From PROLOGUE - Sothri
From PROLOGUE - Thakk

A large figure stood at the chamber entrance, the large form blocking out much of the light from outside. Inside the chamber a small blue kobold had it's back to a large piece of rubble and was attempting to push it into the pool.

The pair were in a circular chamber, clearly cut from the mountain and not naturally forming. The chamber was 30ft wide with a 20ft wide pool of water in the center, in the middle of this pool a column of stone about 2ft wide with a rounded top raised slightly above the waterline. Green vines and foliage hung from the domed ceiling alongside stalactite icicles which were slowly melting. Above the pool the ceiling rose to 20ft high with six holes in a tight circle about half a foot wide and a foot apart. The floor was carved from the stone; a 5ft walkway around the edge of the room, circling the pool. The dome ceiling had collapsed slightly in places, leaving rubble, rocks and debris piled up in places along the edge of the room.

Opposite the cave entrance was a large stone door in the wall. 20ft tall it broke the perfect dome of the room, over the top of the door words were etched into the stone. Etched on the door were a series of dots connected by lines.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:01, Wed 07 July 2021.

The goliath entered the chamber and looked around. He noted the small creature, of course, but his gaze were drawn by many of the other things as well. He was nearly 8 feet tall, more lean than bulk. A cloak, imitating an elven design style, covered his leather armor and other garments. All had decorations of smaller stones, attached with bands. Some of the stones had a slight glow. Pulling back his hood, he exposed his bald head. He had dark gray skin with lighter patterns. He appeared neither hostile nor particularly friendly. One hand held an old staff, the other arm was missing from right below the shoulder.

He now looked at the creature again, and concluded it was not another druid. "Greetings, traveler. I am Thakk Stonedancer Kiligeneo. Are you heading for the Astral Grove too?" Thakk's voice was very deep, but not sinister. Talking in the common language, his tone had the sing-song accent of his mother's tongue. Thakk stepped a little closer. He was fairly relaxed, but aware that some of the creatures one encountered in the world could be hostile. "Who and what are you, little one?"

Sothri strained against the rock, hoping to shove enough of them into the water that she could use it for a causeway. But it was large and bulky and heavy and she - wasn't. She sighed and settled back on her haunches, then squeaked as the light through the cavemouth was blotted out by a huge, hulking dark shape.

Immediately she abandoned the large stone that wasn't moving anyway, snatched up her shield and thrust it towards the Scary Silhouette.

"Stayback!" she demanded, fright edging her tone if he could perceive it. "StaybackorI-"

Slowly the deep voice and calm attitudes settled in to her ears and she lowered her shield and blade to peek at him across the top and backed a few paces to keep the huge powerful humanoid from getting too close to her until she understood what he was.

"IamSothriBrightblade," she offered. "IseekthedruidsoftheGrove, seekthewhitewingedone. Haveyouseenthem? Whatareyou?"


22:24, Today: Sothri Brightblade rolled 17 using 1d20+4.  Intimidation (stay back!).

Thakk was starting to adjust his initial judgement regarding the hostility of the creature. She talked fast, or at least in a way that Thakk had to concentrate to understand. Fortunately, he had a tool that augmented his ability to process information. It did not only help with the analysis of the heavenly constellations, but also with communication. In any case, the goliath complied and did not come closer.

"I am a druid, but my grove is far from here. I am a guest of this grove, however; the Astral Grove." Thakk leaned his staff against his chest, and held out his hand disarmingly. He was clearly convinced that this creature was capable of violence. "I don't know the white-winged one. I only know Zelinia. She has long white hair." he ran his hand over his bald head. "Why do you seek the druids?"

07:26, Today: Sothri Brightblade rolled 18 using 1d20+1.  Insight Thakk for attitude :)

The small blue-scaled reptilian creature eyed him expressionlessly for a few moments. The large hairless humanoid wasn't of a kind she had encountered before but although his build and tattoos were strange and intimidating to her, but after a prolonged study she decided he didn't mean her any harm. She could breathe more easily, and she lowered her weapon and her shield.

It could be very stressful being a lone kobold out in the wilds.

"WellmetdruidStonedancer," she chattered at last. "SpoketoTaladrielspoketoGarethspoketoOldJemmyspoketoSnugglebunandKindWoman, saidtospeaktotheDruids. HaveyouseenTrueDragon? Small, white, winged, overthesepeaks?"

She squatted on her haunches, giving the Stonedancer an attitude of curiosity and enquiry, respectful packmate-listening-to-shaman.

Thakk sighed deeply. So she was a dragon.

He shook his head. "Not seen the dragon, but I am looking for her. She took something from the druids, and I need to get it back." Thakk felt a little dizzy so he sat down on the ground, legs crossed. He placed his staff across his thighs. Sitting like this, his eyes were probably still higher than the other creature, but the difference wasn't quite as severe.

"Why do you seek the dragon, SothriBrightblade?"

