, he could see that potions of the city did indeed continue down along its side and legs. There was not a lot of construction there, but there was some. It seemed likely there would be a way to board the beast so long as they timed the footsteps correctly.

What do you do?

---

Twessa
You lose your spell and take an additional -1 to casting until you rest. Don't forget your XP!

Uri
You can opt to heal an additional 1d8 damage from Twess'as final spell, but if you do then you also take the Scarred Debility (-1 to Cha rolls) until you have time to rest or use a potion.

Sierpinski
There is almost certainly a way to get aboard the city from the ground. The method may be a bit bumpy though...

Thanks, Uri says as he feels some of the pain flow out of his body.  Then he sees Sierpinski run past him and he turns to follow.  He grabs the gnome's hand to pull her along and says Come on, we might as well try.

I'll pass on that offer, DM.  If I sacrifice Cha I lose the one thing I've got going for me.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:54, Fri 10 May 2019.

Sierpinksi could be seen moving from side to side and ducking up and down, apparently trying to make sure he had a sense of the size of the approaching creature, and therefore it's speed and position. It was so large that it tended to defy normal estimation. The apparently artificial nature of this are didn't help either.

One more footfall from the creature and Sierpinski nodded, like he'd figured something out. The foot lifted again and the wizard shouted, "Now! Run!" and bolted across the sand toward a point that appeared to have no special significance, but which must be where he predicted an access point would become available.

Gania watched Atalanta's fate with dismay. She came closer, her face grim but she stopped before acting. The druid was clearly dead already. With a small nod, she turned to the others, waiting for Twessa to finish. Harlin appearance brought a small and short smile to the barbarian's face but it faded as she glanced towards the cat turning into scarabs. "We're all here." she said to the ones she knew as the two men rushed to the city "Let's go with them for now."

Joining the run as much as she could with the dervish clinging to her, Gania tried to gauge the approach for herself, not trusting Sierpinski completely. "You'll need to grab onto it and climb yourself." she instructed Mozerat, knowing even her strength couldn't pull their combined weight through such a climb.

17:57, Today: Gania Flamekeeper rolled 4 using 2d6+1.  Discern Realities - moving city.
If I asked, it would be "What is about to happen?"

Harlin felt rather ridiculous in the headdress, but he knew it could help him. He surveyed where he found himself with dismay. Two explorers he remembered from the entryway, one of whom was bolting toward . . . something . . . and calling for the others to join him. From his own group, Atalanta horribly slain. Twessa maimed. Istvan injured, even after Twessa's deity intervened. He felt lucky to have only lost his armor and half his arrows.

For lack of any greater insight into the situation, Harlin ran after the wizard. "Let's go!"

With a new goal in mind, the group of adventurers dashed across the sands. They left the bleak remains of Atalanta behind and focused on the brighter future that approached before them. Hopefully brighter anyway.

While Gania carried her passenger, the barbarian did her best to study the walking city they were approaching. The slight distraction proved to be too much, however, and Gania quickly lost her balance. Herself and Mozerat went tumbling down the side of a sand dune. Several of Gania's items came loose in the fall and the dervish yelled wildly. "Ahhhh! Ah haha ah ha!" He almost seemed to enjoy the tumble and kept a big grin on his face as Gania collected her things. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we'll get left behind if you insist on dune-sliding right now."

As the group closed the distance to the gigantic Tarrasque's feet, it became clear that there was a small lookout station located on its ankle. There were several people in it waving their arms at the adventurers and pointing to a sort of open-sided basket that was being lowered on braided leather ropes. It bore the city's emblem and looked big enough to hold a horse. There were a couple of rope ladders being lowered too, but the basket appeared big enough to hold everyone.

"Welcome travelers!"

"Greetings!"

"Welcome aboard!"

Various similar greetings could be heard as the city got nearer. Apparently the inhabitants of this unique city were excited at the prospect of new visitors.

The tarrasque's foot landed near the party, sending a shockwave through the sand that nearly knocked everyone off their feet. Sand bit at everyone's face as it flew out from the impact. But as the dust cleared, the basket was still there waiting for everyone, right near the tarrasques's courtyard-sized foot.

What do you do?

