The Planewalkers' Journies

[Justice Augustus]

Lux knew exactly where he was heading to prepare for the journey to Limbo. His tent. His cot. His bed. As soon as he got there he slumped over the frame, drifting off to sleep with great speed. If he had time, maybe when he awoke he would skim through some library books, but at the moment the idea of research was anathema to him.

[Seethe]

As Rosalyn thought about what preperations she needed to make, she overheard the discussions about a light source for Pandemonium. That wasn't the group she was going with, but there would still be no point in leaving them to waste their resources...

"Did someone mention an Everburning Torch?" she asked. "I've got one of those already. I don't really foresee much need for it in Limbo, either, so I think I'd be willing to loan it out."

[Christian]

Alvar threw a thankful smile at Rosalyn at the mention of her torch.

"A thousand apologies, madam Rosalyn, that we would require to lend your precious equipment, but you have my gratitude." he turned to look at the others, "...It would seem that we would only need to purchase the necessary scrolls and we would be done. Dividing up into groups of two will be dangerous, but now we are at least prepared should that happen."

[Shinigori V2]

For her part, Shawn's going to make her normal preparations. She'll also include alchemy materials (And some of the more informative books), and restock her candy supply.

[Idran1701]

For folks looking to buy scrolls, Lux, Zant, and Anne would know of, and thus be able to point folks towards, a friendly chaond by the name of Hanthyst; a priest of Lugh who, on the last trip, was quite reasonable about selling scrolls of his own creation. They're divine scrolls, but that wouldn't get in the way of UMD usage, at least. He's the sort that believes in self-sufficiency supported by spells to avoid dangers and hazards one couldn't otherwise avoid with just one's own innate abilities, thus his selection is purposefully limited compared with some.

His inventory:

Light x8 @ 7 gp
Cure Minor Wounds x3 @ 9 gp
Resistance x5 @ 10 gp
Endure Elements x2 @ 17 gp
Cure Light Wounds x3 @ 20 gp
Resist Energy x1 @ 130 gp
Delay Poison x2 @ 135 gp
Protection from Energy x2 @ 330 gp
Water Breathing x2 @ 330 gp

With a bit of poking around (or asking Anne, who already knows of this person as well), they'd also eventually find an arcanist selling his own scrolls. An older human, Oriam Trascalia, who's decided to settle down in the Guild, finding himself too old to go on the journeys he once did. He's a friendly sort as well, eager to help out and give advice to those that want it (and often those that don't). Unfortunately, he's pretty well-known in the Guild because of this, and so his selection of readily-available scrolls is often scant.

His inventory (though he does make some scrolls on request if he happens to have the spell needed):

Light x3 @ 8 gp
Resistance x2 @ 9 gp
Daze x1 @ 10 gp
Feather Fall x2 @ 18 gp
Expeditious Retreat x1 @ 21 gp
Resist Energy x2 @ 125 gp
Locate Object x1 @ 130 gp
Fly x1 @ 350 gp
Dimensional Anchor x1 @ 675 gp

[Idran1701]

Planewalker's Guild

Preparations complete, the two groups split, saying their goodbyes to one another and other friends in the Guild, as they head out on their respective trips, one heading up the Stairs towards the Madhouse, the other heading down towards the githzerai religious center known as the Floating City, each hoping for the best on their own trip.

The travelers to Pandemonium will continue their journey here. Good luck!

---

Infinite Staircase

Descending the stairs, the group of five make their way to the xenophobic outpost. Both Shawn and Anne seem to have seen fit to bring their mounts along on this trip, and though most of the group are familiar with Shawn's pony, Misty, none of them have yet seen Anne's interesting choice of riding animal; some sort of man-sized, bipedal, feathery lizard (Lizzy, according to Anne) which, despite its somewhat threatening appearance, seems quite kindly to the others, even friendly. Anne's got her under careful control, guiding Lizzy down the stairs without benefit of magic, though she seems to have little need of it to navigate the steps.

