Elauns view of basalt raid

You climb into the body of one of the ornithopters.  A Gnome pilot hops aboard, activating the device on the flying machine.  The Gnome begins fiddling with the brass device, and the wings on the side of the device begin to flap idly!

The Gnome aboard the ornithopter gestures to an elementalist, who conjures a strong wind -- and the contraption takes flight, returning to the airship!
[Reshal Sea, Open Skies]
You are in the air, the wind pushing strongly against you!  Clouds form thin white sheets as far as the eye can see.  The water below remains a clear, bright cerulean, reflecting glints of light across waves as they crash across a nearby island.  From this height you can barely make out the white caps of the wind-swept swells.  A thick haze billows from the nearby Basalt Island, emanating from a column of acrid smoke rising from an aging structure towering over the ridged terrain.
Obvious paths: obscured by a thick fog

>
The Gnome pilot turns dials and yanks on levers, causing the wings of the ornithopter to beat furiously.  A whirring thrum rumbles from the brass device aboard the spruce body.  With the assistance of the Elementalist, a thunderclap and a squall form behind you, sending the vehicle on an ascent as the mechanical wings of the flying machine lift the vehicle into the air!
>
The flying machine makes its way above the island, moving in the direction of the Aloof Gannet!  In a single swooping maneuver, the vehicle ascends with the Gannet to your west, and a large pillar of acrid smoke to the east.  Below, the crystal-clear water of the Reshal Sea contrasts the bleak, jagged cliffs of Basalt Island, a large stone manor looming ominously over the cliffs.
>
Behind you, the contraption flapping the wings begins sputtering.  Where the flying machine had been steadily ascending, it hangs for a moment, before falling into a nosedive.  "Oh no!  Oh no!" the Gnome shouts, twisting a dial frantically.  "We're going to crash!  Brace for impact!"

Descending uncontrollably, the ornithopter races toward the ground.
>
You feel a drop in your stomach as your weight catches up with you, and you notice the ornithopter roars into an ascent.  The Gnome cackles, twisting a pair of levers.  "Ha!  Got you!  I had you fooled!  You thought we were going to crash, didn't you?"

The craft climbs rapidly, before dipping and twisting.  You feel a moment of weightlessness as the vehicle hangs upside down, before rolling and leveling out -- moving again toward the airship.
>
 The flying machine slows as it approaches the large airship, giving you an excellent view of the Gannet.  A spruce vessel resembling a galleon hangs from the semi-rigid balloon, with large navigational rudders and fins stretching outward from the envelope.  Large copper tubes ascend from a device on the main deck of the cabin.  You navigate toward the underside of the cabin, and as you approach, you notice a series of gaps that are large enough to accommodate the ornithopter.
>
The ornithopter pulls up beneath the slats in the deck.  Gnome crewmen immediately begin securing the vehicle to large hooks attached to rigging, securing it to the system of pullies dangling from the hangar roof!  As they hoist the vehicle upward, the Gnome tugs at the brass device, causing the wings of the ornithopter to fold neatly to the sides of the vehicle.

As the crew hoists the ornithopter to the ceiling, you climb out of the body of the vehicle, onto the deck.

[The Aloof Gannet, Ornithopter Hangar]
Hanging below the gondola, a spruce deck lines the bottom of the airship, with wooden beams reinforced with iron braces and rivets.  A central pathway moves along the deck, passing six emplacements for ornithopter, each with an extensive set of rigging dangling from pulleys.  The emplacements are complete with a pair of large metal hooks to secure the smaller vehicles while in flight.  Leading upward into the spotting deck, a single ladder stands at the stem of the walkway, while an enclosed repair bay lies at the aft end.
You also see some folded-winged ornithopters attached to the hangar ceiling with rigging.
Obvious paths: down.

>
An ornithopter pulls up beneath the slats in the deck, with Mendira peeking her head out of the body of the flying machine.  Gnome crewmen immediately begin securing the vehicle to large hooks attached to rigging, securing it to the system of pullies dangling from the hangar roof!  As they hoist the vehicle upward, the Gnome tugs at the brass device, causing the wings of the ornithopter to fold neatly to the sides of the vehicle.

As the crew hoists the ornithopter to the ceiling, Mendira climbs out of the body of the vehicle.

>
Mendira nods politely to you.
>
You hear the voice of Khoheke thundering across the land, "West, to the cave!  We must consecrate the altar!"

>
An ornithopter pulls up beneath the slats in the deck, with Uroi peeking his head out of the body of the flying machine.  Gnome crewmen immediately begin securing the vehicle to large hooks attached to rigging, securing it to the system of pullies dangling from the hangar roof!  As they hoist the vehicle upward, the Gnome tugs at the brass device, causing the wings of the ornithopter to fold neatly to the sides of the vehicle.


You nod.

You take a long drag off of your pig pipe.

Uroi nods politely to you.

Airship Captain Uroi strolls down.

Puffing until surrounded by a cloud of smoke, you first create an image of a grinning skull, and then a skeleton beneath it, before finally accenting the image with a top hat and a cane.  You gently exhale on the figure, causing the image of the skeleton to ripple forward in a manner resembling a dance.
Roundtime: 4 seconds.

A wisp of smoke curls out of your pig pipe.

Zymi climbs into the body of one of the ornithopters.  A Gnome crewman hops aboard, activating the device on the flying machine.  He loosens a rope, lowering the ornithopter through a slat in the bottom of the hangar.  For a moment, the device seems to be falling!

