The Planewalkers' Journies

[Kelne]

"Great," Asp said, "I'll round up some more people and let you know when we're ready to go."

So saying, he cheerfully departed. Though he was unlikely to get straight into the recruiting; people didn't like being woken up in the middle of the night, Adventure or no. No sense of priorities, really.

[Idran1701]

Zant and Theller

"Oh? Well, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised at that, from the look of you." Drifting up, she brings herself up to face-level for the two, giving the genasi a gentle nudge in the shoulder with a laugh. "And you haven't invited him into our group yet, Zant? I'm from there myself, Theller. I don't think I've seen your race around before, but it is a big plane."

With a short glance across the landing, Zeph begins drifting off backwards as she speaks. "Well, it was good meeting you two. Zant, bring him with you next time, eh? We need some more Inners around here. Maybe I'll see you two tomorrow." That said, she turns, skirting the ground as she floats off into the dusk.

---

Alvar and Rosalyn head to the bazaar, to find their fears held true and it indeed was closed for the night. The next morning, however, first thing, they manage to pick up the necessary parts for Rosalyn to make the swap-out on the bow, and for free at that; only a favor owed by Rosalyn. Meanwhile, Degand leads Lux back with guidance, dropping him off at his tent where he sleeps off his inebriation, waking up, if not entirely in top condition, at least with nothing but a hangover and a blurry memory of the previous night.

The next afternoon, the group and their recently-met colleagues call each other together to meet in a corner of the eating area, marking out a section of the area with their presence where they can discuss the various possibilities for next trips while satiating themselves on a good meal - Bytopian sourdough, sweetmeats, and mixed fruit for people taking Guild cooking, and personal cooking for anyone going that way. To Shawn's likely chagrin, Asp managed to find the group of them early on, participating with the rest as if he'd known them for years despite even the most blatant of hints to be anywhere else. His recruitment attempts seem to have gone for naught; for whatever reason, most people don't seem eager to come along with him. Anne still seems to be missing at the moment, but a message left with a neighbor will hopefully lead her here soon enough.

Everyone currently in the RP with the exceptions of Anne and Shaun's character are gathered here at the moment, so folks can decide how they want to split the group, who's going with who on which trip and all. Neb and Shaun, I'll bring you two in once I take care of your meeting out-of-thread. People should also work into their post how they spent the morning before this meeting if possible, just for the sake of fleshing things out.

[Jak Snide]

Zant had spent his morning in quiet meditation, preparing his mind for the day ahead and contemplating the tenets of his faith. He then met with the others and begun discussing what their next expedition should be, showing clear favour for journeying to the headwaters of the Styx. Water with such a mystic property must be seen for oneself, after all.

[Christian]

Alvar had spent the night sleeping under a bare sky. He was used to it, the myth that at every nightfall there was a Inn was just that, a myth. But to be more or less surrounded by tents, some of them damn-near houses with all the modifications their inhabitants had made over the time, was frustrating. He added moderately sized tent to his growing list of Things to Acquire. Most of his heavier gear was safely tucked away in his coffer which was currently stored at anothers' tent for a small expense.

After meeting up with Rosalyn and having his bow fixed, an uneventful but none the less rewarding task, he had paid her for the service done and had made to set out in search of a quest, missive, task or other job, yet had instead found himself invited along to the meeting. Graciously thanking the young woman for aiding him, he'd whiled most of the noon making preparations, cleaning himself up and having a steady breakfast. As the time of the meeting approached, he'd dropped off a few coins at the acquaintance in case he'd be gone for a few days, gathered together his travelling kit and set out to where they were meeting. He was of no real mind as to where he would like to head, 'though he chided himself for thinking about which would pay off best.

[Kelne]

Asp's day had begun early, as always. He'd cheerfully approached a few people before breakfast, with no real luck, only to spot his new comrade at breakfast. Reasoning that her companions would surely be up for an expedition, Asp had cheerfully introduced himself, plonked himself down at the table and enquired whether they'd be coming along to see Limbo.

[Idran1701]

Planewalker's Guild - Party Meeting

While the gathered members discuss their future plans, Anne arrives with her own meal, if a little late. Coming alongside her is yet another new face, someone seems to have a touch of fiend-blood, what with the horns jutting from his temples and glowing red eyes. Seeming a bit nervous as he looks from person to person, he sits down with the others despite at Anne's urging, and is quickly caught up on the details so far known about the two trip options: either a trip to Pandemonium to collect water from the Styx where it's weakest for someone seeking to create a cure for its effects, or a voyage to Limbo to try and figure out a way of gathering and carting chaosmatter to a group of researchers in Elysium.

