High Above Faerun

[Tom Cashel]

All I'll point out is that it is now Tarsakh "of the Storms," (which corresponds to April). But you're right, they were still worried about reaching the Silver Marches before winter (it's a heck of a long trip!).

Even if an eagle returns, it won't be likely to notice you in tree shape.

You become wood; dry, unyielding, comfortably knotted; propped straight without exertion. You fall instantly into a restful sleep, lulled by the cries of gulls.

 

[Tom Cashel]

"Flying back to the Stonelands"

Judging from the climate similarities, you don't think you're in an altogether different region of Faerun. But it could still be days, or even a week, of travel to the Stonelands.

 

[Roman Gemmalee]

Flying

Well, I turned into the biggest bird I could think of. I will aim for the ruins where we first encountered the portals, stopping at the caravan if it is along the way to explain events to the group, grab rope, rations and a whistle from the supply wagon and get Hawk, my animal companion. Once I get to the ruins I will circle and study the area for signs of malevalent beings.....

 

[Tom Cashel]

Later...

You awaken in the afternoon, when Lathander's Fire has passed the midday peak and begun to descend. The situation seems the same.

Do you have any ranks in Intuit Direction? If not, you can find direction using clues (the sun's path, etc.)--it's just not quite as certain as the innate intuition.

 

[Roman Gemmalee]

I awaken, wait for my tree shape to wear off and then meditate on my day's spells. I will try the portal one more time. If that doesn't work I cast 'know direction' to determine true North (ooc: I can also make a roll on the Wilderness Lore skill to avoid getting lost if you think I should do so(pg. 76 PH)) Then I wild shape into the largest bird I can (dire eagle? Giant Eagle) and still be considered a 'large' animal.

Then I open my wings and fly......

 

[Tom Cashel]

[My point is, even if you know North, how do you know what direction it is to the ruins, the Stonelands, or anything else? You have no idea where you are in relation to them. But the point is immaterial because...]

You regain your spells.

Not really expecting anything to happen, you place a hand on the side of the portal and speak the words, "Part the veil of the universe for me..."

The inside of the portal fills instantly with glowing blue fog. You ready your shortspear. The fog clears, and through the portal you see the Nexus Room. There is a massive pile of sticks, branches, brush, vines, etc. that looks like the raw material for a nest.

You hear a pair of keening cries fading into the distance.

What do you do?

 

[Roman Gemmalee]

I leap through, take cover (will role for hide check if necessary) in the debris and try to see what the source of the cries are.

 

[Tom Cashel]

You dive into the sticks and branches, burrowing in (roll Hide).

You don't see what made the keening cries, and you don't hear any more of them.

(You do notice, looking out of the pile, that is is strange to be looking up at the sky...and through the portal at a different sky...)

 

[Roman Gemmalee]

oho

The thing that made the cries must be the builder of the nest that I am presently occupying and the origin of the material that fell through the portal. The different skies means that I am in a very different area than I was before.

I drink a potion of Hiding and then I listen for movement, look around at my surroundings and smell the air (I role a 15 for my hide check).

 

[Tom Cashel]

Oho indeed!

You smell the air: it smells of spruce trees and cool mountain wind.

You look around at your surroundings: it is the "Nexus Room," the 70'x70' stone room with no ceiling but sky. There are a total of 16 portals arrayed around the room (four on each wall); one is currently open to your previous location, the others are all closed.

You listen for movement: you hear none presently.