Sothri turned her head from side to side, giving Thakk a long and measuring look - well no, several alternate short and measuring looks - before she spoke again, her snout opening for a short chatter in common. "Thisdragoniskintoanother." She fell silent and considered for a few more moments, then spoke again.

"Otherdragontookfromme, andsoIhuntits... its..." she gestured, frowning as she struggled with the unfamiliar term in Common. "Pack? Kin? Ally?"

She appreciated ThakkStonedancerKiligeneo bringing his head down closer to the earth, she had felt a little dizzy trying to meet his gaze.

"WhiteDragonmustdie," she insisted at last. "Ifthief, canhelptotakebackyoursomething."

Finally she lay her rapier on the ground and extended one scaled hand towards him. Cautiously, wary of his strength but mimicking the gesture she'd learned. "Ispact?"

This little creature was hunting the dragon?! Thakk wondered if all of her kind were equally brave. Maybe to them, bravery wasn't proportional to body size, and they had much more of it per pound than others? "Other dragon took from me too..." Thakk glanced down where his missing arm should be.

Thakk shook his head. "You must be the bravest person I have ever met." He looked at the little kobold hand and at his own, hesitating just a little. His voice lowered; not in pitch, but volume. "I must warn you that I'm afraid of the dragon. Of all of them, truth be told. Nevertheless, I have to do this. If you still want pact, you have one."

Should she not retract her hand at this admission, Thakk would take it in his own and give a gentle squeeze.

Her hand was swallowed in his, and her eyes flicked nervously around until the gentle squeeze was done and she was released. A kobold alone in an outsized and frightening world, all too often Sothri felt that she was scared of everything. Dragons, giants, tallfolk, deathclaws, dire wolves, eagles, poisonteeth, minotaurs, hunters, demons...

But no. She had to be brave. The Platinum One would expect it. They would expect it, even if she had to do it alone.

DruidStonedancer released her hand, and she stilled her nerves with an effort, made herself meet his gaze.

"Notbrave," she said simply. "Notbravetodowhatmustbedone. Justhavetodothis, likeyousay. Cannotfacebigdragon. Cannotfindbigdragon. Yet."

She smiled toothily. "Sowecanpickonsomeoneourownsize, andseehowthingsgrowfromthere." She looked up, around. "Doyouknowwherethedruidsarehere? Throughdoor? Onpillar?"

Thakk gave a nod. He could understand the necessity of bravery. Sometimes, though, fear just seemed too overwhelming. "When I met the druid Zelinia, she told me that I could find resources and allies in the human settlement of Barrow's Edge. It is a few days southeast of here. The route goes through this place; the Astral Grove. She did say that opening the way would be a test of wisdom."

At this point, Thakk stood up again and looked around. "It seems reasonable to start with the door, although I suspect this test of merit could involve the pillar and these holes as well. The druidic Circle of Stars draws power from starlight. Dots and lines represent constellations as well as past and future patterns of celestial bodies." He indicated similar patterns on the door as on his own garments.

"These words spell Astral Grove in the druid codex, so I suspect we have to go through it. The opening of the door, however, could be a complex challenge. Let's see..." Thakk started studying the patterns on the door as well as the column and the holes from his unique perspective as a relatively young member of the Circle.

Happy to make a roll of some kind here.

Thakk inspected the door as Sothri continued to eye the pool in the center of the room.

Feel free to roll any checks you feel relevant as you take actions. If I need a specific check I will PM you.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:12, Mon 21 June 2021.

The blue-scaled kobold blinked expressionlessly, then inclined her head downward and to the left as she peered up at him. "Youmustbebrave, togointohumanwarrenwithoutapack. Havefriendsthere? Someonetowatchyourback, someonewhoknowswheretogo?"

She had been focusing on getting to the rounded stone plinth in the centre of the pool without considering why it was important to do so, although... "Stars," she crooned, looking at the room they were in with new eyes. "Couldbestargazingroom? Seestars, reflectstarsinpool? Nottodisturbthewaters?"

She fell silent and examined the room for about twenty seconds; every few seconds her head would turn as she took in a new angle and assembled a solution of sorts in her skull. "Areyoustrong, ThakkStonedancerKiligeneo? CanholdropewhileIwindaroundmiddlestone, holdtworopewhileIwalkalongit?"

OOC:

12:14, Today: Sothri Brightblade rolled 19 using 1d20+1.  Perception.

"I don't know anyone in town." Thakk replied. "I have never been in a town, really." For some reason the prospect hadn't really intimidated him that much until Sothri brought it up. "It could be something like that." Thakk nodded, when Sothri had several ideas about this challenge to prove their wisdom. He nodded again; he could surely hold a rope for Sothri, although he wasn't very strong for his kind.

