Talk to Nera Event - June 2, 2019

As you cross the Moongate's threshold you are drawn through to the other side...

[Bosque Deriel, Ankis Dir Observatory]

A monument to the ancient Elven craftsmen of stone, the main observatory at Ankis Dir consists of four enormous rocks placed two by two so as to form an alley ten feet long and six feet wide between them. A fifth rock, higher and thicker than the others, closes the space to the east. The whole platform on which these stones stand is carved from a huge, thick mass of bedrock. A path leads down to the north.

You also see a blue Moongate, a blue moonbeam and a weathered metal telescope.

Also here: Sensitive Amitie, Mastermind Melv, Cabrian, Storyteller Craemlorak, Melyo Cermin'a Marcul who is darkened by an unnatural shadow, Ascetic Zaer, Aerialist Emyrose, Holy Blade Shiyar, Zeteivek, Caretaker Salubrie, War Healer Hatham, Vision Sage Miskton, Alannadale, Rikosun, Chanepheous, Glytchh, Palliator Melindrha who is surrounded by a colorful cloud of glitter, Nallya, Yrneha, Economist Rafano and Aaoskar who is haunted by a spectral shadowling.

Obvious paths: south, down.

Rafano waves to you.

You wave to Rafano.

You chuckle.

Aaoskar grins.

Nallya shudders.

The music takes hold, manifesting as a dome of faintly shimmering light.

Zeteivek says to Emyrose, "I don't visit often. There are a few places there locked away from me, but I believe I still remember the roads. Cities are... well, you know."

Aaoskar gestures.

A swirling vortex of shadows draws itself from the ground and coalesces into a black Moongate, which yawns open like a hungry maw.

You peer through the Moongate...

[Aesry Surlaenis'a, Peri'el Prayer Gate]

A grove of white birch trees stands opposite the prayer gate dedicated to the Goddess Peri'el. Watching over the wild inner slopes to the south, a golden king snake perches atop the gate. Two guards, taking their duty very seriously, stand to either side of the gate watching those who approach.

You also see the silvery-white shard Auilusi.

Obvious paths: none.

Miskton says to Aaoskar, "Is the aim still for different beams? I can drop one once Yavash rises."

Melindrha says, "Empaths, please join me."

Aaoskar says, "That would be very good."

You say, "All who are gathered here, I do recommend that you load up your wards and other protective magicks, just in case something untoward occurs."

Emyrose says to Zeteivek, "Yes, I believe I can recall your feelings on cities."

A Dwarf just stomped in.

Aaoskar says, "I'm just going to go refresh mine in aesry."

You rapidly exclaim, "But I must stress that death is not a goal!"

Emyrose grins at you.

Rafano grins at you.

Zeteivek says to Emyrose, "Best left as rubble."

Emyrose says to Zeteivek, "I cannot disagree for some, but I cannot agree for others."

Zeteivek says, "This city is not very bad. Still, better that the trees retake it."

You say, "Oh, while I'm at it, a few housekeeping matters. If you're wearing any self-propelled magical items, or anything that will shimmer, please remove it. Easier on everyone's eyes that way."

You say, "Now, someone watch me for a bit and tell me if I forgot something."

You ask Emyrose, "I don't want to be *that* person, you know? Says one thing and does another?"

You say, "There will be a brief discussion before we begin, but I'm happy to answer questions now, if there are any."

Zeteivek asks you, "Do you know of any threats to this gathering, or was your warning just good advice?"

You say to Zeteivek, "I do not know of any particular threats, no."

Zeteivek gives a slight nod.

Zeteivek says, "Lord Traim is late."

You say to Zeteivek, "I will say, though, that it is always best to be prepared."

You quietly say, "And that I fear that certain entites have an interest in what we will attempt here today."

Zeteivek says to you, "Which is why you'll rarely see me without my spear."

Zeteivek pats a serrated Imperial spear with a diamondwood haft.

Miskton says to Aaoskar, "Yavash moonbeam set at the Riverhaven shard."

Melindrha says, "Moon Mages, you will have an Empath assigned to you to keep your nerves in check."

You say, "Thank you, Melindrha."

Aaoskar asks, "Do we need sanctuary. or does sanctuary stop moon gates?"

Kaelie says, "That is always, quite off putting."

Aaoskar says, "Definitely need to open up moon gates tonight."

Kaelie says to you, "Thank you for such a fast transport."

You grin.

You nod to Kaelie.

Emyrose briefly spreads her arms outward while continuing to sing softly. A dome of light begins to build up around Emyrose as the whispered notes get more complicated.

As each feathery note falls from her's lips, Emyrose weaves it into a tapestry of subtle harmonics that support a line of melody in a minor key, forming the complex measures of the Sanctuary enchante.

The music takes hold, manifesting as a dome of faintly shimmering light.

Emyrose says, "I do not believe my weaker Sanctuary will prevent moongates, but if it does let me know."

Aaoskar says, "If possible, let's not use sanctuary. we have a few people from a distance watching from afar and have moon gates ready to open up here."

Kaelie asks, "Would anyone like a class or like to teach me things?"

Aaoskar says, "We need all eyes from the skies."

You say, "He does sneer, just not on command."

Aaoskar says, "That dwarf gives us sound advice. he says 'ware the 'shai."

Aaoskar says, "As needed. all moons are in the sky."

Sir Hebion just arrived.

Zeteivek says to you, "Lord Traim says he will be watching from afar. I tell you this solely to annoy him by calling him Lord."

Zeteivek flashes a wide grin.

Aaoskar grins at Zeteivek.

You say to Zeteivek, "I shall remember to call him Lord when next I see him."

You hum to yourself.

You hear the voice of Koreberg say, "Good lord."

Zeteivek says, "Please do. He also answers to Commander."

Melindrha says, "Any Moon Mages who have not had an Empath whisper, please let me know so we can get you assigned."

Coriana asks, "An empath whisper what?"

Coriana asks, "Will it tickle my ear?"

You nod.

Zeteivek laughs!

Azardel asks, "This where we come to die?"

Azardel grins.

Zeteivek says, "You'll have to find someone to lift the crossbow for you, old man."

You hear the voice of Koreberg say, "A whisper, sounds spooky."

