As each of you slowly regain consciousness you slowly realize you are no longer in Trelorn's tower. You are lying on cool sand and feel a light breeze moving across you. Your head aches worse than you have ever felt, as well as every part of your body and your stomach is desperat to be rid of your last meal.

Kel'li, using guidance, tries to work through the pain and perceive what is around them.

Kel'li rolled 8 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 4.  Perception.
Kel'li rolled 4 using 1d4 with rolls of 4.  Guidance.

Although non responsive at the time Cinnabar seems to have at least caught up on some of what she missed.
”All right might be a bit of a stretch, but we are almost certainly safer outside of that trap than inside.  The Rod seems a bit unpredictable but likely to take magic from whatever source it has access to, and use it to produce a sort of shift through the planes to end up in a new place.”

As he awakens, Joser vaguely remembers the Cinnabar and the crystal rod.  Right now, what he really remembers is the pain of the concussive wave caused by the "boom" upon his eardrums.  He is fairly certain he cried out, but is unsure because he could not hear it.
As he slowly opens his eyes to too much brightness, he reaches up to scratch at his left ear.  When the finger comes away feeling sticky, he waits until the brightness fades to look at it.  His hand hovers over his face for a few minutes until his eyes can finally focus on the bit of drying blood on his finger tip.  He chooses not to sit up just yet, knowing full well the symptoms of serious head trauma.  Likely he has suffered just another in a long line of concussions.
He decides for right now, it is best to just continue lying in the barely felt warm sand as sounds slowly begin to become recognizeable once more.

“No, I didn’t cast a Thunderwave,” Basilisa mumbled weakly. She tried standing, but the world spun too quickly. Ears ringing, the Bard pressed her palms against the cool sand, her cheek resting on her palm. “What…in all the gods’ names…was that?”

Bran let out a small muffled groan as he pulled his face out from between his arms. Why was he lying practically facedown on the ground? Wait. Sand? What the hells was going on?

"Ugh." He slowly sat up and looked around. "My head hurts. What happened? Did Cinnabar blow us up?"

As you slowly begin to recover your senses and the throbbing in you head and limbs slowly subsides, though your stomachs are still queasy to say the least, you notice that the is very little sound other than the those created by you.

You are sitting or lying in the ruins of what appears to have been an arched structure at some time. The roof is long gone but some of the arches still stand providing shade from a sun that appears much smaller and weaker than the one you are accustomed too.

What little you can see outside appears too be more ruins and sand. Most are little more than walls. There are a couple still standing twenty maybe thirty feet high. At one time they look like they could have been magnificent towers.

You also notice that there is only the five of you here.

Still, or already, standing on her four legs Cinnabar is instead lounging back against her feline form, one arm resting on the horizontal part of her back while the other gestures to fit with her words.
”Clearly we did not explode, although it is possible that the plane we were on may have suffered that fate, implosion is a bit more likely.

In any case it seems like we are alone here for now so we should take some time to adjust and recover before we go investigating any additional local threats.”

Kel'li notices some things that don't seem right.

"Okay, besides the fact that the sun seems somehow different, I notice that Telorn and Blue aren't here.  Maybe it was Telorn who actually sent us here, and I am not saying I will miss Blue.  So, the question begs, what happened to them.  Also, we should check out what is buried in the sand over there." She points to where it looks like some bones are buried, fearing it could be one of the missing men.

As the pain and nausea fade, Joser realizes he had heard the voice of either Blue or Softfeather.  He sits up and looks around, his face showing his dismay at his friends being missing.  Damn!  I 'ope wher ever they are, they're at least as safe an' sound as the rest o' us at tha moment.
He looks about at the ruins around them.  At least we've got some cover from tha sun.  It mebbe small an' dark, bu' it doe'n't seem ta make it cold none.  We're goin' ta need ta look fer wa'er if we're gonna survive past the nex' coupl'a days.

Bran turned slowly in a full circle looking around. A deep frown crossed his face. "You're right. They're missing." He let out a big sigh. "May not have been able to understand more than half the time, but I certainly don't wish Blue ill. I hope he is okay where ever he is. I suppose Telorn as well, though I'm still not sure what his motives were."

He stepped just short of going outside of where they were and peered around outside with just his head for a moment.

21:46, Today: Bran Siverlight rolled 16 using 2d20+3, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 13,8.  Perception (Advantage).

From the quiet of the place you are pretty sure none of the others are close by. If they are they are far enough away that any sounds they are making, assuming they are conscious or even alive, is unheard.

The bones Kel'li points out are covered by sand only a few bleached portions peak out of the sand. As for water there appears to be no signs of any close by.

"Looks like this one died of heat and thirst.  We are going to be hard pressed to get anywhere if we stay exposed to the elements.  Maybe we should seek some shelter?"

Basilisa nodded, but appeared preoccupied. “I can’t feel my connection with the Weave,” Basilisa said softly. She looked at Bran, Cinnabar, and Kel’li. “Do you feel it?”

Looking around the blasted wasteland for something akin to shelter Cinnabar sets off to inspect the perimeter, answering the question put to her after she is already on her way up to the nearest high visible point.

”Operating the rod, however unintentionally, took a considerable amount of magic.
 The connection I feel now is different but not significantly weaker than I would expect after being so drained.”

“I’m sorry, but you’re not paying attention if you think so.” Basilisa scoffed. “The Magic here feels tenuous, at best. As if the world had been drained of any Arcane power.”

Bran let out a pained sigh. "Yes." He looked at Basilia and nodded. "I can barely feel my Goddess. My magic is definitely...diminished, at the very least."

He shook his head and then gestured outside. "Apparently this was a rather large city at some point in history. Might be shelter out there...but probably not a lot of food or water if any."

He hesitated. "Ordinarily, I'd say I could pray for a different spell next dawn to get something make food and water but....I don't know how things will work here."

None o' tha' sounds good, the former criminal muses aloud.  He looks around.  We each got a fu waterskin, righ'?  T'is no' much, but t'is somethin'.
Ya said this was a city once.  Mebbe there's still a small source o' water aroun' here somewhere.