Having studied the door and the surrounding area for a few moments, Thakk turned around. "Wait. There is more writing here." He pointed at a spot next to the door at a height of about 10 feet. "It seems like it goes all the way around the circumference of the chamber." It was covered by vines, ice and fungus, so they would clearly have to work hard to expose it. "Can you reach it with a tool?" He brought out his own sickle and started chipping away at the ice and cutting away the growths, employing Druidcraft to manipulate the lichen, and possibly Mold Earth for dirt.

Sothri hadn't noticed the writing carved into the walls, and when Thakk pointed it out she peered up at it in interest. Peered up eight feet above her head. She reached up with the rapier, but was still six and a half feet short on tip-claws. "NoIcannotreach," she commented unnecessarily. Or maybe necessarily, the tall druid's attention seemed to be elsewhere. And with only one arm...

There was another prolonged silence from Sothri as she worked out the mechanics of this, and then she walked up to where Thakk was working at the rim of the chamber, stood on his feet for a little extra height and tied the end of her length of rope around his waist in a comfortable but tight harness. Briefly she flashed back to other traps she'd set, other knots she'd tied... but this wasn't supposed to snare him.

Instead she was using her huge temporary pact-mate as an anchor.

Once the rope end was tied and knotted, she stepped back off his feet and began carefully feeding out the rope as she moved around the walkway; aiming to pass the rope bare centimetres around the stone pillar in the middle of the chamber and without disturbing the still reflective waters as she began the homeward arc of her journey.

"Don'tmindme. Whatdoesitsay?"

It was a struggle for Sothri to do what she was attempting but fortunately it took Thakk quite a while to chip away at the ice and use his magics to clear the natural coverings of the words etched into the wall of the dome. However when the large goliath was about half way done she had a length of rope looped around his waist and around the center column in the pool, she had even managed not to disturb the waters.

Thak, meanwhile, worked on the wall which took close to half an hour of work to chip away. Eventually with vines and ice and mud cleared a phrase was revealed, it was unfortunately incomplete due to the damage to the dome but enough letters could be determined so most of the phrase could be understood. As Sothri looked up to the words revealed they looked similar to what was on the door and like those words she could not understand them.

By the time she was done... well. The rope was all strung out and she tied it off around ThakkStonedancerKiligeneo's waist, then carefully placed her shield on the stone floor.

"Pleasedonotapproachthepool," she said politely, before reaching up with both clawed hands and drawing herself up onto the rope around his waist. Placing one foot on each length, she walked carefully out above the water. At one point a tremor went through the line and she lost her balance, her foot trailing through the still waters and sending ripples out in all directions. She nearly fell in entirely, but managed to haul herself back up onto the rope and complete her walk out onto the pillar in the pool's centre, where she stood carefully upon its rounded head.

Why? She looked around her, both above and below as the waters settled again. She couldn't read Thakk's revealed writing, but she hoped that from this vantagepoint she could discern clues in the patterns on the ceiling, the depths of the waters or the reflections in the round pool that surrounded her.

"Whatdoesitsay?" she asked, after a few moments of silence.

<OOC: Happy to roll perception or investigation as appropriate?>

Thakk didn't mind the rope at all. He admired Sothri's ingenious method of reaching the pillar. Once he had both ends of the rope tied around himself, he made sure to stand still. "There were some missing symbols in the writing, but I think I have it. It says The path to the stars revealed as the cup overfloweth."

"I presume the cup in this case is an analogy as a vessel for water. The pool?" Thakk watched the still water as he fittingly reflected on the matter. "If we want the pool to flow over, we're either going to have to displace the water or add more. I think I could possibly do both. I know a bit of magic to create water, or I could add some big stones to it. What do you think?"

The blue-scaled reptile's eyes flickered uncertainly as she examined the chamber. Examined the water and its reflections. Examined the depths of the pool she was standing over. Listened to his words. "Youcouldberight", she said, bemused as she took in the scene. "Couldmeantheywantlesswaterinthebowl, couldmeantheywantmorewateroutofthebowl."

"Over-flow-eth," she pronounced carefully with a hissing accent. "Suggestsmorewater. Onthefloorwhereyouare. Carvingsinthedustunderclaw? Doesyourmagicletyoucontrolwhereitpours? Orfloodtheroom?"

There was... something else.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:49, Wed 23 June 2021.

Thakk considered Sothri's suggestions. There didn't seem to be enough information to conclude for certain what would be the correct approach. The creation of large quantities of water did seem reasonable, as such a feat would be more difficult for any hostile intruders. Anyone could pour a little water, but tens of gallons would be more challenging. "Let's try a little rain."

He opened his waterskin to get a single drop on his finger. It was a little cumbersome with one hand, but his big teeth came to good use. Next, Thakk waited in case Sothri wanted to find shelter, or even duck out of the chamber. When everything was set, the goliath cast his spell; the somatic component almost looking like a dance. Then the drop of water dissipated, and a brief torrent was released across the room, washing the edges and filling the pool.

Casting Create Water.

