Graf
Explorer
Eldan has entered from one path as Quinn and Verulo appear in another.
Heian and Neeloo are in the middle, recovering from their respective ordeals.
[sblock=OOC -- Other Players?]If we get other players they will also be here, having been drawn by the same urges or forces that pulled the current PCs.[/sblock]
And there is a great creature here, bank of green mist shrouds it's bestial form but you can make out great clawed hands and feet and a mouth of fangs.
You each feel your hearts tugging frantically, a connection to each other that is subtle but strong.
[sblock=OOC "heart tugging"]Though it's not clear to most of your characters yet this heart tugging is a sort of reaction you have when you're near or in the presence of other heroic souls.
Even Kheelan, who was a heroic soul but is something else now, still has a residual connection to you.[/sblock]
A moment later the bank of mist disappears, and there is the sound of a brief scuffle; a fight you can hear but you can't see.
Then the creature, Kheelan, returns.
We'll you've gotten his attention now. Stand together. Here next to me. And not a sound from any of you if you value your skins.
[sblock=OOC]This is hideously railroady and I apologize. But after some feedback about the last version of this game being a bit too unfocused/hard to play I'm "pushing" the game forward.
So, by DM fiat, you do what Kheelan says and stand near him and don't make a sound.[/sblock]
You stand near the fey beast, and are engulfed by the great green cloud that surrounds him. The mist blocks your vision somewhat, but not nearly so much as you would expect.
A moment later a great voice booms out KHEELAN, I REQUEST AN AUDIENCE.
Of course, Kheelan has adopted a bored tone of voice.
There is a tremendous aggregation of shadows, which is quite impressive, filling your field of vision completely.
When the shadows disperse what remains behind is... less impressive. A short creature, in a black robe stands before you. It's perhaps three feet tall and holds a comically large staff in one hand. It's features and form are shadowed and difficult to make out, but you can see a pair of glowing red eyes with black diamonds in the depths of it's hood and the outline of goat-like legs sticking out from under it's robe.
[sblock=Eldan]
Redclaw has doubtlessly already figured this out but
This is the Geeche, who you saw strike down Karothen last night, and who wiped your memory of the incident until the statue restored it.[/sblock]
A rare personal visit. I'm honored.
You... DESTROYED one of my creatures. The little robed figure's voice is high, and a bit whiny.
Two. The fey rumbles.
What? The little figure seems taken aback.
I destroyed two of your creatures, my dear Geeche.
But why?
Kheelan sighs audibly, Because, as I explained last time, I am a lord of the fey now, and however small my domain may be I am not one to allow creatures to just rove about.
The Geeche seems to be starting carefully about and paying little attention to Kheelan. He gestures and in response a bunch of shadow creatures appear. Sliding from the errie shadows cast by nearby plants or even from beneath the little figure's robes. Some are worm-shaped, some are like cats with a dozen legs, some are stranger shapes, orbs with five symmetrical legs, or or clusters of floating ellipses. They all share one trait, one or more red eyes with black diamond pupils.
The same eyes as their master.
The creatures begin to peer animatedly about.
Kheelan lets out an exaggerated sigh and picks up one of the creatures, a sort of centipede with red eyes on both ends, making as though he is about to stuff it into his mouth.
Wait! WAIT! What are you doing? The Geeche howls.
The fey bends down, bringing his head to the level of the little shadow mage. What. Did. I. Just. Say?
The Geeche struggles for a moment. You're a fey lord now and uninvited creatures are your prey. But what does that have to do with...
Kheelan holds the squirming little shadow centipede in front of the Geeche's face. Did I give you permission to bring your little squirming minions in?
No... but... I have ENEMIES! The Geeche squeaks. Enemies everywhere. They seek me constantly. The little figure looks about as though it literally expects these enemies to be lurking under nearby toadstools. It makes an involuntary gesture and another dozen or so little shadow creatures crawl out from it's robes.
Please... the Geeche's tone alternates between pleading and wheedling. I will not be here for long, just a short chat between friends. We are friends aren't we? We've been friends for so long. And my enemies...
Yes yes. Your enemies...
Oh, very well. But only on account of our long friendship. And keep them out of my sight, they offend me. Kheelan releases the little centipede.
The Geeche nods and makes quick gestures, within instants the creatures have slithered off away into the underbrush and the clearing is clear.
