Kitheras clears his throat and sits at the head of the table. A dazzling set of cutlery appears before him--more forks than you know what to do with.

"Let's see what this table can do."

A crystal tumbler of citrus liquor appears.

Then a small plate of roasted dates stuffed with a smelly cheese and wrapped in lardons.

Next a cup of vichyssoise sits chilled.

Then a bowl of melted herbed cheese over a tealight into which he dips cubes of toasted bread on a miniature spear.

Then a plate of field greens with cloud berries and tree nuts with a burgundy vinegarette.

The main course is cubes of elk filet braised in herbed honey. A glass of deep red wine accompanies it.

This is followed by a plate which is on fire! But when the fire is extinguished, beneath the flambé meringue is frozen sweetened cream.

Finally, a dainty morsel, two teal wafers sandwiching a cream filling.

This is all completed with a digestif of aged brandy.

"It's not within my ability to determine whether or not its poisoned or illusory.  I only have one Item spell prepared.  Though the door is more beautiful, I think a table of never-ending feasting is probably more valuable.  You could eliminate your entire kitchen staff!"

"If we're going to try a Gate, I would recommend the non-lava one first. If we survive, we can discuss the other."

In reply to Corym Ildroun (msg # 618):

"Would this not make a great base too? I mean, I know we have Oakhaven but wow, if this place really is this secure and we appointed with food and drink, what an amazing hideaway until we can find out old horses and homes and then some."

In between mouthfuls, he gets words out and then stops... "I'm thinking too much about this aren't I!"

"The Phaerimm was halfway into this hold.  It is known, and the ones that know it are able to penetrate it. We salvage what we can and leave with our lives."

Kora, halfway through a massive pile of sliced beef, nods. "Yeah. Waking up to invading fiends once was enough." Then she sighs. "This table though. I love traveling with you, but I've missed Roustinghorn roasts."

Torvek circles around the table carefully trying to understand its functionality.  "An amazing item.  Would it fit in that portable hole?" he says before sitting down.

In front of him appears a juicy prime cut of beef with roasted vegetables and spuds garnished with a pepper sauce.  A large jug of dwarven red ale is at the left of the plate as well as a much smaller glass of what appears to be fine red wine.  Torvek grabs the ale and takes a bit sip.  Seeing Krackor's questioning eyes, he says "I grew up in a dwarven tavern in Mirabar.  I learnt to love this stuff" then pointing at the wine he adds "That's for dessert."

"I have a wizard's eye spell prepared.  I could cast the eye and try sending it through one of the portal.  I'd most likely get nothing back but it's probably still worth trying."

"My item spell should be able to transport the table readily enough. That's not a long-term solution--just one that will get the table out of the basement. Ultimately we're going to have to have a place to put it."

"Conceptually, I like the idea of using Wizard Eye through the non-lava gate.  Minimally, it doesn't seem like it goes to another plane--in which case it could prove advantageous.  Being that it is separate from all the rest of them, I'd wager that it takes the user to another place in Cormanthor, or potentially another elven kingdom."

"There are precautions I'd like to take though.  First--I'd like to bring the rest of the party in. Minimally, they deserve a tasty treat at this table. Worst case scenario, though, we could get sucked through the gate, and they'd be stuck on the other side of the door never knowing what happened.  Best that we're together."

"More importantly, we can't hazard both of our spell casters that possess the Knock spell that will enable us to leave. I propose that Torvek and I enter the gate room together--him tied to me, and me tied to a wall or door. A number of things in this city are tied discreetly to elven blood, so I'll handle the key in order to avoid some feedback or security measure."

"If I had to guess, the Phaerimm was probably after the lava key.  We left both in place, but we should secure both now."

"Kali, the lava key would look striking with your complexion.  Can you see to the keeping of it and stay away from the room of molten rock?"

DM--Speaking on behalf of the party, here's what I propose:

1. Corym uses Knock to re-open the exterior door and bring the rest of the party in.
   
2. Those that haven't eaten do so.
   
3. Kitheras gathers the the keys, giving the lava key to Kali, keeping the other on his person.
   
4. Kitheras and Torvek tie off to each other to be belayed by Krackor.
   
5. Kora will serve as a messenger between those dining and those exploring.
   
6. Corym will remain with the diners in order to preserve some ability to escape if the worst comes about.
   
7. Kitheras opens the Gate
   
8. Torvek casts Wizard Eye through the Gate

This message was last edited by the player at 02:25, Fri 30 June 2023.