The summoned rainstorm showered heavily but briefly, the water flowing into the pool in the center of the room. As the water level rose small gems in the stone sides of the pool began to glow as the water covered them, they seemed as stars in the darkness of the water. Judging by the volume of water that rose it would take another cast of Thakk's magic to completely fill the pool.

Sothri chattered with excitement as she watched the waters rise around her. She'd quickly realised that the rounded stone dome she stood on was at least a short distance above the lip of the pool. The water might be rising, but the Goliath's feet would get wet before hers would.

From her viewpoint she saw the lights begin to shine inside the sloping stone sides of the pool. She looked at the ones that glowed, she looked back at the pattern on the door, trying to match one to another.

Were there any patterns that matched? Maybe they had to press the pattern in the door or something.

"Addbitmorewater. Seesomestars, moreIthink."

Thakk nodded. He was glad to see that something happened. It would have been frustrating if there had been no visible effect. He was already soaking wet, but that didn't matter. They'd dry up eventually, although preferably before they went out in the cold. Although goliaths were resilient to frigid climates, having your clothes freeze solid while wearing them was quite uncomfortable.

"More water, coming up." There was already several drops of water on his hand, when he lifted it to cast the same spell again; using the same movement and incantations.

Water filled the room once more as Thakk drew on his Druidic power. More gems lit up in the wall of the pool, looking like more stars as the water rose higher. As more water flowed into the pool Sothri realised her assumption about the columns height was incorrect as the water reached her feet before it was going to overflow from the pool. However just as the water reached about an inch over the column a loud gurgling sound started and a small whirlpool appeared, rapidly draining the water from the pool.

The water was draining fast, if it drained to the bottom of the pool Sothri was about to be stranded on a two foot wide stone column over a 20ft pit. It was 9ft from the column back to the edge of the walkway surrounding the room where Thakk stood.

Water will drain in three rounds and acts on initiative 20.
Roll for Initiative.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 23):


12:06, Today: Sothri Brightblade rolled 11 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.

Thakk moved to the edge of the pool. He looked down at the beautiful, glowing gemstones, quickly memorizing the patterns should they happen to fade out again. Surely, they were a clue to opening the passage.

With about a third of the water having already run out, he called to Sothri. "Don't worry, we'll get you back over on this side. Jump and I'll catch you, or we can use the rope again."

Initiative 14.

Sothri had been fine walking along the thin rope paths over the water; it had reminded her of the ropeways connecting her warren when she was younger, and if she'd wobbled that was normal enough. She hadn't fallen, and at worst she would get cold and need to start a fire.

This was horrible.

The water surging down on all sides, spiralling down into a vortex around the stone column. Snarling and gurgling as the water ran quickly over her feet, trying to pull her down into its throat. It was trying to kill her! She dropped low and hung on hard to the top of the column until the water sank low enough that it wasn't actively trying to kill her. "Isfine," she gasped, struggling with her fear. "Holdropetightandwillclimbback."

The stars in the floor of the pit all seemed lit up, and she took the chance to look around the ceiling, the door, the walls as she searched for a match between the constellation beneath her with other areas of the chamber.

These druids were tricky.

Acting on 11

00:19, Today: Sothri Brightblade rolled 9 using 1d20+1.  Perception (What am I missing?).

The water drained quickly and it was a third gone, just over 6ft of water had been drained before either of the pair had time to act.

Thakk memorised the placement of the gems as the water covered them, they were many and had no discernable pattern as far as he could see.

Sothri did notice that the gems had once again dulled as the water drained and were no longer alight. The water seemed to be draining directly beside the column on the side nearest the entrance to the cave.

The water continued to drain.

"Don'tthinkthere'smoretoseefromhere," Sothri said. Outwardly calm, her heart was hammering in her chest as she saw the water drain away, the pit opening beneath her. "UnlessyouthinkIneedtocrawldownthere?" She pointed to where the water was draining away, gave a little shudder. She couldn't seehow big it was, but she could squeeze through tiny spaces when she had to.

Which didn't mean she wanted to.

"Otherwisestepback, leanback, holdtheropeandIcross."

OOC: Intend to cross if Thakk is up for it, will act or roll (and posT) on init.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:11, Sun 27 June 2021.

Thakk continued to hold the rope taut, so that Sothri could use it to climb back. He was a little confused by his inability to make sense of the glowing gems. Maybe there wasn't a pattern? Now, the question was if they were meant to do something before the water ran out? Or if something would reveal itself on the bottom of the pool once all the water was gone?

In any case, Thakk moved over to the door to see if the water had affected it in any way (while holding the rope for Sothri to climb over). Maybe the short time they had while the water drained, was the time the door would be open? He tried to push or pull it, to see if it would budge.

With the water draining away and the waver in the rope on her first crossing, Sothri took this one a bit more cautiously. With feet resting across one rope and her hands holding the other as she crab-walked along the underside of the ropes back to where Thakk stood.

Or tried to at least.

04:10, Today: Sothri Brightblade rolled 14 using 1d20+3.  Acrobatics and tightrope walking.

