"Hooker?" Zuni repeated softly under her breath.  She looked down at the way she was dressed.  Sure there was more leather of a barbarian nature beneath her armor, but nothing that revealed enough skin to make anyone think that she was a prostitute.  Maybe to Dwarves.

Shaking her head, Zuni walked over to the man.  "We met that one time at that thing." she said vaguely.  "And the boss said that I should come down here and assist you.  Not with getting you out of your clothes, so let's stop that thought before it goes anywhere."  She walked up to the table, standing beside the man.  "So why don't you bring me up to speed and , you know, since I'm newly assigned here?"

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 28):

The man smiles at you Zuni.  The boss did, huh?  Which boss?

Before you can answer the side door opens.  A guard pokes his head in.  Captain Ozok!  We've got a fight breaking out between A squad and C squad again!

Sonuvaminatour...Watch her  The man a/k/a Captain Ozok jerks a thumb in your direction while nodding at the dwarf.  He almost runs out of the room.

The dwarf watches him go with an amused grin and then looks at you.  The boss, huh?  When he gets back, tell him Kilimnon sent you.  He won't believe you of course.  But Ozok's not really in a position to question that.

The dwarf grins at you.  I meant what I said before.  I hate that guy's guts.  But I know I can't kill him.  Yet.  So if you're here to do the job, maybe we can come to an understanding.  But I suppose I should ask...  He lays his hand  on the axe on his belt.

I'm Bloodsoak.  Who are you...really?  And why are you here?

Zuni stared at the Dwarf, not believing what she was hearing.  Bloodsoak was pretty open about his dislike for Ozok, and to be so brazen about it with an unknown like her was astounding.  Maybe she could use that.

Zuni crossed her arms, seemingly unconcerned about the Dwarf laying a hand on his axe, and leaned against the table.  "Bloodsoak, eh?  Name's Zuni, but I don't expect that will mean much to you.  My reputation stays in the shadows, better for my work you understand."

"That being said, I'm open to 'understanding'.  What have you got against Captain?"

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 30):

Bloodsoak has a sly look in his eyes Zuni.  It's the same look you've seen since you were crawling.  Whether it was Gearden Lamm or any of the hundreds of hustlers and sharks you've had to deal with since then.

You are new in town, aren't ya?  The dwarf shrugs.  Well.  I've often thought about bringing in outside help myself.  Looks like someone else had the same idea.  No matter.  To answer your question: what do I have for him?  Nothing.  He's in the way.  If he goes, I can get promoted.

He gestures, swinging one arm widely to indicate not just the room, but the entire sense of place.  Welcome to Scarwall.  Where you can have anything you want.  As long as you're willing to beat, maim, scar, and kill in the name of the General.  How did you think things would work here?

Selvin watched bemusedly as the very large half-orc tipped over the cot to ask a question. Or maybe the guard was supposed to be...guarding? Either way, the half-orc was kind of an asshole about it. And seemed not too smart, unlike Izzick.

He leaned forward to VERY quietly ask in Izzick's ear, "command center? maybe see what's goin' on..."

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 32):

Selvin and Izzick, you follow Rotjack the Half Orc out of the guard quarters and down a flight of stairs.  Below, another group of guards are seated around a table, arguing.  They are spider fighting:  two black widows in a glass box are currently ripping each other apart.  The soldiers are arguing over which spider is killing which spider.  Thus far, you haven't met a soldier who impresses.

Rotjack walks out of the room and out on to a battlement.  It's an arch crossing over a main gate that wasn't there when you got here.  In fact, looking at it from where you are, the whole castle is not what it looked like before.  The keep is lit like a candelabra.  Scores of beings, some of them monsters, scurry hither and yon, between the gate house and the keep along the long drawbridge.  Despite the overcast sky and snow falling, you can see the lake looks alive and almost vibrant:  the water is clearer and patrol boats are riding them.  There are birds as well.  Large black crows and vultures, yes.  But birds.

Rotjack doesn't pause to take in the sights.  He simply walks across the battlements to the far tower.  The soldiers here seem to be a bit more disciplined.  They seem to be actually on guard.  Most of them salute Rotjack, but do so with a sneer.  He's not well liked, this half orc.

He walks down a set of stairs to the ground floor.  He stops at a door, knocks, and then opens it up.  Inside you see...

---

Zuni, as Bloodsoak finishes his...'offer'?...there is a knock on the door the Captain went through earlier.  Before the dwarf can turn, the door opens and in walks a large half orc.  He's mean looking, even for his kind.

