Re: Book One: Chapter Three: "Barriers Breached"

[Malazek]

Alex chats to the Lt. Mage about inconsequential matters, he doesn't seem to have the zest for knowledge that Siqerod had. And he excuses himself when Straegis comes over.

Alex of course reads the book with Straegis, and then quickly falls into a deep sleep. Utter exhaustion tearing him away from its pages.

When he wakes he enjoys the breakfast; although he is eating it with Etolic Myths propped up against a bowl of fruit, but it doesn't seem like even he can concentrate. Filled with excitement at the possabilitiy of meeting Katrina (who he has yet to inform the group of). He gives up and stows it in his bag and decides to tell them all about Jaru instead.

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History: 16 Natural bloody 1!
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Although it seems he can't concentrate on that either. In the end he gives up anything, and barks at the others to "Hurry up so they can get going." In a very uncharacteristic manner. It seems Alex has got up on the wrong side of the bed today. But he quickly apologises. Rubbing his temples. "Err. Sorry guys...I just really want to get moving - My friend Katrina said she was going to be visiting Jaru to get some supplies for her research. She is a seeker too, and I just hope I get to meet her!"

After that he seems a lot calmer, and finishes his breakfast without incident.

When they meet Agatha, Alex props open his spellbook -which, oddly, seems to have gained a number of bookmarks that look like napkins- at an early page to indicate the sigil sequence to Jaru, and obviously helps with the ritual.

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Arcana 25

[Malazek]

Verity is awoken by Zephyrs tail swatting his face. He groans, both at the view and the ache in his back from sleeping in wet mail. He grunts himself upright and heads to breakfast, quickening his step when the smell of the stable is replaced by the smell of hotcakes.
“Top of the morning, all,” he greets everyone before loading a plate and taking a seat.
“Well I hope we get to meet this Katrina, Alex. A friendly face in Jura would be most welcome. But with war begun, it's anyone's guess what we'll find when we step through the portal. If we’re greeted by dwarven troops, best we be ready.”

When the party is ready to portal, Verity will ready an action to invoke Radiant Delirium upon any dwarven aggressors they encounter on the other side.

[Malazek]

Eschewing any food, Mordax sits silently, brooding. The only sound he mutters is the occasional grunt, and the only motion the gaunt-looking fisherman makes is the absent-minded caress of his hammer.

After a long while he shakes himself, and wolfs down bread and coffee.

Straegis comes to and is glad to find his friends all around. He has one thing on his mind right now and that is a hearty breakfast. He grabs a few handfuls of food and heads over to assist Agatha. He pays special attention to all of the steps she is doing to prepare the portal because he knows the experience will help him later.

Arcana(assist): 1d20=9+15(s)=24

[Malazek]

Davin wakes with the cooks as they prepare the morning meal. After washing the sleep out of his eyes, he goes to the stable, readies the wagon team, and pulls them around to the front of the HQ.

Entering the great hall, he finds all his friends assembled and joins them, after piling a plate high with the breakfast feast presented by Ferall.

Grinning to himself, the woodsman muses on his companions. "Straegis and Alex with their noses in a book, Mordax silent and brooding, and Verity affably chatting everyone up. Good to see some things never change."

"Good morn, all. The wagon is ready when we are."

Davin wolfs down about half the plate, wiping the remains of his breakfast off his chin with the back of his dirty sleeve, and gives the remains to Hound to finish.

When the group is ready to portal, Davin readies his bow and an arrow in his right hand, and snaps the reins with his left.

"Hannibell, Facey! Lead on girls! Meridock, B.A.! HYAA! HYAA!"

-Swift

[Malazek]

The party emerges from the portal into the tiny settlement of Jaru. Once a bustling city, Jaru is now little more than an outpost; barely large enough to be called a hamlet, even Brackwater is larger.

Stone ruins dot the landscape. Some have been utilized as impromptu shelters or makeshift stalls. Others have been built upon, forming the foundations for new buildings.

The ancient Spire of Light no longer stands in full glory, but rather at half its original height. Despite this fact, is no less impressive. ... an no less useful. The current residents have built a new signal pyre atop it's lowered apex; so the spire still sends its beams-of-warning to ships in the night.

One such ship can be seen on the open sea, just beyond the beach at the far end of the settlement.

Chapter Three is complete. The Story Resumes HERE.

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