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<Bai> ::Bai, Michelle, and Whisper Leaf sit in the common room of the Hall. Michelle sits over a cup of tea, looking half asleep while Whisper Leaf plays a simple tune on a flute and Bai apparently catches a nap in a chair by the fireplace. Bai's quiver lies on a table nearby.:: * Tyl arrives. She could not look any more like she was planning a murder if she put effort into it. Perhaps she did. She is wearing all black and carrying several not well-concealed weapons on her. She has her cloak pulled up over her head despite the finally starting to get warm temperatures. <Bai> ::Michelle looks up as Tyl enters:: Hey Tyl. Can I get you anything? <Tyl> ::a throaty whisper:: Rum and ice, please... <Bai> ::Michelle pulls herself to her feet and goes behind the bar to fix Tyl's drink. Whisper Leaf nods her head in acknowledgement of Tyl's entrance but doesn't stop playing. Bai continues his nap.:: * Jaret knocks on the Hall door and opens it a moment later, if it is not answered. He's wearing a medium-weight blue overcloak which he hangs on a peg by the door. He's wearing a dark blue jacket over a grey shirt, with dark blue breeches. His rapier hangs at its normal place by his side, a fine long sword on his other hip. He has a travelers bag in one hand. "I hope I'm not too late." <Tyl> ::snickers menacingly:: On the contrary, I'd say you're right on time... <Jaret> ::putting the bag down on a table:: Delightful. I do so pride myself on timing. * Michelle places Tyl's drink on the bar, "Can I get you anything Jaret?" <Jaret> Nothing for me, thank you, Michelle. * Tyl cups her rum in both hands for a moment, then knocks it back with two neat swallows. * Zoya comes through the door shortly after Jaret. She's wearing dark and sturdy clothes which serve to accentuate her pale coloring, extreme height, and almost skeletal thinness. Her white hair is tied into a braid and wrapped twice around her head in an effect startlingly like a crown. She wears more jewelry than is usually her wont, but she carries nothing else of note. * Jaret looks at the other recent arrival. "A pleasure to see you here as well, Headmaster. I hope you don't mind if I ask, but what is the, ah, unifying theme behind your attire?" <Bai> ::Michelle looks to Zoya as she enters:: Can I get you anything Zoya? <Tyl> ::snorts:: I'm being melodramatic, Jaret. ::she scowls at him:: I was sure you'd recognize the idea... * Zoya gives WhisperLeaf's flute an annoyed look, and turns her silver gaze on Michelle. "No. I try not to be disadvantaged when setting out to kill demi-gods." Her voice is flat. <Jaret> Of course, I should have known. Could I take the cloak for you, perhaps, seeing as how we're inside? It would be a pity if you were to be felled by heatstroke. * Bai stirs and slowly pulls himself up out of his chair. For someone who was nearly a smoking corpse a week ago he's in pretty good shape. * Tyl snickers and makes a pass over her face with her hand. The psionic illusion, since that's what it was, vanishes. Underneath, Tyl is wearing normal "work" clothes and carrying a new short sword with a bright silver hilt, <Jaret> I suppose I shan't, then. <Jaret> Bai! How are you? I've heard... things. <Bai> ::Whisper Leaf stops playing as Bai stands, setting the flute down on the table and turning her eyes towards Bai.:: * Zoya looks relieved as the music stops, and leans against the bar to await Bai's explanation. <Bai> ::Bai's mouth twists somewhere between an amused smirk and a dangerous grin:: Dare I ask what things? <Zoya> Thirty six million seven hundred fifty three thousand two hundred and forty three. <Jaret> It was... a large number, yes. And that you were gravely wounded. <Zoya> With chaotic implications. ::raises an eyebrow at Michelle:: You haven't had to do any pruning, I hope. <Bai> ::Michelle shakes her head, a relieved expression on her face as she returns to her tea.:: * Bai nods, frowning at the reminder of the deaths, "Yes. Yb has ascended... And now she is wandering the world spreading chaos in her wake." <Zoya> ::darkly:: Sounds more like raw destruction to me. <Tyl> ::snorts:: huzzah <Bai> ::Whisper Leaf shakes her head:: It isn't all destruction. The Desert of Alvais was transformed into a jungle. But yes, mostly she's leaving a trail of destruction. <Jaret> Bai, while I am here, ready to join your quest to stop Yb's rampages... I do have to ask, how do you plan to confront her? I do not think a face-to-face struggle is prudent with one who obliterates countries at a whim. <Zoya> ::raises an eyebrow at WhisperLeaf:: That's another sort of destruction, you know. I know any number of desert-dwellers who would die - some quickly, some slowly - if dropped suddenly into a jungle with no warning or assistance. <Zoya> At any rate, that's moot. If you've decided to kill her rather than save her, fine. Jaret's question is critical, then. Facing a god of any sort directly is, at best, a chancy proposal, even if you have another god's backing. * Bai sighs and nods, running a hand over his face before answering. "We're going to retrieve the Staff of Order. It unfortunately can't match Yb's power at this point, but it's the only thing I can think of that has a prayer of evening the scales. Once we've got the Staff my plan is to use it to steal Yb's soul. Without Yb's soul Chaos should lose Its connection to the mortal realm." <Zoya> Where's the Staff? * Tyl puts her hand on her sword hilt, not as if to draw it, but as if looking for comfort or advice. "Backing of another God's not something we have, is it?" * Bai sighs, "In a pocket dimension of its own creation. A realm of absolute order." <Zoya> ::frowns:: Sounds charming. * Jaret struggles to wrap his head around the idea. "I'm not precisely sure what that implies, but all right. How do we get there? Or, how do we get you there?" * Bai looks at Whisper Leaf, then shrugs, "Depends on how you define backing. If you mean they'll get directly involved, probably not. Hopefully they'll give us free access to their resources. Unfortunately all the ones that probably would be willing to directly intervene are busy keeping others from directly opposing us." <Tyl> I don't suppose you happen to be carrying around this dimension... in your pocket, perhaps? <Tyl> ::follows his gaze to Whispering Wonder:: That's all right, Bai, I was thinking about more reliable backing anyway... * Bai shakes his head, "No. I'm gambling that a spell I asked Zoya to research, if cast in the Heart of the World, will allow me to go there and retrieve the Staff." <Tyl> ::mutters:: Sort of like Nacheyla. She's reliable. A bit flakey from time to time, and absolutely too fascinated with a tiny little boring town in the middle of Beekeep nowhere, but reliable... <Zoya> ::gives Jaret a wry grin:: Absolute order is just as deadly as absolute chaos. Perhaps even more so... Chaos implies change, to which one can adapt. Order is... unchanging, and so much more difficult to manipulate. ::turns to Bai:: Nevertheless, I have succeeded, on a limited basis, in making some progress in the manipulation of Ordered constructs. <Zoya> ::winks at Tyl:: Don't you trust my Patron? He'll keep an eye on us, I'm sure. I don't know if he can *do* anything at... ::eyes Bai again:: The heart of WHAT world? * Bai looks relieved, "That is good to hear. Probably the first good news I've had since this started." <Bai> My home world. <Zoya> ::snorts:: If I hadn't, you'd probably be dead. You came in here absolutely *buzzing* with raw chaos. Michelle was rather badly injured trying to heal you. I had to use Order magic to bleed it off before you could die. * Bai bows to Zoya, "Again, my thanks." <Tyl> "The Heart of the World"... you say it with all capital letters and everything. Cool... guess it's a well-defined spot? * Bai nods, "Yes. It's a chamber at the center of the world. The focal point for all the magical energies of the world." <Zoya> Guarded by a council of ancient dragons and one of your rather peculiar gods. * Bai shrugs, "I have no idea what it's guarded by. No one who's actually been there has been willing to discuss it with me." <Zoya> Charming. Do you know the way? * Jaret raises an eyebrow. "That doesn't sound very polite." <Tyl> ::shrugs diffidently:: It's Bai's world, Jaret. I wouldn't expect manners. <Bai> I know where the way starts. I gather that finding your way there is one of the trials, though I'd assume that if one keeps heading down one must eventually reach it. <Zoya> Now, now... The *people* of the world have manners, Tyl. It's the *gods* that are lacking in common courtesy. <Tyl> ::shakes her head:: I don't know... ::she looks at Bai:: I seem to remember a story about Bai saving the lives of some entire elf village that depended on his good opinion for their existence, and then slapping him in the face when he dared to admire Yb - back when she was somewhat normal... I wouldn't call that exactly a display of either good manners or good sense. <Zoya> ::musingly:: You'd think an Artifact of Order would know when it was needed to keep Chaos from getting out of hand, and summon itself to the person most capable of using it. ::sighs:: Ah, well... Are we all prepared? Let's get on with it, then. <Zoya> ::grins widely at Tyl:: You've noted yourself that some elves have certain... blind spots. <Tyl> ::looks affronted:: Prepared? Hell, no! I have not yet begun to prepare my arsenal of smart-assed remarks... give me a minute. * Bai looks around, "Any other questions? Would any care to hear the latest report before we leave?" <Zoya> Not unless there's information in that report that's actually relevant. The actual body count is not important. <Tyl> Oh, by all means, Bai, darling... dampen my spirits further... ::bows elaborately, with much waving of her hands:: <Jaret> Oh, please do, Bai. I'd hate to think we were going into this without the most current information. * Bai looks at the three patrons, apparently trying to judge just how much sarcasm was in their responses before turning the question over to Whisper Leaf. <Tyl> ::raises one thin eyebrow:: Before we begin... who, or, need I say, *what* are you? <Bai> Whisper Leaf gives Tyl a friendly smile, "I'm Whisper Leaf, daughter of Mokomicon and Shadra, Saint of Bards, Consort of Eng'lvail, and any number of other titles that are probably meaningless unless Bai's been teaching the history of our world." <Zoya> ::sighs and mutters:: I'm doomed to adventure with damnable *bards*... <Tyl> ::raises her other eyebrow to match:: Saint, like Bai is supposedly a saint? * Jaret bows. * Whisper Leaf smiles at Zoya, "I'm afraid I won't be accompanying you. I and my bards have been given the task of warning people of Yb's approach and leading them to safe haven. I've only stayed here as long as I have to keep Bai informed while he recovered from his injuries." <Zoya> ::in a normal tone:: Well, at least *someone* is doing something vaguely useful. <Bai> ::Whisper Leaf turns to Tyl:: Yes, though there are differences between us. <Tyl> All right... so, aside from death, destruction, and outright stupidity, what are we getting ourselves into? <Bai> I think that about covers the generalities. <Bai> ::Whisper Leaf pauses to gather her thoughts and then begins what sounds like a formal report:: Absalom has transformed all of his temples into sanctuaries. They should be protected well enough to survive as long as Yb doesn't take a personal interest in them. That's where my bards are sending everyone. <Bai> Archon's minions are trailing Yb, making deals with her survivors. Logos is gathering his forces but no one knows if he's preparing for a seige or to take the offensive. The Zuaire have left their valley and are attacking everything they can reach. * Tyl reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small pad of paper. She licks the end of the small charcoal pencil and sits the point to the paper. The pencil, without any more help on her part, begins taking notes. <Bai> Beyond that everyone is just trying to hunker down and look after their own. Well except for Palerys. He's been railing at the Six trying to get you removed Bai. I hate to mention it, but you're suppose to meet with them as soon as you get back, though with everything that's happened I