AOP 008

[7:08 PM] The Blue Scale: Previously!

[7:08 PM] The Blue Scale: You guys had arrived on Scuttler's island, seeking the compass to the great artifacts of the 9!

[7:10 PM] The Blue Scale: You guys managed your first few tests.  You negotiated past the whales.  You solved the test of paperwork.  And you fought the tentacle monster.  Then, after reconstruction one of the modrons, you found the location of the supposed one who knows the way to the dungeon.  Nomad-47.

[7:10 PM] The Blue Scale: ....he's in a graveyard.

[7:11 PM] The Blue Scale: You guys are in a storeroom for the large machine that told you this.  And we pick up there.

[7:11 PM] The Blue Scale: Cyranus: "I propose that you wait until nightfall before going."

[7:13 PM] Entropy: Sure why not.

[7:13 PM] Pip: "Night generally the time one does most things in a graveyard."

[7:13 PM] Jaden: finds a place to sit down and take a breather

[7:14 PM] Olenna: ... why would you do things at night in a graveyard?

[7:14 PM] The Blue Scale: Cyranus: "Precisely.  It'll be great for the epic poem I am writing of your adventures."

[7:14 PM] Coppelia: Makes some spooky hand motions

[7:15 PM] The Blue Scale: Sam: "I mean...why would you do things during the day in a graveyard?"

[7:15 PM] Entropy: Does the time we do something matter?

[7:15 PM] Coppelia: scribbles So you can see?

[7:15 PM] The Blue Scale: Cyranus: "I was just trying to help with your dramatic flair!"

[7:16 PM] The Blue Scale: Ephrim: "We should go now.  Before Dandy's crew finds this place."

[7:16 PM] Entropy: So now we are in a rush?

[7:16 PM] Saiph: Fewer vampires.

[7:16 PM] Jaden: gets up  "Ephrim is right, we shouldn't waste time"

[7:16 PM] Olenna: Well, you can visit the dead during the day, and bring flowers.

[7:16 PM] Coppelia: uses prestidigitation to make some spooky bats fly around

[7:17 PM] The Blue Scale: Goldy watches the bats and tries to swat one as it approaches.

[7:18 PM] Jaden: Which way is this graveyard?

[7:18 PM] Entropy: North according to the paper.

[7:19 PM] Coppelia: the bats gather to point north

[7:19 PM] Pip: "You can do that at any time. At night you can leave flowers and other things anonymously. After all, some graves are neglected for reasons other than forgetfulness."

[7:19 PM] The Blue Scale: ((Shall I assume you walk north while chatting?))

[7:19 PM] Jaden: ((Yes))

[7:19 PM] Pip: [Ye]

[7:20 PM] Coppelia: ((Yes with spooky flair))

[7:20 PM] The Blue Scale: Ok, whoever is taking the lead, please roll a survival check.

[7:20 PM] Olenna: People neglect graves?

[7:20 PM] Jaden: ((I guess that is me, unless someone else wants to do it))

[7:21 PM] Jaden: ((13))

[7:21 PM] The Blue Scale: Ok, it's not that hard with a map and you head off towards the graveyard.

[7:22 PM] The Blue Scale: Cyranus: "...very well, I can always say we did it at night...under a full pale moon."

[7:22 PM] Olenna: That wouldn't be true.

[7:22 PM] Coppelia: prestidigitates a full moon

[7:22 PM] Entropy: Is a full moon a special thing?

[7:23 PM] Pip: "It's sadly prevalent. Some would rather forget certain individuals among the dead."

[7:23 PM] Olenna: That's terrible.

[7:23 PM] The Blue Scale: Cyranus: "A full moon is a very special thing.  It is when the goddess Selune is at her strongest and her caring eye can keep watch of you."

[7:24 PM] Olenna: I thought it had something to do with tides?

[7:24 PM] The Blue Scale: Cyranus: "That too."

[7:25 PM] The Blue Scale: Sam080: "Gods.  That's just more destiny crap.  Hang the gods, hang society, hang it all!"

[7:26 PM] Olenna: I think tides are when the water goes up and down.

[7:26 PM] Olenna: Not... really destiny related.

[7:26 PM] Entropy: The moon controls water?

[7:26 PM] The Blue Scale: So, in no time at all, you eventually reach the graveyard.

[7:26 PM] Coppelia: ((Perception?))

[7:27 PM] The Blue Scale: ((On what?))

[7:27 PM] Coppelia: ((The graveyard. Anything that looks interesting or stands out))

[7:27 PM] The Blue Scale: ...sure, roll a perception check.

[7:28 PM] Coppelia: ((NAT 20 plus 5))

[7:29 PM] The Blue Scale: Ok, so, you all take in what seems to be a surprisingly plain, well-maintained graveyard, with a series of tombstones and trees about.  But Coppelia You notice two things.  First, none of the tombstones have any writing on them, whatsoever.  They're all blank.  Second, you see a series of lanterns beside the different graves.

[7:30 PM] The Blue Scale: Boredom: "...this isn't as creepy as I expected."

[7:30 PM] Coppelia: points out the blank graves and lanterns to the others

[7:31 PM] Entropy: Were you expecting creepy Boredom? you did not warn me of that.

[7:31 PM] The Blue Scale: With them pointed out, you see every grave has a lantern beside it and a blank tombstone.

[7:31 PM] Jaden: ......so how do we figure out which one is Nomad?

[7:31 PM] Coppelia: ((Can I investigate one of the gravestone/lantern combos?))

[7:32 PM] Entropy: will look at the paper to see of it says anything about a location.(edited)

[7:32 PM] The Blue Scale: Coppelia A third thing you notice.  A series of leaves seem to be raised slightly, as though something large is beneath them.

[7:32 PM] Olenna: Odd.

[7:32 PM] Coppelia: Goes to investigate the raised leaves

[7:33 PM] The Blue Scale: Removing the leaves, you'll find below...a marble plaque, with writing on it.  What are your guys languages again?

[7:33 PM] Jaden: ((Common and Primordial))

[7:34 PM] Coppelia: ((Common elvish and halfling))

[7:34 PM] Entropy: ((Infernal,common,draconic and primordial))

[7:34 PM] Pip: [I took Eyes of the Rune Keeper, I think]

[7:34 PM] Saiph: (Celestial, Abyssal, Primordial)

[7:35 PM] The Blue Scale: So, pretty much all of you can read it...except Coppelia, as it's written in primordial.

