Dave W.
Adamant (Warforged) 
Adamant
Posts: 4,643
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Post by Dave W. on Sept 11, 2015 0:18:18 GMT -4
The smile seems a little dimmer than usual, but it is still Shorak's smile. "Might I partake of one of the other healing potions? I seemed to have taken a bit of a beating during the fight." Adamant says handing his healing potioni to the dark elf. i'm sorry I was too slow to be of much help." |
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Brian
Melethos (tiefling)
Melethos
Posts: 5,085
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Post by Brian on Sept 11, 2015 6:47:11 GMT -4
Condign moves to support Kal, gripping his friend by the arm. "Come, let us leave this place." His eyes cut to Histra. "Do not forget your relative. Branash will not be pleased to see us return. I suspect we are not finished with his machinations."
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Ken
Belarin Malizia
Belarin
Posts: 5,691
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Post by Ken on Sept 11, 2015 10:11:16 GMT -4
“My appearance disturbs you, Adamant?” says the seemingly undead Belarin. “You’d rather than I again be the squishy, reckless, ridiculous man whose actions released the nycaloth and nearly killed Histra? The man whom Syrdan followed to his doom? The man whom you nearly died saving?” His voice gets higher with each question, and the green flames in his eye sockets turn red. He stares at the warforged for long moments, and then says more calmly, “For the first time in years, the voices in my head … are gone. Not silent. Gone. It’s peaceful. Superior. No, I believe I’ll ‘remain undead’ for a while longer, to ensure we have no further problems in this realm – and to plot a suitable punishment for Branash.
“Histra. Lead the way.”
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Jeff
Administrator
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Post by Jeff on Sept 11, 2015 11:39:17 GMT -4
Streko reaches back into his haversack and removes the tiny child spirit. "I am glad to have honored your mother's request little one. I pray for your safety here and now." He places the bundle at his feet and sends a prayer to Olladra asking for the spirit's safety, He then turns to follow his friends. "Agreed, my friend, Belarin. We must move quickly to leave this place once and for all. But, we still have an oath to fulfill, one I hope we can still find a way to do so." He looks at Kal, briefly, and nods, then steps over to Tangat. "Beautiful soul, you have been missed." He hugs the dog gently at first, then with greater affection, attempting, in vain, to keep the tears at bay. When Streko places the bundle on the ground, the wriggling infant within it seems to unfold and grow... He glimpses the dark skin of a drow but it quickly transcends even that, and within the span of a few seconds there is a vaporous gray form standing before Streko. It's only vaguely feminine in shape and resembles an adult more than a child now. Certainly it is taller than Streko. There isn't enough substance for him to discern any facial features but somehow Streko can feel the smile within her. There is no warmth, but the cold and simple joy of release. The only heat he feels radiates from the Mark of Healing upon him.
Dolurrh, he's always been told, is a place where the spirits of the dead eventually forget all knowledge of their living selves. This child seemed to have barely lived at all, and he can't help but wonder if its memory in death will hold. He'd like to think so. Instantly he thinks of Varna, his sister.
"You're too emotional, Streko," she once told him when he was still rather young. "The world won't appreciate it, and it won't keep you safe. You need to grow up." It was a scolding after some incident he can't even remember. But then she smiled. "Just a little bit. You don't have to grow up all the way." Then she tousled his hair and walked off to do old sister things.When the memory moves on, he realizes that the spirit before him has drifted away. It roils along the ground like an evening fog and is soon impossible to see against the foliage and the gray reeds. But he knows that she is free now to go where spirits go. And he's not quite clear on that. But he thinks Olladra is pleased. |
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Sept 11, 2015 11:45:50 GMT -4
Histra observes the spirit’s departure as well without comment or expression. She turns to Belarin and nods, then proceeds to lead the way up the slow. Both of her skeleton guards have been destroyed.
The two zombies on the shore display no fear, but they back away and move into the shallow water at Belarin’s command.
Only a minute of walking up the hill, Histra stops. She coughs and suddenly bends over, reaches out, and grasps at the ground for balance. Her coughing degenerates into a fit, and then you watch as she retches quickly, spewing the foul substance that she imbibed earlier. She holds up one palm toward Belarin or anyone who would approach: this will pass.