can't quite remember if I told you that or not. ::smiles mischievously:: <Zoya> ::smirks:: I see bards on *your* world are no more bound to the truth than the bard on *my* homeworld. <Tyl> ::eyebrow:: Remove Bai from what? And what's "the six"? * Bai groans, running his hand down his face, "I know he's your brother, but would you mind terribly if I torn him limb from limb when this is all over?" <Tyl> ::pats Bai on the shoulder:: We can blame it on Yb. <Jaret> And why wait until this is all over? <Whisper Leaf> Remove Bai's sainthood. He's not a true saint, so the favor he's been granted can be removed. The Six are the six gods responsible for most mortal concerns. Above them are the four poles, Good, Evil, Order and Chaos, and below the Six are the individual racial deities. <Bai> Because Palerys is very good at hiding and with Yb on the rampage it would be selfish to indulge in hunting him down. Though if you happen to meet a handsome swordsman with two rapiers and a penchant for fancy dress and illusions in a dark alley feel free to bloody him up for me. <Jaret> I'll try to engage him in some conversation first, to see if he's simply a stylish gentleman or the one in question. * Bai smiles, "Probably a good idea." <Tyl> ::shakes her head:: How convoluted... do I even want to know what it takes to make a true Saint? <Whisper Leaf> Have both your parents be gods, or convince mortals to worship you. <Tyl> ::under her breath:: I wonder if Nacheyla would let us borrow Her son. ::glances at the ceiling:: Only kidding. <Zoya> ::grins:: Nacheyla, on Bai's world, would be a Saint. Her son... merely extremely powerful. Only one of his parents is a god, and no one worships him. Well, not in the implied sense, anyway. * Bai nods in agreement with Zoya, "She'd serve Atami, Mother of all Humans." <Tyl> ::snorts:: I seriously doubt that. * Bai shrugs, "That would be her station in my world. But yes, she doesn't strike me as the type to serve much of anyone." <Zoya> ::shrugs:: The Saints don't seem all *that* bound to the hierarchical order. Palerys, for example, is certainly pursuing his own agenda without regard for anyone else. * Tyl peers at her notebook. "Ok... let me see if I've got all this straight - it is a habit, among thieves, to enumerate carefully the vastness of our stupidity before engaging in these sorts of activities, you know... One, we're going to Bai's world, where nothing makes sense normally, and now makes even less. Two, we're supposed to go somewhere where few people have been and no one wants to talk about. Three, we're supposed to do this while Yb is being Yb, only more so and Four, while other idiots along the same general power lines of Yb and Bai are either doing nothing, making as much trouble as they can, or frantically trying to get out of Yb's way? Is that about right?" <Zoya> You forgot that we're going to be doing it utilizing a new theory of magic that I have only just created, let alone fully tested, which seems to be the magical equivalent of trying to walk underwater with my arms tied behind my back. ::grins:: <Tyl> ::fingers her sword hilt reverently:: Bluestar's going to kill me as soon as I get home. I just want you to know that. <Jaret> So, when do we start? * Bai considers for a moment, "Only one clarification. Nothings along the same power lines as Yb at this point, so no matter how you stack it, the odds are against us. I'll need to remember to ask Palerys what odds his bookies are giving us before breaking his jaw." <Tyl> ::mutters:: Gods preserve us, I hope there aren't any doors. * Bai looks around, "If there are no more questions we can start now." <Zoya> ::raises an eyebrow at Bai:: Remind me to do something very nasty to you, sometime later, when we've all recovered from this escapade. <Tyl> Miss Minstrel Saint lady? * Jaret picks his bag back up and puts his cloak on. "Born ready." <Whisper Leaf> Yes? <Tyl> Do you take requests? I mean, if I asked you to do something for me, in the event of my untimely, undoubtably very painful and lengthy death... would you? * Whisper Leaf smiles, "As long as it didn't violate my duties or personal ethics yes." * Bai picks up his quiver and slings it over his shoulder. <Tyl> ::indicates the silver-hilted sword at her side:: This belongs to my beloved and revered teacher... If I don't come home, would you please see that it gets back to Jalavier Bluestar? <Zoya> ::raises an eyebrow:: Beloved and revered? That crusty excuse for an acerbic wit? <Bai> ::Whisper Leaf bows formally to Tyl:: It would be an honor that I hope I am never granted. <Tyl> Thank you... ::she looks a lot better:: I'm relieved. He promised to do lots of unpleasant things to me if I lost it. ::winks at Zoya:: He is beloved and revered... do I not try, and fail miserably, to live up to his example? <Zoya> ::smiles serenely:: You're getting closer with each one of these absurd quests. <Tyl> Well... ::grins widely:: I'm also trying to be a good wife... Mystra knows, Jelarthna would already be foaming at the mouth to be underway... <Zoya> ::raises her eyes to the ceiling in a muttered and not-very-humble prayer to her patron deity, then sighs and shakes out the loose sleeves of her shirt:: Let's get on with it, then. * Bai chuckles, "Let us be off then." Turns to Whisper Leaf, "Please inform the Six that I do not have time to discuss my plans in a committee, and that if Palerys's grievances are so great then he can make an appointment for a later date." <Tyl> ::aside:: You can further add that the Six should help or get out of the way... * Bai nods once and exits the Hall and opens a portal in the alley, the narrow walls hiding the portal from the main street. The view through the portal is lit only by the light shining through the portal, and reveals an obviously artificial cavern. * Bai nods to the others, "After you." <Zoya> ::points through the portal:: Where is that? <Tyl> ::ominously:: The blackest pits of Hell (tm)... ::she steps through:: <Bai> The start of the path to the Heart of the World. The chamber is as close to the Heart as magic will permit people to travel. <Zoya> ::snorts:: Certainly. ::she takes a breath and steps through.:: * Jaret steps through the portal as well. * Zoya stops as soon as she's on the other side, then staggers a couple of steps before falling to her knees. Where her bare hands touch the cavern floor, a patch of tiny flowers springs up, each one a completely different color. "Oh... Oh, sweet gods..." * Bai follows Jaret, the portal closing behind him. A moment later Bai draws his sword, the bright blade filling the room with sunlight. In the light of Bai's blade several passages can be seen exiting the chamber, as well as inscriptions on the walls, and what appear to be travel supplies neat packed in the corners of the chamber. <Jaret> Zoya? Are you all right? What's wrong? <Tyl> Well, that's pretty... ::she digs around in her bag and pulls out two bracelets. She snaps them onto her wrists. Each winks with multicolored gemstones.:: <Zoya> ::With effort, she sits back on her heels, panting for breath:: Imagine drinking from a stream, only to have it turn in an instant to a raging flood... ::She pulls herself to her feet. Her silver eyes are glowing:: The magic here is... ::she looks at Bai:: It's not usually this strong, is it? She's leaking. * Jaret goes to read an inscription on the wall. * Bai nods, "Chaos is ascending. Everything associated with Chaos will continue to grow stronger until her fall, just as everything associated with Order will grow weaker. Unfortunately Good has been in descent for some time, and the passing of Chaos will only hasten the ascension of Evil." <Tyl> Your gods need to take swordsmen lessons... balance, balance... not wildly swinging all over the place... sheesh... <Jaret> Actually, there's a style of swordplay, practiced by some steppe nomads that is based on just such... oh, never mind. Ask me later if you're curious. <Zoya> Well. ::takes a deep breath, and the glow in her eyes fades to a mere supernatural gleam:: There's *some* good news, anyhow. I don't think I've ever had access to this much power in my life. <Tyl> ::gives Jaret a look of naked fear before masking it:: I'll make a point of doing that, Jaret dear... <Bai> ::The first wall is illegible (unless someone here reads goblin) but the second wall Jaret approaches is written in Common:: Above you the weight of the World, below you its Heart. One trial to find the Heart, four more to prove ones worth, and the final test to see, if you shall ever be. Taken then what you need, or wait for them to return. Turn back now or travel down, only they will see. <Zoya> Six tests... ::ponders:: One for each of the Six Gods? <Tyl> ::mutters:: Why do trials like this always have to start with bad doggerel? Is it to intimidate us? Offend our artistic sensibilities? Because it's "always been done that way"? Really... * Bai shakes his head, "Coincidence most likely. Or else they chose to have six as their number because of the Heart. The Heart's origins where lost to time long before any living being except Logos was alive." <Zoya> ::flashes Tyl a grin:: Now, it's too bad that Minstrel Saint isn't with us? Or perhaps Kevil. One of them might at least be able to make it into *good* doggerel. * Bai chuckles, "How about all of the above?" <Zoya> ::half-smiles at Bai:: I'm only joking. I like Kevil too much to have dragged him into this mess, and I suspect your Minstrel Bard would have insisted on making music, and I really hate music when I'm trying to think. Especially flutes. * Tyl quietly wonders if there were dead things alive back when the heart was made that are still dead and living and then decides that this is an unhealthy train of thought and shuts up. <Zoya> Well, then. Where do we go from here? * Bai walks over to one of the stacks of supplies, eyeing a spear, "I don't think we have a prayer of actually sneaking up on anything down here. Do we continue by the light of my sword, by torches, or by spells so we can see in the dark?" <Tyl> ::snorts:: I haven't met much *I* couldn't sneak up on. Perhaps I should scout ahead? <Jaret> As long as we don't run into one of those places where magic is suppressed, I'll be able to see. But having a light source, fire especially, handy can become quite useful in a pinch. * Bai grins, "Well if we use spells to see in the dark then we can use this as a surprise like when we were fighting those dark elves." Waves his sword slightly. * Tyl eyes his sword with vague disgust. * Zoya makes a face and mutters a brief incantation. The floor under her feet cracks like a water-drained desert and crumbles slightly as her eyes begin to glow a faint blood-red. "There. Now I can see, too." * Bai nods, closing his eyes for a moment and then pulling his swords scabbard from his quiver and sheathing it, his eyes glowing a faint blue. Bai grabs the spear and rummages around in the supplies for a few moment, depositing several items in his quiver. * Tyl drops gracefully into a sitting position in front of the supplies and begins rummaging through them. "Who left these here?" <Bai> I have no idea. I certainly didn't expect to find them here. Not that I'm complaining. <Tyl> ::eyes him suspiciously:: That doesn't bode well, really... I hate trusting things I don't know. <Bai> Can't argue with you on that. Gotten myself into a lot of trouble that way. * Tyl mutters the elvish equivalent of "I trust not the greeks, even when they bring gifts." <Jaret> Do we need anything? If we don't, I say we simply leave them here. <Tyl> ::glances up at Jaret:: I have everything I need, except if something completely unexpected happens. In which case... I'll take whatever advantage I can get. ::she winks at him:: * Zoya pulls a wand from her sleeve, aims it at a hapless wall, and speaks a sharp-edged word. A flame of ice shoots from the end of the wand and encases the wall. Zoya eyes the size of the ice-chunk, nods, and sticks the wand back into her sleeve. "I have everything I need." * Tyl stuffs a couple of healing potions into her carry-all. "You never know when you might run out..." A long coil of rope "you can never have too much rope..." a few extra throwing knives which immediately vanish into her cloak lining... "I always can use more knives..." and