Augury result: TURN BACK! DO NOT CONTINUE.

"Actually, I like the cut off that fellows jib. And sides, he might not be a bad guy, I've heard that some adventuring group have started to become more inclusive in their ventures. They even befriended a mindflayer once, surely this fellow too could be our friend." Devan says, he took a big ol whiff of that vanilla scent and is very much in agreement with Onyxclaw.

05:39, Today: Devan Crier rolled 4 using 1d20+2.  Wis Save
This message was last edited by the player at 21:43, Fri 11 Mar 2022.

Travic shared a concerned look with Andromeda then turned back to Devan and Onyx, "Come, let's discuss."  Once they were outside the prison, he said, "No, we will absolutely not be friends with a mind flayer.  As the name suggests, it feasts upon brains in order to psychically enslave all sentient beings!  That's a dealbreaker for a prospective friendship, personally.  What's more, consider how dreadfully powerful these githyanki must be to imprison such a creature!  We would be wise not to insert ourselves in this conflict."  Travic gave Devan and Onyx a  very Andromeda-esque look of motherly concern, hoping that they would be persuaded by reason.

The ritual of augury ended with the gemstones glowing an alarming shade of bright red, which was an omen that did not require too much interpretation.  Travic said gravely while looking over the warning, "It is as I suspected.  Naught but woe awaits us in this place, should we press on.  Death, or worse."  He scooped up the gemstones and returned them to their pouch, then said, "We had best return the way we came, my friends."

Onyxclaw listened to devan, and he was concerned because he agreed with him. He sighed as the others. "But.....crystals. pretty. Can I take some?"

He resigned in the fact they were leaving g, but wanted some crystals first

"Hmm, I understand Miss Andromeda, you've made many good points. Yet I still think your wrong, but if that's consensus then I'll just agree but also disagree." Devan says, with a shrug,"Hmm, so your fortune telling skills speak of danger. Welp, then let's start moving away from that direction than. I have wants and desires, but I hold my life up higher than all those."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:12, Sat 12 Mar 2022.

When the rather confusing switch happened Jhank looked at the pair like they had just sprouted three extra heads, which they may have well as. ''Do you skinbags do this kind of thing a lot?'' she asked, still confused but quickly moving on while shaking her head. But soon enough she sidled up to Andro-Vic, leaned over and said, ''you realize your gonna have to learn to piss standing up now?'' taking joy in the opportunity to bug the druidess.
When they came up to mister floaty prisoner and their minds were invaded she got startled and swore but settled down when she saw it was just a mind flayer. When the vanilla mist rose up from the floor, Jhank, who had been quiet up until then was in league with Onyx and Dev, ''ah come you two! I'm cannibalistic but I don't hear you complaining when I catch wererats for you.'' Thankfully she follows when Onyx leaves though, having no intention of leaving a fellow scaley on his own. ''If we're going back I wanna check out that rat statue again!'' she asserted as if it would delay the inevitable return.
15:19, Today: Jhank rolled 5 using 1d20-1 ((6)). wis save.

In reply to Jhank (msg # 31):

Andromeda glared at Jhank, and inhaled sharply. "Not to worry. I think I have an idea on how to fix our little case of body swap."

"In the meantime, no more discussion of this matter! We are all leaving! Now!" She begins to direct everyone away from the Mind Flayer, pushing them towards 'Travic' even as 'he' conducts the ritual. "We will need to rest, but I think after a ritual between the two of us we can set things right." She glances at the ring she now wore, and nodded.

You head back into the crystal cave but before heading further into the dark to return to the arcane chambers, decide this place would be good for a short rest.


SHORT REST.

One Round of Role Play (or until the scene seems resolved) and we will start a new chapter that is Arcane Chambers again (rather than going back to chapter 4 we will have a chapter 6)

Did you guys want to do anything with the petrified bodies or leave that alone?
If leave it alone, where do you want to go in arcane chambers?
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:20, Mon 14 Mar 2022.

Andromeda takes 'Travic's hand, and directs 'him' to sit across from 'her'. "As I said before, even if the ring is destroyed, it will always reform. I actually think the ring is the solution. I was frightened what it would do to you at first, but then realized the Power of the Doa Jinn comes from consent. Once given freely, it's almost impossible to deny the creature's terms of service.

This outside force, the statue, tried to interfere with that pact. I accepted the ring so the creature would not be imprisoned within. As a result I cannot escape, even in a new body. Because that body is the one I made the pact in, I can call upon that power to force the Doa to overcome the mind transfer."

'Andromeda' paused, and smiled up at Travic. She did wipe her eyes clear of tears. "You will be yourself again. I swear it." She begins to chant in foul soundings words. A language that actual stings one ears, as if high pitch, but noise was more like hissing whispers. She then removes the Ring, and places it in Travic's finger. It starts to heat up again, but she hold one to both his hands, refusing to let him take it off.