The trip to the landing is thankfully short, and after a mere 20 minute jaunt, the fivesome arrives at the landing. One of the medium-sized examples, the platform stands at least 25 feet square, with a stone archway across from the stairs marking entrance onto the Githzerai city. A heavy wooden door fills the arch, with a massive iron loop in place of a more traditional doorknob. With no signs of threat, the door is carefully pulled opened. On the other side, an alleyway extends off in either direction, the vague scent of ozone filling the air. Overhead, lightning churns in one segment of the sky, quickly flowing into an undulating bubble of water floating freely before it "pops", fading back into the multi-colored mess that makes up the surroundings of the city. Similar transformations can be pictured all about. In one spot, statuary manifests from nothing before breaking down almost as fast. In another, a small boulder seems to dissolve into air on one side, only for the air to rejoin the boulder on the other in a constantly rotating combination.

As for the city itself, it looks to be made up of immense spires connected by thin stone walkways, winding through space rather than take the direct route between one another and allowing a person to see the shifting Plane in all directions about them, both above and below. The city itself is strangely silent, with none of the usual chatter that marks such a place, instead with all individuals walking about in relative silence, any speech being made not rising above a whisper.

Despite this cultural oddity, it appears that this place is somewhat more open to foreigners than they might have feared from their research; though the slender, green-skinned, sharp-featured githzerai make up the majority of the passersby, a fair number of other races can be seen walking about the streets as well, not keeping to silence as easily as the natives, but doing their best. Unfortunately, the signs about the city are, as expected, written purely in what can only be assumed to be the tongue of their people, leaving a slight obstacle in their progress. But surely this won't remain one for long.

[Shinigori V2]

Without a word, Shawn begins walking, looking for a more clearly marked area, where one could potentially get a guide to the city, or at least a translation.

[Justice Augustus]

Lux stops. He looks from side to side and all around them. Then, with a gulp, he turns back to the door. "I'm going back," is all he says.

[Shinigori V2]

"Turn back," Shawn begins, "And you'll always wonder what would have happened if you had gone. There's no reason to do it here, anyway."

[Kelne]

Asp, meanwhile, was looking about in wonder, clearly trying to decide where to go first. Lux's pronouncement, however, drew his immediate attention, "What? Why?" He darted another glance at the city, trying to spot whatever had so unnerved his companion. Gnomes? A dragon? A chaos beast? A clockwork chaos dragon?

Beside him, a small black cat who seemed to be along for the trip demonstrated her opinion of the whole affair by yawning.

[Justice Augustus]

"I....can't say. I'm sorry. Here, take these." He tosses down a small scroll case, containing a Cure Minor Wounds, a Cure Light Wounds, and a Feather Fall scroll that he had purchased before they had left. "I don't know why, but I just know that this journey is not for me. I wish you good travels, but I have another path to take."

[NebulaQueen]

"Hey, hold up!" Anne stared at Lux, and Lizzy jerked her head up, before the ranger patted her neck. The mount calmed down, and Anne's voice quieted. "You can't just leave now. What's th' matter? Is it the locals? The air?" Anne sniffed the air, and added, "...I admit, it does smell kinda funny."

She paused, and thought for a moment. "Or is it something else?

[Seethe]

Rosalyn was staring at Lux now, looking rather disappointed that he wouldn't be continuing along with them, but also fairly perplexed as to why that was. Then a thought struck her as Anne asked if the reason he didn't want to come along was something other than the local conditions. Lux's sudden desire to give up on this journey was a lot like Shawn's refusal to go to Pandemonium- abrupt and without explanation.

She was about to say that out loud, but then she thought better of it. No conclusions could really be drawn from that similarity alone. Maybe there wasn't even anything to it. And if there was, it was possible that airing her suspicions openly would turn out to be a bad idea. In the worst-case scenario, it might even be a fatal mistake. Of course, in the very worst-case scenario, the thoughts she was thinking right now alone could prove fatal for her, but there wasn't really anything she could do about that at this point, was there?

Well, uh... Just in case...

She was just being paranoid. Obviously. Nothing strange going on at all. Nope, nope.

[Idran1701]

Floating City

Unfortunately, despite the querying, Lux departs without further elaboration, ascending the stairs and leaving nothing but his scroll case behind. His footsteps on the stairs are left echoing for a time after he fades into the fog of the Staircase, but soon, even that sign is no more. Although it may pain the group to leave him to his own needs, the remaining four do have a job to do here...

Unfortunately, that was Gus writing himself out for now, since he's going to be much too busy over the next couple of weeks for this game, with only sporadic internet access at best, what with both his brother's wedding and his own moving to the US. Hopefully his departure's only temporary, however.