Crab-walking, crawling and hanging from the rope slung around the column and Thakk Sothri made it back to the outer walkway ring as the water continued draining.

She had just made it back across when the water had drained another six feet. There was no clear difference in the room except for the gargle of the water as it drained from the pool.

But then a noise. A knocking sound started from above the pool, reverberating through the six holes in the ceiling above the pool. It started soft, a repeating knock which was slowly quickening in speed.

The water continued to drain.

Hm. Hmm-hm-hm-hm-hm-hm-hm. Yes. Cold reptilian thoughts raced, in speed almost akin to the True Dragons she had aspired to, and Sothri thrust one clawed finger at the door on the opposite wall with the writing above it. "Whatsaysthat?" she asked, untying the rope harness that bound Thakk to the stone column and quickly coiling the rope back up at her back.

"Pathtostarsrevealedascupover-flow-eth," she chattered quickly but reasonably clearly. "Ifglowgemsnotpattern, notclue, thenonlypathrevealedis..." she thrust one clawed thumb down at where the water was draining away, with an apprehensive glance up at the knocking sounds overhead. It felt like water. It felt like the waterfall would open again as soon as the air reached the tunnel beneath. If they absolutely had to go through the path the water showed them, the time would be now.

Or soon.

Or now.

Rope coiled, she walked over to the edge of the stone bowl and peered down uncertainly.

Thakk briefly considered this. If the path was not through the door, which he had already tried to open, then it might be through the water. But what was the knocking sound? A mechanism opening or closing? He tried the door again, but if it didn't budge, he would jump into the water to see if it brought him anywhere. Sothri would have to choose for herself if she wanted to jump down too.

The water continued to drain as the kobold and goliath warily leaned over, looking down into the pool. The knocking sound from above quickened and as the last of the water drained it turned into a grinding sound of stone against stone. The water drained into a hole at the base of the pillar about one foot wide, the bottom of the now empty pool was revealed to be filled with a small assortment of stone debris from the ceiling but nothing else of note.

Then, suddenly the slow grind accelerated and everything seemed to happen at once. Water began to gargle from the ceiling and in a loud splashing sound of running water all six holes in the ceiling began to drain water, rapidly filling the pool again. As the water drained from the ceiling and filled the pool the grind from within the ceiling reached a crecendo, rattling across the length of the ceiling and then the massive stone door shifted.

The door slowly raised and a cloud of dust puffed out from behind as it lifted from the floor. It was slow but was raising at about the same speed the water in the pool was filling. A filling 20ft deep pool matching the rise of the 20ft tall door.

The blue-scaled kobold simply stared for a few moments as the great stone slab lifted. Then, "Weshouldgoquickly. Whenthepoolfillsdon'twanttobebeneathit. Don'twanttobeflat." Scooping up her shield, Sothri led the way around the side of the pool and ducked under the rising stone slab to enter the doorway that hid behind it. She wasn't scared!

Or she was too scared to stay behind.

They would find the ones she had to speak to! She would convince them to help, or to point her on the right scent.

With no clear path down and through the water, Thakk stood upright and looked towards the rising door. He gave Sothri a nod. "No, it wouldn't be wise to tarry." Quickly gathering their things, including Sothri's rope, Thakk moved through the door, excited to see what lay on the other side. He would wait to move on, however, to make sure the door closed again, so that no other creatures could pass through without being allowed.

The stone door raised over a period of about twenty seconds then, just as the pool had filled below the column to its original depth, the door suddenly dropped. With a heavy and frightening thud Sothri and Thakk were left in the dark. While the small kobold had some ability to see in the dark, with absolutely no light Sothri saw the tunnel in shades of gray. Thakk, who did not have the kobold's superior vision, was plunged into total darkness as the door closed completely.

Before the door dropped the pair did notice that they now stood in a tunnel, 5ft wide and 20ft high which proceeded straight for 20ft before it turned a sharp corner to the left at a steep angle heading upwards.

The kobold's instincts, honed by years on both sides of these death traps, had served her well. She was well clear of the giant slab when it came down, and looked back up to make sure her recent ally was still with her. She wasn't familiar with the tall grey-skinned folk or what they could do, but from the way he was looking in the darkness...

"Followthesoundofmyvoice," she instructed from the darkness. "Willwarnyouofenemies," she tapped him on the knees with the hilt of her sword, then padded forward towards the corner they'd seen. Took a careful peek around it with her head dipped low then slid back, calling out quietly.

"Uptothecorner." If she saw something around the corner, she relayed what she saw back to him once he was close enough to whisper.

11:25, Today: Sothri Brightblade rolled 9 using 1d20+1.  Perception Check.

Thakk realized Sothri could see in the dark. Her directions were clear, but he'd rather see in case there were details they could miss. There might be more druidic writing. "Your people live in the hearts of the mountains and the earth? Goliath folk have caves and houses, but we do not live very deep. We need light. You ever seen a mountain spirit? I talk to them, but I never seen one."