When she has purged herself, she sits and clutches at her head, eyes watered with pain. But even as you look on, her emaciated body softens again and she breathes deeply, slowly, and soon some of her curves return to her body and the hollow look to her eyes fades. She is still a little gaunt, but only normally so. But she does look deathly tired, as though she hasn’t slept in a week.
Histra rises to her feet, her torso still largely unclad, and you can see that the eldritch tattoos have gone. She fishes out her robes again to cover up again.
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Sept 11, 2015 12:20:08 GMT -4
Joe, does Streko have anything to cure the Poison effect on Kal?
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Dave W.
Adamant (Warforged)
Adamant
Posts: 4,643
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Post by Dave W. on Sept 11, 2015 18:54:22 GMT -4
“My appearance disturbs you, Adamant?” says the seemingly undead Belarin. “You’d rather than I again be the squishy, reckless, ridiculous man whose actions released the nycaloth and nearly killed Histra? The man whom Syrdan followed to his doom? The man whom you nearly died saving?” His voice gets higher with each question, and the green flames in his eye sockets turn red. He stares at the warforged for long moments, and then says more calmly, “For the first time in years, the voices in my head … are gone. Not silent. Gone. It’s peaceful. Superior. No, I believe I’ll ‘remain undead’ for a while longer, to ensure we have no further problems in this realm – and to plot a suitable punishment for Branash.
“Histra. Lead the way.” " One moment." Adamant says. He stands every bit of his six-and-a-half feet and calmly and with clear restraint walks up to stand directly in front of lich-Belarin. The warforged looks down, blue eye-gems meeting green eye-flames. His broken voice is nevertheless filled with quiet force. " I will be clear. This transformation does cause me concern. But not for any fear of you; but for fear for the Belarin underneath."
"I see the power of this form and for now will accept it. But yes, I would much rather have the ridiculous man back. I would gladly die to save him again; as many times as it takes."
"That is something to remember."
Adamant turns his back on lich-Belarin and walks back to find his place in line.
Sorry, needed to back that up just for moment.
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Post by Dave B. on Sept 11, 2015 19:59:30 GMT -4
Shorak accepts the potion from Adamant. "Thank you, my friend. I will hold on to it for now. No point in using it, just yet." Shorak slips the vial within the folds of his cloak and waits to follow behind, as is his wont.
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Sept 11, 2015 23:15:28 GMT -4
Kal gratefully accepts Condign's arm and, leaning heavily on his Halfling weapon, struggles along behind Histra.
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Joe
Streko Tavven (halfling)
Streko
Posts: 3,518
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Post by Joe on Sept 11, 2015 23:47:53 GMT -4
Joe, does Streko have anything to cure the Poison effect on Kal? Afraid not. A bottle of anti-toxin, but that's a pre-poisonous liquor. :-) |
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Ken
Belarin Malizia
Belarin
Posts: 5,691
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Post by Ken on Sept 12, 2015 1:30:43 GMT -4
After Adamant's comments, Belarin stands silently, staring for several moments at where the warforged had stood, and then he follows Histra -- or, more precisely, walks alongside her.
When she retches, he takes one step forward but Histra's outstretched hand gives him pause. Once she resumes walking, he again walks next to her, though he doesn't look at or attempt to touch her. Finally, he says in his eerie voice, "You...have endured much. And you have persevered. More than that, your foresight may have saved the lives of everyone here. You... are special."
To Histra and anyone else in earshot, the final words seem strangled -- raspier than even the lich-warlock's "normal" voice. Almost as though Belarin struggled mightily to speak them.
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Sept 12, 2015 12:46:37 GMT -4
Histra offers Belarin a weak smile, as if she understands, but her smile fades as she looks long at his face. Then she turns her back to him and resumes the march up the hill. As the group nears the top, you begin to see bare cliffs rising up on the horizon and a dark mass behind it that must be the jungles of Xen'drik...though this is clearly not Xen'drik but Xen'drik's shadow. Shorak wonders if the Traveler's Curse would exist here in the Shadowfell.Just then there comes another soft rumble of thunder above. Histra shakes her head again. "It must be fierce indeed in Stormreach." |
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Brian
Melethos (tiefling)
Melethos
Posts: 5,085
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Post by Brian on Sept 14, 2015 5:27:36 GMT -4
Condign also hears the thunder and looks up at the sky. "How difficult will it be to find a portal?" he asks Histra. "And will there be any special preparations to pass through?"