The Geeche paces anxiously in front of Kheelan (and you, hidden within Kheelan's cloud).
Have you... seen anyone today?
Of course. People wander in and out of my realm all the time. Children mostly.
This is bad... you need to stop them...
I need to stop them? Have I not suggested you close the gateways. No one would come through then...
I CAN'T. The Geeche's voice is pleading again. You know I can't do that.
Do I?
Yes. I've explained it to you so many times... The magic, it's very specific. It has to match, it has to be perfect....
Yes yes. A perfect reflection of the larger world, right here in this town.
Yes, exactly, perfect. Otherwise the... process... will be disrupted.
And you won't be able to capture the heroic souls when they're reborn.
The Geeche stops pacing and lets out a horrified gasp. I don't capture! I TEND! I PROTECT! Why, they'd be dead. This whole town wouldn't exist if not for my spells.
And yesterday? The Fixer?
The Geeche skuttles over to Kheelan fumbling around in the mist to try to get hold of the fey's massive arm. You MUST understand. I never wanted that to happen. He'd been gone for so long... I could never have predicted... and the Opener... an ANGEL... on the MATERIAL PLANE. The Geeche's voice rises higher and higher.
It's a VIOLATION. They would come for us for sure. There would be no stopping the INFERNAL HORDES. I had to ACT! the little figure has latched onto Kheelan's arm now and seems to be shaking.
Yes yes. Kheelan reaches out patting the little shadow figure on the shoulder and gently prying him from his arm. Obviously you had to do something. But kill him?
But he's NOT DEAD! The Geeche is practically wailing.
Not dead?
No, or not properly dead. I can't figure it out. And now, others have gone... STRANGE.
Well... maybe it's supposed to happen?
No. NO. We all agreed. We agreed that there would be no more. The cycle is broken, uncontroled these new souls.... they could wreck HAVOK! CHAOS! That was what we said. You said it. And I said it. And...
Yes yes...
We ALL AGREED! The Geeche is shrieking again.
Of course, we did. The fey reaches out to gently pat the little shadow man. I was just asking a question.
Of course of course. I know. It's just... so... bothersome. And troublesome. And troubling. The Geeche squats on his haunches seemingly dejected.
Kheelan shifts to squat beside him. His tone is warm and pleasant. I have every confidence that you, my friend, will figure it out.
You do?
Of course. You're the smartest person I've ever met.
The Fixer is smarter than I am. He's done something I'm sure of it, he's fouled up my scrying.
You are even smarter than the Fixer.
But I'm sure he's done something, today I swear I felt the soul of our old master...
Kheezan's voice is warm and strong. Is this town, the spells you've woven around it, not the greatest magic the world has ever seen?
Well... The Geeche pushes at the ground with a little hoof.
Did you not save us, when everything seemed lost?
I suppose I did. The Geeche sounds suddenly hopeful, starting up at Kheezan with wide red eyes.
You will figure it out. Kheezan radiates warm confidence.
I... I think you're right... I WILL figure it out.
That's the spirit.
There is a long pause, and then the Geeche stares intently at the massive fey for a long minute.
You seem... bigger today.
Kheezan lets out a growling chuckle. My form continues to change as the magic takes it's course. I did not wish to say anything but you seem slightly... smaller.
The Geeche sighs, staring at a little clawed hand. I suppose so. I had hoped for something more... impressive.
You -are- impressive my friend.
I am?
Yes. The red eyes are quite... effective.
Oh, well. That's good I suppose. It's just, I'm so small now.
Not so small. Kheezan's tone is reassuring.
Oh... but
The eyes make you seem much bigger.
That's good. The Geeche seems much relieved.
We knew this would happen. We must grow and change to escape the curse.
You're right of course. I'm sorry to have taken up so much of your time. The shadow mage executes a little bow.
Not at all.
I'll keep my creatures out of your domain.
Please. They taste terrible. Kheezan lets out a warm chuckle.
And the Geeche laughs too. As sort of high-pitched giggle.
You'll tell me if... if you see anything strange?
You can count on me to always act in your best interests.
It's for the good of everyone, you know?
I know.
Shadows enfold the Geeche when they fade the little wizard is gone.
Kheezan lets out a sigh of relief and disperses the green cloud around you. I do not wish to try THAT again.
He looks at the assembled group. You will need to leave the town tonight. Now.
Whatever trickery blocks his scrying will not keep him from discovering you for long.
