• Graded • [Global Plot 717] In U'frek's Name

[Pegasus]

A Shared Experience

E

veryone sleeps and all people dream.

That is what happened to them all, that night. When they fell asleep, they were in one place and when they woke, they were in another. Of course, they knew that this was going to happen, eventually. They had been warned. Yet, as they awoke that morning in Vhalar, they realised that they were not where they had been.

It had begun.

121st Vhalar 717

The room they woke in was bare to the point of spartan. They were there, each of them in a single bed, one against each wall, for there were four of them. Whatever they had been wearing in their bed was what they were wearing now. However, at the foot of each bed was a bag, containing their supplies. When they explored these, they found that the bag was new, but it contained all their things which they would have wished to bring. Like someone had seen it in their dreaming mind. No matter how much was in the bag, it was more or less weightless and it carried an impossible amount.

Sitting up, bleary eyed, they looked around. Arlo, Kali'rial and Pash had shared a dream, after all and they knew this was happening. The fourth member of their group, though, was unknown to any of them. She was a young human woman with long dark hair and green eyes. She looked at them and frowned, initially uncomprehending. Then, her frown cleared. "U'frek sent you, too?" She rubbed at her eyes and gave her head a slight shake, as though to dislodge the sleep from her. "I'm Emmaline. I dreamed about him and he said that I'd come to Athart. I guess... are we there?"

Assuming that they got out of bed and got dressed, what Emmaline did became more obvious as she pulled on well-worn leather armour and strapped a sword to her waist. She gave a grin as she realised that her bag seemed to be bottomless and looked at them. "Neat trick with the bag. We should have some breakfast, make sure we're fed before we leave." The rations which she pulled out of her bag looked entirely unappetizing, and she glanced at the kitchen area in one corner. "Don't suppose anyone can cook?" As they emptied their supplies, each one of them found that a small shell nestled atop it. There was nothing special about the shell, as far as they could tell.

If no one volunteered, Emmaline would have a bash at the supplies there. She had no skill, though and it would be a waste of the good food which was sitting there, fresh. Either way, she would look around at the three others and say what had probably already become obvious to them. "I'm a mercenary. I have skill with sword, knife, shield. Throwing daggers, too. Some basic medical stuff. It's probably worth sharing who we are and what we can do, don't you think?"

Once they had eaten, there seemed to be nothing for it, but to exit via the front door, out into the landscape of Athart.

Objectives

1. Build your foundations: Decide whether you will share information about yourselves. Determine how you are going to work as part of this team.

2. Gather your supplies: I'm happy to assume that you've got your usual "stuff" with you. However, if there's anything unusual, then please let me know in your post.

OOC Info

!

Message from: Pegasus

Welcome to one of the Vhalar 717 Global Event moderated threads! You have been split into groups. In this thread we have: Pash Kali'rial Arlo Emmaline (NPC) However please note that movement between groups is entirely possible and may happen for reasons which will seem entirely random. One post between mod posts please. No posting order. You may, of course, control your own NPCs, but not mine. There are a number of hidden objectives throughout the game. I will let you know if you unlock them. I will post again on the 21st October. Please note that I will do this even if no one has posted. For the purposes of the plot, it is imperative that all the threads I'm running go in tandem. Why this is will become obvious as time goes on. We will operate on a "three strikes and you're out" basis. May the Immortals have mercy on you all

NPC

Your NPC is a human woman called Emmaline

► Show Spoiler

She is a mercenary
She is a friendly young woman
She is skilled with sword, shield & throwing knife

[Pash Raj'oriq]

Waking without the familiar motion of The Muse in the harbor and without the comfortable warmth of Kali in his arms or even Sarkis at his feet was confusing, but something in his groggy mind churned with the understanding that it was significant. Stirring, Pash knew immediately that he was no longer anywhere near Scalvoris harbor, that his packed and ready-to-travel sloop was nowhere to be seen, and that the time had come to do as his Maker had asked. He also knew he wasn’t really the kind of person to sleep in clothes, regardless of the snowy, cold end-of-Vhalar weather.

Their small, bare room wasn’t empty, but the Biqaj was not a creature of shyness or shame. Sitting up, his only real surprise was a fourth face, a stranger who’d not shared their dream in Saun. Kali’rial and Arlo were expected, but the dark-haired woman was not,

“Aye, us, too.” He answered with a stretch and a yawn, “Ry’tsam—well met—Emmaline, I’m Pash.”