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Dave W.
Adamant (Warforged)
Adamant
Posts: 4,643
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Post by Dave W. on Sept 14, 2015 10:15:47 GMT -4
"Or is there a way to come out near the House Jorasco hospitals?" Adamant suggests. Looking to Histra he asks, "Will you be able to predict where we are in the other world?"
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Sept 14, 2015 11:57:20 GMT -4
Histra turns a haunted, exasperated glare on Condign for yet more questions from him—questions, he suspect, she cannot know all answers to. “This was never my plan to come to this plane at all. We are improvising, tiefling. And no, do not remove that necklace yet.” She looks at Adamant and doesn’t even bother with his question. At last the party crests the sloping hill, and you all find yourselves looking down upon the rest of Stormreach as it exists within this world. It looks like a pitted canyon, and many of the built-up constructions in Eberron here simply look like solid stone sculptures roughly shaped by wind and weather. They rise up like huge, broken stalagmites, but here and there you see holes and grooves in the stone with dim lights, almost like windows. There are wide sections of the “city” that, in Stormreach, would be whole neighborhoods but here are just empty stone plains. All in all, the city is not city at all but an irregular mass of dark, cracked stone punctured by pits, fissures, and slender rivers. As you look upon the strange domain, Histra turns to Belarin. She speaks directly to him, but it seems she is addressing all of you. “You now face a choice, and I will not make it for you.” She points towards the harbor. “There is likely to be a portal somewhere there, but it will lie beneath the waves. I think it would be easy to locate but difficult to access.” She looks to the west, toward the majority of the “city” and the dark jungles that lie beyond. “The regions approximating Oldgate, Marketplace, and Forgelight will almost certainly contain a few portals. Finding one could prove time-consuming, but possible.” Then she points to the southwest. “One portal I know exists, and would be both easy to find and enter, is near the Temple of Vol in the district of Southwatch, for part of the temple itself is affixed to both planes. Yet it would also be the most guarded by undead sympathetic to our enemies. The Emerald Claw, and possibly Major Krez, could very well be active there. Only stealth would see us through to it.”
When you next post, please also include a Perception check!Of course, there is no actual Stormreach map that you’re looking at right now, but I include this black and white version to remind you of the general layout of the city and the regions Histra is referring to. |
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Brian
Melethos (tiefling)
Melethos
Posts: 5,085
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Post by Brian on Sept 14, 2015 12:21:02 GMT -4
At the mention of Krez and the Emerald Claw, Condign's expression hardens. He would like to get his hands on the vampire and his merry band of assassins, and if everyone were properly healed and rested, he might even advocate gaining that portal. But their wounds were too many, their resources too few. The risks were too great. Troubled by his thoughts, he peers out over the grim visage of Stormreach as he ponders the other choices. ______________________________________ Perception Check: (1d20+1=20) |
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Ken
Belarin Malizia
Belarin
Posts: 5,691
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Post by Ken on Sept 14, 2015 17:01:59 GMT -4
Belarin listens to Histra’s description of their options, the glowing green embers in his eyes betraying nothing of his thoughts. Finally, he says, ”There is little choice. While I would relish the opportunity to deal out pain to the Emerald Claw, most of you can barely stand. Risk facing off against armed and martially trained undead? I think not.” He makes a noise that might have been a chuckle if he were still human. Now, it sounds like the scrape of a heel against cobblestones. ”Forgelight,” he continues. ”Adamant may even find some tools in its shadow to aid in his… repairs. Let us go. Linger here for long and the nycaloth will find objects much worse than zombies to drop on us.”______________________________ Rolling Perception: 1d20 > 20! Lich Vision FTW! |
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Sept 14, 2015 19:44:16 GMT -4