Melindrha says, "We're separating you out so no one dies."

You say, "We will begin shortly. Just a few rois more."

Azardel says, "I have no idea where I am."

Lovelorn asks, "Dying? Is that really necessary?"

Aaoskar says, "A place where we will learn much, hopefully."

Melv says, "We all gonna die."

You hear the voice of Koreberg say, "No, but it is exciting."

Yrneha says, "Eventually."

You say, "You're standing in the halls of an ancient observatory."

You say, "Not far from Leth Deriel."

You say, "Not far from the Planar Observatory."

Aaoskar says, "2 more coming. then i need to go to aesry shard."

Lovelorn says, "Tempting fate can be dangerous indeed. The Council proved that many moons ago."

Melindrha says, "Request for a gate from Haven, Zincir."

You say, "We've got him."

Sionyl says to Aaoskar, "My thanks."

Melindrha says, "Any Moon Mages who have not been informed of their Empath for the evening, please let me know."

Yrneha says, "That dwarf really is grumpy."

Sionyl says, "It is unfortunate but I was unable to shift my moonbeam to here."

You say, "Alright, there might be some stragglers, but we should get going."

Sionyl asks Aaoskar, "Do you wish us to join you?"

Aaoskar says, "No not me. i need to go to aesry."

Aaoskar says, "And open a shard from there to here."

You say, "Not quite yet, love."

You nod to Aaoskar.

The Dwarf shoots an accusatory glance at Zaer, then clutches his case tightly.

Zeteivek flashes a quick grin.

Koreberg asks, "Open a what to huh?"

You say, "Okay all. Here we go."

You say, "Thank you all for coming."

Sionyl asks you, "Shall we join you?"

You say, "This evening, we will attempt to do something that has never been done before. We will attempt to have a conversation with Nera, a powerful prophet from our distant past, by using teleportation magic to create an anomaly that would pique her interest and prompt her to reach out to us. Why do we do this? Because of the threat we face."

You say, "For the past few months, we have openly discussed a threat lurking on the horizon. I speak, of course, of the Arbiter in Darkness and creatures from the Plane of Probability. The Moon Mage guild has known for many centuries of the hostile intent of this being rumored to be composed entirely of starlight, and the danger of extraplanar creatures, but little has been done to bring the reasons for this hostility to light."

Sionyl nods to you.

You say, "From the outside, there may have been little reason to expose this information. Bards who visit the Planar Observatory, near here, have seen unsettling visions of the past, where the Arbiter, Pelag, and Nera discuss a war on the Children of Grazhir."

You say, "Even so, contact with entities from the Plane of Probability has been limited, for the most part, to encounters within the Astral Plane. Those encounters almost always end in death, but that effect has been limited to the occasional unfortunate Moon Mage caught in the grasp of Pelag ai Aldam."

You say, "I died in that manner yesterday."

You sigh.

You say, "But, recently, and for reasons unknown, the Arbiter struck a deal with the Traders. In exchange for their promise not to access the Plane of Probability, the Arbiter gave the Traders the gift of Magic. The remaining terms of the contract are not known. His motives for entering into the bargain are unclear, but given Bardic recollections, encounters within the Plane of Probability, and the terrible fate of Dehvra, we have reason to believe his actions are an escalation to war."

You say, "Shadow creatures have rejected our peaceful overtures. We tried to speak with them, and the Arbiter, at the Obelisk on Taisgath Island. We asked the shadows to help us understand the hostility, so that we can learn how to heal the wounds, so that we can achieve peace. They called us Children of Grazhir and Defilers. They attacked Aaoskar's mind. It is obvious that, at this time, direct communication is not possible."

You say, "Our guild leaders remained silent after the events on Taisgath, despite our requests for their guidance. We resolved to continue, however, and advised our guild leaders of our intentions. After some research, we developed a theory on why we might be the object of hostility - the Naming Ritual - but it is merely a theory. We need more information. We need to know whether peace is possible, or whether we should prepare for war."

You say, "We need to speak with Nera."

You say, "Nothing we do here tonight should come to a surprise to our guild leaders or the guild at large. We have been very transparent about our plans for this night because we believe that truth dispels darkness. And it is only with knowledge that we can make sound decisions."

You say, "Some worry that we gamble too much by taking bold steps that do not need to be taken. But every choice and action we do not make is a gamble as well. Our future is impacted by the things that we do not do as much as by the things that we do. We gather here tonight to do what has never been done before, to blaze a new trail to find the answers and knowledge we have not found on the well-trodden path laid out by our Guild."

Zeteivek glances at you.

You say, "Tonight, we will attempt to create a curious anomaly within the Plane of Probability to hopefully garner the attention of the great prophet Nera. She had the power to project an illusion of herself into the future to speak with The Arbiter and Pelag and the power to name at least one of them. Her knowledge and ability were beyond measure and tonight we hope that she will share her knowledge with us."

You say, "Or perhaps it would be more correct to say that we hope that Nera has already decided to bestow upon us the wisdom and guidance that we need. For if she comes to us this night, it is because she did so countless years ago already."

You pause for a moment, closing your eyes to refocus your thoughts.

You say, "Now. To the finer details."

You say, "Teleportation magic draws upon the Plane of Probability. We will use various methods to affect the enlightened geometry behind teleportation to create the anomaly that we hope will capture Nera's attention. This will require the cooperation of my fellow Moon Mages."

Sionyl says to you, "The hypothesis is sound, within the Plane of Probability every possible action has happened, or will happen."

You exclaim, "Now all my moon mages, please listen closely!"

Zaer nods to you.

You say, "First, we will ask the moon mages present to focus moonbeams from each available moon to this location. Then, we will dispel the beams using an enchanted sigil. We will repeat this process several times. This could create a sort of distress beacon that a talented seer like Nera would have noticed in the past."

You say, "Next, we will concentrate access points to the Plane of Probability by opening multiple Moongates to this location. We will ask that at least three Moon Mages focus a moonbeam to this location. Each Mage will then travel to a separate area just a few footsteps from here and open a moongate on their focused moonbeam. This will result in multiple open moongates at this location."

You say, "We hope that the concentrated access to the Plane of Probability will cause a ripple in fate that Nera will have noticed in the past."