He introduced himself while in motion, up and retrieving his clothes from the bag at the foot of his bed, a bag that reminded him of his own domain bag, casually aware that what vision he presented that was usually reserved for only one person in the room was now shared among three. Clearly unconcerned, he put on his pants like everyone else—one leg at a time, of course—and hardly made a show of himself as he tugged on his shirt and vest, tucking the long sleeves into his leather bracers. He found his belt and daggers, somewhat surprised to even fish his new but now comfortable masterwork lute out of the same bag. Oh, and finally, his own domain bag that was always packed with pretty much everything he owned that wasn’t part of his sloop’s interior. Unsure of what the weather was like this time of the season, he was grateful to have more than just his first aid kit and spelunking kit and compass and torches, but also sea biscuits, rations, waterskin, and his warmer clothes. The small shell he tucked into his pocket after turning it over curiously in his calloused hands,

“If y’ want a real breakfast, than he's our best bet.” Pash grinned and nodded at Arlo, moving to be near Kali’rial while Emmaline introduced herself further, describing her skills and profession.

If he was grinning, that was because he couldn’t help the rush of excitement at U’Frek’s calling, despite all the danger that Athart presented, despite all of the danger and heartache Vhalar had already been full of. Thankfully, he’d forced himself to return to The Scholar’s Nook and crawl his way through a few books on the area, though the task had been daunting and he’d probably had far too much Scalvblack tea to retain everything he’d read.

“I’m a musician.” The tall Biqaj chuckled, aware that his admission paled in comparison to someone who called themselves a mercenary. He was comfortable being underestimated, as always, “But also an accidental adventurer, one could say. I’ve got passable skills with daggers, m’ body in unarmed combat, an’ m’ music and voice. I can sail, swim, an’ navigate pretty well, too. I tend t’ end up in close combat, but I’ve got a few other tricks up m’ sleeve, thanks t’ th’ Immortals’ favor, some o’ which give companions like yourself strength an’ focus.”

He left out being an Empath and would leave out the specifics of who Favored him unless asked. Not everyone took kindly to mages, after all, and while it was important they all trusted each other, Pash wasn’t sure details were useful until necessary.

Then the seafaring musician would give everyone else a chance to say their piece, making sure to scratch Sarkis behind the ears should the wolf make his appearance and unconsciously make it clear he and the dark-haired Sev’ryn were more than just casual friends by both his body language in her presence and any casual conversation that continued while breakfast was prepared and eaten,

“Can y’ describe t’ us your calling from U’Frek, Emmaline? Th’ three ‘f us shared a vision an’ thus you’re th’ only one whose part isn’t known. What did m’ Maker show you in your dream?” If she asked the opposite, he was prepared to answer her, describing how they’d been asked to memorize a part of the sea floor itself as if the item was expected to be near there.

Once they were finished and everyone felt comfortable with each other, there was little else to do but find the path U’Frek had planned for them.

[Arlo Creede]

As a dreamwalker blessed by Jesine, Arlo was no stranger to coming fully aware in places he hadn't been or seen before. But this time, it was no dream and he knew it as soon as he opened his eyes and didn't see the fabric of his tent just a few feet in front of his face. The young man frowned while the last drowsy remnants of sleep scattered to the wind, and he gathered his wits. Not the usual, no doubt about it. But suddenly, he wasn't surprised, especially when he glanced around the quiet and bare room, and recognized at least two of its other occupants. They'd had fair warning after all. As a matter of habit, he wore loose fitting cotton trousers to sleep in. It made sense when you made your home in the wilds where danger might lurk behind every corner, never to be caught completely unaware and utterly at a disadvantage. A fellow might appear fairly inconvenienced, even ridiculous, fighting off terrors in his bedclothes. All the more, of both, without them.

He threw off the covers, sat up and dropped his feet to the floor, where they landed on his bagged up belongings instead. "Seems so," he said to the unfamiliar women when she asked about U'frek. Curiously he picked up the strange shell, turned it over his hand before shrugging and dropping it into the pocket of his black leather breeches before pulling them on. Shirt, doublet with a pair of gloves tucked into it, all his weapons; sword, knife, bows; pulled out of the sack and dropped on the bed for later. He'd recently purchased a set of leather armor, but opted to leave it in the sack for now, along with his other belongings. Meanwhile, Lyova was darting around the room unseen, observing its occupants, a dozen of her questions in rapid fire succession, buzzing in Arlo's mind.

