Character sheet Race: Halfling Gender: Female Age: 31
Subject: Re: SHADOW of the DEMONWEB Thu Jun 04, 2020 12:44 am
Shimmer glanced at Vesz'yraen, taking note of his urgency to leave. She looks over at Ody, amused by his eagerness to stay, and finding him already gone, shrugged. She gestured toward the boat, and nodded."Lead the way, Puppeteer. Come on, Uragu. She beckons the large creature to follow along.
Character sheet Race: Water Genasi Gender: Female Age: 360+
Subject: Re: SHADOW of the DEMONWEB Thu Jun 04, 2020 1:46 am
The enormous creature rumbles deeply at the group before slowly looking to @Shimmer as she beckons the creature to follow, and with soft pleasant chuffs and grunts she happily trails the little woman.
With a strange grace she slips into the water, a far cry from her heavy clumsy emergence and she waits patiently grunting softly at @shimmer to hop on waiting to take her to the little boat without her risking the possibility of getting wet.
Subject: Re: SHADOW of the DEMONWEB Thu Jun 04, 2020 2:54 am
Under the command of @ShadowKyss, just like they arrived, the boat disappears into the misty waters, bringing @Vesz'yraen, @Uragu, and very much needed @Shimmer, along, to the south of the Lyons Forest, in a much shorter time than it would take them on the foot otherwise. Once the water was closest to their destination, they proceeded on foot until they reached the wounded Dnylis Tree's Root. Because of @ShadowKyss shadow art, the presence of the implanted object into the root was concealed from the preying eyes, and now revealed to the party, so that actions can be taken.
Character sheet Race: Halfling Gender: Female Age: 31
Subject: Re: SHADOW of the DEMONWEB Thu Jun 04, 2020 6:27 am
She had been silent on the ride there, and silent as they had walked through the forest, guided back to the Dnylis Tree root by ShadowKyss. Shadows, as they ever did, crawled up her boots and small legs, as thouh at any moment she might have need to disappear. Her eyes glanced over the remaining scene of the battle, but locked upon the strange device upon the root, and swiftly, she descended upon it.
Quiet mutters could be heard in gnomish as she spoke to herself, eyeing the gems set in the top, the spider-like design. She searched it for magic and sought to discover the secrets of its origin through its design. Most importantly, she seeks how to remove it without harming either device or root, and thus keep the device and its magical secrets able to be tapped into. Shimmer searches the entire thing for magical traps as well, before daring even to touch the thing,
Subject: Re: SHADOW of the DEMONWEB Thu Jun 04, 2020 6:52 am
Log:
@Shimmer Lore 45 vs 30 SUCCESS @Shimmer Spellcraft 56 vs 30 SUCCESS
LORE The objects looks almost like a wand in size. The very first thing @Shimmer could notice is spider alike legs of the bottom of the object, firmly implanted into the root, piercing it deeply. The legs go up, wrapping spirally around each other to the top that ends with a upside down pyramid shaped crystal, decorated with three tear alike gems. This upper end of the object, while vicious as the rest of it, does not appear to resemble anything a drow would craft. Could this mean that there is a third player involved? It would not make any sense because Lolth has no allies. Yet it defines the logic. Whatever its meaning could be more than guessing, it is within @Shimmer's knowledge.
Talona's symbol is three teardrops in a triangle, very closely, almost identically, resembling the upper part of the object. The poison domain was a deity domain associated with deadly poisons, toxins, diseases, and creatures that harnessed venom. The poison domain was associated with evil deities who saw potential power in substances designed to maim and kill. There were a handful of deities that claimed the poison domain. To Talona, poison and disease were of the same purpose: to cause suffering. To the Mother of All Plagues, the best poisons are the ones that cause prolonged torment and agony before killing the afflicted victims. Both Lolth and Zehir blessed their favored races and creatures with use of the wicked poisons. The Queen of spiders blessed drow and spiders, whilst Zehir blessed yuan-ti and snakes. In this case specifically, this craft could be alliance between Lolth and Talona worshipers. It does end at the bottom with spider alike legs. Although poison is what serves as connection between the two, it is still difficult to image that Lolth worshipers would have any true alliance with anybody on long terms. Enia's life could indeed be at risk for being exposed to it for very long.