several other odds and ends. "You just never know, do you?" * Bai looks at Tyl, "If you're going to be scouting ahead, at least let me put a little protection on you?" * Jaret lifts through a pack of the supplies, lifting out a tightly stoppered bottle. "I can't say as it wouldn't be a bad idea to take these along. Provenance does happen, I understand. Especially to heroes such as ourselves." * Tyl nods. "Surely... as long as it doesn't make me glow purple with pink polka dots..." * Bai murmurs for a moment, then makes a gesture at Tyl. She glows blue faintly for a moment, then the glow fades away. * Tyl reaches into her bag and pulls out a small grey metal rod. Handing the rod to Zoya. "Hold this, will you? If I need to come back in a hurry, I'll focus on it. Otherwise, I'll keep in touch..." She taps the side of her head, then turns, melting into the darkness like a dream. <Bai> As for which way do we go, ::looks around and points to a particular tunnel:: that appears to be the only tunnel heading downward. * Jaret blinks. "Well. That was impressive." * Zoya eyes Tyl's rod for a moment, considers sticking it in her sleeve, then decides against, pushing it into the crown of her braid. * Bai waits several moment, then slowly heads towards the tunnel he indicated. * Jaret looks to Zoya. "Lady, would you care to be surrounded by gentlemen, or have both of us before you and what lies ahead?" <Zoya> ::laughs softly:: Much as I would *enjoy* being bracketed by gentlemen of such caliber, I suggest it would be more tactically sound to have you in front... Your method of attack requires a certain nearness to your opponent, after all, and I should be able to shoot over your head. <Jaret> In that case, I follow our guide. My only request to you is this. I pray, please consider my hat, when launching your volleys? I do not think I packed a suitable replacement. <Zoya> But of course! ::grins and waves Jaret ahead:: <Tyl> *There's some... mist here... pink and sort of floating... * ::her voice is soft in Zoya's mind:: * Zoya repeats Tyl's observation for the two gentlemen:: Any idea what it might be, Bai? * Bai shakes his head, "No idea. I've never heard of any subterranean mists." * Zoya concentrates on Tyl. *We have no idea. Be careful.* <Tyl> *No idea. Of course not. Checking the area for spring-nasties of the more mundane sort.* * Jaret undoes the mostly ceremonial peaceknotting on his swords and tests their readiness in the scabbards. <Tyl> *Oh joy... living mist... it's moving towards me. Definitely alive... checking something else.* * Zoya continues to convey Tyl's messages. "Perhaps we'd better hurry, gentlemen..." * Jaret follows ahead at Bai's pace. * Bai nods and quickens his pace, not knowing how far ahead Tyl is, but not wanting to run over her either. * Tyl is standing in the tunnel, braced as if pushing on something, altho there's nothing there. The pink mist is creeping and swirling in the hallway just beyond her, held at bay by Tyl's invisible whatever. * Jaret comes to a halt. "If someone makes it solid, I'll have it on the floor in as many pieces as requested, however, until then, perhaps someone else is best equipped to handle this? * Bai looks at Zoya, "I think that would be you." * Tyl nods. "I can't tell if it's *hostile* or not, but it's definitely alive." * Zoya eyes the mist, the glow in her eyes brightening slightly. "Have you tried communicating with it?" <Tyl> ::shakes her head:: I will now, though. Communicating with non-humanoids is difficult, but I'll try... ::she closes her eyes, leaving the barrier in place:: <Tyl> ::in a low voice:: Just once - once - I'd like to run into something weird and fascinating that *wasn't* interested in ending my existence... <Tyl> ::shakes her head:: It's not very intelligent. Hungry for our blood, and I don't think it's coherent enough to bargain with. ::eyes Zoya:: Don't suppose you have a cow in your sleeve or something? <Jaret> I have a half-bottle of Arabellan Red in my bag. Either we can consume what remains in the bottle or stuff the creature in there with the vintage, and perhaps such would improve its personality. My preference would be to not waste the wine on an unappreciative imbiber, but I suppose I could sacrifice it, given the occasion. * Bai grins, "Might be a handy thing to keep around if we can get it into the bottle." <Tyl> ::starting to perspire, beads of sweat collecting along her temples and running down to her neck:: Just... with Yb on the loose and all, I'm hesitant to add to the body count any more than we absolutely have to. * Tyl glances at Jaret. "Open the bottle and either drink it or not. Put it on the floor near the barrier." <Zoya> Unintelligent and hungry? Hmm.... Bloodthirst. ::rummages in her sleeve and comes up with a small glass vial. She pulls a tiny dagger from her belt and pricks her thumb, letting a few drops trickle into the vial.:: Don't waste your wine, Jaret. * Zoya sets her vial onto the floor beside Tyl's barrier. "Can you compress it, or should I?" * Jaret starts to rummage in the bag, and comes out with a bottle. "On the advice of the High Priestess, I will hold this in reserve." <Tyl> I'll get it to go into the bottle... you figure out how to make it all fit. ::she is panting for breath now:: <Zoya> ::grins:: Mist is just a collection of chaotic particles. It'll fit. <Tyl> All right... dropping my barrier. Be ready to do something else if this doesn't work... ::she concentrates, closing her eyes. At her wrist, one of the gems on her bracelet crumbles to dust and hits the floor with a soft hiss:: * Zoya narrows her eyes, and the mist begins to stir a little faster, as if a playful wind is dancing behind Tyl's barrier. <Bai> ::A tendril of mist slips into Zoya's bottle, the color of the mist darkening a few moments later, as the mist begins to filter into the bottle.:: * Zoya watches closely until the mist has compressed nearly into liquid and filled the bottle. As the last of it enters, she pushes a wax-lined cork into the vial's mouth. "A little heat, Tyl, to seal it?" * Tyl nods, concentrates, and the wax bubbles a bit. <Zoya> There we go. All nice and secure. ::she shakes the vial slightly, examines the seal, and tucks it back into her sleeve:: * Tyl nods again and slumps against the wall, breathing hard. * Bai shakes his head, "You two make a good team." <Tyl> Lots... and lots of practice... ::she reaches into a bag and pulls out a waterflask and takes several gulps:: <Zoya> ::grins:: It takes practice. I trust that if we run into giants, you and Lord Malkier will team well. * Bai looks at the ceiling that he has to stoop to avoid hitting, "I don't think we have to worry about giants." * Jaret bows his head, the bottle of wine languidly cradled in the crook of his elbow. "I have to do something more than appreciate the scenery." * Tyl wipes her mouth on her sleeve. "You never know about tunnels, Bai..." <Zoya> Ha. Cavern ceilings... ::she shrugs:: Let's get on with it. <Tyl> ::absently:: I wonder if you'll need to feed that thing once in a while... * Bai nods, gesturing to Tyl. * Tyl nods, then slips into the darkness again, the sounds of her clothing suddenly absent as she disappears. <Zoya> I'm sure we'll find out. * Bai heads down the tunnel. * Jaret follows a few paces behind Bai. * Zoya follows Jaret, alert. <Tyl> *there's something very large here. Under the floor, I think...* <Zoya> ::relaying the message, along with commentary:: By Erdian's hat... ::she looks at Bai with annoyance:: If these are all going to be combat trials, I'm going to be very disappointed with this Heart's ingenuity. <Tyl> *make that three somethings... in or behind the walls... very strange.* * Bai quickens his pace, "We'll discuss creativity once we're through." <Jaret> Under the floor, behind the walls... anything over the ceiling? <Tyl> *they're... it's hard to tell where they are... they make my head feel strange. I think one's above me... or maybe it's below me.* <Zoya> Or both. You may want to back up a bit, until we catch up. <Bai> ::The sounds of breaking stone can be heard up ahead of the party. Bai takes off at a run.:: * Tyl nods, which no one can hear, and slides backwards from the chamber. As she does so, the walls break and crumble and two large creatures, covered with hard chitinous shells, move into the room. * Jaret follows Bai at a sprint, drawing his blades as he runs. <Bai> ::the creature nearest Tyl attacks, swing two heavy, clawed arms at her, and snapping its huge mandibles at her, but never managing to connect with the quick footed elf. The second creature tries to scurry around Tyl and pin her against a wall.:: * Tyl flicks a hand into her cloak, pulling out a span of darts. With an underhanded sweep, she directs the projectiles towards the creature's eyes. Then she slides to one side of the creature, keeping away from the walls. <Bai> ::The creature Tyl attacked steps back and cries out as it's eyes are pierced by the darts. The creature then twists its head around on its neck, revealing a second pair of eyes that stare coldly at Tyl.:: <Bai> ::The second creature attacks Bai as he arrives, one massive arm shattering the spear he carries, while its mandible bite down on Bai's arm.:: <Bai> ::Bai's manages to twist his arm free of the creatures mouth and slams it up against a wall as the third creature drops from the ceiling behind Tyl.:: <Tyl> ::mutters:: It just never ends, does it? * Jaret charges the creature glaring at Tyl, not slowing as he approaches. The sword in his left slices at the back of its knee, he rams his rapier into its lower back and uses that leverage to continue its charge up its back, pulling the blade out as he ascends, and then concludes with a chopping blow at a shoulder joint and a final lunge with the rapier at the base of its neck. * Zoya pulls out her ice-wand again and takes careful aim at the monster lumbering after Bai. Again, she mutters the sharp-edged word of command, and the thing's entire head and upper torso are encased in half a foot of ice. * Tyl takes a deep breath, then begins tumbling around the room with the intent of ending up somewhere safely behind Zoya. <Bai> ::The creature Jaret attacked falls to the ground, its carapace split open and its blood pooling on the floor. The one Zoya froze pummels its own head, trying to knock the ice off. The third charges Jaret but is unable to penetrate Jaret's guard.:: * Bai pulls a length of chain from under his sash and swings it out over Jaret's head, catching one of the creatures arms and immobilizing it in a tug of war. * Jaret leaves the immobilized arm alone, using that as a stationary point to exploit, striking at the lower belly, not raising his eyes to the creature's 'face'. * Zoya aims her wand at the ice-wrapped thing again, this time immobilizing its arms so it can't try to clear the ice away. * Tyl finishes her tumble somewhat behind Zoya, getting warily to her feet. "Careful of those things, they like to cause cave-ins. I'm not partial to being buried alive." <Bai> ::The one Zoya froze is now completely encased in ice, the one Bai and Jaret have been fight struggles, and manages to rip the chain from Bai's grasp before starting to burrow into the nearest wall.:: <Bai> ::Seeing the creature fleeing Bai begins to examine his arm where he was bit:: * Jaret gets in a few parting strokes as the umber hulk flees, but doesn't follow it into its self-made tunnel. * Zoya fishes a roll of gauze out of her sleeve and tosses it to Bai. "Here." <Bai> ::The umber hulk dies halfway into the wall.:: * Bai takes the gauze and quickly ties a light bandage around the wound before tossing the roll back to Zoya, "Thanks Zoya." <Zoya> Sure. ::tucks the gauze back into her sleeve, then looks around, deciphering umber-hulk tunnels from the path they should be taking.:: * Tyl sighs, dusts herself off and starts poking around the room with a gleam of avarice in her violet eyes. <Zoya> What are you doing, Tyl? * Jaret looks around at the shattered walls of the chamber. "I hope not everyone gets this reception. Otherwise, they're spending a fortune on redecorating fees." <Tyl> ::half shrugs:: Being myself, Zoya... ::she laughs:: Umber Hulks have rather impressive nests, if you can find them. <Zoya> ::laughs:: We don't have time for that, now. <Tyl> We definitely won't have time *later*... ::she snorts and turns over a few loose items in the room in absent-minded hope:: <Bai> ::Tyl overturns a rock, and sees something sparkle, a few moments of digging turn up about 200 gold coins and about 100 platinum coins.:: * Tyl laughs with no small amount of satisfaction. "Ah, here we are....." She scoops the coins into her bag. <Zoya> ::snorts:: Can we *go* now? I hate being underground even more than I hate being in the desert. <Tyl> Oh, you are so.... ::waves a hand absently at Zoya:: Certainly. ::she swoops off into the darkness again to continue scouting:: <Zoya> Un-venial? ::grins and waits for the gentlemen to precede her:: <Tyl> That's a lovely word, Zoya, if only I knew what it meant... ::her voice floats out of the darkness back towards the group:: * Bai pauses for a moment to retrieve his chain and pull a boken from his quiver, "I need to learn to carry more swords," before following Tyl. <Jaret> I'm sorry about your spear, Bai. ::heads off, a few paces behind the saint:: <Zoya> You're six hundred years old, and you haven't expanded your vocabulary any better than that? ::grins:: <Tyl> ::very sternly:: *One hundred and thirty four...