"I'm Arlo," he said for Emmaline's sake, after he'd greeted both Pash and Kali'rial. As for where they were, he could only guess they were in Athart. Sent by U'frek all. Of course unlike Pash, Arlo was no devotee of that particular Immortal. In fact he still wasn't completely sure why he'd been chosen. He'd been no less willing to accept the challenge however. And having later learned that what they were about might have something to do with Cassion, well, all the more reason to come along. All the reason he needed, in fact. "I can cook, and don't mind," he told her, and wandered into the kitchen area in order to see what was available to make a meal from.

Turned out there was plenty to choose from. This wasn't the time for showing off, for fancy or complicated. And who knew when they'd get the chance to eat again? Something simple that was filling and would keep them going, but not weigh them all down. Something simple. That was what they needed. So throwing a large pan on the stove and drizzling a little oil on the bottom, Arlo threw in diced potatoes and chunks of bacon that would crisp up. Then came diced onion and red, sweet and smoky peppers, a little salt, a handful of greens, chopped mushrooms, and when it was all cooked up together, eggs cracked onto the surface to cook sunny side up. It didn't take long, and he'd serve it all up in wooden bowls with rounds of thick bread fried in butter.

As for himself? "I'm a follower of Cassion," he said. "Traveler, explorer, adventurer. I can make my way in the wilderness pretty well, follow the stars when I need to. I can hold my own with a bow, almost as well with a blade when I need to. I can hunt a little, brawl a little and if I was forced to make an honest living," he added with something of a grin. "I'm a pretty good acrobat. I might do well making a name for myself as part of flying circus." And though he didn't generally reveal as much to those he didn't know well, this time, he openly told them that he was also a dreamwalker, marked by Jesine. "In part what it means is that I'm not alone. I've got a little companion who's here, though I'm the only one who can see or hear her. A diri," he explained. "She might turn out to be useful. She can go and see into places that we can't, for instance." Scouting ahead, mostly, was what he meant.

[Kali'rial]

121st Vhalar, 717

It wasn't the lack of the ocean that woke Kali this time, no, this time it was the lack of warm bodies. The huntress reached for Pash in her sleep, opening her eyes suddenly when she found the unfamiliar side of a single bed and no Biqaj. At the foot of her bed, the wolf's warmth was also missing, unbeknownst to her he'd been awake before all of them and phased into spirit form to investigate on silent feet. She sat up suddenly, clutching the sheet to her bare chest and looking at her companions with wide golden eyes and a severe case of bed hair. Turning her gaze on Emmaline, the Sev'ryn nodded, her cheeks red.

"Yes...it appears he has. Well met Emmaline, I am Kali'rial and that is Sarkis." She nodded to the large grey wolf who appeared suddenly beside her bed, fixing Emmaline and Arlo with an intense fiery gaze as he silently questioned Kali on their relationship to her, to which she replied - Friends. Kali turned her eyes on Pash with a little shake of her head as the tall sailor gave no pause to jumping up in all his naked glory to get dressed. Honestly, he had literally no personal filter. It was all or nothing with the bard.

Most often it was all.

Shifting to the end of the bed, the brunette huntress pulled the bag up in front of her and rummaged in it to find all the things she wanted, as though U'frek had read her mind. Without hesitation she pulled her linen furlined dress over her head, wriggling it down over her hips with a sigh of relief. Now she could move, shifting to turn and tug on her oiled leggings. Sitting on the edge of the bed she strapped on her arm guards before lifting her hands to smooth her hair out and deftly braid it tightly back.

"Agree, Arlo is extremely skilled, even with meagre supplies." Standing, she pulled out her belt and buckled it around her hips which carried her coin purse, water skin, travel pouch with basic medicinal herbs and fire making kit. As Pash explained his skills, the wolf-walker pulled out her hunting knife and holster to strap to her thigh, and her quill of forty Mastercraft arrows to sling over her shoulder and rest comfortably on her back. As Arlo disappeared to start breakfast, he would notice a particularly interested black nose following him, attached to the suddenly hungry eyed wolf.

"Sarkis, leave it alone. You can share mine." She shot a thought to the canine, who stopped in his tracks and bounded back to his bonded, turning at the last minute towards the seafaring minstrel with a happy wag of his tail. Shooting the Biqaj a smile, Kali'rial fished her rope from the bag and slung it the opposite way on her chest, before finally removing The Huntress and laying it on the bed.