You say, "If there are three willing Moon Mage volunteers, we believe that the connection to the plane could be further augmented by triangulating moongates opened from the Marendin, Vellano, and Taniendar shards to this area, with the hope that we will draw upon the powers of the Pillars of Secrets, Unity, and Introspection. If any are willing to travel to Shard, Aesry, and Riverhaven to do so, please let me know."

Sionyl whispers, "I will volunteer to create such a moongate if you will tell me where to go."

You say, "One has spoken already, and I believe we have at least one more."

You nod.

You say, "Excellent."

You say, "Finally, if we have not yet established contact with Nera, we will attempt to thread probability upon itself. We will ask that Moon Mages shift their focused moonbeams back and forth through the eye of a single Moongate opened at this location, thus entangling and disentangling a knot in probability. We hypothesize that this anomaly might be enough to pique the curiosity of Nera as she viewed the web of fate from her time."

Sionyl whispers, "I shall go to Shard if you wish, after placing a moonbeam down here and then travel to Shard using the Ways in order to open the moongate."

You say, "If anyone does not know how to shift a moonbeam, please whisper to me or to Aaoskar so we can briefly explain."

You hear a voice say, "An excellent way to open rogue moongates."

You say, "During each attempt, we ask that those present either call out to Nera, or chant the word Teloish, which is the name of the Grazhir shard in the Planar Observatory."

Kaelie asks, "So question. What happens when this piques the curiously of something or someone that is not Nera?"

Sionyl nods to you.

Sionyl says to you, "Of course,."

Sionyl chuckles.

Grenhart nods to Kaelie.

You say, "If we are able to get Nera's attention, I hope that we will then be able to ask questions. Some questions, of primary importance, include asking about the Arbiter, his purpose, and why he struck a deal with the Traders. We should also ask why creatures from the Plane of Probability call us "children of grazhir" and "defilers" and why they are filled with rage. We need to know if peace is possible, or if Nera has any wisdom to share with us."

Zeteivek says to Kaelie, "We kill it."

Azardel asks, "Or die trying?"

Zeteivek says, "You, perhaps."

You say, "We may also want to ask if she is Cashek gand Aldam, the Fighter of Fate, and ask why Pelag is called the Servant of Fate. We may ask what she meant when she said that the Children of Grazhir must know the way of death and glory."

Azardel says, "I can live with that. I'll do what I can."

You say, "Before we begin, it must be stated that we are not certain that this experiment will even work. But even if we succeed, you must know that success does not come without a certain degree of risk. We know that Nera is not the only powerful seer from the past who may be gazing upon fate. We know, too, that the Arbiter could be listening, even now, through his servants, the Negotiants."

You nod to Kaelie.

Zaer says, "It's worth counting on that."

Rafano grins.

You say, "We honestly do not know whose attention we will draw."

Zeteivek moves over to guard Emyrose.

You say, "But the idea is that by chanting Nera's name, and Teloish, that we can draw HER attention."

You say, "Although this endeavor is not geared toward violence, I can make no guarantees for your safety. Those here who are better able to protect our younger adventurers, please be on your guard."

Sionyl says, "This still seems the best way to achieve our goals of knowledge."

You say, "Unless there are terribly pressing questions, we should begin. Our moonlight wanes."

You ask, "Any questions?"

You say, "Hearing none, let's begin."

Hatham quietly says, "Here we go."

You exclaim, "MOON MAGES. Please focus moonbeams to this location!"

Zaer gestures.

An oozing pool of darkness collects at your feet.

Miskton says, "Xibar and Katamba both focused, keeping Yavash in reserve in Riverhaven."

You gesture.

An oozing pool of darkness collects at your feet as you focus a moonbeam from Katamba into the area.

Zeteivek asks you, "Would chanting help? Perhaps yelling at the shadows? Isn't that what we did before, on Taisgath?"

You nod to Miskton.

Sionyl gestures.

Sionyl's watersilk bag emits a loud *snap*.

A pool of black shadows dissipates.

An oozing pool of darkness collects at your feet.

You grin at Zeteivek.

Melv says, "Guess the rest of us just sit back and watch the light show."

You gesture.

A beam of ruby brilliance splits the sky as you focus a moonbeam from Yavash into the area.

Sionyl says, "I am also keeping my Yavash beam available for me in Shard."

Zaer gestures.

A pool of black shadows dissipates.

An oozing pool of darkness collects at your feet.

Melindrha gestures.

Coriana gestures.

An oozing pool of darkness collects at your feet.

You say, "The first experiment will be to drop a sigil to dispel moonbeams. I will begin in 20 seconds. Once I drop the sigil, please chant either NERA or TELOISH."

You exclaim, "Is everyone ready!"

Aaoskar says, "Yes."

> drop sigil

As you drop your gold sigil, it makes a high-pitched whistle and then explodes into a thousand multicolored splinters.

You sense a massively powerful wave of Lunar mana pulse through the area, originating at the point where the gold sigil fell.

A blue moonbeam is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A red moonbeam is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A red moonbeam is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A blue moonbeam is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A pool of black shadows is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A pale red moonbeam is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A pool of black shadows is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A pool of black shadows is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A red moonbeam is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

You sense that was your Yavash moonbeam dissipating.

A red moonbeam is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A pool of black shadows is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

You sense that was your Katamba moonbeam dissipating.

A blue moonbeam is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A blue moonbeam is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A pool of grey shadows is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A pale red moonbeam is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A pale red moonbeam is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A pool of grey shadows is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A blazing flare of light flashes across your vision.

You'll need to be holding the gold sigil to do that.

Zincir chants in a baritone voice:

 "Teloish"

Nallya blinks.

You chant in a soprano voice:

 "Nera"

Coriana chants in a soprano voice:

 "Teloish"

Melv chants in a countertenor voice:

 "TELOISH"

Sionyl blinks.

Your color vision returns to normal, causing the auras you see to dim and vanish.