There is a slight breeze coming from the west. It is a dry and slightly warm, though you are guessing that by night fall temperatures will drop as the heat of the day fades.

From your place near the door Bran, you can make out one of the mostly intact building about hundred yards or so distant. It appears it my provide better shelter, it looks like the first floor may well be buried by sand. All you can see is windows near ground level.

Kel'li decides to get a little height to see better.  Trying her winged boots, she finds they are operating very slowly.  She goes about 30 feet into the air, not trusting them to go higher, and takes a look around to get the lay of the land.

Bran frowned as he peered outward. He turned his head slightly to speak quietly to the group once more. "I think...I see building that is more intact than others. That might make a good place to explore and possibly stay when night comes. I think it will be very cold."

Hearing Bran from above, Kel'li moves towards the indicated building to check it out from the top and looking over the surrounding territory.

Cinnabar looks off in the indicated direction, and follows along.  As she does so she readies her big crossbow for use.

”Assuming we are going to be here for a while it will be a good idea to create some sort of base of operations, even if it is the most obvious one for miles in every direction.
 We should assume that there are locals, and at least some of them will be hostile if able to communicate at all.”

Gripping his spear and his shield, Joser steps forward with his companions as they head for the ancient building.  Perhaps tha current tenants will be willing ta share provisions.

“Be careful up there, Kel’li,” Basilisa called to her friend. “Whoever or whatever lurks out there will see your too.” She watched in concern, then moved forward with the others toward the building.

Seeing everyone seemed in agreement and ready to check it out, he gave a shrug and started walking towards the building he'd seen. It was the logical choice, after all. He kept his eyes sweeping around and his ears open.

Bran slowed after a moment, turning his head as he spied something. Quietly, to those near him, he spoke. "I see some movement, something moving under the sand, heading towards us."

He moved but then readied his weapon.

Kel'li tried to make out what Bran was seeing from above.

“How far away is it, Bran?” All Basilisa saw seemed like an end,Ed’s expanse of sand. She drew her shortbow, hoping it would be far enough for a ranged attack.

As if in answer to Basilisa's question the is a sudden rippling movement of the sand as something moved closer to the group. Rising from the sand a few feet to Bran's right is a sizeable worm like creature covered in a rock like jagged carapace.



OOC: Thankfully with Bran's warning no one is surprised. Everyone roll initiative. Those that beat an 11 go ahead and post your actions.

Basilisa reacted quickly, but the surprise threw off her aim…


OOC:

12:16, Today: Basilisa The Bold rolled 8 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 2.  Shortbow.
12:14, Today: Basilisa The Bold rolled 19 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 17.  Initiative .

Bran may not have surprised that something was coming towards them, but that didn't prepare him for the actual sight of what was coming towards them. He took an involuntary step back from the creature as it burst forth from the sand close to him. He gripped the warhammer and shield tighter in his hands as he stood his ground, hoping to keep its attention on him rather than some of his companions.

"Are you sentient?"

11:05, Today: Bran Siverlight rolled 5 using 2d20, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 3,5.  Initiative.

Although reacting in time to point the crossbow in the general direction of the worm, even get a bolt going at it, the shot isn't very impressive and more likely to hit the thing in its armored flank than the face or softer mouth.

Without much in the way of hesitation Cinnabar charges forward and hits the thing with one forward paw even as she puts the crossbow away to pull out her shield and lance for closer combat work.

Kel'li was slow to react to the creature coming from the ground.

Kel'li rolled 4 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 1.  Initiative.

Gripping his spear and shield tightly, Joser moves forward to engage the creature.  Twice he attempts to skewer the damnable thing.

22:21, Today: Joser the Demolisher rolled 4,6 using 1d6+2,1d6+2 with rolls of 2,4.  Damages.

22:20, Today: Joser the Demolisher rolled 9,11 using 1d20+5,1d20+5 with rolls of 4,6.  Full Attack Action with Whirlwind Spear.

17:45, Today: Joser the Demolisher rolled 20 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 18.  Initiative. 

The attacks either miss or fail to connect sufficiently to do any damage to the worm. Swinging towards Bran it strikes out, but fortunately Cinnabar' steel defender is close enough to provide a assistance and the worm toothy maws fails to connect.



OOC: Okay Bran and Kel'li your actions?

Kel'li holds her position above and motioning with her hands and saying an arcane word, causes a bolt of fire to shoot towards the creature, causing a small amount of damage.  Feeling this not as effective as it could be, she also does a quick motion and word to call into place a force of energy to strike at the worm.

Action: Cast: Fire Bolt - Cantrip
Kel'li rolled 23 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 16.  Firebolt.
Kel'li rolled 8 using 2d10 with rolls of 5,3.  Damage.

Bonus Action: Cast: Spiritual Weapon 2nd level placed between her and the target
Kel'li rolled 20 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 13.  Spiritual Weapon to hit.
Kel'li rolled 12 using 1d8+4 with rolls of 8.  Damage.

Receiving no verbal response, just aggressive action, in response to his question, Bran shook his head. "Fine. Have it your way."

However, with the feeling of the lessened connection to his deity, he was hesitant to squander his magic potential if he didn't have to. But he wanted to test things a bit so he touched his holy symbol and focused on the creature.

OOC: Sacred Flame on the creature. Reflex Save DC 15 or take 5 radiant damage. Should have just hit with the hammer.

18:10, Today: Bran Siverlight rolled 5 using 2d8 with rolls of 2,3.  Sacred Flame.

Still more distracting than helpful Cinnabar keeps attacking with her lance and front cat paws with no significant effect, but she does stay close to anyone else in melee with the thing to continue to assist them.

Basilisa’s second arrow missed, too. If her ranged attacks failed, she would fight with another weapon at her disposal. She projected her voice loud and true for Bran.

“Sweet Bran, call upon your Goddesss,
 True & Just,
 And lay that wretched worm beneath the dust!”


OOC:

02:01, Today: Basilisa The Bold rolled 8 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 2.  Shortbow .

Well, fuck the Dice Roller anyway.

Bonus Action:
I’ll use Bardic Inspiration for Bran. He gets an extra d8 for 1 Ability check, Attack roll, or Saving Throw.