[7:35 PM] Coppelia: ((This is a primordial heavy party))

[7:35 PM] The Blue Scale: ((Apparently))

[7:35 PM] The Blue Scale: Roughly translated, it says:

[7:36 PM] Olenna: will immediately read it aloud for anyone who doesn't speak primordial anyway.

[7:40 PM] The Blue Scale: Whether in night or day

Let a lantern light your way

If you seek the way true

Look for the flame that burns blue

But lest you wish to join the dead

Beware of those that burn red

Once you light your signal down

The answer shall be beneath the ground

A parchment shall help you with the guide

Feel no need to run nor hide

But ask directions with great care

Five is all you will find there

Best of luck,

Aedan

[7:41 PM] Olenna: Speak with dead spells usually let you ask five questions, don't they?

[7:42 PM] Saiph: shrugs.

[7:42 PM] The Blue Scale: Ephrim: "Maybe a scroll of speak with dead is about?  It mentions a parchment."

[7:42 PM] Jaden: ((Are any of the lanterns glowing Blue?))

[7:42 PM] Olenna: That would make sense, I suppose.

[7:42 PM] The Blue Scale: ((The lanterns do not appear to be lit.))

[7:43 PM] Coppelia: writes should we try lighting them?

[7:43 PM] Saiph: nods.

[7:43 PM] Saiph: Light them all and look for the blue one, and stay away from teh red one?

[7:43 PM] Entropy: Makes sense to me.

[7:44 PM] The Blue Scale: For the record, I'd say you see about nine graves total.

[7:44 PM] Coppelia: nods

[7:44 PM] Olenna: I suppose it's worth a try. It all seems very odd to me.

[7:44 PM] Jaden: Have we heard the name Aedan before?

[7:44 PM] Entropy: It is fairly convoluted.

[7:45 PM] The Blue Scale: Ephrim: "Aedan was the name of one of the nine.  A divinator and alchemist."(edited)

[7:46 PM] The Blue Scale: Ephrim: "...I feel like we're missing a step here.  Lighting them all at once seems...hazardous."

[7:47 PM] Olenna: Probably.

[7:47 PM] Olenna: Let's look for a parchment.

[7:47 PM] Entropy: What is life without a bit of risk.

[7:47 PM] Coppelia: writes out what about the map?

[7:48 PM] The Blue Scale: Is Jaden holding the map?

[7:48 PM] Jaden: ((Probably since i led us there))

[7:48 PM] The Blue Scale: Jaden, make a perception check.

[7:49 PM] Jaden: ((12))

[7:50 PM] The Blue Scale: Jaden You notice the back of the map feels...a bit scratchy.  Like something's written there you can't see.

[7:50 PM] Jaden: flips the map around and starts feeling the back  "Map feels odd on the back"

[7:50 PM] Saiph: Define 'odd'.(edited)

[7:51 PM] Jaden: Scratchy

[7:51 PM] Saiph: Hmm.

[7:51 PM] Saiph: Aedan was an alchemist, right?

[7:51 PM] Saiph: Some kind of invisible ink?

[7:51 PM] The Blue Scale: Ephrim: "He was."

[7:51 PM] Saiph: Maybe the writing shows with the lanterns.

[7:51 PM] Coppelia: prestigiditates a small light and holds it up

[7:52 PM] The Blue Scale: As you hold up the light, writing forms on the back of the map.

[7:52 PM] Coppelia: holds the light closer

[7:52 PM] The Blue Scale: Who is trained in arcana?

[7:52 PM] Olenna: is.

[7:53 PM] Coppelia: ((I have half proficiency)$

[7:53 PM] The Blue Scale: I will allow Olenna and Coppelia to roll.

[7:53 PM] Saiph: ((I am.))

[7:53 PM] The Blue Scale: And Saiph.

[7:53 PM] Coppelia: ((12))

[7:53 PM] Saiph: ((17.))

[7:53 PM] Olenna: ((7. Yikes.))

[7:53 PM] Jaden: ((Yay Saiph))

[7:54 PM] The Blue Scale: Olenna You recognize it as a spell inscription and some sort of recipe, but the hand writing is too scratchy and awful to read.

[7:55 PM] The Blue Scale: Saiph and Coppelia You both see a part towards the bottom that seems to be an ingredient list.  Saiph, you recognize an ingredient in there that would burn blue and that emits a sort of wet, musty smell when not lit.

[7:55 PM] The Blue Scale: Saiph You also recognize a command word for Speak with Dead.

[7:55 PM] Entropy: will inspect the lanterns while people are looking at the map.

[7:55 PM] The Blue Scale: Roll investigation, Entropy.

[7:56 PM] Entropy: ((18))

[7:56 PM] Pip: Pip will help with investigating the lanterns

[cannot access sheet](edited)

[7:56 PM] Coppelia: ((I’m assuming as a warforged I can’t smell?))

[7:57 PM] Saiph: Ingredients.

[7:57 PM] The Blue Scale: Entropy Checking the lanterns, you see different bits and bobs inside that will effect the flame...you notice a few of the lanterns have a summoning rune etched into them.  One that doesn't has an odd wet odor coming from it.

[7:57 PM] Olenna: What ingredients?

[7:57 PM] Saiph: And a necromantic command word.

[7:57 PM] Saiph: reads it out.

[7:57 PM] Entropy: Some of these lanterns have summoning runes on them.

[7:58 PM] Saiph: ((Not hte command word, but the ingredients and other stuff.))

[7:58 PM] The Blue Scale: Olenna You know that the ingredients that would burn blue, as Saiph said them, would also give off a specific odor.

[7:59 PM] Coppelia: holds up her prestidigitation light, ready to light whichever lantern she’s told to

[8:00 PM] Entropy: The only odd one out is this one that smells different.

[8:00 PM] Jaden: Could that be the one?  Or it could be the red one to avoid?

[8:01 PM] Entropy: I think those might be the ones with summoning runes.

[8:01 PM] Entropy: But I am not one for puzzles really.

[8:01 PM] Saiph: The ingredients that burn blue would smell distinctively.

[8:02 PM] Saiph: goes and sniffs the lanterns.