"Corym, I recall you saying once that the Item Spell doesn't work on Magical things and it would be a magical table, I vote for the Portable Hole if it fits, which with how big the hole was fighting the Phaerimm, put it at the end and move down the table, lifting the lefts in as we go.  It would certainly fit in the Dining area downstairs in OakHaven.  He was missing first mount and moreover, his repeating crossbow.

"Sounds like a plan." says Torvek as he slowly sips his wine after having finished his meal.  "I only have on knock spell prepared but we'll be able to prepare more as long as we can rest."

Corym opens the wizard locked door and quickly moves the rest of the group and their gear inside the locked complex. The two elves almost break down in tears when the enchanted table presents them with their first proper meal in tendays, and are soon making their way through filled plates at a ravishing rate.

The two gate keystones are retrieved from the secret room, and the gate explorers convene in the hallway outside the room with the copper and gold gate. Lines are tied and secured, and a plan of attack is developed.

((ooc: The gate keystone needs to be inserted at the top of the arch before the gate can be activated. Any of the elves can do that without a check, but you'll have to be right next to the gate to do it. Other options are, of course, available, depending on creativity.))

"Give me a moment to figure out how that table is going to fit in there and I will sacrifice what is needed to take it with us. It is far too amazing to leave to rot...so to speak."

While Tarron, Almareth, Syndra, and Jassin tear into the best meal they've had in tendays, and Kali starts unloading, shifting, and reloading her portable hole (all while muttering under her breath), Corym, Torvek, and Kracker all head to the gold and copper gate. The keystone is inserted at the top of the arch, and for a moment the entire interior surface of the arch shimmers. Then the shimmer disappears, like the popping of a soap bubble.

It takes a bit of investigation, but eventually Corym finds a trio of buttons worked into the metal braid on the left side of the arch. When they're pressed together, the air inside the arch ripples hard, and when it clears you're staring into a dark, unoccupied room.

Torvek conjures a wizard eye and sends it through the gate. His view through it wavers for a moment, but quickly stabilizes. The gate shuts as the eye darts out of the room.

Though the eye doesn't last very long, the spell holds for long enough to get a sense of what's on the other side. It's a hideout, basically. Half a dozen rather small rooms, each stocked with barrels, crates, an racks of weapons. The place is dusty, but the containers all look recent and unspoiled, and the weapons are oiled and hale. There's one exit, covered from this side by what looks to be a grey haze, but when the wizard eye flies through it turns out to be an extremely convincing illusion of collapsed earth.

Beyond is a short, upward-slanting dirt passage that quickly emerges out through a set of screening bushes into a forest floor. There are no obvious landmarks or points of interest, but glancing around Torvek is able to make two conclusions: it's a much younger forest than ancient Cormanthor, and it's far enough west that dawn is only just approaching.

He is excited at the prospect of, what was he excited about? Seeing home, returning to a previous base where he'd fell down a hole and was rescued by these or the prospect of seeing his horse and items, assuming it made it back and still had them attached to the saddle and saddle bags.

Either way, he was looking forward to Tarron's intelligence gathering results.

((OOC: I'm leaning into the established meta-narrative--we want to recruit new players to the game, a scene change will be beneficial for this, and the players know vaguely where this gate goes even if the characters do not.))

The last time Corym stood face-to-face with an activated gate, it had forcibly sucked he and his companions through and deposited in the midst of horror.  Now standing before this portal, it felt like escape. Cormanthor and the Dalelands had delivered some staggering triumphs and follies, and also made him forget himself for a time.

Here was a way to leave it behind.

His heart ached for Talindra, Karilla, and Elorfindar. His curiosity yearned to see the mysterious lake on Bristar's shores whose sight had been forbidden. The accolades that might come from delivering Syndra to her family.

And yet, the gate beckoned to his soul.

"I think we should do it.  We should go through. We can get the table and the door.  We might try to pry some rubies from the lava gate to fund our new adventures. But we should definitely do it."

"We can cloak Almareth, Tarron, and Syndra in invisibility before we go.  Kitheras can give them directions. But we should do this.

Kitheras looks pensively at the portal. "A person needs new experiences. It jars something deep inside, allowing them to grow. Without change something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken."

Torvek reports what he saw through the wizard eye to his companion.