 

Joser begins growling at the giant worm, his anger building to furious rage as he steps in, brandishing shield and spear.  He lances out with the spear, the shield held ready to bash at any part of the worm that comes closer.

Bonus Action:  RAGE!
19:23, Today: Joser the Demolisher rolled 5,8 using 1d6+4,2d4+4 with rolls of 1,3,1.  Spear damage, Critical Shield damage.

19:23, Today: Joser the Demolisher rolled 26 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 5,20.  Improvised shield attack, advantage.

19:22, Today: Joser the Demolisher rolled 23 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 14,17.  Spear attack, advantage.

Though all of your attacks do not strike home several do. Joser's in particular seems to do significant damage, actually leaving an oozing wound in the creatures side. Those who cast spells notice that the spells are somewhat less in effect than they are normally use to.

The worm, not liking its prey to be so aggressive, rises a little more from the sand. Those on the ground notice a sudden bulge just below its mouth seconds before it exhales a burst of sand on the party.

OOC: Everyone on the ground please make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw.

Those who succeed take 16 points of damage and avoid being blinded.
Those who fail take 32 points of damage and are blinded for 1 round.

08:57, Today: Nameless rolled 32 using 8d6 ((5,5,6,1,3,4,3,5)).

Making one more desperate attempt to take out the worm before it can do whatever it has in mind to do Cinnabar fails to do much more than paw at its side a few times before the blast comes, which she almost evades, but just can't quite make it, although she does keep running away from the epicenter after the blast.

Bran didn't like this, not one bit. Feeling that his magic was weakened made him wary of using it. Or the other abilities granted to him by Selune. But then thoughts were washed away from his mind as the sand washed over him - and he couldn't SEE! He cried out in pain and surprise as he was blinded and hurt by the attack.

He stood his ground for the moment and swung out blindly - literally - at the creature even as he tried desperately to get the sand out of his eyes.

OOC: Failed save. Hit AC 20 for 4 dmg.

13:46, Today: Bran Siverlight rolled 2 using 1d20 with rolls of 2.  Dexterity saving throw.
14:27, Today: Bran Siverlight rolled 15 using 2d20+5, dropping the highest dice only with rolls of 10,17.  Warhammer attack with disadvantage.
14:28, Today: Bran Siverlight rolled 5 using 1d8 with rolls of 5.  Bardic Inspiration to attack roll.
14:28, Today: Bran Siverlight rolled 4 using 1d8+2 with rolls of 2.  Damage if that hits.

Suddenly, the worm battered them with a localized sandstorm! Basilisa screamed as the sands flayed and blinded her. She stepped back a pace toward where she thought the building stood. Basilisa cried out, “Anyone who can see help anyone blinded form on me!”
This message was last edited by the player at 22:04, Mon 19 Sept 2022.

Kel'li uses her Faerie Fire on the worm and directs the spiritual weapon to hit it again.

Action: Use Faerie Fire (Dex save: DC 15)
Bonus Action: Control Spiritual Weapon
Kel'li rolled 15 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 8.  Spiritual Weapon to hit.
Kel'li rolled 8 using 1d8+4 with rolls of 4.  Damage.
(Can reroll to hit based upon effectiveness of Faerie Fire)

Eyes squinted closed, he tries to block the sand from stinging his eyes.  Unsuccessfully.  But, he has a trick up his sleeve.  Joser drops the spear and grabs a strange javelin shaped like a stylized lightning bolt.  And that is exactly what lances out at the worm, with a sound of thunder.  Then Joser throws the javelin itself at the worm.

Use Javelin of Lightning to fire Lightning Bolt, then throw Javelin of Lightning, both at the worm.
20:08, Today: Joser the Demolisher rolled 5 using 1d6+2 with rolls of 3.  Javelin damage.

20:08, Today: Joser the Demolisher rolled 20 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 15.  Javelin throw.

20:07, Today: Joser the Demolisher rolled 11 using 4d6 with rolls of 6,1,3,1.  Lightning DC 13 Dex save for half.

This message was last edited by the player at 23:02, Mon 26 Sept 2022.

The groups attacks finally pay off as the worm collapses on the sand. The area grows quite except for the sound of the groups breathing. Most of those on the ground spend a couple seconds more wiping the last of the sand from their eyes as everyone takes stock of their current condition.

OOC: I think I have this all correct, please let me know if anything is wrong.

Current HP remaining.
  Cinnabar - 10 (Saving throw failed)
    Steel Defender - 4 (Saving throw failed) [Private to Cinnabar: Looks like the defenders HP is short by 5 on the character sheet. Probably from the last level.
  Bran - 24 (Saving throw failed)
  Basilisa - 13 (Saving throw failed)
  Joser - 43 (Made the saving throw. Rolled for him since I didn't see it in the roller.
              08:30, Today: Nameless, on behalf of Joser the Demolisher, rolled 20 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 18.  Dexterity save.)
  Kel'li - 38 (Luckily outside of the area of the worms breath weapon.)

You all do notice a significant decrease in the effectiveness of your spells. Most spells at best are at 50%.

Kel'li will quickly take a look around to ensure there is nothing else coming, then drop to the ground.

"Does anyone need healing?"

Clearly worn, and more than a little cooked, even steaming slightly from the rear end of her feline bottom half Cinnabar might be putting on a brave face with her confidence.  ”Well that was quite the introduction to wherever this is.  I don't know that we need healing exactly, so much as we need to rest and recuperate while we try and figure out what to do next.”
This message was last edited by the player at 19:29, Wed 28 Sept 2022.

"Then maybe we retreat to the structure we were checking out?"

After a moment, he shook the blindness from his eyes, desperately trying to get the sand out. He blinked rapidly many times and finally began to see again. "Well. That was unpleasant." He let out a breath. "And yes, I am wounded, but...I will survive for now. I'm...wary of using any of my magic for fear it may not return after a rest and prayers. What if what I have is...all I have left?" He sounded...a little fearful of that, not terrified, just a little scared and wary.

But then he nodded. "Aye. We should keep moving towards the building I guess, and hope we have no more unwelcome surprises."