After what appears to be an eternity, the wings of the ornithopter propel outward, flapping with mechanical precision, as the crewman cheers!  Zymi and the ornithopter disappear into the sky, drifting gracefully downward.

A dancing skeleton made of smoke fades away into the breeze.

You go down.

[The Aloof Gannet, Firing Platform]
Slung below the ornithopter deck, this narrow causeway runs the length of the airship to provide clearance for the docking emplacements.  The wind is fierce, whipping chaotically, and the constant buzzing of the banyakea drones in irregular timing.  The deck expands to the fore and aft, featuring a pair of strange metal cages mounted at both ends.
You also see a pair of metal cages mounted into the fore and aft of the deck.
Also here: Dawnsworn Briaen who is surrounded by a corona of fiery light, Dancer Mendira and Airship Captain Uroi.
Obvious paths: up.


>
Mendira knocks on the side of the cage and listens to a small voice within.  Mendira nods and steps back.
>
Mendira smiles at a pair of metal cages mounted into the fore and aft of the deck.
>
Uroi grins at Mendira.
> look cage
Made of alternating sheets of oravir and steel, the cages appear to be mounted halfway into the deck and secured by thick bands of rubber.  As you examine the pair, a small voice comes from within the aft cage calls out, "Hey, STUDY or FOCUS on me to learn more, but do something, I'm getting bored!"
>
Mendira blushes, the tips of her ears turning a delicate scarlet hue.
>
A wisp of smoke curls out of your pig pipe.

Briaen knocks on the side of the cage and listens to a small voice within.  Briaen nods and steps back.

You focus your magical senses on a pair of metal cages mounted into the fore and aft of the deck.
The cages themselves have no magical pattern, though electricity crackles along their surface.  Within, you detect an even greater charge, though packed into diminutive forms.
Roundtime: 10 sec.

You take a long drag off of your pig pipe.

Puffing until surrounded by a cloud of smoke, you first create an image of a grinning skull, and then a skeleton beneath it, before finally accenting the image with a top hat and a cane.  You gently exhale on the figure, causing the image of the skeleton to ripple forward in a manner resembling a dance.
Roundtime: 5 seconds.

A dancing skeleton made of smoke fades away into the breeze.

A wisp of smoke curls out of your pig pipe.
>
Mendira aims the needle on the aft cage, and a massive discharge of electricity blasts the skies, catching a swarm of banyakea!
> >
Briaen aims the needle on the aft cage, and a massive discharge of electricity blasts outward, raking the beach below!
>
Mendira beams!

Briaen knocks on the side of the cage and listens to a small voice within.  Briaen smirks and steps back.
>
Mendira grins.
>
Uroi asks Mendira, "Fascinating, aren't they?"
>
Mendira nods at Uroi, obviously agreeing with his views.
>
Briaen says, "I think this one might be drunk..."
>
Mendira says, "And effective too."
> >
Mendira chortles softly at some secret joke.
>

You take a long drag off of your pig pipe.

You breathe out some tobacco smoke.  The cool scent of mint plays with your olfactory senses.

Uroi winks to Briaen, gesturing with his cigar.

Briaen says to Uroi, "And not sharing.  Tisk."

Uroi says to Briaen, "We'll talk afterward.  I'll have a nice collection to share if we do this."
>
Briaen says, "Acceptable."
>

Uroi says, "I suppose I should herd the others.  Keep the skies clear, and we'll all make it home for dinner."
>
Airship Captain Uroi strolls up.

>
Mendira nods.
>

Pyppa just arrived, leading her group.

Wintidal takes a bite of the cupcake.

Hoshii grins slowly.
>
Pyppa gets an impish expression on her face, and lets out a hearty cheer.
>
Hoshii says, "Now this is more like it."

Wintidal whistles a merry tune.

Hoshii casually observes the area.

Mendira grins at Hoshii.

Hoshii lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira!
>

Mendira asks Hoshii, "Everything alright?"

Hoshii says, "As all right as they can be when I'm flying with a bunch of madmen and an electrical cage."
>
Kamisama takes a sip of his cocktail.

Hoshii says, "And things that want to KILL me."
>
Hoshii flails her arms about.
>

You take a long drag off of your pig pipe.


Hoshii darkly says to Kamisama, "I don't like dying. It's terribly inconvenient and makes my husband upset."

You cheerfully say, "Dying isnt too bad, everyones doing it nowadays."

Boam says, "Its not all to great when you dont carry favor."
>
Mendira says, "Be careful, kitten."
>
Hoshii blushes, the tips of her ears turning a delicate scarlet hue.
>
Mendira says, "It's dangerous out here."
>

Wintidal exclaims, "She is very brave!"
>
Pyppa smiles at Mendira.

Hoshii says, "The bravest."
>
Hoshii nods emphatically.

Pyppa says, "Hello Mendira.....   we are here to make it dangerous for the enemy."

Mendira nods to Pyppa.
>
Mendira says, "Well said."

Pyppa asks, "Has everyone got a feel for the steps??"

Kamisama asks, "Is there a method to the madness here?"

Eonon asks, "Alternate between waving and pointing?"
>
Pyppa says, "KNOCK KNOCK."
>
Hoshii asks, "Who's there?"

Pyppa says, "Knock them so hard the gods feel the ground shake."

Pyppa exclaims, "Knock!"

Boam asks, "What if the banyakea land on the deck?"

Hoshii says, "Scream and hide behind the cage."