"This one looks safe and we could take the risk of going through it." he answers to Corym.  "Before we decide, shouldn't we look through the second gate too?  I could cast another wizard eye to try to see through it"

In reply to Torvek Ragdar (msg # 634):

It was a gate but it was active, he was stoic in his calm but he was pensive.

Krackor looked on, waiting. As the Captain speaks and Corym's words sink in, he looks to Torvek, excitement and apprehension. Torvek's words...yes, a good thought.


"Torvek, I agree, we never know but would the other gate give more insight or show a clear place?

If we move forward, it has to be that either someone stays behind to remove the Gate Key or we find a way that removes it so it can't be used, maybe a rope around it, pull it through or set the stone with something that would allow an Unseen Servant to cause the stone to fall out and break?

Taking rubies would indeed help us, if we get close to or find a way to return to OakHaven, there are stores and ways to make money there." He was as ready as he'll ever be, it was almost time.

Tarron nods when you brief him on the emerging plan. "Clearly someone needs to escort Syndra and Jassin out of the ruins and back home. As a bladesinger, that duty would fall to me. And Almareth has responsibilities in this forest, so he could come with us at the start. It has been an honor adventuring with you; I think it is a remarkable achievement that we are leaving Myth Drannor not only with all of us still alive, but with with additional survivors."

He hesitates for a moment. "If you are willing to leave today, I could remove the gate's arch and put it back in the hidden room. I intend to depart once night comes and we can move under the cover of darkness. But if you want to leave tomorrow or later, you'll need to make other plans."

In reply to DM (msg # 636):

"Captain, Kitheras, it is up to you, the company keeps going and our missions continue.

Where ever these gates would take us, the need to exit is stronger to go as Tarron exclaims. It gets my vote."

Kitheras places a hand on Tarron shoulder.  "Valor has a uniquely redemptive quality.  Thank you, my friend. But please wait until we can cloak your party in invisibility."

"Torvek, whatever investigation you wish to make on the lava gate, we should do within the time frame of Tarron and Almareth's departure.  Once the door is off the hinges, this place will no longer be safe to reside in."

Elient 3-4

Over the course of the day, while the former prisoners rest and gain strength and the rest of the group finishes any lingering business, Corym is able to take some time and focus on the two potions and the wand that had been found in the bed's hidden compartment. Some exhausting spellcasting later, and he's able to confirm that all three are healing items, and that they are still safe to use.

((ooc: The two potions are a potion of extra healing and an elixir of health.

The wand is a modified staff of curing that can be used by anyone, not just restricted to priests.))

Meanwhile, Torvek leads a group in reactivating the ruby gate. It's more of a challenge, since this time they need to insert the keystone thirty feet in the air, but a bit of magic, and some climbing, manages it. The gate shimmers into activation. The group can just barely make out what looks to be some manner of wide, open space on the other side. But when Torvek sends his wizard eye through, it's instantly disrupted. Not from distortion by the gate's energies, but from moving beyond the limits of the spell.

That gate leads to a different plane of existence.

Somewhat disgruntled, the team deactivates the gate again and rejoins the group. Kali has managed to get enough material moved out of the portable hole to allow for the table, though they wait until after evenfeast to pack it away.

Secure behind the wizard locked door, everyone spends a quiet evening. In the morning, Tarron and several other wizards cast invisibility over the four who will be staying in the Dalelands, while the rest of the group prepares to leave through the gate. Corym temporarily disrupts the wizard lock on the entry door with a knock spell, then completely frazzles it by casting item and turning the door into a thin piece of cloth.

The group then assembles at the gold and copper gate and say their goodbyes.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:41, Mon 17 July 2023.

Krackor had been writing a note and then explains where he'd like it delivering. Speaking to the group staying behind "That village with the Blacksmith who was very helpful, he was going to try and make a weapon for me, a magical weapon. It is already paid for. If the note can be given to the blacksmith, and the weapon brought by whom ever of you will be joining back up with us in the future, it would be appreciated.

He then hands over the letter, gives his blessings, hand shakes and hugs, then moves on, ready to walk through the Gate chosen by the Captain.

Just before they step through the gate, Torvek says "If we ever come back this way, we have to make sure to kill that Alhoon and bring the proof to Cera as first priority.  And hope that Cera has a flexible understanding of time."

And then moves with his companions through the gate