* * Zoya grins wider and allows Tyl to feel her amusement. * Tyl creeps down the hallway, playing bait and checking for traps and listening for more nasties and all that sort of stuff. * Tyl walks for quite a while before pausing. *There's light ahead.* <Zoya> ::relaying, then commenting:: That's either good news, or bad. Any idea which, Bai? * Bai shakes his head, "None at all. My understanding is that most of denizens here don't need light, but that doesn't exact why there is light." * Tyl sniffs at the air. *And growing things... plants and the like.* <Jaret> Well... let's do what we can about catching up to her. * Bai nods, "Plants might explain the light, though I can't imagine why anyone would try to grow anything down here." <Zoya> You may not want to *touch* any of the plants, Tyl... * Tyl creeps closer, hugging the darkness. *I'm not touching *anything*. Do I *look* stupid?* <Zoya> ::grins:: I don't know. I can't see you, yet. <Bai> ::Tyl sees a large chamber, with what has to be an illusion of a blue sky for a ceiling. The room is filled with plant life, looking for all the world like a forest glade. However, there is no sign of any animals, just the plants.:: * Tyl fills in the rest of the party with the description, hanging in the edge of the room, by a particularly thick shadow, observing. <Bai> ::The rest of the party soon sees the light ahead in the tunnel:: * Zoya leans to look past Jaret and Bai, obviously intrigued. * Bai examines the room from the tunnel entrance, then whispers, "There's six people scattered throughout the room. They probably already know we're here." <Zoya> How do you know? * Jaret loosens his swords in their scabbards again. <Bai> I can... Well I could see them hiding. Looks like Palerys got his way after all. I just lost Mirgianne's grace. <Zoya> Well, we'd better hurry, then. Any chance they'll talk to us? There's enough bloodshed going on up top, and we don't have *time* for endless combat. <Jaret> Fascinating. I definitely have some fury to visit on him when we meet him. <Bai> ::shrug:: Only one way to find out that I know of Zoya. <Zoya> Excellent. Who'd like to walk in first? * Jaret draws his swords. "I will." <Tyl> ::shakes her head:: Of course not, Zoya... don't be ridiculous. The whole point of this is just to slow us down... it's not like the gods actually *want* us to help. Personally, if I didn't feel so sorry for the people who *don't* want anything to do with this, I'd say the gods here can kiss my ass and I'd be cheering Yb on every step of the way. <Jaret> Ladies and gentlemen hiding amongst the plants! We are here to obtain an artifact to stop the rampaging of the one known as Yb. If you have any fond thoughts of the people up there, please do not stand against us on our passage. There is no profit in resistance, only bloodshed. ::he looks back to the others:: Did I miss anything? * Bai thinks, "No I don't think so." <Zoya> ::amused:: That seems to have covered it. <Bai> ::A voice emanates from somewhere in the room, echoing off of the walls:: And how will the Heart of the World help you stop Chaos? She is the great power now. If we truly guard the Heart of the World, then she currently guards the Soul of the World. What good can come of Heart and Soul battling each other? <Zoya> Does not Order oppose Chaos? <Voice> Yes. Soon now Chaos will wane and Order will wax once more. The four poles constantly shifting to maintain the balance of the world. <Jaret> Only after more millions above die. Do those lives mean nothing to you? <Voice> And if the Heart and Soul of the World battle and both are destroyed. Who would survive then? <Tyl> ::mutters:: Do I *give* a shit? <Zoya> ::snorts:: You have obviously never been in love, or you would know that the heart and soul battle often. It strengthens, not weakens. <Voice> But only if both survive. What guarantee can you give us that both will survive? <Tyl> ::snorts:: Idiots. No one can guarantee anything. Ever. Not chaos, not good, not evil. You decide your course and you do your best. Sometimes things screw up anyway. <Zoya> Doing nothing is a coward's course. We are not cowards. We will do what we may. If you insist on cowardice, at least do not stand in our way. <Voice> How do you intend to use the Heart to oppose Chaos? * Jaret nods. "Lay it out for them, Bai. If this 'Heart' is what we're here for." * Bai nods, "We need the power of the Heart in order to retrieve the Staff of Order. It is with the Staff that we will oppose Chaos." <Bai> ::There is silence for several moments, then two trees part, revealing a passage filled with plant life.:: You may pass to the remaining trials, but be warned, harm nothing that grows beneath our sky. <Tyl> ::mutters:: Yippee skippy. * Jaret slowly sheathes his swords. "As long as it doesn't harm me first...." <Zoya> ::snorts:: Next time we could just lead Yb down here. Once she ripped up all your plants, I bet you'd get involved. * Bai heads towards the passage and looks as far down it's length as he can given that it's nearly overgrown in plant life. Vines creep over everything, occasionally hanging from the ceiling. Thorny bushes block anything resembling a straight path, and plants with hinged leaves the size of a man threaten to block the passage or envelop travellers. <Zoya> ::sighs:: More games. ::she starts rummaging in her sleeves:: <Tyl> I told you it wouldn't matter... * Zoya comes up with a ring. "Ah-ha!" She pulls off another ring and jams it on her finger, then turns to face the plants. "Let us pass, please." <Bai> ::The hinged leaves close, clearing space along the path. The other plant life remains the same as it was before.:: <Zoya> The rest of you had better go first... * Bai nods and steps into the passage, carefully wending his way between the plants. * Tyl sighs. "I hate wilderness... very pointless to pickpocket a frog. Can we go home yet?" * Jaret quietly glares at the unseen lurkers and begins to follow Bai through the plants. * Zoya follows at the last. She stops at the far edge and turns, nodding politely to the plants. "Thank you." She pulls off the ring and tucks it back into her sleeve before following the others. <Bai> ::On the far side of the passage is a small, pebbly beach to an underground river that disappears into the rock face. The beach is lit by torches mounted in the walls. the far side of the river is another rock face.:: * Tyl yawns, rubbing at the back of her neck. * Jaret peers where the river disappears. "Well. Any ideas?" <Bai> Just one, and I don't like it. <Zoya> If we don't have any choice, we don't have any choice. Come on. I'll summon us a boat. ::she grins and marches down the beach.:: * Bai chuckles, "Sometimes Zoya, you make me feel like I wasted my life as a soldier." * Jaret follows Zoya to the river bank. <Zoya> ::laughs:: If I hadn't been marked for the Chained, I'd have run way from home to be a sailor. ::she considers the water:: Hmm.... anyone got anything made of wood? <Zoya> Nonmagical, by preference? * Tyl digs around in her bag. "Hang on..." * Tyl pulls out a small wooden coin, marked with a star on one side in red and a cross in blue on the other. "Use this." * Jaret looks at the coin. "What might that be, Headmistress? And what does it... ah, do?" * Zoya takes the coin and turns it over in her long, thin fingers. "This should do... Did you want it back?" <Tyl> ::laughs:: It doesn't "do" anything, Jaret. It's an admittance token to one of the hottest dice games in the Pleasure Islands. <Tyl> ::shakes her head at Zoya:: I can steal another one. <Jaret> ::sounding slightly disappointed:: Oh. All right. <Zoya> ::chuckles softly:: All right. ::She whispers to the coin in a language that sounds like the scent of baked apples, walking slowly toward the river bank. After a moment, she floats the token in the water, continuing to speak to it. <Zoya> A tiny cloud forms over Zoya's head and begins to rain vigorously on her, but the token expands into a raft, covered with small red stars and blue crosses. Zoya looks up at the rain cloud irritably, and it stops and floats away with a sort of guilty hiccup.:: <Zoya> ::gesturing toward the raft with a grin:: All aboard! <Tyl> ::shakes her head, amused:: Rain, rain go away... <Zoya> ::glares after the cloud:: I'm having a little problem with surges. The magic here is... very enthusiastic. ::she wrings out her hair, and puts one foot on the edge of the raft to anchor it for everyone else:: Come on, let's go. * Tyl gives Zoya a mocking bow and boards the raft. * Bai nods and walks onto the raft, looking at it dubiously, but managing to maintain his balance without much difficulty. <Zoya> ::gives Bai a quick grin:: If you don't like boats, I suggest sitting down. Near the middle. * Jaret casts one last look at the path they came from, leading back to the overgrown passageway, and walks onto the raft, flexing his knees some. "Well... now what?" * Bai smiles and takes Zoya's advice, "It's not so much that I don't like boats as it is that having grown up in a desert I have something of an instinctive fear of them. Despite years of living in Marsember." <Zoya> ::grins:: Now you sound like Kevil. Almost. ::she follows Jaret onto the raft, shoving off with one foot:: Well. Let's see where we go. ::she stands easily, watching the water and shore almost eagerly:: * Tyl finds a good spot and drops into a cross-legged position, closing her eyes. "You can pole, Zoya. I'll harp and criticize." <Bai> ::The raft drifts out into the main currents of the river, accelerating as it does so.:: <Zoya> ::grins:: The current will carry us. But if you have some rope, we might want to tie on to each other. Just in case someone falls off. <Tyl> What a cheery thought... ::she starts rummaging through her bag again:: * Jaret shifts, standing with one foot toward the front of the raft, his other behind him, knees bent. "Don't be ridiculous. This is only one of the trials to get to the Heart of the World. What possibly makes you think we might encounter something that would try to knock us off the safety of your watery conveyance, Zoya, and into the rushing current?" <Bai> ::As the raft passes out of the cave and into the tunnel it bursts forward as the narrower tunnel walls constrict the flow of the water. The tunnel ceiling is high enough for Zoya or Bai to stand upright, but low enough to impose a claustrophobic feeling.:: <Zoya> ::laughs:: I know, I know, I'm turning into a suspicious old sorceress. ::she takes one end of Tyl's rope and ties it firmly around her waist before passing it to Bai:: * Bai takes the rope and ties it around his own waist, "Might I suggest Jaret and I at the ends in case we need to drag everyone out of the river?" <Zoya> You can drag from that end just as well. The best swimmers should be on the ends. If you don't like boats... ::she shrugs:: <Zoya> ::glances down the tunnel:: Besides, I think we're running out of time to debate. * Tyl slips a bit of the rope around her belt and knots it. * Bai nods, "I'll take the advice of a seasoned sailor." * Jaret ties some rope around his belt. "All for