Grenhart chants in a tenor voice:

 "NERA"

Alannadale chants in a bass voice:

 "Nera"

Hatham chants in a baritone voice:

 "Nera"

Miskton chants in a baritone voice:

 "Teloish, Teloish, Teloish"

Zaer chants in a baritone voice:

 "Nera"

Koreberg chants in a baritone voice:

 "NERA"

Rafano chants in a tenor voice:

 "Nera"

Nallya chants in a mezzo-soprano voice:

 "Nera"

Hatham chants in a baritone voice:

 "Nera"

Sionyl chants in a mezzo-soprano voice:

 "Nera"

Grenhart chants in a tenor voice:

 "NERA"

Zincir chants in a baritone voice:

 "Nera"

Alannadale chants in a bass voice:

 "Nera"

Melv chants in a countertenor voice:

 "TELOISH"

Kaelie chants in a mezzo-soprano voice:

 "Nera"

Hatham chants in a baritone voice:

 "Nera"

Coriana chants in a soprano voice:

 "Nera"

Aaoskar chants in a tenor voice:

 "Nera"

Grenhart chants in a tenor voice:

 "NERA"

Alannadale chants in a bass voice:

 "NERA"

Zaer chants in a baritone voice:

 "Teloish"

Melv chants in a countertenor voice:

 "TELOISH"

Azardel chants in a baritone voice:

 "Nera"

Vastriff chants in a baritone voice:

 "Teloish"

Miskton chants in a baritone voice:

 "Nera, Nera, Nera"

Hatham chants in a baritone voice:

 "Nera"

Grenhart chants in a tenor voice:

 "NERA"

You say, "Alright. Let's do it once more."

You say, "REFOCUS BEAMS."

You exclaim, "Are we ready!"

Aaoskar says, "Ready."

You exclaim, "Dropping sigil!"

> drop sigil

As you drop your gold sigil, it makes a high-pitched whistle and then explodes into a thousand multicolored splinters.

You sense a massively powerful wave of Lunar mana pulse through the area, originating at the point where the gold sigil fell.

A blue moonbeam is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A red moonbeam is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A blue moonbeam is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A red moonbeam is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

You sense that was your Yavash moonbeam dissipating.

A blue moonbeam is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A blue moonbeam is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A blue moonbeam is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

You sense that was your Xibar moonbeam dissipating.

A red moonbeam is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A red moonbeam is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A pool of black shadows is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

You sense that was your Katamba moonbeam dissipating.

A red moonbeam is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A pool of black shadows is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A red moonbeam is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A pool of black shadows is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A pool of black shadows is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A pool of black shadows is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A blue moonbeam is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A blue moonbeam is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A pool of black shadows is ripped to semi-transparent shreds and vanishes.

A blazing flare of light flashes across your vision.

You say, "Alright once more."

You say, "Then we will move on to the next."

You ask, "READY?"

Sionyl says, "I am ready."

Aaoskar says, "Ready."

Azardel says, "We'll find out."

> drop sigil

As you drop your gold sigil, it makes a high-pitched whistle and then explodes into a thousand multicolored splinters.

You sense a massively powerful wave of Lunar mana pulse through the area, originating at the point where the gold sigil fell.

You say, "Alright."

You say, "Let's move on to the next method."

You say to Aaoskar, "Need you to go to Aesry."

You say, "Next we will open moongates to this location."

Sionyl says, "I shall go to Shard."

Salubrie asks you, "Is there healing there for him?"

Kaelie says, "I can go with him."

Kaelie says, "Someone needs to pick up Marcul for healing without me here tho."

Melindrha says, "I have him."

Cabrian calmly asks, "Is this the part where we are supposed to get a little more nervous?"

Yrneha says, "I would."

Cabrian calmly says, "Just checking."

Yrneha says, "Oh wait. I am."

Aaoskar says, "This is where i get nervous."

Aaoskar's group went through a red Moongate.

[Bosque Deriel, Ankis Dir Observatory]

A monument to the ancient Elven craftsmen of stone, the main observatory at Ankis Dir consists of four enormous rocks placed two by two so as to form an alley ten feet long and six feet wide between them. A fifth rock, higher and thicker than the others, closes the space to the east. The whole platform on which these stones stand is carved from a huge, thick mass of bedrock. A path leads down to the north.

You also see a blue moonbeam, a blue moonbeam, a red moonbeam, a studious snow-white piglet with unruly eyebrows, a pool of black shadows, a pile of grass, a red Moongate, a blue moonbeam, a pool of black shadows, a rock, a pool of black shadows, a blue moonbeam, a pool of black shadows, a red moonbeam, a dark watchsoul, a ponderous Shadow Servant, a small airy fissure, a twinkling brilliant red sphere, a sleek leopard that is sitting, an azure cedar tree and a weathered metal telescope.

Also here: Woten who has a fiery visage, Zoluren's Herald Navesi, Koreberg who is darkened by an unnatural shadow, Coriana who is darkened by an unnatural shadow, Mirage Vastriff who is shrouded in ghostly flames, Patron Zincir who is blurred by hazy afterimages, Holy Blade Shiyar, Ascetic Zaer, Hurricane Azardel who has a fiery visage, Sir Hebion, Wind Seer Grenhart, Vision Sage Miskton, Yrneha, Sensitive Amitie, Mastermind Melv, Cabrian, Melyo Cermin'a Marcul who is darkened by an unnatural shadow, Aerialist Emyrose, Zeteivek, Caretaker Salubrie, War Healer Hatham, Alannadale, Chanepheous, Glytchh, Palliator Melindrha who is surrounded by a colorful cloud of glitter, Nallya who is surrounded by a shimmering shield and Economist Rafano who is blurred by hazy afterimages.

Obvious paths: south, down.

You exclaim, "Open moongates!"

Zaer nods to you.

A fierce blue-white glare forces you to avert your eyes for a moment. When it subsides, a blue Moongate stands before you, rippling slightly.

You peer through the Moongate...

[Obsidian Spire, Roof]

Arched cutaways in the shell of the spire reveal the sky, blocked only slightly by the sharp peak directly overhead. A channel in the knee-high retaining wall supports several varieties of plant life and boasts a lip wide enough to allow for seating.

You also see a studious snow-white piglet with unruly eyebrows, a black ironwood telescope, a donation shelf with several things on it, a waste bin, a flight of steps leading down and the silvery-white shard Taniendar.