“Ugh.” Basilisa wiped the last of the sand from her eyes. “The wildlife seems as repulsive as this world.” When the others brought up shelter, she cast a wary eye toward the building. “Hmm. We could gamble that we won’t encounter any other menaces inside that building…or I can gamble on my ‘tiny hut’ spell. It’s impervious back home, but I wonder how the magic-negating properties of this place would affect it…”

Almos' any surprise righ' now would be unwelcome, I think, Joser comments as he moves to retrieve his javelin from the carcass.  I wonder if any part o' this thin' is edible.  Mebbe it has a reserve o' water we ken collect.

With no one needing immediate attention you make your way to the building where you were originally headed. Leaving the worm for the moment, deciding you can always come back if need be.

You find a good entrance through a destroyed window that is just a couple feet above the sand in one area. Once inside you find yourself in a small room lined with cabinets made of a dark wood lining the opposite wall along with an intact wooden door, which likely leads to the rest of the building. There are also a couple of matching desks and chairs in the room. Everything is covered by a layer of sand that has blown in through the window in the past.

A few seconds after entering you look back outside and see a second worm rise from the sand near the first. It sways for a moment, almost like it is using some sense to check out the area. Then it grabs the first worm, shakes it violently for a moment and drags then it back under the sand out of sight.

OOC: The door to the room as well as the cabinets have close to a foot of sand piled against them. You see no sign the room has been disturbed in a very long time.

Cozy.  We could use the chairs or the desks to cover that window to protect against more sand coming in, Joser says as he looks around.  He glances out the window just in time to see the other worm arrive then disappear with its... mate, perhaps?  Well, that would explain why this place looks so unused.

Although continuing to steam a little bit longer than one might expect from the bath of hot sand Cinnabar looks much more presentable, if still burned, than just after the blast.  Even her clothing has been cleaned of sand and minor scorch marks or rips by the spells she has been quietly casting as they retreated.

Again quietly she speaks only after the second worm is gone.  ”I think a minimum of banging, thumping, or indeed loud conversation may be our best choice while we rest here.  Underground creatures may not use sight like we do but that tends to make their other senses even sharper.”

Kel'li starts quietly clearing sand away from the first cabinet, hoping to open it and see what it contains.

Bran climbed in through the window but was distracted as he heard something. He looked back and saw the second worm. His eyebrows rose upward and then he slowly shook his head. "glad we didn't stick around." he muttered quietly.

He then turned back to the room and looked around. He started clearing sand away from the door that lead to the rest of the building, thinking that they might want to explore or make sure things were safe. Or maybe find a better place to hole up possibly.

OOC: There is more building that could be explored, right? If not, ignore this and he'll help barricade the window.

Using the desks to barricade the windows would take little effort and would provide at least some degree of safety from anything outside.

When Kel'li finishes removing the sand from in front of the first cabinet it opens easily. Inside there is not much other than a stack of blank paper and what appears to be several writing implements of some sort. From the state and array of things inside it appears that it has been searched before.

Bran's efforts are similarly easy when moving the sand. As he opens the door its top hinge comes loose but otherwise nothing horrible happens. The light filtering into the hallway is enough to make out a couple doorways to the right. One at the end of the hallway about twenty feet away and one on the opposite wall maybe six feet away. To the left there is a door ten feet from you on the same side and you can see that the hall turns to the right about thirty feet or so away. It is quiet and other than the thin layer of sand the only thing that catches your attention are the small globes attached to the wall near the ceiling spaced at regular intervals.

Bran almost lost a step when the door partially come off the hinge, but he caught himself and steadied his footing. He peered down the hallway for a moment, his divine-enhanced vision easily making out details for a long distance normally. And that seemed to still work now in this new crazy world they found themselves in.

He eyed the small globes and the doorways. He looked back over his shoulder, "Anyone want to join me?"

He then pointed out the nearest globe. "Think those are...light sources?"

“I’m coming, Bran.” Basilisa lit a torch and entered passage with Bran. She stared at the globes, wondering how the engineer powered the lights. “A good question. Did the engineer use oil, or another source of power? Just how old is this building?”

Kel'li quietly follows, keeping watch down the hallway.

"I recommend we check the doors on the right first, then the left and on down the hallway."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:43, Wed 09 Nov 2022.

Cinnabar sighs, and gets her crossbow back out, staying well back from either the doors or the darkened hallway.  ”If we must kick in more doors can we at least try to do so quietly?”

Bran eyed the hallway intently. He glanced back at Kel'li and then gave a small shrug. His voice was quiet when he replied, "If you wish. The closest door would be my personal choice to start with."

He stepped forward, trying to stay alert to danger and traps.

18:50, Today: Bran Siverlight rolled 21 using 2d20+3, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 18,10.  Perception.

Werks fer me, Joser says.  He steps forward so as to be Bran's im ediate back-up should there be something dangerous beyond.  While the others know about his javelin of lightning, he also has a spear of exquisite enough quality that it, too, could be magical.  Yet, along with his well-beaten shield, he carries the old, well-used morningstar in his gaunltetted hands instead.

It is incredibly quiet as you enter the hallway. The thin covering of sand on the floor making your footsteps faint. Moving to the right and stopping at the first door you see no sign of other tracks, or sounds from beyond the door. Though you can see light filtering through the crack above the door.

The second door at the end of the hall is almost the same, no tracks or sounds. There does appear to be quite a bit more sand that has filtered in around this door though.

Bran looked at the two doors on the right. He gave a nod towards the one with less sand coming from it. "That one is likely to be more interesting, though the other might need to have a hole plugged or the door barricaded or something."

He glanced at everyone and then stepped to the side and opened the door so others could see in as well without him blocking it.

Cinnabar shifts the weight of her crossbow entirely to her right hand, retrieves the only slightly glowing crystal rod from her belt pouch and holds it up with her left hand and holds it up to look at it more closely.

In a quiet tone she speaks to the others.  ”I expect it will take some time, but we might not need to plan to be here indefinitely, if we can learn something about the place or gain something of value from it we should be able to move on to somewhere else later.”