[Spleen]

Theller arrived after Anne and the glowing-eyed individual and perched himself sideways on a chair, his wings folded loosely behind him. He listened carefully to the two choices and rustled his feathered wings behind him in thought. "I would say Styx," he ventured. "Water from a river - however transplanar - would seem to be far easier to get and hold than pure chaos. Not that I particularly relish the conditions we'd be dealing with in Pandemonium, mind."

[Nakibe]

The clearly fiend-blooded man timidly looks at the two missions, as his fingers apparently are busy playing with his odd ring. "Well," he finally says, after much deliberation "I guess I could try the Styx one myself. I mean, I can't remember much as it is, so I don't think that it'd be too bad." Perhaps, he thought, that was the way that I lost my memory, then... but it wouldn't explain why I feel so... odd.

[Christian]

Alvar gave the tiefling a sceptical look as he sat down to join them; having his origins in the Outlands close to Arcadia, it'd been rare for him to see these type of planetouched... and he wasn't particularly fond of demons...

He pinched the bridge of his nose and took another sip from the mug of coffee he'd been offered after he'd finished his somewhat spartan breakfast meal.

"I would find myself new here amongst you, so I do not know much about your experience in the planes, and mine would be too pitiful to bring up. Yet, I have once met with one of the Gith..." he stopped, wondering if perhaps he'd stepped on some toe or another in not using the whole name, which he wasn't really aware of anyway, "...and what little he chose to reveal about the Limbo was... startling." he pauses and shifts slightly, taking another sip, "from what I gathered, and mind you that wasn't much. We quickly came off the wrong foot, and..." he waves it away, "no matter. From what I gathered, one would need a strong mind to traverse Limbo. I dare not say I fully grasped what he spoke off, this was quite some time ago and I fear I asked all the wrong questions; but from what I can tell one forms one's path with the mind, and I would dare that a strong mind would be a better tool than a weak one."

He finishes his coffee and nods, "I would find myself preferring... if such a word could be used in this case, to traverse to the Dark realms where Styx flows, although I have no love for that place."

[Kelne]

"Huh," Asp remarked, "No other takers for Limbo at all?" What was it about his involvement that so reduced enthusiasm for expeditions, anyway? "Think of the potential; every step a new Adventure."

[Idran1701]

For the sake of the group, here's where people are going as of now.

Pandemonium
Theller
Trivale
Alvar

Limbo
Asp

Undecided
Zant
Lux
Shawn
Anne
Rosalyn

Also, remember that this isn't something everyone has to end up agreeing on. The thread's splitting here, once everyone makes their decision. That's an in-character deal as well, of course, so keep that in mind when deciding what you think your character would do.

[Justice Augustus]

Lux was silent. Unusual in itself, but for the moment he seemed sullen and withdrawn. Truth be told, he wasn't truly thrilled by either prospect. Being a social type, heading to the grim horrors of forsaken areas was not going to present him with opportunities for meeting new people. Then again, perhaps now he could discover some long-forgotten tome. The Styx might hold great secrets in that respect, but to find the nature of true chaos could bring about true inspiration.

He waits.

[Jak Snide]

Zant was set in his course. The waters of the Styx called to him and he was compelled to answer.

[Shinigori V2]

"We're not going to Styx." Shawn said in a voice indicating finality. "If we go, chances are we'll die...And what's more.."

She paused, looking the group over. Zant, especially. "I need your help in Limbo."

[Jak Snide]

Zant put on his friendliest smile as he turned to reply to Shawn.

"My apologies, little one, but it seems that I failed to explain myself fully. The reason I wish to journey to the Styx is not due to a momentary whim. It calls out to me, for I am one in the service of the Water Lord, and I am compelled to at least bear witness it's currents."

[Shinigori V2]

Shawn fell for a moment, as if thinking. Then her eyes took on their fiery look, or one even more than normal. "If I go there, I'm going to die. If you go there, you probably will, too. There is so much stuff you can't even begin to understand about any of this. And I need help with this..."

She shook her head, as if trying to clear confusion. "..I'm sorry. I'm being childish...If you want to go, that's fine..." She said, almost sadly.

[Justice Augustus]

Lux sits forward with a grunt. "Look," he says, "do either of these tasks have a specific timeframe attached to them?" Looking around at the no-doubt confused looks he continues. "Do they have to be completed by a specific time? If not, why can't we all saddle up, and then do each in turn? We could even toss a coin to decide if necessary."

