The Oculus

[DM Bob]

Time passes as long as you need - the only limitation being how long Hurk can keep himself small.

Make your next rolls, etc... for leaving. If you do not disturb the halfling, he will continue to rest.

[Attilius]

After the hours nap rest, Hurkling grabs his gear and prepares for the wormhole shuffle
[65/161 PsP's]

[DM Bob]

Just waiting on raising confirmation. So I can describe that. Since the brains aren't presently in the bodies... you might want to try and figure out how to open those jars...

[Attilius]

Sept 13, 2023 15:13:56 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

Just waiting on raising confirmation. So I can describe that. Since the brains aren't presently in the bodies... you might want to try and figure out how to open those jars...

HurK will go and investigate the jars, specifically the empty one first...

[Niachi]

Niachi saunters over to help check the jars. He gets to about 3 feet from one and circles around, getting a good visual on what's inside. His gloved hand extends a foot closer to wiggle his fingers in front of a brain, testing for any reaction. As this is his shadow arm, its temperature is lower than his other flesh and bone arm. He repeats with his other hand.

[DM Bob]

This is a good tactic for Hurk, as he sees on the open container that somehow the metal lid is corkscrewed or threaded? How long would someone need to file such a thing? He thinks twisting the top right might tighten the lid and left should loosen it.

What will they think of next?

The little brains do not react... thankfully. They continue to half float suspended in whatever goo lies within the canisters.

[Attilius]

"A wondrous feat of smithing, these jar tops. Perhaps designed with telekinesis or even Create Object powers?" He says while showing everyone how to turn them on and off

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- "These lights flicker like torches in a windy night.. But, preserving the body but without the brain? Could it be a kind of artifact from the past? My people craft wonders, sometimes even without looking for it" - Eslyk remembers a halfling with a protruding hunchback who could physically lift stones like if these were tree leaves. She takes that hour to do the minimum movement possible
rest and recover some energy and relax her body, but keeping aware of her surroundings without touching anything

[OOC: 65/99 PSPs, don't know how many I recover. Rejuvenation 1 out of 16]

[Quila Oris (John M.)]

”I could ask the wisdom of Kurn whether our plan of a following order in which to place the brains back into the bodies will be successful” Quila says to HurK and Niachi while they are investigating the jars.

(OOC: Bob I will cast Augury full well knowing there’s max gonna be 4 raise deads in the next day or so. So in my formulation I will start with the first body north of the open slot where Erfurth was in and check if the combination with the brain from the vat one above the empty one checks out. I will move counter-clockwise from there. )

[DM Bob]

Here's the rub. Hurk/Markus actually had it wrong in his initial guess. But after an augury, let's just say that we've determined the correct order and you can commence raising. You've done your diligence in asking the proper questions and double checking your answers.

Two halflings can be raised at this point. I'll even have our sleepy one stumble over to translate their thanks. Wir-agoth & Han-avios, two women, regain their life thanks to you and your humanitarian efforts.

They will be tired and still need rest, but you should get back to town since we've already determined wormholes and the like. Plan on any questions for them when/if you return.

***

The wormhole opens up just outside of Nirik. The rain has stopped, but the mud is thick. Even the short distance to the town takes a bit longer than expected. The drone of flying insects can be heard to the north and the sun begins to set. You approach the limits of town, hungry and ready to plan the next day.

We will keep this thread open until the next morning - so any overnight intent or kreen shenanigans are welcome before we advance.

[AthasianLaborer]

Ande has time to get her spells after we Napped?  If yes, she would offer to Sacred Guardian one of if not both of the Raised Halflings (again, securing consent prior to casting).  If no, ignore this bit.

-------

Ande goes through the WH last and pulls up as she goes through.  She'll not be contacting any mud unless it is flung on her.  She will attempt to stay in view of the party and in sight of the community, hoping her appearance alone will herald their return.  She will offer her assistance in ferrying any party members she can.

[DM Bob]

No, but you should have time to meditate once you get back to the town proper.

[Attilius]

As soon as he steps through, HurK releases his power and sizes back up. "WHEW!"
[64/161 PsP's]

He'll ask J'lact, or his earth cleric, to inspect the sink hole. Get an idea of what they're dealing with and what the community is doing to fix/fill it...

[Niachi]

After they settle in, get a meal and debrief, Niachis intent:

Ensure the resurrected halflings are treated well.
Go to the hut sheltering their mounts and the dead Strange, and ask for any divinations on the carcass, and have Detect Disease cast on the mounts.
Strategize about next day, which will determine what spells he will prepare.
Learn how to enter and exit the Seed via its normal portals.
Learn the source of the storm.

[DM Bob]

[Closing thread]