[Kelne]

Asp couldn't help but be disappointed at the abrupt loss of their companion, but he soon got over it. After all, there was a whole new city to be explored.

"Well, let's take a look around," he said cheerfully, "Time's wasting. Although I'm not sure how that works, since no matter what happens, there's always more time rumbling along."

[NebulaQueen]

Anne sighed, and gave Liz one more pat on the neck. "Yer right," she said. "Still, it's a shame t'see him go like that...kinda weird, doncha thing?"

[Seethe]

Whatever the truth may have been, Rosalyn was already commited to her paranoid delusion. It really did look odd, though, from her point of view.

"It is strange," Rosalyn agreed with Anne. "But, uh... Right. Onward."

[Idran1701]

Floating City

Leaving Lux behind, the four head in, Shawn looking about specifically for somewhere they can gain help. Crossing the bridges and watching the spires, they keep their eyes peeled for any sort of guidehouse that might be able to help them here. Wandering the winding streets of the city, the morass of Limbo continues churning and shifting all about them, held back from the sphere of air about the city only by the force of will of its guardians, located somewhere within this settlement. Finally, after a full half hour of walking the streets and following the largest masses of outsiders, they see a sign from above!

"Touts"

From inside the building, snatches of Common drift out, a welcome change from the hissing language of the githzerai. As they take in the sound, one of that race leaves, a trio of gnomes following behind him. They head past the group, notebooks in hand, rapidly writing as the gith speaks with them about the city and its history, though they pass outside the reach of sound before anything especially interesting catches their ear. Many more stand inside, the nearest noticing the four travelers and nodding with a smile. "Looking for a tout?"

Anne:

Spoiler:

This plane seems interesting, something about the shifting nature just clicks with your mind. Like you're meant to be here, almost.

Asp:

Spoiler:

Something about this plane put you on edge for a bit when you first stepped through the door, but you're okay now.

Rosalyn:

Spoiler:

Something about this plane put you on edge for a bit when you first stepped through the door. You're okay now, though.

Shawn:

Spoiler:

This plane seems...natural to you. Like you're meant to be here. You think you'll like this place. It seems nice.

[Kelne]

"Absolutely," Asp said cheerfully, "We're new in town, you know," he confided, "Looking for somebody who can give us some pointers on capturing the raw stuff of chaos and carting it off."

[NebulaQueen]

Anne smiled as she sauntered along, riding lizard in tow. This place wasn't half bad. Heck, if she wasn't so busy with the guild, she could see herself setting up shop here for a while.

"What he said," she replied, with a chipper voice. "Some help and someone to guide us 'round here would be awful nice."

[Idran1701]

Floating City

Nodding, their potential guide steps forward, a slow smile crossing her face. "Our business is always glad to help outsiders find their way around our city. For two silver, to anywhere you may need to visit today, I can guide you. And truly, you have chosen a good time to arrive, for this week our city celebrates the festival of Zerthimon, honoring the name and memory of the one who founded our race. You are sure to have much to occupy yourselves when not fulfilling your duties."

[Shinigori V2]

For once, the others seem to have things in order. Everything sort of clicked, and Shawn began to wander around, having a look at things. For once, someone might actually catch her smiling.

[Seethe]

Rosalyn seemed to be warming up to this place as well, though maybe not as much as some of her other guests. Her paranoid edge was fading by now, rationality overcoming whatever had spooked her earlier.

"That's good to know," Rosalyn said in response to the guide's words taking out two pieces of silver as she spoke. "Of course, we will probably be focusing quite a bit on our study of the chaos matter. It is going to be quite a job trying to find a way to move it in its raw form."

[Idran1701]

The Floating City

"Of course. Though you all are invited to observe our recitations and partake in our festivities, know that nothing is forced. We would not wish our goings on to interfere with your own tasks.

For now, where would you wish to go? Much of our city is open to travelers for the festival, though it would appear you would rather go right to your duties; a respectable view. And of course, any questions you may have, I will answer if I can."