one, now, I suppose." * Tyl closes her eyes again for a long moment. When she opens them again, they are a pale blue rather than their normal violet hue. "Not to worry about me, I won't drown." <Zoya> Besides, the rope is more to keep us from getting separated than to actually try to haul each other about with. <Zoya> Trials and tests seem to delight in parting people. <Bai> ::Two large tentacles snake of out of the water and wrap themselves around the raft, before pulling it under the water with a jerk.:: * Tyl slides into the water with a splash. Small slits open on the sides of her throat and she opens her luminescent eyes to look around, breathing water easily. * Zoya curses and kicks at a tentacle, rummaging rather hurriedly in her sleeve. * Jaret reflexively draws his sword in a flicker, slashing out at a tentacle before splashing into the water. * Bai splashes into the water, just managing to fill his lungs before submerging. * Zoya jams a ring onto her finger before Bai's weight pulls her down. She gropes for Jaret in the water, pressing a wax-sealed vial into his hand. <Bai> ::Jaret severs one of the tentacles. In the water Tyl can see little more of the attacker than a mass of tentacles quartering the water, trying to grasp the party. Two of the tentacles wraps around Bai. A third wraps around Jaret. Tyl manages to swim between two tentacles, while the tentacle that brought down the raft and one other wrap around Zoya.:: * Tyl gives the seething mass of tentacles a dark glower and slips her belt off, freeing herself to swim. She attempts to press downward towards what she hopes is the core of the beasty, pulling out Bluestar's short sword with some effort. * Jaret summons his knife to his left hand, struggles, and uses the knife and rapier together in a scissoring cut on the tentacle that has him in its grip. * Zoya opens her mouth and thrashes with a soundless scream, and dark billows of blood cloud the water around her. She kicks angrily at a tentacle, her sturdy boot coming away with a gaping rent in the side, left by the barbed hook in the tentacle's underside. * Bai pulls his katana from his quiver, the golden blade filling the dark waters with bright sunlight as he draws the blade along one of the tentacles holding him, still desperately holding his breath. <Bai> ::All the tentacles wrapped around people squeeze, attempting to simultaneously crush their bodies and drive the air from their lungs. The two tentacles that missed Tyl, instead wrap themselves around Bai. As Tyl approaches the center of the mass of tentacles they part to reveal a hooked beak that bites down on her arm.:: * Tyl screams soundlessly under the water as blood clouds the water. She regains her composure and locks eyes with the kraken, projecting an aura of fearful might and abilities. * Jaret grits his teeth and continues to work on severing the tentacle holding him. If he cuts himself free, he desperately kicks for the surface, where he bites through the seal on the bottle Zoya handed him before downing the contents. * Bai continues to cut at one of the tentacles holding him, his body below the shoulders now surrounded by the coiled tentacles. * Zoya flails in the tentacled grip and manages to reach her ruined boot. She pulls out a silver-bladed dagger and begins to saw desperately at the rubbery barbed tentacle. <Bai> ::The tentacles holding people continue to constrict around their victims, except for the one wrapped around Jaret which can only manage to maintain its hold on him. The beak attempts to bite Tyl again, but misses.:: <Tyl> ::using her uninjured arm, Tyl shakes a finger at the kraken, as if scolding it. She takes a tight grip on Bluestar's sword and attempts to drive the blade squarely between the beast's eyes.:: * Jaret coughs, some air slowly bubbling up to the surface. He finishes sawing through the tentacle and sluggishly kicks for the surface, and air. When he breaks the water, he gasps, works the stopper out of the bottle, and downs its contents. * Bai continues cutting at the tentacles, his features starting to turn unhealthy colors as he manages to hold his breath. * Zoya continues to hack at the tentacle, though her struggles are growing weaker, and she is nearly hidden by the expanding cloud of blood, nearly black in the dark water, despite the light granted by Bai's sword. <Bai> ::The tentacles continue to squeeze Zoya and Bai, while the beak snaps angrily at Tyl's head.:: * Tyl plants one foot on the kraken's head just above the beak, and stabs the sword into one large glutinous eye. * Jaret finishes consuming the potable, diffidently tosses the bottle aside, and dives back under, pulling himself along the rope to Zoya. When he arrives to her, he commences vigorously slashing at the tentacles that bind her, shouting imprecations of doom and ill feeling at the most likely uncaring kraken. * Bai continues to cut at the tentacles. * Zoya looks extremely grateful as Jaret arrives to help her. She assists him by holding as still as possible so as not to get any of her own bits lopped off. <Bai> ::The tentacles continue to tighten around Bai and Zoya with the exception of the ones that have been nearly cut through. One of the kraken's eyes is pierced by Tyl's sword, it's fluids adding to the blood in the water as the kraken bites down on Tyl's off arm.:: * Tyl looks extremely offended, as well as pained as three of her fingers are sliced off by the sharp beak. She stabs down through the kraken's meaty head, swinging her legs over the top of it's head to get them out of biting range and holds onto the sword, closing her eyes and concentrating on heating the molecules of the monster's brain. * Jaret continues a pattern of draw cuts to slice through the tentacles binding Zoya and strategic thrusts through the tentacle, away from Zoya, to avoid being shaken off from his target. * Bai slices through one of the tentacles and begins working on another. * Zoya finally pulls free, thanks to Jaret's assistance. She hangs limply in the water for a moment, drawing in several deep "breaths", then swims down toward Tyl and the kraken's head. Her eyes glint silver in the dim light, and she is unmistakably furious. <Bai> ::The kraken spews a cloud of black ink into the waters of the river, then with surprising speed propels itself up stream, still clutching Bai in three of its remaining tentacles.:: * Tyl clings to the sword, still buried in the kraken's head, keeping her psionics on it. She mouths something that would look like "Oh, no you don't. I *gave* you a chance to leave peacefully, but nooooooo..." if anyone was around to see it, and keeps up her psionic microwaving of the giant squid. * Jaret watches the kraken speed away somewhat disbelievingly, and begins to slowly paddle after it, after sheathing his sword and fastening it in place. * Bai continues cutting at the tentacles holding him. * Zoya clenches her teeth angrily. She pulls her favorite wand from her sleeve and takes aim. A long shaft of ice forms between Zoya and the kraken, ending with an untidy "splat" of ice around several of its tentacles. Zoya has to break through the ice to free her wand. <Bai> ::The kraken continues to try to flee, not realizing that Jaret and Zoya are tied to Bai who it's still holding on to. Its entire body convulses as the blast from Zoya's wand strikes it and it emits another cloud of ink into the water.:: * Tyl continues to project waves of agitation down into the squid's body, her throat and chest working as she "pants" for breath. Blood continues to stream out of her various wounds and she hooks one arm around the hilt of Bluestar's sword, unable to keep her grip any more. <Bai> ::The kraken finally goes limp, it's tentacles loosening as the current picks up its body and begins to carry it down stream.:: <Zoya> ::mouthing:: Thank Erdian. * Jaret catches up to Bai and starts slicing at the tentacles, not noticing just yet the beast's death. <Bai> ::As the tentacles loosen Bai kicks free of the tentacles and shoots to the surface of the water, taking a huge whooping gasp of air, his skin having taken on a bruised, blue-violet color.:: * Tyl barely notices the beast's death, her eyes stay closed and it's only from reflex that she keeps her arm locked around Bluestar's sword, wafting limply from the Kraken's head as it floats downstream. * Zoya is dragged toward the surface with Bai. * Jaret looks around for Tyl, spots her, and begins to swim for her with an odd, reaching stroke. * Zoya surfaces beside Bai. "Don't tell me you lost *all* your priestly powers, along with the benefits of Sainthood." * Bai manages to keep his head above water, slowly returning his breathing to normal as he satisfies his body's demand for oxygen. "Unfortunately yes Zoya. I was never an actual priest of Mirgianne. My Sainthood simply permitted me to use many of their powers." * Jaret bounces off the end of the rope and cuts himself free with a knife that appears and disappears rapidly. When he reaches Tyl, Jaret gently flips her onto her back, grasps her around her body under her arms with his left arm, and begins to pull for the surface with his right. <Zoya> ::groans:: *Now* you tell me. * Zoya looks around for a shore where they can stop and rest and bandage their assorted wounds. * Bai looks at Zoya with concern, "Sorry. I didn't actually think Palerys would manage it, and then when it did happen it didn't really seem important. What's wrong?" <Zoya> ::gives Bai a disbelieving look:: What's wrong? Aside from you nearly *drowning* because I thought you could take care of your own air? * Tyl hangs limply in Jaret's arms, her "breathing" shallow and irregular. * Bai blinks confusedly at Zoya, "I didn't know that most priests from your world could breath underwater or I'd have told you." * Jaret breaks the surface, working hard to keep both himself and Tyl afloat. <Zoya> Never mind. ::she looks around again, cursing under her breath in a decidedly alien tongue:: Erdian's *hat*, this hurts. Can you see a shoreline anywhere? <Bai> ::A light appears down stream and a few moments later the tunnel opens up on a cavern seemingly identical to the one where they began their journey. The one noticeable difference is that instead of being lit by torches the cavern is light by bright light flooding in from a passage.:: <Zoya> ::sighs and begins tiredly swimming for shore:: * Jaret swims hard for the cavern as soon as it appears, pulling Tyl along with him. <Bai> ::The river current carries the party to the pebbly shore:: * Jaret pulls Tyl up onto land and stands up, his own wounds becoming visible once he's no longer underwater. He fumbles in his bag and pulls out one of the potions he brought himself. He works the stopper out, props Tyl's head up, and begins to slowly pour it down her throat. <Bai> ::A few moments after the party drag themselves to shore the kraken's body grounds itself about half way out into the river.:: * Zoya climbs shakily onto the beach and sits to catalogue her assorted injuries. Her clothes are ripped nearly to shreds, and numerous bloody gashes decorate the pale skin revealed underneath. Her torso, where it's still whole, is badly bruised. She pokes at the bruises, wincing as she tests for broken ribs. * Tyl stirs a little, groaning. * Jaret checks Tyl's hand with the missing fingers to see how bad the bleeding is. <Tyl> ::sluggishly, almost resentfully, her wounds close, leaving smooth flesh where her fingers used to be:: * Zoya unties the rope around her waist and begins fishing in her sleeve. She comes up with a couple of pots of ointment and a large roll of bandages, miraculously (well, magically) dry and clean. She puts one pot within Bai's reach, and begins to apply the contents of the other to the worst of her wounds, which at least have the decency to stop bleeding and shrink nearly closed before she bandages them. * Bai removes his quiver and pulls several potions from it, drinking one, examining his wounds and then drinking another until he seems satisfied with his condition. <Jaret> Tyl? Can you hear me? * Tyl rolls over and vomits weakly into the rocks. * Bai unties the rope from his waist, looking to Zoya, "Are you alright?" * Tyl rolls back over. "You and every other loud-footed ant on the planet, Jaret..." * Zoya shrugs