He'll be afraid to act directly if you are outside of town.
Heian and Neeloo are in the middle, recovering from their respective ordeals.
[sblock=OOC -- Other Players?]If we get other players they will also be here, having been drawn by the same urges or forces that pulled the current PCs.[/sblock]
And there is a great creature here, bank of green mist shrouds it's bestial form but you can make out great clawed hands and feet and a mouth of fangs.
You each feel your hearts tugging frantically, a connection to each other that is subtle but strong.
[sblock=OOC "heart tugging"]Though it's not clear to most of your characters yet this heart tugging is a sort of reaction you have when you're near or in the presence of other heroic souls.
Even Kheelan, who was a heroic soul but is something else now, still has a residual connection to you.[/sblock]
A moment later the bank of mist disappears, and there is the sound of a brief scuffle; a fight you can hear but you can't see.
Then the creature, Kheelan, returns.
We'll you've gotten his attention now. Stand together. Here next to me. And not a sound from any of you if you value your skins.
[sblock=OOC]This is hideously railroady and I apologize. But after some feedback about the last version of this game being a bit too unfocused/hard to play I'm "pushing" the game forward.
So, by DM fiat, you do what Kheelan says and stand near him and don't make a sound.[/sblock]
You stand near the fey beast, and are engulfed by the great green cloud that surrounds him. The mist blocks your vision somewhat, but not nearly so much as you would expect.
A moment later a great voice booms out KHEELAN, I REQUEST AN AUDIENCE.
Of course, Kheelan has adopted a bored tone of voice.
There is a tremendous aggregation of shadows, which is quite impressive, filling your field of vision completely.
When the shadows disperse what remains behind is... less impressive. A short creature, in a black robe stands before you. It's perhaps three feet tall and holds a comically large staff in one hand. It's features and form are shadowed and difficult to make out, but you can see a pair of glowing red eyes with black diamonds in the depths of it's hood and the outline of goat-like legs sticking out from under it's robe.
[sblock=Eldan]
Redclaw has doubtlessly already figured this out but
This is the Geeche, who you saw strike down Karothen last night, and who wiped your memory of the incident until the statue restored it.[/sblock]
A rare personal visit. I'm honored.
You... DESTROYED one of my creatures. The little robed figure's voice is high, and a bit whiny.
Two. The fey rumbles.
What? The little figure seems taken aback.
I destroyed two of your creatures, my dear Geeche.
But why?
Kheelan sighs audibly, Because, as I explained last time, I am a lord of the fey now, and however small my domain may be I am not one to allow creatures to just rove about.
The Geeche seems to be starting carefully about and paying little attention to Kheelan. He gestures and in response a bunch of shadow creatures appear. Sliding from the errie shadows cast by nearby plants or even from beneath the little figure's robes. Some are worm-shaped, some are like cats with a dozen legs, some are stranger shapes, orbs with five symmetrical legs, or or clusters of floating ellipses. They all share one trait, one or more red eyes with black diamond pupils.
The same eyes as their master.
The creatures begin to peer animatedly about.
Kheelan lets out an exaggerated sigh and picks up one of the creatures, a sort of centipede with red eyes on both ends, making as though he is about to stuff it into his mouth.
Wait! WAIT! What are you doing? The Geeche howls.
The fey bends down, bringing his head to the level of the little shadow mage. What. Did. I. Just. Say?
The Geeche struggles for a moment. You're a fey lord now and uninvited creatures are your prey. But what does that have to do with...
Kheelan holds the squirming little shadow centipede in front of the Geeche's face. Did I give you permission to bring your little squirming minions in?
No... but... I have ENEMIES! The Geeche squeaks. Enemies everywhere. They seek me constantly. The little figure looks about as though it literally expects these enemies to be lurking under nearby toadstools. It makes an involuntary gesture and another dozen or so little shadow creatures crawl out from it's robes.
Please... the Geeche's tone alternates between pleading and wheedling. I will not be here for long, just a short chat between friends. We are friends aren't we? We've been friends for so long. And my enemies...
Yes yes. Your enemies...
Oh, very well. But only on account of our long friendship. And keep them out of my sight, they offend me. Kheelan releases the little centipede.
The Geeche nods and makes quick gestures, within instants the creatures have slithered off away into the underbrush and the clearing is clear.
The Geeche paces anxiously in front of Kheelan (and you, hidden within Kheelan's cloud).