As the tout speaks with Rosalyn, Shawn splits off a bit, taking a look about the area. In the distance, on a far spire, she can spy a pair of githzerai standing on two platforms on opposite ends of a broad circle, with a small audience gathered, watching their actions. Focusing on a sphere of matter that floats between the two, they both seem to be trying to bend it to their wills. It churns and shifts under the opposing forces, changing form and substance almost faster than she can track. For almost a full minute, the struggle goes on before finally the ball breaks, exploding in a cloud of leaves in all the colors of fall that scatters amongst the crowd. The proud look of victory can just barely be made out from the stance of one gith, carried with the barely audible cheer and glee that echoes over the distance, while the other seems to be accepting his defeat in this strange contest as graciously as he can muster. Githzerai children scamper about, collecting what leaves settled on the ground, while the two competitors step down from their platforms, the champion looking about and awaiting his next round.

[Shinigori V2]

Shawn smirks to herself, and heads for the display. After all, it would come down to a test of willpower, wouldn't it? And nothing, NOTHING had more willpower than she did.



Nothing.

[Kelne]

"Oh, I don't know," Asp said, "It'd be a shame to be here for the festival and not participate at all. What do the festivities consist of?"

His gaze wasn't entirely on their guide, constantly flickering about to take in new sights.

[Seethe]

"Of course, I would also like to learn a bit about these festivities," Rosalyn admitted. "It would be a waste to miss such a chance."

She did, of course, have a personal religious duty to observe this sort of thing at least to some extent.

[Idran1701]

Floating City - Tout's Office

Still showing a pleasant smile, their guide watches Shawn as she walks off towards the contest. "I see that one of your allies has already decided what draws her interest as it is. But the shaping contests are but one of many ways in which we celebrate the events which freed us from the yoke of the illithid, saved us from the obsession of Gith, and brought us to this plane.

"All through the day, similar contests are held in all those fields that bring us closer to Zerthimon. Tests of shaping, yes, as well as of martial and psionic skill, each watched over by a zerth to ensure no true harm comes to the competitors. In this way, we know our achievements both as individuals and as a race.

"In the late hours of each day, we have a feast in which we honor those have come before us, while a piece of our founding history is recited and re-enacted by those zerths specially chosen for the duty. In this way, we know what has come before, and thus better know ourselves.

"On the final day of the festival, all those that have served in a rrakkma are invited to participate in the march of triumph. Their bounties held high, they show to all that can see what successes they have made over the illithid. In this way, we know that the githzerai spirit shall never again be enslaved. We know that all races will one day be freed from the spectre of their oppression. And above all else, we know that the achievements of Zerthimon will never be forgotten."

---

Floating City - Elsewhere

As the guide speaks with the rest of her party, Shawn makes her way to the contest platform. Passing through or around the occasional clump of people, it's a bit tricky finding the right path to it, but she continues to draw closer and closer as she walks, which is always a good sign. Soon, she stands at the edge, just as another challenger is defeated by the same githzerai, this time ending in a swirl of heatless fire that whips about the crowd. Stepping off his platform with a strange lack of smugness, he glances about the crowd, his expression stoic. He flicks his eyes from one person to another before eventually meeting Shawn's gaze as she moves to the front of the crowd. He stops, watching her for a moment or two, before giving a subtle nod in her direction.

[Shinigori V2]

Shawn tried to keep from grinning, making her way up to the platforms. She figured she had the basic idea, it was, in theory, the same thing she had been doing for some time now. Just that she'd be competing against someone now...

...suddenly it didn't seem like such a good idea. Oh well.

[Idran1701]

Floating City - Contest Platform

Shawn climbs the platform, standing across from her opponent as two robed githzerai gather a new sphere of matter between them, pulling it from the air itself. Before long, it floats between them, a ball of pure potential at least 6 feet wide, held together by nothing but the force of will of the officials. Various elements and substances emerge as the ball is held, lasting for random periods of time before breaking up and rejoining the soup. Shawn can just about feel the presence of the uncontrolled stuff of Limbo, so close as it is now. And from what she understands, controlling it is merely a manner of forcing her will on it.

The officials glance to her and her opponent before stepping back, merely holding it in place as they slowly lower their arms, signaling that the challenge is to begin.

[Shinigori V2]

As the competition began, Shawn thought back on all the practice on this she had had. She narrowed her eyes, and extended one hand towards the ball, and began forcing her will on it.