[8:02 PM] The Blue Scale: Saiph, you smell the smell you seek at the one Entropy pointed out.

[8:02 PM] Saiph: This one will burn blue.

[8:03 PM] Olenna: Right.

[8:03 PM] Saiph: checks the rune on it?

[8:03 PM] The Blue Scale: On the lantern?

[8:03 PM] Saiph: (\*yeah.))

[8:03 PM] The Blue Scale: You see no runes on this one.

[8:04 PM] Saiph: So the red ones are the traps, they conjure up beasties, perphaps.

[8:04 PM] Coppelia: holds out her light to that lantern

[8:04 PM] Jaden: Or Undead

[8:04 PM] Entropy: Or friendly squirrels.

[8:04 PM] Saiph: Squirrels are never friendly.

[8:05 PM] The Blue Scale: Coppelia, you light the lantern which does burn with a blue flame.  As you do, the tombstone beside it clicks and opens...to reveal two shovels and a pick.

[8:05 PM] Saiph: That seems backwards, somehow.

[8:05 PM] Coppelia: pauses, then tilts her head in a “huh” motion

[8:05 PM] Entropy: You up for digging Boredom?

[8:06 PM] The Blue Scale: Boredom mutters bitterly, but tries to grab a shovel.

[8:06 PM] Jaden: grabs a Shovel  "The Answer shall be beneath the ground huh?"

[8:06 PM] Saiph: looks under the shovels and pick.

[8:06 PM] The Blue Scale: So...Entropy...you know Boredom is...an imp in this form.

[8:07 PM] The Blue Scale: And as an imp...he has a minus two to strength.

[8:07 PM] The Blue Scale: So...roll a STR check, minus 2, please.

[8:07 PM] Entropy: ((-1.))

[8:07 PM] The Blue Scale: Saiph Under the shovels and pick you find marble, like that of the tombstone.

[8:07 PM] Coppelia: ((OH NO))

[8:08 PM] The Blue Scale: Boredom attempts to lift the shovel and ends up falling on his butt with the shovel landing on top of him.  He takes a point of damage.

[8:08 PM] The Blue Scale: Boredom attempts to lift the shovel and ends up falling on his butt with the shovel landing on top of him.  He takes a point of damage.

[8:08 PM] Jaden: Do we dig here?

[8:08 PM] Coppelia: tries to take the shovel

[8:08 PM] Saiph: cleans the marble with his hand, is there any writing or engraving?

[8:08 PM] The Blue Scale: Coppelia, you lift the shovel.

[8:09 PM] The Blue Scale: Saiph You see an arrow pointing down at the grave.

[8:09 PM] Entropy: You okay Boredom?

[8:09 PM] Coppelia: ((Yeah plus 0 strength ftw!))

[8:09 PM] Saiph: Well, okay.

[8:09 PM] Saiph: .... we should probably use the pick first.  Jaden?

[8:09 PM] The Blue Scale: Boredom groans loudly.

[8:09 PM] Jaden: grabs the pick  "You Sure?"

[8:10 PM] Saiph: I think so.

[8:10 PM] Saiph: And you seem like the best at swinging heavy things.

[8:11 PM] Jaden: goes "Okay..."  and brings the pick down ((Athletics check?))

[8:11 PM] The Blue Scale: ((Yeah!))

[8:11 PM] Olenna: I'll help if you want.

[8:11 PM] Jaden: ((12))(edited)

[8:11 PM] Entropy: I can help as well if you wish.

[8:12 PM] Entropy: How deep are things buried in a graveyard?

[8:12 PM] The Blue Scale: Ephrim: "I believe 6 feet is traditional."

[8:12 PM] Jaden: I think the terms is usually "Six Feet under"

[8:12 PM] The Blue Scale: Cyranus is just watching and scribbling.

[8:12 PM] Coppelia: continues to hold her shovel

[8:13 PM] The Blue Scale: Entropy, roll athletics to assist.

[8:14 PM] Entropy: ((...I am not kidding i even used a different die, 1))

[8:14 PM] Coppelia: ((OOF))

[8:14 PM] The Blue Scale: Ok, so, the good news is you don't fail, really.

[8:14 PM] The Blue Scale: But I will say it takes a long time to reach the bottom at this rate.  And Entropy, you take on a point of exhaustion for the 1.

[8:16 PM] The Blue Scale: Eventually, after a lot of painful, arduous digging...you come across a wooden front.  A coffin.

[8:16 PM] Jaden: ((Any markings on it?))

[8:17 PM] Olenna: Is someone in that?

[8:17 PM] The Blue Scale: You see a 47 scrawled in the front.

[8:17 PM] Jaden: 47, that was Nomads number right?

[8:17 PM] Entropy: will pry open the lid.

[8:17 PM] The Blue Scale: Entropy, upon opening the lid you find...a staircase, leading down.

[8:18 PM] Entropy: It was.

[8:18 PM] Coppelia: claps softly, impressed

[8:18 PM] Pip: "So it wa- oh that's new."

[8:18 PM] Saiph: Spooky.

[8:18 PM] Entropy: will head down the stairs.

[8:18 PM] Olenna: Oh, thank goodness.

[8:18 PM] Jaden: follows after Entropy

[8:18 PM] Olenna: follows them.

[8:19 PM] Coppelia: makes more bats. They dance around her as she descends

[8:19 PM] The Blue Scale: Ok, you guys head down.  Who has darkvision?

[8:19 PM] Pip: [Nope]

[8:19 PM] Jaden: ((Pip has the LIght Cantrip right?))

[8:20 PM] Entropy: ((I have darkvision))

[8:20 PM] Pip: [Oh wait lemme check]

[8:21 PM] Coppelia: ((Nope))

[8:21 PM] Pip: [Nevermind, I can see with my freaky fish eyes.]

[8:21 PM] Jaden: ((I do not have darkvision))

[8:21 PM] The Blue Scale: Ephrim will cast dancing lights.

[8:21 PM] Saiph: (I have darkvision.)

[8:22 PM] Olenna: ((I have it too.))

[8:22 PM] Saiph: makes phosphorescent mushrooms grow along the sides of the passage.

[8:22 PM] The Blue Scale: Heading down the stairwell, you arrive in a large chamber room with three other doorways.  In the middle...is a corpse.

[8:23 PM] The Blue Scale: A skeleton, specifically.