"It needs to happen." She says, gently rubbing both his hands, slightly soothing the pain of the ring. Even as the ring grew hot, 'Travic' began to sense 'his' perceptions twist and warp. Finally realizing 'his' hand was not actually burning, just his sense of touch was being fooled by the ring itself. An illusion for the senses.

"Close your eyes...and open them when I say..." 'she' said, risking one last hug before...something happened.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:41, Mon 14 Mar 2022.

"I don't see why not!  You all assisted me in gathering my own shiny crystals previously, so it's only fair.  They are indeed quite pretty, if glaringly bright to my--Travic's--sensitive eyes."  Returning to the very first corridor through which they'd entered, Andro-vic examined the glowing crystalline structures to judge their breakability, then if it seemed possible he attempted to chip some away with a knife.

Nature to determine if the crystal is breakable, then if so a Strength check to try to do so:

• 12:11, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 16 using 1d20+4.  Nature.
• 12:12, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 9 using 1d20-1.  Strength.

Jhank could always be relied upon to put matters into perspective and this particular revelation left Andro-vic gaping with a fierce blush on 'his' cheeks.  He whispered back, "I was trying not to think about that!  To be fair, that does sound rather convenient..."  He shuffled slightly in his stance, having been reminded of the presence of certain unfamiliar equipment.


Andro-vic was glad to hear that Trav-dromeda had a solution in mind to their current predicament, because he didn't.  He readily agreed to take her own hand and sit across from herself as she explained the theory about the nature of the Jinn's curse and how it might be leveraged to reverse the body-swap effect.  As she spoke he touched the celestial jewel and visualized the threads of cosmic fortune entwining them both, which had become strangely intermingled.  Perhaps with ritualistic focus the threads might be set aright once again.  Andro-vic answered, "I cannot claim to understand Jinn magic, but I believe you are onto something.  I may have my own means to ensure the restoration is successful."  He looked into her own teary-eyed face and smiled, squeezing both hands reassuringly and said, "No need to swear.  I know all will be well.  Let's see it done."  It was bizarre to share such an intimate moment with herself, but it felt nice in some unexpected ways.

Then, the ritual began.  Trav-dromeda began an incantation of strange and baneful words of power before returning the ring to his own finger.  Andro-vic winced as the ring grew painfully hot, but made no cry nor attempt to remove it.  He made an effort to focus on the threads of cosmic fortune and chanted quietly to himself in an attempt to realign them through sheer will.  He closed his eyes when directed, and welcomed the hug.  His perceptions skewed and shifted strangely beyond bodily sensation.  Travic squeezed Andromeda tighter as the sensations shifted and broke down the boundaries between them once again, and then...

Onyxclaw and anyone else interested in helping can roll a d4 for every 30 minutes you are willing to spend carving crystals out of the walls.

Devan spent his time helping Onyx gather crystals. He harvested five and gave them to him,"Got nothing better to do well those two get to work with their magic biz. Might as well help out."

06:29, Today: Devan Crier rolled 1 using 1d4.  Crystal collection.
06:30, Today: Devan Crier rolled 4 using 1d4.  Crystal Collection.

Once pulled out of the wall, the crystals lose their ability to magically glow, but they are still valuable. Perhaps 5gp each. Good work.


Meanwhile, these two Freaky Friday people experience a strange experience...er...I'd rather they explain it. It's kinda personal and I tend to go over the line when I explain body functions.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:48, Mon 14 Mar 2022.

In reply to Travic Televentor (msg # 35):

Travic blinked, half expecting for the lack of vision that came human eyes. Instead the detail and illumination that Eladrin eyes provided kicked in at once. He felt the warmth and pressure against his chest and around his arms, and looked down to see the top of Andromeda's head. She was still in his arms, breathing softly with her eyes closed.

"Andromeda...I think we did it. Your jewel made the transition much easier I think." He reached down and placed the celestial jewel back in its proper owner's hand. Even as he did so, he paused, seeing the ring on his finger. Back on his finger, to be precise. He felt a tiny bit of bitterness even with the joy of his success. That being said, he had never been truly free. The ring knew him wherever his mind went.

He touched her face, and slowly brought her eyes to his. It was odd...he knew this face now. More than anyone other than her perhaps. "I...I am glad it was you. I can trust you with my very being..." He was lost in her eyes, and he wanted to do something else, but he hesitated. Doubt creeping in as he saw the ring on the same hand which gently touched her face.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:30, Tue 15 Mar 2022.

Onyxclaw, while andromeda and Travic sorted out their personality problems, spent his time harvesting crystals

<OOC: Onyxclaw rolled 3 using 1d4.  Crystal collection.

Onyxclaw rolled 1 using 1d4.  Crystal collection.