Should she succeed, the ball would explode into a mass of soft candies and streamers with her name written on them.

[Idran1701]

Floating City - Contest Platform

Focusing her will, Shawn concentrates on the pure chaos, doing her best to transmute it. She can all but feel the matter slipping in her mind, familiar in many ways, yet an entirely different experience than that which she's practiced with. One of the larger distinctions being that she can feel the power of her competitor trying to wrench it from her control, and force it into his own shape.

Their efforts seem deadlocked at first, with both finding some minor success, twisting at weak points in one another's control while keeping the matter from falling back to its natural state. Soon, though, Shawn finds her center, avoiding the more experienced man's efforts rather than confronting them directly. She can feel it fall towards her, as bit by bit it slips out of his grip.

He redoubles his efforts, tugging it from her as she loses a bit of control. But she refocuses, struggling against his obvious skill. Finally, she can feel the last tendrils of his will slip away, as her own talent triumphs, the ball bursting into a celebratory explosion of streamers and sugary treats. Though not exactly exhausted physically from the effort, she's more mentally fatigued than she's felt in a long time, if ever. It takes her a bit to realize that though it may have felt like minutes, in reality only a few dozen seconds have ticked by.

Her opponent gives a small smile of approval as the small crowd cheers for her, githzerai children collecting some of the candies as he steps from the platform, the robed officials gesturing for her to do the same.

[Shinigori V2]

Taking a deep breath, Shawn makes her way down, trying her best not to slip and fall from her fatigue.

It sure would look silly.

[Kelne]

"The feast sounds interesting," Asp said, "I'd love to hear about your history. I'm a little hazy on who the Illithid are, but I'm sure it'll all come clear."

[Seethe]

"Really, I would like to document that," Rosalyn said. "My own people value historical knowledge highly. I would like to keep a journal regarding these reenactments to take back to them."

[Idran1701]

Floating City - Tout's Office

"It shall all be known to you in time. Though I am glad to hear your interest. Many outsiders have little interest in knowing the cultures of those whose lands they pass through. And while I would be happy to speak to you, perhaps we can move as you ask your questions of me. You have paid for my time, after all.

"Where shall I bring you to first? You mentioned a job of some sort? Or would you rather find a place to settle in? Or perhaps see the sights of the festival?"

---

Floating City - Contest Platform

Doing her best not to collapse, Shawn carefully steps down, as her challenger approaches. Kneeling before her, he watches her carefully. His yellow-tinged skin is smooth and his hair is a deep black, but he speaks with a slightly gravelly tone, betraying his age. He doesn't smile, but his eyes sparkle with appreciation for her abilities.

"Congratulations. You seem to have a good deal of skill, young one. Have you known the art of shaping before?"

[Shinigori V2]

Shawn bows to her kneeling opponant, searching for the proper words. "You...Could say that, I guess. Yeah."

[Idran1701]

Floating City - Contest Platform

"Your experience is well demonstrated. I ask that you accept your reward along with my respect." As he says this, he hands Shawn a small cloth bag. Inside, she finds a lanyard with a small, well-polished copper medallion engraved with an odd emblem. With it is a small bit of parchment, inscribed in a script she can't read, though she can recognize it as Githzerai, the same language found on all the signage in this city.

After handing her prize over, the shaper stands, placing one of her streamers in her other hand, eyes still sparkling. "If you know others with your talents at shaping, please send them to demonstrate their abilities as well. On this occasion, all are welcome."

[Seethe]

"We should probably start by getting settled in so that we can make it to the feast tonight," Rosalyn suggested. "And it would help to know where the marketplace is. It looks like I'll be needing to get some stuff to write with."

[Idran1701]

Floating City - Tout's Office

Nodding, their guide begins heading off, walking slowly enough that the three have plenty of opportunity to look around and see the city as they head off. "Since I will officially be showing you about the city now, I shall introduce myself by name. I am Fhelrys. If you wish to identify yourselves or not is your choice.

"Now, I imagine we will need somewhere to let your mounts stay as well. There are not many in this plane, but there are enough that some keep stables available for travelers. I imagine also that we should stop and reunite with your friend on the way as well, to ensure she doesn't become lost. And perhaps one of you would like to try your hand at the challenge yourself? If nothing else, it would allow you the chance to practice your shaping before leaving the city."