The half orc and the dwarf regard each other.  Then they both break out in large, ugly grins.

You're the ugliest bastard I've seen yet today.  And I've seen some pretty butt ugly bastards, Bloodsoak says.

You look like somebody set your face on fire, and they put it out with an axe, the half orc responds without missing a beat.  And you're an asshole Bloodsoak.  Who's the chick? the half orc says, nodding in Zuni's direction.

That is a good question.  How unlike you Rotjack.  Bloodsoak turns back to you Zuni, waving in the half orc's direction.  You can ignore him.  He's nobody important.

Hey! Rotjack looks offended.  I'm more important than you are.  Especially now.  I've got news.  Where's dumbass? I mean the Captain.

Stepped out. What is it?

Rotjack sighs.  The one time I need his ass, and he's not here.  One of the patrols caught a prisoner.  Some holy man wearing kinda odd clothes.  We got him strung up in the guard room.

Bloodsoak looks worried by this news.  Actually, sincerely worried.  Damnit, he mumbles under his breath.  He turns to you Zuni.  Know anything about this?

So you are all together again.  Rotjack is the half orc.  Bloodsoak is the dwarf.  Selvin and Izzy, you can see Zuni.  Zuni, you can not see them as they are invisible.

Selvin, and Izzick, followed along behind the half-orc, watching his surroundings carefully. This was so weird and insane, he didn't know what to make of it. Were they trapped in a giant illusion? Were they actually thrust back in time? Was this some ghostly recreation of events? He just didn't know.

His eyes lit up when he saw Zuni. He stepped back from the half-orc and the dwarf, as far back as he could in the space. He pointed an unseen finger at Zuni and VERY quietly said, "zuni? selvin. we're here with you. you can reply but prob'ly shouldn't.


OOC: Casting the cantrip "Message" at Zuni, since it is hard to overhear but allows communication. DC 25 Perception check. It's a risk...

Knowledge Arcana in case he can try to figure out what's really going on with all of this. If not, then no harm done.

19:04, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 27 using 1d20+10.  Knowledge (arcana).

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 34):

Zuni, you can hear Selvin's voice

The half orc looks around, like he's looking for a fly that's buzzing around, but then shrugs.

<Purple>Selvin,K/Purple> hauntings aren't necessarily your forte.  But you do recall hearing about chronmantic occurrences.  That is hauntings that recreate past events in a very vivid way.  Some say there are just illusions or impressions created by powerful events.  Others says such occurrences are actual links to the past:  that the haunting acts as a portal in to the time that the events happened.
  Given that the gatehouse suddenly stopped being a ruin and is now a proper fortification.  And given that there are suddenly a bunch of guys that weren't there when your party came down to the ruins, it's safe to say this may be such an event.

Whether it's an actual very complex illusion or whether the three of you have been transported back in to past, you're dealing with some very powerful magics.

The Chick?  Again?  So much for the Barbarian War Princess look that Zuni had been hoping to cultivate.  Guess whatever these things were they were not impressed.

At Bloodsoaks question, Zuni gave a non-committal shrug.  "Hey, I'm just the chick here.  What would I know about anything?" she said, letting her words drip sarcasm.  She was about to say something else when she paused and cocked her head ever so slightly to the side.

"Well, what're we waiting for?" Zuni said, feeling better that she was not alone now.  "Let's go hear what this holy man has to say.  Maybe there'll be some information that we can use against the dumbass."

Whether Zuni was speaking to them or to the strange guards out of time, Izzick couldn't help but nod, even as his head was invisible. They had some new strange prisoner strung up? Maybe that was a clue to what the hell was going on here. And maybe the sneers had gotten to him a bit more than he would have admitted as he watched another half-orc get the same sneers despite that he was in a commanding position around here - Izzick had seen those his whole life. Being invisible meant he couldn't speak but at least Selvin seemed able to get messages across without anyone noticing. And that was good because this was the last place he wanted to be caught off guard by ghosts...or whatever they were seeing.

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 36):

Rotjack looks at Bloodsoak, who simply shrugs.  The half orc grumbles something under his breath and then turns, beckoning for you, Zuni, and the dwarf to follow.  They both seem unaware there are two extra sets of steps in their train.

Rotjack heads out into a short hall and out a door that leads outside.  You are standing inside the gate.  Except it's the gate standing.  Not the centuries old wreck you saw before.