Have you... seen anyone today?
Of course. People wander in and out of my realm all the time. Children mostly.
This is bad... you need to stop them...
I need to stop them? Have I not suggested you close the gateways. No one would come through then...
I CAN'T. The Geeche's voice is pleading again. You know I can't do that.
Do I?
Yes. I've explained it to you so many times... The magic, it's very specific. It has to match, it has to be perfect....
Yes yes. A perfect reflection of the larger world, right here in this town.
Yes, exactly, perfect. Otherwise the... process... will be disrupted.
And you won't be able to capture the heroic souls when they're reborn.
The Geeche stops pacing and lets out a horrified gasp. I don't capture! I TEND! I PROTECT! Why, they'd be dead. This whole town wouldn't exist if not for my spells.
And yesterday? The Fixer?
The Geeche skuttles over to Kheelan fumbling around in the mist to try to get hold of the fey's massive arm. You MUST understand. I never wanted that to happen. He'd been gone for so long... I could never have predicted... and the Opener... an ANGEL... on the MATERIAL PLANE. The Geeche's voice rises higher and higher.
It's a VIOLATION. They would come for us for sure. There would be no stopping the INFERNAL HORDES. I had to ACT! the little figure has latched onto Kheelan's arm now and seems to be shaking.
Yes yes. Kheelan reaches out patting the little shadow figure on the shoulder and gently prying him from his arm. Obviously you had to do something. But kill him?
But he's NOT DEAD! The Geeche is practically wailing.
Not dead?
No, or not properly dead. I can't figure it out. And now, others have gone... STRANGE.
Well... maybe it's supposed to happen?
No. NO. We all agreed. We agreed that there would be no more. The cycle is broken, uncontroled these new souls.... they could wreck HAVOK! CHAOS! That was what we said. You said it. And I said it. And...
Yes yes...
We ALL AGREED! The Geeche is shrieking again.
Of course, we did. The fey reaches out to gently pat the little shadow man. I was just asking a question.
Of course of course. I know. It's just... so... bothersome. And troublesome. And troubling. The Geeche squats on his haunches seemingly dejected.
Kheelan shifts to squat beside him. His tone is warm and pleasant. I have every confidence that you, my friend, will figure it out.
You do?
Of course. You're the smartest person I've ever met.
The Fixer is smarter than I am. He's done something I'm sure of it, he's fouled up my scrying.
You are even smarter than the Fixer.
But I'm sure he's done something, today I swear I felt the soul of our old master...
Kheezan's voice is warm and strong. Is this town, the spells you've woven around it, not the greatest magic the world has ever seen?
Well... The Geeche pushes at the ground with a little hoof.
Did you not save us, when everything seemed lost?
I suppose I did. The Geeche sounds suddenly hopeful, starting up at Kheezan with wide red eyes.
You will figure it out. Kheezan radiates warm confidence.
I... I think you're right... I WILL figure it out.
That's the spirit.
There is a long pause, and then the Geeche stares intently at the massive fey for a long minute.
You seem... bigger today.
Kheezan lets out a growling chuckle. My form continues to change as the magic takes it's course. I did not wish to say anything but you seem slightly... smaller.
The Geeche sighs, staring at a little clawed hand. I suppose so. I had hoped for something more... impressive.
You -are- impressive my friend.
I am?
Yes. The red eyes are quite... effective.
Oh, well. That's good I suppose. It's just, I'm so small now.
Not so small. Kheezan's tone is reassuring.
Oh... but
The eyes make you seem much bigger.
That's good. The Geeche seems much relieved.
We knew this would happen. We must grow and change to escape the curse.
You're right of course. I'm sorry to have taken up so much of your time. The shadow mage executes a little bow.
Not at all.
I'll keep my creatures out of your domain.
Please. They taste terrible. Kheezan lets out a warm chuckle.
And the Geeche laughs too. As sort of high-pitched giggle.
You'll tell me if... if you see anything strange?
You can count on me to always act in your best interests.
It's for the good of everyone, you know?
I know.
Shadows enfold the Geeche when they fade the little wizard is gone.
Kheezan lets out a sigh of relief and disperses the green cloud around you. I do not wish to try THAT again.
He looks at the assembled group. You will need to leave the town tonight. Now.
Whatever trickery blocks his scrying will not keep him from discovering you for long.
He'll be afraid to act directly if you are outside of town.
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