[Christian]

Alvar scratched his chin while observing the exchange of words between his very recent acquaintances.

"I apologize if I step out of line," his eyes were towards Shawn, "but would I be correct in the assumption you have been to both Limbo and..." he searched his mind briefly, "Pandemonium before? A fool I would be if I did not fear death, but to my understanding Pandemonium is at least a solid place of existence..."

He sat back and sighed, "I agree with the idea that we could work together, but one should perhaps take into consideration that not everyone is willing to go everywhere. I can go to Limbo, but I do so only if I know that I will not simply cease to exist if I'm careless..."

[Idran1701]

Party split status as of now:

Pandemonium
Theller
Trivale
Alvar
Zant

Limbo
Asp
Shawn
Anne

Undecided
Lux
Rosalyn

[Kelne]

"Oh no," Asp said cheerfully, "You continue to exist. It's just that everything around you changes. We originate outside of Limbo, so our forms aren't subject to its mutability. Well, unless being battered by the elements counts."

[NebulaQueen]

Anne flagged down a waitress to fill up her drink, and turned towards the group. "I'm with the lil' guy," she replied, as she jerked a thumb towards Asp. "The place is a bit nuts, but it'll be a real sight t'see." Anne stopped only to grab a roll, and continued. "And 'sides," she said in between mouth fulls of bread, "it seems a world more cheerful than Pandemonium. Trust me on this, it's not what I call fun."

[Nakibe]

So, my new friend isn't going to go with me, then? thinks Trivale bitterly, for just a moment. But then, he realized that it would be unfair of him to expect to drag her along wherever he went. She had a life, one that she certainly shouldn't be kept from, whatever he felt. A part of him still felt that he should try to get her to come along, a part not easily dismissed. Perhaps he was just worried. Yes, that's it... but these people seem nice enough... and they even accept... how I look. None of them have tried to stab me or anything for looking like... a demon.

"More cheerful? How is that?" he muses out loud. At least, then, if he wasn't going to have her help, then he'd at least get a vague idea of why she didn't seem to want to go to... Pandemonium, was it?

[Seethe]

"I suppose I should probably go with the Limbo group," Rosalyn finally spoke up, after quite a lot of thought. "It's dangerous either way, but... I think I'm interested in seeing how we go about transporting this chaos matter."

And besides that, Limbo could also be called the ultimate horizon: different every time you looked at it. Things could be seen there that had never been seen before, and would never be seen again.

[Jak Snide]

Zant had remained silent as the others spoke their words. When a moment of silence came, he turned to Shawn again.

"What are these things that I do not understand? If you wish to have any hope of diverting my course then you should speak plainly. What sort of man would I be to abandoned a calling on words laden with mystery and vague hintings?"

[Justice Augustus]

Lux sighs, and flips a coin from his pocket. He looks at it, nods, and then replaces it in his pocket. "Limbo it is."

[Shinigori V2]

"It's.." Shawn said, looking suddenly confused. "I just..I.."

She looked down at the ground for a minute, then looked back up at Zant, half hurting, half pleadingly. "I can't....tell you."

[Idran1701]

Current status:

Pandemonium
Theller
Trivale
Alvar
Zant

Limbo
Asp
Shawn
Anne
Lux
Rosalyn

Since there's still discussion going on, this could of course change, but as there's no undecided characters left, once discussion dies down, we'll go with whatever split we end up with at that time.

[Jak Snide]

The gensai shook his head, making an effort to hide his disappointment. "If you cannot place your trust in me then it is impossible for me to place my own in yourself."

[Justice Augustus]

"Come now Zant, everyone has to keep a few secrets to themselves. Why I'd wager there's some part of yourself that we're not aware of. Where would be the fun of getting to know a person, if the truth about them were engraved into their face? Spoilers, my friend, spoilers." Lux cracks his first smile of the day, and visibly relaxes. He slumps a little in his chair and lifts his hat so that he can run a hand through his messy hair, fixing the gensai with a cocky grin.

[Kelne]

Asp could see that all this gloomy talk was putting a definite damper on the mood, "Don't worry, Shawn," he said, "Doom is only a state of mind. Although it may also be a planar attribute. Either way, as long as Zant keeps a positive attitude, he'll be fine." Certainly nothing truly terrible had ever happened to Asp, which leant a certain credence to his theory.

"But just in case," he continued, rummaging through a couple of his pouches, "We can tip the odds by giving him a good luck charm. Here we are," He produced a bright yellow object and offered it to Zant, "A dragon's feather. Very rare."