There are several groups of soldiers, maybe about thirty, milling about.  You would guess they are forming up in to squads who will either man the towers or go scouting.  Above, you hear the sounds of even more soldiers.  A fight here could get very ugly.

Off against the far wall, there is a small group standing against the wall of the opposite tower.  About five men.  Four of them have spears out, pointed at Chandanar's chest.

The plucky cleric has his arms crossed and is staring upwards as he says, ...so then I get swallowed by a purple worm.  A.  Pur. Ple.  Worm.  One of the really big ones.  And do you think it smelled nice.  Nope!  But I was too busy fighting off the ninja and mushroom people that were leaving in it's gullet.  That is until it crapped me out...

One of the soldiers turns and salutes Rotjack before saying, We think he's delusional.

Chandanar snorts.  I wish.

Bloodsoak eyes him, and then turns to you Zuni.  We do seem to be getting a lot of foot traffic through here, huh?

Chandanar opens his mouth to say something snarky.  But a loud explosion cuts him off.  A tall pillar of fire blooms from the direction of the lake.  You've all seen it enough to know what happened:  someone out on the island, inside the Keep, threw a fireball.  And a big one.

Wha' tha hell? says Rotjack, taking an involuntary step towards the direction of the blast.

He doesn't get far.  With a speed that surprises even the zippy Zuni, Bloodsoak whirls, suddenly grasping a vicious looking steel handaxe in one meaty fist, and slams it into the half orc's midsection.

The blade cuts deep.  Rotjack looks more surprised than pained as he steps back, hand instinctively coming up to try to keep his guts from spilling out of the vicious looking wound.

Wha'- Rotjack manages before sagging to his knees.

Around you, the soldiers around suddenly start springing to attention.  Not many have noticed what just occurred here:  they are reacting to the fireball.  Even the few who saw Bloodsoak cut Rotjack down seem more concerned about the blast at the Keep then they do the assassination of one of their officers by another.

Bloodsoak spins around and points at you Zuni.  What the hell?  You people were supposed to wait until the stroke of midnight!  It's not midnight!  My boss told your boss midnight!  Damnit!  This is why I hate amateurs!

The Captain!  I mean 'Dumbass'!  We have to kill him!  If he rallies the troops here, it's all over!  I'll look for him in here! He nods at the western tower.  You guys try crossing the bridge!  He may have headed towards the gatehouse on the Keep side!  And do your job right!  If he's still breathing in the next ten minutes, we're all in trouble!

And before you can say 'what the hell just happened', Bloodsoak turns and sprints for the western tower.

Chandanar blinks and says What the hell just happened?

Meanwhile, the soldiers around you seem to be getting organized.

Selvin was just as surprised as everybody else that wasn't Bloodsoak when things took a strange turn. There was a fireball and then the half-orc was cut down. Then the dwarf started giving Zuni both lip and orders. Selvin blinked several times in confusion.

"Uhhhh....I have no idea, but glad you're still alive Chandy." said the disembodied voice nearby.

It spoke up again, "Hey...Zuni? Do you know what's goin' on? I'm a bit confused."

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 40):

Chandanar looks around.  Uhhh...Wasn't the Keep attacked at one point in the past?  You don't suppose we're reliving that moment do ya?

Well this didn't seem to be adding up. If their actions were setting things up faster, could they change this? Or were they taking the spot of someone else in this fantasy. "Who do you think this boss is? The potato-lady? Or should we see if we can help him?. Izzick looked towards the half-orc on the floor already unsure he was comfortable just leaving him there to drop. Illusion or not. "Chandanar can you do anything?"
This message was lightly edited by the player at 11:34, Thu 18 July 2019.

Selvin frowned. "Should...if this IS the past, which...I'm havin' trouble wrappin' my head around how that could be possible...then dare we interfere?" He invisibly scratched his chin. "An' if it's NOT the past then...does anythin' we do matter?" He let out a small sigh.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 43):

Chandanar glances towards the gate.  The soldiers have started to organize in to three squads of fifteen men each.  Above, you can hear activity as the towers are secured.

I think we maybe oughta finish this discussion somewhere else.

You can duck in to the western tower, where Zuni came in.

You can head inside the eastern tower, which is closer.  It is where the guard room Selvin and Izzick entered through.

You can still make it out of the gate.  Though Zuni and Chandanar would need to sneak past those forming guard squads.

You could head towards the Keep.  Which is on fire.

You could head towards the lake shore.

Or some other avenue you can think of.