"I'm a hunter by profession, and mastered with a shortbow. I am proudly blessed by Karem, and as such I can sense prey or those who are weaker against me in combat. I also have Sarkis over there, who is my pack Omega. He and I can speak telepathically over distances and he can also change into spirit form which allows him to both go undetected by most and move faster. Good for scouting in that form." Prodding around inside the bag, she lifted the curious seashell, turning it to examine all sides closely, before slipping it into her pouch.

Smiling broadly when Arlo returned with the bowls of egg deliciousness and toasty bread, the huntress graciously accepted with a hum of satisfaction.

"Thankyou Arlo, it smells amazing." Immediately Sarkis was by her side with a lick of his muzzle and big puppy eyes. The huntress alternated between a forkful for herself and one for the wolf. When it was done, she would let him lick the bowl clean, and if anyone else fancied sharing with the opportunistic canine he would gladly accept. As the traveller explained his diri, Kali'rial smiled. So they both seemed to have the advantage of an unseen companion.

Well, her's being unseen when he felt like it.

Moving to Pash's side, the southerner would wait patiently for the others to finish their breakfast. Once they were done, she would follow the group beyond the room and into the city of slaves.

[Pegasus]

The Door

W

aking up with strangers, friends, acquaintances and lovers in a strange place, not where they had fallen asleep was something they all, more or less, dealt with calmly.

They also stopped to have some breakfast ~ well cooked and filling. Emmaline nodded her head to Pash's question and, as they ate, she addressed it. "I had a dream," she said, with a shrug, like she expected them to think she was silly. "In it, there was me and two others. U'frek asked us to work for him, spoke of a gift. But when it came down to it, when he asked us to say yes or no, the other two bottled it." She shrugged, as though to say what she was thinking. It was their loss, after all. "I said yes though. He said, I'd come to Athart and meet others. So far," she added, with a grin at Arlo, "the only thing he left out is how well one of them cooks. This is good, really good. Thanks, Arlo"

She'd raised her eyebrow at the sight of Sarkis, but said nothing. For those who noticed such things, Emmaline moved like a warrior, she seemed most comfortable when she had the sword strapped at her wrist and she listened carefully to what they said. Nodding her head, she opened her hands in a gesture of almost-surrender. "Well, I've got no magic and no blessings. So, I guess the tables will be turning and I'll be relying on you to protect me," her expression was good natured when she said that. "But I'm good with this," she gestured to the sword and then gave an almost defensive, vaguely embarrassed shrug. "I'm told I'm pretty good with it. I'm alright with dagger and shield, but my strength is with the sword."

There seemed to be no more to tell and so, she enjoyed her food and chatted with them if chat they did. She'd ask about where they were from, the fact that they obviously knew each other (and yes, obviously some of them knew each other intimately). But really, she was as keen to get going as keen could be.

And so, they stepped out.

The landscape of Athart turned out to be an alleyway. Their door opened directly into an alley, narrow and mostly bare. The walls of the buildings either side stretched up into the skyline and yet, the ground was lush verdant grass. After a short walk they came to an archway, combined of stone and vines, twisted together and intertwined. Somehow. As a feat of architecture, it was amazing.

Through that archway there was what seemed to be a deep pit, with a fire in it. At least three of them had seen one like it before - it looked like the hunters' pit in Desnind. A fire crackled in the middle, warming them and ensuring that the light was flickering. That moment, there was a figure sitting there, enjoying a drink as he waited.

He was a tall man, dark of hair and with a ready smile. Around his neck he wore a strange trinket of feathers ribbons and he looked at the four of them with a grin. "Ah, you're here. Good. U'frek's group. Excellent.I am here to tell you the rules." The human man looked at them all and he gestured to another archway, opposite the one they had come in though. "You are seeking a gem. To reach the gem you will need to solve three puzzles. Each puzzle has a guardian who will require a toll. You, as a group, are in direct competition with other groups, representing other Immortals. First group to the gem, wins for their Immortal and then, we begin the Endgame. Simple" The man nodded towards the archway.

"Time starts when you step through there. But first... Any questions"

Objectives

1. Clarity: Ask any questions you might have

2. Last chance!: Last chance to back out / change sides / change groups (voluntarily). If you're good to keep going, please end your post with stepping through the archway.

OOC Info

!