SPELLCRAFT Magical energies that the object gives away appear to be parasitic in nature. Stealing life upon the Root of Dnylis and more, the memories of it. There is no doubt that necromancy is at work. The easiest solution seems to be to simply destroy the object. But whatever information it has collected would end up lost in such process. Disconnecting the object from the root without damaging it could keep its memories intact. However, a mage is required to have such a delicate approach.
It seems that someone was clever enough to steal knowledge of the Dnylis Tree without risking life by eating its fruit. This object seems to be invented for that purpose, but came at its own risk, it is replacing the Dnylis Roots qualities and instead of the root, it is capable to memorize events happening in its proximity itself. This object contains the knowing of all things around it since its activation, plus everything it could siphon out of the Dnylis Tree. The longer it stays in, the stronger will its owner become once it claims it back, while at same time, its original receiver, Enia, is cut out from most of it.
To unlock its secrets magic related to Talona is required. Contagion was cast to lock the object from being accessed by others, and Contagion is the spell that will unlock the access to it. This however does not provide answers. Mage with caster five or more would need to perform further spellcraft on it, and send up to two willing spirits inside the upside down shaped crystal pyramid to collect the memories. Those two willing persons will fall unconscious in real life while their spirits are inside the pyramid crystal of the object. And they, as well as the mage who is linking them to the living world, would have to be protected in meantime, as such performance in the craft my alert spellcraft senses of others ... Whatever is found inside could be interpreted in many ways, depending who is being sent in and what is within their arsenal. For example a Hag Eye would be capable of narrowing down the path, pinpointing accuracy towards some key moments. Upon extraction of memories, one or two people who were sent in would awake, and object would safely detach from the root of Dnylis Tree.
Character sheet Race: Halfling Gender: Female Age: 31
Subject: Re: SHADOW of the DEMONWEB Fri Jun 05, 2020 8:47 pm
Shimmer ran her gloved fingers over the large pyramid stone, murmuring. "Diamond? No. Perhaps beljuril. Diamond couldn't hold this magic. And king's tears. Where did they get so many?" Her murmurings moved on as she examined the magic. "Why would the spider bitch work with Talona? There is something odd here. And why would they want to watch what is going on in this area?"
The tiny woman straightened, looking over at Jenn and Vesz'yraen. "Two of you will have to go in the gem to retrieve the memories for me to remove it properly, without erasing them. Uragu will have to guard all of us here. I can't break into this without alerting the makers of it, and they may send somebody after it. However, I can make both of you easier to hide, and thus better protected while you walk free of your bodies." Her muddy orange eyes glanced from one to the other as she pulled out her spellbook, flipping through it for the spell she sought, and marking it with a finger.
She reached out with her mind, and a moment later, a small, scrawny feline trotted from the shadows of a tree nearby, twining around Vesz'yraen's legs before leaping onto Shimmer's shoulder. "I may be able to send my familiar with you, to keep a line of communication open, but it will be limited at best if I can. Are you willing?" Even as she listened for their answer, she turned back to the device, searching its magic once again for how to complete this task.
Subject: Re: SHADOW of the DEMONWEB Fri Jun 05, 2020 10:39 pm
"If only things were straightforward just once." @Vesz'yraen muttered as his eyes followed the cat's movements. He heard @Shimmer's plan, and his own knowledge of magic allowed him a rough understanding what it entailed.
He glanced towards @Uragu, hoping she would be able to handle whatever was thrown her way. Both capable and trustworthy, the large creature had proven herself to him. With a somewhat eased his mind, he patted @Uragu's arm encouragingly as he walked towards @Shimmer, nodding to tiny Wizard. "Let's get this over with."
SPELLCRAFT Yes. The familiar can be sent in with one or two other persons into the memory crystal. The link with its master would allow @Shimmer to see, hear, sense, everything that her familiar can. However this amount of focus would cut Shimmer from the real world as well, she would be unable to tell of her surroundings and not be able aid @Uragu in any means, she would be able to do the craft, and the craft only, during the hunt for memories. The familiar will retrain all spells capable to be cast by its master, just as every person sent in, they would retrain all their items and abilities, because they are not a separate entities from their real world counterparts, thanks to Shimmer's magic craft that would be linking them.