The door opens easily, though it does disturb a thin layer of sand that has covered the floor. The room is fairly large with numerous windows along the right side wall. All of which a covered in dust, but intact. The last four or so has enough light filtering through to illuminate the room.

The room itself has numerous smaller desks situated in rows facing the far end of the room. Where a larger desk sits on a raised platform. There a several shelves along the walls which contain numerous books and other items. Various larger drawings hang from the walls depicting the anatomy of various creatures. Some look recognizable with slight differences from what your use to. Such as the one that appears to be a horse except for it having six legs instead of four. The others are strange and quite different.

There is one other door at the far end of the room on the left side, possibly leading to the hallway at a different point.

Bran stayed at the open door way for a moment and peered inside. He made a face, a frowning one, at the sand and dust. But then he saw more and brightened slightly. "So. Some desks we could look at it appears. Not sure anything will be there to be found but..." He gave a little shrug.

then he stepped inside the room, not slowly and carefully checking for anything hidden, but just keeping his senses generally alert on the way to the closest desk.

23:46, Today: Bran Siverlight rolled 16 using 2d20+3, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 9,13.  Perception.

Desks? Joser seems a bit perplexed.  He had never actually seen the inside of a school of any kind.  Everything he had learned had either been through "hard knocks" or in a more jnformal setting.  T'was a room for clarks?

Kel'li just watched from the back.

Everything is quiet as Bran moves into the room. Joser stands just inside the doorway and the others watch from the hall. Bran has just reached the closest desk when he hears a groan from the floor and feels a slight movement of the floor.

A second or so passed when suddenly there was a loud crack as a large section of the floor gave way, dropping Bran down to the floor below. Joser however seems quite nimble as he dives back through the doorway avoiding the fall to the floor below.

The others watch as Bran drops out of sight the sand and dust obscuring everything. There is a brief moment of quiet followed by a second loud crack as the floor below gives way under the weight.

OOC:
09:16, Today: Nameless, on behalf of Bran Siverlight, rolled 7 using 1d20 ((7)). Dex save.
09:21, Today: Nameless, on behalf of Joser the Demolisher, rolled 20 using 1d20 ((20)). Dex save.

Kel'li activates her boots.  While she can't go but a foot or two, she has at least taken her weight off of the floor.  She decides to fly down and see if anyone needs help.

Joser picks himself up from where he had thrown himself to the floor.  As soon as the cracking sound had started, Joser had thrown himself back through the door, nearly landing on someone behind him, but narrowly avoiding hitting anything, including the floor the floor.  He, in fact, remains standing
He picks himself up, dusting himself off as he steps closer to the doorway, where he calls into the dusty darkness below.  BRAN!  KEN YE HEAR ME, LAD?  He reaches back towards the side of his pack, trying to grasp the rope he has strapped there.

Bran had just a split second of warning and it wasn't enough to get out of the way of the danger, just barely enough time to get halfway in to a curse before the floor gave way and he was dropped out of sight.

He crashed down and then things slammed in to him one after another. He was stunned for at least a moment, or maybe went unconscious, he wasn't sure. Then another drop and he was on the edge of unconsciousness. His head was ringing. His body was in so much pain he almost blacked out. Even with his darkvision he was having trouble seeing due to the dust and debris as well as the spots in his eyes. He let out a pained groan, but had barely any volume to it.

He swallowed painfully and tried to yell back but his chest hurt and was pinned down by something heavy.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:40, Thu 08 Dec 2022.

Kel'li hovers over Bran. "Are you okay?"  Then she looks at the surroundings.

Distracted by the dilapidated surroundings, Basilisa lingered a few steps behind the group. The commotion of the collapsing floor snapped her out of her daze. Especially when it was Bran who fell. “Bran!”

She ran toward the door, stopping short of the sudden drop. “Bran, are you hurt?! Can you move?”

Bran let out a pained cough. His voice came out in a croak. "I am...very hurt." And to Kel'li's eyes, he looked like he was barely conscious.

And worse, when he shifted a little, the debris shifted dangerously as well. He stopped. "I'm also...not sure I can move...this may cause another fall if I move too much, but I'm not sure."

Ken ye get me down there ta help 'im?  Joser stands with the rope in one hand as he begins to set down gear to make himself lighter and less burdened.
I might be able ta help dig 'im out.

Staying well clear of the weakened floor Cinnabar offers to take the rope, which she promptly threads through the hooks on the harness that would be holding her crossbow.  Clearly intended for a significantly higher load the rope draws tight and seems easy enough for her to hold even in one small hand as she leans back to take up the weight of the full sized human about to go over the edge.  ”When you get down there secure him to the rope and we will pull it up, holding both of you will be more difficult.”

“Wait. I have a potion that might help.” Basilisa fished through her items and withdrew a small vial. “This is a Potion of Climbing. Use this once you free Bran, and come back up here and help us pull him up.”

Kel'li is the first to make it down the rubble pinning Bran looks dangerously unstable. But it looks like it they may be able to free him if they are careful.

Joser with climbing down the rope takes a bit more time to make it. By the time he is at the bottom most of the dust has cleared.

It is still a bit hard to see the bottom for Basilisa and Cinnibar but the air is clearing fairly quickly.


OOC:If Kel'li and Joser decide to go ahead and attempt to free Bran target is DC 10 with both an intelligence check and a strength check.

Kel'li yells up, "I think we found the last inhabitants of the area.  There are a lot of skeletons down here."  She then moves to help Joser with freeing Bran.

Kel'li rolled 13 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 12.  Strength check.

Kel'li rolled 15 using 1d20 with rolls of 15.  Intel roll.

Joser's voice can be heard to call up.  Can we ge' a light down 'ere?  Somethjn' wit'out a flame?  I ken see, bu' no' very well.
He looks to find a piece that will not cause others to shift when he moves it.

15:21, Today: Joser the Demolisher rolled 6 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 1.  Str check.  Well, that should prove hilarious....

15:20, Today: Joser the Demolisher rolled 12 using 2d20, dropping the highest dice only with rolls of 15,12.  Investigation-disadvantage for low light.