He walked right behind Sothri, making sure to be careful not to step on her. He used his staff to help find his way too. For a moment, he regretted not learning druidic magic that could create sustained light; more than in bursts and brief flashes. "I think if there are no light sources anywhere near, I'm going to have to light a torch."

The passageway continued to the left and seemed to spiral in on itself, there was no light within the tunnel and it became increasingly difficult for Thakk to navigate the darkness. Sothri's help and the fact that the tunnel was not naturally forming and had an evenly rising path made it tolerable but uncomfortable. The tunnel walls and ceiling were roughly carved from the mountain and from touch alone Thakk could tell the floor seemed to be carved, or worn, smooth compared to the other surfaces. Sothri had no trouble confirming this looking around in the darkness. The smell in the tunnel was musty with a sting of mould, it did not appear the tunnel had been used in a long time or was used with much frequency at all.

After a minute of walking upwards the tunnel levelled out again, continuing in the same direction away from the pool. Another 20ft and it appeared to reach a dead end, blocked by a similar door to the one recently passed back in the pool chamber.

Thakk did not want to stumble through the dark any longer. When they reached the door, he took the time to stop and light a torch. Only when it was burning properly, did he look down at Sothri to give her a nod and a smile as thanks for leading him so far. He then looked at the door to see if there were any inscriptions.

"Thereisacarvingonth-" the torchlight flared and Sothri shied away from the bright light for a moment, shielding her eyes with a hand until she relaxed and straightened. "Wellyoucansee. There." She pointed at it. "Underthestarpattern. Thinkyourdruidslivehere?"

She looked around, sniffed the air. "Smellsoldhere. Whereiseveryone?"

As the torch was lit the stars on the door began to shine and another grumbling sound of stone on stone started as the door began to this time drop into the floor. It happened slowly, like the last door, and as it dropped the pair were treated to a very unexpected sight.

The door opened into a huge crater surrounded by tall, sheer mountains on every side, it was high in the mountains and almost at the peak. A large pool of steaming hot water ran along the length of the crater, providing an immediate warmth as the door opened fully. Most notable was the green; green grass, green pine trees and green shrubs. Only on the furthest mountain cliffs was there the white haze of snow, the heat from the pool keeping even the falling snow at bay. Fog was dense around the tops of the mountain peak and what would have been simple clouds from the distance below looked like a misty halo around the crater, as if encircling the pool and surrounding lands in a protective embrace.

Animals darted around the open, grassy fields. Deer, elk, rabbits and other creatures seen in greater numbers than ever compared to the frozen wastes below. The animals seemed unconcerned by the intruding pair and a rabbit even had the courage to approach and sniff towards Sothri's foot. Some animals drank from pools of water in the distance, and at the nearest end of the steaming pool waters capybara could been seen relaxing in the hot water in the shallows of the pool. Amongst the rodents bathing in the pool was a white wolf lazing on the edge of the waters, half covered by the warm waters as it lay on its side. The wolf raised its head towards the pair as the door opened and sat up on its haunches, watching.

There were no signs of civilisation, no buildings, signposts, tracks or any material which looked man-made. It was an untouched paradise in the clouds.

The crater looks to be miles across in a rough circular shape and surrounded by cliffs. The thermal pool is 100ft in front of the door and runs far into the distance, it is about 300ft wide.

This time the torchlight seemed to be the key - the light spilled into the stars on the door, and the great slab groaned slowly open. Stepping inside, the sunlight illuminated the open grassy fields and she padded lightly in and out of the cold. All the animals seemed at peace with each other and the seemed very serene. Almost eerily serene, all of them herbivores kept safe in this mystic haven by... by the looks of it, the lone white wolf at its centre. Could that be-

Stepping forward cautiously, she padded across the lawn to greet the wolf, pausing forty feet away to kneel on one knee and greet them respectfully. "Greetingshonoredone. Areyoutheguardianofthisplace? Maywehaveyourhospitality?"

The weapon and shield were laid on the grass, but within the span of her opened hands. Even here she couldn't assume the peace would last.

18:40, Today: Sothri Brightblade rolled 13 using 1d20+4.  Persuasion.

Thakk was deeply honored to be in this place. He slowly took in the sights and sounds, and not least the mystical connection he felt to it. It was deeply spiritual. Eventually, his eyes fell on the wolf as well. Could it be Zelinia? A different druid in wolf form? Or maybe a regular animal? In any case, Thakk watched Sothri address the wolf, and he followed by presenting them both. That he himself was part of the Circle of the Stars was quite obvious. He looked around for other passages than the door they had just used. Not that he wasn't very happy to be here, but in the end they were just passing through.

The wolf sat motionless as Sothri approached, eyeing her warily. Its gaze passed to Thakk as he followed and returned to the blue kobold as she spoke.