and pulls her second pot of ointment back and puts it back into her sleeve. She finishes bandaging herself and stands stiffly. "No. But I've been worse." * Jaret smiles. "And your fractious wit is still intact, I see." * Bai nods, and moves to Tyl and Jaret, "How bad off are the two of you?" <Zoya> ::giving Bai a stern look:: But it's about time your damned Heart came up with some knotty *puzzles* or something a little less physically oriented for us. * Tyl puts her hands over her face, wincing as she bumps her mutilated hand. "Not in the mood for an archery contest, Bai." * Bai grumbles as he sees Tyl's hand, "If only Yb hadn't destroyed my staff." <Jaret> I've fared better. ::he looks over the sucker and puncture marks on his arms, chest, and legs:: It'll get better, though. A spot of rest wouldn't be unwelcome, though, I'll tell you that. <Zoya> We're here to get you a new staff, remember? <Tyl> If wishes were dragons, we'd be in a lot of trouble, Bai. ::she groans, then sits up with a colossal effort. She eyes the corpse and staggers to her feet. Pulling out Bluestar's sword from the carcass,:: Calamari, anyone? * Bai nods, "I think we're about half way there. We can take a break if we need one, though I'd feel better pushing on myself." * Bai smiles crookedly at Zoya, "That's true Zoya. But I'm sure Tyl would like to have her fingers back now." * Zoya stretches slowly, wincing, and sighs. "Halfway? Only *half*? Gods of light and darkness..." <Tyl> ::muttering to herself as she wipes the sword off on her pants:: You push on. I need to lay down. Feel free to scream, if you get into trouble. I'll say I told you so. * Jaret takes one of the 'found' potions out and cracks the seal. "I suppose it's better to test the efficacy of these now, rather than when we're in dire peril." He quaffs the contents. * Tyl sheathes the sword, finds a relatively soft pile of rocks and collapses again. * Bai chuckles softly, "No, I wouldn't have asked for help if I thought I could do this alone. We can wait." Looks to Jaret, "I already drank several of them. They worked and I haven't noticed any side effects... yet." * Zoya finds a convenient pile of rock not too far from Tyl and makes it hot, emitting soothing heat. She holds out her hands to the warmth, sighing as the heat sinks in. * Jaret looks at his body as some of the wounds close up and heal. "How fortunate. I do hope we find out who left them for us before this is all over. Solve all the mysteries of the day, don't you know." * Bai picks up his katana for a moment, flames racing across the blade for a moment, burning off the water and blood. He then pulls the scabbard from his quiver and sheaths the blade, the absence of the blades light dimming the cavern, though the light from the passage still leaves the cavern brightly lit. * Bai slips the katana into his sash. * Bai finds a spot near Zoya's heated rocks and assuming a meditating position. * Jaret peers inquisitively at the light spilling from the passageway, but turns away and sits with the rest of his companions, looking over the corpse of the kraken. <Bai> ::Time passes as the party rests and eats to regain their strength for the remaining tasks.:: * Tyl wakes up several hours later whimpering in agony as she's been sleeping on her mutilated hand. "Mystra's left *eye*!" * Bai looks at Tyl with concerned eyes, "I'm sorry I can't do more for you Tyl." * Jaret starts from his light doze, on his feet and his sword mostly drawn before he even knows what's happening. After some moments deciphering his surroundings, "Tyl, another potion?" <Tyl> ::grimly:: Don't feel sorry for me. Feel sorry for whatever nimrod godling piece of shit made the rules up for this nuthouse. I intend to give *that* being the sharp side of my tongue, if not more. * Zoya is chewing on a strip of jerky as she studies a small book. <Zoya> ::absently, still reading:: Bai, what happened the last time this happened? <Tyl> ::to Jaret:: No. I'm sure we'll need them later... how something that's not *there* any more can *hurt* so damned much is beyond my understanding, though. * Bai smiles, "I don't know who set up the trials, but I'll try to remember to ask the person who might know." <Bai> The last time Chaos was ascendant or the last time the Heart was used? <Zoya> ::looks up, frowning:: Neither. What happened the last time some poor mortal was forced to take on the burdens of godhood? Like Yb? What happened the last time the Staff of Chaos was passed? * Bai frowns, "Yb doesn't have the Token of Chaos. Her's started as a perfectly ordinary chaos wand. Until she merged it with her staff which she was soul bonded to. That provided Chaos with a foothold over her. The last recorded use of the Token of Chaos was when Good was last ascendent. The Order of Law had driven the Zuaire to the brink of extinction." * Tyl digs around in her pouch for a while before pulling out a rather battered stuffed toy. With a glower at Jaret, Bai and Zoya that practically *dares* them to say anything, she snuggles with the bear while eating a bit of roasted chicken that she *also* takes out of her bag. <Bai> The leader of the Zuaire and the leader of the Order fought each other in one final battle. The leader of the Order used the Staff of Order. The stories are vague, but I know the Token of Chaos was present at the battle. I also know that when the battle was over it left a magically dead zone a hundred thousand leagues across. <Zoya> ::sighs softly:: Okay, I'll try this again. Why is *this* time so different? <Bai> This time is different because this time we knew who Chaos would manifest in perform the manifestation occurred. We were able to study Chaos's mortal vessel and to plan strategies to deal with her. Normally there isn't any warning of Chaos's ascent until something like Than Weisstoko occurs. <Zoya> ::flatly:: You're telling me it's *better* this time? ::picks up a hapless rock and chucks it into the water with surprising vigor and energy:: This is the most horrible, disgusting- ::she sputters:: I don't understand why you people haven't abolished your gods. * Jaret puts his sword away, tries to follow Bai and Zoya's conversation for a while before giving up and starting to do some stretching exercises, working the kinks out of cold muscles, and the stiffness out of his joints. <Bai> They did. Or the gods abolished themselves. Depending on who's telling the story. That's what led to the God War. The god of Good before Absalom used his power when Good was ascendant to abolish shifting powers of the world. * Zoya shoves her book back into her sleeve and stands, stretching. "It didn't work, obviously. Your gods are still out of balance and still causing terrible destruction to your world." * Tyl finishes her breakfast and puts her bear away. She gets gingerly to her feet, cradling her left arm against her chest. <Bai> Unfortunately, having eliminated the system there was nothing to maintain the balance and Archon, the god of Evil gained such control over the world that all the other gods with the exception of the racial gods had to sacrifice themselves simply to banish him from the world. <Zoya> ::eyes Bai:: I'll just say this once more. Your people need to get rid of these gods. Completely. For good. <Bai> Finally Order was ascendent and Logos restored the system, and the balance. That set the stage for Absalom to become the god of Good, and with the pillars restored, the Six were able to arise and bring an end to the God War. <Zoya> I don't know what happened during your God-War, but there's certainly no balance *now*. * Jaret finishes his stretching, picks up three rocks, and begins to absently juggle them, standing first only on one foot, then the other, then with his eyes closed for a bit... * Bai stands and looks at Zoya, "Would you have me judge Erdian only by his actions on the day of his death? If I did I would almost certainly wonder why anyone would be devoted to a pink elephant that killed itself by ripping it's trunk off with its tail and bleeding to death." <Zoya> ::angrily:: Erdian didn't kill anyone but himself that day. I think there's a difference. <Zoya> ::waves a hand:: Never mind. I'm beginning to think that people who willingly give their devotion to gods who allow the stability of a pendulum to take the place of true balance deserve what they get. I'm here to save the ones who don't have any choice in the matter. Let's get on with it. <Bai> My point remains, you're judging my world on a single period of its history, taken without context. What if I was to judge Faerun based simply on its Time of Troubles? Until you know this world's true history you are in no position to pass judgement on it. * Tyl looks flatly disgusted. "I'm sure there's some deep philosophical reason for arguing about religion at this very moment, but can it wait until we're back home and safe?" * Bai nods, turns and marches towards the passage. * Zoya shrugs and walks up the path toward the light. * Jaret puts the rocks back on the ground in a little triangle and heads towards the light. * Tyl makes up the rear of the group, rubbing fretfully at her wounded hand with the other. <Bai> ::The passage is relatively short, and opens into an immense chamber, apparently centered on a glowing sphere so bright that it's impossible to look at directly. The light fills the room with a gentle heat, like that felt on a sunny summer day. Small lights and flames flit about the chamber, mostly concentrated around the sphere, but sometimes careening off the walls.:: <Zoya> ::looks around with a raised eyebrow:: Pretty enough... Let's hope we don't have to fight fire elementals. <Jaret> ::squinting:: Is that the Heart? * Jaret watches the fire and light flit about the chamber, looking to see if they act like birds, or follow any kind of pattern. * Bai looks up at the light, "No. I'm told the Heart is a stone chamber. It looks almost like a miniature sun. Maybe it's to ensure that creatures native to subterranean realms don't have an undue advantage in reaching the Heart." * Tyl mutters "too much light" and reaches into her pouch to pull out a hat which she shoves on her head crossly. <Zoya> ::half-grins at Bai:: That would make this an easy trial for us. Why don't I trust it? <Tyl> Because there is no gravity, this world just sucks... ::muttering some more:: * Bai smiles at Zoya, "Because you've never heard of an easy trial?" <Zoya> Trials, by definition, are never easy. Let's get on with it. Where's the exit? <Bai> ::One of the lights flits up to the party and speaks in a high pitched voice:: Hello.Howareyou? ::Starts orbiting Zoya's head:: <Zoya> ::raises both eyebrows and glances up at the orbiting light:: We are well, thank you. How are you? * Tyl takes one look at the gnomishlightingdevice, groans, and attempts to find a dark corner to fade into. <Jaret> Well. This is... unexpected. <Bai> Prettycolors!Haven't ::The light suddenly zooms to Zoya's feet:: Youhavefeet.I'venever ::zips over to Tyl:: Whoare ::moves to Jaret:: Areyouan ::Zips back to Zoya:: I'mwell.What'syour ::zips back to Jaret:: What'sunexpected? * Tyl covers her face with her hands. <Zoya> I'm called Zoya. Can you show us the way out of here? We need to move on, towards the Heart. <Bai> ::The light zips over to Tyl:: Areyoualright? <Jaret> Talking, flitting, fire. For one thing. Pleased to meet you. I'm Jaret Malkier, errant swordsman and erstwhile gentleman. <Bai> ::The light zips over to Zoya:: Exitsoverthere ::distorts itself to make an arrow point to the far side of the chamber, but whatever is there is obscured by the bright light:: butyou ::flits back to Jaret:: CanIhaveaname? <Zoya> But what? <Bai> ::zips back to Zoya:: Butwhatwhat? <Jaret> ::casting a glance at Zoya:: Of course you can. Your name can be... Flicker. <Zoya> The exit is over there ::she points:: But...? * Tyl looks like she's going to start crying. "I *hate* bouncy cheerful things." <Zoya> ::grins at Tyl:: For the moment, it's better than things trying to kill us. I'm still only half-healed. <Bai> ::the light somehow manages to give the impression that it's scratching its chin, despite lacking a chin, or hands, or anything else to convey body language:: ExitbutFlicker ::bounces over to Jaret:: ThankyouJaretMalkier ::zips over to Tyl:: Whathealed? ::zips