Game: Great minds think alike (Part II)

Ian's feet touch solid ground again - and he is once more in the midst of the group of creatures that tried to capture him in the Abyssal Isle (or, at least, this seems the most probable explanation so far). As he appears again, the creatures all take a step back, rising their heads and "watching" him with nervously-moving tentacles. It's hard to tell why, but something about them appears heavily aggressive... yet they do not attack (yet).

Ian can move his feet without problems.

The only thing you broke, Lomax says, is that other Abyssal Isle. Unfortunately we left too quick for me to say what came out.

You and your beliefs, Lomax snickers. A few moments ago, you were a creating power - comparable to gods, or beyond. Everything you felt, everything you thought, everything that was going on in you influenced the way you shaped reality. The entire reality you were in, including the part where the Abyssal Isle floated. And of course your influences on reality changed the way reality influenced the Abyssal Isle. In a way, it's quite simple.

[OOC: More following..]

Ian sees a giant claw rising at his side, a sharp light-brown arc about ten feet long and ten inches thick. It reminds him of a scorpion's claw, but with only one "finger" - basically, a giant, natural scythe.

The attack goes against Ian's left arm, trying to chop it off with a single attack - and considering the claw's size and sharpness, this is not entirely impossible...

[OOC: Attack roll coming]

... but the claw misses Ian's arm , if only by inches

[OOC: It's become so silent... who's still around?]

Ian rushes through the air like an arrow, going in a curve over the wall. As he passes the top of the wall, he finds himself swallowed by thick mist. After a second or two, he reaches the highest spot of his "flight". For a moment which feels strangely long, his body stands in mid-air... then he feels gravity pulling him downwards again. All he sees on his way down is mist, and more mist.

Faathi replies with no change of her tone of voice. "I am not entirely sure, but it happens very often. Don't worry about Thuu, he returns every time... although I'd wish for him that for once, he'd have a better fate than what you just saw."

Naruk nods as Faathi speaks, adding, "I think we've just seen an exceptionally strong apparition."

[OOC: Sorry, totally forgot about the gem.]

The gem shows to Saath exactly the room he saw before - it seems like everything in here is exactly what it seems.

As Ian examines his legs, he finds they are covered by bright green feathers - all over his entire legs.

The only answer Ian receives comes from Lomax.
Me, sometimes. But if I am not entirely mistaken, these feathers come from casting a spell in the Abyss without a spell key. You and your companions had lots of luck with the magic you casted so far. But I think these feathers are not regenerative. Pull them out once, and they should be gone.

Faster than expected, Ian's feet touch the ground again - soft grass, free from the water that turned the city's streets into mud. From what little he can see through the mist (no farther than the end of his outstretched arm), he stands on a hill.

Now THAT was strange, Lomax says without any further explanation.

[OOC: @Blackthornes: The character's name is Saath ]

So far, all Ian can see is a green grass hill covered in mist.

Didn't you notice? Lomax says. You landed too fast. It's like reality itself bended to support you. Also, everything here seems... peaceful. I do not feel the aura of Evil that is present everywhere else in the Abyss.

After a bit of walking, Ian finds a larger hill in front of him. Part of the hill has been removed, and a door has been set into the hill - looking exactly like the door in the ceiling they found in the tunnel.

It's not, Lomax replies. Something here is not as it should be in the Abyss... but that doesn't have to be bad. It could, though.

Ian finds no traps on the door - but no lock either

Ian presses on the door in many variations, but it moves not a single bit.

As he has just finished his first examination of the door, he hears a voice nearby - no more than six or seven steps left of him.

"Mylord, I believe I have a found a trace. Stones in the ground, probably remains of an ancient wall. They might lead to the palace."

The voice is creaky and dark... and feels strangely known to Ian, though he can't remember yet to whom the voice belongs.

Faathi enters the discussion. "There are no other doors in this room, only the two exits you know, to the palace, and to the tower you came from, and the door to the palace can only be opened by those of Faeraan heritage. The other door is still guarded by those... how did you call them? Mariliths?"

Neither Blackthornes nor Saath find another exit. What Blackthornes DOES find, though, is a small black box crafted from black wood. It was hidden in the shadows of a bigger plant with large red leaves and small orange fruits.

Blackthornes finds a well-hidden trap in the box which is activated when the box's lock is opened without any precautions. He finds a poisoned needle as one part of the trap, and a small gemstone as a second part - most probably a magical effect activated whenever the needle is activated.

While the trap itself is very clever, it should be easy for Blackthornes to disarm the trap.

As Ian retreats from Xanarox and his servants, he can hear the last words of their discussion before they leave in a different direction.

"Chauran's tower should be free from the mist, mylord. It is not a part of the remains of this ancient world, but came here later from Sigil."

"With a bit of luck," Xanarox replies, "you're right. But I prefer not to count on luck. We need to be prepared to wipe these mortals out of existence no matter the circumstances."

Ian already has trouble hearing these last words as Xanarox moves away from him. As he tries opening the door, nothing happens.

The group is on the other side, Lomax explains.