Character sheet Race: Water Genasi Gender: Female Age: 360+
Subject: Re: SHADOW of the DEMONWEB Sat Jun 06, 2020 2:08 am
The large genasi would look at @vesz'yraen as she was patted gently and grumble softly at the action before cautiously sniffing at the air alert to any dangers around she could smell or hear those being vastly superior senses to her sight or touch.
she would peer to @shimmer with a soft whine afterwards almost pre-empting the understanding that she was going to be left alone as such to watch the area while they were predisposed.
having quickly come to terms of the situation she would remain still sniffing and listening in readiness.
Character sheet Race: Dark Elf Gender: Female Age: 135
Subject: Re: SHADOW of the DEMONWEB Sat Jun 06, 2020 10:03 pm
From a distance ShadowKyss observes the debate on how to proceed. Contemplating how she would proceed, perhaps this was an excellent test for her new companions to show their worth, and even find a solution to this difficult task. Perhaps then it would be prudent to let them try out their daring plan.
"Very well, my eyes shall be that of a vigilant silent sentinel as you attempt this, @Vesz'yraen and the familliar can proceed. Be mindfull of every step you take. For I can guard over your physical being, not what goes on inside the crystal."
Character sheet Race: Halfling Gender: Female Age: 31
Subject: Re: SHADOW of the DEMONWEB Sun Jun 07, 2020 3:46 pm
The darkling turned to look at Jenn incredulously, the expression on her face speaking of a great many thoughts that perhaps she was thinking the better of speaking. Even so, she muttered softly, something about wishing, perhaps, that she had left the woman to wait for her mentor. Abruptly, she turned her back upon the Puppeteer, offered a moment of comfort to Uragu as she also muttered to the large creature a short command. "If things get so bad that you can't just fight them off. Carry our bodies out. Once I finish casting... pick me up and tuck me somewhere safe, a pouch or such. " Despite herself, the woman looked bit wary at giving Uragu permission to pick her up.
With that, Shimmer turned to Vesz'yraen, eying him with a smirk and gesturing him closer. "I'm going to make you easier to hide... and to carry off if necessary. We'll have to move swiftly once we are in, even so. Otherwise we wont be out before the spell wears off. You'll want a place very close to hide." With her warning given, she begins her casting, first upon him, then then herself.
Before their eyes, Vesz'yraen shrank rapidly down to a similar size to Shimmer herself, gaining him a second, mischeivous smirk from her, before the second spell took effect, rendering him invisible to the naked eye. She herself shrank down next, going from three feet tall to half that size, small enough she could have ridden the scrawny feline that served as her familiar. Visible in the dim forest mostly because of her platinum hair, she made her way to the device, pulling forth her now half-sized spellbook. The invisble feline could be heard purring softly, sniffing about and then purring louder as it rubbed against Vesz'yraen's legs before its soft steps trotted away, curling up to hide invisble along the root.
Settling before the device, she studied the spell for a moment, pulling out various components and prepping them briefly into the correct order before she began to cast once again. First, the spell to gain access to the crystal itself knowing it was likely to alert the makers of it. Once that casting was done, she tucked her spellbook away again, and began the rest of her work, manipulating the Weave so as to send Vesz'yraen and her familiar into the crystal itself.
Subject: Re: SHADOW of the DEMONWEB Mon Jun 08, 2020 12:27 am
Log:
This intro is something that matches best how I envision Dnylis Memory hunt. While of course it has some very unrelated shots, there are those that are simply just perfect for this case specifically.
With @Shimmer's magic, the craft is concealed the best it can be as well as its pariticpants, access to the memory crystal is gained, and transfer into the memory crystal began. The subjects lost conciseness in real world, as they find themselves floating in world full of random images (see video). It was not long before @Shimmer's familiar was able to stabilize the images fading one into another, and soon the familiar and @Vesz'yraen landed gently on invisible ground, with tears floating around them. Each tear appears to be a memory that can be collected with a hand. With familiar cat being present, the number of tears increases from six to nine, maybe because it is believed that cats have nine lives? The number of memories that @Vesz'yraen can collect cannot exceed more than has intelligence modifier to what intelligence modifier of his companion (if any) is also added. In this case total 10 (more than available tears). Not all memories need to be collected and Shimmer can end the memory hunt any time. Which are right tears to grab is difficult to know, some may be totally unrelated to the events that occurred upon this companionship. But @Vesz'yraen Hag Eye seems to help narrow the search down.