In a flurry of snow which concealed the wolf a pale elf was revealed sitting crosslegged where the wolf had been when the snow cleared. She wore basic furs and had long white braided hair, Thakk immediately recognised Zelinia. Ignoring the smaller creature she looked to him and spoke in a language unfamiliar to Sothri, [Language unknown: "Tho omehasstr fi ughthaast us ica tersomter. Fi latlarndente sstin stala k not ne wil ekpro he loame ta atriheadhe. M ek ropre hoceai teine me liev."]

She turned her head to Sothri and raised a hand to her chest, "Zelinia. Dis is da Astral Grove. Please keep your base insdinks in check while you are here." She struggled with the common tongue but there was an assumption made based on Sothri's race. "You are in Stardancer's company is de only reason you are here, but why have you come?"

The kobold watched with fascination as snow whispered around the white wolf soaking in the hot water - and a pale elf sat there instead. Of course! Why wouldn't a champion of the natural world shelter from the snowy chill with the animals she protected? And she did love the impressive show of magic, even in such small things as this.

"Ofcourse," she excused the warning. "Iwillnothuntortrap." She ventured a smile - a toothy expression, but one a feral soul would appreciate hopefully?

"IamSothri, pleasetomeetyou. StardancerandIseekthewhiteone," she chattered, trying to slow her speech to a pace akin to Zelinia's and only managing to make more sporadic. "Truedragon. Small, seeninthisarea. Hemayseekmore, Iseekonlydirections. Canyouhelp? Canpaywithcoinorservice. Orfoodifyouneedit."

15:19, Today: Sothri Brightblade rolled 9 using 1d20+4.  Persuasion to charm the nice wolf lady. It was not effective.

Thakk added to what Sothri was saying. "Sothri is very brave. Our quests are the same, it seems. She is my first ally in this endeavor. We shall go together to the human town to find more." He gave a series of nods, as if he agreed with himself. He still held his torch and looked around again. "Can you tell us where to go from here?"

Zelinia smirked at Sothri's attempted charm but noted her words carefully, "Dru Dragon. Yes." She looked to Thakk as he vouched for the small creature. "Good. Id seem your search for allies began quickly."

She looked between the pair, "I do nod need anyding kobold. You seek de same prey of de Grove." She lifted a thin arm and pointed to the south east, Head dowards de soud-eas, follow de base of the moundains and you will find a human village. Word has reached the grove de village is besed by goblins, driven in purpose like nod seen before. Your quarry may be reladed do de recen' courage dese creadures have."

She stands and walks round the pool heading towards the south-east. "Follow me. I will open de way."

Thakk was happy he already had an ally. Their talk of the dragon had him anxiously looking up in case the dragon was there, although that might not make sense. It wasn't like talking about it would make it appear. Still, Zelinia had said it had been here before, and had taken something from the grove. The dragon could come back.

He quickly followed the elder druid and gave Sothri an encouraging smile, although on Thakk's stone-like face, the expression was very subtle.

Thakk marveled at the beauty of the grove as they headed south-east through it. He hoped he would be back here some day; victorious in his quest, hopefully. His thoughts then turned to goblins, which he had very little experience with. He thought they were small, but wouldn't presume to judge anyone by their size.

Goblins. Stupid big-headed violent bandits. In a previous life Sothri had met with them and even worked with them, but from the vantage point of her new Master she could see them for what they were. And for what they weren't.

But it was strange that the dragon would be working with goblins, and not her own reptilian breed.

She followed the wolf-elf-druid as well, looking up at Thakk and then around at the secluded grove. Some parts of the peace called to her, but it also felt very very quiet. Too quiet. Lonely, in a way that reminded her of her packlessness and she found herself walking closer to the Goliath's side and watching their feet as they headed for the south-east side.

Avoiding looking at the sky which threatened to lean down and swallow her.

The temperature dropped as Zelinia guided the pair away from the steaming pool and to the eastern side of the grove. She was quiet as she traveled and only spoke to point out some of the more interesting parts of the grove as the trio passed. After just under an hour the group reached a crevice in the mountain that was full of thorny brambles. Zelina turned to the pair, "Dis is de way."

The elf chanted and waved her hand and the brambles retreated, allowing a path for Sothri and Thakk to exit. It was only a few hundred feet before the brambles closed behind them and they were once again by themselves. The crevice opened onto the side of the mountain, fog concealed everything at ground level although the tops of trees could be seen poking through from the taller forests. There was a path before them which led down the mountain towards the north and so it was followed, winding down towards the base of the mountains it was later morning as the pair arrived back on the flat ground with the mountains behind them.

A dense fog surrounded the pair as they arrived on the ground it was unusually thick and cold, obscuring vision for more than about 30 feet in front of them.

Please roll Perception checks with your next post.
You can also roll a Nature check to determine anything about the fog.

The temperature sank, and Sothri dragged the thick winter furs tightly around herself as she padded lightly across the snow in the elf's wake. Her foot-claws were wrapped in warm close-woven cloth and then sheathed in soft leather thin enough that she could still feel the texture of the ground underfoot.