Also here: Hodierna's Fist Kaelie and Aaoskar who is haunted by a spectral shadowling.

Obvious exits: none.

A fierce blue-white glare forces you to avert your eyes for a moment. When it subsides, a blue Moongate stands before you, rippling slightly.

You peer through the Moongate...

[Middens, Crossbow Bend]

Before you stands the Observatory of the Southern Crossbow. It is a three-story edifice, its sixteen-sided walls capped with a crystal dome. The top floor is also the nerve center of the Moon Mages' Guild, a most powerful and revered arcane circle throughout Elanthia. All in all a rather quirky structure, it manages to inspire awe and curiosity at the same time. A carved ivory door leads inside.

You also see a dilapidated tea cart with a couple of things on it, an ornate silver gateway and an ivory urn.

Also here: Traim.

Obvious paths: west.

A swirling vortex of shadows draws itself from the ground and coalesces into a black Moongate, which yawns open like a hungry maw.

You exclaim, "NERA!"

You peer through the Moongate...

[Moon Mage Guild, Atrium]

The skylights curve down like a canopy over this small chamber, enclosing the northeastern hemisphere in a bubble of translucent, glittering crystal. A polished bronze telescope is here for students of the stars, but most visitors come just for the breathtaking view. From here, one can see for miles past the towers and streets of Shard, all the way to the walls of Leth Deriel in the far distance.

You also see the silvery-white shard Marendin.

Also here: Blind Prophet Sionyl.

Obvious exits: southwest.

You chant in a soprano voice:

 "Nera"

You chant in a soprano voice:

 "Teloish!"

You focus your magical senses on the Moongate.

There is a definite pattern of lunar magic within the Moongate, which holds its form together.

Using a principle of enlightened geometry, the Moongate occupies two points in space simultaneously. Maintaining this effect requires a constant source of Lunar mana to supply the necessary teleportational energy.

Roundtime: 5 sec.

You say, "Release! We will try this once more."

You exclaim, "OPen the gates!"

A fierce blue-white glare forces you to avert your eyes for a moment. When it subsides, a blue Moongate stands before you, rippling slightly.

> In a blazing fountain of red-gold sparks, a red Moongate blazes into life.

[Bosque Deriel, Ankis Dir Observatory]

A ruined dolmen in the shape of a royal tomb squats solidly in the middle of the stone rubble atop the granite dome. Close by it is a fountain, carved from a massive block of native black rock. Beside the fountain is a marvelous step-like structure of stone, and an oak from which hangs a golden basin. The basin is filled with fresh rain water.

You also see a red moonbeam.

Also here: Ascetic Zaer.

A swirling vortex of shadows draws itself from the ground and coalesces into a black Moongate, which yawns open like a hungry maw.

[Bosque Deriel, Greengrove]

A grove of evergreen oaks and laurels flourishs in the dry, gritty soil here. Several fresh holes, dark and moist, are apparent, as though someone were planting trees. Trunks, charred by forest fire or split by lightning, lie on the ground, torn up by their roots. A few deer carcasses are draped over them, newly killed. A path leads up to the south, rising to the top of Ankis Dir.

Also here: Glytchh.

Obvious paths: north, up.

You say, "I was afraid it would come to this. We must move on to the third method."

Aaoskar asks, "Are we left with only one other option?"

Blind Prophet Sionyl came through a black Moongate.

You say, "Moon Mages! Focus beams to this location."

Cabrian calmly says, "Highest level of nervousness. Ready."

You say, "In a moment, I will open a moongate just a few steps away."

You say, "Please cast shift moonbeam and be ready to gesture your beam through the moongate."

Melv asks, "Are we still supposed to chant?"

Melindrha says, "Why not."

Kaelie says to Melv, "I think this is where we pray."

Aaoskar says, "Anything we can do."

You say, "Please whisper to me when your shift moonbeam spell is in place."

Melv says, "Meh, not much for praying."

You exclaim, "For this, we must work quickly, since the spell fades!"

Aaoskar asks, "You want me to open it?"

Aaoskar says, "I can keep a gate open a long time."

Sionyl says, "As can I."

Aaoskar says, "Opening in 10."

Hatham quietly says, "Here we go again."

Aaoskar gestures.

In a blazing fountain of red-gold sparks, a red Moongate blazes into life.

[Bosque Deriel, Greengrove]

A grove of evergreen oaks and laurels flourishs in the dry, gritty soil here. Several fresh holes, dark and moist, are apparent, as though someone were planting trees. Trunks, charred by forest fire or split by lightning, lie on the ground, torn up by their roots. A few deer carcasses are draped over them, newly killed. A path leads up to the south, rising to the top of Ankis Dir.

You also see a red moonbeam and a red moonbeam.

Also here: Glytchh.

Obvious paths: north, up.

You happen to sense a Xibar moonbeam moving away from the area.

You happen to sense a Xibar moonbeam moving away from the area.

You happen to sense a Xibar moonbeam moving away from the area.

You happen to sense a Katamba moonbeam moving away from the area.

You make a subtle gesture in an attempt to affect your moonbeam.

You sense your moonbeam move through a red Moongate.

Roundtime: 3 seconds.

You happen to sense a Xibar moonbeam moving away from the area.

You happen to sense a Katamba moonbeam moving away from the area.

You make a subtle gesture in an attempt to affect your moonbeam.

You sense your moonbeam move through a red Moongate.

Roundtime: 3 seconds.

Aaoskar says, "Just keep threading probability back and forth upon itself."

You happen to sense a Xibar moonbeam moving away from the area.

You make a subtle gesture in an attempt to affect your moonbeam.

You sense your moonbeam move through a red Moongate.

Roundtime: 3 seconds.

You happen to sense a Xibar moonbeam moving into the area.

You happen to sense a Katamba moonbeam moving into the area.

You happen to sense a Katamba moonbeam moving into the area.

You happen to sense a Xibar moonbeam moving away from the area.

You make a subtle gesture in an attempt to affect your moonbeam.

You sense your moonbeam move through a red Moongate.

Roundtime: 3 seconds.

You yell, "NERA! Please Hear us! Please see us!"

You make a subtle gesture in an attempt to affect your moonbeam.

