Krynn - Silvanesti (Day One, Part Six)

Grotto walks with Shadow a bit, fascinated that he can suddenly speak any language. "Shadow my friend, speak Drow to me! Then draw me like one of your girls!" Grotto laughs! "If to know Drow, I must hear it first then let me hear your native tounge!"

Shadow spends a few moments conversing with Grotto in Drow and is amazed at the fact the scarred Dwarf can understand him. “Interesting, I no longer need my Tongues spell.” He spends a moment thinking about it and with a slight shrug, reaches the conclusion that the lack of reaction from the group speaks deeply of their world-weary, jaded demeanors.

Cedron is confused (and a bit concerned) by the group's failure to contact Malazzarr and Hanseath. He thinks to himself, “I need some time alone with others to investigate this more. Could it be this realm has somehow blocked off it’s connection with the divine?”

Cedron returns to the others. He looks to the circle hoping maybe some of his bardic instincts will help offer a clue to why they are here but alas, it seems that the runic knot is just a scar in the stone.

He then turns to Onfroithalas and the physician hoping that he can use a bit of flattery to get some answers. “You have truly built a fine society. One that could stand as a shining example to those less organized or civilized. As we were walking I noticed that there was not a single temple. Is this by design?”

Onforithalas scowls, his voice low with anger and possibly, remembered pain, "E'li and his ilk turned their backs on the Silvanesti when they hurled the fiery mountain down on Istar. They abandoned us in our time of need so now, we have no need of them!"

After talking with Shadow, Grotto noticed Raven staggering toward the group. "I know that stagger!" Grotto excitedly thinks. Grotto walks over to Raven and asks, "What's going on friend? You don't look too steady on your feet. What have you been hiding from your good buddy, Grotto! Do you have any left?" 

Raven raises his hands, warding off the dwarf's eager advance. "Just momentarily light-headed, my friend, most likely the remains of cobwebs accumulated over the course of a week spent in bed! That, and a strange, waking dream of a carnival, hags, and an entire realm of Faerie!" 

The dwarf nods, having little interest in an answer that does not lead to intoxication,  begins to look back where the elven swordsman came from and makes his way in that direction. He soon finds a ring of white mushrooms, several of which have been stepped upon. Grotto’s memories are cast back to his homeland and tales of Changelings that replace and impersonate mortals who accidentally wander into their realm uninvited as he watches Raven head back to the group.

Ra’ziir looks to Lorraine, “What sort of ‘Test’, and how far is this ‘Wayreth’?”

Lorraine shrugs, "I don't know much about the tests themselves, but they are meant to weed out those who are not serious about the Art. Those who fail usually die, but the moons decreed that mages must be willing to sacrifice their life in the defense of magic and keep those who would abuse its power from attaining it in the first place. And, before you go getting any crazy ideas in your head, it is near to a month and a half on foot, across the Plains of Dust and the Kharolis Mountains to the land of our Qualinesti cousins! But, more importantly, the Tower itself must Want you to find it."

Shadow listens to the discussion about the testing and the towers.  He speaks up and says “I have been through the Trials and Tests of a Drow Wizardry School in the Underdark. I am not afraid of any "Test of Magic" above ground.  If you say we should do it, I will submit to it."

Romulus nods in appreciation for the information Lorraine has provided. He looks to the other wizards in the group, "I will travel to Wayerth and take this test. If joining one of these guilds or colleges or whatever they are is beneficial, we can take turns going but I suspect that we are all far more adept than most other applicants. I mostly want to see their workshops and laboratories."

Kysek, disappointed by the results of his Sending snarls in frustration, “Okay; not only do I NEED to know where we are; I NEED TO KNOW WHEN we are! My wife is but a child! Which means now my son does not exist? Not only did we jump realms but we reversed time as well?" He shakes his head. “Alright; armies, dragons, dragon armies, whatever! Point us in the direction we need so we can accomplish this task and move on yet again. I only hope this next leap will be the leap home!”

Onforithalas takes a step back from Kysek and clears his throat. He fiddles with a gold band on his left ring finger for a moment before speaking, "We have scouts monitoring the Dragonarmies closely. If they move, griffon-riders will carry warnings to ALL of Silvanesti. By blade or by bow, we will find a way to reunite you with your wife and son."

Raven rejoins the group, "Did I hear someone say we went back in time? Is that even possible?"

Cedron freezes in mid conversation as Kysek’s and Raven’s words trigger him. “If we’ve somehow traveled back in time, I could fix it!” He exclaims. “Do you realize that Arrabelle might still be alive!?! I could stop her murder! I could make it all right!”

Knives continues to smile and act as casual, but also keeps his eyes sharp. Not wanting to miss any sign of danger, women or treasures, possible escape routes if things go sideways.

Knives makes sure to show no sign of the discomfort he feels from all the extra attention he is receiving, but does his best to look care free and delighted to be here.

Nik snaps back to the present, scanning the faces of those around him to see if he missed someone addressing him. Seeing no one looking expectantly at him, he stand quietly listening to the conversations around him.

Arthur looks about trying to get a feel for the land trying to take in as much information as he can as well.

With their inspection of the circle left behind by the Bifrost's contact with the ground, the group is taken on a brief tour of the city before being taken back to the medical barracks. Lorraine informs Shadow and Romulus that she will pass on their intentions to take the Test to the House Magus who will handle the arrangements for them. 

Several days pass, the group soon establishes a routine. Wake, eat, explore, study or train, rest, repeat. Lorraine visits for long stretches daily and Onforithalas checks in shortly before sunset. On the third day, he is accompanied by a small elven boy. "This is my son, Eruantien," he says introducing him to Kysek, "just a few months over five summers."

On the morning of the fourth day, an elven youth dressed in white robes with a blue sash embroidered with mystic design, blue eyes, and long brown hair worn in a braid that reaches the middle of his back arrives. A fat red squirrel sits on his left shoulder. He is escorted by a pair of Onforithalas' warriors. "Greetings, my name is Menathradon of House Magus. I have come to escort the Aspirants Shadow and Romulus to Wayerth Tower."

- - - - -
• Arthur: 100% health
• Cedron: 100% health
• Chronosaj: 100% health
• Drax: 100% health
• Grotto: 100% health
• Knives: 100%
• Kysek: 100% health
• Niklas: 100% health
• Raven: 100% health
• Ra’ziir: 100% health
• Romulus: 100% health
• Shadow: 100% health