4 crystals in total>

Andromeda shivered and gasped as her senses gradually coalesced from the strange out-of-body experience of the ritual.  She could feel the pleasant warmth of another body hugging her, but whose body was it.  The druidess's lavender-colored eyes fluttered open and she looked up to see Travic's face, quite close!  She smiled warmly as he placed the celestial jewel into her palm, and then answered, "It seems so!  We are ourselves again, and our fortunes realigned."

Even though she was glad to be returned to herself, the novel experience of inhabiting another body was hard to shake.  It was comforting to keep close contact with Travic right now to ease the transition, and she was in no rush to let go.  The touch on her cheek prompted Andromeda to look up into Travic's eyes with a soft smile growing on her face as he spoke.  She answered, "Likewise.  I realize now it never occurred to me to worry... I think I knew I would be safe in your care.  It was an interesting experience, to be sure."  Andromeda put her hand over his on her cheek as they held gazes, tracing the ring with a finger before squeezing the hand reassuringly.  His expression showed he was feeling the same discombobulation she felt, paired with an unprecedented familiarity.  Words failed her, so instead Andromeda did what felt right in this moment.  She leaned forward and kissed Travic gently on the lips!

Andromeda wasn't sure how long the kiss went before she remembered herself (and the others) and pulled away from Travic, blushing fiercely.  It was probably only a few seconds, but it seemed longer so she couldn't be sure!  She began to clamber to her feet while stammering, "Oh dear!  I hope you'll forgive my immodesty.  Are you okay, Travic?  It has been a very strange few minutes, I'm sure you understand!"  The druidess smoothed her dress and fumbled to gather her things.  "Perhaps we'd best carry on, yes?  Oh look, here's a passage we haven't explored yet!  Let's GO!"

---

I have some damage on my dndbeyond sheet that I don't recall the source of, but I'll spend 2 HD to heal most of it:

• 16:57, Today: Andromeda rolled 7 using 1d8+2.  HD 2.
• 16:57, Today: Andromeda rolled 4 using 1d8+2.  HD 1.

After the short rest, off to 26a!

In reply to Andromeda (msg # 41):

Travic enjoys the kiss, his brain no longer thinking and he just reacts to Andromeda in his arms. He seems to only hear his heartbeat in his ears and feel his blood rushing with warmth. Then suddenly she is making excuses and darting away.

He stares at her, trying to regain the power of speech. Once he does, his words somewhat stumble. "Ummm...yes...ah...of course. We...we should...ah...check...for ah...possible side effects! Yes, that's it! Once we get back to safety we should uh...examine each other's...ah...auras! Yes, that is what I meant! An aura check! For...ah...possible...alterations!"

Normally Travic is much better at lying. He does manage to stand and follow Andromeda, not quite able to remove the large grin from his face as he does so.

Ooc-22:45, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 8 using 1d8+1. Healing from short rest.

Devan whistles after the two lovebirds finish with their intimate moment with each other. Then pats Travic on the back as he stumbles his words,"Way to go Travic, you smooth fellow you. You'll definitely woo her if you keep nervously making forward moves like that." he says sarcastically,"Checking auras and alterations, really that was the best your mind could conjure up." he says in jest.

Onyxclaw, unfamiliar with humanoid customs, watched the interaction with a detached curiosity. He suspected this was some mating ritual, but then they pulled apart and spoke of 'aura'

The kobold looked at Jhank with clear confusion. "Was romda.....no, that Travic. Was Travic trying take body back through mouth?"

To chapter 6

In reply to Onyxclaw (msg # 44):

Jhank joined Devan and gave a sharp wolf whistle at the pair, chuckling at Travic's grin. When Onyx asked Jhank what was going on she switched to Draconic. ''Nah, I don't think so. They already switched when Travic possessed Andro started saying that weird hissy hooey,'' she threw her arm around the air for emphasis, ''I think that's when it happened anyway. I wasn't totally paying attention,'' Jhank shrugged, alluding to her catnap during the romantic body hopping. ''They were just sucking face cause they got the hots for each other, '' the lizard woman snickered, ''I know it's weird but it's actually sorta fun if you can get your mouth working, '' she pushed a claw under her upper lip, ''still can't beat a big 'ol lick though.''

Onyxclaw looks at Jhank. "Hots? Is them on fire?"

Jhank laughed, ''well you could say it that way. But it's more they're working up to fucking each other sooner or later,'' she explained in her oh so unfiltered way, making what some might call a rude gesture with her hands to make sure Onyx understood.

Onyx looked at Jhank, confused, until she made the gestures and then it dawned on him. "They want be paired....mated?"

''That's what it looks like to me,'' Jhank shrugged, ''before we know it there'll be starry-eyed hatchlings trying to pull our tails,'' she grinned but subconsciously held her tail off the ground.