After a few hours the odd-looking wagon stops in front of the forest. A second wagon, containing friends of Dr. Smalls, stops to the side of it. They will be keeping track of the wagon for the actual questors while the intrepid team sets off. Tratorius helps this wagon watching group set up the altar, this time sacrificing several pigs and a cow to make a more fortified camp of stone with a perpetual fog obscuring what defenses it has. The meat will not go to waste. It is highly recommended the group stand outside the camp perimeter before the summoning occurs.
In any case, the group is now a mere bridge crossing away from the forest proper.
Dr. Smalls - It truly is. Well, let's get going. Shan't take more than another hour to reach the entrance if we keep up a strong pace.
Dr. Smalls traverses the bridge and begins the trek through the woods with Mr. Plum and Misty close behind him. Tratorius appears to be positioning himself as the rear guard.
Epic World! Because seriously! It's the awesome!
And don't forget to do your shopping at The Newe Haberdashery, the finest vendor of magic items and oddball services ... Ever!
Using her keen peacekeeper senses and the knowledge that she could work with Golan in a fight, the woman dropped back near Tratorius as well, casually asking the man a question.
"So, how did a handsome guy like yourself end up running around with a lot like this?"
As she awaited his response, the woman gazed into his eyes in the most flirtatious manner she could while secretly trying to gaze into his soul.
Between the hood, scarf, gloves, cloak, and various other garments covering his body Tratorius is somewhat suspicious of the sudden attraction. Although.. maybe she likes mysterious men? Tratorius maintains the Jakari woman's gaze as he tries to determ... woah.
Allona's vision:
As Allona's sight digs into the man she feels herself in a sea of bitterness, the harsh waves broken only by brief flashes of crimson joy. Occasionally a pragmatic light burns the sea, leaving only a hateful steam.. Allona falls through the steam, only to be swept up again by floodwaters as the steam condenses into a violent monsoon. Bits and pieces of foreign vessels flow past her before being hungrily crushed by the storm. The winds suddenly change - Allona feels like the storm has noticed her. The sky itself flings her into the stars as the sea below frantically guards itself with clouds.
There is no air among the stars. The clouds below smooth themselves out with relief as Allona suffocates.
She returns to reality to see Tratorius' eyes grinning at her. Eyes that quickly return to perturbed suspicion as the man silently brushes past her to rejoin the moving group. He draws a murky bow from some hidden void item within his cloak as he does so.
Those in the front of the group can hear a faint singing in the distance.
Hearing his friend poke fun at his concern, Laghairt begins to speak his mind in a plain, quite voice.
Laghairt - I'm not worried about having a confrontation with whoever it is that's singing. I'm worried that they may decide to secretly follow us to our destination and therefore interfere with us during our attempt to make it to a copy of the "Encyclopedia: Nigh Omniscience Edition." I'd rather not face my end because of a trap being triggered or a trial being failed due to a force that none of us are prepared for.
"If you guys don't mind waiting, I can slip over there and check it out without being seen." He says as he slips into a shadow with swathe and begins moving silently towards the singing.
Seeing the Jakari head off toward the singing voice, Laghairt imparts some information that he had picked up from Gigan's earlier reaction.
Laghairt - Judging from how Gigan didn't seem overly concerned when we first heard the singing, I would say that the voice over there belongs to someone who isn't of great height. Good luck Kage.
Kage easily sneaks within view of the singer, a dancing Greel in a trench coat adorned with various bath toys (particularly ducky toys). A netted bathing cap adorns his head as he continues his song about cookies, and why they should be for him.
Kage goes back to the group and says, "It's a Greel in a trench coat adorned with various bath toys particularly ducky toys. A bathing cap on his head as he continues his song about cookies, and why they should be for him. Either psychotic or.....no just psychotic. Orders?
Dr. Smalls - Odd. I certainly would remember an eccentric character like that. Yet I'm certain I've heard this voice before.. perhaps he is a bard? A music box.. but where.. Dr. Smalls scratches his chin as he deeply ponders the situation.
Misty - He does have a nice voice!
Mr. Plum - I really do think we should use softer voices.
Misty - Oops. Sorry.
Dr. Smalls -... ahah! The tent meet four months ago, remember?
Mr. Plum - The one with the other explorers? But why would he be here? Could it be he is also after the book?
Dr. Smalls -Perhaps. I would guess he is not here alone regardless.
"If they are after the same thing, we could always plant some fake clues along the way" Laz said with a grin "At least it will slow them down... We may need your skill set again Kage my friend"
Olus frowned disapprovingly (The first time any of them had seen him not smiling) "Why must there be an issue? Could we not join with them and work together? What is the maximum amount that can be in a group?"
"While we are on this journey, my skills are free to use for the benefit of the group's goal." He said quietly. He then continued softly to the Ogofta in a very level, casual tone, "The issue would be that if he is here with a group of at least as many as we have, there will be too many to get inside. That would mean some people would have to forgo the trip and not get their magical question. That would lead to anger and hurt, which in turn leads to revenge and sabotage. So, it just easier to either avoid his group altogether, kill his whole group before they become a problem, or start racing his group which might make one of us or them slip up and activate some trap that will kill us all..."
Olus contemplates his words a moment before he responds. "Are you certain the number is too large?" He looks questioningly at Dr.Smalls. "If that is indeed the case, then we should probably take a measure of the other group anyway. We want to know who we are up against. Although I'll take no part in the outright murder of a group of people simply because they want the same thing we do." His words had a final tone but his easy demeanor had returned as had his smile.