Mendira exclaims, "We push them off!"

Pyppa says, "Well lets pray to the gods that does not happen."

Wintidal says, "We'll shake our fists in a menacing manner."

Hoshii exclaims, "Save the kitten!"

Mendira says, "Maybe the kitten will save US."

Wintidal says, "Kitten especially."
>
Hoshii says, "She usually does."

Pyppa exclaims, "For the kittens of M'Riss!"

Pyppa chuckles.

Pyppa says, "Seriously though... keep it up command...  the troop below need our support."
>
Wintidal says, "Dame the mighty, slayer of banyakea."

Hoshii says to Wintidal, "And oshus."

Pyppa says, "Rain will not stop us."

Pyppa smiles at you.

Pyppa asks, "Can you smoke and knock?"

Pyppa grins evilly at you.

You say, "Oh im here to observe, taking notes and witing tales to regale the children with."

Pyppa says, "Think about how much better those stories will be if your in the action."

Pyppa grins at you.
>
Pyppa exclaims, "Knock!"

Kamisama says, "Some sense of whether we are hitting anything would be nice."

Pyppa says, "Agreed."

You ponder.

Pyppa asks, "Mendira do you know if there is away to see the battle from here?"

Pyppa asks, "A spy glass perhaps?"

Mendira says, "I don't believe so."

Mendira says, "That would be helpful."

Pyppa says, "We will just have to keep pounding them out blindly just as they run into battle below."

Medikaus says, "There is a ladder to climb upstairs."

[The Aloof Gannet, Spotting Deck]
The deck of the massive spruce sloop is suspended by rigging from the the semi-rigid envelope above.  A ridged railing frames the empty spotting deck.  A cylindrical copper device, about the size of a large bread oven, snakes a half dozen tubes upward into the bottom of the segmented balloon.  Aft of the device, the quarterdeck rises to elevate the ship's wheel, while beyond, a heavy lacquered door marks the entrance to a small cabin.  A ladder leads below to a deck built to suspend six small ornithopters from an apparatus of rope suspended from pulleys.
You also see a brass-trimmed spyglass mounted to the gunwale.
Also here: Pyppa.
Obvious paths: none.


Pyppa glances through the brass-trimmed spyglass.
>
Medikaus says, "I couldnt see anything earlier."

Looking through the brass-trimmed spyglass you see...

[Reshal Sea, Open Skies]
You are in the air, the wind pushing strongly against you!  Clouds form thin white sheets as far as the eye can see.  The water below remains a clear, bright cerulean, reflecting glints of light across waves as they crash across a nearby island.  From this height you can barely make out the white caps of the wind-swept swells.  A thick haze billows from the nearby Basalt Island, emanating from a column of acrid smoke rising from an aging structure towering over the ridged terrain.
Obvious paths: obscured by a thick fog
>
Pyppa yells, "Can you hear me at the cages?"

Pyppa says, "Guess not."
You say, "The fog from the island is too much."

> look door

You look through the door and see....

[The Aloof Gannet, Captain's Quarters]
An oversized bloodwood desk with weathered and scarred legs is bolted to the ship's ironwood deck against the cabin's wall and under a brass-trimmed porthole, accompanied by a single wicker chair.  The scent of pitch caulk contrasting whiskey and lavender overpowers this small room.  Though cramped, this cabin still has enough space for an oak footlocker at the foot of a plain Gnome-sized oak box bed.  A door leans outward, scarred around the bottom from moved furniture.
Obvious exits: none.
>

Pyppa says, "Going to let the others come up and take a look.. all i am seeing is fog."

Wintidal says, "Lots of fog."
>
Eonon says, "Too foggy."
>
Hoshii says, "Nothing but haze and smoke."

You say, "Its not me."
>
Exile's Bane Medikaus climbed up a spruce ladder bolted to the gondola frame.

>
A muscular alfar warrior with merciless eyes strides off.

>
A blue-eyed ebony kitten scrambles madly out of view, sounding like a herd of mammoths.


You look through the door and see....

[The Aloof Gannet, Captain's Quarters]
An oversized bloodwood desk with weathered and scarred legs is bolted to the ship's ironwood deck against the cabin's wall and under a brass-trimmed porthole, accompanied by a single wicker chair.  The scent of pitch caulk contrasting whiskey and lavender overpowers this small room.  Though cramped, this cabin still has enough space for an oak footlocker at the foot of a plain Gnome-sized oak box bed.  A door leans outward, scarred around the bottom from moved furniture.
Obvious exits: none.

[The Aloof Gannet, Firing Platform]
Slung below the ornithopter deck, this narrow causeway runs the length of the airship to provide clearance for the docking emplacements.  The wind is fierce, whipping chaotically, and the constant buzzing of the banyakea drones in irregular timing.  The deck expands to the fore and aft, featuring a pair of strange metal cages mounted at both ends.
You also see a muscular alfar warrior with merciless eyes, a blue-eyed ebony kitten, an azure mimosa tree and a pair of metal cages mounted into the fore and aft of the deck.
Also here: War's Fury Navesi who is surrounded by a shimmering shield, Exile's Bane Medikaus who is surrounded by a colorful cloud of glitter, Bladesinger Hoshii, Phoenix Wintidal who is shrouded in ghostly flames, Exile's Bane Eonon, Anarchist Chandeler, Pyppa, Dancer Mendira, Akolu and Dawnsworn Briaen who is surrounded by a corona of fiery light.
Obvious paths: up.