over to Zoya:: * Jaret inclines his head. "You're welcome, Exit But Flicker." * Zoya is obviously drawing deeply on several years' close experience with the tinkergnomes in her basement in order to deal with this thing. "Healed, yes." She holds out a bandaged arm. "A... thing attacked us, and harmed us." <Flicker> OhImissedit. <Zoya> It's okay. Is there anything we should know about the exit? * Tyl opens her bag again. It looks as if she's debating attempting to crawl in it. <Bai> ::While Flicker has been engaged in conversation several other lights and a few small flames have gathered around Bai, making excited, but unintelligible noises.:: <Zoya> ::eyes the other lights and Bai:: Flicker? What are they doing? <Bai> ::Flicker puffs himself up looking important:: YouneedthekeytoopenOhhehasapiece ::zips off into the room, quickly becoming lost in the crowd for several moments before apparently zipping back to Jaret:: Whatdo ::zips to Zoya:: You'retall. <Zoya> Yes, I know. Where would we get a key? * Tyl holds her pouch out to Jaret. "Would you hold this so I can hide in it?" <Flicker> Motherhasthekey ::points to the sphere:: <Zoya> I see. What is the right way to ask Mother for the key? * Jaret smiles winningly at Tyl. "Maybe later." <Tyl> You know, Bluestar likes me because I'm not very cheery in the mornings. ::she looks thoroughly depressed:: <Flicker> I'lltradeyou. ::bounces merrily:: <Zoya> Trade what? <Flicker> Whatdoyouhave? <Tyl> ::mutters:: A headache. <Bai> ::Flicker zips over to Tyl:: What'saheadache? * Zoya eyes the bouncing light speculatively, wondering what might be both interesting and harmless to give to it. <Tyl> ::glowers at the speck of unbelievable cutesyness:: As you haven't a head, you wouldn't know, would you? * Jaret looks in his bag. "I've got some wine... I suppose with proper distillation, it might make a nice brandy for them, but I don't think we've got the time or materials to do so." <Bai> ::Flicker zips over to Zoya and attempts too look down her sleeve:: What'sin ::zips back to Tyl:: CanIhaveone? <Bai> ::Flicker zips over to Jaret:: What? <Zoya> Just the wine might do, Jaret. * Jaret smiles slightly. "Whatwhat?" <Bai> ::Flicker bounces:: Whatwhatwhat? ::Flicker's colors seems to become more cheerful:: <Jaret> Oh, no you don't. You started it. ::he pulls a bottle of Arabellan Red out from his bag:: Would you be interested in a bottle of quite magnificent wine, if I do say so myself? <Bai> ::Flicker zips over to Bai, apparently examining his sword:: It'sababy ::zips back over to Jaret:: What'sArabellanRed? <Bai> ::Flicker zips back over to Bai, making the same unintelligible sounds as the other lights and flames:: * Zoya glances at Bai, to make sure he isn't in immediate danger from the curious lights, and pulls a hand-sized mirror from her sleeve. <Bai> ::Flicker zips over to examine the mirror:: Pretty!Shiny!Beautiful! <Jaret> It's a... I can see myself explaining quite a bit of this as well. It's fermented grape juice. Rather pleasant variety, if you ask me. <Bai> ::Flicker zips over to Jaret:: Fermentedgrape ::zips over to Tyl and tries to look in her bag:: <Zoya> ::smiles at Flicker:: If you'll get the key from Mother for us, you can have this. * Tyl looks at Jaret with a "please-can't-I-shut-it-in" expression. <Zoya> [You don't really want to take it home with you, do you? Then you'd *never* be rid of it.] * Jaret shakes his head, giving Tyl a "Not-just-yet-no" look. <Bai> ::Flicker zips over to Zoya, looking hesitantly between Zoya, the mirror, and "Mother":: Motherwon'tbutpretty ::Flicker sounds like a small child forced to choice between two desserts:: <Zoya> What would Mother want for the key? * Bai steps forward, "I believe their Mother is actually a piece of the Sun, and that their fascination with Kirianne comes from the fact that she is an aurum blade. That is, she too is a piece of the Sun. Would you accept my sword in trade for the key?" <Bai> ::Flicker zips over to Bai:: Canwe ::zips over to Tyl:: Do ::zips over to Jaret:: Do ::zips over to Zoya:: NotasprettyasBaby. <Zoya> ::wryly:: No, I imagine not. * Bai draws his blade, it's light blending perfectly with that from the sphere. * Jaret grimaces slightly. <Tyl> ::snorts:: Guess he won't be burning down anyone *else's* house... <Bai> ::Even more lights gather around Bai, dancing around but never actually touching his blade. Flicker races over to Tyl:: Canwe ::zips over to Jaret:: Canwehaveit? <Jaret> ::quietly:: That's Bai's decision, and his alone. * Bai looks at Flicker, "Bring us the key and take us to the door and you may have it." <Bai> ::Flicker and some of the other lights race off, returning a few moments later with a large key, apparently made from the same metal as Bai's sword. They hold the key out to Bai who takes it and gives them his sword.:: * Tyl shakes her head. "Seems a woefully inadequate bargain to me..." <Bai> ::A moment later all the lights have left except Flicker who bobs in front of them:: Thankyou!Thankyou!This ::Dances of, seeming to follow a random path through the room, but remaining only a few feet above the ground.:: * Zoya glances at the others, then follows Flicker across the room. * Bai shrug, "If we weren't in such a hurry with so many lives at stake I'd never have given up that blade. But there are more important things at stake now." * Bai follows Zoya and Flicker. * Tyl trails along as far behind as possible. * Jaret unbuckles his "off-hand" swordbelt as they walk across the room, that has the plain long sword attached to it, and holds it out to Bai. "Here. You'll need something." * Bai takes the sword belt and straps it on, "Thank you Jaret. I still have my bow, but I don't exactly relish the idea of trying to use it underground. In this room it would be fine, but in the tunnels..." * Bai takes his katana's sheath from his sash and puts it into his quiver. <Bai> ::Flicker finally leads them to a mirrored door on the far side of the chamber. The only blemish on the mirror's surface being a keyhole in its center.:: * Jaret nods. "You're welcome. That's Lisl's old blade, so do take care of it. She might be upset if we had to barter it away." * Bai nods solemnly, "Don't worry Jaret. I know recently actions don't reflect it, but I place as high a value on a trusted blade as you do. Knowing their value, I can't make such bargains with other people's possessions." * Jaret raises a tentative hand. "Before we proceed through yon door, might I make a quick observation?" <Bai> Certainly. <Tyl> ::snorts:: Oh, by all means, make all the witticisms you can before our next doom descends. <Zoya> And make them quick, before Tyl gets them all. <Jaret> I've been thinking about these trials we've been heaved through. The room with all the plant life could be seen as earth-themed, the large octopus-like creature as water, and this room as fire. If things follow to form, whatever's behind that door could be... gaseous, in nature. <Tyl> Oh, great. ::exchanges a look with Zoya:: A theme party... how special. * Zoya eyes Jaret. "Very clever. Or, if it is to be Air, there might simply be no floor." * Bai looks to Zoya and Tyl, "Any ideas?" <Zoya> Though that seems a little non-lethal for this place. <Tyl> ::wryly:: Don't rush through the door? * Jaret shrugs. "Not especially. I thought I would share the insight, though, while I had time to do so." <Zoya> ::grins at Tyl:: What? And pass up the opportunity to die glorious if anonymous deaths? * Bai nods to Jaret, "It would certainly make sense." <Tyl> ::snorts:: You first. <Zoya> ::ponders:: How are you with very small particles, Tyl? <Tyl> ::raises an eyebrow:: Depends. What do you want me to do with them? <Zoya> Well, I don't know yet, do I? I can give us breathable air, but if we're attacked by something... ::she shrugs:: <Tyl> ::matches Zoya's shrug:: I guess we'll have to see. * Bai pulls his bow out of his quiver and strings it, "I can help if we have to start exchanging missile fire." * Tyl mutters something under her breath. <Jaret> I'm ready whenever everyone else is. I'll even open the door, although I won't insist on ladies first, given the circumstances. <Zoya> All right. Well. ::She breathes an airy phrase, and her right hand glows an indeterminate color. She touches her own lips, and then extends her hand to give the others the same treatment.:: That should protect us from inert gasses. It won't do any good against sentients, though. * Bai gives Jaret the key to the door and nocks an arrow, though he doesn't draw his bow. * Jaret puts the key in the lock. "Right. Here we go!" He twists the key and pulls the door open. * Tyl awaits certain doom. <Bai> ::A howling wind screams through the door, trying to slam the door against the wall and tear through the room. The wind carries clouds of dust into the room, stinging eyes and obscuring vision. The wind and dust make it impossible to see into the room beyond the door.:: * Jaret tucks his nose and mouth into the crook of his arm, letting the door slam open. * Tyl mutters impolite implications against the idiots who let one trial inconvenience the habitation area of another. * Zoya pulls a colorful, diaphanous scarf from her sleeve and ties it over her head. * Bai unties the sash from his waist and ties it around his own head. "Sandstorm. Lovely. I suppose we're supposed to find our way through it somehow." <Zoya> It could be worse. ::She sticks a foot through the door, feeling for a floor.:: * Tyl snorts. "I always know where I am in relation to where I've been." She digs around in her bag and pulls out a scarf, winding it around her head. <Zoya> ::glancing back at Tyl:: Do you? Good. You can lead. Do you need a scarf, Jaret? <Jaret> ::squinting, and muffled:: "If you've got one to spare, it would be welcome." * Bai puts his bow away. * Tyl closes her eyes for a moment, turning in a half circle, facing into the sandstorm. * Zoya rummages in her sleeve again for quite some time, then eventually comes out with a silk sash dyed in clashing shades of pink and turquoise. She scowls at it, then sighs and hands it to Jaret. "At least you won't have to look at it, yourself." * Jaret resolutely ties the scarf over his face, hoping against hope that word of this garish ensemble doesn't travel far. <Tyl> ::turns to the others:: There're lifeforms out there... very, very fast. ::she raises her voice to be heard over the racket:: <Zoya> How big? <Tyl> ::frowns:: It doesn't work that way... <Zoya> ::sighs:: I guess it's too much to hope for that they're just jackrabbits. Get your bow back out, Bai, and stay alert. * Tyl feels around the side of the door to see if there's a wall. * Bai shakes his head, "Unless the wind and dust clear up my bow won't do any good. The wind will pluck the arrows out of the air before they travel their own length, and the odds of my being able to see anything past my own arm makes aiming impossible." <Zoya> Hmph. Well, keep your sword loose in the sheath, then. * Jaret draws his sword, and squints at the swirling sand. * Tyl turns back again. "Zoya, I hate you. There's no floor." <Zoya> There is, too! I felt it! ::She moves back up beside Tyl and prods the floor with her foot.:: * Tyl moves one step into the room, holding tight to the door frame and demonstrates the floorlessness * Zoya stomps on the floor, also holding to the door frame. <Tyl> ::grins angrily:: There's only a *little* bit of floor. * Zoya grabs Bai's sleeve with one hand, then moves out onto the bit of floor and probes further. * Tyl concentrates hard. "There's about *this* much floor." She holds her hand out about a foot from her side. "As far as I can tell, it goes straight that way." She points. <Bai> ::A few moments of experimentation demonstrate that the floor extends from the doorway in a very narrow bridge, and that the wind is MUCH stronger off the bridge, than on it, threatening to pull people off the bridge if they stray over its bounds.:: <Zoya> ::drily:: Very exciting. And life forms to contend with. Someone break out the rope. * Bai pulls out some rope, "I assume you want us tied together." * Tyl holds up one hand. "Bide a moment. I'm sure it won't help, but let me try something." She closes her eyes and concentrates, beads of sweat blotting her scarf almost immediately. <Zoya> It would be easier to