@Vesz'yraen Turn: 1. [Unknown Memory] 2. [Unknown Memory] 3. [Unknown Memory] [Hag Eye reacts when looked upon this tear] 4. [Unknown Memory] [Hag Eye reacts when looked upon this tear] 5. [Unknown Memory] 6. [Unknown Memory] [Hag Eye reacts when looked upon this tear] 7. [Unknown Memory] 8. [Unknown Memory] 9. [Unknown Memory]
Subject: Re: SHADOW of the DEMONWEB Tue Jun 09, 2020 3:59 am
@Vesz'yraen's head slumped as his consciousness left his body. One moment he was in the Darkwoods, the next a bright flash gave way to a strange dream like world. Roots and branches grew at a rapid pace around him. They twisted and turned, splitting and intertwined into strange pathways, spiraling towers and rolled into tunnels.
He felt the familiar's weight as it landed on his shoulder, wondering at the world forming around him just as much as he was. They gently landed on what seems like flat root formations, barely larger than his feet. Looking down, he felt an overwhelming vertigo as the roots seemed to stretch into infinity. With a deep breath, he carefully tested his footing, quickly realizing the roots recoiled instantly when he raised his foot, only for a new one would to appear wherever his foot touched the imaginary ground plane. Disconcerting, and perhaps it would be outright terrifying if he didn't knew the context behind this strange world.
After a brief moment putting aside his fears, he took a glance around his surroundings. Ten new vine like growths descended upon them with a pod each, growing on the ends. @Vesz'yraen looked at them with curiosity as he pods bloomed, revealing the tear like shapes. Of the ten around them, three stood out to his magical eye, though the reason why remained a mystery to him.
"Humpf, if this is not the stuff of nightmares, I do not know what is. These three seem... different. What do you make of it?" He asked the familiar, pointing at the three stand outs. With the vines below creating a path, he walked towards the closest to him and reached out to touch it.
Subject: Re: SHADOW of the DEMONWEB Tue Jun 09, 2020 10:44 am
Log:
Memory 3 Unlocked Directly related to the campaign
The world around @Vesz'yraen changes to recognizable state. He sees the very same spot where they are in real world, but the place looks healthy, alive. These seems to be the very first moments since this object was activated, before this spot was corrupted. He could hear a female world chanting Contagion spell in drow language. Following the sound of her voice, @Vesz'yraen could see a drowess in purple hair standing in front of the object, where its spider legs dive and wrap deep into the earth, pulling the root of Dnylis towards the surface. She had mark of Dhuurniv house on the circlet that she wears on her forehead, and amulet with spider symbol. There was no doubt that this was a priestess of Lolth. And she was not alone. Another taller figure was standing beside her with a great sword on his back, most likely a warrior.
The drowess would smile as the dark magic flourish and she speaks up: "It is working, she was right. We are one step closer to completing our plans." The taller figure seems to be more relaxed than what is usual for males around females in Lolth society. He gets even closer, gently warping his arms around her waist, and leaning his jaw over her left shoulder to speak low into her ear: "And one step closer to overthrowing the Matron Sisters." At the mention of the matron sisters, the priestess look into distance with a thought, and pulls herself out of the warrior's arms: "I hate those bitches. They ruled far too long than they deserved ... However ..." the priestess turns back towards the warrior to face him again "Acting right now is not good, we cannot divide the house while our enemy is getting stronger. You will be the next house's Weapon Master, but all in its time. Rather than preparing and holding stupid ceremonies where everyone acknowledges their power, I foresee our dominance in acting. With the fall of the Moonlight Song House, our move will earn more voices among the crowd and our power will be recognized." The warrior listens with full attention and understanding, yet his desire to protect this priestess does not help him but wonder outloud: "And what about this witch in the wilds? Can she be trusted?" The priestess simply chuckles at the question, replying with confidence: "Of course not. However she proved truthful and useful so far, and we will continue to exploit her, with all eyes widely open. She may be powerful asset to our goals, but in the end, she is nothing but tool to be used, and cast aside when no longer serves purpose. Tell others to bring me the mirror, I must to contact her again, I need to learn more of her motives." The warrior nods and walks away. As the two separate, all the images around @Vesz'yraen fade into nothing, until the tears are only what stands before him again.