Navesi says, "Well done, all. I'm going to check out the spyglass."

Navesi raises a fist to her chest, and a burst of fiery sparks and ice crystals fly across the breastplate of her battle dress.
>
Pyppa nods.

War's Fury Navesi goes up.

You roll your eyes.

You dust yourself off.

You go up.

[The Aloof Gannet, Ornithopter Hangar]
Hanging below the gondola, a spruce deck lines the bottom of the airship, with wooden beams reinforced with iron braces and rivets.  A central pathway moves along the deck, passing six emplacements for ornithopter, each with an extensive set of rigging dangling from pulleys.  The emplacements are complete with a pair of large metal hooks to secure the smaller vehicles while in flight.  Leading upward into the spotting deck, a single ladder stands at the stem of the walkway, while an enclosed repair bay lies at the aft end.
You also see some folded-winged ornithopters attached to the hangar ceiling with rigging.
Obvious paths: down.


[The Aloof Gannet, Spotting Deck]
The deck of the massive spruce sloop is suspended by rigging from the the semi-rigid envelope above.  A ridged railing frames the empty spotting deck.  A cylindrical copper device, about the size of a large bread oven, snakes a half dozen tubes upward into the bottom of the segmented balloon.  Aft of the device, the quarterdeck rises to elevate the ship's wheel, while beyond, a heavy lacquered door marks the entrance to a small cabin.  A ladder leads below to a deck built to suspend six small ornithopters from an apparatus of rope suspended from pulleys.
You also see a brass-trimmed spyglass mounted to the gunwale.
Also here: Airship Captain Uroi and War's Fury Navesi who is surrounded by a shimmering shield.
Obvious paths: none.


Navesi glances through the brass-trimmed spyglass.

Uroi fiddles with the spyglass.
>
Navesi glances through the brass-trimmed spyglass.

You ask, "Still too much fog?"
>
Navesi dryly asks, "Gnomish inventions, right?"
>
Uroi nods at Navesi, obviously agreeing with her views.
>
Uroi says, "It would help if I used both hands, but I don't particularly want to put out my cigar."
>
Navesi says, "I mostly see the haze around the island, yes."
>
>
Navesi asks, "Want me to hold it?"

You ask, "Think we could get the fleet to have its elementalist try some wind?"
>
Uroi says, "There we are."
>
Navesi glances through the brass-trimmed spyglass.
>
Uroi glances through the brass-trimmed spyglass.

Looking through the brass-trimmed spyglass you see...

[Basalt Isle, Stained Plateau]
Occasional thin, withered trees grow at the eastern edge of the wide plateau, affording a small amount of respite from exposure to the elements.  Hairline cracks in the stone are stained an orangeish red with many layers of rust, settled in vague spiderweb patterns.  The trail slopes steeply upward to the north to lead to a small overlook, while another drops dramatically to the east to follow the treacherous cliffside.
You also see a medium pewter bar, a patchwork abomination, a patchwork abomination, a mildewy pine box, a sleek bear, a vicious Musparan koala bear, a scruffy lynx, a patchwork abomination which appears dead, a small red-orange sunstone, a patchwork abomination which appears dead, a massive copper nugget, a massive covellite nugget, a black panther, a heavy earthen ballista, a gaping fiery fissure, a black leopard that is sitting, a majestic dragon with fiery crimson eyes and void-black scales, a black panther that is sitting, a floating vessel of flaring crimson light, a black bear that is sitting, an animated bone-sculpted barricade writhing with wicked edges, a pyroclastic ash cloud, a robed mutilated banyakea which appears dead, a robed wretched banyakea which appears dead, a robed wretched banyakea which appears dead, a robed many-armed banyakea which appears dead, a robed monstrous banyakea which appears dead, a robed twisted banyakea which appears dead, a robed many-armed banyakea which appears dead, a robed pain-wracked banyakea which appears dead, a robed twisted banyakea which appears dead, a robed twisted banyakea which appears dead, a robed mutilated banyakea which appears dead, a robed mutilated banyakea which appears dead, a robed many-armed banyakea which appears dead, a robed wretched banyakea which appears dead, a robed wretched banyakea which appears dead, a robed wretched banyakea which appears dead, a robed twisted banyakea which appears dead, a robed pain-wracked banyakea which appears dead, a robed wretched banyakea which appears dead, a robed many-armed banyakea which appears dead, a robed wretched banyakea which appears dead, a robed mutilated banyakea which appears dead, a robed twisted banyakea that is lying down, a robed pain-wracked banyakea which appears dead, a robed monstrous banyakea which appears dead, a topaz runestone, a robed pain-wracked banyakea that appears stunned, a robed twisted banyakea which appears dead, a robed twisted banyakea, a robed monstrous banyakea, a robed pain-wracked banyakea, a robed monstrous banyakea, a robed many-armed banyakea that appears stunned, a robed mutilated banyakea which appears dead, a robed monstrous banyakea which appears dead, a robed wretched banyakea which appears dead, a robed many-armed banyakea which appears dead, a robed pain-wracked banyakea which appears dead, a robed many-armed banyakea that appears stunned, a robed pain-wracked banyakea that appears stunned, a robed pain-wracked banyakea which appears dead, a robed wretched banyakea that is lying down, a robed monstrous banyakea which appears dead, a robed monstrous banyakea which appears dead, a robed wretched banyakea which appears dead, a robed monstrous banyakea, a robed twisted banyakea, a robed wretched banyakea that is lying down, a robed pain-wracked banyakea, a robed pain-wracked banyakea which appears dead, a robed pain-wracked banyakea, a robed mutilated banyakea, a robed wretched banyakea that is lying down, a robed monstrous banyakea that appears stunned, a robed mutilated banyakea which appears dead, a robed many-armed banyakea, a robed wretched banyakea, a robed wretched banyakea, a robed pain-wracked banyakea which appears dead, a robed mutilated banyakea which appears dead, a robed mutilated banyakea which appears dead, a robed wretched banyakea that is lying down, a robed monstrous banyakea which appears dead, a robed mutilated banyakea, a robed pain-wracked banyakea, a robed twisted banyakea, a robed twisted banyakea, a robed pain-wracked banyakea which appears dead, a robed mutilated banyakea that appears stunned, a robed many-armed banyakea that appears stunned, a robed monstrous banyakea that appears stunned, a robed wretched banyakea, a robed mutilated banyakea, a robed twisted banyakea, a robed many-armed banyakea, a rusty longsword, a rusty longsword, a robed wretched banyakea, some junk and some other stuff.
Also here: Storm Maiden Constantia, Emeryst who is surrounded by a shimmering shield, Tempest Knight Saragos who has a stony visage, Moon Warrior Penrhyn, Boltproof Brisknite who is dutifully tracked by a lion manifest of illusory flames, Fortunate Son Collain, Perune who is surrounded by six circling blades of ice, Philosopher Zharen who is covered with whitened ridges, Commander Kenamer who is shining with a dark golden glow, Blight Sealer Apollys who is lying down, Elemental Lord Tirost who has a stony visage, Philosopher Yvela who is covered with whitened ridges, Wizardess Etasia who has a stony visage, Trailmaster Antharos, Bastion of Life Karthor, Lord Knight Tankata, Kintryn, Heiress Angel who is surrounded by a shimmering shield, Carnage Darling Dantia who is surrounded by a shimmering shield, Mountain Lord Ezerak who is lying down, Lady of Elamiri Ayrell who has a stony visage, Archmage Xelten, Aes-Amachi Casari is surrounded by an elemental maelstrom, Woten who has a fiery visage, Mazrian who has a stony visage, Lionheart Ironjonn who is surrounded by a shimmering shield, Elementalist Jeruliath who is surrounded by three circling blades of ice, Arcane World Ender Voranos who has a stony visage, Holy Soldier Khadgarian who is shining with a dark golden glow, Siege General Maekthar who is shrouded by swirling grey fog, Brehm who is surrounded by three circling blades of ice, Beautician Damiza who is surrounded by a shimmering shield and Sir Madigan who is shining with a dark golden glow.
Obvious paths: southeast, southwest.
>
Navesi says, "Ah ha, there they are."
>
Navesi says, "Looks overwhelming."