Bran, for his part, 'helped' by staying very still and breathing shallowly. He also tried not to make too much noise despite the pain he was in. At Joser's request, he apologetically gave a small smile and said, "Sorry...probably not a good idea for me to cast any spells, and I don't have a spell for lighting since I see so far in the dark."

"This will only last a minute or so, but hopefully someone else will get something else going."

Four torches appear around them.

Cast: Dancing Lights
.

As Kel'li cast her spell and the lights appear those who are familiar with such things notice that they are providing far less illumination than normal. Only lighting a roughly five foot area each.

They are helpful however, giving Joser some needed light as he begins moving debris. Unfortunately Joser finds one larger chunk that he has difficulty with. When it does finally shift it dislodges more from above causing things to shift dangerously and numerous smaller chunks to rain down.

Ow!  That was'na good!  The exclamation of pain comes from debris that has impacted him.  Dammit, he growls as he attempts to move the large chunk safely.

Use Rage.
10:53, Today: Joser the Demolisher rolled 16 using 2d20+7, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 9,2.  Str Check, Advantage.

This message was last edited by the player at 17:56, Wed 28 Dec 2022.

"AAHGGH! Stopstopstop!" He clearly looked to be in more pain. "Heerrghhh. My legs." He just breathed a few times for a moment. "My legs are in more pain after what you were doing."

He drew in a deep breath and it came out ragged.

Still not inclined to get to close to the edge Cinnabar waits for a quiet moment and projects her voice such that it should be at least audible down below.  ”We should be able to find an easier way down there if we move through the structure as it is designed, rather than trying to climb down a hole still covered in loose pieces, just try to keep everything stable and don't do anything fancy until we can take a closer look at it.”  Then promptly turns away from the hole and starts looking for something a bit more like stairs than a pit.

Kel'li touches a couple more things, lighting them up, then goes to help remove the debris from her companion.

Basilisa watched with fearful eyes. If the shaft collapsed, then the majority of their party would likely get crushed. She heard Cinnabar’s plan. “Uh, are you sure? What if you run into a monster like that giant sand worm?”

For a moment things looked like they were going to go bad, especially for Bran. The debris shifted and the pain increased on his legs and lower body. Thankfully Joser is able to find better footing and shift the larger chunk enough so that with Kel'li's help Bran is able to wiggle free.

As Kel'li drags Bran free and away from the pile of debris Joser has just enough time to dive out of the way as several large pieces shift and come crashing down. Stirring up more dust and sand. The sound echoing through out the large chamber and above.

------------------------------------

Cinnabar and Basilisa here the crash of the debris. Their line of sight to the group below is cut off as more of the floor shifts and drop to the floor below blocking the large hole. Looks like Cinnabrar's plan is their best option at the moment.

"We have more than one problem here, but the magic is growing weaker.  We may lose light soon."

Cinnabar quickly proceeds down the hallway they found, bypassing the doors on the left to stop in front of one on the right and inspect it more closely.  ”Unfortunately we don't have the time to worry about possible risks, the collapsing building will get them for sure if we can't find them another way out.”

With that said she starts getting out tools to help probe and inspect the door.

Joser standa up slowly, making sure he has all of his limbs and digits.  He then brushes some of the dust off himself.  He looks around, pausing at the sight of the skeletons.
Kel'li?  Bran?  Are ye all right?  His voice is a hoarse whisper.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 15:42, Wed 18 Jan 2023.

As Cinnabar stops at the single door she confirms her suspicions. The plaque is a simple drawing showing a set of stairs with a rather plain figure walking down them.

Her inspection reveals nothing of any danger the door is intact and should work fine.

Bran had let out another pained but muffled cry through his closed lips as the debris was lifted, but then let out a sharp gasp of relief as the weight was gone from his legs. "Oh thank Selune!"

He tried to relax a bit, but was still in great amounts of pain. "As alright as I can be for now. I don't want to risk losing my spells by healing myself for now. If I get more desperate..." His voice was still hoarse as well and not just from trying to be quiet.

Convinced the door should work normally Cinnabar opens it without delay, then proceeds to move forward far more carefully, setting one foot down at a time, testing the weight limit quickly but not recklessly as she moves into the weaker part of the building.

"I am unsure if the magic is fading over time, or as we descend into this pit of a building."

“It may be this strange world, Kel’li.” Basilisa peered down the dark shaft where her friends remained trapped. “I’m going after Cinnabar. If she’s right, we should find a way out downstairs. We need to get you out before the whole thing collapses!” Then, she cautiously proceeded after Connabar.

There seem ta be skeletons over 'ere, he says in his hoarse whisper.  Unsure if they are animated ones on guard duty, or if they are just burials, he does not want to take any chances in the damaged confines in which they find themselves.

The door for Cinnabar opens into a stairwell. The way up is black by debris from the collapsed upper stories. The way down however appears to be clear and structurally sound. Looking down the stairwell she can see a door at the next landing down and the the stairs continue down for another two flights ending in what appears to be a hallway possibly.

---------------------------------------------

As Bran rests and tries to recover a bit. Kel'li and Joser can take a moment to look around. The skeletons are not human or any other race the two have met. The ones that appear to have been adults would have been around seven feet in height but of a slender build. Their skulls are narrow and elongated. With a quick count you realize there are at least thirty skeletons. They appear to range in size from adults to infants. It appears they may have taken refuge here before they perished.

On the far side of the large chamber there is a depressed area about four feet deep that runs the length of the room. Entering and leaving through a large opening at either end, the one open apears to have collapsed at sometime. The other is clear and you can see some signs of faint light coming from some form of mold growing along the walls. Otherwise there are only two other doorways in the room, both closed.

Satisfied with her inspection of the stairs Cinnabar starts down them, not slowed in the least by using four legs on tools designed for two, and retrieves her crossbow again, keeping it focused downward and across the stairwell just in case something is alive down there too.

Kel'li looks into the depression, even feeling the area with her hand, as far as she can reach whilst staying on the more solid area around it.

Are ye gonna be able ta walk, Bran?  There is genuine concern in Joser's voice.
He looks around to see what ye can, his eyes stopping on the strange skeletons. I won'er what these folks was hidin' from.  Or, where they prisoners?