Message from: Pegasus

Please note: movement between groups is entirely possible and may happen for reasons which will seem entirely random. One post between mod posts please. No posting order. You may, of course, control your own NPCs, but not mine. There are a number of hidden objectives throughout the game. I will let you know if you unlock them. Secret PM sent! I will post again on the 28th October. Please note that I will do this even if no one has posted. For the purposes of the plot, it is imperative that all the threads I'm running go in tandem. Why this is will become obvious as time goes on. We will operate on a "three strikes and you're out" basis. Please note: My bad - should have mentioned it. If you have a Domain Bag, it was NOT in your equipment. You all have the one given to you and only that one. May the Immortals have mercy on you all

In your next post

1. Please make sure that you are clear about where you have stored / are carrying the shell.
2. See the objectives above

NPC

Your NPC is a human woman called Emmaline

► Show Spoiler

She is a mercenary
She is a friendly young woman
She is skilled with sword, shield & throwing knife
Her main skill is with the sword

[Arlo Creede]

If he hadn't been familiar already with the Sev'ryn and their oftentimes unseen companions, Arlo would have been surprised by the sudden appearance of a creature that hadn't seemed to be there before. Except that he wasn't surprised at all. First, because Lyova, often aware of things that he wasn't, had told him. But also, because not that long ago he'd been introduced to one or more of them, back in Desnind. This was the first one though that had actually revealed itself for all to see. And meanwhile, the blue, teardrop shaped diri had settled back down atop the brim of his hat.

While he was still in the kitchen, the traveler would make sure that there was plenty to share with Sarkis. He'd be a poor devotee of Cassion's if he didn't. There was always more than enough and usually someone happened along to eat it, so that, usually, there was nothing that went to waste. He'd brought out the bowls, passed them around and sat down on the edge of his bed to eat. And thinking back to the small shell that he'd found on the top of his sack, it struck him that maybe it was the promised something that might help them to explore underwater without drowning. At any rate he'd be sure not to misplace it.

Emmaline's accounting of her own dream made him curious. Naturally, being a dreamwalker himself, he would be. But he also wondered about the two who'd refused. How many more had been drafted then? And how many had turned the opportunity down? At any rate, he polished off his meal, grabbed his sack to sling over his shoulder, and was eager to get going. Arlo wasn't surprised to find himself in an alleyway, once the door was opened. But the grass beneath their feet? That was a surprise. On the other hand, as a dreamwalker and someone able to dream lucidly, it probably shouldn't. In Emea, the nonsensical and unexpected far exceeded what would otherwise seem the norm.

The stones, the vines, the archway, he had to agree with Lyova when she trilled curiously through their connection, the surroundings brought back memories of Desnind and its surroundings. Even the maze that the two of them had spent breaks in. Or trials. In that strange place, time had lost all it's meaning. But then the fire pit, and much more importantly, the figure seated by the fire? Arlo stopped in his tracks. First in wonder and awe. And then a grin split his face when he spotted the feathers and ribbons looped around the man's neck. He knew who this was.

Arlo knew already that this particular fellow didn't care for having his identity exposed, until he decided to do it himself. Once, the young man had wondered if there was in play a sense of humility. But after witnessing what he had last time they'd met, he was more inclined now to believe it was more a liking and flair for cinema. Still, in an effort to give his companions a heads up, he uttered quietly to them, "Look smart, folks." So, a gem. A puzzle, a competition? He liked those, no denying.

Simple as that. As for questions before they went, first, Arlo lifted a hand, gripped the brim of his hat and tipped it down on his forehead with a grin. Considering the source, where he'd actually gotten the hat, the gesture was as good as if he'd taken a knee in reverence. "I believe we've met before, and it's an honor to meet again." Would Cassion remember him? He hoped so. Arlo hadn't forgotten the deal they'd struck last time, in a setting identical to this one. "This gem we're to find. Is there something special about it?" he asked. Maybe it was something unique. Something that they couldn't mistake for a more ordinary gem when they stumbled across it. But if there were decoys out and about? Better to know if there was something that might distinguish it from it's pretenders.

[Pash Raj'oriq]

The tall Biqaj could pack away food like a hoarder if given the opportunity, his capacity for consumption somewhat astounding when given freedom to eat as he pleased. Perhaps it was because he hardly sat still that, like a bird, his metabolism was as intense as the rest of him, but he still had the self control to temper himself when someone else was cooking, when everyone else was watching him compete with a … wolf. He kept his manners, deciding conversation was a welcome distraction. Their fourth companion shared her dream, which sounded much like their own, and Pash was content with her answers. Was she a follower of U'Frek or a stranger to the Immortal much like Arlo and Kali'rial? While it was one thing to agree to be his ally, or the ally of any other Immortal, it was another to want to please them, and the tall Biqaj was curious as to whether he was alone in such motivations. It was fine if he was, some of his obligations just as cultural as they were personal.