[Jak Snide]

Any reply Zant may have had for Lux gave way to Asp's words and gift giving. He accepted the token with a downward inclination of his head and a spoken "Thank you."

[Christian]

Alvar seemed to stare out into nothing for a while, eager to participate in the conversations, yet finding nothing to say; a nod here and a folding of arms there, it was obvious the knight seemed somewhat new at mingling.

"I must admit that with the information you have given me," he gave a brief nod towards Asp, "the idea of going to Limbo is certainly not as intimidating as before... Yet I feel that the good that can come out of battling that foul river's effects, what little it might be, is a task of great honor and importance. I shall remain with that group, although I do not wish to implore anyone else to come."

He sighed deeply and leaned back; he wasn't the best conversationalist, and he felt that it would be easier for him to show his worthiness for the Guild out there, sword in hand. Still, they were many, and many voices wanted to be heard... including his own, he chided himself.

[Idran1701]

Planewalker's Guild

And so, with their goals split, the planewalkers decided to split apart for now, each pursuing their own interest among the two choices. one begins looking into details on the endless winds of Pandemonium, while the other investigates important information dealing with the shifting morass of Limbo. Some may, of course, be more inclined to check into their destination more deeply than others, but at least some awareness of the more important details of their destination often spells the difference between pain and inconvenience.

For the trip to Pandesmos, there seems to be little in the way of permanent habitation. The best bet for the far point of their Staircase travel seems to be a complex kept by the Bleak Cabal, a sprawling building known as the Madhouse and kept as a waypoint for travelers, a place where they can relax from the never-ending winds of the plane.

The winds of Pandemonium, breezes that grow into gusts the closer one comes to the plane's heart, can drive a man insane, the eternal din driving itself into ones mind if not shielded against. Earplugs function well enough, thankfully, but they are an obvious inconvenience. And of course, there are the other troubles brought about from an endless wind; speech grows difficult, as do the chants necessary for casting spells. Torches are near-impossible to keep in all but the calmest areas; even more aggravating, given that the plane is entirely free of natural light, with not a speck to show the way for those that require it but what they bring with them. Thankfully, magical light is unaffected, a small favor in a plane that doesn't seem to want people traveling through its depths. It's little surprise that when a powerful being wants to banish something for eternity, more often than not it's banished to this realm.

Meanwhile, Limbo is somewhat more easily traversed. From inquiries about the guild, there look to be two possibilities for entrance there. For one, they can attempt to enter through one of the fortress cities of the githzerai. A stoic race that frowns on outsiders, but doesn't entirely loathe them as their Astral cousins do, it would be likely to be tricky but, if its citizens were properly negotiated with, would make for an excellent base of operations, with many resources for them to take advantage of with the proper funds. The alternative is a small village known as Barnstable, a halfling settlement floating freely in the stew of chaos, just keeping itself in one piece thanks to the efforts of its citizens. Although far more open to travelers, its size naturally means that they would have much less to use in their attempts to gather and hold onto chaosmatter.

And of course, the plane does have its own natural hazards. One can swim loose in the matter, but it naturally tends to try to break a person (or object) not native to the plane down into its base components, making it naught but itself. This property will likely be the biggest obstacle to transporting it. Of course, some creatures may luck into being able to live in it without harm, but there's no way to predict such skills before a person actually enters Limbo. Alternatively, and the way most non-natives travel the plane, a person can shape the plane around themselves and their allies, forming it into a solid surface (or liquid body, for some) to walk on, building a road ahead of the travelers while breaking it down behind. Entire fields can be created in this way; for the most skilled, buildings and even plant and animal life can be formed. Some few that have received the proper training can maintain such creations unconsciously, but for most, it's a conscious matter that must be the focus of ones thoughts in order to continue to exist, ruling out participation in anything but movement and light conversation. Even sleep must be foregone to maintain a construct for those, usually leading to groups trading off responsibility rather than leaving all focus on a single person. With skill, a person could shape their own realm here, their own realm formed exactly to their tastes and preferences, with only the inhabitants of the plane to ruin the traveler's view of paradise.

Arcane spellcasting effects

Pandemonium:

Spoiler:

Transmutations are changed, their results becoming slightly sinister in appearance. Divinations to foresee events to come are often murky, requiring extra effort to untangle. Necromantic spells that generate life or harness positive energy are lessened in effect, while ones that deal with negative energy or the undead are uneffected.

Limbo:

Spoiler:

Transmutations are quite dangerous, with Limbo's properties tending to cause such spells to become much more extreme; any such spell has a random chance of resulting in such an effect. Divination spells often fail outright thanks to the chaos of the plane, and illusions can occasionally become fully real. Elemental spells are more powerful, and any spell or spell-like ability has a chance of resulting instead in a "wild surge", with the spell being randomly altered in some way.