Uroi says, "Quite so.  I'm glad I'm up here, frankly."

You nod to Uroi.
>
Navesi says, "I should really be with them, but I'm duty-bound to make some sketches."
>
Navesi gets a slender oak-bound volume incised with "The First Land Herald" from inside her black coat.
>
Navesi gets a pristine goose feather quill from inside her black coat.
>
Navesi carefully opens a slender oak-bound volume incised with "The First Land Herald".

You chuckle.

(Navesi begins to hurriedly sketch in her volume, clearly outlining the overhead view of the battle below.)
>
You say, "Get the story in."

Uroi says to Navesi, "Don't forget to embellish."

You say, "Much better to do it from a distance."

Navesi casts Uroi a stern warning glance.

Navesi glances through the brass-trimmed spyglass.

You say, "My employer prefers I embellish."

You ask, "He says...what does he say?"

Navesi says to you, "I am my own employer, and I stick to the facts as they are."

(Navesi continues fleshing out her sketch, periodically putting an eye to the spyglass.)

Navesi gently closes a slender oak-bound volume incised with "The First Land Herald".

You arch your eyebrow.

Navesi says, "I should head back down there. Keep up the good work."

Navesi nods politely.

Navesi raises a fist to her chest, and a burst of fiery sparks and ice crystals fly across the breastplate of her battle dress.

War's Fury Navesi climbed up a spruce ladder bolted to the gondola frame.


You say to Pyppa, "Spyglass works now."

>
Uroi says to you, "Took a bit."
>
Uroi grins.

You nod to Uroi.

Pyppa says, "We shall keep firing until told to stop."

You say to Uroi, "Its appreciated, otherwise the Hattery readers were going to get a nice piece on the structure of this magnificent airship instead of the battle."

You laugh!

Pyppa chuckles.
>
Pyppa gives a gracious nod.

Pyppa says, "Down I go to encourage."
>
Pyppa climbed up a spruce ladder bolted to the gondola frame.


The Oshu'k'et has landed a boat at each dock!  The northern shore of the Basalt Isle, the Cliffs of Ruin is accessible to the raiders! [Note: This is a PvP Open area.  To access it, go to the docks and GO BOAT.]


You ask, "That the captains quarters?"

(Elaun motions to the cabin)
>
Uroi says, "It is, as it happens."
>
Uroi grins at you.