Izzick thought a moment but he had made his choice. It didn't hurt to try but would weigh on his conscience not to. "Chandanar...can you heal him up?" He said pointing to the fallen half orc. "Lets try to get to the shore...we might be able to see what in the world happens from outside."

In reply to Izzick (msg # 45):

Your party rushes heads towards the drawbridge that crosses to the Keep and then veer left once you head past the gate.

There's too much confusion at the moment.  No one seems to pay attention to the two visible members of your group.

You manage to find a spot that's shielded from view by a wide pillar that helps support the drawbridge's weight on this side.

What is that there seems to be some kind of pitched battle occurring inside the Keep.  Another blast resounds through the air.  And then a dark shape rises up over the far side of the Keep.  A dragon.  A large, deep blue dragon.  It rises up and lets out a roar.  The wind whips up of a sudden.  The snow seems to fall even harder.  You hear multiple people screaming...

And then everything goes still.  The chill in the air is gone, replaced by the usual humid warmth of the Ashlands.  The snow is all gone.  There's no sign of any one other than you four.  The Gatehouse is gone.  It's back to it's ruined state.  The Keep across the lake is as silent and ruined as ever.

Selvin's heart was racing, beating so hard he thought it might burst from his chest. Things were chaotic and crazy, and he honestly wasn't sure if this was all an illusion or time magic - and he wasn't sure which thought was worse! Everything felt - and sounded and smelled and seemed - so REAL!

And then it was all gone, like it had never been. He breathed heavily for a moment, eyes wide and tracking all around for any sign of life or movement. Finally he whispered, "what...the hell just happened??"

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 47):

If I had to guess...either a recreationist haunting or a temporal distortion.  Hideho all!  Laoris blinks into existence, obviously having just cancelled the same kind of spell Izzick and Selvin have been under.

Oh, mutters a less than enthusiastic Chandanar.  That's where you ran off to.

Laoris giggles, sounding just like the satanic pixie she is.  Yep.  When those guys showed up, I went inviseee!

Chandanar sighs and looks at the rest of you.  When...whatever the hell that was all about happened...Me and Laoris and Sial and his chain woman were suddenly surronded by a bunch of those guards.  This one... he jerks a thumb at Laoris.  </Royalred>...suddenly disappeared.  Sial got excited, shouted 'this is it!', and his chain thing grabbed him an flew off with him.

Me?  I just put my hands up and tried to look innocent.</Royalred>

Laoris chuckles again. Oh you totes nailed it!  You looked so pure and clean I just wanted to gobble you up!  She giggles.  But seriously.  I think there's going to be....let's call them 'pockets' of past events around here.  Whether we went back in time or whether we got caught up in a spiritual reenactment I can't say.  But the past is always present at Scarwall.  It's always repeating.  Over and over again.

Chandanar cocks an eyebrow.  Why do I get the feeling you've been practicing those last lines for a while?

Laoris giggles.  Cos I have been.  Sounded totes cool, huh?

"So what do we do now?" He asked, watching it all happen so fast. "Wait for it to happen again? Run through? I don't want to find out if things in there affect us." There was obviously a dragon figure...perhaps even the one they were looking for, but how much did the guards know about what was going to kill them. "They certainly didn't have a clue THAT was coming, but they might know something we don't."

He looked to the others, hoping they'd weigh in. "I mean, do we even know exactly where we're going or do we need to wander around?"

"Uh...a what or a what now?" He sound confused and he thought rightly so by the two 'possibilities' that Laoris had thrown out. But he didn't demand answers, he let her and Chandanar keep talking through the information.

Afterwards he gave a slow nod. Oooookay. Sure." It didn't sound fun either way. And it was certainly not easy to navigate around when the 'past' or whatever flared up.

He hooked a thumb at Izzick. "Yes! Exactly! That! All that!"

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 50):

Chandanar taps a finger on his chin.  Well...I would think we need to find some information about this...dragon guy thing that possessed the Queen.  Kazavon.  And the sword of the hero that killed him.  Supposedly it's somewhere around here as well.  The Sun Clan kinda hinted we'd need that when we faced off against Queenie.

He shrugs and glances towards the Keep on the other side of the drawbridge.  As much as I hate to say it, we probably have to wander around over there.  And...well.  Maybe some of those 'flashbacks' will give us the answers we need.  Then again, maybe not.  Look.  I'm just the plucky cleric.  What do I know?

Let me know what questions you may have.  Thanks

You guys want to head across the drawbridge to the Keep, head back to the gatehouse, fly around th island, or try something else? Thanks