She watched with interest as the brambles parted ahead of them, and trailed the druids through it - leaping slightly when the thorns threatened to catch her tail. The narrow crevice felt reassuring, and then when it opened out the fog concealed... almost everything. It felt like she was walking in the clouds, or above the sea with little tree-tips acting like rocks in the waves. Or rather how she imagined the sea would look.

Journeying down the mountain she roamed closer to Thakk's side, from a few paces ahead to a few paces behind. Her weapons at the ready and one eye on the sky.

"Sohowdidyouloseyourarm?" she asked finally. "Dragontookit?"


14:08, Today: Sothri Brightblade rolled 17 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 16.  Perception!
14:08, Today: Sothri Brightblade rolled 9 using 1d20-1 with rolls of 10.  Nature!
D

Thakk gave Zelina a respectful bow as the parted ways. He wondered how long it would be until he met her again? Weeks? Months? Years? He didn't know, but maybe the stars did. As they walked, Sothri brought up the matter of his arm. "Yes. Some of the youngsters in my tribe were attacked. Maybe they were foolish to try to spy on dragon. Goliath-folk sometimes to foolish things to see who is the bravest."

"I heard them calling for help and came as fast as I could. The dragon was so big, I was certain it would kill us all. My arm went in a single bite. My spear went deep, however. It fled and we lived." Thakk noticed the fog, but was too busy with his story to pay attention if he could see anything through it. He knew a lot about natural weather though and has seen fog many, many times before.

Perception check 5 (Nat 1!)
Nature check 25!

The odd mist was a mystery to Sothri, her small form all but buried in the deeper mist along the ground. She was, however, well aware of her surroundings. It was cold, bone chilling cold and if not for the proper attire it would have painfully cold fo the small kobold. Thakk was unaffected and while he was aware of the dropping temperature it caused no discomfort to the goliath.

Sothri and Thakk continued as instructed along the foothills and the mist continued for a few miles as they travelled. Eventually the mist subsided as the foothills were covered in a thick pine forest. The peaks of the grove now many miles behind them and the mist cleared the pair continued for more miles to the south east along the line bordering the forest and the mountains.

By late morning they were deep in the forest and traveling south and making good time to arrive at Barrow's Edge by late afternoon. Sothri was alert, her snout shifting from side to side. Thakk, however, was lost in thought.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:24, Tue 13 July 2021.

The mist surrounding them felt very strange, but also familiar. The mist enshrouded her, but did not protect her. She remembered attacking under cover of mists very similar to this one when she served her old master, and being blinded by the fog her hearing was sharp and listening closely.

Wait. What was- there. She turned unerringly through the cold winter mists, and seized Thakk by his hand. "ThakkStonedancerthereistrouble. Thatway, battleanddanger."

She slung her shield on her arm, unsheathed her rapier from the harness on her back, and took off through the early winter snows towards the sounds of those in need.

As her master would wish.

Thakk paled when he realized what the fog was. He explained his thoughts with a whisper to Sothri. "This fog could be made to protect the nest of a dragon. It could be several miles away..." He held up all five fingers on his hand to indicate how many. "...or it could be very close."

They weren't ready to face a dragon now at all, so Thakk moved as quietly and warily as he could, heart pounding in his chest. He was glad to see the fog clear as they continued walking, but made mental notes about the location of the fog should they at some point want to return.

"Battle?" Thakk thought for a second it might be the dragon, but came to the conclusion it probably wasn't. He followed his new friend towards the sounds she had heard.

The sounds of battle grew louder the deeper the pair traveled into the forest. Soon creatures could be seen in battle, the details of the fight were hard to make out from this distance but it sounded like a battle of many bodies. Shouts in common rang out and the screams and squeals of monstrous beings echoed through the trees.

The pair drew closer still and small green skinned monsters stood among the trees, their back to Sothri and Thakk. They were still some distance off but it looked like a wagon was broken in a ditch on the road, a handful of humans could be seen fighting off a horde of creatures that were assaulting the group.

Sothri was talking rapidly under her voice as they drew closer to the besieged humans. She was having flashbacks about raids where she and her band had struck at humans travelling with wagons through small tracks in the wilderness.

It had rarely ended well for the humans.

 Be brave Sothri. He would smile on her. She had to save the humans from a likely grim fate, and she was not alone. "AmgladyouarewithmeThakkfriend," she chattered as she slung her blade back over her shoulder, drawing out her bow as she ran.

As soon as she got within 150 paces of the green skinned swarm, she could start distracting them from their prey.

Thakk gave Sothri a nod and another almost invisible smile. "I think those are goblins." he whispered. If they were taking on these nasty creatures, it seemed wise to get closer; preferably unnoticed. The goliath had never been the quietest hunter, but he tried his best. Once they were close enough, he could hopefully either cast a ranged spell or charge with one of his weapons in hand.

Stealth: 7

Prologue Complete