You nod.
>
You feel yourself being pulled away...
[Maze of Flesh, Bynaikae's Feast]
You stand in the midst of a small cavern, every surface lined with still very much alive flesh -- stretched eyeballs blinking in confusion, a disfigured mouth gasping for breath between spiraling teeth, ears sprouting fingers that clench and unclench.  It becomes impossible to keep track of the arrayed horrors.  Whispers echo all around the cavern, recollections of experiences utterly foreign but disturbingly familiar.  You begin to lose your place, to forget being alone in your skin, and have a strange desire to hug the walls, to lean into the comfort of the many, to remember with Them.
You also see a mound of flesh.
Also here: Bastion of Life Karthor and Kintryn.
Obvious exits: obscured by a thick fog


You shouldn't speak now.

You shrug.

(travel travel travel)

You say, "What the heck."

You dust yourself off.

You go up.


You climb into the body of one of the ornithopters.  A Gnome pilot hops aboard, activating the device on the flying machine.  The Gnome begins fiddling with the brass device, and the wings on the side of the device begin to flap idly!

(..ornithopter ride)
You grumble.
You say, "Sorry about that, I was just about to say that this is a very nice airship, although ive never been on another one to compare."

You say, "There is a labyrynth down there."

Pyppa asks, "Captain do you have any suggestions?"

Uroi says to Pyppa, "I would suggest not being turned into a zombie.  I find that it is a helpful method of fighting Liches."
>

You laugh!

Pyppa says, "If you were a zombie you would be on their side."

You ask, "Arent there like 5 necromancers helping this side?"

[If you wish to open a PVP front to attack the Lich, and you arrived with Khoheke, you may GO BOAT in the room with the dock you arrived from the Oshu in.  Please note that it takes you to a PVP Open area.]

You shrug.

Uroi says to you, "Those are details."

You laugh!

Uroi says, "I try not to concern myself with that."

Uroi winks.

Hoshii asks Uroi, "Any advice, captain?"

Thick burls of fat, muscle, and sinew explode from the ground and wrap around Hoshii! Bound head to foot in pulsating flesh, Hoshii struggles a moment before the thick cocoon clenches tightly and squelches into the ground, leaving nothing more than a bloody smear behind.

>
Hoshii just disappeared.


Wintidal blinks.
>
Boam blinks.
>
You say, "She should be fine."
>
Boam says, "Im out of here."

You say, "As long as she resists the strange urge to join the pile of decaying flesh."
>
Pyppa just arrived.

>
Uroi says to you, "That would be unfortunate."
>
Pyppa asks, "Where she go?"
>
Wintidal says, "Hoshii just got taken."
>
Pyppa asks, "By who?"

You nod to Uroi.

You say, "Magic."

Wintidal says, "A seething mass of.. something."

You waggle your fingers mystically.
>
Uroi says to Pyppa, "There is something terrible about this place."
> >
Pyppa nods to Uroi.
>
Pyppa says, "Everything about it."

Uroi says, "I cannot wait to safely be home.  The Sanyu Aes cannot be ready quickly enough."

You say, "I just hope this whole...thing... doesnt have long term effects on the islands."

Uroi says to you, "I would quite agree."

You say, "Other than maybe making the routes around the basalt safer, but thats obvious."

You say, "Im sure its working as suppressive fire at a minimum."
>

Pyppa says, "I hope so."

Uroi says to you, "That's entirely the point, yes.  It'."
>
Uroi says, "It's keeping the airship safe."
>
Uroi says, "If the Gnomes are not directed, the banyakea will land."

Pyppa nods.

Uroi yells, "Prepare to pull away, Gannet!  We need to clear a path for the Sanyu Aes!"
>
Airship Captain Uroi climbed up a spruce ladder bolted to the gondola frame.


The ground shakes, and a foul wind begins to blow across the land, smelling of rot and salt.

R>
The ground and sea oozes with blood, sinew, and flesh, ropey burls of fat and meat bubbling up from the surface and evaporating into a choking maisma.  Swirling around, the bloody mist arcs high into the air and gathers into a vile cloud above before extending tendrils down towards the manor.


The ground shakes again, and beyond the manor, a form begins to rise.  Clad in black steel armor and trailing a greatcloak of billowing shadow, the form grows taller and taller.

>
Roundtime: 10 sec.
R>
A faint grinding can be felt as the ground shifts, and a field of bone slowly vibrates upward -- a jagged femur snapped in half, four ribs connected to a dozen vertebrae, a broken jaw with yellowed teeth, an intact skeletal hand clenched in a fist.  The bones shiver, buzzing like a swarm of locusts, and are flung upward, spiralling towards the growing form beyond the manor.

R>
As the tornado of blood and bone surge into Jeihrem, he continues to grow.  A hundred feet.  Two hundred.  Jeihrem steps over his manor, a single step towards the beach.  The ground shudders, sand sprays around his footfall.  The black steel visor of his helm surveys the beach, and you feel his gaze like a physical force, a predatory being calmly assessing the best time to strike.

R>
Jeihrem spreads his massive arms and absorbs the rest of the swirling gore.  He takes another step forward, the ground shaking with his footfalls.

R>
You hear the amplified voice of Zauldin shout across the valley, "Fire on Jeihrem!  Man the weaponry, he is exposed, kill him now!"


Hefting a massive tyrium claymore inset with a skull for a crossguard, the gargantuan Jeihrem slams the blade into the ground.  Hideous shadows tinged with sickening no-color spray outward from buried weapon.


From across the distance you hear Khoheke shout, "Paladins, to the Oshu'k'et!  The time for Sanyu Aes is now!"

>
Roundtime: 10 sec.
R>
You can hear them, clamoring and emboldened, called to this weakened point in reality.  The scream and howl, chattering and skittering and tooth and claw and maw and too many eyes begin to squirm through the fringe, along the edges.