[8:23 PM] Jaden: ((Humanoid or Modron?))

[8:23 PM] Entropy: will look at the other doorways.

[8:23 PM] The Blue Scale: ((Humanoid.))

[8:23 PM] Saiph: The recipient of our Speak With Dead, I take it.

[8:24 PM] Jaden: we get 5 questions right, but what should we ask?

[8:24 PM] Saiph: Which door, I assume.

[8:24 PM] Pip: "Still not used to this."

Pip says, descending into the darkness.

[8:24 PM] Entropy: Though there might be more things after those doors.

[8:24 PM] Olenna: ... maybe I had better keep watch upstairs.

[8:24 PM] Entropy: Not used to what?

[8:24 PM] Saiph: Why?

[8:25 PM] Pip: "Seeing in the dark. I couldn't, before."

[8:25 PM] Olenna: Well, what if the pirates came?

[8:25 PM] Saiph: All the more reason to stick together.

[8:25 PM] Jaden: You would be alone up there, better to stay together

[8:25 PM] The Blue Scale: Ephrim: "I am not sure you could see the ship from here, anyway."

[8:26 PM] Jaden: I can put an alarm on the entrance if you want

[8:26 PM] Entropy: Boredom go out and see if you can see any new ships around the island. Then come back.

[8:27 PM] Olenna: Oh, no, it's all right. I just... well I haven't done this sort of thing before.

[8:27 PM] The Blue Scale: Boredom: "....you want me to--ugh, fine.  Least it gets me some time to myself."

[8:27 PM] Saiph: We're on an adventure, with tunnels and skeletons and stuff, it's great.

[8:28 PM] The Blue Scale: Boredom goes to fly around the island.

[8:28 PM] Entropy: Stay safe as well.

[8:28 PM] Saiph: grabs Olenna's hand and squeezes it.

[8:28 PM] The Blue Scale: Ephrim: "This test must be Osorin's.  He was a master necromancer."

[8:29 PM] Olenna: smiles at him.

[8:29 PM] Olenna: What was he like?

[8:29 PM] The Blue Scale: Ephrim: "From what I've been told, quite chipper."

[8:30 PM] Entropy: will look at each of the other doorways to see what I can see.

[8:30 PM] The Blue Scale: Roll investigation.

[8:31 PM] Entropy: ((At disadvantage that’s a 13 ))

[8:31 PM] The Blue Scale: ((You see etchings in the doorways.))

[8:32 PM] Pip: Pip will also peep. Curiosity is ingrained in her very being.

[8:32 PM] Olenna: That makes sense.

[8:32 PM] Entropy: There is something scrawled Into these doorways.

[8:32 PM] Olenna: Oh?

[8:32 PM] Saiph: What is it?

[8:32 PM] Olenna: also peers at them.

[8:33 PM] Olenna: ((21. 'cause of course that's where the 20 goes.))

[8:33 PM] Jaden: is looking at the skeleton

[8:33 PM] Entropy: Can’t really tell.

[8:34 PM] The Blue Scale: Olenna You read the writing on the wall.  They're a very old arcane language, but you recognize it.  Each door has a different riddle etched into it.  #1 I have towns without people, forests without trees, and rivers without water.  #2 I have a tail, a head, but no legs. I am probably with you now.  And #3 What has a golden head and a golden tail but no body?.

[8:35 PM] Olenna: Oh, it's riddles!

[8:35 PM] The Blue Scale: The skeleton still has some wisps of white hair, and ragged clothes, but no other sign of who or what they were.

[8:35 PM] Olenna: This door is "I have towns without people, forests without trees, and rivers without water."

[8:35 PM] Jaden: turns away from the body  "Oh?"

[8:35 PM] Saiph: Map.

[8:36 PM] Olenna: The second one is "I have a tail, a head, but no legs. I am probably with you now."

[8:36 PM] Jaden: A Snake?

[8:36 PM] Olenna: Oh, very clever, of course.

[8:36 PM] Olenna: Have you got a snake?

[8:36 PM] Olenna: A coin, I should think.

[8:36 PM] Saiph: Not at the moment.

[8:36 PM] Jaden: Coin makes more sense

[8:36 PM] Saiph: But yeah, coin works.

[8:36 PM] Olenna: And the third one, what has a golden head and a golden tail, but no body?

[8:36 PM] Jaden: ....A Bell?

[8:37 PM] The Blue Scale: Goldie: "But which door do we desire, anyway?"

[8:38 PM] Saiph: I think that's what we have to ask the skeletal gentleman about.

[8:38 PM] Olenna: Do bells have a tail and a head?

[8:39 PM] Olenna: Beer has a head, but no tail.

[8:40 PM] Olenna: ... and it often has body, too.

[8:40 PM] Entropy: A coin? Don’t they make those in gold?

[8:40 PM] Pip: "I'd say wind, but wind has no color."

[8:40 PM] Saiph: And coins are not always gold.

[8:41 PM] Jaden: a Gold Coin would have a head and a tail

[8:41 PM] Olenna: Oh, perhaps that one's the coin.

[8:41 PM] Olenna: Then what's got a tail and a head and is with us now?

[8:41 PM] The Blue Scale: Ephrim: "May I see the spell?  We may want to ask our friend which way."

[8:41 PM] Saiph: I get the feeling that the answers he gives will be related to the answers of the riddles.

[8:42 PM] Olenna: A headwind, a tailwind?

[8:42 PM] Saiph: So we should get those sorted.

[8:43 PM] Olenna: Maybe one is a gold coin and the other is just any coin.

[8:43 PM] Olenna: To make it trickier.

[8:43 PM] Jaden: Throw people off by having 2 similar but different answers

[8:43 PM] Pip: "That would honestly be a good mental trap."

[8:44 PM] The Blue Scale: ((....yes....let's go with that.  ))

[8:44 PM] Jaden: ((ITs Genius really))

[8:44 PM] Saiph: Ugh, Wizards.  Mostly likely they made this puzzle by committee.

[8:44 PM] The Blue Scale: Ephrim: "Well...they were a committee...so..."

[8:45 PM] Entropy: They made the rest off this by committee apparently.

[8:45 PM] Jaden: Thats kind of Exactly what they were

[8:45 PM] Olenna: I think they ought to have just disintegrated the lot.