“Aye, well, that’s no’ th’ extent ‘f Arlo’s talents, I’m sure, but it’s a boon for us—no doubtin’. That said, I’m sure it’s best t’ work t’gether. I’m sure we’re better off complimentin' each other’s skills than relyin' on th’ strength ‘f one.” Pash smirked at Emmaline’s comment, “I don’t doubt a good sword arm’ll come in handy, an’ I’ll protect who I can th’ best I can, o’ course, y’self included.”

He meant it, aware that usually that promise came at his own expense, not that such a thought ever stopped him from doing. The thrill of risk just as exciting to the seafaring minstrel as the calm in moments of reserve.

Once finished with their meal, Pash made sure he was ready like everyone else, daggers within reach, lute comfortably slung over his shoulder, and his bag packed with all the gear he’d learned had some kind of use in his seasons accidentally adventuring on Scalvoris. The strange shell was in the pocket of his pants, though it was a sore temptation to turn it over in his calloused fingers in curiosity, he didn’t want to run the risk of dropping it, either. His place was near Kali’rial, of course, and if there was no room for the pair to walk together, he’d somewhat subconsciously, somewhat protectively, somewhat thoughtlessly move to go before her.

The alleyway wasn’t quite what he was expecting, but at the same time, the tall Biqaj didn’t know what to be expecting in the first place. Tidepool gaze took it all in, following the others toward what appeared to be a fire pit with a single figure waiting for them. Arlo lit up like a torch set aflame, the expression on the younger man’s face hardly unfamiliar. Pash said nothing at his comment—none of them looked dumb, after all—and chuckled at the somewhat casual reveal of whose presence they stood in from the mouth of their friend.

The Wanderer. The Storyteller. And an Ally of his Maker.

Could one ever become comfortable with meeting the Immortals as Pash was comfortable meeting strangers? It didn’t feel possible, and yet it was an interesting thought, the seafaring musician’s smile wistful, for Cassion was an Immortal he felt a connection with in all of his travels and adventures, in all the stories he’d told and become a part of,

“Good t’ see a Friend.” The seafaring minstrel considered his questions, wanting to make sure he was thorough because whatever lay before them was most likely more worrisome than it sounded at first listen, “Who are th’ Immortals th’ other groups are servin’? Are th’ groups o’ four like us? What kind o’ competition are we talkin’ here—unfriendly? Dangerous?” He wanted to ask about the guardians, the tolls, and what other dangers lay ahead besides other people, but he also didn’t want to be overwhelming with his questions. If no one else asked, he’d bring those concerns up, too, before they moved on.

He appreciated Arlo’s question to clarify the gem, curious if it would be obvious, though he remembered the location U’Frek had told them to memorize … a location at the bottom of the sea.

Once questions were asked and answered, he’d be satisfied and prepared for that next door, for whatever they were stepping into, for the time and the Game to begin.

[Kali'rial]

121st Vhalar, 717

The first thing Kali’rial thought when they walked out the door was Desnind. The walls were man-made, but the ground was lush grass. It reminded her of Moseke’s temple, and for the first time in her life she wished it didn’t. The brunette wanted nothing to do with the city in the trees right now, everything that had occurred was too fresh and raw.

As they walked, she thumbed the drawstring pouch on her belt that contained her medical herbs as well, feeling through the leather the shape of the shell they had found. It might be something, it might be nothing. Eitherway, it was good to have it within easy reach. Ahead of them was an archway, twisted with vines and branches not uncommon in ancient Desnind architecture. Had they perhaps not come to Athart but Desnind instead? The huntress frowned at the thought, the fire pit ahead making it feel even more like the south. Sarkis walked beside her in full form, his nose to the ground and ears alert.

The man that appeared before them was new to Kali, but clearly someone both Arlo and Pash seemed to recognise. Even the wolf seemed to know, as his tail wagged and he padded ahead to greet the man with pink tongue hanging from his mouth. So, a gem was it? Puzzles and a competition. Peculiar, but interesting. The young Sev’ryn silently called the wolf back to her side, fairly certain the man before them was an Immortal judging by everyone’s reactions.