You sense your moonbeam move through a red Moongate.

Roundtime: 3 seconds.

You happen to sense a Xibar moonbeam moving into the area.

Melv chants in a countertenor voice:

 "Nera!"

Rafano chants in a tenor voice:

 "NERA!"

Sionyl chants in a mezzo-soprano voice:

 "Nera! Hear our plea!"

You say, "We should try once more."

You say, "Then.... I do not know."

Salubrie frets.

Zaer says to you, "Not every expirement yields results. We learn even in failure."

Aaoskar says, "Only other thing i can think of is open it one last time through a further distance."

Navesi nods to Miskton.

Woten rolls his hands in an elliptical pattern in front of him.

You think to yourself, "I do not wish to fail, but if fate wills it, so it will be."

Zeteivek says to Aaoskar, "If nothing emerges from one of those moongates to try to kill me, ... well, that'll be a first."

You ask, "Is everyone ready?"

Aaoskar says, "Cross our fingers."

Zaer says, "Ready."

You exclaim, "Open the gate!"

You happen to sense a Xibar moonbeam moving away from the area.

You happen to sense a Katamba moonbeam moving into the area.

You chant in a soprano voice:

 "NERA!"

You say, "It appears that our three methods have not succeeded."

Aaoskar says, "There is one last way you said long ago."

You say, "But..."

You say, "Direct access to probability."

Aaoskar says, "I will volunteer."

You say, "I do not know if that is wise."

You say, "There is one more way."

Glytchh says, "I will too."

Glytchh says, "If what i heard is true."

Sionyl asks, "And this way involves....?"

Aaoskar says, "It is not for everyone."

Koreberg says, "No this sounds like something that will be a bit more exciting."

You say, "A moongate opening to a focused moonbeam connects two points on the plane of probability."

You say, "But a rogue moongate...."

You say, "Direct access to the Plane."

Zeteivek says, "Open it."

Cabrian runs his fingers through his hair.

Nallya growls ferociously!

Koreberg asks, "Which moon will you choose?"

Aaoskar says, "We will need to break the moonbeams."

Sionyl asks Aaoskar, "If you attempted to open one, wouldn't you instinctually enter the Ways in order to escape such a disaster?"

You say, "Everyone be ready. There will be fire, and possibly creatures."

You get a sparkling gold sigil from inside your gossamer cloak.

> drop sigil

As you drop your gold sigil, it makes a high-pitched whistle and then explodes into a thousand multicolored splinters.

You say, "EVERYONE! Be on your guard."

You ask, "Who is Aaoskar's empath?"

(Cabrian glances down at the small, cermonial shield on his arm. He sighs, muttering something that sounds vaguely like "Need a bigger shield...")

Aaoskar says, "Someone needs to say when."

A shimmering mirror of shadows appears momentarily in the air above, briefly revealing Traim's face.

Aaoskar says, "Maybe countdown."

You say, "Do it."

Aaoskar says, "25."

Aaoskar says, "20."

Aaoskar says, "15."

Aaoskar says, "10."

Aaoskar says, "3."

Zeteivek says, "I enjoy this part."

Nallya kneels down and begins to pray.

Aaoskar says, "2."

Aaoskar says, "1."

Aaoskar says, "Cast."

Yrneha says to Zeteivek, "You're crazy."

Kaelie winces.

Aaoskar gestures.

A brief wave of disorientation washes outward as reality itself tears wide open, forming a rogue Moongate tinged with screaming, razor-edged shadows.

A wave of force erupts from the screaming gate and washes over Aaoskar! His body is scattered to the winds over the course of a few, agonizing seconds, leaving only a pile of equipment covered with a thin Elf residue.

Aaoskar falls down!

Aaoskar's in shock and dying!

 * Aaoskar is slain before your eyes!

The rogue Moongate collapses in on itself.

You chant in a soprano voice:

 "NERA! Nera Hear us!"

Glytchh gestures.

A brief wave of disorientation washes outward as reality itself tears wide open, forming a rogue Moongate tinged with screaming, razor-edged shadows.

A voidspawn emerges from the screaming Moongate.

You notice a spotted turtle shudder when it sees a voidspawn.

Suddenly it bolts south!

The voidspawn discovers Melv, ruining his hiding place!

The voidspawn searches around for a moment.

The voidspawn discovers Lovelorn, ruining her hiding place!

The voidspawn discovers Alannadale, ruining his hiding place!

Zeteivek throws a serrated Imperial spear with a diamondwood haft at a voidspawn. The spear lands a heavy strike that tears a small piece of skin from the left calf!

The Imperial spear falls to the ground!

Kaelie says, "Well that..."

A voidspawn claws at Glytchh. The claw lands an extremely heavy hit that barely pierces the skin to nick the chest!

Zeteivek throws a serrated Imperial spear with a diamondwood haft at a voidspawn. The spear lands a very heavy hit that scratches the right forearm!

The Imperial spear falls to the ground!

Woten's fist is engulfed by fire as bright as the noontime sun!

Woten begins to advance on a voidspawn.

Eyes unfocused, Zaer raises one hand before him in a studied gesture.

Zaer begins to focus intently on a voidspawn.

Marcul draws forth a long kertig blade inlaid with an icesteel shesegri pattern.

Alannadale appears to be aiming at a voidspawn with his Nisha shortbow.

Zeteivek throws a serrated Imperial spear with a diamondwood haft at a voidspawn. The spear lands a heavy strike that barely pierces the skin to nick the chest!

The Imperial spear falls to the ground!

A voidspawn claws at Glytchh. The claw lands a powerful strike to his left leg!

Zeteivek throws a serrated Imperial spear with a diamondwood haft at a voidspawn. The spear lands an extremely heavy hit that drills the Imperial spear through the left hamstring, lodging it in the bone!

That would have stuck if there was anything left to stick to!

The Imperial spear falls to the ground!

Woten sweeps both hands sharply through the air in a voidspawn's direction.

The voidspawn is struck by a violent wind that lands an earth-shaking strike to its abdomen!

A voidspawn shatters as if it were made of hollow black glass.

Nallya hisses.

A wave of force erupts from the screaming gate and washes over Glytchh! His body is scattered to the winds over the course of a few, agonizing seconds, leaving only a pile of equipment covered with a thin Gnome residue.