[8:45 PM] Olenna: Well. Let's ... talk to the skeleton, I suppose?

[8:45 PM] Jaden: .....Right.  Who is going ot cast the spell?

[8:46 PM] Entropy: Who is asking the questions, and what questions are being asked?

[8:46 PM] Olenna: I'd rather not, please.

[8:47 PM] Saiph: I'll cast the spell if I can, I don't mind.

[8:48 PM] Pip: "I can do so, probably. It just needs the com- oh that also works."

[8:49 PM] The Blue Scale: Ephrim: "I also can.  We should just decide who does."

[8:50 PM] Entropy: And what 5 questions ?

[8:50 PM] Entropy: ((Are the doorways open or closed?))

[8:50 PM] The Blue Scale: ((Closed.))

[8:50 PM] Jaden: Which way to the Compass?

[8:51 PM] Pip: "Maybe 'which path will take us to the Compass' so they don't just point."

[8:52 PM] Saiph: Yeah.

[8:52 PM] Saiph: "What riddle will lead us to the compass."(edited)

[8:52 PM] Pip: "It's probably in this building, but I'd rather be safe."

[8:53 PM] Olenna: Maybe we ought to ask him if he'd like to be buried.

[8:53 PM] Entropy: What other obstacles are there on the path?

[8:53 PM] Jaden: Wait aren't we looking for Nomad?

[8:53 PM] Saiph: I don't know.  I've kind of lost the plot at this point.

[8:53 PM] The Blue Scale: 080: "I think this man is Nomad."

[8:53 PM] Pip: "Also does the Compass have a proper name? We don't want to be directed to any old compass."

[8:53 PM] Jaden: Ahhh

[8:54 PM] The Blue Scale: Ephrim: "If you give me the spell, I can at least get us started and we can decide based on the answers he gives u."

[8:54 PM] Jaden: Works for me

[8:55 PM] Pip: "Alright"

[8:56 PM] The Blue Scale: Ephrim walks up to Saiph for the spell.

[8:56 PM] Saiph: ((Random insight check.  19.))

[8:56 PM] Olenna: Right.

[8:56 PM] The Blue Scale: Saiph Ephrim is growing impatient and also seems very anxious.  You are thinking...maybe Dandy's been hotter on his trail than he let on.

[8:57 PM] Saiph: What's the rush, Ephrim?

[8:57 PM] The Blue Scale: Ephrim: "Saiph, please.  Can we move on?"

[8:58 PM] Saiph: He's been waiting this long.  What's a few more minutes so we don't end up cursed or whatever?

[8:58 PM] Olenna: ... maybe he just doesn't want to see him.

[8:59 PM] Saiph: Ephrim here is a bit more nervous than he let on, I think.

[8:59 PM] Jaden: We really Should pick up the pace,  following the Modron's procedures might have slowed us down

[8:59 PM] Entropy: Bureaucracy never slowed anyone down.

[9:00 PM] Saiph: That's a filthy lie.

[9:00 PM] The Blue Scale: Goldie: ".....I....I can't tell if she's joking or not."

[9:00 PM] Jaden: Can we just cast the spell already?

[9:00 PM] Olenna: ... it slows everything down all the time. Of course there's usually tradeoffs, but.

[9:00 PM] Olenna: What is wrong, Ephrim? We're only trying to help, you know.

[9:00 PM] Saiph: But that the thing, isn't it?  If Dandy is closer than Ephrim here has been letting on, all we've done is the dirty work for him.

[9:01 PM] The Blue Scale: Ephrim: "Not if we move faster!"

[9:01 PM] Pip: "I'd rather not think about that. Let's just see how this goes."

[9:01 PM] Saiph: You should have told us he was closer.

[9:02 PM] The Blue Scale: Ephrim: "I don't know that he is!  But we spent longer here than I anticipated, already."

[9:02 PM] Saiph: You made me listen to MOdrons for like, a thousand hours.

[9:02 PM] Entropy: Did you think the wizards would have left it lying around?

[9:02 PM] Saiph: casts the stupid spell.

[9:02 PM] Entropy: That was fun Saiph.

[9:02 PM] Entropy: I would still be back there if we had time.

[9:03 PM] The Blue Scale: The skeleton sits bolt upright and looks at Saiph.

[9:03 PM] Saiph: Hi.

[9:03 PM] The Blue Scale: Skeleton: "Hiya, hoya.  How's it going?  Don't ask me that.  Limited number of question here, buddy boy.  Heh."

[9:04 PM] Olenna: ((SKELLY))

[9:04 PM] Saiph: FIgured.  Okay.   Through which of the three doors in this room is the compass?

[9:05 PM] The Blue Scale: Skeleton: "Well, the most direct route's gonna be through door number 2, the regular coin...but I'd recommend the scenic route if I was you, pal."

[9:05 PM] Saiph: Why wouldn't you take the regular coin door?

[9:06 PM] Olenna: We ought to ask him what he'd like to be asked last.

[9:07 PM] Jaden: We would lose a question that way

[9:07 PM] The Blue Scale: Skeleton: "Cause it leads to a pit full of gargoyles that come to life and attack ya.  And even then, there's one more door til you get to the compass.  But the scenic route is five doors, no monsters...well...not til the end, anyway."

[9:07 PM] Olenna: Yes, but it would be a good thing to ask.

[9:08 PM] Saiph: Which route is the scenic route?

[9:09 PM] The Blue Scale: Skeleton: "Gold Coin.  Sun.  Flame.  E.  And name."

[9:10 PM] Jaden: ((ONly saiph asking the question counts right?))

[9:10 PM] Saiph: If you were in my position right now, what would you ask for your last question?

@Jaden

((ONly saiph asking the question counts right?))

[9:10 PM] The Blue Scale: ((Yes.  He cast the spell.))

[9:10 PM] Jaden: ((ok))

[9:11 PM] The Blue Scale: Skeleton: "If I were in your position, right now, I'd ask what's the big trap right at the end."

[9:11 PM] Saiph: looks at the others quizzically.

[9:11 PM] Jaden: ask him

[9:12 PM] Olenna: I still think we ought to ask what he wants.

[9:12 PM] Jaden: I think he will be fine, We still have to deal with this big trap

[9:12 PM] Saiph: We know there's a trap now.

[9:13 PM] Saiph: We can be on the look out.