retrieve someone who fell off if they were tied to the rest of us, yes. ::While Tyl thinks very hard at the storm, she begins to tie them all together, leaving a long lead between each of them.:: <Bai> ::The wind seems to calm in the area immediately around the party, although it still blows fiercely, tearing at their clothes.:: <Zoya> Well, that helped a bit. <Tyl> ::nods with satisfaction:: That should help some. But someone else is going to have to lead... I'll only be able to hold this for a while. <Jaret> I'll do it. * Jaret reties the rope hastily so he's the lead, and begins to edge out onto the bridge, hunched over for balance. * Zoya murmurs the leaden words of a spell, and a grey flicker surrounds her for a moment before she follows Jaret out onto the bridge. * Tyl follows Zoya, one hand on the tall mage's robes. * Jaret shuffles along the bridge, feeling his way, and suddenly stops. "The bridge... it's curved, everyone. Very slowly, but to the right. And I think it's going down, too." * Bai follows Tyl, one hand on her shoulder, looking for signs of danger. <Zoya> ::As she walks, one arm up to ward off the wind and the other hand holding her headscarf tight at her throat, she begins to mutter in, of all things, Alani. From the tiny bit the others can catch over the wind, she seems to be reciting an old, old argument.:: <Bai> Think you can follow it Jaret or do we need to figure out some way to navigate through this? <Tyl> Planning to grow wings, Bai? <Bai> I don't think it would help any even if I could. <Jaret> I don't see as how we've got much choice, but yes, I think I can. <Tyl> ::turns her head to look at Bai:: Sarcasm is a lost art form... * Bai shrugs, "No. I just don't know how to respond to your sarcasm besides standing here and looking stupid." <Tyl> ::laughs a little breathlessly:: It amazes me, Bai, that dealing with Yb for as long as you have, you seem oddly lacking a sense of humor. How on earth do you cope, without going insane? <Bai> Who says I haven't? <Tyl> Good point. ::she nods:: * Jaret continues the slow shuffle on the downward spiral. * Tyl turns back, shuffling along behind Zoya. "Not the *first* time I've gone adventuring, led by a crazy person. You'd think I'd be used to it by now. Sort of refreshing, actually. Perhaps I'll lose my mind and I can stop being so damned frightened." <Bai> No. That would just mean that you'd be in charge next time. <Tyl> Gods forbid... ::she shakes her head, still breathing hard:: <Bai> ::The spiral tightens as the group travels farther:: * Zoya watches the air above and below them cautiously, watchful for any sign of movement that isn't dust and wind. <Tyl> ::sing-song:: Here we go 'round the mulberry bush... so early in the morning... <Bai> ::Eventually the party reaches the center of the room, the realization coming as the wind suddenly stops, revealing a small stone platform with a hole in the center:: * Tyl drops her concentration, collapsing to the platform, gasping for air. * Jaret looks around and quickly removes the scarf, handing it back to Zoya. "Here you are. Many thanks. I'll remember to get one of my own when I get a chance. Different tinting, of course." <Zoya> ::half-smiles as she shakes out the scarf and puts it back in her sleeve:: Of course. The Alani are nice people, but color-blind, I'd swear... * Tyl mutters to herself. "Air is too damned heavy." * Jaret kneels by Tyl. "Are you all right? Anything I can do?" <Tyl> ::nods:: Fine, fine... just give me a minute, that was damn tiring. * Bai approaches the hole and looks down into the chamber below, "So this is it." <Zoya> Is it? <Zoya> There isn't another test? * Bai shrugs, "If I understood the doggerel correct, the last test is to actually get the Heart to work." <Tyl> ::mutters:: Please don't tell me you're complaining, Zoya. <Zoya> I just want to be sure *this* test is over before I start feeling relieved about it. I *do* so hate to be surprised. * Bai sighs and sits down next to the hole, "You should probably teach me that spell now Zoya." <Zoya> ::makes a face:: I can't teach it. It teaches itself. Once I caught on to that, actually, the whole discipline crystallized. Have you ever seen a puddle of very, very cold water, and touched the surface with your finger, and watched ice crystals spread from your hand? It's like that. * Bai blinks at Zoya, "So you touch your will to the Chaos and it assumes the Order of your will?" * Tyl sits up and digs around in her bag for a while, coming out with a paper wrapped package. Inside is a thick wedge of cheese, some bread, a smoked fillet of salmon, and an apple. She holds out a second wrapped package to Jaret. "Hungry? I suspect these two will be at it for a while." <Zoya> ::glances at Tyl and Jaret:: You two probably want to go over to the other side of the platform for this... ::to Bai:: Something like that. I'll warn you, perfect Order is as dangerous as perfect Chaos. What I do, usually, is take chaos and impose order upon it. What you're going to be doing is imposing chaos into order. Do you understand? * Tyl scrunches across to the other side of the platform with her lunch. * Jaret pulls a bottle of wine and two glasses out of his bag. "Happy to join you for a light repast." <Bai> I understand the distinction. I have my reservations about this accomplishing our task, but you've thought about this a lot more than I have. * Tyl toasts Jaret. "To being well-prepared. I think that one's steak. I can heat it up for you, if you'd like." <Zoya> And it's not comfortable. Particles of air move in random, chaotic patterns. Once this magic has started its work, you'll only be able to breathe in straight lines. It feels a little like breathing ice. There are other things. Too many to explain. It's imperative that once the magic begins, you not *fight* it. That's the really key bit. Order and Law have their own motions, and you can make them do your bidding, but you have to be part of them in order to do so. <Jaret> Oh, no, I wouldn't want to put you out. I can eat it cold. After all, we're roughing it. * Tyl spreads the cheese across her bread and tops it with salmon. * Bai nods, "Alright. So to be sure I understand this, you're saying that in order to control order I have to yield order's pattern?" <Zoya> Yes. * Tyl jerks her chin at the two others. "Do you understand a word of that?" <Bai> Alright. So how do you start? I've summoned small amount of order and chaos before, but never anything on this scale. * Jaret looks up from preparing his own meal. "Hmmm? Sorry, I wasn't paying much attention to it, actually. I figure they'll conclude faster if I don't interrupt now with questions I wouldn't understand the answers to, anyway." <Zoya> ::grins:: I'll start it. Actually, that will help. ::She gestures to the sandstorm raging above them.:: Once I set you at the center of the spell, it will take on its own momentum. You'll... Well, it will be *logical*, once you've submitted to it. ::she grins:: <Tyl> ::laughs:: Well, that makes me feel better. You're a relatively intelligent person, and I like to *think* I have some moderate amount of sense... but that... ::she shrugs:: * Bai nods, "Alright. Do you need me in the Heart when you start the spell, or should I enter the Heart after you have it centered on me?" <Zoya> ::ponders, looking down into the chamber below:: Let's do it here. After you've taken the spell, you can still climb down there. *Down* is a logical direction, after all. Relax as best you can, and let me know when you're ready. * Bai nods, closing his eyes and meditating briefly to find his center before nodding to Zoya, "When you're ready Zoya." * Zoya nods and stretches, then looks up at the storm's swirls of dust. She opens her arms to it, and begins chanting in an icy, hard-edged tone. Dust in the air halts in mid-motion and falls in perfectly straight lines to land on Bai's hair and shoulders. As sweat streaks the mage's face, more and more dust falls, and Bai begins to take on a peculiar shimmer of light, as if he's being seen through a quartz prism. * Jaret watches interestedly, eating his cold steak and sipping his fine red wine. <Bai> ::After a few moment the shimmer around Bai sharpens into a bright light, only to return to the shimmer again, as if someone was trying to focus a lense and had over shot.:: * Tyl concentrates on her lunch the way only a psionic can. She picks the crumbs off the paper, licking her fingers. <Bai> ::The dust on Bai begins to be caked with his sweat as the shimmer continues to come in and out of focus.:: * Zoya continues her chant, her face pale as she watches Bai closely. <Bai> ::Finally the shimmer snaps into a bright light surrounding Bai. Bai slowly stands walking out over the hole, hanging suspended in mid-air for a moment before slowly sinking into the Heart of the World:: * Zoya stops chanting and sinks to her knees with an exhausted and relieved sigh. * Tyl digs though her bag again and offers another paper-wrapped lunch to Zoya. "Hungry?" <Bai> ::Bai's descent stops at the center of the Heart, the light from his body suddenly blinding in it's brilliance as it penetrates the stone of the Heart's walls.:: * Zoya pants a few breaths, then takes the packet from Tyl. "Not really. But I should probably eat anyway." Slowly, her hand shaking, she unwraps the packet. She doesn't react to the blinding light except to turn away from the entrance to the Heart. * Tyl shields her eyes. "Showoff." <Bai> ::Suddenly the light vanishes, but in its absence the colors of the world are transposed like a photo negative:: <Zoya> ::grins weakly:: He may not be able to control it. Light is an excellent representation for the laws of Order in the material world. Screwing with it may be the only way he can get rid of the bleed-off until he gets it under control. <Bai> ::A moment later the world returns to normal and Bai rises out of the Heart.:: * Zoya looks up from her half-finished sandwich. "That was quick." * Jaret squints. "So... that's what's needed to descend into the Heart of the World? Pure order?" <Zoya> I don't know. Bai asked me to build the spell for him, so that's what I did. * Bai steps onto the platform. Somehow his entire body has been transformed to a matte black color. Eyes, hair, teeth, skin, everything the same unvarying shade of black that seems to absorb light. No differentiation for textures, or reflection off the moist tissues of the eyes, almost as if he had becomes some incredibly realistic statue of an unknown material. <Bai> ::In Bai's right hand he holds a staff that seems to match him perfectly. The same height, the same color, the same apparent material.:: * Zoya looks at Bai and winces. "Well, that was possible." * Tyl shudders. "Well, that's unattractive." <Jaret> Bai? Are you all right? <Zoya> ::gives Tyl a sad smile:: And you thought he had no sense of humor *before*... ::she glances quickly at Bai and sighs:: * Bai nods in a regimented fashion, "We are finished here." He pauses for a moment to unbuckle the swordbelt Jaret loaned him and returns it to him, "I have no more need of this. Thank you Jaret." * Bai nods again to Jaret, "I am well." <Tyl> ::snorts dubiously:: No, you're not. But you probably can't tell the difference. ::she sighs and crumples up her lunch wrapper, stuffing it back into her bag:: <Jaret> You're welcome, Bai. ::he buckles it back around his own waist:: As you say, then. Your appearance is somewhat unusual, though. It seemed fitting to ask. * Tyl shakes her head and stands up. "Where are we going now?" * Jaret looks at the minimal amount of wine left in the bottle, sighs, and pours it into his glass. He puts everything else back into his bag, and then stands, cupping the goblet in his left hand. <Bai> The Reservoir of the Strong Hills. <Jaret> Fair enough. How do we get there? <Bai> The Staff will take us. * Zoya finishes her sandwich and shoves the wrapper into a pocket. She levers herself up. "Well, then." <Jaret> And what awaits us at the Reservoir? <Bai> The only fortress left on this world that I may enter. <Jaret> All right, then. I'm all set for travel. * Tyl continues to eye Bai somewhat dubiously. * Bai raps the Staff against the floor once and the party vanishes in a flash of reversed colors. |
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