"I'll be right back, going to make sure he doesn't slip away while we decide." He slipped back to the Greel and placed a shaded eye hidden in the forest with a view of the Greel. He then returns to the group and monitors the Greel. His left eye is gone, replaced by a swirling mass of shadows.
Dr. Smalls - The maximum number is 11. Since there are ten of us, we could accept at most one other. However, I have no desire to instigate violence that can be avoided.
Mr. Plum - So our options are A) Talk to the Greel, B) Try to scout out the other group's camp before making any other decisions, or C) Attempt to sneak past the group and enter the dungeon without a fuss.
Dr. Smalls - That seems about right. Barring horrible luck we could simply rest in the dungeon proper before or after the first trial. Shall we put it up to a vote?
In any case, the group is now a mere bridge crossing away from the forest proper.
Nervada - 98% fat free, high in fiber.
Eizen - Collected
Yack - Walking
Miko Wydberg
Tanya
Go ahead and run, you'll only die tired.
Those who might never meet are pooled together
Dr. Smalls traverses the bridge and begins the trek through the woods with Mr. Plum and Misty close behind him. Tratorius appears to be positioning himself as the rear guard.
Nervada - 98% fat free, high in fiber.
Eizen - Collected
Yack - Walking
Miko Wydberg
Tanya
Colt Wyrmbane
Olivar'Romov
Detective Taskmage
Darby, Esteemed Adventurer
Mike, the Situation
Herschell Ratliff, Merchant of Finery
Yaagh, the Pummeler
And don't forget to do your shopping at The Newe Haberdashery, the finest vendor of magic items and oddball services ... Ever!
"So, how did a handsome guy like yourself end up running around with a lot like this?"
As she awaited his response, the woman gazed into his eyes in the most flirtatious manner she could while secretly trying to gaze into his soul.
Jack
Allona
Stoz
Acelin's Characters (since her sig won't work).
Allona's vision:
There is no air among the stars. The clouds below smooth themselves out with relief as Allona suffocates.
Those in the front of the group can hear a faint singing in the distance.
Nervada - 98% fat free, high in fiber.
Eizen - Collected
Yack - Walking
Miko Wydberg
Tanya
'i wonder what the price will be...' Laz thought to himself
Vi - Apollo - Armory - Sokai - Kylar - Gerr - CT -Dmitri
Amaya - Lilith - Lazarus - Yoko the Fox - Eli
Assume Nothing."
Laghairt - Dr. Smalls, are we expecting anymore of you acquaintances up ahead?
Gigan moves around on Laghairt's shoulders and looks toward the source of the sound.
Come on and check it out. You know you want to.
Dr.Smalls - I am not.. although I could swear I've heard that singing before..
Mr. Plum - Perhaps caution is advised?
Gigan notes that whoever is doing the singing must not be very tall.
Nervada - 98% fat free, high in fiber.
Eizen - Collected
Yack - Walking
Miko Wydberg
Tanya
Go ahead and run, you'll only die tired.
Those who might never meet are pooled together
Laghairt - I'm not worried about having a confrontation with whoever it is that's singing. I'm worried that they may decide to secretly follow us to our destination and therefore interfere with us during our attempt to make it to a copy of the "Encyclopedia: Nigh Omniscience Edition." I'd rather not face my end because of a trap being triggered or a trial being failed due to a force that none of us are prepared for.
Come on and check it out. You know you want to.
Go ahead and run, you'll only die tired.
Those who might never meet are pooled together
Acelin's Characters (since her sig won't work).
Laghairt - Judging from how Gigan didn't seem overly concerned when we first heard the singing, I would say that the voice over there belongs to someone who isn't of great height. Good luck Kage.
Come on and check it out. You know you want to.
Nervada - 98% fat free, high in fiber.
Eizen - Collected
Yack - Walking
Miko Wydberg
Tanya
Acelin's Characters (since her sig won't work).
Misty - He does have a nice voice!
Mr. Plum - I really do think we should use softer voices.
Misty - Oops. Sorry.
Dr. Smalls -... ahah! The tent meet four months ago, remember?
Mr. Plum - The one with the other explorers? But why would he be here? Could it be he is also after the book?
Dr. Smalls -Perhaps. I would guess he is not here alone regardless.
Nervada - 98% fat free, high in fiber.
Eizen - Collected
Yack - Walking
Miko Wydberg
Tanya
Hearing the potentially bad news, the Ogofta stopped keeping time with his 10' Collapsible Pole.
Come on and check it out. You know you want to.
Vi - Apollo - Armory - Sokai - Kylar - Gerr - CT -Dmitri
Amaya - Lilith - Lazarus - Yoko the Fox - Eli
Assume Nothing."
Go ahead and run, you'll only die tired.
Those who might never meet are pooled together
Acelin's Characters (since her sig won't work).
Go ahead and run, you'll only die tired.
Those who might never meet are pooled together
Acelin's Characters (since her sig won't work).
Mr. Plum - So our options are A) Talk to the Greel, B) Try to scout out the other group's camp before making any other decisions, or C) Attempt to sneak past the group and enter the dungeon without a fuss.
Dr. Smalls - That seems about right. Barring horrible luck we could simply rest in the dungeon proper before or after the first trial. Shall we put it up to a vote?
The Greel is still dancing and singing.
Nervada - 98% fat free, high in fiber.
Eizen - Collected
Yack - Walking
Miko Wydberg
Tanya