[9:13 PM] Entropy: And we also know it is potentially a monster.

[9:13 PM] Jaden: True

[9:13 PM] Jaden: I was going to ask how many Gargoyles

[9:13 PM] Jaden: but its up to you

[9:14 PM] Saiph: Is there anything you want, Mr. Skeleton?

[9:14 PM] Olenna: smiles.

[9:14 PM] Entropy: ((A shrubbery.))

[9:14 PM] Jaden: ((to go back to sleep))

[9:15 PM] Olenna: ((World peace.))

[9:15 PM] The Blue Scale: Skeleton: "Aw, that's nice kid.  But not really.  I'm long past things like wants.  S'why Osorin put me here.  I don't really care who gets the compass anymore or if anyone does or...heck, anything.  Impartial player and all.  ...but it's nice of you to ask.  I guess I hope you don't die."

[9:16 PM] Pip: [Two number 9s, a number 9 large...]

[9:16 PM] Saiph: nods.  "Okay.  Figured I'd ask."

[9:17 PM] Olenna: You're lovely. Thank you.

[9:17 PM] The Blue Scale: Skeleton: "And that's my time.  Thanks folks.  Tip your waitress and I'll see ya when I see yaaaaaaaaaa....."

[9:17 PM] The Blue Scale: And the skeleton falls back over.

[9:17 PM] Olenna: And so are you.

[9:17 PM] Olenna: kisses Saiph on the cheek.

[9:17 PM] Entropy: will try and catch him and lower him down.

[9:17 PM] Saiph: grows a bunch of flowers and phosphorescent mushrooms around the skeleman.

[9:18 PM] Jaden: Well at least we got some info.  Question is,  Do we deal with the Gargoyles or spend more time but safely go through the other route?

[9:18 PM] Saiph: He told us the answers.

[9:18 PM] Saiph: ....

[9:18 PM] The Blue Scale: Entropy and Saiph both make him look more comfortable.

[9:18 PM] Saiph: Hmm.

[9:19 PM] Pip: "Scenic route will likely take less time than a big fight."

[9:19 PM] Olenna: The safe route is probably better.

[9:19 PM] Entropy: will try to sense if Boredom is nearby.

[9:19 PM] Saiph: You need any remains to cast Speak with Dead, right?

[9:19 PM] The Blue Scale: ((Boredom is way out of range by now.))

[9:19 PM] Jaden: I think we should risk the gargoyles,  we are on a time crunch right?

[9:19 PM] The Blue Scale: Ephrim: "Any remains from which a sound can project."

[9:20 PM] Saiph: ...... okay.

[9:20 PM] Saiph: takes Mr. Skeleton's skull.

[9:20 PM] The Blue Scale: It comes right off.

[9:20 PM] Saiph: Just in case.

[9:20 PM] Jaden: What are you doing with that?

[9:20 PM] Saiph: So that if someone follows us they can't question him.

[9:20 PM] Jaden: fair enough.  Question still stands

[9:20 PM] Saiph: ... unless they speak rib xylophone, I guess.

[9:21 PM] Saiph: I'll bury it proper when we're out of here.

[9:21 PM] The Blue Scale: Ephrim: "That's smart."

[9:21 PM] Olenna: Right.

[9:21 PM] Jaden: Fair enough

[9:21 PM] Saiph: puts the skull in his satchel.

[9:21 PM] The Blue Scale: Goldie: "I for one say we take the nice safe gold path."

[9:21 PM] Saiph: He gave us the answers.

[9:21 PM] Saiph: I say we go that way.

[9:22 PM] Entropy: will open the. Gold coin door.

[9:22 PM] Saiph: "Gold Coin.  Sun.  Flame.  E.  And name."

[9:22 PM] Jaden: Alright, but lets be fast

[9:22 PM] Saiph: And watch for a trap at the end.

[9:22 PM] The Blue Scale: Ok, you go through the gold coin door and find a very similar room.

[9:23 PM] The Blue Scale: The door's not even locked, you notice.

[9:23 PM] Jaden: hmmm

[9:23 PM] Jaden: So we need to find the door who's answer is Sun

[9:24 PM] Olenna: inspects them.

[9:24 PM] The Blue Scale: The next batch of riddles are #1: You cannot enter this room.

#2: I am a bright eye in a blue face.  I don't see, but none see without me.

and #3: What has six legs but walks on only four.

[9:24 PM] Jaden: So number 2 right?

[9:24 PM] The Blue Scale: Cyranus: "The theming's really inconsistent."

[9:25 PM] Jaden: pushes open the second door

[9:25 PM] The Blue Scale: The door opens, to a similar room.

[9:25 PM] The Blue Scale: Three more doors.

[9:26 PM] Olenna: It's got to be the sun.

[9:28 PM] The Blue Scale: #1: "I breathe, eat and grow, but do not live."

#2: "One breaks, but never falls. The other falls, but never breaks.  What are we?"

#3: "The rich want it, the poor have it, and both will perish if they eat it."

[9:28 PM] Jaden: This one is Flame right?

[9:29 PM] Olenna: The first one.

[9:29 PM] The Blue Scale: ((You guys pick door #1?))

[9:29 PM] Jaden: nods to Olenna and opens that door

[9:29 PM] Jaden: ((Yes))

[9:29 PM] Saiph: Flame, yeah.

[9:29 PM] The Blue Scale: Another room with three doors!

[9:30 PM] Jaden: ((WHOO!))

[9:31 PM] The Blue Scale: #1: "I bark with no sound, I leave but never go, my limbs reach out, but do not grab."

#2: "I am the beginning of the end, and the end of before."

#3: "Leave me behind and the more of me you shall make."

[9:31 PM] Entropy: Door 2?

[9:31 PM] Jaden: This one is "E" right?

[9:31 PM] Jaden: I think so

[9:31 PM] The Blue Scale: ((Door 2?))

[9:32 PM] Saiph: Door 2.

[9:32 PM] Jaden: ((Door 2))

[9:32 PM] The Blue Scale: You walk through....and find three more doors.

[9:32 PM] Jaden: ((Excellent))

[9:32 PM] Saiph: The answer here is 'name'.... but be careful.  There might be a trap here or on the other side of the door.