”Well met. The others have the same questions as I except for one.” Reaching into her medicine pouch, Kali’rial pulled out the shell and held it up.

”We each found one of these shells with our stuff. Do you have any guidance as to whether they are special in any way? If so, any tips on how to use them?” It didn’t hurt to ask she thought as she closed her hand around the shell and put it back in her pouch.

Glancing at the other archway, Kali pulled an arrow and nocked it, ready and waiting to step through when the questions were answered and the others were ready.

[Pegasus]

The First Puzzle

W

hen he asked if there were questions, there were, of course. First, Arlo spoke and the man nodded his head. "It's good to see you again, Arlo. Taking my hat into more trouble?" he asked, and there was a feeling that trouble was not a negative thing in his eyes. Not at all. If they weren't getting into it, something was wrong. Still, a question. "Ah, the gem is the prize that U'frek seeks. Yes, there is something about it, but that's his business and mine." He gave a grin as he spoke. There were no bad questions, but it didn't mean he'd answer them. Then there was the next question, or series of them, from the biqaj. He turned his attention to Pash and answered each question in turn, his gaze on the biqaj with an intense gaze, as though he was looking at him in more than just his physical self. "Ethelynda and Yvithia, no, some of the groups have less. None have more. It shouldn't matter in terms of the puzzles you will face." His hand motioned in a vague wave to sort-of-out-there "In terms of how dangerous? Well, I'd hope not at all. I can promise you that this place, this is a game. No more, no less. There will be nothing here which you carry out except memories and trinkets. But I can't guarantee anyone's behaviour except my own. However, I'd like it if we kept to no violence." He turned, then to the sev'ryn who asked her question.

The man grinned broadly at her, his eyes dark pools. "I would say they are special, aye." He smiled at Kali'rial with a friendly smile. "Since they're a gift to you from U'frek. As for how to use them? I heard tell once that you can hold one to your ear and hear the sea, but I never tried it and those seem a little small for that. Maybe, they're just a token?" He gave her a grin and winked at her solemnly.

Emmaline had no questions, she listened to the others and smiled to the man at the pit. "No, no questions from me," she said and the traveler nodded. He stood, then, and bowed to them all. "Then let the Game begin," he said. As the last of them stepped through the archway, Cassion watched and smiled as the archway shimmered closed behind them and transformed back, once more, to an unremarkable stone wall.
They stepped through the archway, into a room. It boasted high rafters but no windows and other than the small stepping stones they were on, they seemed to be looking out over the ocean. In the middle of the room was a raised area, which had more stepping stone leading up to it. That area had a large checker-board like pattern on it, each "white" square made from glass and transparent, revealing the water lapping below it, the fish swimming beneath them.. It was a six square by six square grid. Each square was large enough for one of them to stand on. They might notice that, as the last of them stepped through, the wall behind them simply shimmered and was a wall again. They were, currently, in a room with no entrance and no exit standing on stepping stones in the deep ocean waters.

Hmmmm.

However, before them was a man. He was wearing a pair of loose slacks and a cotton shirt. He turned to them as they walked in and he beamed. Leaping across the stepping stones he was obviously delighted to see them. He shook hands enthusiastically with Pash and Arlo and solemnly kissed the hands of Kali and Emmaline, clicking his heels as he did so. So happy was he to see them, he had tears of joy sparkling in his eyes.

"The guests! More guests for Schubert! That makes Schubert so happy! Schubert loves his guests!" Schubert ushered them towards the center of the room, the gentle lapping of the water a soothing accompaniment to his chatter "Schubert has the best job in all the worlds, all of them. Schubert tells you the rules, but he can not help you, no. He would, if he could. But rules! You have to cross. Square to square. Some squares are bad, stop you" Schuberts eyes looked horrified and he reached out and grasped Kali'rial's hand in despair. "Don't step on them! No, bad!".

When he had regained his composure, he continued. "There are bad squares in each column, bad squares in each row. Step on the bad square, bad things. Schubert doesn't know what the bad things are, can't tell you. Would if he did." Schubert was, very much, on their side

"You must cross. Square to square, one step. The bad squares are spaced out. They do not touch each other." Schubert beamed at them and nodded. "You must step in at least thee columns and all rows. I will give you a statue of yourself, to help you, because Schubert can't.". He really wanted to help them. He really, really did. He loved them. "Go now!", he said and, as each of them stepped up, he handed them a small statue of themselves (made to a very good standard).