---

Gania
"What is about to happen?"
Gania doesn't realize it, but she is about to leave her "Token of her land, The runic bracelet of the Keeper," in the desert. It fell off of her, but she won't realize it for at least another hour.

Also, you eventually notice that one of your guilty pleasures is quite celebrated in this city. What is it? (Think, Herculean Appetite: Mortal pleasures)

Uri
When you saw the city's emblem on the basket they lowered, it reminded you of the emblem of a famous hero you know of. What is the hero's name?

Sierpinski
You know that the tarrasque the city is built upon is much larger than any tarrasque you have ever heard of, even in legends. What is Sierpinski's theory as to why it is so large?

Harlin
The people who are greeting you are humanoid, but not necessarily humans. What race is most common in this city?

Twessa
You eventually spot some religious symbols among the city's inhabitants. What is the main deity they worship?

Istvan
As you approached, someone shouted the greeting, "Welcome to ___." What is the city name they gave you?

Sierpinski picked himself and ran for the basket before the foot lifted again. He clambered aboard and then helped those of his new and old companions who had yet to join him. Once everyone was situated, he waved to the tenders to be pulled up.

---

There is obviously a place of power nearby from which the creature was drawing energy. The locus could be in the city, on the ground in this weird volume, or might even have become incorporated on or inside the creature's body.

"Welcome to Trevisi!"

Uri was surprised to see that the coat ofarms on the basket was centered around a golden triangle pointing downward, the symbol of Trevo the Tiny.  Once he heard the name of the town it started to make sense...

"At least you didn't claim humor as one of your talents." Gania grumbled as she picked herself, most of her possesions, and the dervish, up. Watching her steps she continued after the others, unaware of her loss. Once they reached the marvelous and terrifying place, she deposited Mozerat into the basket before getting in herself.

Then the smells hit her. The sweetness of perfumes mixed with heavy oils. She looked at the greeters closest to them. The skin and hair shone from the care given to them. "This might not be so bad after all!" she said as a grin spread across her "It was too long since I had a proper massage!"

Twessa kept up with her fellow travellers the best she could, barely avoiding the fall of the tarrasque's foot. Dangerous, but...well, the basket was right there. Handy!

As the gnome got to her feet, she recognised medallions worn around the necks of their greeters bearing the shining mark of Gantinara, The Smiling Stars - a goddess not unaligned to gracious Sagrae, but with tenets for her followers that were far more aligned to the lives of humanoids than of fierce and powerful dragons.

"Its safe!", Twessa called out with relief as she awkwardly tried to scale the basket, and accepted a helping hand from one of the Smiling Stars' followers.

"I should have expected you", she joked with the creature.

---

Hiya, I got carried away, so feel free to discard or change any of this that you like:


GANTINARA, THE SMILING STARS

Alignment: Good
Domain: Civilization
Portfolio: Community, Hope, Care, Smiles
Symbol: The constellation Gantinara (a smile of stars)
Worshippers: Adventurers, travelling merchants, prisoners, soldiers, the wounded, anyone in inescapable distress

When one being travels alone they are in danger, but when beings travel together they can find community and respite in each other. This intangible feeling is the gift of Gantinara, the spirit of communal travel, of kindness to strangers, of resilience gained through unity.

Long ago, Gantinara was once the daughter of a great chief of a nomadic tribe; beautiful, kind, and generous. The story of her ascent to godhood is different every time, but always involves becoming isolated during sandstorm, seeking refuge, and meeting a dehydrated and dying stranger within. Gantinara sought to heal the stranger, stayed by his side and told him stories, and used the last of her water in doing so. The stranger recovered from his wounds in time, and they left the cave, but Gantinara sadly died within sight of her tribe's encampment.

Before the stranger's eyes, after Gantinara had taken her dying breath, he saw a spirit emerge from her mortal shell, smile at him with beatific purity, and ascend into the stars to henceforth watch over all those who were lost, and in desperate need of community. Moved by this experience, the stranger crawled towards the camp and shared his story. Hhe became the first priest of Gantinara, and the rest is history.

Some agnostic scholars who study myths of Gantinara believe her to be little more than a variant to Ajanna, The Mother of All. They don't smile often at all.

Harlin climbed in. But why were there so many orcs among the greeters?