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.