@Vesz'yraen Turn: 1. [Unknown Memory] 2. [Unknown Memory] 3. [Memory Collected] 4. [Unknown Memory] [Hag Eye reacts when looked upon this tear] 5. [Unknown Memory] 6. [Unknown Memory] [Hag Eye reacts when looked upon this tear] 7. [Unknown Memory] 8. [Unknown Memory] 9. [Unknown Memory]
Character sheet Race: Halfling Gender: Female Age: 31
Subject: Re: SHADOW of the DEMONWEB Tue Jun 09, 2020 3:38 pm
Shimmer's form didn't slump, precisely, but she did seem to relax into her trance-like state. Her breathing evened out into a slow, steady rate. Her scrawny familiar, invisble along the root, fell unconscious, but was curled up comfortably, and didn't seem to mind. ---
As the astral world formed around them, the feline stretched his paws out, reaching. Vesz's feet landed upon the roots that formed under them, and the scrawny cat landed upon his shoulders, seemingly unperturbed by the oddity of the world around them. As the pods slid down and bloomed into tears, the cats eyes looked from one to the other, seeing nothing special about any of them, unlike Vesz.
Amber eyes looks sharply from one to the other, ears held alert for danger in the strange world as Vesz asked his question aloud, and reached toward one of the tears seemingly at random. As the vision swamped through them, the feline's claws dug into his shoulder, through thr coat to screech lightly on the armor beneath.
It faded quickly, and the amber gaze turned reproachfully upon Vesz. His mouth opened, a low meow escaping audibly, overlaid by a dry, male voice that Vesz had never heard before. "Well done, elfman. Though, perhaps next time, observe first, reach second. I've no wish to die here. At least, not on an empty stomach." The feline reached a paw down toward the pocket that he had seen the man draw jerky from in the past.
Subject: Re: SHADOW of the DEMONWEB Tue Jun 09, 2020 6:38 pm
The cat's words would likely have dug into his nerves as much as his claws on his shoulders, were he not lost in thought as he considered the memory he just experienced.
"... Should I even try to stop this?" He wondered aloud with doubt in his voice, eyeing the other two tears. If he could get past the fact she is a worshiper of Lolth, her attitude seemed more relaxed than other priestesses. Something about them he found relatable. Infighting because this priestess has no other means to ascend due to her perceived weakness against her established superiors... either way, spiders will die, and one outcome unleashing a wind of possibly positive change below.
"Letting them fight might be a better outcome then trying to stop them." Again he spoke aloud, not really caring if the cat had an opinion on his thoughts. He walked towards the other stand out memories, reaching out to the next just as he did with the first. Perhaps the next ones would make his choice clearer.
Character sheet Race: Halfling Gender: Female Age: 31
Subject: Re: SHADOW of the DEMONWEB Tue Jun 09, 2020 6:44 pm
The feline listened to him, and through him, Shimmer. Though the two shared their thoughts, neither spoke them aloud. The cat stopped swinging a paw toward the jerky pocket, instead sinking himself firmly to Vesz'yraen's shoulder, his tail coiling partly around the drow's neck as he hissed, ears lowering sideways. Again the audible sound was overlaid by the cats voice.
Careful, elfman. You don't know what memories could do to us both-" He broke off, tensing and bracing himself for the next one.
Subject: Re: SHADOW of the DEMONWEB Tue Jun 09, 2020 7:54 pm
Log:
Memory 4 Unlocked Directly related to the campaign
Only few meters away from the last memory, a human sized mirror stands before the priestess, with two seems to be drow mages holding the mirror straight up. The priestess touches the mirror while silently whispering a chant. Mirror's surface begins to wave as if when drop falls into peaceful water. Once the waves stop creating watery circles, the image gets clear, and there was another female figure standing inside the mirror, this time not the reflection of the drow priestess.
The female voice speaks from the other side, calling out to drow priestess by her name, as she casts the sight upon the wounded Root of Dnylis: "Micar'yrr... I was begging to worry that that you will not be able to figure out how to use the artifact. I am glad that that I was not wrong about you." The mirror figure would smile viciously.