[9:32 PM] Jaden: turns to the rest of the group  "Before we go through the next door lets be ready for the trap"

[9:32 PM] Jaden: nods at Saiph

[9:33 PM] Entropy: Should I get Boredom with us for that?

[9:34 PM] The Blue Scale: #1: "Passed from father to son, shared by sisters and brothers, but more than used yourself, I am used more by others."

#2: "Name me and I vanish.  Ponder me, and I grow stronger.  I can defean with no sound and am broken by the smallest chime."

#3: "No matter is parched, no matter if rolled. No matter if magic, no matter how old."

[9:34 PM] Jaden: Its 1 right?

[9:35 PM] Olenna: Of course.

[9:35 PM] Saiph: nods.

[9:35 PM] Jaden: Alright,  how do we do this then?

[9:36 PM] Jaden: I could go in first

[9:36 PM] Entropy: Or we could open the door and not enter immediately.

[9:36 PM] Olenna: I could open the door from a way away.

[9:37 PM] Saiph: Good idea.

[9:37 PM] The Blue Scale: Ephrim nods.

[9:37 PM] Jaden: Thats good, yeah do that Olenna

[9:37 PM] Entropy: I could get Boredom here and he could fly in.

[9:38 PM] Jaden: It could take him some time to catch up, hes circling the whole island right?

[9:38 PM] The Blue Scale: Entropy It's at this point you notice...you can't sense Boredom, anymore.  Like he's not there.

[9:39 PM] Olenna: stands back and Mage Hands the door open.

[9:40 PM] The Blue Scale: Olenna, you use your mage hand to tug on the door...and instantly, a jet of flame appears, consuming a figure who would be standing before it.

[9:41 PM] Saiph: Ohhh.  That was scary.

[9:41 PM] Jaden: aims his shield in the direction the flame came from as he walks towards the door

[9:41 PM] Saiph: throws a rock to see if it's a continual thing!

[9:42 PM] The Blue Scale: Jaden, you walk towards the door But feel no heat.

[9:42 PM] The Blue Scale: The rock passes into the flames.

[9:42 PM] Jaden: Its an illusion i think

[9:42 PM] Jaden: waves his hand through the flames "No heat"

[9:43 PM] The Blue Scale: It does not burn.

[9:43 PM] The Blue Scale: Ephrim: "We should be wary of what might be on the other side."

[9:43 PM] Jaden: opens the door, Shield still in front of him  "Get Ready"

[9:43 PM] Saiph: This could just be to mislead us.

[9:43 PM] The Blue Scale: ...the door is still open.

[9:43 PM] Entropy: Boredoms gone.

[9:44 PM] The Blue Scale: 080: "Yeah, you told him to circle the island."

[9:44 PM] Jaden: slowly walks through the door

[9:45 PM] The Blue Scale: Roll me perception, Jaden.

[9:45 PM] Saiph: Gone?

[9:45 PM] Jaden: ((12))

[9:46 PM] The Blue Scale: Ok, now Jaden...roll me a Dex save.

[9:46 PM] Jaden: ((Oh boy!))

[9:46 PM] Jaden: ((18!  A GOOD ROLL!))

[9:46 PM] Entropy: looks upset “yeah I can’t feel him anymore.”

[9:47 PM] The Blue Scale: Jaden, as you pass through, you hear a click and you raise your shield to block right before a platform of spikes leaps up to stab you.  You take no damage.

[9:48 PM] Saiph: You can't like... summon him up?

[9:48 PM] Jaden: uses his shield that blocked them and try to push the spikes away from him

[9:49 PM] Jaden: Whoa Boy!

[9:49 PM] Entropy: Not quickly I don’t think , I have a method but I have never had to do it before.

[9:49 PM] The Blue Scale: You slam it away.

[9:50 PM] Jaden: turns back to the rest, "Well there was the trap i guess!"

[9:50 PM] Entropy: Is it still active?

[9:50 PM] Jaden: ((Is it?))

[9:50 PM] The Blue Scale: ((No, it's smashed.))

[9:51 PM] Jaden: I busted it, we should be good

[9:51 PM] The Blue Scale: ????: "Indeed, very good adventurer."

[9:52 PM] Pip: Pip eeps at the unknown voice.

[9:52 PM] Entropy: uses disguise self to make herself completly grey no color whatsoever.

[9:52 PM] The Blue Scale: Jaden, looking into the chamber you just entered, you see a young, half-elfven woman, dressed in loose trousers, a loose fitting shirt, and her hair tied back in a braid.  She smiles at you.

[9:52 PM] Jaden: Uh....Hi?

[9:52 PM] Olenna: Hullo. Are you a programmed illusion or a person?

[9:53 PM] The Blue Scale: ?????: "I'm pretty sure I'm a person.  But can any of us say for sure?  We might all be programmed to just think we are."

[9:54 PM] Olenna: I'm pretty sure I'm a person.

[9:54 PM] The Blue Scale: ????: "But if you'll assume I am a person, you may call me Maren Yphensae, mistress of evocation of the nine.  Pleasure to meet you."

[9:55 PM] Pip: "I could very well be a brain in a jar, hallucinating vividly. I hope I'm not, because I know who'd be in charge of what else is in the jar."

[9:55 PM] Jaden: stiffens up and does almost a full Salute  "Y-yes Maam, a pleasure"

[9:55 PM] Entropy: And you know why we are here?

[9:56 PM] The Blue Scale: Maren: "I have a good idea.  A few items here are of great value."

[9:56 PM] Olenna: It's nice to meet you as well. I'm Olenna, this is Saiph.

[9:56 PM] Olenna: And Entropy, Pip, Jaden, Captain Goldie...

[9:57 PM] Olenna: introduces everyone.

[9:57 PM] Pip: Pip waves cautiously, when her name is spoken.

[9:57 PM] Jaden: nods

[9:58 PM] Jaden: Maam we are here to get the compass the leads to the relics.  Is it here?

[9:58 PM] Olenna: We'd like to protect it from a pirate.

[9:59 PM] Jaden: and the other relics via keeping it safe

[9:59 PM] The Blue Scale: Maren: "It is...but I think you'll find it...hard to protect than you think.  If that's your goal.  ...is it your goal?"

[9:59 PM] Jaden: Its what i came her to do maam

[10:00 PM] Olenna: Someone's got to try.

[10:00 PM] Saiph: I don't think Ephrim here is planning on becoming an evil overlord mage, right?