Kal holds up a hand to Condign and sits down briefly on a nearby rock. He is pale and out of breath. Sweat drips from the tip of his nose and creates tiny pools on the ground. "Just a moment," he says, trying to draw in air in labored gasps. He places a hand on his knee and looks out over 'Stormreach', hoping beyond hope to see some glimmer of the beacon or signal that he thought would indicate the sphinx's location. "Poor Argushem," he says quietly. "I tried to keep my word to you." With a grunt, Kal pulls himself to his feet, once again reaching out to Condign for support. "I agree with Belarin. Forgelight seems like our best option." ____________________ Perception Check (1d20+3=18) |
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Post by Dave B. on Sept 14, 2015 21:02:41 GMT -4
"At this point, Southwatch would definitely be potential suicide. I don't think most of us would fair well returning to Stormreach under water. Especially if there is currently a storm going on there." Shorak looks at Belarin when he decides for everyone to head for Forgelight. "Can't be any worse then the other options." He says and follows behind the group. Perception check (1d20+4=24) |
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Joe
Streko Tavven (halfling)
Streko
Posts: 3,518
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Post by Joe on Sept 14, 2015 21:36:16 GMT -4
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Jeff
Administrator
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Post by Jeff on Sept 15, 2015 10:12:35 GMT -4
Even as Shorak finishes his words, all of you take notice of something. Though the dark, city-shaped broken land around you has a few sparse lights riddling the gloom—some look like windows, one distant, if flashy display even looks like a faraway spell battle—but there is one that was hard to notice, and now that you do, it’s hard to not wonder:
Rising from somewhere near harbor is a solid beam of white light rising up. Whether it’s coming from the shoreline, an island, or the water itself you can’t tell from here. It shines thin but strong as high as an Aundairian spire, seeming to fade out several hundred feet in the air. And it’s steady, not flickering.
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Sept 15, 2015 10:28:01 GMT -4
Kal smiles. "That's it," he says wearily. "That has to be where the sphinx is." He looks at the others. "Can we get close enough to find out where it's coming from?" To Histra he says, "Dare we risk it?"
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Brian
Melethos (tiefling)
Melethos
Posts: 5,085
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Post by Brian on Sept 15, 2015 10:44:01 GMT -4
"That is where the sphinx might be," Condign corrects, holding onto Kal. "We are not certain what the light is yet, though it certainly merits investigation. My concern is your health, Kal. Before we risk finding the source of the light, something needs to be done for your poisoning." The tiefling looks to Adamant and Streko. "Can either of you help? I know we have rested and regained some of our strength, but I do not comprehend all that you can do."
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Jeff
Administrator
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Post by Jeff on Sept 15, 2015 11:53:08 GMT -4
Kal smiles. "That's it," he says wearily. "That has to be where the sphinx is." He looks at the others. "Can we get close enough to find out where it's coming from?" To Histra he says, "Dare we risk it?" "I have already given you my assessment and my opinion of this quest of yours," Histra answers Kal without even looking at him. "Several times." Getting close enough to look upon the bay directly does mean going down and through the "streets" of Shadow-Stormreach.
Just as a reminder, the basic choice is: Do you risk the effects of spending many more hours within Dolurrh, but get the benefit of a long rest and get all your spells back—which includes Streko's and Adamant's abilities to purge disease and poison. Or do you not risk more time and persist with your current conditions? Both involve uncertainty: Resting means you must try and resist the effects of the plane itself. Not resting mean dealing with the challenges of the plane's residents while somewhat crippled. Nope, it shouldn't be an easy choice.
As for where to go/investigate next, I've got no comment. I am impartial to the max.  |
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Dave W.
Adamant (Warforged)
Adamant
Posts: 4,643
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Post by Dave W. on Sept 15, 2015 12:04:31 GMT -4
"I will need to be idle for some hours to be able to be helpful." Adamant says raspily.
"Forgelight, or this light. I'm not particular. I will follow the lead of my betters."
Sorry guys, been out of things for a bit... sick. picked up a MRSA infection...
I think it's still 8 hours to get the spells back even though it's only 4 for a warforged sized rest...