Anyone that's doing more detailed research, or making other special preparations before leaving, don't forget to post such.

[Kelne]

It was back to the research for Asperel. After all, he didn't have the faintest idea how to transport chaos matter in its raw form. But there had been enough trips to Limbo over the years that people must have made some observations. What he intended to find out was whether people had been able to remove items fashioned from the stuff of Limbo from that plane (while not 'raw' anymore, there might be insights nonetheless), or whether particular substances were resistant to Limbo's effects, thus suggesting themselves as potential insulators against the effects of other planes on raw chaos matter.

As to whether to visit the githzerai or the halflings, he was leaning towards the githzerai. After all, he'd seen farming villages before, but he'd never seen a githzerai city. He wondered how different it would be from a normal city.

[Christian]

Arvin was perhaps new to Planewalking, but he wasn't a fool... At least, he consoled himself, he wasn't an utter fool.

After talking things through and deciding upon preparational duties and what not, he had begun to investigate what he could about the plane. The basic knowledge, that of the insanity-inducing wind and the inability to keep a light, seemed to dim his enthusiasm for the trip slightly, yet he procured as quickly as he could a couple of pairs of earplugs, deciding that simplicity was usually the easiest solution. He had other senses that could compensate for his limited hearing.

He wasn't entirely sure about light however, and in case his lantern wouldn't function, he sought out the remainder of the group to discuss whether they should try to invest in some way to achieve magical light. A ball of panic was slowly but surely rolling up in his stomach as he realized perhaps, Limbo would have been a wiser choice after all.

Yet he had said he would go to Pandemonium, and to Pandemonium he would go.

[Jak Snide]

After a moment's pondering Zant asked just how much they stood to be paid, suggesting that they meet the party responsible for posting the notice before actually heading out. It would be foolish to pool their money for something that turned out to cost a significant portion of their reward for the task. He also suggested, with some reluctance, the acquisition of an everburning torch. The very idea of such a thing bothered him, but he told himself that a necessary evil might be tolerable if it enabled them to reach the fabled waters of the Styx.

[Idran1701]

Planewalker's Guild - Library

Heading back to the library the next day, Asp continues his research, checking for the information that may help him and his colleagues to better accomplish their job. Unfortunately, information on these fields is scant. There seems to be no mention of materials able to withstand the effects of chaos matter, though it does appear that enchantments that defend against electric energies also repel the dissolution of Limbo with varying degrees of success depending on the strength of the enchantment. Beyond that, natives of the plane are able to survive in the soupy morass without being torn apart, as are the occasional outsider, just by some quirk of their being. On the matter of constructs being able to be removed from the plane, though, there seems to be little mention either way. Perhaps a native would be better able to help with that respect, because these tomes certainly aren't doing much for him.

Not going to GM for the Pandemonium side yet, since people are still debating. But I am putting out a general call for posts on that side of some form. That said, from what the job posting said, the man looking for this water can be found in Bedlam, the gate-town to Pandemonium; this could thus serve as an alternate starting point for the party to the Madhouse given that fact. Similarly, for the Limbo-travelers, they could set out instead from Xaos, the gate-town to Limbo.

[Spleen]

"Magical light will help no matter where we are," Theller pointed out. "And if it's in the form of an arcanist's wand or scroll, it so happens that I could be the one to activate it for us; I'm something of an arcanist, in an admittedly obscure and peculiar fashion. A few scrolls with illumination spells would cost less than an everburning torch, but would fail to be as permanent, of course."

[Christian]

Alvar, lacking the expertise in the area, simply nodded in agreement; first with Zant, then with Theller.

"Perhaps one should consider the prices for both of these things..." he tried, "while certainly a mage with the proper spells would be helpful, the risk that we might be split up seems to me an incentive to purchase a pair of such torches... if they are within reasonable costs." he gave a little shrug, his armor giving off only the lightest of dulled squeaks as hardened leather rubbed against hardened leather. He ran a gloved hand through his hair, parting his hair a bit in a messy fashion.

[Nakibe]

All of the worry about this Pandemonium trip made Trivale wonder. Just what WAS he getting into anyway? Sadly, it seemed his memory (as scarce as it currently was) didn't extend to that place just yet. And somehow the idea of researching it didn't quite appeal so well, so the best idea seemed to be to ask around, perhaps investigate it himself, and see what he could learn about it in that method.