[10:00 PM] Entropy: Why is it hard to protect?

[10:00 PM] The Blue Scale: Ephrim: "No interest in that, no."

[10:01 PM] Saiph: What did you want them for again?

[10:01 PM] The Blue Scale: Ephrim: "I believe I have a means of de-enchanting them...so they cannot be abused."

[10:01 PM] Pip: "I just want it and things like it away from people who will use such things to hurt people like Jareth, or me."

[10:02 PM] Saiph: nods.

[10:02 PM] The Blue Scale: Maren: "...would you mind if I take a peek and make sure?"

[10:03 PM] Saiph: Oh, like a brain scan deal?

[10:03 PM] The Blue Scale: Maren: "Yes."

[10:03 PM] Jaden: Yes

[10:03 PM] Pip: "Go ahead, there's not much left in there."

[10:03 PM] Saiph: Yeah, you'll generally find that I barely can keep track of why we're here.

[10:04 PM] The Blue Scale: You guys watch as "Maren's" eyes turn a ruby red and glow brightly, and you feel her scanning all of your surface thoughts.  You also note some very non-human like appendages appearing out her back, blocking the way.

[10:04 PM] Saiph: Oh, neat, what are those?

[10:04 PM] Jaden: ((Insight Check if its not too late?))

[10:04 PM] Pip: Pip grins, but it's the kind of grin one makes when telling a self-deprecating joke.

[10:05 PM] Olenna: takes Saiph's hand.

[10:05 PM] The Blue Scale: Maren: "...yes, you do seem...lost...and the small one seems...oh...this is disappointing, you do seem...to be being honest."

[10:05 PM] Entropy: I dont think I agreed to this.

[10:05 PM] The Blue Scale: Jaden ((Go for it.))

[10:05 PM] Jaden: ((5))

[10:05 PM] The Blue Scale: Maren points at Goldie: "Although, that creature has some very sinister plans for yarn."

[10:05 PM] Saiph: ((17((

[10:06 PM] The Blue Scale: Jaden Something don't seem right here.

[10:06 PM] Entropy: What would happen if we were not honest?

[10:06 PM] Olenna: She's not a creature any more than the rest of us.

[10:06 PM] Jaden: \_uses Divine Sense,  is she a Celestial fiend or Undea?(edited)

[10:06 PM] The Blue Scale: Saiph: So...you've heard of sentient, shapeshifting, mind-eating goo monsters called Oblex...you think you may be meeting one.

[10:06 PM] Entropy: Its a shame Boredom is not here...Never know what is going through his head.

[10:06 PM] The Blue Scale: ((She is not any of those, Jaden.))

[10:06 PM] Saiph: Oh, neat.  Are you an Oblex?

[10:07 PM] Saiph: If so, you're the first one I"ve ever met!

[10:07 PM] The Blue Scale: Maren: "Yes, I am.  If I sense a sinister plan for the compass, or the items it leads to...well...I'm supposed to suck those plans right out of their heads."

[10:07 PM] Saiph: Did you eat the original Maren?

[10:07 PM] The Blue Scale: Maren: "No, I was made in her image.  A final barrier, of sorts."

[10:07 PM] Saiph: ((13 Insight on that one.)

[10:07 PM] The Blue Scale: Jaden She's hard to read.

[10:08 PM] The Blue Scale: Maren: "But you seem to have legitimately non-destructive intentions.  Shame.  Some tasty thoughts there, I think."

[10:08 PM] Jaden: So you will let us obtain the Compass?

[10:09 PM] Olenna: I can think about destroying a barrel or something, if that would help.

[10:09 PM] The Blue Scale: Maren: "...I mean...if you can get it out of here, sure.  ...be hard, though."

[10:09 PM] Olenna: Why is it difficult?

[10:09 PM] Jaden: How so?

[10:10 PM] The Blue Scale: Maren: "Oh, The Arcane Compass is it's name...but not really a full description of what it is...here let me show you."

[10:10 PM] The Blue Scale: Maren heads deeper in, do you follow her?

[10:10 PM] Jaden: ((Yes))

[10:11 PM] Saiph: does!

[10:11 PM] Saiph: So are all Oblexs this personable or is this a quality you have?(edited)

[10:11 PM] The Blue Scale: Following her down the corridors, you begin to hear the sound of trickling water.  You realize you are now way deep into the island.

[10:11 PM] Entropy: does.

[10:11 PM] Saiph: Oblices?

[10:11 PM] Saiph: Oblexi?

10:12 PM] The Blue Scale: Maren: "I think it's just me.  I did absorb a fair bit of my makers...many of whom were very good conversationalists."

[10:12 PM] The Blue Scale: Maren: "But it is useful.  Bring the prey in."

[10:12 PM] The Blue Scale: Maren: "So...I believe we're right...ah, here!"

[10:13 PM] Olenna: does too.

[10:14 PM] The Blue Scale: She throws open two large doors and you see before you a large pool of water, out of which are mountains of treasure.  Gold, jewels, opals, precious materials everywhere.  But in the center, is a large, brass colored ship.  With huge circular sails, a long base, and what seems like a dais poking out on top of the deck.

[10:14 PM] The Blue Scale: Maren: "That there...that's the Arcane Compass."

[10:14 PM] Saiph: Someone was really into miniatures.

[10:15 PM] Olenna: Oh, it's beautiful.

[10:15 PM] Olenna: Is it a waterboat?

[10:16 PM] The Blue Scale: Maren: "Yes, one that can move of its own accord with a command word...problem is the sea-entrance has long been closed up."

[10:16 PM] Entropy: By what?

[10:16 PM] Olenna: How do we open it?

[10:16 PM] The Blue Scale: Maren: "I dunno."

[10:17 PM] Entropy: Can you show us where that entrance is?

[10:17 PM] The Blue Scale: Maren: "Sure.  It'll just be a little walk."

[10:17 PM] Saiph: looks at the boat.

[10:17 PM] Jaden: staring in awe at the boat

[10:17 PM] The Blue Scale: ((I think we'll pick up here next time, if that's ok))

[10:17 PM] Jaden: ((That is alright))

[10:17 PM] The Blue Scale: ((I don't wanna get too far without Ilana.))

[10:18 PM] Jaden: ((MAGIC BOAT))