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Ken
Belarin Malizia
Belarin
Posts: 5,691
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Post by Ken on Sept 15, 2015 13:23:10 GMT -4
Belarin looks at the group, seemingly assessing them.”Kalarian, Condign, Adamant,” he pronounces, ”You are all marked by this place. Another battle will rip the life right out of one of you – at least.” He fixes his glowing green eyes on the light that may signal the location of Argushem’s mate. ”A journey like this should not be a wasted one. We venture into Forgelight, find a defensible location, and rest. Those who are not about to die can reconnoiter if they like, to find the portal. And then we determine the sphinx’s location, achieve our hard-won goal … and bring ourselves one step closer to the Eye.”
He takes a step toward the group. ”The forces of this plane will not conquer me. You will not allow them to conquer you.”
From Belarin’s appearance and posture, you’re not certain whether his words are meant to be an inspiration or a commandment.
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Brian
Melethos (tiefling)
Melethos
Posts: 5,085
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Post by Brian on Sept 15, 2015 14:12:18 GMT -4
Belarin looks at the group, seemingly assessing them. ”Kalarian, Condign, Adamant,” he pronounces, ”You are all marked by this place. Another battle will rip the life right out of one of you – at least.” He fixes his glowing green eyes on the light that may signal the location of Argushem’s mate. ”A journey like this should not be a wasted one. We venture into Forgelight, find a defensible location, and rest. Those who are not about to die can reconnoiter if they like, to find the portal. And then we determine the sphinx’s location, achieve our hard-won goal … and bring ourselves one step closer to the Eye.” He takes a step toward the group. ”The forces of this plane will not conquer me. You will not allow them to conquer you.”From Belarin’s appearance and posture, you’re not certain whether his words are meant to be an inspiration or a commandment. _____________________________________________________________ Sighing, Condign leans in close to Kalarian. "The new Belarin is just as grumpy as the old one," he whispers into the sorcerer's ear. |
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Joe
Streko Tavven (halfling)
Streko
Posts: 3,518
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Post by Joe on Sept 15, 2015 18:21:19 GMT -4
"Belarin, all of you, there will be NO rest in this place. We are hunted by the demon monster, we are stricken by various plagues, poisons, disease and darkness, we have used most, if not all, our abilities and have failed in achieving our goals. I have no more healing in me without a full night's rest and numerous prayers to Olladra. I can easily heal all of you. With rest and preparation. That will not happen in this place and soon, I fear, we will forget why we even came here. Kalarian, my dear friend, can we risk remaining here. Do we risk your life, Tangat's, Shorak's, Adamant's? We have generally marked the location of the light. I suggest we consider attacking this problem and looking for our solution, in OUR domain, if you understand my meaning. But, as a healer, I must insist we take the quickest route out of this place, regroup, and consider the next option to rescue the sphinx. Please, Kal. I've released one spirit today. I have no desire to release any more. Take us home. We shall live to fight another time...on OUR terms." He glances over at Belarin and closes his eyes briefly. "Not the terms dictated by this realm and its denizens." ______________________________________________________________________ CRAPPY Persuasion roll: 1d20+5=8. Heavy sigh... |
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Dave W.
Adamant (Warforged)
Adamant
Posts: 4,643
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Post by Dave W. on Sept 15, 2015 18:25:36 GMT -4
"If we decide to rest or investigate the light either sits fine with me." Adamant starts.
"I do not wish to appear argumentative, but if we abandon the Sphinx and simply aim to return, why Forgelight? Wouldn't the healing houses in Respite but what the group needs most? I'm sure I'm missing something."
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Post by Dave B. on Sept 15, 2015 21:21:45 GMT -4
Shorak looks around at all of his new friends. "I vote for what will best suit our survival. If that means forgetting about the Sphinx's mate, then so be it." He sighs, "I don't see how we could rest in this place. The atmosphere alone is not conducive to a proper rest. Not to mention that any attempt to rest, might leave us at the mercy of the Nycaloth."
Shorak steps up to Belarin. "And you! Take off those stupid bracers before you get stuck like that. You are playing with magics that I don't believe even you understand completely." He holds up his hand to forestall any dismissal from the Lich-Belarin. "If you feel that it is necessary to stay in that form, at least prove to us that you can remove them and return to the Belarin we all know and trust. Then, by all means, put them back on."
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