Bran looked like he was barely still standing, but he gave a pained nod. "Yeah, if we don't run in to any more trouble before I rest..." He stopped and grimaced. "So, first off, that was a stupid thing to say, like inviting trouble to us again." He let out a sigh.

I'm loathe to use healing magic since I don't know if it will work, or if it will return or not but...I am close to unconsciousness."

He shook his head and tried to cast Cure Wounds on himself. He wouldn't be good to the party if he died either.

OOC: Attempting to cast Cure Wounds, assuming he is no longer in danger of falling, heh.

As Cinnabar and Basilisa descend the stairs there is some creaking but the stairs hold. As they get close to the first door it is apparent that the door will not be opened without some effort. The building has shifted enough to wedge it tight. Looking farther down you can make out a set of doors to the left you are fairly certain those doors will lead you to the others. You also see a couple skeletal remains lying on the lower landing.


--------------------------------------------------

As you explore the room you can hear some creaking echoing through the building. The sound seems to be coming from beyond the closest set of double doors. It may be the others or it may be something else. The light from Kel'li's spell slowly fades away.

Bran finished casting the spell, hand still to his holy symbol. The brief glow was muted, more so than usual, and faded quickly. His face was frowning down at the holy symbol. "I do not like this place, this world. The draining of magic is...awful."

And indeed, despite the curative spell just cast, he didn't look that much better really. He grimaced and let out a sigh, but moved in to a position with his weapon and shield readied for whatever might exit those doors.

Rather than waste time on a door they might not need anyways Cinnabar just keeps going down the stairs to what seems like the correct level where she once again examines the door before opening it.

As the light begins to fade away, Joser shrugs off his pack.  I think they was tryin' ta hide here, he says as the sounds of him rummaging through his pack can be heard.  The skeletons.  The people was hidin' out, tryin' to get away from someone.  Or somethin'.
Once he finds what he is looking for, he knows down.  He can be seen momentarily as he attempts to spark a fire on a torch he has standing up, stuck in the rubble.  Finally, one catches, and he leans in to blow it into fire.  Once the torch is lit, he puts away his tinderbox and puts his pack back upon his back.
He takes the torch in his shield hand, and his spear in the other.  Yer magic is'na workin' too good, Bran?  Damn.

It is a bit tense on both sides as the door swings open on protesting hinges. With some relief you are all happy to see that Cinnabar was correct (or at least lucky) in finding an alternate way down.

Somewhere above you, though a distance away, you hear what sounds like another collapse. Apparently the old building is not taking well to being disturb. But after a couple moments everything grows quiet again.

OOC: Going to give you guys a chance to discuss things or investigate for a bit. You can take a short rest or a long rest if you wish, to to recover HP and maybe see if spell slots can be recovered. Or press on.

Relieved to find her allies Cinnabar waits almost reverently while the building makes it's displeasure known, but soon after she assesses their new situation out loud.  ”Now that we know just how unstable the building is I should be able to find us a section that is going to last at least one more night, if nobody does anything stupid I think it is worth the risk to try and rest before we explore anywhere else.”

Kel'li stares down the passage and says, "There is something down there, not big, but something none the less."

This message was deleted by the player at 04:09, Wed 15 Feb 2023.

"If I knew what my spells would do, I would have done something about it already, but there are too many unknowns.  Maybe we should take an overnight rest and set some watches?"

Bran listened to what the others had to say and the spoke up quietly. "While I have magic left in me, the healing magic I attempted was half-strength at best. I am still physically quite damaged and I think a rest before we encounter something else would be wise for me."

Fair 'nuff, he says with a nod of his head.  I'll take tha middle watch, so ya's ken get a full rest.

"I will take last watch, I only need 4 hours to trance then the rest just to study."

While not interrupting the process of the others Cinnabar does find the time to point out a logical inconsistency.  ”If you don't use any of the magic it will be completely useless.  Better to use what you can as efficiently as possible.”

Bran raised an eyebrow at Cinnabar for a moment. And then, while looking directly at her still, said "I'll take the middle watch."

He flashed her a quick smile, however.

I already claimed middle so ya spell slingers could get a full, undivided rest, Joser says to Bran.

Bran looked over at Joser and blinked a few times, looking blankly. "Did you?" He shook his head. "Sorry. I'm...I admit I'm a bit woozy. I lost some blood and am not at my best."

He shrugged. "In that case, I volunteer to sleep first. Wake me for whatever watch is needed." He grinned.

Joser places a hand on Bran's shoulder.  You, me friend, sleep an' heal as much as ye ken.  I think we got the watches covered.  If'n ye need help bandagin' up, jus' ask me

“Before you drift into the world of Dream, drink this first.” Basilisa kept quiet while the group discussed watch. She rummaged in her bags for a vial. “Magic may be weaker in this world, but you need as much healing magic as we can spare.” She held the healing potion toward Bran’s lips, encouraging him to drink.

Bran smiled at Basilisa, "Thank you, lady." He reached for the potion with one hand, but then the smile faltered and fell off. He drew his hand back without taking the potion. He let out a loud sigh. "I really dislike this place."

He shook his head slowly. "It's worse than I thought. I'm starting to think this place actually drains magic." He nodded at the vial she was holding. "I'm fairly certain that is no longer a potion, but just a mundane liquid now."

"Imagine what it feels like to become useless, since the magic you rely on is suddenly gone."

Makes me glad I didn'a have tha talent fer it, Joser says.  Anyone feels tha need, I ken teach ya how ta use diff'rent weapons'n what yer used ta.

Cinnabar didn't notice the attempt to use the potion until it was much to late, but something in her expression makes it seem like she is disappointed by it, but rallies with a new idea.  ”Some magics are more robust than others, some sources stronger than others.  Potions, particularly simple ones, are among the weakest and no doubt the easiest to drain.

This is undoubtedly a difficult world with significant problems but there is no reason to think they will be insurmountable, and no doubt a new day will bring new insights into that.
 I will take the morning watch and see if I can do anything interesting about breakfast, until then I recommend some amount of inventory of the abilities of your magical items so we can compare that information in the morning.”