Glytchh falls down!

Glytchh's in shock and dying!

 * Glytchh is slain before your eyes!

The rogue Moongate collapses in on itself.

Rafano loudly says, "On your guard."

You hear a voice say, "As predicted."

You say, "I will open one more."

You breathe very slowly and deliberately, calming yourself.

Kaelie says, "Healing Aaoskar up."

A pained expression crosses Zincir's face.

You lick the tip of your finger and trace a sigil in the air, the design of the Moongate spell showing just faintly enough for you to see.

Azardel blanches.

Zeteivek says to you, "I must commend him on a fine explosion."

Marcul hugs himself tightly.

Navesi launches strongly into the chorus of her enchante, vocalizing half-formed words with a strong passion that causes her to flush. Deep undertones resonate in her voice, bringing a depth to her singing that could not previously be felt.

Sionyl grumbles.

You exclaim, "On your guard, once more!"

Woten nods to you.

Zeteivek says to Yrneha, "And Xin'Alaudas did not ascend to power by sitting idly by. It is not crazy to seek new beasts to hunt."

You gesture.

A brief wave of disorientation washes outward as reality itself tears wide open, forming a rogue Moongate tinged with screaming, razor-edged shadows.

You are stunned!

A wave of wild teleportational energy erupts from the screaming gate and washes over you! The assault is maliciously short of complete obliteration, granting you a few seconds of awareness as your body is torn apart.

You feel yourself falling...

You feel like you're dying!

Your death cry echoes in your brain as it quickly dawns on you that you have just died! Already, you feel the tug of eternity upon your soul and you struggle to remain tied to this world.

A chill takes the seat of your soul as your remaining spiritual strength bleeds away steadily. However, you are comforted that you have curried the favor of your god, which will greatly improve the course of your resurrection or reincarnation.

Your body will decay beyond its ability to hold your soul in 130 minutes.

The rogue Moongate collapses in on itself.

Rafano winces.

Vastriff winces.

You sigh softly, an eerie sound that rouses the fears of the superstitious.

You say, "For naught. All for naught."

You hear the ghostly voice of Aaoskar say, "It seems that our guild leaders will not guide us...and the greatest prophet has left us with nothing but silence. we have learned one thing. We are alone in what we face."

You hear someone chuckling.

Rafano sympathetically says to you, "Remember, the Stylus experiment didn't work either . . . it would seem that the secrets of the Arbiter are locked away even tighter than any of us might have imagined."

You hear a voice say, "Not alone, if you accept the assistance."

Sionyl asks, "Might I make a rather unique perspective if we wish to gain answers from the beings from the Plane of Probability?"

Cabrian asks, "And who is offering this assistance?"

Zeteivek asks, "And which necromancer extends their help?"

Melv says, "I blame the Traders."

The Dwarf says, "'Ware the Y'Shai!"

You say, "Indeed. Ware the Y'shai."

Sionyl says, "Some moon mages know the spell Saesordian."

Zincir asks, "What's the cost of assistance?"

You say, "I am sorry, friends. We did not succeed this day. What next steps we take I do not know."

Sionyl says, "This spell brings a Conceptual being into our heads in order to assist us..."

Koreberg gestures.

A brief wave of disorientation washes outward as reality itself tears wide open, forming a rogue Moongate tinged with screaming, razor-edged shadows.

A voidspawn emerges from the screaming Moongate.

Hebion moves into position to cover Koreberg from harm.

Hebion positions himself to intercept the voidspawn's strike against Koreberg!

A voidspawn claws at Hebion.

You decipher the signs of a Life utility spell.

You hear a voice say, "Knowledge. The cost is knowledge."

Zeteivek throws a serrated Imperial spear with a diamondwood haft at a voidspawn. The spear lands a heavy strike that scratches the left elbow!

The Imperial spear falls to the ground!

A blinding flash of red light explodes into existence! As it fades, you notice that Koreberg is gone.

The voidspawn is enraged by Zeteivek's attack!

Zeteivek throws a serrated Imperial spear with a diamondwood haft at a voidspawn. The spear lands a heavy strike that barely punctures the skin on the upper chest causing a slight welt!

The Imperial spear falls to the ground!

Zeteivek throws a serrated Imperial spear with a diamondwood haft at a voidspawn. The spear lands a very heavy hit that cuts a ragged line across the back!

The Imperial spear lodges itself shallowly into the voidspawn!

The voidspawn begins to advance on Kaelie.

Melindrha says, "Voidspawn."

A serrated Imperial spear with a diamondwood haft suddenly leaps from a voidspawn and flies toward Zeteivek! Zeteivek catches the spear easily in his right hand.

Blood suddenly flies up from a voidspawn's chest as thick, violent slashes carve up and down it. Gibbets of flesh are joined by chips of bone as organs designed never to see the light of day begin to be revealed.

Zeteivek throws a serrated Imperial spear with a diamondwood haft at a voidspawn. The spear lands a very heavy hit that explodes the heart and lungs with a bone-shattering blow to the chest!

The Imperial spear lodges itself savagely into the voidspawn!

A voidspawn shatters as if it were made of hollow black glass.

Sionyl asks, "Could we not try and bind such a being? Force it to answer our questions?"

Navesi says, "I had it calmed."

You say, "That was attempted, Sionyl, on Taisgath."

Navesi says, "I've not seen such a being speak before, though. They seem to be pure emotion."

Zincir asks, "Is the cost knowledge gained, or knowledge given?"

Sionyl says, "Ah, sadly I was not there. I was unaware."

You say, "Aaoskar and Traim drew forth Voidspawn and tried speaking with them. They're not much for talking, except to call us Children of Grazhir."

You say, "And Defilers."

Zincir asks, "Okay, let's talk terms... what knowledge do you want, and what do you offer?"

You exclaim, "I know their reasons, I understand their anger. I just do not know how to fix the problem, or if such a thing is even possbile!"

Sionyl asks Aaoskar, "May I ask which spell did you use to bring forth the Voidspawn? And what means of binding did you use?"

You exclaim, "Nera, you abandon us! You damn us and abandon us!"