Micar'yrr did not welcome that type of greeting, as someone who enjoyed status in her drow society, others, especially non drow who she did not receive in personal inner circle, addressing her as equal did not suit her, and her feeling on that was obvious: "Cut the crap Ivy. This area is now secured, and we are waiting for your arrival. If you are not capable to meet us even once in person this alliance does not have future. Unless you are of course, afraid getting close and personal, which is typical for any iblith ..."
The female figure answers with almost sarcastic tone: "I would never do such a thing. After all we need each other in what comes next. Please allow me to bring you a gift for my insolence." Ivy walks towards the mirror surface, and grabs for its edges with her hands. Her leg steps out into the Prime, same world where Micar'yrr and everybody else is. Slowly, Ivy pulls out herself from whatever plane she was in, and then with her hands calls towards something else in the mirror. A plant alike snake grabs for the edges of the mirror, pulling slowly itself out of it, to follow to the Prime. Appears to be bigger then the actual passage, the mages that hold the mirror let it go and back away. As the mirror falls with its surface facing up, the creature continues to emerge, climbing out of the mirror that starts to crack. Once it is out to the prime itself, @Vesz'yraen could recognize it as the Viper Tree he has slain, but this one feels to be smaller as it was able to go through the mirror. Ivy motions towards the abyssal monster while addressing Micar'yrr: "A very beautiful pet from the Zrintor itself ..."
Micar'yrr interrupts Ivy, obviously satisfied with the present: "I know what this is. Not a pet, but a guardian for sure." Micar'yrr looks at the two drow mages, giving them command "Make sure it is well fed, I want it to grow big, I want it to protect the artifact. Feed it with the elven prisoners that we have." Micar'yrr pats two of the many viper heads the creature has, smiling at them like a mother would towards a child, before the viper tree was taken away by the drow mages to be cared for. "You impress me Ivy. But this is not going to serve us on the long run. If anything, it will make me consider not ordering my followers to end you right now. You earned my temporary favor, and I advise you to use it wisely."
Ivy did not mind the threat, and was happy to hear that audience is now granted to her: "Well I bring more than just pets. I bring the knowledge of the spirits that whisper quietly at the Demonweb Pits. What if I tell you that there is a way to not just earn more followers and advance within your house, but to actually put all other houses beneath your feet?" Micar'yrr's eyes widen, she is smart enough to know that such things are far even from her grasp, however, hearing what she wants to hear makes her very curious. This is where Memory 4 ends.
Subject: Re: SHADOW of the DEMONWEB Tue Jun 09, 2020 9:02 pm
"Ivy..." He muttered as he chuckled in an amused fashion. "If they outlived their usefulness, Micar'yrr and her cronies may already be dead. That priestess is foolish to think she has any power over that witch."
His eyes turned towards the last drop, as he wondered what last piece of information it would reveal. Without moving towards it he glanced at the cat, his lips drawing into a wicked smirk. "You were saying?"
Character sheet Race: Water Genasi Gender: Female Age: 360+
Subject: Re: SHADOW of the DEMONWEB Wed Jun 10, 2020 3:35 am
Uragu sniffs @shadowkyss briefly before she turns to @shimmer relaxing form, scooping the tiny woman into her arms gently and cradling her in a slingbag gently before hiding the hinfolk beneath her voluminous cloak like a mother animal would shelter her offspring before turning up her settings to aggressively defensive.
Character sheet Race: Halfling Gender: Female Age: 31
Subject: Re: SHADOW of the DEMONWEB Wed Jun 10, 2020 4:56 am
The familiar glared at Vesz'yraen as the memory finished, his ears sideways. , and a low growl in his throat. "She always said you were reckless... I see now she was right. If you're going to risk both our minds, at least feed me." Even so, the cat sat up, batting Vesz's ear gently with claws sheathed, and then took a brief moment to clean his whiskers.
A moment later he commented cooly. "It seems they would indeed kill each other off. Both certainly planned to. My lady says to proceed with caution, but what happens next?" Curiosity was undeniable the feline, and evidently, Shimmer as well.
Subject: Re: SHADOW of the DEMONWEB Wed Jun 10, 2020 10:54 am
"Oh? What else does she say about me?" He said with a chuckle as he offered a piece of jerky to the cat, knowing full well she'd be watching.
He'd give the cat a brief moment to chew on the jerky. Perhaps even reply to the comment if he or @Shimmer had anything to add, before taking the third tear.