Jeihrem looks down at the assembled forces, and dispassionately twists the blade, slashing sideways.  A flare of void bursts forth from the blades wake, leaving a harsh afterglow in your vision.  You struggle to make sense of the broken space left in the wake of the weapon, struggle to make sense of the forms clamoring at the edges, struggle to to shut out the conflicted screaming and otherworldly vantage visible through the orange haze beyond the gash in reality, struggle to view the no-color ripples billowing at the boundary.

R>
Roundtime: 10 sec.
R>
A ceaseless horde pours forth from the rent, clawing and charging across the opening.  They surge with an almost desperation, screaming against the new laws of this plane.





The Monstrosity Sivroch spots Zauldin and her head cocks in momentary recognition.  She blurs, too fast to follow, appears behind the scholar, tentacles splayed wide!  Zauldin whips around and sprays a hissing stream of acid into Sivrochs face, the orange globe orbiting his head erupting into flames which burst around her torso!


Sivroch roars in fury and skewers Zauldin with a pair of tentacles, pinning him to the ground.  Her claws tear at his chest, abdomen, and arms, but Zauldin stabs upward with his burnt and scarred fist, and a stream of acid and fire slam into Sivrochs stomach.  She snarls in pain and with her remaining tentacles, rips Zauldin's arms free from his body.

>
Staring down at her prey, Sivrochs unblinking eyes glare in concentration, and Zauldin begins to scream, then burble, then choke on his drool.  Holding his twitching body aloft in her tentacles, Sivroch hurls him towards the rent in reality.  Zauldin's body sails through the air, and grasping tendrils emerge from the rend to envelop and draw him in.  With the barest ripple, the body vanishes, and Sivroch rumbles in a horrifying parody of laughter.

>
* A meteor streaks across the sky as Zauldin's soul is consumed beyond the reach of the Immortals!

>
Sivroch gleefully roars and scans the area for her next target!


Hefting a massive tyrium claymore inset with a skull for a crossguard, the gargantuan Jeihrem slams the blade into the ground.  Hideous shadows tinged with sickening no-color spray outward from buried weapon.

>
Roundtime: 10 sec.
R>
You can hear them, clamoring and emboldened, called to this weakened point in reality.  The scream and howl, chattering and skittering and tooth and claw and maw and too many eyes begin to squirm through the fringe, along the edges.

Jeihrem looks down at the assembled forces, and dispassionately twists the blade, slashing sideways.  A flare of void bursts forth from the blades wake, leaving a harsh afterglow in your vision.  You struggle to make sense of the broken space left in the wake of the weapon, struggle to make sense of the forms clamoring at the edges, struggle to to shut out the conflicted screaming and otherworldly vantage visible through the orange haze beyond the gash in reality, struggle to view the no-color ripples billowing at the boundary.


A ceaseless horde pours forth from the rent, clawing and charging across the opening.  They surge with an almost desperation, screaming against the new laws of this plane.

> look jei
You crane your neck upward to take in all of the enormous form looming above.  Jeihrem scans the battlefield, a massive tyrium claymore rests easily over his shoulder, long as a bridge.  Encased in blackened steel plate, a void black cloak of shadow billows behind him, snapping in unseen winds as bizarre constellations as screaming maws claw in its depths.

> wave jei
You waggle a finger at the gargantuan form of Jeihrem looming far above.

A thundrous rumbling explosion echoes across the land, and the air takes on a silvery-golden hue.  You stagger a moment as a heavy weight presses down on you, and though it is oppressive and indominable, there is something comforting and strangely correct about it.  Streamers of wispy golden lines rain down gently, blossoming into ribbons of exact starbursts and spirals.

R>
Reality battles interloper as the rules of the Plane of Abiding roar in fury as the many exceptions and violations on the isle are forcefully rectified.  In the rain of golden light, you detect for a fleeting moment an illuminated banner, composed of precise lines and silvery wisps emanating from a silvery spiral.  The banner seems to unfurl from horizon to horizon, perfect forms overlapping with perfect forms in an endlessly nested and shifting display.  Everything changes, and through it all, you feel the force of Khoheke's will.

R>
You spot several things simultaneously.

R>
The enormous form of Jeihrem roars and falls to his knees, hands crashing into the sea as he struggles against the weight.  The interlocking plates of his armor groan and screech as the metal bows and flexes.

R>
Sivroch wails in agony, her form burning and melting, limbs breaking.  Her spined tentacles burst into fine ash and disperse, blown on fierce winds, and the her armor fractures, revealing swaths of oozing flesh beneath.  She falls to the ground, shrinking and screaming, clawing at the ground as her talons tear from her fingers and her bones break.

R>
Srinoja shatters, cracks spidering across her form as crystalline panes fall upward, evaporating.  She clutches her head and wails, reflections of reflections beating against her and winding across her form, a multitude of breaks in the image revealing a haggard Gnome.

R>
The rend billows as if caught in a strong wind, and begins to close, the edges coming together with flashes of corruscating flashes of light.  Several thick pseudopods surge through the rend and arcing high, slam into the ground nearby!  They pulsate, sending thick globs of unknown material into the land!  The golden light batters them down, but they remain in place for several long seconds before shattering into rapidly dispersing smoke.