Rafano thoughtfully asks you, "At the end of the Planar Observatory interaction, which we see through Bardic Recalls, the Arbiter strikes Nera's projection . . . perhaps he severed her connection somehow?"

Sionyl exclaims, "Forget Nera then, if she will not assist us we will find other means to gain the answers we seek!"

You say to Rafano, "That is possible."

Sionyl exclaims, "We will not give up! If nothing else, we must prepare ourselves for a war that was not of our own making! They wish to see us as a danger or defiler? We shall show them what we can do!"

You say, "My thanks, Vastriff."

Sionyl says, "We need to find a way to bind these beings from the Plane. After we bind them we can gather the answers we seek."

Vastriff nods to you.

You shake your head.

Emyrose glances at Sionyl.

You sigh.

Zaer says to Sionyl, "Hardly a gesture of peace."

Rafano sympathetically says to you, "Worry not. There is still much to be done."

Woten says, "Maybe you should try and get in touch with those... things we found at the paper mill."

You hear someone sigh.

Yrneha says to Zaer, "But well within expected actions of Moon Mages."

You say to Woten, "The Negotiants. Something tells me they know what we do already."

Sionyl asks Zaer, "You are right! Should we seek peace when they have shown no attempt to do so with us?"

Zaer says to Sionyl, "I don't have answers. I worry that we send mixed messages."

Woten says to you, "Thanks, couldn't remember their name."

You say, "I am sorry, all. I had hoped for some enlightenment."

Sionyl asks Zaer, "What mixed messages? They attack us within the Ways...they call us defilers. How are we supposed to take such words and actions?"

Cabrian asks you, "I'm not familiar with the Plane of Probability...to what extent can you manipulate it?"

Melindrha asks, "Anyone still hurt?"

Sionyl says to you, "Do not worry, you have attempted something that no one else had thought of. You had sound theories as well."

You say to Cabrian, "Aaoskar and I believe that all Moon Mage spells draw from Probability. Apparently, such use angers the beings that live there."

Rafano darkly says, "Nera does not answer our call . . . the Stylus symbols remain undeciphered . . . the Negotiants spoke to us of some unknown Stanchion . . . Questions grow like compounding fractals. Our Experiments breed more unknowns that solved variables."

Zaer says to Sionyl, "We cannot control their actions, only ours. If we're asking for a way to sue for peace, binding them and forcing answers seems contrary. I'm not saying what we should or shouldn't do, only that we might want to be of a similar voice."

Rafano says, ". . . More unknowns THAN solved variables, I meant."

You say, "I will open a moongate to the Crossing, should anyone wish to depart."

Sionyl says to Zaer, "Perhaps, but we also must be prepared if they turn on us as they already have."

Zaer says to Sionyl, "I am in total agreement with you there."

Woten says to you, "Is there a reason you have not tried something at the planar observatory? That place is already not truly part of this plane."

Cabrian asks you, "But you -can- manipulate it...would it be possible to search through probability itself to find a version of you that already knew what we needed to know?"

You say to Woten, "We feared for everyone's safety."

You say to Woten, "We wanted to be close, but not too close."

You say, "Damn it all."

You say, "Let's go."

Woten says to you, "In for a penny, in for a pound."

Lovelorn says, "Heh."

You say, "SOmeone leave a beam here, in case I die."

Koreberg asks, "How do you get in?"

You say to Koreberg, "Luck."

Melv says, "Welp been fun."

Melindrha asks, "Where's out from here?"

You say, "This lovely gate."

Hatham quietly asks, "Where are we?"

Woten says, "Inside the manor."

Woten says, "I'm guessing Lenaea was trying to get into the Wats."

Woten says, "Ways."

Emyrose dryly says, "Just the place for a picnic."

Rafano sympathetically says to you, "Don't worry. We're not done with this."

You say, "I am open to ideas on what to do next."

Woten says, "Probably faster to just take the ferry back."

Zeteivek quietly says to Emyrose, "What I said about new ground to tread? I have never been here."

You say, "Short of casting sorcery at the shard itself, I know not what to do."

Sionyl says to you, "Perhaps that is a step we must take."

Melindrha says, "That feels like a Bad Idea."

Emyrose says to Zeteivek, "We call that jinxing yourself."

Sionyl asks Melindrha, "Why?"

Koreberg says, "Bah I need xibar."

Zeteivek says, "I smell nothing worth hunting."

Woten says to you, "Well, a null result is still a result. We can all meditate and consider the next step."

Melindrha says to Sionyl, "Just gut instinct."

Zincir asks you, "Has your Guild taken a look at our tessera?"

Rafano says to you, "What about Woten's idea of trying something like again at the Observatory? I don't know much about it, but Nera and the Arbiter certainly had a connection to it."

You say, "Damn it all."

You say, "I just lost all connection to Lunar mana."

Woten says, "This house always gives me the creeps."

Woten asks, "Well, we done here for the evening?"

You say, "I have nothing else."

Nallya meekly asks, "Out?"

You say, "And sadly, my moonbeam is gone. I am disconnected from magic."

You ask, "I hope one of you has a beam, somewhere?"

Sionyl says, "I have one near Shard."

Woten says, "We could always start sending suicide parties into the expanse, looking for the arbiter."

Zaer says, "I've one back at the observatory."

Coriana says, "I likely cannot reach mine."

Miskton says, "Exit to Riverhaven, for anyone who wants it."

Sionyl says, "I must wait for the other to close if any wish to go near Shard."

Zeteivek asks Emyrose, "Riverhaven?"

Zaer says, "I'll open one back to Leth to the south."

Miskton says to you, "It was a good attempt."

Hatham quietly asks, "How do we get back to Crossing from here?"

Salubrie asks, "Can I ask a non realated question about the Plane of Probability?"

You say, "Ah, my mana returns. Praises to Meraud."

Salubrie asks, "I've been reading alot, what happens when you are there, and blocked, while you are there from access the Plane?"

Zaer says, "I'm going to travel back to Crossing if anyone would like me to open a gate from there."

Salubrie asks, "With say Soverign Destiny?"

You say, "Let's go through that one."

Zincir says, "I think this is our exit."

Vastriff says, "I best take my leave.."

You say, "Thank you all."