The group settles in to rest and recover. There is plenty of wood for a fire if needed due to the collapsed floors and ceilings from above.

The rest passes uneventfully, it is hard to tell what time of day it is being in the lower level of the building. Those awake do notice a slight lightening of darkness as light filters in from the few windows upstairs.

OOC: If you decide to check your magical gear just let me know which items and such.

Joser takes the time, during his watch, to check the capabilities of his magic weapons and items.

spear of the whirlwind:  whirl it around.
javelin of lightning:  does have a strong static charge.
gauntlets of ogre power:  move something heavier than he normally could, or just think about having moved debris earlier.
clothes of mending:  Make a littie cut, see if it mends.
periapt of wound closure:  make a little cut, see if it heats.
bagpipes of haunting:  play a short tune to test the sound.
bag of holding:  is all his stuff still in it?

Kel'li lets the others know that there was a creature who came near, but 'seemed' peaceful, "It is about two feet tall and sorta reminds her of a rat though it has no eyes, large ears and a long neck. It walks semi upright on two legs balanced by a tail as long as its main body."

She tests her winged boots to see if they are still non-functional.

Taking the morning watch Cinnabar helps prepare some food testing out simple magics to heat the food that comes from her magical preservation box without fire, and performs a fairly common ritual for detecting magic, which she then uses to scan all of her own items, and any known magic items used by the others for discrepancies.

<quote Nameless>
The group settles in to rest and recover. There is plenty of wood for a fire if needed due to the collapsed floors and ceilings from above.

The rest passes uneventfully, it is hard to tell what time of day it is being in the lower level of the building. Those awake do notice a slight lightening of darkness as light filters in from the few windows upstairs.


Bran slept like a log, or like someone who was heavily wounded and needed the rest to heal. He might have slept a little longer than normal, in fact, due to it. When he awoke, he checked over his gear to see if any of his magic items had drained away or were not functioning as they should be.

But he did first smile at the group, if a bit weakly, "Good morning, all."

OOC: Do 'we' (mostly me lol) heal and get back hit dice as normal?

Earlier. Basilisa noticed the dullness of her usually vibrant healing potion. She didn’t pull out her other potions. They would likely prove as useless, and she entered a dreamless sleep grateful that she hadn’t given her companions a climbing potion devoid of any climbing power. She slept huddled near Bran, and stirred when he woke up.

“Good morning,” she mumbled drowsily. Basilisa managed a smile for Bran. “How do you feel?” She wouldn’t withdraw all her magical items. Just the ring endowed with Fire magic in her own world.

Once the others wake up Cinnabar passes out the food she has prepared, which is spiced, but not as strongly as usual.  ”It seems like this whole area is within a large but weak anti magic zone, either as a curse or a side effect of some much worse event.  It isn't strong enough to stop persistent magical items, but any item or spell that tries to project magic through it will tend to have a reduced effect something in the order of half what is expected.”

"It seems that we have some of our capabilities, but not at peak performance.  Apparently, we need to rest more often to maintain even the level we have left.  At least, that is my assessment."

Bran looked over at Basilisa and smiled at her. "I am no longer injured at least. For my magic?" The smile faded and he gave a small shrug. "I fear if we stay here for too long I fear I will lose all connection to my Goddess." And that idea sounded...painful to him.

"I wonder if there is a...source...of the drain we could find and stop. Or if we could find a way to leave."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:21, Fri 03 Mar 2023.

With what you have learned and a bit of experimentation it has become apparent that Cinnabar's and your assessments are fairly accurate.  Magic Items seem to have retained their magic but any effect that is projected by a spell or spell like ability is severely weakened. Those with a duration seem to be even worse.

OOC: Instantaneous spells have half effect. Spells with duration are at half effect and will fail at one quarter there normal duration.

As the group has their meal and discusses the situation several of the small creatures Kel'li saw during the night show up, sniffing the air and making little squeaking sounds as the linger  a dozen feet or so from the groups camp.

What are those things?  Joser indicates one of them weird, rat-like things with a movement of his chin.

Bran shook his head at Joser's question. "I do not know. I hope they do not show up in large numbers. That could be problematic."

He frowned and looked down. "I wonder if we can find a way to...I don't know...track the magic drain?" His lip curled. "Not that I want to closer to it, but either to find and disable it, or move away from it."

Basilisa shifted closer toward Bran when the creatures appeared. She didn’t make any further movements, carefully watching the strange creatures. As a Bard, Basilisa considered herself a fair student of people of all sorts. She watched them so she could determine if they exhibited animal behavior, or a sentient form of communication.


OOC:

16:05, Today: Basilisa The Bold rolled 15 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 13.  Perception check on creatures .

Cinnabar doesn't seem to care about the little creatures, or perhaps just didn't notice them.

”If the magic drain is localized we should be able to determine if it has a gradient effect throughout its area, or at the very least a border of some kind and use that to triangulate the source.  But none of that will be fast, and it will almost certainly involve contact with dangerous local monsters we know very little about.”

The group can count at least eight of the creatures, none of which seem to be aggressive. One individual is somewhat bolder than the others and has approached within half a dozen feet of the campfire. It's head raised sniffing the air and its ears twitch as it listens to the group.

Those that have spent time with animals can tell that the creature is more interested in the scent of food coming from the pot than the group itself.


OOC: Cinnibars assessment of the problem is accurate. Though whatever is causing the effect is similar to an antimagic field it doesn't effectively cancel out magic. It acts more like something is draining magic possibly feeding on it, or using it to power something else.

Kel'li breaks up a ration and scatters it to the creatures.

"Maybe we should move around to other locations and see if we can get an idea about where any draining effect is centered?"

Bran eyed the creatures for a moment and then nodded at the others. "Sure. That's a good idea. And for the creatures over there, if we move on and not disturb them, they might leave us alone. We don't need another fight if we can avoid it and they aren't aggressive, I think."

He smiled at Basilisa and started to move back out of the room.

Ah'm fine wit' that.  No need ta cause any more trouble now, Joser agrees.