>
The form of Jeihrem begins to shrink, flames billowing from the gaps in his armor.  Rearing back on his knees, he stares at the offshore Oshu'k'et, and thrusts a hand into the air.  A bilious purple mist begins to gather above his head, flickering with thick worms, squirming violently as they die in the golden light streaming from the sky. Beneath the barrier, Jeihrem stands, and takes a step towards the shoreline.

>
The light continues to rain down from the skies, and gaps in Jeihrem's barrier begin to form.  As the light shines through these gaps, Jeihrem is pushed downward, visibly struggling against an extreme weight, his armor groaning as it deforms in places.  He strides towards the Oshu'k'et offshore, a barrage of electricity, lava javalins, panjandrums and mangonel fire slowing his progress, and reaches a gauntleted hand as he nears the vessel.

>
>
>
Slamming down to one knee, Jeihrem continues to struggle against the weight above as it streams through his failing barrier.  He pulls his hand back, and ribbons of shadow begin to gather in his cupped palm, hissing and dripping with malevolence.  The shadow tightens into an orb, snapping with no-color flashes, and Jeihrem pivots his shoulders, ready to attack!

>
Several volleys from the Aloof Gannet, the Oshu'k'et, and the assembled weapons strike simultaneously, knocking Jeihrem back slightly, the now crackling orb in his hand vibrating with violence.  Several large gaps in the barrier overhead begin to widen, knocking Jeihrem's arm to the ground, causing the orb to dissipate.  Jeihrem is once again slammed to the ground!

>
Jeihrem reaches for the Oshu'k'et, but his gauntlet and vambraces being to melt, glowing red hot.  Jeihrem roars, an otherworldy bellow, a challenge to all gathered, a call to arms to those beyond the rend.  You hear them clamoring, pushing against the oppressive weight, and the rend begins to unfurl once again.


Jeihrem suddenly explodes into vaporous black ichor, a whirlwind of ooze, and streams towards the writhing form of Sivroch, enveloping her and looping upward towards the manor.


Airship Captain Uroi just arrived.

>
As the golden light continues to stream downward, the rend in reality closes buckles once more, and closes completely, the summoned nightmares scattering to ash.  Above the manor, a thick maisma gathers, flaring against the righteous weight of the light.

>
Airship Captain Uroi climbed up a spruce ladder bolted to the gondola frame.

>
Several large orbs of bone are launched into the sky, exploding into a cloud of jagged shrapnel that begins to rain down on the shoreline!  As the bone shrapnel falls, impacts travel from the beach to the water, tiny puffs of sand and rock exploding upward, moving onto a line of ripples as the waves are churned by impacts.  The Oshu'k'et is caught in the blast, the wood of the prow splintering and the sails shredded.


As the weapon aboard the Oshu'k'et shatters, the golden light begins to dim, the righteous weight to lessen.  The manor stands, enveloped in a purple mist, the beaches littered with flesh, bones, and streaks of ichor.


An ornithopter suddenly takes to the skies, a Gnome pilot falling from the ascending vehicle as it races for the Aloof Gannet. You are able to make out what appears to be the remains of Srinoja at the controls. Moments after the ornithopter arrives at the airship, a hairline fracture in reality spiders outward like a broken mirror for a moment, and then suddenly vanishes.  The airship turns for the open sea and flies away.


[The Aloof Gannet, Firing Platform]
Slung below the ornithopter deck, this narrow causeway runs the length of the airship to provide clearance for the docking emplacements.  The wind is fierce, whipping chaotically, and the constant buzzing of the banyakea drones in irregular timing.  The deck expands to the fore and aft, featuring a pair of strange metal cages mounted at both ends.
You also see an azure pear tree.
Also here: Airship Captain Uroi.
Obvious paths: up.

>
Airship Captain Uroi strolls up.


Airship Captain Uroi just arrived.


Suddenly, thick burls of fat, muscle, and sinew explode from the ground and wrap around your body, enclosing you in a tight cocoon!  Surrounded by darkness, you hear whispering, promises of inclusion and secrets long forgotten, and claw and spine and tooth and nail rasp along your skin, tendrils worming into your mouth and nose.  You feel a thundering heartbeat, and find yourself...
>
You feel yourself being pulled away...
[Maze of Flesh, Bynaikae's Feast]
You stand in the midst of a small cavern, every surface lined with still very much alive flesh -- stretched eyeballs blinking in confusion, a disfigured mouth gasping for breath between spiraling teeth, ears sprouting fingers that clench and unclench.  It becomes impossible to keep track of the arrayed horrors.  Whispers echo all around the cavern, recollections of experiences utterly foreign but disturbingly familiar.  You begin to lose your place, to forget being alone in your skin, and have a strange desire to hug the walls, to lean into the comfort of the many, to remember with Them.
You also see a mound of flesh.
Also here: Ruffian Kytref.
Obvious exits: obscured by a thick fog


You feel like you're dying!

[Basalt Isle, Shattered Cavern]
Huge and nearly pitch black, the vast majority of this cavern is filled with treacherous and unpassable water, the echoes from the waves resonating through the oversized hollow.  A narrow basalt ledge allows just enough room to sit or stand comfortably.  The underside of hexagonal basalt columns poke randomly through the darkness that shrouds the high ceiling, giving a glimpse of the island's massive weight above.


>
Khoheke asks, "Did anyone have eyes on Zauldin when he fell?  What happened?"

You say, "He was thrown into a rift."

You say, "Grabbed by tentacles from it and pulled in after sivroch threw him."
>
Anuril asks, "What happened to Sivroch?"

A haunting moan permeates the area, causing your skin to crawl!