Objectives

1. Cross safely: What is the "bad" that happens? Well, until you try, you don't know. Lets hope none of you find out!

2. Cross quickly!: You are against other groups here, speed is of the essence. The first group to "pass" will earn a significant advantage.

The Puzzle

So - the aim is to cross the grid by walking from one square to another. You will do this individually, but are more than able to work collaboratively if you wish.
Two of you may not be on the same square at the same time.
You must step on a square in each of row A - F
You must step on a square in at least three out of columns 1 - 6
The bad squares are spaced out so that they are not touching each other. So if you are on a "bad" square, none of the adjacent ones are. Adjacent includes diagonal, forward, back, left and right.

So - you go from a square in row A to any of the adjacent squares. This might be forwards, backwards, sideways or diagonal.
The aim is to get from row A to row F without stepping on any bad squares - you must step on squares in at least three columns.
If you step on a "bad" square - that will hinder your progress.

OOC Info

!

Message from: Pegasus

Please note: movement between groups is entirely possible and may happen for reasons which will seem entirely random. There are a number of hidden objectives throughout the game. I will let you know if you unlock them. This round only You can PM me during the week up to two times - each time, giving me a "route" you will take. Give me as many steps / moves as you want - up to the whole route (from A - F). This might be a collaborative effort or as an individual. I will tell you the outcome and you can then use that in your posts NB: There are a number of solutions to this puzzle. You are looking for "a" way, not "the" way. I will post again on the 4th November. Please note that I will do this even if no one has posted. For the purposes of the plot, it is imperative that all the threads I'm running go in tandem. Why this is will become obvious as time goes on. We will operate on a "three strikes and you're out" basis. May the Immortals have mercy on you all

In your next post

1. Please make clear what route you are taking. These can be described as A4, B6 etc.
2. Be clear what you are doing with the statue.

NPC

Your NPC is a human woman called Emmaline

► Show Spoiler

She is a mercenary
She is a friendly young woman
She is skilled with sword, shield & throwing knife
Her main skill is with the sword

[/quote]

[Arlo Creede]

"Trouble makes better stories," Arlo shot back with a wide grin, in response to Cassion's remarks. And after all, hadn't he promised the Immortal a good story, sometime in the future? If trouble did in fact make good stories, Arlo...with some help from a friend, had stirred up plenty over nearly an arc now. Meanwhile, there was having their questions answered, while they still had the chance to ask them. So there was something unique about the gem, though if Cassion knew he wasn't telling. Just as well, the young traveler figured. They'd probably know it when they found it. And he was confident that they would.

It appeared though that they'd be in a race against time and others to do it. He liked a challenge as much as he liked puzzles, adventures and mysteries. As for the shells, the Immortal professed to not knowing, though Arlo wasn't so sure that was the case. There must be some purpose to them other than a gesture of good will though. After all, you could hold just about any shell large enough to the ear and hear something like the sea. but Emmaline appeared to have no questions of her own, so they were off again. He tipped his hat to the Immortal again as they passed through the archway, leaving an ordinary looking wall behind them. If they'd ever been in Desnind at all, surely they weren't anymore.

Instead they found themselves in a room that appeared to be situated at the edge of, or high above the sea looking down on and into it though a curious grid that looked something like a checkerboard. He might have explored that from the start, if the strange man hadn't caught his attention first. Schubert. A curious name and a colorful fellow, and Arlo resisted the urge to yank back his hand when the old man grabbed it. He'd never quite seen the reason behind grabbing hands with strangers. So, the checkerboard was a puzzle, and they were meant to cross it? "Sounds simple enough," Arlo said. Though it was rare that anything was.

Bad squares and good squares. They only had to figure out which was which and get across the thing, all four of them without running afoul of the bad. Naturally Arlo was curious what bad might be. But probably better he didn't find out. He thanked the old man for the statue. It was a means of helping them? Interesting, though it was a very good likeness too, he thought. And as such he'd like to hold on to the thing.

Turned out, it, and the ones given to the others would be of some help after all. They talked about it, the four of them before even stepping on to the raised grid. Devised a way between and among the four of them that might get them across safely in a timely manner. Not as fast as might have been, had they thrown luck to the wind and dashed across, hoping for the best. But chances were, the way they chose was the quicker and certainly safer option when considering what might have gone wrong. So go now? That's just what he did, along with Kali'rial, Emmaline and Pash.